CONTENTS - A VISIT TO THE CLAIRE DYSON EQUINE REHABILITATION CENTRE See our guide to wild swimming.
WELCOME A warm welcome to our Autumn edition of CotswoldXL magazine from all of us at the CotswoldXL team.
OUR TEAM HAVE YOU BEEN TO... - SHAKESPAWS CAT CAFÈ - BROADWAY DELI - THE KINGS ARMS
RECIPES FOR... - BLACKBERRY VODKA LIQUEUR - SLOE GIN AND TONIC CAKE TOPPED WITH BLACKBERRIES
Founder Chris Brown
Editor Mide Carter
Magazine Coordinator Kim Raxter
Graphic Designer Cameron Lister
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A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR. I can’t quite believe September’s already here. Like so many of you I feel happy anticipation as we slip gently into the golden glow of autumn mixed with a mild sense of panic as the months pass by so quickly. But who can fail to love this time of year? Mother nature pulls out all the stops and throws in the odd balmy day to keep us on our toes. Plus, there’s Halloween, pumpkins and fireworks to look forward to before the descent into December madness. But perhaps the less said about that the better right now. We have a new feature aimed at getting us all out and about called ‘Have You Been to...’. Reviewing places where you can eat, shop and visit in the Cotswolds and beyond. Turn to page 10 for the Shakespaw Cat Café in Stratford-UponAvon, page 6 for The King’s Arms in Woodstock and page 38 for Broadway Deli in the village of Broadway. Sink yourself into our local ghoulish ghost stories with a review of Bloody Bourton Walking Tours on page 20 . Then on page 24 there’s a reprint of my recipe for seasonal Blackberry Liquor and another seasonal delight with a recipe for Sloe Gin and Tonic cake on page 28 which I can’t recommend enough. It’s so uncomplicated and easy
and a firm favourite in our house. One of the real high-lights of the past month (and year) for me was when I was invited to Claire Dyson’s Equine Rehabilitation Centre. I found it fascinating – to find out more turn to page 15.
Enjoy this issue and give me a shout if you’d like to chat about a story. Take care, Mide x
HAVE YOU BEEN TO... THE KINGS ARMS
The King’s Arms pub is tucked into the
greeted by a man behind the bar and
– home to the famous and impressive
sodden appearance. For me a greeting
centre of historic Woodstock, Oxfordshire Blenheim Palace. On a rainy Tuesday
afternoon in August I headed out to the King’s Arms for a midweek lunch with friends.
The pub is well placed in the middle of
a bustling and thriving community and
received a friendly quip about my rain
like this is everything. Feeling welcomed and at ease is surely at the very heart of what a good pub is all about and a
large portion of what makes for a positive experience in my books. It’s a balance of course, like most things.
tourist destination. I arrived and stood
I was shown to our table and the first
Arms, drenched in summer rain shaking
chance to scan the room – specifically
dripping in the doorway of the King’s
my umbrella. Immediately I was warmly
to arrive. I was pleased as it gave me a the décor and table layout.
For many the décor and tables might be
I ordered Pan Fried Gnocchi with
me, when i see they’ve employed effort
glaze. It worked; really, really well. I
low down the list of pub priorities. But for and thought inside I feel it bodes well
for what might appear on your table. I
wasn’t disappointed, I loved the quirky
style. There was a mish mash of pictures and objects to keep your eye interested, bare brick, dark cosy colours in corners
with standout stylish wallpaper and soft furnishings. All placed harmoniously
by someone who knew what they were doing. There were also enough tables
to give the pub atmosphere but not so many you’re dragging your chair into
your neighbours back – everyone hates that.
My friends arrived and we ordered our
food and drinks, the service was timely
and professional with a gentle splash of humour that kept things relaxed. There
were dogs milling around with a good mix of locals and tourists alike. I found myself
feeling content, happy and at ease – and I was only drinking water.
tenderstem broccoli and a blue cheese enjoyed the contrast between the
doughiness of the gnocchi and the tang of the blue cheese sauce. The portion
size was spot-on, it was a rich dish and anymore would have been too much. I
finished up my lunch with a single scoop of tasty orange sorbet which is a guilt free dessert in my eyes. I felt I’d had a
very adequate light lunch but could see
there was plenty on the menu if I wanted something more substantial.
