Cotswold Link (West Ox) March-April 2018 by JKA / Cotswold Publications

CotswoldLink

FREE

West Oxfordshire

Your

www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Bi-Monthly Royal Mail distribution: 18,400 homes & businesses

March / April 2018

Your CotswoldLink

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

inside

Your CotswoldLink

Spring has Sprung!

We provide some top tips on how to get the best from your garden this Spring

Charlbury Bowls

We get an update from this popular club

Grubs Up!

Enjoy delicious garlic and herb prawns

06 New businesses and services 15 Garlic & herb prawns local news: a good read 10 Expansion plans for train station 16 2 books reviewed local news education: 12 Boom time for tourism in Cotswolds 16 The Origins of Easter events garden view: 12 Local events across the area 18 Spring has Sprung! local news: astronomy: 14 Charlbury Bowls Club update 20 The discovery of “little green men!” local news cotswold link Prize for Road Safety Advertising Details & Index 14 Top 22 Champions business

recipe: FEATURED

FEATURED

Welcome to the March - April issue

We welcome Spring and the changing weather with a whole host of updates and news, from the expansion plans at a local train station (p10), to Charlbury Bowls Club going from strength to strength (p14). Our Spring garden tips (p18) are a perfect excuse to get outside in the lighter (and hopefully warmer!) weather. Don’t forget, if you have any news, events, updates or stories 01609 777401 01609 779097 of local interest, please send them to editorial@jkanorth.com and we’ll do our best to publish them for you. cotswoldlink.co.uk I hope you all enjoy this issue and I’ll see you again in May. Best wishes,

Christine Campbell | Editor Cotswold Link Magazine is published in good faith and the editors cannot be held responsible in any way for inaccuracies in reports or advertising in reports or advertising that appear in this publication and the views of the contributors may not be the those of the editors. Adverts and advertisers Your Cotswold Link carry no implied recommendation from the magazine or the publishers. All rights reserved. All information is appearing in Cotswold Link Magazine correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of going to press. Cotswold Link Magazine cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

W E N businesses s & service our area in & around

“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 and they will receive the

equivalent space in complimentary editorial*. This editorial provides excellent business exposure to 18,400 homes and businesses and allows further explanation of the new business or services available. * Editorial must be supplied completed.

Green light for new football pitch funding Work is set to start on a major upgrade of a Witney football pitch after cash backing was given the green light by councillors. Cabinet members at West Oxfordshire District Council have recommended that £125,611 from the authority’s capital programme be dedicated to replacing the surface of the artificial pitch at Henry Box School. The new state-of-the-art 3G surface will be used by youngsters from the school as well as individuals and football clubs such as Tower Hill, Witney Vikings, Witney Wanderers and Ducklington. The pitch will be compliant with world football governing authority FIFA’s quality standard and will be complement-

ed with improved floodlights. The total cost is £344,000 with £212,000 already in place thanks to a grant from the Premier League and the Football Association’s Facilities Fund. The remainder will come from secured Section 106 funding. If the funding is given the go-ahead by full Council, work is due to be completed by March. Cllr Jeanette Baker, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Health, said: “This will create a fantastic facility for footballers of all ages and abilities and will attract new players. “It will play a major contribution to health and fitness both in the town and further afield.” All decisions made by the Council’s Cabinet are subject to the usual 10-day callin period.

Local Business opens new depot Local plant hire business, WHC Hire, has achieved its goal and scored a hat-trick of rental depots in the region. The third branch of the forward thinking plant hire company was officially opened in mid-November by the charismatic former Director General of the CBI, Lord Digby Jones.

Formerly known as Cotswold Tool & Plant Hire, the depot was purchased in February 2017. The business was already well- known and well established with many loyal customers and WHC is already building on this success with investment in new machinery, new services and the health and safety ethos for which it has become renowned. The showroom sells a range of consumable products and displays a range of small tools for hire, including strimmers, rotavators, lawnmowers, cement mixes and even wallpaper strippers etc . The acquisition was the culmination of a 3-year growth strategy to expand the range of plant, invest in staff and grow the business organically. Managing Director, James Clutterbuck, was delighted to welcome guests to the opening where he detailed the journey

Your CotswoldLink

so far; “Over the past 3 years we had a vision to be the best through investment and hard work. This included listening to our customers, being aware of market changes and investing in staff, technology, apprenticeships and products.” This is key to the success of WHC and it’s been demonstrated with the opening of our new Chipping Norton depot which is due to the teamwork from it’s staff, our suppliers and our customers. From 1997 – when Worcester Hire depot opened – it has taken 15 years to establish it’s brand and open depot number two. This time it has taken just 5 years for depot three – so who knows what will happen next? Our prediction is another depot in 2-3 years. Understanding technology – the role of the mobile phone, for example – is now critical to the appreciation of what and where your market is. The world is smaller and more connected thanks to the mobile phone, social media, websites. Successful businesses embrace change and remain flexible. WHC – in what is now its 21st Anniversary year – is a company that does that and more.”

