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ry Mer mas ist r h C
CHELLTTENHAM A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE LOCAL ANSWER!
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W elcome Welcome tto oD ecember December The last month of an incredibly turbulent year, but one that has also seen so much community spirit and people coming together to support each other. There is no doubt that 2020 will be written about in history books in years to come, an d w e ho pe yo u w ill be pa rt o f t he pos it iv ity that is talked about. As we prepare for Christmas and the winter months, it’s important that we continue to support each other. Shop with small, local and independent businesses where you can. Check on your loved ones and those who may not have anyone else to check on them. Be kind and understanding as we continue to navigate the pandemic – it affects everyone differently, and some worse than others. We e would like to thank you for your continued support throughout this year and hope that you’ll enjoy reading our magazine and using the services of our advertisers through 2021. We e hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a safe and happy New Year!
If you use the services of any of our advertisers, please tell them you found them in The Local Answer!
Contacts C ontacts Advertising A dvertising & M Marketing arketing Dave Kingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk Lois Kingscott lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Distribution D istribution & LLeaflets eaflets Unit Unit H, H, C Churchill hurchill IIndustrial ndustrial EEstate, state, C Churchill hurchill R Road, oad, LLeckhampton, eckhampton, C Cheltenham, heltenham, Gloucestershire G loucestershire G GL53 L53 7EG 7EG
01242 510500 510500 Telephone T elephone 01242 iinfo@thelocalanswer.co.uk nfo@thelocalanswer.co.uk @thelocalanswer @ thelocalanswer
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Accounts A ccounts Rob Kingscott (01242 541071) accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk Page 3
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THE MAYFLOWER
RESTAURANT Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Thank you to all customers, old friends and new, who have supported us throughout this difficult year! We wish you all a safe and happy Christmas and New Year, and hope to see you for a dine-in meal or take-away very soon. Please note, we will be closed from 25th to 28th December, but will be open on 31st December and 1st January 2021.
Safe & Simple Takeaways
Visit www.themayflowerrestaurant.co.uk and select dishes from our Take-Away Menu. Telephone 01242 522426 to place your order and pay when you collect.
OPENING HOURS: Monday to Saturday, 12-2pm & 5.30pm onward. Closed on Sunday. Lunch Menu available from Monday to Friday (not Bank Holidays). Take-Away service available at all times. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates about the restaurant’s opening times. These will be changeable depending on lockdown restrictions.
32-34 Clarence Street, Cheltenham GL50 3NX – 01242 522426
www.themayflowerrestaurant.co.uk
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Delicious Delicious Dish Dish with w ith H Helen elen K Kingscott ingscott
B Baked aked chocolate chocolate aand nd o orange range ccheesecake heesecake your with IImpress mpress y our ffamily amily w ith a ffabulous, abulous, ffestive estive ccentrepiece entrepiece Christmas! tthis his C hristmas!
IIngredients: ngredients: 150g/5oz orange flavoured chocolate biscuits; 150g/5oz butter; 75g/3oz caster sugar; 2 eggs, separated; 450g/1lb light cream cheese; 1½ tbsp warm water; 15g/½oz cocoa powder, sifted; 1 tbsp custard powder; 4 tbsp single cream; finely grated rind and juice of ½ orange. Decoration of your choice – I used whipped double cream, orange rind and dark chocolate orange segments. You don’t have to use them all so there will be a few left over to test!
M Method: ethod: 1 Preheat the oven to 160°C (gas mark 3). Grease and line the base of a 22cm/8½ inch springform tin. 2 Melt 50g/2oz of the butter, crush the biscuits then add them to the pan and mix well. Press them into your tin and chill in the fridge until required. 3 Cream together the remaining butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the egg yolks and then the softened cream cheese. 4 In a separate bowl mix the warm water, cocoa
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powder and custard powder together to form a paste. Slowly add the single cream then combine with the cream cheese mixture. 5 Add the orange juice and zest, and stir until evenly mixed. 6 Whisk the egg whites until stiff then fold them gently into the mixture with a metal spoon. 7 Pour onto the biscuit base and bake for 1 hour. Turn off the oven but leave the cheesecake to cool completely in the oven. This will help stop the cheesecake from cracking. It may still crack – mine did – but it just means you have to add lots of cream and chocolate to hide it!
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Mirror Mirror Mirror Mirror on on tthe he Wall Wall w with ith V Val al S Starr tarr
B Beauty eauty advent advent calendars calendars Beauty Advent Calendars have become very successful in recent years. For the consumer it is a great buy, as cosmetic companies fill them with items they want you to try, hoping you will like them and become a regular customer in the future. I think it is a great way to sample more expensive ranges, as these calendars are very generous with their contents. You often have to be quick, as with seasonal packaging they can only be sold for this time slot, and tend to sell out quickly. Boots’ famed No7 is always highly sought after and often customers sign a waiting list in advance so as not to miss out; be warned! The great thing about Boots is not only does it stock their own products but numerous other brands, so during these difficult times it is useful as a one stop shop.
C Clarins larins The Clarins 12 Days of Christmas calendar is a great gift for both men and women. The ladies’ is £60 but is worth over £135. It has pretty packaging and contains a full size lip perfector and an SOS primer, alongside various great Clarins skin products. The men’s, also at £60, contains twelve festive treats including a full size moisture balm (great at this time of
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year) anti fatigue e after shave, face scr will need to look over the holidays!
