The Local
ANSWER YOUR FAVOURITE, MOST USEFUL MAGAZINE
Gloucestershire North 20,000 DELIVERED SEPTEMBER 2015 www.thelocalanswer.co.uk
EATING OUT EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS HEALTH & BEAUTY HOLIDAYS & TRAVEL PROPERTY HOMES & GARDENS SERVICES PETS SHORT WALKS RECIPES VOUCHERS COMPETITIONS RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 FIXTURES LIST – CENTRE PAGE PULL-OUT
The Local
ANSWER
Gloucestershire North – 20,000 copies Gloucestershire South – 45,000 copies Gloucester – 42,000 copies Cheltenham – 43,000 copies Cotswolds – 28,000 copies Forest of Dean – 22,000 copies
Tara Kaliszewski Publication Manager – Gloucestershire North
01242 541077 tara@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Editorial Lois Kingscott editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Helen Kingscott
Welcome to September ... If our Front Cover has inspired you to go blackberry picking this September, why not have a go at making our Delicious Dish – blackberry and apple mallow traybake! Summer may almost be over, but now there’s Halloween and Christmas to look forward to. Over Farm’s Frightmare is back – bigger and better than ever before with new rides, attractions and plenty more daytime fun. Slim Fitness can help you get in shape and look fantastic in your party outfit for the festive season. The Rugby World Cup kicks off on Friday 18th September – we have a full pull-out fixtures list inside. Keep score of the final games with our easy to complete guide and make sure you really get behind and support your team!
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
1 Ullenwood Court, Ullenwood, Gloucestershire GL53 9QS
01242 510500 thelocalanswer
@thelocalanswer
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Inside this month ... Delicious Dishes Health, Beauty & Care Picture Perfect Pet Care What’s On Sudoku Rugby World Cup Fixtures List Homes & Gardens In the Garden Interior Design Word Search Quick Crossword Motoring Money Matters Index, Competitions, Solutions
5 6 11 12 13 17 18-19 20 23 25 28 30 31 33 34
Competition on page 14 Page 3
Delicious Dishes with Helen Kingscott
Blackberry and apple mallow traybake Indulge in these sweet, fruity bites topped with chewy meringue. Makes 16 squares Ingredients: For the cake: 140g unsalted butter, softened, plus a little for greasing; 140g golden caster sugar; 1 whole egg; 2 egg yolks, beaten; ½ tsp vanilla extract; 100g self-raising flour; 100g ground almonds; 1 tsp baking powder; ½ tsp ground nutmeg; 1 large Bramley apple (about 200g), peeled and sliced (to give about 140g); 125g blackberries. For the mallow and to finish: 25g blackberries; 100g white caster sugar, plus 1 tsp for the ripple; 2 egg whites; 1 tsp lemon juice; a little icing sugar to dust (optional). Method: 1 To start, make the blackberry sauce to ripple through the mallow. Place the berries and 1 teaspoon sugar in a small bowl and cover with cling film. Microwave for 30 seconds on a high power. Alternatively, add 1 teaspoon water and soften in a pan over a low heat. Stir well until the mixture resembles a sauce, then leave to cool. 2 Heat oven to 160°C (140°C fan/gas 3). Grease and line the base and sides of a 23cm square traybake tin, leaving some overhang to make it easy to lift the bake out later. Using a hand whisk, beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl until pale and creamy, then add the egg and yolks, followed by the vanilla. Mix the flour, almonds, baking powder, nutmeg
and a pinch of salt in a small bowl, then fold into the mix to make a thick batter. 3 Fold in the apple, spoon into the tin and smooth over the top. Scatter with the remaining blackberries, poke them in just a little, then bake for 45 minutes until golden and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven, but leave the oven on. 4 For the mallow topping, you’ll need a large piping bag with a 1cm nozzle, or a food bag with a corner snipped off. Whisk the egg whites, lemon juice and a pinch of salt to stiff peaks. Add the sugar 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking well after each spoonful to make a shiny, stiff meringue. Ripple with the cooled blackberry sauce, then spoon into the bag. Pipe 16 evenly spaced meringues on top of the cake (you’ll have some meringue mixture left over), then bake for 10-12 minutes until the meringues are just set. Leave to cool in the tin for approximately 30 minutes, then remove to a rack to cool completely. 5 Add a dusting of icing sugar then cut into squares and serve.
CORNER CUPBOARD INN OPEN Mon-Sat 10am-Midnight & Sun 11am-Midnight FOOD SERVED Mon-Fri 12-3pm & 6-9pm, Sat 12-9pm, Sun 12-8pm
83 Gloucester Street, Winchcombe, Cheltenham GL54 5LX
Tel: (01242) 602303
www.cornercupboardwinchcombe.co.uk The Local Answer
Freshly cooked food - from bar snacks to three course meals - served in the relaxed, warm environment of our beautiful 15th Century Inn
To advertise call 01242 510500
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Let’s Talk Courses
Using CBT to Help You Manage
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue
Mindfulness
Low Mood Anger
Panic
Getting Active Irritable Bowel Syndrome
L et ’s Ta lk
Stress and Anxiety Sleep Low Self-Esteem Emotional Wellbeing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Let’s Talk is Gloucestershire’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service – free from your local NHS. We offer free psychological / educational courses across the county. They are based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and are intended for people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression as well as other common mental health difficulties. They are not group therapy and you don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. You will have tasks to complete between sessions to help you make changes.
