SeptemberOctober2012
Supporting Rural Business
Ma FRE ga E zin e
www.cotswoldlink.co.uk | Bi-Monthly Royal Mail distribution: 15,200 homes & businesses
2
Your
Cotswold
Please mention ”Your Cotswold
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
3
inside Your Cotswold
September October
08
26
28
05 18 05 travel Taj, Temples & Tigers business feature 08 new Showcasing several new businesses & services 18 education A Healthy Body = An Active Mind news 18 local We’re the Fittest in the West! 20 events Out & About in September & October & about 22 out Cotswold Way Circular Walk 24 advertorial Corinium Museum News
22 26 garden September Garden Tips 28 feature Autumn - The Most Beautiful Season? news 30 local Cotswold Council News 33 competition Your chance to win Rugby tickets Chocolat Please! 34 advertorial cotswold link 36 New Website Launch! 38 index Advertiser Index
I hope that you enjoy another bumper 40 page edition of Your Cotswold . As we move into Autumn there are lots of changes at Cotswold , we have launched our new online business directory, (www.cotswoldlink.co.uk) it’s an excellent way to promote your business 24/7 for free! Our new Facebook page also keeps you upto date with t: 01609 777401 everything we’re doing! Please contact us if you wish www.cotswoldlink.co.uk to advertise your business in this publication. Best wishes, Christine Campbell | Editor
4
Your
Cotswold
facebook.com/CotswoldLink
Please mention ”Your Cotswold
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
Sue’s
TopTravelTips In this issue...
Taj, Temples & Tigers India, an exotic and vibrant country best explored by taking a tour, this way you will be given a wonderful introduction to the many faces of this part of Asia.
There are many cities and sights not to be missed, we have discovered the perfect tour to capture the majority of those on your “wish list”! First on everybody’s list is the vibrant city of Delhi which is best explored on a fascinating cycle rickshaw ride, where you will discover the history and culture of this amazing city. Visit Jama Masjid via the eclectic Chandni Chowk market area and then the Raj Ghat, memorial to Mahatma Gandi. New Delhi in contrast has its wonderful monuments and buildings, India Gate and the Parliament buildings are a must. No visit to India is complete without visiting Agra and the immortal Taj Mahal – the quintessence of love – and of course, the impressive Agra Fort. Our Journey continues on to Fatehpur Sikri – the deserted capital city, built by the most celebrated of Moghul Emporers, Akbar. Then experience the thrill of game drives to glimpse the elusive tiger in the Ranthambore National Park. Explore Jaipur and ride a gaily caparisoned elephant up to the magnificent Amber Fort. Finally take a city tour and taste the delights of Surabhi cuisine. At the end of such an exciting tour why not treat yourselves to a few nights relaxing on the beach in Goa – a fantastic end to a most interesting tour. Numbers on our special departure are strictly limited in order to ensure maximum comfort when travelling. Prices are from £1,925 per person and our departure is on the 15th March 2013. Contact your local Carrick Travel office for more information on this tour or other holidays to India.
Let CARRICK take care of it ….. CONTACT THE TEAM • Bourton-on-the-Water • Chipping Norton
Moore Road t: 01451 822 048 10, Middle Row t: 01608 641 983
www.carricktravel.com
For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
5
6
Your
Cotswold
Please mention ”Your Cotswold
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
7
New businesses & services come to the
Cotswolds New Area Starting May 2013!
Cotswolds Current North Bi-Monthly Royal Mail Distribution over: Area 15,200 Homes & Businesses
New Businesses & services we’re introducing:
New Area 17,300
West Oxfordshire
Now taking bookings!
Bi-Monthly Royal Mail Distribution over:
Book your 2013 Advertising at 2012 prices!
• Your Cotswold NEW! Magazine
Homes & Businesses
Aston Magna Blockley
• Talking of Healing
Call NOW! 01609 777401
NEW! Business
Moreton-in-Marsh
GL54 (1)
naunton
Chipping Norton
Churchill sarsden
Chadlington
Bledington Church Westcote
GL54 (4)
To feature within this section of Your Cotswold please contact us on: 01609 777401 christine@cotswoldlink.co.uk
Talking of Healing Caroline Andrews, founder of Talking of Healing, is a life coach, confidence builder, animal communicator and Usui Reiki healer based in the North Cotswolds. Caroline heals two hearts, those of people and animals.
For Animals: Caroline owns two horses and practices natural horsemanship, from these relationships blossomed the ability to communicate with animals. Honing her skills working with a variety of animals including dogs, cats and horses, Caroline has a fantastic reputation for accuracy. Caroline’s Reiki healing, which is energy healing for mind, body and soul, adds another dimension to her skills and offers profound noninvasive healing to animals.
Contact Caroline at Talking of Healing for more information: Phone: 07789 861541 caroline@talkingofhealing.com | www.talkingofhealing.com Please mention ”Your Cotswold
Bourton-on-the-Water
notgrove
Idbury Fifield
OX7 (6)
Greenend
Chilson
Ascott-underWychwood
GL54 (3)
Northleach Little Barrington
eastington
Burford
OX18 (4)
Chedworth
swinbrook Asthall
Coln st Dennis Aldsworth
Fawler
Finstock Ramsden
OX29 (9)
Fulbrook
taynton
Charlbury
OX7 (3)
LangleyLeafield
Withington
Dean taston
spelsbury
shorthampton
shipton-underWychwood
Milton-underWychwood
Clapton-on-the-hill
turkdean Compton Abdale
nether Westcote
GL54 (2)
heythrop
OX7 (5) Lidstone
Kingham
upper slaughter
Whittington
We are always looking for new businesses and services across the Cotswolds. If you are starting a new business or your existing business is offering a new service or product then please contact us.
Cotswold
Cornwell
Icomb
Dowdeswell
Your
Over norton
GL56 (0) Broadwell
Stow-on-the-Wold
NEW! Complete range of Health & Beauty services
8
Little Rollright
evenlode
Condicote
• 43 Upper Rissington
For confidence building Caroline offers 1-2-1 sessions for any issue or bespoke workshops across the Cotswolds for horse riders or other groups such as actors, students taking exams, musicians, public speakers etc. Please contact Caroline for details or visit her website.
Great Rollright
Little Compton Longborough
Winchcombe
For People: An NLP certified coaching practitioner, Caroline specialises in helping people with anxiety, nerves or fear. Another talent she holds is helping people to regain focus in their lives, especially if they feel stuck in situations. From November hypnotherapy will also be part of Caroline’s toolkit, enhancing her services to help fulfil her passion for supporting people’s personal development journey.
GL56 (9)
Bourton-on-the-hill
Asthall Leigh
OX29 (0)
hailey Crawley
Minster Lovell
Witney
Bradwell Village shilton OX18 (1)
OX18 (3)
Brize norton
Carterton
Experience the whole package at Runnerbean Health & Fitness Runner Bean Health & Fitness opened in 2004 at 43 Upper Rissington Business Park and in the last eight years has gone from strength to strength. Whether you are looking for Personal Training, a monthly membership, casual Pay as you go, a group exercise class or Yoga, we feel we have something for everyone, regardless of age, shape, size or fitness level. Using top of the range Cardiovascular equipment from Star Trac, Concept II and Power Plate, you will undoubtedly increase your fitness levels, and if its toning or muscle building you are aiming for then we also boast a large selection of free weights and cable pulley’s. Nutrition is just as important to us, so if its weight loss, weight gain or just a healthy balanced diet you are after then we can certainly provide you with a personalised eating and exercise plan. Our friendly, experienced and highly qualified staff are always on hand to help you achieve the body you always wanted. At Runner Bean we really do have everything under one roof and that includes hair and beauty. Essence Professional Hair Salon pride themselves in first class cuts, colours, blow dries, wedding hair and much
more. Our experienced and bubbly team can help you provide that finishing touch or create that new look you have been longing for. The Start of August saw the opening of our brand new Beauty Salon which has been taken over by Beauty Therapist Candy Cox. Boasting an extensive range of treatments from relaxing facials and massage to luxury manicure, pedicures and shellac to waxing and tinting. This really is the place to be if you want some relaxation and pampering. In addition to this we can now also provide a number of alternative therapies including Sports massage, Acupuncture, Hot Stones Massage, Bowen Technique, Reiki, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Hopi Ear Candles, Life Coaching, Spray Tanning and Sun Tower. FITNESS, HEALTH, HAIR & BEAUTY all under one roof. What more could you ask for? We all look forward to seeing you very soon. Laura, Antony, Steph, Candy and the team at 43 Upper Rissington
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
9
New businesses & services come to the
Aikido in the Cotswolds!
