CotswoldXL Magazine Issue 14

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MIDE CARTER

A Letter From The Editor.

Welcome all to our February Cheltenham Festival 2024 issue. I’m hoping by the time you read this the rain will have stopped there’s some sunshine peeking through the February gloom. Particularly as we’re just weeks away from the iconic national hunt event. Preparations are unfolding across the Cotswolds and I can already feel the excitement rippling here and there (despite the rain) and it’s just wonderful.

BOODLES CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP AND CENTENARY

The world-renowned event is particularly special this year as the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup celebrates its 100th year. It’s such an historic milestone and highlights the incredible significance of the event in the horse racing calendar and beyond.

One of the other fabulous elements of Cheltenham Festival is that during its long history, it has been synonymous with timeless style and elegance. This is to be honoured and celebrated at the festival in 2024 with ‘Style Wednesday’ on 13th March, featuring the ‘Slow Fashion Awards’. I’ll be there, and I’m really looking forward to it.

The Slow Fashion Awards is celebrating vintage, borrowed and investment pieces that can be worn for decades and passed down from generation to generation. I couldn’t be more on board. Fashion plays a significant role in the climate crisis. Using the festival – an event steeped in style – as a platform to encourage all of us to think ‘slow fashion’, is valuble and significant. I’ve really begun to make slow fashion a part of my life. At first, I found it difficult – old habits and all that. But now it’s a way of life.

Seeking out vintage items that really work for you can take time. For me it encourages the slow joy of clothes that is obliterated by fast fashion.

In this issue of the CotswoldXL Magazine we are honouring the historic style and elegance of the festival and the celebration of slow fashion. Firstly, with our cover this month – a stylish and evocative image that captures the elegance and history of fashion at the Cheltenham Festival. Secondly, an exciting interview with Tom Wharton from bespoke luxury tailor Barrington Ayre – based in Cirencester – find that on page 5. It was a really wonderful interview and I’m so excited to share it with you.

For a chance to experience the behind-the-scenes workings of a Cotswold racing stable we’ve created a comprehensive list of tours on page 16. It’s an experience I recommend to anyone interested in horse racing. On page 22 find the history of tweed, plus more features and reviews throughout the magazine.

I’m off to work on my outfit for Cheltenham Festival, if you’re attending have an amazing time.

See you in the Spring and take care.

Mide x

The ‘Barrington Ayre’ Experience

A CONVERSATION WITH TOM WHARTON, FOUNDER AT THE BESPOKE, LUXURY TAILORS BARRINGTON AYRE.

As the Cotswolds is humming with the preparations for Cheltenham Festival in March, punters will have an eye on the odds as they don their outfits for the event synonymous with the very best Cotswold country style.

With style on my mind I excitedly headed over to Cirencester to meet Tom Wharton, founder at bespoke luxury tailor ‘Barrington Ayre’. We chatted bespoke clothing, sustainability and Cheltenham Festival.

I encountered Barrington Ayre last summer on social media with an image of ‘Strictly’ dancer Nadiya Bychkova wearing a delicately salmon coloured three-piece suit. It stopped me in my tracks; the colour for starters – unusual, soft and summery. Also, the exquisite cut and fabric. Gently striking a balance between Nadiya’s strength and femininity, both powerful and beautiful.

I then blissfully scrolled through Barrington Ayre’s vast catalogue of work. Struck by the rich colours, classic cuts, fabrics and styles. But mostly by the confidence of all those elements blended together. Barrington Ayre straddles the line between classical and modern with refined skill and grace. Unsurprisingly, I have joyfully been watching them ever since.

I sat in the showroom on a luxurious bright blue Chesterfield sofa feeling awestruck, whilst Tom disappeared to make tea. It’s an old building with lots of character. The room is well ordered and mesmerising with delightful wood panelling. There’s an opulent drinks tray, fabric samples, photos of clients, and examples of work neatly adorning different corners. You’re propelled back in time to a place where refined elegance was the norm, minus the fusty antiquated stuffiness. It felt joyful, intriguing and relaxing - I happily sat back drinking it all in.

Tom is an immediately warm and open person with buckets of enthusiasm for what he does, and we chatted easily.

ME:

“Lots of people will have no experience of buying a bespoke item of clothing – what does that process look like?”

