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OCTOBER 2015
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Joseph Benson Publication Manager – Cotswolds
01242 541072 joseph@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Welcome to October ... Halloween is just around the corner so it’s time to get your house looking super spooky! Our Interior Design article has some great tips on decorating for Halloween whether you’re aiming for a simple look or going all out to impress your ‘trick-or-treaters’. If you’d rather not decorate your home with scary spiders and ghoulish ghosts, there may be a reason behind your fears. The Medical Health feature explains what phobias are and the different types, why we have phobias and how they affect us. Watch out for the terrifying tarantula! If you fancy a night with the Welsh National Opera, we have a fantastic competition for you to enter where you could win tickets to see ‘Sweeney Todd’!
Editorial
Inside this month ...
Lois Kingscott editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Helen Kingscott editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Distribution Robert Kingscott – 01242 541071 distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Administration & Production Beverley Ellin admin@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Alison Hambling alison@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Accounts Kerry Fell accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk
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Delicious Dishes Food For Thought Medical Health Mirror Mirror on the Wall Property View What’s On Cocktail Time Wild Food Foraging Motoring Sudoku Wildlife Matters Quick Crossword Interior Design In the Garden Save the Planet Word Search Money Matters Index, Competitions, Solutions Competitions on pages 7 & 18
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Delicious Dishes with Helen Kingscott
Thai green prawn curry A tongue-tingling curry with plenty of crunch. Serves 4 Ingredients: 200g onion; 2tsp coconut oil (or olive oil); 120g Thai green paste; 200ml coconut milk; 300ml vegetable stock; 200g green beans; 200g red pepper; 1 lime; 400g cooked king prawns; coriander. Method: 1 Dice the onion and fry with oil for 5 minutes to soften.
if you prefer your vegetables to be softer. 5 Squeeze the lime juice into the pan and stir. 6 Add the prawns to heat through when nearly ready to serve.
2 Add Thai green paste and heat through for 2 minutes.
7 Garnish with coriander and, if desired, serve with rice of your choice. If you don’t like prawns, replace with the same weight of diced chicken breast (this will need longer to cook).
3 Mix in coconut milk and stock and bring to a simmer. 4 Add green beans and diced red pepper to the sauce and leave to simmer for 10 minutes. Leave for longer
T HE I NN
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F OSSEBRIDGE
This famous Inn is located on the Fosse Way (A429)
Character Pub with stone walls and flagstone floors ● Casual Dining – Excellent food served all day ● Passionate about well kept ales ● Ideal wedding venue – Ceremony room overlooking the lake ● Stunning riverside garden – Al Fresco dining ● 9 beautiful en-suite bedrooms and two holidays cottages ●
Fossebridge | Cheltenham | GL54 3JS
reservations@innatfossebridge.co.uk | www.fossebridgeinn.co.uk The Local Answer
01285 720721
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The Edgemoor Inn Freehouse & Restaurant
Late 19th century inn overlooking beau ful panoramic valley views
Tradi onal Cotswold pub offering locally sourced meat, fish and vegetables. Extensive range of home cooked meals served daily – lunch me and evening. Visit our website for full menu. Finest selec on of local real ales.
NOW BEING TAKEN
Edge, Near Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 6ND Tel: 01452 813576 edgemoorinn@gmail.com www.edgemoorinn.com
Abbey Group, Units 23/24, Neptune Business Centre, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham, GL51 9FB
www.abbeybusinessequipment.com
The Abbey Business Lounge at Gloucester Rugby’s Kingsholm Stadium sponsored by Gloucestershire’s leading business solutions provider
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Food For Thought
WIN A CHRISTMAS MEAL FOR FOUR! WIN A TWO COURSE CHRISTMAS PARTY MEAL FOR FOUR PEOPLE COURTESY OF THE KINGS ARMS All you need to do is tell us why you like reading The Local Answer magazine! Whether it’s the covers, editorial, adverts, competitions or anything else, we would like to know. To enter, either: • Like and message us on Facebook – The Local Answer • Follow and tweet us @TheLocalAnswer • Email your comments to editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk or • Post your comments to The Local Answer, 1 Ullenwood Court, Cheltenham GL53 9QS One entry per household. See Index page for full competition rules. Closing date: Thursday 15th October 2015.
