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GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S BIGGEST LLOCAL OCAL BIGGEST M AGAZINE MAGAZINE JANUARY JANUARY 22022 022
G GLOUCESTER LOUCESTER HAPPY HAPPY N NEW EW Y YEAR EAR TTO OA ALL LL O OUR UR R READERS EADERS A AND ND A ADVERTISERS! DVERTISERS!
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January’s winning cover photo: Sally Terrett
W elcome Welcome ttoo JJanuary anuary A very Happy New Year to you! We hope you had a lovely, relaxing time over Christmas and are ready to start 2022 with a bang! Several of our writers have shared ideas for New Year’s resolutions in their January articles – from starting up a skincare regime to budgeting and managing your finances. Julia Smith looks at planning a spring garden and how we can make our green spaces more environmentally friendly, while Gill Greenwell offers some early spring cleaning tips, helping you to de-clutter your interiors and have a fresh start to the year. For those of you looking to eat more healthily in 2022, our Delicious Dish could be a great place to start – a tasty, warming soup that is easy to make ahead for your weekday lunches. Laura Nicklin recommends some nifty gadgets that may help you with your resolutions, and Dorothy Glen shares memories of finding hibernating butterflies in her Wildlife Matters article. Happy reading!
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TThe he HHome omee of om of RReal eal AAle le aand nd GGreat reat FFood oodd oo TTraditional radition onaal pub pub cclassics lassics D G FRIENDLY more! aand nd a whole whol olee lot lot m or oree! FRIENDLY
Helen and the team wish you all a
SUNDAY SUNDAY SPECIAL SPECIAL 2 Courses Courses for for £13 £13 C Choose hoose e either ither
SSoup oup of of tthe he Day Day & R Roast oast o orr Roast Roast & D Dessert essert PPork/Lamb/Beef/Nut ork/Lamb/Beef/Nut
EEvery ver y Sunday Sunday 12-5pm 12-5pm
VERY HAPPY 2022!
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STEAK S TEAK S SPECIAL PECIAL 2S Steaks teaks & 2D Drinks rinks o orr B Bottle ottle o off H House ouse W Wine ine
FFOR OR O ONLY NLY £ £28! 28! FFridays ridays & SSaturdays aturdays 55-9pm -9pm Booking Booking a advisable dvisable
TThe he FFountain ountain IInn, nn, 5 53 3 Westgate Westgate Street Street Gloucester Gloucester GL1 2NW 2N NW • 01452 01452 522562 522562 tthefountaininngloucester@gmail.com hefountaininngloucester@gmail.com • w www.thefountaininngloucester.com ww.thefountaininngloucester..com
Ren afLeé Pub
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O OPEN PEN Mon-Sat Mon-Sat 11am-11pm 11am-11pm & Sun Sun 11am-6pm• 11am-6pm• FOOD FOOD SERVED SERVED Mon-Thur Mon-Thur 12-8pm, 12-8pm, Fri-Sat Fri-Sat 12-9pm 12-9pm & Sun Sun 12-5pm 12-5pm
& Restaurant
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eek days a w served 7 days Menu served Full Menu Full week 12pm-9:30pm 12pm-9:30pm
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Delicious Delicious Dish Dish w with ith H Helen elen K Kingscott ingscott
Chickpea, Chickpea, red red lentil lentil and and ccoriander oriander ssoup oup A llovely ovely warming warming soup soup tto o January kkeep eep away away tthe he J anuary chill chill
IIngredients: ngredients: 30ml vegetable oil 400g tin chickpeas, drained 400g red lentils 25g fresh coriander 350g onions, chopped 2 vegetable stock cubes 40-80g tikka masala paste (depends how much curry flavour you like)
M Method: ethod: 1 Cut the stalks off the coriander and finely chop. Put the leaves to one side. 2 Put the oil in a large saucepan and heat until hot. Add the onions and coriander stalks, stirring for about five minutes until the onion is soft. 3 Add the curry paste, stirring well for a further 3-4 minutes. 4 Rinse and drain the lentils and add to the pan, stirring it all together.
5 Add enough water to cover the ingredients , bring to the boil, then simmer gently. 6 Add the vegetable stock cubes then check regularly and add more water if necessary. 7 Once the lentils are soft and the liquid has been absorbed, remove the pan from the
heat and carefully blend the soup until smooth. 8 Return to the heat, add the chickpeas and roughly chopped coriander leaves, salt and pepper. 9 Garnish with a sprig of coriander and serve with warm crusty rolls and butter or dairy-free spread.
We care care about about We environment the the environment
Precision P recision C Colour olour Printing Printing Ltd Ltd (our (our printer) printer) are are proud proud tto o be be a Forest Forest Stewardship Stewardship Council® Council® (FSC®) (FSC®) certificate certificate holder, holder, and and The The Local Local Answer Answer is is proud proud to to have have this this publication publication printed printed on on paper paper certified certified to to F FSC® SC® standards standards which which helps helps to to protect protect the the World’s Wo orld’s forests. forests. The Local Answer
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F Fully-recyclable ully-recyclable A Ass well well as as the the paper, paper, tthe he iinks nks and and vvarnishes arnishes uused sed iinn pproducing roducing The The Local Local A Answer nswer aare re bbiodegradable. iodegradable. TThe he process process uused sed bbyy rrecycling ecycling ccompanies ompanies ttoo eextract xtract inks inks aand nd ccoatings oatings including including UV UV vvarnishes arnishes from from tthe he ppaper aper rrender ender tthe he ppaper aper suitable suitable ffor or ppulping ulping and and recycling. recycling. Page 5
SA AINTBRIDGE INTBRIDGE HOUSE OUSE N NURSING URSING & R RESIDENTIAL ESIDENTIAL H HOME OME
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Offering single en-suite bedrooms for up to 36 residents Tasteffully decorated and homely Lovely patio and landscaped lawn area for residents to enjoy in the warmer weather ● Dedicated, caring and hardworking staffff ● Exceptional hygiene standards ● Weekly unisex hairdresser. Chiropodist, dentist, physiotherapist and optician visits arranged ● Activities Co - ordinator with an ongoing programme of events to keep residents occupied and maintain both physical and mental well being. ● ●
loucestershire G L4 4 QQ 1 189 89 P Painswick ainswick Road, Road, G Gloucester, loucester, G Gloucestershire GL4 4QQ iinfo@saintbridge-house.co.uk nfo@saintbridge-house.co.uk w ww.saintbridge-house.co.uk www.saintbridge-house.co.uk
THE MAYFLOWER
RESTAURANT A relaxed, safe dining experience
With a fully air-conditioned restaurant and seating capacity reduced by 40%, you can dine with us in a safe, relaxed environment. If you are not ready to join us in our restaurant, you can still enjoy your favourite dishes in the comfort of your own home with our Take-away service. We hope you are all staying safe and well, and hope to see you for a dine-in meal or take-away very soon.
OPENING HOURS: Monday to Saturday, 12-2pm & 5pm onward and closed on Sunday. Please note, we will be closed on 3rd, 4th and 5th January, but we are open on New Year’s Day!
We would like to wish all our customers, past and present, a very Happy New Year!