Cotswolds
Hello, my name is Rafael and I have been practicing Aikido for over 20 years in Spain and Japan. I am fully licensed to teach Aikido by the BAF (British Aikido Federation) and it is my passion to teach aikido to the people of the Cotswolds, as this has been my home for the past 5 years.
New Businesses & services we’re introducing: • Aikido Kami
What is Aikido?
NEW! Classes
Aikido is a Japanese martial art, on a purely physical level it is an art involving some throws and joint locks that are derived from Jujitsu and some throws and other techniques derived from Kenjutsu. Aikido focuses not on
• Martha’s Coffee House NEW! Owner
punching or kicking opponents, but rather on using their own energy to gain control of them or to throw them away from you. It is not a static art, but places great emphasis on motion and the dynamics of movement. Everyone is welcome to the Aikido classes so come and join us! Adults: £3.00 per class Children: £2.00 per class (See advert below for full times etc) If you have any questions please call me on: 07882 880249 or email: aikidorafa6@gmail.com
• The Grapevine Hotel NEW! Owners
We are always looking for new businesses and services across the Cotswolds. If you are starting a new business or your existing business is offering a new service or product then please contact us. To feature within this section of Your Cotswold us on: 01609 777401 | christine@cotswoldlink.co.uk
please contact
An ‘escape to the country!’ Martha’s has provided a real ‘escape to the country’ for the new owner, Sarah Crowder. Sarah decided to take the leap of faith and follow her dream of owning a coffee shop after one too many tiresome railway and tube journeys from Hertfordshire to work in London; a 4 hour commute on a good day! That commute has now been replaced by 16 spiral stairs from above the coffee house. Martha’s Coffee House and Courtyard occupies a delightful 17th Century cottage on the High Street in Moreton-in-Marsh and was named after the previous owner’s Labrador.
After an 18 year career in the Royal Air Force which took her worldwide, Sarah joined a technology company and sold flight simulators across Europe then moved across into the world of finance and latterly worked in a private office.
10 Your Cotswold
Please mention ”Your Cotswold
It was here, working for a (rather miserable) billionaire that Sarah saw first-hand that vast sums of money and a private jet were not the key to happiness and the seed was sown for that escape from the City! The only thing that Sarah misses from her previous life is the motor racing, she used to race her Lotus S1 in the Lotus on Track series – international racing driver turned cake baker! The basic principle that Sarah applied when choosing her menu was to source high quality fresh local produce. The delicious ethically sourced Arabica coffee is supplied by Extract Coffee Roasters and is roasted in the Cotswolds, meat is all local and supplied by Checketts butchers a few doors away, smoked salmon & chicken from Upton Smokery and juices and mineral waters are from local country estates. Sarah’s alarm is set for 4.30am as she bakes all the cakes and scones on the premises and already they have won acclaim, the carrot cake has already gathered a fantastic following. .................................................................................... Martha’s Coffee House Moreton-in-Marsh www.marthascoffeehouse.co.uk 01608 651999
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
You may have
heard it on the Grapevine… The Grapevine Hotel, just opposite the busy square in Stow on the Wold, has new owners but those who remember the indoor grapevine, the warm welcome and bags of charm are not going to be disappointed. Recently taken over by Martyn and Elaine Booth, The Grapevine Hotel offers traditional comfort and style, with friendly staff and fantastic food. The hotel’s bar and restaurant are open each day for lunch and dinner, whether you are staying in the hotel or simply visiting the local area. If you would like an intimate meal for two or a large gathering for 50, the team at the Grapevine are happy to help. The newly refurbished Conservatory Restaurant offers traditional British cuisine where the head chef has created a sumptuous and classic menu that suits the light and airy restaurant perfectly. Dining under the eponymous and beautiful grapevine will give your meal that unique experience that certainly won’t be forgotten. If you feel like a splash of warm Mediterranean flair, then the tapas menu allows you to experience a little taste of Greece, Spain and Italy right from the comfort of the Costwolds with freshly prepared pizzas, pastas and tapas – a tasty treat for all the family.
With 22 individually designed double bedrooms the hotel is also ideal for couples wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a romantic Cotswold getaway in the beautifully decorated four poster bedrooms. Many of the bedrooms have quaint country features to enhance the traditional feel of the hotel, with oldfashioned wooden beams and warm Cotswold stone feature walls. Couples, families, friends travelling together; all are welcomed and looked after at the Grapevine Hotel. If you are considering planning a wedding, party or conference then the redecorated Georgian room and the Conservatory Restaurant could be just what you are looking for. Whether you are a local resident or business, or simply visiting for area, the team at the Grapevine Hotel would be delighted to welcome you through the doors to discover for yourself what they can offer you. Tel: 01451 830344 | www.thegrapevinehotel.com Grapevine Hotel, Stow on the Wold, GL54 1AU.
For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
11
12 Your Cotswold
Please mention ”Your Cotswold
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
13
14 Your Cotswold
Please mention ”Your Cotswold
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
15
16 Your Cotswold
Please mention ”Your Cotswold
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
17
A Healthy Body = An Active Mind
Now that the Olympics are over, I just hope that some of our youngsters have been encouraged to participate in one or more of the sports that they have watched. Education is more than sitting at a desk with one’s head in a book. A healthy body and an active mind go together hand in hand, if you feel good physically then the chances are that you will feel good mentally and this plays a huge role in dealing with stress. There is no doubt that if you continuously study without an active break there is a danger that the mind will stagnate. On the other hand, research has shown that excessive and intensive training can act as an obstacle to academic progress for those who compete in very high level sports competitions. Some athletes will need guidance and coaching to provide the correct balance. Regular Exercise will enhance:• Quality of life • Emotional wellbeing • Health • Concentration
• Self-discipline • Self-confidence • Ability to manage
anxiety and stress
• Social skills • Capacity for learning • Energy levels
Standards You do not have to be of international, county, district or even school standard to be an athlete. The most important criteria is to enjoy the sport or activity in which you participate. Unfortunately some coaches (and parents) have been known to overstep the mark and push youngsters past the point where the enjoyment factor drops off the scale.
We’re the fittest in the West! A recent national survey has shown that the Cotswold district has the highest percentage of adults participating in sports and active recreation across the South-West of England. Surveying participation rates in Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Somerset, Sport England looked at the percentage of adults taking part in sports offered by local authorities over the last 12-24 months. The results revealed that over 28% of adults in the Cotswold district participated in some form of regular sporting activity. This was higher than anywhere else in the region and represented an increase of over 3.5% in the district. CDC Cabinet lead for Promoting Sport, Cllr Barry Gibbs, said: “This is a tremendous result and tallies with recent annual figures that showed the number of visitors to Cotswold Leisure Cirencester had topped the 400,000 mark for the first time eve, while numbers held up well at our other leisure centres.” He continued: “It’s great to see so many people exercising regularly and, with the Olympics fast approaching, we are all hoping that this is an upward trend that w i ll conti nue. There are many oppor tuni ties for more people to get the exercise habit at the Council’s leisure centres – at Cirencester, Chipping Campden, Bourton, Tetbury and Fairford – and we look forward to seeing even more customers coming through the doors in the future.”
