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MAY 2016
200,000 DELIVERED MONTHLY IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE SOUTH WIN A BARBECUE & BUBBLE SPA WORTH £1000! – SEE CENTRE PAGES
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The Local
ANSWER
Gloucestershire South – 41,000 copies Gloucester – 46,000 copies Gloucestershire North – 20,000 copies Forest of Dean – 22,000 copies Cotswolds – 28,000 copies Cheltenham – 43,000 copies Chloe Reynolds Publication Manager – Gloucestershire South
01242 541072 chloe@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Editorial
After an amazing response to last month’s Holiday Gift Card competition – congratulations to our winner Debbie Lee – we’ve got another brilliant prize to give away this month courtesy of the Spa-Kling Pool Company! Find out how to enter inside. With the sun making more of a regular appearance, you may be thinking about getting out and about. Check out Dan Wood’s review of the Music Angel Friendz Portable Speaker – perfect for picnics, trips to the beach or hosting your very own garden party. As always, we have a great selection of daytime and nighttime events in our What’s On section.
Inside this month ...
Lois Kingscott editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Helen Kingscott editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Distribution Nik Chavda – 01242 500245 office@achda.co.uk
Production Alison Hambling alison@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Accounts Kerry Fell accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Chris Raymond Sales Director
Dave Kingscott Managing Director
1 Ullenwood Court, Ullenwood, Gloucestershire GL53 9QS
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Welcome to May ...
Food & Drink 4 Cocktail Time 4 Delicious Dish 5 Wild Food Foraging 7 Holidays & Travel 9 Parenting & Guardianship 11 Education 13 What’s On 14 Win a BBQ & Bubble Spa! 18-19 Gadgets & Gizmos 21 In the Garden 23 Interior Design 25 Quick Crossword 26 Sudoku 27 Save the Planet 28 Word Search 30 Wildlife Matters 32 Money Matters 33 Index, Competitions, Solutions 34 Competition on pages 18-19
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Cocktail Time with Lois Kingscott
Check out our website for events COMING SOON…
Tipputs End, Horsley, Nailsworth, Glos
01453 839949 info@tipputsgrill.com
www.tipputsgrill.com
Cosmopolitan The Cosmopolitan – or Cosmo – is said to have been created independently by many different bartenders since the 1970s. The general concensus is that John Caine – owner of several bars in San Fransisco – brought the popular pink drink to the west from Ohio in around 1987. Although the cocktail is widely perceived as a contemporary creation, there is a strikingly similar recipe for a Cosmo, which appears in the book ‘Pioneers of Mixing at Elite Bars 1903-1933’. The ‘Cosmopolitan Daisy’ substitutes cranberry juice and vodka for raspberry syrup and gin, as these are the ingredients that would have been readily available at the time. There are also many claims that the Cosmo was adapted from the Kamikaze cocktail, though is often presented very differently. The Cosmopolitan was popularised significantly among young women in the 1990s because of its frequent appearances on the TV program ‘Sex and the City’, where Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie Bradshaw, often ordered the drink when out with her girlfriends. Ingredients: 50ml vodka; 25ml triple sec; 50ml cranberry juice; 25ml fresh lime juice; orange peel and/or mint to serve; ice. Method: 1 Add ice, vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice to a cocktail shaker and shake for about 30 seconds. 2 Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a sprig of mint and/or a twist of orange peel.
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Congratulations to our winner! Debbie Lee of Abbeydale
After her initial reaction of “Are you joking?!”, Debbie was over the moon to have won the £500 holiday gift card! She is planning to put the money towards a weekend away in Portsmouth with her husband and four children.
Why not have a Mocktail?
Why not try your luck in our latest competition?
For a non–alcoholic alternative, use 50ml cranberry juice, 25ml lime juice, 25ml orange juice and 25ml simple syrup (sugar and water, boiled then cooled).
You could win a Beefeater BBQ and PureSpa Bubble Spa together worth over £1000! – see centre pages for details of how to enter.
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Delicious Dish with Helen Kingscott
Stir-fried ginger pork Ingredients (serves 2): 1cm fresh root ginger, peeled and grated; 1 garlic clove, finely chopped; ½ red chilli, deseeded and cut into thin strips (alternatively, use the lazy range that comes in jars – make meals even quicker and with less mess); 2 tbsp sunflower oil; 2 boneless pork steaks, cut into thin strips; 125g (4oz) mangetout; 50g (2oz) unsalted cashew nuts; 2 tbsp dark soy sauce; 1 tbsp dry white wine, rice wine or dry sherry; 1 tsp caster sugar; 1 tsp sesame oil. Method: 1 If serving with rice, start cooking this (follow packaging instructions) before you begin to stir-fry. 2 Measure and prepare all the ingredients. Set the wok over a high heat until smoking and keep the heat high throughout the cooking process. Add half the
A deliciously simple, one-pot dinner that is ready in minutes!
sunflower oil and swirl around once or twice to heat it through. 3 Add the ginger, garlic and chilli and fry for 10-20 seconds until they start to colour. Quickly add the pork pieces and continue to stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until just cooked through. Transfer to a plate. 4 Return the wok to the heat and add the remaining sunflower oil. Swirl again to heat through, then add the mangetout. Fry for 2-3 minutes until crisp but tender and beginning to catch the odd patch of brown. Add the cashew nuts and fry for another 30 seconds. 5 Return the pork to the pan. Add the soy sauce, wine and caster sugar, then stir-fry for 1 more minute. Add the sesame oil, season with freshly ground black pepper and mix. Serve with rice.
