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200,000 DELIVERED MONTHLY IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE NORTH LOVE MUSIC? OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUDDING MUSICIANS INSIDE!
The Children’s Family Trust
DO YOU have a spare room? ARE YOU over 21? DO YOU consider yourself a warm and caring individual? WOULD YOU LIKE to help, support and care for vulnerable children?
Contact us to find out more: 0300 111 1945 www.thecft.org.uk
/thecft
@fostering_CFT
Charity number: 208607 • Registered charity since 1945
“You can change a person’s life forever.” D (aged 10) – Birth Child
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G loucestershire N orth – 220,000 0,000 ccopies opies Gloucestershire North G loucestershire SSouth outh – 441,000 1,000 ccopies opies Gloucestershire G loucester – 446,000 6,000 ccopies opies Gloucester CCheltenham heltenham – 443,000 3,000 ccopies opies CCotswolds otswolds – 228,000 8,000 ccopies opies Forest ooff D ean – 222,000 2,000 ccopies opies Forest Dean M anaging Director Director Managing D Dave ave K Kingscott ingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Editorial Editorial & PProduction roduction LLois ois K Kingscott ingscott editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk e ditorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Helen Helen K Kingscott ingscott
Distribution D istribution JJulia ulia B Ball all – 001242 1242 5541075 41075 ddistribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk istribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk
R Robert obert K Kingscott ingscott rrob@thelocalanswer.co.uk ob@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Accounts Accounts K Kerry erry FFell ell aaccounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk ccounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Unit Unit I,I, CChurchill hurchill IIndustrial ndustrial EEstate, state, Churchill Churchill Road, Road, GL53 LLeckhampton, eckhampton, Cheltenham, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Gloucestershire G L53 7EG 7EG
T Telephone elephone 0 01242 1242 5 510500 10500 thelocalanswer thelocalanswer
W Welcome elcome ttoo M March arch ...... Are you a budding musician? Gloucestershire Music has something for everyone – from orchestras to jazz bands, beginners to advanced players. Check out the opportunities and events available across the county on the centre pages. Choosing to extend your family by taking on a pet can be a big decision. How much will it cost? How much care and attention will it need? How much space will it require in the house? Oliver Wilkinson addresses these questions in ‘Pet Care’ in order to help you choose the right pet for you and your family. Did you know that the right natural oils can help keep y o u r s k i n m o i s t u r i s e d , s m o o t h a n d g l ow i n g ? K a t i e Pollard assesses a range of natural oils and the benefits they have for our skin and hair in ‘Mirror Mirror on the Wall’. Thank you to everyone who entered our ‘TLA Charity’ competition. We had an incredible response and hope you will join us in congratulating the winner. Read more inside!
IInside nside tthis his m month onth .... .. W ild FFood ood FForaging oraging Wild CCocktail ocktail TTime ime D elicious Dish Dish Delicious TTLA LA CCharity harity W inner Winner SSudoku udoku P et CCare are Pet M irror M irror o n tthe he W al l Mirror Mirror on Wall M otoring Motoring W hat’s O n What’s On Homes & G ardens Homes Gardens In the the Garden Garden In Quick Crossword Crossword Quick Word SSearch earch Word Money M atters Money Matters Index , CCompetitions, ompetitions, SSolutions olutions Index,
4 4 5 6 -7 6-7 8 9 11 11 13 13 16 16 21 21 23 23 25 25 30 30 33 33 34 34
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W Wild ild F Food ood F Foraging oraging
Cocktail Cocktail T Time ime w with ith L Lois ois K Kingscott ingscott
w with ith S Steven teven Hawley Hawley
Laver Laver As the warmer weather creeps lethargically toward us, we can once again begin to turn our attention inland for our foraging needs. But before we start scratching about in hedgerows for our goodies, let ’s take one last look along the coast for some Laver to really warm us up and get us in the mood for spring and summer. Laver is a seaweed found on the west coast, which usually covers rocks and looks like molten black plastic. Or snot – big black snot.
Easy Easy tto om make ake b but ut vvery ery ttime ime cconsuming onsuming A traditional Welsh dish makes good use of Laver and you may or may not already be familiar with Laverbread. It’s easy to make but very time consuming. It’s full of iron, iodine and protein, so it would be a shame not to give it a go at least once just because of the preparation time! Rinse a fair sized handful with clean water a couple of times to remove sand and other nasties. It might take a couple of attempts to get it really clean. Put into a pan of water and boil for about ten hours. Once cooked, put into a mixing bowl and add oatmeal until the mixture goes from a runny green sludge to a not so runny green sludge. Fry up some bacon in a frying pan and then use the bacon fat to fry big dollops of Laverbread.
A ttrip rip tto oW Wales ales m may ay be be in in order order The main issue I noticed is that at no stage did the Laverbread ever resemble anything close to regular bread. As I watched my cheese sandwich ooze off the kitchen counter and onto my foot, I concluded that I had misunderstood its intended use. So I bought some regular bread from a shop and spread my Laver on it like butter and topped it with fried bacon. I think a trip to Wales is in order to see how it ’s supposed to be done. If If you’re you’re not not 100% 100% sure sure that that w what hat you’re you’re ppicking icking iiss safe safe for for human consumption, consumption, don’t don’t pick pick it. it. If If you’re you’re prone prone to to food food human allergies, or or pregnant, pregnant, always always seek seek medical medical advice advice before before allergies, consuming anything anything fforaged oraged in in the the w ild. consuming wild. Page 4
TTom om Collins Collins The Tom Collins recipe was first recorded in the book ‘The Bartender’s Guide’, which was written by Jerry Thomas and published in 1876. There is an amusing story surrounding the cocktail named ‘The Great Tom Collins Hoax of 1874’, which was used as a prank for months, fooling many people. According to the story, Tom Collins was a loud, boisterous m a n w h o f re q u e n t e d t ave r n s a n d b a d - m o u t h e d a l m o s t everyone he met – and even those he hadn’t. However, those who fell victim to his wrath had good friends who would inform them immediately of the profanity directed at them. The victim would then be encouraged to find Collins and confront him. But in searching for Tom Collins at the tavern he was rumoured to be in, he was nowhere to be seen, as Tom Collins didn’t exist! Finally, seeking revenge, the victim would ask the barman for a Tom Collins and receive the sour cocktail instead. While this is highly unlikely to be true, it makes a great tale and one can imagine it would’ve been great fun to trick friends with! Ingredients: Ingredients: 50ml gin; 25ml lemon juice; 10ml sugar syrup; splash soda water; few slices of lemon; maraschino cherry (optional). M ethod: Method: 1 Fill a tall glass with ice. 2 Pour gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup into the glass and mix well. 3 Top up with soda water and garnish with a few slices of lemon and a maraschino cherry.
