Forest of Dean by The Local Answer

The Local

Forest of Dean

ANSWER

22,000 DELIVERED

YOUR FAVOURITE, MOST USEFUL MAGAZINE

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DECEMBER 2015

EATING OUT EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS HEALTH & BEAUTY HOLIDAYS & TRAVEL PROPERTY HOMES & GARDENS SERVICES PETS SHORT WALKS RECIPES VOUCHERS COMPETITIONS MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE FROM THE LOCAL ANSWER TEAM

The Local

ANSWER

Forest of Dean – 22,000 copies Gloucester – 42,000 copies Gloucestershire South – 45,000 copies Gloucestershire North – 20,000 copies Cheltenham – 43,000 copies Cotswolds – 28,000 copies

Sara Sheperia Publication Manager – Forest of Dean

01242 541076 sara@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Editorial Lois Kingscott

Welcome to December ... The big day is nearly here and if you’re starting to panic about getting everything done in time, why not use our Countdown to Christmas Advent calendar to help you check off your list of things to do. If you’re heading out with friends for a festive tipple one evening, check out our fashion article for some tips on looking fabulous this Christmas season. Alternatively, if you’re entertaining throughout December, have a go at making our Delicious DIsh – an extra fruity mincemeat, apple and cranberry lattice tart! For parents struggling to think of gift ideas for their children, why not sponsor one of the ponies at Cotswold Riding for the Disabled? Have a look at our What’s On section for great days out for the whole family including Christmas markets, fayres, shows and parties!

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Helen Kingscott

Inside this month ...

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Distribution Robert Kingscott – 01242 541071 distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Administration & Production Beverley Ellin admin@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Alison Hambling alison@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Accounts Kerry Fell accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk

1 Ullenwood Court, Ullenwood, Gloucestershire GL53 9QS

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Wild Food Foraging 4 Delicious Dishes 5 Cocktail Time 8 Style & Fashion 9 Medical Health 11 What’s On 12 Countdown to Christmas 18-19 Motoring 23 Interior Design 25 In the Garden 27 Word Search 28 Sudoku 31 Quick Crossword 32 Save the Planet 33 Index, Competitions, Solutions 34

Competition on page 17

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Page 3

Wild Food Foraging with Steven Hawley

Hairy Bittercress As once fresh fruit festers forlornly on the branch and dead leaves squelch underfoot, you might be forgiven for thinking that there couldn’t possibly be anything left alive in these colder months worth foraging. For the most part there isn’t. Local wildlife will have been furiously piling on the pounds in the run up to winter for that very reason. But there is always something hardy enough to be found which can add a little twist to your meals. In the case of Hairy Bittercress, you might not even have to venture further than your own garden. This tenacious weed is often smuggled into your flower boarders via shop bought compost and plants, and once established can be a nightmare to eradicate. So if you’re a keen gardener and curse whenever you see it, why not make a little treat from the harvest of an afternoon spent weeding. Similar in taste to rocket, it makes an interesting flavoured pesto.

Perfect for spreading on toast There are plenty of recipes online for pesto – simply substitute the basil or rocket in the recipe for the Hairy Bittercress and get creative! Here is a simple pesto recipe that should keep in the fridge for about a week. Add 15-20 washed Hairy Bittercress ‘rosettes’, 2 tablespoons of good quality olive oil, 1 garlic clove, the juice of a lemon, a handful of grated Parmesan and a good pinch of salt, pepper and sugar to a blender and pulse while adding a little dribble of olive oil at a time until you have the desired consistency for your intended use. Hey pesto! One small batch perfect for spreading on toast or adding to a simple pasta dish. 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. Page 4

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Delicious Dishes with Helen Kingscott

Mincemeat, apple and cranberry lattice tart If mince pies are too traditional for you, why not try this extra fruity dessert alternative – perfect for serving at a festive dinner party. Ingredients: Flour for dusting your work surface; 500g puff pastry; 2 Granny Smiths apples, peeled, cored and diced; 140g fresh cranberries (or frozen and defrosted); ½ tsp cinnamon; ½ tsp mixed spice; 1 tbsp golden caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling; zest ½ lemon; 411g jar mincemeat; 1 egg, beaten; whipped cream or brandy cream to serve. Method: 1 Heat oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6 and put a baking sheet in to heat up. Lightly flour a work surface, roll out the puff pastry to a 30x45cm rectangle, then put on a sheet of baking parchment. Mix the apples and cranberries, then add the cinnamon, mixed spice, sugar, lemon zest and mincemeat, and mix again. 2 Arrange the pastry in front of you with a short edge nearest to you. Spread the mincemeat mixture in a line down the centre, about 12cm wide, leaving 2cm of pastry at the top and bottom. 3 To create the lattice pattern, start at the top of the pastry and cut a 1.5-2cm wide horizontal strip of pastry on both sides of the mincemeat filling (so it is still attached next to the filling). About 1.5cm in from the filling, cut out a 0.5cm strip of pastry and remove this, then cut another 1.5–2cm strip (you’re creating a pattern like the teeth of a comb). Repeat this method

until you get to the bottom of the pastry. You’ll need to cut out the final strip and remove this. 4 Fold the top and bottom flaps of pastry up and over the filling. Fold the strips of pastry diagonally over the filling, starting from the top until you reach the bottom, creating a lattice pattern. You can now chill the tart for up to two days, or freeze for up to two months if not using straight away. 5 Brush the tart with the egg and sprinkle with the extra sugar. Using the baking parchment, transfer the tart to the hot baking tray. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown on top (add an extra 10-15 minutes if baking from frozen). Leave to cool for five minutes before serving with cream of your choice.

