Cotswolds

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GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S BIGGEST LOCAL MAGAZINE APRIL 2020

COTSWOLDS ADVERTISE IN OUR NEW PRINT DIRECTORY – DETTA AILS INSIDE

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Cotswolds: Cheltenham: C otswolds: 330,000 0,000 ccopies opies ~ C heltenham: 443,000 3,000 ccopies opies Gloucester: G loucester: 446,000 6,000 ccopies opies North North Gloucestershire: Gloucestershire: 220,000 0,000 ccopies opies Stroud Stroud District: District: 41,000 41,000 ccopies opies

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TTLA LA Directory Directory Delicious D elicious Dish Dish Quick Q uick Crossword Crossword Parenting Guardianship P arenting & G uardianship EEducation ducation & Employment Employment Good, LLooking ooking G ood, Feeling Feeling Great Great What’s W hat’s On On TTLA LA Entertainment Entertainment C ompetitions Competitions H olidays & TTravel ravel Holidays H omes & G ardens Homes Gardens IIn n tthe he G arden Garden S udoku Sudoku IInterior nterior D esign Design W ord Search Search Word G adgets & G izmos Gadgets Gizmos S ave tthe he P lanet Save Planet TLA Sport Sport TLA Index, Competitions, Competitions, Solutions Solutions Index,

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Enter our E nter o ur ffantastic antastic ccompetitions ompetitions and you win: a nd y ou ccould ould w in: • A tthree-night hree-night bbreak reak iin n a ccottage ottage iinn tthe he Quantock Hills Somerset Q uantock H ills iin nS omerset • A ffamily amily tticket icket ttoo Cotswold C otswold FFarm arm P Park ark • A pair pair of of weekend weekend ttickets ickets to to Linton Linton Festival Festival U nit H hurchill IIndustrial ndustrial EEstate, state, C hurchill R oad, Unit H,, C Churchill Churchill Road, LLeckhampton, eckhampton, Cheltenham, Cheltenham, G loucestershire G L53 77EG EG Gloucestershire GL53

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April’s winning cover photo: Kay Ransom

W elcome Welcome ttoo A pril April Spring has sprung and with Easter just around the corner we should have lots to look forward to this month. Hopefully, we can say goodbye to the months of rain we’ve had so far this year and welcome some sunshine!

We have an exciting announcement in this month’s issue as we launch our brand new print directory! We want to offer exposure to all businesses and budgets in Gloucestershire, so we hope this new feature will be an excellent way to do that. See inside for more details.

Yet again we have three fantistic prizes up for grabs on our online competitions page. We will be booking up your spring/summer diaries with the opportunity to win a stay at a lovely cottage in the Quantock hills close to the beautiful jurassic coast, as well as days out at Cotswold Farm Park for the little ones and Linton Festival for the music lovers. More details inside.

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 Advertising A dvertising & M Marketing arketing Dave Kingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk Lois Kingscott lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk

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

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DIRECTORY ACCOUNTANTS

CHARITIES

BUILDING CIRCLES IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE Helping with learning disabilities, friendships and providing a social platform.

ATTRACTIONS 01452 617346 COTSWOLD WILDLIFE PARK admin@buildingcirclesglos.org.uk Get closer to wildlife! www.buildingcirclesglos.org.uk www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk BARNWOOD TRUST Supporting disabled people and BATHROOMS people with mental health LIFESTYLE BATHROOMS challenges.

Specialising in designing rooms 01242 539935 for customers with mobility info@barnwoodtrust.org issues. www.barnwoodtrust.org 07496 057281 / 01453 884167 rex@lifestylebathrooms.net FURNISHING & APPLIANCES www.lifestylebathrooms.net BELLA’S INTERIORS All types of interior and exterior Advertise Your Business blinds and shutters.

01285 689003 / 01242 238030 info@bellasinteriors.co.uk including VAT/month www.bellasinteriors.co.uk DREAM DOORS BUILDING SERVICES From simple door replacements BARTHORP BUILDING to complete fitted kitchens.

Renovations, extensions, roofing, 01453 299344 loft conversions, kitchens, etc. www.dreamdoors.co.uk Professional and reliable.

GARDEN SERVICES 07721 744654 barthorpbuilding@gmail.com MARK CLIFFORD LANDSCAPES www.barthorpbuilding.com Garden design and maintenance, lawn cutting, tree work and more.

MARSHALLS DRIVEWAYS 01242 713800 / 07778 340485 01452 668005 / 01285 238089 markclifford-landscapes.co.uk www.marshallsdriveways.co.uk NKS CONTRACTS KITCHENS 01451 861155 HATHERLEY WORKTOPS LTD info@nkscontractscentral.co.uk Cheltenham based Quartz and www.nkscontractscentral.co.uk Granite Factory with Showroom.

R RICHARDS & SON LTD 01242 523398 / 01452 290458 01242 300028 / 07917 166516 info@hatherleyworktops.co.uk www.rrichardsandson.co.uk www.hatherleyworktops.co.uk PHOENIX TAX RETURNS AND ACCOUNTS SERVICE 07564 227571 phoenixreturns@mail.com

FROM ONLY £36

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01242 510500 LEGAL SERVICES ASIA ZEN WILLWRITING Estate planning, Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Guardianship, Lifetime Planning.

1285 707777 info@asiazenwillwriting.co.uk www.asiazenwillwriting.co.uk

Reach up to 30,000 homes in the Cotswolds!

PLUMBING & HEATING SARSEN ENERGY 01264 850742 info@sarsenenergy.co.uk www.sarsenenergy.co.uk

RECYCLING & SKIP HIRE STEVENS RECYCLING Domestic and industrial skips – let us lighten your load!

01242 522647/529397 stevensrecycling584@gmail.com www.stevens-recycling.co.uk

WINDOWS, DOORS & CONSERVATORIES ALBANY WINDOWS Stylish windows and doors you can trust.

01242 511384 sales@albanywindows.co.uk www.albanywindows.co.uk CLEARWAY DOORS & WINDOWS LTD 01242 513322 www.clearwaydoorsandwindows.co.uk GAROLLA Thermally insulated electric garage doors. Save space inside your garage.

01285 580037 / 07537 149128

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For more details email info@thelocalanswer.co.uk *Terms and conditions apply. Minimum six-month booking. New customers only.

