Cotswolds by The Local Answer

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JANUARY 2015

EATING OUT EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS HEALTH & BEAUTY HOLIDAYS & TRAVEL PROPERTY HOMES & GARDENS SERVICES PETS SHORT WALKS RECIPES VOUCHERS COMPETITIONS WE WISH ALL OUR READERS A VERY HAPPY & PROSPEROUS 2015

The Local

ANSWER

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

Distribution Debbie Powell – 07720 098934

Welcome to January ... A very happy New Year to all our readers, advertisers and contributors! Now the festivities are over, it’s back to the real world and for those of you looking to start the year with a health-kick, check out our ‘Looking Good, Feeling Great’ feature for some tips on sleeping well and keeping fresh. We have some great features to help you get your year off to a good start and beat those January blues, as well as some New Year’s resolution ideas that could help ‘Save the Planet’. Our new photography competition ‘Picture Perfect’ got off to a great start with some wonderful entries – make sure you enter this month’s ‘Most Romantic Gesture’ competition for your chance to win a three-course Valentine meal and bottle of wine for you and your partner courtesy of The Hare and Hound. Why not try making this month’s cocktail – or if you’re doing a January detox, try the mocktail instead.

distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk

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

1 Ullenwood Court, Ullenwood, Gloucestershire GL53 9QS

01242 510500 thelocalanswer

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Delicious Dishes 5 Style & Fashion 6 Cocktail Time 8 Mirror Mirro on the Wall 9 Looking Good, Feeling Great 11 Parenting & Guardianship 13 Motoring 15 What’s On 16 Picture Perfect 18-19 Homes & Gardens 20 In the Garden 21 Save the Planet 25 Interior Design 26 Word Search 28 Professional Services 29 Money Matters 29 Quick Crossword 30 Sudoku 31 Gadgets & Gizmos 33 Index, Competitions, Solutions 34 Competitions: 19 Page 3

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Delicious Dishes with Helen Kingscott

Winter Warmer – Chicken Pie This deliciously creamy chicken pie is sure to warm you up over the winter months! Serves 6-8 Ingredients: 300ml white wine; 600ml chicken stock; 1 whole chicken (approx. 1.7kg); 2 bay leaves; 5 sprigs of thyme; 2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced; 2 leeks, halved and sliced; 2 celery sticks, sliced; 1kg potatoes, peeled and cut into 1cm cubes; 75g butter; 75g plain flour; 100ml double cream; 75g mature cheddar, grated; bag of spinach. Method: 1 Pour the wine and stock into a large saucepan, add the chicken, breast side up, the bay leaves and thyme. Bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for one hour.

2 Add the carrots, leeks and celery to the pan, bring back to the boil, then simmer for a further 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Remove the herbs and discard, then transfer the chicken and vegetables to a bowl. Strain the cooking liquid into a large jug – you’ll need 900ml altogether, so if it comes up a bit short, add a little more hot stock. 3 Put the potatoes in a pan of cold salted water, bring to the boil and cook for 8-10 minutes until just tender and then drain. Remove the meat from the chicken and chop. Return it to the bowl with the vegetables. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees (fan 180). 4 Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pan over a high heat, add the flour and whisk for one minute. Gradually add the 900ml of hot cooking liquid and whisk until you have a smooth, think sauce. Season to taste, then remove from the heat. Pour half of the source over the chicken and vegetables in the bowl, mix together, then spoon into a 2-3 litre ovenproof dish. 5 Add the double cream to the remaining sauce, stir in the cooked potato cubes, season and pour the mixture over the chicken and vegetables in the dish. Sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until lightly golden on top and bubbling. Serve with wilted spinach.

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Style & Fashion with Sophie Perry

New Year, New Look Just as politics and fashion have been so closely knitted in the past – Margaret Thatcher and the 80’s power dressing – so it is today. In Vivienne Westwood’s Spring Summer 2015 (SS15) catwalk, the models were dressed in Thatcher inspired pinstripe suits and oversized shoulder pads, with ‘YES’ badges on – a final push for Scottish Independence. Chanel’s SS15 catwalk saw Karl Lagerfeld stage a feminist fashion protest. For what to wear this coming season, look out for styles from Amal Clooney and Kate Middleton, as well as fashion icon and great advocate of feminism – Emma Watson. This year expect to see denim jackets with quirky alterations such as plastic collars and ostrich feathered trimmings.

