Severn Village Living 8 1210

SEVERN

Village LIVING

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Dec/Jan 2010/11

Lifestyle | Community | Business

Norton The Leigh Twigworth Down Hatherley Sandhurst Highnam Over Maisemore Hartpury

The Alligator Club Revives Red Hot Rock in Maisemore Try Something New Personal Training with 360 HFT

Why is Snot Green?

Glenn Murphy talks Kids’ Science

Go back to (Property) School With Midas Estates

WIN! Gloucester Rugby Tickets & a £10 Deli Voucher!

Meet your Village Agents: Page 10

Ashleworth Hasfield Apperley Deerhurst Coombe Hill Knightsbridge Boddington Staverton

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Contents 4

Welcome to December

5-7

Village News & Diary

8-9

The Alligator Club Red Hot Rock in Maisemore

10

Meet your Village Agents

14-15

Local Business Inspiration –

THE ALLIGATOR CLUB 8

Midas Property School 16-17

Try Something New – TRY SOMETHING NEW 16

360 Personal Training 21

Glenn Murphy Books Why is Snot Green?

25

Riverford Organics

29

Deli Heaven: Sarah Lemon from ‘Lots of Lemons’

31

Where’s Santa?

GLENN MURPHY BOOKS 21

Where Can You Find Village Living? severn village Living Magazine is delivered to 5,000 homes and businesses across over 20 villages.

Find us in norton, the Leigh, twigworth, Down Hatherley, sandhurst, Highnam, Over, Maisemore, Hartpury, Ashleworth, Hasfield, Apperley, Deerhurst, Coombe Hill, Knightsbridge, Boddington, 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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Welcome to December (& January!)

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ell, I very nearly forgot to write the editor’s welcome on time this month!

I suspect I am as busy as all of you, trying to organise work, children and plans for Christmas and wondering if it’s too early to start the Christmas shopping.

I have decided not, as I went to the nature in Art Craft Fair last month and bought some lovely hand made gifts from local crafts people. It gave me a bit of a taste for Christmas shopping. If you are planning on heading into one of the local towns to start a bit of gift buying, you might want to give the kids some respite and plan a visit to see santa.

Our where’s santa? guide on page 31 gives you all the inside info on where santa and his team of helpers are going to be appearing this season. even though I am personally gearing up for a good bit of eating and celebrating over the festive period, I felt I ought to think about ‘life after Christmas’. so I went to see Personal trainer, Iain Pritchard of 360 Health and Fitness therapy, to see if he had any good tips for dropping a few pounds in the new Year – page 16. I, like many of us, am also a bit

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



  

concerned about dropping the pounds money-wise and wonder what 2011 holds for our family. so I met up with Jason Hyde of Midas estates who told me all about a Property Investment school being held in the new Year. A free evening of advice and help in learning how to buy and sell property – and make money!

Be the master of your own pension fund – page 14. And to lighten the mood, I had a great chat about snot with children’s science author, Glenn Murphy, whose brilliant and fascinating kids books are perfect stocking fillers or tree presents for a fun and educational alternative gift. Lastly, while we are busy thinking about ourselves and our families during the festive season, let us not forget those who are not so lucky to be surrounded by family and are perhaps lonely and in need. to put all the Christmas madness into perspective, I spoke with the village Agents and learnt about the great work they do in the community – Page 10. so, all that remains is for me to remind you that there will not be a separate January issue of severn village Living but we will be back to a monthly issue in February.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy new Year – I hope santa treats you well! Oh, and if you fancy a great night out – head to Maisemore on the 11 December for the Red Hot Rock night. It sounds fantastic fun! (page 8).

Tina x

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

 

 Dec/Jan 2010/11 • Severn Village Living

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5 • news & events

WIN! Gloucester Rugby Club Tickets AND a £10 Deli Voucher for Lots of Lemons!

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loucester Rugby Club is offering a pair of tickets to watch Gloucester vs. London Irish on saturday 26th February 2011 (3pm). to enter the competition email your name, mobile telephone number and answer to: competitions@gloucesterrugby.co.uk quoting Rugby Dec Comp SVL. to win a £10 voucher to spend on lots of delicious things at sarah Lemon’s Lots of Lemons Deli in Bishops Cleeve, just email your name, address and telephone number to tina@severnvillageliving.co.uk quoting Deli Comp SVL!

ASHLEWORTH LUNCH CLUB INVITES YOU TO A CHRISTMAS LUNCH!

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n the 8th December Ashleworth Lunch Club welcomes Ashleworth school children singing carols at their traditional Christmas lunch. enjoy crackers, tinsel and turkey for just £4 per person. Free transport can also be arranged for those unable to make their own way to the lunch. the meal is between 11.30am and 2pm. Places should booked through Amanda Chamberlayne 01452 700241 as soon as possible. everyone is welcome.

You can also join the Lunch Club every second wednesday of the month. there will always be a hot two course meal served for £4pp and times are 11.30am to 2pm. Again, the Ashleworth Mini Bus is available for lifts at no extra cost and Amanda is your contact. Go along and enjoy some good food and good company!

January Racing at Cheltenham New Years Day

A

day that is firmly established as a family favourite at Cheltenham, with large and enthusiastic crowds determined to enjoy some festive fresh air and welcome in the new Year in style. Raise a glass to 2011 with us and witness the stars of the sport in action at the spectacular setting that is the home of Jump racing.

Hartpury Pebblesford Pigs are TV Stars!

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he Country wise Itv team and presenter Paul Heiney have been secretly filming at local Gloucester Old spot pig breeders John and Helen Lightfoot’s Pebblesford Herd farm in Hartpury for a new tv series to be screened December 10th at 8PM. the Gloucester Old spot is said to be the perfect pig, placid and docile, ideal for small breeders and lovers of the finest pork and bacon. Bred in Gloucestershire feeding in orchards famed for cider and perry the breed has been given traditional speciality Guarantee – tsG status recognised across europe. the unique black spots are believed to be caused by falling fruit in the orchards causing bruising on young livestock resulting in the unique pigmentation, a classic mark on the Gloucester Old spot pigs. to find out more about these fantastic pigs and to enjoy meat produced locally in Gloucestershire contact John and Helen Lightfoot on 01452 700510 or email Helen.lightfoot@tiscali.co.uk. target Catering equipment is pleased to be associated with Helen and John and wish them every success for the future. spit Roasters are available for hire as well as a range of catering equipment. For more info visit www.targetcatering.co.uk or call us on 01452 410447.

Jump Stars meet on the 29th of January Probably the best one day Jump racing meeting anywhere, with seven races of huge quality that also provide some final clues to the destination of the big prizes at the Festival. this meeting includes the Argento Chase, a valuable trial for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. Many of the horses that run on Festival trials Day are having their final start before the Festival and it is rare that this meeting doesn’t feature at least one subsequent Festival winner. www.cheltenham.co.uk www.severnvillageliving.co.uk | tel: 01452 730023

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6 • news & events

The Orchard Knitting Club meets weekly in 2011

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he popularity of the Orchard Knitting Club, which meets fortnightly at Norton Garden Centre since 2009, has increased so much since its creation that organisers are now planning to hold weekly meetings from January 2011. The club will meet every Tuesday at 10am-12 noon. It is free to join and the friendly group will even teach you how to knit even if you have never picked up a pair of knitting needles before! Men, women and all ages are welcome. As well as knitting their own pieces, the group often knits for charity, such as baby blankets for the special baby units at our local hospitals and hats, mittens and scarves for the shoebox charity. There is the chance to swap patterns, get help and advice and generally make new friends in the warm and relaxed atmosphere of the Norton Garden Centre Café, the use of which is kindly offered by Alison who runs the coffee shop. Next year the group also plan on some visits to knitting shows and some fun social days out.