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

Easter Easter treats treats W Which hich rocky rocky rroad oad w will ill you you go go down down – ffruit ruit o orr cchocolate hocolate e eggs?! ggs?!

Apple and Rocky A pple a nd Raisin Raisin Rocky Road R oad IIngredients: ngredients: 200g white chocolate; 200g oaty type biscuits; 2 tbsp golden syrup; 130g unsalted butter; 100g mini marshmallows; 100g bag of dried apple rings, chopped into small pieces; 50g raisins.

M ethod: Method: 1 Grease and line a 23cm square tin with greaseproof paper.

2 Break up the chocolate and put into a bowl with the golden syrup and butter.

3 Put some water in a saucepan and pop the bowl on the top, making sure it doesn’t touch the water. Bring to the boil then simmer until the mixture has melted. Stir then allow this to cool for 10-15 minutes.

4 Put the biscuits into a bag and crush roughly with a rolling pin. Empty into the chocolate mixture and give it a stir.

5 Add the marshmallows, apple pieces and raisins and stir until thoroughly coated.

6 Poor the mixture into the prepared tin then press down and into the corners. Put into the fridge until set.

7 Remove from the tin, take off the paper and cut into slices.

Chocolate Chocolate E Egg gg R Rocky ocky R Road oad Ingredients: Ingredients: 225g dark chocolate; 100g unsalted butter; 2 tbsp cocoa powder; 2 tbsp golden syrup; 100g rich tea biscuits or similar; 50g mini marshmallows; 200g mini eggs.

M ethod: Method: 1 Use the same method as the Apple and Raisin Rocky Road, but add the cocoa powder to the chocolate mixture, and instead of apple and raisin, add 150g of the mini eggs.

2 Once pressed down in the tin, scatter the remaining eggs on top and press down lightly. Leave to set as before and cut into slices.

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

R Raising aising children children in in the the digital digital age age Like many parents, I daresay you read the headlines about the evils of modern technology. Maybe you are of the ‘no TV, no devices’ approach, preferring your children to read, make things and play outside.

If that is the case, then all power to you, but for many, screen time is a mainstay of modern life and it looks like it’s here to stay. So what is the best way to support your children, allow them to navigate the virtual world without turning grey?

E Establish stablish b boundaries oundaries As always, the first port of call is establishing boundaries.

Although most effective when introduced at an early age, it is never too late to change and reaffirm the boundaries you want to maintain.

Rather than approaching the issue as a struggle to overcome, it is easier for everyone if screen time is incorporated into a wider plan of action.

Linking screen time to certain times of the day and creating a sense of pride in the kids for

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following the rules is highly effective.

Children who actively look forward to their ‘screen time’ and can self regulate – turning off when a programme has ended or when a certain game level is reached and receiving praise and affirmation for their choices – will grow up confident a n d w i t h a n i n n a t e ab i l i t y t o trust themselves.

However, a lack of clear boundaries or understanding as to what is expected of them can leave our kids feeling lost and confused, leading to parental involvement being repeatedly negative, critical and frustrating.

Life with our kids can be easy and fun if well-managed, so t h in k c a re fu l ly ab o ut ho w you want your relationship to feel and aim to keep that in mind when making changes.

Teenagers use gaming to connect with peers and feel secure, so giving them the space to play whilst maintaining high expectations of respectful behaviour and healthy self care is a great way forward.

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Finding points of connection where you can listen to them and let them know you are available is key, so try to avoid only ever talking to your teen to tell them to clean their room or have a shower! A cup of tea and a heartfelt ‘I love you’ goes a long way with our older offspring, and it makes you feel good too!

C Children hildren n need eed a rrange ange o off llearning earning e experiences xperiences With little ones, there are many great children’s programmes and games that they will enjoy, and that will indeed aid their learning. As long as they are supported with physical play and a wide range of learning experiences in life, they will thrive.

But remember, your phone is no replacement for your attention, so while it may keep your toddler quiet for a while, eye contact and conversation is so much more valuable. Sharing screen time and mummy/daddy time is a sure-fire way to keep your young ones on track as they grow up in the digital age.

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

Revision Revision techniques techniques aand nd sstrategies trategies Learning is an ongoing process, but when exams are looming, revision of topics is required so that information is fresh in your mind.

You may groan or cower at the mention of revision, and it may seem monotonous, but there are ways to make it more compelling. Do you know what kind of learner you are? There are three main learning styles: visual, auditory and kinaesthetic.

Visual V isual learners learners Visual learners like reading, pictures, diagrams and colours.

When revising, write out key points onto flash cards, make them colourful and draw pictures to help you remember important facts.

Auditory A uditory llearners earners If you are an auditory learner, you prefer hearing information rather than seeing it, so listening to talks on videos or podcasts may be your preference. To review your past

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learning, speak aloud so that your ears hear the information again; record key facts onto an electronic device so that you can play them back to yourself over and over. You might use different voices to make it more interesting.

Kinaesthetic K inaesthetic learners learners Kinaesthetic learners like to feel and be doing. To aid your memory, use your hands to make models; walk about as you read or speak and use your body to provide actions that emphasize essential ideas.

In essence, the best way to learn is by using all three of these modalities – use colour and pictures, sounds and videos; use movement and get creative with making things.

It may seem obvious, but the more extravagant you can make your revision aids, the more memorable the information will be.

Other general advice for revision includes not leaving it

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all until the last minute! Start weeks in advance and pace yourself – maybe create a schedule of what you need to revise and when.

Setting a timer can be useful so that you revise in short bursts. Take breaks in between revision sessions, get away from your desk, and do something completely different to take your mind off it. This also gives your brain time to consolidate the information you have just been looking at.

You could also think up some incentives to get yourself going, and after you’ve done some revision make sure you treat yourself with something you enjoy like messaging friends or playing a game, or something that’s good for you such as a walk in the park or a healthy snack.

Exam time can be stressful for families as well as students themselves, so it helps when parents support their youngsters and encourage them to work hard and do well – without putting too much pressure on them. Give your children time alone to study, but also urge them to get on with it if they are being too lax!

