October 2012

D2D

The Local GLOUCESTER’S FAVOURITE FREEMIUM ~ OCTOBER 2012

GLOUCESTER

LOCAL INFORMATION • SHOPPING • EATING OUT ENTERTAINMENT • SERVICES • OFFERS

CHINESE ORIENTAL DINING

China right onto your plate BLOSSOM features an exciting new way of serving food, a tradition originating from China. A wide variety of authentic Chinese dishes are served to each diner at their table, as they want them. All you can enjoy for ÂŁ15.90* per person allows you to taste over 150 freshly-cooked to order mouthwatering dishes.

The night doesn’t end with the gastronomical adventure as BLOSSOM also invites you to enjoy a delicious range of desserts and beverages.

Search: Blossom Oriental

Connect with us for news, events and offers!

For reservations please call 01452 550 152 157 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1XE www.BlossomOriental.com

Welcome to...

The Local

ANSWER

The seasons are rapidly on the turn, but before winter bites, October hopefully allows us to bask in late warm days and enjoy the fiery spectacle of hot colours that nature provides as summer bows out. We have a fantastic recipe for warming Red Pepper and Tomato Soup – ideal for chilly evenings – and pumpkins galore at Over Farm in preparation for Halloween!

Speaking of Halloween, there are lots of events if you like to celebrate it! Why not join in the Gloucester Zombie Walk on 27 October at 2pm, starting from Café René followed by an evening of cabaret, vaudeville and burlesque. Full details of Over Farm’s Frightmare Festival are available on page 17, for which one lucky reader can win a Family Ticket – see page 21 for details.

Prinknash Bird and Deer Park has gentler, fun filled celebrations with the chance to see the park beautifully illuminated in the dark – see pages 22 and 23.

October is the time to get cosy at home. Perhaps you are considering improvements to make your home more comfortable and fuel efficient? We have experts who can do everything from fitting new heating systems to safety checking your gas and electrical appliances.

If you have a larger project in mind, then why not get a quote from one of the builders inside, such as FarrDenn who tell us about their experiences working on Channel 4’s new property series ‘Double Your House for Half the Price’.

And finally, dare we say it, Christmas is around the corner, so book up your parties and dinners early!

Contents Food & Entertainment 5 Delicious Dishes 5 Vouchers 6 Leader’s Life 7 Short Walks 8 What’s On 12 Gloucester Rugby 15 Did You Know?

21 Homes & Gardens 24 In the Garden 29 Property News 33 Professional Services 36 Money Matters 39 People First Policing 41 Index of Advertisers 42 Competition Rules 42 Competitions ~ 15 & 21

The Local Answer Limited 1 Ullenwood Court, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 9QS Managing Director

Production

Dave Kingscott – t 01242 541070 e dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Susan Bozzard – t 01242 541075 e susan@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Advertising

Editorial

John Barker – t 01242 541077 e john@thelocalanswer.co.uk Malcolm Cantwell – t 01242 541074 e malc@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Alison Hambling – t 01242 541073 e alison@thelocalanswer.co.uk Helen Kingscott – t 07885 433067 e helen.kingscott@hotmail.co.uk

Leaflets

Distribution

Mark Goldsmith t 01242 541075 e leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Cindy Dunc a n t 0 1 2 4 2 541075 m 07720 098934 e c i n d y @ t h e l o c a l a n s w e r. c o . u k

TO ADVERTISE IN

GLOUCESTER’S

FAVOURITE

FREEMIUM Telephone

01242 510500

RETIREMENT APARTMENTS FOR SALE OVER

50% SOLD

Your lifestyle, your retirement, your way.

Our stunning retirement development at Gloucester gives you a great choice.

Have company and companionship when you want it or privacy and peace and quiet when you don’t.

Spencer McCarthy, Company Chairman

Hamlet Lodge

Request a brochure on

01452 525687

Heathville Road, Gloucester Show Complex open daily, 10am – 5pm

Development Features: U Lodge Manager U Video entry U Lift U 24 hour support U Guest Suite U Parking U Owners’ Lounge U Award-winning gardens

Visit our website churchillretirement.co.uk

Delicious Dishes Red Pepper and Tomato Soup ~ Serves 6-8 ~ Ingredients 2 teaspoons Olive Oil 2 cloves Garlic, crushed 1 medium Onion, diced 1 medium Carrot, chopped 3 medium Red Peppers, deseeded and sliced 1 Vegetable Stock Cube, to make 800ml stock 2 cans Tomatoes, whole or chopped, 400g each Mixed Herbs Seasoning

The Old Rectory Re staurant Cole sbourne , Che lte nham gl53 9np Dine in Style

Celebrate with us!

