Cotswold Link (North Cotswolds) July August 2014 by JKA / Cotswold Publications

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05 Carrick scoops Travel Award local news: 08 CAB Thanks Volunteers 10 health Walking Back to Hapiness & home: 12 house Garden Toys for Summer Fun family 12 Happy Holidays advertorial: 15 The Chinese are coming! event: 16 Moreton Show 2014 travel

FEATURED

18 Local Events in July & August local news 21 Cotswold Tourism expands membership news: 22 local Thousands of Poppies planted out & about

FEATURED

to commemorate WW1

24 Lechlade Duck Race raises £16.5k! astronomy 26 The Cotswold Sky news 28 local Cotswold District Council News news 28 local Charity Golf day raises £4,100 local news

Welcome to the July - August issue of Your CotswoldLink In this issue we cover a whole host of local news and success stories to show that the Cotswolds really is a fantastic place to be, both in Summer and anytime! There’s so much to see and do, so do use our ‘Out & About’ as a guide (p18-19), we also give you a sneek peek at the Moreton Show in September 01609 777401 (p16-17) If you would like to advertise your business in this 01609 779097 magazine or on our website then please feel free to contact cotswoldlink.co.uk us. facebook.com/ Best wishes, YourCotswoldLink Christine Campbell | Editor

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Adele’s

Carrick News

In this issue...

Carrick Scoops Prestigious Award yet again! Carrick Travel, were once again winners of the prestigious award for Agent of the Year 2014, for the Central region. The Agent Achievement Awards are held each year in London and Carrick Travel are one of just a few agents to have been nominated every year for the last 10 years and have now won the title 5 times. Tina Nason and Tracey Carter, joint owners of the Midlands based agency were presented with the Award at a ceremony in London earlier this year Tina Nason said “This is fantastic news for the team at Carrick Travel as they all work really hard to ensure that the holiday makers of Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire and the Cotswolds have a great holiday at a great price. There is a lot of competition around and we know that our clients have a choice, so we are honoured that they make Carrick Travel part of that choice. Our team is extremely knowledgeable and they are all certainly winners in our eyes!” Carrick Travel have offices in Kenilworth, Leamington Spa, Stratfordupon-Avon, Solihull, Cheylesmore (Coventry), Pershore, Evesham, Chipping Norton and Bourton-on-the-Water. For more information please contact Tina Nason 01926 311415 or tinanason@carricktravel.com

Carrick Travel celebrates 40years!

Carrick Travel celebrated 40years in Travel during April 2014 with a little Thank you to all their staff. Birthday presents and cakes were delivered to all 9 of their offices in time for the big day and a celebratory meal out and overnight is planned for later in the year. Celebrations continued during the month as they had just been announced as finalists in the Agent Achievement Awards 2014. Voted for by their suppliers within the industry Carrick Travel are one of just 5 finalists who were at an awards ceremony in London in April to hear the final results. Tracey Carter said “This is fantastic news for everyone, we are all very excited and looking forward to a very special night out”

CONTACT THE TEAM • Bourton-on-the-Water: Moore Road - t: 01451 822 048 • Chipping Norton: 10, Middle Row - t: 01608 641 983 www.carricktravel.com

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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:

1/8 and ¼) and they will receive the equivalent space in complimentary editorial*. This editorial provides excellent business exposure to 15,200 homes and businesses and allows further explanation of the new business or services available. * Editorial must be supplied completed.

To feature within this section of the magazine please contact us on: 01609 777401 / 01609 779097 | christine@jkanorth.com

CAB Thanks Volunteers for giving 10,000 Hours to the Community Volunteers’ Week is a chance for everyone at Cotswold District Citizens Advice Bureau to say a huge thank you to our amazing volunteers. From advising to campaigning for change our volunteers use their skills and knowledge to make a difference by helping people resolve their problems in our community. Nick Lee, Bureau Manager of the CAB said: “In the last year our advisers have volunteered 10,000 hours of their time. We simply wouldn’t be able to provide a service without them. We are celebrating their achievements and commitment at our meeting on 10 June.” Volunteers helped the CAB: · Raise £20,000 to develop our service · Advise over 2,500 households regarding 6,000 problems · Campaign for changes in Pay Day Loans If you would like advice from the CAB you can ring the new freephone number 0808 800 0511, contact us at: www.cotswoldcab.org.uk or visit us in Cirencester. If you would like to volunteer to work for the CAB please see the website for more information.