You should definitely drop into The King’s Arms, it’s plush enough to feel like it’s
special but relaxed enough to feel like
you can kick back and unwind. Ideal for a
date night, a post dog walk Sunday lunch, or to replenish your energy on the tourist trail. There are rooms available too for those looking for stopover. Words by Mide Carter
Find out more at https://www.kingshotelwoodstock.co.uk/ Please call to book a table: 01993 813 636
HAVE YOU BEEN TO... SHAKESPAW CAT CAFÉ STRATFORD UPON AVON
ShakesPaw Cat Café sits in the centre
The cats themselves lounge here, there
throw from Shakespeare’s birthplace.
will probably ignore your arrival. If you’re
of Stratford-Upon-Avon just a stone’s
It’s a delightful vintage tea room packed to the rafters with comforting chintz and china. Plus, wandering about the café
like fluffy megastars are an array of the most beautiful cats.
Like all exclusive places you have to ring a doorbell for entry. Then once
your booking is confirmed and you’ve
been thoroughly briefed on the rules for
keeping the fabulous felines happy and safe, you’re ushered into the café.
and everywhere and, like all celebrities, cat lovers like us, you’ll sit in excited
anticipation hoping that one might grace you with a disinterested glance. Whilst picking them up is prohibited, you can stroke them as they lay awake curled
up close by in beds, scratch stands or
the customer seating. Quite frankly it’s impossible not to – they’re beautiful.
When Hamlet (a Himalayan Persian)
approached our table to meow loudly,
brush past our hands and sit on one of our chairs we were thrilled.
Sitting in such close quarters and eating
also worth noting that the café works in
surreal. Also, they’re clearly very used to
house and socialise needy cats.
your lunch with a menagerie of cats is
people and they’re not rushing over to be
conjunction with Peppers Pet Rescue to
petted. However, it’s all utterly charming
Booking via the website is a must and
lazy calm of cats.
90-minute visit and you’ll pay the cost of
and you’ll find yourself infused with the
ShakesPaw Cat Café is a soothing
entry is charged at £6 per person for a your food on top.
step-outside the norm where cats rule in
ShakesPaw Cat Café
are your thing it won’t be a wasted jour-
Stratford-Upon-Avon
force and their welfare is central. If cats
ney. Plus, the food is fabulous and really
excellent value for money. I had delicious Belgian waffles with lavender sugar and lemon and a pot of Earl Grey tea. It’s
6 Union Street Warwickshire CV37 6QT
Words by Mide Carter
A VISIT TO THE CLAIRE DYSON EQUINE REHABILITATION CENTRE
I’d long heard about the benefits of
world. However, rehabilitating a horse
and had gradually developed a
service that sits firmly at the centre of
various equine rehabilitation therapies burgeoning curiosity. So when I was
invited to visit the Claire Dyson Equine
Rehabilitation Centre I naturally jumped at the chance.
Rehabilitation may never really spring to mind when the general public considers the many delights of the equestrian
after injury, illness or surgery is a vital
good care and practice for horses from all disciplines. Equine rehabilitation
involves applying a tailored package of physical therapies to heal a horse for
optimum physical function, also meaning the horse will feel the very best that they can.
Claire Dyson’s yard is based at Froglands
As we enter the therapies yard, we’re
of Cleeve Prior, Worcestershire. The
chestnut coloured horse working
Stud Farm in the attractive village
village leans gently into the mellow
undulating hills of the Vale of Evesham. It’s a cloudy day as I drive in to meet
Claire but, despite the weather, it’s still a really beautiful place to be. An ideal
corner for rehabilitation of any kind; it’s just so delightfully tranquil. This sense
of peacefulness is echoed when Claire greets me (with a gaggle of friendly dogs), and we begin to chat. Claire
simultaneously exudes a strong sense
of calm mixed with a sharp energy and a healthy dash of dry humour to boot.
She makes me laugh immediately. She
explains to me that when they acquired the farm twenty years ago it was run
down and derelict. Between herself and
her Dad, John Dyson, they built the entire centre from scratch. It’s impressive
– I see examples of her energy and
greeted by the sight of a serene looking rhythmically in the water treadmill. The
water is about a foot deep and the horse
is being closely monitored. Claire explains that, in the controlled safety of the water
treadmill, a horse can gradually build up aerobic activity which benefits them in a wide variety of ways. The water both
supports them and adds resistance. This builds muscle and a good core strength which is vital after an injury or surgery. It’s also an excellent tool for building
endurance and fitness. Hydrotherapy
of this nature is used with humans and a variety of animals and widely known to be incredibly effective. It’s hypnotic
watching the horse swish away happily on the water treadmill. Opposite the
treadmill sits the Horse Walker, a piece of equipment I’m more familiar with.
determination everywhere as she shows me around. As we talk, Claire casts her
eyes around constantly, as if she’s always taking stock. She stops intermittently to stroke the horses, talk to them and look
into their faces and I get the feeling that Claire is never really off duty.
