Cotswold Link (West Oxfordshire) March April 2015 by JKA / Cotswold Publications

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Further funding boost for village hall Great news as an additional loan has been granted to help the re-development of Finstock Village Hall

New Soft Play Area New funding has led to an exciting new soft play area

Recipe

A Mother’s Day treat of a breakfast recipe!

05 New Soft Play Area at Windrush 14 Mother’s Day 2015 health & wellbeing recipe: 09 Differences between sprains & strains 14 Mother’s Day breakfast treat local news local news: 10 Cotswold Women in Business update 16 PM supports inbound tourism education: local news: 11 Times tables trouble 16 Funding boost for village hall astronomy advertorial 12 The Cotswold Sky 18 Character Cottages out & about garden view: 12 Seasonal events across our area 20 The Greenhouse Guide A good read cotswold link 14 2 exciting books reviewed 22 Index new businesses: FEATURED

general interest: FEATURED FEATURED

FEATURED

Welcome to the March - April issue We celebrate Mother’s Day with an feature on the origin of giving flowers on this special day (page 14) as well as a delicious breakfast recipe for Mother’s Day too (page 15). There’s lots of local news to discover, as well as a whole host of exciting events to enjoy. Don’t forget, if you have any local news or a story of interest then please submit them to editorial@jkanorth.com. 01609 777401 01609 779097 I hope you enjoy this issue and I’ll see you again in early May. cotswoldlink.co.uk Best wishes, Christine Campbell | Editor

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W E N businesses s e c i v r e s & in & around our area

“New To The Area” is a new business feature specifically designed to help new businesses and those that are offering new businesses and services to promote themselves cost effectively. Businesses are invited to submit their adverts to this feature at the regular price (Advert sizes available: 1/8 and ¼) and they will receive the equivalent space in complimentary editorial*. This

editorial provides excellent business exposure to 18,000 homes and businesses and allows further explanation of the new business or services available. * Editorial must be supplied completed.

North Cotswolds

15,200

1/8 Page from only

1/4 Page

£65.00!

homes & businesses

from only

£105.00!

Aston Magna Blockley Bourton-on-the-Hill

Moretonin-Marsh

Little Compton Evenlode

Longborough Condicote

Dowdeswell Andoversford Shipton Compton Abdale Withington

Chedworth

Little Rollright Over Norton

Chipping Norton

Oddington Broadwell

Winchcombe

Whittington

Great Rollright

Stow-onthe-Wold

Heythrop

Cornwell

Lidstone

KinghamChurchill Icomb Upper Slaughter 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 Hailey Asthall Windrush Little Leigh Eastington Swinbrook Barrington Crawley

Bourton-onthe-Water

Charlbury

Northleach

Burford

Coln St Dennis

Asthall

Minster Lovell

Bradwell Village

Aldsworth

Shilton

Witney

Brize Norton

Carterton

West Oxfordshire

18,000 homes & businesses

New soft play area

at Windrush Leisure Centre

The Windrush Leisure Centre, Witney, has benefitted from a £70,000 investment for the development of a new soft play area for children. The new area, built within the former upstairs bar and seating area next to the centre’s café, includes climbing equipment and slides for children up to the age of seven as well as a bright and colourful area suitable for babies and toddlers. The investment is part of a continued commitment by West Oxfordshire District Council and Better, which runs the centre on its behalf, to further improve the District’s leisure facilities and introduce new services and activities for all ages. Better General Manager, Peter Cheeseman, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer a new soft play area for local children to enjoy at the centre. The soft play area will provide a new fun safe environment for parents to take their children. It will be open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings,

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everyday after school and weekends, as well as provide a venue for children’s birthday parties at weekends.” The play area was officially opened yesterday (Thursday 22) by Cllr Richard Langridge, West Oxfordshire District Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for sports and leisure. He said: “I am sure this new area will be welcomed by children and their families, providing a safe, colourful and exciting environment for some of our youngest leisure centre users. We continually strive to invest and improve in our leisure facilities, to ensure they provide good facilities and services for all users, and we are very pleased with this latest development.” Rhian Davies, of Witney, who was at the soft play area with her son Nicholas, 3, as it was officially opened, said: “There isn’t anything else like this

near the centre of town, so it’s good to have it here. Nicholas has really enjoyed it!” For full details on prices and times please contact Better team at Windrush Leisure Centre on 01993 202020 or visit www.better.org.uk ..................................................................................................... Photo: Cllr Richard Langridge, Cabinet Member West Oxfordshire District Council (centre left) with Peter Cheeseman, General Manager of Windrush Leisure Centre (wearing grey suit), and mums Rhian Davies (left) with her son Nicholas Armstrong and Lyndsey Allen (right) with Fletcher. Both boys are three.

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Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the difference?

Sprains & Strains A sprain is an injury to a ligament (the tissue that connects two or more bones together). In a sprain, one or more ligaments is stretched or torn. A strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon (tissue that connects muscle to bone). In a strain, a muscle or tendon is stretched or torn.

