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July 2010

Lifestyle | Community | Business

Norton The Leigh Twigworth Down Hatherley Sandhurst Highnam Over Maisemore Hartpury

Fêtes, Festivals & Fun Days Which village event will you visit this Summer?

Restaurant Review The swan at Coombe Hill is our host

Salsa Squad Try Something New Latino Style!

WIN !

Six of the Best Places to take the kids in the holidays

A Glitzyglam pamper party for 6 kids worth £125!

Ashleworth Hasfield Apperley Deerhurst Coombe Hill Knightsbridge Boddington Staverton

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ALL WELCOME! Trade & Retail

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DECKING

38mm quality Per metre:

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5" £1.79+VAT 6" £2.09+VAT

Paving Fossil Mint – 15sqm packs ONLY

£15.95+VAT per sq. metre

Delivery within 10 mile radius included

i Building Supplroes a n v t e o r S t o v o e t y of ne r l F ements under o ding requir for all your buil

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CEMENT ~ Collected 25kg bag = £2.95+VAT (£3.47 including VAT)

BUILDING MATERIALS DIY MATERIALS GARDEN MATERIALS

Ronseal Fence Life 5-litre = £6.99 inc. VAT

STAVERTON BUILDING SUPPLIES

Jupiter Court, Meteor Business Park, Cheltenham Road East, Gloucester GL2 9QL (on B4063 behind new Mitsubishi Car showroom)

Telephone: 01452 712108

email: mark@stavertonbuildingsupplies.co.uk

Open: Monday - Friday: 7.30am - 5.00pm & Saturdays 8.00am-12.00pm

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3 size beautiful Ashbourne Patio Feature Kit From £14.50+VAT per sqm

610 x 610 Buff Riven Slabs £2.88+VAT (£3.38 inc. VAT) 450 x 450 Buff Riven Slabs £1.59+VAT (£1.87 inc. VAT) All offers subject to availability

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Contents 4

Welcome to July

5-7

Village News & Diary

8-9

Fêtes, Festivals & Fun Days Which village event will you visit this Summer?

12-13

FÊTES, FESTIVALS & FUN DAYS 8

Try Something New Salsa Squad – Latino Style!

15

Six of the Best... Places to take the kids this Summer

16-17

Business Profile – C&R Landscapes

19-20

The History of... The Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough

22

Restaurant Review – The Swan at Coombe Hill

25

Sue Gibson School of Gardening

27

Riverford Organics Recipe

29

Mind & Body: McTimoney Chiropractic

31

Talk Money: Spa Financial

TRY SOMETHING NEW 12

RESTAURANT REVIEW 22

Where Can You Find Village Living?

Severn Village Living Magazine is delivered to 5,000 homes and businesses across over 15 villages.

Find us in Norton, Twigworth, Down Hatherley, Sandhurst, Highnam, Maisemore, Hartpury, Apperley, Boddington and Staverton; as well as selected outlets in Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Cheltenham.

We are increasing our circulation every month, so if you didn’t receive a copy through your letterbox, you will do very shortly.

Severn Village Living is published monthly by Miss T A Bailey t/a Village Living Magazine 3 Springhill Court Sandhurst Lane Sandhurst Glos GL2 9NX 01452 730023 www.severnvillageliving.co.uk

Editorial & advertising enquiries Tina Bailey 07969 807110 tina@severnvillageliving.co.uk Production Toni Barrington The Magazine Production Company 01273 467579 production@villageliving.biz © 2010 Village Living Severn Village Living is an independent magazine and does not endorse the products or services that appear in the magazine. Opinions expressed in the magazine do not necessarily represent those of the editor or of Severn Village Living magazine.

www.severnvillageliving.co.uk | tel: 01452 730023

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Severn Village Living •July 2010

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Welcome to July

J

uly is upon us, the World Cup will soon be over, Wimbledon is almost finished and kids are about to break up for the long summer holidays. if this means chaos in your family for the next six weeks, keep them happy with our guide to Six of the Best… places to take the kids in the holidays.

And don’t forget to turn to our feature on Village Fêtes, Festivals and Fundays. if your village fête has been and gone, there are plenty more to visit over the next few months. Why not venture into another parish, have a look around the village and make some new friends?

As if the last two Try Something New features weren’t energetic enough, i decided this month that i had better join in the fun as a guest of Salsa Squad for a night of Latin dance. A world away from my latest History Of… interview when i learnt all about the 2009/10 Mayoral Year of Tewkesbury Borough’s past Mayor, Mark Williams. Read all about the tradition of Mayor Making on page 19.



if you are thinking of enjoying some summer lunches out with the family (or leaving the kids at home and heading out for dinner) read our restaurant review on page 22. We visited The Swan at Coombe Hill and tried some truly delicious dishes.

This month‘s competition is a must for all the little girls and glamorous teens out there. WiN a Glitzyglam Pamper Party for six children kindly donated by Stacey of Glitzyglam. Turn to the News and Events page for more details.

Congratulations to May competition winners Josh Kemp of Cranham who won the Bugsboarding tuition prize and to Debbie Harding of Cheltenham who collected her joint of Simon Middle’s prime beef as the winner of the Meat the Middles competition.

Tina

       





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5 • NEWS & EVENTS

Our GLAM July competition

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iN! A Pamper Party for 6 children courtesy of Glitzyglam, Pamper Parties for Girls. Stacey Dunn is the ultimate children’s pamper party planner, so whether your little lady wants to look like a Diva, a Princess or a Fairy or would like to indulge her friends in a spa party, Glitzyglam offers the complete package for girls 3 years old to teens. Stacey also runs two other successful beauty businesses, Clarity Beauty and House of Colour.

Find out more at www.clarity-beauty.co.uk and to win your fabulous pamper party just answer this question – What are the two types of Magical Fairy Party you can choose from at Glitzyglam?

Email tina@severnvillageliving.co.uk or write to Severn Village Living, 3 Springhill Court, Sandhurst Lane, Sandhurst, Glos, GL2 9NX.

Flower Power A great weekend was had by all at the Down Hatherley Flower Festival held at St Mary and Corpus Christi Church of Down Hatherley An impressive floral display was presented over the May bank holiday weekend to commemorate the restoration of this delightful village church exactly 150 years ago. The flower arrangements celebrating the Victorian age were the work of the Church Flower guild and helpers.

Commenting on the display, Rosemary Sandberg, the Flower Guild’s leader said “We do hope visitors get as much pleasure from the flowers in this lovely church as we have had in arranging them. For our Gloucestershire visitors it is a lot nearer than Chelsea! Our helpers have produced so many imaginative displays i am glad i don’t have to judge them.”

Visitors enjoyed the decorated penny farthing bicycle, alongside the flower-filled Victorian chamber pot in the front porch. Once inside, they were treated to many different aspects of the Victorian age from a floral interpretation of the Zulu Wars to the tranquillity of a Victorian herbaceous border and the stunning elegance of the grand Palm Court display. With thanks to John Hawkswell for the information. Anyone wishing to know more about the festival should contact John on 01452 730528.

Pets Barn Veterinary Group moves into a new Hartpury home To help celebrate Pets Barn Veterinary Group relocating to the site of Hartpury Saddlery on July 31st 2010, Hartpury Saddlery is having a promotion day.

Come and meet Bryony, your local Allen and Page horse feeds representative who will be giving advice on feeding and nutrition for your equine friend this summer. There will be money off your horse feed vouchers up for grabs, plus advice on herbal supplements and homeopathy for horses. There will also be special offers from suppliers as a ‘thank you’ to their customers and promotions including 10% discount when you spend over £30.00. For more information keep a look out for the launch of the brand new website www.hartpurysaddlery.co.uk.

