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November / December 2014
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New Businesses & Services
A 3 page feature looking at new local businesses and services across the North Cotswolds.
A Festive Wreath The history of this ancient, festive tradition
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09 The Place to eat this Christmas local news: 10 Free parking trial in 2015 new businesses: 10 New Businesses & Services christmas 14 Enjoy our family Christmas Quiz out & about 16 Seasonal events across our area advertorial: FEATURED FEATURED
FEATURED
Dining @ Treebus
place to eat this Autumn 09 The & Christmas
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18 Christmas 2014 events garden view: 24 Hedging Your Bets christmas: 24 Christmas Wreath Design astronomy 28 The Cotswold Sky cotswold link 30 Index events: FEATURED
FEATURED
FEATURED
Welcome to the November - December issue Christmas has almost arrived and we look forward to the festive season with a number of exciting Christmas features for you. Pages 14, 16 and 18 all feature Christmas events or Christmas themed activities, not forgetting an interesting look at the history of Christmas wreaths on p24. There really is so much to see and do this festive season. For the astronomers amongst you, 01609 777401 01609 779097 page 28 looks at the structure of comets and an important cotswoldlink.co.uk space mission taking place this November. Don’t forget, if you have any local news or a story of interest then please submit them to editorial@jkanorth.com. I’ll see you again in the New Year! Merry Christmas,
Christine Campbell | Editor
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The place to eat this Autumn & Christmas
We spoke to co-owner Dave about the restaurant specializing in seafood, but still offering diners a range of other options, “Our fish is delivered fresh from Kingfisher in Brixham and we encourage customers to order their favourite fish/sea food at the time that they book their table. This has proved very popular and also good for us to reduce waste. We are now going to try to move to 100% sustainable sources and species. Our plan is to achieve Marine Stewardship Council certification. This will take time and hard work to achieve but we have to play our part in rebuilding fish stokes and bringing down the number of species on the endangered category. We offer the most extensive range of fresh fish and seafood dishes in the area but we are proud to offer local steaks and other choices for diners at Treebus”.
Dave tells us more about the ethos behind Treebus, “We want all our customers to have a truly enjoyable experience at our Restaurant and so all meals are cooked fresh to order by our chef Daniel. We carefully design the menu and all dishes to ensure the customers are always put first and that they are treated as individuals and not just numbers through the door.
Left: Daniel the Chef
Treebus the Restaurant, on Digbeth Street, Stow, is owned and run by couple Dave and Jayne. Since taking over the restaurant in April 2013, Jayne and Dave worked tirelessly to build upon the existing customer base and expand the range of cuisine available.
We are delighted with how the Restaurant has progressed and I believe that the future idea to introduce additional evening service during the week, will be very well received by our loyal customers.”
Typical Specials include:
Treebus pride themselves on providing excellent customer service, giving all visitors high quality locally sourced foods and meeting their own individual dietary needs. The restaurant always consider dietary requirements, whether it be gluten free or vegetarian, etc. Custom dishes are frequently created to ensure all customers are able to enjoy their meal.
½ dozen Oysters............................£8.00 Scallops on veg puree.....................£8.00 Fresh Cornish sardines......starter: £6.50 ...........................................main: £12.00 Scottish Langoustines…................£8.00 Whole 18oz Dover Sole…….......…..£19.00 28 day hung Rib-eye steak….........£17.00 Poached Halibut…………….......……£18.00 Bouillabaisse……………….......………£17.00 Wild Sea Bass……………….......……. £17.50 Confit of Duck, or free range chicken breast on risotto………….......………£14.00
Visit our website for our latest menus and to subscribe to our newsletter! www.treebusevents.co.uk
BOOK NOW: 01451 870210
www.treebusevents.co.uk Digbeth Street, Stow-On-The-Wold. GL54 1BN Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
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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
Free parking trial in January & February 2015 Cotswold District Council will be allowing motorists to park for free in its car parks on Mondays and Tuesday afternoons during January and February 2015. This is on a trial basis and follows a Council decision earlier this year to set aside a fund of £25,000 for incentives to attract more motorists to the Cotswolds during traditionally quiet trading periods.
