Weekend | December 13 2014 by LocalWorldGlos

DECEMBER 13 2014

what’s inside DRESS TO IMPRESS AT THE OFFICE PARTY SORRY GIRLS,WE BUST THOSE FESTIVE DIET MYTHS

win!

MADE IN CHELSEA – THE BRASSERIE THAT IS

The £100 purse that’ll power your smartphone

MY FFORDE FAMILY

Christmas NOVELIST KATIE ON TREES,TURKEY AND PEELING SRPOUTS

FASHION & BEAUTY

HEALTH

FOOD

GARDENING

INTERIORS

TRAVEL

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THE

hot LIST

X Factor finals Will it be Fleur, Andrea or Ben? Find out who’s nailed it with a weekend of X Factor drama played out at Wembley Arena tonight and tomorrow. And watch out for the fashion face-off between Cheryl and Mel B. It’s all on ITV, starting at 8.30pm tonight.

Racing

Get ready for one of the hottest days of racing around with The International at Cheltenham Racecourse.

PJ Crook’s Open Studio

World-renowned Cheltenham artist PJ Crook hosts her Open Studio event today and tomorrow, noon-4pm at her studio in Priory Lane, Bishop’s Cleeve. Miniature canvases are on sale and proceeds go to charity.

FASHION & BEAUTY

HEALTH & WELLBEING

HOMES & GARDENS

FOOD & DRINK

THE BUZZ

‘Tis the season to sparkle and shine, so take your pick of our shimmering party looks.

One day butter and red wine are good for you, the next day you’ll read the opposite. So what’s the truth? We bust the myths about all those conflicting health food studies. P24-25

Love them or hate them, sprouts are a traditional part of our Christmas dinner. We visit a Cotswold farm yo check out the harvest. And we’ve got plenty of ideas to make your home festive.

Christmas means chocolate and we visit a Cheltenham couple who’ve set up a chocolate kitchen in their garage. Yes really! We eat out at Chelsea Bar & Brasserie and there is a delicious recipe from local chef David Kelman. P27-33

It’s easy to forget that Sir Ranulph Fiennes is not only a record-breaking explorer, but a prolific author too. We catch up with the adventurer to talk about his royal lineage and his daredevil exploits. Plus, there’s a guide to some of the best Christmas events in the county . . . P56-60

We also find out about ethical fashion and skincare in the Cotswolds. P13-17 @WeekendGlos

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welcome

T Who are we? Weekend magazine is published every Saturday by the Gloucester Citizen and Gloucestershire Echo newspapers, part of the Local World stable. Editor Tanya Gledhill Deputy Editor Lucy Parford lucy.parford@glosmedia.co.uk 01242 278065

Advertising Debbie French debbie.french@glosmedia.co.uk 07824 416553

HE nursery school nativity play yesterday was a total triumph. Mums and dads, grannies and grandpas, aunties and uncles crammed into the tiny hall to sit, knees up round our chins, on tiny plastic chairs. In trotted an army of miniature angels, little white robes tied with silver tinsel, and elfin stars waving tasselled cheerleaders’ batons for all they were worth. They were followed by a gaggle of, fittingly, rather unruly, villagers; an army of pint-sized Roman centurians marching determindly towards Bethlehem, and three wise men with wonky gold crowns and presents bigger than they. The shepherds were an eclectic bunch. Those that could be persuaded sported tea towels on their heads; those that couldn’t (our daughter included) clutched toy lambs for dear life. Mostly by one leg. As with all nativities, it turned

@WeekendGlos out to be rather eventful. First, the donkey defected – only to be persuaded to rejoin the cast at the eleventh hour. Then Joseph knocked on the first inn’s door and timidly whispered: “Is there room for me and my wife?” The innkeeper wasn’t impressed. “Isaac!” he yelled. “You’re supposed to speak up so they can hear you at the back!” Isaac/Joseph was much more audible at the second inn, much to everyone’s relief. Mind the answer was still no – so to the stable it was. But it was little Mary who stole the show. Only just four, she stood up and sang In The Bleak Midwinter. No prompts, no music, no nothing. It was spellbinding. Proof if proof were ever needed that children rise to our level of expectation. Shepherd this year, Mary next, then. Tanya Gledhill weekend@glosmedia.co.uk 01242 278066

This issue’s contributors were asked: What’s your favourite part of Christmas?

Katie Fforde

Helen Blow

Jonny Whiley

Lucy Parford

Tanya Gledhill

Novelist Katie loves the calm before the storm of a full-blown Christmas lunch, when the family sit round the kitchen table, preparing sprouts, peeling carrots and gossiping. “We’ve been known to go a bit over the top for our Christmas meal,” she admits.

Helen interviewed Katie Fforde for this week’s issue. “Getting together with my extended family, including cousins, aunts and uncles, is probably my favourite part of Christmas,” she says. “We’re all quite loud and have strong opinions, so there’s a lot of banter around the dinner table which is always more lively after a few predinner snifters. Pass the Prosecco, someone!”

“Christmas Eve – no doubt about it,” says Jonny, who reviewed Chelsea Brasserie for this edition. “ We head up to our local around lunchtime and it’s always really lively with lots of family friends. “I just love the atmosphere; everyone is jolly after a glass or two and there’s a real buzz. “I wouldn’t swap it for the world.”

“I enjoy every single bit,” says Lucy, who this week brings you sumptuous interiors from Oka. “Popping out for drinks to the local country pub on Christmas Eve, leaving reindeer food outside with our threeyear-old, Dad blasting out Phil Spector’s Christmas album as soon as we get up, eating homemade Christmas pud made to my nan’s recipe and lots of laughs around the table. Then doing it all again on Boxing Day.”

“Getting the tree,” says Tanya. “We go to the same farm along the lane we’ve been going to for 10 years.The actual choosing bit is an epic: other half and I spend hours inspecting every 8ft tree, only to get the perfect specimen home and realise we still only have 7ft ceilings, so chop off £10 before we start. “But the decorating... carols, Champagne and carrying boxes full of memories down from the loft is just wonderful.”

@WeekendGlos

KATIE'S

family CHRISTMAS

There will be wonderful presents at Christmas but laughter and sharing the big day with her family mean much more to Stroud novelist Katie Fforde. She tells HELEN BLOW about her family celebrations

HRISTMAS for best-selling author Katie Fforde is all about spending time preparing wonderful food around the table with her family. “It’s nice getting presents but I wouldn’t mind if there weren’t any; time with all my family is much more important to me,” said the 62-yearold mother and grandmother. Katie will also be celebrating the release of her latest book – a collection of short stories with a festive theme – A Christmas Feast and other stories. Fforde fans will be able to indulge themselves in no fewer than 12 feelgood tales ranging from a holiday booking mix-up, romance in Italy and a snowy Noel in Scotland, all sprinkled liberally with Katie’s love of romance and sense of fun. All but one of the stories have been published previously in magazines and as ebooks and one is a new story. There is also a sneak preview of Katie’s newest novel, A Vintage Wedding, which is due to be released in February. “I always wanted to do something for Christmas but didn’t really know what,” said Katie as we chatted at the kitchen table of the Rodborough home she shares with husband, Des, and two small but lively Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Lucy and Ferdie. “I didn’t have time to write a whole new novel but then my publisher said we had all these short stories, some of which had been released as ebooks, which many readers might not have access to. “They suggested we put them all together for a lovely Christmas book and I wrote one new story to go with them. “They are all different lengths so there are longer ones that you can snuggle up in front of the fire for a jolly good read, and shorter ones that are ideal for bedtime when you can’t manage to read for too long before you find yourself falling asleep. “They are arranged like a special meal, starting with Champagne and canapes, going through starters and main courses and on to desserts, coffee and truffles.” Katie admitted it was fun for her to re-read the stories herself. “There are ones that are much better than I remember when I wrote them,” she laughed. “The book includes a short story I wrote for Radio 4, which I was very nervous about being broadcast but actually it turned

a g out OK in the end,” she said. Katie started writing as a young mum after her third child was born, working while the children were asleep. Now Guy, Francis and Briony are grown up with children of their own and Katie relishes the role of grandmother to the three youngsters. Her first novel Living Dangerously was published in 1995 and since then she has written more than 20 books and won the Contemporary category of the Romantic Novelists’ Association for her novel, Recipe of Love. Her early books were set around her own life and experiences, such as working in a café, living on a narrowboat and being a porter in an auction house, but these days, although she still gets inspiration from her own experiences, she carries out much more research while writing. “This year, two of my children have got married so we have had two lovely big family weddings and my next novel is called A Vintage Wedding,” she said. “The next book I’m working on is set in Scotland. We go to Scotland so often that I know it very well so I thought I could write a book set there. “It’s about a midwife and a Clyde Puffer, which is a steamboat that used to take stores to the islands and Highlands but is now used as a floating hotel. “I tend to research my books as I go along and I suppose I could

s t o

“

I really love the part of Christmas Day when everyone sits around the table chatting away while preparing the vegetables

Katie Fforde

p w w l L t s R

C h t u

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always do more but I’d never get the books written then.” Each book takes Katie between six and eight months to write the first draft and then the rest of the year to polish up. “I guess I write about a book a year on average,” she said. Katie has just finished decorating parts of her home ready for Christmas, with a Christmas tree in the sunroom, wreaths over the mantelpiece and lights strung around the kitchen. Look out of the windows and there are stunning views over the surrounding countryside as far as the River Severn and Forest of Dean. “Although we will be spending Christmas Day at my daughter’s house just up the road, I still like to decorate our home to give us a festive feel,” she said. “Until quite recently we always had Christmas here but now my daughter has moved into a bigger house nearby there is more room for everyone there. “But I still help to prepare and cook the meal. I can take up the turkey as it’s so close and my sister-inlaw ends up doing the sprouts.” With

around 16 people to be catered for on Christmas Day, everyone mucks in to help with the preparation. “I really love the part of Christmas Day when everyone sits around the table chatting away while preparing the vegetables. “We have been known to go a bit over the top for our Christmas meal, with roast beef, turkey and a goose served up. Sometimes though, it’s just one or two of them.” Katie’s family enjoys a traditional Christmas, from opening their stockings in the morning to sitting down to their festive meal in the evening. “As a child we had to wait until teatime to open our main presents but when our children were young we opened them after lunch. “Now we do stockings and then breakfast, followed by a walk, before having a small lunch and whisky punch, a bit of a nap and then the presents.” Katie admits she prefers Boxing Day with the present-giving and receiving over and the chance for everyone to sit round and relax. “We’ve always spent Christmas at home with the family – that’s my ideal Christmas and how I always spend it,” she said. “I don’t know what it would be like to go away for Christmas but I’m not sure I’d like it as I’m very family-orientated.” ■ A Christmas Feast and other stories is published by Arrow Books, priced £6.99, paperback and ebook. Katie has decorated her home, ready for the traditional family Christmas celebrations. Her book A Christmas Feast is a collection of short stories

Pictures: Eloisa Wildsmith

CHAMPAGNEAFTERNOONTEA

WEEK END people

A Champagne Afternoon Tea was held at Highnam Court, near Gloucester, to raise funds for The Leukaemia & Intensive Chemotherapy Fund

Photographer: Daniel Day

Tina Robinson and Claire Charlton

LINC director Dr Gill Rouse, Louise Adkins and Sally Gillespie

Paddy Grimshaw, Mollie Coleman and Gill Stockwell

Lesley Davis and Linda Rafferty

Piers Flook and Helen Mitchell

Geoffrey Fox and Dr Michael Rose

WIN! Fashion Tech gifts from WOWTHEM worth £190

The Mighty Purse, £80, comes in a range of colours and has a removable wristlet so it can be used as a clutch or a purse. Right: The Power Wallet, £60, is a stylish leather wallet with an integrated rechargeable battery

T’S the season for sending Christmas wishes and making memories with friends, family and loved ones. But with most Smartphones unable to last a busy day, you could be left in the lurch when it comes to snapping a pic, videoing that special moment, skyping a friend the other side of the world or calling a cab to get you home. Until now that is, as a range of accessories from WOWTHEM.COM provide a stylish solution to the everyday problem of running out of power on a mobile phone. Fusing fashion with function, the Fashion Tech collection features discreet, integrated rechargeable batteries to charge-on-the-go. WEEKEND has teamed up with WOWTHEM to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a Mighty Purse Original, worth £80, a Power

Wallet, worth £60, a Sulan Battery Tag from the Classic Collection, worth £35 and an Apple Adaptor pack, worth £15. Made from genuine leather the Mighty Purse has a lightweight, rechargeable battery to give you two full charges, so you can power your phone without compromising on style. As men never leave home without their money and phone the Power Wallet combines the best of both worlds giving them a leather wallet with an integrated rechargeable battery to charge his phone one-and-a-half times. Accessorise a tote bag or briefcase with the Sulan Battery Tag and power will be on hand whenever you need it most. The accessories are compatible with

Micro USB devices (Android devices including Samsung, BlackBerry, Nokia, HTC) and with Apple devices using Apple adaptors, sold separately. As well as being in with a chance of winning these items, you can take advantage of an exclusive reader offer of 15 per cent off all purchases at WOWTHEM.COM – including audio gadgets, stocking fillers and fashion tech. Simply enter WEEKENDWOW when prompted at checkout.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question:

How many charges does the Mighty Purse give? a. One b. Two c. Ten Send your answer on a postcard with your name, address and daytime telephone number to WowThem Competition, Features Department,Third Floor, St James’ House, St James’ Square, Cheltenham, GL50 3PR. The closing date is Saturday, December 20. TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Usual Local World terms and conditions apply. Visit www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/houserules or www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/ houserules for full details. By entering this competition you are agreeing to Local World informing you of promotions, offers and services unless stated otherwise. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. 15 per cent offer valid until December 31 2014. Christmas shipping restrictions apply. @WeekendGlos

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FASHION & Your guide to fashion in Gloucestershire – direct from the designers themselves

highlights

SPARKLING PARTY PICKS

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas so put on the shimmer and shine with our sparkling party picks.

SPOTTED ON THE STREET

Have we spotted you out and about in Gloucestershire? We check out your style and find out what you’re wearing.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

BEAUTY

Spare cash

A whimsical purse makes a perfect Christmas gift and Nica combines British quality with an Oriental sense of fun. Designer Nica Kim is known for quirky detail and high quality finish. ■ Mira blue purse with cat clasp and Keisy purse with bow clasp, £39 each at nica. co.uk

Red wine and organic food are good for us right? We take look at some diet myths.

Festive cocktail

Create the perfect skin cocktail with Caudalie’s new Overnight Oils to nourish and renew thirsty skin. Each oil is tailored to your skin’s needs and works with natural ingredients to restore skin from the effects of stress, pollution and the festive season. Vinosource Overnight Recovery oil, £26, soothes redness and irritation while Polyphenol C15 Overnight Detox Oil, £29, combats stress and tiredness. Visit caudalie.com

fashion PICK OF THE WEEK With polar vortex conditions predicted in the coming weeks, make sure you’ve got your footwear covered. These FitFlop boots are super comfy and super cosy. Shearling lined, they go by the nameTall Mukluk Moc 2 Lace and cost £195 from fitlop.com

Take biker chic through to evening wear with Biba’s gold metallic zip sleeve leather biker jacket, £299, at Cavendish House, Cheltenham or other House of Fraser stores

Skinted &minted Shimmer through Christmas in this metallic lace dress, £50 and shaggy faux fur jacket, £45, from Next or spend on the elegant Adrianna Papell metallic baroque detail dress, £150, from John Lewis at johnlewis.com

Stunning blue metallic full skirt, £125, from Coast at coast-stores.com

Jacques Vert gold satin panel dress, reduced to £99 from £229 at houseoffraser.co.uk

Diamante encrusted gold clutch bag, £50, from Jasper Conran at debenhams.com

Gold courts, now reduced to £27.30 from £39 at missselfridge.com

for the perfect party just add

SHIMMERAND

shine

Put some metallic shimmer into your party wardrobe and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll out-sparkle the Christmas tree. WEEKEND picks out some looks to get you dancing

www.creamhair.co.uk Cheltenham

Gloucester

1 St Aldate Street GL1 1RP

4/6 Bath Road GL53 7HA

01452 305926 glos@creamhair.co.uk

01242 579609 chelt@creamhair.co.uk

Instagram @creamhair Twitter @creamhair Facebook facebook.com/creamhair

Gemma Pope Gemma, 30, who works in H&M, said: “My style is a bit of a mix between rock and street wear. “I like my rockT-shirt obviously, and my leather at the moment, as well as chunky boots. “MyT-shirt and jacket are vintage, and the rest of my outfit is from H&M. “I like to mix new and vintage.”

Sebastien Romagny Sebastien,18, works in a hotel and prefers the comfy look. “I like to be able to move in my clothes. “I am wearing an H&M jumper, Jack and Jones pants and Kappa shoes.”

Beautiful ethical gifts, clothing, homeware and luxurious skincare by Cotswold company Liv could be the answer to your Christmas shopping problems. LUCY PARFORD found out more

spotted C ON THE STREET Mailys Morel checks out your style

Stephanie Baldwin Estate agent Stephanie, 29, describes her style as classic but quite modern. “I’m wearing a Laura Ashley coat,Topshop heels, a Warehouse scarf, my jumper is from White Company and my bag from Russell & Bromley.”

Tony Castes Tony Castes, 18, who works in a hotel, said: “I like to be chic sometimes but today I stayed quite sober and simple. “MyT-shirt is Superdry, my trousers are from H&M and my shoes from Puma. I’m quite a trainers fan.”

HRISTMAS shopping with a conscience came to Stowon-the-Wold with a pop-up shop with a difference. British ethical online store, Liv, showcased its stylish range of clothing, homeware and skincare at the event at Tabitha James Kraan organic haircare in Brewery Yard. All Liv’s own-brand products have been designed on Rush Farm – a 200acre organic smallholding just north of Evesham – since 2005. Recently, it has added other new and beautiful brands to its online store which share the same ethical and sustainable ethos. They include Ochre & Ochre, Made, Nourish and Broadway-based Outsider. Brand director Dawn Foxhall says: “We’re incredibly proud of what we make, source and have gathered from across the world and here in our own back yard. “We’re also just a bit astonished at all the talent and attention that goes into these wonderful products. “Beautiful products don’t make themselves. Real people make them, from Britain to Europe, South America, Asia and Africa, we make sure those incredible people are looked after – no sweatshops, no poverty wages, no careless chemicals. “The good we do for the people who make these things, we pass on to our customers.” As well as sourcing products from

around the world, Liv is also keen to support British manufacturing and has its own British-made range of knitwear. It also sells many small British brands which all tick its ethical and sustainable criteria boxes, as well as producing beautiful and desirable products. They include Worcestershire-based Santaverde luxurious skincare and DoYouGreen organic lingerie. “Our sister brands, carefully selected for their incredible quality, are a wonderful addition and we are privileged to stand alongside them,” says Dawn. “And it’s a lot of fun along the way.” Some of the store’s most popular products include pyjamas by Dog Tired, heritage clothing by Peregrine and jewellery by innovative London brand, Monkey Shirley. Liv held its first three-day pop-up shop at Tabitha James Kraan selling Christmas gifts, clothing, homeware and skincare. “It was great,” Dawn says. “We had a lot of people come, mostly clients from the salon. “It gave us a real sense of what people thought of the pieces and what we were doing. Everybody loved it and it gave us a lot of confidence and inspiration to keep going and make it work. “People do want to buy ethical, organic and British-made products. It was a really great response.” ■ For more details, visit www.liv.co.uk

Pictures: Carl Hewlett/TWM

BUY

itNOW

Cosy up in a faux fur jacket for a stylish finishing touch to any outfit. Save with White Stuff’s mood-lifting teal faux fur jacket, £95, at stores in Cheltenham and Cirencester or visit whitestuff. com. For extra luxury, Phase Eight’s Fran faux fur coat will cost £140 – visit the Cheltenham store or see phase-eight.com

Love Liv Dawn Foxhall, Liv brand director with some of the ethical clothes for sale. Right: organic cotton lounge dress, £65, and Merino wool Fairisle top, £85

LAUNCH EVENT

WEEK END people

Guests were invited to ‘A Magni-pheasant Affair’ at Beards in the Promenade, Cheltenham, where jeweller Stephen Webster’s latest range ‘Magnipheasant’ was showcased

Francois Sinclair, Stephen Webster and Angela Rose

Simon and Marcus Forbes George

Victoria Hindmarch, Stephen Webster, Arthur Hindmarch, Lisa Maxwell and Alexander Rose

Arthur Hindmarch, Lisa Maxwell and Victoria Hindmarch

Melanie Halstead and Patrick Robinson

Sue Blyth, Stephen Webster and Dinah Lane

ALLTHAT

glitters It’s a time to throw parties – Christmas and New Year’s Eve, not to mention children’s birthdays and anniversaries. HELEN BLOW pops into Toot Sweet in Cheltenham and finds everything she needs . . . .