The new Pets Barn Veterinary Centre will be showcasing a range of small animals on the day from chinchillas to Giant Newfoundland dogs, Afghan Hounds, Miniature Dachsunds, Cats from Cats Protection, Guinea pigs and chickens, perfect for the children to meet and learn more about them. They will be offering free flea and worm products if dog owners bring their pet in on the day. There will also be a children’s art competition – with a really special and exciting top prize! Download an entry form from the www.petsbarn.co.uk or call Mandy for more information on 01452 700086. All the staff from the old Hartpury College site will be moving to the new centre and will be at the Open Day to tell you more. So come enjoy a glass of wine and nibbles and see what your local equine shop and brand new veterinary centre has to offer.

www.severnvillageliving.co.uk | tel: 01452 730023

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6 • NEWS & EVENTS

WILL YOU JUMP FOR LINC?

S

kydiving is a once in a life time experience – will you join the Skydive at Cirencester on 31st July where your dreams can become reality? imagine standing at the edge of an open doorway in an aircraft flying at 10,000 feet – the noise of the engines and the wind ringing in your ears with only the outline of distant fields below. Now imagine leaning forward out of that doorway and letting go – falling forward into the clouds, diving down through the air as you start freefalling at over 120mph! Then imagine the peace and quiet as the canopy opens, the steering toggles come down either side of you and you begin a tranquil parachute descent from a mile up in the air, steering yourself back down to the

Cotswold Wedding Ring

C

otswold Wedding Ring is hosting two wedding fayres in July. Jacqui Peachey of idyllic Creations is your host at The Matara Centre for Civil Weddings at Kingscote Park House, Nr Tetbury on the 18th July or join Jan McDonald of Blenheim Photography at Fosters on the Docks in Gloucester on the 25th July. Entry is free and doors open from 11am until 4pm. if you are interested in exhibiting at either Fayre, please call Jacqui on 01453 832736 or Jan on 01452 348303 to find out if there are any spaces left.

Otherwise, simply turn up for your slice of wedding heaven!

centre of the drop zone below. Well you can stop imagining because it’s real and you can do it for LiNC at Cirencester by reserving a place on one of our 10,000 feet freefall tandem skydives... No Experience is necessary as all training is given and if you raise from £395 (depending on the type of jump you choose) you will receive your jump for free. Technically the jump is called a ‘Tandem Skydive’. it is a Skydive because you will be freefalling through the air for several thousand feet; it is in Tandem because you will be harnessed to a professional parachute instructor at all times throughout the descent. This is literally the chance of a lifetime! Interested?

Log on to www.lincfund.org for more info.

Red Pepper Red Pepper Deli & Bistro opens in Cheltenham, Deli by day, Bistro by night.

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ew to Cheltenham Red Pepper is a combination of a relaxed Coffee Lounge & Delicatessen serving high quality products; with the emphasis being on local and fresh. Red Pepper Delicatessen provides customers with a wide variety of deli products, wherever possible sourced from local suppliers. Red Pepper Coffee Lounge provides customers with a relaxed environment to enjoy a coffee and piece of hand made cake or alternatively sample one of the warm savoury tarts with a compound salad and micro herb leaves. The Coffee Lounge is open daily. Red Pepper is situated in Regent Street next the Everyman Theatre perfect for a pre-theatre dinner in the Red Pepper Bistro – open three nights a week. Find out more by logging onto their site www.redpeppercheltenham.co.uk, call 01242 253900 or simply drop in!

The Importance of Being Earnest Sandhurst Village Green, Sandhurst, Gloucester, Saturday 14 August at 6.30pm. Tickets: £8 (£6 conc).

Tel: 01452 731489. Ticketweb – 08444 771000 – www.ticketweb.co.uk. 5pm for picnics – please bring own seating.

Rain or Shine Theatre Company invites you to an evening of engaging entertainment performing one of the greatest comedies of all time, Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy of manners, morals and morality, The importance of Being Earnest! When two Victorian gentlemen assume the name of ‘Ernest’ to win the affections of two ladies, both determined to marry a man of that name, the scene is set for hilarious confusion in a world of handbags, perambulators, cucumber sandwiches, muffins, butlers, the English upper class, and of course, that theatrical tour de force – Lady Bracknell!

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7 • ViLLAGE DiARY

Village Diary Severn Village Living would like to list village events from your local village so if you would like your event listed – be it a play, jumble sale, play group, beer festival, boot fair, Young Farmers party, Youth Club disco or simply a coffee morning at your local church or parish hall, please get in touch.

Charity & not for profit events are listed free of charge. A small charge applies for commercial listings.

Deadline for entry into the magazine is the 9th of every month.

From 25th June Ashleworth Toddler Group moves to a new venue at the newly refurbished Ashleworth Village Hall. Thanks to Ashleworth C of E Primary School for accommodating the group over the last few months.

What’s on... July 2010 Katherine Jenkins in Concert Saturday 3rd July 2010 The talented and beautiful opera star, Katherine Jenkins, takes to the stage at Cheltenham Racecourse in aid of the Cancer Charity LiNC. Tickets are still available. Go to the www.lincfund.org to book online or call 08454 224422 Sue Gibson School of Gardening, Open Day Saturday 3rd July 2010 Severn Village Living’s Garden expert, Sue Gibson, invites all gardeners to her very first Sue Gibson School of Gardening Open Day to see what has been achieved in the last year at May Cottage and also what courses will be on offer next year. Time: 11.00 am to 4.00pm, explore the garden & classroom, ask questions or discuss any new courses you would like me to put on, have a coffee or tea, relax on the swing seat and absorb the beauty of this corner of the Severn Vale. Contact Sue: May Cottage, Shepherd’s Patch, Slimbridge, Glos GL2 7BPTel: 01453 890820 sue.gibson@ tiscali.co.uk www.iteachgardening.co.uk Open Garden in aid of the Linc Fund Saturday 17 July 2010 Margaret and Bill Gooch are opening their garden in Hayden Lane, Staverton. There will be a few stalls to browse. Go to www.lincfund.org for more information.

Norton Nippers Mothers and Toddlers 0-2 years 9 months) Meet at Norton Village Hall every Tuesday in term-time.

10am to 11.30am. Contact Lucy Smith on 01242 680040 Norton Local History Group Monday 26th July 2010 Meet at 2.30pm Frampton Manor. £12 for tour of the manor followed by tea and cake. Contact Pat Arkell for more information on 01242 680262.

Nature in Art – Wallsworth Talks www.nature-in-art.org.uk / 01452 731442 to book.

A talk with live drawing by Peter Partington – 8:00pm 24th July Peter Partington is a renowned watercolourist and field painter who has travelled the world. His talks include him doing very quick live bird and animal sketches on an overhead projector. Brilliant! Price: £8.

Private view of Joy Adamson exhibition 31st July With opportunities to watch rare film footage of Joy Adamson in Kenya. Event partly in aid of the Elsa Trust.

Price: £6.

Strawberry lovers feast their eyes on a bumper crop – so come and Pick Your Own in Gloucestershire!

Fruit lovers are in for a strawberry delight as the cool spring weather means we are looking at a bumper crop. Summer has arrived, with Wimbledon just around the corner it can only mean one thing, strawberry season! The cool weather in recent months has extended flowering.‘‘Flower numbers are high and fruit set has been good. The season has drawn out nicely to allow plenty of opportunity for picking this summer,’’ said Paul Keene, owner of Primrose Vale Farm Shop.

We are lucky in Gloucestershire to have strawberries grown on our doorstep and everybody knows that buying locally is the best way to get fruit at its freshest and most flavoursome. Rob Keene, owner of Over Farm Market said ‘‘Buying locally means that we can enjoy succulent and tasty British strawberries whilst strengthening the local economy and reducing food miles.’’ Martin Harrell, owner of Hayles Fruit Farm said ‘‘You could always get along to your nearest pick your own farm and select your very own strawberries this year.’’ Paul Grimes, owner of Wotton Farm Shop said ‘‘Pick your Own is the best way to get the freshest and most delicious foods from field to fork and it’s fun for all the family.’’