Book your party now!

Enjoy the finest Cotswold Meat, Game & Poultry.

Fresh Seasonal Fish & Vegetables. Delicious Home made Desserts

Celebrate Christmas in our historic 16th century country pub with traditional features and beautiful countryside views We have a fantastic garden yurt for hire, which seats 100 people and is a great venue for weddings, Christmas parties, birthdays, barn dances and family occasions. It’s the only yurt in Gloucester - a unique and special venue for your party

Call Marion Jayne for all the help you need ...

The Apple Tree Inn Minsterworth, Gloucestershire, GL2 8JQ 01452 750345 / 07710 677712 www.theappletreeinn.com The Local Answer

Method 1 In a large saucepan heat oil over medium-low heat.

Add garlic and stir for 1 minute. Add onion and carrot and cook until onion is tender - about 5 minutes.

2 Add peppers and cook until they begin to soften.

3 Add stock and tomatoes and bring to the boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add mixed herbs and seasoning to your liking.

4 Leave to cool to room temperature then puree in small batches or use a hand blender in the saucepan.

Reheat to serve.

Traditional Sunday Lunch Multi choice 3 course menu ÂŁ15.95

Private Dining Room

Ideal venue for small parties to celebrate all occasions.

Personalised quality menus to suit your budget

Celebrate Christmas

Open throughout December and New Year, inc. Christmas Day Warm & friendly festive surroundings Superb Menus - Excellent Value

Info & Bookings 01242 870120

www.theoldrectorycolesbourne.co.uk

www.thelocalanswer.co.uk

Page 5

The Local

ANSWER Shipton Golf Course

PLAY 18 HOLES FOR THE PRICE OF 9

Shipton Golf Course, Nr Frogmill, Shipton, during October 2012 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 4HT with this voucher

www.shiptongolf.co.uk shiptongolf@tiscali.co.uk Tel: 01242 890237

VALID FOR ONE PLAYER PLAYING 18 HOLES

VOUCHERS Indian Restaurant 72 Westgate Street Gloucester GL1 2NZ

01452 385386

5% 2O FF is h th wit ucher vo

Vinings Restaurant, Gloucester Docks, has two stylish dining areas serving a buffet style range of excellent Indian and Thai Dishes at a set price. We offer an extensive drinks list, and are available for private parties.

Reservations: 01452 38 44 55

Victoria Warehouse, Gloucester Docks, GL1 2EG www.viningsrestaurant.co.uk

£2 OFF YOUR FOOD BILL With this voucher, valid until end of October 2012

FREE DRINK DAYTIME OFFER

WITH EVERY MEAL

31 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TP

01452 309340

www.caferene.co.uk

10% OFF YOUR FOOD BILL *

For reservations please call 01452 550 152 157 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1XE www.BlossomOriental.com

(Choose from: a glass of house wine; half pint of beer, lager or cider; orange or cranberry juice; Pepsi, lemonade or tea/coffee) Offer valid 11am-6pm Monday-Friday during October 2012 upon presentation of this voucher, subject to space and availability.

Open: Sunday-Thursday 11am-midnight & Friday-Saturday 11am-3am Food Served Daily: Monday-Saturday 11am-10pm & Sunday 12-9pm

* With this voucher when dining in the restaurant.

Valid until 31st October 2012

Monday to Saturday 12 noon-2.30pm & 5.30pm-11pm Sunday – Open All Day

25%OFF

TO ADVERTISE 01242 510500

Your Food Bill Open 5.30pm-12 midnight (Friday & Saturday 1am) 7 days a week

A Treat For Your Eyes!

Individual Lash Extensions

Usual price £60, Price with voucher £45.

Please call for an appointment Orchid Nails and Beauty, Based in Hempsted Tel: 07999 581605 or e-mail orchidnails1@gmail.com

T I G E R ’ S 25% OFF ALL ‘BLACK YE ROCK’ DISHES

www.orchidnails.vpweb.co.uk

FUSION RESTAURANT AT THE OLD BELL

F U S I O N R E S TAU R A N T - AT THE OLD BELL -

TWO BARS, LOUNGE & RESTAURANT

9a Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TG ~ Above Costa Coffee www.theoldbell-tigerseye.co.uk

Reservations 01452 332993

FREE CHIPS WITH ANY PANINI AT LUNCHTIME FOR ONLY £4.95 Tuesday-Friday 12-3pm and 5-7.30pm

*Offer applies to items listed above and only valid at times shown above during October 2012. This voucher must be handed in to redeem offer.

Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

The Local

ANSWER

12 MONTH RATE FOR Advertise your 1 MONTH COMMITMENT! Special Offers in

41,000

magazines distributed throughout Gloucester

ONLY £127+VAT

to have this size voucher in our November 2012 issue if booked on/by 12th October 2012 For further details or to book your space, please telephone

01242 510500

Advertising in ‘ The Local

ANSWER

Leader’s Life

has been one of the best business decisions I have made – my makeup business has really flourished as a result!

Kim Brunwin

’

with Councillor Paul James Leader of Gloucester City Council

To advertise call

01242 510500

The Permanent MakeUp Studio

permanent makeup

kim brunwin

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Brows £365

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Kim is a highly regarded Permanent MakeUp specialist with years of experience.

Call her for a chat about your brows, eyes or lips and book a free consultation at Kim’s Permanent MakeUp Studio in Leckhampton, Cheltenham.

t: 07906 159733 e: kim.brunwin@live.co.uk

www.permanentmakeupgloucestershire.com The Permanent MakeUp Studio GL53 0JA

We stock Charnwood, Dimplex, Dunsley, Dovre, Invicta, Jetmaster, Jotul, Morso, Scan, Stovax, Vermont Castings, Villager, Westfire, Yeoman and many more

Gas & Electric Fires | Fireplaces, Hearths & Mantels Multi-fuel & Woodburning Stoves | Accessories 78-80 Winchcombe Street, Cheltenham GL52 2NW

01242 241164

www.warmwelcomefires.co.uk The Local Answer

Urban wildflower meadows have drawn many compliments

As we head into October, I guess that means that summer is well and truly behind us (although the optimist in me is still hoping for a few more warm days).

Looking back, despite the poor weather, itʼs been an exciting summer in the city. Weʼve had the Jubilee, with events in the Park and around the city. Weʼve had the most successful Food Festival at Gloucester Quays to date, a reinvigorated Carnival, Heston Blumenthal and his record attempt for the worldʼs biggest icecream and our first major History Festival.

Our urban wildflower meadows, in places like Cole Avenue and Westgate Bridge, have drawn many compliments, as have our roundabouts.

Unfortunately the wet weather has also meant challenges for the grass-cutting team of our partner Enterprise. It has caused extremely high levels of growth, meaning that the amount of “arisings” each time the grass is cut has been very high. This has made it more difficult to keep it off the pathways and roads, so it hasnʼt always looked at its best. In 2011 we reduced the number of grass cuts from 16 to 10 to save money. Last year it wasnʼt a problem as the weather was dry, but this year the conditions were very different.

We are looking very closely at how we can meet these challenges in the future, particularly if climate change means wet summers are going to be more common now. It may mean that we look to differentiate more between different uses of grassed areas – with sports pitches getting more cuts than less formal areas. Some people already have “adopted” grass verges outside their homes and maintain them. Weʼre grateful to people for this and weʼd encourage others to follow suit – please get in touch if youʼre willing to help in this way. And we will look, through the budget process, at whether we can put more resources into this area if people feel it is a priority – although we know we wonʼt have lots of money to throw at the problem.

Please do let me know your thoughts.

www.thelocalanswer.co.uk

Page 7

in association with

A From Back Lane Car Park walk back to the

B4632. Turn left and walk 650yds (600m) to Rushley Lane on the right.

1 The town grew up around the Benedictine

River Isbo

32

B 46

Liby PO PW Sch ne Mus La k c Abbey Ba PW Mus PW

A

Recreation Ground

Stancombe Lane

The Woodlands Parrʼs Farm

Winchcombe The Rushleys

Almesbury Sudeley Mill Farm

Almesbury Lodge

N

Beesmoor Plantation

M

Forbury

PW

ro

ok Wadfield Grove

Stancombe Cottage

4

L

Sudeley Hill Cottages

PW Kenelm Lodge

J

Sudeley Park Cottages Sudeley Lodge

F

The Larch Banks

Hill Barn

3

St Kenelmʼs Well

H

E

2

Salterʼs Hill

The Dingle

I

Haile on the Hill

Quarry Ford Road Coppice Dirty Quarry

Quarry Limekiln Plantation Quarry

K

Round Hill

Quarry

Hollow Barn Plantation The Warren

Leading map publishers, Collins, teamed up with Britain’s largest walking organisation, Ramblers, to produce ‘Short Walks in The Cotswolds’ – an excellent guide with twenty easy walks, all less than 5 miles in length. The Local Answer has been given kind permission to reproduce each walk for our readers. Why not try this one and, if you like it, buy Collins’ superb pocket-size paperback (ISBN: 978-0-00-735942-4) – only £5.99 and available online at www.harpercollins.co.uk. The book features Ordnance Survey mapping – more detailed than the map shown above.

