Cotswold Style July 2015 by Cotswold Style Ltd

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SEEKING THE SUN

•

July 2015

WORKING MUMS IN THE COTSWOLDS How to deal with school holidays

THE TRAVEL ISSUE • Mrs & Mr Jones: Cool in Ibiza • Hot Fashion for the Beach • Surfing in California

&R in RBOURTON

£2.50

ON-THEWATER

COMPETITION

WIN THE ULTIMATE ESCAPE BEAUTY PACKAGE

Cotswoldia

KEEPING UP AT SPORT’S DAY

THE COTSWOLD GENT SPEEDS UP at the annual Prescott Hill Climb

CRICKET STAR HAMISH MARSHALL AT THE BREWIN DOLPHIN CHELTENHAM CRICKET FESTIVAL

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beautiful, bespoke handmade kitchens

benchwoodkitchens hand crafted for timeless elegance

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MOVING TO

CHELTENHAM 19 The Courtyard, Montpellier

Benchwood Kitchens Limited 14 Global Business Park, Wilkinson Road, Cirencester, Gloucesteshire, GL7 1YZ

Telephone:

01285 643 071

Open: 10am – 4pm, Monday to Friday and 9am – 1pm Saturday

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The Summer Sale 8 ROTUNDA TERRACE, MONTPELLIER STREET, CHELTENHAM, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, GL50 1SW TEL: 01242 523331 - STORES NATIONWIDE - andsotobed.co.uk

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Contents

J U LY 2 0 1 5

CONTENTS 10 Out and About Your guide to the very best events happening in and around the Cotswolds this month

53 Celebrating 10 years of Cricket

97 Time to R&R with your partner

Castaway with Gloucestershire great, Hamish Marshall

We review The Dial House in Bourton

14 Real Life

54 Visiting the Golden Gate

104 Your Holiday Fitness Programme

We meet The Core’s, Jay Halford

Lucy Garbutt’s travel guide to California

Luciano Kydd’s full body workout

17 Hot Property

56 Somewhere for the Weekend?

109 Single, Working Mothers

We feature some of the most beautiful properties that are for sale or to let in and around the Cotswolds

Mrs & Mr Jones have discovered Ibiza

60 COMPETITION

31 Camping in Style

Win a pampering experience @Escape

A beautiful weekend with Cotswold Bells

66 Head to the Med

39 Cotswoldia

73 Cool-Off this Summer

Your kind to ‘keeping up’ with posh picnics

Throw a private pool party at Cowley Manor

44 A Sea of Lilac

77 Growing Gloucestershire Business

Camilla Bassett-Smith reveling in Fields of Lavender

Hot Fashion for your holiday

Profiling some of the leading companies in the county

49 Cotswolds Culture Reliving the history of spectator sport

93 Restaurant Review

Claire in the County looks at the problems during school holidays

111 From Monte Carlo to Prescott The Cotswold Gent’s guide to being a Petrol Head

113 Bowing to Pressure Groups? Sandra Paul thinks it’s all Unbelivable!

SOCIAL SCENE 75 Andy Deacon’s 40th Birthday Party 98 Livestock Festival Preview

Eating at Ciao Eatalia in Stroud

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Welcome Senior Partner Paul Bates 01242 220239 paul@stylemagazines.co.uk Partner Mark Cuzner 07917 821577 mark@stylemagazines.co.uk Business Development Manager Ian McRorie 07917 175919 ian@stylemagazines.co.uk Sales Executive Alastair McClare 01242 220239 ali@stylemagazines.co.uk Sales Executive Bethany Lynch 07807 126214 bethany.lynch@stylemagazines.co.uk Office Manager Carley Jones 01242 220239 office@stylemagazines.co.uk Production Consultant Hilary Collier 01242 220239 hilary@stylemagazines.co.uk Editorial Designer Nick Clark 01242 220239 nclark@stylemagazines.co.uk

Suite 104, Eagle Tower, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1TA Switchboard: 01242 220239; Fax: 01242 257019; Email: editor@stylemagazines.co.uk or advertising@stylemagazines.co.uk Publisher: Paul Bates; Distribution: Pineapple Media, 172 Northern Parade, Portsmouth, Hants, PO2 9LT. Merchandising services: Patrick Farrelly.

@CotswTwitter followers

22,125 CotswoldStyleMagazine Facebook fans

5,121

EDITOR’S FOREWORD ummer is finally here in the Cotswolds and what a fun time we’re all going to have! Schools are breaking up, the sun is out, bags are packed and off we go on holiday. This July we have travelled beyond our borders to seek some of the hottest and stylish destinations to visit. Lucy Garbutt flies us to California and treats us to a film star lifestyle in the Golden State. From surfing and wine tasting to Pacific Ocean beaches and national parks, she has the whole trip covered. We introduce you to our new monthly column, Mrs & Mr Jones, a short haul destination guide, ideal if you’re looking for somewhere for the weekend. Mrs Jones definitely wears the trousers when travelling and ensures that all subjects are covered from entertainment to shopping, especially if Mr Jones is being mean with his wallet! They have commenced this month in a ‘Cotswolds’ favourite’ destination of Ibiza. Our ever adventuress Fashion Editor, Yvette Brentnall with her trusted assistant, Tracy Doughty have headed to the Med and been having a ball on the Côte d’Azur. They have returned with tales of the glamourous lifestyles from Club 55, a world-renowned beach bar made famous by the beautiful Brigitte Bardot. Clive Burling offers encouragement in updating your house and Interiors Editor, Emeline Watchorn will inspire you with her Mediterranean theme for some stunning new home accessories. Back to the Cotswolds, our resident horticulturist Camilla Bassett-Smith has spent the sweetest of times in a sea of lilac at the beautiful Cotswold Lavender Farm near Broadway, whilst The Cotswold Gent will be driving down the road, wishfully hoping to race one-day at the Prescott Hill Climb. Angela Chancellor is having a busy time ‘Keeping Up’ whilst fretting over the Mother’s Race on Sports Day and being able to prepare the perfect, posh picnic. On the other end of the spectrum, Claire in the County is equally stressed but how to handle childcare as a single, working mother during the summer school holidays. The world’s oldest cricket festival comes back to Cheltenham from 8th-19th July – The Brewin Dolphin Cheltenham Cricket Festival and Cotswold Style, will be present on Ladies Day, 9th July, supporting local cancer charity, LINC. More information can be found at www.gloscricket.co.uk. Susan Blanchfield relives the history of spectator sport in her Cotswolds Culture column this month. So I hope I leave you with lots of fun holiday reading in this edition and have a great end of term and start to the summer. Best wishes,

Emma Logan Emma Logan, Editor editor@stylemagazines.co.uk

Cover image: Clothing by Lindsey Brown www.lindseybrown.com Cotswold Style is published monthly by Cotswold Style Ltd, based at Suite 104, Eagle Tower, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, 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, Cotswold Style 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. 1756-6673.

COTSWOLD STYLE JULY 2015 9

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t u o ab ENTERTAINMENT

RHYTHM OF THE DANCE AT CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL Wednesday 8th July, 7.30pm

This incredible live show from The National Dance Company of Ireland, featuring The Young Irish Tenors, celebrates the rich history of Ireland and the art of Irish dance, from the disciplined Celtic Step to the sensual, ancient Sean Nos dance style. Don’t miss this inspiring, breath-taking show that has received extensive critical acclaim. Tickets £24.50 (children £14.50) www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk

CHESS THE MUSICAL, BACON THEATRE Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th July, 7.30pm Promenade Productions are presenting a fully staged production, with full orchestra, of the famous musical, created by Tim Rice, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus. Played out on an international stage and filled with political intrigue, Chess also has a strong love interest by way of a romantic triangle. Tickets from £12 www.bacontheatre.co.uk

SUMMER EXHIBITION AT TRINITY HOUSE, BROADWAY Saturday 11th July to Sunday 30th August Trinity House is delighted to present an exhibition of paintings by one of the most influential modern British painters of the 20th century, Mary Fedden. For more information, contact 01386 859 329 or: art@trinityhousepaintings.com

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In association with

with old Style Cotsw

‘eat well, enjoy wine, love life’

www.montpellierwinebar.com

SUMMER COOKING AT FOODWORKS Sunday 12th July, from 9.30am to 3pm Learn from our head chef some fabulous new ideas for dinner parties this summer, great ideas for starters and canapés. Enjoy a delicious lunch in the Foodworks Herb Garden. Quote CSFW for a 10% discount on this course. To book, call 01242 870538. www.foodworkscookeryschool.co.uk

uncanny air, but one that is full of fun and romance in inimitable Austen style. Tickets £15.50. Pre-theatre two-course dinner from £16.50 per person. Restaurant booking time 5/5.30pm, subject to availability. Call the hotel to book 01285 700900 or visit their website: www.kingshead-hotel.co.uk

BOOKBINDING AND CERAMICS EXHIBITION, THE PAINSWICK CENTRE Monday 13th to Sunday 19th July, daily from 10am Anne Weare & Victoria HendzelWalker, both local craft workers, are exhibiting a diverse range of styles and techniques in their crafts. For further details, call 01285 760328

SIR RANULPH FIENNES AT CHELTENHAM TOWN HALL Friday 17th July, 7.30pm From light-hearted to strikingly poignant, long-time friend and expedition partner Anton Bowring talks with Sir Ranulph Fiennes about his childhood, misdemeanours at school, army life and early expeditions, through to the Transglobe Expedition and the recent Coldest Journey. Tickets £22.50 www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk

ABSENT FRIENDS AT THE EVERYMAN THEATRE Monday 13th to Saturday 18th July Alan Ayckbourn’s biting comedy about a well-intentioned tea party, which descends into chaos. www.everymantheatre.org.uk

CURRY IN THE GARDEN AT FOODWORKS Wednesday 15th July, from 7 to 9.30pm A fun hands on evening where you will make an array of Indian starters and curries, then either take away or enjoy in the garden at Foodworks with a beer. A really fun, sociable evening. To book, call 01242 870538. www.foodworkscookeryschool.co.uk

NORTHANGER ABBEY AT THE KINGS HEAD, CIRENCESTER Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th July at 7.30pm DOT Productions Theatre Company presents Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey at The Kings Head. Northanger Abbey is a wonderfully entertaining coming-of-age story, often referred to as Jane Austen’s “Gothic parody”. Decrepit castles, locked rooms, mysterious chests, cryptic notes and tyrannical fathers give the story an

CHAT WITH THE KINGS HEAD CHEESE CHAMPION, CIRENCESTER Thursday 16th July, 5.30pm Delve into the depths of the Cheese Champion’s knowledge. Enjoy local cheese tasting with matching wines located in the intimate and atmospheric Wine Cellar. Tickets £15 per person. www.kingshead-hotel.co.uk

ROVIN’ FEST AT CHELTENHAM RFC Friday 17th to Sunday 19th July

This boutique family festival, set against the backdrop of the Cotswold Hills, features more than 60 acts across three stages. Performers from 14 to 80 years of age, range from world-class established artists to the hottest, new talent. A wide range of genres from funk to folk and ska to soul, is set to appeal to all musical taste buds. The tented arena includes a food village,

SPONSORED BY

www.yorkeconstruction.co.uk

le ty

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Yorke Construction Ltd Ingenuity with a History

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Carpet Emporium is truly a family business run by Don D’Ambrosio along with his wife Mary and cousin John who have successfully built up a carpet business with a ‘difference’. We are not your normal carpet business with just lots of pattern books or samples to choose from, we actually probably stock more carpet rolls and large room sized remnants than other carpet business in Gloucestershire. When people think of a carpet remnant they think of a small piece suitable for a small bedroom, but the remnants we stock are big enough to carpet several rooms.

the difference is...

WHY CARPET REMNANTS? We also stock full rolls which will carpet a complete house. Many of these offer our customers a discount of up to 50% off normal retail prices. All remnants are perfect we do not sell factory seconds. We offer budget priced remnants to top quality 80% Wool Twist and 100% Wool Berbers, we also have many wool carpets that are now mothproof. If you cannot find what you are looking for in our extensive stock selection of over 250 rolls, we also have over 500 samples of carpets and rugs from all leading carpet manufactures in the UK and Europe. RUGS We also carry a huge range of rugs all from stock from bargain priced polypropylenes to 100% Wool Natural, plains and patterned. Many of the rugs stocked are discontinued lines which represent a big saving on normal prices. VINYLS Over 250 designs and styles of top quality vinyls available, from marble, wood, tile effect and many contemporary designs. DIVAN BEDS & MATTRESSES We have a large selection of different quality mattresses from budget priced open coil, to high quality 3000 pocket sprung, and also superb quality natural latex options. All beds and mattresses can be delivered direct from stock. WHY PURCHASE FROM CARPET EMPORIUM Carpet Emporium aim to make your carpet buying experience as easy as possible, we offer a measuring and planning service free of charge. We have experienced carpet fitters which we can fully recommend or we can deliver carpets direct to your premises for your own fitter to install. We have been providing flooring and rugs in the Cheltenham area for over 35 years.

Customer satisfaction is crucial to our business and we will always endeavour to bring our customer the best service and most competitive prices we possibly can.

01242 22 88 55

Give us a try before you buy we GUARANTEE value for money!

16-28 Bath Road, Cheltenham GL53 7HA Open 9am-5pm Tues, Weds, Fri & Sat LATE NIGHT OPENING THURSDAYS – 9am-6.30pm

carpetemporium@hotmail.com | www.carpetemporium.co.uk

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See more socials at www.stylemagazines.co.uk

Style Event

The Swallow Bakery launches new Grazing Menu The Swallow Bakery, Cheltenham invit ed guests to sample their new Grazing Menu â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a selection of seasonal sharing dish es with modern Mediterranean influences. Photography by Angus Bethune

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Interiors

Rejuvenate your home... and yourself

One of the advantages of having been involved with antiques and design for many years (getting on a bit in other words!), is that one tends to notice trends and patterns of behaviour. I have spent a lot more time recently rejuvenating and transforming existing pieces of furniture for my clients, either in their homes or in my workshop. Pieces of furniture that may have been owned for some time, maybe even having some sentimental value and which have become part of their lives. There was a time when this was certainly not common. Items were instantly discarded if they didn’t ‘fit in’ and replaced with something new or different. There are lots of reasons for this change. The economy, environmental awareness and the 101 ‘makeover’ TV programmes for a start! I think, however, that our newfound confidence has a lot more to do with it. Because there are now so many options available to us, projects that would not have been considered a few years ago are now taken on. With

Before

After

Clive Burling looks at the Before and After effect

confidence. Clients and designers I work with are able to put forward their own ideas and transform either a single piece of furniture to fit in with a particular ‘look’ or take on a whole house knowing that when completed, it will be exactly what they want and won’t be a disaster. Well, that’s the theory anyway. I’ve included some pictures of some recent projects and a couple showing what I call the ‘before and after effect’. I have become used to positive reactions and happy clients. That is always nice of course but it really hit me recently when I decided to take some time out and give one of my own rooms a ‘60 minute makeover’. I painted the floorboards, the dining table and a couple of side tables. It did, needless to say, take slightly more than 60 minutes but the result was a surprise to me. Having to ‘de-clutter’ first and re-organise once I had finished, meant that I had a room I hardly recognised! I experienced that positive reaction first hand. I’m really energised and happier now every time I go in there. So, the moral of this story is simple. Transform your living space and rejuvenate yourself…

Before After

Contact Clive Burling: Tel : 07788257914 clive.burling@gmail.com

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Visit our woodlands showroom Malthouse Lane Long Compton Warwickshire CV36 5JL Tel: 01608 684455 Email: info@hutchinsonfurniture.co.uk www.hutchinsonfurniture.co.uk

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Cotswoldia

Cotswoldia Angela Chancellor’s Guide to Keeping UP Is your picnic posh enough and don't, whatever you do think that relaxing is an option for sports day. Exams are over, the end of term is nigh and the villa in Mallorca/South of France/Tuscany is all booked. Little Johnny has passed Common Entrance, so a place at Radders or Dean Close is secured, darling Millie has bagged her bunk at Tudor Hall or Cheltenham Ladies, so thank God that's one box ticked on the endless list of Mummy's chores. You've even managed to navigate your way through the ticketing system for Wilderness and have managed to get (hopefully) the right ticket to the right camping area (be’wildering’) because your currently very entitled feeling teenagers, are SO grown up all of a sudden and ALL their friends are going to a festival - don't you know, YOU SIMPLY MUST KEEP UP! So why are you waking up at 5am with a nagging feeling that you have forgotten something. What is it that is giving you the night terrors? One of the most 'relaxed' but potentially terrifying social events of the year is little Johnny or Millie's sports day. Don't forget that this seemingly innocuous occasion has the power to potentially propel you to the front page of a national newspaper, if not at least to the front or back of the social pack. Some of us may remember 1989, not the Cotswolds I am afraid, but Wetherby Gardens Prep, so not a million miles away at the other end of the M40. Then a young Princess Diana in a diaphanous skirt was seemingly grasping for glory and so enamoured were the press with this apparition, that Tiananmen Square was nudged firmly off the front pages. Never mind that actually a rather less known Caroline Hall came first in that race but the picture showing this was buried somewhere in the lesser regions of the paper. The Parents Race, along with playing conkers, thankfully or alas, depending on your point of view, has been largely abandoned by even the most traditional of schools. This hotly contested event is, or was that one moment of the year when all pretence of gentility and restraint is swept

“There the main lifeblood of our green and pleasant lands was a young Princess Diana in a diaphanous skirt that was seemingly grasping for glory and so enamoured were the press with this apparition, that Tiananmen Square was nudged firmly off the front pages.”

to the winds and we reveal our true colours. School is competitive. But more poignantly parents are competitive and it is jolly difficult to hide this when you are thundering to the finish line and no amount of Botox will hide the maniacal expression on the once composed face of the 'girl in pearls', that graced Country Life in her heyday. Parental exertion may have drifted to the sidelines but it has been replaced by a far more daunting social race...how to host the 'picnic' that everyone wants to join or outdo. No one wants to be the sad, drifting parent who does not know where to belong or is clearly not connected enough to set up digs that they can rely on their friends attending. Competitive, or extreme, picnicking is an art that not all of us are willing or able to embrace. We all know someone who will bake a quiche from scratch using only freerange, organic ingredients, only to find, when releasing it from its wrapper, it has broken into a hundred pieces and gone as soggy as an Ed Miliband speech.

