Cheltenham by The Local Answer

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GLOUCESTERSHIREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BIGGEST LOCAL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2019

CHELLTTENHAM A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS AND CLIENTS!

R R S

R Richards & Son Ltd FA F AMIL LY Y BUSINESS

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AN ANSWER SWER Cheltenham: C heltenham: 443,000 3,000 ccopies opies Cotswolds: C otswolds: 330,000 0,000 ccopies opies Gloucester: G loucester: 446,000 6,000 ccopies opies North Gloucestershire: N orth G loucestershire: 220,000 0,000 ccopies opies Stroud District: S troud D istrict: 441,000 1,000 ccopies opies

W elcome Welcome tto oD ecember December

M anaging D irector Managing Director Dave Dave K Kingscott ingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Marketing Marketing LLois ois K Kingscott ingscott llois@thelocalanswer.co.uk ois@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Sales Sales C Claudie laudie FFrancis rancis iinfo@thelocalanswer.co.uk nfo@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Sport Sport

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and we have a jam-packed Christmas themed issue for you this month. There are lots of festive editorials to enjoy and a What’s On section full of events to add to your Christmas calendar! We also have a special gift for you with our brand new Online Competitions feature! Read more about this inside and check out the fantastic prizes up for grabs. We had so many enquiries last month asking where the cover photo was taken so we thought we’d better include a mention this month! Martin Vincent’s image is of the Mill at Lower Slaughter – a great place to include on a winter walk. Thank you to all our readers and clients for your continued support throughout 2019. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Inside Inside this this month month ... ...

R Roger oger JJackson ackson ssport@thelocalanswer.co.uk port@thelocalanswer.co.uk

EEntertainment ntertainment TTom om H Hadfield adfield eentertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk ntertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Administration Administration Helen Kingscott H elen K ingscott Distribution Distribution JJohn ohn O Overton verton – 001242 1242 541075 541075 leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk

LLouis ouis Jordan Jordan ddistribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk istribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Accounts Accounts Rob R ob Kingscott Kingscott accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk

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C Competitions ompetitions on on pages pages 30 30 & 31 31 If you use the services of our advertisers or attend the events listed, please tell them you found them in The Local Answer! If you can’t find the service you require inside, head online to our Directory. We have details of many more local businesses including: Mortgage Advisor Window Cleaning M ortgage A dvisor • W indow C leaning Hypnotherapy • M Hypnotherapy Magician Cake Maker agician • C ake M aker Visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk

Page 3

Meet the new arriv at Burley Fields Burley Fields Lakes has something new to offer this Christmas – an o p p o r t u n i t y f o r c h i l d re n ( a n d a d u l t s ! ) t o fe e d a n d p e t t h e i r beautiful tame deer. Let the kids experience the joy of selecting their o w n C h r i s t m a s t re e a n d y o u ’ l l b e able to visit these wonderful animals in their field – and, armed with a free deer treat given out with t r e e s , t h e y ’ l l s o o n w a n t t o m a ke friends with you! Owner S Kincart welcomed the d y Fields when their Prinknash Bird & sadly closed in “We’ve always r roaming our hop customd fishermen y seeing at es. We e re a l l y sed to a s afe to deer nkand, se they

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a re t a m e , w e t h meeting them would n i c e b o n u s fo r a n buying a Christmas t the kids will love th Trees will be on f ro m 1 s t D e c e m e v e r y d a y f ro m 1 0 late. The other great ro u n d a t t r a c t i o n F i e l d s L a ke s i s t farm shop. Set in the farm, the open for over 1 St e v e ’ s p a r t n e r P butcher Mark and stockman A All meat produced is from their own a n i m a l s ( e i t h e r b o r n o r re a re d o n s i t e ) a n d t h e y re g u l a r l y p re s e n t a v a s t s e l e c t i o n o f b e e f, p o r k , c h i c ke n , l a m b , m u t t o n , g o a t a n d venison. T h e y a l s o p ro d u c e s u p e r b s a u s a g e s w i t h a g re a t r a n g e o f flavours varying each week from Wild Garlic (picked from the farm’s f o re s t ) t o S p i c y C h i l l i , M u s h ro o m , St i l t o n , L e e k , R o s e m a r y & T h y m e , Beef, Lamb & Mint and Venison.

For th of free range turkeys a av a i l a b l e w i t h a l l t h e t r i m m i n g s , providing delicious flavour for the perfect Christmas dinner. T h e s h o p i s o p e n f ro m 1 0 a m t i l l 5.30pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and 10am-4.30pm on Saturdays. Why not visit Burley Fields Lakes for all three treats – a real Christmas nce with tree, a touching experien deer and to quality local pr

BBurley urley Fields Fields Lakes Lakes Farm Farm Shop S ho Leckhampton Leckhampton Lane Lane • Cheltenham Cheltenham • GL51 GL51 4XP 4XP • 01242 01242 861333 861333 / 07914 07914 940557 940557

O Open pen Thursday/Friday Thursday/Friday 10am-5.30pm 10am-5.30pm & Saturday Saturday 10am-4.30pm 10am-4.30pm www.burleyfieldsandlake.co.uk www.burleyfieldsandlake.co

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Turkey T urkey meatballs meatballs and and butternut butternut squash squash noodles noodles L Looking ooking ffor or a an na alternative lternative tturkey urkey rrecipe ecipe tthis his This dish offers ow-carb ffestive estive sseason? eason? T his d ish o ffers a llow-carb alternative noodles, whilst getting etting iin n a lternative tto on oodles, w hilst g another off y your a nother o our ffive-a-day! ive-a-day! The make double off tthe ouble o he T he rrecipe ecipe sserves erves ttwo wo sso om ake d meatballs and and another day. or a nother d ay. m eatballs a nd ssauce auce a nd ffreeze reeze ffor IIngredients: ngredients: 300g turkey thigh mince; 2 sun-dried tomatoes in oil from the deli; 2 garlic cloves or use lazy garlic; 8 sage leaves; 1 medium egg yolk; 1 tbsp cornflour; 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes; ½ red onion; 2 tsp balsamic vinegar; 3 tsp olive oil; 1 x 300g pack butternut squash noodles; 30g pine nuts. M ethod: Method: 1 Put the pine nuts in a small saucepan and toast them over a medium heat for 1-2 minutes, shaking the pan frequently. Tip into a dish and leave to one side. 2 Put the mince in a large bowl, add the drained and finely chopped sun-dried t omatoes, half the garlic and finely chopped sage leaves, the egg yolk and cornflour. 3 Season with salt and pepper, mix together, then roll into small balls. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

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4 Put the tinned tomatoes in a small pan over a medium heat and add the red onion and vinegar. Season, bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. 5 Heat 2 tsp olive oil in a large frying pan and fry the meatballs for 3-4 minutes until golden on one side. Then turn and cook for another 34 minutes or until cooked through. 6 Add the tomato sauce and return to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. 7 Meanwhile, put the butternut squash noodles in a separate frying pan and add 1 tsp olive oil, a splash of water, the remaining garlic and chopped sage. 8 Season then cover the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes until just tender. 9 Serve with the meatballs and tomato sauce, and scatter over the pine nuts.

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tthehaven hehaven Get Get rready eady to to sparkle sparkle tthis his Christmas Christmas

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Page 5

MOBILE CHIROPODIST Maria Ranieri Long M.S.S.Ch. M.B.Ch.A. HCPC Registered

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The Bowen Technique is a series of moves across muscle, tendon and other soft tissue using thumbs on specific areas, applying gentle pressure to effect a movement on the tissue. The majority of the moves can be performed through light clothing. B owen Therapy works on injuries, stress, illnesses and many more he alth issues – helping the b ody he al it self.

IIss a loved loved one one in in pain? pa Give them a chance to get the health back th his Christmas. Buy a Bowen Voucher today and save money! Call 07581 878799 or email info@cheltenhamb ow

Too get T get your your Christmas Christmas Voucher Voucher for foor ONLY ONLY £45+P&P £45+P&P and SSAVE AVE £65 £65 on on a Fr Free ree IInitial nitial CConsultation ust and onsultation jjust TLA Advert when sstate tate T LA A dvert w hen bbooking. ooking. Offer Offer eends nds 331-12-2019 1-12-2019

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The Local Answer

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Building yyour our summer summer Building body body – part part 2! 2! Following on from last month’s article (which you can read on The Local Answer’s website), for those who are focused on building or maintaining a highperformance body or for those whose aesthetics are the key driver for sculpting a summer body, a more complex nutrition plan needs to be designed. For most people, eating a nutritionally balanced meal one to two hours before exercise, and another within a similar period after exercise, will adequately meet their nutritional needs.

In terms of timing, you could look at pre-workout foods or supplements that will fuel your training and subsequent recovery. These will ideally be easily absorbed/digested so you don’t have any gastric discomfort. Even among advanced fitness enthusiasts, eating during exercise is only advisable/ beneficial in specific training situations, so you won’t need that shake during your spin • Wellness and health benefits class or CrossFit session! (minerals, vitamins, fibre) If, however, you are engaged in long duration training or Fuel mix refers to the combination of endurance events (anything up carbohydrates, fats, minerals and protein. Am more ore b bespoke espoke to and over two hours in a approach pproach iis s rrequired equired Replenish R eplenish e energy nergy a and nd duration) there would be a very ffor or ssome ome p people eople hydration h ydration llevels evels strong case for some in-training However, for some people or event nutrition. Post-workout, a good meal or this will not be enough and a s u pplement is critical to replenResearch R esearch the the best best more bespoke approach is reishing energy and hydration m method e t h o d a and n d s sources o u r c e s o of f quired. A good Sports Nutrition levels, sustaining a healthy nutrients for for your your body body metabolism, refuelling, repairing coach or Registered Dietician nutrients can assist with designing a The rise of precision nutrition and rebuilding muscle, and plan that meets your unique via specialists and performance therefore ensuring improved nutritional requirements and supplements has become a performance over time. appropriate timings to help you huge business and, with good You will need to ensure that meet your performance goals. research, can be of benefit to you eat at least two wellThe best way to provide the you in your search for optimal balanced meals (solid food level of nutrition you require to nutrition. The key areas to rather than shakes/smoothies) fuel your efforts is to optimise consider as you research the during the rest of the day. your feeding windows around b e s t m e t h o d a n d s o u r c e s o f Some people find eating your training, while ensuring nutrients for fuelling your body ‘main’ meals difficult or just that your regular meals are as are foods and a timing regimen prefer eating smaller meals nutrient dense and healthy as that provides you with: more frequently over the space possible. of a day – this is also fine. • Optimal hydration (water If there is a long gap between Whether you are advanced in and electrolytes) your training and a meal, the your training journey, have • Sustained energy release more substantial the meal can specific performance goals, or (carbohydrates and fats) be; the closer you are to a are just highly motivated to • P e r f o r m a n c e b o o s t ( f u e l m i x ) workout, the more important it achieve a certain aesthetic, is that your meal is easy to • Recovery benefits (fuel mix) having a more focused nutridigest – bananas, shakes and • Muscle building and repair tional approach will benefit you smoothies are good options. (protein) enormously. The Local Answer

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Sudoku Fill the grids so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.