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Want to help the young and vulnerable? ... volunteer as an Appropriate Adult If you are interested in the criminal justice system, or want to help children or vulnerable adults with mental health issues and learning difficulties, then this role is perfect for you. A quarter of a million vulnerable people are not being supported by an Appropriate Adult (AA) while in police custody, according to a report from the National Appropriate Adult Network. The report blamed a lack of awareness and a shortage of trained AAs. This is a critical safeguard in our justice system that arose, in part, due to vulnerable people confessing to crimes they did not commit.

Dedicating resources

Under the remit of ‘improving the lives of children, young people, families and vulnerable adults’, local charity County Community Projects (CCP) is dedicating resources, time and energy to train people to become Appropriate Adults. The role will include attending the newly-built custody suite at Waterwells, Quedgeley, where you will attend police interviews alongside the vulnerable person, ensuring they are conducted in a proper and fair manner. You will also ensure that the detainee’s welfare is safeguarded and that they fully understand their legal rights and entitlements. All AAs receive training accredited through the National Appropriate Adult Network. This will enable you to work safely in the role with

confidence. Shadowing support is offered for your first time out – to help induct you fully into the role. Once trained, you will be placed on a flexible rota system that allows you to choose your availability and, if you are available and an AA is required, you’ll receive a call from the AA Co-ordinator requesting your assistance.

Hugely rewarding experience

John Thornhill retired as an AA after 21 years and received the prestigious Community Service award from Chief Constable Suzette Davenport. John said: “It has been a hugely rewarding experience, as well as fascinating. I have served and supported vulnerable people in over 2,750 cases. It was a new world for me – I had never been in a police custody suite before I started. I loved the role and if I helped just one youngster back on to the straight and narrow, then it was worth it.”

To apply to be a fully trained Volunteer Appropriate Adult, you must be: G G G G

Aged 18 or over Able to commit yourself to an on-call rota to suit your availability Have good verbal and communication skills Able to establish and maintain good working relationships with a range of different individuals including the detained person, Police Officers, Social Workers, Solicitors and other representatives from statutory and voluntary agencies.

Interested? For details please contact

Kim Tredwell – Senior AA Co-ordinator Email Kim.Tredwell@ccprojects.org.uk or call 01242 228999 for an informal chat The Local Answer

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Ap p ro p ri a t e Ad u l t National

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Cocktail Time with Lois Kingscott

Experienced stylists and therapists

HAIR TREATMENTS From colours to cuts - we know how important your beautiful barnet is. A RANGE OF BEAUTY TREATMENTS We can beautify your body from head to toe, from a hot stone massage – to the perfect gel polish. Tanya, Hair Stylist: 07823 887349 tanya.therapies@gmail.com

Mai Tai If you’re looking for a cocktail to whisk you away to a tropical paradise now the nights are drawing in and the weather is getting colder, the Mai Tai is the drink for you. The Mai Tai was supposedly invented in 1944 at Trader Vic’s restaurant in Oakland, California. He created the drink one afternoon for friends who were visiting from Tahiti. Carrie Guild – one of Vic’s guests – tasted the cocktail and exclaimed “Maita’i roa ae”, which is translated literally as “very good” or figuratively as “out of this world! The best!” Don the Beachcomber – Trader Vic’s rival – claimed creation of the cocktail in 1933 at his then-new bar named after himself (later a famous restaurant) in Hollywood. His recipe is more complicated than that of Vic’s and has a very different taste. Ingredients: 50ml dark rum; 15ml orange curacao; 10ml fresh lime juice; 60ml almond syrup; ice; wedge of lime and a chunk of pineapple to garnish. Method: 1 Put the ice in a cocktail shaker and add rum, orange curacao, lime juice and almond syrup. 2 Shake well and strain the drink into a tall glass with fresh ice. 3 Garnish with a wedge of lime and a chunk of pineapple.

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY Why not have a Mocktail? For a non-alcoholic alternative, mix 90ml orange juice, 25ml lime juice, 1 teaspoon fine sugar, 1 tablespoon almond syrup and 10ml grenadine. Strain over ice and garnish with lime and pineapple. Page 8

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Style & Fashion with Sophie Perry