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

Council on track to back station expansion

Councillors are to examine backing plans to significantly improve Hanborough railway station.

The proposal, subject to final costs, is for a new ticket office, waiting room and toi- Picture shows Cllr Jeff Haine at let. Operator Great Western Hanborough railway station Railway is also looking to house a small retail outlet in the building. Cllr Jeff Haine, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Economy, said: “In the last 10 years, passenger numbers at Hanborough have more than trebled and clearly there is a need for the station to be developed to meet that demand. “The proposed investment in this infrastructure will improve passengers’ experience as well as easing congestion on our roads.” The modular building was previously used at Abbey Wood station on the North Kent line but it became redundant with the opening of a new Crossrail station. It has now been acquired by Great Western Railway for use at Hanborough in a project which will cost an estimated £250,000. The work is being seen as the first phase in the development of Hanborough with future developments set to include additional car and cycle parking, signalling and track improvements. Annual passenger numbers using Hanborough have spiralled from 76,580 in 2006-07 to 238,580 in 2016-17 with numbers expected to increase in future despite a recent fall due to the opening of the new Oxford Parkway station. New Intercity Express Trains were introduced on the North Cotswold Line this month with further services coming later this year.

Your CotswoldLink

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

Out & About

New report highlights boom time for tourism in Cotswolds Tourism is booming across The Cotswolds, according to a newly published report which shows that during 2016 there were over 20 million days of visits to the area and total visitorrelated business turnover was in excess of one billion pounds. The report, compiled by the South West Research Company Ltd, also showed that tourism was responsible for 8% of employment across the wider area - with businesses in the Cotswold District Council area reaching as high as 15% of employment - and is valuable evidence of the importance of the tourism industry. During 2016 tourists spent over £373 million on accommodation within the area, another £157 million on local attractions and entertainments, and about £100m on travel. Other significant facts included the impact of tourism on local shopping and the food and drink sector with these being worth 18% and 22% of visitor spend respectively. Reviewing the figures, Chris Jackson of Cotswolds Tourism Partnership commented: “This is a valuable report which underlines the importance of tourism to the economic well-being of the Cotswolds and for all sectors of the local economy to work together to promote tourism. The South West Research Company also looked at tourism patterns and it was interesting

Your CotswoldLink

Every 4th Thursday

25th March

With demonstrations, outings, workshops and more. Join us in the Lower Town Hall every 4th Thursday of the month Starting 21st September at 7pm More details: Ann 01608 683289 or Kaye 01993 831146 ........................................................

7.30pm Purcell – Funeral Sentences for Queen Mary Stainer - Crucifixion Burford Singers with Tenor : Joshua Ellicott Bass : Quentin Hayes Organist: Robin Baggs Conductor: Brian Kay Our annual Palm Sunday concert brings together Stainer’s Crucifixion and Henry Purcell’s deeply moving and heartfelt tribute to his beloved Queen Mary. Venue: Church of St John the Baptist, Church Green, Burford OX18 4RY Tickets reserved at £17, £15, £12 and £8 Online booking at http://www. burfordsingers.org.uk/box-office (Booking fee applies) Booking in person at The Madhatter Bookshop 122, High Street, Burford OX18 4QJ. Full details and booking form available on our website www.burfordsingers.org.uk ........................................................

n Chipping Norton Flower Club to note the 12% increase in overseas staying visitors with increased spend at 9%. Working with all local authorities across the wider Cotswolds area under the Cotswolds Tourism partnership, the tourism sector must continue to adapt to meet visitors’ needs now and for the future. The partnership needs to market and promote the area to show visitors the hidden gems and experiences visitors may not know about; this can spread visitors across the lesser known towns which will continue to stimulate the local economy into the future. “We are lucky to live and work here and, with businesses expanding and diversifying all the time, it helps us promote the Cotswolds as a surprising destination. We know it takes a lot to beat the Cotswolds as a great holiday destination for all ages – we’ve got magnificent countryside to explore, charming market towns to visit, a rich heritage and history to investigate, diverse cultural attractions and top quality sporting facilities, and year-round events. “Cotswolds Tourism Partnership will continue to work with Visit England and Visit Britain to promote the area through trade shows, media visits and social media, and if any businesses in the wider tourism sector wish to get involved with us please see www.cotswolds.com/partnership

19th March

n Hailey Gardening Club Talk

7.30pm: Hailey Gardening Club are holding a talk by Jamie Bunting called GARDENING AT WOOD GREEN SCHOOL Jamie talks about horticulture studies at Wood Green school an activity supported by Hailey Gardening Club for several years. Hailey Village Hall OX29 9UA Members free, Non-members £2 Tel 01993 899125 ........................................................

