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September / October 2018
News around the local area Village hall set for major expansion after funding boost A village hall is set for a major expansion after receiving a funding boost from West Oxfordshire District Council. Leafield Village Hall only opened in 1996 but growing demand for a range of sports and activities has meant it needs to grow significantly to accommodate the needs of residents. The extension will cost more than £190,000 and the Council has made a significant contribution with a Community Facilities Grant of £47,634 which has delighted the Hall’s committee. Treasurer Andy Crick said: “At the moment it is mainly used as a sports hall and pre-school club and there is not really any space for small meetings or storage.
“We want to have a meeting room for people who work from home while local groups such as the Evergreens for older residents would also like more flexibility. “The extra space would also give us a higher income which will help cover costs. The Council has been wonderfully supportive and officers have given us a lot of advice.” Other activities planned for the new facility include tai chi, a lunch club, library and film shows while the toilets and disabled access will also be upgraded and improved. The Hall committee itself has raised £10,000 towards the project with Leafield Parish Council also pledging more than £26,000. Further applications for funding are in the pipeline for the development which already has planning permission.
Chipping Norton Leisure Centre set for expansion
Cabinet members at West Oxfordshire District Council approved an investment of £100,000 for the all-weather pitch which will be sourced from section 106 developer funding generated by a residential scheme in the town. A further £10,000 of this cash will go towards the gym improvements which will also receive £244,000 of funding from the council’s leisure facilities operator GLL Better. Cllr Jeanette Baker, Cabinet Member for Communities, Leisure and Tourism, said: “Chipping Norton Leisure Centre is hugely popular and this
Something for everyone @ Charlbury Community Centre
Community gym & expert personal training
Chipping Norton Leisure Centre is set for a major upgrade after councillors gave funding the green light. The Centre, based at Chipping Norton School, will be given an artificial turf pitch which will replace the existing Tarmac multi-use games area, while the size of the gym will be increased by 60 per cent.
The new Charlbury Community Centre really does has something for everyone: A state of the art sports hall available for • Badminton • Pickleball • Football, futsal and walking football • Volleyball • Cricket • Netball and basketball • Table tennis • Tennis and short tennis
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Exercise classes including • Circuit training and fitness • Bootcamp • Yoga & Pilates • Fitness & social activities for elderly people Young people and children’s activities • Youth Club • Bump-to-One, Toddler Gym, Stay and Play (under 5’s activities) • After school activity club • School holiday activities • Junior gym • Party hire – it’s an ideal venue for children’s parties!
Cllr Jeanette Baker, Cabinet Member for Communities, Leisure and Tourism, said: “This is a case of making an already successful facility even more useful for the community. “Leafield has demonstrated a real need for a hall that will meet demand for their growing range of activities and I am delighted their application for a grant has been successful. I look forward to seeing the results in the near future.”
work will help meet growing demand from new members as well as improving facilities. “It is great to see developer contributions making such a difference and I look forward to seeing the results in the near future.” Funding for the project was approved at the Cabinet meeting on 18 July and is subject to the usual 10-day call-in period.
Public Library and TG’s Community Café Open seven days a week For more information about the fantastic opportunities the Centre has to offer, visit www. charlburycommunitycentre.org.uk or call 01608 811878 Registered charity no 1155669
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inside
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New Concerts Announced
We catch up with Instruments of Time and Truth for an update and find out about their Autumn concert schedule
Village Hall Extension
Exciting news from Leafield
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Garden View
Key tips for daffodil planting success
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08
02 Local news across the area 14 We catch up with IT & T local news recipe 06 Success for broadband in Chedworth 15 Delicious apple strudel community: animals 08 The benefits of shopping local 16 Why Autumn is dangerous for pets health: garden view: 10 Looking after your knees 18 A host of golden daffodils events astronomy 12 Events at Chipping Norton Theatre20 How to count the stars events cotswold link 12 Local events across the area 22 Advertising Details & Index local news: FEATURED
feature: FEATURED
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Welcome to the September - October issue
Autumn will soon be here and the colours are starting to turn. We welcome it with lots of interesting news and updates from across the area, from Broadband and pet advice, to gardening and looking after your knees. 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 01609 777401 01609 779097 them for you. I hope you all enjoy this issue and I’ll see you again in November. cotswoldlink.co.uk 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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National recognition for broadband coverage in Chedworth
in transforming digital communications
The Connected Britain awards have
Councillor Lynden Stowe, Gloucester-
recognised the work undertaken in the
shire County Council Cabinet Member for
Gloucestershire village of Chedworth by
Economy, Skills and Growth and responsi-
Gigaclear, under the Fastershire project,
bility for Fastershire said, “We’re commit-
in the Community Improvement award.
ted to ensuring that homes and busi-
The awards that took place in London recently aim to promote the innovation and achievement of those companies who are at the forefront of Britain’s digital transformation. Gloucestershire County Council’s, Fastershire Broadband Project, in partnership with Herefordshire Council, is funding the
in rural communities by installing a new pure fibre broadband network offering speeds from 50 through 1000Mbps.