“Fluff” – as it was referred to in Simone Rocha’s SS15 collection – is already amongst our winter wardrobe, as it edged our party frocks and adorned our shoes, and will now continue into 2015. In the spring you’ll see it on cutesy dresses, clutches and staple denim jackets. With the quick turnover of fashion trends it’s always great to see things cross over seasons – if not for our pocket, but the environment as well. Other pieces to hold onto include those sports-inspired pieces as showcased in Topshop’s Unique SS15 collection – no doubt this will filter down into their High Street pieces. Look up Anya Hindmarch’s ‘Fixation’ collection. Her playful catwalk display emulates her fun approach to fashion, with handbags drenched in leather stickers that take you back to school days. The Spring Summer 2015 colour palette is all about earthy organic tones. The inspiration for this was taken from the idea of relieving ourselves from the fast paced, instantaneous lifestyle that technological advances have brought us. Women should expect to see blues,

oranges, greys, mint greens and deep reds, and men should be on the look out for cool blues/greys, forest greens, soft sandy tones and subtle lilacs. There is a cross over of palettes between men and women, which both get their inspiration from the same source – an ideal of bringing a non-synthetic, organic feel to this summer, embodying the rich colours of our planet. JW Anderson’s menswear collection illustrates these earthy tones brilliantly. Topman’s SS15 collection shouts 70’s with flared trousers, oversized collars, bold flower prints and jazzy shirts – no doubt we’ll also see double denim. Bucket hats – despite coming back into fashion before – have now also hit the catwalk. With regards to outerwear, look for the classic Parka and boxy jackets. Katie Eary’s cowboy inspired designs also had a hint of the 70’s comeback with an array of psychedelic colours and prints.

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The Local Answer

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Let’s Talk is Gloucestershire’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service – free from your local NHS.

We offer free psychological / educational courses across the county. They are based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and are intended for people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression as well as other common mental health difficulties. They are not group therapy and you don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. You will have tasks to complete between sessions to help you make changes. Our NEW courses are: Using CBT to Help You Manage Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue

Find dates and book on a course near you by visiting our website

https://courses.talk2gether.nhs.uk or call 0800 073 2200 We request you only book on one course at a time. I have enjoyed this course, lots of information and discussions.

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Cocktail Time with Lois Kingscott

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The White Russian was originally a variation on another vodka drink – the Black Russian. This drink is thought to have originated in Brussels in 1949, and it soon became popular due to its ease of creation and smooth flavour. The introduction of cream to change the drink’s colour produced the official White Russian cocktail. Though fresh cream is preferred, milk is an acceptable substitute. The cocktail experienced a brief flurry of popularity in the 70’s before fading out for two decades. The White Russian was then immortalised in 1998 by the movie ‘The Big Lebowski’. Initially something of a flop, the film didn’t reach cult status until 2002 when it ignited the White Russian’s popularity once more. There are many variations on the drink, including the Blonde or Blind Russian that substitutes the cream for Irish Cream. Ingredients: Ice; 30ml fresh cream; 30ml kahlua (coffee liqueur); 90ml vodka. Method: 1 Pour cream, kahlua and vodka into a cocktail shaker. 2 Shake well and strain over ice into a low ball glass.

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Mirror Mirror on the Wall... with Katie Pollard

Fresh start, fresh face! A new year for some means a fresh start – a new year for beauty means a fresh face! The time has come to take a look ahead to what’s trending for spring/summer ’15 (SS15) and, with the winter colour palettes on their way out, the new season brings an array of colours and textures to play with. Granted, there are some you wouldn’t imagine yourself wearing – most of the looks parading the catwalks wouldn’t exactly look appropriate for, let’s say, getting the groceries! But for those of you who like to experiment with the contents of your make-up bag, this is what the New Year has in store for you. First up is the ‘wet look’, introduced by Alexander Wang, where it literally is a fresh start with a fresh face! The ‘wet look’ encourages healthy skin with the appearance of little or no make-up at all, to give the impression of a postparty glow. Think glossy brows and shiny eyelids, as opposed to a sweaty complexion! This really is the definition of less is more – a fresh faced glow is what we all want to achieve with our post-Christmas detox. The designers at Emilio Pucci have focused their attention on eyes and you’ll be relieved to hear it’s not the ‘feline flick’ (which I’m sure many of you know can sometimes take forever

to create!). It’s time to put down your eyeliner and pick up your mascara. This look is all about ‘doll eyes’ – think spidery long lashes where bigger is better! Eyelash curlers are great for helping you to create this – apply the mascara generously, combing upwards until you have your wide-eyed look. If curlers don’t work for you, you can always buy your own ready-made eyelashes from your local Boots or Superdrug and for this trend, look out for ‘Eylure’, which would be perfect for this. Our next trend makes quite the statement – purple is the new black. For those of you who, like me, are a lover of wearing black, this could be easier said than done. However, the likes of Vera Wang and Matthew Williamson are creating bold, colourful eyes with the use of pastel palettes to coordinate with the floral prints of SS15. Imagine 70’s glamour with a lilac finish, a hint of lavender and flowers in your hair – not only for festival goers, but perfect for those summer parties on the patio.

Last but not least we can talk smokey eye but, as with the previous trends, nothing heavy – noticing a pattern? This comes from the likes of Roberto Cavalli and Carolina Herrera, who are embracing the ‘sandy smoky eye’. Think a palette of warm, relaxed, rich tones of bronze and browns, creating the perfect daytime smokey eye – wearable for every day not just for the dressier evenings. As you’ll have noticed by now, the beauty looks of SS15 are understated and accentuate classic minimalism, which often gets ignored when it comes to applying make-up. Remember, less is more, so make the most of flaunting your natural glow this year!

