Cheltenham by The Local Answer

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GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S BIGGEST LOCAL MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2020

CHELLTTENHAM WIN AFTERNOON TEA FOR TWO & MORE GREA ATT PRIZES – SEE INSIDE

R R S

R Richards & Son Ltd FA F AMIL LY Y BUSINESS

ROOFING & FASCIA BOARD SPECIALISTS Servviing Gloucestershire and beyond ◆

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

IInside nside tthis his m month onth ... ... Delicious Dish D elicious D ish Good, Great LLooking ooking G ood, FFeeling eeling G reat Mirror Mirror Wall M irror M irror oon n tthe he W all Medical Health M edical H ealth Parenting Guardianship P arenting & G uardianship Holidays H olidays & TTravel ravel EEducation ducation & EEmployment mployment Quick Crossword Q uick C rossword Motoring M otoring Sport LA S port TTLA Wildlife Matters W ildlife M atters P et C are Pet Care W hat’s O n What’s On TTLA LA EEntertainment ntertainment H omes & G ardens Homes Gardens S udoku Sudoku IIn n tthe he G arden Garden IInterior nterior D esign Design G adgets & G izmos Gadgets Gizmos S ave tthe he P lanet Save Planet Word Search Search Word Money Matters Matters Money Index, Competitions, Competitions, Solutions Solutions Index,

5 9 11 11 13 13 15 15 19 19 21 21 22 22 23 23 24-25 24-25 26 26 27 27 29 29 34-35 34-35 36 36 45 45 47 47 51 51 55 55 57 57 60 60 65 65 66 66

Competition C ompetition on on page page 32 32

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Telephone Telephone 01242 01242 510500 510500 @ @thelocalanswer thelocalanswer

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February’s winning cover photo: Emma Armstrong

W elcome Welcome tto o FFebruary ebruary It’s Valentine’s Day this month and our Delicious Dish is the perfect recipe to wow your partner for a romantic night in – or impress guests at an anti-Valentine’s dinner party! If you’re looking for ideas of how to keep your little ones occupied this February half term, it’s always worth checking our What’s On section both in print and online for great local events. We’re continuing our New Year sale on our online What’s On section, so if you have an event coming up that you’d like to attract more visitors to, be sure to get it listed sooner rather than later. For this month’s competitions, we’ve teamed up with Malmaison Cheltenham, Nineteen Beauty and Regency Cleaners. Head online to see the fabulous prizes on offer. Good luck! 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

Marketing M arketing

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

Spring into action! Boost the growth of your business this year with a promotional campaign in The Local Answer. We’ve helped hundreds of local companies grow their customer base, so why not let us help you? Getting your message in front of potential buyers is what we do best – we have the biggest audience in Gloucestershire by far! With print and digital packages to suit all budgets, we’d love to hear about your plans for 2020 and help you achieve them!

rrange yyour our m arketing ccampaign, To T oa arrange marketing ampaign, ccontact ontact C laudie o n0 1242 510500 510500 Claudie on 01242 or email email info@thelocalanswer.co.uk info@thelocalanswer.co.uk or

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M Mixed ixed berry berr y and and chocolate chocolate pavlova pavlova T his iis s tthe he p erfect sshowpiece howpiece tthat This perfect hat iiss ssure ure tto o iimpress mpress y our V your Valentine! alentine! IIngredients: ngredients: 4 medium egg whites; 225g caster sugar; 100g dark chocolate; 300ml double cream; 500g mixed berries – strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries, or you could use mixed fruit bags from the frozen aisle in your supermarket (defrosted and drained). Tinned fruit would also work but make sure it is drained well to stop the meringue going soggy. M Method: ethod: 1 Preheat the oven to 150°C (275°F/gas mark 1). 2 Line a baking sheet with greaseproof paper and draw a 23cm/9’’ circle onto it. I drew around my small frying pan. 3 Whisk the egg whites with an electric mixer until they form stiff peaks. Gradually whisk in the sugar 1tsp at a time, keeping the whisk going. Once all the sugar has been used, keep whisking for a couple more minutes until thick and glossy looking. 4 Spoon the mixture inside your circle and use a spoon to swirl it to the edges. Rough it up a little with the back of the spoon so it gives it a bit of texture. 5 Bake in the oven for about 1 hour 15 minutes until crisp on the outside. 6 Leave it to cool completely, still on the paper but on a wire rack. Wrap it loosely in greaseproof paper until you are ready to decorate it.

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7 Put the chocolate in a bowl and place it over a saucepan of simmering water (make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water) and stir until just melted. 8 Lift the pavlova off the paper and place on your choice of serving dish, then drizzle some of the chocolate over the top. Use the rest to make decorations by swirling the chocolate onto a piece of greaseproof paper. I made a couple of hearts by dipping the spoon in the chocolate and ‘drawing’ them with the spoon. Chill these for 20 minutes then carefully peel off by sliding a butter knife underneath. 9 Whip the cream until it forms soft swirls, spoon over the pavlova then decorate how you like with your chosen fruit and add your chocolate shapes to finish. If you don’t know what to do with your leftover egg yolks, check out our recipe online for a tasty vanilla pannacotta.

Looking L ooking for for a Great Great Day Day Out? Out? V Visit isit The The Wye Wye Valley Valley & F Forest orest of of Dean Dean

Ideal for Clubs, Clubs, Groups Groups & Societies Societies 202 2020 Gro Group up ‘Tour & Explore’ with Buffet Lunch & Discount Shopping Pac Packag kages es Wye Valley Cream Teas & Salmon Lunches, Out Out Now N o w ! Traditional Carvery Meals & Welsh Inspired Menus

w www.abbeymill.com ww.abbeymill.com E Email shelley@abbeymill.com mail s helley@abbeymill.com Open All Year T e l e p hone 0 1 29 1 6 8 92 28 ~ F or a brochure brochure q uote ‘‘2020 20 2 0 S pecial’ 7 Days a Week Telephone 01291 689228 For quote Special’ Abbey Mill, A bbey M ill, Wye Wye Valley, Valley, Tintern, Tintern, Monmouthshire Monmouthshire NP16 NP16 6SE 6SE Daily from 10.30am The Local Answer

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K Keep eep u up p tto o d ate o n date on ssocial ocial media! media! Local partner solicitors are donating their expertise and time to write a basic Will in return for a suggested donation to Cobalt. For further information visit our website www.cobalthealth.co.uk or call 01242 535922

Places are limited so make your appointment today!

tthehaven hehaven F FREE REE BROW BROW SHAPE SHAPE harlie with with every every C Charlie Locks facial facial in in February February Locks

FFacial acial £32 £32 until until 29th 29th February February 22020 020 182 182 C Cirencester irencester R Road, oad, C Charlton harlto on K Kings ings

@ @thelocalanswer thelocalanswer

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www.thehavencheltenham.co.uk

MOBILE CHIROPODIST Maria Ranieri Long M.S.S.Ch.

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Surger y available in Wa arden Hill, Cheltenham

01242 705828 / 07719 664020 Maria Ranieri Long is the trading name of Ranieri Long Limited

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

Program Program design design and and fitness fitness myths myths As the year progresses, your fitness needs change as your body adapts to the exercise stimulus you expose it to. For more experienced fitness enthusiasts, this can be addressed with switching up training, playing with work to rest and recovery ratios, or ramping up intensity/ duration. For beginner to intermediate types however, this next phase can be quite challenging, particularly for those who set themselves a big goal like losing weight, competing in a race or event, or joining a sports club.

S Sport-specific port-specific p programs rograms People often ask me for sportspecific drills, workouts or fitness programs. Unless you are an elite or professional athlete, you shouldn’t fool yourself into believing you need special training ‘specific’ to your sport. Of course, there are going to be differences in approach based on the energy system and physical or tactical demands of a sport or activity. However, those differences are not cause for a ‘sport specific’ program! Complete conditioning for sport or overall fitness must incorporate a multi-dimensional program; knowing this and following appropriate strategies will put you at an advantage. For example, a recreational netballer and a competitive amateur footballer both need speed, coordination and agility among other fitness components. Those components don’t require a ‘specific program’ – the job of the trainer or coach The Local Answer

is to develop better athletes who happen to play football or netball through applying a common sense, science-based approach to training. Focusing on fitness training and wellness, it doesn’t matter what sport(s) you play or activities you participate in, the training plan you use has to be based on the same Program Design fundamentals for people of different ages and genders: to improve speed, strength, flexibility, coordination and endurance. When it comes to your training program design specifics, there are three critical factors you or your trainer need to consider:

1 1.. U Understanding nderstanding your your o objectives bjectives What do you want to achieve? What is possible, safe, realistic? Do you really need to do one arm handstand push ups to improve your fitness?

2 2.. T Timing iming considerations considerations How long is an effective session?

How much time does it take when warm up, activity, cool down and recovery periods are all factored in?

3.. T 3 Training raining stimulus stimulus Ensuring that there is balance between push-pull exercises; upper body, lower body and core; mobility and flexibility; strength and endurance, etc. Designing your own or someone else’s training program is not easy. Not everyone can create training programs that are safe and effective – it is a skill that takes time and practice (as well as some mistakes!) to develop. If you don’t have access to a trainer or coach, there is no need to go online and download the “elite X program”. Rather, start with a blank sheet of paper, using the three factors above to guide you. By focusing on the fundamentals, you can keep building and improving your fitness and sport conditioning at a rate that suits your body and lifestyle.

To advertise call 01242 510500

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The Local Answer

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

Turn T urn back back time time I’m sure you’ve all heard Cher’s huge 80s hit ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’. I think most people if they could stop the clock from ageing would jump at the idea. Sadly, time stands still for no one, but in 2020 there are lots of ways we can look younger and slow the clock down with various home devices. In the past, the majority of this technology was only available in beauty salons or at expensive clinics. Nowadays, the market is full of all types of devices offering similar versions of results you might expect in salons. The results might not be quite as dramatic, but you are paying a fraction of the price. It’s great that they can be used by men as well, as the male grooming mark booming. The key achieving the best resul is you must be consisten in using your chose device. Most importantly follow all the instruction carefully – they are ther for good reason. What makes these devic even more affordable is t if you share with yo partner, it means tw results for the price of on

M Microneedling icroneedling This sounds painful bu actually it just feels a b prickly. The first time experimented my skin di turn rather pink, but ther was no harm done. It is an easy to use hom treatment that helps stimulate collagen pro uction, which of cou decreases as we age. The Local Answer

roller is covered in tiny stainless steel spikes. When you roll “gently” over the face it creates lots of tiny holes in the skin. The skin then repairs the damage from the spikes. It actually helps to strengthen your skin over time, and naturally allows skin care products to penetrate more deeply. There are many kinds of microneedlers available in all price ranges. One highly regarded but expensive one can be found for £249 at shop.beautybioscience.co.uk. The GloPRO® Microneedling Regeneration Tool uses LED red light therapy to give your skin a healthy glow and is said to be ‘youth-promoting’. Before you invest, why not go to a professional and see if or you? My advice always start very wly; less is more til you are comforble with any device.