TOM:

“Exactly! That’s just not we do here – we welcome everyone, and it’s meant to be a fun, laid back, positive experience. We usually have our dog Monty here tottering about and encourage people to bring theirs – we’ve had a gaggle of gun dogs in here before, all extremely well behaved of course. We’re very open and easy.”

Nadiya Bychkova

ME:

“I love that. I went to Oxford Street in London on Saturday to look at the last of the sales. It was awful. Hot, busy and completely lacking in joy. You’re the opposite of that and fast fashion of course!”

TOM:

“Absolutely, there’s a sense in high-street shops that they don’t really care about you as an individual. It’s just sell, sell sell. I find it hideous. We put the individual right at the centre of everything.”

ME:

“I couldn’t agree more”

TOM:

“In fact, if any of our customers are in Scotland near the Lovat Mill where we source some of our tweed, the mill welcomes our customers in. They’re brilliant. They stop what they’re doing and show our customers the process and where the fabric is made. Unlike fast fashion, our clients can see exactly where their clothes begin and if their fabric is to hand, they show them their fabric. It’s an additional means for them to savour the experience with us. It’s the same with Fox Brothers and co in Somerset, they’ll always welcome our customers in”

ME:

“I feel that contrary to fast fashion; your work is about the slow joy of savouring something really special and beautiful.”

TOM:

“It really is – that’s the idea. It’s not just the clothing with fast fashion, it’s the fabric. Good quality fabric is everything”

ME:

“That’s wonderful! It’s a million miles from the anonymous and sometimes badly made clothing from high-street fast fashion”

TOM:

“It’s the absolute opposite – plus wool is sustainable, it’s hypoallergenic, it regulates your body temperature and if you buried it in the ground it would decompose gently within 3 -4 months. It’s sustainable. Polyester takes 20 to 200 years to decompose”

ME:

“Yikes that’s terrifying. It makes the idea of bespoke clothing rather than mass produced, even more attractive. So, if I came to you looking to have my first piece of bespoke clothing made what would that appointment look like”

TOM:

“I’d start with you. We’re creating an exclusive one-off piece that’s completely personal to that individual, so I always begin by asking them about themselves. You’d come in and we’d have a good chat, talk about what you do, where you live and most importantly how you’re going to wear the clothing and what you’re going to use the clothing for. I even ask people things like are you a hot or cold person? They look surprised, but it matters because it’ll have some bearing on the fabric. Also, will you be travelling a lot, is it a one-off piece or will it have high usage? The details really matter. We’ll look at colouring because that’ll have a bearing on fabric, then I’ll get out the fabric samples and begin to go through them and talk about ideas. They might have some ideas and we’ll talk about that. Though if I know something won’t work, I’m very straight with people and say so.”

ME:

“I can imagine that frankness is really important. So how long would that first appointment be? ”

TOM:

“Exactly… about an hour. I’ve done this for 15 years, and 40 minutes is the longest a man can look at fabric before he starts just blindly choosing anything. There’s very definite shut off point. Women can look for a little longer.”

ME:

“Ha ha, I can imagine! What next? ”

TOM:

“Then we’ll measure them. After 4-6 weeks, they come back for a fitting to see how it sits. Then we’ll see if there are any tweaks that are needed. If it fits well, we’ll send them away to wear the item for three months. See if it’s working, let them get used to it and to let the item mould to their body and soften. Then they might come back to us and say they need some changes and that’s fine. That’s what we do.”

ME:

“Oh really, I can’t wait to see the outfits. Do you prefer dressing men or women?”

TOM:

“Honestly it has to be the women, there’s more scope to try different things and more colour choices. But to be honest with you, I love it all.”

ME:

“It sounds like a dream; I don’t know a woman who wouldn’t want this experience. So how are the orders all in for Cheltenham festival?”

TOM:

“We stop taking orders about 6 weeks before the festival.”

ME:

“And what are people wearing this year, Tom? ”

TOM:

“Well obviously the classic tweed suits for men and this year for women there’s a lot of high waisted trousers.”

WORDS BY MIDE CARTER

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Cotswold Racing Stable Tours

For horse racing enthusiasts, lovers of all things equestrian, and the just plain curious, a stable tour can be a really fascinating and thrilling experience. There are often opportunities to meet the trainers themselves and chat, watch the horses on the gallops and witness first-hand the comings and goings of everyday training life in the yard. I’ve been on a few stable tours now and it’s always a real delight to get closer to the horses and meet those who are passionate about them. Plus, our local yards are always surrounded by glorious rolling Cotswold countryside.

