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Forest of Dean – 22,000 copies Gloucester – 46,000 copies Gloucestershire South – 41,000 copies Gloucestershire North – 20,000 copies Cheltenham – 43,000 copies Cotswolds – 28,000 copies
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Editorial & Production Lois Kingscott
Summer is really hotting up now, so remember to keep hydrated – this month’s cocktail can be enjoyed by the whole family, including kids! Keeping plants wellwatered is important too, so follow Julia Smith’s gardening tips for the warmer months. If nature is your thing, take a final opportunity to watch the spectacular acrobatic aerial displays of the swift before they start their journey back to Africa. Learn more in our ‘Wildlife Matters’ feature. Midcounties Co-operative are hosting a fun day on 21st August to raise money for some great local causes, so head on down for a great family day out! Finally, you can do your bit for a good cause by entering our latest competition – you could win £1000 for your local club or charity! Find out more inside.
Inside this month ...
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Helen Kingscott editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
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Welcome to August ...
Delicious Dish 5 Cocktail Time 6 Looking Good Feeling Great 7 Wildlife Matters 8 Wild Food Foraging 9 Win £1000 for your Local Club or Charity! 10-11 What’s On 15 Motoring 21 Homes & Gardens 23 In the Garden 25 Interior Design 27 Quick Crossword 28 Save the Planet 29 Word Search 30 Sudoku 32 Money Matters 33 Index, Competitions, Solutions 34 Competition on pages 10 -11
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Page 3
Delicious Dish with Helen Kingscott
Salmon and asparagus pie A delightful pie packed with scrumptious summer flavours – let the mouthwatering aroma of the rich, crumbly pastry fill your kitchen Ingredients: For the pastry: 275g plain white flour; 200g unsalted butter, cubed and chilled; pinch of salt, 2 eggs; 2tbsp cold water. For the filling: 2 eggs; 2 egg yolks; 200ml crème fraîche; 4tbsp dill, freshly chopped; 25g unsalted butter; 225g button mushrooms, sliced; 150g asparagus; 900g salmon, cut into 5cm wide strips. Method: 1 For the pastry: Mix the flour, butter and salt in a food processor until the mixture resembles crumbs (or rub the butter into the flour with your fingers). 2 Add one egg, keeping the other aside for glazing. Add 2tbsp cold water and pulse until the mixture just comes together in the food processor (or mix with a round bladed knife). 3 Knead on a lightly floured surface and form into a ball. Cut off a third of the pastry, wrap both pieces in cling film and chill in the fridge for 15 minutes. 4 Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan 180°C, gas mark 6). Grease and line a 23cm (9inch) spring clip tin with baking parchment.
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5 Roll out the larger piece of pastry into a 30cm (12inch) circle on a sheet of baking parchment. Lift up the paper and upturn the pastry, pressing into the base and sides to line the tin. 6 Line the pastry with greaseproof paper and ceramic baking beans. Bake for 25 minutes then remove the paper and beans. Brush the pastry with some of the remaining beaten egg and return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes until almost cooked. 7 For the filling: Mix the eggs and yolks with the crème fraîche and dill. Season with salt and pepper. 8 Heat the butter in a frying pan, add the mushrooms and fry for a few minutes to soften. 9 Blanch the asparagus in a pan of boiling water. Plunge in to cold water to stop them cooking, then drain. 10 Remove the pastry case from the oven and arrange half the salmon in the base of the pastry case. Season. 11 Sprinkle over the mushrooms, then put the asparagus on top. Place the rest of the salmon on top and season again. 12 Carefully pour over the crème fraîche mixture and brush the pastry rim with some beaten egg. 13 Roll out the reserved smaller piece of pastry to a 27.5cm (11inch) circle on a floured sheet of baking parchment. Place carefully on top, sealing the edges by pressing well together. Brush with the rest of the beaten egg and pierce a couple of holes in the centre for steam to escape. Lightly score a diamond pattern into the top of the pastry and bake for 40 minutes until golden.
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Cocktail Time with Lois Kingscott
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Shirley Temple This month’s cocktail is actually a mocktail – the Shirley Temple. The American film and TV star, singer and dancer died in 2014 at the age of 85, having had a wonderful career, which included becoming Hollywood’s number one box-office star from 19351938. The mocktail’s recipe and inventor are both disputed subjects, but a common concoction is a mixture of lemonade, grenadine and a few maraschino cherries (although some replace the lemonade with ginger ale). Children dining with adults are often served this drink instead of a real cocktail. A restaurant in Beverly Hills called ‘Chasen’s’ is rumoured to have made the first Shirley Temple recipe for her 10th birthday. A second claim was made by Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood, who say they invented the drink and named it in Shirley’s honour. Finally, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki – a resort where Shirley Temple was a frequent visitor – also claims to be the founder of the drink. In the 1980s, various soft drink companies wanted to sell products named ’Shirley Temple‘ and ‘Shirley T’, and the Hollywood star was forced to fight for the rights to her own name! Unfortunately, when asked about the iconic drink, Shirley revealed that she didn’t even like the cocktail, as it was too sweet. Ingredients: Ice; 25ml grenadine; can of 7UP or Sprite; several maraschino cherries. Method: 1 Fill a tall glass with ice and add grenadine. 2 Pour in 7UP or Sprite, stir and garnish with a couple of maraschino cherries.
