Cheltenham by The Local Answer

The Local

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FEBRUARY 2019

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ANSWER Cheltenham – 43,000 copies North Gloucestershire – 20,000 copies Cotswolds – 30,000 copies Gloucester – 46,000 copies Stroud District – 41,000 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

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Februuary’s winning coover photo: Keerry Palmer o Lydney of

Weelcome l to February F ... Now we w are past the January blues, ma any of us will be b looking forward to the middle of the month h, which is all about spending time with that specia al someone in our lives. As Valentine’s Day falls on o a Thursday this year, why no ot stay at home and cook your significant other a romantic meal?? For a fantastic finale, check out our Delicious Dish – we’ve got the perfectt dessert recipe pe for y you to g gain some extra browniie p points! The Local Answer team are very much looking forwa ard to next month’s issue, as we will be celebrrating our 10th anniversary! We’ll have lots of themed articles for you to enjoy reading and a few exciting announcements, so stay tuned! If you run r a local business or organisation and would d like to be part of our special issue, be sure to gett in touch by Friday 8th February.

Inside this month ... Delicious Dish Looking Good, Feeling Great Mirror Mirror on the Wall Medical Health Parenting & Guardianship Holidays & Travel Quick Crossword Motoring Distributors Required Education & Employment Wildlife Matters

5 9 11 15 19 21 22 29 30 31 32

Pet Care 33 Entertainment 34-35 What’s On 36 Writer Required 40 Homes & Gardens 44 In the Garden 55 Interior Design 59 Gadgets & Gizmos 63 Save the Planet 69 Word Search 70 Sudoku 74 Money Matters 79 TLA Sport 80-81 Index, Competitions, Solutions 82

Competition on page 38 Page 3

INDUS TANDOORI RESTAURANT

“The best Indian restaurant in Cheltenham!” Tailored, unique, seasonal catering for all types of events • Wedding Catering • Corporate Events • Bespoke Menus • Themed Evenings • Hog Roasts • Breakfast Meetings • Staff Parties • Charity Dinners

We are well established as one of the most popular Indian restaurants and curry houses in Cheltenham, both for dining in and for take-away meals. We serve a wide range of Indian and fusion dishes with quality ingredients based on southern Indian and south-east Asian cuisine.

Opening Times: Mon-Thu & Sunday: 6pm–11:30pm Friday & Saturday: 6pm–12:00am

226 Bath Rd, Cheltenham GL53 7ND www.tallordercateringltd.co.uk bookings@tallordercateringltd.co.uk TTeelephone: 07841 620883 or 07725 740690

• Open Kitchen • Nominated by various food guides

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Delicious Dish with Helen Kingscott

A decadent dessert for your y valentine This indulgent dessert will surely help to win over your loved one this Valentine’s Day!

Ingredients: For the base and sides: 40g plain chocolate; 75g Hobnob biscuits (or similar); 225g strawberries. For the mousse: 200g good quality white chocolate; 200g full-fat cream cheese; 200ml full-fat crème fraiche. Method: 1 Place six 6cm x 7cm metal rings on a baking tray t lined with greaseproof paper. 2 Put the plain chocolate into a medium bowl and melt gently over a pan n of simmering water. 3 Crush the biscuits (pop them in a bag and use a rolling pin) then ad dd them to the chocolate and stir until cove ered. 4 Press the mixture into the bottom of the rings with a teaspoon and pop p in the fridge to set. 5 In I another th bowl, b l break b k up then th carefully f ll melt lt the white chocolate using the same method as above. Leave to cool then add the cream cheese and crème fraiche and mix until smooth.

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6 Remove the e rings from the fridge then slice e the strawberries thinly and arrange them m around the sides of the rings. 7 Spoon the mixture m carefully onto the biscuit base and le evel off the tops – it doesn’t have e to be smoo oth. 8 Chill the mo ousses until firm. 9 Carefully re emove from the rings and serve e on a plate. Decorate with chocolate hearts, mint leaves s, a drizzle of chocolate or love e hearts! The swirly chocolate decoration was s from leftover leftov ver chocolate, chocolate which I drizzled d onto greaseproof paper and put in the fridge e to set. Tip: This is a very rich dessert so I served it with the leftover strawberries.

To advertise call 01242 510500

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Vinyl Records

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LOCA L OCAL BUYER BUYER P PA AYS CASH FOR YO CA YOUR O UNWA WANTE ED RECORDS Most LPs, EPs & singles from the 1960s/70s/80s/90s considered. Especially large or small collections of Heavy Rock, Psych & Prog Rock, Punk & 90s Britpop. e-mail: vinyl@willowpitch.co.uk 01242 702947 or 07785 515987

Local partner solicitors are donating their expertise and time to write a basic Will in return for a suggested donation to Cobalt. For further information visit our website www.cobalthealth.co.uk or call 01242 535922

Places are limited so make your appointment today!

Registered charity number: 1090790

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Looking Good, Feeling Great with Will Mbanga

Time to move! m We’re W ’ already l d over half h lf way through winter and hopefully you have found a way to keep yourself physically active, despite the wet and cold weather. Having a plan to keep healthy is a great first step, but without action it remains just that. We spoke of New Ye Year Intentions last month and putting actions to your intentions is what will bring about the wellness outcomes you desire this year. Th The h human b d body was designed to move, but modern life has resulted in a de-evolving population with obesity, y, postural defects and mental health problems all rising significantly over the last 40 years. Add in modern stressors, poor nutrition choices, the breakdown of traditional families and, in some cases, poorly designed training programs and one can see how this combination of factors result in injuries/illness, poor posture and impacts on movement capacity. To ensure your physical activity regimen adequately addresses muscle imbalances or structural impediments, the following tips would be useful additions to your training plan.

1. Mobility and flexibility Work on improving your range of motion and flexibility about your joints through regular stretching and including mobility exercises between sets in the gym or in your daily routine.

2. Exercise pairing Aim to pair exercises, for example pulling and pushing exercises (pull first, then push). Getting appropriate rest and recovery are essential components to good health. The Local Answer

Adequate sleep, finding g ways of de-stressing, and allow wing your body time to regenerate are essential componen nts of ensuring your mind and body are in good health. We all service and MOT our ca ars – the same is necessary for ou ur health; ensuring robust physical and mental health is critical for f when th tough the t h times ti come.

A good balanced d diet is essential With regard to nutrittion and hydration, while every yone has unique individual needss, a good balanced diet (and where necessary, adding to it with w high grade, nutritional supplements) is essential. A good starting point is to take a Food d Intolerance test to establish the t most appropriate food grou ups and nutrients for your in ndividual needs. Thereafter, r, ensuring you eat regularly, or find an n optimal Fasting protocol, and are well hydrated are the final p pieces of the puzzle. Try carrying a 1 litre bottle and refilling it 2-4 4 times a day depending on yourr activity levels. The combination of inttentional

movement through regular exercise, along with mobility and flexibility work will improve posture and play an im mportant role in delivering im mproved health and wellness ou utcomes. A few exercises to include in your routine are: • Neck rotations – to len ngthen and strengthen the musscles that h are bent b over mobile bil phones/computers 24-7. • Scapular retraction – to relieve shoulder tension and improve neck posture. • Thoracic extension – to lengthen and strengthen the spine, and relieve tension and improve posture. • Hip extension – to reduce negative effects of hunched sitting posture. • Ankle dorsi-flexion – toe to shin flexes to release tension and improve movement function. As your body moves more efficiently from a mechanical perspective, you will begin to enjoy the benefits of improved digestion, sleep and general well-being. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get moving!

To advertise call 01242 510500

Page 

Debbie Wood

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Reﬂexology – starts 2nd March 2019 Beauty Therapy – rolling programme First Aid – monthly

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The Local Answer

Mirror Mirror on the W Wa all with Val Starr

Valentine’s His and Hers The first recorded Valentine’s Day supposedly dates back to the year 496. It is thought to have originated from a Roman festival in the middle of February to celebrate spring. Let’s hope we have spring this year in mid February! 14th February certainly is observed in a totally different way today. It is often celebrated with flowers, chocolates, romantic cards from couples to each other, some sometimes their children, other family members and even teachers. It is a lovely occasion to celebrate and show you care about someone. Instead of splashing out on an over-priced, over-crowded restaurant, why not plan a special evening at home? Here are a few alternative suggestions with a fashion twist.

Bathrobes Buying matching bathrobes for a fun night in is one idea, and if you have children and want to get them involved you can often find mini versions for them. From luxurious silk

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to inexpensive fluffy robes, the high street has a great selection. Marks and Spencers and Primark are just two outlets with good ranges. If not robes, why not pyjamas or onesies – they can be fun as well. At least these items will last long after 14th February, and bring some good memories of g an enjoyable evening when you next wear them.

Slippers Along similar lines, there are so many cute slippers out the ere that make a statementt from practical to plain silly y. Whatever style you choose, make it original to suit your partner’s p personality. These will also last much longer than a bunch b of flowers.

