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Gloucestershire South 45,000 DELIVERED AUGUST 2015 www.thelocalanswer.co.uk
EATING OUT EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS HEALTH & BEAUTY HOLIDAYS & TRAVEL PROPERTY HOMES & GARDENS SERVICES PETS SHORT WALKS RECIPES VOUCHERS COMPETITIONS WIN £500 WORTH OF FUN IN THE WYE VALLEY & FOREST OF DEAN – SEE CENTRE PAGES
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Gloucestershire South – 45,000 copies Gloucester – 42,000 copies Gloucestershire North – 20,000 copies Forest of Dean – 22,000 copies Cotswolds – 28,000 copies Cheltenham – 43,000 copies
Malcolm Cantwell Publication Manager – Gloucestershire South
01242 541074 malc@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Editorial Lois Kingscott editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Helen Kingscott editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
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Accounts Kerry Fell accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Robert Kingscott rob@thelocalanswer.co.uk
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Welcome to August ... This month’s magazine is packed full of fun days out for the whole family. Chepstow Racecourse have a couple of Family Fun Racedays with free entry for kids! Or why not treat the family to Tadstock Festival, which is hosting lots of local talent – with free parking, free camping, games and entertainment, there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy. Richmond Painswick are also holding a summer fete with live music, refreshments and a variety of stalls – and it’s free entry for all! While you’re out and about with the family, get snapping with your camera and enter your photos to our ‘Family Fun’ themed ‘Picture Perfect’ competition. You could win £500 worth of fun activities in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. The ‘Wildlife Matters’ feature is all about bumblebees and how they survive throughout the year. You can give them a helping hand by sprucing up your garden and following Julia Smith’s tips in our ‘In the Garden’ article.
Inside this month ... Delicious Dishes 5 Medical Health 7 Motoring 9 Cocktail Time 10 What’s On 11 Picture Perfect 18-19 Wild Food Foraging 22 Interior Design 23 Homes & Gardens 24 In the Garden 27 Save the Planet 29 Word Search 30 Quick Crossword 32 Sudoku 33 Money Matters 33 Index, Competitions, Solutions 34 Competition on pages 4, 19 & 22 Page 3
Paddle Steamer Waverley celebrates special year Paddle Steamer Waverley will return to the Bristol Channel for three days only in September 2015 and you can be a part of the special anniversary year! 2015 marks the 40th year that the ship has sailed in preservation. Sold by Caledonian MacBrayne for £1, Waverley has been operated by a charity since 1975, and preserved as a heritage asset for the benefit of the communities around the UK, creating an economic impact and connecting communities. Incredibly, she has had a longer career in preservation than she had as a commercial enterprise!
Excellent onboard facilities and souvenir shop Sailing from Clevedon Pier from Friday 4th September until Sunday 6th September, you can visit Ilfracombe in Glorious Devon or tranquil Lundy Island. Alternatively, you can cruise the River Severn and Bridges, cruise the Holm Islands or steam along the spectacular Exmoor Coast. For those who like a great night out, come aboard the evening showboat on 4th September with a live band onboard! Book now to ensure you don’t miss the chance to enjoy a cruise aboard this famous heritage attraction. Andy O’Brian, Waverley’s captain said: “We are very much looking forward to bringing Waverley to Clevedon and welcoming passengers aboard in this special year. Tickets are selling fast so make sure you book in advance to guarantee your place aboard.” Waverley has excellent onboard facilities including a restaurant serving hot and cold snacks, two bars, heated lounges and a souvenir shop.
Prices start at £23 for adults, children under 18 half fare and under 5s travel free. To book tickets or for more information visit www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk. You can also book tickets by calling 0845 130 4647.
WIN TICKETS! courtesy of Waverley Excursions
To enter our draw to win a pair of tickets on the sailing from Clevedon at 4pm on Friday 4th September to cruise around the Holm Islands , send your name, address and telephone number to ‘Waverley’, The Local Answer, 1 Ullenwood Court, Cheltenham, GL53 9QS. Alternatively, enter via email by sending your details to competitions@thelocalanswer.co.uk, stating ‘Waverley’. Closing date: Thursday 13th August 2015.
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Delicious Dishes with Helen Kingscott
Lemon mousse cheesecake Perfect for entertaining guests at a garden party or a family get-together. Makes 6 Ingredients: 200g shortbread biscuits; 50g melted butter; 300ml whipping cream; 250g cream cheese; 125g icing sugar; 100ml thick lemon curd; 1 lemon, finely zested. Method: 1 Roughly crush the shortbread biscuits, mix in the melted butter and spoon into the ramekins or serving glasses to chill for approximately ten minutes. 2 Whip the cream until it forms stiff peaks and set aside. 3 Mix the cream cheese, lemon curd and icing sugar until the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Fold the mixture gently into the whipped cream until well mixed. 4 Spoon on top of the shortbread base until the ramekins/glasses are almost full. 5 Top with a little lemon zest and serve chilled. Tips: If you’re looking to impress this summer, serve the cheesecake in a Champagne flute to add a little sophistication. However, if you are entertaining a large group of friends why not make
them into bitesize canapés? You could serve the dessert on white porcelain spoons or, for a fun twist, use shot glasses. To make the dessert in shot glasses, omit the lemon curd from the cream cheese mixture and instead use it to layer in between the biscuit and mousse. Grate lemon zest on top and accompany the shot glass with a mini canapé spoon.
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Medical Health with Holly Prince
The weather and illness We sometimes use the phrase ‘under the weather’ when we’re feeling unwell. The origins of this are possibly from the days of travel on sailing ships – when there were too many ill sailors to record their names in the log, they had to be listed in the space reserved for the weather report; and then they would be sent below deck to shelter from the elements. Britain is known for its wet and highly changeable weather, and these constant fluctuations can leave our bodies in a state of unbalance. Temperature can have an effect on our health – for example hot weather can lead to a feeling of lethargy due to dehydration or heatstroke. Being in the cold for too long can cause an increase in blood pressure, leading to heart attacks, more
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pain in the joints caused by stiffness, and even pneumonia due to weaker immunity and infections being more prevalent. As well as temperature, air pressure can cause us to become unwell. Some people get headaches or migraines when a thunder storm is imminent – which is possibly due to the drop in pressure in the air causing chemical and electrical changes in the brain.