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Looking Good, Feeling Great with Matt Wagstaff
Exercise outdoors and on holiday Keeping fit outdoors and going on holiday tend to go hand in hand – mainly due to the fact that the weather in our fair country is unpredictable at best. However, exercising in the open air has numerous benefits – whether in grey cloudy weather or basking in some Mediterranean sunshine! Though exercise isn’t the first thing many of us think about whilst we are on holiday or travelling, it can make a huge difference to our mood, fitness levels and avoiding that post holiday fitness slump and increase in muscle soreness after an absence from exercise!
Benefits of outdoor exercise Exercising outdoors in either a boot camp setting, or just a park cycle instead of joining the crew of people getting their exercise fix in a gym, has a lot of benefits, especially when it comes to psychological aspects of health. Studies have shown those who exercised outdoors felt an increase in energy and vitality, along with reduced anger and stress levels. Furthermore, they tended to have an increased adherence to exercise when compared to indoor exercisers. Those who exercise outdoors also get the benefit of vitamin D, which we
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get through sunlight and is absorbed through our skin (even through light clouds). Those who exercise outdoors, especially running and cycling, are suggested to have more of an effective workout due to the increased resistance from weather, along with environmental hurdles to overcome such as ascents and descents! In older adults, those who exercise outdoors reported increased time exercising and improved mood.
How to exercise outdoors Exercising outdoors can be as simple as needed – just going for a brisk walk daily has shown good benefits, especially with more sedentary individuals. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, outdoor boot camps are usually readily available in different parks. They often combine aerobic exercise with some resistancebased intense exercise that is great for improving fitness and reducing weight. This style exercise can also be done alone, performing short shuttle
runs combined with some bodyweight exercises such as park bench dips, bodyweight squats or step ups for example. Get in touch with a personal trainer who will give you more ideas.
Exercising on holiday Though not the first thing most think of when going on holiday, exercising only moderately is great for adherence and self esteem, as well as keeping you focussed on your goal. Performing short, regular exercise when on holiday is usually attainable. For example, a 10-minute casual swim a few times a day between chapters of a book, or a beach walk/jog before dinner to induce a rise in metabolism. If you’re looking for more resistancebased exercise, using an empty rucksack is great for adding weight to your body and performing various exercises such as lunges, rows and presses. Add in some full water bottles to increase resistance and help improve strength. Some low-key equipment is easily transportable when on holiday such as resistance bands, which you can perform various exercises such as banded side walks and band rows.
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Page 7
Wildlife Matters
with Jenny Stevens of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust
Spectacular, acrobatic swifts Throughout summer, we are treated to the spectacular and acrobatic aerial displays of the swift – a small but incredible bird. While watching them dive and swoop through the sky just about anywhere, from fields and meadows to villages and town centres, it’s easy to forget that there’s more to this little bird than meets the eye.
Swifts eat, sleep, drink and mate in flight From late August to April they live in Africa, south of the Sahara, and make the 5000+ mile journey each year to breed in the UK. If that wasn’t enough exercise for a lifetime, the swift barely ever lands. This amazing creature spends the majority of its life on the wing. From the first time it leaves the nest it eats, sleeps, drinks and can even mate in flight, landing only to breed. At first glance, swifts are quite similar to swallows and martins but can be distinguished easily after a bit of practice. Note the shape of their wings, which forms a perfect arc in
flight, much like a bow. Their tail, while forked, is much shorter and blunter than a swallow’s. They’re dark brown all over, with a small lighter patch on the throat, appearing black against a bright sky. You’ll also never see a swift sat on a cable or tree branch, as you might a swallow or starling. Despite their size, swifts are one of the fastest birds in level flight with the top speed on record being 69.3mph (Henningsson, 2010) – not far off the national speed limit! Their preferred cuisine is small insects – huge amounts of aphids, spiders, flying ants and more, which they can catch while flying at speeds of around 20mph. This may also be the © Stefan Johansson reason that they’re rarely caught by birds of prey, with garden birds being airborne nature, they only nest in roof spaces and the eaves of older easier to keep up with. houses and buildings, so that they Numbers are in decline can drop from the nest directly into due to loss of habitat flight. Modern houses tend not to While we do see good numbers of have these very specific cavity sites swifts throughout various habitats, and so leave swifts with fewer they are in decline, mainly due to options for nesting. loss of habitat. Because of their They pair for life and
revisit the same nest each year If you’d like to give swifts a helping hand after their long flight to the UK, special nesting boxes can be bought or made and installed high up in a shady position, with no obstructions for access and out of reach for predators. Swifts pair for life and will revisit the same nest each year, so you’re likely to see them again. Think of it as a swift ‘holiday home’! Before too long they’ll make their journey back to Africa, so be sure to look up in town and country this August, take in their spectacular performances, give a thought to their jam-packed lives and say a fond farewell to the last of the summer visitors, until next year.
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Wild Food Foraging with Steven Hawley
Apple trees Dull grey tarmac stretches endlessly on like the surface of a muddy stream frozen in time, and the rhythmic slap of walking boot rubber echoes off raised hedgerows. Dotted amongst the green of stinging nettles that are too old and tough to be tasty is the flash of red from discarded fast food packaging – the uneaten contents of which provide a feast for some little creatures at least. It’s difficult to go for a walk in the countryside these days without having to meander down a number of roads, and it might seem that your perambulatory excursion is unlikely to yield edible goodies to take home. That’s until a passing car – with windows wound down and radio disturbing the silence – ejects a small green object, which tumbles through
the air, hits the tarmac with an explosive thud and bounces into a drainage ditch.