G Cross the stile and continue to the five-bar gate at the bottom.

H Follow the track, passing St. Kenelm’s Well, to the buildings. Leave the track to bear slightly right across the field to a stile. Head downhill towards the left-hand gate and on to the road.

Page 8

Sudeley Hill Farm

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2010

Droitwich, where the salt was especially pure, and passed through the Cotswolds to London via Lechlade and the Thames.

the final halt of the body of Kenelm before it reached Winchcombe. He became King of Mercia as a young boy in AD819 but is believed to have been murdered at the instigation of his jealous sister.

The monks at Winchcombe recovered his body and the legend tells that springs gushed out wherever they laid him. The well became a shrine for pilgrims.

I Turn left uphill to a waymarked path on the right.

J Follow the path in front of the wood. Cross the two stiles at the end and head half-left to the road.

K Turn right and follow the road through the farm.

Turn left along a path opposite the next house down to a gate, then turn right. Turn left at the field boundary to the next gate.

L Go through the gate and then over the stile. Head diagonally across the field the left corner of the castle buildings.

Stancombe Wood

Dunnʼs Hill

Bollingwell

SUDELEY CASTLE

2 Salt Way is an ancient route which originated at

3 The spring at St. Kenelm’s Well is said to mark

Flukeʼs Hill

G

The Old Dairy Farm

The Home Parks

B or

Whiteʼs Hill Cottage

Stancombe Farm

Laundry Cottage

North Lodge

mo es Be

Abbey which was founded in AD798 and became one of the largest landowners in the Cotswolds.

The Abbey was dissolved in 1539 and there is now no trace of it above ground. St Peter’s Church has a splendid weathercock and an interesting collection of 40 gargoyles known as the ‘Winchcombe Worthies’.

B Turn right into Rushley Lane and, at the bend, continue ahead up Stancombe Lane to a waymarked gate on the left.

C Follow the waymarks uphill, passing through two more gates. Continue ahead up a steep waymarked path through woodland. Cross the open land at the top to a gate.

D Go through the gate and walk up the left side of the field. At an old wall bear slightly right, cross the stile and continue to the top. Bear left to reach a stone wall. Follow the wall to a stile. Cross the stile and continue down to the next stile.

E Cross the stile and continue down to a gate on the right. Go through and continue to the marker post, then across the next field to the road.

F Turn right for 1⁄4 mile (400m), then turn right along a dirt track to the right of a stone wall. Continue by the wall to a stile in the corner of the field.

1

St Peterʼs Church

D

C

Monkʼs Hole

WAY

Moderate terrain – two climbs, some mud possible.

PW

Footbridge

Orchards Farm

SALT

5 miles (8km) ~ 21⁄2 hours

F Sta

B

Rushley La ne

Winchcombe & Sudeley Castle

urne

Short Walks in The Cotswolds

4 Sudeley Castle dates mainly from the 15th

century although it was deliberately ruined by Parliamentary forces after the Civil War and even became an inn before restoration between 1837 and 1936. The castle is famous for being home to Katherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII. She married Sudeley’s owner, Lord Admiral Seymour, after the death of the King in 1547 and lived at the castle until her death in 1548. Surrounding the castle are beautiful gardens which were restored and redesigned by Emma Dent in the 19th century and Lady Ashcombe in the 20th century.

M Continue by the fence to a gate on the right. With

the play area on the left, walk ahead to a gate by the road.

N Cross the road to the gate ahead. Continue across the field to a gate at the far end and on to the road.

Turn left into the town.

To advertise call 01242 510500

GET YOUR BUSINESS NOTICED TELEPHONE

01242 510500 The Local

ANSWER The Local Answer

Spooky Happenings Gloucester Zombie Walk 27 October 2012 at 2pm This is a free event taking its route through the city centre collecting for our chosen charity Sue Ryder Care. A great event that is growing every year. Children, well behaved dogs and all spooks, ghouls, zombies welcome.

