Welcome A big Christmas welcome to our December issue from all of us at the CotswoldXL team.
Our Team FOUNDER
Contents PAGE 4
Weird and Wonderful Christmas Traditions See this article to find out the most weird and wonderful Christmas traditions for the UK and beyond.
Chris Brown MAGAZINE COORDINATOR
Kim Raxter EDITOR
Mide Carter GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Joshua Higham
Get in Touch
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Recipe Blackberry Mojitos Find out how to make a Blackberry Mojito with our foraged fruit.
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Artisan Shopping in the Cotswolds Come join us to find the very best retailers in the Cotswolds that reflect the beauty and passion of the area.
MIDE CARTER
A Letter From The Editor. It’s here – December and nearly the end of 2023. As I write this, like so many other people, I’m mid the pre-Christmas whirl. Where you’re blending everyday normal life with dazzling lights, seasonal parties, presents and preparations. It can feel exciting – I love it – but it can also be overwhelming. There’s just so much to do and you want it to be special. I read recently how it’s important to make time to do nothing. I thought about this and realised that doing nothing is deeply uncomfortable for me. Especially right now. But the more I read the better it sounded. Research shows that by excluding distractions and making time to daydream and do nothing, you can improve your mental health, productivity, problem solving and creativity. So, by doing nothing I’m actually still doing something really important for my head. A difficult notion for many of us, particularly as we live in a society that glorifies busyness. Considering this I’ve decided that this Christmas and during the year ahead, I’m going to try – mid the madness – to make the time to do sweet-nothing every day. It feels like the strangest resolution ever, but I’m looking forward to it. Sort of. I’ll keep you posted on my progress. For more ways to lean in to the relaxation this holiday season try one of our special
Christmas recipes. With Blackberry Mojitos from our foraged fruit on page ***, Snowball Christmas cookies on page *** and ‘Skirle’ – a traditional Scottish stuffing. I warn you they’re all very easy and delicious (my cooking mantra). On page *** find out about ‘Weird and Wonderful Christmas Traditions’ from the UK and beyond – a piece I thoroughly enjoyed researching and writing. Christmas is really quite bonkers. Its page *** for ‘Artisan Shopping in the Cotswolds’, where we find the very best retailers in the Cotswolds that reflect the beauty and passion of the area. Find my highlight of the month, an update on the goings-on down at Gorsehill Abbey Organic Dairy Farm, on page ***. I’d love to meet more of you next year so if you’ve got an interesting story to tell do give me a shout. Wishing you and yours a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Mide x
Weird & Wonderful
Christmas Traditions SEE THE NEXT PAGE FOR OUR TOP 7 LIST Christmas time is all about traditions. For
Some have come and gone or formed the
many of us the turkey, stockings, carols
basis for many of the things we do today
and the tree are all comforting and deeply
in the UK and beyond. From the sinister
familiar elements of the festive season.
to the bizarre, Christmas actually has a
But throughout history there’s been an
history of being a rather strange time of
abundance of traditions the world over.
year.
2. The Witch La Befana, Italy On the Epiphany, 6th January, the witch La Befana comes down the chimney to deliver gifts and sweets to the children and lumps of coal to the ones who have misbehaved. She’s depicted as elderly and ugly but always smiling and she’s a popular image in Italy during the Christmas season.
1. The Krampus, Austria and Europe During the Christmas season, Austrian children prepare for a visit from St Nicholas with gifts for them on the 6th of December. But if they’ve been bad, it’s the Krampus they’ll face instead on the day before, the 5th of December. The Krampus is a terrifying half-goat half-demon who, according to the myth, beats the bad children with sticks. If they’re really bad he spirits them away in his sack forever – sounds fair. Today in Austria there are Krampus Festivals and parades on the 5th and 6th of December and sometimes you can find Krampus parades in other parts of Europe too. They’re lively, exciting and incredibly popular, well worth a visit for an altogether different kind of Christmas experience. You’ll be relieved to hear no children are taken away in sacks.
The story of La Befana is older than Babbo Natale (Father Christmas), she originates in the 13th century. It’s a big part of an Italian Christmas and a national holiday. La Befana symbolises the years end; she flies on a broomstick which sweeps away the past year and makes ready for new beginnings.