PLEASE PLEASE D DRINK RINK R RESPONSIBLY ESPONSIBLY W Why hy n not ot h have ave a M Mocktail? ocktail? For a non-alcoholic alternative, pour 120ml lemon juice, 60ml soda water and 1 tsp sugar syrup over ice and garnish with lemon and a maraschino cherry.
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D Delicious elicious Dish Dish with w ith Helen Helen Kingscott Kingscott
P Pomegranate omegranate g glazed lazed sshoulder houlder o off llamb amb TTreat reat yyour our mum mum on on Mother’s Mother’s D Day ay b byy ccooking ooking h her er a d delicious elicious d dinner. inner. Ingredients: Ingredients: 4 garlic cloves, chopped (use lazy garlic for ease); 2tsp ground cumin; 2tsp ground cinnamon; 1tbsp dried oregano; 1 lemon, quartered and seeds removed; salt a n d p e p p e r ; 1 . 5 k g b o n e - i n l a m b s h o u l d e r j o i n t ; 2 re d onions, cut into wedges; 1 litre carton pomegranate juice; 2tbsp clear honey; seeds from 1 fresh pomegranate; mint to garnish. Method: Method: 1 Put the garlic, cinnamon, cumin, oregano and lemon in a blender with 1tsp salt and 2tsp black pepper. Blend until smooth. Put the lamb in a large roasting tin and tip the marinade over the top. Massage all over the lamb and leave for 24 hours in the fridge. 2 Remove the lamb from the fridge 1 hour before cooking. Heat oven to 160°C (140°C fan/gas mark 3). Sprinkle the onions around the lamb, then pour over the pomegranate juice. Cover the lamb with foil and cook for 4 hours.
3 Remove the foil, carefully pour the meat juices from the tin into a large saucepan and add the honey. Increase the oven temperature to 220°C (200°C fan/gas mark 7), cover the lamb back up and continue to cook for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the meat juices and honey on a high heat until reduced, thick and syrup-like. This will take about 25-30 minutes. 4 Pour the marinade glaze over the lamb and onions and return uncovered to the oven for approximately 30 minutes, until the glaze is bubbling and starting to char, and the lamb is tender. Shred the lamb and serve with the sticky onions and a handful of pomegranate seeds. 5 Serve the lamb with mediterranean flavoured couscous and roasted vegetables, such as courgette, red peppers, aubergine and spring onions. Drizzle a little olive oil over the vegetables and add 2 tbsp of harissa. Mix together and roast for 30 -40 minutes.
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interior needs
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AN ANSWER SWER PPAVING AVING SPECIALISTS SPECIALISTS
GLOUCESTER GLOUCESTER CARPET CARPET OUTLET OUTLET
S PA
Garden Garden Rooms R ooms
Bowden Bowden QUEDGELEY Hall Hotel Hall H otel CARPETS
Congratulations! Darren Scrivens, Arabella Davis, Ben the pony and Kate Beim
Thank Thank you you to to everyone everyone who who entered entered our our ‘TLA ‘TLA Charity’ Charity ’ ccompetition ompetition over over tthe he last last couple couple of of months. months. After After the the success success of of the the first first competition competition in we ew were ere expecting expecting a g great reat rresponse es p o n s e in 2016, 2016, w and disappointed! isappointed! Over Over 300 300 d different ifferent and we we weren’t weren’t d non-profit organisations were nominated nominated for for the the non-profit o rganisations were prize how much prize money, money, which which goes goes tto o sshow how h ow much yyou ou – our our rreaders eaders – support support llocal ocal good g ood ccauses. auses. winner off tthe £5,000 TThe he llucky ucky w inner o he £ 5,000 prize was Watershed Riding p rize w as W atershed R iding ffor or the the Disabled D isabled Group, Group, nominated nominated by by one one of of Darren ttheir heir ssupporters, u p p o r te r s, D arren Scrivens. Scrivens. Kate Beim, K ate B eim, community community fundraiser fundraiser ffor or Watershed overwhelmed RDA , was was o verwhelmed W atershed RDA, upon hearing u pon h earing the the news news and and couldn’t couldn’t us, our generous tthank hank u s, o ur g enerous advertisers advertisers aand nd tthose hose who who nominated nominated the the enough. ccharity harity e nough. based TThe he charity, charity, b ased near near CCirencester, irencester, provides development p rovides ttherapy, herapy, d evelopment aand nd llearning earning opportunities wide o pportunities ffor or cchildren hildren aand nd aadults dults with with a w ide off d disabilities. mission rrange ange o isabilities. Their Their m ission iiss tto o create create aan n environment have while e nvironment where where rriders iders can can h ave ffun un w hile
learning personal learning new new sskills kills and and aachieving chieving p ersonal goals. goals. They provide They currently currently p rovide services services for for 29 29 rriders iders aaged ged 5 yyears old Arabella ears tto o 60+, 60+, iincluding ncluding 6 yyear ear o ld A rabella Davis uss iin D avis who who kkindly indly modelled modelled for for u n tthe he photo photo above on RDA pony, Ben. en. above o nR DA p ony, B The money will The prize prize m oney w ill be be put put ttowards owards building building a fully fully insulated insulated rroom oom for for riders, riders, parents parents aand nd carers use carers tto ou se before before aand nd after after riding riding activities, will Watershed activities, and and w ill enable enable W atershed RDA RDA to to install install a properly properly plumbed plumbed disabled portaloo disabled toilet toilet tto o replace replace tthe he p ortaloo they use. be they ccurrently urrently u se. The The room room will wil l b e equipped equipped with with kkitchen itchen ffacilities, acilities, aass well well aass a separate separate changing changing rroom oom ffor or those who RDA DA aafter fter sschool. chool. those w ho visit visit R To more To ffind ind out out m ore aabout bout Watershed Watershed RDA how RDA and an d h ow you you ccan an support support tthem, hem, visit visit www.watershedrda.co.uk. www.watershedrda.co.uk . Finally, we would Finally, w ew ould llike ike to to thank thank our our 10 extremely generous 1 0e xtremely g enerous aadvertisers dvertisers for for putting prize money we p utting fforward orward tthe he incredible incredible p rize m oney – w e have ccouldn’t ouldn’t h ave done done this this ccompetition ompetition without without you you pledged make aand nd tthe he money money yyou ou p ledged will will no no doubt doubt m ake massive difference Watershed RDA. am assive d ifference tto oW atershed R DA .