STORY that began almost 30 years ago with scissors, pens and a big pot of glitter on a kitchen table in Los Angeles, has ended up with a partyware shop in a little Cheltenham side street. These days a team of 25 designers produce brightly-coloured paper products, gifts and cards in an office tucked away just off the town centre. Meri Meri is the brainchild of American-born Meredithe Stuart-Smith, who started the company in her home all those years ago. And last month she opened her first UK shop, Toot Sweet, in Well Walk, selling a selection of the company’s products on two days a week and acting as a show room for the rest of the time. It’s a bit of a wonderland for children, with fantasy-themed partywear, including pirates, animals, fairies and princesses, stars and dinosaurs. There are some stunning party centrepieces, including cupcake holders in the shape of a big wheel, castles, a car transporter and a pirate ship. For Christmas this year there are crackers, bakeware, sparkly garlands,

festive wrapping paper and tags and fun party props. Company spokeswoman Amy Batchelor, said: “We’re always working on lots of new products and we redesign the seasonal themes, such as Halloween, Easter and of course Christmas, every year, so it’s always new and fresh.” Meri Meri all began in 1985 when Meredithe was looking for something new to do after starting her family. “Meredithe is artistic and she started making greetings cards at the kitchen table,” said Amy. “She slugged away but didn’t get much interest for a while. “Then they were picked up by some stationery stores in LA, who loved her cards and asked for more.” Suddenly, one kitchen table and one pair of scissors wasn’t enough, So Meredithe rallied other mothers around her and set up a production line at kitchen tables around the city. “In 1987 we presented our little range of handmade cards at the National Stationery Show in New York and the response was phenomenal,” said Amy. “Pretty soon there were major stores like Bergdorf Goodman taking on our

range for their Christmas season and that meant more kitchen tables and great big sacks of glitter.” The move to the UK came after Meredithe met and married an Englishman. “We don’t design on kitchen tables any more but now work in studios in a 400-year-old building, overlooking an ancient churchyard in Cheltenham,” said Amy. “But we still have our scissors and our pens and all the glitter.” Despite moving to the UK, Meri Meri didn’t sell its products until about five years ago, through mail order, department stores and independent gift shops. “This is our first stand-alone shop in the UK,” said Amy. “It’s a bit of an experiment and a way to showcase our products right next door to our studios. “We’re just dipping our toes in the water here at the moment and we’ll see how it goes.” Toot Sweet is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-5pm or visit www.merimeri.co.uk gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

Pictures: Andrew Higgins

Amy Batchlor, head of UK Operations for Meri Meri in their new stationery and partyware shop, Toot Sweet! in Cheltenham

Trioscape Garden Centre This cute hare cushion, £16.99, makes the perfect gift. Find it atTrioscape Garden Centre, where you’ll find presents for all the family. ■ Trioscape Garden Centre, Highleadon, Newent. Call 01452 790550 or visit trioscape.co.uk

Spa Vapes

If you’re like us you meant to get all your presents organised . . . but somehow it never happened. And now Christmas is less than two weeks away. So get shopping with our last-minute gifts

Eleaf iStick is the perfect Christmas gift for the smoker you love, just £39.99 from Spa Vapes in Cheltenham ■ Spa Vapes, LansdownTrading Estate, Cheltenham. Call 01242 210555 or visit spavapes.co.uk

Gloucester Furniture Exhibition Centre This solid wood wine rack is handmade from reclaimed wood by villagers in Indonesia. It costs £85 and part of this is given back to the village. ■ Gloucester Furniture Exhibition Centre, Southgate Street, Gloucester. Call 01452 304424 or visit gloucesterfurniture.co.uk

Aura of Beauty Limited edition rose gold GHD Mark V straighteners, £130, available from Aura of Beauty. ■ Aura of Beauty, 47 The Promenade, Cheltenham, call 01242 251755 or visit auraofbeauty.co.uk

LAST

Advertising feature

MINUTE

gifts

Hudson & Co Sports Visit Hudson & Co Sports in Gloucester for World Cup 2015 clothing and accessories. This great World Cup polo shirt, £40, will become a favourite with the football-mad men in the family. And the eye-catching Rugby World Cup 2015 tie is £18. ■ Hudson & Co Sports, 52-54 Northgate Street, Gloucester. Call 01452 522978 or visit hudsonsports.co.uk

Forever Clinic

■

Retinol 6TR is the ultimate anti-ageing super-strong serum from Medik8. Medical grade Retinol 6 TR, £37, contains 0.6 per cent retinol that will target ageing, pigmentation, blemishes and sagginess. It’s perfect for the woman in your life or as a treat to yourself. ■ Forever Clinic (above Mondo Hair Salon), 11 RotundaTerrace, Montpellier Street, Cheltenham. Call 07581 043652 for more information or to book in for a treatment. www.foreverclinic.co.uk

Dawn Nurseries For many, Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without a poinsettia but there’s no need to stick to just red. At Cheltenham grower Dawn Nurseries, there are several different colours on offer ranging from white and pink to lime and even one with speckled bracts. There are even different shades of red while ‘Jester’ has bracts with a more upright habit. Prices range from £4.99 to £6.99.

Laura Leigh Hairdressing Give the gift of beautiful hair this Christmas. Gift Vouchers available. ■ Laura Leigh Hairdressing, the Promenade, Cheltenham. Call 01242 530598 or visit lauraleighhairdressing.co.uk

■ Dawn Nurseries, Shurdington

Road, Cheltenham. www.dawnnurseries.co.uk

Holistic Times Janie Whittemore brings news of events at the Isbourne Holistic Centre

AT the Isbourne we have a range of therapists who can be booked directly for an individual session. These take place in our therapy rooms at 2, Wolseley Terrace. Nina Chandler, holistic singing lessons Mini-sing sessions on a one-to-one basis and a monthly Healing Song Circle. Anna Darrock, acupuncture Alleviate pain and treat a variety of conditions using the body’s natural healing capabilities. Debbie Fitchsampson, counselling Qualified psychodynamic counsellor, mindfulness and CBT, supporting you through positive change. Nicola Gadsby, counselling Experienced accredited counsellor. Individuals and couples for depression, anxiety, anger management, addiction, relationship difficulties. Helen Heron, solution focused hypnotherapy/ psychotherapy Develop your own inner resources to cope with life changes. Stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, loss and bereavement. Jenni Horsfall, Gestalt counselling/ psychotherapy/coaching Jenni has extensive experience with depression, anxiety, addictions, loss and work-related issues. Jo Orsman, counselling Short or longer term work with many issues including selfesteem, depression and bereavement. Kelly Peacey, multidimensional healing/ crystal healing Facilitating personal healing

and life transformation, Kelly endeavours to empower you. Caroline Peyton, naturopathy/nutritional therapy A holistic approach to health incorporating nutrition, lifestyle, hydrotherapy and bodywork. Kate Smith, multi arts psychotherapy/counselling Explore what’s troubling you. Art, sand-play or drama therapy, as well as conversation. Phil Turner, psychosynthesis counselling Empowering people to make sustainable changes to improve their lives and relationships. Janie Whittemore, reiki/ reflexology Insightful healing. Pregnancy, back problems, physical/emotional issues, stress reduction. Caroline Willbourn, neurodevelopmental delay therapy INPP-trained neurodevelopmental delay therapist treats children and adults with immature reflexes, using specifically tailored exercise programmes. ■ Are you a local holistic practitioner interested in further training? Come to the Isbourne College Open Afternoon for holistic practitioners on January 30.

Looking forward to indulging at Christmas? The benefits of organic food, red wine and a variety of other food stuffs seem to change on a daily basis. WEEKEND busts the myths being reported in conflicting health food studies

NE day you read that the saturated fat in butter is bad for your heart, and the next, new research claims it’s better to eat butter than margarine. To ease your confusion you have a glass of red wine, which studies have shown to have health benefits. And as you drink it, you read that red wine isn’t nearly as good for

Where is the Isbourne Centre? Very central but tucked away; WolseleyTerrace is opposite the Rodney Road Car Park on Oriel Road, close to theTown Hall.

3, WolseleyTerrace, Cheltenham, GL50 1TH Registered Charity No. 1051622

you as was thought. All these so-called health studies can be completely baffling. Tom Sanders, professor of nutrition and dietetics at King’s College London, points out that many studies are trumpeted to launch a book or report. But he stresses that the tenets of a healthy diet remain the same – eat more fruit and vegetables, wholemeal bread and gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

Is it worth going

organic?

wholegrain cereal, and less red meat. “It’s not rocket science,” he says. Sometimes, new information is released, which changes the standard views, but it’s misinterpreted in terms of what the public should do. “Often, they can be messages that people like to hear,” says Tom. Still unsure? Experts reveal their opinions on some of the conflicting messages . . . SATURATED FAT Avoiding saturated fat in foods like butter, cheese and fatty red meat has long been a cornerstone of a healthy diet. Indeed, a large analysis on dietary fat and cardiovascular risk, published by the respected Cochrane Library in 2011, said replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat led to a “small but potentially important reduction in cardiovascular risk”. Yet cardiologist Aseem Malhotra received a great deal of publicity last year when he said that butter, cheese and red meat are not as bad for the heart as has been claimed, arguing in the British Medical Journal that saturated fat has been “demonised” and any link with heart disease is not fully supported by scientific evidence. A study by researchers from the US and Australia, also published in the British Medical Journal last year, showed that men who’d had a heart attack were more likely to die from coronary heart disease when they replaced saturated fats with polyunsaturated fat from safflower oil and safflower oil margarine. “Butter isn’t better,” Tom stresses. @WeekendGlos

“Although a bit of butter is OK, you’d be better off with a reducedfat spread than a lot of butter. “Butter tastes nicer, but the saturated fat in it does raise cholesterol.” RED WINE Red wine has often hit the headlines as being the ‘healthiest’ alcohol choice, with studies claiming that when drunk in moderation, the tipple can help protect the heart, and reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol. Indeed, the regular drinking of red wine has been suggested as the explanation for the relatively low incidence of coronary atherosclerosis (blocked arteries) in France, compared with other Western countries, despite the generally high intake of saturated fat in the French diet. Some of red wine’s purported health benefits are thought to come from a chemical it contains called resveratrol, and researchers at the University of Leicester have found that a daily amount of resveratrol, equivalent to two glasses of wine, can halve the rate of bowel tumours. However, US research published earlier this year suggests red wine may not be as good for you as was thought. The study of nearly 800 men and women from the Chianti region of Italy found dietary resveratrol didn’t translate into fewer deaths, cancers or heart problems. “Alcohol, including red wine, increases blood pressure,” says Tom, who points out that, conversely,

studies do show wine to be associated with a lower risk of heart disease in moderate drinkers. But heavy reds like Merlot are known to be associated with migraine, he says, and stresses: “The downside of alcohol is that it increases the risk of cancers of the upper digestive tract, and probably contributes to colorectal cancer and liver problems. “You shouldn’t feel there’s a recommended amount of wine to drink per day. If you drink it moderately and with food, it’s OK, but it’s probably not a good idea to drink every day.” ORGANIC FOOD An international study led by researchers from Newcastle University earlier this year concluded that organic food has more antioxidants, which are linked to better health, than regular food, plus lower levels of toxic metals and pesticides. But an earlier study examining 50 years’ worth of scientific articles about the nutrient content of organic and conventional foods found that organically and conventionallyproduced foods aren’t significantly different in their nutrient content. The 2009 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study, commissioned by the Food Standards Agency, concluded there was no reason to buy expensive organic food for nutritional reasons. “If you buy organic food, you’re making a lifestyle choice,” says Tom. “In terms of salt, saturated fat, sugar and vitamin levels, it’s not really any different at all. You might have slightly lower levels of pesticides, but they’re barely detectable in ordinary produce, and they’re not at a level that causes harm.”

CHRISTMAS

Christmas recycling made easy

how to recycle your Christmas trees

holiday recycling & waste collections

recycling old electricals

recycling centre opening times

ways to reduce festive food waste

Let’s end landﬁll

estershir www.recycleforgloucestershire.com

The Gloucestershire Joint Waste Team provides waste and recycling services on behalf of Cheltenham Borough Council, Cotswold District Council, Forest of Dean District Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council and Gloucestershire County Council. ©LW

Food Tuck into Fairtrade bean to bar chocolate

Celebrate the festive season at Chelsea Bar & Brasserie Create a masterpiece from The Great British Cookbook

@WeekendGlos

After dark drinks WHETHER you want to wow guests with a mince pie with a twist or need something festive and fast, these Christmassy cocktails from Black Moth Vodka will provide much liquid merriment. Founder of Back Moth Vodka, Paul Amin, who lives near Cirencester, says: “Christmas is all about having fun and enjoying a good night out and these cocktails that have been created by Michael Stringer, from Black Leaf Events, give a taste of Christmas and put everyone in a festive mood.” Truffle Snowball 35ml Black MothTruffle Vodka 25ml Advocaat 50ml lemonade Pour all ingredients over cubed ice and stir. Mince Pie Martini 50ml mince pie-infused Black MothTruffle Vodka Pour a bottle of Black MothTruffle Vodka into a large jug and add 1/2 jar of quality mincemeat. Leave to infuse for two days, stirring at regular intervals. Strain the whole mixture through a muslin cloth. Stir the infused vodka over plenty of cubed ice until well chilled and strain into a chilled martini glass. Serve with a mince pie. Black Moth Vodka is priced at £34 and is available to buy online from www.blackmothvodka. com or from Selfridges andThe Whisky Exchange.

FULL OF

beans Chocolate is part and parcel of Christmas for many people. Now a family from a village near Cheltenham is giving everybody an extra reason to stock up with a clear conscience, as SUE BRADLEY discovers

Grenada Chocolate Company. OME people use their “I was driving along and Mott garages for storage, was talking about his vision for others for home gyms people to be able to make chocolate and a few even keep them for their cars; but not using cocoa grown ethically and sustainably,” she recalls. Simon and Margie Doble. They’ve converted theirs into a “He made a throwaway comment chocolate kitchen in which they take that every small town that could fairly-traded single variety cocoa support a micro-brewery could beans from far-flung places such as support a micro-chocolate maker Venezuela and Nicaragua and turn because as many people eat chocolate them into as drink beer.” deliciously Mott’s words rich bars struck a chord Doble & Bignall's taster bars that with Margie, of milk and dark chocolate they sell the holder wrapped in of a Cordon distinctive Bleu diploma bird-themed who had been packaging. thinking about In the opportunities space of just to start a over a year food-related demand business with for their Simon for product some time. has grown “We looked to the online to see extent that if many other they’re now people in producing 600 bars of chocolate this country were making chocolate a week at their Oxenton home. from cocoa beans and we discovered For Margie, who combines the very few people were doing it,” business with her work as an says Simon, whose engineering and ecologist and duties as a magistrate, business backgrounds have proved the success of Doble & Bignall’s invaluable for the new venture. ‘bean to bar’ chocolate has far “The whole idea of this somewhat surpassed all expectations. magical process appealed to us: The mother-of-four came up with taking these scruffy and somewhat the product after being inspired unprepossessing beans and turning by a Radio 4 Food Programme them into something delicious.” special about Mott Green, the Margie and Simon produce American-born founder of the their chocolate by roasting raw

gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

Margie Bignall and Simon Doble with some of their chocolate

cocoa beans before breaking them up and removing the husks, a task performed in the garden with the aid of a hairdryer. The remaining cocoa, known as ‘nibs’, is placed into a melanger in which a set of granite grinding stones turns it into liquid chocolate that’s subsequently combined with sugar and, if required, milk powder, before being mixed to make it smooth. The resulting ‘couverture’ then goes through a process known as ‘tempering’ to produce a chocolate with a satisfying snap, sheen and velvety texture. “At our first attempt we turned a raw product into molten chocolate within hours and thought ‘we can do this,” says Simon. “The entire bean to bar process takes around three days for milk chocolate and two for dark.” After perfecting their recipe, the couple began to build the business gradually, starting with their packaging and brand name, which comes from the combination of their surnames. Meanwhile the use of a raven to denote their 72 per cent dark chocolate, tawny owl for milk and cuckoo for a mixed pack comes from Margie’s life-long love of birds. @WeekendGlos

Picture: Rosemary Watts

As the business has grown, the Dobles’ children have come into their own performing various roles: son Rowan, 23, graduated with a degree in IT in June and has been helping his parents with all of their computer needs while getting ready to start a job with Morgan Stanley in February. Daughter Alicia, 19, goes to university next year and helps with wrapping. At the same time Josh, 25, who is employed by a wine company and 27-year-old NHS worker Rosie have helped develop the business by giving their opinions on different recipes, tasting and advising on marketing. “Pretty much from the start this really has been a family business,” says Margie. “In April we sold our first bars of chocolate; we took it to a couple of delicatessens and tentatively asked if they would stock it. Since then we’ve sold more than 4,000 bars and are now stocked at a number of stores including Whole Foods Market and Daylesford Organic in Kingham and London. “I don’t think we’ve really spent an awful lot of time thinking about how to develop the business; it’s built up gradually.” Doble & Bignall is currently

working flat out to meet the increased demand in the lead up to Christmas, bringing in friends and family members to help wrap bars ready to sell. And as they look to the year ahead, Simon and Margie plan to try out samples of fairly-traded cocoa beans from community co-operatives in Tanzania and Peru. “Over the years cocoa farmers have been paid so little and they’re beaten down on price all the time” says Simon. “We look for good quality beans, for which we’re prepared to pay a good price.” Poignantly Mott Green will never know how his interview on the Food Programme inspired Margie to set up Doble & Bignall; in fact it was only later that she realised the recording was actually part of an obituary about the free-spirited chocolatier, environmentalist and fair trade campaigner who died while trying to fix his solar-powered cooling system in Grenada in June 2013. “He was driven by wanting to make the lot of the cocoa farmer better and we’re proud to be carrying on this work,” she says.

