The Local
Gloucester
ANSWER
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www.thelocalanswer.co.uk
MAY 2015
EATING OUT EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS HEALTH & BEAUTY HOLIDAYS & TRAVEL PROPERTY HOMES & GARDENS SERVICES PETS SHORT WALKS RECIPES VOUCHERS COMPETITIONS WIN £300 WORTH OF BEER FOR YOUR DAD IN OUR PICTURE PERFECT COMPETITION
The Local
ANSWER
Gloucester – 42,000 copies Gloucestershire South – 45,000 copies Gloucestershire North – 20,000 copies Forest of Dean – 22,000 copies Cheltenham – 43,000 copies Cotswolds – 28,000 copies
Leonie Euwin Publication Manager – Gloucester
01242 541077 leonie@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Editorial Lois Kingscott editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Helen Kingscott editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Distribution Debbie Powell – 07720 098934 distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Administration & Production Beverley Ellin admin@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Alison Hambling alison@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Accounts Kerry Fell accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Robert Kingscott rob@thelocalanswer.co.uk
1 Ullenwood Court, Ullenwood, Gloucestershire GL53 9QS
01242 510500 thelocalanswer
@thelocalanswer
www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk
Welcome to May ... Summer is nearly here and many of us will be struggling to get our ‘beach bodies’. Look inside for gyms, sports, clubs and the ‘Looking Good, Feeling Great’ article, which could all help give you that kick start to reach optimum health and fitness. This month’s ‘Save the Planet’ article is all about getting outside. So, whether that’s exercising to get your beach body, following Julia Smith’s gardening tips, testing out the latest garden gadgets or foraging for dandelions to make a fresh salad, enjoy the sunshine while it lasts! We’ve got some brilliant competitions this month, from a top of the range Pond Kit courtesy of Aquajardin to tickets for West Midlands Safari Park. You could even win your dad £300 worth of beer – find out how in our ‘Picture Perfect’ competition. For those of you attending the Gloucestershire Business Show on 13th and 14th May, come and meet the team at our stand – we look forward to seeing you!
Inside this month ... Food & Drink Delicious Dishes Cocktail Time Health & Beauty Looking Good, Feeling Great Sudoku What’s On Wild Food Foraging Picture Perfect Homes & Gardens Interior Design In the Garden Save the Planet Leader’s Life Word Search Quick Crossword Money Matters Index, Competitions, Solutions
4 5 10 10 11 12 16 22 26-27 30 33 41 43 45 46 48 49 50
Competitions: 7, 9, 18, 21, 24 & 27 Page 3
DOUBLE GLOUCESTER Country Dining Amid scenic countryside & lovely gardens
Enjoy top quality local meats & poultry, fresh fish & seasonal vegetables Scrumptious homemade desserts
Private Dining Room
Ideal venue for all occasions Marquee available for beautiful carving buffets for up to 50 guests
MEAL DEAL Mon-Fri 12-6pm
Three course Sunday Lunch
2 meals for £10
Extensive Mains Menu with Daily Specials Board Light Lunches Sandwiches Jacket Potatoes Desserts Children’s Menu (under 8).
with multi-choice menu £18.50
t&c apply
82-84 Cheltenham Road, Gloucester GL2 0LX
01452 522022
The Old Rectory Re staurant
Cole sbourne , Che lte nham 01242 870120 www.theoldrectoryrestaurant.co.uk
F U S I O N R E S TA U R A N T A T T H E O L D B E L L - T W O B A R S , L O U N G E & R E S TA U R A N T
Introducing the
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BLACK ROCK EXPERIENCE
Monday-Friday 12-3pm
✁
LUNCHTIMES ON LIGHT MEALS
*Offer applies to lunchtime menu only and valid at times shown above during May 2015. This advert to be handed in to redeem offer. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
Opening hours Monday-Thursday 12:00-15:00 & 17:00-00:00 Friday & Saturday 12:00-00:00 Sunday 12:00-17:00 Closed Sunday Evening 9a Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TG (Above Costa Coffee) Reservations 01452 332993 www.theoldbell-tigerseye.co.uk
Page 4
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Delicious Dishes with Helen Kingscott
Brilliant Banoffi Pie A tasty dessert to make for garden parties or just to enjoy on your own Ingredients: 175g (6oz) digestive biscuits; 150g (6oz) melted butter; half tin Nestle condensed milk*; 75g (3oz) caster sugar; 2-3 bananas; 300ml (pint) double cream; fine strips of lime peel, grated chocolate or chocolate chips to decorate. Method: 1 Put digestive biscuits in a sandwich bag, seal and crush with a rolling pin. Melt 75g butter and mix with the crushed biscuits. 2 Press the mixture onto the base and sides of a 20cm (8”) loose bottomed, fluted flan tin – or line
a tin with foil so you can lift the base out easily when it is set. 3 Pour condensed milk into a non-stick saucepan with the remaining butter and caster sugar. Stir over a very low heat until the sugar dissolves. Boil for five minutes, stirring all the time to make a light golden caramel. Pour into the biscuit case and leave to cool. 4 Remove the base from the flan tin, slice up 2-3 bananas and arrange over the caramel. 5 Whip the fresh double cream and cover the banana. Decorate with lime peel, grated chocolate or chocolate chips. * You could make two bases with the caramel to use up the other half of the tin and either eat two banoffis or freeze one (without banana and cream) for another time. Alternatively, you could buy a squeezy bottle of cream, which can be kept once opened for three weeks.
HIRE THE HOG MASTER ROAST YOUR OWN MEAT & POULTRY...
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We supply the equipment and meats and poultry reared on our own farm including pork, lamb, venison and chicken
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01242 861333 / 07769 700067 / 07831 734683 To hire the Hog Master or for more information please call
BURLEY FIELDS HOG ROAST HIRE • Leckhampton Lane • Cheltenham • GL51 4XT The Local Answer
To advertise call 01242 510500
Page 5
Lunch Express Menu SPECIAL OFFER 2 COURSE MEAL ÂŁ8.95 Select one main course and either a starter from 1-7 or a dessert from the menu (specialities not included) Takeaway available Sunday-Thursday 10% off menu prices
01452 535 185
www.so-thai.co.uk
Bearlands, Longsmith Street, Gloucester GL1 2HJ
Page 6
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The Local Answer
A hidden treasure As soon as you walk through the archway to Café René you are hit by an atmosphere full of character and heart. This hidden treasure, tucked away in Marylone off Southgate Street, is a real crowd pleaser whether you’re looking for somewhere to have a quiet drink in the sun, or a wonderful candlelit dinner. I was lucky enough to eat here recently and can tell you, this is a must for any food lover. You’re spoilt for choice with a great variety of dishes including options from the grill and daily specials.
My friend and I started the meal with chicken goujons served with garlic mayonnaise and fresh salsa, and sautéed garlic mushrooms in a white wine and cream sauce with fresh granary bread. Straight away we could see the portion sizes were extremely generous and definitely great value for money. The succulent hot chicken paired with the fresh cool salsa made a perfect combination, and my friend couldn’t eat her starter quick enough! The garlic and herb flavours in the delicious creamy sauce were soaked up by the fresh, thickly cut bread in a matter of minutes. It’s safe to say we were more than looking forward to the rest of the meal! Now for the main event. I enjoyed a dish of wonderfully tasty fresh egg linguine pasta and chicken in a light tomato sauce with basil and sunblush tomatoes, served with garlic bread and a side salad. A bowl full of flavour, perfectly cooked pasta and a lovely peppery sauce topped with tender strips of chicken – I couldn’t have asked for more.
My friend chose the half pounder Desperate Dan burger – a simple dish by nature, the burger was cooked exactly to preference, the crunchy chips were some of the best we’d tasted and my friend got to sample the superb salsa I enjoyed so much with my starter. By this point we were almost bursting but, for the purposes of this review, we struggled on and chose our desserts – luckily it took us a while to choose from the great selection, so our mains had time to settle! My final course was a strawberry and white chocolate roulade, decorated artistically with mango and raspberry coulis and topped with a fresh strawberry – definitely one for those of you with a sweet tooth! My friend opted for the homemade sticky toffee pudding, which she described as a soft and sweet sponge sat on a pool of truly tasty toffee sauce. We were both completely satisfied and couldn’t eat another thing. The food was faultless and to make our experience even better, our waiter was extremely friendly and always on hand to answer any queries. The spacious dining area is decorated with hundreds of wine bottles on the ceiling and fresh flowers on every table, and there is a courtyard for those wishing to venture outside. If you’re looking for an eatery with a relaxed environment, rustic decoration and great food, look no further – Café René is the place to go.
Win a meal for two! To enter our draw to win a three course meal for two and a bottle of house wine, simply send your name, address and telephone number to ‘Café René’, The Local Answer, 1 Ullenwood Court, Cheltenham, GL53 9QS. Alternatively, enter via email by sending your details stating ‘Café René’ to competitions@thelocalanswer.co.uk. Closing date: Thurday 14th May 2015.