Get your Christmas wardrobe ready Party season is upon us, with so many occasions from after work drinks and family affairs to New Year’s Eve celebrations! Here are a few tips to get your Christmas wardrobe ready. Christmas is a great time to revive pieces from the year before. Fabrics and trends tend to repeat themselves so be resourceful and mix the old with the new. Shiny pretty things tend to fill our festive wardrobes, so pull out any sequinned, sparkly, diamanté adorned items! catwalks it will undoubtedly trickle Fellas – what was once deemed Colourful jewels and eye- down the fashion chain to high uncool is now right on trend, so if in street stores this month. doubt think novelty Christmas wear! catching diamanté The Christmas jumper is a classic This Christmas is all about piece suitable for all merry occasions embellished footwear. There is a big and will transform any outfit into a focus on flat ballet pumps encrusted festive hit! For something more with colourful jewels and eyesubtle, accessorise with playful catching diamanté. The low heeled printed socks. boot showered in glitter is also back Twill, buffalo and tartan – wear with a simple monochrome This year’s staple piece has to be dress or jumpsuit. If you can’t afford the check shirt. High street stores a new pair of shoes, invest in some including Topman and River Island fun sparkly socks. A cheap trick to have a wide selection in store, update your winter wardrobe is to selling a variety of colours and prints team them with platformed sandals with twill, buffalo and tartan checks. from the summer. For those spontaneous after work Wear with rolled up slim fit jeans and For an alternate look this winter the women’s tux is a must – with Christmas drinks keep some festive suede desert boots for a casual look. For something a little smarter, Topshop Unique designers, amongst sparkly earrings on hand. With a others, showcasing this in recent touch of lipstick and some metallic wear a soft cotton shirt, tailored eye shadow, your workwear can skinny trousers and tasseled loafers. quickly be transformed from day to night. This year’s must have jacket is the velvet blazer. Trending in both men’s and women’s wear, this is an easy wearing piece that will add texture and interest to any outfit, plus it is super versatile. Men can wear it as part of a suit or over a roll neck jumper with patent Dr. Marten shoes. For women this cover up essential can be worn with anything from a floor length dress or smart trousers, to jeans and a tee. The Local Answer

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Page 9

Medical Health with Holly Prince

Common cold or influenza? Many people – myself included until recently – think that flu is similar to having a bad cold. However, this is not the case. Flu is caused by a different sort of virus to the common cold and it is more serious because, if complications occur, it can lead to bronchitis, pneumonia, or even death. Seasonal flu usually begins in the autumn months of September to November, with most cases occurring between December and March. Flu can affect anyone, including people in good health, and 15-20% of UK population are affected each year. People most at risk include pregnant women, people over 65, and those with diabetes – people with major illnesses affecting vital organs (e.g. kidney disease) are also at risk. Flu is contagious and is spread through coughing and sneezing, and touching infected surfaces such as door

handles and taps. Use disposable tissues and wipe surfaces with disinfectant to reduce the risk of other people catching the virus.

The effects may last for a couple of weeks As well as cold-like symptoms, including headache, sore throat, high temperature and a cough, with flu you may also have a fever but feel shivery, and feel achy and too weak to move much. The infection lasts about 7 days, but the effects may continue for another couple of weeks afterwards. Types of flu change over time so it is best to get protected – even if you have been previously. One basic thing you can do is to wash hands frequently, especially after touching your nose or mouth. Doctors urge people to have the flu jab, which protects people from being infected with the virus, and you can have this at your GP’s or local pharmacy.

It’s better late than never to get vaccinated

L et ’s Ta lk

The flu vaccination doesn’t work straight away, as it takes your body 1-2 weeks to recognise the virus and make cells (antibodies) that will be able to

destroy it if it does invade the body. Having the flu jab does not give you flu – it stimulates the body’s natural resistance to the virus. There are possible side effects such as tiredness, muscle pain, or tenderness at the site of injection, but these are minor and temporary, so it’s better late than never to get vaccinated. If you do contract flu, make sure you get plenty of rest – take a few days off work and try to stay away from other people so that they don’t get ill as well. Also drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated and to help flush out toxins. Paracetamol can help ease headaches or muscle aches, but note that antibiotics and anti-viral medicines do not help to cure flu.

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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 DECEMBER BREAKFAST AND TEA WITH SANTA

Join us for Breakfast and Tea with Santa at Stratford Garden Centre, Clifford Chambers. Mrs Claus, The Elves and Santa will provide all the entertainment while you and the family enjoy a scrumptious breakfast or a classic supper served in our Lime Tree Restaurant. Santa will be handing out presents from Lego (RRP £9.99) and a goody bag. You will be able to write your letter to Santa while sat at

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the table. Breakfast is served from 9am– 10.30am and tea is served from 4.30pm– 6pm. For dates, bookings and availability please call 01789 205745. Please visit www.stratfordgardencentre.co.uk for further details. 1 DECEMBER WINCHCOMBE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL Dozens of stalls offering quality gifts, plus live music, choirs. Shops and cafes open late, festive food and drink. Youngsters can see Santa in his grotto, Punch & Judy, balloon-making. 5-8pm. Winchcombe Town Centre. FROM 1 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS CARVERY AT THE GARDEN TERRACE CAFE, BATSFORD Join us for a delicious traditional Christmas carvery in the Garden Terrace Café in the run-up to Christmas. Carvery available Monday-Friday from 1st-18th December

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between 12-2.30pm. £14.50 per head for 2 courses. Tables must be booked in advance for a minimum of 8 people. The café can also cater for evening functions for a minimum of 20 people – available Monday-Sunday from 1st-20th December – please call 01386 701974 or email batsford.gt@gmail.com for details. Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9QB. 2 DECEMBER CHELTENHAM CRICKET SOCIETY Cheltenham Cricket Society meets 1st Wednesday of each month September to May at the Victory Club. Excellent speakers: cricketers, writers and commentators. Mike Procter and Michael Holding recently. Convivial atmosphere, bread and cheese, annual quiz, bar. Guests welcome. Contact Malcolm Brown – mb3456@blueyonder.co.uk. www.cheltcs.councilcricketsocieties.com

The Local Answer

WinterWonderland

DAYTIME AND EVENING EVENTS From 28th November 2015

Daytime ticket price includes a visit to meet Santa, a gift, craft marquee and entry to the park. Evening ticket price includes a visit to meet Santa, a gift, the Christmas Fairy, illuminations, face painting, craft marquee and entry to the park.