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The Local Answer

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H Holiday oliday season season fragrances fragrances Tis the season and no doubt many of us will be thinking that fragrance will make a perfect gift for that special person this Christmas. This is usually a safe bet and wellreceived. However this market has changed beyond recognition over the years, so before you spend your hard earned cash, read on about some fabulous innovative new ideas in the fragrance market.

Spray perfume perfume Spray Spray perfurme is the ‘norm’ and will remain a firm favourite for years to come, but this method has some downsides. Generally you spritz at home or the office and cannot carry a bottle around all day for obvious reasons. Why not consider Lancôme, the well known cosmetic range that has invented the world’s thinnest perfume spritz bottle at 15mm thick. It is called Idôle and comes in an elegant rose gold container, which you can purchase in

three sizes – 25ml, 50ml or 75ml. Most of the major department stores carry this range, so why not pop in and ask to sample it?

Solid S olid p perfume erfume T h i s w a s p o p u l a r m an y y e a r s ago and has made a resurgence in recent times, as it is easy to carry and apply when you have the desire to do so. Solid perfume is interesting as it smells different on each individual owing to the PH balance of our skin. Famed for her candles, Jo Malone has created a delightful range of solid scents, in what looks like a stylish mini coaster, at £14. The beauty of this is it’s great for those on the go – you can slip it into your handbag or pocket, with no need to worry about spillage. I like to pop mine into a drawer as I do with candles before I use them; the fragrance gently infuses my items.

P Perfume erfume p powder owder Armani has produced an elegant powdered perfume called Sì, which looks like a small compact. It’s another alternative that is easy to transport and dab on throughout the day or evening. At £35, it is certainly an unusual perfume idea for those who like to be different!

Perfume P erfume p pen en There are even perfume pens nowadays – Scent Republik have produced a range of fragrance pens for a reasonable £12.50. You apply the felt tip pen as little or as much as you want, The Local Answer

To advertise call 01242 510500

and with over 600 applications per pen, this product will last you well. Just slip it in your pocket or purse to use as and when you need.

Shay S hay & Blue Blue Shay & Blue is a UK based brand focusing on being ‘real’ and authentic. Their fragrances are handmade from start to finish, and in a short period of time they have won several prestigious awards. The perfumes are unisex, vegan and cruelty free, bringing a contemporary twist to artisan fragrance. Each item is beautifully packaged and, although not cheap, you certainly get what you pay for. They have a beautiful box of their five top favourites in small travel sizes for £75, which would make an exquisite present. Also, their Kings Wood fragrance for men is a rich, woody, leathery aroma, and comes in impressive brown and gold packaging. Another great gift idea this Christmas.

Happy H ap a ppy Holidays Holliida ay ys to to all! alllll! a Page 11

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A personal letter from Martin Surl Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire I a m c o m m i t t e d t o m a k i n g o u r c o u n t y s afe r fo r a l l road users. No more so than at this time of the year. I h o p e y o u c a n h e l p m e b y c i rc u l a t i n g t h i s m e s s a g e amongst your family and friends about this year’s ‘Anti-Drink-Drug Campaign’. In the last 50 years, road casualties caused by drink driving have fallen dramatically, yet on average 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured each year in the UK in a drink drive related collision. Combining illegal drugs with alcohol is especially deadly since it has been found that drivers who have consumed both are 23 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than sober drivers. Last year in Gloucestershire, the police recorded 39 drink or drug drive collisions. Whilst this figure reflects a d o w n w a r d t re n d t h e re i s g ro w i n g a n e c d o t a l evidence that, in some parts of the county, people h av e b e c o m e c o m p l a c e n t b e c a u s e t h e y t h i n k t h e y can get away with it. This constitutes not only a d a n g e r t o t h e m s e l v e s b u t a l s o t o o t h e r m o re responsible road users. T h e p r i m a r y a i m o f t h i s y e a r ’ s p r e -C h r i s t m a s campaign is to educate drivers to make an informed decision not to drive under the influence of drink or drugs. You can help me by circulating the following advice and information: • That the drink drive campaign is about to launch

• Encourage people to make sensible plans to enjoy t h e i r c e l e b r at i o n s a n d h e l p t h e m g e t h o m e s afe afterwards • P ro m o t e t a x i s a n d a l t e r n a t i v e t r a n s p o r t o p t i o n s home in the lead up and during the campaign. • Perhaps local licensees could be encouraged to offer free soft drinks for drivers or some nonalcoholic drinks options, which could be published and promoted. • We would rather drivers did not get on the roads under the influence of drink or drugs in the first place, however if they do then the police will come down hard on those offenders. A period of enforcement will start on 3 December when those who decide to ignore this advice will be t a r g e t e d t h ro u g h o p e r a t i o n a l ro a d s i d e a c t i v i t i e s throughout the county in both urban and rural areas. Safe and Social Driving is one of my priorities and is aimed at getting all road users to behave responsibly towards each other. This campaign aims to get people t o t h i n k b e fo re d r i n k i n g o r t a k i n g d r u g s a n d t h e n getting behind the wheel and to understand the consequences of their actions. I hope you will be able to play your part and have a safe and enjoyable Christmas.

Best Best wishes! wishes!

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M Medical edical H Health ealth with w ith H Holly olly H Hannigan annigan

W Winter inter aaches ches o orr something something m more? ore? We all experience the odd ache or stiffness in our joints and bones, so when does the odd ache become something more? Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in a joint. In the UK, more than 10 million people have arthritis, affecting people of any age including children. There are many different types of arthritis and related conditions, the two most common types being Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Making Making m movement ovement more more d difficult ifficult tthan han u usual sual Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the UK, affecting nearly 9 million people. It most often develops in adults who are in their mid40s or older and is more common in women. This condition initially affects the smooth cartilage lining of the joint, which makes movement more difficult than usual, leading to pain and stiffness. Once the cartilage lining starts to roughen and thin out, the tendons and ligaments have to work harder. This can cause swelling and the formation of bony spurs called osteophytes. Severe loss of cartilage can lead to bone rubbing on bone, altering the shape of the joint and forcing the bones out of their normal position. The most commonly affected joints are those in the hands, spine, knees and hips. In the UK, rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 400,000 people, often starting when a person is between 40 and 50 years old. Women are three The Local Answer

times more likely to be affected than men. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system targets affected joints, which leads to pain and swelling. The outer covering (synovium) of the joint is the first place affected. This can then spread across the joint, leading to further swelling and a change in the joint’s shape. This may cause the bone and cartilage to break down. People with rheumatoid arthritis can also develop problems with other tissues and organs in their body.

IItt iis s iimportant mportant tto og get et a an n a accurate ccurate d diagnosis iagnosis Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your symptoms may vary, which is why it is important to get an accurate diagnosis. Common symptoms include: • Joint pain, tenderness and stiffness • Inflammation in and around the joints To advertise call 01242 510500

• Restricted movement of the joints • Warm red skin over the affected joint • Weakness and muscle wasting There is no cure for arthritis, but there are many treatments that can help slow it down. These include lifestyle changes, medication, physiotherapy and surgery.

M Maintaining aintaining a healthy healthy llifestyle ifestyle is is key key Living with arthritis isn’t easy, and carrying out simple, everyday tasks can often be painful and difficult. Many people with arthritis say their joints become more painful and stiff in the winter, though it’s not clear why. So, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key through a balanced diet, keeping active and staying warm. There are also a range of services and benefits available, and remember to always seek support from your GP. Page 15

Pet Pet Care Care

with O liver W ilkinson with Oliver Wilkinson of Charlton Charlton K ings Vet Vet Centre Centre of Kings

C Christmas hristmas C CATastrophes ATastrophes and and Doggy Doggy Dangers Dangers We recently had a common emergency at the centre. ‘Gutsy’ the Labrador trotted in having polished off most of a Christmas pudding. He looked very pleased with himself and not at all bothered by the concern his owner was expressing at the risk of this potentially toxic ingestion. Happily oblivious to the potentially lethal effect on his kidneys that quantity of dried fruit could have, Gutsy looked decidedly less happy when I administered a medication to induce a stomachemptying, vomiting episode. He was even less impressed when I hospitalised him overnight to ensure any remaining grape toxicity was flushed out of his system with an intravenous fluid. The next day Gutsy’s kidney function was completely normal and he was returned to his worried owners who had to prepare a fresh pudding and place it more effectively out of his reach. Grape toxicity is well documented. Not all dogs are susceptible to the effect and many dogs are unaffected by grape consumption. However, as we have no way of knowing which dogs will suffer and which won’t, avoiding grapes, sultanas, currants, etc. is the safest option. Chocolate toxicity is equally common. Dogs are particularly good at scoffing chocolates left within reach, out of bags or even from within presents left under the tree! Remember, the darker the chocolate the more toxic it is so keep chocolates strictly for human consumption. Other common gastrointestinal problems at this time of year are stomach upsets from overindulgence, and fatty treats or leftovers can trigger diarrhoea or pancreatitis in dogs. Cats are dangerously attracted to string, tinsel and rubber bands, all of which can cause blockages when ingested and result in emergency surgery. Some Christmas plants can also be poisonous – poinsettias, holly and mistletoe can be quite toxic, with mistletoe berries being particularly lethal. Lilies, while not particularly festive, are very dangerous to cats. Nibbling a leaf, licking pollen from fur or even drinking water from a vase with lilies in it can all result in fatal consequences. So take care at Christmas – it should be a time of fun for humans and pets alike. If you are one of the 75% of pet owners who buy their pet a present, or one of the 2/3rds who spend as much on their pets as their partners, the last thing you want is to be rushing to the vets at closing time with a Christmas pudding emergency! Page 16

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Wildlife Wildlife Matters Matters with w ith H Helen elen K Kingscott ingscott

Aw winter inter p project roject for for wildlife wildlife I have wanted an insect house in my garden for a while, so back in March I persuaded my husband to build one for me – well, two actually! They were really easy to make and I’ve enjoyed filling them with all kinds of materials to encourage wildlife to make themselves a home. I have been really surprised by how many people have commented on them as they walk past my garden, and most have asked to take a picture so they can make one themselves. So I decided to show you how I did it. The image on the right shows the nearly finished house (I am still filling some of the gaps) and you can find the rest of the photos online with instructions of how the y were made. I have also made a couple of natural hedgehog houses and, although I haven’t checked as I don’t want to disturb them, I hope my hedgehogs are fast asleep. I’ve also written an article about this, which you can find on our website.

