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January / February 2016
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inside
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New Tourism Partnership
The Cotswold Tourism Partnership looks set to boost tourism within the Cotswolds
Cotswold Way
We look at the Cotswold Way this New Year
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Garden View
Garden Resolutions to try & stick to for 2016!
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08 New Businesses & Services local news 09 CDC Planning Service Change local news 10 CDC to rehome refugee families health 12 BWRT comes to the Cotswolds a good read 12 2 new book reviews this January education 14 Cotswold School success local news: 16 A landmark for dining! business
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16 Seasonal events across our area local news: 18 New Tourism Partnership garden view: 22 Garden Resolutions for 2016 astronomy 24 How bright is a star? leisure: 26 Walking the Cotswold Way recipe: 26 Perfect Winter Soup health: 28 Keep warm this Winter out & about
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Welcome to the January - February issue
Happy New Year to you all! I hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year. 2016 in the Cotswold Link gets off to a flying start with lots of exciting news and updates from across the area. There’s Council news on pages 9, 10 & 18, as well as a real success story from the Cotswold School on p14. So, grab a good book (p12 will be 01609 777401 helpful for this!), a hot drink and settle by the fire to enjoy the 01609 779097 start of the year! I’ll see you again in March. cotswoldlink.co.uk Best wishes,
Christine Campbell | Editor Cotswold Link Magazine is published in good faith and the editors cannot be held responsible in any way for inaccuracies in reports or advertising in
or advertising that appear in this publication and the views of the contributors may not be the those of the editors. Adverts and advertisers Cotswold Link carry no implied recommendation from the magazine or the publishers. All rights reserved. All information is appearing Your in Cotswold Link Magazine 4reports mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of going to press. Cotswold Link Magazine cannot be held Please responsible for any errors or omissions.
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W E N businesses
s e c i v r e s & in & around our area
“New To The Area” is a new business feature specifically designed to help new businesses and those that are offering new businesses and services to promote themselves cost effectively. Businesses are invited to submit their adverts to this feature at the regular price (Advert sizes available:
BWRT comes to the Cotswolds A new form of therapy is now available in the Cotswolds for phobias, anxiety, habits, anger management, post traumatic stress and more. The name of this therapy is BWRT which stands for Brain Working Recursive Therapy. Claire Furner is a hypnotherapist based in Bourton on the Water and she is very proud to be the first accredited BWRT practitioner in the Cotswolds. Claire tells us that she is already seeing some very exciting results working with her clients
1/8 and ¼) and they will receive the equivalent space in complimentary editorial*. This editorial provides excellent business exposure to 15,350 homes and businesses and allows further explanation of the new business or services available. * Editorial must be supplied completed.
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New Year...New Bathroom? Cotswold Link recently spoke to Country Bathrooms owners Ross & Deborah about their business and what makes it tick!
Country Bathrooms service all your bathroom needs from minor repairs and tiling work only through to full design, supply and re-fit.
“For us it’s all about offering a personal service at a competitive price. People know that when they contact us they will speak to either Deborah or myself and that we are here to help”, says Ross.
All work is carried out with the customers needs in mind, from initial visit to the finishing touches, we always ensure that all of our work is carried out with the upmost professionalism and to the highest standards as we pride ourselves on keeping our customers happy and delivering their requirements.
Deborah continues, “We specialise in all things bathrooms and I think that people really appreciate honest advice and traditional values when they are undertaking such important work as a new bathroom.”
For more information, give Ross & Deborah a call now on: 07776 145 878 / 01451 84460 or visit: www.countrybathrooms.co.uk
Ross was born and raised in Witney and now lives in the Cotswolds. He is a fully City & Guilds qualified Plumbing and Heating engineer who specialises in bathroom installations, running his own bathroom fitting business since 2006.
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using BWRT. Claire says “BWRT is not like any other form of therapy…. it can work incredibly quickly, often in just a couple of sessions, and my clients like it because it can be carried out “content free” with no need to share embarrassing or traumatic memories”. See p12 for details on BWRT. If you would like to find out more please contact Claire on 0772 0887205 or take a look at: www.bwrtcotswolds.com
Change to Duty Planning Officer Service 
There will no longer be a duty planning officer available. Instead, the Council’s Front of House team will deal with straightforward enquiries but customers will be encouraged to self-serve using the Council’s website or – for more detailed enquiries - use the Council’s chargeable scheme for pre application advice.
In all other cases, the Front of House team can forward enquires to planning officers. However, there will possibly be a delay of 2-3 weeks before we can reply. Customers are encouraged to provide detailed information to support their enquiry and avoid further delay. Commenting on the change, Cllr Sue Jepson, CDC Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing, said: “The change is being introduced on a trial basis in response to current workload and short-term staffing issues. Whilst action has already been taken to address these issues, it will not have an immediate effect. The change is therefore required to allow available staff to focus on the Council’s statutory duty of determining applications. We will monitor the impact, and the results will help shape the future of the service.” In the event that an enquiry relates to an alleged breach of control and the Front of House team are unable to assist, then the enquiry will be processed in a similar manner as described above unless - in accordance with the Council’s Enforcement Plan - the alleged breach requires urgent investigation/action. In such cases the Front of House team will contact an officer in Planning Enforcement.
