A warm welcome to the March edition of Cotswold XL magazine.
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At last, the weather is warming, the days are longer, and Easter is approaching. I feel like the Easter weekend is an important time to exhale and relax if you can. In addition to being a time of re-birth and new beginnings it feels like our reward for getting through the winter and I always make the most of it. And by making the most of it I mean I do as little as possible while eating as much as I can. Obviously with the odd dog walk thrown in to blow away the cobwebs.
As we head into full spring, I’d love to be out about meeting more of you. Whilst we’re based in the north Cotswolds, I’m more than happy to travel. So, if you feel like you’ve got something you’d like to share give me a shout at midecarter@ gmail.com
Wishing you and yours a happy and relaxing Easter from myself and all of the CostwoldXL team.
It’s a difficult truth – but humans and, in particular, dogs can cause catastrophic damage to nature and wildlife when walking in the outdoors. Most notably during the spring as nature is waking up and birds and animals are busy breeding and nesting.
It’s common knowledge that dogs must be kept on leads around livestock. Any dog seen to be worrying farm animals can be lawfully shot and killed by a farmer or landowner. Obviously, no one wants that. Without livestock, forest rangers and nature reserve assistants might not have the same powers but the need is just as great.
There is a whole host of endangered and vulnerable ground nesting birds and animals that need peace and protection in order to thrive and survive. An overenthusiastic dog can upset a nest and kill young simply by vigorously running past. Let alone if they exercise their natural prey instinct and hunt and kill vulnerable birds or animals.
Then there’s the colossal amount of dog poo and wee which can upset the natural balance of nature’s ecosystems. But it doesn’t end there; endangered wild flowers (think bluebells) can be trampled and destroyed, bug homes busted-up, and fungi obliterated. All elements that are absolutely vital to mother nature’s cycle of life.
The law states that on, open access common land, dogs must be kept on a lead no longer than two meters from March 1st to 31st of July. This is a great start, but there is more we can do. We can:
1. Stick to marked paths
2. Always pick up dog poo
3. If possible, prevent your dog from jumping in ponds which can disturb wildlife and pollute the water
4. Don’t walk a large number of dogs on nature reserves, common land and woodland.
It’s satisfying to know that each of us in our own small way can play a part in preserving the magnificent places and wildlife that the UK has to offer.
“The law states that on open access common land dogs must be kept on a lead no longer than two meters from March 1st to 31st of July”
Words by Mide Carter.
Greetings Cards, Balloons, Banners, Gifts and Cotswold Souvenirs
SATURDAY 29 APRIL – 10AM TO 10PM
SUNDAY 30 APRIL – 10AM TO 10PM
MONDAY 1 MAY – 10AM TO 5PM
CROWN MEADOW, EVESHAM
• 100 + stalls and covered bar • Asparagus focus
• Live music • Children’s activities
• Chilli eating competition
• Vintage tractors & engines
• Cake baking competition • Fun fair
www.eveshamfoodfestival.co.uk
Vale-of-Evesham-Food-Drink-Festival
FRIDAY 28 APRIL – MONDAY 1 MAY 2023
www.strichardsfestival.co.uk
FREE ADMISSION SRCF2023
Live entertainment • Real ale bar
Children’s activities • Canal boat rides
Arts and crafts • Food stalls
Dog show (Monday)
The ‘Great Droitwich Duck Race’ (Monday)
FRIDAY 28 APRIL
Entertainment from 6.30pm
SATURDAY 29 - SUNDAY 30 APRIL
Activities from 10am Entertainment until 11pm
MONDAY 1 MAY
Activities from 10am Entertainment until 5.30pm
Cheltenham Festival is an internationally iconic occasion. It serves as a defining moment of the year for many owners, trainers and jockeys alike. Capturing the passion, ambition and spirit of National Hunt racing over four incredible days. Also, the festival is undeniably equally defining and significant for the companies, people and communities who work and live in and around it in the Cotswolds.
CotswoldXL talked to some of these people to find out how this eminent festival touches their lives.
“My first view of the racecourse was from a helicopter while covering the Cheltenham Festival as a presenter for BBC Radio 5 Live. It was a bird’s eye view of the stunning Cotswold Hills which wrap themselves around the famous, undulating, roller-coaster of a race track.
The Festival is one the highlights of the year in the Cotswolds. Stow is busy with racegoers and there’s a wonderful atmosphere as the world heads for Prestbury Park. The racing brings so much prosperity to our towns and villages.
