Cheltenham by The Local Answer

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GLOUCESTERSHIREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BIGGEST LOCAL MAGAZINE JANUARY 2020

CHELLTTENHAM HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS AND CLIENTS!

R R S

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New R Ro ooffss ◆ New Builds ◆ Slate, Chimney and Tile Repair ◆ New V Va alleys ◆ Felt and Battening ◆ Lead W Wo ork ◆ Leak R Re epairs ◆ Rubber R Ro oofing ◆ Fibreglass R Ro oofing ◆ Felt R Ro oofing Fascias & Soffits and Gu utttering – Carpor rtts Re R eplacement Fascias in a range of colours

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Cheltenham: Cotswolds: C heltenham: 443,000 3,000 ccopies opies ~ C otswolds: 330,000 0,000 ccopies opies Gloucester: District: G loucester: 446,000 6,000 copies copies ~ Stroud Stroud D istrict: 441,000 1,000 copies copies North Gloucestershire: N orth G loucestershire: 20,000 20,000 copies copies

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Competition on on page page 30 30 Competition

Online O nline tthis his month month ... ... Enter our our fantastic fantastic competitions competitions and and Enter you could could win: win: you An annual annual family family membership membership to to • An Painswick Rococo Rococo Garden Garden Painswick An adult adult season season ticket ticket for for • An Sandford Parks Parks Lido Lido Sandford •S unday llunch unch ffor or ffour our ppeople eople at at Sunday H otel dduu V in Cheltenham Cheltenham Hotel Vin U nit H hurchill IIndustrial ndustrial EEstate, state, C hurchill R oad, Unit H,, C Churchill Churchill Road, LLeckhampton, eckhampton, Cheltenham, Cheltenham, G loucestershire G L53 77EG EG Gloucestershire GL53

Telephone Telephone 01242 01242 510500 510500 @ @thelocalanswer thelocalanswer

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January’s winning cover photo: Mark Ziles

W elcome Welcome tto o JJanuary anuary Happy New Year! We hope you enjoyed the festivities and are raring to go for a brand new decade! If you’re starting to plan your year already, check out our Entertainment section for a look ahead at what’s going on in 2020. Our online competitions feature has been very popular and we’ve had a fantastic response so far! Be sure to check back regularly for more brilliant prizes – this month we’ve linked up with Painswick Rococo Garden, Sandford Parks Lido and Hotel du Vin Cheltenham! Congratulations to our first cover winner of 2020 – Mark Ziles with his wonderful winter scene. Head over to our social media pages to find out what you can expect to see on the rest of this year’s covers. 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, where we have details of many more local businesses.

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Contacts C ontacts M anaging D irector Managing Director Dave Kingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk

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Lois Kingscott lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Advertising Advertising Claudie Francis (01242 510500) info@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Distribution istribution LLeaflets eaflets & D John Overton (01242 541075) leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk Louis Jordan distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk Page 3

Delicious Delicious Dish Dish w with ith H Helen elen K Kingscott ingscott

P Parsnip arsnip soup soup with with a hint hint of of spice spice Aq quick, uick, ssimple, imple, w warming arming rrecipe ecipe tto o ssee ee y you ou tthrough hrough tthe he rrest est o off w winter. inter. This This parsnip parsnip soup soup has h as a g gentle entle kkick ick and and will will make make plenty plenty of of portions portions to to last last you you the the week. week. Ingredients: Ingredients: 1kg parsnips; 2 large onions; 2 tbsp olive oil; 100g light soft cream cheese; 1½ litres vegetable stock; 1 tbsp curry paste (I bought a 200g jar of tikka curry paste and used the rest to make a chicken tikka curry); freshly ground black pepper to season and sprinkle on top; parsley to garnish. Method: Method: 1 Peel and dice both the onions and parsnips. 2 Heat the oil, add the onions and cook on a medium heat for 1-2 minutes until softened. 3 Add the parsnips and cook, covered, over a low heat for 5-8 minutes with the lid on to sweat the vegetables. 4 Stir in the curry paste, cook for a minute then

add the hot stock. Place the lid back on and simmer for 20-30 minutes until the parsnips are really soft. 5 Add the cream cheese then blend with a hand blender or in a liquidiser until smooth. 6 Season, then serve with a little chopped parsley, more black pepper and some lovely fresh rolls. Tip: Tip: If you’d like to make your own bread rolls, you can find a recipe on one of my previous Delicious Dishes – ‘Spinach soup and homemade ww.thelocalanswer.co.uk, go www.thelocalanswer.co.uk bread rolls’. Visit w to the News, Articles & Reviews tab, then click on Food & Drink. You’ll be able to search for the recipe, as well as browse many more dishes that I’ve cooked over the years.

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(our printer) printer) a re Precision C olour P rinting Ltd Ltd (our Precision Colour Printing are ouncil ((FSC) FSC) proud Council p roud to to be be a Forest Forest Stewardship Stewardship C certificate holder, and The Answer nd T he LLocal ocal A nswer iiss certificate h older, a proud p roud to to have have this this publication publication printed printed on paper with FSC o n p aper ccompliant ompliant w ith F SC demands environmentd emands tto o ssupport upport e nvironmentally beneficial, a lly appropriate, appropriate, socially socially b eneficial, and economically managea nd e conomically vviable iable m anagement off tthe world’s m ent o he w orld’s forests. fo orests.

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H Have ave y your our say! say! D o yyou ou e njoy rreading eading o sing Do enjoy orr u using T he L ocal A nswer? The Local Answer?

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Mirror Mirror Mirror Mirror on on tthe he Wall Wall w with ith V Val al S Starr tarr

2020 2020 D DIY IY sskincare kincare resolutions resolutions A new year has dawned and many of us will have made resolutions that we sadly will not keep. I believe there are some inexpensive DIY tricks we can add to our overall beauty routine that will be easy to keep, and soon become second nature.

Foot F oot ccare are Our feet are so often neglected at this time of year, as they are out of sight, hidden by socks or cosy in slippers! We might not keep up with our summer pedicures and pretty nail polish, but let’s not neglect the skin on our feet. It is wonderful that there are now foot care systems available, often for less than the cost of a pedicure, with the added advantage of being able to use them in the privacy and comfort of your own home. For example, the Scholl Velvet Smooth Electronic Foot File System is a great little product. It is very quick and easy to use, and runs on four AA batteries, which are

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normally included. The little hard skin roller head refills can be purchased after the initial ones need replacing; but I find they last a long time so this shouldn’t be a regular occurrence. You can use this product on dry or wet feet and it has a dual speed. It is very effective for dry skin exfoliation and k e e p in g y o u r h e e ls h e a l t h y ; i t certainly helps to avoid the dreaded painful, cracked heels. If you want to complete your home exfoliation, apply Scholl Expert Care cracked heel cream. In a few minutes your feet will feel smooth as silk with the added benefit of feeling like you are walking on air.

Scalp Scalp care care Continuing on with dry skin issues, our scalp often feels more “itchy” and dry in the winter months. Central heating and hats contribute to this irritation, as we try to escape from the cold weather. It certainly helps if you can exfoliate your scalp on a regular basis, as normal shampoos and conditioners do not do this. There are several ranges available that do a brilliant job and, most importantly, are not full of sulphites, which certainly do your scalp no favours. Phillip Kingsley is a renowned trichologist who has a clinic in London and has developed a wonderful flaky/itchy scalp mask, as well as a special shampoo for itchy scalps. The products are extremely effective and a little goes a long To advertise call 01242 510500

way, so it’s worth the extra expense in the long run. A particular favourite hair care range of mine is by a company called Tweak’d. The whole range is made with none of the ‘nasties’ that most shampoos and conditioners contain, where you get a huge lather, which often strips your hair and scalp. Tweak’d consists of natural ingredients that feed your hair and scalp. I adore the Rise & Shine Cleansing Volumizing Scrub. It takes a little time to adjust to, but the process is simple. You put a small amount of clay in your hands, add a little water and rub your hands together until it forms a cream. Then you apply to your scalp, massage in and leave for a couple of minutes before washing out and continuing with your conditioner. My scalp feels fantastic afterwards and I look forward to this weekly ritual. None of the products in this range lather in the way we are used to, but they work in a far better way. Once converted, it will be hard to go back. I think these two resolutions will be easy to keep, plus you will love the results. Good luck! Page 

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Looking Looking Good, Good, F Feeling eeling Great Great with w ith W Will ill M Mbanga banga

K Keep eep fitness fitness simple simple this this New New Y Year ear The New Year is a good time to take stock as you look to optimise your diet and exercise routine toward being healthier. As any Personal Trainer or gym owner will tell you, this is the time of year where gyms see an increase in members and trainers gain new clients. It is the time when ‘slackers’ and ‘back sliders’ jump-start their lapsed training regimens and old memberships, as the siren call of summer holidays begins. Your summer body is built in winter and there’s no time like the present to stop feeling anxious in your baggy winter trackies and get to work! Getting started for a beginner can be quite daunting, whereas more seasoned fitness enthusiasts may simply require some guidance to go with their commitment.

Enjoyable, E njoyable, ssafe afe a and nd ssustainable ustainable Deciding on what fitness modality to employ is essential to ensure that not only is your training effective, but it’s also enjoyable, safe and sustainable. The term “functional fitness” has been bandied around the fitness environment a lot, but for a beginner, PTs can often over-complicate things using ‘fancy’ movements, when in reality there is nothing more functional than simply using your body to move naturally! Incorporating everyday objects and mimicking normal movement patterns is “functional training” – you don’t have to do one arm headstands while balancing a kettlebell above your head to train ‘functionally’! So be creative – use stairs for The Local Answer

step ups, chairs or benches for dips and push ups, hang off the bars at the local park for pull ups, and use logs and rocks as heavy objects to carry or move. Of course, training equipment, great background music, aircon and tv consoles on cardio machines is great, along with the mandatory gym selfies, post-workout smoothies or coffee to supplement your gains. But in reality, basic movements done well will give you an enormous fitness boost.

