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EATING OUT EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS HEALTH & BEAUTY HOLIDAYS & TRAVEL PROPERTY HOMES & GARDENS SERVICES PETS SHORT WALKS RECIPES VOUCHERS COMPETITIONS WIN A LUXURIOUS TREAT FOR YOUR MUM COURTESY OF HILTON PUCKRUP HALL HOTEL
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Meet the Team ... Advertising Leonie Euwin leonie@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Malcolm Cantwell malc@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Amanda Saunders amanda@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Editorial Lois Kingscott editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Helen Kingscott editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Distribution Debbie Powell – 07720 098934 distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Love is in the air this month and we’ve got lots of tips and tricks on how to look your best for Valentine’s Day in our Health & Beauty section. Why not treat your loved one to a romantic meal in one of the fabulous restaurants advertising this month? Alternatively, if you’re feeling adventurous, have a go at recreating the gorgeous Chocolate Strawberry Bouquet from our ‘Delicious Dish’. During the cold weather, it’s important to keep your car in tip-top condition. Have a look at our Motoring section for some great local businesses. Or, if you’re looking for a new run-around, have a read of the review of the new Smart car. Don’t forget to check out the winner of last month’s ‘Picture Perfect’ competition and enter this month’s theme – ‘Marvellous Mothers’. Simply send in a photo of your mother and tell us why she’s the best mum in the world!
Inside this month ...
Administration Beverley Ellin admin@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Production Alison Hambling alison@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Accounts Kerry Fell accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Director Dave Kingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk
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Delicious Dishes 5 Motoring 7 Wild Food Foraging 9 Cocktail Time 10 Health & Beauty 11 Style & Fashion 11 Looking Good, Feeling Great 12 Pet Care 13 What’s On 14 Picture Perfect 18-19 Homes & Gardens 20 In the Garden 23 Quick Crossword 28 Sudoku 31 Professional Services 32 Money Matters 33 Index, Competitions, Solutions 34
Competition on Page 27 Page 3
Delicious Dishes with Helen Kingscott
Chocolate Strawberry Bouquet Treat your loved one this Valentine’s day with a fresh, delicious and tasty bouquet of chocolate smothered strawberries! Ingredients: 20-60 fresh small-medium strawberries; 200g each white, dark and milk chocolate; any other toppings you desire. Equipment: 20-60 clean wooden skewers; small basket/bowl; small block of oasis to poke skewers into; foliage from your garden to decorate; icing pipers. Method: 1 Wash fresh strawberries and gently dry with paper towels or kitchen roll. 2 Break white, dark and milk chocolate into small pieces in separate glass bowls. Pour boiling water into a saucepan and rest the glass bowl on top. Allow chocolate to melt – stir occasionally. 3 Leave the chocolate on the side to cool (not set). Once cool, place strawberries on the skewers and dip in the chocolate. You may need a spoon to help you cover them completely. Leave the first layer of chocolate to set (unless you are using other coatings that need to stick to the chocolate). Standing the skewers in tall glasses means the chocolate won’t get wiped off. 4 Once set, put the remaining chocolate in an icing bag and pipe pretty patterns onto the strawberries. Put the block of oasis into the basket/bowl, poke the skewers into the oasis and arrange how you wish. 5 Wash the foliage you’ve collected from your garden and poke into the oasis in between the skewers.
Tips: • Though large strawberries often look more appealing, their weight means they fall down the skewer. Therefore, small strawberries are best – they look much bigger when coated in chocolate anyway. • There are loads of different toppings you can use to coat the strawberries – hundreds and thousands, coconut shavings, chopped nuts, or you could turn the white chocolate different colours using food colouring. Choose a few toppings that your partner likes. • You can make your bouquet as little or as large as you like – 20 strawberries is plenty for two to share as a romantic dessert, or you could go for a big gesture and make a bouquet with 100 strawberries! Be creative and have fun!
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Motoring with Christian Tilbury
New smart ‘fortwo’ and ‘fourfor’ – are they foryou? Late February sees the launch of the all new smart – the distinctive brand going all out to make a major impact in the increasingly fierce city car segment. It’s fair to say that smart has always been seen as a bit quirky, but that could all be about to change. The new car still has all the hallmarks of the traditional smart – including the acclaimed, safety-enhancing tridion cell and the rear-engined, rear-drive layout – but it has grown up considerably to make it a serious rival to such established cars as the Fiat 500, the Volkswagen Up! and the Toyota iQ. The most obvious change is that it’s not just the ‘fortwo’ that makes up the
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smart offering – the ‘forfour’ is making a return to the manufacturer’s range after the original version was dropped back in 2006. Compared to the outgoing smart, both models offer improved safety, more equipment, greater comfort and a heavily revised drivetrain, including an all new fivespeed transmission that answers criticisms of the previous smart’s gearbox. But while the new smart offers the comforts and specification of much bigger cars, it’s still got what it needs to cut it in the city. In fact, the new ‘fortwo’ is even more agile than its predecessor and, at just 6.95 metres, has the smallest kerb-to-kerb turning circle in its class. The ‘forfour’ is
equally nimble and, with its four-seat, four-door practicality, will appeal to those who want something that is a bit trendy but don’t wish to compromise on space or just having two seats. Neither model will worry a sports car but nippy, flexible performance is assured by a choice of engines. The ‘fortwo’ can be specified with either a 71hp or 90hp turbocharged engine – the former returning an impressive 68.9mpg (combined) and emitting just 93g/km of CO2 to make it cheap to fuel and tax. The ‘forfour’ also gets the 71hp engine initially, which enables it to achieve 67.3mpg and 97g/km of CO2 emissions. The 90hp version will follow as will the optional six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission that is available with the ‘fortwo’ from launch. You can also choose from three trim lines – passion, prime and proxy – and add a host of extras too. With prices starting from £11,125 the latest smart is certainly not the cheapest city car, but if you’re in the market for such a car then it’s well worth considering. Having an open mind and putting aside any preconceptions you have about the brand could well be a smart move in every possible way.