Welcome to the ‘new’ Vine Leaf! John & Lindsey Stavrou would love to welcome you to The Vine Leaf. This small family run business in Stow on the Wold has under gone an exciting refurbishment for Summer 2014. Co-owner Lindsey Stavrou tells us more, “We are delighted with the new look to the restaurant and to welcome our customers back by still offering them the same great food and same friendly service. It’s always wonderful to receive recognition for the quality of our food and we are pleased to have received a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor 2014 (We have been lucky to receive a certificate of excellence for 2011, 2012 & 2013!). All food at The Vine Leaf is locally sourced wherever possible and all our meals are cooked to order ensuring a great fresh taste, we look forward to seeing you soon”. Due to popular demand throughout the Summer The Vine Leaf is open 5 nights a week. Private parties and family gatherings are catered and all menus can be tailored to suit each parties budget. ................................................................................................................................................................. The Vine Leaf, 10 Talbot Court, Stow on the Wold, GL54 1BQ 01451 832 010 | www.thevineleaf.co.uk | thevineleaf@gmail.com

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A new home for Workwear! New to the Cotswolds area, First Avenue Supplies Ltd have been supplying safety and promotional clothing to a wide range of companies / organisations from their original base in Milton Keynes for over 10 years.

Stock includes safety helmets, protective gloves, safety glasses, steel or composite toe cap shoes and boots, chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s whites, outdoor safety jackets etc. The other important services to customers is in-house embroidery and printing onto clothing, giving that professional and personal identity.

Tel: 01608 651915 (Moreton-in-Marsh office) Tel: 01908 373388 (Milton Keynes head office) shop@firstavenuesupplies.co.uk www. firstavenuesupplies.co.uk

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Walking Back to

Happiness

Health experts recommend that we get 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five times a week. To achieve this, look no further than something you’ve been doing since you were a toddler - walking! Walking has been described as “the nearest activity to perfect exercise” and offers a host of health benefits, including a reduction in the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, colon and breast cancer, Alzheimer’s and stroke. In addition, walking conditions all the muscles of the lower body, particularly those in the bottom and thighs, and US psychologists also claim that regularly spending time outdoors can help stave off anxiety and depression. Walking can, quite literally, be done anywhere but if tramping the streets or countryside alone is not your idea of fun, why not join a walking group near you? They are a great way to make new friends and meet like-minded people in a sociable and safe environment. The Ramblers is Britain’s walking charity, with around 500 groups throughout the British Isles. Most groups are organised geographically, but there are some that specialise in shorter, easier, or family-friendly walks, and others that cater for specific age groups - for example people in their 20s, 30s or 40s. Walks are run weekly and are generally led by a trained leader. The cost of annual membership is £32 or £3 per month. A list of events can be found on their website www.bwf-ivv.org.uk along with a list of walking groups around the country. The British Walking Federation offers individual membership at £8 per year, which entitles members to a calendar of events, newsletters and discounts on entry fees to permanent BWF trails. by Debbie Singh-Bhatti

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Happy Holidays

Garden Toys for Summer Fun

The school holidays are once more with us, which gives the children the time to relax and chill out.

n You don’t always need to leave home to have some Summer fun with the children. If you invest in some great garden toys you can keep them busy for hours, and ensure they get some fresh air and exercise. n Traditional toys such as swings and slides remain popular. There are many different sizes and styles available, so do make sure that you pick carefully to match the age of the children that will be playing on them, and to ensure they are robust enough. n Trampolines have really increased in popularity in the last five years or so. Do take care to consider where you will place one in your garden. Do you really have a big enough, flat surface available? All but the small junior ones come with safety enclosures. Do read the assembly and usage instructions carefully. Frequently these will say there should be only one person at a time on the trampoline, but this can be tricky to enforce. n Give them a sense of the beach by buying a sandpit. Designs

vary from simple circle shaped pits, to shaped items, right through to luxury wooden models, with seats and built-in sunshade. It can be useful to have one with a lid to protect the sand from wet weather. Stores recommend that you buy special play-sand to ensure it is clean, safe and non toxic, and ideal for making sand castles with. Or perhaps you might prefer a play table that incorporates a sand area and water play?