Ah hybrid ybrid of of cardio cardio and and sstrength trength training training As a busy, time-limited person (or equipment if you’re not a gym user), the most time efficient way to maximise your training is to use a hybrid of cardio and strength training via a modality commonly referred to as High Intensity Interval Training or HIIT. We already know that strength training gives you far more bang for your buck within a shorter time frame than just doing cardio on its own, and HIIT workouts incorporate full

body strength training with cardiovascular training with impressive results. The benefits of HIIT include: • Improved cardiovascular health and fitness. • Increased fat burning through post-exercise oxygen consumption (after a workout, your body continues to burn calories as it self-regulates). • HIIT has been shown to increase hormone levels, which aids in building and maintaining lean muscle. Ladies, please don’t be afraid – HIIT training won’t substantially increase muscle mass without additional specific strength training! It has been proven that HIIT is a highly effective method of increasing fat loss and developing lean muscle without spending hours in the gym or training space. The combination of short, high intensity blocks of work followed by a period of recovery provide the body with a highly effective physiological jolt. Happy training!

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Person-centred P erson-centred approach, approach, honesty honesty and and integrity...that’s integrity ... that’s our our way! way!

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

N New ew Year, Year, n new ew you you January is a month of change, where many people decide to have a clear out, detox or get rid of bad habits through New Year’s resolutions. There is the usual stop smoking, stop drinking alcohol for Dry January and dieting (usually after a lot of overindulgence during December), and 12% of gym memberships are signed up in January alone. It really is a great time for people to feel motivated to make changes to their lives. This January, instead of focusing on the negative, why not try beginning the year with a much more positive attitude and begin adding new healthy habits for your mind as well as your body?

Practice Practice sself elf ccare are We are often very self critical and think, and even say, negative statements everyday to ourselves. This is highlighted by these New Year’s resolutions. So this year why not start with practicing self care? Your mental health requires just as much looking after, if not more, than your body.

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Scientists are learning that seemingly unrelated psychological and physical issues may actually be closely connected. Doctors once thought that the link between mental and physical health problems was purely behavioural, such as depressed people being less likely to take their medications.

Mental M ental and and p physical hysical health p health problems roblems ccan an b be e cconnected onnected We now know that high levels of cortisol are associated with depression and anxiety, and that they can contribute to an inflammatory state and to conditions like diabetes and heart disease. They also affect auto-immune conditions such as Psoriasis, which is commonly triggered by stress. It affects 1.8 million people in the UK and can impact on emotional as well as physical wellbeing. People with mental health conditions are less likely to receive the physical healthcare they’re entitled to, and mental health service users are statistically To advertise call 01242 510500

less likely to receive routine checks (such as blood pressure, weight, cholesterol, etc.) that might detect symptoms of these physical health conditions earlier. So what positive changes can you make now? • A simple morning meditation is a great way to start the day and if you are new to meditation there are plenty of free apps or CDs you can buy. • Positive affirmations such as ‘I am kind’, ‘I am brave’ or ‘I can be who I want to be’ are great to write down and stick around your mirror or on your bedside table to read aloud every day. • Practice mindfulness, trying to focus on the here and now. • Yoga and Pilates are brilliant for all ages, shapes and sizes to improve flexibility, strength and fitness, along with assisting with clarity of mind. • Get outside in the fresh air and enjoy nature. • Smile. Small changes can make a big difference to your life in every way, so start today. Page 1

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

Training T raining iin n tthe he w workplace orkplace When coming back to work after the New Year, you may feel your skills are in need of some updating or that you could do with some fresh knowledge to enhance your working life. In an ever-changing world, it’s essential to keep your skills up to date by undertaking CPD – Continuing Professional Development. Some professions such as nursing, law or counselling require a certain amount of CPD in order to stay accredited to the professional body that oversees their role. For others, having more talents under your belt can be useful simply so that you can do the best job possible!

O Opportunities pportunities tto og gain ain m more ore ccompetencies ompetencies Workplaces should offer their employees opportunities to gain more competencies – to do their job more effectively or to further their career. If you feel you lack know-

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ledge in a particular area, or are in need of some personal development to aid your professional life, ask your manager if there are any courses available. These may be practical skills such as first aid training or manual handling, or theoretical knowledge, for instance safeguarding or people management. Some organisations have inhouse training – courses run by fellow employees. For instance, if you work for a large employer in the public sector, they may have an IT department that runs courses on specific computer software. Your company may even have partner agencies such as a mental wellbeing organisation who can run courses in ‘life skills’ such as resilience, assertiveness or how to deal with stress. Alternatively, you could take it upon yourself to further your knowledge. Your public library may have courses in computer

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basics, or a local college may run a ‘night school’, which you can attend in the evening. There are many subjects available out there, including languages, arts, cookery and hairdressing to name a few.

Online O nline learning learning or or a cclassroom lassroom e environment nvironment Courses may take the form of online learning, or be face-toface in a ‘classroom’ type environment. Both have their benefits and disadvantages. For example, in a classroom you can share knowledge and stories with others, but travel to and from the location takes up more time. With online courses, you can do them in your own time, usually from the comfort of your own home, but there is no one to offer immediate help if needed. Whatever method of learning you opt for, ensure the knowledge will further your overall learning, and make time to reflect upon what you’ve learnt and then apply it to your job role. Keep learning! It’s good for your brain, as well as looking good on your CV! Page 1

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C County’s ounty’s 2 2020 020 v vision ision llooking ooking v very ery g good ood New year, new hope, and there’s certainly plenty of optimism around Gloucestershire County Cricket Club as they look ahead to 2020. Their reward for an outstanding 2019 is a place in the top flight of county championship cricket for the first time since 2004. And it wasn’t just the fact that they won promotion from Division Two, it was the way that they did it that had so many of their fans purring. “We did it playing the Gloucestershire Way,” said David Partridge, a former player and lifelong supporter who these days is on the club’s executive board. So what exactly is the Gloucestershire Way? “Everyone wants to play for each other,” said Partridge. “Everyone wants to play for the county. If two or three players

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Ryan Higgins

fail, another two or three will pick it up. Winning promotion was a complete team performance.” It certainly was. They are a young side and, apart from the final three games when West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel was brought in on a they short-term contract, achieved their goal without an overseas player. “The way we won promotion is a huge credit to head coach

Dowty Judo Club has a long and proud history. It’s one that stretches back some 50 years or so, but while the club has plenty to look back on with pride, it also has plenty to look forward to as well. And one of the club’s constant themes – certainly for well over 40 years – has been Pete Salter, who is Dowty’s chairman and head coach. The now 75-year-old was also recently awarded his 6th Dan, the only judo player in Gloucestershire to achieve this status. “I joined the club in the early 1970s and became chairman in 1981,” said Salter, who has been chairman of Gloucestershire Judo for close on 40 years as well.

Swimming and Water Polo Club for the best part of six months and he’s enjoyed every minute of his new role. Mind you, that’s not really surprising because he’s been in and around swimming pools Tom Howells for much of his 25 years, almost from the days when he could first walk and talk. His dad Mark was a competitive swimmer back in the day and Howells junior, like his dad, was – and is – a butterfly specialist. Like his dad he also swam for Gloucester City Swimming Club but these days Tom is very much all about Cheltenham Swimming and Water Polo Club.

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Nicky DeBonis is not so much breaking down barriers as

Richard Dawson and the boys,” said Partridge, who lives in Birdlip. And while it was a true team effort, a quick look at the end-of season averages will tell you that one player above all others was key to their success. That player was all-rounder Ryan Higgins who scored more than 950 runs at close on 60 and took 50 wickets with his bustling medium pace at under 24. The soon-to-be 25-year-old joined the club from Middlesex for the start of the 2018 season and Partridge is a big fan. “He embodies the whole Gloucestershire spirit,” said Partridge. “He’s a top player and uses his head when he’s playing the game. He gives it everything and he always seems to find a way whatever the situation in a game, he’s held in very high regard by all the players.” Full story online. smashing them into tiny pieces. And she’s doing so with the full support of everyone she has come across in football around the county. DeBonis, who doesn’t turn 21 until 19th January, is the first ever female team manager in the Cheltenham Football League and as such is making a big impression in what has always been considered to be a male only environment. And it’s certainly some claim to fame because the Chelt- Nicky DeBonis enham League has been in existence since as long ago as 1900. She took over as manager of Bishop’s Cleeve Development – that’s the Hellenic League club’s 3rd team – at the start of the season. For full versions of all these stories and more, visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk

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N Nathan athan Lake Lake is is blazing blazing a hot hot trail trail Nathan Lake is blazing a trail for squash in Gloucestershire all around the world. The undisputed county number one has been a professional for the best part of a decade and is a player who can go toe-totoe with the very best on the planet. He’s very good – he’s enjoyed a world ranking best of 47 – but although he travels all over the globe to play the game he loves, he remains very proud of his Gloucestershire roots. Still only 27, the former Bournside School pupil has a home in Cheltenham and his is a familiar face on the squash circuit around the county. “I spent most of my formative years at Old Patesians,” said Lake. “My dad used to play rugby for Old Pats and I remember as a six-year-old watching him play. “I’d been going to the club for three years before I realised they had squash courts!” Lake had already played a bit of squash at Cheltenham Ladies’ College by then but it’s fair to say that he didn’t come from a squash family. His dad Graham, a prop, was a decent rugby player but he knew a lot more about scrums and lineouts than serves and returns that are such a big part of squash. That was Lake junior’s forté, of course, and he was lucky enough at Old Pats to come under the tutelage of Gary Powell, a squash coach who is held in the highest esteem by so many of Lake’s generation. “He coached me for five years, he was fantastic,” said Lake. “He is one of the big reasons why I am a squash player. He instils passion within a player and he was a highly motivating coach for me. “He encouraged me all the time and Old Pats became my second home, I was there six

Nathan Lake

days a week every week. Gary had a hard core of eight players, we were all good players and we were all good friends. We were very fortunate, I still go and see Gary quite often.” Lake, a left-hander, describes himself as a “relatively late developer”, adding: “At the age of 12 I started getting quite good but I didn’t have an England ranking at under-13.” He soon put that right, however. “By the under-15s I was ranked five, at the end of the under-17s I was two and by the end of the under-19s I was number one,” he said. And he wasn’t just number one in this country because he was also crowned European junior champion, a tournament victory that he still regards as being right up there with his very best even today. By then Lake’s career had moved on apace and in his early teens he was coached by Keir Worth, who was based in Worcester and is now CEO of England Squash. “He coached me for three or four years and was brilliant for exposure,” said Lake. “He had a group of professionals who he trained and he exposed me to high-level squash and what was required to play at that level.