C OR NER CUPBOARD INN Freshly cooked food - from bar snacks to three course meals - served in the relaxed, warm environment of our beautiful 15th Century Inn 83 Gloucester Street, Winchcombe, Cheltenham GL54 5LX. Tel: (01242) 602303
www.cornercupboardwinchcombe.co.uk O P E N Mon-Sat 10am-Midnight & Sun 11am-Midnight. F O O D S E R V E D Mon-Fri 12-3pm & 6-9pm, Sat 12-9pm, Sun 12-8pm The Local Answer
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G HO
For special occasions including WEDDINGS and PARTIES Free range pigs, farmed locally
Wild Food Foraging with Steven Hawley
Call Dave Sheppard on 07719 533602 or Naomi Sheppard on 07825 568405
sheps.hogs@hotmail.co.uk
Shep’s Hog Roast
Pro m ot e y ou r bu s i n e ss i n 4 1, 0 0 0 m a g a z i n e s Call Chloe now!
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ANSWER 541072
The Old Rectory Re staurant
Cole sbourne , Che lte nham GL53 9N P 01242 870120 Private Dining Room
Ideal venue for parties of all occasions and friends get-togethers No hire cost!
Cotswold Country Dining
Amid scenic countryside & lovely gardens
Enjoy top quality local meats & poultry, fresh fish & seasonal vegetables Scrumptious homemade desserts
Best of British
Enjoy our special lunch menu to celebrate the
Queen’s Birthday
Wed-Sat from 12 noon. 2 course £12.95
Traditional Sunday Lunch 3 course multi choice menu £18.50
www.theoldrectoryrestaurant.co.uk The Local Answer
Navelwort When out for a walk on a lazy Sunday afternoon, you might never expect a number of tiny green belly buttons to be poking out at you from a nearby wall. But should you be fortunate enough to brush against these umbilicated oddities, you may just find your own belly button pokes out a little further by the end of your constitutional! Navelwort, or Wall Pennywort, can be found growing in stone walls or shaded rocky formations. Its leaves are green and round with a small dimple in the centre that mildly resembles an ‘inny’ belly button, hence the name. Though it is much too shallow of a dimple to resemble my belly button! The historical medicinal use for this plant, keeping in mind that medical research has come a very long way since the days of homemade hedgerow potions, was the treatment of epileptic seizures. Though I’m sure any modern day doctor would rather stick to prescribing sodium valproate and their variants.
Add a couple of leaves to a bacon sandwich It was also used to make a juice from the leaves, which are fleshy and moist, that is supposed to help a number of internal conditions such as an inflamed liver. No harm would come from trying this these days, but I am very sceptical of any worthwhile health benefits. Even though I’m willing to give anything a go that might help a hangover, I usually prefer to just add a couple of leaves to a bacon sandwich, which is sure to cure whatever internal problem I'm having at any given time. Like most leafy greens harvested in the countryside, they also work quite well in a salad. Be careful when harvesting this plant as it doesn’t have a very deep root system and often grows in a shallow patch of soil that has gathered in a wall. Pulling on a leaf could easily uproot the entire plant. 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.
To advertise call 01242 510500
Page 7
Holidays & Travel with Al Hidden
Camping and cogs in Cornwall Cornwall, just a few hours down the M5 from Gloucestershire, offers every kind of accommodation. For a change, forsake smart hotels and cosy B&Bs, rediscover camping and make sure to bring your bikes.
A welcoming base for exploring Cornwall offers many camping gems, with sites such as Fowey’s Penhale Caravan and Camping Park or Court Farm Camping and Caravanning near St Austell. Pick wisely, read the reviews, and enjoy a great base for exploring this ‘county built on tin’. Court Farm is a welcoming, spacious, beautifully kept campsite off the A30 at St Stephens (they do lovely holiday lets too). After settling in, it’s time for a two-wheeled excursion. If the sea calls, drive to St Austell and follow the Pentewan Trail through woods and meadows to Mevagissey – the poster child of Cornish fishing villages. It’s mostly gentle riding, with opportunities to sidetrack to Pentewan beach or The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Don’t fear the final climb before coasting down to Mevagissey’s quays and hostelries.
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Fish and chips on the quay? If you’ve worked up an appetite, Mevagissey won’t disappoint. Dine at one of its restaurants (try Salamander on Tregoney Hill) or ocean-fresh fish and chips from harbourside Fisherman’s Chippy – just watch out for greedy seagulls! Whether cycling or driving, the Lost Gardens are consistently among Cornwall’s top attractions. Rain or shine, for exquisite gardens, go-
karting, the Eden Project’s geodesic biome domes, beaches or moorland walks, St Stephens is ideally located for both Cornish coasts.
