The Local
ANSWER
MAY 2018
200,000 DELIVERED MONTHLY IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE
for local people
FOREST OF DEAN NEW THIS MONTH – LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT STORIES INSIDE!
The The Lo Local c al
AN ANSWER SWER FForest orest ooff D ean – 222,000 2,000 ccopies opies Dean G loucester – 446,000 6,000 ccopies opies Gloucester G loucestershire SSouth outh – 441,000 1,000 ccopies opies Gloucestershire Gloucestershire Gloucestershire N North orth – 220,000 0,000 ccopies opies Cheltenham Cheltenham – 43,000 43,000 ccopies opies Cotswolds Cotswolds – 228,000 8,000 ccopies opies
M Managing anaging D Director irector D Dave ave K Kingscott ingscott ddave@thelocalanswer.co.uk ave@thelocalanswer.co.uk
EEditorial ditorial & M Marketing arketing LLois ois K Kingscott ingscott editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Helen H elen K Kingscott ingscott
SSport port R Roger oger JJackson ackson sport@thelocalanswer.co.uk sport@thelocalanswer.co.uk
EEntertainment ntertainment
May’s winning cover photo: Kerry Palmer of Lydney
Welcome Welcome ttoo May May ... ... This month sees the introduction of another exciting feature – our brand new Entertainment section, headed up by our new Entertainment Editor Patrick Baines. We’ll be bringing you local articles, stories and reviews from across Gloucestershire, covering a broad range of topics including film, theatre, art, culture, literature, music and so much more! Read more inside and on our website – www.thelocalanswer.co.uk We’ve got two bank holidays to look forward to this month, so whether you spend those extra days off attending events around the county, having a go at our latest ‘Delicious Dish’ or challenging yourself to get some much needed housework done, we have plenty of articles to inspire you! Remember, if your favourite editorial doesn’t appear in your local printed magazine, you can read all of our articles online.
P Patrick atrick B Baines aines eentertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk ntertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk
CCustomer ustomer SServices ervices K Kevin evin V Vaughan-Spruce aughan-Spruce services@thelocalanswer.co.uk services@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Claudie Claudie FFrancis rancis pproduction@thelocalanswer.co.uk roduction@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Distribution D istribution JJulia ulia B Ball all – 001242 1242 5541075 41075 distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk
LLaura aura H Hodgson odgson nneil.laura.tla@outlook.com eil.laura.tla@outlook.com
AAccounts ccounts R Robert obert K Kingscott ingscott aaccounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk ccounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Unit Unit H, H, CChurchill hurchill IIndustrial ndustrial EEstate, state, Churchill Churchill RRoad, oad, GL53 LLeckhampton, eckhampton, Cheltenham, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Gloucestershire G L53 7EG 7EG
T Telephone elephone 0 01242 1242 5 510500 10500 thelocalanswer thelocalanswer
IInside nside tthis his m month... onth ... D elicious Dish Delicious Dish H olidays & TTravel ravel Holidays P arenting & G uardianship Parenting Guardianship EEducation ducation & EEmployment mployment W hat’s O n What’s On TTLA LA Entertainment Entertainment H omes & G ardens Homes Gardens IIn n tthe he Garden Garden IInterior nterior D esign Design Save the the Planet Planet Save Q uick Crossword Crossword Quick W ord SSearch earch Word SSudoku udoku M oney M atters Money Matters TTLA LA Sport Sport Index , CCompetitions, ompetitions, SSolutions olutions Index,
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D Delicious elicious Dish Dish with w ith Helen Helen Kingscott Kingscott
EEasy asy m midweek idweek ccreamy reamy p pasta asta b bake ake A simple simple recipe recipe tto om make ake llight ight work work of of your your midweek midweek m meals. eals. P Polish olish tthe he w whole hole llot ot off off as as a family, family, or or take take tthe he lleftovers eftovers to to work work for for lunch lunch the the next next d day! ay! IIngredients ngredients ((serves serves 4 4): ): 300g dried pasta (I used fusilli); 2 large leeks, sliced very finely; 1 medium/large courgette, grated; 1-3 tbsp of pesto according to your taste; 2 tbsp low fat soft cheese; 2-3 tbsp fresh breadcrumbs or grated cheese if you prefer; 25g butter; 25g plain flour; 250ml milk; 1tsp oil; 3 large skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes. M ethod: Method: 1 Melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in the flour and cook for a few minutes, stirring all the time. Using a whisk , gradually stir in the milk to make a smooth sauce. Turn the heat down low and continue to cook for about five minutes whilst still stirring.
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2 Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan and fry the chicken in batches for about 10 minutes. 3 Add the chicken and juices to the white sauce, stir and cook for another 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked. 4 Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. 5 Put the leeks in a pan with a little water, cover and cook until they have gone very soft. Drain then add the courgette, pesto, soft cheese and chicken to the white sauce, stir well then heat until bubbling. 6 S t i r t h e p a s t a i n to t h e m i x t u re a n d t i p i n to a l a rg e oven proof dish. Sprinkle over the breadcrumbs or cheese and pop under the grill until it browns.
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A And nd tthere’s here’s so so m much uch included included o on na S Saga aga R River iver C Cruise ruise
Remove the stress of getting there with return rail or coach travel included, VIP door-to-door travel service on all 11+ night cruises, or free car parking if you prefer to drive. Enjoy luggage porterage throughout, and services of the Cruise Director when on board. Welcome drinks will make you feel at home, while the fantastic farewell dinner will guarantee you want to come back! Where will 2019 take you..? Joe, Norad Travel. ST TE LA NU NG I I M AV S
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Speak to Joe and the team at Norad Travel today! 01452 260188 glos@noradtravelgroup.com
Holidays H olidays & T Travel ravel w with ith A Al lH Hidden idden
It’s It’s h hard ard tto o ffault ault B Basel asel T h i s m o n t h we s t a y i n G e r m a n speaking Europe, in Basel, where I recently visited the Baselworld Watch Fair again. Aside from re m i n d i n g m e h ow B a s e l wo r l d t o t a l l y d o m i n a t e s B a s e l i n M a rc h , I was again struck by the appeal of this border city. Part of Basel’s appeal is the cosmopolitan multiculturalism from being at the Dreiländereck (tripoint) where France, Germany and Switzerland meet . Language, food and culture reflect this. Yet Switzerland’s French and Germanspeaking heartlands, Germany ’s Black Forest or the French Vosges, are easy to reach if you fancy a change from city life. There’s plenty of accommodation, with the proviso that prices and availability suffer when big trade fairs are on, so do your homework . From Hotel Schweizerhof Basel, to the excellent youth hostel or boutique Hotel Stuecki, there’s a great choice.
The The p pastries astries SSwitzerland witzerland d does oes sso ow well el l Unsurprisingly, like a microcosm of Switzerland itself, Basel offers diverse culinary choice, ranging from cheap and cheerful to stunning – but wallet busting – ultra-Haute cuisine. Confiserie Bachmann or Holzofenbackerei Bio Andreas exemplify great sources of snacks and the pastries Switzerland does so well. Then you’ve a great s e l e c t i o n o f Fre n c h , I t a l i a n , traditional Swiss and Asian dining – and much more, all the way up to the likes of Michelin 3-star Cheval Blanc near the impressive ancient ( 1 2 2 6 ) M i t t l e r e B r ü c k e o ve r t h e Rhine. To fully appreciate filling Basler Mehlsuppe, classic Fondue or i n s p i re d i n te r n a t i o n a l cu i s i n e demands some serious exploring first. Central Basel is a joy on foot – or using the city’s ubiquitous trams –
as Mrs H. discovered while I was at Baselworld last year.