3. KFC Christmas Dinner, Japan That’s right, Christmas day in Japan is all about Colonel Saunders and his finger-licking Kentucky Fried Chicken. A comparatively recent tradition borne from a combination of tiny ovens in Japanese homes and clever marketing by KFC and now prolifically enjoyed by many. I could actually get on board with a take-away, I detest cleaning up after Christmas dinner!
4. The Ashen Faggot, UK The Ashen Faggot is a UK West Country Christmas tradition. A faggot – a bundle of sticks – was bound up with nine green lengths of ash bands from the same tree, then burnt in the hearth on Christmas Eve. Whilst the faggot burned, a group would make merry – drinking, dancing and singing Dunster carols. In recent years it’s been delightfully revived here and there in the West Country.
5. Hiding String Beans in your Christmas Cake, Europe Twelfth Night, the 12th and final night of Christmas was a time for games and celebration. One such game involved baking a cake and hiding something in it like a string bean or a coin. Whoever discovered the item in their cake on Twelfth Night would lead the evening’s fun and festivities.
6. Christmas Day and Boxing Day Sea Swim, UK For the past 100 years or more, up and down the country, British people have taken to a dip in the icy cold sea on Christmas Day and Boxing day for a communal swim. It’s still very much a popular tradition with often hundreds to sometimes thousands in attendance swimming and spectating. There’s fancy dress, fundraising and a brilliant convivial atmosphere. Historically it seems to have begun as no more than an opportunity for communities to do something a bit bonkers together during Christmas. I think it’s charming and I’m happy to watch from the comfort of my car or a nice warm café.
WORDS BY MIDE CARTER
7. The Feast of the Ass, France On the 14th of January in Twelfth century France, they celebrated the feast of the ass or donkey. This marked the baby Jesus’ flight into Egypt with Mary and Joseph. During the celebrations a donkey would be led through the streets to a local church service. The donkey would stand at the church’s alter for the duration of the service and the villagers or town’s people would mimic the donkey’s bray in a-call-and-response with the priest. After all the braying there would be raucous parties. They eventually grew so wild and out of hand they were banned. Mores the pity.
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The Best Winter Dog Beds SEE THE NEXT PAGE FOR OUR TOP 6 LIST
If your dog is like mine and feels the cold come winterespecially at night- then it might be time to invest in a cosy bed to see them through the colder days ahead. Plus, a good dog bed can ease an anxious pet making the chilly nights just that little bit more bearable for them and you.
1. Tartan Snuggle Cave
SEE PRODUCT
FROM ‘DESIGNEDFORDOGS’ AT ETSY
Prices start at £74.99 This rather gorgeous Tartan Snuggle cave is a skilfully-crafted bed with luxurious, hard-wearing tartan fabric. It’s stuffed with memory orthopaedic foam giving dogs a deeply comfortable place to lay their heads in style. I’m a big fan of Etsy sellers who always seem to go the extra mile turning out wellmade items that last.
2. Snoozer Luxury Cozy Cave Dog Bed
SEE PRODUCT
FROM ‘MAD ABOUT A DOG’
Prices start at £65.99 The Snoozer is a plush, Sherpa lined bed offering deep snuggles for the dog that likes to burrow. With oodles of warmth and comfort it’ll keep an anxious dog happy on the long cold nights ahead. It also has a handy removable cover that can be easily machine washed.
3. Vet Bedding Wool Mix Topper FROM ‘LORDS AND LABRADORS’
prices from £7.99 - £49.99 A wool mix topper is an ideal way to update your dog’s current bedding for the winter, just pop it on top of your dog’s existing bed. Incredibly cosy, non-allergenic and antifungal means it’s a healthy natural option for your pet and your home.
SEE PRODUCT
4. Dog Tent
SEE PRODUCT
FROM FUNNY FUZZY
Prices start at £69.99 This well-made Dog Tent is a soft sanctuary for your pet. It gives a good balance of reassurance and shelter whilst letting them keep an eye on the comings and goings of your home. It also conveniently comes apart for easy cleaning and storage.