For me, behind the scenes is the beating heart of the horse racing world and goes hand in hand with the buzz of Cheltenham Festival and other national hunt events.

To get you the mood for Cheltenham Festival we’ve compiled a list below of all the Cotswold national hunt trainers offering stable tours, their costs, locations and where to book. Be sure to head over to their individual websites to find the ins and outs of each tour available.

Martin Keighly Racing

CONDICOTE STABLES, MORETON-IN-MARSH

Martin Keighley Racing – Condicote Stables, Moreton-in-Marsh

Runs throughout the year Monday –Saturday starting at 8.00am. Priced at £50pp for an hour and a half tour. Includes watching the horses on the gallops, a tour of the yard plus a bacon sandwich and hot drink.

Find out more details here

(https://martinkeighleyracehorsetrainer. com)

Contact: keighleyracing@btinternet.com

Charlie Longsdon Racing

Runs at various times throughout the year with tours starting at 9.15am. Priced £65pp for 1½ hour tour including coffee and a bacon sarnie.

Find more details here (https://www.charlielongsdonracing.com/ aboutus/stable-tours/)

Contact: info@charlielongsdonracing.com

Kim Bailey Racing

Runs from Monday – Saturday, starting at 8.15am. Priced at £80pp or £500 for 10 people with a business breakfast included.

Find more details here

(http://www.kimbaileyracing.com/ thorndale-farm/morning-on-the-gallops/)

Contact: info@kimbailey.com

THORNDALE FARM, ANDOVERSFORD

HULL FARM STABLES, CHIPPING NORTON

Fergal O’Brien Racing Ben Pauling Racing

RAVENSWELL FARM, WITHINGTON

Runs from Monday – Saturday, starting at 8.15am. Priced at £80pp or £500 for 10 people with a business breakfast included.

Find more details here

(https://www.fergalobrienracing.co.uk/ ravenswell-farm)

Contact: admin@fergalobrienracing.com

Jonjo O’Neill

JACKDAWS CASTLE, TEMPLE GUITING

Runs on various days throughout the year. Starts at 7.15am at The Lygon Arms in Broadway for a sit-down breakfast where you’ll be joined by your tour host. Then you’ll head to the yard for a detailed tour. Priced at £250pp.

Find more details here

(https://www.jonjooneillracing.com/stabletours.html)

Contact: pa@jonjooneillracing.com quoting VIP Stable tours

NAUNTON DOWNS ESTATE, NAUNTON

Runs on various days depending on tour package:

Bronze £50pp runs Monday – Friday with warm drink and refreshments. Silver £100pp runs various days, a longer tour plus a glass of champagne and bacon sarnie.

Gold £150 – £175pp depending on group size and includes glass of champagne, sitdown breakfast and a detailed tour.

Find more details here

(https://www.benpaulingracing.com/ stable-tours.html)

Contact: info@benpaulingracing.com

WORDS BY MIDE CARTER

Martin Keighly Racing

With Cheltenham festival on our minds we headed over to Martin Keighley Racing stables to chat about his work, and his hopes for Cheltenham Festival. To find out more watch the video below.

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The History of Tweed

Tweed might feel like a fabric of bygone age, only good for cushions, the odd throw and not much else. But in reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Tweed first appeared in the 1700s, invented by Scottish farmers to help them withstand harsh, long winters. The tweed was tightly woven to ensure it was as water resistant as possible. It was also incredibly warm, wind resistant and very robust. Making it ideal for the men who worked the land and for their families. It kept them comfortable, lasted well and helped them survive.

However, initially it would have been extremely thick and devoid of the intricate and colourful patterns we’re familiar with today. It was the fabric of a peasant man but, as we know, that was set to change.

A vast amount of tweed began to be made in the western isles of Scotland. By the late 1700’s, plenty of crofts had looms and it was a major and vital industry for the islanders as they shipped their fabric to mainland Scotland and then further afield. The fabric was becoming incredibly popular and valued not only for its robust rugged texture, but also the skilful blending of earthy colours.

Early in the 19th century, Scottish estate owners were looking for ways to raise capital for their expensive houses and land. They found an enthusiastic market with the British gentry. It became fashionable for English aristocrats to buy or rent Scottish estates as a base for parties organised around hunting. Of course, robust tweed was the ideal fabric for hunting garments. Giving protection from the weather and ease of movement. From this practice, ‘Estate Tweed’ was eventually born.