31 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TP 01452
www.caferene.co.uk
309340
Open: Sunday-Thursday 11am-midnight & Friday-Saturday 11am-3am. Food Served Daily: Monday-Saturday 11am-10pm & Sunday 12-9pm
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Page 7
Gloucester Office 40B London Road Gloucester GL1 3NU
01452 899965
gloucester@cjhole.co.uk
Hucclecote Office 5 Silverdale Parade Hucclecote GL3 3LA
01452 619777
hucclecote@cjhole.co.uk
Page 8
New type of insurance for Landlords CJ Hole are pleased to offer a new type of insurance to their Landlords. Staff in both the city centre and Hucclecote offices already do a lot to minimise risk by getting things right from the very beginning – referencing tenants properly, compiling a detailed inventory and drawing up a legally-sound tenancy agreement.
Protection for Landlords But this wasn’t enough for CJ Hole, they wanted to ensure their service not only starts on the right foot, but is maintained to a high standard throughout the tenancy – so landlords know where to turn, no matter what the circumstances. Director Claire Price says: “Of course, we strive to ensure that we’ve done our job properly by vetting all prospective tenants fully, but we can’t predict the future and circumstances change. We’ve
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researched the market thoroughly for solutions that will genuinely make our landlord’s lives easier and I’m thrilled we’re now able to offer Free Eviction and Tenant Monitor, in conjunction with The Landlord Hub, giving our customers that elusive feel good factor – total peace of mind.” Free Eviction cover for landlords is available as part of the C j Hole lettings management package and ensures that should a tenant default on rental payments, they will be evicted at no extra cost to the landlord. The additional Tenant Monitor service provides monthly updates on a tenant’s credit file – highlighting any new detrimental credit information registered for them – allowing CJ Hole to manage tenancies proactively.
The Local Answer
Aquajardin are giving readers the chance to win this fantastic Pond Kit worth £150, complete with Tough Line ‘Roach’ Pond Pondovario 1500 pump, Pennine Water Course, Pond Hose and Hose Clip! To enter our draw to win the Pond Kit, send your
The Local Answer
name, address and telephone number to ‘Aquajardin’, The Local Answer, 1 Ullenwood Court, Cheltenham, GL53 9QS. Alternatively, enter via email by sending your details to competitions@thelocalanswer.co.uk stating ‘Aquajardin’. Closing date: Thursday 14th May 2015.
To advertise call 01242 510500
Page 9
Cocktail Time with Lois Kingscott
SpaVapes.
Gloucester’s Vaping Shop
High Quality E-Cigarettes & E-Juices 54 Westgate Street Gloucester GL1 2NF Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm
www.spavapes.co.uk T: 01452 554001
E: glos@spavapes.co.uk
L oo k i n g f o r a bea ut ifu l re spo n s e? The Local
ANSWER
To advertise telephone:
01242 510500
ON ROAD OFF ROAD EVERYTHING FOR CYCLING
from second hand sales to servicing and repairs
Dark ‘n’ Stormy This classic drink is a highball cocktail made with black rum and ginger beer, served over ice and garnished with a slice of lime. Classic, easy to make and tasty, the Dark ‘n’ Stormy is the national drink of Bermuda and is the perfect Caribbean tipple for sultry summer days. Many people believe there’s only one specific type of dark rum this cocktail can be made with – Gosling’s Black Seal. They say: “If it ain’t Gosling’s, it ain’t a Dark ‘n’ Stormy.” With regards to its origin – as with the majority of rum history – the story of the cocktail comes from sailors. In the 17th century it was standard practice for the British Royal Navy to allot rum rations to sailors, and the rum was sourced from various bases on Caribbean rum-producing islands such as Bermuda. Around the late 1860s, the Gosling Brothers’ rum distillery, located in Bermuda, began marketing a heavy blend of dark rums, which eventually became the Gosling’s Black Seal that is marketed today. The Royal Navy added a ginger beer plant to their dockyard on Ireland Island (Bermuda). Ginger is a well-known tonic for seasickness so may have been used in an attempt to wean sailors off of heavy rum-drinking. The name itself is said to have originated when a sailor held the drink up to the sky and observed the drink was “the colour of a cloud only a fool or a dead man would sail under”. Ingredients: Ice; 50ml Gosling’s Black Seal Rum (or other black rum); 150ml ginger beer; lime wedge (optional). Method: 1 Fill a highball glass with ice and add 150ml ginger beer. 2 Top up with 50ml black rum and garnish with a lime wedge (optional).
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PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY Why not have a Mocktail? For a non-alcoholic alternative, mix 20ml molasses, 220ml ginger beer and 25ml fresh lime juice. Garnish with a lime wedge. Page 10
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Foundation Trust For Gloucestershire
The Local Answer
Looking Good, Feeling Great with Matt Wagstaff
Supplements to aid your health and goals Adding specific supplements into a healthy diet can have some really beneficial effects on health, as well as certain goals such as building muscle, increasing strength or improving aspects of fitness. Before starting to take supplements you should always make sure your raw food diet is good, getting in as much nutrition as you can this way. Supplements should not be taken in place of raw food. Consulting a qualified nutritionist is beneficial before taking supplements to assess appropriate dosage and health effects.
BONE & JOINT HEALTH
muscle – there are many different types such as casein, whey and even pea protein supplements. These all help build muscles after exercise. Within our muscles there is creatine, which is used as a fuel for muscle contraction. Supplementing with this can help increase strength and power along with helping muscle build.
IMPROVE FITNESS Some supplements can help boost fitness, especially taken during and prior to exercise. Caffeine has been shown to acutely increase aerobic and anaerobic capacity, leading to improved endurance as well as improving power output. Betaalanine as well as creatine can aid in short-term fitness and improving muscular endurance due to a prevention action of the acid on muscles tissue. Co-enzyme Q-10 has been shown to increase VO2 max, seeing increases in the heart and lungs ability to handle intense exercise.
Having strong bones and joints can be very helpful, especially later on in life when bones and cartilage weaken and break down. Glucosamine has been shown to be beneficial in strengthening joints and decreasing the onset of osteoarthritis. Alongside this, vitamin D can help increase the uptake of calcium from the blood, helping bones build, preventing weaknesses and DIGESTION & GUT HEALTH Optimal digestion will help towards improving functionality. better health, increasing your ability BUILD MUSCLE & INCREASE to absorb food and use it efficiently STRENGTH within the body. A damaged gut can Preventing muscle breakdown and lead to bloating and lethargy among building up skeletal muscle and many other things. Supplementing strength has many benefits, including Probiotics, otherwise known as ‘good better blood flow and better bacteria’, can help rebuild the gut movement. Protein supplements, wall, improving the digestive filled with vital amino acids help build system’s ability to absorb food’s
nutrients and get rid of toxins from within food. Peppermint oil can be effective in reducing bloating and gas within the digestive system, helping to sooth the gut and intestines and preventing abdominal pain due to an irritable bowel.
RECOVERY & SLEEP A good night’s sleep is great for keeping stress at bay, detoxification and over all good health. Although natural sleep is the best, sometimes help is needed. Melatonin and Magnesium supplementation have been shown to help those who struggle to sleep, improving the ability to fall asleep and promoting relaxation. Lavender oil, derived from plants, can help reduce anxiety and promote calm and natural sleep via absorption through the skin or even just the aroma.
£10 Boys/OAPs £7.50 Men’s cuts
Men’s modern & traditional haircuts by
Deano’s
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obile Barber
The Local Answer
Over 20 years experience Please give me a call anytime and I will come to your home or workplace
07866 157042 or 01452 614907
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Page 11
Sudoku Fill the grids so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.
YOUR ELECTRIC COOKER OR OVEN NOT WORKING? EST 2004 l cal Tel: 07955 295360
For more information please visit the website @
www.fix-my-oven.co.uk
DIRTY COOKER OR OVEN?
Tel: 01452 223 063 or 0800 8818 423 www.ovenbusters-cheltenham.co.uk
SAINTBRIDGE HOUSE NURSING & RESIDENTIAL HOME
01452 300307
Offering single en-suite bedrooms for up to 36 residents Tastefully decorated and homely Lovely patio and landscaped lawn area for residents to enjoy in the warmer weather ● Dedicated, caring and hardworking staff ● Exceptional hygiene standards ● Weekly unisex hairdresser. Chiropodist, dentist, physiotherapist and optician visits arranged ● Activities Co-ordinator with an ongoing programme of events to keep residents occupied and maintain both physical and mental well being. ●
Don’t look until you’ve finished!
THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE BUSINESS SHOW Solutions on ‘Index of Advertisers’ page.
CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE 13th-14th MAY 2015
DELEGATE REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE!
