Cotswold Link West Ox Mar Apr 2019 by JKA / Cotswold Publications

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March / April 2019

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inside

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Ask for Angela!

We find out about the launch of this fantastic scheme to assist people potentially in danger

The Centre!

News from Charlbury Community Centre

06 Sign up for Landlords Forum local news 08 Local news from the Council education: 10 The importance of friendships events 12 Local events across the area local news: 14 ‘Ask For Angela’ scheme launched local news

FEATURED

All about friendship The importance of children forming friendships

14 Charlbury Community Centre Update local news: 16 Doorstep recycling success garden view 18 Hardy annuals astronomy: 20 What are asteroids? cotswold link 20 Advertising Details & Index local news: FEATURED FEATURED

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Welcome to the March - April issue We welcome the lighter nights and longer days with a wide range of local news, events and updates. We find out about a fantastic new scheme to help people potentially in danger on p14, whilst on p20 we learn all about Asteroids and how to understand them. It’s time to get out into the garden on p18, as we look at hardy annual plants to add early colour to your garden. Don’t forget, if you have any news, events, updates or stories of local interest, please send them to editorial@jkanorth.com and we’ll do our best to publish them for you.

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I hope you all enjoy this issue and I’ll see you again in early Summer. 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.

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W E N businesses es & seurnvd ic our area in & aro

“New To The Area” is a new business feature specifically designed to help new businesses and those that are offering new businesses and services to promote themselves cost effectively. Businesses are invited to submit their adverts to this feature at the regular price (Advert sizes available: 1/8 and

In the wake of key legislative and policy changes regarding the private rented sector, Cotswold District Council is launching a new Private Landlord’s Forum for all local landlords. The proposed date for the first meeting is Tuesday 14 May 5pm – 6.30pm in the Council Chamber, Cotswold District Council, Trinity Road, Cirencester, GL7 1PX. The aim of the Forum will be to:

· Gain feedback on the Council’s proposed new incentive scheme.

· Support and inform landlords about key legislative/policy changes concerning the private rented sector.

· Give presentations in partnership with Housing Benefits, Universal ¼) and they will receive the equivalent space in complimentary editorial*. This editorial provides excellent business exposure to 18,600 homes and businesses and allows further explanation of the new business or services available. * Editorial must be supplied completed.

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Credit, The National Landlord’s Association, the Citizens Advice Bureau and more.

· Provide an arena for landlords to share best practice and discuss how we can all work together to provide good quality housing to local people.

· Enable landlords to voice concerns with the Council and receive our support. Please email your interest and what you would like to see on the agenda to Chauncy Seed, Housing Property Manager (chauncy. seed@publicagroup.uk) If successful, this will be one of a series of similar meetings in future.

Creating a life of health, happiness and balance

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Council tax premium set to rise for long-term empty properties Councillors have backed Government plans to increase council tax for long-term empty properties in the District. At a meeting on 16 January, Cabinet members recommended that the Long Term Empty Property Premium, currently set at 50 per cent, be increased to 100 per cent from 1 April for properties that have been empty for two years or more. From 1 April 2020 properties empty for five years or more will incur a 200 per cent levy and from 1 April 2021 those empty for 10 years or more will have to pay a 300 per cent premium. Cllr Toby Morris, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “There are 46 homes in the District that have been empty and unfurnished for more than two years which could be being used for people who really need a home. “Demand for property is rising and this initiative will go some way towards meeting it.” It was agreed that exemptions should include members of the armed forces, properties that are genuinely for sale or let and annexes.