Jade ade rrollers ollers ese rollers claim to mulate lymphatic nage at the same as increasing cirion, helping with er eye bags and erally giving the face neck a gentle ssage. pacenk.com has a sonably priced Hervore Jade Facial oller at £26. They ggest you put it in e fridge for an ded boost, then add w drops of facial oil great face massage. tbeauty.co.uk has White Lotus A Grade To advertise call 01242 510500

Jade Facial Roller at £36.99, as well as the Yu Ling Roller in medium (£22) and small (£18). The latter is tiny and designed to reach all the nooks and crannies around your eyes, which helps with puffiness and eye bags. These rollers are not as intense as Microneedling.

Face F ace ssheet heet masks masks For a quick boost to hydrate the skin, there are dozens of face sheet masks out there. Estée Lauder has a set of four for £64, which gives a double dose of their famed night repair serum. Boots has Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogrel Masks at a modest £3.50 each; best to apply when you are not expecting the door bell to ring! Enjoy experimenting with new tools this year. You never know, you may find 2020 is the year you are able to ‘turn back time’!

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

H Hair air ttoday, oday, gone gone tomorrow tomorrow Hair loss is something that can happen at any age, though we usually associate it with the aging process or post pregnancy for women. However, there are many other health conditions and situations where people experience hair loss, including Alopecia, side effects of medication, autoimmune diseases, stress and iron deficiency. Alopecia is hair loss caused by inflammation that usually causes small round patches of baldness on the scalp and can sometimes affect the whole body. This means eyelashes, eyebrows and body hair can all be lost. There is no way of knowing how much hair regrowth will occur. Some usually happens over the course of a year, although severe loss of over half of the hair often never fully recovers.

Many M any m medications edications ccan an ccause ause h air lloss oss hair Chemotherapy drugs are well known for the side effect of hair loss, however more common medications such as amphetamines, beta-blockers, antidepressants, birth control pills, blood thinners, HRT and steroids also have this effect.

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Autoimmune diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Lupus, Graves Disease and Hashimoto’s Disease have all been found to cause hair loss. As someone who suffers with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, I was lucky to not suffer too severely with this symptom. However, it has increased over the years through courses of steroids and I now get a brush full of hair each time, and handfuls when I wash it due to being a side effect of my current long-term medication to control my condition. I have adapted to this by only washing my hair twice a week and using the miracle of dry shampoo in-between. I also changed my beautiful bright red or purple hair to a brown with golden highlights Ombrè to limit the amount of hair dying I do, which causes more damage each time. Hair is often such a statement of someone’s personality and something they take pride in, particularly women. So, To advertise call 01242 510500

when it begins falling out in clumps, leaving bald patches, it can be very distressing and causes psychological problems. There are support groups for alopecia, as the irony of stress being a factor that can cause hair loss is that as soon as it starts you become more stressed about it and so it becomes worse.

How How to to limit limit or or cope cope with with hair hair loss loss To try and help hair loss, use a lightweight shampoo and conditioner, avoid tight hairstyles, eat a balanced diet and reduce stress as much as possible through mindfulness, relaxation and whatever works to keep you positive. If the hair loss is extreme and unavoidable there are stylish hair scarves and bands to create new looks, and wigs are so much more comfortable and realistic these days. Everyone loses up to 100 hairs per day, but if you lose significantly more or have noticeable bald patches, see your GP in case it’s an indicator of something more serious. Page 1

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

Doing D oing w what hat iis s rright ight for for you you How does your family deal with big events? I’m talking weddings, anniversaries, extended family gatherings, etc. Are you a party animal? Do you love surprises and chaos? Or do you prefer a low key life, with plenty of notice of impending events – so that you can plan your polite refusal and stay home to read a book? Living in a family of any age range means shifting from ‘Doing what I want’ into ‘Doing it for others’, and before you know it, all your own needs and values have gone out of the window. This can heavily impact family life.

H How ow ccan an y you ou k keep eep e everyone veryone h happy? appy? What’s more, if you have one extrovert parent and one introvert, plus a range of kids with various needs, how on earth can you possibly keep everyone happy and still be part of your wider community? By managing expectations and keeping the lines of communication wide open – that’s how!

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In our family, I am the ‘people person’: chatty, conversational and a real people pleaser. Dad on the other hand is introverted, shy, hates crowds and prefers his own company. The Boy, 21, is a born ‘helper’ and finds pleasure in helping everyone else have a good time – ‘Lift anyone?’ The Girl is 19 and a bed monkey. Happiest in her PJs, she loves little kids and hates late night drinking!

You You don’t don’t have have to to do do everything e verything ttogether ogether So, as you can imagine, extended family gatherings are a bit of a nightmare to coordinate. The one thing we always maintained was that everyone had a choice and we did not have to do everything together. When they were little, I encouraged my kids to find second families. They would spend time at friends’ houses where there was more fun and craziness, then they could come home to our quieter, calmer house, To advertise call 01242 510500

and bring friends over who needed what we had to offer. It takes some practice to push against familial expectations, but in time you find confidence and a deep sense of trust for those who allow you to be wholly yourself. In fact, nothing bonds a family more than overcoming disagreements or finding solutions to challenges together. In later years, any one of us was free to say ‘No thank you’ to invitations – and my partner missed a lot of family events when I took the kids alone. But it was not how ‘other people would feel’ or ‘what the grandparents might say’ which motivated our choices, it was always, what do we need most to feel OK?

H Have ave tthe he cconfidence onfidence tto o ssay ay ‘‘no’ no’ Now, four independent adults all have the confidence to say ‘no’, or indeed ‘yes’, even if no one agrees, and know we are safe, secure and most importantly, will have a good time! And after all, isn’t that what family is all about? Page 15

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As an individual member, winning an award two years running for commitment to the success and growth of the overall operation is no mean feat. But when the ‘parent’ company is the UK’s No1 in its ﬁeld, it’s a terriﬁc achievement! That’s exactly what franchisee Simon Herbert and his Gloucestershire Dream Doors team have been rewarded with for the quality work they have put in over the past two years. “A lot of hard work has gone into the business, so to receive recognition through the Managing the Margins award is brilliant,” said Simon, pictured right with his wife Charlene and the trophy at the annual Dream Doors conference.

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The franchise itself has been active in Gloucestershire for almost a decade now, with the team this year celebrating the second anniversary of the opening of their Stonehouse showroom. The success of the last few years is also reflected in the growth of the number of full-time staff, with the team increasing from two to six people. “When we started out two years ago, it was just myself and one fitter,” continued Simon. “That’s now grown to two full time fitters and three showroom staff – a result of great customer service and our fantastic showroom, which is as busy as ever!” Dream Doors pride themselves on being the UK’s best kitchen makeover company and have been presented with numerous awards over the years, including Best Kitchen Supplier and Best Money Saving Product at the Express Home and Living Awards. They are also the only kitchen makeover franchise that has showroom locations open 6 days a week, with over 90 showrooms up and down the country.

Simon stresses that the number one priority always remains the customer, and highlights the consistent positive customer feedback on Checkatrade.com as a source of huge satisfaction. He added: “The whole Dream Doors network is signed up to Checkatrade as an ongoing measure of quality, whilst giving our customers access to impartial testimonials from previous customers.

Numerous N umerous awards awards

“What makes us stand out is that our customers’ we put convenience ﬁrst – for example, when doing a kitchen makeover, we make sure you’re still able to use your oven whilst the work is ongoing. “We understand the importance of making sure you can still go about your day to day life, without the stress of turning your home into a worksite.” As well as providing outstanding kitchen makeovers and complete full kitchens, Dream Doors also

offer fitted wardrobes and bedroom furniture. All doors are made to measure so it doesn’t matter what size your current cabinets are or who originally supplied them, Dream Doors can make new ones to fit. They also supply and fit everything else you’re likely to need – from replacement worktops, sinks and taps, to appliances and flooring. With the new year still fresh, Simon and the team are looking forward to another busy year, supplying Gloucestershire with top quality products for kitchens and bedrooms. “We’re expecting to see further growth this year, partially with thanks to our growing base of extremely satisfied customers,” he said, “which has lead to increased customer referrals to friends and family. “Along with our commitment to helping people give a new lease of life to their old kitchen without the cost and upheaval of a complete new kitchen.”

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

Iceland Iceland – cchallenging hallenging superlatives superlatives ‘Be careful near the surf,’ implores our driver, Vignar at Reynisfjara’s black-sand beach on Iceland’s gale-blasted coast, ‘the sneaker waves are deadly.’ Minutes later, a careless selfietaker is overwhelmed before, soaked and very lucky, regaining his feet to escape Neptune’s ice water grasp. As Vignar explains, the waves, which epitomise the beauty and danger that go hand in hand in Iceland’s landscape, regularly drown the unwary.

ancient Þingvellir national park. And look out for the hardy little Icelandic horses – never call them ‘ponies’ – passed en route to Snaefellsnes’s snowy wonderland, pitch-dark lava tunnels and mighty Snæfellsjökull. You won’t miss it; it’s the classically-shaped stratovolcano that served as an entrance to the subterranean adventure by Jules Verne’s characters in ‘A Journey to the Centre of the Earth’.

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We’re south east of Reykjavik on Iceland’s Ring Road, on a four-day trip to Iceland’s iconic landmarks with locally-based Arctic Adventures. Today, it’s Reynisfjara, the fairy tale Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Jökulsárlón’s icebergstrewn Diamond Beach and Breiðamerkurjökull glacier’s icefields and balloon-tyred monster-buses. Another day, in another direction, we explore Iceland’s Golden Circle, the geothermal geysers of Haukadalur and

Our mid-March tour perfectly complemented time in Reykjavik. Was it a wimp’s alternative to self-drive? Definitely not; letting experienced locals wrestle with snow, ice and on vehicle-tipping wind Iceland’s challenging winter highways made perfect sense and we learned lots from our knowledgeable guides. Best of all, we enjoyed travelling without the tiringly intense concentration demanded by Iceland’s treacherous winter roads. And after each

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day’s adventures, we were still fresh enough to savour delicious lamb, ling and salmon specialities in cosy hotels such as Hofn’s Guesthouse Gerði. Finances allowing – given alcohol prices as eye-watering as Icelandic winds – look forward to a glass or two of local Brennivín schnapps as a well-deserved nightcap.

C City ity ssightseeing ightseeing in in R Reykjavik eykjavik Back in Reykjavik, prices are equally imposing, though bargains are there if you look. City sightseeing is rewarding too. Ranging from the sky-scraping neoclassical cathedral to fjordside Sun Voyager sculpture, you’ll easily fill several days. Whether with architecture or nature, singer Björk’s homeland constantly challenges superlatives. Everything you’ve heard is true – and more. Iceland is genuinely awesome and, like those sneaker waves, keeps delivering breathtaking surprises. Then, when you think you’ve seen it all, the dancing Northern Lights come out to mesmerise with a free nighttime show. It’s amazing! Page 1

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Working Working relationships relationships Being at work or school takes up a large percentage of our time, so getting along with our colleagues and peers is an advantage. However, not everyone is fortunate to have a great team or circle of friends, and this can make our working lives more of a challenge. Between colleagues, professional boundaries should be maintained. If someone oversteps these limits, action should be taken. Bullying and harassment can happen to anyone, at any stage of their professional life.