Includes entry on both days plus many of the seminars and workshops. For details visit ... www.gloucestershire-business-shows.co.uk
Page 12
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189 Painswick Road, Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL4 4QQ E: info@saintbridge-house.co.uk www.saintbridge-house.co.uk
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The Local Answer
Bohanam House Day Centre
Day Care for Elderly Ladies and Gentlemen
Come to Bohanam for the day
Enjoy good company be cared for by qualified carers Make your choice from our excellent menus Then enjoy a homemade three course meal
Join in many activities
Painting, gardening, sewing, knitting, word search, board games, dominoes, bingo, quizzes, cards and many more Teas, coffees, biscuits and cakes supplied all day Transport provided from your door to the Day Centre and home again. Bathing service available with a carer to assist you, whilst at the Day Centre The bath is fitted with a lift and rise chair system to ensure your safety Day Care £31.00 Bath £15.00
Contact: Bohanam Day Centre 2, Barnwood Road, Gloucester Tel: 01452 876195 Email: m.edwards@osjct.co.uk
Comee along to our coffee ee mor morning! ning! Join us every Join every W Wednesday edne ednesdaay from from at your your local care care homes: 10am at • Millbrook Millbrrook LLodge odge - M Moorfield oor field R oad, Br ockworth, GL3 4EX Road, Brockworth, • Chestnut Chesttnut Court Court - St James, James, Quedgeley, Qued dgeley, GL2 4WD Come and m Come meet our fr friendly iendly tteam eam and rresidents esiden nts at our coff ffee ee mor ning coffee morning or alt alternatively, ernativvely, ffeel eel fr free ee tto o ar arrange range an appointment nt tto o visit an anyy of our homes b contacting: ng: byy contacting: 0800 988 8133 133 or enquiries@osjct.co.uk enquiries@osjct.co.uk Operated by not-for-profit fifitt chari char charity itty The The Or Orders ders of of St St JJohn ohn C Care are Trust Trust R Registered Reg eg stter ereed e Char Charity ttyy No. No 1048355. 104 048355.
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Page 13
Creating welcoming and inclusive communities across the county Who we are Barnwood Trust is a charitable foundation, which was established over 150 years ago in Gloucestershire. The Trust’s vision is to create the best possible environment in Gloucestershire for people with disabilities and mental health challenges, in order to help them make the most of their lives.
A bit about our history Barnwood House was opened as a public hospital for the care and treatment of people with mental health challenges in 1860. The hospital thrived through the latter years of the nineteenth century and after World War Two. However, as more people took advantage of improved care provided free through the NHS, the main hospital closed in 1967 and the majority of the estate was sold. From around 1980 the Trust’s operations were focussed on the provision of day care, sheltered housing and a comprehensive grant giving programme was established (which still continues through
to today). Then in 2011, the Trustees agreed a new ten-year plan for the Trust, marking the end of its role as a direct provider of services.
What we are up to now The new ten-year plan – ‘You’re Welcome’ – is all about creating more welcoming and inclusive communities across Gloucestershire. As you can see on our advert, there are loads of ways you can get involved with ‘You’re Welcome’, whether that’s applying for a grant, booking a place on one of our free workshops, or logging on to the ‘You’re Welcome’ website. We will also be out and about across the county at events big and small this year. If you spot our You’re Welcome campervan, come and have a cup of tea and a biscuit with us and meet some of the team – everyone is welcome. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Competition! The first ten people to spot us at an event in the ‘You’re Welcome’ campervan and show us your copy of The Local Answer will win a voucher for Pepper Crescent in Cheltenham!
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To advertise call 01242 510500
Page 15
What’s On The Local Answer Event Listings are compiled and presented in good faith with the kind support of many contributors. We recommend you use the contact details provided to check event information updates prior to planning your visit. EVERY DAY RIVER AVON BOAT TRIPS On our 55-seater passenger boat available 7 days a week from the end of March to mid-October, from 11am till 5pm (weather permitting). PLEASE TELEPHONE FOR CRUISE TIMES. Also available for Private Evening Hire! The Handsam Boat Company. 07860 895416. Explore the River Avon from Abbey Park, Evesham. EVERY THURSDAY NORTH GLOS BRITISH SUB AQUA CLUB Gloucester Leisure Centre GL1 at 8pm. A friendly club made up of people of all ages and walks of life with scuba diving as our common interest. Come along and take one of our “TRY DIVES” at £15 or buy a “TRY DIVE” voucher as a gift for someone you know. For more information contact Dave Phillips on 07979 227876 or email enquiries@nglos.co.uk 30 APRIL A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE The great Arthur Miller confronts the American dream in this dark and passionate tale broadcast from London’s West End by National Theatre Live. This stunning production of Miller’s tragic masterpiece was the Evening Standard, Guardian and Independent’s top theatre pick of 2014. £16 (£14). 7pm. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 1 MAY O’HOOLEY AND TIDOW An English folk music duo from Yorkshire regarded as the lionhearted trailblazers of contemporary music and song-writing.
8pm. £12 (£10 concessions) in advance or £14 (£12) on the door. Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE. 01453 760900. subscriptionrooms.org.uk. JOHNNY KOWALSKI & THE SEXY WEIRDOS One of the most fun bands we have had play here – a Brass, Gypsy, Punk, Ska band blending Traditional Eastern/Western European folk melodies with Reggae and Ska rhythms, and a bit of death defying scuzz Punk! Pure fun at its best, music to stomp too! Café René, 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TP. 01452 309340. 2 MAY SETH BYE AND KATIE GRIFFIN A multi-instrumental folk duo who blur the edges between traditional music and contemporary styles. 7:30–10pm. Stroud Brewery, Unit 11 (off Hope Mill Lane), London Road, Stroud, GL5 2BU. 01453 887122. stroudbrewery.co.uk 2-25 MAY MUSEUM IN THE PARK Gallery One – Power of Ten Exhibition – part of the Select Festival 2015 which showcases textiles and contemporary crafts. Free admission. Tues–Fri 10am-5pm, weekends 11am-5pm. Closed Mondays (except Bank Holidays). Museum in the Park, Stratford Road, Stroud GL5 4AF. 01453 763394. museuminthepark.org.uk. 3 MAY TEWKESBURY BOWLING CLUB OPEN DAY Have you ever thought about trying your skills at Lawn Green Bowling? Why not come along to our club and give it a go? From 10.30am until 4pm with lots of support and help to get you started. All
you need is a flattish pair of shoes. New to lawn green bowling? Membership is free for 2015! tewkesburybowlsclub.com. 4 MAY SEX IN SUBURBIA A brand new comedy about dating, men and finding Mr Right. Packed full of sensational songs including ‘I’m Every Woman’ and ‘I Want To Break Free’, this show will make you laugh, cry and dance in the aisles. Based on real stories from real women, this is the story of all of our lives! Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustines Parade, BS1 4UZ. 0844 871 3012. 5 MAY HER
From Oscar® winning filmmaker Spike Jonze comes an Academy Award® winning original love story that explores the evolving nature, and the risks, of intimacy in the modern world. Set in a near-future Los Angeles, Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) initiates a new advanced operating system, ‘Samantha‘ (Scarlett Johannsson) and falls in love with her insightful, sensitive and surprisingly funny persona. £6.50 (£5.50). 7.45pm. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002.
Professional care for your pet in ‘state of the art’ facilities Air Conditioning • Underfloor Heating • Agility Gym • Field Walks
01452 712178 BJKennelsandCattery
www.bjkennelsandcattery.co.uk Page 16
bjkennelscattery@btconnect.com
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Support your county! Gloucestershire will begin their 2015 County Championship campaign at home to last year’s runners up Cornwall at Cinderford RFC’s Dockham Road ground on Saturday 9th May (3pm kick off). Over its long history, the county have an impressive tournament record and, with your support, are aiming to win at Twickenham in 2015. Everyone is welcome to what promises to be a great, passionate rugby occasion when the strongly-supported Cornishmen are hosted in the Forest of Dean. Gloucestershire’s most recent appearance in the final was in 2010 when they lost to Lancashire, and they last won the title in 2002 against Cheshire. The Championship has seen 114 finals. Lancashire has won the most titles with 23, Gloucestershire are next with 17. Both counties have played in 33 finals. Gloucestershire Team Director Paul Morris has put together a group of
coaches full of quality and experience primarily involving Andrew Stanley, Tim Stevenson and Paul Price. Still a Gloucester RFC player at the time, open side flanker Stanley was captain of the Gloucestershire side that triumphed over Warwickshire at Twickenham to win the 1996 title. Stevenson, a fly half, played
in the county’s last Twickenham appearance in 2010, and Lydney stalwart Price was a prop in the 2002 victory. The coaching team is further strengthened with the support of Steve Planchant and Paul Williams. Together Morris and Planchant coached the county’s Under-20s to their first title in 2008 and repeated the feat in 2009. Williams is also a past Gloucestershire Senior Head Coach. Training has begun with two Sunday sessions held at Cheltenham Civil Service RFC. Further training is planned at Cinderford RFC prior to the game versus Cornwall. The team’s starting line-up and replacements will be announced on Tuesday 5th May. Cornwall has reached the last two finals, losing to Lancashire on both occasions. They have defeated Gloucestershire for the last three years and were victorious on their visit to Cinderford two years ago. The players, coaches and everyone involved in the Gloucestershire set-up are determined to
rectify this sequence of results. What a great occasion it would be for our county’s rugby fraternity to gather in huge numbers and drown out the many travelling Cornish fans as we loudly cheer the Gloucestershire boys to victory! The Championship is split into five divisions on a regional basis and the top two divisions are now known as the Bill Beaumont Cup. Divisions One and Two are split into two North and South groups respectively. Gloucestershire play in Division One South. The county’s other group games will be against, 2012 winners, Hertfordshire on 16th May (away at Hertford RFC) and lastly on May 23rd against Kent (at home at Cleve RFC, Bristol). If they top their group they will play the winners of a Northern Group – involving holders Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire and Durham – in the final at Twickenham on Sunday 31st May.