5. Cosy Calming Dog Bed
SEE PRODUCT
FROM ‘WAGGY TAILS’
Prices start at £24.99 This popular calming bed is adored by dogs and owners alike. It creates a soft, warm haven for your pooch which in turn promotes calm for an anxious dog. Ideal at any time of the year but particularly comforting on a long winter’s evening. It has a removable cover making it easy to keep clean too.
6. Dorothy Pagoda Dog Bed FROM MRS. ALICE PRICED
Priced at £498.00 If your dog rules your house like royalty, then this might just be the bed for them. Part bed, part throne your dog will feel regal and relaxed in this tiny, rattan castle. It’s most definitely at the high end of the market but if you feel like splashing out on something special, this stunning dog’s bed will add an air of aristocracy to your whole home.
SEE PRODUCT
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RECIPE
Blackberry Vodka Mojito I’m not a huge drinker but I do enjoy a wee tipple every now and again – especially at Christmas. This means, when I do indulge, I want my drink to be something really delicious. For me, my home-made blackberry vodka is an excellent place to start. The blackberries make a really rich and fruity base for a tasty and impressive seasonal drink. I’m a big mojito fan and have adapted it for my blackberry vodka making for a fabulously long Christmas cocktail.
Tools You’ll need a muddler (the long-handled utensil essential for mixing and crushing herbs, spices and fruit), a cocktail shaker or a long stirring spoon and a cocktail strainer.
Ingredients for 1 Blackberry Mojito •
6 Frozen blackberries
•
Juice from one lime
•
Handful fresh mint leaves
•
1 tsp turbinado sugar
•
60ml of your home-made blackberry vodka or I recommend WildJac Blackberry Vodka ( https://wildjac.co.uk/)
•
Soda water to taste
•
Mint and a couple blackberries for garnishing
Method STEP 1 Place your frozen blackberries, mint, and sugar in the bottom of a tall glass and blend together well with your muddler. STEP 2 Then add your fresh lime juice, vodka, and ice to the mixture and transfer to a cocktail shaker – give it a really good shake with two hands. STEP 3 Strain your mixture through the cocktail strainer and into a tall glass. Add a sprig of mint and few frozen blackberries to garnish then enjoy!
WORDS BY MIDE CARTER
Artisan
Christmas Shopping in the Cotswolds The Cotswolds has long inspired every
they manage to embody the beauty of
kind of artist across a wide range of
the area and artistry it inspires. These
disciplines. With our rolling hills and
shops come into their own at Christmas
untouched, rural beauty it’s easy to see
when it’s a great opportunity to buy
why. We’re incredibly lucky that there
family and friends something meaningful
are some Cotswold retailers who are
and special. We’ve listed our favourites
very much a reflection of this. With
below for you.
their personal ethos, items they sell, presentation and shopping experience,
AT HOME WITH THE RUDDS –
rich resilient fabrics, they feel a particularly
BURFORD AND BROADWAY
satisfying investment as we nestle into the very heart of a rather ghastly winter.
At Home with the Rudds promises to offer ‘rustic, vintage charm with a modern twist’ and they definitely deliver. Entering their
DOMESTIC SCIENCE – NAILSWOTH,
shops is an immediately captivating and
TETBURY AND STOW-ON-THE-WOLD
immersive experience. Through clever
https://domesticsciencehome.co.uk/pages/
curation, design and lighting they induce
visit-our-stores
a feeling of stylish yet deeply-nourishing, homely comfort. It feels like you’ve entered
Domestic Science shops are emporiums of
the cosy and stylish living room of your best
joy, brimming with a plethora of lovingly
friend. Completely epitomising the phrase
chosen items throughout. There’s a definite
‘retail therapy.’ Not that I’m suggesting you
theme and feel at Domestic Science that
crack open the wine and settle in for some
captures old charm with wholesome and
afternoon chats, but I can promise you that
desirable modern design. With captivating
you’ll definitely want to.
interiors, fashion and lifestyle brands mixed with skilfully sourced antique pieces,
Stocking all you need for ‘simple, yet
Domestic Science offers a comprehensive
luxurious living’, At Home with the Rudds
and enchanting shopping experience.
very much embodies the essence of the Cotswolds. With colours and textures that
The shop was founded 10 years ago by
reflect and celebrate nature, you feel as if
antiques dealer Libs Lewis and it’s a delight
you are much in a special Cotswold shop.
to see her vision successfully spreading
I’m a huge fan of their plush cushions and
across three stores in three Cotswold towns.
blankets. Designed with earthy tones and
CATESBYS – BROADWAY
Made in Stroud also has a comprehensive
https://catesbys.co.uk/pages/about-us
website inviting you to meet the makers. It’s a great touch giving insight and narrative to
Catesbys motto is ‘ l’art de vivre ’ – or –
the beautiful range of eclectic items on offer.
