The Local
A NS W E R
GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S BIGGEST LOCAL MAGAZINE APRIL 2019
STROUD DISTRICT TLA CHARITY GIVEAW WA AY A Y IS BACK! MORE DETTA AILS INSIDE ...
The Loc al
ANSWER Stroud District – 41,000 copies Gloucester – 46,000 copies North Gloucestershire – 20,000 copies Cotswolds – 30,000 copies Cheltenham – 43,000 copies
Managing Director Dave Kingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Editorial & Marketing Lois Kingscott editorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Helen Kingscott
Sport Roger Jackson sport@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Entertainment Tom Hadfield To entertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Customer Services Kevin Vaughan-Spruce services@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Claudie Francis production@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Distribution John Overton – 01242 541075
leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Louis Jordan distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Accounts Robert Kingscott accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Unit H, Churchill Industrial Estate, Churchill Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7EG
Telephone 01242 510500 @thelocalanswer
www.thelocalanswer.co.uk
Aprril’s winning coover photo: Jaade Pollock of Bisshop’s Cleeve
Weelcome l to April A ... Our TLA Charity Giveaway is back! Yo You have the opportunity to nominate a Gloucestershirebased d charity or not-for-profit organissation to win an a incredible £2,000! Full details of the comp petition can be found inside. We’v ve also included more details about the fundraising campaigns we’re supportting over the ne ext 12 months for our Charity of the Ye Year, r, Coballt. Read more inside about the w wonderful work they do and how you can donate. donate Eastter is fast approaching and you’re probably lookin ng for things to do to entertain your kids during the school holidays. Our What’s On sectio on is jam-packed with spring and Easter events for the whole family including The Bird & Deer Park’s ‘Te Tea With Alice’ event.
Inside this month ... TLA Charity Giveaway Delicious Dish Distributors Required Holidays & Travel Medical Health TLA 10th Anniversary Charity Parenting & Guardianship Motoring What’s On TLA Entertainment Homes & Gardens Wildlife Matters In the Garden Save the Planet Interior Design Gadgets & Gizmos Word Search Quick Crossword Sudoku Money Matters TLA Sport Index, Competitions, Solutions
4 5 6 7 9 11 13 15 16 22-23 24 25 27 29 31 35 36 38 39 39 40-41 42
Competition on page 4 Page 3
W I N £2,000 FOR YOUR LOCAL CHARITY OR CLUB
courtesy of The Local Answer and our generous Advertisers Our ‘TLA Charity’ competition is back and bigger than June 20119 Jun ever! In our 10th Anniversary Y Ye ear, we’ll be running Yoouur Clu lub or Charit harity several competitions, giving Gloucestershire-based £ 2,00 00 charities and not-for-profit organisations the chance to Two Thousan ousand Pound ounds win £2,000 each time. The first winner will be announced in our July 2019 issue, along with details of T h e L o c a l An s w e r the next draw. A D VER T I SER S This month, our four brilliant sponsors are Café René, Gloucester Carpet Outlet, Albany Windows and Sherbornes Solicitors Ltd. You can read more about them on our website – thelocalanswer.co.ukk//news/local-information.aspx
It’’ss easy to enter our draw ...
The Local
For your chance to choose which organisation benefits from this prize, send their name (and registered charity number if applicable) along with your name, address (including postcode) and telephone number to ‘TLA Charit y’, The Local Answer, Unit H, Churchill Industrial Estate, Churchill Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, GL L53 7EG. Alternatively, enter via email by sending the same information to competitions@thelocalanswer.co.uk stating ‘TLA Charity’ in the subject line. Closing date: Friday 31st May 2019. In addition to our usual competition rules, by entering you agree to have your name and photograph featured in our magazines and online should you win. Only one entr y per household accepted. The winner will be chosen via a random number generator, but the more times an organisation’s name is submitted, the higher the chance it has of being drawn. The Local Answer reser ves the right to discard any entries it believes do not meet the specified criteria. Good luck!
ANSWER
GLOUCESTER
Le Pub & Reestaurant L a S eak & Grillhouse St 01452 309 340 www.CafeR eR ene.co.uk 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TP
Installers of top quality windows, doors and conservatories. For a free no obligation quottation call
012 242 511384
Showroom – Units 40 & 41, Space Business Centre, Tewkesbury Road, Chelten nham, GL51 9FL
C CARPET OUTLLET AN EXCELLENT SERVICE AND FANTASTIC RANGE A AT T GREA AT T PRICES!
CALL US ON: 01452 4135 513 www.gloucestercarpetoutlet.co.uk o.uk
Mill Place 1, Unit 4, 90 Bristol Road, Gloucester GLL1 5SQ
SHE ERBORNES THE E FIRM THA ATT SOLICITORS GO GO TO FOR RE EMPLOYMENT LA AW W ADV ADVICE VIC CE (MAK KES S YOU THINK)
www w.sherbor .sh herbor bornesslaw.co.uk 4 Royyal Crescent, Cheltenham GL50 3DA T: 01242 250039
Delicious Dish with Helen Kingscott
Salmon and asparagus oven bake If you are entertaining this Easterr,, try this really easy, quick and tasty oven bake – with asparagus at its best and salmon hopefully on offerr,, this is a lovely recipe using seasonal vegetables. Ingredients: 600/800g baby potatoes 3tbsp olive oil 1 large red onion, chopped into wedges g 1 box (approximately 270g) Vittoria cherry vine tomatoes (these are so sweet when roasted, but you could use others if you prefer) A couple of fresh rosemary sprigs 2-3 tbsp balsamic vinegar 4 salmon fillets 1 bundle of fresh asparagus Salt and pepper to season. Method: 1 Preheat your oven to 200°C, (180°C fan/gas mark 6). 2 Scrub the potatoes then pop in your oven proof dish with
the olive oil and stir to o evenly coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper then cookk for 15-20 minutes until they y are starting to brown. 3 Add your onion wedges,, tomatoes still on the vine,, rosemary and balsamicc vinegar. Give it all a little mix x around then pop back in the e oven for 10 minutes. 4 Season your salmon then n add this to the dish with the e asparagus and cook for a further 12 minutes or until the salmon is cooked d through. 5 Serve, enjoy and lookk forward to the washing up – you’ve only used one dish so it’ll be nice and easy!
Tips: • Check out your local supermarket or fishmonger – they often have deals on whole salmon around Easter time, and they will fillet it for you so you can freeze the rest. • Try growing your own herbs at home, either in your garden or on your windowsill if you’re limited on space. Y Yo ou can use as much or as little as you like, and it just seems to taste better freshly cut. • Look for thin asparagus spears, otherwise they may not cook through enough. If you can only find larger spears, cut them in half.
We care about the environment
A fully-recyclable product
As well as the paperr,, the inks and varnishes used in producing The Local Answer are b i o d e g r a d a b l e. T h e p r o c e s s u s e d b y recycling companies to extract inks and coatings including UV varnishes from the paper render the paper suitable for pulping and recycling.
THE LOCAL ANSWER
Precision Colour Printing Ltd (our printer) are proud to be a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certificate holderr,, and The Local Answer is proud to have this publication printed on paper compliant with FSC demands to support environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests.
TO ADVERTISE CALL
PAGE
Distributors Required
The Flying Scotsman & Classic Cambridge From
For a few hours each month in the following specific areas:
£219
Chalford • Nailsworth Uplands, Stroud Each round is made up of 150-400 copies per month. The rate of pay is 6 pence/copy. Depending on property types, our current team of people average between 100-150 copies/hour (equivalent to £6The Local £9/hour). A NS W E R Magazines are delivered to Distributors’ homes towards the end of each month and we expect deliveries to be completed within four days between the hours of 7am and 9pm. You must be 13+ years old, flexible, reliable and sufficiently physically fit to perform the STROUD DISTRICT duties. GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S BIGGEST LOCAL MAGAZINE APRIL 2019
TLA CHARITY GIVEAWAY IS BACK! M O
RE DETTA AILS INSIDE ...
For details email John – distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk
PAGE
3 DA AY YS – 25th SEPTEMBER 2019
Enjoy an exclusive trip behind the legendarryy Flying Scotsman, on the heritage Nene V Vaalley Railway this Septemberr.. T Trraavvel behind this magnificent, 1923-built locomotive taking you back to the the golden age of steam. Also visit the city of Cambridge brimming full of culture and historyy.. Includes: • Return coach traavvel from Gloucester, r, Cheltenham, Stroud, Cirencester & T Teewkesburryy • 2 nights at a selected 3 or 4-star hotel with dinner & breakffaast • Exclusive trraain journey behind the Flying Scotsman • En-route visit to Cambridge Single supplement £60pp To book call: 03332 341875 To and quote TLLA A–T Th he Local Answer or visit justgoholidaayys.com/TLA
WWW.THELOCALANSWER.CO.UK
THE LOCAL ANSWER
Holidays & Travel with Al Hidden
Brilliant Barrcelona It’s hard It’ h d to t believe b li it’ over 30 it’s years since Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé first recorded their duo, ‘Barcelona’. Though decades fly by, Antoni Gaudí’s city – like the song – continues to enchant. Will you stay beachside in stylish La Barceloneta, off pulsating Las Ramblas, in the historic Barri Gòtic, or in Eixample with its excellent shops and restaurants? Whether you choose five-star Hotel W, a chic Airbnb, or Best Western Dante on Caller de Mallorca where I stayed last time, you’re well-placed to explore this city of Gaudí’s Catalan Modernism, amazing food and ‘Barça’ – just don’t mention their arch-rivals Real Madrid or A.C. Milan!
Packed with treasures For a weekend or a week, Barcelona is packed d with treasures. With thirty million visitors a year, r, the city y can be busy, but savvy travellers know that March, May and
THE LOCAL ANSWER
autumn promise good weather and smaller crowdss while meeting the barceloné és. The city is very walkkable, so comfortable shoes and a money-saving Barcelo ona Pass are your keys to exploring – from Port Vell to the Sagrada S Familia, and Plaçça de Catalunya to kaleid doscopic Mercado de La Boqu ueria off Las Ramblas. Don’’t miss Hansel and Gretel-inspired Parc Güell’s stunning g vistas either, or its signatu ure (but smaller than expected)) mosaic ‘el drac’. Of course you’ll visit Barcelona’s h headline sights: FC Barccelona’s Camp Nou s stadium; buildings such as a Casa Milà/La Pedrera; Frank Gehry’s golden fish; and skyscraping Mirador de Colom Make time Colom. e for the less well-known ge ems too: Museo Nacional de e Arte de Catalunya; picnic--friendly Jardins de Rubió i Lluch where Gaudí die ed after being hit by a tram in 1926; or fourteenth--century Monastir de Pe edralbes along Metro line ‘T Tres’. TO ADVERTISE CALL
Delicious Cata alan cuisine In between discovering contrasting ‘barrios’ (neiighbourhoods) be sure to sample Barcelona’s delicious cuisine. Tapas is king, so follow discerning locals to gems like Bar Ramon or Los Torreros. As well as diverse Iberian and international cuisine, savvy gourmets choose Catalan noodle-based fideuà (over ‘standard’ Valencian paella), bunyols de bacallà (cod fritters) and botifarra sausages with romesco sauce – with a glass of Priorat or a Moreneta Blonde craft beer. There’s enough in Barcelona to occupy the most energetic city explorer for days. But for different perspectives, remember it’s also a great base for excursions to other Catalonian attractions such as Santa Maria de Montserrat.