Treatments for sprains and strains are the same. Think PRICE. Protection: Protect the injured area from further injury by using a support or sturdy lace-up shoes Rest: Rest the injured joint or muscle. Avoid activity for the first 48 to 72 hours after injuring yourself. Ice: For the first 48 to 72 hours after the injury, apply ice wrapped in a damp towel to the injured area for 15 to 20 minutes every two to three hours during the day. Do not allow the ice to touch your skin directly, because it could cause a cold burn.

Compress: Compress or bandage the injured area to limit any swelling and movement that could damage it further. Simple elastic bandage or elasticated tubular bandages and advice are available from a pharmacy. Remove the bandage before you go to sleep. Elevate: Raise and support the injured joint on a pillow to help reduce swelling.

And avoid HARM Heat: Hot baths, saunas or heat packs. Alcohol: May increase bleeding and swelling, and hinder healing. Running: Or any exercise that could cause more damage. Massage: May increase bleeding and swelling. By Louise Addison

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Exploring Self-Employment Workshops for Women

If you wonder about starting a business, Cotswold Women in Business can help you explore your ideas. Workshops and courses support women to take their ideas seriously and decide if self-employment and running a business is for them.

can afford to pay more are invited to do so. Time: 9.30am to 2.30pm one-day-aweek for 8 weeks Date: May - June every Wednesday (no session June 3rd) Venue: Chipping Campden School, Chipping Campden, GL55 6HU

Workshops deliver both business skills and structured support thinking through the complex issues around balancing existing responsibilities (like being a parent) and running a business. The emphasis on this balance is what distinguishes the courses from other business support.

Date: September – Nov every Wednesday (no session Oct 28th) Venue: Farmor’s School, The Park, Fairford, GL7 4JQ

Upcoming workshops and courses include: • Tuesday 24th March “One-Day Taster Session” to put a toe in the water and find out more 9.30am – 2.30pm *£12.50 or £20 for two if you come with a friend • Thursday 30th April “Business Start-Up Course” 9.30am – 2.30pm every Thursday for 8 weeks to 25th June with a break at half term, May 28th. *£99.00 for the whole course In a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, in the company of like-minded women, participants have fun and explore topics that include: • Would self-employment suit me? • The skills and qualities I’d need • Work-Life Balance • Business Plans • Marketing If you (or someone you know) have a business idea, aren’t sure if you have the right skills and wonder how it can fit with your life and numerous commitments, please let us know. *Some free places are available. ...........................................................................

Thinking of Starting A Business?

A Comprehensive Course For Women Considering Starting A Business Price: Places are available from £99.00. The real cost of this course is £525 per person, so women who

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Date: Jan 2016 exact dates to be confirmed Venue: Chipping Campden School, Chipping Campden, GL55 6HU Places are limited to 8 participants so please book early to avoid disappointment. Starting and running a business takes not just an idea but motivation, time, energy and skill. This is an opportunity to explore what’s involved and see for yourself just how easy it can be to set up and run your own business. If you have a business idea, a hobby you’d like to make money from, or are just wondering if you’ve got what it takes, then this course is for you. In the company of like minded women you will have a lot of fun and explore topics that include: • What is an Entrepreneur? • Why choose self employment? • What are the skills and qualities of an entrepreneur? • Work-Life-Balance and your vision of your future. • Business Plans. What are they and who are they for? • You as your best marketing resource. • Managing paperwork, finances and what the tax office need. • Legal matters • Time Management This highly engaging and participatory course is comprehensive and specifically designed for women. The course runs one-day-a-week over a 9-week period. There is no session over half term week. ........................................................................... For more information or to book a place Email: sjm@sjmcoachingandtraining.co.uk or Tel: 01386 701868

“If my child cannot do the times table then what?” We are fortunate in this part of the country to have very good schools, a number of which are graded outstanding. However; what we have to consider is, are they outstanding in every department of education? The Head Teachers of these schools would admit that there are areas in which they can improve, so how will they fare should the Government introduce their proposed numeracy and literacy tests to 11year old pupils? The Government have decreed that all 11 year olds will have to know the times tables off by heart, read a novel and show that they can use “accurate punctuation, spelling and grammar”

War on Illiteracy and Innumeracy

It is all well and good having sound bites such as the title of this paragraph accompanied with quotes from Government Ministers that “Failure is not an option”. Making headlines is one thing but what of the children who will not make the required grade? The government’s target is for school’s to attain a success rate of 85% in literacy and numeracy but makes no mention of what is to happen to the remaining 15%. Are they to be bow beaten into rigid, rote learning of the times table for the rest of their education at the expense of expanding their knowledge on other life essential topics? Fortunately good schools will have a long term individual plan for every child, ensuring their continuous development, but we cannot always rely solely on schools. I meet many parents who tell me that they have always struggled with the times tables and are very concerned for their child. In these

situations the parent tends to worry more than the child. We are all different and children being forced to learn in what they perceive as an alien environment will not work – they require an environment of relaxed freedom to learn.

