The Local
Gloucester
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AUGUST 2015
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
The Local
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Gloucester – 42,000 copies Gloucestershire South – 45,000 copies Gloucestershire North – 20,000 copies Forest of Dean – 22,000 copies Cheltenham – 43,000 copies Cotswolds – 28,000 copies
Leonie Euwin Publication Manager – Gloucester
01242 541077 leonie@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Editorial Lois Kingscott editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Helen Kingscott
This month’s magazine is packed full of fun days out for the whole family. Teckels Animal Sanctuary are hosting a fun dog show with lots of classes, games and refreshments. 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. 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. Or why not spend some time in the garden and give your shed a makeover. Our ‘In The Garden’ article has tips on how to brighten up a tired border, while the ‘Interior Design’ feature is full of ideas on how to create a wonderful summerhouse retreat.
Inside this month ...
editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
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Administration & Production Beverley Ellin admin@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Alison Hambling alison@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Accounts Kerry Fell accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Robert Kingscott rob@thelocalanswer.co.uk
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Welcome to August ...
Food & Drink Delicious Dishes Wild Food Foraging Cocktail Time Health, Beauty & Care Wildlife Matters What’s On Leader’s Life Picture Perfect Homes & Gardens Interior Design In the Garden Word Search Quick Crossword Save the Planet Sudoku Gadgets & Gizmos Motoring Money Matters Index, Competitions, Solutions
4 5 6 7 8 13 15 24 26-27 28 31 33 36 39 41 43 45 47 49 50
Competition on pages 16 & 27
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Page 3
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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.
The Edgemoor Inn Freehouse & Restaurant
Late 19th century inn overlooking beau ful panoramic valley views
Tradi onal Cotswold pub offering locally sourced meat, fish and vegetables. Extensive range of home cooked meals served daily – lunch me and evening. Visit our website for full menu. Finest selec on of local real ales.
Edge, Near Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 6ND Tel: 01452 813576 www.edgemoor-inn.com The Local Answer
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Wild Food Foraging with Steven Hawley
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.
Add a fruity twist to carbonated drinks
Purpled fingers probe prickled brambles 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. Since human survival amounts to a quick trip to the corner shop, I now only take a couple of handfuls as a little
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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Country Dining
Amid scenic countryside & lovely gardens
Cocktail Time with Lois Kingscott
Enjoy top quality local meats & poultry, fresh fish & seasonal vegetables Scrumptious homemade desserts
Private Dining Room Ideal venue for parties of all 0ccasions & family/friends get-together - at no hire cost
Three course Sunday Lunch with multi-choice menu £18.50
The Old Rectory Re staurant
Cole sbourne , Che lte nham 01242 870120 www.theoldrectoryrestaurant.co.uk
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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.
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Wildlife Matters with John Bromley
Bumblebees: the epitome of the British summer Of the twenty three bumblebee species found in Britain, most are in decline or ‘at risk’ yet they are the epitome of the British spring and summer with their hairy gold and black striped bodies bumbling noisily from flower to flower. To me the lifecycle of these magnificent creatures is little short of a Greek tragedy. New queen bees leave their nest in the autumn and quickly mate. The mated queens feed heavily before hibernating over winter anywhere they can find shelter. In the spring the new queen bumblebee emerges and feeds to build up her energy before finding a nesting location. She will often choose an old mouse or bird’s nest where she will lay eggs into a mound of
pollen she has collected. The queen has to incubate the eggs until they hatch, often ‘shivering’ her body to generate heat whilst keeping her strength up by drinking from a Most never mate and all males die within store of nectar she will have also collected a few weeks. and stored. Meantime the newly mated queen begins the cycle again, feeding The average lifespan varies bumblebee before hibernating over winter. The original from fourteen to forty days queen and any remaining worker bees will Once the first generation of eggs hatch not survive the winter. the queen forages on nearby flowers The average lifespan of a worker collecting pollen and nectar to feed the bumblebee varies from fourteen to forty grubs for about two weeks until they days depending on the species. With a full pupate and hatch into female worker bees. stomach of nectar a worker bee can fly for These worker bees assume nest duties about forty minutes, but they become so such as cleaning and guarding, whilst preoccupied with supplying the nest they others forage for pollen and nectar to feed sometimes forget to feed themselves. the next generation of grubs which turn Therefore, if you find a grounded into yet more female bumblebee in your garden looking a bit worker bumblebees. dazed and confused it has probably run out From this point on the of energy or got cold following a sudden original queen will not change in weather leave her nest again. You can sometimes revive these bees by Later in the season popping a few drops of sugar or honey the queen lays different dissolved in water onto a piece of card eggs, some of which within close range of the bee, but be hatch into the next careful not to get any liquid onto the bee. generation of queen If the bee feeds, then after about five bees and others into minutes it will recover and be on its way male bees. The male again. If the bee has ragged looking wings bumblebees leave the it is probably beyond help due to ‘old age’. nest first but do not If the bee raises its middle legs and turns collect pollen – they it ‘bum’ toward you it is agitated and simply feed on nectar should be left alone. Bumblebees very whilst hoping to mate. rarely sting but better safe than sorry!