nesses can access faster broadband and
now amongst some of the best connected
it is wonderful that Fastershire’s work
communities in the country.”
with Gigaclear in Chedworth has received this award.
of many villages in the Cotswolds where
areas of the county and over the next
we and Fastershire have transformed
two years the project will have increased
communications. Almost 500 residential
superfast coverage to 98%.”
and business properties throughout the
Local county councillor, Paul Hodgkinson,
and businesses across the two counties.
said, “Broadband access is vital for a
delivery contract for the Cotswolds in 2015 and have provided ultrafast broadband to premises across the Cotswolds,
rural community like Chedworth and the
trafast boost, catapulting them from their 1-3Mbps up to 1000Mbps today”. To find out if your property can already
long petitioned for improved broadband
access faster broadband or where your
speeds.
property sits in the Fastershire rollout,
We’re delighted that Chedworth is not
villages enabled. Gigaclear specialise
only accessing faster broadband but is
Your CotswoldLink
village are now able to benefit from an ul-
parish council, residents and myself have
of which Chedworth was one of the
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ment Director, said, “Chedworth is one
Fastershire’s rollout is continuing in others
delivery of faster broadband to homes
Gigaclear were awarded the Fastershire
Joe Frost, Gigaclear Business Develop-
visit www.fastershire.com and use the address checker.
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Reasons to Shop Local
You boost the local economy - For every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business 63p stayed in the local economy, compared to 40p with a larger business. You increase the value of your home - High streets populated with thriving independent businesses boost the prices of nearby homes. Discount stores and charity shops decrease home values in the area. It is more ethical - When you shop at local butchers, bakers, farm shops and green grocers, it is likely that a decent percentage of the produce has had a short fieldto-fork journey. As a bonus it means the food is likely to contain more nutrients and have less packaging You support local entrepreneurs - Head for your local artisan market. These help foster the talents of the next generation of British designers and retailers. There is a constant turnover of new products, and
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sellers listen to customers’ demands. From food to fledgling clothing designers there will be something for everyone. You help to build your local community - Bookshops, cafes and craft shops often drum up custom by hosting events, from reading groups to knitting clubs and children’s events. If local businesses are not supported, these fun local groups tend to disappear too.
You might get a better deal or some good advice - Local independent businesses can use their discretion to reward regular custom. Butchers will give advice on cooking times, and how large a joint you might need to feed a family gettogether, with some leftovers. Get to know your local traders. By Tom Hancock
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Knees Up! From the outside the knee looks fairly simple: a hinge to let the bottom part of the leg move back and forth, in a similar manner to the way a door might open. Inside though the mechanism is rather more complex. The knee consists of two separate joints: one between the thigh and calf bones—the main joint around which most of the movement occurs; and a second between the thighbone and the kneecap. In addition, the superficially simple hinge-like motion turns out to involve gliding and rotation too.
maintaining knee stability. The quadriceps are the largest of the muscle groups and (as the name suggests) consist of four muscles. They straighten the leg at the knee. The hamstrings connect the thigh bone to the calf bones. They bend and rotate the leg, control deceleration and help the foot to land smoothly. Our hips and knees are the main weight-bearing joints in our body. The knees are most vulnerable to injury because the weight of the upper body is conducted and amplified by the thigh bones. Because the centre of gravity of humans is located around our navel, the distance between this point and a knee acts as a lever, magnifying the effects of gravity on our knees as we walk to four or five times our actual
The knee cap (patella) is a disc-like
The thigh muscles are key to
bone
embedded
within the tendons around the knee. Its job is to protect the knee joint against any front-on injury, and to spread the force of any impact. When the leg is straightened the kneecap should press back into a special groove in the thighbone. This stops it from dislocating.
bodyweight. This means that relatively small increase in our weight can have a disproportionately catastrophic effect on our poor knee joints! Excess weight accounts for around half of all operations carried out to repair the cartilage in the knee and dramatically increases the risk the of developing osteoarthritis.
Businesses alerted to new animal welfare registration laws New welfare laws will mean that more people who run animal businesses will have to register with their local council. Dog day boarders, keepers of exhibition animals and some dog breeders must contact West Oxfordshire District Council ahead of Government legislation which will become law in just a few months’ time. On 1 October, these groups will be covered by the ‘The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018’ and anyone who does not register could be guilty of an offence. Businesses looking after dogs away from their homes during the day will need a licence.