Lingerie If of course you go do own this well travelled route, try to choose items that not only o look wonderful but b are made of good d fabric, like silk or th he finest cotton, whicch will stand the test of time. Be practical and think about whatt your loved one w will be comfortable w wearing – our partnerss often have an ima age that might not translate into really wh hat their ‘beloved’ reallly wants to wear, so do give your choice a lot of thought. To advertise call 01242 510500

Scarves These could be a great alternative gift idea, and are also available to suit every budget. Of course, a famed Hermes scarf will set you y back considerably but it it’ss still still one of the finest silk scarves to own in the world, and one you will always treasure. Many less expensive, but gorgeous nonethe-less, scarves have beautiful colours and designs. There are some really amazing choices available that might just resonate with something special to you as a couple. Often the pressure is on from advertising weeks in advance for us to ‘spend spend spend”. Let’s not forget that however you choose to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, it really is the thought that counts. So rather than the standard box of chocolates and a bunch of roses, put a little extra thought into a gift for your loved one on this romantic occasion. Page 11

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) Home store at 32-40 Coronation Square in Cheltenham is helping to raise funds for vital research into finding preventions, treatments and cures for heart and circulator y diseases. Set across the whole ground floor, the store offers a range of good quality furniture and homewares, at budget-friendly prices. As with all BHF stores, the

Cheltenham store will help make a huge environmental impact by preventing tonnes of unwanted items going to landfill ever y year, as well as

suit ever y type of person. Roles include warehouse assistants, electrical function testers, stock generators, telephone operators and sales assistants. By volunteering your time in the store you’ll help us continue to fund our life-saving research.

offering health information for patients diagnosed with heart and circulator y disease and creating great volunteering opportunities. Ron Humphreys, Area Manager at The British Heart Foundation said: “If you are having a clear out in the next few weeks, we would love to receive any good quality furniture, home accessories.” Ever y item sold will help the BHF to raise vital funds to help beat heartbreak for families and loved ones, by funding research to find treatments for heart attacks and coronar y heart disease and for people who have suffered a stroke. T To o c o mb a t these deadly diseases the BHF currently funds research to help save more lives in Cheltenham, and across the UK. The Cheltenham BHF Home store also has a wide range of volunteering opportunities to

D Beds & Mattresses

Please call the store on 01242 858908 for more information on volunteering. The BHF offers a free and fast collection ser vice and all money raised from the store will help raise vital funds for life-saving research. Alternatively, you can arrange a collection online at bhf.org.uk k//free

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bhf.org.uk

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Wee’re the biggest independent funder of cardiovascular research W in the UK, turning your donations and purchases into discoveries. With your help, we fund over £100 million a year in life saving research to find the next breakthrough against heart and circulatory diseases and their risk factors. u

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Medical Health with Holly Hannigan

Dealing with stress Stress is a word thrown around everyday, yet many people don’t realise the impact stress can have on their physical health, as well as mental health. Everyone responds differently to varying levels of stress and what one person might be able to cope with, another might feel is the end of the world. It’s therefore important to remember that recognising how y you as an individual respond to stress in the early stages will help you be able to regain control over your emotional, mental and physical health.

Even happy events can cause stress Even happy events like planning a wedding or having a baby can cause stress. The most common causes of stress are bereavement, work, money and relationships. When we are in a stressful situation or have a build up of stress in our lives, then some of the responses we physically feel are:

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• Headaches • Sleep problems • Upset stomach • Muscle tension or pain • Appetite changes Emotionally you may feel: • Overwhelmed • Low self-esteem • Anxious • Irritable Mentally you may feel: • Racing thoughts • Constant worrying • Difficulty concentrating • Difficulty making deccisions Managing stress can become part of your everyday liife if you become aware of wha at works for you. One of the biggest changes that can help is accepting that you can’’t always change the stressful situation, all you can do is take co ontrol of how you feel and act about a it. Becoming mindful an nd living in the present is a goo od habit to have, as it limits the amount of unnecessary worryin ng about the future, which has h not happened yet. It is i very empowering g to gain control ove er your emotional wellbeing and along with that making sure you are e talking to someone e about your stressses and problems, w whether that’s friendss, family or a professional. Self care is vital for being able to deal with stresss, especially getting g a good work/life b balance. Making time to do To advertise call 01242 510500

what you enjoy, whetther that is exercising, reading g a book or socialising with friends, will help you maintain that balance.

Do not develo op unhealthy habitts to deal with stre ess It is also important tthat you do nott develop d d l unhealthy h lth habits to deal with stress, such as drinking lots of alcohol, smoking or relying on a high caffeine intake. These are avoidance behaviours and simply mask the problems, often creating new ones. Maintaining a positive attitude can be challenging at times, especially where there are high levels of stress involved. However, it can be as simple as writing down three things you are grateful for in your life every day that can make all the difference and keep you focused on staying positive and finding solutions to your problems. If you feel like stress is getting too much for you, contact your GP. P. Page 15

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Parenting & Guardianship with Roberta Smart

Empty nesting Whilstt some families Whil f ili are bustling with new babies, growing kids and all the chaos that includes, for others this is a time of reflection and slowing down as the older kids are settled into university or setting off to find their own lives. But empty nesting is not what it used to be. Once upon a time our children lived at home until marriage when they then moved out into the new marital home and began domestic lives of their own. As parents we knew where they were, who they were with and quite often we had a key!

Nattering over a cup of tea and the latest gossip Sundays were sacrosanct for lunch with ‘mum and dad’ and midweek suppers were accompanied by a load of washing or the car needing a bit of a tinker. C dad Cue d d and d son/son / in law in l up to their ears in grease and oil for an afternoon whilsst mum and daughter/daughter in law nattered in the kitchen n over a

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cup of tea and the late est local gossip! These days our kids are a more likely to leave haphazardly as they ‘stay’ with partne ers overnight – or for weeks at a time – maybe going travelling g for six months before returning to take up residence again and dive headlong into a ‘just for f now’ job whilst saving up for the next great adventure. But what of the pare ents left behind? We now live in n a weird kind of limbo where we e are not needed on a daily ba asis, yet cannot yet take our eye e off the ball, sell up and take ourselves off on a round the world d cruise! Our previously hecticc schedules, now clear of the demands d of the constant taxi taxi-ing ing of teens or playing maidserv vant to hoards of kids on a w weekend sleepover, leave us free to explore adventures of o our own, albeit closer to home. Many parents are ta aking up new hobbies. Photogrraphy is highly popular, r, with Instagram offering the option to ttravel to To advertise call 01242 510500

‘meets’ and take fabulous f pictures of the most beautiful b parts of Britain and Europe.

Parents repatriatte the now ‘spare roo om’ Art and writing are e on the uptake as parents eve erywhere repatriate the now ‘spare room’ into a studio for painting or finally writing those memoirs. Volunteering is always a winner and can replace a little of the lost sense of feeling needed that we all experience as the kids move on with their lives. Personally I have rediscovered my love of performance and joined a local Improv Comedy Group. We meet weekly to develop our improv skills and many members report enjoying a massive confidence boost and are making new lifelong friends. Oh, and there is nothing like making people laugh to remind yourself that, regardless of what your kids might say – you ARE funny! Page 1

Holidays & Travel with Al Hidden

Ausstralia just got g closer Australia, always popu ular with Brits, came even clo oser in March 2018 with fligh ht QF10, the new non-stop Qantas Boeing 787-9 Dre eamliner service from London He eathrow to Perth. Okay, may ybe not closer by distance, but the 7,828 nautical ti l mile il (14,498km) (14 498k ) direct di t flight certainly makes reaching Oz faster than ever. How fast? You leave Heathrow at 13:15 and reach Perth at 13:00 the next day, in time to find your hotel, grab lunch, enjoy some tinnies or sip Margaret River Chardonnay in the sunshine. Perth’s relaxed west-coast vibe consistently puts the city high in liveability rankings. Attractions such as Rottnest Island, Kings Park Gardens and Fraser Avenue Lookout complement a great restaurant scene for guaranteed good times.

Will this new route finally get you to Oz? Alternatively, stay on board to Melbourne. Or make one of 11 The Local Answer

more same-day Au ustralian connections. Oh yes, Perth is the perfect gateway to o Australia’s wonders from Can nberra to Port Hedland. Whether you’re a seasoned visitor or want w an excuse for a first visit, the new route could be whatt finally makes k your antipodea ti d n dream d come true.

opera house, are genuine icons. A little further, Ta Tasman nia offers a refreshing contrast to t mainland Australia plus, wo ould you believe it, the world’ss official ‘best’ whisky courtesy of o William McHenry & Sons in Porrt Arthur!

That famous Syd dney harbour bridg ge

Alternatively, head north to Brisbane. Try the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Queensland Art Gallery and Museum of Modern Art, Mt Coot-tha and swimming with dolphins at Tin Can Bay for starters. And what about Ay Ayers Rock, aka Uluru? It’s impossible to capture Australia’s wonders fully in 400 words. The only way is to discover them for yourself. With the new Qantas flight and rumours of more planned (hint: watch London to Sydney), Australia’s allure only grows stronger. Will 2019 be the year you leave Heathrow at lunchtime and arrive in Western Australia for next day’s lunch? Go for it!

What’s to do when yo ou finally touch Australian soil?? If not planting your feet firmly in Perth, Melbourne is home h to Federation Square, Me elbourne Cricket Club, the 975ftt (297m) high Eureka Skydeck, colourful c trams, and engaging la aneways that await exploration p on foot. Hungry? Enjoy an accclaimed food and coffee sce ene; try Lygon Street, Southba ank and Chinatown for delicious Italian, Modern and – surprise, surprise – Chinese cuisine respe ectively. A 90-minute flight further east, Sydney’s attractions, in ncluding that famous harbour briidge and To advertise call 01242 510500

400 00 words o ds just isn’t s ’t enough

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Quick Crossword ACROSS DOWN 1 Wily 1 Religious non5 Pen tips belief 7 Lead-in 2 Local vegetation 8 Brave e man 3 Extent 4 Sloping typeface 9 On an n occasion 5 Asian food items 10 Lazed d 6 To Tour de France 11 Have effect (on) vehicle 13 Scalp parasites 12 Wheel tooth 14 Overssee 15 Astounding 18 Dresss ribbons 16 Respected 21 Tropiccal tree 17 Pilot safety aid, ... 22 More profound seat 24 Irritating to the skin 19 Beer 25 Te Terracce level 20 Long steps 26 Cattle e prod 22 Dutch sea walls 27 Run off o to marry 23 Golfer’s two under 28 Old par 29 Becom mes faster, ... up

Don’’tt look until you’ve finished! Solutions on ‘Index of Advertisers’ page.