32-34 Clarence Street, Cheltenham GL50 3NX – 01242 522426
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Mirror Mirror Mirror Mirror on on tthe he Wall Wall w with ith V Val al S Starr tarr
S Simple imple rresolutions esolutions for for 2022 2022 Many of us make resolutions and sadly fall into the trap of not keeping them up after our initial dedication. Perhaps this is the year not be too hard on ourselves; in 2022, set simple, achievable goals, and don’t feel guilty if on occasion you fall short.
Exfoliation E xfoliation This is an easy, crucial step in our skincare regimen, even more so during the harsher winter months when our skin is particularly challenged with the weather, central heating, and all the extra layers of clothing that mean our skin doesn’t have the luxury of being exposed to fresh air. Skin is our largest organ and it pays to look after it. Mechanical or physical exfoliation requires lightly massaging abrasive particles with your finger tips to loosen and remove dead cells and cleanse the skin. Ideally, you should exfoliate once or twice a week, depending on the product instructions. This essential ritual allows you to uncover soft, smooth and more luminous skin. It unclogs the pores while removing impurities and dead cells, which accumulate on the surface, making your complexion dull. I recommend gentle exfoliation everywhere on the body, e v e n t h e c h e s t a n d p re f e r a b l y when the skin is wet, making the procedure less abrasive. Light scrubbing is important, as the last thing you want to do is cause redness or irritation. The products you apply after will be absorbed more easily and therefore be much more The Local Answer
effective. There is a huge choice of exfoliators on the market so find the one that suits your skin. It’s also important to remember that the products you use on your face will not be the same as what you use on your body.
Solid S olid soaps soaps Often referred to now as beauty bars, soap bars have come a long way from what many of us might recall as harsh and hard on the skin. More than ever, consumers are taking their values into account when they shop, and they know that solid products have a smaller environmental footprint because they require less water in manufacturing, and often use an infusion of plants to mix the ingredients, which is beneficial for our skin. There is far less packaging on To advertise call 01242 510500
solid bars – generally they are packed in recyclable cardboard instead of plastic bottles and jars – and no synthetic preservatives to keep them fresh. They are also more concentrated, saving you money as they last much longer than their liquid counterparts, and the ingredients are just as effe ct iv e in ca r in g f o r o ur s ki n and hair as liquid formulas. I was surprised to find L’Occitane offers an incredibl y de ns e la the r wi th a ba r that cleans the scalp while leaving the hair wonderfully soft. Sephora offers a deluxe bar, which is compact and lightly exfoliates the face as well as the body (a rare find) to help retain the skin’s moisture. Solid bars are also great for travel, as there is no risk of spillage and they often weigh less. Transportation of goods requires less energy, so you are doing your bit for the environment as well as spoiling your skin! It is important to keep these products away from heat to avoid melting. If they are for use in the shower, store them in a soap dish or any container that allows drainage. Each formula is unique, so do read the product instructions, as some require water for activation, whilst others go directly on the skin and melt with contact. We’re all learning new ways of contributing to a better world; skincare is certainly a good place to start. It might take a little while to change our habits but it’s worth a try; a good and easy resolution to keep! Page
Valuing V aluing sstaff taff at at National National Star Star Award-winning disability charity National Star is launching a New Year recruitment drive for staff to join its team in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Ullenwood. National Star employs more than 1,000 staff, many of whom are experts in their field and include healthcare staff, tutors, therapists and specialist professionals including teams in finance, marketing, fundraising, HR and facilities management. Around 10 per cent of the charity’s current workforce has a disability. As well as running National Star College, a highly successful specialist college at Ullenwood, the charity also operates long-term living accommodation for people with disabilities in Cheltenham and Gloucester.
N National ational Star Star iis ss showing howing its its commitment commitment tto o iits ts s staff taff
Recently named ‘Team of the Year ’ at the SoGlos Business Awards 2021, the charity has just announced a generous 5% pay increase for all staff from January 2022. In addition, all new staff will be welcomed with a bonus of up to £250, upon successful completion of their probation.
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Add to this a health cashback scheme to help pay for potentially costly health and wellbeing treatments, a free staff minibus that picks up from key locations in Cheltenham and Gloucester, a Cycle to Work scheme and money off high street retailers and family attractions, National Star is showing its commitment to its staff.
A chance chance tto o study study towards towards h healthcare ealthcare a apprenticeships pprenticeships
Training and development is done well at National Star. Many staff join the team with little or no experience in care and support, joining from other roles in retail, hospitality and more. With a comprehensive induction programme for all staff, through to the chance for people to study towards healthcare and adult care apprenticeships, up to degree level, there are plenty of career development opportunities on offer. A recent staff survey revealed that 96 per cent of staff were proud to work at National Star. Is it time you felt motivated at work again? If you are interested in finding out more, you can view National Star ’s latest vacancies at www.nationalstar.org/jobs
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Looking Looking Good, Good, F Feeling eeling Great Great with w ith W Will ill M Mbanga banga
S Small mall hinges hinges o open pen b big ig d doors oors As we enter a New Year, with good intentions and a plan to get fitter, healthier and happier, I hope you’ve taken time to reflect on the year gone by. What health, fitness or wellness habits have you added to your life in 2021? What positive changes did you make, whose impact, slow as it may seem, will pay dividends down the line? Sometimes we’re so wrapped up in the future and what we want to achieve that we lose sight of how far we have come and how much we have achieved in the present. It’s easy to fall into the whole “New Year, new me” cliché at this time of year – everything and everyone around us seem to be focused on new beginnings.
Don’t Don’t rely rely on on a certain certain time time o off tthe he y year ear tto o sstart tart The danger of relying on certain times of the year for motivation to start self-development projects can end up being an obstacle in itself! We often say we’re going to start exercising “tomorrow”; start “eating better/sleeping more” next week; commit to regular fitness regimens, and before you know it, another year has passed by! It’s absurd how in an age where instant gratification has become the norm, when it comes to improving our health and wellbeing, we often selfsabotage our own progress and development. One of the biggest challenges over the next few months is to address our relationship with sugar after enjoying ourselves, some of us perhaps too much, The Local Answer
over the festive period! Excess processed sugar is the biggest enemy to your progress and development... and it is hidden in plain sight in just about everything we eat and drink. By reducing the amount of sugar in your diet over time, you will: • Boost energy/reduce fatigue • Improve your health: reduced risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cognitive diseases and some cancers • Improve wellbeing: breaking sugar cravings, emotional eating cycles and improved tolerance to external stressors As we travel through life, we can ignore any one of our three ‘pillars’ (health, fitness and wellness) and be fine – as long as things are ‘normal’. However, when the stresses of ‘life’ happen, lack in one of these areas can impact us severely, often disproportionately and to our overall detriment. Making sure you look after all three pillars is critical to being able to perform at your peak,
and manage whatever life throws at you. • Health: diet, sleep, hygiene • Fitness: cardiovascular and musculoskeletal • Wellness: emotional and psychological wellbeing
B Be eg grateful rateful ffor or w where here y you ou a are re a and nd b build uild o on n tthat hat Although Thanksgiving is an American tradition, the part that resonates with me is the intentional focus on gratitude. From a health-fitness-wellness perspective, being grateful for where we are, then building on that is a much better perspective than constantly berating ourselves and wishing we were the finished article. Thereafter, taking positive, direct action in the present is the best ‘next step’. If you can “only”: • Run for five minutes • Do three push ups • Cut one sugary food out of your diet this week • Get to bed an hour earlier or have some quality ‘me’ time once a week... ...then start there!