Anyone interested in joining can either drop in to a session anytime from now onwards or can call Mavis on 01452 730609 to check dates and find out more).

Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Aboretum

New Years Eve Black Tie Gala Dinner Dance

26 November - 19 December 2010

A fabulous celebration is planned to welcome in 2011! An exquisite Gala Dinner followed, of course, by plenty of dancing before (and after) the clock strikes midnight. £55.00 per adult (children under 16 not permitted) New Years Eve Special Accommodation Rate – 1 Night £120.00 per room, bed, breakfast & VAT. For the New Years Eve celebration parties of less than 8 will be seated together with other smaller groups on one table. Call 01452 730217 to book.

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday you can walk along the illuminated trail through the famous Enchanted Wood and see The National Arboretum lit up at night.

Westonbirt’s Green Father Christmas will be at every Enchanted Christmas evening following his opening night arrival on the 26th November and will meet visitors and spread his Christmas cheer! Christmas market and Forest shop selling fantastic presents and decorations – open until 8.30pm Trail opens 5pm. Last trail 7.15pm. Adults £8, concessions £7, child £4 www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt .Don’t forget your wellies.

No Dogs.

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31 December at Hatherley Manor Hotel

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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.

What’s on... December & January 2010/11 Friday 3rd December Deerhurst and Apperley School Christmas Fair From 5 to 7pm. there will be Christmas themed things to play and do and even santa makes time in his busy schedule for a visit! Just turn up and join in the fun!

Saturday 4th December Norton C of E Primary School Christmas Fayre (Organised by Friends of norton school) norton village Hall 12-2pm Father Christmas, Christmas Gifts, face painting, cake stall, entertainment, lucky dip, crafts and more! PLUs Hot turkey rolls, mince pies and hot chocolate. Adults 50p.

Children FRee.

Tuesday 7th December The Donkey Service the Donkey service will be held at st Mary the virgin, Hartpury, on tuesday 7th December at 12pm. It is open to all RDA riders, helpers and friends and hosted by the Maisemore Group. Reverend Penny Hamer will be taking the service and there will be refreshments in the chapel next door for all to enjoy. If you would like to attend the Donkey service please email / ring us with numbers. Due to its popularity, the booking will have officially closed on 23rd november but we would still like to hear from you if you want to come along as they may be spaces available. As is the tradition on this occasion we will be calling on some guests to take starring roles in the service so please join us in this wonderful celebration. Call or email Moira norwood on 01452 790647 or email norwood@msn.com

December 4th & 5th & 11th & 12th Christmas Market at Taurus Crafts, Lydney From 10am – 5.30pm/ Free entry Find the ideal and unique Christmas gift. wooden gifts, Pottery, Knitwear, Jewellery, Jams & Chutneys, Hot German spiced wine, stollen, wood Fired Pizzas and more from local arts and crafts producers. Also available are locally grown, fresh, top quality Christmas trees throughout December. taurus Crafts, Lydney Park estate, Lydney / 01594 844841 / www.tauruscrafts.co.uk

TALKS by Christine Counsell On many subjects including Craft (ideal for Christmas) and travels in China. Dates throughout the year (some

exceptions) suitable any age and ideal for your community group or school (Police checked). short notice welcome.

Phone for list of subjects, availability and fees.

01452 700706.

New Years Day – 1 January 2011 Mince Pie Special at Dean Forest Railway Come and enjoy a day on the Dean Forest Railway! Get an early train and stop off at Parkend for a brisk forest walk and perhaps a drink in one of the real ale pubs! see more of the medieval forest in its winter guise from the warm train.

Look out for the deer and wild boa. Unlimited travel for the day on a heritage diesel railcar. enjoy a complimentary mince pie. Free parking, museum, gift shop & cafeteria. Round trip trains depart from norchard 10.40, 11.24, 12.03, 13.07 & 13.48 and from Parkend at 11.05 & 12.50 tickets: Adult £10, seniors £9, Child (5-16) £5.00, Family (2+2) £28. no need to book in advance, just come along and enjoy the day. www.deanforestrailway.co.uk

Friday 26 November to Saturday 8 January 2011 PANTO! Cinderella in Cheltenham the everyman theatre in Cheltenham presents the wonderful Cinderella over the festive season. the theatre’s annual Christmas pantomime brings great entertainment and laughter to children and adults of all ages when it opens on the 26th november. the run finishes on the 8th January and there are evening performances and matinees so plenty of opportunity to enjoy this fantastic Panto tradition. tickets cost from £9 to £20 (01242) 572573 www.everymantheatre.org.uk

DIARY DATE! Coming soon to Maisemore Village Hall!

FAWLTY TOWERS Feb 10th, 11th, 12th 2011 two episodes of the classic comedy, the Builders & Basil the Rat performed by MADs. For your priority booking form, email your name, address and tel no to: chrisjones@projectoffice.fsnet.co.uk For the What’s On listing: www.madsplay.org For bookings: email chrisjones@projectoffice.fsnet.co.uk

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8 • tHe ALLIGAtOR CLUB

The Alligator Club inspires a Red Hot Rock Night The heady days of the 60’s music scene return to Maisemore

w

ho said rock ‘n’ roll was reserved for such iconic venues as London’s Hundred Club? the city boys should have called in to tibberton village Hall where they could have seen Mott the Hoople lined up next to the wurzels. I chatted to Robin Bennion, long term member of the Alligator Club, and Hugh worsnip, founder of local band of national acclaim, the Beatniks, to find out why the essence of these halcyon days are about to make a return to the village of Maisemore. the Alligator Club was, for much of the 1960s, the only place in the Forest of Dean – and in Gloucestershire as a whole – where live rock’n’roll bands could be heard in a nightclub atmosphere. the Alligator Club was started by Peter Price, son of a local labour MP (during the war) who lived at tibberton. It’s first ambition was to offer a village record hop at taynton

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and tibberton village Hall in May 1957 and it took its name from one of the world’s first rock’n’roll hit records, “see You Later, Alligator” by Bill Haley and his Comets. Its only advertising was a poster on tibberton corner which, through a ‘need to know basis’ set of shapes and colours, told the local teenagers that the Alligator Club would be held on the last saturday of every month. I wonder if Robin, who designed the posters in his youth, knew he would end up with a career as a graphic designer today. On offer to attract members were milkshakes and bridge rolls and of course, endless nights of teenage pashing and great live music.