Sudoku Fill the grids so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.
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NEW N EW Ironing service available CUSTOMISED CLEANING SERVICE FULLY FULLY I NSURED INSURED
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K Keep eep uupp ttoo ddate! ate! Don’t look until you’ve finished! Solutions on ‘Index of Advertisers’ page.
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P Pet et C Care are
w ith O liver W ilkinson with Oliver Wilkinson o fD ragon V et C entre of Dragon Vet Centre Established in 1904, Dragon Vet Centre Cheltenham is a centre of excellence f large and small – and offers a full rang services from routine vaccinations, worming and flea prevention to complex internal medicine investigations, orthopaedic and key hole surgery for dogs and cats. As one of the largest veterinary practices in Cheltenham Dragon can draw on the expertise of a number of vets with great deal of experience in all fields of veterinary medicine and surgery. Our Cheltenham Vet clinic is staffed 24/7 so in the event of an emergency, registered clients simply need to call and attend our surgery based at the Cheltenham racecourse where there is unlimited free parking.
THIS T HIS MONTH’S MONTH’S SPECIAL OFFER S PECIAL O FFER
O LY L 2 ONLY N Y £20 £ 0 LUS FREE FREE FLEA FLEA & WORM WORM TTREATMENT REAATTMENT PPLUS FFOR OR ALL ALL NEW NEW CLIENTS CLIENTS The aabove bove ddiscount iscount iiss aavailable vailable The tthroughout hroughout March March 22017 017 limited to to one one – limited voucher pper er voucher hhousehold ousehold
DRAGON D RA R AGON V VET ET C CENTRE ENTRE Prestbury Park , New Barn Lane, Cheltenham GL50 4SH
01242 01242 580 580 324 324 ~ info@dragonvet.co.uk info@dragonvet.co.uk Opening hours: 8.15am-7pm Mon-Fri & 8.15am-1pm Sat 2244 hour hour On On SSite ite EEmergency mergency Service Service ~ 0 01242 1242 522 522 022 022
w www.dragonvet.co.uk ww.dragonvet.co.uk The Local Answer
Choosing Choosing tthe he rright ight pet pet ffor or yyou ou In a recent PDSA report , I read a worrying statistic that 1 in 4 pets were acquired with no research undertaken into their needs or demands. Other findings included that 2/3 pet owners were unaware of a pet ’s basic welfare requirements, and only one in twenty sought advice from a veterinary professional ahead of taking on a pet. So, here is my take on the various merits of common pet types. Dogs: D o g s : L i k e l y to b e t h e m o s t l a b o u r i n t e n s i ve s m a l l p e t option, dogs require daily exercise, grooming of variable intensity, and lots of interaction and training. They are also the most expensive – the PDSA estimates the lifetime cost of owning a dog is £20,000 - £30,000. A large back garden is not an adequate exercise regime. Most dogs, regardless of their size, require at least an hour of walking or, better still, ‘off-the-lead’ exercise a day. Long-haired dogs require g ro o m i n g , b r u s h i n g , c u t t i n g o r ‘ s t r i p p i n g ’ t o k e e p t h e i r coats in good order. Dogs make ideal pets for people who have the time, money and commitment to look after a highly interactive and affectionate companion. CCats: ats: Cats take away some outdoor time commitments of owning a pet, but still require lots of social interaction and have an estimated lifetime cost of £17,000 -£24,000. Different cat breeds have different personality traits. Burmese and Tonkinese are particularly affectionate, while Siamese and Orientals are notably ‘chatty’ and enjoy a nice lap to sit in. Bengals are strikingly handsome and acrobatic, and British shorthairs and Persians are famously lazy! R abbits and and Guinea Guinea P igs: Less labour intensive again, a Rabbits Pigs: rabbit can still cost up to £15,000 over its lifetime. They’re better pets for younger families and enjoy a moderate amount of handling – rabbits more than guinea pigs. They are social creatures and best kept in multiples – they suffer b o re d o m a n d l o n e l i n e ss i f k e p t o n t h e i r o w n . Understanding dietary requirements is very important with rabbits, as they are very often fed incorrectly.. Rodents: R odents: Mice, rats, hamsters and gerbils are not as popular as they once were, but still have many attractive traits. Rats are particularly intelligent and sociable, and despite a tainted reputation, they make excellent pets. Gerbils are usually quite handleable, more so than hamsters who can be a bit nippy. Hamsters can be more active at night time and Syrian hamsters are solitary creatures, whereas other rodents tend to prefer and benefit from company. Discussing different dog breeds is a book in itself, and other commonly kept pets I haven’t mentioned include ferrets, fish, reptiles and birds, all with very different requirements. Don’t be shy about contacting your local vet to ask which pet or breed they recommend. And please don’t be fooled into choosing a pet on a whim or based on how it looks.