A coast-to-coast adventure For a coast-to-coast adventure, the 14-mile Mineral Tramway Trail from Devoran (between Truro and Falmouth) to Portreath makes a great day out. Saddle up, peddle under the impressive Carnon Viaduct and explore a rich concentration of mining archaeology as you cross Cornwall to Portreath’s sandy beach, ice cream and delicious pasties. The trail isn’t as difficult as you’d imagine either. You'll find several pubs on the way – try the Plume of Feathers or The Fox and Hounds (where the trail crosses the A30 at Scorrier), Portreath’s Waterfront Inn or The Old Quay Inn at Devoran. You either love camping and cycling or you don’t! If you do, a good central campsite, sturdy mountain bikes or hybrids and a sense of adventure are the perfect mix for a few days’ Cornish exploration.
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RENAULT SPECIALISTS 01453 860153
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Monday-Friday: 8.30am-6.00pm Saturday: 10.00am-5.00pm
Full Renault Diagnosis Servicing all makes & models G Over 20 years experience G All work guaranteed G Free courtesy cars G G
Davids Lane, Nympsfield, Gloucestershire GL10 3UG Email: info@mandnmotorservices.co.uk
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ANTIQUES WANTED
We Buy 1800-1970’s single items, collections or complete house contents including: Old leather suit cases, Postcards, Dolls, Trains, Toys, Dinkys, Corgi, Match Box, Sporting items, Copper, Brass, China, Silver, Clocks, Watches, Boxes, Treen, Cutlery, Tapestries, Ephemera, Fountain Pens, Medals, Badges, Small furniture Please ask for a detailed list of items we buy Evenings: 01452 770409 ross.milne2012@btinter net.com WATERLANE GL6 7PL
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10% off with this advert Mark Hawkes
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Parenting & Guardianship with Roberta Smart
A good nursery is priceless All change Once your little one reaches three years old there are new opportunities opening for them. No longer confined to mummy and me sessions, they can now begin to step away and discover the world on their own terms, for a while. The real benefits of nursery or preschool are not confined to the academic training of young minds, but rather the chance to mix with other children – to develop their own will and learn to create personal boundaries. Suddenly they do not have ‘mind-reader mummy’ on hand to solve every problem, meaning language skills grow, communication techniques develop and personalities have the chance to flourish.
Getting social Social skills are honed in the group setting – learning to share, to wait, to take turns and to give space to others are not natural skills in infants and, for many children, they will continue to be a challenge. So practice – in a guided setting with experienced play workers – is invaluable.
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The nursery setting can also support the early detection of any blocks or challenges that you may have missed. My daughter was diagnosed with a speech issue at two years old and her nursery gave her speech therapy to support her development. At the same time she befriended a boy with profound deafness. She wore a speech box and he wore an earpiece, and they were inseparable – what a wonderful experience for her, one she’s never forgotten.
Freedom Free play is a wonderful gift for children, and the resources available at a good pre-school are priceless. Opportunities for painting, craft, growing seeds and cooking blend seamlessly with the development of gross motor skills using climbing frames, ball games, ball pits and bicycles. Nurseries also offer educational trips too – featuring everything from a trip to a local supermarket to learn about produce, to a trip to a farm park or visitor centre. A simple mini-bus to the park can be madly exciting for little ones, and sharing new
experiences – and yummy picnic lunches – with your friends is a big day out when you are three! As you choose your placement you will no doubt consider the childcare aspect as well as the facilities. Take your time to visit a few and observe both your child at play and the staff involvement to find the best fit. Don’t be swayed by reputation – I moved my daughter from an ‘Independent Nursery’ to an ‘Early Years Centre’ and discovered a much better environment for my child. Trust your gut and your child – they will soon let you know what works and what doesn’t. Even a three mile house move couldn’t persuade me to remove my daughter from her wonderful nursery, until school started.
Life long learning And while little one is in nursery, why not indulge in a little ‘Life Long Learning’ for yourself? Many family centres offer parenting, education or skills courses and it’s a great way to build your support network and pick up a few top tips. And, let’s face it, we can always do with some of those!
To advertise call 01242 510500
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Norton Park, Tewkesbury Road, Gloucestershire GL2 9LH Page 12
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The Local Answer
Education
with Ross Sanger of UCAS
Spring in to action with your university offers Spring is an exciting and nerveracking time of year for university applicants waiting for their offers to come through, and right now UCAS is receiving more calls about responding to offers than about any other topic.
1 Wait for all your decisions You need to wait for all your decisions before you can reply to any of them. This means you have got all the information you need to make the best available choice for you.
2 Send your replies There are three types of reply: Firm acceptance (for your first choice – this should be the course that is your top preference); Insurance acceptance (a back-up choice, with lower grade requirements); or Decline (any offers you don’t want).
You can have one firm acceptance, than expected, you might still meet and one insurance acceptance only – the conditions at your insurance you must decline all the other offers. choice and have your place Firm acceptance – your first choice. confirmed there. • You’ll only attend your insurance • If it’s an unconditional offer, the choice course if you don’t meet the place is yours! So that course conditions of your firm choice, but provider will expect you as their you do meet the conditions of your student – you won’t need to make insurance or your insurance choice an insurance choice. was unconditional when it was • If it’s a conditional offer, the place is originally accepted. yours if you meet the offer Decline – you’ll need to decline any conditions. So just in case you don’t, other offers you get. you can pick a second offer as a backup – your insurance acceptance. 3 What if you don’t like Insurance acceptance – the back-up choice to a conditional firm acceptance. • Choose something with lower offer conditions, but make sure it’s somewhere you’d still be happy to go to. • That way, if your results are lower
any of your offers, or don’t get any offers? If you don’t want to accept any offers, you can decline them all and add more courses in UCAS Extra, one at a time. This is a process available as long as you have used all five of your choices on your UCAS application. Alternatively, you can see what courses still have vacancies later on in Clearing – which found courses for 64,000 people last year!