Hugh worsnip, former Citizen Reporter and bass player of the Beatniks tells me how this unusual village music scene evolved. “within months the club had embraced skiffle, the new do-it-yourself music,

pioneered by such artistes as Lonnie Donegan, and had its own live band of pioneers, the Leadon valley skiffle Group, playing largely home made acoustic instruments. By 1959, skiffle music was out and the club had gone electric, attracting the emerging new rock bands from a wide area. with aid of a benefit night at the Alligator Club, the Highnam based Leadon valley skiffle Group changed its name to the Beatniks and became the resident Alligator Club band. It went electric and played its first paid gig at the Bridge Inn, Cinderford, in the summer of 1959. the Beatniks first line up was: Max Hathaway (vocals) David “Olly” vick (lead guitar), winston Hathaway (guitar) Hugh worsnip (bass) and Brian Peachey (drums) with Paul Davies as band manager. the band played summer shows at Devon and Cornwall holiday resorts headed by the Hollies, Big Dee Irwin and Mike Berry. they also found

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themselves on the same bills as Manfred Mann, the tornados, Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, the Foundations and many more.” the monthly sessions when the hall was transformed into a nightclub, by Robin and his mates who spent hours on set design and stage decoration, soon saw bands with national ambitions take to the stage as the 1960s advanced. Pete Budd, who led the Bristol based, Rebels, later became leader of the wurzels, and scored a British no 1 hit; whilst four lads from Ross-on-wye who called themselves the soulents when they played the Alligator Club, later evolved into Mott the Hoople, and shot to the top of the British and Us charts. the club continued until 1971 when the increasing availability of commercial night clubs in the area prompted the organisers to call it a day – but not before the Alligator Club had played a significant part in Gloucestershire pop music history.

And now those teenage days of music and milkshakes are BACK! MADS Maisemore Red Hot Rock Night this December at Maisemore Hall is inspired by the Alligator Club legend and nights ’down at the hop’ are set to return to the Forest.

Robin Bennion is one of the organisers behind the event and he tells me more about it. “MADs (Maisemore Arts and Drama society) have decided to put on this Red Hot Rock night as an alternative to the round of Christmas Balls and to inspire a generation of rock ‘n’ rollers who survived the sixties to come and listen to music that epitomises the way we enjoyed, and still enjoy, life.” the music is not all rock ‘n’ roll. there will be a mix of great tunes to include Rhythm and Blues, Rock and soul. the band for the first evening will be the Mighty Pledge, one of the UK’s hottest soul bands belting out classics such as “Knock on wood” and “take Me to the River”. “this is not a ‘pop in early and leave in time for Midsomer Murders’ event”, laughs Robin. “we need ‘old skool’ commitment to the cause! Before the Mighty Pledge arrives on stage at 10pm there will be Hot Pot or thai Curry and we promise there will be more than milkshakes to drink! Oh, and pashing in dark corners is encouraged – after all, it is Christmas!”

MADs vision is to host a Red Hot Rock night possibly twice a year so this one needs to be well supported on the 11th December. You don’t have to live in Maisemore to come along; all are welcome, especially if you were an Alligator Club original member or enjoy live music.

Can you recognise yourself in any of these old pictures?

All details for booking are on the poster advert. so get your dancing shoes on, raid that wardrobe for some nice puffball skirts and wing collars and hot foot it down to the Hall!

MADs are also performing the classic scripts of Fawlty towers 10th-12th February 2011. A must see comedy that will have you rocking and rolling too – with laughter. Go to www.madsplay.org to learn more about MADs and their up and coming shows.

Many Thanks to Hugh Worsnip and Robin Bennion for their time and information about The Alligator Club and The Beatniks, with special thanks to Hugh for the old photos. Sounds like a fantastic era in Forest of Dean history.

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10 • Meet tHe vILLAGe AGents

Meet the Village Agents

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illage and Community Agents are local people employed for 10 hours a week to become a trusted community member and resource. they network extensively, make home visits when necessary and provide high quality information enabling direct access to a wide range of services designed to help older members of the community stay in their own homes for longer; safely and happily and feeling part of a supportive community.

I took this information from the official literature about the role of a village agent. But when I met Jane, Lesley and Ken; three village agents for the tewkesbury Borough, I quickly realised that this is so much more than a part time job. Filling the gap left by the eradication of local services such as the post office, banks and local transport links; GP home visits and a lack of funding for home care services; the village Agent has become the vital link between our more vulnerable members of the community and the often confusing world around them. Kate Darch, village Agents scheme Manager, told me how the village Agents project has evolved since its launch in 2006. “the village Agents scheme started as a pilot project funded by the Dec/Jan 2010/11 • Severn Village Living

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Department of work and Pensions in 2006. Gloucestershire was one of eight pilot areas in the country. the role of the village Agent is to signpost and support the older members of our community (defined as Over 50) and provide links with numerous agencies on a referral basis to provide social care and help with general accessibility to the changing world. the pilot finished in 2008 and since then we have been lucky enough to receive joint funding from Gloucestershire County Council and nHs Gloucestershire, the scheme is managed by Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (GRCC). there are now 28 village agents across the rural parts of the county and 6 of those are in tewkesbury Borough. Our service is entirely free. It is our job to get to as many people as we can and assist them in living their lives the way they want to. we are a preventative, cost saving service. Here to fix problems before they go too far”. the village Agents themselves are hugely complimentary of Kate and the management team and are keen to point out how well they are supported in their role. However, it is clear that they are a formidable trio of people committed to a pretty big job.

“we are supposed to be part time but ten hours a week doesn’t go far when there is so much you want to do to help” says Jane Griffiths. Ken Haines agrees. “It’s like peeling back the layers of an onion”, he says. “You solve one problem only to uncover another.” the agents meet regularly, sharing information, cross fertilising each others area with help, advice and specific expertise. A particular hot topic at present is the impending digital switchover in March 2011 for the Gloucestershire area. those less physically mobile rely on their televisions as their information source and also for company. Can you imagine how debilitating it would be to lose that link? village Agents are trained on what is needed and how to access the correct government backed help scheme at the right cost. Another area requiring increased attention lately is help with hearing aids. Following a community initiative by the Gloucester Association for the Deaf, an outreach worker is now working in the community to help maintain hearing aids. village Agents are kept very busy referring people to the service and ensuring their vital link to the outside world is in good working order.

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18/11/2010 14:06

I ask Lesley wall how they manage to find the people most in need of their help. “we network as much as we possibly can in our local communities”, says Lesley. we attend lunch clubs, social clubs, local events, church activities; anywhere we can meet people who might be in need. we have to get our faces well known and become trusted and respected so people will allow us to help.” It is important to note that the thing that makes the agents’ job even harder is that they are unable to ‘cold call’ so even if someone has flagged up a person in need of their service, that person must agree to a visit themselves. no visits are made without appointments and the recipient of the visit must be fully aware of the reason for the visit. the same goes for signposting services. If a person needs to be referred to a service for further assessment, they must agree to the additional help. “this can make things very difficult and sometimes you just have to accept there are some things you can’t help with” says Ken. “But we do our best to reach everyone who needs us”, says Jane. “we are like their own personal search engine, providing access to the internet through a human link.”