“Although I was good I didn’t have anyone steering me – I was very lucky to have the right people supporting me at the right time.” By now Lake had also become a regular at the East Gloucestershire Club and for a short time was coached by Fiona Geaves, the one-time women’s world number five. These days he is the squash professional at East Glos and he said: “I started to play there when I was 13, East Glos has been very good to me over the years.” Lake, who also worked with coach Rob Owen in Birmingham, admits that he was ready to turn professional at the age of his 16, but his parents – his mum’s name is Debbie – were keen for him to do his Alevels first. “My parents didn’t play squash but they were always very supportive,” said Lake, who was happy to extend his education at Bournside. “The school was very good to me, if ever I needed time out from school they were brilliant, very helpful.” The school’s powers-that-be could obviously spot a talent when they saw one and Lake, who was offered a place at the University of the West of England, did not disappoint as he started playing squash professionally at the age of 18. And while that sounds a pretty, easy, straightforward thing to do, it’s not of course. There’s not the money in squash that there is in other individual sports such as golf and tennis, and there’s no money at all if you don’t perform on court! “There are three main ways that a professional squash player can earn money,” said Lake. “Tournament earnings, playing in professional leagues and through sponsors.” Full story online.

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Pet Pet Care Care

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

Food Food allergies allergies in in cats cats and and dogs dogs Allergic skin disease can be caused by a wide variety of factors including parasites (fleas), environmental factors (grasses and pollens), or household allergens (dust or dust mites). It can, however, also be caused by a food allergy. Approximately 1 in 5 dogs and cats with itchy skin will have a food allergy and it is important to rule this out in order to get to the bottom of a persistent skin problem. For cats, the most common source of allergens are beef, fish and chicken, and for dogs it is beef, dairy and chicken. Diagnosing a food allergy is difficult – no commercially available laboratory test will reliably diagnose a food allergy in dogs and cats, so the best way to reach a diagnosis is by an elimination diet trial.

Two T wo types types of of elimination elimination diet diet Two options exist – the home prepared novel protein diet; this could be formulated using unusual protein sources such as venison, rabbit, lamb, etc. However, care should be taken to make sure these are balanced, ideally containing vegetables and grains which are an unlikely source of allergens. The second option is the commercial hypoallergenic diet; the ones preferred by veterinary dermatologists generally contain hydrolysed proteins. Hydrolysis reduces the size of protein molecules to such a small size that they cannot trigger an immune response. These diets tend to be carefully manufactured so cross contamination with other protein sources is unlikely. They are regarded as a more reliable diet for elimination trials than a generic ‘hypoallergenic’ pet food that may use a mixture of proteins, not all of which may be mentioned on the label! Hills Prescription Diet z/d, Royal Canin Hypoallergenic/A Anallergenic and Purina HA Hypoallergenic are all examples of hydrolysed protein diets. The elimination diet should be persevered with for at least two months and during that time all other dog treats, tidbits and human leftovers should be avoided. Individual proteins can then be added back into the diet once the skin itch has resolved to determine which was the offending allergen. Although not the most common cause of skin disease in dogs and cats, food allergies play their part and can be relatively easily avoided once diagnosed. Page 20

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.

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Getting Getting through through grief grief together together No matter the time of year, one thing that is certain to affect us all at some point in our lives is loss: of a family member, a friend or a beloved pet. I recently faced losing my two-year-old cat, Newbie, to an aggressive form of cancer and of course, my whole family was devastated – most of all my nine-year-old Dachshund x Jack Russell, Rufus, as he could sense something was wrong. We were faced with making the most difficult decision, but hope we were lucky. I thought I would talk about supporting each other – and our surviving pets – through the loss of a family pet and offer some words of advice, although of course, I hope you never need to use it!

Dogs Dogs a and nd ccats ats n need eed ssupport upport ttoo oo Firstly, acknowledge the grief, both in yourself and your pets. Yes, dogs and cats can feel loss keenly and need support as they, too, transition into a life without their brother or sister. Accepting your feelings without

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judgement or ridicule is very important – and remember, no two people process emotions the same way so don’t be offended if others do not react the same way that you do. Take time to be quiet together, take space to cry, to remember the lost pet and to talk about the good times. Children may not show that they feel the loss immediately, as they often bounce back and move on without a backward glance, however they will find spaces in life to ‘realise’ their pet is gone and then will need support to deal with their feelings. Your pets may need quiet time alone, or they may demand more of your attention. Respectfully respond to their needs but notice if behaviours become problematic – howling or barking, for example – and try not to reinforce this with your reactions. Instead, ignore unwanted behaviour and focus on redirecting attention to other behaviours, quietly and calmly. It has to be said that we must To advertise call 01242 510500

always be mindful of any actual deterioration in our pet’s condition whilst grieving. If they refuse food for more than three days, become sick or have runny stools, become weak or disoriented, please consult your vet. When it was touch and go with Newbie, I offered Rescue Remedy and CBD oil to my dog, as he was struggling to cope. It appeared to ‘take the edge off ’ and allowed him to carry on pretty much as normal.

Talking T alking to to each each other other is is so so important important I often think adults suffer the most, as we understand so much more of what is happening. Talking to each other and allowing space for moments of overwhelm is so important. I still miss my darling Rottweiller who died in 2014 age 11 – remembering her still brings me to tears. So please, if you are grieving the loss of a beloved pet, be gentle with yourself and know, they are always with you and your love will never die. Page 21

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

Savour Savour the the joy joy o off fflight light We recently landed at Tokyo Haneda – except that it should have been Osaka! Unfortunately, as we approached, drone activity temporarily closed Kansai International and we were diverted. The unexpected upside was the magnificent views of Mount Fuji that we passed twice before eventually reaching our planned destination. It got me thinking about the aerial delights awaiting flyers. I never cease to marvel at the contrast presented by evening departures from Vancouver as the city’s lights soon give way to the darkness of British Columbia’s sparsely populated interior and Northern Canada’s barren wastes.

B Between etween m mountain ountain a and nd o ocean cean As with Vancouver, Los Angeles, or even little Sitka up in Alaska’s Panhandle, there’s something magical about airports located ‘twixt mountain and ocean. Many landlocked destinations are equally impressive. I’m thinking about the

sinuous approach to Bhutan’s Paro Airport. Or famously challenging Lukla’s steeply sloping 527m-long runway in Nepal, complete with sheer drops at one end and a rock wall at the other! Nearer home, how about the picturesque valley approach to Category C-rated Innsbruck? Destinations like these deliver amazing experiences for pilots and passengers alike. Spectacular natural surrounds guarantee breathtaking views. Sometimes, however, the built environment adds special magic. Picture, for instance, t h e u n f o r g e t t a b l e a p pr o a c h t o New York’s JFK with its views of Manhattan’s iconic skyline; or the needle-like Burj Khalifa glimpsed through the desert haze after leaving Dubai.

O Once-in-a-lifetime nce-in-a-lifetime v views iews Arguably, the most memorable ones are the once-in-alifetime views delivered by nature alone – helped by our aircraft’s altitude. Winter’s dancing northern lights on approach to Reykjavik-Keflavik The Local Answer

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need no mortal help. Neither did my most enduring in-flight memory. It was a westward sunset view across Northern Canada’s myriad frozen lakes. And it came with the added bonus of being savoured from a Boeing 747 cockpit in the halcyon, pre9/11 days when flight deck visits were still possible. Unforgettable.

Amazing Amazing in-flight in-flight sights sights Will your airborne magic come after the short hop to Shetland or over mountainflanked Beagle Channel as you approach windy Ushuaia, Patagonia? Or perhaps it will be that first glimpse of French Polynesia after 6000km over the empty Pacific, or the reassuringly familiar view of Windsor Castle on returning to Heathrow? These and so many other examples remind us to look up from our book or the in-flight movie and take a moment to be awestruck by the joy of flight. What amazing in-flight sights await you in 2020? Page 2

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Home H ome o on n the the Range? Range? It’s confession time. In fact, a couple of confessions. Firstly, I don’t really know where the Velar is supposed to sit in the line up from Range Rover. It’s quite a congested line up, and I’m fully aware that others before me have posed the same question. But I have a second confession that may explain my uncertainty. I’ve never driven a full blown Range Rover. I’ve tested the Evoque in a couple of guises, the Discovery Sport and I’ve driven a number of Defenders (back in the day) but I’ve never taken the wheel of the iconic country classic. Maybe that’s next… So from my perspective, this is the big boy in the garage from Land Rover. And with this model topping the price list at a shade over £73k, that’s a lot of car to live up to.

An A na air ir o off cclass lass Let’s start on the outside. Land Rover has made a good job of making the Velar sleek and sporty, while maintaining an air of class. The bonnet and grille look powerful and a little aggressive (which you kind of expect from a big Range Rover), but the narrow headlights and diffuser add a hint of speed and even sportiness. The flush door handles are a lovely touch – recessing into the door housing when not in use meaning the lines of the body aren’t interrupted. It’s clear from those lines that this has come from the Range Rover stable. There’s an unmistakable bulk at the rear that just screams country offload vehicle (as opposed to The Local Answer

Chelsea tractor), but once you move inside, that all changes – at first glance at least. With a touch screen interface for all the controls in the centre console, all on a beautifully curved and high gloss glass panel, the luxury is abundant right there.