Find dates and book on a course near you by visiting our website
https://courses.talk2gether.nhs.uk or call 0800 073 2200 We request you only book on one course at a time.
I have enjoyed this course, lots of information and discussions.
It’s good spending time with people with similar issues.
I feel I can now manage my illness by changing some things in my life.
Foundation Trust For Gloucestershire
Former Rosemary Conley launches new weight loss and fitness classes in Gloucestershire Julie Panthin and her family recently moved to Cheltenham from London where, as a Rosemary Conley franchisee, she ran diet and fitness classes. Upon the collapse of Rosemary Conley Fitness and Food in 2014, Julie decided to continue on her own and Slim Fit London was born. She uses the same formula of diet and exercise in one class as she is convinced that it is the winning formula. Julie (pictured right) said: “You absolutely need both diet and exercises in order to not only lose excess weight, but also to maintain your optimum weight. I really like the fact that our classes focus on both diet and exercise.” In 1993 Julie graduated with an Honours Degree in Catering and Applied Nutrition and since then has kept a keen interest in nutrition and weight management. With over 9 years experience in the diet and fitness industry, Julie has helped hundreds of people in London lose their excess
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weight, and get fitter and healthier. Her inspiration and motivation in turn causes the class members to motivate each other on their weight loss journey. Although not physically in London, Julie continues to inspire London class members through her weekly newsletter and through social media, while the exercise is carried out by a couple of qualified instructors who previously were class members.
Fun, friendly and welcoming classes Julie is excited about the new adventure in Gloucestershire under the banner of Slim Fitness. She says: “I struggled with my own weight for years and through a combination of healthy eating and moderate exercise I am now at my ideal weight. At the age of 44, I feel happier, fitter and more energetic than I did 10 years ago”. The classes are fun, friendly and
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welcoming. No one feels out of place and everyone can work at their own pace. If someone cannot manage a full standing workout, they are encouraged to work on a chair for all or part of the exercise session. There are a variety of exercises and music styles to keep it interesting for everyone. At the end of each class there is a cool down stretch to relaxing music and everyone leaves feeling relaxed, energised, great about themselves and motivated for the week ahead. Research shows that people have more success in losing weight in a group than if they try to lose weight alone, and that those who manage to keep their weight loss long-term continue to exercise. Joining one of Julie’s classes could be the best thing you ever did for your weight, health and fitness. Don’t delay, act today! Call Julie for a chat on 07886486577, visit the website at www.slimfitness.co.uk and register, or just turn up at class!
The Local Answer
EW N
Free Joining Fee and Free members’ pack worth £25*
*when joining Premier membership (valid until 30/09/15)
www.slimfitness.co.uk
Join one of our classes julie@slimfitness.co.uk or call 07886 486577
New quality care agency to serve the community Over 23 years’ experience working in the health and social care sector Services to Tewkesbury and surrounding areas Fully registered with the Care Quality Commission We provide a range of services tailored to meet your individual needs, including:
PERSONAL CARE G REABLEMENT SHOPPING G SOCIAL INTERACTION HOUSEWORK G CARER BREAKS Please contact us for a no obligation discussion about your requirements ...
01684 438188 07800 973025 07899 772431
enquiries@oraclehcs.co.uk www.OracleHcs.co.uk
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Oracle Home Care Services Head Office has opened in Tewkesbury and is providing quality services within the towns and villages of north Gloucestershire. Emily Sekulic and Melanie Shute (right) met while working for the County Council within the Adult Social Care Team, and have spent over 23 years in the Health and Social Care sector. They jointly formed a vision of providing quality care to adults in the community – to support people living in their own homes. This vision has now become a reality as they opened their offices at The Slipway, Back Of Avon in Tewkesbury in March this year, having gained registration with the Care Quality Commission who regulate providers in the Health and Social Care sector. Oracle Home Care Services offers a range of services including personal care, reablement, sitting services, shopping services, housework, befriending and carer breaks. They tailor their services to the individual’s needs and create bespoke packages of care with a person centred and flexible approach. Emily said: “We are establishing the company as a leading provider of support services in the area and will be offering local job opportunities in the near future. We would be delighted to meet people for an informal discussion about their needs and include a ‘no obligation’ assessment”. For contact details see the Oracle Home Care Services advertisement (left).
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The Local Answer
Picture Perfect Family Fun
Thanks to all of you who sent in your brilliant pictures to enter our ‘Family Fun’ competition. Congratulations to Helen Griffin of Cheltenham who submitted the winning image (above) of her family, including four generations having lots of fun at the Polurrian Cove Beach in Cornwall! She has won £500 worth of family activities in the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean! Thanks to Perrygrove Railway, Dean Forest Railway, Capture this Moment, Way2Go Adventures, Krazy Golf Lydney, Hillside Brewery, Cinderford RFC and Hot Pot Pottery for providing the wonderful prizes! Some of our other favourites are pictured below.
DRAGON
Pet Care
with Oliver Wilkinson of Dragon Vet Centre Established in 1904, Dragon Vet Centre in Cheltenham is a centre of excellence for pets – large and small – and offers a full range of services from routine vaccinations, worming and flea prevention to complex internal medicine investigations, orthopaedic and key hole surgery for dogs and cats. As one of the largest veterinary practices in Cheltenham, Dragon can draw on the expertise of a number of vets with a great deal of experience in all fields of veterinary medicine and surgery. Our Cheltenham Vet clinic is staffed 24/7 so in the event of an emergency, registered clients simply need to call and attend our surgery based at the Cheltenham racecourse where there is unlimited free parking.