CosyRooms DeliciousFood TraditionalPub Serving food every day from 12 noon Book now for Christmas and New Year Visit our website for details www.kingsarmsstow.co.uk
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Medical Health with Holly Prince
Overcome your phobias Sometimes scary things can be fun – such as Halloween, which is associated with monsters and ghouls and things that go bump in the night. But when we fear ordinary things in our everyday lives, this anxiety can turn into a phobia. A phobia is defined as an irrational fear of something, which many people wouldn’t be afraid of, but for the sufferer it produces an automatic and overwhelming response. This anxiety can interfere with the person’s daily life – for example, going out to work or socialising – as they will try to avoid the object or situation (stimulus) that they are fearful of. Fear is a natural reaction to danger. When we feel afraid, we experience the ‘fight, flight or freeze’ response, where we react by facing the danger, getting away from it, or doing nothing. This fear may be due to something real or a perceived threat, and the response is the body’s way of protecting us from it. But if there is no real danger and the response is an over-reaction, this is when people are said to have a phobia. To a person with a phobia, there is nothing
L et ’s Ta lk
irrational about it – it is a genuine fear response. Symptoms might include sweating, rapid heart rate, dry mouth and breathlessness, shaking, nausea, continual thoughts of dread, panic and powerlessness. There are many things that people can have a phobia of, and these are sorted into three types. The first two are ‘complex phobias’ – social phobias, and agoraphobia (fear of being trapped in a confined or inescapable place). The other type is ‘specific phobias’ and these are sub-categorised into fears about the natural environment – such as brontophobia (fear of thunder); animals – like cynophovia (fear of dogs); medical-related – like fear of needles or blood; and situational fears – such as fear of flying. An estimated 10 million people in the UK have a phobia, so if you’re one of them, you’re certainly not alone! Phobias can take over people’s lives if they do not take action to control the fear. Fortunately, there are many recommended treatments available that can alleviate the symptoms and feelings associated with the stimulus, or cure the fear altogether. Hypnotherapy can be used to tap into subconscious processes that are involved in the fear response, and to promote relaxation. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps people to question and
challenge their thoughts and feelings about the stimulus and to modify behaviours in order to react differently and not avoid the feared object/ situation. Gradual exposure (desensitisation) involves confronting the fear little steps at a time – for example, seeing a picture of a spider, then being in the same room as it, leading up to touching the spider, until the person feels relatively comfortable around it. Anti-anxiety medications can also be used to suppress the physiological and psychological symptoms of fear, and your GP can advise you about these.
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FREE CONSULTATIONS for Dental Implants, Invisalign, Tooth Whitening & Skin Treatments
Mirror Mirror on the Wall... with Katie Pollard
Nineties Halloween Revival Grunge. Not a word we hear and associate with ‘beauty’. However, back in the 1990s, this androgynous look crept its way into women’s (and men’s) grooming regimes. This was where you would purposely use your make up bag to create the ‘morning-after-thenight-before’ face of dark, smudgy eyes combined with nude lips and a pale skin tone.
Embrace the dark side The ultimate grunge statement was made with the eyes. All in all, it is the perfect look to recreate for trick-ortreating this Halloween season. Not all looks have to be horror – 90s grunge allows you to embrace the dark side whilst maintaining an ontrend edge! Here is where you would create heavily shadowed lids to achieve the desired effect. A dark – preferably black or dark coloured –
palette is used to smudge onto the upper and lower lids accompanied with eyeliner and lashings of mascara. As we all know, eye shadow has a way of sprinkling down onto the cheeks when applying! Therefore, ensure your eyes are the first port of call before you attend to your cheeks, then you can wipe off any unwanted smudges.
An obvious contrast to will accentuate the grunge inspired dark eyes eye make up. The best thing about For the second stage of grunge, the palette now tones down to the opposite end of the colour spectrum. The paler tones provide an obvious contrast to the dark eyes, which compliment one another perfectly for this look. Once you’ve applied your nude colour to the mouth, make sure you blot with your finger to create a matte effect. A tip for keeping it on a little longer is to put pressed powder onto the tip of your finger and dab over the lips.
a nude lip is that it allows a little drama and attention to be paid to the eyes. The smokey eye may be the most timeless look on record, yet it remains our favourite. What’s that old saying? ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’? Well, if it it’s still working, keep working it and this Halloween provides the perfect opportunity to trick or treat yours!
Allow a little drama For those who would prefer to inject a touch of ‘glam grunge’, sprinkle some glitter along the cheekbones and partner with glittery eye shadow as opposed to just black. The dark upper face in contrast with the paler complexion The Local Answer
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Property View with Howard Seabrook
What to ask yourself before choosing a letting agent You want to rent out your property and you’ve decided to get help from a letting agent rather than go it alone. The first decision to make is how much you want the agent to do for you. At the most basic level, you can opt to have the agent just find you a tenant, and then you take over from there. This leaves you with a lot to do. You’ll need to carry out the inventory, verify references, do credit checks, draw up legal documentation, secure the tenant’s deposit in a protection scheme, collect the rent, chase arrears, keep up with legislation, be the day-to-day contact for the tenant, and take care of organising maintenance and repairs.
Which tasks do you want help with? Most agencies will offer a bespoke ‘pick and mix’ of their services,
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depending on how much you want to be involved in running your let. You may want the agent to take care of what needs to happen up until the point where the tenant moves in. This will include vetting prospective tenants, drawing up the tenancy agreement and securing the tenant’s deposit. At that point it would be over to you. But if you don’t like the thought of collecting rent and chasing arrears, that service can be added to your contract with the agent. That just leaves the maintenance of the property and sorting out day-to-day problems. This option still makes demands on your time, but keeps costs under your control while giving you the peace of mind that the legal and financial side is being handled by a professional. Study the small print, and make sure the costs are
broken down and clearly set out in your service contract with the agent.
Do you need everything taken care of? You want all the bells and whistles, with every aspect of the let covered for you. This option may be right for you if you have a portfolio of properties, or don’t have the time, inclination or experience to be handson. Bear in mind that full-service management comes with a fullservice price tag, usually around 10% to 15% of the rental price. On the plus side, you need never get involved in managing your investment. The agent takes all the strain. You’ll have no nightmares about a tricky tenant, and a blocked drain on Christmas Day is not your problem. Whatever level of responsibility you are handing over to an agent, make sure they are part of a recognised regulatory body, and if you can, get a personal recommendation.