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Priors Park, Apperley & Bishops Cleeve The Loc al Each round is made up of ANS WER 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. YOUR FAVOURITE, MOST USEFUL MAGAZINE
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Wild Food Foraging with Steven Hawley
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A feast of edible goodies Ever looked around the English countryside and wondered how much of it you can eat? Probably not, but every month our fertile isle offers up a feast of edible goodies for us to make use of. If you’re worried that helping yourself to a fist full of face-purpling berries will scupper the supper of local wildlife, fret not. Most of the natural treats I have in mind are more than sustainable. You would be surprised at how many plants you walk past that have a long history of culinary use in Britain. Sadly, a lot of this knowledge has been surrendered to dot com ordering and the like. But once you know what a plant is, how to identify it and – most importantly – how best to put it on the end of a fork, you will struggle to take a Sunday afternoon constitutional without stopping to notice many tasty treats.
Harvesting this crop won’t have a negative impact Jack-by-the-hedge (Alliaria petiolata – don’t worry, I struggle to pronounce that too), also known as Garlic Mustard, is something you’ve probably seen many times but never noticed. After a mild winter, such as the one we’ve been experiencing, this plant can be seen as early as February. It is easily identified by the mild garlic/onion smell it gives off when you bruise the leaves, which are similar in shape to that of a stinging nettle (though they don’t sting and are glossy to look at). Its flowers are small and paper white, and appear in spring. Common all over England, Jack-by-the-hedge can be found mostly in hedge rows – as the namesake suggests. It’s an invasive species and in no way endangered, so harvesting this crop won’t have a negative impact on the ecosystem. Pick only a few leaves from each plant so as not to hinder future growth – though the plant is not endangered, there’s no need for vandalism! Chopped finely and added to home-made mint sauce, it makes for a perfect accompaniment to roast lamb. You can also add the leaves to a simple salad to lift the flavour of this out-ofseason side dish. Historically Jack-by-the-hedge was once used as a disinfectant. I prefer, however, to place my trust in dot com ordering for my sanitary needs! 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, always seek medical advice before consuming anything foraged in the wild.
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Cocktail Time with Lois Kingscott
CORNER CUPBOARD INN
Shirley Temple To mark one year since her passing, this month’s cocktail is actually a mocktail – the Shirley Temple. The American film and TV star, singer and dancer died on 10th February 2014 at the age of 85 having had a wonderful career, which included becoming Hollywood’s number one boxoffice star from 1935-1938. The mocktail’s recipe and inventor are both disputed subjects, but a common concoction is a mixture of lemonade, grenadine and a few maraschino cherries (although some replace the lemonade with ginger ale). Children dining with adults are often served this drink instead of a real cocktail. A restaurant in Beverly Hills called ‘Chasen’s’ is rumoured to have made the first Shirley Temple recipe for her 10th birthday. A second claim was made by Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood, who say they invented the drink and named it in Shirley’s honour. Finally, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki – a resort where Shirley Temple was a frequent visitor – also claims to be the founder of the drink. In the 1980s, various soft drink companies wanted to sell products named ’Shirley Temple‘ and ‘Shirley T’, and the Hollywood star was forced to fight for the rights to her own name! Unfortunately, when asked about the iconic drink, Shirley revealed that she didn’t even like the cocktail, as it was too sweet. Ingredients: Ice; 25ml grenadine; can of 7UP or Sprite; several maraschino cherries. Method: 1 Fill a tall glass with ice and add grenadine. 2 Pour in 7UP or Sprite, stir and garnish with a couple of maraschino cherries.
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Style & Fashion with Sophie Perry
What to wear on your Valentine’s date Sporting the theme of romance, reds and pinks are a must this Valentine’s day. The monochrome red dress is a traditional failsafe staple that will never lose its appeal, or perhaps go for something a little softer by opting for a pastel pink. Despite what instinct tells us, scarlet red and fuchsia pink make a great pairing – the duo of clashing colours creates serious impact, and this combination was really popular in Spring Summer 2014 (SS14). Fully embrace the statement by incorporating stripes or geometric shapes into this look, or just stick with block colours. Alternatively, inject a splash of these colours through your accessories, whether it’s jewellery, bags, socks or lingerie. Why not have a go at incorporating some playful prints into your
Valentine’s outfit – Burberry’s iconic heart print shirt from their Autumn Winter 2013 (AW13) collection has since been imitated across the high street and no doubt will be in stores this February. Worn by Harry Styles and Victoria Beckham, this is a look for both men and women. Heart embellished underwear and cute printed socks are also available for something more subtle – you will find plenty of fun accessories in stores online and on the high street. When deciding what to wear this Valentine’s day, the location of your soirée – whether it is your local pub or a swanky restaurant – is something to consider. For women, a simple LBD (little black dress) can be very effective, or keep it fun and flirty with something less formal such as a shift or tea dress. A floral print is also fitting for the occasion. For something more understated, wear a pair of skinny fit jeans accompanied with a basic top, leather jacket and staple stilettos.