More M ore than than capable capable off o ff rroad oad But at the same time, the off road capability is clear. With touch controls for ride height, surface management and hill d e s c e n t , t h e u n d e r p i nn i n g s o f this car are clear to see – it’s more than capable off road and it’s only when you step back out that you realise the wheels are also more than ready for the rough stuff. They’re disguised by some glossy alloys, but definitely ready to green lane. So sleek, capable, and a great user experience with the controls – as long as you never have an electrical fault. I To advertise call 01242 510500

suspect replacing anything to do with that panel will empty your wallet quicker than buying the thing in the first place.

Plenty Plenty of of room room for for the the family family and and luggage luggage It’s also a very comfortable vehicle. With heated and cooled front seats – with massage function built in – it’s a good long-distance cruiser with plenty of room for the family and all their luggage needs. Any downsides? I think only the confusion every time you park next to a Discovery or a Range Rover and realise you don’t quite know what you’ve bought. But I think that confusion would vanish as soon as you sat behind the wheel. The comfort and quality really are everywhere and it’s a genuinely nice car to drive. I wonder if my opinion will change when I review the big daddy from the Land Rover garage? 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

A llook ook aahead head tto o2 2020 020 iin nC Cheltenham heltenham cult American band Jimmy Eat World set to star. After their ‘15th Birthday’ celebrations last year, Wychwood Festival will return to the Racecourse in May. Other big names to already announce shows in Cheltenham include Marc Almond and Heather Small, who will headline an 80s themed gig at the Jonny Rocks Stadium in May.

As we head into the ‘roaring twenties’, Cheltenham is looking to once again set the benchmark as one of the go-to towns in the country when it comes to events. There will be something for everyone this year, so we’ve put together a preview of the best things to see and do in Cheltenham throughout 2020.

Festivals F estivals Gloucestershire is known for its abundance of festivals and Cheltenham is at the heart of that calendar. Alongside the week-long horse racing event that is the Cheltenham Festival, are of course the four stalwarts of the festival season – the Jazz, Science, Music and Literature Festivals. First up in May is the Jazz Festival, curated again this year by the legendary Gregory Porter.

The Literature Festival is one of the town’s staple events

June and July bring the Science and Music festivals respectively, and the Literature Festival – which last year celebrated its 70th anniversary – will be in October.

Music Music 2000Trees Festival have announced their first headliner for the three-day event in July, with

Film Film Review Review – Joe Joe K Kennett ennett

Stage S tage The Bacon Theatre welcomes Opera Anywhere and Immersion Theatre for live adaptations, and will also be regularly screening National Theatre Broadcasts. There’s plenty on at the Cheltenham Playhouse too, including the much anticipated return to stage of George Logan, also known as Dr Evadne Hinge, in ‘The Dowager’s Oyster’. Full story online.

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In the second Frozen instalment, Elsa (Idina Menzel), Anna (Kristen Bell), Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) and Olaf (Josh Gad) journey to an enchanted forest in a quest to find the origin of Elsa’s icy powers, following a mysterious voice that calls out to her. While it’s hard to beat the plot twist of Hans’ villainy of the first film, the sequel’s plot packs in enough of a punch to keep children and adults alike on their toes. Directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee return along with the majority of the first film’s creative team, which is most likely what keeps the original flame (or snowflake, in this case) alive. In short – Frozenmania has returned. ‘Frozen II’ stands tall as one of Disney’s greatest sequel successes. Could it be that the franchise powers that be have mastered the sequel? Full review online.

by Aeham Ahmad In 2013, a video was posted on YouTube of Aeham Ahmad playing the piano in the ruins of Yarmouk, a suburb of Damascus. This is the story of Aeham’s life. His father was a talented violinist and carpenter who was totally blind, and his family had a renowned music shop. Aeham showed great musical ability and won a place at the prestigious music academy in Homs. Then the bombing began. The family like many others lose everything. Ae h a m p u s h e s a p i a n o o u t o n t o t h e s t r e e t s t o escape from the misery, and surrounded by children and neighbours, he plays to them. There is no food and life is unbearable but still he continues to play. The story is heart wrenching but the power of music shines through. Full review online.

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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

Promenade Promenade Productions Productions ready ready for for p panto anto Cheltenham amateur theatre company Promenade Productions will be bringing their annual pantomime to the stage this month. Promenade Productions was founded in 1984 after a group of Cheltenham locals – Richard Sharpe, Anne Emery, Catherine Newman and John and Gill Pannett – got together to produce ‘Oklahoma’. Since then, the society has grown and now boasts almost 100 members. “We started off performing at Shaftesbury Hall, which is now a block of flats,” said Chairman John Pannett. Promenade Productions now perform pantomimes at the Bacon Theatre in January, and a musical in the summer at the Cheltenham Playhouse – this year they will be staging ‘Chicago’ in July.

Promenade Productions’ 2019 pantomime ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’

2019 saw them perform ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ in January, followed by the Stephen Sondheim musical ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’. “We like doing our panto in January,” continued John, “because it’s the time of year when it can be a bit slow and flat, and people want to see a

show to brighten it up. The pantomime is always a very popular show, tickets sell out quickly.” This year the group will be producing their take on ‘Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates’. The pantomime will be directed and choreographed by Heather M Newman and will have an onstage cast of over 40. “It’s a traditional family pantomime,” said John, “with plenty of audience participation. “It’s the classic story of Robinson Crusoe but with the addition of pirates, which the kids will love.” For tickets to see ‘Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates’ visit promenadeproductions.co.uk or call Showcase on 01242 224144. Full story online.

Jazzy Jazzy Heath Heath discusses discusses her her new new album album Jazzy Heath has had a year she won’t forget. A graduate from the University of Gloucestershire, the singer-songwriter did what some people only dream of doing – uprooting her life and moving to Japan in January 2019. In that time Jazzy has experienced all the country has to offer, from the food and drink to the sights and, of course, karaoke. She has also spent the time in Tokyo working on her new album ‘World Of My Own’, which was released at the end of December. “I spent so much time creating it and then double that time releasing it, so it’s safe to say that my album means a lot to me,” said Jazzy. “This album is like my child,

The cover of ‘World Of My Own’

my pride and joy. It’s been my entire world for the last year and a half and it’s been one of my main motivators.” Jazzy began writing and recording the album whilst living in the UK. The album was finished a week before she flew out to Japan, but Jazzy admits she took her time over the release.

“I spent just over six months creating, writing, producing and overall making the album, but releasing it has taken nearly a year! “I want people to think of this album as like my biography but in the form of music. “It touches on subjects like my passion for animal rights and saving the planet, and my deeper personality. There are also themes about simply being a tough cookie.” The album title and artwork, says Jazzy, is inspired by Alice in Wonderland, one of her favourite stories. The album was officially released on Monday 23rd December, with Jazzy releasing live versions of her songs on her YouTube channel in the build-up. Full story online.

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What W hat s O On n T The he L Local ocal A Answer nswer Event Event L Listings istings a are re ccompiled ompiled and and presented presented 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 your your visit. visit. EEVERY VERY TUESDAY TUESDAY ARGENTINE TANGO BEGINNERS DANCE CLASS Starting Tuesday 7th January, weekly classes starting at 7.30pm. Have fun, keep fit and meet new friends, no partner needed. £6 per class. St. Mark’s CofE Junior School, Robert Burns Avenue, Cheltenham, GL51 6NU. 07941218535. www.tangocheltenham.dance UNTIL U NTIL 12 12 JANUARY JANUARY CINDERELLLA A Polish your pumpkins, dust off your gowns and grab your glass slippers to join our biggest ever family-friendly pantomime! Cinderella features the hilarious return of Tweedy as Buttons, Cinderella’s best friend in this rags to riches tale. Will Cinders get to the Ball? Will she find her Prince Charming or will the Ugly Sisters ruin the day? Various dates and times – for details: www.everymantheatre.org.uk The Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ. 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, u-5s free. The Wilson Art Gallery & Museum, Clarence Street, Cheltenham GL50 3JT.

3300 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER – 4 JJANUARY ANUARY ALADDIN

Get ready to journey with us to the exotic Far East for an adventure like no other, in our 2019 family pantomime, Aladdin! Complete with all of the magic and sparkle audiences have come to expect from a Roses pantomime, we’ll transport you this Christmas to an exotic world of music, mayhem and pure escapism. Tickets £15-£25. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL50 5NX. Full details at www.rosestheatre.org 30 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER – 5 JJANUARY ANUARY 30 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 31 DECEMBER DECEMBER – 3 JJANUARY ANUARY 31 CHRISTMAS CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES AT NATURE IN ART Encourage your children’s creativity with a range of art sessions including Firework Salt Painting and mosaics. 10.30am-4pm. £6, pre-booking

required. Nature in Art, Wallsworth Hall, Sandhurst, GL2 9PA. www.discoveryzone.org.uk 2-12 2-12 JANUARY JANUARY CHRISTMAS CARDS AND STAMP RECYCLING Save those Christmas cards for recycling and all your used stamps, and bring them along to medical charity Cobalt at Linton House, Thirlestaine Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7AS. Don’tt forget we accept greetings cards all year round! 4 JANUARY JANUARY BROADCAST: ANDRE 70 YEARS YOUNG This New Year’s cinema event celebrates maestro André Rieu’s 70th birthday, looking back at his most spectacular performances throughout his career from all over the world – remastered exclusively for cinema audiences. Special surprise guests will also join the celebration by sharing their birthday messages! 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk NEW YEAR STRAUSS GALA Fast becoming an annual favourite, the New Year Strauss Gala returns once more to celebrate the arrival of 2020 with an uplifting selection of waltzes, marches and arias by Strauss and his contemporaries. Performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra under conductor Marta Gardolińska. 7.30pm. £13.50-£33.50. Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham GL50 1QA. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk

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

Win tickets to see ‘Hansel and Gretel’ at the Bacon Theatre on Sunday 23rd February at 3pm! Enter the fairy tale world of Engelbert Humperdinks’ Hansel and Gretel and experience the joy of this well-loved story through the magic of opera. Sung in English, Opera Anywhere’s spell-binding new production of this wonderfully lyrical yarn follows Hansel and Gretel as they tread an increasingly treacherous path into the unknown. In their search for food, all sorts of surprises are in store. Tickets cost £17 (£15), £8 for under 18s and £5 for under 12s, and can be booked online at www.bacontheatre.co.uk or by calling the box office on 01242 258002. To enter our draw to win a pair of tickets, send your name, address and telephone number to ‘Hansel and Gretel’, The Local Answer, Unit H, Churchill Industrial Estate, Churchill Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, GL53 7EG. Alternatively, you can enter online by visiting www.thelocalanswer.co.uk and clicking the ‘Competitions’ tab. 2 th J anuary 2 020. C losing d ate: S unday 1 Closing date: Sunday 12th January 2020. 9 JANUARY JANUARY OBJECT TALK: THE TENNIS PARTY BY CHARLES MARCH GERE Curator Kirsty Hartsiotis will be talking about The Tennis Party, a painting by Arts and Crafts Movement artist, Charles March Gere. The talk lasts about half an hour, and then there will be a chance to ask questions. 1pm. £3-£5. The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum, Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3JT. www.cheltenhammuseum.org.uk 1111 JANUARY JANUARY – 2299 FFEBRUARY EBRUARY SNOWDROP SPECTACULAR

Enjoy some fresh air as you stroll through the unique Painswick Rococo Garden set in a beautiful hidden valley. Our famous display of snowdrops which carpet steep banks and woodland glades is a sure sign

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that spring is on its way. Open daily from 10.30am-5pm. For ticket prices and blooming updates visit rococogarden.org.uk. 1166 JANUARY JANUARY STEPHEN K AMOS: EVERYMAN

8-10pm. £18. Gloucester Guildhall, 23 Eastgate Street, GL1 1NS. www.gloucesterguildhall.co.uk 116-19 6-19 JANUARY JANUARY ROBINSON CRUSOE AND THE PIRATES

Best known for his appearances on TV shows ‘Mock the Week’ and ‘Live at the Apollo’, Stephen K Amos is on a mission to bring about world peace one venue at a time, with hilarious anecdotes and takes on everyday life.

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

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The Local Answer

1188 JANUARY JANUARY BEETHOVEN CELEBRATION CONCERT Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra perform the Coriolan Overture, Triple Concerto and Seventh Symphony, with conductor and pianist, Alissa Firsova, violinist Daniel Rowlan and cellist Anatole Liebermann. Part of the Beethoven 250th birthday celebrations. 7.30pm. £5-£17. Pittville Pump Rooms, East Approach Drive, Cheltenham, GL52 3JE. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk 222-25 2-25 JANUARY JANUARY THE CROFT In this bold and haunting new play, directed by award-winning director Philip Franks and starring national treasure Gwen Taylor, the present interweaves with the past as ancient tales surface. £19-£28. Everyman, 7-10 Regent St, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ. www.everymantheatre.org.uk 2244 & 25 25 JJANUARY ANUARY THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Rain or Shine Theatre present their fast paced, comic retelling of the classic tale The Wind in the Willows. The Irving Studio Theatre, Everyman Theatre, 7 - 10 Regent St, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ. £11.50. www.rainorshine.co.uk

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224-26 4-26 JANUARY JANUARY CAJUN AND ZYDECO FESTIVAL Back for its 27th year, featuring live performances from Sheryl & Russell Cormier, R.Cajun & The Zydeco Brothers, John Que Saute and The Bearcats Trio. £25-£70. Gloucester Guildhall, 23 Eastgate Street, GL1 1NS. www.gloucesterguildhall.co.uk 2255 JANUARY JANUARY THE TINA TURNER AND ARETHA FRANKLIN STORY

A spectacular double bill celebrating the music and life stories of two of the world’s most iconic female superstars. Both shows feature Cleopatra Higgins, a UK and US top 5 artist, who has also starred in London’s West End in hit show ‘Thriller Live’. Cleopatra delivers

To advertise call 01242 510500

these timeless songs with raw passion and endless energy. 7.30pm. £22 (£20). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 26 JANUARY JANUARY 26 NATIONAL THEATRE: ALL MY SONS Despite hard choices and even harder knocks, Joe and Kate Keller are a success story. They have built a home, raised two sons and established a thriving business. But nothing lasts forever and their contented lives, already shadowed by the loss of their eldest boy to war, are about to shatter. With the return of a figure from the past, long buried truths are forced to the surface. 3pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 29 29 JANUARY JANUARY CHEESE AND WINE TASTING AT CHURCHILL RETIREMENT LIVING Come and enjoy a special cheese and wine tasting event at Churchill Retirement Living’s brand new Lewis Carroll Lodge in the heart of Cheltenham. A warm welcome awaits at 2pm on Wednesday 29th January. Call 01242 802 839 or visit churchillretirement.co.uk to find out more.

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2299 JANUARY JANUARY FILM: ‘LUCIAN FREUD – A SELF PORTRAIT’ AT CHAPEL ARTS

A compelling film giving an insight into the fifty or more self-portraits painted over 64 years by Lucian Freud. Wednesday 29th January. 7pm. £7 in advance, £9 on the door, £5 NUS. www.thechapelarts.com 3311 JANUARY JANUARY KING GEORGE V IN THE GREAT WAR

Join us for a talk by Alexandra Churchill, author of ‘George V in The Great War’ in the Lecture Theatre at the RAU, Cirencester. 6.30pm for 7pm. Talk, fork supper and wine for £25. For tickets apply to ABF The Soldiers Charity, Bulford Office (Suzanne Hollis), 01980 672337 or shollis@soldierscharity.org 3311 JANUARY JANUARY – 8 FFEBRUARY EBRUARY GOODNIGHT MR TOM Cheltenham Operatic and Dramatic Society presents one of the most uplifting stories ever written. Set during the dark and dangerous build up to the Second World War, follow sad young William Beech as he is evacuated to the idyllic countryside where he builds a moving friendship with the elderly recluse Tom Oakley and his dog Sammy. £10-£15. Cheltenham Playhouse, 47-53 Bath Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7HG. www.cheltplayhouse.org.uk. 1 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY TRUE BELIEVERS COMIC FESTIVAL 2020 The True Believers Comic Festival returns for its sixth year with a great selection of comic book creators, artists and traders set to feature. £8 in advance, £10 on the door. Jurys Inn, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, GL51 0TS. www.oktrubelievers.com

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4-27 4-27 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY SEEN IN THE SHIRE

A series of photos inspired by the natural landscapes and wildlife of Gloucestershire by Lesley Andrew who has lived and worked in the county for the last 30 years. 9am-5pm. Gloucester Guildhall, 23 Eastgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1NS. www.gloucesterguildhall.co.uk 33-9 -9 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY CORAL WORLD GRAND PRIX

Featuring 32 of the biggest names in world snooker and with a total prize fund of £375,000, the Coral World Grand Prix returns to Cheltenham. Last year the final saw Judd Trump beat Ali Carter to claim the trophy, with Ronnie O’Sullivan winning the 2018 event. Various packages are on offer ranging from £10-£250. The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury, Cheltenham, GL50 4SH. www.thejockeyclub.co.uk 66-8 -8 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY JANE AUSTEN AND THE CHELTONIANS What really happened when Jane Austen visited Cheltenham in May 1816? In this new comedy the truth is revealed. Emboldened by the success of her latest novel, Jane conjures-up her literary muse Emma Woodhouse to help her write her next novel ‘The Cheltonians’, in which surely nothing can go wrong? Complications follow as love letters go astray, émigrés arrive and Emma finds herself the attention of a young army officer. £10£11.50. The Irving Studio Theatre, Everyman Theatre, 7 - 10 Regent St, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ. www.everymantheatre.org.uk

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12 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 12 THE BANFF FILM FESTIVAL

Embark on a thrilling night of adventure with a brand-new collection of short films from the world’s most prestigious mountain film festival! The Banff Mountain Film Festival joins the world’s best adventure film-makers and explorers as they push themselves to the limits in the most remote and stunning corners of the globe. 7.30pm. £13.50£15. Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham GL50 1QA. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk 19 19 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY AN EVENING WITH IOLO WILLIAMS Springwatch presenter, naturalist, broadcaster, public speaker and writer Iolo Williams has worked in conservation for over 30 years. This talk is in partnership with the Gloucestershire Raptor Monitoring Group, and Iolo will share his knowledge and experiences of this group of birds and the 21st century challenges they face. 7.30pm. £15. Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham GL50 1QA. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk 2233 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY OPERA ANYWHERE: HANSEL AND GRETEL Enter the fairy tale world of Engelbert Humperdinks’s Hansel and Gretel and experience the joy of this well-loved story through the magic of opera. Sung in English, Opera Anywhere’s spell-binding new production of this wonderfully lyrical yarn follows Hansel and Gretel as they tread an increasingly treacherous path into the unknown. In their search for food, all sorts of surprises are in store. The question is, do you dare join them as they head into the deepest, darkest forest...? 3pm. £17 (£15, under 18s £8, under 12s £5). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk

The Local Answer

K Charlton Charlton Kings Kings Pa Parish rish C Council ouncil C Vinyl Records

WANTED

LOCAL L OCAL B BUYER UYER P PAYS AYS CASH FOR YOUR C ASH F OR Y OUR UNWANTED U NWANTED RECORDS R ECORDS Most LPs, EPs & singles from the 1960s/70s/80s/90s in good condition considered. Especially wanted are large or small collections of Heavy Rock, Psych & Prog Rock, Punk, 90s Britpop, Jazz and Soul. Cash paid at the time of collection. e-mail: e -mail: v vinyl@willowpitch.co.uk inyl@willowpitch.co.uk 01242 0 1242 7 702947 02947 o orr 0 07785 7785 5 515987 15987

We W e ccare are a about bout tthe he e environment nvironment Precision Precision C Colour olour Printing Printing L Ltd td (our (our p printer) rinter) are are proud proud tto o be be a Forest Forest S Stewardtewardsship hip Council Council (FSC) (FSC) ccertificate ertificate h holder, older, a and nd T The he L Local ocal Answer Answer is is proud proud tto o have have this this p publication ublication printed printed on on p paper aper ccompliant ompliant with with F FSC SC d demands emands tto o ssupport upport e environmentally nvironmentally a appropriate, p p r o p r i a t e, ssocially ocially b beneficial, eneficial, and and e economconomiically cally vviable iable management management o off tthe he w world’s orld’s fforests. orests.

