The Local
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S BIGGEST LOCAL MAGAZINE JANUARY 2019
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AN ANSWER SWER North Gloucestershire N orth G loucestershire – 220,000 0,000 ccopies opies Cheltenham C heltenham – 443,000 3,000 ccopies opies Cotswolds C otswolds – 30,000 30,000 ccopies opies G Gloucester loucester – 446,000 6,000 copies copies S Stroud troud D District istrict – 41,000 41,000 copies copies
Managing Director M anaging D irector D Dave ave K Kingscott ingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk
EEditorial ditorial & Marketing Marketing LLois ois Kingscott Kingscott eeditorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk ditorial@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Helen H elen Kingscott Kingscott
S Sport port R Roger oger JJackson ackson ssport@thelocalanswer.co.uk port@thelocalanswer.co.uk
EEntertainment ntertainment Tom T om Hadfield Hadfield
January’s winning cover photo: Esmond Lane of Winchcombe
Welcome Welcome ttoo JJanuary anuary ... ... Happy New Year to all our readers! We hope you had a wonderful festive season and are looking forward to what 2019 has in store – we certainly are! After listening to customer and reader feedback that we received last year, you may have noticed that we’ve made some changes to the style of the magazine. We have changed our font to make it clearer and easier to read, as well as amending the style of the editorial pages. Of course, we always welcome your thoughts so do let us know if there are any further improvements we can make. Don’t forget to check out the winners of our TLA Photography competition. After receiving so many brilliant entries it was hard to narrow it down, but we think the images we have chosen are going to look fantastic!
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Inside Inside this this month month .... .. Delicious Delicious D Dish ish TLA Photography Photography Winners Winners TLA Wildlife Matters Matters Wildlife Pet Care Care Pet Medical Health Health Medical Quick Crossword Crossword Quick Distributors Required Required Distributors Holidays & Travel Travel Holidays TLA Sport Sport TLA What’s On On What’s TLA Entertainment Entertainment TLA Homes & Gardens Gardens Homes Sudoku Sudoku Gadgets & Gizmos Gizmos Gadgets In the the Garden Garden In Interior Design Design Interior Save the the Planet Planet Save Word Search Search Word Money Matters Matters Money Index, Competitions, Competitions, Solutions Solutions Index,
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Delicious D elicious Dish Dish with w ith H Helen elen Kingscott Kingscott
B Butternut utternut squash squash roll roll IIff y you’re ou’re llooking ooking ffor or a vegetarian vegetarian a alternative lternative tto o a ssausage ausage rroll, oll, tthis his v vegetable egetable a and nd h herb-packed erb-packed recipe recipe iiss iideal. deal. IIngredients: ngredients: 500g fresh butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and diced; 10ml olive oil; 5g fresh thyme leaves; 1 small red onion, peeled and finely chopped; 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped or use lazy garlic; 400g tin of butter beans, rinsed and drained; 50g baby spinach, finely chopped; 10g fresh coriander, finely chopped; 10ml soy sauce; salt and pepper; 320g ready rolled puff pastry; 1 egg, beaten. Method: Method: 1 Pre-heat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan/gas mark 6). 2 Put the diced butternut squash onto a baking tray, coat with half the oil and all the fresh thyme and roast for 20-30 minutes. 3 Warm a pan over a medium heat and add the remaining oil. Once hot, add the red onion and garlic and gently fry until soft. 4 Put this in a food processor with the roasted butternut squash and thyme leaves. Add the butter beans, spinach, coriander, soy sauce, salt and pepper. Pulse the mixture until combined – you need to leave it chunky, not a paste. Set aside and cool.
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5 Unroll the pastry but keep it on its parchment paper. Measure and cut the first piece to 10cm wide and however long the pastry is. The second piece needs to be 14cm wide – this will be the top of the roll. Put a piece of parchment paper onto a baking tray, then lay the 10cm wide piece of pastry on it. 6 Spoon the cooled butternut squash mix down the centre, brush the pastry edges with the beaten egg and then pop the top section of pastry on top. Using your fingers, firmly press the edges together then trim with a sharp knife. 7 Brush the pastry with the remaining beaten egg and score the top with 3 or 4 slits to allow the steam to escape whilst cooking. 8 Bake for 25 minutes, remove from the oven, turn it over and continue to cook for another 10 minutes to ensure the bottom is crisp and cooked through. 9 Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly then cut into slices. I think it is best served warm whilst the pastry is still crisp, but it is still tasty cold for a buffet or having leftovers for lunch.
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Your Y our 2 2019 019 C Cover over P Photos hotos Congratulations Congratulations to to the the winners winners of of our our p photography hotography competition! competition! Once again, again, we we had had ssome ome ffantastic antastic e ntries a cross all all months months of of the the y ear a nd iitt Once entries across year and was a tough tough decision decision cchoosing hoosing tthe he winners. winners. Sadly, Sadly, there there could could only only be be one one winner winner was per month, month, but but w e think think tthe he p hotos we’ve we’ve per we photos chosen for for tthis his y ear’s ccovers overs llook ook b rilliant chosen year’s brilliant GLOUCE GLOUCES STERSH TERSHIIRE’S RE’S BIGGEST B IGGEST LLOCAL OCAL and w eh ope y ou w ill llook ook fforward orward tto o sseeing eeing and we hope you will M MAGAZI AGAZIN NEE them e ach m onth! them each month! JANUAR JANUARY 22019 019 A xplained in in the the original original ccompetition ompetition Ass e explained details, we we will will be be ssupplying upplying our our own own details, images ffor or the the m onths of of M arch and and images months March December – kkeep eep a n eye eye out out iin n the the M arch December an March iissue ssue for for ssome ome e xciting news news linked linked tto o the th e exciting ccover. over.
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Wildlife Wildlife Matters Matters with w ith M Maxine axine Raggatt Raggatt
W Winter inter w wildlife ildlife watching watching For wildlife, winter can be harsh. Food is scarce and freezing temperatures can make everyday survival a battle. A lot of people associate winter with there being barely any wildlife out and about, but it is, in fact, quite the opposite. Winter is a wonderful season to take to the countryside, as there are no leaves left on most tree species, so visibility of animals is much clearer. If you head down to the forest, you may get a chance to see and hear Britain’s most widespread owl – the tawny owl – as they favour woodland habitats. You will often find them roosting in small holes in the sides of trees. It is also a great time of year to spot squirrels leaping between the branches and foraging for food. They can also be spotted in gardens taking food from bird feeders! Although squirrels build themselves a den to sleep in, they do not hibernate in the winter.
If it has been particularly cold and there is snow on the ground, or you are in an area of soggy mud, you can go searching for animal tracks. Badger tracks can be seen from their nocturnal activity, along with foxes and deer.