The Bird & Deer Park has been hosting Christmas since 2008 and has been cited by the Huffington Post in 2014 for the beautiful lights, and in the Sunday Telegraph in 2011 for being amongst the top 10 attractions to visit in Rural England. The Park’s new Visitor Centre is lovely at any time, but with the wonderful views of the illuminations from the balconies it has become a must of the Cotswolds as a Christmas treat.As you walk around the Park the sounds of birds, rushing water and glistening lights are really enchanting – especially the famous Wendy House where the beautiful nativity can be found – and then of course the exciting bit ... Santa! Santa can be found in all his glory in

the hand crafted ash sleigh behind the stunning reindeer sculpture made of horseshoes created byTom Hill.This Grotto is beautiful with its many trees, twinkling lights and of course a gift for the children. A

professional photographer* is on hand to capture all the family on your special day out. Of course we must not forget the famous three – Rudolph, Prancer and Comet – our resident Reindeer who are fed at 4pm in their enclosure. The Christmas Fairy will be found in the twinkling Gypsy Caravan with a special something for the children, and cards for Santa that have been made in the Craft Marquee can be given to her for safe delivery. Our face painters are on hand to put those finishing touches to the outfit. Festive food available* within the Park and normal refreshments can be found in the Visitor Centre. Free parking.

The Bird and Deer Park, Prinknash, Cranham, Gloucester GL4 8EX Winter opening: 10am-4pm daily • 01452 812727 • www.thebirdpark.com

*Hot food, drinks and gifts are available for purchase. *Professional photographs are not included in the entry price. Group bookings available upon request. Gifts are suitable for children over the age of one and are not gift wrapped.Tickets are non-refundable or exchangeable. Illuminations are turned on at dusk. Photographs are not permitted inside the grotto.

3-6 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 40 trees decorated by schoolchildren, organisations and businesses illuminate the church. Favourite trees chosen by public vote. Celebration service at 6pm on 6th December. St Edward’s Church, Stowon-the-Wold. 10am-5pm. 4-5 DECEMBER CHIPPING CAMPDEN CHRISTMAS MARKET Friday 4th: 3-8pm. 40 stalls in the Square and Town Hall. Festive food, drink, music. Father Christmas 4-6pm. Saturday 5th: 105pm. Town Hall. Father Christmas 2-4pm. For more information see www.campdenmarket.co.uk 5 DECEMBER VINTAGE & CRAFT FAIR GLOUCESTER An abundance of quality festive vintage and handmade stalls along with antiques and collectables. Perfect for one-off and unique Christmas presents. Fabulous live entertainment all day, vintage beauty, classic cars, BBQ, vintage tea party plus lots more. 11am-5pm. £1 entry. Children free. Blackfriars Priory, Ladybellgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 2HN. Contact Helen 07738 115572 or www.helsbellesboutique.co.uk. SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS Mirror mirror on the wall, which is the fairest panto of all? Well it’s sure to be

the markets. 10am to 5.30pm. Free entry. Free parking. www.tauruscrafts.co.uk. 01594 844841. Old Park, Lydney Park Estate, Lydney, Gloucestershire GL15 6BU. 6 DECEMBER OF MICE AND MEN

the Hippodrome’s panto with spectacular cast, music, dance, sumptuous sets and costumes and a laugh-a-minute script. Who’s the fairest in the land, and will good triumph over evil? There’s only one way to find out – book your tickets now to this magical family pantomime. 0844 871 3012. The Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol BS1 4UZ. 5-6 DECEMBER BATSFORD FESTIVE WEEKEND Carols, treats, special offers on Christmas decorations (this weekend only), plenty of Christmas trees to choose from, beautiful homemade wreaths, greenery, mistletoe and a whole host of gift ideas! Bring the children to meet Santa in his grotto with donkeys and ‘Desmond’ the Great Horned Owl from 12pm both days! Grotto entry fee £5 per child, – includes a present from Santa. For information call 01386 701441 pr visit www.batsarb.co.uk. Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9QB. 5-6 & 12-13 DECEMBER TAURUS CRAFTS CHRISTMAS MARKETS Celebrate Christmas in style by doing your seasonal shopping at Taurus Crafts Christmas Markets. Over 30 stalls offering an inspirational selection of arts, crafts, gifts, decorations, food and drink, and locally grown high quality Christmas trees. Local choirs and bands feature throughout

Visit Over Farm Market this Christmas ●

Farm grown trees

Meet Father Christmas

●

Local turkey, meat & game

●

● Fresh, seasonal vegetables

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Hampers & gifts

●

Christmas carols

The hit Broadway production Of Mice and Men, filmed on stage in New York by National Theatre Live, comes to UK cinemas. James Franco and Chris O’Dowd star in the hotly-anticipated screenings of this ‘riveting, powerful production’. This landmark revival of Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck’s play is a powerful portrait of the American spirit and a heartbreaking testament to the bonds of friendship. 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002.