■ www.dobleandbignall.co.uk

MADE IN

Chelsea I

T’S the tradition I love about this time of the year. All those Cliff Richard calendars and Mick Hucknall compilations flying off the shelves faster than you can say ‘casanova’. Then there’s the shopping; you can’t help but find yourself swept up in the excitement of it all. Before you know it, you’re clinging on to a better-thanhalf-price 42in plasma with one hand while clutching a joint of ham with the other. That’s what Christmas is all about, isn’t it? Creating precious memories you’ll treasure for a lifetime. OK I’m being flippant. But believe it or not I really do love this time of year, but for different reasons entirely. I love the parties, the pantomime – Tweedy the Clown is brilliant at the Everyman – and the chance to indulge without any sense of guilt. Every extra morsel of food and drink seems justifiable if you offer up those immortal words; ‘oh go on then, it is Christmas’. With that in mind, let me introduce you to Chelsea Bar and Brasserie in Cheltenham which should be on everyone’s festive radar. At a time of year where buffets are riddled with more cocktail sausages than a butcher’s window, it offers a welcome alternative of bold, no-frills food in very stylish surroundings. The entire restaurant is engulfed by bottles of wine; rack upon rack of red, white and rosé lined up in dark wood panels. With lots of lighting and glass it’s light and airy with cutlery twinkling beneath myriad spotlights. Although the atmosphere on the night we chose to dine was practically non-existent. I should add that we were not alone – there was one other couple that we spotted during the entire evening – but it was a Tuesday. On Saturday, I’m told, it’s quite a different story. It’s a shame really, since the food is pretty spot on. We skipped the

starters but there was plenty to tempt middle. A rocket salad gave up its us; ham hock terrine with pineapple natural pepperiness and a hit of vivid and sweet chilli chutney, potted green, although I’d have liked a light shrimp, baby camembert, breast of dressing to liven it up even more. wood pigeon with celeriac remoulade. My girfriend’s surf and turf was Oh and the humble token gesture largely as triumphant; she loved towards the vegetarian diner in the the combination of farmyard form of crispy garlic mushrooms. beast and juicy prawns but felt as Mains are an equally meaty affair though the shells could have been with everything one might expect to removed to make it a little easier. find on a classically Dessert was an British menu; easy choice. We braised lamb tucked into a warm shank, venison and and rich sticky Gressingham duck toffee pudding breast all served with lashings of with a changeable toffee sauce and a fruity jus. ball of banoffee ice Bizarrely though, cream (£5.50). It’s there’s also pizza seriously decadent and pasta on the comfort food and menu; presumably if you have a another token sweet tooth gesture nod to the you’ll absolutely vegetarian member love it. Plus if of the party. The you don’t there’s huge menu is only plenty of other just getting started options; Christmas at this point; there pudding, warm are classics from chocolate brownie fish and chips to and blackberry and gammon and even rhubarb crumble Seabass with langoustine, sauce viage, beef bourguignon. are among them. Leonnaise potatoes and mussels Then we arrive at In truth we the grills with all struggled to manner of steaks and sauces and fault it – the half price bottles of burgers. Eventually – after debating Prosecco on a Tuesday made up for for what could have been five hours – the atmosphere – and the service I chose an 8oz fillet (£24.95) while my was both efficient and friendly. girlfriend opted for the surf and turf. Make sure you rustle up the kids on The meat arrived a perfect blushing a Saturday – from noon until 2.30pm medium-rare and I’ll forgive the those under-14 eat free – and there’s chronic overseasoning – I love two and three-course Christmas salt but this was like swallowing menus available from £22.50 with a mouthful of the sea – as the a glass of Prosecco included. flavour of the meat and the creamy In the frenzied atmosphere of Diane sauce was fantastic. Christmas shopping and celebrity It was served on a wooden board – calendars at every turn, it’s the very on-trend – and arrived alongside perfect retreat. Even Sir Cliff might a little stainless steel mesh basket struggle to argue with that. with a plentiful portion of chips, crisp on the outside and fluffy in the Jonathan Whiley

gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

Pictures: Anna Lythgoe

CHELSEA BAR & BRASSERIE Location: 60 St George's Place, Cheltenham Food: Modern British Atmosphere: Quiet Price: Starters from £4.50; mains from £11.95; desserts from £4.50 Contact: 01242 222634

ce s t Abdul Mannan, CEO of Brasserie Group, which owns the Chelsea Bar & Brasserie

foodie

e nd

PICK OFTHEWEEK

n m

Filled with sultanas, raisins, currants and cherries soaked in mulled wine, this moreish Spiced Fruit Loaf is the perfect festive breakfast or tea time treat. Mulled Wine Spiced Fruit Loaf £2, Marks and Spencer, High Street, Cheltenham and Eastgate Street, Gloucester @WeekendGlos

GREAT BRITISH

chefs The Great British Cookbook showcases 200 of the UK’s finest chefs who have created culinary masterpieces using locally-sourced produce. They include David Kelman from Ellenborough Park, near Cheltenham

NEW cookbook takes a journey through 200 of the UK’s most prestigious pubs, guest houses, hotels, Michelin Star and AA Rosette restaurants; including Ellenborough Park in Cheltenham. The Great British Cookbook is available to download at www. thegreatbritishcookbook.co.uk for £12 and is supporting Macmillan Cancer Support and Hospitality Action. David Kelman is among many respected chefs who have shared their recipes including Adam Simmonds, Michael Caines MBE, Rick Stein OBE, Cyrus Todiwala OBE DL, Anna Hansen MBE, Galton Blackiston, Richard Corrigan, Hayden Groves, Tony Singh and Nigella Lawson, to name a few. The Great British Cookbook Download and Donate day is scheduled for the last shopping Friday before Christmas, December 19. Organisers hope to reach the 20,000-download target to raise £200,000. Whether you cook each dish or visit each restaurant, the cookbook is a way to support two great causes and increase your culinary repertoire. Sign up for regular updates on Twitter @GBCookbook In the meantime, try out your skills with David’s delicious recipe . .

Celebrity chefs Nigella Lawson, Rick Stein and CyrusTodiwala are among those who have contributed recipes to the charity cookbook

gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

Corn Fed Chicken, Leek and Mushroom Terrine With Pickled Vegetables, Foie Gras and Crisp Chicken Skin Ingredients 1 whole corn-fed chicken, roasted with garlic and thyme and seasoned 1 leek, sliced, washed, then blanched in boiling water until soft, drained and chilled 300g of wild mushrooms, cleaned then pan-fried in hot sunflower oil and flamed in brandy 400ml of chicken stock 4 leaves of gelatine, soaked 50g of tarragon, chopped 250g of Oxsprings air dried ham For the pickled vegetables: 200ml white wine 200ml white wine vinegar 200ml water 200ml oil (light olive oil or rapeseed) 2 tbsp pickling spice Small sprig thyme Small sprig tarragon Small sprig parsley ½ garlic clove 4 peeled baby carrots 1 stick of celery, peeled and sliced ¼ swede, diced Purple sprouting broccoli, picked down to little florets 8 pieces of shimeji mushrooms 8 pieces of cauliflower For the crispy chicken skin: 4 large chicken skins 10g thyme leaves Clarified butter Salt For the foie gras with ginger crumbs: ½ lobe of foie gras 100g cold butter 2 tbsp of brandy 2 tbsp of dry Martini Mixed spice Pink salt

Jamaican gingerbread Loaf (shop bought)

Method Take all of the meat from the chicken and shred. Warm the chicken stock and add the gelatine until dissolved. Place the entire chicken, leek, mushrooms and tarragon into a bowl and pour over the stock; mix together and season. Line a drainpipe-shaped terrine mould with cling film and then line with the Oxsprings air dried ham. Lifting the chicken mixture from the stock, place into the terrine mould until it’s just at the top. Fold over the ham to cover the chicken mixture and press with a heavy tray to squeeze out the excess stock. Place into a fridge until set firm. For the pickled vegetables: Add the first eight ingredients into a pan and bring to the boil. Simmer for five minutes then strain and season. Place each of the veg into a small pan, then pour the pickling liqueur over and bring to the boil. Simmer until each one is almost cooked. Place the veg into the blast chiller and cool. Take out the liqueur and season to serve. For the crispy chicken skin: Using a sharp knife clean as much fat as you can from the chicken skin. Then brush with the butter, season then sprinkle with the thyme leaves. Place on to greaseproof paper top and bottom, then bake

between two heavy trays at 180C for 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and leave to cool. For the foie gras with ginger crumbs: Chop the foie gras into small pieces. Mix the Martini and brandy over the foie gras and season with mixed spice and pink salt. Make sure the foie gras is slightly over-salted as it will soak the salt up. Place the fois gras into a bag and seal on a vacuum sealer. Refrigerate for 20 minutes then cook in water bath at 62C for four mins. Remove the foie gras from the bag and place into a blender. Blend and slowly add the cold butter. When all is mixed, check the seasoning and strain through a sieve. Pipe into a tube and set in a fridge. Chop the gingerbread into small pieces then dry in an oven until crisp. Remove from the oven and break into fine crumbs. Set to one side ready for plating up. To serve: Place a blob of mustard mayonnaise at one end of a rectangular plate and using a palette knife, spread across the plate. Take a slice of the terrine, remove the cling film and place in the middle of the plate. Remove the foie gras from the tube and roll in the ginger crumbs. With a hot knife, slice a thick piece and place next to the terrine. Dress the plate with the pickled vegetables and add a little micro cress or baby leaf salad. To finish, gently place the crisp chicken skin.

Executive Head Chef at Ellenborough Park, David Kelman

The Beaufort Dining Room @WeekendGlos

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homes & gardens Holiday home Creating the perfect home for the holidays is easier than you think – especially if you have OKA’s multi-talented designers on hand to help you

source . . .

TWIGTREES

No time to decorate a traditional Christmas tree? Embrace the trend for these gorgeous Frosted Light-up Trees from Cox & Cox. They start at £35 from lifestyle website www. coxandcox.co.uk @WeekendGlos

Scent-sational Scented candles and diffusers make for a magical atmosphere in the home at Christmas. Here’s our pick of the best

Vegging out Sprouts get a bad press – but they’re so good for you and cooked properly they’re delicious. Here’s how to choose the sweetest treats

CREATEAHOMEFORTHE

holidays

Pulling out all the stops to create a magical home for the holidays is easier than you think. LUCY PARFORD talks to Julie Paul, head of interior design at OKA, for some top decorating tips

ITH Christmas just around the corner, it’s the time of year to pull out all the stops to create some festive interior magic to enjoy with family and friends. Luxury furniture shop OKA, in Broadway, has plenty of inspiration to create a welcoming and stylish home for the holidays. Julie Paul, head of interior design at OKA, says: “Getting your home ready for Christmas is something that should be fun and enjoyable, the prelude to a wonderful time of year. “Updating cushions and throws and adding new lamps and shades is a really quick win – cushions are so seasonal. Mirrors can also be re-positioned to bounce light – if you can use them to reflect your Christmas tree lights, all the better. “If you’ve guests coming, then it could be a good opportunity to de-clutter and to take a closer look at your storage options – OKA trunks offer a great solution, my

favourite is the wooden Warrior Trunk which will hide lots of clutter and can be used as a side table.” Follow OKA’s advice for preparing your home for Christmas: - Tidy away any clutter to make space for Christmas decorations. - Extra storage is essential, especially somewhere to hide presents from prying eyes. - Welcome guests with a wonderful wintry fragrance by lighting a scented candle. - Designate a specific area for drinks, decanters and glasses so everyone can help themselves. - Create soft lighting with low hanging lanterns and plenty of candles. - Ottomans and stools can double up as additional seating or tables if needed. - Locate your best crockery and glassware – and make sure it sparkles. - Take stock of all the chairs in your home and try not to invite more people than you can fit around the table. If you don’t have a natural eye for putting a room

together, OKA also offers an interior design service which it has been running for just over three years. It caters for big and small jobs, with qualified designers on hand to help customers make the process of redecorating a room or a bigger project easier and to ensure the project runs smoothly. Customers can choose to have OKA products throughout their new design scheme or may just want one or two pieces – the service is completely bespoke and can also include made-to-measure window treatments, carpet fitting and even building works. Of her role as head of design, Julie says: “There is nothing better than working with clients to help them achieve an aesthetic yet functional space – and this, together with

Bamboo Leaf Bowl in gold, £245

Puicinella Tumblers, set of four, £46; right, wreaths from £35, down from £62; opposite page, Isphahan Porcelain – dinner plates, £185 for four, serving bowls from £38, mugs from £34

@WeekendGlos

looking after my team, takes up most of my day. “I also spend time thinking about how I can further develop the OKA Interior Design service, which is all about offering an accessible interior design solution for all.” Recent projects have included everything from country houses to city pads and properties abroad. “I particularly enjoy watching clients’ reactions when we unveil a finished project and helping my team to grow and develop their abilities is also very rewarding,” says Julie. “One of my first projects with OKA, several years ago, was a family house, near Bath, for a lovely client who still pops in to see us at OKA

today. Another favourite was a beautiful house in Switzerland in a very special location. “We work very closely with our clients and on big projects the relationship will last over a year, so it’s no surprise that they often become friends. “Our job is to forge a strong and honest relationship with our clients, listening carefully to their requirements and at times inspiring them to think differently about their space in order to deliver the required brief.” OKA’s inspiration for autumn/ winter includes earthy, neutral tones, luxurious velvet upholstery and chalet-inspired chic. “My all time favourite piece from OKA has always been the Upton console in black, I will be 40 this year so it may just have to be a present to myself,” laughs Julie. “From the current collection, the Aberdare Magazine Basket with its wonderful texture and colour is a great favourite. “Furniture-wise I love the Camille Console, which offers beautiful design at a great value price – there is a real elegance about this piece.”

Some of OKA’s seasonal bestsellers include its Triomphe Side Table, £425, the Lulworth Chair in rich raspberry, £525 and ornate wood Bowery Dining Table, £2,100, perfect for getting all the family round for Christmas.

Pine Cone Wreath, £45, down from £78; Golden Egg salt and pepper set, £64; Skeleton Leaf Coasters, £76 for a set of four

For more details, visit the shop in Broadway High Street or www.okadirect.com

Above, decorative accessories include Faux Shagreen Photo Frames, from £72, and Matchbox Holders, £39; left, cushions from £29

gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

LIGHT A PENNY

CANDLE Fragrance your home for the festive season. WEEKEND sniffs out some expert tips and scent-sational buys

From top: Diptyque Paris Pomander, from £20 (www. diptyqueparis.co.uk); Space NK Shimmering Spice Candles, from £15 (www.spacenk.com); Jo Malone Frosted Cherry & Clove Deluxe Candle, £120 (www.jomalone.co.uk); Branche d’Olive Small Heart Pomanda - Feather, £16.50 (www.branchedolive.com)

@WeekendGlos

GAINST a background of glitzy decorations, beautifully wrapped presents and festive fare, Christmas is as much a sensory experience as it is a sumptuous feast, and enhancing your space with the right fragrance is like the fairy on top of the tree. Creating an atmospheric setting not only makes friends and family feel welcome, but placing scented candles in the main living areas can transform a home. “On Christmas Day, I always like to burn scents together and create a unique scent for the day. Burning Feu de Bois and Ambre, both from the woody family, creates a scent of an open log fire and warm toasty marshmallows,” says Amanda Morgan at Diptyque. “I also like Pomander [orange and cinnamon], creating a warm scent like minced pies.” And that’s the joy of a perfumed glow - you can give guests a hint of things to come. And while decorating a

mantelpiece or side table can look grand, with clusters of votives arranged among pine cones, red berries and cinnamon sticks, the idea is simple, and the secret is to focus on areas where you will entertain. “Take time to think about how you want your home to feel this Christmas, before you choose a colour scheme," advises Debbie Wild, London lifestyle director at Jo Malone. “Red, green and white are Christmas classics, while you could go for something more unexpected with silvers and purples, for instance. The countryside is full of green foliage this time of year, from beautifully scented pine to holly, ivy and rosemary sprigs, to birch, beech and berry branches. “Embrace these and use them as your base. Mix different hues of green, combining dark and lush pine needles with the silvery foliage of clean and fresh eucalyptus, and then nestle an aromatic pine and eucalyptus diffuser or candle alongside, to echo the arrangement.”

Tips to grow your own ■ Choose a modern variety that will have a better flavour. ■ Prepare soil and ensure the pH is 6.5 or higher. Hold off on nitrogen until plants are established to stop them growing ‘soft’. ■ Sow seed in modules at the beginning of March for mid-season, or buy plug plants from a garden centre as they will have an initial treatment for cabbage root fly. ■ Plant out by the end of May and firm each plant in well. ■ Garlic granules around each plant help to deter cabbage root fly. ■ Guard against slug damage. ■ If leaves do not drop in September or October, take them off, being careful to remove every trace. This increases air circulation around the sprouts and helps prevent fungal disease. ■ If you buy a sprout ‘stick’ hang it up outside by a piece of string and pick sprouts as you need them. They should keep fresh for up to a month.

William Haines and his son William Junior grow sprouts for Marks & Spencer and Aldi

PROUTS are the Marmite of the vegetable world, polarising opinion with little middle ground. Some people refuse to countenance them on their plate while to devotees, they are the ultimate winter veg. Few take them as seriously as William Haines though. His family farm at Chipping Campden grows 220 acres of sprouts a year, producing a staggering average of 1,760 tonnes. At this time of year those fields are buzzing with activity as harvesting is flat out to meet the Christmas demand. The farm supplies Marks & Spencer and Aldi, and Haines sprouts will be sent all over the country. Yet they are more than just another crop to William, whose farm also produces a range of peas and beans, potatoes and wheat as well as raising sheep. He believes sprouts have had a bad press, with people unaware of new sweeter varieties and their health benefits. “They are one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat,” he explains. “There is four times as much Vitamin C in a sprout as there is in an orange.” He dismisses the old adage that sprouts are no good until they have been frosted pointing out that new varieties have been bred for a less bitter flavour. “One of the most important things is taste,” he says. “Some of the more modern ones have got a slightly nutty taste.” What is important is not to overcook them and to drain them as soon as they are done. William even likes them raw and picks several to eat as we walk the fields. And sprouts are not just for Christmas: harvest starts in July for early varieties and goes on until April the following year. The farm grows around a dozen different varieties and

each season has trial crops of new sprouts that are tested for reliability, disease resistance and flavour. Plants are grown from seed in modules by a specialist firm in Lincolnshire and planted out using a machine from March onwards with the aim of getting everything into the ground by the end of May. “Just because it’s a late sprout it doesn’t mean you plant it late.” He prefers to grow plants ‘hungry’ to develop a deep tap root and keeps a close eye on the weather as different conditions encourage different pests and diseases. Among the worst are cabbage root fly, aphids, slugs and fungal infections. Most are dealt with by spraying, which is carefully regulated under the ‘Red Tractor’ scheme. “It all has to be done by the book,” he says. “It varies year to year as we only spray on demand.” Until recent years picking was all done by hand but that is now reserved for early sprouts, sprouts on a ‘stick’ and sprout tops, with the rest harvested by a machine that cuts each stalk, allowing it to be fed by hand into another section that strips the sprouts off and puts them in a hopper. Once a section is cleared, sheep are let in to graze on the stalks and stray leaves. In the packing house, the sprouts are graded into four sizes – ‘baby sprouts’ are gaining in popularity – and packed ready for the supermarkets. Turnaround from field to lorry is less than 48 hours and the farm will work 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the final countdown to Christmas. After all that effort, William would be forgiven for not wanting to see another sprout on the big day but far from it: “I wouldn’t have anything different,” he says. gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

Pictures: Andrew Higgins CHAH20141202A-002_C

Sprouts BITEBACK

Sprouts have a pretty bad press but as MANDY BRADSHAW found out, one Cotswolds farm is determined to put them back on our dinner plates as a sweet-tasting vegetable full of health-giving benefits

FESTIVAL OF CAROLS

WEEK END people

A Champagne reception was held at Gloucester Cathedral as more than 150 guests attended the Festival of Carols. The Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School Chamber Choir sang Christmas carols and the school swing band played their festive repertoire

Richard and Caroline Lachecki

Robert and Karen Macdonald

Richard and Angela Cross

Sarah and Kenneth Owen

Sarah and Jonathan Brasher

Helena and Jonathan Cavan

Individually designed detached house in a beautiful setting enjoying fantastic uninterrupted views all the way to the Malvern Hills. Thoughtfully, architect designed, this contemporary style house has much to offer in the way of space, design and natural light. Accommodation is on two floors with the living space on the upper floor and the five bedrooms below. There are two balconies both of which, again, make the most of the view. This is an excellent home in a wonderful location. EPC - D.

property details Location : Cleeve Hill Price : ÂŁ800,000 Agent : Fine & Country Contact : 01242 220080

PRESTIGE

property

A spacious 1960's detached house in a quiet tree lined road with a wide drive, double garage and generous rear garden. The main reception room to the front of the property offers an attractive feature fireplace with double doors to the dining room which gives full view of the pleasant rear garden. A well proportioned kitchen and study also looks out to the rear garden and upstairs there are 4 good sized bedrooms. Side and rear access leads to a lovely private established rear garden with a sunny patio area, lawns, well stocked flower borders and a garden shed.