An An educational educational ffamily amily activity a ctivity You could turn this into an educational family activity to get everyone up and out on a chilly day, but be sure not to disturb any wildlife you come across. Making sure you leave any piles of sticks, leaves and rocks in place on the forest floor is crucial, so you do not disturb the smaller wildlife species and hibernating animals such as hedgehogs and dormice. If you head down to the riverside or lakes, there will be a large variety of birds around, some of which are in migration. The most recognisable birds to spot will be mallards, geese and swans, but other birds you may encounter either near the water or further inland are woodwww.thelocalanswer.co.uk
pecke rs, phea sants , partridges , smews, waxwings, Iceland gulls and of course robins. Certain plant life can also thrive in the winter, as some species are built for colder conditions. Snowdrops tend to flower between January and March and prefer damp soil so are often found in woodlands and by riverbanks. Dogwood, with its colourful bare stems, and mistletoe can also be found along with holly, which is beneficial to wildlife as it provides dense cover for birds. The bright red berries often associated with holly are only found on the female plants. These are also consumed by birds in late winter when other sources of food are scarce. No matter where in the countryside or along the coast you visit this winter there will still be animals around looking for food and shelter. Winter is also an excellent time to take s o me s tu n n i n g p h o t o g ra p h s o f wildlife and all the scenery has to offer on those beautiful frosty mornings. Page 7
Pet Pet Care Care w ith O liver W ilkinson with Oliver Wilkinson o ragon V et C entre off D Dragon Vet Centre
Keyhole K eyhole surgery surger y At Dragon Vet Centre, we’ve been able to perform keyhole procedures on pets for several years now. The benefits of reduced surgical discomfort, quicker return to normal activity and less post-operative pain are well established. Keyhole surgery was trialled in animals as early as the mid-1980s, when it was still an emerging technology in human patients, although it was not until the early 2000s that it gained traction as a viable routine surgical procedure in the veterinary world. These days we routinely perform neuterings in female dogs using key hole techniques. In fact, it is rare now for us to perform the more traditional open surgery to sterilise a bitch, as the cost difference is relatively small and the benefits significant. With a keyhole spey, two small incisions are made in the abdomen of a dog. Initially gas is introduced into the abdomen to inflate the abdominal cavity and this allows us to visualise the different internal organs. Without inflation all the internal organs lie on top of each other and there is very little space to manoeuvre the camera and instruments.
TTewkesbury ewkesburryy New Veterinary Care in Tewkesbury Dragon Vets now has a new Tewkesbury branch; we have taken over the ownership of 31 Church Street in Tewkesbury. We will be providing the same high quality veterinary care and advanced treatment that has been our trademark in Cheltenham for over 50 years.
£40 £ 40 ++VAT VAT for a sstarter tarter ccourse ourse for of two two vvaccinations accinations of ffor or ppuppies uppies oorr kittens kittens
Ab better etter v view iew o off ssome ome o organs rgans tthan han w with ith ttraditional raditional o open pen ssurgery urgery Once inflated, a 5mm endoscopic camera is passed into the abdomen and, interestingly, it is possible to get a better view of some organs (especially the liver) than with a traditional open surgical technique. Through the second incision, instruments are passed which can be used to grab or manipulate tissue. Once the ovaries are located, they are moved away from important structures, and their blood supply and attachments carefully dissected free and ablated to prevent bleeding. The ovaries can then be removed, the abdomen deflated and the two small incisions closed. Surgical time is usually around twenty minutes and in many cases, especially larger dogs, is much quicker than a conventional spey. Keyhole procedures are not limited to just neuterings either. Other traditionally open surgical procedures in animals are now performed routinely in this minimally invasive fashion. Bladder stones can be removed through tiny incisions, organs can be biopsied to check for cancer or other diseases, and even some chest/thorax surgery can be performed with cameras. As technology and equipment both get more advanced, we can do more procedures in this less painful/invasive manner. Page 8
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M Medical edical H Health ealth with w ith H Holly olly H Hannigan annigan
New New Year, Year, N New ew Y You ou It’s that time of year again, after the festive over-indulgence, when people make New Year’s resolutions that are rarely kept for more than a few weeks! New years can often make us reflect on what’s not serving us or what has been holding us back over the past year, and so we say out with the old and in with the new, time to make some changes. The most common ones are to eat healthier, to get fitter (often resulting in a massive influx of gym memberships), to stop smoking and to do more of something you love. These are all great ideas in theory and if you need to make positive changes then the first step is having a positive mindset about it. When it comes to leading a healthier lifestyle, there are some great free or inexpensive ways to start.
W Walking alking Walking is great because it’s free and easy for most people to do.
Counting steps on a watch or app has become common, but there is no need for that. Simply getting out in the fresh air and being around nature, walking for 30 minutes a day will: • Increase cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness • Reduce risk of heart disease and stroke • Improve management of conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness, and diabetes • Stronger bones and improved balance • Increase muscle strength and endurance • Reduce body fat If you are feeling slightly more energetic then you can advance to running and some local parks now have outdoor exercise equipment which is free to use and can be a very effective workout aid.
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C Cycling ycling Dig out your old bike that’s been pushed to the back of the shed or garage, or get online and find a cheap, second hand one and get out cycling. This is especially great if you have kids, as you can all go on family bike rides. Along with the previous benefits of walking/running, cycling also improves posture, coordination and joint mobility.
Swimming S wimming If swimming is more your thing, then head down to your local pool for session times and reap the added benefit of an all over body workout that is low impact. Exercise in whatever form you choose to do it not only has physical health benefits, but it also boosts your mood, increases self-esteem, improves sleep quality and energy, along with string evidence to suggest it reduces the risk of dementia and mental health issues. So this new year, make the most of what you already have available to you, to lead a healthier lifestyle that improves your physical and mental wellbeing without hurting your bank balance. Page 13
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Holidays H olidays & Travel Travel w with ith A All H Hidden idden
French A fast fast drive drive in in the the French ccountryside ountr yside The seasonal festivities are over. If you love motor sport, the closest you probably got to it over the holiday was Forza on the Xbox. That makes now the perfect time to plan a trip to one of motor racing’s classics. At the 87th 24 Hours of Le Mans on 15th-16th June 2019, 60 of the world’s fastest cars will do battle on the hallowed 8.5-mile Circuit de la Sarthe. Will you be there?
Your Y our Le Le Mans Mans options options Okay, so prime Le Mans accommodation is long sold out – or commanding silly prices for race week. But there’s still time to grab some of June’s action. Plenty of options remain, ranging from budget coach trips to stylish on-circuit ‘glamping’. You could even combine cheaper accommodation further from the circuit with a daily ‘commute’ by train, bus or tram – or, if you’re really brave, car... You’ve never been? There’s nothing quite like the 4am buzz of French beer, barbeque and speeding Toyotas, Rebellions
and Aston Martins. How about combining more time in France? For a change from Calais or Caen, sail to Cherbourg or St-Malo, then stay overnight at Auberge de la Sélune in Ducey, near mystical Mont St-Michel. Next morning, enjoy a leisurely drive to Le Mans – stopping somewhere like the lovely little organic café ‘Pour Tous les Goûts’ in sleepy Sainte Suzanne. After the race, of course, the rest of France awaits…
Drive D rive tthe he ccircuit ircuit Fancy driving Le Mans? Unless you’re in a car club, access to the full circuit is nearimpossible, but you can still drive most of it on public roads. Start at Tertre Rouge on Le Mans’ outskirts, then imagine that 50mph in an MX-5 is 213mph in www.thelocalanswer.co.uk
an Alpine A470 prototype, as you chase trucks and camper vans down the legendary Mulsanne Straight. Hang a sharp right and continue towards Indianapolis and Arnage corners in the 200mph tyre-tracks of Steve McQueen and nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen. Then follow the old two-lane D139 through notorious Maison Blanche – last taken flat out by 240mph Porsche 917s in 1971 – to the fascinating Musée des 24 Heures du Mans.