T There here a are re m many any fforms orms o off b bullying ullying According to Unison, the public service union, over 10% of employees have suffered harassment at work. Also, a survey carried out by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in 2012 identified bullying as a problem in 41% of organisations, and reported that 29% of people are bullied at work. Bullying can come in numerous forms, including verbal abuse such as name-calling, physical harm, emotional belittling or persistent criticism, sexual harassment, and gender or racial prejudice.

If you are having trouble with someone in your team or class, chat to a fellow colleague or classmate about it. It’s good to get some support, though make sure you’re not talking about the antagonist behind their back, as this is also bullying. When you have a dispute with someone, if you feel able to, talk to them about it to see if you can resolve your differences together.

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If you feel you cannot settle the disagreement on your own, then speak to your boss or a teacher about it. They may be able to offer a third-person perspective on the situation. For example, they may act as a ‘go-between’ in mediation, in which you can discuss the issue with the aggressor and have another person present to help referee so that you can reconcile the problem.

There is also cyber bullying , which has become a more common issue in recent years with the increase in social media sites and people posting personal stories online. The TUC found that 14-20% of employees said they had experienced cyber bullying on a weekly basis. The Local Answer

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Many M any ccharities harities offer offer ccounselling ounselling sservices ervices If the maltreatment is affecting your mental health or self-esteem, your workplace may have links to a counselling service, which you can speak to about your concerns. Similarly, if you are a pupil, your school or college may have a student counsellor whom you can talk to. Alternatively, there are many national charities offering counselling services, such as Mind and Relate, or for children, the NSPCC. When we chat to our coworkers and build and maintain friendly relationships, this can help us to get by from day to day. We can’t always get along with everyone, but remembering that each person is individual and unique can help us to respect each other’s differences and make school or work more enjoyable. Page 21

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A family family hatch hatch w with ith ffire ire iin n iits ts b belly elly A few years ago, I had the pleasure of driving the Focus RS for a week – the experience being that of driving a family car that sounded like an ASBO waiting to happen, with a ridiculous amount of power and looks to match. While the new RS is a couple of years away and, if rumours are to be believed will feature electric hybrid tech, the current hot hatch of the Ford family is the Focus ST.

A balance balance between between ccrazy razy power power and and practicality practicality The ST has always been a balance between crazy power and practicality, and to a large extent, that remains the case. However, with the lack of an RS in the current line up, it seems that the ST has upped its game a little. This iteration uses Ford’s impressive 2.3 litre EcoBoost – the same power unit that sits in the old RS, and indeed in the ‘lower’ powered Ford Mustang, so it’s no slouch. With almost 300hp in the five-door car, it accelerates hard and makes a very agreeable noise from its twin exhausts, but with a smidge less weight on the The Local Answer

throttle, it rumbles along quite respectably. Its looks are clever too. The clues to the performance are there in the 19-inch alloys, spoiler, bodykit and aerodynamic tweaks that make this stand out from the everyday Focus you may see. The ST-Line spec comes close in terms of looks, but if you want the full effect, you’ll have to fork out for the ST. Is it money well spent? The mid-thirty-grand mark is a congested market, with offerings from Audi, BMW, Jaguar and many more to contend with, so can a Ford really challenge these? I’ll make that conclusion at the end. But it does well on interior space and equipment. The satnav is okay – I have always found the Ford navigation to be a little clunkier than many rivals, but functional all the same. The feel of the materials while you’re sat behind the wheel is very much a high-quality feel – no complaints there. Practically, we took this on a long weekend to the North Devon Coast and took a lot of stuff with us, as we were expecting bad weather, and it swallowed everything we threw To advertise call 01242 510500

at it with a little space to spare. It was a bit thirsty, coming in somewhere around 30mpg for the trip, but I was probably a little heavy handed on the accelerator as I really liked the noise. I’ve been looking at buying a Focus for years, but my wife has never been that keen. I made sure she was insured on this one, so she could have a drive – the Focus has always been given credit as a driver’s car after all – and now, finally, she sees why.

Av very ery g good ood cchoice hoice So does the blue-oval challenger fit in the price bracket it sits? On balance, I think so. But at the same time, it’s different to the options there. A Golf GTI doesn’t feel quite as spacious, a Jaguar XE will always feel more luxurious, but if you want a practical, family sized car that still looks poised and ready and able to give a good kick when your right foot drops, then the ST is a very good choice. For the long term, I think I might be swayed to the ST-Line for the added fuel economy, but I would sorely miss the noise of the ST. Page 2

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Almost A lmost A Athletes thletes e enjoy njoy rrunning unning ffor or ffun un Claire Hawes had just completed a four-mile run around Leckhampton in Cheltenham when she spoke to The Local Answer. She enjoys running – she’s chair of Cheltenham-based Almost Athletes so she must do – but she enjoys the social side of the sport as well. And that’s very important to Almost Athletes because although they boast some very good runners in their 450-plus membership, there is also a great emphasis on having a good time. “We’re a sociable club and we have a lot of fun,” said Claire. “There’s no pressure on anyone to do training. “There’s training on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, but equally if someone wants to just do the social run on a Wednesday that’s absolutely fine.” Claire, who is 65, took over as chair of the club in May last year. “I’d been on the committee for

H Hitting itting tthe he ttarget arget Th e new year i s onl y a month old but, in sporting terms, it’s already shaping up to be a memorable one for so many reasons. And there’s more to come, much more, with the highlight f o r m a n y – t h e O l y m p ic G a m e s in Tokyo – just under six months away. Gloucestershire has a proud record when it comes to the Olympics and among the very best from this county is Ian Coley, who went to the Olympics not once, not twice, but six times. The 72-year-old Coley’s speciality was shooting and he coached and managed Great Britain teams with the two big highlights at the sporting spectacular coming in 2000 and 2012 when Richard Faulds and Peter

Almost Athletes were formed in the late 1980s

quite a while and I was secretary before that,” she explained. So how did she get into running? “I took it up after running the Race For Life like so many women do,” said Claire. “It’s a not too intimidating way to start running.” That was about 15 years ago and her next step up the running ladder was to take part in the

Linda Franks Race, an event run by Almost Athletes. And her first impression of a club that were formed in the late 1980s was certainly a good one. “I thought, ‘They seem a friendly club’,” she said, and since joining them some 12 or so years ago she’s never looked back. Full story online.

Wilson stormed to gold medal success. In 2013 Coley was awarded an MBE for services to shooting.

on the Gloucestershire sporting calendar. Sherrock, of course, wrote her name in darts folklore at the Alexandra Palace at the end of last year when she became the first woman to win a match, and subsequently two, at the PDC World Championships.

F Fallon allon ttakes akes a aim im Fallon Sherrock, who captured the imagination of the darts world and beyond when she took the PDC World Championships by storm at the back end of 2019, will be showing off her talent in Cheltenham in February. The 25-year-old will be taking part in the Cheltenham Darts Masters which this year is taking place on Friday 21st February at the Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse. World number one Michael van Gerwen, two-times Grand Slam of Darts winner Gerwyn Price and King of Bling Bobby George will also be present at what has become a hugely popular event

Brough B rough d delighted elighted Former Cheltenham Town star John Brough is back in football and he couldn’t be happier. Refreshed after a six-month break from the game, the recently turned 47-year-old took o ve r a s m an a g e r o f C i r en c e s t er Town at the start of December. And the ‘new manager bounce’ kicked in immediately following his appointment because the club won their next five games. For full versions of all these stories and more, visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk

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Snooker star Snooker star Jack Jack Lisowski Lisowski iis s sso o h appy to to be be playing playing on on home home turf turf happy Jack Lisowski is looking forward to spending a few days in Cheltenham. That may sound slightly odd when you consider he lives in the town, but these days the 28-year-old is away much more than he is at home. That’s because he’s one of the rising stars in the world of snooker and as such travels pretty much to all parts of the globe to pursue his chosen sport. And when he’s not travelling he still spends a lot of time outside Gloucestershire because he practises at Grove Academy, a snooker club in Romford in Essex, the same place that world number one Judd Trump is based. It can be hard work but the endeavour is certainly paying off because in the past few months Lisowski has finished runner-up in two top-ranking tournaments. His next target is to go one better and actually win a tournament – he finished second in the Scottish Open and China Open last year and in the Riga Masters in 2018 – and he would love nothing more than to break his tournament duck in his home town in early February. And he’s certainly got a chance of realising that aim because the Coral World Grand Prix returns to the Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse from 3rd-9th February. “Winning a tournament is a real goal of mine,” said Lisowski, who married his American girlfriend Jamie Livingston in Cheltenham in 2015. “It would make it extra special if I could win at Cheltenham.” This won’t be Lisowski’s first time competing at the Centaur because he took part in the Coral World Grand Prix last year, the first time the event was hosted by the racecourse. The tournament is for the top

Jack Lisowski

32 players in the world and at the time of writing Lisowski was ranked 13th with prizemoney in excess of £390,000, so his place at the event is absolutely nailed on. “It’s a great venue,” he told The Local Answer. “It’s so cool to be playing at Cheltenham Racecourse where there’s so much history. “It’s crazy for me because I live just two or three minutes away from the racecourse, so I don’t have far to go! “I just want to do better than I did last year. I lost to Ding Junhui in the first round, he played really well. “I want to experience playing at the Centaur for longer but although I went out early last year, I know it’s a great place to play snooker.” Lisowski, who was born in Cheltenham and educated at Chosen Hill School in Churchdown, played his early snooker not far from the racecourse. “I used to play at Westgate Snooker Club in Gloucester,” he said. “I’ve always liked the sport. When I was young I used to play on the floor of my parents’ home using a ping pong ball or a golf ball. “I’ve always had pretty good hand/eye coordination and I also used to play football, golf and

tennis when I was growing up.” These days snooker is very much his number one sport – he has a career high world ranking of 11 – and he’d love to emulate the achievements of his great friend Judd Trump in the weeks, months and years to come. “I’m doing okay,” he said modestly. “The last two years have been a big step up. I’ve been practising very hard and I’d definitely say I’m one of the up and coming players, I’m knocking on the door when it comes to winning a tournament. “I’ve been in three finals, losing to Neil Robertson twice and then to Mark Selby in the Scottish and I played really good snooker throughout those tournaments. “I’m playing all the time and I love it.” Lisowski is one of the new breed of players who likes to go for his shots – he’s much more Jimmy White than Steve Davis – and not for nothing is he known as ‘Jackpot’. “I like to go for everything,” he admitted. “I don’t like to play safety first, I like to be on the offensive. “I try to stick to my guns and I like to practise what I’m good at, I’m learning my craft and I’m getting better. “I play a high-risk game which is harder to do but it’s a style of play that I enjoy.” It’s a style that is very pleasing on the eye and Lisowski will certainly be one of the main attractions when the World Championship takes place at the Crucible in Sheffield in April and the beginning of May. Rather like jump racing’s Cheltenham Festival in March, that is the highlight on the sport’s calendar, but first Lisowski has some business in Cheltenham!