A ffully-recyclable ully-recyclable p product roduct As As well well as as tthe he p paper, aper, tthe he inks inks and and vvarnishes arnishes used used iin n producing producing T The he LLocal ocal A Answer nswer a are re b biodegradable. i o d e g r a d a b l e. T The he p process rocess u used sed b byy rrecycling ecycling companies companies to to extract extract iinks nks and and coatings coatings including including UV UV varnishes varnishes from from the the paper paper render render tthe he p paper aper suitable suitable for for pulping pulping a and nd recycling. recycling. The Local Answer

The bright bright future future for for The an ew Kings Kings Hall Hall new To some, it must seem like only yesterday that a dedicated band of Charltonians raised lots of money to build a brand-new community facility. The Kings Hall has given many years of service, but we now need to develop a worthy successor for the next 100 years. The Parish Council has been working with our architect to design a state-of-the-art new building that will give us maximum flexibility to provide services to our whole community. At its heart is a commitment to provide a home for the widest range of users; from youth club to rugby tykes, and business meetings to silver band.

G Get et iinvolved nvolved with with the the new new ccommunity ommunity b building uilding The next and most important phase is to consult with current users of both the Kings and Stanton Halls to ensure that their needs will be met by the new building. We also want to engage with our whole community and encourage potential users. We have invited existing users to a meeting in the Stanton Hall on the morning of Saturday 11th January, and in the afternoon there will be an open meeting for anyone who would like to contribute to how our new community building is rejuvenated for the 21st century.

Dates of January public meetings Mondays in the Stanton Hall Planning: 6th and 20th at 7.30pm Full Council: 27th at 7pm Clerk Clerk – JJoanna oanna N Noles oles (01242 (01242 250087) 250087) Clerk@charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uk www.charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uk @CkParish

To advertise call 01242 510500

Charlton Kings Parish Council Page 

As we welcome in the new decade, we wanted to reflect on what was an extremely busy and very positive year for all of us here at The Local Answer, and look ahead to an exciting new year. 2019 marked our 10th Anniversary, which we celebrated with friends, family, cclients lients and and ccontributors ontributors on on a g lorious d ay a the CheltenCheltenglorious day att the h am Cricket Cricket Festival Festival in in July. July. ham W e w ere jjoined oined by by o ver We were over uests, and and thanks thanks to to 100 g 100 guests, of g enerous d onaplenty of plenty generous donaeh eld a raffle raffle full full of of tions w tions we held rizes which which rraised aised great p great prizes £1,000 ffor or o ur over £1,000 over our Cobalt. selected Ch ear, Cobalt. arity of of the the Y Charity Year, this year year has has been been a Working with with C obalt this Working Cobalt pleasure and and a real real highlight. highlight. pleasure their base base at at Linton Linton we vvisited isited their In S eptember, we In September, behind their their House, to to meet meet the the volunteers volunteers behind House, ‘The Big Big Sort’ Sort’ is is card upcycling upcycling sscheme. cheme. ‘The card from Thursday Thursday 2nd 2nd tto o underway for for 2 020 from underway 2020 so instead instead of of throwing throwing Sunday 112th 2th January, January, so Sunday cards, why why not not a way any any u nwanted Christmas Christmas cards, away unwanted them for for a good good cause? cause? p op a round and and d onate them pop around donate n the the fundraising fundraising side, s i d e, O On and her her boyfriend boyfriend L ois and Lois ran the the 10k 10k CheltenCheltenJJack ack ran Challenge in in June June h am Challenge ham managed to to raise raise over over a nd managed and between them them – a £ 1,300 between £1,300 achievement that that g reat achievement great the blood, blood, sweat sweat made the made tears of of ttraining raining and tears and worthwhile! worthwhile! Our annual tombola at Gloucester Gloucester Day Day at also brought brought in in just just also over £400, £400, meaning meaning over the total total raised raised for for the Cobalt in in 2019 2019 was was a Cobalt whopping £2,750 £2,750 – whopping thanks tto oe veryone thanks everyone who contributed! contributed! who

2019 Revi e a ran o ur TLA C harity G iveaway – We W also lso ran our Charity Giveaway asking our our rreaders eaders to to nominate nominate charities charities and and asking non-profit organisations organisations based based iin nG loucesternon-profit Gloucestershire tto o be be in in with with a chance chance of of w inning £2,000. £2,000. shire winning It’s fair fair tto o say say you you rresponded, esponded, with with over over 11,200 ,200 It’s nominations for for 223 223 different different organisations, organisations, nominations highlighting jjust ust how how many many great great ccharities harities and and highlighting good causes causes there there are are throughout throughout the the county. county. good In tthe he e nd tthe he m oney was was won won b ames In end money byy JJames Hopkins T rust, a Gloucester-based Gloucester-based ccharity harity that that Hopkins Trust, supports cchildren hildren with with life-limiting life-limiting and and lifelifesupports threatening conditions, conditions, and and ttheir heir families, families, threatening across Gloucestershire. Gloucestershire. across ig tthanks hanks here here h as to to g o tto oS herbornes Ab big has go Sherbornes Solicitors, Café Café R ené, Albany Albany Windows Windows a nd Solicitors, René, and Gloucester Carpet Carpet Outlet, Outlet, w hose a mazing Gloucester whose amazing donations made made the the giveaway giveaway possible. possible. donations We’ve h ad ssome ome lovely lovely interactions interactions w ith o ur We’ve had with our readers tthroughout hroughout the the yyear, ear, not not least least w ith our our readers with photography competition. competition. photography Each yyear ear we we p ut o ut Each put out all ffor or p hotos from from a ccall photos readers to to ffeature eature o n readers on our front front ccover, over, a nd our and every time time yyou ou manage manage every o ssurprise urprise a nd delight delight tto and with ssome ome sstunning tunning u uss with original p hotographs. original photographs. Sorting tthrough hrough and and Sorting choosing tthe he best best choosing e ntries iiss a lways one one of the more difficult, but entries always e njoyable jjobs. nj obs. enjoyable B ehind the the sscenes cenes w e’ve m ade ssome ome m ajor Behind we’ve made major d evelopments, e specially o no ur w ebsite. developments, especially on our website.

iew & 2020 Vision ew B usiness D irectory – e’ve introduced introduced a n W We’ve new Business Directory guide for for you you to to fi nd tthe he sservice ervice a n easy-to-use easy-to-use guide an find equire. We’ve We’ve a lso launched launched o usiness you you rrequire. orr b business also n ssection ection – a cost-effective cost-effective o ur o nline W hat’s O our online What’s On roups tto oa dvertise ttheir heir e vents. w ay ffor or llocal ocal g way groups advertise events. M ore recently recently we we More iintroduced ntroduced o ur b randour brandn new ew online online C Competitions ompetitions page, which which has has already already page, seen some some top top prizes prizes seen on o ffer. M ake ssure ure tto o on offer. Make h ead tto o our our w ebsite ffor or head website a cchance hance to to w win in Sunday Sunday uV in amongst amongst other other Lunch for four fou ur at Hotel Hotel d du Vin great experiences. experiences. great On the the magazine magazine front, front, it’s it’s estimated we ’ve v On we’ve put out out over over 2.16 2.16 million million copies copie in put 2019 alone alone – testament testament to to o 2019 our hard-working distribution distribution team. team hard-working We’re proud proud that that every every single sing We’re one o those copies copies is is 100% 100 one off those recyclable and, and, along along with with our recyclable printer Precision Precision Colour Colour Printing Printing Limited, we are printer committed tto o producing producing the the best best quality quality committed m agazine p ossible e very m onth. magazine possible every month.

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Thanks to all our readers, advertisers and staff for a great year – here’s to the next 10!

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Dave Dave Kingscott Kingscott Managing Managing D Director irector

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GRASS

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The Local Answer

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0 07572 7572 3 389186 89186

01242 01242 895268 895268 / 0 01452 1452 4 447007 47007 / 07925 0 75415 754157 7 rob@allaboutbuild.co.uk rob@allaboutbuild.co.uk

W WE EB BUILD UILD T THINGS HINGS T THAT HAT L LAST AST

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Free Free Roof Roof Inspection Inspection

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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Very V ery C Competitive ompetitive R Rates ates ffor or Bathroom Bathroom & Kitchen Kitchen fitting fitting

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RS Cladding Ltd ooffer ffer home home owners owners quality uuPVC PVC ffascias, ascias, ssoffits, offits, gguttering, uttering, nd cladding cladding in in a choice choice of of colours colours (white, downpipes downpipes aand (white, rosewood, rosewood, oak oak or or black). black). TThey’re hey’re virtually virtually maintenance -free aand nd will will never need to be repainted. All oour ur products products are guaranteed for 10 years ffor or peace peace of of mind. mind.