Suggestions

Think Positive - Do not expect the school to resolve all the problems regarding your child’s education. A parent’s input is essential to progress being made. You can train your mind to think positively, focus on your child’s problems and work along with them. Relaxed Environment - Give your child as happy an environment as possible, this will help remove any stress. Become a Role Model – and give examples of other people as Role Models. Be Patient – Do not expect immediate results. Converse with your child - draw them into conversation. Don’t use baby talk or talk down, but rather use your full vocabulary. Encourage the children to respond in kind and to express their thoughts. Encourage the children - to make progress with their skills e.g. music, art, sporting activities, hobbies etc. Praise your child – a little praise goes a long way. Expose them to different kinds of experiences – such as visiting museums, exhibitions, socialising, going for walks, joining clubs and family activities. Be persistent – Never give up persevere with the above suggestions, over a period of time they will work. Much of the above will not be new to the parent. The suggestions will not take fruition overnight, but they will go a long way into making him/her into a happy self-confident person that their parents will be very proud of. John Harris

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The

Out & About

Cotswold Sky

Eclipse of the Sun Friday 20th March

Friday 20th March 2015 is a very special day in the Astronomical Calendar. Not only is it the day of the Spring Equinox, it also coincides with a Total Eclipse of the Sun which is due to take place in the area North of the Faroe Islands. Here in the Cotswolds we will be able to view a Partial Solar Eclipse when up to 90% of the Sun will be eclipsed by the Moon. During the whole of the process you must not look directly at the Sun, this can cause permanent damage to the eyes even though only a little above 10% of the Sun will be visible. Solar Eclipse Glasses will be required for those wishing to view the eclipse direct. However; there are alternative ways to view the eclipse for example:

birds being upset with Mother Nature playing tricks on them. The BBC is planning to run StarGazing Live during the week of the eclipse. Additionally a live Webcast of the Total Solar Eclipse will be available to view on: www.solareclipse2015.org. uk/live-webcast/ Image below from: www.solareclipse2015.org.uk/the-eclipse-path/

Partial Eclipse Begins: 08.25 hours Maximum Eclipse: 09.31 hours Partial Eclipse Ends: 10.41 hours Make the best of this opportunity; the next eclipse due on these shores will not occur until August 12th 2026. For further information: www.solareclipse2015.org.uk

Further information on this method can be obtained from: www.resources.yesican-science.ca/trek/ eclipse0602/pinhole2.html For those without proper viewing equipment the obvious alternative will be to tune in to the TV stations many of which will be broadcasting live viewing of the phenomena. Obviously one potential problem with all eclipses are the weather conditions. In the event of the skies being cloudy you will notice a distinct eerie semi darkness being most apparent. You may also find the behaviour of the

Sky Diary

Venus is prominent in the West throughout March/April around dusk/early evening. Mars will disappear in mid-March but until then it can be observed to the right of Venus Jupiter is prominent during the evening in the South throughout March/April as it continues in its retrograde motion. Saturn is for the early birds and is visible in a Southerly direction during the early hours throughout March/April. March 12th: Saturn and the Moon will be

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Astro News

New Telescope in Chile now searching for Alien Planets A new Next Generation Transit Survey telescope located in Chile could help scientists peer into the atmospheres of relatively small planets circling nearby stars. For further information: www.livescience.com/49505-alienplanet-searching-telescope-online. html?cmpid=558958

Community Fridays in March, 10 - 4pm

n Made in Moreton Milldne Garden, Blockley. Not only a beautiful Spring Garden, but local talent as well. Paintings, ceramics, garden benches and plants. Exhibition free with entry to garden £7. Adults £7, £6.50 concessions. Children under 15, £3 Group rates, £6.50 (20 or more visitors) The garden will also be open for the Quiet Garden Scheme on the first Sunday of the month in March, May and June from 2pm – 5pm. The garden is open for the National Gardens Scheme on 26th April and 17th May as well as Mother’s Day on 15th March. Info from 01386 700457, Wendy Dare www.milldenegarden.co.uk ........................................................

6th - 20th March

n Chipping Norton Music Festival The Festival has been promoting musicmaking in the north-east Cotswolds since 1904. One of the oldest festivals of its kind. The Festival is non-competitive and adjudicated by professionals; there are classes in music and drama for all ages, individuals and groups ranging from piano, voice, and composition through to verse-speaking. Tickets: Times and prices vary. Full details: www.cnmf.org.uk Tickets from: tickets@cnmf.org.uk or Jaffe & Neale. Concerst in Town Hall, Chipping Norton. Tel: 01608 641033 ........................................................