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

The The recovery recover y process process Following on from last month’s articles where we looked at some conceptual issues around recovery, this article is geared toward helping you with a reference point to manage a recovery routine to optimise your health and wellness.

C Cool ool d down own The recovery process begins as soon as you have completed a training session or physical activity, and starts with your cool down. This is a vital part of the recovery process, as it promotes the distribution of oxygenated blood around the body and helps to restore a ‘normal’ joint range of motion and length-tension in muscles.

It is also an ideal time to review the session and get feedback from your body. What felt good, and what could be improved in your next session?

A Alcohol lcohol The next thing to manage for optimal recovery is your alcohol intake. If you enjoy a drink or two then you’re probably fine, but regular bouts of heavy drinking will play havoc with your recovery and overall health. Alcohol reduces protein synthesis in the body, along with levels of certain vitamins, while promoting dehydration.

A worst-case scenario is heavy drinking after a game or training, with poor food intake and only a few hours’ sleep. Combining the dehydration and energy sapping effects of high intensity activity with a high volume of alcohol and lack of sleep has a massive negative influence on your recovery process.

The 100-point Recovery Checklist is easy to build into a busy The Local Answer

routine and gives you tangible, measurable data to back up how you actually feel. The following strategies will help you to recover after exercise.

Light exercise: Tai chi, Yoga, a walk, run, cycle, swim, row, weights circuit or cardio class at 45-55% of your maximum heart rate (MHR). of recovery: recovery: Active Type T ype of Points: Points: 10 Sleep: eight hours is optimum.

Type T ype o off rrecovery: ecovery: Passive Points: Points: 5 Hydration: thirst isn’t a good indicator of fluid needs – if you are thirsty then you’re too late! Urine colour can be a useful indicator. ecovery: Passive Type T ype o off rrecovery: Points: Points: 5 Nutrition: three healthy meals per day according to your needs. For example, five servings of fruit and veg, all meals to include protein and/or carbohydrates, reduce processed foods and alcohol!

Type T ype of of recovery: recovery: Passive Points: Points: 5

Foam rolling or active isolated stretching: complete a full body foam rolling session – calf, hamstring, Piriformis, IT Band, quads, lower back and adductors (1-2 minutes each).

Type T ype of of recovery: recovery: Passive P Points: oints: 5 Flexibility session: complete a full body stretch combining passive and, where possible, assisted stretches. Hold each stretch for 40-50 seconds. of recovery: recovery: Active Type T ype of P Points: oints: 10 Contrast showers: change the temperature of your shower throughout, alternating 30 seconds cold/30 seconds hot.

Type T ype of of recovery: recovery: Passive P Points: oints: 10 Massage: 45-60 minute sport or deep tissue massage. of recovery: recovery: Passive Type T ype of P Points: oints: 5 Aim to accumulate a minimum of 100 points over a seven day period by doing a combination of the strategies. You should find it enhances the quality of your training sessions.

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What s On The Local Answer Event Listings are compiled and presented in good faith with the kind support of many contributors. We recommend you use the contact details provided to check event information updates prior to planning your visit.

8 FEBRUARY – 19 APRIL LAMBING SEASON Springtime marks lambing season and there will be daily talks and access to the lambing shed, with the chance to see a birth and have a go at feeding the lambs and goat kids. Included with admission price. Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power, GL54 5FL. www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk 4 MARCH – 18 APRIL BEN HUR Based on one of the timeless stories of one of the best-selling books of the nineteenth century. The story follows an amateur theatre troupe as they produce the gigantic tale of the fictional Jewish prince and merchant Judah Ben-Hur. He falls to galley slave and rises to champion charioteer within Jerusalem during the life of Jesus Christ, while the actors struggle along through the piece as rivalries form and offstage romances interfere.

For times and prices please visit barntheatre.org.uk The Barn Theatre, 5 Beeches Road, Cirencester GL7 1BN. 6 MARCH – 12 JUNE 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

1 APRIL – 31 MAY MOSAIC TRAIL We invite younger children to find the mosaics hidden around the museum and older children who find them will answer questions relating to this beautiful Roman craft. Once complete, children can claim their prize. £1.50 per child (includes a prize). Corinium Museum, Park Street, Cirencester, GL7 2BX. coriniummuseum.org 3-19 APRIL EASTER FUN AT PRIMROSE VALE Aimed at children between 2-13 to enjoy various activities around the farm, and to cater for younger visitors, there is a pre-schoolers trail. It is quieter than the Halloween trail, and great fun for all ages. Primrose Vale, Shurdington Road, Bentham, GL51 4UA. www.primrosevale.com 4 APRIL CLOTHES SWAP In aid of Cobalt. An ingenious and great way of swapping five items from your wardrobe and raising funds along the way. Tickets £5 – includes coffee and cake. Phone 01242 535920 for information. 10.30am. Emmanuel Church Hall, Fairfield Parade, Leckhampton, Cheltenham GL53 7NT. TETBURY LIBRARY STORY & CRAFT A monthly story time (usually with props) followed by a related craft.

Aimed at 3-7 year olds, but is open to anyone who would like to listen. A free drop-in event, so there is no need to book. Under 8s to be accompanied by an adult. 10.30am. Tetbury Library, Close Gardens, Tetbury, GL8 8DU.

WINE FESTIVAL Join wine lovers in the Regency splendour of The Pittville Pump Room, with over 250 different wines to choose from, favourites and wines from England, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Argentina and the USA. £25pp. 12pm-3pm or 4pm-7pm.

Full details: cheltenhamwinefestival.com 4-5 APRIL MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION Layouts, refreshments, children drive yourself Thomas. Raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. St. Margaret’s Hall, Coniston Road, off Windermere Road, Hatherley, Cheltenham GL51 3NU. 10am-5pm. Full details at www.cheltmodrail.org.uk SHIPTON QUILTERS EXHIBITION – CANCELLED Unfortunately, Shipton Quilters have made the decision to cancel the 2020 event due to uncertainties surrounding public events. Please look out for details of next year’s event (17th-18th April) in one of our early 2021 issues.

11 APRIL EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA AT SANDFORD PARKS LIDO Join us for a fun-filled day for all the family. Meet the Easter Bunny between 11am and 1pm! There will be a variety of games and activities for adults and children, such as egg and spoon races and ‘hook-a-duck’ in the paddling pool!