4 Reply on time When your last decision comes in, UCAS will send an email to say there’s an update and you can view this on UCAS Track where you can make your replies. Your particular deadline depends on when UCAS receives the last decision in from your university or college choices, and you need to check UCAS Track to see your personal deadline.
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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. 25 MARCH – 7 MAY MAMMA MIA Join the ultimate feel-good party at Mamma Mia!, the world’s sunniest and most exhilarating smash-hit musical! Set on a Greek island paradise, a story of love, friendship and identity is cleverly told through the timeless songs of ABBA. Various dates and times. 0844 871 3012. atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome. The Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, BS1 4UZ. 3 MAY WOMAN IN GOLD
Woman in Gold is the remarkable true story of one woman’s journey to reclaim her heritage and seek justice for what happened to her family. Sixty years after she fled Vienna during World War II, an elderly Jewish woman, Maria Altmann (Helen Mirren), starts her journey to retrieve family possessions seized by the Nazis, among them Klimt’s famous painting The Lady in Gold. 7.45pm. £7 (£6). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. www.bacontheatre.co.uk. 7 MAY PAWS ON PATROL Paws on Patrol in Gloucester Park from 12
noon. Displays from Police Dogs, The Quack Pack, LG Agility and Ali Magic. Free to enter novelty dog show, lots of stalls and fun activities. Free entry. See www.safergloucester.co.uk. 8 MAY TEWKESBURY BOWLING CLUB OPEN DAY From 10.30am until 4pm with lots of support and help. All you need is a flattish pair of shoes. New to lawn green bowling? Membership free for 2016. 01684 294411. Gander Lane, Tewkesbury, GL20 5PG. 12 MAY A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
Following its smash-hit original broadcast; the Young Vic’s ‘magnetic, electrifying, astonishingly bold’ production returns to cinemas due to audience demand. The great Arthur Miller confronts the American dream in this dark and passionate tale. This tragic masterpiece won a trio of 2014 Olivier Awards including Best Revival, Best
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Actor for Mark Strong and Best Director for Ivo van Hove. 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. www.bacontheatre.co.uk. 13 MAY RHYTHM & BLUES NIGHT Enjoy a martini cocktail reception followed by a divine three course dinner, with the serenading sounds of our five piece live Rhythm & Blues band, then dance the night away with music provided by the DJ. £38 per person. Bowden Hall, Bondend Lane, Upton St Leonards GL4 8ED. 01452 632632. 14 MAY VOODOO ROOM
Together, Peter Orr, John Tonks and Andy Tolman form the mighty, retro, rocking machine that is: Voodoo Room. This highenergy, power-trio have worked with music giants, Steve Winwood, Duran Duran and Ben E King to name a few. Their mission: to deliver the all-time great Cream and Hendrix numbers with the true passion and energy worthy of these classic masterpieces. 7.30pm. £17 (£15). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. www.bacontheatre.co.uk.
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, Britpop & New Wave especially wanted e-mail lists to: willowpitch@blueyonder.co.uk 01242 702947 or 07785 515987
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17 MAY LOVE & MERCY
20 MAY BACH HITS LECHLADE A very special concert. Top Boston USA cellist Guy Fishman brings his 1704 cello and two wonderful Bach solo suites; noon at St Lawrence Lechlade; free admission, wine and light refreshments; donations to church restoration. 21 MAY CHARLTON KINGS CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT Duruflé’s ‘Requiem’, Wright’s ‘In Praise of Earth’s Beauty’, Fauré’s ‘Cantique de Jean Racine’; Regency Sinfonia; Caroline Carragher (mezzo), Tom Hunt (bass), Fiona Brown (organ); conductor John Wright. 7.30 pm. £15/£10. Holy Apostles, Cheltenham GL52 6HW. 24-28 MAY PHEDRE The Phoenix Players present Racine’s powerful classic Greek tragedy in Ted Hughes’ acclaimed version. The Kings Theatre, Kingsbarton Street, GL1 1QX. 7.30pm. Tickets £9, £8, £5 from The Phoenix Players (01452 522795) or Gloucester TI (01452 396572). 25 MAY – 7 JUNE COTSWOLD ART CLUB SPRING EXHIBITION Open 10am-5pm daily. At Lower Slaughter Village Hall GL54 2HY. Affordable art for sale. Admission: FREE.
The amazing true story of Brian Wilson, the legendary leader of the Beach Boys. In the 1960s the band’s future is thrown into doubt when Wilson suffers a debilitating panic attack and, twenty years later, a now middle-aged Wilson is a broken, confused man who finds love and sanctuary in the company of car saleswoman Melinda Ledbetter. 7.45pm. £7 (£6). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. www.bacontheatre.co.uk. 19-21 MAY SHREDS A musical written and directed by James Williams. Musical Director David Last. University of Gloucestershire Performing Arts students. 7.30pm. The Playhouse Theatre, Bath Road, Cheltenham GL53 7HG. Box Office: 01242 522852. £8 normal (£7 concessions).