Visit Barcelona soon Mercury and Caballé will delight forever, and so will Barcelona. But don’t wait; if you’ve never been, make sure to visit soon. It’s brilliant – or as the locals would say, «genial». PAGE
Medical Health with Holly Hannigan
Awareness of addiction Addiction Addi ti i an illness is ill th t that affects the chemical reward systems in the brain. People often misunderstand it to be someone being selfish and making bad choices, which is simply not true. Addiction is a psychological disorder, r, just like depression or anxiety. If something in your life, or someone you know, has become of such importance that other areas of life are being neglected g (work, relationships, p health), then this is a big alarm bell that you or they may have a problem and addiction may be in control. Here are some of the main symptoms to be aware of:
Psychological symptoms of addictions: • Mood swings • Increased temper • Tiredness • Paranoia • Defensiveness • Agitation • Inability to focus/concentrate • Poor judgement • Memory problems • Diminished self-esteem and self-worth • Feelings of hopelessness • Exacerbation of any existing mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.
Behavioural and social signs of addictions: • Secretive/dishonest behaviour • Poor performance and/or attendance at work or school • Withdrawal from responsibility and socialising • Losing interest in activities, hobbies or events that were once important to you THE LOCAL ANSWER
• Continuing to use the t substance, or engage in n certain behaviours, despite th he negative consequences that these cause • Trying but failing to re educe or stop misusing a substtance, or engaging in certain behaviours
Physical y symptoms y p s of addictions: • Lack of concern over physical appearance/personal hygiene • Disrupted sleep patterns, p including insomnia • Extreme weight loss For something to be addictive, it must be characterrised as being reinforcing (increa asing the likelihood that a person will seek repeated exposure to th hem) and intrinsically rewarding (they ( are seen as being positiv ve, desirable, and pleasurable).. People can form addicctions to substances such as alcohol, drugs, nicotine and sug gar, r, or to behaviours such as ga ambling, shopping, online activitty (social media/gaming) and sex x. While substance addictions may be more visible to the outside TO ADVERTISE CALL
world, all addictions can be dangerous and life desttroying. If you have noticed some of the symptoms mention ned, then having a conversation with the person is a good place e to start. Simply listening withou ut judgement is sometimes all they will want in the early da ays, and perhaps mention local support groups g p or online help. p If the person recognises they have a problem with addiction and they are ready, making an appointment with their GP and even attending with them if they want you to is the best place to start. As hard as it may be, especially if the person has isolated themselves and been dishonest or unkind towards you, try to remember it is the addiction talking, not their true self. The person you know and care about is still in there and trying to get them the right help is vital. Below are some links to useful websites with more information about addiction: www.nhs.co.uk www.helpguide.org/homepages/addictions www.addictionsandrecovery.org PAGE
gether
2
2
ge t he r
NHS Foundation Trust
Making life better
We are more than just the trust that cares for your mental health needs! We want to improve the lives of those suffffering from mental health conditions and dementia. YOU can be part of the discoverry y!
We support clinical r e se ar c h i n : Mental Health, Dementia a n d L e a r n i n g D i s a b i l i ti e s Health research changes lives Can you be part of the discoverry y? To find out more for yourself or others, talk to one of the experienced team at Research 2gether: To
0 12 4 2 6 34 4 9 0 2gnfftt.research@nhs.net
2
gether Research Valuing p eo p l e
p a rtn e rs h i p s
innovation
N a ti o n a l I n s ti tu te fo r Health Research
leadership
Contact our team to see how you can be involved. Our studies are not just for patients. We are interested in understanding how carers, health care professionals and ffa amily members are affffected when someone is suffffering a Mental Health difffficulty or been diagnosed with Dementia. All our projects are run according to strict guidelines and patient care is at the heart of what we do. So please, contact us to see how you can make a difffe erence, because 2gether we can be part of the discovery.
www.2gether.nhs.uk ww
10th ANNIVERSARY
CHARITY OF THE YEAR
As parrtt of our 10th Anniversary celebrations, we chose to supporrtt Cobalt – a local, Gloucestershire-based charity – by raising vital funds and increasing awareness of their work and current projects. The money we raise will go towards the two campaigns below.
Supporting T Te eenage and Y Yo oung Adults with Cancer Cobalt parrtt funds TY YA A Nurse Megan Wilsher at a cost of £27 7,,000 per annum. The impact of a cancer diagnosis on young people and families is immense. Young cancer patients have unique biological, physiological and social needs during treatment which are distinct from other cancer patients. For teenagers and young adults, traditionally little care has been put into place that delivers according to their specific needs, with patients often either being treated alongside children of a younger age, or with adults. The Cobalt TY YA A Cancer Nurse ensures that the needs of young adult cancer patients are established at a time when they are most vulnerable. Megan’s post is funded through donations to Cobalt and provides an invaluable service. “My role ensures these patients are supported throughout their cancer journey and beyond, helping them to move forward with their life, as they would have without the intrusion of cancer.” Megan W Wiilsherr,, Cobalt TY YA A Nurs rse “I am grate efful to Megan and to Cobalt for funding the job she does. She has been such a great support.” Samantha (Patientt))
Dementia Futures Fund Cobalt need to raise £150,000+ each year to support this imporrttant work. One of Cobalt’s objectives is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of dementia. They use state-of-the-art imaging equipment to diagnose dementia and are working to increase patient participation in research trials studying new treatments. Dementia currently affects 850,0 0 0 people in the UK and it is only through research that the causes can be determined, effecti ve treatments developed and care improved for patients, both existing and in the future. Cobalt are raising funds to support two Dementia Research Nurses who work with doctors and patients to recruit patients onto national trials. They also support many of these trials with the state-of-the-art imaging equipment for patients. Cobalt work with local hospitals and medical professionals to improve the care and facilities for patients with dementia.
One of our fundraising activities is in June when Lois and her boyfriend Jack will be running the Cheltenham Challenge 10k. If you’d like to sponsor them and help us raise money for Cobalt, please visit the link below. You can also find the link on any of our Social Media pages.
Imagine if every household that received a copy of The Local Answer donated £1 – we’’d d raise enough money to support both of Cobalt’s campaigns for a whole year! https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TheLocalAnswer10thBirthdayY Ye ear
L IT T L E W H IT E VVA A N MA N
Gloucestershire’s friendly, cost effffective r e m o va l s , co l l e ct i o n s an d d e l i ve r i e s se r v i c e!
Discounts for OAPs, students, NHS, emergency services
BI G V VA A NS A AV VA V A I L AB L E Great reviews on
07903 097465 01452 303850
hello@littttlewhitevanman.co.uk
1s t C h o i c e
Home Help Agency Ltd Helping you get home. Helping you at home. Helping you stay home. We W e of f e r h e lp with
• Housework • Pension/benefit • Laundr y, changing collection & bed linen & ironing general errands • Food preparation • Dog walking & • Shopping pet care
07 74 4 6 2 7 0 8 2 3 2 o r 07 74 462 709160 Fully insured your wayhomehelp@outlook.com an d www.your wayhomehelp.co.uk DBS checked
Keep up to date on social media!
Aerial & Satellites Digit ta al Aerial Installations Upgrades and Repairs
10% off with this advert Mark Hawkes
Tel: 01453 222181 Te
SALE S • SERVICING • REPAIRS p
,
f
ly Advviice
New & Re-conditioned Stairlifftts & Warranty Reemovals & Relocations • R R Reentals for Straight Stairs Free Surveys & Quotes – No Obligation Over 25 Y Yeears’ practical experience
@thelocalanswer
PAGE
NDEPENDENT ST TA AIRLIFT SPECIIA ALIST
01454 413748 • 07833 318722 www ww ww w.thornburryystairlifftts.co.uk
WWW.THELOCALANSWER.CO.UK
THE LOCAL ANSWER
Parenting & Guardianship with Roberta Smart
Acceptance in tim mes of change This month Thi th I wantt to t talk t lk about b t acceptance in times of great change. Traditionally at Easter time we receive a message of rebirth and regeneration – so what about when someone you know and love ‘comes out’ of a closet and asks to be ‘reborn’? How do you deal with that? In a world where so many young people are struggling to come to terms with themselves, mental health issues are at an all time high and the conversations are wild, I want to take a gentle look at how we can all ‘do better’ to support young people – and older ones – as they make a journey of self discovery.
Open and accepting conversations with our children No matter what age you are when you first realise you feel ‘different’, the world you grew up in will have had a massive impact p on how well y you can cope with your new w found knowledge. To To this end, I am
THE LOCAL ANSWER
advocating that we have open and accepting conve ersations with our children right from f the start. You don’t have to be genderYo neutral particularly, but maybe avoiding ramming them m into a pink or blue box at birth is a good start?
Celebrate ‘othern ness’ rather than ‘norm mality’ When discussing the e future, keep options open regarding relationships, hobbies, jobs or ways to live. I think most of us these days know at least one person who would identify as different in some e way or another. Celebrating ‘otherness’ rather than ‘no ormality’ sends a great unspoken message to our chiildren so that if and when th he times comes for them to ‘come out’, they will already know they are in a lov ving and accepting place. It is 2019 and ge ender is fluid, sexuality iss wideranging, job prosp pects are endless and wonde erful, and being different is possibly TO ADVERTISE CALL
the most normal thing in the world. I for one am so o glad to live in a time when we can love and support everyon ne – no matter how surprising their t new discoveries may be, an nd at the same time walk through any barriers of discomfort without guilt or shame, becau use, let’s face it, no one is an expert e in change we are all just doing change, d the best we can.
However you identify, you are loved So be you male, female, trans, gay, straight, bi, pan, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Jewish, person of colour, r, mixed heritage, differently abled or a total alien (but that’s another article!), you are welcome, loved, wanted and needed to be a part of this wonderful school of life we call the earth. Parents blessed with children get to learn through their eyes and what a lesson we are learning: acceptance, tolerance, patience, true unconditional love. I believe that being in a family means being willing to learn something new every day. Enjoy the journey: it looks incredible! PAGE
BRRIDGEND IDGEND GA ARAGE RAGE
Free F ree C Collection ollection & D Delivery elivery yS Service ervice Put an a end to your vehicle woes ... We deliver excellent service at a fraction of main dealer prices. We specialise in Audi, VW, Seat, Skoda & ALL OTHER MAKES!