Be Be part part o off L Le eM Mans’ ans’ glorious g lorious h history istory Whether you visit lovely medieval Le Mans, the circuit and its museum en route to somewhere else, or watch the race from start to finish, look forward to being part of Le Mans’ glorious history. Don’t miss it! Page 15
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Edward E dward G Gillespie illespie iis s rrelishing elishing n new ew rrole ole Edward Gillespie is one of the most familiar faces around Gloucestershire. He was the main man at Cheltenham Racecourse for more than three decades and has immersed himself in a whole host of other activities – by no means all sport related – over the years. He’s a busy, busy man and his life has got even busier since the end of October when he took on the role of LordLieutenant of Gloucestershire, a role which sees him take on a full range of civic and ceremonial duties while representing the Queen in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire. And it’s a job he is delighted to be doing, even though he admits that it wasn’t something he was planning on when he stepped down as managing director of Cheltenham Racecourse in late 2012. “I was honoured to be asked to
Edward Gillespie reopens the Old Chapel in Gotherington, his first role after becoming Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire
succeed Dame Janet Trotter,” said the 66-year-old. “I didn’t expect to be setting out on another career at my age but if all goes well I could be doing it for the next 10 years.” A big part of his role sees him
working very closely with the Royal Family and when he spoke to The Local Answer he was making preparations for The Princess Royal’s visit to Gloucester, Yate and Thornbury early in the new year. “The key to a visit such as this is that as many people as possible get to meet The Princess Royal and feel part of the occasion,” explained Gillespie. That visit on Tuesday 8th January will be a high-profile event, but there are plenty of other aspects to the role of Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire which Gillespie is keen to champion. They include promoting the military in the county, promoting and celebrating volunteers – “The county is chock-full of volunteers who do remarkable things,” added Gillespie – and celebrating civic contributions. Full story online.
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Andy Outhwaite will relinquish the captaincy at Cleeve Cloud Golf Club in a few weeks’ time. His one-year term comes to an end at the end of January but the good news is that it’s a role that Outhwaite would be more than happy to take on again. “Not straight away,” said the 56-year-old with a laugh, “but certainly in two or three years’ time, I’ve loved doing it. “I’ve met some great people and been able to play at some really nice courses.” Outhwaite, who will be replaced by his vice-captain Phil Dean, is a relative latecomer to golf. Originally from Newcastle, he didn’t really take up golf until he moved to Cheltenham from Newbury in the mid-noughties.
Paul Kelly likes his fishing. And that’s a good job for members of Breakingstone Angling Club because for the past 25 years he has been not only their chairman, but also their secretary and treasurer as well. Paul i nsist s the t hree j obs ar e not as arduous as they sound but it’s fair to say that the club, which is based in and around the Tewkesbury area, functions a lot better with his hand on the steering rod. The club were formed out of the old Dowty Mining Angling Club. “When we were made redundant we formed Breakingstone Angling Club,” said Kelly. The club are so-called because they used to fish in Breakingstone meadow on the River Avon.
It is somewhat appropriate that Vicky Holland was at her parents’ home in Redmarley in the county of her birth when The Local Answer called. The current women’s world triathlon champion has trained and competed all over the globe and won a stack of medals, but much of the groundwork for that success was done in her early years growing up in Gloucestershire. Born in Gloucester, the now 32-year-old – she’ll be 33 on 12th January – is quick to pay tribute to those who did so much to help her in her swimming and running, work that enabled her to take on and ultimately conquer the world. For full versions of all these stoories viisit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk
Above Above is is a selection selection ffrom rom local local entertainment entertainment stories stories available available online online ... ...
Triathlon T riathlon club club ‘in ‘in a good good place’ place’ Ed Hardy had been in his new role as chairman of Tewkesbury Triathlon Club for only a week when The Local Answer called. The 32-year-old has been a member of the club for some four years and is certainly impressed by what he has seen. “We’re one of the more successful clubs around,” he said. “We’re in a good place at the moment so the aim is just to keep the club on their current path.” The club were formed in 1990 in an era when triathlon was not nearly as popular as it is today. Now the club have some 110 members who are keen to take on the multi discipline sport of swimming, cycling and running. The club use Tewkesbury Leisure Centre as their base. That’s where the swimming sessions take place every Saturday morning, but it’s also where members meet for the cycling sessions. “The key session every week is the swimming on a Saturday morning,” said Hardy. “Historically, that’s the session that draws the most numbers, as much for the social aspect as the training. We have a regular slot at the pool.” Not that the running and cycling are c onsidered any less important. “The cycling tends to be at the weekend,” continued Hardy. “There is a fairly easy ride on a
Nicki Osborne
Tom Radley
Saturday morning and usually a longer ride on a Sunday. “The main running session is on Wednesday nights.” The club, which is for adults only, has a couple of discipline specific coaches but also has a number of triathlon coaches who can look after everything – not just the swimming, running and cycling but also the transition from one discipline to another. “The transition is something that you should be practising and yes, it is something that can be coached,” said Hardy. Bredon resident Hardy, an engineer who grew up in the village, took up triathlon when he was at university in Bath. “Before that it was rowing,” he said. “I used to do a bit of cycling, running and swimming just to keep fit but I fancied a change. I didn’t have the time to commit to a team sport, so I joined the university’s triathlon club.” So how good is he? “I get by,” he laughed. “I usually do a couple of races a year.” Hardy, who is also a member of Tewkesbury Running Club, may be being a little modest
because he has finished fourth overall in the Isoman in Redditch in the past – “I toughed it out,” he said. He also took part in Elbaman in September – an Ironman distance event on the Italian island of Elba – and finished 38th overall. Club colleague Nicki Osborne was also in Elba and finished second in her age group in the middle distance Elbaman 73. Osborne is one of the leading competitors at the club along with Tom Radley. “Tom has had a really good year,” said Hardy. “He went to the European Aquathlon Championships in Ibiza and qualified for the world championships.” Aquathlon is a swim/run event and one of the great things about triathlon is that it gives competitors three strings to their bow. And Tewkesbury Triathlon Club certainly allows people to thrive. “We’re a friendly club with so many talented athletes,” said Hardy. “There’s a good atmosphere and the aim is to have fun while continuing to put on good training sessions. It’s the reason I’ve stayed in Bredon for so long!”
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What s On The Local Answer Event Listings are compiled and presented in good faith with the kind support of many contributors. We recommend you use the contact details provided to check event information updates prior to planning your visit. EVERY TUESDAY ARGENTINE TANGO BEGINNERS DANCE CLASS Weekly classes starting Tuesday 8th January at 7.30pm. Have fun, keep fit and meet new friends. No partner needed. £6 per class. St.Mark’s CofE Junior School, Robert Burns Avenue, Cheltenham, GL51 6NU. 07941 218535. www.tangocheltenham.dance 15 NOVEMBER – 6 JANUARY MAGICAL CHRISTMAS ICE RINK Get your skates on as the ice rink is coming back to Gloucester Quays this Christmas. Now in its third year, the attraction draws thousands of visitors of all ages wanting to embrace their inner Torvill and Dean each festive season. The rink has something for everyone from the novice to the experienced skater and there is plenty of action off the rink for spectators too including a ski chalet-style bar and café. Gloucester Quays, St Ann Way, Gloucester, GL1 5SH. www.gqchristmas.co.uk 30 NOVEMBER – 13 JANUARY ALADDIN Don’t miss the all new, bigger and better production written and directed by legendary Blue Peter presenter and actor Peter Duncan. Polish your lamp and book a magic carpet ride to the Everyman Theatre for the highlight of the season – Aladdin, the pantomime where wishes do come true! For times and prices visit www.everymantheatre.org.uk The Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573.