THIS MONTH’S SPECIAL OFFER
CONSULTATIONS
ONLY £20 PLUS FREE FLEA & WORM TREATMENT FOR ALL NEW CLIENTS The above discount is available throughout September 2015 – limited to one DRAGON voucher per household
DRAGON VET CENTRE Prestbury Park, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham GL50 4SH
01242 580 324 ~ info@dragonvet.co.uk Opening hours: 8.15am-7pm Mon-Fri & 8.15am-1pm Sat 24 hour On Site Emergency Service ~ 01242 522 022
www.dragonvet.co.uk Page 12
Microchipping will soon be compulsory! From the 6th April 2016 new laws come into effect that make it compulsory for all dogs over the age of 8 weeks to be microchipped. Dog owners will need to ensure their dogs are microchipped, register the details of a new owner before they sell or give a dog away, and keep their details updated on one of the authorised databases. The result of these new rules should ensure more dogs find their way back to their owners should they become lost or stolen. It will hopefully also make puppy farms much more accountable with a clear trail of evidence of where puppies are coming from. Failure to comply with the new law could result in a notice requiring their dog to be microchipped, and failure of this could result in prosecution and a £500 fine.
Updating microchip details is easy Several years ago a stray cat was brought into our clinic having been hit by a car. The cat had suffered several serious but not life-threatening injuries. We started treating its various injuries and were very glad to discover that it had a microchip. We promptly rang the owners to let them know we had their cat and were surprised to discover that it had been missing for over a year. It had always been a fairly friendly cat and, given its well fed condition, it seemed likely that it had found itself an alternative home. What was even more remarkable however was that the original owners had kept the cat’s pet insurance going! I wasn’t sure whether this was through remarkable optimism or forgetfulness, but it did mean that the reunion of a not so loyal cat wasn’t accompanied with a hefty medical bill. The cat recovered well and subsequently went to live with a family member in the countryside where it was hopefully more likely to stay put!
A relatively minor cost Updating microchip details when you move or change phone numbers is easy, although it is often neglected. The microchip itself only contains a microchip number – it doesn’t store any personal details. When a microchip is implanted, your details are registered with one of the microchip databases so should Fido turn up at our vet clinic, we would scan the chip, log onto the database and enter his microchip number. Up come the details you registered – normally an address, several phone numbers and maybe an email address. Several times over the years we have had to play detective when details are no longer correct. We recently managed to find an owner when all details were incorrect including the old work email address. We managed to trace the owner by ringing the company the owner used to work for and get an up to date phone number. Microchipping is not expensive – some charities offer free vouchers and most vet clinics will charge less than £15. Given the relative costs of owning, feeding and looking after a dog, it is a relatively minor cost to potentially reunite you with your best four legged friend. All of my pets are microchipped – the two dogs, Bob the cat and even Henry the tortoise!
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The Local Answer
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 MONDAY, TUESDAY & FRIDAY MAT PILATES (LADIES ONLY & MIXED CLASSES) At All Saints Academy, Blaisdon Way, Cheltenham GL51 0WH. Mon/Tues 7.15pm (ladies) and Fri 8pm (mixed). £8 pay as you go or course of 6 for £40. To book: 07528 471091. Please visit my website for details and information – www.synergispilates.co.uk. EVERY MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY JEWELLERY MAKING COFFEE SESSIONS Enjoy a friendly coffee morning and make your own fabulous jewellery with tuition from Rachel in her shop at Verchiel Jewellery, 1 Berkeley Mews, Cheltenham (behind the Swan). Mon 10.30-12.30. Wed 10.30-12.30 and 1-3pm, Thur 12.30-2.30. Only £5 including tuition and refreshments. Materials extra. Pre-booking required. verchieljewellery@hotmail.co.uk. 07828 552610. verchieljewellery.co.uk. 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 31 AUGUST THE BIG FAMILY FUN DAY Join us for our Bank Holiday Monday Family Fun Day – and you can meet Paddington Bear. Bring your own picnic
(no alcohol). 17 and unders free. Tickets from £22. Gates open 12.10. Chepstow Racecourse, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6BE. chepstow-racecourse.co.uk. 01291 622260. 31 AUGUST – 5 SEPTEMBER ANNIE Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search. 7.30pm (matinees Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm). From £15. The Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, BS1 4UZ. 0844 871 3012. www.atgtickets.com. 3 SEPTEMBER THE BEAUX’ STRATAGEM
The ‘Beaux’: Mr Aimwell and Mr Archer, two charming dissolute young men who have blown their fortunes in giddy
Improve your child’s singing skills
Experienced singing teacher offering 1:1 tuition Styles: Classical, Contemporary & Musical Theatre Music Theory & Exam Preparation
tonkajets@yahoo.ie Call Antonia on 0789 1235 696
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London. Their ‘Stratagem’: to marry for money. The pair encounter a variety of human obstacles: a crooked landlord, a fearsome highwayman, a maid on the make, a furious butler and a strange, turbulent priest. But their greatest obstacle is love. 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 4-6 SEPTEMBER DIDMARTON BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
Kemble Airfield gears up for banjo and fiddle mountain music! One of the UK’s premier Bluegrass, Americana and Old Time Music Festivals. Concerts, dance displays, workshops, square dancing, open stage performances, craft and instrument stalls, children’s area and the famous late night bonfires and jam sessions – bring your instrument and join in! See www.didmarton-bluegrass.co.uk for details. 5 SEPTEMBER ASHLEWORTH VILLAGE SHOW Traditional, fun afternoon for all!! Dog agility, falconry display, children’s races, log-sawing, magician, produce marquee, craft stalls, tea tent, bar, barbecue and much more. Entry £2 adults, £1 children. Held at GL19 4JS. Info at www.ashleworth.btck.co.uk/AshleworthVillageShow or phone 01452 700098.