Council praised following major review A comprehensive report into how West Oxfordshire District Council functions has led to praise for its successful operations across many service areas. The Corporate Peer Challenge offers glowing praise for the authority, particularly for its strong financial position, ambitious approach to taking on major projects and the team work of both officers and politicians. The establishment of the local authority company Publica, of which the District Council is part, was also highlighted as an “exciting” and “ground breaking” model for local government. It added: “The Council has shown itself to be ahead of the curve in respect of the innovative approach to service delivery and organisational design through the Publica

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Councillors back business rates relief scheme Hundreds of retailers in West Oxfordshire are set to benefit from business rates relief. West Oxfordshire District Council’s Cabinet has supported a Government scheme which will cut retailers’ rates by a third provided they have a rateable value of £51,000 or less. It is estimated that 353 businesses in the District will benefit from the discount which was announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. Cllr Toby Morris, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “This is good news for retailers in the District, many of whom are under pressure from changing shopping trends. It will directly benefit our local economy and help our high streets continue to thrive.” The retail rate relief was approved at a meeting of the Council’s Cabinet in January. Further details are on the council website – www.westoxon.gov.uk/ businessrates

delivery vehicle.” The Corporate Peer Challenge is run by the Local Government Association and involved a team of leaders and top executives from local authorities across the country visiting the Council’s Witney offices. They were given access to all departments and met managers and staff. The Council was seen as being “clearly in a strong budgetary position that would be the envy of many” and its involvement in major projects such as the Oxfordshire Cotswolds Garden Village was also praised as was its recent delivery of a Local Plan which the report says provided a “well-crafted framework” for its growth ambitions.

represented a root and branch review of how we operate and I am delighted to see that we are being seen as an authority that sets out to deliver its services in the best and most efficient way possible. “It has been an exciting period of change for the Council as we embrace and help develop the Publica model which is clearly setting an example of innovation and best practice in the local authority sector. “There has also been some very useful feedback on how we can continue to improve the model and ensure West Oxfordshire continues to be a fantastic place in which to live and work.”

The report stressed the need to continue to engage staff in the transformation of operations into a new model under Publica and similarly ensure residents are fully engaged in major projects affecting their communities.

David Neudegg, Managing Partner for Publica said, “Feedback from the Peer Challenge highlights how well Publica is working for West Oxfordshire District Council and this gives us a great deal of encouragement as it is helping the Council tackle the modern day financial challenges facing all local authorities.

Cllr James Mills, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “The Challenge

“We are pleased to see our model recognised by the Review group.”

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Friendship “So many gentle Friends are near Whom one can scarcely see A child should never feel a fear Wherever she or he may be” “Friends” by Abbie Farwell Brown (1871-1927) Our present generation of youngsters are being criticised for the time that they spend on social media. Indeed they are taking advantage of communicating with their peers in ways that were not available to the older generation. However; our present elder generation who often criticize the young ones, are also taking advantage of the social media by surfing the internet for long lost friends.

Chipping Norton Library

Early Friendships Unknowingly and unaware youngsters are building up friendships at school, at play and by the said social media that will last for life. Yes, some acquaintances will go by the wayside but as the more mature are aware, you cannot replace a dear friend. There are unfortunate people; who through no fault of their own; find it difficult to establish and maintain a friendship and this is certainly true with many unfortunate children. Children who have been bullied at school feel this most of all and this is why there is such a tremendous responsibility on our teachers to eradicate bullying immediately and not allow it to continue. A bullied person needs support and above all a close friend who can also give support.

Finding a Friend Friendships grow, they cannot be forced. On life’s journey some fall apart and may even join together later in life. Friendships rely on mutual interactions sometime based on past happy memories. You will frequently hear a husband or wife refer to the other as their best friend and some men will refer to each other as “The best of mates”, but these relationships have been built up over a period of time. I am often asked by parents how can they find a friend for their beloved child? This is not as straight forward as one would wish it to be. An obvious

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01608 643559 chippingnorton.library@ Wednesday: 9:30am–4pm oxfordshire.gov.uk Thursday: Closed

way would be to encourage the child to join a club or organisation based on their hobby or interests, but not all children have such common interests and hobbies.

Tuesday: 9:30am–4pm

They may be very shy, quiet and withdrawn. In all of these cases the parents have to be most patient waiting for their child to come out of “his or her shell”. A popular way is to find a friend via social media but these avenues are fraught with potential danger and where children are concerned the parents must be in overall control of their use of the social media.