It is clear that all three of these village Agents care very deeply about the service they provide and although they want to help with smoke alarms, fuel payments and health and safety in the home; they all agree the most valuable thing they have to give is their time. “Giving someone back a bit of their life, such as a friendly ear or a hand rail – however insignificant it may seem to others, is what makes this job worth doing.” says Jane. Lesley agrees. “If we can’t get to someone in bad weather – the floods of 2007 being a prime example – we will make sure someone else can. It may only be something small like a loaf of bread that’s needed but when you are housebound through disability, it’s not a small thing.” with Christmas almost upon us and the winter weather starting to take a hold and concern over heating a home, there is an even greater need for our village Agents, some of whom are also knowledgeable energy Ambassadors through a scheme run by sweA. If you, or someone else you know, could benefit from the help of the village Agents scheme in your area we have listed all the contacts you need below. Don’t worry if it seems a ‘silly’ question or request, it won’t be and they are there to help.

Ken sums up the role of the village Agent beautifully when he tells me “we might have long, wordy descriptions of our role in official print but ultimately we strive to be one thing to all people: a good neighbour.”

Jane Griffiths: Jane@villageagent.grcc.org.uk 07810 630 244 Ken Haines: KenH@villageagent.grcc.org.uk 07810 630 234 Lesley Wall: LesleyW@villageagent.grcc.org.uk 07810 630 064 Kate Darch: Village Agents Scheme Manager: 01452 528491 / kated@grcc.org.uk Kate will put you in touch with the phone number of your relevant village agent including Forest of Dean agents.

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

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

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18/11/2010 14:06

14 • LOCAL BUsIness InsPIRAtIOn

Pearl Development, Newquay

Go back to Property School With Midas Estates

I

n the news this week: Another emergency budget, more cuts and more alarming news about double-dip recessions, redundancies and dwindling pension plans. After we have battled through another Christmas, no doubt a tough one for many, what can we look forward to in the new Year? How can we start to feel more secure in our futures? Jason Hyde of Midas estates still puts his money on property, in fact, he puts it In property and at the Midas estates Property Investment school in January 2011, he will be urging you to do the same.

House prices are still rising, depending on which newspaper you read, of course. some media sources report more doom and gloom. naturally things will fluctuate but property has always, and will always, rise in value. therefore, Jason and Midas estates are helping us tap into this market of investment and they are very confident there is still a lot of money to be made in bricks and mortar. with over 25 years of experience in the property market, this independent team of specialists

Dec/Jan 2010/11 • Severn Village Living

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has been created by Ian Clark, MD. His success in helping clients secure and grow a property portfolio of buy to let properties is already well documented around the UK, and he is now bringing his team of experts to Gloucestershire to teach more people how to make good money out of long term property investment. Jason is the person heading up the Cheltenham Property Investment school on the 24th January at Holiday Inn express, the Brewery. so what do these schools offer? “these are FRee educational property schools that show people how to build a property portfolio for capital growth over the long term, how to choose where to buy and how to build a secure financial future”, says Jason. “even in these tough times, property is still a great investment if you know where to look. that’s where we come in. we know all the ‘hotspots’ and have access to discounted properties through our network of developers and associates. we can arrange everything for you from surveys to solicitors and when you have secured your property

we also take on the task of renting it out to fully vetted and insured tenants and then managing it for you.” As I am a sceptical sort I feel I must grill Jason more about these properties. Perhaps I have watched too many Rogue trader type shows but I am curious to know where these properties are found at such value. “Are the properties you find repossessions or auction properties?”

I ask. “And what type of areas do you look in?” “Absolutely no repossessed or auction properties are sourced by Midas estates and none of the properties are in areas unlikely to attract good tenants and strong long term property growth”.

Jason reassures me. “there is no point in advising a client to buy a property at £50,000 in a troubled area knowing it will never recover any value and would not attract reliable tenants. we only look for property in up and coming areas that will be a sound investment. thanks to Ian’s extensive contacts in the property world, we have access to many properties that haven’t even gone to market yet such as marina, beachfront and unique village developments and new builds in cathedral cities.” so do you need a lot of money to be a property investor? Jason assures me you don’t. “we work with our clients to see what their requirements are, what funds are available and help them secure a property on that basis. everyone’s needs are different and we want to tailor-make their portfolio to cater for their individual requirements. we have independent mortgage advisors to help with the technical stuff and also have a great legal team of independent solicitors. Most importantly, nearly all of our clients started with one modest property that has enabled them to move on to bigger and better properties through our guidance. we are always there for the client and reassess their portfolio every six months to see how to manage their next step.”

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18/11/2010 14:06

take things further is left entirely in your hands. Positivity about the economy is in short supply at the moment. Two hours of your time might change your view for 2011.

Ian Clark and Jason Hyde

Midas Property Investment School.

The school runs for two hours in the evening and you can meet the experts including Ian Clarke MD, Jason himself and Mark Reagan MBE, ex-England Rugby International who manages his property portfolio built up through Midas Estates. There is no selling, no DVD’s, no time shares, no fee and most refreshingly; no pressure. You won’t be bothered by relentless follow up calls and emails; the decision to

The type of investor Midas Estates would like to see at their Property Investment School next year is: First time buyers, people with money to invest, the silver pound concerned about the pension pot and even those looking to buy abroad as there is also help for people buying holiday homes for investment too. If you fall into one of these categories and may be interested in learning more about how to invest in your future, join the

To book your place on the Midas Estate Property Investment School on January 24th 2011 at Holiday Inn Express, The Brewery, Cheltenham please call or email Jason on 07812 996653 / jason.hyde@midasestates. com To learn more and read testimonials from some of their 400 clients log on to www.midasestates.com (a fresh, new website will be launched in January).

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

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

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16 • tRY sOMetHInG new

He’s not just for Christmas!

Personal Training with Iain Pritchard of 360 Health and Fitness Therapy

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hristmas is coming and most people follow two trains of thought: 1. Party season, time to pig out on food and drink or 2. Party season, need to look good, get to the gym and lose weight so I can pig out on food and drink. And it is guaranteed that the follow up to this is a new Years Resolution to lose 10lbs. well, I may have found the best way of sticking to all those good intentions.

As I am currently pregnant, have no good intentions and no real desire to do anything remotely energetic, Iain Pritchard of 360 Health and Fitness therapy kindly lets me off the hook and drafts in one of his enthusiastic clients to demonstrate the benefits of having a personal trainer. I have also recruited a glamorous assistant – rugby playing, dairy farmer, Andy – to try a sports massage; another branch of Iain’s personal fitness business.

A few years ago I did have a personal trainer. It was a rather gruelling experience that involved me trying to Dec/Jan 2010/11 • Severn Village Living

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run along a canal bank dragging my personal trainer behind me on a rope.

I did wonder if I had perhaps stepped into an army boot camp by mistake. needless to say I didn’t last long. I am pleased to learn from Iain that methods have changed for the better since then.

I meet Iain and Zowie at a local gym to watch Zowie being put through her paces on my behalf.

The Warm Up starting on the Cross trainer Zowie spends 5 minutes warming up and having a chat to Iain about the week so far. nice and relaxed conversation with none of the sergeant Major scariness you might expect. Five minutes up they head to the tRX suspension trainer, a piece of equipment from the states that can achieve fast effective total body workouts. (that’s getting a flat tight stomach to us girls and sculpting that Men’s Health ‘v’ line from hip to groin for you boys).