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CDC offers to rehome Syrian refugee families
 Cotswold District Council has responded to the Government’s request to all local authorities to assist in resettling vulnerable Syrian refugees.
After meeting late last year, the CDC Cabinet pledged to support and accommodate five security-cleared refugee families in the Cirencester and/or Moreton-inMarsh areas (subject to availability of housing). The Council’s preferred option is to provide privately-rented long-term self-contained accommodation. The housing team is in the process of sourcing suitable options, ensuring that they would be adequately furnished and that families would be provided with essentials such as bedding, towels and crockery. The team is also putting together a package of support to ensure a smooth transition and on-going support from the Council. Cllr Sue Coakley, the CDC Cabinet Member for Health, Environment and Communities looks forward to welcoming refugee families to the District: “I am very pleased that we are responding positively to what is a major international crisis, as I think it is morally right that we should. We have undertaken a lot of preparatory work and believe that we can rehome five refugee families over a phased period. This offer is subject to receiving full government support and funding.” Cllr Sue Jepson, the CDC Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing, adds: “I can reassure residents that we will keep this arrangement under review, including any impact upon public services in Cotswold District. We are taking all possible steps to ensure that any impact on communities and on our housing waiting list will be kept to an absolute minimum. With this in mind, our preference is to use private sector accommodation or, if required, hard-to-let social housing.” A Councillor and Officer task group, set up at the beginning of September, has been investigating the issues arising from the refugee crisis and how CDC can support the Government’s general policy whilst considering the impacts upon its residents, infrastructure and services. The Council has also been liaising with other Gloucestershire-based local authorities as part of a countywide response group. Information about how residents can support the resettlement of Syrian refugees, including details of how to donate to agencies such as the Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS), is available at www.cotswold.gov.uk/ residents/communities/support-for-refugees. For more details about GARAS see www.garas.org.uk
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BWRT comes to the Cotswolds BrainWorking Recursive Therapy® was created in 2011 by Terence Watts, a therapist, author of many books and training courses and principal of the Essex Institute in Essex, UK. Like many great ideas it was born out of a moment of inspiration while reading about some experiments carried out in 1983 which appeared to show that we don’t actually have free will in the way we usually think of it. More than that, it showed that decisions were made and acted upon by our mental processes before we become consciously aware of them. It was immediately evident that this process accounted for a huge number of the psychological difficulties which so many people have to put up with, and obvious, too, that with some research it could provide the basis for a profound therapeutic intervention, something more powerful and effective than anything that existed to date. Terence had for some time been working on an idea to work with several complicated issues:
• • • • • • •
Why we sometimes can’t stop ourselves doing things Why we sometimes feel that we just cannot do something we would really like to Why we so often limit ourselves from getting on with life Why we sometimes give up on something without even trying properly to do it Why we sometimes fear something when there’s no real reason to do so Why some situations ‘trigger’ uncomfortable feelings, even though we have no idea why Why therapy doesn’t always work as we want it to
The research, investigation and analysis Terence had carried out so far had raised almost as many question as answers; he was unwilling, though, to accept that this was just the way things are and it was reading about the 1983 experiments that the key to the entire puzzle exploded into Terence’s mind. He began working on the project immediately and it became evident almost immediately that here was something very special indeed, something that worked in a way that was different and more effective than ever before. After extenive testing, a training programme was implemented and rapidly gained the reputation among many therapists as a ‘must have’ process for working with all manner of issues; it was shortly after that that we became an independent training organisation, dedicted solely to the training this particular process.
We are a Bone Fide institute, having been given permission by the UK Secretary of State to use the designation, as a result of the research and scientific base of the BWRT process.
See p8 for Claire Furner Hypnotherapy & Wellbeing BWRT Practitioner in the Cotswolds. www.bwrt.org
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A Good Read
Congratulations!
Girl on the Train
To The Cotswold School, Bourton-on-the-Water
n Paula Hawkins
Praise for this novel, first published at the beginning of 2015, has spread like wildfire and it has become THE book to read. So just in case you are one of the few that hasn’t succumbed to this thriller, why should you pick it up? Whether you are a regular commuter, like the central character Rachel, or not, you will easily be able to identify with the opening section. How many times have you sat on a train and looked out of the window into the garden or kitchen windows of the houses that back onto the tracks, as you speed past on your way to your final destination. As you catch glimpses into a life that you don’t know, do you wonder about the people that occupy those houses? Rachel doesn’t have to wonder. She passes familiar houses every day and purposefully looks for Jess and Jason, a young professional couple who live a perfect life.