It’s It’s easy easy tto o explore explore B Basel’s asel’s heart heart o on n ffoot oot From the main railway station, the Rhine is close and walkways (Rheinufer) make it easy to follow the river through the city ’s heart . Cross by bridge, or the decidedly oriental-looking river-current-powered ferries. There’s delightful architecture in almost every view, ranging from the angular Roche Tower and chesspiece-like Bank of International Settlements building, to the Altstadt buildings, medieval St . Johans-Tor and the Romanesque Basel Munster. Alternatively, Basel’s Paper Mill Museum is great for passing hours with fascinating history and handson activities. Or visit the world class F i n e A r t s M u s e u m ( Ku n s t m u s e u m ) on St. Alban-Graben – just one of 40 museums in town.
A truly truly engaging engaging destination destination Basel multitasks with faultless Swiss efficiency as a commercial hub, cultural centre and surprisingly engaging l e i s u re d est i n at i o n . W h e t h e r yo u v i s i t fo r a d a y o r a week , you’ll struggle to fault Basel. The Local Answer
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Parenting P arenting & G Guardianship uardianship with w ith R Roberta oberta Smart Smart
IInspiring nspiring w words ords tto o llive ive b byy We live in a world where pressures are extreme and all prevailing, and our children are feeling this more now than ever. With this in mind, this month I wanted to collate some inspiring words to remind you – and y o u r i n c re d i b l e c h i l d r e n – t h a t t h e i r purpose, their reason, the very point in their being alive, is to be wholly a n d u n e q u i vo c a l l y t h e m s e l ve s . Whether they struggle with maths or if they cannot draw like their best friend, they are certain to have a n ot h e r u n i q u e g i f t h i d d e n w i t h i n them. Their whole life is an exploration of a l l t h a t i s o n o f fe r s o t h a t t h ey m a y one day discover, within them, their very own Golden Egg, and your job as a g u a r d i a n i s to o f fe r t h e m s u p p o r t whilst they explore.
““The The pperson erson w who ho ffollows ollows tthe he crowd crowd will will usually usually go go no no further further than than the the crowd. crowd. The The person person who who walks w alks aalone lone iiss llikely ikely ttoo ffind in d himself noo oone has h imself iin n pplaces laces n as eever ver ne h Albert EEinstein instein sseen een bbefore.” efore.” Albert
resilience is the greatest gift you can offer. It is often the fear of being left o u t w h i c h p re s s u r e s t h e c h i l d t o conform, not only to the adult world around it but also to peer pressure and unwanted behaviours. An unconditionally loving home can offer a place of solace when the big wide world gets too much.
to m a k e t h e i r ow n wo r l d , s o g o camping; to solve their own problems, so teach them collaboration; and to create their own future, so feed their dreams.
Edward Edward Young Young
““The The tthings hings tthat hat m make ake m mee
““II am am different, different, not not less.” less.” Temple Temple Grandin Grandin
If your child is wired differently, celebrate their uniqueness. If their ““We We must must n never ever be be afraid afraid to to be be a body works in an unusual way, love ssign ign ooff ccontradiction ontradiction ffor or tthe he the difference and give it a name, and world.” Mother Mother TTeresa eresa world.” if they just cannot see the world the In times gone by we praised way you do, why not try seeing it the conformity and wanted only to raise way they do? obedient little worker bees to build an ““Be Be yourself; yourself; eeveryone veryyone else else is is empire and fuel economic growth; already taken.” Oscar Wilde l d e a l r e a d y t a k e n . ” O s c a r W i today we are facing problems on a worldwide scale, such as pollution, W h i l e w e a r e a t i t , y o u a re p re t t y deforestation, global warming, and awesome too you know? And it is the end of fossil fuels. Today we are never too late to discover your raising problem solvers and engineers, diamond and learn how to shine. So creatives and healers to take us write your poems and sing your songs, forward into a new world, one it is dance to your own rhythm and share hard for us to imagine yet will be their your passion as only you know how, living reality. a n d n ev e r f o r g e t t h e w o rd s o f t h e wisest bear ever to grace a story book : ““We We are are aalllll bborn orn ooriginals.” riginals.”
different ifferent are make are the the things things that that make Loneliness is so painful to a child, so Our children need the opportunity to d me.” m e.” W Winnie innie TThe he PPooh ooh supporting them in developing grow their own food, so plant seeds; The Local Answer
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SSwallow wallow LLakes akes P PARK ARK
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£119,995 50/50 PAYMENT PLAN Swallow Lakes is set amongst outstanding Gloucestershire oucestershire ccountryside, ountryside, aand nd iiss ffamily amily owned, which means wned, w hich m eans nno middlemen – youu always always sspeak peak ddirectly ire to tthe he ppark ark owners. owners.
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Norton Nor rton Park Tewkesbury T ewkesbury R Road oad Gloucestershire Gloucestershire GL2 GL2 9 9LH LH www.nortonparkhomes.com www.nortonparkhomes.com
E Education ducation & Employment Employment w with ith G Gemma emma D Drew rew
Bullying B ullying aatt sschool chool According to dosomething.org, over 3 . 2 m i l l i o n s t u d e n t s a re v i c t i m s o f bullying each year. For the many y o u n g p e o p l e w h o s u f f e r f ro m bullying, school can become an unpleasant and scary place. You should feel safe at school though; it’s a place where you can learn and spend time with your friends. If you are being bullied, you don’t have to suffer in silence. It’s really important to remember that there are ways of coping and stopping the bullying altogether.
SSpeak peak u up pa about bout w what’s hat’s h happening appening Bullying can take on many forms, i n c l u d i n g n a m e - c a l l i n g , p hy s i c a l bul lying and cyber bul lying , among many others. It ’s so important to speak up about what ’s happening, o t h e r w i s e n o t h i n g c a n b e d o n e to solve the problem. There will always be someone for you to talk to. You could confide in your parents, friends, an older sibling or your teachers, for example. You are not alone. If you find talking to someone you
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know tough, you could call a helpline such as Child line (0800 1111). Talking to people you trust for advice and support can work wonders. The s a y i n g “ a p ro b l e m s h a re d i s a problem halved” is often very true as once you’ve shared your problem, you are well on your way to making things better. It ’s also important to remember that you don’t deserve to be bullied; bullying is never okay, and no-one has the right to do it. So many young people believe the things a bully tells t h e m a b o u t t h e m s e l ve s a re t r u e. They aren’t . It is essential that you don’t lose your sense of self-worth and happiness. Make sure to spend lots of time with people who make y o u fe e l g o o d a n d fo c u s o n t h e things that make you happy. Remember the things you love about yourself and try and stay positive through this difficult time. Don’t let the bullying take over your life. It’s a good idea to try and stand up for yourself; no-one has the right to m a k e yo u f e e l s m a l l , s o b e i n g assertive is very important. The more you practise being assertive – that means saying how you feel without being rude or aggressive – the more confident you will get . Blocking the
bully on social media, not responding to messages they send and avoiding them in school may also help. Bullies like to get a reaction from the people they are taunting. If you aren’t aggressive towards them and just ignore them, they aren’t getting a reaction, so they may stop what they are doing over time.