Club of Cheltenham North

Cheltenham

TREE OF LIGHT The Promenade

Christmas, in particular, is a very special time to remember a loved one, friend, pet or just an opportunity to wish somebody well

Leave a name for us to hang in a sealed decorative label on the tree which will be lit from 4th till 28th December

Forms for your message and donation available from The Wilson Tourist Information Centre and the Municipal Offices OR apply on-line at: www.cheltenhamtreeoflight.org.uk

supporting

Just one mile from Gloucester city centre

overfarm.co.uk Over Farm Gloucester GL2 8DB 01452 521014

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Registered charity number: 1021635 www.cheltenhamnorthrotaryclub.org

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and other Rotary charities

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WIN TICKETS!

courtesy of Promenade Productions Promenade Productions will be bringing laughter and mayhem to The Bacon Theatre in January 2016 with their Traditional Family Pantomime – Jack and the Beanstalk! Just when you thought Christmas festivities were over, this award winning society will make certain you start the New Year with a laugh. Jack is a young lad living with his widowed mother and a cow who provides their only source of income. When the cow stops giving milk, Jack’s mother tells him to take the cow to market and sell her. On the way Jack meets a strange old lady who offers him magic beans in exchange for the cow and Jack makes the trade. When he arrives home without any money, his mother is furious and throws the beans out of the window. Overnight a gigantic beanstalk appears which Jack climbs to a land hidden in the clouds and the home of the Giant! There are three ways to book your seats – call Showcase on 01242 224144, the Bacon Theatre on 01242 238002 or book online at www.promenadeproductions.co.uk. Tickets start from just £10. To enter our draw to win a pair of tickets, send your name, address and telephone number to ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, The Local Answer, 1 Ullenwood Court, Cheltenham, GL53 9QS. Alternatively, enter via email by sending your details to competitions@thelocalanswer.co.uk, stating ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’. Closing date: Thursday 10th December 2015. 9 DECEMBER SANTA’S LITTLE HELPER Young Albert Tuttle is nearly 7 years old; far too old to believe in Santa. But Albert is in for a big surprise for as he sleeps on Christmas Eve, a big fat man wearing bright red pyjamas tumbles down his chimney like a roly poly pudding. With lots of laughs and sing-along songs, little people aged 3-7 will love this funny, festive adventure with a very happy ending. 10.30am. £9 (£8), family £32. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 10 DECEMBER ANNUAL MENINGITIS NOW CHRISTMAS CONCERT Performances from a male voice choir, local primary schools and even the promise of snow and a visit from Father Christmas. Tickets on sale from 1st October – call 0345 1204530 or visit www.meningitisnow.org/christmasconcerts. Prices: £10 nave seats, £5 aisle, £30 family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) in the nave, £15 family ticket in the aisle. 7.30pm. Gloucester Cathedral, GL1 2LX. 19 DECEMBER STAR WARS CONVENTION May the force be with you at The Brewery. To celebrate the release of Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens on 18th

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December 2015, The Brewery are hosting a Star Wars convention! With the excitement building throughout the evening there will be plenty of roaming characters, a competition for the best dressed and much more! It’s an unmissable event for any Star Wars fan! thebrewerycheltenham.co.uk. 21-22 DECEMBER PADDINGTON

Adapted from Michael Bond’s beloved books, Paddington follows the comic misadventures of a polite young bear with an endearing talent for comic chaos. Arriving alone at Paddington Station from deepest Peru, Paddington soon finds that city life is not all he had imagined. Santa will be dropping by before the screening of this magical adventure film, so bring along your letters for him and join us for

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an afternoon of festive fun. Autism Friendly Screening on Monday 21st December. Meet Santa from 4pm. Film at 5pm. £7 (includes a treat from Santa). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 26 DECEMBER BOXING DAY AT BATSFORD Burn off your Christmas dinner with a magical winter walk through the arboretum, followed by a free glass of mulled wine (while stocks last!). 10am3pm. Arboretum entrance fee applies. For more information, visit www.batsarb.co.uk or call 01386 701441. Batsford Arboretum, Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9QB. 31 DECEMBER NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY IN AID OF WOMEN V CANCER Celebrate with live music, buffet and bubbly at midnight. Fabulous raffle prizes. Tickets £20. 8.30pm–1pm. At St. Margaret’s Hall, Hatherley, GL51 3NU. Tickets from www.billetto.co.uk/pinkpedalersNYE or Sue 07798 746572. FIRE AND ICE BALL Welcome in 2016 with friends or family at either our Fire & Ice Ball or our Family Celebration. Prices start from £19.99 per person. Hallmark Hotel Gloucester, Matson Lane GL4 6EA. 01452 525653. gloucester.events3@hallmarkhotels.co.uk

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The Loca

Go for drinks and a catch up with friends

Make the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outfits for their nativity

Go for a walk with the family and admire all the festive lights

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to send your letter to Santa!