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An An environmental environmental ccatastrophe atastrophe Our Wildlife Matters feature usually focuses on native species or wild places in Gloucestershire, but it is difficult to ignore the crisis happening on the other side of the world. The bushfires in Australia have caused mass devastation to people, animals and habitats, and there is still another month of summer left. In the aftermath of the fires, communities will take months, if not years, to recover from the damage. People from across the world have been donating money to aid the battle against the fires, as well as providing supplies for the organisations involved – from helping those who have been made homeless, to treating the sick and injured wildlife. Many of us will be feeling relatively helpless being on the other side of the world, but there are ways in which we can help.

D Donate onate ffinancially inancially There are many worthy causes you could donate your money to – we’ve highlighted a few of them below but do your research and find one that you are happy to support.

• The Australian Red Cross are supporting people at evacuation centres, providing food, water and relief items to people cut off by fires, and providing emergency grants to those who have lost their homes. www.redcross.org.au • New South Wales Rural Fire Service and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services are just two of the organisations directly battling the fires. www.rfs.nsw.gov.au www.qfes.qld.gov.au • Wires Wildlife Rescue care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife in the New South Wales area and further afield. www.wires.org.au If you are not in a position to donate financially, using your voice and sharing information on social media can also help.

K Knitting nitting a and nd ssewing ewing Millions of animals have been affected by the bushfires. The number that have died is truly devastating, but there are thousands that have been rescued and will need ongoing care before being released back to the wild when it is safe. If you are a crafter or a quick Page 2

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learner, you could do your part by making bat wraps, joey pouches, koala mittens, birds nests, possum boxes and other cosy items. The Facebook group ‘Animal Rescue Collective Craft Guild’ has information about the items that are most needed, as well as where to send them to. If you are part of a knitting or sewing group, you could club together and send a big parcel to reduce postage costs.

Visit V isit and and spend spend If you are planning a trip to Australia this year, consider visiting the areas that have been affected and supporting local businesses by spending money with them. For many organisations, January would have been one of their highest earning months, so they will be suffering from loss of sales. An Instagram account called @SpendWithThem has been created to allow local businesses affected by the fires to promote their products. We sincerely hope the fires can be brought under control as soon as possible to avoid more damage to homes and habitats. The Local Answer

Pet Pet Care Care

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The Charlton Kings Vet Centre is fully equipped with a sterile operating theatre, digital radiography, ultrasonography and laboratory equipment. Drop in and have a look around. You will see many of the same friendly faces from our main surgery at Dragon Vet Centre. You can book your visits and pick up pet supplies, food or medications at either surgery if it’s more convenient.

OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY 9AM- 6.30PM 17 Lyefield Road West, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham GL53 8EZ

w www.charltonkingsvet.co.uk ww.charltonkingsvet.co.uk

01242 0 1242 220158 220158

One of the most common complaints seen at the vet clinic is the dog with an upset ‘stomach’. Dogs with vomiting and or diarrhoea are a daily occurrence, often due to a dog’s tendency to scavenge from the environment. There are many different triggers of gastric upset from scavenging or gastrointestinal indiscretion. Dogs can develop nausea and diarrhoea secondary to the ingestion of foreign bodies, toxins, undigestible plants, intestinal parasites, viruses or bacteria. Many dogs will eat grass or plant material while out walking and can easily pick up bacteria or viruses that have been shed by other dogs, with some viruses living in the environment for months after they have passed.

In In serious serious cases, cases, dogs dogs may may need need to to be be hospitalised hospitalised Some mild cases of gastroenteritis can be treated by simply feeding a bland diet for several days, and regular, smaller meals can be easier for a sensitive gut to tolerate than fewer larger meals. Probiotics, anti-nausea or antidiarrheal medications may also be prescribed. If a dog is very unwell it may need hospitalising for intravenous fluid support and blood and faecal testing to determine the exact cause or trigger of the symptoms. One form of stomach upset that can be particularly alarming for pet owners is haemorrhagic gastroenteritis. This presents with the dog passing large quantities of blood in its stools and sometimes vomitus. These patients can often be very lethargic and systemically unwell, although most will respond quickly to prompt veterinary attention. The cause of the haemorrhagic form of gastroenteritis is not well understood, but thought to be often due to endotoxins produced by ingested bacteria or, in some cases, an acute allergic reaction.

Make ssure Make ure your your dog dog is is up up to to date date with with vaccinations vaccinations and and worming worming OPEN SATURDAY 9AM-12 NOON Prestbury Park , New Barn Lane, Cheltenham GL50 4SH

T: 01242 580324

F: 01242 241908

www.dragonvet.co.uk www.dragonvet.co.uk

2244 H HOUR OUR EEMERGENCY MERGENCY ~ 001242 1242 5522022 22022 The Local Answer

To avoid some of the preventable forms of gastroenteritis make sure your dog is up to date with its vaccinations, is regularly wormed, and if they develop severe vomiting or diarrhoea take them to your vet promptly, as early intervention can often result in rapid improvement of the symptoms.

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Page 27

Martin Martin H Horwood orwood MEP MEP reporting back from the European Parliament

In May you elected me and Caroline Voaden as your Lib Dem Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) for the South West of England and Gibraltar.

Since then we’ve met young people, businesses, communities and campaigners all over the south west to discuss all the amazing opportunities that membership of the EU oﬀers our region. In the Parliament itself, we’ve got down to work in the 108-strong ‘Renew Europe’ group of Liberals and allies from all over Europe – working together to:

̣ reform the European Union, including even more democracy and accountability

̣ take urgent action to ﬁght climate change and other environmental crises

Funds Funds that that we we get get back back from from the the European European Union Union help help education education and and student student exchange exchange programmes, programmes, and sscience cience a nd research, research, environmentally-friendly e nvironmentally-friendly farming, farming, infrastructure infrastructure and and investment investment all all over over the the south south west. west. All All of of this this done done iin n co-operation co-operation with with 27 27 other o ther ssovereign overeign nations. nations.

̣ welcome diversity and free movement within Europe including Brits’ right to work, study and retire anywhere in the EU ̣ back cross-border EU anti-terrorism action, crimeﬁghting and arrest warrants ̣ defend human rights worldwide.

There s much There’s m more we want to do o for you you.. B rexit m ay stop stop u for now now but but thank thank you you Brexit may uss for for y our support support for for us us and and the the UK’s UK’s for your European future. future. European

@MartinChelt @MartinChelt www.martinhorwood.net/europe www.martinhorwood.net/europe m martin@martinhorwood.net artin@martinhorwood.net

What W hat s O On n The The Local Local Answer Answer Event Event L Listings istings a are re ccompiled ompiled a and nd p presented resented in in good good faith faith with with the the kind kind support support o off m many any ccontributors. ontributors. W We e recommend recommend you you use use the the contact contact details details provided provided to to check check e event vent iinformation nformation u updates pdates p prior rior tto op planning lanning y your our v visit. isit. 1111 JANUARY JANUARY – 2299 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 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 that spring is on its way. Open daily from 10.30am-5pm. For ticket prices and blooming updates visit rococogarden.org.uk. MARCH 2222 JANUARY JANUARY – 1144 M ARCH OUR FAVOURITE PRINTMAKERS AT CHAPEL ARTS

We have been lucky enough to have exhibited work by some of the most exciting and talented printmakers.

This exhibition includes some of our favourites. Wednesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm. www.thechapelarts.com 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, 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 from the world of small press, indie and mainstream comics, set to feature. £8 in advance, £10 on the door. Jurys Inn, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, GL51 0TS. www.oktruebelievers.com 11-23 -23 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY LIGHT UP CHELTENHAM For the third year running some of Cheltenham’s most iconic buildings will be bathed in colourful lights during the night, and there will be an observation wheel in Imperial Gardens. The event will be launched on Saturday 1st February by street theatre group Spark! and there will

also be the opportunity to take part in specially curated tours, featuring the history and hidden stories behind the buildings involved. Full details at www.visitcheltenham.com 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. Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury, GL50 4SH. www.thejockeyclub.co.uk 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

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

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A busy busy few few months months for for M Mallams allams Mallams was set up in Oxford by Richard Mallam in 1788, making it the oldest firm of auctioneers in the area. The Company still has its office in central Oxford, but now also has salerooms in Abingdon and Cheltenham, as well as a valuation office in Burford. Mallams holds valuation days every Tuesday from 9am-1pm at its Cheltenham saleroom (26

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Grosvenor Street, GL52 2SG) and no appointment is necessary.

A Amazing mazing rresults esults Cheltenham has had some amazing results in recent months, such as this pair of Chinese Huanghuali throne chairs (left), which sold for the princely sum of £11,025, and this Alan Peters Korean/Japanese style chest of drawers (right), which achieved £12,500, the highest amount ever achieved for a Peters item. Mallams Cheltenham has a packed calendar of auctions coming up over the next few months with the Country House sale taking place on 6th February and the Modern

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Living sale shortly after on 5th March.