H Hibernating ibernating species species Lots of people think squirrels hibernate, but they don’t. They just stay in their cosy beds and sleep for 18-20 hours a day, only popping out to eat some of the food they have buried for a rainy day. They will have grown a thicker coat and wrap their fluffy tails around them when they go to sleep. New queen bumblebees ‘hibernate’ alone underground or in long grass, with their vital fat stores helping them survive the winter. Come the spring, the warmer temperatures wake the queens and they seek nectar The Local Answer

to feed on before finding a suitable nest site for the year. This is why it is good to plant crocus, snowdrops, hyacinth and primroses for them to feed on when they wake. Solitary bees look for hollow stems or little holes in wood or bamboo canes, as you’ll see in my insect houses. Look at my pictures online to see them creating a winter home to lay their eggs. Toads, frogs and newts will usually leave their ponds to ‘hibernate’ in the winter. They love rockeries, woodpiles, compost heaps, old plant pots and greenhouses – they make you jump when you go to clean it out in the spring! If you read my ‘how to make an i nsect h ouse’ article, it explains about frogs using the gap under the pallets, where I’ve put old house tiles/slates for them to crawl beneath. If you have a deep pond they may also sleep on the bottom. Try not to tidy your garden too much this winter, as you will be removing most of the To advertise call 01242 510500

shelter for wildlife and leaving overwintering invertebrates homeless. So leave seed heads on your alliums, teasels, sea holly, echinops, and any hollow standing plant stems.

Hiding Hiding p places laces a and nd ffood ood for for beneficial beneficial insects insects Ladybirds, lacewings and wasps will wait out the winter under loose bark on logs, piles of stones and twigs. Leaf litter is mulch that also provides hiding places and food for beneficial insects like ground beetles, centipedes, millipedes and spiders. Eventually, the worms will drag the mulch down from the surface and eat it, enriching the soil. guide to to full sstep-by-step tep-by-step guide A full making your own house making y our o wn insect insect h ouse can be our can b e found found on on o ur website. website. V Visit isit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk www.thelocalanswer.co.uk and and h head ead tto o tthe he Pets Pets & Wildlife Wildlife category category iin n tthe he N News, ews, A Articles rticles & Reviews Reviews section. section. If you create one yourself, please send us your photos – admin@thelocalanswer.co.uk Page 1

Writer W riter rrequired equired We are looking for someone to write monthly articles for us on the topic of

W Wildlife ildlife Matters Matters 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.

Get iinvolved! nvolved! ANSWER ANSWER Get

The The Local Loc al Page 18

D o ssomething omething a mazing a nd Do amazing and join our our team team of of volunteers volunteers join We ep provide rovide life life cchanging hanging ttherapy herapy to to o over ver 2 200 00 rriders iders with disabilities. with physical physical aand/or nd/or learning learning d isabilities. We re e aare looking for for more more volunteers volunteers to to join join o looking our ur tteam eam – yyou ou don’t h ave tto ob e ‘‘horsey’, horsey’, we we can can train train yyou! ou! don’t have be We e ride ride Monday Monday tto oF riday ffrom rom 8.30am 8.30am to to 3.30pm, 3.30pm, Friday w we e rrun un After After School School Clubs Clubs on on Mondays, Mondays, Tuesdays Tuesdays aand nd T hursdays from from 4pm 4pm tto o7 pm, and and w e rride ide on on Thursdays 7pm, we Sunday Sunday m mornings ornings ffrom rom 8 8.30am .30am tto o 12.30pm. 12.30pm. Y You ou ccan an d do o aallll d day ay o orr jjust ust a ffew ew hours hours tto o ssuit uit yyou. ou.

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Holidays H olidays & Travel Travel w with ith A All H Hidden idden

Have Have a happy happy Christmas C hristmas iin n Adelaide Adelaide We started the year Down Under in Australia, facing the impossible challenge of mentioning every wonderful destination that Oz offers in just 400 words. So now, for our Christmas column, let’s end 2019 by celebrating Christmas in Australia. But not with that oh-so-predictable Christmas dinner on Sydney’s Bondi beach. Instead, we head 724 miles (1165km) east to Adelaide, South Australia’s magnificent coastal capital – a glittering jewel (or in this case a ‘Christmas bauble’) on the St Vincent Gulf.

Seasonal Seasonal a attractions ttractions aplenty a plenty As Australia’s fifth-largest city, Adelaide is a four-season joy with its vibrant Central Market, many churches, revitalising Himeji Garden, hikes up Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty, and seaside Glenelg’s breathtaking coastal views. Now add some seasonal attractions and see why Adelaideans c laim to do Christmas better than anyone else in Australia.

Start with the giant Christmas tree in Victoria Square and Grote Street’s towering Santa Claus. Don’t miss myriad Christmas lights in the mesmerising displays at Westminster School, Lobethal and Ninth Avenue either. Or the warm Christmas welcome at supercool Ebenezer Night Market. What about something completely different when other attractions are closed on Christmas Day? You could always head for Adela ide Zoo near the Karrawirra Parri (River Torrens) river to celebrate with its giant panda, Sumatran tigers, adorable penguins and mischievous white-cheeked gibbons – hang onto your crackers!

Christmas C hristmas dinner, dinner, Adelaide-style A delaide-style Feeling hungry? As well as checking out Adelaide’s acclaimed fine dining scene, you’ll want to sample all-yearround treats such as Kitchener Buns, late-night pie floaters or North Adelaide’s enigmaticallynamed ‘AB’ – South Australia’s

Picture: playandgo.com.au

answer, perhaps, to Canada’s poutine? Then, come the big day, savour a traditional Christmas lunch al fresco with friends and family. Make sure to book early before celebrating in style at a classy city restaurant such as the Rob Roy Hotel, Fullerton’s Arkaba or the stylish Stamford Grand on the beach in Glenelg. For a change of scene on Boxing Day, grab the leftover Christmas ham, a bottle of the Adelaide Hills’ finest (Adelaide is, arguably, Australia’s wine capital) and some Goodieson’s Christmas Ale. It’s the perfect recipe for a picnic at West Beach, in Elder Park or in the beckoning hills out east of town.

M Merry erry C Christmas hristmas everyone e veryone If you’re going Down Under, Adelaide really should be on your must-visit list. If not this Christmas, how about making a New Year’s resolution to celebrate Adelaide-style in 2020? Merry Christmas everyone!

Picture: www.adelaidezoo.com.au

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DOWN DOWN 1 Restricts movement (4,4) 2 Perches 3 Globule 4 Wise 5 Bomber attack (3,4) 6 Rim 10 Less moist 11 Short break 13 Plague 14 West Indies island 16 Menservants 18 Male heirs 19 Tripped over 20 Dusting powder

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E Education ducation & E Employment mployment w with ith H Holly olly P Prince rince

Taking T aking a break… break… then th e n getting getting back back into into it it Winter is the time of year when the energies of nature slow down – trees shed their leaves to conserve energy and animals prepare for hibernation. But we as humans have such busy lives that it seems we’re on the go, non-stop, whatever season it is! With Christmas coming and the year drawing to a close, it is a good opportunity to pause and take rest. However, we may find that after our usual activities are put on hold for a week or two, it can be hard to get started up again when ‘normal life’ resumes in the New Year.

Remind R emind y yourself ourself w why hy y you ou sstarted tarted If you started a course in September, you may find you are losing interest or drive. If this is the case, remind yourself why you started the course in

the first place; remember the aspects that inspired your enthusiasm in the beginning and consider your long-term goals – what you want to get out of it. Also, doing a course is not just about learning the subject; it also teaches you skills such as problem-solving and perseverance – which can be useful in any area of life. Alternatively, you may be looking forward to a ‘fresh start’ in the New Year, which could include starting a course or seeking new employment. When Christmas is out of the way, the New Year is a good time to set in motion things you want to achieve over the upcoming 12 months ahead. Instead of setting New Year’s Resolutions, maybe set goals around personal or professional development, with a view to doing some training in order to increase your skillset,

enhance your abilities in a certain area, or perhaps to start your own business. In terms of working life, you may find it an effort to get up on time in the mornings if you’ve been enjoying lie-ins over the festive break. To make it a bit easier, aim to get up a little bit earlier each day on the few days before you have to go back to work, so that it’s not such a shock to the system.

F Focus ocus o on n tthe he p positive ositive a aspects spects o off y your our jjob ob If you’re not much looking forward to going back to work, focus on the positive aspects of your job – these may include being part of a team, or chatting with your colleagues, getting back into a routine and regaining structure to your days, or having a reason to get out of the house and away from family if you’ve been under each other’s feet too much over the holidays! It’s good to take a break over the festive period so that we can then be ready to emerge into the New Year and increase our activities once more as the energies rise towards spring! Happy Holidays!

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S Sport port

with w ith R Roger oger Jackson Jackson

TO SHARE SHARE YOUR YOUR SPORTING SPORTING WANT W ANT TO STORY ON ON OUR OUR WEBSITE? WEBSITE? STORY Please Please eemail mail ffull ull ddetails etails ttoo ssport@thelocalanswer.co.uk port@thelocalanswer.co.uk

M Marathon arathon b best est tto om mark ark 5 50th 0th b birthday irthday So how do you like to celebrate your birthday? A meal out with friends perhaps, maybe a party at home or even a holiday abroad – they are just three of many possibilities and all are good fun. Fiona Carter, who turned 50 at the end of October, went for option three – she spent a few days on the beautiful island of Mallorca – although it’s fair to say she didn’t just sit on a beach and sip cocktails during her time in the sun. Far from it because Fiona, who is a very keen athlete, signed up to take part in an event called the Long Course Weekend Mallorca. And if that sounds pretty tough, it is because it’s an Ironman staged over three days. “It’s a swim, bike, run,” she said. “The swim is about 3,800 metres, the cycling was 112 miles and that was followed by a marathon on the final day.”

Fiona isn’t a swimmer – she’s a Great Britain age group duathlete – so took part in the cycling and running in Alcudia, which is on the north east side of Mallorca. But that’s still pretty impressive, especially when you consider she had the option of going for a shorter distance in both disciplines. She completed the cycling in

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It’s not difficult to see why Dave Simmons says “these are exciting times” when talking about FC Lakeside. The club boast some 26 teams, with their most senior teams enjoying good starts to their campaigns in Northern Senior League Division Two and Cheltenham League Division Three. The club are also busy behind the scenes with the new community facility at Cold Pool Lane in Up Hatherley, Cheltenham. As adult section secretary of the club – he’s in his second year in the role – Simmons’ focus is on the club’s men’s teams, and while he keeps a close eye on all aspects of the club, he has a particular interest in the first team because he is their joint manager along with Simon Greenwood.

Billy Keenan is, quite literally, jumping for joy. That’s because young Billy is a top trampolinist, someone who has already competed in English and British championships. And the sky really is the limit for the 14-year-old Balcarras School pupil as he revels in the opportunity to be a major player in what is a minority sport. “I like doing a sport that not many other kids at school do,” said Billy, who lives in Charlton Kings. “I like the challenge of trampolining – the shapes you have to make, the height you have to get to.”