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Hair Hair S Salon alon
Hair Hair & Skin Skin Care Care
Clean, Clean, h healthy, ealthy, n natural atural beauty. beauty. Made Made with with extremely extremely h high igh standard standard ingredients. ingredients. All All products products of of OWay OWay Beauty Beauty cconsist onsist ooff a minimum minimum of of 98.8% 98.8% a active ctive ingredients, ingredients, oils, oils, extracts, extracts, eessential ssential oils, oils, and and emollients emollients derived derived ffrom rom n natural, atural, organic, organic, biodynamic biodynamic a and nd ethical ethical origins. origins. OWay O Way B Beauty eauty ooffers ffers tthe he m maximum aximum p possible ossible g guarantee uarantee – tthe he N NATURE ATURE ccertification ertification seal. seal.
0 1 2 4 2 255250 2 5 5 2 5 0 47 01242 47 Winchcombe Winchcombe Street, Street, Cheltenham Cheltenham GL52 GL52 2NE 2NE Page 10
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M Mirror irror M Mirror irror o on n the the W Wall... all ... with with Katie Katie P Pollard ollard
Oilil yyour O our sskin kin It’ll come as no surprise to you that oil isn’t something you’d associate with your beauty regime. Due to its greasy nature, o i l i s i n d e e d t h e b l a c k s h e e p of t h e beauty world. But like anything, just as there are good oils for your diet , there a r e g o o d o i l s fo r yo u r s k i n . T h e r i g h t natural oils can keep your skin moisturised, smooth and glowing – it can even fight breakouts without leaving your skin feeling as you might expect. So let’s start by covering all bases, for all different skin types and assess why the right oils can be beneficial for your skin.
Argan A rgan O Oilil Best Best for: for: Fine Fine lines, lines, ddry ry sskin kin & ddry ry hhair. air. Argan oil is extracted from the fruit of Moroccan argan trees. It has high levels of vitamin E , omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. While it first found fame as a saviour for dry, damaged hair, the oil also works wonders on the face and body for the exact same reason.
A Avocado vocado O Oilil Best Best for: for: Dry, Dry, sensitive sensitive or or irritated irritated skin. skin. Can avocados get any better? Yes they can! Avocado isn’t just good for your diet. Like Argan oil, it is high in vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids, which helps decrease inflammation. Its ability to soften the skin triggers the production of collagen and packs in antioxidants and nutrients that are ideal for treating those with dry and itchy skin conditions, like eczema, or aging skin.
Coconut Coconut Oil Oil B Best est ffor: or: SSensitive ensitive sskin, kin, eeczema czema & ddry ry hhair. air. One we’re all familiar with now is coconut oil. Plenty of research has shown that coconut oil restores dry hair and dry skin just as equally. Coconut oil is good for pretty much every element of your beauty regime, including teeth, nails and d i e t , a s we l l a s y o u r h a i r a n d s k i n . I t s pure contents provide you with the natural source of oil that you need.
FFlaxseed laxseed O Oilil Best Best for: for: Irritated, Irritated, ssensitive ensitive sskin kin & conditions conditions ssuch uch aass eczema eczema & dermatitis. dermatitis. You can mix the seeds in foods, or use its omega-3 as a moisturiser to seal in moisture for a glowing complexion. It h a s a n t i - i n f l a m m a to r y p ro p e r t i e s a n d studies have shown that, if taken daily, it can improve skin conditions such as eczema in just a few months.
LLavender avender O Oilil B Best est ffor: or: A Acne-prone cne-prone oorr iirritated rritated sskin. kin. Lavender collected from the fresh flower tops are especially beneficial for those with acne and general skin irritation. It ’s basically a natural a n t i s e pt i c and d i s i n fe c t a n t . L a ve n d e r o i l i s a l s o a m a z i n g f o r yo u r m o o d , a s i t c a n i n s t a n t l y calm anxiety, which waves goodbye to those stress related spots. A two-in-one oil that ’s treating you on the inside and out!
TTea ea TTree ree O Oilil B Best est ffor: or: A Acne-prone cne-prone sskin. kin. Found in many natural acne remedies, tea tree oil helps kill bacteria in the pores and hair follicles that lead to blemishes. It’s best for getting rid of dead skin cells to p rev e n t c l o g g e d p o re s a n d i s w h y you’ll recognise its name from many face washes and scrubs. However, with this one, although it’s a natural substance, it may cause irritation. Be sure to test it on a small patch of skin before you use it generally. So next time you dismiss oil for its greasy texture or slippery consistency,, it’s worth bearing in mind that most of them come from the most natural of sources a n d p o ss e ss t h e p ro p e r t i e s w e are prepared to pay for in most beauty products!