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Motoring with Al Hidden

All-season tyres come c of ag ge Years ago, tyre choices for winter conditions were limited. You could struggle with traditional summer tyres or use an effective get-you-home solution such as AutoSocks, which work well, but only on snow or ice. For serious winter grip, you could fit winter tyres. Indeed, in parts of Britain where winter hits hardest, such as Scotland or The Peak District, this remains a preferred solution. solution There are devotees in the Cotswolds too. Just imagine commuting from somewhere like Amberley in snow!

Widespread expert approval For years, tyre makers worked on true all-season tyres. The earliest never got close to the performance of dedicated winter or summer rubber. Then Michelin and G d Goodyear l launched h d thei th ir i CrossC Climate and Vector 4S Seasons and began dominating allseason-tyre review ws by AutoExpress, Germany’s ADAC motoring organisatio on and magazines such as Au uto Bild

from countries where dedicated winter rubber is a necessity. Viable all-seaso on tyres were a reality at last – a fact reinforced when Peuge eot fitted them to its 2008 as standard.

A few comprom mises remain Okay, there’s still some compromise. No all-season tyre yet gives quite the ultimate performance of dedicated winter or summer rubber in its intended season n. If you live in mid Wales, seasonal switching to winter ty yres will still make sense. And A for ultimate track-day performance, you’ll probably stick with w your favourite summer rubb ber. However, if you re egularly drive in typical cold, damp, occasionally snowy, British weather, tyres like Michelin’s CrossClimates, the Vector 4Season Gen 2 tyres on our Sk d Ye Skoda Yeti, ti or Conti C tinental’s t l’ new AllSeasonContacct are a no-brainer. The downside? Softer compounds which ma ay mean a shorter life. Furtherm more, the Goodyears – though always Picture: www.tyrereviews.co.uk

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reassuring – don’t quite match the ‘on-rails’ feel of Sko oda’s exworks Pirellis in summer. s They’re not budgett tyres either, although prom motions seem frequent.

Reassuring all-se eason performance e That said, for many drivers, the compromises are e acceptable given reassurin ng fourseason performance. Besides, B the latest all-season tyres give real benefit wheneve er roads are wet or temperature es below 7°C degrade summ mer-tyre performance. How often do you u drive under such conditionss (this is Britain after all)? An nd how highly do you value p peace of mind when you mee et fresh snow in Wales, Gloucestershire freezes, or you drive in European countries ssuch as Germany – where all-season tyres with the Alpine m mountain snowflake symbol are e legally required in winter? For more and more o of us, allseason tyres deserve serious consideration – whate ever the season. If you’re like m me, once you’ve tried them, I suspect you won’t go back!

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Education & Employment with Alison Williams

Are you part of the Gig econom my? The growth of the gig economy in the UK has been in the news a lot recently; what does it mean? The gig economy is defined as a labour market which is characterised by the abundance of short-term contracts or freelance work, rather than permanent jobs. At the end of 2017 around five million people were part of this economy.

Businesses can employ people for only as long as they need them Having a standard contract of employment gives an employee rights in law including sick, maternity and statutory holiday pay, but it is costly to employers to provide these rights. One way around this is to encourage individuals to classify themselves as self employed ‘sole traders’, or to put them on a zero hours contract. This helps the economy as businesses can employ people at short notice for only as long as the they ey need them. Being a sole trader in a skilled job works well for some e people who factor in their lackk of paid holiday and employme ent protection to a higher hourly rate.

There are, however, r, som me situations where the employee may feel the arrangement suits the employer more than themselves. When peop ple in this kind of situation are a low paid and low skilled they are easily replaced and so less likely to be able to demand a high her hourly rate to offset the rights they are losing out o on. Those on zero hou urs contracts are employee es, entitled to paid holiday but not to minimum hours. In some situations the in ndividual doesn’t have to take wo ork when it is offered, so this can c be a mutually beneficial way of working – for example, students organising shifts around lectures. In other cases zero-hours contracts require the worker w to take shifts but don’t gu uarantee them any y work. This ca an leave those affected feeling insecure and unable to manag ge their family finances or domestic d duties. In response to public concerns c over the gig econom my, the

government commissio oned the Taylor report and, in line with its Ta findings, introduced so ome new measures to protect em mployees. High profile legal casses such as Pimlico Plumbers and a Uber have seen individualss, whose companies had insistted they were self employed, win the right to be classified as workers. Deliveroo won their case as their contractors can send oth hers in to do their deliveries for them and hence cannot class the emselves as employees.

There are voices on o both sides of the argument calling for chan nge No doubt there are voices v on both sides of the argument calling for change and itt will also be interesting to see ho ow Brexit affects this debate. Unions fear that Brexit will re esult in employees l l i losing EU employment protection. If you want to check on your employment status (or that of your workers) go to: www.tax.service.gov.ukk/checkemployment-status-for--tax You can also contact the ACAS Yo helpline for free con nfidential advice: www.acas.org.u uk

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Wildliffe e Matters with Maxine Raggatt

The mountaain hare The Peak District is home to the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only native arctic animal â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the mountain hare. They can also be found throughout all of Ireland, in the highlands of Scotland and the Isle of man, along with other arctic climates around the world. When spotted, they will often be found grazing alone, as they tend not to live in groups. Their diet changes with the seasons depending on what is available at the time, time but it mainly consists of heather, grass, twigs, rush and sedge species.

Spot the difference The mountain hare and brown hare are very similar, r, but certain traits set them apart. The coat of a mountain hare has more of a grey tint to it, and they have brown eyes and shorter ears to minimise heat loss. The eyes of a brown hare are a shade of amber with the fur appearing more e orange tinted. The average head an nd body length of a mountain hare is around 50cm, with females

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weighing in at about 2.9kg and males slightly less at around 2.6kg. Its body is smaller than a brown hare, and another defining factor is that the mountain hare has an all-year-round white tail.

Their fur turns white One of the fascinating abilities of the mountain hare is that during the winter months their summer coat moults and turns white, although brown fu ur can sometimes still be se een. The fur changing process iss usually complete by Decemb ber, and they will keep their wintter coats until early spring. The purpose of this is to camouflag ge themselves amongst the snow s to hid from hide f predators, d t b t with but ith our everchanging climate, it can often make them stand out more when there is no snow s on the ground. Young ha ares are

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hunted by foxes, wildcats, w stoats and buzzards, wiith many not making it to adulthood, while larger adults are e preyed upon by eagles.

Boxing behaviour From January to September the well-known boxin ng behaviour takes place where e several males will chase a fem male and she will retaliate by boxing. Females may producce up to three litters per yea ar, with gestation being only 50 5 days. Each litter of offspring will usually produce 1-4 leverets born with fur and eyess open. The leverets are left alone during the first week of their life while the mother goes to feed, but she will return n at dusk to the thick vegetation where she left her y young g so they t can suckle her milk. By thre ee weeks of age, the leverets will be fully weaned and will g go their separate ways to find th heir own territories. The lifesp pan of a mountain hare is 3-4 y years but they have been known to live to 9 years old when kept in captivity. The Local Answer

Pet Care

with Oliver Wilkinson of Charlton Kings Vet Centre

Dog worming: myths and facts

The Charlton Kings Vet Centrre is fully equipped with a sterile operating theatre, digital radiography, y, ultrasonoggraphy and laboratory equipmennt. Drop in and have a look around. You will see many of the same friendly faces from our main surgery g y at Dragon g Vett Centre. You cann book your visits andd pick up pet suppliees, food or medications at either surgery if it’s more convenient. c

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I recently had a conversation with a client who informed me that they didn’t need to worm their d dog as it was on a raw food f d diet di t that th t would ld naturally protect it from gut parasites. It’s not the worst advice about worming I’ve ever heard, but it is patently wrong. The worst advice probably goes to the breeder who told the new pet owner that the best way to prevent worms was to simply avoid ever changing the water in the dog bowl and allow it instead to develop a green hue. As it turned out the dog owner felt that the strategy wasn’t working, as the puppy was passing both a large quantity of visible worms and some rather profuse diarrhea. Clean water and a worming tablet sorted both problems. A 2018 study in the Netherlands looking at commercially i ll available il bl raw food f d diets di t for f dogs d found high levels of potentially harmful bacteria and two types of parasites; Sarcocystis and Toxoplasma. Whilst dogs can often tolerate many To of the bacteria in raw meat, two bits of advice I always give to dog owners who feed raw food is to take particular care when handling the raw food, as any bacteria in the food is more likely to be harmful to us than our dogs, and to make sure that they worm their pets regularly.

Regular worming is so important Dogs and cats can pick up a variety of gut worms. Hookworms, whipworms, roundworms and tapeworms are the most common varieties of gut parasites. Worms can be passed directly to puppies whilst in the womb or through milk/ k/lactation, and puppies and kittens are particularly sensitive to the effects of worm burdens, which is why regular worming is so important in juveniles. Adult dogs and cats can pick up worms through ingestion of contaminated soil, grooming eggs off their fur, r, eating infected rodents and from fleas. Fleas are one of the main routes of transmission of tapeworms, which is why flea control is also important in preventing worm burdens. Several types of these worms are also transmissible to humans, To Toxocara canis being responsible for causing eye dama damage ge in children. children The bottom line is that regular flea f and worm control is easy, safe and prevents health h issues in both our pets and us. If you are unssure about how often or what type of worming yo our pet needs, speak to your vet for advice.