Professional care for your pet in ‘state of the art’ facilities Air Conditioning • Underfloor Heating • Agility Gym • Field Walks
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bjkennelscattery@btconnect.com
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Page 13
James Hook opens 8th branch for The Property Centre Gloucester fly-half James Hook took time out of pre-season training to officially open The Property Centre’s new branch in Abbeymead. With the Rugby World Cup now less than 10 weeks away, Hook, who’s been capped 77 times for Wales, had his place recently confirmed in the Welsh World Cup Training Squad, so the talk was as much about tactics and tries as it was about property. The opening of its new Abbeymead office follows hot on the heels of its new branch in Cheltenham and marks The Property Centre’s continuing growth and success. As one of the top-selling and top-lettings agents in the area, The Property Centre now employs more than 100 people across its 8 branches and head office.
“Achieving outstanding prices for our vendors” The new office covers Abbeymead, Abbeydale, Coopers Edge, Upton St. Leonards, Matson and Coney Hill, and the team have already got off to a flying start, taking 30 new instructions in its first 4 weeks and with 16 properties going under offer! “Having an office located in the heart of Abbeymead shows our commitment to the local property market and we’re keen to play a major role in the community”, said Alex Diett, Manager of
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(L-R) Simon Trippett (Sales Director), Luke Kell, Sue Piranty, James Hook, Paulina Wanat, Alex Diett (Branch Manager)
the new Abbeymead Branch. “We were proud to support the recent Abbeymead Rovers Football Tournament, and are pleased to be sponsoring the Abbeymead Under 12’s team”. “The property market here in the Abbeymead area is exceptionally buoyant”, continued Alex. “My team is not only agreeing sales quickly, but as experienced negotiators, we’re achieving outstanding prices for our vendors – in some instances significantly over the asking price! Coupled with our extensive marketing and dedicated sales progression service, we strive to make the process of selling your home as enjoyable as possible”. The Property Centre Abbeymead can be found at 4 Mead Road, Abbeymead GL4 5GL. To find out how The Property Centre can help you, call 01452 888088 or email Abbeymead@thepropertycentres.co.uk.