Make your Christmas pudding and give the kids their advent calendars

14 Crack out the festive films, snuggle up on the sofa and have a movie marathon

19 Last day to send your post second class

Wrap your presents and charge your camera batteries

2 Book tickets to see a pantomime and arrange to meet Santa

Write Christmas cards

Write a list of what you want to buy for friends and family

Last day to send your post first class

Ice your Christmas cake

al Answer

7 Go shopping for all your cupboard essentials – don’t forget the cranberry sauce!

12 Buy a Christmas tree and decorate the house

Make mince pies and Christmas cookies

Do your fresh food shopping

Perform a random act of kindness such as donating old toys to charity

3 Plan your Christmas menu and start using up food in the freezer

Christmas Jumper Day!

Have a big tidy up ready for when your guests arrive

24 Prepare food for the big day. Put a carrot out for Rudolph and a mince pie for Santa

Merry Christmas!

Have a wonderful day! We hope you have enjoyed following The Local Answer’s Countdown to Christmas Advent calendar and that it has reminded you of some fun festive activities to take part in during December!

Help your kids make presents and cards for their teachers

Order your turkey!

Burley Field Lakes Farm Shop Leckhampton Lane • Cheltenham • GL51 4XT • 01242 861333 / 07914 940557

Open Thursday/Friday 10am-5.30pm & Saturday 10am-4.30pm www.burleyfields.co.uk

FANTASTIC PRICES ON EVERYTHING WE SELL – ALL YEAR ROUND!

GET READY FOR CHRISTMAS PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW! FREE Pack of Sausagemeat with orders over £50 on presentation of this advert

BURLEY FIELDS LAKE

NA PP ER S

U SH

N TO NG DI

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DI NG TO N

E AN

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AD RO

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S po n s o r a p o ny th i s C hr i s tm a s ! This is the perfect gift for Christmas! Making a regular or one-off donation to the upkeep of your favourite pony is the perfect way to ensure we can provide them with the very best care. Our ponies are very special, endlessly patient and deserve your help.

For more information about our ‘Sponsor a Pony’ programme either:

• Visit www.cotswoldrda.org.uk/sponsor-a-pony • Call us on 01242 584420 or • Email us on info@cotswoldrda.org.uk

Cotswold

Bertie

It’s what you can do that counts

Riding for the Disabled Association Jackie Brutton Riding Centre, Prestbury Park Racecourse, Prestbury, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 4SH

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Dave

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Rocky

Bilbo Page 21

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Page 22

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The Local Answer

Motoring with Christian Tilbury

Want to live the electric dream? Even the most hardened petrol and diesel fans can’t have failed to notice that electric cars are literally on a charge. Once considered to be a pipe dream and with many manufacturers’ past efforts being little more than show cars, electric cars have come on leaps and bounds in an incredibly short period of time. So much so, that it’s now possible to own a practical electric car that has an acceptable range and turn of speed for the price of a conventionally-fuelled hatchback.

Advances in technology Only a couple of years ago there were under 4,000 plug-in vehicles on the road and that figure has now risen to in the region of 40,000. The immense growth in the Electric Vehicle (EV) sector can be attributed to the advances in technology, an increasing amount of vehicles available and also the extension of the charging network across the country. If you’re considering an electric car though, they’re not suitable for everyone. Ideally, you need to be covering at the most 100 miles a day with a route that you know well and also have access to off-street parking where you can charge the car overnight. If you can meet these criteria and are happy with the cost of a new vehicle due to production EVs being relatively new, then there’s

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plenty of models to choose from and, better still, the Government will even contribute towards the cost of selected EVs with its Plug-in Car Grant.

Offset the purchase cost Obviously, you can offset the purchase cost against what you’ll save on fuel and, if you’re really ‘green’ with solar panels providing a level of electricity to your home, then you can charge your EV literally free. In the future, it’s likely that electric cars will also be seen as a place to store electricity for other uses – potentially earning money for owners – but that’s a good few years away. If you’re wondering what EV to choose, then one car that’s becoming

increasingly popular and which offers a great entry into electric vehicle ownership is the Renault ZOE. Awarded the titles of What Car? 2015 ‘Best Electric Car for less than £20,000’ and ‘Best Electric Vehicle’ in the Auto Express Driver Power 2015 survey, the Renault ZOE offers fivedoor versatility and a decent specification for as little as £13,445 after the Government Plug-in Car Grant. The official NEDC range is 149 miles and Renault estimates that in real-world driving conditions that this equates to around 106 miles in summer and 71 miles in winter

Plug into the future of motoring Like a lot of EVs, owning and driving the ZOE is remarkably easy. With instant torque it’s great around town and it’s more than comfortable on the motorway too. The only thing you’re guaranteed to find a little strange at first is the noise – or rather the lack of it. Like purchasing a ‘normal’ car, buying an EV does require plenty of research, but if you do opt for an electric car then you can be safe in the knowledge that you’ve pluggedinto the future of motoring in every sense.

To advertise call 01242 510500

Page 23

C C O

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Interior Design with Caron Burrows

Dressing your guest room for Christmas visitors Here we are again – the festive season is fast approaching and Christmas often means opening up your home to friends and family – and sometimes putting them up for a night or two. Whether you’re lucky enough to own a guest room, or can shuffle the family around to fit in a few more, dressing the room correctly can all add to the spirit of Christmas. Once the room has been given a good clean and stripped of clutter and personal items, the fun of preparing for your guests can commence. Go on, let your hair down – it is Christmas after all!