Halloween: Cirque du Macabre 27 October 2012, nightfall Free entry before 11pm.

“All Hallows Eve” at Café René will be nothing short of a circus of horrors and delights.

After resting from the Zombie Walk, come on down to the Renegade Cirque du Macabre from 7pm outside the Rene….think caberet, vaudeville, burlesque, freak show and most of all spectacle.

Captain Hotknives and Dr Tim will be performing, plus come and be served medicinal potions at The Farmacy by the Nurses of the Cirque du Macabre or be served something freshly chopped by the Family Butcher or maybe take a visit to the Back Street Dentist….

Café Cafe René’s Rene’s Banging Fireworks After Party Following the fireworks in Gloucester Docks Caféé Renéé ’s Banging Fireworks After Party will take place on 3rd November 2012 from 9pm with entertainment all round, warming Renéé BBQ with roasted chestnuts and free sparklers for sparkly people.

Christmas at

Café René

We are now taking Christmas bookings! £25 for a sumptuous feast!

Please email info@caferene.co.uk or see our website for our Christmas menu STILL priced at £25 for a sumptuous festive feast.

Taking lunchtime and evening bookings.

Relax in a warm and friendly atmosphere while our excellent team serve you. Whether you would like to eat, drink or just have a cup of fresh coffee, Café René is the place to be!

EVENING OFFERS

10% OFF STEAKS & CHARGRILL

CHOOSE TWO COURSES FOR £12 (including 16oz T-Bone & Mixed Grill)

(a main course and starter or dessert from a selection of dishes on our set menu)

These offers are only valid 6-10pm Monday-Friday during October 2012 upon presentation of this advertisement, and are subject to space and availability. Booking advisable!

Open: Sunday-Thursday 11am-midnight & Friday-Saturday 11am-3am Food Served Daily: Monday-Saturday 11am-10pm & Sunday 12-9pm

31 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TP 01452 309340 www.caferene.co.uk

FUSION RESTAURANT

- AT THE OLD BELL TWO BARS, LOUNGE & RESTAURANT

ALL ‘BLACK ROCK’ DISHES

~ SPECIAL OCTOBER OFFERS ~ LUNCHTIME & EVENINGS

FREE CHIPS WITH ANY PANINI AT LUNCHTIME FOR ONLY £4.95 Tuesday-Friday 12-3pm & 5-7.30pm

*Offer applies to items listed above and only valid at times shown above during October 2012.

Voucher on page 6 must be handed in to redeem offer. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

www.theoldbell-tigerseye.co.uk

Reservations 01452 332993

Please book early for Christmas parties to avoid disappointment 10% off bookings throughout October with this advertisement

(Above Costa Coffee)

Se ev o pa uch ge er 6 on

9a Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TG

Quality work - fantastic service C&L Windows have been established in Gloucester since 1989, they are a medium size business who pride themselves on the quality of their work and the service they provide.

Their modest showroom is located in the centre of Gloucester, where you can call in and talk to Louise and arrange an appointment with the company director Nigel Martin, who will make a home visit and discuss the choice of products, colours available and your requirements. Nigel will then arrange a survey with his colleague Paul Cleal, Installations Director who will survey the project.

“There are no high pressure sales, contract signing deadlines, gimmicks or cost-cutting shortcuts just a fair price for a quality product.”

You only have to look around the showroom to see the walls adorned with genuine messages of thanks and appreciation for jobs well done. The majority of their projects are from existing customers and recommendations. C&L Windows have the expertise to deliver individual requirements, their Diamond Cut Glass Ltd company led by Larrie Lane provides the hand-finished service for almost any high specification glass requirement just across the road at the Morelands Trading Estate. They do not use sub-contractors, using their own team of 6 fitters with the skills to deliver any of your double glazing needs.

Nigel and Louise

10% OFF

WINDOWS I DOORS I CONSERVATORY SPECIALISTS

FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

SUFFERING FROM CONDENSATION? YOU CAN SAVE UP TO £9,000 WITH C&L’S SUPER ‘A’ RATED ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOWS

UPGRADE NOW!

WINDOWS FROM C&L WILL GIVE YOU WARMTH, SECURITY AND LONG LASTING GOOD LOOKS

SHOWROOM OPENING: Mon to Thurs 9.00 - 5.00pm Friday 9.00 - 4.30pm Saturday 9.30 - 1.00pm

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Give us a call or stop by at our showroom at 48 STROUD ROAD, GLOUCESTER, GL1 5AJ

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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.