More fool you, if you have not mastered the art of picnic delegation. In the Cotswolds, luckily we are not short of a posh farm shop or two and there are plenty of swelly-deli's around to help you out of your bind. Gusto in Cheltenham's smart Montpellier stretch is well-known for supplying most of the delicious fare served under the smartest gazebos at Cheltenham College's sports day and you would be hard pressed to get more Bentleys or Astons per capita outside of London than at this alma mater, so if it works here, you would do well to take note. The Cotswolds are a proverbial cornucopia of foodie fetishism and I think a bit of epicurial tourism to the many posh/celebrity farm shops is on the cards for future musings but for now, just Google ‘posh farm shop Cotswolds’ and guess what comes up? This is not one of those blindingly obvious prize giveaways by the way but the winner is.... tadaaahh... Daylesford Farm Shop. Despite a small number of bizarrely overpriced items, you will generally find lots of quite reasonable yummies to fill the discerning hamper. You can certainly lure me to your digs with a nicely chilled bottle or two of their delicious Rose Frizzante….

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Ottoman towel in mint, 16,75 euros, 110 cm by 55 cm, Ottomania. www.ottomania.nl. Based in the Netherlands but with an online shop, this fabulous company produces Hamman towels and other beautiful home accessories. These new Ottoman towels are called that because they are made in the same way as original antique towels held in their private collection. They have replaced the silk with viscose for practical reasons. Great in the bathroom or kitchen, they will give your home a splash of colour and style.

‘Deep Three’, £120, comes framed in white box frame, dimensions including frame, 51cm by 41cm by 1.5cm, by Emeline Watchorn. www.emelinewatchornceramics.com, 01285 821 159. emeline.watchorn@gmail.com. Inspired by summer storms on white sandy beaches when the sky goes so dark it becomes an inky blue, this oil painting is one of a series of 4 using the same deep blue and off white palette. To me it has a more Mediterranean feel than the other seascapes I have done.

INTERIORS STYLE

Compiled and written by Interiors Editor Emeline Watchorn www.emelinewatchornceramics.com

July inspires many thoughts of long hot days and of course the beginning of the summer holiday season. This month, my inspiration is the Mediterranean and all its gorgeous colours and styles. In an attempt to merge the old with the new, I have sought out some beautiful products that take traditional Mediterranean styles and colours and bring them up to date. So even if you can’t get away to the med this July, then indulge your home with some blues, soft greens and pretty pinks.

Little Jon medium sofa covered in Harvest Dusky pink fabric, Sofa Workshop. www.sofaworkshop.com This new sofa by Sofa Workshop is timelessly elegant (I can picture it in a groovy villa in Ibiza), but made dreamy and soft with the dusky pink fabric. Mediterranean style with a modern twist.

Blush Tea Light Holders, £4.50 for 9, Cox and Cox www.coxandcox.co.uk, 0844 858 0744. Made from wax with heat resistant plastic casing. They burn for approximately 4 hours. These new pretty little tea lights would give a warm Mediterranean glow to any table!

Pink Porcelain hand thrown bowls, prices £28 each, Sarah Field Ceramics. www.sarahfieldceramics. com, 01285 821 159, sarah@theduntisbourne studios.com. These beautiful hand thrown bowls are soft and elegant and in my mind, completely irresistible!

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Interiors

Valletta Encaustic Tiles, 20 x 20 cm, £8.99 each or £224.70 per square metre by Fired Earth, 0845 366 0400 www.firedearth.com. These stunning handmade tiles are so evocative of a faded Mediterranean beauty that they would transform any interior into something rather special. If you aren’t brave enough to use them in a main room, how about using them in a bathroom or a downstairs cloakroom?

‘ Cypress’ Rug, from £380, by Suzanne Sharp @ The Rug Company. www.therugcompany.com. This brand new design was inspired by Suzanne Sharp's love of travelling and Mediterranean heritage. A stunning rug that would liven up any room.

Green Ceramic Lantern, £79, 17cm by 17cm by 21cm, Bloomingville. www.bloomingville.com. These heavenly ceramic lanterns with look lovely in your garden this summer. I am a big fan of the company, a growing Danish home wares brand that now has countless UK distributors as well as a great direct online store.

Table Lamp, nude, £99, Bloomingville. www.bloomingville.com Thinking along the lines of the sleeker Mediterranean look of the Little Jon sofa, I also love this modern but soft pink table lamp.

Celadon Platter, £65, Emeline Watchorn. www.emelinewatchorncerami cs.com, 01285 821 159. emeline.watchorn@gmail.com . This brand new design of mine was inspired by printed fabric. I bought a textile print block and by pushing it into the clay, created this lovely pattern. It is made from stoneware clay and then fired with a celadon glaze, so is hard wearing and dishwasher proof. Perfect for summer salads or as a fruit bowl, it will look gorgeous on your table this July.

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Through the Garden Gate Camilla Bassett-Smith is our Cheltenham based media horticulturalist and this month, sun hat on head, a trip to a sea of lilac is in order… here are around 90 naturally occurring kinds of atoms and in the region of 90 species of kingfisher but neither of these will you see on a drive in the Cotswolds (or in the case of the atoms, nowhere unless you holiday at Cern). Instead how about 90 acres of lavender? That’s exactly what you will see if you head to Cotswold Lavender in Snowshill. Like a lilac sea undulating with its waves of flora, this family business was started in 2000 with the purchase of no less than 40,000 plants. Given the poor soil and high altitude, the family sought a crop that would succeed in the challenging conditions and succeed they have. My Grandfather in fact farmed land less than a few miles away from this site for many years and frequently tells of the harsh weather with hailstones the size of golf balls one

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year and thunderstorms so bad, that they washed the stony soil from the fields onto the roads. You need determination when you are almost 1000 feet above sea level and the plants at Cotswold Lavender are certainly a determined little (or large), bunch. First to flower is a neat little number called ‘Folgate’ – like a well-known brand of toothpaste with an ‘F’ in place of the ‘C’. It’s hardy and a producer of high quality oil and a pretty good-looking fellow. It is this oil that is the mainstay of the business, with the crops’ steam distilled on site. It is the darker coloured lavenders that create the best oil and the farm uses three main varieties for production. 30% of this oil is used to create their own products with the rest being sold to industry. Dry grains are also collected and are great for culinary uses such as ice cream or cakes. Ok, now I’m

hungry…break for a crisp or two with a compulsory chunk of cheese! With such a huge area, you will not see delicate young ladies in crinolines holding wicker baskets and a pair of scissors making their way along the rows; instead a huge harvester is on hand to chop and collect ready for distilling which must be done the same day as harvest. It’s not just a case of “oh some flowers are out, let’s cut them”, this is actually quite a science – owner Charlie tells me that the blooms are ready for harvest when one third of the flowers are over, one third are out and one third are yet to come. Hot summers are good (I second that one) and rainy summers can cause havoc – remember the floods of 2007? Well Cotswold Lavender does, their seven acres of ‘Folgate’ were ready for harvest when seven inches of rain in one day washed

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Gardening

all the flowers off, creating what looked like huge blue snow drifts and rendered the whole crop wasted. This is a balancing act, timing and weather is crucial. As well as a business producing its wares, this is also a terrific tourist destination, with 35 varieties grown as purely ornamentals – a great place to sniff out the perfect plant for your plot and then perhaps purchase a small

flower pot of it afterwards. ‘Little Lady’, ‘Blue Ice’, they all have such tantalising names and en masse are just like a choir of the grandest quality, dressed in robes of blue and purple and singing together in perfect herbaceous harmony. Inside the shop everything and anything is doused in lavender – from furniture polish to umbrellas and tea and jam to chocolate, not forgetting the popular slumber gel. This is retail

therapy with the sweetest of scents and the purest of ingredients from right here in the Cotswolds. Open from now until the 9th August, every day from 10am until 5pm, this is one distillery where you’ll have the time of your life but still drive home afterwards! For more information visit: www.cotswoldlavender.co.uk

COTSWOLD STYLE JULY 2015 45

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SUMMER EXHIBITION MARY FEDDEN

Detail from: Mary Fedden, Three Brushes, 2008, Oil on canvas, 24 x 27.5 inches, Signed

20 HIGH STREET, BROADWAY

11 JULY – 30 AUGUST 2015 PREVIEW DATES:

Saturday 11 July 2015 10.30am – 5.00pm Sunday 12 July 2015 10.30am – 5.00pm RSVP EXHIBITION CONTINUES TO 30 AUGUST 2015

TRINITY HOUSE LONDON

THE COTSWOLDS

NEW YORK

20 High Street Broadway WR12 7DT | 01386 859329

art@trinityhousepain#ngs.com | www.trinityhousepain#ngs.com

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URHAM HOUSE ANTIQUES

Town and Country Furniture

Durham House Antiques based on Sheep Street in Stow, is the Cotswold home to over 30 select dealers. There is something new almost every day at Durham House – From Silver to Art, from Ceramics to Town and Country Furniture, Jewellery, Books, Lighting, Glasswear and Metalwear.

The list is endless... Period Furniture Paintings Ceramics & Glass Silver & Metalware Jewellery Books Objets de vertu...

Our Dealers are constantly on the lookout for interesting and quality items to tempt you and if you are searching for that “special treasure”, we are glad to help you source it. You will find an ever-changing collection of quality antiques and a warm welcome, with shipping and delivery world-wide. Hours: 10-5 Mon-Sat, 11-5 Sun

4 large showrooms | Open 7 days a week Sheep Street, Stow-on-the-Wold GL54 1AA Tel: 01451 870404 E: DurhamHouseGB@aol.com

48 JULY 2015 COTSWOLD STYLE

We are pleased to open later or earlier for your convenience

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Culture

Cotswolds Culture Susan Blanchfield’s history of spectator sport Sports and games are widely recognised as an essential part of our English culture and heritage. As a nation we love to watch them, smug in the knowledge that we can take credit for most popular sports played around the world; Rugby, Football, Cricket and Tennis all originated in England. And when we did not actually invent a sport or game, we applied our innate cultural predilection for order by constructing official rules for others such as horse racing, polo, swimming, and rowing. Sports events are social gatherings where the additional mingling and ancillary experiences can take on more importance than the actual game. One of the fundamental advantages of sport as a social currency is that it appeals to the deeply rooted desire of people to be part

of crowds. It is the sense of belonging, the ease of socialising with people for whom you share an interest or a cause that is so agreeable. Add the perplexing, fascinating and ceaselessly spontaneous ingredients of sport and you begin to understand why watching it bring us together. These adjectives of course could be applied to the English ‘sporting spectacles’ of centuries ago when the unsavoury practice of bear baiting was widely considered to be a Sunday day out for the smart set. A good ‘drawing and quartering’ event was also considered wholesome family entertainment and Samuel Pepys 17th century records how he whiled away a pleasant morning; ‘To my Lords in the morning but my Lord not being up I went out to Charing Cross, to see Major-general Harrison hanged, drawn, and quartered;….he looking as cheerful as any man could do… he was presently cut down and his head and heart shown to the people to great shouts of joy’.

If we delve a little deeper into history we can see some of our modern sports have been refined of violence over the centuries; football for example was originally a medieval battle between hundreds of men from rival areas attempting to capture the ball and return it to their village. The brutality of the game led to terrible injuries for both players and spectators and countless deaths. It appears that the health and safety reformers may have had a point. As with most cultural aspects of sport, there are quirky (unwritten) rules applied to the spectators too. The English automatic instinctive inclination to cheer for the underdog for examples derives from the logic of the ‘fair play rule’ and Wimbledon is one of the places where this cultural statute is strikingly evident; it is traditional for the crowd to support the unknown player with whooping and cheering as well as shouting encouragement to the loosing opponent regardless of his or her nationality – this behaviour causing bemused bewilderment for those spectators who do not share our heritage. Meanwhile opportunities to view the English in the behavioural equivalent of full national costume exist in the sport of horse racing. Race meetings provide proof that it is entirely possible for hordes of people across the class divide to congregate, drink large quantities of alcohol and gamble at an exciting sporting event without things getting out of hand. Certain meetings however add weight to the well documented English problematic issue of sporting spectator dress, or, as George Orwell put it, an ‘almost general

deadness to aesthetic issues’. Gleeful pictorial evidence of these transgressions can viewed in the usual tabloids. Finally, with the summer season upon us it would be a travesty not to mention the gloriously English game of cricket - the world’s first and oldest modern spectator sport with rules so complex that even scientists struggle to explain the vagaries of a slow bowler’s drift and dip. In cricket, the game, not its result, is the thing and this wonderful sport welcomes those who don’t understand the rules, the rituals or the finer points. Spectators who haven't the faintest idea of its niceties can be identified displaying well-honed skills such as the art of glancing up at seminal moments to applaud or stifling yawns by lifting a warm glass of Pimms to their lips. The Brewin Dolphin Cheltenham Cricket Festival www.gloscricket.co.uk provides ample opportunity to view both the cricket and the spectators from July 8th. Despite the pressure of a myriad of sporting broadcasting options offering us a bewildering choice of highlights, excitable commentary analysis and statistics, our English enthusiasm for the real deal refuses to be dampened. We know spectator sport is not a passive process; we might have moved on from the grim brutality of centuries ago but we understand excitement of settling down with the crowd and we relish the assault on our senses as we watch the sporting drama unfold. Unlike the movies, sport has no predetermined plot, no preview and no predicable outcome, and that is part of its enduring appeal - we haven’t a clue what is going to happen; for the modern day sport spectator, the experience is an intense but risk free wild rollercoaster ride. Hold on. Susan Blanchfield is a Patron and Trustee of Cheltenham Festivals; she is a postgraduate doctoral researcher at the University of Gloucestershire and has a life long passion for the Arts in Education. Please contact Susan at: editor@stylemagazines.co.uk

COTSWOLD STYLE JULY 2015 49

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Luxury | Interior | Design www.kitchengallery.co.uk

It takes inspired design to accommodate names this bigâ&#x20AC;Ś

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Stratford Showroom | 257 Birmingham Road Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 0BF | Tel: 01789 267 001 Solihull Showroom | Century House, 100 Stratford Road Shirley, Solihull B90 3BH | Tel: 0121 744 3953

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01242 237241

A F F O R D A B L E L U X U R Y

No 1 SHOWROOM IN THE UK 2013

BATHROOMS FROM £600

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Fairview Road, Cheltenham GL52 2EJ

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Coffee Break

ASTAWAY International cricketer, Hamish Marshall played for New Zealand with his twin brother James for many years. Jumping across the pond, Hamish joined Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in 2006 and has been a staple to the turf for over 10 years. This summer in his Benefit Season, he will host the Old Boys T20 cricket match featuring many former Gloucestershire greats. The match will bring a close to the 2015 Brewin Dolphin Cheltenham Cricket Festival, the world’s oldest cricket festival. Cotswold Style columnist Ellie Mainwaring caught up with Hamish ahead of the eagerly anticipated annual event. Hamish and family

Where in the world would you choose to be castaway to and why?

Kawau Island, just off the coast of North Auckland in New Zealand. My favourite fish, red snapper is caught in the surrounding sea and as a kid I loved having family holidays there. favourite band, which hasn’t changed to this very day. There are some close 2nds but U2 will always be at the top. A pregnant sheep and hope she has twins including a Ram so as I can breed them and have Lamb to eat. What animal or pet would you take?

Issey Miyake has always been my favourite scent and it turns out my wife prefers the Issey Miyake Male fragrance on her, rather than the female equivalent. Between us we share a bottle. What fragrance would you take?

What item of jewellery or accessory would you take?

My wedding ring. It was much debated between my wife and I as to whether I’d have a wedding ring. Eventually I caved and am the only male in my family to wear one, which I’m glad I did. You can take the entire works of one musician to your desert island - who would it be?

Everything by U2. Ever since I was a teenager they’ve been my

Name one possession you would take and one to leave behind for a loved one.

I would take our family photo books so I could have my wife and two children, Ollie and Isla, to keep me company. We’ve got four photo books covering our wedding and the introductions of each of our children. With these in my luggage I’d have some great memories to look back on. I would leave behind my electric toothbrush because Ollie and Isla love to use mine instead of their own. It would keep the peace each morning and before bed at teeth brushing time.

TV with Sky. I could then watch Bear Grylls and learn how to stay alive. Once I’ve mastered that, the evening would be clear to watch sport. What would be your luxury item?

What would be your last supper before departing for your desert island?

A starter of Calamari with Aioli followed by a main of Pork Belly with Kumara (NZ sweet potato) and green salad with avocado. For dessert it would be a true favourite of mine, Feijoa Crumble with Vanilla Ice Cream. All washed down with Steinlager Pure Beer and a bottle of Herons Flight Sangiovese.