As for men, it’s all about mixing and matching. Turtle necks are right on trend this season. A versatile piece, it can be teamed with a smart tailored suit or accompanied with some slim fit jeans, and is easily adaptable to the tone of the date. Loved by men and women alike, you can’t go wrong in a suit. Lose the tie or switch the blazer for an informal jacket – bomber jackets are popular amongst the high street – and you could even choose a staple piece of knitwear for a more casual look. Alternatively, jeans with a smart shirt – patterned or plain – put together with brogues, loafers or desert boots, will always look great.
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Looking Good, Feeling Great with Matt Wagstaff
Making and sticking to your 2015 fitness goals 2015 – the chance for a fresh start, the chance to reignite your fitness, lose those pounds, run that race and break that personal best! All this looks and sounds great on paper, but when the ink has dried and it comes down to it (inevitably after the Christmas break it is harder and sweatier than ever), that goal seems much further from your grasp. Even if you’ve managed to stick to your goals for a few weeks, results aren’t always seen straight away, and we are all impatient even at the best of times. Sticking to your targets requires a structured approach and an inner belief in your ability to reach what you set. You must be able to visualise the process and the end goal – but don’t just fantasise! Making ‘SMART’ objectives with the help of a trainer or by yourself is a great way of beat is vital, otherwise you lack the ability developing exercises and regimes that are to track improvement. right for you. Follow these steps to plan a ATTAINABLE better fitness goal. A goal should be achievable for you – are SPECIFIC you in the right place and have the right A goal must be individual to you, aiming at access for the objective you have set? what you want to Setting smaller ones can help you develop accomplish. General and work towards a bigger end goal. targets lead to reduced focus and too REALISTIC To be realistic you must be able to visualize much wiggle room. achieving the objective. Too high a MEASURABLE yourself goal and you may struggle to see the end, A goal must be too low and you will find yourself less able to be motivated. measured – whether on TIMED scales or on a Having a time frame for a goal is important, stopwatch, having a as this is what you must work towards. This time or weight to will give you a sense of urgency and keeps FITNESS FOR WOMEN TOTAL BODY WORKOUT ● RESULTS FOR EVERY FITNESS LEVEL ● COACH AT EVERY WORKOUT
the goal and completion date firmly set in your mind. Write it down! Making one big target is great, as this is what you really want to achieve – for example, running a marathon or losing five stone. But these targets take considerable time and it’s easy to lose sight. Creating shorter-term goals aimed at the main goal is beneficial, and these must also be ‘SMART’. A monthly objective might start with simply going to the gym three times per week. As we are all habitual creatures we fall into certain routines or habits, which can be good or bad. Creating an exercise habit can be vital in helping you achieve your goal. Start with an easy habit that will be easy to stick to, and make sure you are consistent and perform this habit for at least two weeks. For example, perform 30 minutes of exercise on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Once you have been doing this for 4-6 weeks, change it – maybe increase the length of your workout or switch exercises. This will keep your body and brain guessing, and help lead you to your 2015 fitness goal – you can do it!
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DRAGON
Pet Care
with Oliver Wilkinson of Dragon Vet Centre Established in 1904, Dragon Vet Centre in Cheltenham is a centre of excellence for pets – large and small – and offers a full range of services from routine vaccinations, worming and flea prevention to complex internal medicine investigations, orthopaedic and key hole surgery for dogs and cats. As one of the largest veterinary practices in Cheltenham, Dragon can draw on the expertise of a number of vets with a great deal of experience in all fields of veterinary medicine and surgery. Our Cheltenham Vet clinic is staffed 24/7 so in the event of an emergency, registered clients simply need to call and attend our surgery based at the Cheltenham racecourse where there is unlimited free parking.