PRESTIGE

property

property details Location : Pittville Price : ÂŁ469,950 Agent : CJ Hole Cheltenham Contact : 01242 255101

This fabulous, light and spacious Georgian family home has been recently extended and refurbished by the present owners who have created a home with a blend of contemporary and period charm. The property has a flexible floor plan enabling use of rooms to suit a variety of lifestyles. The well-proportioned accommodation comprises three receptions, kitchen/ family room, utility, cloakroom, five bedrooms and two bathrooms. To the rear the garden is private with a terrace, lawn and a lovely log cabin. Energy Rating C.

property details Location : Prestbury Price : ÂŁ635,000 Agent : Peter Ball & Co Contact : 01242 255288

PRESTIGE

property

The property comprises of a substantial period house combining red brick and half timbered elevations situated over three levels with a sympathetic modern extension to the east end of the house providing leisure facilities and office set up. The ground floor features three impressive traditional reception rooms including a lovely reception hall. Features within include exposed beamwork, oak panelling, beautiful fireplaces, traditional quarry tiling and leaded light windows. Situated in private grounds, the house is accessed via two private driveways with the informal entrance giving access to a parking and turning area together with further access to the tennis court, helicopter hangar and extensive climate controlled Motor house. Extensive lawns surround the perimeter of the house, with the majority of grounds comprising meadowland interspersed with a variety of tree planting and wildlife pool.

PRESTIGE

property

property details Location : Ockington Price : Guide ÂŁ1,875,000 Agent : Savills 01242 548 000 Contact : cswaab@savills.com

Requiring modernisation, a charming Victorian farmstead and former equestrian centre representing a prime development/diversification opportunity (subject to the relevant consents). Farmhouse, attached cottage, farm office, collection of substantial Grade II listed barns, modern agricultural buildings, equestrian facilities & paddocks, in all about 11.6 acres. Further 45 acres available separately.

property details Location : Huntley Price : ÂŁ1,250,000 Agent : Knight Frank Contact : 01242 354996

PRESTIGE

property

A delightful and beautifully presented detached Grade II Listed cottage in the heart of Painswick offering views over the famous churchyard with its 99 clipped yew trees. The property has been recently refurbished to offer charming and characterful accommodation that retains many period details including exposed stonework and beams, a cast iron fireplace and stone mullion windows. The ground floor accommodation comprises a reception room with large inglenook fireplace, a fitted kitchen and rear lobby that gives access to the courtyard garden. On the first floor there is a shower room and a bedroom offering views of Painswick churchyard whilst a bathroom and bedroom with beamed and vaulted ceiling and superb views of the churchyard is situated on the second floor. A vaulted stone cellar completes the accommodation.

PRESTIGE

property

property details Location : Painswick Price : ÂŁ249,000 Agent : Hamptons Painswick Contact : 01452 898270

A substantial five bedroom detached family house with a self-contained apartment, in all about 5576 square feet, within a plot of approximately three quarters of an acre. Its accommodation in brief comprises a reception hall, drawing room, dining room, cloakroom, study, fitted kitchen/breakfast room, garden room, utility and laundry, four bedrooms, two en-suite shower rooms and a bathroom with separate shower. The apartment has a kitchen, living/dining room, a bedroom and bathroom. Benefits include two garages, one with a leisure room. D

property details Location : Bredon Price : ÂŁ1,100,000 Agent : Errington Smith & Co Contact : 01242 575805

PRESTIGE

property

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Antiques & Auctions

A spot of fine dining

URNITURE collectors have the chance to bid for some fine mid-to-late 20th century Cotswold School furniture on Tuesday. These pieces come from the estate of a private collector in the Cotswolds, whose whole house was devoted to the display of this furniture. The Cheltenham sale, by Cotswold Auction Company, includes several signed pieces by Oliver Morel, who trained with Edward Barnsley, the son of Sidney Barnsley – one of the pair of brothers, who were co-founders of the movement with Ernest Gimson. There is a fine dining table (1975) and eight dining chairs (1978) bearing his label, while, even more enticingly, there is an exquisite marquetry inlaid cabinet on a stand, very much in the style of Morel, but unlabelled. This two-tier cabinet has panels of relief marquetry of foliage and cornstalks, and is expected to sell for £800-£1,200.

Works by this cabinetmaker rarely come up at auction. “This is such a lovely collection – the chance to offer fine local pieces such as these doesn’t come up every day,” said auctioneer Lindsey Braune. There are several smaller items such as hand mirror, caskets, fruit bowl and wall clock in the same style, plus a handsome library bookcase by Hugh Birkett, dated 1975. The auction is on Tuesday at 11am at the Chapel Walk Saleroom in Cheltenham. The saleroom is open for viewing today from 10am to 1pm and on Monday from 10am to 6pm.

This Cotswold School cabinet, thought to be by Oliver Morel, should fetch £800-£1,200. The table, left, has an estimate of £400-£600

Pretty price for Chinese porcelain panels SIX Chinese porcelain panels received as a wedding present 30 years ago are expected to make £30,000-£35,000 at auction next week. They come up for sale at the twoday Chaterhouse sale in Sherbourne, which starts on Tuesday. Auctioneer Richard Bromell said: “Our client was working for a chain of luxury hotels in Hong Kong 30 years ago when he married his bride. “His Chinese father-in-law spent many years collecting Chinese porcelain and gave the newlyweds six porcelain panels from his collection as a wedding gift.” @WeekendGlos

NEXT AUCTION DATE: SALE DAY THURSDAY 18TH DECEMBER 10.30AM VIEWING DAY WEDNESDAY 17TH DECEMBER 9.00AM 5.30PM FREE HOME VISITS FOR AUCTION VALUATIONS

The couple are still happily married but have decided now is the time to auction the panels. The sale also includes medals and militaria, coins, stamps, clocks, furnture and collectors’ items.

www.bespokeauctions.co.uk

TEL: 01242 603005 ©LW

THE WEEKEND

library

Predator

Paul Goldstein amd Kyriakos Kaziras, £40, www.edigroup-publishing.com In cinematic terms, predators are the blockbusters of the wildlife world: thrilling, dynamic and guaranteed big hitters. Be it polar bears in the high Arctic or frustratingly elusive caracals in the African bush, their behavior has captivated wildlife enthusiasts for decades. This coffee table collection from two critically acclaimed wildlife photographers, shot over the course of their respective careers,

Human Ocean

celebrates the skill and majesty of some of the world’s greatest hunters while simultaneously highlighting their fragility in an ever-evolving and ever-shrinking natural world. Actionpacked, tender and tear jerking, this collection has all the elements of a box office hit.

What are you reading? Tweet us @WeekendGlos

Sam Bloomfield

Jane Smiley

Some Luck

The Beat Goes On

Chrysalis Poetry, £6.99

Mantle, £18.99

Orion, £19.99

Frances Lincoln, £25

Poet Sam Bloomfield’s observations on the wildness of sprit, nature, love and life have been brought together in his book Human Ocean. The healer, teacher and didgeridoo player, who grew up near Stroud, started writing poetry at the age of 15. Over the years he has worked as a labourer, tree surgeon and life model for leading sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley. Sam, who is regularly involved with Ruskin Mill in Nailsworth and Hawkwood College near Painswick, describes his book as “the muddy garden where the displines of love, psychology and philosophy meet”.

Some Luck is the first volume of Pulitzer-prize winning novelist Jane Smiley’s new trilogyThe Last HundredYears. This volume runs from 1920 to 1953, following the fortunes of the Langdons – a farming family in Iowa – and covers the Great Depression and World War II, complete with Pearl Harbour and the atomic bomb. Each chapter covers a year, some are momentous, others merely domestic. The characters develop and grow over the course of 30 years and to see the impact of their actions, you will be waiting eagerly for the next instalment in the trilogy.

Edinburgh cop John Rebus has already been resurrected once by his creator, who brought him out of retirement for a new novel a few years ago and now he is back again in this short story selection. It collects together previously published work with a handful of new stories tracking Rebus from his first days on the force to the end of his career. They reveal Rankin as a master of the short story art, with tightly-contained twists and turns and memorable characters fleshed out in just a few pages. For fans who have read and re-read them already, this is a special treat.

Gloucestershire’s reputation as one of the foremost counties for gardens is cemented with the publication of a new hardback book. The English Country House Garden brings together 25 renowned sites, ranging from traditional retreats to contemporary masterpieces. No fewer than four of these gardens are in Gloucestershire, including Hidcote, near Chipping Campden, the Arts and Crafts masterpiece Rodmarton Manor, Kiftsgate Court andThe Old Rectory in Naunton is included in a chapter on contemporary designs.

Ian Rankin

The English Country Garden George Plumptre

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WIN ME!

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Andre Rieu

Winter Wonderland Bath Cardiff Christmas Market Tuesday December 16th ~ £19 Chatsworth at Christmas* Thursday December 18th ~ £36 Birmingham Christmas Market Thursday December 18th ~ £17 West Midlands Safari Park, incl. Xmas Lunch* Friday December 19th ~ £32 Shrewsbury Christmas Market Saturday December 20th ~ £18 London Flyer (for Winter Wonderland too) Sunday December 28th ~ £21 *Entry included. Children (15 and under) receive a discount of £5 on all our Day Trips.

Shepton Antiques Fair or Clarks Village Saturday January 17th ~ £18

Andre Rieu LG Arena, Birmingham Wednesday December 17th 2014 ~ £75

Mystery Tour Sunday January 18th ~ £20

Dick Whittington Bristol Hippodrome Sunday December 28th 2014 ~ £49

London Eye – evening flight* Wednesday January 21st ~ £40

Johann Strauss Gala Concert Symphony Hall, Birmingham New Year’s Day 2015 ~ £39

Cabot Circus or Cribbs Causeway Wednesday January 28th ~ £17

Thriller – Live! London Saturday January 10th 2015 ~ £59

Bath Saturday January 31st ~ £17 Worcester Thursday February 5th ~ £17 Gift Vouchers Still looking for a Christmas gift for a loved one? Why not treat them to one of our gift vouchers, available in denominations of £5, £10 and £20. Our gift vouchers can be used against any of our holidays, day trips and theatre trips and can be used at any time. The perfect present!

Memphis London Friday January 16th 2015 ~ £59 Strictly Come Dancing NIA, Birmingham Saturday January 17th 2015 ~ £69 Children (15 and under) receive a discount of £10 on all our Theatre Trips.

MARCHANTS COACHES TO BOOK, PLEASE CALL 01242 257714

61 CLARENCE STREET, CHELTENHAM, GLOS, GL50 3LB | WWW.MARCHANTS-COACHES.COM

We Are Open Monday to Saturday 9.00am – 5.00pm

©LW

All of the above trips include coaching from pick-up points in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Bishop’s Cleeve and Tewkesbury

WHATTHE

butler saw

S firsts go, it was a good one. “Good evening, Miss Gledhill,” said the voice on the other end of the hotel room phone. “I’m Dimitar, your butler. Is there anything I can bring you?” As it happens, he could. Predinner drinks duly delivered on a silver tray, he couldn’t have been more lovely. Or more fascinating. Who else had he butlered for, we asked. The roll-call read like a who’s who of the A-list. Nicole Scherzinger – she’s lovely – and Lewis Hamilton. Janet Jackson. Cheryl “don’t-call-her-Cole” Fernandez-Versini – she’s a darling. Then there are the footballers and the Formula One drivers. The actors and the models. The model of discretion, he wouldn’t name any tricky customers, suffice to say he has more trouble with the entourage than he ever does with the celebs. “The Victoria’s Secret models are very nice,” he said. “They are my favourite.” We bet they are. Happy with our gossipy lot at the delectable Hotel Café Royal in Regent Street, we headed downstairs for dinner. Only to bump into four ridiculously young and devilishly handsome lads at the foot of the elegant marble staircase. “They look like they’re someone,” whispered my sister as I tried desperately to look elegant and cool – not, as cruel reality would have it, 40 and eight months’ pregnant. They were. They were Union J, there to switch on Regent Street’s Christmas lights along with our fellow hotel guests, Take That, who were residing upstairs. Good to know we were in such illustrious company. Café Royal has only been open for two years. Slap bang in the @WeekendGlos

middle of buzzing Regent Street, a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Circus and a five-minute stroll to Oxford Street, this elegant gem is hard to beat on location alone. Once a French-owned café with the greatest wine cellar in the world, it hosted some of the 19th and 20th century’s most famous names. Oscar Wilde, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, HG Wells, George Bernard Shaw, WB Yeats and Rudyard Kipling all held court here, along with George VI. Princess Diana sought solace within its mirrored walls; Ziggy Stardust snogged Lou Reed here; Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton enjoyed secret dates and Louis Armstrong and Muhammad Ali were part of the scene. Plus it was here that Winston Churchill waited, cigar and Champagne in hand, to discover whether or not he was the next British Prime Minister. Now, it’s an amalgamation of the original 1865 opulence – Louis VX mirrored panelling, huge marble fireplaces and glittering candle

sconces – and masculine modernity. Low-lit rooms and rock starsuites are lined with Portland stone or English oak panelling and ooze luxury, albeit in a very minimalist way. Don’t expect chintz and cushions here: rooms are packed with the latest gadgets (our bathroom mirror, for example, turned into a TV at the touch of a button), Bang & Olufsen sound systems and fancy coffee machines, and boast huge bathrooms with walk-in monsoon showers. But they’re not what you’d call cosy. The prices aren’t for the fainthearted either – though why would they be for the kind of clientele the Café Royal attracts? Fancy a tipple from the mini-bar? A half-bottle of Krug I had my eye on was an eye-watering £105. Not that that was putting off the cream of London’s bright young things when we returned from dinner. We could have had a nightcap in the Green Bar, in which absinthe from a Victorian dispenser drips on to sugar cubes for drinkers’ pleasure. gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

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If you want to mingle with the A-list and feel like a star, there’s only one place to be in London – the Hotel Café Royal. TANYA GLEDHILL sampled its starry charms

Hotel Café Royal

But we headed for the Oscar Wilde Bar, which by day is the venue for delectable Champagne afternoon tea – think glistening cake stands filled with absinthe macaroons; teeny tiny flowerpots filled with wild mushroom paté; melt-in-the-mouth scones with clotted cream and a choice of 28 different teas. By night, it’s the venue for the hedonistic Black Cat Cabaret, with burlesque dancers and circus artists, and a DJ playing everything from hip hop to Barry White. It was a scene like no other: 20-something it-girls and sons of oligarchs partying into the small hours, falling out of their shoes and into each other. My favourite was a young Omar Sharif-lookalike in Turkish slippers, dancing with an umbrella in one hand and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot in the other. At one point, we thought Cheryl Fernan-whatnot was on the dance floor, but my eyesight isn’t to be relied upon. We were still talking

about it – and Omar – the next day. Breakfast at Café Royal can be as relaxed or as formal as you like. The original Café, which faces on to Regent Street for unrivalled people-watching, serves within its gold Sienna marble walls bejewelled panettone, sugar-topped buns so festive they look as if they’ve had a dusting of snow and patisserie creations which wouldn’t be out of place in an art gallery. Formal breakfast dining happens in The Domino, where liveried waiters bring coffee in silver pots and delicated porcelain bowls of dragonfruit salad. Before we walked into the bright lights of Regent Street and Oxford Street, we headed downstairs to the heavenly Akasha spa. Pillar candles burning in Indianstyle hurricane lamps lead to a 60ft azure lap pool and nine treatment rooms which marry Western practices with ancient Eastern techniques. My 50-minute holistic

Location: 68 Regent Street, London, W1B 4DY Facilities: Five restaurants and bars; Akasha Holistic and Wellbeing Centre; international media hub; personal butler service; private members’ club Rooms: From £395 per night for a Portland Guestroom rising to £5,815£12,000 for a rooftop suite complete with LED lighting and DJ sound system for the ultimate party Winter promotions: Guaranteed room upgrades and a complimentary extra night when you book a 3-4 night stay Contact: www.hotelcaferoyal.com

facial, designed to improve the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, plumped up my skin, making it glow. After a blissful couple of hours, totally rejuvenated, it was time to battle through the crowds and tackle the Christmas shopping. Just as we walked through the hotel’s revolving doors, the countdown to the lights switchon started. As our fellow guests Take That and Union J prepared to wow the crowds, there was a great explosion and the sky above the hotel lit up with the most spectacular fireworks display. It was a fairytale end to a magical Christmas stay.

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A little fairy dust Wendy Abrahams adds a sprinkle of magic as the fairy in Everyman panto Sleeping Beauty

HAT is a pantomime? These days, it means full-on, hilarious entertainment that the whole family can enjoy, but historically, it was a much more formal affair. Officially, pantomime is the art of using movement and facial expressions rather than primarily the spoken word to communicate. But any modern production which used only mime artists would soon fall by the wayside, as todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s audiences expect a lot more. As well as the singing, dancing and comedy, the technical effects have to be good, as they will inevitably be compared with the superb CGI we see in movies like The Hobbit. Of course, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a limit to what can be done live on stage with a tight budget and after all â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the idea is to entertain children, not frighten the life out of them. An excellent example of getting it right can be found in Sleeping-

Beauty which is currently thrilling audiences at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham with Tweedy the Clown taking centre stage. The appearance of a dragon towards the showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finale thrills the younger members of the audience while at the same time puts a little of the old â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;watching from behind the sofaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; magic that used to be exclusive to Doctor Who. This is taking puppetry to a new level and provides something a little different that the kids will talk about for a long time afterwards. Another pantomime of the season and new for 2015, Promenade Productions will perform Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Expect plenty of jokes, slapstick humour and mayhem. Sleeping Beauty is at the Everyman Theatre from today until January 11. Tickets cost from ÂŁ13 to ÂŁ21. Call 01242 572573. Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves runs from January 21 to 25 at the Bacon Theatre in Cheltenham.

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highlights

what’s on FILMS OFTHEWEEK

OFTHEWEEK

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES

TINKER BELL AND THE LEGEND OFTHE NEVERBEAST (U) Out now, Cineworld, Cheltenham and Gloucester Quays Times and prices vary

Transport yourself to Middle Earth for the final time for the last instalment of the blockbuster franchise. In cinemas now.

JOHNNY COPPIN

FURY (15) Today, Gloucester Guildhall, 10.45am and 7.50pm £5.50-£6.50

The singer-songwriter’s All On A Winter’s Night show has become something of a Christmas tradition. Catch it at Stroud Sub Rooms tonight. @WeekendGlos

From record-breaking explorer to prolific author, Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ career knows no bounds. He speaks to HELEN BLOW about his rich ancestory, daredevil adventures and the time he amputated his own frostbitten fingers – with a Black and Decker mini saw

DVENTURER Sir Ranulph Fiennes probably has more energy at the age of 70 than most people half his age. For instance, just a few hours before his talk about his new book at The Convent in Stroud next Wednesday, he will be arriving back in Britain on the red-eye flight from Oman. He’s also led many polar expeditions, scaled the heights of Everest and the Eiger, run several marathons not four months after surviving a massive heart attack, and of course written prolifically. But if you look back at those famous ancestors he writes about in his latest book and what they got up to over the course of British history, you can see where Ranulph gets his unquenchable drive from. Agincourt: My Family, The Battle and The Fight for France starts with the exploits of Ranulph’s great-to-the-powerof-30 grandfather Count Eustace ll of Bologne at the Battle of Hastings and ends with his great-to-the-power-of-18 grandfather James Fiennes at the end of the Hundred Years War. “There were some good chaps and there were some bad ones and it just shows how families can have such different personalities side by side with each other,” he said. “For instance there were two Fiennes’ brothers who fought as generals beside Henry V at Agincourt who were like chalk and cheese. “Roger was a very nice chap and head of the royal household, while James was very corrupt. He managed to get himself made into chancellor but finally got his comeuppance during the Peasant’s Revolt, when he had his head chopped off and displayed at the Tower of London.” Another relative called Roger Mortimer, who had an affair with Queen Isabella and was supposedly instrumental in the unpleasant murder of Edward ll at Berkeley Castle in 1328.

