May 2012

Cotswold Style

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RECIPES, FASHION & BEAUTY £2.50

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May 2012

YOUR GUIDE TO THE CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL

THE ROYALS AT GATCOMBE

SEE THE LATEST FROM COTSWOLD STYLE TV VISIT WWW.COTSWOLDSTYLE.CO.UK

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May

inside your issue...

10 Out and About Our guide to this month’s events plus win tickets to concerts at Westonbirt Arboretum

48 Jazz Festival Artistic Director Tony Dudley-Evans gives us an exclusive guide to this month’s Cheltenham Jazz Festival

29 Property 49 The appeal of village life

103 74 Fashion This month’s hottest trend - prints

We talk to Jason Maurice about the launch of their Village Property branch

78 Feva: fashion news

55 Charity

Blushes helps men make the most of their look

We talk to TV personality Dr Dawn Harper about this year’s Harvey 100 cycle ride

80 Getting it right

83 Suit the Country

We highlight the life changing work at County Community Projects

59 Homestyle

We talk to entrepreneur Carol Rawson about made-to-measure country wear

61 Access solutions

85 Art Couture

22 Real Life

The benefits of professional security for domestic and business needs

The Art Couture Painswick festival returns to the Cotswolds

65 Gardening

89 Dear Doctor: Q&A

Camilla Bassett-Smith celebrates the glistening gem of the woodlands

91 Not forgetting the men

21 Charity of the month

Local midwives and mothers Hannah Harding and Jules Dean are providing an essential service to Gloucestershire’s expectant mums

25 Bath Road Known as a shopping destination in Cheltenham, we highlight the fantastic local shops on the Bath Road

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67 Heritage Mike Charity explains the future of Northleach Prison

Blushes gives their expert advice for men’s grooming

93 Ultimate beauty fix The latest beauty treatment MAY 2012

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137

130 95 Beauty

119 Glamour of the fifties

158 Marketing with Asha

Rachel Simmonds from La Prairie shares her secrets for beautiful skin

Rat Pack Sunday evenings at The Montpellier Chapter

161 Review: Sir Tom Jones

97 Laura Leigh Hairdressing

121-123 Recipes

162 Columnist: Kate Justice

Expert advice for maturing hair

127 Review

98 Comment: Niall Foster

A fresh approach at Soho Bar

Style events

101 Share scams

130 Weekend in the West End

52 For You and Your Home

Edward Mawle from Brewin Dolphin warns against boiler room share scams

137 Growth through sport

94 Style Indulgence

Football Coaching with Shane Duff

96 Tuesday Night Supper Club

103 Women in Business

139 Top 5 fitness classes

This month we talk to Co-Owner of Fabric Architecture, Debra Drew

140 Gatcombe in pictures

102 The Financial Group celebrates 10 years

105 Chamber of Commerce

143 Charity focus: Props

107 Financial advice

145 Olympic Dreams Ian Coley Shooting School

109 Paul James

151 Motoring test drive

111 Legal advice: Rickerbys

The new Seat Ibiza

115 Review: Suffolk Kitchen

155 Glosse Posse Spy

MAY 2012

135 Cotswold Cricket Museum launch 138 Rendcomb College 142 Cotswold Riding for the Disabled Fundraiser Appeal 148 Gold Cross

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Showrooms open all week and Saturday morning or other times by appointment

SEBASTIAN SELLERS Kitchens, Bedrooms, Bathrooms, Bookcases and furniture for all rooms Individually designed and handmade in our own workshops Using the very best materials and timber from sustainable woodlands Full project management if required

At Sebastian Sellers we still oer a no fee, no obligation, design service for your project 1-3 Old Coalyard Farm Industrial Estate West End, Northleach, GL54 3HE Tel: 01451 861864 Fax: 01451 861865 info@sebastiansellers.co.uk www.sebastiansellers.co.uk MAY 2012

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009 Editor's Welcome MAY 12:Layout 1

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Senior Partner Paul Bates 01242 220239 paul@stylemagazines.co.uk

Partner Mark Cuzner 07917 821577 mark@stylemagazines.co.uk

Account Manager Anthony Robinson 07917 175919 anthony@stylemagazines.co.uk

Account Manager Melanie Hall 07875 340840 salesteam@stylemagazines.co.uk Customer Services Executive Carley O’Dea

01242 220239

office@stylemagazines.co.uk Production Consultant Hilary Collier 01242 220239 hilary@stylemagazines.co.uk

Features Writer Eric Barton 01242 220239

Business Development Manager Sarah Prankerd 07970 228228 sprankerd@stylemagazines.co.uk Photographer Spencer McPherson 07773 374316 spencer@allintheimage.co.uk Photographer Rob Wheatman 07533 368571 wheatman@me.com Photographer Yasmin Hussain 07976 666046 yased1@yahoo.com

Photographer Phil Stevens 07875 739995 phil@allintheimage.co.uk

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welcome

editor’s foreword M

ay is the month when everyone starts to get excited about summer. Most have fabulous holidays to look forward to, and for those who don’t there are many activities and places to enjoy without even leaving the Cotswolds - check out our ‘Out and About’ guide for lots of exciting, local events. If you are thinking of leaving the county then make sure you read our ‘Weekend in the West End’, which includes what to do, where to stay and where to eat in London!

As a new season of fashion approaches, don’t miss our 14 page guide to summer fashion – the perfect place to get new and fresh ideas for your wardrobe.

Every year here in Cheltenham we cannot wait for the Jazz Festival to begin – it is the perfect way to spend your May bank holiday weekend. See our two page guide to this prestigious event from Festival Artistic Director, Tony DudleyEvans.

For May we also bring you our exclusive guide to ‘Tradesmen you can trust’, a helpful and comprehensive guide to local contractors who come very highly recommended; the perfect guide for anyone thinking of having some work done on their home over the following months.

In this fabulous issue you can also win tickets to Steps and Alfie Boe in this month’s competition on page 14, and don’t forget to click on www.cotswoldstyle.co.uk to see this month’s Cotswold Style TV – your opinions are important to us so please post any comments on Facebook or Twitter. Just a reminder that our App is now available – perfect for our readers who are always on the move. Enjoy!

Eve Holmes, Editor, editor@stylemagazines.co.uk www.facebook.com/ CotswoldStyleMagazine

Follow me at F @CotsStyleEditor @

Cotswold Style

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.

Cover image: Men’s Style courtesy of Blushes. See pages 80-81 and 91 for inspiration for our male readers on getting your style right this season. www.blushes.co.uk

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.

MAY 2012

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ENTERTAINMENT

FUNNY PECULIAR Tuesday 8th – Saturday 12th May Award-winning comedy about the ups and downs of married life, containing strong language, semi nudity and adult humour. Box Office 01242 572573 or online at www.everymantheatre.org.uk CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS Wednesday 9th – Sunday 20th May The Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts is one of the largest Performing Arts festivals in the country and has taken place in the Town Hall since 1926.

A day ticket allows the audience to see adjudicated performances for all age groups in Dance, Music and Speech and Drama. Day Ticket: £3 www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk

MONTY’S COCKTAIL BAR IS PLEASED TO PRESENT AN EVENING WITH VINCE FREEMAN Saturday 10th May From 9pm Vince will be back playing at one of his favourite venues and performing all of his old favourites which hopefully will include his rendition of King’s of Leon ‘Sex on Fire’ as seen at his blind audition on BBC 1’s new programme ‘The Voice’, when Script front man Danny O’Donoghue bagged Vince for his team.

Vince follows an ever growing list of successful artists that have performed at Monty’s Cocktail Bar, these include Duffy and Ed Sheeran. Monty’s hosts live music every Friday and Saturday evening. To make an evening of it book a table in the Brasserie. You can now book on line www.montysbraz.co.uk or telephone 01242 227678.

LANGUEDOC WINE DINNER WITH STEPHANIE DONDAIN FROM CHATEAU CABEZAC AT HOTEL DU VIN Tuesday 15th May Chateau Cabezac is situated in the Languedoc region, more precisely in the Minervois. It has been established for over 10 years consolidating its reputation

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‘eat well, enjoy wine, love life’

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as a producer of high quality wines. The wines are produced on the basis of Culture Raisonnée of the vines with maximum emphasis on the character of the varieties and of the terroir. You will have the chance of tasting a wide range of wines including highly rated top cuvées such as ‘Grand Cuvée Belveze’ and ‘Cuvée Arthur’. Wines are matched with a menu created by our Head Chef Paul Motram. 7 pm. To book, contact events.cheltenham@hotelduvin.com or 01242 588 450

ADVANCED BREAD WITH MAURICE CHAPLAIS Thursday 17th May Learn the art of making delicate old-fashioned sour dough bread; beer bread with stout, wheat and oats, and Carbonade de Boeuf a la Flamande – a beef casserole made with dark beer and caramelised onions. After lunch, find out how to make homemade culture for yeast-free breads and watch Maurice make the perfect lavender and honey muffins. £165 including coffee and patisseries, lunch, recipes and a bag full of delicious breads and muffins to take home. Mention Cotswold Style and receive a 10 per cent discount on any booking. 9.15am – 4.15pm www.foodworkscookeryschool.co.uk EQUUS Monday 21st – Saturday 26th May Peter Shaffer’s award-winning psychological thriller explores the complex relationships between worship, myth and sexuality. Based on a true story. Equus contains strong language, sexual themes and nudity.

STEWART FRANCIS OUTSTANDING IN HIS FIELD Thursday 31st May Stewart Francis is gracing the stage at Cheltenham Town Hall. The star of Mock The Week, Michael McIntyre’s Roadshow and Live At The Apollo, embarks on a brand new tour with a fantastic and hilarious new show!

Tickets: £17.50 7.30pm. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk

Box Office 01242 572573 or online at www.everymantheatre.org.uk

HOWLERS AT THE HALL Wednesday 23rd May 8.30pm. Tickets: £12 (£8 Students) Cheltenham’s biggest and best comedy club with Jimmy McGhie and more at Cheltenham Town Hall. Check www.howlerscomedyclub.com for details.

CHELTENHAM CONCERT SERIES - CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Saturday 26th May The charismatic American conductor Andrew Litton and the much-respected CBSO bring the 2011-2012 Cheltenham Concert Series to a rousing finale in this concert of twentieth century music.

Alongside one of Ravel’s most enchanting works and Walton’s brilliantly inventive First Symphony, rising French pianist Lise de la Salle performs Prokofiev’s strikingly original First Piano Concerto. 7.30pm.

Tickets: £30, £25, £10 www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk

SPONSORED BY MONTPELLIER WINE BAR MAY 2012

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your comprehensive guide to what’s going on in The Cotswolds... with Carley O’Dea

CROATIAN WINE DINNER AT HOTEL DU VIN Thursday 14th June In conjunction with Pacta Connect, importers of wines from this upcoming and exciting country, we would like to introduce you to a wide selection of wines with strong personalities that are waiting to be discovered. Join us in this voyage of Adriatic culture with astonishing and unexpected wines accompanied by typical cuisine. Wines are matched with a six course menu created by our Head Chef Paul Motram.

7 pm. To book, contact: events.cheltenham@hotelduvin.com or 01242 588 450

FAMILY

FOOD AND FARMING FESTIVAL Sunday 13th May A great day out for all the family, there will be a Children’s Corner with face painting, tractor displays and the Wildlife Walk. Parents will be able to watch cooking demonstrations from Rob Rees and his willing assistant (just for the day), Adam Henson. All proceeds from the Raffle will go to The Wiggly Worm, a charity that exists to improve health and well-being amongst the vulnerable and disadvantaged. The Festival will open at 10.30am and entrance is free. www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk or email anna@lovemycow.com.

HORRIBLE HISTORIES Tuesday 15th – Saturday 19th May The hit TV series based on the popular books by Terry Deary is adapted for the stage in two brilliant shows. Historical events and figures come to life with hilarious consequences. This is live theatre and history at its rip-roaring best.

Box Office 01242 572573 or online at: www.everymantheatre.org.uk

THE GRUFFALO – LIVE ON STAGE Friday 25th – 27th May Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep, dark wood in this magical, musical adaptation of the award-winning children’s book by Julia Donaldson. Box Office 01242 572573 or online at www.everymantheatre.org.uk MAY 2012

THE SUFFOLKS ANNUAL STREET FAIR Monday 4th June This will be on Jubilee Bank Holiday.

Don’t miss over 100 Stalls, live music throughout the day, a children’s area with rides and entertainment and street artists performing throughout the day. Come along and join the Jubilee fun. Festivities start at 10am and will run all day long.

For more information email suffolktraders@gmail.com THE BROADWAY ARTS FESTIVAL Saturday 9th to Sunday 17th June To honour this year’s featured artist and garden designer Alfred Parsons RA, the Festival is organising a national art competition with the theme of ‘In the Garden’. The winner will receive the John Singer Sargent Prize and £1,000 in cash, courtesy of sponsors John Noott Galleries of Broadway. In addition, a wide range of lectures, tours, art demonstrations and music recitals will take place during the nine-day festival.

For more information www.broadwayartsfestival.com

Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham. A Reception will be hosted in the Gallery from 6.45pm and the Fashion Show starts at 7.45pm in De la Bere Court.

The event is supported by the UK’s leading Model Agency and talent spotters Storm who will be attending on the evening as well as offering a fabulous auction prize of a week’s work experience at Storm Agency. Ticket price is £25 which includes Champagne, canapés and after show gifts.

Tickets available from Beatrice von Tresckow, 8 Montpellier Walk, Cheltenham, Ellenborough Park or gcffashionevent@gmail.com. 10% of all sales will be donated to Gloucestershire Community Foundation.

An exclusive Brasserie Supper will be available until 10pm.

Book direct with Ellenborough Park 01242 545454.

CHELTENHAM BOULES TOURNAMENT IN AID OF HELP FOR HEROES Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May There will be two tournaments, one on Saturday each with 32 teams competing on Pittville Pumproom Lawns and tennis courts with a chance to win personalised trophies. The day starts at 9:30am with a marquee breakfast and continues on until 6:30pm. To find out more or to enrol a team of your own please contact Jon Wilson at info@bombilloevents.co.uk or you can download a registration form at www.bombilloevents.co.uk/boules2012 LINC’ING TOGETHER TO BEAT CANCER - 3 COUNTIES CYCLE RIDE Sunday 10th June

CHARITY

BEATRICE VON TRESCKOW FASHION SHOW May 10th 6.45pm The Gloucestershire Community Foundation invites you to join them for an Evening of Glamour and Style at the

Starting and finishing at Tewkesbury Rugby Club, a choice of 64km or 32km route. Registration and sponsor forms

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www.montpellierwinebar.com IT’S A WRAP!

LINC CHARITY POLO DAY IN AID OF LINC Sunday 24th June From midday at Cirencester Park Experience the polo ponies galloping across the pitch and enjoy a day’s hospitality in the LINC marquee. Ticket price £75 includes: LINC hospitality marquee. Delicious 3 course luncheon, Traditional afternoon tea, Entry & car parking. www.lincfund.org

SPORTING EVENTS

HUNTER CHASE EVENING AT CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE Wednesday 2nd May 2012 www.cheltenham.co.uk

END OF SEASON AWARDS DINNER Thursday 10th May Kingsholm Stadium. The event will include Champagne reception, four course meal, guest MC and Speaker, Review of season and annual awards, match action and highlights footage, memorabilia auction and raffle and two Gloucester Rugby players per table.

Prices are £100 per person inclusive of VAT or a table of 10 for £1000 inclusive of VAT. To book your place email clarereader@gloucesterrugby.co.uk

BARBARIANS VS IRELAND Tuesday 29th May Kingsholm Stadium 7.45PM International rugby returns to Kingsholm with the Barbarians taking on Ireland. Ticket prices start from just £15 for adults and £5 for juniors.

To book your tickets visit: www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk or contact the ticket office on 0871 871 8781 option 2.

COMEDY NIGHT HOSTED BY NIK WOOD Thursday 1st June Kingsholm Stadium 7PM The Comedy Club will introduce 5 handpicked comedians from across the UK. Tickets start from just £6 call 0871

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Thomas Legal Group ARE everywhere! Check out our new “fleet” of cars.

If you see one driving around the Shires – Cheltenham, Cirencester, Gloucester or the Cotswolds, then let us know and you could win a half case of wine in our lucky prize draw. Just call 07976 925444 or e-mail: sharon.foote@thomaslegalgroup.uk.com.

Thomas Legal Group – the No 1 choice for your next home move 871 8781 option 2 or visit: www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/tickets to book yours.

BUSINESS BREAKFAST Wednesday 6th June Kingsholm Stadium 8 – 9.30 AM An insightful business experience at Gloucester Rugby stadium. Discussion led by Jill Douglas with Fiona Hotston Moore, Partner, Crowe Clark Whitehill, LLP, London. Tickets are priced at just £18 inclusive of VAT. For more information and to book your place contact: clarereader@gloucesterrugby.co.uk

TOM JONES LIVE AT KINGSHOLM Friday 22nd June Kingsholm Stadium.

Gloucester Rugby are delighted to announce that music legend Tom Jones will perform live at Kingsholm Stadium, for what will be the second concert to be hosted at Kingsholm in just over a year.

Ticket prices start from just £32 for general admission. Book your tickets by visiting www.liveatkingsholm.com or

contacting the ticket office on 0871 871 8781 option 2.

SUCCESSFUL WOMEN IN BUSINESS LUNCH AT THE DAFFODIL Tuesday 15th May

Starting with a networking session in the Circle Bar from 12 o’clock, a two course lunch will be served in the restaurant at 1pm.

The session will be hosted by successful Gloucestershire businesswomen Patricia Lustig and Barbara Stopher

Tickets for the two course lunch, with wine and a drink on arrival, cost £25 plus VAT for both IoD and non IoD members.

Advance booking is essential via the IoD at : www.iod.com/home/localnetwork/south-west/events/15-maysuccessful-women-in-business/defau lt.aspx

FEBRUARY SPONSORED BY MONTPELLIER WINE BAR MAY 2010 2012

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your comprehensive guide to what’s going on in The Cotswolds... with Carley O’Dea

GROW is a Gloucestershire charity helping to improve the lives of local people who are disadvantaged in some way, or who feel excluded from society. We work with all ages, from young children to the elderly.

Our fund-raising events are very popular, and often new people join us and forge great friendships. So come with friends, or on your own – either way, you will be made to feel very comfortable.

THE WHITE HART INN, WINCHCOMBE May 15th This 16th century inn provides delicious simple dishes from local suppliers, and with an extensive range of real ales and local ciders, plus a unique wine shop within the pub, you can look forward to a great dining experience and take some wine home with you too!

GOLF DAY AT LILLEY BROOK GOLF CLUB 1st June The Cotswold Hills are a marvellous backdrop to this mature golf

course, and you can expect a great day’s golf. We are looking for sponsors for this day, which is likely to be very popular, so if you are interested in sponsoring any part of the day, or in playing, please email golf@growglos.org

VOOJAN June 5th Officially voted The Best Indian Restaurant in Cheltenham 2011, Voojan is a jewel of a restaurant. With delicious food, and décor which Gloucestershire Echo described as ‘elegant and classy’, you can be sure of a fantastic Indian dining experience in the company of plenty of other Supper Club friends.

All those involved in Grow would like to thank you all for your continued support and look forward to seeing you, and new friends soon. For more details please visit Grow website at: www.growglos.org

CRUSE BEREAVEMENT CARE AND THE PIED PIPER APPEAL – IN AID OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE CHARITIES Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th June

• Highnam Court – The Show's beautiful venue.

• Dealerships – The hottest new cars from over 20 dealers and specialist manufacturers.

• Classic and Vintage Cars – A magnificent collection of classic and vintage cars celebrating the golden age of motoring. More than 100 expected daily.

• Apprentice Zone – Renishaw provide experiments and info for the youngsters • Fashion Show – showcasing qualkit6y used clothes followed by a sale • Celebrity Chefs – Cook off • Family Fun – A great day out for the whole family with a Pimms bar, speciality beers, a wide choice of food, shopping opportunities galore and a children’s marquee packed full of hands-on excitement. There will be a fashion show with • Grand Prize Draw – Your chance to win a fantastic prize!

FEBRUARY MAY 2012 2010

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WESTONBIRT COMPETITION

MONTHLY COOKS CLUB: AT MONTPELLIER CHAPTER May 1 - 3pm until 4pm ASPARAGUS Preparing and cooking with this treasure June 5 – 3pm until 4pm ICE CREAM How to make your own

Join The Montpellier Chapter’s Head Chef at the monthly cooks club.

Chef and his team will share with you their expert knowledge and try to answer some of the most commonly asked culinary questions.

With demonstrations, these are relaxed sessions with the opportunity to socialize and learn a little!

Cost £5 per person which can be redeemed towards a restaurant purchase. Telephone 01242 527788 to book your place.

RAT PACK SUNDAYS: 50S STYLE Every Sunday – from 5pm until 8pm There is something very glamorous about the 1950’s - the very stylish fashion, the wonderful music and of course the cocktails. The Montpellier Chapter is bringing it all back for Sunday afternoons. From 5pm to 8pm every week, the hotel will be playing some great tunes from the all-time greats – chill out with Mr Bojangles, let the crooner himself take you away with “come fly with me,” or just melt with the voice of Dean Martin.

The cocktail list will match the music, with a selection of classic 50’s cocktails: Old Fashioned, Vodka Martini, Sea Breeze, Tom Collins, Pink Gin and Mai Tai. Order any two of these for just £10.

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CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL 2nd May to 7th May For the first time, the Wine Bar is two minutes away from the Jazz hub on Montpellier Gardens. Come to the Wine Bar for pre and post event wining and dining, whilst listening to smooth Jazz and enjoying our extensive range of tremendously priced champagnes and sparkling wines; free nibbles are available for every bottle purchased from 5.30pm until 7pm.

NATIONAL ASPARAGUS MONTH During the month of May, we have always sourced local Asparagus. Join us this month as we serve a selection of dishes using this Vale of Evesham favourite.

HUNTER CHASE EVENING 2nd May Join us for pre-racing drinks before the last meeting of the season.

Indulge in a late lunch before heading up to the racecourse and then afterwards for post racing celebratory dinner and drinks.

FISH AND FIZZ WEEKEND 4th – 7th May Don’t miss out on effortless lazy grazing on our sun drenched terrace this Bank Holiday. Enjoy the long weekend with our Fresh Fish Menu; choose from a selection of fresh fish and why not enjoy one of our highly acclaimed champagnes.

BRITISH SANDWICH WEEK 12th – 19th May For one week, from Monday 30th April, the Wine Bar will be running a Facebook poll to discover your favourite sandwich fillings. To celebrate British Sandwich Week, the Wine Bar will feature your favourites from the poll. To stay informed and take part, make sure you ‘like’ our Facebook page and sign up for our e-news online (via their website).

ALFIE BOE Saturday 21st July. Alfie Boe is the latest act to be announced to play at Westonbirt Arboretum. The classically trained tenor has become well established as one of the country’s most popular artists his interpretation of the most revered and timeless songs has ensured an ever-growing fan base.

Alfie’s forest debut will see him performing from his current albums as well as from classical and proms repertoire. Tickets £35.50 (subject to booking fee) go on sale at 9.00am Friday 20th January from the Forestry Commission box office tel 03000 680400 or buy online at: www.forestry.gov.uk/music

STEPS Sunday 22nd July. Pop phenomenon, Steps, have announced they will be bringing their reunion tour to Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire this summer. The Brit-award winning group reformed last year for a documentary series and also announced a UK arena tour which is proving one of the hottest tickets for 2012 and released a Greatest Hits album. Tickets £36 (subject to booking fee) go on sale at 9.00am Friday 27th January from the Forestry Commission box office tel 03000 680400 or buy online at: www.forestry.gov.uk/music To win tickets for one of the above shows please answer one of the following questions depending on your preference: ALFIE BOE: Name the popular West End musical about the French Revolution is Alfie Boe famous for his role in?

Or STEPS: What is the name of Steps’ Greatest Hits Album?

Please send in answers to: office@stylemagazines.co.uk

by Monday 4th June

SPONSORED BY MONTPELLIER WINE BAR MAY 2012

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M AC K IN TO S H’S

SPECTACULAR NEW PRODUCTION OF

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LLOYD

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F I T T E D I N A D AY · B E AU T I F U L F O R L I F E

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Jazz Festival

A DIVERSE FESTIVAL

If you want to know more about Cheltenham’s Jazz Festival, then our Director’s Guide by Artistic Director Tony Dudley-Evans is for you...

1. What exciting new events can we expect from this year’s Jazz Festival?

This is our first year in Montpellier Gardens, so there’s lots of new ways to get involved and enjoy this year’s Festival.

The new location means that we have a brand new 1,300 seat big top venue where some of our headline acts such as Paloma Faith, Steve Winwood, Bill Frisell and The Puppini Sisters are performing.

In another first this year, we are working with the University of Gloucestershire to create a free interactive music technology area called the Music Lab. The idea is based on the Discover Zone at the Science Festival, and will give the chance to try out cutting edge technology. We’re also working with iconic jazz label Verve records to showcase their latest talent on the free Stage. It’s going to be a unique opportunity to see the rising stars of jazz for free. This year also sees the brand new screening Rooms @ Cheltenham Jazz Festival – a pop up luxury cinema where we’ll be screening jazz inspired films throughout the Festival. Perhaps most importantly, we will also welcome Heineken as the official beer and Henry Westons as the official cider of the Festival!