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01242 580 324 ~ info@dragonvet.co.uk Opening hours: 8.15am-7pm Mon-Fri & 8.15am-1pm Sat 24 hour On Site Emergency Service ~ 01242 522 022
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Moving home? Supposedly moving house is one of the most stressful things we do in our lives, so it goes without saying that our four legged companions sometimes need a little help adjusting to new surroundings. Cats are particularly sensitive to a change in territory and can find moving into a new neighbourhood a little stressful. There are plenty of stories of cats making their way back to their old stomping grounds after a relocation. Here are a few sensible steps to avoid your cat going AWOL and hopefully settling in quickly. 1 Keep your cat indoors for at least two weeks ideally. It gives them a chance to realise that the new house has a good supply of food and comfort, so when they do eventually go out they have an incentive to return to what has become familiar to them. 2 Use a pheromone spray or diffuser (e.g. ‘Feliway’). These look like plug-in air fresheners but they squirt into the air a synthetic cat pheromone that we can’t smell. It is the same pheromone that cats produce when they rub their faces on things to leave a familiar scent, and it makes them feel relaxed and settled in a foreign environment. 3 Nutritional supplements – in recent times the serotonin-boosting supplements have gained popularity as a way of making pets feel more content. They are a milk protein-based amino acid supplement that contains L-tryptophan, which is the building block of the neurotransmitter ‘serotonin’. Increased levels of serotonin in the brain are associated with feelings of content and well-being, and so the idea is if you can encourage more natural production of serotonin then you will feel happier about stressful situations! 4 Create a den or a hide-away. Sometimes cats really appreciate being able to hide away – it makes them feel more protected. A cat igloo (covered cat bed) or a quiet spot under the bed or in the bottom of a cupboard with a nice familiar smelling towel or old t-shirt can help them to feel more settled. 5 Before you let them out make sure they are either wearing a collar with a tag or they are microchipped and all your details have been updated on the microchip register – there’s no point having the local animal shelter call your old house to tell you they have your cat! For dogs it is often a much simpler matter of finding a nice warm spot for the dog bed! Occasionally some dogs can be a bit more sensitive to change – the same supplements and a dog version of the pheromone diffuser are also available. As with cats, make sure their microchip details have been updated. If you have any questions about moving your pet, come in and have a chat to us or ask about what products might be most suitable for your pet.
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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. EVERY SATURDAY DECOY DOG DEMONSTRATIONS Watch our furry canine assisting with conservation work as birds are caught and ringed in the decoy nets. 2pm. Price included in admission. Book your place at the admission desk. WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT. 01453 891223. 1 FEBRUARY WEDDING OPEN DAY Hilton Puckrup Hall welcomes Gloucestershire brides-to-be to its showcase of wedding finery. View the function rooms and discuss details with dedicated wedding planners. 11am-3pm. Hilton Puckrup Hall Hotel & Golf Club, Tewkesbury, GL20 6EL. 01684 296200. 1 AND 21 FEBRUARY BIRD WATCH MORNING
Winter is a magical time on the Reserve with tens of thousands of birds spending winter here. With the guidance of our wardens, come along and enjoy this magical sight along with spotting some of the extra special ones. Warm clothing boots or wellies needed. 8-10.30am. £15.95 including tea/coffee and bacon roll. WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT. 01453 891223.
3-8 FEBRUARY JOSEPH Having enjoyed sensational reviews, Bill Kenwright’s brilliant production of a sparkling family musical continues to enjoy huge success across the country. Retelling the biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours, this magical musical is full of unforgettable songs including ‘Any Dream Will Do’ and ‘Close Every Door To Me’. Various times. Tickets from £16. Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573. everymantheatre.co.uk. 7 FEBRUARY ROBBIE WILLIAMS TRIBUTE Let him entertain you! Enjoy a fabulous evening with our Robbie Williams tribute artist, which includes a hot fork buffet. £15 per person. Hallmark Hotel Gloucester, Matson Lane, Robinswood Hill, GL4 6EA. 01452 525653. 14 FEBRUARY ESPAÑA OLE! The Cappella Singers with Suspiro Flamenco. St Barnabas Church Hall, Stroud Road, Tuffley GL1 5LJ. Doors open 6.45pm for 7.30pm start. In aid of Listening Post. Tapas by Star Anise, bar open until 11pm. Tickets in advance £10 (under 16 & carers £5). 01452 383820 or 01452 417337. www.cappellasingers.co.uk. 15 FEBRUARY THE SOOTY SHOW Izzy Wizzy Lets get busy - Its The Sooty Show! Direct from Citv, Sooty heads into
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Shipton Golf Course Shipton Golf Course, Nr Frogmill, Shipton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 4HT
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Monday ~ 6-6.55pm ~ Pittville Pump Rooms, Cheltenham Monday ~ 7.30-8.30pm ~ Sir Thomas Rich’s School, Gloucester Wednesday ~ 6-7pm ~ Sir Thomas Rich’s School, Gloucester Wednesday ~ 7.30-8.15pm ~ Ribston Hall High School, Gloucester Thursday ~ 7-8pm ~ Prestbury Hall, Bouncers Lane, Cheltenham
town in a fabulous new show to delight the whole family. Joining the nation's favourite bear will be Sweep , Soo and Sooty's TV Partner Richard Cadell who will be attempting to keep Sooty from getting up to mischief! 11am and 2.30pm. Tickets from £14. Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573. everymantheatre.co.uk. WEDDING FAYRE View the fabulous Merlot Suite set up for a ceremony and wedding breakfast, and meet local wedding suppliers. 11am-3pm. Hallmark Hotel Gloucester, Matson Lane, Robinswood Hill, GL4 6EA. 01452 525653. 18 FEBRUARY TREASURE ISLAND Families are invited to join us for a special encore screening of the National Theatre Live’s Treasure Island. Robert Louis Stevenson’s story of murder, money and mutiny is brought to life in a thrilling new stage adaptation by Bryony Lavery. 2pm. £10 (£8), family ticket £32. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham. 01242 258002. bacontheatre.co.uk. 18-20 FEBRUARY BATH TIME Created by Oxford Playhouse, this magical and perfectly silly show celebrates the games we all play in the bath – with storytelling, music, comedy and lots of chances to join in, come and meet Ernie the Duck and friends in this interactive treat for all the family. 10.30am and 2pm. £8.50. Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573. everymantheatre.co.uk.