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Page 9

Looking Good, Feeling Great with Matt Wagstaff

Sleep better and feel better A poor night’s sleep, or developing a poor sleeping pattern, can lead to a variety of negative health problems – from a higher chance of becoming obese or developing Type 2 diabetes, to becoming more stressed and unfocussed in the work place. The hormone cortisol is produced in excess in people who sleep less. It can attack the immune system, leading to an increased risk of illnesses, and it also damages the skin leading to less elasticity – making you look older, among other health complications. Having an efficient sleep pattern, an optimal sleep duration of between 7-10 hours and an effective before-bed routine can have positive effects on health and productivity, as well as helping to reduce in stress. Following some simple steps can increase the likelihood of getting a good night’s sleep and waking up feeling refreshed!

WATCH WHAT YOU EAT AND DRINK Eating before bed – especially a big meal – can prevent you from sleeping as your body will be attempting to digest the meal. Therefore, your body will not be able to go through its usual before-sleep routine of cooling you down and relaxing you via the release of melatonin into your blood stream. Avoiding caffeinated food and drinks is also a good idea – caffeine increases your heart rate and releases adrenalin hormones and cortisol for up to six hours, making it hard for your body to cool down and relax.

CUT OUT THE LIGHT Artificial light coming from televisions, computers and light bulbs can effect sleep – especially the blue-light given off. This gives the brain the feeling that it is still daytime and, therefore, it does not start the usual stages of relaxing and cooling down. Avoiding very bright screens and mobile phones in the hour before bed will give your brain the signal to start the sleep cycle.

issue, especially when there is a long list of things you need to do the following day or a big project to plan. Stressing too much while attempting to sleep releases cortisol, which stops the natural sleep cycle and makes it hard to switch off. Getting into a planned routine before bed can help you to relax more easily, and making a list of the things that need to be done the following day, and an action plan, can reduce your brain from over thinking and help you switch off.

EXERCISE

Being physically active in the day can have big benefits on getting a good night’s sleep. Fatiguing the body and mind can encourage the body to sleep at night, helping the recovery process. Exercise also improves blood flow and temperature control, which helps your DE-STRESS BEFORE body to cool before bed. Exercising in the BED morning or approximately 4-5 hours Trying to turn your brain before bed is optimal, as this gives the off before bed can be an body time to cool before bedtime.

Distributors Required For a few hours each month in the following areas: The Loca l Avening, Blockley, Chipping Campden, Cirencester, Fairford, Kemble, Kempsford, Lechlade, Meysey Hampton, Moreton in ANS WER Marsh, Quenington, Stow on the Wold, Stratton, Upper Rissington, Urbington, Siddington, South Cerney & Tetbury Each round is made up of 150-400 copies per month. The rate of pay is 6 pence/copy. Depending on property types, our current team of people average between 100-150 copies/hour (equivalent to £6-£9/hour). Magazines are delivered to Distributors’ homes towards the end of each month and we expect deliveries to be completed within four days between the hours of 7am and 9pm. You must be 13+ years old, flexible, reliable and sufficiently physically fit to perform the duties. YOUR FAVOURITE, MOST USEFUL MAGAZINE

Gloucestershire 133,000 DELIVERED JANUARY 2015 www.thelocalanswer.co.uk

EATING OUT EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS HEALTH & BEAUTY HOLIDAYS & TRAVEL PROPERTY HOMES & GARDENS SERVICES PETS SHORT WALKS RECIPES VOUCHERS COMPETITIONS WIN A ROMANTIC VALENTINES EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR LOVED ONE!

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Page 11

Parenting & Guardianship with Roberta Smart

How to beat the January blues For those with teenagers in the house, January can be a trying time. There’s the come-down after Christmas, the back to school blues and an array of new stresses and challenges to deal with. Year 9 are choosing their options for GCSE, which can be daunting for everyone involved, especially for those who are struggling at school. For older students exam time is looming, with mock exams for year 11 and SATS for the primary students being mentioned at every turn. As parents the best we can do is ensure our kids are feeling well supported. Try to make sure they are eating well, getting enough sleep and watch out for signs of stress that often show at this time of year.

KEEP TALKING Remember to keep communication lines open. Talk to your kids, talk to their teachers – they won’t bite – and encourage your kids to talk to people outside the family that they most trust

and admire. Very often, those outside can see what we as parents cannot. To get the family back on track and reconnected, think about ways in which you can capitalise on the dark nights and cold weather to really enjoy your time together. Watch a film, play a board game or just talk about your day – whatever you do, just do it as a family.

With so many recipes available online as well as a wealth of cookbooks for all ages and stages, there really couldn’t be a better time to try.

HAVE FUN IN THE KITCHEN One way to reconnect is with healthy meals – especially after the sugar fest of Christmas. January is a great time to get the kids into the kitchen, learn some basic cooking skills and prepare some healthy meals for all the family. The chopping of vegetables for a hearty stew, the weighing and mixing of ingredients for a cake for Sunday tea or the fun of making their own tortillas with loads of choices of fillings can all be a great way to spend quality time together, learn new skills and get those fussy eaters weaned off their sugar addiction.