2. Tell us a little more about the Jazz Fringe. What best local talent will we find performing this year?

The Jazz Fringe starts the week before the Festival in venues throughout the

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town. This year we’re taking jazz performers to pubs like The Railway, The Swan and the Frog ‘n’ Fiddle, restaurants including Zizzi’s, Jamie’s Italian and Bistrot Coco and Rise Records in Beechwood Arcade. Throughout the Festival, the Fringe then takes over the Free stage in Montpellier Gardens. So as well all eight newly signed Verve records artists, we will also be showcasing the best emerging regional talent – including funk from six-piece Cheltenham group Emmett Brown, Dixieland swing from The fresh Dixie Project and Parisian inspired gypsy jazz from Swing From Paris.

3. This year sees the first boutique Festival cinema with The Screening Rooms – tell us a little more about it.

We’re going to be creating a special Festival boutique Screening Rooms experience celebrating the relationship of jazz in film. So we’re going to have comfy seats, popcorn, drinks, and nibbles – plus wireless headphones to don during the film. We’ve programmed some really diverse contemporary films that complement the jazz festival - so we have The Aristocats for families and modern classics like Mulholland Drive and Memento. We’ve also worked with our Artist in Residence Paloma Faith to include some of her favourite films, and there will be the chance to see Paloma herself in the film noir inspired short

film A Nice Touch, also starring Dougray Scott. The cinema should be a really fun new addition to the Festival experience.

4. What are the Director’s Picks for this year?

I’ve programmed some really exciting artists at this year’s Festival – so it’s hard to choose, but we do have some strong ‘jazz jazz’ performances which I’m particularly looking forward to. Four of the best are Jeff Williams Quartet from New York, one of UK’s finest in John Taylor marking his forthcoming 70th Birthday with a commission from the BBC, Marcus Miller known for his work with Miles Davis and another who draws on different genres, and Chris Potter who is playing with a woodwind section plus double bass and drums to highlight his own soloing. I know Chris is also a top choice of our Guest Director Jamie Cullum, along with the BBC Radio 2 live broadcast of Friday Night is Music Night celebrating the music of Ray Charles, jazz guitar from Bill Frisell and his Beautiful Dreamers, and banjo playing CW Stoneking who mixes jazz with ragtime and hillbilly. As you can see – it’s a varied line-up, full of a mix of really interesting performers.

5. What can we expect from The Yamaha Jazz Experience Competition?

The Festival has a reputation for

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Jazz Festival

nurturing up-and-coming jazz talent; the Yamaha Jazz Experience Competition really reflects this. On Bank Holiday Monday (7th May), we’re going to be hosting the national final of the competition with nine of the UK’s finest youth jazz ensembles taking to the free stage in the gardens. They’ll all be performing with the hope of impressing our judges – who are a stellar panel of jazz industry experts including pianist Gwilym Simcock and Artistic Director of the National Youth Jazz Collective Issie Barratt. It’s completely free and should offer an unrivalled chance to see the best in the UK’s emerging jazz talent – all whilst relaxing in Montpellier Gardens.

6. What does Jazz in the Gardens offer visitors to the Festival?

Jazz in the Gardens really forms the festival-heart of the programme. We’re going to have free outdoor music all through the Bank Holiday weekend, bars MAY 2012

serving Westons Cider and Heineken, the Verve Lounge – serving coffee and showcasing the label’s new talent, a variety of food stalls and the opportunity to try out the latest musical gadgets in our new Music Lab. It’s completely free to come and enjoy Jazz in the Gardens, so it’s the place to be to soak up the festival atmosphere.

7. For those new to the Jazz Festival please describe the atmosphere and experience.

It’s a really surprising and diverse festival with so many unexpected things to enjoy.

It just has a great atmosphere, a whole range of great music with perhaps surprising variety and it provides an opportunity to experience jazz at various levels of engagement, from relaxing in Montpellier Gardens with drink in hand allowing the music to waft over one right through to really engaging with a really interesting band presenting new material.

I think the various great singers

appearing at the festival, Jamie Cullum, Gregory Porter, Melody Gardot and Paloma Faith show how relaxed and engaging and ‘hip’ the music can be.

Various groups show how jazz and pop/rock music still link strongly with each other. Steve Winwood is known as a great rock singer and now tours regularly with Eric Clapton, but his group includes the great UK saxophonist Paul Booth and the concert should include lots of jazz improvisation and therefore please both Winwood and jazz fans. American guitarist Bill Frisell always shows the influence of other genres and a review described his music as ranging from Stephane Grapelli to bluegrass.

But at its heart, the Festival has the really strong ‘jazz’ that I pull-out in my Director’s Picks. This means that whether you would call yourself a ‘jazz fan’ or not, if you like music, you’ll find something to enjoy at the Jazz Festival.

You don’t have to be a jazz aficionado, just a lover of good quality live music. CS

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charity of the month

transforming lives

County Community Projects exists to improve the lives of young children. Here, we highlight the important work achieved by the charity...

What is CCP’s ethos?

Founded in 1989, CCP has evolved from its origins as the provider of a safe and secure refuge for nine young homeless people in Cheltenham, to a county-wide charity that now provides a range of integrated services for children, young people, families and vulnerable adults, including: supported accommodation for 58 young homeless people; family relationships mediation; Cheltenham 1st Stop multi-agency centre; Appropriate Adult service; advocacy service; Ofsted registered school for young people with behavioural, emotional and family problems; floating support service for families and adults at risk of homelessness; family and parenting support; community allotment.

We want to help create a society in which everyone can realise their aspirations and reach their full potential, regardless of the life into which they were born. CCP (County Community Projects) exists to improve the lives of children, young people, families and vulnerable adults who have multiple and complex needs throughout Gloucestershire. Our priority is to those who have been excluded or have excluded themselves from mainstream services.

To serve our purpose, we promote and support healthy living, help maintain a safe and stable home environment, encourage and support learning and achievement, promote respect and positive social behaviour, encourage personal economic sustainability, provide both crisis and preventative services. We work in partnership with the person and other agencies to create a sustainable and portable package of care and support networks, which enable them to realise their aspirations and reach their full potential in life.

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What are CCP’s challenges for 2012?

We are facing more and bigger challenges in 2012. We are experiencing increasing demands on our services as a result of the recession including, government spending cuts, higher unemployment and changes to the benefits system. As a consequence, we need to increase the availability of our services to meet demand. Children and young people’s services have been particularly hard hit, the withdrawal of funding leaving many more children and young people with no support. One of the ways in which we are trying to meet the need is through increased volunteering from individuals, community groups, schools, churches and the corporate sector.

CCP’s latest fundraising efforts We have recently gained the interest of a number of businesses, including Energist, Ageas Insurance, G4S Technology, Ladbrokes, Endsleigh Insurance, Zurich, Ecclesiastical, Creed Foodservice and Wiggin LLP, who between them have pledged their support through cash funding and through their time and business skills.

They demonstrate their corporate social responsibility through employee fundraising such as marathon running and abseiling, employee volunteering

such as garden ‘makeovers’ and our Hamper Scamper Christmas Giving Scheme, adopting CCP as their Charity of the Year, cause related marketing, payroll giving, sponsorship of projects and events, and gifts in kind such as skill sharing and providing training.

We believe these partnerships present us with an opportunity to offset some of the pain caused through the austerity measures but also to promote the CCP brand and create many new friends of CCP. This is incredibly important to us and we feel privileged to have such support of our cause.

How can people support CCP? Get involved! We have over 70 volunteering opportunities ranging from being a mini-moto marshall or a music teacher to working on our allotments.

We encourage schools, churches, community groups, and individuals, to donate the proceeds of their fundraising events and activities to CCP. We invite businesses to sponsor CCP projects or events, adopt us as their Charity of the Year, fundraise for us, and volunteer their time and skills with us. We welcome one-off donations of cash and cheques as well as regular donations which can be done by setting up a direct debit and gift aiding it. CS

Contact details: www.ccprojects.org.uk www.facebook.com/countycommuni typrojects Twitter: twitter.com/CCProjects Email: reception@ccprojects.org.uk Tel: 01242 228999

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a unique combination

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Hannah Harding and Jules Dean are passionate about being midwives, and they are committed to sharing their unique knowledge with expectant mums to help them on their exciting journey into parenthood.

Photography by John Day

‘WITH OUR ADVICE AND EXPERTISE WE WANT TO EMPOWER AND NURTURE WOMEN THROUGH THE MOST EXCITING TIME IN THEIR LIFE’

For more information contact: www.thebabyjourney.co.uk facebook.com/thebabyjourney hello@thebabyjourney.co.uk

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If you were going to trust anyone to give you accurate and helpful information about pregnancy and birth it would be a midwife. So best friends and practising midwives Hannah Harding and Jules Dean have hit on a fantastic business idea by providing a unique course to expectant mums, equipping them with practical information and nurturing support for their journey to motherhood.

Hannah and Jules met while working at the Cheltenham General Hospital nine years ago and became firm friends. They never really considered themselves as entrepreneurs but they have certainly shown their aptitude for business by launching ‘The Baby Journey’.

“The business idea came about while we were both at home nursing our babies through chicken pox. It was an idea we had thought of years ago, and being at home looking after the children was the perfect opportunity to make it a reality,” says Jules.

After many meetings, coffee mornings and emails during the middle of the night, their business was born. The Baby Journey is a four week course of antenatal classes with an emphasis on practical skills and information for pregnancy and birth into early parenthood.

Before launching their business the ‘mumpreneurs’ carried out extensive market research to test their idea on their perfect target market and with the results they tailored their business to suit people’s needs.

“We visited just about every mother and baby class in Cheltenham and interviewed dozens of women to see what they would have wanted to know

before they gave birth. We used that information to tailor our classes to what women actually want to know before giving birth and we are committed to providing that information in a fun and supportive way.

“We have 20 years of midwifery experience between us and we are also mums to young children so we have a unique combination of knowledge and mum’s advice that we can offer to other expectant mums,” says Hannah.

“We were particular about where we wanted to hold the classes so we chose the fabulous location at Manor By The Lake so that it was comfortable and somewhere that expectant parents wanted to come for an evening out.”

Hannah and Jules felt privileged to have moral support from each other while they were pregnant with their babies (Jules’ second and Hannah’s first).

“It was fabulous to be pregnant at the same time because we relied so much on each other for support during our pregnancy as well as after the babies were born. We realised that this support was what we wanted to provide other expectant mums along with our midwifery expertise to empower and nurture women through the most exciting time in their life,” says Jules.

The classes are aimed at providing essential and practical information for pregnancy and birth as well as offering the chance to make those social connections that new parents rely on after their child is born.

The workshops cover a wide range of topics for new parents including baby massage, first aid, feeding, weaning and exercise classes for new mums. Hannah MAY 2012

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PHOTOGRAPHY: WWW.JOHNDAYPHOTOGRAPHY.NET

real life

and Jules also offer a ‘we come to you’ package so mums and dads can have their support and advice in private.

“We want to provide expectant mothers and new parents with the essential toolkit that gives them the confidence to find their own unique way through pregnancy and parenthood. The sociable support is invaluable once the baby is born.”

For two young mums new to starting a business, Hannah and Jules have done MAY 2012

amazingly well to do all they have in four short months from conceiving the idea through to creating a brand, a website, and building up an already enthusiastic following on Facebook and Twitter. With their passion and belief in the business they confidently approached two big companies in Cheltenham and are now successfully collaborating with Mothercare and JoJo Maman Bebe.

“We are so passionate about the business that we are working every spare

moment we can; we are committed to making it work and our families and friends have been so supportive.”

“We email and speak every day about the business and even though it is challenging with small children we believe that if you really want to do something then you will find a way.” CS The Baby Journey’s first class starts on May 8th at Manor By the Lake from 7-9pm.

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Bath Road Feature

BATH ROAD

Already a shopping destination with independent and established businesses, Bath Road is one of the largest areas of local shopping in Cheltenham...

BODYMATTERS

Bodymatters beauty therapy is run and owned by Keely Surman who has experience in the beauty industry for almost 20 years.

A small, friendly & relaxed salon offering a full range of beauty treatments within the popular area of bath road.

Located upstairs adds to the salons privacy. Treatments available include facials, massage,manicures, pedicures and many other treatments. Keely specialises in electrolysis, removal of facial thread viens & milia. Also all types of waxing (hot, warm & intimate!) We also offer the new & extremely popular nail treatments ‘shellac’ & ‘minx’. If you would like to make an appointment or book a complimentary consultation please contact body matters on 01242 257030 COOKS KITSCH-IN

Located in the heart of the busy Bath Road, Cooks Kitsch-in is a must-visit for all home bakers, cooks and chefs of every ability as well as lovers of kitchenalia or simply anyone looking for an original gift idea. This longestablished, independent Cookshop has a large range of high quality pans and cookwares from manufacturers such as MAY 2012

Stellar, Judge and GreenPan. They stock a large selection of bakeware including Mason Cash traditional ceramics, white china oven to tablewares, Pyrex and professional non stick tinwares as well as a host of baking accessories such as cake cases, cookie cutters, cake decorating materials, kitchen tools and gadgets. You will find everything you need to experiment in the kitchen. To brighten up your home, Cooks Kitsch-In has a wide range of beautiful bright silicone kitchen tools and bakewares from Zeal as well as a great selection of bone china mugs, teapots and tablewares in contemporary patterns and lovely retro accessories to mix and match. With helpful knowledgeable staff on hand to assist with any questions or to help source those hard to find items you are sure to find what you are looking for. www.cookskit.co.uk ROSABLUE

Roasblue is truly a little shop with big ideas. For a start they don’t just make most of their stock, they print the fabric too. This means they can accomodate all kinds of requests, including a service to print other people’s designs (the Fabric Press) tea towels are a popular choice.

They are an old style ‘mom and pop’

outfit. Luca designs and prints all the fabric while Penelope sews anything and everything and has a keen eye for the many vintage treasures that are a constant part of Rosablue. There is always a good range of gift ideas from make-up bags and cushions to carefully chosen jewellery and quirky cards.

ROOTS & FRUITS

Roots & Fruits is a Greengrocer and Florist located on the very popular Bath Road in Cheltenham. Their aim is to provide fresh local seasonal fruit and vegetables to you on a daily basis; this month it is Evesham asparagus and Rhubarb. They also stock a range of fresh flowers and plants for that treat to yourself or a gift to someone you love. A range of handtied bouquets are always available or can be made while you wait.

Roots & Fruits also carry a great range of local jams and pickles, local free range eggs duck and goose eggs. You will find superb breads from Halls Bakers & Williams Bakers delivered fresh daily along with other local produce including pear and apple juices from Newent and Plum Presse from Pershore. They can deliver flowers, plants and fruit baskets locally in the Cheltenham area to your home or work. CS

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K E E LY S U R M A N Beauty Therapist BABTAC - CIBTAC - BTEC

01242 257030

217A Bath Road|Leckhampton|Cheltenham|Gloucestershire

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“Wine bar now open all day Mon-Sat 10am-11pm”

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open opening p ning g our doorss to the th he cotsw woldss... cotswolds...

With over 1,400 pers With personally sonally inspected pr properties op perties and over 3 million vis sitors to our awar d wi nning visitors award winning website last year we e have now launched our collection in the Cots swolds. T o see how we w can Cotswolds.

To help or for a fr ee app praisal please call one e of our free appraisal experienced pr opertyy managers on 01237 7 426267 property or email owners@holidaycottages.co.uk @holidaycottages.co.u uk

holidaycottages.co.uk holidayc cottages.c co.uk

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hot property

move in style Over the following pages we feature some of the fantastic properties that are on sale or to let in the Cotswolds...

Sponsored by

Speed | Innovation | Excellence

01452 657950 www.thomaslegalgroup.co.uk

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ERSHIRE RCEST WO

W AR W IC K E IR SH

EVESHAM

CHIPPING CAMPDEN

ASHCHURCH

MORETON-IN-MARSH

TEWKESBURY WINCHCOMBE GUITING POWER STOW-ONTHE-WOLD

CHELTENHAM SHIPTON

HAZLETON

BOURTON-ONTHE-WATER

NORTHLEACH

CRANHAM

OXF OR D SH IR E

UPTON ST. LEONARDS

CHIPPING NORTON

BURFORD PAINSWICK SHEEPSCOMBE FRAMPTON

CHEDWORTH

BISLEY

STONEHOUSE

STROUD CIRENCESTER

There is something undeniably special about a village, which strikes a chord in everyone.

Read Maurice recognises the unique appeal of a village property and has established a dedicated service to cater for these special properties.

If you are selling or thinking of selling your village property then please contact us.

You will be assured of a friendly professional reception.

48 Andover Road, Tivoli, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 2TL T: 01242 241122 | E: post@readmaurice.co.uk | www.readmaurice.co.uk

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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Pittville, Cheltenham

A beautifully restored detached Regency residence built as part of the original Pittville Estate. The property has undergone a major refurbishment programme creating a magnificent home of superior specification with state of the art fittings.

Hamptons Cheltenham 01242 222909 email@hamptons-int.com

Price £1,750,000 • 6 bedrooms • Penthouse apartment • Superb kitchen/breakfast room • Fabulous original features • Indoor heated pool and spa • Lovely gardens and outlook

The Only National Agent With 5 Cotswold Offices.

At Hamptons International our unrivalled coverage of the Cotswolds and access to the key London market will ensure your property is seen by the widest possible audience. Call us now to arrange a free, no obligation market appraisal.

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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Prestbury, Cheltenham

A fabulous opportunity to purchase a substantial family home of over 4,800 sq.ft. to be constructed by Partridge Homes (Cotswolds) Ltd. The house is situated in a wonderful private location with lovely views located on one of the prettiest semi-rural lanes on the fringes of the village.

Hamptons Cheltenham 01242 222909 email@hamptons-int.com

Guide Price £1,850,000 • 6 bedrooms • 4 reception rooms • 5 bath/shower rooms • Kitchen/breakfast/family room • Garage • Generous plot

It’s Important To Make Time For The Things You Love.

At Hamptons International we know your move is important to you and so our knowledge, expertise of the local market and personal service can take the strain out of moving.

Leaving you free to relax, safe in the knowledge that everything’s being taken care of.

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BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER

A substantial detached village house currently run as an award winning Bed and Breakfast set in a popular position on the edge of the village.

3 Reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, garden room, utility room, shower room. Master bedroom suite and sun terrace. Six further bedrooms with en suite facilities. Mature gardens and grounds. Detached double garage with Studio/Annexe. .

Guide Price ÂŁ975,000

Bourton-on-the-Water Office 01451 820913

COLD ASTON

A substantial detached Cotswold stone family house in a superb edge of village location with views and land.

Hall, cloakroom, kitchen/breakfast room, dining room, library, conservatory, sitting room, music room, utility room, study. Master bedroom with en suite and dressing area, guest bedroom with en suite, 3 further bedrooms, bathroom. Detached garage/workshop.

Landscaped gardens and grounds. Paddock. In all about 2.5 acres. Joint Agents Butler Sherborn, Stow Office 01451 830731

Guide Price ÂŁ1,100,000

Bourton-on-the-Water Office 01451 820913

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ASCOTT-UNDER-WYCHWOOD A handsome detached family house with fantastic views, located within walking distance of the local shop and primary school.

Entrance hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, conservatory, cloakroom, four bedrooms, master bedroom with en-suite, bathroom, external studio, double garage & ample parking, front and rear gardens.

Guide Price ÂŁ650,000

Chipping Norton Office 01608 644344

CHIPPING NORTON

A modern detached five bedroom family home with spacious accommodation and stylish interiors situated in a quiet cul-de-sac bordering countryside.

Entrance hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, cloakroom, 5 double bedrooms, study/bedroom 6, two en-suite bathrooms, family bathroom, rear garden, off-street parking, double garage, GIA approx 238sq m/2562sq ft (includes double garage).

Guide Price ÂŁ495,000

Chipping Norton Office 01608 644344

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Lansdown Terrace Cheltenham Setting the scene: No.1 Lansdown Terrace is one of Cheltenham’s most beautiful and imposing town houses and occupies a prominent position on the corner of Malvern Road and Lansdown Crescent, a prime residential location made up of many fine period homes.

Why we love it: This Grade II* listed home has been the subject of a loving and caring renovation. The house has been completely modernised yet retains the stunning features expected from a home of this period. Through intelligent use of technology and design the house now offers the finest levels of comfort, combined with the elegance of Regency architecture. Accommodation comprises: Reception hall, double drawing room, dining room, sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, office, cinema room, study area, gymnasium, wine store and utility room. Master bedroom suite with dressing room/bedroom 2, guest suite, 4 further bedrooms and 3 bath/shower rooms. Enclosed landscaped gardens to the front. Terrace and courtyard garden to the rear. Off road parking.

Guide: ÂŁ2,750,000 Details: Knight Frank, Cheltenham; 01242 246 959; nick.chivers@knightfrank.co.uk; www.knightfrank.co.uk/che120016

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The Old Vicarage, St. Stephens Road Cheltenham Setting the scene: The Old Vicarage is a delightful Victorian house which is beautifully presented. It is situated close to Montpellier, an area of Cheltenham with a cosmopolitan lifestyle having cafes with wonderful on street terraces and wine bars, close to the town centre and the Suffolks. Cheltenham became a spa town in 1716, although its popularity flourished after King George III visited in 1788. Its heyday as a spa town was to last from about 1790 to 1840 and it was during these years that many of the town’s fine Regency terraces, crescents and villas were built.

Why we love it: Accommodation is arranged over three floors with reception hall, drawing room, sitting room, dining room, study, kitchen/breakfast/family room, utility room, cloakroom, conservatory, six bedrooms, three bathrooms, shower room, attic storage, double garage and off road parking, carriage driveway, landscaped rear garden. Outside the property is approached via a carriage driveway providing ample off road parking and leading to the double garage. The gardens lie to the rear of the property and have been cleverly landscaped with a wonderful terrace providing the ideal area for al fresco dining. There is a lawned area, flower and herbaceous borders and mature trees, which create a feeling of privacy.

Guide Price: ÂŁ1.6 million.

Details: Savills, Cheltenham. Tel: 01242 548 000 www.savills.co.uk

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Charlton Kings Cheltenham Setting the scene: A superb modern town house located in a cul-de-sac within well-thought of school catchment areas. The property offers a high specification including gas-fired radiator central heating, uPVC framed double-glazed sash windows, coved ceilings and wooden panelled internal doors with dark wood decorative inlays.

Why we love it: The spacious accommodation is arranged over three floors and briefly, comprises of a wide reception hall, cloakroom, utility room and a large kitchen/ living room with two sets of double doors leading into the rear garden, four bedrooms, two with en suite and a family bathroom. To the rear is an enclosed garden and to the front is an integral garage with parking to the front.

Guide Price: ÂŁ450,000; Details: Read Maurice; Tel: 01242 241122; www.readmaurice.co.uk

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Langdon Road, Leckhampton Cheltenham Setting the scene: A traditional red brick town house set within a short stroll of the Bath Road with the benefits and the advantages of being moments from the extensive facilities it has to offer.

Why we love it: This charming period semi-detached family house is arranged over three floors offering well-balanced versatile accommodation. To the ground floor is a lovely doublereception room with period fire places, bay window and wooden flooring and a good-sized wellfitted kitchen/breakfast room with views over the rear garden.

Upstairs on the first floor are three good-sized bedrooms and a family bathroom. On the lower ground floor are two basement rooms, store room and a bathroom. Outside to the rear is a delightful 60’ south-facing wellkept private garden with a sittingout area adjoining the kitchen.

Guide Price: ÂŁ475,000 Details: Read Maurice Tel: 01242 241122 www.readmaurice.co.uk MAY 2012

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hot property

Cheltenham Setting the scene: Setting the scene: A detached modern family house built in 2000 by Redrow Homes in a sought after area of town.

Why we love it: This light and spacious home offers generous and flexible accommodation with double garage and established rear garden.

Guide Price: ÂŁ650,000 Details: Hamptons, Cheltenham.

Tel: 01242 222909. www.hamptons-int.com

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property

appeal of village life

The appeal and charm of village life is still as strong today as it has always been and leading estate agent Read Maurice is now launching a dedicated service to cater for buyers and sellers in Gloucestershire’s sought after villages...

Village life is undeniably special and more buyers than ever are looking to purchase stunning country houses in Gloucestershire’s sought after villages.

Leading estate agent Read Maurice recognises the appeal of a village life and has launched a dedicated Village Property department to cater for these special country houses.

“Village properties are extremely desirable and we have hundreds of buyers already looking to buy in our outstanding villages surrounding Cheltenham,” says Jason Maurice.

Specialists in residential sales in Gloucestershire since 2000, Read Maurice has an extensive knowledge of the area and its surrounding districts and prides itself on providing a first class service to its customers. Owners Jason Maurice and Martin Read are motivated by establishing individual relationships with their clients and are personally MAY 2012

involved with every single property sale.

“We are one of the region’s leading independent estate agents that is still owned and run by its original partners,” says Jason, who admits that there is a lot of optimism in the Cheltenham property market during 2012.

“Cheltenham and its surrounding areas are still highly desirable and people are willing to pay a little more for the space that comes with a village property,” says Jason.

Village hotspots include Southam, Winchcombe, Painswick and Chedworth to name a few and properties in high demand fall into the pricing bracket of £850,000 to £2million.

Read Maurice provides an extensive marketing strategy for homeowners wishing to sell, with professional photography, magazine coverage and marketing on their website which boasts an impressive 18,000 - 20,000 hits a

month. Jason emphasises that realistic pricing is crucial for selling in the current market.

“A house that is correctly marketed at the right price for the market is going to attract a buyer,” says Jason.