My husband, Tom Knight, and I wrote the Official Book of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and for newcomers to racing, I always describe the Festival as the Olympics of National Hunt Racing. It’s where the best horses, trainers, jockeys and stable staff are performing at the pinnacle of their sport. Hearing that Cheltenham roar at the start of the Gold Cup is spine-tingling and it’s exhilarating to watch those beautiful horses gallop up the hill to the finish. It would be my dream to have a runner at the Festival.”
Sybil Ruscoe is currently the Farming & Countryside Advisor for The Archers on BBC Radio 4. She is a Deputy Lieutenant for Gloucestershire and lives in Stow-on-theWold. Sybil is also part of the ‘Beautiful People’ horseracing syndicate with her sister Hazel and broadcasting friends, John Inverdale and Jeff Stelling. Their horse, Organdi, is trained by Richard Phillips at Adlestrop, near Stow.
www.richardphillipsracing.com
“My shop in Chipping Campden always gets busier in the run up to the Festival and the whole town starts to get the buzz as soon as March begins. Horse racing has always been in my life, my grandfather was a racecourse bookmaker – one of the old school – and my Dad has always had shares in racehorses with quite a bit of success. I always remember my grandfather with his Trilby hat or “titfa” (titfertat – hat) on his head and this is part of the reason for my career as a Milliner.
I specialise in Felt hats, Trilby’s, Fedora’s and Percher’s which are the predominate type seen at Cheltenham in March. The Thursday is becoming more fashionable and being able to dress up my handmade hats with feathers, ribbons and other accessories always makes them stand out against the mass-produced standard hats so often seen.
www.louisepocock.com
The Cheltenham Festival is synonymous with the Cotswolds in spring and I am always busy at this time of year as people get last minute tickets and start to design their outfits. I have plenty of clients who wear their favourite hats every year as well as others who want a new style every day.”
“Our name says it all really. There is a love of all things equestrian right at the heart of our business – one of our founders grew up in Cheltenham and is passionate about Cheltenham Festival. It feels very fitting that we are there at the racecourse in the heart of it all.
As a small independent business that began in a horse trailer during the pandemic, the Cheltenham Festival massively boosts our visibility and helps us reach the customers we actually started it all for. We are based in a small market town and need that greater visibility to compete with some outstanding food destination towns. The Cheltenham Festival is crucial in giving us that opportunity. It’s also a great match for our street food inspired bar, restaurant and events business. Plus, our meat is locally sourced in Gloucestershire from Clifford Freeman who is committed to providing the best quality product from his outdoor reared and grassfed cattle. This is so important to us. StirrUps is very much about sourcing from the local area and engaging with the local community.
Having our van down at Cheltenham Racecourse is our way of sharing our dedication and passion for outstanding quality food with more people and it gives them the opportunity to sample our delicious menu, connect with us and experience our values at a really special and exciting event. I find it a real highlight of the year.”
www.stirr-ups.co.uk
Words by Mide Carter.
• Headstones & Kerb Sets
• Cremation Tablets
• Comfort Stones, Vase, Urns, Pet Memorials
• Ashes into Glass
• Jewellery & more
Find Us: St Richards Road, Evesham, WR11 1XJ
CALL US: 01386 47852
WEBSITE: just-memorials.co.uk
Once as I walked my dog through some woodland, I met two women crouched down snipping leaves from an innocuous looking plant. Curiously I asked them what they were doing and… so it began. My enduring love of wild garlic.
The season begins in February to March when only the leaves will be present and are ripe for snipping and eating. It continues until late spring when the flowers appear which are also edible and look particularly pretty on a summer salad.
The law states that you are able to forage anything above ground i.e. you must
leave the bulb in the ground. The law also allows us to forage on private land; Gathering Wild Plants – 1968 Theft Act
Section 4, subsection (3) A person who picks mushrooms growing wild on any land, or who picks flowers, fruit or foliage from a plant growing wild on any land, does not (although not in possession of the land) steal what he picks, unless he does it for reward or for sale or other commercial purpose.
For purposes of this subsection
“mushroom” includes any fungus, and “plant” includes any shrub or tree.
Wild garlic season is here and with it a simple and tasty way to flex your foraging skills.
Even considering the law I only forage a small amount from one area – this is considerate foraging. Never leaving a mess. There are so many places to find wild garlic it’s easy to build up a significant supply by taking just a small amount each time.