For more information about where to source local strawberries or to find your nearest pick your own farm visit www.gloucestershirefarmshops.co.uk Issued by Vivid and Lauren Jones on 01684 854408 or email lauren@thevividconsultancy.com

“In May 2010 and June 2010 Severn Village Living published Gloucestershire events listings which included original material taken, without permission, from the website www.soglos.com. We are sorry that we failed to seek permission, and are therefore pleased to take this opportunity to apologise to SoGlos.com.” www.severnvillageliving.co.uk | tel: 01452 730023

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8 • Fêtes, Festivals and Fun days

Your guide to Severn Village Fun this Summer!

If you are looking for a great place to have some summer fun, then look no further than the lovely community spirited villages of the River Severn. There are plenty of events to choose from and all raising money for good causes. So bring the family & come and join the fun!

JULY 2010

A Victorian Miscellany

Hasfield Fun Day Hasfield Court, Sat 3rd July 12 noon – 3pm Entry £7.50 (£5 concessions) & £20 Family Ticket in aid of Hasfield Church BBQ, stalls & family fun.

More info: Mrs Nell Douglas Miller 01452 780305 / Mrs Rachel Hope 01452 780250

Norton School Fête Norton Playing Field & Hall Sat 10th July 12-2pm 50p entry for adults – which enters you into a prize draw.

Children free. Pony rides & strawberries & cream, stalls, games for the kids, bouncy castle, general family fête fun.

More info: Norton School, 01452 730531

High School for Girls Summer Fayre Denmark Road, Gloucester, Sat 10th July 11.30 am – 2.00 pm Free Entry. Everyone Welcome. Lunchtime food & ice creams, Nail Art, Coconut Shy, Bouncy Castle, Wii tournaments, Soak the Teacher, Beat the Goalie, Human Fruit Machine, Tombola’s and a Raffle with plenty more traditional games More info: Tim Sheppard on tim@sheppard-software.co.uk

Down Hatherley Fun Day Down Hatherley Church & Field, Sun 11 July 1-5pm Stalls, animals, games, music, kids racing, kids entertainer, BBQ, Teas, Cakes, Plants. Victorian flavour, including… Magic Lantern shows in the church, make your own movingpicture Zoetrope, Local limericks – bring your own for the competition, Flying contraptions from church tower £1 for adults / children free. Everyone Welcome!

More info: Ellie: 01452 739142 Helen: 01452 730025 July 2010 • Severn Village Living

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Down Hatherley Church, Down Hatherley Sat 17th July 7.30pm An evening of words and music featuring local and guest artists and best of all – your good selves.

Entry is ticketed. £6.00 to include a glass of wine, hats may be worn and a prize will be awarded to the lady or gentleman sporting the finest Victorian headgear.

More info: Jillian 01452 730415 or Margaret 730744.

august 2010 The Cotswold Vale Farmers’ Hunt Pony Club Summer Show Deerhurst Walton signed from A38, Sat 14th August Your local, really friendly Pony Club, for anyone aged under 20 who rides a horse or pony. 29 show jumping classes, Working Hunter, Dressage, Handy Pony, Fancy Dress and Gymkhana. Novelty dog show from 1 pm – classes include waggiest tail, best trick and best 6 legs!

Pig roast, teas and coffees, home made rolls and cakes will all be available. This year donations are going to Riding for the Disabled.

Collection on gate. Voluntary donation to RDA. Separate charge for entering classes.

More info: Caroline Gilder on 07812 411474 or caroline.gilder5@googlemail.com

Norton, Leigh & District 63rd Horticultural Show Norton Village Hall, Sat 14th August Doors open at 2.30pm Prizes 3.45pm Entry 50p (Children Free). Auction in aid of The County Air Ambulance Trust, Children’s classes for best decorated fairy cakes and models made of fruit as well as

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main fruit, veg and flower classes.

More info: Sue Phelps Chairman on 01452 731280

Coombe Hill Beer Festival The Swan at Coombe Hill, Tewkesbury Road, Sat 21 August from 11am to 6pm £5.00 PER ADuLT – which includes a pint of real ale, cider or perry, glass of wine or soft drink AND a large pig roast bap with all the trimmings. All in Aid of ‘Help the Heroes’. Pig Roast, Real ales from some of Gloucestershire’s finest breweries, cider and perry from ‘Westons’, bouncy castle, fun fair ride, nail art, tattoos and face painting, wine tasting – wines from their very own vineyard, live music.

More info: www.swanatcoombehill.co.uk or call 01242 680227

More info: www.MaisemoreFete2010.info, send an email to enquiries@maisemorefete2010.info or check out information published in Maisemore’s long running free monthly Parish Magazine – The Grapevine.

sEPtEMBER 2010 Ashleworth Village Show Woodpeckers Sports Ground Sat 4th September 2pm Entry for competitions 40p adults / 20p children Competitions for Arts and Crafts, Cookery Cup, Floral Art, Photography More info: 01452 700489 / 700667

Deerhurst Flower Festival

Apperley Half Marathon

The Priory Church of St Marys, Deerhurst, Nr Tewkesbury August Bank Holiday 28th – 30th 10am – 5.30am Entry £5.00 (Children under 16 free) Refreshments, Entertainment, Local Arts and Crafts More info: www.deerhurstflowerfestival.co.uk

Saturday 11th September All runners need to be at the start of the race (Apperley Cricket Club) between 10am and 10.30am to collect their racing numbers, and the race will start at 11am.

Community Quarter Marathon to help raise funds for the club and local cancer charity (LiNC – Leukaemia & intensive Chemotherapy Fund). Pre-registered runners are charged £7 for the race, and £10 on the day (numbers are limited so please apply earlier rather than later). The run which is just over 6 miles will be over both road and cross country through the villages of Apperley and Deerhurst. After the event Apperley Cricket Club will be putting on a BBQ and the bar will be available for refreshments, so please come along if only to support the runners.

More info: www.quartermarathon.co.uk for further info and registration.

Sandhurst Village Summer Fête Sandhurst Village Hall & cricket ground Mon Bank Holiday 30th August starting at 1pm 50p entry fee for adults, free for children.

Bar and BBQ, teas and cakes, pony rides, skittles and coconut shy, Lots of stalls, Chocolate and bottle tombola. Fathers v Sons cricket match 3.30pm.

More info: Bob Machim 01452 731489

Maisemore Village Fête Maisemore Village Hall, Church Road, Maisemore, GL2 8JE Bank Holiday Mon, 30 August 2010. 2pm to 5pm Absolutely nothing to go in – except your own enthusiasm! But there’ll be plenty of ways to spend your small change...

Stalls and games for you to enjoy as well as refreshments – tea and cakes, a barbeque and a bar – and lots of fresh locally grown produce for you to take away! There is skittles or basketball on the MuGA. Raffle tickets for our Grand Draw will be available inside the hall; there will be some great prizes to be won including £100 cash! And there will be the traditional children’s games and a tug-of-war for the adults!

Five Parish Fun Ride Sun 19th September, meet at the field at the side of Twigworth Lodge. First horses at 9.30am, start times until 1.30pm. Course closes at 4pm.

Entry fee £15. All proceeds to the Headway Trust Gloucester and Muheza hospital project in Tanzania.

Ride across our beautiful countryside and down to the river along 14 miles of tracks usually not open to riders and the public.

More info: Pat Collins on 01452 731567

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Severn Village Living •July 2010

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12 • TRY SOMETHiNG NEW

Salsa Squad This month Editor, Tina Bailey and her Glamorous Assistant make like Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey and Salsa their way onto the dance floor.

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“

e were a bit cackfooted”, my Glamorous Assistant said when asked how we got on at Salsa Squad. i can only assume this is her way of saying we had ‘two left feet’. And this would be true, for at the start of the night we arrived primed and ready for action only to get confused at the first hurdle when we almost got caught up in the intermediate class. it was a miracle we made it up the stairs to the beginners class without falling flat on our faces.

This month i decided i needed to Try Something New for myself. i deliberately chose a Salsa class as i love dancing and am always keen to drop a few more pounds. So i dragged along my latest Glamorous Assistant, who was not initially very enthusiastic -mostly because she was afraid of embarrassing herself. However, when i assured her we would have fun and it would be a good way of keeping fit so we could legitimately eat more biscuits, she readily agreed.