It can be a difficult time for parents particularly when you read that a Nation-Wide Building Society survey estimates that parents will spend nearly £1,000 per child on childcare, days out, treats and food over this period. Where they get the figures from I am not certain however; it points to the summer holidays being an expensive time. You do not necessarily have to spend a small fortune on keeping your loved ones actively occupied: • Plan ahead for things to do. • Be constructive and always allow time for the children to fill in their own ideas of what they want to do even if it is lazing about for half a day. They will be appreciative being given the responsibility of managing their own time. • Search your local library, check the village notices, read local newspapers and search the internet for information on events for example: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/article/105088/Summer-holiday-events-inthe-libraries and www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/node/3126 These two local council sites offer activities specifically for children during the summer holidays • The BBC receives a great deal of criticism over

many things but they also provide many useful activities have a look at their www.bbc.co.uk/ thingstodo internet site where they work alongside not-for-profit and publicly funded organisations who offer activities to the public.

n Lots of fun can be had in a paddling pool. These range from very cheap, simple single ring designs, to those with multiple rings, rigid sides, and those incorporating slides and other activities. Ease of inflation is an important consideration when you have excited children waiting to play. Other toys that can help kids have fun with water in the garden include sprinklers, and of course water pistols, or as they are more commonly known these days ‘Supersoakers’. n An empty sand pit or paddling pool can also double up as a ball pool. n Or why not have your own World cup or Wimbledon, by investing in football goals or tennis equipment? n If you only have a small garden or limited budget, do not despair, there are still many choices. How about a croquet or skittle set, skipping rope, slingshot, hoola hoop, some blowing bubbles or a small play tunnel? If you’ve not room for ball games requiring lots of space try something like swingball. Or you could let the little ones do some garden role play by buying some play ‘mini garden tools’ n Whatever you buy, always check age guidelines and look for quality marks. By Susan Brookes-Morris

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• There are numerous ideas for keeping the children occupied you

just need to know where to look another most useful site is http:// freestuff4kids.net/101-things-to-do-with-kids/ this also includes 101 things to do for pre-schoolers. An excellent site for rainy days.

Still struggling?

M – Model Making

Then try my fun A to Z alphabet for ideas:

O – Ornithology

N – Nature Studies (study of birds)

A – Arts and Crafts

P – Photography

B – Biking

Q – Quiz Games

C - Collecting (Safety first)

R – Reading

(eg stamps, coins) D – Dancing

E – Embroidery

S – Swimming T – Tennis U – Uranography (mapping stars)

F – Football

V – Visiting friends

G – Gardening H – Helping at Home I – Ice Cream Making

W – Walks X – xylographics (wood engraving)

J – Jewellery Making

Y – Yoga

K – Kite Flying L – Local History Research

Z – Go to a Zoo

Other Useful Internet Sites: www.eparenting.co.uk/summer/things_to_do_in_the_summer_holidays www.letsgowiththechildren.co.uk Where ever you go and whatever you do I wish you all safe journeys and happy relaxing holidays. John Harris

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The Chinese are coming! Paul Hensby, Director of Reach Into China, describes how Cotswold businesses can take advantage of the huge increase in Chinese tourists to the UK in the years ahead. Tourism means business, and Chinese tourism means big business. The UK government has made it easier for the Chinese to get a visitor visa, and in March Visit Britain launched the GREAT China Welcome campaign to show the Chinese we want them to visit this country. By 2020 there are likely to be 650,000 Chinese visitors to the UK, spending an annual £1.1 billion. What has this got to do with Oxford and the Cotswolds? For organisations that can offer something to Chinese tourists, the answer is a lot. Chinese tourists know the Oxford ‘brand’ thanks to the reputation of the university and the popularity of Morse on Chinese TV. The same is true for the Cotswolds which for the Chinese means quintessentially English countryside, lovely villages and the location for Harry Potter movies and Downton Abbey. Businesses in the region that, given the right advice, will benefit from the surge in Chinese tourism include hotels, pubs, restaurants, museums, galleries, gift shops, stately homes, craft centres, fashion and beauty retailers, breweries, estate agents, business advisers, schools and sport, leisure and entertainment venues. The China national holidays - early February, early May and early October - can increase the length of the season and the income earned…if you can reach this lucrative audience. Reach Into China, recommended by Visit Britain, provides bespoke advice and services to enable UK companies to become more successful at winning business from Chinese visitors. These services include Mandarin translation of marketing material and visitor information, supplying temporary Mandarin speaking staff, staff training, providing the very important UnionPay (the card used by most Chinese) payment facilities, and creating and managing our clients’ Chinese social media accounts.