She knows them and is in many ways envious of their relationship. Seeing them in their garden is a moment of comfort as her own life is falling apart. But is all as it seems? On one day, as the train slows down at a signal by the house, Rachel notices that something is amiss. Suddenly she is sucked into a nightmare that seems destined to reveal everything, and that will shock you as her commuter journey turns out to be anything but normal. It’s a small world, but when that world comes crashing down around you, it becomes all too clear that this small world is a lot smaller than you first thought. By Willow Coby
What a pleasant way to start the year with a local Cotswold school winning a National Award. So congratulations to the staff and pupils of The Cotswold School, Bourtonon-the-Water for achieving national recognition. This monumental achievement has been awarded following four consecutive outstanding Ofsted inspections in all categories. We must not forget the part that the parents have played in this award. One could argue that the Cotswolds is populated by a predominantly affluent society with healthy children and are therefore easier to teach. However; there are within the district many families who find it difficult to make ends meet and are categorised as under privileged. It is these parents who deserve equal if not more praise by ensuring that their children are brought up in a proper respectful environment. In all fairness the
Midnight for Charlie Bone n Jenny Nimmo
It is now nearly a decade since the last Harry Potter book was published, and a new generation are quite rightly discovering this wonderful world of wizards and magic. Just like the generation before them, they are left with a void after reading them all, and so where do they turn? The Charlie Bone series of books may well be just what they are looking for. Published in 2002, Midnight for Charlie Bone is the first of this eight book series. Charlie is a fairly normal 10 year old boy. His father died when he was little, and he lives with his mum and two grandmas, and hangs out with his best friend Ben. One Friday Charlie hears voices coming from a photograph, and then his whole life changes. He learns that his three unmarried great-aunts, known as the Yewbeams, are going to fund his education and a private school called Bloor’s Academy. Charlie is not happy about this:
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he knows the school to be a stuffy place for geniuses, and he certainly won’t fit in there. But the Yewbeams are insistent: and besides, they pay for his mum’s living expenses and so he really has no choice. They explain to Charlie that he is ‘endowed’ and can read the minds of people in photographs. Everyone at Bloor’s Academy has a talent. Charlie’s father went there and he was a musician. But what is Charlie’s talent? Placed in the music department at Bloor’s, despite having no musical talent, it becomes clear that there is another group of children at the school who are all endowed with some mystical magical talent. Soon he finds that he was born into a world he never knew existed. By Willow Coby
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school have paid tribute to the parents and carers for the part that they have played and it is good to note that they have been included in the “team”. The feeder schools have also played their part and should be acknowledged. It can be frustrating as a teacher in a comprehensive school only to find that the newly admitted year 7’s have not been schooled properly in some aspects of their basic education. No doubt other schools within the area are asking themselves “How did The Cotswold School manage it?” Hopefully the communication lines between the schools are open and flourishing with discussion. We must recognise that there are many teachers, pupils, parents and governors in other schools putting in just as much effort and in some cases more than those who have won the award.
Winner of The Sunday Times Comprehensive School of the Year 2015 2016
Their day will come; it may not be as a national award, maybe something relatively modest, but just as important, possibly in the form of a thank you note from a former pupil who has made a success of his or her life.
Difficulty recalling the multiplication tables? Then you are in esteemed company Caroline Herschel (1750 – 1848) Caroline Herschel was the first woman to be awarded Honorary Membership of the Royal Astronomical Society (along with Mary Somerville). She was the discoverer of comets and nebula. Her mathematics included carrying out thousands of complex astronomical calculations involving arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, formulae and logarithms. Some years ago Caroline was celebrated by
the University of Durham as one of the great mathematicians of all time. She was less than 4ft 10inches in stature and was taught mathematics by her brother William Herschel who is better known as the discoverer of the planet Uranus. In her later life she wrote:
“My memory is as good as ever... I could never remember the multiplication table, but was obliged to carry always a copy of it about me” I hope that this gives both comfort and hope to those that are struggling with their tables. John Harris
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Out & About 13th January
n Cotswold Decorative & Fine Arts Society “The Drama behind the Taj Mahal” by Oliver Everett. This lecture is based on the Islamic manuscript, the Padshahnama, which is the unique official history of the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal. The book is the finest Islamic manuscript in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle and was given to King George III in 1797. For more information please see: www.cotswolddfas.org.uk. Lectures begin at 11.00am with coffee and tea from 10.15-10.45. Non-members are very welcome (suggested donation £8). Bradwell Village Hall, Burford, Oxfordshire OX18 4XF ........................................................
Saturday 23rd January
A landmark for innovative casual dining ‘Since taking over at The Inn at Fossebridge Dee Ludlow and her partner Geoff Collins have ensured that this beautiful 300 year old famous Inn on the A429 (Fosse Way) has become a landmark for innovative casual dining. So they have worked hard at their food offering, not only creating new dishes but adding something special to well loved classic dishes. Dee explains that they want every dish to have a wow factor, and for every guest to say ‘that is the best I have ever tasted’ – and they are.
Old favourites such as Prawn Cocktail are back on the menu and the dishes have won a legion of fans who come because they have decided what they want to eat before they arrive.
n Live Comedy: HAL CRUTTENDEN - STRAIGHT OUTTA CRUTTENDEN 7:45pm - Chipping Norton Theatre Hal Cruttenden - Straight out of Cruttenden at The Theatre Chipping Norton on Saturday 23rd January 2016 Host of Live At The Apollo and star of Radio 4, the great Hal is back ranting about the real evils of the modern world - over sharing on social media and the 5:2 diet. â¯The more he complains the funnier he gets. As seen on The Royal Variety Performance, Would I Lie To You? The Great British Bake Off, Live At The Palladium and Have I Got News For You. Tickets £16. More details: www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk ........................................................ n 31st January Cinema: BROOKLYN 7.30pm - Chipping Norton Theatre Brooklyn tells the moving story of Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan, young star of Atonement and Hanna), a young Irish immigrant navigating her way through 1950s Brooklyn and the promise of America. The first pangs of homesickness quickly diminish as a new romance appears on the scene. Soon Eilis must choose between two countries and two
No doubt the roaring log fires, the excellent well kept beer, the cosy atmosphere and the fantastic welcome are also doing their bit.’ Fossebridge, Stow Road (A429) Nr Cirencester. GL54 3JS Tel: 01285 720721 Email: info@fossebridgeinn.co.uk www.fossebridgeinn.co.uk
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different loves. Sweetly nostalgic, this Colm Toibin adaptation boasts sensitive performances from its young leads. Adults £8. Under 16s £6 www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk ........................................................