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So, keeping our weight down
elevation (RICE) will improve
is important, but so is exer-
matters.
cise. Simple knee extensions
Seek medical advice after
which can be carried out
two weeks if:
slowly, sitting in a straight-
• There is still pain.
backed chair are good, as are
• You’re still limping.
straight leg lifts which should
• You can see or feel a defor-
be carried out while lying
mity around the knee area.
face up on a mat. To balance
• There is numbness or tin-
the opposing muscle groups,
gling in the knee, lower leg
try hamstring curls, carried
or foot.
out while lying face down on the mat. Ankle weights
Seek advice immediately if:
can be used to increase the
• The lower leg or foot feels
intensity of the exercise. It’s
cold and turns blue.
essential to check with your
• The lower leg or foot feels
health care practitioner be-
hot and turns red.
fore starting an exercise re-
• The knee pain is accompa-
gime if you have never exer-
nied by weakness, sickness
cised before.
or fever.
Unfortunately knee injuries are common. Mostly a period
By Louise Addison
of rest, ice, compression and
Free safety checks for mobility scooters Users of mobility scooters in the District are being urged to have them tested for safety. Free electric checks are being carried out in Witney on 4 October and Chipping Norton on 18 October. Cllr Toby Morris, Cabinet Member for Health and Safety at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Through our Shop-
mobility service we know how important mobility scooters are for our residents to allow them to get out of the house and enjoy activities such as shopping and visiting friends. As a result it is vital that scooters are well maintained and these free checks will help ensure their machines are fit for purpose.” To book an appointment, call 01993 861161. Pre-booked appointments are available only on a first-come, first-served basis.
People who keep exhibition animals in the course of their business for educational or entertainment purposes will also need to register – this includes businesses such as falconry displays, dove releases, animal encounter experiences, or pat-a-pony days. Additionally, dog breeders who breed three or more litters of puppies in any 12-month period and/ or breed dogs and advertise a business selling dogs must register. Cllr Norman MacRae, Cabinet Member responsible for Licensing at West Oxfordshire District Council said, “I am sure that most animal business operators would agree that tougher laws around animal welfare are to be welcomed. We ask that businesses contact us as soon as possible so that they are registered before the new law comes in place on 1 October.” Please call 01993 861000 or email ers.licensing@publicagroup.uk
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What’s On? 10th September
Out & About Charlbury Museum
Henry Blofield: 78 Retired
The cherished golden voice of cricket has decided to celebrate by touring the country with his brand-new show, jam-packed full of unheard anecdotes from on and off the pitch, as well as stories from the TMS box not allowed on the radio!
Charlbury Museum, Market Street, Charlbury, has a new exhibition about Charlbury and the Wychwood Forest. Opening hours are on Saturdays from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, and on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from 2.30 - 4.30 pm. Admission £1, children free. Come along to our Plant Sale and Coffee Morning on 2nd June, and to the Open Gardens, including the Museum’s garden, on 10th June. ........................................................
All Tickets £21.50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
n Chipping Norton Flower Club
10 September 7:45pm All Tickets £21.50 CONTACT BOX OFFICE Henry ‘My Dear Old Thing’ Blofeld has hung up his microphone after 50 years commentating on international cricket.
12th - 13th September
THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE
CONTACT THE BOX OFFICE FOR MORE INFO Inspired by the book by Julia Donaldson and Alex Scheffler 13 September 11:30am 13 September 2:30pm 12 September 4:00pm All Tickets £8.50 CONTACT BOX OFFICE Join a tiny snail on her trip round the world in Tall Stories’ magical, musical production inspired by the fantastic bestselling picture book. Storytelling, live music and lots of laughs for everyone aged 4 and up, from the Olivier Award-nominated company that brought you ‘The Gruffalo’ and ‘Room on the Broom’ live on stage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20th September
SHACKLETON’S CARPENTER
CONTACT THE BOX OFFICE FOR MORE INFO Thursday 20 September, 7.45pm Malcolm Rennie (Fraser in Mr Selfridge) stars as Harry McNish, the only man who challenged The Boss on the ice floes of Antarctica. Shackleton’s Endurance sank in Antarctica, leaving him and his crew of 27 stranded. McNish, brilliant carpenter and shipwright, defied Shackleton, but went all the way with him and played an absolutely vital role in ensuring all 28 were saved. For all his bravery and ingenuity, McNish was one of the very few who were never awarded the Polar Medal. Join him as he relives the Endurance expedition, pitting himself against Shackleton and plagued by the ghosts of his past. Friends 2 for 1 Adults £14 Concessions £12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Much more at: www.chippingnortontheatre.com 12
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Every 4th Thursday
With demonstrations, outings, workshops and more. Join us in the Lower Town Hall every 4th Thursday of the month, except August & December. More details: Ann 01608 683289 or Elaine 07833 522592 ........................................................
9th September
n Charity Country Car Boot Sale and Side Stalls
10.30am - 4pm Join us in Salford, nr Chipping Norton for a great day out. Locals will be selling collectibles, bric-a-brac, furnishings, accessories, prints, lamps, cushions, rugs, etc from their car boots, plus the village marquee will feature second- hand and rare books, designer, vintage and pre-loved clothes, cakes, bric-abrac, tombola and more. There will also be a Pimms bar, and teas in the village hall all raising money for our beautiful village church, poupular village hall and local charity Lawrence Home Nursing. All car boot pitches have been sold in advance by invitation. No car boot pitches sold on the day. Entry is free. Not to be missed! .......................................................