R Rose ose H Hip ip O Oilil B Best est ffor: or: U Uneven neven ppigment, igment, sscars, cars, ffine ine llines ines & aacnecnepprone rone sskin. kin. Rose hip seed oil is extracted from the seeds of a South American rosebush and is the ultimate complexion treatment. It contains vitamins A and C , which work to increase cell reproduction and i n st a n t l y l i f t d u l l l o o k i n g s k i n , s o ot h i n g blemishes. Prone to sensitive skin? Just add a few drops to your daily moisturiser. The Local Answer
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11st st Choice Choice
AAerial erial & Satellites & Satellites
Digital Aerial Digital Aerial IInstallations nstallations U pgrades Upgrades a nd R epairs and Repairs
Call now! 01242 510500
110% 0% o off ff with w ith tthis his a advert dvert Mark M ark Hawkes Hawkes
Pro mo t e y ou r b u s i n e ss i n 20,000 m a g a zi n e s The Local
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G Gloucestershire’s loucestershire’s VW VW AUDI AUDI Group Group Specialist Specialist £95.00 SServicing ervicing FFrom rom £ 95.00 MOT £39.95 M OT £ 39.95 Cambelts £249.00 C ambelts FFrom rom £ 249.00 Air Conditioning £45.00 A ir C onditioning rregas egas £ 45.00 FFree ree Courtesy Courtesy Cars Cars – Collection Collection & Delivery Delivery
www.v-hubservices.co.uk www.v-hubservices.co.uk
01684 01684 2 214444 14444 www.draindoctorglos.co.uk g
All dr d ains an d blo l ckages G All emergency plu l mbing work G Pre-fixe d prices G Saniflo blockages & G installations High pressure jetting/drain repairs/relining G CCTV sur veys/homebuyers’ sur veys G Local Author ity insurance & wate r co mpany appro ve d G
2 24 4 h hours o urs a d day ay 7 days days a w week eek 365 days days a y ear 365 year
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Motoring Motoring with w ith Luke Luke Edwards Edwa wards
A new new era era ffor or M MG G T h e t wo l e t te r s ‘ M G ’ h av e b e e n legendary in motoring history since 1924. T h ey conjure up quintessentially British classic visions o f o p e n to p c a r s – w i t h r u n n i n g boards, a gentleman in a flat cap and a g l a m o u r o u s l a d y p a ss e n g e r w i t h her scarf flowing in the wind. A m o d e r n d ay M G i s a v e r y different vision, with a heavy focus on the family market. The GS marks the first time MG has attempted to enter the competitive SUV market and I was really very pleasantly surprised.
P Plush lush iinterior nterior w with ith ssupple upple ccream ream lleather eather tthroughout hroughout The model MG lent to me was the GS Exclusive MT in a really nice Jet Black that accentuated the chrome elements perfectly. The GS range starts at £14,995 and the test car was £19,495 plus £249.99 for the interior leather lux pack which is a superb option for you to choose; a five year factory warranty comes as standard. On the inside the GS was very plush; supple cream leather throughout , the centre console and arm rest was also leather, with shiny piano black trim on the dash. If you have read my previous car reviews in T h e Lo c a l A n s w e r y o u w i l l k n o w a quality steering wheel is a must for me and the one in the GS was as
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good a quality as the ones I have 45.5-46.3mpg combined and the six used in high end Audis and speed manual gearbox felt very r e l i a b l e ( t h e re i s a 7 s p e e d D C T Volkswagens. automatic box available too).
A Ample mple sspeed peed d delivery elivery
As for the drive, I took it on some lengthy journeys and the 160bhp 1.5 litre petrol TGI engine had ample speed delivery. The turbo delivery did seem a little slow at points and then sudden to kick in, like an old school turbo lag, but this is something I am s u r e MG w i l l i m p r o v e o n a s t h e y d eve l o p t h e i r e n g i n e a n d t u r b o package. The ride quality is really g o o d v i a t h e 1 8 i n c h a l l oy w h e e l s and suspension set up. The small engine with turbo meant the fuel economy was fantastic at
H Heated eated ssports ports sseats eats p provide rovide ssupport upport The MG GS comes with plenty of k i t ; t h e re i s m i r r o r l i n k / B l u e t o o t h te c h n o l o g y via the central infotainment screen, DAB radio and iGO navigation, and there are plenty o f U S B p o i n t s f o r c h a rg i n g . C r u i s e control, heated wing mirrors, starts to p te c h n o l o g y a n d e l e c t ro n i c handbrake with hill start assist all added to the package. The MG also had heated sports seats, which really supported you well and the heat element also seemed to run up the back of the seat , which pleased a friend who had put his back out earlier in the week . On a car of this size, a rear parking camera is so helpful and the one on the MG GS was perfect . One little gripe however (and this is to all car manufacturers) is the fact the camera often becomes dirty on wintery roads and you have to get out and give the lens on the boot a wipe with a tissue before attempting to park . In these days of washers on headlights, please can all manufacturers add a lens washer on the reversing camera!
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‘‘Grand Grand d designs’ esigns’ at at KKing’s ing’s A Acre cre If you dream of designing your own home, a special event at King's Acre in Twigworth will let you know just how easy it could be. King’s Acre – the latest phase of homes at Orchard Park , the popular over-50s residential park in Twigworth – has a number of new plots available for made-to-order homes. On Sunday 19th March, the park is holding a special Grand Designs Event when h o m e b u ye r s s e e k i n g s o m e t h i n g a l i t t l e m o r e ‘personalised’ can learn how easy it is to tailor-make a park home for the plot of their choice.
Homes Homes ttailored ailored tto oy your our e exact xact specification specification During the event , the team at King’s Acre will show visitors the park’s range of plots and suggest the most suitable home models for each. Visitors can learn how the homes can be tailored to their exact specifications and how homebuyers have the opportunity to change t h e l a yo u t o f t h e r o o m s , c h o o s e k i tc h e n s t y l e s a n d appliances, flooring finishes, carpets and curtains and even choose the colour and finish of the exterior of their home.
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One example is 11 King’s Acre at the far end of the park . This is a 42x20 plot suitable for a park home of the customer ’s choice, such as the Omar Regency, available to purchase from £198,000. “If you are looking for something a bit special, talk to us!” said Helen Ford, Sales Manager for Park Home Life. “What a fantastic way to ensure your home meets your every need. You could end up having a one-off design that will look like no other!” Find out more about the event at King’s Acre at www.parkhomelife.com or call Helen on 01452 730605.