Friday: 9:30am–7pm Saturday: 9:30am–4pm Sunday Closed

Goddards Lane Chipping Norton OX7 5NP

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Another way would be to find other parents who have a child with similar issues, no doubt if approached they would be delighted to join forces and encourage the children to get to know each other. This however; would have to be done with due care and consideration to the wants and needs of each child. In conclusion do not give up; somewhere there will be a friend in waiting. John Harris

A Good Read Our House

For all of us our homes are the one place n Louise Candlish we feel safe. It is one of our human rights that no one can enter our home without due cause. For those of us who own our homes then they are also a financial investment and an investment for our children once we are gone. So, what if you came home one day to find a removal van outside your home. And someone else was moving in. This is what happens to Fi Lawson, one sunny winter day in January. There are no signs of her two young sons and her husband, Bram, just a family of strangers insisting that they £1.6 million house in a leafy suburb of London is now theirs.

leading up to that day from the point of view of both Fi and Bram, switching between their two accounts. At times this can lead to confusion as you forget that you know information from Bram that Fi doesn’t, but it is not a big issue. Has Bram cheated Fi out of her home and disappeared from the face of the earth? If he has why? This fast-paced thriller will have you guessing until the end, with twists and revelations throughout and asks if we ever really know what the closest people in our lives are going through?

And so Fi’s life quickly unravels. This dual narrative novel tells the events

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Out & About First Monday Monthly

Alvin Roy Jazz Quartet play at the Swan Inn, 21 Acre End Street, Eynsham, OX29 4PE every first Monday of the month. Entrance is free and the music is from 8.00 pm till 10.30 pm. The style of jazz played is of the mainstream/swing variety and features tunes from the “Great American Song Book” as well as some original compositions. .......................................................

Every 2nd Tuesday n Chipping Norton Bliss Probus Club

The Blue Boar in Chipping Norton and meet at 12.00 midday every 2nd Tuesday of each month. We gather for drinks at 12.00, lunch at 12.30, followed by a guest speaker. We are a varied bunch of retired males who can guarantee you an equally varied menu of convivial banter and good company. New members always welcomre, contact Pat Lake, our Secretary on: (01608) 643458 or plake1970@aol.com .......................................................

Third MondayMonthly

West Oxfordshire WI at 7.30pm in St. Mary’s Parish Rooms, Chipping Norton. OX7 5NT. Friendly group of Women, ready to welcome newcomers. Come and enjoy a very varied programme. For more information email wowi@oxfordshirewi.co.uk .......................................................

2nd March

n Music at Stow Concert

Music at Stow is very excited to be presenting this extraordinary performer for one night only, in the famous 12th century St Edward’s Church, just off the main square in Stow-on-the-Wold. Saturday 2nd March 2019

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St Edwards Church, 2 Crossways House, The Square, Stowon-the-Wold. GL54 1AB Doors open 7pm, Performance 8pm. Tickets £25.00 from Borzoi Bookshop 01451 830268 or www.wegottickets.com More info at www.musicatstow. co.uk.Free parking in Stow square after 6pm .......................................................

8th March

n Surrey Fringe & Eight in a Bar concert

7:30pm – 9:30pm £8 Milton-under-Wychwood Church, Church Road, Miltonunder-Wychwood OX7 6LJ, we welcome Surrey Fringe, a barbershop choir from Guildford, and Eight in a Bar, the popular small choir from Chipping Norton. Come along for an evening of uplifting and entertaining music, with a wide variety of music from Gabriel Fauré to Elton John. Tickets £8 (£3 18s and under), in aid of John Radcliffe Hospital Neurosciences ward and the church, available from 01993 832467 or tickets@8inabar.com. .......................................................