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To T o ffind out more MBST Encompass Health, www.encompasshealth.uk orr to ncompass H ealth, vvisit isit w ww.encompasshealth.uk o to discuss discuss in d o ut m ore aabout bout M BST aand nd E MBST might please orr email hhow ow M BST m ight hhelp elp yyou, ou, p lease ccall all 001242 1242 9906578 06578 o email iinfo@encompasshealth.uk nfo@encompasshealth.uk Page 10
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Holidays H olidays & Travel Travel w with ith A All H Hidden idden
Cool Cool rrunnings unnings rrecalled ecalled Which historic sports event, in which location, do you wish you’d been able to attend? With 2022’s Winter Olympics opening in Beijing soon, I got thinking about three winter sporrtt events I’d like to have attended – and their stunning locations I’d love to explore in future.
M Magical agical Alpine Alpine m memories emories As a car-mad youngster in the 1970s, I followed motor sport avidly, not least the International Championship for Manufacturer s that included the Monte Carlo Rally. Almost exactly 51 year s ago, 1971’s event was fought out, between Alpine’s chic French-blue A110s, Lancia’s Fulvias with their unforgettable ‘angry bee’ exhausts, and works Por sches and Datsuns, on the Alpes-Maritimes ’ snowy mountain roads. Those now-legendary rearengined coupés inspired a lifelong fascination for the little Dieppe-built road rockets. And Renault’s recent revival of the Alpine A110 coupé for road and track, plus Alpine’s participation The Local Answer
in 2021’s F1 championship, got me recalling 1971’s rally. Back then, I followed the Alpines’ wins through the pages of ‘Autosport’, ‘Motor Sport’ and BBC TV coverage. Oh, to have shivered atop the Col de Turini’s snow banks as formations of giant-killing Alpines power-slid past in a blaze of Cibié spotlights and tyre-thrown ice flurries. How about the Alpes-Maritimes for a future road trip? Check!
E Eddie ddie tthe he E Eagle’s agle’s ‘‘Cowtown’ Cowtown’ iis so on nm my y b bucket ucket list list Jump forward nearly two decades to Calgary’s 1988 Winter Olympics. Do you remember Jamaica’s (yes, really) bobsleigh team and Gloucester shire’s Eddie the Eagle capturing the world’s hearts during the ski jumping? Despite many trips to Canada since 1979, my only Calgary experience remains a chilly December stopover – with the 747’s doors open – on Calgary airport’s runway en route to To advertise call 01242 510500
Vancouver! Visiting ‘Cowtown’, the eastern gateway to the Rockies – including a peek at the city’s Canada Olympic Park – remains on my travel bucket list. Jamaica’s bob-sledder s and 1993’s ‘Cool Runnings ’ movie evok e memories of the fir st winter sport event recalled from my childhood – Nash and Dixon’s bobsleigh gold at 1964’s Innsbruck Winter Olympics. The closest I’ve been to Innsbruck since then (excluding ‘flying’ into Kranebitten Airport on a Boeing 737 simulator) is Salzburg! Therefore, with its fabulous location, tasty Kasspatzln and stunning architecture, Innsbruck, the Austrian Tyrol’s capital, is another must-visit destination. So where will memories of famous sport events lead you? Whether it’s the site of a legendary football final, an exotic Americas Cup harbour or a famous racing circuit, I wish you gold-medal-winning when travel experiences wanderlust calls! Page 11
£ £
P Parenting arenting & G Guardianship uardianship w with ith R Roberta oberta S Smart mart
B Bringing ringing b baby aby home home 2022 is upon us and this year I am planning to focus on the first year of baby’s life – taking a look at the developmental stages, common problems and joyful moments that fill the first year of the life of new parents (and extended family) when a new baby arrives. Considering ‘the first baby’ as a topic, please feel included if you are welcoming subsequent children into the family – the more the merrier! So, let’s start at the very beginning – that’s a very good place to start. When baby comes home, everything changes. Suddenly you are living to a schedule and it is not yours! There are feeds to prepare and monitor, nappies to check, and sleep to achieve.
E Establish stablish b boundaries oundaries The first month is usually filled with visitors and loved ones wanting to meet the new arrival and welcome them into the world. Life can get a little overwhelming, which is why I always recommend establishing some boundaries around your time and energy. Decide when is good for you to receive visitors, or indeed visit others, and refuse to be
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coerced to fit in with other people’s plans. By creating strong boundaries from day one, you will actually help others to support you in the best way possible. Establishing new relationships and new family dynamics when parents become grandparents and the ’kids’ become the parents can bring up all sorts of family ‘stuff’, and everyone’s feelings will have to be addressed. I highly recommend taking the time to get together and talk through the new roles, to share how you might be feeling, and be willing to be vulnerable, as this allows everyone to be fully heard and supported as they navigate the inner and outer changes that are happening. Becoming a parent is a huge transition as you adjust from living for yourself to living for another human. It can be exhausting, stressful and scary – and as always in my columns, I want to check in with your mental health. How are you feeling, honestly? Do you feel you can’t share how you feel for fear of judgement? To advertise call 01242 510500
If If you you are are struggling, struggling, speak speak to to a professional professional If you experience any of these emotions, please talk to your health visitor, midwife or GP – you are not the only one and they can ensure you are getting all the support you need. As someone who lived through severe postnatal depression, it is somewhat of a mission for me to ensure that all new parents have adequate mental health support throughout their parenting journey. It’s also important for me to encourage you to enjoy these first few days and weeks. You have welcomed a new member of your family into the world and it’s a very exciting time. Everyone says it, but this first stage will fly by, so soak up every little moment, take all the photos and videos you want, and look forward to the adventure of your life! Next month, I will talk about the best ways to save your sanity when you feel like the world is going mad. Until then, congratulations on your new arrival and let’s make this year one to remember! Page 1
Word W ord S Search earch A Z S C C G B R T L H E C N Q L W N W Q F G Q P
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Don’t Don’t look look until until you’ve you’ve finished! finished! S Solutions olutions oon n ‘‘Index Index ooff A Advertisers’ dvertisers’ ppage. age. Page 14
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Leader Leader s Life Life with with Councillor Councillor Richard Richard Cook Cook
Ap positive ositive 2022 2022 Happy New Year to all readers. I hope Santa brought some lovely surprises and you all had an opportunity to rest and relax. The new year is upon us and much is happening. The recent award of £20m in levelling up funding to Gloucester is primarily being used to support city centre regeneration, with £4m going to support the building of the Forum – the current building of the new retail outlet and housing behind Market Parade will enable the decant and demolition of Grosvenor House and the start of the Forum buildings. £10m is going to the University to commence their buildout of the City Centre campus (in the former Debenhams building), eventually to be the study location for some 4,500 students. In between, much of Kings Square has been completed, with the remaining works to be finished in the Spring. This will be a huge event space for cultural offerings, overlooked as it is by the Musicworks and Jolt, run by the Gloucester Culture Trust. Along Westgate Street, the Fleece Hotel was the beneficiary of £6m of levelling up funding and it is hoped that work can soon start to bring these buildings back into functional use. The regeneration throughout this area and the repopulation with thousands of students, plus workers in the Forum, will be a catalyst for further investment in the surrounding areas, bringing yet more life and more jobs into the city centre.