To celebrate his ten years at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, Hamish has been awarded a Benefit season. He will be bringing the 2015 Brewin Dolphin Cheltenham Cricket Festival to a close on Sunday 19 July, hosting the ‘Old Boys’ T20 cricket match. For more information, visit: www.gloscricket.co.uk

COTSWOLD STYLE JULY 2015 53

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Yosemite Valley

I love Self-professed adventuress and Travel Writer, Lucy Garbutt explores the outdoor lifestyle of California with spectacular scenery, sublime sunrises, scrumptious seafood and sunkissed serenity ur trip took us by RV (recreational vehicle) from San Francisco through the National Parks down to Los Angeles and back up the Pacific Coast Highway. Los Angeles is a feast for the senses: high energy, brilliant for eating, shopping, people watching and much more! Being famed as ‘main-stage’, I “totally” expected its drama. However, for me California’s true drama is away from the excitement of ‘centre-stage’ and into the wilds of her magnificent natural theatre where you become part of the scene. The giant wilderness areas of California are extreme. Death Valley is an unfathomable place with vast salt-pans, deep, fiery-tinted canyons full of solitude and a desert drama of mountain-size sand dunes, vertical cliff drops and singing rocks. In my mind it is forever summer in the Golden State of California and everything and everyone glows with a coating of sunshine. As we flew into San Francisco, our first view was the glorious Golden Gate Bridge in all its splendour, shining in a vivid blue cloudless sky. The sensational San Fran experience, (fascinating boat trip to Alcatraz Island, tram rides, al fresco eating) paled in comparison to our first

54 JULY 2015 COTSWOLD STYLE

Above: McVay Falls, Big Sur Below: San Francisco Tram with view of San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Island

wilderness wonder experience. We motored east, through the hillsides of the north, carpeted with vineyards and dotted with ancient oaks and into Yosemite National Park’s mountainous scenery. B&B on wheels is the perfect way to explore this area and pretty soon we ‘parked up’ prepared for the night. After a cuppa we walked through ancient giant sequoias and into the tranquillity of Yosemite’s deep valley, feeling the power of the glaciers and waterfalls plunging from massive granite faces. I felt so small - humbled and yet highly energised and invigorated by my surroundings. There is

so much to reminisce: such as our climb up to Sentinel Dome and our daring trek above the snowline tracking a brown bear (and getting lost – it’s not an adventure unless you do!) … but I would need several more pages to cover this! We then rolled onto the southern Sierra Nevada to Sequoia and King Canyon National park to see the world’s largest trees. The rugged splendour of the area was jaw-droppingly dramatic as too was Sequoia gazing. Surrounding us were huge sky-scraper high Giant Forests, mountains and deep canyons full of frothing serpentine rivers. The sublime experiences snowballed with the next destination taking us out of the wilds; towards two worlds colliding and the opposite end of the spectrum into the very heart of civilisation at its most beautiful. Known as the American Riviera, in my opinion Santa Barbara is (apart from the Cotswolds), the perfect place on the planet to live. It is the essence of California condensed into one

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Pacific Coast Highway The Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park’

Santa Barbara Beach

Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park

small ‘village’, a yachting, ‘Beach Bum’, shopping and fine dining mecca wafting with the heavenly scents of jasmine and orange blossom and beautiful people. Santa Barbara’s ‘must do’ options are infinite such as a vineyard and winetasting tour in the Santa Ynez Valley and wine-country feast at Solvang. We tasted new vintages straight from the barrel! There are little known hidden gems such as the unforgettably romantic Montecito with its tree-shaded lanes and charming village. Top of my list, however, were the beach related activities; paddle-surfing the warm, crystalline waves with playful dolphins while soaking up views of the distant Santa Ynez mountain range plunging to the coastline was a particular highlight. Sea-swimming triathlon training with newfound ‘friends’

(complete strangers), on the beach was amazing. My imagination morphed myself into the ‘all-Californian girl’ there and then. I loved running, sun-soaked on the beach and hiking the winding mountain trails, festooned with vibrant palettes of wildflower blooms, enlivened by the breath taking views of the blue Pacific and then plunging under a waterfall in a gin-clear rock pool to cool down. One of my life’s most exhilarating driving experiences is from Santa Barbara on the Pacific Coast Highway to Monterey. The route provides a transient, twisting, granite, cliff-hugging natural theatre with sound-effects of the roaring surf. We discovered such wonders as ‘Big Sur’, with swathes of sunshine sand surf beaches and picturesque Monterey with its renowned aquarium.

There is still so much to explore and write about … Rafting, hiking, camping, birdwatching, biking, water sports, fishing, rock climbing, skiing, whale watching – … ‘I’ll be back’! If you would like California to astound you too, a journey can be tailormade by World Odyssey – for more information on anything to do with America or anywhere else on the planet, please visit www.world-odyssey.com – follow us @World_Odyssey, become a fan on Facebook and/or call one of our travel specialists for advice on: 01905 731373

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r M Mrs & s e n o J

Somewhere for the Weekend? This month we launch our new short haul travel section, hosted by our very own Cotswoldia couple, Mrs and Mr Jones. They will be thoroughly investigating destinations ideal for a little trip away. They won’t just reveal vital tips on each glamorous getaway but also provide the inside track to ensure the destination caters for a range of tastes and wallets. From the slickest city hangouts to peaceful boltholes, you won’t waste a moment planning your travels. e girls know that it is ‘The Mrs’ who makes the choice around the weekend destination, or at least drops heavy hints about where she would like to go…therefore we’ve honoured our first lady by dispensing with tradition and placing the Mrs in the front where she belongs… First up is the perennial favourite destination of our own Sam Cam and her husband.

IBIZA

Ibiza first gained notoriety during the 1960’s when groups of artists, musicios and writers came over to hang out with the likes of Charlotte Rampling, Terrence Stamp and the Rolling Stones. Forty years on the appeal of the island is still as strong and it has seen off contenders for the original party destination crown, by continuing to attract the superstar DJs and celebrity crew. Ibiza hasn’t lost its hippie soul though and it is just as well known for its holistic weekends as well the hedonistic ones. These days, the isand attracts a cultured, international crowd who might drop in for a party in the south of the island before opting for the rocky coves and fashionable hotels of the north. Here are a few of Mrs and Mr Jones’ highlights: 56 JULY 2015 COTSWOLD STYLE

The Party Piece...

If you are intent on the party then a stay in the lively resorts of Playa d’en Bossa is for you – it has about as much finesse as a chip pan fire but it does have the advantage of hosting the world's greatest DJs, a huge, festival-like atmosphere and Space's legendary terrace. For beach club action – look no further than the cool Nassau Beach Club (www.nassaubeach club.com). Ibiza Town is also a must for nightlife and if you're after the real deal you'll need to go to Pacha (www.pacha.com), the world's most famous disco. For dinner with a twist, the crazy and spectacular Lio (www.lioibiza.com) on Marina Botefoch will provide the cabaret entertainment whilst emptying Mr Jones’ wallet rapidly. For a different kind of music experience, the legendary Teatro Pereyra (teatropereyra.com) is the most famous live, eclectic music venue or try Ibiza Rocks (www.ibizarocks.com) over in San Antonio for the big name bands.

Out and about...

Ibiza is rich in history and cultural types should explore the hilltop topsy-turvy, Dalt Vila (literally “high town”). After you have enjoyed fabulous views from the top of the fort, slide into a pavement café to soak up the boho vibe. Another unmissable view is of the mystical rock Es Vedrà, rising from water at the southeast end of the island. Ibiza is famous for its beaches, and you will need a car to see them. Salinas is a great beach to start at – it’s justly famous for its mile-long swathe of white sand. Boho chic Sa Caleta has a great fish restaurant (no phone and it is not cheap so don’t be fooled by the shabby chic exterior) but for a quieter vibe head to the northern beaches of Cala Mastella and Pou des Lleo. Sunday sunsets can be viewed at Benirras, where hippiedrumming sessions provide soulful entertainment – be warned however there will be an all-pervading smell of ‘special cigarettes’ from the performers – Mrs Jones thought she was 18 again! If beaches aren't your bag, head inland for some exploration, visit the whitewashed village of Sant Josep de sa Talaia or the arty Santa Getrudis – beloved of the Notting Hill set. Retail therapy options can also be discovered in Ibiza Town which is home to high street names as well as quirky clothes shops and don’t miss Las Dalias (www.lasdalias.es) on the road to the sleepy village of San

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Travel

Carlos – Mr Jones was very generous! Aside from the partying, Ibiza is all about wellness and relaxation; so if you need a total detox and retreat from life’s stresses without forgoing the luxury, 38 degrees North (www.38degreesnorth .com) is for you. Their specialist team will bring your balance back through a mixture of yoga, meditation and diet.

Eating...

It’s all about the variety in Ibiza and here are a few of our favourites: For a hangover breakfast: Try the famous Croissant Show (www.croissantshow.com) in Ibiza Town and Santa Eularia and for a healthy fix, try The Passion Café (www.passion-ibiza.com) located in Playa den Bossa, St Eularia and Marina Botofoch – don’t be put off by the vegan blurb – they do a great English breakfast too.

choice for both lunch and supper – serving delicious, organic food supplied from its very own farm this is the place to kick back on the capacious lounging beds, relax and listen to the ambient sounds of the resident DJ. For budget suppers: Comidas San Juan, Bon Profit or Los Pasajeros – for superb tapas at rock-bottom prices. For splurging: Atzaro: (www.atzaro.com) a tranquil inland Finca serving exceptional food in beautiful surroundings (see sleeping). Their in house dress shop is a go to for glamorous bohemians and it’s located close to the restaurant where they will kindly add the purchase to the dinner bill, much to Mrs Jones’ approval. Amante Beach Club (www.amanteibiza .com) is worth hunting down for the vertiginous sea views, stunning setting and award-winning food.

Sleeping...

Splurge: Ushuaia (www.ushuaia.co,) is a winning party combo of all night gigs, top DJs and the beachfront setting makes it popular with the clubbers or The Hard Rock Hotel (www.hrdibiza.com) which

For mid-range lunches: La Paloma (www.palomaibiza) is the locals favourite – tucked away in a beautiful orange grove, the organic fare is heavy on Moroccan and Italian flavours. Settle back with a bottle of rose and indulge in a long lunch. Service can be relaxed so don’t go if you are on limited time or Mr Jones is feeling grumpy. The gorgeous waterside Babylon Beach (www.babylonbeachbar) is an excellent

boasts the biggest spa on the island. The beautiful Agroturismo Atzaro (www.atzaro.com) tucked away near San Carlos offers a respite from the partying although it hosts many of the go-to events in Ibiza, including fashion shows,

live music and DJ sets meaning that you don’t have to set foot out of its grounds. Mid range: Can Curreu (www.cancurreau.com) is a restored ibicenco farmhouse. Guests are lodged in individual cottages around the farm, among olive groves and orchards. On a budget: Ibiza Town: The quirky Casa Huéspedes Vara de Rey (www.hibiza.com) is a sprawling guesthouse with a boho vibe and in Playa den Bossa consider the Tropicanca Coast Suites, minutes from the action. In Santa Eulalia – Cas Catala (www.cascatala.com) is a lovely restored whitewashed finca with a pool just minutes walk from the town centre.

When to go...

Ibiza enjoys a Mediterranean climate with more than 300 days of sunshine throughout the year. The heat can be uncomfortable in August and the island is full to bursting point. In September and October hoteliers drop their rates, it's less busy but the sea still warm.

Getting there...

The low cost airlines including easyJet (www.easyjet.com); Thomas Cook (www.flythomascook.com); Thomson (www.thomsonfly.com); and Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) fly out of out of regional airports. For scheduled air consolidation information and real time pricing from a wide range of scheduled operators visit www.skyscanner.com For private jet consolidation information and booking visit www.returnjet.com For Concierge Services visit: www.deliciouslysorted.com For up to date listings visit: listings at www.ibiza-spotlight.com. COTSWOLD STYLE JULY 2015 57

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Protects, smoothes, illuminates. Complete sun care protection by Kerastase Available from Laura Leigh Hairdressing

Complimentary hair and scalp consultations available. If you would like more information on how to protect your hair this summer, please call:

01242 530598 www.lauraleighhairdressing.co.uk

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Hair

Bespoke hair and beauty services for beautiful brides All brides want to have perfect, beautiful hair and makeup on their big day. Professional hairstylist Laura Leigh, offers some helpful tips for brides-to-be At Laura Leigh hairdressing, our main priority is to ensure a bride looks stunning for her big day. It is important to choose hair and makeup that complements your look and enables you to feel comfortable for the entire event. We have developed unique packages offering professional hair and makeup services to ensure peace of mind and pure indulgence. • Book a consultation for your hair three to six months in advance of your wedding; this allows the stylist to assess and recommend the best treatments and advice to get your hair in optimum condition and shape ready for the big day. • Before the wedding, we recommend frequently using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner as well as treating yourself to a monthly in salon deep conditioning treatment. This will help condition your hair ensuring it looks healthy and glossy. • Plan your cut and colour appointments so that your last visit to the salon is one week before the day. Make sure that you have your hair trimmed regularly to prevent split ends and any breakage. • It is a good idea to start looking at websites and magazines for ideas before you meet your stylist, pick out styles that you like and feel will suit your hair type and that will compliment your dress. It will give the stylist something to work with. It is also good to bring along pictures of the dress and ideas of the kind of accessories you would like to use.

Exclusive Bridal Services... At Laura Leigh hairdressing we have developed unique packages offering professional hair and beauty services to ensure the bride receives the best possible service for her special day. These have been created to provide the bride with the flexibility she needs and peace of mind. We appreciate what an important decision this is and how stressful it can be but rest assured she will be in very capable hands.

consultation in the salon, over a glass of Champagne. • We come to you at your chosen destination on your wedding day to style your hair. • Package breakdown: We charge £100 call out fee and £200 for the bride’s package. This package includes the in salon trial prior to the wedding and hair on the wedding day for the bride only. There is an additional cost of £35 pp for each additional member of the bridal party.

Classic Hair Package

The Blowdry Bar

This package includes: • The bride’s trial and consultation over a glass of Champagne. • Bridal hairdressing on the day of your wedding in the salon. • Prices from £180 Other members of the bridal party can choose to book into the salon on the wedding day. Please see the salon price list for in salon up-styling and blowdry prices. Please book early to secure an appointment.

Prices from £135. We charge a call-out fee of £100 and an additional £35 per person.

Diamond Hair Package This package includes: • The bride’s trial and

Nails We offer manicures and pedicures in the salon from our highly experienced manicurists. • Mini manicure or pedicure with nail polish £25. • Mini manicure or pedicure with gel polish £30 • Gel polish removal £10 . To complete your look we offer the expertise of our in salon makeup artists, each renowned for their work with brides in the Cotswolds.

Bridal makeup To complete your look we offer the expertise of our in salon makeup artists, each renowned for their work with brides in the Cotswolds. • In salon trial and consultation £50 • In salon bridal makeup £75 • An additional call out fee of £50 will be added to the bridal makeup price if you would like a makeup artist to come to your chosen venue • Additional members of the bridal party £35 If you would like to make an appointment for a complimentary bridal consultation at Laura Leigh hairdressing please call the reception team on 01242 530598.

Laura Leigh Hairdressing, Lower Ground Floor, 105 The Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1NW, Tel: 01242 530598; www.lauraleighhairdressing.co.uk

COTSWOLD STYLE JULY 2015 59

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Competition

WIN ‘THE ULTIMATE ESCAPE’ PACKAGE... Cotswold Style has teamed up with Escape@McDiarmid-Hall Clinic in Cheltenham to WIN ‘The Ultimate Escape’ Package Melt away in a three hour treatment, with a Full Body Elemis Lime and Ginger Body Scrub to revitalise and rejuvenate your skin, followed by a customised Full Body Aromatherapy Massage easing out all your tension and stress and finish with a Luxury Customised Environ Facial, with Head Massage.

To enter, please email your contact details to editor@cotswoldstyle.co.uk by 31st July, 2015 with ‘Escape’ in the subject field.

www.escapespa.co.uk • Tel: 01242 571 020 60 JULY 2015 COTSWOLD STYLE

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Fashion

Grace&Glamour The warmer months aren’t always so glamorous As the heat picks up, it’s almost certain that we’ll either be jetting off to an even warmer climate or channelling the look on our sunnier days. Either way, it can be a nightmare style-wise, so Grace Olivia helps with the problem ave you ever tried doing it like the Med girls do? It’s not that easy? Especially if you’re pale skinned, like I am. How they keep that air of glamour and chic allure in plus 30 degree weather is beyond me. Of course you get the girls that go with that beachy fresh look and whilst they look insanely good, that never seems that much of a mystery to me. A little sea salt, denim cut offs and sun-kissed skin does the world of good for all of us. But the ones with their long, silky-shiny hair, layers of flowing fabric and heels – now they’re the ones I’m talking about. Staying glamorous whilst overseas really isn’t that easy – as much as we’d all like to try. Yes, I’m sure some of you have a natural ability but as much as I live in heels in the UK, it’s a whole different game during an exotic summer. Feet swell, legs get tired and for whatever reason, walking just isn’t as easy. That strikes the whole glamour footwear off the list. As lovely as pretty flats can be, they’re still just flats in my eyes – and as much as those metallic sandals might work with the look, the Med girls still rock it better. So how do they deal with the heat? They’re definitely more used to it than we are, but they’ve got to have a secret – surely? There has to be a reason they can sit so calmly, looking so cool. Or do they really just grin and bear it for the sake of style. A mantra I’m not shy of, in fact – I live by but in Mediterranean heat, even I’m not sure I want to pull it off. There has just got to be a way to fake it! Those gorgeous girls channel glamour better than most and even if I was once

happy running around in cut-offs with wild hair and simple sundresses, I’m desperate to give it ago. It’s taken a lot of planning, research and testing – but I think I’ve cracked it. And it’s not as hard as it looks. That sun-kissed skin I was talking about earlier - that’s your base. Happy skin goes a long, long way with style, even if it seems irrelevant. Think about it, Mediterranean glam comes with beauty and a glowing complexion and that is what we also notice first on a postholiday goer. The difference comes with the hair, instead of letting the sea-salt do it’s thing, stay protected with treatments and serums - it’ll give you that straight-fromthe-salon style, even overseas. And onto the main event, the style. Texture is key here. As long as

you stick to the light and breezy rule, you’ll have it down. Heel wise, fabric wedges, sky-scraper espadrilles and lace-ups are best. They’re softer on your feet and barely care if you’re feet are hot or tired. Light prints, flowing maxis and oversized-everything when it comes to accessories, is just what you need. You’ll soon realise you may not be wearing a lot, thankfully, but the look goes a long way. You’ll keep cool and look chic. And when you’re looking for summertime glamour, what more could you want?