LET IT GO! If your kids were lucky enough to receive oodles of new toys at Christmas, January can also be a great time to have a clear out. Sort those bedroom piles into ‘Trash’ ‘Donate’ and ‘Keep’ piles, encouraging the children to help choose what to let go of, including those toys and books they have outgrown. Charity shops always need donations and, after receiving so much, it can be very balancing to encourage children to move things along. Give things away and let go of what they no longer need or want, especially when they know they are doing something good for someone else. Maybe they would like to choose a charity that feels important to them? However you choose to spend your winter months, remember to get outside, enjoy the air and, who knows, maybe you could even build a snowman?

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A fantastic offer just for you! The Local Answer have teamed up with holiday agent Miles Morgan Travel to bring you – our readers – a unique offer. You have the chance to save £100 on any holiday valued at £2,000 or more when you book before 31st January 2015! If you haven’t already sorted out your annual getaway – or you fancy an extra mini-break – there’s plenty of inspiration for holiday destinations on the website – www.milesmorgantravel.co.uk. On any

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Motoring with Christian Tilbury

Get a grip on winter driving With harsh weather and short days, winter is far from the nicest time to take to the road. The conditions place a greater strain on your car so it’s more than a little wise to make sure that yours is prepared for all that nature can throw at it. Your car’s battery, lights, tyres, antifreeze, exhaust, ventilation system and windscreen wipers all have to work harder during the winter months, and a few minutes spent checking their condition and levels is a great way to protect yourself from getting caught out by an easily avoidable breakdown. Spending 10 minutes each week inspecting your car will ensure it can handle winter, will help keep you and your passengers safe and even save you money – simple checks can often highlight any issues before they turn into bigger and more expensive problems. If you want to literally avoid getting stuck then it’s also worth considering a set of winter tyres – especially if you own a rear-wheel drive car that is more likely to struggle for grip when the going gets

tough. Granted, they don’t usually come cheap, but they do offer significant benefits compared to ‘normal’ tyres and not just in snow and ice – they provide better performance when the temperature drops below 7°C. A higher level of silica in their construction works to make them more supple than ‘normal’ tyres and, with a special tread pattern that enhances grip, they can drastically cut braking distances in ice or snow and even just when the road is wet. A more affordable way to get you out of a slippery situation are snow socks – proving ideal when you need to get going on that country lane or even simply help you negotiate areas that are off the standard gritting routes, such as housing estates. The socks simply slip over the driving wheels to instantly aid traction and can usually be bought for any size of tyre. In fact, even some supermarkets sell them. Of course, nothing can guarantee you won’t get caught out, so ensure you’ve always got a good shovel, sturdy footwear and a high visibility vest in the boot for when there’s no other choice but to dig yourself out!

The best advice when it comes to winter driving though, is to simply take it easy and reduce your speed. If you’re tackling snow or ice then be gentle on the brakes and accelerator and avoid sharp steering input – especially on corners. To slow down without locking your wheels, select a low gear early, let your speed fall and gently apply the brakes – remember, in such conditions you may need 10 times the normal distance to stop.

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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. 2–11 JANUARY SLEEPING BEAUTY

The Everyman’s Pantomime is back featuring the return of Tweedy The Clown and William Elliott as the Dame. Tickets start from £13. Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573. everymantheatre.co.uk. 3 JANUARY CBSO: THE MAGIC OF VIENNA

There’s no need to go to Vienna to toast the New Year – raise a musical glass of bubbly here in Malvern. Strauss waltzes as sweet as cream cakes, polkas that sparkle like champagne and Mozart arias sung by World-renowned soprano Kate Royal. 7.45pm. From £19. Malvern Theatres, Grange Road, Malvern WR14 3HB. 01684 892277. malvern-theatres.co.uk. 4 & 25 JANUARY BRIDE & GROOM SHOW From Vintage to Classical Fairytale to Country Chic, you’ll find everything on display to help plan your perfect day! Free entry 11am-3pm. Bridal Fashions midday and 2pm. GL1 Leisure Centre, Gloucester (4th January) and Cheltenham Town Hall (25th January). brideandgroomshow.com. 7 JANUARY CHORAL SOCIETY Fairford and District Choral Society will start rehearsing on Wednesday 7th January for their next concert, on 15th March. We shall be singing Faure’s Requiem and

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Cantique de Jean Racine. New members would be warmly welcomed. Details on website – www.fairford.org/choralsociety. 8-9 JANUARY FLOODLIT SWAN SUPPER Experience the beauty and sounds of hundreds of wild swans on a floodlit lake before enjoying a delicious three course meal at WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre. 6.15pm for 6.30pm start. £29.95 to include three course meal. WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT. 01453 891223. 10 JANUARY IT SCHOOLS AFRICA Your local Rotary Clubs are collecting IT equipment on behalf of Cheltenham charity, IT Schools Africa. The charity is working to transform IT education in Africa; helping children escape the poverty cycle. You can help by donating IT equipment (in working order) on the 10th January. Drop off points at: Tesco Cheltenham (Tewkesbury Road) 9.30am1pm, Tesco Stroud 11am-12pm, Tesco Quedgeley 1.30pm-2.30pm, Morrisons Tewkesbury (Ashchurch Road) 9am-2pm. 19-24 JANUARY PETER PAN GOES WRONG