• Experienced staff providing a local friendly service • Fault Diagnosis & Quotes • Free Health Check with all minor services
YOUR LOCAL FA FAMIL LY Y GARAGE ~ Established since 1996
FREE MOT with every full service quoting this advertisement Serrv vicing • Repairs • MoT Tss • Ty Tyres • Ex xhausts Call us today for your free health check: 01453 825500 or 07876 121278 Lower Mills Road, Bridgend, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire GL10 2BB Open Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.30pm & Saturday 8.30am-12 noon
www.bridgendgaragestonehouse.co.uk
PAGE
WWW.THELOCALANSWER.CO.UK
THE LOCAL ANSWER
Motoring with Toby Aiken
A big tick for pe erformance and aesthetics ti The Jaguar XE is a good looking car. Let’s get that straight right from the off. I have serious envy about this car and giving it back was only made easier by the fact that it was being swapped for a Jaguar E-Pace… but more about that in a future review. This is Jaguar’s smaller offering – a low slung sports saloon. It’s sleeker than the XF, slightly smaller but perfectly formed with great lines, and while I usually prefer any colour other than white, this test car looked great from every angle, even in that colour.
Extra bodykit and a few style elements Being the R-Sport model, there’s some extra bodykit and a few style elements around the grill and tread plates. There’s still plenty of space in the back, and headroom is not a problem like it can be in some sports saloons. The boot is still big – not as cavernous as the XF, but the rear end is so much better looking that it’s perfectly forgivable! That’s not to say it’s a small boot. The shape is slightly awkward, but you’d fit a few suitcases in it without too much trouble and the footwell space in the back provides some extra stowage if needed. But ultimately ultimately, y, given this is a Jaguar, Jaguarr, the real test is whether it looks good and whether it moves well. This one comes out well in both tests. The performance isn’t blisteringly fast, but it moves well and is very well balanced, so cornering is a joy. In dynamic mode with the drivetrain in sport, it pulls well and puts a THE LOCAL ANSWER
smile on your face. I’d possibly drop half a mark off for the automatic gearbox, w which is generally good, but on a few rare occasions I don’t think the change was as smooth ass I would have wanted. Given the e choice, I’d opt for the manual option anyway Regardless off this, anyway. this it get’s a big tick for performance.
Amazing from all angles a As for aesthetics, this is an amazing looking car from f all angles outside, and wh hen you get in, it gets even bettter. The contours on the driver’s door sweep in front of you an nd all the way round to the othe er door. There’s some lovely chrome touches around too, an nd some great gloss black effect panels. The quality of a few w areas seems a little lower th han you might hope for, r, but giiven the comfortable seats, greatt driving position, and fantasticc touchscreen interface for the e satnav and stereo, it’s not re eally an issue. And speaking ab bout that stereo, it’s amazing. Gran nted, the unit in my test car wass a £530
upgrade, but if you’re spending around £40k on a saloon, I’d be tempted to go for this.
A big price tag Let’s just take a moment to reflect on that. The price tag for this car was almost £45,000 – and that’s a lot. If I were to pit it against i t a rival i l from f a German G manufacturer, r, it’d probably be the Audi A5 Quattro, which is a similar style of car, r, with a similar power output and spec. Both come with four wheel drive and if you pick the S-Line, you’re looking at a similar amount of kit and comparable spec. Cards on the table, I love the Audi A5. There’s something about it that has always appealed. But given the choice between the two, what would I choose? Both are great looking cars, with good performance and family-friendly functionality built in, despite being an executive-targeted car. In reality, y, there’s no contest. I’d make the same choice time and time again. It’s the Jag. Just maybe not in white. And with a manual gearbox.
TO ADVERTISE CALL
PAGE
What s On The Local Answer Event Listings are compiled and pre esented 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. 20 MARCH – 20 APRIL JOSEP SUBIRACHS AT AT CHAPEL ARTS A collection of the Spanish sculptor and painter Josep Subirachs’ works, including bronzes, drawings, paintings and prints. Coffee Shop available. Wednesday – Saturday, 10am-4pm. www.thechapelarts.com UNTIL 28 APRIL LAMBING AT AT COTSWOLD FA FARM PARK
With the first bleats of new arrivaals and the anticipation of many more in the air, lambing is our favourite time of year! y We hope you’ll come and share it with us; settle yourselves down in thee Animal Barn and keep your eyes peeled. Join us for daily talks from our team, access to our lambing shed, bottle feeding our lambs and goaat kids, Farm Safari rides, Adventure Barrn and Dolly’s Den soft play and much more! m For full details please visit www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk. t ldf k k Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power, Cheltenham, GL54 5FL. 1-30 APRIL COTSWILD EXPLORERS The Cotswold Wildlife Park’s new ‘CotsWild Explorer’ activity trail launches in April for children aged 6-
11 years old. The Egg themed trrail pack (available from the gift shop) comes with a pop badge, lanyard and a pencil for £2.50 per pack (pluss normal entrance price) with 10% % going to Penguin conservation. www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uuk 4 APRIL HORRIBLE HISTORIES: BRAND NEW BARMY BRITA TAIN We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyonee is dead! So it’s time to prepare yourselves for Horrible Histories live on stage with a brand new Wesst End show! Would you be shaken or stirred by Richard III? Mount a mutiny against i King Ki Henry H VIII! See S Mary Tudor knock the spots off Mary Queen of Scots! Will Queen Elizabeth I endure her terrible teeth? It’s thhe history of Britain with the nastyy bits left in! 1.30pm and 6.30pm. £14 (£12). ( The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, R Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. P. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 5 APRIL WHOLE LOTTA TA LED’S 2019 TOUR FEAT ATURING LED ZEPPELIN II 2019 sees the 50th anniversary of the release of one of the greatest albums a of all time – Led Zeppelin II. Whhole L tt Led Lotta L d will ill be b performing f i a sseries of Led Zeppelin II to celebrate tthis incredible album. This show will consist of a selection of songs from Led Zeppelin’s vast back cataloogue and feature the whole of Led Zeeppelin II played in the same sequencee as the original LP. P. 7.30pm. £20. The Bacon
Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP P.. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 6 APRIL COFFEE MORNING A ATT ALDERMAN KNIGHT SCHOOL A special coffee morning to raise money and awareness for World Autism Awareness Week, a Post 16 Belgium Trip and Friends of Alderman Knight School. There will be refreshments, a raffle and a car wash throughout the morning to help raise funds. 10am-12pm. Alderman Knight School, Ashchurch Road, Tewkesbury, GL20 8JJ. 01684 295639. www.aldermanknight.gloucs.sch.uk 6-22 APRIL THE BIG BA ATTSFORD BUNNY HUNT! The Easter Bunny’s helpers have escaped and they’re hopping around the Arboretum – find them to win a prize! The Bunny Hunt costs £2.50 per child (plus Arboretum entrance fee) and all children must be accompanied by an adult. No booking required – just turn up and enjoy! 9am-5pm. Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 9QB. www.batsarb.co.uk EGGSPLORE EASTER Do you know what happened on the very first Easter Day? Come and explore this amazing building to find the answer. £1 per copy from the gift shop. If bought with the Discovery Trail (£4.50), ‘Eggsplore Easter’ will be free. When you have completed the trail visit the gift shop and claim a tiny egg! (subject to availability) Gloucester Cathedral, 12 College Green, GL1 2LX. www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk
Our Readers – Y Yo our Audience Advertise your event to 90,000+ people in the Stroud District!
£25+V VA AT A T
£40+V VA AT A T
£50+V VA AT A T
The Local
A NS W E R
GLOUCESTEER RSHIREE’’S BIGGEES ST LOCAL MAGAZZIINE APRIL 2019
Plus £30+VVA AT A T
for c.40 words for c.65 words for c.90 words imtaogiencwluitdheyaou3rcm t ex t
STROUD DISTRICT
TLA CHARITY GIVEAWA AY Y IS BACK! MORE DETTA AILS
INSIDE ...
To list your event in our What’s On section, email production@thelocalanswer.co.uk To Online event listings coming soon! T To o keep updated send your name and business name (if applicable) to lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk stating ‘Online Event Listings’. PAGE
WWW.THELOCALANSWER.CO.UK
THE LOCAL ANSWER
6-22 APRIL EASTER TRAIL Come to Over Farm to take part in our children’s Easter trail, which will take you on a short walk around the farm in search of the Easter bunny’s giant eggs. There’s a small prize in store, if you can crack the trail. Make sure you look out for our friendly animals along the way and don’t forget your wellies! £5 per child. No need to book. 9am-5pm. Full details at www.overfarm.co.uk. Over Farm, Over, Gloucester, GL2 8DB. 6-28 APRIL EASTER EGG TRAIL Get into the spring spirit by chasing down all of the naughty pheasant chicks hiding in the Castle rooms. Can you spot them all? Hunt for all of the Giant Easter Eggs that have appeared in the gardens for a chocolatey reward! Included with admission. For more details please visit sudeleycastle.co.uk. Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe, GL54 5JD. EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA AT COTSWOLD FARM PARK We’ll be skipping and jumping into the spirit of spring with an egg hunt around the Park with a prize for every child. There will also be craft activities and a puppet show to entertain the little ones, as well as all of the usual Farm Park fun
THE LOCAL ANSWER
– stroking bunnies and holding chicks, bottle feeding the lambs twice daily and the opportunity to feed those greedy goats! For full details please visit www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk. Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power, Cheltenham, GL54 5FL. SPRING FAMILY TRAIL Follow the trail to find out the secrets behind the Snowshill garden – it’s a magical place at this time of the year. Come and explore and find out more about Charles Wade’s special garden. 11am-5.30pm. Snowshill Manor and Garden, near Broadway, WR12 7JU. 6-23 APRIL VICTORIAN EASTER FESTIVAL AT THE HOLST BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM A variety of events including Bake Back in Time Easter, Children’s Craft Drop-In, Victorian Spring Clean and Victorian Posies. For full details including dates, times, prices and activities, visit holstmuseum.org.uk Holst Birthplace Museum, 4 Clarence Road, Cheltenham, GL52 2AY. 12 APRIL STALKING AND HARASSMENT POLICE EVENT An opportunity to talk to the police about stalking and harassment. The police engagement vehicle will also be parked and able to discuss any other
TO ADVERTISE CALL
policing concerns you have. Waitrose, Stroud. Friday 12th April 2019. 10am-3pm. THE KAST OFF KINKS Three former members of band ‘The Kinks’, back together playing great music and re-living the good times. This great line-up features Mick Avory, Ian Gibbons and John Dalton alongside Dave Clarke. Expect an evening of iconic hits including ‘You Really Got Me’, ‘Sunny Afternoon’, ‘All Day and All of the Night’ and more. 7.30pm. £22.50 (£20). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 12-14 APRIL THE COTSWOLDS DECORATIVE, ANTIQUES & ART FAIR A wide variety of pieces for collectors, home furnishers, interior designers and anyone looking for unusual decorative accessories. 11am-5pm. Admission £5. Enquiries: 01278 784912. Complimentary tickets: www.cooperevents.com 13 APRIL LONGLEVENS CHURCH AUCTION Viewing starts at 10am and selling at 12 noon. No buyers/sellers premium. Bargains galore! Refreshments available. Holy Trinity Church Hall, Longlevens, Gloucester GL2 0AJ. Further details from Janet or Eric Chitty on 01452 500229.