The Main Session Continuing with the tRX and increasing the difficulty and intensity of the exercises Zowie then moves onto the Kettlebells, which I am told are great for toning the bum and leaves the body burning calories for up to 6 hours after a session. Medicine balls (plastic balls of differing weights and sizes) are used to develop upper arm muscle and core body strength and I even have a go with one of these balls myself. It’s tough and I quickly play the pregnant lady card and sit down again. Zowie starts another repetition and I can really see her muscles working and it doesn’t take long before working up a sweat – but without pounding on a treadmill. Iain explains this is because his personal fitness programmes are designed to develop all round fitness. “I train in a 3D matrix”, explains Iain. “the body works in three plains of motion, forward/ backwards, side to side and rotational; so if you spend 30 minutes on a cross trainer you are only working in one

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dimension. In fact, the cross trainer is where I met Zowie. She was pounding away aimlessly for ages and I went over to ask her if she was ok. She admitted she had no idea how to work out and she was a bit nervous of showing herself up on other equipment. After offering a few pointers to help her out, she got in contact with me and asked if I could train her. That was five months ago and she has gone from 102kg to 87kg and is still losing weight.”

The warm down As Zowie warms down from her workout with a series of stretches I ask her why she decided she needed a personal trainer. She told me that she used to be very sporty and fit. However, when her Mum fell ill everything went on hold to support her Mum. The weight started to creep up. “I tried to lose the weight on my own”, says Zowie, “but it was hard to stay motivated. So when I met Iain, I knew taking him on as my personal trainer was the right thing to do. I now have two sessions a week with Iain and go to the gym once more during the week on my own. Through a programme of diet and fitness I have lost over 2 stone and

within the first 2 months of training my blood pressure dropped so considerably, the doctors could hardly believe it!”

Session over, we grab some water and have a bit more of a chat. I ask Iain how he started 360 HFT. “I gained a Sports Performance & Excellence Diploma from Hartpury College and then worked as a Gym Instructor.

Within a year I became a Personal Trainer and then worked as a Fitness Manager. Two years ago I set up 360 HFT, an all round way of lifestyle training from start to maintenance.

I also qualified in further courses to include Functional Performance and GP Referral” Zowie is delighted with Iain and says hiring him is the best thing she has ever done. “Iain is a very flexible trainer and really catches on to your way of thinking, developing your programme and motivating you based on your personality as well as your physical needs.”

Iain works on a three point principle: 1. People should leave a session feeling better than when they came in.

2. Their training should be of good quality, not quantity.

3. They go away and want to tell someone else about their session.

“I design packages to suit all levels of fitness and tailor them to suit lifestyle and budget. I offer an initial consultation and ‘no obligation’ taster session so people can come and ‘try before they buy’.

Remedial & Sports Massage Something else Iain offers is Remedial & Sports Massage. This is particularly good for anyone whether involved in sport or not, that either has an injury that requires attention or general maintenance of the body. I sent Andy along for some work on his hamstrings; sore from a physical job, playing rugby and two ACL knee operations. After an initial consultation, Iain gathered information from Andy about his injury and lifestyle. Iain asked him to do a few

light physical tests to assess his abilities.

By understanding the limitations of Andy’s injury combined with a snapshot of his day to day world, Iain was able to understand what work was needed initially. After the treatment, Iain advised him what to do over the next few days.

Andy said “The treatment really started to relax my muscles and my legs felt more energised after a couple of days.

My hamstrings certainly feel less tight.

I know there is more work to be done though so I am going to fit in some further treatment to try and maintain the improvement.” A Remedial & Sports Massage would make a great gift for those ‘hard to buy for’ men (and women) in the family this year. Iain offers gift vouchers to the value of any massage or a series of treatments.

Call or email Iain for further details.

How to find out more: www.360hft.com or call 07729 129 598 or email iain@360hft.com Based in Highnam, Iain is very flexible and you can find him in a variety of training locations across the local area or he can come to your home. He can train groups as well as individuals so if you are worried about feeling a bit silly – firstly; don’t. Secondly, bring a couple of friends along for support and added fun. Kick start the party season with a new you – and make sure you keep it up. Don’t wait until the New Year to make that resolution!

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

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Children’s Christmas Activities Booking is Essential.

Call 01452 731422.

Morning session 10.30am-12.30pm Afternoon session 2.30-4.30pm.

Children under 8 to be accompanied by an adult.

All sessions suit any ages and cost £5.

Tues 21st December Wooden Christmas tree decorations nothing looks better on a Christmas tree than hand made decorations. Using special paints, paper, glitter and glue you will have fun decorating these wooden shapes. You will decorate up to 3 shapes and as there will be ten shapes to choose from including snowflakes, angels, Christmas trees and santa’s you will have plenty of choice!

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               Dec/Jan 2010/11 • Village Living

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Wednesday 22nd December Felt Stockings Have fun decorating these felt stockings with paints, pens, fabric and sequins. the stockings come ready made so no sewing is involved! this lets you spend more time getting creative and to make sure santa won’t miss them! And as these stockings are nice and big measuring 39cm we’re sure he won’t!

Thursday 23rd December Glass Votive Tea Light holders Using special paper, glue and other materials decorate these glass tea light holders so that when dry the light will twinkle through creating a lovely glow. Best of all you will decorate two so you can always give one to someone as a gift!

Wed 29th December Printmaking Thank you cards Create a picture out of special foam which we will then print onto card to make handmade thank you cards to send to friends and families. we will make 5 A5 cards but the block can be reused to make unlimited cards at home!

Thursday 30th December Pottery Painting Decorate a miniature vase (8cm high) and a pot (6cm high x 6cm) using specialist paint. Once completed pots can be taken home and placed in an oven to make sure the designs are fixed.

Nature in Art

Wallsworth Hall, Twigworth, Gloucester GL2 9PA Tel: 01452 731422 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 5pm And Bank Holiday Mondays Closed December 24th - 26th and Mondays

www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

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19 • GLOUCesteR YOUnG FARMeRs CLUB

GLOUCESTER YOUNG FARMERS CLUB NEEDS YOU!

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common misconception about Young Farmers Clubs is that you need to come from a farming background to be a member. In fact, anyone aged 10 years of age to 26 can join Gloucester Young Farmers Club and no farming background of any kind is needed. So if you thought it was all about learning how to plough a field or milk a cow – you would be wrong. You can, of course, learn how to do these things but there is much, much more to this dynamic and motivational youth movement. the Gloucester Young Farmers Club organises activities from paintballing to ten pin bowling but as well as the ‘just for fun’ stuff there is a great educational theme to many events. Members can learn about judging livestock, attend talks by local vets or even take lessons in arts and crafts and hairdressing. there is also the chance to take part in county-wide activities; such as the Young Farmers Rally held in May each year. A fantastic event where all the Young Farmers Clubs in the county get together and compete in inter-club competitions and have tons of fun! there are so many exciting opportunities open to members such as County stock Judging, Public speaking competitions, inter-club debating, social events and field trips. Many of these events are great for adding to University applications and to Cv’s and attract interest from local businesses. Learning a skill like public speaking gives great confidence and encouragement to young people, opening up many doors of opportunity.

Ultimately, the best thing about being part of this friendly, local club is the chance to make new friends, enjoy some great activities and learn some new skills.

If you think you might like to become a member of Gloucester Young Farmers Club there are plenty of ways you can do this; starting with a visit to the Christmas Fayre at sandhurst village Hall on the 4th December. there will be organisers and members there to talk to about the club.