‘The Art of living’. Words that embody their
I can’t recommend a visit to both the shop
mission to ‘…make every day more enjoyable
and website enough.
with the things that surround us.’ They undoubtedly achieve this; their products are meticulously selected with an eye that continually pays homage to beautiful design. The shop is originally and harmoniously curated. It’s a delight to browse and immerse yourself in each well thought out room. Housed in a Cotswold stone house on Broadway high street, Catesbys skilfully blends old charm and crisp modern style. With art, home-goods, candles, perfume and more it’s a must for anyone looking for an original gift or just a pleasurable way to enjoy a Cotswolds shopping experience. Plus greeting shoppers is a gorgeous resident French Bulldog, who is quite clearly in charge and pulling all the strings.
MADE IN STROUD – STROUD www.madeinstroud.co.uk ‘Made In Stroud’ opened in 2000, evolving from a makers market that started in 1991. With beer, food, pottery and mosaics and so much more it’s a veritable temple of artisan makers from across the five valleys. From the minute you arrive there’s a clear feeling that you’re surrounded by products that have had genuine love and passion poured into them. It makes for a very special kind of shopping experience that has lashings of heart and soul at its core.
WORDS BY MIDE CARTER
RECIPE
Traditional Scottish Oat Stuffing ‘Skirlie’ A few Christmases before Covid a big mish mash of family came together at my Mum’s house to celebrate the big day. To lighten the load, everyone contributed something to the meal. One such offering was new to me - ‘Skirlie’- a traditional Scottish stuffing made with oats, onions and fat. I was immediately hooked on this simple yet deeply delicious dish and it’s now a Christmas staple in our house. To enjoy your own Skirlie find my recipe below:
Ingredients •
340g Pinhead Oats - these work best because they break down slowly giving a good, crunchy texture. Traditional oats break down too quickly and the create an overly creamy texture that can’t absorb the flavours nicely.
•
2 Onions
•
115g Beef Suet
Method STEP 1 Gently fry the Onions in your beef suet over a low heat. Don’t let the onions brown; you’re looking for a gentle golden colour. STEP 2 When your onions are a nice golden colour, add your oats making sure they’re all nicely coated by the onions and suet.
STEP 3 Then add a pinch of salt and a couple of turns of pepper. Leave to cook for about 20 minutes stirring regularly. You’re looking for a nice crunchy crouton texture. STEP 4 Skirlie can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheated so can be prepared a few days before Christmas Day.
WORDS BY MIDE CARTER
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From Mick, Glen & Everyone at ETC 01386 800600 info@etc.team www.etc.team
Method STEP 1 Add the softened butter to a mixing bowl and beat until for about 3 minutes until light and creamy STEP 2
RECIPE
Snowball Christmas Cookies For me, Christmas is all about the treats and these cookies are a treat to eat but also to make. They’re quick and easy (which regular readers will know is my mantra in the kitchen). Plus, they fill the house with delicious, sweet, soothing smells that signify all things homely to me. They also make great gifts or are an excellent accompaniment to a cup of tea on a dark December evening. Made with condensed milk they’re not overly sweet and I warn you, they are incredibly moreish.