7th March

n Live Music Wychwood Folk Club presents WinterWilson at Tiddy Hall, Ascott-u-Wychwood OX7 6AG. Plus support from Pete Joshua

Doors open 7.30 pm.£8 in advance, £10 on the door. With 6 critically-acclaimed albums to their name, Winter Wilson are known across the UK acoustic music scene for their fine original songs, stunning harmonies and off-the-wall humour. Tickets available from: www.wegottickets.com/wychwoodfolkclub or phone: 01993 831427 www.wychwoodfolkclub.com ........................................................

13th March

n Witney Winter Concert Quartet, the Soloists of the Chamber Philharmonic Europe. Haydn - String Quartet, No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 1, No. 0, Hob.ll:6. Schubert - String Quartet, No. 10 in E-flat major, Op. 125, No. 1, D. 87 Dvorak - String Quartet, No. 12 in F major, Op. 96 ‘American’. Time 7.30pm. Wood Green School, Woodstock Road Witney, OX28 1DX Tel: 01993 702296 ........................................................

14th March

n Table Top Sale There will be a wide range of interesting items for sale including bric-a-brac, collectables and jewellery, items from Mongolia, books and pictures. Wonderful home-made refreshments will be available and all profits from the refreshments will go to the Village Hall Fund. Admission is free. 10am - 1pm Asthall Leigh Village Hall ........................................................

14th March

n Charlbury Farmers Market Stalls with delicious, fresh, locally produced, seasonal food direct from the farm to you! Time: 9am - 1pm The Playing Close, Charlbury. OX7 3RJ Tel: 01235 227266 www.tvfm.org.uk ...................................................

Charlbury Museum Re-opening!

close together throughout the early hours. March 20th: 08.25 to 10.41 hours Eclipse of the Sun as described above. 22.45 hours Spring Equinox March 22nd 20.00 hours look towards the West and see Venus close to a crescent Moon. March 29th British Summer Time starts Clocks go forward 1 hour. April 8th Saturn and the Moon will once more be close together throughout the early hours. John Harris

The Museum will reopen after its winter closure on Easter Saturday 4th April 2015 with an exhibition marking the 200 years since Charlbury School was founded in 1815.

to the town in many ways, and a nedlework map sampler 1817 by another member of the Albright family: these items will be exhibited for the first time in April.

The Museum also contains a fascinating collection of items relating to the history of Charlbury, from fossils and a Saxon spear to the story of glove-making in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Museum has recently acquired at auction some interesting silhouettes of the Albright family, Quakers who were great benefactors

The Museum opened in 1949 and is run and staffed entirely by volunteers. The opening hours are 10 am to 12 noon on Saturdays and August Fridays; and 2.30 - 4.30 pm on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. Admission charge is £1 for adults, accompanied children free.

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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 March

n Live Music - Hank Wangford: No Hall Too Small Hank, after touring extensively round over two hundred villages of England on his ‘No Hall Too Small’ tour has joined with an old compadre Andy Robert (Brad Breath) and the stellar harmonies and bass playing of Anna (‘Spanner’) Robinson for Round Two of his acclaimed show. They are very funny and play great music and like all evengelists they like nothing better than to play to folks who dislike Country music. Time: Doors open at 7.15pm, show at 8pm. Tickets: from Charlbury PO and on the door. Licenced Bar. Charlbury Memorial Hall, Charlbury Tel: 01608 810032 ........................................................

24th March

n “One-Day Taster Session” Cotswold Women In Business One Day session to put a toe in the water and find out more 9.30am – 2.30pm. *£12.50 or £20 for two if you come with a friend. For more details contact Sarah at: www.sjmcoachingandtraining.co.uk ........................................................

28th March

n Burford Singers Spring Concert During Brian Kay’s sabbatical break we are delighted and honoured that Bob Chilcott, former King’s Singer and now celebrated world-wide composer of choral music, is conducting this concert. The

programme, includes his own Requiem (originally commissioned by the Oxford Bach Choir). The second half will begin with Vaughan Williams’ beautiful ‘The Lark Ascending’ and we conclude with the Spring section of Haydn’s oratorio, The Seasons. Time: 7.30pm - St John the Baptist Church, Burford. Tel: 01993 822412 Tickets reserved at £20, £16, £12.50, unreserved at £10. Also from: The Madhatter Bookshop 122, High Street, Burford OX18 4QJ ........................................................

30th April

n “Business Start-Up Course” 9.30am – 2.30pm every Thursday for 8 weeks to 25th June with a break at half term, May 28th. *£99 for the whole course For more details contact Sarah at: www.sjmcoachingandtraining.co.uk ........................................................

3rd May

n Abingdon Air & Country Show It’s not just an air show! The Abingdon Air & Country Show has a varied ground show to go along with the large scale fly-in of both modern and vintage aeroplanes and the associated air display. www.abingdonairandcountry.co.uk ........................................................