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FOR ALL YOUR GARDENING NEEDS & SO MUCH MORE!
SPRING INTO ACTION Worcester Road, Tewkesbury, Glos GL20 6EB Tel: 01684 293103 www.tewkesburygardencentre.com Open: Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm, Sunday 10am-4pm. Open Bank Holidays – Closed Easter Sunday
Creating beautiful flowers for Special Occasions, Corporate Events, Interflora, Helium Balloons, Gift Wrapping, Hand-tied bouquets
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Serving breakfasts, hot and cold ‘fresh’ meals, cakes, treats and cream teas Fully licenced
FREE WI-FI ● FREE and ample parking ● Cyclists and walkers welcome Parties – 24 hrs notice ● Private hire available
Spring Wings Prinknash Bird Park kicks off the New Year and the new Visitor Centre with its ‘Spring Wings’ on Wednesday 11th and Wednesday 18th February. Starting at 11.30am, there will be crafting in the new Centre for children to create birds and animals using materials found in the park and – of course – a lot of imagination provided by the children and inspiration found from visiting the animals. There will be lots of fun, including face painting and a Bird Park quiz, which can be completed whilst visiting and feeding the animals with your complimentary bag of bird food. Don’t miss out on what promises to be a fabulous day’s activity! Tickets cost £10 per child, which includes a light lunch and the opportunity to visit the animals. Children must be accompanied by an adult, who will receive a reduced admission fee of £7 (not including lunch). For more information, call 01452 812727 or visit www.thebirdpark.com.
Open 7 days a week 10am-5pm • 01452 812727 • www.thebirdpark.com The Bird and Deer Park, Prinknash, Cranham, Gloucester GL4 8EX
18 FEBRUARY – 21 MARCH WICKED
In a brilliantly witty re-imagining of the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, Wicked tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. The Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustines Parade, Bristol, BS1 4UZ. 0844 871 3012.
Page 16
24-28 FEBRUARY ROUNDELAY Alan Ayckbourn has created a varied bouquet of five related short plays, each with differing flavours and colours and written to be played in no particular order. Depending on the chosen sequence, each evening will develop differently. 7.45pm (2pm matinees Thursday and Saturday). Tickets from £13. Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573. everymantheatre.co.uk. 28 FEBRUARY A NIGHT OF HENDRIX & CREAM
Together Peter Orr, John Tonks and Andy Tolman form the mighty, retro, rocking machine that is: Voodoo Room. This highenergy, power-trio have worked with music giants Steve Winwood, Duran Duran and Ben E King to name a few. Their
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mission is to deliver the all-time great Cream and Hendrix numbers with the true passion and energy worthy of these classic masterpieces. 8pm. £16 (£14). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham. 01242 258002. bacontheatre.co.uk. 1 MARCH WEDDING FAYRE
Come along to our wedding fayre to gather ideas for your big day. With 40+ local exhibitors, a free goody bag and a fabulous fashion show. 11am-3pm. Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall, Bondend Lane, Upton St Leonards, GL4 8ED. 0844 815 9077.
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@GL1, Leisure Centre, Gloucester
21st March 2015, 7.30pm
Box Office:
www.valiant.vision
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Page 17
Picture Perfect Most Romantic Gesture
Thanks to all of you who sent in your wonderful pictures to enter our ‘Most Romantic Gesture’ competition. Congratulations to Natalie King of Tewkesbury who submitted the winning image (above) and has won a three course meal and bottle of Champagne at Wine & Sausage. The story: “Horses are a huge part of my life and have been for many years. When I first met my nowboyfriend he knew that my horse will always come first! The university at which we study was offering a short course of horse riding lessons for a heavily discounted price and when my boyfriend heard of this, he immediately signed up. I was incredibly touched by his enthusiasm to understand my passion, and he completed six lessons, getting to grips with the basics. Whilst he sadly cannot afford to continue riding lessons, he is much more handson with my horse! ” We had some great stories and accompanying images – some of them are pictured above right
Win a luxurious treat for your mum! The theme for our March competition is ‘Marvellous Mothers’. Please submit a photograph and short statement of no more than 100 words telling us why your mum is truly wonderful. Courtesy of Hilton Puckrup Hall Hotel, the winner will receive an overnight stay for two in luxurious surroundings, a three course evening meal, a bottle of bubbly and breakfast (not to be used on a Saturday). To enter, email your photo and story, along with your name, address and telephone number to editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk, stating ‘Marvellous Mother’. One entry per person. You must ask permission to take photos of anyone or their belongings. See Index page for full competition rules. Closing date: Thursday 12th February 2015.
Come and visit Puckrup Hall to see why we should be your first choice of wedding venue
SPECIAL OFFER: ALL INCLUSIVE WEDDING PACKAGE for 50 day and 80 evening guests ONLY £3,600 (subject to availability)
Hilton Puckrup Hall Hotel & Golf Club Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire GL20 6EL
For the ultimate Country House wedding why not become ‘Lord and Lady of the Manor’ for the day in our Regency Manor House. To view our lovely hotel, or for further information, please call our wedding co-ordinator Karen Openshaw on 01684 296200 or email Karen.openshaw@hilton.com
WEDDING OPEN DAY Sunday 1st February 2015 ~ 11am-3pm
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Live in style...