Free event. All ages are welcome.

Sandford Parks Lido, Keynsham Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7PU.

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116-25 6-25 APRIL APRIL CHELTENHAM POETRY FESTIVAL The 10th Cheltenham Poetry Festival is going to take place in and around important venues in Cheltenham, including the chapel at Francis Close Hall, the University of Gloucestershire, Smokey Joes Cafe, the Sober Parrot and the Playhouse Theatre. Full details at cheltenhampoetryfestival.com 19 19 APRIL APRIL QUENINGTON RARE PLANT FAIR

A specialist plant sale set in beautiful gardens; you will be spoilt for choice with 20 plant stalls. Refreshments available. Admission £5 per adult, children under 16 free. Cash or cheque only. 11am-4pm. The Old Rectory, Quenington, Cirencester GL7 5BN.

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24-26 APRIL APRIL 24-26 FRESH: ART FAIR Returning for our fourth year in Cheltenham, Fresh: will be bigger and better than ever. There’ll be 15 new galleries, fresh work from returning exhibitors, workshops, talks, artist demos and the return of our famous outdoor Sculpture Park. For full details visit www.freshartfair.net/fairs/freshart-fair-cheltenham-racecourse/ 1166 & 17 17 M MAY AY SOUTHROP OPEN GARDENS 1-5pm. £5 for one day, £7 for both. Pay on arrival. The Manor, other village gardens, teas in the village hall, plant stalls. All proceeds to the Village Hall and the Church. www.southrop.org.uk 1188 MAY MAY COBALT INFORMATION EVENING Join Chief Executive Peter Sharpe for an update on the work of Cobalt. An opportunity to see behind the scenes of the Imaging Centre and some of the latest diagnostic imaging equipment.

Refreshments included. Places are limited – please call 01242 535922 to book. 6pm. Cobalt, Linton House, Thirlestaine Road, Cheltenham GL53 7AS. 2200 MAY MAY YOGA & MIDNFULNESS CHARITY EVENT Yoga and mindfulness classes will be taken by professional teachers as part

of an event for local medical charity Cobalt. The fundraising event will be held during Mental Health Awareness Week at Brockworth Community Centre in Gloucester. Tickets are £15 and must be pre booked, with proceeds helping Cobalt in their work to support local people with cancer and dementia. 01242 535900. fundraising@cobalthealth.co.uk www.cobalthealth.co.uk 33-5 -5 JULY JULY LINTON FESTIVAL

20th Anniversary, music, beer and cider festival raising money for local charities. Headliners include The Counterfeit Stones, Walter Trout and One Night of Queen plus many more amazing international bands/artists.

Tickets from £22 plus camping. Full line-up on website: www.lintonfestival.org.

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Entertainment E ntertainment

IIff you you hhave ave a sstory tory ttoo share, share, pplease lease eemail mail ffull ull ddetails etails tto o TTom. om. with with Tom Tom Hadfield Hadfield ‒ entertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk entertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk

A Author uthor P Penny enny Parkes Parkes ttalks alks rrom-coms om-coms Writing has always been a passion for Penny Parkes.

Born and raised in the Cotswolds, Penny is the author of The Larkford Series – a collection of romantic comedy novels based around a GP surgery.

So far Penny has written four books in the series – plus a short novella – releasing one a year since 2016 when she published her debut novel, ‘Out of Practice’.

“The premise for ‘Out Of Practice’,” she explained, “and then ultimately the rest of the series, stemmed from the idea of a Cotswolds community that was appealing and aspirational.”

After studying International Management at Bath University Penny worked for the BBC, and then as a location agent for film, TV and advertising.

She took up writing after her youngest child started school and it’s fair to say the career

Penny Parkes

change has worked out very well for Penny, with ‘Out of Practice’ winning the RNA Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award in 2017.

Penny says that the rom-com genre is one she has always enjoyed, and was a driving

FFilm ilm Review Review – Joe Joe K Kennett ennett

force behind creating The Larkford Series.

“I had always wanted to write a series of books,” she continued, “where the reader got to know the characters and felt really invested in how their lives and loves developed.

“I love a good romcom movie and I suppose Richard Curtis was actually a huge inspiration in how to create a world where there’s a cast of characters and you genuinely care about all of them.

“Authors like Milly Johnson, Veronica Henry and Katie Fforde should truly be available on prescription. I also read very widely and eclectically, with my bookshelves stuffed with literary fiction, thrillers and autobiographies. It’s become a family joke that if there’s a book in the house, I’ll read it.”

Full story online.

Book Book Review Review – Willow Willow Tonks Tonks

Onward O nward

Platform Platform S Seven even

‘Onward’ follows brothers Ian (Tom Holland) and Barley (Chris Pratt) as they embark on an old world quest to retrieve an almighty gem capable of bringing their dad, who passed when they were too young to remember him, back to life to spend a final 24 hours with them.

Pixar humanises figures of fantasy, bringing suburban life to a community of elves, where unicorns are akin to cats who screech at each other over scraps of food, and dragons are overexcitable dogs who bound around causing chaos, creating the perfect balance of relatable realism and wacky fantasy.

Laugh-inducing and tearjerking from beginning to end, ‘Onward’ encapsulates what Disney Pixar does best.

Bring tissues and get ready to fall in love with a new host of unlikely f riendships.

Barley and Ian Lightfoot.

Picture: Disney Pixar Full review online.

by Louise Doughty This engrossing mystery d e al s w i t h d e s t r u c t i v e r e l at i o n s h i p s a n d t h e i r consequences in a tense and immersive plot that k e ep s y o u g r i p p e d u n t i l the final page.

L is a c a n n o t r e m e m b e r the circumstances surro u nd i n g h e r u n t i m e l y d e at h , a n d h e r g h o s t i s t r ap p e d w i t h i n t h e c o n f i n es o f a t r a i n s t a t i o n , observing the busy lives of those rushing around her.

As the story unravels, we learn of her dark relationship with Dr Matthew Goodison, and discover the reasons behind her tragic death and how she came to be on platform seven on that fateful night 18 months beforehand.

A chilling portrayal of manipulation, possession, love and loss, ‘Platform Seven’ is a must-read.