Above: The new wave of Chinese tourists will be more affluent and wanting a high quality visitor experience.

Now is the time to act, not least because if a company can demonstrate it is becoming ‘China-ready’, it can join Visit Britain’s GREAT China Welcome Charter and be promoted, free of charge, in China. The question for Cotswolds’ businesses is not whether you can afford to market to the Chinese, but can you afford not to. For more information, visit www.reachintochina.com

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Moreton Show is bigger and better this year! Moreton Show is bigger and better this year so put 6th September in your diary and join us for a fun filled, great value day out! Set in the parkland of the Batsford Estate, Moreton Show is one of the last remaining traditional one day agricultural shows in the area. The Bolddog Lings Motocross Display Team is back by popular demand with more stunts and tricks to thrill the Grand Arena Audience. Katy Cropper headlines the Attractions ring, showing her skill as one of the best known sheep dog handlers in the country with her display featuring dogs, ducks and a fell pony. Other acts featuring throughout the day include the Pony Club Mounted Games, Terrier Racing, 6 Bar Show Jumping challenge, the Bluebell Majorette Band, Parelli Natural Horsemanship and much more. For dog lovers out there, there will be a dog show featuring a fun scurry and gun dog displays. Cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and for the first time, pigs will all be featured in one area, offering visitors a rare experience to see animals of all shapes and sizes compete in a variety of classes including the national shows for Cotswold Sheep and Poll Hereford Cattle. The culmination of the Livestock section will be the parade of prize winning animals, where exhibitors in the cattle and sheep sections congregate in the Grand Arena, which is not be missed!

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With a new horse showing ring, even more classes are to take place featuring the elegant side-saddle classes, re-trained racehorses, show jumping and top quality horses competing in the various Horse of the Year Show Qualifiers which take place throughout the day. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not all about the competitions however, far from it! There is something for all the family around the show ground. With over 300 trade stands around the showground offering an array of items from the latest agricultural equipment, high class and bespoke items such as jewellery, clothing and gifts to wood burning stoves and garden ware there really is something for everyone. Food lovers will be drawn to the extended Country Larder with the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top specialist food producers offering a variety of tastes and textures to take home and enjoy. Step back in time in the Butler Sherborn Countryside and Heritage Area with native animals from the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, an exhibition of vintage hunting equipment, a display of stone walling and much more. Vintage Vehicle enthusiasts are catered for with the parades of vintage tractors and motorcycles that takes place in the Attractions ring. This year the show boasts a new family fun area hosting free workshops for circus skills, performing arts and dance. The tallest bubbleologist in the world will also be wowing both children and adults with an amazing repertoire of bubble tricks. Buy your tickets in advance from local outlets or on-line at www. moretonshow.co.uk and save money (parking is free)! We look forward to seeing you on 6th September.

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Out & About 5th & 6th July n Annual Cotswold Show

Cirencester Park - Two days, 100 acres, hundreds of attractions and 40,000 visitors – the Cotswold Show is now one of the most popular on the regional Country Show calendar. www.cotswoldshow.co.uk

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12th July n Taynton Village Fete

Taynton (near Burford) 2-5pm All are welcome to the Taynton Traditional Village Fete. Stalls Galore, BBQ, Afternoon Tea and Fun and Games for the whole family in an idyllic Cotswold garden setting.