Fiona Carter competing in Mallorca Photo: Ingo Kutsche

Taylor T aylor made made Jonny Taylor is pretty well known in squash around Gloucestershire. The 27-year-old, who lives and works in Cheltenham – he is

five hours, 36 minutes and then did even better the next day when she set a personal best in the marathon, completing the 26.2 miles in three hours, three minutes. “That was really special because I won the race,” said Fiona. “I’d never done that before on a road marathon, I’d never been the first person through the tape.” But what makes Fiona’s story so interesting is that while she wants to do the very best she can at any given event, she is just as keen to see others realise their full potential as well. In particular she wants younger athletes to make the most of any opportunities and as such a few years ago she set up CASS & Friends, a charity that provides financial support for aspiring athletes in Gloucestershire. Full story online. operations manager at Simply Gym – is in his second year as captain of Gloucestershire. He also captains Riverside’s number one team in the Gloucestershire Squash League.

Ab big ig n netball etball ffan an Kirsty Wingate is a big supporter of netball, a very big supporter. She plays the game, she umpires and she also works ti re le ss ly as a v ol un te er ad mi nistrator. The 49-year-old took over as chair of Gloucestershire Netball at their AGM in May and she has previously served on the management committee as honorary, league and tournament secretaries. She’s also chair of her club Survivors. For full versions of all these stories and more, please visit our website: www.thelocalanswer.co.uk

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O One ne o off tthe he R RFU’s FU’s leading leading men men As rugby résumés go, Nigel Gillingham’s is pretty impressive. The one-time Leicester second row – he played for the Tigers when they were the undisputed kings of the jungle back in the 1970s – is these days playing as big a role on the administrative side of the game as he did all those years ago as a player. So much so that in less than two years’ time he will take over as president of the Rugby Football Union, a position that is currently held by England and British Lions great Peter Wheeler. It’s primarily an ambassadorial role, but as one of the faces of the RFU it’s clearly a very important position and one for which Gillingham, a former Royal Air Force man, is obviously very well suited. Gillingham, who lives in Stroud, is currently the RFU’s junior vice-president and will become senior vice-president next year before taking on the top job on 1st August 2021. He’s also a hardworking member of Gloucestershire’s RFU – he’s their RFU representative – and on Saturday afternoons is a regular spectator at games up and down the county. “I go anywhere from Norton to Cinderford, Barton Hill to Frampton Cottrell, and from Cheltenham Saracens to Spartans,” said the 66-year-old, who is also a social member at Stroud. And he still very much enjoys the grassroots game, even though it is very different to when he was starting out all those years ago. “Yes it is,” he admitted. “What players want today is not the same as what they wanted years ago. “Back then they were happy to play week in, week out – it wasn’t as physical in those days – and your social life revolved around the rugby club. “But work patterns have changed and people want

Nigel Gillingham

different things and when you’re organising a team that’s when things become more difficult. “In saying that, the number of adult players playing the game is the same as a few years ago, it’s just that they don’t play as often.” And while few, if any, clubs are running the number of men’s teams that they did at the start of the century, the great game of rugby is still hugely popular in this country. “The female game is expanding quite rapidly,” added Gillingham, “and the age grade game has always been healthy.” Gillingham knows what he is talking about, of course, having fallen in love with the game way back in the Swinging Sixties. Born in Guildford in Surrey, he learned his rugby at RGS Guildford and was obviously pretty good at it because he went on to be selected for England Schools. He spent a year playing for Richmond before attending Loughborough Colleges where he captained the team in his

third year, leading their last side to win the Middlesex Sevens in 1976. While at Loughborough, Gillingham, who could also play in the back row, played for England Students before joining Leicester. And as choosing clubs to play for go, joining Leicester was a pretty good move because as well as the aforementioned Peter Wheeler, they were a team packed with star-studded names who dominated English rugby for a decade back in the 70s. A serious knee injury forced Gillingham to retire early but he went on to coach in the RAF before getting involved in the administrative side of the game, a journey that has taken him right to the top of the sport. And he says that when he does take over as president of the RFU he will be a very proud man. “It’s a fantastic honour,” he said. “When I was playing I didn’t know anything about the RFU! “It will be a great privilege to represent the RFU, I feel very proud.” Gillingham, who was awarded an OBE for services to RAF charities and RAF rugby in 2001, moved to Stroud in 2000. H e ’ d pr e v i o u s l y b ee n l i v i n g a t many different RAF stations across the country and abroad, but knew this area because his daughters were boarders at Wycliffe College in Stonehouse and he’d spent three years based at RAF Innsworth. It wasn’t until nine years after his move to this part of the world that he got involved with the Gloucestershire RFU, however, and it will come as no surprise to anyone involved with rugby around the county that it was Russ Hillier, the everpopular president of Stroud Rugby Club, who brought him into the fold. Full story online.

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Wafting Wafting around around the the Cotswolds Cotswolds Cullinan iin naC ullinan Time for a big one. And not just in terms of price, but the sheer scale of this car. I was surprised when Rolls Royce announced they were building an SUV because it didn’t quite seem to make sense for the brand. But I’ve thought that before and been proven wrong, so when I was invited to a test drive event, I went with an open mind. I should highlight that this article isn’t headed with a price – partly because I had no indication of how much the model I drove was, and partly because it’s not as simple as taking the list price and adding extras. You see, you don’t order a Rolls Royce; you commission it. They don’t come with a list of options; you tell them what you’d like and they build it. That said, they start at £264,000, so it’s safe to assume that this press demonstrator was probably close to £400,000, but once you’ve passed a quarter of a million you kind of stop counting! But on to the car… can Rolls Royce, the maker that brought us the true definition of luxury, handle the concept of driving The Local Answer

off road? This is a manufacturer that includes decanters and champagne flutes in its vehicles for the incredibly discerning owners – surely one cannot sip a glass of bubbly while ‘Parker’ negotiates the Cotswolds’ green lanes? Actually, with the pillow-like suspension as good as it is, I suspect you could. But I also think this is a Rolls that will be driven more by its owner than a chauffeur, so that’s probably not so relevant. On to the design elements…

R Refinements efinements a and nd g gadgets adgets What do you get for a quarter of a million in terms of refinements and gadgets? Put simply: a lot, so I’m going to pick up on a few of the more unusual. Let’s start with the doors – they entirely encase the door sills, so the sills stay clean and dry even through the worst the muddy, wet English countryside can throw at it. So, when you reach your destination and open the door, there’s no risk of getting mud on your trousers as you get out. Nice touch. What if it’s raining when you get out? There are umbrellas To advertise call 01242 510500

housed in the door frame, and the holster for the umbrella is heated so that if you put it back in still wet, the warm air will dry it before you use it again. One other thing I’ll mention is the gearbox, which is connected to the sat nav. Seems odd? It’s so that the automatic gearbox ‘knows’ if there’s a hill coming up and can change gear before the engine is required to waft the car up the incline, ensuring the smoothest of rides for the driver and occupants. Overkill? Perhaps, but also something I’d expect from the designers at Rolls Royce. Overall I was impressed with the Cullinan. Yes, it’s huge, yes it’s powerful – the 6.7 litre V12 delivers around 560bhp – but when you’re driving, it doesn’t seem massive. Large, but manageable – even on narrow Cotswolds B roads. Luxurious, powerful, massive and deceptively quiet. But that price tag is immense, and I’m not convinced you get any more for your money than you would from a Range Rover – other than the prestige, and you get a lot of that from the Cullinan. Page 25

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

T Thrill hrill Collins Collins reflect reflect on on a great great year year Thrill Collins are well known in these parts for being one of the most entertaining acts around. Made up of lead singer and guitarist Robbie Pert, double bassist Andrew Lansley and cajón player Peter Harper, the trio are famous for their reworkings and medleys of pop songs from the 80s, 90s and early noughties. “We’re a skiffle band in the sense we’re all acoustic, ‘DIY’ style,” said Robbie. “We play songs you thought you despised, and make you realise you don’t. Our only criteria is that it needs to be funny that we’re doing it. “That doesn’t mean it has to be corny – although we’ve got plenty of those! It’s more like playing songs by girl groups and people like Christina Aguilera who sing five octaves higher than me, so we have to

Thrill Collins (L-R) Robbie, Peter and Andrew

rework them to suit my baritone.” The trio formed the band around nine years ago, and since then have gone from strengt h to str ength, becomi ng regular favourites at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, and performing at festivals all over the country, including Glastonbury.

Film Film Review Review – Joe Joe K Kennett ennett

“We’ve played there a few times before on the bandstand and as a walkabout band,” said Robbie. “This year we did that again and also did a 1am set in the Shangri La area – we left Cheltenham at 6am and were up until 3am the next day, it was a feat of endurance.” 2019 has also included a spring tour, sets at 2000Trees and a host of other festivals, with Robbie adding that this year has been a great one for the band. He said: “It’s been amazing, probably the best we’ve had. “We try to build on every year and we played more festivals than ever this year, including ones we’ve always wanted to and ones we’d never even heard of but turned out to be amazing.” Full story online.

Book Book R Review eview – A Aloÿse loÿse ooff D Daylesford aylesford B Book ook C Club lub

Terminator: T erminator: Dark Dark Fate Fate

The T he Winter Winter S Soldier oldier

Set in the original timeline of ‘Terminator’ and ‘Terminator 2: Judgement Day’, the sixth instalment in the franchise restores faith in what was once such an epic saga of films. We return to Sarah Connor’s (Linda Hamilton) storyline some 18 years since we last saw the iconic heroine, but it’s clear she hasn’t forgotten her roots. Connor makes a dramatic return looking as badass as ever, but the machines have, of course, become more advanced than ever before. Where previous films in the franchise have fallen flat, ‘Dark Fate’ excels, bringing to screens a story which emanates with the original plot. Newbies Dani (Natalia Reyes) and Grace (Mackenzie Davis) bring fresh energy alongside the original stars Arnold Schwarzenegger. of the saga. Photo: Paramount Pictures Full review online.

by Daniel Mason It is easy to forget the Eastern Front of the First World War but this novel describes in great detail the agony of war in this region. Lucius is a young medical student of Polish extraction living in Vienna with his prominent family. He decides to enlist as a medical officer but realises when he arrives at the field hospital that he is illequipped to deal with the wounded he finds there. Sister Margarete, a young nun, is his saviour. She teaches him how to be a battlefield surgeon and as time goes on their relationship blossoms. Interwoven with this narrative are insights into the anomalies of war in 1914. There is dry humour, the writing is beautiful, the detail sometimes hard to take, but the author doesn’t dwell on it. 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

Local Local artist artist Dom Dom Osman Osman in in high high demand demand Dominic Osman has been a Cheltenham local for most of his life. A former pupil of Pate’s Grammar School, he moved to London when he was 18 before returning to Cheltenham to set up his own hairdressing business in the town centre. But it’s not just cutting hair that Dom has a talent for – he’s also a very gifted painter. “I’ve always loved drawing and painting ever since I was a kid,” he said. Dom specialises in acrylic painting, with his portraits of famous faces from the world of sport, music, film and more gaining a lot of attention on social media. He continued: “A friend of mine posted a painting I did of David Bowie on Facebook and it grew organically from there.” Dom now has Facebook and

Dom Osman alongside Gregory Porter and his portrait

Instagram pages dedicated to sharing his art, and has people from all over the country getting in touch to request paintings. A quick scroll down the DomArt Facebook page shows some of his recent pieces of

people like Bob Marley, Mick Jagger and Steve McQueen. But one famous face stands out, mainly because in the picture in question he is stood next to Dom and his portrait of him. “I do the hair of the co-owner of John Gordons bar,” explained Dom, “and I was talking about maybe doing some paintings to show in the bar. “They said, ‘why don’t you do some for the Jazz Festival?’. So I did a whole load, including one of Gregory Porter which they put in their window.” The Grammy-award winning singer was in Cheltenham during the Jazz Festival, and spotted Dom’s painting. “He’s a lovely guy,” said Dom. “I asked him if he could sign it, and his first response was, ‘I don’t want to mess it up!’.” Full story online.