23rd March

n Rissingtons Local History Society

7.30pm: THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL FOREST OF DEAN - an illustrated talk by Pete Ralph on the forest starting with Canute and ending with Queen Elizabeth ||. The history ranges from a Neolithic stone, through hunting forests,the industrial area and eventually tourism. Venue: Upper Rissington Village Hall GL54 2QW. £3.50 to include refreshments. Contact 01451 820233. ........................................................

24th March

n Burford Orchestra

Burford Orchestra returns to Witney’s historic St Mary’s Church for the first time in over ten years with a delightful programme for a spring evening. The concert, which starts at 7.30pm, opens with the great German composer Johannes Brahms’s brooding Tragic Overture before moving into France with Georges Bizet’s ever-popular L’Arlésienne suites. The evening is rounded out with the first symphony by the littleknown Russian composer Vasily Kalinnikov, a piece that – like its author – definitely deserves to be much more widely known. Tickets cost £9 with £1 entry for under 16s and are available in advance from info@burfordorchestra.org.uk or by contacting Sarah on 01993 883490 ........................................................

Burford Singers – A Concert for Palm Sunday

25th - 27th March

n World Literacy Summit

The third World Literacy Summit will be held in Oxford, United Kingdom and the three day event will commence the 25th of March 2018. It will serve as a unique opportunity for delegates to collaborate, share ideas, learn and be united to close the global literacy gap in the 21st century. The Summit provides a platform for debate, discussion and sharing of knowledge between some of the world’s most ardent literacy and educational leaders, institutions, organisations and pioneers. Sun., 25/03/2018, 4:00 pm – Tue., 27/03/2018, 6:00pm The Sheldonian Theatre, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3AZ Tickets on Eventbrite ........................................................

31st March

n Charlbury Museum.

Charlbury Museum will reopen for the 2018 season on Easter Saturday 31st March, with a new exhibition about Charlbury and the Wychwood Forest, the workers, the poachers, the natural history. Opening hours are on Saturdays from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, and on Sundays and Bank Holidays from 2.30 - 4.30 pm...

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

Having an event?

Email us your event details to: events@jkanorth.com and we’ll publish it for you. Magazine distribution dates are on p22. ...Admission £1, children free. We also mark the centenary since 1918 with our book on Charlbury and the First World War, “Glover, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor”, and a display of WWI memorabilia. Visitors are warmly welcomed. Market Street, Chipping Norton. Phone: 01608 810656 .......................................................

3rd April

n FILM: The Shape of Water (15)

Chipping Norton Theatre: 7:30pm Guillermo del Toro 119mins In this other-worldly fairy tale, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America, Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is trapped in a life of isolation in the hidden highsecurity government laboratory where she works. On discovering an exotic amphibian, a thrilling and ravishing romance unfolds in the least likely of circumstances – she a mute from childhood and he with gills and fins – the course of true love never did run smooth. All Tickets £10. Con: £7.50 chippingnortontheatre.com ........................................................

8th April

n Andoversford Races

Andoversford is home to the Cotswold Point-to-Point races, an enduring fixture in the Gloucestershire sporting calendar, and one of the fastest growing Pointing fixtures in the calendar. Some of the country’s best steeplechasers have been seen at Andoversford, and we’re situated right in the middle of racing country, equidistant from the large training yards of Jonjo O’Neill, Kim Bailey, Nigel Twiston-Davies and Tom George. Gates open: 11am Programme Starts: 12 noon Tickets available from: andoversfordraces.co.uk ........................................................

26th - 29th April

n Chipping Norton Literary Festival A wide range of literary talks and activities at various venues @CHIPLITFEST #CHIPLITFEST TICKETS: 01608 642350 www.chiplitfest.com ........................................................

29th April

n Blenheim 7k 2018

Blenheim Palace provides a stunning setting for this great familyfriendly event which welcomes established runners and newbies

alike. With a junior 1 mile event for under 15s and 4 miles for wheelchairs and buggies, there is an event for everyone. Run, walk or jog round. Prizes for individual winners as well as teams. Entry fee for the run includes entry to the palace park grounds (usually £16 for adults) 10:30 – 13:00 BST Blenheim Palace, Woodstock OX20 1PX. Tickets on Eventbrite ........................................................