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Entertainment

If you have a story to share, please email full details to TToom. with Tom Hadﬁeld ‒ entertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Local ban nd launches fan f funded album It’s been an exciting few w years for singer and songwrite er Verity White White. Now lead vocalist of her eponymous band and with a new album on the way, it’s fair to say it took the Gloucestershire-raised singer a while to gain the confidence to put herself out into the public eye. She said: “I’ve been writing my own music since I was about 12, but never shared it with anyone out of fear. “Then I released my first EP in 2016 and it’s been snowballing from there ever since!” Originally from Brecon, Verity grew up in Nailsworth, and recently moved to Prestbury with her husband and band guitarist Alex, who also happens to run a recording studio. “That’s not the reason I married him!” laughed Verity. “It’s actually really good

Verity White Band perform ming at the Troubadour in London lasst summer

working with him – we don’t even argue! “We’ve been recording the new album over the last couple of months and it’s gone really well, it’s really exciting. “I think we’re sound ding more cohesive, we’ve rea ally found ‘our sound’. In the past p we’ve

Film Review – Tom Hadfield Welcome to Marwen ‘Welcome to Marwen’ tells the true story of Mark Hogancamp, an artist who struggles to cope with life following a vicious assault. Mark, played by Steve Carrell, is left unable to remember his old life following his beating, and also suffers from severe anxiety and PTSD. This leads him to take solace in the town of Marwen, a model town he has created to tell the story of Cap’n Hogie, his action figure alter-ego. The film is split between Mark’s real life, as he struggles with an addiction to prescribed medication and to face his attackers, and events in Marwen, which are CGI animated. As it g goes on,, the lines be etween real life and Marwen become more and more blurred, allowing the viewer to understand from Mark’s point of view how the toys provide him co omfort following his ex xperience. Fu ull review online.

been a bit all over the t place but now we’re more fo ocused.” Alongside Verity and Alex – who is “Cheltenha am born and bred” – are fellow Cheltonians Alex McIntosh on drums, and Joe Kelly, who play ys bass. Together the fou ur are set to launch the band’s latest album – ‘RECLAIM; SET FIRE’ – at a special evening at the t Frog and Fiddle in Cheltenh ham on Saturday 16th Februarry. Verity was able to fund production of the alb bum through an ongoing crowdfunding campaign, which offered o fans signed i d CDs, CD merch h di handise and d tickets to the laun nch party in return for their supp port. She said: “It was important to me that we made a physical CD, especially for fans that supported us through the t funding campaign.” Full story online.

Book Review – Aloÿse of Daylesford Book Club The Salt Path by Raynor Winn If yo ou need to recalibrate follo owing the start of the new w year, I recommend you read d the incredible true story ‘The Salt Path’ by Raynor Winn, shortlisted for the Wainwright W Book Prize. Raynor and Moth have lost their home through a bad investment and Moth is term minally ill. They decide to walkk the 630-mile South Wesst Coastal Path starting in Minehead. M They purchase flimsy sleeping bags and a tent,, and with £115 in cash they y set off. They y are aged 50 and 53 and this is their story. There was no money for camp sites or B&Bs. They could only just manage to carry their packs, yet they were free. Along the way the challenges were great. Precipitous paths, dreadful weather conditions and unfriendly locals, but Raynor writes thoughtfully and with great humour about the expedition. Full review online.

Above is a selection from local entertainment stories available online ...

Art • Events • Experiences • Film • Lifestyle Literature • Music • Reviews • Theatre • TV

Cheltenham orche estra reaches landmark The Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra will be celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. year The orchestra, which is made up of amateur musicians from around the county, is currently about half way through their 2018-2019 season of concerts, which will culminate with a special performance to celebrate the milestone. Committee member and trombone player David Todd has a long history with the orchestra, stemming from when he first left his native Ayrshire. He said: “I moved to Gloucestershire in n the 1970s and began playin ng with the group then, when they t were under a different nam me. “Then after several years I had a little bit of o a break and rejoined in the e late 90s. So it’s been over 20 0 years now.” Saturday 9th 9 February sees

The Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra string secction. Photo: Phil Harrison

the h first fi off the h orchestra’s h ’ threeh part Spring g series at the Pittville Pump Roo om, their first concert of 2019. “The series is called ‘The Grand Tou ur’ after the original pieces,” Da avid explained. “The pieces will be Mozart’s last and greatest symphony,

‘Jupiter’, the greatest musical expression of romantic love and passion in Wagner’s ‘Prelude and Liebestod’ and the haunting beauty o of the ‘Four Last Songs’ of Richa ard Strauss, which will be sung by the American soprano,, April Fredrick. “Rehea arsals are going well, it’s going to o be fantastic and we’re really loo oking forward to it.” As for the special 50th anniversary concert, the orchestra will be honouring their founder, the late Douglas Smith, at the Cheltenh ham Town Hall in June. David added: “Douglas lived and d bre b athed music and was very mucch at the forefront of the group du uring my first stint. “We’re going to be playing the Mozart cconcerto that Douglas played a at the very first concert in 1969. IIt’s going to be quite the event, w we can’t wait for it.” Full story y online.

CO ODS begin ye ear with a co omedy The Cheltenham Operatic and Dramatic Soc ciety – or CODS, as they are more e commonly known – are one of the country’s oldest amateur dram matics groups. Throughout their years on stage, the so ociety have tackled all manner of shows, from classic musiccals like ‘Guys and Dolls’ and ‘Oliver!’, to comedies including ‘Blackadder Goes Forth’ and ‘Spamalot’. Comedy is the usual starting point every year y for the group, and 2019 is no n different, with ‘A Bunch of Am mateurs’ this year’s first offering.. Paul Averry, who will be directing the e play, reveals the challenges and joys behind performing a comedic production. He said: “It’s fun rehearsing comedy, although it is a

The Cheltenhham Operatic and Dramatic Societty during rehearsals

technical skill which requires a lot of work. By the time you perform a comedy you are no longer laughing at the jokes but should understand them so well that you can captivate an audience.” The play was co-written by masters of satire Ian Hislop, of

‘Have Have I g got News For You’ and ‘Private Eye’ fame, and Nick Newman n, whose credits include ‘Spitting Image’. It tellss the story of fading Hollywood A-lister Jefferson Steel, who arrives in the UK to play King g Lear – only to discover he’ll be e working with an amateurr drama group rather than the Shakespeare company. ‘A Bun nch of Amateurs’ runs from 2n nd to 9th February at Cheltenh ham Playhouse, and after months of rehearsals, Paul is excited to get underway. “The real pleasure of comedy is performing to an audience,” he added. “Hearing them laugh rekindles the joy in the original script and after months of graft the whole thing comes to life in a new way.” Full story online.

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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. UNTIL 23 FEBRUARY ORIGINAL ARTISTS’ POSTERS EXHIBITION AT AT CHAPEL ARTS

Original posters, posters created by some of the most prominent artists of the 20th Century, for their own exhibitions. Wednesday to Saturday. 10am–4pm. www.thechapelarts.com 29 JANUARY – 2 FEBRUARY CRIMES ON THE NILE Belgian detective Artemis Arinae is set to enjoy a holiday cruise along the river Nile when tragedy strikes once more. All the passengers and staff aboard are suspects, and the murder count is growing. Will Arinae’s little grey cells identify the murderer in time? Full details: barntheatre.org.uk. The Barn Theatre, Theatre 5 Beeches Road, Road Cirencester GL7 1BN. 2-9 FEBRUARY A BUNCH OF AMAT ATEURS Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford – only to find that this

is not the birthplace of the Bardd, but a sleepy Suffolk village. Jeffersonn’s monstrous ego and insecurity are a tested to the limit by the enthussiastic amateur thespians. 7.30pm (2.300pm matinee on Sat 9th). £14. Chelteenham Playhouse, 47-53 Bath Road, GL53 7HG. 01242 522852. cheltplayhouse.org.uk 2-24 FEBRUARY LIGHT UP CHELT LTENHAM IS BACK

Light Up Cheltenham will illuminnate over 20 of the most iconic buildings in the town. This spectacular display will take place over three weeks and will be launched on 2nd February byy illuminated drumming band Spark! It will also be the first time a giantt observation wheel will be brougght to the town as the focal point of ann expanded Light Up Cheltenham. The three-week event, organiseed by Cheltenham BID, BID will run from 2nd 2 to 24th February. 4-6 FEBRUARY SCHOOLS WILL ROCK YOU The story of a group of Bohemians who struggle to restore the free exchange of thought, fashion, and live music in a distant future where

everyone dresses, thinks and acts the same. Let Tewkesbury School take you on a rocking journey, using the best of Queen’s music. 7pm. £11-£13. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. www.rosestheatre.org 7-13 FEBRUARY PHOTOGRAPHY MASTERS EXHIBITION – UNIVERSITY OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE An inspiring exhibition, showcasing the work of 8 recent MA Photography graduates, with a diverse range of individual student led projects: from abstract macro photography to large landscape pieces. 10am-5pm. The Gardens Gallery, Montpellier, Cheltenham. gardensgallery.co.uk 7-16 FEBRUARY WAITING FOR GODOT TTw wo hungry, battered drifters wait by a dead tree. They might have been here yesterday. And they might well come back tomorrow. Unless Mr Godot arrives first. Which he might, if they’re lucky. Which they don’t tend to be. For times and prices visit www.everymantheatre.org.uk The Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573. 8 FEBRUARY THEE ONES WITH JACK P PA AGE A Stroud band delivering Soul, Jazz, R&B and 60s Hammond Beats. Their original material weaves story telling lyrics and an infectious groove, moving mind and body in equal measures. 8pm. Full details: theprincealbertstroud.co.uk The Prince Albert, Rodborough Hill, Stroud, GL5 3SS.