N New ew adaptations adaptations ffor or Hammerpuzzle Hammerpuzzle Hammerpuzzle will be bringing two new shows to Cheltenham this month. The theatre company, which specialises in adaptations of classic stories, started the year with their productions of ‘The Old Curiosity Shop’ and ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’. “We are very excited to be bringing two more adap-tations to the Irving Studio, in coproduction with The Every-man,” said company director Lizzy Cummins. “The Owl and The Pussycat’, despite being a ‘nonsense’ poem, carries a huge amount of ‘sense’ for a modern audience – acceptance, integration and inclusivity have never been more important. “The second show, ‘Under The Greenwood Tree’, is a fresh,

Under the Greenwood Trree will be at The Everyman from 4th-30th December

new literary adaptation that holds up and highlights how we relate to each other as humans.” The name ‘Hammerpuzzle’ comes from the group’s desire to smash a story’s plot to pieces and then put it back together like a puzzle. Lizzy continued: “Part of the

joy of re-telling stories is that we can go where we want with it. “We do of course want to do all stories justice. We want to ensure that all our adaptations hold on to the absolute essence and heart of the original tale.” The company currently has residence at The Irving Studio Theatre, after first performing there in 2015. A good relationship has since been formed between Hammerpuzzle and the theatre, and Lizzy says the studio is the perfect place for their style of show. She said: “The studio has gone through some developments in the last few years and is now a unique and intimate space, with the audience close and willing to share the stories we present.” Full story online.

For For full full articles articles and and m more ore sstories tories vvisit isit w www.thelocalanswer.co.uk ww.thelocalanswer.co.uk

What W hat s O On n The The Local Local Answer Answer Event Event L Listings istings a are re ccompiled ompiled a and nd p presented resented in in good good faith faith with with the the kind kind support support o off m many any ccontributors. ontributors. W We e recommend recommend you you use use the the contact contact details details provided provided to to check check e event vent iinformation nformation u updates pdates p prior rior tto op planning lanning y your our v visit. isit. U UNTIL NTIL 14 14 DECEMBER DECEMBER COLOUR IN ABSTRACT AT CHAPEL ARTS

We are excited to welcome two prominent abstract artists who use colour in very different ways – Edward Kelly and Judit McLoughlin. Wednesday – Saturday 10am-4pm. www.thechapelarts.com 23 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER – 2233 D ECEMBER 23 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM Father Christmas and his elves will be at Cotswold Farm Park to help visiting children create a Christmas Eve Box, and pick a present from the Toy Room. Selected dates. Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power, Cheltenham, GL54 5FL. www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk 23 DECEMBER 23 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER – 2244 D ECEMBER SANTA'S FARMYARD GROTTO Meet the animals in the animal experience centre and take a festive tractor ride to visit Santa in his Farmyard Grotto. Weekends from 23rd November to 24tth December. Adults and children £8.50, toddlers and concessions £7.50. Cattle Country Adventure Park, Berkeley, GL13 9EW. www.cattlecountry.co.uk

2233 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER – 2233 FFEBURARY EBURARY ERNEST GIMSON: OBSERVATION, IMAGINATION AND MAKING 2019 marks the centenary of the death of Ernest Gimson, one of the key designers of the Arts and Crafts Movement. This exhibition explores his creative process as a designer, focusing in turn on his architecture, furniture, textiles and metalwork. £5, £3 concessions, under 5s free. The Wilson Art Gallery & Museum, Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3JT. DECEMBER 2299 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER – 2222 D ECEMBER ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS Voted number one last year as Britain’s Favourite Christmas Light Display, see an all new illuminated woodland trail at Westonbirt Arboretum along with their Christmas village. The National Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury, GL8 8QS. Full details: forestryengland.uk/westonbirt DECEMBER 3300 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER – 2244 D ECEMBER SANTA SPECIALS Travel from either Toddington station on a 1960s diesel train or from Cheltenham Racecourse on steam train, and meet Santa and his elves. £16//£17. Full details at www.gwsr.com 3300 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER – 5 JJANUARY ANUARY THE BIG BATSFORD ELF HUNT Santa’s helpers have gone missing around the arboretum and if you can help find them all, you win a special Christmas prize. Normal arboretum admission prices apply. Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 9QB. www.batsarb.co.uk

1 DECEMBER DECEMBER CHRISTMAS DOG PARADE Get yourselves and your dogs into the Christmas spirit by dressing up in festive attire, with prizes on offer for the best dressed dogs and owners. In aid of Sue Ryder. 10.30am. £5 per dog. Leckhampton Court, Church Road, Cheltenham, GL53 0QJ. Full details at www.sueryder.org 3-10 3-10 DECEMBER DECEMBER THE BIG GIVE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE For seven days, all donations to Cobalt through www.thebiggive.org.uk will be DOUBLED making a fantastic £50,000 available to support Cobalt’s Breast Cancer Research Nurses. From 12 noon on the 3rd to 12 noon on the 10th. 6 DECEMBER DECEMBER CHARLTON KINGS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON The Charlton Kings Christmas extravaganza will feature Santa and his reindeer choirs performing festive carols around the tree, a fayre with a range of gift and food stalls and switching on of the Christmas lights. 3-6pm. Free entry. Church Piece, Charlton Kings, GL53 8JN. 7 DECEMBER DECEMBER A CURIOUS CHRISTMAS EVENT AT REGENT ARCADE Join Who 1 and Who 2 in the Curious Christmas Garden, and make some fantastically curious Christmas crafts! Taking you down memory lane to a Whoville inspired garden, it may be a mad but definitely a fun day. 11am-4pm. Free event. No registration required. Visit regentarcade.co.uk for more.

Promote your 2020 events in the county’s largest magazine! Promote your event in print and receive a FREE equivalent listing on our website! For more details email

info@thelocalanswer.co.uk Event listings start from only £25+VAT in print or £12 online. Page 28

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The Local Answer

WIN W IN T TICKETS! ICKETS! c courtesy ourtesy of of The The Bacon Bacon Theatre Theatre

Win tickets to see the Flowers Band’s ‘A Christmas Celebration’ at the Bacon Theatre on Sunday 15th December at 3pm! Celebrate Christmas with Flowers, the West of England’s No 1 brass band, and their special guests, the Cheltenham based Beauregard Youth Choir. Get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy a host of Christmas classics and seasonal favourites. Tickets cost £12 (£8) and can be booked by calling the box office on 01242 258002 or online at www.bacontheatre.co.uk To enter our draw to win a pair of tickets, send your name, address and telephone number to ‘Flowers Band’, The Local Answer, Unit H, Churchill Industrial Estate, Churchill Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, GL53 7EG. Alternatively, send your details stating ‘Flowers Band’ to competitions@thelocalanswer.co.uk Closing Closing date: date: Thursday Thursday 5th 5th December December 2019. 2019. 8 DECEMBER DECEMBER PITTVILLE PARK ELF HUNT You will be taught how to be an elf by some of Santa’s elves who have come straight from the North Pole, and once you’ve had your training try and find the mischievous elves who are hiding around the park. 10am-3pm. £12.50. Pittville Park, Evesham Road, GL52 3AB. www.elfinthehouse.co.uk CHRISTMAS MARKET The Bottle of Sauce will be hosting their Christmas Market, with live music, workshops and a selection of stalls from craft sellers and unique small businesses. 11am-4pm. The Bottle of Sauce, Ambrose Street, GL50 3LH. www.thebottleofsauce.com VEGAN CHRISTMAS MARKET The third Gloucester Vegan Christmas Market returns with vegan and cruelty free food, drinks and gifts and Santa’s Grotto. 11am-3pm. £2 entry, u16s free. Blackfriars, Gloucester GL1 2HS. Full details: facebook.com/veganeventsglos 9 DECEMBER DECEMBER SANTA’S CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN Santa loves starting the countdown to Christmas by opening the windows of his giant Christmas calendar. But when he tries to begin the countdown this year, disaster – the calendar is broken and all the magical goodies

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have gone missing! Join Dotty the Elf, Dasher the Reindeer, Jack Frost and Pompom the Penguin in a fun, festive, musical adventure to help fix the calendar and start Santa’s Christmas Countdown. Bring your Christmas letter to post in Santa’s special post box! 10.30am. £10 (£8). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. bacontheatre.co.uk 1100 DECEMBER DECEMBER TA APESTRY OF CHRISTMAS MUSIC Cheltenham Choral Society with their new conductor Alex Thacker are joined by Prestbury St Mary’s and Beauregard Youth Choirs to present a programme of festive favourites plus audience participation carols. 7.30pm. £10. Pittville Pump Room, GL52 3JE. In aid of Great Western Air Ambulance. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk 1133 DECEMBER DECEMBER CHRISTMAS CAROLS IN THE BANDSTAND A free event, organised by the Friends of Montpellier Bandstand and Gardens in aid of local charity – simply wrap up warm and bring your best singing voice. 5-7pm. Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham GL50 1UL. CHRISTMAS AT THE MUSICALS Join Mary-Jess and Joanna Forest and their special guest choir from The

www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk

Pauline Quirke Academy Cheltenham in the beautiful setting of The Bacon Theatre for a magical festive evening! They’ll sing all your favourites from stage and screen along with timeless winter classics to really get you in to the Christmas spirit! Meet and greet 6pm, show starts 7pm. £20 (Meet and greet £40). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 14 DECEMBER DECEMBER 14 TEDDY BEAR WORKSHOP AT REGENT ARCADE

Join the Elves in the Teddy Bear workshop. Your little ones will enjoy a fun filled session with dance and play, before getting to stuff and fluff their very own bear! With a birth certificate in hand, each child will get to take home their teddy. 11am-4pm. Free event. Registration required. Visit regentarcade.co.uk to register

The Local Answer

WIN BIG! Our brand new online competitions feature is now live!

To kick things off in style, we’ve got SIX competitions with fantastic prizes up for grabs from some great local businesses! Two tickets to see Cheltenham Town Football Club play Morecambe on Saturday 1st February, plus a mascot package and a signed ball!

A three-course meal for two people with a bottle of wine at Café René in Gloucester!

A family game of bowling for up to five people at Hollywood Bowl Cheltenham in The Brewery Quarter!