16th May

n Witney’s 3rd Festival of Food and Drink Browse the many local, artisan food and drink stalls and marvel at the range of products on offer or update your cookery skills by watching the experts. Join the kids trying out the farm and food themed activities in the Children’s Tent or enjoy a beer while taking in some live entertainment on beautiful Church Green. Throw in lunch and a cream tea and you have the perfect family day out. 9.30am - 5pm. St. Mary’s Church, Church Green, Witney, OX28 4AW. Tickets £2 on the door, no advance sales. www.witneyfoodfestival.co.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.

Why not come to Charlbury Museum, one of the finest small museums in the county? Its five rooms are crammed with exhibits revealing the history of this ancient market town. There is plenty here to interest both adults and children. The contents include: • Blacksmith’s forge • Glove-making tools • Penny-farthing bicycle • Watchmaker’s tools

• Helmets and gasmasks • Victorian costumes • Old shop & inn signs • Farm tools Tel: 01608 810656

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A Good Read The Secret of Crickley Hall n James Herbert

At over 600 pages, this novel from the master of horror does not disappoint as the pages fly by. Gabe and Eve Caleigh have moved with their two daughters from their London home to the West Country to escape the memories of their five year old son who disappeared without trace from a playground a year ago. Their new home is Crickley Hall, a large house with a checkered past, but it has been empty for many years. It seems a bargain price. As they settle into the community they learn more about the village, and Crickley Hall. Tragedy occurred during the Great Flood of 1943, when the hall was being used to house orphans evacuated from London due to the Blitz. The children and their guardians all perished in the flood, and it would appear that the young victims are not content to remain quiet. Soon Eve starts seeing her missing son and, like an unstoppable wall of water, the horrors that lie lurking in Crickley Hall flood to the surface, and Gabe must fight to save his family as the truth of that night in 1943 emerges: a truth that it is worse than any nightmare. Read it if you dare. .................................................................................................................................

Mother’s Day 2015 Flowers and Mothers Day

Mother’s Day began in 1908 after an American lady, Ann Jarvis, asked the local church if they would set aside a day to commemorate her mother’s death. From this grew the idea to create a holiday on which all mothers – alive or dead – could be remembered, parents respected, and family bonds strengthened.

Delphi and the Glass Slippers

Ann started a campaign to have Mother’s Day recognised as a holiday. In 1914 she succeeded when US President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day, celebrated in May, an annual holiday. The practice has spread throughout the world!

n Darcey Bussell

During her campaign, Ann posted or handed out white carnations, and this flower became a symbol for the day. Mothers would wear a white carnation if their mother was dead, and a coloured one if she was still living.

For most young readers, Darcey Bussell will be familiar through the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. What they may not be aware of is her career with the Royal Ballet, and she has poured this love and knowledge of ballet into her series of books for young ballet obsessed girls. The Magic Ballerina books follow the adventures of Delphie, a young girl who attends a ballet school. She is given a pair of red ballet shoes which turn out to be magical, and are able to whisk her away to the land of Enchantia where characters from famous ballets live. In this book Delphie has to help Cinderella. Something strange is happening and, as the clock chimes seven o’clock, time jumps and she never gets to attend the ball. Along the way, Delphie also encounters a mysterious cloaked figure who tries to keep the Prince from finding Cinderella. Guaranteed to delight any budding ballerina, this book is exciting and full of little glimpses into the world of ballet and dancing. .................................................................................................................................. By Willow Coby

In the UK, Mother’s Day is celebrated in March on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Traditionally, this was a time when all family members were granted time off work and could gather together to worship. The day became known as Mothering Sunday – or Rose Sunday – because roses were handed out to all women present at church. Flowers symbolise purity, beauty and life – all attributes possessed by mothers - and gradually the tradition of giving flowers grew. But above all, flowers are given because our mothers like them! By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

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This Mother’s Day treat your Mum to breakfast in bed! 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4

2. Place the tomatoes and the diced muffins on a shallow baking tray. Pour over 60ml of rapeseed oil and add a pinch of black pepper 3. Place the tray into the oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the tomatoes are just tender and the muffin cubes are a light golden brown colour. Remove from the oven and set aside 4. To cook the eggs, bring a large pan of water to a rolling boil and add the white wine vinegar. Adding a dash of white wine vinegar will help the eggs stay together as they cook – a canny trick for mastering the art of egg poaching 5. Crack the eggs into separate ramekins or cups, ensuring there are no pieces of shell 6. Gently tip ea ch egg into the water. The eggs

should drop to the bottom of the saucepan and then begin to float back to the surface

Ingredients

Older children can be trusted to plop the eggs into the water and follow the cooking instructions. Keep some spare eggs handy in case it goes wrong

240g of smoked salmon

7. Poach the eggs for 3–4 minutes and then remove from the water with a slotted spoon. Place the eggs on a plate with a sheet of kitchen paper to soak up excess water