Ah high igh v volume olume o off jjob ob v vacancies acancies On the subject of jobs, the October figures for jobs in Gloucester showed there were nearly 12,000 unique vacancies, many in personal care and retail, but thousands in lots of other sectors. There were 3,545 out of work claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit, which was a reduction of 2.6% on the previous month. Of course, there may be skills gaps that prevent many unemployed taking available jobs, but so many vacancies should be an encouragement for anyone unemployed that there are opportunities to get back into the workforce and every incentive to keep trying. From an employee perspective, the number of vacancies is causing some wage inflation in some sectors – it was very obvious in the HGV driver sector – meaning better conditions for employees. So, with lots of positivity and opportunity, we can look forward with confidence to 2022.
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Red, R ed, blue blue or or yellow? yellow? I was lucky enough to grow up on Exmoor, so I have always been used to Land Rovers being workhorses – tatty, dirty, not especially comfortable, but rugged enough to go anywhere. Often with a couple of sheep in the back. The Series I, II and later Defenders were the automatic choice for decades for Exmoor’s farmers, and rightly so. But in the 90s, an influx of Japanese alternatives started edging their way in. I even recall a comedy song performed at a local village concert from which the title of this piece comes. It referenced the new colours available for people wanting 4x4s – ‘They come in red, blue and yellow / no more khaki or green / so in inclement weather, you’ll always be seen…’. Okay, no more singing, I promise. Wind the clock on from that song, and 2016 saw the sad demise of the continued production of the original Defender, after a staggering 67 years; the icon was no more.
N Newer ewer ttouches ouches o off ttechnology echnology Until the replacement was announced and showcased late in 2019. With nods to the design of the original, newer touches of technology and a great new look, the new Defender was something I wanted to get behind the wheel of for some time. Covid put a bit of a stop to that for some time, although I did get the Lego kit for Christmas that year. Finally, in 2021, I got behind The Local Answer
the wheel – and it was the preferred short wheelbase version too! The question was, after so much waiting, would I be disappointed? First jaunt, somewhat unusually, was a trip down the M5 for a work-related meeting – a trip I didn’t expect to be very comfortable in something designed for the fields. I was pleasantly surprised, therefore, to find that the new Defender performs very well as a car – nice to drive, easy to manoeuvre and with good visibility. Rear seat access was not fantastic, given that it’s a three door, but if family practicality is a necessity, then the longwheelbase 5-door model would probably be wiser. In fact, for practicality, the long-wheelbase would definitely be needed, as the Defender 90’s boot space is not massive. While good on width and height, the depth of the boot means transporting sheep wouldn’t really be an option. But the rest of the Defender? Simply stunning. It handled any terrain I threw it at, granted To advertise call 01242 510500
nothing too challenging, but I never felt that it wouldn’t manage even more. It worked as a car, with the previously mentioned caveat on rear seat access, but I still loved it. The short wheelbase for me has the right aesthetic for a Land Rover – something I felt strongly about of the old version too.
Good G ood llooking ooking and and notably n otably d different ifferent ffrom rom tthe he original original One particular technology addition I liked was the option for the rear view mirror to be a camera, displaying on the mirror at the flick of a switch. This deals with any rear view issues due to tall rear passengers or use of the third front seat. Technologically brilliant, good looking and while recognisable, notably different from the original. I was lucky enough to park next to a friend’s original Defender for a comparison – I like them both for very different reasons, but would probably opt for the newer version… which would you choose? Page 1
Money Money Matters Matters w with ith R Roger oger D Downes ownes o off Andorran Andorran
F Financial inancial rresolutions esolutions A recent study of how you can make more of your finances in the New Ye ear prompted Money Matters to come up with our own list of tips for financial prosperity in 2022. In no particular order:
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1. 1. Have Have a personal personal budget budget How can you possibly control costs if you have no idea what they add up to? Some people will keep detailed spreadsheets; others will simply scribble it down and divide it by 12 or 52, depending on how often you are paid. Either works, but do it.
2. 2. Save Save more more It’s tricky if your earnings are sufficient only to pay your day to day expense. If that’s the case, go back to item 1. But if it’s not, put money away for a rainy day. You never know when you will need it.
3. 3. Pay Pay off offf expensive expensive debt debt Often credit cards or, worse still, pay day loans. Both need much more regulatory control. It’s too easy to get them and shouldn’t be.
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4. 4. Don’t Don’t gamble gamble If you must do it, don’t take out credit to do so or put your daily expenditure at risk. I know it’s tempting and you can win big, but that doesn’t happen often and it turns too easily into an addiction.
5. 5. Ask Ask the the boss boss for for a pay pay rise rise He or she can only say no, but you would be surprised how often it works!
6 6.. IImprove mprove y your our ccredit redit sscore core There is something of a mystery around it and I have to confess t o not fully understanding the mechanics of how it all works. What I do know is that it has a massive influence on your ability to borrow.