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What’s W hat’s O On n TThe he LLocal ocal A Answer nswer EEvent vent Listings Listings are are ccompiled ompiled and and presented preesented in in good good faith faith with with the the kind kind support support of of many many contributors. contributors. Wee re W recommend ecommend yyou ou uuse se tthe he ccontact ontact ddetails etails pprovided rovided to to check check event event information information uupdates pdates pprior rior ttoo pplanning lanning yyour our vvisit. isit. 11-31 -31 MARCH MARCH DAFFODIL & EARLY MAGNOLIA MONTH The perfect time to see the host of golden daffodils in all their spring glory! Wander through swathes of yellow and enjoy the spring sunshine from beneath the glorious tree canopy. We’ll soon be seeing pops of pink appear, as early flowering magnolias start to blossom. Entrance fee applies. www.batsarb.co.uk. Batsford Arboretum, nr Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 9AD. MARCH 4 MARCH STORY SPACE: WATCHERS OF THE SKIES Edna Leigh’s story takes us on a dramatic journey across the Atlantic, to post-war England where this ordinary woman stumbled upon a mystery in Homer’s Odyssey, decoding the hidden meaning. She kept her findings a secret throughout her life. Now her granddaughter shares this fascinating journey. 7.30pm. £12. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 9 MARCH MARCH HEDDA GABLER
Just married. Bored already. Hedda longs
to be free… Hedda and Tesman have just returned from their honeymoon and the relationship is already in trouble. Trapped but determined, Hedda tries to control those around her, only to see her own world unravel. Tony Award-winning director Ivo van Hove returns to National Theatre Live screens with a modern production of Ibsen’s masterpiece. 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 18 18 MARCH MARCH CCA ANTORES CHAMBER CHOIR & STRINGS 7.30pm. Cirencester Parish Church. German Masterpieces. Conductor John Holloway, Organist David Whitehead. Including Bach Cantata No.4, Mendelssohn motets, Schutz motets, Brahms Geistliches Lied, Mozart Ave Verum. Tickets £15 available from Cirencester and Cheltenham TICs, www.cantores.net, Lorna 01242 603988 or on the door. Concessions available. THE BOHEMIANS LIVE QUEEN
LOCA LOCAL CAL BUYER PAYS PAY PA AYS YS CA CASH ASH FOR AS YOUR UNWANTED RECORDS YOUR U NWANTED R ECORDS
Most LPs, EPs & singles from the 1960s/70s/80s/90s considered. Especially large or small collections of Heavy Rock, Psych & Prog Rock, Punk & 90s Britpop.
e-mail: e -mail: w willowpitch@blueyonder.co.uk illowpitch@blueyonder.co.uk 01242 01242 702947 702947 or or 0 07785 7785 5 515987 15987 Page 16
Ruby Turner can breathe life and meaning into any song. Over a long and fruitful career, Ruby’s vocal prowess has been employed by Brian Ferry, Mick Jagger, Steve Winwood and Jools Holland. Described as the genuine article and blessed with a voice that has been likened to Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin, Ruby continues to win the hearts and minds of an ever-growing and diverse fan base. 7.30pm. £25. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. 01242 258002.
S Shipton hipton G Golf olf C Course ourse
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touring the world. Standing ovations greet their performances which include full staging, stunning lighting, backdrops, pyrotechnics and a baby grand piano. The Bohemians promise a night to remember as they recreate the glory days of Queen, including the craziness of the 1970s and the magic of the 1980s, live in concert. 7.30pm. £18 (£16). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. 2244 MARCH MARCH LIFTING THE BLUES: RUBY TURNER
Shipton Golf Course, Nr Frogmill, Shipton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 4HT
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2255 MARCH MARCH CANTORES CHAMBER CHOIR & STRINGS 7.30pm. Holy Apostles Church. German Masterpieces. Conductor John Holloway, Organist David Whitehead. Including Bach Cantata No.4, Mendelssohn motets, Schutz motets, Brahms Geistliches Lied, Mozart Ave Verum. Tickets £15 available from Cirencester and Cheltenham TICs, www.cantores.net, Lorna 01242 603988 or on the door. Concessions available. 2266 MARCH MARCH CINDERELLA A mistreated young girl, a glass slipper, two comical ugly step-sisters and a handsome prince add up to one of the best known rags-to-riches stories of all time. Enjoy a perfect mix of classical dancing, delicate storytelling and a touch of pantomime, plus a ballet score of Rossini’s most famous operatic achievements. 5pm. £19 (£18, children £14). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. 01242 258002. MOTHERING SUNDAY We’re spoiling mums rotten with free entry to the arboretum when accompanied by a paying child! What better way to show mum how much you love her than with a visit to Batsford at the height of blowsy spring bulb colour? You could also stay for lunch or afternoon tea in the
Garden Terrace Cafe! No need to book – just turn up and enjoy. www.batsarb.co.uk. Batsford Arboretum, nr Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 9AD. 2299 MARCH MARCH THE PARTY
The cake is made, the presents have arrived, and the music is playing. Enter some uninvited visitors: a French cyclist and a man dressed as a giant chicken. What ensues is a fast-paced, acrobatic and endlessly entertaining circus show that humorously explores topics such as sharing, social exclusion and not always getting what you want. A fantastically engaging show for all the family (3years+). 10.30am. £11 (£9, family £36). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. 01242 258002.
3300 MARCH MARCH EASTER CRAFTS & COFFEE MORNING At Dolphins Hall, Tetbury. 10am-12.30pm. In aid of Parkinsons UK and Arthritis Research UK. 88-9 -9 APRIL APRIL SHIPTON QUILTERS EXHIBITION Rendcomb College, Rendcomb, Cirencester GL7 7HA . Saturday 8th 10am-5pm, Sunday 9th 10am-4pm. Entry £4, U16s free. Quilt displays, demonstrations, traders, sales table, raffle. Refreshments and parking available. Shiptonquiltgroup@gmail.com 88-23 -23 APRIL APRIL THE BIG BATSFORD CHICKEN HUNT!
You may have heard of an Easter Egg hunt – now find the chickens that laid them hiding at Batsford! Simply mark their locations on the map provided to win a prize! £2.50 per child (plus entrance fee). All children must be accompanied by an adult. No need to book , just turn up and enjoy! www.batsarb.co.uk. Batsford Arboretum, nr Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 9AD.