80ml of rapeseed oil

8. Serve the eggs on a bed of smoked salmon, muffin croutons, roasted tomatoes and wild rocket. Drizzle the remaining rapeseed oil over each plate and serve

50g of rocket, washed

200g of cherry tomatoes on the vine 4 eggs 2 English muffins, cut into rough 1cm cubes 1 tbsp of white wine vinegar 1 pinch of black pepper

Encourage your little helpers to assemble the finished dish themselves, before plonking onto a tray and serving as breakfast in bed. Breaking the egg yolk before serving is always a nice touch

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Prime Minister supports Inbound Tourism in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds The importance of overseas visitors to UK destinations like the Cotswolds and ‘Oxfordshire Cotswolds’ was the talking point at a seminar for local, regional and national tourism representatives. Prime Minister and Witney MP, the Rt Hon David Cameron, was a special guest at the event organised by West Oxfordshire District Council’s tourism team, which brands the District as the ‘Oxfordshire Cotswolds’ and works to promote and support the local industry. Speaking at the seminar at Eynsham Hall, Mr Cameron stressed the importance of tourism to the UK and its economy and outlined steps taken by the Government to support the industry. This included promotion and investment in the ‘GREAT’ campaign, and encouraging inbound tourism through measures such as simplification of the Visa application process and reductions in passenger duty.

He said “Today’s event has seen Speakers at the event are photographed left to right; David Edwards local and national organisations - Head of Research and Forecasting at VisitBritain, Jo Leslie - GREAT unite to promote the importance China Welcome Project Manager at VisitBritain, Hayley Beer – Oxfordof inbound tourism. I am very shire Cotswolds/West Oxfordshire District Council, Deirdre Wells proud to have such a wonderful - Chief Executive of UKinbound, David Cameron MP for Witney, Sally destination in my constituency and Balcombe - Chief Executive of VisitBritain, Jimmy Greene - Director the work that the tourism team of International Friends, part of the GTi Travel Group, John Hoy - Chief at the Council do to promote Executive of Blenheim Palace. the Oxfordshire Cotswolds is exemplary. I thoroughly enjoyed plays a significant role in West Oxfordshire, bringing the opportunity to have Q&A with the businesses in nearly £275m a year to the local economy, and and hear about current tourism issues affecting there is potential growth from the overseas market them. Through continued collaboration there is real from countries such as China and it is important that opportunity to further exploit inbound tourism to our everyone works together to foster this. advantage.” Around 70 representatives from local businesses and attractions, and regional and national organisations attended the ‘Value of Inbound Tourism’ seminar. Cllr Richard Langridge, the District Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for tourism, said: “Tourism

“Our tourism team does a fantastic job in promoting our District as a must-see destination and in support local tourism businesses. This seminar is just a part of this work and we are grateful to all of the speakers and the Prime Minister, in particular, for his continued support.”

Further boost for community effort to rebuild village hall Plans to rebuild a West Oxfordshire community hall have been further boosted after the District Council’s Cabinet agreed to give an extra loan to help get the project off the ground. The Cabinet has approved a £10,000 loan for Finstock Parish Council towards the work, subject to approval from the Secretary of State. The funding, from the Community Loan Scheme, has been set aside in addition to a £62,000 loan and £47,5000 Community Facilities Grant agreed last year (subject to planning permission and partnership funding). The extra £10,000 will plug a funding gap and leaves the project team, led by the Parish Council and Finstock Village Hall Trustees, with around £20,000 to secure through other grants and the same amount through fundraising. In total, just over

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£300,000 is needed to fund the new hall. Cllr Richard Langridge, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “The community in Finstock has done a sterling job of bringing this project forward and we are pleased to continue to support them with this latest loan, subject to approval by the Secretary of State. “They have faced a small setback in recent months in relation to securing grant funding from other sources, but this loan will bolster their efforts and we are delighted to see them on track and at the final hurdles towards raising the significant amount that is needed.” The new building will replace Finstock’s current hall on Well Hill, which was constructed in 1929 and has shallow foundations,

no insulation and is now in a deteriorating state of repair. The new hall will include a large meeting room/hall, kitchen, smaller multi-purpose room, toilet and storage facilities.

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Does Your

Holiday Cottage

Support Your Local Village?