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

Tom T om Elliott Elliott is is making making comedy comedy magical magical Tom Elliott is a unique comedian, in that if he manages to make his audience disappear, the night would probably go down as a success.

That’s because Tom combines his comedy with magic, and although making people vanish is a slight exaggeration, it’s safe to say his shows contain plenty of wonder as well as laughs.

“I blend the two elements in together, the comedy comes through with the magic and audience participation,” explained Tom. “I’ve been doing this full-time for three years. I started when I was 14 years old – when I was at school a mate of mine did magic and we used to perform at kids’ birthday parties.”

Tom no longer performs at parties but rather travels the country, and is currently on tour with his ‘Oh My Days’ show,

Tom Elliott

which he will be bringing to Cirencester’s Sundial Theatre in May. “It’s a really fun, clean show, and the subtle theme is about enjoying the little things,” continued Tom. “I talk about things like holidays and marriage, and get the audience involved, make wedding rings disappear and things like that.”

Tom is touring the show prac-

ticall y non-st op throug hout the spring and summer months, in preparation for what is set to be one of the highlights of his year.

He will be heading up to Scotland to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

He added: “I’m super excited, it’s the world’s largest arts festival. It’s my first time and I’m going to go headfirst and give it my best shot.”

Full story online.

JJunomoon unomoon on on their their unique unique sound sound Gloucestershire band Junomoon is made up of friends Harry Jones, George Lunn, David Libson, Will DownesHall and Lewis Dickenson.

Based in and around Stroud and Cirencester, the boys have been playing music together for years, and formed Junomoon towards the end of 2019.

“I was playing around with a few new song ideas, and brought George in to help,” said vocalist Harry.

“At the time, George played guitar as a main instrument, but played the keyboard in this session, and it really felt like the synth/keyboard vibe added a whole new dimension to the songs.

“We decided after that first session to start Junomoon, and

Junomoon, (L-R) David, George, Harry, Will, Lewis. Photo: Grace Wilkinson

really lean into that classic sound.”

Junomoon take their influences from a wide range of sources – from iconic bands like Fleetwood Mac to modern pop groups like Flyte.

Harry says they try to blend the old with the new, creating a synth-driven indie pop sound.

“Each member has slightly different tastes to each other, and I think that really comes across in the range of genres that our songs could each fall in to.

“I would say that our sound definitely takes its roots from modern singer-songwriter pop, but there’s something about the synthesizer vibe that also gives it a real nostalgic 80s feel” The process of making their own original music is something the boys enjoy, with everyone getting involved in the production side of things.

So far this year Junomoon have released two singles – ‘Matador’ and ‘Please, Just Go’ – with more set to come throughout 2020.

Full story online.

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

P Patesians atesians SSports ports & SSocial ocial C Club lub time to book Monday 29th June to Sunday 12th July 2020

Great food and a very warm welcome!

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W WIN IN

AD DAY AY O OUT UT AT AT T THE HE CRICKET C RICKET FESTIVAL FESTIVAL

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Cider&A Cider Ale le Festival F estival Patesians Patesians Sports Sportts & SSocial ocial C Club lub

Patesians Sports & Social Club have kindly donated a Hospitality Package for two people – worth £175 – to enjoy a day’s food and entertainment in the club’s marquee at the Cheltenham Cricket Festival on Monday 6th July 2020.

The Old Patesians was one of the first local clubs to take a tent at the Festival, and that too has developed over the years from small beginnings.

B BANK ANK H HOLIDAY OLIDAY This year’s event commences Monday 29th June and all members and guests are welcome, whether to watch the cricket with a drink and/or CCelebrating elebrating VVEE DDay ay snack, or to indulge in the popular corporate hospitality package. There Friday Friday 8th 8th M May ay – 12 12 n noon oon are still some spaces left on certain days – call Di Kingscott on 07903 154795 for details. Don’t delay if you wish to book for Monday 6th July – BBQ •B BQ if you’re lucky enough to win our competition you’ll get your money back.

Prosecco •P rosecco The Hospitality Package prize consists of ground entrance tickets, • Live L i ve Music Music morning coffee and biscuits, four course lunch with a bottle of wine, Tag •T ag Rugby Rugby reserved spectator seats, afternoon tea with freshly made sandwiches Tasters T asters and cakes, and a pay bar is available all day. and more! a nd m ore! nter tthe he d raw: Send your name, address and phone number to To T oe enter draw: ‘Cricket’, The Local Answer, Unit H, Churchill Industrial Estate, Churchill E verest R oad Everest Road Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham GL53 7EG. Alternatively, you can L eckhampton Leckhampton enter online by visiting www.thelocalanswer.co.uk and clicking the C heltenham G L53 9LG 9 Cheltenham GL53 ‘Competitions’ tab. C Closing losing d date: ate: T Thursday hursday 3 30th 0th A April pril 2 2020.

020.

L Look ook out out ffor or m more ore iinformation n in the n next ext issue issue o off The The L Local ocal Answer!

Answer!

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

C Cycling ycling from from the the Camargue Camargue tto o Avignon Avignon Last month we explored Germany’s Baltic coast. This month we head south to sundrenched Provence, France for the first of two cycling-themed adventures for 2020.

Allowing nine or 10 days, there’s plenty of time for a leisurely ride from Aigues Mortes to Avignon on the banks of the mighty Rhône.

Navigating the Camargue’s wetlands, with their iconic flamingos, soot-black bulls and snow-white horses guarantees sublime cycling.

The area’s cuisine is also irresistible, with an eclectic mix of simple-but-delicious food.

Wonderful organic vegetables, local rice, seafood, lamb stews – Gardiane d’agneau – and superb free-range Taureau de Camargue beef define menus here.

Explore Explore A Arles rles iin nV Van an Gogh’s Gogh’s ffootsteps ootsteps Leaving the Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, Arles beckons with tales of arguably its most famous resident, Vincent van Gogh, who lived and painted there in 1888 and 1889.

As you explore, don’t miss the tempting cafés of Place du Domer (location of van Gogh’s ‘Yellow Café’). Or pedal down Rue Gaspard Monge to the ‘Van Gogh Bridge’, the famous Vincent drawbridge that painted at Langlois.

Then follow the Rhône and Gard north, via the sheerwalled medieval Chateau de Tarascon, to riverside Collias, The Local Answer

the Gorges du Gardon and the stunning 160 ft (49m) high Pont du Gard aqueduct.

The final destination for our two-wheeled journey under cerulean Provençal skies is Avignon, Provence’s ‘sweetheart town’. Accommodation n e a r l o v e l y P l a c e d e l ’H o r l o g e ensures a great central base for exploration.

Don’t Don’t miss miss the the region’s region’s rrenowned enowned ‘‘asperge’ asperge’ Highlights? The majesty of Pont Saint-Bénézet (immortalised in ‘Sur le Pont d’Avignon’), delicious Côtes du Rhône wines, the imposing Palais des Papes and Avignon’s unmissable fusion of local and Iberian-inspired cuisine. If you’re there during the AprilMay asparagus season, don’t miss the region’s renowned ‘asperge’.

Your time in Provence is drawing to a close, and if you’ve left a car in Aigues To advertise call 01242 510500

Mortes, an easy train journey gets you back via Nimes. If you’ve driven out with your bikes, you’ll probably have arranged your own accommodation too.

S Saddle addle u up pa and nd e enjoy njoy tthe he a adventure dventure Alternatively, choosing a specialist cycling holiday simplifies pedalling through Provence’s fabled landscapes – and avoids back-doubling from Avignon. How about entrusting everything to an experienced cycling holiday company?

Tailored packages mean everything’s arranged for you, including flights, transfers, bikes and equipment, route guides and hotels. All you do is saddle up and enjoy the adventure.

What’s the French for ‘On your bike’?’ ‘Sur votre vélo’ sounds about right and Provence is calling! Bon voyage!

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

The The nodding nodding heads heads of of bluebells bluebells At last spring is really here and everything is bursting with life.

British gardens typically look at their best in spring and early summer when everything seems to be gearing itself up for a spectacular display of colour.

As daffodils finish flowering, the faded flowerheads can be removed. The small daffodils which are being grown to naturalise can be left to form seedheads. Don’t cut off the foliage – it needs at least six weeks’ dying to replenish the bulb underneath so it can flower the following year.

Also, don’t tie up daffodils in strange bundles with elastic bands, as this can damage the leaves as well as being very odd-looking!

English English b bluebells luebells a are re under under threat threat from from tthe he Spanish Spanish v variety ariety A wood full of the beautiful nodding heads and scent of bluebells is a quintessentially English experience and they

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will be coming out this month.

Unfortunately, they are under threat from the Spanish bluebell, which is grown in gardens as it was considered more decorative than its English cousin.

How to tell them apart? Well the English bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) has scented flowers borne on one side of the stem, the anthers are cream-coloured and unequal, and the flower spike is nodding.

The Spanish bluebell (H.hispanica) has unscented flowers borne on all sides of the stem. It has blue equal anthers and an upright flower spike.

So take care with what you plant (under no circ u m s t a n c e s h a rv e s t a n y from the wild!), sourcing them from reputable retailers, and you too could enjoy the fragrance of your own little bluebell patch.

To advertise call 01242 510500

Keep a lookout for the red lily beetles on newly emerging lily shoots. Pick them off and squash them, and if you are not averse to the use of chemicals, use a systemic spray like Provado Ultimate Bug Killer to keep them safe for up to six weeks.

Feed F eed your your fruit fruit b bushes ushes With having such a wet winter it might be a good idea to feed your fruit bushes – the rain washes all the goodness from the soil. A balanced general fertiliser such as Gromore or blood, fish and bone can be applied at about 70g per square metre to give them a boost.

Now is the time to make successional sowings of beetroot, chard and radishes outdoors ready for gathering in July and August. Follow the instructions on the packet, sowing in an area where the soil has been carefully raked to a fine tilth and don’t forget to label the rows!

Page 2

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

W Wake ake up up to to spring spring It feels like spring has been a long time coming. If you’re like me, you start to crave more light and colour when the sun starts to stream in after the long, grey months of winter.

The good news is, homeware shops are brimming with new fabrics, wallpaper and furniture. Celebrate the new season by following my tips to give your home a spring update.

P Pastel astel p perfect erfect An easy way to brighten up your home is to introduce pastel colours into a neutral scheme.

Think petal inspired hues.

Blush pink looks great matched with grey sofas for a midcentury living room scheme.

I paired a soft, greyish-lilac with taupe in my bedroom – it feels so calm and restful. Fresh green walls with white tiles look clean and chic for a bathroom. For a warm welcome, paint your front door a sunny daffodil yellow and accessorise with grey metal planters.

Floral F loral cchic hic I am a bit of a fan of florals (my first home was all Laura

Ashley). The good news is that flowers feature strongly in the new spring fabric and wallpaper collections. Inspired by a trip to Japan earlier in the year, I am particularly drawn to the oriental style wallpapers.

Little Greene’s lovely Belton design would look stunning in a hall or small bedroom, or for a real statement think about a wallpaper mural. Check out the gorgeous chinoiserie designs at www.surfaceview.co.uk or visit www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk for more inspiration. And remember you can always pick up a contemporary floral design on a single chair or a cushion.

Spring S pring blooms blooms Fresh flowers bring spring into your home and are a sure-fire way to lift your spirits. There are so many glorious spring flowers to choose from and you may find some growing in your garden that you can harvest.

Mix daffodils with forsythia, masses of dark purple tulips, or white hyacinths always look stunning. Add some pussy willow branches for height,

Image: Little Greene

then dry them and create a year -round sculptural arrangement.

Natural Natural selection selection The new spring furniture ranges feature lots of natural cane and rattan – perfect for a lighter spring/summer natural look for your décor. There are some great cost-effective pieces available online – check out the rattan fold up dining chairs at H&M, or the round black bamboo mirror at Trouva.

Be sustainable by searching out old pieces and make them look this season by revamping them with a lick of paint in jade green, coral or on-trend classic blue.

Easter E aster tablescape tablescape For that seasonal finishing touch, dress up your lunch table for Easter. Create an Easterthemed table with pastel hued napkins and coloured glasses, then scatter around cute and charming eggs, chicks and bunnies.

For a quick and stylish decoration, arrange white painted branches in a large vase and hang hand painted eggs on it – great fun to make with the kids. Happy Easter!

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Word W ord S Search earch D M Q W N R C Q H V D N K P J S E N W G Q Q B K

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Fashion F ashion ACCESSORIES BEACHWEAR COLLECTION COMMERCIAL DESIGNER CHIC CLASSIC CLOTHING FAD

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

E Easter aster gizmos gizmos g galore alore It’s Easter time, which means hot cross buns, egg hunts and plenty of chocolate! It’s also a time for sitting out in the garden, admiring the clear blue skies and enjoying what spring has to offer. So, if you are on the lookout for some nifty new gadgets that could spruce up your life, then read on!

A Anatole natole R Rabbit abbit L Lamp amp John Lewis: £150 This adorable gadget will really make it feel like Easter!

Enjoy a burst of colour and sound as you embrace the warmer weather with the Anatole Rabbit lamp. Not only does this portable outdoor colourlight include a changing LED light, but it also comes with a Bluetooth speaker!

Whether you’re having an Easter egg hunt in the garden or hosting a get-together, this cute rabbit will create the perfect atmosphere with its The Local Answer

range of colours and highquality sound. Light and portable, it can fit neatly anywhere in your home, and it’s sure to be a hit with the kids.

Fitbit F itbit Inspire Inspire HR HR John Lewis: £89 If you’re not in the mood for chocolate eggs and bunnies, then don’t fret; with the Fitbit Inspire HR, you can manage your health and keep track of your fitness. This gizmo tracks your heart rate, cardio and how much fat you burn.

Simply connect it to your mobile and you will also be able to stay updated with calls and texts, all from your wrist!

Set yourself targets and wait to receive a notification once you hit them. The Fitbit Smart Watch is also water-resistant up to 50m, so you can wear it while you go swimming!

Enjoy up to five days of battery life and measure your progress with the Fitbit app.

So, don’t lose motivation! The app will store all your progress from your workouts.

into the feeding tube, and let the machine get to work.

You can also avoid any messes thanks to its anti-drip spout, which can be easily detached and reattached without any fuss.

The HR1832/01 even gets rid of any unwanted pulp in your juice, so you can enjoy your smooth drink without worrying about any pips or stalks floating about. Afterwards, you can dismantle it and place the parts in the dishwasher. Easy!

Philips V Philips Viva iva HR1832/01 HR1832/ Juicer J uicer Currys: £69.99 If you’ve had too m chocolate and are strugg to reach your five a day this snazzy juicer. The easy use Viva HR1832/01 will not only make for a stylish addition to your kitchen, but will produce some delicious health juices that will be muchappreciated in the warmer weather. Just pop some fruit or veg To advertise call 01242 510500

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FANTASTIC PRIZES TO BE WON! cottage break break 3-night cottage 3-night the Quantock Quantock Hills Hills in in the Win a mid-week break for up to four people in Groom’s Cottage at Pardlestone Farm, which has direct access to Somerset’s unspoiled wilderness, and is within walking distance of an award-winning pub and the spectacular Jurassic coast.

F Family amily tticket icket tto o C Cotswold otswold Farm Farm Park Park Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park has a long-standing reputation for a fun-filled day out. Visitors of all ages can interact closely with the animals and learn about farming, past and present.

P Pair air o off w weekend eekend ttickets ickets tto oL Linton inton F Festival estival Herefordshire’s premier music, real ale and cider festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary! From 3rd to 5th July 2020, Linton Festival will feature an international selection of artists from the UK, Germany, Ireland and the US.

E Enter nter o online: nline: www.thelocalanswer.co.uk www.thelocalanswer.co.uk

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

ne lectric C Considering onsidering aan electric ccar ar – is is it it e nough? enough?

I’ve been feeling incredibly guilty about my vehicle emissions for a while now. Every time I drive for the school run (often with this terrible weather lately) I watch the fumes from the cars around me swirling up into the ether and am consumed with angst about the fact that my car is doing the same. So I started researching electric cars.

Think Think ccarefully arefully a about bout which m which model odel you you go go for for One of the biggest issues for me is range. Unless you have a very big budget and can afford a car that does hundreds of miles and recharges in minutes while you drink a coffee in a service station, you need to think a bit carefully about which model you are going to go for.

I’m terrible for planning and I also get a lot of anxiety about

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trips at the best of times and would be really worrying about the chargers not working at the service station, or (which I think would be more likely these days!) them all being in use!

So that has led me to look at hybrids. A battery meaning I can do all my local running around emission free, and then if the worst happens and I can’t recharge for whatever reason on a longer journey (I feel I’d struggle on my trips back through Wales) I have the backup of an engine.

But then I start to question myself again – is that good enough? And I think that sums up the way I feel generally about the environment at the moment. Is what I’m doing, or attempting to do, good enough?

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We recycle and we try to find alternative routes to school, I’ve made a whole heap of changes to how we buy and live but ultimately, we are certainly leaving our mark on the planet as a family, despite our efforts.

And with the local flooding and the terrible fires recently in Australia, it can feel as though we, as a world aren’t doing enough.

It’s It’s important important tto oa also lso look look for for the the positives positives But then maybe it would all be so much worse now without the things we have done. It’s important to also look for the positives. There are incredible initiatives reported every day – plastic bag equivalents made from plants that break down to nothing, amazing inventions to clean up the sea, people talking about the environment and doing their best to do better.

I’m trying to take comfort from that, and continuing to educate my children on how they can live a more sustainable life. I hope by making small changes daily, and making bigger changes where I can, soon I will be able to feel much less guilty.

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with w ith R Roger oger Jackson Jackson

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

It’s It’ss all all sytems sytems go go for for London London Marathon Marathon Joyce Matthews has a bucket list. Nothing too unusual about that, you might say, because a lot of people do.

But the thing that makes Joyce’s bucket list just that little bit different is that she wants to get everything ticked off by the time she is 50.

“I want to run the five big marathons,” said the Cirencester Athletics Club member. “I want to run London, New York, Tokyo, Boston and Chicago before I’m 50,” adding with a laugh, “then I’m done!”

All being well she’ll get the first one out of the way at the end of April when she competes in the London Marathon, although it will be the first time that she has run 26.2 miles.

“I’ve run lots of halfs and I’ve done 20-mile training runs,” said the 45-year-old mother-oftwo, who is counting down the hours to the big day on Sunday 26th April.

Joyce, who was born in

Tanzania, has always liked running. She spent her formative years in the country of her birth and then Kenya before moving with her family to the US – her dad was an airline engineer.

She’s been in this country since the back end of the last

Basketball, B asketball, a anyone? nyone?

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Roger West is setting up a sports club for youngsters in the village where he lives.

Nothing out of the ordinary about that, you may say, there are any number of very well meaning people who want to ensure that as many kids as possible are given the chance to enjoy all that sport has to offer.

Except that Roger West will be 81 in September and it’s fair to say that there aren’t too many people in their ninth decade who are doing what he is doing.

Roger West is something of a one-off and if anyone can get a basketball club up and running in Kempsford, which is some 11 miles south west of Cirencester, then it is surely him because he has certainly lived a very interesting and varied life.

Gloucestershire team manager Andy Addis has issued an open invitation to all rugby players in the area to get involved in their end-of-season county championship campaign.

Players up and down the county are welcome to attend the first training session in around midApril in readiness for the start of the competition in May. “Anyone who was born in Gloucestershire, has lived in Gloucestershire for a year or more and is aged 18 and over is eligible to play,” said Addis.

“The net is massive.”

Those players who do turn up will be guaranteed some toplevel coaching because Addis confirmed that Matt Teague will again be head coach with Jack Preece as his assistant.

Joyce Matthews

century – “I went to university in Plymouth and that’s where I met my husband Peter,” she said – and moved to Cirencester in the mid-noughties.

She joined Cirencester AC some eight years or so ago and added: “I love running, I always have and Cirencester is a great club, friendly and very supportive.

“I’ve always wanted to run the London Marathon.

“I’ve always entered the London Marathon ballot and not been accepted but now I have, it’s brilliant.

“I can’t wait to experience it, it’s an amazing event.”

So what sort of time is she hoping to go round in?

“I want to do sub-four hours,” she said.

And there is every prospect of getting somewhere near her target because she ran 1.38 in the London Vitality Big Half at the beginning of March which she was “quite pleased with”.

Any potential players wanting more information about Gloucestershire’s county championship campaign can email Addis at andyaddis@live.co.uk or call 07742 655132.

B Burnsy urnsy ccentre entre stage stage It’s not far short of 30 years since Chris Burns, one of Gloucestershire’s finest ever footballers, went toe-to-toe with some of the very best players from one of the great clubs, not once, but twice at the semi-final stage in the game’s leading club knockout competition.

The competition was the FA Cup of course and back in 1992, Burns, a central midfielder, was playing for Portsmouth against mighty Liverpool, losing out only in a penalty shootout.

For full verssions of all these storiies and more,, visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk

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Ryan Ryan Higgins Higgins fired fired up up for for new new sseason eason Ryan Higgins is one of those real top drawer all-rounders. s When you see him bat you think he’s a batting all-rounder and when he’s bowling you think he must be a bowling all-rounder.

The figures don’t lie – the 25year-old has enjoyed huge success since joining Gloucestershire from Middlesex for the start of the 2018 season.

He has made runs aplenty and has also been a regular wickettaker with his bustling, sharper than medium pace.

And the great thing from Gloucestershire’s viewpoint is that he has been producing standout performances in all formats of the game – in the four-day county championship, in 50overs cricket and in T20.

And in a few months’ time there’s every chance we’ll be adding a fourth specialism to his impressive CV because he’s been selected to play for Welsh Fire in the much-heralded Hundred competition, where he will line up with and against some of the biggest names in world cricket.

And it’s not just in the quickest of quickfire formats that he will be taking on some of the world’s finest in 2020 because for the first time since the midnoughti es, Gl oucest ershi re will be competing in the top flight of the county championship this season.

It’s no wonder Higgins can’t wait for the new campaign to start.

“It’s really exciting,” he said.

“When I first came to Gloucestershire one of the aims was to get into Division One, now we’re there we are all very happy.”

And since winning promotion, Gloucestershire have worked hard to strengthen the side, with former West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor and all-rounder George Scott joining on longterm contracts, India Test batting star Cheteshwar Pujara linking up for the early part of the season, and Afghanistan leg-spinner Qais Ahmad signing up for the second half of the campaign.

Ryan Higgins has been in outstanding form since joining Gloucestershire

“It shows the intent of the club,” said Higgins. “It shows that we want to stay up and cement our place in Division One. “We don’t want to be there for just one season, we don’t want to be a yo-yo club.”

While Scott and Ahmad have bags of potential, Taylor and Pujara are proven on the biggest stages, with Pujara still a major player in Test cricket.

And they’ll certainly strengthen Chris Dent’s largely youthful team as they go toe-to-toe with the likes of champions Essex, Surrey and Yorkshire in the purest form of the county game.

Higgins played a handful of games in Division One for Middlesex in 2017 and is certainly not daunted by moving up a level this season.

“I was talking to some of the players from Kent and they were saying that there isn’t as big a gap as you’d expect,” he said.

“There are obviously two or three players in each team who stand out and the standard is going to be a step up, but the pitches will be better which will help the batters, although it may be a bit tougher for the bowlers.”

Higgins has proved over the past couple of years that there’s nothing he likes more than a

challenge and that’s going to stand him in very good stead in the coming months because he’s entering uncharted waters this season once the new Hundred competition kicks in in the middle of July. And that tournament is a challenge that Higgins can’t want to take on.

He’s in a Welsh Fire squad that includes world class Australian duo Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc, as well as England batting star Jonny Bairstow.

Gloucestershire left-arm seamer David Payne is also in the squad and Higgins said: “It’s very exciting.

“I remember watching the draft and to get selected was awesome, it was an amazing feeling.”

The eight-team tournament, which starts on Friday 17th July, features many of the best players in the world and Higgins added: “I just need to make sure that when I get the chance I play well.”

Gloucestershire’s county championship season gets under way against Yorkshire at Headingley on Sunday 12th April (11am) and their T20 campaign begins on Friday 29th May with a floodlit tie at Somerset (6.30pm).

Full story online.

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

6 Entrants must be over 18 years, unless stated. 7 Proof of

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

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