TTell-tale ell-tale ssigns igns o off b bullying ullying tto o look look out out for for If you’re a parent and you’re worried that your child may be being bullied, there are some tell-tale signs to look out for. These include physical marks you can’t account for like bruises, a sudden fear of going to s c h o o l , a n d c h a n g e s i n b e h av i o u r such as aggression or withdrawal. See www.bullying.co.uk/advice-forparents/how-to-spot-the-signs-ofbullying/ for more information. If your child is being bullied, it’s so important to listen to what they have to s ay a n d s u p p o r t t h e m , w h i l s t reassuring them that it ’s not their fault. Bullying is a growing problem, es p e c i a l l y w i t h t h e r i s e of s o c i a l media. It needs to be stamped out, a n d w e c a n a l l h e l p to m a k e a difference. If you want to make a change, visit www.bullying.co.uk
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What’s On The Local Answer Event Listings are compiled and presented in good faith with the kind support of many contributors. We recommend you use the contact details provided to check event information updates prior to planning your visit. THROUGHOUT APRIL/MAY ROYAL SOCIETY OF PAINTERPRINTMAKERS (RE) 200th anniversary exhibition of selected member prints, sets of which are held at the British Museum, The Queens collection and the Fitzwilliam Museum. Strictly limited quantity for sale. Simultaneously at Chapel Arts and Bankside Gallery, London. 25th April – 12th May. Coffee Shop available. Wed-Sat 10am-4pm. www.thechapelarts.com 1 MAY – END OF JUNE SELECT FESTIVAL 2018 – MIXED SCULPTURE EXHIBITION Eight artists will be displaying their work in the herbaceous borders and in The Garden Café. The sculpture has been designed to complement the nursery’s range of plants and unique setting. All works will be for sale. Free admission. Tues-Sun 10am-5pm. Closed Mondays. Miserden Nursery, Stroud GL6 7JA. 01285 821638. www.miserdennursery.co.uk 2 MAY RSC LIVE: MACBETH Returning home from battle, the victorious Macbeth meets three witches on the heath. Driven by their disturbing prophecies, he sets out on the path to murder. 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 3 MAY WAYNE HEMMINGWAY With a career spanning four decades in the design industry, Wayne Hemingway has a fair few stories to tell. Insightful,
thought-provoking, often hilarious and always truthful, Wayne’s rise to success was a rather unusual one, with his big break on a Camden market stall. 8pm. £17.50 (concessions £15.50). 01453 760900. Stroud Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE. www.subscriptionrooms.org.uk WEDDING FAIR Come and visit the best of the Forest of Dean Wedding Suppliers to help with your wedding arrangements. Dresses, cars, photographers and table decor. No booking needed, just turn up. Free entry. 6-9pm. Forest Hills Golf Club, Mile End Road, Coleford, GL16 7QD. 01594 810620. foresthillsgolfclub.co.uk 4 MAY THE RAGDOLLS A musical journey through the sounds of one of the most successful bands of all time, performing classic 50s songs including ‘Still of the Night’ and ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love’. The second part of the show is party time, where all the famous hits appear, such as, ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’, ‘Grease’ and many more. 7.30pm. £17.50 (£15.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk FAITH: THE GEORGE MICHAEL LEGACY Wayne Dilks portrays the late superstar George Michael in this outstanding tribute show. A celebration of 35 years of hit records and will take you on a journey from George’s early years with Wham through to his successful solo career, with hits such as ‘Club Tropicana’, ‘Faith’ and ‘Careless Whisper’. 7.30pm. £25.50. The
Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. 01684 295074. rosestheatre.org 4-6 MAY ORIGINAL MOUNTAIN MARATHON RUNNING FESTIVAL The OMM Festival is coming to the Forest of Dean. 2000 people from across the country will gather for an epic weekend with friends or family. Trail running, Mountain Biking and Orienteering. FREE camping for friends or family of OMM competitors. Huge 50m marquee with catering and bar. For full details please visit www.theomm.com/omm-festival 5 MAY TAPLEY HOUSE Donnie and Sid are a couple of lazy twenty-somethings, thrown together by fate under the roof of Tapley House. When a new tenant arrives, a dark secret is revealed, and all hell breaks loose in the once innocuous House of Tapley. Jealousy, love, and a mysterious old lady are all thrown together in a mayhem of predestination, and Donnie and Sid are the only two idiots that can save the day. 7.30pm. £8-12. Kings Theatre Gloucester, Kingsbarton Street, Gloucester GL1 1QX. 01452 300130. MAKERS FAMILY FAIR An exciting range of family based local makers and small businesses. Discover a selection of clothing, art work, furniture, delicious treats and so much more! A great opportunity to get to know some locally based small businesses! 10.30am. Free entry. Stroud Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE. 01453 760900. www.subscriptionrooms.org.uk
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NEW THIS NEW THIS MONTH MONTH – LOCAL LOCAL ENTERTAINM ENTERTAINMENT ENT STORIES STORIES INSIDE! INSIDE!
To list your event in our What’s On section, email editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk Online event listings coming soon! To keep updated send your name and business name (if applicable) to lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk stating ‘Online Event Listings’. The Local Answer
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5 MAY MAY POLISH HERITAGE DAY The second year of the biggest Polish festival in Gloucestershire. Organised by Polish Association Gloucestershire, the event takes place in Kings Square in Gloucester. This is an important occasion for the local community to celebrate Polish culture and traditions. For more details please visit www.thecityofgloucester.co.uk. Kings Square, Gloucester, GL1 1RP. 55-6 - 6 MAY MAY ROSS BEERFEST Beers, cider, Prosecco, food, live music, camping and free parking. £5 entry. Open from noon. For more information and tickets please visit www.rossbeerfest.org. Ross Rowing Club, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 5NX. BIRDSONG WORKSHOP Join our Reserve Wardens to celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day and get help identifying the birds you can hear around the reserve with our birdsong workshop. 7-10am. £22 (including breakfast). WWT Slimbridge, Bowditch, Slimbridge, GL2 7BT. 01453 891900. wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge 55-7 -7 MAY MAY CHRISTCHURCH ABBEYDALE FLOWER FESTIVAL Stunning floral displays celebrating life and activities at Christchurch Abbeydale, Heron Way, Gloucester, GL4 5EQ. Light lunches and refreshments available. Saturday 5th: 10.30am-4.30pm. Sunday 6th: 12.30pm4.30pm. Monday 7th: 10.30am-4.30pm. Free entry. OLYMPIGS From hobby horse races to hay bale hurdles, from wheelbarrow racing to welly wanging, this family fun sports day is guaranteed to bring out your competitive side and find your inner Mo Farrah. Join in the fun from 1.30pm on the event field. Cotswold Farm Park , Kineton, Guiting Power, Cheltenham GL54 5UG. 01451 850307. cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk 6 MAY MAY PDSA PETLIFE Live music, funfairs, dog agility displays, military bands, delicious food and drink , retail therapy and much more. Learn more about pet well-being from our vets, as well as getting a quick MOT for your dog. For more details visit petlife.org.uk. From £30. Individual attractions will be subject to additional charges. 11am. Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Prestbury, GL50 4SH. 01242 513014. OPEN MIC NIGHT Join us in the Bar for our monthly Open Mic session 4- 6pm (sign up from 3.30). The best of Gloucestershire’s up and coming talent. 4pm. Free entry. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. 01684 295074. www.rosestheatre.org
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66-7 -7 MAY MAY KNIGHTS ON HORSEBACK & JOUSTING Knights and their impressive steeds will battle it out in the grounds of the Castle. Don’t miss their jousting tournaments and saddle stunt displays. Meet the gallant Knights and their wonderful horses – a great photo opportunity! Berkeley Castle, Berkeley, GL13 9BQ. 01453 810303. www.berkeley-castle.com 7 MAY MAY VICTORIAN MAY DAY Celebrate May Day in traditional style with classic games, activities and entertainment. Old favourites Punch and Judy will be here causing mayhem and you can try your hand at the Wheel of Fortune and Balloon Burst games to win some prizes! 10am. Included in admission. Sudeley Castle and Gardens, Winchcombe, GL54 5JD. 01242 604244. www.sudeleycastle.co.uk 8-12 8-12 MAY MAY LETTICE AND LOVAGE St. John’s Players present the well-known comedy Lettice and Lovage by Peter Shaffer. Box Office: 01452 713952. Online from www.eventbrite.co.uk. £8. £7 conc. St. John’s Hall, St. John’s Avenue, Churchdown, GL3 2DB. Car park and bar. 8-20 8-20 MAY MAY CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS The Festival returns with an enjoyable two weeks of performances by children and adults from Gloucestershire and all over the UK. Each day is different and includes dance, music, and drama. For full details of each day’s visit performing arts website cfpa.org.uk. 9am. £3. Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, GL50 1QA . 0844 576 2210. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk 1100 MAY MAY BATSFORD FOREST SCHOOL FOR TOTS!