We head over to another building to look
at some of the various therapies they use as part of their rehabilitation services. I’m excited – it’s an area of the equestrian world I’ve never been introduced to before.
A HORSE ON THE EQUINE WATER TREADMILL
Claire describes how it’s an effective
Close to the solarium is the Equine Salt
horse before or after training. Additional
that complements the other treatments
tool for warming up or cooling down a
accessories can also be employed when using the walker to help the horse to
walk in such a way to complement their therapy on the water treadmill.
Next, Claire shows me the Equine
Solarium and, helpfully, there’s already
a horse enjoying the warm rays after a session on the water treadmill. Like the
walker, it’s an effective tool for warming up and cooling down a horse before or after training. The solarium also helps
raise the horse’s surface temperature to
induce metabolic activity in cells which, in turn, improves circulation. Meaning that
blood flow increases and carries healing
oxygen and nutrients to the horse’s cells. Simply put, it enables and speeds up
natural healing processes and makes the horses feel calm and relaxed.
Therapy room. A chemical free therapy
that Claire employs. I’m fascinated by this seemingly simple bit of kit and ask how it all works. Claire obligingly explains how
the salt therapy booth is controlled by a
Halogenerator. The halogenerator grinds salt into a fine powder, then disperses it into the booth which is big enough for two horses to stand comfortably. The
concentration of the salt and the size of
the particles is carefully controlled. Claire describes how the salt therapy can treat a really significant range of respiratory conditions, skin conditions and assist
with stamina and performance. I stand
inside the booth and watch the salt being dispersed. It feels dry and, well, a bit salty but not at all unpleasant. I find the salt
therapy impressive, that such a simple and gentle tool can have such widereaching positive effects.
We head outside to the gallops looking
detail. It’s like starting a puzzle anew
of Evesham. The gallops obviously also
careful consideration of each horse
out over magnificent views of the Vale play an important role in contributing
to packages of therapy for the horses in Claire’s care. As we stand mesmerised
looking at the hills, Claire describes how
the best part of her job is the horses. How getting them to a point where they can reach their potential and be physically comfortable brings her immense
satisfaction. Like so many people in the equestrian world it’s easy to see that
Claire’s work is a way of life rather than
a just a job. She lives and breathes what she does.
I found it enlightening to see how
effective rehabilitation is all about the
with each horse entrusted to them. With they treat, they slot together pieces of therapy to complement one another.
Ensuring that each horse has the best
possible chance of healing and reaching their potential. I can see how this takes
expertise, real commitment and careful consideration. You’re not just plonking
each horse through the same regime - it
doesn’t work like that. It’s been a genuine pleasure meeting Claire and her team, and I look forward to catching up with them in the future. Not least because
Claire also happens to make a cracking cup of tea.
Words by Mide Carter
A HORSE IN THE SALT THERAPY ROOM
WALKING WITH GHOSTS IN BOURTONON-THEWATER A murky October dusk descends upon Bourton-on-the-Water, as a Dickensian figure stands on the edge of a small expectant crowd. He wears a black top hat over tendrils of long white hair, a black tail coat, and a rich purple waistcoat and shirt. A sardonic smile, a dry quip and he sinks us into a grisly glut of local history. The man is Edward Charnal, and this is the Bloody Bourton Walking Tours. Edward is exquisitely eccentric with boundless knowledge. He delivers two hours of thrilling, frightening and intriguing history about a place I have known for over twenty years. I’m shocked at my own ignorance. As we walk the deadly quiet streets of Bourton that usually teem with tourists, I see it all with new eyes. There’s about seventeen of us and as we edge down almost pitch-black alleyways at times, I’m glad of the numbers. I’m a little cold and the long shadows, dim street lights and lively bats are eerie. Some of the more ghostly tales really spook me. But I like it. It ignites a playful curiosity in me that reminds me of being a child. I want to hunt ghosts and play in the dark. I like this place – this quiet other worldly Bourton-on-the-Water. For adults and teenagers alike, this is a gripping way to spend a chilling two hours and a bargain at £8 pp. To book your spot call Edward on T: 07954 182 016. Words by Mide Carter
A RECIPE FOR BLACKBERRY VODKA LIQUEUR
Autumn really is mother nature’s
favourite child – and who can blame her. Summer has passed and there’s that
delicious crisp, chill in the air. The trees
are beginning their autumnal blaze, and
I feel compelled to nestle into the beauty and seek out warmth and comfort.