Ingredients •
240g butter softened
•
155g condensed milk
•
240g plain flour
•
1 tsp turbinado sugar
•
50g icing sugar
Next, pour in the sweetened condensed milk and beat into the butter for two minutes STEP 3 Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat for a further two minutes STEP 4 Add the flour and baking powder and beat into the butter and milk mixture until thoroughly combined STEP 5 Portion up the dough into mounds on parchment paper lined with a baking sheet. Be sure to leave at least two inches between each mound of cookie dough STEP 6 Bake for 12 minutes at 160° – or 150° in a fan oven STEP 7 Remove from the oven and leave the cool for five minutes STEP 8 Finally, remove from the baking sheet and transfer to a wire cooling rack and dust the cookies with your icing sugar. Then allow cookies to fully cool before storing
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Down on the Dairy Farm at Christmas We catch up with Jenny and Nick at Gorsehill Abbey Organic Dairy Farm to talk about all things Christmas
On the brink of the Christmas season I headed back to Gorsehill Abbey Organic Dairy Farm near Broadway to catch-up with Jenny and Nick. Seven months had passed since our last chat and I was very much looking forward to seeing them. They’re very generous with their time considering how busy they are, and I know I’m guaranteed a fascinating and informative conversation. Plus, Gorsehill Abbey is just a really beautiful calm place to be.
I was watching the cows in the fields as I drove up, I’m vaguely aware that sometime in the winter they disappear inside. When is that? JE N N Y
When we last met milk prices had been in a continuous, worrying downward turn – how are things looking now? JENNY
Still bad! NICK
Yeah, it’s still not great it’s either stayed the same or gone down each month since you came in the spring. We’ve had a tiny increase this month but basically, we’re still down approximately 20% on this time last year.
And lots of dairy farmers will have gone under in that time? JENNY
Absolutely, as ever we’re incredibly lucky to have our side-line in ice-cream so all our eggs aren’t in one basket. As we’ve said before, the direct milk sales and ice-cream make all the difference for us despite the extra work.
There’s no exact date. If it’s been a particularly dry autumn, they’ll stay out longer but if it’s been quite wet it’ll be sooner. As the weather changes they might stay outside during the day and then come in at night. Then as it gets wetter and colder, they will come inside permanently for the winter. This is actually quite late for us to have them still out.
Does that mean it’s the temperature then that dictates when the cows come inside? JE N N Y
No, the temperature doesn’t worry the cows, like lots of animals they grow lovely thick winter coats. N ICK
It’s more about how much grass is in the fields and how dry it is. If there’s not a huge amount of grass there’s no point in them being out as there’s nothing for them to eat, and the grass that’s there won’t get a chance to recover. There could also be a field with lots of grass but it’s too wet to graze.
Are there more or less jobs to do on the farm during the winter if the cows are kept inside?
So where do the cows go when you’re cleaning down their cubicles? JE N N Y
JENNY
In the winter there’s more jobs on the whole to do. There’s definitely more routine work. When the cows are in the field in the warm months it’s a case of checking the fencing, making sure they have enough water and moving them round to control the grazing. But in the winter, when they’re permanently inside, we have to clean their cubicles then scrape the yards with a tractor, put fresh bedding down and feed the cows. That’s about an hour and a half to two hours work every morning. We’ve actually moved their milking to the afternoon to give us more time in the morning.
Cleaning the cubicles sounds like quite a gruelling job too? JENNY
It is! Particularly if it’s really cold it’s very hard on your hands. Plus, the cow’s water can freeze and obviously water is vital so it can be a lot of work to defrost everything.
The cows stay in their yard area outside when we are cleaning their cubicles - and we also do the routine again (cleaning cubicles and yards and fresh food etc) the afternoon when they’re being milked.
And is that just you Nick undertaking most of the jobs? N ICK
Yes, most of the time, though we had a local lad start in September who does three days a week and that’s working out well. But most of the time it’s just me.
Can you listen to music or podcasts while you’re working Nick? N ICK
Sometimes, but it depends on the job. Jobs can be noisy and dirty and more often than not I need to really focus on what I’m doing. For example, with milking I don’t want any distractions, I need to work to limit anything that can wrong so it needs my full attention. Plus, I don’t want to slow down the cycle of the day, any stopping throughout the day is a delay on when the next job gets completed. I have to constantly work at being efficient. So, if it’s a podcast that requires focus, it isn’t going to work. I find a bit of background noise from the radio is good and not
What does Christmas day look like for you as a family, do you enjoy it?
JENNY
Yes - we do enjoy it. So obviously we’re a farm so all the jobs still have to be done and that’s just what it is for us. I grew up on a dairy farm, so we’ve always had to work on Christmas day. I’ve never had a Christmas where everyone’s off work. I’m not sure what we’d know what to do with ourselves if we did! We try as a family to help and get it done as quickly as possible, but we also don’t want the kids to feel like they have to work on Christmas day by getting them up at 5 am. It’s a balance really. It’s just the essentials on the farm for Christmas day and we’re very organised beforehand to ensure that happens. Though with dairy farming unlike with beef and sheep you can’t prepare an awful lot of routine work beforehand. They have to be milked and they have to have clean beds.