14th & 15th September n Charlbury Street Fair
The Street Fair takes place in Church Street - Saturday 15th September and is preceded by the Egg Throwing Competition on the evening of 14th September, as well as the Last Night of the Proms in the Memorial Hall on 8th September Outline Programme of Events for 15th: 1:30pm - Childrens’ Fancy Dress judging 1:45pm - Childrens’ Parade with Classic Cars
2:00pm - Grand Opening & Prize-giving by Kathy Clugston, Radio Presenter NEW FOR THIS YEAR - BAKEOFF COMPETITION 2:15-4.15pm - Entertainment - Morris Dancing, Charlbury Primary School Choir, Buskers 4:15pm - Charlbury Primary School Dancers led by Tina 5:00pm - Grand Draw & Silent Auction results 5:30pm - STALLS CLOSE 7:00pm - Music - and Dancing in the Street 10:00pm - CLOSE Also to feature: Fun Fair (Saturday 15th only), Climbing Wall (that’s a wall to climb up not a wall that climbs!), Fire Service display, Food stalls, Book sale,Bric-a-brac etc etc ........................................................
9th September
n Leafield Village Wide Garage Sale & Car
10am until 1pm. Maps and refreshments available on the Green - including bacon butties. Lots of bargains to be had from bikes to books, from furniture to homemade jam. Free entry. So come along and join the fun! ........................................................
21st September
n Chairity Bridge Drive
Burford & Kingham Rotary club: 10.30am - 3.30pm Charity Bridge Drive in aid of Riding for the Disabled & other Rotary charities will be held in Broadwell, near Stow-on-theWold. The £17 fee includes welcoming coffee, playing bridge morning and afternoon & a superb 2 course lunch and wine, tea or coffee. Winners’ prizes and a raffle will be provided. Bookings and enquiries:- contact Mike Clark 01451 830684 or mike.2015.clark@gmail.com .......................................................
19th October
n The British Suffragette Movement
7.30pm. An illustrated talk by Simon Wenham about the campaign leading to the enfranchisement of women - celebrating the centenary of the first women gaining the vote. Upper Rissington Village Hall GL54 2QW. Visitors Welcome £3.50 to include refreshments. For enquiries, please contact Sue Brown on 01451 820233 / spsb@hotmail.co.uk .......................................................
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Having an event?
Email us your event details to: events@jkanorth.com and we’ll publish it for you. Magazine distribution dates are on p22.
21st October
n Hailey Apple Pressing Day
We’ll squeeze your apples at the Village Hall, Hailey, on Sunday 21st October from 1pm. Learn everything you didn’t know about apples, apple identification, apple juice, tea and apple cake (of course), children’s games, tombola and plant sale. Please bring lots of containers (for the juice - there’s always more than you think). Free admission. Contact 01993 899125. .......................................................
28th October
Halloween Quiz Night
A not very scary quiz on Sunday 28th October at 7.30pm in the Lamb & Flag, Hailey, OX29 9UB. Everyone welcome. Entry £2 - in aid of Hailey Festival. Prize for best costume. HAILEY VILLAGE HALL Available for one off or regular bookings, daytime and some evenings. For more information or to book please call 07873242063 or: hvhallox29@hotmail.com .......................................................
10th November
n Jody Kruskal At Wychwood Folk Club
Jody sings vintage American songs and plays tunes on the Anglo concertina. Hailing from New York City, he loves to perform in the UK where folks really appreciate what he’s up to. His concerts in England offer a warm and engaging solo presentation of traditional and popular American songs from yesteryear. From witty and humorous ditties to songs that explore the depths of the human condition, His singing tells American stories that are hilarious, gritty and true stories of train wrecks and
wrecked marriages, death row convicts and lonesome lovers, heroes, losers, swaggering braggarts, lazy slackers and slapstick fools. The Swan, Ascott-Under-Wychwood, Shipton Road, AscottUnder-Wychwood, OX7 6AY £11 / 01993 832332 .......................................................