PAGE
THE BIRD & DEER PARK PRINKNASH
ppy time of the year and The Bird & Deer Park is well known ffo o r ho s ti ng its Easter Mad Hatter’s Tea Par tyy,, but this year it’s going to be totally Te difffferent and huge fun! The burning question is… would you like to be with “Te Team Alice” or… “Te Team Mad Hatter?” Weell this is going to be a tough choice, but no W matter which team you join up with on the dayy,, the two professional dance theatre artists will ensure that your children get into character and are simply transported to another world, with
p g to go in search of the curious caterpillarr,, bunny bobtails or pom pom b a n t a m s , a n d go o d n e s s knows what everyone will find around the park on the hunt with their team leader! Everything will be tailored ffo or those littttle Mad, Mad Hatttters to include organised games ffo or all to enjoy… and oh boy they will be fun – and let’s face it you can simply never tell what you will find, where you will end up – and so ffo or all of those parttyy goers, the themed Mad Hatter’s Marquee is ready and waiting ffo or tea!
The Bird Park lends itself so well to children’s events, with the ffo ollies and wonderfully tame birds and animals, who really don’t mind how you are dressed, be it in wings, wigs, superman outfits or just in wellies.
The Bird and Deer Park, Prinknash, Cranham, Gloucester GL4 8
Tea witith Alic lice thi his Easte aster at The Birird & Deer Par &Dee Park
T h e f a l l ow d e e r s t i l l c o m e u p and nuzzle you ffo o r fo o d , a n d the birds always love to meet our visitors, which is just as well because afftter lunch you can
enjoy the rest of the park in your own time. B o o k i n g s o n l i n e o n ly a t www.thebirdpark.com or via the offffice on 01452 812727.
EASTER: The park will be closed by 5.00pm
The chief diff i ficulty Alice found at first was in managing her flamingo...
The ffiirst witness was tth Th he Hatterr.. He came in witth ha teacu upp in one hand and a piece ooff breadd--and-butter in tth he otth her.
8EX • Open 10am-5pm • 01452 812727 • www w..thebirdpark.com
14 APRIL OPEN GARDEN & RARE PLANT FFA AIR Join us in this beautiful spring garden by the River Coln, browse the specialist nurseries for interesting and unusual plants, explore the garden and enjoy light refreshments in the pool side Café in support of Cobalt. 11am-4pm. Entry £5 per adult, under 16s free. Quenington, Cirencester GL7 5BN. OPERA ANYWHERE – HMS PINAFORE A tale of mismatched love across different social classes. Josephine is the captain’s daughter and has fallen for lowly sailor Ralph. Yet her father has other ideas – he has promised her to Sir Joseph Porter, the First Lord of the Admiralty. Will love prevail? Climb aboard to find out and enjoy a feast of fun along the way. 2pm. £20 (£17, under 18s £10). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP P.. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 15 APRIL AMAZING BUBBLE MAN
Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences worldwide for over 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles. From rocket bubbles to flying saucer bubbles, the Amazing Bubble Man conjures shrieks of laughter and gasps of amazement from all ages. 2pm. £12.50 (£10.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, P.. Cheltenham, GL51 6EP www.bacontheatre.co.uk 15-19 APRIL ALDSWORTH TO BURFORD Art@Aldsworth group of artists are holding an exhibition of original paintings and glasswork. At Warwick Hall, Burford. 15th April: 12-4.30pm. 16th-18th April: 10am-4.30pm. 19th April: 10am-4pm. Come and meet the artists. 16 APRIL – 12 MA AY Y INTO THE BLUE The colour blue is generally associated with the sky and the oceans, but is oddly rare in nature. It has different meanings in different cultures and was the first man-made colour pigment in 2,200 B.C. This selection of work celebrates blue in a varied mix of both 2D and 3D items. £5.25 adults, £4.75 conc, £15 family.
PAGE
Full details at natureinart.org.ukk Nature in Art, Main A38 Tw Twigwoorth, Gloucester, GL2 9PA PA. 18-20 APRIL PAT ATESIAN PLAY AYERS Alan Ayckbourn’s Confusions Local, dedicated actors bring you a short series of plays about our everyday lives: funny, reflectivee, poignant and incisive. Come and join us at two local venues for a memorable matinee or eveningg. 18th & 19th April, 3pm, Sober Parrot, S St James Square. 19th April, 7.30ppm & 20th April, 3pm, Bethesda Churcch, Great Norwood Street. Tickets ££10, £8. To book call 07946 418552 from 1sst April. To 19-22 APRIL THE COTSWOLD DOGS & CAT ATS HOME EASTER EGGSTRAV AVAGANZA We will be holding a fabulous 3 day event at our friendly and local ccharity shop in the heart of Stroud! Theere will be lots on for all the family to shhare and get involved in, animals to ssee and lots of fun for all! 30 Lansdown Road, Stroud. CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT Spring has sprung at Chedworthh Roman Villa. Join us this Easter weekend for the Cadbury Easterr Egg Hunt. Get close to nature while you y follow the clues on site to claim your prize. There is a small charge for the trail. All ages welcome. £2.50. 100.30am4.30pm. Chedworth Roman Villa, Yanworth, near Cheltenham, GL554 3LJ. EASTER WEEKEND AT AT BERKELEY CASTLE Easter would not be the same without w the thrilling Dragon extravaganz x a. Visitors of all ages will have the opportunity t it to t experience i f t stic fantas dragon puppetry, get face-to-facce with a baby dragon, and take part in tthe colourful Chinese Dragon Parade. Join the Easter hunt and don’t’ forget to collect your free treat. Enter the Great Hall and sit captivated by Dragon Tales from the mystical dragon handleers. Full details at www.berkeley-castle.ccom 20 APRIL THE GREAT AT EASTER EGG TRAILL Come and join the fun! Explore the park, hunt for clues, meet the Eaaster Bunny and win a chocolate prizee! Quiz sheets £2.50 from Sandford Parkk Café. A joint event for Cobalt and Maggie Magggie’ss. 1-4pm. Sandford Park, Cheltenham. 20-21 APRIL MAD HAT ATTER’S TEA PARTY The Bird & Deer Park is well known for hosting its Easter Mad Hatter’s Tea Party but this year it is going to be huge fun and totally different. So are you ‘Team Alice’ or ‘Te Team Mad Hatter’? No matter which team you join up with, the
WWW.THELOCALANSWER.CO.UK
two professional dance theatre artists will ensure your children get into character and are transported to another world! For full details and tickets please visit thebirdpark.com. 01452 812727. The Bird and Deer Park, Prinknash, Cranham, GL4 8EX. 21 APRIL EASTER FA FAMILY LY CELEBRAT ATION 10.30am. An Easter Day church service aimed at all the family. At Cambray Baptist Church, Cambray Place, Cheltenham GL50 1JS (near John Lewis). 25 APRIL MAY AYOR OF CHELT LTENHAM’S CHARITY GOLF DAY AY Teams of 4 playing 4BB. Fun competitions throughout the day. Evening meal, prize giving, auction, bacon rolls on arrival and refreshments on the 10th tee! Only £260 per team. Book your team NOW! Call Graham on 07878 381793 or email at graham_chandler@yahoo.co.uk 25-28 APRIL SPRING HOMES & GARDEN FAIR Join an exclusive homes and gardens sale l like lik no other th including i l di indoor i d andd outdoor furniture bargains, decorative accessories, gifts, fashion items and more. Please note, tickets to the Spring Grand Sale do not include entry to Sudeley castle and gardens. Tickets £5 (if bought online). Full details at sudeleycastle.co.uk. Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe, GL54 5JD. 27 APRIL RENEGADE FESTIVA VAL 2019 Our annual showcase of all things Gloucester music, ReneGade Festival returns for 2019 with a jam-packed, jump-up lineup! Join us from the afternoon for open-air music, an outdoor bar and BBQ, and good vibes until the early hours. 2pm til late. Free entry. For more details visit www.caferene.co.uk. Café René, 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TP. P. WORLD PENGUIN DAY AY Join us for a day of Penguin related activities and competitions, all located by the Penguin pool, in aid of the ‘Sphenisco’ charity, dedicated to the conservation of Humboldt Penguins. Penguin talk and feed at 11am and 3pm. Help feed the Penguins at 1pm for £1 donation (subject to availability). www cotswoldwildlifepark co uk www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.u 1 MAY AY THE HIDING PLACE 7.30pm. A drama telling the truee story of Corrie Ten Boom and her fam mily’s struggle to save Jews from thee Nazis. Tickets £10.50 from christianartsfestival.org. At Cam mbray Baptist Church, Cambray Placee, Cheltenham GL50 1JS (near Johnn Lewis).