A ray of hope in an otherwise barren environment Normally, such a blatant act of littering would ruin my mood and I
often imagine myself chasing the vehicle down like a T-1000 to return the offending article through the open window. But that small green object is in fact a ray of hope in an otherwise barren environment. Looking up, years worth of littering hang temptingly as evidence from the bows of apple trees grown from those discarded cores. Not all food that is up for grabs in the countryside has grown naturally – in fact many apple crumbles (my wife’s favourite pudding) have been made in my household thanks to commuters discarding the remains of a hastily eaten breakfast into the hedgerow. With a shorter shelf life than their supermarket counterparts, due to a lack of artificial preservatives no doubt, it’s perfectly fine to take a number home for your own consumption, as once they have fallen from the tree it won’t be long until they’re unfit for man or beast.
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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With the support of Gloucestershire residents and businesses, The Local Answer has developed into the county’s widest-reaching magazine. People tell us we provide a fabulous service, but we want to do more by giving something back. Many of our advertisers feel the same way, and we’re delighted to team up with Albany Windows to present this opportunity ... Between us, we will be donating £1,000 to a Gloucestershire based charity or not-for-profit organisation – and the lucky winner of our draw will get to choose which one! So, whether you have a personal involvement or just like to support a specific local charity, club, society, group, trust or association – provided it is, essentially, a non-profit making enterprise – you could help boost their funds by £1,000!
It’s easy to enter our draw ... For your chance to choose which organisation benefits from this prize, send their details along with your name, address (including postcode) and telephone number to ‘TLA Charity’, The Local Answer, 1 Ullenwood Court, Cheltenham, GL53 9QS. Alternatively, enter via email by sending the organisation’s name and your details to competitions@thelocalanswer.co.uk stating ‘TLA Charity’ in the subject line. Closing date: Thursday 11th August 2016. In addition to our usual competition rules, by entering you agree to have your name and photograph featured in our next issue and online should you win. Only one entry per household accepted. The winner will be chosen at random (via a random number generator), but the more times an organisation’s name is submitted, the higher the chance it has of being drawn. Good luck!
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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. THROUGHOUT AUGUST CHELTENHAM CRICKET SOCIETY Cheltenham Cricket Society meets 1st Wednesday of each month September to May at the Victory Club. Speakers include John Emburey, Geoff Miller, Steve Kirby and Richard Dawson. New members and guests welcome. Contact Malcolm Brown – mb3456@blueyonder.co.uk. Visit www.cheltcs.councilcricketsocieties.com THE LONDON INN Our new summer menu and children’s menu is now available. BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND – Saturday 27th August. From midday: BBQ, jugs of Pimms, and free kids’ tea party and bouncy castle. 9pm – STEAMROLLER ‘Live’. Free entry. The London Inn, 195 London Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham GL52 6HU. 01242 525606. 9 JULY – 10 SEPTEMBER CELEBRITY DUSTY DUCK TRAIL
Discover our new Celebrity Dusty Duck trail landing at Slimbridge this summer to celebrate our 70th anniversary. Dusty is on an exciting adventure, exploring and trying new things and of course making friends along the way! The six-foot-tall Dusty and his celebrity Dusty friends all form part of a specially created new trail, which takes you across the whole of the stunning grounds at Slimbridge and forms part of the Summer 2016 Nature Explorers.
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9.30am to 5.30pm. Price included in admission. 01453 891900. WWT Slimbridge, Bowditch, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT. 29 JULY GULLIVER’S TRAVELS
Join Lemuel Gulliver on a fantastical and hilarious voyage into the unknown. Meet the tiny people of Lilliput and the giants of Brobdingnag. Visit the floating island of Laputa and a country peopled (or horsed?) entirely by talking horses. The Pantaloons present a brand-new, adventurous and delightfully innovative adaptation of Jonathan Swift’s classic satirical story, loved by adults and children alike. Just please don’t step on any Lilliputians in the rush to get tickets. 7.30pm. £14 (£12). Gates open 1.5 hours before each performance for picnics. Please bring lowbacked seating and come prepared for all weathers. Free parking available. Tuckwell Amphitheatre, Shelburne Road, GL51 6HE. 01242 258002. www.bacontheatre.co.uk. 30 JULY THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY Eleventh Hour Theatre present a new adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s sinister Gothic tale. In the yellow fog of 1890, the beautiful Dorian Gray slips through London society in hedonistic selfishness. Whilst his portrait becomes more and more disfigured with each unspeakable act of brutality or deviancy; his own face retains its youth and innocence. That is, until his past begins to catch up with him. 7.30pm. £14 (£12). Gates open 1.5 hours before each performance for picnics. Please bring low-backed seating and come prepared for
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all weathers. Free parking available. Tuckwell Amphitheatre, Shelburne Road, GL51 6HE. 01242 258002. www.bacontheatre.co.uk. 30-31 JULY CIDER & CHEESE FESTIVAL
Enjoy a few pints of cider and a selection of cheeses while relaxing in the sun. Live music, children’s entertainment and free entry all afternoon! 12 noon until 10pm. For more details call Rita on 07983 179283 or email ritaoldpats@hotmail.com. Patesians Sports and Social Club, Everest Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham GL53 9LG. 31 JULY DOTTY THE DRAGON
Dotty is a baby fire dragon. When her dad is fast asleep, she climbs through the castle window and flies down to the village in search of friendship. But not everyone loves dragons, not even cuddly, fluffy, baby fire dragons. This big-hearted tale is told with magical songs, enchanting music and exquisite puppetry. There are plenty of laughs, lots of surprises and even a life-sized fire-breathing dragon! Little people aged 3 years+ will love this funny, friendly tale. 5pm. £11 (£9, family £36). Gates open 1.5 hours before each performance for picnics. Please bring lowbacked seating and come prepared for all weathers. Free parking available. Tuckwell Amphitheatre, Shelburne Road, GL51 6HE. 01242 258002. www.bacontheatre.co.uk.