Two T wo dedicated dedicated auctions auctions However, it is Cheltenham’s specialist Chinese, Japanese and Asian Art department that really sets this saleroom apart, with two dedicated auctions taking place on 29th April and 29th-30th October. To find out more visit Mallams’ website at www.mallams.co.uk

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6 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY ALL ABOUT EVE This highly-anticipated stage production stars Gillian Anderson and Lily James. This will be a co-production with Sonia Friedman Productions and Fox Stage Productions and directed by one of the world’s most innovative theatre directors Ivo Van Hove and music from double Mercury Prize-winner PJ Harvey. 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. bacontheatre.co.uk 66-8 -8 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY JANE AUSTEN AND THE CHELTONIANS What really happened when Jane Austen visited Cheltenham in 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 Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, GL50 1HQ. everymantheatre.org.uk 7 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY LIVE MUSIC AT THE KINGS ARMS Live music at The Kings Arms, Gloucester Road GL51 8NB. Music performed by Will Stubbs and Brad Edwards with a mix of guitar, piano and cajun. They will be playing songs from all sorts of eras and genres including artists such as Elvis, Bryan Adams, REM, The Killers, The Beatles, Madness and many more! 8pm. For more details please email Brad at braded626@hotmail.co.uk 8 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS The original ‘buoy’ band who were the basis of the 2019 feel-good film by the same name, Fisherman’s Friends have been performing their songs of the sea for over 30 years, and were the first traditional folk act with a UK top ten album. 7.30pm. £27-£35.50. Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, GL50 1QA. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk 1122 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 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! 7.30pm. £13.50£15. Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, GL50 1QA. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk 1144 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY ANTI-VALENTINE’S FOOD EVENING If you are looking for a feel-good night out with friends away from the typical cheesiness of Valentine’s Day, join

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Starbistro for an evening of music and good food. Two courses £20pp, three courses £25pp. 7pm. Call 01242 535984 or email starbistro@nationalstar.org to book. For more details please visit www.nationalstar.org 15-23 15-23 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY SOUTH WEST PUDDLE JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Get your wellies and waterproofs on and jump into the puddles for a chance to be our ultimate splasher. We’ll be looking for the biggest splash, and most enthusiastic, stylish jumpers. Have a go in our practice puddles and take part in our daily puddle jumping competition at 2pm in Welly Boot Land, with a chance to win a prize. 9.30am to 5pm. Included with admission ticket. WWT Slimbridge, Bowditch, GL2 7BT. www.wwt.org.uk/wetlandcentres/slimbridge 1199 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, GL50 1QA. cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk 2200 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY CYRANO DE BERGERAC Fierce with a pen and notorious in combat, Cyrano almost has it all – if only he could win the heart of his true love Roxane. There’s just one big problem: he has a nose as huge as his heart. Will a society engulfed by narcissism get the better of Cyrano – or can his mastery of language set Roxane’s world alight? 7pm. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 2211 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY CHELTENHAM MASTERS DARTS TOURNAMENT Featuring some of the biggest names from the world of darts, including Michael Van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price,

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Fallon Sherrock and Bobby George. 7.30pm. £25-£65. The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, GL50 4SH. thejockeyclub.co.uk 21 & 22 22 FFEBRUARY EBRUARY 21 THE CURIOUS GARDEN While exploring one day, Liam discovers a struggling garden and decides to take care of it. As time passes, the garden spreads throughout the dark, grey city, transforming it into a lush, green world. Various times. £9.50. The Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, GL50 1HQ. everymantheatre.org.uk 22 22 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY THE UNRAVELLING WILBURYS The Unravelling Wilburys turn their skills and replicate the sound and songs of the late 80s ‘super-group’ The Traveling Wilburys where five of the greatest names in rock music history came together – George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Jeff Lynne of ELO. A great combination of brilliant musicianship, and tongue in cheek humour. 8pm. £18 (£16). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. bacontheatre.co.uk A DAY OF GRACE Celebrating 50 years in showbusiness, actor Nickolas Grace will be delving back into his characters he’s brought to life from Brideshead Revisited to Robin of Sherwood. There will be interviews on stage, clips from his career, a special workshop session and more. 10.30am-4.30pm. £45. Cheltenham Playhouse, 47-53 Bath Road, GL53 7HG. cheltplayhouse.org.uk CHELTENHAM VEGAN FAIR A fantastic line up of vegan traders and businesses selling everything from food and treats to cruelty free beauty products. A full programme of talks on veganism, environmental issues and animal rights, as well as a Vegan Human Book Library, which will provide a friendly way for people to explore veganism. 10am-3pm. £2 entry, kids free. University of Gloucestershire Park Campus, The Park, Cheltenham, GL50 2RH. www.veganfairs.co.uk 23 23 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 spellbinding new production follows Hansel and Gretel as they tread a treacherous path into the unknown. In their search for food, all sorts of surprises are in store. 3pm. £17 (£15, u18s £8, u12s £5). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.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 ‘Sleeping Beauty’ at the Bacon Theatre on Sunday 23rd March at 5pm! Join Vienna Festival Ballet as they celebrate their 40th Anniversary with the classic fairytale set to Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, with beautiful costumes and stunning choreography. Tickets cost just £20 (£19), children £15, and can be booked by calling the box office on 01242 258002 or you can book online at www.bacontheatre.co.uk To enter our draw to win a pair of tickets, send your name, address and telephone number to ‘Sleeping Beauty’, 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. 10th February February 2020. 2020. C losing d ate: M onday 10th Closing date: Monday 2277 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY STARBISTRO QUIZ NIGHT Pit your wits against quizmaster PJ at the inaugural StarBistro quiz night! Whether you are a mastermind at music, a general knowledge guru or just want a fun night out with friends or work colleagues, this quiz evening is for you. £6 per person, includes one free drink and nibbles. 7pm. 01242 535984. Visit www.nationalstar.org for more details. 2299 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY HOLLYFEST 2020 Back for its ninth year HollyFest is once again raising funds to cure Rett Syndrome, in aid of 11 year old Holly who suffers with the condition. There will be a great line up of live music including headliners The Clone Roses. 7pm. £22. Frog and Fiddle, 313-315 High Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3HW. www.facebook.com/friendsofholly 44-7 -7 MARCH MARCH BOMBSHELLS Meet the bombshells, six women on the edge – of greatness, of love, and their sanity – and delve into each character’s life as they bare their most urgent wishes and thoughts. 7.30pm. £7-£12. Cheltenham Playhouse, 47-53 Bath Road, GL53 7HG. www.cheltplayhouse.org.uk.

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6 MARCH MARCH – 1122 JJUNE UNE SISTERHOOD Photographer, filmmaker and artist Danielle Salloum is passionate about raising awareness about issues from human rights to the environment. Her latest exhibition highlights extraordinary and diverse women from Trinidad and Tobago and Cheltenham, both locations where she has strong links. Free. Open during normal gallery hours. The Wilson, Clarence Street, GL50 3JT. cheltenhammuseum.org.uk MARCH 1122 & 27 27 M ARCH FOREST SCHOOL FOR TOTS

Bring your little one for some outdoor fun! A chance for pre-schoolers to engage with nature and explore our Forest School site (complete with large covered area for wet days)!

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Children can enjoy bug hunting, creating mud pies in our mud kitchen, craft activities, storytime and more! A free cup of tea or coffee is available for adults. Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 9QB. Full details at batsarb.co.uk 22 22 MARCH MARCH MOTHER’S DAY LUNCH Mother’s Day is a perfect opportunity to show you care for the mums in your life. Join StarBistro’s team of accomplished chefs as they serve a delicious Mother’s Day Sunday lunch, supporting National Star’s work alongside young people with disabilities. Two sittings – 12pm and 2.30pm. 01242 535984. Visit www.nationalstar.org for more details. 4 APRIL APRIL CHARITY MUSIC & DANCE EVENING In aid of Maggies Cheltenham, held at 7pm at Hatherley Manor Hotel with iMpasse (live original music), FineSteps dancers and disco. Admission £6 cash on door with advance ticket only. For tickets/info contact: psingleton1412@btinternet.com or cheltenhamfundraising@maggiescent res.org. Details also at www.impassemusic.co.uk, www.maggiescentres.org and www.finesteps.co.uk

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In our October column we looked forward to debating what we can do about Climate Change. We have now adopted a “Vision for Charlton Kings” that sets out what we will try to achieve in four areas: • Making our own, direct, contributions to reducing carbon emissions • Creating an outreach programme to advise and support our residents • Engaging with Cheltenham Borough Council’s programme to be carbon neutral by 2030 • Managing our own natural and built environments in the knowledge of our understanding of the effects of Climate Change. An Environment Working Group of Parish Councillors and knowledgeable and concerned Charltonians will set up targeted groups that will address specific actions, for example: • Completing an energy audit of all Parish Council activities • Looking into technical solutions such as ground source heat pumps • Ensuring that public transport serving Charlton Kings is fit for purpose • Addressing river and surface water flooding. We already have a core group, but if you have relevant expertise and an enthusiasm that would help us take some of these initiatives forward, we would really like to hear from you!

Dates of February public meetings In the Stanton Hall Planning: Mondays 10th and 17th at 7.30pm Allotments: Thursday 6th at 7pm Community Development: Monday 3rd at 7pm Full Council: Monday 24th at 7pm Clerk Clerk – JJoanna oanna N Noles oles ((01242 01242 2250087) 50087) Clerk@charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uk www.charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uk @CkParish

To advertise call 01242 510500

Charlton Kings Parish Council Page 

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

Behind Behind the the scenes scenes of of Evenlode Evenlode Films Films Last November, the Cheltenham Christmas Lights switch on saw three giant puppets reinvent Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’, whilst the Christmas before that saw a giant White Witch from Narnia parade through the town. In 2018, the centenary of the end of the First World War was marked with a huge animated film projected on to the Municipal Offices in Cheltenham. These incredible events are all connected, in that they were all organised and produced by the same company – Evenlode Films and Productions. Evenlode was founded by husband and wife Tim and Catherine Mountain 20 years ago. “We’re totally different from most other production companies,” explained Tim. “We not only create films and

Tim Mountain

animations that are visually impactful, we also produce events and launches working with local and national clients.” Tim, who previously worked for the BBC at Maida Vale Studios, says that the company’s aim when working on projects and events is to produce something totally ground-breaking and unique.

Film Film Review Review – Joe Joe K Kennett ennett JoJo JoJo Rabbit Rabbit Directed by and starring Taika Waititi, ‘JoJo Rabbit’ is an inadvertently charming story of a young German boy, JoJo (Roman Griffin Davis), facing the terror of his own Nazi ideologies. JoJo, unable to join the Nazi regiment after an embarrassingly tragic incident involving a grenade at a Hitler Youth Training Camp, is faced with a dilemma when he finds that his mother Rosie (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl in their family home. Having to face up to his irrational nationalism, he is accompanied only by his imaginary friend – Adolf Hitler (Waititi). The foundations of the film are outrageously funny, and the thrills are complimented by moments full of heart, joy, and at times, bitter tragedy, which bring cold Thomasin McKenzie (left) as Elsa reality to the absurdity and Roman Griffin Davis as Jojo. that ensues. Picture: 20th Century Fox Full review online.

He continued: “We approach things differently in that we want to be bold in what we produce and to continually push the boundaries to avoid mediocrity. We’re definitely not averse to taking a risk.” Evenlode relocated to Cheltenham around seven years ago and are now based in Montpellier. In that time, they’ve worked with local groups like Cheltenham Borough Council and the Everyman on the aforementioned Armistice Day memorial. “That was a truly moving experience,” said Tim. “Even just compiling the research. “There were lots of elements to it, and we were conscious that we wanted it to be as relevant as possible to a modern audience, especially youngsters.” Full story online.

Book Book R Review eview – A Aloÿse loÿse ooff D Daylesford aylesford B Book ook C Club lub The T he O Office fffice o off G Gardens ardens nd P onds a and Ponds by Didier Decoin This enchanting book translated from the French by Euan Cameron is a real treat. Set in ancient Japan, Miyuki, the widow of Katsuro, takes on her husband’s occupation to supply His Imperial Majesty with carp for the ponds of the Imperial Palace. This involves a long and arduous journey on foot carrying the carp on a pole across her shoulders. The fish must arrive in impeccable condition. The trek from Shimae to Heian Kyo (today’s Kyoto) proves to be full of challenges with unsavoury characters impeding her walk, but Miyuki uses her ingenuity to fulfil her mission. The writing is lyrical and sometimes sensuous, the descriptions are vivid and one can easily imagine the scenes and colours of the landscape. Even the jacket of the book is beautiful. Full review online.