VINYL RECORDS VINYL WANTED
Local buyer pays cash for your unwanted LP’s, EP’s & 45’s. Most 60’s, 70’s, 80’s & 90’s records considered, large or small collections. Prog, Psych, Punk, Heavy Rock, New Wave especially wanted. e-mail lists to: willowpitch@blueyonder.co.uk 01242 702947 or 07785 515987
To advertise call 01242 510500
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WIN TICKETS! courtesy of Over Farm
Frightmare is back! With four scare attractions, live entertainment, a fullylicensed bar and food outlets, Frightmare Halloween Festival at Over Farm in Gloucester is the place to be this October! For 2015, the legendary Haunted Hayride is back to take you on a fun and terrifying journey with an all new theme – The Damned. New owners, new scares and new surprises make Fright House a play date you won’t forget! Whilst Séance is set to be even bigger, better and scarier than ever before. Caged is Frightmare’s brand new attraction – remember not to feed the inhabitants! Tickets start from just £16 and can be purchased online at frightmare.co.uk. Over Farm’s Halloween event is also open during the day for fun and friendly scares for all the family. Tractor rides, pumpkins, face painting, daily entertainment, quad train rides and more make this a great day out for all. To enter our draw to win a pair of tickets, send your name, address and telephone number to ‘Frightmare’, The Local Answer, 1 Ullenwood Court, Cheltenham, GL53 9QS. Alternatively, enter via email by sending your details to competitions@thelocalanswer.co.uk stating ‘Frightmare’. Closing date: Monday 14th September 2015. 6 SEPTEMBER GL4 COMMUNITY SHOW Fun and entertainment for all the family, including fun dog show, hog roast stall, bouncy castle, fairground rides and attractions. Free entry. Open from 12 noon. Glevum Way Park, (behind Community Centre), Abbeydale, Gloucester GL4 4FF. www.gl4together.co.uk. FRANKLY SINATRA Featuring the swing, the swagger and the velvet vocals of Frank Sinatra in concert, enjoy an unmissable evening with Stephen Triffitt. Acclaimed worldwide as the master of his craft. 7.30pm. From £25. The Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol BS1 4UZ. 0844 871 3012. www.atgtickets.com. 12 SEPTEMBER NEWENT ONION FAYRE
Featuring live music, a food festival, street entertainers, over 140 stalls, fairground rides, a dog show, exhibitions and lakeside events to name but a few. There’s more
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than just onions! 10am. Free entry. Details at www.newentonionfayre.org. ONIONFEST: THE AFTER PARTY To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Newent Onion Fayre, for one year only there is a fantastic after party held around the town’s picturesque lake, with live music from The Beat, 3 Daft Monkeys and Nizlopi, a laser light show, fairground rides, food and drink. 7pm. Newent Lake. Tickets available: newentonionfayre.net. 12-13 SEPTEMBER CHELTENHAM GREEN DOORS FREE EVENT. Visit local sustainable OpenHomes + OpenGardens to gain inspiration and ideas for your own property. For more information including photos, videos and property location map visit www.cheltenhamgreendoors.org.uk. 13 SEPTEMBER THE POSH CAR BOOT SALE Longdole Polo Club near Birdlip, GL4 8LH. Seventy stalls selling bargains galore. 11am-3pm. Adults £2, children free. Proceeds to Cotswold Riding for the Disabled and Brimpsfield Music Society. More Info 01452 864692. 16 SEPTEMBER CHARITY QUIZ NIGHT WSP Solicitors and Randall & Payne are hosting their seventh annual charity quiz
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night to raise money for The Pied Piper Appeal and Gloucestershire Young Carers. £50 per team of four, which includes 20” Fat Toni’s pizza. Raffle and bar. 7pm. Marling School, Stroud. To enter please contact amberdeacon@wspsolicitors.com or rob.case@randall-payne.co.uk. 18 SEPTEMBER THE MICK DOLAN MEMORIAL CONCERT A treat for fans of folk, blues and rock, this memorial concert remembers Mick Dolan who worked in music as a musician, sound engineer and producer and inhabited both the rock and folk world, working with artistes as diverse as Steve Winwood, Johnny Coppin, U2, Ralph McTell, Fisherman’s Friends and Mick Jagger. Some of these will be performing to honour his life. In aid of Help Musicians UK and Macmillan Cancer Support. 7.30pm. £20. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 19 SEPTEMBER LADIES NIGHT Hilarious, handsome guys will entertain you all night, on and off stage, in and out of costumes! Your evening inclues a 3 course meal with coffee, the Ladies Night show and disco until 1am. £35 per person. Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall, Bondend Lane, Upton St Leonards, GL4 8ED. 01452 632632.