Identifying the plant is really easy, even before the delicate white flowers appear. Rub the leaves gently between your fingers and there should be a strong oniony/garlicky aroma. Wild garlic loves to grow on river banks and in shady places and you’ll learn to keep an eye out and enjoy the buzz when you stumble upon a patch. Occasionally when it’s in large quantities you’ll smell it in the air before you see it but with practice, you’ll recognise the leaves immediately. During the season I always carry a small pair of scissors and a zip lock bag with me, cutting a few leaves from the stem at the bottom. Be warned, leaves stuffed into coat pockets and nice handbags can
leave a pungent smell that can linger for weeks.
Just like picking blackberries and sloes in the autumn, foraging for wild garlic in the spring feels really good. It gets us outside, connects us with our food and nature. But there’s the taste too, intense and punchy with a freshness that’s only possible from food picked the same day. If you’ve never tried wild garlic, make this year your first and revel in yet another delight that spring has to offer.
Words by Mide CarterIsn’t it simply breath-taking when wild animals enter our worlds and feed from our hands? Being so close to wildlife can feel thrilling and meaningful.
Last year a debate raged on social media when certain celebrities filmed themselves communing with wild foxes; graciously feeding them in their gardens, inviting them into their homes and playfully interacting. What a delight – but is it really the best thing for a wild animal? People just weren’t sure.
When a fox visits our garden, it can feel like a privilege (or not depending on who you are). Viewing ourselves as animal lovers and with good intentions, we encourage those visits in order to perpetuate that idea. But expert advice is clear – feeding wild animals can be detrimental to them. Basically, wild foxes don’t need direct human feeding in order to stay alive. They are masters of survival.
For foxes eating food from humans requires no real skill or effort. With regular feeding they become lazy. They stop roaming, their territory shrinks and so with it the availability of food. This forces them to rely on you and essentially, be less of a fox. Also, by reducing a fox’s fear of humans you are placing us and the fox in danger. When foxes feel confident to venture into human homes it can be anything from a massive nuisance to downright dangerous.
Sometimes wildlife can do with a helping hand in the winter; think bird feeders and bird boxes for example. But even that must be done with research and commitment. It’s so easy to convince ourselves that the needs of animals are in line with the pleasure we derive from them. The truth is they need us a lot less than we think. Mostly they need us to not destroy their habitats and food sources and then just leave them in peace if we can.
Frankly being a real animal lover sometimes means doing the very thing that brings us the least visual comfort and pleasure. Leaving out small occasional treats is fine, encouraging Mr Fox to curl up on the sofa with you to watch the nine o’clock news not so much. Follow our positive tips on how to feed the foxes below.
• Foxes like cooked or raw meat, tinned pet food, bread soaked in fat, cheese, nuts, and berries. You can also buy feed on-line. We like WildThings Badger and Fox Food.
• Leave out only small amounts otherwise the fox will take the food away and bury it – possibly in your neighbours’ flowerbed.
• Only leave food occasionally so the fox doesn’t come to rely on it. It’s a treat.
Words by Mide Carter.
• Keep food well away from the house as it will encourage rats. Clean up any leftover food in the morning to minimise risk and thoroughly clean any feeding bowls.
On a sunny spring day in February we took a trip to Charingworth Farm near Chipping Campden to meet with Forbes McQueen and talk all things egg farming. We, of course, took all necessary precautions to keep the
chickens healthy and Charingworth a birdflu free farm. See our video below to find out more about the scourge of bird flu and what it can mean for egg farmers.
Words
by Mide Carter.
This is an incredibly easy recipe with tons of flavour ideal for simple pasta dishes and easily frozen for all year-round enjoyment.
Ingredients
200g wild garlic leaves thoroughly washed
25g of pine nuts and 25g of cashews
lightly roasted
50g of parmesan
Juice from half a lemon
150ml of good quality olive oil
1.
Roughly chop the wild garlic into 1-inch strips with a pair of kitchen scissors
2. Place the wild garlic, cashews, pine nuts, parmesan, olive oil and half of the lemon juice in the blender and whizz it round until it’s a rough pesto
3.
Taste the pesto; season with salt and pepper as desired and add more lemon juice if needed
4.
Transfer to a 300g jar to keep in the fridge for two weeks or divide it into an ice tray and wrap in cling film to keep in the freezer for six months. You can easily pop out individual cubes when needed without defrosting the entire tray
Enjoy!