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The Local Answer
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. 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 passport. Price included in admission. 9.30am-5.30pm. Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire GL2 7BT. 01453 891223. EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY FITNESS & SELF DEFENCE TRAINING Lose weight, increase stamina, feel stronger, self control and defence without aggression. Tuesdays 7-8pm – Gloucester Deaf Association Community Centre, Colin
The Local Answer
Road, Barnwood, GL4 3JL. Thursdays 7.158.15pm – All Saints’ Academy (Gym/Studio), Blaisdon Way, Cheltenham GL51 0WH. proteksfitness.com. 0776 210 1938. EVERY THURSDAY NORTH GLOS BRITISH SUB AQUA CLUB Gloucester Leisure Centre GL1 at 8pm. A friendly club made up of people of all ages and walks of life with scuba diving as our common interest. Come along and take one of our “TRY DIVES” at £15 or buy a “TRY DIVE” voucher as a gift for someone you know. For more information contact Dave Phillips on 07979 227876 or email enquiries@nglos.co.uk EVERY SATURDAY COME AND PLAY FOR BROCKWORTH ALBION
ALL WELCOME – both girls and boys. Chartered standard club, qualified coaches, both league and friendly matches. Meet new friends and play regular football. Contact Gary via e-mail-gnorris@glos.ac.uk or 01452 551789. We start again on the 22nd August 2015. It would be good to see you! www.pitchero.com/clubs/brockworthalbion
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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 entrance fee. 10am-5pm. Batsford Arboretum and Garden Centre, Moreton-inMarsh GL56 9QB. 01386 701441. 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.
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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. 7.30pm (matinees Weds, Thurs and Sat 2.30pm). From £11.90. The Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade BS1 4UZ. 0844 871 3012. 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 3000km 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 as part of a series of 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. 11 AUGUST CARDUCCI QUARTET Recognised as one of today’s most exciting young string quartets, performing over 90 concerts worldwide each year. 7.45pm. £15 (£10). Prince Michael Hall, The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 13 AUGUST MAKE SOME NOISE The Brewery will come alive with music from local, young talented performers, produced by the Rock Foundry. Meet your local emergency service teams who will give advice, hold quizzes and allow youngsters to climb aboard their vehicles. Kids can test out their climbing skills on the climbing wall. www.thebrewerycheltenham.co.uk. 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.
VINYL RECORDS VINYL WANTED
Local buyer pays cash for your unwanted LP’s, EP’s & 45’s. Most 60’s, 70’s 80’s records considered, large or small collections. Prog, Psych, Punk, Heavy Rock, New Wave especially wanted. e-mail lists to: willowpitch@blueyonder.co.uk 01242 702947 or 07785 515987
Pro m ot e y ou r e ve nt t h rou g h out Glou ce st e rs hi re
21 AUGUST CHARITY GOLF DAY Come and have some fun and raise money for Cotswold Riding for the Disabled at the same time. 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. 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.
WIN TICKETS! courtesy of Chepstow Racecourse
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. *Competition winners buy their own drinks.
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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.
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. 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. 12 SEPTEMBER 20TH NEWENT ONION FAYRE Featuring live music, street entertainers, dancing, animal displays, fairground rides,
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 Page 20
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. 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.
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 ● ●
✁
24 AUGUST THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW The UK’s No1 Tribute, fronted by respected singer/songwriter Clive John, with The Spirit Band, re-create with astounding accuracy and truly capture the essence of what it was like to be at a real Cash show! 7.30pm. From £20. The Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, BS1 4UZ. 0844 871 3012. www.atgtickets.com. 27 AUGUST GUIDE DOG DAY Bring your family along to meet the puppy walkers and pet the puppies. There will be a sensory tunnel to take a blindfold walk through and to test your senses. Meet the Guide Dog Mascot and watch out for the demonstrations. www.thebrewerycheltenham.co.uk. 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. Join a thrill-a-minute, 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.
Available for corporate days, birthdays and special occasions
Tel: 01242 890237
www.shiptongolf.co.uk
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Nr Frogmill, Shipton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 4HT
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‘Gloucestershire’s largest
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Get y o u r tic k et s n o w – be fo re t h e y a ll g o!
Tickets available from www.newentonionfayre.net or in Cobblers or Gooch Sports in Newent Tickets £20. Children under 14 free (conditions apply - check website)
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
Leader’s Life with Councillor Paul James
Everybody working together The future is looking brighter for Kings Square – and not just in the years to come, but in the months ahead. Contractors are currently on-site replacing the tired, cracked and aging paving along Kings Walk from Subway to the covered area and in front of Costa and Iceland. Following on from that, a new toilet block will be installed in early September. Other improvements such as painting walls and street furniture will also take place.