A chance for pre-schoolers to engage with nature and explore our newly established Forest School site! Children can enjoy bug hunting, creating mud pies in our mud kitchen, craft activities, storytime and more! Sessions led by our Forest School Leader. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Wellies and waterproof clothing/ old clothes are essential. Suitable for little ones who are walking, up to the age of 4. £3 per child. 10 -11am. Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 9QB. batsarb.co.uk
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10-21 10 -21 MAY MAY INSIDE-OUT GLOUCESTER: KINGDOM COME EXHIBITION Inside-Out have been invited back to the Cathedral Cloisters. The exhibition coincides with Thy Kingdom Come and the beginning of ‘Festive-ALL’ at the Cathedral. As a group of six Christian artists working with paint, stone and textiles, we formed ‘Inside-Out Gloucester’ in 2015 to exhibit our art in the public domain and encourage dialogue about spiritual issues. Free entry. Gloucester Cathedral, 12 College Green, GL1 2LX. gloucestercathedral.org.uk 12-13 12-13 MAY MAY COTSWOLD BRICKS AND TR RA AINS WEEKEND Another LEGO® event is coming to the GWSR; we will be holding a brick exhibition at Toddington. Be enthralled by the expertise of Southern Lego Train Club’ss members, who will be providing the displays. There will also be demonstrations and a chance for our smaller visitors to have a go at building their own brick structures. For times and prices please visit www.gwsr.com. The Railway Station, Toddington GL54 5DT. 13 13 MAY MAY THE BIG BAD WOLF KIDS CONCERT Little Red Riding Hood will make your children howl with laughter – at the Big Bad Wolf! Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra join forces with young singers and narrator Lydia Kenny. Musical director Glyn Oxley will invite youngsters to try their hand at conducting and to join orchestral players on stage to get a closeup experience of classical instruments. 3pm. £11.50. Stroud Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE. 01453 760900. www.subscriptionrooms.org.uk 15 15 MAY MAY VICTORIA AND ABDUL Abdul Karim arrives from India for Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee. The young clerk is surprised to find favour with the queen herself. As Victoria questions the constrictions of her long-held position, the two forge an unlikely and devoted alliance that her household and inner circle try to destroy. 7.45pm. £8 (£7). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 115-19 5-19 MAY MAY MY FAIR LADY My Fair Lady tells the story of an Edwardian cockney flower girl’s transformation into the pride of London society. This beautiful production will transport you to the flower markets of London, the racecourses of Ascot and the glittering heights of an Embassy Ball where everything is ‘Absolutely Bloomin’ Loverly’. For details visit www.everymantheatre.org.uk The Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573.
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1166 MAY MAY ‘AN AMERICAN IN PARIS’ THE MUSICAL
An American GI’ss chance encounter with a beautiful young dancer leads Paris to become the backdrop to a sensuous, modern romance of art, friendship and love in the aftermath of war. Featuring gorgeous music, stunning designs, and show-stopping choreography. 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 116-17 6-17 MAY MAY THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE BUSINESS SHOW This show celebrates, discusses and showcases business in Gloucestershire of all size and industry. It provides a platform through which businesses can form new collaborations, gain information, meet other businesses, speak to professional advisors and engage in action for business. Free entry. Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham
Road, Prestbury, GL50 4SH. 01242 513014. cheltenham.thejockeyclub.co.uk 17 17 MAY MAY JURASSIC GEOLOGY: FANTASTIC FOSSILS With fossils from the collections, come on a journey to discover what Gloucestershire would have been like millions of years ago when it was all under the sea. Price includes a glass of wine or soft drink and nibbles. 6pm. £12. The Wilson, Clarence Street, Cheltenham GL50 3JT. 01242 237431. MAGIC: A KIND OF QUEEN Magic perform all of Queen’s greatest hits plus some you may not have heard for a while. They perform completely live, with five vocals to back up the powerful lead vocal of the dynamic Taylor Payne, Magic recreate all the complex harmonies that are Queen’s trademark recording sound, along with two guitars, bass, drums and the brilliant piano and keyboard skills of Dave Chapman. 7.30pm. £18-25. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. 01684 295074. rosestheatre.org 18 18 MAY MAY MASTERWORKS CONCERT 63 For fifteen years, pianist James Lisney’s Masterworks has proved to be a highlight of Cheltenham’s classical programme. His virtuosity and integrity are internationally recognised. 7.30pm. £15. Pittville Pump Room, East Approach Drive, Cheltenham
GL52 3JE. 0844 576 2210. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk THE UPBEAT BEATLES Powerhouse vocals, precision harmonies and tight musicianship. The show takes you through the Fab Four’s long and winding road from the early Cavern days through Beatlemania, America, Sergeant Pepper to Abbey Road. 7.30pm. £19 (£18). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. bacontheatre.co.uk THE BAND OF THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE CONSTABULARY CHARITY CONCERT A special charity concert in aid of National Star. Come along to The Salvation Army in Cheltenham (GL53 7HG) to enjoy fantastic music with special guests Charlton Kings Junior School Choir. Tickets are available for £5 from fundraising@nationalstar.org. 01242 527631. www.nationalstar.org 18-20 18-20 MAY MAY WINCHCOMBE WALKING FESTIVAL The Winchcombe Walking Festival offers walkers of all abilities the opportunity to join a walk in the Cotswolds with knowledgeable guides offering snippets of local information. Walks range from 1.5 to 13 miles. If you like a challenge there is the 21-mile Winchcombe Way Challenge. The festival is popular, we recommend you book early. For further information visit: winchcombewelcomeswalkers.com/festival-2
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1188 MAY MAY – 17 17 JJUNE UNE ONE MINUTE One Minute follows several connected characters through their struggles with Daisy Schults’s disappearance: the two policemen investigating the disappearance; Daisy’s mother Anne; and Marie Louise, a woman who glimpsed Daisy after she had been separated from her mother. Full details at barntheatre.org.uk. The Barn Theatre, 5 Beeches Road, Cirencester GL7 1BN. 1199 MAY MAY ANIMALPHABET THE MUSICAL High-energy actors, colourful puppets, amazing characters and fantastic songs combine to create AnimAlphabet The Musical. Join Colin the Country Cockatoo, Hip-Hop Donkey and Geoff the Geordie Jazz Giraffe on a fantastic family musical adventure. 2.30pm. £10 (£8). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 19-20 19 -20 MAY MAY SOUTHROP VILLAGE GARDENS Southrop Manor and other village gardens will be OPEN in May! Entrance £5 for one day or £7 for both. Plant stall, Teas in the Village Hall. Proceeds for Hall refurbishment. Open from 1pm until 5pm. Southrop, Lechlade, GL7 3PD. 2200 MAY MAY MAY MARKET A fun family event featuring the finest food and drink in the Forest of Dean. Lots of stalls with delicious local produce. Plus live music, activities and demonstrations. Free entry and parking. 11am-5pm. Taurus Crafts, Lydney Park Estate, Lydney GL15 6BU. www.cvt.org.uk 2222 MAY MAY LES AMAZONES D’AFRIQUE The first all-female supergroup of West Africa brings together musicians fighting violence against women. Whether they are undisputed stars or well-kept secrets, the musicians involved in this project are all among the most acclaimed voices in West African music. 8pm. £17.50 (£19.50 on the door). Stroud Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE. 01453 760900. www.subscriptionrooms.org.uk 2266 MAY MAY – 3 JUNE JUNE THE WILDLIFE ART SOCIETY EXHIBITION An opportunity to see and purchase beautiful works of art and to meet artists who are dedicated to promoting conservation of all species. 10am-5pm. Entry is FREE, with good parking, set in the beautiful grounds of Nature in Art Gallery and Museum, Main A38 Twigworth, Gloucester GL2 9PA . SatNav Postcode: GL2 9PG. ROMAN MAY HOLIDAY Enjoy seasonal craft activities. Make a mosaic, badge or paper-craft. Raid the