Gloucestershire’s 2010 representatives at Twickenham
www.gloucestershirerfu.co.uk The Local Answer
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Page 17
courtesy of West Midlands Safari Park
WIN TICKETS!
mile, self-drive safari is home to a variety of wild and wonderful animals such as Indian rhinos, lions, tigers, giraffes and elephants – including the adorable baby elephant Sutton who is nearly a year old!
One of the most dramatic walk-through Dinosaur exhibits in the UK is now open at West Midland Safari Park and we have five family tickets to give away. “Land of the Living Dinosaurs” is the very latest, most adventurous exhibit to open at the Park. Costing £2.5m, the immersive walking trail features 38 life-size animatronic dinosaurs, each with moving eyes, mouth and neck. From the first moment of glimpsing the skeleton of a mighty T-Rex at the entrance, the scene is set for an extraordinary journey through the reign of the dinosaur. It plays with the senses and truly gives the feeling of walking amongst beasts that roamed the Earth millions of years ago. There’s the chance to meet some of the most formidable creatures that made history including the curious Dilophosaurus, fearsome Gorgonops and Argentinosaurus at 30 metres long. A life size adult Tyrannosaurus Rex elevated on 4m rockwork casts a dramatic shadow, whilst the impressive Sarcosuchus represents one of the largest crocodile-like creatures thought to have ever lived. Sound effects indicative of the lost world add atmosphere, whilst static fossil displays, exotic planting, a volcanic vent and three pools intensify the whole experience. As well as visiting this brand new exhibit there are discoveries of the animal variety around every corner, too. The inspiring four-
There are some marvelous attractions to visit on foot, too! Lorikeet Landing is one of the latest and is the place where you will encounter free flying rainbow lorikeets in a tropically themed exhibit. There’s also Penguin Cove, along with a variety of splendid other attractions like Mark O’Shea’s Reptile World, Seaquarium and Sea Lion Theatre, with live Sea Lion shows performed several times each day. Last but not least, is Meerkat Mayhem. This exhibit has glass walls to allow the perfect viewing opportunity of these lovely little animals. Each ticket is valid for four people to visit on one occasion up to 6th November 2015 (Theme Park rides not included) and includes admission to the safari, Discovery Trail exhibits, animal encounters, African Village and live shows. Usual admission: £19.99 (adults), £14.99 (children) and £17.99 (concessions.) Children under 3 years admitted free. (Rides extra). For more information visit www.wmsp.co.uk. To enter our draw to win a family ticket, send your name, address and telephone number to ‘West Midlands Safari Park’, The Local Answer, 1 Ullenwood Court, Cheltenham, GL53 9QS. Alternatively, enter via email by sending your details to competitions@thelocalanswer.co.uk, stating ‘West Midlands Safari Park’. Closing date: Thursday 14th May 2015.
6 MAY GAZ BROOKFIELD The Bristolian ‘Journey Man’ Gaz Brookfield is an über busy solo acoustic musician who constantly tours the UK playing to packed out audiences in each town or city he graces. His songs are instantly accessible every-man tales of life, love and everything else in between. Café René, 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TP. 01452 309340. 7 MAY A NIGHT OF DIRTY DANCING Take a trip back to the summer of ‘63 and relive Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey’s ultimate coming of age romance in this timeless theatrical treat. Relive the passion, indulge in the romance and celebrate the greatest movie soundtrack of all time – ‘She’s Like the Wind’, ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ and, of course, the Oscar® winning, ‘The Time of My Life’, performed by a full band and accompanied by fabulous show dancers. £20. 7.30pm. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. THE DREAMBOYS If you’re looking for the very best girls night out in the UK, look no further than these incredible hunks. An action packed show full of music, muscle, magic and mayhem that will leave you breathless!
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Perfect viewing opportunities
Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustines Parade, BS1 4UZ. 0844 871 3012.. 8 MAY MARY SPENDER Playing beautiful songs of Blues, Folk and Easy Listening. Fantastic Guitar work and harmonizing vocals. Café René, 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TP. 01452 309340. 9 & 16 MAY BIRDSONG WORKSHOP Join our wardens to explore the Reserve at one of the most productive times of the year. Learn how to identify these birds by sound as each one has a most beautiful call and song. £20 including full English breakfast. 7-10am. WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT. 01453 891223. 10 MAY CLASSICS AT PRESCOTT
Cleeve Vale Rotary charity event. Over 250 cars including Alvis, Buckler, Ferrari,
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Gilbern, HondaNSX, Lagonda, Lanchester, Midas, Morgan, Riley, Porsche, TVR will be driving the hill. From 10am. Spectators £15 per car. GL52 9RD. 01242 672942. cleevevale.org.uk. RHUM AND CLAY: A STRANGE WILD SONG Three children encounter a lost WW2 soldier in Northern France and, decades later, the soldier’s camera is unearthed by his grandson. He discovers a world of childhood and imagination as fragments of war explode into the present day. £14 (£12). 7.30pm. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 12-16 MAY THE PHEONIX PLAYERS PRESENT: AURELIA Directed by Phil Jones. A stylish, edge-ofyour-seat crime thriller with deceit, robbery, blackmail and (of course) murder – with a comic twist! 7.30pm. Tickets from £5-9. Call 01452 522795. The Kings Theatre, GL1 1QX. 13 MAY PHIL KING A singer songwriter of Folk with an incredible appeal to his audiences no matter who or where they are. Raw, soulful vocals, and brilliant guitar work. We are looking forward to the show! Café René, 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TP. 01452 309340.
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Join Adam Henson and Ellie Harrison for the 2015 CHELTENHAM CHALLENGE
SUNDAY 21st JUNE 2015
All standards welcome 5k, 5k Wheelchair Race, 10k, Half, Full & Ultra Marathon Event organised by Kindly sponsored by
Support CCP, or one of our other charity partners:
National Star
Register TODAY www.cheltenhamchallenge.org.uk @CheltChallenge The Local Answer
/CheltChallenge
To advertise call 01242 510500
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FABULOUS EVENTS at
Hallmark Hotel Gloucester
ABBA TRIBUTE NIGHT Saturday 23rd May
GLOUCESTER
70s THEMED PARTY NIGHT Saturday 13th June
A chance to sing your heart out to the famous songs of Abba, with the number one award winning Abba tribute act “Abba Revival”. Includes a delicious two course dinner and entertainment £29.50 per person
Dust off those flares and get your boogie on for the best of the 70’s. Includes a welcome drink, 70’s music and chef’s choice of buffet. Fancy dress optional but encouraged. Prize given for best dressed. £15.00 per person
FATHER’S DAY Sunday 21st June
£18.95 per person for three courses, £9.95 for children 4-12. Under 4’s Complimentary, gift for Dad
Hallmark Hotel Gloucester, Matson Lane, Robinswood Hill, Gloucester GL4 6EA
01452 525 653 gloucester.events@hallmarkhotels.co.uk www.hallmarkhotels.co.uk
Mamma Mia, here we go again! The world’s number one Abba Show ‘Bjorn Again’ will appear at Eastnor Castle on Saturday 25th July at 7.30pm (gates open 5pm), and what a show it promises to be! Created in Melbourne, Australia by Rod Stephen and John Tyrell, the group has performed at many large rock festivals worldwide including Reading, Knebworth and Glastonbury. They have appeared at sell-out shows at the Royal Albert Hall, and in the summer annually at Kew Gardens. Other occasions include private performances for celebrities, such as parties for top golfer Colin Montgommerie, Microsoft’s Bill Gates, comedian and actor Rowan Atkinson, as well as actor Russell Crowe’s wedding! They have even appeared at a function in Russia for President Vladimir Putin! Now the sell-out world acclaimed show comes to Eastnor Castle where ‘Bjorn Again’ will bring the Deer Park Concert arena alive with all the ABBA hits, including ‘Waterloo’, ‘Mamma Mia’ and – of course – ‘Thank You For The Music’. Event Director for the concert Colin Ward said: “We wanted to present a big concert, but one which appealed to all ages, and which generates a real party atmosphere – ‘Bjorn Again’ will certainly achieve that. As past concerts have proved, once they take to the stage, the public wont let them leave – it’s an amazing experience!” Special guests will be Eurovision Song Competition winners ‘Brotherhood of Man’, performing their winning song ‘Save all your kisses for me’.
The Local Answer
WIN TICKETS! For your chance to win four tickets to the ‘Bjorn Again’ concert at Eastnor Castle simply answer the question: For which famous actor’s wedding did ‘Bjorn Again’ appear? Send your answer along with your name, address and telephone number to ‘Bjorn Again’, The Local Answer, 1 Ullenwood Court, Cheltenham, GL53 9QS. Alternatively, enter via email by sending your details to competitions@thelocalanswer.co.uk, stating ‘Bjorn Again’. Closing date: Thursday 14th May 2015.