“With every valuation we provide market evidence and with 30 years experience between us we know the Cheltenham market well. There is a lot of opportunity and people are still moving. We are excited to be able to provide a dedicated service to our customers who are interested in village properties.

“We strive to be the leading authority in Gloucestershire for all medium to large country houses within a 20 mile radius of Cheltenham.” CS Read Maurice, 48 Andover Road, Cheltenham, GL50 2TL. Tel: 01242 241122; www.readmaurice.co.uk

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Cheltenham based landscape company Martyn Powell operate to the highest of standards.

Established in 1999 Martyn’s aim was to provide landscape services to the whole of the Cotswold area, and over the last 13 years they have done just that.

With jobs ranging from simple garden design through to complex landscaping, Martyn takes special care of the individual requirements of each client. He offers a professional and reliable service with trained and experienced personnel, and will guide you from concept through to completion.

Martyn Powell Landscapes specialise in water features, landscape structures and they have a full range of lighting and horticultural supplies. Areas of expertise include soft and hard landscaping, groundworks, earthworks and irrigation. They are members of the Horticultural Trades Association and are also approved by the Association of Professional Landscapers - one of only two companies in Cheltenham.

For a no obligation consultation please call 01242 256 776 or visit www.mplandscapes.co.uk

MULTI TRADES

Multi Trades is a local Cheltenham business and was established by Jason Locke in 2006.

With 20 years experience, they do exactly what their name suggests – in a reliable, polite and professional way.

Specialist services include all types of general building and maintenance work, slight alterations and other house repairs. They also offer competitive prices for internal and external painting and decorating for both residential houses and commercial businesses.

Other services include kitchen and bathroom fitting – no job too large or small – and as of May a new string to their bow is drain jetting for your blocked drains.

Every job which is undertaken is carried out with the utmost care and attention to detail, and Multi Trades are fully insured.

To obtain a free quotation for any of the above, please call Jason on 07944 281433 or email multitrades@live.co.uk.

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Just Carpentry & Locks A trusted Cheltenham Locksmith and Carpentry Company offering a 24 hour emergency locksmith service in Cheltenham and the rest of Gloucestershire.

Approved by Trading Standards and the Master Locksmith Association Just Carpentry & Locks are qualified locksmiths with a wealth of experience that is approved and tested. All types of locks are supplied and fitted for the home, business and retail. They also specialise in security doors and safe rooms, grilles and shutters, lock upgrades and lock repairs. There are no call out charges and they also offer mobile key cutting on demand.

Just Carpentry & Locks are also members of the Guild of Master Craftsmen, and supply period doors, fully finished timber doors, security and fire doors, as well as all other aspects of carpentry and joinery.

The business was established in 2004 and has worked for customers such as Mercedes-Benz, Jack Wills, Nuffield Health and Molton Brown, to name a few.

For more information please visit their website on www.jclocks.co.uk or call Daniel on 01242 699822.

M.A.P

PLASTERING & DRY LINING

Mark Powell offers an expert service for all your plaster-boarding, plastering and stud wall needs.

With over 10 years worth of experience Mark is happy to take on a wide range of projects from small extensions and loft conversions to multi-million pound mansions.

Mark takes pride in his work and comes highly recommended from those in other trades – he is friendly, reliable and efficient and undertakes both domestic and commercial work, internal and external.

All work is guaranteed to an exceptional standard.

For a free quotation and competitive rates please give Mark Powell a call on 07723437672.

MAY 2012

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Summer is a great me to spruce up your home, finally get those overdue DIY projects completed and get your house and garden ready for family get-togethers and outdoor ac vi es so you can enjoy the warmer days and nights in comfort. With this in mind, we have compiled a comprehensive list of reliable local tradesmen who come highly recommended so that you can find the best local contractors to carry out your important jobs around the home...

Established for over 30 years, Shackleton & Wintle are one of the leading independent plumbing and heating contractors working across Gloucestershire & The Cotswolds. From a small plumbing repair through to a complete heating and hot water installation, Shackleton & Wintle can provide the full service.

As you would expect, the company holds Gas Safe Register, OFTEC and HETAS accreditations. Shackleton & Wintle are fully accredited under the Government backed Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) for renewable energy installations.

They can help you find the most efficient and environmentally friendly way of heating your home and as independent specialists, they pride themselves in offering impartial advice and installing exceptional products in terms of performance and value. With the Solar Photovoltaic installations you can generate free electricity and receive ‘Feed in Tariff ’ payments direct from the government to cover the cost of the installation.

For a free no obligation survey and quotation please call 01242 222641 or visit www.shackleton-wintle.co.uk

Cotswold Paving is a family run business which was established in 1994, providing first class paving solutions to clients in the Cotswolds.

Working with a hand-picked and longstanding team has enabled Cotswold Paving to establish a reputation for high standards of workmanship. Using top quality products from Marshalls and Bradstone means that the finished work, whether it be traditional or contemporary, will suit your home and lifestyle perfectly. The many uses of paving are reflected in a huge variety of styles, finishes, colours and textures that are on offer.

All of Cotswold Paving’s customers can feel safe and reassured by their accreditation to Marshalls through whom we are able to offer our customers a full 10 year product guarantee, deposit guarantee and 5 year installation guarantee.

Last year Cotswold Paving was awarded not one but three prestigious awards - Natural Paving Driveway of the year 2011, Marshalls Best Driveway 2011 and Marshalls Best Patio 2011.

Please call Garry day or evening on 01242 649064 or visit their website on www.cotswoldpaving.co.uk or alternatively, you can visit their show garden at Obsidian, Fairview Road, Cheltenham.

MAY 2012

Rob Tyler was established in 1976 and the business hasn’t looked back since. Based in Cheltenham he offers a quality service built on reputation and trust.

Covering all of Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds, Rob Tyler Roofing has full public liability insurance and always produces quality workmanship. Main services include new and replacement roofs, tiling and slating, lead work and storm damage repairs.

The company is also expert at chimney repairs and repointing, as well as working with Cotswold stone and stone repairs.

For more information and a no obligation quotation please call 01242 525899 or 07879 017541.

Fusion Installations are a highly recommended local firm of local electricians covering all of the Cotswolds and Gloucestershire.

Chris Clemmens set the business up and has over 20 years of personal experience in the trade. Each client is dealt with personally by Chris who takes the time to fully understand the customer’s needs in order to give them the best products and service.

Fusion Installations are approved NICEIC contractors and offer a full range of domestic and commercial services – all aspects of electrical work are undertaken including emergency call outs, domestic light fittings, safety checks, fuse boards and house rewires.

They also specialise in P.A.T. testing, industrial installations and control systems, network cabling, intruder and fire alarms, commercial maintenance and inspections and testing certification.

For more information or a free quotation please call Chris on 07906 362364.

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Photography by Rob Wheatman

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See more socials at www.stylemagazines.co.uk

For you and your home celebrate the opening of their latest store

Proprietors Rob and Mark from You and Your Home invited friends, family and customers to the opening of their latest store in The Old Post, Castle Street, Cirencester. The evening was a great success with guests being treated to champagne and canapes.

10:56

s Castle-Woodham Mark and Rob

Elizabeth and M ichael Gledhill Q

C

Sam McEwan and Katie Dyson

Marcus Haines Matthew Bradley and Simon England

Mark and Jacqui Swift

Sheila and Jeff Woodhams

Brigitte Althorp-Gormlay and Andrea England

Mark Cuzner and Tina Edwards

Sarah and Marcus Haines

Mark Castle-Woodhams Alsion and Colin Dunton

Nikki Bradley and Jim Mcallister

Natasha Baker and Tina Edwards

Julian Hemmings and Rob Castle-Woodhams

Andrea England

Adrian Higgins

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Helen Wallen MAY 2012

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homestyle

Complete Internal and External Refurbishment Works to a Grade 2* listed building in the Cotswold’s by Yorke Construction Ltd in conjunction with Verity & Beverley Architects.

styling your home Over the following pages we showcase stylish interiors and everything you need to turn your house into a home...

Sponsored by

www.yorkeconstruction.co.uk

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000 Sporting Style Dawn Harper May 12:Layout 1

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charity

cycling for charity

The Harvey 100 charity cycle ride is back for another year so get on your bike and enjoy a 100km cycle ride around the Cotswolds for a good cause…

Local star of Channel 4’s Embarrassing Bodies, Dr Dawn Harper is thrilled to be welcoming riders back to the Harvey 100 cycle ride for a second year on June 30th and hopes to raise records funds for charity.

“Last year the event was such a success and a lot of people were really keen to come back and join in again so we are hoping to beat our achievement of £20,000 from last year so we can support two very worthy local charities,” says Dawn.

The Harvey 100 is a 100km cycle ride through some of the most picturesque parts of the Cotswolds and the event is named after Dawn’s son Harvey, 15, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy. Harvey also trains for the ride and cycles the route with Dawn and the other participants.

Everyone who enters is asked to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship and all of the money raised will divided between St Roses Special School in Stroud and the National Star Centre in Cheltenham, both of which are dedicated to making a real difference to the lives of disabled children and young adults.

“We have made the ride as flat as possible given the geography but it really is a family event and there will be refreshment stops along the way,” says Dawn.

The 100 km (62.5 mile) route will take participants on a circular route starting at the Canal Trust Car Park in Lechlade then out towards the Windrush Valley and back.

MAY 2012

“There is a shorter loop for those who want to take part but can’t manage the full 100km. It really is a nice day out while raising important funds for two amazing charities.”

Participants can register online at www.100hh.org and everyone of all cycling levels is welcomed.

“It is an easy ride so it really can be a family event, with everyone able to enjoy the route and there will be refreshments on the way. Last year one rider did the route twice, so even serious cyclists can get something out of the day.

“And if people want to get involved without cycling then we really welcome volunteers to be marshalls on the day.”

Dawn’s busy schedule of NHS GP commitments, television appearances, writing for magazines and being a mum to three children doesn’t stop her from putting in the miles on her bike for charity with a long distance cycle ride every year.

As well as the Harvey 100 Dawn is in training for an amazing 2012 km around Britain between the Olympics and the Paralympics.

“I will be cycling 100 miles a day for 12 days so I am in serious training at the moment to make sure I complete the ride!” CS Listen to Dawn and Harvey talking about the Harvey 100 on BBC Radio Gloucestershire, FM - 104.7, on May 4th and June 15th with Mark Cummings.

Register online for the Harvey 100 at www.100hh.org.

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Sofas & Chairs, Made-to-Measure in our own workshops based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

We pride ourselves on being a furniture company unlike any other, and we take great pride in every individual piece of work we undertake, whether that is a sofa, a chair, loose covers, carpets, curtains or wallcoverings..

Choose your model, chair, 2 seater, 21â „2 seater, 3 seater Deeper Seat, Higher Back, Firm, So , Medium Foam, Fibre or Feather filled cushions.

You can be confident that with our expert advice, personal service and a%en$on to detail, your furniture will be everything you have ever dreamed of and at a price you can believe in.

NATIONWIDE DELIVERY

Y E A R S

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The Shurdington

Tel: 01242 234361 | Email: info@srouse.co.uk

Our opening hours are: Monday - Friday: 10am to 5pm Saturday: 9am to 4pm Parking available. We look forward to seeing you.

www.srouse.co.uk

MAY 2012

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Mead Road | Leckhampton | Cheltenham | GL53 7EG | 01242 262606

www.lbkonline.co.uk | sales@lbkonline.co.uk MAY 2012

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Y O U R L O C A L I N D E P E N D E N T B AT H R O O M S P E C I A L I S T S

D E S I G N - S U P P LY - I N S TA L L AT I O N www.the-bathroomstudio.co.uk

OPEN:

01386 47234

Home Sauna

Monday to Saturday

8:00am - 5:00pm

now on display Can be expertly fitted in any room

multiple sizes & shapes

S T. R I

D. L. CARS

JEWSONS

R O A D

FIELD

THE LINK

D A V I E S

HA RD’S

AD

COLLEGE

C

TOPPS TILES

DAVIES ROAD TRADE CENTRE

RO

C H E L T E N H A M

R O A D

TO EVESHAM TOWN CENTRE

MORRISONS

+ many more!

FIND US: next to TOPPS TILES - ample FREE PARKING! TO CHELTENHAM

© Cotswold & Vale Magazine 2010

SHOWROOM: DAVIES ROAD TRADE CENTRE, EVESHAM, WORCS. WR11 1XG

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homestyle

FROM THIS...

transform your kitchen

Dudley Rochelle from Granite Transformations, the kitchen makeover experts, shows you how to make your kitchen your own with sleek, stylish and luxurious granite surfaces...

TO THIS...

• Granite that fits over your existing worktops; • Scratch, Chip, stain and heat resistant; • Non-porous for an easy clean; • Fitted in a day; • Lifetime warrantee; • 60 colours to choose from; • Perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor areas www.granitetransformations.co.uk MAY 2012

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access solutions

homestyle

Proton Access Control, part of the Glevum Group, explains what to consider when you are deciding on access solutions for your domestic and business needs...

‘BY INSTALLING A GATE SYSTEM, YOU’RE SENDING A VERY CLEAR MESSAGE THAT YOUR PROPERTY IS NOT ONLY PRIVATE, BUT ALSO THAT IT CAN’T BE EASILY COMPROMISED’

MAY 2012

Nobody wants to feel that their family is vulnerable, but it is’s a sad fact of life that burglary and vandalism happens whether we like it or not . We are not immune to either petty or more serious crime even in counties like Gloucestershire. There are products and solutions though that can offer a high degree of protection for us, our homes and our belongings.

One of the most practical ways to deter opportunists and ‘career thieves’ is to install security gates; Gloucestershire business, Proton Access Control, has a wealth of experience installing high quality automated gates for both homes and businesses.

Jode Wardell, Managing Director, says: “By installing a gate system, you’re sending a very clear message that your property is not only private, but also that it can’t be easily compromised. The beauty of this kind of security is that as well as protecting your family, your cars, your outbuildings and everything of value in your home, you’re also creating a safe haven and a place of solace, away from the world at large.”

Because there is such a wide choice of gates available, it is easy to find a style that complements the rest of your home, creating a seamless integration between aesthetics and safety – and the varied choice also means that you will be able to find the right product for your budget. Many of Proton’s customers find that automatic gates have boosted the value of their property or at the very least made the property more attractive to potential buyers when the time comes for them to move home.

Security is not the only benefit of having a gate system installed – if you have got young children or pets. They offer a much greater sense of freedom;

you can leave children to play safely outdoors without worrying about the possibility of road traffic accidents or even unwanted attention of passers by.

Gates can also put a stop to the irritation of having your private driveway used as if it is a public highway, when random drivers use your property as a convenient turning circle and they could even help to reduce insurance premiums.

By choosing automated gates and electric control systems, you can communicate with visitors at the gateway rather than the front door, and if you opt for a remote controlled electric gate, you can also save yourself from that most popular of British discussion topics – the weather! Rather than having to leave the comfort of your car to manually open and close a set of gates, you can keep yourself warm and dry, with the extra reassurance of being able to enter your grounds in the safety of your car.

While a new gate system can be a welcome addition to many homes, it is essential to do your homework and find the right products. Jode explains: “Quality is vital when it comes to security, so you should always check that your gate system is compliant with British and European standards; always check that the installers are CAMEsafe registered too – we only used approved installation teams to ensure the best possible service to our customers.”CS For free, no-obligation quote or advice on finding a compliant gate system, Jode and his team are always happy to help.

You can call Proton Access Control on 01452 760 052 or via the website at www.protonaccesscontrol.com – you can also follow them on Twitter @Proton_Gates

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The Kitchen Workshop

Superb, affordable kitchens

Why not visit us and choose a great new look for your kitchen All products made in our Cheltenham factory with units delivered pre-assembled to save you time and money!

Unit 5 | King Alfred Way | Battledown Trading Estate | Cheltenham | Gloucestershire | GL52 6QP

Telephone 01242 526960 www.cheltenhamkitchenworkshop.co.uk

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KITCHENS AT FACTORY PRICES OPEN Mondays-Fridays 8.30am-5pm Saturdays 9am-3pm MAY 2012

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Spa Conservatory Company have been design ng and building bespoke Garden Rooms, Conserv errvatories and Oranger geeries for over 25 years and we are proud to have avve built a strong reputation for offer fffer ng qualility ty and functional yet attractive space ssolut olut oons ns

Please cal callll 0800 002 9368 to dis discuss scuss your requirements requirements. s.

www www.spaconservatory.co.uk w.spaconservator .spaconservatoor y.co.uk

SPA C CONSE ONSERVAT A O ORY RY C COM OMPAN NY Y – B BLOOMS LOOMS GAR RDEN DEN CENTRE CENTRE E EVESHAM VESHAM ROAD ROAD C CHE HELTE ENHAM NHAM GLOUCESTERSHIRE GLOUCESTERSHIRE G GL50 L50 4 4SJ SJ ES E STAB BLISHED LISHED IN IN 1985.

1985. THE THE FIRST FIRST CONSER CONSERVA ATO ORY RY COM COMPANY NY IIN NT THE HE C COTSWOLDS OTSWOLDS T TO OQ QUALIFY UALIFY F FOR OR THE THE G GOVERNMENT OVERNMENT ENDORSED ENDORSED STANDARD, NDARD, TRUST TRUST M MARK. ARK.

MAY 2012

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Jennings of Tewkesbury specialise in the finest oriental rugs and carpets The magic and the mystery of the Orient; its art, culture and ancient history are all captured in the enduring beauty and hand-woven craftsmanship of traditional Oriental rugs and carpets.

As a family business we have specialised in offering the finest hand-made Oriental rugs and carpets for more than 50 years.

We travel far and wide to find the best examples and carefully select individual rugs and carpets from established weavers who use vegetabledyed hand-spun wool or the finest silk.

Telephone: 01684 292 033

With our wide knowledge and expertise we offer a very high level of personal service to our customers.

So, come and see our exquisite selection for yourself.

Our period Tudor shop is only a stone’s throw from Tewkesbury Abbey. We’ll be delighted to see you.

www.jenningsrugs.co.uk

J W Jennings 10 Church Street, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire GL20 5PA

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© J W Jennings 2011

MAY 2012

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tantalising tulips a national treasure

gardening gardening

Gloucestershire Horticulturalist Camilla Bassett-Smith has a Chelsea Gold Medal Gloucestershire hasWorld, a Chelsea Gold Medal and was part of Horticulturalist the productionCamilla team forBassett-Smith BBC Gardeners’ recently she has and was part of the production team for BBC Gardeners’ World.

Here she been working on a new gardening makeover programme. Here she celebrates a celebrates a bulb with aglistening history as richofasthe thewoodlands... spectrum of colours it produces… gem Central Asia is the homeland of the tulip, The (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) but itbluebell has travelled far and wide.

Before provides the logo for the Botanical these bulbous perennials arrived in The Society of thethey British illustrating Netherlands, wereIsles working their just how important this nodding elegant magic in the 1500s in Turkey where they lady in blue is to our country. were prized as symbols of wealth. Sultans Firstwore described

by Linnaeus 1753, often the flowers in their in turbans the common bluebell has taken up and seeing this it is believed Europeans residence ancient woodlands and coined theinname ‘tulip’ after the up Persian down the United Kingdom.

My Mother’s word for turban: tulipan.

May birthday never complete The first TulipisFestivals probablywithout took a visit to the bluebell carpeted Chedworth place in Turkey, but these days you need Woods, these special moments every head noand further than Dyrham Park in year are ones we cherish.

Chippenham or Barnsley House in Britain contains over half of the Cirencester for a display worthy of world’s bluebell population and this celebration!

British phenomenon echoed in It is believed that the has tulipbeen was first art and poetry throughout the years. introduced to Europe in 1554, sent to Emily speaks of ‘the sweetest ViennaBronte from the Ottoman Empire. flower that waves in summer air’ and Flemish botanist Carolus Clusius is Alfred, Lord Tennyson believed the on credited with planting his collection bluebell to from be ‘like the blue sky, breaking Dutch soil whence stemmed a up through the earth’.

So vital to our nation’s obsession. heritage are thesefrom bulbous perennials Having travelled Cheltenham to that see they are protected by law, being a the gardens at Keukenhof and marvelled criminal offence to remove bulbs of at the huge displays of tulipsthe planted wild common bluebells. since the middle of the 20th Century, it is species notSadly hardthe to see whyhas the greatly Dutch declined fell in love. over the past 50 years and is globally With the peak of tulip mania arriving in threatened due would to losschange of habitat andfor also 1636-37, bulbs hands the introduction of the Spanish bluebell the same price as houses and traders would meet regularly as prices continued MAY 2012

APRIL 2012

WITH CAMILLA W ITH C AMILLA BASSETT-SMITH B ASSETT-SMITH (Hyacinthoides hispanica). to soar. Those who could not afford to This non-native is of lighter lacking trade in the commodity wouldblue, collect art the fragrance of the wild native bluebell and ceramics of the flowers. Such and moreis erect its stature. artwork muchinprized today.The two often now hybridise but As with all booms, there the mustwild be bluebell a bust is not as vigorous and so can’t compete and this came in 1637, where prices fell with theheights hybrids,oftherefore weended. are advised and the obsession A not theoften Spanish bluebell timetoinplant history referred to asnear the wild colonies.of an ‘economic bubble’. first example With one of the wind driesttospring periods However, forward London in for many years, the display in 2012 1835 and a gardener in Chelsea wasmay in be less plentiful than usual.

However we possession of a single bulb priced at 200 are guaranteed to be compensated with guineas, illustrating that the love for tulips extravagant fragrance, as during dry never really ceased. periods flowers put more effort into The prized multi-coloured streaked breeding than growth and produce flowers, often seen in the period more nectar and scent to found attracttopollinators. watercolours, were be the result The plant has a strong of a virus known as ‘tulipfolklore breaking virus’ association, especially with vivid fairies, who which created the startling effects. were believed to use the flowers to call There are only a few varieties of older, their winged friends to their meetings truly "broken" tulips still in existence but also tothose trap human passerssimilar by! Some today; that illustrate believed that by wearing a bluebell characteristics are the result of breeding wreath the wearer would speak only the rather than the virus. truth, while another beliefno stated With 15 different groups, otherthat spring anyone who could turn a flower inside flower provides quite the variety of out without damage would win to their colour and forms from yellows redstrue to pinks to purples, from doubles to parrots

to small to tall. A fantastic cut flower, love.

(Aby sort of Rubix cubeSarah of days gone praised many including Raven by)! ,and Anna Pavord, whose book ‘The In practical the Elizabethans Tulip’ is a mustterms, have read. found many uses for the bulbs ranging Tulips like a warm, sunny spot and love to from crushing them to provide starch for be baked over the summer as this mirrors sleeves and the ruffs of collars, to using their natural habitat. Good drainage is the to bindDon’t books.

There is also early alsosap essential. plant in October but evidence of the sap being used to attach wait until November or December, as the feathers to arrows. recent colder weather will In reduce thetimes, chance of research has linked toxins found in the picking up tulip fire blight which favours bluebell to possible protection from HIV warm, damp conditions. and cancer, a subject at the forefront Your bulbs will not necessarily flower of plant investigation.

It is these every chemistry year, the process of flowering is toxins which also make the bulbs pretty exhausting for them and they need unattractive animals. time to buildtoupgrazing strength.

To ensure a Practicality aside it is aesthetic good display, it is better their to purchase fresh value which shines!

A value appreciated bulbs every autumn. equally byisour andassociated butterflieswith thatthe The tulip thebees flower are charmed by their beauty and rich 11th wedding anniversary, and so a provision of nectar.bouquet Plant in for fullany or suitable celebration partial shade, under deciduous trees Cotswolds couples married in 2001! Iand love shrubs, andgreen the new shoots of the bulbs any of the flamed viridiflora common bluebell will through such as ‘Greenland’ or penetrate the recently the leaf litter to reward you with their an introduced ‘Night Rider’ which boasts delicate fragrant arches.

A welcome eye-catching recipe of green, crimsonsite and in any garden, but the their truetosplendour purple.

But surely tulip favour in explodes under the pale green canopy 2012 is ‘Olympic Flame’: golden petals of awith woodland where they dance in May: of swirls of fire to herald the arrival fortunately for us in Gloucestershire the Olympic torch as it passes through CS these are in abundance!

Gloucestershire at the end of next CS month.

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MAY 2012

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heritage

Cotswold porridge Information Officer, Nicola Greaves and CCB Project Development Officer, Simon Smith, pictured in the original prison cells.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE CHARITY

MAY 2012

The future of Northleach Prison is as yet undetermined, but the Cotswold Conservation Board hopes to buy this historic building and develop a lively hands-on activity centre for local Cotswoldians and tourists alike. Mike Charity investigates...

Despite a failed bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund by the Cotswolds Conservation Board (CCB) to convert a former Grade11* listed prison into a modern-day visitor centre - their dream lives on. At a recent full Cotswold District Council meeting, a local ward member’s resolution asking for due consideration to the heritage and community interests was passed and the said councillor was invited onto the Council Group for their decision regarding who will be the new owners.

The former prison, no longer viable to the Cotswold District Council, is on the market. The Cotswold Conservation Board, established tenants of the property, have plans to develop the property into a vital and lively hands-on activity centre hosting events of living history to dry stone walling courses in conjunction with a rural skills training programme. In fact, an amenity that will appeal to local folk and Cotswold tourists alike.

Friends of the Cotswolds, in partnership the Cotswold Conservation Board, have successfully earmarked nearly all the monies needed to acquire the site and also launched a fund raising campaign for donations to help with running costs.