Ingredients:
1 kg Blackberries
250 g granulated sugar 1 bottle of 70cl Vodka
1. Gently wash the blackberries and place in a sterilised 1.5 litre preserving jar.
Autumn never fails to delight and nourish.
2. Add the sugar and mix well together.
This year I was determined to take
3. Pour over the vodka, close the jar and
crop. I filled 4 large freezer bags with
place for 3 weeks. Open each week to let
advantage of the bumper blackberry those plump purple beauties; challenging
myself to do something more imaginative
give it a good shake then store in a cool any gas out then reseal.
than crumble (don’t worry there’ll still
4. When ready strain through a muslin
because quite frankly I find it complicated
fridge after a Sunday Roast with a good
be crumble). I ruled out making wine –
– and settled on my favourite blackberry vodka. Simple, tasty and I haven’t made
it for ages. I raided the drinks cabinet and set to work.
cloth, fill a bottle and serve from the
film and a dog at your feet. Alternatively fill a bottle, tie a ribbon around the neck and save to give as Christmas gifts.
RECIPE FOR AUTUMN SLOE GIN AND TONIC CAKE TOPPED WITH BLACKBERRIES
As we drift gently into the crisp autumnal months, there’s nothing quite like tea and cake to bring warmth and comfort as the days shorten and the weather cools. Sloe gin and tonic cake topped with blackberries is perfect for the job with rich seasonal flavours. The gin and tonic are blended and cooked to create a boozy syrup that soaks into the sponge, making it moist and delicious but not too sweet. The blackberries add a juicy refreshing tang ensuring it’s a truly autumnal treat. Find my recipe below and enjoy. Recipe by Mide Carter
Method: Ingredients: For the syrup:
100ml good quality sloe gin 100ml tonic water
Juice of half a lemon 1 lemon finely sliced
120g granulated sugar For the sponge:
200g caster sugar
200g self-raising flour 20g cornflour
3tsp baking powder
1. Heat the oven to 190c, 170c for a fan oven.
2. Next make your syrup. In a small
saucepan mix the tonic water, lemon juice and sugar. Gently bring the mixture to
a boil and then turn down the heat and
simmer for 3-5 minutes until the mixture has become nice and syrupy. Add the
lemon slices and simmer for a further two minutes.
3. Remove the pan from the heat and stir
200g unsalted butter
in the sloe gin, then place to one side to
1tsp vanilla extract
small bowl
Zest of half a lemon
4. In a large bowl, beat together the butter,
decorate cake.
flour, 3tsp baking powder, 3tbsp of milk
4 large, good quality eggs 3tbsp milk
Icing sugar to dust and seasonal fruit to
cool. Once cooled, strain the mixture into a
sugar and four eggs, 200g self-raising and, lastly, the lemon zest.
5. Spoon your mixture into a greased tin, smoothing it down with a spatula then place in your pre-heated oven.
6. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a
sharp knife comes away clean from the middle of the cake.
7. When you’ve removed your cake from the oven, tip a little of your syrup evenly all over your sponge. Wait for it to soak
through then continue until your syrup is finished.
8. Let the cake cool and remove from your tin. Dust with icing sugar then decorate with blackberries.
COTSWOLD GHOSTS
The Cotswolds is profoundly rural and
you see, I likes to look in sometimes” to
very old beautiful buildings. Therefore,
who likes to sit in the garden playing the
steeped in history, with a deluge of
it comes as no surprise that there is an abundance of ghosts reported
throughout the length and breadth of the
area. See below for some of our favourites and whet your appetite for the spooky season ahead.
the ghostly little girl at Sundial House
Spinet (a kind of old piano). There are
ghostly hooves often heard on Plough
Mill Street and, the most frequently seen, Black Abbot often spotted in the church
yard at Christmas and Easter walking the same well-trodden ghostly path.
Prestbury
Cheltenham
most haunted villages. Just a stone’s
During the 1880’s and for many years
Prestbury is said to be one of the UK’s throw from Cheltenham it’s said to have no less than thirteen ghosts. From the
handyman at Walnut Cottage who likes
to pop in and announce “Here’s old Moses
The Woman in Black
afterwards, St Anne’s House, on the corner of Pittville Circus and All Saints Road in
Cheltenham, was the site of numerous sightings of The Woman in Black.