Gloucester Young Farmers Club also meets twice a month in sandhurst village Hall. the next meeting is on 9th December where members will be learning how to

make sweets. On the 16th December the Club hosts its Christmas social with games, music and food and drink from 7.30pm to 9pm. Drop into any meeting and find out more.

OR CONTACT: Club Secretary Danielle McNulty: 07894 338679 Club Leader: Maggie Morse 01452 741067 Club Leader: Louise Middle: 01452 730222 / musselendfarm@googlemail.com www.gloucestershireyfc.co.uk

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

 

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

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Severn Village Living • Dec/Jan 2010/11

18/11/2010 14:06

20 • GLenn MURPHY BOOKs

Why Is Snot Green?

(And answers to other delightful questions your kids ask over the dinner table)

w

ith Christmas approaching and a whole raft of mind boggling electronic toys crowding the store shelves, parents can be forgiven for thinking their children’s gift choices are limited to the latest tv trend or teen idol. Although I imagine the kids will say they are a lot more fun than the science book Granny used to buy each year. nowadays though, science books are officially cool thanks to Glenn Murphy and his range of science books for children such as ‘why is snot Green?’ and ‘How Loud can You Burp?’ Missing an opportunity to interview Glenn (an old friend and former resident of my home town) at the Cheltenham Literature Festival this year due to a broken heel bone (his, not mine); I travelled to north Carolina, UsA, via the wonders of modern technology, to chat to the former London science Museum expert turned children’s science author.

Many of our readers will not know who you are – possibly because they think they are too grown up to learn about burping and stuff.

So tell us, who is Glenn Murphy?

I’m a scientist turned kids’ science author.

Originally from Kent, I am an impassioned educator, and a former manager of the science Museum’s informal learning (aka “explainer”) team. I wrote my first

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bestseller – why Is snot Green? – in 2006, based on the thousands of funny questions kids would ask us on the science Museum galleries. when I found out how much fun writing was, and that people would pay me to do it for a living, I became a full-time author. now I live and work in Raleigh, north Carolina, writing for publishers in the UK, Us and Australia. Here, I live happily with one lovely American wife and two ridiculously large Maine Coon cats.

Why children’s books about snot and not astonishingly clever papers on the Big Bang Theory or genetics?

After university, I first dipped a toe into science writing working for the journal nature. But I soon discovered that, as fascinating and clever as these articles may be, few people besides working scientists actually read them. By the time they reach adulthood, most people have already decided that science is too hard and too boring. so I decided to target kids with my books instead. Kids are natural scientists – they’re endlessly creative, inquisitive, and open to new ideas. It’s only as adults that most of us decide we “know enough”, and stop finding joy and wonder in new discoveries. By writing for kids, I can reach a wider audience, and one more open to the possibility that discovering new stuff could be fun. Plus (ssshhhh – this is a carefully-guarded secret) I’m simply not clever enough to play with the big boys.

But I like to think more 8 to 12 year-olds read my books than stephen Hawking’s!

What is your latest book and what is it about? the next one out is called Bodies, Guts and stuff. It’s the third in my new science sorted series. As opposed to snot and

Burp – which cover lots of different science subjects – each book in this new series presents one scientific theme and really goes to town. the first two were on astronomy and evolutionary biology; this latest one is all about human biology and anatomy. As usual, there’s loads for readers to learn, but I wrap the hard science in fun questions, answers, puzzles and experiments. I call it “learning by stealth”. the kids have so much fun getting through it; they don’t realize they’re actually learning. (Just don’t tell them that, or they might put it down...)

What was your favourite (or most fun) book to write? I personally liked ‘Stuff that Scares your PANTS Off.’ writing PAnts was a lot of fun. In the research for the “scary animals” chapter, I got to read stories about real-life bear and shark attacks, and real, scientific research into ghosts and monsters like the Yeti. But I’m also really enjoying writing my newest book – the fourth book in the science sorted series – all about robots and computers. For the research, I’ve been meeting worldrenowned robotics experts in their crazy laboratories. Last week, I was interviewing a professor about androids, and all around us were these hopping, disembodied robot legs and slithering robot snakes. weird.

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

18/11/2010 14:06

21 • book review

After the postponement of your UK book tour and appearance at the Cheltenham Literature Festival 2010, when can we expect Glenn Murphy to visit us again?

I’ll be in Aberdeen in mid-May for the Word 2011 festival, and probably visiting London and the West Country shortly before or after. And if the CLF folks invite me back for the festival in the autumn (hint, hint!) I’ll be there for that, too.

If people like the sound of Glenn Murphy books as stocking fillers for their budding scientists – or simply for kids with a fascination for bodily functions and space travel – where can they buy them?

You can get them in most bookshops like WH Smith and Waterstones, or you can order them from online stores like Amazon.co.uk. Just Google “Glenn Murphy books” and you’ll find them easily enough.

So what’s next for Glenn Murphy Books?

The two new Science Sorted books (Bodies, Guts and Stuff, and Robots, Computers and Stuff) are out in 2011, followed by two more in 2012. Plus, keep an eye out for a special, limitededition book released in the spring for World Book Day 2011. And next year, I’ll also be writing a book for younger children about senses, illustrated by my wonderfully arty sister, Lorna.

Lastly Glenn, you have been living in the United States for 4 years now, which sounds very glamorous.

But what do you miss most about England?

The sausages, the chocolate, Marmite on toast, and the rain. Alright – maybe not the rain...

If you want to your kids to start questioning the universe and ask things such as ‘Why don’t metal ships just sink?’ and ‘What is a supermassive black hole?’ slip a book about snot in their stocking this Christmas. More fun than Satsumas and shower gel!

“Communicated with amazing skill, perfectly pitched, and not dumbed down...exactly as popular science books should be for children.”

– thebookbag.co.uk “...makes learning effortless and enjoyable. The questions range from space to biology and are so astute and well pitched that you soon forget you didn’t ask them.” – Nature “This will be devoured by even the most reluctant readers or scientists.”

– Kirkus Reviews

www.glennmurphybooks.com www.facebook.com/pages/Glenn-Murphy-Books/

The Past is Catching Up with You! John Burton of Courtyard Books, Tarlings Yard, Bishops Cleeve picks out some perfect Christmas gifts for Local History lovers...

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wo new books that have recently hit the shelves of bookshops in Gloucestershire are providing interesting pictorial views of the past and how it looks today. They should prove to be best sellers and firm favourites with local residents, distant relations and family history researchers.

The first is focusing on Cheltenham and is called “Cheltenham Past and Present” by David Hanks.

The other is “In and Around Bishops Cleeve through Time – A Second Section” by David Aldred and Tim Curr.

Both these books provide a graphic view of the changes recorded down the years as seen through the dispassionate eye of the camera lens. Readers of these books will be able to evaluate and compare a century of change across the area, and the contrast in the growth and development of a small Cotswold village and a Cotswold Spa town, echoes perhaps of a wider world.

There are obvious changes – the dress fashions, road transport, building designs and materials, street furniture

and so on. Then the observant reader may notice some more subtle features which have crept up to characterize our twenty-first century landscape. These books will provide much enjoyment and maybe enlightenment from the photographs, many published here for the first time. They certainly portray a variety of scenes below the Cotswold heights of North Gloucestershire.