15th March

n Spring Flower Arranging Demonstration by Jackie Paige

St John’s Church, Hailey, Witney at 10am. Afterwards a light lunch will be served in Hailey Village Hall. Raffle, music, fun Tickets £15 Monica Hester - 01993 772969 Sue Drew - 01993 702624 .......................................................

16th March

n Burford Orchestra Concert

Burford Orchestra will be welcoming in spring on Saturday 16 March with a programme featuring...

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Having an event?

Email us your event details to: christine@jkanorth.com and we’ll publish it for you. Magazine distribution dates are on p22. ...well-known works from the classical era at St Mary’s Church, Witney. The concert, which starts at 7.30pm, opens with Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, popularly known as Fingal’s Cave and written following his trip to the remote Scottish island. This is followed by Hummel’s lively trumpet concerto, featuring Richard Colquhoun as soloist, and the second half sees the orchestra take on one of Beethoven’s most celebrated works: the Eroica Symphony. Tickets cost £9 with £1 entry for under 16s and are available online from TicketSource. Contact info@burfordorchestra.org.uk or Sarah on 01993 883490 for information. Doors open 7pm, refreshments available. .......................................................

22nd March

n Medieval Malmesbury

7.30pm - Tim Porter will give a talk about this beautiful hilltop town with proud walls and gates and a towering Abbey Spire, home to a celebrated pilgrimage and fabled tomb of England’s first King. Venue Upper Rissington School Gl54 2QW NOTE NEW VENUE Visitors Welcome £3.50 to include refreshments. For enquiries, contact Sue Brown on 01451 820233. .......................................................

30th March

n Bric A Brac & Table Top Sale

Hosted by Swinford Museum, Filkins. Saturday 30th March in Filkins Village Hall 12.00 to 4.00 pm Teas and coffee available Tables £10 please contact Diane on 01367-860504 for more information. .......................................................

14th April

n Burford Singers Spring Concert

Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem Vaughan Williams: Five Mystical Songs 7.30pm: Church of St John the Baptist, Church Green, Burford OX18 4RY Tickets reserved at £23, £19, £15, unreserved £10 Postal booking from 21st January to 1st February 2019 Online booking from 8th February at burfordsingers.org.uk. Booking fee applies) Booking in person (unreserved tickets only) from 8th February The Madhatter Bookshop 122, High Street, Burford OX18 4QJ. Full details and booking form available on our website www.burfordsingers.org.uk .......................................................

The Arts Society Cotwolds

13th March,

The Arts Society Cotswolds will hold their next lecture “Twentieth Century Sculpture in Britain: Adventures in Three Dimensions” with Dr. Justine Hopkins Modern Sculpture is mysterious to many – abstract, distorted, difficult and sometimes inaccessible. However, this lecture reveals an understanding of how form, materials, technical skills and imagination uses a three dimensional language as expressively as any painter, poet or novelist to give us insights into the rhythms and meanings of life. Lectures begin at 11.00 at the Warwick Hall, Church Green, Burford OX18 4RZ. Non-members are welcome (suggested donation £10). For more information see our website www.theartssocietycotswolds. org.uk .......................................................

Please note: the editors cannot be held responsible for any changes to events listed. Please contact event organisers directly. All events correct at time of going to press.

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Going from strength to strength in Charlbury and beyond! It’s been worth the wait. After more than two decades of fundraising, Charlbury’s community centre is open and thriving. Charlbury Community Centre is achieving its aim of providing something for everyone. The £2.4 million facility offers a large, multi-discipline sports hall and fitness studio with a host of different sporting activities, along with the town’s public library, and a thriving café. People from all over the district are using this centre as its facilities are so good – it is not just for Charlbury.

Local support for ‘Ask for Angela’ Fifteen local pubs and eateries in Witney have signed up to a national safety scheme designed to reduce sexual violence and vulnerability. ‘Ask for Angela’ is a phrase that can be used at the participating premises by anyone feeling unsafe or threatened whilst on a date, and it lets someone know that they would like help.