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RUISES A AIR IR H HOLIDAYS OLIDAYS • CCRUISES CCOACH OACH & R AIL TTRIPS RIPS • FFAMILY RAIL F UN AMILY FUN THEATRE, SSPORTS PORTS & EEVENTS VENTS THEATRE, R OCK , P OP & LLIVE IVE SSHOWS HOWS ROCK, POP For a great selection of wonderful holidays & trips visit
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IIn nT The he Garden Garden with w ith JJulia ulia Smith Smith
TTry ry yyour our hand hand aatt ssomething omething nnew ew March in Gloucestershire is always exciting with the racing buzz in the air! The daffodils are at their best on t h e ro u n d a b o u t s a n d ve rg e s to welcome the punters, and the weather can be beautiful – we have sat outside a pub in the town at 10 o’clock at night after the races in our shirt-sleeves! On the other hand there has also been snow at race week , so fingers crossed! Try growing some vegetables, ev e n i f y o u h av e n ev e r g r o w n a n y t h i n g b e fo r e . M a k e s u r e y o u have some decent soil to plant in, and dig in some compost or other organic matter. Old bags of half used compost can all be used to s u p p l e m e n t t h e s o i l . R a k e i t ove r and cover with black plastic to warm up and keep weed-free until you are ready to sow.
FFool ool p proof roof v varieties arieties for for b beginners eginners T h i n g s fo r b e g i n n e r s to g r o w would be runner beans, courgettes, cherry tomatoes, and cut and come again lettuces. Don’t plant a whole p a c k e t o f s e e d ( y o u c a n s h a re a
f i e r y re d s a n d ye l l ow s . S p e c i e s grown for their colourful stems include Cornus alba, C . sanguinea and C . sericea (all dogwoods). The willows (salix) include Salix alba and S. irrorata. Cut back to two or three buds from the base of the shrub. T h i s ve r y o l d te c h n i q u e i s c a l l e d ‘coppicing’ or ‘stooling’ and will N No oo one ne n needs eeds 1 10 0 provide lots of fresh new shoots and ccourgette ourgette p plants lants u unless nless colour for the next winter. This can tthey’re hey’re rrunning unning a be done every year, or every two rrestaurant estaurant years depending on how you want The lettuce can be sown in small the shrub to grow. short rows every couple of weeks so you get a succession of plants to pick over. No one needs 10 courgette plants unless they are running a restaurant – two or three are ample, and really one is just fine if space is limited. The runner beans can be made into a wigwam of c a n e s a n d f i ve o r s i x p l a n t s a re enough for this. Sow two beans per pot and nip off the weaker one to ensure good germination. packet amongst a couple of i n te r e s t e d f r i e n d s ) . T h e c h e r r y tomatoes need starting off inside in a warm place towards the end of the month. Varieties like Tumbler can be grown in baskets and pots, and need no special training so are pretty fool proof.
P Providing roviding llots ots o off ffresh resh new new sshoots hoots a and nd ccolour olour ffor or n next ext w winter inter Now is also the time to hard prune the stems of willows and dogwoods t h a t h a ve b e e n wo n d e r f u l a n d bright during the winter with their The Local Answer
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ichards & Son Son Ltd Ltd RR Richards F AMILY BUSINESS BUSINESS FAMILY
R R S
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R OOFING A ND F ASCIA FA ROOFING AND FASCIA B OARD S PECIALISTS BOARD SPECIALISTS
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Quick Crossword ACROSS 1 7 8 10 12 14 16 17 20 23 24 25
Privileged class Former soldiers Edible organs Horseracing track Entitling Moved through water Tasks Scraps Pop instrumentalists Finnish steam bath Highly charged River-mouth land
DOWN 1 Develop 2 Rupture 3 Measure (out) 4 Furnishing scheme 5 Diminishing 6 Admiration 9 Large spoon 11 Partly cooked 13 Gesture of assent 15 Radiates 16 Sharply serrated 18 Musical composition 19 Taunts 21 Curved-bill bird 22 Auction
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© Lovatts Puzzles
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Luxury Luxur y Fitted Fitted Wardrobes Wardrobes
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Modern
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from CLASSIC to CONTEMPORARY, MODERN to MOBILITY ...
bathrooms made easy! 01452 330852
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Wash W ash and and relax relax with with peace peace of of mind mind For some of us the bathroom no longer holds the charm it once did. Gone are the days of soaking in the bath, and practicality has become foremost in our minds … “We got in the bath, but how on earth are we getting out?” We specialise in taking baths out and replacing them with low level shower cubicles. Our bathrooms are designed with your safe ty and comfort in mind.
Unobtrusive U nobtrusive m mobility obility ssolutions olutions Our goal is to design your bathro om so that you can walk in without even realising it has been altered to meet your mobility needs. We provide unobtrusive mobility solutions from a simple grab rail, high raise comfort WC pan, slip-resistant flooring, easy to use taps and much more, and it’s all fitted by our own in-house work force – no sub-contractors!
At Severn Vale Bathrooms we never use tiles, but insttead opt for easy clean UPVC panels. There are numerous colours and designs to choose from. The benefits of panels are that there is no grout to discolour, they reduce condensation and, above all, they are low maintenance. So, if your bathing needs are changing and your bathroom needs a revamp, visit our exttensive showroom and see what we can
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Carpets D I R E C T Carpet & Vinyl Flooring Specialists
Your local independent flooring specialist
We supply and fit a large range of carpets, wood, laminate and vinyls for the domestic, commercial and local housing association sectors. Free design, planning and estimating service personally suited to you.
FREE QUOTATION
Our flooring expert will arrange a free no obligation visit with a range of samples and practical advice to help you complete your requirements.