Commenting on the free parking trial, Cllr Chris Hancock, the Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Partnerships, said: “I am sure that this will be welcome news for many residents and also visitors to the district. We want to support local businesses after the Christmas/New Year period - a time when trading can be rather quiet – and we believe
that this trial will encourage more use of our car parks in the winter months and, hopefully, entice more people into our local shops.” Cllr Lynden Stowe, the Leader of the Council, added: “We are committed to ensuring that motorists using our car parks get a good deal. We have frozen parking charges since 2010 and our tariffs compare favourably with places like Cheltenham and Gloucester. We also recently introduced a half hour tariff in all our car parks where it was previously only available in a few. This free parking incentive on Monday and Tuesday afternoons in January and February is yet another example of how we are trying to balance the need for parking income to pay for services with requests from motorists and traders to provide parking concessions on occasions.”
New home for Beauty opens in Bourton Luxe Tan & Nails, the London styled salon, opened in September in Bourton-on-the-Water. Offering a wide range of exceptional beauty tratements to clients of all ages, the salon welcomes customers to call in and see them on Victoria Street, Bourton. Hosting the new and exclusive collagen enhanced sunbed, which starts at 99p a minute, the salon offers some great tanning packages. They have award winning English nail technician/artists which do acrylics, gel extensions, gel overlays, pedicures, manicures and fully trained CND Shellac specialists. The waxing bar offer everything from hands to feet including the brow bar to look after your brows. Luxe Tan & Nails host a yummy mummy club in the weekday mornings which give great discounts for the brow bar, gel extensions and overlays and shellac as well as the standard file and polish from the Ciate bar (The only one of its kind outside of Selfridges, London) Teeth whitening and hair extensions are available by appointment only Open 6 days a week: Weekdays 9.30-8pm Saturdays 9.30-6pm ...............................................................................................................
More details call: 01608 798008
Luxe Tan & Nails, Victoria Street, Bourton-on-the-Water, GL54 2BX Search ‘Luxe Tan & Nails’
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Christmas spirits high at Dormy House as hotel team celebrates AA award this Winter Everyone’s in high spirits at Dormy House Hotel in Broadway, after winning AA Hotel of the Year 2014-15. And now the team is looking forward to a busy season of Christmas parties and New Year celebrations to keep the mood high. “Winning Hotel of the Year for England in the AA Hospitality Awards so soon after opening the new hotel and spa is a dream come true,” said Dormy’s CEO Andrew Grahame. “This award recognises the huge effort everyone at the hotel has made. “The phones haven’t stopped ringing since the award was announced - both demand and spirits are high. We are going to be very busy and our guests will be partying right through the winter months.” Christmas parties of all sizes can be hosted at Dormy House. The awardwinning Garden Room restaurant serves of up to 80 guests, while parties of up to 14 share the pretty and private Top Table. More intimate gatherings are perfect in The Potting Shed. Often referred to as the industry’s Oscars, the AA Hospitality Awards recognise a few of the thousands of British hotels with an AA rating. Only one establishment in England is awarded Hotel of the Year. Presenting the award, TV presenter Fiona Bruce said of Dormy House: “This much-loved and privately-owned hotel has undergone a complete transformation. Great hospitality and food define the hotel of the year for England.” To book a Christmas party – including a glass of Champagne on arrival and a delicious threecourse dinner designed and created by Chef Jon Ingram – call Dormy House on 01386 852711.