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dressing up baskets and fashion yourself as a Roman. Suitable for all ages. Some activities include an additional charge to cover the cost of materials. 10.30am. Free event (admission applies). Chedworth Roman Villa, Cheltenham GL54 3LJ. 01242 890256. MINI BEAST WEEK There are mini beasts all around...inside the manor and out in the garden! Family fun for half-term. Find out more about the mini beasts at Snowshill from items in our natural history collection to bugs and beasties in the garden. Free (normal admission applies). 11am. Snowshill Manor and Garden, Snowshill, near Broadway, Gloucestershire, WR12 7JU. 01386 852410. SPRING TO LIFE Spring is here – the leaves are unfolding, birds out on our reserve are singing, butterflies are starting to be seen and new life is appearing across our wetlands. Join us for a whole week of spring fun with lots to learn and plenty to keep you entertained. 9.30am-5.30pm. Included with admission. WWT Slimbridge, Bowditch, GL2 7BT. 01453 891900. wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge 227-30 7-30 MAY MAY KNIGHT’S SCHOOL Grab your swords and head to Berkeley Castle this May half term for Knight School with our skilled knights in shining armour. There are two separate sessions each day for ages 5-9 years and 10 years to adults. Make sure you stick around for the dramatic and action packed Warrior Show at 3.30pm each day too! £7.50. Berkeley Castle, Berkeley, GL13 9BQ. 01453 810303. www.berkeley-castle.com 29 29 MAY MAY AN AUDIENCE WITH IAN WAITE & OTI MABUSE: RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT Ian and Oti will deliver a night of Latin and Ballroom numbers with high intensity. The Strictly Come Dancing pros will perform a dance showcase spectacular designed to dazzle and wow you. 7.30pm. From £23. Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, GL50 1QA . 0844 576 2210. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk JUNE 1 JUNE ELECTRIC BICCYYCLE POLO AND GYMKHANA Longdole Polo Club, GL4 8LH. 7pm. £5 per car. Bar, BBQ and lots of fun! All proceeds go to Watershed RDA . WORDS FROM THE WILD WOODS If you go down to the woods today you’re in for a big surprise... Bring a picnic and join storyteller Michael Loader at Batsford Arboretum for traditional tales and spontaneous stories inspired by the animals and the trees, the woods and the forests, the flora and fauna of the land! Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 9QB. www.batsarb.co.uk
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22-3 -3 JUNE JUNE BRITISH WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS We are delighted to be hosting the 2018 British Water Polo Championships finals, on the 2nd and 3rd June. Spectators will be very welcome to come and view some high level sporting action. 11am- 6pm. Full details at www.sandfordparkslido.org.uk Sandford Parks Lido, Keynsham Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7PU, UK 9 JUNE JUNE SACRED HEARTS’ SUMMER FETE ‘Family Fiesta!’ Noon till 3. Merry go round, 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, Cheltenham GL53 9AU. 10 10 JUNE JUNE BISHOP’SS CLEEVE STREET FAIR – CELEBRATING R RA AF100 From 12 noon-4pm. Parades, stalls, entertainment, funfair, Jet Age Museum display and exciting Spitfire Flypast. Folly Gardens Veterinary Practice is organising a Dog Show – entry forms from Folly’s Vets, Badham’ss Chemist and George Lewis Footwear. Purchase programmes, to include a raffle ticket for fabulous prizes, from shops along Church Road, Tesco 26/5 & 2/6 and on the day. Money raised will be donated to Jet Age Museum, Air Cadets and Christmas lights. 1166 JUNE JUNE PRESTBURY VILLAGE FAYRE & STREET PARTY Join us for fun and entertainment which includes music, BBQ, stalls, children’s games, talent show and belly dancers. Fayre opens at 12 noon until 6pm. Main events; The Burgage, Prestbury G52 3DL . Also involved: The Plough, Royal Oak , St Mary’s Church and WI Hall. For more info: www.prestburyparish.org Volunteers also required – contact Chris on 07741 472252 or email maughanshaw@gmail.com 6-7 JULY JULY 6-7 MILEFEST – MUSIC FESTIVAL
Milefest 2018 is a 24 band, over two stages, festival. On Friday 6th and Saturday 7th of July in Hartpury (GL19 3BG). We are accessible and affordable for all. All money raised goes to Milestone school – we have raised more than £30,000 over 6 years. www.milefest.co.uk Registered charity number: 1173333.
The Local Answer
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Renowned Renowned CCarpenters arpenters ttribute ribute aact ct llooking ooking forward forward tto o FForest orest cconcert oncert The Carpenters Experience, one of the premier tribute bands in the UK , are looking forward to performing at Lydney Town Hall on 26th May. T h e b a n d h a ve b e e n to g e t h e r fo r only two years and are coming to Lydney off the back of several sold-out performances. The cover group plays all the songs made famous by Karen a n d R i c h a rd C a r p e n te r i n t h e 1 9 7 0 s and early ‘80s, including classics like ‘(They Long To Be) Close To You’, ‘Superstar ’, ‘Yesterday Once More’, ‘We’ve Only Just Begun’, plus many more. B and manager Mick M ason, who also plays bass guitar in the 8-piece supporting orchestra, says things are going better than expected for the recently formed cover band. He said: “We’ve been blown away with the feedback and reactions from our recent performances. Music brings
Film Film Review Review
Maggie Nestor as Karen Carpenter
back a lot of memories for people, we’ve seen audience members in tears at some of our recent gigs. Performing in front of sold-out venues gives you a huge buzz, we’re all eager to get back on stage and are looking forward to the concert in the Forest of Dean.”
Book Book Review Review
The Carpenters Experience is fronted by Maggie Nestor, a lifelong fan of the band who has had a 20 -year career in t h e m u s i c b u s i n e ss . M i c k a d d e d : “Maggie is an exceptional performer. Her vocals are incredible, and her mannerisms are exactly like Karen’s. When people talk about the greatest female vocalists of all time, Karen Carpenter ’s name is always mentioned, so it’s no easy task trying to replicate her. “The best tribute bands really put the effort in to create an experience that is as close to the original band as possible. We spent the best part of six months really immersing ourselves in the Carpenters’ performances. The more you watch, the more you u n d e r st a n d t h e i r m a n n e r i s m s a n d ways they carry themselves.” Full story online.