This ‘model’ prison was created in the 1790s by Sir George Onesiphorus Paul, an 18th century designer and reformer.

It was the first of four he built in

Gloucestershire, improving conditions for prisoners by providing separate male and female accommodation and access to health giving exercise areas. This rare property, with its original police house, keepers lodging, courtroom and cells, became in 1977, a prison museum and country visitor centre, based on the Olive Lloyd Baker ‘Rural Life Collection’, one of the most extensive private agricultural collections in the country.

A vast display of farming memorabilia, numbering in total 684 artefacts, accumulated in a decade (19601970) by this formidable collector, including bygones from candle lanterns to hay wagons, one of which eventually transported Miss Lloyd Baker’s coffin from her Gloucestershire village home, Hardwick Court, to her funeral service in 1975.

Should the Cotswold Conservation Board’s bid be successful, Northleach Prison will be given new life. The fabulous Lloyd Baker Collection will once again be on display to delight the young, old, the townie and the countryman. For that extra bit of nostalgia, visitors will get have the opportunity to sample prison life, 18th century style, being escorted to the cells to hear that echoing iron door slam behind them - just a little taste of incarceration -sounds like an interesting bit of Cotswold porridge! CS

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Image by Jonathon Watkins (PhotoGlow Photography)

01242 263852

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Eagle Tower Montpellier Drive MAY 2012

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Landmark office solu"ons with spectacular views over Regency Cheltenham and the Cotswolds

air-condi"oned offices with views | mee"ng rooms | car parking | coffee shop on-site management | 24/7 security & maintenance Cheltenham GL50 1TA MAY 2012

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fashion

fashion style over the following pages we highlight the latest fashion trends...

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It’s the season for Proms and Garden Parties, Ascot Races and Summer Weddings and The Cotswold Frock Shop will have THE perfect outfit for you!

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ALLURE OF VINTAGE Photography Spencer McPherson & Philip Stevens of www.allinthemage.co.uk

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fashion

Left: Black vest and printed pencil skirt from Foundation, www.shopfoundation.com. Vintage 1950’s jacket from Allure Boutique; Shoes Keith Scarott; Clutch bag from Allure Boutique; Jewellery from Beards Jewellers.

This page: Femme printed maxi dress available from Coco Bee Boutique; Soft leather tie belt and Amet & Ladoue printed silk and cashmere scarf from Allure Boutique; Jewellery from Beards Jewellers.

MAY 2012

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This page: Vintage dress and belt from Allure Boutique; Printed tights from Eve’s Legwear - www.eveslegwear.co.uk Right: Long silk stripe maxi by Allure Boutique; Yellow jersey tunic by Coco Bee Boutique, www.cocobeeboutique.com; Printed shopping bag and Bangle from Beards Jewellers; Glitter shoes by Keith Scarott, www.keithscarrott.co.uk.

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fashion

Make up - www.harrietcook.co.uk Hair - www.lukereynoldslondon.com Stylist - Tina Robinson Allure Lifestyle 07792 250313; Jewellery - www.beards.co.uk

MAY 2012

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20 Regent Street | Town Centre | Cheltenham | GL50 1HE

01242 222998

Feva’s own label

Feva partners with George Davies for beautiful summer dress design...

Cheltenham based womenswear boutique, Feva, has partnered with George Davies, fashion entrepreneur and designer for Next, Per Una and George at Asda to introduce a ‘Feva by George Davies’ labelled dress in-store.

The style – a blue summer knee length shift dress with appliqué detailing and delicate beading - is George Davies’ best selling piece internationally and is now exclusive to Feva, including the boutique’s own label, retailing nowhere else in the UK. The project stemmed from Feva’s New Season fashion event on 29th February where George Davies gave an informal presentation and showcased the exquisite dress (read more about this exciting event opposite). The design was incredibly popular with Feva customers and so Jan Clift, Feva’s owner, approached George to retail the style in-store.

George Davies, Dr. of Fashion, comments: “Feva optimises qualities that you can only achieve in a boutique environment - with a great product, individuality and amazing service. Great retailing is about giving your customers not only satisfaction but about giving them a thrill whenever they wear their fashion purchase.

Feva is getting it right and I’m delighted to be working with them.”

Jan Clift, owner, Feva, comments: “We’re thrilled to be working with such a talent in the fashion industry. Our customers adored the lovely dress George showcased at our new season event and with this year being Feva’s 10th birthday, it is the perfect time to do something new and different with the introduction of our own Feva label.”

The lovely summer shift dress, retailing at £69 and in sizes 8-16, is in-store now. Stock levels are limited so don’t miss out.

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Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 9.30am-5.30pm Sundays and Bank Holidays 11.30am-4.30pm

FEVA’S MEMORABLE NEW SEASON LAUNCH EVENT Celebrating Feva’s new season and looking gorgeous and on-trend, over 100 customers enjoyed the evening, drinking champagne and soaking up the buzzing vibe. Celebrity guest, George Davies – fashion entrepreneur and designer for Next, Per Una and George at Asda – inspired customers with his refreshingly honest industry stories and current season mood boards. George explored Spring's hottest catwalk looks including his best selling piece internationally; the lovely ‘Feva by George Davies dress’ (left), now retailing at Feva.

Guests also enjoyed new season fashion tips from stylist, Michelle Blake and Francesco Hair Group.

Feva hosts themed style events in-store every 6-8 weeks. If you‘d like to be added to their invite list, simply contact the boutique on 01242 222998 info@fevadesigns.com Join Feva on Facebook – ‘Feva Cheltenham’

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GETTING IT RIGHT

Make the most of what you have is the message from premier salon Blushes to their male clients this month. Here, they took to the streets to show the men of Cheltenham how the right look can be achieved...

Styled by Michelle Blake; Clothes from House of Fraser Men’s Department, Cheltenham.

Photographs courtesy Blushes.

Blushes, 16-17 Montpellier Walk, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. GL50 1SD. Tel: 01242 226644; www.blushes.co.uk MAY 2012

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At Gorgeous-hair we seek to pamper our clients; however, the most important thing is that you leave feeling completely gorgeous – happy with your experience and your hair. The salon is a member of the Fellowship of British Hairdressers, having been awarded a gold star, and aims to live up the Fellowship motto “Strength through quality”.

Gorgeous Hair are pleased to have LEAH WILMER join their creative team

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Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to receive information on all our latest promotions.

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MAY 2012

‘we are country girls at heart’

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fashion

Entrepreneur Carol Rawson saw a gap in the market for made to measure business wear and launched Suit the City. Now, with a passion for country clothing, Carol and business partner Sallie Belton have launched Suit the Country, bespoke tailored country and weekend wear for men and women.

Photograph Rob Wheatman Carol Rawson is bringing something very special to the Cotswold fashion market, bespoke tailored made-tomeasure country wear for men and women. Suit the Country is already attracting an enthusiastic following, since featuring in last month’s Cotswold Style’s fashion pages, and Carol is looking for local entrepreneurs to be franchisees in Gloucestershire.

Carol came up with the idea for Suit the City 25 years ago when she saw a gap in the market for made-to-measure business wear for women and launched the business five years ago.

“I knew there was a gap in the market but I needed the right business partner.”

Along came Sallie Belton who was really keen to get COUNTRY on board and they launched CHIC the business in May 2007. fabrics that Carol worked closely with a make every textile technologist to source garment a the perfect manufacturer to one-off. enable the business to offer a “We are passionate about working made-to-measure service at an with cottage industries and supporting affordable price. smaller businesses. We source cashmere With Suit the City a success, the next from around the world but we are always step for Carol and Sallie was launching a committed to working with suppliers country brand, which they admit was who are based on ethical grounds.” close to their hearts.

Suit the City enjoys a customer base “We are country girls at heart and we of both men and women in equal realised there was a gap in the market for measures, and gets business from statement country wear that was tailored referrals and retained customers. to fit and available in stunning colours “Our country and weekend wear is and styles. We wanted something that perfect for those who enjoy country was different to the browns and greens pursuits but also want to look stunning you usually find. Our garments are at social events such as a garden party or country with a fresh, modern twist.” a weekend away. It is perfect for Suit the Country works with suppliers discerning fashionistas who want in Yorkshire as well as the Outer country clothes but with a funky twist.”

Hebrides who provide handmade woven Carol has been an entrepreneur since fabrics to order, producing unique she was 21 and admits that knowing fashion

fashion

country Escape to the made with these stunning bespoke to measure and from tailored tweeds , Suit the Country ntry.com; itthecou www.su Photography an, Rob Wheatm www.wheatman m photography.co

Charley wears Bespoke Boucle Wool Jacket Suit the Country.

Waistcoat and Breanish Tweed Charley wears to Measure Country and Made Skirt – Suit the City.

Blouse – Suit the Cotton Stretch Harris Tweed Holland & Sherry Plus 4’s Freddie wears British Tweed Jacket and Traditional wears Bespoke Tweed Sallie Suit the Country.

Suit - Suit the Country.

Jacket and Skirt

Lawn Hotel, Location: Corse tel: 01452 780771, www.corselawn.com;player Rugby Models: Gloucester Gloucester Rugby Freddie Burns, Mark Cornwell Academy Coach, co.uk; www.gloucesterrugby.Belton City, Sallie Director Suit the tel: 01242 807110, ecity.com www.suitth Polo Magazine Features Editor, Charley Larcombe; Artist Make-up Sophie Chamings fashion, lessons bridal, editorial, .co.uk www.sophiechamings

Mark wears Traditional British Tweed Jacket and Made to Measure - both Cotton Chinos Made Suit the Country. to Measure Cotton City.

Shirt - Suit the

Sallie wears Holland & Sherry, Sherry Tweed Jacket Suit the Country.

Freddie wears Holland Tweed & Sherry Harris Jacket - Suit the to Country. Made Shirt Measure Cotton Suit the City.

& Sherry, Sallie wears Holland and Holland Sherry Tweed Jacket Tweed Made to & Sherry Harris Plus 4’s- Suit the Measure Ladies Country.

APRIL 2012

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your customer is crucial to the success of a business.

“It is so rewarding to create a garment that a customer absolutely falls in love with and will wear for years to come.”

And due to the success of the business Carol is now on the lookout to recruit franchisees in the area.

“We would love to hear from people who are interested in running a Suit the City franchise. We are interested to hear from people who want to run their own business and who are attracted by having a strong brand behind them giving training and support.”

These are very exciting times for Suit the City and Suit the Country. CS www.suitthecountry.com www.suitthecity.com For information about becoming a franchisee email Carol at Carol@suitthecity.com

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MAY 2012

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‘Art Couture’ comes to the Cotswolds

The Art Couture Painswick festival, now in its third year, is coming back to the Cotswolds and will take place on Sunday 15th July 2012. Set in the streets and the iconic churchyard of the village, the festival features a competition for Art Couture: works of art that are displayed on the body.

The Art Couture competition is open to all, and attracts entrants aged 5 to 95 and from all walks of life: professional designers, art college students, schoolchildren and gifted amateur makers and artists. Large prizes are available for the winners, and the competition is judged by a celebrity panel from the worlds of art and fashion.

Last year the competition attracted 70 contestants, and about 5,000 spectators, who could admire the artwork up close as the models walked about the streets after the catwalk displays. This year there will be up to 100 contestants, and many thousands of visitors.

There will be music and dance performances on three stages, street performers and many stalls both indoors and outside, selling high quality craft, food, drink and produce. Participatory events such as workshops and the opportunity to get involved with creating artwork are also planned.

A new addition to Art Couture for 2012 will be the inclusion of a hosted competition for Body Painting. In collaboration with Charles Fox and Illusion Magazine, 20 of the top artists in the field will be selected by portfolio to take part. Spectators will be able to see the Body Painting as it progresses through the six hours that it takes to create this amazing work. The models will then display the art on the catwalk and prizes will be awarded by experts in the field.

MAY 2012

This festival, formerly known as Wearable Art Painswick, showcases creativity and excellence and encourages skilled and imaginative people both locally and nationally. It is a contemporary style statement from a historic village, and the interplay of the radical and the traditional gives the festival a unique feel.

The Art Couture festival is supported by local people who volunteer their time and it aims to benefit the village of Painswick by bringing businesses in the area new customers. Sponsors of the organisation provide the support to enable Art Couture to host a cocktail party at Cotswolds88hotel and other social events throughout the year that are linked to the festival.

Outfits from last year’s competition appeared at the Cheltenham Fashion and Beauty week in March and will be part of the Olympic Torch Ceremony in Cheltenham in May, and will feature in various local events and activities. The organisers also work with schools and colleges to encourage artistic endeavour.

Judith Hill, co-founder of Art Couture, said: “All of us here are very excited for this year’s festival. After seeing such strong growth and interest in the festival last year, we know this year is going to be our best yet. Last year, it was great to see so many people attend the event, and this high attendance has seen us now extend the festival over two days.

“The Cotswolds is extremely involved in the art world and I think it’s great that the festival provides the opportunity to see local artists get the recognition they deserve.” www.acpfestival.co.uk

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MAY 2012

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DEAR DOCTOR

health

Dr Vicky Blackburn has been a GP in Gloucestershire for 15 years. She is also a mother-of-three children (including twins). She is a frequent contributor to magazines, and has a regular phone-in on BBC Radio Gloucestershire. She has a specialist interest in women’s health, family medicine, pregnancy and parenting problems...

May busy and month in my household!

April year isis anything Aprilisisisahere, here, and ifif last last year anything We have five birthdays in five weeks, to go by, hopefully sunny days!

Last year to go by, hopefully sunny days!

Last and year with my children reaching their teens April had better weather than August!

April had better weather than August! soon, thatceases means organise and It to amaze me how It never never ceases toparties amazeto me how much much presents to buy!

By the end of May I difference good weather makes to how difference good weather makes to how collapse exhaustionamongst and cannot we my we feel: feel: itwith it isis noticeable noticeable amongst my believe that almost half the year has family, staff and patients.

At the family, staff and patients. At the gone!

The best we parties, foraakids and adults alike, Practice, lull Practice, we notice notice lull in in Monday’s Monday’s are the ones which spill from house to appointment demand when the appointment demand when the weekend weekend garden.

With luck the sun will be shining, has been warm and sunny.

I’m sure has been warm and sunny. I’m sure that that and house will look its best. this isis not coincidence.

Most illnesses this the not coincidence.

Most illnesses Things usually swimmingly but it’s which cause pain or which cause pain go or discomfort discomfort are are always worth being prepared: with spare known to improve in good weather. known to improve in good weather. swimming costumes and changes of This, ‘psychological improvement’ This, ‘psychological improvement’ can can clothes for visitorsin from be the lab.

Pain isis the be demonstrated demonstrated inwho the get lab.wet Pain sprinkler muddy from climbing trees! I caused stimulation of caused by byorthe the stimulation of aa pain pain always make sure I have a basic first aid receptor via a chemical called a nerve receptor via a chemical called a nerve kit on hand.

This includes some plasters, transmitter.

There are shared nerve transmitter. There are shared nerve atransmitters bandage orwhich two, and a cold compress trigger pain and transmitters which trigger pain and (or ice pack) in the freezer.

I also a depression.

Low mood has been shown depression. Low mood has beenkeep shown tight lidded box with paracetamol tablets to lower our pain threshold.

Thus happy to lower our pain threshold. Thus happy for adults (liquid of for kids) weather, and moods, because moods, because of good good weather, raises raises antihistamine tablets in-case bites or our pain threshold.

There also good our pain threshold. There isisof also good stings.

Antiseptic cream will keep cleaned evidence that inflammatory conditions, evidence that inflammatory conditions, cuts or bitesjoint bug-free.

This first kit in particularly problems, feel better particularly joint problems, feelaid better in comes with us on holiday too.

And if we the heat.

The heat seems to ‘calm down’ the heat. The heat seems to ‘calm down’ are away in Europe I stick the the inflammatory reaction. thegoing inflammatory reaction. family’s European Health Insurance II also think that there are also think that there are practical practical Cards (EHICs) in kit as well.

These reasons.

When weather isis good we reasons.

When the thethe weather good we are available on-line and are free!

These fill our days: long walks, pottering in fill our days: long walks, pottering in the the enable to getand an ‘NHS’ garden, meeting seeing friends. garden,you meeting and seeingservice friends.inAll All Europe thedistract hassle us and are our of activities of these thesewithout activities distract us from from our available at lives, our woes and our aches and lives, our woes and our aches and pains. pains. www.nhs.uk/healthcareabroad.

Whatever Whatever the the reason, reason, itit isis nice nice to to have have aa Remember to take additional travel quiet start to the week.

So I shall make quiet start to the week. So I shall make insurance any accidents or in the and aa coffee-break the best best of oftoititcover and take take coffee-break in further care you may need when away. the sunshine! the sunshine!

Q: Vicky, suffer from Q: Dear DearVicky, Vicky,IIIsuffer sufferwith fromterrible hayfever from march to September! recurrent boils in my bikini recurrent boils in my bikini area. area.

This my symptoms When they get bad and Whenyear they get bad II go go started and see seeinmy my February!

My mother says she used to GP who gives me antibiotics they GP who gives me antibiotics and and they have injections every year to stop her get better.

With the summer coming get better. With the summer coming hayfever, butto myhave GP these says are no II would under would like like to have thesethese under longer available.

Is there anything control (I have a beach holiday control (I have a beach holiday I can do? Why my hayfever getting planned), and ifif there is planned), andiswonder wonder there is worse? anything I can do to prevent theses anything I can do to prevent theses A: Thanks for the question.

Hayfever is a boils coming in first boils coming in the the first place. place.

MAY 2012 APRIL 2012 APRIL 2012

W ITH WITH D R VVICKY ICKY B LACKBURN DR BLACKBURN big problem, affecting upto 25 per cent of us every year. Hayfever (or allergic rhinitis) is not triggered byThese hay or A: for your question.

A: Thanks Thanks forjust your question.

These grass pollens.

Tree pollen also cause boils, in the pubic area/axilla (armpits), boils, in the pubic area/axilla (armpits), problems these cysts. are usually are follicular Hairs in are called called and follicular cysts.

Hairsproduced in these these earlier on in the year (February-March). regions grow from hair follicles regions grow from hair follicles (sacs) (sacs) Grass come next with crop which also an substance whichpollens also produce produce an oily oily substance pollens ( eg. hay and rape seed) called sebum.

When these hair follicles called sebum. When these haircoming follicles from June onwards.

Symptoms are get blocked, the sacs become enlarged, get blocked, the sacs become enlarged, classically runny nose,they itchybecome eyes and and sebum, and filled filled awith with sebum, they become irritated throat.

People can also suffer infectedlike small abscesses. infected- like small abscesses. Antibiotics Antibiotics rashes, headaches and wheeziness. clear up the infection, but there clear up the infection, but there are are ways ways Symptoms are best controlled by avoiding that you can prevent them.

Try and that you can prevent them. Try and exposure to the pollens.

Shutting avoid which avoid underwear underwear which rubs rubs the the pubic pubic windows and avoiding going out on ‘high hair area, and try and wear cotton hair area, and try and wear cotton pollen count’If This is obviously underwear. you shaving that underwear.

Ifdays. you can can avoid avoid shavingnot that practical for most people.

Tablets are the area it makes a big differencethe ‘cut’ area it makes a big difference- the ‘cut’ most common treatment. can buy hair block by hair can can block the the follicles folliclesOne by becoming becoming antihistamine tablets over the counter, ‘in-growing’.

Try using creams ‘in-growing’. Try using creams that that (eg.

Zirtek), and if these are not effective, deplete hair, or laser/ waxing.

These deplete hair, or laser/ waxing. These your prescribe stronger ones. cause less trauma to hair causeGP lesscan trauma to the the hair follicles, follicles, Many people need to add anti-allergy and thus they are less likely to block. and thus they are less likely to block.eye drops a nasal It worth using It may mayorbe be worthspray. using aa ‘mild’ ‘mild’ antiantiSteroid injections for hayfever are no perspirant too, as arm-pit can perspirant too, as arm-pit follicles follicles can be be longer deemed best practice.

Steroids inflamed by strong chemicals.

If you inflamed by strong chemicals. If youare strong medications and have serious suffer or persistent suffer with with recurrent recurrent orcan persistent side effects (including reducing immunity infections ask your GP for a infections ask your GP for a diabetes diabetes and weight gain).

As far as your hayfever check, as these type of infections are check, as these type of infections are ‘worsening’, it is more likely that you commoner in people with diabetes. commoner in people with diabetes. are being triggered by the different pollens which occur earlier in the year, I aa Q: Vicky, II wonder ifif IIand have Q: Dear Dear Vicky, wonder have would suggest starting your wheat allergy?

Whenever I eat lots wheat allergy? Whenever I eat lots of of antihistamines earlier swells in the year bread and II feel bread my my stomach stomach swells andand feel seeing your GP to makeititsure you are bloated.

II also notice makes me bloated. also notice makes meon the best combination of tablets/ eye constipated.

Can I be tested for constipated. Can I be tested for drops/ sprays for you. wheat wheat allergy? allergy?

A: Thanks for A: Thanks for the the question. question. You You are are Q: Dear Vicky, I suffer with recurrent confusing an allergy with an intolerance. confusing an allergy with an intolerance. itchy irritated eyes.

My doctor says Allergy involves an response Allergy involves an immune immune response that it is recurrent conjunctivitis, and and can be severe or life threatening.

For and can be severe or life threatening.

For gives me eye drops from time to time. example, you touch or ingest peanuts example, you touch or ingest peanuts Iand wear lenses so I worry that you get immune and youcontact get an an extreme extreme immune these infections could damage my responsered rash/swelling/difficulty response- red rash/swelling/difficulty eyes.

Please advise me on how to breathing etc.

An allergy can lead breathing etc. An allergy can lead to to

prevent them. anaphylaxis.

An anaphylaxis.

An intolerance intolerance usually usually refers refers A: You need to be careful.

Recurrent to a ‘difficulty digesting’.

Classically to a ‘difficulty digesting’. Classically infective conjunctivitis is usually people certain which they people have have certain foods foods whichmild they (causing redness to the whites of your feel they cannot ‘properly digest’. feel they cannot ‘properly digest’. This This eyes and stickiness), butintermittent if you are a can bloating can cause cause bloating and and intermittent contact lens these infections can diarrhoea or constipation.

Sometimes diarrhoea orwearer constipation.

Sometimes spread to other parts of the eye and the bloating causes pain.

The most the bloating causes pain. The most in rare cases food cause sight problems.

You need common are common food intolerances intolerances are to to wheat wheat to make sure that your eye hygiene is or dairy.

When you have foods which or dairy. When you have foods which good: to your optician this. affect the in way can affect speak the bowel bowel in this this way ititabout can be be The chance of infection is reduced you called ‘irritable bowel syndrome’ or called ‘irritable bowel syndrome’ orifIBS. IBS. use daily, or monthly lenses-rather than Treatment involves excluding the trigger Treatment involves excluding the trigger ‘permanent’ lenses. If youdiet. haveSometimes an active foods, your foods, and and altering altering your diet.

Sometimes infection you should not use your you can be prescribed ‘anti-bowel spasm’ you can be prescribed ‘anti-bowellensesspasm’ revert to glasses for 5-7days.

Having got medication which helps.

Occasionally, medication which helps. Occasionally, symptoms, speak to your GP and start with wheat, an individual develops an with wheat, an individual develops an antibiotic drops promptly.

Make sure antibody chemical and this antibody to to aa digesting digesting chemical andthat this you wash flannels/ face towels and pillow isis called Coeliac disease.

It is unusual, called Coeliac disease. It is unusual, cases whilst on treatment theto but GP can arrange aa blood but your your GPyou canare arrange bloodastest test to bug is can be harboured on fabrics.

If exclude this condition if basic diet exclude this condition if basic diet you wear eye makeup replace modification does not improve your modification doesyou notmust improve your mascara and/or eyeliner as these too can symptoms.

Remember if you have symptoms. Remember if you have contain the bug.

Ask your GP to refer yot recurrent abdominal pain, are losing recurrent abdominal pain, are losing to an Opthalmologist if these simple blood in or with your stool, or are blood in or with your stool, or are losing losing measures doyour not GP help reduce rather the severity weight, than weight, see see your GP sooner sooner rather than CS or frequency your conjunctivitis. later, as may later, as these theseofsymptoms symptoms may indicate indicate bowel bowel cancer. cancer. CSCS If you have any health questions for Dr Vicky please questions contact herfor c/o If have Dr If you youBlackburn have any any health health questions for Dr The Editor Vicky Blackburn please contact her c/o Vicky Blackburn please contact her c/o editor@stylemagazines.co.uk The The Editor, Editor, editor@stylemagazines.co.uk editor@stylemagazines.co.uk Dr Dr Vicky Vicky Blackburn Blackburn MBBS MBBS DRCOG DRCOG DFFP runs a private DFFP runs a private GP GP service service on on Saturday Saturday mornings mornings at at Nuffield Nuffield Hospital Hospital Cheltenham.

Cheltenham. To To make make an an appointment please call 01452 appointment please call 01452 770070.

770070. For For further further information information please contact please contact Nuffield Nuffield Health Health Cheltenham Cheltenham Hospital Hospital on on 01242 01242 246552, 246552, email email cheltenham.enquiries@nuffieldhealt cheltenham.enquiries@nuffieldhealt h.com h.com or or visit visit www.nuffieldhealth.com/ www.nuffieldhealth.com/chelten www.nuffieldhealth.com/chelten cheltenhamhospital hamhospital hamhospital

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beauty

we’re not forgetting the men at blushes

Any readers in Cheltenham last month may have caught a host of gorgeous man swanning around the town. They were all here for a photographic shoot by the Blushes Artistic team (styled by Michelle Blake using clothes from House of Fraser Men’s Department in Cheltenham featured on pages 80-81). We caught up with founder Darrell Blake to ask what it was all about...