Chemical and electrical changes in the brain This is also linked to a change in blood pressure, which can be a risk to people with heart disease. Lower barometric pressure can also cause swelling of joints, affecting those with arthritis, and people
with diabetes may find it harder to control their blood-sugar balance. High humidity can also bring on headaches, as well as a stronger feeling of thirst. A good solution is to drink lots of water to keep the body refreshed and hydrated. Asthma sufferers may find their symptoms are worse on humid days, due to a higher number of spores in the air. Asthma can be exacerbated when there are sudden changes in temperature, or in cold, windy conditions – likely due to the moisture or particles in the air that irritate the lungs. This also affects people with allergies, such as those who suffer from hayfever – especially people who are sensitive to mould spores, as these are more abundant in warm, dry weather. Similarly, dampness can lead to respiratory illnesses due to the excess of moisture in the air, which can have a negative effect on the lungs. The weather also has a psychological effect on our health – with too much cloud and not enough sunshine, gloomy days can lead to a gloomy mood. But even if it’s not sunny, it is still important to get some natural daylight and fresh air every day, as getting out has been found to be helpful for those who suffer with depression. So it’s not all negative! The wonderful weather plays an important part in our daily lives and is the beauty of Mother Nature – where would we be without it?
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Motoring with Christian Tilbury
Perfect 10? If you think that £9,000 doesn’t buy you much when it comes to a brandnew car, you obviously haven’t experienced the Hyundai i10. Available for only £8,995 until the end of September at Gloucester’s Westlands Hyundai, the Hyundai i10 SE might be one of the most compact and affordable new cars available, but its specification and space are akin to those of a much larger vehicle. So what do you get for just shy of £9,000? Well, unlike the majority of its city car rivals, the i10 is a full fiveseater, while it also boasts the biggest boot in its highly-competitive class. In our tested ‘SE’ model, the i10 also comes with a surprisingly high level of equipment. Standard features include electric windows front and back, air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter (manual only), daytime running lights, remote central locking, and a USB and Aux connection. Unlike with a lot of cars in its segment, there’s no exposed metal on the inside – the i10 benefiting from full-size doorcards that enhance its quality feel. If it sounds appealing, then you’d be right and it won’t come as a surprise to hear that 9 out of 10 Hyundai i10 buyers opt for the SE. Under its bonnet, there’s a 1.0-litre petrol engine, producing 66PS and
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emitting just 108g/km CO2, which makes the current VED excise duty free for the first year and a mere £20 per year after. Although small and only having three cylinders, the engine is remarkably refined. It is tractable too, and although you do need to make full use of the precisefeeling five-speed gearbox to make the best progress, the i10 will happily change up to the next gear at low revs – ideal if you want to eke out the maximum 47.1mpg that the five-door hatchback is capable of around town. Of course, it’s in urban environments that the i10 excels – its 12ft length
making it a cinch to park. The car’s light steering enhances its nimble low-speed manoeuvrability too, but it’s also pleasing to feel it become slightly heavier as your pace increases. Factor in a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty and it’s incredibly hard to find any kind of negative with the baby Hyundai. So does the i10 get a 10, then? Well, What Car? Magazine thought so and voted it 2015’s Best City Car, but then everyone’s different, so why not find out with your own test drive? That said, we very much doubt that you’ll be disappointed.
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Cocktail Time
RIVER AVON BOAT TRIPS
with Lois Kingscott
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On our 55-seater passenger boat available 7 days a week from the end of March to mid-October, from 11am till 5pm (weather permitting). PLEASE TELEPHONE FOR CRUISE TIMES Also available for PRIVATE EVENING HIRE!
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Manhattan A Manhattan is a whiskey-based cocktail, stirred and strained into a cocktail glass and garnished with a maraschino cherry or orange twist. A popular story of origin for the Manhattan suggests that the drink was invented by Dr. Iain Marshall in the early 1870s at the Manhattan Club in New York City. It is said he created it for a banquet hosted by Jennie Jerome (Lady Randolph Churchill, Winston’s mother) to honor presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden. The banquet’s success made the drink very fashionable, prompting many people to request “the Manhattan cocktail” – named after the club it originated. Unfortunately, Lady Randolph was in France at the time and pregnant, so the story is unlikely to be true. There are references to a similar cocktail recipe called “Manhattan” served in the Manhattan area. One story says it was invented in the 1860s by a bartender named Black at a bar on Broadway near Houston Street. An early record of the cocktail can also be found in William Schmidt’s “The Flowing Bowl”, published in 1891. He writes about a drink containing gum (gomme syrup), bitters, absinthe, whiskey and vermouth. Ingredients: 25ml Italian sweet vermouth; 45ml bourbon; dash Angostura bitters; orange twist or maraschino cherry to garnish. Method: 1 Add vermouth and bourbon to a cocktail mixer and stir. 2 Pour the mix into a martini glass, add a dash of bitters and garnish with a maraschino cherry or a twist of orange peel.