Shipton Golf Course
27 MAY MURDER MYSTERY NIGHT Join us for an exciting Murder Mystery, delicious three course meal and disco for just £29.95 per person! 01452 525653. Hallmark Hotel Gloucester, Matson Lane, Robinswood Hill, Gloucester GL4 6EA. 28 MAY – 5 JUNE DOWNY DUCKLING DAYS
Go behind-the-scenes of our busy duckery to learn how we rear hundreds of young birds each year and see many of the fluffy ducklings, goslings and cygnets. You’ll even get the opportunity to see inside an egg using a technique called candling and visit the newly hatched ducklings inside the Duckery and in the outdoor enclosures. 9.30am-5.30pm. Included in normal admission. 01453 891900. WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT.
RIVER AVON BOAT TRIPS
Check out www.handsamboatcompany.co.uk
✁
“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 available for lessons and advice PGA Approved ● Children’s holiday workshops Establishment
Archibald Golf Academy NEW Stuart Golf development programmes
Handsam Too RIVER AVON TRIPS...
On our 55-seater passenger boat available 7 days a week from the end of March to mid-October, from 11am till 5pm (weather permitting). PLEASE TELEPHONE FOR CRUISE TIMES Also available for PRIVATE EVENING HIRE!
Self Drive Motorboat Hire
Our motorboats are available to hire by the hour, half day and full day.
to suit all ages and abilities FOR 2016! Available for corporate days, birthdays and special occasions
Tel: 01242 890237
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☎
shiptongolf@tiscali.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter – ‘Shiptongolf’
Shipton Golf Course
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Nr Frogmill, Shipton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 4HT
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PLEASE TELEPHONE FOR BOOKINGS
THE HANDSAM BOAT COMPANY
07860 895416
Explore the River Avon from Abbey Park, Evesham
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Page 15
30 MAY VINTAGE & CRAFT FAIR TETBURY Over 20 stalls of vintage and handmade fashion, gifts, homeware plus lots more. Live vintage-inspired entertainment including family friendly burlesque, cabaret acts and solo artists, vintage tea party, bouncy castles plus lots more. 10am-4pm. Entry only £1, children free. Dolphins Hall, New Church Street, GL8 8DS. www.helsbellesboutique.co.uk. 2 & 4 JUNE SINS OF THE FATHER Directed by Karen Benjamin. Devised by University of Gloucestershire Drama students. 7.30pm. Kings Theatre, Kingsbarton Street, Gloucestershire GL1 1QX. Tickets on door. £7 normal (£4 concessions). 7 JUNE BROOKLYN
Brooklyn centres on Eilis, who moves from small town Ireland to Brooklyn, New York
in search of a bright future – and love. When family tragedy brings her back to Ireland, she finds herself absorbed into her old community and confronting a heart-breaking choice between two men and two countries. 7.45pm. £7 (£6). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. www.bacontheatre.co.uk. 8 JUNE HAMLET
Hamlet has the world at his feet. Young, wealthy and living a hedonistic life studying abroad. Then word reaches him that his father is dead. Returning home he finds his world is utterly changed, his certainties smashed and his home a foreign land. 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre,
Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. www.bacontheatre.co.uk. 9 JUNE THE AUDIENCE For sixty years, Queen Elizabeth II has met with each of her twelve Prime Ministers in a private weekly meeting, known as The Audience. No one knows what they discuss, not even their spouses. The smash-hit broadcast returns to cinemas in celebration of the monarch’s 90th birthday. These special screenings include an exclusive Q&A with Helen Mirren and director Stephen Daldry. 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 11 JUNE SACRED HEART’S SUMMER FETE “A Day at the Movies” noon till 3pm. Children’s fancy dress competition, bouncy castle, live music, games and stalls, large selection of food and drink. Fun for all the family. Sacred Hearts Catholic Church, Moorend Road, Charlton Kings GL53 9AU. 18-19 JUNE OPEN GARDENS WEEKEND LITTLEDEAN An eclectic range of gardens which should whet all appetites. Open from 11am-5pm. Entry £5, children free. For more information go to www.littledean.org
Tea m C otswol d need y our h elp! With over 90,000 disabled children and adults in Gloucestershire, we know that our amazing services are very much in demand. We all want to do more to expand and provide this amazing therapy to more and more riders to whom riding can provide so many benefits.
We have just launched a pilot of our After School Club and plan to introduce Holiday Clubs in the summer holidays, but without people like you who are prepared to give a few hours each week to help lead and side walk with our riders, we simply can’t do it.
Join Team Cotswold and make a difference Cotswold It’s what to the lives of disabled children and adults – you can do you can find out more on our website that counts www.cotswoldrda.org.uk/happy-hoof-club or Riding for the Disabled Association contact us on 01242 584420. • 01242 584420 • www.cotswoldrda.org.uk • info@cotswoldrda.org.uk
Jackie Brutton Riding Centre, Prestbury Park Racecourse, Prestbury, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 4SH
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Spring has arrived at The Bird and Deer Park! Spring has finally arrived at The Bird Park and everything is brimming with life. The breeding season is in full swing as ducklings hatch and the deer prepare to calve – it’s all go! Since the arrival of the New Visitor Centre, the park has become ever more popular and never more so than for children’s parties. Parents can meet their guests in the centre prior to enjoying their child’s birthday in the famous Gypsy Caravan or the stunning Mad Hatters Marquee. Both locations have been designed with both parents and children in mind, so if your idea of hell is a bouncy castle then look no further! Where else can you be surrounded by nature in all its forms but still have all the trimmings for that special day?