Over Farm presents

20-28 OCTOBER

30 SEPTEMBER & 28 OCTOBER LINDORS COUNTRY HOUSE A garden for all seasons, 9 acres of woodland gardens including trees over 200 years old set amongst streams and ponds.

Open garden for NGS. Admission £4, 10am-4pm. Lydney, Glos GL15 6RB. www.lindors.co.uk. 01594 530283.

3 OCTOBER THE CORONETTES Live music at the Café René, 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester. 11pm. Free entry before 11pm, only £2 after. 01452 309340. www.caferene.co.uk 3-7 OCTOBER HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW Birmingham NEC. Full details from www.hoys.co.uk. Tel: 01582 711411 4 OCTOBER THE MUSGRAVES Upbeat pop group with 50s and 60s style pop/soul influences. £5 advance tickets, £7 door. Gloucester Guildhall, 23 Eastgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1NS. Tel: 01452 503050.

4-7 OCTOBER TETBURY MUSIC FESTIVAL Instrumental, choral and piano recitals by respected musicians playing a range of classical pieces by celebrated composers.

The Festival is fundraising to save the 140 year old East window of St Mary’s, Tetbury.

Tickets are available from Tetbury Tourist Information Centre at 33 Church Street, Tetbury GL8 8JG. Tel: 01666 503552. www.tetburymusicfestival.org.uk

Page 12

5 OCTOBER THE ROVING CROWS Energetic Celtic rock at The Stroud Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE. Starts 8pm. Tickets £7 in advance, £8 on the door. Tel: 01453 760900. www.subscriptionrooms.org.uk MAGIC: A KIND OF QUEEN Magic are the first and the best tribute to Queen, and here they perform all of Queen’s greatest hits along with some that you may not have heard for a while.

7.30pm. £17. www.rosestheatre.org/live.

SKA!!!

Live music at the Café René, 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester. 11pm. Free entry before 11pm, only £2 after. 01452 309340. www.caferene.co.uk 5-14 OCTOBER THE TIMES CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL A host of high profile writers and celebrities will be descending on Cheltenham to debate, discuss and promote a wide variety of books. There are also special family events. Box office 0844 576 7979. www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature 6 OCTOBER DEER SAFARI Set your alarm for an early start and an opportunity to spot these beautiful and shy creatures. 6.45-8.45am. £22 inc. transport to a secret location, an expert Forestry Commission Guide and cooked breakfast.

From Beechenhurst Lodge car park, near Coleford. Booking essential: 01594 8330578.

To advertise call 01242 510500

FAMILY FUN TIME Come down to the Brewery for lots of free activities hosted by the Times Cheltenham Literature Festival including creative workshops and a competition based on the children’s book Dear Zoo. www.thebrewerycheltenham.co.uk RUGBY: GLOUCESTER VS BATH 2.15pm at Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester. Prices from £15 for adults and £5 for children.Tel: 0871 871 8781. www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk 7 OCTOBER

TODDINGTON NARROW GAUGE RAILWAY GALA Ride narrow gauge steam trains at Toddington from 11am-4pm, at GWR station site GL54 5DT. Visiting steam locos, 16mm railway layouts, sales stand.

All day unlimited rides ticket £5 adult, £2 children 5-15 and free for under 5s. No booking necessary. www.toddingtonnarrow-gauge.co.uk SECOND TIME Live music at Walls Country & Western Club, Birds Eye Walls, Barnwood.

8-11pm.

9-10 OCTOBER TEWKESBURY MOP FAIR Tewkesbury hosts its annual mop fair in Barton Road – traditionally celebrating the end of the farm hands working year. Free entry. Children’s rides switched on from around 2.30pm, all other rides from 6pm until around 10.30pm.

The Local Answer

Weddings Open Evenings

October 4th and 25th November 15th 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Celebrate with a glass of Champagne and canapes on us.

Come and view the beautiful Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall all dressed to impress, to give you an idea of what your big day could be like.

Our experienced wedding Coordinator will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Packages start from £2,500 Book your wedding before the 30th October to receive 10% Discount* *Terms and conditions apply

For further information or to book an appointment with our experienced wedding coordinator contact us on 0844 815 9077 (option 3) or email: 077cs@jupiterhotels.co.uk

Sparkling Celebrations Black, White & Diamond Parties and Festive Occasions at Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall

Diamonds Celebrate in style and sparkle with your friends.