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The Painswick Conspiracy
NOW ON SALE
A Novel by Chris A Evans
Not just a book – an experience This book contains a map/guide so readers can walk the routes taken by John Parks and relive his trials.
What would it take to make you a killer? Time is running out for John Parks. After a non-eventful morning in his beautiful Cotswold village, Parks takes a short walk into the quiet countryside and comes across a car-crash victim who gives him a digital key and a warning: take drastic measures to save your life or die. With unidentified helicopters soon swarming and men in black appearing, Parks must act fast. Will he survive in this battle of wits, or just become another casualty? In this thrilling and fast-paced novel Chris Evans has created a new, and refreshing ‘every day’ hero who outmanoeuvres and outguns the best of the best. Be prepared for exciting twists and surprises to the very end. Released by Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd, the book is now on sale – for details visit:
thepainswickconspiracy.co.uk 2 AUGUST CHICAGO
3 AUGUST ROMEO AND JULIET
Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) is a smalltime chorus dancer who would kill for fame. After doing just that, she lands behind bars alongside vaudeville star Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) who, with the help of hotshot lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), has spun her crime into a media frenzy. And so the stage is set for a singing, dancing catfight between the sassy and all-too-willing rivals. 9pm. £7 (£6). Gates open 1.5 hours before each performance for picnics. Please bring lowbacked seating and come prepared for all weathers. Free parking available. Tuckwell Amphitheatre, Shelburne Road, GL51 6HE. 01242 258002. www.bacontheatre.co.uk.
Romance. Swordfights. Potions. Tragically slow messengers. The critically-acclaimed Pantaloons give Shakespeare’s tale of illfated love a fresh twist – a delightfully inventive take, featuring live music, audience interaction and that famous bit with the balcony. You’ll laugh until you cry. 7.30pm. £14 (£12). Gates open 1.5 hours before each performance for picnics. Please bring low-backed seating and come prepared for all weathers. Free parking available. Tuckwell Amphitheatre, Shelburne Road, GL51 6HE. 01242 258002. www.bacontheatre.co.uk. 4 AUGUST CHELTENHAM SCHOOL OF DRAMA SUMMER SCHOOL SHOW Following four days of intensive drama
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training in the Bacon Theatre with the Cheltenham School of Drama, young performers aged 6 – 18 years present an enchanting stage production in the Tuckwell Amphitheatre to showcase their talents. 6.30pm. £8 (£6). Gates open 1.5 hours before each performance for picnics. Please bring low-backed seating and come prepared for all weathers. Free parking available. Tuckwell Amphitheatre, Shelburne Road, GL51 6HE. 01242 258002. www.bacontheatre.co.uk. 5 AUGUST AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS Race against the clock with Phileas Fogg and his valet Passepartout as they travel around the world by any means necessary and in just 80 days! Will they do it? Will the misguided Detective Fix arrest them? Has Passepartout left the gas on? All these questions and more will be answered in this exciting adventure, featuring original songs, trains, boats, romance, sword fights and even an elephant – there is something for the whole family to enjoy. 7.30pm. £14 (£12). Gates open 1.5 hours before each performance for picnics. Please bring lowbacked seating and come prepared for all weathers. Free parking available. Tuckwell Amphitheatre, Shelburne Road, GL51 6HE. 01242 258002. www.bacontheatre.co.uk.
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Sunday 21st August 11am-7pm Newlands Park, Southam Lane, Cheltenham GL52 3PE
ALL THIS ...
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Danters Fun Fair Motor Show Pig Roast Live Shows Music • Land Train Birds of Prey Assault Course Zip Line • Stalls
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20 AUGUST WOOL, WAR & WONDERS Come and visit our one-day only Pop-Up Museum celebrating the rich heritage of Stow-on-the-Wold. You may be surprised at what you see! 10am-7pm. St. Edward’s Hall, Stow. Free entry. 01451 833783. 20–29 AUGUST CELEBRATION OF CRAFTSMANSHIP & DESIGN
The UK’s largest selling exhibition of contemporary bespoke furniture by many of the finest designer-makers in the British Isles. Around 300 exhibits from over 70 exhibitors at Thirlestaine Long Gallery, Bath Road, Cheltenham. 10am–4pm daily. Tickets £6. celebrationofcraftsmanship.com
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Midcounties Co-operative working for local charities The Midcounties Co-operative have organised their second Gloucestershire Fun Day – taking place on Sunday 21st August at Newlands Park, Bishops Cleeve – and would be delighted to see as many people as possible helping them to raise money for local causes. Every penny raised will be shared by three local charities that the Midcounties’ team have been working with closely this year – Cotswold Riding for the Disabled, The Forest of Dean Childrens Opportunity Centre and Longfield Hospice. Anyone who attended last year’s event will already know what a great day out this will be – there’s just so much to do for the whole family. This year’s attractions include a land train, Punch and Judy, face painting, lots of special characters for the children to meet, Danters fun fair, go karts, rock climbing and a racing simulator for the young at heart. There is also BMW, Harley Davidson, Ford, Morgan and Porsche along with over 60 stalls to visit. A wide variety of food will be available and the bar will be open. So why not enjoy a fun packed day and support these great local charities in the process. See you there!