Modern technology now means we have the most marvellous means to intimately view wildlife without clumsily decimating their habitats.
From trail cameras to bird feeder cameras, to nesting box cameras, there is an array of equipment to give us extraordinary insight into the beautiful
beasts that inhabit our gardens and surrounding countryside.
We’ve found something for everyone to begin a captivating journey of watching wildlife and learning more about the secret life of animals on our doorsteps.
Words by Mide Carter.
GardePro A3 Wildlife Camera – currently £62.99 on Amazon.
There’s a vast range of trail cameras but if you’re looking for a good beginner camera at an affordable price then the GardePro A3 Wildlife Camera is ideal. Fitted with 110ft infrared, it is also Waterproof, and motion activated. There’s a rechargeable battery and you can use a standard SD card for storage max 128GB (not included). A great bit of kit capable of capturing something really fascinating.
Wired Bird Feeder Camera System £78.99
The best cameras will be wired so require an outside electricity source. It’s possible to use a wireless Blink camera from Amazon and place it in a custom-built bird feeder box also available from Amazon. But for first class images and sound I like the wired birdfeeder from UK Wildlife Cameras, capable of giving stunning closeup footage and being sympathetic to its surroundings –currently available at £78.99
Wifi Bird Box Camera System – from £179.99
Ideally, nesting boxes need to be placed out in the Autumn as birds will use them to roost and feed over the winter then use them again for nesting in the springtime. However, tits won’t start looking for a nest until February or March so it’s still worth placing one out now. Make sure you do your research on suitable nesting materials. I recommend Gardenature’s boxes which have been used in award-winning documentaries.
award, saying, “We are thrilled to have received the Kubota Service Excellence Gold Plus Award. It is a testament to our commitment to providing our customers with the highest levels of service and maintaining excellence in all aspects of our business.”
Hunts Engineering is celebrating a remarkable achievement after being awarded the Kubota Service Excellence Gold Plus Award. This is a significant milestone for the Agricultural Machinery Sales and Service Centre based at their Cotswold/Warwickshire dealership premises, near Shipston-On-Stour, and is a testament to their dedication to providing exceptional service to their customers.
The award is a recognition of the dealership’s performance in all aspects of their business, including customer satisfaction surveys, service facilities, mechanical training, and workshop management. The accolade is only presented to dealerships that meet the highest standards of customer service and exceed the expectations of their clients.
Owners Peter and Julie Hunt have been partners of Kubota for over six years and supply the complete range of Kubota products, including tractors, agricultural machinery and accessories. The family-owned business is dedicated to providing a one-stop-shop for all ground-care and garden machinery needs, offering a large onsite service and repair workshop, along with an extensive selection of high-quality, competitively priced products in their showroom.
Peter Hunt, one of the owners of Hunts Engineering, expressed his excitement about the
Hunts Engineering’s team of experienced service professionals have decades of experience in repairing and servicing all aspects of machinery in the industry, with an extensive spare parts facility that ensures they are a one-stop-shop for all customers’ needs.
The showroom boasts a comprehensive range of reliable hand-picked products that offer excellent performance and value for money. The dealership is known for providing free demonstrations and advice to help customers make the right purchasing decisions for their needs.
In conclusion, Hunts Engineering is a dealership that values customer satisfaction above all else, and their Kubota Service Excellence Gold Plus Award is a testament to the commitment they have made to their clients. For anyone looking for ground-care sales, service, and parts, Hunts Engineering is the perfect one-stop-shop that offers a friendly welcome and an exceptional customer experience.
Words & Images by CotswoldXL Team
Buying your dog a play-mat, brain-teaser toy or a mini assault course might seem like the mark of an overindulgent owner. However, enrichment toys and activities can actually be the difference between a badly behaved and depressed dog and a well behaved and happy dog.
Enrichment is when dogs are able to engage in their innate behaviours such as chewing, chasing, smelling, scavenging and playing and, in turn, they feel emotionally, physically and mentally happy and fulfilled. Dogs who aren’t happy and fulfilled get bored and engage in negative behaviours. No one needs stressed or aggressive dogs. Plus in the long-term, like humans, dogs can develop dementia; enrichment can help prevent this.
There is an array of toys out there and it’s easy to feel bamboozled by choice. We’ve listed some of the best on the next page but it’s worth remembering that not all enrichment costs money.