18 Your Cotswold
Please mention ”Your Cotswold
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
Nutrition Having a well-balanced diet leads to long term health benefits reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. When properly adhered to a balanced diet will also bolster your immunity to diseases, but just eating healthy at home is not always enough, you still need an active lifestyle to stimulate the mind to its optimum level.
Where to find Sports Clubs and Activities Organisations All our local schools have time tabled sports and activities, some of them out of normal school hours. There are numerous sports clubs of one kind or another within the area that encourage young children to participate. So where do you find the organisation that you can join? The Gloucestershire Oracle is an outstanding web site for finding the relevant contacts for almost any sport or activity that you can think of for children and adults. Visit www.glosoracle.co.uk/categories/kidsactivities.aspx and click“kids activities”. Other web sites that may be useful in finding an appropriate sport or activity:• www.childrensleisure.co.uk/gloucestershire-childrens-activities-and-clubs • www.activegloucestershire.org/get-up • www.netmums.com/northglos John Harris
Local Library Information Moreton-in-Marsh Library
Library, computes with internet access. Storytime for under 5s. Stow Road, Moreton-in-Marsh, Telephone: 01608 650780 .........................................................................
Stow-on-the-Wold Library
Library, computers with internet access. St Edwards Hall, The Square, Stow-onthe-Wold, Telephone: 01451 830352
Bourton-on-the-Water Library
Library, computers with internet access. Youth Centre, Bourton-on-the-Water, Telephone: 01451 820 964 .........................................................................
Cheltenham Library (Adult)
Library with internet access. Reference library. Clarence Street, Cheltenham, Telephone: 01242 532686 .........................................................................
Chipping Campden Library
Storytimes for under 5s. Library, computers with internet access. High Street, Chipping Campden, Telephone: 01386 840692
For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
19
Out & About in
September & October 9th September
• Frampton Country Fair Frampton on Severn, Glos. 10am - 5.30pm. A fantastic family day out with lots to do. Numerous activities and demonstrations in the Main ring as well as lots of trade stalls for you to enjoy. The gates open from 9.30am and events start at 10.00a.m. Dogs are very welcome, on a lead please. There are water points around the Showground and also a Dog Creche - pre-bookable and on the day 07769 818275. Tickets can be bought on the day at the gate and costs are: Adult: £9.00 | Child (5-12 Yrs) £3.00 . Car Parking is free in the public car parks. www.framptoncountryfair.co.uk | 01242-57257
......................................................................................................................
12th - 15th & 18th - 22nd September • Calendar Girls Cotswold Playhouse, Stroud - 7.30pm Creative Campden presents a rich diversity of creative talent for you Tickets can be booked online or by phone at 0844 8700 887 | www.cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk
......................................................................................................................
14th September
• Photography Course Milldene Garden £65 per day per person includes light lunch, tea and coffee 14th September at Mill Dene and on 15th September at Batsford. This two day event will be £120 per person. This course will be led by Professional Photographer Graham Light LBIPP author of ‘The Wonder & Beauty of Westonbirt’ (www.acerpress.co.uk). Graham has been a full time professional photography for over 34 years and has had his work published across the world. Includes access to the Garden, tea/coffee and a light lunch. For more details see: www.milldenegarden.co.uk
......................................................................................................................
15th - 16th September
• Discover Creative Campden Weekend Chipping Campden Creative Campden presents a rich diversity of creative talent for you to visit and enjoy. Artists, writers, jewellers, photographers and musicians are amongst the many to whom Chipping Campden is home. More details see: www.creativecampden.co.uk
......................................................................................................................
TBA September
• Clypping Ceremony St Mary’s Church, Painswick (Feast Sunday, on or after September 19th) This is held on Feast Sunday, the Sunday after Feast of Nativity of St Mary. The church is ‘clypped’ or embraced by parishioners while the ‘Clypping Hymn’ is sung. The ‘Clypping’ comes from the Saxon word ‘ycleping’ meaning ‘embracing’ and the ceremony involves local children carrying nosegays (a small bunch of flowers, posy) and joining hands around the church to form an unbroken chain, while singing the Clypping Hymn as part of an open-air service. Please see local press for confirmation of event date.
......................................................................................................................
20 Your Cotswold
Please mention ”Your Cotswold
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
30th September
• CHIPPYJAZZ Chipping Norton ChippyJazz is the opportunity to go to Chipping Norton and listen to superb Classic and 20s/30s jazz to make your toes tap. Free jazz gigs at 10 venues around the town from 11.30am until 11.00pm. Youth Jazz Bands playing free gigs in Chipping Norton Town Hall from 2.00pm until 5.00pm. Evening Concert in the Chipping Norton Town Hall from 7.45 - 10.15pm, starring Keith Nichol’s Rhythmakers. Tickets for the evening concert £16 and £14 (no concessions), available Chipping Norton Theatre (01608 642350) or on-line at www.chippingnortontheatre.com. More details available from www.chippyjazz.org.uk ......................................................................................................................
4th - 7th October
• Tetbury Musical Festival The Festival opens on Thursday with a piano recital by Paul Lewis playing Schubert. The programme includes Four Impromptus, Momens Musicals (sic) and Fantasy in C “Wandererfantasie” The full programme is available now online. www.tetburymusicfestival.org.uk | info@tetburymusicfestival.org.uk ......................................................................................................................
6th - 7th October
• American Classic Autum Weekend Prestcott Hill Climb Our Autumn Classic weekend is an all American weekend, featuring two one day events. Saturday features classic cars while Sunday highlights flatheads and hotrods of all ages competing on the famous hill course. Special features: - ‘The Flatheads’ – a host of vintage hot rods and iconic historic American marques. Special ‘flathead’ American competition class on ‘the hill’ . Dragster Record Breakers – special display of American clubs and of course Harleys and Indians! Together with our resident Cheer Leaders, our cruising black and white, hot dogs, and lots more...and by popular demand the return of: The Wall of Death! www.prescott-hillclimb.com ......................................................................................................................
25th October
• Stow-on-the-Wold Horse Fair The gypsy horse fair attracts hundreds of sightseers to Stow twice a year. Gipsies gather from all corners of England for a meet and greet and hundreds of horses are paraded and sold, all in one day. It’s quite a site! So how did it all begin and why Stow-on-the-Wold. As you might expect, when dealing with a Cotswold tradition, you have to go back a very long way.
...................................................................................................................... The editors cannot be held responsible for any changes to the events listed. All events are correct at time of going to print.