To advertise call 01242 510500
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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. 3-4 OCTOBER CRAFT FAYRE Start your Christmas shopping early with beautifully hand-made local gifts at the Batsford Craft Fayre, in the new Education Centre. Browse a wide variety of products by local designers and makers, including cards, pottery, soaps, candles and much more. Saturday 9am–5pm and Sunday 10am–5pm. Free entry. www.batsarb.co.uk. 01386 701441. Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9QB. 7 OCTOBER FOSTERING DROP IN EVENT Interested in fostering? Gloucestershire County Council is holding a drop in event at Fairford Library on Wednesday 7th October from 2pm-5pm. Alternatively call 01242 532654 for more information. 8 OCTOBER WEDDING OPEN EVENING Recently engaged or just looking for the perfect venue, why not pop along to our Wedding Open evening from 5.30-8pm and view the fabulous Merlot Suite set up for a ceremony and Wedding Breakfast along with local suppliers. Hallmark Hotel Gloucester, Matson Lane, Robinswood Hill, GL4 6EA. 01452 525653. gloucester.events3@hallmarkhotels.co.uk. 9-10, 15-17 OCTOBER THE COTSWOLD PLAYERS PRESENT OEDIPUS AND HIS DAUGHTER ANTIGONE Driven from his home by a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother, Oedipus defeats the Sphinx to become king of Thebes. A rare opportunity to see a double bill of Greek tragedy
staged in classic style but in a new adaptation. cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk/tickets 16 OCTOBER BEN WATERS AND VERY SPECIAL GUESTS One of Jools Holland’s top ten favourite pianists of all time. Jools even asked him to play at his wedding. Ben has also played at parties for Mick Jagger and performed with the greats: Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones and Mick Hucknall. Ben Waters will perform at the Bacon Theatre together with his band of equally fine musicians, in aid of Maggie’s Cancer Care. Support by Kyla Brox. 7.15pm. £24. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 17 OCTOBER BACK TO BROADWAY Back to Broadway is the all-singing, alldancing, theatrical sensation that invites you to take a journey through the magical world of musicals; with unforgettable performances, dazzling costumes and original choreography. Be enthralled by the unforgettable, ‘One Day More’ from Les Misérables, the epic ‘Circle of Life’ from the Lion King, the uplifting ‘Time Of My Life’ from Dirty Dancing and the fantastic ‘Defying Gravity’ from Wicked, plus many other timeless showstoppers performed live on stage. 7.30pm. £18 (£16). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 17 OCTOBER – 1 NOVEMBER AUTUMN PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS Join Alan Ranger, an internationally acclaimed and award winning professional photographer, on a half or one day
LEAD THE WAY! Dog Walking Services & Doggy Day Care ★ Flexible ★ Professional ★ Insured
Rebecca Brannan
☎ 07789 979298
info.leadthewaydogwalking@gmail.com Page 14
photography workshop. Suitable for beginners and more advanced photographers. Half day workshops 8am12pm or 1pm-5pm – £79. Full day workshops 8am-5pm – from £130. All bookings must be made in advance. For details and to book visit www.alanranger.com/batsford. 19-20 OCTOBER ALICE – THE MUSICAL
Alice – The Musical brings Lewis Carroll’s zany world to life. The nonsense of Wonderland is captured in this fast paced exciting production with its catchy songs. With a cast of 30 ranging in age from 6 to 16, the members of Young Promenaders have been enthusiastically rehearsing since June. Directed by Paul Avery, assisted by Heather Gallagher. Musical Director – Vicki Beauregard assisted by April Perrot and Poppy Storey. Choreography by Molly Champion-Pinchin. 7pm. Tickets from Showcase on 01242 224144 – adults £10, children £6. Parabola Arts Centre, Parabola Road, Cheltenham GL50 3AA.
Shipton Golf Course Shipton Golf Course, Nr Frogmill, Shipton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 4HT
day in the Heart of the Cotswolds” “A 9Open hole payevery & play course from 7am until dusk No need to book – Open every day from 7am until dusk www.shiptongolf.co.uk
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21 OCTOBER HENVY V Henry IV is dead and Hal is King. With England in a state of unrest, he must leave his rebellious youth behind, striving to gain the respect of his nobility and people. Henry gathers his troops and prepares for a war that he hopes will unite his country. Henry V will be broadcast live from the RSC in the 600th anniversary week of the Battle of Agincourt. 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, student £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 22 OCTOBER – 1 NOVEMBER SLIMBRIDGE SPOOKTACULAR
Fiendish fun is in store for little explorers. Find the missing pumpkins, make a magic potion, meet the wizard’s amphibian pets, enjoy creepy crafts and take a scarecrow selfie. Face painting and pumpkin carving will also be available (extra charge). Book
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online to save 10%. WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT. 01453 891223. 24 OCTOBER AUTUMN SALE Cheltenham Hospital League of Friends are hosting an Autumn sale with handicrafts, cakes, tombola, raffle, books, jams, gifts, bric-a-brac, bottle stall, refreshments and much more. 9-12am. Entrance fee 50p. Sacred Hearts Church Hall, Moorend Road, Cheltenham GL53 9AU. 30 OCTOBER MACBETH
Taking their cues from film noir, gangland Britain and the clowning tradition, the Pantaloons Theatre Company put their contemporary spin on Shakespeare’s most dangerous play. Tragic and hilarious in equal measures this innovative play features femmes fatale, high-speed chases, killer lines, killer crimes and some seriously weird sisters. 7.30pm. £14 (£12).