The Bird Park is hoping to receive the Ben Moseley Sculpture this month, which will be situated in the first enclosure in the park on the first pool. We won’t spoil the surprise, but it’s going to be fab! For more information visit www.thebirdpark.com or call 01452 812727.
Open 7 days a week 10am-5pm • 01452 812727 • www.thebirdpark.com The Bird and Deer Park, Prinknash, Cranham, Gloucester GL4 8EX
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Gadgets & Gizmos with Dan Wood
Money well spent Hoover WR71WR01 Whirlwind Choosing the right vacuum cleaner can be difficult with so many options and types, not to mention the price. I recently bought the Hoover WR71WR01 Whirlwind bagless vacuum cleaner, having been looking for a replacement for my Dyson and trying to keep costs down. I found this for £49.99 at Argos online, reduced from £99.99 and with £1 off having spent over £25 (every little counts!). With a 2.5l bin capacity and 2.5m hose, the WR71WR01 is perfect for most households. It works very well and lifts almost anything up from the carpet, and the build quality is good too, as you’d expect
from an established brand like Hoover. It is light-weight at 3.8kg, meaning cleaning the stairs is hassle free and its 5m power cord gives plenty of operating space. The environmental credentials are good too, with an A rating. Bearing in mind the extortionate pricing of many modern vacuum brands, for less than £50 this has impressed me and was money well spent.
Music Angel Friendz Portable Speaker From work to play, the Music Angel Friendz portable speaker is an excellent buy for £25 on average. Using a basic 3.5mm audio jack input/output, the unit connects to pretty much any mobile phone, tablet or other device you’d connect your average headphones to. The integrated 1000mAh Li-ion battery gives up to 100 hours play time – yes, 100! Charge time is 1-3 hours and sound quality is superb, with good bass and crystal clear clarity. Build quality is great too – highly recommended.
placing the box over your head. Watch a movie on your phone and enjoy the experience on the cheap. With card cutout audiences you’ll never know the difference for just a fraction of the price. In flat pack form and roughly £20, why not buy two and ‘go to the movies’ with someone else?
Cardboard Home Cinema Bored? Fed up of crazy cinema popcorn prices? Make use of an idle smartphone and create your own cinematic experience at home. The cardboard home cinema is as simple as it sounds! Just place your mobile in the slot and lie on the floor
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In The Garden with Julia Smith
Your garden should be bursting into life May is here already! The garden is bursting into life and any work that you have already done now comes into its own – you are ahead of the game!
Delicious in a salad or steamed until just cooked Runner beans are the mainstay of my vegetable garden in the summer. They are so delicious picked fresh and either sliced and eaten raw in salads, or steamed until just cooked. Sow them as the soil warms up, making a wigwam of bamboo canes for the beans to twine up, or buying one of the ready made obelisks in
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hazel or metal. These obelisks look good even in the winter, as they add structure to the garden. I make a hole before I sow the beans and empty my compost from the kitchen in there for a few days – peelings, tea bags etc. I then sow my bean on the top on a layer of soil the usual depth, and this helps keep the moisture in, which the beans so love. Clematis need constant tying in as they scramble up their supports. Use soft twine and tie in a figure of eight, being careful not to damage the delicate stems. They look superb growing up (but don’t let the mulch touch the through climbing roses and shrubs, stems as it may rot them). extending the season of interest or flowering at the same time as their Deadhead plants to make them stronger next year host but with contrasting colours. Shear over early-spring flowering Pruning is more simple for plants such as Brunnera, Iberis, late flowering clematis Cerastium and Aubrieta to keep Try Sambucas racemosa them tidy. If you don’t want your ‘Sutherland Gold’ with a beautiful Helleborus x hybridus to set seed, blue Clematis ‘Perle d’Azur’ growing now is the time to deadhead them, through it, or a lovely Rosa ‘Gertrude which will make them stronger Jekyll’ with Clematis ‘Etoile Violette’ plants for the following year. argutifolius needs scrambling up it. If you choose late Helleborus flowering clematis, the pruning is different treatment by cutting away more simple as they are Group 3 and the stems carrying the old flowers at just need to be chopped off about ground level. Apply a general 30cm high in early spring – very fertilizer and water and mulch. Do easy! Give the clematis a spring feed remember that Euphorbia produces with a high-potassium rose-type a milky sap, which can cause severe fertilizer, gently forked into the soil irritation so wear gloves when surface, and then water and mulch handling!
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Interior Design with Caron Burrows
Add spring colours to your home Spring is a time of year loved for many reasons. Longer days, warmer weather and, of course, colour. Bright green leaves appear on trees, yellow daffodils appear on grassy banks, and bluebells turn woodlands into a sea of blue. Here are a few ideas to bring the sunshine into your home.