“It was about bringing to life a concept devised while sitting round a table with Michelle Blake and my management team to remind men how welcome they are here in Blushes. There’s two really important things that have struck me lately; the first is that we often get asked the question ‘do Blushes cut men’s hair’ (the answer is a resounding ‘yes’); and secondly, hairdressing for men has become much less about the old line ‘how much are we taking off today?’ and much more about ‘how much are we leaving on today?!!’, especially with current trends focusing on longer hair which just need a totally different approach than just using a set of clippers.

Hairdressers always used to used to use the word unisex; suddenly the word became unfashionable for whatever reason. The shoot (shot right here in Cheltenham) was just a reminder that Blushes have something very special to offer men.

Men’s style is such a big thing .. you only have switch on the TV and watch something like ‘Made in Chelsea’ to see that it really is about the ‘total look’ with men. You have to be so careful to get it right as too much MAY 2012

over-grooming can sometimes send out the wrong message and under-grooming also shouts ‘disorganised’ and perhaps unreliable. The key is to look groomed and great in an understated way – something Blushes can really deliver on.

We developed a pretty impressive package for the Blushes Men for only £26.00. The journey starts with the most important thing - a beer then onto the service: a scalp massage and revitalising tonic treatment in a calm, tranquil, relaxing environment (our wash area is totally ‘state of the art’ including large vibrating chairs), a hair-loss/restyle consultation for anyone wanting to know what the very best tips and styles are for their hair type (incidentally the more mature man may want to talk about our great, natural-looking ‘fade away’ treatments for lessening grey). The men’s package obviously includes the key element, the cut and blow dry, but the

extras are endless: a free product from L’Oreal HOMME range for example. All our clients are given these exclusive invites for the men in their life; they include the package just described as well as a £10.00 off introductory offer; (not bad). We also hope Our Men Only product stand will help unravel the mystery of what your ‘must-have men’s hair product’ is.

We’re hoping that the our new advertising campaign will remind everyone that Blushes were and always will be totally unisex. Once reminded they can then choose to take it to another level and book in for a ‘total image consultancy’ in one of our imminently launching ‘Style Pods’ (A Michelle Blake concept). Getting it right in an effortless casual way with your hair, your skin and your clothes has never been more important. It’s all about making the very best of what you have and that’s something that Blushes specialise in. CS Blushes, 16-17 Montpellier Walk, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. GL50 1SD Tel: 01242 226644; www.blushes.co.uk

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Get an instant

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lift and firming of the skin with the

‘celebrities’ favourite treatment.

The age-defying Intraceuticals Oxygen Infusion is now available in Cheltenham!

‘After one appointment the skin looks and feels as if it has had years knocked off’ - Cosmopolitan Online, August 2011 ‘It works, and lasts a long time’ - Easy Living, Sept 2011

‘Oxygen-infused super serum to give an instant firmer, smoother, Botox-free effect’ - GQ, May 2011

Call or email Dr. Zulia Frost for more information Tel: 01242 210966 drzulia@a-listaesthetics.com www.intraceuticals.com

92 COTSWOLD STYLE

£25 OFF SPRING OFFER your treatment only with this advert MAY 2012

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beauty review

the ultimate beauty fix

Do you wish you could look years younger without the need for invasive procedures? Jeanette Bates discovers the ultimate beauty fix, the Intraceuticals Oxygen Infusion, which can give you glowing, brighter skin instantly...

Dr Zulia Frost A-List Aesthetics Maple House, Bayshill Road Cheltenham, GL50 3AW. Tel: 01242 210966; drzulia@a-listaesthetics.com www.a-listaesthetics.com www.intraceuticals.com MAY 2012

If you always thought that ‘red carpet’ treatment is only for the celebrities, then you’re in for a treat. Dr Zulia Frost has the ultimate cosmetic treatment, used by Hollywood celebrities, that will rejuvenate and brighten skin, instantly lift and sculpt to keep skin looking fresh and youthful.

Dr Zulia is offering her signature cosmetic treatment, the Intraceuticals Oxygen Infusion, at A-List Aesthetics in Cheltenham. She practised medicine in Russia for 10 years before relocating to the UK and has been offering pioneering anti-ageing programs to clients who want a treatment with instant results.

The Oxygen Infusion rejuvenates the skin, plumping and firming, thanks to the Hyaluronic Acid, a naturally occuring substance in the body, which diminishes with age. By putting this back into the skin you will see an immediate lifting and smoothing of wrinkles, right before your eyes.

When you visit Dr Zulia the treatment is explained and she will fully cleanse the face and neck, before bringing in her expertise of Interactive neurostimulation by using non-invasive low intensity laser light acupuncture to ‘prime’ the skin before the treatment.

The Oxygen Infusion is administered with a small wand-like appliance, which sprays a fine mist over the face. The pressurised oxygen from the wand delivers a rejuvenating serum into the deeper layers of the skin which, whilst being relaxing, also eliminates deep set wrinkles and fine lines and delivers a powerful cocktail of antioxidant vitamins A, C and E as well as Green Tea.

Results are instantly visible and your skin will look years younger, visibly lifted, toned and hydrated. Make up can be applied straight away for a flawless finish; perfect for looking your best for that special occasion when all eyes are on you, such as a wedding. Bridal treatments are designed especially to help brides look extra beautiful on their special day.

The good news is that as well as the deep skin hydration, the treatment will also minimise pigmentation caused by the sun, giving your skin a brighter, ‘glowing’ appearance.

After the treatment an atoxelene serum is applied to the face to smooth the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines; a natural alternative to Botox. This targeted treatment firms, plumps and even lifts the face, and the serum keeps on working so the best results will be seen 24 hours later.

To complete the session, Zulia will target puffiness around the eyes and tone eyelids using InterX stimulation which will leave you feeling relaxed and fresh.

Intraceuticals skincare is then applied to the skin to deliver essential nutrients, antioxidants and hydration and you will be sent away with serums to further enhance the treatment at home.

The overall effect is excellent, leaving you completely relaxed, and your skin feeling rejunvenated and tightened. Even after two weeks the difference is still visible and the after-care at home definitely prolongs the effects of the treatment. And for those that want to have a bit of a ‘face lift’ without invasive cosmetic procedures, then this natural treatment is definitely for you. CS

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style event

Page 94

See more socials at www.stylemagazines.co.uk

Style Indulgence with Stuart Holmes

Stuart Holmes launches the Indulgence Card in association with a number of local companies and brands.

To sign up for your card pop into the Stuart Holmes salon.

Photography by Spencer McPherson

ts Caroline Rober

Sarah Cross an d Victoria Hayley

Angela Rigby, Lucy Sutherland and Ruth Reid

Diana Linton, Zoe Snook and Justine Linton

Ian and Daphne Brightman

Jen Yuen

Julia Makuseva and Valeria David

Kat Paterson-Browne and Alison Browne

Maria Dadabhoy

Natalie Gonzales and Zoe Evans

Annie Bidlenova and Andy Teakle

Terri Bachel and Sophie Rogers

Becky Lee, Mary Ackerman and Nidia Andrade

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All Staff

MAY 2012

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ultimate skincare

beauty

PHOTOGRAPH BY YASMIN HUSSAIN

Rachel Simmonds from La Prairie in House of Fraser Cheltenham shares her secrets for the ultimate skincare routine...

Q: How important is it to have a proper skin care routine?

A: As we age the natural functions of the skin itself declines, therefore it is imperative we use effective skincare products that improve the overall quality of skin cells. The cellular renewal process take around 28 days therefore it is important to use skincare products daily (persistence and patience is essential) to ensure key results are seen.

Q: What products should you include in your skincare regime?

A: At La Prairie we recommend four essentials to include; a face moisturiser, a serum, an eye care product and a foundation. These are all daily use products that bring results quickly and act as targeted trouble shooters for specific concerns and skin conditions.

Q: What are your best tips for keeping skin looking younger?

A: Scientists now believe that only 20 per cent of our visible ageing are a result of our genes, and 80 per cent is due to the environment and almost completely preventable. Therefore, at La Prairie we believe one of the biggest tips for staying younger is to use a daily moisturiser or a foundation with an SPF, such as Skin Caviar Skin Caviar Concealer Foundation SPF15 to provide protection against UV sun stress which can lead to long term skin DNA damage and accelerated aging signs.

La Prairie, House of Fraser, Cavendish House, 32-48 Promenade, Town Centre, Cheltenham, GL50 1HP. Tel: 0844 800 3715 www.houseoffraser.co.uk MAY 2012

Q: What should I put on my skin at night?

A: Throughout the day the skin is exposed to a multitude of chemicals, heavy metals and the environment. We know that these aggressors can seriously damage our cell membranes, proteins and DNA. So at night the body has a chance to renew and rebuild itself,

through a natural process of cellular renewal. This can be improved by using an intensive night time moisturiser. The new La Prairie Anti-Aging Night Cream, a Cellular Repair Complex assists the purification and protection of the skin from the daily elements using natural extracts such as Garden Cress Sprout Extract that stimulates the cellular antioxidant defense system. So whatever exposure has happened during the day, damage can be neutralised before showing permanent changes in the skin.

It also uses a brand new intelligent moisturisation technology that increases the aquaporins (water channels in the skin) significantly increasing hydration immediately and for the future.

Q: What should I do to keep my skin clear?

A: To keep skin clear from blemishes you should cleanse and tone both morning and evening. The skin awakens with a layer of dead skin cells from the nightly renewal process, this need to be washed off to allow skin to breathe and follow with daily products. At the end of the day the skin needs to be cleansed to remove daily surface debris and makeup.

Q: What products should I use as a weekly treat?

A: Occasionally, your skin craves ‘intensive care’. The kind that produces immediate results, immediate gratification. Stress, fatigue and excessive exposure to sun, wind, heat and cold all take their toll. Skin starts to look dehydrated, dull, tired. That’s the moment when the cellular nutrients of La Prairie can make all the difference.

Cellular Hydralift Firming Mask delivers deep drenching hydration and nourishment to help repair the moisture barrier and reinforce skin tone to lift and firm the face. CS

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Tuesday Night Supper Club at The Daffodil

The Daffodil played host to the Tuesday Night Supper Club, helping raising money for local charity GROW. Guests treated themselves to some luxury in this elegant, award-winning 1920s style Art Deco restaurant!

Photography by Spencer McPherson

Charlotte Hayes-Holgate and Mike Riddell

'Donnell

d Penny O Ben Axford an

Ailine Fischer and Regina Wallbott

Leigh Sansone, Hayley Farrell and Robin Bennett

Izzy Edmoundson and Sally Orchard

Chris Weisberg

and Becky Cam

ps

Nikky Sykes and Nick Barnes

Michael Seymour, Ryan Astbury and Jon Claridge

Rob Taylor and Suzie Bond

Steven Mills and Ron Donald

Zoe Barker and Abi Holgate

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000 Laura Leigh may 12:Layout 1

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It is a surprising fact that our hair reaches its peak between the ages of 12 and 14. This is when it is at its thickest and strongest. After this the hair slowly deteriorates although this takes several decades before the effects of ageing really start to show. As hairdressers we are capable of working with any hair texture, so here are a few tips to help you adapt to these changes.

Brittle Hair The amount of chemicals we use on ageing hair can contribute to dry fragile locks. The use of chemical processes such as colour, lighting, and perming all take their toll. The hair tends to become finer with age so more styling aids are used to create body and volume. These services can further dry out the hair if they are used incorrectly. However it is possible to reverse dryness in the hair by using an intensive scalp and hair mask.

They should be used weekly until the condition returns and then twice a month. Also invest in a good quality shampoo and conditioner to hydrate and moisturise your hair on a daily basis.

I would also recommend eating high quality proteins like, meat, fish, poultry and eggs especially for breakfast, when energy levels in the hair follicles are at their lowest. Protein supplements and multi vitamin tablets can also offer long term help.

Thinning Hair Although hair loss can occur at any age, hormone changes during the menopause are particularly associated with this problem in women. As we get older each strands diameter will begin to change and slowly begin to decrease. We don’t necessarily have fewer hairs it’s just that each hair takes up less space. To give the illusion of thicker hair avoid short or long cuts, try a medium length layered bob with two or three tones of colour to add depth. Styling techniques should also be considered, fixing rollers or pony tails too tightly may cause breakage, hair loss and diminish the density of the hair.

Dull Hair Dullness is synonymous with unhealthy hair and usually goes with dryness. Too much product can also dull hair so a good way to prevent this is by keeping

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holding back the years

hair doctor

Laura Leigh gives her advice on how to cope with maturing hair……

the hair very clean. Older hair does not shine as much as young untreated hair, because damage, whether it is from chemical processing or physical trauma like rough styling raises the hair cuticle.

Using a good conditioner after shampooing helps to flatten the cuticle and the combination of clean and smoother hair increases light reflection. I would recommend using a hair colour that reflects light- one or two tones that can add shine, depth and make hair appear much healthier.

Greying hair Grey hair which is a combination of white hairs and your natural coloured hair, can be more difficult to manage because the white hair tends to be course and drier. Hair goes white when the pigment ceases to form in the hair shaft.

It appears to be genetic as far as age is

concerned. Starting at anytime including during teenage years although this is unusual. However it is rare for a person in their late twenties not to have a grey hair or two and this is more progressive with age. Although some people choose to wear their grey hair with pride many turn to colour to give them a boost, this doesn’t mean masking it with dense, matte all over colour.

To brighten your hair and to add visual texture, I always recommend adding different tones of colour. Warm golden or peachy tones can be added to add shine to blonde hair and deep rich colours can be added to brunette hair.

Bleach should be avoided as this can strip the hair of colour and will make both the hair and complexion appear dull. If you want to lighten the hair opt for a high lift tint which lightens the hair whilst adding tone at the same time. CS Addressing the three signs of thinning hair: Thinning hair is caused by: 1: fewer hair strands 2: finer hair strands 3: unhealthy scalp environment for hair to grow from.

Our latest product range is Nioxin, it is a three part system that is the answer to thinning. Nioxin delivers: Reduction of hair loss due to breakage; Delivery of fuller looking hair; Amplification of hair texture; Strengthening resilience of hair against damage; Removal of follicle clogging sebum from scalp.

Laura Leigh Hairdressing, Lower Ground Floor, 105 The Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1NW, Tel: 01242 530598; www.lauraleighhairdressing.co.uk MAY 2012

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hidden gems of the Cotswolds

make the most of May In his series of diaries, Heart presenter Niall Foster reflects on the prospect of a staycation...

Niall Foster presents Drive time daily from 16.00 – 19.00 on Heart 102.4. Available on 102.4FM, 103FM, Digital and online at heart.co.uk

98 COTSWOLD STYLE

For those who don’t have the rhythm of their lives dictated by the education of their children, May can seem to be the dawning of the summer, for me, it’s not.

I have more than two whole months before school and nursery close their gates for what will seem at times, like an interminable period of time and the care and entertainment of two small children will be all ours.

Thanks to the longevity of the reigning monarch and the Whitsun half term break we have the chance of a dry run for this annual test of endurance and mental sanity early next month, and we intend to make the most of it. A suitably quiet Cornish coastal village has been selected, a lodge has been booked and it is time to start scanning the long term weather forecasts and crossing everything in the hope that days will be spent pitching up on the beach and splashing in the shallows rather than sat inside a living room looking out on to rain heavy grey skies whilst thanking your forward planning skills that ensured you packed enough DVDs to get through an afternoon. I was right in booking a lodge without central heating, yes, in June, surely?

It perhaps would have been easier to head abroad in the hope of more certain

fine weather, but beyond the fact that I like to flirt with an element of risk and uncertainty in my life (and this is as risky as it currently gets), the hassles that further travel entails outweigh the convenience of throwing a couple of cases and body boards in the boot and pointing the car south for a few hours.

The longer summer school holiday will see us venture abroad, half term is a time to play it safer and do what you know.

My message therefore, if you are not beholden to the school calendar is, make the most of May. June will be the month of the Jubilee and half term break, and July and August will be the months when you wonder if there really are enough schools in this county to normally contain all the youngsters that have suddenly appeared.

Take advantage of the cheaper flights, quieter holiday destinations and less crowded amenities. If you are able, seek out the areas where, especially midweek, solitude is still to be found.

Whether it is your own wooded corner of the Cotswolds or a town centre coffee shop, you can guarantee that in just a few weeks you will be competing for space with a few more people, many of them small. CS MAY 2012

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business

business style In this month’s business style we talk to our regular contributors from Brunsdons, Paul James and Rickerbys. In our series of Women in Business features we talk to Debra Drew, Managing Director and Co-Owner of Brockworth-based Fabric Architecture. Edward Mawle from Brewin Dolphin warns against boiler room share scams, and our regular Chamber of Commerce focus this month is recognising the fundraising achievements of our region’s business leaders.

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business

clamping down on share scams

Brewin Dolphin Divisional Director Edward Mawle warns against boiler room share scams...

A new wave of share fraudsters is preying on private investors in an attempt to dupe them out of thousands of pounds. Investors are being urged to be on their guard after The Financial Services Authority (FSA) issued a warning about a rogue entity which is falsely using a reputable industry name in a bid to sell bogus investments.

The unauthorised ‘boiler room’ firm involves a group of people who target investors by calling them and claiming to be from a reputable company. They then attempt to sell investments that share the same or similar names to genuine investment products.

According to the FSA, these sophisticated boiler room scams are costing the UK around £200million every year with victims typically losing an average of £20,000. They have also led to a growing number of people seeking financial advice after they have either being targeted or conned by suspected fraudsters.

Boiler room scams have derived their name through the high pressure, and usually, illegal selling tactics involved when pursuing unsuspecting private investors. The ploy typically involves overseas firms targeting UK investors by cold calling and claiming to be legitimate brokers. Hard-selling techniques are then used in an attempt to persuade investors to purchase non-existent, worthless, illiquid or over-priced shares.

In most cases, investors are stung with a loss because the shares acquired are untradeable and, unfortunately, boiler room scams are not sanctioned by a regulatory body within the UK. Therefore, the FSA is virtually powerless to take any action against them.

Last year, however, the FSA MAY 2012

WITH EDWARD MAWLE successfully secured its first criminal conviction for boiler room fraud against a man who arranged for a suspected share fraud vehicle, called EduVest, to be set up. David Rodger Griffiths Mason was sentenced to two years in jail and disqualified from being a director for six years after pleading guilty at Southwark Crown Court to 13 counts of carrying on a regulated activity without authorisation; one count of making false or misleading statements, promises or forecasts; and three counts of money laundering.

Between November 2008 and May 2009, Mason coordinated the coldcalling and sale of shares in EduVest Plc (EduVest). In total, 32 people invested £270,000 in the belief that EduVest would be listing on the PLUS stock exchange in the near future. But share certificates were never issued, EduVest never listed on the PLUS market and investors’ funds were never used for EduVest business.

Mason’s ruse was a classic example of the scams that are affecting people of all ages and from novice investors through to the most experienced.

So how can investors reduce the risk of being targeted? One method maybe is to hold shares via a nominee company, keeping your name and address off the register. This is already standard practice for investments held in a Stocks & Shares ISA. A nominee account offers complete privacy and is managed on the investors’ behalf by an authorised and

industry-recognised financial company.

Investors retain beneficial ownership of any shares registered in the name of a nominee company and can continue to vote at Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings through a voting service, which is often the reason that investors have kept shares in their own name.

Another advantage with using a nominee account is the simplification and acceleration of the settlement process involved with share dealing as well as improved administration.

Significant amounts of time can be saved as the quantity of paperwork normally associated with investments is reduced. Indeed, many nominee services include a comprehensive tax reporting package at the end of each financial year which can be sent directly to the Inland Revenue.

To avoid becoming a victim of boiler room scams, people are being urged not to accept any financial advice or to enter into any transactions with unregulated financial advisors especially over the phone. All qualified investment managers or stockbrokers have to be registered with the FSA as Approved Persons, while their employer are required to be authorised by the FSA to carry out such dealing activities.

If you want to report a suspected share scam, contact your financial advisor immediately and/or the FSA which can be contacted on 0845 606 1234. CS * Brewin Dolphin is a member of the London Stock Exchange, authorised and regulated by the FSA. All of our investment managers are FSA Approved Persons.

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000 Social Financial Group May 12:Layout 1

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style event

Photography by Mike Charity

e Financial, Charli The founder of r ei th d Palmer an Palmer with Lisa m ia ill W im, Alastair, thee children, T and Martha

Yean Loo, Izabella Siestrzykowska, Julie Nines and Janiene Clark

Rob Fraser, Tim Wilson, Ali Lean and Lee Everson with Alastair Palmer

Iwona Coomber

Page 102

See more socials at www.stylemagazines.co.uk

Financial celebrates a successful 10 years

The Gloucestershire organisation Financial held a Champagne reception at its head offices to celebrate 10 successful years of supporting independent financial advisers having grown from small beginnings on a Cotswold farm, to becoming a network of 500 IFAs from coastal Cornwall to the remote Highlands of Scotland.

11:27

Charlie Palmer

Mike Walker and Steve Bell

and Georgina Fo

ster

Charlie Palmer and Tom Lowe

Mona Makhecha, Duncan Anderson, Joy Bond, Cathy Court and Paivi Grigg

A group of the staff with their Ten Year Service Awards

Jeremy Allard and Brian Galvin

William, Alastair and Martha Palmer

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a great leader

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women in business

Eve Holmes talks to Debra Drew, Managing Director and Co-Owner of Fabric Architecture, a pioneering business with worldwide recognition thanks to its unique tensile fabric structures and designs...

When you meet Debra Drew, Managing Director and Co-Owner of Fabric Architecture, you realise why this effervescent businesswoman has been instrumental in taking a hugely talented business to new heights, last year reaching an impressive revenue of £5.7million.

Debra encountered Fabric Architecture herself as a customer while working in Atlanta (her home city) sourcing structures for information stations at the Olympic Stadium. She met Nigel Browne, the company’s Director and Senior Designer who was already engineering beautiful and practical tensile structures and she was impressed by the innovative business.

“I met Nigel in 1996 who was designing these crazy structures and we fell in love. I moved to the UK, we married and I invested in the business,” says Debra, whose sales experience was instrumental in transforming the business which now offers the world’s largest product range of ready-to-install tensile fabric structures such as canopies, ceilings, walkways, stadiums and public art.

Fabric Architecture has been designing, engineering, manufacturing and installing tensile fabric structures since 1982, and can now boast over 5,000 installations worldwide. Their main operations are based in Brockworth, Gloucester and the United States, together with an office in Abu Dhabi.

Their projects can be seen all over the world as far reaching as Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, Mykonos Grace Hotel in Greece and Cummins Inc Headquarters in Dubai as well as projects nearer home including the New Olympic Training Ground at Loughborough University, Dublin Airport, Terminal 2 and Coopers Edge School, Gloucester.

The company’s stunning architectural structures have won acclaim from industry peers, last year scooping four awards from the Industrial Fabrics Association International. And Debra herself is highly acclaimed, winning the Diamond Jubilee Woman of the Year Awards at The Citizen and Gloucestershire Echo’s Women in Business Awards this year.

Described as a great leader, Debra is MAY 2012

committed to providing her staff with an unrivalled mentoring programme, boosting staff morale and increasing results.

“I put a lot of importance on mentoring and personal development. The payback is a happier and more confident staff, who are entrepreneurial in their thinking. I want our staff to be stimulated by the working environment around them.”

Fabric Architecture offers a unique turn-key service, thanks to its in-house engineering team who can design and engineer unique structures; through to the installation teams who can provide a wealth of experience and skills.

“Our passion is in the engineering, and we strive to give beautifully elegant structures that are led by the fabric whilst being practical for purpose,” says Debra.

The company continues to be a pioneer in its field, using innovative materials for its structures. Fabric Architecture was first to bring woven glass structures to the industry and they continue to push the boundaries with money invested in research and development.

Debra is committed to the environment and is particularly proud of a unique partnership pioneered with local children’s charity Children’s Scrapstore. Now, 100 per cent of the fabric off-cuts from the business is donated to schools for art projects.

Since 2002 the company has also been supporting the people of Kenya, and Debra is passionate about educating the

young girls of the Maasi Tribe, keeping them in full time education through the Top Right Academy.

As one of four Directors of the Art Couture Painswick festival, Debra is committed to supporting local events.

Now in its third year, this once boutique festival is now gathering a huge amount of interest from influential designers and celebrities, offering those who enter, lifechanging opportunities.

“We are expecting 10,000 people this year and our goal is to create a museum for all of the stunning creations. The entrants really do create works of art. It is great to have such a cutting edge event in a quintessential Cotswold village.” CS www.fabricarchitecture.com

Sponsored by Jelf Women in Business is sponsored

by Jelf, Westmoreland House, 80-86 Bath Road, Cheltenham.

To find out more please contact Account Executive Andrea Lavis on 01242 225860. andrea.lavis@jelfgroup.com or visit www.jelfgroup.com

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fundraising success

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Chamber of Commerce

The emotional and mental characteristics that are important for entrepreneurs can be valuable skills for raising money for charity. Here, we speak to local business people who are using their unique skillset to raise important money for charity...

As we approach the London 2012 Olympic Games, sporting themes are very much on everyone’s minds, and our business leaders in Gloucestershire are leading the way with sporting achievements while raising money for charity. Here we talk to three local entrepreneurs who have used their discipline, drive and ambition in business to also achieve fundraising success.

