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September / October 2014
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inside
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Garden View
We welcome Autumn with a Rhubarb-inspired feature & a delicious recipe for you to try!
New Businesses A snapshot of new local businesses & services
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Secret Tours
A unique way to tour the North Cotswolds
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05 A Day to Remember... 20 A new way to tour the Cotswolds food: new businesses: 08 New Businesses & Services 22 British Food Fortnight garden view: news: 10 local 24 What a load of Rhubarb! Online electoral registration recipe 14 education 24 Strawberry Rhubarb Pie A Teachers Nightmare! gardening: review 14 book 26 Which power tools should you use? Our Featured Book reviewed astronomy & about 16 out 27 The Cotswold Sky Autumn events across our area cotswold link news 18 local GAT funds NHS pilot programme 28 Index travel
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Welcome to the September - October issue We greet the arrival of Autumn with a number of exciting features and news for you! We introduce several new businesses and services on page 8 & 9, whilst looking at the latest developments in exams on p14. Our rhubarb-inspired feature on p24 announces the change in season, as we look at the origins and history of this garden favourite. Don’t forget, if you have any 01609 777401 01609 779097 local news or a story of interest then please submit it to cotswoldlink.co.uk editorial@jkanorth.com. I’ll see you again in November! Best wishes, Christine Campbell | Editor
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Adele’s
Carrick News
In this issue...
A Day to Remember... There are many reasons why couples choose to marry overseas... short-haul destinations such as Cyprus, Greece, Gozo and The Algarve allow many of your relatives and friends to attend your big day... a sun-kissed wedding photo album... the opportunity to combine your wedding and honeymoon destination... easy and relatively quick organisation of it all...and, just as importantly, the fact that a wedding overseas could be considerably cheaper than in the U.K. Whilst trends change annually, it is possibly the longer haul destinations which are proving to be most popular. Some of the favourite wedding destinations are: - Cyprus, Barbados, Las Vegas, Mauritius and the Maldives. For those getting married in the UK and opting for a special honeymoon, the favourites are Maldives, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Malaysia. We’ve all seen the pictures, romance in the air, floating white dresses, and bare feet walking along the beach, turquoise sea and palm trees in the background…can it really be that easy? For something this special you will need to speak to the experts, a travel agent who has plenty of experience in organising such a unique occasion. Speak to them about what you want from your dream wedding, a castle in Scotland, being married by the captain on board ship, a romantic island paradise or a wedding chapel in Las Vegas. Let them guide you to your perfect wedding or honeymoon destination. For those on a budget or perhaps taking family along to enjoy the celebrations then Cyprus is ideal. The legendary birthplace of Aphrodite,
Greek Goddess of love and beauty is the perfect choice as accommodation is plentiful for all budgets and inexpensive weddings can be arranged quite easily. Many cruise companies can now perform wedding ceremonies on board, being married by the captain whilst sailing luxuriously in international waters will suit those couples wanting a stylish and ultimately unusual ceremony. Most newly-weds dream of beginning their married life strolling on talcum powder white sandy beaches lapped by aquamarine waters. The Indian Ocean hot spots of Mauritius, Seychelles and Maldives tick all the boxes, each offering something unique for those seeking picture perfect romance. For something a bit different, the Cotton Tree luxury boutique hotel in the Cayman Islands recently opened and is an exclusive hideaway, the Le Phare Bleu Marina & Resort in Grenada are inviting couples to tie the knot on their restored Swedish light ship, Wolwedans Dunes Lodge in Namibia sits on a dune in a nature reserve and offers spectacular views for the album, have your marriage blessed by the captain on deck with Star Clipper or how about a cruise in the South Pacific with your wedding in the Bora Bora Resort in their Blue Lagoon Chapel – the only over water wedding chapel in French Polynesia!
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 Âź) 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
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From tiny acorns... Following a desire to practice on my own account, it was early on in 2012 that an opportunity arose for me to join my colleague Mark Kirkbride as a tax consultant in Chipping Campden. After thoroughly considering the proposition, I made the difficult decision to leave the security of my employment with a firm of Chartered Accountants in Oxfordshire and to paddle my own canoe! From the very beginning our work mushroomed and it soon became evident that Mark and I were going to need larger premises to accommodate the files and boxes of client records which were precariously stacking up around our desks! In February 2014, we opened our new office – ‘The Old Bull Pens’ on the Sezincote Farm Estate, near Moreton in Marsh, giving me the room to expand my business and to service my clients in these lovely surroundings with plenty of easy parking. As well as being a qualified Chartered Certified Accountant, I am also a Chartered Tax Adviser and our small team offers a whole range of accounting and tax related services to individuals and businesses operating across the Cotswolds
We spoke to Daniel Colwell of Daniel Colwell & Co about how his new company started...