Benefit B enefit This quirky pac brand offers their your Beauty calen £49.72 from Boots. are well known for t mascaras and you the chance to samp Big Bang and Roller mascaras in th smaller size, which sell for £11 each. They certainly live up to their names and can make your eyes look super special. Benefit’s pore minimiser is also really effective – I always have this product in my make-up collection.
Lynx L ynx Africa Africa Any man would be delighted to open this and it certainly looks like it’s worth more than £20. Perfect for future travel, as it has so much in it from, body wash and spray, a comb, toothbrush and even a limited edition pair of Lynx socks. What’s not to like?
Ted T ed Baker Baker Ted Baker don’t just sell fabulous clothes – they also have a great advent calendar. The House of Blooms advent exceptionally ots of pink and very uplifting. £45 it is packed h so many xciting products, otions, creams, body wash, an eye mask, and even an Eau To advertise call 0122 510500
De Toilette – a very generous collection.
Boots B oots N No7 o7 This Advent Calendar as always offers a superb range of No7 products, from skin care to make up and nail polish. This year they are including seven golden tickets which will be hidden inside and the lucky recipients will not only be getting a great gift but a bonus £700 to spend on No7 products; good luck!
M&S M&S Not to be outdone, M&S has a lovely box of generous highend products including Nuxe Murad and Stilla. Another good value calendar at £40; all you have to do is spend £25 on clothing, which should be easily done at M&S. Advent Calendars are here to stay and really do make an excellent gift, with lots of surprises behind their cute little closed doors. I hope you find the perfect one for you or your loved one. Happy holidays! Page
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Looking Looking Good, Good, F Feeling eeling Great Great with w ith W Will ill M Mbanga banga
An An iintroduction ntroduction tto o ccore ore ttraining raining Outside of the ‘fitness fad’ of recent years, fitness professionals such as Personal Trainers, Physiotherapists and Pilates teachers should be recommending or programming regular core stability and strength exercises for both athletic performance and fitness for life. The reason for this is very simple; by strengthening the body’s prime movers, individuals gain more benefits than almost any other exercise in both athletic movements and in activities of daily living. While the anatomy and physiology of the core muscle group is more complex than we need to go into, it’s vital that your trainer or therapist has a good grasp of the science to ensure safe and effective rehabilitation and or development of these key structures.
Aw weak eak ccore ore rresults esults iin n poor p oor sstability tability By definition, core training is any type of training that serves to strengthen the range of muscles that make up the most vital component of your musculo-skeletal structure – commonly referred to as the ‘core’. A weak core results in poor stability, coordination and power transfer, while a strong core increases the expression of these movement capacities. The major function of these structures is support and stabilisation of the lumbar spine, and the ability to anticipate dynamic forces and then direct, transfer and absorb power to produce safe, effective movement about the core. Core training boosts performance by building the weaker The Local Answer
areas and helping to reduce the risk of a variety of injuries, especially those involving rotation or stabilisation through the trunk region. The core musles are made up of the ‘Posterior chain’ area – lumbar spine/lower back, glutes and hamstrings, t h e a b d o m i n a l s , o b l i qu e s a n d deep underlying muscles of the lower back/pelvic area/groin. Good core stability in these m u s c l e s e n s u r e s t ha t t h e y provide support to the lumbar spine and work in synergy, while core strength enables them to absorb, transfer and increase forces and therefore affect performance and daily living activities. Any weakness in the core increases risk of lower back pain, poor posture and opens you up to a whole range of injuries. Strong core muscles provide a brace – a ‘lumbar corset’ if you will – giving support and helping prevent pain and injury. While therapists and trainers use a variety of approaches, it’s
usually common to start by building a base through core before stability exercises moving onto more strengthbased training.
B Better etter p posture osture a and nd m more ore ccontrol ontrol The rationale for core training is that any increase in recruitment of the stabiliser muscles and prime movers will carry over into better posture and more control, across both physical performance and activities of daily life. While core stability work tends to be more the domain of Rehabilitation Specialists, and core strength is the focus of Conditioning Specialists, the combination of both is highly recommended as a regular component of any holistic program to reduce the risk of injury. In the second part of this series on the core, we will look at the benefits of core training, basic along with some exercises to get you going.
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Holidays H olidays & Travel Travel w with ith A All H Hidden idden
S Seasonal easonal ttime ime ttravellers ravellers You often need to call California – without waking someone at ‘stupid o’clock’. Or you regularly travel across multiple time zones. Whatever your relationship with global time, smartwatches and smartphones are ideal. However, if you love analogue watches, new or preowned travel-themed timepieces make perfect gifftts – for you or someone else – at this time of seasonal gift-giving.
W World orld time time watches watches ffor or every every budget budget Travel-friendly watches range from the simple legibility of classic three-hander s to timepieces with compass bezels (Seiko’s Prospex Alpinist). Then there are GMT watches for tracking a second time zone and sophisticated world time watches showing multiple times around the globe. World timer s really came to prominence with Louis Cottier ’s watches for Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe in the 1930s. Today, finances allowing, you could put the romance of world travel on your wrist with one of Patek Philippe’s exquisite Aston Martin-priced masterpieces. For more modest budgets, maybe Omega’s current Seam t A T GMT
Image: Geckota Ltd
Worldtimer will scratch the world timer itch. Even greater bargains, albeit without Patek or Omega’s exquisite mapprojection dials, include Breitling’s Navitimer 8 Unitime, Orient Star ’s impressive World Time JC0 0 0 02D and Christopher Ward’s C65 GMT Worldtimer.