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The Local Answer

Leckhampton

All Work All Work Fully Fully Guaranteed Guaraanteed • Specialise Specialise in in EDM EDM rubber rubber roofs roofs • New New Roofs Roofs GG.R.P .R.P Fibreglass Fibreglass • Certified Certified CCURE URE IT IT IInstallers nstallers • Roof Roof Cleaning Cleaning & CCoating oating • RRoof oof & Chimney Chimney Repairs Repairs • Slate Slate Repairs Repairs • DDry ry Verges Verges • FFlat lat Roof Roof RRepairs epairs • uPVC uPVC • FFascias, ascias, SSoffits offits & Guttering Guttering • uuPVC PVVC RRepairs epairs • PPainting ainting & Decorating Decorating

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Plastering Services

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Property Maintenance

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B BA AR RT T HO HORP BUILDING Renovations

CLIFFORD SERVICES

Roofing & Loft conversions

All w work ork iiss All Carried out to the highest standards Performed by trained professionals Covered by public liability insurance No N o jjob ob ttoo oo ssmall mall For a FREE quote Call 0 01242 1242 6 693243 93243 / 0 07798 7798 5 585396 85396 E: info@swsplastering.co.uk www.swsplastering.co.uk www.swsplastering.co.uk

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Ask for Neville:

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Extensions Kitchens

Professional Bathrooms & Reliable ~ Quality workmanship ~ Free no-obligation quotations

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The Local Answer

THE

LOCAL

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No job too small –

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Tel Paul: 01242 462887 0790 9964 998 Prestbury Lodge, Prestbury, Cheltenham, GL52 5JE localh andymangl5@yahoo.co.uk

C CARE ARE C Construction onstruction

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• Take down, reductions, crown lifting & thinning, bracing FIREWOOD • Stump grinding • Tree and hedge planting • Hedge laying, trimming and reductions A LOAD • Site clearance & excavations

£60

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Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter

T: 01242 252637

Page 44

M: 07986 296680

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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G Grow row your your own own iin n2 2020 020 Happy New Year to all you gardeners. I hope you are enthused to get into the garden in 2020 and start to grow some f o od ! W it h inc reas ing c on cer n over the health of our planet, producing your own fruit and vegetables is set to become a popular trend. Usher in the New Year by sowing the first vegetable seeds of the season. If you haven’t grown anything before try some radishes – sow in rows 1cm deep and 15cm apart. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, thin to 2.5cm apart. They should be ready in 8-10 weeks. You can sow lettuces straight into the ground as long as you cover them with a cold-frame or some horticultural fleece if the weather gets cold. You can pick the leaves individually and let the plant keep on growing.

C Create reate n natural atural llooking ooking p pea ea ssticks ticks A useful thing to do now is to collect material for making pea sticks to support plants in your borders in the summer. Hazel

and birch twigs are the best ones to use. Pea sticks look much more natural than using readymade supports and can be bent and semi-snapped to create the desired shapes. Leave them tied up in bundles in a corner somewhere outside and put them in place early on in the season to enable the plants to grow through them for a natural look. Vines, ornamental and grape, need to be pruned now before the rising sap makes them bleed from any cuts. Prune last

year’s stems back to one or two buds. January is the right time to give wisteria its winter pruning. Cut back the whippy stems that have grown last year to two or three buds. This will create flowering ‘spurs’ to bloom in the summer. Do take care if you have to use ladders – make sure the bottom is secure on a flat surface and don’t lean over to make it unstable. If you have a vast wisteria that has gone beserk after being ignored for many years, it may pay to get in a specialist gardener who can get it back into some semblance of order and enable you to carry on with it yourself in future years.

Look Look after after your your ttrees rees during during ssnowy nowy w weather eather If we have heavy snowfall, take a broom and knock snow off evergreens or bare tree branches where the weight can break boughs. If paths are icy, sprinkle with sharp sand which you can brush up and use to improve drainage in the garden later on. Salt is not good for the garden so avoid if possible. The Local Answer

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CHOSEN C HOSEN LAWNMOWER LAWNMOWER SERVICES S ERVICES S SERVICING ERVICING & REPAIR REPAIR of of d domestic omestic lawnmowers lawnmowers Mower M ower collection collection and and delivery delivery For a reliable, friendly service please speak to Graham on

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From F rom a ass llittle ittle a ass ££350 350

◆

Telephone 07929 587751

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juliasmith-gardening@blueyonder.co.uk

leckhamptonfencing@outlook.com

07810 101857

COTSWOLLD CO COTSWOL D

or to leave a message call

0 01452 1452 7 731967 31967

TREE SERVICES TREE SERVICES & G GROUNDS ROUNDS M MAINTENANCE AINTENANCE Fully insured – ESTABLISHED 1995

FOR ALL YOUR GARDEN NEEDS

C Commercial ommercial Domestic &D omestic

For all your trees, hedges & shrubs

01242 609147 / 07771 685370

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Master Master Sheds Sheds Each structure is custom built to your own requirements – perhaps to fit a corner of the garden or a difficult location.

• Tree Work • Garden Design • Garden Maintenance • Turfing • Lawn Cutting • Hedge Trimming • Pond Work • Patios • Decking • Pergolas • Fencing • Sheds • Driveways Diploma in Horticulture ~ Established 1993

Free Quotes ~ Competitive Rates

01242 01242 713800 713800 / 07778 07778 340485 340485

w www.markclifford-landscapes.co.uk ww.markclifford-landscapes.co.uk

01452 314011 07831 762644

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Unit D, Sudmeadow Road, Hempsted, Gloucester GL2 5JA

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Gloucestershire

01242 529574 01242 5 29574 07595 880481 07595 8 80481 info@justfencingglos.co.uk

ffind ind us us on

The Local Answer

SIX SIX DOORS DOORS O ONLY NLY £ £449 449 professionally p rofessionally supplied supplied & fitted fitted

CHOOSE ANY SIX

In Incl clud udes es Han andle le s Hin inges es & VAT!

primed trade quality 4 or 6 panel doors, with a choice of brass or chrome handles available in 2 different designs.

A w i d e rang e of ha ndl e s pl u s ternal, external and professionally painted doors also available.

FREE FREE HOUSE HOUSE S URVEY SURVEY c call all today! today!

Please contact Justin on:

t: 01242 500283 m: 07974 309348 www.door-suppliers.co.uk

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HATHERLEY ATHERLEY HW H WORKTOPS W ORKTOPS LLTD TD Your Y our Local Local Worktop Worktop and and Kitchen Kitchen Specialists Specialists

A AW W

Fireplaces F ireplaces

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The Local Answer

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

N New ew year year – new new h home ome iinspiration nspiration At this time of the year I always enjoy making New Year’s resolutions, even if it’s sometimes hard to stick to them! The New Year is a good time for reflection and looking forward so, inspired by a quote I read recently from writer Sophie Dahl – “home is a place that makes me feel at peace” – I have been thinking about some key themes for our homes for 2020. Here are my thoughts.

M Mindfulness indfulness A wellness and mindfulness approach to life can be applied to our homes too. Take a fresh look at your living space and make it a calm and relaxing place to be. Having enough storage is key, but first make sure to declutter – the postChristmas period is always a good time for this. Edit your wardrobe, sort out your books, only keep toys your children play with, take unwanted toys, clothes, books, etc. to the charity shop or sell them on e-Bay. If it feels too daunting, there is plenty of advice out there to help you. I have a friend who is a wardrobe editor and it’s

amazing how neat and orderly your wardrobe looks after a session with her. My resolution is to sort out those piles of papers and magazines in my office – I’ve been planning to do it for the last three years!

Back B ack to to nature nature Create a connection with nature – a great antidote to our fastpaced, social media led lives. Think soothing textiles, touchme surfaces, earthy neutral palettes, botanicals and natural woods. With the current trend for all things natural, you can find lots of beautiful seagrass and natural-fibre baskets that really don’t cost too much. I was lucky enough to see the launch of fashion brand French Connection’s S/S 2020 home collection recently. It had such a lovely relaxed, natural vibe – I was particularly taken with the buttery leather sling-back chairs and soft colour-washed velvet cushions.

Original O riginal a and nd a authentic uthentic A yearning for the simple life is permeating current interiors trends too. Look out for original craftsmanship, hand-

Image: French Connection

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Image: French Connection

printed natural fabrics, ethnic inspired rugs and handcrafted ceramics. Use natural materials where you can – I always think they last longer, and they age better. A friend of mine made the top for his dining table from an original piece of old oak – it not only looks beautiful, but it makes a real statement too.

Av very ery p personal ersonal space space Your home should be a thoughtful collection of all the things you love. Surround yourself only with the things that make you happy. Invest in some open shelving for displaying your most loved possessions. Be inspired by travel, art and nature. Find your own personal style, re-decorate using colours that make you feel calm and peaceful. You too can create your own space where you really want to be. Now it’s time to hunker down under that soft wool throw you found in the sales, and delve into the Christmas book you can’t wait to start reading. Happy New Year! Page 4

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Pledge Pledge tto o sshop hop smaller smaller and and smarter smarter Instead of feeling guilty about it, think about what you can do to make sure you don’t feel the same way next year. Can you make a pledge to shop smaller and smarter this year? It’s January, a fresh start and a chance to be more careful

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and considered about where your money goes. Our high streets are becoming barer and barer as people turn to the internet for all their purchases. The smaller businesses, the real people, the crafters and the makers are being forced out in favour of massproduced, un-environmentally friendly and often unethically made products. I know I for one would rather all of my money go to the people that do all the hard work. For example, buying direct from your local florist instead of ordering from a company that takes up to 35% of the money you pay. Or buying your cakes from a local bakery or cake maker rather than a supermarket. Also, looking at our wardrobes, waste products are such an enormous issue for our planet. By buying into this ‘wear once’ fashion that looks great on the first wear but then ends up mis-shapen or holey, with fraying hems and coming apart seams, is what is causing a big problem because they To advertise call 01242 510500

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Support Support llocal ocal m makers akers and and crafters crafters Try to see if there are options that are closer to home, saving the milage on delivery. Support your local makers and crafters. It’s vital that we help these incredible skills and talents from dying out too. To be able to dedicate so much time to learning a craft to such a high level means that they need to sell products to be able to live. It can be so easy to buy into the consumerism of our current society with adverts for everything flying at you endlessly from all angles. Sometimes, buying something last minute is the only option, but I’m making a pledge this year to try to be more organised, to try to shop small, to try to support small business and, as this will inevitably be more expensive, to buy less but better quality. What will you pledge this year to help local businesses and, ultimately, our planet? Page 55

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

2 2020: 020: Gadgets Gadgets Galore Galore 2020 – the start of a new decade! And, as with any New Year, you’ll be feeling in the mood for a revamp; so, what better way to kick things off than by investing in some snazzy gizmos? With these glorious gadgets, you can have fun while you make some long-awaited changes to your life. Don’t fall into the same habit of binning your New Year’s resolutions by February – with these gizmos, you can stick to them and start the new decade on a high.