and surrounding counties. In particular, we have a great deal of experience in dealing with tax planning, farming and rural businesses. We routinely undertake tax planning exercises and prepare detailed accounts helping to run your business more efficiently. Although we consider our values to be somewhat traditional and client focused, we like to be proactive and go beyond just providing our clients with annual accounting and tax compliance services. We achieve this by spending time to establish the specific individual needs of each client right from the very outset of our relationship so we can focus our work. We pride ourselves on being involved in our client’s businesses as much as they want us to be and building long lasting relationships with our clients. Being a smaller firm this is easier to achieve as the each client routinely deals directly with me. You can read some of the testimonials and find out a little more about us on our website. If you are entirely happy with what your current adviser offers you, then we would urge you to build on that relationship with them. We are certainly not in the business of upsetting perfectly good
Daniel Colwell Founder
professional relationships; because we u n derstand just how important these are. However, if for whatever reason you have considered changing adviser and would like to consider the implications of doing so, or you do not currently have an adviser, then I would be delighted to meet with you without charge and without obligation to discuss your circumstances. Should you decide to appoint us as your accountants, we will obtain all the relevant information from your current accountant and set up all registrations with HM Revenue & Customs ensuring that your affairs are passed over to us as seamlessly as possible and that we are ready to provide a proactive service. ......................................................................................... Tel: 01386 700 239 | www.danielcolwell.co.uk
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Online electoral registration available for the first time Cotswold residents should receive a letter from the Electoral Registration Officer in the next few weeks informing them of the change to the electoral registration system – a move from the old ‘head of household’ registration system to Individual Electoral Registration. In the Cotswold District around 7,500 local residents were not transferred automatically to the new electoral register. Anyone who receives a letter telling them they were not transferred can either visit www.gov.uk/registerto-vote to register to vote online, or return the form by post once they have inserted the relevant information that is required. Sarah Dalby, Electoral Services Manager, said: “Most electors will receive a letter from the elections team to tell them that they have automatically moved onto the new registration system. However, some residents will be told that they need to provide extra information in order to register under the new system. It’s important that they do this as soon as they are informed – this can be done easily by going to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or by returning the completed form by post.”
or students, so if you’ve just turned 18 or you’ve not registered before, get online to register to vote.” The Electoral Commission, the UK’s election watchdog, has called for the introduction of Individual Electoral Registration since 2003 as it will lead to a more secure electoral register. Cotswold District Council Elections Team can be contacted on: 01285 623002.
Sarah continued: “This is the first time that people can register to vote online and it’s quick and simple. This should appeal to many young people
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A Teacher’s Nightmare? A Politicians Easy Target? A Student’s Problem? As I sit down and write at the beginning of August to meet the print deadline, schools have been informed to be prepared for “volatile” GCSE and A Level results. In other words the examination papers have been marked more strictly than in previous years. By the time you read this article the results of the summer examinations will have been published. No doubt there will be controversy with various factions including teachers, politicians, trade unions, examination boards, The Department of Education, The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) and indeed parents with all having entrenched themselves in their particular camp. The Chief Executive of Ofqual has stated that volatility will be the pattern to expect in coming years but insisted that grading would remain consistent. In addition the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) have informed
schools of what to expect.
Reasons for Change According to The Department of Education the changes originate from Employers, Universities and Colleges who are “are often dissatisfied with school leavers’ literacy and numeracy” and have also said “We believe making GCSEs and A levels more rigorous will prepare students properly for life after school”.
We are now le f t with unanswered questions • Will industry be able to differentiate between the grades of previous years and those of 2014 which have been marked to different standards and ultimately the grades of 2017/8 when the results evolve from A,B,C… grades to 9,8,7…grades? Ofqual have stated that “direct comparisons with 2014 can’t be made with 2013”. Goodness no wonder there is such confusion. • Will some Universities lower their acceptance grades or fold?
A Good Read
Magic Tree House: Valley of the Dinosaur n Mary Pope Osborne Time travel. A quest to solve. Exciting adventures. This book for young readers who are growing in confidence has all of these and much more. The first of a series of books, it follows the adventures of Jack and Annie as they discover a magic treehouse in their neighbourhood. As the story begins Jack and Annie are chasing an imaginary monster into a nearby wood when they stumble across a solitary treehouse. Curiosity getting the better of them, they decide to explore and inside they find wonderful collection of books. Jack is drawn to a dinosaur book and before they know it the two children are transported back to the time of the dinosaurs.