To advertise call 01242 510500
The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. HALLOWEEN MURDER MYSTERY Enjoy a fantastic three-course dinner with coffee whilst you flex your amateur sleuthing muscles solving a thrilling Halloween themed Murder Mystery. From £29.50 per adult. Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall, Bondend Lane, Upton St Leonards, GL4 8ED. 0844 815 9077. 31 OCTOBER HALLOWEEN BALL Celebrate Halloween whilst raising much needed funds for Midlands Air Ambulance. Monster Mash the night away to the band ‘Breeze’ after eating a fabulous 3 course meal. Fancy dress is optional but encouraged – prizes for the best dressed. £30 per person. Hallmark Hotel Gloucester, Matson Lane, GL4 6EA. 01452 525653. gloucester.events3@hallmarkhotels.co.uk. FUNGUS FORAY Join expert forayer Dave Champion along with the Cotswold Fungus Group for a walk through the Arboretum to discover the wonderful world of fungi. Learn how much they contribute to our thriving Arboretum. Walks (10.30am and 1.30pm) are limited to 25 people per session so book early – call 01386 701441. Tickets £5 per person plus entrance fee. Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9QB.
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5 NOVEMBER HAMLET Academy Award® nominee Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the title role of Shakespeare’s great tragedy. As a country arms itself for war, a family tears itself apart. Forced to avenge his father’s death but paralysed by the task ahead, Hamlet rages against the impossibility of his predicament. 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, student £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 7 NOVEMBER 60S & 70S PARTY NIGHT Come and dance like you did ‘back in the day’. £15.50 per person to include a welcome drink, DJ and chef’s choice buffet. Hallmark Hotel Gloucester, Matson Lane, GL4 6EA. 01452 525653. gloucester.events3@hallmarkhotels.co.uk. 7-14 NOVEMBER CHARLTON KINGS ANNUAL TOY SALE In aid of Acorns Children’s Hospice (Gloucestershire Support Group). Donated toys, games, books, etc. may be brought to the Baptist church on Friday 6th November between 1.30-4.30pm. Tombola, plus raffle drawn on Saturday 14th November – any donated prizes would be appreciated. 9.15am – 4.30pm every day except Sunday 8th. To be held
at Charlton Kings Baptist Church. For further information call 01242 522559. 13 NOVEMBER THE KAST OFF KINKS The Kast off Kinks are former members of the legendary band The Kinks, back together to play great music and to re-live the good times. Expect all the hits, including: You Really Got Me, Sunny Afternoon, Lola, Come Dancing, plus many more for a great night out. 7.30pm. £20 (£18). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. WINTERSONG Join us for a warming supper followed by a performance of ‘Wintersong’ in the Garden Terrace Café. £18.50 per head including a glass of mulled wine or hot spice berry cordial on arrival, plus your evening meal (meat and vegetarian options available). Doors open 5.30pm, food served from 6pm. www.batsarb.co.uk. 01386 701441. Batsford Arboretum, Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9QB. 17-21 NOVEMBER THE THRILL OF LOVE Phoenix Players present The Thrill of Love by Amanda Whittington. Mysteries surround the story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman hanged in Britain. Amateur production suitable 14 years+. 7.30pm. Tickets £9 (£8 conc) available at Tourist
Information Centre. Call 01452 396572 or 01452 522795. Kings Theatre, GL1 1QX. 3-6 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 40 trees decorated by schoolchildren, organisations and businesses illuminate the church. Favourite trees chosen by public vote. Celebration service at 6pm on 6th December. St Edward’s Church, Stowon-the-Wold. 10am-5pm. 10 DECEMBER ANNUAL MENINGITIS NOW CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Performances from a male voice choir and local primary schools, the promise of snow and a visit from Father Christmas. Tickets – www.meningitisnow.org/christmasconcerts or call 0345 1204530. Prices: £10 nave seats, £5 aisle, £30 family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) in the nave, £15 family ticket in the aisle. 7.30pm. Gloucester Cathedral, GL1 2LX.
THE BIRD & DEER PARK WEEKENDS OPEN ON
PRINKNASH
• 28th & 29th November 2015 • 5th & 6th December 2015 • 12th & 13th December 2015
OPEN DAILY FROM 18th – 24th December 2.30pm – 6pm close
*Ticket price includes a visit to meet Santa with a gift, Christmas Fairy, illuminations, face painting, craft marquee and entry to the park. *Photographs are not included in the entry price
Hot food, drinks and gifts are available for purchase. Free parking. Group bookings available upon request.
Gifts are suitable for children over the age of one & are not gift wrapped.Tickets are non-refundable or exchangeable. Illuminations are turned on at dusk. Photographs are not permitted inside the grotto.
Open 7 days a week 10am-5pm • 01452 812727 • www.thebirdpark.com The Bird and Deer Park, Prinknash, Cranham, Gloucester GL4 8EX PARK OPEN AS NORMAL FOR HALF TERM
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Cocktail Time with Lois Kingscott
Wild Food Foraging with Steven Hawley
Magically transform sour sloes Whiskey Sour The Whiskey Sour was first recorded in Jerry Thomas’ 1862 book ‘The Bartender’s Guide’, albeit being known for over a century prior. Back then, travel took forever, refrigeration was lacking and the concept of germs was unheard of. Sea travel wasn’t as easy as journeys over land – food and water would spoil over time, and water wasn’t considered safe due to the germs. Sailors suffered from scurvy, malnutrition and sea-sickness until an English bartender named Vice Admiral Edward Vernon mixed a few ingredients together to serve his crew. Within their rations sailors had lemons and limes to prevent scurvy and liquor for something to drink. The liquor, watered down with lemon juice, brought about an early version of the Sour. When brought to shore, this concept became popular and developed to the sour cocktail we now know. The egg white was added at a later stage as a creamy, frothy element to help the cocktail go down smoother and make it look better in the glass. This is sometimes called a Boston Sour. Ingredients: 60ml bourbon; 30ml lemon juice; 15ml simple syrup; egg white (optional); ice; maraschino cherry and ½ orange slice to garnish. Method: 1 Pour ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake well then pour into a rocks glass over ice. 2 Garnish with a maraschino cherry and half a slice of orange. 3 If using the egg white, dry shake (no ice) vigorously in a shaker to get it white and foamy. Then add ice and the other ingredients.