Above Above is is a selection selection ffrom rom local local entertainment entertainment stories stories available available online online ... ...

A Art rt • E Events vents • E Experiences xperiences • F Film ilm • L Lifestyle ifestyle L Literature iterature • M Music usic • R Reviews eviews • T Theatre heatre • T TV V

Viva band on V iva La La Bear Bear aare re a b and o n tthe he rrise ise Gloucestershire band Viva La Bear have been together for coming up two years. The band is made up of Tom Vickery, Steve Brown, Vince Stevenson, Tom Gibbons and Alex Whiting, who all originally hail from the Forest of Dean. “We met through mutual friends within the local music scene,” said lead singer Tom Vickery. “Steve and Tom G were in a band together at school called The Artisans, which then evolved a few years later into another project involving me on vocals. “It sort of just fell in to place as Vince was living with Tom at the time, Alex is one of the best drummers around and we all had similar music tastes.” Tom G joined the band most recently, on rhythm guitar,

Viva La Bear at last year’s Frogfest. Picture: Jonny Nolan Photography

whilst Vince plays bass and Steve is on guitar. The name Viva La Bear is certainly memorable, and Tom says it pays tribute to a famous Forest of Dean story, and echoes their love of the area. “Some of us are bringing up families here and it’s an important place to all of us. I think we all wanted something that

reflected that, so it comes from local folklore.” The band describe their style as ‘riff-heavy alternative rock’, and they’ve been busy in the past few months, working on new songs – “We’ve got three singles recorded at Invada Studios in Bristol to release throughout 2020 and we’re working closely with MAS Records to give us the best opportunities possible,” said Tom. This month they will be supporting Bellevue Days at the Frog and Fiddle on Saturday 15th February. “We’ve been known for our energetic live performances,” added Tom, “it’s just a cathartic release for us. Whether there’s two or 200 people in the room we give it our all and show off everything we’ve got.” Full story online.

Local Local actor actor set set for for directorial directorial debut debut The Phoenix Players have been a popular fixture of the Gloucestershire theatrical community for over 60 years. Based in Gloucester and performing mainly at The Kings Theatre, the group was founded in 1958, and will be kicking off their 2020 programme this month. ‘Sabbat’ will be directed by Cheltenham-based actor Laura Bayston, and she says it’s something she has wanted to do for a while. “I’ve been toying with this play for five years,” she explained. “I must have read it hundreds of times and when it came to getting it on stage it’s just never happened. “Then Jackie (Howard, Phoenix Players member) got in touch and asked if I’d like to do it, and we decided to go for it.”

Taya Peacey (left) and Jo Hockin during rehearsals

Laura grew up in Dagenham, and attended the famous Anna Scher Theatre school in Islington during her teenage years. Since then she has gone on to appear in several short films, on stage and on our TV screens with a role in the popular BBC drama ‘Killing Eve’.

‘Sabbat’ will mark Laura’s directorial debut, and she says that rehearsals have been going well, despite the fact she is used to being on the acting side of things. “It’s a small cast of four,” she said, “we’ve been rehearsing twice a week and our more experienced actors have been helping our youngest actor Evie, who is 14.” The play tells the story of the infamous Pendle witch trials in Lancashire in the seventeenth century. “It’s a simple play and it’s quite dark,” continued Laura, “it’s all about relationships, and how one small thing can grow and how stories can be manipulated to have devastating consequences.” Full story online.

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•New Felt Flat Roofs/ Repai rs • Roof Survey/Inspection • Gutters Cl eaned/Repaired & Renewed • Roof Ridge Tile Repairs • Fencing & Decking Replaced & Repaired • Flat Pack Assembly • All Garden Mai ntenance • Chimney Pointing & Repair • All Plumbing & Electrics with Pai nting & Decorating • Kitchens & Bathrooms Supplied & Fitted

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

sspecialising pecialising all aspects spects iin na ll a o oofing and an d off r roofing building building

Page 38

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The Local Answer

Leckhampton

ELITE LOFT FT FT LADDERS

Plastering Services

All plastering works undertaken G Lime plastering G Dry lining G Rendering G Skimming G Artex removal G Plasterboarding G Domes c and commercial Fully insured, reliable and dy Call now for a no obliga on quote

Safe and easy access

LLOFT OFT LADDERS LADDERS SUPPLIED SUPPLIED & INSTALLED INSTALLED LLOFT OFT HATCHES HATCHES EENLARGED NLARGED

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Free Free Roof Roof Inspection Inspection

New New 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 FFacias, acias, Soffits Soffits & G Guttering uttering

che.meyrick@live.co.uk www.leckhamptonplasteringservices.co.uk

mark@eliteloftladders.co.uk www.eliteloftladders.co.uk

All quality All quality makes makes of door door supplied. supplied. of F ast, ffriendly riendly Fast, rrepair epair s ervice. service. • Free Estimates • New Doors • Servicing • Repairs • Door Automation • Credit Cards Accepted

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C CALL ALL NOW NOW F FOR OR A FREE FREE QUOTE QUOTE

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Paving & Tarmac Specialists B Block lock Paving Paving • TTarmac armac • Landscaping Landscaping Driveways FFencing encing • Patios Patios • Driveways & Sons Ltd

G arden Walls Walls Garden

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All our work is G Guaranteed uaranteed ffor or 5 y years! ears! Guaranteed to beat any genuine quote

Resin esin Driveways, Driveways, P Patios atios & P Paths aths

aintenance • Low M Maintenance • Choice Choice ooff Colours Colours • Durable Durable & Long Long Lasting Lasting • Weed Weed Free Free • Porous Porous for for Drainage Drainage

Rectory Rectory F Fields, ields, R Rudford, udford, G Gloucestershire loucestershire G GL2 L2 8 8DT DT

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w www.marshallsdriveways.co.uk ww.marshallsdriveways.co.uk

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The Local Answer

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Page 39

BIG BIG JOB J S SBQS BQS Little ittle Job J ARCHITECTURAL ARCHITECTURAL L Property Property M Maintenance aintenance SERVICES SERVICES ••Painting Painting d Architectural eyor offers the wing services: nning Permission pplications uilding Regulations Applications Tender Documentation for Building Work

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The Local Answer

All A ll Work Work Fully Fully Guaranteed Guaraanteed • Specialise Specialise in in EDM EDM rubber rubber roofs roofs • NNew ew 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

01452 01452 8 899903 99903 07503 07503 8 858963 58963 w www.a1roofing.uk ww.a1roofing.uk

CCheltenham heltenham Rd Rd EEast, ast, Gloucester, Gloucester, GGL3 L3 11AE AE

D OMESTIC & DOMESTIC C OMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL

Traditional Lime T raditional L i me Plastering P lastering Drylining •D rylining Rendering Rend R endering • K R end Artex •A rtex Removal Removal For advice and F or ffree ree a dvice a nd quotes Sam on q uotes ccall all S am o n

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Trust and rely on our professionally trained ex-forces personnel for: BATHROOM REFITS • KITCHEN FITTING • PLUMBING • ELECTRICS • TILING • DECORATING • DECKING

Please contact Lee on 07763 374173 or leerobinson@handyheroforhire.com www.handyheroforhire.com

✆ sales@grassscape.co.uk www.GrassScape.co.uk Manor Farm • Stoke Road • Cheltenham • GL52 7RY

RS LTD

RS Cladding & Roofing Ltd are specialists in all types of Roofing, Flat Roofing and all Rain Raaiiinn Water R Waater Systems W Syys S

Roof Repairs, Chimneys, Slates and Tiles

RS Cladding Ltd ooffer ffer home home owners owners quality uPVC uPVC 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.

RUBBER FLAT ROOFING

Whatever the weather, ClassicBond EPDM rroofing oofing membranes membranes protect protect your your property property

g g g membrane with half a century track record of performance and durability

Call C all now now for for a FREE FREE Quote Quote FREEPHONE: 0800 747 1283 www.r scladdingandroofing.co.uk

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

To advertise call 01242 510500

Page 41

John Wilson P PROPERTY ROPERTY MAINTENANCE M AINTENANC

G Kelly

LLTD TD

PLASTERING PLASTERING

Renovation Renovation Work Work &E Extensions xtensions Permitted Permitted D Developments evelopments

No Job Too Small ~ Free Estimates

extensions ((Small Small e xtensions – nno o p lanning cconsent onsent rrequired) equired) planning

Exxperienced plumber, Bathroom/Shower room// Cloakroom fitter for all budgets from supply and fit to just fitting clients’ own products. Tiiling ~ Wallboards ~ Carpentry ~ Plastering T Painting & Decorating.

QUALITY Q UALITY W WORKMANSHIP ORKMANSHIP AATT SENSIBLE SENSIBLE PRICES PRICES www.craftsmenbuilders.co.uk mencrafts@ymail.com

Very V ery C Competitive ompetitive Rates Rates for for Bathroom Bathroom & Kitchen Kitchen fitting fitting

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07900 554406 01242 256733

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Page 42

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The Local Answer

Landscape C

Specialists iin Specialists n Paving and Turf Laying, Driveways, Fencing and Timber Work A Andy ndy D Durrant urrant 07786 602 992 E: E: andydurrant7@hotmail.com W: W: www.landscape-creations.co.uk

Fencing

& LANDSCAPES • Artificial Grass • Gravel • Block Paving • Tarmac

• 30 30 YYears ears E Experience xperience

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A Allll E Enquiries nquiries W Welcome elcome

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Property refurbishments • Kitchens and bathrooms Wet floor showers and disabled adaptations Extensions • External works Electrical testing and upgrades SSatisfying atisfying Customers Customers aacross cross G Gloucestershire loucestershire since since 1998 1998

We are a local company with a proven track record of delivering excellent customer service, great value for money and the very highest levels of workmanship for every one of our customers.