30th April

n Hailey Gardening Club Talk

7.30pm. Hailey Gardening Club are holding a talk by Philip Aubury called Successful Fruit Growing Philip was director of Birmingham Botanic Gardens for 20 years. He reshaped the Gardens to such an extent that both the Queen Mother and Bill Clinton came to visit! Hailey Village Hall, Middletown, Hailey OX29 9UA Members free. Non-members £2 Tel 01993 899125 ........................................................

2nd - 7th May

n Cheltenham International Jazz Festival Town Hall and other venues The Cheltenham International Jazz Festival ranks among the top British festivals of its kind. Since 1996 the Festival has brought some of the biggest names in jazz to the town, as well as providing a platform for the stars of the future. Box Office (01242) 227979, www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/ jazz ........................................................

18th - 20th May

n Winchcombe Cotswolds Walking Festival

The Walking Festival offers a full three day programme of walks designed for walkers of all abilities. The festival has a buzz with displays, tea and a chance to meet fellow walkers prior to the walks.The programme of walks range from three miles to fourteen miles with some based on specific themes. All walks, other than the 21 mile self-guided Winchcombe Way Challenge, are led by knowledgeable local guides. Walks must be booked in advance on the Winchcombe Welcomes Walkers website: www.winchcombewelcomeswalkers.com ........................................................

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.

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

Enjoy a game of skill, but which anyone of any age or gender can play on equal terms? Like being outdoors, in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere? Looking for a summer sport or social activity? Well Bowls is the ninth most popular participation sport in England with more players than cricket, rugby union and hockey, and may well be the sport for you. Charlbury Bowls Club life member Charlie Hurst has seen many changes in his time as a bowls player. Now aged 92, and still playing, he enthuses about the game and that he plays with others old enough to be his great grand-children. “It is a wonderful game to play. The basic rules and skills are easy to learn but once hooked many want to do more than play socially. It is wonderful to see young players taking up the game and being successful”. Charlbury Bowls Club was established in 1934, and after having

three different locations for their green settled at their current home in 1996. The lovely clubhouse and grounds were largely built by members and that sense of community still survives at the club today. Seventeen year old Alannah Ford was not born when the clubhouse was opened but represents the younger end of the playing age spectrum. She is in the Oxfordshire under-25 training squad and last year was part of the winning county triples competition. “I really enjoy the challenge of bowls and it is a great balance to school work. Being able to play competitive matches alongside members of all ages and abilities brings a real sense of enjoyment. And what could be better than being outside in the sun on a summer afternoon.” Anyone can turn up and try out the game – all you need to start is a pair of flat soled sports shoes or trainers. Most clubs have sets of bowls that can be borrowed and often allow several trial roll-ups to

Charlbury Bowls Club, 74 Ticknell Piece Road, OX7 3TW. Website www.charlburybowls.co.uk

Top prize for road safety champions Eight West Oxfordshire primary school pupils are the proud owners of new bikes after winning a special competition. They were selected from scores of entries from youngsters at 23 primary schools across the District who designed posters highlighting road safety for cyclists. The competition was organised by Cllr Norman MacRae MBE, Chairman of West Oxfordshire District Council with sponsorship from Witney Rotary, Carterton Lions, Chip-

Your CotswoldLink

help decide if you want to take the sport further, either as social bowls or playing in the various club teams and competitions. The summer season is from mid-April to late September, and there is an indoor version to keep you busy the rest of the year. Want to find out what happens at a bowls club? Then go along to an open day at a club near you and roll up a few bowls. All ages welcome. No obligation, but you might enjoy it and want to play more! Charlbury Bowls Club have their open days on Saturday 28 April and Sunday 6 May at 2.00pm, or email enquiries@charlburybowls.co.uk for more information.

Pictured Above: Charlie Hirst, 92 year old life member of Charlbury Bowls Club

www.facebook.com/CharlburyBowlsClub

ping Norton Lions and Witney Lions clubs, Witney Round Table and Mrs Carole MacRae. Cllr MacRae said: “The standard of entries was really high and it is encouraging to see so many young people becoming aware of the importance of road safety. “It was also a fantastic surprise for the winners and I loved seeing how delighted they were to be given a new bike.” The competition is inspired by classes on road safety and cycling proficiency which are carried out by the schools in association with the police. As well as receiving a new bike, each of the eight children also had a helmet and bike

lights. Pictured is Thomas Wilby of St Peters School, Cassington. He is with from left: Dion Hickin (President Witney Rotary), Mrs Carole MacRae and Cllr Norman MacRae. The other winners are Bethany Sparrowhawk (Aston & Cote School), Jacob Peate (Gateway, Carterton), Evie Maunder (Holy Trinity, Chipping Norton), Ella Merry (Leafield), George Belcher (Middle Barton), Millie Walker (North Leigh) and Eloise Harkness (Wychwood).