1 DECEMBER – 5 JANUARY DICK WHITTINGTON Once again produced by The Roses’ team, with Ben Crocker at the helm, this year’s panto sees Dick embark upon the adventure of a lifetime as he seeks his fortune on the streets of London! For full details please visit www.rosestheatre.org. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. 1 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY THE BIG BATSFORD ELF HUNT! Santa’s helpers have gone missing and they are all hiding in the Arboretum; find them to win a prize! £2.50 per child, plus Arboretum admission fee (children must be accompanied by an adult). The Elf Hunt is most suitable for children aged 8 and under, however children of all ages are welcome to take part! Batsford Arboretum and Garden Centre, Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 9QB. www.batsarb.co.uk 3 DECEMBER – 4 JANUARY TETBURY CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL AND MEMORY TREE For the second year in a row Tetbury Town Council has hosted this fabulous festival – come and see a festive array of beautifully decorated trees supplied and decorated by local organisations, schools and clubs all in the beautiful setting of St Saviour’s Church. You also have the opportunity to leave your memories of loved ones, friends and family on our Christmas Memory Tree. For full details please visit tetbury.gov.uk
5 DECEMBER – 13 JANUARY JUST SO Five of Rudyard Kipling’s tales weave together into a wonderous tale of personal courage, individuality and friendship. A twenty-five year project that began with a series of inspirational stories, Stiles and Drewe bring us an imaginatively empowering piece of theatre in Just So. For full details including times and prices, please visit barntheatre.org.uk. The Barn Theatre, 5 Beeches Road, Cirencester GL7 1BN. 8 DECEMBER – 11 JANUARY KNITIVITY Come and visit our amazing life-size ‘Knitivity’, beautifully knitted by local communities from all across the county. The Knitivity project began in 2015 as part of the Gloucestershire Rural Community Council’s (GRCC) In Touch programme, which is designed to unite communities by starting up creative groups that people from all over Gloucestershire can attend. Full details at gloucestercathedral.org.uk Gloucester Cathedral, College Green, GL1 2LX. 8-30 DECEMBER SUDELEY CASTLE SPECTACLE OF LIGHT Experience the night-time magic of Sudeley through this beautiful new trail. Follow the White Rabbit and discover the amazing characters from Alice in Wonderland. Marvel at the glorious Field of Poppies, Meteors, Moroccan Lanterns and much more! Full details at sudeleycastle.co.uk Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe, GL54 5JD.
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115-28 5-28 DECEMBER DECEMBER THE HATTER IN WINTERLAND Far away from the mad comfort of Wonderland, the Hatter finds himself stranded in Winterland! Hysterical, silly and a little bit frightened, he must discover how he got there in order to find his way back home for the Christmas tea party… and all before the Jabberwocky’s curse freezes him in Winterland forever. Times and prices at www.cheltplayhouse.org.uk Cheltenham Playhouse, 47-53 Bath Road, GL53 7HG. 01242 522852. 3311 DECEMBER DECEMBER NEW YEAR’S DAY RACING AT WARWICK
The biggest raceday at Warwick with 7,000 like-minded racegoers warming up for the big night out. Live music, great racing and a fantastic atmosphere is an absolute certainty. Prices from £10. Opens 10.15, first race 12.15, last race 3.35. Tickets: 03445 793 013. Warwick Racecourse, Hampton Street, Warwick CV34 6HN. warwick.thejockeyclub.co.uk. 2 JANUARY JANUARY JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Times are hard for the Trott family; they have no money and can’t afford to pay the rent. The only thing they have of any value is their beloved cow, which they decide to sell. But when Jack is sent to market to do the terrible deed, he comes home with nothing but a handful of mouldy old beans – that’s when the magic really begins! 3pm. Full details including prices at shed-arts.co.uk. Tetbury Goods Shed, Gumstool Hill, GL8 8DG. 44-6 -6 JANUARY JANUARY THE COTSWOLDS DECORATIVE, ANTIQUES & ARTS FAIR The UK’s first major art and antiques fair of the New Year. Featuring art and antiques specialists from across the UK, this popular fair is the place to buy everything including the most traditional antique pieces to the latest in decorative chic style. Public Admission: £5. Opening Times: FridaySunday 11am-5pm. Westonbirt School, Tetbury, GL8 8QG. cooperevents.com 5 JANUARY JANUARY ANDRE RIEU ‘The King of Waltz’ will bring his New Year’s concert, recorded live in Sydney, Australia, to millions of fans across the world. Join the Maestro for a
magical evening of music and dance featuring his world class sopranos, The Platin Tenors and plenty of surprises. With show tunes, classical music and plenty of festive fun! 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 9 JANUARY JANUARY THE KING AND I Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna, a British schoolteacher whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children. With one of the finest scores ever written, The King and I is a testament to the lavish heritage of gloriously romantic musical theatre. 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 1100 JANUARY JANUARY ANTONY & CLEOPATRA Broadcast live from the National Theatre. Caesar and his assassins are dead. General Mark Antony now rules alongside his fellow defenders of Rome. But at the fringes of a war-torn empire the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra and Mark Antony have fallen fiercely in love. In a tragic fight between devotion and duty, obsession becomes a catalyst for war. 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 1122 JANUARY JANUARY CLASSIC CHASE DAY AT WARWICK
If there is one day to head to Warwick Racecourse then this is the one. With a focus on the most thrilling race we stage all year, you can also enjoy free heritage talks with some of the stars of yesteryear plus an exhibition of interesting artefacts from Warwick’s racing past. Tickets: 03445 793 013. Warwick Racecourse, Hampton Street, Warwick CV34 6HN. warwick.thejockeyclub.co.uk.