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY Why not have a Mocktail? For a non-alcoholic alternative, mix 25ml lime juice with 75ml Ginger Ale and pour over ice. Garnish with a wedge of lime. The Local Answer
As winter starts to rattle its sabre, hedgerow harvests become more scarce so it’s time to start preserving if you want a steady supply of free nosh to get you through to spring. I think you should prioritise and start by preserving some alcohol! During previous outings, you should have started to notice Blackthorn trees producing miniature plum like berries, called sloes, along roadsides or round the edges of fields. The Blackthorn can be identified by its long needle sharp spines and leaves, which are oval in shape and serrated round the edges. The sloes are a light blueish purple in colour and if you’re brave enough to bite into one your tongue will grow hair and your face will want to turn inside out! But soak them in gin and sugar for a couple of months and that astringent sourness transforms into something magical. Harvest sloes after the first frost of the year and, if you’re a fan of tradition, prick each sloe with the spine of the tree they were picked from. Failing that, a fork will suffice.
It should be ready at the end of January Half fill an old sterilised sauce jar with sloes, add about 100g of sugar per 1 pint of berries (pack as many as you can into a pint glass without bursting them to acquire that measurement) and pop in one or two cloves if you feel like it. Fill to the neck with gin and seal the lid on tightly. Store in a cool dark place, the under stairs cupboard for instance, and turn the jar over once a day for two weeks then once a week for about three months. It should be ready to drain into clean sterile bottles toward the end of January. Leave to stand for another month to let any sediment settle and carefully decant into some sterile decorative bottles, once more leaving the sediment behind for clarity. All that’s left to do is invite some friends round and enjoy your sloe gin! Please remember to drink responsibly. 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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Win Tickets!
To enter our draw to win a pair of tickets for 22nd October, send your name, address and telephone number to ‘Sweeney Todd’, The Local Answer, 1 Ullenwood Court, Cheltenham, GL53 9QS. Alternatively, enter via email by sending your details stating ‘Sweeney Todd’ to competitions@thelocalanswer.co.uk. Closing date: Thursday 15th October 2015.
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Motoring with Christian Tilbury
A part of the family With such a vast array of models to choose from, family car buyers have arguably never had it so good. But while the market is awash with suitable, quality cars, there’s one model that always figures near the top of many a family’s wish list – the Volkswagen Golf. In production for over 40 years, the Golf has been a mainstay in Britain’s top 10 best selling cars for seemingly forever, so what’s the secret of its success? There’s no doubt that it’s a great car, but its unwavering popularity also stems from its rich history and haloed badge. Ford’s Focus sells more in the UK, but it can’t compete with the prestige that many associate with the VW roundel or match the Golf’s 30-year legacy of rock solid reliability. In fact, so dependable was the Golf that Volkswagen felt confident enough to engineer a TV advert around it – anyone remember Paula Hamilton ditching the fur and fancy jewels but
hanging onto the keys to her MkII Golf GTi? Admittedly, many believe it all went a little bit wrong with the MkIII and MkIV variants that Volkswagen launched in the 1990s and early 2000s, but the latest MkVII version sees the Golf back at its best. Importantly, its extensive range includes something for everyone, the line-up spanning three- and fivedoor hatchbacks, a cabriolet version, spacious estate and even a MPV-esque model. Very few of the Golf’s so-called rivals can come close to offering such a variety of body styles, and it’s the same story when it comes to a choice of what powers it.
diesels, there’s the option of electric and hybrid units, while there’s also a sizeable selection of power outputs to pick from. For example, you could choose the BlueMotion 110PS 1.6 diesel that returns up to 88mpg, the 1.0 TSI 115PS BlueMotion that is exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty, the 1.4 TSI 204PS PHEV that gives you up A sizeable selection of to 166mpg together with a 0-62mph power outputs to pick from time of only 7.6 seconds or, for those Such is the array of engines, what to seeking the ultimate in performance, choose can pose a bit of a dilemma. the 2.0 TSI 300PS engine that propels Together with traditional petrol and the family hatchback from 0–62mph in a mere 4.9 seconds. It’s no wonder then that the newest MkVII version scooped the World Car of the Year 2013 award shortly after its launch and that Volkswagen has sold more Golfs than any other model. For anyone considering a family car, that’s more than enough to recommend it and goes a long way to explaining the Golf’s loyal following – for many owners it isn’t so much a family car, more a part of the family.
COTSWOLD CARS LTD
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Page 21
Sudoku Fill the grids so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.
Save and earn! You may have seen hundreds of branded Minis driving around Gloucestershire a couple of weeks ago. That was because a major British FTSE 250 company was holding its annual company conference at the Cheltenham Racecourse. The company, Utility Warehouse, is operated by Telecom Plus PLC – a major British company whose shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange. Utility Warehouse provide over 500,000 customers throughout the UK with substantial savings on a wide range of utility services including home phone, mobiles, broadband, gas and electricity. Now turning over £720m, they provide their members with great value, great savings and the best possible customer service.