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9 FEBRUARY THE RUFF GUIDE TO SHAKESPEARE A glorious celebration of the work of the world’s greatest playwright. Expect silly sketches, toe-tapping songs, daft dance routines and extracts from all the famous and some less well-known plays. Suitable for ages 5+. Full details at www.everymantheatre.org.uk The Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573. IMPRESSIONS OF WESTONBIRT – CREATIVE ABSTRACTS PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP This fun and challenging one day workshop is designed to help you look beyond the obvious and develop your creative eye. Discover new ways of interpreting Westonbirt and learn to see traditional scenes in a new light. 9.15am-5pm. £120 (10% discount for Friends of Westonbirt). Booking essential. For full details please visit www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirtthe-national-arboretum. Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury, GL8 8QS. 9-10 FEBRUARY GREEK LITERATURE WEEKEND Our focus for this weekend will be 5th c. Athenian theatre in all its forms. After discussing the social context and the venue in which the plays were performed, we’ll take in Plato’s attack on the theatre and Aristotle’s defence. Full details of the weekend at gloucestercathedral.org.uk 10.30am-5pm. Gloucester Cathedral, 12 College Green, Gloucester, GL1 2LX. 10 FEBRUARY THE CLASSIC ROCK SHOW From AC/DC to ZZ Top and everything in between. Anthem after anthem, riff after riff, solo after solo, ‘The Classic Rock Show’ brings the original recordings back to life on stage; with a huge sound and light show to match. 7.30pm. From £26.50. Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham GL50 1QA. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk

Abbey Ab A b b ey ey Mill Mill Mi

THE GREAT BIG HARRY POTTER QUIZ The Braintrust invites you to our very first quiz in Gloucester… and it’s HARRY POTTER themed! We’ll be transforming Gloucester Blackfriars into the Great Hall where we won’t just be testing your knowledge of the books and films, but also your wisdom in a variety of other magical classes! 6pm. £30 for a table of 6. Gloucester Guildhall, 23 Eastgate Street, GL1 1NS. www.gloucesterguildhall.co.uk 12 FEBRUARY STROUD SCHOOLS DRAMA FESTIVAL Come and see the wonderful talent of local primary school children working together in Stewart Auty’s adaptation of ‘Wind in the Willows’. Join us at the Stroud Subscription Rooms and have the best fun for all the family you’ll have in ages! Who doesn’t want to ‘Toot Toot!’ with Mr. Toad on stage? 5pm. £11 (£8.50 concessions). Stroud Subscription Rooms, George Street, GL5 1AE. 01453 760900. www.subscriptionrooms.org.uk 14 FEBRUARY ROB HERON AND THE TEA PAD ORCHESTRA Enjoy a reet treat Valentines Night with these lovely chaps – Rob and the gang never fail to entertain and tonight is going to be an extra terrific affair. So come on Up The Hill for a dive back in time when men wore waistcoats and ladies wore the prettiest of dresses. 8pm. Full details at theprincealbertstroud.co.uk. The Prince Albert, Rodborough Hill, Stroud, GL5 3SS. 15 FEBRUARY ALE TASTING EVENING WITH GLOUCESTER BREWERY We’ve teamed up with Gloucester Brewery to bring you a wonderful evening of ale tasting. If you’ve always wanted to know your maize from your barley, this evening is perfect for improving your knowledge on local beer. Each session will last 60

minutes and provides the chance to taste and discuss up to five different ales with Gloucester Brewery’s guru’s. Minimum required age to participate is 18. £10 per person (ticket purchases are subject to a £2 booking fee per cart. Postage is free of charge if desired). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk CROONERS The story of 3 very British gentlemen who exude the characteristics of a crooner; suave, self-assured, stylish, as they defend the role of a crooner in our modern world. By the very same nature, it is not always obvious that these characteristics are adopted quite so well by the quintessentially British. Cue a splendiferous injection of British comedy. Tongue firmly in cheek. And an outrageous injection of Big Band Swing. 7.30pm. £24.50. Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham GL50 1QA. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk WILLE AND THE BANDITS Essentially Wille and the Bandits is a classic blues rock three piece much in the vain of Cream or The Jimi Hendrix experience. But in a similar way to how these bands pushed the genre in their time, Wille and the Bandits try to take their sound beyond what is expected of such a traditional line up. 7.30pm. £13.50. Gloucester Guildhall, 23 Eastgate Street, GL1 1NS. www.gloucesterguildhall.co.uk 16 FEBRUARY ANDREW LAWRENCE: CLEAN The star of Live at The Apollo and Michael McIntyre’s Roadshow and UK comedy’s foremost contrarian takes a break from all the controversy in this new show. No politics. No religion. No smut. No swearing. Just great jokes and good clean fun. 8pm. £17. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. www.rosestheatre.org

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WIN TICKETS! courtesy of The Bacon Theatre

Win tickets to see e ‘The Adventures of Pinocchio’ on Saturday 16th h March at 2pm! Based on Carlo o Collodi’s fantastical children’s book, this magical story leaps off the page p and onto the stage in a vibrant re-telling of Pin nocchio’s extraordinary adventures. Packed with comedy, audience interacction, and a completely original score guaranteed to have you singing alo ong from start to finish. Yo ou’ll have a whale of a time e, no strings attached! Tickets cost jusst £10 (£8) and can be booked online at www.bacontheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 012 242 258002. To enter our draw To w to win a pair of tickets, send your name, address and telephone number to ‘Pinocchio’, The Local Answer, Unit H, Churchill Industrial Estate, Churchill Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, GL5 53 7EG. Alternatively, enter via email by sending g your details stating ‘Pinocchio’ to competitions@ @thelocalanswer.co.uk Closing date: Su unday 10th February 2019. 16-24 FEBRUARY HALF TERM ACTIVITIES AT CHEDWORTH ROMAN VILLA Join us for a fun day out. We’ve got a special trail, craft activities for children and you’ve got the chance to meet Chedworths’ Romans. Look out for the children’s mosaic workshop on Thursday 21st February. Full details of activities at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ chedworth-roman-villa. Chedworth Roman Villa, Yanworth, near Cheltenham, GL54 3LJ. SOUTH WEST PUDDLE JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS Get your wellies and waterproofs on and jump into the puddles for a chance to be our ultimate splasher. We’ll be looking for the biggest splash and most enthusiastic, stylish jumpers. Take part in our daily puddle jumping competition at 2pm in Welly Boot Land with a chance to win a prize. Included with admission. WWT Slimbridge, Bowditch, GL2 7BT. www.wwt.org.uk/wetlandcentres/slimbridge 19 FEBRUARY DON QUIXOTE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE LIVE BALLET Cervantes’s story of the bumbling knight Don Quixote has inspired countless artistic interpretations. The story follows Don Quixote’s picaresque

Page 38

journey to do deeds in honour of his imaginary noble lady, Dulcinea. Funny, charming and touching; a ballet as full of emotion as it is of astonishing ballet technique. 7.15pm. £15-£17. Full details at coriniummuseum.org. Corinium Museum, Park Street, Cirencester, GL7 2BX. 20 FEBRUARY THE TRAGEDY OF KING RICHARD THE SECOND Richard II, King of England, is irresponsible, foolish and vain. His weak leadership sends his kingdom into disarray and his court into uproar. Seeing no other option but to seize power, the ambitious Bolingbroke challenges the throne and the king’s divine right to rule. 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk GODS, GODDESSES, SPIRITS & FATES Join Dr Valija Evalds as she takes you on a journey through Roman beliefs, superstitions and rituals. In this walk we will consider objects depicting deities, honouring spirits and propitiating the fates. Children 7 and above are welcome with an adult. 2pm. £5-£5.50. Full details at coriniummuseum.org. Corinium Museum, Park Street, Cirencester, GL7 2BX.

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RAY COOPER A story-led singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Ray sings his own compositions and arrangements of traditional songs. He plays guitar, mandolin, cello and harmonica. 8pm. £12. theprincealbertstroud.co.uk. The Prince Albert, Rodborough Hill, Stroud, GL5 3SS. 21 FEBRUARY THE MUSIC OF JOHN DENVER The real spirit of the music of John Denver is captured beautifully by Chris Bannister. Chris has been touring with his solo show since 2010 and, having performed around the world, he is now internationally applauded for his delivery of some of the best songs ever written. 8pm. £16.50 (£14 concessions). Stroud Subscription Rooms, George Street, GL5 1AE. 01453 760900. www.subscriptionrooms.org.uk STONE AGE ADVENTURES Join the Yarn Whisperer for an adventure that takes you back into the Stone Age. The story is told weaving props and traditional musical instruments to bring the Stone Age to life. 10.30am. £2.50-£3. Full details at coriniummuseum.org. Corinium Museum, Park Street, Cirencester, GL7 2BX.

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Looking back – looking forwards The annual parish precept requirement for 2019/20 will soon be submitted to Cheltenham Borough Council and it is time to reflect on what we have achieved in 2018, and what is planned for 2019 to deliver our Parish Plan. In April, we welcomed residents from four new areas who had voted to become part of an enlarged Parish of Charlton Kings that now covers 14km², about a third of Cheltenham’s area, and has over 12,000 residents. We are absolutely committed to ensuring that we represent everyone in our large and diverse parish. Our 17 Councillors each contributes their skills and knowledge to help deliver a wide range of projects and liaise with partner organisations. In 2018, we welcomed Joanna Noles as our new Clerk and will continue to develop the parish team to ensure we can provide improved levels of service.

Managing for the future We are committed W i d to achieving hi i the h Foundation F d i Award in the government’s Local Council Award Scheme that recognises councils meeting national standards of professionalism and transparency. We manage Council’s funds prudently to ensure we deliver on both vital projects and services, as well as holding appropriate reserves to meet both planned and unforeseen commitments. In 2018 we bought a new, national standard website and planned improvements will make it the place to go for local information, including a new Community Directory. We have two major projects for 2019: to take over responsibility for Grange Field and run more events there as well as the Summer Fayre; and to hopefully bring the Kings Hall under our management and complete a reconstruction in time for our 25th anniversary in 2020. We welcome your feedback on what your Parish Council is doing and how we can continue to improve.