GMT watches GMT watches grew grew up u pw with ith jet jet travel travel GMT watches came of age in the 1950s, with watches lik e Rolex’s iconic GMT-Master (developed with Pan-Am) accompanying the rise of commercial jet air travel. Its latest manifestation, the GMTMaster II, remains highly coveted – though, nigh-on r u e o T
I
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Masters, sister brand Tudor ’s Black Bay GMT should prove more accessible and less pricey. Besides, some really good GMT-Master II-style watches can be had for a few hundred quid. Try Steinhart’s Swiss-made ETA 2893-2-powered Ocean One GMT for starters. Other sub-£1,0 0 0 possibilities include Swatch Group brand Mido’s Ocean Star GMT and Rotary’s quartz-powered Henley GMT.
Here’s to Here’s to h happy appy watch w atch hunting hunting So what will adorn your wrist while adventuring? A superluxury Patek Philippe? A value-packed Citizen EcoDrive Promaster GMT? Or, because good ‘travel’ watches don’t have to be GMTs or world timer s, how about the go-anywhere functionality of the Raider series from Favre-Leuba, Switzerland’s second-oldest watchmaker? You can find them on Gloucestershire-based WatchGecko’s website, alongside the brand’s own Geckota watches and huge range of watch straps. Whatever you choose, here’s to happy watch hunting, safe travels and season’s greetings! Page 1
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UNWANTED BRIDE GUY SHEPPARD
y Jo Wheeler has set her all in Gloucester Sheppard. Now he’s dead in a freak f Cathedral. th a t future that the future for the plans for great plans such great had such them had of them two of The two The . t n e ent. m t n i o p pointm p a s i d disap r e h her r o f for y a p pay t s u m must one someone some rie is to blame. Jo is convinced that Sidney’s wife Marjo the nces the convinces ur convi o i viour v a h e beha b c i t a r r errati e y l g n i singly s a e r c n increa i s ’ o Jo’s J t pt p e xc Exce E . r e l l i killer. k e h the t s is i e h she s t a h olice tthat ppolice w at the scene of But who’s the mysterious witness she sa stalking her? is the crime? Why won’t anyone believe he too, she, too, before she, befor e i r rie o j r a M Marjo t u o b a abou t h g i r right s ’ e h s she’s e v o r p prove t s u must JJoo m was? e was? h he t h ht g u o h thoug t e h she s n a man m e h the t y e n d i Sidne S s is i t u But B rs. suffe suffers. for ago for years ago five years ymoon five honeymoo his hone on his ened on happened What What happ ? w o n now? e g ge n e v e r reven e k ta to take bride to his bride his she her saviour? Is Marjorie really Jo’s sworn enemy, or is
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E Education ducation & E Employment mployment w with ith H Holly olly P Prince rince
to children children about about Talking T alking to ‘‘real real llife’ ife’ topics topics If you are a parent, you have many roles to play in your children’s lives, which may include cook, cleaner, driver, and also teacher. Children are naturally inquisitive – asking questions about their environment, what things are, how things work, and why, why, why! When something major happens in the world that is all over the news, such as wars and violence, murders and crime, and more recently coronavirus, children will quickly find out about it and want to understand what is happening. They may also want to know about things they have seen via adverts on TV, and there are often more adverts on around Christmastime, about appeals for children living in poverty or animals suffering abuse and neglect. Lessons at school can also raise big topics and a child may come home with questions about issues such as racism, The Local Answer
bullying, sex or drugs, so we as parents need to be prepared to discuss these things as openly and honestly as we can. The child who is fobbed off with a short, offhand answer (or worse, no answer at all), may then turn to other sources of information such as peers or the internet, which may not be so reliable or which may give false or conflicting information. So learn about these topics yourself – read and listen to a variety of sources to gain the facts so that you feel ready to talk about issues that you yourself may find uncomfortable.
Give G ive y your our cchild hild a w wide ide perspective o perspective on n ssubjects ubjects Be open to different views in order to give your child a wide perspective on subjects, and so that when you’re talking to your child, you’re not too biased towards certain viewpoints. This will enable the child to make up their own mind about To advertise call 0122 510500
what they think and how they feel about the issues. Schools also play their part in educating young people about social or health-related topics in curriculum subjects such as PSHE (personal, social, health and economic education), Life Studies or Citizenship lessons, but we can’t expect teachers to take full responsibility for telling our children about the whys and wherefores of what happens in the world. However, as teachers have to stick to the curriculum and remain impartial, not imparting any extreme views on worldly issues, this means that all children then get to hear the same facts and can learn to form their own opinions. The world can seem a scary place, but it’s also a fascinating one, so get ‘clued up’ on what’s out there in the world – it will be useful for when your child becomes inquisitive and starts asking questions. Page 15
P Parenting arenting & G Guardianship uardianship w with ith R Roberta oberta S Smart mart
A ccompassionate ompassionate C Christmas hristmas Midwinter Greetings to you dear reader. I hope we find you safe and well in spite of the turbulent times. I want to invite you all to step into my imagining of midwinters of long ago; when the winds were biting, the frosts hard and the snow lay deeply all around. In this world of long ago, families gathered around the blessed warmth of the fireside to tell stories, share the lore of their own people and teach the children their ways, so that they too might live long, healthy lives no matter what happened in the world around them. 2020 is bringing us a taste of that history and we are being called to release our attachment to ‘The Joy of Sparkly Things’, take refuge within ourselves, and dig deep to find who we really are.