To advertise call 01242 510500
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N e ed t o g et y ou r eve nt p ro m ot ed? The Local
ANSWER
To advertise telephone:
01242 510500
CHURCHDOWN PRIVATE HIRE
Local & Long Distance
with Steven Hawley Nigel Lawrence Private Hire Driver Airport/Rail/Ferry Transfers churchdownprivatehire@live.com
Computer Services
07961 818654 / 01452 550714
www.shirazbadat.co.uk St Catherine Street, Kingsholm, Gloucester, GL1 2BX
Shipton Golf Course
“A 9 hole pay & play course in the Heart of the Cotswolds” No need to book – Open every day from 7am until dusk
Family run course offering affordable golf for all Coffee shop and terrace ● Small stock of ‘everyday’ golfing equipment and clothing ● PGA Fellow Professional PGA Approved Establishment available for lessons and advice ●
✁
●
Available for corporate days, birthdays and special occasions
Tel: 01242 890237
☎
shiptongolf@tiscali.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter – ‘Shiptongolf’
Shipton Golf Course
✉
Nr Frogmill, Shipton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 4HT
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Why are we eating weeds?
01452 713183 07884 185870
r Transfe ➛ Data es P rt hon ts/Sma ➛ Table Fixed labour repair fee £40 orking ➛ Netw when you deliver and collect epairs rades/R g p U your computer. ➛ t uppor Remote support for only £15 iness S ➛ B us 25% discount on labour Design ➛ Web for anyone over 60
www.shiptongolf.co.uk
Wild Food Foraging
I was at an impressionable age when my mum served my sisters and I a plateful of boiled dandelion leaves for dinner. We complained at their bitter taste and asked why we were eating weeds. She, even to this day, claimed it was just strong tasting cabbage. We tried once more to turn away our meal when my eldest sister spotted the dead insects that had once claimed this plant as a home. She told us to stop being over dramatic, shut up and eat it. Mum was, and still can be, a formidable woman so we obediently – if a little begrudgingly – tucked in. It wasn’t until we had mostly devoured ours that she sat down with her own portion, saw the insects and screamed in horror before binning the whole lot in disgust. Now, whenever I look at my neighbours’ highly manicured lawn and see those lovely yellow heads defiantly popping up every year (dandelions don’t last long in my garden), I’m reminded of this vivid childhood memory. As a result, dandelions are now one of my most favourite foraged foods. They are also incredibly versatile, which just adds to their appeal. Every part of the plant can be eaten – even the root, which is used in a classic British summertime beverage. To make a light side salad, gather the required amount of leaves for a portion – a small handful of unopened flower buds and a couple of opened flowers. Wash everything in cold running water, unless you’re inviting a dedicated meat eater to join you for dinner, in which case feel free to leave those insects where they are! Remove any excess stalk then roughly chop the leaves and place into your intended serving dish. Throw in your buds whole. Drizzle some lemon juice, finely chopped garlic and a light sprinkle of sugar, and season to taste. Toss. Pick out the yellow petals from the opened flower head and sprinkle over the top until it looks suitably pretty. Enjoy with your chosen meal. This is how I enjoy mine but I have a very robust palate so you may want to experiment for yourself. Have fun with it – it’s free food so mistakes aren’t costly! And in answer to the question that some of you are no doubt wondering – I have never wet the bed after handling dandelions, so you’re perfectly safe! If you’re not 100% sure that the plant you’re picking is safe for human consumption, don’t pick it. If you’re prone to food allergies, or pregnant, always seek medical advice before consuming anything foraged in the wild.
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Fairy and Wizard World A delightful day for all The Bird Park is hosting its very popular ‘Fairy and Wizard World’ on Wednesday 27th and Saturday 30th May, which is a delightful day for the children when they can make their grottos and enjoy lunch in the marquee. Face painting is the order of the day to get the finishing touches to the fancy dress outfits and prepare the children for meeting all the inmates of the park. Toffee and Treacle are back from holiday and are happy to be in amongst their friends inside the park, with peacocks displaying, birds nesting and Rosie the baby fallow deer out with the grown ups. So, if you’re looking for something to do this May, look no further than The Bird Park for a lovely day by the lakes in amongst the follies and fowl.
Children’s Parties The Bird Park also has the charming Gypsy Caravan and Mad Hatter’s Marquee available for children’s parties, which make a really different location for that special day. The Park’s Gypsy Caravan is just delightful and is nestled in a little dell amongst the Barnacle geese and Coscoroba swans, which is both private and magical. So for a totally different place to have a child’s party, call us on 01452 812727 or visit www.thebirdpark.com for more information.
Open 7 days a week 10am-5pm • 01452 812727 • www.thebirdpark.com The Bird and Deer Park, Prinknash, Cranham, Gloucester GL4 8EX
WIN TICKETS! courtesy of the bacon theatre
A triumphant partnership The Bacon Theatre is delighted to screen Pride [15] the “terrific British film that is set to be the next The Full Monty” (The Times) on Tuesday 19th May. It’s the summer of 1984, Margaret Thatcher is in power and the National Union of Mineworkers are on strike. At the Gay Pride march in London a group of gay and lesbian activists decide to raise money to support the families of the striking miners. But there is a problem. The Union seems embarrassed to receive their support. Not deterred, the activists identify a mining village in deepest Wales and set off in a mini bus to make their donation in person. And so begins the extraordinary story of two seemingly alien communities who form a triumphant partnership, featuring an all-star British cast including Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton. Tickets cost just £6.50 (£5.50 for concessions) and may be booked online at bacontheatre.co.uk or by calling 01242 258002. To enter our draw to win a pair of tickets, send your name, address and telephone number to ‘Pride’, The Local Answer, 1 Ullenwood Court, Cheltenham, GL53 9QS. Alternatively, enter via email by sending your details to competitions@thelocalanswer.co.uk, stating ‘Pride’. Closing date: Thursday 14th May 2015. 14 MAY MAN AND SUPERMAN A romantic comedy, an epic fairy-tale and a fiery philosophical debate. £16 (£14), students £12. 7pm. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 16 MAY PAWS ON PATROL Paws on Patrol in Gloucester Park from 12 noon. Displays from Police Dogs, The Quack Pack, Serve On Rescue and LG Agility. Free to enter dog show, lots of stalls and fun activities. Free entry. See www.safergloucester.co.uk. 17 MAY BIRD WATCH MORNING
Spring is a magical time on the Reserve with many birds settling down to raise a family on the banks and adjoining fields of the river Severn. Join our wardens as
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they aim to show the group some of the more special species such as redshank, lapwing, song birds such as warblers, sparrow hawk, Kingfishers and maybe the illusive cuckoo. £15.95 including tea/coffee and bacon roll. 8-10.30am. WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT. 01453 891223. 20 MAY WILL EDMUNDS TRIO A blues rock outfit from Bristol playing songs that have a strong, sometimes harsh, edge that is soothed by the vocals of Will. Playing original songs as well as interpretations of some of their favourite Blues tracks. A fresh band with a fresh sound. Café René, 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TP. 01452 309340. 23 MAY ABBA TRIBUTE NIGHT A chance to sing your heart out to the famous songs of ABBA, with the number one award winning tribute act “ABBA Revival”. £29.50 per person. Includes 2course dinner and entertainment. Hallmark Hotel Gloucester, Matson Lane, GL4 6EA. 01452 525653. hallmarkhotels.co.uk. 23-24 MAY STONE CARVING FESTIVAL Cat’s Eye Carving presents The Gloucester Stone Carving Festival at The Llanthony
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Secunda Priory in Gloucester. Live stone carving, pop-up shops, activities, auction and grand raffle. 10am-6pm. Free entry. stonecarvingfestival.co.uk. 9-13 JUNE
HMS PINAFORE AND COX & BOX Presented by The Cotswold Savoyards. You’ll be familiar with HMSP but probably not C&B. It’s a fast moving story of two men renting the same room without knowledge of the other. Cox works days and Box nights. Cox has a day off finding Box and mayhem ensues! 7.30pm (2pm Sat mat). £13-£19. Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573. everymantheatre.org.uk.
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Page 25
Picture Perfect Cutest Kid
Thanks to all of you who sent in your wonderful pictures to enter our ‘Cutest Kid’ competition. Congratulations to Kelly Wynne of Tewkesbury who submitted the winning image (above) of her son, Maxwell George Martin! She has won £100 worth of vouchers to spend at Smyths Toys Superstore. Some of our other favourites are pictured below and above right.
£300 WORTH OF BEER TO WIN FOR YOUR DAD! The theme for our June competition is ‘Most Embarrassing Dad’! All you need to do is submit a funny/embarrassing photograph of your dad and you could win £300 worth of beer for him – a perfect Father’s Day gift. Courtesy of the great local breweries featured here, the winner will receive 24 bottles of beer from each of them – yes, 120 bottles in total! To enter, email your photo along with your name, address and telephone number to editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk, stating ‘Most Embarrassing Dad’. 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 14th May 2015.
Goffs Brewery 01242 603383 sales@goffsbrewery.com www.goffsbrewery.com
Battledown Brewery Donnington Brewery Wickwar Brewing Co Gloucester Brewery 01242 693409/07734 834104 battledown@hotmail.co.uk www.battledownbrewery.com
01451 830603 info@donningtonales.com www.donnington-brewery.com
01454 299592 shop@wickwarbrewing.co.uk www.wickwarbrewing.co.uk
01452 668043/07503 152749 www.gloucesterbrewery.co.uk www.tankgloucester.co.uk
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The Local Answer
THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE BUSINESS SHOW
DON’T MISS OUT!