This space from only
£40.00 1/4 page from only:
£105.00 90mm width x 130mm height
For more details see page 34 or 38 Call 01609 777401 today for free advertisement design & Royal Mail delivery to over 15,200 homes & businesses! For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
21
Chipping Campden This delightful short walk leads you from the charming market town of Chipping Campden, through shaded woodlands and past breathtaking views. A wonderful introduction to the Cotswolds, and a perfect start to the Cotswold Way. Start opposite the tourist information centre at the Market Hall, the official start/ end point of the Cotswold Way. Take a minute to look upwards at the fascinating roof structure and go back in time to when it was built in 1627. Continue down onto the narrow footpath, past the war memorial on your right. Veer to the right of the red phone box to continue along the Cotswold Way. Turn right just after the Catholic Church of St Catherine and continue straight on, past the first of many oaken signposts along the Cotswold Way, and continue left up Hoo Lane. Stay on this road after it becomes an un-made track, and after half a mile, go through the gate at the top onto Kingcomb Lane. Watching for traffic, turn left and walk along the lay-by for 100 metres, then turn right opposite a Cotswold Way signpost to cross the road. Continue along this foot path until you reach a kissing gate leading onto Dover’s Hill (owned and managed by The National Trust), and a taste of the spectacular views to come. After the kissing gate, leave the Cotswold Way to follow the bridleway on the right. To take the shorter route and avoid the steep sections, turn left here and follow the bridleway to the viewpoint at the end (point 8). Just breathing in the incredible views and freshest of winds is unforgettable enough! Follow the fenceline until you reach a gate on your right. Enter the small windswept woodland, taking the lefthand path. At the end of the wood, turn left downhill towards a kissing gate. Leaving the trees behind for the time being, emerge onto the hill-
22 Your Cotswold
Please mention ”Your Cotswold
side and follow the waymarked path straight on, keeping the fence on your right. Continue downhill towards the woods at the bottom. Pass through the kissing gate into the leafy calm of Lynches wood, with the areas’s finest show of bluebells in May. Take the waymarked trail to your left, ignoring the footpath to the right and watching out for muddy sections after wet weather. Towards the bottom of the woods, curve to the left and carry on uphill taking the long flight of steps. At the top of the steps, turn right and follow the path until you reach a kissing gate. Pass through the gate and emerge back into the fields. Follow the rough track straight uphill, bending round to the right towards the large oak tree and waymarker post. Follow the direction of the arrow along the occasionally muddy track through the middle of the field and continue straight on, passing a pond on your left. When you reach another signpost towards the end of the field, turn left and climb up towards the stone topograph on Dover’s Hill. Take a few minutes to catch your breath and enjoy the stunning views. If you were here in spring, you might witness the annual ‘Olimpick Games’ which have been played on the hill since 1610, and involve painful-sounding sports such as ‘shin-kicking’ and ‘pike-tumbling’. Finally, follow the edge of the hill back to point 4, and retrace your steps back to Chipping Campden for a wellearned rest. Congratulations, you have just started the Cotswold Way!
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
Route Overview
Distance: 4½ miles (Shorter: 3 miles) Duration: 2½-3 hrs (Shorter: 1½-2½ hrs) Difficulty: Moderate, some steep sections (Shorter: Easy, avoids climbs) Public transport: No. 22 bus (See Cotswold Way public transport leaflet, or call Traveline on 0871 200 2233) Start/Finish: Grid reference SP151392 (OS Explorer sheet OL45) Postcode: GL55 6HB Refreshments: Numerous cafes / pubs in Chipping Campden
For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
23
News
Corinium Museum
Autumn at The Corinium Museum
It’s been a busy summer at the Corinium Museum and we are just at the tail end of it but there is still lots going on and treats in store for visitors. September sees the opening of an eclectic exhibition of mosaic art. ‘A World in Fragments – The Mosaic Art of Robert Field’ sees the culmination of many months of work manipulating ceramic fragments into beautiful pieces of art. It is a privilege to have Robert Field exhibiting independently here at the museum. His work ranges for abstract forms, reflections and flowers through to reproductions of Roman mosaic floors. A founder member of the British Association of Modern Mosaicists, he has co-ordinated exhibitions for members up and down the country and is now returning to the museum for a solo exhibition A World In Fragments not to be missed! The exhibition runs from 7th September to 28th October and is free to enter. A special children’s art event linked to Robert Field’s exhibition takes place on 24th October from 10am to 12pm entitled Mad Mosaics. Using ceramic mosaics, young people will be encouraged to take inspiration from the exhibition and from the Museums wonderful mosaics to make their own. Suitable for over 8s and booking is required.
If an afternoon talk is your thing then come along to hear Mark Turner talk about ‘Mysterious Gloucestershire’ on 23rd October from 2-4pm. Gloucestershire’s history is full of legends and tales of the unexpected. In 2011, Mark Turner launched a publication entitled ‘Mysterious Gloucestershire.’ It is a beautifully illustrated A-Z of Gloucestershire’s towns and villages which contains a myriad of mysteries of every kind. There are many places in the region that might be termed mysterious, from crumbling manor houses, castles and ruins to ancient woods and trackways where standing stones and tombstones lie forgotten. Mark is also author of Curious Cotswolds, so join us for an afternoon adventure uncovering the strange and wonderful around Gloucestershire. The Museum’s rural cinema is going from strength to strength and will be showing weekend films on 29th and 30th September and the 27th and 28th October. Corinium Cinema is also launching some evening showings of films by popular demand. Our launch for this is 11th October so if you are a film fan, please join us for this new event on the Museum calendar. The Museum is a fantastic place to visit exposing a wealth of history from the Costwolds from Prehistory through to Tudor times. During school holidays there are lots of activities and fun trails around the museum in addition to a wonderful shop adjacent to the temporary exhibition gallery. Whether you are a local resi- Telephone: 01285 655 611 dent or holidaying to the Cotswolds, the museums@cotswold.gov.uk Corinium Museum really is an inspiring Corinium Museum, Park Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 2BX place to visit!
For More Details...
Mad Mosaics
The Campaign for Drawing’s Big Draw month hits the museum during the October half term with a series of events for family audiences. Take a Timeline for a Walk is our theme inspired by Paul Klee’s phrase ‘taking a line for a walk. We will be exploring archaeology and history through the ages in a series of drop in events which only cost £1 per child. A special event, A Print in Time, links to the Big Draw on 22nd October 10am to 12pm, offering a morning exploring the medium of print. A bookable workshop suitable for ages 8+. The evening lecture series is still going strong with some notable names in the next series. The new season opens with Nicholas Watkis speaking on ‘Air Photo Intelligence in the First World War.’ Nicholas has spent many years research the box collection in the National Monuments record in Swindon and will open up the subject of aerial photography for reconnaissance and Air Photo Intelligence in the First World War archaeology. Nicholas Watkis is an experienced imagery analyst, with particular interest in the development of Air Photo Intelligence and its view of the First World War battlefields. This event takes place on 27th September at 7.30pm. On 25th October, Stephen Clewes makes a welcome return to the Museum for an evening lecture entitled ‘Bathing in the Roman Empire.’ The lecture explores the origins of Roman bathing culture and considers why it became such an important part of Roman life. He will draw on archaeological evidence, architecture and classical sources . Stephen Clews is Manager of the Roman Baths in Bath, and may be known to some local people from a spell as Assistant Curator at the Corinium Museum in the 1980s.
24 Your Cotswold
Please mention ”Your Cotswold
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
25
September garden tips Early September is the time when there is an abundance of fruit and vegetables in the garden. It can be a problem wondering what to do with all your produce but now you need to think ahead to the winter. Try freezing the best young vegetables; don’t wait for them to become seedy or tough before you do something. • Your potatoes should be dug up by now or they will be nibbled by keeled slugs and spoilt. • Store them in hessian sacks in a cool, dark frost free place. If you don’t have Hessian sacks use paper potato sacks from the chip shop, they will do quite nicely. • Sweet corn is ripening now but don’t pick until the tassels are brown and dry. Whilst the cobs are still on the plant, peel back some of the green husk and gently squeeze a single corn seed between your finger nails and look at the colour of the liquid that comes out. It should be milky when the cob is ripe. • Autumn fruiting raspberries are coming steadily now and I can’t recommend them too highly. You will pick a bowl full three times a week from a small patch up until the first frost.
Sweet corn is nearly there, but don’t pick them too soon! • If you don’t have any but have space then buy some bare rooted ones from a specialist grower to plant between November and March. We put eight plants in a year past March and they have filled a bed 10ft x 3ft. • Keep picking beans, the more you pick, the more you get. Some varieties like Borlotta and many French Beans can be left to dry on the plant and the seeds saved to eat as pulses in
26 Your Cotswold
Please mention ”Your Cotswold
winter stews. British Runner Bean seeds tend to be a bit tough and don’t soften and cook as well as their foreign cousins. • Save some seeds for next year, store in a cool dry place and they will romp away when you sow them.
Collecting seeds
Annual flowers like sweet peas can be kept going by constantly picking the flowers and removing any that are going to seed. This is called ‘Dead Heading’. Once again you can allow some to set seed which will keep to sow next year. Collect the seeds on a dry day and finish off drying in cool, dry place.