C Contact ontact u uss tto o ssee ee h how ow w we e ccan an h help elp yyou... ou ... e info@nkscontractscentral.co.uk info@nkscontractscentral.co.uk t 01451 01451 861155 861155 w n nkscontractscentral.co.uk kscontractscentral.co.uk The Local Answer

To advertise call 01242 510500

Page 43

EEBLE R F T ILAY S E VAPPL R A TE IT Cs A N I ED T& CR

Member Member Number Number 146 146

FREE

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A ALL LL A ASPECTS SPECTS O OF FR ROOFING OOFING S SERVICES! ERVICES! WE SPECIALISE IN ... EEps ps S upport TTrays rays Support D ry R idge Dry Ridge System D ry V erge System Dry Verge New Roofs Roofs New Flat Roofs Roofs Flat Ridge Tiles Tiles Re-bedded Re-bedded Ridge Valleys Valleys uttering U pvc FFascias, ascias, S offits & G Upvc Soffits Guttering B ird S toppers Bird Stoppers C himney Repairs Repairs Chimney

A e-pointing Work Work Allll R Re-pointing LLeaky eaky R oofs Repaired Repaired Roofs M oss R emoval and and Treatment Treatment Moss Removal LLead ead W ork Work N ew P orches New Porches A ur d r y rrange ange iiss Fit Fit & Forget Forget Allll o off o our dry ADVICE GIVEN DVICE G IVEN FFREE REE QUOTES QUOTES & A 14 1 4 DAY DAY COOLING OFF PERIOD PERIOD COOLING OFF FULLY INSURED LXBI2536182XB LXBI2536182XB FULLY INSURED REGISTERED R EGISTERED WASTE WASTE CARRIER CARRIER

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COUNT O N NE W ROOFS

ALL ALL MAJOR MAAJJOR CCREDIT REDIT CARDS CARDS ACCEPTED ACCEPTED

Contact Contact Mr Mr Woodward: Woodward: 01242 01242 802 802 838 838 TText ext or or call call out out of of hours hours 07534 07534 455 455 762 762 www.woodwardroofingandcladding.co.uk w ww.woodwardroofingandcladding.co.uk â&#x20AC;¢ Email: Email: hwoodward@gmx.com hwoodward@gmx.com 11 M idwinter Close, Close, Cheltenham Cheltenham GL50 GL50 4 PQ 11 Midwinter 4PQ

JOE & JAMIE

~ Established 25 years! ~

LANDSCAPING & GARDENING All garden work undertaken and guaranteed! Block Paving, Gravel Driveways & Patios laid and cleaned Tree Felling, Trimming & Hedge Pruning Turf supplied and laid ~ Lawns removed 10% OFF for OAPs Fencing & Retaining Walls built/repaired

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

No job too small or too large ~ All waste removed For a FREE ‘no obligation’ estimate, call Joe or Jamie on

01452 500942 or 07724 159342

RRedwood edw wood Tree Tree CCare are

Specialist Work on All Kinds of Trees • Planting • Topping • Pruning • Removall (Ro Roots too!) H HEDGES EDGES PRUNED PRUNED AND AND TRIMMED TRIMMED 2 25% 5% ONE-OFF ONE-OFF GARDEN GARDEN TIDY TIDY SERVICE SERVICE DISCOUNT DISCOUNT in in FFebruary ebruary 22020 020 LICENSED LICENSED W WASTE ASTE CARRIER CARRIER

LANDSCAPING: L ANDSCAPING: F Fencing Patios atios encing n • Pat PLUS D Decking Paving Steps ecking • Paths Paths & P aving • S teps

Bricklaying Stonework Lawn Laying B ricklaying & S tonework • L awn L aying

Call Dave for a FREE QUOTATION Mobile 07900 015764 redwoodtreecare91@gmail.com

Julia Smith Gardening From F rom a ass llittle ittle a ass ££350 350

Telephone 07929 587751

juliasmith-gardening@blueyonder.co.uk

Professional, fully equipped and insured ~ Established 1993 ~

MAINTENANCE • LAWNS PRUNING • HEDGE CUTTING DRIVEWAY/PATIO CLEANING PLANTING & HORTICULTURE TIDY-UPS • TREE WORK

Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter

T: 01242 252637

The Local Answer

M: 07986 296680

Don’t look until you’ve finished! Solutions on ‘Index of Advertisers’ page.

THE SOLUTION FOR YOUR NEW BATHROOM ...

To advertise call 01242 510500

Your local family business

Page 45

Leckhampton Fencing & Garden

Gloucestershire

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

◆ ◆

ffind ind us us on

leckhamptonfencing@outlook.com

07810 101857

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

07771 07771 783528 783528

or to leave a message call

0 01452 1452 7 731967 31967

For all your trees, hedges & shrubs

01242 609147 / 07771 685370

• 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

www.jamesontreesurgery.co.uk

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

Master Master Sheds Sheds

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

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

01452 314011 07831 762644

www.mastersheds.co.uk

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

Garden Sheds, Summerhouses, Home Offices, Garages, Workshops, Site Huts, Stables, Kennels, Aviaries, Pavilions or any large timber buildings! Page 46

We We are are also also registered registered waste waste carriers carriers – Fully Fully insured insured

0 01242 1242 8 851 51 9 941 41 0 01452 1452 4 404 04 6 626 26

Rob Cockburn

Tree & Hedge Services

• 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

ALL TREE WORK OPERATIONS UNDERTAKEN

Fully NPTC Qualified and Insured

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

www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk

The Local Answer

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

Save Save money money o on n ffruit ruit aand nd vveg eg Once January is out of the way, everything seems to speed up in the garden. Bulbs are flowering, vegetable seeds are being sown, there’s lots of weeding and tidying in the borders, and the lawn will soon need cutting again. From mid to late February you can sow broad beans and peas directly into the ground for harvesting in the early summer. Fresh, small broad beans are so delicious in salads or lightly steamed as a vegetable. They are always at a premium to buy, so these are things that are well worth trying to grow.

E Early arly p potatoes otatoes a are re m much uch n nicer icer tthan han sshop hop b bought ought Don’t fill your space with maincrop potatoes, which you can easily buy in the shops, but early potatoes are a treat and always so much nicer than shop bought ones so why don’t you grow some? You will find early seed potatoes in the garden centres. The variety ‘Accent’ is a good one but there are plenty of others.

Put them individually in egg boxes to ‘chit’ in a cool, bright place. Don’t let them get frosted in an unheated greenhouse – if frost is forecast, cover in fleece and then uncover again in the morning. Chitting is a term for sprouting and you want sprouts about 1.5cm long, ready to plant out in late March. You don’t have to even have a garden as there are many different companies selling

sturdy bags or bins, which have been designed to grow potatoes in and can be kept on a patio – a dustbin with holes in the base would do fine. Raspberry plants only last about 10 years, after which their fruiting tails off – a sign of this is if last year’s crop was small or the plants were short with weak canes. As long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged, now is a good time to start growing raspberries.

S Soft oft ffruit ruit is is a good good tthing hing tto og grow row Plant in a shallow hole and spread the roots of the new canes out to encourage strong new canes to grow. Space out the new canes to 35-45cm between plants and 1.5 to 2 metres between rows. Make sure the posts and wires are sound. Soft fruit is a good thing to grow as it is pricey in the shops and such a nice thing to pick in the summer, especially with children. The Local Answer

To advertise call 01242 510500

Page 47

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awdfireplaces.co.uk awdfireplaces.co.uk mail@awdfireplaces.co.uk mail@awdfireplaces.co.uk

Tel: T el: 01242 01242 523398 523398 / 01452 01452 2 290458 90458 email: email: info@hatherleyworktops.co.uk info@hatherleyworktops.co.uk web: web: www.hatherleyworktops.co.uk www.hatherleyworktops.co.uk U Units nits 1 18, 8, 19 19 & 20 20 Malmesbury Malmesbury Road, Road, K Kingsditch ingsditch Trading Trading E Estate, state, C Cheltenham heltenham G GL51 L51 9 9PL PL

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Page 48

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The Local Answer

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don’t p ride o urselves on We e don’t pride ourselves on being being the the biggest biggest iindependent ndependent fflooring looring shop shop in in Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, w ep ride o urselves on on being being the the best. best. we pride ourselves We e believe believe the the smallest smallest things things make make the the biggest impact. impact. biggest Firstly we we focus focus on on providing providing e xtraordinary Firstly extraordinary customer service. service. F or e xample, u nlike o ur customer For example, unlike our competitors our our expert expert ffitting eam can can – ittting tteam competitors Move your your furniture furniture • Remove Remove your your fflooring looring • Move Uplift your your flooring flooring • E ase yyour our doors doors • Uplift Ease … And e ven vvacuum acuum u pb efore w e lleave! eave! …And even up before we Selecting your your flooring flooring couldn’t couldn’t b ee asier! Selecting be easier! Our salesmen salesmen do do not not work work on on commission, commission, Our so we we can can ensure ensure o ur c ustomers a re g etting so our customers are getting the right right p roduct ffor or tthe he rright ight p rice. the product price. If yyou ou can’t can’t g et tto o tthe he shop shop then then d on’t worry. worry. If get don’t e offer offer a free free measuring, measuring, estimating estimating and and We home selection selection service. service. home Finally, speak for themselves, themselves, F inally, rreviews eviews s peak for check ours out we e are are # a above bove c heck o urs o ut … w tthe he rrest! est!

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The Local Answer

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

A Affordable ffordable artwork artwork for for yyour our h home ome February is a good time to plan house projects and freshen up your home ahead of spring. One easy way to do this is to focus on what is on the walls. A recent project for a client, who has lots of interesting paintings she has collected, reminded me of the importance of pictures in a room. Making your walls more interesting doesn’t have to cost a lot, so here are some tips for personalising your space.

Image: John Lewis

O Original riginal a art rt Starting your own collection may seem daunting, but you just need to know what you like. And don’t be put off by the word “original” – it doesn’t necessarily mean expensive. Look out for affordable art fairs in your area. You only need to watch an episode of Antiques Roadshow to see how easy it is to pick up interesting pieces in boot sales and junk shops. Who knows, you could find the next undiscovered Picasso! If you want to support young emerging artists, think about going to the graduate show at your nearest art school. Search out local artists and open studio events – they’re great showcases for local talent. And don’t forget your creative friends. I have an artist friend and have bought her paintings over the years.

Prints P rints a and nd p posters osters Great affordable alternatives are prints (often limited editions) or posters. You can buy framed prints of your favourite pictures when you visit art galleries – my daughter recently bought a print of “A The Local Answer

Bigger Splash”, her favourite David Hockney. Posters are good if you are looking for something big and bold as a standout feature. I particularly love vintage travel posters and art/photographic exhibition posters. Check out the website www.riseart.com for inspiration.

Photographs P hotographs If you are looking for a clean, e l e g a n t l o o k , s t y l e y ou r s p a c e with framed photographs. You can have your own printed to the size you want to suit your space. Contemporary photographs look good with crisp white mounts and black frames. John Lewis or Ikea are good sources for affordable frames. If you love a vintage look, favourite old family photographs in sepia look perfect in vintage frames. Scour your local charity and antique shops for interesting finds, mix up your photos and display them on shelves for a more eclectic feel. To advertise call 01242 510500

D isplaying art art Displaying Hanging pictures in the right place is key and it’s easy to get it wrong. A few tips that always work for me are; hang single pictures at eye level, no higher or they look lonely; link them with other things in the room; stack smaller pictures in pairs. And do remember, scale is important – choose the right sized artwork for your wall for the most impact.