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A ground-breaking primary school! Although only a small village primary school, at Withington, we like to think of ourselves as ground-breaking in all of our educational ventures. This September has seen the official opening of our Foundation Stage Unit (FSU) by the Mayor of Cheltenham, and it means we can now ensure that our reception children will benefit from the play and learning opportunities they are entitled t o a s d i r e c t e d i n t h e E a r l y Y e a rs Fo u n d a tion Stage Curriculum. A lot of interest has been paid to us since the opening and we believe that a lot of other settings will soon follow in our footsteps! “Following the latest research which informs us that Reception age children develop better in a learning environment that is play based, the staff here at Withington were determined and passionate to see this best practise become a reality for our children,” says Helen Dyer (FSU Manager). Our FSU ensures that the children are able to work on adult focused activities that are appropriate for their stage of development. When playing, younger children benefit from playing alongside older and more experienced children. Older children benefit from working with younger children, for example, by explaining how to play a
game. Children are able to access appropriate resources and are given the time and space to develop at their own pace. The FSU further benefits children as they are in the same part of the school for a longer period of time. This makes the first few years of education a time of emotional security which builds confidence and reduces the stress which can be caused by transition. Children have familiar routines and work with the same team of familiar adults. Visits are always welcome. .................................................................. Withington C of E Primary School High Street, Withington, Cheltenham, GL54 4BQ Tel: 01242 890349
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Timber Teeth solve problems! All great ideas are simple answers to problems. Timber Teeth was born when Alan Morton was trying to cut logs of varying lengths and size for his wood burner. He tried various things to help him cut the logs, and considered going to the expense of a saw-horse. Then he had an idea. Alan drew up plans for what we now know as ‘Timber Teeth MK1’ – a quite chunky, bolted, toothed ‘V’ type set-up that would slip between the top timbers, or vice jaws as they’re called, of a Black and Decker Workmate® and offer a platform for cutting logs and timbers. This first attempt was quite unwieldy and not really a commercial proposition. So, a rethink was in order. Alan’s an engineer (this isn’t his first nifty idea), and when the design for Timber Teeth MK2 was finished, it was a bolt-free, strong, slender, 2-piece bracket set that instantly converts a Workmate into a sturdy saw-horse – offering a much safer cutting platform for a variety of logs, timbers and even plastic piping. Timber Teeth bites slightly into the timbers, securing them in place, the two point
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design means the material being cut will never fidget or rock. Timber Teeth is made from 2.5mm steel and is very strong – offering a weight loading of over 40kg, and is available in green painted or galvanised finish. We’re still finding new uses for Timber Teeth and you’ll find it handy for all sorts of things, it really is a perfect DIY tool. Each year there are hundreds of serious cutting accidents through kneeling on workbenches to saw things up, Timber Teeth makes this process that much safer. Timber Teeth retails for just £20. With it being such a handy item to have around, can you afford not to have one?! To order yours visit: www.homelogging.co.uk or call 01993 701 016.
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Family Christmas Quiz Relax and chill out, these assortment of questions are for the young and not so young. You may not even agree with all the answers but the quiz is for all of the family to take part and enjoy. Good Luck, Wishing All a Happy and Joyous Festive Season – John Harris
1. What song was the UK Christmas No. 1 in both 1975 and 1991? 2. What name is given to the 4 week period leading up to Christmas? 3. Who wrote the song White Christmas? 4. What colour is Father Christmas’ belt? 5. In which 2 Oceans can you find a Christmas Island? 6. Which English leader banned Christmas in 1647? 7. When do Christmas and New Year’s Day fall in the same year? 8. Where did turkeys originate from? 9. In the 17th Century Christmas cake was made to be eaten by what day? 10. The Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, London is an annual gift from which nation? 11. Who is said to have introduced the Christmas tree into the UK? 12. Born on Christmas Day in 1954, she had hits with such songs as “Walking on Broken Glass” and “No More I Love You”, what is her name? 13. In which year in The Queen’s Speech did the Queen refer to the past 12 months as “Annus Horribilus”? 14. What did Santa Claus win in 1964? 15. Which rock singer starred in the film “Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence”? 16. Which Welsh singer made her acting debut in the 2010 Doctor Who Christmas Special? 17. In which year was the Queen’s first TV Christmas message? 18. Which “Happy Days” actor starred in the 1979 movie “An American Christmas Carol”? 19. What alcoholic sauce is usually served with Christmas pudding? 20. Who created a Christmas pudding for Waitrose in 2010 with a whole orange inside?
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21. What in the UK was traditionally mixed into the Christmas pudding to bring good luck to the recipient? 22. In what pantomime do Robin Hood and Maid Marion appear? 23. What phrase does the Giant in “Jack and the Beanstalk” use when he can smell Jack? 24. Who first recorded “Jingle Bell Rock” in 1957? 25. The following letters represent each of the words in the title of which carol “OIRDC” 26. Who was Mummy seen kissing in the famous Christmas song? 27. “O tidings of comfort and joy” are lyrics taken from which carol? 28. “Nadolig Hapus” means Happy Christmas in which language? 29. Good King Wenceslas was not actually a king but a duke, over which country was he duke? 30. Which country is the largest exporter of Christmas trees? 31. What was the name of Tiny Tim’s father in “A Christmas Carol”? 32. Which Nobel Prize winning author wrote King George V’s Christmas broadcast in 1932? 33. In Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” what is Scrooge’s first name? 34. One may have an “Aperitif” before the Christmas dinner, what does this mean in the original Latin? 35. Which English Victorian cook wrote the definitive Christmas cookbook? 36. Which Disney animation, based on a T.H.White book was first released on Christmas Day in 1963,telling the story of a young King Arthur. 37. What famous event took place on Christmas Day 1914? 38. Who was crowned King of England on December 25th 1066? 39. Who composed “The Christmas Oratorio”? 40. Which present did Harry Potter receive from Hagrid in his first Christmas at Hogwarts? Answers p30
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Out & About Community 8th & 9th November
n Lower Oddington Christmas Fair 10.00 – 4.00: Lower Oddington Village An exhibition of exceptionally talented Cotswold artists and artisans from across Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire will charm and inspire you with their exquisite work. Expect wonderful colours and textures and excellent quality. Cash and Cheques only. If you have any queries, please contact one of the organisers: Delia Taylor-Brook deliatb1@ gmail.com 07899 891992 or Lizzie Aldridge Izisaldridge@gmail.com 07785 984300 ........................................................