4th & 14th February
n The Classic Rock Show 7:30pm - New Theatre Oxford (4th) Cheltenham Town Hall (14th) Air guitars at the ready for this incredible musical journey through the best moments in rock featuring music by the likes of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Eagles, Dire Straits and Meat Loaf. Chas Cole for CMP Entertainment presents THE CLASSIC ROCK SHOW - Top 20 Greatest Guitar Riffs of All Time - LIVE! Part 2. For 2016 Classic Rock Show will focus on a new batch of rock gems best known for their irresistible hooks, instantly recognisable songs that have earned a golden status in the history of classic rock music. Tickets: £32.50, £22.50 www.theclassicrockshow.com ........................................................
6th & 7th February
n Stow Flea Market and Collectors Fair STOW FLEA MARKET - Sixteen stalls in the famous historical St Edwards Hall in the middle of Stow selling a multitude of interesting items including - Antiques, bric a brac, militaria, ephemera, art and crafts, glass, metalware, silver, jewellery, teddy bears, greeting cards, vintage items galore, beautiful powder compacts, toys and gifts. Upstairs is Isabel’s famous cafe with delicious hot or cold snacks, tea and coffee. All this plus more. Takes place every month - check out our facebook page ’Stow Flea Market and Collectors Fair’ plus Antiques-Atlas’ for forthcoming dates and information. 10.00 am - 4.00 pm. Free Entry St Edwards Hall, The Square, Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire GL54 1AF Contact telephone: 07704 145099 Call to check latest times or cancellations. ........................................................
Having an event?
Email us your event details to: events@jkanorth.com and we’ll publish it for you. Magazine distribution dates are on p22.
18th February
n Live Music: Ryley Walker with Danny Thompson 7:30pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford Playing together for the very first time, the much anticipated collaboration between two of contemporary folk’s finest artists - Ryley Walker and Danny Thompson. For this very special tour, Ryley is joined onstage by near-legendary double-bassist Danny Thompson, who performed with both Bert Jansch (in Pentangle) and Tim Buckley, as well as with Nick Drake, John Martyn and many more - helping to create the lyrical and jazz-flecked astral folk that so influenced Walker close to half a century later. As well as performing works from his previous albums, the shows will likely include new Ryley Walker material. Expect a memorable night as these two immensely talented artists come together to create something exceptional. Advance booking strongly advised. Price: £14.50. Venue: The Bullingdon, 162 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 1UE ........................................................
26th - 28th February
n Oxford International Art Fair Bringing the best selected artworks to Oxford by top emerging artists from around the world for everyone to enjoy. You can look forward to a varied and colourful art fair. The selection is based on photographs, illustrations, paintings, bespoke crafts and also sculptures. Friday 26th Feb 2016 : Private View & Vernissage from 18.00pm - 21.00pm : £ 10 GBP per ticket - book online. Saturday 27th Feb 2016 : Live painting and Art show from 11.00am - 17.00pm : Free entry (pre booking is recommended). Sunday 28th Feb 2016 : Global Art Awards and Art show from 11.00am - 17.00pm : Free entry (pre booking is recommended). End Date: February 28, 2016. End Time: 5:00 pm. Price: Free. ........................................................ Please note: the editors cannot be held responsible for any changes to events listed.
5th & 6th March
n Devil Mud Run DEVIL MUD RUN is a hardcore, hilly 8km course featuring over 30 obstacles and gives you the chance to take part in trail running across open, rugged countryside, through woods with plenty of mud and water thrown in! To complete the course you will have to jump, climb, wade, crawl, slide, conquer hellish hills, stinking swamps and survive the Devil’s Playground! The course is challenging enough for the most serious of competitors but will be an excellent achievement for any fun runners to complete too. Bring supporters along with you for a fun, family friendly day out! For more information about event and passed events, please visit www. Middle Stanley Farm, Stanley Pontlarge Nr Cheltenham. GL54 5HE devilmudrun.com ........................................................
13th March
n Jason Donovan LIVE Jason Donovan Ten Good Reasons + Greatest Hits. No Support. Artists performing: Jason Donovan.: Tickets avaiable. Doors open: 19:00: Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult. New Theatre, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 2AG www.gigantic.com/jason-donovan-newtheatre-2016-03-13-19-00 ........................................................
17th March
n Live Comedy: Ed Byrne: Outside, Looking In 7.30pm - Cheltenham Town Hall The Dublin-stand-up and regular guest on Mock The Week returns with a new show of observational humor. ‘A masterful display of the comic’s art … This is a seamless and perfectly timed show that could stand proudly next to any Izzard, Bailey, Carr or Skinner stadium-filler’ – Sunday Times Cheltenham, GL50 1QA. £20.50 0844 576 2210 / www.edbyrne.com ........................................................ Please contact event organisers directly. All events correct at time of going to press.