Glowing endorsements in the national press The company has received glowing endorsements in the national press and consistent praise from the UK’s leading independent consumer magazine. Utility Warehouse is very different to other suppliers because they're a club – a Discount Club. They don’t have any high street shops and because – unlike their competitors – they don’t spend customers’ money on expensive advertising campaigns on TV or in the national press, they can afford to charge their customers less for the same services.
Opportunity to earn with Utility Warehouse
Don’t look until you’ve finished! Solutions on ‘Index of Advertisers’ page.
W h y n ot u s e t his s pa ce t o a dve rtis e y ou r bu s i n e ss ?
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Thousands of Partners have already joined Utility Warehouse, and many are earning a significant monthly income, which is making a huge difference to their lives, or to the funds of charities or community fund raisers. Anyone who wants to earn some money and has drive and enthusiasm can become successful with the Utility Warehouse. In addition to earning a residual income, UW Partners can also benefit from an exciting range of incentives and bonuses. For more information and to start saving money on your household or business bills, or if you’re interested in more information on earning with Utility Warehouse, please contact Authorised Distributors Shelley and Jason Hyde – on 01242 575462 or 07812 996653, or email shelley@utilities4you.net. Alternatively, visit the website ... www.utility-saver.com
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The Local Answer
Wildlife Matters with John Bromley
Creatures need home comforts too Summer is over and it’s time to tidy up the garden for the winter. Somehow it’s easy to visualise long, dark winter evenings keeping warm beside the fire listening to the wind and rain drumming against the windows. It’s even better with a nice mug of hot chocolate in hand to chase away those winter blues as you plan next year’s garden. However, spare a thought for the creatures stuck outside in the elements. They need home comforts as much as we do, and fortunately it is really easy to give them a helping hand and they will repay you for it.
There are benefits to doing something positive for nature A pile of leaves in a quiet garden corner will provide winter protection for mammals such as hedgehogs and voles as well as frogs and toads. If you don’t have trees or shrubs in your garden producing leaves, take a
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plastic carrier bag with you when you next go for a walk and fill it with leaves from a park or from under a roadside tree. Even when full of leaves it won’t weigh much and it will give you a genuine excuse to get outside for a stroll and a breath of fresh air. As always there are benefits to doing something positive for nature – even warty toads and prickly hedgehogs. For a start you will end up with a heap of leaf mold which gardeners call “black gold” because it is such a fantastic nutrient for your flower borders and potted plants. Meantime, the hedgehogs and amphibians you protect over winter will feed on nasty old slugs and snails in your garden, thus stopping them from munching your seedlings next spring. Don’t worry if you don’t have space for a leaf pile because there are lots of other things you can do, be it in a garden or on a balcony. Any hollow
plant stems from the likes of fennel, teasels or similar plants will provide a retreat for lacewings, ladybirds and earwigs. Break the hollow stems into 15cm lengths and tie them together in a bundle, then to a tree branch or balcony. These particular insects live on aphids so will be really beneficial in the garden next year.
Provide a little shelter for those important creepie crawlies Again, if you don’t have a ready supply of hollow stems at hand go foraging for them – it’s fun and gets you out and about. Alternatively you can loosely roll corrugated cardboard and pop it inside a cut down plastic drinks bottle and tie that somewhere safe for the winter. You can make simple shelters for beetles and other aphid eaters by piling a few thicker branches or small logs from your autumn pruning in a sheltered spot. Even a patch of grass left uncut over winter, or an upside down flowerpot filled with straw will soon become some creature’s winter refuge. So, as you tidy up your garden ready for winter have a look around and see what you can do to provide a little bit of shelter for those important creepie crawlies stuck outside in the rain and the cold.
To advertise call 01242 510500
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Quick Crossword ACROSS 1 7 8 10 12 14 16 17 20 23 24 25
DOWN 1 Rock face recesses 2 A great distance 3 New Zealand bird 4 Acute pain 5 Bolted (of gate) 6 Rewrite on keyboard 9 Buddhist fate 11 Careless pedestrian 13 Opposite of aye 15 Protruded, ... out 16 Tempting 18 Chopped wildly 19 Rough-skinned 21 Female relative 22 Apiece
Desert wanderer Scandal Cape Logically Bluffing Unit of land Grassed section Canines Unwillingness Inuit canoe Provoking Group of musical notes
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R R S
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Interior Design with Caron Burrows
Decorating for Halloween Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, providing the perfect opportunity to enter into the spirit of the season. Whether your home is the venue for a children’s trick or treat party, a formal party for friends and family, or you simply want to cosy up your home for autumn and beyond, here a few suggestions to inspire you further.
Pumpkins An obvious choice is the trusted pumpkin. If you want to add a few Halloween touches without going overboard, just concentrate on the doorway and entrance hall. Style a table or dresser with pumpkins, and add candles and twigs for a natural display. The children will be excited by plastic spiders and witches hats added to a display. Perhaps you are not a fan of the
typical orange and black Halloween colours? Try something a bit different with an alternative colour scheme. This can be easily achieved by spray painting pumpkins – white painted pumpkins will look smart, whereas gold and silver will bring some sparkle.
Soft Furnishing Create a sumptuous decor with multiple layers and textures in a range of materials. Replace throws and cushions with fur or knitted fabrics. Black provides the traditional Halloween look and autumnal colours offer an instant cosy feel.