Ten minutes tug of war play with your dog each day can be excellent stimulation for them (and you!). You can build a garden assault course from boxes and logs or tie some treats up in old bits of rag and then wrap them in newspaper. My son and I sometimes play hide and seek round the house with the dog and she delights in finding one of us wedged under a bed or behind a door. There are endless possibilities.
In terms of safety, never leave a dog alone with a toy and if they tear up fabric remove it in case they’re tempted to swallow it in the heat of the moment.
It’s worth having a good few enrichment toys and exercises to keep your dog on their toes. Keep things varied and it’ll keep them excited.
Words by Mide Carter.FOR MORE DETAILS
HERE FOR MORE DETAILS
prices start at £10.
This is a simple, durable and effective dog toy and just a great all-rounder. There are different sizes depending on your dog. You can throw it, fill it with treats or both. Or for a real challenge, you can teach your dog its name, fill it with treats, hide it and let them find it.
£23.71, Amazon
This toy is more challenging than most and will definitely keep your dog hooked for longer, making it worth every penny. However, it’s not so complicated your dog will abandon it and is a great toy to have in your dog’s enrichment arsenal.
£15.29, Amazon
FOR
MORE DETAILS
£18, Amazon
Dogs love to sniff and scratch – making a Snuffle Mat a great edition to their toy box. It’s also really effective for dogs who eat too fast. You can fill the mat with some of their kibble, which keeps them keen whilst slowing them down and looking after their digestive system.
£7, Amazon
And of course, dogs love to lick. A lick mat can slow down their eating, ease anxiety and keep them stimulated. These mats are great because they have brilliant suction and are very reasonably priced.
£20.99, Amazon
Custom engraving and print in wood, acrylic for businesses.
Call us: 01386 849217
Website: woodensignskeyringsbadgestokens.co.uk
Automotive
Full range of services, ranging from Servicing to MOTs for all makes and Models.
Call us: 01386 841727
Cotswold Oak LTD
Bespoke construction, joinery & new house development services.
Call us: 01386 898086
Website: www.cotswoldoakltd.co.uk
Vehicle servicing & repairs.
Call us: 01386 841233
Computer equipment and related services to homes
Hot and cold sandwiches, breakfasts, snacks, hot and cold drinks.
Specialising in construction plant hire, power tools & material handling equipment sales.
Call us: 01386 849163
Website: dareplanthire.co.uk
Suppliers of granite memorials to the memorial
Call us: 01386 840855
Website: www.willcoxgranite.co.uk
Dare Plant Hire Call
Beautiful, bespoke worktops. We create and install quartz, granite and ultra compact surfaces.
Call us: 01386 840868
Website: www.graniteplanet.co.uk
Carpet tiles, vinyls, flotex, karndean, naturals, woods, laminates.
Call us: 07834 486687
Website: grinnallcarpets.co.uk
Garden machinery specialists.
Call us: 01386 841285
Website: www.holdengardenmachinery.co.uk
Interfab is one of the UK’s leading Corian® and solid surface fabricators.
Call us: 01386 858100
Website: www.interfab.co.uk
Bespoke furniture and joinery manufacture for high end domestic and corporate interiors.
Call us: 01386 841888
Website: www.jccreed.co.uk
Quality electricians offering bespoke services.
Call us: 01386 578404
Website: www.kdepartnership.co.uk
Timber and associated product supplier.
Call us: 01299 252921
Website: www.klevesham.com
Motorcycle and scooter tuition.
Call us: 01386 840588
Call us: ljridertraining.co.uk
Fabrication and welding specialists.
Call us: 07795 847836
Website: https://ntlfabricationandwelding.com
Outdoor Adventurer
Outdoor goods from hiking and camping to snowboarding and climbing.
Call us: 01386 841899
Call us: outdooradventurer.co.uk
Professional security services for both commercial and domestic customers.
Call us: 01386 841982
Website: www.phxsecurity.co.uk
R Christie Picture Framer
Classic and contemporary picture framing, gilding, and frame restoration services.
Call us: 01386 841177
Website: www.richardframemaker.uk
Motor engineer specialists.
Call us: 01386 840981
Produce replica cars and manufacture specialist car parts.
Call us: 01386 849116
Website: realmengineering.com
A traditional barber with professional service.
Call us: 07825 047677
Website: secretbarber.com
Manufactures a whole range of products designed to protect doors and windows.
Call us: 01386 848852
Supercentre are expanding into the Cotswolds! Our new, purposely built trade centre, is due to open on 1st March 2023 in Bourton on the Water.