Businesses are investing Kings Square had been on a downward spiral for years after its award-winning 1970s design didn’t stand the test of time. But in recent years its fortunes have started to turn around. The “bearpit” toilets have been filled in and replaced with a grassed area, and the infamous Golden Egg was acquired by the Council and demolished last year. Aviva, the owner of Kings Walk shopping centre, have been doing their bit too – repainting the upper levels of their buildings and bringing in new retailers like The Entertainer. Businesses are investing as well. Jane’s Pantry has doubled the size of their unit, and The Chambers pub has had a £200,000 refurbishment. The Chambers occupies part of Kings House, which is now owned by the Council. The upper levels have been empty for years but we have exciting plans to bring them back into use.
Our city centre can be successful Another project which will improve the Square is the Rugby World Cup commemoration bench. Carved by the Cathedral Stonemasons, the bench will be paid for by crowdfunding – people or businesses can buy an engraved brick paver to go alongside the bench for £100 for a single or £200 for a double – see www.crowdfunder.co.uk/Gloucester2015. The first major event to take place after the repaving works are finished is the Gloucester Goes Retro Festival on 29th and 30th August. A retro market will take place in Kings Square, with each of the gate streets adopting a decade and being lined with classic cars, while businesses also join in the fun. It should be a great event and will show how our city centre can be successful with a bit of investment and everybody working together. t: 01452 384051
Page 24
e:paul.james@gloucester.gov.uk
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PICTURE FRAMING and BOOK SHOP Est 1987
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Voted ‘Best Value in Gloucestershire’ by Fore Magazine Arguably the best Clubhouse in Gloucestershire
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The Local Answer
FABULOUS EVENTS at
Hallmark Hotel Gloucester
GLOUCESTER
CURRY & A DRINK
EVERY THURSDAY IN AUGUST
Christmas bookings now being taken £10.00 per person pre-booking advised
MURDER MYSTERY NIGHT Friday 18th September
Join us for dinner and witness the drama unfold before your eyes. Interrogate the suspects as they mingle, while you try and get to the bottom of the crime. Only £30.00 per person to include three course dinner and welcome drink
from as little as £19.99 Discount available for selective party nights booked before 31st August
WEDDING FAYRE Sunday 20th September
Why not pop along and view the fabulous hotel along with a number of suppliers from 11am-3pm Complimentary drink and goodie bag on arrival – Free entry
Hallmark Hotel Gloucester, Matson Lane, Robinswood Hill, Gloucester GL4 6EA
01452 525 653 gloucester.events@hallmarkhotels.co.uk www.hallmarkhotels.co.uk
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
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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
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 31
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Each structure is custom built to your own requirements – perhaps to fit a corner of the garden or a difficult location.
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Unit D, Sudmeadow Road, Hempsted, Gloucester GL2 5HG
Garden Sheds, Summerhouses, Home Offices, Garages, Workshops, Site Huts, Stables, Kennels, Aviaries, Pavilions or any large timber buildings! Page 32
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The Local Answer
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
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.
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
JOE & JAMIE
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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01452 500942 or 07724 159342 To advertise call 01242 510500
CHOSEN LAWNMOWER SERVICES SERVICING & REPAIR of all domestic lawnmowers Mower collection and delivery For a reliable, friendly service please call Graham
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P C Z V P E P Y R N R G N S D P S J X W E K W S
H Q N H P M T I Q G E Q I F C A C L W P G L N J
Y N A L C S G A X T G F Z T S O H D O S Q Z Z Q
A N O P T J O U H I B C B R W O I A T I N X J I
T W G F T R A V E L N Z Y P H T Z N Q K Y A D H
G H I C U Z S O Z W X K O E G A Q T F E U F K Y
A R B E Z R O J O A W I L D E B E E S T B C B E
Safari ADVENTURE BINOCULARS BUFFALO CAMERA CHEETAH CROCODILE ELEPHANT GAZELLE GIRAFFE
HIPPOPOTAMUS HYENA JEEP JOURNEY LEOPARD LION MONKEY OSTRICH RHINOCEROS
SAFARI SNAKE SPRINGBOK TIGER TRAVEL WILDEBEEST ZEBRA
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ADVERTISEMENT
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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using code EC10
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Gloucester Import s ct u d ro p ty Quali Furniture great prices! Depot
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ll sma e with b o r ail wardelfs & r 0 sh 259.0 £
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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
Telephone 01452 524545
www.importfurnituredepot.co.uk
To advertise call 01242 510500
Page 39
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
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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
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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?