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New Partnership set to boost West Oxfordshire’s tourism
West Oxfordshire District Council is looking to further help tourism businesses in the area by developing close links with the new Cotswolds Tourism Partnership. The Cotswolds Tourism Partnership is a collection of public and private sector organisations looking to promote and manage tourism to the Cotswolds in a more co-ordinated way. The new partnership which is already working with Cotswold District Council, and other local authorities in the area, will act as the destination management organisation for the Cotswolds. West Oxfordshire has always successfully been marketed as the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, and that will continue, but it will have access to a wider audience by working with the destination management organisation and attending travel shows and exhibitions under the ‘Cotswolds’ banner.  Cllr James Mills, Cabinet Member responsible for
Tourism said, “Working through the Partnership will open more doors for us and we are very excited about the opportunities it offers for our local attractions, accommodation providers, restaurants, shops and businesses that benefit from the buoyant tourism industry we have in West Oxfordshire.” He added: “Being in the Cotswolds Tourism Partnership is a real bonus and should bring extra investment, but we will continue to work closely with the rest of Oxfordshire via Experience Oxfordshire.” Photograph left of Burford High Street in West Oxfordshire. Burford is often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’.
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Having a buoyant visitor economy is an important part of West Oxfordshire’s economic success and last year figures showed that tourism spending in West Oxfordshire was £274m and it accounted for 4,850 jobs in the district.”
The Cotswolds Tourism Partnership has also recently announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive, Robin Tjolle, to help lead the development of the organisation. He said, “The Cotswolds is such a well-known tourism destination and it is really important that we all work together to manage tourism to the area in a co-ordinated and joined up way.” The partnership aims to make it easier for visitors to stay and experience more of the Cotswolds by showing what a wonderful destination it is for international visitors, families, young couples and empty nesters alike. Photograph: Derek Cotterill
Meadow View, Blockley
Holiday Letting Large Cottages What’s The Secret? Cotswold Link interviews Character Cottages, a local holiday letting expert, to understand the local market for large holiday cottages
Cotswold View, Bourton
July Cottage, Ilmington
”Owners of large houses are often under the impression that the demand for holiday letting is low and unprofitable. Are you able to shed some light on the market and the holiday letting opportunity?” The great news is that big properties in the
for large groups of people, who want to get
holiday homes perform exceptionally well in
Cotswolds, especially those with traditional
together to celebrate an event, such as a 60th
the Cotswolds. For example, we have success-
character, do very well as holiday lets! To
birthday party, family gathering or a university
fully generated more than £90,000 per annum
understand why, a good place to start is by
reunion. Hotels often don’t appeal to large
of gross income, from over 55 bookings, for a
looking at the history behind the area…
groups, as they sometimes lack the desired
beautiful, detached, six bedroomed house in
communal feel and can often be too expensive.
the North Cotswolds.
with wool, silk and other raw materials. As a
A further attribute of the demand for big
At Character Cottages we are very experienced
result, many of the cottages in the area were
Cotswold houses is that, being event driven,
at marketing and maximising the returns on
built for the farm labourers and factory workers,
it is less impacted by seasonality. For example,
large properties. We can offer owners a wide
and are quite small, typically with one or two
if Grandma’s 70th birthday happens to be in
and detailed range of support and advice
bedrooms. Larger properties are less common
January, then that’s when the group will want
on many key holiday letting factors, including
and, consequently, this creates a restricted
to book their break, regardless of the fact that
furnishing, pricing, occupancy, security deposits
supply of big houses for the holiday letting
this is traditionally a quieter month for holiday
and overall property management. To find out
market.
letting. This means large properties can command
what your large house can do for you, just get
strong prices throughout the year.
in touch with us!
The Cotswolds has a long history of working
Many people are surprised to learn that the underlying demand for large holiday lets in the
When you combine the limited supply of
Cotswolds is very high. The central location
properties with the strong and constant
of the Cotswolds makes it the perfect location
demand, our experience has been that large
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www.character-cottages.co.uk owners@character-cottages.co.uk Tel: 0208 935 5375 Your CotswoldLink
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GARDEN VIEW
Gardening Resolutions for 2016 I’m a sucker for resolutions. I make loads every year though I have to admit I break most of them too.
as soon as a get them home and definitely before their flowers drop off and they turn up their little green toes.
But it’s January and time for a spot of gardening self-improvement. To this end here are my gardening resolutions.
Plants bought from a nursery, especially those in cell pack, are already in less than ideal conditions and letting them dehydrate further will make for a sick, leggy plant more prone to disease.
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. I will take a daily walk around my plot and pull out a few weeds as I go. I will not wait until I can’t stick a pin between the dandelions. Let’s face it gardeners are great procrastinators. But by doing a little and often we can keep our plots looking spick and span.
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. I will not leave seed sowing until it’s too late!
This is my personal nemesis. I get carried away by all the glorious seed catalogues, order dozens of packets then pop them in a drawer and forget about them.
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. I will plant all the plants I buy from a nursery
Big Garden Birdwatch It started back in 1979 when the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) invited its junior members to count the number of birds in their gardens over a weekend in winter. The aim was to work out the ten most common birds in the United Kingdom, and thanks to children’s TV programme Blue Peter, thirty four thousand youngsters took part! The Big Garden Birdwatch has taken place every year since, with over half a million people – adults as well as
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Preparation is the key here. I will make sure I have the correct pots, enough potting compost and the time to spare before I buy.