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18th - 20th July n Cotswolds Beer Festival

Postlip Tithe Barn near Winchcombe A celebration of the best beer and cider from near and far - a great event in a classic heritage setting. www.gloucestershirecamra.org.uk/cbf

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26th July n Compton Abdale Village Fete

Lower Farm, Compton Abdale. 1.30 - 4.15pm Stalls include: Produce, Plants, White Elephant, Tombola, Books, Girls’ Goodies Activities area including Plate Smashing, Bulls Eye, Fun Dog Show, Teas & Ice Creams. Gloucester Excelsior Silver Band. Entry £2.00. Children & Parking Free. (Just off A40 near Northleach.)

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26th July n Live Reading: “Of Ink, Wit and Intrigue”

Lodge Park: 11 - 4pm Writer Susan Cooper-Bridgewater will be visiting Lodge Park to read aloud some sections from her new historical fiction novel “Of Ink, Wit and Intrigue” and to sign copies of the books. Set in the 17th century, the book follows the life of the notorious Earl of Rochester. Some of the proceeds from the sales of the novel will benefit the National Trust. Lodge Park: 01451 844130 ...................................................................................................................

26th & 27th July n The Romans are coming!

Back with a taster of life in ancient Rome, Legio II Augusta bring their unique stalls, demonstrations and talks to Chedworth. Interesting and great fun. Chedworth Roman Villa, Yanworth Tel: 01242 890256

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27th July n Lazy Cotswold Sunday

Jazz music, croquet and picnics on the beautiful lawns make this the perfect Lazy Cotswold Sunday. Come and enjoy this beautiful 1630’s grandstand, built solely for entertaining and gambling, and while you’re here, come and take a walk through Lodge Park’s stunning surroundings, and visit the recently commemorated oak tree that has stood here since 1492. Lodge Park: 01451 844130

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28th July – 31st August n Summer holiday activities and fun

Tremendous family fun. Hands on activities. Lots to do and see. Some activities for a small charge. Visit the website for lots more events: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chedworth Chedworth Roman Villa, Yanworth. Tel: 01242 890256

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30th July - 5th August n Stow Art Group Annual Exhibition

Lower Slaughter Hall: 10am - 6pm Offering modestly priced paintings, Stained Glass, Ceramics and Greetings Cards

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9th & 10th August n Historical Re-enactment

Lodge park: 11am-4pm Visitors will see a little of the way in which infants and children were cared for by re-enactors, a range of period games and pastimes for adults and children, including some very rare mathematical artefacts, and an opportunity to see some of the types of food which were available in the 1600’s. Lodge Park: 01451 844130 ...................................................................................................................

16th August n Cotswolds Vintage Fair

Toddington Village Hall (GL54 5DU): 10-4pm An eclectic gathering of more than 40 stallholders, customers now travel from far afield to experience the event. At the fair there will be a wonderful selection of original vintage goods including; homewares, haberdashery, textiles, linens, furniture, jewellery, fashion & china. Tea Shop serving food and drink, ample parking and disabled facilities. Entry: £2.00 per person www.thecotswoldsvintagefair.blogspot.co.uk

................................................................................................................... The editors cannot be held responsible for any changes to the events listed. All events are correct at time of going to print.

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Cotswolds Tourism opens membership to all accommodation businesses Ambitious and innovative plans are well underway to boost tourism in the Cotswolds with the aim of becoming the third most popular destination in the country. As part of this initiative, the Cotswold Tourism partnership is offering all accommodation businesses across the region the opportunity to join their membership scheme. Regardless of whether they are currently accredited via Quality in Tourism, AA or other schemes, these businesses will qualify for membership provided they comply with a new accommodation quality charter. All members who join the membership scheme will be listed on the www.cotswolds.com website which links directly to the VisitEngland website, ensuring a high profile for the businesses and also a much wider choice for consumers. The businesses are also encouraged to ask local

event organisers to promote the wide range of events happening in the area to potential visitors by uploading information and images to the website and making their presence felt on the organisation’s twitter account. Commenting on these advantages, Rob Rees, Chairman of the Tourism Sector Group for Cotswolds Tourism Partnership, said: “This is a great deal for everyone involved in the local tourist industry. The www.cotswolds.com website attracted over 1 million visits during 2013 – double the total in 2012 – and clearly boosted our visitor numbers. We expect it will go from strength to strength, especially with the 2015 Rugby World Cup around the corner and many fans expressing a strong interest in combining sport with sightseeing, shopping and dining in the area.”

it is launched towards the end of this year. This should appeal to a new audience who mostly rely on Ipads and other mobile platforms to obtain information. The partnership is also working towards the production of a phone app and electronic version of the 2015 Cotswold visitor guide when it is launched towards the end of this year. This should appeal to a new audience who mostly rely on Ipads and other mobile platforms to obtain information. Information about advertising in the 2015 Cotswolds Visitor Guide is now available.