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HOME CARE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE A local family run business that just love the jobs you simply can’t manage
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144 Finlay Road Gloucester GL4 6TF Tel: (Gloucester) 01452 307413 Tel: (Cheltenham) 01242 649642 Mob: 07970 547277 Email: info@grpelectricalltd.co.uk www.grpelectricalltd.co.uk
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ecoclean
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ltd
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To advertise call 01242 510500
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Gadgets & Gizmos with Dan Wood
Brighten up your morning routine SodaStream In recent years the SodaStream seems to have made a comeback and now they are again commonplace in most supermarkets and homeware stores. Sales are no doubt helped with the arrival of warmer weather and the desire for that freshly made, cool carbonated drink. The SodaStream is a fun kitchen item for all the family to use and is simple to operate. For an average price of £3540 the product requires quick and easy installation of the CO2 cannister, which
sits inside and is accessed by pressing the button to the front and sliding the product apart. There are numerous flavours to choose from including lemonade, rootbeer, apple, cola and dandelion and burdock. Having inserted the water filled cannister, just press the front pad to bring on the bubbles and add your chosen flavour. A fun product with plenty of choice that I continue to use and enjoy.
Bluetooth Shower Speaker The summer theme continues and what better than a cool shower after a day in the sun. The Bluetooth Shower Speaker from Gadgetinspector.co.uk means you can now take your music with you and sing along to the sound of your favourite tracks at the same time. For £19.99 this item comes with a USB charging cable and instructions. The speaker is splash proof and
Female Plumber
simple to connect to your device via bluetooth. The sound quality is good and volume can be raised right up to be heard over the noise of the shower. Play, pause and skip buttons mean you maintain control without diving in and out with wet hands. The speaker attaches simply to your shower wall tiles via the rear sucker pad and is easy to remove. Bluetooth connectivity is good and the range is plenty if your device is in the next room. You can also answer phone calls and have a hands free conversation while in the bathroom, meaning you don’t need to miss that important call that always comes when you jump in the shower. A handy product for a reasonable price that’ll brighten up the morning routine!
Kerry Baker
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To advertise call 01242 510500
Page 45
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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 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 precise-feeling fivespeed 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.
Distributors Required For a few hours each month in the following areas:
Abbeydale, Abbeymead, Brockworth, Churchdown, Barnwood, Hucclecote, Longlevens, Quedgeley, Highnam Each round is made up of 150-400 copies per month. The rate of pay is 6 pence/copy. Depending on property types, our current team of people average between 100-150 copies/hour (equivalent to £6-£9/hour). Magazines are delivered to Distributors’ homes towards the end of each month and we expect deliveries to be completed within four days between the hours of 7am and 9pm. You must be 13+ years old, flexible, reliable and sufficiently physically fit to perform the duties.
For details call Debbie on 01242 541075 or email distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk The Local Answer
To advertise call 01242 510500
Page 47
We will beat any like for like quote Free design and planning service Call now to book a free survey T: 01452 523068 Unit 4, Woodrow Way, Gloucester GL2 5DX www.benchmarxkitchens.co.uk
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HUCCLECOTE ACCOUNTING & TAXATION SERVICES Se lf Ass es s me n t ta x r e t u rn s So l et r ad er / pa r tn er s h ip ac c o u n t s Li m it ed Co m p an y ac c o u n t s an d ta x r e t u rn s Bo o k k eep i n g a n d v a t re tu r n s P a y r o ll a n d C IS a s si s ta n c e
ACCA
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Hucclecote Accounting and Taxation Services (HATS for short) offers a wholly individual approach to accountancy and taxation services. Our staff are patient, professional and friendly and they offer a taxation service that’s tailored to your needs. That means you get all the experience of the HATS team of Chartered and Chartered Certified Accountants; there’s always someone on hand to help. We offer a bespoke accounting service, based on your precise requirements; you can have as much or little help as you need.