We met at Butlers on Eastgate Street in Gloucester. Arriving at 8pm we got ourselves a drink from the bar and observed the people in the room. it was packed! i initially thought some were just here for a drink and that the Salsa group would move into a separate room but they were all part of Salsa

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Squad and the whole venue was being used exclusively. i was also surprised at the eclectic mix of people. The room was buzzing and no-one had even started dancing!

Paul, our host, instructor and founder of Salsa Squad, welcomed us and explained we would be joining the beginners’ class. i expressed some disappointment that i wouldn’t be dancing on the multi-coloured lightup dance floor as i rather fancied performing the routine from Saturday Night Fever. Then a few couples began warming up with dance moves to rival the professionals on Strictly Come Dancing and i fled, finding myself a nice dark space at the back of the beginners group. We started off with learning a few basic steps – forward and back, the back step, rumba and open move. We all made a very large circle across the room and turned to our left to find our first partner. My partner was a tall man who looked a bit nervous and i fought the urge to say ‘Do you come here often?’ instead i went for the groundbreaking line ‘is this your first time?’ He looked even more nervous. No time for chit-chat though as we went straight in with practising the moves we had learnt at the start of the class. All my confidence at mastering the earlier steps drained away as i immediately stomped on

his foot and found myself apologising for what would be the first of many times that evening. After a few steps with each partner the ladies moved round one place and we were faced with a new victim. By the time i had got half way round the room i had perfected my ice breaker. ‘Oh, it’s just like speed-dating, isn’t it?’ This seemed to be better received and i started to chat more freely. Surprisingly, when i thought about it less, my footwork improved and before i knew it i was Salsa-ing like a pro. i looked back at Glamorous Assistant who was suddenly looking like a contender for the World Salsa Championships only to discover she had landed herself an instructor

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Would we go again?

Most definitely

Is it good value for money?

Yes, £5 all night (drinks bought at the bar)

Was it easy?

Yes and No – but practice makes perfect

How can you find out more?

Paul Healey of Salsa Squad for a partner. The good thing about the beginners group is that more experienced dancers and instructors join the class to assist the newbies in perfecting the steps. Another bonus is that beginners stay beginners for as long as they feel they need to before moving up another class, so we weren’t all starting from scratch.

Just as we had mastered our partner moves the instructors, Nina and Joe, threw us another curve ball – a turn! In fact, it’s called a basket move. I was too busy concentrating to ask why. Basically a basket move is a turn into our partner and out again. Simple you would think.

Not so. Both Glamorous Assistant and I kept getting our feet caught up on the outgoing turn and just couldn’t crack it until my partner; a quiet, good looking young man who hadn’t said a word up until now, piped up ‘you’re missing out the back step. Do it like this.’ And promptly positioned my feet and spun me out into a perfect turn. The lady is supposed to be submissive and follow the man’s lead. At this point I gave in trying to control the dance moves and gave in to my manly partner instead.

I wasn’t pleased to give him up to Glamorous Assistant at the next change over, that’s for certain!

We broke for a drink and were invited to join the main dance floor for the freestyle section of the evening.

Anyone can join in this part and have a go at being partnered by one of the experienced dancers. It was brilliant that everyone danced with everyone and it wasn’t cliquey at all. Every single person from complete beginner to seasoned professional was encouraged to dance. I sat out the freestyle and had a chat with Paul about the origins of Salsa Squad.

Paul Healey started Salsa Squad five years ago. He started dancing around ten years ago when his boxing coach told him to take up dance lessons to improve his footwork. Paul then developed a real passion and flair for dancing and started to teach Salsa at the local gym, Chapel Spa. The classes proved popular and from there they grew and grew forcing Paul to look for new venues in which to run the classes. Today he teaches Salsa full time with around 1000 people a month across Cheltenham and Gloucester attending and this year was voted Best Regional Salsa Teacher at the UK Salsa Awards. 9 out of 10 people find out about Salsa Squad through word of mouth. On Monday nights Salsa Squad meets at The Tithe Barn, Cheltenham and Tuesdays the venue is Butlers, Gloucester. Friday is a ‘club’ night at The Place, Cheltenham and those who have been to lessons in the week get to practice their moves in a freestyle session. Dancers from all over the South

Just turn up at a session – we recommend Tuesday nights at Butlers, Gloucester. Or email Paul Healey at Salsa Squad – paul@salsasquad.com or log on to www.salsasquad.com Blog: www.cheltenhamsalsa. wordpress.com West come to the Friday night group and The Place has recently been voted Runner-Up Best UK Salsa Club.

Returning to the class, we spent another hour practicing several new moves. All credit to our instructors, they were really clear in their demonstrations and instructions and very encouraging. All the instructors at Salsa Squad started as beginners and most are ‘home-grown’ by the club. It is a great confidence-giver that the person teaching you started with a few un-coordinated steps too.

Although I am not sure they were quite as un-coordinated as me; or Glamorous Assistant for that matter who I can still hear from across the room squealing, ‘I keep getting my back foot stuck, I don’t know what to do with it.’ And her partner, sounding rather relieved, replies, ‘Don’t worry, I think it’s the end of the session anyway.’

And with that we Salsa off into the night shouting to each other across the street, ‘Spaghetti arms!’ and ‘This is my dance space, that’s your dance space’.

Now, where did I put the Dirty Dancing soundtrack?

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15 • SiX OF THE BEST... PLACES TO TAKE THE KiDS iN THE HOLiDAYS

Six of the Best…

Places to take the kids in the holidays Puzzlewood – A magical day out in the Forest of Dean Puzzlewood is a unique attraction, located in the beautiful and historic Forest Of Dean. The mile of paths wind through gulleys and moss covered rocks, over bridges and through fantastic tree and rock formations. Puzzlewood made its debut in Dr Who as the exotic forests of Byzantium in the recent episode ‘Flesh and Stone’. Open Daily from 10.00am. Gates locked at 6.30pm. Admission Adults: £5.00 / Children: (4-16 Years) £3.50 / Family Ticket: (2 Adults + 2 children) £16.00 / Under 4s: free. www.puzzlewood.net 01594 833187

Nature in Art Activity Days at Wallsworth Hall, Twigworth Nature in Art is the world’s first museum dedicated exclusively to fine, decorative and applied art inspired by nature.

Throughout the school holidays Nature in Art runs a wide range of Activity Days. Children can enjoy a variety of activities from making butterfly wings to working in clay or painting a wriggly snake. You can choose whether to visit on a morning or afternoon and the sessions last approximately two hours. It only costs from £5 per child and any accompanying adult gets free entry into the gallery and museum. Log on to www.nature-in-art.org.uk to download a booking form for your artistic little monkeys. Or ask for one by calling: 01452 731422

Cinema Under the Stars: Mamma Mia Open Air Showing, Llanthony Priory, Gloucester Docks Gloucester’s historic Llanthony Priory will be transformed into a giant open-air cinema this summer for a special open air screening of the feel-good movie event of the decade, Mamma Mia. The one-off event will feature a massive screen, full surround sound, cocktail bar & DJs from Heart. Gates open at 7.30pm. Film at 9.30pm. Bring picnics (food only – drinks available on site) and something to sit on, fancy dress and your best singing voices! Tickets for the special screening, which is being organised by Marketing Gloucester, are £10 each. Get yours by calling 01452 503050 or by visiting www.thecityofgloucester.co.uk/summer or www.ticketweb.co.uk

Bugsboarding at Maisemore No need to tell you why Bugsboarding the Mountain Board centre at Maisemore is a great place to take the kids – you have just been reading all about it in June’s edition. Remember it is not just boarding on offer, you can go grass sledging, mountain biking or even camp for the weekend and BBQ up your tea! 17th July is a great date to call in for Cream Teas and Jam – The world’s only rider judged mountain board slopes series. Find out more at www.bugsboarding.co.uk or by emailing info@bugsboarding.co.uk

Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf, Bristol Although this one is just out of the county, it’s place in Six of the Best is won because it is a great place for all the family and located in the heart of Cabot Circus. Jungle Rumble is an 18 hole crazy golf experience that you just have to discover. Packed with colourful characters in creative surroundings you can try your hand at crazy courses from tribal huts to Aztec landscapes.