Do you prepare a Christmas meal beforehand? JENNY
If it’s our turn. We take turns with my brother’ family who run a farm near-by. We’re going over to them this year which is great on the one hand but on the other-hand Nick has to come back and do the milking in the afternoon so he can’t really completely relax.
WORDS BY MIDE CARTER
Do you sell a lot of ice-cream over the Christmas period?
JE N N Y
Christmas eve is actually one of our busiest times of the year, we also ice-cream yule logs that are very popular. It’s also a really nice time to connect with customers too. I really enjoy that side of it particularly at this time of year.
I enthusiastically order a yule log for Christmas and have another cup of tea. We chat about Christmas and how it’s changed for children over the years. We quietly put the world to rights, and I feed the dog a few treats. As ever, after I leave feeling reassured that there are farmers, like Jenny and Nick, who are so dedicated to what they do. It’s so easy to forget but so important to remember. Especially at Christmas.
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ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS
DIGITAL ADVERTISING MADE EASY FROM £75.00 P/M Here’s an easy way to place your business into the forefront of local digital advertising. The Cotswold Select website portal is an easy to use interactive digital business directory, giving thousands of potential new customers a quick and easy way to see the very best of local business’s, recommend by us and ready to use their services. From only £75.00 per month plus a £99.50 set up fee… you will have a listing in the Cotswold and Vale’s hottest new digital advertising platform…Plus all of this: Active 4 & 5 star reviews displayed in real time from Google My Business, Facebook, Which Trusted Trader etc …showing your satisfied customers and their happy testimonials !
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A business editorial describing your services.
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Photographs and video to showcase your services
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A digital advert listing of your business in the fantastic new CotswoldXL magazine…with links back to your own contact platforms including your website , email and telephone.
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All of this live digital activity will be working to enhance your own website SEO both day and night~seven days a week !
Please contact us today to sign your business up to the Cotswold Select multi-media business promotion platform.
CONTACT US
With Cotswold Select, it’s cheap and easy to place your business straight into the Cotswold and Vale digital marketplace…placing your advertising in front of thousands of potential digital savvy customers…All on your doorstep ! Call now to get your business live… 07771 953669. (Ask for Chris Brown)
Cotswold Select is a FREE TO USE resource designed to support 5 Star Independent Businesses in you area. Search for a Cotswold Select Service or Cotswold Select Business Name
CotswoldSelect.co.uk Search for a local select business recommended by your neighbours
ACCOMMODATION
ETC Windows & Doors Supplying and installing a fantastic range of products to completely transform your home.
The Swan Inn
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Serving great quality pub-grub classics, along with traditional local ales, craft ciders and spirits.. Dog friendly beer garden & function room hire.
Henson Plant Hire
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Henson Plant has over 30 years experience providing plant machinery to a wide range of builders, landscapers & homeimprovers.
BUILDERS & TRADE
S U R F A C I N G
Henson Surfacing
Henson Surfacing offer a high-quality tarmac, asphalt and Cotswold stone driveway surface laying service.
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R Parker Landscaping We have lots of lovely ideas and designs to enhance your beautiful gardens and driveways. PRESS FOR MORE INFO
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Le Brun Building Contractors Ltd Vale Stoves Offering a stylish range of traditional and contemporary Multifuel & Woodburning stoves in beautiful cast iron finishes.
Le Brun is a family run business which has been operating since 1960. The company has a well-earned reputation for Groundworks and civil projects large and small. PRESS FOR MORE INFO
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GM Roofing Supplying a comprehensive range of services for all your roofing requirements.
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Hunts Engineering Limited Hunts Engineering’s Agricultural and Ground-care are a wellestablished family-owned company based near Shipston-on -stour, on the borders of the beautiful Cotswolds. PRESS FOR MORE INFO
Online Directory
FUNERAL SERVICES Martin Grinnel Funeral Services Serving the Cotswold & Vale community for over 35 years and are Evesham’s only independent funeral directors.