Plain English Best of all, you get a ‘plain English’ approach to accountancy. No accountant’s shorthand; just plenty of common sense advice and assistance on all manner of accountancy services. Taxation really doesn’t have to be taxing!
Free initial consultation Even if you’re not sure what accountancy service you need, just contact us and take advantage of HATS’ free initial consultation. www.hatsgloucester.co.uk
Page 48
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1st Choice
Aerial & Satellites
Digital Aerial Installations Upgrades and Repairs
10% off with this advert Mark Hawkes
Tel: 01452 311511
FULL HEATING SYSTEMS BOILER REPLACEMENTS POWER FLUSHING COOKERS AND FIRES INSTALLED ANNUAL SERVICING
SELF ASSESSMENT TAX RETURNS Licenced Bookkeeping Services for Sole Traders including VAT/CIS. Competitive Rates and Free Initial Consultation. Telephone Nicola on
NJH
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N J H
Bookkeeping Services
njhbookkeeping@gmail.com
LANDLORDS SAFETY CHECKS BATHROOMS AND EN-SUITES GENERAL PLUMBING ALL WORK GUARANTEED FREE QUOTATIONS
Call Adam on 07890 390220 or visit: www.a-m-nelmesheating.co.uk
ACCREDITED
STEVENS RECYCLING Domestic and Industrial Skips
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 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.
To advertise call 01242 510500
Page 49
Index of Advertisers FOOD & DRINK Hillside Brewery So Thai The Coach House Fish Bar The Edgemoor Inn The Old Rectory Tiger’s Eye
27 4 6 5 7 4
WHAT’S ON CLUBS & SPORTS Cinderford RFC Krazy Golf Lydney Rodway Hill Golf Course Shipton Golf Course EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS Batsford Arboretum Bowden Hall CCP – Tadstock Chepstow Racecourse Dean Forest Railway Hallmark Hotels Hot Pot Pottery Newent Onionfest Perrygrove Railway Prinknash Bird Park Way2Go Adventures
Soundhouse The Vision Centre Vinyl Records
24 8 16
HEALTH & BEAUTY Bicko’s Bike Shack Deano’s Mobile Barber Ho & Co Hairdressing NHS Let’s Talk
8 8 9 9
PROPERTY & STORAGE 27 27 24 20 20 18-19 17 15 27 25 27 21 27 22-23 27
RETAIL Ableworld Bell Tools Geoff Cook Picture Framing Hudson & Co. Sports
10 34 24 8
Park Home Life The Property Centre
14 14 & 52
HOMES & GARDENS BATHROOMS Severn Vale Bathrooms 51 BUILDING SERVICES BE Rudman 28 Elite Loft Ladders 48 Ermin Plant 28 G Kelly Plastering 50 Glosbuild 34 Home Care Property Maintenance 43 Marshalls Driveways 32 Roofing & Building Solutions 28 Tiles R Russ 50 CARPENTRY Rhodes Carpentry 48 CLEANING SERVICES Ecoclean 39 & 43 Oven Busters 50 The Oven and Range Cleaning 7
ELECTRICAL SERVICES Cleevely Electrics GRP Electrical Steve Holland Electrical FURNISHING & APPLIANCES Chosen Curtains Gloucester Carpet Outlet Gloucester Import Depot Interior Needs Linda’s Blinds Sapphire Carpets Space Master GARDEN SERVICES Challenge Fencing Chosen Lawnmowers DW Tree Services Joe & Jamie Glos Gardening Services Mark Clifford Landscapes Master Sheds HANDYMAN SERVICES Safe Style Home Improvements HEATING & PLUMBING A.M Nelmes Drain Doctor KB Female Plumber Pete T Plumbing KITCHENS Benchmarx Kitchens & Joinery Granite Transformations Hatherley Worktops
28 43 48 31 35 39 30 31 44 44 32 33 32 33 32 32 32 43 49 41 45 45 48 2 34
TV & AERIAL 1st Choice Aerials Bullock Bros WINDOWS & DOORS Albany Windows C&L Windows Clearway Doors & Windows Cloudy 2 Clear Emperor Windows Glassfix Glazing