21 AUGUST GLOUCESTERSHIRE CHARITY FUN DAY
Come and join us at the second Gloucestershire Charity Fun Day for our Charity Partners – Riding for the Disabled, The Childrens Opportunity Centre and Longfield Hospice. 11am-7pm. Newlands Park, Southam Lane, Cheltenham GL52 3PE. There’s plenty for everyone so check out our Cheltenham Fun Day Facebook page for regular updates. See you there! 22 AUGUST GLOUCESTER AND DISTRICT U3A Gloucester & District U3A welcomes you to a world where retirement means starting something new. If that sounds like you, we invite you to an open day on 22nd August from 2.15-3.15pm at Gloucester Guildhall, and check out our friendly,
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informal activity groups. With the U3A you can learn something new, share an interest, be active and, above all, HAVE FUN. Just come along on the day, call Suzanne Lovell (01452 724620) for details, or visit www.u3asites.org.uk/gloucester 1 SEPTEMBER THE DEEP BLUE SEA When Hester Collyer is found in the aftermath of a failed suicide attempt, the story of her tempestuous affair with a former RAF pilot and the breakdown of her marriage begins to emerge. With it comes a portrait of need, loneliness and long-repressed passion. 7pm. £16.50 (students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 15-18 SEPTEMBER THE KING AND I Promenade Productions transport you to an exotic land with this much loved musical. The large and dedicated cast of local thespians, accompanied by a full orchestra, invite you to join them at the court of the King of Siam. The score includes such evergreens as ‘I Whistle a Happy Tune’, ‘Shall We Dance?’ and ‘Hello Young Lovers’. 7.30pm (2.30pm matinees – Sat and Sun). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. Tickets £12-£16 from Showcase – 01242 224144.
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BOTTLE FEED THE BIRD & Bottle feed Bambi The Bird and Deer Park is in full swing this summer, with lots of things going on for visitors to enjoy. The park is famous for its fallow deer and this year we have a real treat for would-be visitors – you have the chance to Bottle Feed Lotty, our beautiful baby fallow deer. If you’d like to take advantage of this opportunity, this can be booked over the phone on 01452 812727. It’s the most wonderful thing for a child to do and, as there are not many spaces during the day, make sure you book quickly for your chance to enjoy this very special experience – you will probably never get this chance again!
We are also hosting The Teddy Bears Picnic throughout the summer, so check out the dates on our website and get more information about the day. You can also book via the office, but if you can’t attend this event, The Bird Park has a raft of new arrivals from baby fallow deer to goslings and ducklings, and hopefully we may be blessed with a couple of baby reindeer too.
D BAMBI AT & DEER PARK
The reindeer are fed at 11am daily and the kookaburras are flown at noon. Visitors can feed all of the birds and deer by hand. The peacocks can be seen displaying from the new Visitor Centre, where you can watch the reindeer from the balconies, enjoy ice creams, teas and coffees, and check out the latest gifts in the beautiful new shop.