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY Why not have a Mocktail? For a non-alcoholic alternative, mix 60ml cranberry juice, 60ml orange juice, ½ tsp maraschino cherry juice, few drops lemon juice, 2 dashes orange bitters. Page 10
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Explore the River Avon from Abbey Park, Evesham
Enjoy magical walks, browse our fantastic range of plants, gardening supplies and gifts and soak up the sun on the deck of the Garden Terrace Café. A perfect day out for all the family – dog friendly too! JOIN US FOR THE BIG BATSFORD BUG HUNT THIS AUGUST – visit www.batsarb.co.uk for details! BATSFORD ARBORETUM AND GARDEN CENTRE Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 9AD. Telephone 01386 701441 Email: arboretum@batsfordfoundation.co.uk www.batsarb.co.uk
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What’s On The Local Answer Event Listings are compiled and presented in good faith with the kind support of many contributors. We recommend you use the contact details provided to check event information updates prior to planning your visit. THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER ARTYSAN AT WOLD GALLERIES LATE SUMMER SHOW The art of the country. An exhibition of our latest original contemporary country art, limited edition prints, ceramics and glass. Wold Galleries, The Old Saddlery, 3A Oxford Street, Moreton-In-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 0LA. Telephone: 01608 650727, www.woldgalleries.com. EVERY DAY RIVER AVON BOAT TRIPS On our 55-seater passenger boat available 7 days a week from the end of March to mid-October, 11am till 5pm (weather permitting). PLEASE TELEPHONE FOR CRUISE TIMES. Also available for Private Evening Hire! The Handsam Boat Company. 07860 895416. Explore the River Avon from Abbey Park, Evesham. EVERY DAY UNTIL 6 SEPTEMBER NATURE EXPLORERS
This summer holiday, children of all ages can discover their inner adventurer by becoming fully fledged Nature Explorers. Here, they can follow in the footsteps of Scott of the Antarctic (father of WWT’s founder Sir Peter Scott) by going on an array of ‘wild’ adventures and recording them in a special Nature Explorer
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passport. Price included in admission. 9.30am-5.30pm. Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire GL2 7BT. 01453 891223. EVERY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY JEWELLERY MAKING COFFEE SESSIONS Enjoy a friendly coffee morning and make your own fabulous jewellery with tuition from Rachel in her shop at Verchiel Jewellery, 1 Berkeley Mews, Cheltenham (behind the Swan). Mon 10.30-12.30. Wed 10.30-12.30 and 1-3pm, Thur 12.30-2.30. Only £5 including tuition and refreshments. Materials extra. Pre-booking required. verchieljewellery@hotmail.co.uk. 07828 552610. verchieljewellery.co.uk. 29 JULY MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING The boys are back from war and it’s time for celebration – but villainous Don John decides to spoil everyone’s fun with his devious plots. 7.30pm. From £12. Please bring low-backed seating and prepare for all weathers. In the event of unsafe weather this event will transfer into the Bacon Theatre. Gates open at 6pm for picnics. Tuckwell Amphitheatre, Shelburne Road, Cheltenham GL51 6HE. 01242 258002. 30 JULY MEET T-REX Dinosaur fans shouldn’t miss the giant lifelike roaming T-Rex and baby dinosaurs at The Brewery! At this must see event visitors will have a chance to pet the TRex and learn all about him from his keeper. Lucky visitors will also be able to pick up a free fossilised shark tooth (while
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stocks last). For details visit thebrewerycheltenham.co.uk. 1-31 AUGUST THE BIG BATSFORD BUG HUNT
Make the most of fine summer weather by getting active in the arboretum. Find the creepy crawlies hidden around the arboretum, mark their location on our map using the stickers provided and pick up a goodie bag! Children must be accompanied by an adult for whom the normal arboretum entrance fee applies. Children’s tickets cost £2.50 plus £3.50 arboretum entrance fee. 10am-5pm. Batsford Arboretum and Garden Centre, Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9QB. 01386 701441. 2 AUGUST STROUD SUNDAY MARKET Stroud arts and craft focused market on the Subscription Rooms forecourt the first Sunday of every month. Come and join us for some free family entertainment and stalls from some of Stroud’s finest. For more information and updates visit stroudsundaymarket.co.uk. 10am-2pm.
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2 AUGUST FAMILY FUN RACE DAY
This is the first summer Sunday race meeting at Chepstow for many years – and kids go free! It is Family Fun Race Day featuring the Little Mix tribute band Mini Mix at 1.15pm who will be playing live before racing and during the afternoon. 17 and unders free. Tickets from £20. Gates open 12 noon. Chepstow Racecourse, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6BE. chepstow-racecourse.co.uk. 01291 622260. 4 AUGUST WORLD YOUTH GUITAR FESTIVAL Fresh from performances at the Carnegie Hall, New York and the Tchaikovsky Hall, Moscow, Croatian guitarist Zoran Dukic makes his long-awaited UK solo debut. His breathtaking virtuosity and exquisitely sensitive musicianship mark him as one of the most distinguished guitarists of our time. Some of the UK’s finest young classical guitarists join together to form the ensemble Guitar Circus, who train at the Royal College of Music and Birmingham Conservatoire, led by Musical Directors, Chris Stell, Mark Ashford and Matthew Robinson. 7.30pm. £10 (£9). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 4-8 AUGUST THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT TIME
Christopher has an extraordinary brain – exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion of killing Mrs Shears’ dog, it takes him on a journey that upturns his world. Based on the award-winning novel by Mark Haddon, adapted by Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne Elliott, this is a thrilling new stage play from the National Theatre. 7.30pm (matinees Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 2.30pm). From £11.90. The Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine's Parade, Bristol BS1 4UZ. 0844 871 3012.
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5 AUGUST WORLD YOUTH GUITAR FESTIVAL
Back by popular demand, an unmissable opportunity to see two favourite WYGF artists take centre stage. The “new star of the guitar” Gaëlle Solal beguiles with her passionate interpretations; and guitarist and composer extraordinaire, Gary Ryan, entrances audiences with his innovative compositions. 7.30pm. £10 (£9). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 7 AUGUST WALKING THE ZAMBEZI On 7th September 2014, 70 year old Stroud adventurer, David Lemon became the first man in history to walk the entire 3000 kilometre length of the Zambezi River. Join David to hear about his extraordinary feat and be transported into an almost forgotten world. 8pm. £10 (£8 concessions). Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE. 01453 760900. subscriptionrooms.org.uk. 10 AUGUST STEVE BINGHAM – LINES AND LOOPS Internationally renowned violinist Steve Bingham presents a programme of music to suit all tastes. From Telemann to the Beatles, Philip Glass to Daft Punk, Steve performs in multi-tracked arrangements where every note is played live. 7.45pm. £15 (£10). Prince Michael Hall, The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 11 AUGUST CARDUCCI QUARTET
The Carducci Quartet is recognised as one of today’s most exciting young string quartets, performing over 90 concerts worldwide each year. In this second presentation hosted by the European String Teacher’s Association, The Carducci Quartet will perform: Beethoven’s opus 18, no.4; Shostakovich’s Quartet no.8, opus 110; Dvorak’s no. 12, opus 96 ‘American’.