The centre serves all ages. Currently on offer are ‘Bump-to-two’, toddler gym and stay & play sessions for the youngest members of the community, while at the other end of the spectrum, the physical and social well-being of elderly people is catered for with a coffee club, a film club and Strength & Balance classes. Professional coaching staff organise fitness classes including yoga and Pilates; and circuit training is held three times a week, including a very popular session on Sunday mornings. A community gym operates every morning from 9am-1pm.

Officers from West Oxfordshire District Council and Thames Valley Police visited the fifteen Witney establishments to promote the initiative; each agreed to join the campaign and will be displaying posters in their toilets.

A whole range of team sports take place in the state-of-the-art sports hall and fitness studio (see list). Any not already on offer will be considered, preferably with someone to organise them! The centre provides an ideal venue for children’s birthday parties and, with its proximity to the town’s outdoor play area, it’s a great meeting place for families.

One of the establishments is Norton’s café bar. Manager Jemma Shields said, “We’re very happy to join this scheme and, even if it only helps one person, it is well worth it.”

Charlbury’s new, modern public library is fully accessible for people with disabilities, and although staffed 19 hours a week, people can borrow and return books any time the community centre is open, which is currently seven days a week.

Cllr Norman MacRae MBE, Cabinet Member for community safety said, “It’s so important that people have a safety net if they feel uncomfortable, especially today when online dating is so popular and people often meet in public places for the first time.

The centre is owned and managed on a not-for-profit basis by Charlbury charity, the Thomas Gifford Trust. Many of the people who dedicated so much time and effort in raising funds to build the centre are still involved, and over 100 hours a week are provided by volunteers to supplement the work of the professional staff.

The phrase would be recognised by staff and they would take action by helping that person to leave the venue discreetly and get home, or be taken to a place of safety.

“I’m delighted that fifteen places in Witney are joining the ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign and our ambition is to implement the scheme across West Oxfordshire.” The Ask for Angela initiative was originally launched by Lincolnshire County Council, but is now nationwide. Photograph: Jemma Shields and Cllr Norman MacRae at Nortons Café Bar

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More information on all the activities that take place at the centre can be found at www.charlburycommunitycentre.org.uk or by ringing the centre on 01608 811878, by emailing info@charlburycommunitycentre.org.uk Sports on offer: • Badminton • Barre Fitness • Basketball • Circuit Training • Cricket (indoor nets)

• Football • Futsal • Gym • Netball • Pickleball • Pilates • Strength and Bal-

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ance • Tennis • Table Tennis • Toddler Gym • Volleyball • Walking Football • Yoga

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Doorstep recycling campaign delivers impressive results A campaign to take the recycling message direct to doorsteps in the District has proved a major success. Over a six-week period, a dedicated team of advisors targeted 5,789 homes in Witney, Ducklington and Bampton to offer advice on food waste and recycling as well as giving away free caddies and liners. As a result, 3.7 tonnes of additional food waste was collected – the equivalent of almost 750 caddies. Cllr Steve Good, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “This is a fantastic result which shows the benefit of talking to people about recycling on their doorsteps. So many were enthusiastic about how they can help the environment, particularly when it comes to food waste. It was also an excellent opportunity for a team of young people to make a difference and gain paid work experience.” A total of 365 extra caddies were delivered with 98 per cent of residents saying the advisors’ visit had been helpful. Pictured with Cllr Steve Good are the recycling advisors, from left to right: Emma Parsons from Witney and Ben Cobb and Joe Cobb, both from Carterton.