The partnership is also working towards the production of a phone app and electronic version of the 2015 Cotswold visitor guide when

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Thousands of poppies planted to commemorate World War One

Work is underway to create a dazzling display of thousands of red poppies alongside Monahan Way to commemorate the centenary of World War One. Monahan Way forms part of the repatriation route from Brize Norton to Carterton.

Above: Photograph taken along Monahan Way of James Gillies sewing the poppies and holding some seeds in his hands.

Did you know? Over

97%

of Britain’s wildflower meadows have been lost since 1940! Create your own using tips here: www.plantlife.org.uk/things_to_do/ grow_wild/wildmeadow

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The centenary of World War One triggered off the idea of a poppy display to local resident and businessman, James Gillies, as he is keen to see more wildflower meadows grown to help improve the environment. James Gillies (photographed) said, “Wildflower meadows not only look good, but are beneficial for birds, bees and other insects. This year is a good opportunity to start encouraging

landowners, communities and individuals to plant wildflowers and start thinking about the positive impact they can have.” James is working closely with West Oxfordshire District Council who manage the verge, and he offered to plant and donate poppy seeds along Monahan Way through his company, Complete Land Care. The seeds will flower from July through to September and the meadow will be maintained by the company for a period of 5 years to mark the duration of WW1. Cllr David Harvey, Cabinet Member for Environment said, “This is an excellent way of marking the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One and remembering the sacrifices that so many people made at that time.

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“Planting wildflowers flowers helps attract bees and increase pollination and so this activity is also a boost for our environment. We are pleased to be working with a local company and applaud them for taking this initiative.” The red field poppy became a symbol of remembrance at the end of the WW1 as the only flower that grew on the barren battlefields. In 1918, at the end of the First World War, the fields of Northern France and Flanders were filled with poppies. Over one million poppy seeds have been sown across approximately 1900 square meters of land along Monahan Way, the north east Carterton link road.

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Charity Duck Race organized by RAF Brize Norton raises over £16,500! The Lechlade Duck Race on Bank Holiday Monday, 5th May 2014, saw an unprecedented turn out of people come along to race a duck. Organised by the personnel of RAF Brize Norton the event was in its inaugural year and they had hoped to attract a few thousand people along. However, the idea of this new event must have struck a chord across the counties of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire as Lechlade was overrun with ’Duck Racers’ desperate to enter the race. The sun came out for the race, which saw around 6000 people descend on the beautiful historic town. The day was a huge success for the charities being supported, the Royal Air Forces Association and the Cotswold Water Park Trust, and over £16,500 was raised which will go to numerous great projects both in the local area and nationally. The winner of the main Duck Race was local girl Trinity Bunn who chose Duck 717. She told BFBS Presenter Jo Thoenes that she chose the duck because number 7 is her “lucky number”. Speaking after the event Trinity’s mum Amanda Bunn, Chair of the PTA at Lechlade’s St. Lawrences School, said, “We loved the day and it was a fantastic community event. It was good for all of the local businesses to see an increase in trade and was a great event for the town of Lechlade”. Trinity’s certificate and prizes were presented by Olympic legend Sir Matthew Pinsent CBE who also brought his family along to the event. The day also included a side competition called Duck Idol where local groups, businesses and organizations were asked to decorate a duck. The top 3 voted ducks went into a ‘Quack Off’ and the loudest cheers came in for the Filkins Nursery (The Old Station Nursery), who had a full ‘Duck Train’ complete with carriages containing a miniature version of each child at the nursery. Overall the day proved to be a huge success and an exciting and rather unusual new event for the Cotswolds.