With the recent talk about second homes upsetting the residents of St Ives, Cotswold Link talks to Character Cottages, a local holiday letting expert, about how a professionally run holiday cottage actually benefits the local economy How does second home ownership impact local Cotswold villages? In reality, many second homes sit empty most of the time, with some owners only managing to visit their cottage two or three times a year. A lot of local residents believe that this contributes to a weakening of traditional community spirit and impacts local businesses, by reducing the available demand for pubs, shops and restaurants. So how does holiday letting help? High quality second homes that are professionally run as holiday lets provide a means for large numbers of affluent visitors to stay in local villages. This significantly increases the demand for local services and can sometimes make the difference between success and failure, particularly for local pubs and village shops. For example, a typical cottage marketed by Character Cottages sleeping six guests can bring in 50-60

bookings a year, which represents over 300 visitors per annum to a village. Even assuming just a relatively small expenditure per visitor on local services, the conversion of a single second home to a holiday let can have an incremental impact on a village economy measured in thousands of pounds. What about the out of season months, do the beneﬁts to the village continue? Absolutely! It is easy to forget that booking a holiday in the Cotswolds “out of season” is actually an extremely attractive idea. Holiday homes with open ﬁres and cosy furnishings, welcoming country pubs, long walks in the clean crisp air and picturesque villages in beautiful rolling countryside all provide a wonderful setting for perfect weekends away, whatever the season. As a letting agent dedicated to the Cotswolds, at Character Cottages we understand the unique appeal of the region and we therefore maintain our marketing expenditure consistently

throughout the year, rather than just focusing on peak months, so that interest is constantly generated and bookings are taken all year round. This all sounds interesting, what are the next steps? If you have a high quality, characterful property, which sleeps ﬁve or more people, and you like the idea of supporting the local economy whilst also making money from your second home, then our advice is to contact us ﬁrst. We provide owners with a range of guidance and support, so that it can take as little as two weeks to get your cottage ready to holiday let. Once the property marketing has started, many owners are amazed at how quickly the bookings start to come in!

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www.character-cottages.co.uk owners@character-cottages.co.uk Tel: 0208 935 5375

17 13

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Garden View The

Greenhouse Guide People often ask me, ..........................................................

“Is there something in your garden you couldn’t live without?” .......................................................... My reply is always, “My greenhouse.”

A greenhouse has many benefits, chief of which for me is that it extends the gardening year. With a greenhouse you can potter in your garden all year round, and grow a range of plants which simply wouldn’t thrive without the extra protection. Before choosing a greenhouse you will need to check whether your local planning authority imposes any restrictions. While you don’t normally need planning permission, building regulations do have to be adhered to. Buy the biggest greenhouse you can afford that will fit comfortably on to your plot - you will always fill it! But even if you can only afford a tiny one - my first one had a base of just 4’ by 5.5’ (1.2m by 1.7m) - it will still be a worthwhile investment.

The aluminium- framed types are very sturdy and relatively cheap. Woodenframed constructions are more attractive though, and often better in a small garden where everything has to earn its keep. Western red cedar is good because it lasts a long time and weathers really well. Greenhouses are even more useful if they are heated. I started out with paraffin heaters, but found they produced a lot of condensation and were messy and smelly. Electric heating is best, and very economical if you fit a system thermostat so that it only switches on when necessary. Apart from heat the most important factor is ventilation. In high summer this is vital to prevent your plants from cooking. Automatic arms which open the vents at a pre-designated temperature are really useful. External blinds are also very good as they prevent sun scorch. Finally, fit staging along one edge of the greenhouse for your pots, and dig a soil or gravel bed on the other side for things like tomato plants. Now all you have to do is plant some seeds and invest in a few tender perennials.

Great Greenhouse Tips • Fit your greenhouse to level foundations. • Orientation isn’t important , but make sure it isn’t in the shadow of the house, or overhanging trees. • Ventilate well. • Any electrical work must be carried out or certified by a qualified electrician to comply with part P of the building regulations. • Don’t be tempted to use a household electric heater. It won’t cope with the damp conditions in a greenhouse. • Fit a water butt to the down pipes at either end of the greenhouse to conserve water. By Rachel Leverton

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Cabinet signals Council Tax freeze for fifth year

Chairman chooses children’s hospice for £500 donation West Oxfordshire District Council’s Chairman has chosen Helen & Douglas House Hospice to receive a generous £500 donation from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The Ahmadiyya group is one of Britain’s oldest Muslim communities and to help mark its centenary the UK branch has been giving away 100 separate donations of £500 to charitable organisations across the country. The community has asked local authorities for their help in choosing worthy causes and West Oxfordshire District Council’s Chairman, Cllr Norman MacRae, was among those contacted. He met with members of the group this week to hand over a cheque to Oxfordbased Helen & Douglas House Hospice, which provides hospice and palliative care for terminally ill children, young adults and their families. Cllr MacRae said: “We are extremely grateful for this very generous donation and I feel honoured to be in a position to pass it on to one of our very worthy

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local causes in here in Oxfordshire. I have visited Helen & Douglas House and it is a very special place, doing very many great and wonderful things to help young people and their families.” Dr Munawar Ahmed, a former President and member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community who lives in Oxford, said: “All of our beliefs centre around humanity and we live by the rule that we should look after the people around us and that is what these donations are meant to reflect as we celebrate our centenary year. Members of our community raised over £700,000 last year through charity events and we take great pride in donating to charities and good causes that support our fellow people.” Alison Hooker, community fundraiser for Helen & Douglas House, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for their donation.