G Gaming aming R Review eview
AQ Quiet uiet P Place lace
TThe he Y Year ear o off LLess ess by Cait Flanders
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For horror film lovers, ‘A Quiet Place’ looks like being one of the must-see films of 2018. Directed by John Krasinsky, it features him and his wife Emily Blunt as the main characters. The film is set in a post-apocalyptic world where blind monsters are intent on wiping humanity off the face of the earth. The monsters hunt based on sound, so the characters exist in a giant game of hide and seek; as long as they keep quiet, they’re safe. A t a b r i s k 9 5 m i n u te s, t h e f i l m doesn’t waste time g o i n g i n to to o m u c h d et a i l . T h e b e s t h o r ro r f i l m s a re t h e o n e s t h a t keep things simple, and that’s certainly the case here. Full review online.
A heartwarming tale about crafting a life you really want to lead by turning yo u r b a c k o n m a s s consumerism. C a i t g o e s i n to great detail exploring ways of saving m o n e y by c u t t i n g i te m s . out the n o n - e ss e n t i a l Interestingly, when she stops spending her monthly income, she discovers she’s h a p p i e r l i v i n g a m i n i m a l i s t i c l i fe s t y l e. Her savings give her the chance to spend money on travelling and enjoying life away from fast food restaurants. A real game-changer for anyone searching for major change in their lifestyle, I’d recommend this book if there’s something you want to do but have always put on the back-burner. Full review online.
There are lots of original features in GT Sport, but the new game's gorgeous graphics are what you'll notice first . This is a game that really lends itself t o a n e n o r m o u s w i d e s c re e n television; I’ve played many driving g a m es b u t n o n e a s v i s u a l l y impressive as this one. GT Sport is a satisfying racer with plenty of depth and atmosphere, stunning visuals and sounds that are so impressive, you forget you are playing a games console. Arcade mode is where the real fun is, the challenges and tasks are a total joy. Full review online.
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ART ART • EEVENTS VENTS • EEXPERIENCES XPERIENCES • FFILM ILM • G GAMING AMING ITERATURE • M LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE • LLITERATURE MUSIC USIC • TTHEATRE HEATRE • TV TV
The choir will be looking to emulate their acclaimed 25th anniversary performance from last autumn
FForest orest M Musical usical Society Society relishing relishing LLydney ydney TTown own H Hall al l p performance erformance Elliott Burge, Chairman of the Forest Musical Society, says the upcoming ‘Broadway’ show at Lydney Town Hall p ro m i s e s t o b e a s p e c t a c u l a r performance. The society celebrated its 25th anniversary last year with a show that drew praise from capacity crowds, and hopes are high that their 2018 show will be even better. T h i s t i m e ro u n d t h e t h e m e i s ‘Broadway’, with the 35 members of the Forest Musical Society performing t h e b i g g e s t s o n g s f ro m t h e m o s t famous stage productions. “We’ll be putting on a real show. You can expect to hear all the great songs from the likes of Les Miserables, The Sound of Music, Mamma Mia, Annie and many more of the most famous shows,” said Elliott. “We were blown away by the feedback we received from our 25th anniversary show last autumn, so we’re really looking forward to
g et t i n g b a c k o n t h e st a g e a n d performing again,” he added. It ’s not just a case of singing the songs though. The performers will be dressed in costumes and supported by a host of backstage staff who help the show run smoothly.
““It’s It’s a rreal eal tteam eam e effort” ffort” “It’s a real team effort , it’s not just about the performers on stage. We’ve got a lighting and sound team that work so hard in ensuring we look and sound the best we possibly can. We’ll be supported by a live orchestra for our upcoming performance, which will really add to the occasion. We’ve practised so hard for this show, we’re all so excited and are counting down the days until the 17th of May,” said Elliott. The Forest Musical Society is comprised of 35 members, with ages ranging from eight to eighty. They
practice weekly, but Elliott says there will be more practice sessions in the weeks leading up to their performance. He said: “It’s important that everyone knows their roles and feels comfortable, so we’ll be going a l l o u t to t r y a n d g e t a s m u c h practising in as possible leading up to the opening night. I’ve been involved in theatre for a long time, so I know just what’s involved logistically on the night of the performance. Like so many things in life, the key is in the preparation. “We want to put on a professional show, one that we can all be proud of. I’ve been involved with the society for five years now. It’s great to meet so many passionate people, who are all so committed to performing. All our members live in the Forest of Dean, it ’s great to see such support for a local project . I’m so proud of all of them.
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IIn nT The he Garden Garden with w ith JJulia ulia Smith Smith
A ccarpet arpet o off g green reen A f t e r s u c h a l o n g , we t w i n t e r a n d several appearances from the ‘Beast from the East’, spring has come very late this year. I reckon it is about 3 weeks later than usual, judging by t h e b l o ss o m o n t h e o r n a m e n t a l cherries in the garden near my home. However, now everything is rushing to catch up and as the soil warms, plants shoot up – where once was brown earth is suddenly a carpet of young green leaves.
CChoose hoose ‘‘White White LLady’ ady’ iiff y you ou ffancy ancy w white hite fflowers lowers Sow some runner beans as the soil warms up, making a wigwam of bamboo canes for the beans to twine up. The cultivar ‘White Lady ’ is very pretty if you fancy white flowers for a change. I make a hole before I sow the beans and empty my compost from the kitchen in t h e r e fo r a fe w d a y s : p e e l i n g s , teabags, etc. I then sow my beans
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on the top on a layer of soil at the usual depth, and this helps keep the moisture in which the beans so love. Lo o k o u t f o r t h e b r i g h t r e d l i l y beetles on your lilies and fritillaries. You can either just pick and squash or use an insecticide like Provado ultimate bug killer, which i s sy s t e m i c a n d w i l l k i l l the larvae when they s t a r t to m u n c h o n t h e plant . The larvae are disgusting looking as they cover themselves with their sticky black poo, so gloves might be the order of the day! You should be able to start hardening off tender herbaceous plants, such as geraniums or cosmos, w h i c h y o u m a y h av e b o u g h t i n t h e te m p t i n g i n d o o r d i s p l ay s i n t h e garden centres and n u r s e r i e s . I f yo u s t i c k them straight outside it can really knock them
back , so it is best practice to spend a week or so of taking them outside during the day, and popping them b a c k i n to t h e g r e e n h o u s e o r conservatory at night , gradually leaving them for longer and longer u n t i l t h ey a r e o u t a l l n i g h t . R e m e m b e r t o k e e p a n ey e o n t h e weather forecast in case of late frosts. You could make a cold frame out of old windows, Perspex offcuts, etc. and place in a warm, sheltered spot . Raise the lid in the day to circulate the air and cover o ve r a t n i g h t i f y o u h a v e n o greenhouse.
Give G ive sshiny-leaved hiny-leaved h houseplants ouseplants a sspring pring cclean lean Give shiny-leaved houseplants a spring clean by sitting them in the shower tray and gently showering with warm water to clean the dust off the leaves. As the weather warms up they can be sited outside, which benefits them after a winter inside. Don’t site them in full sunshine though, as it can scorch the leaves.
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Bank Bank h holiday oliday w weekend eekend h ome cchallenge hallenge home Spring is finally in the air, flowers are beginning to bloom, it’s time to open those windows and breathe new life into your home and rooms. With two b a n k h o l i d ay s i n M a y t h e re h a s never been a better opportunity to d o a l i t t l e wo r k o n t h e h o u s e to make the most of those extended weekends. There’s no need to worry if you don’t have the time, energy or have too many plans, as the smallest u p d a t e s c a n h a ve t h e b i g g e s t impact. Whether you have an hour, a day o r t h e w h o l e we e k e n d , h e re a re three challenges you could tackle over the bank holiday weekends to easily update your home.