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

Garlic & Herb Prawns A light and tasty supper

Preparation time: 25 minutes + marinating time Cooking Time: 5-6 minutes Serves: 2 Ingredients 12 Raw prawns in their shells Juice of half a lemon 2 Garlic cloves - crushed 3 tbsp Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill 3 tbsp softened butter Salt and pepper Method Rinse the prawns. Use a sharp knife to slice along the back of each prawn from head end to tail and remove the

thin black intestine. Mix the lemon juice with the garlic, herbs and butter to form a paste. Season well with salt and pepper and spread the paste over the prawns. Leave to marinate for 30 minutes.

until cooked, tossing them several times to distribute the heat evenly. Turn out on to warm plates and drizzle with the juices from the pan. Serve with lemon wedges and crusty bread.

Preheat a frying pan. Fry the prawns

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

The Origins of Easter

A Good Read

Ever tried to plan an event around Easter?

Wicked

n Gregory Maguire We all know what happened when Dorothy arrived in the Land of Oz courtesy of a cyclone. She killed the Wicked Witch of the East and magically acquired her ruby slippers. Helped by Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, she travelled to the Emerald City with three friends and asked the Wizard to send her back to Kansas. And of course, we know about her green enemy: The Wicked Witch of the West. But do we really know the rest of the story? What DID happen in Oz before this little girl from Kansas carelessly ‘dropped’ in? Wicked, is the story of the witches of Oz as imagined by Gregory Maguire. Familiar to many people these days through the hit West End musical of the same name, this novel is very different in tone to the musical with much more adult themes. It addresses politics, animal rights, outcasts, fate, friendships, and the philosophical question of what makes us bad: are people born wicked or do they become wicked purely by living up to people’s expectations of them? Elphaba Thropp was born with an unfortunate colour skin tone and right from the start felt rejected like an outcast. She feels as if she has no place in the world but all that is set to change when she arrives at Shiz University. Here she meets her total opposite, Glinda, and despite an initial hatred of each other they do become best friends. But where will that friendship take them? They are destined to follow separate paths: one of good and one of evil. The Good Witch and The Wicked Witch. It is how that happens and how they discover their true purpose and destiny that forms the heart of this immersive fantasy novel. Clearly Oz is not just for children.

Naughty Amelia Jane! n Enid Blyton

Naughty Amelia Jane! by Enid Blyton Some books never fail to entertain generation after generation and the Amelia Jane books by Enid Blyton are no exception. At some point in childhood we all wonder what would happen if our toys were alive. Well in this nursery they are. Amelia Jane is a big ragdoll and she is not just big, she is bad. And the other toys are generally scared of her. Hardly surprising when she does things like throwing pints of milk over other toys on a regular basis! These short chapters almost work as individual short stories which makes it a nice transition for readers to proper ‘chapter books’. Each chapter sees Amelia Jane getting into trouble and being naughty but ultimately learning a lesson: one that she seems destined to forget despite her protestations that she ‘will be good from now’. Lessons that demonstrate to the reader why it is important to be kind and considerate towards others. In the words of Enid Blyton: “I do somehow feel perfectly certain that she can’t be good for long.”

Your CotswoldLink

It can be quite difficult due to its fluctuations in the calendar. Even Justin Welby the present Archbishop of Canterbury is of the opinion that Easter should be given a set date. The following list of Easter dates over a 4 year period tell us of the difficulties found in the lack of continuity in arranging events dependent on spring. Easter Sunday 2016 – 27th March 2017 – 16th April 2018 – 1st April 2019 – 21st April In fact Easter can occur as early as the 22nd March and as late as the 25th April

Calculating the date of Easter Easter is a celebration of the crucifixion and rising from the dead of Jesus and has been celebrated ever since his death. Christ’s resurrection occurred during the Jewish Passover which is dated according to the phases of the moon in the Jewish calendar, the dates of which drift each year. In those bygone days some churches would celebrate Easter at the time of the Passover whilst others would celebrate it on the following Sunday. It was not unusual for churches in the same region to celebrate Easter on different Sundays. In the year 325AD King Constantine paid for all the influential leaders of Christianity to a meeting to rectify the above problems. Pope St Sylvester 1st was also invited but was too ill to travel, so he sent representatives. It was at this meeting that the first serious official efforts of agreeing a common date for Easter were discussed; the principles of calculating its date have stuck with us until the present day.

Writing an A* Essay Whether you’re 15 or 50, writing an academic essay can be pretty daunting. Hopefully our how-to guide might make the process a little bit easier. Start off with your notes. Get key points down, quotes, useful resources and so on. Don’t worry about grammar and spelling; at this point, it’s all about getting your ideas together in one place. Ideally, you’ll want to start your research well before your deadline, so that you can add to your notes when you hear something relevant in a lecture, or come across something when you’re reading. Make sure you include where you’ve found the information, so that you can cite the source in your essay.