Four tickets to see Promenade Productions’ pantomime ‘Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates’ at The Bacon Theatre on Thursday 16th January!

interior needs A family ticket to see the Peter Pan themed Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle!

A £100 voucher to spend on soft furnishings at Interior Needs in Gloucester!

To T o enter enter any any (or (or all) all) of of these these ccompetitions, ompetitions, visit visit

www.thelocalanswer.co.uk w ww.thelocalanswer.co.uk and and go go to to the the Competitions Competitions ttab ab

If you are a local business that would like to run a competition on our website, please email lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk for more details

1144 DECEMBER DECEMBER CAMBRAY CHRISTMAS MARKET

10.30am-3pm. Free entry and refreshments. Over 30 local artisan stalls, Father Christmas, face-painting, kids’ craft and more. Outside in Cambray Place and inside at Cambray Baptist Church, Cambray Place, Cheltenham GL50 1JS (near John Lewis). 1155 DECEMBER DECEMBER CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT 6.30pm. A lovely atmospheric service with carols and candlelight – followed by mulled wine and mince pies. At Cambray Baptist Church, Cambray Place, Cheltenham GL50 1JS (near John Lewis). Everyone welcome. FLOWERS BAND: A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Celebrate Christmas with Flowers, the West of England's No 1 brass band,

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and their special guests, the Cheltenham based Beauregard Youth Choir. Get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy a host of Christmas classics and seasonal favourites. 3pm. £12 (£8). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 1177 DECEMBER DECEMBER FESTIVE FILM: POLAR EXPRESS With a twinkling grotto and a visit from Santa himself before the film, this cinema experience will also be adapted to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for audiences with additional needs. When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of selfdiscovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. Santa from 4pm, film at 5pm. £7 (family of 4 £25). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 24 DECEMBER DECEMBER 24 CRIB SERVICE 4.30pm. Capture the excitement of Christmas Eve and bring your children to hear the Christmas story – for the young and young at heart! At Cambray Baptist Church, Cambray Place, Cheltenham GL50 1JS (near John Lewis).

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2255 DECEMBER DECEMBER CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE 10.30am. Christmas morning praise as the day’s festivities get under way. At Cambray Baptist Church, Cambray Place, Cheltenham GL50 1JS (near John Lewis). Everyone welcome. 116-19 6-19 JANUARY JANUARY ROBINSON CRUSOE AND THE PIRATES

Panto fun’s not over yet! Escape the winter chill! Sail to sunnier climates and search for hidden treasure with Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates, courtesy of Promenade Productions. Traditional family pantomime at The Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham. Thursday and Friday performances 7pm, Saturday midday and 4.30pm, Sunday 2.30pm. Tickets £11-£16 from Showcase 01242 224144 or online www.bacontheatre.co.uk

The Local Answer

Charlton Kings Kings Pa Parish rish C Council ouncil CK Charlton

C hristmas F ayre and and Christmas Fayre S witching on on of of Lights Lights Switching Friday 3-6pm Friday 6th 6th December December ~ 3 -6pm Church Church Piece, Piece, Charlton Charlton Kings Kings The Parish Council is proud to issue an invitation to our renowned Christmas Fayre, which is free to all visitors and offers fun, refreshment and entertainment for all the family. From babyhood to retirement, there is something for everyone! There will be various activities throughout and an intriguing variety of stalls, where you can do a little Christmas shopping for ‘something a bit different’ or stock up on some of your favourites from previous years. Scarrotts Funfair will be attending, with rides and amusement stalls. Food and drink will be in plentiful supply, and our excellent Fish and Chip Shop and the Snug Cafe will be open throughout.

An An opportunity opportunity n not ot tto ob be em missed! issed!

D Distributors istributors Required Required For a few hours each month in the following specific areas:

Alstone • Arle Arle Farm • Lansdown Each round is made up of 150-400 copies per month. The rate of pay is 6 pence/copy. Depending on property types, our current team of people average between 100150 copies/hour (equivalent to £6-£9/hour). Magazines are delivered to T The he L Loc oca al l Distributors’ homes towards ANS A NS WER WER the end of each month and we expect deliveries to be completed within four days between the hours of 7am and 9pm. You must be 13+ years old, flexible, reliable and sufficiently physically fit to CHELTE C HELTEN NHAM HAM perform the duties. GLOUCESTERSHIRE GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S ’S BIGGEST BIGGEST LOCAL LOCAL MAGAZINE MA AGAZINE

Father Christmas will visit us and be available for children to see him in his grotto, while his live reindeer will be waiting just by the Kings Hall. Due to their popularity last year, we have arranged for them to stay and be available for photo opportunities. The wonder on some of our young visitors’ faces is an abiding memory of last year’s Fayre – an opportunity not to be missed! Choirs from Charlton Kings Infant and Junior Schools will sing around the tree, and the lights will be switched on at about 5pm. Meanwhile, ‘Elsa’ and ‘Olaf’ from the popular film ‘Frozen’ will mingle with guests and face painting will be happening in the Stanton Hall. If anyone is interested in helping to decorate the Community Tree with a small decoration or something in memory of a loved one, please bring them to the Parish Office, Church Piece by 4th December, so that they can be added in time.

D DECEMBER ECEMBER 22019 019

A VERY VERY MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS TO TO ALL AL L

OUR OUR READERS READERS A AND ND C CLIENTS! LIENTS!

For details email John – distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk The Local Answer

Dates of December public meetings In the Stanton Hall Planning: Mondays 2nd and 9th at 7pm Allotments: Thursday 12th at 7pm Full Council: Monday 16th at 7pm Clerk Clerk – JJoanna oanna N Noles oles ((01242 01242 2250087) 50087) Clerk@charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uk www.charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uk @CkParish

To advertise call 01242 510500

Charlton Kings Parish Council Page 33

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e email: mail: rrs.cladding.roofing@live.co.uk s.cladding.roofing@live.co.uk - 1 105/107 05/107 B Bath ath R Road, oad, C Cheltenham, heltenham, G Glos. los. G GL53 L 53 7 7LE LE RS CLADDING R S CLADDING L LTD TD ARE ARE P PROUD ROUD S SPONSORS PONSORS O OF FG GLOUCESTER LOUCESTER R RUGBY UGBY Page 38

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New N ew Roofs Roofs R Roof oof restoration, restoration, Leak Leak Detection Detection P Pointing ointing & Lead Lead Work Work A All ll aspects aspects o off Flat Flat roofing roofing TTiling, iling, Slating Slating & Cladding Cladding Facias, Facias, Soffits Soffits & G Guttering uttering

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The Local Answer

Fencing

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• Artificial Grass • Gravel • Block Paving • Tarmac

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Page 43

IIn n tthe he Garden Garden w ith JJulia ulia S mith with Smith

Be Be inspired inspired by by your your g garden arden tthis his ffestive estive season season As we get closer to the big day, make sure your garden doesn’t look like ‘The Nightmare before Christmas’ this year! I know it gets dark early and sometimes the weather is not conducive to being outside for long, but it is nice to look out and see something a bit cheerful. You can dress up your garden for the festive season by putting outdoor fairy lights in trees, which can be seen from the house, and hanging homemade wreaths in prominent places. Don’t forget the birds either – tie up a tasty fat ball or seed feeder to keep them happy through the colder months (remember to take off any netting).

Turn T urn to to nature nature for for your your hristmas d C Christmas decorations ecorations Dress the house with stems from the garden, using the bare twisted branches of corkscrew hazel or willow for a vase. Use the red or yellow stems of Cornus (dogwood) or Salix (willow), which can be used inside or, alternatively, pushed into pots outside to add height to flowering displays. The RHS do this in their gardens and it looks very effective. The long rope-like stems of clematis can be used to fashion a front door wreath. Use florist wire to add sprigs of holly or other items like dried Hydrangea heads, cones, etc. Add a tartan bow and there you have it – much nicer than those you can buy from the shop, and cheaper! The Local Answer

G ifts ffor or g ardeners Gifts gardeners If you have a gardener for whom you wish to buy a gift, a book is always welcomed. Some books I have really enjoyed and found useful include the RHS ‘Propagating Plants’ by Alan Toogood – easy to read and lovely clear illustrations on how to get plants for nothing – and ‘The Well-Tended Perennial Garden’ by Tracy Disabato-Aust – also very informative with plenty of advice and tips. If you’re trying to think of stocking fillers for the gardener in your life, labels and twine always come in handy.

Look L ook a after fter h houseplants ouseplants Check all houseplants regularly as the light levels reduce. To advertise call 01242 510500

Some might have to be moved to somewhere a little brighter, especially those with variegated leaves. Houseplants don’t like fluctuations in temperature, so keep them away from radiators and fires (not easy in a small house) and away from windows where the nighttime temperature can fall dramatically. They do like being grouped together as they make a microclimate to benefit each other. Now is a good time to plant new rhubarb (now there is a gift idea for the person who has everything!) and to divide large clumps. Replant in enriched soil and wait for the plant to take off in spring.

Merry M eerrry Christmas! Ch C hrristm h ma ass! a Page 45

Leckhampton Fencing & Garden

CHOSEN CHOSEN LAWNMOWER L AWNMOWER SERVICES S ERVICES S SERVICING ERVICING & REPAIR REPAIR of of d domestic omestic lawnmowers lawnmowers

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07771 07771 783528 783528

or to leave a message call

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Gloucestershire

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ffind ind us us on

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M Mower ower collection c ollection a and nd d delivery elivery For a reliable, friendly service please speak to Graham on

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~ Established 25 years! ~

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Page 4

Rob Cockburn

Tree & Hedge Services

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£60

ALL TREE WORK OPERATIONS UNDERTAKEN

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m: 07787 578845 t: 01452 700388 e: rob.cockburn16@gmail.com

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Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter

T: 01242 252637

Page 48

M: 07986 296680

All aspects of Tree and Garden work undertaken Hedges g – reductions/trimming/removals g Trees Tr rees – pruning/felling pruning/felling Garden Garden clearances clearances – W Waste aste removal removal Wood-chipper W d hi Services S i FENCING • PATIOS • TURFING • JET-WASHING No job too small or big · Professional, Local, Reliable Service

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The Local Answer

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Opening O pening Hours: Hours: 8am-5pm 8am-5pm Monday-Friday Monday-Friday 9am-1pm 9am-1pm Saturdays Saturdays

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main dealer

Shutters Shutters

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Telephone 01242 526 189 or go to: www.newblindscheltenham.co.uk www.newblindscheltenham.co.uk where you can find the contact form to fill in

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IInterior nterior D Design esign w with ith G Gill ill G Greenwell reenwell

Dress Dress yyour our table table ffor or Christmas Christmas I am always inspired by the Cheltenham Literature Festival, and this year I was lucky enough to hear Nina Campbell, doyen of interior design, talking about her life in design and her love of ‘tabletops’. Listening to her made me think of how I create a dining table. It really doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive to be stylish. If, like me, Christmas is a very special time for you when friends and family come together, there is nothing more fun than setting the table for Christmas dinner. Make yours a focal point and dine in style this festive season.