Probably not the greatest moment in Fiennes’ family history. Ranulph spent many happy hours researching his family for the book, which is a splendidly irreverent look at these and other colourful personalities that pepper that most bloody period of medieval history. Through Ranulph’s eyes, Agincourt takes on a different hue as his unique perspective and military experience allows him to admire or decry the machinations of the battlefield and the decisions made by the great men who led from the top. “Eustace commanded the army of William the Conqueror and advised William, in the midst of the Battle of Hastings, to retreat to the ships because the English appeared to be winning,” said Ranulph. “Of course we now know that William ignored him, won the battle and of course became king of England. “Thus began the set of events that led to the Hundred Years War, including the great battle of Agincourt. “Had William only listened to my relative’s advice and retreated back to his ships, none of what followed need ever have happened. “Next year will be 600th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt, so this period of history is very relevant,” he added. “But it’s also the anniversaries of the Battle of Waterloo, the signing of the Magna Carta and battles of the First World War, so there’s a lot of competition.”

orn a year before the end of the Second World War, Ranulph was brought up in South Africa before returning to England to attend Eton for his schooling. From there he took a well-trodden path for many sons of the gentry, joining the SAS and ended up being made the youngest captain in the British Army. His adventuring spirit never left him as he went on to become Britain’s greatest

living explorer, as well as raising more than £14 million for charity along the way. After Christmas with his family, Ranulph’s got more adventures up his sleeve next year, but he’s not giving anything away. “I won’t talk about our next expedition because we’re in direct competition with the Norwegians and we don’t want to give anything away,” he said. After one such expedition, it took Ranulph longer than he’d bargained for to recover from the affects of frostbite, so he took matters into his own hands, literally. Warning – look away now if you are of a nervous disposition. “I had to wait for five months for the surgeons to amputate my fingers as they had to give the new skin time to grow so it could be folded over the end,” said Ranulph. “In the meantime, however, it is very painful to touch anything and my wife said I was getting very irritable and suggested I do it myself. “So we went to the local shop and bought a Black and Decker mini saw. “I had a cup of tea before we started to cut.” It makes you wince, especially when Ranulph added: “The thumb took two days to cut through,” but he then assured me it didn’t really hurt because the skin was already dead. Although there is plenty more I would love to ask him, Ranulph has to bring the conversation to a close as he’s talking to me from the airport car park and has to dash off to catch a flight to Zurich. “I’m looking forward to a quiet Christmas with my family before next year’s endeavours begin,” he said. Sir Ranulph Fiennes is in conversation with Rupert Lancaster at The Convent, South Woodchester at 11.30am on Wednesday. Tickets cost £10. Call 03302 232707. gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend

Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes delves into his rich ancestry in his latest book, Agincourt

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Life on the edge 59

days out

watch OUT FOR

CHRISTMAS-THEMED ATTRACTIONS THERE are plenty of events lined up in Gloucestershire to satisfy even the most energetic of youngsters, and lots for adults to enjoy too. Only a dusting of snow could make a trip to the heart of a forest more Christmassy, so a day out at Whitemead’s Winter Woodland should make any child’s day. As well as a market selling last-minute gifts and tasty treats, the family can get their skates on for a spin around the ice rink and pay a visit to Santa in his log cabin. Families can head off into the enchanting forest that surrounds the park for a bit of exercise before heading home. Prices cost £6 per child to

meet Santa and £7.50 for ice skating. The event runs this weekend and then from December 19 to 24. Father Christmas is also heading for the Dean Heritage Centre in Soudley to meet visitors in his grotto for the following two weekends. Children can also enjoy craft-making activities or head out into the woods for a Room on the Broom trail. Entrance costs £8 for adults and £6 for children. If nature appeals, you can’t beat a stroll around Westonbirt Arboretum’s Enchanted Christmas, with a mile of illuminations. It runs on Saturdays and Sundays until December 21.

music SHEELANAGIG, STROUD SUB ROOMS INTRICATE, rhythmically complex arrangements will entertain an audience at Stroud Subscription Rooms next week. Formed in early 2005, Sheelanagig had an instant chemistry, gained a considerable following and quickly earned a reputation for their exhilarating and intense live performances. In short, you’re guaranteed to dance the night away. The outfit has played just about every imaginable venue

on its hectic touring schedule; clubs, pubs, art centres, small theatres, European street festivals as well as tearing up the UK festival scene with profile slots at festivals such as Glastonbury and Green Man. Catch the band at the Sub Rooms next Saturday from 8pm. Tickets cost £12 in advance and £10 for concessions. They are £14 for adults and £12 for concessions on the door. Call 01453 760900.

CHRISTMAS PRESENCE, ST LAURENCE CHURCH INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed singer MaryJess Leaverland and classical star Rebecca Newman perform together in Stroud tonight. The pair top the bill at St Laurence Church as part of a Christmas concert organised byThe DoorYouth Project and Ignition Gloucestershire. The concert will include Rebecca and MaryJess’ very first live performance of Sull’aria, the duet that they recorded for Rebecca’s album Dare to Dream which went straight to number one in the UK classical charts. Gloucester’s Mary-Jess, 24, hit the headlines after winning the Chinese equivalent ofThe X Factor. Four years ago she was just another university student on a study course in China as part of her Chinese and music studies degree. Then a chance visit to a television studio in Nanjing, where she was staying led to an audition to take part in a talent show, which

she ended up winning. She has sung to royalty in Windsor Castle and sung the Downton Abbey theme for A Life in Song: Lyrics by Don Black, which was televised last Christmas. Tickets for the Christmas Presence event cost £8 for adults and £5 for under-16s. Call 01453 756745 or visit www. christmas-presence. eventbrite.co.uk. Doors for the gig open at 6.30pm.

stage DICK WHITTINGTON, GLOUCESTER GUILDHALL WILLIAM Browne may be 6ft 7in but that hasn’t stopped him taking on the role of Tommy the cat in Gloucester Guildhall’s panto, Dick Whittington and his Cat. Performed by city company Tyger Productions for five days, Dick Whittington is a particularly good choice for Gloucester, seeing as Dick and his cat, Tommy, set out from the city to seek their fortunes in

London. “Everybody can connect with it,” said William. “It’s partly set in Gloucester and it’s a brilliant script. “There’s all the classic panto stuff in it, including a good fairy and an evil villain and current jokes.” It runs from Tuesday to Saturday at 7pm, with a 2pm matinee on Saturday. Tickets cost £10 or £30 for a family of four from 01452 503050.

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Christmas Remembrance Service Pittville Pump Room Wednesday 17th December 2014 At 7.00pm

A free remembrance concert & Carol service open to all who have lost a loved one ÂŠLW

For further information or to reserve seats, please contact W.S Trenhaile Funeral Directors. 01242 224897 wstrenhaile@yahoo.com

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Saturday’s Television Guide BBC1

FILM RATINGS

●●●●● Excellent ●●●● Very good ●●● Good ●● Average ● Poor

BBC2

ITV

Channel 4

Channel 5

6.00 CBBC. 11.00 The Blue Planet (R,S). 12.00 James Martin’s Food Map of Britain (R,S,HD). 12.20 Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey (R,S,HD). 1.20 The Rockford Files (R,S,HD). 2.05 Film: Funny Girl (S,HD). (1968) Musical biopic of Fanny Brice, starring Barbra Streisand. ●●●● 4.30 Andrew Marr’s The Making of Modern Britain (R,S,HD). Britain’s role in the Second World War. Last in the series. 5.30 Restoring England’s Heritage (S).

6.00 CITV. 9.25 Dinner Date (R,S). 10.20 Murder, She Wrote (R,S,HD). 11.15 ITV News (S); Weather 11.20 Storage Hoarders (R,S,HD). 12.20 Film: Columbo: Fade in to Murder (S,HD). (1976) ●●● 1.55 Film: Mannequin (S,HD). (1987) Fantasy comedy, starring Andrew McCarthy. ●● 3.50 Film: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (S,HD). (2004) Fantasy adventure, starring Daniel Radcliffe. ●●●●

Casualty, 9.10pm

Perry and Croft: Made in Britain, 8pm

The Chase: Christmas Special, 7.25pm

100 Greatest Toys ... 6pm

TV’s 50 Greatest Magic Tricks, 9.10pm

6.00 Pointless Celebrities (S,HD). Music special, featuring Paul Heaton, Carol Decker, Sheila Ferguson and Dana. 6.50 Strictly Come Dancing (S,HD). 13/14. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman host the semi-final, in which the remaining five couples battle it out in the ballroom for a chance to steal Abbey Clancy’s title next week. The results are tomorrow at 7.20pm.

6.00 Secrets of the Castle with Ruth, Peter and Tom (R,S,HD). 4/5. How stonemasons, blacksmiths and carpenters co-ordinated their efforts while building a castle.

6.30 Regional News (S); Weather 6.40 ITV News (S); Weather 6.55 New You’ve Been Framed! (S). 11/18. Featuring seals with an attitude problem.

6.30 Mistletoe Over Manhattan (S,HD). (2011) Christmas fantasy, starring Tricia Helfer and Greg Bryk. ●●

7.00 Flog It! (S). 27/30. Adam Partridge and Catherine Southon value items brought into the town hall in Todmorden, West Yorkshire.

7.25 The Chase: Christmas Special (S,HD). 16/16. Bradley Walsh hosts a festive edition with Steve Pemberton, Ben Miller, Paula Lane and Mr Burton. Last in the series.

8.25 Atlantis (S,HD). 5/13. As the gang is chased round an ancient burial ground by an army of undead flesh-eaters, Jason battles for his life within the caves, and finds an ally in the mysterious Medea.

8.00 Perry and Croft: Made in Britain (S). 4/4. How the duo’s comedies each encapsulated the end of an era. Last in the series. 8.30 Dad’s Army (R,S). 6/7. The platoon spends a night in a spooky house.

8.30 The X Factor (S,HD). 24/24. The three remaining acts head to Wembley Arena to battle it out in the first part of the final, with performances by some of the biggest names in the charts. Dermot O’Leary hosts. Concludes tomorrow at 8pm.

6.00 100 Greatest Toys with Jonathan Ross (R,S). A countdown of the nation’s favourite games, gadgets and playthings, as decided by a Channel 4 online poll. Inventors and toy-makers tell the inside stories of their creations and successes – including Action Man, Yahtzee, Barbie and Trivial Pursuit – while the children of yesteryear, namely today’s celebrities, authors, actors and journalists, take a nostalgic look back at the toys they loved. Also revealed is the inspiration behind the design of the Raleigh Chopper, and why the Vietnam War almost brought Britain’s Matchbox car range to an end.

9.10 Casualty (S,HD). 13/46. A ceiling collapse at the cathedral leaves several of the congregation trapped, Lofty helps a patient who thinks he is Jesus and Zoe catches Max spying on her and Dylan.

9.00 QI XL (S,HD). 10“/16. Extended edition. With Sara Pascoe, Jack Whitehall and Adam Hills. 9.45 Tomorrow’s Worlds: The Unearthly History of Science Fiction (S,HD). 4/4. Dominic Sandbrook examines the use of time travel in the genre.

9.00 Hope Springs (S,HD). (2012) Premiere. A middle-aged couple head to a remote retreat for a week of therapy to revive their tired marriage. Romantic comedy, with Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones and Steve Carell. ●●●●

9.05 5 News Weekend (S,HD) 9.10 TV’s 50 Greatest Magic Tricks (R,S). TV illusionists have been sawing ladies in half, catching bullets between their teeth, reading minds and performing feats of escapology for decades. Channel 5 counts down the best, including the astonishing set-pieces of Penn and Teller, the mind-bending of Derren Brown and the street magic of David Blaine. It features spectacular illusions, such as making the Statue of Liberty disappear, intimate card tricks and the lighter side of the business, thanks to the inclusion of comedy great Tommy Cooper. Paul Daniels and Dynamo also appear in this magic compendium, with contributions from Joe Pasquale, Dick and Dom, and Stephen Mulhern.

6.00 Breakfast (S,HD) 10.00 Saturday Kitchen Live (S,HD). 11.30 James Martin: Home Comforts (S,HD). 12.00 BBC News; Weather (S,HD) 12.10 Football Focus (S,HD). 12.50 Saturday Sportsday (S,HD). 1.00 Gymnastics World Cup (S,HD). Highlights of the final meeting of the season from Glasgow. 3.00 Cycling: Track World Cup (S). 4.30 Final Score (S,HD). 5.10 A Question of Sport (R,S,HD). 5.40 Regional News (S,HD)

6.10 NFL: Rush Zone (S,HD). 6.35 Trans World Sport (S,HD). 7.30 Survival of the Fittest (S). 7.55 The Morning Line (S,HD). 9.00 Weekend Kitchen (S,HD). 10.00 Frasier (R,S). 11.00 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 11.30 The Simpsons (R,S). 12.30 Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD (R,S,HD). 1.30 Channel 4 Racing (S,HD). Live coverage from Cheltenham and Doncaster. 3.55 Come Dine with Me (R,S,HD). 5.55 Channel 4 News (S)

6.00 Milkshake!. 9.45 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (R,S,HD). 10.20 Access. 10.30 World Strongman Championship (R,S,HD). 11.25 Film: Ice Age: The Meltdown (S,HD). (2006) ●● 1.10 Film: The Christmas Bunny (S,HD). (2010) ●●● 2.55 Film: Angels and Ornaments (S,HD). (2014) ●●● 4.40 Film: Mrs Miracle 2: Miracle in Manhattan (S). (2010) Family drama sequel, starring Doris Roberts. ●●●

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(R) repeat (S) subtitles (HD) highdefinition

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10.35 The Jonathan Ross Show (S,HD). 9/10. With former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos, actor and comedian James Corden, Mad Men star Jon Hamm, Celebrity Juice host Keith Lemon and music by Paloma Faith. 11.40 ITV News (S); Weather 11.00 An Officer and a Gentleman (S,HD). (1982) A Navy recruit 11.55 Balls of Fury (S,HD). (2007) has an uneasy romance with a The FBI recruits a washed-up factory worker and is pushed to former ping-pong champion to his limits by a tough sergeant. infiltrate an underground Romantic drama, with Richard tournament. Comedy, starring Gere and Debra Winger. ●●● Dan Fogler. ●●

1.15 Film: Black Eagle (S). (1988) Martial arts adventure, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. ●● 2.50 Weather for the Week Ahead (S). 2.55 BBC News (S,HD).

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10.45 Let Me In (S,HD). (2010) 10.00 The National Lottery Live A bullied boy befriends a (S,HD). With McBusted. mysterious girl, unaware she is 10.10 BBC News; Weather (S,HD) a vampire who is behind a 10.30 Match of the Day (S,HD). Dan recent series of killings. Horror Walker presents highlights of remake, starring Chloe Grace the latest Premier League Moretz and Kodi Smit-McPhee. clashes. Followed by National ●●●● Lottery Update. 11.55 The Football League Show (S). Manish Bhasin presents highlights and all the goals from the latest fixtures in the Championship, League One and League Two, including Middlesbrough v Derby County.

12.35 Film: Forbidden Planet (S,HD). (1956) Sci-fi drama, starring Walter Pidgeon. ●●●● 2.10 This Is BBC Two (S). Preview of upcoming programmes.

1.30 Jackpot247. Interactive gaming. 3.00 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA (R,S). The host takes his successful talk show stateside. 3.40 ITV Nightscreen (HD). Text-based information service.

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1.20 Film: Q&A (S,HD). (1990) Police thriller, starring Nick Nolte. ●●● 3.35 Hollyoaks (R,S,HD). Omnibus. Ste returns to the village. 5.45 NFL: Rush Zone (S,HD). Animation about a young American football fan.

8.15 My Crazy Christmas Obsession (R,S,HD). 1/2. Four American households who take festive decorating to the extreme.

12.05 SuperCasino. Live interactive gaming. 3.10 Gotham (R,S,HD). 4.00 House Doctor (R,S). 4.25 Make It Big (R,S). 4.50 Make It Big (R,S). 5.15 Angels of Jarm (R,S). 5.20 Angels of Jarm (R,S). 5.30 Angels of Jarm (R,S). 5.40 Roary the Racing Car (R,S). 5.50 Roary the Racing Car (R,S).

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Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Television Guide BBC1

6.00 Breakfast (S,HD) 7.35 Match of the Day (R,S,HD). 9.00 The Andrew Marr Show (S,HD) 10.00 Fern Britton Meets Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson (S,HD). 11.00 Sunday Politics (S,HD). 12.15 MOTD2 Extra (S,HD). 1.00 BBC News (S,HD) 1.15 Bargain Hunt (S,HD). 2.15 Homes Under the Hammer (R,S,HD). 3.15 Escape to the Country (R,S). 4.15 Lifeline (S,HD). 4.25 Songs of Praise (S,HD). 5.00 Pointless Celebrities (R,S,HD). 5.50 Regional News (S,HD)

FILM RATINGS

â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? Excellent â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? Very good â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? Good â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? Average â&#x2014;? Poor

BBC2

6.00 Animal Park (R,S). 6.30 Match of the Day at 50 (R,S,HD). 7.35 Life in a Cottage Garden with Carol Klein (R,S,HD). 8.05 Countryfile (R,S,HD). 9.00 The Football League Show (R,S). 10.20 Saturday Kitchen Best Bites (S). 11.50 Rick Steinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Special (R,S,HD). 12.50 James Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Food Map of Britain (R,S,HD). 1.00 The Rockford Files (R,S,HD). 1.50 Film: Funny Lady (S,HD). (1975) â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 4.05 Film: Emma (S,HD). (1996) â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?

ITV

6.00 CITV. 9.25 ITV News (S) 9.30 Dickinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Real Deal (R,S). 10.25 Murder, She Wrote (R,S,HD). 11.25 ITV News (S); Weather 11.30 Film: Problem Child (S,HD). (1990) â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 1.05 Tipping Point (R,S). 2.05 Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve Been Framed! (R,S). 2.35 The X Factor (R,S,HD). The three remaining acts battle it out in part one of the final. 4.40 Film: Death Becomes Her (S,HD). (1992) Black comedy fantasy, starring Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?

Channel 4

6.10 NFL: The American Football Show (R,S,HD). 7.10 How I Met Your Mother (R,S,HD). 8.00 Everybody Loves Raymond (R,S). 8.30 Frasier (R,S). 9.00 Jamieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Comfort Food (R,S,HD). 9.30 Sunday Brunch (S,HD). 12.30 The Big Bang Theory (R,S,HD). 1.25 The Simpsons (R,S). 3.00 Film: 10 Things I Hate About You (S,HD). (1999) â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 5.00 Film: Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (S,HD). (2009) â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?

Channel 5

6.00 Milkshake!. 10.00 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (R,S,HD). 10.35 Access (R). 10.45 Police Interceptors (R,S,HD). 11.45 Police Interceptors (R,S,HD). 12.40 Film: Dear Secret Santa (S,HD). (2013) Premiere. Drama, starring Tatyana Ali. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 2.30 Film: Deck the Halls (S,HD). (2006) Christmas comedy, starring Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 4.20 Film: Paper Angels (S,HD). (2014) Premiere. Festive drama, starring Josie Bissett. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?

The X Factor Results, 8pm

â&#x2013;ź

6.00 Sports Personality of the Year at 60 (R,S,HD). Gary Lineker looks back at the ceremonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history.