7. 7. Have Have pots pots for for different diffferent expenditure expenditure I get exasperated occasionally when I hear stories of people not being able to pay their tax or VAT. That can only happen if you have spent that money, and it doesn’t belong to you! Be disciplined and put money for different expenditure into separate pots. It works really well in business and personal lives. Many online banking apps have this feature to make it easier for you to split your money. Whatever you choose to do, have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
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ACROSS 1 Integral 7 Unstable 8 Shrewd 10 Jingling percussion instrument 12 Meat-soaking mixture 14 Coral shipping hazard 16 Metropolis 17 Spellbinding 20 Sailor’s skill 23 Lolled 24 Perceiving 25 Variety of animal
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What W hat s O On n T The he L Local ocal A Answer nswer Event Event L Listings istings a are re ccompiled ompiled and and presented presented in in good good faith faith with with the the kind kind support support o off m many any ccontributors. ontributors. W We e recommend recommend you you use use the the contact contact details details provided provided to to check check e event vent iinformation nformation u updates pdates p prior rior tto op planning lanning your your visit. visit. 8 JANUARY JANUARY BARTOK, SIBELIUS & VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra, under the baton of James Ross and leader George Ewart, presents its first concert for 2022 with a programme including Bartok: Romanian Folk Dances, Sibelius: Pelleas et Melisande, and Vaughan Williams: Symphony No 5. Please note this concert takes place at St Andrew’s Church, Montpellier, and not the Playhouse and all seats are unreserved. Admission price includes a programme and students go free. Tickets £20. 7.30pm. More details at www.cheltplayhouse.org.uk 12-15 JANUARY JANUARY 12-15 AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAY AYS 1872. The Nightingale has struck again! The famous art thief has stolen three paintings from museums around London and is now attempting to flee the country for the safety of foreign soil. At the same time, Phileas Fogg and his new valet Passepartout are attempting to go Around The World In 80 Days in order to win a bet of £20,000. But is that just a cover story to hide the dastardly escape of The Nightingale? Tickets £13. 7.30pm. More details at cheltplayhouse.org.uk Cheltenham Playhouse. 47-53 Bath Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7HG. 1144 JANUARY JANUARY MCCARTNEY: THE SONGBOOK Starring Peter John Jackson, this fantastic production takes you on a
musical journey of Sir Paul’s career from the early beginnings with the Fab Four, the Wings days and his prolific solo career with tales of life on the road and flashbacks to life in Liverpool. 7.30pm. Tickets £26.50. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. 01684 295074. www.rosestheatre.org SIOBHAN PHILLIPS: LIVE AND UNHINGED Siobhan Phillips recently wowed audiences as the only female finalist in Britain’s Got Talent 2019. Covering subjects from becoming a first-time Mum at 40, tantrum-throwing toddlers and the frustrations of motherdaughter relationships, you’ll be treated to an insight to her life presented with exceptional candour and warmth. 7.30pm. Tickets £16.50. Sundial Theatre, Cirencester, GL7 1XA. www.sundialtheatre.co.uk 21 JANUARY JANUARY 21 DIVORCED, BEHEADED, DIED: AN AUDIENCE WITH KING HENRY VIII It’s 1544 and King Henry is engaged upon Royal Progress about his Realm; and has halted here to afford his Loyal Subjects the opportunity to have ‘audience’ with their Sovereign Lord and King. In the course of the ‘audience’, His Majesty will invite his loyal subjects to petition him or question him on any related subject – there may be some surprising answers. A lively Q&A is assured! 8pm. Tickets £16.50. Sundial Theatre, Cirencester, GL7 1XA. www.sundialtheatre.co.uk
2222 JANUARY JANUARY THE STORY OF GUITAR HEROES If you like music and guitars you will love this show! Truly sensational and captivating to all, this incredible show will blow your mind. Whatever genre of music you like, from Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Hank Marvin to Brian May, Slash and many more – this dynamic show has it all! 7.30pm. Tickets £18-£26. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. 01684 295074. www.rosestheatre.org 23 23 JANUARY JANUARY PET PORTRAIT PAINTING WORKSHOP
Come and enjoy a relaxed day of painting at Cheltenham’s dog friendly pub, The Strand. Working from photos, professional artist Hazel will help you create a masterpiece for yourself or for someone special. Tickets £85 including lunch and materials. Book online: hrhpetportraits.com/workshops Enter code ‘TLA10’ to get 10% off. Gift vouchers available. 12.30-5.30pm. The Strand, 40 High Street, Cheltenham GL50 1EE.
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26 JANUARY AN INTIMATE EVENING OF CLASSICAL MUSIC FOR FILM WITH THE CARDUCCI QUARTET A concert showcasing the emotional turbulence of Shostakovich’s Eighth string quartet and the intimate sound world of Philip Glass’s ‘Mishima’ quartet alongside other familiar classical works from the world of film and television. 7pm. Tickets £12 (£8 students/NUS). 01242 258002. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 27 JANUARY NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: LEOPOLDSTADT A passionate drama of love, family and endurance. At the beginning of the 20th century, Leopoldstadt was the old, crowded Jewish quarter of Vienna. But Hermann Merz, a factory owner and baptised Jew now married to Catholic Gretl, has moved up in the world. We follow his family’s story across half a century, passing through the convulsions of war, revolution, impoverishment by Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. 7pm. Tickets £16.50 (£14.50 conc, £12.50 students). 01242 258002. The Bacon Theatre, Dean Close School, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk
28 JANUARY JIVE TALKIN’ Renowned as the original and very best Bee Gees tribute show. As with the original band, Jive Talkin’ is a family affair, with brothers Gary and Darren Simmons taking the roles of Maurice and Barry Gibb, with Darren’s son Jack taking on the role of Robin Gibb. They are supported musically by a four piece band with guitar, violin, cello and drums. 7.30pm. Tickets £18£26. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. 01684 295074. www.rosestheatre.org THE SHIRES – ACOUSTIC Gorgeous country duo return to the Subs after their dazzling sold-out show here in October. Get onboard quickly to make sure you get to see them this time (or again!). 8pm. Tickets £26.50-£28.50. The Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE. thesubrooms.co.uk 29 JANUARY MIND BODY SPIRIT SHOW Over thirty fantastic exhibitors: 1-1 readings, holistic therapies, massage, crystals, arts and crafts, healthy living products. Talks and workshops on spiritual, holistic and self-help subjects. Demonstration of mediumship.
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Parking and refreshments onsite. 11am-5pm. Churchdown Community Centre, Parton Road, GL3 2JH. www.deerspiritevents.co.uk THE ALEX VOYSEY BLUES BAND: OLD DOGS, NEW TRICKS With four stunning musicians, breathtaking grooves and riffs, and a deep passion for blues, this show is a travelogue through the very best of blues history. From the raw storytelling of founding fathers Robert Johnson and BB King, onto the more lyrical blues of Eric Clapton and John Mayer, right up to contemporary artists Joe Bonamassa, Joanne Shaw Taylor and many more. Tickets £16. 7.30pm. Cheltenham Playhouse. 47-53 Bath Road, GL53 7HG. cheltplayhouse.org.uk 30 JANUARY TENORS UN LIMITED Let Scott, Paul and Jem take you on a journey through some of the best loved songs of the last century, made famous by other ‘icons of song’, such as Pavarotti, Lanza, Sting, Bublé and Freddie Mercury. The three showmen present a diverse programme with their trademark soaring vocals, velvet harmonies and killer sense of humour. 8pm. Tickets £25.50-£27.50. The Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE. thesubrooms.co.uk
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1 FEBRUARY SIMON KEMPSTON A unique talent performing thoughtprovoking, evocative original songs in a wonderfully intimate setting. Simon’s beautifully crafted, folk-tinged material showcases his incredible, distinctive and intricate fingerstyle guitar work, an exciting blend of the folk-baroque, blues and classical styles, and his gently nuanced, compelling tenor vocals. 8.30pm. Tickets £15. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. 01684 295074. rosestheatre.org 3-6 FEBRUARY 2022 PANTO – DICK WHITTINGTON Promenade Productions present their traditional family panto Dick Whittington, the story of the boy from Gloucestershire who sets out to find fame and fortune in London. Performances Thursday and Friday at 7pm, Saturday and Sunday at 12pm and 4.30pm. Tickets £16 (adults) and £12 (children) from the box office at Cheltenham Playhouse – 01242 522852 or online: www.cheltplayhouse.org.uk 4 FEBRUARY THE GREATEST HITS OF MOTOWN – HOW SWEET IT IS This stunning live show combines first class music with slick choreography