The Local Answer
Can you help make a difference? If you have a few hours a week to spare and would like to help children and adults throughout Gloucestershire who are physically and/or mentally disabled then please consider joining our friendly team of volunteers here at Cotswold Riding for the Disabled. Nestled in the wonderful surroundings of Cheltenham Racecourse, we ride all week during term time except Saturdays and provide a structured riding experience to over 120 riders supported by a team of more than 150 volunteers. In many cases our riders will
“Each time I take part in a lesson my heart lifts to see the smiles of the children when they are up on horseback. It’s a wonderful feeling to watch your rider make progress, knowing you have contributed to that.”
Pat Redmond Volunteer for 7 years
require a team of three people to help lead and sidewalk with them, so with six riders in each lesson the number of volunteers we need quickly adds up.
“I recently came over from the USA to live in England. The social atmosphere and the overwhelming ethos here to help vulnerable kids and adults is magical. You do need to be reasonably fit and healthy, as walking to a fast walk or trot with a pony and rider can be physically demanding, but don’t let that discourage you – there are plenty of jobs that always need doing!”
What are the benefits of riding? The theraputic benefits of what we do are incredible and, because horse riding is a non weight-bearing activity, it can benefit riders with autism, cerebral palsy, Downs Syndrome and learning or language disabilities, to name but a few. By using the movement of our ponies, this can stimulate a physical and mental response in a rider as well as promoting balance and core strength, which is why riding is one of the most sought after therapies that many disabled people ask to take part in. Sadly we are always oversubscribed and without a large pool of volunteers we simply could not operate and provide this wonderful service. Our aim is to ensure as many children and adults have access to our services as possible, but to do that we
Sally Otis Started volunteering this year need people like you to give your valuable time to help. If you would like to find out more about what we do, then come down and have a cup of coffee and see for yourself. We’d love to show you around! For more information contact us on 01242 584420 or visit our website www.cotswoldrda.org.uk.
Jackie Brutton Riding Centre, Prestbury Park Racecourse, Prestbury, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 4SH
t 01242 584420
e info@cotswoldrda.org.uk The Local Answer
To advertise call 01242 510500
w www.cotswoldrda.org.uk Page 15
24 SEPTEMBER CONNECT BUSINESS 2015 Business conference and exhibition. 10am3pm. Free to attend, optional networking lunch £8. The Pavilion, Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 6PN. For more information and booking visit www.connectbusiness.org.uk, #CCBiz on LinkedIn or follow #CCBiz on Twitter. CORIOLANUS
Shakespeare’s searing tragedy of political manipulation and revenge. When an old adversary threatens Rome, the city calls once more on her hero and defender: Coriolanus. But he has enemies at home too. Famine threatens the city, the citizens’ hunger swells to an appetite for change, and on returning from the field Coriolanus must confront the voice of an angry
people. 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 26 SEPTEMBER VINTAGE & CRAFT FAIR GLOUCESTER 40+ stalls of vintage and handmade, a jammed packed schedule of live vintageinspired entertainment, classic cars, vintage beauty, vintage tea room, BBQ plus lots more. 11am–5pm. Adults £1 entry, kids go free. Blackfriars Priory, Ladybellgate Street, GL1 2HN. 07738 115572. info@helsbellesboutique.co.uk. 27 SEPTEMBER THE FIVE VALLEYS WALK Join us at this year’s fantastic Five Valleys Walk, charity Meningitis Now’s flagship sponsored stroll around the Cotswolds near Stroud, and help stomp out meningitis. It’s a guaranteed family, fun-filled day. Find out more at www.fivevalleyswalk.com. 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 new adaptation. cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk/tickets
16 OCTOBER BEN WATERS AND VERY SPECIAL GUESTS Ben Waters is 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: Jerry Lee Lewis, 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. 30 OCTOBER 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 CRAFT FAIR AND EXHIBITION Bredon Crafters and Quilters’ craft fair and exhibition with refreshments and raffle. 10am–4pm. Bredon Village Hall. For information please contact Chrys on 01684 773629 or Patsy on 01684 773853.
Come and see, feed and stroke our beautiful fallow deer, our wonderful collections of peacocks, waterfowl, pheasants and the amusing pygmy goats ... all very tame and will feed from your hand!
NEW VISITOR CENTRE OPEN!
Give your child a magical birthday party in our beautiful gypsy caravan!
Open 7 days a week 10am-5pm • 01452 812727 • www.thebirdpark.co.uk The Bird and Deer Park, Prinknash, Cranham, Gloucester GL4 8EX Page 16
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The Local Answer
Sudoku Fill the grids so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.
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
www.shiptongolf.co.uk
☎
shiptongolf@tiscali.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter – ‘Shiptongolf’
Shipton Golf Course
✉
Nr Frogmill, Shipton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 4HT
The Local Answer
Christopher Rixon
Don’t look until you’ve finished! Solutions on ‘Index of Advertisers’ page.