David Hanks will be in Courtyard Books in Tarlings Yard, Bishops Cleeve, on Saturday 4th December at 10.30am, talking about and signing copies of his new book “Cheltenham Past and Present“.

Courtyard Books is a small independent bookshop, selling new and second-hand books, in the village of Bishops Cleeve, near Cheltenham. They have a wide selection of local books and books written by local authors.

Further information can be obtained from John Burton tel 07808569209 or email johnburton@courtyardbooks.co.uk

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

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

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         Dec/Jan 2010/11 • Village Living

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

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

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

www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

18/11/2010 14:06

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Ri v

e r f ord

a farm Christmas delivered to your door award-winning organic veg, meat and all the trimmings fresh from our farm delivered free to your door

01242 587246 Village Living Severn 8 1210.indd 24

www.riverford.co.uk 18/11/2010 14:06

25 • riverford organics

Riverford Organics With Marc Fowler of Riverford Home Delivery

W

e have been busy – we have won an Award! Every year Riverford franchisees all get together to discuss what has been happening, what we intend to do and generally have a good time. With over 100 franchisees (not all attend every year) and over 400 staff employed (again, not all attend) it is a real chance to bang our heads together and decide what we are doing right or wrong.

The Awards part takes place very informally just before the evening dinner, we had no idea we were going to win and it was an absolute honour to pick up Franchisee of the Year 2010 – Highly Commended. The award is based on the votes of customers and staff and encompasses all aspects of our business, new customers, retention of those customers and retention of our existing customers, for which I am pleased to say we come out on top for the whole South West consistently.

What was most pleasing, apart from the fact that our customers had voted for us, was one particular customer’s comments which were read out. She quoted the fact that she has a regular order of different boxes; she regularly adds to or changes this order and was extremely impressed by the fact that we recognise her voice and know who she is when she calls us up. She also forgot to cancel when going on holiday and so we managed to get the delivery to her before she left at 9am so she could take it with her on holiday. All in all it was a very complimentary and pleasing e-mail vote to receive.

In essence our business is about customer service, yes, we have a very good product but we have to look after customers – being locally based we can do this and being actively involved in every aspect of the business we do know who customers are so we can treat you like a human not

just a number. This goes a long way to making sure we have a loyal band of followers that recognise just how easy it is to order from us and also how affordable our produce is and how tasty.

At the conference we were also shown an exclusive preview of the Yeo Valley advert that has been featuring on the X-Factor. Yeo Valley is very similar to Riverford, family owned, they grow their own (grass for the milk in their case) and they have similar morals and ethics. The video (if you haven’t seen it visit You Tube and type in Yeo Valley) is brilliant, it sums up completely how they (and we) operate and what we stand for. It is a brave move for them; they are spending £5 million to increase their market share in yoghurts. More importantly it makes their product (organic yoghurt) the same price as the non-organic mainstream brands – proof that organic doesn’t have to cost more!

One final aspect of the conference that was very interesting was that of delivery – we have set delivery days, which reduces our environmental impact as we don’t have to drive here, there and everywhere with set delivery slots – like the supermarkets. This may however be a barrier to people ordering, if this is the case we would like to hear from you so that we can form some views on our long-term strategy.

If you have therefore read about us but not ordered because you are not in our area or it is the wrong delivery day please e-mail us so that we can look into this further at corinneandmarc@ riverfordhomedelivery.co.uk.

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 8 1210.indd 25

Severn Village Living • Dec/Jan 2010/11

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n i s s e r d r hai VIVIENNE THEYER

With a smart, modern salon next to her home in the peaceful village of The Leigh, Vivienne proves that you don’t have to put up with the hassle of a city centre to enjoy hairdressing in style.

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  

  

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

 

g

To arrange an appointment or discuss your style

Telephone 01242 680197

Little Holborn, Church Lane,The Leigh, GL19 4AF www.viviennetheyer.co.uk

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 Dec/Jan 2010/11 • Village Living

Village Living Severn 8 1210.indd 26

www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

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  

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

Meditation can change your life



Steve Brisk (BSYA Med. Teach), Gloucestershire’s first British school of Yoga Meditation Teacher says that meditation helps to improve: “It’s like “It gives a stress and anxiety giving my me a real mind a feeling of a self image holiday...” wellbeing” a sleep - Gerald - Anna a self confidence a achieve objectives a concentration, and a relationships.

Discover the benefits for yourself at only £40 for a full term of 10 sessions Next course starts on 11th January at Bishops Cleeve Primary School.

If there is no improvement after one term, Steve guarantees your money back! er For details phone Steve on o f f ch, ea £ 3 5r t w o fo

01242 674006 www.meditation-in-gloucestershire.co.uk

 

  

 

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

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Trouble sleeping? Do you have unwanted habits?

Lacking confidence? Suffering chronic pain?

Fears, phobias, exam nerves?

Hypnotherapy is a gentle way to deal these and other problems www.pasithea.co.uk Contact Patti Cullen-Smith: patti@pasithea.co.uk or on 01452 780203 www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

Village Living Severn 8 1210.indd 27

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Village Living • Dec/Jan 2010/11

18/11/2010 14:06

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  

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

   

       

  

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     

 

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

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

   

  Dec/Jan 2010/11 • Village Living

Village Living Severn 8 1210.indd 28

         

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  

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

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



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www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

18/11/2010 14:06

29 • DeLI HeAven

Deli Heaven Sarah Lemon – Lots of Lemons Delicatessen, Bishops Cleeve

Chaos, Competitions tions & Christmas

R

ecently we extended our little deli in Bishops Cleeve by knocking through to the next unit, and for ten days utter chaos reigned in our lives.

First packing up the entire deli, then dealing with the fallout of dust once work was completed, followed by trying to reorganise and unpack everything.

It is still a work in progress, but it has undoubtedly been worth it for the extra space for Christmas goodies but most importantly our customers seem delighted with the expansion.

Aside from building extensions and the daily grind my husband also avidly follows Gordon Ramsay’s Best British Restaurant and MasterChef while I do my best to avoid them, generally retiring happily to my own kitchen to cook.

I don’t like the competitions for the same reason I hate watching world class figure skating, someone has to lose and generally they do so not by being the slowest, but by some disaster knocking them out of the running.

Last night however I got involved in Professional MasterChef semi finals before I could extract myself and spent the whole hour on tenterhooks, praying it would all go wonderfully well for everyone involved.

I was very taken by the ethos and simplicity of the Copenhagen restaurant

noma, and loved the idea of the chefs foraging daily for food and inspiration.

It soon became clear though, that the preparing of the food was light years from simple, and the pressure built as the contestants battled to cook and arrange very complicated designs. I was delighted with the finals though as all three chefs performed beautifully and I believe that the best person won, and not because someone else’s soufflé flopped but because of being consistently better throughout, despite the tough competition. As the programme wound up it got me thinking about Christmas and the chaos it can bring with presents, family and entertaining.