R Reach each o out ut tto o tthose hose lless ess ffortunate ortunate tthan han y you ou This midwinter we are being called to offer our children safety and support like never before: to answer questions honestly, to face harsh truths
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and encourage them to truly find the gift within the struggle. Now is a time of bringing the light into the darkness, of reaching out to those less fortunate and sharing whatever we have with those in need. This year Yule Celebrations must surely focus around meeting the needs of everyone in society rather than simply meeting our own desires? Gathering items for the food bank, donating warm clothes to those who are cold, giving toys and small joyful tokens to those who have nothing this year, and supporting any opportunity you can to share your own abundance is the siren-call of Christmas 2020. Discover your best self: kind, generous, compassionate and determined. Give your children the ‘Gift of Giving’ this year in its deepest and most powerful form, for this will certainly be a Christmas to rememTo advertise call 0122 510500
ber, rather than the clichéd Best Christmas Ever. We all have it within us to make good out of bad, to shine light into dark corners and to make a difference. Christmastime 2020 is asking you, ’How can you be a light in someone else’s life this year? What do you have to share? How much of a difference will you make?’
2020 2 020 h has as n not ot taken taken away o away our ur humanity humanity There has been so much isolation this year that simply acknowledging strangers with a smile, noticing those around you, connecting and being willing to listen for a while will hold so much value for those who are lonely and struggling. 2020 has brought us a lot to cope with, but it has not taken away our humanity or our hearts. So please, this year, share your heart, share your blessings and open up a world of generosity and heart-centred caring for your children to build their own lives upon. Yule Blessings one and all. Stay safe and be happy. Page 1
Charlton Kings Kings Parish Parish Council Council CK Charlton
CK Futures is an initiative created by Charlton Kings Parish Council in response to the climate and ecological emergencies. Unless we, like thousands of small communities across the world, take action, we should not expect others to protect the environment that our children must inherit. We can’t change the world in Charlton Kings, but like everyone on the planet, we can make our contribution.
This initiative consists of six themes – Transport, Energy and Buildings, Our Natural and Built Environment, Less Waste, Localness, and People. We will be sharing our plans through the Charlton Kings Parish Council webpage, The Local Answer, and our Facebook group Sustainable Charlton Kings. If you would like to know more or become involved please contact: ckfutures@charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uk
C CK KF Futures utures S Survey urvey Please take part in the CK Futures survey. It will take around five minutes. The survey is anonymous, designed to understand the position of residents on subjects such as resource waste, personal carbon footprints and plastic pollution. The information gathered will be used to drive our plans.
How How to to take take the the survey survey 1 Via this QR code
2 Via the CK Futures page on the Parish Council website: www.charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uk
3 Or email ckfutures@charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uk to request a copy of the survey. Due to Coronavirus restrictions the parish office is unable to provide a paper copy of the survey.
Dates D ates o off D December ecember p public ublic m meetings eetings Planning: Monday 14th at 7pm
Full Council: Monday 21st at 7pm
In line with guidance resulting from the Covid-19 outbreak, all meetings will be held virtually. Members of the public are very welcome to attend the meetings virtually. If you wish to do this, please contact the Clerk at the email address below, ideally by 12 noon on the day of the meeting, to request an invitation to the virtual meeting. Invitations will not be issued to members of the public after the start of the meeting.
Clerk: Noles C lerk: JJoanna oanna N oles ((01242 01242 2250087) 50087) Clerk@charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uk C lerk@charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uk
@ @CkParish CkParish
w www.charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uk ww.charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uk
ouncil C Charlton harlton K Kings ings P Parish arish C Council
Pet Pet Care Care
w ith M egan JJackson ackson with Megan o harlton K ings V et C entre off C Charlton Kings Vet Centre
C Christmas hristmas ccalamities alamities
The Charlton Kings Vet Centre is fully equipped with a sterile operating theatre, digital radiography, ultrasonography and laboratory equipment. Drop in and have a look around. You will see many of the same friendly faces from our main surgery at Dragon Vet Centre. You can book your visits and pick up pet supplies, food or medications at either surgery if it’s more convenient.
OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY 9AM-5PM 17 Lyefield Road West, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham GL53 8EZ
w www.charltonkingsvet.co.uk ww.charltonkingsvet.co.uk
01242 01242 220158 220158
Coffee tables laden with chocolates and sweet treats, plates of mince pies hot from the oven, cheese boards draped with grapes, iced Christmas cake, rich chocolatey yule log... Unfortunately, many of the reasons to love Christmas represent a toxic nightmare for our pets. Even the best behaved doggy can be tempted, as I found out one Christmas when the in-laws’ spaniel made an unexpected dive across the table for the mince pies. The inevitable then followed – as multiple people launched across the room to stop him swallowing, he promptly gulped it down before anyone could snatch his prize away. There was a short silence followed by a collective sigh and a trip to their local vets. Fortunately, no lasting harm was done – he just felt a little sorry for himself after an injection to make him sick and treatment for any toxin remaining in his system.