6.35 Regional News (S); Weather 6.45 ITV News (S); Weather

7.20 Strictly Come Dancing: The Results (S,HD). 13/14. Another couple perform their last dance, and Paloma Faith sings.

7.00 James Mayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Toy Stories: Flight Club (R,S,HD). The Top Gear presenter sets out to break the British record for the longest flight by a toy glider.

7.00 Catchphrase Christmas Special (S,HD). Katie Price, Warwick Davis and Christopher Biggins try to guess the familiar phrases hidden in festivethemed animated clues.

8.00 Sports Personality of the Year 2014 (S,HD). Gary Lineker, Gabby Logan and Clare Balding present this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ceremony live from the Hydro Arena in Glasgow, where the successor to Andy Murray will be crowned. Subsequent programmes subject to change.

8.00 What Women Want (S,HD). (2000) A womanising executive gets a new insight into life when he accidentally gains the ability to hear the thoughts of the opposite sex. Romantic comedy, with Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?

8.00 The X Factor Results (S,HD). 24/24. The final two battle it out once more before Dermot Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Leary announces this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winner, and more worldfamous acts take the stage at Wembley Arena. Last in the series.

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Russell Howardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Good News, 10pm

6.20 Countryfile (S,HD). The team is in the Clwydian range in north Wales.

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6 7 8 9

Match of the Day 2, 10.45pm

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(R) repeat (S) subtitles (HD) highdefinition

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10.20 Regional News (S,HD) 10.45 Match of the Day 2 (S,HD). Mark Chapman reviews the latest Premier League action, including Manchester United v Liverpool at Old Trafford and Swansea City v Tottenham Hotspur at the Liberty Stadium.

12.45 Film: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Wonderful Afterlife (S,HD). (2010) Supernatural comedy, with Shabana Azmi. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 2.20 Weather for the Week Ahead (S). 2.25 BBC News (S,HD).

â&#x2013;ź

after

11.45 The Apprentice (R,S,HD). 10/14. The candidates create premium puddings and pitch them to leading supermarkets, in the hope that the cheesecake and trifle products they come up with will make it onto the shelves.

The Simpsons, 1.25pm

7.05 Channel 4 News (S) 7.30 Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wildest Weather 2014 (S,HD). Eyewitness footage capturing an unpredictable year of weather, from tornados, hurricanes and storms to the chilliest August in more than two decades and the hottest Halloween ever.

9.00 Homeland (S,HD). 10/12. The security breach at the embassy has a number of far-reaching consequences as the fourth series of the CIA thriller continues.

10.05 The Holiday (S,HD). (2006) 10.00 Russell Howardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Good 10.00 Insidious (S,HD). (2010) Two single women from opposite News (R,S,HD). 8/9. The A family driven from their sides of the Atlantic find love comedianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective on the house by a haunting discover after they swap houses over news. the spirits have followed them Christmas. Romantic comedy, to their new home and put 10.30 Mrs Henderson Presents with Cameron Diaz and Kate their son into a coma. Horror, (S,HD). (2005) A widow invests Winslet, Jack Black and Jude Law. with Patrick Wilson and Rose her fortune in an abandoned Continues after the News. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? Byrne. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? London theatre and defies censorship laws to stage a 11.05 ITV News (S); Weather controversial nude revue. Factbased comedy drama, with Judi 11.20 The Holiday (S,HD). (2006) Concluded. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? Dench and Bob Hoskins. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?

12.10 Film: A Walk to Remember (S). (2002) Romantic drama, with Mandy Moore and Shane West. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 1.45 Sign Zone: Countryfile (R,S). Helen Skelton finds dinosaur footprints in East Sussex. 2.45 Holby City (R,S). Amy has surprising news for Raf and Harry. 3.45 This Is BBC Two (S). Preview of upcoming programmes.

12.45 The Store. Home shopping. 2.30 Motorsport UK (S,HD). Highlights from Brands Hatch. 3.20 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA (R,S). 4.05 ITV Nightscreen (HD). Text-based information service. 5.05 The Jeremy Kyle Show (R,S,HD). Guests air their differences.

Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Favourite ... 10pm

6.15 A Christmas Kiss (S,HD). (2011) Premiere. Romantic drama, with Laura Breckenridge and Brendan Fehr. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?

12.00 Alan Carr: Chatty Man (R,S,HD). With Stephen Fry, Micky Flanagan, Clare Balding and Gorgon City. 1.00 American Football Live (S,HD). Philadelphia Eagles v Dallas Cowboys (Kick-off 1.30am). 4.45 NFL: Rush Zone (S,HD). 5.10 Face the Clock (R,S,HD). 5.35 Countdown (R,S,HD).

8.00 The Abba Years (R,S). The success of the Swedish group, exploring the flamboyant outfits, hit records, successful spin-offs, marriages and breakups. Featuring interviews with the band members. 9.00 Michael Bubleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Special (R,S,HD). The Canadian crooner performs classic festive songs. 9.55 5 News Weekend (S,HD)

10.00 Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Favourite Christmas Songs (R,S). A countdown of songs guaranteed to make any Christmas party go with a swing, including classics by the Jackson 5, Jona Lewie, Band Aid, Mud and Slade.

1.00 Abba: In Concert (R,S). 2.00 SuperCasino. 3.10 World Strongman Championship (R,S,HD). 4.00 House Doctor (R,S). 4.25 Make It Big (R,S). 4.50 Make It Big (R,S). 5.15 Angels of Jarm (R,S). 5.20 Angels of Jarm (R,S). 5.30 Angels of Jarm (R,S). 5.40 Roary the Racing Car (R,S). 5.50 Roary the Racing Car (R,S).

@WeekendGlos

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Mondayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Television Guide BBC1

6.00 Breakfast (S,HD) 9.15 Operation Meet the Street (S,HD). 10.00 Homes Under the Hammer (R,S,HD). 11.00 Saints and Scroungers (S,HD). 11.30 Oxford Street Revealed (S,HD). 12.15 Bargain Hunt (S,HD). 1.00 BBC News; Weather (S,HD) 1.30 Regional News (S) 1.45 Doctors (S,HD). 2.15 The Doctor Blake Mysteries (R,S,HD). 3.10 Escape to the Country (R,S,HD). 3.40 Christmas Kitchen with James Martin (S,HD). 4.30 Flog It! (S,HD). 5.15 Pointless (R,S,HD).

FILM RATINGS

BBC2

6.05 Homes Under the Hammer (R,S). 7.05 Claimed and Shamed (R,S,HD). 7.35 Oxford Street Revealed (R,S,HD). 8.20 Sign Zone (R,S). 10.35 Click (R,S,HD). 11.00 BBC News (S,HD) 11.30 BBC World News (S,HD) 12.00 Daily Politics (S,HD) 1.00 Coast (R,S,HD). 1.25 Ready Steady Cook Xmas (R,S,HD). 2.10 The Great British Bake Off (R,S,HD). 3.10 A Place to Call Home (S,HD). 3.55 The Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Most Photographed (R,S). 4.25 Andrew Marrâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s History of Modern Britain (R,S). 5.25 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R,S,HD).

ITV

6.00 Good Morning Britain (S,HD). 8.30 Lorraine (S,HD). 9.25 The Jeremy Kyle Show (S). 10.30 This Morning (S). 12.30 Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Do Christmas with Gino & Mel (S,HD). Retail magnate Theo Paphitis joins the hosts. 1.30 ITV News (S); Weather 1.55 Regional News (S) 2.00 Peter Andreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 60 Minute Makeover (S,HD). 3.00 Secret Dealers (S,HD). 3.59 Regional Programme (S). 4.00 Tipping Point (R,S,HD). 5.00 The Chase (S,HD).

Channel 4

6.20 The King of Queens. 7.10 3rd Rock from the Sun. 8.00 Everybody Loves Raymond. 9.30 Frasier. 11.00 Jamieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Festive Feast (HD). 12.00 Channel 4 News Summary 12.05 Hestonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Feast. 1.10 Come Dine with Me: Celebrity Christmas Special (HD). 2.10 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away (HD). 3.10 Countdown (HD). 4.00 Deal or No Deal (HD). 5.00 Come Dine with Me (HD). 5.30 Coach Trip (HD).

Channel 5

6.00 Milkshake!. 9.15 The Wright Stuff (HD). 11.40 Film: A Perfect Christmas (S,HD). (2012) â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 1.25 5 News Lunchtime (S,HD) 1.30 Home and Away (S,HD). Brax works himself into the ground trying to save Caseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gym. 2.00 Film: The Real St Nick (S,HD). (2012) Romantic comedy, with Torrey DeVitto and Callard Harris. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 3.40 Film: Mr St Nick (S). (2002) Festive comedy, starring Kelsey Grammer. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 5.30 5 News at 5 (S,HD)

Coronation Street, 7.30pm

8 Out of 10 Cats: Best Bits, 10.30pm

Gotham, 9pm

â&#x2013;ź

6.00 BBC News (S,HD); Weather 6.30 Regional News (S); Weather

6.00 Regional News (S); Weather 6.30 ITV News (S); Weather

6.00 The Simpsons (S,HD). 21/22. 6.30 Hollyoaks (S,HD). Sienna recruits Nico when she fears she is about to lose Dodger.

6.00 Home and Away (R,S,HD). Brax works himself into the ground trying to save Caseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gym. 6.30 5 News Tonight (S,HD)

7.00 The One Show (S,HD). Hosted by Alex Jones and Matt Baker. 7.30 Fake Britain (R,S). Bogus teeth-whitening kits and counterfeit charity bags. Followed by BBC News.

6.00 Eggheads (R,S,HD). Quiz show, hosted by Dermot Murnaghan. 6.30 Strictly Come Dancing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; It Takes Two (S,HD). 56/60. An interview with the latest couple to be voted off the competition. 7.00 Tom Kerridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Ever Dishes (R,S,HD). 6/6. The chef livens up lunches. 7.30 The Perfect Morecambe & Wise Christmas Special (R,S). A selection of classic clips.

7.00 Emmerdale (S,HD). Robert finds out about Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wedding ring. 7.30 Coronation Street (S,HD). Gary is stunned when Kal sacks him from the building job.

7.00 Channel 4 News (S)

7.00 The Gadget Show (S,HD). Jon Bentley tests the latest mobile tablet computers and Amy Williams checks out underwater cameras. Followed by 5 News Update.

8.00 EastEnders (S,HD). Phil is shocked to discover Nick is still alive. 8.30 The Innocent Serial Killer? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Panorama (S,HD). Reviewing the case of a former nurse jailed for murdering four elderly patients.

8.00 University Challenge (S,HD). 22/37. Two more teams battle it out for a place in the quarterfinals. 8.30 Only Connect (S,HD). 15/27. Three orienteers take on a trio of video-game enthusiasts.

8.00 Europe â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Poll: Tonight (S,HD). The results of a public opinion survey on the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s membership of the EU. 8.30 Coronation Street (S,HD). Gail orders Nick to throw Erica out of the bistro.

8.00 Dogs: Their Secret Lives (S,HD). Mark Evans revisits some of the pets and owners featured in the series earlier this year to find out whether they have benefited from the help they received.

8.00 Big Foot: The Missing Evidence (S,HD). An investigation into the existence of the ape-like hominid said to live in the forests of North America, revealing the prime suspect behind alleged sightings. Followed by 5 News at 9.

9.00 Wild Weather with Richard Hammond (S,HD). 3/3. The host reveals how the weather is affected by temperature, building his own dust storm and meeting a scientist who creates lightning bolts in his laboratory. Last in the series.

9.00 Canterbury Cathedral (S,HD). 2/3. Canon treasurer Nick Papadopulos hopes his application for a ÂŁ12million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund is successful so that essential repairs can be carried out.

9.00 Bette Midler: One Night Only (S,HD). The multiple Grammy winnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first-ever UK TV special, featuring a selection of her greatest hits, songs from her new album and a candid conversation with host Joanna Lumley.

9.00 Skint (S,HD). 4/4. More stories of people living in poverty in Grimsby, from fishermen out of work after a lifetime at sea, to those doing whatever they can to make ends meet. Last in the series.

9.00 Gotham (S,HD). 10/22. Selina leads a new friend on a perilous journey through Gotham as she tries to evade assassins on her trail, while Gordon is reassigned to duty at Arkham Asylum.

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Never Mind the Buzzcocks, 10pm

â&#x2013;ź

6 7 8 9

The One Show, 7pm

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(R) repeat (S) subtitles (HD) highdefinition

â&#x2013;ź

10.00 BBC News (S,HD) 10.25 Regional News (S) 10.35 Have I Got a Bit More News for You (S,HD). 10/11. Hosted by Martin Clunes.

10.00 ITV News at Ten (S) 10.30 Regional News (S); Weather 10.40 The Jonathan Ross Show (R,S,HD). 9/10. With Tulisa Contostavlos, James Corden, Jon Hamm, Keith Lemon and music by singer-songwriter Paloma Faith.

10.00 Steph and Dom Meet Nigel 10.00 Greatest Christmas TV Farage (S). The Gogglebox Moments (R,S). Countdown of couple invite the UKIP leader to 50 festive TV highlights, their posh B&B. featuring Gavin & Stacey, Morecambe and Wise, Only 10.30 8 Out of 10 Cats: Best Bits Fools and Horses, Wallace and (S,HD). One-off special Gromit, Doctor Who, Top of the revisiting highlights from the Pops and The Royle Family. latest series.

11.20 Citizen Khan (R,S,HD). 6/7. The 11.20 Great Continental Railway 11.45 All Star Family Fortunes 11.35 NFL: The American Football wedding day dawns â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but Mrs (R,S,HD). 13/15. Actress Jennifer Show (S,HD). Highlights from Journeys (R,S,HD). 5/6. Michael Khan refuses to attend. Ellison and former boxer Joe the 15th week of the NFL Portillo ventures beyond Calzaghe take part. campaign. Europe as he travels through 11.50 The Graham Norton Show Israel and Palestine. (R,S,HD). 11/13. With Jim Carrey, Jude Law, Tamsin Greig and Nicole Scherzinger.

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10.00 Never Mind the Buzzcocks (S,HD). 11/13. With Yasmine Akram, Steve Aoki, Bobby Mair and Rumer. 10.30 Newsnight (S,HD). Presented by Evan Davis. Followed by Weather.

12.35 Weather for the Week Ahead (S). 12.40 BBC News (S,HD).

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after

12.20 Sign Zone: The Apprentice (R,S). The candidates create their own premium puddings. 1.20 Wonders of the Monsoon (R,S). The onset of the rainy season across Asia. 2.20 This Is BBC Two (S). Preview of upcoming programmes. 4.00 BBC Learning Zone (R,S).

12.30 Jackpot247. Interactive gaming. 3.00 UEFA Champions League Weekly (S,HD). Highlights from European footballâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elite competition. 3.25 ITV Nightscreen (HD). Text-based information service. 5.05 The Jeremy Kyle Show (R,S,HD). Guests air their differences.

12.30 24 Hours in A&E (R,S,HD). 1.25 Film: The Pervertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide to Ideology (S,HD). (2012) Philosopher Slavoj Zizek examines the forces that shape peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actions. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 3.45 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away (R,S,HD). 4.40 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent (R,S,HD). 5.35 Countdown (R,S,HD).

12.55 SuperCasino. Live interactive gaming. 3.10 Benefits Britain: Life on the Dole (R,S,HD). Immigrants claiming welfare to support children back in their own countries. 4.00 Michaelaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wild Challenge (R,S). 4.25 House Doctor (R,S). 4.45 House Doctor (R,S). 5.10 House Doctor (R,S). 5.35 Wildlife SOS (R,S).

!!! ! " ""

gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

Tuesday’s Television Guide BBC1

6.00 Breakfast (S,HD) 9.15 Operation Meet the Street (S,HD). 10.00 Homes Under the Hammer (S,HD). 11.00 Saints and Scroungers (S,HD). 11.30 Oxford Street Revealed (S,HD). 12.15 Bargain Hunt (R,S,HD). 1.00 BBC News; Weather (S,HD) 1.30 Regional News (S) 1.45 Doctors (S,HD). 2.15 The Doctor Blake Mysteries (R,S,HD). 3.10 Escape to the Country (R,S,HD). 3.40 Christmas Kitchen with James Martin (S,HD). 4.30 Flog It! (S,HD). 5.15 Pointless (R,S,HD).

FILM RATINGS ●●●●● Excellent ●●●● Very good ●●● Good ●● Average ● Poor

BBC2

6.05 Homes Under the Hammer (R,S). 7.05 Saints and Scroungers (R,S,HD). 7.35 Oxford Street Revealed (R,S,HD). 8.20 Sign Zone (R,S). 10.35 HARDtalk (S,HD). 11.00 BBC News (S,HD) 11.30 BBC World News (S,HD) 12.00 Daily Politics (S,HD) 1.00 Coast (R,S,HD). 1.25 Ready Steady Cook Xmas (R,S,HD). 2.10 The Great British Bake Off (R,S,HD). 3.10 A Place to Call Home (S,HD). 3.55 The World’s Most Photographed (R,S). 4.25 Andrew Marr’s History of Modern Britain (R,S). 5.25 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R,S,HD).

ITV

6.00 Good Morning Britain (S,HD). 8.30 Lorraine (S). 9.25 The Jeremy Kyle Show (S). 10.30 This Morning (S). 12.30 Let’s Do Christmas with Gino & Mel (S,HD). With guests Aled Jones and Tom Chambers. 1.30 ITV News (S); Weather 1.55 Regional News (S) 2.00 Peter Andre’s 60 Minute Makeover (S,HD). 3.00 Secret Dealers (S,HD). 3.59 Regional Programme (S). 4.00 Tipping Point (R,S,HD). 5.00 The Chase (S,HD).

Channel 4

6.20 The King of Queens. 7.10 3rd Rock from the Sun. 8.00 Everybody Loves Raymond. 9.30 Frasier. 11.00 Jamie at Home Christmas Special. 12.00 Channel 4 News Summary 12.05 Jimmy’s Grow Your Own Christmas Dinner (HD). 1.05 Come Dine with Me: Comedians Christmas Special (HD). 2.10 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away (HD). 3.10 Countdown (HD). 4.00 Deal or No Deal (HD). 5.00 Come Dine with Me (HD). 5.30 Coach Trip (HD).

Channel 5

6.00 Milkshake!. 9.15 The Wright Stuff (HD). 11.40 Film: Battle of the Bulbs (S,HD). (2010) ●●● 1.25 5 News Lunchtime (S,HD) 1.30 Home and Away (S,HD). 2.00 Film: A Bride for Christmas (S,HD). (2012) Premiere. Romantic drama, with Arielle Kebbel and Andrew W Walker. ●●● 3.45 Film: Lucky Christmas (S,HD). (2011) Romantic drama, with Elizabeth Berkley and Jason Gray-Stanford. ●●● 5.30 5 News at 5 (S,HD)

Emmerdale, 7pm

Gogglebox, 10.30pm

Kids’ Hospital at Christmas, 9pm

▼

6.00 BBC News (S,HD); Weather 6.30 Regional News (S); Weather

6.00 Regional News (S); Weather 6.30 ITV News (S); Weather

6.00 The Simpsons (S,HD). 22/22. 6.30 Hollyoaks (S,HD). Diane decides to leave the village.

6.00 Home and Away (R,S,HD). Nate and Brax head off to the Bush to rescue VJ. 6.30 5 News Tonight (S,HD)

7.00 The One Show (S,HD). Live chat and topical reports. 7.30 EastEnders (S,HD). The landlord tells the Moons to be out of the flat by lunchtime. Followed by BBC News.

6.00 Eggheads (R,S,HD). Quiz show, hosted by Dermot Murnaghan. 6.30 Strictly Come Dancing – It Takes Two (S,HD). 57/60. With the winners of Sunday night’s dance-off. 7.00 Alex Polizzi’s Perfect Christmas (R,S,HD). The hotelier presents a guide to entertaining over the festive period.