Grace @graceoliviap www.dorothyandolive.com

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Mind, Body & Soul We discover some of the new, sensational treatments and products available in the Cotswolds to recuperate your mind, body and soul. This July, we are getting you prepared for the summer holidays and have concentrated on skincare and some super little gadgets, perfect to take on holiday. We are now into the full swing of the summer holiday period but these sunnier days can play havoc with skin damage. Before going away and as soon as you return, it is highly recommended to have a thoroughly good facial - firstly for skin preparation, then to blast away impurities you may have gained on your travels especially over exposure to the sun. We feel that one of the best facials available in the Cotswolds is at Escape @ McDiarmid-Hall Clinic, situated in a beautiful Regency building in the centre of Cheltenham. The clinic uses a worldrenowned South African skincare range Environ; from a country that certainly knows about sun exposure! The specialist, facial therapist is a delightful lady called Jenny who has had years of experience and clients come and see her from far afield including many from London - she’s that good. Jenny’s facial technique is rather unique in that it works perfectly in tandem if you have had Botox or fillers as it enhances what they do. For the next 1hr 30 minutes my face was treated to an indulgent programme of extensive cleansing using fantastic creams that nourish you. Where the facial really stands out, is the deep pore cleanse that you receive early on. Jenny examines your face for irregularities and you can be assured, she gets everyone of them out. I do wonder why so many beauty salons no longer make facial extractions an essential part of a facial? We all want it and need it! Jenny has an excellent massage technique and this is an essential part of the facial. Once she has applied a thick, rubber type mask over the face including the eyes and mouth (optional), to target lines in these areas, she gets to work massaging ones arms and feet for utter relaxation. On looking in the mirror afterwards, your can see ones face is visibly smoother, lines under the eyes are diminished and 62 JULY 2015 COTSWOLD STYLE

not a visible pore in sight. Absolutely brilliant! A facial at Escape is an essential summer necessity and you can enter the competition in this month’s Cotswold Style for a chance to win 3 ½ hours of luxury treatments there. Escape @ McDiarmid-Hall Clinic Tel: 01242 571020 www.mhclinic.co.uk There are plenty of facial products targeting the skins exposure to the sun that have recently come on the market and claim amazing results. Our team of testers, have been trying them out and the following have been rated rated the best: For shine-proof skin, keep it hydrated and free from sweat with this hardworking science-driven range from Korean skincare experts Racinne. Ultimate Hydra Essentialift Supplement Serum (£38) provides the perfect base, as it is a hydrating concentrate, which is renowned for boosting circulation and plumping the complexion. The brand’s Ultimate Hydra Contour Brightening Eye Care (£30) is a cooling eye

gel to soothe and hydrate and lightweight enough for daily use. www.racinne.co.uk A fantastic sunscreen option is ZO Skin Health’s Oclipse Sunscreen + Primer SPF30 (£41). Apply every morning to the face and neck to give the skin a silky- smooth and primed base, for even make-up application. The product contains UVA and UVB blockers and helps diminish the appearance of fine lines. This product really lived up to everything it said on its beautiful packaging.

www.zo-skinhealth.co.uk

The Exuviance brand has been regularly been by Cotswold Style and this product, only launched in June, is yet another that doesn’t fail the test. The Exuviance Sheer Daily Protector SPF50 (£34) is a big breakthrough in mineral sunscreen, delivering triple anti-aging sun protection with no chalky residue. Dermatologist developed, it is as much a skin-strengthening cream as it is a daily SPF and does not block pores. www.exuviance.co.uk

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Health We recommend some practical gadgets to take on holiday, whilst ensuring they are suitcase friendly.

Our hero of the month is a tiny little device called Zap-It (£5.95). If you are prone to being mozzie bitten, Zap-It is perfect for soothing the itch. Small but highly effective, it generates a harmless and mild (like a gentle pinch), low electrical impulse to deliver harmless little ‘zaps’ which take the itch and scratch out of bites. No batteries are needed and it can be used from toddlers up. Zap-It is available from selected health stores, pharmacies, garden centres, Superdrug and all Asda shops nationwide. It’s also available from Amazon and at www.ecobrands.co.uk

Mad Beauty’s Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer (£2.99) is pocket sized and non-sticky. The lightly fragranced hand sanitizer is sprayed on in a fine mist, unlike gel sanitizers, which can be harsh on sensitive skin. Clinically approved to kill 99.99% bacteria, we feel it’s also fantastic to use on any airplane loo seat you may have to sit on! www.madbeauty.com

no!no! PRO (from £70), is a leading hair removal system. It is small and compact and ideal to take anywhere. It’s easy to use and there is no pulling, tearing and scraping – just a smooth glide that claims to remove ones hair and it is specially designed so you can use it on all areas of your body including the bikini line, legs, face and back. no!no! has developed the product using Thermicon technology, which conducts a gentle pulse of heat to the hair and it is guaranteed to be painless (it is) and safe for all types of hair and skin colours. The company says it should be used four times on each body part to start seeing results - our tester has tried it for a month and says she has seen some benefits but they are slower than she anticipated. Due to an impending holiday, she has gone back to the waxing bar. www.trynono.co.uk

Braun Style&Go Mini Styler (RRP£13.99) is part of Braun’s smallest and lightest, travel ready collection. Designed to fit into any handbag this product is perfect for shaping your hair anywhere and gives great results for handy hair touch-ups on the go. With ceramic infused floating plates for smooth, speedy gliding, it also has a travel cap and we found the product to be a really good bit of hair equipment. www.braun.com Lean Greens 500g (30 day serving £44.97) a superb powdered shake, to drink everyday to get the system going, reduce bloating whilst ensuring you’re getting your 5-a-day which can be difficult when on holiday. This product is highly recommended by Luciano Kydd, Cotswold Style’s expert Fitness Trainer. The ingredients are Wheat Grass, Barley Grass, Alfalfa, Spirulina, Chlorella - 5 of the most powerful grasses & algae, creating an alkaline blend to flush your body of toxins; 3 superfood vegetables (Broccoli, Spinach, Carrots), packed with vitamins & minerals, keeping you topped up all day. A fruit combo of blueberries & blackcurrants, widely regarded as some of the healthiest fruits to add to your diet, 6 digestive enzymes, aiding gut health and reducing that uncomfortable bloated feeling and finally, the metabolic, fat burning & energy powerhouses of Siberian Ginseng & Green Tea, to give the blend and your body extra zing! www.leangreens.com

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Let Blossom

Love Our stunning new collection of handcrafted pieces are now on display.

John Titcombe Fine Jewellery

Ǥ͗ ǡ ǡ ͜ ͘ ̱ ǣ ͔͕͕͛ ͚͕͛͗͘͝͝ Ȉ Ǥ͘ ǡ ǡ ͜ ͘ ̱ ǣ ͔͕͕͛ ͕͛͗͗͛͜͝ No.39 Market Place, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 2NX ~ Tel: 01285 655754

www.johntitcombe.co.uk

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Beauty

The Bronzed Goddess Amy Hickey shows you how to hotten up your look this summer Summer is well and truly here, even if the weather seems not so sure. At this time of the year rushing from one engagement to another a healthy bronzed glow is always a winner, whether it is at work, a wedding or even a rain soaked BBQ! Below I have put together my favourite, easy to apply products that will create an effortlessly beautiful look, leaving you feeling like a summer goddess and ready for any occasion. I am loving Kevyn Aucoin’s new summer collection with new antiageing ingredients and their no ‘make up feel,’ gorgeous coloured eye shades to soft matte bronzers. Kevyn Aucoin is a must, for your make up bag this summer.

Bronze and Glow... For a quick way to add radiance and a youthful appearance in an instant whist adding antioxidants to your skin, use By Terry Soleil Terrybly all over the face. Beauty in a bottle!

Bronze metallic eyes made easy in 3 simple steps: Apply bronze eyeshadow all over the lid and right into the socket. With your eyeshadow brush blend the highlighter to the brows to create a soft look. Try Kevyn Aucoin’s new soft putty-like cream eyeshadow in Titian. Its non-oily, silky texture helps absorb excess sebum and smooth fine lines and it lasts all day. £38. Candlight by Kevyn Aucoin is a great way to highlight the eyes along with the cheeks and lips.

Apply eyeliner along your upper and lower lash line; use brown as black can be too harsh for this look. Laura Mercier’s Brown Copper eyeliner is a great companion for easy doable metallic eyes. Apply mascara; I’m using the new Cils D’enfer So Volume mascara from Guerlain. Apply one coat for a softer look or a few coats for a more dramatic defined finish.

Fill in your brows softly for daywear and more dramatic for the evening. Team with soft coral cheeks and lips, to keep your eyes the main focus.

Summer Blushing… Summer Lips… Highlight and add colour with the new Nars Dual Intensity blushers. Try the colour ‘Frenzy’. This colour suits all and can even be doubled up as eyeshadow.

If eyes aren’t your thing but lips are, look no further than Lipstick Queen’s Endless Summer collection – you’ll love all four shades and they are a great way to protect the lips from UV damage.

T: 07733 237767 E: amyhickey.com@gmail.com Twitter: @amy_hickey Facebook.com/amyhickeycom

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Lapping up the Med... Fashion Editor, Yvette Brentnall and her trusted assistant Tracy Doughty have found themselves by chance, on the Côte d'Azur

s the Cotswolds heads off to the Mediterranean this summer or perhaps the chic spots of Santa Monica and Malibu in California, it has been essential for us to see what’s trending in one of the swankiest parts of the world and of course to observe all of the beautiful people! To start our reccie, it would have been very rude for us not to visit Club 55, an absolutely must-go-to place in St. Tropez. It is the place to be seen. Club 55 is one the most famous beach clubs in the world, owned by Patrice de Colmont, son of the founders who regularly serves food to some of the world’s glitterati

82 JULY 2015 COTSWOLD STYLE

from Joan Collins and Bruce Willis to Beyoncé and footballer, Didier Drogba. Patrice is an excellent chap who deals with the jet set with aplomb whilst treating the rest of us mere mortals exactly the same. As he notoriously says, “Here the customer is not the king…because he’s a friend”. It famously became Club 55 whilst filming on Pampelonne beach. It was set up as a canteen to feed a film crew with the one and only Brigitte Bardot as the star of the movie. It was 1955 and she famously danced topless on the table and Club 55 was born. How fitting as we all know she is the biggest style icon that has ever been born and without doubt the most beautiful. The club’s understated elegance is second to none and this is where you see barefoot elegance. Forget the Nikki beach, this is the original and it doesn't matter if you arrive in a Ferrari or a battered old Peugeot as everyone receives the same

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Fashion

with Yvette Brentnall

treatment... keys are taken and car is parked - but remember a tip is expected! Some yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ago, Patrice's wife GeneviĂ¨ve, opened the 55 Boutique selling casual wear, bikinis, jewellery, hats and wonderful throws and cushions for the home. Yes, it is pricey but everything in here is quite exquisite and I find most of it on my wish list. Our style guide this month depicts some wonderful clothing suitable for any super chic resort in the sun and I am delighted to introduce you a fabulous American designer, Jude Connally

whose summer wardrobe staples provide elegant dresses and on trend flared trousers, guaranteed to keep you cool and fresh on those extra hot days. For those heading onto summer yachts or need beautiful cover ups whilst dining at Mediterranean beach bars, British designer, Lindsey Brown Luxe Resortwear has it all sorted with her range of handpainted and dyed kaftans and cover-ups, to stunning silk dresses. Happy Holidays! >>>

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Jude Connally

68 JULY 2015 COTSWOLD STYLE

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Lindsey Brown

CREDITS FASHION EDITOR Yvette Brentnall yvetteb@mif-filters.com 07818 405414 ASSISTANT STYLIST Tracy Doughty tracy.doughty@hotmail.co.uk 07817 760251 CLOTHING Jude Connally (they ship to the UK) www.judeconnally.com Lindsey Brown www.lindseybrown.com CLUB 55 www.club55.fr

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Fancy Dress Start

Finish

Castle astle (PittvillePump Rooms)

Menagerie

Treasure

Plus Special Guests Zumba Fairy Warm-Up

Face Painting and Bouncy Castle

by Lucy Heath Sea Monsters

Sunday 9th August 2015

Enchanted hanted Forest

1K Fairy Dust Run or 5K Fairy Sparkle Run Starts Pittville Pump Rooms at 10am. Register online or at 9am on the day For more details, sponsorship forms and to pre-register visit the website Follow us: t @lincfairyfunrun

www.lincfund.org/fairy

www.facebook.com/LINCfund

this event is proudly supported by:

70 JULY 2015 COTSWOLD STYLE

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Hair

Top Cheltenham Salon sweeps up at national awards Stuart Holmes Salon in Cheltenham was named Runner Up in the 2015 L’Oréal Professionnel Men’s Image Award at the 2015 L’Oréal Colour Trophy Grand Final As one of the industry’s most prestigious awards, the three-month preparation journey came to a dramatic finale at the ceremony, which took place in London at the Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park. Stuart Holmes said: “We are so proud of our incredible team – what an amazing achievement to have won this fantastic award out of hundreds of talented hairdressers throughout the UK – it’s great to receive such recognition for our excellence in hair cutting and colouring. Colouring in particular is an area we are consistently striving for excellence in and we are over the moon to have received such a stamp of approval in this area.” Stuart Holmes Salon has a longstanding reputation as the hair colour experts. Over the years, the salon has become a destination for those looking for bespoke and specialist colouring services, which are in tune with the client and their style. The esteemed judging panel each agreed that Stuart Holmes Salon had met the brief with exactitude; the model look was a perfect example of beautifully executed colour and demonstrated a clear understanding of the latest catwalk trends and therefore winning them the runners up place for the L’Oreal Professionnel Men’s Image Award.

“Colouring in particular is an area we are consistently striving for excellence in and we are over the moon to have received such a stamp of approval in this area.” Stuart Holmes and Jacob Davies from The Imperial Square salon joined over 1,000 members of the hairdressing industries most acclaimed and famous figures at the ceremony. The room filled with immense applause as Stuart and Jacob made their way to the stage to collect their prestigious trophy. The evening’s presenter, Lauren Laverne and Colour Director for Charles Worthington, Carolyn Newman, presented the award. The Stuart Holmes Salon team created a fashion focused model look that took the judging panel by storm and ensured them a prominent place, fighting off tough competition from 16 grand finalists from across the UK. Their super cool model look stood out

amongst over 1,000 entries and secured them a place within one of the high energy eight Regional Finals across the UK. During the intense day of the grand final tension was slowly built as an elite panel of highly successful, world renowned hairdressers were brought in to ensure each model infused the three elements of a precision cut, flawless looking colour and catwalk inspired styling. Leaders in the industry included Carolyn Newman, Jamie Brooks, Sally Brooks, Jo Hansford MBE, Richard Ward and Andrew Barton were all on board to ensure the overall winner encapsulated ‘Hair Inspired by Fashion’. For more information about colour services at the Stuart Holmes Salon, visit www.stuartholmes.co.uk or telephone 01242 220001.

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Available from Cheltenham, Worcester, Bristol, Bath

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Summer

THROW A PRIVATE POOL PARTY! Escape the heat this summer and cool off at Cowley Manor… In the sunnier months, what could be more funky than hosting your own pool party at the illustrious Cowley Manor Hotel & Spa near Cheltenham? Pool-Side, the area adjacent to the outdoor pool, completely transforms with sun loungers, waiter service and a pool bar serving summer cocktails, playing chilled out music whilst dancing al fresco. Light the lanterns, cue the Balearic beats and settle in with a sundowner – this summer, Pool-Side is available in the evenings to host your own private pool party. The cost to have Pool-Side exclusively is £5,000 and includes the following for up to 60 people, from 6pm to 11pm: - DJ hire for the evening - Canapés on arrival - Free flowing summer cocktails from 6pm - 8pm - Two course BBQ - Outdoor room hire - Full waiter service

Alternatively, Cowley Manor will create a bespoke evening to suit your needs. For enquiries, please email: events@cowleymanor.com or Tel: 01242 870 900.

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See more socials at www.stylemagazines.co.uk

Style Event

Chris Light and Pic Herbert Stu Davis and Gary Bullock Richard and Laura Hannis with Andy Deacon and Zara Kennedy

Andy Deaconâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 40th Birthday Party Claire Mahon-Forrest and Claire Reade r

Friends and business associates flock ed to Chetenhamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Daffodil restaurant to celebrate local businessman Andy Deacon turn ing 40. Guests danced the night away to Duk e, Vince Freeman and Dickie on the dec ks. Photography by Angus Bethune

Anna and Mark Cuzner with Sue Blanc hfield

Zara Kennedy and friends

Andy Deacon and girlfriend Zara Kenne dy Wes and Victoria Payton Ahmet Muhtar Mollaoglu (TC) and Jessic a

Sir Dennis Deacon, Lady Laura with

Jane and Emily

Lacy

Ruth Twiggs and Michelle Cook

Carolyn Bennett and Karen Paget

Simon Brisk, James Buckley and Stuart Rose

Debra and Dean Gifford

Friends enjoying the party

Dickie Butcher and Russell Manning

Duke hit the stage Stefan Bartlett and Vic Shaw

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GROWING

GLOUCESTERSHIRE BUSINESSES Profiling a selection of leading companies in the county

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WESTMINSTER IN THE COTSWOLDS Emma Logan has asked the county’s MPs to inform Cotswold Style readers what they will be doing to represent their constituencies both locally and from Westminster

Neil Carmichael

NEIL CARMICHAEL, MP FOR STROUD This month was sunny and reasonably warm so there were ideal conditions for the Cranham School fete. As last year, the event was held at Over Town Farm and was once again, hugely popular. Like all good fetes, there was plenty to do, including entertainment for children, local shopping opportunities, organised activities and refreshments. Since it was on a farm, there was also a whole host of agricultural displays and demonstrations to experience, including sheep shearing, tractor rides around wildlife areas and special interest stands. The day was supported by the Open Farm Sunday – a fabulous organisation helping to promote more understanding of food production and countryside issues and “Back British Farming” was also prominent, not least because such 78 JULY 2015 COTSWOLD STYLE

matters as ‘country of origin’ and sustainability are increasingly salient policy issues. Over Town Farm is an excellent example of good practice in organic farming and protection of the environment. Increasingly, farmers are entering into commitments to create wildlife areas, develop natural habitats and promote less intensive farming systems, so like many farms in the Stroud Valleys and Vale, Over Town Farm is a part of the virtual revolution in farming methods. The fete was in support of the school and for the four thousand plus people going through the gate there was a chance to interface with a much-loved local primary school. A recent OFSTED (school inspections) report has judged the school to be “Good” in all categories and like similarly graded schools, there is a strong focus on enabling pupils to achieve their best. The leadership, management and staff deserve congratulations on the progress made by the school. The best schools are often those properly engaged with the local community so the obvious support by the village for the school as proved by the fete underlines the OFSTED report. Not all schools are as successful, so the Government is legislating to deal with coasting schools where pupil progression

and teaching standards need to be improved. After all, all pupils deserve the opportunity to do their best. Agriculture and education are evolving as seen at Over Town. Contact Neil at neil.carmichael.mp@parliament.uk or his constituency office on 01453 751 572

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown

GEOFFREY CLIFTON-BROWN, MP FOR COTSWOLDS In the last month I have been taking up all sorts of issues however, perhaps the most important this month, was the House of Commons debate I led on planning, which is incredibly sensitive in the Cotswolds. I raised a series of important issues during the debate. These included the need to give greater protection to AONBs and ensuring that equal weight is given in the NPPF to environmental and social concerns as is currently given to economic concerns. I addressed the issue of infrastructure