13th November & 11th Dec
n Farmers Market Stow on the Wold Farmers Market is normally held on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 9am until 1pm. The market is held in the square around the green where the Old Stocks are located. Market Place, Stow: 9am to 1pm twitter @freshnlocalmkts ........................................................
Old Prison - Northleach
14th November
n Spinners & Weavers Monthly Meeting An enthusiastic, amateur group of spinners and weavers. Please bring along your own wheel, drop spindles, or portable looms if you have any. Drop spindles are available to try or buy. For more information, contact Amy on 01451 861508. Group meets second Friday of each month. Cost: £5 per person, including refreshments. 10:30am – 1pm in the Courtroom or Café.
20th November
n Illustrated talk on “Geology and Landscape in the Cotswolds” 1:30 – 2:45pm in the Courtroom. By Senior Bryozoan Research Scientist, Dr. Paul Taylor of the Department of
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Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum, London. Cost: £5 per person, including refreshments.
25th November
n Northleach Circle of Crafters 10am – 12:30pm in the Café. An informal group set up to share skills in crafts using yarn, fabric and paper including knitting, crochet, sewing, embroidery, quilting, patchwork, applique, origami, quilling, iris and tea-bag folding. For more information, contact Carolyn on 01451 860362. Group meets fourth Tuesday of each month. Cost: £5 per person, including refreshments. More events at the Old Prison: www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk ........................................................
15th November
n The Chipping Norton Vintage Fair The Chipping Norton Vintage Fair is here! There will be the usual fabulous selection of stalls including Bric-a-brac, Vintage, Collectables & Antiques suitable for all tastes and pockets. The Chipping Norton Tea Set will be running the pop up tea room serving tea, coffee, homemade cakes and warming soup! For any other information please get in touch on email, chippingnortontease@ gmail.com or call 07967 833 979 www.facebook.com/thechippingnortonfleamarket ........................................................
27th - 29th November
n CADS presents A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM ‘An enchanting (in every sense of the word) comedy. In the wood fairies rule but they themselves are quarrelling. Lovers flee there to escape from the restrictions of Athens and workmen come to get some peace to rehearse their play. This will be a fast moving physical comedy is suitable for everyone. Tickets: £9 Full price and £7 concessions Box Office: 01608 811 805 www.charlbury-drama.com The Memorial Hall, Charlbury: 7.45pm ........................................................
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Having an event?
Email us your event details to: events@jkanorth.com and we’ll publish it for you. Magazine distribution dates are on p30.
29th November
n Dumbleton Christmas Fayre You will find an amazing selection of 60 stalls including upcycled furniture, homewares, fashions, jewellery, candles, textiles, photography, paintings, cards, skin care, wooden crafts, baby accessories and clothing, Christmas wreathes, decorations, gifts and so much more! There will be home made cakes, teas and coffees and sandwiches on offer and of course a fully licenced bar. For those wanting to get into the Christmas spirit early there will be mulled wine and a BBQ on the go too. Entrance Fee £1.00, Under 12’s free. Free Parking. 10:00am to 3:30pm For more information about this event or if you are interested in having a stall email dumbletoncraftfayre@gmail.com or call 07788 562301. www.dumbletonclub.co.uk/fayre.html ........................................................
29th November
n Christmas Fair 10-4pm. Enjoy mulled wine, festive treats and some special Christmas shopping stalls showcasing handcrafted Christmas gift ideas by local artisans. Wychwood Wrought Iron 4 London Lane, Ascott-under-Wychwood www.wychwoodwroughtiron.com ........................................................