With a delicious three course meal, party novelties, and fabulous music from the DJ, you will have a glistening night to remember at our Black, White & Diamond Parties or you have the opportunity to chance your luck on the Casino tables with fun money at our Black, White & Diamond Casino Nights

Book early so you don’t miss out!

W h y n o t b o o k a ro o m f ro m £ 6 9 . 0 0

New Years Eve Bla c k , W hi te & D ia mo n ds Pa r ty

D e l i c i o u s s i x c ou r s e m e a l , gl i t t e r i n g p a r t y n o v e l t i e s , f un c a s i n o t a b l e s a n d f a nt a st i c s o u n d s f ro m t he D J - a ni g h t t o re m e m b e r !

Party organiser gets a free nights’ accommodation for party’s of 20 or more

Mercure Gloucester BOWDEN HALL Bondend lane, Upton St Leonards, Glos GL4 8ED Tel: 0844 815 9077 E: 077cs@jupiterhotels.co.uk

9 OCTOBER - 25 NOVEMBER 2012 BRITISH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS An exhibition of award-winning photography themed exclusively on British wildlife. Open Tues-Sunday 10am-5pm.

Admission: Adults £5.25, concessions £4.75. Under 8s Free. Nature in Art, A38, Twigworth GL2 9PA. 01452 731422.

10 OCTOBER MRS PEEL BAND Jazz, latin, motown and soul music at the Café René, 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester. 11pm. Free entry before 11pm, only £2 after. 01452 309340. www.caferene.co.uk 11 OCTOBER DARA O’BRIAIN

Catch one of the most charismatic, intelligent, fast-talking and down right funny live performers working in the British Isles today. 7.30pm for 8pm. 0844 576 2210. £23.50. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk

12 OCTOBER – MURDER MYSTERY EVENING Come down to Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall, in Upton St Leonards, Gloucester and experience a truly unique murder mystery night. £26 per person. Enjoy a delicious three course meal and the murder mystery act. Treat yourself to special offers that will be available on the bar for one night only! Or make a night of it with discounted rates. Telephone 01452 632632 or email csales.mercuregloucesterbowdenhall@jupiterhotels.co.uk

12 OCTOBER TANGO TANGO Transport yourself into the world of Buenos Aires, where the passionate and most intimate of dances overrides everything. 7.30pm. Tickets: £19.

Box Office: 01684 295 074. www.rosestheatre.org/live SKA WITH HORNY HORNS 7 DELICIOUS VOCALS Live music at the Café René, 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester. 11pm. Free entry before 11pm, only £2 after. 01452 309340. www.caferene.co.uk

13 OCTOBER WRESTLING UK RAMPAGE 2012 An evening of Professional Wrestling at GL1 Leisure Centre in Bruton Way, Gloucester. Doors open at 7pm, wrestling starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 for adults and £8 for children. Family ticket (2+2) £30. www.aspiretrust.org.uk. Box Office: 0845 643 4203 COFFEE CONCERT Nidus Childrens Choir. 11am at Gloucester Cathedral. Tickets £6 available on the door.

Proceeds to support the outreach work of the Cathedral Choir.

Fre ree entry fo for under fo f urs

Hallowe’en Hallowe’en trail trail Saturday Saturday 20 October October - Wednesday Wednesd day 31 2012

See the spooky side of Slimbridge Slimbrid dge when you you take take your your little little monsters mons sters to to see duckula, crane crane brain brain and freaky freaky flamingo hiding hidin ng in our fun Hallowe’en Hallowe’en trail trail through throu ugh the grounds. grounds.

Visit all the creepy creepy wetland wetland characters charracters and as a reward reward decorate decorate your your o own own Hallowe’en Hallowe’en cupcake cupcake back at the Centre.

Centre. Come dressed dressed s as a spooky character character to to receive receive an extra extra treat! treat!

Included in the cost cost of admission. admission.

Follow Follow us on Twitter Twitter @wwtslimbridge @wwtslimbridge

Like Like the WWT Slimbridge Slimbridge Facebook Facebook page

Visit wwt.org.uk wwt.org.uk and sign up to to our enewsletter. enewsletter.

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Gloucester Rugby & Cheltenham Racecourse team up again Gloucester Rugby and Cheltenham Racecourse have joined forces once again to offer sports fans the chance to watch top class rugby and horse racing for one great price courtesy of the 2012-13 Super Sporting Ticket.

Several members of the first team squad – Dave Lewis, Jonny May, Charlie Sharples, James Simpson-Daniel, Mike Tindall, Henry Trinder and Billy Twelvetrees were at the racecourse to help launch the ticket.