Open 7 days a week 10am-5pm • 01452 812727 • www.thebirdpark.com The Bird and Deer Park, Prinknash, Cranham, Gloucester GL4 8EX
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR FREE NO OBLIGATION VALUATION SERVICE 2012 (12) AUDI Q3 2.0T FSI [170] Quattro S Line 40,810 miles, Full Service History, 5 Door 4x4, Grey, Half Leather, Park Plus, Bluetooth £19,500
2012 (61) AUDI Q5 2.0 TDI Quattro S Line 63,000 miles, 5 Door 4x4, 1 Registered Keeper, Full Service History, HPI Checked, Full Leather, Sat Nav £18,500
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2015 (15) SEAT IBIZA 1.4 Toca Only 10,000 miles, White, Immaculate, Sat Nav, 5 Door Hatchback, HPI Checked £8,500
2011 (61) AUDI A4 ALLROAD 2.0 TDI Quattro 170 43,000 miles, Cruise Control, Acoustic Parking, 5 Door, White, 1 Registered Keeper, Service History, HPI Checked £17,000 2011 (61) AUDI TT 2.0T FSI Black Edition 2dr 42,000 miles, Full Audi History, New Tyres, 2 Door Convertible, Black, S-Line Sport Spec, Full leather, Xenon Lights £17,000
2009 (59) VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.4 TSI SE 23,343 miles, Full Service History, 5 Door Hatchback, Red, 1 Registered Keeper, HPI Checked £8,500 2008 (08) VOLKSWAGEN POLO 1.2 Match 70 57,000 miles, Blue, Low Insurance, Full VW History, 5 Door Hatchback, 2 Registered Keepers, HPI Checked £4,500
2013 (63) AUDI A1 1.6 TDI S Line Style Edition 16,000 miles, White, 3 door hatchback, Service History, HPI Checked, 4 Seats, Rare Special Edition £15,000 2011 (61) AUDI A1 1.6 TDI 3dr Sport 34,000 miles, 3 Door Hatchback, Brown, 1 Registered Keeper, Full Service History, HPI Checked £11,500
2006 (06) VOLKSWAGEN FOX 1.2 Urban Fox 84,000 miles, Red, 3 Door Hatchback, Service History, HPI Checked £3,000
2006 (06) VOLKSWAGEN 1.2 URBAN FOX • 84,000 miles, Service history, 3 door hatchback, Red, 1 registered keeper, HPI checked £3,000
2010 (10) AUDI A3 1.6 TDI S Line 39,000 miles, Full service history • 5 door hatchback, Black, Rear park sensors, Bose sound system, HPI Checked £12,000 2015 (15) SEAT IBIZA 1.4 Toca 10,000 miles, 5 door hatchback • White, Immaculate, Removable Sat Nav with rev counter, Rear sensors, HPI checked £8,500
2007 AUDI A3 1.6 SPECIAL EDITION SPORTBACK • 81,000 miles, Full Service history, 5 door Petrol, Black, Supplied with new cambelt and water pump £5,000 2012 SEAT IBIZA 1.2 TSI SPORTCOUPE FR • 19,000 miles, Look closer, High spec, Full leather heated seats, Bi-Xenons, Acoustic parking, Lime Green £9,000 2010 SEAT LEON 2.0 TDI CR (170ps) FR+ • 35,000 miles, Satellite navigation, Cruise control, New arrrival and in white, Immaculate £10,500
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2005 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.9 TDI PD SE (130bhp) ESTATE • 77,000 miles, Towbar, Diesel, Bluetooth telephone kit, Cruise Control £5,000
Visit our website for a comprehensive stock list of quality used cars – www.courtfarmgarage.co.uk Open Mon-Sat 09.00-17.00, Sun 12.00-17.00, Wednesday evenings until 8pm Broad Street, Littledean, Gloucestershire GL14 3JT Page 20
tel: 01594 827835 vwaudicourtfarmgarage@gmail.com mob: 07765 492239
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The Local Answer
Motoring with Luke Edwards
The compact family Peugeot The SUV has been a huge success in the car market since General Motors and Ford created the original concept in America in the 1980s. Previously for a family there was just the option of a large 4x4 or an estate car – the SUV filled the obvious gap. Peugeot have just released their new 2008 compact SUV in the UK and I was invited along to test it out. On first looks the Peugeot has that sleek design flair that the French manufacturer does so well. It’s a good looking car. Inside there is a sporty theme and nice touches such as lights within the roof lining, like a Rolls-Royce.
A reassuring feature for the everyday driver Out on the country roads, the 2008 was composed and drove well, but I was soon to discover its party trick. Peugeot had arranged an off-road course and this allowed me to fully test the new ‘Grip Control’ function on the 2008. This is an adapted
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traction control system for low grip conditions, which is combined with Goodyear Vector 4Season tyres. The ‘Grip Control’ system allows the 2008 to cope with snow, mud and sand, and the condition is selected by a thumb wheel on the centre console. The way the Peugeot coped with sand was most impressive, with the car instantly adapting the slippage of each front wheel so the car did not dig in and simply glided through. I can imagine this would be a reassuring feature for the everyday driver who comes across the odd muddy field at an event or a beach that can be driven on. There is a choice of four trim levels with the Access, Active and Allure levels being crowned by the GT Line, which adds a panoramic roof, aluminium door sills/pedals, reversing camera and lashings of
sporty black and red GT detailing. Engine-wise you can go with either the 3-cylinder Pure Tech Petrol or the ultra-clean Blue HDI Diesel (technology developed on the race tracks of Le Mans), and there is a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes.
Driver-friendly options and packages to fit your personal needs The compelling element of the Peugeot 2008 is the price – £13,615 for the Access package 1.2L Puretech 82 up to the range topping GT Line package 1.6L Blue HDI 12 at around £20,000 on the road. Yes, you can spend a lot more on an SUV from other manufacturers, but at the end of the day these are family cars. At this price it does not matter if a trip to the beach ends up with ice cream all over the seats or if the dog gets mud everywhere! In short I liked the new Peugeot 2008 compact SUV. Price-wise it’s perfect for the family on a budget, the engines are cheap to run and there is a host of driverfriendly options and packages to fit your personal needs. If you are considering an SUV it would be worth adding the 2008 to the list and booking a test drive at your local dealership.
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Page 21
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Save Time, Money, and Space, and have your lawn cut perfectly
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Tel: 01594 841014 15A High Street, Lydney GL15 5DP MON-WED & FRI 9AM-5PM THUR 9AM-8PM SAT 9AM-5PM Page 24
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In The Garden with Julia Smith
Keep plants well-watered during the warmer months August at last – a month of sun and holidays for most of us with school-age children. Well, perhaps not so much of the sun! This is the month that the climbing beans you have planted need regular picking so as not to stop producing. If you are going away, entreat a neighbour or friend to come in and help themselves – and then they can water them as well! Pick any courgettes before you go, even if they are way too small, because they will be the size of marrows when you get back!