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produces weak root systems. If I know I won’t have the time I’ll invest in an irrigation system.
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. I will start another compost bin. it’s not difficult and will help the environment as I’ll be able to recycle even more of my waste vegetable matter. There are small drums and bins which will suit even the tiniest spot.
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. I will help wildlife by making sure I provide habitats for birds, bugs and beasties.
. I will clean my gardening tools at the end of each day spent gardening.
Any effort I put in will be repaid tenfold. A garden is a little ecosystem. If it functions well there will be natural pest control, pollination and soil conditioning.
This is sensible because dirty tools can spread disease. Mild bleach (one part bleach to 10 parts water) or an organic cleaner, which I prefer, will make sure they’re ready for use next time.
Those are my resolutions. You may have different ones and that’s fine. I’m sure we’ll break a few along the way but no-one said the path to perfection, particularly gardening perfection was easy.
. I will buy another water butt and water my plants faithfully, particularly my pots. Lack of water
By Rachel Leverton
5
children - regularly taking part. Last year, more than 8.5 million birds were counted, with house sparrows being the most common sighting, followed by starlings, blackbirds, blue tits and wood pigeons. The annual survey has identified that certain species of bird are on the decline (such as house sparrows and starlings) whilst others are on the increase (for example blue tits and wood pigeons). By monitoring trends in this way, problems can be spotted early and first steps taken to put things right.
and 31st January. To take part, you need to watch for one hour the birds that land in your garden or local park, record the highest number of each bird species you see at the same time (not over the entire hour, as you may end up counting some birds twice), then report back your findings. For more details on how to get involved, visit http://www.rspb.org.uk/ discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdwatch By Debbie Singh-Bhatti
This year the Big Garden Birdwatch takes place on the weekend of 30th
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The
Cotswold Sky
How bright is a star? One method of measuring the brightness of a star is in terms of magnitude, or its apparent brightness when viewed from Earth. This does not mean that the brighter the star you see with the naked eye is either bigger or closer to us than a dimmer one. The method of comparing stars was first introduced to us by the Greeks who introduced a system that gave the brightest stars a magnitude number of 1 and the faintest a magnitude of 6. Obviously this system was subjective and complicated by the fact that a stars apparent magnitude will vary due to atmospheric conditions. We now have measuring instruments which allocate each star into its correct category of magnitude that now goes down to magnitude 22.
Saturn have negative magnitudes. Vega in the constellation Lyra is used as the standard reference point having a magnitude of zero. With good eye sight on a clear night one may be able to observe stars between magnitudes 5 and 6, but if you live in a town this could be as low as magnitude 3. Table showing magnitude scale of planets visible to the eye, plus The Sun and the Moon
Some objects are brighter than zero for example, Sirius the brightest star in the sky has a magnitude of -1.47 and all the planets visible to the naked eye, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and
Object
Maximum Magnitude
Sun
-26.74
Moon
-12.9
Mercury
-2.45
Venus
-4.89
Mars
-2.91
Jupiter
-2.94
Saturn
-0.49
Sky Diary
January 27th 23.52 hours Look in the direction of SE, the Moon is close to Jupiter. February 1st 06.00 hours Looking South the Moon is close to Mars February 6th 07.00hours Mercury, Venus and the Moon are close together in the SSE, both Mercury and the waning Moon may be difficult to see, Mercury and Venus being below the Moon. Saturn and Mars can be seen higher in the sky with Saturn due South and Mars SSW.
The Sky looking South at 07.00 hours February 6th February 24th 05.48 hours in the West, Jupiter can be seen above the waning gibbous Moon. February 29th (Leap Year day) 05.45 hours Looking South you will see Saturn, Mars then the Moon in that order. Now look over to the West to see Jupiter just before it disappears over the horizon.