September is great for harvesting your veggies
• Start pulling up your carrots as soon as they’re big enough to eat. It’s best to harvest them in the evening to avoid attracting carrot fly. Late-sown carrots must be lifted by October to be stored over the winter. • Store in a paper bag so they can breathe and keep in a cool place until next year. • Onions need to be dried in an airy place until the leaves are yellow and crisp, when you take off all the roots and the dirty outer layers so they will store well. String them up in ropes of up to ten or put a few in net sacks. They need air circulation during storage in a cool place. Finally keep a look out for caterpillars on your cabbages and sprouts. Pick them off and put out for the birds to eat - yum!
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
This space from only
ÂŁ40.00 1/4 page from only:
ÂŁ105.00 90mm width x 130mm height
For more details see page 34 or 38 Call 01609 777401 today for free advertisement design & Royal Mail delivery to over 15,200 homes & businesses! For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
27
Aut umn The Most Beautiful Season of the Year?
Many people feel that Autumn is the most beautiful season of the year. With the leaves on trees and shrubs changing colour from green into shades of yellow, orange and red, the countryside, parks and gardens look as if they are celebrating “the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.” The effect is especially enhanced late in the day when the sun is lower in the sky and shines through the wonderful colour of autumnal foliage. We are probably genetically programmed to love Autumn. It’s the season when harvest is gathered in. Our ancestors would have relied on a good harvest to get them through the winter so the colours of ripening crops must have given them great joy. This is still reflected in Harvest Festivals and Thanksgiving.
Why do leaves change colour in Autumn? Leaves are nature’s food factories. Plants take water from the ground through their roots. They take a gas called carbon dioxide from the air. Plants use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and glucose. Oxygen is a gas in the air that we need to breathe. Glucose is a kind of sugar. Plants use glucose as food for energy and as a building block for growing. The way plants turn water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and sugar is called photosynthesis. That means “putting together with light.” A chemical called chlorophyll helps make
28 Your Cotswold
photosynthesis happen. Chlorophyll is what gives plants their green color. As summer ends and autumn comes, the days get shorter and shorter. This is how the trees “know” to begin getting ready for winter. During winter, there is not enough light or water for photosynthesis. The trees will rest, and live off the food they stored during the summer. They begin to shut down their foodmaking factories. The green chlorophyll disappears from the leaves. As the bright green fades away, we begin to see yellow and orange colours. Small amounts of these colours
Please mention ”Your Cotswold
have been in the leaves all along. We just can’t see them in the summer, because they are covered up by the green chlorophyll. The bright reds and purples we see in leaves are made mostly in the autumn. In some trees, like maples, glucose is trapped in the leaves after photosynthesis stops. Sunlight and the cool nights of autumn cause the leaves turn this glucose into a red color. The brown color of trees like oaks is made from wastes left in the leaves. It is the combination of all these things that make the beautiful fall foliage colors we enjoy each year.
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
29
Praise for ‘exemplar’ approach of Planners at Council It’s never easy making a recommendation on a major planning application which effectively satisfies the concerns and considerations of all the parties affected - this is the challenge that planners always seek to resolve. In a recent application affecting South Cerney, Planning Officers from Cotswold District Council responded very well to this challenge, and have received praise for their efforts in engaging with local people and forging good links between the developer and the Parish Council, which in turn helped to secure new facilities for the community. The relevant planning application involved the erection of 140 houses by Redrow Homes Ltd at a former industrial site in the Mallards area of South Cerney. At the outset, the Parish Council acknowledged that there were many factors and problems which had to be taken into account to satisfy concerns they had, including a range of environmental and design considerations. Nevertheless, the planners worked very closely with locals to arrive at an amicable conclusion which resulted in a revised development proposal being approved at the 11 July Council Planning Committee meeting.
Reacting to these positive remarks, Cllr Sue Jepson, the Cabinet Member for Planning at CDC, said: “Major planning applications are never easy to administer, and the Officers at CDC deserve a huge pat on the back for the way in which they liaised with many people to arrive at a very good compromise all round. This was an exemplar approach, supported by the Parish Council, and bodes well for future community engagement in the planning process.”
Since then, the Council has received letters of appreciation from the Parish Council and the developer. The Parish Council singled out the “straight furrow” approach that the planners took when dealing with local people, and said that the end result would be a “fitting tribute” to the cooperative approach which typified their exchanges. Planners also received praise from Redrow Homes Ltd, for being instrumental in achieving such a beneficial solution. Mr Ted Nelthorpe of Redrow, commented: “We have always tried to work in partnership with local Planning Authorities, and we believe the Mallards scheme at South Cerney is testament to what can be achieved when all parties bring a positive attitude to the discussions. We look forward to progressing the scheme to construction stage when the benefits of local distinctiveness and careful design can be displayed to the full.”
Community projects receive £100,000 boost from CDC Cotswold District Council Cabinet has agreed to allocate a further £100,000 to its Community Projects fund. The Cabinet met on 5 July and agreed that this increase in funds will be used to help establish or improve facilities such as village halls, other community venues and play areas. Since its creation in 2007, the Community Projects Fund has provided £360,000 to over 50 different community projects around the district, worth a combined total cost of £2.5 million. It has been particularly useful in making improvements to accommodate the needs of children, young people, the elderly and those who are disabled, and has enabled many facilities to become more widely usable and financially viable. In order to make the money go further, with effect from 1 October 2012, the maximum percentage of Community Fund contributions will be reduced from 35% to 25%. This will enable larger projects to still apply
30 Your Cotswold
for a maximum of £10,000, but will encourage smaller projects to seek additional funding from other sources such as National Lottery and Charitable Trusts, and help to draw investment into the district. Cllr Lynden Stowe, the Leader of the Council, said: “This is great news for the district - it means that we can continue to provide funding to help a wide range of community projects. By reducing the maximum percentage that we contribute we will also be able to provide support to a greater number of projects. “We are using our own capital receipts to finance this scheme so taxpayers will not have to pay a penny towards it. In an era when finance is hard to come by, I am very pleased that we have been able to find a way to boost this particular fund.”
Please mention ”Your Cotswold
Council Tax discounts on Second Homes to be removed In line with government guidance, Cotswold District Council’s Cabinet has removed a 10% discount on Council Tax for second homes and has also reduced or waived other exemptions. At their meeting on 5 July, Cabinet members agreed to remove the current 10% discount on second homes. They also agreed changes to the Council Tax applied to various classes of unoccupied dwellings which will either reduce or remove exemptions (see notes below for details.) The government has also given local authorities the power to levy a premium as much as 50% above the standard Council Tax rate for property which have been left empty for over two years. However, the Cabinet agreed not to introduce this measure until they had reviewed the effectiveness of current plans to bring such properties back into use. Commenting on the decisions, CDC Cabinet lead for Corporate Resources, Cllr Barry Dare, said: “The removal of the 10% discount on second homes will ensure that all home owners will pay their fair share of Council Tax. Additionally, revising most of the current exemptions on vacant properties should boost our plans for bringing more empty homes back onto the market. These exemptions have tended to provide an incentive for owners to retain empty properties, and this is just not acceptable, especially when property is in such short supply and many people are struggling to find affordable accommodation.” The changes will come into effect on 1 April 2013, and are expected to generate an extra £1.26 million in Council tax - including a boost of about £120,000 in CDC’s income, and £50,000 for Cotswold parish and town councils.