7.00 Emmerdale (S,HD). Adam returns home from prison. 7.30 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (S,HD). (2007) The wizard unites his fellow pupils into a secret army to battle the resurrected Lord Voldemort. Fantasy adventure sequel, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Gary Oldman. ●●●●

7.00 Channel 4 News (S)

7.00 World’s Ultimate Strongest Team (S,HD). Action from the Britannia Stadium, Stoke, where events included the two-man deadlift and the Atlas Stones. Followed by 5 News Update.

8.00 The Supervet: Christmas in the Clinic (S,HD). Noel Fitzpatrick treats a Labrador in need of a hip replacement and the programme catches up with some of the pets and owners who benefited from the surgery’s pioneering techniques.

8.00 Gibraltar: Britain in the Sun (S,HD). PC Eileen Yule attempts to overcome a fear of confined spaces, Eric Shaw and his team deal with invading macaques, and Lizanne Olivero visits her son Troy in Windmill Hill prison. Followed by 5 News at 9.

9.00 Black Mirror: White Christmas (S,HD). Featurelength special of Charlie Brooker’s drama, starring Mad Men’s Jon Hamm. In a mysterious, snowy outpost, two men swap creepy tales of their earlier lives. With Rafe Spall.

9.00 Kids’ Hospital at Christmas (S,HD). 2/3. A 13-day-old baby undergoes surgery to remove a tumour from the base of his spine, while a seven-year-old with a rare and incurable disorder joins in the festivities on her ward.

▼

Strictly Come Dancing ... 6.30pm

▼

6 7 8 9

Holby City, 8pm

▼

(R) repeat (S) subtitles (HD) highdefinition

8.00 The Great British Bake Off Christmas Masterclass (S,HD). Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood demonstrate a selection of festive recipes, including St Lucia buns, a fruit-filled Genoa cake and a white chocolate and stem ginger cheesecake.

9.00 The Missing (S,HD). 8/8. The action continues to move between past and present as the investigation into Oliver’s disappearance comes to an end. James Nesbitt and Frances O’Connor star. Last in the series.

9.00 The Choir: New Military Wives (S,HD). 1/2. Part one of two. Gareth Malone forms a choir to perform at a First World War centenary Prom at London’s Royal Albert Hall, alongside the cast of the National Theatre’s War Horse.

10.00 Brian Pern: A Life In Rock 10.00 BBC News (S,HD) (S,HD). 2/3. Brian performs his 10.25 Regional News (S). Followed unreleased debut album live by National Lottery Update. from the summit of Mount 10.35 The Apprentice: The Final Kilimanjaro. Five (S,HD). 11/14. Ahead of 10.30 Newsnight (S,HD). Presented tomorrow’s interview stage, the by Evan Davis. Followed by remaining entrepreneurs are Weather. profiled. 11.35 Wreckers (S,HD). (2011) A 11.20 Posh People: Inside Tatler woman discovers a dark side to (R,S,HD). 1/3. Documentary her husband’s past when they going behind the scenes at the take in his brother. Drama, fashion and lifestyle magazine starring Claire Foy, Benedict that charts and dictates the Cumberbatch and Shaun Evans. social calendar of Britain’s ●●● ruling classes.

▼

8.00 Holby City (S,HD). 10/52. Zosia gets emotionally involved with a terminally ill patient, with devastating effects on her mental health. Mo finally admits she is in love – only to have her feelings quashed.

1.00 Weather for the Week Ahead (S). 1.05 BBC News (S,HD).

▼

after

12.20 Sign Zone: Film 2014 (R,S). A review of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. 12.50 The Mekong River with Sue Perkins (R,S). The comedienne spends time with the women of the Krung tribe. 1.50 This Is BBC Two (S). Preview of upcoming programmes. 4.00 BBC Learning Zone (S).

10.00 ITV News at Ten (S) 10.30 Regional News (S); Weather 10.40 Waterworld (S,HD). (1995) A mutant mariner in a flooded world protects a child, who holds the key to finding dry land, from a horde of pirates. Sci-fi adventure, starring Kevin Costner and Dennis Hopper. ●●●

1.05 Jackpot247. Interactive gaming. 3.00 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA (R,S). The host takes his successful talk show stateside. 3.45 ITV Nightscreen (HD). Text-based information service. 5.05 The Jeremy Kyle Show (R,S,HD). Guests air their differences.

10.30 Gogglebox (R,S,HD). 11/12. Capturing the households’ instant reactions to what they are watching on TV from the comfort of their own sofas. Narrated by Caroline Aherne.

10.00 Benefits Britain: Life on the Dole (R,S,HD). 3/4. Immigrants claiming welfare in the UK to support children back in their own countries, including a man who uses his benefits to renovate his family home back in rural Romania.

11.30 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA (R,S). 7/16. An Italian restaurant in Pennsylvania run by warring siblings.

11.00 NCIS: Christmas is Murder (R,S). 11/25. A robbery is committed by a man believed dead. 11.55 NCIS: Christmas is Murder (R,S,HD). 11/24.

12.25 Poker (S,HD). The Pokerstars.com Shark Cage Final. 1.25 KOTV Boxing Weekly (S). 1.50 Trans World Sport (R,S,HD). 2.50 Survival of the Fittest (R,S,HD). 3.20 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away (R,S,HD). 4.15 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent (R,S,HD). 5.10 Face the Clock (R,S,HD). 5.35 Countdown (R,S,HD).

12.55 SuperCasino. Live interactive gaming. 3.10 Living on the Edge: Blood on the Sand (R,S,HD). Chris Terrill spends time with Tuareg nomads in Mali. 4.00 Nick’s Quest (R,S). 4.20 House Doctor (R,S). A flat in Kensal Green, west London. 4.45 House Doctor (R,S). 5.10 House Doctor (R,S). 5.35 Wildlife SOS (R,S).

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Wednesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Television Guide BBC1

FILM RATINGS

BBC2

6.00 Homes Under the Hammer (R,S). 7.00 Saints and Scroungers (R,S,HD). 7.30 Oxford Street Revealed (R,S,HD). 8.15 Sign Zone (S,HD). 11.00 BBC News (S,HD) 11.30 Daily Politics (S) 1.00 Lifeline (R,S,HD). 1.10 Coast (S,HD). 1.25 Ready Steady Cook Xmas (R,S,HD). 2.10 The Great British Bake Off (R,S,HD). 3.10 A Place to Call Home (S,HD). 3.55 The Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Most Photographed (R,S). 4.25 Andrew Marrâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s History of Modern Britain (R,S). 5.25 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R,S,HD).

ITV

6.00 Good Morning Britain (S,HD). 8.30 Lorraine (S,HD). 9.25 The Jeremy Kyle Show (S,HD). 10.30 This Morning (S). 12.30 Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Do Christmas with Gino & Mel (S,HD). Actress Zoe Wanamaker drops by. 1.30 ITV News (S); Weather 1.55 Regional News (S) 2.00 Peter Andreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 60 Minute Makeover (S,HD). 3.00 Secret Dealers (S,HD). 3.59 Regional Programme (S). 4.00 Tipping Point (R,S,HD). 5.00 The Chase (S,HD).

Channel 4

6.20 The King of Queens. 7.10 3rd Rock from the Sun. 8.00 Everybody Loves Raymond. 9.30 Frasier. 11.00 Jamieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Ever Christmas (HD). 12.00 Channel 4 News Summary 12.05 A SuperScrimpers Christmas (HD). 1.05 Celebrity Come Dine with Me (HD). 2.10 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away (HD). 3.10 Countdown (HD). 4.00 Deal or No Deal (HD). 5.00 Come Dine with Me (HD). 5.30 Coach Trip (HD).

Channel 5

6.00 Milkshake!. 9.15 The Wright Stuff (HD). Topical talk show. 11.35 Film: Paper Angels (S,HD). (2014) â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 1.20 5 News Lunchtime (S,HD) 1.25 Home and Away (S,HD). Brax realises Nate is more seriously injured than VJ. 1.55 Film: Angels and Ornaments (S,HD). (2014) Romantic fantasy, starring Jessalyn Gilsig. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 3.40 Film: Christmas Song (S,HD). (2012) Romantic drama, with Natasha Henstridge and Gabe Hogan. â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 5.30 5 News (S,HD)

Secrets of the Castle ... 9pm

Coronation Street, 7.30pm

Posh Pawn at Christmas, 8pm

Living on the Edge ... 7pm

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6.00 BBC News (S,HD); Weather 6.30 Regional News (S); Weather

6.00 Regional News (S); Weather 6.30 ITV News (S); Weather

6.00 The Simpsons (R,S). 3/22. Blood-curdling tales of terror. 6.30 Hollyoaks (S,HD). Some information comes to light in Nicoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s search for her father.

6.00 Home and Away (R,S,HD). Brax realises Nate is more seriously injured than VJ. 6.30 5 News Tonight (S,HD)

7.00 The One Show (S,HD). Matt Baker and Alex Jones present the live magazine show featuring topical reports and big-name studio guests. Followed by BBC News.

6.00 Eggheads (R,S,HD). Quiz show, hosted by Dermot Murnaghan. 6.30 Strictly Come Dancing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; It Takes Two (S,HD). 58/60. Ian Waite analyses the couplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; training. 7.00 The 12 Drinks of Christmas (R,S,HD). Brothers-in-law Giles Coren and Alexander Armstrong select a dozen different festive drinks.

7.00 Emmerdale (S,HD). Chrissie is certain Ross was involved in the robbery. 7.30 Coronation Street (S,HD). David and Tyrone fight over a Christmas tree.

7.00 Channel 4 News (S)

7.00 Living on the Edge: Blood in the Snow (S,HD). Chris Terrill travels to the remote north of Norway to spend time with the Sami people. Last in the series. Followed by 5 News Update.

8.00 Waterloo Road (S,HD). 10/20. Justin punches Allie, forcing Vaughan to report him to the police. Hector pushes Sue to be with him, and George returns with important information about the future of the school.

8.00 MasterChef: The Professionals (S,HD). 19/21. The five finalists are reduced by one after an invention test, before the remaining four are each put in charge of cooking a course at a dinner attended by 25 leading UK chefs.

8.00 Surprise Surprise (S,HD). 7/8. McBusted perform on top of the O2 arena, a volunteer receives a delivery from Russell Watson, John Hartson meets a fundraiser, and an aid worker is rewarded.

8.00 Posh Pawn at Christmas (S,HD). 6/6. James arranges free valuations for charity, model Caprice sells a designer dress for a worthy cause and Lawrence appraises a signed Manny Pacquiao boxing glove. Last in the series.

8.00 Gibraltar: Britain in the Sun (S,HD). A 94-year-old wing walker attempts to fly around the Rock in his latest challenge, and Man of Steel star Henry Cavill takes part in a charity run. Last in the series. Followed by 5 News at 9.

9.00 The Apprentice (S,HD). 12/14. The final five face the interview round, in which Alan Sugarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trusted associates scrutinise their CVs and business plans, helping the lord choose who he wants in the final. The final can be seen next weekend.

9.00 Secrets of the Castle with Ruth, Peter and Tom (S,HD). 5/5. As their time in Burgundy draws to an end, the presenters help with one of the castleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most ambitious projects to date, a limestone window for the chapel. Last in the series.

9.00 Hit and Run (S,HD). There are now more than 16,000 hit-andruns every year in Britain resulting in serious injury or death. This documentary follows police officers trying to catch guilty parties.

9.00 The British Comedy Awards 2014 (S). Jonathan Ross hosts the annual ceremony in its 25th year, celebrating the best in British comedy. Nominees include Matt Berry, Harry Enfield, Katherine Parkinson and Graham Norton.

9.00 Benefits Britain: Life on the Dole (S,HD). 4/4. Christmas for people living on state welfare, including a woman struggling to buy gifts for her eight children and two friends who rummage through shopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bins. Last in the series.

10.00 BBC News (S,HD) 10.25 Regional News (S). Followed by National Lottery Update. 10.35 Live at the Apollo (S,HD). 4/6. Comedy sets by Jon Richardson, Sara Pascoe and Nathan Caton.

10.00 The Apprentice: Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Fired (S,HD). 11/11. Dara O Briain is joined by the three candidates eliminated after the interviews. Last in the series. 10.30 Newsnight (S,HD). Presented by Evan Davis. Followed by Weather.

11.05 The League Cup Show (S,HD). Highlights of the quarter-finals. 11.50 Film 2014 (S,HD). 7/7. The team previews Christmas and New Year releases. Last in the series.

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(R) repeat (S) subtitles (HD) highdefinition

12.20 The Apprentice (R,S,HD). The five remaining candidates face gruelling interviews. 1.20 Weather for the Week Ahead (S). 1.25 BBC News (S,HD).

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10.00 ITV News at Ten (S) 10.30 Regional News (S); Weather 10.40 Cliffhanger (S,HD). (1993) A retired mountain rescue expert is drawn into a battle of wits with a criminal searching for a lost fortune in the Rockies. Thriller, starring Sylvester Stallone and John Lithgow. 11.05 Rhod Gilbert: The Man with 11.20 Posh People: Inside Tatler â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? the Flaming Battenberg (R,S,HD). 2/3. The younger Tattoo (S). Stand-up comedy generation of Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upper from Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hammersmith classes gather at the Teen Tatler Apollo. Bystander Ball, and staff compile the magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual guide to the best private schools.

12.20 Sign Zone: See Hear (R,S,HD). Magazine. With voiceover. 12.50 This Is BBC Two (S). Preview of upcoming programmes. 4.00 BBC Learning Zone (R,S,HD).

12.45 Jackpot247. Interactive gaming. 3.00 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA (R,S). The host takes his successful talk show stateside. 3.40 ITV Nightscreen (HD). Textbased information service. 5.05 The Jeremy Kyle Show (R,S,HD). Guests air their differences.

12.05 Film: The Selfish Giant (S,HD). (2013) â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 1.40 Extreme Brat Camp (R,S,HD). 2.35 Film: The Bandit of Sherwood Forest (S,HD). (1946) â&#x2014;?â&#x2014;? 4.05 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent (R,S,HD). 5.00 Hughâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3 Good Things: Best Bites (R,S,HD). 5.10 Face the Clock (R,S,HD). 5.35 Countdown (R,S,HD).

10.00 Crazy Christmas Compulsives (S). 2/2. Part two of two. Another selection of people who take festive revelry to the extreme, including a Wiltshire electrician who celebrates Christmas every day of the year. 11.00 Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hospital at Christmas (R,S,HD). 2/3. A 13-day-old baby undergoes surgery to remove a tumour from the base of his spine, while a seven-year-old with a rare disorder joins in the festivities on her ward. 12.00 NCIS: Los Angeles (S,HD). 1.00 SuperCasino. Live interactive gaming. 3.10 The Railway: First Great Western (R,S,HD). 4.00 Nickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Quest (R,S). 4.25 House Doctor (R,S). 4.45 House Doctor (R,S). 5.10 House Doctor (R,S). 5.35 Wildlife SOS (R,S).

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Thursday’s Television Guide BBC1

FILM RATINGS

●●●●● Excellent ●●●● Very good ●●● Good ●● Average ● Poor

BBC2

6.00 This Is BBC Two (S). 6.05 Homes Under the Hammer (R,S). 7.05 Saints and Scroungers (R,S,HD). 7.35 Oxford Street Revealed (R,S,HD). 8.20 Sign Zone: (R,S). 10.35 HARDtalk (S,HD). 11.00 BBC News (S,HD) 11.30 BBC World News (S,HD) 12.00 Daily Politics (S,HD) 1.00 Coast (R,S,HD). 1.25 Ready Steady Cook Xmas (R,S,HD). 2.10 The Great British Bake Off (R,S,HD). 3.10 A Place to Call Home (S,HD). 3.55 The World’s Most Photographed (R,S). 4.25 Andrew Marr’s History of Modern Britain (R,S). 5.25 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R,S,HD).

ITV

6.00 Good Morning Britain (S,HD). 8.30 Lorraine (S,HD). 9.25 The Jeremy Kyle Show (S). 10.30 This Morning (S). 12.30 Let’s Do Christmas with Gino & Mel (S,HD). With actor Simon Callow. 1.30 ITV News (S); Weather 1.55 Regional News (S) 2.00 Peter Andre’s 60 Minute Makeover (S,HD). Transforming a home in Colchester, Essex. 3.00 Secret Dealers (S,HD). 3.59 Regional Programme (S). 4.00 Tipping Point (R,S,HD). 5.00 The Chase (S,HD).

Channel 4

6.20 The King of Queens. 7.10 3rd Rock from the Sun. 8.00 Everybody Loves Raymond. 9.30 Frasier. 11.00 Jamie’s Christmas with Bells On (HD). 12.00 Channel 4 News Summary 12.05 A SuperScrimpers’ Merry Christmas (HD). 1.05 Celebrity Come Dine with Me: Christmas Special (HD). 2.10 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away (HD). 3.10 Countdown (HD). 4.00 Deal or No Deal (HD). 5.00 Come Dine with Me (HD). 5.30 Coach Trip (HD).

Channel 5

6.00 Milkshake!. 9.15 The Wright Stuff (HD). 11.40 Film: Mr St Nick (S). (2002) ●● 1.25 5 News Lunchtime (S,HD) 1.30 Home and Away (S,HD). Denny asks Ricky for surfing lessons as a tribute to Casey. 2.00 Film: Mrs Miracle 2: Miracle in Manhattan (S). (2010) Family drama sequel, starring Doris Roberts. ●●● 3.45 Film: Will You Merry Me? (S,HD). (2008) Comedy, starring Tommy Lioutas and Vikki Krinsky. ●● 5.30 5 News at 5 (S,HD)

Losing Your Local?: Tonight, 7.30pm

24 Hours in A&E, 9pm

Pothole Britain – Drivers ... 10pm

▼

6.00 Regional News (S); Weather 6.30 ITV News (S); Weather

6.00 The Simpsons (R,S,HD). 2/23. Homer becomes an inventor. 6.30 Hollyoaks (S,HD). Tom tries to stop Nico from making a reckless decision.

6.00 Home and Away (R,S,HD). Denny asks Ricky for surfing lessons as a tribute to Casey. 6.30 5 News Tonight (S,HD)

▼

7.00 The One Show (S,HD). Topical stories from around the UK. 7.30 EastEnders (S,HD). Kat and Alfie are forced to make a life-changing decision. Followed by BBC News.

6.00 Eggheads (R,S,HD). Quiz show, hosted by Dermot Murnaghan. 6.30 Strictly Come Dancing – It Takes Two (S,HD). 59/60. The latest footage from inside the training rooms. 7.00 Nigellissima – An Italian Inspired Christmas (R,S,HD). Nigella Lawson prepares dishes for a Christmas party with an Italian twist, including Parmesan shortbreads.

7.00 Emmerdale (S,HD). Lawrence uses his clout to punish Ross. 7.30 Losing Your Local?: Tonight (S,HD). The decline in the number of British pubs.

7.00 Channel 4 News (S)

7.00 The Gadget Show (R,S,HD). Jon Bentley tests the latest mobile tablet computers, and Amy Williams checks out underwater cameras. Followed by 5 News Update.

8.00 DIY SOS: The Big Build (S,HD). Nick Knowles and the team are joined by local tradespeople in Swansea to transform the home of a family whose 15-year-old son has a rare form of muscular dystrophy.

8.00 MasterChef: The Professionals (S,HD). 20/21. The four finalists are reduced to three, who then head to Errenteria in northern Spain to work under chef Andoni Luis Aduriz at the world-renowned Mugaritz restaurant.

8.00 George Clarke’s Amazing Christmas Spaces (S,HD). 9/9. The architect attends a carol service in a 130-year-old flatpack tin church and helps an ice carver create a winter wonderland-themed bar in Liverpool. Last in the series.