M Make ake a g gallery allery wall wall Finally, why not create an ontrend gallery wall, ideal for hallways or large wall spaces. You can opt for a single theme – botanical or nature inspired prints work well. For example, illustrations of native American birds. Alternatively, put together a fun collection of images you love, and check out Pinterest for ideas. Now you have your winter project sorted you just need to get started. Page 51

Specialists Specialists iin n safety safety and and des de

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OVER O VEER 20 20 YEARS’ YEARS’ TRADE TRADE EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE PROVIDING PROVIIDING RRESIDENTIAL ESIDENTIAL PAINTING PAINTING AAND ND D DECORATING ECORATING SSERVICES ERVICES IIN NG GLOUCESTERSHIRE LOUCESTERSHIRE N

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T:: 01242 693051 M: T M: 07786 480005 E: E: info@tcd-decorators.co.uk www.tcd-decorators.co.uk www.tcd-decorators.co.uk 45 Fairview Street, Cheltenham, GL52 2JF • Residential exterior Residential iinterior nterior & e xterior painting decorating painting & d ecorating • Colour Colour cconsultation onsultation • New builds extensions New b u il ds & e xtensions • Paper Paper hanging hanging • Spray Spray painting painting • Period Period property property restoration/renovation restoration/renovation

Trustworthy T rustworthy ffamily-run amily-run b business usiness Page 54

Interior and exterior decorating All wallpapering undertaken N Quality workmanship and customer satisfaction guaranteed N Paint spraying available N

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07818 0 7818 4 453708 53708

01242 0 1242 221843 221843

2W Wentworth entworth C Close, lose, C Cheltenham heltenham G GL51 L51 00NT NT

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The Local Answer

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

Gizmos Gizmos for for your your Valentine Vaalentine This Valentine’s Day, if you’re buying a gift for your significant other, don’t waste money on chocolates or flowers; branch out and try surprising your partner with something a little different! With these innovative gadgets, you can ensure that your special someone is thoroughly spoilt on this big day. Or, if you’re single, why not treat yourself instead? There’s no reason why you can’t show yourself some love!

S Soto oto A Aroma roma D Diffuser iffuser Neal’s Yard Remedies: £55 This elegant Soto diffuser will not only add some style to your decor, but it works wonders by reducing stress levels and helping you sleep better. Oil diffusers are a very thoughtful gift, as they calm the mind and body, and can also be used to create a romantic atmosphere – ideal for Valentine’s Day! The Soto Aroma Diffuser is great, as it also has colour-changing mood lighting, and can be set on a single colour of your choice. And it has a no light option, making it perfect if you want to use it to improve your sleep. This diffuser is easy to use, has an auto shut-off and even acts as a mini humidifier by The Local Answer

creating a calming scented mist, which will quickly freshen up an room in the hous This gadget w certainly create right atmosphere you and your Valen

Bellabeat Leaf Bellabeat Leaf Chakra C hakra John Lewis: £129.9 Wearable tech quickly becoming new norm, wi smartwatches, bracelets and even rings appearing on the gadget scene Combining cleve tech with beautifu jewellery, the Be beat Leaf Chakra the best of both. This smart necklace tracks your activity thanks to the Bellabeat app, which you can download on your phone and link to your Leaf Chakra. It then tracks all your steps and how many calories you’ve burned. The app also includes meditation exercises and can measure your sleeping patterns. And it’s waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about getting caught in the rain! If you, or someone you know, wants to improve their wellness, this piece of smart jewellery is ideal. It even contains a beautiful rose quartz stone, which is both romantic and is said to promote a positive outlook. To advertise call 01242 510500

Sage S age tthe he D Duo uo Temp T emp Pro Pro Espresso Coffee spresso C offfee Machine achine n Lewis: £199 etimes, the perfect tine’s gift is hing that both you ur partner can enjoy. you want to save on Starbucks trips, vy espresso coffee ne is a must-have. nly does it make for ttractive addition to r kitchen, but the o-Temp Pro also arantees a perfect p of coffee with ry use. e delicious coffee is the ved when ne purges cold rough the heating system, stopping the coffee from becoming too bitter. The Duo-Temp Pro comes with a cup-warming tray, a removable drip tray, and even has an ‘empty me’ indicator to stop the water from overflowing, and a commercial style steam wand for milk texturing. Basically, it will feel like you have your own personal bar-

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Page 55

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

Your Y our effort effort d does oes m matter atter At a time when the whole world seems to be imploding around us, it can be very easy to feel overwhelmed and to think that we can’t make a difference to the enormity of the situation. I mean really, what can one person, one family, recycling their plastic do to help? Well, I think that if we all make small changes, or big ones if we can, then, as a mass force, we can have a positive effect on the planet. Here are some things we can try in this New Year to make a difference. Hopefully we can all work together to mean that the end of this year is better than the start of it.

Find o Find out ut w what hat y you ou ccan an rrecycle ecycle iin ny your our a area rea Find out what you can recycle. There are so many things that can be recycled that might surprise you. From tin foil (rinse it and ball it up to add to your kerb side recycling) to bras (look up Smalls For All), you can do something useful with almost everything you would otherwise throw away.

Lots of shelters take lightly used toiletries too, so search for ones in your area and ask.

Shop Shop local local a and nd e eat at iin n season season Cutting down on those air miles and supporting your community really does make a big difference. We are blessed with an abundance of independent shops and incredible farmer’s markets in this area. Yes, it may be a little more expensive than the supermarket version, but I for one would rather buy a little less but fresh and flavoursome, whilst supporting local independent businesses.

M Make ake w what hat y you ou can can From pasta to bread, biscuits and cakes, jams and marmalades. It sounds like a lot of work but a productive Sunday afternoon can result in months’ worth of produce if you pack or freeze it properly. Bread and biscuit dough can be made in batches and frozen for several months, then defrosted and cooked as and when you need them. Try making your own filled The Local Answer

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pasta and get the children involved if they are old enough. This also cuts down enormously on plastic packaging coming into the house.

Plant P lant things things Trees, house plants, flowers. Whatever you can. Let’s try and keep our precious bees fed over the summer by planting as many wildflower seeds as we can. Encourage your local council to join in with schemes to turn parks and roadside verges into bright swathes of colour.

D Do oy your our llittle ittle bit bit We can’t all invent a machine to clean the seas or develop a formula for turning plastic into nutritious plant food (the dream!) but we can all make a difference and our combined force can do some good. If you need inspiration, there are lots of groups on Facebook that share great ideas for being more environmentally friendly. One example is ‘Living Consciously Crew’, run by Instagram influencer Zanna van Dijk, but there are many others you could join. Page 5

COTSWOLD C OTSWOLD R EWI W RES REWIRES

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ACCOUNTANCY & TAXATION SERVICES for new & existing businesses Telephone: 01242 244856 Email: accountancy@andorran.co.uk

6 Manor Park Business Centre, Mackenzie Way, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 9TX

STEVEN Domestic and Industrial Skips

Money Money Matters Matters w with ith R Roger oger D Downes ownes o off A Andorran ndorran

G Gambling ambling cchanges hanges In an attempt to curb ‘problem gambling’, the Gambling Commission, which regulates how we place our ‘flutters’, has announced that, with effect from the middle of April, we will no longer be allowed to place bets on credit cards. It’s a good move. ‘Problem gambling’ – i.e. using money that we cannot afford to lose – is nothing short of an addiction and needs to be dealt with on an equal footing to more common forms such as drugs or alcohol.

IItt iis se easy asy to to be be tempted tempted by by the the cchance hance tto o ‘‘make make a q quick uick b buck’ uck’ There are many people in this country who struggle to find the money for the bare essentials. It’s easy to be tempted by the chance to ‘make a quick buck’ by gambling on the plethora of betting opportunities available to us, so anything we can do to make it more difficult has got to be a good thing. Technology sends availability in the opposite direction, of course, with online gambling having become commonplace over the last few years. It is now, by far, the most widely-used way of gambling, with online accounts making up two-thirds of the total betting industry income last year according to statistics published by the Gambling Commission. The ban on credit cards will apply to all gambling products both online and offline, save for lotteries run for good causes. Even those lotteries, including the National Lottery, will be subject to tougher safeguards, particularly with regard to vulnerable people, and will only be available on credit cards in supermarkets and newsagents if bought with other products.

2 24 4m million illion p people eople iin n tthe he UK UK take take part part iin ng gambling ambling e each ach y year ear

ATTENTION! A TTENTION! Let us lighten your load! Stevens Recycling

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stevensrecycling584@gmail.com The Local Answer

Amongst the statistics in the Gambling Commission report were some staggering numbers. 10.5 million people in the UK have an online account; an amazing 24 million people in this country gamble in some way or another every year. If online spending accounts for twothirds of the total, this must mean that the average amount gambled per head is so much more than in a shop or at a live event. It would be, wouldn’t it, as it’s so much easier. Banning the use of credit cards is a small, but important, step forward in dealing with this epidemic.

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IIndex ndex o off A Advertisers dvertisers W WHAT’S HAT’S ON ON EEVENTS VENTS & A ATTRACTIONS TTRACTIONS Abbey Mill Bacon Theatre Cheltenham Regency Hotel Sandford Parks Lido

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IINFORMATION NFORMATION Charlton Kings Parish Council Martin Horwood MEP NHS Gloucestershire

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P PROPERTY ROPERTY & STORAGE STORAGE Churchill Retirement Living Redrow The Property Centre

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BE Rudman C&G Paving Care Construction Cheltenham Town Building Counttyy Plastering Craftsmen Builders Eleven Builders Ltd Elite Loft Ladders G Kelly Plastering Home Care Roofing JHD Roofing & Building JTG Building Services Leckhampton Plastering M Moore Building Services Marshalls Driveways NKS Contracts Central Ltd Pave-Drive R Richards & Son RND Renovations RS Cladding & Roofing S.J. Lewis & Sons Simon Butler SWS Plastering Woodward Roofing & Claddding C ARPENTRY CARPENTRY Nick Burton Carpentry Red Ideas Three Piece Joinery Yard Bespoke Carpentry C LEANING S ERVICES CLEANING SERVICES Bright and Beautiful Molly Maid Ovenbusters Ovenclean Regency Cleaners EELECTRICAL LECTRICAL S ERVICES SERVICES Beacon Electrical Cotswold Rewires Counttyy Electrical Itectric TJE Electrical Services

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PAINTING P AINTING & DECORATING DECORATING Brian Mitten 50 Floods 50 G.S.C Ltd Decorators 54 Michelle Powell 50 TCD Decorators Ltd 54 Trevor Rogers 54 AERIAL TTV V&A ERIAL 1st Choice Aerials 65 WINDOWS, DOORS W INDOWS, D OORS & CONSERVATORIES CONSERVATORIES Albany Windows 60 & 64 BM Services 59 C&L Windows 62 & 63 Clearway Windows 61 Dimensions Garage Doors 39

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Competition Competition Winners Winners Thank you to all who took part in our January 2020 competitions and congratulations to the winners! Bacon Theatre – Andrea Matthews, Louise Connor and Ann Hopkins. TLA Photography – February 2020 Cover: Emma Armstrong.

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C Competition ompetition 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

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