Due to increased demand, and a desire to deliver the best service possible, our showroom is now only open by appointment. You will be free to browse at your leisure, without pressure. Experienced staff will be on hand to help and advise.
For the widest range of blinds visit Gloucestershire’s largest indoor showroom... Unit K Churchill Industrial Estate, Churchill Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham GL53 7FD Call 01242 526 189 to arrange a showroom appointment or free home visit
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Showroom open by appointment: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm & Saturday 10am-4pm
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NEW RANGE MADE IN BRITAIN DELIVERED WITHIN 3 WEEKS!!
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WINDOWS I DOORS I CONSERVATORY SPECIALISTS
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Our showroom is located in the centre of Gloucester, where you can call in and talk to Louise and arrange an appointment with the company director Nigel Martin who, with 24 years experience, will make a home visit and discuss the choices of products, styles and colours available with no pressure selling, and no sitting in your house for hours on end. You will then receive a FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTATION.
Why not add value to your property by changing your Front Door. At C&L Windows we have a wide range of Composite, Panel and Centre Mullion Upvc doors.With a wide range of glass designs, to make your door unique and bespoke to you. Your Front door can say a lot about you in ways of curb appeal, first impressions & add value to your home, and most importantly, keep you warm and draught proof.
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Give us a call or stop by at our showroom at 48 STROUD ROAD, GLOUCESTER, GL1 5AJ
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Page 21
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Page 22
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The Local Answer
In The Garden with Julia Smith
So much to do, so little time February is the shortest month of the year, which – considering the weather and dark evenings and mornings – is just as well! Once February is out of the way everything seems to speed up with bulbs flowering, vegetable seeds to be sown, weeding and tidying in the borders and the lawn needing cutting again. Anyway enough of what is to come, what to do this month. Deciduous shrubs – those with leaves that fall off in winter – that flower later in the year can be pruned now. For example, the butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii), which needs a good hard prune to stop it becoming a spindly monster, and hypericums, which often get infected with rust disease, can also be pruned right back to the ground.
The tangled mess of later flowering clematis (group 3) can be chopped off about 15cm from the ground – you will see the new buds already forming. Tidy up any containers of pansies etc. while dead-heading and picking off any mouldy leaves. This keeps them flowering and looking good. Window boxes could still need watering even after prolonged rain, as they are sheltered – don’t drown them, but keep them slightly moist. If the weather is good and the soil fairly dry underfoot you could even take the first lawn cut of the year – I know it probably doesn’t seem like five minutes ago that you were thankfully putting that mower away for the year. Keep the blades high so that you only take off the
very top of the grass – this will keep the grass stronger and you can reduce the height as the season progresses, thus making it harder for moss and weeds to take hold. This year why don’t you grow some early potatoes? You will find early seed potatoes in the garden centres – the variety ‘Accent’ is a good one but there are plenty of others. Put them individually in egg boxes to ‘chit’ in a cool, bright place. Don’t let them get frosted in an unheated greenhouse, or if frost is forecast cover them over in fleece and then uncover again in the morning. Chitting is just a term for sprouting – you want sprouts about 1.5cm long ready to plant out in late March. You don’t have to even have a garden as there are many different companies selling sturdy bags or bins that have been designed to grow potatoes in and can be kept on a patio – a dustbin with holes in the base would do fine.
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• Tree work • Garden Design • Garden Maintenance • Turfing • Lawn Cutting • Hedge Trimming • Pond Work • Patios • Decking • Pergolas • Fencing • Sheds • Driveways Diploma in Horticulture ~ Established 1993
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To advertise call 01242 510500
Page 23
from CLASSIC to CONTEMPORARY, MODERN to MOBILITY ...
01452 330852
MON-FRI 9AM-5PM SATURDAY 9AM-1PM
bathrooms made easy!
Located behind Bristol Street Ford 18 Capitol Park, Pearce Way, Bristol Road, Gloucester GL2 5YD
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NEW
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Top quality bathrooms at competitive prices No matter what line of business you are in, hard work, enthusiasm and commitment to customer service are paramount. This policy has certainly worked for Severn Vale Bathrooms – a thriving family business, which has been operating for almost a quarter of a century. The team have not only had to overcome the UK’s difficult economy, but immense personal tragedy, which makes the success of the company even more remarkable.
Committed to employees and customers Julia Lomax, Severn Vale’s Managing Director, says: “A short time ago my husband suddenly passed away and I was left with a business which, frankly, I knew little about. Some people advised me to close down, but my daughters and I felt a strong commitment to the people we employed, as well as our customers, so we persevered. “As we never use sub-contractors, all of the fitters who carry out installations are employed by us and have been with us from between 15 to 25 years. It was thanks to their help and dedication that we were able to
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carry on providing the level of service we are known for”. From its new, extended showroom, Severn Vale Bathrooms can design, supply and install bathrooms as entire projects and can also provide numerous space-saving solutions. All initial consultations and design work are carried out by Kevin Esson – a former fitter – who knows exactly how to bring customers’ ideas to life. A big part of getting a new bathroom fitted is ensuring you make the most of the available space – something which Severn Vale Bathrooms does to perfection. Claire Townsend, Julia’s daughter and another company director, explains: “We’ve made sure that all the showroom settings are laid out in the size of ‘real life’ bathrooms, so that customers can see exactly how the design of their choice will look when completed. Many people are amazed by just how much we can fit into a relatively small space and how attractive it looks, as well as the problemsolving solutions we can incorporate”. Another area where Severn Vale Bathrooms excels is mobility. Varying degrees of disability mean that discreet changes to standard fittings are required, and absolutely
anything can be incorporated into your new bathroom’s design. From simple handrails and lever-operated taps to shower cubicles with full wheelchair access – the team will provide as much or as little as the individual needs.