T The he m main ain cculprits ulprits are are grapes, grapes, cchocolate hocolate a and nd rrich ich ffatty atty foods foods Whilst there are many things toxic to dogs, the big ones around Christmas include grapes, raisins and sultanas – even just one of these can potentially cause kidney damage. Chocolate can result in nasty vomiting and diarrhoea, and in severe cases can affect their heart and cause seizures. Rich fatty foods can give them an upset tummy and possibly pancreatitis. Consider exciting new toys, including decorations and tinsel, as both cats and dogs may get carried away and ingest them, resulting in potentially life threatening blockages. A few simple things may save an unwanted Christmas vet visit. Make family members aware of the risks and foods to be vigilant around. Keep things out of reach at all times, including things wrapped under the tree.
Be B ev vigilant igilant but but try try not not to to panic panic
OPEN SATURDAY 9AM-12 NOON Prestbury Park , New Barn Lane, Cheltenham GL50 4SH
T: 01242 580324
F: 01242 241908
www.dragonvet.co.uk www.dragonvet.co.uk
2244 H HOUR OUR EEMERGENCY MERGENCY ~ 01242 01242 5522022 22022 The Local Answer
Don’t panic if a four-legged friend is too quick for you, it happens! If taken to your vets promptly there’s rarely any lasting damage. All raisin and grape ingestions will need to be seen but chocolate is dose dependent so try to find the packaging for your vet. It’s not uncommon around Christmas for vet practices to have cheeky pets lined up to induce vomiting, so vigilance and awareness is key to keeping your pet out of the queue!
To advertise call 0122 510500
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Quick Crossword ACROSS 1 True 4 Pituitary or adrenal 7 Stowing space 8 Accurate 9 Me, ... & I 12 Surprised, taken ... 15 Cadets 17 Prohibited narcotic 18 Breakfasts or dinners 21 Climatic conditions 22 Intended 23 Clung (to)
DOWN 1 Most important 2 Captioned 3 Slope 4 Mirth 5 News & current ... 6 Grime 10 Welded 11 Swamp 13 Average 14 Card game 16 Light wind 18 Incapacitate 19 Squash (insect) 20 Festival
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year from everyone at
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© Lovatts Puzzles
Don’t look until you’ve finished! Solutions on ‘Index of Advertisers’ page.
Page 20
ANSWER
www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk
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Money Money Matters Matters w with ith R Roger oger D Downes ownes o off A Andorran ndorran
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D Danielle’s anielle’s Online Online Administration Administration Support Support S Services ervices Need help with your administration? Want to avoid employee commitments?
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B Become ecome a U UW WP Partner artner ffor or a ssmarter marter w way ay tto oe earn arn •C Choose hoose w when hen yyou ou w work ork •E Earn arn iin n yyour our sspare pare ttime ime •B Boost oost yyour our iincome ncome •P Plan lan ffor or rretirement etirement •G Get et ffinancial inancial ssecurity ecurity Get Get iin n ttouch ouch tto o ffind ind o out ut m more ore Shelley Shelley & Jason Jason Hyde Hyde 07812 07812 996653 996653 jason.hyde@uw.partners jason.hyde@uw.partners www.uw.partners/jason.hyde/partner www.uw.partners/jason.hyde/partner
We’re We’re the the UK’s UK’s only only multiservice multiservice p provider rovider The Local Answer
As we come towards the end of one of the most difficult years any of us can remember, we are perhaps looking forward to the Christmas festivities more than ever – not that we know at the moment how it’s actually going to play out. Despite all the uncertainty, planning is well under way in most households. The decorations are already up, the turkey is on order, the presents are ready for wrapping and Santa has fuelled up the sleigh. The nation is about to go on its annual spending spree like no other.
How H ow can can you you ensure ensure you you don’t don’t g get et ccarried arried away? away? It was reported from a national poll last year that the average UK family (however that is defined!) was planning to spend over £800 on Christmas – a sobering number if we needed one at such a time. So what can we do to ensure that we don’t get carried away? Working out a budget is a good place to start. There is no benefit to spending randomly with no idea of how much it’s going to cost in total. That is a recipe for disaster in the shape of debt that you’ll spend much of 2021 trying to pay off. Don’t be pressured into ‘tit for tat’ present buying. Restrict the number of people you buy for to those you really want to give to, not those that someone has told you to include on your present list. The idea that it’s ‘the thought that counts’ is a wise statement.
T There here a are re always always p people eople w who ho h have ave lless ess tthan han y you ou It’s far too easy to get carried away with online shopping. Buy only the items that you need and ignore all those tempting advertising banners that pop up all too regularly on our screens. Remember there are always people who have less than you and your budget will seem really attractive to them. You don’t need to ‘keep up with the Jones’s’ by spending more than you can afford. And if all else fails, just resort to ‘Bah Humbug’ and pretend that Christmas doesn’t exist. You won’t need to do that really – it’s a time of great joy, whatever the circumstances. Have a great one.
To advertise call 0122 510500
Page 21
G Gadgets adgets & G Gizmos izmos w with ith L Laura aura N Nicklin icklin
H Have ave yourself yourself a vvery er y ccosy osy Christmas Christmas With the ever-changing rules and regulations, it’s pretty clear that this Christmas is going to feel very different this year; but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get into the festive spirit. Check out some of these snazzy gizmos that can help you achieve some of that Christmas cheer and hopefully reinstate some normality.