Richard Edgerton, Co-Owner and Creative Director of Sperm Creative has taken on the challenge of completing an Ironman event.

“After completing a few marathons, I was looking for my next challenge and have always been interested and in awe of Ironman events, I think being an appalling swimmer actually helped draw me towards the challenge!

“The greatest challenge is time.

Sometimes you are training 20 hours a week along with work hours that can be quite demanding. Learning to swim was also a challenge, knowing you need to be able to do 2.4 miles in open water when you are struggling with 25 meters is a really helpful lesson on focusing, teaching you to put all your energies into what you need to do right now, so that has been challenging but incredibly useful.”

Richard aims to raise a few thousand pounds for charity, after a year-and-a-half of hard work.

“I am raising money for Winston’s Wish, and every penny counts. They are a really great local charity dealing with child bereavement. I have raised money for great national charities before and ran the Brighton Marathon with my business partner Patrick Dyer for Winston’s Wish last year and they were fantastic.”

Richard has other events in the pipeline leading up to the event.

“In May I am doing the British Gas Great London Swim which is a one mile swim in London’s docklands. In June I am cycling The Cotswold Crunch which is a 100 mile cycle around The Cotswolds organised by another great local charity, The Cotswold Care Hospice, and in July I have a few local triathlons.”

MAY 2012

WITH SUZANNE HALL-GIBBINS

Drawing parallels with business skills Richard admits that raising awareness has been a key element in fundraising.

“Sperm Creative is a branding agency so the marketing side of things will help to raise awareness and hopefully trying to look at new creative ways to raise money!”

Sperm Creative is enjoying a rise in demand for their services.

“We are in a great position at the moment; our profile is higher and so is demand for our work but growing in our sector is risky. I think having the confidence to turn some work down and focus on the right type of client will help us in the long term.

“We have some exceptional projects that we are working on now for local and national clients and, as ever, our key goal is always to do the best possible work today with the clients we have now. In terms of awards we will be entering more national awards this year including Design Weeks Benchmarks which we won two years ago.” www.spermcreative.com

Paul Markey, Director of the Markey Group has raised money by running the London Marathon.

“My first marathon was last year and I have carried on running since then, although not at the same intensity. I then stepped up the mileage again last year, building up to 40 miles a week through with long runs stretching out to 20 miles.

“My eldest son came down to watch me run last year and was inspired to do it himself. He decided that it would be good to share the journey, so I did the event again.

“The charity I raise funds for is MSRC; my wife suffers with MS, which was diagnosed four years ago. Whilst it is a small national charity, it has a lot of local connections, Alastair Hignell (local and national Cricket and Rugby Hero) is the

patron of the Charity, also until recently he was living in Stroud. The charity use the Stroud half marathon as a fundraiser.

“The challenges I have experienced are time management, fitting the training in with business, family, and other commitments. But once I commit to something it has to be done!” www.markeygroup.co.uk Mike Mellor, Managing Director of Space Catering Equipment last year cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats, the furthest possible distance in the British Isles. Covering 1,000 miles over nine days, Mike raised £5,000 for charity.

“We probably did about 3,000 miles in training for the 1,000 mile event. I am not a gym person so training for an event gives me the motivation to train while raising money for a good cause.

“It is great to get out there and test yourself with something that is outside business; it is the entrepreneurial mentality to be prepared to push yourself, and it is very worthwhile to do it for charity. They value the contribution Apart from being a successful businessman, Mike finds the time to train after work and at weekends.

“I am looking at a ride from Calais to Nice with a couple of local businessmen.”

Despite a difficult economy Mike admits that the business is still thriving.

“We are on target for the calendar year and we work very hard to keep our customers. We are recruiting for a Commercial Director so there are very exciting times ahead.” www.spacecatering.co.uk CS For more information about the Chamber of Commerce please contact Suzanne Hall-Gibbins, Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce,183 Westgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 2RN. Tel: 01242 308030; gloschamber.co.uk

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finance

Independent Financial Adviser Brian Morman explains the impact the Retail Distribution Review will have on consumers.

AWARDED ‘BEST NEW FIRM’ AT STANDARD LIFE’S ‘FORWARD THINKING CONFERENCE’

WITH WITH BRIAN MORMAN MORMAN BRIAN Brian Morman ACII ABIBA Dip PFS is an Independent Financial Adviser and Managing Partner / Director of Brunsdon LLP, CEO of Brunsdon Financial Services Ltd, the insurance and financial services intermediary established in 1932, and Chairman of Cotswold Asset Management Ltd. Brunsdon LLP and Brunsdon Financial Services Ltd. are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority(FSA) The FSA does not regulate tax planning. Tel. 01452 623 623. brian.morman@brunsdon.co.uk www.brunsdon.co.uk www.cotswoldassetmanagement .co.uk APRIL 2012 MAY 2012

Independent Financial Adviser Morman Mention the words ‘Retail Distribution before theyBrian are allowed to dispense advice.

Review (RDR)’ to the average person in The bar has been set at the equivalent to a explains why the younger generation needs to adopt the street and you’ll probably be met with first year degree. a newBut savingsThere culture. a blank stare or simple indifference. is a widely-held view that RDR the truth is, the Financial Services will lead to a mass exodus of advisers from Authority’s RDR initiative, which the scenethe because manyauto-enrolment are unable or Reports. Statistics.

In my job I getistonow see (Clearly workplace swiftly moving implementation, is unwilling to comply with the new too them all.

In thetowards main they are either mindinitiative has not come a moment arguably thedull biggest overhaul of financial regulations.

It will after all be a huge shift numbingly or add very little to the soon!) regulation for decades.

MakeBut no once mistake in Some business model which sum of human knowledge. in a– might argue thatsome thereIFAs are sowill itwhile will have a huge impact you asthat a find difficult to manage or even a report lands in myon in-box manytoo opportunities for spending money financial consumer here in. And contemplate. strikes a chord and from reflects myon own now, why would young people look to for financial it willtobeaa‘T.’ massive My personal take onwhich RDR is that thoughts andadvisers experiences deferred gratification, whatthe a wake-up for those shrink,easier but that thoseout Havingand saidshake-up that, thecall Friends Life whose adviser pensionmarket is? It iswill so much to take business notReport come up to who willcard be far more Vision ofmodels Britaindo 2020 * makes a loanremain or credit than it isprofessional to set up an scratch. and towards the needs of the sobering, if not entirely unexpected ISA geared or savings account.

And after all,21st to a The purpose of RDR enough. century consumer.

Advice willabout inevitably reading.

It tells the story is ofsimple a whole 20 year old, retirement seems as It aims to move professional standards and come regarded as ‘aspirational.’

By generation of young people whose focus remotetoasbeAlpha Centauri.

On the other competency in theonadvice market a – that willpatently increasingly move is almost entirely the ‘here andtonow,’ hand,I mean surelyadvisers it must be obvious whole new level.

Thatrather meansthan more to planning rather than on short term needs on long thata financial with longevity increasing and ajobs transparency, charging system and product recommending, role. From term security a– fair fuelled by a burgeoning getting thinner on the ground, therenow is no higher qualifications.

It will apply to every on more likelywill to offer a to expectation that a ‘paternal employer’ will waythey the are Government be able adviser the to retail market, comprehensive plan which will 20 track provideacross solutions theinvestment problems of finance an ageing populations’ or your 30 including life changes and developments in your every day IFAs, life. wealth managers, years of retirement. stockbrokers, banks and all providers of personal beto a be If like me you have children of a certain Times circumstances. have changed. There will needs financial products. all hasrevelation! to happen greater emphasis on ‘wrap’ platform and age, this will come And as noitgreat a new age of personal responsibility to from 31 December thisunderstandable. year! quality management solutions.

In many ways it is also It avert a asset looming pensions crisis.

Taking The most change, andofthethe At Brunsdon, we are isfully is difficult forsignificant a significant swathe personal responsibility theprepared first stepfor one that most clientstowill pick up on loans RDR andfull in maturity fact haveand beenis working younger generation save.

Student towards the minimum initially, will be the leave movelittle to fee-based towards it since before the FSA of and housing costs surplus requirement forwell the accomplishment remuneration IFAs. That’s right. of From launched the initiative back money. But theforcommon argument ‘I all those things that weway wish forinin2006. life. In 31 December, often maligned our view, an extension of the to can’t afford to the save’old, wears thin in the light There hasRDR to beissome sort of stimulus commission payments willoutgoings go out thesuch principles Treating Customers Fairly, of the ‘de rigueur’ regular get young of people to save for the long window.

I guess for many, thisTV, willmobile be the which we have always firmly as gym membership, satellite term. Whether this is by wayembraced. of advice or first time you’ve had to fee directly Most of oursuch advisers hold the necessary phone subscriptions andpay thea ‘must have’ persuasion, as promoting saving as a for advice. this is where qualifications better,towethe offer car. financial Youngsters can But seemingly alwaysthe find rule of thumborsimilar ‘fiveana awardday’ transparency comes in. You will be able to winning Portfolio Management money to finance their live-for-today healthy eating message, it needs Wrap to be hard grasp exactly what you are being charged, Platform of attractive course, our associated lifestyles. hitting, orand made and ‘cool.’ what are getting your company, Management Theyou Report foundfor that, of money those inand I believeCotswold the latterAsset alternative will win you’ll option of comparing provides an exciting, volatility-managed work, have nearlythea third (32%) have madethe no more converts.

At Brunsdon we are proposition that of atother advisers. option discerning investors. provision forwith a pension all due to ‘other investment working hard on anfor exciting, easily Comparing apples with apples, you like.

I believesavings RDR will elevate the status financial priorities,’ whilst 35% ifbelieved accessible scheme initiative thatofwe In reality, no different you’d independent ‘Retail that they werethat’s too young to havetotowhat worry believe will goadvice. a longThe waywords to achieving expect a solicitor or it Distribution Review’ may still makefor eyes about it.when Overconsulting three quarters felt that aim. If you like, a savings scheme the accountant. glaze over, but consumers soonthis come was the Government’s responsibility to ‘here-and-now’ generation.will Watch CS Thesure other significant aspect ofsecure RDRinis to recognise that for their money they will make they were financially space! the requirement forit IFAs to achieve receive a high quality, trustworthy and retirement or that was their bossesa higher minimum standardtheir of qualification professional service. CS responsibility to provide pension! * Source: www.friendslife.co.uk

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Looking for more sales in 2012?

We’ll show you how to grow your business using social media at our Cheltenham Masterclasses We run regular workshops on: Facebook – Twitter – Linkedin – Google+

Call Kevin at White Search 01242 545201 for more info and booking

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comment

Leader of the Gloucester City Council Paul James encourages us all to promote the city’s strengths...

To contact Paul, visit www.pauljames.org.uk or follow him on Twitter @cllrpauljames.

MAY 2012

Recently Marketing Gloucester launched its ‘Believe in Gloucester’ campaign, which is designed to promote everything that is good about the city. The objective is to get local people to understand what is on their doorstep and encourage them to act as ambassadors for Gloucester, to raise awareness of the city’s strengths and to promote investment and tourism opportunities.

The campaign was inspired by John Whittaker, the billionaire Chairman of the Peel Group who own and operate the Gloucester Quays development. So the story goes, he touched down in his helicopter on the way back from a meeting elsewhere in the country, approved the investment of another £60 million in the next phase of Gloucester Quays and did so saying that he ‘believed in Gloucester.’

Thankfully his belief seems to have been justified. Planning permission for the first part of this phase (a new state of the art cinema and restaurants around it) has now been granted and looks set to go ahead.

So why is it necessary to encourage people to believe in Gloucester? Over the years, the city has seen many false dawns, with promises of change that didn’t get delivered. Only in the last 7 years or so has the regeneration the city needs started to become a reality. So, perhaps unsurprisingly, a degree of cynicism still exists. And, to be candid, in the past we haven’t been very good at promoting what we have. That’s starting to be put right too.

The reasons to believe in Gloucester are not just the obvious ones. Sure, most people know that we have a fantastic Norman Cathedral – one of the finest in Europe. Many will have heard of or visited Gloucester Docks – the most inland port in the country. And sporting fans will know that Gloucester Rugby competes for the highest honours domestically and in Europe.

The city’s name is well-known through Double Gloucester Cheese, Gloucester Old Spot Pork and the Gloucester

Gladiator jet, to give a few examples. But there’s much more to the city than that.

Although heritage buffs will be aware that Gloucester is one of the top ten most historic cities in the country, how many know that we are also one of the top ten most haunted places (according to The Sun!)? I reckon few beyond those closest to the facts will have cottoned on that our University is the country’s ‘greenest’, that we’re the second most IT literate place in the land after Cambridge and home to a diverse population, with over 40 different languages being spoken in the city.

Saying that we believe in Gloucester doesn’t mean we think everything about the city is perfect. It isn’t and life’s just not like that. Despite £500 million of investment coming into Gloucester in recent years and another £200 million in the pipeline, there is still work to do and we know there are many challenges ahead.

The campaign was launched by Gloucester Rugby legend Phil Vickery.

Although the world cup (and Celebrity Masterchef) winner is of Cornish descent, he’s made the area his home and stayed here long after his playing days at Kingsholm were over. The singer MaryJess, winner of the Chinese version of the X-Factor, has seen her career take off, but she still found time to record a message of support for the campaign and doesn’t miss any chances to promote her home city.

A range of merchandise has been produced for the campaign, so if you see a ‘BiG’ lapel badge or a Believe in Gloucester shopping bag, that’s what it’s all about. Events will be taking place throughout the year to continue the theme, including a BiG History Festival in September.

Most importantly, we need people on board to help spread the word. As far as I’m concerned, there’s every reason to believe. CS For more information go to www.believeingloucester.com.

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legal advice

‘PLEASE DO NOT OVERLOOK GIFTS OF ANY SIZE TO LOCAL OR NATIONAL WORTHY CAUSES; THEY REALLY DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE’

WITH PHILLIPA BRUCE-KERR For further information, please contact Phillipa Bruce-Kerr, Private Client Partner at Rickerbys LLP Solicitors, on 01242 246430 or email Phillipa on Phillipa.BruceKerr@Rickerbys.com.

MAY 2012

supporting worthy causes Phillipa Bruce-Kerr from Rickerbys shares a few helpful tips on making donations to charity...

Giving to charities has caught the headlines recently – for a variety of reasons.

Interest is not fleeting – but a considerable level of interest has continued for two years following a series of inheritance disputes brought to the Court which involved charities, notably the RSPCA. These have been followed by some more technical cases considering how gifts to a charity that has ceased to exist should be distributed. Legislation providing a reduction in the applicable rate of IHT in estates where at least 10 per cent of the estate goes to charity takes effect from April 2012.

Most controversial is the recent proposal to limit the income tax relief that donors making substantial gifts to charities can claim.

It might be helpful to remember a few principles when you are making gifts to charity: • Gift Aid still generates benefits for charities – they can reclaim the tax you have paid on routine (or indeed one off) donations from income you make to them; • All Gifts of capital will attract 100 per cent relief for Inheritance Tax purposes; • Gifts on death of capital of at least 10

per cent of your estate will also attract a reduction in the overall rate of IHT paid on your estate; • Check to full name and registered charity number (RCN) of any charity you wish to mention in your Will. The Charity Commission website can be useful in checking this. If the RCN is used, it is easy to trace the charity even if it’s name changes; • If you are giving to a national organisation, but want benefits to pass locally, include a non-binding wish that it be applied for the benefit of a specific geographical location or purpose; • Specify in the Will what happens if the chosen charity does not exist at death; • Make sure that you have considered who might expect you to leave them money in your Will, and understand the risks that may be associated with disappointing them.

In the present times of austerity, the charities are being asked to provide social support services that used to be provided by Local Authorities and central government organisations.

At the same time funding in the form of grants and charitable giving is falling.

Please do not overlook gifts of any size to local (or national) worthy causes they really do make a difference. CS

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S u n d a y L u n c h f e a tu r i n g t r a d i ti o n a l r o as t s .

A f o u r co u r s e t r ea t f r o m j u s t £ 2 4 . 9 5 pe r p e r s o n .

On the B4035 near Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire GL55 6NS. Telephone: 01386 593 555 gm.charingworthmanor@classiclodges.co.uk

A secret Cotswold treasure: for a few days away, an award winning meal or a wedding celebration. celebration, Whatever the occasion, this romantic 14th century manor house is the perfect setting. The hotel blends old world charm with modern comfort and has wonderful old oak beams and antique furniture and tapestries. Outside, the traditional Cotswold garden has panoramic views over five counties.

For short breaks The hotel is close to many wonderful National Trust properties and Stratford upon Avon is within easy reach.

See our web site for a full list of all the events that are taking place locally this summer.

J ub ile e Brea k s: dinner, bed and breakfast from £149 per room per night including a delicious Jubilee Cream Tea on the day you arrive. This offer applies to a minimum stay of two nights any time up until July 30, 2012.

Sle ep y Su nd a y St op ove rs: When you take Sunday dinner in the Restaurant, you can stay the night for £45 a room (including breakfast) in June and August.

July 1: See the Olympic Torch pass through Chipping Campden at 12.30 pm before returning for a traditional Sunday Lunch!

For weddings There can be few more romantic places in which to make a commitment to the one you love! Our distinctive suites are licensed for civil ceremonies and are perfect for large parties and smaller, more intimate celebrations. Truly, a wedding celebration at Charingworth Manor is an occasion full of magical moments. The web site has details of offers on winter and midweek weddings.

For wining and dining Charingworth Manor is well known for its superb cuisine and has been rosetted by the AA. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner every day and don’t forget to enjoy a light bite or a magnificent cream tea on the Terrace when the weather is mild!

G our met D inne r : May 4, June 1, July 6 and the first Friday of every month.

Champagne reception followed by five sumptuous courses. £55 per person.

Stay over for just £85 per room for two including the Classic breakfast.

For relaxing in our health club.

We have a pool, gym, sauna and steam room as well as tennis and croquet.

Offers are subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other offers

Pamper breaks: Stay three consecutive nights in May or July and enjoy a free manicure and pedicure. This must be booked at the time of your initial reservation.

You’ll pedicure. find more offers at www.classiclodges.co.uk/charingworthmanor

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N OP OW EN

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Inspired by the best of British produce The

Suffolk Kitchen is a new restaurant now open in The Suffolks area of Cheltenham

To reserve a table please call 01242

237057 or email dine@thesuffolkkitchen.co.uk

Opening times: Tues to Sat | Dinner 6.30pm to 10pm | Fri to Sun | Brunch and Lunch 10am to 3pm

The Suffolk Kitchen | 8 Suffolk Parade | Cheltenham | GL50 2AB | 01242 237057

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fresh and local

review

Ali Nightingale finds The Suffolk Kitchen has all the right ingredients.

‘THE CLEVER BALANCE OF TRADITIONAL & CONTEMPORARY BRITISH COOKING IS WHAT MAKES THE SUFFOLK KITCHEN A STAND-OUT ESTABLISHMENT FOR ME’ The Suffolk Kitchen, 8 Suffolk Parade, Cheltenham, GL50 2AB. Tel: 01242 237057; www.thesuffolkkitchen.co.uk MAY 2012

It takes a bold and confident caterer, one who knows his onions, to open a new restaurant in a town that is brimming with eateries of all descriptions, but Cheltenham is lucky to have Simon Davies raising his head above the economic parapet, for he is a man with his finger on the pulse of ethical food trends.

Whilst many restaurants pay lip service to seasonal and local produce, it is the central ethos behind his recently opened Suffolk Kitchen, at the heart of every dish. This is not just a fashionable food philosophy; any chef worth their salt knows that the best tastes are coaxed from food without air miles, fresh from the local terrain. The Suffolk Kitchen also source meat reared within shouting distance of the Cotswold Hills, which benefits the local economy.

I was impressed by the ‘Brit Crop’ sensibility of the menu, but there was also a definite hint of European flair added to the indigenous ingredients.

Starters included a soufflé made with Hereford Hop Cheese, and Ox Cheek with an oyster reduction and radish salad (Beef and Oyster is such an Olde English combination, yet this assembly of ingredients was modern to the max).

The clever balance of traditional and contemporary British cooking is what makes the Suffolk Kitchen a stand-out establishment for me.

Mr. N got his selection spot on, homing in on the Pigeon Breast and wild garlic blini, served with red wine jus. I cheekily pilfered half of his portion; one bite was just not enough. The pigeon was moist, delicately gamey, with the almost liver like texture that a good chef can achieve when the cooking is timed

perfectly. The blini pancake was light as a cloud, with a gentle hint of wild garlic.

I asked Simon where they sourced the herb – I can never find it - and was informed that it was foraged that morning from a local green space. Now that is proactive regional sourcing at its best. I chose a simple seasonal cauliflower soup, which was given another textural dimension with the addition of Simon Weaver (Artisan Cheese-maker) Blue Brie profiteroles.

The Chef ’s signature pork tenderloin did not disappoint; I have never eaten such a tender hog. This was served with a black pudding mash, but the star of the show was (as always) on my husband’s plate. His fillet steak was perfect, but the accompanying little choux puffs stuffed with Hereford snails were memorable and exquisite.

Puddings were a delight, and I was not surprised to find out that chef Gareth Blackmore was a pastry specialist. Top marks for the homemade white chocolate ice-cream.

We loved the ambience of the restaurant; a smart yet homely space.

Service was attentive and helpful, linens are crisp and white, the wine list is superb value (I applaud SK selling English wines from the local Three Choirs vineyard) and the set menu available at lunchtime and early doors is easy on the pocket at £14.95 for 3 courses, including a glass of wine.

Verdict: A relaxed atmosphere and affordable, exciting menu is a winning combination. A cut-above the usual Bistro experience. The fresh and local produce in the hands of a skilled chef delivers on flavour, concept and style.

Highly recommended. CS

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COCKTAIL CORNER

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in association with

Presents the cocktail of the month...

This month’s cocktail features a classic Parisian gem that was first created in the early 1900’s by Harry Cipriani and is thought to be the original inspiration behind the more familiar Margarita and Daiquiri.

THE SIDE CAR

Legend has it that the Sidecar was named for an army Captain and regular patron of Harry’s Bar in Paris whose favoured method of transport to and from the renowned bar was by chauffeur driven motorcycle sidecar. The chilly ride round trip clearly merited a drink capable of warming up the passenger however most of the usual spirit suspects (Whisky, Cognac, etc.) were not normally consumed before dinner.

Harry’s addition of citrus Cointreau and lemon put this little tipple back in the apéritif department making it the perfect mix for an inner warm glow before a meal.

The sugar coated rim and lemon twist are optional but a well-chilled glass is a must.

The Side Car in the mix: 40ml Cognac

20ml Cointreau

30ml Lemon Juice 15ml Sugar Syrup White Sugar

Garnish: Sugar Rim. Lemon Twist Glass: Martini

Method: • Wipe the rim of chilled Martini glass with lemon wedge and rim with sugar granules.

• Add all of the liquid ingredients into a cocktail shaker.

• Fill with fresh ice; shake hard for around 10 seconds or until outside of tin becomes frosted.

• Fine strain the contents into your sugared Martini glass.

• Twist the lemon peel over the drink and then drop in.

• Relax and Enjoy!

THE DAFFODIL IS OFFERING COTSWOLD STYLE READERS SIDE CAR THROUGHOUT MAY...

2 FOR 1* ON A DELICIOUSLY REFRESHING

SIMPLY BRING THIS VOUCHER AND A

FRIEND!

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wine & dine

the glamour of the fifties

The Montpellier Chapter is reviving the glamour and style of the 1950s with chilled out rat pack Sunday evening sessions...

The Montpellier Chapter Bayshill Road, Cheltenham.

Tel: 01242 527788; www.themontpellierchapterhotel.com MAY 2012

Countless people complain on a weekly basis of that dreaded Sunday night feeling. The Sunday roast has been cleared, the newspapers have been read and the only thing meddling around in thought is what lies ahead in the week to come.

That late Sunday afternoon and early evening void is often one which people struggle to fill. It is a time of day when the effects of the night before have probably lifted, the weekend guests may have departed and all you want to do is kick back and relax before the onslaught of the next working week.

In a bid to breathe life back into Sunday afternoons in Cheltenham, The Montpellier Chapter in Bayshill Road has launched its unique Rat Pack style Sunday chill out sessions.

Every week from 5pm until 8pm, you can kick back and immerse yourself in the style and sophistication of the 1950s.

Guests can savour the era through a soundtrack of tunes from greats including Dean Martin, Mr Bojangles and The Rat Pack.

With a cocktail menu to match the music, it is believed that The Chapter’s Sunday Rat Pack sessions will fast become an institution.

Making an appearance on the cocktail menu is a selection of classic 50s favourites. From an Old Fashioned Vodka Martini to a Mai Tai, what better

way to spend a Sunday evening than nestled on a sofa in the glamorous bar area or enjoying the early evening sunshine in The Conservatory with a Pink Gin in hand? To celebrate the 1950s and the Rat Pack generation, two cocktails can be purchased for £10.

For those wanting a bite to eat, The Montpellier Chapter has an eclectic bar menu featuring favourites such as a Trealy Farm cured meat deli board served with piccalilli and cornichons to a selection of pizzas and salads. For those wanting to dine in The Restaurant, why not plump for steak tartare served with toasted country bread or whipped goats’ cheese with beetroot, watermelon and truffle honey.