01684 298542 / 07785 562170
1 Newton Farm Industrial Estate, Ashchurch, Tewkesbury GL20 7BE info@carpetsdirect.me.uk – www.carpetsdirect.me.uk
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Practical Beauty If you love the look of natural materials but want a practical solution for your home, take a look at luxury vinyl flooring, suggests Tewkesbury based Richard Westwood of Carpets Direct. Luxury Vinyl Tile, or LVT flooring, is now a popular choice for many homeowners because it combines the warmth and beauty of wood or tiles with the versatility and convenience of vinyl. Designed to look like a variety of natural materials, it not only looks realistic, but feels it too, with the grain of wood or the worn patina of old tiles carefully reproduced.
Particularly useful in kitchens and bathrooms Durable, warm and quiet underfoot, it won’t move, crack, chip or get damaged by high heels, so can be used in any room of the house. Since it’s also waterproof, it’s particularly useful in kitchens, bathrooms and others areas subject to spills or muddy feet. In terms of choice, there is a vast range available as sheets, tiles or planks, including superb rustic and distressed options. Cleaning is simple too; there is no sanding, sealing or polishing, you simply sweep and mop. As a long standing, local family business, Richard explains: “Our ethos is all about personal service; we treat every home as if it is our own. We offer a mobile service so if you’d like to arrange a free home visit please call us on 01684 298542. Alternatively, pop along to our Tewkesbury showroom, open every Friday from 10am-3pm, and see our great value end of roll carpets, vinyl and laminate flooring, direct from the manufacturer. You’ll be amazed at how much you can save!”
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OUR OUR BUSINESS BUSINESS IS IS FOCUSED ON ON FOCUSED CUSTOMER SERVICE SERVICE & CUSTOMER E XPERT KNOWLEDGE KNOWLEDGE EXPERT e: mail@platinumplumbingservices.co.uk www.platinumplumbingservices.co.uk Contact us for more details Find us on
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PAINTING P AINTING & DECORATING D ECORATING B BRIAN RIAN MITTEN MITTEN
For all your painting and decorating needs, including f loor and wall tiling, contact Brian ...
007951 7951 397210 397210 01242 01242 462480 462480
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2200 Y YEARS’ EARS’ E EXPERIENCE XPERIENCE
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M Matt att G Grimshaw rimshaw Carpentry Carpentry L Ltd td Your Y our llocal ocal C Carpenter/ arpenter/ K Kitchen itchen F Fitting itting S Specialist pecialist
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This month will see tens of thousands of visitors to our county for the annual Cheltenham racing festival. It does wonders for the local economy, with estimates of it being worth up to £100 million a year to Gloucestershire businesses. There is over £4 million on offer in prize money to the ow n e r s r i c h o r l u c k y e n o u g h to o w n t h e h o r s e s i n a c t i o n ; around £600,000 of that is available in one race alone – the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the blue riband race on the last day. But these numbers pale into insignificance compared to the a m o u n t o f m o n ey t h a t w i l l c h a n g e h a n d s w i t h t h e bookmakers. Apparently, we will gamble over £150 million of our hard-earned cash trying to beat the bookies over the four days of the festival.
B Betting etting iiss a g growth rowth industry industry There are no statistics on how much comes back the other way in terms of punter winnings, but we know that betting is a growth industry, particularly online. The internet bookmakers sponsor most of the major races these days, as well as a number of sporting events. So why do we put so much money the way of the bookies? It’s taxed income that we are spending for heaven’s sake! Even the cleverest members of my profession haven’t found a way of making a flutter tax deductible. There will be those who think they know more than the bookies – they don’t, but year in, year out they keep trying. Others will think they have inside information – and some do, but they still need luck in running and to hope that the trainer of another horse in the race hasn’t plotted a better course for his horse. For some it is down to hours of studying the form and the statistics. Years ago I knew a chap who swore that he studied the racing papers solely to have just six bets a year and was highly disappointed if at least five of them didn’t win. Sadly he was often disappointed! The truth is that we all enjoy the excitement and buzz of trying to win ‘something for nothing’ and most of us fail. But whether you do fancy a flutter or simply want to get away from it all or couldn’t care less, remember the positive impact that this festival, like the several arts ones later in the year, is having on the local economy.
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IIndex ndex o of fA Advertisers dvertisers FFOOD OOD & D DRINK RINK Corner Cupboard Inn
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WHAT’S W HAT’S O ON N CCLUBS LUBS & SSPORTS PORTS Sherdons Golf Centre Shipton Golf Course EVENTS EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS ATTRACTIONS Gloucestershire Music The Bird & Deer Park
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HEALTH HEALTH & B BEAUTY EAUTY Arnica Dental Care Harvey & Martin
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P PROPERTY ROPERTY & S STORAGE TORAGE Park Home Life
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H HOMES OMES & G GARDENS ARDENS BATHROOMS BATHROOMS Severn Vale Bathrooms 8 & 26-27
BUILDING BUILDING SSERVICES ERVICES A1 Roofing & Contractors C&G Paving Cheltenham Roofing Company Grass Scape Home Care Roofing & Building Marshalls Driveways R. Richards & Sons RND Renovations CARPENTRY CARPENTRY Matt Grimshaw CCLEANING LEANING SSERVICES ERVICES Oven Busters Pink Fairy Cleaning APPLIANCES FFURNISHING URNISHING & A PPLIANCES Carpets Direct Rapport Interiors Space Master G ARDEN SSERVICES ERVICES GARDEN Cheltenham Town Landscaping DW Ground Designs Jameson Tree Surgery
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CCOMPETITION OMPETITION WINNERS WINNERS Thank you to all who took part in our February 2017 competition and congratulations to the winner! TLA Charity – Darren Scrivens of Tetbury on behalf of Watershed RDA .
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CCOMPETITION OMPETITION R RULES ULES 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.
B BOOKING OOKING D DEADLINE EADLINE FFOR OR N NEXT EXT IISSUE SSUE – Friday Friday 1 10th 0th M March arch 2017 2017
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ATTENTION A TTENTION! Let us lighten your load!
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