30th November
n Aldsworth Christmas Fair Local businesses offering food and gift ideas for Christmas. Cafe serving light lunches, teas and coffees with mulled wine and mine pies. Raffle and lucky programme draw. £1 entry. Children FOC Enquiries to Shona on 07803029943. Aldsworth village hall from 11am to 2.30pm. ........................................................
2nd December
n Winchcombe Christmas Festival Traditional festive fun throughout this ancient Cotswold town. Interesting shops, pubs and restaurants, street entertainment, craft market, Santa’s Grotto. Children’s Trail and other Christmas
events all throughout December. Time: 5pm to 8pm. Also ….Shops open late every Tuesday in December. For full information and events diary go to www.winchcombe.co.uk ........................................................
5th December
n Broadway Late Night Christmas Shopping 5.30 - 8.30 pm A host of festivities for all the family including carol singers, swing band, horse & carriage rides, street entertainers, pig roast, mulled wine, roast chestnuts and much, much more! ........................................................
6th December
n Wine & Cheese Evening in aid of BEST 19:30pm. Enjoy the Farm Shop’s finest cheeses and a glass of wine (or juice) while listening to the Ukey D’Ukes. Tickets are £10 to include your first drink - we will also be running a cash bar. All proceeds to BEST (part of GBSN reg charity 1121337). Buy your tickets from BEST or online at: breastfeedingsupporters.org.uk/events More details: breastfeedingsupporters.org.uk Organic Farm Shop, Burford Road, Cirencester GL7 5HF ........................................................
26th December
n Boxing Day at Batsford Arboretum 10:00 - 3pm. Shake off the Christmas Day excesses at Batsford Arboretum Get out and about and shake off the excesses of Christmas Day with a bracing walk around beautiful Batsford Arboretum. We’re open between 10 and 3pm and there’s a free mug of mulled wine for each customer (while stocks last!). More details: www.batsarb.co.uk Batsford Arboretum, Batsford, Moretonin-Marsh, Glos GL56 9AB ........................................................ Please note: the editors cannot be held responsible for any changes to events listed. Please contact event organisers directly. All events correct at time of going to press.
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Christmas 2014
There’s so much to see and do around our Market towns this Christmas!
Moreton-in-Marsh
29th November - Christmas Market and Light Switch On Over 60 stalls from 9.00am Live entertainment from 10.00am Charity Stalls in Redesdale Hall Santas Grotto (after switch on) Carol Service 3.40pm Light Switch On 4.00pm Grand Draw - 1st prize £100 FREE PARKING in the Old Market Way car park
Stow-on-the-Wold 4th - 7th December - Festival Of Lights St Edwards Church Christmas Tree lit 5.30pm on 3rd December Children’s choir, entire square lit that evening See local press for future details
Bourton-on-the-Water
5th December - Late Night Christmas Shopping & Christmas Lights Switch On With the village ablaze with fairy lights, shoppers can meander through the streets absorbing the festive atmosphere. There is a plethora of gifts from which to choose and an excellent choice of cafes, pubs, and restaurants for food and refreshments. Lights Switch on: 6pm More details: www.bourtoninfo.com
Northleach
15th November - Christmas Shopping Event
Cotswold Hall, High Street, Northleach 10am - 4pm A local Christmas shopping event with a twist, to offer a selection of affordable, stylish gifts and products. Benefitting local children’s charities More details to follow, but please contact Kathryn Allison, kathryn@iprcommunications.co.uk with any queries.
Chipping Norton
Burford
MASH and other retailers are extending their opening hours for late night Christmas Shopping.
30th November - Christmas Lights Switch On We have a whole afternoon of festivities planned!
People can get further details from Gemma Finch (Burford Chamber of Trade) on 01993 822714
Charlbury
12th December - Late Night Christmas Shopping
Charlbury late night Christmas shopping is on Friday 12th December 6-8pm, why not come on down to the town centre and buy your Christmas gifts locally and enjoy the seasonal atmosphere, hope to see you all there. Your CotswoldLink
In aid of the Chipping Norton Pre-School Chipping Norton Town Hall: 7.30 - 9.30pm For more details: 01608 643376
Thursday 4th December - Late Night Shopping Evening Chipping Norton Singers, Hog Roast, Mulled Wine and various attractions.
Starting from 12 noon, we are collaborating with the Primary School to provide activities for the children, there will also be street entertainment, mulled wine and singing. Father Christmas will also be arriving in his sleigh in Burford and the children will be able to visit him in his grotto - the day will culminate with the lights going on at around 4.30pm.