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GARDEN VIEW

Hardy Annuals! Hardy annuals: the name is an oxymoron. Hardy plants are supposed to be able to survive the winter aren’t they, but annuals, by their definition, don’t. In fact, the names hardy, half-hardy and tender, when applied to annuals, refer to the relative cold tolerance of the newly planted seeds. Hardy annual seeds can handle being frozen in the soil so are ideal for planting outside, either in the autumn or now. Productive, adaptable and cheap, they are the ideal creditcrunch plants. They are also easy-to-grow, so are brilliant for beginner gardeners. For best results sow them as thinly as possible, cover lightly with sifted soil then firm it down. Protect them from cats and birds with netting until the seedlings are well established then thin them out to the distance recommended on the packet. Good flowers for the annual-novice include poppy, calendula, larkspur, fried- egg plants (limnanthes), love-in-themist, clarkia and cornflowers. If I could grow only one it would be Nigella damascena (love-in-the-mist). It’s an old cottage-garden plant and ‘Miss Jekyll’ is a beautiful, soft, pure blue variety with the added bonus of stripy seed pods once the flowers have faded.

flower. Children particularly love to grow them. Sow them singly in small pots or directly into the earth. If you sow them directly, plant two seeds into each hole and thin to one once they are established. They may need to be staked as they grow. There are some terrific varieties. A favourite of mine is Prado Red, which as the name suggests, produces deep red flowers. If you pinch them out, they‘ll grow to five feet and produce numerous blooms on each plant. If sunflowers are the kings of the hardy annuals, then sweet peas are surely the fragrant queens. Old-fashioned or antique varieties tend to be best for scent though their flowers are slightly smaller. The great thing about sweet peas is that you have to pick them to prolong flowering so you have a wonderful excuse to have a fragrant home all summer long. Sweet peas should be planted a little deeper than other annuals. They are very thirsty flowers. My granddad used to line his sweet pea trenches with lots of wet newspaper. He won prizes for his blooms, so he obviously knew a thing or two about it. Next time you’re at the garden centre...walk right on by the showy (and expensive) potted plants and head for the seed section. For a very small outlay you can add colour, shape, interest and completely transform your plot ...and if you don’t like it, you can always change it again next year. Happy gardening! By Rachael Leverton

The king of the hardy annuals though has to be the sun-

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The

Cotswold District is in seventh heaven!

Cotswold Sky

Asteroids: What Are They?

Courtesy of NASA

The first asteroid was discovered by Giuseppe Piazzi an Italian astronomer who wanted to name his discovery a “Planetoid”. However; he was overruled by William Herschel the discoverer of Uranus who insisted that it be called an “Asteroid”. However; the word of planetoid is now frequently used when referring to one of these minor planets. They are mainly found between the planets of Mars and Jupiter and are believed to be the remnants of a former planet which either did not have the gravitational energy to hold it together or may have been destroyed by a very large meteorite. The largest asteroid between Mars and Jupiter is called Ceres and is roughly the size of England. The smallest ever studied is the 2 metre wide rock identified as 2015TC25 which passed close by to the Earth in October 2015. They orbit the Sun in elliptical orbits and have generated great interest amongst astronomers and scientists with regard to what they consist of. Future space programmes are in the process of being planned by NASA for the detailed exploration of asteroids.

Asteroid Search For the keen astronomer April is a good month for asteroids, but you will need a telescope to view them. Iris - in the constellation of Corvus Pallus – in Coma Berenices Nysa – in Virgo

Diary The Vernal Spring Equinox occurs on 20th March at 21.58 hours (9.58 pm). This is considered first day of spring when the Sun is overhead at

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A leading annual survey that reviews quality of life has ranked Cotswold District as the seventh best place to live in the UK.

the equator and the length of day and night are approximately equal everywhere on Earth (Please note that meteorologists use 1st March as the first day of spring) From this moment in time the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the Sun, this being the reason why the days become longer and (hopefully) sunnier. British Summer Time Clocks are officially turned forward 1 hour at 01.00 hours on Sunday 31st March.

Planets

The Halifax Building Society assesses health, life expectancy, wellbeing, employment, crime rates and weather to determine the most desirable areas to live. This year Cotswold District has been rated as seventh overall. Commenting on this ranking, Cotswold District Council Leader Cllr Tony Berry said, “When I became leader of CDC at the end of last year I reminded everyone that we are very fortunate to live in such a lovely part of the country – and it is very pleasing to note that the Halifax survey shares my high opinion! “I am aware that all is not rosy in the garden and we continue to face difficult challenges, including the provision of affordable housing and parking, but we sometimes tend to forget the many plus points of living in the Cotswolds. This survey result is a timely reminder that this is a really great place to live and work – and a fantastic tourist destination too.”