Candles An abundance of candles grouped together is one of the most effective ways to add atmosphere, whatever the occasion or time of year. For an autumnal effect, twist seasonal foliage around the base of large church candles or place them inside glass jars or lanterns.
Wall Art and Signs Instantly set the scene with spooky signs hung on your front door and dotted around your home. A more grownup and long-term investment can be achieved by a large piece of appropriately
Pro m ot e y ou r bu s i n e ss i n 2 8,0 00 m a g a zi n e s Call Joseph now!
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themed wall art mounted in a prominent position – a great source of conversation.
Sophistication Decorating for Halloween can be elegant with a more ‘adult’ feel. Think about a few simple touches with a dark edge, such as serving drinks in black glasses or a decorative skull. Waterford Crystal offers a great range, which will add elegance and drama. For a more permanent fixture, quirky animal sculptures and rustic antlers can all add a spooky vibe to your home. Display them against a dark painted wall for extra spookiness.
BellBali’nsds &InShutteterrs iors Where quality and customer satisfaction count ALL TYPES OF BLINDS MADE TO MEASURE
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To advertise call 01242 510500
Page 25
Just Fabrics’ cushion competition shortlist Just Fabrics have had a great response to their ‘Design a Cushion Competition’ based on the Cotswolds. They have shortlisted their 10 finalists and are in the process of selecting the overall winner who will be decided by their Facebook followers. The prize is a trip to Voyage Maison in Glasgow to work with a designer to finalise the cushion design, which will then be available to buy. Jane from Just Fabrics said: “The standard of entries was very high and it’s been a difficult choice for us to select the finalists!”. Here are the finalists’ entries.
HW
HATHERLEY WORKTOPS LTD Your local worktop specialist Covering the Cotswolds
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Page 28
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In The Garden with Julia Smith
Provide a show through the winter rotted manure into each planting position and add a handful of slow release fertiliser when you plant the new trees. As mentioned last month you can now sow sweet-peas ready for next year. Soak them for a few hours in some water to help them germinate, then sow 1.5cm deep in seed compost in a 13cm pot, several seeds per pot. Cover with glass or polythene until the seeds germinate and then stand out in the garden in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse over winter. Now is also a good time to empty your hanging baskets and replant window boxes with winter pansies and primroses to provide a show through the winter into spring. It is good to clear away the excesses of the summer boxes and baskets that have gone over, and replace with something fresh and tidy – it always makes me feel very organised! Pop in a few dwarf daffodils like ‘tete a tete’ or ‘February
Diane Kendall – Shipton Golf Course If you think your business would benefit from advertising in The Local Answer, call Joseph on 01242 541072! The Local Answer
Gold’, or perhaps some Iris reticulata. Add some fresh young ivy and maybe a small conifer or two. It is nice if possible to pick out the colour of your front door with the planting. Mulch is a term that is bandied about by garden articles, and it basically means a layer of material laid over the earth to keep moisture in and deter weeds. The composted leaves you make are perfect to lay down around Hydrangeas, and especially other plants which prefer an acidic soil (pH of under 7) like Azaleas and Camellias. Bark can also be used, as can gravel, slate chippings etc. The golden rule is to make sure the soil underneath is moist before you lay down the ‘mulch’, and to remove perennial weeds such as dandelions, etc. October is a good month to mulch as the soil is still warm, and it will improve the condition of your soil in the future.
DW
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“For our business, The Local Answer provides the perfect way to reach our potential customers. We have been delighted with the feedback and responses from promotions offered through our advertisements.”
T
Now is the time to plant wallflowers which will give foliage all winter and flower in the spring next year. You see the bundles of wallflowers in greengrocers and garden centres – choose fresh ones and plant out immediately. Orange wallflowers look brilliant with dark tulips such as ‘Queen of Night’ or ‘Havran’. October is a good time to prepare the ground for new fruit trees and bushes. If planting on heavy soil add plenty of grit to ensure drainage is adequate. Work in plenty of well-
Small long established family run business
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To advertise call 01242 510500
Page 29
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Just two miles from Norton Park Luxury Lodges is ‘sister company’ Court Farm Caravan & Camping, enjoying similar stunning views, shower blocks and electric hook-ups. There are also great 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 further information please call: Bonnie 01452 731285 or John 07463 737404
w courtfarmcaravans.com t 07463 737404 Court Farm, Tewkesbury Road, Gloucester GL2 9PX
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The Local Answer
Save the Planet
with Gareth Parry of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
Create your own wild space For a long time conservation has relied on the idea of creating nature reserves to protect areas for nature. Although reserves play an important role, they cannot successfully conserve wildlife on their own. Just 7% of land in the UK has any sort of formal protection for nature and many species cannot survive and prosper in these small isolated pockets of land. To put it simply, many of the UK’s nature reserves, wildlife sites and Sites of Special Scientific Interest are simply too small to ensure the longterm conservation of the plants and animals they are designated for.
Everyone has the power to make a difference If we are to preserve and restore Britain’s wildlife we need to connect and expand our special wildlife sites. This is easier said than done because the vast majority of land in the UK is
in private ownership. However, this also means that nearly everyone has the power to make a difference, whether it is creating a wildlife area in your garden, cutting verges less often or adding a wildlife feature to a local green space. Creating a small island of wildlife habitat in your local area can make a difference. The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust speak to many wildlife enthusiasts, a lot of whom would love to create a community wildlife area but are not sure where to begin. They dearly want to help, but simply don’t have the resources to visit all the potential sites and help people plan, fund and undertake improvements for wildlife. This is why they have teamed up with the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust (GET) to launch the ‘My Wild Space’ fund.