The Sky Looking South at 05.45 hours February 29th 05.45 John Harris
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Cotswold Way Get out & about along the Cotswold Way after the excess of Christmas! The Cotswold Way offers just over 100 miles of magical walking, with long distance views from the Cotswold escarpment, and journeys through picturesque villages and past famous ancient sites. The Cotswold Way is a 102 mile (164Km) long National Trail running between the market town of Chipping Campden and the city of Bath. For most of its length it follows the Cotswold escarpment giving wonderful views of the surrounding landscape. There are a number of circular walks based on the Trail including 1 and 2 day walks and shorter easy access walks for everyone to enjoy. You don’t have to do the Trail in one go to enjoy the best it has to offer. For more information on the Cotswold Way, including highlights and activities along the way, visit: www.nationaltrail.co.uk/cotswold-way
Perfect Winter Soup Warming, nutritious and surprisingly filling, this soup is the perfect meal to come home to after a brisk winter’s walk. High fibre lentils promote heart health, lower cholesterol, provide vegetable protein, stabilise blood sugar, and are rich in iron and B vitamins. We love combining these earthy gems with the deep, roasty, slightly sweet flavour of caramelised onion. This soup will gently warm your stomach and keep you satisfied. It’s an American recipe so uses cup measurements. An American measuring cup is one which holds 240ml liquid, so any cup in your cupboard which is about that volume will do! Serves: 4-6 Prep time: 25 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes
Method Heat a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. When it dances, add the shallots, garlic, carrots, turmeric and cinnamon. Cook until the shallots soften and the mixture becomes aromatic, about 3-5 minutes. Add the beetroot and vegetable broth and bring
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the mixture to a boil. Add the lentils and reduce the heat to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper and continue cooking at a simmer for 15-25 minutes, or until the lentils are soft and the vegetables are tender. Prepare the caramelised onions while the soup cooks. If using cardamom pods, crush them (the bottom of a pan works nicely) and remove the seeds. Grind the seeds into a powder with a mortar and pestle. Heat a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and heat until the oil dances. Add the onion, cardamom and coriander. Keep the heat high so the onions begin to brown, stirring continuously. If the onions start sticking to the sides of the pan, add a little water. Continue cooking for 10 minutes, or until the onions are caramelised and golden brown. Reduce the heat if necessary to keep them from burning. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Fill bowls with soup and top with a tablespoon of onions and serve, or simply stir the onions into the soup. Taken from The Soup Cleanse by Angela Blatteis and Vivienne Vella - Reviewed by Kate Duggan
Ingredients • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 3 shallots, diced 4 cloves of garlic, chopped 3 carrots, diced ½ teaspoon turmeric powder ½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 beetroot (yellow ideally), peeled and diced 6 cups vegetable broth/stock 1¼ cups of red lentils 1 teaspoon of sea salt, plus more to taste ¼ teaspoon of pepper, plus more to taste 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced 10 cardamom pods or 1½ teaspoons ground cardamom ½ teaspoon coriander powder
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Keep warm keep well Cold homes have a significant impact on people’s health. One of the best ways of keeping yourself well during winter is to stay warm. Keeping warm over the winter months can help prevent colds, flu or more serious health conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression. The chances of these problems are higher if you’re vulnerable to cold-related illnesses because of one or more of the following: • You’re over 65 • You’re on a low income (so can’t afford heating) • You have a long-term health condition, such as heart, lung or kidney disease • You are disabled
How to fight flu Flu is a highly infectious illness that can spread rapidly. You may be eligible for a free flu jab if you’re at risk of complications from flu. Fuel poverty facts On average, there are around 25,000 excess winter deaths each year in England. There is strong evidence that some of these winter deaths are indeed ‘extra’ and are related to cold temperatures
as well as infectious diseases such as flu. In 2013 there were the UK, in the winter of 2012-13 there were 35 million households in England in fuel poverty. This is when a household is living below the poverty line and has higher than average energy bills.
Keep your home warm If you have reduced mobility, are 65 or over, or have a health condition such as heart or lung disease, you should heat your home to at least 18C. It’s a good idea to keep your bedroom at this temperature all night if you can. During the day you may prefer your living room to be slightly warmer. Make sure you wear enough clothes to stay warm. If you’re under 65 and healthy and active, you can safely have your house cooler than 18C, if you’re comfortable. You can also use a hot water bottle or electric blanket (but not both at the same time) to keep warm while you’re in bed.
Eat well in winter Food is a vital source of energy, which helps keep your body warm. Try to make sure that you have hot meals and drinks regularly throughout the day and keep active in the home if you can.
Stay active We all know that exercise is good for your overall health - and it can keep you warm in winter. If you can stay active, even moderate exercise can bring health benefits. If possible, try not to sit still for more than an hour or so. Remember to speak to your GP before starting any exercise plan. Wear warm clothes Wrap up warm, inside and out. Wear lots of thin layers - clothes made from cotton, wool or fleecy fibres are particularly good and help to maintain body heat. Wear shoes with a good grip to prevent slips and falls when walking outside. If possible, stay inside during a cold period if you have heart or respiratory problems. Help your neighbours in winter Check on older neighbours or relatives to make sure they’re safe and well. Make sure they’re warm enough, especially at night, and have stocks of food and medicines so they don’t need to go out during very cold weather. If you’re worried about a relative or an elderly neighbour, contact your local council or ring the Age UK helpline on 0800 00 99 66.
Safety Alarms Around 140 house fires occur every day in the United Kingdom, resulting in nearly 500 deaths and over 11,000 injuries each year. Many of these could be prevented with an early warning system in place - such as a smoke alarm. They can detect fire in its early stages and give you a few extra precious minutes to make a safe escape. There are four types: Ionisation alarms are the cheapest and are very sensitive to small particles of smoke from fast flaming fires (like paper or wood), but they can be over sensitive near kitchens. They are best fitted on landings. Optical alarms are more effective at detecting large particles of smoke from slow burning fires, such as from foam-filled upholstery and PVC wiring. They are ideal for bedrooms, living rooms and the hall. Heat alarms are insensitive to smoke, but detect
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an increase in temperature. They only cover a relatively small area, so you may need several in a large room. They are a good choice for a kitchen or garage. Combined alarms include an optical and heat alarm which will reduce the occurrence of false alarms and increase the speed of detection. They should be fitted on landings and in bedrooms, living rooms and halls. Some alarms are interlinked, which means that smoke detected in one room can raise an alarm call elsewhere in the house. Some have a light that comes on when the alarm sounds, which can help you find your way out and also alert people with hearing problems. As a minimum you should fit one alarm on each floor, but the more you have fitted, the more protected you are. Remember – you are twice as likely to die in a house fire where no alarm is fitted. Smoke alarms do not detect the presence of
carbon monoxide (CO), which is a colourless, odourless, tasteless – but highly poisonous – gas, produced when carbon-based fuels like gas, oil, wood and coal do not burn completely. Around fifty people die each year from CO poisoning. A CO detector should be fitted in every room containing a fuel burning appliance such as a boiler, cooker or fire. Costing between £15 and £35, a detector should have an audible alarm – not just a colour change or back spot indicator – to wake you when you are asleep and at your most vulnerable. Please ensure that your alarm complies with British Standard EN50291 and that it gives a warning when it reaches the end of its useful life. In addition to fitting a CO alarm, also make certain you have your gas appliances and flues serviced regularly by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. Prevention is always better than cure! By Debbie Singh-Bhatti
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Witney Next issues West Oxfordshire Mar / Apr 2016
Dist: w/c 29th February ‘16 Copy: 5th February ‘16 ............................................