THE LOCAL ANSWER
4 MA AY Y COBALLTT PLANT SALE Greenway Nurseries are providing wonderful plants for the Cobalt Plant Sale. Come along and buy bedding plants, perennials or shrubs and enjoy coffee and homemade cake in our Linton House pop up café. 10am-1pm. Cobalt, Linton House, Thirlestaine Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7AS. 01242 535922. 6-29 MA AY Y THE MA AY Y RACING CARNIV VA AL A ATT WARWICK RACECOURSE WA Four days of action-packed racing with events including Kids Carnival Day, Ladies Night, Proudly Warwick and Celebration Race Night. For full details of the carnival, please visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/warwick 11 MA AY Y WORLD BINTURONG DA AY Y Learn about the unusual Binturong with two keeper talks at 11.30am and 3.30pm. Find out about the conservation work we support through ABConservation. Enter our raffle to win a unique Binturong Encounter. Find us near the Binturong enclosure near the Reptile House. www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk 16-28 MA AY Y GIFFORDS CIRCUS – XANADU Giffords Circus returns to Sudeley with their magically chaotic family-friendly
THE LOCAL ANSWER
show, suitable for all ages to enjoy. For more details please visit sudeleycastle.co.uk Sudeley Casstle, Winchcombe, GL54 5JD. 17-19 MAY AY WINCHCOMBE WALKING FESTTIVAL Enjoy our great selection of 24 walks w to suit all abilities plus 2 evening events. Our walks, led by knowledgeable local guides, offer a great insight about the history and a landscape p of the Cotswolds. www.winchcombewelcomeswaalkers/ festival.com 19 MAY AY CITY OF GLOUCESTER 10K, 2K CHILDREN & FA FAMILY LY RUN AND D 10K WHEELCHAIR RACE This event is for runners of all abilities a and is supporting Macmillan Caancer Support. The course is flat and fast, traffic free, taking place in the summer. The Children and Famiily 2K Run is a great day out for all thee family and a chance for young, buddinng athletes to race for top spot. Thhe 2k event sees children of all ages running i with ith their th i mums, dads, d d uncles, l aunties and grandparents. The Corporate Business Challenge is a team spirit friendly competition and all round fun. For more details and to enter online visit cityofgloucester10k.org.uk
TO ADVERTISE CALL
25 MAY AY – 2 JUNE THE WILDLIFE ART SOCIETY EXHIBITION
An opportunity to see and purcchase beautiful works of art and to meet artists who are dedicated to promoting conservation of all sspecies. Daily 10am-5pm and final Sunday 10am-3.30pm. Entry is FREE with good parking. Set in the beautiful groounds of Nature in Art Gallery and Muuseum, Main A38 Tw Twigworth, Gloucester GL2 9PA. SatNav Postcode: GL2 9PG G. 23 JUNE RIDE FOR RYDER C Come andd join j i us on one off the th best b t loved charity cycling events in the Cotswolds and raise vital funds for our care. Cycle 40km, 90km or 130km in the spectacular Cotswolds. Sign up at www.sueryder.org/rideforryder
PAGE
Entertainment
If you have a story to share, please email full details to TToom. with Tom Hadfield ‒ entertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk
The trrio aiming to change operaa Katie Blackwell, Olivia Bell B and Megan Strachan are e three sopranos hoping to change chan nge how opera in the UK is perceived and experienced. The three women, all still in their early twenties, met while performing with Oxfordshire based Opera Anywhere, a company that tours throughout the UK. Performing in shows like ‘Sister Angelica’ and ‘Pirates of Penzance’ together, r, they quickly grew to be friends before Megan suggested they get together and tour as a trio. “I’m the founder, as in I was the one who sent the Facebook message out asking if anyone wanted to be involved in this mad idea,” she explained. Olivia added: “In the opera world, sopranos are so often competing for the same roles, so I jumped at the chance to be
(L-R): Megaan Strachan, Katie Blackwell and Olivia Bell
able to do something g collaborative with other female e singers.” The group called th hemselves ‘Sorelle’ – Italian for ‘sisters’ – after performing together in ‘Sister Angelica’. Sorelle’s inaugural concert will be at St George’s Church C in Megan’s hometown of Nailsworth, on Saturday 6tth April. “The venue is my local church where I did my very first solo
Film Review – Joe Kennett Captain Marvel With ‘Av Avengers: Endgame’ just around the corner, r, Marvel have come at us with a final blockbuster, r, leading straight into the finale of the current series of films. Brie Larsen enters the Marvel cinematic universe higher, further, faster than ever in the franchise’s first female-led superhero movie. Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck have created a new generation in Marvel – the pace is fast, the story is solid and the jokes are witty. It can be hard to keep up with at first, but it will not disappoint. The film has the elements of a retro alien invasion movie with all the excitement thatt fans of the franchise expect. Th his origin story gives a new w lease of life to modernday feminism. Captain Marvel is an unstoppable force, and she’’s going to be the perfect addition to the universe. Full review online.
when I was nine,” said s Megan. Katie added: “O One of the things we’ve learnt from touring with small compa anies is the smaller villages we go to are the ones that have alwa ays sold out. “It’s extraordinary, people come from all over to see s opera – these are people wh ho really genuinely value someone coming locally to do a conccert.” Full story online.
Book Review – Aloÿse of Daylesford Book Club The e Red Address Book
by Soofia Lundberg How w many of us still use address books? This novel revolves arou und a “red-leather address book, its bent corn ners revealing the yello owed paper within.” It belongs b to 96-year-old Doris who lives alone in her Stockholm apartment. She was given the address book by her father and from that mom ment she kept a note of all the peo ople she met thro oughout her life. This is a debut novel inspired by the author’s great aunt who had a similar address book. Through the book Lundberg encourages us to talk to older people to listen to their stories and learn from their experiences. The author portrays old age as it is. Many of us will know a Doris, but the outstanding themes of the book are memories, sorrow and most importantly love. Full review online.
Above is a selection from local entertainment stories available online ...
Art • Events • Experiences • Film • Lifestyle Literature • Music • Reviews • Theatre • TV
The young autho or with big am mbitions At the age of o 14, most people dread the th hought of writing, because usu ually it it’ss for home homework or an esssay. That’s nott the case with Callum Higg gins however, who has already written w two fantasy novels with more m on the way. “Since I wass around eight years old I’ve been reading fantasy books like Game G of Thrones,” he said. “I’ve been n writing since a young age, about a 10, just short stories. I thre ew out lots of those manuscripts recently because I didn’t like th hem!” Callum, wh ho lives in Stroud, released the e first novel of his fantasy series ‘First Crown: Malice of Sno ow’ in March 2018, with his second book, ‘First Crown: Te Tearrs of Fire’ set for release at the e end of the month. “I was wo orking on my first book for ab bout three years,
Callum on a recent book signing tour
including editing,” explained the St. Peters P High School student. “I don’t d ’t re eally ll start t t with ith a plan l so there’s always a a lot to edit at the end.” The boo oks are published through Callum’s C own company, whicch was set up to help fellow young authors have their works enco ouraged and possibly published.
“We sttarted Askaria Publishing in De ecember of last year, r, so it’ss still reasonably new,” he it added. “It wass just something to help boost th he books a bit – I’ve always been interested in businesss too so it’s something I’ve wanted to do.” A perce entage of royalties from Askaria P Publishing go towards a charity run alongside the company y, which aims to help young people across the country develop their literary skills. “It’s a fund which supports educatio onal charities in places that need d it,” he explained. “We’re e quite lucky here in Gloucesttershire, we’ve got good schools. A lot of schools in the area hav ve been very supportive – Crypt sschool even bought my books to o put in their library!” Full story y online.
Locaal singer take es first steps into pop Whether you u love it or hate it, it pop music is one of the biggest and most listened to genres in the world. From Gaga to Grande, Britney to Beyoncé, pop p regularly rules the charts and over the years has dominatted radio stations and streamin ng services alike. For many emerging e artists it can be a toug gh nut to crack, but it’s a challeng ge that singer Noella Usborne is lo ooking forward to. “I’ve been singing ever since I can remem mber,” said the 19year-old. “I sttarted learning how to play guita ar and piano when I was seven or eight and I’ve been practicing since. Noella, who o lives in Chalford, released he er debut single ‘Unrequited’ at the beginning of March, an ‘alt-pop anti-love song’ that sh he wrote herself.
N Noella Usborne
“I’ve bee en song writing since I was abou ut 14,” she continued, “I think likke every artist I can have ebbss and flows when it comes to writing.” w Noella recorded, r produced and wrote the single alongside
Sam Ju udd, one half of the Stroud-b based electronic music duo KOM MODO. The pa air met while attending Thomas Keble Comprehensive school, a and Noella explains how working with Sam has been such a m massive help. She ccontinued: “It’s been fantastic, he’s a much more able producer than I am. I’m much more of an instrumentalist and a vocalist and he’s good for translating my gobbledygook! “I can ssay something like ‘can we put another a boop there’ and he can do it. It’s been wonderful, a really enjoyable e learning experience. “I wan nt to do some more collaborations and hopefully release an a EP soon. I really want to work on o myself as an artist.” Full story y online.
For full articles and more stories visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk
Homes & Gardens
CPPA G PAV AV A V IN G
ALL WORK FULLY GUARANTEED FULLY INSURED
47 Worcester Street, Gloucester GL1 3AW For a FREE QUOTA TION please call: AT
07786 058696 or 01452 348 487 84
(Please dial area code when calling)
Cs T& pply a
April 2019
T&Cs apply
fo
2an0y o% OFF rders during
FULLLYY INSURED
r 99le ca £7r singdrive
GENUINE
WITH ALL WORKS
LA L ANDSCAPING DRIVEW EWA AY A YS PA P AT A TIOS
FOR ALL YOUR PROPERTY NEEDS Our range of services include: • New roofs & repairs • Lead work • Tiles • Slates • Felt & battening • Repointing • Ridge tiles & chimney repairs • Flat roofs • EPDM rubber • Roof coatings • Dry verge systems • Gutter repairs & cleaning • External painting • Moss removal & fungicidal treatments • uPVC fascias & soffits
5 YEAR
GUARANTEE
&
Block Pav aving • Tarmac • Grav avel • Drainagee • Kerbs • Steps Paths • Turfing • Fencing • Decking • Resin Bound Drivewa ways
FREE EE QUOTA TATI TIONS NS Call or email 01242 801706 • 01452 3416 699 candgpav avinguk@gmail.com m
GUUAARRAANTEEEED TO BEEAAT ANY TO GENUIINNE QUOTTEE
ww w ww w w avving.co.uk w..cg-pa
& Sons Ltd
Paving & Tarmac Specialists Block Paving • TTaarmac • Landscaping Fencing • Patios • Driveways Garden Walls
ALSO
All our work is Guaranteed for 5 years! Guaranteed to beat any genuine quote
esin Driveways, Patios & Paths
Maintenance • Choice of Colours • Durable & Long Lasting • Weed Free • Porous for Drainage
• Reduces Puddles • Firm, attractive Surface • Can be applied over Existing Surface • Cost Effective
Rectory Fields, Rudford, Gloucestershire GL2 8DT
Teel: 01452 668005 / 01453 297010 / 01285 238089 T
www.marshallsdriveways.co.uk
Company registration: 11415390
PAGE
WWW.THELOCALANSWER.CO.UK
THE LOCAL ANSWER
Wildliffe e Matters with Maxine Raggatt
The humble honey bee You may be b surprised i d to t learn l that there are over 250 species of bee in the UK alone. Bumblebees, for example, have 24 different species. This month’s focus is the honey bee. They can usually be seen between March and October, flitting between flowers and collecting precious nectar. They live in beehives in hollow trees or rock cavities.
Queen bee
A single hive can have 20,00060,000 honey bees with only one queen. The queen bee is the biggest in the colony, measuring about 2cm. Her job Drones is to lay eggs; she can produce Male honey bees are e called up to 2,000 eggs per day. drones and they have no stinger The worker bee so cannot cause harm m. They w weeks Worker bees are female. Their often live for only a few a then role is to produce honeycomb to mate with the queen and by secreting wax from their they will die. Just a few hundred abdomens. They must also go drones are produced in a colony p to the thoussands of out and forage, g , keep p the nest compared clean, feed the larv vae and worker bees. At summer’s end, es are the protect the nest from prredators. the few surviving drone first to be kicked outt of the colony so they cannot consume c the winter stores.