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and an amazing band to deliver truly outstanding performances for the best Motown experience you will ever have! This show will have you Dancing On The Ceiling, with songs from legendary artistes such as Lionel Richie, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and many more. 7.30pm. Tickets £29.50. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. 01684 295074. www.rosestheatre.org AN EVENING WITH 6 O’CLOCK GIN A fun and fascinating night exploring the range of multi award-winning gins of top local distillery 6 O’clock. This fantastic family-run distillery has over thirty years’ experience creating their highly acclaimed gins and liqueurs. They will guide us through their range of artisan gins, giving insight into their distilling process and how each gin is produced, their family story and the wider world of gin as you taste a selection of perfectly paired 6 O’clock gin and tonics. 7pm. Tickets £25. The Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE. thesubrooms.co.uk 5 FEBRUARY THE FILM ORCHESTRA PRESENTS: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN WILLIAMS As we approach Maestro John Williams’ 90th birthday, The Film
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Orchestra is delighted to programme this special concert featuring some of his greatest film scores, including Harry Potter, E.T. and Star Wars. 7.30pm. Tickets £20 (£18 concessions). 01242 258002. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk MERCURY Celebrating 75 years since the birth of the legendary Queen frontman, Mercury are one of the world’s most authentic tributes to Freddie Mercury and the legendary Queen. Including performances of Bohemian Rhapsody, Radio Ga Ga, We Will Rock You and many more, this award-winning show has been wowing audiences across the world for over two decades. 7.30pm. Tickets £18-£26. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. 01684 295074. rosestheatre.org 10 FEBRUARY BERK’S NEST PRESENTS SUZI RUFFELL Working-class comedian of her generation, Suzi Ruffell has had five sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Festival racking up critical acclaim. 8pm. Tickets £16.50-£18.50. The Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE. thesubrooms.co.uk
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11 FEBRUARY TIM EDEY Tim Edey has toured the world and recorded with most of the major names in Celtic/Contemporary roots music. He is now a name on the world stage in his own right after 20 years of very hard work, and consequently he is rated by many to be one of the world’s finest ever melodeon and guitar players in folk and contemporary acoustic music! 8pm. Tickets £12-£14. Sundial Theatre, Cirencester, GL7 1XA. www.sundialtheatre.co.uk 12 FEBRUARY ‘FROM THE GROUND UP’ SUSTAINABILITY FESTIVAL Come to St Philip’s & St James’ Church, Cheltenham from 10am-5pm to explore and learn about the things you can do to make an eco-difference in your home, business/work, life and community. This family-friendly festival will feature stalls, workshops, talks, pledge wall, an art competition, community corner and more... Search for @ftgu.festival on Facebook for all the latest information. AN EVENING WITH SIR GEOFF HURST In this evening with England’s Hat Trick Hero and World Cup winner, listen to Sir Geoff reminisce on his
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illustrious career and have the chance to ask your own questions. VIP ticket holders (Rows A-C) can meet Sir Geoff before the show for an exclusive photo and autograph opportunity. 7.30pm. Tickets £27-£55. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. 01684 295074. rosestheatre.org 13 FEBRUARY AN EVENING WITH SU POLLARD Su is about to embark on her first ever tour where she will talk about her exceptional career, which is sure to be filled with laughter and a few tears. Su will also undertake a Q&A with the audience. 7.30pm. Tickets £20-£41.50. The Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE. thesubrooms.co.uk 17 FEBRUARY NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE – THE BOOK OF DUST: LA BELLE SAUVAGE Set twelve years before the epic ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy, this gripping adaptation revisits Philip Pullman’s fantastical world in which waters are rising and storms are brewing. Two young people and their dæmons, with everything at stake, find themselves at the centre of a terrifying manhunt. In their care is a tiny child called Lyra Belacqua, and in that child lies the
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fate of the future. 7pm. Tickets £16.50 (£14.50 conc, £12.50 students). 01242 258002. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. bacontheatre.co.uk 23 FEBRUARY CIRCUS SPECTACULAR Join us for the greatest show on earth – featuring international circus acts, amazing magic and lots of laughs. Our top-class artistes will not only bring skill and suspense with their acts, they will also all be participating in the production numbers and comedy aspects of the show to make one truly unhinged experience. 3pm. Tickets £17.50 (£15.50 conc, £60 family of four). 01242 258002. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 26 FEBRUARY LONGFIELD COMMUNITY HOSPICE’S ALE AMBLE Starting and finishing at Stroud Brewery, the Ale Amble will take you on a fantastic four-mile circular walk. You’ll arrive back to a hero’s welcome at the Brewery with a free pint or soft drink and the chance to catch a Six Nations rugby match on the big screen. 10am-1pm. £15 adult/£10 child or raise sponsorship. To sign up visit www.longfield.org.uk/event/ale-amble www.bacontheatre.co.uk
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The Local Answer
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A All ll Landscaping Landscaping aand nd Horticultural Horticultural w work ork undertaken undertaken Landscape D Design/Advice esign/A • Landscape Advice • Garden/Commercial Garden/Commercial Maintenance Maintenance •G Grass rass Cutting Cutting • T Turfing urfing •A Artificial rtificial Grass Grass • FFencing encing • D Decking ecking • Patios Patios •P Planting lanting • P Pruning runing P PROFESSIONAL ROFESSIONAL • TRAINED TRAINED • COMMITTED COMMITTED
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IIn n tthe he Garden Garden w with ith JJulia ulia S Smith mith
Spring S pring d dreaming reaming Happy New Year to you all! This is the time of year when the weather may force you inside to contemplate the garden through the windows. A good time to make plans for the coming spring and to dream of what your garden could look like! This year we can all do our bit for the environment by trying to manage our gardens using no, or as few chemicals as possible, and plant things that attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.
D Deter eter p pests ests b by yu using sing ccompanion ompanion p plants lants Try using companion planting to deter pests – for instance, growing onions and carrots together to reduce both onion and carrot fly. Many people grow marigolds in their vegetable patch for the same reason, as they mask the scent of tasty veg to the predators! Instead of leaving soil bare, sow green manures such as rocket or mustard greens and dig them in when you are ready to plant up.
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Several vegetables can be sown now in modular seed trays, either in a heated greenhouse if you are lucky enough to have one, or in a propagator, including some cauliflowers, onions and leeks. They can be planted out in late March and harvested later in the year. Inside the house, water your plants sparingly, as more are killed by overwatering than not watering enough. Cut back leggy polka dot plant (Hypoestes), Tradescantia, aluminium
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plant (Pilea cadierei) and coleus (Solenostemon) to encourage new growth.
Free F ree o ornamental rnamental shrubs shrubs If you want to increase your ornamental shrubs for free you can take hardwood cuttings. Evergreens can be taken from autumn to about midwinter, and deciduous plants just after they lose their leaves or just before bud burst in spring. Prepare cuttings by taking stems of pencil thickness, about 15cm long. Trim the top with a slanting cut just above a bud, and the base, with a square cut just below a bud (so you can tell the top from the bottom!). Remove the leaves from the bottom two-thirds and cut remaining leaves in half. Remove a sliver of bark at the base to encourage rooting and dip in some hormone rooting powder. Push the cuttings into a prepared bed in open ground or put in pots in a cold frame. They should root through the summer and can be moved to their final location in autumn. Page
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Wildlife Wildlife Matters Matters with w ith D Dorothy orothy G Glen len
Hibernating H ibernating butterflies butterflies I have strong memories of visiting a particular familyfavourite nature reserve, on one of those spectacular mornings when the sun glitters on frozen old cobwebs and hoar frost fringes leaves with fluffy white edges. We walked along the edge of a frozen field with the bordering hedgerow sparkling beside us, then through some woodland where we’d once spotted a tawny owl perched metres from us, minding its own business. Then we emerged to views over the countryside, with the steep bank in front of us falling away to an old railway cutting. Down the steps was the best part: as we lowered into the cutting, the gaping mouth of the old railway tunnel loomed out of the bank beside us. At that time, you could still walk through it, and we went prepared with torches. It was surprising how quickly we lost daylight when we went inside, but we didn’t have to go far before finding what we were looking for. Sending our torch beams upwards, we looked for signs of
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life. Bats snoozed above our heads, but there was something else up there too. Huddled together in nooks and corners were peacock butterflies, their dark underwings casting triangular shadows onto the tunnel roof.