25th November
n Burford Singers – Mozart Concert
7.30pm: Church of St John the Baptist. Church Green, Burford OX18 4RY Mozart: Divertimento for Strings, K136. Horn Concerto No. 4 K495 Soloist: Ben Goldscheider The Great Mass in C minor K427 Burford Singers with Soprano: Robyn Allegra Parton. Mezzo: Marta Fontanals-Simmons. Tenor : William Wallace. Baritone : Jake Muffett. Cotswold Chamber Orchestra: Leader: Kate Bailey Conductor: Brian Kay For this celebration of the music of Mozart, including the Great Mass in C Minor, we are delighted to be joined by Ben Goldscheider, Winner of the Brass Category Final of the 2016 BBC Young Musician Competition who will perform the Horn Concerto No 4. Tickets reserved at £23, £19, £15, unreserved £10 Postal booking from 17th September to 5th October Online booking from 15th October at burfordsingers. org.uk box-office (Booking fee applies). Booking in person (unreserved tickets only) from 15th October The Madhatter Bookshop 122, High Street, Burford Full details and booking form available on our website www.burfordsingers.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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All About IT&T
Instruments of Time and Truth, the Oxfordbased period-instrument orchestra, was the brainchild of cellist, Gabriel Amherst. Four years ago, as we were chatting in her kitchen, Gay suddenly asked, ‘How would you feel about starting an orchestra?’ ‘Daunted’ would best describe my reaction. Although I had worked for many years as a period musician and held Principal positions with the Academy of Ancient Music, Arcangelo and The Gabrieli Players, I knew absolutely nothing about the financial side of how orchestras work, had always found conductors and soloists unapproachable and recoiled in horror at the idea of networking. Fast forward four years and things are very different: I have had to take huge financial risks; spend months writing grant applications; take deep breaths while signing on dotted lines; and generally inhabit unchartered territory which, finally, is starting to assume some aspects of familiarity. Speaking to Stephen Clarke recently, Director of Music at Radley, I was extremely gratified to hear him describe IT&T’s rise as ‘meteoric’ and I often think we have not so much carved a niche for ourselves as uncovered a vacuum that was waiting to be filled, so rapid has been our development. Much of modern life is based on dissatisfaction: everyday we are subjected to advertising and promotional material which both sells and relies on the idea that life is better elsewhere. IT&T’s ethos is the polar opposite. We are all about celebrating what we have and, in Oxford, that is excellence everywhere we look: the architecture; the culture
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and learning; the vision; the potential. From Principal director,Edward Higginbottom, who, as Director of New College Choir, put Oxford music on the world map, through emerging artists Guy Cutting or Alexander Chance, to established names like international opera star, Christopher Purves and virtuoso violinist Bojan Cicic, recently appointed leader of the Academy of Ancient Music, IT&T showcases the world-class musicians who call Oxford home. In my 30 years as a double bass player, I have performed all over the world. (Before IT&T I had more concerts in Australia than Oxford!) But if IT&T exists in the community, it also exists for the community. We are supported by our local audience but also play a role in others fulfilling their musical ambitions through collaborating with local amateur choirs - the Oxford Bach Choir, the Summertown Choral Society, the Oxford Pro Musica Singers and the Oxford Girls’ Choir. This last group falls within an area of education on which we are focusing. Through a series of GCSE workshops, IT&T uses music as a means of opening the doors of the University to local secondary schoolchildren. These children might walk past porters’ lodges every day of their lives and never have glimpsed what lies within. Every child responds to music and we can capitalise on this response. A GCSE workshop delivered from within the University simultaneously adds value for each child and reveals the potential and opportunity on our doorstep. Judith Evans 2018
IT&T’s Autumn concerts include: Saturday, September 22nd @ 7.30pm Holywell Music Room, ‘Digital Spaghetti: the Eighteenth century Italian concerto’. Renowned baroque virtuoso, Bojan Cicic dazzles with an evening of musical pyrotechnics (Digital meaning ‘fingers’ and Spaghetti referring to the crazy swathes of notes on the manuscripts!) Sunday, October 7th @ 5.00pm St Mary’s Church,Tetbury (this is the closing concert of the Tetbury Music Festival). Friday, 19th October @ 7.30pm King’s Place, London. Saturday, 20th October @ 7.30pm Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford. Handel’s final oratorio, ‘The Triumph of Time and Truth’ (so that’s where we get our name!). Come and hear this rarely performed work with a stellar line-up of soloists. Mhairi Lawson, Nicholas Pritchard, Matthew Brook and emerging artists, Katherine Crompton and Alexander Chance perform Handel’s final oratorio. Hear how the mature composer revisits and reworks some of the best material from his long career. Friday, 9th November @ 7.30pm Sheldonian Theatre, ‘In Memoriam’ some of the most moving and poignant music in the repertoire offered to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice: Purcell Funeral Sentences, Pergolesi Stabat Mater and Mozart Requiem. Conducted by Edward Higginbottom. Saturday, December 22nd @ 5pm University Church. Messiah by candlelight: Handel’s sublime music, prosecco and the Christmas atmosphere of University church: our very own Oxford institution. For details of these and other concerts, please visit www.timeandtruth.co.uk
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Apple Strudel September brings a glut of apples. Make the most of them with this delicious strudel recipe. Preparation time: 20 mins Cooking time: 40-45 mins Serves: 6-8 Ingredients
100g/3½oz golden caster
750g/1lb 10oz Bramley
sugar
apples, peeled, cored,
75g/2½oz raisins
quartered and sliced
95g/3½oz butter
1½ tsp ground cinnamon
40g/1½oz white bread-
½ unwaxed lemon, zest
crumbs
only
6 large sheets filo pastry
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp icing sugar
add these to the apple mixture. Melt the remaining butter in a pan. On a clean, dry tea-towel lay a sheet of the filo and brush with some of the melted butter. Lay another sheet on top and repeat until you have used all the filo. Layering the pastry with the melted butter helps to create flaky layers. Place the filling along the length of the pastry along one side about 2-3cm/1in from the edge. Using the tea-towel to help
Method
you, roll the pastry up to enclose the filling. Tuck the ends
Preheat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5. Line a baking tray
in and roll the strudel seam-side down onto the lined baking
with baking parchment.
sheet. Brush with the remaining melted butter.