Prices vary but are approximately £5 per round or £20 for a family ticket. You would be crazy not to check out www.junglerumble.co.uk / 0117 9297771

Gifford’s Circus Presents: Yasmine – A Musical A brand new Gifford’s Circus show is now on the horizon for 2010 – “Yasmine – a musical” – a musical circus about the life of legendary female horse trainer Yasmine Smart. Yasmine will be appearing in the show playing herself. Expect brand new costumes, choreography and original score as well as old favourites including Nell and Toti Gifford, ian Rumbelow and the whole company in a glamorous 1940s setting. A Gifford’s Circus show is an experience not to be missed. Truly fabulous.

Visit www.giffordscircus.com for all the dates and locations throughout the summer. www.severnvillageliving.co.uk | tel: 01452 730023

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Severn Village Living •July 2010

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16 • BuSiNESS PROFiLE

C & R Landscapes

A

ndy Rodway of C & R Landscapes is my hero of the month. Not because he has laid a lovely block paving driveway for me, or dug out a patio or even constructed some decking (although you will be reading about why he is great at all of the above shortly) but Andy is my hero because he didn’t mind when my daughter refused to go to sleep during our interview, he didn’t flinch when she climbed on top of him and shoved a rice cake in his hair and he didn’t even look concerned when she demonstrated her complete selection of irritating musical toys at full volume. i am sure anyone else would have run a mile but Andy is a down to earth, easy going and friendly guy who takes it all in his stride. But don’t let that fool you. For Andy Rodway has started a business from scratch, built it up over eight years, grown his business during a recession and just opened a brand new yard in Gloucester. Not bad for a 26 year old who started with a few tools and an old van stored in his Dad’s back yard.

Before the birth of C & R Landscapes and its subsequent successful growth, Andy learnt his trade through his Dad’s plant hire and groundwork firm. When Andy was just 18, his good friend went to Hartpury College to study for a City & Guilds in Landscaping and together July 2010 • Severn Village Living

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they decided to start their own company.

C & R Landscapes was created and Andy concentrated on the groundwork and his partner on the landscaping.

Together they started to build up a good reputation for their work and, with family support, the business began to build. However, after 18 months the partners realised they were getting more jobs as individuals rather than as a team and it would be more profitable to go their separate ways. Andy kept the name C & R Landscapes and eight years on they are still very good friends and refer business to each other all the time.

C & R Landscapes specialise in natural stone paving, particularly indian Sandstone and Limestone paving.

Block paving patios and driveways are the main focus of the business along with mini-digger and driver hire.

However, landscaping is also a big part of what C & R Landscapes offer and they can do anything from turfing to decking, hedges to fencing. Andy will always come and price a job himself and the quotation is always free and with no obligation. “Quite often we go to see a client to price a job for decking, for example, and then we find out they also want turfing or the garden landscaped.

When they realise we can do all of it, it is a nice surprise that our quote can save them money and they have the all the

C & R Landscapes specialise in natural stone paving, particularly Indian Sandstone and Limestone paving.

Block paving patios and driveways are the main focus of the business along with mini-digger and driver hire. guarantees that come with our work, rather than sourcing and getting quotes from more contractors to do different parts of the job.”

The guarantees Andy’s business offers is something he is very proud of.

“We offer a 10 year guarantee on our entire block paving work – driveways, patios, courtyards, stableyards, car parks – anything that involves block paving.

All block paving comes with a five year guarantee through our suppliers, but we are so confident that the work will last, we offer 10 years.” This is a big claim to put out there but explains why Andy does little repeat business. “The client usually has a need for a new driveway and it’s a one off project. it is

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not a cheap job and the client needs to know he won’t be coming back to me in two years complaining of wear and tear”, says Andy. “This makes it a tough business to be in sometimes as the quality of our work is so good that in a way it ‘loses’ me business and I have to work hard at finding new customers. But I am proud that I rarely ever have to revisit a client. If there are problems, I ensure it is fixed quickly and for no charge.”

So how does Andy find new clients?

“Word of mouth is 90% of my business”, Andy tells me. “I also have a team of sub-contractors who I have been working with for many years and all have excellent reputations for quality work, so they are good ambassadors for the business. The team don’t only work on block paving but also foundations for extensions, bricklaying and garden walls, so we get around a bit!”

“And what makes C & R Landscapes stand out from the many landscaping companies in the local area?” I ask “There are so many firms offering similar services it must be hard to compete sometimes?” Andy says, “Our prices are keen and our quality is good. If I get good discounts on my materials I pass these on to the customer.

There is always competition but it’s true that you get what you pay for and we don’t claim to be the cheapest but we will always quote the very best price we can for outstanding quality. The guarantees are always reassuring for people, especially when the public are so much more aware of rogue traders nowadays thanks to increased media exposure. We are Brett Approved Installers (one of the 3 biggest block paving suppliers in the UK who take up five references and inspect your work before approving the business) and we are members of the UK Trades Confederation, another badge of quality”.

C & R don’t just work on big projects, in fact they have recently seen a rise in low maintenance gardens in more urban

areas as people rent out their homes rather than selling in the recession and want a ‘no hassle’ option for their tenants. Andy also recommends good, reliable businesses to finish off the ‘soft’ landscaping such as planting. It really is a case of no job too small. I ask about the client base – how does Andy manage his jobs and does he travel far? He tells me he is lucky that he can stay local and although he is more than willing to travel to a job, he hasn’t needed to yet. This means he can work on a couple of jobs simultaneously without losing time from either client’s schedule.

I ask Andy what the highlight of his eight years has been so far. “Definitely opening the yard and beating the

recession. I am very proud of that achievement and I think my Dad is pleased to have all my stuff moved out from his back garden! I am always ploughing money back into the business so I have plans to expand in the coming years.”

The toddler decides that she has been ignored long enough at this stage and pointedly starts up the very loud push along cement mixer (appropriate, I thought). Andy sees his chance to escape and we wave him off in his well-known blue C & R Landscapes van, picking rice cake out of his hair. I know which superhero I would call to fix my landscaping emergency; although he might not be so keen to return!

Planning a new driveway?

You need this simple 3 step guide: 1. S ome driveways need planning permission because digging out part of a lawn to expand or create a driveway can mean excess surface water can run out into the gully and the council could fine you.

2. C & R Landscapes will advise you, for no charge, if your driveway plans mean you need to obtain planning permission.

3. S ometimes you might not need full planning but will still be required to use permeable paving which helps channel and drain the excess water into a soakaway. Andy will advise you on the costs and logistics of this.

You have planning, you have learnt all about permeable paving, now you need to design your driveway. Who do you contract?

You know the answer...

C & R Landscapes Call Andy: 01452 543775 / 07971 460744 Email Andy: enquiries@candrlandscapes.co.uk Office: 7 0 Tewkesbury Road, Longford,Gloucester, GL2 9EH Main Yard: Unit 5, Myres Road, Gloucester Website: www.candrlandscapes.co.uk

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SHERDONS GOLF CENTRE BEST CLUB IN CENTRAL ENGLAND & WALES Sherdons Golf Centre in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire is ranked the best club in the Central England & Wales Region at the first inaugural Golf Club of the Year Awards 2010.

The Awards are unique in the industry because, unlike others which judge course quality, the Golf Club of the Year Awards measures the complete golf experience as voted for by the people who play the courses as members, guests and societies.

Richard Chatham, Co-owner and Manager of family-run Sherdons said “We are delighted to achieve this prestigious award. It is most gratifying to receive this exciting recognition from our own members and guests.”