Don’t Forget: Bourton-on-theWater Library is open:
Tuesday: 10am -1pm Wednesday: 2pm - 5pm Thursday: Closed Friday: 10am - 1pm & 2pm - 5pm Tel: 0845 230 5420
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But where does this leave the student? As always the student appears to have been neglected in all the public debate. Students do listen and are concerned about their individual situation. It would be good if someone from the Department of Education or Ofqual wrote a letter directly to the students and their parents, explaining why these changes are occurring and apologise for the additional stress that is being imposed on them through no fault of their own. Regrettably I suspect the authorities will leave it to the overburdened teaching profession to explain. I have mentioned on more than one occasion in these articles that the present day student is just as bright as those of bye gone generations. All systems need continuous modification and this can be done logically over a period of time, not with wholesale change. The student needs support and encouragement not to give up but to persevere. No doubt good parents and teachers have and are presently carrying out this most important role. For detailed policy see: https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/reforming-qualifications-andthe-curriculum-to-better-prepare-pupils-for-life-after-school John Harris
Full of fascinating facts this book will appeal to any budding palaeontologist. At ten chapters this is a nice introduction to reading without seeming too daunting. The sentence structure can be repetitive and simplistic, but I am assured by young readers that this is not a problem! There are currently sixteen books available in the series covering different time periods and geographic locations. These along, with an interactive website, promise to engage and educate young readers for many a long school holiday. ............................................................................................................................ By Willow Coby
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Out & About Community 6th September
n Food and Music Festival The Festival takes place within the glorious setting of Five Alls, a beautiful, 18th century Cotswolds stone coaching inn with rooms located in the heart of the picture-perfect village of Filkins, Gloucestershire, just a 10-minute drive south from Burford. Harvest Festival offers a unique opportunity to meet, sample and buy produce from some of the Cotswolds’ highest quality food and drink heroes, alongside local artisan exhibitors keen to share the story of their products.
-Five Alls at Filkins: 10 - 3pm
Lechlade, GL7 3JQ, For reservations: 01367 860875 www.thefivealls.co.uk ........................................................
10th September
n 100 Plants That Almost Changed the World The Blockley & District Horticultural Society are delighted to be hosting Chris Beardshaw as a speaker at our meeting and the topic is “100 Plants That Almost Changed the World” (he has a book by the same name). Chris is a renowned garden designer and horticulturalist and always speaks passionately on his subject. We are offering a limited number of tickets for sale now at the price of £12 each. Please contact Sue Salmon on 01386 700847, email salmonoldwell@ hotmail.com or Jane Scott-Henderson, email: phende5245@aol.com. Buy now to avoid disappointment! - St George’s Hall, Blockley: 7.30pm ........................................................
Old Prison Northleach
11th September
n Illustrated talk on the History of Northleach over the past 100 years Led by retired teacher, Enid Sly, who will share her many local anecdotes having
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lived and worked in this medieval town all her life. Cost = £5 per person, including refreshments. - Old Prison, Northleach: 1:30 – 2:45pm in the Café. www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk
17th September
n History Tour of the Old Prison & Courtroom Led by local historian, Michael Banks, who has published a book on the History of Northleach Prison. Cost = £5 per person, including refreshments. - Old Prison, Northleach: 1:30 – 2:45pm.
24th September
n Illustrated talk on the “History of Farming in Gloucestershire” Led by John Putley, Learning and Outreach Officer, Gloucestershire Archives. Come and learn about the history of farming from Prehistory onwards. Cost = £5 per person, including refreshments. - Old prison, Northleach: 1:30 – 2:45pm in the Courtroom. ........................................................
18th - 20th September
n “Traditional” Mop Fair Lots of rides and fun for all the family. High Street closed to traffic
Chipping Norton
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20th September
n Farmer’s Feast The Farmer’s Feast will be celebrating The Wheatsheaf’s wonderful suppliers, with a Feast lunch from 12.30pm and a Feast dinner from 6pm, served at long trestle tables seating 120 people and all within a beautiful Indian Tipi in the Wheatsheaf’s gorgeous gardens. From £35 per head, drinks are extra. There will be live music from KSH and The Going Goods, Flat & Sharps and Stomping Dave throughout the day and children will be able to meet farm animals. All proceeds from The Farmer’ Feast will go to The Duchenne Children’s Trust
- The Wheatsheaf Inn, Northleach
To book seats: Tel 01451 860 244, or email events@theluckyonion.com ........................................................