Only O nly have have o one ne h hour? our? Make time to do those jobs you’ve been meaning to do; touching up paintwork , clearing out those cu p b o a rd s and re -a r ra n g i n g c l u t t e re d b o o k s h e l v e s . T h e s e a re a l l t h e j o b s we n ev e r g e t ro u n d to d o i n g , b u t c a n o f t e n m a k e
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the biggest impact to a room. If you want more of a transformation, update s of t f u r n i s h i n g s a n d a r t wo r k to b r i n g a different colour into a ro o m w i t h o u t a f u l l makeover. A n ot h e r way to instantly update yo u r h o m e i s to t a k e t h i n g s f ro m o t h e r r o o m s a n d b r i n g n ew l i fe t o t h e m a g a i n s t a different coloured wall, o r st y l e d i n a n ot h e r place. There is no cheaper way to update a room than by re-arranging the rooms in your home.
O Only nly h have ave o one ne d day? ay? One day of decoration can make a huge difference without all the upheaval of a full room makeover. Feature walls are a great way to make a big change in a room without having to take all the furniture out . They are fantastically versatile – so whatever your skill set, you’ll have no excuse not to give it a go! If you’re not confident in creating a masterpiece feature, why not simply paint a wall in a complimentary colour to the room? For those who are a little braver, try wallpapering your feature wall with a wonderful print. And remember, it doesn’t have to be a wall – chimney breasts painted in a different colour can also add a huge impact to a room. For a bigger effect , create a gallery wall on your featured colour (once the paint is dry!) made up of family photos, postcards and even homemade art.
Have tthe Have he w whole hole w weekend eekend tto o sspare? pare? If you have the whole weekend to dedicate to revamping your home, seize the moment and take on that room you’ve always wanted to make over. To make the most of your time and to ensure completion of the ro o m , b e s u re to m a k e a p l a n i n advance. Have fun creating a mood board, p l a n n i n g l ay o u t s a n d t r y i n g o u t colour combinations and testers b e f o r e t h e we e k e n d o f t h e w o r k . B e f o r e t h e we e k e n d a r r i v e s , m a k e sure you agree the paint colour or wallpaper pattern rather than wasting a day getting tester pots. G e t yo u r to o l s a n d D I Y m a te r i a l s ready to start work and make sure you have decided the room layout . Once the walls are painted and the ro o m h a s b e e n c h a n g e d a r o u n d , remember to breathe new life into a ro o m b y r e s t y l i n g w i t h n e w accessories and soft furnishings. M o s t o f a l l , e n j oy yo u r b a n k holiday home makeovers!
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Together Together iin ne electric lectric d dreams reams Electric cars once seemed like a thing from a science fiction movie, but they ’re more popular than ever before, and are incredibly beneficial in comparison to conventional petrol or diesel cars. However, because of t h e i r n e w s t a t u s, t h e y a re a l s o t h e cars with the most myths surrounding them, which may seem a little offputting when considering a new car.
H How ow d do o tthey hey w work? ork? B a t te r y e l e c t r i c c a r s u s e e l e c t r i c i t y s to re d i n a b a t te r y to p owe r t h e m throughout journeys. These can then be easily charged when depleted, u s i n g j u s t a r e g u l a r m a i n s p owe r socket, or a dedicated power point at a service station or shopping centre car park . These cars mostly run from between 100 -130 miles on a full charge, which is well within the requirement for day to day use, but there are also those which can go to a r o u n d 2 5 0 m i l e s i f m o re i s necessary. However, there are also hybrid cars, which work a little differently: the e l e c t r i c m o to r i s u s e d s o l e l y a t l ow speeds (under 15mph), with the petrol engine working while cruising to both power the car and recharge the battery. Both systems work together when accelerating, and the
spinning of the wheels during braking is also used to recharge the battery. These cars can go much further than f u l l y e l e c t r i c o n e s, a s t h e e l e c t r i c m o to r is consistently being recharged.
Are Are they they e eco-friendly co-friendly Both petrol and electric cars rely on resources being taken out of the ground and made into fuel. However, w h i l e i t t a k e s m o r e e n e r g y to generate electricity than to refine petrol, an electric car uses far less
energy in its actual processes than a petrol one. This means that emissions which could be damaging to us are decreased, as the majority of them are created at power plants, out of town. Electricity is also not just generated by fossil fuels in the UK , but also by a variety of sustainable sources such as wind and solar power, whereas petrol c a r s m u s t b e e n t i re l y d e p e n d e n t upon one kind of fuel. This means that as we move closer to using all sustainable sources of energy, the electricity the car uses will be cleaner, and have less environmental impact.
A Are re tthey hey e expensive xpensive tto o rrun? un? When it comes to charging, costs are measured in kilowatts (kW), in the same way as petrol cars are measured in litres. If your car has a 40 litre tank , at £1.15 per litre, this would cost £46 to fill. If the capacity for your electric car has a capacity of 30kW, and the price is around 12p per kWh, this would cost you £3.60. Electric cars are much more cost effective to charge, with the most expensive convenience charge being around £6.50 for a 30 minute turbo charge at a service station. The Local Answer
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Sudoku Fill the grids so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.
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G GDPR: DPR: aare re yyou ou rready? eady? The latest in a long line of legislation introduced courtesy of the UK’s fading love affair with the European Union hits the statute books this month. The Data Protection Act has been in force since 1998, the same year that Andorran opened its doors, Google was launched and Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal won the league and cup double. A good year then! Andorran and Arsene are still going strong and Google is part of our daily lives, but the rulemakers have decided that the Data Protection Act is no longer fit for purpose. It is to be replaced by the General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR for short.
IIntended ntended tto op protect rotect o our ur p personal ersonal d data ata It is intended, of course, to protect our personal data and we all hope that it helps to eliminate some of the m a j o r d a t a l o s s e s s u f fe r e d i n t h e w e l l - d o c u m e n te d cases involving some very public names, most recently, of course, Facebook and Cambridge Analytica. I fear, however, that it is the proverbial sledgehammer and nut scenario. The effect of compliance on small businesses will be horrendous and well out of proportion with the benefits it will bring. No small business is immune from the possibility of data loss, but it’s hard to imagine how it could ever be on the same scale as those widely-publicised events. We will all update our systems to comply, as best we can, with GDPR. Actually it’s been quite an interesting exercise to review our policies and procedures for storage of information, both online and on paper, for, don’t be fooled, GDPR applies equally to hard copy as to electronic data.
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The perceived wisdom is to hold data for no longer than you are obliged to, which is a culture change for many professional firms, including mine, who see data retention as part of the ability to deliver client service. Just a fortnight ago, a client asked for his tax returns going back to 2001, which I was able to provide, because historically we have kept everything. He was delighted to find I could help him; it was a good job he didn’t wait until next month to ask , when I might well have destroyed it if I follow this perceived wisdom. If you’re running a business don’t ignore GDPR. You will need to adapt some of your business practices and update others, otherwise you risk an enquiry from the Information Commissioner ’s Office and some potentially hefty fines. You have been warned!