Dates of February public meetings

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CK Charlton Kings Parish Council

Mondays in the Stanton Hall Planning: 4th and 18th at 7.30pm Allotments: 11th at 6pm Full Council: 25t 5th at 7pm Clerk – Joanna Noles (01242 250087) Clerk@charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uk www.charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uuk @CkParish

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22 FEBRUARY BYE BYE BABY A full theatre show covering the journey of the Four Seasons from the very beginning up until the Disco era and the rock and roll hall of fame. A musical journey through the sounds of one of the most successful bands of all time. 7.30pm. £20 (£18). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP P.. www.bacontheatre.co.uk PINHOLE PHOTOGRAPHY Young visitors will be able to build their own compact pinhole camera in honour of Antarctic photographer Frank Hurley. With enough light children will be able to point their newly made camera at a subject and the image will be projected on the back of the camera. Please bring your own container (shoebox or similar). 11am. £3.50 per child. Cheltenham TToown Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham GL50 1QA. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk 22-24 FEBRUARY GLOUCESTER FOLK FESTIV VA AL Featuring live music and entertainment, this festival draws on traditional folklore of the local area. Events are mainly free of charge and many local bands will be playing. King’s Square, Gloucester, GL1 1RW. Full details at thecityofgloucester.co.uk

23 FEBRUARY THE JOHNNY CASH STORY

An incredible journey through the career of the 18 time Grammy winner. w Featuring powerful renditions of o ‘Folsom Prison’, ‘Ring Of Fire’ annd many more. This astonishing back catalogue is realised with authenticity by Jamie Rodden, a critically acclaimed performer whose renditions of Cash’s songs has won audiences and wowed critics. 7.30pm. £17.50 (£15). Thee Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. 6EP P. www.bacontheatre.co.uk www bacontheatre co uk THE SOUNDS OF BROADWA WAY Join the Cotswold Canaries centre stage for a stunning evening of musical storytelling based on the showstopping hits of Broadway. Their dazzling show

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includes songs from the populaar musicals Billy Elliot, Chicago, Haairspray, Les Misérables, Blood Brothers, Wicked and more. 7.30pm. For prices please visit kingstheatregloucester.co.uk. The Kings Theatre, Kingsbarton Street, Gloucester, GL1 1QX. 3 MARCH CAT ATE CODY “I’m old-fashioned...” sings Catte Cody in a hauntingly beautiful voice that t has been compared p to a yyoungg Peggy Lee. She might well be describing herself, because these days it’ss very rare to find a jazz chanteuse with such authentic phrasing, who genuinnely understands the nuances, and is capable of capturing the idiomatic gradations and modulations required to swing. 2pm. £15. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. www.rosestheatre.org 8 MARCH ROCK AND A HARD PLACE A new play in aid of Stroud Wom men’s Refuge. Kayleigh is a talented teeenager whose life is full of promise. Shee finds h herself lf in i a cycle l off domestic d ti abbbuse from which there seems no escape until Aunty Jan helps her find a w way out. 7.30pm. The Sundial Theatre, Cirencester. www.sundial-theatre.co.uk Students FREE.

Writer required We are looking for someone to write monthly articles for us on the topic of Save the Planet (Environment) If you have experience in, or specialist knowledge of, this topic, please email lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk for more information. Please note you may be asked to supply a sample article.

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Mallams lead the way with their innovative 2019 Sales Thursday 7th February The Country House Sale Thursday 7th March Modern Living Wednesday 1st May Chinese Art Thursday 2nd May Japanese, Korean & Asian Art Thursday 6th June British & Continental Ceramics and Glass, Country House Furniture, Paintings, Jewellery and Silver All the auctions are available to view online at www.mallams.co.uk and will be on view at Mallams Auctioneers, 26 Grosvenor Street, Cheltenham GL52 2SG.

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In the Garden with Julia Smith

An unpredictab ble month F b February i a very unpredictis di t able month; it may be the coldest month of the year with snow and ice, or on the other hand it can be a month of unexpected sunny days which lull you into the false security that spring is just around the corner. You then rush to get started on sowing in the vegetable patch, only to get very disheartened when winter returns!

Sweet scented to S attract the bees Some trees and shrubs are at their best in this unpredictable month, which is quite surprising. As there are not many pollinating insects about at this time of year they can be quite sweet scented so as to attract the few bees that are around and foraging. Think of the witchhazels (hamamelis mollis), the spikey Mahonia, Mahonia th the he lovely

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Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’, or D. mezureum. My clematis cirrh hosa is another good plant for this time of year. It attracts bumblebees even in very early spring to feed on the lovely flowers that dangle down frrom the archway that I grow it over. Now is a good time to turn the composst heap, especially if you are still carrying a few w extra pounds from Christmas! After you have turned it, keep it covered up and you will soon hav ve lovely crumbly composst to add to your veg patcch or to use as mulch aro ound the beds. Why not try yo our hand at growing globe artichokes thiss year? They are really very decorative at the e back of a border. You ca an grow this month from m seed, two seeds per 8 8cm pot.

Germinate at 18°C. Rem move the weaker of the two se eedlings, and set the plants out in late April.

Give your lawn itts first cut of the yea ar If the soil is relatively y dry you can give your lawn its first cut of the year. It is best to raise the blades of the mower to take off just the tips of the grass, and then as the weeks progress you can lower them to get down to the shorter levels. This technique stops the grass being weakened and inviting moss and weeds into the sward. The yellow flowers of winter jasmine are a welcome splash of colour throughout the winter. If left unpruned they turn into a woody mess – now is the time to prune them as they are just about finishing flowering. Cut back flowering shoots to within two or three pairs of buds of the main branch, leaving the framework intact.

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Interior Design with Gill Greenwell

How green is yo our house? Plants Pl t lift the th spirits i it like lik nothing thi else; they bring life to a room and make it look more welcoming. They’re also an easy and affordable way to update your home. As we (eventually) move from the dark winter days to the first signs of spring, it’s a good time to think about bringing the outside in. Here are some ways to add a feeling of spring to your home.

Plants with style At this time of the year I like the chic simplicity of plants with white flowers – I love to have lots of pots around the house filled with paperwhite narcissi, white hyacinths, and hellebores – they smell lovely and you can group them together to make more impact.

Create a contemporary look

mid-century, seventiess favourites like the rubber pla ants and ferns are also back in vo ogue. Do make sure you take ad dvice on the care of your plants and check they are safe for f your pets.

Super succulents

Create a pared back Nordic feel with i h houseplants h l – the he current trend is for plants with sculptural shapes as a focu us point. Popular varieties include the exotically named drag gon and snake trees. If your style e is more

If y you don’t have a lott of time then go for something low maintenance. Small succulents and cactuses are having g a bit of a moment, they don’t cost c a lot and are in all the interiors shops. They come in a wide variety of shap pes and colours and need minimal watering – perffect for millennials living in small apartments. My daughter d can’t get anything g to grow in her London flat f so I bought her a gold tipped aloe vera in a lovely coloured pot an nd she’s now started a collection.

plant they can make a real r style statement. A group of aged terracotta pots filled wiith herbs will add a nice rustic note to your contemporary kitcchen. Mix textures and go for unusual shapes. I parrticularly like some cream woven cotton pots I brought bacck from holiday that I filled with with white cyclamens. Te Terrariums filled with succulents also look very stylish, and macramé plant hangers are back in style.

Add some drama

Finally, take a tip from the Japanese and add a bit of drama to your room with an indoor tree – really striking with all-white interiors. I first saw this look used in a friend’s turn of the century apartment in Paris. The room was all white minimalist, softened with two beautiful fig trees in pots at each side of a large window – it New ideas for looked amazing. containers Now you have freshened up Plant containerss don’t your home, you can look have to be boring – forward to those first signs of partnered with the right spring.

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Gadgets & Gizmos with Laura Nicklin

February fresh f Are you still feeling blue this February, as winter lingers on? Then check out some of these gizmos that are sure to brighten up the dull month. From temperaturecontrolled mugs to codecracking robots, these winter wonders will be sure to kickstart your year.

contouring, t i clean l shaving, s body grooming A AND ear and nose trimming! With blades for the e perfect shave and precisio on, this grooming kit doesn’t lag in performance, thanks s to its durable design. The e kit is available from Bo oots at £34.49.

Ember Te Temperature Control Ceramic Mug We ve all been guilty of We’ve making a cup of tea or coffee and then promptly forgetting about it, until it’s nice and chilled. If you’re slightly absent-minded, like myself, then you’re bound to appreciate this snazzy new device from Apple, who seem to have branched into kitchenware. Introducing the very stylish Ember Ceramic Mug, made from durable stainless steel and a ceramic coating; not only l does d it look l k nice i e, but b t it has the added bonus of temperature-control.

Anki Cozmo Robot

Programmed with an app that lets you remotely change your drink’s temperature, the Ember Mug will also let you choose your notification preferences, and ensure th hat with a battery life of on ne hour (when fully charged d), your beverage won’t turn lukkewarm. It also comes with its own Charging Coaster, Coaster so s you won’t need to worry y about boiling kettles, orr even popping your mug in the microwave when you’ve been really desperate. At £79 9.95, the Ember Mug is a true e winter warmer.