The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society sets out to present J.M.Barrie’s classic tale of Peter Pan. 7.45pm (2.30pm matinees Wednesday and Saturday).. Tickets from £16 Malvern Theatres, Grange Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3HB. 01684 892277. malvern-theatres.co.uk. 21-24 JANUARY EDUCATING RITA Willy Russell’s play Educating Rita is a modern classic telling the story of hairdresser Rita, who feels that life has passed her by. 7.30pm (2pm matinee Saturday 24th). £10. Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573. everymantheatre.co.uk.

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BOUNCERS

Lucky Eric, Judd, Les and Ralph are the original men in black as they tell the tale of one night in a Yorkshire disco in the 80’s in this outrageous parody of Saturday Night Fever! Various times. Tickets from £13. Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573. everymantheatre.co.uk. 21-25 JANUARY ALI BABA Promenade Productions present this classic tale which follows the adventures of young Ali Baba and his trusty camel and their attempts to stop the evil Mustapha Lot from stealing an all powerful sword. Can he save the day? ‘Oh yes he can!’. £8-£14. 7pm (Saturday and Sunday Matinees 2.30pm). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham. 01242 224144. promenadeproductions.co.uk. 25 JANUARY BURNS NIGHT SUPPER 3-course traditional Scottish feast, themed music and poems. £30 per person. Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall, Bondend Lane, Upton St Leonards, Gloucestershire GL4 8ED. 0844 815 9077. 28-31 JANUARY MAN ALIVE! Award winning Box Tale Soup (Northanger Abbey, Casting the Runes), are back with their adaptation of G.K.Chesterton’s Manalive! 7.45pm (2pm matinee Saturday). £10.50 (£9). Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573. everymantheatre.co.uk. 31 JANUARY 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. £16 (£14). 7pm. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham. 01242 224144.

The Local Answer

Picture Perfect Winter Wildlife

“Are you looking at me?” Thanks to all of you who sent in your wonderful pictures to enter our ‘Winter Wildlife’ competition. Congratulations to Michelle Tocknell of Gloucester who submitted the winning image (above) and has won tickets to The Bird and Deer Park at Prinknash to see the beautiful creatures living there. Some of our other favourites are pictured below and above right.

Win a romantic meal for two! The theme for our February competition is ‘Most Romantic Gesture’. Please submit a photograph and short statement of no more than 100 words telling the story behind the romance. Courtesy of The Hare & Hounds at Foss Cross, the winner will receive a three course evening meal for two and a bottle of wine. To enter, email your photo and story, along with your name, address and telephone number to: editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk stating ‘Romance’. 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 15th January 2015.

THE HARE & HOUNDS AT FOSS CROSS Chedworth nr Cirencester. Glos GL54 4NN 01285 720 288 www.hareandhoundsinn.com More and more people are making a special journey to the Hare and Hounds because of one thing – our award-winning food. Restored flagstones and an open but still intimate layout add to the wonderful cosy atmosphere. A recent tasteful redecoration having brought the Hare and Hounds right up-to-date, whilst combining its traditional rustic feel with a relaxed elegant ambiance. Come and try us!

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In The Garden with Julia Smith

Start as you mean to go on Your first New Year’s resolution is to recycle the Christmas tree rather than leaving it in the garden as a reproachful skeleton until August! Garden centres and local recycling centres will quite often take them, and I have checked that the Cheltenham Council collects trees 4ft or under left out on the first refuse day after Christmas – I should imagine the other local councils do this too.

sowing early crops. This will also cut down on the weeding. Weeds still grow even in the chilly weather – keep on top of them and it will save time later on in the year. Dandelions, docks and other perennial weeds with long taproots can be removed at this time of the year more easily than at others – make sure you have the whole root out or it will just regrow. Garlic grows best when it has endured some winter chill and rain, so plant out individual cloves in a sunny spot, pointed end up, 15cm apart with 2.5cm of soil covering them. If the soil is heavy or really wet you can start the cloves off in small pots of soil-based compost and leave outside in a sheltered spot ready to plant out in spring. January is the right time to give wisteria its winter pruning. Cut back the whippy

stems that have grown last year to two or three buds – this will create flowering ‘spurs’ to bloom in the summer. Do take care if you need to use a ladder – make sure the bottom is secure on a flat surface and don’t lean over to make it unstable. If you have a vast wisteria that has gone beserk after being ignored for many years, it may pay to get in a specialist gardener who can get it back into some semblance of order and enable you to carry on with it yourself in the future.