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1133 JANUARY JANUARY THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY Direct from its success at London’s Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, The Simon & Garfunkel Story is back. Using huge projection photos and original film footage, this 50th Anniversary Celebration also features a full live band performing all the hits including ‘Mrs Robinson’, ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ and many more. 7.30pm. £18-£25. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. www.rosestheatre.org 16 JANUARY JANUARY – 2233 FFEBRUARY EBRUARY 16 ORIGINAL ARTISTS’ POSTERS EXHIBITION AT CHAPEL ARTS Original 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 17-19 JANUARY JANUARY 17-19 PINOCCHIO & THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE Geppetto longs for a son and one day he is blessed when the blue fairy transforms Pinocchio, the puppet he has made, into a real-life boy. Pinocchio promises his guardian Jiminy Cricket that he will be good but is led astray by Whizz and Twang, a naughty wolf and cat. Times and prices at kingstheatregloucester.co.uk. The Kings Theatre, Kings Barton Street, Gloucester, GL1 1QX. 117-20 7-20 JANUARY JANUARY SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS
Promenade Productions bring Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs right into the 21st century without losing any panto traditions – a beautiful Princess, a handsome Prince, a larger than life Dame, a large cast of singers and dancers, lots of audience participation and seven lovable dwarfs. Join them to find what the magic mirror will reveal. Family friendly times and tickets at last year’s prices. Book now! Thursday & Friday 7pm, Saturday12 noon and 4.30pm, Sunday 2.30pm. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. £10-£15 from Showcase (01242 224144) or online at bacontheatre.co.uk
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19 JANUARY THE ROCKET MAN Join us on a musical journey, charting the rise to fame of one of the biggest selling artists of all time, Sir Elton John. Combining breath-taking vocal and piano performances, flamboyant costumes, and a dazzling light show – all accompanied by an outstanding band and backing vocals. Full details at www.everymantheatre.org.uk The Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573. 21 JANUARY HANS REY – RIDING LIFE Hans Rey, the former World Champion, pioneer of Freeride, Mountain Bike Hall of Fame and mountain bike adventurer, will take audiences on an inspiring journey through his 30 year career and show you some of the best trails and destinations worldwide. 7.30pm. £19.50. Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham GL50 1QA. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk 21-26 JANUARY FAME The international smash hit sensation following the lives of students at New York’s High School For The Performing Arts as they navigate their way through the highs and lows, the romances and the heartbreaks and the ultimate elation of life. This bittersweet but uplifting triumph of a show explores the issues that confront many young people today: prejudice, identity, pride, literacy, sexuality, substance abuse and perseverance. For times and prices visit www.everymantheatre.org.uk The Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573. 22 JANUARY DAN SNOW – AN EVENING WITH ‘THE HISTORY GUY’ The well-known historian and TV presenter recounts anecdotes of memorable experiences from his very successful career as an historian and broadcaster. Dan will also research and include historical facts and stories relating to the specific area/ town of each theatre on the tour and will be aided by the use of digital screens. 7.30pm. £27. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. www.rosestheatre.org 24 JANUARY HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY Please join Cheltenham’s National Holocaust Memorial Day Act of Remembrance, which will be led by Dame Janet Trotter. The event will start at 6.30pm in the Council Chamber of the Municipal Offices, Promenade, Cheltenham. This year the theme is
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‘Torn from Home’, which will also be the theme of a small exhibition that may be viewed in the Pittville Room adjacent to the Council Chamber, after the Act of Remembrance. WHITNEY – QUEEN OF THE NIGHT A stunning celebration of the music and life of one of the greatest singers of our time. This award winning production features a sensational line-up of musicians and artistes, together with a powerful and breathtaking performance in the spirit of Whitney. 7.30pm. £26. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. www.rosestheatre.org 25 JANUARY JIM DAVIDSON: THE PEOPLE FIGHT BACK The people’s favourite and one of Britain’s greatest ever comedians, Jim Davidson OBE is telling it like it is. Are you fed up with this PC world we now find ourselves in? Well, come and see Jim’s brand-new and outrageous show. Enough is enough, it’s time to fight back! 7.30pm. £25.50. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. www.rosestheatre.org 25-27 JANUARY GLOUCESTER CAJUN & ZYDECO FESTIVAL With a mixture of live music and dancing all day, the party atmosphere is contagious. There are dance workshops for beginners to experts and the Swamp Rock DJs between bands, all topped off by authentic Cajun & Creole cuisine, the festival brings the spirit of Louisiana to Gloucester. For full details please visit www.gloucesterguildhall.co.uk Gloucester Guildhall, 23 Eastgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1NS. 26 JANUARY TONY SLATTERY’S CRIMES AGAINST IMPROV Yes, it’s Tony Slattery and a team of local improvisers pitting their wits against each other. They’ll be doing silly things because the audience say so. During the course of the evening, with comedy improvisation on trial, the audience will decide at the end whether the verdict is guilty or not guilty. Will Mr. Slattery be locked up in improvisation hell forever? Only you can decide. 7.45pm. £12.50. Cheltenham Playhouse, 47-53 Bath Road, GL53 7HG. 01242 522852. www.cheltplayhouse.org.uk KIM CYPHER JAZZ BAND Inspired by the funkier side of jazz and having studied alongside US saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis, Kim Cypher’s style of performance is best described as ‘funky saxophonist
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meets 1940s jazz singer’. Kim performs an eclectic mix of music spanning many genres with a quirky, jazzy twist together with original material from her debut album ‘Make Believe’. 7.30pm. £12.50. Tetbury Goods Shed, Gumstool Hill, Tetbury, GL8 8DG. shedarts.co.uk BEYOND THE BARRICADE The UK’s longest running Musical Theatre Concert Tour features past principal performers from Les Miserables, who will be delivering over two hours of the best of Broadway and the West End, culminating of course with a stunning finale from Les Mis. 7.30pm. £25. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. www.rosestheatre.org 29 JANUARY – 2 FEBRUARY CRIMES ON THE NILE Belgian detective extraordinaire, 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. For full details including times and prices, please visit barntheatre.org.uk. The Barn Theatre, 5 Beeches Road, Cirencester GL7 1BN. 30 JANUARY LA TRAVIATA ROYAL OPERA HOUSE LIVE OPERA From the thrill of unexpected romance to a heartbreaking reconciliation that comes too late – Verdi’s La traviata is one of the most popular of all operas. Alfredo falls in love in with the courtesan Violetta in glamorous Paris society, but underneath the surface run darker undercurrents, leading to a tragic ending. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. For times and prices please visit coriniummuseum.org Corinium Museum, Park Street, Cirencester, GL7 2BX. 31 JANUARY I’M NOT RUNNING An explosive new play by David Hare, premiering at the National Theatre and broadcast live to cinemas. Pauline Gibson has spent her life as a doctor, the inspiring leader of a local health campaign. When she crosses paths with her old boyfriend, a stalwart loyalist in Labour Party politics, she’s faced with an agonising decision. What’s involved in sacrificing your private life and your piece of mind for something more than a single issue? Does she dare? 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk
31 JANUARY SPIRIT OF THE DANCE Irish in origin and bursting with raw energy, this explosive and powerful show combines heart-pounding Irish Dance with the sensual Latino rhythms of Flamenco and Red Hot Salsa in a thrilling production of strength and passion. 7.30pm. £28. Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham GL50 1QA. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk 2-9 FEBRUARY A BUNCH OF AMATEURS 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 Bard, but a sleepy Suffolk village. His monstrous ego and insecurity are tested to the limit by the enthusiastic amateur thespians. 7.30pm (2.30pm matinee on Sat 9th). £14. Cheltenham Playhouse, 47-53 Bath Road, GL53 7HG. 01242 522852. www.cheltplayhouse.org.uk 7-13 FEBRUARY PHOTOGRAPHY MASTERS EXHIBITION – UNIVERSITY OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE The University of Gloucestershire presents an inspiring exhibition,
showcasing the work of eight recent MA Photography graduates. The exhibition contains a diverse range of individual student led projects: from abstract macro photography to large landscape pieces, 3D works and documentary film. 10am-5pm. The Gardens Gallery, Montpellier, Cheltenham. gardensgallery.co.uk 16-24 FEBRUARY HALF TERM ACTIVITIES AT CHEDWORTH ROMAN VILLA Join us this February half term 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 can be found at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ chedworth-roman-villa. Chedworth Roman Villa, Yanworth, near Cheltenham, GL54 3LJ. 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
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the best songs ever written. 8pm. £16.50 (£14 concessions). Stroud Subscription Rooms, George Street, GL5 1AE. 01453 760900. www.subscriptionrooms.org.uk 22-24 FEBRUARY GLOUCESTER FOLK FESTIVAL 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 BIRD WATCH MORNING Get to grips with bird identification with the help of one of our experienced reserve wardens. Join them as they walk around the bird hides and get help identifying a variety of species including waders, ducks and passerines. Winter is a great time to witness the magical sight of tens of thousands of birds spending winter here including our Bewick’s swans and white-fronted geese. Followed by breakfast in the Kingfisher Kitchen. 8am-10.30am. £16.50. WWT Slimbridge, Bowditch, GL2 7BT. www.wwt.org.uk/wetlandcentres/slimbridge
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Entertainment E ntertainment
IIff you you hhave ave a sstory tory ttoo share, share, pplease lease eemail mail ffull ull ddetails etails tto o TTom. om. with with Tom Tom Hadfield Hadfield ‒ entertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk entertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Winchcombe Winchcombe Live Live continues continues into into 2019 2019 Winchcombe Live is a not-forprofit music event that has been running since 2012. The events bring Americana, blues and roots music to the Gloucestershire town, and are very popular among locals and visitors alike. Dave Wade, who helps to organise Winchcombe Live, thinks the events bring some interesting musical diversity and excitement to the town. He said: “I used to organise the Blues festi val on the Is le of Man back in 1999, which is still running, and then moved over to Cheltenham initially and then to Winchcombe. “Our experience in the Isle of Man has been useful in developing ideas here. There was just very little in the way of live music going on in Winchcombe, as on the Island, so we decided to set this up.”