Inspiration Take a long look at the outside at this time of year. Daffodils, bluebells, white blossom on the trees, daisies, and even the lush green of our parks and fields – the list is endless. Use these colours of nature to inspire the spring decor of your home. For example, pick a single spring flower such as a bold yellow tulip and make it the inspiration for an entire room – wallpaper, curtains or upholstery. Teamed with plenty of white, this will create a sophisticated, fresh colourful display of china, crockery, jugs, cookware and glassware in a spring feel. range of spring shades. Take China & Glass advantage of available fresh flowers Shelves, window sills and tables can – fill vases and jugs for an instant easily be brought to life with a touch of spring.
Furniture A lick of paint is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to make changes to your home. Choose a sunny shade or a pretty pastel to refresh a chair, table or bookshelf. You don’t have to paint the whole piece – just a dip-dye effect on the legs of a chair can refresh and revive, providing a fresh spring look.
Fabrics & Accessories A few metres of pretty floral or pastel fabric are easily turned into a tablecloth, and a few cushions provide an instant splash of spring to your kitchen table and chairs or lounge sofa. An oversized piece of art is a simple way to add a modern floral touch to your home. This could be in the form of a supersized artwork on the wall, or an accessory such as a bright printed cushion. Fluffy white towels teamed with yellow, blue or soft green will add a touch of spring to any bathroom. Team pastel cushions and throws with plain white bedding to achieve a crisp feel to your bedroom.
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Quick Crossword 1
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Forward Clock face Glowing coal Two-sided contest Knowledge test Paint layers Sound of moving leaves Looks upon Sailing boats Showers Loud noise Customs Snow shelter Departed Tibetan monk Sister's daughter Early harp Rattled
Don’t look until you’ve finished! Solutions on ‘Index of Advertisers’ page.
DOWN 1 Neat 2 Allocate 3 Tennis 40/40 4 Gains possession of 5 Kitchen cabinet 6 Police college 12 Illuminated 15 Human body study 16 Sanitation 17 Rebuked 19 Pod vegetable 20 Nourish 22 Family dwellings 23 Model-plane wood
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01242
ANSWER 541072
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Sudoku Family run business Specialists in all types of upvc fascias, soffits and guttering
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Save the Planet with Kate Cole
Press the restart button Are you a handy with a hammer, a sewing supremo, or a techietinkerer? Or is your attitude to bin stuff when it’s broken? We throw away vast quantities of things in Gloucestershire every year. Many items could have been repaired, but unfortunately lots of people don’t have the skills, or have forgotten how to repair things themselves. And, if you’ve ever tried to find a spare part for your electrical gizmo, only to be told by the shop assistant that it would cost more to fix it than it would to upgrade to a shiny new one, then you’ve been at the sharp end of ‘planned obsolescence’. These are the intentional design flaws planned into sent off to be recycled. But items by manufacturers who are dismantling and recycling waste that always keen to sell more stuff to us! has the potential for further use is that makes little sense Sending repairable items something both financially and environmentally. to landfill creates Sticking waste that has the possibility an even bigger problem of being repaired in the rubbish bin You could argue that it’s OK, and sending it to landfill creates an because all of the Household even bigger problem. So, in 2009 a Dutch journalist called Recycling Centres in Gloucestershire accept electrical and electronic items Martine Postma decided that she’d which – assuming householders put had enough of feeling powerless to them into the right bin on site – are do anything other than send things she knew could be revived off to the tip. She organised the very first ‘Repair Café’ in Amsterdam and invited people from her local community to come along to share their ‘fixing’ skills, or to bring along household items such as burnt-out toasters and frazzled fairy lights, to see if they could be mended – for free!
events in Malvern and Nailsworth, and there’s a new one planned for Cheltenham soon, which will be run by Product Design students from the University in the town.
A growing interest in learning simple skills
Since Martine came up with the Repair Cafe idea, similar projects such as the Restart Party – which focusses on fixing just electronics – have sprung up. Alongside this there is a growing interest in learning simple skills, which can then help people to repair or create their own things. Local Men’s Sheds (women allowed!) are great examples of this, and several charities in Gloucestershire also run regular carpentry and metalwork workshops. So maybe our new attitude to broken bits and bobs should be to the restart button. More A collaborative way to save press information on reducing, reusing and money and reduce waste recycling waste can be found at Everyone loved the event and very www.recycleforgloucestershire.com/ soon the idea of a collaborative way article/118786/Repair-Cafes. to save money and keep things from Kate is a member of the being wasted caught on. Today there Gloucestershire Environmental Education are many similar projects across Partnership (GEEP). To find out more Europe, including ‘Repair Café’ about their work visit www.geep.org.uk.
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ADVERTISEMENT
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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Wildlife Matters with John Bromley
Ladybirds: the aphid hunter Most people will be familiar with the commonly seen 7-spot ladybird, which is the epitome of the ladybird species with its bright red colour and seven black spots. It is this particular species from which their name is derived because early pictures of the Virgin Mary depict her in a red cloak, whilst the seven spots represent the seven Joys and seven Sorrows of Our Lady.