Try forcing some rhubarb – cover the dormant buds with either straw or dry leaves inside a terracotta forcing pot or a large bucket to keep the light out. Tender pink stems will be produced in a few weeks time. Don’t do this to the same plant every year, as it will need to recover and build its reserves up. Clear the vegetable garden of old crops and cover the ground with a layer of black plastic to help warm the ground for

Sheds & gates made to measure ● Fence panels & posts ● All fencing materials supplied ●

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Fencing Page 21

Stoves & Fireplaces Cheltenham

Come and visit us for great ideas 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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Page 22

Worktop Refits ■ Door Replacements ■ Kitchen Upgrades ■ Full Kitchens ■ Electrical ■ Plumbing ■ Gas ■ Tiling ■ Stud Walls/Plastering www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk

The Local Answer

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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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Page 23

Save the Planet with Lois Kingscott

Make a New Year’s resolution today! It’s New Year’s resolution time. Some of you may promise to go to the gym more, some of you may decide to drink less, while others have simply given up on the whole ‘resolution thing’. It’s not just about you though – we should all be doing our bit to create a much healthier environment, and a resolution is a perfect way to get started.

SAY NO TO BAGS Since the Welsh Government introduced the charge for single-use carrier bags, the distribution has reduced by up to 96% in some retail sectors. Over four billion bags are thrown away each year in the UK, many of which litter landscapes and threaten our wildlife. So, when you head to the High Street to hit the January sales, take a ‘Bag for Life’ or two. They’re stronger than plastic or paper bags, meaning they can hold more weight – great for you, not so great for your finances. Once you get used to remembering your reusable bag, it’ll be second nature and a small step towards cleaning up our towns, cities, countryside, rivers and seas.

MAKE IT HABIT We all have everyday habits – brushing our teeth, dressing, eating regular meals, exercising, etc. Habits by nature are easy to maintain, and it’s not difficult to pick up

new ones either. Recycling should be a priority habit – it’s certainly very important. When you buy a bottle of coke, wash it and use it as a water bottle for the gym. When you print off too much paper, use both sides before recyling. When you cook too much food, freeze some of it (if appropriate) for an easy meal next time. Just make sure anything that can be recycled doesn’t end up in your general waste bin.

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Finally, palm oil is the most widely consumed vegetable oil on the planet and is in hundreds of everyday products – from lipstick to pizza. It grows in the same areas as tropical rainforests, and the uncontrolled clearing of land for plantations has led to widespread loss of irreplaceable habitats – home to many already endangered species. The good news is that palm oil can be produced in an environmentally responsible manner, so you don’t have to give up these products. Just make sure the packaging displays either the RSPO or Green Palm Sustainability labels – both mean the oil is from sustainable sources.

Want to treat yourself and do something good for the environment too? Try investing in the most fuel efficient car you can find. Electric and hybrid cars are becoming more and more popular and, as well as being more efficient, could reduce or eradicate your road tax – bonus! Alternatively, why not try to use MAKE A POSITIVE START! public transport more or ‘car share’ There are so many more resolutions you with friends or colleagues travelling in the could make – save water, make a compost same direction as you? pile, cut down fast food, volunteer for START THEM YOUNG a charity, donate By involving the whole family, items you don’t you can teach children from a need or use, and young age that being many more. Even environmentally friendly is a picking just one great thing to do. Children are thing that will help particularly impressionable – if the environment is they see you doing something a fantastic thing to good, they are likely to copy. do – just think of They also love positivity so if the impact if you praise them for turning a everyone else on light off or putting a piece of the planet did the card in a recyling bin, they will same! want to do it again.

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Page 25

Interior Design with Vicky Walker

10 tips to refresh your living room Is your home suffering from the winter blues? Here are some simple ideas that will breathe some new life into your living room and transform it into the stylish, relaxing space you are looking for.

4. ATTENTION TO DETAIL

8. BRIGHT IDEA

Pay attention to small details such as using steel fittings all the way through your house to give a polished contemporary feel. If you prefer a more traditional look, burnished brass is much nicer than shiny 1. SAD SOFAS Freshen up tired sofas and chairs with new plain brass. covers – they will prolong the life of your 5. TEXTURE furniture and be the starting point for a Go for contrasts of texture to add interest whole new scheme. to simple colour schemes. Thick woolly throws and chunky ribbed carpets will look 2. FOLIAGE A floor standing warm and welcoming. A battered leather plant turns an chair adds another dimension, then either empty corner silk or linen curtains. Using textures into a focal ensures your scheme will not look flat and point – there are will have a lot more life in it. some great faux ones around if you are not green fingered or prefer plants that don’t require any maintenance.

3. MUTED PASTELS Soft, muted pastels often create a tranquil atmosphere. Try sage green or slate blue and introduce some metallic touches for a sense of luxury. Deep blue and grey are very much in vogue at the moment and create a much more moody feel to your room. They can work if your room is dark – you just need to know how!

Make a statement with your lamps – look for a shade that picks up a particular colour from your furnishings. Rather than having a central pendant light, try a side lamp or floor lamp, which will create a lovely calming atmosphere.