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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.
20th Sept - 18th Oct
n Still Life with Black Birds Exhibition Local artist Richard Kenton Webb of Siddington, Cirencester has joined forces with writer Joanne Reardon Lloyd to create an exhibition of linocuts and stories at the Corinium Museum. Visitors are invited to piece together a detective story by matching image and text. Richard has just returned from Tasmania where he was exploring the colour yellow as Artist in Resident at LARQ. Two of his works from this time will also be on show. Visit www.coriniummuseum.org or www.richardkentonwebb.com and www.rkwprints.com for more information about Richard.
- Corinium Museum
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4th October
n The Art of Vintique We are delighted to be hosting our next event on October 4th in Great Barrington village hall from 10-4pm so if you have a penchant for Parisian Mirrors, a weakness for Wedgwood or are addicted to Armoires and armchairs, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There will be an admission charge £2, 10% will go to two chosen charities. Under 16’s Free Parking: Free on-site parking - Great Barrington Village Hall: 10-4pm Nr. Burford, OX18 4UR wwwartofvintique.co.uk ........................................................
Lodge Park
13th September
n Heritage Open Day Come, discover and celebrate this beautiful historical grandstand and its extensive parkland free of charge. We have croquet, games, children’s quizzes, trails and dressing up or come along a find out about Lodge Park’s captivating history. Dogs welcome on lead, water bowls provided.
Lodge Park is open from Friday – Sunday: 11am – 4pm. NT members free
31st October – 2nd November
n Hallowe’en at Lodge Park Legend has it, that the ghost of the hunchback who built the Grandstand in the 17th century still haunts the old Grandstand, so come if you dare, dress up in 17th century clothes or your own Hallowe’en costume and follow our Hallowe’en trails round the cobwebby corners of creaky old Lodge Park. We also have a range of Hallowe’en activates, for children throughout the weekend and some wonderful autumn walks to enjoy around the Sherborne Park Estate. Lodge Park is open from Friday – Sunday 11am – 4pm. NT members free. Trails £2.00 - Lodge Park Aldsworth, Cheltenham, GL54 3PP 01451 844130 | www.nationaltrust.org.uk ........................................................
23rd October
n Save the Children Autumn Fair Exciting stalls offering gifts for all the family, books, gourmet food, antiques, jewellery, Charity Christmas Cards etc, and Lots, Lots more! Refreshments, Light Lunches, and Bar available. Entrance £3 per person. An event not to be missed. For more information please contact Pauline & Graham Evans: 01993 842983. - Rye Hill Golf Club: 10 - 4pm Milcombe near Banbury, OX15 4RU ........................................................
25th Oct - 2nd Nov
n Halloween Trail An exciting trail around the villa that has something for visitors of all ages, try not to be too scared! - Chedworth Roman Villa Yanworth, near Cheltenham, GL54 3LJ 01242 890256 ........................................................ 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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GAT funds NHS pilot programme at Leisure@Cheltenham to help people with chronic hip and knee pain The Gloucestershire Arthritis Trust (GAT) is working with the Gloucestershire Hospitals Physiotherapy service and Leisure@cheltenham to trial a yearlong programme called LEAP (Lower Extremity Activity Programme) for people who have chronic hip and knee pain.
“It is great to be able to use the facilities at Leisure@cheltenham. This will help our patients make the transition from the health to the leisure setting, and facilitate the long term changes to lifestyle that can help to manage the symptoms of arthritis.”
LEAP is a six-week, rolling programme, with two new people joining every week. This way, new joiners get one-to-one supervision at the very start which leads to participants being more confident more quickly. GAT has provided a £7,800 grant for LEAP which could become a standard NHS offering in 2015 once all the feedback and analysis is completed.
Stephen Petherick, general manager at Leisure@cheltenham, says: “I am pleased to see this exciting extension to our highly successful Re-Active concession scheme. It’s great working in partnership with the Gloucestershire Hospitals Physiotherapy Service and GAT to deliver this.”
Each six week course is run by Physiotherapist Chris Moule, who is based at Cheltenham General Hospital and a fitness instructor from Leisure@ cheltenham. The sessions include supervised exercise and education to cover the benefits of exercise, weight management, effective use of pain relief medication and managing flare ups of pain. Once the programme finishes, a concession gym membership is available to attendees to support them in continuing their exercise.