Colour Injecting some colour doesn’t mean you have to call in the decorators for a complete redecoration. There are a number of colours that can be associated with the festive season – reds, dark greens, gold, silver and white all help to give a cosy, Christmassy feel to a room. A red Father Christmas sat on the window sill with a matching red throw on the bed would welcome any guest.

thoughtfully. With your already chosen colours in mind, begin to layer the bed – fresh crisp linen, topped with knitted or fur throws and finished off with cushions of various shapes, sizes and textures will give your guests that luxury living feel.

Check the lighting If the spare room is not used regularly, you may not realise when bulbs have gone or lamps are dusty and damaged. Check the lighting is adequate for dressing and bedtime reading. Draping fairy lights around a bed is a great way to keep the festive mood in a spare room.

decorations go a long way and can successfully send the message that this is a home to have fun in at Christmas. If your guest room is too compact for a full-sized wardrobe, hooks or pegs provide useful clothes storage for visitors and can be used to hang decorative items such as Christmas baubles or tinsel.

Leave bathroom basics

Visitors should not have to ask for a clean towel, so put together a set of bathroom basics and leave it in the guest room. Follow your colour scheme with a pile of fluffy towels and face cloths – a few handmade bits are always a nice touch. A small bag made from Christmas themed Hang some decorations fabric containing hand knitted If children make up part of your washcloths, guest soaps and guestlist, they will be particularly shampoos will make your visitors delighted with this detail. A few feel cared for.

Flooring Bring in a couple of cosy rugs to your colour scheme, which also help to insulate the room to keep that snug feeling. These can be purchased at a reasonable price and packed away with the Christmas decorations when all the festive fun is over. A Christmas door mat placed by the bedroom door will help your guests remember which room is theirs.

Dress the bed Offering your guests a comfortable night’s sleep is the primary role of the spare bedroom. Help it deliver on this by dressing the bed The Local Answer

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Page 25

R R S

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In The Garden with Julia Smith

Dress up your garden for the festive season Gardens tend to become forgotten at this busy time of year, but they can be dressed up for the festive season by putting outdoor fairy lights in trees, which can be seen from the house, and hanging homemade wreaths in prominent places. Don’t forget the birds either by tying up a tasty fat ball or seed feeder. Dress the house with stems from the garden and use the bare twisted branches of corkscrew hazel or willow for a vase. Use the red or yellow stems of Cornus (dogwood) or Salix (willow), Fashion a front door wreath which can be used inside, or The long rope-like stems of clematis alternatively pushed into pots outside to add height to flowering displays. can be used to fashion a front door The RHS do this in their gardens and it wreath. Use florists wire to add any sprigs of holly or other things like dried looks very effective! Hydrangea heads, cones etc, add a tartan bow and there you have it! A good Christmas tree for the house is the Fraser Fir tree (Abies Fraser). Apparently it not only doesn’t drop its needles, but it also has that lovely Christmas tree smell, which is something that I think is so important in a real tree. Cut a piece off the trunk and stick in a bucket of water for a few hours before erecting it (think of it like a vase of cut flowers). Keep it in a stand with a water reservoir, don’t site it by a radiator and it will look glorious all Christmas.

Now is the time for poinsettias to flourish Poinsettias are on sale everywhere this month. They originate from Mexico and like warm, dry, draughtfree conditions. They are better bought from somewhere indoors like a garden centre, as standing on a cold market stall outside will do them no good at all. They are very difficult to bring through to next Christmas and have strange requirements such as being kept in the dark for a length of time and then brought into the light for another spell. To be honest, life is too short – so I would say enjoy them now and send them to the big compost heap in the sky in the new year! There is still time to do some planting before the coldest weather of the season arrives in January/February, so if it is suitable and not too waterlogged, container grown deciduous trees and shrubs can still be planted. Happy Christmas!

DW ROOFING

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OFFICE:

0800 4748241 The Local Answer

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WORD SEARCH H G W D C J E U S Q E S P M O W R P B G X I A Q

O Z N C U E T Z H K E Y C G T D Y E G T B V D E

T G Z I L J I O O G X U S A X M T T A U O K N A

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H G D Q E E W P E X B B E Z N F S N N Y T W A G

O U X L F B E K L W D F D R W Y D N H B S J I M

C C N S D P A R I M L G E H S K E Y V B U J K K

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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!

Page 29

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 Gloucestershireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

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Your local family business

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Quick Crossword 1

1 4 7 8 9

ACROSS

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Untitled Reproductive organ Circus performer Of past times Provided with personnel Thought of Physically demanding Rasping Egg shapes Fatigued Singer, Buddy ... Absorbed (water)

DOWN 1 Utmost 2 Climb 3 Adds soundtrack 4 Upon 5 Enduring 6 Tired reflex 10 Finger or toe 11 Giggle 13 Relied 14 Sun umbrella 16 Underground hollow 18 Solemn vow 19 Move to & fro 20 Money rolls

S p o n so r a p o n y t h i s C h r i s t m a s! 21

For information about our ‘Sponsor a Pony’ programme either: • Visit www.cotswoldrda.org.uk • Email info@cotswoldrda.org. uk or • Call 01242 584420