Mick Harris and Glen Brotherton, the founders of Evesham Trade Centre, are celebrating over 12 years of continued success in Worcestershire. Evesham Trade Centre will be replicating the same quality, service and product selection at their new Cotswold Home Improvement Supercentre.
General Manager Barry Williams, who has also been with the company for 12 years, has successfully project managed the set up at our new Cotswold Trade Centre. Our in-house multi-skilled workforce have put their talents to good use to create a customer friendly, welcoming and functional environment.
The initial housekeeping stages of cleaning, painting and prepping set the stage for the more exciting developments. Our team then made excellent progress, cladding the new staff facilities. The GM Roofing team installed a new Firestone rubber roof over the new staff facilities and customised the racking for our products.
We provide a complete home improvement service to both trade and residential customers. We specialise in all aspects of a home exterior, offering over 25 years of experience and expertise to extend, enhance, improve, repair and renovate the exterior of any property. Our comprehensive product selection ranges from Aluminium to UPVC, all glazing materials and ancillary products. We supply conservatories, Guardian roofs, doors, windows, roof lanterns and so much more!
We also stock a wide selection of EPDM rubber roofing materials and accessories for roofing projects.
Our services do not stop here…. Our group of companies include GM Roofing and ETC Windows, providing a comprehensive residential and commercial installations service.
We are a Fensa registered company, a Which Trusted Trader and members of The Guild of Master Craftsmen and The Federation of Master Builders. We are also certified Guardian Warm Roof installers.
FOLLOW
A warm welcome awaits at our new Cotswold Home Improvements Supercentre, we look forward to seeing you very soon!
At the end of last year, in a muddy field near Willersey, I went to meet with Simon Hall from Go Detecting based in Solihull to chat about the business and the exciting world of all things metal detecting.
How long have you been doing this?
The company has been running for 5 years and I’ve been managing it for two.
for liquidated and I lost everything – house, car and job.
It’s positive because men can find it quite hard to meet new people, do you agree?
What does your job entail?
I organise and market our metal detecting events. We have the skills, professional set up and contacts to approach and pay farmers to use their land. I organise three digs a week on a Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for most of the year. That can vary depending on weather and crops etc.
How did that feel?
It was a horrible feeling; I was so used to being independent and all of a sudden, I wasn’t. I’m also used to being out and about and struggled feeling cooped up during lockdown. I was lucky to have a friend who helped me out though. After COVID my friend Laurence Von Sorgenfrei opened Go Detecting back up again and offered me a job as we both came from a marketing background.
Absolutely but again that’s the nice thing about it. You can come and meet people if you want to, but you can also come along, do some detecting, see a bit of the countryside and go home. It’s not forcing you to socialise but it’s offering you the opportunity if you want it.
That seems particularly good too in light of the fact we have something of men’s mental health crisis. It’s so interesting and engaging and would appeal to a lot of men. It gets people out and about in quite a wholesome way.
It sounds like a great job!
Yeah, it’s fantastic, the outside is my office. I worked in a corporate sales and marketing environment for many years and it’s definitely not my cup of tea any more. When COVID hit everything changed for me. The company I worked
Is it mostly men who come to the digs?
Yeah, but we have women too, there’s two or three here today. But yes, it’s mostly men.
Definitely, and another nice thing about it too is you don’t have to be super fit to do it so that’s not a barrier. But you can get out for the day, have a walk, some fresh air, perhaps little bit of light digging, and you don’t have to be an athlete to take part.
It depends really. Metal detecting machines start at about £50 and the top of the range is probably the new Minelab Manticore which is about £1800. You’ll need a pin pointer which is around the £100 mark and, of course, a spade. We charge members £15 a dig and nonmembers £25. Membership is £25 a year but our books are currently closed until November of this year – we have to ensure that there’s not too many people on a field.
But it’s so exciting, there must be this incredible feeling that you might find treasure!
Yeah, that’s true but you might just find a piece of metal or a horse shoe, that’s the thing with metal detecting you never know what’s going to happen.
Oh, wow that’s incredible – what a find! What happened next?
What about travel because that could add up too couldn’t it?
Yeah, we’re always conscious of that. So, we’re Birmingham based and most of our members live in the surrounding areas. We try to make the digs roughly an hour away. Sometimes we’ll do a three-day weekend dig so that people can stay over; people sometimes bring the whole family along. We don’t charge for anyone under sixteen. It is a patience game though and some kids can find that hard.