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A message from the event organiser, Sgt Ali Hedworth of 24 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton: “We were surprised and delighted with the fantastic support the event received from the local community. No one here could have predicted such a turnout for the first year of a charity event like this and we are very grateful to everyone out there who supported the event and enabled us to do something so positive for our charities. We had shipped in 4000 ducks in the hope that we may be able to attract a few thousand people along who might all then sponsor a couple ducks each. We had also arranged to use one parking field on the land that the Cotswold Water Park Trust look after. By 11:30 we had opened another two fields and by around 13:30 we were running out of parking space. We realise that the huge success of the day caused a number of people to experience traffic delays and parking problems. Now that we know the potential scale of this event we intend to plan on a much grander scale in the future and will ensure that much more robust traffic control measures are in place. We will also engage with more local land owners to ensure that there is enough parking so that no one misses out on racing their duck next time around. We also intend to launch a website where you will be able to pre-sponsor your duck so that in future there will be no lengthy queues to get your hands on your duck! Thank you to everyone who made it along to the event and enjoyed their day down by the river in Lechlade. We very much appreciate your support as do our charities and we hope to see you again in the future at the new and improved Lechlade Duck Race 2015!”

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Harness the power of the sun! THE sun is a natural and environmentally friendly way of generating power and reducing household bills. With soaring energy bills putting pressure on already stretched household budgets and the promise of further increases predicted, it is no wonder that more and more people are looking towards renewable energy sources, such as the sun, the wind and water. Solar energy is now firmly established as a practical alternative to carbon energy sources. Daylight rather than sunshine generates solar power and the solar panels also work in cloudy conditions. Here at the Alderminster Group, a local family run business established in 1983, we are passionate about delivering excellent client service and pride ourselves on getting it right first time. Our staff have a reputation for being honest, reliable, enthusiastic and punctual. All the members of our team receive regular training to ensure we are up to date with the latest regulations. We are approved installers under the Government MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) which means our customers are eligible to benefit from the Feed-In Transfer (FIT) scheme, system which actually pays you to generate electricity! We will guide you through every step of the process, from advice on the best system to installation and aftercare. To reassure our customers, we have in place a deposit protection scheme which means that your funds are held in separate bank account during the 14 day cooling off period. It is little wonder that the majority of our work comes through personal recommendation. In most areas installation of solar panels is viewed as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;permitted developmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with no planning permission required, however there maybe restrictions for Listed buildings. Give us a call today 01608 690605 to find out more

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Observe the stars in the comfort of your sun lounger July and August can be the most pleasant of times for observing the stars. The nights are warm and once darkness has fallen, the richest parts of the Milky Way can be observed in August, as high as it can be when looking directly South. August is also renowned for its abundance of meteor showers. Once your BBQ is over, switch off the house lights, make yourself comfortable on the sun lounger and look at the sky. You do not even need a telescope but a pair of binoculars can be useful.

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Familiarise yourself with the shape of the constellations, have an astronomy sky chart to hand and remember to put a red filter over your torch (red plastic polythene will suffice) this will ease the strain on your eyes. The Sky Diary below shows the dates of the meteor showers.

Astro News

What is the value of Space Exploration? In the complex society that we live in the above question creates divisive debate. However; unique advances in Space Technology filter into everyday life into areas of Health, Medicine, Transport, Public Safety, Consumer Goods, Industrial Productivity, Energy and Environment. Examples include: • Monitors enabling medication management in patient’s homes. • Solar Refrigerators storing lifesaving vaccines • Development of more comfortable car seats • Catalytic converters to maintain air quality • Home Air Purifiers to eradicate harmful pathogens • Revolutionary advances in harnessing solar power • Micro-Accelerometers to monitor equipment health • Durable wind turbines that can operate under extreme climatic conditions • Reducing fuel consumption and noise from aircraft. • Monitoring climatic change • New clothing materials NASA issues reports of these advances which it refers to as “Spinoffs”. For a detailed description of these examples plus many more go to: www.spinoff.nasa.gov

Sky Diary

4th July - The Sun reaches its furthest distance from Earth; this is referred to in astronomical terms as aphelion. 5th July - Look SW at 23.00hrs, Mars appears just to the upper left of the Moon (Saturn is further to the left). 7th July – Look SW at 23.00hrs, Saturn appears to the upper left of the Moon (Mars is further to the right) 24th July – Be up early for this one, at 04.30hrs the Moon is just North of due East and to its left is a bright Venus, below and to the left of Venus is Mercury. 3rd August – The Moon is in the SW at 21.45hrs with Mars situated to its right and Saturn to its left.