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S Sport port with w ith R Roger oger JJackson acks son
WANT W ANT TTO O SSHARE HARE Y YOUR OUR SSPORTING PORTING SSTORY TORY O ON NO OUR UR W WEBSITE? EBSITE? Please Please e email mail ffull ull d details etails tto o ssport@thelocalanswer.co.uk port@thelocalanswer.co.uk
LLydney ydney a are re serving serving up up so so many many aces aces Lydney Tennis Club are right at the heart of the town’ss sporting life, just a serve and a volley from the rugby, c r i c k e t a n d fo o t b a l l c l u b s, n o t to mention the nearby lake that is used by the angling club. This year the tennis club are celebrating their 66th anniversary and they are certainly in rude health. “We’ve got 200 -odd members and they are split pretty evenly between a d u l t s a n d j u n i o r s, ” s a i d c h a i r m a n Martin Godwin. Those members play on four allweather outdoor floodlit courts and Godwin added: “We’re in a very good position at the moment, very buoyant . We’ve got three men’s teams in the Gloucestershire Summer League and this season we’re fielding four women’s teams. Last season we had three.” And on the competitive side at the club it ’s very much a family affair, because the men’s A team are captained by Dave James and the women’ss first team are led by his wife, Janice. “They both grew up in
B Back ack o on n tthe he b banks… anks… The Royal Forest of Dean Angling Club celebrate their 6 0 t h a n n i ve r s a r y this year and w h i l e t h ey h av e p l e n t y to l o o k back on with obvious pride, it’s t h e f u t u re t h a t t h e c l u b a re fo c u s i n g a l l t h e i r Adrian Lane efforts on. Specifically, it’s the children of today, and the club, which boast 300 m e m b e r s , a r e a c t i ve l y i n vo l ve d i n trying to get more youngsters hooked on a sport that remains very popular around Gloucestershire and beyond. “We are involved in the charity Fishing 4 Kids which aims to get kids back on the banks,” said one-time professional angler Adrian Lane. “We’ll supply the lessons and
Lydney have a thriving junior section
Lydney,” said Godwin, who admits to being in his “mid- 60s”. “Dave is slightly younger than me, but he still plays for the A team. He is a very good player.” N o t t h a t G o d w i n i s to o s h a b by himself. He’ss playing for the club’ss C team again this season, a team he has organised in seasons past. The men’s A team play in Division 2A while the B and C teams play in divisions 5A and 6B respectively. On
the women’s side their four teams play in divisions 2B, 3B, 5A and 5B. The club also have two adult teams in the mixed winter league which means they play tennis all year round. The club also boast six younger teams that compete in the county junior league and much of the credit for the club’s thriving junior section should go to the head coach Rachael Wintle, said Godwin. Full story online.
expertise, we just need the kids to get o f f t h e i r X b ox a n d to l o o k i n s i d e a tackle box .”
watched by England head coach Eddie Jones who was only too happy to lend his support to a very worthy cause.
Charity Charity spectacular spectacular
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Top international referee Wayne Barnes will be coming home over the next few days for his annual charity s p e c t a cu l a r at Lydney. This year ’s big d ay – i n a i d o f Breast Cancer Now – is on Sunday 6th May and organisers h o p e t h at i t w i l l Wayne Barnes p r ov e j u st as successful as last year’s big day. That attracted a crowd of approaching 2,000 and raised more than £15,000. The centrepiece of the day was a game between a Wayne Barnes Invitational XV and a Forest Invitational XV, a game that was also
Like a very good book or film, there is always an excellent ending to the race season at Cheltenham. That ’s because the finishing line is reached with the ever-popular Hunter C h a s e E ve n i n g m e e t i n g , w h i c h t h i s year takes place on Friday 4th May (first race 4.55pm). It ’s the meeting where the top point-to-pointers get the chance to s h i n e o n t h e b i g g est j u m p s st a g e i n the world and Ian Renton, the main man at Cheltenham Racecourse, is, as you’d expect , very much looking forward to it. “It ’s a lovely way to end the season,” he said. For full versions of all these stories and more, visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk
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New skipper New ack skipper JJack O’Connell iiss cconfident onfident O’Connell that LLydney ydney ccan an ppush ush that for ppromotion romotion for In many ways, Jack O’Connell is a bit of a throwback . Lydney ’s new captain loves his cricket , of course he does, but the longer the game the more he enjoys it. That’s quite a change in an era when T20 in its many guises is becoming the dominant force in cricket at all levels across the globe. “I enjoy every aspect of the 50 -over games,” said all-rounder O’Connell. “There’s a lot more thinking involved and if you make a mistake, particularly when batting, it’s very costly.” And there are another couple of reasons he likes the longer format. “You’re out in the sun for longer and you’re out with your mates for longer!” he laughed. Ironically, O’Connell’s game, and particularly his batting, would appear ideally suited to the shorter format b e c a u s e h e d es c r i b es h i m s e l f a s a pinch hitter. He also bowls medium pace away s w i n g s o h e w i l l b e a k e y p l a ye r o n Saturday afternoons as the club look to get out of the County League and back into the Gloucestershire Division of the West of England League. And make no mistake, promotion is the aim for Lydney this season. “Yes, definitely,” said O’Connell. “We
Ed Jones
want to be playing at the best level we can.” And 26 -year-old O’Connell is pretty bullish about his team’s chances this season. “We’ve got a new young overseas player in Sam Bray,,” he explained. “He’s come over from Australia and he’s an opening bat so hopefully he’ll get a lot of runs. “And we’ve got a number of youngsters coming through – Jack Knox who is a top order bat and bowls offspin and Callum Miller who is a seam bowler.” O’Connell is also encouraged by the fact that Will Jones should be available for much of the season. “He’s a Forest boy who emigrated to Australia a couple of years ago but he’s back this summer for a couple of weddings so he should be able to play quite a few games,” said O’Connell, who lives in Ruardean Woodside.
“We’ve g “We’ve got ot a lot lot more more sstrength trength iin nd depth epth tthis his sseason” eason” J o n e s c a n b a t i n t h e to p fo u r a n d bowls left-arm spin and when you consider that the club can also call on opening batsman Jonathon Kear, experienced seamer Paul M o r r i s a n d E d J o n e s , yo u can see why O’Connell is in an optimistic mood. “We’ve got a lot more s t re n g t h i n d e p t h t h i s season,” added O’Connell. “We’ve got some good lads coming through the 2nds.” And those youngsters are receiving the best possible c r i c k et i n g e d u c at i o n b e c a u s e t h e 2 n d s a re captained by Adrian Knox, a v e r y g o o d p l a ye r b a c k i n
Jack O’CConnell
t h e d ay w h o a l s o d o u b l e s u p a s t h e club’s chairman these days. “And the 3rds are run by Adam Slee w h o i s a n o t h e r g o o d p l a ye r t o b e l o o k i n g a f te r t h e yo u n g s t e r s , ” s a i d O’Connell. O’Connell isn’t short of experience himself, having joined the club eight years ago from Parkend, and he reckons now is the right time for him to take on the captaincy. “I’ve been at the club for quite a long time,” said O’Connell, who was born in Parkend. “I like to think I bring a lot of energy to the club both on and off the field.” And ‘energy’ is one of the words that Cinderford director of rugby Paul Morris uses when describing O’Connell, who is also a very good rugby player and has played a couple of National Two South games for the club’s flagship team this season. “He’s a good lad to have around the club,” said Morris. “He’s very popular and brings an energy to the place.” He has played largely for the United this season – he played his age group rugby at Lydney before switching to Cinderford – but can play anywhere in the backs and was good enough to be Gloucestershire Under-20s’ scrum-half when they reached the county championship final six years ago. So which sport is he best at? “I’d say I’m probably best at rugby,” he said, before adding, “but I’d say I prefer playing cricket.” It’s that love of all things cricket that shines through when O’Connell talks about England’s number one sport and it’s something that seems sure to serve his club well in the coming season.
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