Put potted plants into a shady spot Put any potted plants into a shady spot if you are away for a few days and, if you have one, stand in a paddling pool with an inch of water to keep them going. It is the time to cut back summerfruiting raspberry canes such as ‘Glen Ample or ‘Malling Admiral’, as their harvest should be over. Cut them down, flush with the soil to stop pests and diseases taking over and to promote new canes to grow. Keep your tomatoes and peppers
consistently moist throughout the growing season or the roots don’t absorb nutrients properly and can get blossom end rot (light brown spots appear at the flower end of the fruit). Only apply a liquid fertiliser when the soil is moist. If you want some spinach to overwinter in your vegetable patch, late August is the time to sow it. Sow it in a spot in full sun and, before sowing, apply a general fertiliser like Growmore (100g per square metre) to give it a good start. Follow the directions on the packet for distances, etc.
Now is also the time to prune established fruit cordons, espaliers and fans to help restrict growth, maintain the shape of the tree and promote next year’s fruiting spurs. With clean, sharp secateurs, shorten new shoots growing from the trunk or main stems to three leaves. Prune sideshoots growing from established lateral branches to one leaf. Ordinary fruit trees are pruned in the dormant season.
Use insect netting to prevent butterflies laying eggs on leaves The cabbage white butterfly caterpillar is often a nuisance on the vegetable plot in August. It feeds on cabbages as well as nasturtiums, sprouts, turnips and swedes! You can use insect netting to prevent the butterflies laying the eggs on the underside of the leaves, or you can remove them by hand.
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Page 25
Interior Design with Caron Burrows
Quick lighting solutions There is so much to consider when renovating a home. Is there enough money in the budget to hire an electrician? At times it’s easy to forget certain final touches. Once the paint has dried and the carpets are laid, fitting lighting simply isn’t an option. Another solution is to invest in stylish wall lights and lamps that don’t need a professional to fit, and that can be fitted pretty much anywhere and whenever you need them.
Clip-on lights Clip-on lights are a brilliant solution if you are renting. They do not cause any disruption to walls and decoration – wall lights can be easily secured to your chosen shelving. This solution means you don’t have to chase in any permanent electrical cables, hence no mess and easy to alter if the room is likely to change function or layout a few years down the line. Choose shelving and lights in the same colour to enhance the feature.
exposed wiring – especially colourful flex – along with exposed bulbs are perfect for plugging in and attaching to a hook wherever you fancy. A quick and effective way to provide an industrial look.
String up some fairy lights
Probably the most obvious and simplest way to add effective light to Lampshades are not the only your project is a single string of fairy decorative feature of a clip-on light lights. They can transform a boring that can be used. These days, wall in seconds and with very little effort or cost – no expensive or disruptive work required. Simply tack a set of white or multi-coloured lights around a wall, window or door frame and that’s job done! Fairy lights placed around a mirror is a great way to bounce the light off other surfaces.
Wires as a feature
together, or tilt it back or up to wash the wall or ceiling with a soft light.
Don’t forget candles An easy and effective way of adding a warm and cosy glow to your project is with candles. Let your hair down – choose as many different shapes and sizes as you wish. Group together to create a warm atmosphere, but always be mindful to keep away from children and any flammable items.
Lamps Table lamps and floor lamps are fantastic for adding soft light to a specific part of the room. A lamp that can be angled will provide further lighting possibilities. For example, angled over the sofa when you’re reading, swing it over to a coffee table to illuminate a sociable get
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Quick Crossword 1
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WIN £1000 FOR YOUR LOCAL CLUB OR CHARITY!
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© Lovatts Puzzles
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C G PAVING &
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Save the Planet with Caroline Bennett
Thrifty ways for modern days Thrift is good for the planet, good for Donate, donate, your pocket, and great exercise for donate your resourceful brain. Here are If you don’t want something some fun ideas to help you stay anymore and it is good thrifty. enough to donate, do so. It will make money for a good Bars of soap More soap in your bathroom than cause and someone else will you will use in a life time? Turn some feel excited to buy and use it. into washing powder. Buy washing Sometimes we hang on to soda crystals from the supermarket, things thinking we might find weigh out half as much soap as soda a use for them, but someone crystals, grate the soap (that’s the else might be able to use it messy part) and mix together. A right now. You’ll enjoy the normal scoop per wash will do it. To extra space at home too. experiment further with washing Tea towels powder recipes, hunt down some Scraggy tea towels can be cut borax substitute to add to the mix. into quarters to make
Deep clean, declutter, rearrange Feel like the house needs a revamp? Challenge yourself to go through each room in turn – deep cleaning, decluttering and rearranging your possessions. Use up leftover paint to touch up walls and skirtings and you may find you don’t need the expensive redecoration you thought you did. Don’t crash and burn though – half an hour here and there over several months is better than weeks of stress.
cleaning cloths. Never buy a kitchen cloth again. Most tea towels are pure cotton or linen so have the advantage that they can go into your garden compost bin at the end of their lives.
Menu plan Write a list of what you would like to cook this week before you go shopping. Look in the fridge and at the household calendar first. Make life easy for yourself, planning easier meals for nights when you will be busy or tired. Write a shopping list and only buy what you need.