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18th August – Not to be missed get your camera out because at 04.45hrs Venus can be seen almost touching Jupiter just North of due East. 23rd August – For the early birds you will see Jupiter to the left of the Moon with Venus below and a little further to the left. Meteor Showers: • July 8th, 15th, 26th: Capricomid stream • July 21st: Alpha Cygnids • July 28th: Delta Aquarids • August 2nd: Alpha Capricomids • August 6th: lota Aquarids • August 7th: Delta Aquarids • August 12th/13th: Perseids • August 28th: Alpha Aurigids John Harris

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Local News from... CDC to consult public on their involvement in future development Cotswold District Council bagin a public consultation on Monday 2nd June until Monday 14th July (deadline 7pm) to ensure that the knowledge and views of local communities are taken into account when considering future development . People will be asked to comment on the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) which sets out how and when CDC intends to engage with the members of the local community who show an interest in the future development of the district. The document also provides a general description of the types of involvement that the Council intends to use for the preparation and revision of local development documents and how it will consult the public on planning applications. Commenting on the SCI, Cllr Nick Parsons, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Forward Planning, said: “This document aims to ensure the active, meaningful and continuous involvement of local stakeholders in future planning decisions. Although it is not an end in itself, I believe it will serve as a means of improving the quality of the planning process. Planning helps define the places where we live, work and play - it affects all of us directly and indirectly, and everyone should have the chance to help shape the environment around us. I would urge anyone who has an interest in the District to take part in this consultation and provide us with their views.” The document will be available on the Council’s website at: Cotswold District Council - Latest planning policy news: www.cotswold.gov.uk/residents/planning-building/planning-policy/latest-planning-policy-news Hard copies will be available at the Council’s offices in Trinity Road and Moreton Area Centre and at local libraries.

CDC Leader seeks 3 more ambulances for district While welcoming a recent announcement that the South West Ambulance Trust will provide two new ambulances based at Stroud and Staverton, the Leader of Cotswold District Council, Cllr Lynden Stowe, believes that this development will have little impact on response times in the district, particularly in the north. With this in mind, he is due to meet both the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Ambulance Trust to press for three more ambulances in the Cotswolds. Commenting on this campaign, Cllr Stowe said: “I continue to be dismayed at the poor ambulance response times across the Cotswolds, particularly in the rural areas. Obviously any increase in the capacity of the service in the county as a whole is welcome but I feel that these new ambulances at Staverton and Stroud will not really address the lack of resources in our district, and specifically the northern parts. What happens is that ambulances that are normally stationed in the Cotswolds are diverted elsewhere as soon as they have dropped off patients at either Cheltenham General or Gloucestershire Royal hospitals, leaving huge tracts of the Cotswolds without any available cover. “This Council and the County Council have already raised concerns about this issue and have unanimously backed calls to improve the situation. At CDC we will continue to lobby for extra resources and I hope that the meeting I have arranged with both the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Ambulance Trust will produce results specifically for the Cotswolds. In the meantime, I would appreciate it if people could support our campaign for three more ambulances in the Cotswolds by visiting www.3MoreNow.org.uk in the next week or so, in advance of my meeting with the Trust’s senior management.”

Rotary golf day raises £4,100 for charity DESPITE a dreary forecast, the weather stayed fine and dry for 72 golfers who enjoyed the annual Rotary Golf Day in the Cotswolds. Keen golfers came from far and wide turned out for the event in June held at Naunton Downs Golf Club, near Bourton. Organised by North Cotswolds Rotary Club, players from Shropshire, Rugby, Tamworth, Chippenham as well as Gloucestershire and neighbouring counties enjoyed the day of golfing which raised £4,100 for charity. Home-Start Cotswolds, James Hopkins Trust, and Read Easy, based in Stow and Moreton, each received a

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