Set S et tthe he m mood ood Start by picking a theme, be it Scandi simplicity, traditional, glamorous or country style – use Instagram or Pinterest for inspiration. Follow through with your table colour scheme – white and pale, red and green, silver and gold, green and natural – it’s up to you. Buy proper napkins if possible, as they do make a difference. A friend bought some beautiful white Irish damask linen ones especially for Christmas – they look so chic tied with silver ribbon.

The T he p perfect erfect ccentrepiece entrepiece I always make my own table centre. A florist friend showed me how and it really isn’t difficult – you just need a plant pot painted to match your scheme, some Oasis, moss and a votive candle. Gather foliage from your garden, sprigs of evergreen like ivy or holly. Add flowers to match your chosen theme (I love simple white roses with lots of The Local Answer

Image: Daylesford

greenery) or nuts and fruits sprayed silver or gold. Get creative!

Add Add some some sparkle sparkle Coloured glasses are a must for a Christmas table. I always remember the cranberry and emerald coloured wine glasses that came out every Christmas at my parent’s home. This year, bottle green glasses are trending, and champagne coupes are back. Gold edged wine glasses add a touch of glamour and mismatched antique ones add sparkle. You can find multicoloured drinking glasses at Habitat. I have swirly white and green ones from Daylesford, or check out your local supermarket or charity shop.

Create C reate an an atmosphere atmosphere Candlelight always creates a magical glow; candelabra are having a bit of a moment, especially for a contemporary To advertise call 01242 510500

Scandi style setting. Tealights in silvery holders add glamour – The White Company is a good source for these. Their black dinner candlesticks would make a real style statement matched with all white tableware and simple greenery.

A Add dd a p personal ersonal ttouch ouch Why not put a smile on your guests’ faces with an element of surprise? It is those individual elements that make a difference. Search out quirky napkin rings, little birds or reindeer are fun. Personalise place settings with hand-written place names and napkins wrapped with simple twine and sprigs of herbs, or make your own colour-themed crackers. Make your Christmas Day this year an occasion to remember. Don’t forget to take some time out for yourself to enjoy that festive glass of bubbly – you deserve it! Page 51

Creating beautiful homes in the Cotswolds CURTAINS C URTAINS • BLINDS BLINDS • CARPETS CARPETS • UPHOLSTERY UPHOLSTERY • S SHUTTERS HUTTERS • P PAINT AINT Many of us have difficulty choosing the right colour paint for a box room, let alone selecting colours, fabrics, flooring and furnishings to create a wonderful aura to be enjoyyed for years to come. Interior design can be a daunting prospect – it’s much easier to be clear on what we don’t want than it is to pinpoint exactly what we’re striving to achieve. This is where local company Rapport Interiors can help! Whether you’re searching for inspiration or already know what you want, a visit to the company ’s premises is extremely wortthwhile. Based just outside Winchcombe (with on-site parking), the showroom is light, spacious a n d f u l l of on - t r en d i d e as a n d f u r n i s h in g s f r om s om e o f the UK’s leading designers and suppliers. There’s also an extensive range of fabrics, paint, wallpaper and carpet on display, plus furniture and accessories created by Rapport Interiors’ own upholsterers.

‘Wealth of experience’ From a lifetime in the industry, owner Mark Evans has much knowledge to share but, he says: “The real strength of Rapport Interiors is the combined wealth of experience we possess. Interiors advisor Laura Ford and myself work with designers, seamstresses, upholsterers, flooring experts and professional fitters to provide the best service possible. We remove the hassle for customers by cordinating and delivering a complete design Visit V isit o our ur S Showroom howroom service. And many clients use our showroom for 9 9am-5pm am-5pm all their carpet, curtain, upholstery and paint M Monday onday tto o chTohiecrees’smaadne aellxutrnedmereolynefrrioeonfd.”ly and helpful Friday F riday mosphere at Rapport Interiors. If you need ance with any aspect of interior design – from a new blind for your bathroom to a whole house makeover, they are happy to help.

‘Quality products and service’ Mark said: “We pride ourselves on our personal and professional service. I’m pleased that many clients have been delighted with our approach and come back year after year for their continuing projjects. Another reason customers return is because we have our own curtain makers, upholsterers, carpet and hard flooring fitters, so we can offer genuine delivery times as well as guarantee you’ll be getting quality products and service.” You can find more informattion on the website (below) or, for ideas and advice, why not visit the showroom?

15 1 5 IIsbourne sbourne W Way, ay, Broadway Broadway Road, Road, W Winchcombe, inchcombe, C Cheltenham, heltenham, G Gloucestershire loucestershire G GL54 L54 5 5NS NS

iinfo@rapportinteriors.com nfo@rapportinteriors.com

1242 6 604 04 5 543 43 www.rapportinteriors.com w ww.rapportinteriors.com 001242

P Parenting arenting & G Guardianship uardianship w with ith R Roberta oberta S Smart mart

Image: Enchanted Christmas, Paul Box

The The magic magic of of trees trees at at Christmas Christmas It is that time of year again – midwinter, the darkest day, the longest night and for many a time of magic and festivals of light. To that end, rather than talk about Santa, I wanted to share with you what I hope could become a new family tradition for us all. Whereas last year I shared with you the Icelandic Tradition of Jolabokaflod – the buying of books for gifts on Yule Evening – this year I am suggesting something to get us outdoors and into nature. Many Arboretums across the region are now offering wonderful events called Winter Wonderland, Magical Christmas Festival or something along those lines. I recently bought a membership to a local Arboretum and am already planning my first visit to their festival of light. It is a great family event and I can’t believe it has taken me so long to get there. To make up for this, I am inviting my grown up children to join us, and taking a friend and his two The Local Answer

under 10s so we can really enjoy the kids’ faces. I find trees magical at any time of year, but add in a light show, characters in costumes, music, food stalls, mulled wine, hot chocolate, burgers and pork rolls, and you have a true festival atmosphere.

C Creating reating a ttrue rue ssense ense o off e excitement xcitement iin n tthe he rrun un u up p tto oC Christmas hristmas I love trees even more than books and cannot think of anything more magical than sharing nature with the children, enhancing their knowledge of the natural world and creating a true sense of excitement in the run up to Christmas. I love that it then leads to a different type of gifting. In my mind, kids who love nature will appreciate practical gifts like books, pens, science kits, art kits and craft activities. A child at home in nature is less likely to get their fix from pink or blue plastic, and in this modern world we really do need to help our kids underTo advertise call 01242 510500

stand about environmental impacts of gift giving. It’s not hard to see that the joy of nature, coupled with a gift of warm gloves, colourful welly boots, a bike or scooter, camera, magnifying glass, bird feeders, etc. can set an imaginative child off on a life of love for the natural world. And as our futures really do lie in the hands of the children, can there be a better gift to give them than a love for the world they are a part of? The only caveat to this approach, of course, is you must accept being lectured by your nine year old about recycling, running the tap when cleaning your teeth and not reusing your carrier bags at the supermarket! Add in a side order of potential vegetarianism and a sudden passion for saving the badgers, and you have your own Acme Instant Climate Activist. But that’s a small price to pay for a better future, wouldn’t you say?

Merry M eerrry Christmas! Ch C hrristm h ma ass! a Page 53

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The Local Answer

G Gadgets adgets & G Gizmos izmos w with ith L Laura aura N Nicklin icklin

IIt’s t’s the the most most wonderful wonderful ttech ech of of the the year year With busy jobs, family life and other obligations, it’s easy to put off Christmas shopping, especially when it seems like there is still so long to go. But, as always, time flies, and if you’re finding yourself in a festive conundrum, here are some gadgets you can gift your loved ones.

Anki A nki Vector Vector Smart Smart R Robot obot Menkind.co.uk: £119 Don’t be fooled by his adorable appearance; the Anki Vector Smart Robot is a fountain of knowledge, with built-in Amazon Alexa, so you can ask him anything. And not only does he answer your questions, but he communicates by creating a custom text-to-speech voice. Vector is self-aware, being able to react to his surroundings and move about with ease. He recognises objects and rememb ers peopl e too! Using his HD camera vision, Vector can identify faces. His impressive technological advances also include an Infrared Laser Scanner, WiFi connection and a High-Res Colour IPS Display. Vector can even hear and feel; he has a four-microphone The Local Answer

array for directional hearing, as well as touch sensors, so you can pet him. Introduce your family to Vector, the curious robot who is small but stout.

Kindle Kindle O Oasis asis Amazon: £299.99 This gizmo is a great gift idea for any bookworm, with a light, portable design that will save you from weighing down your bags with books. To aid your nighttime reading, the Kindle Oasis is equipped with an adjustable warm screen light, which ranges from paperwhite to amber. It is even waterproof, so if you’re jetting off for a tropical Christmas getaway, this gadget can tag along and not risk damage via the pool. Or, if you are staying at home and feeling the festive stress, why not have a relaxing read in the bath? This Kindle will help expand your personal library, with access to millions of books, audiobooks and newspapers, and can be paired with Bluetooth headphones or speakers.

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Apple A pple W Watch atch Series Series 5 John Lewis: £339 The Apple Watch Series 5 GPS has it all: it lets you send and receive text messages, answer calls and receive notifications when it’s connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It tells you when you’ve started a workout and monitors your heart rate throughout the day. If it detects any unusually high or low heart rates, it will alert you. The built-in GPS measures your workout accurately, so you can leave your iPhone at home and review your route when you return. Distance, speed and pace are all accurately recorded. The Apple Watch Series 5 is also water-resistant for up to 50 metres, so you can even wear it when you swim.

Page 55

CROWN CLEARANCE

Female male Plumber umber Kerry rry Baker Baker

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OOKER YOUR Y OUR ELECTRIC ELECTRIC C COOKER OR OVEN OVEN N OT W ORKING? OR NOT WORKING? EST E ST 2 2004 004 l cal TTel: el: 07955 07955 295360 295360

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DIRTY D IRTY O OVEN? VEN? C Call all JJames ames ffrom rom C Cheltenham heltenham o on n 0 07727 7727 2 208275 08275 P PUT UT T THE HE S SPARKLE PARKLE B BACK ACK INTO INTO Y YOUR OUR OVEN! OVEN!

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A ffamily amily rrun un business, business, Cotswold Cotswold Plumbers Plumbers Limited Limited has has provided provided quality quality plumbing plumbing and and heating heating services serv vices in in Cheltenham Gloucestershire since Cheltenham and and G loucestershire s ince 2005. Our commitment excellence 2005. O ur c ommitment tto oe xcellence iis s demonstrated demonstrated tthrough hrough repeat repeat custom custom and and relationships relationships that that have have been been built built around around a first first class experience. class e xperience. Offering more... O fffering our our customers customers m ore...