Feedback from attendees has so far been very positive, including: “Thanks to GAT, it was nice to get guidance and support to exercise safely and manage pain. I found the NHS talks very interesting and it was good to be able to get answers to any questions we had. I found the programme very motivating.
Steve Morton, GAT Secretary says, “Our previous grants for equipment and treatment are helping around 2,000 people every year to get their mobility and often their lives back on track. By funding innovative NHS programmes such as LEAP our charity will enable even more people to live more normal lives.” Chris Moule, NHS Physiotherapist says “Research including the NICE Guideline on Osteoarthritis has shown that an approach combining exercise and learning skills to help cope with symptoms provides long term benefit and doing this in a group setting has been shown to enhance the benefits further. This is why we are trialling this programme, funded by GAT, for people across Gloucestershire.
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“I found the programme most helpful in two ways: Progressing exercise in the gym, which I hope to continue and providing information regarding other areas of health for example pain, flare-ups, supplements etcetera which I have not been given before. A very helpful programme – thank you GAT and the NHS” Cllr Rowena Hay, Cheltenham District Council cabinet member for healthy lifestyles, added: “It’s great to see GAT, the NHS and Leisure@cheltenham working together to deliver a service which will help local Arthritis sufferers. The feedback has been very positive, so I hope more people can benefit from this course in the future.”
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unique tour Announcing a completely
in the North Cotswolds
Available all year round, our unique North Cotswold six hour tour takes you to our Secret Cottage for coffee, lunch and cream tea. During the day we’ll show you lots of hidden villages.
See how we live in the North Cotswolds, come to our Secret Cottage for coffee, lunch and a traditional cream tea. During the day we’ll take you to many hidden villages that tourists rarely find. Experience sitting by real log fires and watch your scones being made and baked in the Aga. Enjoy being in our heavily beamed 400 year old cottage with it’s elm floors and staircases. You’ll not forget your tour which is packed with plenty of surprises. We pick you up in Moreton-in-Marsh Railway Station at 10.15am and drop you back at 16.30pm. The cost is £85.
Please call Becky on: 01608 674700, email at becky@secretcottage.co.uk for further details or visit:www.secretcottage.co.uk
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British Food Fortnight 20th September – 5th October Name a British dish. Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding? Shepherds’ pie? Spotted dick? Now ask your child to name a traditional British dish. Can they? In recent years we have become a multi-cultural society and we’ve happily adopted pasta from Italy, curry, from India and noodles from China. While we should be proud of the fact that we’ve welcomed and assimilated these new tastes, we seem to be in danger of forgetting or ignoring our own national and regional dishes. British Food Fortnight exists to put British food firmly in the spotlight. It aims to encourage us to enjoy fresh, seasonal produce and regional dishes. To this end it takes place during harvest time, which is the traditional time for celebrating food. This year it also has the additional aim of helping our children to discover all that’s wonderful about British food. The theme is Bringing Home the Harvest. Many schools are participating with the aim of teaching children how to prepare simple meals from fresh, seasonal ingredients. High street shops, farm shops and delicatessens will also be joining in, stocking British produce and running tasting sessions and cookery demonstrations. There will be special events in care homes for the elderly, scrumptious servings of British food in garden centre cafes, patriotic menus in hospitals, family feasts in children's centres and lots of fun food and drink festivals and country fairs. With global warming rarely out of the news these days it’s reassuring to know that buying locally farmed, seasonal produce is the most eco-friendly choice too. It’s comforting to know that by buying British we’re doing our bit to save the planet.
For more information visit: www.britishfoodfortnight.co.uk During British Food Fortnight • • • • •
Visit a local farmers’ market. Discover your local farm shop. Sign up to a local veg-box scheme Shop for and cook at least one traditional or regional dish with your children. Visit a participating restaurant or pub and try a British dish you’ve never tried before.
By Louise Addison
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Garden View
What a load of Rhubarb! Cast your mind back to the fabulous sunny months of April, May and June, when the rhubarb plants were producing delicious stems of juicy fruit, perfectly ripe for crumble.
powder and sugar to taste before allowing to cool. It’s a versatile crop and makes great jam, compote and crumble, and tastes delicious when made as above and served with crème fraîche.
Each of the stems (so technically not a fruit at all) which blushed with the colour of pink champagne or deep raspberry sorbet depending on the variety, could easily be torn from the plant, topped and tailed and then either used immediately or blanched and frozen for later.
Rhubarb originates from the colder parts of China and its popularity is fairly recent in historical terms, becoming more widely eaten as sugar became less expensive. The leaves are toxic and so too are the stems later on in the year, because the toxic acids move down the stems from the leaves and into the crown as the winter temperatures cool.