How is honey mad de?
Worker bees will fly within five miles of their hive to o collect pollen and nectar. Th hey will consume what they ne eed first for nourishment and then continue to gather morre, which will be stored in theirr second stomach. When the bee e returns to the hive, a young wo orker bee will suck the nectar ou ut of the foraging bee’s second sstomach. The nectar will then be chewed for about 30 minutes to add enzymes, which will form a syrup. This syrup will then be deposited into a hon neycomb THE LOCAL ANSWER
segment. By flappin ng their wings, the water in th he syrup will evaporate to reach the right consistency. The honey y is then ready to be capped. This is when the worrker bees produce wax from m their abdomens to spread over o the honeycomb segment to store the honey while it awaits awa aits later consumption during the winter months.
Help save the honey bee
There are a few simple things you can do to help bees thrive. You can start by mowing the grass less often and not using pesticides. Planting a beautiful wildflower garden is also hugely beneficial, as such a diverse range of flowers are produced, all with various benefits. Herbs, flowers, trees, shrubs, fruit and vegetables are all beneficial to many species of bee, which is imperative for their survival. Bees also need water. If you don't have a birdbath, you can place a small tub of water among the flowers or out on a table to help the hard at work species.
TO ADVERTISE CALL
PAGE
GMD
Garden Maintenance & Design FULL LY Y
We guarantee We specialise in: Complete Garden Makeover to beat any D esigns • Lawn Maintenance UP TO Landscaping • Block Paving genuine quote! Patios & Patio Areas OFF Resin Bonded and Bound Driveways THIS Patio & Driveway Cleaning Service APRIL Planting (w (wee allsso suppllyy annyy planttss needdeedd)) T&Cs Apply All Aspects of Garden Maintenance… At GMD we cover all garden maintenance, garden design and landscaping. We are a local company that takes pride in what we do, and only use the highest quality materials.
INSURED
40%
We guarantee to work on time and tto We o bud dg gett,, and all of our team are highllyy exxp perienced.
DYKES BUILDERS LOCAL • FRIENDLY • PROFESSIONAL
Follow us on Social Media to see what our clients think and check out our work. For a no obligation FREE quote or if you have any questions about our service, please call: t: 01242 801 680 m: 07432 557 931 gmdgardenmaintenancedesign@gmail.com
A family business delivering a quality service for your home johndykes52@hotmail.com www.dykesbuilders.co.uk
07813 774370
ROOFING & DRIVEWA AYY SPECIALIST NEW ROOFS & REPAIRS FLAT ROOFS • CHIMNEY WORK • TILES & SLATES FASCIAS • GUTTERING • SOFFITS • UPVC
Spring S
ale
TARMAC
10% OFF ply T&Cs ap
A QUALITY SERVI
GLOS BUILD
LTD
REGULATED & INSURANCE APPROVED
BLOCK PAVING
ROM TOP TO BOTTOM
FREE QUOTA OTA AT TIONS
01242 500918
Professional & Reliable ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED General Builders info@glosbuild.co.uk www ww. w.glosbuild.co.uk OVER 40 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE! Court Farm, Tewkesbury Road, Twigworth, Glos. GL2 9PX PAGE
WWW.THELOCALANSWER.CO.UK
THE LOCAL ANSWER
In the Garden with Julia Smith
Spring garden n growth Who knows Wh k what h t April A il has h i in store weatherwise? We have had snow in April, hot, dry spells and constant rain, so anything is possible! This is a good time to plant ornamental grasses in freedraining sandy soil, but if your soil doesn’t sound like this you can add plenty of grit to clay soils to improve the drainage. Alternatively, create a raised bed with bricks or sleepers to aid drainage.
Cascading hummocks of vivid foliage Some grasses look great in pots like the Japanese Hakonachloa macra ‘Alboaurea’, which is an eye-catching small ornamental grass, forming cascading hummocks of vividly striped bright yellow and green foliage. The narrow leaves keep their colour throughout the season – although it loses its leaves in winter – and often when the plant is grow wn in full sun it develops a reddissh tinge. I prefer it grown in shade s to keep the yellowy-green colour. Now for ponds, it is a good time to reinstall any pum mps and filters that have been removed r
Picture: The Bressingham Gaardens
THE LOCAL ANSWER
over winter. Thin out oxygenating plants that are ‘taking over’. Divide and repot any marginal plants tha at have become pot bound and a top dress with grit. Don’t add any fertiliser to pond plantss, as this will make algae growth worse.
Encourage the grass to grow nice and green Begin feeding the law wn in April when growth starts again. Use a propriettary spring/summer lawn fe ertiliser in two applications. It should be high in nitrogen to encourag ge the grass to grow nice and green. g If you need to apply a weedkiller on the grasss, do it two or three weekks later when everything is growing strongly. Don’tt mow for two or Don three days after apply ying, and if you have mown don’t apply weedkiller for tw wo or three days. Also remem mber not to compost the clipping gs, which have been treated d with weedkiller. Personally,, I don’t mind seeing a lawn containing daisies and other flow wers, and
life is easier if you learn to love them!
Now is the time to grow sunflowers If you fancy growing sunflowers with your kids, now is a good time to sow w them. Plant them in a 9cm pot and provide a little bottom heat just to get them t to germinate. Ke eep them inside on a wiindowsill or greenhou use and tie up to a cane as they grow. They T can be put outside e as soon as the chance of frost has gone and d either planted in nto the garden or repotted into a 15cm pott. April iss also a good time to plant evergreens, both hedging and d specimen shrubs. P Plant into well-prepared soil w which has had organic matter and a handful of general purpose fertiliser added. Keep w watered, especially in dry spellls as we move into warmer weather.
TO ADVERTISE CALL
PAGE
Follow us on
Q U E D G EL E Y C A R P E T S 01 1452 883113 www.quedgeleycarpets.co.uk
Why choose Quedgeley Carpets...
We stock:
We don’t pride ourselves on being the biggest independent flooring shop in Gloucestershire, we pride ourselves on being the best. We believe the smallest things make the biggest impact. Firstly we focus on providing extraordinary customer service. For example, unlike our competitors our expert fitting team can – • Move your furniture • Remove your flooring • Uplift your flooring • Ease your doors … And evve en vva acuum u up p beffo ore w we e lle eavve e! Selecting your flooring couldn’t be easier! Our salesmen do not work on commission, so we can ensure our customers are getting the right product for the right price. If you can’t get to the shop then don’t worry. We offer a free measuring, estimating and home selection service. Finally, reviews speak for themselves, check ours out … we are ★ above the rest!
• Carpets • Vinyls
• Engineered Wood
• Laminates • Rugs
The Bumble Bee
Police Cussttody Suites
IIRRE RSH Y STE AR CE BUL OU TA GL ONS C
Holiday Inn Express WA TE RW EL LS DR IVE
Y AY D WA RD TELFOR
5 M
STTAANLEY COURT
LOSE EDISON C
A38
GLO UCE STE R
WE ARE HERE
TEL FO RD WA Y
• Luxury • Artificial Vinyl Tiles Grass
Unit 1, Stanley Court, T Te elford Way, Quedgeley, Gloucester GL2 2AE info@quedgeleycarpets.co.uk
Save the Planet with Grant Mitchell of Severn Trent
Keeping our drains and sewe ers running freely Do we all know what we should and shouldn’t be putting down our sinks, drains and toilets? It’s really important that members of the public are aware of what should and shouldn’t enter the water system, in order to reduce sewer blockages, stop our rivers and streams from being polluted and to help the environment.
Your community
Your local drains and sewers that deal with your waste after you’ve flushed your toilet, or emptied your sink, periodically suffer problems in the form of blockages. This is as a result of the wrong things being poured down the sink or flushed down the toilet. So, to prevent the problem from getting worse, there are a few things you can do.
Your help – spread the word Please can you make a special effort to remember to only ever flush pee, poo and toilet paper down the loo, and always
scrape pots, pans and plates into the bin before washing up? If you already do this, that’s great, thank you. Wet wipes, nappies, kitchen roll, face wipes, cotton buds and sanitary items should never go down the toilet. They should instead be put into a bin. And fats, oils and grease (FOG) should never b poured be d down d the h sink. i k When they cool down, they solidify and stick to the water w pipes. If people put the wrong things down their pipes, sewers get blocked, cau using raw sewage to flood into homes, gardens, roa ads and watercourses. Not only y is this really unpleasant, it can severely pollute rivers and stream ms.
The facts
Did you know that Seve ern Trent are called to resolve e 45,000 sewer blockages each year y and 70% of them are cau used by people putting the wron ng things down the sink or toilet?? And what’s more, this costs a whopping £10m to sort out. Yo You can see from the images in this article what happens when wet wipes and FOG collect in our pipes.
Fine to flush
Did you know that most wipes are not designed to be flushed down d the toilet? As they arre moist toilet tissue, only wipes with the ‘Fine to Flush’ logo on the packet can safely be flushed… but still only one or two t at a time please. Try to keep p an eye THE LOCAL ANSWER
TO ADVERTISE CALL
out for the logo and think twice before flushing any wip pes.
Collect your fat, oil o and grease Why not try using one of Severn Trent Trent’ss Gunkpo ots or an old container to trap any fat you might produce when n you’re cooking. Wait for the fat to cool, then pour it into the po ot, scrape it into the bin – and then reuse it. If you nee ed more information n about this, please visit the Severn Trent website for some useful tipss on how to prote ect our wonderful water network: www.stwate er.co.uk/ about-us/environ nment/ bag-it-and-bin-it/
Thank you
Finally, thank you for y your help in making sure we kkeep our drains and sewers running freely. PAGE
Interior Design with Gill Greenwell
Spring refresh It’s Spring at last; the snowdrops have gone, the daffodils are out and the tulips are blooming in all their glorious colours. After the dull and cold winter months, the sun starts to stream in through our windows – a perfect time to think about refreshing and updating our homes. Here are some ideas to help you get started.
Colours that say ‘now’ The simplest and most costeffective way of redecorating is to use paint. There is so much choice of paint colours available now – and you don’t have to stick to grey. The current trend is for warmer, r, softer tints – think blush pink or soft coral. There’s even talk of beige coming back – you heard it here first! If you fancy trying one of the new stronger hues like teal or forest green you can always use it on a feature wall. Farrow and Ball is still the goto place for inspiration, or you can have your fa avourite
THE LOCAL ANSWER
colours made up forr you at your local DIY store.