PROFESSIONAL
The sign of a quality decorator
PAINTING & DECORATING
Your local Dulux select Approved Decorator
Wallpapering G Clean and reliable G All work guaranteed
To advertise call 01242 510500
07765 413997 Page 17
The Local
Answer
POOL A
AUSTRALIA
POOL B
ENGLAND WALES FIJI
URUGUAY
FRIDAY 18th SEPTEMBER
England v Fiji
Twickenham, London
SATURDAY 19th SEPTEMBER
Tonga v Georgia
Kingsholm, Gloucester
Ireland v Canada
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
South Africa v Japan
Brighton Community Stadium
France v Italy
Twickenham, London
SUNDAY 20th SEPTEMBER
Samoa v USA
Brighton Community Stadium
Wales v Uruguay
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
New Zealand v Argentina Wembley Stadium, London
WEDNESDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER
Scotland v Japan
Kingsholm, Gloucester
Australia v Fiji
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
France v Romania
Olympic Park, London
THURSDAY 24th SEPTEMBER
New Zealand v Namibia Olympic Park, London
FRIDAY 25th SEPTEMBER
Argentina v Georgia Kingsholm, Gloucester
Rugby World C SOUTH AFRICA
POOL C
SAMOA JAPAN
SCOTLAND USA
NEW ZEALAND ARGENTINA TONGA
GEORGIA
NAMIBIA
SATURDAY 26th SEPTEMBER
Italy v Canada
Elland Road, Leeds
South Africa v Samoa Villa Park, Birmingham
England v Wales
Twickenham, London
SUNDAY 27th SEPTEMBER
Australia v Uruguay Villa Park, Birmingham
Scotland v USA
Elland Road, Leeds
Ireland v Romania
Wembley Stadium, London
TUESDAY 29th SEPTEMBER
Tonga v Namibia
Sandy Park, Exeter
THURSDAY 1st OCTOBER
Wales v Fiji
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
France v Canada
Stadiummk, Milton Keynes
FRIDAY 2nd OCTOBER
New Zealand v Georgia
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
SATURDAY 3rd OCTOBER
Samoa v Japan
Stadiummk, Milton Keynes
South Africa v Scotland St James Park, Newcastle
England v Australia Twickenham, London
POOL D
FRANCE
IRELAND ITALY
CANADA
ROMANIA
SUNDAY 4th OCTOBER
Argentina v Tonga
Leicester City Stadium
Ireland v Italy
Olympic Park, London
TUESDAY 6th OCTOBER
Canada v Romania
Leicester City Stadium
Fiji v Uruguay
Stadiummk, Milton Keynes
WEDNESDAY 7th OCTOBER
South Africa v USA
Olympic Park, London
Namibia v Georgia Sandy Park, Exeter
FRIDAY 9th OCTOBER
New Zealand v Tonga
St James Park, Newcastle
SATURDAY 10th OCTOBER
Samoa v Scotland
St James Park, Newcastle
Australia v Wales
Twickenham, London
England v Uruguay
Manchester City Stadium
SUNDAY 11th OCTOBER
Argentina v Namibia Leicester City Stadium
Italy v Romania
Sandy Park, Exeter
France v Ireland
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
USA v Japan
Kingsholm, Gloucester
Cup 2015 Fixtures SATURDAY 17th OCTOBER
QUARTER FINAL 1 – Kick-off 4pm
Twickenham, London WINNER POOL B ___________________________________ versus RUNNER-UP POOL A ___________________________________
SCORE
QUARTER FINAL 2 – Kick-off 8pm Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
WINNER POOL C ___________________________________ versus RUNNER-UP POOL D ___________________________________
SCORE
SATURDAY 24th OCTOBER
SEMI FINAL 1 – Kick-off 4pm
Twickenham, London WINNER QF 1 ___________________________________ versus WINNER QF 2 ___________________________________
SCORE
SUNDAY 18th OCTOBER
QUARTER FINAL 3 – Kick-off 1pm
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff WINNER POOL D ___________________________________ versus RUNNER-UP POOL C ___________________________________
SCORE
QUARTER FINAL 4 – Kick-off 4pm
Twickenham, London WINNER POOL A ___________________________________ versus RUNNER-UP POOL B ___________________________________
SCORE
SUNDAY 25th OCTOBER
SEMI FINAL 2 – Kick-off 4pm
Twickenham, London WINNER QF 3 ___________________________________ versus WINNER QF 4 ___________________________________
FRIDAY 30th OCTOBER
BRONZE FINAL – Kick-off 8pm
Olympic Park, London LOSER SF 1 ___________________________________ versus LOSER SF 2 ___________________________________
SCORE
SATURDAY 31st OCTOBER
FINAL – Kick-off 4pm
Twickenham, London WINNER SF 1 ___________________________________ versus WINNER SF 2 ___________________________________
SCORE
SCORE
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curtain store Due to increased demand, and a desire to deliver the best service possible, our showroom is now only open by appointment. You will be free to browse at your leisure, without pressure. Experienced staff will be on hand to help and advise.
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Cotswold Garden & Landscaping
All waste taken away References available
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awnings store
Live in style – inside and out... Due to increased demand, and a desire to deliver the best service possible, our showroom is now only open by appointment. You will be free to browse at your leisure, without pressure. Experienced staff will be on hand to help and advise.