Braun Multi Groom ming Kit

Develop your codin ng skills and make a new frie end with this clever little bott that is just bursting with energy. The Anki Cozmo Rob bot from John Lewis is one of the latest robots that combines s gameplay with teaching g. The interactive bot is full of o games and comes with his h own Power Cubes to play with, as well as his own Cozmo app! With new updates co onstantly being added, there are e always fun new ways to play; the more you interact with h Cozmo, the more new gam mes and upgrades are unlocked d. With a compatible iOS or Android device, you can connect with Cozmo and help him develop new ranges of emotion. Just don’t ignore him too m much, as he can turn sassy. Ava ailable at £129.99.

If you’re suffering frrom the bushy-beard syndrome, or know someone who needs n a good grooming, the en the Multi Grooming Kit from Braun is the perfect gizmo. g The ultimate 9-in-1 hea ad-totoe kit comes with all the trimmings (pun inten nded) with different attachm ments for stubble, short/me edium/ long beards, hair clipping, The Local Answer

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Save the Planet with Lily Curle

The ethical foo od market Ethi l food Ethical f d is i becoming b i a bigger market than ever. As Veganuary comes to a close, it is time to think about how to source more ethical food, and what choices will reflect well on the environment. It is important to consider not only our meat consumption, but also the places and retailers from whom we get our food, and the way in which it has been produced. Of course, cutting down on your consumption of meat is a fast and easy way to make your diet more ethical. With the production of meat products comes vast amounts of greenhouse gases, from growing food for the animals, the machinery required to rear the animals and then the production of the products. There is no need to go totally vegetarian or vegan just to help the planet, however simply cutting down to eating meat four times a week instead of every day will cut nearly half of the gases produced.

Vegan and vegetarian food can be delicious! Try to include a few vegan dinners and vegetarian lunches a week, and this will become an easy habit that you can sustain. And, despite what many people think, vegan and vegetarian food can be very delicious and satisfying when done the right way! F th Furthermore, cutting tti down d on your dairy consumption can also help to save the planet. Dairy farming requires a lot of energy, and many resources are needed to help care for dairy cows. In cutting down your consumption, you cut the overall demand for these products, and so less farming is The Local Answer

required – in turn, you save the energy!! Meat is not the only cu ulprit for ethical food, however. There T are also plant foods that are less than ethical, both for human and environmental reassons. For example, Brazilian av vocados contribute to sig gnificant deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. It is always worth being careful of whe ere your food is coming from, as a many mass producers will sacrifice the environment for the e sake of a large l yield i ld off crops. The easiest way to enssure that your food is ethical is to o look for products from close to o home. Consider buying from m farm shops, as you can definitely know the methods o of production for these crops.. Buying locally will also hugely y reduce food miles of your chosen To advertise call 01242 510500

produce – another be enefit for the h planet. l

Buy seasonally and locally Try to buy vegetabless that are in season, ones tha at don’t require the use of artificial heating in order to be e grown. Choosing these products p means that the same greenhouse gases are n not made during production, creating a much happier planett and a much healthier you! There are, of course, e many reasons why you may or may not choose a particular diet. Everyone is entitled to a personal choice, but buying seasonally and locally is easy enough for us to do in the UK and the combined positive effect it could have would be huge for our planet. Page 6

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Steady progress for Albany Windows in 2018 Dave Kingscott, Managing Director of The Local Answer talks to Peter Knox, Installation Director and one of the founders of Albany Windows Ltd. DK D i d y o u h a v e a g o o d y e a r in 2018, Peter? PK Ye Yes, another year of steady and profitable growth. DK Yo You have been advertising in The Local Answer more or less since we started. So, an obvious question for me to ask: Has The Local Answer been important in helping you grow? PK T h e r e a r e m a n y a v e n u e s we use to get our message across to prospective customers and we monitor what works as carefully as we can. It would b e fair to say that The Local Answer has proved to be very helpful. DK W h a t p l e a s e d y o u m o s t about the performance of the business in 2018? PK M a k i n g s o m e r e a l l y g o o d additions to our team. Like any business, we are only

as good as the people who do the ‘hard yards’ day in day out.

DK What would you say is the most important element in your success?

PK Patience and always trying to learn and improve. It’s important to give yourself a pat on the back when things go well, but, as in any business, there is always room for improvement. DK Y Yo ou get a lot of good reviews on the Which? Trusted Traders website.

PK We do, and Which? insist any customer posting a review leaves contact details so the review can be verified as genuine. Once again, it’s a credit to our team because window and conservatory installation is a difficult business, with hundreds of different types of house construction and a product range of ever growing choice and complexity. DK H o w d o y o u s e e t h e business shaping up in 201 9?

PK As usual it depends on the economy to a considerable degree. We think our market position is sound enough to allow us to grow a lot more if the economy is at least stable. If the economy takes a dip we expect to be able to hold our existing volumes. It’s a cyclical business and we plan accordingly, with a degree of caution. DK W h a t p r o d u c t i n n o v a t i o n s do you see in 2019?

Peter Knox, Albany Windows Installation Director PK T h e i n c r e a s e i n c o n s u m e r choice over the last five years has been amazing. The whole economy is moving to more choice combined with faster delivery and that is our objective too. The days of quoting a long lead time as a sort of proof of being ‘in demand’ are go in g. DK T To o conclude our chat, what do you see as Albany Windows biggest strength?

PK We have a good team in the offffice too, but as we are an installation company, our installers are our key strength. We are big enough to buy direct from a range of top national manufacturers with state of the art machinery and first class quality control, but installation is the most difficult part of the glazing industry and that is where we think we excel – consistent quality of finish.

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Changing times Ask anyone at the moment about what 2019 will bring and they won’t be able to tell you, courtesy of the ever-changing picture regarding the UK’s exit from the European Union. These are changing times in anybody’s language. Stick or twist? Save or spend? I guess these are questions ti th t we’ve that ’ asked k d off ourselves l f for decades, but priorities appear to be changing across the generations.

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Money Matters

In my younger days, it was save first, for a deposit on a house, spend next as you enjoyed your 20s and 30s, dread the big four-O and begin the gentle descent into retirement (in my case a very gentle one!) by lumping money into pension schemes in the way that you should have been doing for more years than you care to remember. If there was anything left, it went to the kids if they were lucky. It wasn’t the only way of doing it, but it was the generally accepted model of my age group. As I’ve watched the next generation grow up, that model has changed a lot. Firstly, there is no saving for your first house. The house you want is probably unaffordable, if it hasn’t already been snapped up by a buy-to-let investor. And the price of it doesn’t fit against your multiple of salary to enable you to get a sensibly-priced mortgage.

Disposable income is lower as a percentage of income Disposable income amongst most young adults is lower as a percentage of income than it was years ago, with rents, cars, mobile phones, etc. eating into your funds for spending on holidays or ‘luxury items’. And the standard of living is now based on a twoperson income, such that if you live alone, you have no chance of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’. Four-O has moved on a decade as everyone is living longer and the government is making us save for our pensions from the moment we start work. That’s a good thing, of course, and hopefully as this generation reaches its last ten working years, it won’t have to be setting aside quite as much as the previous one did at that age. And none of that is anything to do in the slightest with Brexit. What happens next?!

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A lifetime’’s involvementt in so many sp ports By his own admission Mike M Edwards wasn’t very good at school. school In fact, that’s a bit of an understatement because he left the education system at the age of 15 without a qualification to his name. “I couldn’t wait to get out,” he said, “they were the worst days of my life. I didn’t do any sport, I didn’t work hard.” But while school was clearly a bit of a non-starter for the now 72-year-old, it’s fair to say he has been a frontrunner in life for the best part of six decades now, working in the racing industry for a good number of years, travelling the world to watch some of the top sporting events through his job as a sports travel agent, and working tirelessly on the administrative side to support rugby and cricket in Gloucestershire.

National Hunt racing was w always his first passion. He has worked for some top county trainers, ha as owned horses as part of a family syndicate – he still do oes – and, wait for it… he is also the racing tipster for The Local Answer! And as you’d expect frrom some-

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We’re very lucky in Gloucestershire because we gett to see some of the best sports stars in the country – and indeed the world – strutting their stuff on some of the biggest stages. Think National Ronnie O’Sullivan Hunt racing, rugby and cricket; and in February sports fans are in for another treat becau use the leading gp players y from th he world of snooker will be heading to The Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse to take part in the Coral World Grand Prix. It will take place from 4th-10th February and among those set to take part are Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Judd Trump.

Cheltenham Civil Serv vice Cricket Club start pre-season pre season training in February and new skipper Craig Baker can’t wait for the 2019 campaign to start. The 28-year-old wicketkeeper/ batsman takes over a as captain from his brother Ro obbie who was in charge for two seasons. And it’s a role with w which Craig is familiar because he was originally captain from 2013 to 2016 and in his first se eason they won promotion to the e Gloucestershire Division of th he West of England g Premier Leag gue. g

Mike Edwards, second from m left, taking part in a charity fun runn in 1983

A tennis all-rounder “You never know, in 10 years’ time I could be umpiring a men’s singles semi-final at Wimbledon.” Those are the words of Simon Corbishley who last year was named official of the year by

one who has be een involved in the sport for so s long, he’s a rather good tipster too! “Cheltenham Racecourse shaped my life e and it still influences me today because I live in Guiting Power which is right att the heart of National Hunt racing,” he said. “In the 1950s I was just a scruffy kid wh ho lived in Cleeveland Strreet by the gasworks but itt was only a short walk to o the racecourse. “In those days you u could walk onto the middle of the course and you could stand by any of the fences, I had a connection with racing.” Since those early days he has barely missed a meeting at the home of National Hunt racing, going to the Festival meeting in March 50 times in a row. Full story online. Gloucestershire Lawn Tennis Association. It’s important to say at this stage that Corbishley isn’t currently a tennis umpire, he was just thinking out loud when he was considering his career options in a sport he has been heavily involved in for many years now. It’s equally important to say that 44-year-old Corbishley is very happy with what he’s doing now. “I’m a tournament director and referee, I’m Siimon Corbishley a tennis coach and I also restring rackets,” he said. s It’s for his role as a tournament director and referree that he earned his title of official o of the year. For fu Fo full vers rsions of alll th these stori ries visit www. w.th thelocalansw wer.co.uk r

Above is a selection from local entertainment stories available online ...