One of the biggest business events in the county providing a platform for collaboration and growth to all businesses of all size and industry – speak to exhibitors, consult in one of the interactive zones, join the extensive programme of seminars and workshop or attend one of the special events.
• VIP Reception & ‘Business of Design Showcase’ • Networking Breakfast • Business Breakfast
• Gala Dinner • Business Ladies Afternoon Tea
DELEGATE REGISTRATION OPEN NOW
Includes entry on both days plus many of the seminars and workshops. Visit website for details
The Gloucestershire Business Show is proud to support
The programme of seminars and workshops include speakers leading in their field of business in the county – ACC Richard Berry, Dr John-Henry Looney, Phil Mitchell, Neill Ricketts, Dr Peter Dirken, Professor Sadie Creese, Adam Balding to name a few. O2, Microsoft, Talk Talk, Total Ltd and other leading organisations will also be speaking at the Q&A based sessions.
Visit the website for details of individual sessions, special events, interactive zones, exhibitor floor, sponsorship and other opportunities.
www.gloucestershire-business-show.co.uk ~ 01242 807689
CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE 13th-14th MAY 2015 hello@business-shows.co.uk
County Business Shows
@BizShowGlos
BizShowGlos
Homes & Gardens
ROOFING & BUILDING SOLUTIONS
for all your property needs
REGISTERED INSTALLER Our range of services and installations include: ● Replacement UPVC fascias, soffits and guttering ● New roofs and repairs – tile, felt, lead and slate ● Flat roofs (including Rubber) ● Chimney repairs ● Lead work ● Gutter clearing ● Dry verges All general maintenance and building work, including the small jobs around the house that you hate to do!
ALL WORK FULLY GUARANTEED
FREE ESTIMATES & ADVICE – REFERENCES AVAILABLE To arrange a full survey and quotation please call 01242 809650 or 07918 798530 Office 269, 20 Winchcombe Street, Cheltenham GL52 2LY
PAVING SPECIALISTS
• Driveways • Patios • Drainage • Fencing • Landscaping • Turfing • Decking • Repair Work
YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN Doing the jobs you simply can’t manage
FOR ALL YOUR PROPERTY NEEDS
FREE Quotations, Advice, Samples & Brochures 5 Year Guarantee with all works. Many local references available
www.berudman.com
07843 277723 ~ 01242 255043
GUTTER UPVC Fascias, Soffits, Guttering, Leaks & Repairs, CLEANING Moss Removal, Flat Rubber AT GREAT Roofing, Felt & Battening, Tiles, Slate Repairs, Re-pointing, PRICES Dry Verges and External Painting
Covering Cheltenham & Gloucester
MONDAY-FRIDAY 9-5 SATURDAY 10-4 SUNDAY 11-3
CARPET
SAFE STYLE HOME IMPROVEMENTS For a FREE QUOTATION please call:
YOUR LOCAL DISCOUNT FLOORING STOCKIST
01452 347643 (Please dial area code when calling)
New Aqua Pro-tec carpet £14.99m2 £13.99m2 Bleach Cleanable Berber only £5.99m2 £4.99m2
Please pop in and see Wayne and Richard
Heavy Domestic Stripe £11.99m2
Over 100 room size remnants in stock
NOW WITH 20% OFF
www.quedgeleycarpets.co.uk 01452 883113 e.info@quedgeleycarpets.co.uk
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Bumble Bee
A38
Free measuring service and sample viewing in your own home. Upon request our expert fitting team will move furniture, uplift old flooring and vacuum after installation. HUGE SELECTION OF CARPET AND VINYL ROLLS IN STOCK
Park & Ride
EVERYTHING TO SUIT ALL TASTES AND BUDGETS Amazing 100m2 showroom with vast range of samples to choose from
We are here
Police HQ
Based on Waterwells estate opposite. Quedgeley Park & Ride.
Unit 1, Stanley Court Telford Way, Quedgeley Gloucester GL2 2AE
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t i l es
R russ
Master Sheds
Professional Wall and Floor Tiling Service All aspects of tiling undertaken
KITCHENS ◆ BATHROOMS ◆ CONSERVATORIES For a reliable friendly service please call Russ on 01452 721717
Each structure is custom built to your own requirements – perhaps to fit a corner of the garden or a difficult location.
07914 307625
RHODES CARPENTRY LTD Over 18 years carpentry experience
01452 314011
Kitchens & Bathrooms ●
●
07831 762644
Supply & fit all makes and models; we can even custom build to customer’s own specification and available space. Our service also includes plumbing, electrical, decorating, plastering, tiling etc., if required. No hassle for the customer - we arrange it all.
www.mastersheds.co.uk
General Building Works (Internal/External) ●
● ●
Unit D, Sudmeadow Road, Hempsted, Gloucester GL2 5HG
All types of works undertaken. Custom built wardrobes, loft conversions, door hanging, decking, pergolas, patios.
For a compe ve Quote please contact: Home: 01452 533 102 Mobile: 07870 586701 or Email: lee@lrcarpentry.co
Garden Sheds, Summerhouses, Home Offices, Garages, Workshops, Site Huts, Stables, Kennels, Aviaries, Pavilions or any large timber buildings!
Gloucester Import s ct u d ro p ty li Qua Furniture great prices! Depot
Living room ranges
s ricoe at P k c o i t ke a l o w ! tas d taange non display n a Fan at r iture me Co ur greeet of furn o quare f s 2000
Dining room ranges Bedroom ranges
Occasional furniture
t 3 fo o pinebed .00 £ 220
g nginm s ha glasrrors fro mi 35.00 £
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ll sma e with b o r ail wardelfs & r 0 sh 259.0 £
s rack0 dvd cd / m £55.0 fro
d boar Side199 £
Import Furniture Depot can be found opposite Dunelm in Gloucester. We pride ourselves on the quality and originality of all the furniture we sell. We source the finest furniture at the best prices for all our customers in Gloucestershire. Westgate Retail Park, (Opposite Dunelm) Gloucester, GL1 2RU MON-SAT 9.30am-5.30pm SUN 11am-4pm
Telephone 01452 524545
www.importfurnituredepot.co.uk
To advertise call 01242 510500
Page 31
Mon-Sat: 10am-5pm Sun: CLOSED
Frrseoneal
pe design t n i eriorrvice se
To do list:
terior d quality paint, with good ✔ inneeds Paint - need aa goo bit of advice
colour tones and
Wallpapmaeker -alla thefeaturdifeferwaencll e!for the
✔ innteeeridosr
Curtainsles- waarentintoatchtheeckmooutmewhntat
✔ innteeeridosr
ething decorative with Poles - som finials maybe?
✔ innteeeds
Blinds - trica voik le roller for privacy
✔ innteeerids
ething that makes a Lights - som ething different!!
✔ innteeeds
lounge would
fabrics and sty glass/crystal
should do the
rior
statement .... som
or
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rio Shutters - may be a possibiity, a change ✔ innteeeds
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from curtains?
All of this and more can be found at
interior needs 10% off
20% off
For all of your Soft Furnishing Needs
★★★ OFFERS THIS MONTH ★★★ Shutters & Blinds
(we tick all of your boxes ✔ )
Lighting
Tel: 01452 522 422 enquiries@interiorneeds.co.uk
Eastern Avenue, Gloucester GL4 3BU (Next to The Weavers Shop opposite PC World)
www.interiorneeds.co.uk
Interior Design with Vicky Walker
Choosing the perfect sofa Choosing the sofa that suits you, your family and home can be rather a minefield because there are so many different designs and sizes to choose from. Here are some ideas to keep in mind when purchasing a sofa.
1. SHAPE There are lots of designs out there, but when it comes to the crunch I would recommend choosing a timeless classic which will last you a long time. It is best to avoid the latest craze and trends, as your sofa may date very quickly. Are you someone who likes a traditional shape with scroll arms, or a more modern contemporary look with straight arms? Corner units are popular nowadays, especially for TV rooms – they are large so ensure you measure properly and remember it may look small in a showroom but not in your home.
2. FABRICS Think about your lifestyle – do you have pets and children? If so, you may want to choose leather, which is easy to wipe if something gets spilled. If you don’t
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like leather – which can easily dominate a room – choose a fabric that has a stain repellent in it, or you could have the fabric treated (i.e. scotchguard). Colour and texture are also important. Do you like the warmth of wool or velvet? Or perhaps you prefer linen – a natural slubby appearance that creates a more ‘lived-in’ look? Neutral colours will be timeless and it is easy to inject a bit of colour with cushions or throws. Patterns can date more than plain fabric though, so choose carefully!
3. FILLINGS Feather, foam, fibre? If you are someone that likes to sink into a squashy sofa then feather is for you. However, it is high maintenance and will need regular ‘plumping’ up to prevent the feathers flattening. Foam is firmer than feather but lower maintenance, and fibre is in between the two and will suit the majority of people. A good combination would be fibre seats and feather back cushions, which gives you the best of both worlds. The lowest maintenance is a sofa with a base wrapped with lots of foam and fibre – known as a bench seat – which means there are no
cushions to maintain – a Chesterfield is a good example of this.