Mix the quartered apples with the cinnamon, lemon zest and
Bake for 40-45 minutes, until golden-brown. Leave to cool to
juice, sugar and raisins. In a small frying pan, melt 20g/½oz
room temperature and dust with icing sugar. Slice and serve
butter and fry the breadcrumbs until golden-brown, then
with cream, ice cream or custard.
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Autumn: The Scariest season for pets With autumn nights soon drawing in this can be the most frightening season for our pets. Halloween can be spooky for pets too – lots of strangers coming to the door in weird and wonderful outfits is very out of the ordinary which can be stressful for pets.
Cats are considered both lucky and unlucky, depending on where you come from. Common myths about black cats include:
Make sure they are in a safe place and aren’t likely to bolt with the front door being opened more and pets should be microchipped, now compulsory by law for dogs, to make sure if they do get out and become lost they are more likely to be reunited with you.
It is good luck if a black cat crosses your path in the UK and Japan, but in the US and much of Europe it means bad luck is on the
We often talk to pet owners whose cats
way
or dogs are terrified of the flashes and
In Germany it de-
bangs fireworks celebrations bring. While
pends which direc-
some pets don’t bat an eyelid, if your pet is
tion a black cat walks
afraid it is a good idea to make sure there
in front of you. Left
are safe hiding places for them – under the
to right means good
bed or behind the sofa for example. Walk
times ahead, but walk-
dogs earlier in the day and keep windows
ing the other direction
and doors tightly closed to avoid pets bolt-
means the opposite
ing in fear. If your pet gets worried around
Italians believe that if a
this time of year check our advice at www.
black cat jumps on the
bluecross.org.uk/fireworks or pop into
bed next to a sick per-
your nearest centre for a free leaflet.
son, the person will soon die If a black cat appears on your
For a stroke of luck – stroke a black cat! Blue Cross takes in more black and black and white cats than any other colour combination and sadly they seem to be the most overlooked and are homeless for longer than other colours like ginger, tabby and tortoiseshell. It may be that black cats are not as visible in their cattery, especially if they are a bit shy. There are also lots of superstitions around black cats and their association with witches – especially at this time of year!
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doorstep in Scotland it means you’re coming into money In China, some believe black cats to be bringers of poverty At Blue Cross we just think black cats are beautiful and just as affectionate and loving as other coloured cats. If you would like to find out more about the Blue Cross in, have an hour or two to volunteer at one of our centres or would like to make a donation to the charity’s work please contact us on: 0300 777 1540, visit: wwwbluecross.org.uk, or join us on Facebook.
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Drugs
in Schools It used to be a cigarette behind the bike sheds but now it’s:
Further results are due to be released this year. Sadly drugs are and have been illegally brought into secondary schools for a number of years. All schools have a drugs policy guided by advice from the Department for Education and the Association of Chief Police Officers. This booklet is available on the internet (www.gov.uk/government/publications/drugs-advice-for-schools) the publication states that it may also be useful to parents,
What do I do if I suspect someone I know, taking drugs? With the proper help and support, many drug users are able to overcome their drug use before any serious harm has been done to them. Other drug users have to hit rock bottom before they can see the harm and damage they are doing and start addressing their drug use.* • Use the “Talk to Frank (Friendly, confidential drugs advice)” Recognise any of the above collective names? I am not
internet site www.talktofrank.com/
surprised if you don’t. They are the street names for some of the drugs that plague our society and are becoming an
What do I do if I am taking drugs and want to come clean?
ever increasing problem in schools.
Take a look around – it might not seem like it, but you are
This is not the most pleasing of subjects with which to
not the only one worrying about what other people think of
enter a new school year but it is one that needs to be ad-
you. Your mates may not show it but they will respect you
dressed.
more if you are assertive and clear about what you do and
At a recent parent meeting a Head Teacher is reported to
do not want to do.*
have said that the most difficult challenge s/he had was
• Once more use the “Talk to Frank” internet site:
getting on top of the drug culture that was affecting some
www.talktofrank.com/
of the children in the school. I am not suggesting that there is a pandemic amongst our youngsters but it is serious enough to be of concern. Drugs are becoming more of an issue with our children than cigarettes ever were. In fact there has been a decline in the smoking of cigarettes among 15 – 16 year olds from over 35% in 1999 to under 25% in 2015 (European Drug Report 2017)
If this article has helped one person I will be very happy. Good Luck to all students in the forthcoming school year. Further Information: www.talktofrank.com www.police.uk/information-and-advice/reporting-crime/ www.gov.uk/government/publications/drugs-advice-forschools JOHN HARRIS
A recent survey conducted by the Swansea based Adolescent Assessment Service indicated that as many as 400,000 under 16s are now regular users of drugs. 18,000 pupils from 67 schools took part in the survey, the results are pretty disturbing. A further survey taken by NHS Digital (www.nhs.uk/dataand-information/publications) found 24% of 11 – 15 year olds had tried recreational drugs at least once in their lives and 10% admitted to have taken drugs in the last month. However; they do add that the results for drug taking from their survey should be treated with caution.