April 2013: • Class A – vacant dwellings where major repair works or structural alterations are required, underway or completed. These currently attract a 100% exemption for a maximum period of 12 months. This will cease to apply on 31 March 2013 and will be replaced by a discount of 50% on all eligible properties for the same maximum period. • Class C - vacant dwellings that are unoccupied or unfurnished. These currently attract a 100% exemption for a maximum period of 6 months. This exemption will be removed in line with legislation, and no discount will be applied. • Class L - unoccupied dwellings that have been taken into possession by a mortgage lender. These currently attract an indefinite 100% exemption. This exemption will be removed in line with legislation, and no discount will be applied. There will be no changes to the following exemptions: • Class E – properties that are empty because the occupier has gone into a hospital or care home. • Class F – properties that are empty because the occupier has died. ............................................................................... For more details call 01285 623033 or email revenues@cotswold.gov.uk
Later in the year the Council will contact current discount and exemption recipients to explain how these changes will affect them. NOTES The following Council Tax exemptions in Cotswold district will change with effect from 1 “ when contacting any of our advertisers
For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
31
Cotswold Sky The Missing 11 Days and the 9 Month Year It was 250 years ago this month when Great Britain and its dependent colonies (including the USA) changed from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. It was 250 years ago this month when Great Britain and its dependent colonies (including the USA) changed from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. So what has this to do with Astronomy? The study of Earth’s orbit around the Sun is complex and although we still teach children that the Earth orbits the Sun in 365 14 days, in reality there are variations to this. What had happened is that the Julian calendar had relatively small inherent errors, the extent of which meant that the calendar was drifting through the seasons albeit at a slow rate of one day every 128 years. However over a period of several hundred years we were 11 days out of synchronisation with the seasons by the year 1752. So we converted to the Gregorian calendar, which most of Europe had been using for the previous 170 years. The Gregorian Calendar adjusts itself to the seasons by having a leap year every 4th year with the exceptions of the turn of the centuries whose first 2 digits are not divisible by 4 for example the years 1700, 1800, 1900 were not leap years but the year 2000 was and 2100 will not be. But even the Gregorian calendar will need a slight adjustment with an additional day needing to be inserted sometime around the year 4905.
The Missing 11 Days
In order to re align the calendar with the seasons it was necessary to remove 11 days so that Wednesday 2nd September 1752 would be followed by Thursday 14th September 1752. There are records of riots in the streets because the poor souls who had had no education believed their lives were being shortened by 11 days.
The 9 Month Year
If shortening 1752 by 11 days was confusing for the ordinary working people then the previous year must have sent shivers through them. 1751 was only 9months and 7days long, which had nothing to do with astronomy, but it ensured that the calendars of Europe were synchronised. New Year’s Day used to be celebrated on 25th March, but it was decided to bring forward New Year’s Day to 1st January, therefore the year 1751 was only 9 months and 7 days long and 1752 which commenced on 1st January had only 353 days. Since these amendments we have had a calendar that has been more accurately harmonised with the seasons.
Diary of Events September - Mars continues to be visible in the South West after sunset - Autumn Equinox Saturday 22nd September 15.49 hours BST
An Ellen Kent production Spanish heat and Italian passion mark the return of opera - Ellen Kent style
AWARD-WINNING opera producer Ellen Kent is back – bringing the heat of Spain and the passion of Italy into two new productions of Carmen and Tosca. Reviving her role as promoter after a four-year break, Ellen takes her own shows on the road again early next year. And she has chosen the fiery wilfulness of Carmen and Tosca’s manipulative melodrama to mark the return of Opera and Ballet International. After two tours of Madama Butterfly and La Traviata under another promoter, director/producer Ellen is back to her old tricks which include a magnificent Andalucian stallion, rescue donkeys and choir boys. The shows will be at the New Theatre in Oxford on February 14 (Tosca), February 15 (Carmen) and February 16 (Carmen). It’s a trip down memory lane for Ellen, who grew up in the beautiful surroundings of Andalucia in Spain. She said: “I’m starting from scratch with Carmen; there’ll be brand new sets influenced by the wonderful paintings of Goya and reflecting
Bizet’s dramatic and sensuous opera Carmen tells the story of the downfall of soldier Don Jose, who is seduced by the fiery, beautiful and passionate gypsy Carmen. Abandoning both his childhood sweetheart and his military career, Jose pursues Carmen but loses her to the glamorous bullfighter Escamillo. In true tragic operatic fashion, Jose can’t bear to be without Carmen and stabs her in a jealous rage. Puccini’s Tosca is no less violent, with torture, murder and suicide alongside some of opera’s bestknown music. Set in Rome and based on a play by Victorien Sardou, it was once described as a “shabby little shocker”. Opera diva Floria Tosca fears for the fidelity of her lover Mario, only to discover that it is the Baron Scarpia’s lust for her that endangers that love. A complex agreement of bargains and bluffs follow, to the detriment of all, with a truly tragic ending. The celebrated National Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus of Chisinau perform, alongside international soloists mezzo soprano Nadia Stoianova as Carmen and soprano Elena Dee, reprising her first ever leading operatic role as Tosca.
October - Friday 5th October, Jupiter can be seen very close to the Moon in the early hours. - Sunday 21st October, the Orionid meteor shower may be observed from around 22.00 hours look North East close to Jupiter. The showers will become more predominant after midnight. - Sunday 28th October clocks go back one hour.
Ellen added: “These are powerful epic operas with heartbreaking stories of love and loss that many people will identify with. The costumes are fabulous and the sets will transport you to Europe. I just can’t wait for rehearsals to begin.”
Useful information: - www.cslib.org/CalendarChange.htm - www.dorset-ancestors.com John Harris
Northerly view of sky October 22nd Look North East for viewing the Orionid meteor shower
32 Your Cotswold
Opera and Ballet International present
Please mention ”Your Cotswold
the architecture of Seville with its balconies, orange trees, fountains a n d f l ow e r s . I t ’s h o t , d u s t y, M o o r ish architecture with that amazing coloured stone. The costumes will also reflect Goya’s paintings of the Spanish people of that era. And of course, it’s all set against the backdrop of the bullring. I can picture it now. It’ll look magnificent.”
For more information on the 74-date tour of the UK and Ireland, go to www.ellenkent. com or follow us on Twitter @OperaBalletIntl. Tickets are on sale now from the box office on 0844 8713020 or go online at www.newtheatreoxford. org.uk.
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
‘Friends of Cotswolds’ are preferred bidders for Old Prison, Northleach Cotswold District Council has announced that the ‘Friends of the Cotswolds’ are the preferred bidders to take over the ownership of the iconic Old Prison building.
The Council announced in July 2011 that it intended to sell the Old Prison because the costs were becoming onerous for Cotswold taxpayers. Subsequently, the Friends of the Cotswolds submitted a strong bid which envisages a significant boost to the site’s viability through the creation of a higher profile for the existing Museum of Rural Life which is housed there. This would result in the restoration of the Lloyd Baker Collection of artefacts together with improvements in the interpretation of their significance. It would also see the Cotswolds Conservation Board remaining as the main tenant with the ‘Friends’ acting as the landlord. Announcing the decision in favour of the ‘Friends’ proposal, CDC Cabinet lead for Corporate Resources, Cllr Barry Dare, said: “ This has been a long and complicated process, weighing up the relative merits of each bid on both price and quality grounds, and we thank all bidders for their perseverance in waiting for us to complete our deliberations. We had some very strong bids on the table from the private sector, offering innovative new solutions for the Old Prison. These required careful and detailed consideration when set against the ‘Friends’ bid and the obligations
placed on us by Full Council back in February. The fact that both private and voluntary sectors have shown that they are willing to rise to the challenges we all face bodes well for the future of the Cotswolds.” Simon Randall, Chairman of the ‘Friends of the Cotswolds’ welcomed the news enthusiastically: “I am delighted we have been successful in retaining this building for the enjoyment of everyone in the Cotswolds and beyond. However, the hard work starts now and we will need to raise a considerable amount of money to enable us to meet the obligations set out in our bid to Cotswold District Council. I would like to thank the District Council for giving us this opportunity – we will not let them or the people of the Cotswolds down.”
Gloucester Rugby’s second match of the 2012/13 Aviva Premiership campaign is against London Wasps on Saturday 22nd 2012, Kick off 3.15pm. For your chance to win 2 x Silver tickets in the Mira Showers stand to watch Gloucester Rugby take on London Wasps simply answer the following question:
What are Gloucester Rugby’s home kit colours? A) Red and White B) Blue and White C) Green and White Send your answers to: competitions@gloucesterrugby.co.uk along with your name, email address and contact telephone number. Please mention that you are a Cotswold Link reader. Closing Date: 17th September. Good Luck!