Around 1835, General Balfour of Balbirnie rented the Glenfeshie Estate for a few years. Traditionally, highland chiefs would provide retainers with the clan tartan but, as many British Aristocrats pledged no allegiance to the clans, they had no right to wear their tartan. General Balfour’s daughter was appalled that they had no tartan for their distinguished guests, so she added a scarlet overcheck or windowpane to the traditional black and white Shepard’s check tweed. This differentiated them from the common working man. She considered this their ‘tartan’ when in reality it wasn’t. It became their Estate Tweed and a new tradition was anchored in history.

Estate Tweed caught on and brighter colours were incorporated, though it was important that these blended with the natural landscape to ensure effective camouflage when hunting.

Today’s tweeds originated on these Victorian estates. It filtered into Royal life after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert purchased Balmoral and then it slowly filtered down into everyday life. The Estate Tweed is also a precursor of modern military camouflage. In 1859, Lord Elcho founded a London Scottish regiment. He realised that the bright scarlet uniform made soldiers conspicuous and vulnerable. He decided to create a tweed for his soldiers naming it the ‘Elcho Mixture’. This then developed into the now familiar khaki uniform.

Over the years, tweed has remained a staple in the UK and beyond. It was eternalised in the 1960’s with the Chanel jacket made from Linton tweed from Carlisle. A design that has remained permanently in style. With the Peaky Blinders TV show, the tweed flat cap has made a reappearance into popular culture and Harris Tweed has become a popular and pervasive brand synonymous with colour and quality. You might even see tweed on the ski slopes, its properties making it ideal for winter sports.

Tweed is the kind of fabric you may not even realise you have in your wardrobe. It seems unlikely that it will ever disappear and, given its durability and sustainability, it feels like the perfect fabric for all of us for an earth friendly future.

WORDS BY MIDE CARTER

RECIPE

Eggs in Purgatory

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of attending the iconic Cheltenham Festival, you’ll know it’s exciting but also a long and tiring day. My festival advice for first time attendees is to always wear comfy shoes, warm layers and have a really good breakfast.

For me it’s got to be an egg-based breakfast and my favourite by far is ‘Eggs in Purgatory’ – a real breakfast of champions and a classic Italian breakfast dish. As ever with me it’s incredibly simple, consisting of eggs gently poached on top of a spicy, garlic, tomato

sauce with a little grated parmesan on top and some fancy bread on the side. It’s a warm, tasty start to the day and requires little effort and makes little mess. My favourite kind of cooking!

Eggs in purgatory is ‘Uovo Al Purgatorio’ in Italian – the eggs seemingly symbolising souls in purgatory (the bit before hell) and the tomatoes are hell simmering beneath them. Wonderful, but I can assure you there’s nothing hellish about this dish.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp good quality extra virgin olive oil

• 1 shallot finely chopped and ¼ of a garlic clove a finely chopped

• ½ tsp of dried chilli flakes

• 1 can of tinned cherry tomatoes (I always use tinned cherry tomatoes as they give a much better flavour)

• 4 large eggs

Method

STEP 1

Add the olive oil to a large pan followed by the onion, garlic and chilli flakes

STEP 2

Cook on a medium low heat for about 10 minutes to soften the onion – be careful not to burn the onion

STEP 3

Add the tinned cherry tomatoes, gently squashing down them down with the back of a wooden spoon until they pop open

STEP 4

Give the pan a good stir along with a few cracks of salt

STEP 5

Bring to tomatoes to a simmer then cover the pan

STEP 6

Put your chicken stock in a cup and cover it in no more than 1.5cm of boiling water from the

• fresh basil

• parmesan

• salt

• sliced bread

• ¼ cube of chicken stock

• tomato puree

STEP 7

Add your chicken stock to the pan along with 3 squeezes of the tomato puree, stirring well

STEP 8

Tear your basil into bits and stir into your sauce

STEP 9

Cover the pan and leave for another five minutes stirring well intermittently

STEP 10

Now to poach the eggs….. using the back of a wooden spoon make four little wells in your sauce making sure they’re wide enough to hold an egg

STEP 11

Crack your eggs into each of your wells and drop a little salt on each, then cover and leave to simmer over a medium low heat for about 2-3 minutes so the white has set but the yolk is still runny

STEP 12

Serve and enjoy with your bread

Doris

HOME AND GIFTS BRIXHAM

In the idyllic Devon town of Brixham, nestled into Union Lane sits an independent shop called ‘Doris’. It has a striking navy-blue exterior, and the windows are filled with cacophony of earthy textures and colour. The sign above the door says ‘Doris – A Goddess Who Ruled the Sea’. It draws you in.