A trend for prints A quick and easy way to brighten up yourr interiors is with new w cushions and throws. Swap wool and faux fur for cotton and linen fabrics in one of the gorgeous new floral orr botanical prints (greatt f outdoor for td f furniture it too). to ) Add a throw in a soft colour for those cooler evenings.. You could also recove Yo er a tired old chair with a brig ght new fabric which always works. w If you are replacing g your curtains, try something g lighter in a paler shade – think soft voile or textured line en, and partner with shutters or o blinds for extra privacy. Yo ou’ll be amazed how much ligh hter and brighter g your room loo y oks.
The new naturals Natural materials are a great spring/summer option for rugs and furniture, and are ccurrently
TO ADVERTISE CALL
very much h on trend d – good d for f the environment too. Try swapping heavy wool rugs for seagrass or coir. If you are considering upgrading your furniture, think bamboo and rattan for a more relaxed feel. I was in Australia at the beginning of the year and I noticed lots of beautiful low woven rattan chairs, often styled with neutral or tropical print fabrics and big green plants. I felt I just wanted to sink into them with my favourite cocktail.
An extra stylish touch It’s always good to add that special personal touch to your home. I particularly love coloured glass and textured ceramics. Look out for unusual colours or shapes for glasses and vases to add a dash of style to your scheme. Smaller interiors shops are a good hunting grou ground und for these. I found a beauttiful pale aqua ribbed vase in a local Nordic interiors shop and I fill it with masses of pink tulips. It lifts my spirits every y time I walk into my sitting ro oom. Now all you need to t do is pick up your paintbrush and have fun restyling you ur home. PAGE
THE LOCAL ANSWER
TO ADVERTISE CALL
PAGE
Specialists in bathroom safe fety t and design We can help you with any bathroom makeover, large or smalll, but have particular expertise when designing roomss for customers with mobility issues.
• Wet rooms • Shower rooms • Bathrooms • Cloakrooms • Tiles • Wall boards
B ef o r e
ce e bathroom industry, and only offering well known brands, we can help you to achieve the bathroom you have always wanted. We work with friendly, polite
Save 20%
After bathroom fitters w o are a le produce a high standard of finish We offer the full bathroom se and can supply ev rything y need to complete the job, in tiles, wa lboards and acc
VAT*
due to disability or a medical condition, we are able to supply your bathroom VAT free, s a v i n g y o u 2 0 % . P l e as e a s k f o r de t ai l s .
07496 057281 057281 or 01453 01453 884167 884167 Con ntact Rex on 07496 for a free home visit to discuss your need ds
rex@lifestylebathrooms.n n et
www.lifestylebathrooms.net
Gadgets & Gizmos with Laura Nicklin
The sky’s the limit! IIs it a bird? bi d? Is I it a plane? l ? Is I it a drone causing chaos at Gatwick Airport? Well, whilst it’s hopefully not the latter, there are still some fun flightthemed gizmos you can enjoy. From the realms of outer space, to the fantastical flying beasts of myth, these winged gadgets can help you to find your inner Buzz Lightyear and go to infinity and beyond!
Toothless & Lightfury g y Soft Toys From the much-loved ‘How to Train Yo Your Dragon’ franchise, come the adorable Toothless and Lightfury, in much smaller, more plush form, compared to their movie counterparts. These ‘Squeeze & Growl’ dragons make for adorable fire-breathing beasts; just squeeze their tummies to unleash a fierce growl. For kids wanting to te test est their dragon-training skillss, these 10-inch-tall dragons make m for the perfect pal. With h AG13 batteries included, and d priced at just £19.99 each, let your kids take to the skies.
Argos
Spider Drone This gadget is sure to get g your spidey senses tinglin ng, as it looks and sounds like something straight out o of a Marvel movie. Well perhaps p that’s because this drone d is based on one of Tony y Stark’s many tech wonders from Spider-Man: Homecoming; it even includes a voice sample from Karen, Karen the AI from Peter Parker’s spider suit. This drone is great for beginners, as it includ des auto and manual flight modes, as well as autom matic launch and land ding features, and adjusta able flight sensitivity. It also has Sky Viper firmw ware, meaning you can enha ance its agility. At £49.99 9, it doesn’t matter if you’re a kid or an adult, y you can still feel like an Av Aven nger with this super tech.
our larger universe. Th his 85cm diameter system is designed to give an up-close presentation of the eight plan nets; just hang from the ceiling, and let the gadget rotate. The solar system, which w is remote-controlled, can also multi-task as a nig ght-light, with its glowing sun orb! At £25 99 this is a fun, stylish £25.99, and educational gift idea to get kids more intereste ed in the solar system.
Remote-Controlled Solar System
Menkind.co.uk THE LOCAL ANSWER
This cool gizmo willl let you travel to the depth hs of the solar system, and provide some insight into TO ADVERTISE CALL
John Lewis PAGE
Word Search Wo T N N G M E I F U J L X S D B T X R C G I J F K
W Q N N A C H S C S E R P Z Q V E H A R T E A W
Y N J S U V R I P D E Z B Z Y G O N S T C S M P
R Q T O Z T C N D W V F D E R C V L N O X U I I
W E C A B C D L O E L F Z G O A X E J O A S L B
R R E A C K E L E P B G X L O C B B W A B A Y B
S P R I N G F T W F E L A H U N T B B H B Z M B
P H E L S I R E Z R T T R K U Z K K I H I A G O
L E D N T F S K U G E P U K T V I S M T L W G C
N T A H A D P S H N F R M Z E E H N P W A M E C
D O W E E N W A R T H D D Q J W H O S L G W W H
Y A I I R T L B L H F F A B D J D I T L X I C L
A N J X T Y D Z K T U I F M P B Q T R A I L D R
N C N K I B J Y W X W Y F C Y K E C A L O E V B
Z W Y U O F P I Q B H J O O J O U E D Z L S K X
N G K A B A I Q M I Q U D U O I N R I K C E E D
N I T F R I O C N C O F I B K I H R T Q R B K N
C D J Z N S L L U T X U L G P T A U I H E C P Y
E T A R B E L E C R P Q A X F P V S O Q G R A T
L M S D D E T R W C C T B S Q G Z E N R A D Y B
X L I D E C O R A T E C Y M Q M N R A A N D A I
H C R U H C Y L V P Q Y U P X M T S A U L R M D
Z B I X W I B N S L V V P C O Y S H S H Q C E P
X M U W L F T K U Y D L B O Y K C I H C P P F Q
Easter BASKET BONNET BUNNY CELEBRA AT TE CHICK CHOCOLA AT TE CHURCH CRUCIFIXION DAFFODIL
DECORA AT TE EASTER EGG FAMILLYY FLOWERS GRASS HIDE HUNT JESUS
LAMB RABBIT RESURRECTION SPRING SUNDA AYY TRADITION TREA ATTS
Installers of top quality win ndows, doors and conservatories. For a free no obligation gation quotation call
01242 511384
Showroom – Units 40 & 41, Space Businesss Centre, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham, GL51 9FL L
Don’t look until you’ve finished! Solutions on ‘Index of Advertisers’ page. PAGE
WWW.THELOCALANSWER.CO.UK
THE LOCAL ANSWER
Quick Crossword ACROSS S DOWN 1 Desert wanderer 1 Rock face 7 Scandal recesses 8 Cape e 2 A great distance 10 Logiccally 3 New Zealand bird 12 Bluffing 4 Acute pain 5 Bolted (of gate) 14 Unit of land 6 Rewrite on 16 Grasssed section keyboard 17 Canin nes 9 Buddhist fate 20 Unwillingness 11 Careless 23 Inuit canoe pedestrian 24 Provo oking 25 Group of musical 13 Opposite of aye 15 Protruded, ... out notess 16 Te Tempting 18 Chopped wildly 19 Rough-skinned 21 Female relative 22 Apiece
© Lovatts Puzzles
Don’’tt look until you’ve finished! Solutions on ‘Index of Advertisers’ page.
www w.thelocalanswerr..co.uk mo ore articcles mo ore variety more e mobile b e bil bile
Abbey Group, Units 23/24, Neptune Business Centre, Tewkesbur y Road, Cheltenham, GL51 9FB www.abbeybusinessequipment.com The Abbey Business Lounge at Gloucester Rugby’s Kingsholm Stadium sponsored by Gloucestershire’s leading business solutions provider
PAGE
WWW.THELOCALANSWER.CO.UK
THE LOCAL ANSWER
Sudoku Fill the grids so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.
Money Matters with Roger Downes of Andorran
Hello Making g Ta Tax Digital (MT TD) Whilst the majority of the coun ntry has been concentrating on Britain’s exit from the EU, HMRC has been quietly preparing us for the arrival of Making Ta Tax Digital (MTD D) for VA VAT. Well it’s here and time to say Hello MT TD. With a small number of ex xceptions, all b i businesses which hi h are VA VAT registered i t d and d whose h turnover is greater than the registration threshold of £85,000 will have to submit their returns digitally. This means direct from your accounting systems to HMRC’s computers, without going through the Government Gateway or any other portal. We have been working with clients for months now to prepare them for the arrival of MTD. If you run a business and are not aware of what is needed, you need to ‘get your skates on’.
Identify which HMRC-approved software you are going to use
Don’t look until you’ve finished!
Solutions on ‘Index of Advertisers’ page.
THE SOLUTION FOR YOUR NEW BATHROOM ... Your local family business
THE LOCAL ANSWER
The first job is to identify which software you are going to use. There are several cloud accounting systems that are available and most will do the job adequately for a ‘basic’ business. Our experience, however, r, is that the providers have brought a simple product to market, but that as soon as you need something a little more sophisticated, they come up short. Work out what you need your accounting system to do for you, examine the options, talk to your advisers and take the plunge! It is possible to keep your records on spreadsheets and add bridging software that will submit your returns digita digitally. ally. But don don’tt assume you can simply use whattever software you want; to be acceptable to HM MRC, they have to approve it in advance. Change is coming very quickly and, if you’re affected, you need to be taking acction now.
TO ADVERTISE CALL
PAGE
Sport
with Roger Jackson
WA W ANT TO SHARE YOUR SPORTING STORY ON OUR WEBSITE? Please email full details to sport@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Chris Den nt upbeat ahe ead of new season Chris Dent has been on ne of the main men at Gloucesterrshire for a good number of years yea ars now even though he only celebrated his 28th birthday at the start of this year. He first played for the club at the back end of the 2009 season and these days he is very much Gloucestershire’s number one opening batsman, and is also preparing for his second season as captain of both the county championship and 50-over teams. He is now one of the most experienced players in the squad, having played close on 240 games for the club in all competitions. And that experience was one of the key factors in earning him the captaincy last season in what is essentially a pretty young squad. Head coach Richard Dawson has promoted a good number of youngsters
A love of bowls Gill Hodder started bowling two weeks after she met her husbandto-be Frank. She was 21 years old at the time and as she’s now just turned 68, it doesn’t take a mathematician to work out that she has been Frank and Gill Hodder playing the sport for not far short of 50 years. “Frank played bowls and cricket and the two things g I hated more than anything were bowls and cricket,” Gill laughed. She never did get into her cricket even though Frank was captain of Stonehouse for a good number of years – “I still hate it!” she confirmed – but she tried the bowling, liked it and has never looked back since.