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7.45pm. £15 (£10). Prince Michael Hall, The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 12 AUGUST DAVID LE PAGE
Trailblazing violinist and composer David Le Page performs for the final of three concerts hosted by the European String Teacher’s Association. 7.45pm. £15 (£10). Prince Michael Hall, The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 18 AUGUST WEDDING OPEN EVENING Take this opportunity to visit Bowden Hall’s fantastic Wedding Open Evening! See the venue set up as if a wedding were taking place, as well as meeting key suppliers and get a wealth of great ideas. 6-8pm. Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall, Bondend Lane, Upton St Leonards, GL4 8ED. 01452 632632. 21 AUGUST JIVE DANCE A great atmosphere and great dance floor. Dance the night away to top swing and jive music. 8.30pm. £8 (£7 members). Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE. 01453 760900. justjive.com. CHARITY GOLF DAY Come and have some fun and raise money for Cotswold Riding for the Disabled. Open to everyone – bring the kids along! £20 for 9 holes & food or advice from a golf pro on the range, putting and food. Lots of prizes and other competitions. Contact Sherdons Golf Centre for tickets – 01684 274782 or professional@sherdons.co.uk. Sherdons Golf Centre, Tredington, Gloucestershire GL20 7BP. MOTHING BY MIDNIGHT Though far less well known than their day-time cousins, there are 50-times more moths than butterflies, they are much more diverse, and their stories are much more amazing. Starting with a talk about all things moths (what they are, their diversity, moth feats and their conservation), we will then venture out to see the moths that have been attracted by traps set in the Grounds. Free. 8.30-11am. Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire GL2 7BT. 01453 891223.
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The Bird Park is sizzling th Bottle feed Bambi For all of you Fallow deer fans there is a rare opportunity to bottle feed our baby Bambi. There is one feeding spot daily available on a booking basis only for groups no larger than 4. So if you would like to give someone a special treat for their birthday or just experience feeding one of these lovely creatures then please call 01452 812727 for price and availability. This is one not to miss!
Art Burst Week The new Visitor Centre at The Bird Park is looking wonderful now with its stunning balconies overlooking the park. During the Painswick Art Burst Week from 1st to 9th August Ronald Swanick will be inside the park with his walk in drawing marquee, where anyone can try their hand at drawing the birds and animals within the park. Monica Fisher will be here in the centre painting the miniature donkeys and has some lovely peacock feather illustrations just to keep the bird theme on the go. And if that’s not enough, Peter Walwin will be showing his wood carvings of wild birds and waterfowl along with some tips on how to work wood into these wonderful works of art. So if you fancy a cup of coffee and an ice cream on one of our balconies then just pop over and visit the new Centre.
k at Prinknash his summer
So it’s all happening here at The Bird Park this summer! Come and meet our lovely baby Reindeer who was born in May, or perhaps try bottle feeding Bambi (by appointment) or indeed feeding the grown up fallow deer, which live here throughout the year. The Wendy House is still there full of toys for children to enjoy and perfect for a picnic spot where the peacocks display and all the waterfowl are ready to meet and greet. For those of you that love the fact that our birds are “free to roam” then come on over and enjoy the experience.
Open 7 days a week 10am-5pm • 01452 812727 • www.thebirdpark.com The Bird and Deer Park, Prinknash, Cranham, Gloucester GL4 8EX
23 AUGUST TEWKESBURY CLASSIC VEHICLE FESTIVAL
500 cars, 150 motorbikes, 100 trade and gift stalls, live music, bar, BBQ, teas and cakes. Free entry for classic vehicles and their drivers and under 12s. Adults £5. Free parking. Tewkesbury School, Gl20 8DF. See www.tewkesburycvf.org or phone 01684 850940. 26-27 AUGUST BEN AND HOLLY’S LITTLE KINGDOM
Holly is a young Fairy Princess, who is still learning how to fly and her magic doesn’t always go quite according to plan. Her best friend, Ben the Elf, doesn’t have wings and he doesn’t do magic, but he runs very fast and flies on the back of Gaston the Ladybird. They live in the Little Kingdom, a tiny land where flowers and grass rise high above them and every day is an adventure. 1pm and 4pm. From £14.50. The Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol BS1 4UZ. 0844 871 3012. www.atgtickets.com. 28 AUGUST AN EVENING OF BURLESQUE Worldwide all-stars, couture costumes, an oh-so-steamy score and mind-boggling speciality acts share the spotlight – porcelain cheek to chiselled jowl – in one heck of a wickedly hilarious extravaganza. As seen from Milan to Minsk, Zurich to St Petersburg, Helsinki to Verona, Dresden to Dessau. Packed full with all-stars from the four corners of the globe. Join a thrill-aminute, fun-filled frolic into the bizarre world of burlesque and cutting-edge variety. 8pm. From £11.90. The Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol BS1 4UZ. 0844 871 3012. 28-30 AUGUST TADSTOCK FESTIVAL In association with CCP and Studio340, Tadstock is proud to present its annual festival for the people of Gloucestershire and beyond. Dry The River will headline the main ‘Earth Stage’ along with support from a host of local talent including King
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Soloman and Julia Harris. Family entertainment available. Free camping and free parking. Tickets from £5 (children under 5 free). For details visit www.Tadstock.co.uk. Kencot Hill Farm, Oxford GL7 3QY. 28-31 AUGUST FRINGE FESTIVAL A joyous festival during which a whole town throws open its doors and a special community comes together to create a wonderful spectacle. Enjoy vibrant culture and musical performances, from poetry to punk, fine art to folk, comedy to chaos theory, and everything in-between, set in one of the most exciting, creative towns in the Cotswolds. Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE. 01453 760900. subscriptionrooms.org.uk. 29 AUGUST MOTOWN’S GREATEST HITS
Now in its 13th successive year, this stunning 100% live show combines first class music together with the slickest choreography, and an amazing band, to deliver truly outstanding performances for the best Motown experience you will ever have! 7.30pm. From £24. The Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, BS1 4UZ. 0844 871 3012. www.atgtickets.com. 31 AUGUST THE BIG FAMILY FUN DAY Join us for our Bank Holiday Monday Family Fun Day – and you can meet Paddington Bear. Bring your own picnic (no alcohol). 17 and unders free. Tickets from £22. Gates open 12.10. Chepstow Racecourse, Monmouthshire, NP16 6BE. chepstow-racecourse.co.uk. 01291 622260. 31 AUGUST – 5 SEPTEMBER ANNIE
Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver
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Warbucks. Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search. 7.30pm (matinees Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm). From £15. The Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol BS1 4UZ. 0844 871 3012. www.atgtickets.com. 4-6 SEPTEMBER DIDMARTON BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL Kemble Airfield gears up for banjo and fiddle mountain music! One of the UK’s premier Bluegrass, Americana and Old Time Music Festivals. Concerts, dance displays, workshops, square dancing, open stage performances, craft and instrument stalls, children’s area and the famous late night bonfires and jam sessions – bring your instrument and join in! See www.didmarton-bluegrass.co.uk for details. FRANKLY SINATRA Featuring the swing, the swagger and the velvet vocals of Frank Sinatra in concert, enjoy an unmissable evening with Stephen Triffitt. Acclaimed worldwide as the master of his craft. 7.30pm. From £25. The Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol BS1 4UZ. 0844 871 3012. www.atgtickets.com. 12 SEPTEMBER 20TH NEWENT ONION FAYRE Featuring live music, street entertainers, dancing, animal displays, fairground rides, exhibitions, lakeside events and over 100 stands with arts, crafts and plants to name but a few. From organics and fresh local produce through to beers, wines, ciders and fruit juices, there’s a lot more than onions! 10am. Free entry. Details at www.newentonionfayre.org. ONIONFEST: THE AFTER PARTY To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Newent Onion Fayre, for one year only there is a fantastic after party with a Lake Laser Show, bands, fairground rides and a licensed bar. 7pm. Newent Lake. Tickets available from Gooch Sports, Cobblers or www.newentonionfayre.net. 19 SEPTEMBER LADIES NIGHT Hilarious, handsome guys will entertain you all night, on and off stage, in and out of costumes! The evening includes a 3 course meal, coffee, the Ladies Night show and disco until 1am. £35 per person. Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall, Bondend Lane, GL4 8ED. 01452 632632. 24 SEPTEMBER CONNECT BUSINESS 2015 Business conference and exhibition. 10am3pm. Free to attend, optional networking lunch £8. The Pavilion, Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 6PN. For more information and booking visit www.connectbusiness.org.uk, #CCBiz on LinkedIn or follow #CCBiz on Twitter.