49 45 40 29 42 37 38 33
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CARE SERVICES Barnwood Trust The Order of St John Care Trust COMPUTER SERVICES Call Rich LEGAL & FINANCE HATS NJH Bookkeeping MOTOR SERVICES Westlands Hyundai PET SERVICES BJ Luxury Kennels & Cattery Teckels Animal Sanctuary PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES Capture this Moment SKIP HIRE & RECYCLING Grimebusters Stevens Recycling
11 9 36 48 49 46 13 12 27 41 49
PUZZLE SOLUTIONS R D S H E E E J E B F J D C E D U D E E L A Q Y
COMPETITION WINNERS Thanks to all who took part in our July 2015 competition and congratulations to the winner: Picture Perfect – BeefEater Barbeque – Peter Nenadic of Cheltenham.
F C W I L M L B D T A Y K E F P S R M G N V X M
F T K P L O Z I D K S E Z D K I M P O E E H M V
B V X P N N F S D L V N E G N Y M G Y R V E W V
U I J O S K M V R O Y R Z U X B J H U C H R V O
F Q N P D E X M C C C U W U U I B I G W T B H S
F E H O V Y N H R X R O D K O B G N I R P S U T
A E S T C C X M Q M U J R R K P L U J O F U V R
L Z H A A U G A Z E L L E C A P Q H U X E O K I
O C C M F R L K E D D Q Y H K P V C T J R H E C
X F E U K A X A E N Y P M C T Q O G W O U D L H
J R S S Y B R S R K C S R N X D F E R I T R D G
A X F X T U R I B S T D Z V L S N X L G N R Z M
R H I N O C E R O S F I E R K A Z N Z Q E Z I H
D N C P P J L E T W W F L P T M M H I B V F N B
N K I H F X L C W R F P I D J U I O A I D M J Z
U T A V E E B B P A E R O T V N C R L G A E O W
P C Z V P E P Y R N R G N S D P S J X W E K W S
H Q N H P M T I Q G E Q I F C A C L W P G L N J
Y N A L C S G A X T G F Z T S O H D O S Q Z Z Q
A N O P T J O U H I B C B R W O I A T I N X J I
T W G F T R A V E L N Z Y P H T Z N Q K Y A D H
G H I C U Z S O Z W X K O E G A Q T F E U F K Y
A R B E Z R O J O A W I L D E B E E S T B C B E
COMPETITION RULES 1 Prizes are as stated and no cash or prize alternative will be offered. 2 Employees of The Local Answer and their families or households are not eligible to enter. 3 The first correct entry drawn at random after the closing date will win the prize as stated. 4 The winner will be notified by telephone after the closing date has passed. 5 The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 6 Entrants must be over 18 years, unless stated. 7 Proof of posting is not regarded as proof of receipt of entry. 8 The Local Answer accepts no responsibility for the provision of the prize, which remains at all times the full responsibility of the prize donor(s). 9 By entering any competition you agree to have your name published in the next issue of The Local Answer should you be drawn as a winner of the prize. 10 By entering any competition you agree to have your details passed to a third party.
BOOKING DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE – Friday 14th August 2015
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Tel: 01452 223 063 or 0800 8818 423 For more information please visit the website @
www.ovenbusters-cheltenham.co.uk
t i l es
R russ
Professional Wall and Floor Tiling Service All aspects of tiling undertaken
COOKER OR OVEN NOT WORKING?
For a reliable friendly service please call Russ on 01452 721717
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www.fix-my-oven.co.uk
KITCHENS ◆ BATHROOMS ◆ CONSERVATORIES 07914 307625