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14th November - Christmas Shopping Evening
Shops hoping to extend opening hours every Thursday and Sunday in December.
Broadway
5th December - Broadway Late Night Christmas Shopping 5.30 - 8.30 pm A host of festivities for all the family including carol singers, swing band, horse & carriage rides, street entertainers, pig roast, mulled wine, roast chestnuts and much, much more!
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Garden View Hedging Your Bets Ok, so it’s a terrible heading, but November is the perfect time for planting new hedges, and at this time of year it’s a very safe bet.
addition of extra life in the garden always pleases me. If you’re looking for a quick solution to a green screen, then you have two options, either instant (such as a 2m high instant hedge, pre grown, trained and clipped, perfect for the impatient gardener), or Leylandii conifers. As I write this I can hear the screams, but it really is the best option for speed and it’s cost-effective. Do be aware that legally, as of a couple of years ago, you have to keep its growth contained to 2m high if on a boundary (this does not apply to any other species).
Prior to the use of containerised plants (which can be planted at almost any time of the year) planting between November and March was a gardeners only option, and as far as the plants are concerned it’s still the best by far. When plants are dormant (asleep) they will hardly even notice being moved, and by spring when their new leaves emerge their roots will have already pushed through the surrounding soil in their new home.
For the more patient gardener, try the classic evergreen Yew hedging. Like most beautiful things in life, it’s more expensive to buy. It’s also slower growing (15-30cm per year), but does only require cutting once per year in September, and will provide you with the most beautiful hedge. I also favour the evergreen Portuguese laurel, which has a smaller leaf than the more common cherry laurel, or Beech if it doesn’t need to be evergreen.
Hedges are often thought of as hard work, time consuming and have been at the centre of heated neighbourly debates (whether it’s cutting them too low or letting them grow too high). They are great for blocking out unsightly views, adding privacy, and also make a wonderful place for wildlife to live, rest and nest. For the past 3 years we’ve had a variety of birds nesting in our Yew hedge and the
A Festive Wreath
Long before the introduction of central heating and other luxuries of the 21st century, people required greater faith that they would safely survive the harsh upcoming winter. One such symbolic display of this hope was the beautiful Christmas wreath. Now creeping back in fashion and available in a number of guises, they can be found hanging on doorways, both inside and out, as a centrepiece on a table, and even hung on walls as decorations. Although we may have lost the traditional reasoning behind displaying such garlands, I’m on a mis-
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Whichever hedge you choose, the ground preparation should be the same. For containerised, bare-root or root-balled hedges, dig out a trench which follows the line of the proposed hedge, this should be at least one and a half times wider and deeper than the rootball. Fork over the base of the trench and return some of the soil, so that when you plant the hedge it sits at the same level as previously planted (i.e. not too deep). Backfill with the removed soil, add a handful of bonemeal per plant, and dig in. Firm with your boot then water well before mulching with 5cm of compost, manure or bark clippings. Happy winter gardening Lee Bestall
sion to bring them back … in whatever style suits your home. The word ‘wreath’ is linked to the word ‘wrist’, both words describing the form of a continuous circular shape. Fuse this with ‘wrethe’ from middle English (meaning a twisted band or ring of leaves) and you have the wreath as we know it today. The circular shape is symbolic of eternity, or everlasting life because it has no beginning or end. In ancient Rome the symbol became a popular display of victory. From a Christian perspective it represents the unending circle of life, with the traditional Holly as the thorns on Jesus’ crown and the red berries as his blood. At this bleak time of year, it’s wonderful to use evergreens and other brightly coloured flowers, foliage, or fruits to adorn your wreath. The addition of expensive and rare fruits such as pomegranates, indicated wealth, but wreaths also included the display of pinecones, seashells and even imported products. Once the decorations had been taken down, the edible decorations would be eaten and the bounty of summer
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For a smaller hedge it has to be Box, but alternatives include Lavender, Berberis, Lonicera, and for the perfect no-cut low hedge go for a small Hebe, (simply choose a variety which only grows to the height you actually want the hedge to grow to).