This version of Echo Dot also comes with an LED display that can show the time, outdoor temperature and timers, so you don’t miss a beat!

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Menkind.co.uk: £100 Perhaps one of your resolutions is to spend more time in the kitchen, expanding your cooking abilities? Or maybe you’re a novice when it comes to cooking and want to pick up a new skill? Either way, the Anova Nano Precision Cooker is your go-to gadget. No hob? No problem! This futuristic bit of tech from Menkind will literally save your bacon, as it operates as a port-able, programmable cooker, which can link up to your smartphone via Bluetooth or WiFi – fancy! And if that doesn’t sound techy enough for you, this device makes dinner-time even easier, as it only requires you to drop your bag-sealed food in a pot of water, before it cooks your food to a highly accurate degree. With additional features like IPX7 water resistance, a temperature range of 0°C to 92°C and a screen for time and temperature controls, the Anova Nano Precision Cooker means

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Jaybird Jaybird V Vista ista True True Wireless Wireless W Waterproof aterproof Bluetooth Bluetooth InInE Ear ar H Headphones eadphones John Lewis: £159.99 Tired of your pesky earbuds getting loose, or the wires becoming tangled when you exercise? Invest in these wireless earbuds to make your workout manageable again. Not only are they wireless, but they come with three sizes of interchangeable, silicone eargels, so you can adjust them to fit comfortably. And you don’t have to worry about running out of juice, as the Jaybird can keep at it for up to 6 hours, with a further 10 hours available thanks to the small portable charging case that's included. Just five minutes of charging results in an hour of perfect sound and by using only one earbud, you can expand your listening time to up to 32 hours. The Jaybird also has an IPX7 rating that repels sweat and moisture, and can be immersed in up to one metre of water. Page 61

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Spot S pot tthe he sscam cam They say that moving house and divorce are two of the most stressful things you can go through. But maybe there is a more modern activity that’s capable of rivalling both of these put together. Falling for a scam. Sadly, fraudsters are clever people. It’s a shame they don’t channel their abilities for the benefit of all of us, but they don’t. Instead they prey on the vulnerable, often the more elderly members of society living alone. And they are so convincing. Some fraudsters will try to infiltrate your computer systems. You try your best with virus protection, but often that’s not enough. Dealing with the outcome of that is stressful enough, but it’s nothing compared to the rogue phone calls designed to empty your bank account or take away your hard earned savings, on which you are relying in your later life. The initial call will generally suggest that the caller is from the police, telling you that you have been caught up in a fraud. You are offered the chance to check what you’re being told, by calling 999 or 101 with the details they have given you. The fraudster hasn’t hung up, of course, so when you make that call, you are straight back through to them. They go on to suggest that the only way in which they can catch the ‘criminals’ is to set them up by using money you have withdrawn from your savings accounts. You go to the bank or building society, draw out used notes and hand them over to the ‘policeman’ you’ve been talking to. It’s the last you’ll hear from them and the last you’ll see of your money. The fraudsters tell you that you mustn’t tell another soul. And that’s where a lot of the stress can come in. You desperately want to tell your nearest and dearest or check it out with someone else, and therefore put yourself through the anguish of whether to ignore ‘the policeman’s’ specific instruction. I think the banks and building societies have a greater role to play in ensuring that it’s not easy to withdraw large sums of cash unexpectedly. But it’s essentially down to you to protect yourself. Think about implementing safeguards on the withdrawal of money from your account. If you do feel the need to talk to these people, make the checking call back from a different phone. But best of all, put the phone down in the first place and just don’t get involved. H appy N ew Y ear! Happy New Year!

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IIndex ndex o off A Advertisers dvertisers W WHAT’S HAT’S ON ON EEVENTS VENTS & A ATTRACTIONS TTRACTIONS Bacon Theatre Painswick Rococo Garden The Jockey Club Catering

30 29 15

IINFORMATION NFORMATION Charlton Kings Parish Council Cotswold RDA NHS Gloucestershire

33 22 6-7

H HOLIDAYS OLIDAYS & TRAVEL TRAVEL JustGo! Holidays

H HEALTH EALTH & BEAUTY BEAUTY Cheltenham Bowen Centre Mobile Chiropodist Magical Touch Nineteen Beauty Studio Oakwell Health The Guild Hairdressing The Haven

8 8 8 8 10 8 8

P PROPERTY ROPERTY & STORAGE STORAGE Churchill Retirement Living

RETAIL R ETAIL Assured Mobility AW Fireplaces Debonair Formal Mens Hire Vinyl Records Wanted

12 48 10 33

H HOMES OMES & G GARDENS ARDENS BATHROOMS B ATHROOMS Lifestyle Bathrooms 53 Severn Vale Bathrooms 22 & 68 BUILDING SERVICES B UILDING S ERVICES A1 Roofing 41 All About Building & Roofing 39 Barthorp Building 42 BE Rudman 36 C&G Paving 36

Care Construction Cheltenham Town Building Eleven Builders Ltd Glos Build Home Care Roofing JHD Roofing & Building JTG Building Services Leckhampton Plastering Marshalls Driveways NKS Contracts Central Ltd Pave-Drive R Richards & Son RND Renovations RS Cladding & Roofing S.J. Lewis & Sons Simon Butler SWS Plastering

43 38 39 37 36 43 39 41 42 39 41 2 42 40 40 41 42

CARPENTRY C ARPENTRY Nick Burton Carpentry Red Ideas Three Piece Joinery Yard Bespoke Carpentry

52 52 52 52

ERVICES CLEANING SERVICES C LEANING S Bright and Beautiful Molly Maid Ovenbusters Ovenclean Regency Cleaners

54 54 54 54 54

SERVICES ERVICES EELECTRICAL LECTRICAL S Beacon Electrical Cleevely Electrics Cotswold Rewires Counttyy Electrical Itectric TJE Electrical Services

58 58 57 57 57 57

APPLIANCES FFURNISHING URNISHING & A PPLIANCES Bella’s Interiors Designex Cabinets Dream Doors

47 47 50

Spacemaster G ARDEN S ERVICES GARDEN SERVICES Cheltenham Town Landscaping Chosen Lawn Mower Services Cotswold Tree Services DBS Fencing David & Heather’s Services Grass Scape InXpensive Fencing Jameson Tree Surgery 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 HANDYMAN SERVICES H ANDYMAN S ERVICES Big Job Littttle Job Clifford Services Handy Hero for Hire John Wilson Maintenance The Local Handyman HEATING H EATING & PLUMBING PLUMBING Cheltenham Plumbers Cotswold Plumbers Dodd’s Plumbing & Heating Emergency Plumber Flametree Installations ID Godwin KB Female Plumber KITCHENS K ITCHENS Hatherley Worktops P PAINTING AINTING & DECORATING DECORATING Brian Mitten Flairline Decorating

48 43 46 46 44 44 38 44 46 46 46 44 44 46 46 46 44 44 44 39 42 38 40 43 57 56 56 57 57 56 56

Floods G.S.C Ltd Decorators Michelle Powell TCD Decorators Ltd Trevor Rogers

51 51 51 51 52

AERIAL TTV V&A ERIAL 1st Choice Aerials

WINDOWS, DOORS W INDOWS, D OORS &C CONSERVATORIES ONSERVATORIES AJ Windows 60 Albany Windows 14 & 67 BM Services 58 C&L Windows 58 & 59 Clearway Windows 63 Dimensions Garage Doors 41 Glevum Windows 64 Just Doors & Handles 47

PROFESSIONAL P ROFESSIONAL SERVICES SERVICES ACCOUNTANCY ACCOUNTANCY Andorran

AUCTIONEERS & V ALUERS AUCTIONEERS VALUERS Mallams

CARE S ERVICES CARE SERVICES Accolade Support and Care Barnwood Trust Thirlestaine Park

12 4 16

H OUSE & R UBBISH C LEARANCE HOUSE RUBBISH CLEARANCE Crown Clearance 58 M OTORING S ERVICES MOTORING SERVICES V Hub

P ET S ERVICES PET SERVICES Dragon Vets Charlton Kings

SERVICES REMOVAL SERVICES REMOVAL Little White Van Man

51 51

SKIP HIRE RECYCLING S KIP H IRE & R ECYCLING Stevens Recycling

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 December 2019 competitions and congratulations to the winners! Bacon Theatre – Daphne Jenkins, Janet Earl and Mrs L E Turner. TLA Photography – January 2020 Cover: Mark Ziles.

D L Q X K I E A G S Q Q P Q P O Q V O J D H C O

N H T K N N D K Y S E C K Q P D K K P Y X J H R

H I O I N V D R T H W R S A M G A K E P X V I T

L E A I T H N B O E Z Z N L E E U R C F I N D V

P J G T E U O J R N G K E K O P L Z A R T T E T

W E P L N O D A H K I K N B B P M N R E I C C W

B C M G T U K E Q A Q E I Q P H E N R E G C N F

P E G S V S O R U N H U P V E J N M T S L K A T

T W K T A S A M Q O W G L J J L E E U T F E V I

A X G M N V K J I M C E A R V D K B S Y M V D J

L I S O C S P A C L O P L R I M K Q P L R Z A E

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I S Q H A O A K F O F D T W W R I F T R O S E R

R G G C L E H E P O Y E Z M D Q W H F A S R V W

K U Z A R P T T N G R T B M A E T L G L V M L M

Q M L S Q C N O E H V M G M O R R A Y G X D Q S

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R D O W N H I L L L Y Y B I E Z R K D E S X B D

G D Y P M U J L N M J G Q B J X U J M A S K I G

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.

BOOKING BOOKING D DEADLINE EADLINE FFOR OR N NEXT EXT IISSUE SSUE – FFriday riday 110th 0th JJanuary anuary 22020 020 Page 66

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