Little Oak Vineyard Book your lunch with wine tasting Vineyard Tour today for the ultimate Cotswold day-out.
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R D Walker Butcher
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Offering one of the widest selections of high quality fresh meat in your area from their High Street Butchers shop.
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL Worcester Powder Coating Worcester Powder Coating is located in Pershore in the heart of Worcestershire and provide powder coating services to customers across the midlands and beyond including the Cotswolds.
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Fresh Meat Matters A traditional butchers shop serving farm fresh British meat with old fashioned service as standard. PRESS FOR MORE INFO
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The Swan Inn
FOOD & EATING OUT
Serving great quality pub-grub classics, along with traditional local ales, craft ciders and spirits.. Dog friendly beer garden & function room hire. PRESS FOR MORE INFO
Vegetable Matters The Vegetable Matters farm shop sells fresh, seasonal vegetables which are mostly grown on the Drinkwater familie’s farm. PRESS FOR MORE INFO
CotswoldSelect.co.uk Search for a local select business recommended by your neighbours
GARDENS & LANDSCAPING Thomas Fox Landscaping Supplying a first class grades maintenance service for over 25-years for both residential & commercial properties. PRESS FOR MORE INFO
GARDENS ROOMS & OFFICES
Hippo Lodges Hippo Lodges are manufacturers of stunning garden rooms, shepherd’s huts, glamping pods and home offices. Our Lodges are crafted from the highest quality materials meaning the finished result is both durable and beautiful. PRESS FOR MORE INFO
Hunts Engineering Limited Hunts Engineering’s Agricultural and Ground-care are a wellestablished family-owned company based near Shipston-on -stour, on the borders of the beautiful Cotswolds.
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
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Tom Cook Carpets
S U R F A C I N G
Henson Surfacing
Henson Surfacing offer a high-quality tarmac, asphalt and Cotswold stone driveway surface laying service.
Offering a huge selection of leading brand Carpets, Vinyl’s and Laminates for both Domestic and Commercial properties.
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R Parker Landscaping We have lots of lovely ideas and designs to enhance your beautiful gardens and driveways. PRESS FOR MORE INFO
Vale Stoves Offering a stylish range of traditional and contemporary Multifuel & Woodburning stoves in beautiful cast iron finishes.
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Online Directory
GM Roofing Supplying a comprehensive range of services for all your roofing requirements.
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ETC Windows & Doors
MOTORING Premier Wheels Midlands Ltd Due to Premier Wheels high standards and professionalismm they are well known for their services and are therefore used by many of the car industries main dealerships, bodyshops, car clubs, insurance companies and vehicle leasing suppliers. PRESS FOR MORE INFO
Supplying and installing a fantastic range of products to completely transform your home. PRESS FOR MORE INFO
LOCAL SHOPPING
Table Manners of Broadway Table Manners is a long-established cookware shop brimming with hundreds of cooking & baking products and handy kitchen utensils …along with a fantastic range of giftware for those looking for a thoughtful gift for someone special. PRESS FOR MORE INFO
Vale Tyre, Exhaust & Service Vale Tyre, Exhaust and Service Centre pride themselves on honest, up front reliable advice and service, coupled with a combined experience of over 25 years in both the mechanical repairs and tyre industry. PRESS FOR MORE INFO
Evesham Motor Services EMS (Evesham Motor Services) are the largest independant garage in Evesham and certified by the AA. Their friendly team are always happy to help and pride themselves on their excellent service. PRESS FOR MORE INFO
Jworx Automotive The Cotswold’s trusted vehicle repair centre. As your local Cotswold garage we provide services for all vehicle makes and models. PRESS FOR MORE INFO
CotswoldSelect.co.uk Search for a local select business recommended by your neighbours
ROOFING
GM Roofing Supplying a comprehensive range of services for all your roofing requirements.
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WINDOWS & DOORS
ETC Windows & Doors Supplying and installing a fantastic range of products to completely transform your home. PRESS FOR MORE INFO
THE BEST OF LOCAL TRADESMEN, EASY TO CHOOSE & EASY TO USE Advertise your business from only £50.00 p/m
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DIGITAL ADVERTISING MADE EASY