enjoyed in the depth of winter. Making your own wreath is fun and easy, and can vary from a simple and cheap evergreen circle to an elaborate bauble ring. For those who like a quick and easy option, simply buy a circle of oasis and soak it in tepid water, before sticking in sprigs of evergreen foliage from the garden, flowers, berries, dried fruits, nuts, and bows. If you have more time why not make your own base by taking a ring of string wire and covering it in moss or hay, holding it in place using thinner gauge wire, then wiring in the foliage and decorations. Be aware though that holly wreaths are tricky and gloves should be worn! Merry Christmas. Lee Bestall
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The
Cotswold Sky
Who said a comet is a ‘Dirty Snowball?’ Along with many other teachers I always taught my students to imagine a comet as a “Dirty Snow Ball”. During the next few months we will find out just how close to this description we were. On August 6th this year the spacecraft Rosetta, which was launched in March 2004, became the first manmade object to orbit a comet. On November 11th it will release its landing craft called Philae down to the surface of Comet 67P/ChuryumovGerasimenko (referred to as 67P). I do not know the reason why Remembrance Day has been selected for the landing but it may be because Rosetta is a European Space Agency (ESA) mission and the Nations of Europe are now at peace in comparison to 100 years ago.
The Shape
The first surprise of 67P is its unique shape and uneven surface. It could be that 2 comets have drifted together, in which case they will be referred to in astronomy circles as a “contact binary”. Should it be one singular comet then research will be needed to solve why the body of 67P is so badly eroded. Incredibly the uneven surface has produced jagged cliffs of 150 metres in height and all this is compacted into a mean diameter of 2.5 miles (4km). 67P spins at a rate of 12.3 hours; this is possibly caused by the jets of material originating from the comet. From this and other observations it is believed that 67P is active because a large outburst of material has been observed by camera equipment fitted to Rosetta. In addition its temperature some 550 million kms from the Sun was around 220 kelvin (-53 de-
Sky Diary
Mercury - looks good in the south east about 40 minutes before sunrise during the first week of November. Jupiter – very good for observing during the early mornings of November. However; by December Jupiter will be rising at around 20.30hours. Venus – Becomes visible in the evening sky towards the end of the year, but sets one hour after the Sun has set. Mars – Now fading but still observable with a good pair of binoculars. Will be setting by 19.20hours in December.
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grees Celsius), although this is awfully cold to us on Earth it is 20/30 degrees higher than expected. At this point its speed was 55,000 kms per hour.
The Landing Area
Choosing a safe landing site has not been an easy task due to the surface being far from smooth. However; a prospective site has been chosen. Philae will take several hours to touch down and its batteries should last for 64 hours after which its solar cells will do the recharging.
The Mission
ESA believe that the mission will provide evidence into how comets change as they approach the Sun. There are 13 individual experiments from the results it is hoped to give us a better understanding of the early evolution of our planetary system. Some of these experiments include: - Analysis of the comet’s composition and atmosphere. - How the dust content, chemistry and plasma structure of the cometary coma changes as it orbits the Sun. - Details of mass loss. References: Professor Alan Fitzsimmons, Queens University Belfast Astronomy Now - www.esa.int/ESA Wishing All Readers A Happy and Joyous 2015 - John Harris Taurid meteor showers during the period 3rd to 13th November Leonid meteor showers occurs November 17th/18th Geminid meteor showers reach maximum on 13th December. A must view before midnight. Ursid meteor showers are very favourable for viewing on Christmas Eve. Winter Solstice occurs at 23.03hrs on December 21st. This is the shortest day when the Sun reaches its furthest point south and slowly but surely the nights will now become lighter. John Harris
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Christmas Quiz Answers 1. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen 2. Advent 3. Irving Berlin 4. Black 5. Indian and Pacific Oceans 6. Oliver Cromwell 7. Every Year 8. North America 9. Twelfth Night 10. Norway 11. Prince Albert 12. Annie Lennox 13. 1992 14. The Epsom Derby 15. David Bowie 16. Katherine Jenkins 17. 1957 18. Henry Winkler 19. Brandy Sauce 20. Heston Blumenthal 21. A coin, normally a sixpenny piece 22. Babes in the Wood 23. Fe Fi Fo Fum, I Smell the Blood of an Englishman 24. Chuck Berry 25. Once In Royal David’s City 26. Santa Claus 27. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 28. Welsh 29. Bohemia 30. Canada 31. Bob Cratchitt 32. Rudyard Kipling 33. Ebenezer 34. To start 35. Mrs Beeton 36. The Sword and the Stone 37. British Soldiers played German Soldiers in a football match in “No Man’s Land” 38. William the Conqueror 39. J S Bach 40. A rough cut wooden flute
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