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GARDEN VIEW
A Host of Golden Daffodils Garden centres, nurseries and catalogues are full of daffodil bulbs now. I have to exercise supreme self-restraint every time I wander in! I think I get asked more questions about daffodils than any other plant, apart from roses. I think it’s because they are ubiquitous in the spring and so we assume they are easy to grow. They are...and they aren’t, so I’ll answer the most common questions I get asked here. I think the question I get most is ’How do I get my daffodils to flower more than one year?’ It’s a good question. It’s tempting to think that the only thing you have to remember about planting daffodil bulbs is to set them pointy side up, but it’s a bit more complicated than that if you want them to flower every year. The trick is to set them deep enough. If you plant them just below the surface, as so many of people do, they dry out, which means they lack the food and moisture to get them through until the following year. The result is an uninteresting clump of leaves rather than a host of golden daffodils.
ber. Sooner is better.
repeat flowering. Choose the biggest firmest bulbs you can find for each variety. The final question I get asked is, ‘When can I cut down the foliage after flowering?’ I would suggest waiting for 6 weeks. If you have a very small garden and can’t bear to have untidy foliage lying around you might be better treating pensive.). Or you can plant them in an aquatic basket, and after flowering you can dig the basket up, water the bulbs regularly then replant in the autumn.
The next question I get asked a lot is, ‘What’s the difference between daffodils and narcissi?’ This is also a good question. All daffodils are narcissi, but not all narcissi are daffodils! ‘Daffodils’ is the name we give to narcissi with large trumpets.
Alternatively, you can buy dwarf varieties of daffodil which have daintier flowers and foliage, so you can have pretty flowers without the resulting foliage posing a problem. Whatever you decide, remember plant deeper than you think and…
The third question I’m often asked is, ‘How far apart should I plant the bubs? They should be planted about 3 inches / 8cm apart in
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you are dropping them in but it’s worth the effort for the
the bulbs as annuals (daffodil bulbs aren’t generally ex-
You can plant daffodils any time now, to the end of Octo-
18
holes about 10 inches / 25cm deep. It looks deep when
Happy Gardening! By Rachael Leverton
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19
The
Cotswold Sky
How do you count the Stars? The nights are drawing in after a glorious summer. When a youngster, I was told that October was the best month for observing the stars. I always assumed that it was because October had the clearest skies of any month. I must admit I have never done any research into that hypothesis and need the help of a meteorologist to solve that query.
must also be aware that the number of stars visible in the night sky will also vary depending on the time of the year. In addition we can only see half of the celestial sphere at any one moment so the total number of stars that we can observe with the naked eye at any one time under perfect conditions; i.e. no light pollution; comes to a little above 4,500.
Now let us imagine a clear night sky how many stars can we count? Surprisingly someone has done it, her name was Dorrit Hoffleit (born 1907 – died 2007 - see phot below) of Yale University. She tabulated every star up to magnitude 6.5 which is considered the naked eye limit for the majority of people. For this little exercise we need to
Dorrit Hoffleit did much more in her professional life than count stars. She also calculated precise distance measurements of 8,112 stars paving the way to understanding the kinematics of the Milky Way Galaxy and the evolution of the Solar System. In addition she discovered the optical variability of the first discovered quasar as well as being the director of the Maria Mitchell Observatory in the USA.
DIARY The elusive Mercury can be seen at around 05.00 hours if look towards the NE during the first 10 days of September.