Rhubarb freezes very well, and lasts for around a year, in fact I made a crumble in April this year using last years frozen harvest. Chopped into 1cm pieces, it can be placed directly into freezer bags, but to retain its colour should be blanched for around 1 minute in boiling water. Allow to cool and dry before freezing. To revive, boil in a little fresh orange juice, a teaspoon of cinnamon
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Ingredients · 3 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen) · 1 & 1/2 cups sugar · 3 tablespoons cornstarch · 2 cups rhubarb, sliced (fresh or frozen unsweetened) · 1/2 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel · 1 teaspoon lemon juice · Pie Dough · Milk · Cinnamon sugar
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October is the perfect time to plant rhubarb if you haven’t got any at the moment and would like a patch of your own. It’s quite un-fussy and will grow in sun or part shade as long as the soil is moisture retentive. Add well-rotted manure to the planting hole and mulch the plant with a ‘doughnut’ shape of manure about 50cm deep
in spring. Give the plant a feed with ‘blood, fish and bone’ in March and watch it grow! It’s an easy perennial plant, which produces giant leaves and is pretty resistant to pests, although hungry mammals might feast on the crowns in early spring when food is scarce. Early rhubarb can be ‘forced’ inside up-turned dust bins, but only do this with established plants. Place a black bin (or terracotta rhubarb forcing jar if you’re a pro) over the plant in early spring, and then enjoy the small, tender and sweet stems as they develop and search for the light. Grown commercially in large dark sheds in the Yorkshire rhubarb triangle - between Wakefield, Leeds and Morley - this wonderful vegetable (classed as a fruit for tax reasons) can also be divided up this month if you have a large overgrown patch. Happy Gardening
Directions In a large bowl, mix strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, rhubarb, lemon peel and lemon juice. For fresh fruit, let stand 15 minutes. For frozen, let stand 60 minutes. Roll out both crusts; place one in a pie pan or an iron skillet. Top with fruit mixture. Place remaining crust over fruit and crimp the edges. Cut slits in top to allow steam to escape. Brush with milk and dust with cinnamon sugar. Bake in a 400-degree oven for 10 minutes, then lower temperature to 375. Bake for 45 minutes. Cover the crust with aluminum foil if it browns too much. Cool before serving.
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Garden Power! Gardening is a bit like Marmite: you either love it or you hate it. But whatever your reasons for doing it, there is a way to make it quicker, easier and more effective - power tools! You should opt for the lighter-weight, less powerful, electrically operated versions if your garden is on the small side, and choose the heavier, more powerful, petrol-operated gadgets for larger lawns and longer hedges. Cordless electric tools, powered by rechargeable batteries, are also available to allow more freedom of movement and reduce the chance of cutting your cord in half! There are four types of lawn mower – the cylinder mower that produces an even, close cut ideal for flat lawns; the rotary mower which is better for longer grass and uneven lawns; the hover mower which floats on a bed of air to make it easier to manoeuvre; and the hand mower which is environmentally friendly and has no running costs. In all cases, the addition of a box or bag to collect grass will save you time and energy. A trimmer keeps borders tidy, paths free of grass, and reaches areas around bushes and trees which can be difficult to access with a mower. Hedge trimmers have two blades which work against each other rapidly. Trimmers with double action blades are more efficient than single action trimmers where only one blade moves. Longer blades cut quicker. A 450-560mm blade is fine for an average-sized hedge, but larger or denser hedges may need one longer. The blade width indicates the maximum thickness of the branches you can cut, so a 16mm blade can cut branches up to 16mm thick. Telescopic trimmers are available for higher hedges. Blowers are useful in autumn for clearing an area of fallen leaves and directing them into a specific spot. Once collected they can be vacuumed up along with other light debris then shredded into an attached storage bag. Blowers and vacuums can come separately, or as a combination blower vacuum. The surface of a lawn can become covered in leaves, moss and thatch (plant debris) which prevent water, oxygen and nutrients from getting into the soil. Rakers aerate the lawn and remove leaves, moss and other garden debris. Some also incorporate a scarifier with blades that push into the soil to remove moss and thatch. Shredders dispose of branches, twigs and leaves. Rapid impact shredders chop leaves and green branches finely into mulch. Crushing-shredders are quieter and are suitable for turning woody branches into chips. As shredders sometimes get blocked, look for one with a reversible option or other anti-blocking mechanism. Finally, how about a chain-saw? Used to cut down trees, lop branches and cut firewood, they are much faster than an axe, but should only be used when wearing appropriate safety gear. Now, where did I put that tub of Marmite?