The Local Answer
Picture Perfect Glorious Gardens
Thanks to all of you who sent in your brilliant pictures to enter our ‘Glorious Gardens’ competition. Congratulations to Peter Nenadic of Cheltenham who submitted the winning image (above) of his beautiful garden! He has won a BeefEater 900 Series Classic Gas Barbeque courtesy of The Spa-Kling Pool Company. Some of our other favourites are pictured above right.
WIN £500 WORTH OF FAMILY FUN! The theme for our August competition is ‘Family Fun’! Simply submit a photograph of you and your family enjoying yourselves and you could win £500 of family activities in the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean! Whether you’re making a splash at the beach, getting creative with arts and crafts or enjoying playtime in the paddling pool at home, we want to see pictures of you and your family having fun in the sun this summer! Courtesy of Wye Dean Valley Tourism the winner will receive a family photo shoot at Capture this Moment, pottery painting for two children plus a free tea or coffee for mum and dad accompanying at Hot Pot Pottery, a brewery experience at Hillside Brewery, a half day guided canoe trip for four (two adults, two children) at Way2Go Adventures, a family ticket to Perrygrove Railway, a family ticket to Cinderford RFC for a 2015/16 home fixture, a gift voucher for Krazy Golf Lydney (two adults, two children) and a family ticket for travel on the Dean Forest Railway (two adults , two children). To enter, email your photo along with your name, address and telephone number to editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk, stating ‘Family Fun’. One entry per household. You must ask permission to take photos of anyone or their belongings. See Index page for full competition rules. Closing date: Thursday 13th August 2015.
Perrygrove Railway 01594 834991 www.perrygrove.co.uk info@perrygrove.co.uk
Dean Forest Railway 01594 845840 www.deanforestrailway.co.uk
Capture this Moment 07816 477243 www.capturethismoment.co.uk
Hot Pot Pottery
Cinderford RFC
Hillside Brewery Krazy Golf Lydney Way2Go Adventures
07974 983908/01594 837943 01594 822400 01452 830222 01594 840082 07794 189841/01594 800908 (832248) www.hotpotpottery.co.uk www.cinderfordrfc.co.uk www.hillsidebrewery.com 07948 538335 www.way2goadventures.co.uk info@hotpotpottery.co.uk cinderford@cinderfordrfc.co.uk info@hillsidebrewery.com www.krazygolflydney.co.uk active@way2goadventures.co.uk
Tuesday 18th August
Wedding Open Evening 6.00pm-8.00pm ‘We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to Bowden Hall to our fantastic Wedding Open Evening! You will get the opportunity to see the venue set up as if a wedding were taking place, as well as being able to meet some key suppliers and get a wealth of great ideas’.
AMAZING OFFERS AND DISCOUNTS ON THE EVENING
If you’re looking at wedding venues then don’t miss out - book a visit with our wedding co-ordinator Hannah now.
Hilarious, handsome guys will entertain you all night, on and off stage, in and out of costumes!
Saturday 19th September 2015 Only £35 per Lady
Your evening includes a 3 course meal with coffee, the Ladies Night show + Disco until 1am
ABBA TRIBUTE £35 27th & 28th November Due to the sell out in 2014 we are happy to announce the return of our Abba Tribute Party Nights. Whether you’re a Dancing Queen or just a Super Trooper, don’t miss out on this fantastic night of fabulous hits and dance routines.
HOLLYWOOD NIGHTS £29.95 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th December 9th January These Hollywood-themed parties let you feel like a star for the night, from the paparazzi on the red carpet to the walk of fame. Whether with friends, family or colleagues, you’ll enjoy a premier evening of delicious food and music from the resident DJ. LAS VEGAS CHRISTMAS BALL £38 4th & 5th December Transport yourselves back to the glitz and glamour of the Sands Casino in Las Vegas. Wearing your black ties and ball gowns, you will have the chance to meet some fabulous Vegas girls during the reception and then watch them perform some spectacular dance routines during your sumptuous threecourse gala dinner. Fantastic swing vocalist Gary Grace and his band are followed by a disco and gambling at the casino tables.
NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA DINNER £75 Enjoy the countdown with a magnificent six-course gala dinner, sensational 7 piece live band, resident DJ and casino tables. Black tie and cocktail dresses. Mercure Gloucester BOWDEN HALL Bondend Lane, Upton St Leonards, Glos GL4 8ED Tel: 01452 632 632 E: 077cs@jupiterhotels.co.uk
Quote ‘LOCAL’ when you make a booking
Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall Hotel unveils refurbishment
The splendid Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall Hotel has undergone an extensive refurbishment transforming the listed Georgian hotel. The hotel, which is set in 12 acres of sweeping parkland, unveiled its new look, following the second phase of its refurbishment, on 1st July, with a special event to launch the new look Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall Hotel. The renova*on includes the transforma*on of the historic hotel’s recep*on area as well as the redesign of the Lakeside Suite, designed specifically to cater for people looking for a unique wedding or event venue. The second phase of the refurbishment comes a er new beds with a Kayfoam King Koil ma+ress were implemented across all 72 bedrooms at the stately country hotel at the end of May. The Lakeside Suite reflects the natural beauty of its surroundings decorated with so shades of contemporary greys. The elegant ligh*ng and luxurious textures make this stunning new suite the perfect space for dreamy weddings or extra special events, accommoda*ng up to 180 guests. Newlyweds can delight in the wonderful country views and take advantage of the suite’s own private entrance and bar, as the hotel provides an idyllic roman*c se,ng for their special day. There is also a state of the art sound system, fully air-condi*oned space and private dining available.
Commen*ng on the refurbishment and relaunch, hotel General Manager Gavin Jones said: “We are delighted with this investment and were honoured that the Mayor of Gloucester cut the ribbon to officially relaunch the next chapter of the hotel’s story. We are very proud of the hotel’s heritage and the new design concept a+ributes to this, combining tradi*on with a contemporary edge.” Shane Harris, CEO Jupiter Hotels, added: “The investment demonstrates our commitment to the growth and transforma*on of our por)olio in the UK. Our commitment to these hotels con*nues as we invest and support the development of key hotels across the UK. ”
Interior designer Helen Hooper of HH Interiors, who has previously worked with Jupiter Hotels on renova*on projects across the UK, takes the lead. Helen explained: “We wanted to give the Lakeside Suite a complete refresh and open up the space so we’ve used so dove greys and muted blues to help elevate this. The artwork is quirky and fresh with bu+erfly designs and floral pa+erns. The ceiling now has interchanging led lights to tailor the mood for any occasion.” Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall Hotel is located just three miles from Gloucester and the elegant house showcases exquisite views of its landscaped gardens.
WIN TICKETS!
Wild Food Foraging
Chepstow Racecourse are offering The Local Answer readers a chance to win hospitality at a September meeting. Located in the heart of historic Piercefield Park with breathtaking views of the stunning Wye Valley, Chepstow Racecourse’s welcoming atmospheres and first class facilities will ensure that you have an extremely enjoyable experience. The winners will receive a pair of tickets to enjoy an afternoon of flat racing, as well as dining in Silks Restaurant on Thursday 10th September. They will receive a two course lunch, afternoon tea, admission badges, raceday programme and the table for the afternoon*. For more information please call 01291 622260 or email info@chepstow-racecourse.co.uk. To enter our draw to win a pair of tickets, send your name, address and telephone number to ‘Chepstow Races’, The Local Answer, 1 Ullenwood Court, Cheltenham, GL53 9QS. Alternatively, enter via email by sending your details stating ‘Chepstow Races’ to competitions@thelocalanswer.co.uk. Closing date: Thursday 13th August 2015.
with Steven Hawley
courtesy of Chepstow Racecourse
Purpled fingers probe prickled brambles
*Competition winners buy their own drinks.
Shipton Golf Course “A 9 hole pay & play course in the Heart of the Cotswolds” No need to book – Open every day from 7am until dusk
Family run course offering affordable golf for all Coffee shop and terrace ● Small stock of ‘everyday’ golfing equipment and clothing ● PGA Fellow Professional PGA Approved Establishment available for lessons and advice ●
✁
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Available for corporate days, birthdays and special occasions
Tel: 01242 890237
www.shiptongolf.co.uk
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Follow us on Twitter – ‘Shiptongolf’
Shipton Golf Course
✉
Nr Frogmill, Shipton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 4HT
Page 22
Long grass, once perfect for a game of hide and seek, has been cut and lined up in neat rows to tempt young feet and hands into undoing a farmers hard work. The warm evening sun dresses the sky with a colour palate that only Mother Nature would ever look good in, and insects hum quietly in hedge rows as purpled fingers probe prickled brambles for juicy berries. Some of my fondest memories are set during sunny evenings with family and friends filling our bags or buckets with blackberries, but gone are the days when I would return home with more than I could consume in one sitting. My youthful exuberance when faced with a glut of plump blackberries blinded me to the fact that other creatures depend on them for survival.
Leave the main crop for local wildlife Since human survival amounts to a quick trip to the corner shop, I now only take a couple of handfuls as a little treat while walking the dog. If you do require a large harvest for wine making and such, I encourage you to pick as early in the season as possible (any time from this point onward) leaving the main crop for local wildlife to consume later in the year during the run up to winter. The best way to make use of a small quantity (besides putting them into a crumble) is to mash them up and pack into ice cube trays to add a fruity twist to carbonated beverages. They are rich in vitamin C and vitamin K, a good source of fibre and a really easy way of getting fruit into the tums of even the most devout junk food juvenile. But let's face it, blackberry picking is all about the experience – an excuse to get the family out for the day. If you’re not 100% sure that the plant you’re picking is safe for human consumption, don’t pick it. If you’re prone to food allergies, or pregnant, always seek medical advice before consuming anything foraged in the wild.
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The Local Answer
Interior Design
Create a summerhouse retreat An unlined curtain or blind can help to shield you from the sun, while still letting in enough light for you to work. And if you’re the type to work into the night, a desk lamp is a must-have.
Whether it’s for escaping reality and enjoying the peace and quiet with a good book, or for hosting summer parties with friends and family, a summerhouse is a great environment in which to relax and be close to nature. You can transform your summerhouse into whatever you want – a studio for writing or painting, a gamesroom for the kids, or simply a space to take a breather from gardening. The beauty of summerhouses is you can create any theme you want. If you’re using it for escapism, try capturing the essence of your favourite place – perhaps a beach look with nautical decor, or why not turn it into a tropical hideout with an array of plants and a small water feature. Be inventive and see where your imagination takes you.