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Politics requirements and the need to ensure that any necessary infrastructure is in place before a new development is completed. For example I raised the case of the proposed development of 2,350 dwellings in Chesterton and the fact that a new sewer would be required and the impact of new developments in Moreton-in-Marsh on the main road bridge where two HGVs already cannot cross at the same time. The Minister confirmed, “The provision of timely and robust infrastructure is vital to delivering sustainable development”. He went on to confirm that there are provisions for local authorities to deliver that infrastructure. I also suggested to the Planning Minister, that a mandatory mentoring scheme be developed for councils that have not yet had their local plan adopted. The Minister promised to consider it further. Last year I wrote to all parish and town councils urging them to consider drawing up neighbourhood plans. They give local communities a much greater say over the planning process in their area and where there is a neighbourhood plan in place, the community retains 25 per cent of the Community Infrastructure Levy. There had been concern that with no local plan in place, neighbourhood plans would simply be ignored and so only a limited number of communities created them. However Brandon Lewis MP, the Planning Minister, was very clear during the debate that even if no local plan is in place, a “made” neighbourhood plan can provide some certainty as to what development will take place. The Minister agreed to write to all leaders of all planning authorities about the importance of neighbourhood plans. www.geoffreycliftonbrown.co.uk ALEX CHALK, MP FOR CHELTENHAM At Westminster, there’s a ritual, I’ve discovered, about most things. Voting is no exception. When the Speaker calls a ‘division’ - the jargon for a vote - MPs don’t just raise their hands. That would be far too simple. Instead we troop into either the ‘Aye’ or ‘Noe’ voting lobbies that adjoin the main chamber. Each lobby is a corridor about the width of a residential street and the length of a fivea-side football pitch. At one end sit clerks at desks, ticking off names as each member passes. It feels a bit like a motorway toll station.

spaces for student nurses in the county. And we must also make the case for capital investment in our hospital infrastructure. The building itself needs major refurbishment. That, inevitably, will cost money. A future conversation for the voting lobby no doubt. www.alexchalk.com

Alex Chalk

Laurence Robertson

The most interesting part of the process, though, is what happens in the lobby before your name is ticked off. As the crowd inches down the corridor, you can find yourself in conversation with anyone from the Health Secretary to the Prime Minister and that’s where the actual ‘lobbying’ happens. In that room Cabinet Ministers are almost literally, a captive audience and with nowhere to hide, backbenchers take their opportunity to bend ears and push pet projects. Here in Cheltenham the most significant recent development in my 100day plan concerned our hospital. I convened a meeting with NHS Trust chiefs because I was concerned about the future of A&E in town, following disclosure of an internal Trust report listing the centralisation of emergency surgery on one Gloucestershire site, as the Trust’s ‘specific priority’ . That raised the spectre of A&E being lost from Cheltenham altogether. Happily, over the course of a two-hour discussion I received assurances that, despite this document, the Trust has no plans to follow this through. That is a great relief. So, although there was no immediate promise to bring back night-time A&E, it means the prospect of CGH turning into a minor injuries unit has been averted for now at least. There are many further battles still to fight on our hospital. We need to ease staffing pressure and create opportunities for local people by pushing for more training

LAURENCE ROBERTSON, MP FOR TEWKESBURY It’s amazing how my diary has filled up so quickly after the General Election now that Parliament is back in full swing. Dealing with issues raised by constituents is the priority for me, as well as scrutinising legislation, which is being proposed. In addition, there are many issues to consider and committees to get involved in. For my part, I have been re-elected as the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee; Chairman of the All Party Group on Ethiopia & Djibouti; Joint Chairman of the All Party Racing Group and elected as Chairman of the All Party Engineering Group. I am also anticipating being asked to carry on as coChairman of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly, and I am planning for the next plenary meeting of this Assembly to be held in my constituency at the racecourse in November. It is, though, important to involve myself in all manner of other issues, including the treasury, education, the NHS, social care, transport and so very many other issues, all of which affect my constituents every day. This is done by attending meetings on those issues, questioning Ministers and by generally getting involved in events at Westminster and in the constituency. I look forward to continuing to do that. www.laurencerobertsonmp.com COTSWOLD STYLE JULY 2015 79

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Your Local Solicitors Laura-Jayne Roberts talks to one of the most friendly, approachable and dedicated law firms in Gloucestershire…. PHOTOGRAPY BY ANGUS BETHUNE Rushing to my interview with the Thomson & Bancks team, based on Imperial Square in Cheltenham, I’ve got to be honest I was thinking, ‘not another one of those solicitors firms’ but the warmth of the reception I received and the honest and passionate chat we had around their conference table, meant I left there with no hesitation in recommending their services to anyone in the Spa town. It is currently a very exciting time for the company, who are currently undergoing a rebrand while expanding their office, as Head of the Private Client Department, Partner Angela Scott explained: “Having had long established practices in both Tewkesbury and Pershore for many years, this is our latest venture in Cheltenham. We are bursting at the seams in terms of space, so we are taking a whole new floor downstairs in the basement, creating an open plan office for the whole team.” Steadily growing in terms of fee earners, Angela added: “It is almost faster than we can keep up with and as partners, we have so many projects at the moment. It is an exciting time as we are rebranding with a new website and all the material that goes with that, plus we will be hosting launch events in September.” Partner David Bloxham who trained and has been with the firm for 32 years commented on the growth: “Although we have been around for a long time, we have always grown organically. We have grown our offices from within, trained people our own way and they have developed and become solicitors, partners, or more advanced in the roles they have played. “We have never been a company to come into a town and take over another firm or try to merge with another business but we have grown with our own ethos ‘You matter to us’. I think that

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Top to bottom: Angela Scott; David Bloxham; Dorcas Guillebaud; Jemma Gisbourne.

sort of traditional growth highlights what we like to see ourselves as being; friendly, approachable and everyone knows what we do and how we do it.” The office in Cheltenham may be currently smaller than the other two medium sized county practice firms of those in Tewkesbury and Pershore but the two property based lawyers, Solicitor,

Dorcas Guillebaud and Legal Executive, Emma Cottell actually make up part of a 20 strong team who support each other across the three offices bringing together a range of specialties. The value of using solicitors such as Thomson & Bancks, to me, was overwhelmingly clear. The whole team is local to the area, they know the region inside out and it was clear how important this knowledge and local ‘know how’ was for the departments such as property law. Emma said: “Both Dorcas and I have had recent cases where if we hadn’t known the local area our searches alone wouldn’t have revealed important elements for clients to make a decision on whether they wanted to buy a property or not, which is extremely valuable.” The main strength of the company is their clear dedication and loyalty to their clients. As employment solicitor David described: “We really pride ourselves on client focus. We have got that longevity in our history and have always looked after our clients locally whether they are in for instance, farming, are SME’S or individual clients.” Angela, who has been a partner with the firm for over 25 years, reiterated: “The most important thing to us is the client ethos, the client matters to us. There are some families that we are literally looking after from the cradle to the grave. We have lovely little old ladies popping by and coming in just to say hello, which we love.” Despite the team working across three offices, the service the client will receive is flawless. As Dorcas explains: “When a client phones the service they receive is seamless. If they call any three of the offices they will reach our reception. Some solicitors work paperless because we have one electronic case management system, which holds all the

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Business clients accessible from any of the three offices. This is in addition to the paper ones which some staff still prefer!” This core value that the client matters is also displayed in the team’s flexibility as Emma described: “We are more than happy to travel between offices and sometimes clients prefer we see them at one or other office, or at home depending on what location works better for them on that given day. “I have had the benefit of working across all three offices. The ethos across all of them is one big department and family.” Lawyer Jemma Gisbourne who works alongside Angela in the Private Client Department said: “We have had clients go to other larger firms and they have come back saying they felt like a number. Here they are not a number, we do care and we will sit and listen.” Angela furthered: “As a medium sized firm we still offer that friendly approach. I’m not saying the big firms are not friendly but it is a different world. For an elderly person going into that environment they get a far different reaction compared to coming here.” It is clear to see why the catchment area for this firm is ballooning. As they serve two counties, clients come from Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Oxfordshire, stretch down to the South West including Bristol and up to Birmingham and London. Angela highlighted: “We are a local firm but we also have a consultant who is more than happy to see our clients in London. Not only do they get the service with a smile, we have a very good reputation plus they receive the commercial advantage, they are paying Cheltenham rates.” Although it is not just the client focus which binds this dedicated and passionate team, as Dorcas describes: “As an employee we are very much looked after, we are very much part of a caring, nourishing family and both myself and Emma are thriving as quite new additions to the team. It is very different from other firms that we have worked for and that speaks volumes about the company; not just how we treat people outside but how we are treated within as well.” Emma furthered: “I have only been here since January but in a very nice way,

it feels like I have been here forever. It filters down from the top management level and consequently we treat our clients with the same respect.” Another core element to Thomson & Bancks is the way they aim to get involved in the local community as much as possible and be very accessible as David enthused: “We make a good deal of effort to go out, meet people and spread our reputation and ethos, which we have found to be successful. “Being local means we achieve lots of referrals from existing clients and local connectivity and recommendations are particularly valuable for us.” Reiterating this, Emma added: “The rebranding hasn’t even started yet and just by word of mouth and getting out there and meeting people we have actually built up quite a case load which says a lot.” Personally I don’t know how they fit it in with catering to all their clients but the firm also takes part in a significant amount of fundraising. They adopt a charity every year, for which 2015 is The Royal British Legion and they take part in bike rides, lunches and more. As David said: “It is good from a point of view of our team relationships but also for community work and being known for the right reasons.” Looking to the future in terms of the

rebrand and the additional new office space, Jemma commented: “Being an open plan office will be very useful for us as both teams, Private Client and Residential Property overlap. Being in the same area and able to communicate immediately will be really useful for us and the clients.” An open plan office is a very modern approach for solicitors but as Emma said, in regards to forward thinking there are lots of benefits that come with it. While Angela also added: “Traditional offices where you had a fee earner in an office with a secretary sitting outside, just doesn’t work in today’s world.” It is not just the new rebrand and office space but the team and departments, such as the property team which are growing, as Dorcas mentioned: “As we are quite a new property department in this area, we are consolidating our external links and trying to bring in more local work but without treading on any of the established firms’ clients. We are getting more and more work from estate agents and other firms of solicitors; we are definitely growing our department here in Cheltenham.” Finally, and should I say ‘normally’ in my articles I try to conjure up a summary of an ending for the company I am interviewing but with this passionate and client focused team I didn’t have to, as Angela summed up perfectly: “The rebranding is us going back to our roots. The client is what matters to us.” “We are trusted, we are local, we are dedicated.” I couldn’t have put it better myself. www.tbsolicitors.co.uk

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Silver lining… Eric Barton gets on the highway to IT heaven with Roger White, MD of Severnside Software ll of us like to think of a better world. A place in the clouds where there’s a true Nirvana that plays its part in soothing our troubled bones with a bit of harp playing or some frolicking around on fluffy white clouds. Hmm, perhaps not. However in certain circumstances especially with IT I’ve often wished that a miracle was just to hand when the damm thing plays up. Computers have taken over the world. Fact. And as we all know when things go wrong, they really go south. We don’t need alien invasions anymore to make us feel threatened. Just think back to the last time your system or emails crashed and you couldn’t do any work or you lost a shed load of data? Severnside Software (SSL) has come a long way since 1989 when Madonna was in the charts with ‘Like a Prayer’ and SSL’s Managing Director Roger White was a programmer working out of his kitchen in Dursley. Roger White says,’ at one point I had over 200 computers in boxes stacked up to the ceiling. It was mayhem, but good mayhem. I had to get some staff and they also ended up working out of my cottage.” How time marches on as SSL have now become one of the most prolific IT providers in the county. Roger White continues to comment, “Just in the last year getting the right staff has been a challenge. It’s always difficult to find the right people.” He adds, “We do things differently here at SSL. It’s about giving top technical advice, coupled to a top level of service. So we don’t want robots working here.” Roger also comments, “We live a computer-driven World and as far as we are concerned at SSL, Office 365 by Microsoft is the only way forward for most companies. It’s about managing your emails and data. Think of all the spam you would get if you didn’t have the necessary filters and even worse, losing all your data because it wasn’t backed-up properly.” Programming at SSL is still at the very

Roger White taking centre stage in one of SSL’s light hearted marketing campaigns

Roger White

core of what they do, together with inventing systems and solutions that really work with no ‘gibber jabber’. Roger goes on to say, “In the last year alone our programming capacity has trebled. And of course we are still providing a raft of services to a host of global clients as far as South America and even selling IT to the Indians, which must be a first.” Roger further explains, “Our staff have to work shifts as some of our clients across the World come online at different times. It’s not unusual for the IT candle to be burning late into the night.” The coming year for SSL will I am told, be about an increase in staff. As Roger White states, “It’s one of my strongest suites in that I continually bang on about, service, service and service.” Roger White also says, “We will also be stretching our marketing activity to further mirror the kind of company we are and the levels of service we can offer. It’s all about thinking outside the box. We are a team of creative thinkers here at SSL who can think laterally as well as vertically. It’s

“WE ARE A TEAM OF CREATIVE THINKERS HERE AT SSL WHO CAN THINK LATERALLY AS WELL AS VERTICALLY. IT’S WHAT SETS US APART FROM THE GEEKDRIVEN BRIGADE” what sets us apart from the geek-driven brigade. He also adds, “At SSL we will always push the marketing limits. You only have to see our videos to catch a glimpse of the madness. Having said that fun is fun, but enough of nonsense. There’s always a serious message buried in our marketing activity. But with a smile and a wink.” I’m interested to hear Roger’s thoughts on cybercrime and internet security. He simply fixes me with a wide pleasant grin and finally says, “Cybercrime and IT security? Well that’s a story for another time.” So if you do want your head to be in the 365 Clouds, then a chat with Roger White and his team at SSL could just be the IT deliverance you’re looking for. www.ssl-uk.net

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Security matters… Eric Barton presses the IT button with Chris Dunning-Walton, MD of local recruiters InfoSecPeople PHOTOGRAPY BY ANGUS BETHUNE Your past in many ways is what makes you. Previous success and perhaps more so failures, cause us to learn and digging deep for grit and determination is something we all have to do on occasion. Building professional relationships based on quality service whilst ensuring attention to detail is something of an art form these days. Like politicians telling the truth…it’s rare. At InfoSecPeople in Cheltenham’s ‘golden palace in the skies’ (that is Eagle Tower), they know only too well the worth of detail, hard graft and relationship building in business. As a former professional rugby player for Gloucester Rugby, Managing Director at InfoSecPeople, Chris Dunning-Walton is a rare commodity in the IT security recruiting business. He’s hugely knowledgeable and absolutely passionate about the industry and the people in it. After his brief spell as scrum half for the ‘cherry and whites’, Chris taught at Marlborough College before a chance meeting whilst sailing got him into the recruitment business. Chris says, “It was one of those magic moments where the light comes on and you’re presented with an opportunity you just go for it.” That was way back in 2003 and after 5 years hard-graft, progressing into management roles and an unsuccessful management buy-out, Chris has since brought InfoSec People from inception in 2008, through the recession and to where it is today. With 7 years as an industry presence, InfoSec People is a business focussed on finding suitable senior IT and Information Security professionals for a variety of often highly technical roles. Now often referred to as ‘Cyber’, this is a vast, complicated market that needs people who understand how it ticks .

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InfoSecPeople supply both contract and permanent recruitment solutions, working with some of the UK's largest ICT companies as well as Tier 1 Investment Banks, IT and Security Consultancies and a host of technical SME's. Understanding the technical challenges of the industry is paramount to providing the right human resource solutions relevant to the business needs. Think of cyber-crime alone – Edward Snowdon, the hacking of Sony Studios in 2014 and a host of recent security events will give you a mere whiff of how burgeoning this industry is right now, with a real scarcity of security talent providing significant challenges for many companies. InfoSec People have built an approach to recruitment, which is totally scalable according to their clients' requirements and wherever possible, they personally meet with and Skype interview the candidates that they represent. Chris goes on to further comment, “We are not here to compromise on standards. Recruiters typically forget that we are in a service industry, not sales. Working ethically is in the very fabric of what we do here. We never put round pegs into square holes. That’s a

short fix and it’s something we will never do.” He also adds, “In fact on many occasions we have worked closely with candidates for several years before finally finding that perfect position for them. It can be a very slow burn but nevertheless necessary and ultimately rewarding for everyone. It’s all about building long-term relationships through high levels of service and getting to know and fully understand what our candidates and our recruiting clients are looking for.” As a niche recruitment specialist, InfoSecPeople do things differently and that starts with the way they treat the people they work with. At this company it’s crystal clear that recruitment is not just a numbers game. They do ‘get it’. Chris and his team realise people expect to be treated with respect and as actual ‘people’, not a commodity to be sold like bags of spuds. What's important to you needs to be important to them. Chris continues to comment, “Developing long-term relationships with our candidates is key to our success. Within any niche industry, forming and developing a business and brand with longevity is challenging and built around being known for the right reasons. It has taken years but we now have candidates and hiring companies coming directly to us on a regular basis through our reputation, knowledge and contacts in the IT Security sector. That’s a great place to be but needs to be sustained with the same ethos being adopted by all our staff.” No business worth its financial salt can let the grass wither under them and Chris Dunning-Walton knows this only too well. He goes on to add, “Last year

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“Regardless of what level people enter the business, there is an option to earn shares and reap the long term rewards this could entail.“

we had treble digit growth and I was very fortunate in finding Cathy and Stephanie who joined the business in the last nine months and both really embrace how we work. It’s been a stellar period of growth for us and provides a really strong platform for the next three years.” Chris very simply adds to this by saying, “In my view Richard Branson was absolutely right in saying you should train people well enough so they can leave and treat them well enough so they don’t want to. Engendering an environment where people feel valued, can see a clear career path for personal growth and are highly rewarded for success is all a part of our business model.” He then comments, “We have recently signed up to the Government Growth Accelerator Plan which looks to support and mentor high-growth, potential SME businesses and have developed a structured plan to take on at least fifteen more people in the next three years. These could be experienced local recruiters who want to feel truly valued and help grow

something special or graduates looking to start out in what can be a very lucrative career within recruitment. A part of this will be developing our own internal training academy for those new to the industry. Regardless of what level people enter the business, there is an option to earn shares and reap the long term rewards this could entail.” He also says, “We are fortunate in that there are no other recruitment companies like us within forty miles focussing solely on IT Security. We are a very niche player in a very niche market. Within Cheltenham and the surrounding areas there are also a high number of IT and Cyber Security companies and some world-class technical talent. Cheltenham is becoming the tech-hub that no-one really talks about. Whilst a lot of businesses work closely in supplying their products or services into GCHQ, there are also a high number of fantastic and innovative IT companies completely unconnected to UK government. As such, there is a big demand for high calibre Security and IT professionals…and that’s where we

come in. However, whilst a lot of our work is naturally in the local area, we work with clients UK-wide including one of the biggest Hedge Funds and a Big-4 global accounting firm in London.” Chris looks at his watch. My time is up. He finally comments as I trudge out of his office, “You know I’ve always wanted to live and work in Cheltenham. I love the town and local area so feel incredibly fortunate. “Launching InfoSecPeople at a time when most companies were letting people go rather than growing was endlessly challenging but ultimately helped me understand how to grow a successful business regardless of the climate. Not easy and I failed more than I succeeded but those lessons have stuck with me and the future for InfoSec People and everyone here is an incredibly exciting one.” So if you’re in the IT Security game and need either some inspiration for that next great leap or need to fill a round hole with a round peg. www.infosecpeople.co.uk