A Amazon mazon E Echo cho Dot 4 4th th G Gen en Argos: £49.99 This cute snowba looking device w make for a we come addition t your home, with its many talents including playing music, giving traffic and weather updates, handsfree calls, setting timers, answering questions, creating shopping lists, calendar reminders and more. You can even use it to connect with other compatible
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devices in the home, allowing you to drop into other rooms when you want to call the kids downstairs for dinner. If all you want for Christmas is for things just to be a little less stressful, then this gadget can certainly help out.
HoMedics H oMedics G GEL EL Shiatsu su P Pillow illow s: £99.99 veryone needs a t of TLC once in while, and after is year, it’s more ssential than ver. You are bound to feel slightly wound up, so why not treat yourself – or a loved one – to a relaxing massage? You don’t need to worry about the spas being closed; with the GEL Shiatsu Pillow from HoMedics, you can relieve some pressure from those tense muscles in no time. With its new gel technology, this hitech pillow manages to make you feel like
To advertise call 0122 510500
you’re in an actual spa; the gel moves like hands, kneading those hard-to-reach spots and helping you to unwind. You can also increase the heat setting and customise your massage with the handheld control.
Mensa M ensa H Heating eating Imus Imus Mensa-heating.co.uk: £177 With the constant updates regarding eating out, you’re bound to be feeling a bit twitchy whilst sat at home. No more dressing up to go out for dinner or drinks can get you down, especially in this winter weather. However, with this stylish outdoor heater, you can at least pretend that you’re eating out – even if you only venture as far as the garden. This under-table heater from Mensa will get things nice and toasty in no time; and it offers up to 7,000 hours worth of heat, so you can enjoy your evenings outdoors, even in the cooler temperatures. So, whether you’re trying to make things more inventive for date night, or just want to spend some more time outdoors, having this snazzy heater will bring an added layer of comfort. Page 2
STAY CLOSE TO GOD, SAFE IN LOVE An online talk on Christian Science by Lindsey Taylor, CSB Member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship
Tuesday 15th December at 7.30pm Watch live at spirituality4.me/livestream OR by phone at 0203 051 2874 ID: 812 5079 7925 This talk is about discovering our innate closeness to God and relieving the anxiety that many are feeling about their health, their loved ones and their communities. It offers some simple ideas for prayer, which can give freedom from fear and suffering, and help us to feel safe and secure. Sponsored by First Church of Christ, Scientist, Cheltenham christianscience-cheltenham.org.uk Telephone: 01242 514140
spirituality4.me/livestream
Page 2
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S Save ave the the P Planet lanet with w ith L Louise ouise W Williams illiams
B Brilliant rilliant b books ooks ffor or greener greener living living I’m a huge fan of a good book and there are some brilliant ones out there for helping to be more environmentally friendly. There is an overwhelming array of excellent offerings on offer but I have compiled a list of some that we have really enjoyed and found useful.
F For or cchildren hildren First up is the most beautifully illustrated children’s book, The Bear In The Stars by Alexis Snell. Written for her young son and featuring her own stunning, hand-cut lino print images, this story is perfect for gently instilling in children the idea that we are the only ones that can change the future for our planet. It really is a treat to read and look at together.
better that we have seen since the world shut down and the changes we can keep.
C Christmas hristmas Very in keeping with the time of year is Green Christmas by Eilidth Gallagher. In the run-up to Christmas, it is all too easy to get overwhelmed by the rush to buy last-minute presents or feel pressurised into buying far more food than you can ever eat. At the same time, you know that tonnes of plastic will be making its way into landfill as a result of unwanted gifts or broken baubles. Not to mention the miles and miles of wrapping paper. If you’re ready for a change this December, then Green Christmas is here to help you bring the focus back to happiness and togetherness.
Veg in One Bed: How to Grow an Abundance of Food in One Raised Bed, Month by Month by Huw Richards is packed full of glorious imagery and tells you how to grow everything you need for year r ou nd f re s h v e ge ta b le s in j us t one raised bed. Perfect for small space gardens. The New Complete Book Of Self Sufficiency: The Classic Guide For Realists and Dreamers by John Seymour is an updated version of the 1970s classic, which covers growing your own, keeping poultry and other livestock, dealing with waste, conserving energy, living off grid and even teaches you how to make things from wood, metal and leather. A must for any bookshelf, my parents had the original when I was growing up and it taught them so much about being self-sufficient. Remember to search secondhand shops for some great pre-loved titles and pass on your books for others to enjoy when you’ve finished them.