Help conserve wildlife in your local area The fund is targeted at community groups who wish to help conserve wildlife in their local area. These groups – including
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schools and parish councils – can apply for grants of up to £5,000 to help cover costs such as equipment, professional labour and education materials. Applicants will also have the opportunity to receive expert guidance from a Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Community Wildlife Officer to help them decide what to do and complete the application process.
Autumn and winter are perfect seasons for creating wildlife areas Even relatively small spaces can be transformed into wildlife areas – whether it is a pond, beetle bank, wildflower area, hedgerow or small orchard, there are endless possibilities. Autumn and winter are the perfect seasons to create wildlife areas and ‘My Wild Space’ is open for applications now. For more information and to download application forms, call 01452 383333 or visit www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk.
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Money Matters with Roger Downes of Andorran
A living wage Chancellor George Osborne was not a popular man amongst many of my clients with the proposals outlined in his summer Budget, the first allConservative offering for nearly 20 years. Now George isn’t the most popular man anyway, so what was it about his announcements this July that created so much dismay?
Anti-small business measures
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It’s fair to say that his additional 7.5% tax on dividends drawn by small business entrepreneurs as from next April has hit at the very heart (and pockets!) of ownermanaged businesses. And his statement that interest on buy-to-let mortgages will be gradually restricted to standard rate tax relief went down particularly badly with those people holding property portfolios, many of whom see that as their pension provision. No, it was neither of those anti-small business measures. It was one that will affect businesses large and small – the idea of replacing the current ‘minimum wage’ with ‘a living wage’. It matters not the size of your business, the minimum hourly rate that you pay your staff is set to rise steadily over the next few years from £7.20 an hour to £9.35 for the over 25’s, a rise of around 30%. Bigger businesses will simply increase their sales prices to compensate and no doubt add a little bit more for themselves. Retailer Next has already forecast price increases of 6% per annum in the run-up to 2020 and other household name retailers will undoubtedly follow suit.
Expect to see an increase in small business failures But what chance does the small business, already burdened with the additional employee costs associated with pensions auto-enrolment, have of simply passing on this cost to its customers? None at all, so expect to see an increase in small business failures over the next few years. Whilst I support the principle of ensuring that the lower-paid receive a fair wage for a fair day’s work, we need to be a little careful of the potential consequences. What good is it going to be to them if it forces the hand that feeds them to shut down and £7.20 an hour suddenly becomes zero? The reductions in the rate of Corporation Tax and the increase in Employment Allowance, which Mr Osborne says will help to defray these costs, are nothing more than tokens. Come on George, what do you take us for?!
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Index of Advertisers FOOD & DRINK The Edgemoor Inn The Inn at Fossebridge The Kings Arms
PROPERTY 6 5 7
Newland Homes Norton Park Richmond Villages – Witney
12 30 2
HOMES & GARDENS
WHAT’S ON CLUBS & SPORTS Shipton Golf Course EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS Batsford Arboretum Bristol Hippodrome Prinknash Bird Park
14 15 18-19 16
HEALTH & BEAUTY Cirencester Dental Practice NHS Let’s Talk
10 9
INFORMATION Fastershire 35 Gloucestershire County Council 4
BUILDING SERVICES Marshalls Driveways 28 R. Richards & Son 24 CARPENTRY 33 Three Piece Joinery CLEANING SERVICES Ecoclean 24 & 32 FURNISHING & APPLIANCES Bella’s Interiors 25 Just Fabrics 26-27 GARDEN SERVICES DW Tree Services 29 LA Landscapes 28
Mark Clifford Landscapes PAS Landscapes HEATING & PLUMBING Pete T Plumbing Seasoned Hardwood Logs KITCHENS Hatherley Worktops WINDOWS & DOORS Albany Windows
28 28 33 28 27 36
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CARE SERVICES Barnwood Trust Helping Hands Home Care Samaritans COMPUTER SERVICES Abbey Group MOTOR SERVICES Cotswold Cars Ltd Westlands Hyundai
PET SERVICES Lead the Way SKIP HIRE & RECYCLING Stevens Recycling UTILITIES Utility Warehouse
14 31 22
If you don’t see the goods or services you provide listed here – take advantage and
8 15 34
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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.
BOOKING DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE – Thursday 15th October 2015
Always there if you need us
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www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk
The Local Answer
Albany Windows is a local family business. First and foremost we are installers, which is important because installation is the difficult bit and we are small enough to maintain close control over every job.
But we are big enough to obtain supplies directly from large, high quality manufacturers of PVCu and aluminium windows, doors and conservatories. WINDOW AND DOOR SYSTEMS
Whatever your requirements, we have glazing options for every need and budget, from a single window to a large conservatory. We supply some of Gloucestershire’s leading builders of quality homes with their glazing, but we also carry out double glazing and conservatory repairs and replace misted sealed units.
Registration No: 12011
Registered through: FENSA
We have all the accreditations you could wish for and of course offer a ten year insurance backed guarantee. And, with no long sales pitch or pressure to buy, we make the entire process hassle free from start to finish.
You can’t buy better! So why pay more?
For a free no obligation quotation call 01242 511384
Brand New Showroom Now Open Unit 41, Space Business Centre, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham, GL51 9FL