The Cabinet of West Oxfordshire District Council is recommending that Full Council agrees to freeze Council Tax for the fifth year running when it sets the budget next month. If agreed by Full Council at the budget meeting on 25 February, the freeze would keep the District’s share of Council Tax at just £81.63 for a Band D property, less than half the current national average. This represents a real terms cut in the level of 17.5% over the five years when taking account of retail price inflation and equates to just £1.50 per week per, per household, for all services provided by the Council. West Oxfordshire District Council already has the second lowest Council Tax of all shire district councils in England and lowest of all five district councils in Oxfordshire, and the Council would be likely to retain this position if the freeze is approved.

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Cllr Simon Hoare, Cabinet Member for Resources, who put forward the recommendation at a Cabinet meeting earlier this year, said: “We have a commitment to keeping Council Tax low and the recommendation will be to freeze levels for 2015-16. It will be the fifth consecutive year that we will have done this whilst continuing to protect services and this is no mean feat, especially at a time of ongoing significant reductions in local authority funding.” Budget commitments will include the continuation of free parking 24-hours-a-day, seven days per week, in all Council-owned car parks across West Oxfordshire, support for the voluntary sector and local communities, and ongoing free garden waste collections for households. Further information about Council Tax is available on the Council’s website www.westoxon.gov.uk

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Index

Accountants Tetbury Accountancy Services: p10 Attractions & Events Lodge Park: p13 The Swan at Ascott: p7 Beauty Cotswold Beauty: p1 Builders & Contractors CN Glass: p5 Cotswold Stoves & Chimneys: p23 Eynsham Park Sawmill: p19 Hilltop Joinery: p18 JA Shirley Building Services: p21 PJC Services: p4 The 50 Plus: p21 Carpets & Flooring Carterton Carpets & Flooring: p24 Cotswold Carpets: p5 Children’s Services Cotswold Tutor: p11 Cotswold Youth Choir: p11 Chimney Services Cotswold Stoves & Chimneys: p23 Mr Sweep Chimney Services: p21 Cleaning Services The Laundry: p4 MRK Services: p19 Dentist Cirencester Dental Practice: p9

Brize Norton

Distribution: w/c 4th & 11th May ‘15 Copy: 10th Apr ‘15

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North Cotswolds May / June 2015

Distribution: w/c 4th & 11th May ‘15 Copy: 10th Apr ‘15

Full Colour, High Quality Publications

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West Oxfordshire

18,000 homes & businesses

Education Cotswold Tutor: p11 Elderly Services Guideposts Trust: p8 Nurse Plus: p9 The Langston Care Home: p8 Electrical Services Cotswold Aerials: p20 Mayday Aerials: p13 Vivid AV: p10 Food & Drink FWP Matthews: p24 Lamb Inn: p15 Tatty Bunting: p2 The Swan at Ascott: p7 Watercare Specialists: p24 Wiltshire Farm Foods: p8 Furniture Cottonwood Interiors: p5 MRK Services: p19 Gardening & Outdoors Cotswold Tool & Plant Hire: p18 MRK Services: p19 Gifts FWP Matthews: p24 Healthcare & Wellbeing Get The Edge Life Coaching: p1 Cirencester Dental Practice: p9 Ramona Gogolos Foot Health Professional: p9

Heating Cotswold Oil & Gas Services: p23 Cotswold Stoves & Chimneys: p23 Fosse Fires: p24 Gas & Oil Heating Services: p21 Heat Store: p21 I.D Godden & Co Plumbing: p4 Hire Cotswold Tool & Plant Hire: p18 Fosseway Tool Hire: p19 Holidays Character Cottages: p17 Home & Interiors Carterton Carpets & Flooring: p24 Cotswold Carpets: p5 Cotswold Stoves & Chimneys: p23 Cottonwood Interiors: p5 Fosse Fires: p24 Heat Store: p21 Heaven & Stubbs: p1 Sewing Tuition: p10 Kitchen Design Cottonwood Interiors: p5 Heaven & Stubbs: p1 Laundry The Laundry: p4 Logs & Coal Walkers Logs: p3 Pets & Animals Dial A Dog Wash: p10

Property Maintenance CN Glass: p5 Cotswold Oil & Gas Services: p23 Cotswold Stoves & Chimneys: p23 Gas & Oil Heating Services: p21 Hilltop Joinery: p18 I.D Godden & Co Plumbing: p4 JA Shirley Building Services: p21 Milena Windows: p23 Mr Sweep Chimney Services: p21 PJC Services: p4 The 50 Plus: p21 Recruitment Nurse Plus: p9 Sewing Sewing Tuition: p10 Sound & Vision Cotswold Aerials: p20 Mayday Aerials: p13 Vivid AV: p10 Tuition Cotswold Tutor: p11 GB Music: p11 Sewing Tuition: p10 Windows CN Glass: p5 Milena Windows: p23

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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