Chris Dent
over the past couple of o seasons, peferring to give a you ung player a chance instead of bringing in a journeyman cricketter from outside to fill a hole. It’s meant regula ar opportunities for the likess of Miles Hammond, Jack Brace ey, George Hankins, Ben Charlesw worth and George Drissell in 2018, chances that they certainly too ok. So much so that she is now captain at Stroud Bowls Club, which can be found at Stratfo ord Park.
The Bobby Dazzler Bobby George is big and brash and darts fans the world over love him for it. His appeal stretches beyond b his chosen sport, of course, because he is something of a TV V star in his own right, and has been b a big favourite on the BBC show The Real Marigold Hotel in recent times. However, it’s for his darts that the 73-year-old rem mains best known and he remains in big demand even though b by his own admission his days as one of the leading players have long since gone. These days he’s wan nted for his larger than life personality as much as for his darts a and he will soon be heading to G Gloucester-
Throw in all-rou under Ryan Higgins, the 24-ye ear-old who joined from Middlesex at the end of the 2017 sea ason, and it’s not difficult to see the t direction Gloucestershire are heading. “Ye Yes, we’re a young side, but we’re also a good side.” Dent said. “I think we proved that at the end of the last season s when we had some good results.” Indeed they did because they ended the campaign with three wins and two draws in the longer format of the e game. It saw them finish h fifth in the 10-strong Division Tw Two of the county championship and Dent added: “We want to start the new season the way we ended the last one.” The 2019 campaign gets under way on Thursday 11th April with a championship game against Derbyshire in Bristol. Full story online. shire for the Cheltenham Masters, an ever-popular event that this year takes place at the Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse on Friday 5th April.
Full speed ahead
Chris Rogers had just returned from a two-week skiing holiday in Canada when he spoke to The Local Answer. That’s pretty much downhill all the way, of course, but since returning to his day job it’s been very much uphill all the way, although not in a bad sense. You see, Rogers is general Yo manager and club secretary of Prescott Speed Hill Climb, the home of the well-established Bugatti Owners’ Club, and this year is even more special than normal because the club are celebrating their 90th anniversary. For fu Fo full versions of allll these stori ries vis isit www. w.thelocalanswer.co.uk r
Above is a selection from local entertainment stories available online ...
London calling for Steve Andrew By his own admission Steve Andrew A ndrew is is something something of of a reluctant runner. But that hasn’t stopped him from entering this year’s London Marathon, even though he’s only been running for “five or six years”. B Born i in Ab d Aberdeen, the h recently-turned 55-year-old moved to Newcastle in 2000 before migrating further south to this part of the world in 2014. “I was always a hill walker, r,” he said. “In the Cairngorms and along the West Coast, I never saw myself as a runner.” That was until he met his partner Alison Robinson, who is big into her running and who he describes as “super fast”. Steve Andrew with his partner Alison Robinson “II remembe remember er going for my first run,” he laughed. l “It was two done – some 53 of them – which miles and I thought I was going to she takes in her stride. die!” Steve, who lives in Stroud and is Having su urvived that he a programmer manager for continued to run r – “Love is blind,” Gloucestershire County Council, he said – although he admitted it says his target is six hours for his never came easily to him. marathon debut although he “I had a mental barrier at about added, “I’m hoping to go well four miles,” he h explained. “I did underneath that”. the occasiona al 10K which is about He has a best half marathon six miles, bu ut after four miles, time of two hours, 26, so there is physically an nd mentally, I’d had cause for optimism and he said: enough and I’’d stop.” “I’ll never be fast but my goal is Happily, be earing in mind the never to be last. last.” challenge h ll h ’s he’ ’ gott coming i up in i He has actually run further the capital on n Sunday 28th April, competitively than 13.1 miles, he’s now overrcome that problem. “I joined Stroud S and District although he didn’t know it at the Athletic Club b a couple of years time. “It was in the Exmoor Trail last ago,” he exp plained, “and amazr,” he explained. “Someingly I was running further within October, one had mischievously messed two or three weeks. w “The coach hes for my group – around with the signage, which Sabrina Pacce-Humphreys and meant we actually ran 16-and-aSharon Steve enson – would say half miles. “Trail races are always hard and ‘well done’ att the end of the run and tell us we’d w run five-and-a- I was pretty shattered!” And that wasn’t all because after half or six miles. I couldn’t believe completing 16-plus miles his it.” d an idea. Last year he did 11 half partner had “She said d if you can do 16-andmarathons wh hich, as he says, isn’t bad when you consider the four- a-half miless, it’s not much further mile mental block he had two to do a marrathon,” he laughed. So, in the e nicest possible way, years ago. ver regret meeting his He also did d a number of 10Ks does he ev and 10-milerss but he has yet to other half? “When I’ve run four or five miles,” he said, still laughing. run a maratho on. That’s something his partner has “I alway ys said I’d do one
marathon but it had to be big.” They don They don’t come come much much biggerr than the London Marath hon of course and Steve will be b raising money for Meningitis NOW, a charity that meanss a lot to him. “Last year we fostered a greyho hound,” he explained. “We w were supposed to have her for a couple of weeks but we had her for three or four month hs. “She e was recovering from menin ngitis. Her name was Macey y and she was a really nice grreyhound, so sweet. “The e Meningitis Trust heard about her and she became their p poster girl for their WA WAG campa aign (Walk and Give).” He ha as to raise a minimum of £2,000 , 0 and admits to initially feeling “nervous and stressed” about hav ving to raise that amount of money y. That co oncern has since passed and he’s hoping to raise more than £2,000. “My frie ends at the running club and my w work colleagues and staff from Men ningitis NOW have been absolutelly brilliant,” he said. “With the help of good friends Claire Forrgione, Carmel Ponsford, Gareth P Ponsford and of course Alison w we organised a brilliant quiz and with local businesses and indiv viduals contributing to a raffle at Cainscross C Rugby Club, that raise ed £610. “Now I’m less stressed about the mone ey and I’m trying to focus on runnin ng the marathon. “I’m still a reluctant runner, r, but I’m going g on three runs a week and I’m looking forward to the crowds helping h to get me round in London n.” He wass there last year when Alison wa as running and he said: “The atm mosphere is fantastic. To To be on the e other side of the barrier this year will be amazing.” It certainly will! If you would like to support Meningitis NOW and Steve’s efforts, go to his just giving page uk.virginm moneygiving.com/Steve Andrew2 Full story y online.
For full articles and more stories visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk
Index of Advertisers WHAT AT’S ON
CLUBS & SPORTS Townswomen’s Guilds 6 EVENTS & AT ATTRACTIONS Giffords Circus 21 The Bird & Deer Park 18-19 The Cotswolds Art Fair 21
INFORMAT ATION
Gloucestershire Police
HEALT LTH & BEAUTY 2gether NHS Trust
17 10
HOLIDAY AYS & TRAV AVEL JustGo! Holidays
PROPERTY
Park Home Life The Property Centre
6 12 44
RETA TAIL
GARDEN SERVICES 12 Garden Maintenancee & Design 26 HOMES & GARDENS Lawn Doc 26 BAT ATHROOMS CES Lifestyle Bathrooms 34 HANDYMAN SERVIC Severn Vale Bathrooms 39 & 43 Your Way Home Help Aggency 12 TV & AERIALS BUILDING SERVICES 12 C&G Paving 24 1st Choice Aerials Dykes Builders 26 WINDOWS, DOORS & Glos Build 26 CONSERVA VATORIES Home Care Roofing 24 AJ Windows 37 Marshalls Driveways 24 Albany Windows 2 & 36 FURNISHING & PROFESSIONAL APPLIANCES Dream Doors 30 SERVICES Glos Carpet Outlet 32-33 CARE SERVICES Quedgeley Carpets 28 Care UK 8 Thornbury Stairlifts
COMPUTER SERVICES Abbey Group MOTORING SERVICES Blade Skoda Gloucester Bridgend Garage REMOV VA AL SERVICES Little White Van Man SKIP HIRE & RECYCLING Stevens Recycling
38 14 14 12 42
The Loc al
ANSWER To advertise call:
01242 510500
Puzzle Solutions T N N G M E I F U J L X S D B T X R C G I J F K
W Q N N A C H S C S E R P Z Q V E H A R T E A W
Y N J S U V R I P D E Z B Z Y G O N S T C S M P
R Q T O Z T C N D W V F D E R C V L N O X U I I
W E C A B C D L O E L F Z G O A X E J O A S L B
R R E A C K E L E P B G X L O C B B W A B A Y B
S P R I N G F T W F E L A H U N T B B H B Z M B
P H E L S I R E Z R T T R K U Z K K I H I A G O
L E D N T F S K U G E P U K T V I S M T L W G C
N T A H A D P S H N F R M Z E E H N P W A M E C
D O W E E N W A R T H D D Q J W H O S L G W W H
Y A I I R T L B L H F F A B D J D I T L X I C L
A N J X T Y D Z K T U I F M P B Q T R A I L D R
N C N K I B J Y W X W Y F C Y K E C A L O E V B
Z W Y U O F P I Q B H J O O J O U E D Z L S K X
N G K A B A I Q M I Q U D U O I N R I K C E E D
N I T F R I O C N C O F I B K I H R T Q R B K N
C D J Z N S L L U T X U L G P T A U I H E C P Y
E T A R B E L E C R P Q A X F P V S O Q G R A T
L M S D D E T R W C C T B S Q G Z E N R A D Y B
X L I D E C O R A T E C Y M Q M N R A A N D A I
H C R U H C Y L V P Q Y U P X M T S A U L R M D
Z B I X W I B N S L V V P C O Y S H S H Q C E P
X M U W L F T K U Y D L B O Y K C I H C P P F Q
Competition Winners The TLA Photography winner for the April 2019 cover is Jade Pollock of Bishoop’s Cleeve.
Competition Rules 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 closingg date has ppassed. 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 responsibbility for the provision of the prize, which remains at all times the full responsibility of the prize donor(s). 9 By enterinng any competition you agree to have your name published in the next issue of The Local Answer should yyou be drawn as a winner of the prize. 10 By entering any competition you agree to have your details passed to a third party. 11 One enntry per household.
BOOKING DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE – Wednesday 10th April 2019
STEVE
ATTE ENTION! Let us liighten your load!
Do omestic and Ind dustrial Skips Ham Villa Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham GL52 6NB
01242 522647/529397 stevensrecycling584@gmail.com
PAGE
WWW.THELOCALANSWER.CO.UK
THE LOCAL ANSWER