One of my happiest Christmas memories was one spent in Africa, when we had an eclectic group of extended family and friends for lunch. we were living in a tiny house at the time, that did however have a beautiful large garden, and given the sweltering weather I made the decision to serve lunch out under a small marquee with a waterslide to keep the children occupied. My next step was to contact the various friends and relations coming (rather like rabbit in winnie the Pooh) and request they each cooked and brought something for a traditional english lunch.

On the day I found myself with very little to do in the kitchen apart from some accompaniments and spent a pleasurable hour laying and decorating the tables. everyone arrived with their selected dish and an excellent lunch was had by all. so instead of having to spend a fortune in time, money and sanity, Christmas that year went off with little bother on my behalf and we all got to participate and enjoy the day in an easy fashion. I still look back at photographs with much fondness.

Life can be as simple or complicated as we want to make it, some of us like total control of the day and others end up with it, like it or not. My advice is, don’t stress too much and get to enjoy your day as much as possible, whether feeding the five thousand or perhaps just yourself. trim down the menu, go local, go quality but mostly just go easy on yourself!

Here’s hoping you all have a wonderful Christmas.

p.s. Some of life’s best experiences are found off the beaten track, so take a detour and visit the deli for some Christmas foodie inspiration...

Imagine if the wise men hadn’t followed that star!

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

Village Living Severn 8 1210.indd 29

Sarah

Severn Village Living • Dec/Jan 2010/11

18/11/2010 14:06

Give someone special the perfect present this Christmas with a gift voucher from Clarity Beauty... guaranteed to add sparkle to the festive season.

Choose from treatments such as facials, massage & manicures. All vouchers are personally gift wrapped & start from as little as £5.00. www.clarity-beauty.co.uk for the treatment & price list or call Stacey on 07791 167709 to order.

WIN! A facial for the party season! Simply email stacey@clarity-beauty.co.uk with your name, address and Tel.No and the answer to this question: What are the 5 types of facial that Clarity Beauty specialises in? 

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 

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

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

     

 

Dec/Jan 2010/11 • Village Living

Village Living Severn 8 1210.indd 30

www.villageliving.biz | tel: 01903 814092

18/11/2010 14:06

31 • wHeRe’s sAntA?

Where’s Santa?

Santa Specials at Dean Forest Railway December 5th / 11th & 12th, 18th & 19th/ Christmas Eve, 11.30am, 1pm & 14.30pm Imagine the excitement – the sound of a steam train pulling you through the mysterious forest as santa moves through your train to meet each child! every child receives a present, and adults receive a miniature and mince pie. Have a snack in our cafeteria car and browse in the well stocked shop at norchard for some Christmas presents! Online booking recommended – booking also available by post and phone but these methods attract a £1 admin fee.

Tickets: £12 for adults and children (over 2) Children under 2 can travel free provided they do not occupy a seat or receive a present in which case tickets need not be booked for them. Parties of 4 or more (adults or children receive £1 per ticket reduction). Telephone: 01594 845840. Information taken from www.deanforestrailway.co.uk

Santa’s Onboard Grotto at Gloucester Waterways Museum at Gloucester Docks 11th & 12th / 18th & 24th December Meet Father Christmas as he cruises along the Gloucester & sharpness canal! every child receives a special gift and refreshments while adults enjoy mulled wine and a mince pie and tea and coffee on this fun and festive trip. A unique way to meet santa! Museum visit and Children’s Christmas workshop included. Pre-booking only. email gloucester@ thewaterwaystrust.org.uk or call 01452 318200. sailings at 12 noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.the trip leaves from the Quayside outside Gloucester waterways Museum, Llanthony warehouse, Gloucester Docks. £9pp including unlimited museum visit. the Museum is also open on the 25th november to 28th november for the victorian Christmas Market. entertainment throughout this period. £2 admission.

Santa’s Live Reindeer and Team of Elves at Gloucester Quays 24th December On Christmas eve santa’s reindeer and team of elves come to Gloucester Quays. From 10am - 2pm. Free.

Green Father Christmas at Westonbirt Aboretum 26 November – 19 December every Friday, saturday and sunday you can walk along the illuminated trail through the famous enchanted wood and see the national Arboretum lit up at night. westonbirt’s Green Father Christmas will be at every enchanted Christmas evening following his opening night arrival on the 26th november! Christmas market and Forest shop selling fantastic presents and decorations – open until 8.30pm. trail opens 5pm. Last trail 7.15pm. Adults £8, concessions £7, child £4 www.forestry.gov. uk/westonbirt. Don’t forget your wellies. no Dogs.

Christmas Wonderland at Prinknash Bird & Deer Park 4th & 5th, 11th & 12th, 18th & 19th, 20th & 24th December / 4-6pm A Christmas you will not forget. Although our very own resident Reindeer are very busy at this time of year, they look forward to meeting you at the Bird Park. the trees, the lakes and even the birds will be flooded with magical coloured lighting, creating spectacular effects to be enjoyed as you walk throughout the park to the sound of Christmas Carol singing. As well as visiting Rudolf and Prancer, you will be able to meet santa in our famous wendy House where he will be giving children their festive gifts. the Christmas Fairy will be found in the Gypsy Caravan. Our famous face painter will be on hand and Festive Food is available, but not included in the entrance charge. All of the above is included in the entrance price of £7.50 per person. tickets: £7.50 a head, under 1’s free.Prinknash Bird & Deer Park, Cranham, GL4 8eX / 01452 812727 www.thebirdpark.co.uk/#/whatson/events

Gloucester Quays Christmas Grotto 18 November – 24 December Come and see our victorian dolls’ house Christmas Grotto. santa will be here right up until 24th December so why not bring the kids along to enjoy the true magic of the festive season.

Book: www.bookfatherchristmas.com/go.php?go=gloucesterquays Open Hours: www.gloucesterquays.co.uk

Santa’s Grotto at Blooms Garden Centres santa will be welcoming children at Blooms Garden Centres across Gloucestershire throughout the week running-up to Christmas. Blooms in Cheltenham & Gloucester invite you to santa’s grotto. Cost: £5, including a present. 10am to 4pm. www.severnvillageliving.co.uk | tel: 01452 730023

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01452 398010 Gloucester and Surrounding Areas 01531 828970 Newent and West Gloucestershire 

01453 794820 Stonehouse and Surrounding Areas 

Sandhurst £525,000 A charming four bedroom detached property in very pleasant rural setting yet only 4 miles from Gloucester. Moat Cottage originates from the late 19th century but has been extended and improved over more recent years to provide spacious character accommodation. Long gravelled driveway leads to the garage and parking area.

Range of outbuildings, formal garden with barbecue area and paddock to the front with pond.

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Hartpury £289,950 A most appealing three bedroom detached cottage ideally located on the edge of the village backing on to fields. The pleasant oil fired accommodation offers generous parking for a number of vehicles and a circa 200' side garden. The cottage has been completely refurbished, extended and improved by the current owner over the last three years to provide very comfortable and well appointed accommodation.

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Hartpury £450,000 An opportunity to acquire an individual 3/4 bedroom detached property on the outskirts of this popular village. The property, which was rebuilt in the mid 1970s on the site of an existing cottage, occupies a plot in the region of 2 acres and enjoys far reaching views over open countryside. Double garage with loft over, secluded private garden, orchard, paddock with metal stable and excellent off road parking with turning bay.

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All available properties listed in detail online www.naylorpowell.com

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