Every month, The Montpellier Chapter’s menu boasts a dish that is inspired by top author and TV chef Simon Hopkinson who has been influential in shaping the culinary journey at the hotel. His dish of the month for May is celebrating the asparagus season with beautifully cooked Délices d’ Argenteuil. Asparagus spears are wrapped in Parma ham and a crisp pancake then served with a hollandaise sauce. CS

Sunday Night Rat Pack Session. Every Sunday at The Montpellier Chapter from 5pm until 8pm. Two cocktails for £10. www.themontpellierchapterhotel.com

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recipe with Ali Nightingale

brown ie heav en

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recipe with Shelle Duffin

a local

luxury

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1 onio love, crushe chicke Additional in a parmesan flavours to n, fine n. CS d a d nd ulgenc ly chop es – ad lemon ped d crab For m meat o or r @She e recipes and lleDuf t ip s, fo fi Food Writer n or Facebo llow me on T ok – S /Cook helle D witter . uffin –

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Hand Tied Bouquets made to order Wedding Flowers Floral Tributes Corporate Flower Arrangements Delivery Service

Fresh flowers delivered to your door.

Montpellier Flowers have a wealth of experience in all aspects of the floristry business, from cutting-edge contemporary design to traditional elegance.

Please call us on 01242 517777 for orders and enquiries

Or alternatively, visit our shop in the heart of Montpellier, Cheltenham for personal service and advice.

Our address is: 5 Montpellier St, Cheltenham, GL50 1SX

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Montpellier, Cheltenham

Introducing... our £5 Lunch Menu 12noon - 5pm...

Freshly prepared food cooked to order Two for One Breakfasts served from 10am - 12noon

Pictures show actual orders...

Also 15% off our Restaurants with the VIP Card including:

Indian Voojan | Thai Brasserie | India Lounge | Masala Bites | Indian Brasserie AND ALSO Blushes Hairdressing

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www.sohobarmontpellier.com

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wine & dine

a fresh approach Ali Nightingale visits the Soho Bar in Cheltenham...

Montpellier is one area of Cheltenham that forever keeps calling me back.

Cheltonians are inordinately proud of our own little chic shopping and dining district. For me, it is always my first choice of destination, especially if I want to show visitors a real flavour of my hometown. Smack in the middle of vibrant Montpellier Terrace we now have a new venue: The Soho Bar. The Soho Bar is a welcome addition to a stylish street that will benefit from the introduction of a fresh approach to wining and dining, especially in the hands of expert caterers who know Cheltenham well and have an incredibly loyal established clientele.

Ali Ansar and his business partner, cousin Mannan Abdul are no strangers to the local hospitality scene. Under the umbrella of the Brasserie Group, they already run established businesses around Gloucestershire. The Soho Bar may veer from their established template in design and what it offers in terms of food and drink, but the ethos is solidly embedded in their continued mission to provide great customer service.

The cousins intend The Soho Bar to become a ‘stylish hub’ attracting everyone from retirees, to young professionals, business people and Yummy Mummies, as well as the nightflies that flock to Montpellier in search of a perfect place to party.

The Venue The décor is classy and contemporary, with a few showstopping touches.

Thoughtful renovation incudes a dramatic vivid blue back lit bar designed for maximum impact. I also loved the doorway at the back, made from a wall of glass encased wine bottles.

MAY 2012

The Drinks Everything from Premium Beers, to Belvedere and a belting Bloody Mary. A super-smart selection of top-end brands, including my favourite Hendricks Gin. The bar is actually a Gin drinkers dream – the choice is excellent offering Sipsmith, Tanqueray 10, Hoxton and many more of the fashionable brand names. There is a classic cocktail list and a rather cool Champagne table (call me unworldly but I hadn’t seen a table with a sunken ice bucket in the middle before).

I also like the presentation of the wine list, which is split into Old World and New World Wines, making the choices very clear for a French wine lover like me. For those on a budget the Spanish house wine is a great deal at £11.95 a bottle.

The Food Something to tempt you from cake with fresh coffee in the morning, to a bistro style supper menu, which is served until around 9.30pm. I ate lunch there recently which consisted of perfectly cooked fish in a lime and soda batter followed by the most glorious lemon tart. Chef Tyrone and his assistant TJ also aim to provide ‘the best breakfast in town’.

The Verdict This is a place that knows its audience and gives them what they want – and what they want are top brand spirits, well priced food made with good quality ingredients, a stylish interior and a professional, welcoming atmosphere.

“We go above and beyond to ensure a wonderful experience for each guest, providing free Wi-Fi and excellent service to ensure your first visit will not be your last.”

With the introduction of a Private Lounge, a VIP card which will offer great discounts, and even the possibility of their own magazine, The Soho Bar will undoubtedly go from strength to strength and establish itself as a major player in the Montpellier hospitality scene. All I need now is an excuse to book the Champagne Table and quaff Louis Roederer Cristal to my hearts content. CS Soho Bar, tel: 01242 510999 www.sohobarmontpellier.com

The Atmosphere Lounge bar vibe at the rear of the venue, bistro tables outside for shoppers to chat over coffee, smart enough for business people to entertain at lunchtime, hip enough to attract the hustle and bustle of night time Montpellier. Hot destination venue that has the ‘day to night’ balance just right and manages to hit the sweetspot at any given time of day.

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travel

West End girls (and boys)

Fancy a weekend away this summer? The West End is the heart of the vibrant city of London and has plenty to offer for those looking for fun and excitement or just a little pampering. Here, Lara Dunn gives you the ultimate guide to the West End...

Why choose to visit London for a weekend break?

At just over two hours by train direct from Cheltenham, the UK’s capital is an easy and laid back (or wild and untamed) option for a mini-break. Whether you are looking to celebrate a special occasion, start the new season with both a new wardrobe and a new and rejuvenated you, or just take in the bright lights of the big city, London really does has something for everyone.

Why the West End in particular?

The West End is quite simply the beating heart of the vibrant organism that is London. Basing yourself here guarantees quick and easy access to entertainment, restaurants, sights and shopping aplenty, without even needing to use the tube if you’d rather not. On foot is a great way to see all London has to offer. How on earth are you going to do all that window shopping if you’re not pressing your nose up against those windows as you go?

Where’s a good place to stay?

Sanderson on Berners Street, just a 5 minute walk from Oxford Circus is sited in the building that once housed the Sanderson Textile Factory. Some of the original building’s features have been preserved, including the stunning stained glass window in what is now the Billiard

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Room. Rooms are stylish and modern, with accents by designer Philippe Starck, the bars (both the Long Bar and the more intimate residents only Purple Bar) are extremely popular, there’s a luxurious spa offering Jurlique treatments, and the breakfasts will keep you going all day if you want them to. It’s big with the fashion crowd too, so keep your eyes peeled for celebrity visitors.

Is the shopping all it’s cracked up to be?

Quite simply, yes. You’d be hard pressed, as would your credit card, to run out of shopping opportunities in the West End. Oxford Street and Regent Street alone house the biggest branches of all the high street stars, as well as a host of more exclusive and designer outlets like Anthropologie, Hoss Intropia, Hamley’s, Levis, Armani Exchange, Calvin Klein and Timberland. Factor in Debenhams, John Lewis, House of Fraser and Selfridges and you’d be forgiven for spending a day in the department stores alone. John Lewis offer a free of charge fashion advice session of up to two hours. The friendly and helpful specialists will help with general queries or more specific concerns and aren’t on commission, so there’s no pressure to buy. One of the high points of any West End shopping experience has got to be a visit to the unutterably decadent Shoe

Galleries in Selfridges, home to some 10,000 pairs of shoes to suit all pockets, followed by a cheeky cocktail in Gordon’s bar one floor down. When you’re done, head down the streets leading off the main arteries where smaller shops and boutiques await in droves.

What can you do to recover?

Why not get a manicure at the Nails Inc nail bar in Debenhams? Men might want to consider taking refuge in the sanctuary of Gieve’s & Hawkes Gentleman’s Tonic, where they can experience a professional wet shave and a welcome sit down, before heading back into the fray.

What if you need a break from the shopping?

For a dose of culture to help offset any reckless retail escapades, there’s the Royal Academy on Piccadilly, with a constant stream of excellent exhibitions, as well as the British Museum, National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery all within walking distance. The less well-known Haunch of Venison gallery tucked down New Bond Street is a good venue in which to catch more avant garde exhibitions and it’s free of charge.

Where can you go to refuel?

Keeping body and soul together in the MAY 2012

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travel

West End is easy. It’s virtually impossible to not find a restaurant or bar where you can keep those energy levels topped up.

Good lunchtime options include Tibits, offering an innovative buffet of superbly diverse vegetarian food, while Busaba Eathai is one to consider for a tasty Asian fusion experience. For the evening, it’s hard to find fault with The Criterion, on the edge of Piccadilly Circus and glowing with old world neo-Byantine charm and flawless food or the more laid back continental atmosphere of Piccolino, with well cooked Italian dishes and great cocktails.

The night is yet young…

New York may be the ‘city that never sleeps’, but London doesn’t lag far behind. A West End show is a must for any stay. Ghost is a visually impressive stage version of the 1990 Patrick Swayze and Whoopi Goldberg classic, and a nostalgia inducing night out for those of a certain age. Soho and the surrounding area are a hive of trendy bars for a night cap afterwards. CS MAY 2012

Contacts First Great Western Trains www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk

Sanderson Hotel & Agua Spa 50 Berners Street, W1T 3NG Queen sized double rooms from £215 www.sandersonlondon.com Busaba Eathai 35 Panton Street, SW1Y 4EA 0207 390 0088; www.busaba.com

John Lewis Fashion Advice Free of charge- Booking required 300 Oxford Street, W1A 1EX 0203 073 0564; www.johnlewis.com

Gentleman’s Tonic at Gieves & Hawkes Wet shaves from £35 1 Savile Row, W1S 3JR; 0207 432 6441 www.gievesandhawkes.com Nails Inc at Debenhams Manicures from £17.50 334-348 Oxford Street, W1C 1JG

0844 561 6161; www.debenhams.co.uk

Criterion Restaurant 224 Piccadilly, W1J 9HP; 0207 930 0488 www.criterionrestaurant.com Ghost the Musical Tickets from £31.50 Piccadilly Theatre, W1D 7DY www.piccadillytheatre.org www.cheaptheatretickets.com

Tibits 14-18 Heddon Street, W1B 4DA 0207 758 4110; www.tibits.co.uk www.regentstreetonline.com Piccolino 21 Heddon Street, W1B 4BG 0207 287 4029 www.piccolinorestaurants.co.uk www.regentstreetonline.com West End Shopping and Entertainment www.westendvip.com www.heartoflondonbid.co.uk

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LIVE INTERNATIONAL RUGBY RETURNS TO KINGSHOLM

BARBARIANS VS IRELAND Tuesday 29th May 2012 Kick off 7.45pm

Barbarians Coach - John Kirwin & Players include: Iain Balshaw (ENG), Mike Tindall (ENG), Akapusi Qera (FIJI), Shane Williams (WAL), Joe Rokocoko (NZ), Cédric Heymans (FR), Stephen Jones (WAL), plus many more International stars...

Book your tickets to watch Barbarians take on Ireland Ticket prices from £15 for Adults, £12 Concessions and £5 for Juniors.

Book tickets today at: www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk Call the ticket hotline on: 0871 871 8781 - option 2 * Hospitality packages available from £90 plus VAT. Call 0871 871 8781 - option 4 * for more information * Calls to this number cost 10p per minute from BT landline. Charges from other networks may vary.

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sporting style

sporting style This month in Sporting Style we talk to Cheltenham Town football star Shane Duff turned football coach. Gatcombe Spring Horse trials where Zara Phillips was competing.

A group of intrepid cyclists embark on a 500 mile bike ride for local charity PROPS. Classes from Fitness First for a lean, toned summer body and Ian Coley GB Olympic Clay Coach.

Sponsored by

01242 573327 www.jsfacilitiesgroup.co.uk

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COTSWOLD CRICKET MUSEUM

BREWERY YARD, STOW-ON-THE-WOLD GL54 1AA

NOW OPEN

A fascinating display of cricket items covering the complete history of cricket from its early days to the present – including blazers, caps, bats, photographs, paintings, china, letters, tv showing rare footage and much more...

g{x ZÜtvx

Where you can also enjoy coffee, tea and cakes etc. and FREE Wi-Fi in

TEA & COFFEE LOUNGE

Displaying the stunning artwork of

CHRISTINA PIERCE Cricket Artist

CCM

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Supporting The Bunbury’s Cricket charity For all enquiries call Andy Collier on 07768 840906

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style event

See more socials at www.stylemagazines.co.uk Cricket Museum launch

Cotswold Cricket Museum enjoyed a fantastic opening night with David English unveiling his portrate by Chrstina Pierce. World’s leading cricket historian David Frith opened the Cricket Museum. Lord Vesty was also a special guest. Everybody enjoyed wine and canapÊs with a trip through the fanastic museum.

Photography by Spencer McPherson

Becky Knuff, Rachel Mousell and Kim Willis

Andy Collier an

David English

Christina Pierce Lord Vestey David English and Andy Collier

d David Frith

James and Sally Bates with Linda Harris

David English - Marian & Andy Collier

David English

Linda Harris and Lucy Minton

Will and Lucy Arkell MAY 2012

Lord Vestey with Donna and Geoffrey Keeys

Mandeep Shula and Sanjay Prabhakar

Marian and Andy Collier with David Frith and David English

Mel and Tom Bayne

Rod and Isabelle Clay

Robert and Julie Bird

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sporting style

growth through sport Former Cheltenham Town football star Shane Duff turned football coach shares his skills and expertise to help young children grow in confidence and personal development through sport...

Photograph Clive Burling

MAY 2012

What is coaching for kids? Is it a pastime simply to take up time in school holidays, is it a requirement for a child’s development in a particular sport or is it diverse environment for a child to mould their own identity and personality.

I believe it is all of these.

My industry is football and a child attending my sessions will grow both in ability and as a young human being.

That’s my goal anyway!

To be successful in education and future working lives it is important to have developed good communication skills. Where better to do this than in an environment where emotions change as quick as the English weather.

Children interacting constantly during highs and lows, learning to deal with situations swiftly; to see the consequences of their actions and immediately having to deal with them, I see it as a magnified version of school life where everything takes much longer.

The emotions felt in 20 hours of coaching sessions would take months of school life to replicate. But similar to school is that it is all being done whilst in a disciplined surrounding.

All of this can be done whilst having fun. As a coach I find it hugely important to retain attention and fun is the best way to do this. A child gets bored easily and their attention span is small, so an environment where they feel they can smile and express themselves is paramount.

Any person often finds it difficult to express themselves if they aren’t good at talking. Sport offers an alternative tool to express emotion and a good coach will develop coaching sessions that allow creativity. A secondary value from this is confidence and this is huge in any personal development when trying to find their way in life.

We can all recall a situation where we have had feeling of self doubt and it often relates to something we failed at.

If a child feels confident in their make up they will walk into an exam, a job interview or a meeting with their shoulders back and a spring in their step.

If they never have an opportunity to express themselves and succeed they will not have the opportunity to grow in confidence.

I am not saying sport or football in specific is the only way to go but it definitely gives lots of opportunities for personal growth and development, even away from the sports field.

My past is professional football, my future is unknown as yet but I am making my point to try to nurture talent and possibly help young footballers become a lot better than I was (won’t be that hard!). I am keen to get into a lecturing capacity too so football elitism isn’t my only goal. I see sport as much more than that. It can be such a great influence. CS Follow Shane on Twitter @duffo16

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Rendcomb College

In glorious sunshine, a village fete, football marathon and run launched Rendcomb’s Big Charity Day in aid of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and local Gloucestershire charities.

Photography by Mike Charity

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fitness

top five fitness classes If you’re looking to achieve a lean and toned body for the summer, these fantastic fitness classes from Fitness First will get results fast...

1. Les Mills Bodypump (Instructor Jessica McDonald) Bodypump is the original barbell class that will sculpt, tone and strengthen your entire body fast! The class has been developed by ‘Les Mills TM’ The breakthrough resistance workout focuses on low loads and high repetitions which will have you burning fat, gaining strength and produce the lean body we all strive to achieve. In this class we challenge all of the major muscle groups with squats, presses, lifts and curls all choreographed to the latest chart toping music creating more than 800 repetitions in each 60 minute class!

2. Cycle First (Rick Adams) With Fitness First’s Cycle First you are experiencing a top cardiovascular work out on a stationary bicycle. We have banging tunes that we use as motivation to climb hills, race the track, we push further with endurance and then we have the ultimate interval training! We challenge our legs by isolation during the workout, which engages our core muscles to achieve that ultimate toned body!

Fitness First, Unit 16, The Brewery Henrietta Street, Cheltenham, GL50 4FA. Tel: 01242 545 740 www.fitnessfirst.co.uk MAY 2012

3. Zumba (Emily Poole) Let your hair down and lose your inhibitions with this fantastic Latin inspired dance work out. This calorie burning class will have you shaking and twisting your thing using every muscle in your body! This means one thing, using

energy and burning fat! Something we all want to do. The best part is that you are smiling all the way through.

4. Les Mills Bodybalance (Jessica McDonald) Bodybalance is the Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates workout that builds flexibility and strength and leaves you feeling centered and calm. Our instructor will take you through easy flowing Tai Chi moves to leave your day behind, centre and warm your body. We then move onto various Yoga and Pilates sequences to strengthen and tone your key muscle groups. Finally we finish with 10 minutes of relaxation and meditation. We improve your flexibility, core strength, cardiovascular function and reduce stress levels all while burning those calories.

5. ‘Mel B’ Workout (Jessica McDonald) This ultimate fat burning workout will have you lunging, jumping and pressing your way to fitness. The workout is a plyometrics based routine that challenges every part of your body. We begin slowly with a warm up, progressing to power lunges, burpess, push-ups, squat jumps and more!

Finishing with a killer core track. Make no mistake this is not just a work out for the girls, this class is for the hard core that mean business when it comes to weight loss! You will see results fast with this routine. CS

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Gatcombe Spring Horse Trials Bill Levett riding Uplala.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY SPUN GOLD TV

Zara Phillips celebrates a fourth place finish at Gatcombe with HRH The Princess Royal.

Gatcombe Spring Horse Trials

Jennifer Saunders watching the Cross Country with Pattie Biden the Event Organiser.

The Princess Royal, Gatcombe Park.

The event featured an entry of 250 on each day including a number of leading international riders. The event featured dressage, show jumping and cross-country phases and amongst the leading international status riders competing at the event was Gatcombe-based Zara Phillips.

Cotswold Style’s competition winners enjoyed a personally hosted day with lunch in the hospitality suite and an exclusive chauffeured tour of the course in a Land Rover.

Photography by Fiona Scott-Maxwell

THIS PHOTOGRAPH AND ABOVE COURTESY SPUN GOLD TV

Actress Jennifer Saunders enjoyed a day at Gatcombe Park with HRH The Princess Royal.

The hugely popular Gatcombe Spring Horse Trials drew enthusiastic crowds over two days at the home of HRH

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Gatcombe Spring Horse Trials

Zara Phillips competing on Silver Lining.

Clarke Johnstone riding Call Me Al.

Zara Phillips riding High Kingdom.

Cotswold Style winners Alison and Malcolm Evans.

Rider Georgie Spence.

Rider Michael Owen.

MAY 2012

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Claire Vorstman, Mollie Woolnough-Rai, Hannah Smith and Ellie Mottershead

ll, Nicola O'Donne on ie ll, Kat Johnst Aidan O'Donne ll ne and Jeff O'Don

Sophie Bayntun, Jeraize Tombs, Mia Cleary, Pippa Wilson, Lucy Parkinson and Lois Johnson

Liz Devlin, Christine Fitton, Leah Devlin, Sarah Deakin, Carol Jones, Tegan Jones and Becky Andrews

Belinda Carruthers with Simon and Marian Waters

David Shepherd -Cross, Chair m an RDA, Kathy M ottershead, Gro up Instructor RDA , and Roger Wils on Treasurer, RDA

Emily Waters, Gill Abbatt and Ann Arkel

Gina Farrow, Rachel Clewley, Clare Green, Ann Simmons and Peta Hoyle

Olympic rider Charlotte Dujardin with 13 year old Aidan O'Donnell and 24 year old Sally Hatherall who all gave a riding demonstration.

Ranulph and Hope Middleton

View of guests during the riding display 142 COTSWOLD STYLE

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Cotswold RDA Fundraiser Appeal

European Gold Medallist and Team GB member Charlotte Dujardin put on a stunning dressage display at the Cotswold Riding for the Disabled centre, based at Cheltenham racecourse, on Tuesday, February 21st. The special presentation, performed in front of over 150 invited guests, launched Cotswold RDA’s fundraising appeal to raise essential funds to build an extension.

Photography by Mike Charity

11:04

Charlotte Dujardin in action at the RDA Centre evening.

MAY 2012

sense of achievement

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charity focus

We continue in our series of articles charting the progress of a group of intrepid cyclists who are embarking on a 500 mile bike ride from Bristol to Bordeaux in June for the local charity PROPS.

PROPS: Our unique inclusive organisation works tirelessly in our community to create opportunities ranging from vocational enterprise, health related fitness and our ground breaking partnership with Adalines Social Farm Project (Tetbury). Here, students with severe learning difficulties learn tradition farm craft and explore marketing at first hand. The Bristol to Bordeaux Cycle Challenge is instrumental in funding these initiatives.

If you would like to support us please visit our Just Giving site www.justgiving.com/Pedal4PROPS and follow us on Twitter @P4PCotswolds

For Frank Lemoir age, 21, Stuart Moss, 18 and Matthew Robbinson, 19 a sense of excitement and fast progressing achievement is in the air.

Frank, a student at PROPS Vassals Centre and Matthew a student in his final term at Briarwood Sixth Form school, will be partaking for the second year in the Bristol to Bordeaux ride.

Stuart, also a student at Briarwood will be joining his peers for the first time.

A great deal has been achieved for both Frank and Matthew since last year’s ride, not least a marked increase in confidence and a growing sense of independence.

For Frank his excitement comes as he is hoping to embark upon this years ride under full control of two wheels, a huge step on from riding tandem in June 2011.

Frank, a regular visitor to the All Abilities Cycling Centre in St Pauls Bristol, where he has proved very recently his ability to control his own bike, helping to make things a lot easier when out on the open roads in June. In Frank’s eyes this is the most exciting part of this year’s

challenge. Looking to the future his aspirations stretch to starting his level 1 Bike Ability training following the ride.

Both Matthew and Stuart are on track before June to achieve level 1 in Bike Ability, this will be the culmination of their efforts over the last 12 months.

The boys have been put through their paces each week through both playground work and supervised use of the Bristol to Bath cycle path, handling skills and speed control are just some of the areas covered.

Essential Bicycle maintenance has also featured in this years training, degreasing and re-oiling, the changing of inner tubes in response to punctures and general clean down and care of their bikes are included. The boys will be encouraged to circulate with the riders offering their support and help.

With this in mind the students have been tasked during this year’s bike challenge in offering a basic check to the riders at the end of each day, enabling them to form a credible part of the riders support team. CS

Follow the team’s progress on Twitter (@P4PCotswolds) and Facebook. Please visit their just giving site www.justgiving.com/pedal4props to help the team reach their goal of £3,600 which covers the cost of three students and their carers taking part in this year’s challenge. www.propsforward.org

MAY 2012

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MAY 2012

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sport

OLYMPIC DREAMS

As GB Olympic Clay Coach, Ian Coley is proud to be involved in the London Games for the sixth year running.

Ian Coley Shooting School, Nr Andoversford, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Tel: 01242 870391; info@coley.co.uk; www.iancoley.co.uk MAY 2012

Nestled in the Heart of the Cotswolds is probably one of the finest shooting grounds in the UK, the Ian Coley Shooting School. The ground now boasts a Gunshop, Shooting School and Sporting Agency all under one roof. The phrase of clay shooting conjures up thoughts of a field with a few straw bales, nothing could be further from the truth. The ground has had over £1million spent on it in the last couple of years, improving the facilities including the updating of the Cotswold stone lodge, introducing gravelled pathways and a series of enclosed stands insuring you can shoot in the dry and not a sign of mud.

Ian has managed to juggle his work commitments with his role as GB Olympic Clay coach. London 2012 will be Ian’s last in that role and is his 6th Olympiad that he has been coach. In 2000 Ian coached Richard Faulds to Olympic Gold and Ian today still has the same passion for success and it will be fitting for Ian to bow out at the London Games.

“I have a passion for what I do, I am very fortunate to be able to have a business that is my passion. From the early days as a gamekeeper to today I have always put the customer first and ensured that every detail is about adding service and value” said Ian Ian is Gloucestershire born and bred, having grown up in Elkstone, Nr Cirencester, when his Mother and Father ran the Highwayman Inn. Having started as a gamekeeper on the nearby Coombe End Estate a twist of fate saw Ian start to work at Fletchers in Cheltenham in the gunsmith department. Ian was

already shooting for his county and then England, but early on Ian knew he wanted to work for himself. In 1970 Ian began Ian Coley Gunsmiths in the High Street, Cheltenham.

Forty years on Ian has moved his gunshop from the High Street to his new, fully equipped shooting school. The story is far from simple. Ian developed his gunshop, still shooting for his country and, subsequently, for Great Britain, soon becoming a leading shooter and gunshop owner. Ian could be found travelling the motorways of England taking guns to new and existing clients.

In the mid 80’s Ian began to offer corporate clay shooting days at stately homes. From there Ian began to coach the stars of tomorrow and expand his venture into letting game days.

“The opportunity to buy my partners out of the shooting school came about, it led to the gunshop being located onsite and that gives what I believe is one of the finest shooting establishments in the UK. Our client list includes celebrities, leading sportstars, Lords & Lady’s plus many well known business owners,” Coley continued.