Cotswold

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Bertie

Abbey Group, Units 23/24, Neptune Business Centre, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham, GL51 9FB

www.abbeybusinessequipment.com

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Save the Planet with Aimee Campanella

Bags for life – a more sustainable answer Textile recyclers across the UK process thousands of kilograms of nonwoven/cotton shopping bags (‘bags for life’) each month. These are bags that are meant to stay with us for life and instead are being exported for reuse or recycling abroad due to the low demand for second hand reusable shopping bags in the UK. With supermarkets now charging 5p for carrier bags, there is hope that this number will decline as more of us take our ‘bags for life’ to help us with our weekly shop, and reduce the additional miles these items travel if they end up in a recycling box. Most reusable shopping bags are manufactured in countries such as Bangladesh or China and may travel up to 7000 miles to be used by us in the UK. When these and other textiles are then received by a textile recycler, an average of 89% of the used textiles will travel as far as Central Africa or South Asia, adding another 5000-6000 miles onto its journey. Although many people try to make a habit of taking a ‘bag for life’ with them during their weekly shop, it’s

easy to forget. How often have you found yourself in the supermarket having once again forgotten your bag at home and having to buy a new one at the checkout? Since the 5p per carrier bag charge was implemented in early October, it’s worth starting a new habit of ensuring you have a bag ready to go in your car or by your front door.

T-shirt to tote bag If you do not currently have a ‘bag for life’ to take on your upcoming weekly shop, do not fret. Rather than buying a new bag at the checkout you can make one at home before you go out. All you need is an old tshirt, a pair of scissors and about ten minutes.

A British fashion designer has recently developed a handmade tshirt backed with a 30 year guarantee. At only £25 each, the tshirts are ethically made in Portugal using organic cotton. The guarantee even covers returning the shirt if it rips, tears or needs any repair. This is the future of sustainable fashion. If we changed the way the UK supplies, uses and disposes of clothing, we could reduce the carbon, water and waste footprints of clothing consumption by 10-20% each. This could cut around £3 billion per year from the cost of the resources we use to make and clean clothes.

Retailers must make clothing that is built to last

1 Find any old t-shirt, flip it inside out. 2 Remove the neckline, cutting in around 3-4cm. This will be the bag opening. 3 Remove both sleeves, cutting in around 3-4cm. These will be your straps. 4 Along the bottom of the t-shirt, cut strips that are 56cm long and 2cm wide. Save time and cut both sides of the t-shirt at the same time.

Although making a shopping bag from an old worn out t-shirt is a great solution to keeping more textiles for reuse and recycling in the UK, fashion still needs to slow down and retailers need to start thinking about making clothing ethically that is built to last. So instead of reaching for the usual 3 pack of t-shirts that fade and lose their shape after a few washes as this year’s stocking stuffer, consider going for gifts that are made in the UK or even better, making your own.

5 Take two of the strips cut along the bottom, double knot and repeat until each strip has been tied to another strip, sealing the bottom of the t-shirt which will be the bottom of the bag. 6 Take the edge of the fabric along the neckline and sleeves and pull slightly to smooth out any rough cutting. Flip outside in and your bag is ready to go! The Local Answer

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Page 33

Index of Advertisers FOOD & DRINK

HEATING & PLUMBING 7 Log Boy 21 & 32 Pete T Plumbing 6 WINDOWS & DOORS AJ Windows RETAIL ShuKo 8 Albany Windows Cloudy 2 Clear HOMES & GARDENS

INFORMATION

Burley Field Lakes Double Gloucester The Cross Wiltshire Farm Foods

21 5 4 4

WHAT’S ON

CCP – Volunteering Cotswold RDA Fastershire

CLUBS & SPORTS Rotary Club of Chelt North 16 BATHROOMS EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS Severn Vale Bathrooms 31 & 35 Forest Warrior 12 BUILDING SERVICES Manor By The Lake 14-15 DW Roofing 27 Over Farm 16 Marshalls Driveways 27 Prinknash Bird Park 13 R. Richards & Son 26 Promenade Productions 17 CLEANING SERVICES The Bristol Hippodrome 20 Ecoclean 28 HEALTH & BEAUTY FURNISHING & APPLIANCES Infinity Hair and Beauty 8 Gloucester Carpet Outlet 24 NHS Let’s Talk 11 Gloucester Furniture 26

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If you don’t see the goods or services you provide listed here – take advantage and

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CARE SERVICES Barnwood Trust 10 Samaritans 34 COMPUTER SERVICES Abbey Group 32 FUNERAL SERVICES The Co-operative Funeralcare 2 MOTORING SERVICES Court Farm Garage 22 ETB Tyres 22

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E A Z A P O I T X Z K K U R F D X D V X U C X E

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R G A C H A P G D S E E H M N B T Z J F A B A Z

A J B C S E T S K Q D R O X N A G G O B O T H S

L Z P C N R Y I J G X L H B C C G C B I N W N U

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COMPETITION WINNERS COMPETITION RULES Thanks to all who took part in our November 2015 competitions and congratulations to the winners: Burley Field Lakes – Tickets to the Firework Night – Tony Smith of Up Hatherley.

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 11th December 2015

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CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS Monday-Friday 9pm-5pm

Closed from December 24th-4th January 2016

WE WILL BE CLOSED ON SATURDAYS THROUGHOUT DECEMBER