So, it’s not all gold coins and rare amulets?
No, you hear about the good stuff but there’s no guarantee you’ll find anything rare and valuable. Some people try it a few times and lose heart. Others try it a few times and they’re addicted. Some of our members have been doing it for twenty-five plus years – they’re just addicted to the history under our feet.
With a find like that you have to take it to the local ‘FLO’ or Finds Liaison Officer. They then do a coroner’s report on it. They asses it, value it etc and if it’s very valuable the British Museum will probably have it. If they don’t want it then one of the local museums will have it, and if they don’t want it then it’s returned to the person who found it. If it’s worth anything over £500, then the farmer will get a fifty percent share of that.
Incredible, find of a lifetime. How can people find out more?
Search for Go Detecting on Facebook and you’ll find dig and membership details there.
What’s the best thing that’s ever been found on one of your digs?
At the beginning of last summer, we had a dig in Bickmarsh, and we came across twenty-five Saxon coins in really good condition, which is rare.
Words by Mide Carter.
See the Go Detecting Facebook Group here for more information!
Little Oak Vineyard is a beautiful vineyard located in the small Cotswold market town of Chipping Campden. Since planting their first vines in 2005 the vineyard has gone on to produce high quality white wine, award-winning sparkling wine and a superb brandy.
Owned by Steve and managed by Gemma, who also hosts the tours. Their most recent accolade is being awarded Gold in the 50 Greatest Sparkling Wines of the World competition. Why not book a tour and share our amazing stories!
Give your taste buds a treat with a vineyard tour and wine tasting at the award-winning Little Oak Vineyard, where you’ll sample their high-quality white wine, award-winning sparkling wine and superb brandy.
You’ll start your experience with a short introduction about the vineyard and its wine before heading out on a fascinating tour around the vineyard. Once back in the tasting room you’ll taste and learn about the white wines, sparkling wine and brandy made by Little Oak. Following your experience stay and enjoy a traditional Cotswold ploughmans lunch of local hams, cheeses, chutneys, crusty bread and salad, with your favourite white wine from your tasting. Before you leave make sure to visit the store and purchase some mementoes from your visit - whether a bottle of their award-winning sparkling wine or even a vine lease, so that you can own a little piece of Little Oak!
Tours run daily and can go ahead no matter the weather.
With the snowdrops comes the promise of spring and warmer days. Every year when they emerge, I excitedly anticipate turning off the heating and throwing open the garden doors. In honour of this I predictably knock up a batch of my favourite pea and mint soup because to me it tastes like spring. It’s a ridiculously easy recipe with tons of taste – see below for details.
Chop the onion and gently fry for a few minutes being careful not to let the onion char.
Chop up the potato and place it in a large saucepan with the onion, the stock cubes and about 1.5 litres of boiling water. Bring it all to the boil then turn down the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
You’ll need :
2 vegetable stock cubes
1 small red onion
1 large potato
Large handful of mint leaves
400g of frozen peas
4 tablespoons of sour cream
Keep back a few mint leaves for a garnish and add the rest to your saucepan along with the frozen peas. Bring to the boil and then let it simmer for 5 minutes.
Take it off the hob and let it cool for about 20 minutes. Then transfer it to a blender and whizz it up until smooth.
Then bring the soup back to the pan and heat thoroughly. Then divvy it up between four bowls. Add a dollop of sour cream to each and a sprig of mint and you’re ready to go.
VANESSA CARTER –ASSOCIATE PARTNER AND HEAD OF LETTINGS AT BUTLER SHERBORN, BURFORD.
We caught up with Vanessa Carter to chat about her fascinating job as Head of Lettings at Butler Sherborn in beautiful Burford.
1.
How did you begin your career in the property lettings industry?
I began my career with Butler Sherborn as a Lettings Administrator nearly 23 years ago after a chance browse on a recruitment companies’ website.
Every day is so different, there is always something new and sometimes exciting to tackle. One morning we could be travelling out to a Grade II Manor house in the heart of the Cotswolds to give thoughts on rental value; then in the afternoon undertake long term rent reviews on private estates. Oh, and throw into the mix an emergency leaky washing machine that needs contractors asap to fix the problem.
Working in Lettings is heavily paperwork based and a generous part of my day will always be devoted to it. This is vital as attention to detail is imperative when dealing with references, contracts, legislation etc.