Ian has extended the shooting school and redeveloped it, now making the shooting school one of the finest in the country. The ground caters for novice and expert alike, with regular taster days for people to experience the great sport of clay shooting. The school boasts Olympic layouts, comprehensive training facilities, gunroom, offices and full range of country clothing. Ian is seen as one of the best game shots in the country, a leading coach and a successful owner of three shooting enterprises. CS

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YYour our w world orld is anything thing but flat. That’ That’ss why yyou ou n need eed a car car with with its wheels firmly firmly on the ground mud gr ound that ccan an hold h the rroad, oad, tthe he m ud ttrack, rack, even occasional the hillside and e ven the oc casional rriver. iver. A like new Drive Forester. ccar ar lik e the ne wA All-Wheel Driv eF oresterr.

CALL C ALL IN OR R CALL CALL US T TODAY. ODAY. THREE COUNTIES SUBARU JUNCTION 1, M50, A38, SHUTHONGER, TEWKESBURY, GLOUCESTERSHIRE GL20 6EH TELEPHONE: 01684 296999 WEB: THREECOUNTIESSUBARU.CO.UK Subaru ET ETC C° applies to to all new new Subaru aru UK supplied vvehicles ehicles registered registered in the UK from from o 1st 1st February February 2012. Excludes Excludes vehicles vehicles for for Taxi Taxi and/or Private Private Hire Hire purposes. All servic services es subject ect tto o availability. availability. Non-transferable.

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No ccash ash equiv equivalent alent available. available. Customer Customer mer has the right to to cancel cancel the policy within 14 days ays fr from om the commencement commencement of the policy. policy. Policy Policy cy valid valid for for a duration duration of 36 months from from date date of commencement. commencement. Claim limits apply. appl ly. Pl Please ease ask a member of the team team e ffor or full tterms erms and cconditions onditions or visit www.subaru.co.uk. www.subaru.c ubaru.co.uk.

Forester range Forester range fuel consumption consumption mption in mpg(l/100km): Urban from from 29.1 (9.7) to to 39.8 (7.1). Extra Extra urban from from 44.1 (6.4) to to 54.3 (5.2). Combined from from 37.7 (7.5) to to 47.9 (5.9). CO2 emis emissions sions from from 174 74 tto o 155 (g/km).

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smooth as butter…

motoring

Eric Barton tests the Subaru 2.0 diesel Forester.

Clunk clunk clunk went the tractor. Or in some cases a number of SUVs I could mention. Having your fillings shaken to the point of destruction when you start up a diesel is no fun. A silky smooth transition from starting the ignition to pulling way is surely the best option.

Subaru have very niftily managed to produce a diesel engine that does just that.

The new Subaru Forester diesel is a third-generation update, with a new 2.0-litre diesel engine purring away at its soul. The new power plant is linked to a six-speed manual gearbox and officially returns 7.2 per cent better fuel economy (47.9mpg) with lower emissions (155g/km), increased torque and a host of improved refinements. The top speed is 116 mph. The list of additions isn’t exactly endless, but it is note worthy and they do make a huge improvement. The new Forester embraces an improved common-rail fuel-injection system, a more efficient turbo-charging system, new camshaft timing, a better cooling system, the use of lighter connecting rods and a smaller alternator.

Exterior design modifications are relatively minor to those of you who know the Forester well, but the beady-eyed amongst you will notice MAY 2012

there’s a new chrome finish to the grille, a more solid look to the wing mirrors, a new instrument binnacle and a newly designed steering wheel.

Inside the cabin its functionality all round, with a nice touch of simplicity coupled to comfort and the leather seats in the XS NAVPLUS model (which I drove) added a plush feel to the overall environment. Subaru do make a point of leaning towards simplicity in the control and dash dept, which in my mind is no bad thing. You get exactly what you need and it can come fairly loaded with kit; including sat-nav, reversing camera, CD player, leather seats, an electric driver’s seat and keyless entry. Learning your way round the dials and buttons is quick and easy, so you won’t need to go to evening class, or spend hours glaring at the drivers’ manual to get to grips with the functions.

The approach to Cleeve Hill at the back of Cheltenham is a good grunting test for any SUV, providing both winding roads and a fairly steep ascent. The Forester 2.0 diesel engine easily handled this climb. It’s buttery smooth and delivers good levels of acceleration through all the gears.

A 0-62mph time of 10.3sec isn’t exactly Usain Bolt, but neither does it feel snail-like or laboured in a car of this size.

It isn’t about tearing the tarmac. It’s about comfort, form and function. The boxer engine never shouts its mouth off. It just produces a gentle murmur that’s attractive in its own right. The six-speed gearbox is a real technical treat and is very easy to push along, even on the M5 and M40.

Road noise is acceptable and having conversations without the need for a mega phone is easy with wind noise minimal.

The handling is on the softer side of firm. This in itself means that all the humps and bumps that we have in good old Gloucestershire do get soaked up.

The steering is fairly precise with the control inputs easy and nicely weighted.

Again this SUV isn’t about going round corners on rails. It’s more about handling rutted roads, trundling along farm tracks with ease and cruising around town with a degree of calm and poise.

I really liked the Subaru 2.0 diesel Forester. The chunky look did appeal to me and if you buckle this up to a top-notch engine, you have the makings of one very smooth SUV. Prices for the diesel variants start at £24,820. CS For more information: www.threecountiessubaru.co.uk Tel 01684 296999.

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Countess pours first pint to celebrate Cirencester pub relaunch

The Golden Cross Inn, Cirencester, finally opened its doors to the public on Friday 30th of March. The Black Jack Street pub, which had undergone a complete makeover over the month of March, was opened by The Countess of Bathurst, Peter Lindesay, father of Landlord Mark and George Arkell of brewery Arkells over a Charity Lunch.

George Arkell and Mark Lindesay

Stephen Reeves Alice Arkell and

John Henry of Accounting

By Design and Sarah Doe

Marc Webber of The Marlborough with Ray Hughes and Sian Chandler

Matt Evans and Alastair McClair of Cotswold Luxury

Peter Jankingson and Alice Briethwaite

Guests tuck into the special launch buffet prepared by Justin Ashley

Jonathan Rooke of Straight PR and George Arkell of Arkells Brewery

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Jonathan Rooke of Straight PR and The Countess B athurst

Mark Lindesay and Bill Daley of The Crown Inn, Cirencester

Loreen Shewry and Head Chef Justin Ashley

George Arkell, The Countess Bathurst, Peter Lindesay, Mark Lindesay and James Arkell

Steve Berry, Roland Hughes and Joe Harris

Chef Jess Bryan and Cllr Joe Harris

Gordon Hood of The Slammerz and Mark Lindesay MAY 2012

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motoring

drive in style Over the following pages we turn your dreams into reality...

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motoring

a headturner Jim McGill test drives the new Seat Ibiza...

These are exciting times for Seat, the Spanish car manufacturer which sits comfortably under the gain Volkswagen Group umbrella.

As if paella, rioja, and the rather questionable sangria, wasn’t enough to excite the Spaniards, there’s also the imminent arrival in the UK of the Mii, the Spanish company’s take on the brilliant Volkswagen Up. And as if that wasn’t enough, there’s also the brand new Toledo which was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Those with good memories will remember the first Toledo was Seat’s first car based on a VW Golf platform, and was a runaway success.

The new Toledoa is another ‘saloonshaped hatchback’, but instead of using the underpinnings of the Golf, it will actually be a sister of the Polo. And it’s the Polo which forms the core of the facelifted Seat Ibiza.

The results of the Ibiza’s mid-life facelift are genuinely impressive: and, cleverly, Seat hasn’t upped the prices of the new car.

So, what does the facelifted car get?

How about reshaped headlights, a smaller and ‘sharper’ front grille and a new trapezoidal lower grille for starters?

And if that’s not enough, then there’s MAY 2012

also a new glovebox, which is double the size of that in the previous model: new typography on the instrument dials and, last but not least, a more muscularlooking bonnet.

There’s a clutch of engine options, including the 141bhp 2.0TDI CR, which will set you back £16,340; the 148bhp 1.4TSI, fitted with a DSG gearbox, costing £15,870, and an entry-level 1.2TSI. This four-cylinder powerplant churns out a respectable 103bhp, and with prices starting at £13,465, it’s probably the most appealing car in the new range.

Ok, it’s not going to blow the opposition away in the 0-62mph ‘sprint’ it takes relatively leisurely 9.8secs - but that’s to miss the point entirely.

The 1.2TSI, while more than happy cruising the motorway or darting through the Cotswold A-roads, is at its best mixing it with the opposition in the country towns. And here it truly sparkles.

Clever use of gearing ratios in the fivespeed ‘box means it skips delightfully through the streets, whether it’s in second or third gear: most cars tend to struggle slightly when they’re negotiating traffic in such low gears. The result is hassle-free motoring, which is actually very pleasant.

There remains a slight psychological difficulty: we’re all so used now to driving

manual gearboxes with six gears, that it’s strange to jump in a new car with only five: hey-ho!

But there are more benefits which outweigh any perceived lacking due to the ‘missing’ gear. Not only is the steering light, precise and well-balanced, the new Ibiza delivers surprisingly sporty levels of grip.

That ability to cling to the road surface comes by dint of the car’s lightweight petrol unit being upfront. That, in turn, allows the chassis to remain perfectly balanced. I promise you: it’ll put a big smile on your face.

Inside the cabin, even at motorway speeds, it’s a quiet, relaxed atmosphere in which to sit: Seat has obviously used quite a bit of sound deadening in the new car. The result is excellent.

It’s also a smart, functional and clean environment in which to sit. The seats are supportive and comfortable; allround visibility is excellent, and all the main dials are clear and simple to read.

With a comprehensive range of twodoor, five-door and estate models, the new Ibiza really does have something for everyone. Add in the fact that it’s a bit of a headturner, economical and nippy to drive, as well as being fun, and you’ll discover Seat has delivered something of a winner. CS

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society society

Badminton on theHorse Trialswagon welcome

Glosse Glosse Posse Posse Spy Spy -- G.P.S. G.P.S. -- navigating navigating your your way way round round the the social social scene scene of the Cotswolds... of the Cotswolds...

This column isn’t precursor Half month’s of the Cotswolds nowaseem to be to in The of athis month’s social social swirl lock Shindig down after particularly stretch; it’s more anthe odecoming to May’s of a March.

It’s like of greatest catchYear up inonce the the Cotswolds. another New Festival The Badminton Horse Trials. is over as everyone reaches for the Even ifand you no interest in Berocca thehave broccoli and puts horses and think all equines aside the continuous pints of should be relegated John Wayne movies Guinness andtothe mindset that it’s and annualfor flutter on atthe Epsom OK an to reach alcohol 10am Derby, Badminton – or rather Line whilst listening to the Morning horrifically referred to as ‘Badders’ – repeats. is aCall great meday oldout. and boring, but this Whether friends with a GPS actuallywith quite likes itarmed when detox picnic of With the mainly liquid,prime lime time hits.

April being optional variety; it’s or with the kids deadline month, imperative thatand I’m the lesseyed fun and paraphernalia nappies bright bushy tailedoffor the and Sudocrem, Badminton come office.

I can no longer pretend thatrain I or always a lorra lorra laughs. canshine partyislike I’m 19 – although I try my Or as we’re in Gloucestershire, a lot of damned hardest to. harHowever, har hhhaaarrrrss. no sooner have I turned my There several reasonssocial why life, I love back on aare Sancerre-fuelled Badminton and why starts.

I very,My veryday rarely then the polo season job is miss a cross country dayPolo spent watching Features Editor of The Magazine, a the thepolo horsey world sortsuperheroes of ‘Tatler’ ofofthe world close their eyes and take the leap into is (www.thepolomagazine.com) and April the Duke Beaufort’s lakeoff whilst I The monthofwhen it all kicks again. drink their Dutch courage theonce Pig and polo Clubs are teeming withatlife Whistle pop up more. Ponies arebar. looking fit and healthy From a bit ofeven canvas openingand the players more so. shopping to actually horse on When Jilly Cooper seeing penneda her classic, the yesbewehonest do occasionally Polocourse – and –let’s the Bible to wander away from refreshments most teenage girls –the its by-line was ‘a – there of good to legendare of plenty fair women andreasons brave men’. make surenot you’re Glosthe that Now I’m sureinabout fairweekend women – (this 3rd 7th ripped May). jeans, sloppy we allyear seem to–wear Here are a few motives keep alpagatas and our more brunette tressestoflowing you end than of the M4. dresses and freelythis rather pristine • Playing weather roulette.

Willthe it be equally pristine blonde hair – but super and sunny playersstifling are indeed brave. e.g. adopt the Country withcane a pairtoof AnyoneFestival using alook bamboo hitcut a offs, andsize yourof(or someone plasticHunters sphere the a cricket ball whilst galloping at 30mph has to have a

MAY 2012

APRIL 2012

WITH W ITH CHARLEY C HARLEY LLARCOMBE ARCOMBE

Sergey Petrov Shutterstock.com

touch of a Homer hero about them.

There are idols such as Luke Tomlinson, else’s) boyfriend’s jumperbut or ismost it several the England polo captain Barbours a rather unattractive waxed commonlyand known to the general public as hat found stuffed down the back oneyou of the warriors who stormed the seat behind the dog’s during bed? Itthe sounds a House of Commons bit annoying March, but it wouldn’t be England Countryside and ex-Gloucester ifrugby thereman wasn’t a bitpolo of aprofessional, rain gambleTom turned going on. will hate me for mentioning Beim (who • Party Time.

I’mpitch keeping fingers and him).

Brave on the and off. toes crossed that Guy onefour day Because everyone hasPelly beenwill at the be allowed to bring après Badminton corners of the world,his following the sport party back to the park.

I knowthe there and the sunshine, April marks time were naughty whensome they return to people Englishwho soil. probably April docked the Duke’s trees or as used also indicates primeyew gossip time we some marquee for haven’tpoor seenstall eachholder’s other for about six months and there’s much mischief to be

something a little more amorous had and heard about.

Gossip flowsthan much the Country display better with a Living beer in slash hand Aga so check outbut the come 2011’s us all Tunnelonatguys.

Coates or theparty Bell with at Sapperton dancing in the daylight to the some for Cirencester cronies or Catvery and rah but very atgood DJ was brilliant.

In its Custard Shipton Moyne for the absence always a good Beaufortthough, beautiesthere’s and a stare at Prince après Harry.sesh’ at The Vine Tree at Malmesbury.

Make a detour.

Naturally I’m a little biased,And but Ibook reallya taxi year inthere advance. don’ta think is anything better than an • Ollie Townend.

Or sitting William afternoon with friends, in Fox-Pitt. the Or in factsipping any of drinks the ridiculously sunshine, and then brave or ridiculously madand riders who watching the speed thrill of think a fast it’s and afurious bit of sport. afternoon over two Aprilfun maytobeleap a little short Mitsubishi on sunshine,pick butups. evenThese wateryguys raysand count their amazing horses regularly bringand so grab your divot-stomping shoes some rather over-sentimental tears to my head out to polo. eyes as they around a course Looks likegallop I’m very quickly stepping made upwagon, of jumps manyfor a GPS off the onlythat to reach a can barely seedrink. over. welcome • Make a visit to the Dubarry stand.

Not only are the boots gorgeous CO-ORDINATES FOR THE (c’mon they’re essentially a CALENDAR Gloucestershire but also the Throw in to theuniform) polo season guys and S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G theof In Glos’, we’re fortunate togirls haveon two are good fun and always thestand country’s best Clubs, sothey sneak along to offer you a glass of Beaufort champagne.

Make Cirencester Park or to get a slice sure you askaction. them about their end of of the polo A social membership day parties. They’re and for thethe to Cirencester is onlylegendary a few readies tales getand taller and more tawdry. wholealways summer includes getting your car and your homies in. Pimms is extra...

CO-ORDINATES FOR THE CALENDAR Don’t be shy There are no other Dates for your Missy Malone, one of the UK’s bestDiary than this. GPSs usually broken in burlesque acts is are coming to Cheltenham both bank on balance andofinApril. healthDon’t afterbe Playhouse the 21st this bank– holiday. prudish reach forCS those feathers! Call 01242 522852. CS Follow me on Twitter: @CharleyLarcombe Follow me on Twitter: Read my blog: @CharleyLarcombe stilettosinthesticks.blogspot.com Read my blog: stilettosinthesticks.blogspot.com

COTSWOLD STYLE 155

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marketing

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marketing

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interview

Sir Tom

Andrew Marshall interviewed one of music’s living legends...

Photograph Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

Tom Jones will be appearing live at the Kingsholm Stadium at Gloucester Rugby on Friday June 22nd 2012. Book your tickets at www.liveatkingsholm.com or contact the ticket office on 0871 8718781 option 2.

MAY 2012

From behind me up goes a female cry of: “Oh, its Thomas!” Fortunately, at that impressionable age, my tea time TV viewing was not followed by a pair of knickers flying across the room.

Now a familiar face on our television screens in the highly popular The Voice, Thomas John Woodward began his early singing career in his school choir, at weddings and family gatherings. Born in Pontypridd in South Wales in 1940, the son of a coalminer, he says: “I was never into actively playing sports, so knew that wasn’t the path for me. But I knew I could sing. My illness with tuberculosis when I was young kept me bedridden for almost a year. There was little else I could do but listen and be absorbed in music. Mind you at that time I had no idea of where it would take me. I also married young, 17, to my lovely wife Linda. Times were hard then and I even took work at a glove factory to make ends meet.”

The early singing years were as front man for the group Tommy Scott and the Senators. Gaining a reputation he went on to record several solo tracks with Gloucestershire’s own Joe Meek before gaining a recording contract with Decca.

“Although I had sung the theme tune to the James Bond film Thunderball, had a couple of hits behind me, especially with Green Green Grass, played Vegas by 1967 my first big UK national break came with ‘This is Tom Jones’ back in 1969 which ran for a few years.”

Ah, the Vegas years. “The early Vegas years were very good to me. These are the years and shows at Caesar’s Palace that elevated me in the eyes of the USA and with it international recognition. I have been fortunate in that I continued to play there every year until recently.”

After a period in the ‘wilderness’ in the 1970’s Tom has since gained a new young following with appearances at

Glastonbury, working with Jools Holland, and most noticeably as a result of the highly successful ‘Reload’, where collaborating with the likes of The Stereophonics, Natalie Imbruglia, and Cerys Mathews, brought with it a whole host of younger admirers. Can we expect a ‘guest’ appearance? “Come to the show and see for yourselves.”

For over 40 years Tom has travelled the world taking with him a piece of Wales and Great Britain. Although spending much of his life living in the USA he is undeniably passionate about his roots. “I am extremely proud of my nationality, and wear it in on my heart and sleeve. History is a passion of mine and have been known to talk for hours on anything British and what it means to be British.”

On his knighthood, Tom is genuinely humbled. “I repeat what I’ve said before.

For me, to accept a Knighthood is a great and humbling honour, both for me and my family. But also, to my friends and fans, and those that have stood by me over the years, I owe my sincere gratitude and thanks.”

Having performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the world, appearing at a rugby ground like Kingsholm is always a special occasion.

“I enjoy watching rugby, so for me this is great venue.”

This is an evening to enjoy this truly international star as he booms out the fabulous songs that bridge the generations. The familiar roar of ‘Glaaaawster’ will be replaced with equal gusto by such classics as ‘why, why, why Delilah’.

My warning is that if you are at the front of the crowd expect the occasional slap on the back of the head from the younger members of the crowd and a slightly heftier thud from the girdle brigade. CS

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Eventing intoxicating excitement excitement

this month with Kate Justice

Kate Justice explains the excitement that surrounds Kate delights the excitement of this year’s theJustice Badminton HorseinTrials, the most prestigious Festival atEventing Cheltenham Racecourse last month... competition in the UK.

Living legend Kauto Star, who retired this year from main racing.

WITH WITH KATE KATE JUSTICE JUSTICE If you would like to share your thoughts on this subject with Kate Justice, please email the Editor at editor@stylemagazines.co.uk

170 162 COTSWOLD STYLE

IAswent to the GoldupCup month. It is the sun comes overlast Badminton SO utterly brilliant to be in a place that House in Gloucestershire this month; feels likeonthe theoutside universe grazing thecentre dewyof lawn thewhile situated onlyhome ‘up the magnificent of road’. the Duke of Every year, when this particular festival Beaufort, you will probably see several comes around, I am flabbergasted at how Olympic athletes.

Equine athletes that our comfortable town is…sophisticated although you yet won’t have to look toois slammed the international sporting far to see onto the human version either. map. fromMotors all overBadminton the world revel ThePeople Mitsubishi in the prestige and intoxicating Horse Trials brings the best Eventers excitement it –world and we ownCotswolds. it. from all overofthe to the admit thatingetting there style could It Iwas started 1949 to giveinthe British be easier.

Unless one is financially team a chance to practice for the blessed enough to take therethe is most Olympics… anda itchopper, has become inevitably long walkcompetition – either along the prestigiousaEventing in the street from town/nearby parking etc…

UK and probably the world, with over or the grassy and sometimes 500across journalists and photographers muddy car- and parkslive forcoverage the racecourse itself. attending on BBC1.

But despite this apre-requisite element of There is now Grassroots competition countryside life, thesponsored glamour in at Badminton, also bythe fashion department holds no bounds.

Mitsubishi that means non-professionals Sitting queuing on the the way in, and thoseinless willingtraffic to tackle itenormous adds so much occasion jumpstoofthe thesense 4 starofcourse, still to seethe flashy dresses, expensive coats, have chance to ride on the hallowed simply turf. fabulous hats, too high heels and justI think a flasheveryone of fake Itan, headed know goes in at the least same direction. equine lover, I once during the As fivean days of competition adore sort of event brings to – and Iwhat havethis been every year since I was the public.

It notlocally only puts glitz at but a about 12. Living is a bonus, horse show… also often turns shoppers) these majestic spectators (anditmore and athletes into heroes for the fromgentle all over the country – and –from masses. across the world - come to This year we witnessed oneBadminton. particular Gloucestershire especially for stand outpast, heroI’ve retire thewellies main race, In the hadfrom to take and to booming standing wade aroundcheers, in ankletears deepand mud going in ovations. leaving and out of(Despite the tradeinvariably stands, but last year several thousand punters the weather was dry and I out wentofinpocket). sandals!

I’m not sure friends I’ve ever seenperhaps anything likea Non-horsey (who have it.

One spouse) of the favourites horsey don’t seemtotowin, needwho’s much fitness was to doubted day & before persuasion attend until – the one Pimms the Meet began, is pulled Champagne bar by the lakeupis halfway a rather big round but then massively draw. In– fact the catering on celebrated the whole isfor all he staggering has achieved. quite when you remember the

Kauto Star absolutely nothing entire thing is owes essentially in a field.

Withto anyone. has won a record this field roughly aHe month’s preparation, £2,375,883.00.

And is possibly becomes a countryside Mall. the best horse Ruby oooed Walsh has ridden Husband and ever ahhhed with(and gusto that one heck a title).

Early at theis‘beer tent’ of (which, with its reports suggest he wooden is, in fact, sound andcold anylager enormous floor and-ice retirement from competition altogether on tap, is considerably more than just hasn’t been However, he the has ales that). He haddecided. to sample several of won theappreciate Gold Cupthe twice already to fully effort put inand to no matter what happens install the facility.

So henext, said.he is clearly a living Lastlegend. year, history was made again after I’mZealand not naïve enough think all the is New rider Markto Todd won cosy forfor thethe horses intime; the thoroughbred trophy, fourth 31 years after racing – there were who tragedies to he firstindustry won it. For someone ‘retired’ deal at Cheltenham after with the Sydney Olympics,too, thisbut wasI do a take from the knowledge that prettycomfort major comeback.

Toddy is back Kauto Staryear, wasnow treated again this agedabsolutely 56, aiminglike to the champion and There icon heis is. his time retain the title. noMaybe other sport at the top over, but you canwhere bet on his (other thanisequestrian sport) men retirement considerably and womenbeing compete so equallymore and for so luxurious than yours or mine. many years.

During the(and build-up to the Gold Cup Local girl granddaughter to the Festival, it becomes impossible Queen), Zara Phillipsalmost is competing this to avoid being up called in theHigh emotion of year too – onswept a horse itKingdom. all. Friends, who have been at 2010 winning combination Paul Prestbury for manyareyears Tapner andPark Inonothing alsopast backbut for perhaps due to or finances another shot andage, thehealth enormously famous make the decision toFox-Pitt watch it seems on TVtofor and talented William be now, light and become invigorated entered to up compete on six horses!

(He will and captivating talking races choose two fromwhen the list, luckyabout thing). gone andpeople, this year’s hot contenders.

Forby most Badminton is the The maybe there for the most‘young’, anticipated andheading important Three first swap tips, new Day time…

Event insave the up, calendar… andbuy with the clothes and post pictures on facebook. small matter of the Olympics less than What an incredibly audience three months and onlyvast a couple of this event has;miles old and rich be andone of hundred away,young, this could poor… the best with yearsbetting, ever. socialising, fashion and sport all rolledMotors into celebrating The Mitsubishi Badmintonour home above theThursday Horse. CSMay 3rd Horse and Trials runs all, from to Monday May 7th, starting with the Go to www.cheltenham.co.uk Grassroots Championship. Go tofor a full list of fixtures for the rest of theforracing www.badminton-horse.co.uk more season. information. CS APRIL MAY 2012

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