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Latest RES Educational Project – St Thomas Moore Primary School

Going from strength to strength Laura-Jayne Roberts talks to the young, energetic and successful team behind RES Architecture and RES Surveying… Ambitious Director, Nick Gwilliam, started successful Gloucester based consultancy, RES Architecture, who provides professional planning and technical advice for the construction industry, nine years ago. Since then the company has survived a harsh recession and gone from strength to strength, incorporating three years ago, surveying into the business while undertaking a rebrand. Nick reflects: “At the beginning, before the recession, we used to do mainly work in the mainstream residential homes sector, working for the large national house builders on large sites throughout the UK as well as small scale stadia developments of up to £7m. We, like all companies, struggled initially during the credit crunch. We lost thousands of pounds when development companies who owed us money dissolved but gradually we picked ourselves up.” The company now works on a mix of projects across a wide variety of sectors, including large commercial units up to £2 million construction costs and educational projects ranging from 30k to £2m construction costs. This has been a mix of educational projects through various means such as the

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county, the Diocese and with schools under the academy structure. Nick explained: “We have managed to secure work from these types of clients, who trust us due to our previous performances and experience and we are now getting a lot of repeat work from them in the education sector having assured their confidence on the larger projects. We are also working with large hotel chains in refurbishing and improving their existing accommodation on both the surveying and architectural side of the business as well as working with large developers within the care and student accommodation market.” Compared to their rivals they are a very young company, as Nick is just 30years-old while his business partner and Director of RES Surveying, Kevin Long, is 33. They said: “It’s difficult to progress the practice from a young age in this industry as the perception is, that your project experience will have been minimal if working under the umbrella of a large practice for many years, or simply too young to have secured reasonably sized projects. We have to assure our clients that our previous project experience has been solely us, as the directors involved from inception through to completion, taking on all the

responsibilities of the project to help build that trust. “Unlike some other practices in the industry we don’t have the luxury of turning to other more experienced staff members to provide support and the responsibility of deliverance of a project lies with us and us alone; this is what has fast-tracked our awareness and consciousness. Despite having to overcome this, we managed to gain contracts and weather the storm of the financial crisis, when many of our larger competitors struggled to maintain the levels of work required to feed such large organisations. We have observed this over the last 4-5 years and believe its important not to grow too big, too fast.” One of the unique points of the company are the packages of work they can offer as Kevin explains: “Starting from the beginning we are able to conduct a topographical survey on the land, before carrying out the design and architectural work, before following on to project management work. All of these elements of work are separate specialist areas but because we can offer all these services in one package, it is helping us keep control of construction costs during the design,

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Business assuring our clients of our commercial awareness and offering a one-stop shop for varying areas that may have had 3-4 points of contact.” In addition to experience that is vastly beyond their years, they have another unique edge when it comes to securing contracts. They enthused: “We have first hand experience of Residential development and securing funding through banks and private equity, having done this for ourselves. We understand the difficulties that occur on and off site that have financial implications to the projects and can offer first hand advice on not just design elements but all associated items.” Setting them apart from some of their rivals, particularly during the recession years, was their driven and proactive approach to securing work. “What got us through the lean years was small, domestic, residential projects,” said Nick, “We are very proactive in going out and getting work for ourselves and putting ourselves forward for projects. Whilst more established practices would have yielded the benefit of work landing on their desk during the pre recession boom, we have had to generate this and build a client base in some very trying years. This approach has taught us never to rest on our laurels, therefore we do a lot of marketing and networking to continue to try and bring in new clients and projects. “Once we have done work for customers, we are always confident of getting repeat work from them as we know the service we provide is one of the best, it’s just getting that work in the first place that is the most challenging in such a competitive market.” As Kevin explained client relationships are very important to the company. “We look after our clients who have looked after us. We take a very traditional, personal approach with all of them, large or small and we, as the directors of the company are their point of contact. We don’t hide behind any rocks or shy away from challenging experiences but most of all we strongly believe keeping a professional approach and open honest relationships are key.” Three years ago the company rebranded as RES Architecture incorporating surveying into the

Nick Gwilliam Kevin Long

architectural business. Nick described the thinking behind the rebrand: “We are a very traditional business in the sense that we would always go out to a new site with our tape measure, notepad and pencil in hand and survey the properties ourselves, whereas some practices would outsource their surveying work and then develop plans using the surveys provided. “The only thing we couldn’t compete for was levelled survey work, as our traditional methods were out dated and too slow, so we were still having to give out surveying work to other companies. Therefore we invested in specialist GPS equipment and put ourselves through training courses learning how to use the latest modern equipment, so we can now offer the full package of architectural designs, as well as full topographical surveys.” Finding a real gap in the market for surveying in Gloucestershire, Kevin furthered: “Having initially hired in the equipment for surveying and had it as an additional extra on top of the architectural designs, we have now invested in the latest equipment. It has really added an extra string to our bow. We have also now got to the stage whereby some of our architectural competitors are coming to us for surveying because we can turnaround work very quickly, which is great for us. “I have also put myself through a course to offer SAP Calculations and Air Pressure testing in housing,” explains Nick, “which assesses the energy efficiency of a house, looking at walls, windows, boilers and loft insulation, which is yet another thing which adds to the package we can now offer customers and clients.” Nick, Kevin and the team are particularly proud of the fact that while other industry companies across the

country have been spending the majority of the last seven years trying to survive during the financial crisis, they have continued to grow and move forward with the latest equipment and technologies available creating other arms to the core business. Nick set up RES Property Investments to go alongside RES Architecture and RES Surveying. Nick enthused: “We have seen the property market come back in the previous two years and this has been a result of economy growth and lack of housing, therefore it was the right time for us to get into developments of our own. We recently took advantage of new planning legislation, converting an office unit to residential units and then sold on to a Housing association, all in a 12 month period and are currently exploring other opportunities in the Gloucestershire area.” Looking towards the future of this successful expanding business, Kevin said: “Naturally we want to further grow the architectural and surveying business. We have all the equipment and the expertise in house to grow, we now just need that volume of work to justify hiring extra staff and taking RES to that next level. “We are looking to grow the development side of the company and attract more regular contract work with bodies such as local and county councils. We are also aiming at the education sector, in particular academies, as we now have experience of securing work in this field. Finally, we would like to grow our residential side of the business, particularly with a focus on working for smaller scale private developers, as well as more social housing projects. www.resarchitecture.co.uk

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Taking the bull by the horns Laura-Jayne Roberts reveals the heart of the team behind the successful and growing Gloucestershire based brand, Raging Bull PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAUREN BRIDGES

It was a dull and grey day as I made my way over to the head office of lifestyle clothing brand, Raging Bull, nestled just outside Maisemore but as I stepped through the door of their stunning barn conversion, the dullness vanished as the humbleness of the teams’ success so far, coupled with their passion for their brand, was truly overwhelming. It began in 2003, originally with a sportswear range and later in 2007 the lifestyle collection was launched. Managing Director Shannon Mercer explains: “The leisurewear brand is firmly based upon rugby heritage. Co-founder and ex-England rugby player, Phil Vickery was captaining England at the World Cup in France, when we began. ‘The Raging Bull’ was of course Phil’s nickname, given to him by Sir Clive Woodward, while his birthdate, as well as the number he wore on the field, ‘3’, appears regularly on items of clothing. “The brands core values of strength, pride, honour and courage are the values Phil adhered to through his career, and are ones we practice both through the products and the way the business is run. “While Phil was captaining the England rugby team in the World Cup Final, I was pitching to large retailers such as Harrods, Selfridges, Debenhams and House of Fraser, it was early days and the concept was embryonic. Over time the brand and the range has grown to what it is now. We are proud to have our products in 31 House of Fraser stores, as well as two outlet stores at Swindon & Clarks Village in Somerset and over 100 independent stores across the UK.” The Raging Bull clothing brand stands out among other leisurewear brands as Design Manager, Luke Stevens, explains: “The fit of our clothes is one of our unique selling points as we offer a more generous sizing specification. “Our brand is truly British and very few brands could honestly say they have a

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Retail Operations manager Josh Hiren with House of Fraser’s Marie Brimelow

more genuine heritage story than ours. While the quality of our clothing is also something we are very proud of, we never scrimp on quality to save on price,” added Luke. Luke, who started as a freelancer six years ago, has seen Raging Bull grow and develop. Describing how the clothing range is created, he said: “It starts with looking at previous sales figures and trusting our knowledge of our customers’ likes. We then choose a colour palate as well as a theme for the range. “I design around 200 items initially, which are then whittled down to 100 by myself, Shannon and the production manager, then, following a few amendments and tweaks, those designs form the next range! “All our design is done in house, in the UK, which is testament to our focus on British heritage and we aim to keep it that way,” enthused Luke. As well as a clear focus on heritage, designing for their target audience is obviously key. Luke explains: “We are a lifestyle brand. We try to keep the rugby heritage involved such as basing our crests upon rugby designs but that’s where the rugby element ends and lifestyle begins. “As the clothing is not made to be fitted, we say it’s aimed at all men from fly halves to front rows! We find a lot of our

customers are generally men in their 30’s-40’s, however through our House of Fraser stock, we are aware that we have a younger following too.” Josh Hiren, who is in charge of retail operations and has been with Raging Bull for two and a half years, said: “We are the only brand in House of Fraser that goes up to 6XL which is a huge selling point for us. We also offer a Buy and Collect service, where customers can order online and have the product delivered to store the next day. We have part time staff in all 31 of our outlets, they all produce a weekly report on factors affecting trade, as well as giving us customer feedback. The fact that we listen to our customers and have adapted and changed our styles, designs, fits and quality based on what they have told us, has enabled us to grow successfully and offer a great variety of products.” Reiterating the age range of the brand, Shannon said: “We know from our sales reports that we do entice younger customers with our products such as tshirts, hoodies and jogging bottoms but equally we appeal to their dads with some of our more traditional pieces such as shirts. “We also have a small ladies wear range which we are looking to grow, with our new range in October including gilets and padded jackets, as well as Ditsy shirts and polo’s. The demand has been huge from ladies wanting us to offer more, particularly in the West Country where we are very popular.” The inspiration for these new and traditional pieces is derived very much from the customers’ wishes. Luke explains: “We of course, have one eye on

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Business Managing Director Shannon Mercer conducts a team meeting at the Head Office in Maisemore

the past with a glance to rugby styles but we are always looking at trend forecasts. We work well in advance, so we know what styles and colours are going to be popular in 18 months time when our ranges are planned for. We keep an eye on what our competitors are doing and we also look at sales figures so we know what items proved the most popular. We know exactly who our customer is, so we put them at the forefront of our new designs.” With sales increasing year on year and with a plethora of new customers, Shannon said: “In addition to the Kids & Ladies wear ranges, another area we are aiming to expand is online sales. We have a new platform which is going to be launched imminently, which will enable people to view our stock on their mobile devices and will provide a more bespoke, professional service.” The head office of Raging Bull has been based at the rural ‘Overton Farm’ location, in keeping with the brand ethos, for over a year. Shannon said: “We moved here for extra space to allow us to grow. We are a small but extremely loyal team who work very hard which makes all the difference. However, we are now experiencing growing pains, so we will soon need to recruit in order to assist our future growth.” The honour, which driven mother of

two, Shannon, and Master Chef winner, Phil, have for Raging Bull is heart-warming. “If we weren’t meeting our sales targets in department stores, we would be out, added Shannon. “It’s testament to how popular we’ve become that we are still kept in these stores and we are very grateful for that.” Prince’s Trust ambassador Phil added: "I am genuinely blown away by the enthusiasm for Raging Bull in this part of the worId and so very proud of the success of the brand. I'm fully aware that in these difficult financial times people have to make hard choices about what they buy so I am extremely grateful to every customer that chooses Raging Bull. I still get a huge buzz from seeing the amount of people out and about wearing the label and never take that loyalty to the brand for granted." With the Rugby World Cup just around the corner the future is a very exciting one. Shannon enthused: “The build-up has already started and we have developed a World Cup range which has sold really well and will hopefully continue to do so as we get closer to the kick off in September.” With the expense for some teams to even take part in the World Cup being a huge feat, Raging Bull will also be dressing the Tongan national team, who will be based in Exeter. ”It will be a challenge as

the size of some of the players is jaw dropping,” laughed Shannon. “But it will be good fun!” Following on from the Christmas period the Spring 2016 range will be launched. Luke describes the collection: “We have put a lot of effort into our new polo shirt range which is one of our biggest selling lines and focus heavily on small details such as trims, different styles of buttons and a leather patch at the bottom of each polo. We have ensured there is a mix of both traditional and contemporary style of shirts, from the more conservative designs such as gingham and candy stripes, to more flamboyant floral and cheque designs.” One day Raging Bull hopes to be recognised as a global brand based on quality, which will translate into new ranges such as luggage, footwear, accessories and toiletries. It is clear the brand’s great success to date has come from the hard work and dedication of the team but also in part due to, as Shannon describes: “Phil’s core values which are prevalent in all of what we do and the quality of the products.” Couple this with their customer loyalty, design and fit of the range, becoming a brand to rival the likes of the global Ralph Lauren and Gant is certainly not far off! www.ragingbull.co.uk

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pace to unwind

The Vaulted Spa - Now Open Celebrate the opening of the Vaulted Spa at the Kings Head hotel with 20% off all treatments booked during the month of July. If you are in need of a manicure or pedicure, fancy a facial or want to unwind after a stressful day this is an opportunity not to miss. Call us on 01285 700900 to book and quote â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;celebrateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at the time of booking

KINGSHEAD-HOTEL.CO.UK Terms and Conditions 20% discount applies to treatments booked during the month of July to take place between 1st July and 31st August 2015, treatments available Monday to Friday and exclude weekends and bank holidays, normal cancellation policy applies, subject to availability at time of booking and for new bookings only.

01285 700 900 info@kingshead-hotel.co.uk 24 Market Place, Cirencester, GL7 2NR

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Finance

Financial Surgery Q. I’m thinking about buying my first home using a Help to Buy ISA later in the year, how does that affect my current ISA? Harriet, Cheltenham

Robert Ward is here every month to guide you through your financial questions

Congratulations on wanting to buy your first home. The help to buy ISA is a cash based scheme where the Government will add 25% to what you have saved. The only big issue is that you can only have one ISA in any tax year. If you intend to use this scheme don’t start anything else with the letters ISA in it. If you have started this tax year’s ISA you will have to wait until next tax year. I can already hear you asking, if it doesn't start until later in the year and there is no published interest rate how do I know it’s for me? The banks will have to put an interest rate on it at some point and it will probably be in line with normal ISA rates but this one is special. Let’s assume that the bank pays you nothing to save the money but the government does at 25% – absolutely nothing else will compare, so let’s add the bank’s rather mean 3% or so, and you have a big, big winner. I suspect that the banks will also have linked a mortgage opportunity to this type of saving in the way that they used to. They used to evaluate candidates based on if they could save the equivalent of the potential new mortgage payment for at least 6 months (then they assumed you could afford it). Today’s heavily questioned lending criteria goes way beyond this but you could start with this method as an opportunity to convince yourself that you can afford your new home. Q. George Osborne is selling off more of Royal Mail – should I be considering buying shares? Is it a good investment? Lee, Kemble

Dear Lee, my Compliance Director is going to love me for answering this

If you would like to ask Robert a question please email info@bankhousegroup.co.uk question. The only people who can answer a direct question such as, ‘should I buy a particular share’ are those who hold a licence to conduct that business. Stockbrokers do but IFA's or Wealth Managers do not. What I can do however (without ordering a coronary for the poor chap) is to pose some very ordinary questions. The first is do you understand the risk of buying a single share? They go up and down with the market and the trading position of the underlying company; if they go bust you lose your money. The second is do you understand the business of the company that you will be investing in? How well is it doing and what are its competitors doing by comparison? How well has it done in the past, how well is it predicting it will do in the future and so on? If you have somebody selling (which you must have, to have somebody buying), why are they doing that? Now you might say at this point, how am I supposed to know all of this? And the answer as with all investment decisions is you probably won't, so let a professional advise you. Won’t that be expensive I hear you say and the answer to that is, not as expensive as using an amateur. Q. Is the best way to go about getting an ISA just asking my bank? Or should I be looking wider afield? Betty, Tetbury

Dear Betty, My favourite question in the bag this month. This one is at the heart of savings and investments and since the lion’s share of saving is now done through the banks at very low interest rates, what else should we be considering? To my mind before you consider anything, you need to ask yourself a few

simple questions and they revolve around risk and cost. All investment professionals use what is known as a risk profiling tool. This is designed to understand your personal attitude to risk and also to understand your sophistication or what you know. The answers from this process define what, if any, element of loss at any given point in time you are prepared to accept and gives us a definition of you. From that data we are also able to see what type of investment content for your ISA is best for you and its relative cost. The only free one is with the bank and will pay you the going rate for the year and a reduced rate for subsequent years, everything else has a cost. Your risk profile might well suggest that a cautious portfolio of investments is for you, it may be that fixed interest returns above the cash ISA at the bank are ideal. You may be well matched with a full stocks and shares ISA. Do all of these 'you may well be's' begin to sound familiar? Yes and they should. We are all different and what suits one person will not suit us all. Go and see an IFA and pay for an hour’s advice. Come away with knowledge of your actual risk profile and what type of investments match that. A good IFA will also outline what your expectations should be based upon these two things. Bank House Group, 125 The Promenade, Cheltenham, Glos. GL50 1NW. Call 01242 520074 or email info@bankhousegroup.co.uk. Visit www.bankhousegroup.co.uk for more information. Bank House Investments Ltd is registered in England and Wales no.5710191. Bank House Investment Management is approved and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority no. 451839.