Try to identify any gaps in your notes. Do you need to find proof to back up an argument, for example? It can help to write yourself a set of questions that you need to answer. You’ll then know exactly what you’re looking for when you’re researching. Once you have your notes, copy and paste them into a new document, and then start moving them into some kind of structure. Most essays will follow the following structure: Introduction (less than 10% of your total word count). This should give a brief overview of what you’re going to cover in the essay, and why. It should indicate that the essay is going to answer the set question, or expand on the title that you’ve chosen.

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

In simplistic terms Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday; following the first full Moon; after the Spring Equinox unless; it clashes with the Jewish Passover; when it will occur one week later. However the debate carried on for many centuries one of the reasons being of not having a totally accurate calendar that did not drift with the seasons. Indeed in David Ewing Duncan’s brilliant book “The Calendar” he points to modern day astronomers devising 14 equations for calculating “an almost precise Easter date”. It concludes that because of continuous planetary fluctuations “an absolutely exact measurement (of Easter) is impossible to predict”

Is it possible to reform the dates of Easter? The World Council of Churches proposed in 1997 to replace the previously mentioned equation based method with a direct astronomical observation. This was to be implemented in 2001 but not yet executed. Perhaps more surprisingly the dates of Easter can be reformed as soon as the Government see fit. The Easter Act 1928 allows the Government to fix Easter as “the first Sunday after the Second Saturday in April”. This law although no implemented remains on the UK Statute data base. Whatever your thoughts, whatever your views may I wish all readers a Happy Joyous Easter

Why do we change the clocks?

John Harris.

It’s time to turn the clocks forward an hour at 1 am on 26th March. This time when sunrise and sunset are one hour later on the clock is known as British Summer Time, or Daylight Saving Time.

Body of the essay Here you’ll want to fully explain the points you mentioned in the introduction. You’ll likely include quotes and refer to key research material. While you might include opposing views, the main body of the essay should support the conclusion. You might need to subdivide this section with subheaders. Conclusion (up to 15% of the total word count). Here you’ll summarise your main ideas and, if appropriate, answer the question set. While the saying ‘begin at the beginning’ might be true for many things, it’s not always helpful for essays (or magazine articles for that matter). It’s often

actually easier to leave writing the introduction until the end. That way you’ll know exactly what it is that you’re introducing. You’ll want to make sure the essay flows well, with wellstructured paragraphs, and no spelling or grammatical errors. Don’t rely on a computer spellchecker. It is difficult to proofread your own work, so ask a friend or family member to take a look at it for you if possible. Good luck! By Kate Duggan

It is believed that the concept was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1784 in an essay entitled; ‘An Economical Project for Diminishing the Cost of Light.’ Ancient civilisations had already been adopting similar concepts however by adjusting their routines in accordance with the sun’s schedules. The first official modern use of Daylight Saving Time was in Ontario in 1908, and several other Canadian cities followed. At around the same time MP Robert Pearce proposed a bill in the House of Commons based on work done by British Builder William Willett around moving the clocks eight times a year to achieve similar results. This was rejected.

Time are said to be: - The opportunity to make better use of natural daylight - The ability to conserve energy that would otherwise be used on artificial light - A decrease in road accidents because roads are naturally lit during the time when most vehicles are using them Some are not in favour though. For example, traditional dairy farmers claim Daylight Saving Time disrupts milking routines. This mainly affects developing countries as elsewhere milking is automated. Some research has also shown that there is a greater risk of people having accidents or being the victims of crime because they leave their houses in the morning when it’s still dark. Some studies have suggested that in the first few days after the clocks go forward there are more heart attacks too.

Daylight Saving Time is now utilised in over 70 countries world wide although dates of implementation and clock adjustments vary.

Finally for those of us who struggle to remember when we turn the clocks forward and when they go back, this little phrase may help: ‘Spring Forward, Fall Back,’ as the time when clocks go back always happens in the Autumn. This year in the UK, the date when Greenwich Mean Time will begin again is 29th October.