9. LIVEN THINGS UP

Introduce patterns for a lively look, but remember to experiment these patterns in a limited colour palette – ideally stick to two or three colours and this means you 6. SUPERSIZE can mix patterns such as stripes, checks Oversized patterns look fantastic in small and florals. Be careful with the size of the doses. Try adding a bright and bold design as well. patterned throw to your sofa or paper one wall in a large scale design. If you feel you 10. HAVE IT YOUR WAY may tire of this quickly, purchase a crazy Lastly, ensure it is your style and that you design of fabric and stretch it over a frame can live with it – then you will love the – this will be easy to replace should you result and will only need to add the odd get bored of it. accessory from time to time.

7. RUG UP An interesting design laid on wooden flooring or a plain carpet can transform your floor and also provides an extra layer of comfort and warmth.

M ●

McCORMICK WEEKS

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Page 26

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The Local Answer

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 27

WORD SEARCH N O I T I D A R T A P U P S U S I F T L W U E U

S K I K Y W W E N Y S G N A L D L U A S U V L L

Q K A C S S I K V S F K E C V W F T Q A A I M E

R M R L W W O I I E N F W O C B Q F D F G O M X

W X P O C M T I S J E R R G R O B E V B U X T C

N G I O W T H T D A W K A A P K Y G U X C F Y R

T E N R E E I S U N Y E I T B U F F E T G O H K

K D W F V V R L X U E Y D D D Q L I J V U S R X

L Q N Y I P H I O A A T G N I G N I S O S D U J

J O X T E B S X F R R R S F A O G Q Z I W N P J

C W I W Z A G X D Y S A L I Q B V Q L P T E E W

X E Z S M L R L W Z E P R J E K G A O Q G I U X

S I L D K L O S N I V J S Q N J W V I W Q R N D

Christmas AULD LANG SYNE BALLOONS BUFFET CELEBRATE CHAMPAGNE CONFETTI COUNTDOWN DANCING FAMILY

FIREWORKS FRIENDS FESTIVITIES HOLIDAY JANUARY KISS MEMORIES MIDNIGHT MUSIC

NEW YEARS DAY NEW YEARS EVE PARTY RESOLUTION SINGING TOAST TRADITION

M G S S P O P G D N E W Q T X I A V O K Q F A O

D E T O R O P P E A W G B Z G E T J J J D N E Q

Z J M H O N M T J D Y C A X N Q Z F B J C J N C

A S H O P S A R E S O L U T I O N I M I H H G O

V C I U R R J R Y U K C F Z Y Z H G N S F O A U

H I V Z B I W S N A I S H A L V Z G N T X E P R

C I G E Y O E T J S D W K I M Z C N U W F M M U

D L L G I H D S U Z O I Q R F I N R H R K A A C

E E J A T O Z M Q W A I L Y C X L J J O V I H J

C K I O W A A V G Q O A U O B P L Y H C J D C Q

M I D N I G H T M C X Y Y R H A U G I N I C O G

Why n ot u s e t his s pa ce t o a dve rt i s e y o u r b u s i n e ss ? For details please get in touch ...

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As we enter 2015, I’m told I’ve got a “big birthday” coming up this year. Like everyone before me, whose age ends in a zero, I shrug it off with comments about being as old as you feel or life beginning at my new number. It made me think about how much numbers affect our lives – sometimes in a completely meaningless way, but at other times fundamentally. Money is, of course, numbers with a currency sign in front of them. Some of the richest people in the country make fortunes by simply moving numbers around in the City of London. They’ll tell you there is a science and skill to it – but we don’t believe them, do we? It’s just playing with numbers.

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Every story that emanates from government is about figures, be it the value of the deficit, rates of tax, levels of unemployment or the number of days until the general election. More of that to come this year of course. Numbers come in all shapes and sizes. Our trader friends in the City don’t recognize them unless they have at least six noughts attached. Politicians of different parties will give us completely differing figures to each other when they are reading the same number. I need some help with that one and I make my living dealing in figures. What chance do those with less numerate skills stand? Maybe the most important numbers to the British public every week are the small ones – from 1 to 49 in the shape of the National Lottery balls. These little numbers can change your life in an instant, as long as you can overcome the 1 in 14 million chance of finding the winners! I’m going to regard my number as a little one too, but I’m planning to enjoy my 2015. I hope you are too – Happy New Year!

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Page 29

Quick Crossword 1

PROFESSIONAL

DOWN 1 Rolls (in mud) 2 Viper 3 Clock faces 4 Moved (hips) 5 Hangs unlawfully 6 Bandits 12 Gorilla or chimpanzee 15 Liquor 16 Display case 17 Tiny waves 19 Unwell 20 Concentrated scent 22 Exclusive group 23 Ups & ...

Christopher Rixon

ACROSS 1 The ... Of Oz 5 Traditional wisdom 7 Frostily 8 Detective's clue 9 Pen tips 10 Reasoning 11 Musical dramas 13 Weeded 14 Crockery item 18 Neglect 21 Wound crust 22 Seniors 24 Drive forward 25 In comparison to 26 Take (baby) off bottle 27 Wield (influence) 28 Narrow aperture 29 Make certain

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THREE PIECE JOINERY

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Page 30

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For a free quotation contact Ryan... Unit 4 Space Business Centre Tewkesbury Road Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL51 9FL 01242 268114 07787 547405 r.farrell@farrdenn.co.uk farrdenn.co.uk

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Interior & exterior Wallpapering/special eﬀects No job too small Free quota ons – unbeatable prices Call Adam McIntosh on 07703 057647 adammac2008@hotmail.co.uk

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Building & Property Services

Aubrey Howard is an innovative property services company made up of experienced project managers, architects and tradesmen. We aim to provide a fresh approach to your property requirements without the usual complaints and hassles that dog the building trade.