Tucked T ucked away away with with small small ttortoiseshells ortoiseshells It seems odd to think of the vibrant reds and purples of peacock butterflies on days where the land is lit with pale winter sun, and the plants and trees are white-blue with frost.
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But they are there, tucked away, along with small tortoiseshells, brimstones and commas. These species of butterfly hibernate through our winter, seeking out sheltered spots where they may close their wings and be left in peace until the spring. Peacocks favoured the old railway tunnel, but we see hibernating butterflies closer to home too. It is often small tortoiseshell butterflies that we spot tucked into dark corners indoors, after first sneaking inside in the late summer when houses feel cool. I once found one snoozing in a shower room in a holiday cottage. Unfortunately, if they stay indoors enjoying our central heating they may become active and use up the energy reserves needed to last the winter. So if you find one in your house, the best thing to do is gently move it to a cool, dark shed or garage where it can settle down safely, or release it on a bright day when there’s warmth in the sun, so it can find its own refuge. Page 5
A APPLECRUSH PPLECRUSH C CONSTRUCTION ONSTRUCTION
SSpecialising pecialising in in all all aaspects spects ooff ggroundwork roundwork • • • • • •
Driveways Patios Footings Drainage Landscaping Concrete floors/bases
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A Applecrush pplecrush Cottage, Cottage, A Aston ston Ingham Ingham Road, Road, K Kilcot, ilcot, Newent, Newent, G Gloucestershire loucestershire G GL18 L18 11NR NR
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Hammer H ammer thrower thrower Craig Craig Murch Murch ttargets argets C ommonwealth Games Games Commonwealth “He can throw a hammer farther than you and I go on holiday.” That’s Gloucester Athletic Club stalwart Richard Blackwell talking about Craig Murch, the up-and-coming thrower who is making a big name for himself in the sport. So much so that he is targeting this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and if, as expected, he gets selected for the England team, he will be going there to do a lot more than just make up the numbers. “I’ll be very disappointed if I don’t reach the final and I’ll be very disappointed not to medal,” he told The Local Answer, “I want to go there and try to win it.” And if hard work and dedication have anything to do it then 28-year-old Murch is surely a live contender because he happily admits that the hammer is the big thing in his life. Murch comes from a decent athletics family and was encouraged in the sport all the way when he was younger. “I used to be a javelin thrower,” he explained. “But then I injured my elbow so I had a go at the hammer.” And it’s fair to say he has never looked back. He is originally from Rugby but moved to this part of the world about five years ago after leaving Loughborough University with a 1st in computer science. Since then he has come under the expert eye of Lorraine Shaw, the 2002 Commonwealth Games gold medal hammer winner who has been a big part of Gloucester AC over the years. “Lorraine was one of the big
Craig Murch
reasons I moved down here,” explained Murch, who is an IT project manager in Cheltenham. “I wouldn’t have moved somewhere where there wasn’t any high quality coaching and vice-versa, I wouldn’t have taken any job; I wanted to do both. “My old coach at Loughborough, John Pearson, put me in touch with Lorraine, he said she was keen to help. We met in a coffee shop in Gloucester and we gelled; we’ve been working together ever since, it’s a good relationship. “My whole life revolves around the hammer – eating, training, recovery. You do have to make sacrifices.” Shaw knows all about competing at the highest level, of course, having rubbed shoulders with the very best at multiple Olympic Games and world championships back in the 90s and noughties. It is the now 53-year-old’s experience that was part of the appeal for Murch, who was British champion in 2020 and
has a best throw of 73.64 metres. “It’s not just the advanced technical side,” explained Murch, “she’s been there and done it, she can empathise with me as an athlete.” And while Murch is clearly very comfortable working with Shaw, he is equally comfortable at Gloucester AC, his second claim club. “Birchfield Harriers are my first claim but I really like it at Gloucester, it’s a great club with great people, they’ve supported me all the way,” he said. And while the club have supported him, Murch has given plenty back too. “I coach at the club twice a week,” he said. “I coach the kids but I’ll coach anyone who wants to get better. “Coaching is something I’d like to do more of when I’m no longer a full-time athlete, I’d love to get into elite coaching.” That’s for the future, of course; for now Murch’s focus is very much on the 2022 Birmingham Games. “I’m coming into my prime,” he said. “Most hammer throwers are in their prime in their late 20s and early 30s. “I’ve just lost 10 kilos so I’m down to 97-98 kilos. I eat lots of protein, lots of carbs, lots of nutrients – I have six or seven fruit and veg a day, I’m up near 3,000 calories a day. “You have to be strong for the hammer but if you’re too strong you’ll be too slow across the circle. It’s all about power and technique, you have to find the balance between strength and speed.” Full story online.
For For full full articles articles aand nd m more ore stories stories vvisit isit w www.thelocalanswer.co.uk ww.thelocalanswer.co.uk
D Distributors istributors R Required equired Immediately in Brockworth and Hucclecote and to join our waiting list for Kingsholm Please email d distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk istribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk with your name, postal address, telephone number and date of birth. A member of our team will respond with more information. Please do not call the office – our staff are only returning to work part-time, so may not always be available to take your call. T h e Loc The Lo c al al AN A NSW S W ER ER Each round is made up of 150-400 copies per month. The rate
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D DOMESTIC OMESTIC & C COMMERCIAL OMMERCIAL
IC Carpets arpets I A Amtico mtico & K Karndean arndean olid W ood Flooring Flooring I V Sisal Sisal I S Solid Wood Vinyls inyls FABULOUS RANGE TO CHOOSE FROM AND EXCELLENT SERVICE AT YOUR LOCAL FAMILY RUN SHOWROOM I
SHOWROOM OPEN 9am 9am-5pm 5pm M Monday-Friday onday Friday 9am-4pm Saturday &9 am-4pm S aturday Kindly Kindly nnote: ote: M Max. ax. 4 ccustomers ustomers aatt a ttime ime Out Out ooff hhours ours aappointments ppointments aavailable vailable – pplease lease ccall all ttoo aarrange rrange
268A London Road, Road, Charlton Charltton Kings, Kings, C Cheltenham, heltenham, G GL52 L52 6 6HS HS tt:: 0 01242 1242 3 321742 21742 e:: iinfo@cotswoldbespokeflooring.co.uk e nfo@cotsswoldbespokeflooring.co.uk www.cotswoldbespokeflooring.com w ww.cotswoldbespokeflooring.com
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interior needs JANUARY JANUARY Y SALE! SALE E ! 2 es@interiorneeds.co.uk
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YOUR Y OUR ELECTRIC ELECTRIC C COOKER OOKER OR OVEN OVEN N OT W ORKING? OR NOT WORKING? EST E ST 2004 2004 l cal TTel: el: 07955 07955 295360 295360
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IInterior nterior D Design esign w with ith G Gill ill G Greenwell reenwell
O Out ut with with the the o old, ld, iin n with with tthe he new new New Year is a great time to set about decluttering and bringing fresh energy to your home. Keeping clutter to a minimum really improves your mental wellbeing – as the saying goes, “tidy home, tidy mind”. But decluttering can feel overwhelming, so follow my quick tips.