Dana Immanuel and The Stolen Band
Held at the White Hart Inn, the events feature around six acts between October and March. “There’s no real arts centre in the town,” said Dave, “but the Garden Room in the basement of the White Hart is a really convivial, intimate space for music, so we have focused our events around there. It has worked well.”
FFilm ilm Review Review – Tom Tom Hadfield Hadfield
The 2018 edition of Winchcombe Live began in October with the Alt-folk group Davis, Lindley and Mullan, followed by the keyboard player Dom Pipkin – whose CV includes working with Morcheeba and Paloma Faith – and Latin America meets eastern Europe band Little Rumba. Dave continued: “The gigs we’ve done so far have been very busy! We get a lot of locals coming, and then friends of people in the area often come along from further afield. “In January we’ve got a group called Dana Immanuel and The Stolen Band. They’re five feisty ladies including a banjo player and fiddler who play quite gritty Americana – not like your typical Mumford and Sons kind of stuff!” Full story online.
Book Book Review Review – Aloÿse Aloÿse of of Daylesford Daylesford Book Book Club Club
Fantastic Fantastic Beasts: Beasts: The The C Crimes rimes o off Grindelwald Grindelwald
A After fter the the P Party arty by Cressida Connolly
‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ is the latest instalment in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter films and sequel to the 2016 film ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’. Set in the 1920s, the film picks up almost immediately from the prequel, with Newt Scamander – played by the ever-impressive Eddie Redmayne – tasked with the mission of hunting down the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp), who believes wizards should rule over non-magical people, or ‘muggles’. There is a slightly darker undertone to ‘The Crimes of Grindelwald’ in comparison to the earlier Potter films, but director David Yates manages to retain the magic and fantasy that made the series so Eddie Redmayne and popular worldwide. Katherine Waterston Full review online.
I t is 1 9 3 8 a n d P h y l l i s Forrester has returned to E n gl a n d w i t h h e r f a m i l y a f t er l i v i n g a b r o a d f o r many years. She is reunited with her two sisters, one of whom is involved with a summer camp on the Sussex coast. Phyllis allows her children to attend without realising the consequences. Cressida Connolly was able to use information researched from diaries of the time. The book is both a story of tensions within a family and tensions in a wider historical sense. The author builds up an impressive picture of life in 1938 – a period which many choose to forget. It makes for an interesting, if uncomfortable read, with Phyllis starting out as ‘the nicest woman in England’ until she becomes sucked into this sinister world. Full review online.
Above Above is is a selection selection ffrom rom local local entertainment entertainment stories stories available available online online ... ...
A Art rt • E Events vents • E Experiences xperiences • F Film ilm • L Lifestyle ifestyle L Literature iterature • M Music usic • R Reviews eviews • T Theatre heatre • T TV V
Drama Roses D rama ccomes omes tto o tthe he R oses Theatre Theatre Founded in 2007 by a group of graduates from Bath Spa University, Hammerpuzzle is a theatre company with a passion for re-imagining classic stories in a fun and engaging way for audiences of all ages. “Our ethos is that we take a piece of classic literature, or a well-known play, and smash it apart with a hammer,” said Lizzy Cummings, company director, “and then we piece it back together in our own way like a puzzle.” Originating in Bath, the company has also been based in Bristol, and now bring shows to theatres throughout the South West. Gloucestershire has been a destination for favourite Hammerpuzzle. This festive period, the company has produced two shows – the Dickensian classic ‘The Old Curiosity Shop’
‘The Velveteen Rabbit’ Picture: Camilla Adams Photography
and the beloved children’s story ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’. Both shows enjoyed successful spells throughout December at the Everyman, selling out before opening, and both will now visit the Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury. “It’s our first time at the Roses,” said Lizzy, “we’re really
excited to be bringing these stories to new audiences.” Associate Director Bryn Holding added: “The Velveteen Rabbit’ is all about a child’s imagination bringing toys to life. “As the story unfolds there’s an underlying theme in there about loss, grief and moving on from hard moments that we think is important for younger children to understand. But it’s all done in a fun, interactive way.” Even though 2019 has only just begun, Lizzy, Bryn and the rest of the Hammerpuzzle team have already started thinking about what comes next. “We’ve got plenty of plans and ideas in our heads,” Lizzy added, “but I think we should probably get these shows out of the way before we start the next project!” Full story online.
Giffords G iffords Circus Circus returns returns to to Sudeley Sudeley Nell Gifford founded her circus at the turn of the century in the year 2000. Almost 20 years on, Giffords Circus has grown into a thriving community of performers based in the Cotswolds. “The circus is my raison d’être, it’s my job and I feel lucky to have it,” said Nell, who in the past has beaten cancer twice. “The circus is very therapeutic. “It is like a family and a great support network, especially when I’ve been ill. “When you walk into the tent, you leave all your troubles at the door and celebrate. It’s escapist, magical, beautiful, funny.” The circus features a vast range of performers, from trapeze artists and magicians, to
Nell Gifford and her son, Red Picture: Mark Lord
horse riders and opera singers. The 2019 tour of Giffords Circus begins in May on Fennells Farm in Stroud, before visiting – among other locations outside of Gloucestershire –
Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe, Stratton Meadows in Cirencester and finishing for the year back in Stroud in September. For Nell, one venue stands out as particularly spectacular. “It’s our sixth year at Sudeley Castle,” she said. “Last year was a complete sell out so we’re going for two weeks in 2019 and can’t wait. “There’s something quite enchanting about being nestled under the great horse chestnut trees in the shadow of the castle. “2019 promises to be amazing, I can’t wait. Cal McCrystal, our director, is returning for his eighth year and we’ve already had the most amazing creative meetings.” Full story online.
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G Gadgets adgets & G Gizmos izmos w with ith L Laura aura N Nicklin icklin
New New year, year, n new ew yyou, ou, n new ew tech tech With every January comes the typical New Year’s resolutions that normally fizzle out before the end of the month, but if you’re eager, perhaps some of these gadgets can help you stand firm. Whether you’re looking to get fit, get back on that diet that probably went out the window during December, or simply invest in a new hobby, you can at least get the ball rolling with the latest gadgets for 2019.
ing, whereas clear glass means clear weather, and visible crystals are a sign of fog or humidity. be True, it might considered slightly archaic compared to more modern technology (i.e. weather apps or simply watching the forecast on TV), but it’s still an undeniably clever invention that manages to carry an air of elegance. The Storm Glass is both a classy addition to your garden, and a way of appreciating the old-fashioned things in life. Available from menkind.co.uk at £25.99.
Smart S mart W Water ater Bottle Bottle
Storm S torm G Glass lass This intriguing-looking ornament isn’t just a pretty face; it’s also a weather forecast. Yes, this crystal ball of sorts will predict whether stormy clouds are ahead, or if you can look forward to a spot of sunshine. The Storm Glass, rather aptly shaped like a raindrop, uses its clever crystals when reacting to pressure conditions to keep you updated on the weather. For instance, small crystals and cloudy glass mean thunder-storms are approach-
Scientifically speaking, the daily recommended amount of water is equivalent to over three and a half pints for men and under three pints for women. Of course, that’s easier said than done, especially if you’ve got a hectic day ahead. With the Bellabeat Spring Smart Water Bottle, you’ll get helpful reminders to keep hydrated. Simply shake the bottle left-to-right to sync your data to the app, and you can get started. This Smart Bottle will calculate your recommended water intake based on your age, height, weight, activity, etc, ensuring that it is tailored to your specific requirements. It also keeps track of your water intake throughout the day, so you www.thelocalanswer.co.uk
can check on your progress. The Smart Water Bottle is available from John Lewis at £79.99.