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Index Attractions & Events Cotswold Archery: p17 Builders & Contractors Bonner & Milner: p7 Calarel Developments: p7 Hill-top Joinery: p24 Hooper Joinery: p4 Montrose Property Maintenance: p3 N & D Construction: p27 Renu Track: p27 Thomas Contracting: p23 Children’s Services Stepping Stones Nursery: p15 Cleaning Services Campden Cottages: p21 Casio Oven Clean: p4 Chem Dry: p5 MRK Services: p23 Dentists Cirencester Dental Practice: p13 Education Cotswold Tutor: p15 Stepping Stones Nursery: p15 Youth Education Service: p15 Elderly Services Hearing & Mobility Store: p29 Electrical Services Cotswold Aerials: p25 KR Electrical: p32 P Wheeler Electrical: p4 SAL Electrical: p24 Vision Repairs: p9
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Fashion & Clothing Cotswold Frockshop: p31 Flooring Parsons Flooring: p11 Food & Drink Inn at Fossebridge: p16 Kilkeney Inn: p17 Redesdale Arms: p17 Tatty Bunting: p2 Wiltshire Farm Foods: p29 Furniture Armstrong Interiors: p11 Cottonwood Interiors: p3 Hill-top Joinery: p24 Phil Dadge: p25 Roundabout: p9 Gardening & Landscaping Cotswold Tool & Plant Hire: p25 Dowdeswell Forestry: p23 H & H Groundworks: p27 Logs & Fencing: p23 Montrose Property Maintenance: p3 Mower Medic: p23 Norton Air: p19 Thomas Contracting: p23 Thomas Fox Landscaping: p5 Healthcare & Wellbeing Charles Wright Massage: p13 Cirencester Dental Practice: p13 Claire Furner Hypnotherapy & Wellbeing: p8 Paul Brookes Foot Health: p13
Royal Mail Delivered FREE Index Service Free Advert Design
Ramona Gogolos Foot Health Professional: p12 Time For Change: p16 Hearing Aids Hearing & Mobility Store: p29 Heating Cotswold Oil & Gas: p32 Hire Cotswold Marquees: p17 Cotswold Tool & Plant Hire: p25 Home & Interiors Amanda Hanley By Design: p6 Armstrong Interiors: p11 Clearview Stoves: p5Core Ceramics: p4 Cotswold Carpets: p1 Cottonwood Interiors: p3 Country Bathrooms: p8 Country House Curtains: p10 Fosse Fires: p1 Homechoice Blinds: p10 Jazzy Bee Designs: p9 Parsons Flooring: p11 Style Infusion: p11 Internet Provider Gigaclear: p20 Locksmiths Just Carpentry & Locks: p27 Logs & Fuel Cotswold Logs: p1 Cotswold Petrolium: p20 Fosseway Tool Hire: p29
Logs & Fencing: p23 Wolford Wood: p23 Metal Fabrication MRK Services: p23 Motoring Cotswold Cars: p24 Troopers Lodge Garage: p25 Oven Services Casio Oven Clean: p4 Cookers & Co: p21 Pets & Animals Dial A Dog Wash: p14 Painters & Decorators Geoffrey Ludlow Decorator: p21 Paul The Painter: p3 Richard Luckett Decorators: p10 Photography Studio Blanche: p13 Plumbing Cotswold Oil & Gas: p32 Property Maintenance Coln Clearances: p27 Hill-top Joinery: p24 Hooper Joinery: p4 Just Carpentry & Locks: p27 Montrose Property Maintenance: p3 Rasdall Home Improvements: p21 Property Sales & Lettings Cotswold Lettings: p21
North Cotswolds Mar / Apr 2016
Dist: w/c 29th Feb & 7th Mar ‘16 Copy: 5th February ‘16
Recycling Joe Gilder: p27 Removals Coln Clearances: p27 Sewing Sewing Tuition: p15 Sports & Leisure Laura Scarott Personal Training: p14 Runnerbean: p12 Sound & Vision Cotswold Aerials: p25 Vision Repairs: p9 Travel & Tourism Campden Cottages: p21 Carrick Travel: p18 Character Cottages: p19 Holidays Please: p32 Tree Surgery Dowdeswell Forestry: p23 Tuition Cotswold Tutor: p15 Sewing Tuition: p15 Weddings Cotswold Frockshop: p31 Cotswold Marquees: p17 Studio Blanche: p13 Wedding Photographer: p16 Windows & Blinds Homechoice Blinds: p10
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