Mercury – Observable in the sunset

during the first week of March. Not visible during April. Venus – Rises low in the sky early mornings from mid-March, continues its journey hugging the horizon during the month of April so will be difficult to see. Mars – During March and April Mars can be observed during the early evening moving from a South Westerly position towards the West. Jupiter – Barely observable during March but from mid-April will rise at around 01.00 hours in the South East. Saturn – Rises in the South East at around 06.00 hours at the beginning of March and 04.00 hours by the end of April. Can be observed following Jupiter before being overtaken by an emerging dawn. Further information: https://www.space.com/51-asteroids-formation-discovery-and-exploration.html John Harris

Beware the Ides of March!

“Beware the Ides of March!” I’ve heard this saying often throughout my life but only recently thought to find out about it. It’s actually a quote from William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar. Early in the play a soothsayer declares it, forewarning of the eventual assassination of Caesar (apologies if that spoils the ending for anyone!) But what are the Ides of March? In the ancient Roman calendar the Ides was one of three markers used each month, which related to the position of the moon. Ides comes from the Latin verb ‘to divide’ The Ides in March fell on the 15th and marked the full moon. It happens that Julius Caesar was murdered on March 15th, 44BC. He was stabbed to death by a group of Senators shortly after being declared ‘Dictator Perpetuus’, which means, ‘dictator for life.’ His death lead to the Liberators’ civil war and the new Principate period of the Roman Empire. So, the Ides of March is actually the anniversary of Julius Caesar’s murder and Shakespeare played on this with his oft-quoted soothsayer. People adopted the expression and it is still used as a warning that something bad could befall a person on this date. By Tom Hancock

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............................... North Cotswolds May /June 2019 Dist: w/c 29th April ‘19 Copy: 5th April ‘19

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Index Bathrooms Chris Smith Plumbing Services: p4 Country Bathrooms: p9 Blinds Associated Blinds: p24 Builders & Contractors Churchill Surfacing: p19 CN Glass: p1 Danmarque Garages: p7 RGS Build: p3 JA Shirley Building Services: p21 SC Services Water & Sewage: p19 Catering Lyndy Cary Cordon Bleu: p13 Children’s Services Cotswold Tutor: p11 Chimney Services Cotswold Stoves & Chimneys: p16 Heat Store: p21 Mr Sweep Chimney Services: p4 Cleaning Services CK Gutter Cleaning: p4 MRK Services: p19 The Laundry: p9 Dentist Cirencester Dental Practice: p15 Education Cotswold Tutor: p11 Dormer House School: p11 Windrush Valley School: p11

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Elderly Services Newlands of Stow: p2 The Langston: p17 Electrical Services CDR Electrical Services: p4 Cotswold Aerials: p21 Mayday Aerials: p2 Events Lyndy Cary Cordon Bleu: p13 Flooring Chipping Norton Flooring: p5 Furniture Amanda Hanley By Design: p1 Bob Dadge Carpentry: p17 MRK Services: p19 Gardening & Outdoors Churchill Surfacing: p19 MRK Services: p19 WHC Hire Services: p19 Gifts Cotswold Frames: p12 Haulage Mustoes Haulage: p17 Healthcare & Wellbeing Caitlin Tinn Sports Nutritionist: p6 Cirencester Dental Practice: p15 Footworx Clinic: p15 Three Valleys Osteopathy: p15 Heating Cotswold Oil & Gas Services: p16 Gas & Oil Heating Services: p3 Heatstore: p21