JLab JLab Epic Epic Air Air Elite Elite True True Wireless Wireless Earphones Earphones If you’re feeling the need for some motivation to avoid the January blues, then these Elite wireless earphones from John Lewis will help you out. One of the best motivators is music; with these wireless earphones, you can enjoy your own Rocky montage as you shut out the outside world for some metime. Sweat-proof and customisable, these little gizmos are ideal for outdoor exercising, and have up to six hours of battery life. Their clever over-ear hook design will make sure they stay in place, and they even include Be Aware Audio, which allows natural ambient noise in so you don’t get too distracted by your music. These are available from John Lewis at £112.99. Page 29
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The for The pperson erson responsible responsible for trees trees has has a duty duty of of care care to to take take reasonable reasonable steps steps to to avoid avoid acts acts or or omissions omissions that that can can be be reasonably reasonably foreseen foreseen as to as likely likely to cause cause harm. harm.
There T here iiss a need need for for an an owner owner tto o inspect inspect trees trees for for the t he potential and potential to to cause cause harm, harm, and the at the ttree ree sshould hould be be inspected inspected at regular that regular intervals intervals to to ensure ensure that it it is is not not a possible possible danger. danger. Where Where aann owner owner is is not not capable capable of of making making such such an an assessment, assessment, professional professional advice advice should should always always be be sought. sought.
To T o summarise summarise yyour our duty duty of of care care as as a tree tree owner: owner:
* Trees should be regularly inspected and risk assessed and reasonable measures should be applied if there is a potential for risk. * Whoever is responsible for the tree has a duty of care to ensure that both visitors, trespassers, employees and members of the public are not at risk from the tree.
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IIn n tthe he Garden Garden w with ith JJulia ulia S Smith mith
Garden-themed G arden-themed rresolutions esolutions Usually when the New Year comes around, we tend to make resolutions around our health, fitness and wellbeing – all great ideas, but how about setting a different kind of resolution in 2019? Here are some garden-themed New Year’s resolutions that you could try this year: • Recycle the Christmas tree rather than leaving it in the garden as a reproachful skeleton until August! Garden centres quite often will take them, or local recycling centres, or most councils will take any left out for a couple of weeks after Christmas as long as they are not over 4ft high. • Grow at least one vegetable, be it a row of runner beans or a courgette in a pot. • Don’t tie the dying foliage of daffodils into neat bundles – leave it to die back naturally. • Don’t leave tools in the border to go rusty! This is one that I definitely need to stick to this year! • Mow the lawn once a week in growing season, even if it doesn’t look like it needs it.
These resolutions should mean you end the year proud of your garden – either because you’ve grown something new, or because you’ve kept it tidier than previous years! Now on to some general tips for your garden in January.
Ag good ood ttime ime tto ob buy uy H Hellebores ellebores To see the flowers of your Hellebores at their best in the coming weeks, cut away last year’s grotty leaves. If you haven’t got any this is a good time to buy them, as they are starting to flower and you can pick your favourite from all the wonderful range of pink, purple and violet colours. They like a nice rich soil and will thrive in semi-shade, and they look so magical with snowdrops and evergreen ferns during the dark days of January and February. Garlic grows best when it has endured some winter chill and rain, so plant out individual cloves in a sunny spot, pointed end up, 15cm apart with 2.5cm of soil covering them. If the soil is heavy or really wet you can start the cloves off in small pots
Young garlic sprouts www.thelocalanswer.co.uk
©Didier Willery
of soil-based compost and leave outside in a sheltered spot ready to plant out in spring.
Aw well-needed ell-needed b boost oost for for tthe he ccoming oming sseason eason If you have a greenhouse you can sow broad beans such as ‘Empress’ or ‘Witkiem Manita’ in pots. Lettuces can be sown into plugs in the greenhouse and transplanted outside later on if wanted, or sow cut and come again varieties into pots or growbags in the greenhouse. This also goes for those of you lucky enough to have window sills (I don’t have any!) – you can sow a small window box inside and pick off leaves as desired. Lettuces can also be sown outside under a cold frame or cloche. Mulch fruit trees , bushes and canes with organic matter unless the soil is waterlogged or frozen. This will give them a well-needed boost for the coming season. Get your garden off to a good start in 2019 and enjoy its splendours through the year! Page 31
IInterior nterior D Design esign w with ith G Gill ill G Greenwell reenwell
C Creating reating a ccalm alm lliving iving sspace pace The New Year is all about looking forward and new beginnings, and where better to start than by taking a fresh look at your home. The current ‘mindful’ approach to dealing with our fast-paced lives can be applied to our homes too. Follow my quick and easy tips for your New Ye ear spruce up and create a calm, clear and relaxing space to live.
T Top op tips tips for for tidying tidying The post-Christmas period is always a good time to de-clutter. I love Marie Kondo’s book ‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying’ – she takes you through the whole process with the mantra “only keep the things that spark joy”. Time to ask yourself – do I need it? Will I use it? Do I love it?
Get G et sstarted tarted Start with a wardrobe edit – you will find clothes you never knew you had – and you can always enlist help from a professional. Sort out your books – are you really going to re-read that book club paperback from two years ago? Delve into your kitchen cupboards – do you really need to keep that fish kettle you used once to bake a whole salmon?
I found a boxful of party g l a s s e s a n d g a v e t he m t o a friend for her barbeque, she was thrilled.
Ap place lace ffor or e everything verything Make sure you store things so you can easily find them. Storage doesn’t have to be unattractive – a friend of mine with a tiny flat in Paris always re-uses her nicest packaging boxes to store scarves, etc. The trend for all things natural means that you can find beautiful wicker, seagrass and natural-fibre baskets that really don’t cost too much, and are great for storing shoes, toys or bathroom essentials. Do try and avoid using display tall vases next to smaller plastic if you can. ornaments, add a pile of books with attractive covers and mix up C Curate urate y your our clutter clutter textures and colours. Now’s the time to be creative. S Something omething tto om make ake y you ou Aim for your home to be a thoughtful collection of all the s smile mile things you love. Invest in some At this time of the year, it’s good open shelving for displaying to have things around you that your most prized possessions make you happy. Why don’t you and embrace your inner stylist. look out for something new to Think about levels and layers – add that fun element? The Scandinavians are good at this – their home accessories come in lots of lovely bright colours which are so on trend this season. I have my eye on a storage basket in the shape of a pear, complete with a bright green stalk! It was meant for storing children’s toys but it will make a great addition to my laundry. Now it’s time to settle down with that interesting book you found at the back of your bookshelf, make yourself a soothing cup of green tea and chill out. www.thelocalanswer.co.uk
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Curtains C urttains • B Blinds linds • Carpets Carpets • Upholstery Upholstery • S Shutters hutters • P Paint aint 15 Isbourne Isbourne Way, Way, Broadway Broadway Road, Road, W inchcombe, C heltenham, G loucestershire G L54 5 NS 15 Winchcombe, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 5NS T: 01242 01242 604 604 543 543 E: E: info@rapportinteriors.com info@rapportinteriors.com w www.rapportinteriors.com ww.rapportinteriors.com T: Page 34
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S Save ave the the P Planet lanet with w ith L Lily ily C Curle urle
The T he palm palm oil oil predicament predicament There is one ingredient in our everyday lives which you probably eat and use so often that you don’t recognise it anymore. It is used in everything, from peanut butter to shampoo, so much so that it is nearly impossible to miss out of your daily routine without some serious study. Furthermore, this ingredient is so prolific that it is needed in huge quantities, leading to deliberate deforestation by nations which grow it as an export product.