Simon Brown, Managing Director of Awards for Business who runs the scheme explains, “Playing at a well presented and managed golf club is what a great golf experience is all about. It’s not just the quality of the course that makes the experience good, it’s everything from the first point of contact on the phone, the greeting in the pro shop, quality of changing facilities, hospitality in the club house and much more besides. I wanted to find out which clubs really were providing the best golf experience and what better way to find out than

asking the players who play at the clubs week in week out.” “It’s obvious from the votes that came in for Sherdons that they provide a particularly high level golf experience for members and guests. It’s refreshing to see that a relatively new club can compete with more established ones in the area”.

Richard added “We give a warm welcome to all and operate what we call a No Fear attitude to golf. All are welcome from 5 year olds to 95, from beginners to Professionals and we have a mixture of all these people who enjoy our facilities whether they wish to learn the game, play golf on the course or just use the bar and restaurant facilities of our wonderful Clubhouse. Golf is such an inclusive game and it so important to make everyone welcome and to give everyone a chance to “have a go” whilst maintaining the etiquette and ambience of the sport. On behalf of all our staff, I wish to thank those who gave their support to enable us to achieve this recognition”.

If you’d like to visit, review or play the course or receive more information contact either Richard Chatham on 01684 274782 or Chris Pearson on 07932 625589 www.sherdons.co.uk / www.golfcluboftheyearawards.com

Award winning golf Learn from our 3 resident professionals Practice in our 26-bay floodlit Driving Range Play the mature 9-hole Manor Course Enjoy a meal in our stunning bar/restaurant

WHAT’S ON

GREAT D FOR SOC EALS IETI Phone fo ES r details

Excellent value, bookable tee times, club hire available.

Open to all, whether golfer or not – no membership required.

TREDINGTON, NR TEWKESBURY WWW.SHERDONS.CO.UK

Village Living Severn 3 0710.indd 18

01684 274782

VISITORS ALWAYS WELCOME

17/6/10 14:19:05

By kind permission of the Evesham Observer

19 • the history of... the mayor of tewkesbury Borough

The Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough

O

n the 11th May 2010, just as Gordon Brown was entering Buckingham Palace to resign his post as Prime Minister to The Queen, Councillor Mark Williams walked into Tewkesbury Abbey to resign his post as Mayor of the Borough of Tewkesbury. As I talk with Mark about this special day, he seems rather melancholy that his time in office is over.

But as with all official positions,

there comes a time to step down and whilst he was not the Prime Minister, he was the Mayor of the Borough for twelve memorable months and over the next two issues of Severn Village Living, I will be writing about his Mayoral Year as he and his wife, Sally, share their experiences with me.

The Mayor is the First Citizen of Tewkesbury Borough and an Ambassador for the Borough. The Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough should not be confused with the Mayor of Tewkesbury Town, who is solely representative of the town with duties that do not extend beyond the Borough. Elected by his peers in the Borough council, the Mayor must be a councillor of any political persuasion – Mark is a Conservative Councillor for the Coombe Hill ward (1999 to present day). Following his election the Mayor’s year starts with the Mayor-Making in May. Mayor-Making is always on a Tuesday and can be held in any venue of the new Mayor’s choosing. Mark was lucky enough to have his ceremony in the beautiful Tewkesbury Abbey. The sense of occasion at this traditional

event is paramount. In this ceremony, the two beadles (the ‘officers’ under Elizabeth I who once kept order when the Mayor was present, now ceremonial attendants) lead the procession carrying their poles of office. They wear long black gowns and cover their heads with three-corner black hats. They are followed by the mace bearers (The Mayor’s special attendants) who also wear black gowns with coloured piping and cocked hats with gold lace braiding. They knock on the door of the Abbey to request entry for the Mayor who follows in a heavy red robe, edged with mock ermine, lace jabot and cuffs and his chain of office.

The new Mayor, who has been handed the chains of office by the Past Mayor, then welcomes his new ‘team’ and from thereon in starts a whirlwind of 200 or more engagements during his year in office, starting with chairing the first full council meeting of the year just one week after his appointment.

Other duties include opening fêtes and buildings, attending concerts and charity events. Civic Duties are also required such as attendance of the Civic Service, the Tewkesbury Mop Fair and an annual Civic Ball or Dinner.

Every Mayor has the right to choose his own Chaplain for their year of office. The Chaplain chosen by Mark was Reverend Tom Clammer of the Severnside Benefice. Mark speaks very highly of Tom and is full of praise for his service over the last twelve months. It is the Chaplain’s role to say Prayers before every full council meeting and to lead the annual Civic Service.

It is no doubt that the role of Mayor is not for the faint hearted. It is a busy and demanding job and Mark and Sally have worked hard in the last 12 months as a pro-active and inspirational couple working enthusiastically for the Borough. What is very apparent when I talk to Mark and Sally is that they are both very honoured to have been Mayor and Mayoress and have enjoyed

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Severn Village Living •July 2010

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20 • THE HiSTORY OF... THE MAYOR OF TEWKESBuRY BOROuGH

the experience immensely. i don’t want to come across as a bit of a schoolgirl but i can’t resist asking Mark if he has met any Royalty or attended any Royal Occasions. (By this i mean – did he meet the Queen?)

“We attended the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in July last year”, says Mark. “That was a most memorable experience because it was officially the wettest day in London in 80 years! So not as glamorous as you

might expect and memorable for all the wrong reasons.”

“But did you meet the Queen?” i ask. “No”, says Mark, “we didn’t meet her on that occasion but we did meet Prince Charles in October last year at the opening of the restored watermill at Stanway House.”

“Were you disappointed you didn’t meet her?” i say and Mark smiles and says that the Mayor of Gloucester, who did get to meet the Queen, asked him

the same thing and Mark said to him “You may have met the Queen, but i have met the future”.

In the August edition of Severn Village Living, I learn more about Mark and Sally’s favourite events and most memorable moments.

I find out who the chain gang are and discover what is the one question every child asks when they meet the Mayor.

01452 525792

3 College Street, Gloucester GL1 2NE framing@csoriginals.co.uk www.collegestreetoriginals.co.uk

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Contact us for a free no obligation quote • Collection & delivery service available Shirt framing - Cross stitch / Tapestry shaping & framing - Prints / Photo’s - Canvas stretching July 2010 • Severn Village Living

Village Living Severn 3 0710.indd 20

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17/6/10 14:19:07

Have you got a book inside there? Then let sprinters print it for you.

Almost everyone has a book inside them, it’s just a matter of extracting it from the grey matter and getting it into the print.

With the latest modern digital technology we can print just a few books or with conventional technology, thousands.

Is it as simple as that? Well not quite.

You might have a great story to tell but it might need proofreading and editing, and once that is done it will certainly need designing for the page.

We have linked up with a local publisher and professional proofreader to offer a complete package from the words in your head to the book on the shelf.

Alternatively if you want to print your book directly from your copy we can do that too, but the most important ingredient before we print is advice, and we give lots of that too, for free.

Who are we, and what’s our backgound?

Sprinters are part of Severnprint, one of Gloucestershire’s most established and respected print companies. Paul Davies, who runs the Sprinters section, advises on the best way to print your book for the best results.

We do everything we can to make your ideas into a reality.

In the first instance call Paul on 01452 300158 for a chat about your project or even better come and see him at the Severnprint factory to see what we can do for you.

Alternatively take a look on-line at the Sprinters website where there is a special page on books.

Lets make your idea a reality.

For all you need to know about print call Paul*on 01452 300158 or take a look at www.sprintersprint.co.uk

*

Paul and Sprinters are part of Severnprint one of Gloucester’s finest quality printers and if he can’t answer your question he has lots of others behind him who can! Just ask.

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22 • READER’S RESTAuRANT REViEW

The Swan Coombe Hill

Michelle Taylor

M

ichelle and i had been home less than an hour after having had lunch at the Swan at Coombe Hill and we both told at least a dozen people what a lovely meal we had just enjoyed. Both Michelle and i had eaten at the pub before now but not for some time so it was good to go back for a ‘refresher’. Michelle had enjoyed a birthday dinner there and i had an excellent experience on one of my first ventures out with a new baby.