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There is no love more sincere than the love of food...

The best Italian Restaurant in the Cotswolds

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Restaurant Review

CIAO EATALIA Jon Palmer reviews renowned Italian eatery, Ciao Eatalia in Stroud As a dedicated fan of Italian cuisine, I have high standards when it comes to pizza and pasta and the wonderful simplicity they can offer. Prominently positioned on the main A46 road through Stroud, I am pleased to say Ciao Eatalia did not disappoint. The establishment had an authentic feel to it from the moment we walked through the door and were given the warmest of welcomes. Led downstairs from the bar into a large dining area with a pleasant atmosphere and ambience, we were looked after attentively by friendly manager, Giovanni and waiter Luca. Both the food and wine menus presented to us were extensive and the speed of service was impressive throughout the evening. We chose to start, garlic bread (£3.95) and a Caprese Salad (£6.95), both of which were freshly made to order and perfectly presented. Having sampled many different kinds of garlic bread, this was among the best antipasto I have tasted. Proudly displaying the colours of the Italian national flag, the caprese was also well received as we eagerly anticipated our main courses. For the main course, I opted for the Calzone (£10.95), a filled oven pizza resembling a half moon and the size of it was extremely generous. It was absolutely packed with mozzarella, ham and pepperoni and it was a thoroughly enjoyable feast. My friend chose a truly classic Italian dish: Penne Pasta Arrabiata (£7.95) and it was another generous sized plateful. With plenty of red chilies and

“With plenty of red chilies and just the right amount of spice, the chef should be commended for his work on both dishes.”

just the right amount of spice, the chef should be commended for his work on both dishes. The range of desserts was wide and after much deliberation and detailed descriptions from our knowledgeable and entertaining Milanese waiter, we picked Amaretto cake and the Crème Brûlée (both £4.95). In keeping with rest of the meal, the cake was huge and delicious; a real indulgence, while the torched to perfection Crème Brûlée left my friend in

palette heaven. Finally, a delicious cup of cappuccino and a latte and they were, as you would expect from such an establishment, made with first class beans. The drinks were not overly priced and there is a wide enough range of wine, beers and soft drinks to cater for every taste. Ciao Eatalia are preparing to update their menu in the coming weeks, but they appear to have everything already covered and the value is good. The open plan kitchen gives the whole place an intimate, family feel and you can watch your food being prepared. Overall the restaurant was clean, comfortable and well organised, with enough staff on hand to cope during a busy period without any delays. There is a free and spacious car park on site and I would highly recommend paying Giovanni and his team a visit, you will not leave hungry! Ciao Eatalia The Maltings, Merrywalks, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 1QA www.ciaoeatalia-stroud.co.uk 01453 756565 Open 10am-2.30pm and 5.30pm-11pm

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WEDDING PACKAGES NOW AVAILABLE FROM

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| WWW.THEFROGMILL.CO.UK

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Food & Drink

Nothing beats a picnic… Shelle Duffin creates a jar of Potted Crab suitable for any summer occassion A change in season brings an adjustment to the culinary fetishes of many of us from traditional Sunday roasts to sizzling BBQ’s, hearty stews to succulent salads, gooey sticky toffee puddings to juicy strawberries, and of course, come summer nothing beats a good old English picnic. A perfectly idyllic tradition, emerging in the 19th century when the English declared the weather too nice (yes believe it or not, this can happen!) to eat inside and decided to move the meal outdoors. An idyllic notion, which has since been expressed in the works of artists such as Monet and Thomas Cole, demonstrated in the wonderful novels by Jane Austin, sung along to in musicals like The Sound of Music and divulged by poets such as Betjeman with his notorious Subaltern Love Song, which caused women everywhere to fantasize about the ‘perfect date’ (for any men reading this, take note!). This open-air feast, is enjoyed by families, friends and lovers across Britain and in particular, The Cotswolds; there are plenty of occasions in which to fill up the picnic basket. From watching the cricket at the Brewin Dolphin Cheltenham Cricket Festival, the polo in Cirencester and open

air concerts at Westonbirt Arboretum to a fun afternoon spent with the children and their teddy bears, (one of my fondest memories as a child), or an exciting excursion into the glorious surroundings of The Cotswold countryside, there is definitely some fun to be had! Picnics should consist of hassle-free food, something you can whip straight out the basket and pop into your mouth. A hamper basket is never complete without the traditional culinary culprits – a large pork pie accompanied with a jar of chutney, a selection of generously filled

POTTED CRAB Serves 4

Ingredients: 200g unsalted butter 400g white crab meat (pre-cooked) 2 bay leaves 3tbsp sherry 1 shallot, finely chopped A pinch of mace A pinch of cayenne pepper 1 lemon, juiced Salt & Pepper

4x125ml Kilner terrine jars (optional) – make sure these are thoroughly cleaned. Cook’s note: Kilner jars give this dish a

quirky touch to the presentation, however are not essential and ramekins can be used as an alternative. Method • In a small pan, simmer the shallots in sherry until they’ve absorb all the liquid

sandwiches as well as quiches, strawberries and cake, washed down with a glass of Champagne or homemade cloudy lemonade always goes down a treat. However, amongst these traditional classics, I like to create something new to bring to the rug and with the summer delivering a whole new ambiance of refreshing seasonal flavours to our pallet, I have cooked up just that. The beauty of this recipe is it’s perfect not only for picnics but also served as a summer drinks party canapé on bruschetta, or as a light lunch or supper. • Add half of the butter to the pan with one bay leaf and stir until it’s melted • Remove any scum from the surface using a teaspoon and remove the bay leaf • Add the mace and cayenne pepper, and stir • Season the crab meat and add the lemon juice, before stirring in the butter • Spoon the crab mixture evenly into each jar, finishing with a smooth surface • Melt the remainder of the butter in a clean pan with the other bay leaf, again, removing any scum from the surface and the bay leaf • Pour the melted butter on top to seal it • Leave to cool, before covering with the lid and placing in the fridge for an hour until the butter has set • Serve with toasted bread and a wedge of lemon.

For more recipe ideas, reviews and articles, check out my blog – myboiledeggsandsoldiers@blogspot.com; or follow me on Twitter – @Shelle_Duffin, Instagram – shelleduffin, Pinterest – shelleduffin COTSWOLD STYLE JULY 2015 95

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Over, Gloucester, GL2 8DB DB | enquiries@thewharfhouse.co.uk

AWARD-WINNING A WARD -WINNING W WATERSIDE ATERSIDE RES RESTAURANT TAURANT WI WITH TH R ROOMS O MS OO

THE WHARF HOUSE serves acclaimed modern British and European cuisine with a twist. Booking strongly advised.

Alfresco dining Escape for a while with good food and a relaxing drink on the terrace after a hard day’s work.

01452 332 2 900 www.thewharfhouse.co.uk www.thewharfhous se.co.uk

Directions: T urn off the A40 at traffic lights lights Turn 250 yds west of Over Roundabout Roundabout about (junction A40/A417). A40/A417). GR SO 816197 16197

All pr profits ofits fr from om The Wharf House will be used for the pr promotion omotion and restoration of the Hereford & Gloucester ester Canal.

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Review

R&R A monthly column exploring the perfect location to clear your head and spend quality time with the ‘lovely one’ in your life This month Emma Logan reviews The Dial House, Bourton-on-the-Water The problem with Bourton-onthe-Water at this time of the year is that Cotswold folk have a preconception of what to expect. Crocodile chains, 20 deep with Chinese tourists, Brummie daytrippers dipping their thickly veined legs into the river and an endless supply of nothing; unless you require a tea room, ice cream parlour or gift shop to buy a fridge magnet engraved with, ‘The Cotswolds’. Now please understand there is a huge array of acclaimed places to visit in Bourton, from the Motor Museum, Model Village, Model Railway, Perfumery and Bird Sanctuary to name a few but this is a column about enjoying some R&R with your other half not trudging around tourist attractions. When the church starts chiming for 5 o’clock, it is as if by magic, thus said tea room/ice cream parlour/gift shop, turn their door signs to ‘closed’ and with it instantly disappears the busloads of folk back to Beijing or B’rom. There before your eyes stands the real Bourton-on-theWater, a place so exquisitely pretty you now know why it’s regarded as one of the prettiest places in the Cotswolds. You witness the ducks swimming in the Windrush, surrounded by long green banks of grass inviting you to enjoy a stroll in the sunshine and the traditional pubs hum with a genteel atmosphere as normal village life returns. Just set-back from the main street is an historic hotel called The Dial House, where you will see in all its glory, an English garden full of fresh flowers and hear an abundance of birdlife. The chap, KB and I were shown to our lovely en suite room, which was large, comfortable and full of original features including a canopied, four-poster bed. Pre-dinner drinks on vast deckchairs accompanied with canapés (choux buns filled with the creamiest smoked haddock), introduced us to a wickedly good, Ginger Gin, made by Cheltenham distillers Brennan & Brown and definitely

one to add to ones own bar! I asked the chap, how many local people did he think would make the decision to go to Bourton for a night away in the busy season and he replied, “Well it will all depend on how good the food is”. A good answer, as readers this is where I need you to take note – the food was not ‘good’ or just ‘nice’, it was INCREDIBLE. This was a huge surprise as the menus are presented in those rather tatty, plastic binders and to be honest the description of each course was rather vague, so we couldn’t have been more surprised when we were served a dinner, nothing short of Michelin star standard food. The Head Chef is Paul Nicholson, originally from Bath, where he spent five years training at two hotels in the town before heading to France where he worked at a boutique hotel in the ski resort of Courcheval and has now been at The Dial House for the past five years. Though Paul admires many leading chefs, his inspiration and natural creativity is completely self-taught and he uses an abundance of edible flowers and fresh herbs with all that he cooks. An appetiser of Cauliflower Foam, was followed by my first course of a light Roquefort mousse accompanied by

textures of pear, caramelized walnut and chicory whilst KB delved into a Portland white crab meat served with an emulsion of brown crab, light roast crab reduction and apple textures and sorrel. Two extremely delicate but enormously tasty first courses, just whetting the appetite with what was to follow. Our mains were a poached and roasted fillet of beef with a black truffle sauce and the second being Cornish John Dory with crumbed frog’s legs (heavenly), spinach, seared baby artichoke and a deep parsley puree. Not only is the presentation of the food such a superior standard, the distinct flavours all blend and absorb into edible masterpieces. A divine pudding of Wild Strawberry Parfait accompanied by elderflower sorbet, laced with a mint gel and film was just as delightful as the selection of artisan cheeses served with homemade wafers and chutney. It would be very remiss not to mention two other members of staff who completely stood-out to make our stay even more special. Timothy Kay the restaurant manager is a charming South African whose knowledge of wine is exceptional. Though not a trained sommelier, he may as well be. His wine selection throughout the evening was impeccable and he introduced our palettes to fabulous new varieties of grape. Our delightful waitress Zoe Copeland, couldn’t have been more exceptional and is a great asset to the restaurant. The Dial House offers sumptuous breakfasts (the cheese omelette infused with sundried tomato olive oil a must), as well as lunches, teas and dinner is from £35.00 pp. So regardless of the tourist season, it is essential you experience this hotel with its gourmet extravaganza as soon as you can – before those Michelin star critiques get there first and whisk the chef away! www.dialhousehotel.com

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See more socials at www.stylemagazines.co.uk

Style Event

Beth Cartwright and Pia Cato Adam Purnell - Foreign Affairs

Alex Frank-Smith, Eli Boo and Russ Bishop from Tokyo Tattoo

Livestock Festival previews at The Tavern On Tuesday 16th June, Livestock Fest ival took over The Tavern. Main Stage bands Foreign Affairs and Grafton Ash performed live giving an exclusive flavour of what Livestoc k Festival 2015 has to offer. Tickets are now on sale for the festival online. Taking place from Friday 31st July - Sunday 2nd August, the festi val will be headlined by Scouting for Girls, Topl oader, The Hoosiers, and The Feeling. Fest ival goers can enjoy a comedy themed Blunda Bus, outdoor cinema, pop-up Street Food , family activities and extensive camping facil ities. Photography by Angus Bethune

Grafton Ash Groupies

Anna McKittrick and Charlie Marshall

Grafton Ash Groupies

Judy Preece, Jane Hawkins, Amy Leeke andVicky Walker

Grafton Ash

Kathryn Godfrey and Oliver Purvis

Lawrence Purnell - lead singer Foreig n Affairs

Livestock revellers

Adam Purnell Ben Sweeney, Lawrence Purnell and

Lucienne Simpson and Scott Thom pson

Matthew Dowrick and Alice Lloyd

Megan Broadley and Shelle Duffin

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Wonderful responsible fun nanny/child care assistant To be part of our family of two busy parents, three children and a dotty dog. DETAILS: Three boys, aged 5, 8 and 12 (middle child has physical additional needs). TASK: Required to help transport children, prepare meals, be able to have sole charge of one or more as well as be to work as part of the family. IDEAL: You would become a buddy for the 8 year old – training provided. HOURS: Flexible, circa 40 hours pw. WAGES: Above market rate. LOCATION: Bourton on the Water and London Accommodation negotiable; Work car available.

If you are interested in this position please call:

07876 245107

For The perfect Wedding

Set within the idyllic surroundings of the Forest of Dean, Bells Hotel and Forest of Dean Golf and Bowls Club is the perfect choice for your wedding celebra'ons. - Licence for Civil marriages - Wide range of Menu choices to suit any dietary need - Extensive facili'es for up to 180 guests - Beau'ful se(ngs for your wedding photos - All inclusive Packages available from only £999 - Variety of drink op'ons - Ample free parking - On site 53 room 4 star hotel with 10% discount for wedding guests staying

*EXCLUSIVE OFFER *

Book and confirm your 2015 wedding and receive a free evening buffet for the equivalent number of day'me guests*. *Dates Subject to availability, confirma'on requires £250 deposit at 'me of booking. Please visit www.bells-hotel.co.uk or scan the barcode for more informa'on and to download our latest wedding brochure.

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Distinctive rooms and suites for large parties and smaller, more intricate celebrations AA rosette cuisine prepared by our own award-winning team of chefs Beautiful gardens for your wedding pictures and plenty of room for a traditional marquee for up to 200 guests Licensed for civil marriage ceremonies for 140 guests New Orangery function suite, for completion May 2015

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Pets

Here comes the Summer Animal advice from our friends at Vets on the Park Summer time is here again and whilst to us that means lovely long summer evenings and our much awaited summer holiday, for our pets the warmer weather can bring it’s own set of challenges. If you are planning on going away and need to put your pets into kennels then dig out that vaccination certificate and make sure they are up to date with their annual vaccinations. Most kennels will require an annual kennel cough vaccine too (it’s the one that goes up the nose) and this must be given a minimum of 5 days before your dog enters the kennels. Cats and rabbits both need annual vaccination before boarding so give yourself plenty of time and check your certificates today. Summer weather also means an abundance of pesky parasites, so whilst you are at the vets having your vaccination records checked then why not pick up some good flea and worm prevention. Regular, year round application is needed to prevent infestations but every year we see pets whose owners have not remembered or maybe find it tricky. As vets we have access to a wide range of easy to apply

parasite preventers including drops, collars and even palatable tablets so we will certainly have something to suit even the fussiest of pets. Our lovely vets and nurses will even apply the products for you at no extra cost – you will be amazed how easy we make giving a cat a tablet look! Living in the Cotswold we are lucky to have access to the most wonderful places to walk but remember hot summer days are also a favourite for adders, especially on the local hills of Cleeve, Leckhampton and Crickley. If your dog suddenly goes quiet and lame on a walk then please seek urgent veterinary

attention as these painful bites can be serious if not treated quickly. We are one of the only local clinics to stock adder antivenom and so can act very promptly if needed. Finally, don’t forget warm weather can bring its challenges for older dogs especially if they are overweight and so try to avoid exercising them during the heat of the day. Each year we treat one or two cases of heat stroke when dogs have overdone things on very hot still days. And of course remember, never leave your dog in the car, even with the window open as temperatures can soar very quickly, even in the shade. For more advice or information please call Vets on the Park on 01242 517199 or email us at nurses@vetsonthepark.co.uk www.vetsonthepark.co.uk

for your pets in your life - your vet for life

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KEEPING FIT WHILE ON A SHORT BREAK Fitness expert Luciano Kydd’s, full body, holiday work out programme It’s that time of the year when we’re getting ready for the summer holidays, whether it’s camping, heading to the beach, or just visiting loved ones locally for a couple of days or weeks. Over the last six months you have been a slave to the gym or perhaps have joined an outdoors fitness programme in order to look your best. Finally you feel that you’re looking great and others are

commenting on your awesome shape but you’re now worried that taking a few days or weeks off training to go on holiday, you might somehow lose all your gains. I have therefore put together a basic programme to keep you ticking over until you can get back to your main training programme or trainer. Enter the resistance band! This is a piece of equipment that I always

recommend to my clients when travelling, as it’s lightweight and takes up no more space than your swimwear. Here is a basic whole body programme, which you can do in your room, on the balcony or down on the beach. It’s quick and easy, leaving you free to spend more time doing what you want when on holiday and less time than worrying about finding the nearest gym.