What What iis s this this iingredient? ngredient? This ingredient is palm oil. Of course, you may be thinking, there is no ingredient on the back of my shampoo that says ‘palm oil’, so it must not be in this product. However, the manufacturers of palm oil, and the labellers of products, are sneaky – they use a whole host of names to obscure that a product really has palm oil in. While many of these names have a hint of ‘palm’ in, many do not. For example, when looking at your shampoo, do you see sodium laureth
© James Morgan/WWF International
sulphate or sodium lauryl sulphate? While it may not be obvious, it is these which help your shampoo to lather, but palm oil is a key component of their production. Even when it is clearly labelled, it is often so widely used that it is difficult to avoid in processed foodstuffs. The majority of peanut butters contain palm oil to make it smooth, stable and glossy: the t r a d i t i o n a l b r a n d s , c on t a i n i n g just peanuts, often do not have the same rich texture that makes peanut butter desirable. In fact, the majority of food, processed bread, including ice crisps and cream all contain palm oil.
Why Why is is palm palm oil oil a problem? problem?
© Ulet Ifansasti/Greenpeace
Because it is so high in demand, palm oil production has boomed very www.thelocalanswer.co.uk
quickly. Unfortunately, as a consequence, the way in which it is produced has become a problem equally as fast. Because they can make a profit from producing it, many tropical nations are cutting down large swathes of forest in order to plant oil palms. This, in turn, directly threatens the exotic species which live in such habitats, like orang-utans and gorillas, of which most are already struggling. The palm oil trade also directly affects our human populations. Many people suffer human rights abuse in the plantations where palm oil is manufactured, along with f o rce d se i zu re o f t h ei r l an d i n order to grow more crops. So next time you’re at the shop, pull up a long list of the names of palm oil and see how much of your shopping you can buy without it. If this isn’t an option, try to buy from brands with a commitment to sustainable palm oil. Page 35
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Word W ord S Search earch N O I T I D A R T A P U P S U S I F T L W U E U
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New New Y Year ear AULD LANG SYNE BALLOONS BUFFET CELEBRATE CHAMPAGNE CONFETTI COUNTDOWN DANCING FAMILY
FIREWORKS FRIENDS FESTIVITIES HOLIDAY JANUARY KISS MEMORIES MIDNIGHT MUSIC
NEW YEAR’S DAY NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY RESOLUTION SINGING TOAST TRADITION
Don’t Don’t look look until until you’ve you’ve finished! finished! S Solutions olutions oon n ‘‘Index Index ooff A Advertisers’ dvertisers’ ppage. age. Page 40
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The start of a new year is a time for looking first back and then forward. Often I would play a game of predicting what might happen in the financial world in the next twelve months, but anyone who tells you they can do that with confidence is lying. The year ahead promises to be one of the most turbulent on record politically and in the financial world. You think 2018 was bad? That was only the posturing phase; in 2019 we will see the realities of the fall out from those political manoeuvrings. As I can’t tell you what will happen, there’s not much point in speculating about what might take place, but it’s worth looking at the impacts that certain measures might create. This isn’t a new version of ‘Project Fear’ about the implications of the UK leaving the European Union, more an attempt to explain what happens if... The market T he sstock tock m arket crashes. crashes. Very few ordinary people have a lot of investments in shares. I’ve still got a few from when it was popular to buy privatisation issues, but for most of us, the impact of a major fall in the value of shares will be on our pensions. All of the pension funds hold the majority of their money in one form of investment or another and, whilst fund managers will tell you that they spread the risk as best they can, there is no doubt that anyone in a defined contribution scheme will take a big hit. IInflation nflation becomes becomes rrampant. ampant. Fairly obvious really – the cost of everything we buy goes up and our wages struggle to keep pace. We all demand bigger increases in pay, which stretches employers to the point where they cannot afford to award those increases and therefore have to consider laying off staff or, worse still, ceasing to trade. IInterest nterest rrates ates rise. rise. Often used by the Bank of England to stem inflation, but I’m not sure it really has the desired effect. For many of us, our largest monthly outgoing is our mortgage payment, so if that becomes more expensive, we still need the pay rise to help cover it. The T he value value of of sterling sterling plummets. plummets. Our holidays become more expensive, but remember the same happens to everything that we buy from abroad, so the cost of manufacturing could rise and there will be even more pressure on businesses in certain sectors. Others, who are selling abroad, will love it, but the concern is for those whose costs will rise and the knock-on effect for those businesses generally. As a country, we have enjoyed stability in these areas for the last decade, which may have caused us to become complacent, but has certainly got us used to a lack of turbulence. Fasten your seat belts as it’s going to be a rather bumpier ride through 2019. Whatever it brings, a Happy New Year to you and yours.
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IIndex ndex o off A Advertisers dvertisers WHAT’S WHAT’S ON ON CLUBS CLUBS & S SPORTS PORTS Sherdons Golf Centre 44 Shipton Golf Course 5 EVENTS E VENTS & A ATTRACTIONS TTRACTIONS Warwick Raccourse 21
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H HOMES OMES & G GARDENS ARDENS BATHROOMS BATHROOMS Lifestyle Bathrooms 12 Severn Vale Bathrooms 28 & 43 BUILDING BUILDING SERVICES SERVICES C&G Paving 24
Cheltenham Town Roofing 25 Home Care Roofing 24 JHD Roofing & Buiding 28 Marshalls Driveways 26 Pave-Drive 25 R. Richards & Sons 24 Resindrives.co.uk 2 RS Cladding & Roofing Ltd 27 S.J. Lewis & Sons 27 C ARPENTRY CARPENTRY Matt Grimshaw 41 C LEANING CLEANING Ovenbusters 41 FFURNISHING URNISHING & APPLIANCES APPLIANCES Dream Doors 32 Gloucester Carpet Outlet 38 34 Rapport Interiors 34 Spacemaster
GARDEN GARDEN SERVICES SERVICES Acorn Gardening Services 28 Cheltenham Town Landscaping 26 Cheltenham Trree Services 30 27 Grass Scape HEATING HEATING & PLUMBING PLUMBING KB Female Plumber 28 PAINTING PAINTING & DECORATING DECORATING Brian Mitten 28 TV TV & AERIAL AERIAL 1st Choice Aerials 5 WINDOWS, DOORS DOORS & WINDOWS, CONSERVATORIES C ONSERVATORIES Albany Windows 39 Clearway Windows 36 & 37 36 Inceil 41 Just Doors & Handles
PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SERVICES CARE SERVICES SERVICES CARE Barnwood Trrust M OTOR SERVICES SERVICES MOTOR V Hub A NIMAL S ERVICES SERVICES ANIMAL Dogs Trrust Dragon Vets Tewkesbury SKIP SKIP HIRE HIRE & RECYCLING RECYCLING Stevens Recycling
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BOOKING BOOKING DEADLINE DEADLINE FFOR OR N NEXT EXT IISSUE SSUE – Thursday Thursday 10th 10th January January 2019 2019
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