8.00 The Railway: First Great Western (S,HD). A station manager braces himself for a hectic four days due to the Cheltenham Festival, while a driver has to react quickly when a pedestrian takes a perilous short cut. Followed by 5 News at 9.

9.00 Apple’s Broken Promises (S,HD). The treatment of workers in China and Indonesia who make components that go into products by Apple, one of the most valuable companies in the world.

9.00 The Fall (S,HD). 6/6. Gibson’s investigation leads her to the killer’s lair, but there is no sign of Rose Stagg, while Spector makes a final play to remain in control. Last in the series.

8.00 Emmerdale (S,HD). Ross returns home to find Lawrence throwing his belongings into a fire. 8.30 A Night of Heroes – The Military Awards (S,HD). Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden host the annual starstudded ceremony from London’s National Maritime Museum, honouring the achievements of Britain’s armed forces.

9.00 24 Hours in A&E (S,HD). 8/8. A retired builder is treated after falling from his daughter’s roof, a musician has a dangerously high heart rate and doctors fear a man has a serious infection. Last in the series.

9.00 Britain’s Bloodiest Dynasty (S,HD). 4/4. Dan Jones examines the reign of Richard II, who ascended the throne at the age of 10 and grew up to become one of the most brutal tyrants in English history. Last in the series.

10.00 BBC News (S,HD) 10.25 Regional News (S) 10.35 The Apprentice: Why I Fired Them (S,HD). 13/14. Alan Sugar looks back on the tasks from the series and explains what made him choose this year’s two finalists. 11.35 This Week (S,HD). The past seven days in politics.

10.30 Newsnight (S,HD). Presented by Laura Kuenssberg. Followed by Weather.

10.00 ITV News at Ten (S) 10.00 Babylon (S,HD). 6/6. When Banjo’s bin footage goes viral, 10.30 Regional News (S); Weather Sharon’s response sparks 10.40 A Night in with Olly Murs unofficial industrial action, and (R,S,HD). A musical civil unrest erupts on London’s extravaganza with the pop star, barely policed streets. Last in featuring guest appearances by the series. John Bishop, Caroline Flack and Nicole Scherzinger.

10.00 Pothole Britain – Drivers Beware! (R,S,HD). Documentary examining why there is such a big problem with potholes in the nation’s roads, with those responsible for repairing the damage explaining the difficulties they face.

11.20 Posh People: Inside Tatler (R,S,HD). 3/3. Behind the scenes at the Moscow offices of Tatler Russia, with the magazine recommending the best UK boarding schools and hosting a debutante ball.

11.40 River Monsters (R,S,HD). 6/7. A quest to track down the Nile perch in Africa’s Rift Valley.

11.05 Skint (R,S,HD). 4/4. More stories of people living in poverty in Grimsby, from fishermen out of work after a lifetime at sea, to those doing whatever they can to make ends meet. Last in the series.

11.00 Big Foot: The Missing Evidence (R,S,HD). 6/6. An investigation into the existence of the ape-like hominid said to live in the forests of North America. Last in the series.

12.20 Skiing Weatherview (S). 12.25 BBC News (S,HD).

12.20 Sign Zone: The Innocent Serial Killer? – Panorama (R,S). 12.50 World’s Greatest Food Markets (R,S). Roger Barton visits Mexico City’s Central de Abasto. 1.50 This Is BBC Two (S). Preview of upcoming programmes. 4.00 BBC Learning Zone (R,S,HD).

12.10 Jackpot247. Interactive gaming. 3.00 Losing Your Local?: Tonight (R,HD). The decline in the number of British pubs. 3.25 ITV Nightscreen (HD). Text-based information service. 5.05 The Jeremy Kyle Show (R,S). Guests air their differences.

12.05 America’s Fugitive Family (R,S,HD). 1.00 Embarrassing Bodies: Back to the Clinic (R,S,HD). 1.55 One Born Every Minute (R,S,HD). 2.50 Dogs: Their Secret Lives (R,S,HD). 3.45 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away (R,S,HD). 4.40 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent (R,S,HD). 5.35 Countdown (R,S,HD).

12.00 SuperCasino. Live interactive gaming. 3.10 Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild (R,S,HD). A British woman who gave up her old life to train huskies in northern Sweden. 4.00 Nick’s Quest (R,S). 4.25 House Doctor (R,S). 4.45 House Doctor (R,S). 5.10 House Doctor (R,S). 5.35 Wildlife SOS (R,S).

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Nigellissima – An Italian ... 7pm

6.00 BBC News (S,HD); Weather 6.30 Regional News (S); Weather

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6 7 8 9

DIY SOS: The Big Build, 8pm

▼

(R) repeat (S) subtitles (HD) highdefinition

10 11

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after

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Classical Spectacular

A Royal Albert Hall Concert Break! Departing Mar 2015 Our price includes • Return coach travel • One night’s bed and continental breakfast accommodation in a good hotel in London • A choir seat for Classical Spectacular (upgrades available) • A sightseeing tour of London or time to shop and sightsee • The services of a tour manager

Friday’s Television Guide BBC1

6.00 Breakfast (S,HD) 9.15 Operation Meet the Street (S,HD). 10.00 Homes Under the Hammer (R,S,HD). 11.00 Saints and Scroungers (S,HD). 11.30 Oxford Street Revealed (S,HD). 12.15 Bargain Hunt (R,S,HD). 1.00 BBC News; Weather (S,HD) 1.30 Regional News (S) 1.45 Doctors (S,HD). 2.15 The Doctor Blake Mysteries (R,S,HD). 3.10 Escape to the Country (R,S,HD). 3.40 Christmas Kitchen with James Martin (S,HD). 4.30 Flog It! (S,HD). 5.15 Pointless (R,S,HD).

FILM RATINGS

●●●●● Excellent ●●●● Very good ●●● Good ●● Average ● Poor

BBC2

6.05 Homes Under the Hammer (R,S). 7.05 Saints and Scroungers (R,S,HD). 7.35 Oxford Street Revealed (R,S,HD). 8.20 Sign Zone (R,S). 10.35 The Travel Show (S,HD). 11.00 BBC News (S,HD) 11.30 BBC World News (S,HD) 12.00 Daily Politics (S,HD) 1.00 Coast (R,S,HD). 1.25 Ready Steady Cook Xmas (R,S,HD). 2.10 The Great British Bake Off – The Final (R,S,HD). 3.10 A Place to Call Home (S,HD). 3.55 Restoring England’s Heritage (S). 4.25 Andrew Marr’s History of Modern Britain (R,S). 5.25 Vintage Antiques Roadshow (R,S,HD).

ITV

6.00 Good Morning Britain (S,HD). 8.30 Lorraine (S,HD). 9.25 The Jeremy Kyle Show (S). 10.30 This Morning (S). 12.30 Let’s Do Christmas with Gino & Mel (S,HD). With former swimmer Mark Foster. Last in the series. 1.30 ITV News (S); Weather 1.55 Regional News (S) 2.00 Peter Andre’s 60 Minute Makeover (S,HD). 3.00 Secret Dealers (S,HD). 3.59 Regional Programme (S). 4.00 Tipping Point (R,S,HD). 5.00 The Chase (S,HD).

Channel 4

6.20 The King of Queens. 7.10 3rd Rock from the Sun. 8.00 Everybody Loves Raymond. 9.30 Frasier. 11.00 Jamie’s Christmas with Bells On (HD). 12.00 Channel 4 News Summary 12.05 A Great British Christmas with Sarah Beeny (HD). 1.05 Celebrity Come Dine with Me: Soap Star Special (HD). 2.10 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away (HD). 3.10 Countdown (HD). 4.00 Deal or No Deal (HD). 5.00 Come Dine with Me (HD). 5.30 Coach Trip (HD).

Channel 5

6.00 Milkshake!. 9.15 The Wright Stuff (HD). 11.25 Film: Lucky Christmas (S,HD). (2011) ●●● 1.15 5 News Lunchtime (S,HD) 1.20 Home and Away (S,HD). Phoebe tells Kyle she is moving back to Melbourne. 1.50 Film: Dear Secret Santa (S,HD). (2013) Drama, starring Tatyana Ali. ●●● 3.35 Film: A Christmas Kiss (S,HD). (2011) Romantic drama, with Laura Breckenridge and Brendan Fehr. ●●● 5.30 5 News at 5 (S,HD)

Emmerdale, 7pm

Alan Carr: Chatty Man, 10pm

The Gadget Show, 7pm

▼

6.00 Regional News (S); Weather 6.30 ITV News (S); Weather

6.00 The Simpsons (R,S,HD). 3/23. Bart looks after a bird’s nest filled with eggs. 6.30 Hollyoaks (S,HD). Dodger is trapped in his worst nightmare.

6.00 Home and Away (R,S,HD). Phoebe tells Kyle she is moving back to Melbourne. 6.30 5 News Tonight (S,HD)

7.00 The One Show (S,HD). Hosted by Chris Evans and Alex Jones. 7.30 The Two Ronnies Sketchbook (S). The duo’s favourite moments from their shows. Followed by BBC News.

6.00 Eggheads (R,S,HD). Quiz show, hosted by Dermot Murnaghan. 6.30 Strictly Come Dancing – It Takes Two (S,HD). 60/60. A look ahead to the final. Last in the series. 7.30 Tom Kerridge Cooks Christmas (R,S,HD). The chef puts his own spin on festive fare.

7.00 Emmerdale (S,HD). The Bartons struggle to repair the damage caused by Lawrence. 7.30 Coronation Street (S,HD). Tracy is on edge as she waits for news of Rob’s sentencing.

7.00 Channel 4 News (S)

7.00 The Gadget Show (S,HD). Former Corrie star Helen Flanagan looks at online services used to make personalised calendars. Last in the series. Followed by 5 News Update.

8.00 EastEnders (S,HD). More evidence comes to light in the murder investigation. 8.30 Citizen Khan (S,HD). 7/7. Mr Khan is chosen to place the star on top of the Sparkhill Christmas tree. Last in the series.

8.00 Mastermind (S,HD). 18/31. Specialist subjects include West Bromwich Albion. 8.30 Mary Berry’s Absolute Christmas Favourites (S,HD). 2/2. Part two of two. Five recipes for a stress-free Christmas Day.

9.00 Have I Got 2014 News for You (S,HD). 11/11. A compilation of highlights from this year’s editions. Last in the series. 9.30 Not Going Out (S,HD). 9/10. Lee worries that the woman of his dreams is drifting farther away.

9.00 Canterbury Cathedral (S,HD). 3/3. The Rev Clare Edwards travels to York for the vote on women bishops and the cathedral marks the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War. Last in the series.

8.00 Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD 8.00 Ice Road Truckers (S,HD). Alex 8.00 Text Santa (S,HD). The festive (S,HD). 9/22. The team discovers and Darrell deliver a $7million fundraising extravaganza the ancient city before Hydra, water-treatment unit to a dam returns, with the evening’s but revealing its secrets may project near Gillam, Manitoba, presenting duos – Ant and Dec, require one of Coulson’s agents while Lisa is loaded with a school Phillip Schofield and Christine to make the ultimate sacrifice. bus to take to a maintenance Bleakley, and Paddy May and Skye race to save depot in Winnipeg. Followed by McGuinness and Alesha Dixon – Raina. 5 News at 9. joined by a host of famous faces to raise money for six 9.00 Gogglebox (S). 12/12. 9.00 Trespass (S,HD). (2011) deserving causes. Highlights Capturing the households’ Premiere. A couple are held include George Clooney instant reactions to what they hostage in their own home by making a surprise visit to are watching on TV from the four criminals, which forces Downton Abbey, the residents comfort of their own sofas. them to confront the secrets in of Coronation Street appearing Narrated by Caroline Aherne. their marriage. Thriller, with in a comedy sketch with a Text Last in the series. Nicolas Cage and Nicole Santa twist, and Ant and Dec Kidman. ●● hosting a Yule Tucker Trial for an unsuspecting celebrity while serenaded by a choir of former 10.00 Alan Carr: Chatty Man (S,HD). 10.50 Shoot ’Em Up (S,HD). (2007) 14/15. Former Bond girl Gemma jungle contestants, plus plenty A mysterious gun-toting Arterton talks about her role in of live music throughout the stranger delivers a baby, which the Made in Dagenham show. he then has to protect from a musical, Mrs Brown’s Boys star horde of assassins. Action Brendan O’Carroll discusses his adventure, starring Clive Owen, latest book and Tom Odell Paul Giamatti and Monica performs live. Bellucci. ●●●

▼

QI, 10pm

6.00 BBC News (S,HD); Weather 6.30 Regional News; Weather

▼

6 7 8 9

The Graham Norton Show, 10.35pm

▼

(R) repeat (S) subtitles (HD) highdefinition

▼

10.00 QI (S,HD). 11/18. With David Mitchell, Ronni Ancona and Jimmy Carr. 10.30 Newsnight (S,HD). Presented by Emily Maitlis.

11.00 Weather (S) 11.05 Never Mind the Buzzcocks (R,S,HD). 11/13. 11.35 Boyz N the Hood (S,HD). (1991) Drama, with Cuba Gooding Jr and Laurence Fishburne. ●●●●●

11.20 ITV News (S); Weather 11.55 Regional News (S); Weather

11.10 The British Comedy Awards 2014 (R,S). Jonathan Ross hosts the annual ceremony in its 25th year, celebrating the best in British comedy.

1.20 Sign Zone: The Great War – An Elegy: A Culture Show Special (R,S). Simon Armitage tells seven stories from the First World War in poems. 2.20 This Is BBC Two (S). Preview of upcoming programmes.

12.05 Text Santa Highlights (S). The best bits from the festive charity appeal. 1.25 Jackpot247. Interactive gaming. 3.00 The Jeremy Kyle Show USA (R,S). The host takes his successful talk show stateside. 3.40 ITV Nightscreen (HD). Text-based information service.

1.00 Film: Martha Marcy May Marlene (S,HD). (2011) Thriller, starring Elizabeth Olsen. ●●●● 2.40 Film: Because I Said So (S,HD). (2007) Comedy drama, starring Diane Keaton. ●● 4.20 A Place in the Sun: Home or Away (R,S,HD). 5.15 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent (R,S,HD).

12.50 EastEnders (R,S,HD). Omnibus. Phil is shocked to discover Nick is still alive. 2.45 Weather for the Week Ahead (S). 2.50 BBC News (S,HD).

▼

after

10.00 BBC News (S,HD) 10.25 Regional News (S). Followed by National Lottery Update. 10.35 The Graham Norton Show (S,HD). 12/13. With Ben Stiller, Ricky Gervais, Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Danny Dyer and Usher. 11.25 Cuckoo (S,HD). 5/6. Ken is hopeful of a promotion at work. 11.55 Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga: Cheek to Cheek Live! (S,HD). The unlikely music duo take to the stage in New York.

2 days from £199.00 per person

Call us on 0330 160 7791 Quote GLO Or visit us www.newmarket.travel/glo18938 Calls are charged at a standard local rate. Operated by Newmarket Promotions Ltd. ABTA V787X. Prices are per person, based on two sharing. Subject to availability. Single supplements apply. Terms and conditions apply. These suppliers are independent of Local World. When you respond, the holiday supplier and Local World may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive such offers by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission.

12.30 SuperCasino. Live interactive gaming. 3.10 Big Foot: The Missing Evidence (R,S,HD). An investigation into the existence of the ape-like hominid. Last in the series. 4.00 Nick’s Quest (R,S). Guyana’s giant otters. 4.25 House Doctor (R,S). 4.45 House Doctor (R,S). 5.10 House Doctor (R,S). 5.35 Wildlife SOS (R,S).

Neil Diamond in Concert

At the LG Arena, Birmingham, departing Jul 2015 Our price includes • Return coach travel from your local area • One night’s bed and English breakfast based on a twin room with private facilities at a good quality hotel in the Midlands • A seated ticket for the Neil Diamond concert at The LG Arena, Birmingham (face value £65). Ticket upgrades available • Return coach transfers between your hotel and the concert venue • Visit to Stratford upon Avon • The services of a friendly tour manager gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

THE

final word COLUMNIST SALI GREEN

Warburton. He’s in his 50s and has been working at Aldi for two years. That’s as much of his story that the lady on the telephone knew, but maybe some of our Tewkesbury readers will know more. So what I’m saying with my Final Word column today, is basically that this guy is so positive it would be wise for us to take a leaf out of his book. In a few brief moments he has the ability to raise the spirits of those he comes into contact with. He clearly loves his job and he loves people. That is a great gift. Happy Christmas, Gary – you rock!

HE other day my son accused me of not being in the Christmas spirit yet, so we decided to start decorating our skinflint artificial spruce tree with baubles and decorations from previous years. I said I would need music to get into the festive feeling and we then argued about the music that would accompany our tree-decking activity: I wanted Christmas hits and he wanted Fuse ODG and chart music. In the end he stormed off upstairs saying we’d have to postpone it until the following night and calling me Scrooge. I continued on my own and thought I’d done a decent job of it but the next night he informed me that ‘less is more’ and asked if he could strip the tree and re-do it using just a carefully chosen selection of decorations. I agreed for fear of a repeat of the previous night’s disagreements and fair play he’s made a very decent job of it. Since then the Christmas spirit has been well and truly dwelling in our household and we even blasted out Wizzard’s ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day’ one morning while getting ready for school and work. However, recently I have come across a person who seems to be in good spirits every day, whatever the weather, whatever the season. If you have ever been to Aldi in Tewkesbury you may have come across him too. This cashier is so jolly, so chatty, thoughtful, helpful and happy every time he serves anyone that it’s a truly uplifting experience to shop there. I rang the store just now and described him and, as I expected, they knew exactly who I was on about. All I had to say was ‘the friendly cashier with the Welsh accent’ and they told me his name is Gary

@WeekendGlos

Follow Sali on Twitter @iwork4uglos

www.iwork4uglos.co.uk

Dobbies frosted Grasmere Adjustable Snowy PineTree, from £69.99 and 160 Bright White LED String Lights, £19.99

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gloucestercitizen.co.uk/weekend gloucestershireecho.co.uk/weekend

my ideal

What would you drink?

Cup of tea with honey or a glass of water.

If you could invite anyone for a dinner party, dead or alive, who would you invite?

Maria Callas so we could talk about Bel Canto. My grandmother because Maria Callas was her favourite singer and also because she passed away when I was 13. Josh Groban because I’ve written a duet that I’d love to sing with him. David Attenborough and Dr Brian Cox; I love their programmes. Brian Blessed as he’d be all the entertainment we’d need and the CEO of Disney. My big dream is to be the voice of a Disney princess one day, so if the CEO could come to dinner it would be an ideal opportunity to ask.

WEEKEND...

MARY-JESS LEAVERLAND

Mary-Jess’ Christmas single, The Angel Gabriel, is available now from Amazon and iTunes. She will be performing with Rebecca Newman at St Laurence Church in Stroud tonight in aid of The DoorYouth Project. Doors open from 6.30pm. For tickets, call 01453 756745 or visit www. christmas-presence.eventbrite.co.uk

Singer

How would you describe your ideal weekend?

I love going to the Peak District or going down to the coast with family and then having a nice cup of tea in front of the fire when we get back home.

Who would you spend it with? Family.

Would you watch a film or TV?

Frozen Planet, Life Stories, Human Universe, Wonders of the Universe or a Disney movie.

What would you read?

I would love to find time to read books by Dr Brian Cox. He is so interesting and explains everything really well.

What music would you listen to?

Rebecca Newman’s album Dare to Dream.

If you could go anywhere for the weekend, where would you go?

Everywhere. There are so many interesting places in this world I can’t narrow it down. I’d love to see more of China and I’d also love to live in Italy for a bit and learn Italian. The language is beautiful and I love the food.

What would you eat?

Probably vegetarian food as my partner, Rich, is vegetarian. I love baking and cooking with our solid fuel Aga in our kitchen, so I’d probably bake some fairy cakes or make a rice pudding or a crumble with custard.

@WeekendGlos

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