One of England rugby’s great rugby great men men Mention the name Phil Blakeway around these parts and it’s likely to be followed by four words, ‘Gloucester, England, British Lion’. And yet, if he had chosen another sporting path, it may have been another four words – equally impressive – that followed the mentioning of his name. You see, Phil Blakeway, as well as being a Gloucester rugby legend and cornerstone of England’s 1980 Grand Slamwinning pack, was also a modern pentathlete back in the day. And a good one he was too, good enough h to be the reserve for Great Briitain’s world junior championship team in London in 1968. And come to think of it, ‘Phil Blakeway, Grreat Britain modern pentathlon’ does have quite a nice ring to itt! “I used to play rugby and do modern pentathlon,” said Blakeway, “but eventually Robbie Phelps, the four-time Olympian, sa aid I had to choose between the two sports. I chose rugby becausse it was easier!” i !” Many injuries later – including a broken neckk – in a rugby career spanning more m than two decades, it co ould be argued that the teenaged Blakeway didn’t go for the easie er option, although it’s debateable whether he’d have enjoyed the level of success in modern m pentathlon that he had in rugby. “I was goo od at the shooting, fencing and riding,” he said, “but running and swimming weren’tt my forte. weren fo orte ” He may be being a bit harsh on himself there as far as his running is concerned because although he was an out and out prop for the whole of his career and good enough to play 19 times for England – he was mainly a tighthead but could also play on the loose – he was

also quickk enough to play on the wing for Gloucesterr in the Middlesex Sevens on occasion. Born in Cheltenham, Blakeway was w educated at Sherborrne School, a small priv vate school, but it wass at Cheltenham RFC C that he learned hiss rugby. He was part of the junior sett-up before graduating g to the Colts, the team th hat launched Phil Blakeway was thhe cornerstone of England’s a good number of Grand Slam-w winning pack in 1980 players onto top same number that I played for careers in the t game. h first fi t team,” ” Blakeway Bl k said. id “John Fidler, Nigel Jackson the He mad de his first-team debut and Chris Mourton were all just before me,” said Blakeway, who against Moseley in 1971 and has fond memories of that over the years played alongside Gloucestter greats such as Mike period in his life. Teague, John Gadd, Gordon Blakeway, who was 68 on New Te Year’s Eve and lives in Sargent, Robin Cowling, Mike Ye Sevenhampton, is very easy to Nicholls,, John Orwin, Steve talk to and is happy to tell stories Boyle, Mike Longstaff and M to name just a few. from yesteryear in an era when Richard Mogg His firsst game for England players were fearsome rivals on me until 1980 and while the field and drinking pals in the didn’t com y seem to have been a clubhouse almost as soon as the that may long waitt, there was a very good final whistle had blown. or that because he broke They were unwritten rules that reason fo Blakeway was more than happy his neck in 1977. “I broke e it on the Wednesday, to abide by and he was certainly n the Saturday and found starting to make an impression played on he Sunday!” he said. as a rugby player in his late out on th Typically, Blakeway said that Ty teens because he was captain of n necks go, his wasn’t a Gloucestershire Colts as well as as broken bad one, but it was bad enough Cheltenham Colts. By the age of 19 Blakeway for him to stop playing for a thought he’d try his luck at couple off years. When h he returned to action he Gloucester. In those days, wannabe players pretty much was catapulted into the England took themselves over to Kings- set-up after just two secondd two first-team games, holm and it was a case of sink or team and making g his debut against the swim. Tw wickenham in 1980. Blakeway swam of course, Irish at Tw That year – 1980 – was the year despite what he said of his swimming prowess in his when Biill Beaumont and his merry me en won the Grand Slam modern pentathlon days! e and Blakeway, modest Not that he was an overnight of course success at Gloucester, it rarely as ever, said: “It was unbelievable, talk about being in the right worked like that in those days. “I think I played 140 games for place at tthe right time.” the United, which was about the Full story y online.

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Index of Advertisers FOOD & DRINK Indus Ta Tandoori Restaurant Revival Cafe Bar & Grill Tall Order Catering The Old Rectory

RETA TAIL 4 6 4 4

WHAT AT’S ON CLUBS & SPORTS Shipton Golf Course 40 Townswomen’s Guilds 18 EVENTS & AT ATTRACTIONS Abbey Mill 37 Bacon Theatre 38 The Bird & Deer Park 39

INFORMAT ATION Charlton Kings Parish Council 39

HEALT LTH & BEAUTY Adam Lloyd Wellbeing 8 By-Design Dentures 10 Cheltenham School of Complimentary Therapy 10 Cobalt Health 7 Debbie Wood Beauty 10 DoubleTree Cheltenham 8 Mobile Chiropodist 10 NHS Gloucestershire 12-13 Oakwell Health 8 Nineteen Beauty Studio 10 Sophie Lane 8 The Guild Hairdressing 10 The Haven 10 W5 Physio 8

PROPERTY & STORAGE Bovis Homes 27 Honeybourne Gate 24-25 Newcombe Residential 26 Park Home Life 22 Perry Bishop & Chambers 23 The Property Centre 84

AW Fireplaces 61 British Heart Foundation 14 Joyce Brooks Lingerie 10 Morgan DeVere Menswear 5 Vinyl Records 7

HOMES & GARDENS BAT ATHROOMS Lifesty tyle Bathrooms 16-17 Severn Vale Bathrooms 74 & 83 BUILDING SERVICES A1 Roofing & Contractors 48 BE Rudman 44 C&G Paving 44 Care Construction 48 Cheltenham To Town Building 48 Craftsmen Builders 47 Elite Loft Ladders 58 G Kelly Plastering 49 Glos Build 45 Home Care Roofing 44 JHD Roofing & Building 49 JTG Building Services 47 Leckhampton Plastering 48 Marshalls Driveways 47 Mathew Moore Building 50 Pave-Drive 51 R Richards & Son 2 Resindrives.co.uk 46 RS Cladding & Roofing 52 S.J. Lewis & Sons 48 Simon Butler 47 SWS Plastering 50 CARPENTRY Nick Burton 74 Red Ideas 61 Three Piece Joinery 74 CLEANING SERVICES Molly Maid 66 Ovenbusters 66

Ovenclean Regency Cleaning

66 Property Creations C 49 47 66 The Local Handyman HEAT ATING & PLUMBING ELECTRICAL SERVICES B 67 Beacon Electrical 68 Barker & Bayliss 67 Cotswold Rewires 68 Cheltenham Plumbers P 66 County Electrical 68 Cotswold Plumbers 68 Itectric 68 Drain Docttor TJE Electrical Services 68 Flametree Installations 58 ID Godwin 68 FURNISHING & KB Femalee Plumber 67 APPLIANCES 67 Bella’s Interiors 58 PBT Installations S Curtains in Cheltenham 58 KITCHENS 62 Dobson Flooring 58 Hatherley Worktops D Dream D Doors 60 PAINTING & DECORAT ATING Gloucester Carpet Outlet 64 Flairline Deecorating 65 New Blinds 61 & 62 Floods 65 G.S.C Ltd D Decorators 65 GARDEN SERVICES Michelle P Powell 65 Cheltenham Town TCD Deco rators Ltd 65 Landscaping 50 Trevor Rog gers 65 Cheltenham Tree Services 53 Chosen Lawnmower Services 52 TV & AERIAL 79 Cotswold Tree Services 54 1st Choice Aerials David & Heather’s Services 54 WINDOWS S, DOORS Grass Scape 49 & CONSER RVA VATORIES Jameson Tree Surgery 54 Albany Windows 72-73 Joe & Jamie 52 AJ Window ws 77 Julia Smith 52 BM Servicces 74 Just Fencing 54 C&L Windoows 75 & 78 Landscape Creations 54 Clearway W Windows 76 Lawn Doc 54 Inceil 71 Mark Clifford Landscapes 52 PROFESS SIONAL Master Sheds 51 ES P.F. P. F. Gardening Services 52 SERVICE TANCY Rob Cockburn Tree Services 54 ACCOUNTA 79 Southwest Landscapes 54 Andorran Spa Garden Rooms 56-57 AUCTIONEEERS & VA VALUERS Mallams 41 HANDYMAN SERVICES Handy Hero for Hire 49 CARE SERV VICES Jack Long 49 Building Circles 39 John Wilson Maintenance 50 Thirlestainne Park 20

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Competition Winners Thank you to all who took part in our January 2018 competition and congratulations to the winners! Bacon Theatre – Christine Sanford, Jacqueline Hibbert and Kerry Miles. TLA Photography – February 2019 – Kerry Palmer of Lydney.

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Competition Rules 1 Prizes aree as stated and no cash or prize alternative will w be offered. 2 Employees of The Local Answer and their families or households are not eligible to t enter. 3 The first correct entry drawn at random after the closing date will win the prize as stated. 4 The winner will be notified by telephone after the closing date has passed. 5 The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 6 Entrants must be over 18 years, unless stated. 7 Proof of

postinng is not regarded as proof of receipt of entry. 8 The Local Answer accepts no responsibility for the provision of the prize, which remains at all times the full responsibility of the prize ddonor(s). 9 By entering any competition you agree to have your name published in the next issue of The Local Answer should you be drawn as a winner of the prize. 10 By entering any competition you agree to have your details passed to a third party. 11 One entry per household.

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