Y Year ear Round Round Next we have a book that looks at lockdown and the lessons we have hopefully learnt this year. Just One World, Nature’s Lockdown Lessons by Debbie Bartlett has bright, bold illustrations and talks about the changes for the The Local Answer
Growing your own fruit and vegetables is a brilliant way of cutting down on your food’s air miles, your pesticide consumption and ensuring good quality fresh produce. It’s also a lovely way to get children involved in the process. To advertise call 0122 510500
Page 25
Throughout December, Dave and Darcy will be giving away 24 T hroughout D ecember, D ave a nd D arcy w ill b eg iving a way 2 4 prizes Advent Calendar off G Giveaways! Check back on ffantastic antastic p rizes iin n ttheir heir A dvent C a l en d a r o iveaways! C heck b ack o n F Facebook acebook a and nd IInstagram nstagram e every very d day ay ffor or yyour our cchance hance tto ow win in p products roducts from from a amazing mazing ssmall, mall, llocal ocal a and nd iindependent n d e p en d e n t b businesses usinesses iincluding: ncluding:
Cotswold C otswold Baby Baby Co Co BG ifted Gifted N om N om K ids Nom Nom Kids Baby Cheltenham Baby Prints Prints C heltenham The The Sweet Sweet Cabin Cabin Animurals Animurals International International Elf Elf Service Service Peaches Bambino P eaches B ambino Z imbolic Zimbolic K imeleon K reations Kimeleon Kreations S ilk Jasmine Jasmine Silk
G ingerbread Fox Fox Ltd Ltd Gingerbread L ittle A lf – Hannah Hannah Russell Russell Little Alf rt L ucy E llie Bailey Bailey A Lucy Ellie Art M olly and and Lola Lola Molly J oanne H utchinson Joanne Hutchinson J ust Add Add Milk Milk Just L lama H ouse Books Books Llama House Eco Able Able Eco werty B Q eer B ox Qwerty Beer Box T he Local Local Answer Answer The Re.Scrunch Re.Scrunch
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lease vvisit isit For m alendar o iveaways, p For more details off tthe Advent Calendar off G Giveaways, please o re d etails o he A dvent C
w www.loiskingscottauthor.com/blog ww.loiskingscottauthor.com/blog
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£ **Last Last ddate ate ffor or ppostage ostage iin n ttime ime for for Christmas: Christmas: FFriday riday 118th 8th December December
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sspecialising pecialising spects all aspects iin na ll a off r roofing o oofing and an d building building
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ELITE LOFT FT FT LADDERS
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For all your trees, hedges & shrubs
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Professional, fully equipped and insured ~ Established 1993 ~
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Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter
T: 01242 252637
JOE & JAMIE
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juliasmith-gardening@blueyonder.co.uk
Fencing
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& LANDSCAPES • Artificial Grass • Gravel • Block Paving • Tarmac
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EXPERIENCED AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
dbsfencing@hotmail.com
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Unit D, Sudmeadow Road, Hempsted, Gloucester GL2 5JA
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All aspects of Tree and Garden work undertaken Hedges R Hedges Reductions, eductions, T Trimming rimming & Removals Trees T rees Pruning Pruning & F Felling el l i n g Garden Garden Clearances Clearances Domestic Domestic & C Commercial ommercial Tree W T Wood-chipping d hi i S Services i FENCING • PATIOS • TURFING • JET-WASHING No job too small or big · Professional, Local, Reliable Service
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IIn n tthe he Garden Garden w with ith JJulia ulia S Smith mith
Festive Festive fun fun in in your your w winter inter g garden arden Can you believe that December is here already?! As I write this article it is unseason ably mild and the thought of crisp, cold weather is actually very appealing. The good side of this mild weather is that it extends the window of planting, so things can be chopped and changed in the border and work can carry on – actually that could also be the bad side, especially if you are looking forward to hanging up the spade for a few weeks and sitting cosily indoors leafing idly through seed catalogues!
L Look ook a after fter y your our C Christmas hristmas ttree ree If you buy a real Christmas tree, saw off the bottom few inches when you get it home as you would with cut flowers and put the base in a container of water. You will probably find that after a few days the water doesn’t get taken up – if this were a bunch of flowers you
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could cut a bit more off the stems, but this is not practical with a 6ft tree so it will start drying up from this time. It will still give you a couple of weeks though. P oi nsetti as are on sale everywhere this month. They originate from Mexico and like warm, dry, draught-free conditions. They are better bought from somewhere indoors like a garden centre, as standing on a cold market stall outside will do them no good at all. They are very difficult to next bring through to Christmas and need strange things like being kept in the dark for a time and brought into the light for another spell. To be honest life is too short, so I would say enjoy them now and send them to the big compost heap in the sky in the new year! I think that one of the ways we are changing in the use of our outdoor spaces is that To advertise call 0122 510500
people want to use them all year round. Especially at this point in time where we’re not able to get away, lots of people want to escape their four walls and have some time outside, even if they’re limited to their garden.
Toast T oast marshmallows marshmallows a and nd d drink rink h hot ot cchocolate hocolate A veranda is a useful area to keep rain off but still to be outside. There are plenty of gas powered heaters to enable the garden to be used in the winter, or the clay chimineas or firepits which use dry logs. The idea of cooking sausages or soup outside and sitting around drinking hot chocolate and toasting marshmallows over the BBQ wrapped in rugs sounds very appealing. Obviously in any smokeless zones rules must be adhered to, as well as social distancing regulations. Happy Christmas and good gardening to you all! Page
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IInterior nterior D Design esign w with ith G Gill ill G Greenwell reenwell
Go G o green green tthis his C Christmas hristmas In this uncertain world it feels like we should be turning our backs on extravagant consumption and focusing on sustainability this Christmas, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate in style. Follow my ideas for an eco-friendly Christmas without skimping on the festive magic.