Telephone 01242 526 189 or fill out form on website for showroom appointment or home visit Showroom open by appointment
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Unit K Churchill Industrial Estate, Churchill Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham GL53 7FD
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In The Garden with Julia Smith
Bunches of little scented jewels If the weather allows, you can get on with lifting and dividing any perennials that have got too congested and stopped flowering as well as they had been – this can be done in spring but by then things can get very busy, so it is one less job to do. Lift the large clumps and, with a pair of garden forks back to back, prise them apart into smaller pieces. Discard the woody, congested centre of clumps, replanting pieces which look healthy and have a good root system and new shoots into compost enriched soil with some bone meal added. These will give a good show the following summer. This can be done up until Christmas depending on the weather. Buy sweetpea seeds ready for planting next month. I know I have a tendency to go on about things (or so my husband tells me!) but sweetpeas are such a great thing to grow. They grow up a wigwam of sticks so don’t take up much space, and if you enrich the soil with some compost before planting in their final position, they will reward you with flowers all summer long to cut. In fact you must cut them so that they keep flowering and you end up with bunches of the little scented jewels all over the house. Heaven! September can be thought of as coming to the end of the year in the garden, but it is also time for planning and planting bulbs for the coming year. It is a good time to order bulbs from catalogues such as Avon bulbs (www.avonbulbs.co.uk) who stock a delicious range of more unusual bulbs and who constantly win
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gold at Chelsea for their amazing displays. Tulips are best left until November to plant, but other things such as narcissus and crocus can be put in towards the back end of September. Now is also a good time to plant Colchicums (autumn flowering crocuses). They like sheltered but sunny positions under trees (if too exposed they get beaten down by wind and rain). They look like crocuses but have six anthers instead of the three that crocuses have. You buy them as dry corms, and arrange in small groups of seven or more where they will be readily seen in the autumn and will make a lovely late display. Warning – all parts of the Colchicum plant are poisonous so wash hands after handling!
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blinds store
Live in style...
Due to increased demand, and a desire to deliver the best service possible, our showroom is now only open by appointment. You will be free to browse at your leisure, without pressure. Experienced staff will be on hand to help and advise. For the widest range of blinds visit Gloucestershire’s largest indoor showroom... Unit K Churchill Industrial Estate, Churchill Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham GL53 7FD
Telephone 01242 526 189 or fill out form on website for showroom appointment or home visit
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Interior Design with Caron Burrows
Wallpaper for every style and budget Wallpaper is one of the most common tools used in interior decoration. The creation started as a cheap alternative to wall-hung tapestries of the wealthy and remains to this day one of the best ways to bring character into your home. With plenty of options on offer, wallpaper helps us to achieve an endless list of decorative schemes and is easily updated when you fancy a change. From bold statement prints, to do-it-yourself, wallpaper is a versatile way to add elegance, fun, statement or surprise. The most well-known method of using wallpaper is as its name suggests – adding to walls. This will provide interest and depth to a room. However, the use certainly does not end here.
Do it yourself Want something unique? Create your own wallpaper by pasting up old magazines, vintage posters or road maps – these are all great ways to create a warm and intriguing focal point, and give guests an insight into your personality.
Unexpected places Wallpaper can go almost anywhere and creates a fresh look in the most unexpected places. Try
replacing stair carpet with a repeating pattern that creates a sense of space.
A sense of drama A woodland backdrop added to a cloakroom encourages interest and drama to an otherwise uninteresting New to the market Always on the lookout for something space. new, I stumbled across a write-on wipe Mix old and new clean magnetic wallpaper. This product Combine classic wallpaper, such as a is designed to liven up a child’s room, William Morris, with ultra-modern although could be used anywhere and kitchen fittings. This will provide an would work particularly well in a elegant, characterful design. kitchen for shopping lists and notes.
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Where to buy and how much
A great way to use wallpaper scraps is will it cost? by way of decoupage. You could cover These days wallpaper, like any other a small table, a cabinet, or even a product, can be sourced quickly and headboard – the choice is yours. easily via the internet. A sample of your chosen paper can be requested and sent to your home, generally free of charge. If online shopping is not for you, all DIY outlets and well known stores such as John Lewis sell many brands of wallpaper design. Wallpaper falls into any budget from a few pounds, rising to several hundred pounds and more. Certainly wallpaper is a product that comfortably falls into every style and budget.
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Page 25
Live in style...
shutters store
Due to increased demand, and a desire to deliver the best service possible, our showroom is now only open by appointment. You will be free to browse at your leisure, without pressure. Experienced staff will be on hand to help and advise.
For the widest range of blinds visit Gloucestershire’s largest indoor showroom... Unit K Churchill Industrial Estate, Churchill Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham GL53 7FD
Telephone 01242 526 189 or fill out form on website for showroom appointment or home visit
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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!
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Quick Crossword ACROSS 1 5 7 8 9 12 15 19 21 22 23 24
Most agile Peel Uncouth Walked Go by (of time) Aspiring actress River of ice Grills Wired message Salute Went on horseback Hearing membranes
DOWN 1 Hospital workers 2 Paging device sound 3 Follow next 4 Front of neck 5 Big dipper, ... coaster 6 Subtract 10 Vocal solo 11 Sri Lankan robe 12 Male title 13 Type of saxophone 14 Large amounts 15 Roadside channel 16 Dairy product 17 Come into view 18 Biblical prayers 19 More docile 20 Dislike intensely
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Motoring with Christian Tilbury
Golden Oldies Once seen as the preserve of only the mechanically minded, classic cars are becoming increasingly sought after as more and more people realise that they’re great fun, can be maintained by a competent garage and, unlike a modern car, don’t tend to depreciate. In fact, a good deal of the surge of interest can be attributed to people seeking a better return on their money than savings accounts currently deliver, but unless you’re buying at the top of the market and know exactly what you’re doing, it’s best to view any classic car purchase as something which is going to cost you money rather than make it! Buying a car that’s many years old – especially if you’re not too handy with a spanner – can be daunting, but for anyone who’s dipping a tentative toe into classic car ownership, there’s plenty you can do to ensure you end up with a peach rather than a lemon. Before you start trawling the internet and specialist magazines for the car you maybe craved when you were young or spent your childhood being ferried around
in, the one essential thing to do is carry out plenty of research. You need to know exactly what model you want to buy and, more importantly, the weaknesses of your desired classic.