4. COMFORT A good sofa must be super comfortable, as most of us spend a fair amount of time sitting on them. Consider the setting – are you wanting an occasional sofa in a formal sitting? If so, you may choose a firmer upright bench style, which will give clean lines. Is it a sofa you want to chill out on with the kids and watch TV? Then choose a large squashy sofa. It will often take several visits to a showroom and multiple tests to find your ideal sofa – a quick five minute sit down is not a true test.
5. LOOSE OR FITTED COVER The advantage of a loose cover means that they are removable and washable – great if you have pets and children – and they give a more relaxed look to the sofa. Fitted covers on the other hand give a much neater appearance, and you can always have them steam cleaned in situ should you wish to freshen them up. So now all that is left to do is sink into your sofa and enjoy!
To advertise call 01242 510500
Page 33
Luxury Mobile Home Park
Enjoy endless holidays in your own holiday home Norton Park is an exciting brand new development of Luxury Holiday Homes and is a member of The British Holiday and Home Parks Association. The Park nestles in a quiet secluded position at the foot of the Cotswold Hills, with stunning views over the Gloucestershire countryside close to local attractions and amenities. It is the perfect tranquil setting for your relaxation and a perfect opportunity to unwind from life’s pressures.
Pictured left to right are Camping Manager John Chard with William, Bonnie and Sean Gorman.
The park is run by Camping Manager John Chard, owner Sean Gorman and his wife Bonnie, their sons John and William and daugther-in-law Paris. There are places for 32 luxury holiday homes, each with a choice of size and internal layout. Every holiday home is of a very high quality with a sumptuous spacious luxury interior and at least two bedrooms. Furthermore, each home is equipped with mains electricity, running water and sewerage together with an adjacent parking space and garden area, and is licensed for use 365 days a year. The warden is resident on site and the entrance is controlled by password protected electric gates and active CCTV for your complete security and peace of mind. Free Wi-Fi is also available throughout the park and the homes are pet friendly. Norton Park is perfectly situated near an M5 motorway junction, and only a short drive from the Midlands, Warwickshire and Oxfordshire. Only minutes from a stunning riverside pub nestling on the banks of the Severn, just imagine enjoying a quiet drink on a summer evening with the water gently flowing a few feet away. Sale prices start from £27,500. Alternatively, rental prices are just £550pcm including ground maintenance and security. To arrange a viewing of some of the luxury holiday homes already on site, call Norton Park for more information.
w 5 Ne 01 r2 fo HOLIDAY LICENSED FOR 365 DAYS A YEAR! Caravan Park Norton Park also provides hard standing secure storage facilities for large vehicles including caravans, motor homes, boats and horse boxes. With an owner living on-site, secure lock-ups, key pad entry and 24-hour CCTV, you can rest-assured your vehicle will be looked after. This is a pay as you go service with no minimum or maximum time frame for storage. For details please call Bonnie (01452 731285) or John (07463 737404).
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In The Garden with Julia Smith
Sort out your well-weeded garden Now, you will probably have a very wellweeded garden if you have taken any notice at all of my columns in the last couple of months! This will really benefit you from this month onwards as things zoom into growth. Tidy up spring flowering plants such as Helleborus x hybridus (deadhead if you don’t want them to seed), Pulmonaria (cut off all the tatty leaves and old flowerheads) and Euphorbia polychroma and E. Griffithii (shear off the top third of the plant to keep it deadheaded and a nice shape). Do remember that Euphorbia produces a milky sap, which can cause severe irritation so wear gloves when handling! Sow some runner beans as the soil
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warms up, making a wigwam of bamboo canes for the beans to twine up. The cultivar ‘White Lady’ is very pretty if you fancy white flowers for a change. I make a hole before I sow the beans and empty my compost from the kitchen in there for a few days – peelings, tea bags etc. I then sow my beans on the top on a layer of soil the usual depth, and this helps keep the moisture in which the beans so love. Look out for the bright red lily beetles on your lilies and fritillaries. You can either just pick and squash or use an insecticide like Provado ultimate bug killer, which is systemic and will kill the larvae when they start to munch on the plant. The larvae are themselves with their sticky black poo, so disgusting looking as they cover gloves might be the order of the day! You can also spray Polygonatum x hybridum (Solomon’s Seal) as they unfurl to stop the dreaded Sawflys turning them into lace! Do any spraying in the evening to limit the affect on beneficial insects. You should be able to start hardening off tender herbaceous plants which you may have bought in the tempting indoor displays in the garden centres and nurseries. If you stick them straight outside it can really knock them back, so it is best practice to spend a week or so taking them outside during the day, and popping them back into the greenhouse or conservatory at night, gradually leaving them for longer and longer until they are out all night. Keep an eye on the weather in case of frosts. You can make a cold frame out of old windows, perspex off–cuts etc, and place in a warm sheltered spot. Raise the lid in the day to circulate the air and cover over at night if you have no greenhouse.
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Save the Planet
with Mark Stead of Gloucestershire Environmental Education Partnership
Get out and about in nature Think back to your childhood. If you’re anything like me you’ll picture yourself climbing trees, building dens, paddling in streams, catching slow worms and coming back home covered in mud with a big smile on your face, eager to tell your parents all about your adventures (well, some of them!) Now picture your children, your grandchildren or indeed any children you know doing the same in 30 years’ time. Will they have the same memories or will they picture themselves in front of the TV, on their mobile phone or playing on their Playstation? With more people living in towns and cities, parents’ (understandable) fears of allowing their children to play outdoors and the lure of the digital screen, children are spending less time than ever outdoors.
I think this is a real shame – but why does it matter? Well, there’s a growing body of evidence that today’s children are suffering from what Richard Louv has
termed ‘nature deficit disorder’ in his excellent book, ‘Last child in the woods’. This is affecting their behaviour and both their physical and mental wellbeing. We also need people to care about nature more than ever. People won’t protect nature if they don’t care for it, and they won’t care for it if they don’t experience it. So, if you have children or grandchildren get them outdoors! Don’t know where to go? How about the local park or even your own garden? If you want to go further afield, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust reserves are a great place to start. They have over 60 reserves dotted all across the county so there’s bound to be one near you (see www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/ wildlife/reserves for a full list and map). Stuck for what to do? You’re spoiled for choice. It could be as simple as going for a walk or splashing in the puddles – it doesn’t have to be anything fancy. How about building a den or looking for minibeasts? Or use your imagination – try building your own wood elf village or even a bird’s nest!
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Alternatively, if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, the Nature Detectives website (naturedetectives.org.uk) is full of great ideas for every season, or take a look at Project Wildthing (projectwildthing.com). Here you can share your ideas and even print off a voucher for your children or grandchildren promising them some ‘Wild Time’. If you don’t have a computer, your local library will have lots of books full of fun activities – I recommend ‘Sharing Nature With Children’ by Joseph Cornel. So, what will your children be doing this weekend? Sat in front of the TV or getting out and about, exploring their local area? I know which one I’d rather be doing! To find out more about the work of GEEP visit www.geep.org.uk.
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Fantastic festivals May sees the return of Gloucester’s signature event, our Tall Ships Festival. First held in October 2007 to help the city’s economy recover from the awful flooding experienced that summer, it has steadily grown in popularity ever since. It takes place every two years and is organised by Marketing Gloucester, with the support of many businesses and organisations locally. The event attracts well over 100,000 visitors and is part of the successful programme of festivals taking place at the historic Docks now, including the recent Spring Fest, the Food Festival and the Victorian Market. This year four vessels, making their first appearance at Gloucester, will sail into the main Dock basin and visitors will have the opportunity to go on board. A range of landbased entertainment will take place at the festival, including pirate ship battles and flyboarding displays. On 23rd and 24th May the Gloucester Stonecarving Festival will take place at the nearby Llanthony Priory, featuring some of the top stonemasons from up and down the country.
2015 is living up to its billing as “Our BiG Year” A sea shanty festival will also run alongside the event at venues in the city centre, hopefully persuading people to visit our gate streets as well as the Docks. When ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’ was being filmed at the Docks last year, the producer told us that it was images of the Tall Ships Festival that persuaded them to choose Gloucester as a film location. Let’s hope this year’s event will also have a positive impact on investment and the economy in general. With the Rugby World Cup coming here in September and October, Sir Elton John and Madness performing at Kingsholm over the summer and a whole range of events taking place throughout the year, 2015 is living up to its billing as “Our BiG Year”. And with continued progress on Gloucester’s regeneration, we really are a city on the up! For more information about Gloucester’s Tall Ships Festival, visit www.gloucestertallships.co.uk. t: 01452 384051
To advertise call 01242 510500
e:paul.james@gloucester.gov.uk
Page 45
WORD SEARCH R F O I C T S S W K S E C J R I G C W K J T F H
R E E E D I I W P P C Z G M D M E A L X Z R V M
H D W L T R S N K I O K F I O L R D S O E U F N
B O G O I I B X T H T R Q V W Q A W D S Z P M C
J O W L L E B E U L B S D C K I N G I J N V H G
X A E P G F G A V Q R U X W S X I A Y E V N D N
K B S O R H N D S K T C K B O J U C M P T T B D
D U N M A W L R U M H O F D Q N M D N W H Q Q O
V I F F I O A F O O F R K S H P S G G U Z X P G
A L A S G N A Y Z C K C O O C I I O N R J S X W
P A D I R S E L X V F I X L X R Z A I Z Q D Y O
M Z R B R I I P P G B D S C H A W T H O R N Q O
P A L F H L A M O B M P B Y U B O X B K A A F D
M M O V A E G T H P N H M S T C F S U U P G R W
M I P C H H O M E I P U L I D O F F A D Z U E X
L N C T A Y Z F L B X Y G V I W H G D P P I W L
H Y A C I N T H R B A Z T F U N V P B M M E A A
O P C W L P X P O H X R W W H C O Z H G Y J Z C
B A O O O D D J S T U L I P N H J A V N B W A G
P N T E N K F K E C V P K X K T E X X H Z X L R
N S O J G L U E G R S T F H P E T U N I A C E V
X Y I C A I T M J O P R B H A M H D H V M X A N
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Cloudy2Clear Windows – Service With A Smile!