This magical shop was brought to life by Karen Miller in 2001. Inspired by the sea, nature and the organic and natural world around her. Karen experimented at her kitchen table, making sculptures from driftwood. From this her ideas grew, her skills developed, and the magical shop ‘Doris –Home & Gifts’ was born.

In Greek mythology Doris was the Oceanid nymph wife of the sea-god Nereus. She was the goddess of the rich fishing-grounds found at the mouths of rivers where fresh water mingled with the brine. It’s easy to see why Karen felt Doris was the perfect name for her shop. Her sculptures are impressive and beautiful capturing the wild beauty of the waves and myths.

Karen and I chatted about her sculpture work and in particular driftwood. It seemed to me, that driftwood is a material with a life of its own. You have to connect with each piece and find a way to make it fit. You are compelled to feel the soft salty wash of the water on the worn wood. It’s such a primal thing that requires real focus and care. I am captivated by the process and the end result.

As ‘Doris’ grew Karen connected with the world-renowned artist James D Webb, who works mainly in driftwood and other recycled materials. He exhibits annually at Chelsea Flower Show where he twice won the coveted Best Trade Stand Award. Webb’s immediately recognisable work appears all

over the world, notably in Singapore’s Iconic Gardens by the Bay where over 40 of his sculptures are on permanent display. Also, at Harelford Gold course in Marlow. You’ll find a selection of Webb’s work at ‘Doris’ complementing Karen’s work, ideas and philosophy.

I asked Karen how she chooses other home and gift products for ‘Doris’ and she explained that she simply chooses that which she loves. It’s a such a satisfying approach. Karen ensures that Doris is a shop dictated by passion, integrity and the natural world around her. It’s a welcome relief from the heavily repetitious nature of products you might find in chain stores.

Karen has an infectious energy and incredible style. She manages to keep ‘Doris’ looking beautiful and expertly curated, she also regularly takes on bespoke commissions. But most importantly for her, she makes time to connect with customers. Karen makes it clear that it’s the people she meets that inspire her too. Doris is a shop that will surprise and charm you every time you visit and believe me, you’ll want to visit it again and again.

Website:

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A BIRD FOR ALL SEASONS

Goldfinch

The goldfinch is a particularly eye-catching bird. With it’s red face, black cap and bright yellow plumes striped across its wings, it’s an easy and pleasing spot as it flits about your garden.

It’s a small species – on average it comes up slightly smaller than a robin. Being a social bird, you’ll often see it feeding in loose groups that are rather delightfully called a Charm. The charm creates a lush spectacle as they dart about simultaneously filling their bellies. I particularly love it come autumn as they all descend on my faded verbenas.

FEEDING

The goldfinch has a fine, well adapted beak making it an excellent seed feeder. It’s skilled at extracting seeds from plants such as thistles, teasels and, of course, verbenas. In the summer the parents will feed their young insects and invertebrates.

NESTS AND BREEDING

Goldfinches generally build their nests within thick cover several meters above the ground. They normally lay around five eggs in June and the chicks will hatch approximately two weeks later. They will stay in the safety of the nest for another two weeks before fledging.

Goldfinches might raise multiple broods in one year. Mates generally only stay together for one breeding season.

MIGRATION

Most goldfinch stay in the UK for the duration of the year, but some might migrate for the winter, travelling as far as southern Spain.

WHERE DO YOU FIND THEM?

Goldfinches live prevalently throughout the UK with the exception of the more mountainous parts of Scotland. They can occupy almost any habitat that has a range of scattered trees and bushes. They can be found in woodland, domestic gardens, farms and parkland. They are most common in southern England.

CONSERVATION

The Goldfinch population is thriving and has more than doubled since the 1970’s. Around 1.2 million are thought to breed around the UK each year. However, the goldfinch still remains vulnerable to the wider challenges faced by all wildlife such as loss of habitat and climate change.

WORDS BY MIDE CARTER

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Thai Emerald, Evesham

Despite its impressive frontage, the Thai Emerald in Evesham could be easily overlooked. Heavy traffic hurtles past on the wide high-street and the restaurant is a little lost amongst the never-ending din of cars and lorries. But as a lover of Thai food it had long been on my list of places to go. We made our way there on dreary Saturday afternoon in January.