The properties that we deal with on the whole are not your standard two-up-two-down houses and therefore it is essential to have an open mind and understand the property and the client’s needs in order to give accurate and honest advice. There is also legislation to navigate. This is, of course, not exclusive to the rural Cotswolds area; lettings in general involves considerable legislation which is always evolving. This forms a substantial part of making sure every tenancy is executed accurately and efficiently.
Having worked in this industry in the Cotswolds for over 22 years now, I have witnessed the lettings market grow and grow. Who wouldn’t be drawn in by the rolling countryside, pretty villages and the relaxed atmosphere in comparison to the bustling cities? This has been evident more than ever in recent years with the opportunity for professionals to work from home, only commuting into the cities for perhaps two to three days a week.
Additionally, with the cost of buying a house in the Cotswolds continuing to rise, the demand for good quality rentals is also growing across the area as an alternative to stepping onto the home ownership ladder.
I am a naturally inquisitive person and love property – so to have the opportunity to see inside some of the most beautiful properties in the area is a real privilege and something I personally find exciting and interesting. Likewise, I enjoy meeting a wide range of really interesting people. It’s also very rewarding when you find the right property for a tenant and the right tenant for a landlord.
I have a fabulous and dedicated team working alongside me and in the office along with my four-legged friend sitting by my feet every day. We all share the load, support one another and help relieve the stresses and strains of each working week.
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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 Surfacing offer a high-quality tarmac, asphalt and Cotswold stone driveway surface laying service.
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Offering a stylish range of traditional and contemporary Multifuel & Woodburning stoves in beautiful cast iron finishes.
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Supplying and installing a fantastic range of products to completely transform your home.
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Henson Plant has over 30 years experience providing plant machinery to a wide range of builders, landscapers & homeimprovers.
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We have lots of lovely ideas and designs to enhance your beautiful gardens and driveways.
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A premier tool, plant and equipment hire service that has serviced Warwickshire, North Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds for over 30 years.
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Cotswold Oak Ltd
Since Cotswold Oak’s formation in 2004, they have grown and established ourselves as one of the most recognizable and successful construction companies in the Cotswolds and surrounding areas.
Supplying a comprehensive range of services for all your roofing requirements.
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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.
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.
The Montrose Group is based in the heart of the stunning Cotswold countryside…with a great reputation as highquality construction specialists
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.
GC Accountancy Limited was established in 2004 by Gary Crump with the aim of providing a first class, personal service tailored to the individual needs of each client.
Holmans Estate Agents are based in the centre of the bustling market town of Moreton-In-Marsh and they have a wealth of knowledge for property and locations in the area.
Martin Grinnel Funeral Services
Serving the Cotswold & Vale community for over 35 years and are Evesham’s only independent funeral directors.
The Vegetable Matters farm shop sells fresh, seasonal vegetables which are mostly grown on the Drinkwater familie’s farm.
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Book your lunch with wine tasting Vineyard Tour today for the ultimate Cotswold day-out.
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Offering one of the widest selections of high quality fresh meat in your area from their High Street Butchers shop.
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A traditional butchers shop serving farm fresh British meat with old fashioned service as standard.
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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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Supplying a first class grades maintenance service for over 25-years for both residential & commercial properties.
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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 offer a high-quality tarmac, asphalt and Cotswold stone driveway surface laying service.
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We have lots of lovely ideas and designs to enhance your beautiful gardens and driveways.
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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.
Offering a huge selection of leading brand Carpets, Vinyl’s and Laminates for both Domestic and Commercial properties.
Bourton Podiatry offer a wide range of chiropody and podiatry treatments (general foot care, corns and callous treatments, orthotic solutions, diabetic care, medical pedicure, verruca treatments and others).
Offering a stylish range of traditional and contemporary Multifuel & Woodburning stoves in beautiful cast iron finishes.
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Briarlea is family run care home with a loving and caring ethos; providing a small and cosy home with a wonderful family feel
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A local family run residential care home for the elderly. Offering permanent, Respite and Day Care.
From our offices based on Vale Park, Evesham, Worcestershire we provide Keyholding and Alarm Response, mobile patrols and Property checks across the four counties Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire.
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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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For the largest selection of premium quality second hand cars in Gloucestershire, make sure your visit the friendly and helpful team at Cotswold Vehicle Centre.
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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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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.
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The Cotswold’s trusted vehicle repair centre. As your local Cotswold garage we provide services for all vehicle makes and models.
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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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Supplying a comprehensive range of services for all your roofing requirements.
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