For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
33
Chocolat...please!
O
ne of the very best things about being in the Travel Industry (apart from selling dreams!) is the opportunities that we get to travel to fantastic destinations to see and sample hotels and different countries.
I have been very fortunate in my career to have visited many fabulous destinations and unique hotels. – so when the St Lucian Tourist Board invited me out to St Lucia in June this year I thought that it would be good opportunity to revisit this beautiful Caribbean Island to see what had changed over the past 20 years. I remember the island as being green and beautiful – but I had forgotten just how beautiful St Lucia was. In my opinion the most stunning, with fabulous sandy beaches, warm clear water and the most spectacular rain forest. One of the highlights of my visit was the chance to see one of the newest properties on the island Hotel Chocolat – This is the first hotel to be opened by the two Englishmen who founded the chocolate shops of the same name. They wanted to buy a Cocoa Estate and so travelled all around the Caribbean looking for a suitable site. They decided that St Lucia was the most beautiful of all the islands they had visited and discovered the Rabot Estate near to the capital of Souffries and instantly fell in love with it. Dating back to 1745, the cocoa estate is the oldest on the island and home to some very rare old trees which are of significant scientific and chocolate interest. The first two years were spent rehabilitating the cocoa groves, restoring the original historic estate house and planning how they could open up this captivating experience to guests. That’s when they decided to create an intimate and exclusive place, the real Hotel Chocolat, where nature, well-being, hedonism, style, and of course chocolate, would come together.
The gentleman given the job of designing and building this hotel is a real life ‘Willy Wonka’ – we met Phillip, who is affectionately called Mr Phils by the locals, and his lovely wife Judy for dinner and stayed far longer than was planned – Philip, a yorkshireman had designed chocolate factories for other large chocolate manufacturers and having built the hotel he remains there to run the cocoa estate set amongst the glorious rain forest with uninterrupted views of the Pitons. At present the hotel has just 14 rooms, 6 lodges with open air rainwater showers and 8 luxury lodges set a little higher into the rainforest – to catch the sea breezes. The property is an eco hotel and so does not have air conditioning. It is contemporary, but fits perfectly into its s u r r o u n d ings. All rooms have kingsize four poster beds, ipod docking station pre loaded with chocolate inspired music and free wifi. When you arrive you are greeted with a chilled bottle of prosecco, and of course delicious chocolates . Currently the hotel only produces chocolate for its own restaurant and for demonstrations when they have guests. However the next plan for this lovely property is to build an actual chocolate factory, that would produce chocolate made from the beans on the estate. The hotel also has a spa which uses the cocoa bean in all its lotions and potions as they are packed full of antioxidents and vital minerals. All lotions used are made fresh in small batches and all contain some part of the cocoa bean, what a shame our visit did not give us time to sample a cocoa and banana facemask!! Fortunately our visit did include dinner at their renowned restaurant Boucan. Here every dish also contains some part of the cocoa bean , whether that is just some cocoa oil or the cocoa nibs. The nibs are the pure cocoa from the bean and are not sweet at all so to use them as seasoning in most of their dishes is quite a natural thing to do. Our mouth watering menu that evening included: • Citrus salad with white chocolate dressing • Local organic basil and micro-green salad leaves, cashews and • Tomatoes with the zing of local citrus fruit and the soothing balm of our white chocolate dressing. This was then followed by: • Aberdeen Angus Prime fillet Beef with Dark Chocolate Port Wine sauce • Matured and infused with cacao nibs, hand cut fries, port wine chocolate sauce and cacao nib local spinach. Dessert was a difficult choice but I decided on: • Magnificent Piton Our homage to the big view – a dramatic soft meringue peak, surrounded By Rabot Estate chocolate soup with sliced local banana, caramel and toasted almond. So when you are toying with the idea of where to go on your next holiday, Think St Lucia, think chocolate and then think Hotel Chocolat. Give me a call and I would be delighted to help you incorporate a few nights at this chocolate heaven, ideally combined with a hotel on the beach. Debbie Taylor: Holidays Please: 01451 810255 | debbie@holidaysplease.com
34 Your Cotswold
Please mention ”Your Cotswold
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
Make sure you can vote for your Police & Crime Commissioner Cotswold District Council residents will have received their electoral registration forms through the post earlier than usual this year. This is to ensure the electoral register is as up-to-date as possible ahead of the first Police and Crime Commissioner elections on Thursday 15 November.
Many people have already returned their forms either by post or by using the telephone/ internet registration option. Residents who have yet to reply are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to cut down on the cost of sending reminders which are due to go out in the next 10 days. This year, those properties which are holiday lets or second homes will receive a separate letter within the next two weeks giving details about registration and voting. We acknowledge that registration is not necessarily clear-cut in respect of these types of property, and we hope that the information we provide will help those with a holiday or second home to decide whether they should be registered. The Council undertook a similar exercise in 2005 and is now updating its records. The Council’s Electoral Registration Officer, Nigel Adams, said: “Registering to vote is quick and simple. All you have to do is update the annual canvass form with details of everyone who lives in the household and is eligible to vote; and return it to us as soon as possible. If your
details haven’t changed, you can re-register by phone or online.” He added “It’s important to register - if you don’t make a return, you may be removed from the register and will not be able to vote at the Police and Crime Commissioner elections or in future elections, such as those for the County Council in May 2013. You may also experience difficulty in obtaining credit or opening a bank account.” ......................................................................... For more information, or if you haven’t received a form, please contact the Council’s Electoral Team on 01285 623002, or e-mail elections@cotswold.gov.uk Forms are also available at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
35
Introducing...
24/7 Business Promotion Register your business at cotswoldlink.co.uk for professional promotion
Visit our directory today:
www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
One Stop Shop for all things Cotswolds!
• Several Packages ranging from FREE to £120.00 Annual Subscription (Full Details below) • Local News & Events increases visitor retention • Site Search Facility • Bespoke Category Creation - ensure your business is categorised as you want it • Regular Directory Promotion in this publication • Updated daily - News & Events shared with Facebook
FREE Package
Premium Package
FREE Package Features:
£120.00 Annual Subscription
• Upload your Business Details to 1 Category • HTML Description Box • Website Link • Email • Unlimited Listing Editing (Edit your Business Listing as much as you wish)
Premium Package Features: • Upload your Business Details to 5 Categories • Website Link • Email • HTML Description Box • Unlimited Listing Editing (Edit your Business Listing as much as you wish)
Standard Package
£70.00 Annual Subscription
Standard Package Features: • Upload your Business Details to 3 Categories • HTML Description Box • Unlimited Listing Editing (Edit your Business Listing as much as you wish)
Extra Features: • Upload up to 5 Images • Googlemap Feature • Directly message other Businesses via “My Account” Panel
Extra Features: • Upload up to 8 Images • Googlemap Feature • Directly message other Businesses via “My Account” Panel Additional Premium Features: • Unlimited Submissions - Submit Multiple Businesses • ‘Featured’ Priority Listings - Displayed on Home Page Carousel & Sidebar for extra promotion
Contact Us for more details
36 Your Cotswold
CATEGORIES displayed on every page for easy business searching. Sub-categories ensure appropriate business placement Featured Listings displayed prominently on loop
Dwight
01609 779097 dwight@cotswoldlink.co.uk www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Add as much business description as you want!
facebook.com/CotswoldLink Please mention ”Your Cotswold
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
Sign U Today p ! cotsw old link.co .uk
For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
37
Over 45,000 reasons to advertise with us!
Current Distribution
,20&0 15om es
Aston Magna Blockley
GL56 (9)
Bourton-on-the-hill
Moreton-in-Marsh
H Businesses
Bi-Monthly Royal Mail delivery to over 15,200 homes & businesses!