Band Front Squat: 3X10-12, REST 30sec

Band Front Deadlift: 3x12-15, rest 30 sec

Seat Back Row: 3x 10-12, rest 60sec Band Push Up or Bodyweight: Push 3x12-15 rest 60sec

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Band Shoulder Press: 3x 12-15 rest 60sec

Band Lunges: 3x12-15 rest 30sec

Band Bicep Curls: 3x15-20, rest 30 sec

Leg Raises: 3x12-15 rest 30sec

Kneeling Band Tricep Kickback: 3x15-20 rest 60sec

Mountain Climber: 3x20-25 rest 60sec To complete the workout, follow the sequence doing all the A&Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S next to each number for the given reps, then rest for the given time. Repeat till the set is finished then move on to the next exercise. Along with the training, nutrition is as important, so check out my new recipe ebook at http://kyddfitness.co.uk/shop/ for healthy eating while on holiday or at home. Written by Luciano Kydd a Fat and weightloss coach based in Cheltenham, to get in contact mobile: 077737347854, email at info@kyddfitness.co.uk, website: www.kyddfitness.co.uk COTSWOLD STYLE JULY 2015 105

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Sport

Training on the flat Betlive Radio’s expert racing pundit Nigel Aplin’s meets The Cotswolds’ most famous Flat racing trainer he summer months are quiet times for racing in The Cotswolds. Names that only pass winter lips are hibernating until the thaw trickles down Cleeve Hill sometime in November. Ascot, Goodwood and York racecards are Flat festivals festooned with the names of the great and the good: Sir Michael Stoute and John Gosden of Newmarket, Richard Hannon of Marlborough, Aidan O’Brien of Ireland and Andre Fabre of France. Wait, a misprint on Derby Day, sixth race, The Investec Out Of The Ordinary Stakes, Lungarno Palace, Trainer John Gallagher, Moreton-in-Marsh. Out of the ordinary indeed as I set out to find this strange Cotswold creature who sets out his racing store in the long days of the National Hunt drought. John Gallagher is probably the most successful Flat trainer in The Cotswolds. John Gallagher is probably the only Flat trainer in The Cotswolds. Near to the village where some bard once remembered Adlestrop, it is a perfect early summer’s day in the Cotswold idyll of Chastleton. A French Count built the stunning Chateau next to Chantilly racecourse, the stables being far more palatial than the Chateau itself as the deluded Count had been reliably informed he was to be reincarnated as a horse. He should have come to Grove Farm. Happy Horses. Happy Days. John exiled himself from the far north east, somewhere near Sunderland. This fact is significant as he looks a little like a cross between Newcastle United’s new manager Steve McClaren and a touch of the Alex Ferguson. Smaller though, as he started within the racing industry in 1983 straight from school, progressing to Assistant Trainer to Lord Tyrone and Head Person for Karl Burke before discovering different methods of training during a 6 month spell in Australia track work riding for Gai Waterhouse and Bart Cummings. Somewhere along the line he found

time to meet and marry Rebecca, the other half of this match made on the very best of turf. He has now trained well over 100 winners all from his Grove Farm premises and even holds a sprint course record at Epsom. That’s normally where the story ends, another trainer profile put to bed. Not so. Grove Farm is very much a family home, both to John and Rebecca, their two sons and also to the horses and

owners. John’s eyes lights up when he recalls the matriarch of the family, Hollybell, who has inspired the whole operation from her prowess on the racecourse to her bounty at stud. The spirit of success and bonhomie is infectious. Unusual for trainers, John and Rebecca like their owners and their owners like them. Whether it is a syndicate of shipbrokers or a mother and daughter adventure who just have a passion for thoroughbreds, John’s horses fit the bill. He clearly is successful with a small string, success that John puts down to the care with which the horses are nurtured and the environment in which they thrive, “I am proud of our lovely premises and excellent facilities with a routine that works, as our results show.” I couldn’t walk away without asking…. Harrison Stickle, Major Pusey and Lungarno Palace; ones to watch over the next few months. If you want a crack at the Flat or join a syndicate call John Gallagher on 01608 674492. Nigel Aplin, formally head of broadcast for William Hill, is founder of www.betliveradio.com, which features a daily digest of betting banter.

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Claire in the County

Local

WE’RE ALL GOING …ON A SUMMER HOLIDAY…la la la….. Except that some of us have to work, laments Claire Thayers

orking mothers, especially single, working mothers dread the long summer holiday – not because they begrudge teachers their extended summer break or the lure of the sun whilst they continue to toil over their laptop but because it always becomes a logistics nightmare. When the children were very small, nursery schools continued to run 24-7, pretty much 364 days a year. My nightmare started the minute they went to school. As a single mum, my holiday allocation was a mere 20 days (plus bank holidays) but with the seven week break in the summer, I was stuck - seriously stuck. The panic kicked in early… usually January 1st when I brought out the new calendar, followed by serious panic attacks after Easter! There are only so many days you can take off and only so many favours you can call in from friends and family. I was so desperate, I used to take the odd day off and take friends children out for the day and then they would return the favour – it was then that I realised that I really didn’t like other peoples ‘darlings’. Taking my own children out to a farm park or even a simple picnic took lots of planning but taking mine and two others, was like planning an army manoeuvre with car seats/drinks/tempting food that they would all eat (with minimum e numbers)/sun cream/wellies/sun hat/sou’westers/jumpers if cold, long sleeved t-shirts if hot to avoid sunburn/wet wipes/plasters/cream for cuts and bruises…let alone the aspirins for my headache and earplugs for the screaming. The list was endless and oh the responsibility. I couldn’t even ease the trauma with a large glass of white! Being creative, I once took a little tribe for a skiing lesson on a dry ski slope… what a mistake that was. I ended up in A&E with three sobbing girls with various broken fingers – sweet joy

“THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY DAYS YOU CAN TAKE OFF AND ONLY SO MANY FAVOURS YOU CAN CALL IN FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY..” recounting that to their parents at the end of the day. So the easiest solution; if like me you are unable to book the entire summer off, unable to lounge in the South of France, sipping the local vino with your Au Pair in charge, or surfing in California ‘en famille’, find some good holiday clubs. If you are lucky you may find some that offer extended hours, to enable you a little more free time to enjoy a glass of Pimms before collection but only one I hasten to add! So what’s on offer this summer in the Cotswolds? There are a couple of sites that list all the camps that are available www.All4kidsuk.com, www.summerfun4kids.co.uk and www.netmums.com My top tip, to feel a little less guilty … choose a camp that your children will not only enjoy but learn some new skills, for example - Gloucester Rugby are offering

some great camps, a junior rugby camp at the Prince of Wales Stadium, Cheltenham, 13-14th of August and a residential camp for 14-16 years olds at Chivenor, Royal Marines in Devon 317th of August. South Cerney offer kayaking, canoeing etc simply visit www.southcerneyoutdoor.co.uk and there are outdoor summer camps near Lydney. Good luck, and fingers crossed you may find one or two days off in the sun, to allow you to relax without the constant planning, lists, shopping, packing up of supplies, clock watching, grovelling apologies for being late and the mother of all headaches with the stress of it all... after all it is the holiday season! Claire Thayers & Associates, Corporate Social Responsibility, South West www.clairethayers.co.uk

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Summer In Tewkesbury As The Roses is redeveloped, we offer an exciting programme of events at The Watson Hall and Victoria Gardens, in Tewkesbury.

JOHN FINNIGAN SAYS...

Open Air Drama in Victoria Gardens... A Midsummer Night’s Dream Madcap Theatre Sunday 2 August 3pm

The Wind In The Willows

YOUR CLUB NEEDS

YOU

LOCAL BUSINESSES CAN SUPPORT CTFC FROM AS LITTLE AS £150 PER SEASON

CALL JOHN TO DISCUSS VARIOUS PACKAGES ON 01242 588102 / 07432 602892

London Contemporary Theatre Tuesday 11 August 2.30pm

Twelfth Night London Contemporary Theatre Tuesday 11 August 7pm Full price: £13.25, Concessions: £12.25, 16-25s and Children: £8.25 Family of 3 (max. 1 adult): £24.75, Family of 4 (max. 2 adults): £33

Live Music At The Watson Hall... Artisan The a cappella singers are back on the road for a limited number of dates.

Friday 31 July 7.30pm

The Urban Folk Quartet

Enter Now! Sunday 27th September 2015

The UFQ’s genre-defying, all-embracing approach to folk music has captivated audiences in high-energy performances across the world.

Tuesday 25 August 7.30pm

The Moscow Drug Club The Moscow Drug Club is a curious musical place where elements of Berlin Cabaret, Hot Club de France, Nuevo Tango, and Gypsy Campfire meet.

Friday 4 September 7.30pm Full price: £13.25, Concessions: £10.75 Buy tickets to all three events for Full price: £32.25, Concessions: £29.25

Visit w www.rosestheatre.org ww.rosestheatr t e.org ffor or ffull ull inf info o on e events, vents, Bo Boxx Office ope opening ening times, vvenues enues and parking ki g during d i g The Th Ros R ses’’ redevelopment. rede d velopmen l t. Roses’

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All prices are inclusive of a 75p booking fee

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His Word

The Cotswold Gent Living the life of a petrol head With spring now firmly underway, the sap fully raised and the first rays of summer’s warmth finally penetrating this corner of the Cotswolds, it occurred to me that the time had come to unleash ‘the beast’. That is to say, a summer season of glorious motoring, rallies and other fossil fuel based past times planted firmly on the agenda. I always consider the Monaco Grand Prix weekend to be the initial curtain raiser for a summer punctuated by excessive speed and grand tours. The said event has long held a place in my heart bathing me as it does with warm memories of being comprehensively robbed in the most flagrant manner by all manner of hospitality and other services on the Cote D' Azur and being treated to the exquisite, articulated “non” delivered, with an almost aristocratic sneer at any seemingly, quite reasonable request, for service of any description. A couple of years ago, having won a fabulous five star weekend of luxury at the Monaco Grand Prix, simply by leaving my hand up too long in a charity auction (how easy is that it seems), a dear chum and I embarked on said adventure with a good deal of excited anticipation. Five star luxury - it did not turn out to be.... We had decided that the Aston needed further fettling before embarking on a road trip from dear old Gloucestershire, so on arrival at the wonderfully named Nice Cote D'Azur airport, we summoned a taxi to take us to the (it is fair to say previously unheralded), Hotel

Suisse Nice. Well Nice it certainly was not and the prospect of remaining there (leaving aside the fact, the room was only equipped with a double bed and not at all set up for two chaps enjoying a boys weekend of Grand Prix delight), was altogether too depressing. In for a penny (well a few grand actually), then in for a pound - indeed as it turned out another few thousand of them. We decided the only proper course of action was to make for a place of safety we both new well, for the balance of the weekend. As it turned out, a late Prescott Hill Climb booking at the Hotel de Paris in Monaco - where we were already vintage motors, gamely booked in to watch the taking on the exacting race on the Sunday was challenge of driving up really quite expensive the hill as fast as possible (think small, terraced without killing ones self or house purchase in the any spectators. Simple! And north of England expensive gentlemanly hospitality - although I accept why would extended to all spectators and you actually want one). As it was an campaigners alike. emergency however, we felt we had no I had often harboured dreams of choice although I was a tad concerned participating in such an event... Sadly that even the Black Amex winced a bit as although I am sufficiently ‘vintage’ to it went through the machine. participate, my beloved Aston is still in Having unloaded a small fortune, I its late teenage years. A beast of a think it fair to say that we were expecting vehicle with a supercharged V8 engine a rather more attentive level of service pumping out 600 horses and god knows than we had experienced thus far. Sadly how many Nms of torques - I am sure the hotel staff had seemingly elevated that when its day comes and it is eligible themselves so far above their established (if I am not pushing up the proverbial positions, that even attempting to attract myself), it will conquer all others on the their attention to pay an obscene sum hill, although I may have to teach it to go for an indifferent glass of house bubbles round corners first. Aston named the was practically impossible. Having vehicle, the Vantage LeMans (after endured the “non” treatment at every another dodgy French motor race) but if turn and then actually ended up and when our time comes I shall petition watching the race on the telly, as the whoever is charge of Gaydon at the view was better, I think it fair to say that time, presumably some plutocrat from the imagination of Monaco was indeed the east, that the vehicle be renamed the better than the reality. Aston V8 Vantage Prescott - an honour Back in the Cotswolds however, things that will be hard to top! are markedly different. For we are In the meantime, as my dear blessed with the fabulous Prescott Hill neighbour suggests as she wafts past in Climb, which this year sees vintage cars her beautiful 1935 Bugatti (now this is a undertaking the challenge during the first sporting marque), a summer of Monte weekend of August. Proper Motorsport, Carlo-ing beckons - although happily minus the Euro-trash and druggerati (no, without the charming, French hospitality, that isn't a sporting marque). Marvellous Happy Motoring. COTSWOLD STYLE JULY 2015 111

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WORLD W ORLD LD CUP m Up Warm Hatton Court, ourt, Upton St Leonar Leonards Friday 11th h September Join what will be a memorable night as we celebrate the World Cup coming to Gloucestershire with a World Cup winner and a number of rugby stars that have played at the very highest level, whilst raising funds for Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby and Cheltenham Rugby Club Clubhouse Refurbishment Fund. The evening kicks off with a champagne reception followed by a three course dinner with the evening being rounded off with a live band and dancing. We can offer you a number of sponsorship opportunities to promote your business at this exclusive event or tickets to enjoy the evening with family or friends. Tickets are available at £60 per head (£600 for a table of ten) For more information and to book your table at The World Cup Warm Up Ball, please contact either Debz or Helen at: Debz Critchley 0771 363 0098 or debzcritchley@icloud.com Helen Wheeler 07775 607 945 or h.wheeler@hotmail.com

media sponsors

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Views

Sandra Paul asks if we should bow to pressure groups? ometimes there is a perception that public opinion doesn’t count for very much. After all, we the public, hate massive hikes in travel costs that are not in line with our wage increases, MPs’ wages that soar by 10% and utility prices which continue to grow despite oil barrel prices at an all-time low. Each year, despite public protestations, inevitably these things rise and the perception that public opinion doesn’t count is underlined. However, recently we’ve witnessed the power of public opinion and the affect it has on major global brands First, let’s take Thomas Cook. My heart was breaking watching the interview by Sharon Wood, mother to Bobby and Christi Shepherd, who died of carbon monoxide poisoning on a Thomas Cook

holiday. When offered an opportunity to apologise for his company’s handling of the situation, the CEO said, “I have nothing to apologise for”, whilst key Thomas Cook executives refused to answers questions to the coroner’s court for fear of incriminating themselves. An inquest jury reached a verdict of unlawful killing and ruled that Thomas Cook had breached its duty of care. It was only after a tsunami of public outrage and support for the parents of the two children that Thomas Cook did an about-turn and finally issued an apology. However, they distributed it to the media before the parents, yet again showing crass understanding of either human tragedy or public opinion. ‘Thomas Cook backlash’, ‘Thomas Cook boycott’, helped the family receive an apology of sorts but will do nothing to

compensate them for their loss. Neither will it encourage me to book a holiday through them. I’m sure I am not alone. However, brands should be able to gauge pubic opinion and not bow to pressure groups simply because of the potential for negative headlines. Caffe Nero is a case in point after announcing it was refusing to use milk from farms within the culling area of Gloucestershire and Somerset. This wasn’t following some mass Facebook protest or media campaign calling for Caffe Nero to boycott ‘murderous milk’. This was because they had a few protests from badger activists. I wonder if they took advice from the National Farmers Union? Or indeed, did they conduct a straw poll amongst the general public? They decided to be proactive and preempt any demonstration or boycott by taking what they call a ‘pragmatic decision on our milk sourcing policies’. Caffe Nero is not for or against badger culling but says it supports farmers. Well, clearly not the dairy farmers in the selected areas, obviously, who not only have had threats aimed at their farms and families from badger activists but are now being hit in the pocket by brand-conscious coffee shops. It is good to see Sainsbury’s sticking to its guns (with the weight of public and media support behind it) and refusing to bow to minority demands. I spoke to a number of people across Gloucestershire and all were heavily in favour of supporting our farmers. However, many didn’t want to be identified because of the backlash they feared from the activists. I like badgers not bullies. I like milk too. But it is unbelievable that we can’t have reasonable debate without fear of extremists taking action. Sandra Paul has been in the communications industry for over twenty years working for Prime Ministers, Presidents and CEOs. Sandra lives and works in Cheltenham. Contact her on sandra@lococomms.com

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This Month with Kate Justice

Like a horse in pelt Kate Justice’s need to get fit …. recently decided that I need more aerobic fitness. My main exercise is horse riding and while it's a myth that the horse does all the work, it is fair to confess there can be a lot of sitting about involved. I know there's filling water buckets, emptying wheel barrows and carrying feed bags etc, but not much of what's involved really challenges the lungs. Until you get to competition day. At my first One Day Event of the season, I glided through the dressage phase, sailed round the show-jumping (finishing a little pink in the face and slightly out of breath) and warmed up relatively easily for the cross country. The course involved about five and a half minutes of galloping round fields, through woods, over fixed obstacles and through the odd pond... There were about 23 fences in all. It was at fence 5, I realised I might be in trouble. Gathering up a horse in full pelt every 20 seconds or so to steer it over a log, or sheep feeder thing, then kick it on again is OMG very tiring. Then you have to remain in a sort of jockey position, which is like doing a permanent squat. For five minutes. I did know all this from last season – and years of doing the sport, but the first one always takes me by surprise. Hang on, that sounds way too jolly and frivolous. The first one always gives me the shock of my life and leaves me coughing up blood, lying in the grass the colour of puce. The competitive side of me can't stop for a rest (my horse would be having none of that anyway) and adrenaline pushes you through, but when your vision starts to blur and you cross the finish line practically laid on your horse's neck, it's time to take up running. I hate running – and apparently I look stupid doing it... so with the theory that I don't need more stamina, just more lung capacity I decided to work on short sprints, uphill. This was even worse than jogging. I was out of breath and panting, hands on my knees, within thirty seconds. After two goes, I absolutely did not want to do

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it ever again. Where is this endorphins release that athletes and gym goers speak of ? Where is my post exercise 'high' that fills me with the energy and desire to do more? I told myself I needed to build it up gradually and went back to mucking out. That was the only time I have been running... so evidently my decision to acquire more aerobic fitness was... at best... flimsy. Luckily, I have found as the Eventing season has continued, the riding itself has helped expand my lungs and I no longer feel like I might realistically die from over exertion. But I've also started to realise, that other than horse sport, I am rather exercise shy. We all probably think about exercising more in the summer – so we can feel more comfortable wearing summer clothes and swimsuits. But I am so rubbish at more conventional forms of keeping fit; I know that if my horse needs a break, or I get injured, I'll also probably get fat. I'm making a note – try and tie that in with winter.

“IT WAS AT FENCE 5, I REALISED I MIGHT BE IN TROUBLE. GATHERING UP A HORSE IN FULL PELT EVERY 20 SECONDS OR SO TO STEER IT OVER A LOG, OR SHEEP FEEDER THING, THEN KICK IT ON AGAIN IS OMG VERY TIRING. THEN YOU HAVE TO REMAIN IN A SORT OF JOCKEY POSITION, WHICH IS LIKE DOING A PERMANENT SQUAT. FOR FIVE MINUTES.. ” If you would like to share your stories with Kate Justice, please email the Editor at editor@stylemagazines.co.uk

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