However, neither of us had been for lunch.

We were welcomed at the door by Sarah, the manager, and seated at a roomy and light table by the window – with lovely comfy upholstered chairs!

Always a plus in my book. it was so busy! For Thursday lunchtime on a rather grey and windy day, so no opportunity to sit outside on the sun terrace or in the garden, there were about 60 people in the restaurant. i asked Sarah if this was the norm and she told us that they often had a good lunch trade and this was especially true since the introduction of the new menu.

The A la Carte, the Lunch Menu and the Specials Board have had a good shake up and the choice is bountiful. We had a hard time choosing between the menus as it all looked mouth-wateringly good. We had purposely eaten nothing prior to lunch, like every good girl should when looking forward to a meal out (although Michelle confessed to a eating a pork pie an hour before we arrived!) so this meant we were ravenous and tempted to order starters July 2010 • Severn Village Living

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and mains. We restrained ourselves to a shared basket of Rosemary Foccacia bread with olive oil and balsamic and a Salmon & Spring Onion Fishcake with spiced tomato & coriander salsa.

The bread was warm and delicious and the fishcake was light and fluffy on the inside and crisp on the outside.

Very yummy indeed. We flouted the unspoken ‘no drinking at lunchtime

rule’ and ordered a glass of chardonnay and a chenin blanc and for the main course Michelle chose the Chicken & Vegetable Stir-fry with Egg Noodles and a Plum & Sesame Sauce and i picked a Warm Cheese & Onion Flan with a large mixed salad. These main dishes were chosen from the lunch menu and our starters from the a la carte. it was good that were able to mix and match. So many restaurants restrict your choices despite handing you both menus, tempt you with the dishes and then say they aren’t available; so we were very happy to have free reign over both menus.

“This is fabulous! i would come back again just for this dish alone!”

High praise indeed for Michelle’s Stirfry. i tasted it myself – just to verify her judgement – and she was right.

Light, flavoursome noodles, perfect texture, not too much oil; tender tasty

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chicken with a sprinkle of sesame seeds to finish the dish. I was reluctant to return the favour and allow Michelle to try my warm cheese flan but I didn’t have much choice as she dived in and pinched a bit anyway. Fluffy filling, great balance of cheese and onion, neither overpowering the other and perfect pastry. I thoroughly approved of the salad – a nice simple lettuce, tomato, cucumber and onion salad with a light dressing. No random sultanas (which I hate in salads) or shredded vegetables trying to be posh – a good fresh salad to complement the flan.

We were stuffed! Declaring to Sarah that we couldn’t eat another thing she uttered the words that would bring even the most disciplined dieter to her knees ‘not even one little Raspberry and White Chocolate Crème Brulee?’ Well played, Sarah, well played. Before we knew it we were sharing (for ‘sharing’ read ‘fighting over’) the most incredible brulee.

Michelle’s verdict? “That’s so right it’s wrong”. And then, as if she hadn’t spoiled us enough, Sarah let us in on a little exclusive. The very first bottle of wine from The Swan Vineyard had been delivered today and we were offered a first taste.

Well, it would have been rude not to. The vineyard is just behind the car park and was almost in ruins until recently when it was completely restored and the vines replanted. The grapes are sent to Three Choirs Vineyard for the wine making process. The red is not yet ready but the white was lovely; very clean and crisp, perfect for drinking on The Swan’s terrace accompanied by a bowl of the Seafood Pappardelle Pasta that I noticed on the menu. What a great excuse to come back, I have just sold myself another visit!

All in all, we can safely say you probably won’t find better quality food that is fresh, local and so well cooked for the great value prices than at The Swan. Our whole meal including wine cost just £17 each. The stir-fry was just £7.95 and the cheese flan £5.95. Considering a takeaway sandwich nowadays can cost about £4.00, do we really need to tell you why you need to come and eat for yourselves?

Plan your meal in advance: Download all the menus from the website www. swanatcoombehill.co.uk then book a table by calling 01242 680227.

Do you want to be the next Michael Winner and review a restaurant for Severn Village Living?’

Write to us and tell us why in 50 words or less for your chance to be a food reviewer.

Village Living Severn 3 0710.indd 23

17/6/10 14:19:08

   

                

 

        

 

   

   

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17/6/10 14:19:09

Mind Body School& of Gardening

25 • gardening

After a glorious Spring, Sue is reaping the benefits of a well planned garden.

Learn how you can get the very best out of your green space by joining one of Sue’s courses.

W

hat a wonderful spring we have had! Starting with blackthorn and then hawthorn, the hedgerows have been a froth of white blossom.

As they faded out, the forsythia and lilacs came bursting into yellow, purple, mauve, pink and white blooms. Viburnums, damsons, pears and apples joined the party and now we are being entertained by roses in many hues, happy to join the party. All are dressed in their best colours, showing off what they can do after a good, long, cold winter’s sleep.

Since this is a teaching garden we are now reaping the rewards of students’ work during the last year. The bush roses pruned in February are exploding into flower. The climbers that were trained horizontally or curved into festoons are bright with blossom the length of their stems. They entice with their spicy scents which fill the air around the swing seat, a popular spot for lunch time breaks. Soft grey-leaved, purple-stemmed Rosa glauca is diaphanous in her new spring finery after her hearty trim, while little Helianthemum (rock rose) is a mass of pink flowers, though she does still sprawl rather disgracefully!

This is an inspiring time to plan a border when there are so many plants for sale. Our next Border Planning workshop is on Saturday 26th June and takes place in our garden, followed by a visit to nearby Highfield Garden Centre for a practical on arranging plants for a border. This is fun to do and a revelation on how to design with plants.

July brings our second workshop on Pruning Shrubs and Roses, when students will practise on early summerflowering plants and see the results of February’s work.

Pruning seems to cause more confusion in gardeners’ minds than any other task, but once you understand the basic principles it soon becomes plain gardening!

The final workshop of the year is on Growing and Training Fruit in Small Spaces on Saturday 31st July.

Here you can discover the techniques of training fruit trees

into beautiful espaliers, cordons and fans to make the most of even the smallest garden. It is surprisingly simple to do, takes very little room, looks attractive all year… and besides, nothing, absolutely nothing, is half so much worth doing as eating fruit from your own trees (with apologies to Ratty of Wind in the Willows)!

And that will bring us to next year’s Garden Design 3-term courses. These are for groups of no more than six and will be held weekly on Wednesdays starting 15th September, 9.45am to 2.45pm, or Thursday evenings starting 16th September, 7.00 to 9.00 pm.

There is still time to make 2010 your Year of the Garden by signing on to a course and learning some easy ways to be a good gardener! In the meantime, happy gardening!

www.severnvillageliving.co.uk | tel: 01452 730023

Village Living Severn 3 0710.indd 25

Severn Village Living •July 2010

17/6/10 14:19:09

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         

        

   

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27 • riverford organics

Riverford Organics With Marc Fowler of Riverford Home Delivery

W

ith the World Cup underway in South Africa there will be no excuse needed to fire up the BBQ and get together with friends and family over the next month.

No reason apart from the weather and England’s failure probably!!

Assuming the sun returns and England win I will duly provide you with a host of products that we have available this month to complement the sun and winning England footballers – nothing can go wrong surely.

Salad – the main accompaniment for any get together in the summer. I always serve it plain, that way anything that one of your guests doesn’t like, such as Balsamic vinegar, can’t cause offence. Our salad will enhance your food, the tastes are prominent and although the odd bug and speck of soil may be evident you can be assured that the lettuce has not been sprayed with insecticides and herbicides 15 times or washed in chlorine (yes, bagged salad is usually washed in chlorine!).

Our salad is available individually or in a salad box (£9.95) or salad bag (£5.95).