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The
Cotswold Sky
Black Holes
When a star of many times the size of our Sun dies the outer layers are blasted into the far reaches of space in a supernova explosion. Its core contracts with such intensity, that all the atoms within it are crushed into far smaller components of matter, eventually forming what is known as a “singularity”. The gravitational pull within a black hole is so powerful that even light cannot escape from it. Black Holes are therefore detected from the activity around them.
Black Holes and Gravity
We need to clarify a myth about black holes; they do not swallow everything up. If our Sun were to become a black hole of comparable mass it would be 7km in diameter, no light or heat would be emitted but a cold dark Earth would continue to orbit the black hole, because the gravitational pull would remain the same. To be sucked into our imaginary black hole, the Earth would have to be within the Schwarzschild radius. Leaving the calculation to the Astronomers of this world, it equates to the Earth having to be 3km from our imaginary black hole.
Black Holes and Time
This is where imagination is needed. Time is a relative component and if it were possible to stand for one minute on the surface of a black hole (the surface is known as an “event horizon”), thousands of years could pass on Earth, dependent on the size of the black hole and its distance from Earth. Also if you were to cross the event horizon, a person watching from the outside would not see you fall in, you would appear frozen. For more detailed descriptions search: http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/science/know_l2/black_holes.html http://hubblesite.org/explore_astronomy/black_holes/home.html http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/universe/black-holesarticle/
Astro News
Rosetta is a mission built to fly to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and guide a landing craft called Philae onto the comet’s surface in November. During the next few weeks the media will give detailed reports on its progress. An interesting report on the present progress can be found in the August edition of Astronomy Now.
Sky Diary
Sept 14th The Moon passes close to the bright star Aldebaran in the constellation of Taurus. Sept 20th Jupiter can be seen to the upper left of the Moon in the early morning. Sept 23rd 03.29 hours Autumnal Equinox Sept 29th At 19.45hours the crescent Moon can be seen low in the SW with Mars underneath and Antares the main star of Scorpius below the planet. Oct 4th The Cameopardalid Meteor Shower Oct 7th The Draconid Meteor Shower Oct 8th The first Full Moon following the Harvest Moon is called the Hunters Moon. There is also a Lunar eclipse occuring this evening but unfortunately
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not observable from the UK. Oct 11th 22.00 hours the Moon can be observed below the Pleiades (Seven Sisters) star cluster. Oct 18th 06.00 hours Jupiter can be seen above the crescent Moon. Oct 21st The Orionid Meteor Shower. Oct 23rd A partial eclipse of the Sun takes place observable from the Atlantic, North America and Asia, from 20.38hrs to 00.52hrs suggest using live Internet sources e.g. NASA. Oct 25th Occultation between Saturn and the Moon. Start of Saturn’s disappearance occurs at 16.58hours and reappears at 18.03hours. This occultation will be a challenge to observe because the Sun has not fully set. Oct 26th British Summer Time ends clocks go back one hour. John Harris
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COTSWOLDLINK COTSW OLDL LINK D INK L O W S T O C WEST OXFORDSHIRE
FRE2014 September / October E
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You r
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North Cotswolds November / December 2014
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Chedworth Roman Villa: p16 Lodge Park: p17 Old Prison Northleach: p16 Wedding Fair: p17
Builders & Contractors
Bonner & Milner: p7 Calarel Developments: p13 Cherwell Chimneys: p27 Chimney Lining Company: p12 Country Roofing & Building: p27 Montrose Property Maintenance: p3 N & D Construction: p13 North Cotswold Builder: p26 Renu Track: p27 Stephen Hill: p26 Thomas Contracting: p25
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Stepping Stones Nursery: p15 Casio Oven Clean: p22 Chem Dry: p6 Cotswold Conservatory Cleaners: p27 Maid In The Cotswolds: p6
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shilton
Electrical Services
Alderminster Electrics: p7 Arc Electrical: p13 Cotswold Aerials: p29 Vision Repairs: p2
Finance & Legal
Daniel Colwell & Co: p9
Flooring