G Getting etting sstarted tarted Take one step at a time, don’t try and eat the elephant. The hallway is often a dumping ground for shoes, coats, bags and sports equipment. To create a welcoming, calm and tidy space, clear out unseasonal items – no flipflops lying around in the winter! Utilise the space under the stairs, install coat pegs with shelves above and invest in shoe racks. My step-daughter has built a hall storage unit with named baskets for everyone in the household. It really works.
D De-clutter e-clutter tthe he k kitchen itchen The kitchen is the heart of the home, but it’s also a common area for clutter. A clear worktop will save you time and stress, so clear the surfaces and store
away anything you don’t use regularly. Re-organise drawers and cupboards using the mantra: do I love it, do I use it, do I need it? Get rid of anything that doesn’t fit the criteria; the bread maker you used twice, the spiralizer you got bored with, the mugs you hate. I use glass Kilner jars for storing dried goods – they look retro-stylish, and it’s quick and easy to find recipe ingredients.
Whittle d Whittle down own your y our w wardrobe ardrobe Your bedroom should be a comfortable space where you can relax, but all too often it’s another clutterzone. Is the floor covered in piles of clothes, and is it hard to find anything to wear in the morning? Time to clear out your wardrobe! Use your mantra to get started. Most people have far more clothes than they need, but if you haven’t worn something for a year, chances are you never will. Store away unseasonal clothes and buy wooden/velvet hangers for everything else. The Hanger Store has a great selection. My daughter used a professional wardrobe editor and she’s never looked back.
Be Be sustainable, sustainable, donate donate tto o charity, charity, up-cycle up-cycle a and nd rre-gift e-gift What do you do with your unwanted items when The Local Answer
To advertise call 01242 510500
Image: Cotswold Company
you’ve finished your edit? Volunteering in a local charity shop, I’ve seen the benefits of giving things to charity. An old unloved wooden bench lingering in the back of your garage could be someone else’s new dining table. That battered chest of drawers belonging to your grandmother, re-painted in a bright colour, could be up-cycled to your teenage daughter’s bedroom.
Smart S mart sstorage torage Now you only have your muchloved possessions around you and the things you really need, treat yourself to some stylish and practical new storage. Maybe new library shelves for your pared-down collection of books, funky storage baskets for the children’s toys, or pretty vintage tins for the kitchen. You can now relax in your newly created calm space that is welcoming and clutter-free. Page 4
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QUALITY KITCHEN Q UALITY K ITCHEN MAKEOVERS M AKEOVERS b byy ssimply imply rreplacing eplacing tthe he d doors oors a and nd w worktops orktops
kit ch en
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0 01453 145 3 2 299344 99344 18 High Street, 18 H igh S treet, Stonehouse, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire G L10 2NA 2NA Gloucestershire GL10
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G Gadgets adgets & G Gizmos izmos w with ith L Laura aura N Nicklin icklin
New New year, year, new new tech 2022 has an odd ring to it; in fact, it sounds like the time period of a sci-fi time movie. So, what better time to start browsing the latest gadgets gracing our shops? As we settle into the new year and start to look ahead, some of these gizmos might just be what you’re searching for postChristmastime, especially if you’re worried about those dreaded January blues.
breathing cycles to pic you can align your br with the Stress Rele achieve total relaxation. with this clever cont and discover a new manage stress.
Ninja A Ninja AutoiQ utoiQ F Food ood Processor P rocessor
John Lewis: £99.99 Perhaps one of your new year’s resolutions was to get more creative in the kitchen? Or even spend some time in the kitchen for a change? If so, this gadget might just be the sous chef you’re looking for. The Ninja AutoiQ Food Processor is equipped to slice, mix, grate, chop and puree any foods you wish, and all at the touch of a button; its automatic onetouch intelligence mak es it an innovative tool for any kitchen. With four programs to choose from, you can tailor the Ninja AutoiQ to create delicious recipes exactly how you like, and the interchangeable Beurer Beurer Stress Stress R Releazer eleazer attachments make it even easier to whip up whatever Holland & Barrett: £69.99 cuisine you’re in the mood If you’re trying to relieve some for. So, get cooking! stress, check out this useful JaxJox gizmo from Holland & Barrett JaxJox that uses low-frequency vibra- K KettlebellConnect ettlebellConnect tions to lower blood pressure Argos: £249.99 and support you when you’re Another common new year’s feeling anxious. resolution that often goes The Beurer Stress Releazer is out the window by February a natural way of helping you is “I vow to get in shape this deal with high-pressure mom- year…” However, we’re ents; just place it on your only human and often need chest, lie down and let yourself some reinforcement to stick relax to the soothing vibrations. to our fitness routines. The It also helps you to regulate JaxJox KettlebellConnect your breathing; with three can help: this single
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kettlebell might not look like much at first, but its smart software will aid you in your quest for at-home workouts. The clever thing about this gadget is that it can alter its weight to match your ability all thanks to the JaxJox app, which can record your sessions and help with your progress. With six weight options ranging from 12lb to 42lb, this upgraded kettlebell is ideal if you’re looking to work out from the comfort of home.
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A sspecialist pecialist rrepair epair sservice ervice ffor or w windows, indows, d doors o o rs a and nd conservatories conservatories w with ith o over ver 4 40 0 yyears’ ears’ e experience. xperience. Misted glass Handles andles Misted g lass • Locks Locks • Hinges Hinges • H Seals Conservatory Roof Cleaning leaning Seals • C onservatory R oof C For For ffree ree quotes quotes a and nd a rreliable, eliable, ffriendly riendly sservice: ervice: Am member ember o off C all: 07963 2 17 99 8 Call: 07963 217998 E mail: b arrieminett@mail.com Email: barrieminett@mail.com W Web: eb: w www.bm-services-glos.co.uk ww.bm-services-glos.co.uk VERY V ERY C COMPETITIVE OMPETITIVE PRICES PRICES
Keep u Keep up p to to date date on on ssocial ocial m media! edia! @thelocalanswer @ thelocalanswer
Don’t replace the Frames ... just the Panes! Broken or Damaged g Windows? Faulty Faulty Hinges, Hinges, Handles Handles or or Locks? Locks? Want Want the the latest latest ‘A-rated’ ‘A-rated’ energy energy saving saving glass? glass? 10 year guarantee double 1 0y ear g uarantee on on new new d ouble glazing! glazing!
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