The salad box is filled with seven summery varieties of salad veg, typically lettuce, salad leaves, cucumber, tomatoes and three other items; perhaps new potatoes, celery, peppers or sugar snap peas. The salad bag contains 4 items, normally filled with a lettuce or salad leaves, tomatoes, cucumber and one other item.

Meat wise we deliver organic meat in a sealed cardboard, fully insulated box which comes from our selected organic farmers in Devon. The meat is processed in a high care abattoir (reduced animal stress and improved meat taste) and butchered by our own Riverford butchery near Totnes. I have to say that the sausages and burgers are exceptional and will really enhance your BBQ, mainly because of the very high meat content. We have two BBQ meat boxes for sale, a large BBQ box for £49.95 packed with full-flavoured, carefully sourced organic meat to give

your BBQ an extra sizzle. Predicted Contents (subject to change); Chicken breast fillets x3 600g, Pork ribs 500g, Sausages – herb & pepper x6 450g, Sausages – tomato & basil x6 450g, Burgers x6 660g, Beef steak x6 600g Chinese BBQ sauce 125ml, Chilli sauce 125ml and Kebab sticks x12.

The small BBQ box at £25.95 contains; pork & herb sausages x 6, jumbo Yorkshire pork sausages x 4, pork belly strips/spare rib steaks x 4, chicken wings in sweet chilli sauce 500g, beef burgers x 4 and lamb chops/steaks x 4.

Finally we have the BBQ veg bag for £6.15 which contains; courgettes, mushrooms, peppers, bunched onions and a tub of Riverford veggie BBQ marinade.

Broad bean salad With broad beans coming into the fields this week I thought a useful and different recipe would be good.

Serves 4

1. Steam the broad beans for ten minutes until tender. Leave to cool.

Ingredients: 250g (8oz) shelled broad beans 1 lettuce 1 bunch of spring onions 2 tbspn fresh parsley 2 medium tomatoes For the dressing: 2 tbspn red wine vinegar 6 tbspn olive oil 1 tspn mustard salt and pepper

2. Shred the lettuce & mix with the chopped spring onions & chopped parsley. Slice the tomatoes & add to the salad.

3. Combine the dressing ingredients in a screw-topped jar & shake vigorously to mix.

4. Pour over the salad & mix in the broad beans.

If you want to give us a try or have any queries just give us a call on 01242 587246 www.severnvillageliving.co.uk | tel: 01452 730023

Village Living Severn 3 0710.indd 27

Severn Village Living •July 2010

17/6/10 14:19:11

 

             

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 



  

   

      



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29 • MiND & BODY

Mind & Body Jemma Cyphus-Jones McTimoney Chiropractor, Back Well Soon

The Back July’s column is all about lower back problems so if you are wondering if there is a name and a reason for your back pain, Jemma can advise… and help fix it!

LOW BACK COMPLAINTS are probably the most common reason for seeing a chiropractor. Low back technically means the last five true vertebrae of the spine, or lumbar spine. There are many causes of low back pain (LBP), and problems in that area may also cause pain which appears to come from the lower thoracic spine (the 12 vertebrae which have the ribs attached to them), the sacroiliac joint (the joint made between the base of the spine and the pelvis), the thigh, leg, knee and foot. Conversely hip, sacroiliac and thoracic spine conditions may cause pain from the lower back. Also pain from internal organs such as the kidneys may be felt as LBP. So, we need to take a careful history and make a thorough examination to diagnose the specific origin of the pain, and sometimes further medical tests may be needed via the GP. SACROILIAC problems cause pain after either a sprain or strain of the ligaments and tendons surrounding the joint or from irritation of the joint itself. This condition is very common, especially in pregnant women, and may account or be involved in up to half of all LBP cases. in my experience there can be a dramatic

reduction in symptoms following chiropractic adjustments.

LUMBAR FACET SYNDROME is LBP caused by irritation or damage to the joints on each side of a lumbar vertebra which allow movement between two vertebrae. it is estimated that a third of LBP is from the facets and it is often associated with degeneration of the joint.

LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION is when the inner part of the disc (discs are between the bodies of each vertebra) protrudes through the outer part, potentially putting pressure on a spinal nerve. Although this is not as common as people think, i thought it worth mentioning as patients often worry due to the complications it can create. it causes only approximately 2% of LBP cases. it occurs mainly between the ages of 25-45yrs when the inner part of the disc has its highest water content. After this time the disc becomes more fibrous so less likely to bulge through the outer part of the disc. These disc problems can be due to trauma caused by falls or car accidents or unbalanced loading and twisting of the spine (don’t forget

always try to lift from the knees keeping the back straight!) often accompanied by poor posture and muscle imbalances.

The most common area to get disc problems in the lumbar spine is the two lowest discs. There is usually a sudden pain described as sharp, shooting or electrical, and often leg pain. The leg pain can feel worse than the back pain. There may be reduced feeling in a particular area of skin down the leg, muscle weakness or even muscle wastage in chronic cases. Sometimes, medical or surgical treatment may be needed immediately, for instance if the patient is unable to pass urine or had sudden urinary or bowel incontinence.

Management of this condition depends on the severity but gentle adjusting when and where safe to do so and working on the muscles with massage may provide great pain relief.

If you have any queries or questions about chiropractic please feel free to contact me on 01452 730900. Back Well Soon McTimoney Chiropractic Clinic, Unit 12 Twigworth Court Business Centre, Tewkesbury Rd. Glos GL2 9PG

www.severnvillageliving.co.uk | tel: 01452 730023

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Severn Village Living •July 2010

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A PERSONAL FRIENDLY & AFFORDABLE SERVICE GUARANTEED AT Chartered Accountants FOR QUALITY BUSINESS ADVICE IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND THE FOREST OF DEAN Owner Managed Businesses

Auditing

Tax Planning Advice

Annual Accounts

Budgets & Forecasts Bookkeeping & Computer Support Positive Business Advice Including Start-ups, Cash flow

Solicitors Rules Audit Management Accounting Charities & Not for Profit

Free Initial Consultation • Free Easy Parking

Glos:

(01452) 520000

Forest:

(01594) 843635

www.griffithsmarshall.co.uk email: info@griffithsmarshall.co.uk

Beaumont House, 172 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2EZ 45 Newerne Street, Lydney, Gloucester GL15 5RA

Village Living Severn 3 0710.indd 30

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Talk Money

31 • talk money

Kevin Dursley Spa Financial Solutions

Debt management

T

his month Kevin Dursley of Spa Financial Solutions looks at the problems facing sole traders and the self employed when inconsistent work flow means mounting debt.

If you are self employed you may be experiencing problems due to either being unable to achieve a consistent work flow, or not being able to make the same sort of money as you used to.

Either of the above can result in you being faced with the problems of not being able to maintain the payment of credit commitments and other bills when they fall due, or the payment of an up and coming or past tax bill.

new borrowing options. Businesses now live in constant fear of their banks foreclosing and calling in overdrafts etc.

The days of a friendly chat with your bank manager to overcome short-term trading issues have sadly gone, as banking policy and criteria has rapidly changed. If this sounds familiar and has happened to you, talk to us.

Sometimes we may be able to source funding solutions.

• CREDIT COMMITMENTS. • TRADE CREDITORS CHASING • OUTSTANDING TAX BILL • VEHICLE FINANCE ARREARS • MORTGAGE ARREARS

As a Sole Trader, business has never been harder. Closure of shops and businesses in the local community is now common place.

Lack of trade and falling profits are the major reasons for failure but a business has a better chance of survival if it has historic debts under control, and repayable, in a manner that is both affordable and sustainable.

Banks will not take risks now and are being cautious on renewing current overdraft facilities, let alone considering

Village Living Severn 3 0710.indd 31

If any of the above applies to you, we would advise that you talk to us. We have a number of solutions to eliminate the worry and stress that being in debt brings with it. We understand how difficult it is for the self employed in the current climate.

Our aim is to provide a solution for you to consider that will lead you to a debt free future.

Call our specialist team on 01242 545214 for further advice or email us via the contact form on our website www.spafinancialsolutions.co.uk

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