Kid’s corner
cushions in floral patterns and either dress the table with a white or cream cloth, or Pastel shades in blue or green have a leave it bare for a more natural look. calming effect, and can be painted with intricate flowers and leaves. Alternatively, An artist’s escape let nature take its course outside with For those creative souls out there, your climbing plants such as wisteria or summerhouse may be your personal Campsis radicans, which displays fantastic studio. Writers, artists and musicians often red flowers in the summer. Windowboxes need a natural environment to be able to with flowers and your favourite herbs will fully express themselves, and can create a lovely scent around the sometimes find inspiration from nature’s summerhouse, and a simple table sights and sounds. As with most masterpieces, you have to decoration of a few garden flowers can be changed every few days to keep a fresh start with a blank canvas. A white room with a simple desk and chair placed next look. Wicker chairs and a folding wooden to a window is a great starting point. From table are ideal furnishings, as they can there you can add books, photos, mood easily be moved outside on sunny days. boards and anything else that will help Accompany the chairs with light coloured your creativity flourish.
Country chic
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Families with young children may decide to build a summerhouse as somewhere to keep memories that children can return to when they are older. Marking children’s heights on a wall as they grow up not only lets you see how fast they grow, but their cousins and friends can join in too – perhaps with a competition as to who will be the tallest by the time they’re a teenager! Pinning up pictures and displaying creations that the kids have made at school is a great way to show them how proud you are of their work – and it’s funny to look back on when their artistic skills may have improved with age. Keeping children’s books and toys in the summerhouse means they have a little retreat too, and it can also be the perfect place to host a birthday party. With fun and games set up in the garden, and food and drink laid out inside, kids will love showing off their summerhouse to their friends. There’s loads of inspiration online and you can keep it as simple or as complicated as you like. Get cracking now and you’ll have plenty of time throughout the summer to enjoy your summerhouse retreat.
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Page 23
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Import Furniture Depot can be found opposite Dunelm in Gloucester. We pride ourselves on the quality and originality of all the furniture we sell. We source the finest furniture at the best prices for all our customers in Gloucestershire. Westgate Retail Park, (Opposite Dunelm) Gloucester, GL1 2RU MON-SAT 9.30am-5.30pm SUN 11am-4pm
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Page 24
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In The Garden with Julia Smith
Brighten up a tired border Most British gardens are usually at their best in the spring and early summer with the lovely colours of bulbs and the freshness of new leaves on the shrubs. By the time it gets to August many gardens have lost their way. If this describes your garden you can do something about it by popping in some annuals from the garden centre. They are full of delicious looking pots of Cosmos, Zinnias and others which will brighten up a tired border. Think about planting some of the later flowering perennials such as Echinacea purpurea (the mauve cone-flower), Rudbeckia (a lovely yellow daisy), and Asters (the good old Michaelmas daisies), which will flower well into autumn and come in colours that look stunning in the early evening light, and early mornings covered in dew. Last year was a
Teenagers can be persuaded to water for pocket money Put any pots of plants into a shady spot if you are away for a few days and stand in something like a paddling pool with an inch or so of water in it to keep them going. Teenage children can be
persuaded to water for pocket money, but to be honest results are mixed! August is the time to tidy up climbing and rambling roses after they have flowered. If they are grown over arches or pergolas they can be a real hazard if their shoots are too long and whipping around in the wind. The shoots should be pliable when they are young and are best trained around supports in a spiral fashion, which encourages the most flowers. The main pruning will be done in February but this is just to keep them under control. Now is the time to prune established fruit cordons, espaliers and fans to help restrict growth, maintain the shape of the tree and promote next year’s fruiting spurs. With clean, sharp secateurs shorten new shoots growing from the trunk or main stems to three leaves. Prune sideshoots growing from established lateral branches to one leaf. Ordinary fruit trees are pruned in the dormant season.
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particularly good year for autumn colour and the Michaelmas daisies in my garden flowered on and on until November! Peg down the runners of strawberries to create new plants either in the ground or into small pots of potting compost such as John Innes No.1. Peg them down using u-shaped bits of wire – wire coat hangers cut up work well. Keep them watered and, when they have rooted, cut the stem holding them to the parent plant and replant in a newly prepared strawberry bed.
Small long established family run business
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Page 27
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Save the Planet with Caroline Bennett
Ancient products and skills worth having Which traditional land use has been happening in England for over 6000 years that many people have never even heard of? The answer is coppicing, and it may also be the answer to some of your sustainable product needs. Coppicing is an ancient method of woodland management carried out not only in England but all around the world. It involves cutting trees down to nearly base level and allowing them to grow back. The process is then repeated 7 to 20 years later, depending on the species of tree. Not all trees can be coppiced –
common species in the UK include hazel, ash, oak, willow, field maple and sweet chestnut.
Providing ideal conditions for forest wildflowers Coppiced woodland is maintained in a rotation of ‘coups’ – an area being actively harvested while others are left to grow. These areas have increased dappled light, which provides the ideal conditions for forest wildflowers such as bluebells, wood anemones and primroses. The stools (the name for coppiced stumps) provide shelter and food for dormice, nightingales, nightjars and insects such as beetles and butterflies. As the coppiced stools grow up the conditions become beneficial for different types of wildlife, but if it is well managed there should be a newly coppiced area ready nearby to replace the habitat that is changing elsewhere. As well as producing valuable habitats, coppiced wood is used to make all sorts of traditional products including besom brooms
Wood-burning Stoves Design, Installation, Servicing, Accessories & Parts
Seasoned Firewood Chimney Sweeping Wood-fired Hot Tubs
and beanpoles, charcoal for your barbeque, firewood for the woodburner, trugs, hay rakes, gates, fencing, hurdles, horse jumps and even yurts. This traditional skill fell out of favour after the Second World War and many coppiced woodlands were neglected or planted up with conifers. There has been a revival of this management technique and now there may be a coppicer not far away from you. Coppice workers make different products depending on the species in their coups and their specialities. To find a local supplier of coppiced products check out the National Coppicing Federation – ncfed.org.uk or coppice-products.co.uk. If you would like to take up coppicing as a land management technique there are many books and places offering courses or volunteering opportunities aimed at passing on these traditional crafts. So why not try your hand at this 6000 year old skill?
£200 worth of firewood
with every full woodburner installation
223 Bath Road, Stroud GL5 3TA STOVES: 01453 700211
FIREWOOD: 01453 702907
www.elcombestoves.co.uk
www.elcombefirewood.co.uk
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Cloudy2Clear Windows – Service With A Smile!