Home & Interiors Amanda Hanley By Design: p1 Bob Dadge Carpentry: p17 Chipping Norton Flooring: p5 CN Glass: p1 Country Bathrooms: p9 Heat Store: p21 Paul Dadge: p17 Tiles Et Al: p9 Kitchens & Bathrooms Chris Smith Plumbing Services: p4 Country Bathrooms: p9 Laundry The Laundry: p9 Office Space HQ Offices: p2 Painters & Decorators Paul Dadge: p17 PMO Decorators: p9 Pets & Animals Dial A Dog Wash: p22 Plumbing Chris Smith Plumbing Services: p4 Cotswold Oil & Gas Services: p16 Gas & Oil Heating Services: p3 ID Godden: p9

Reporting a dangerous driver - Sometimes you see a driver do something so reckless and irresponsible right in front of you that you fear for the safety of other road-users. Reporting that person becomes much easier with evidence. In the US there are special channels for reporting dangerous drivers, with the aim of making roads safer for everyone. It is probable that the UK will follow suit.

Heythrop

KinghamChurchill Dean Sarsden Naunton Chadlington Wyck Bledington Taston Lower Slaughter Rissington Church Greenend Spelsbury Westcote Shorthampton Nether Westcote Notgrove Shipton-underIdbury Little Wychwood Chilson Rissington Fifield Milton-under- Ascott-underClapton-on-the-Hill Great Fawler Wychwood Wychwood Turkdean Rissington Finstock Langley Ramsden Great Leafield Barrington Fulbrook Taynton Asthall Hailey Windrush Little Leigh Eastington Swinbrook Barrington Crawley Upper Slaughter

Whittington

Great Rollright

Chipping Norton Cornwell

But why might you want one? First-hand evidence in case of a car accident - This is the main reason why people invest in one. If you are involved in a collision you can prove that it was not your fault by submitting the camera footage as evidence. It’s a compelling reason for buying one.

West Oxfordshire

Blockley

Property Maintenance Churchill Surfacing: p19 CK Gutter Cleaning: p4 CN Glass: p1 Cotswold Oil & Gas Services: p16 Cotswold Stoves & Chimneys: p16 Gas & Oil Heating Services: p3 Heatstore: p21 JA Shirley Building Services: p21 Mr Sweep Chimney Services: p4 Sound & Vision Cotswold Aerials: p21 Mayday Aerials: p2 Sport & Leisure Cotswold Archery: p13 Cotswold Riding: p13

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Dash Cams

Extra insurance for parents - We worry when our teens first start to borrow the car that they may not stick to the rules of the road. Knowing that there is a dash cam monitoring their driving behaviour is an extra incentive for them to pay attention, or they might not be trusted to take the car out again! Prevention of insurance claim scams - Insurance fraud is a growing problem with vehicles. Some drivers purposely cause minor car accidents in order to put the blame on the other party, so they

can extort money from the victim. The victim has no way of proving their innocence, so these people also fake injuries in order to collect the insurance money from their insurance companies. A dash cam will at least allow you to prove that you were not at fault in such a case. It keeps an eye on your car while you are not in it! - Have you ever returned to your car in a car park to find it’s been scratched? Or are you sure the neighbour’s children are scraping their bikes along the side of your vehicle when they squeeze past on the drive? A well-installed dash camera can efficiently record such events because most can be set to record even when the car engine isn’t running. Some can even send all the data to your laptop or smart phone remotely, giving you peace of mind. Because the best camera is the one you have with you - It’s not all about the car! Check out online videos of dash cams capturing unexpected phenomena. A family of ducks stopping traffic in Birmingham, a plane crashing right in front of a guy driving down a highway, and one Russian car driver’s dash camera recorded an enormous meteor that flew over Russia. The clip ended up being viewed millions of times on YouTube! Dash cams are set to become as necessary an addition to our driving life as sat-navs. If you don’t already have one, perhaps you should think about it.

Taxi Chipping Norton Taxis: p13 Tree Surgery Stockwell Davies Tree Contractors: p19 Tuition Cotswold Tutor: p11 Water Services Watercare: p3 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

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