The disturbing apparition is said to be
strange ritualistic circular markings by
Henry Swinhoe, whom both lived at St
protect inhabitants from evil spirits and
Imogen Hutchins, the second wife of
Anne’s. Imogen died in 1878 and it was
said to be a deeply unhappy marriage.
A young woman named Rosina Donore moved to St Anne’s in 1882. Over the
course of the next decade, Rosina saw The Woman in Black many times. The apparition was reportedly seen up
until the 1970’s by many others too. The
Woman in Black wore Victorian mourning clothes and her face was often absent or obscured by a handkerchief. The house still stands today and has been divided up into flats.
The Fleece Inn
he Fleece Inn at Bretforton dates from
the 15th century. The picturesque country abode was originally built by a farmer
called Byrd. In 1977, Lola Taplin – a direct
descendent of Byrd – bequeathed the Inn to the National Trust upon her death at 77 years old. The building has been used as a public house since 1848 and Lola had run it alone since around 1947.
Since her death, Lola has reportedly
never really left, haunting The Fleece and making her presence felt throughout.
The apparition of an old lady has been seen sitting in a rocking chair, there’s
been reports of a lady’s face appearing in an upstairs window and ghostly
shadows disappearing around corners.
Not to mention objects flying around and
the hearth of a fire. The marks are said to witches.
Words by Mide Carter
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Broadmark IT LTD Computer equipment and related services to homes. Call us: 01386 841900
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A traditional barber with professional service.
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HAVE YOU BEEN TO...
BROADWAY DELI, HIGH STREET, WORCESTERSHIRE
On Broadway high street, in a row of
I found entering the deli a rush for
the delight that is Broadway Deli. An
little dark with an array of colours and
historic Cotswold buildings, resides
independent double fronted shop with
large, rounded bay windows. Inside the
left window perches a vintage orange Fiat 500 evoking thoughts of old Italy, garlic,
olive oil and rich delicious food. A quirky
clue as to what lies beyond. Outside the shop sits on one side a wooden trolley
and on the other a Tuk Tuk - both heaving with fruit and veg’. It’s a playful theatrical scene that compels you to go inside.
my senses, it’s an old building and a smells. It’s like entering the pantry of
some mythical culinary wizard. There’s the sweet, pungent freshness of a
greengrocer, a waft of dried herbs and
spices and the deeply comforting smell of fresh bread and coffee. It’s a joy to simply stand and inhale deeply, preferably not
in someone’s way though, because quite frankly it gets pretty busy.
The deli ceilings are low, and the shop
remedy to the monotony of the everyday
food with every available space stacked
and rob you of the pleasure of cooking.
is nicely cosy. It’s an Aladdin’s cave of
with an array of packaged high-quality
foodstuffs from all over the world. Initially you can hardly take it all in, it’s a feast
for the eyes. The brightly coloured tins, packets and jars ignited an almost childlike desire in me, and I swiftly
deposited the biggest jar of pesto I’ve
ever seen into my basket (30cm’s tall if
you’re asking). Happily resigning myself
to the fact I may leave with things I didn’t know I needed.
I turned a corner and found rows of
booze stacked floor to ceiling and my
inner child rapidly gave way to my inner pirate. I seriously considered buying a
bottle of something amazing called ‘Spit
Roasted Pineapple Gin’. Instead, thinking
of dinner that evening, I reluctantly opted for some imported Italian pasta and a
slab of chunky parmesan. I also grabbed a Swedish tart from the deli counter and
admired the array of picnic bits available; a particularly fine-looking quiche and some stinky cheese catching my eye. I wandered upstairs and found some
solid wooden kitchen utensils to replace the tired ones we had at home. Then, to top it all off, I sat outside in the deli café consuming tea and a slice of lemon
drizzle cake whilst admiring the well-kept
garden. The deli has a lively buzz about it, and I enjoyed sitting in the middle of it all drinking it in.
Broadway Deli is a welcome reminder of the sheer joy and magic of food. It’s a
that can slowly numb your imagination They work really hard at making a visit
there an experience, and in every corner of the deli there is careful attention to detail. It has a theatrical, almost
Dickensian quality. You certainly don’t
need me to tell you that if you’re passing through Broadway you should stop by
– you’ll inevitably just be drawn in. Then, no doubt it’ll cast its spell and you’ll
leave pepped and ready to create some culinary magic all of your own. for more information visit: broadwaydeli.co.uk
Words by Mide Carter
CALL NOW TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS: 07771953669