The main benefits of Daylight Saving

By Susan Brookes-Morris

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

GARDEN VIEW

Spring has Sprung The other day someone said to me, ‘You are so lucky…you have a beautiful garden.’ I thanked her of course, but I really wanted to say, ‘Luck has very little to do with it. A beautiful garden does not happen by pure chance. It takes a bit of work and planning.’ As the spring equinox looms, the trees blossom and daffodils bloom. The garden is waking up from its winter sleep and is full of promise. I am excited to be outside in it but I’m aware for nongardeners it can seem daunting when everything (including the weeds) starts growing at once! So where to begin? There are three fairly simple tasks which will get you off to a flying start. Pruning is the first task. It’s time to hard prune late-flowering shrubs like Buddleia, Leycesteria and Lavateria, but only if the risk of hard frost is past. Spring flowering plants such as Forsythia and Winter Honeysuckle should be pruned immediately the flowers fade. If you haven’t already pruned your bush roses, now is the time. Leave about an inch of last year’s growth to encourage bushiness and lots of flowers. Shrub roses don’t need such radical treatment but would benefit from losing

Your CotswoldLink

a third of their old, thick, woody stems. Then a bit of lifting is required. Lift congested clumps of snowdrops while they still have leaves showing. Finally, stay on top of the weeds from the outset. If you leave them, weeding quickly becomes an insurmountable chore. But of course gardening is about planting things and one of the best things to plant now is lilies. If you have a bit of a slug problem like I do grow them in pots. Pots also have the advantage of protecting the bulbs. I hate slicing through them accidentally when hoeing. And pots mean you can grow them even if you only have a balcony. There are loads of varieties to choose from. Three bulbs fit nicely into an 8inch / 20cm pot and five fit into a ten inch / 25cm pot. I’ve found terracotta pots best because lilies are tall and terracotta provides enough weight to prevent them tipping over.

Lilies need a well-drained open planting mixture so I use a mixture of potting compost plus a soil-less multi-purpose compost. The bulb tips should be a couple of inches below the compost. Keep in a sheltered spot and water when the surface of the compost looks dry. Once the buds have formed, feed weekly with dilute tomato food until late summer. When the blooms fade, cut the stems down and place in a sheltered spot. Each spring, scrape away a couple of inches of compost and add fresh mixture, then repeat the instructions above. Treated like this your lilies will reward you for three or four years before they need re-potting. By Rachael Leverton

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

The

Cotswold Sky The Discovery of “The Little Green Men” 50 years ago an amazing discovery was made by a young lady called Jocelyn Bell (Now Dame Jocelyn BellBurnell) at Cambridge University. Like many great discoveries it came by accident; however its ramifications to astronomy were immense. She came across a string of pulses from a specific part of the sky and not knowing the cause of these signals they were referred to as “LGM-1” (LGM abbreviated for “Little Green Men”); this abbreviation as gone down in the folklore of astronomy, because she had discovered the pulsar which is also called a neutron star. Dame Jocelyn is now the Visiting Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford and is interested in the research on neutron stars particularly with regards to the testing of Einstein’s theory of gravity.

have been discovered and they have been found to rotate from a few revolutions per second (rps) to as many as 700rps continuously emitting signals during this process. Some neutron stars evolve into black holes but more research is presently being carried out on this process and their magnetic fields can range from 100 million times to 1 quadrillion (a million billion) times stronger than that of the Earth’s. For further detailed information on Pulsars and Neutron Stars: https://www.space.com/32661-pulsars.html www.nasa.gov/ www.astronomynow.com www.skyatnightmagazine.com

Diary

Spring Equinox – Tuesday 20th

March 16.15 hours GMT; this marks the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator – the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator. British Summer Time Starts – Sunday 25th March 01.00 hours; turn your clocks forward one hour for those long awaited light evenings.

Planets

Mercury – the best time to view will

Neutron Stars

The image shows a pulsar at the centre of the galaxy Messier 82, discovered by NASA’s NuSTAR and is highlighted in pink in the centre. Courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech Imagine an atom in which the neutrons are so tightly packed they are almost touching each other, this is the composition of a neutron star. It is the collapsed core of an old star that collapsed as a super nova. They are so tightly packed that a pin head would weigh as much as a super tanker; it would be the equivalent of our Sun compressed to the size of London. So far over 2,000 pulsars

Your CotswoldLink

be on March 15th and can be located low in the evening sky just after sunset. For a lovely panoramic view of the Moon, Saturn, Mars and Jupiter; look in the direction from SSE to SSW at 06.00 hours between the days of March 7th to March 11th Venus comes to the fore in April and can first be seen during twilight as the Sun is setting. An excellent month for observation

Meteor Showers

Lyrid Meteor Shower – 22nd/ 23rd

April viewing prospects are good. John Harris

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

There are thousands of reasons to advertise with us...

Next issues

West Oxfordshire May / June 2018

Aston Magna Blockley Bourton-on-the-Hill

Dist: w/c 30th April ‘18 Copy: 6th April ‘18

Moretonin-Marsh

............................................