Image: Garden Trading
C Christmas hristmas ttrees rees – tthe he rreal eal d deal eal I love a real Christmas tree, it’s the most sustainable option. You can rent a tree from as little as £20, have it delivered and picked up for re-planting. Or buy a living tree, sourced from a local grower, and re-plant it in the garden. We always look forward to our annual trip to get our tree – it feels like the start of Christmas.
G Gifts ifts w with ith tthought hought Choose gifts that will last. A plant that sparks joy over again, or an experience making a lasting memory – always a hit with my family. Get creative with something handmade and beautifully wrapped – food items are perennially popular. One year I made damson gin, decanted into pretty little bottles tied with ribbon. They made perfect presents for friends. This year, it’s especially
important to shop small and locally where possible, and you’ll find the most interesting and unusual presents.
Sustainable S ustainable wrapping wrapping Switch to eco-friendly wrapping and look for paper you can recycle – there are some lovely designs at re-wrapped.co.uk. Brown paper paired with twine and eucalyptus leaves always looks eco-chic. I was inspired during my visit to Japan earlier this year, as the Japanese have made beautiful packaging into an art form. “Foroshiki”, their word for wrapping gifts in reusable knotted fabric squares, is trending this Christmas. It is a traditional way of packaging gifts and a perfect ethical example of Christmas wrapping.
D Deck eck tthe he h halls alls – n naturally aturally
Image: Nkuku
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There are so many ways you can decorate your home sustainably. Forage for faded hydrangea heads, teasels and pheasant feathers to create an
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on-trend dried arrangement. Choose branches of holly, ivy, rosemary and fir for a more traditional look. Search out wreath-making classes locally – it’s a fun way to learn a new skill and create something beautiful. Many classes have gone online due to recent restrictions. Adorn the Christmas tree with cinnamon sticks tied with ribbon and dried orange slices stuck with cloves. Re-use your Christmas decorations year after year and they will become family heirlooms. My daughters have favourite ornaments sparking memories from Christmases spent with their grandmother.
Create an Create an eco-festive eco-festive ttable able For an extra festive touch for your Christmas tablescape, look out for antique or recycled glass baubles. Nkuku has some beautiful shapes in bright jewel colours, which you can pile up in a bowl in the middle of the table. Ditch the plastic and make your own crackers with sustainable gifts instead. Have fun creating your festive home and have a happy healthy holiday!
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RAW MECHANICAL Plumbing & Heating Domestic & Commercial We install, service & repair
Boilers & Central heating systems Gas cookers, hobs & fires Landlord safety checks
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CALL Aaron ON 07786 513995 Raw_mechanical@mail.com
COTSWOLD C OTSWOLD R REWIRES EWIRES
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• Full & Part Rewires • Fuseboards • Extra Sockets • Interior/Exterior Lighting • Fault Finding • Small Repairs/Maintenance We We also also supply supply and and fit fit cookers, cookers, hobs hobs and and fridges fridges a and nd rremove emove yyour our old old a appliances ppliances ffree ree of of ccharge! harge! Local references ~ No call-out charge ~ Free Quotations F FRIENDLY RIENDLY • RELIABLE RELIABLE • PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL Call Carl on 07970 919764 or 01242 790072
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OVER O VEER 20 20 YEARS’ YEARS’ TRADE TRADE EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE PROVIDING PROVIIDING RRESIDENTIAL ESIDENTIAL PAINTING PAINTING AAND ND D DECORATING ECORATING SSERVICES ERVICES IIN NG GLOUCESTERSHIRE LOUCESTERSHIRE
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07818 0 7818 4 453708 53708
01242 0 1242 2 221843 21843
2W Wentworth entworth C Close, lose, C Cheltenham heltenham G GL51 L51 00NT NT
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FEMALE DECORATOR
TREVOR
ROGERS
PAINTER & DECORATOR
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Contact Tom:
T:: 01242 693051 M T M:: 07786 480005 E E:: info@tcd-decorators.co.uk w ww.tcd-decorators.co.uk www.tcd-decorators.co.uk 45 Fairview Street, Cheltenham, GL52 2JF •R Residential exterior esidential iinterior nterior & e xterior painting decorating p ainting & d ecorating Colour •C olour cconsultation onsultation New builds extensions •N ew b u il ds & e xtensions Paper Spray •P aper hanging hanging • S pray painting painting Period property •P eriod p roperty rrestoration/renovation estoration/renovation
FLAIRLINE DECORATING SERVICES
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01242 237517 07787 332888
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Tel: T el: 0 01242 1242 5 523398 23398 / 0 01452 1452 2 290458 90458 e email: mail: iinfo@hatherleyworktops.co.uk nfo@hatherleyworktops.co.uk w web: eb: w www.hatherleyworktops.co.uk ww.hatherleyworktops.co.uk U Units nits 1 18, 8, 19 19 & 2 20 0M Malmesbury almesbury Road, Road, K Kingsditch ingsditch Trading Trading E Estate, state, C Cheltenham heltenham G GL51 L51 9 9PL PL
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268A London Road Road,, Charlt Charlton ton Kings Kings,, C Cheltenham, heltenham, G GL52 L52 6 6HS HS tt:: 0 01242 1242 3 321742 21742 e e:: iinfo@cotswoldbespokeflooring.com nfo@cotswoldbespokeflooring.com www.cotswoldbespokeflooring.com w ww.cotswoldbespokeflooring.com
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