know: WHAT IS MEANT BY THE MAGNITUDE OF A STAR? The Greek Astronomer Hipparchus was the first to categorise stars in order of their brightness. He put the brighter ones around Category 0 (zero) and the worked his way through to Category 6 as the stars faded in visibility. Brighter objects are categorised with a minus sign in front of them e.g. a Full Moon is around Category -12.5 and the Sun is approximately Category –27. Dorrit came to a total of 9,096 stars but this included both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. We
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Venus and Jupiter set in the west by 21.00 hours in early September leaving Mars and Saturn as the only planets visible during for the remainder of the month. Look towards the South, they are relatively close together with Saturn being to the right of Mars. By the middle of October Saturn will set around 21.00 hours and Mars can be clearly seen moving slowly towards the west. September 23rd – Autumn Equinox
occurs at 02.54 hours. This is when the Sun is overhead the Equator on its journey south. October 28th – BST ends put your
clocks back by one hour John Harris
Exciting new tourism project is launching soon A new tourism project led by the Cotswolds Tourism will help to promote tourism across the region following a successful bid to the Discover England Fund. The ‘Uncover the Cotswolds project - encompassing the Cotswolds, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Forest of Dean and Wye Valley - has received funding of £250,000; it is one of a number of projects to benefit from Year 3 funding of the UK Government’s £40 million Discover England Fund, which is administered by VisitEngland. This involves a programme of activity to ensure that England stays competitive in the rapidly growing global tourism industry, through offering world-class English tourism products to the right customers at the right time. The Fund is supported by match funding from partners in the public and private sectors. The project is aimed at driving inbound tourism with a focus on attracting visitors from the Nordic markets, Italy and Spain, dispersing visitors across the wider region and providing them with greater access to authentic local experiences. Project leader for Cotswolds Tourism, Sally Graff, explains further: “I am delighted that we have secured this £250,000 funding and I would like to thank everyone involved in our successful bid. We will be developing world-class, authentic local tourism experiences, and creating tours which can be booked in totality or in part, via tour operators, with different budget options available. “We will focus on showcasing the incredible experiences available throughout the year to encourage more off peak visits and providing them with bookable itineraries to help them extend their stay. “Supporting the many small businesses across the destination area to understand the travel trade opportunities is the key to unlocking the wider tourism experience. We will bring together the wider Cotswolds region, incorporating the destination management organisations of not only the Cotswolds but also the Forest of Dean & Wye Valley, Marketing Cheltenham and Marketing Gloucester. Longer-term, we aim to extend to additional locations including Stratford Upon Avon, Oxford, and Bath. Anyone interested in finding out more about how to get involved in the ‘Uncover the Cotswolds’ project should email cotswoldstourism@cotswold.gov.uk or register for updates via www.cotswolds.com or speak with their local tourism officer.
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West Oxfordshire Nov /Dec 2018
Dist: w/c 29th October ‘18 Copy: 5th October ‘18
North Cotswolds Nov /Dec 2018
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Index Art & Antiques Mallams: p15 Bathrooms Chris Smith Plumbing Services: p8 Country Bathrooms: p23 Builders & Contractors Churchill Surfacing: p19 JA Shirley Building Services: p19 P & S Property Services: p19 SJP Building Contractors: p21 The 50 Plus: p4 Children’s Services Cotswold Tutor: p17 Chimney Services Cotswodl Stoves & Chimneys: p4 Heat Store: p23 Mr Sweep Chimney Services: p19 Cleaning Services Chemdry: p9 The Laundry: p4 Dentist Cirencester Dental Practice: p3
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Education Burford School: p1 Cotswold Tutor: p17 Elderly Services Newlands of Stow: p3 The Langston: p10 Electrical Services CDR Electrical Services: p8 Cotswold Aerials: p6 Mayday Aerials: p23 Events Little Priory Fairs: p13 Flooring Chipping Norton Flooring: p24 Furniture Amanda Hanley By Design: p1 Bob Dadge Carpentry: p21 Gardening & Outdoors Churchill Surfacing: p19 Get Rid Removals: p19 WHC Hire Services: p19
Gifts Cotswold Frames: p13 Healthcare & Wellbeing Cirencester Dental Practice: p3 Footworx Clinic: p11 Three Valleys Osteopathy: p10 Heating Cotswold Oil & Gas Services: p21 Gas & Oil Heating Services: p23 Heatstore: p23 Hire WHC Hire Services: p19 Home & Interiors Amanda Hanley By Design: p1 Bob Dadge Carpentry: p21 Chipping Norton Flooring: p24 Country Bathrooms: p23 Heat Store: p23 Internet Provider Gigaclear: p7 Kitchens & Bathrooms Country Bathrooms: p23 P & S Property Services: p19
Laundry The Laundry: p4 Locksmith P & S Property Services: p19 Logs Walkers Logs: p5 Painters & Decorators PMO Decorators: p8 Pets & Animals Dial A Dog Wash: p11 Plumbing Chris Smith Plumbing Services: p8 Cotswold Oil & Gas Services: p21 Gas & Oil Heating Services: p23 ID Godden: p21 Property Maintenance Churchill Surfacing: p19 Cotswold Oil & Gas Services: p21 Cotswodl Stoves & Chimneys: p4 Gas & Oil Heating Services: p23 Heatstore: p23 JA Shirley Building Services: p19
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Mr Sweep Chimney Services: p19 P & S Property Services: p19 The 50 Plus: p4 Removals Get Rid Removals: p19 Sound & Vision Cotswold Aerials: p6 Mayday Aerials: p23 Sport & Leisure Cotswold Archery: p13 Cotswold Riding: p13 Tuition Cotswold Tutor: p17 Water Services Watercare: p1 Windows CN Glass: p9 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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