Cotswold Carpets: p6 Parsons Flooring: p12
Food & Drink
Dine Bangla: p29 Frogmill: p32 Grapevine Hotel: p1 Lamb Inn: p23 Redesdale Arms: p2 Tatty Bunting: p3 Vine Leaf: p22 Wiltshire Farm Foods: p23
Furniture
Armstrong Interiors: p12 Bayliss & Son: p25 Cottonwood Interiors: p5 Hill-top Joinery: p7 Phil Dadge: p2 Roundabout: p22
Gardening & Landscaping
Cotswold Tool & Plant Hire: p26 Darren The Handy Man: p12
Two of the wonderful women completing the Cotswold Women in Business start-up course this month include Jane Corner and a future glamping site in Chipping Campden, and Corinne Tucker’s business “Cotswold Resources” www.cotswoldresources.co.uk offering high quality child care and practical support at home for the elderly. Corinne was working part time when she started the course, but in just 8 weeks she’s launched her business and is now working in it full time. Congratulations Corinne! Your CotswoldLink
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Dowdeswell Forestry: p25 Fosseway Tool Hire: p26 H & H Groundworks: p27 Montrose Property Maintenance: p3 Thomas Contracting: p25 Thomas Fox Landscaping: p25
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Hair & Beauty
Bayliss & Son: p25 MRK Services: p25
Cotswold Beauty: p1 Essence: p19 Hair For You: p8
Just Carpentry & Locks: p28
Alderminster Solar: p1
Cotswold Logs: p32
Sewing Tuition: p14 West End Sewing Centre: p14
Metal Fabrication
Sports & Leisure
Cotswold Riding: p20 Runnerbean: p19 Stow Scottish Dance Group: p14
Motoring
Healthcare & Wellbeing Carole Sherwood Therapy: p11 Charles Wright Massage: p19 Cirencester Dental Practice: p10 Cotswold Confidence: p19 Gloucester Arthritis Trust: p18 Maddy James Counselling: p19 Sally Logan Reflexology: p19
Cotswold Cars: p28 Dean Tyres & Exhausts: p11 MTS Tyres: p11 Troopers Lodge Garage: p2
Sound & Vision
Cotswold Aerials: p29 Vision Repairs: p2 Vivid AV: p4
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Casio Oven Clean: p22 Cookers & Co: p22
Carrick Travel: p5 Holidays Please: p21
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Dial A Dog Wash: p20
Heating & Plumbing
Costell Painting & Decorating: p12 Geoffrey Ludlow Decorator: p13 Richard Luckett Decorators: p4
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Cotswold Marquees: p16 Grapevine Hotel: p1
Hearing & Mobility Store: p2 Fosse Fires: p1 I.D Godden & Co: p7 Wayne Sealey Plumbing: p22
Hire
Cirencester Self Storage: p6 Cotswold Marquees: p16 Cotswold Tool & Plant Hire: p26 Fosseway Tool Hire: p26 Showcase: p17
Home & Interiors
Armstrong Interiors: p12 Cotswold Carpets: p6 Cottonwood Interiors: p5 Fosse Fires: p1 Parsons Flooring: p12
We’re also excited to announce that Cotswold Women in Business is teaming up with “Makes3” www. makes3.org to deliver “Stepping In” a leadership workshop for women in Cirencester in October. “Stepping In” provides powerful tools to help women: • Show up in their full authority, authentically, and on their own terms • Build healthy environments within which everyone can contribute and flourish • Skilfully and clearly hold conversations that
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C Williams Property Maintenance: p28 Campden Cottages: p20 Cherwell Chimneys: p27 Chimney Lining Company: p12 Country Roofing & Building: p27 Darren The Handy Man: p12 Just Carpentry & Locks: p28 Montrose Property Maintenance: p3 Stephen Hill: p26 Wayne Sealey Plumbing: p22
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are challenging Friday 3rd October: 10.30 - 1pm The Niccol Centre, Cirencester This is a highly participatory and interactive workshop relevant to business owners, community leaders or any woman negotiating a full and challenging balancing act in her daily life. Cost: £45 or £25 concessions or community volunteers On Oct 15th Cotswold Women in Business is running “Next Steps”, a business course for women newly registered as self-employed. You’ll be supported to: • Sharpen both your personal and professional focus
Dowdeswell Forestry: p25 Sewing Tuition: p14
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• Understand what using social media can (and can’t) do for you • Connect with other like-minded women in business • Grow your existing business, get new clients and clearly define success • Ensure your work remains in balance with your other priorities Dates: Weds only Oct 15th – 19th Nov (no session Oct 29th) Venue: Chipping Campden, Gloucs Time: 9.30am – 1pm for 4 group sessions For more information please email sjm@ sjmcoachingandtraining.co.uk or call SarahJane Menato on 01386 701868 for a chat. You can also visit www.makes3.org
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