Buy better quality, second hand Before you buy something new, check around to see if you can find better quality second hand. Everyone knows that cars cost a lot less a year after they roll off the factory floor, but the same goes for all sorts of household goods. Go even older and you can pick up many vintage items with more quirk and style (as well as higher quality) than their modern equivalents.
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Grow your own cut flowers Instead of buying disappointing cheap bouquets, why not grow your own posies in the garden or pots? Mix herbs with easy going perennials and self-seeding annuals for an undemanding display that will look fabulous in the simplest jam jar. Posies make excellent presents for all sorts of occasions and loved ones.
Use your library Libraries have e-books you can borrow, audio books you can listen to as well as the paper copies we know and love. Get to know your local library, its opening times and its app and you’ll find it as relevant to the modern times as ever. Caroline is a member of the Gloucestershire Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP). To find out more about their work visit www.geep.org.uk.
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Page 31
Sudoku Fill the grids so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.
Family run business Specialists in all types of upvc fascias, soffits and guttering ● Re-felting & batoning ● Complete roof re-fits ● Re-pointing of ridges, chimneys & walls ● Exterior painting ● Leadwork ● Gutter cleaning and repairs ● EPDM Rubber roofs – all flat roof repairs
Public Liability Insurance held for up to £1,000
Rectory Fields, Rudford, Gloucestershire GL2 8DT
Tel: 01452 668005/01453 297010/01285 238089 Company registration: 090645563
www.marshallsdriveways.co.uk
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THE SOLUTION FOR YOUR NEW BATHROOM ... Your local family business
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Money Matters with Roger Downes of Andorran
Going it alone For many people the thought of working by and for yourself is a frightening step into unchartered waters. For others it is freedom from the shackles of being beholden to somebody else. Whichever it would be for you, it can be managed successfully by careful planning and appropriate guidance. The benefits of going it alone are obvious – nobody else to answer to, flexibility to work when and where you want to, the chance to set your own salary package and to pay yourself tax-efficiently, and the general flexibility and freedom that come with making all your own decisions.
A leap into the unknown Stop for a moment to consider the potential pitfalls – having to comply with lots of red tape (will they really reduce it when we are no longer in the EU?), business administration and countless compliance rules and, biggest of all potentially, the worry about where your next order or sale is coming from. It’s a leap into the unknown for sure and you can’t ignore these potential pitfalls, but it can represent the start of something special. Don’t for a moment think you will be on your own. Plenty of help is at hand.
The government provides help for start-up businesses through its website and development organisations. Accountancy firms, such as mine at Andorran, are even better placed to provide you with guidance as to how to organise the business, to plan ahead, to create a taxefficient structure, to comply with the raft of legislative demands that you face and to introduce you to others, such as banks etc, to help you arrange everything you need to do.
The feeling when you succeed is incredible How do you promote your new business? What IT systems do you need? Have you got all the insurances you require? Are you going to employ any staff? Will you be able to plan your pension contributions from day one? Do you need an office or are you going to work from home? The list is endless I hear you say; how will I cope? Well, perhaps not endless, but definitely long enough to provide you with the sort of challenges that you will face if you are going to make it on your own. Don’t worry, help is at hand and the feeling when you succeed is incredible. And best of all? The Local Answer is packed with contact numbers of like-minded individuals, so finding that help is but a few pages away.
Congratulations to our winner! Claire Preece of Cheltenham
Claire is thoroughly looking forward to hosting many cocktail parties and will be perfecting her Mojitos and Long Island Iced Teas!
Why not try your luck in our latest competition? You could win £1000 for your local club or charity! See this month’s competition page for details of how to enter and the rules. The Local Answer
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Page 33
Index of Advertisers WHAT’S ON
HOMES & GARDENS
EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS Gloucestershire County Council 22 Gloucestershire Fun Day 17 The Bird & Deer Park 18-19
BATHROOMS Severn Vale Bathrooms 32 & 35 BUILDING SERVICES C&G Paving 28 CB Home Improvements 32 GlosBuild 2 Home Care Roofing & Building 23 Marshalls Driveways 32 R. Richards & Son 23 GARDENING SERVICES Elmvale Contracting 6 Handylink 32 Mincost 24 HEATING & PLUMBING Estuary Oils 23
HEALTH & BEAUTY Spa Vapes
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PROPERTY Fury Park Home Estate Norton Park Sanctuary Group TwoCan Estate Agents
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RETAIL The Painswick Conspiracy
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WINDOWS & DOORS Albany Windows Cloudy 2 Clear
If you don’t see the goods or services you provide listed here – take advantage and
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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CARE SERVICES Barnwood Trust Lifelink RECRUITMENT & TRAINING Klifestyles GRAPHIC DESIGN Chiswell Creative MOTORING SERVICES Court Farm Garage PET SERVICES Millpark Vets
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COMPETITION WINNERS COMPETITION RULES Thank you to all who took part in our July 2016 competition and congratulations to the winner! TLA Cocktail – Claire Preece 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. 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.
Newent’s Vaping Shop
BOOKING DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE – Monday 15th August 2016
The Shambles Retail Village, 18 Church Street, Newent, Glos. GL18 1PP
Open 10am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday
SpaVapes.
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every E-Cigarette FREE 10ml with Starter Kit purchased E-Liquid with this voucher during August 2016
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