Potent magic takes place as you step over the threshold into the restaurant; Evesham

is suddenly very, very far away. You’re transported to a soft and tropical place. With an abundance of wood and intriguing carvings from ceiling to floor you’ll feel compelled to stand for moment, and just take it all in. You’ll head over a bridge with water, plants and fish below and you’ll wonder if perhaps you should have worn something a little smarter. It’s a beautiful and very surprising place.

Only a wretched soul could fail to be utterly charmed and captivated by the interior of the Thai Emerald, and perhaps this alone should make it worth a visit. But, whilst a well thought out interior is a must, when the food fails to match its standard it’s a miserable case of ‘style over content’ for me. I was nervous.

The danger with Thai food is that, understandably, over time they have pandered to the British palate. Creating a hybrid of all eastern cooking whilst dumbing down the flavours to suit our unsophisticated desires. It’s taken me a long time to stop expecting a variation of a Chinese take away from the 1990’s. But my standards have risen, and I want really fresh, authentic Thai food.

To start we ordered an Emerald Mixed Starter to share. I always head for a fishcake first, it’s a good gauge of taste and freshness. With the first bite I relaxed – fresh ingredients, freshly cooked with an authentic taste. Then silence ensued as we both savoured the platter. As we made our way through t we smiled and talked only a little which, which to me, is the true measure of excellent food. Where the taste supersedes any need for conversation and honestly only the very best will compel me to stop talking.

As ever, for my main course I ordered a Kaeng Khiaw Wan with prawns – Bangkok’s famous green curry. My other half ordered the Kaeng Daeng with chicken – a classic red curry. Again silence. Incredible freshness with well balanced, rich authentic flavours. For me I want to taste the coriander without being overwhelmed by it. Expectations surpassed; this was one of my best ever green curries. My other half expressed the same sentiment.

I strongly urge you to book a table at the Thai Emerald. Their website states that they want to give you a unique experience that embraces all the senses, they do this and more. From the interior to the service to the food, the Thai Emerald is indeed a jewel. They have plenty of space and it’s an ideal place for a special occasion. I’ll see you there.

Thai Emerald

– Evesham – Cheltenham - Cirencester - Milton Keynes

https://www.thai-emerald.co.uk/

WORDS BY MIDE CARTER

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Henson Surfacing offer a high-quality tarmac, asphalt and Cotswold stone driveway surface laying service.

ETC Windows & Doors

Supplying and installing a fantastic range of products to completely transform your home.

Henson Plant Hire

Henson Plant has over 30 years experience providing plant machinery to a wide range of builders, landscapers & homeimprovers.

R Parker Landscaping

We have lots of lovely ideas and designs to enhance your beautiful gardens and driveways.

Vale Stoves

Offering a stylish range of traditional and contemporary Multifuel & Woodburning stoves in beautiful cast iron finishes.

Le Brun Building Contractors Ltd

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.

GM Roofing

Supplying a comprehensive range of services for all your roofing requirements.

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.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Martin Grinnel Funeral Services

Serving the Cotswold & Vale community for over 35 years and are Evesham’s only independent funeral directors.

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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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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

Offering one of the widest selections of high quality fresh meat in your area from their High Street Butchers shop.

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Fresh Meat Matters

A traditional butchers shop serving farm fresh British meat with old fashioned service as standard.

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FOOD & EATING OUT

Vegetable Matters

The Vegetable Matters farm shop sells fresh, seasonal vegetables which are mostly grown on the Drinkwater familie’s farm.

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The Swan Inn

Serving great quality pub-grub classics, along with traditional local ales, craft ciders and spirits.. Dog friendly beer garden & function room hire.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Tom Cook Carpets

Offering a huge selection of leading brand Carpets, Vinyl’s and Laminates for both Domestic and Commercial properties.

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Vale Stoves

Offering a stylish range of traditional and contemporary Multifuel & Woodburning stoves in beautiful cast iron finishes.

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GM Roofing

Supplying a comprehensive range of services for all your roofing requirements.

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ETC Windows & Doors

Supplying and installing a fantastic range of products to completely transform your home.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Jworx Automotive

The Cotswold’s trusted vehicle repair centre. As your local Cotswold garage we provide services for all vehicle makes and models.