Little Compton Longborough
evenlode
GL56 (0)
Condicote
Broadwell
GL54 (1)
Winchcombe
Stow-on-the-Wold Icomb naunton
upper slaughter
Whittington
Bourton-on-the-Water
notgrove
Dowdeswell
GL54 (4)
GL54 (2) Clapton-on-the-hill
turkdean Compton Abdale
GL54 (3)
Withington
Northleach
Fulbrook
taynton
Burford
Little Barrington
eastington
swinbrook
OX18 (4)
Chedworth
Asthall
Coln st Dennis Aldsworth
Bradwell Village shilton
High Quality
Great Value
Besides being a medium for our advertisers to showcase their businesses in high quality print, we also include regular features, such as a double page events spread, garden diary and ‘New to the Area’ feature, as well as local stories of interest, to help give our publications retention value.
We also know that, particularly in these difficult times, businesses need to spend their advertising budget as wisely as possible and that is why our policy has Starting always been to offer full May 2013 colour, high quality advertising at black and white prices.
Effective As more than 70% of our business is repeat business, we know that it works for our advertisers.
New Area See p8
Next issues
...............................................................
Christine Editor
01609 777401 07742 595747 christine@cotswoldlink.co.uk
Index
Art & Antiques
Antique Coin Collector: p5 Cox’s Architectural: p37 Militaria Wanted: p25
Architectural Planning Eastabrook Architects: p7
Attractions & Events
Chedworth Roman Villa: p21 Corinium Museum: p24 Milldene Garden: p20
Builders & Contractors
C. Williams Building Maintenance: p13 Country Roofing & Building: p12 Heidi Renewables: p40 Just Carpentry & Locks: p7 Loft Company UK: p13 Montrose Property Maintenance: p1 Mustoe’s Building Contractors: p Peer Traditional Limework: p3 Premier Tiling: p12 Prestige Plastering: p12 Prior Products: p4 Renu Track: p31 Stephen Hill: p14 Thistle Design & Build: p4 Thomas Contracting: p26 Three Piece Joinery: p13 Woodentop Oak Framed Designs: p3
Business Services
Cirencester Self Storage: p7 Cotswold Virtual Office: p10 Self Storage: p5
Children’s Services
ABC 123 Woodlands Nursery: p19 Barn Nursery: p18 Cotswold Tutor: p19 Express Presentations: p22 Showcase: p20 Stepping Stones Nursery: p18
Cleaning Services Big Blitz: p7 Casio Oven Clean: p14 Chem Dry: p12
Dwight
01609 779097 dwight@cotswoldlink.co.uk www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
November / December 2012
Elspeth
Distribution: w/c 5th & 12th Nov Copy: 11th October
01904 709462 elspeth@cotswoldlink.co.uk
Clean-n-Restore: p6 Maid In The Cotswolds: p13 Mary’s Laundry: p13 V & C Professional Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning: p2
Computers & Internet Solidify IT Ltd: p2
Education
ABC 123 Woodlands Nursery: p19 Barn Nursery: p18 Corinium Museum: p24 Cotswold Tutor: p19 Farncombe Estate: p20 Stepping Stones Nursery: p18 Youth Education Service: p19
Elderly Services
Hearing & Mobility Store: p16 The Langston Care Home: p16
Electrical Services
Alderminster Electrics: p1 Cotswold Aerials: p2 Montrose Property Maintenance: p 1 P Wheeler Electrical: p13 Vision Repairs: p5
Entertainment
Carrick Travel: p5 Express Presentations: p22
Environmental Services
...............................................................
January / February 2013
Distribution: w/c 21st & 28th Jan Copy: 14th December
Wiltshire Farm Foods: p16
Fuel Supplies
Cotswold Logs: p1 Guiting Manor Farms: p26 South Midland Fuels: p14
Furniture
Armstrong Interiors: p6 Bayliss & Son: p29 Phil Dadge: p12
Gardening & Hard Landscaping
Bartlett Tree Experts: p29 Cotswold Estates & Gardens: p27 Dowdeswell Forestry: p29 Eynsham Park Sawmill: p15 Fosseway Tool Hire: p26 Hickman Landscapes: p31 Montrose Property Maintenance: p1 Northleach Mower Services: p27 Renu Track: p31 RMH Services: p29 Stephen Hill: p14 Thomas Contracting: p26 Thomas Fox Landscaping: p27 Treetech: p29
Gifts
Showcase: p20
Hair & Beauty
Candy Cox Beauty Therapy: p9 Essence Hair Salon: p9 Vuolo Hair & Beauty: p17
Finance & Legal
Healthcare & Wellbeing
Showcase: p20
Cotswold Wills: p17
Flooring
Cotswold Carpets: p17 Cox’s Architectural: p37 Parsons Flooring: p6
Food & Drink
Frogmill Hotel: p25 Grapevine Hotel: p11 Koloshi: p21 Lamb Inn: p35 Martha’s Coffee House: p10 Redesdale Arms: p23
Angela Hay Soft Furnishings: p5 Armstrong Interiors: p6 Bathstore: p12 Cotswold Fireplaces: p6 Dream Doors: p40 Fosse Fires: p40 Greyhound Stoves: p3 Loft Company UK: p13 Parsons Flooring: p6 Three Piece Joinery: p13
Kitchen Design & Installation
Dream Doors: p40 Greyhound Stoves: p3 Thistle Design & Build: p4
Metal Fabrication Bayliss & Son: p29
Motoring
Little Compton Garages: p35 Never Despair Recycling: p37 Troopers Lodge Garage: p31
Hearing Aids
Hearing & Mobility Store: p16
Heating
Cotswold Oil & Gas Services: p15 Fosse Fires: p40 Heidi Renewables: p40
Property Lettings
Cotswold & Vale Lettings: p7
Recycling
Joe Gilder: p37 Never Despair Recycling: p37
Septic Tank Services William Gilder Ltd: p15
Sports & Leisure
Aikido Kami: p10 Cotswold Cycles: p22 Cotswold Horse Riding: p22 Kingsholm Venues: p33 Margaret Greenwood Dance: p21 Runnerbean: p9
Travel & Tourism
Carrick Travel: p5 CCH Motorhome & Caravan Repairs: p23 Holidays Please: p34 Stow Taxis: p23
Tree Surgery
Bartlett Tree Experts: p29 Dowdeswell Forestry: p29 Treetech: p29
Tuition
Casio Oven Clean: p14 Cookers & Co: p13
Farncombe Estate: p20 Margaret Greenwood Dance: p21 Sewing Tuition: p20
Pets & Animals
Weddings
Dial A Dog Wash: p23
Painters & Decorators
Charles Wright Massage: p17 Lighter Life: p17 Talking Of Healing: p8
Hire
Home & Interiors
Oven Services
Fashion & Clothing
William Gilder Ltd: p15
Express Presentations: p22 Fosseway Tool Hire: p26 Hickman Landscapes: p31 Stow Skips: p37
Phil Dadge: p12 Stephen Hill: p14
Property Maintenance
C. Williams Maintenance: p13 Just Carpentry & Locks: p7 Montrose Property Maintenance: p1 Peer Traditional Limework: p3 Premier Tiling: p12 Prestige Plastering: p12 Stephen Hill: p14 Three Piece Joinery: p13
Cotswold Marquees: p22
Cotswold Marquees: p22 Frogmill Hotel: p25 Grapevine Hotel: p11
Windows
MIke Honour Windows Ltd: p14 Milena Windows: p39 Montrose Property Maintenance: p1 Prior Products: p4 Regent R.S Group: p3 Three Piece Joinery: p13
facebook.com/CotswoldLink
The Index is a free service offered to our customers. No responsibility can be held for errors or omissions. Multiple entries included on a space available basis
38 Your Cotswold
Please mention ”Your Cotswold
“ when contacting any of our advertisers
For advertising contact Christine on: 01609 777401 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk
Your
Cotswold
39