Cost effective and low maintenance The days of cleaning mouldy grouting are gone too! Severn Vale Bathrooms never use tiles, but instead use top quality UPVC wall panelling, which is much more cost effective and very low maintenance. “The showers we install are from the Cheltenham-based Mira,” said Nikki Laugharne-Jones, Claire’s sister. “We use them exclusively because the name is well known, the company is local and – above all – they provide us with the same level of service that we wish to give our customers.” If you’re looking for a top quality bathroom at a competitive price, Severn Vale Bathrooms is a great place to start. You’ll find the new, attractive showroom in Pearce Way, off Bristol Road, in Gloucester, just behind the Ford dealership. It’s tucked-away but well worth seeking out!
To advertise call 01242 510500
Page 25
LOCAL ROOFER
Female Plumber Kerry Baker
Professional qualified plumber Fully insured No job too small
Mobile
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Page 26
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Service with a smile at New Blinds Nicki Cook and Tim Davis have been running New Blinds for over 14 years, and their Cheltenham showroom opened six years ago. After moving to Cheltenham, the business has gone from strength to strength and their client base has grown significantly. While customer service has always been a strong focus for the company, their recent ‘appointment only’ policy will improve their service even more. By booking an appointment, clients can browse products at their own leisure, and will have Nicki’s full attention to help choose the right look for their home. With allocated parking immediately outside the showroom and a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate on arrival, Nicki and Tim have really captured a friendly, warm and welcoming atmosphere in which their clients can shop at ease. Nicki, the owner of New Blinds, is a highly knowledgeable salesperson with over 18 years experience in the industry, and takes care of ‘front of house’. She will guide you around the vast array of window covering products and help you choose the best style for your home – be it blinds, curtains, shutters or awnings. Tim – Nicki’s partner – looks after and runs the technical side of the business, but also has a good knowledge of the products should you need another opinion or suggestion.
blinds store
Appointments are available all week from Monday to Sunday – including evenings – which makes it extremely convenient for you. Alternatively, Nicki and Tim are happy to come to your home, which can be beneficial in picking out colours, patterns and styles in a room to fit perfectly with the window covering required. To book an appointment or a home visit call 01242 526189 or fill out the contact form on the website at www.newblindscheltenham.co.uk – your enquiry is guaranteed to be answered within one working day.
Live in style...
Due to increased demand, and a desire to deliver the best service possible, our showroom is now only open by appointment. You will be free to browse at your leisure, without pressure. Experienced staff will be on hand to help and advise. For the widest range of blinds visit Gloucestershire’s largest indoor showroom... Unit K Churchill Industrial Estate, Churchill Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham GL53 7FD Call 01242 526 189 to arrange a showroom appointment or free home visit
main dealer
Showroom open by appointment: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm & Saturday 10am-4pm
FREE EASY PARKING! www.newblindscheltenham.co.uk
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Page 27
Quick Crossword ACROSS 1 Sang in unison 5 Tiny amount 7 Small island 8 Faintest 9 Camera glasses 12 Jury finding 15 Most pious 19 Annul 21 Kept steady 22 Freezes, ... over 23 Ore seam 24 Esteems
DOWN 1 Cools 2 Smells strongly 3 Open wounds 4 Injure 5 Mean 6 Painter 10 Not binding 11 Otherwise, or ... 12 Critically examine 13 Talk excitedly 14 Novel thought 15 Of medicinal plants 16 Inherited 17 UFO, flying ... 18 Tightens (muscles) 19 Plant stem lumps 20 False appearance
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awnings store
Stoves & Fireplaces Cheltenham
Live in style – inside and out... Due to increased demand, and a desire to deliver the best service possible, our showroom is now only open by appointment. You will be free to browse at your leisure, without pressure. Experienced staff will be on hand to help and advise.
Telephone 01242 526 189 for showroom appointment or home visit
Showroom open by appointment:
FREE EASY PARKING!
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm & Saturday 10am-4pm
Unit K Churchill Industrial Estate, Churchill Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham GL53 7FD
www.awningscheltenham.co.uk Page 28
We sell gas stoves Gas & Electric Fires | Fireplaces, Hearths & Mantels Multi-fuel & Woodburning Stoves | Accessories | Installations Showroom at: 78-80 Winchcombe Street, Cheltenham GL52 2NW
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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!
Page 29
curtain store Due to increased demand, and a desire to deliver the best service possible, our showroom is now only open by appointment. You will be free to browse at your leisure, without pressure. Experienced staff will be on hand to help and advise.
Sudoku Fill the grids so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.