Buy the very best condition car that you can afford If you haven’t a clue where to start, don’t worry – someone, somewhere will share your passion and there are owners’ clubs for the vast majority of old cars. Tap into their knowledge and you will be able to draw on their experience, while another bonus is that you’ll often come across good, well maintained cars that are up for sale by like-minded enthusiasts. Parts availability is something else to consider. Finding parts, notably interior trim and body panels, for once common cars can be surprisingly tricky and expensive. For example, the 1960s Ford Anglia 105E used to be one of the country’s cheapest cars but a new reproduction wing will cost over £600. Cars like old MGs, Minis, Morris Minors, Triumphs and Fords are probably the most
well supported classics, but the golden rule is always buy the very best condition car that you can afford. As for running a classic, drivers aged over 25 can usually take advantage of special classic car insurance policies and vehicles over 40 years old are also exempt from the annual road fund licence. It’s advisable to add an agreed value on a classic insurance policy and do check to see if any car you’re considering has been converted to run on unleaded fuel – otherwise you’ll need to pour in an additive whenever you fill up to avoid damaging the engine. Oh, and there’s one other thing you need to budget for – breakdown cover. Old cars do like to have the odd wobbly, but as many classic car drivers will tell you, that’s all part of the fun of owning one!
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Money Matters with Roger Downes of Andorran
Help for small businesses Well, that’s what the new government is calling it. Let’s hope they mean it. New legislation has been introduced and new Ministers have been appointed specifically to champion the cause of small businesses. But having listened to some of the announcements and read the proposals, I can’t help thinking it’s more of the same rhetoric that we have heard previously. The new Minister for Small Business has never run one, but then there probably wasn’t a candidate in the senior Tory ranks that has, so you can’t blame the individual. It’s the system.
Lack of consistency is a big problem Then there’s the question of whether the government knows what a small business really is. For VAT purposes, you are only small enough to avoid registration if your turnover is under £80,000. For accounting purposes small is about to be defined as £10 million! Consistency? There’s another of the problems. So exactly what help is promised to those of us who run a small business? The government’s flagship proposal is the setting up of a Small Business Conciliation Service, which will apparently help small businesses to settle disputes with large companies ‘quickly and cheaply’. What world do they live in? There are never ‘disputes’ between large and small businesses. The big boys pick on the little ones – they decide how long they are going to take to pay your bill, they give you no help with cash flow generally and when they want to promote your product in the retail sector, they demand that you make a contribution to it.
Don’t pass on the cost of price wars to small suppliers I’ve seen it from all of the big retailers to a number of my clients. They do it in different guises, but it all comes back to the same thing – they want to reduce their selling prices on your products, so you have to suffer the financial consequences. My simple interpretation of the argument between the supermarkets and the farmers over the price of milk is that it is yet another example. Let the supermarkets have a price war – that’s good for all of us – but don’t allow them to pass the cost of that war on to the milk suppliers. Let it come out of their own profits – they are plenty big enough given recent results.
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Index of Advertisers FOOD & DRINK
HOMES & GARDENS
Corner Cupboard Inn
5
WHAT’S ON CLUBS & SPORTS 17 Shipton Golf Course Tonkajets 13 EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS Cotswold Riding for the Disabled 15 Over Farm 14 Prinknash Bird Park 16 17 The Hype Agency
HEALTH & BEAUTY NHS Let’s Talk Slim Fitness Vallender Salon
6 8-9 7
RETAIL Vinyl Records
13
PROPERTY & STORAGE Norton Park Park Home Life
27 10
BATHROOMS Severn Vale Bathrooms BUILDING SERVICES Marshalls Driveways R. Richards & Sons CARPENTRY Matt Grimshaw CLEANING SERVICES Ecoclean Oven Busters Pink Fairy Cleaning ELECTRICAL SERVICES Cotswold Rewires FURNISHING & APPLIANCES New Blinds New Blinds – Awnings New Blinds – Curtains New Blinds – Shutters Space Master GARDEN SERVICES Acorn Gardening Service Cotswold Garden & Landscaping
35 22 20 33 28 25 25 20 24 22 21 26 21
DW Tree Services Landscape Creations Mark Clifford Landscapes HEATING & PLUMBING Cotswold Plumbers KB Female Plumber Mark Hanbury Plumbing Pete T Plumbing Platinum Plumbing KITCHENS Worktops Cheltenham PAINTING & DECORATING Andy Edwards Christopher Rixon TV & AERIAL 1st Choice Aerial WINDOWS & DOORS Albany Windows Clearway Doors & Windows Cloudy 2 Clear
22 23 22 26 20 33 22 21
Oracle Home Care Services MOTOR SERVICES Carsmetix Eddie’s Autos V Hub Westlands Hyundai PET SERVICES Dragon Vet Centre SKIP HIRE & RECYCLING Stevens Recycling
CARE SERVICES Barnwood Trust
30 31 33 32 12 34
24 30 17
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Thank you for all who took part in our August 2015 competitions and congratulations to the winners: Chepstow Racecourse – Pair of tickets to a September meeting – Liz Woolridge of Bishops Cleeve. Picture Perfect – £500 worth of family fun in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley – Helen Griffin of Cheltenham.
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.
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