Little Compton Evenlode

Longborough Condicote

Oddington Broadwell

Winchcombe

Stow-onthe-Wold

Great Rollright Little Rollright Over Norton

Chipping Norton Cornwell

Dist: w/c 30th April ‘18 Copy: 6th April ‘18 Heythrop

Lidstone

KinghamChurchill Dean Sarsden Naunton Chadlington Wyck Bledington Taston Lower Slaughter Whittington Rissington Church Greenend Spelsbury Westcote Shorthampton Nether Westcote Notgrove Shipton-underIdbury Dowdeswell Andoversford Little Wychwood Chilson Rissington Fifield Shipton Milton-under- Ascott-underClapton-on-the-Hill Great Fawler Wychwood Wychwood Turkdean Rissington Compton Finstock Abdale Langley Ramsden Great homes Withington Leafield Barrington Fulbrook Taynton Asthall Hailey Windrush Little Leigh Eastington Swinbrook Barrington Crawley Chedworth Asthall Minster Lovell Coln St Dennis Witney Bradwell Village Aldsworth Upper Slaughter

Icomb

West Oxfordshire Charlbury

Bourton-onthe-Water

North Cotswolds

18,400

Northleach

15,800 homes & businesses

Shilton

Dwight 01609 779097 dwight@jkanorth.com www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Index Bathrooms Cotswold Bathroom Company: p3 Country Bathrooms: p8 Blinds Associated Blinds: p24 Builders & Contractors Churchill Surfacing: p19 JA Shirley Building Services: p20 P & S Property Services: p8 SJP Building Contractors: p3 The 50 Plus: p2 Children’s Services Cotswold Tutor: p17 Chimney Services Cotswodl Stoves & Chimneys: p15

Your CotswoldLink

& businesses

Burford

Brize Norton

Elspeth 01904 709462 elspeth@jkanorth.com

Mr Sweep Chimney Services: p2 Cleaning Services Chemdry: p21 MRK Services: p19 The Laundry: p4 Dentist Cirencester Dental Practice: p5 Education Cotswold Tutor: p17 Elderly Services Newlands of Stow: p5 Electrical Services Cotswold Aerials: p21 Ecosunpower: p19 Mayday Aerials: p2 Flooring

Chipping Norton Flooring: p9 Food & Drink Horse & Groom: p7 Shaven Crown: p23 Furniture Amanda Hanley By Design: p1 Bob Dadge Carpentry: p2 Cottonwood Interiors: p3 MRK Services: p19 Gardening & Outdoors Churchill Surfacing: p19 Get Rid Removals: p19 Greensleeves: p19 MRK Services: p19 WHC Hire Services: p6 Healthcare & Wellbeing CIRE Aesthetics: p11 Cirencester Dental Practice: p5 David Brookes Foot Health: p10 Feng Shui Engineer: p10 Footworx Clinic: p4 Three Valleys Osteopathy: p10 Heating Cotswold Oil & Gas Services: p15 Gas & Oil Heating Services: p20 Heatstore: p2

1/4 Page from only

Carterton Christine 01609 777401 07742 595747 christine@jkanorth.com

North Cotswolds May / June 2018

1/8 Page

£110!

from only

£70!

Hire WHC Hire Services: p6 Home & Interiors Amanda Hanley By Design: p1 Associated Blinds: p24 Chipping Norton Flooring: p9 Cotswold Bathroom Company: p3 Cottonwood Interiors: p3 Country Bathrooms: p8 Heatstore: p2 Paul The Painter: p8 Sewing Tuition: p17 Kitchens & Bathrooms Cottonwood Interiors: p3 Country Bathrooms: p8 Goose Joinery: p1 P & S Property Services: p8 Laundry The Laundry: p4 Locksmith P & S Property Services: p8 Painters & Decorators PMO Decorators: p21 Pets & Animals Dial A Dog Wash: p13 Vets Home Visit: p4 Plumbing Chris Smith Plumbing Services: p8 Cotswold Oil & Gas Services: p15 Gas & Oil Heating Services: p20 Property Maintenance Bob Dadge Carpentry: p2

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

Churchill Surfacing: p19 Cotswold Oil & Gas Services: p15 Cotswodl Stoves & Chimneys: p15 Gas & Oil Heating Services: p20 Heatstore: p2 JA Shirley Building Services: p20 Mr Sweep Chimney Services: p2 P & S Property Services: p8 The 50 Plus: p2 Recruitment Burford Garden Centre: p7 Removals Get Rid Removals: p19 Renewable Energy Ecosunpower: p19 Sewing Sewing Tuition: p17 Sport & Leisure Cotswold Riding: p13 Sound & Vision Cotswold Aerials: p21 Mayday Aerials: p2 Tuition Cotswold Tutor: p17 Sewing Tuition: p17 Windows CN Glass: p2 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

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink