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GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S BIGGEST LOCAL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2019
COTSWOLDS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS AND CLIENTS!
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W elcome Welcome ttoo D ecember December
M anaging D irector Managing Director Dave Dave K Kingscott ingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Marketing Marketing LLois ois K Kingscott ingscott llois@thelocalanswer.co.uk ois@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Sales Sales C Claudie laudie FFrancis rancis iinfo@thelocalanswer.co.uk nfo@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Sport Sport R Roger oger JJackson ackson
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and we have a jam-packed Christmas themed issue for you this month. There are lots of festive editorials to enjoy and a What’s On section full of events to add to your Christmas calendar! We also have a special gift for you with our brand new Online Competitions feature! Read more about this inside and check out the fantastic prizes up for grabs. We had so many enquiries last month asking where the cover photo was taken so we thought we had better include a mention this month! Martin Vincent’s image is of the Mill at Lower Slaughter – a great place to include on a winter walk. Thank you to all our readers and clients for your continued support throughout 2019. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
ssport@thelocalanswer.co.uk port@thelocalanswer.co.uk
EEntertainment ntertainment TTom om H Hadfield adfield eentertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk ntertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Administration Administration Helen Kingscott H elen K ingscott Distribution Distribution JJohn ohn O Overton verton – 001242 1242 541075 541075 leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk
LLouis ouis Jordan Jordan
Inside Inside this this month month ... ... Delicious Dish Delicious Dish 5 Sudoku 8 Sudoku Medical Health Health 9 Medical Quick C rossword 1100 Quick Crossword TLA TLA Entertainment 112-13 2-13 Entertainment What’s O 1144 What’s Onn Online Online Competitions 1155 Competitions Homes & Gardens Gardens 2200 Homes
IIn n the the G arden Garden
2211
G adgets & Gizmos Gizmos 2233 Gadgets IInterior nterior Design Design
2255
S ave the the Planet Planet Save
2277
W ord Search Search Word
2288
M oney M atters Money Matters
3311
Sport TTLA LA Sport
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IIndex, ndex, C ompetitions, Competitions, S olutions 3344 Solutions
ddistribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk istribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Accounts Accounts Rob R ob Kingscott Kingscott accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk
U nit H hurchill IIndustrial ndustrial EEstate, state, C hurchill R oad, Unit H,, C Churchill Churchill Road, LLeckhampton, eckhampton, Cheltenham, Cheltenham, G loucestershire G L53 77EG EG Gloucestershire GL53
Telephone Telephone 01242 01242 510500 510500 @ @thelocalanswer thelocalanswer
w www.thelocalanswer.co.uk ww.thelocalanswer.co.uk
C ompetitions o np age 1 5 Competitions on page 15 If you use the services of our advertisers or attend the events listed, please tell them you found them in The Local Answer! If you can’t find the service you require inside, head online to our Directory. We have details of many more local businesses including: Mortgage Advisor Window Cleaning M ortgage A dvisor • W indow C leaning Hypnotherapy • M Hypnotherapy Magician Cake Maker agician • C ake M aker Visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk
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Meet the new arriv at Burley Fields Burley Fields Lakes has something new to offer this Christmas – an o p p o r t u n i t y f o r c h i l d re n ( a n d a d u l t s ! ) t o fe e d a n d p e t t h e i r beautiful tame deer. Let the kids experience the joy of selecting their o w n C h r i s t m a s t re e a n d y o u ’ l l b e able to visit these wonderful animals in their field – and, armed with a free deer treat given out with t r e e s , t h e y ’ l l s o o n w a n t t o m a ke friends with you! Owner S Kincart welcomed the d y Fields when their Prinknash Bird & sadly closed in “We’ve always r roaming our hop customd fishermen y seeing at es. We e re a l l y sed to a s afe to deer nkand, se they
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a re t a m e , w e t h meeting them would n i c e b o n u s fo r a n buying a Christmas t the kids will love th Trees will be on f ro m 1 s t D e c e m e v e r y d a y f ro m 1 0 late. The other great ro u n d a t t r a c t i o n F i e l d s L a ke s i s t farm shop. Set in the farm, the open for over 1 St e v e ’ s p a r t n e r P butcher Mark and stockman A All meat produced is from their own a n i m a l s ( e i t h e r b o r n o r re a re d o n s i t e ) a n d t h e y re g u l a r l y p re s e n t a v a s t s e l e c t i o n o f b e e f, p o r k , c h i c ke n , l a m b , m u t t o n , g o a t a n d venison. T h e y a l s o p ro d u c e s u p e r b s a u s a g e s w i t h a g re a t r a n g e o f flavours varying each week from Wild Garlic (picked from the farm’s f o re s t ) t o S p i c y C h i l l i , M u s h ro o m , St i l t o n , L e e k , R o s e m a r y & T h y m e , Beef, Lamb & Mint and Venison.
For th of free range turkeys a av a i l a b l e w i t h a l l t h e t r i m m i n g s , providing delicious flavour for the perfect Christmas dinner. T h e s h o p i s o p e n f ro m 1 0 a m t i l l 5.30pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and 10am-4.30pm on Saturdays. Why not visit Burley Fields Lakes for all three treats – a real Christmas nce with tree, a touching experien deer and to quality local pr
BBurley urley Fields Fields Lakes Lakes Farm Farm Shop S ho Leckhampton Leckhampton Lane Lane • Cheltenham Cheltenham • GL51 GL51 4XP 4XP • 01242 01242 861333 861333 / 07914 07914 940557 940557
O Open pen Thursday/Friday Thursday/Friday 10am-5.30pm 10am-5.30pm & Saturday Saturday 10am-4.30pm 10am-4.30pm www.burleyfieldsandlake.co.uk www.burleyfieldsandlake.co
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m All meat and poultry A ll m eat a nd p o ul t availapbers Call ll 007341 7341 835151 835151 / 07831 07831 734683 734683 we sell stock w es ell iis s ffrom rom s to FREE LO le – C A born and/or born a nd/or reared reare L DELIVER Y on on site! site!
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FFANTASTIC ANTASTIC P PRICES RICES O ON N EVERYTHING EVERYTHING W WEE SELL SELL – ALL ALL YEAR YEAR ROUND! ROUND!
Delicious Delicious Dish Dish w with ith H Helen elen K Kingscott ingscott
Turkey T urkey meatballs meatballs aand nd b butternut utternut ssquash quash n noodles oodles L Looking ooking ffor or a an na alternative lternative tturkey urkey rrecipe ecipe tthis his ffestive estive sseason? eason? T his d ish o ffers a llow-carb ow-carb This dish offers a lternative tto on oodles, w hilst g etting iin n alternative noodles, whilst getting a nother o our ffive-a-day! ive-a-day! another off y your om ake d ouble o he T he rrecipe ecipe sserves erves ttwo wo sso The make double off tthe reeze ffor or a nother d ay. m eatballs a nd ssauce auce a nd ffreeze meatballs and and another day. IIngredients: ngredients: 300g turkey thigh mince; 2 sun-dried tomatoes in oil from the deli; 2 garlic cloves or use lazy garlic; 8 sage leaves; 1 medium egg yolk; 1 tbsp cornflour; 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes; ½ red onion; 2 tsp balsamic vinegar; 3 tsp olive oil; 1 x 300g pack butternut squash noodles; 30g pine nuts. Method: Method: 1 Put the pine nuts in a small saucepan and toast them over a medium heat for 1-2 minutes, shaking the pan frequently. Tip into a dish and leave to one side. 2 Put the mince in a large bowl, add the drained and finely chopped sun -dried tomatoes, half the garlic and finely chopped sage leaves, the egg yolk and cornflour. 3 Season with salt and pepper, mix together, then roll into small balls. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
4 Put the tinned tomatoes in a small pan over a medium heat and add the red onion and vinegar. Season, bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. 5 Heat 2 tsp olive oil in a large frying pan and fry the meatballs for 3-4 minutes until golden on one side. Then turn and cook for another 34 minutes or until cooked through. 6 Add the tomato sauce and return to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. 7 Meanwhile, put the butternut squash noodles in a separate frying pan and add 1 tsp olive oil, a splash of water, the remaining garlic and chopped sage. 8 Season then cover the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes until just tender. 9 Serve with the meatballs and tomato sauce, and scatter over the pine nuts.
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Sudoku Fill the grids so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.
D Distributors istributors R Required equired For a few hours each month in the following specific areas:
Cirencester • Kempsford Each round is made up of 150-400 copies per month. The rate of pay is 6 pence/copy. Depending on property types, our current team of people average between 100150 copies/hour (equivalent to £6-£9/hour). Magazines are delivered to T The h e Loc Lo c al al Distributors’ homes towards the A ANS NS WER WER end of each month and we expect deliveries to be completed within four days between the hours of 7am and 9pm. Yoou must be 13+ years old, flexible, reliable and sufficiently physically fit to COTSW C OTSWOLDS OLDS perform the duties. GLOUCESTERSHIRE GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S ’S BIGGEST BIGGEST LOCAL LOCAL MAGAZINE MA AGAZINE DECEMBER D ECEMBER 22019 019
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W Winter inter aaches ches o orr something something m more? ore? We all experience the odd ache or stiffness in our joints and bones, so when does the odd ache become something more? Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in a joint. In the UK, more than 10 million people have arthritis, affecting people of any age including children. There are many different types of arthritis and related conditions, the two most common types being Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Making Making m movement ovement more more d difficult ifficult tthan han u usual sual Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the UK, affecting nearly 9 million people. It most often develops in adults who are in their mid40s or older and is more common in women. This condition initially affects the smooth cartilage lining of the joint, which makes movement more difficult than usual, leading to pain and stiffness. Once the cartilage lining starts to roughen and thin out, the tendons and ligaments have to work harder. This can cause swelling and the formation of bony spurs called osteophytes. Severe loss of cartilage can lead to bone rubbing on bone, altering the shape of the joint and forcing the bones out of their normal position. The most commonly affected joints are those in the hands, spine, knees and hips. In the UK, rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 400,000 people, often starting when a person is between 40 and 50 years old. Women are three The Local Answer
times more likely to be affected than men. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system targets affected joints, which leads to pain and swelling. The outer covering (synovium) of the joint is the first place affected. This can then spread across the joint, leading to further swelling and a change in the joint’s shape. This may cause the bone and cartilage to break down. People with rheumatoid arthritis can also develop problems with other tissues and organs in their body.
IItt iis s iimportant mportant tto og get et a an n a accurate ccurate d diagnosis iagnosis Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your symptoms may vary, which is why it is important to get an accurate diagnosis. Common symptoms include: • Joint pain, tenderness and stiffness • Inflammation in and around the joints To advertise call 01242 510500
• Restricted movement of the joints • Warm red skin over the affected joint • Weakness and muscle wasting There is no cure for arthritis, but there are many treatments that can help slow it down. These include lifestyle changes, medication, physiotherapy and surgery.
M Maintaining aintaining a healthy healthy llifestyle ifestyle is is key key Living with arthritis isn’t easy, and carrying out simple, everyday tasks can often be painful and difficult. Many people with arthritis say their joints become more painful and stiff in the winter, though it’s not clear why. So, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key through a balanced diet, keeping active and staying warm. There are also a range of services and benefits available, and remember to always seek support from your GP. Page
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A personal letter from Martin Surl Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire I a m c o m m i t t e d t o m a k i n g o u r c o u n t y s afe r fo r a l l road users. No more so than at this time of the year. I h o p e y o u c a n h e l p m e b y c i rc u l a t i n g t h i s m e s s a g e amongst your family and friends about this year’s ‘Anti-Drink-Drug Campaign’. In the last 50 years, road casualties caused by drink driving have fallen dramatically, yet on average 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured each year in the UK in a drink drive related collision. Combining illegal drugs with alcohol is especially deadly since it has been found that drivers who have consumed both are 23 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than sober drivers. Last year in Gloucestershire, the police recorded 39 drink or drug drive collisions. Whilst this figure reflects a d o w n w a r d t re n d t h e re i s g ro w i n g a n e c d o t a l evidence that, in some parts of the county, people h av e b e c o m e c o m p l a c e n t b e c a u s e t h e y t h i n k t h e y can get away with it. This constitutes not only a d a n g e r t o t h e m s e l v e s b u t a l s o t o o t h e r m o re responsible road users. T h e p r i m a r y a i m o f t h i s y e a r ’ s p r e -C h r i s t m a s campaign is to educate drivers to make an informed decision not to drive under the influence of drink or drugs. You can help me by circulating the following advice and information: • That the drink drive campaign is about to launch
• Encourage people to make sensible plans to enjoy t h e i r c e l e b r at i o n s a n d h e l p t h e m g e t h o m e s afe afterwards • P ro m o t e t a x i s a n d a l t e r n a t i v e t r a n s p o r t o p t i o n s home in the lead up and during the campaign. • Perhaps local licensees could be encouraged to offer free soft drinks for drivers or some nonalcoholic drinks options, which could be published and promoted. • We would rather drivers did not get on the roads under the influence of drink or drugs in the first place, however if they do then the police will come down hard on those offenders. A period of enforcement will start on 3 December when those who decide to ignore this advice will be t a r g e t e d t h ro u g h o p e r a t i o n a l ro a d s i d e a c t i v i t i e s throughout the county in both urban and rural areas. Safe and Social Driving is one of my priorities and is aimed at getting all road users to behave responsibly towards each other. This campaign aims to get people t o t h i n k b e fo re d r i n k i n g o r t a k i n g d r u g s a n d t h e n getting behind the wheel and to understand the consequences of their actions. I hope you will be able to play your part and have a safe and enjoyable Christmas.
Best Best wishes! wishes!
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
C Cotswold otswold farmer farmer releases releases new new b book ook Aubrey and Sue Andrews have been farming in the Cotswolds for three decades, rearing award-winning Texel sheep. The husband and wife duo live and work on their farm in Miserden, the village where they first met all those years ago. “Horses have always been my passion and in my late teens I moved to Miserden to work for the legendary showjumper Pat Smythe,” said Sue. “It was here I met Aubrey.” Sue, who is originally from Hastings in East Sussex, admits she wasn’t a bona fide sheep expert when they first started out – that title went to Aubrey. She continued: “We started with nothing – no inherited farm and very little money. “ A u b r e y k n e w a c o n si d e r a b l e amount about sheep and was working full time on an arable
Sue and Aubrey Andrews
and sheep farm, but I knew nothing of sheep, just horses.” But over the years the pair have garnered reputations as successful shepherds. So much so in fact, that in what little spare time she has, Sue has taken to writing about their experiences. Her articles on farming life have featured in local and
FFilm ilm Review Review – Joe Joe K Kennett ennett
national magazines, and this year she published her first book, ‘If Clouds Were Sheep’. “The idea of writing our story ‘If Clouds Were Sheep’ evolved from those early days,” she said. “I jokingly say the book has taken me thirty years to write, but some of the early chapters have been taken from notes and articles I wrote a considerable time ago. The second half of the book was completed in six months.” The book tells the story of Sue and Aubrey, and the neverboring, eventful life they’ve had as Cotswold farmers. “It is a memoir based on our farming progress,” explained Sue. “It also encompasses both family and village life – the friendships that make everything worthwhile.” Full story online.
Book Book Review Review – Aloÿse Aloÿse of of Daylesford Daylesford Book Book Club Club
Terminator: T erminator: Dark Dark Fate Fate
The T he Winter Winter Soldier Soldier
Set in the original timeline of ‘Terminator’ and ‘Terminator 2: Judgement Day’, the sixth instalment in the franchise restores faith in what was once such an epic saga of films. We return to Sarah Connor’s (Linda Hamilton) storyline some 18 years since we last saw the iconic heroine, but it’s clear she hasn’t forgotten her roots. Connor makes a dramatic return looking as badass as ever, but the machines have, of course, become more advanced than ever before. Where previous films in the franchise have fallen flat, ‘Dark Fate’ excels, bringing to screens a story which emanates with the original plot. Newbies Dani (Natalia Reyes) and Grace (Mackenzie Davis) bring fresh energy alongside the original stars Arnold Schwarzenegger. of the saga. Photo: Paramount Pictures Full review online.
by Daniel Mason It is easy to forget the Eastern Front of the First World War but this novel describes in great detail the agony of war in this region. Lucius is a young medical student of Polish extraction living in Vienna with his prominent family. He decides to enlist as a medical officer but realises when he arrives at the field hospital that he is illequipped to deal with the wounded he finds there. Sister Margarete, a young nun, is his saviour. She teaches him how to be a battlefield surgeon and as time goes on their relationship blossoms. Interwoven with this narrative are insights into the anomalies of war in 1914. There is dry humour, the writing is beautiful, the detail sometimes hard to take, but the author doesn’t dwell on it. Full review online.
Above Above is is a selection selection ffrom rom local local entertainment entertainment stories stories available available online online ... ...
A Art rt • E Events vents • E Experiences xperiences • F Film ilm • L Lifestyle ifestyle L Literature iterature • M Music usic • R Reviews eviews • T Theatre heatre • T TV V
Tetbury T etbur y C Christmas hristmas T Tree ree F Festival estival returns returns A special Christmas Tree Festival is set to be held in Tetbury this month. The event, which has been organised by Tetbury Town Council, will see St Saviour’s Church filled with trees decorated by local clubs and organisations. “It is a lovely way of bringing the community and local organisations, schools and clubs together by each decorating a Christmas tree,” said Community and Tourism Development Manager, Georgina Osman. “As well as the display of decorated trees, you also have the opportunity to leave your memories of loved ones, friends and family on our Christmas Memory Tree.” The trees will be on display at the church from Monday 2nd D e c e mb e r t h ro u g h to S a t ur d a y 4th January.
St Saviour’s Church in Teetbury will play host to the festival
Georgina continued: “This is the third year the festival has run and we anticipate having 15 to 20 trees. “St. Saviour’s Church is a magnificent Victorian church that was built in an ornate medieval style for those who could not afford to pay for seats in Tetbury’s other church, St Mary’s.”
Some of the local groups involved in decorating the trees include St Mary’s Primary School, Tetbury Lions and the Tetbury and District Twinning Association. The Christmas Tree Festival will be just one of many festive events going on in the town this month, as Georgina explains. “There will be a Community Carol service held in St. Saviours Church on Saturday 7th December starting at 5.30pm – with mulled-wine and mince pies! “And not forgetting the town’s Christmas Light Switch-On night happening on Friday 6th December, starting with a lantern carol parade from St. Mary’s Church to the Market House, with Lady Colin Campbell switching on the lights at 6pm.” Full story online.
C Celia elia H Haddon addon o on nh her er llatest atest b book ook Celia Haddon is a journalist, author and animal behaviourist. Over the years she has written a number of books on a variety of different subjects, but there’s one topic in particular that stands out – cats. When it comes to felines Celia is an expert, having written nine books on the animals and their relationships with humans. Her latest book, ‘A Cat’s Guide to Humans’, was ‘written by’ George the cat, who also has a blog. “This book was a natural next step from George’s blog,” explained Celia, who lives in Cirencester. “It’s a bit of fun, all about cat owners from the mind of a cat.” Celia wrote a pet column and was a “pet agony aunt” for The Daily Telegraph for 20 years,
Celia and her cat Tilly
helping owners of all types of pets with challenges that come with taking care of an animal. She went on to gain a first class honours degree in applied animal behaviour in 2010, b e f o r e d o in g a m a s t e r s d e g r e e in clinical animal behaviour at Lincoln University. “My behaviour advice is science based,” she said.
Celia has been living in Cirencester for around three months – “it’s such a nice place to live,” she says – after living most of her life in Oxfordshire. She lives with her two cats, Tilly and Toby, and regularly updates George the cat’s blog on subjects relating to cat ownership. Her previous books have included ‘The Joy of Cats’ and ‘Cats Behaving Badly’, but she says this latest book is different to anything she’s done before. “Cats see us as really weird creatures,” added Celia. “This book is from their point of view and the weird things we do, like selfies and how we wash ourselves with water because we’re too stiff to use our tongues.” Full story online.
For For full full articles articles and and m more ore sstories tories vvisit isit w www.thelocalanswer.co.uk ww.thelocalanswer.co.uk
What 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. 2 NOVEMBER – 7 DECEMBER INTRODUCTION TO GARDEN HISTORY Learn about the history of gardens, from the Middle Ages to the modern day through a series of lectures with Dr Audrey Gerber. 10am-1pm. £120. Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury GL8 8QS. forestryengland.uk/ westonbirt-the-national-arboretum 6 NOVEMBER – 8 DECEMBER MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON Award-winning photographer Steve Russell exhibits his photographs from his time in the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda. 11am-3pm, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Tetbury Goods Shed, Old Station Yard, Cirencester Road, GL8 8EY. www.shed-arts.co.uk 23 NOVEMBER – 23 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM Father Christmas and his elves will be at Cotswold Farm Park to help visiting children create a Christmas Eve Box, and pick a present from the Toy Room. Selected dates. Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power, Cheltenham, GL54 5FL. www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk 28 NOVEMBER – 4 JANUARY A CHRISTMAS CAROL Set to an original score and reworked script this an original Barn Theatre interpretation of the Dickens classic that will get everyone in the festive mood. Barn Theatre, 3 Beeches Rd, Cirencester GL7 1BN. Full details at www.barntheatre.org.uk 29 NOVEMBER – 22 DECEMBER ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS Voted number one last year as Britain’s Favourite Christmas Light
Display, see an all new illuminated woodland trail at Westonbirt Arboretum along with their Christmas village. The National Arboretum, Westonbirt, GL8 8QS. Full details at forestryengland.uk/westonbirt 30 NOVEMBER – 5 JANUARY THE BIG BATSFORD ELF HUNT Santa’s helpers have gone missing around the arboretum and if you can help find them all, you win a special Christmas prize. Normal arboretum admission prices apply. Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 9QB. www.batsarb.co.uk 1 DECEMBER FOSSE CLOSE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Featuring live music and a wrestling show, the residents of Fosse Close will be decorating their homes and hosting a Christmas market to raise money for The Big Yellow Bus Project. For more details about the event email Lee Trotman: leetrotty@gmail.com. Fosse Close, Cirencester, GL7 1TD. 1 DECEMBER – 6 JANUARY CHRISTMAS JUMPER TRAIL The Christmas Jumper Trail is celebrating the book Granny Magic by Elka Evalds. Find the little jumpers hidden around the museum and answer questions relating to the festive season to win a prize. £1.50. Corinium Museum, Park Street, Cirencester, GL7 2BX. www.coriniummuseum.org 2-8 DECEMBER CIRENCESTER CHRISTMAS MARKETS A week of Christmas Markets, promising an eclectic mix of homewares, produce, craft and
clothing, as well as street food and live entertainment. 10am-5pm. The Market Place, Cirencester, GL7 2NZ. 3-10 DECEMBER THE BIG GIVE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE For seven days, all donations to Cobalt through www.thebiggive.org.uk will be DOUBLED making a fantastic £50,000 available to support Cobalt’s Breast Cancer Research Nurses. From 12 noon on the 3rd to 12 noon on the 10th. 5-8 DECEMBER STOW ON THE WOLD CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL A display of Christmas trees decorated by local children, organisations and businesses. Best Tree in each category voted for by the public. 10am-5pm. £2. St Edward’s Church, Stow on the Wold, GL54 1AF. 6 DECEMBER TETBURY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON The annual Christmas Lights Switch On will include festive music, carols, market stalls and a lantern procession from 5:40pm before Lady Colin Campbell switches the lights on at 6pm. 5.30-8pm. Tetbury Market House, 3 Church Street, Tetbury GL8 8JG. HELP APPEAL’S CHRISTMAS CONCERT A Christmas concert in aid of the HELP Appeal, featuring performances from Nicki Kennedy, Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum, and readings by Anne Robinson, Eddie Edwards and Jackie Colburn. 7.30-10.30pm. £10-£100. Cirencester Parish Church, London Road, Cirencester. helpappeal.org.uk
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WIN BIG! Our brand new online competitions feature is now live!
To kick things off in style, we’ve got SIX competitions with fantastic prizes up for grabs from some great local businesses! Two tickets to see Cheltenham Town Football Club play Morecambe on Saturday 1st February, plus a mascot package and a signed ball!
A three-course meal for two people with a bottle of wine at Café René in Gloucester!
A family game of bowling for up to five people at Hollywood Bowl Cheltenham in The Brewery Quarter!
Four tickets to see Promenade Productions’ pantomime ‘Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates’ at The Bacon Theatre on Thursday 16th January!
interior needs A family ticket to see the Peter Pan themed Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle!
A £100 voucher to spend on soft furnishings at Interior Needs in Gloucester!
To T o enter enter any any (or (or all) all) of of these these ccompetitions, ompetitions, visit visit
www.thelocalanswer.co.uk w ww.thelocalanswer.co.uk and and go go to to the the Competitions Competitions ttab ab
If you are a local business that would like to run a competition on our website, please email lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk for more details
6 DECEMBER DECEMBER – 6 JJANUARY ANUARY TETBURY CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL Hosted by Tetbury Town Council, see a festive array of trees supplied and decorated by local organisations, schools and clubs. St Saviour’s Church, New Church Street, Tetbury, GL8 8DS. Full details at www.tetbury.gov.uk 7 DECEMBER DECEMBER CHIPPING CAMPDEN CHRISTMAS MARKET & LIGHTS SWITCH-ON Stalls offering a variety of arts and crafts, Christmas decorations, festive food, cards, toys and original Christmas gifts, with the lights switch on at 5.30pm. 12-6pm. Town Square, Chipping Campden. 1144 DECEMBER DECEMBER REINDEER ON THE ROOF Join Darcy on her epic adventure to get her new Reindeer friend back to Lapland where he belongs and discover the true meaning of Christmas along the way. 12pm and 3pm. £10-£12. The Sundial Theatre, Stroud Road, Cirencester, GL7 1XA. www.sundial-theatre.co.uk FESTIVE FAMILY FUN DAY Meet Santa, Snow Princesses, see balloon modelling and much more, with all proceeds from the day going to Maggie’s Cheltenham. 10am-4pm.
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Gardiner Haskins, 68-72 Dyer Street, Cirencester GL7 2PF. COMMUNITY CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT Tetbury Community Choir will perform a range of songs alongside pupils from Westonbirt School, including festive sing-along carols. 7.30pm. £10. Tetbury Goods Shed, Old Station Yard, Cirencester Road, GL8 8EY. 20 20 DECEMBER DECEMBER CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING Expert florists will show you how to make seasonal wreaths and garlands using natural foliage and blooms foraged from the farm. 9am-1pm. £125. Daylesford Farm, Moreton in Marsh, GL56 0YG. www.daylesford.com 21 DECEMBER DECEMBER 21 CAROLS AT THE GOODS SHED All are invited to come and enjoy festive musical performances by Nicola Clark together with Avening Band, as well as joining in with the community carol singing. 6.30pm. Tetbury Goods Shed, Old Station yard, Cirencester Road, GL8 8EY. www.shed-arts.co.uk 26 26 DECEMBER DECEMBER BIBURY DUCK RACE There are two races, the first with 150 decoy ducks for which tickets cost £10, the second with over 2000 ducks,
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and tickets for these cost 50p each with prizes for the 1st 20 and the last duck. 11am. Bibury, GL7 5NW. 2288 DECEMBER DECEMBER THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Rain or Shine Theatre present their fast paced comic retelling of the classic tale The Wind in the Willows. 7pm. £7-£11. Poulton Village Hall, Cirencester, GL7 5HS. www.rainorshine.co.uk 3311 JANUARY JANUARY KING GEORGE V IN THE GREAT WAR
Join us for a talk by Alexandra Churchill, author of ‘George V in The Great War’ in the Lecture Theatre at the RAU, Cirencester. 6.30pm for 7pm. Talk, fork supper and wine for £25. For tickets apply to ABF The Soldiers Charity, Bulford Office (Suzanne Hollis), 01980 672337 or shollis@soldierscharity.org
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IIn n tthe he Garden Garden w ith JJulia ulia S mith with Smith
Be Be inspired inspired by by your your g garden arden tthis his ffestive estive season season As we get closer to the big day, make sure your garden doesn’t look like ‘The Nightmare before Christmas’ this year! I know it gets dark early and sometimes the weather is not conducive to being outside for long, but it is nice to look out and see something a bit cheerful. You can dress up your garden for the festive season by putting outdoor fairy lights in trees, which can be seen from the house, and hanging homemade wreaths in prominent places. Don’t forget the birds either – tie up a tasty fat ball or seed feeder to keep them happy through the colder months (remember to take off any netting).
Turn T urn to to nature nature for for your your hristmas d C Christmas decorations ecorations Dress the house with stems from the garden, using the bare twisted branches of corkscrew hazel or willow for a vase. Use the red or yellow stems of Cornus (dogwood) or Salix (willow), which can be used inside or, alternatively, pushed into pots outside to add height to flowering displays. The RHS do this in their gardens and it looks very effective. The long rope-like stems of clematis can be used to fashion a front door wreath. Use florist wire to add sprigs of holly or other items like dried Hydrangea heads, cones, etc. Add a tartan bow and there you have it – much nicer than those you can buy from the shop, and cheaper! The Local Answer
G ifts ffor or g ardeners Gifts gardeners If you have a gardener for whom you wish to buy a gift, a book is always welcomed. Some books I have really enjoyed and found useful include the RHS ‘Propagating Plants’ by Alan Toogood – easy to read and lovely clear illustrations on how to get plants for nothing – and ‘The Well-Tended Perennial Garden’ by Tracy Disabato-Aust – also very informative with plenty of advice and tips. If you’re trying to think of stocking fillers for the gardener in your life, labels and twine always come in handy.
Look L ook a after fter h houseplants ouseplants Check all houseplants regularly as the light levels reduce. To advertise call 01242 510500
Some might have to be moved to somewhere a little brighter, especially those with variegated leaves. Houseplants don’t like fluctuations in temperature, so keep them away from radiators and fires (not easy in a small house) and away from windows where the nighttime temperature can fall dramatically. They do like being grouped together as they make a microclimate to benefit each other. Now is a good time to plant new rhubarb (now there is a gift idea for the person who has everything!) and to divide large clumps. Replant in enriched soil and wait for the plant to take off in spring.
Merry M eerrry Christmas! Ch C hrristm h ma ass! a Page 21
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G Gadgets adgets & G Gizmos izmos w with ith L Laura aura N Nicklin icklin
IIt’s t’s the the most most wonderful wonderful ttech ech of of the the year year With busy jobs, family life and other obligations, it’s easy to put off Christmas shopping, especially when it seems like there is still so long to go. But, as always, time flies, and if you’re finding yourself in a festive conundrum, here are some gadgets you can gift your loved ones.
Anki A nki Vector Vector Smart Smart R Robot obot Menkind.co.uk: £119 Don’t be fooled by his adorable appearance; the Anki Vector Smart Robot is a fountain of knowledge, with built-in Amazon Alexa, so you can ask him anything. And not only does he answer your questions, but he communicates by creating a custom text-to-speech voice. Vector is self-aware, being able to react to his surroundings and move about with ease. He recognises objects and rememb ers peopl e too! Using his HD camera vision, Vector can identify faces. His impressive technological advances also include an Infrared Laser Scanner, WiFi connection and a High-Res Colour IPS Display. Vector can even hear and feel; he has a four-microphone The Local Answer
array for directional hearing, as well as touch sensors, so you can pet him. Introduce your family to Vector, the curious robot who is small but stout.
Kindle Kindle O Oasis asis Amazon: £299.99 This gizmo is a great gift idea for any bookworm, with a light, portable design that will save you from weighing down your bags with books. To aid your nighttime reading, the Kindle Oasis is equipped with an adjustable warm screen light, which ranges from paperwhite to amber. It is even waterproof, so if you’re jetting off for a tropical Christmas getaway, this gadget can tag along and not risk damage via the pool. Or, if you are staying at home and feeling the festive stress, why not have a relaxing read in the bath? This Kindle will help expand your personal library, with access to millions of books, audiobooks and newspapers, and can be paired with Bluetooth headphones or speakers.
To advertise call 01242 510500
Apple A pple W Watch atch Series Series 5 John Lewis: £339 The Apple Watch Series 5 GPS has it all: it lets you send and receive text messages, answer calls and receive notifications when it’s connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It tells you when you’ve started a workout and monitors your heart rate throughout the day. If it detects any unusually high or low heart rates, it will alert you. The built-in GPS measures your workout accurately, so you can leave your iPhone at home and review your route when you return. Distance, speed and pace are all accurately recorded. The Apple Watch Series 5 is also water-resistant for up to 50 metres, so you can even wear it when you swim.
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IInterior nterior D Design esign w with ith G Gill ill G Greenwell reenwell
Dress Dress yyour our table table ffor or Christmas Christmas I am always inspired by the Cheltenham Literature Festival, and this year I was lucky enough to hear Nina Campbell, doyen of interior design, talking about her life in design and her love of ‘tabletops’. Listening to her made me think of how I create a dining table. It really doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive to be stylish. If, like me, Christmas is a very special time for you when friends and family come together, there is nothing more fun than setting the table for Christmas dinner. Make yours a focal point and dine in style this festive season.
Set S et tthe he m mood ood Start by picking a theme, be it Scandi simplicity, traditional, glamorous or country style – use Instagram or Pinterest for inspiration. Follow through with your table colour scheme – white and pale, red and green, silver and gold, green and natural – it’s up to you. Buy proper napkins if possible, as they do make a difference. A friend bought some beautiful white Irish damask linen ones especially for Christmas – they look so chic tied with silver ribbon.
The T he p perfect erfect ccentrepiece entrepiece I always make my own table centre. A florist friend showed me how and it really isn’t difficult – you just need a plant pot painted to match your scheme, some Oasis, moss and a votive candle. Gather foliage from your garden, sprigs of evergreen like ivy or holly. Add flowers to match your chosen theme (I love simple white roses with lots of The Local Answer
Image: Daylesford
greenery) or nuts and fruits sprayed silver or gold. Get creative!
Add Add some some sparkle sparkle Coloured glasses are a must for a Christmas table. I always remember the cranberry and emerald coloured wine glasses that came out every Christmas at my parent’s home. This year, bottle green glasses are trending, and champagne coupes are back. Gold edged wine glasses add a touch of glamour and mismatched antique ones add sparkle. You can find multicoloured drinking glasses at Habitat. I have swirly white and green ones from Daylesford, or check out your local supermarket or charity shop.
Create C reate an an atmosphere atmosphere Candlelight always creates a magical glow; candelabra are having a bit of a moment, especially for a contemporary To advertise call 01242 510500
Scandi style setting. Tealights in silvery holders add glamour – The White Company is a good source for these. Their black dinner candlesticks would make a real style statement matched with all white tableware and simple greenery.
A Add dd a p personal ersonal ttouch ouch Why not put a smile on your guests’ faces with an element of surprise? It is those individual elements that make a difference. Search out quirky napkin rings, little birds or reindeer are fun. Personalise place settings with hand-written place names and napkins wrapped with simple twine and sprigs of herbs, or make your own colour-themed crackers. Make your Christmas Day this year an occasion to remember. Don’t forget to take some time out for yourself to enjoy that festive glass of bubbly – you deserve it! Page 25
S Save ave the the P Planet lanet with w ith L Louise ouise W Williams illiams
H How ow to to have have a lless ess Christmas iimpactful mpactful C hristmas Christmas is a time for celebrating and joy, but it can also be a time when our usual planet-friendly tendencies go out of the window in the name of tradition. Here are some tips for you to limit your impact on the planet this festive season.
Have a p Have pre-Christmas re-Christmas cclear lear o ut out Not only will this leave you space for all the new things coming in (parents particularly will know what I mean!), but your unwanted items might make the perfect Christmas gift for someone else. Also, charity shops are often overwhelmed after Christmas and temporarily stop taking donations, so items can end up going to landfill to create space.
Forgo F orgo tthe he p printed rinted w wrapping rapping p paper aper When I was a child my lovely Mum wrapped everything in brown paper and then decor-
ated it with stamps or sprigs of holly she’d painted gold. At the time I was horrified and longed for the patterned shiny paper I saw in the shops, but now I absolutely get it. You can’t recycle most wrapping papers and actually, her patterned brown paper looks so effective. Just don’t tell her I said that after all my years of moaning!
Make y Make your our own own ccrackers rackers This is another activity we used to do when I was young that I didn’t understand! We used to make our own decorated crackers filled with chocolates or little treats (not plastic) and make the bang noises ourselves. For the hats, we would have a competition after presents were opened to make them f r o m t h e d i s c a r d e d wr a p p i n g , with a prize for the most creative. We’d wear them for lunch, always a source of great hilarity when someone (usually my Dad!) made a g re a t b ig b on ne t th at d angled in his food!
Use U se tthose hose ttrimmings rimmings Start a compost bin if you don’t already have one and put all the Christmas veg peelings in to create fertiliser for your plants.
Source S ource y your our meat meat As a vegetarian, I am passionate about my husband and children choosing good meat (as they aren’t looking likely to join me anytime soon!) and ensuring that they have less, The Local Answer
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but better quality from animals that have at least had a good life.
Buy e Buy experiences xperiences iinstead nstead of of ‘things’ ‘things’ Sometimes I feel suffocated by the amount of ‘stuff ’ we have accumulated. Instead of buying yet more things that my children don’t need, we try and get a few nice but useful items to open – luckily, Santa always brings socks! Then we get something that will give us year round use, like a farm park ticket or just some family time with a weekend away somewhere.
Use U se public public transport transport We all know parking is a nightmare in towns at Christmas so it’s actually less stressful to ditch the car and, if possible, use public transport to do your Christmas shopping. Thank you for reading my column this year. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Page 2
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Money Money Matters Matters w with ith R Roger oger D Downes ownes o off A Andorran ndorran
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Your Y our Local Local Worktop Worktop and and Kitchen Kitchen Specialists Specialists
Whilst the minds of politicians and most of the country were tied up with the UK’s exit from the EU and more recently the impending General Election, the government has been working away at changes to the tax rules for many of our small businesses. The widely-publicised change in 2019 was the introduction of Making Tax Digital for VAT. By now, VAT-registered businesses that are required to comply have filed two quarterly returns under the new system and are beginning to get used to life in the new technological world in which they are obliged to operate. So what will 2020 bring in terms of significant changes to the tax rules for small businesses? The answer is IR35 or ‘off-payroll working’ as it is now more correctly known. Many contractors operate through forming a limited company and selling their services through invoices to their customers rather than being on the customer’s payroll as an employee. Why would they do that? Well, for purely commercial reasons only of course (just in case anyone from HMRC is reading this article!). The fact that the customer doesn’t have to pay employers’ national insurance and the contractor gets some decent tax breaks are purely co-incidental benefits, you understand!
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HMRC has called time on this practice by requiring, from the start of next tax year, the ultimate customer to tax the contractor as if they were an employee, even if the contractor continues to submit invoices. It removes the tax breaks for both the customer and the contractor. As you can imagine, it doesn’t sit well with either the contractors or the customers, although there are a number of people who are unaffected by the change who think it’s about time. My issue with it is that we are four months away from its implementation and the government hasn’t even issued draft legislation yet, let alone got it through parliament. They are all too pre-occupied with the B word and now the election. It’s just another example of uncertainty in the world of small business.
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N Nigel igel Gillingham Gillingham iiss a llead ead man man for for RFU RFU As rugby résumés go, Nigel Gillingham’s is pretty impressive. The one-time Leicester second row – he played for the Tigers when they were the undisputed kings of the jungle back in the 1970s – is these days playing as big a role on the administrative side of the game as he did all those years ago as a player. So much so that in less than two years’ time he will take over as president of the Rugby Football Union, a position that is currently held by England and British Lions great Peter Wheeler. It’s primarily an ambassadorial role, but as one of the faces of the RFU it’s clearly a very important position and one for which Gillingham, a former Royal Air Force man, is obviously very well suited. Gillingham is currently the RFU’s junior vice-president and will become senior vice-
A big big success success story story Football is very popular with the youngsters in South Cerney, very popular. And that’s down in large part to the hugely successful South Cerney Youth Football Club, who have been in existence for some 13 years. And they have grown at an impressive pace since the midnoughties, so much so that they now have more than 120 players registered and run nine teams ranging from under-7s through to under-16s. That’s pretty impressive for a Cotswolds village that can be found three miles south of Cirencester. “Yes, we’re in a very healthy state,” said secretary Louise Peacock with obvious pride. “I took over three years ago and we’ve had a huge increase
Nigel Gillingham
president next year before taking on the top job on 1st August 2021. He’s also a hardworking member of Gloucestershire’s RFU – he’s their RFU representative – and on Saturday afternoons is a regular spectator at games around the county. And he still very much enjoys the grassroots game, even in numbers over the past few years.”
Happy H appy to to llead ead It’s fair to say that Ollie Gibson has made a pretty good impression at Cirencester Rugby Club. He has only very recently turned 24 and is in just his second season at the Gloucestershire One club, but he’s very Ollie Gibson quickly become one of the main men. So much so that when last season’s captain Oli Newman moved to Newbury, director of rugby Andy Deacon knew just who to turn to for a replacement. “He had a quiet word with me in the summer,” said Gibson, a second row.
though it is very different to when he was starting out all those years ago. “Yes it is,” he admitted. “What players want today is not the same as what they wanted years ago. “Back then they were happy to play week in, week out – it wasn’t as physical in those days – and your social life revolved around the rugby club. “But work patterns have changed and people want different things and when you’re organising a team that’s when things become more difficult. “In saying that, the number of adult players playing the game is the same as a few years ago, it’s just that they don’t play as often.” And Gillingham, who lives in Stroud, added: “The female game is expanding quite rapidly and the age grade game has always been healthy.” Full story online. “He asked me if I’d like to do the job and for me it was an easy yes.”
An netball etball fan fan Kirsty Wingate is a big supporter of netball, a very big supporter. She plays the game, she umpires and she also works ti re le ss ly as a v ol un te er ad mi nistrator. The 49-year-old took over as chair of Gloucestershire Netball at their AGM in May and she has previously served on the management committee as honorary, league and tournament secretaries. Throw in the fact that she is also chair of her club Survivors, who play in the Gloucestershire League, and it’s fair to say it’s a big part of her life. For full verssions of alll these stories and more,, visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk
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F Fiona iona C Carter arter sets sets m marathon arathon b best est one day bike o ne d ay after after 112-mile 112-mile b ike rride ide So how do you like to celebrate your birthday? A meal out with friends perhaps, maybe a party at home or even a holiday abroad – they are just three of many possibilities and all are good fun. Fiona Carter, who turned 50 at the end of October, went for option three – she spent a few days on the beautiful island of Mallorca – although it’s fair to say she didn’t just sit on a beach and sip cocktails during her time in the sun. Far from it because Fiona, who is a very keen athlete, signed up to take part in an event called the Long Course Weekend Mallorca. And if that sounds pretty tough, it is because it’s an Ironman staged over three days. “It’s an event that’s also held in Tenby, Holland and Australia,” said Fiona. “It’s a swim, bike, run. The swim is about 3,800 metres, the cycling was 112 miles and that was followed by a marathon on the final day.” Fiona isn’t a swimmer – she’s a duathlete – so took part in the cycling and r unning in Alcudia, which is on the north east side of Mallorca. She completed the cycling in five hours, 36 minutes and then did even better the next day when she set a personal best in the marathon, completing the 26.2 miles in three hours, three minutes. “That was really special because I won the race,” said Fiona. “I’d never done that before on a road marathon, I’d never been the first person through the tape. “I now know that the way to set a marathon personal best is to do a 112-mile bike ride the previous day!” And Fiona, a Great Britain age group duathlete, reckons she
Fiona Carter competing in Mallorca Photo: Ingo Kutsche
can improve on that marathon time. “My target for next year is to run a sub-three hours marathon,” she said. “I’d also like to wear an England age group marathon vest.” But what makes Fiona’s story so interesting is that while she wants to do the very best she can at any given event, she is just as keen to see others realise their full potential as well. In particular she wants younger athletes to make the most of any opportunities that come their way and if she can help in any way, she most certainly will. A few years ago Fiona set up CASS & Friends, a charity that provides financial support for aspiring athletes in Gloucestershire. The charity is currently supporting 11 up and coming athletes – Fiona would like to get that number up to 15 – and its patron is Eddie Edwards, the former Olympic ski jumper who these days lives just outside Stroud. Ask Fiona what she looks for when supporting an athlete and
she’ll say: “Attitude, grit, determination, a passion for sport. “Youngsters who have spent considerabl e time devel oping a talent and who, if we don’t support them, won’t progress.” Because of her own passion for sport, Fiona knows full well the many benefits that sport offers. “It’s not just physical wellbeing, it’s mental well-being as well,” she said. She’s absolutely right, of course, and as such she is looking to raise even more money in 2020 so that she can support even more athletes. Pub suppers, auctions, raffles, quiz nights, cake sales, nonuniform school days and fundraising parties have all helped to swell the coffers so that others can thrive, and next year Fiona is hoping to take it a step further by finding a corporate sponsor. Fiona, a married mum of two teenagers who lives near Broadway, admits that she is lucky to have the time to devote to her charity. It’s hard work, of course, but the rewards are obvious for the athletes. And Fiona is keen to emphasise that sport is great fun, not just the competing side but also socially, as she very well knows. “I had lots of friends with me when I was in Mallorca,” she said. “I flew out on the Friday which was my birthday and the cycling was on the Sunday and the marathon on the Monday. “I didn’t have a drink until the Monday evening, the competition was good fun but so was having a couple of drinks afterwards!” Anyone who would like more information about the charity CASS & Friends should email fiona@cassandfriends.org or visit www.cassandfriends.org
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