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Page 58

PATRICK DUNLEAVY The Workshops, 30 Knightsbridge Business Centree Coombe Hill, Cheltenham GL51 9TA T: 01242 571148 · M: 07973 268203 patrick@redideas.co.uk · www.redideas.co.uk uk

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S Save ave the the P Planet lanet with w ith L Louise ouise W Williams illiams

H How ow to to have have a lless ess Christmas iimpactful mpactful C hristmas Christmas is a time for celebrating and joy, but it can also be a time when our usual planet-friendly tendencies go out of the window in the name of tradition. Here are some tips for you to limit your impact on the planet this festive season.

Have a p Have pre-Christmas re-Christmas cclear lear o ut out Not only will this leave you space for all the new things coming in (parents particularly will know what I mean!), but your unwanted items might make the perfect Christmas gift for someone else. Also, charity shops are often overwhelmed after Christmas and temporarily stop taking donations, so items can end up going to landfill to create space.

Forgo F orgo tthe he p printed rinted w wrapping rapping p paper aper When I was a child my lovely Mum wrapped everything in brown paper and then decor-

ated it with stamps or sprigs of holly she’d painted gold. At the time I was horrified and longed for the patterned shiny paper I saw in the shops, but now I absolutely get it. You can’t recycle most wrapping papers and actually, her patterned brown paper looks so effective. Just don’t tell her I said that after all my years of moaning!

Make y Make your our own own ccrackers rackers This is another activity we used to do when I was young that I didn’t understand! We used to make our own decorated crackers filled with chocolates or little treats (not plastic) and make the bang noises ourselves. For the hats, we would have a competition after presents were opened to make them f r o m t h e d i s c a r d e d wr a p p i n g , with a prize for the most creative. We’d wear them for lunch, always a source of great hilarity when someone (usually my Dad!) made a g re a t b ig b on ne t th at d angled in his food!

Use U se tthose hose ttrimmings rimmings Start a compost bin if you don’t already have one and put all the Christmas veg peelings in to create fertiliser for your plants.

Source S ource y your our meat meat As a vegetarian, I am passionate about my husband and children choosing good meat (as they aren’t looking likely to join me anytime soon!) and ensuring that they have less, The Local Answer

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but better quality from animals that have at least had a good life.

Buy e Buy experiences xperiences iinstead nstead of of ‘things’ ‘things’ Sometimes I feel suffocated by the amount of ‘stuff ’ we have accumulated. Instead of buying yet more things that my children don’t need, we try and get a few nice but useful items to open – luckily, Santa always brings socks! Then we get something that will give us year round use, like a farm park ticket or just some family time with a weekend away somewhere.

Use U se public public transport transport We all know parking is a nightmare in towns at Christmas so it’s actually less stressful to ditch the car and, if possible, use public transport to do your Christmas shopping. Thank you for reading my column this year. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Page 61

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C Contractors ontractors – ouch? ouch? Whilst the minds of politicians and most of the country were tied up with the UK’s exit from the EU and more recently the impending General Election, the government has been working away at changes to the tax rules for many of our small businesses. The widely-publicised change in 2019 was the introduction of Making Tax Digital for VAT. By now, VAT-registered businesses that are required to comply have filed two quarterly returns under the new system and are beginning to get used to life in the new technological world in which they are obliged to operate. So what will 2020 bring in terms of significant changes to the tax rules for small businesses? The answer is IR35 or ‘off-payroll working’ as it is now more correctly known. Many contractors operate through forming a limited company and selling their services through invoices to their customers rather than being on the customer’s payroll as an employee. Why would they do that? Well, for purely commercial reasons only of course (just in case anyone from HMRC is reading this article!). The fact that the customer doesn’t have to pay employers’ national insurance and the contractor gets some decent tax breaks are purely co-incidental benefits, you understand!

Taxing T axing contractors contractors as as if if they they were were employees e mployees HMRC has called time on this practice by requiring, from the start of next tax year, the ultimate customer to tax the contractor as if they were an employee, even if the contractor continues to submit invoices. It removes the tax breaks for both the customer and the contractor. As you can imagine, it doesn’t sit well with either the contractors or the customers, although there are a number of people who are unaffected by the change who think it’s about time. My issue with it is that we are four months away from its implementation and the government hasn’t even issued draft legislation yet, let alone got it through parliament. They are all too pre-occupied with the B word and now the election. It’s just another example of uncertainty in the world of small business.

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IIndex ndex o off A Advertisers dvertisers W WHAT’S HAT’S ON ON EVENTS & A EVENTS ATTRACTIONS TTRACTIONS Bacon Theatre 30 Burley Lakes Farm Shop 4 Robinson Crusoe & The Pirates 33

IINFORMATION NFORMATION Charlton Kings Parish Council 33 Cotswold RDA 18 Gloucestershire Constabulary 34-35 NHS Gloucestershire 6-7 Police & Crime Commissioner 13

H HOLIDAYS OLIDAYS & TRAVEL TRAVEL JustGo! Holidays Stagecoach

18 29

H HEALTH EALTH & BEAUTY BEAUTY Carly’s Hair & Beauty Salon Cheltenham Bowen Centre Mobile Chiropodist Nineteen Beauty Studio Oakwell Health Sophie Lane The Guild Hairdressing The Haven

8 8 8 8 10 8 8 5

P PROPERTY ROPERTY & STORAGE STORAGE The Property Centre

RETAIL R ETAIL Debonair Formal Mens Hire Joyce Brooks Lingerie Zimbolic

10 8 18

H HOMES OMES & G GARDENS ARDENS BATHROOMS B ATHROOMS Lifestyle Bathrooms Severn Vale Bathrooms B UILDING S ERVICES BUILDING SERVICES A1 Roofing

14 10 & 67 38

All About Roofing & Building Barthorp Building BE Rudman C&G Paving Care Construction Cheltenham Town Building Elite Loft Ladders Glos Build Home Care Roofing JHD Roofing & Building JTG Building Services Leckhampton Plastering M Moore Building Services Marshalls Driveways Pave-Drive R Richards & Son RND Renovations RS Cladding & Roofing S.J. Lewis & Sons SWS Plastering C ARPENTRY CARPENTRY Nick Burton Carpentry Red Ideas Three Piece Joinery CLEANING SERVICES ERVICES C LEANING S Molly Maid Ovenbusters Ovenclean Regency Cleaners The Bay Tree Cleaning Co. ERVICES EELECTRICAL LECTRICAL S SERVICES Beacon Electrical Cotswold Rewires Counttyy Electrical Itectric TJE Electrical Services APPLIANCES PPLIANCES FFURNISHING URNISHING & A Bella’s Interiors Designex Cabinets

40 39 36 36 38 40 62 37 36 40 39 38 38 39 41 2 40 38 42 41 58 58 62 56 56 56 56 56 58 58 58 58 58 50 48

Dream Doors New Blinds Rapport Interiors GARDEN SERVICES G ARDEN S ERVICES Cheltenham Town Landscaping Cheltenham Tree Services Chosen Lawn Mower Services Cotswold Tree Services DBS Fencing David & Heather’s Services Easigrass Grass Scape InXpensive Fencing Jameson Tree Surgery Joe & Jamie Julia Smith Gardening Just Fencing Landscape Creations Lawn Doc Leckhampton Fencing Mark Clifford Landscapes Master Sheds Redwood Tree Care Rob Cockburn Tree Services Southwest Landscapes H ANDYMAN S ERVICES HANDYMAN SERVICES Big Job Littttle Job Clifford Services Handy Hero for Hire John Wilson Maintenance Property Creations The Local Handyman HEATING H EATING & PLUMBING PLUMBING Cheltenham Plumbers Cotswold Plumbers Dodd’s Plumbing & Heating Emergency Plumber Flametree Installations ID Godwin

49 50 52 42 46 47 47 43 48 44 41 43 47 47 43 47 43 48 47 47 47 43 48 48 39 41 41 42 39 43 57 57 57 57 57 56

KB Female Plumber 56 K ITCHENS KITCHENS Hatherley Worktops 50 DECORATING PAINTING P AINTING & DECORATING Flairline Decorating 54 Floods 54 G.S.C Ltd Decorators 54 Michelle Powell 54 TCD Decorators Ltd 54 Trevor Rogers 54 TTV V&A ERIAL AERIAL 1st Choice Aerials 5 W INDOWS, D OORS WINDOWS, DOORS ONSERVATORIES &C CONSERVATORIES AJ Windows 59 Albany Windows 12 & 60 BM Services 62 C&L Windows 62 & 63 Clearway Windows 64 Dimensions Garage Doors 38

PROFESSIONAL P ROFESSIONAL SERVICES SERVICES AUCTIONEERS AUCTIONEERS & V VALUERS ALUERS Mallams 32 CARE CARE S SERVICES ERVICES Building Circles 5 EDUCATION EDUCATTION Dean Close School 20 HOUSE H OUSE & R RUBBISH UBBISH C CLEARANCE LEARANCE Crown Clearance 56 M MOTORING OTORING S SERVICES ERVICES V Hub 24 PET SERVICES P ET S ERVICES Dragon Vets Charlton Kings 16 REMOVAL R EMOVAL SERVICES SERVICES Little White Van Man 62 S KIP H IRE & R ECYCLING SKIP HIRE RECYCLING Stevens Recycling 65

advertise in in print print or or online online please please call call 0 1242 510500 510500 or or to to list list y our business business iin no ur b rand n ew To o advertise 01242 your our brand new online directory, directory, visit visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk www.thelocalanswer.co.uk and and go go to to the the Directory Directory tab tab online

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Competition Competition Winners Winners Thank you to all who took part in our November 2019 competitions and congratulations to the winners! Bacon Theatre – Lucy Whitehead, Maureen Nourse and Julie Scourfield Burley Fields Lakes Fireworks – Damien Cooper, Vikki Lewis, Roxanne Wiggall, Tami Taylor and Emma Denton.

R E P Y X O S I A X M A R E W U M S Y J N O Z V

C X N H A K V L Z T R G W K K A Q T Y V M O U T

L N L M I U H S E R I G G R S L O O X Q R K M T

M B H R I P N I O I J V I U M C M C U B I I T R

H I Y Z L H E T C P G X I T S A U K W S I E L P

P C B O F L C Z J M Z H T T Y T X I J N M A S L

Z N D L V E F A M I L Y E D Y N F N G P O I R Z

T U L E M Z F U F K J R I O A A G G G C R J P L

R O S D J D F K I U U Y E K T S Q D D B S R S N

E L K N I W T D U N E X F G N E J P D A E K R L

A S U S E J L E I D R I E X N G L S P S M H O A

Z N L E K X D Q M K C E N K E A A T E X N L X N

J G G P D B F U H F R B A B Y X M N S Z O P H R

R Y O E J S V O Z T I Z M V B P T E O I K F K D

J Y I R L B X N S D S Y W X K S P B R P M M Y W

M N O Q T C A A S V G N O C K L J F K R N F A H

W E P L D E M X I A I Z N U E H V D J G E L I U

H G Q M L T X M X T Z Q S S N O A P T G P Q L S

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T K K I H Y T E U U Y I V L F L Q Q N D V W A P

A V R G Y H K S M K T P N S O Y D R G W P M T C

X H E C W D X M R E C Y O O O Y G U K U K Q H G

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

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

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