The bright colours are part of their defence mechanism Ladybirds belong to the beetle family and are distinctive due to their round or oval shape and relatively small size, ranging from 1mm to 10mm. There are, however, 46 ladybird species found in the UK, but only 27 of these actually look like ladybirds – being brightly coloured in shades of red, orange, cream and yellow, and having anything from 2 to 22 spots. The remaining species are rather dull by comparison and are not readily identified as ladybirds. The ladybirds’ bright colours are part of their defence mechanism to remind potential predators that they are very unpleasant tasting due to a yellow coloured strong smelling alkaline excretion they produce when threatened. That said, swifts and swallows are able to eat ladybirds, catching them on the wing. Ladybirds only live for a year, the adults overwintering anywhere they can find shelter such as in leaf piles, bark crevices, long grass and so on. They become active in February and March and breed from late spring to early summer, laying eggs that hatch into a black grub-like
Page 32
larva, which do not look anything like a ladybird. However, the larvae are voracious hunters, feeding on aphids (greenfly, etc.), so are extremely beneficial to any garden.
7-spot ladybirds eat an average of 5000 aphids during its yearlong life cycle The larvae grow quickly, shedding their skin four times before they pupate, and about a week later the new generation of adults will begin to emerge. The adult ladybirds also feed heavily on aphids to build up their reserves to enable them to successfully overwinter. On average a single 7-spot ladybird will eat around 5000 aphids during its year-long life cycle, making it a welcome sight in the garden. The native ladybird species have few predators but are hunted by some spiders and wasp
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species, and they are also attacked by a parasitic fungus. However, in 2004 a new ladybird species was found in south east England. It is called the Harlequin Ladybird and originates from Asia, but was introduced by growers to various European countries to help manage aphids and inevitably it has now spread to the UK. This particular ladybird is very variable in colour and spot numbers and so is also called the Multicoloured Asian Ladybird. It is about 8mm in size, but its wide ranging colours make it difficult to distinguish from some of our native species.
Harlequin Ladybirds outcompete our native species Sadly, the Harlequin Ladybird is both invasive and aggressive and will not only attack native ladybird species, but is able to outcompete them for food, and is a rapid breeder with adults laying eggs within five days of pupating. It is spreading rapidly and will ultimately cause a huge imbalance in the UK ladybird population. Further information regarding this threat to our native ladybird species is available at www.harlequin-survey.org.
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Money Matters
This year’s Budget There was a time when the Chancellor opened his red box to present his March Budget and produced a series of measures that would come in overnight or a few weeks later at the end of the tax year. We all rushed off to fill up with petrol, buy our cigarettes or drown our sorrows in the pub before the prices went up. Not any more. Many of the far-reaching tax changes that came in this month were announced a year ago. That’s much better in many ways as it gives us time to plan for them and get used to the idea. But it’s not so much fun is it? It’s rather like knowing what your Christmas presents are – it takes away the fun of unwrapping.
A few giveaways that will benefit large numbers of the population So what gems did Mr Osborne have for us? Well, apart from not raising the price of alcohol and fuel, he did manage a few giveaways that will benefit large numbers of the population and others that will be welcomed by those running their own business. The personal allowance (the amount you can be paid before you start paying tax) continues to rise at a rate well above inflation. The rate of capital gains tax you pay when you sell assets that you own has been reduced from 28% to 20%. It won’t benefit everyone but it’s a definite plus for those who are affected. A new lifetime ISA has been introduced, with the government offering a 25% bonus to participants, as well as giving them the usual tax breaks associated with saving via ISA’s. The amount you can put into an ISA has been increased by over 30% to £20,000 a year from next April. For small businesses, one of the most positive moves was the removal from business rates on any property with a rateable value of less than £12,000 and tapered relief for those between that threshold and £15,000. Not everyone will benefit from all his measures, but unlike his 2015 offering, which contained a string of nasty announcements, there was a lot more to like about this year’s Budget.
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Index of Advertisers FOOD & DRINK
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Blue Orchid Corner Cupboard Inn Shep’s Hog Roast So Thai The Old Rectory Tipputs Inn
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WHAT’S ON CLUBS & SPORTS Shipton Golf Course EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS Handsam Boat Company The Bird & Deer Park
15 15 17
INFORMATION Cotswold Riding for the Disabled 16
PROPERTY Norton Park Park Home Life
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10 Antiques Wanted Commercial Mower Supplies 22 The Spa-Kling Pool Company 18-19 Vinyl Records 14
HOMES & GARDENS BATHROOMS Lifestyle Bathrooms 20 Severn Vale Bathrooms 27 & 35 BUILDING SERVICES A1 Roofing & Contractors 33 CB Home Improvements 27 Glos Build 2 Home Care Roofing & Building 20 LA Landscapes 22 Marshalls Driveways 22 Oliver Mead & Associates 33 CARPENTERS 2H Carpentry and Joinery 20
CLEANING SERVICES 30 Ecoclean FURNISHING & APPLIANCES Interior Needs 24 GARDEN SERVICES 22 CT Roberts 22 DW Tree Services Handylink 22 Lawn Doc 27 HANDYMAN SERVICES Paul Workman & Son 22 HEATING & PLUMBING Austin Heating & Air Conditioning 27 Drain Doctor 33 PAINTING & DECORATING N.S Decorating 20 TV & AERIALS 1st Choice Aerials 10
WINDOWS & DOORS Albany Windows C&L Windows Cloudy 2 Clear Inceil
36 29 31 26
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CARE SERVICES Barnwood Trust Lifelink Samaritans MOTORING SERVICES M+N Motor Services SKIP HIRE & RECYCLING Stevens Recycling
8 10 34 10 33
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