It’s been a crazy few months for Cloudy2Clear Windows. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames – has grown rapidly as homeowners take advantage of their services. Managing Director Paul Spiller feels that it’s all about service: “Our product is simple. If your double glazing is misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 5 year guarantee. But it’s not just
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about saving people money, although that obviously helps. “Many tradespeople have struggled since last year and I honestly feel that during the good times a minority perhaps didn’t focus on customer care as much as they should have done. We make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. I often get comments back from customers on how they really didn’t expect that sort of service which, in a way, is very sad for the service industry as a whole.”
Cloudy2Clear service Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds, and Paul is finding that his approach is a major factor in his success. “The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount
To advertise call 01242 510500
of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated.” So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Paul a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!
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Quick Crossword ACROSS 1 5 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 18 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29
Wily Pen tips Lead-in Brave man On an occasion Lazed Have effect (on) Scalp parasites Oversee Dress ribbons Tropical tree More profound Irritating to the skin Terrace level Cattle prod Run off to marry Old Becomes faster, ... up
DOWN 1 Religious non-belief 2 Local vegetation 3 Extent 4 Sloping typeface 5 Asian food items 6 Tour de France vehicle 12 Wheel tooth 15 Astounding 16 Respected 17 Pilot safety aid, ... seat 19 Beer 20 Long steps 22 Dutch sea walls 23 Golfer’s two under par
W h y n ot u s e t his s pa ce t o a dve rt is e yo u r b u s i n e ss ? For details please get in touch ...
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01242
ANSWER 510500
Abbey Group, Units 23/24, Neptune Business Centre, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham, GL51 9FB
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Sudoku Fill the grids so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.
Money Matters with Roger Downes of Andorran
Summer Budget Wow! Chancellor George Osborne delivered his first Budget without having to worry about coalition partners on 8th July. We knew there would be further announcements regarding pensions and the wellpublicised plan to allow you to pass on the family home, as long as it is worth less than £1 million, to the next generation. But nobody predicted what actually happened. Committed not to raise the standard rates of income tax and VAT, the Chancellor wanted to give some money away, which meant that he needed to raise at least an equivalent amount from other sources. He chose options that none of us saw coming and it seemed to be the small business owner that was the principal target for his attack.
Burden on small businesses One of the ways that the Chancellor has decided to attack the level of benefits that the government is paying is to encourage the lower-paid into work. His latest idea is to increase the burden on small businesses by insisting that everyone is paid a living, rather than a minimum, wage. Admittedly it will be phased in over the next 5 years, but I have been approached already by small business owners worried about whether they will be able to afford the additional costs. They are a resilient bunch – hopefully they will find a way. The second element of his approach to encouraging people into work is to ensure that those on lower wages keep as much of their wages as they possibly can by increasing everyone’s personal allowance. But business owners, who pay themselves a dividend out of their profits, will now pay substantially more tax on those dividends.
Most owner-managers will be rather unhappy with George’s latest offerings
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THE SOLUTION FOR YOUR NEW BATHROOM ... Your local family business
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The Chancellor has long faced a dilemma about how to discourage buy-to-let purchasers from buying up the housing stock that he would like to see in the hands of first-time buyers. In a surprise move he opted to restrict tax relief on mortgage interest for buy-to-let owners. Insurance Premium Tax increased from 6% to 9.5%. Surely this isn’t an indication that he will eventually charge VAT on insurance premiums, is it? Hopefully not, because it will affect all of us. Have you ever added up how many different insurance payments you make every year? There was a little bit of good news for businesses with a small reduction in the rate of Corporation Tax, an extension of the tax relief for equipment purchases and a 50% increase in the national insurance rebate. I can’t help feeling though that most owner-managers will be rather unhappy with George’s latest offering.
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Index of Advertisers FOOD & DRINK Hillside Brewery
HEALTH & BEAUTY 19
NHS Let’s Talk
WHAT’S ON
PROPERTY
CLUBS & SPORTS 19 Cinderford RFC 19 Krazy Golf Lydney Shipton Golf Club 22 EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS Batsford Arboretum 10 Bowden Hall 20-21 CCP – Tadstock 13 Chepstow Racecourse 11 Dean Forest Railway 19 Hot Pot Pottery 19 Perrygrove Railway 19 Prinknash Bird Park 14-15 Richmond Painswick 17 The Handsam Boat Company 10 Waverley Excursions 4 Way2Go Adventures 19
Pittville Property
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HOMES & GARDENS BATHROOMS Severn Vale Bathrooms 33 & 35 BUILDING SERVICES Metalweld 26 Marshalls Driveways 27 CLEANING SERVICES Ecoclean 30 FURNISHING & APPLIANCES DJH Carpet Factory Warehouse 26 Elcombe Fire & Wood 29 Gloucester Carpet Outlet 28 Gloucester Import Furniture 24 Quedgeley Carpets 24 Space Master 26 Thornbury Stairlifts 23
GARDEN SERVICES DW Tree Services HEATING & PLUMBING Pete T Plumbing KITCHENS Granite Transformations TV & AERIALS 1st Choice Aerials WINDOWS & DOORS Albany Windows C&L Windows Cloudy 2 Clear
27 26
PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES Capture this Moment SKIP HIRE & RECYCLING Grimebusters Stevens Recycling
2
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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CARE SERVICES Barnwood Trust Samaritans OFFICE EQUIPMENT Abbey Business Equipment MOTORING SERVICES Westlands Hyundai
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BOOKING DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE – Friday 14th August 2015
Always there if you need us
Call us on Rubbish Removal Skip Hire Alternative Domestic & Commercial info@wemoveanyjunk.com
01452 768703
E GLOUCESTERSHIR
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Albany Windows is a local family business. First and foremost we are installers, which is important because installation is the difficult bit and we are small enough to maintain close control over every job.
But we are big enough to obtain supplies directly from large, high quality manufacturers of PVCu and aluminium windows, doors and conservatories. WINDOW AND DOOR SYSTEMS
Whatever your requirements, we have glazing options for every need and budget, from a single window to a large conservatory. We supply some of Gloucestershire’s leading builders of quality homes with their glazing, but we also carry out double glazing and conservatory repairs and replace misted sealed units.
Registration No: 12011
Registered through: FENSA
We have all the accreditations you could wish for and of course offer a ten year insurance backed guarantee. And, with no long sales pitch or pressure to buy, we make the entire process hassle free from start to finish.
You can’t buy better! So why pay more?
For a free no obligation quotation call 01242 511384
Brand New Showroom Now Open Unit 41, Space Business Centre, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham, GL51 9FL