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Gadgets & Gizmos with Dan Wood

Christmas was just the warm up You've got streamers in the cobwebs and the faint smell of Scotland’s finest lingering in the air. With the 2015 calendar in situ and boxes of “it’s the thought that counts” gifts taking up much needed space, what’s left to do? Treat yourself! Christmas was just the warm up and here’s some inspiration.

APPLE SMART WATCH This gadget is set for release in early 2015 and serves to complement the already formidable Apple tech arsenal. This game changer includes a laminated flexible retina display made and milled from a single sapphire, a zirconia rear plate comprising infra red and visible light LEDs to detect heart rate, inductive charging (wireless), a choice of six different straps and a side positioned watch dial named the ‘digital crown’ for control.

Designed to work in tandem with the iPhone, this watch acts as a smaller, easily accessible interface without the need to reach for your phone. This will prove popular with those investing in the new iPhone 6, measuring up at 5.44 x 2.64”. Like the built-in sat nav to your otherwise standard family car, this gadget isn’t entirely necessary, but it would certainly make life easier and is one cool bit of technology BUILD YOUR OWN SOLAR I certainly want my hands on! As yet, POWERED GADGET BOT no price has been confirmed but For kids, this month I turn to the ‘Build rumour stands at £225 plus. your own solar powered gadget bot’ range. These popular kits come in the form of six bots – including a car, a plane and a boat. A fun activity with a useable toy at the end, this range brings education and play together in an enjoyable and informative setting. Priced at £5-9 on average, general feedback looks positive – though some components are small and may frustrate those with less SELFIE STICK patience, so adult With phones and smart watches help may be comes social media. Giving the nod required. to online photo sharing we have the recent release of the ‘Selfie Stick’. Priced on average at £6-8 this extendable arm clenches the user’s mobile phone and allows the perfect selfie (a photo of one’s self) to be achieved. Popular with both genders, this is a must for any self-respecting selfie addict. But would you be seen with one?

Tel: 01285 700012

Mon-Fri 9-5.30pm Sat 9am-12.30 noon

Our computer repair technicians repair and maintain computers, laptops and servers. ◆ Building and configuring new hardware ◆ Installing and updating software packages ◆ Creating and maintaining computer networks

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Page 33

Index of Advertisers FOOD & DRINK

HOMES & GARDENS

Corner Cupboard Inn The Hare and Hound

5 19

WHAT’S ON CLUBS & SPORTS Seasons Art Class Shipton Golf Course EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS Love Actually Weddings

17 8 6

HEALTH & BEAUTY Kim Brunwin NHS Let’s Talk

8 7

HOLIDAYS & TRAVEL Miles Morgan Travel

9 & 14

RETAIL Aquajardin

PROPERTY & STORAGE Newcombe Residential

BATHROOMS Severn Vale Bathrooms BUILDING SERVICES Aubrey Howard FarrDenn Construction Home Care Property Marshalls Driveways R. Richards & Son Weather Tech CARPENTRY Three Piece Joinery FURNISHING & APPLIANCES Bella’s Interiors Just Fabrics McCormick Weeks Stoves and Fireplaces GARDEN SERVICES A&B Fencing HEATING & PLUMBING Pete T Plumbing KITCHENS Cotswold Kitchen & Bathroom

32 31 20 20 20 20

Granite Transformations Hatherley Worktops PAINTING & DECORATING A&M Painting & Decorating Christopher Rixon WINDOWS & DOORS AJ Windows Albany Windows C&L Windows Cloudy 2 Clear

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

20 10 26 22 21 22 4

CARE SERVICES Barnwood Trust Samaritans Gloucestershire COMPUTERS & SOFTWARE Cirencester Computer Repairs EDUCATION & TRAINING Rendcomb College FUNERAL SERVICES Alexander Burn LEGAL & FINANCE Take Five Solutions

2 22 31 30

MOTOR SERVICES 4x4 Vehicle Hire SKIP HIRE & RECYCLING Stevens Recycling UTLITIES Utility Warehouse

24 36 23 27

12 34 33 13 29 29

15 25 30

COMPETITION WINNERS Thanks to all who took part in our December competitions and congratulations to the winners: Sniff and Slurp – Ticket to wine tasting evening – Sarah Barnes of Churchdown and Trish Wilczak of Cirencester. Picture Perfect – 4 tickets to The Bird & Deer Park – Michelle Tocknell of Gloucester. Aquajardin – biOrb Halo Aquarium – Wendy Spencer of Tewkesbury.

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS Z

O G

O P

A L

U C

L A

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M I D N I G H T M C X Y Y R H A U G I N I C O G

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