It’s been a crazy few months for Cloudy2Clear Windows. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames – has grown rapidly as homeowners take advantage of their services. Managing Director Paul Spiller feels that it’s all about service: “Our product is simple. If your double glazing is misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 5 year guarantee. But it’s not just
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about saving people money, although that obviously helps. “Many tradespeople have struggled since last year and I honestly feel that during the good times a minority perhaps didn’t focus on customer care as much as they should have done. We make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. I often get comments back from customers on how they really didn’t expect that sort of service which, in a way, is very sad for the service industry as a whole.”
Cloudy2Clear service Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds, and Paul is finding that his approach is a major factor in his success. “The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount
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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 47
Quick Crossword ACROSS 1 Puzzle 5 Wharf 7 Spree 8 Inheritor 9 Bread portion 10 Not explicit 11 Film star dog 13 Serving platter 14 Join in half-heartedly 18 Ran rapidly 21 Printing fluids 22 Afraid 24 Remove completely 25 Grant 26 Injure with horns 27 Recurrent period 28 Legend 29 Torrid
DOWN 1 Expelled air 2 Disease agents 3 Higher than 4 Caught on barb 5 Crosses out 6 Absurd pretence 12 Sick 15 Yearly stipend 16 Implore 17 Increase in attractiveness 19 Rainbow shape 20 Frail with age 22 Genders 23 Debate
THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE BUSINESS SHOW
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HUCCLECOTE ACCOUNTING & TAXATION SERVICES Se lf Ass es s me n t ta x r e t u rn s So l et r ad er / pa r tn er s h ip ac c o u n t s Li m it ed Co m p an y ac c o u n t s an d ta x r e t u rn s Bo o k k eep i n g a n d v a t re tu r n s P a y r o ll a n d C IS a s si s ta n c e
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Hucclecote Accounting and Taxation Services (HATS for short) offers a wholly individual approach to accountancy and taxation services. Our staff are patient, professional and friendly and they offer a taxation service that’s tailored to your needs. That means you get all the experience of the HATS team of Chartered and Chartered Certified Accountants; there’s always someone on hand to help. We offer a bespoke accounting service, based on your precise requirements; you can have as much or little help as you need.
Plain English Best of all, you get a ‘plain English’ approach to accountancy. No accountant’s shorthand; just plenty of common sense advice and assistance on all manner of accountancy services. Taxation really doesn’t have to be taxing!
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The Local Answer
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Money Matters with Roger Downes of Andorran
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The Local Answer
We should know the outcome on May 7th, or maybe we won’t if the polls suggesting a hung parliament come to pass. The forthcoming General Election has occupied all available column inches and broadcasting hours for weeks now, so I didn’t think I could let the occasion pass without covering it for ‘Money Matters’. I have no intention of indicating political allegiance to any party or of trying to persuade you which way to vote. However, almost every survey of voters has put the Economy at the top of the agenda in terms of matters of importance, and probably rightly so. Most of the items that follow it on the agenda – the NHS, immigration, foreign policy and aid, jobs, student finances etc. – are in many ways functions of what is happening in the Economy, coupled with the fiscal and spending policies of the government of the day. So maybe it would have been more interesting to have heard from the likes of George Osborne, Ed Balls and those who would shape their party’s financial plan, rather than the ‘Magnificent Seven’ stood at their podiums!
Simplify the political rhetoric It would certainly be more helpful to the electorate if we could simplify all of the political rhetoric to which we have been subjected. All it would take is a couple of pie charts, one representing the incomes available to the government and the second one spending plans of the would-be Chancellor. Every time they commit to spending, say £8 billion on the NHS, they would either have to increase the income pie to match or reduce the expenditure one by a similar sum in a different area. Once all the commitments had been entered into the pies, we would have a clear picture of how our taxes and borrowing would look under each major party and how they would be spending the money raised. Conquering the current budget deficit would, of course, simply be one of those items of expenditure in the pie. Simple isn’t it? And we all love a picture. They seem so much easier to understand than all those weasly words.
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Page 49
Index of Advertisers FOOD & DRINK Battledown Brewery Burley Fields Lake Cafe Rene Donnington Brewery Double Gloucester Gloucester Brewery Goffs Brewery So Thai The Old Rectory Tiger’s Eye Wickwar Brewing Co
27 5 7 27 4 6 & 27 27 6 4 4 27
WHAT’S ON CLUBS & SPORTS Shipton Golf Course EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS Bacon Theatre Cattle Country Cheltenham Challenge Gloucestershire Business Show Live Promotions – Bjorn Again Hallmark Hotel Prinknash Bird Park West Midlands Safari Park
22 24 25 19 29 21 20 23 18
RETAIL Aquajardin
9
HEALTH & BEAUTY Bicko’s Bike Shack
10
Deano’s Mobile Barber NHS Let’s Talk Spa Vapes
11 10 10 & 50
PROPERTY & STORAGE CJ Hole Norton Park Park Home Life
8 34-35 8
HOLIDAYS & TRAVEL Churchdown Private Hire
22
HOMES & GARDENS BATHROOMS Severn Vale Bathrooms BUILDING SERVICES BE Rudman Elite Loft Ladders G Kelly Plastering Glosbuild Home Care Property Maintenance Marshalls Driveways Roofing & Building Solutions Tiles R Russ Weather Tech CARPENTRY Rhodes Carpentry CLEANING SERVICES Ecoclean Oven Busters The Oven and Range Cleaning
51 30 49 40 37 40 40 30 31 41 31 33 12 45
ELECTRICAL SERVICES GRP Electrical FURNISHING & APPLIANCES Gloucester Import Depot Interior Needs Quedgeley Carpets Sapphire Carpets GARDEN SERVICES Challenge Fencing Chosen Lawnmowers DW Tree Services Glos Gardening Services Mark Clifford Landscapes Master Sheds HANDYMAN SERVICES PJ Home Improvements Safe Style Home Improvements HEATING & PLUMBING Combi-Man Drain Doctor Pete T Plumbing KITCHENS Granite Transformations Hatherley Worktops TV & AERIAL 1st Choice Aerials WINDOWS & DOORS AJ Windows
49 31 32 30 38 40 41 40 45 41 31 40 30 38 40 31 2 38 40 36
Albany Windows C&L Windows Clearway Doors & Windows Cloudy 2 Clear Emperor Windows
52 39 42 47 44
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CARE SERVICES Barnwood Trust 14-15 Bohanam House Day Centre 13 Saintbridge House 12 The Order of St John Care Trust 13 COMPUTER SERVICES Shiraz Badat 22 EDUCATION & TRAINING Tinies Nurseries 12 LEGAL & FINANCE Eversure Accounts 49 HATS 48 NJH Bookkeeping 49 MOTOR SERVICES Westlands Hyundai 28 PET SERVICES BJ Luxury Kennels & Cattery 16 HOUSE CLEARANCE & REMOVALS Churchdown Removals 46 SKIP HIRE & RECYCLING Grimebusters 45 Stevens Recycling 43
PUZZLE SOLUTIONS R F O I C T S S W K S E C J R I G C W K J T F H
COMPETITION WINNERS Thanks to all who took part in our April 2015 competition and congratulations to the winner: Picture Perfect – £100 worth of vouchers to spend at Smyths Toys Superstore – Kelly Wynne of Tewkesbury.
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COMPETITION RULES 1 Prizes are as stated and no cash or prize alternative will be offered. 2 Employees of The Local Answer and their families or households are not eligible to enter. 3 The first correct entry drawn at random after the closing date will win the prize as stated. 4 The winner will be notified by telephone after the closing date has passed. 5 The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 6 Entrants must be over 18 years, unless stated.
7 Proof of posting is not regarded as proof of receipt of entry. 8 The Local Answer accepts no responsibility for the provision of the prize, which remains at all times the full responsibility of the prize donor(s). 9 By entering any competition you agree to have your name published in the next issue of The Local Answer should you be drawn as a winner of the prize. 10 By entering any competition you agree to have your details passed to a third party.
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BOOKING DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE – Friday 15th May 2015
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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
Brand New Showroom Now Open Unit 41, Space Business Centre, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham, GL51 9FL