Telephone 01242 526 189 for showroom appointment or home visit
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Don’t look until you’ve finished! Solutions on ‘Index of Advertisers’ page.
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Your local family business
Page 31
Professional
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Page 32
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Find us on
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Money Matters
STEVENS RECYCLING
with Roger Downes of Andorran
Domestic and Industrial Skips
ATTENTION! For a limited time only...
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A good time to ‘fill ’er up’ Are you as old as me? Can you remember driving into a petrol station where you had to be served by a forecourt attendant with a fiver in your pocket and asking said attendant to ‘fill ’er up’? You even expected to receive some change! How times have changed. Now a fiver doesn’t even buy you a gallon of fuel – let alone a full tank. A gallon, by the way for our younger readers, is an old measure of liquid volume equal to around 4.5 litres. But things are taking a turn for the better. The price of crude oil has dropped by around 60% since last summer and experts are predicting that it will remain at the current level for maybe the next three years. “Hurrah”, I hear you cry.
Job cuts and redundancies If only it was this simple. Unfortunately, for every litre of fuel sold, around 60% goes to the Treasury in fuel duty and VAT. So, a 60% fall in the price of crude oil only affects the remaining 40% of the pump price – i.e. a 24% reduction in the price you pay. 24% of £1.30, which is what pump prices were in late 2014, should see the amount we pay fall to exactly £1 per litre. If it gets there and stays there for three years, business and individual motorists will be happy. However, as a general rule in business, there can’t be winners without there being losers. One of the country’s biggest petrol suppliers, BP, has already declared significant job cuts and they won’t be alone in announcing redundancies. Oil companies – particularly those operating in the North Sea with stakes in older oilfields – will need to take further cost cutting measures if prices remain stable at this level for any length of time. But for you motorists, enjoy fuel at £1 per litre. It was only a few years ago that you were protesting at it rising to that level!
To advertise call 01242 510500
Page 33
Index of Advertisers FOOD & DRINK Corner Cupboard Inn
RETAIL 10
WHAT’S ON CLUBS & SPORTS Shipton Golf Course Zumba with HayleyR EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS GL1 Leisure Centre Hilton Puckrup Hall Hotel Prinknash Bird Park
14 14 17 19 16
HEALTH & BEAUTY CrossFit Tewkesbury Curves NHS Let’s Talk Oakwell Health
11 12 17 34
PROPERTY & STORAGE Engall Castle Newcombe Residential
2 10
COMPETITION WINNERS Thank you for all who took part in our January 2015 competitions and congratulations to all the winners: Malvern Theatres – pair of tickets to see Saturday Night Fever – Shirley Cobourn of Tirley and Charlotte Morris of Tewkesbury. Bacon Theatre – pair of tickets to see Treasure Island – Gwyn Fitch of Woodmancote. Everyman Theatre – pair of tickets to see Bouncers – Lindy Hennessy of Cheltenham. Picture Perfect – 3-course meal and bottle of Champagne courtesy of Wine & Sausage restaurant at The White Hart Inn – Natalie King of Tewkesbury.
Aquajardin 17 5 Tewkesbury Cook Shop Tewkesbury Garden Centre 15
HOMES & GARDENS BATHROOMS Severn Vale Bathrooms 24-25 BUILDING SERVICES BE Rudman 22 FOX Plastering 26 22 Marshalls Driveways R. Richards & Sons 26 Ready 2 Repair Roofing 26 Pristine Property Care 22 Weathertech 26 CLEANING SERVICES Oven Busters 26 Pink Fairy Cleaning 20 ELECTRICAL SERVICES Steve Holland Electrical 31
FURNISHING & APPLIANCES New Blinds New Blinds – Awnings New Blinds – Curtains New Blinds – Shutters Stoves and Fireplaces GARDEN SERVICES Cotswold Landscaping Landscape Creations Mark Clifford Landscapes HEATING & PLUMBING A&R Stove Installers Combi-Man KB Female Plumber Pete T Plumbing Platinum Plumbing KITCHENS Worktops Cheltenham PAINTING & DECORATING Christopher Rixon WINDOWS & DOORS Albany Windows
27 28 31 20 28 23 22 23 33 20 26 32 32 36 28 35
C&L Windows 21 Clearway Doors & Windows 6 Cloudy 2 Clear 29 Firm Fix 30
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CARE SERVICES Barnwood Trust FUNERAL DIRECTORS Alexander Burn MOTOR SERVICES Avonside Private Hire Carsmetix Evesham Self Drive Powerstation Twyning Garage V Hub PETS Dragon Vet Centre SKIP HIRE & RECYCLING Stevens Recycling
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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.
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www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk
The Local Answer
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 Showroom: Unit 41, Space Business Centre, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham GL51 9FL
Transform your Kitchen With a beautiful new worktop from Worktops Cheltenham G G G
Largest choice in region Wide range of styles and materials Fitters with 20+ years’ experience
G G G
Suppliers to the trade since 1997 Supply only or supply and fit Family run local business
We also design and install kitchens
WINTER SALE ENDS FEBRUARY For details call
01242 519966 Visit our showroom Unit R1 Kingsville Road Kingsditch Trading Estate Cheltenham GL51 9NZ sales@worktopscheltenham.co.uk Hours of business: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm & Saturday 9am-1pm
www.worktopscheltenham.co.uk