The players were photographed on the final straight at Cheltenham with jockey David England and eight year old mare Moulin de la Croix with a number of them attempting in vain to out sprint the racehorse!

The offer means that supporters can purchase a pass for the Best Mate Enclosure and a ticket for the Shed for just £23 or a pass for Tattersalls and a Silver Seat in the Mira Showers Stand at Kingsholm for just £49.

The matches and meetings included as part of the offer are as follows: ● Gloucester Rugby vs Bath on October 6th and the Showcase Race meeting on October 20th. ● Gloucester Rugby vs Exeter Chiefs on December 22nd and the New Year's Day meet at Cheltenham. ● Gloucester Rugby vs London Welsh on March 23rd and the St Patrick’s Day, March 14th 2013, event at the Festival.

Simpson-Daniel and Tindall, along with former Gloucester team mate Nicky Robinson are, of course, co-owners of 13 OCTOBER SLIMBRIDGE DECOY CARVERS

A demonstration by the Decoy Carvers club, who carve life like models of ducks to use to attract ducks to a certain location.

Drop in anytime between 9:30am and 3pm. Cost: included in admission, free to members. www.wwt.org.uk

WIN TICKETS! Gloucester Rugby take on Leicester Tigers in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday 27th October, kick off 4.45 pm, Live at Kingsholm.

For your chance to win 2 x Silver tickets in the Mira Showers stand simply answer the following question: What is the name of Gloucester Rugby’s new director of Rugby for season 2012/13: A) Dai Young B) Richard Cockerill C) Nigel Davies Send your answers to competitions @gloucesterrugby.co.uk.

Don’t forget to mention you’re a reader of The Local Answer!

Mike Tindall, James Simpson-Daniel and Dave Lewis attempt to outrun Moulin de la Croix

Monbeg Dude, and Tindall admitted that the deals are incredibly tempting: “If you enjoy both rugby and racing, then you can’t get much better than that. If I weren’t involved at Gloucester, I’d be snapping one of those up.

It’s a great deal, especially when you think a Best Mate ticket at the races would cost £22 on its own.”

The Super Sporting Tickets are available now on www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk 14 & 18 OCTOBER SLIMBRIDGE BIRDWATCH MORNING – AUTUMN MIGRATION Join the wardens to see what exciting range of migrants are passing through at this time of year. Time: 7.30am. Cost: £15. Must be pre-booked on 01453 891223 or email events.slimbridge@wwt.org.uk 16 OCTOBER THE DRIFTERS PMG & Treadwell present The Drifters in Concert – Masquerade Tour. Following the highly successful gold album ‘Up On The Roof’ released on Sony Music in 2011, The Drifters are back on the road in the UK performing both the classic hits from the last six decades and their superb new material. 7.30pm. Tickets £25. Box Office: 0844 576 2210. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk 17 OCTOBER DAMONT, JON DOWLING & TRIINU Acoustic blues and jazz music at the Café René, 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester.

11pm. Free entry before 11pm, only £2 after. 01452 309340. www.caferene.co.uk 19 OCTOBER CHECK DA CONE Dub rock at the Café René, 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester. 11pm. Free entry before 11pm, only £2 after. 01452 309340. www.caferene.co.uk

GLOUCESTER RUGBY Kingsholm Stadium, Kingsholm Road Kingsholm, Gloucester GL1 3AX t 0871 871 87 81 e admin@gloucesterrugby.com w www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk

JOHN COOPER CLARKE Punk poet John Cooper Clarke performs live at Gloucester Guildhall, 23 Eastgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1NS. Tickets £15.

Tel: 01452 503050.

20-31 OCTOBER HALLOWEEN TRAIL AT WWT SLIMBRIDGE

Follow the fun Halloween trail through the grounds of the wetlands trust, visit all the creepy characters and decorate your own halloween cupboard. Come dressed in a spooky costume to receive an extra treat!

Included in entry price. www.wwt.org.uk

Promote your event – call 01242 510500

The Local Answer

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Page 15

22-28 OCTOBER HALLOWEEN BAT HUNT AT PUZZLEWOOD Creepy things are going to be happening at Puzzlewood this Halloween throughout half term. Go bat hunting in the ancient woods, have fun in the indoor straw maze and enjoy the indoor racing track. 10am5pm. Family ticket: £18. Puzzlewood, Coleford GL16 8QB, 01594 833187. www.puzzlewood.net 20-28 OCTOBER OVER FARM FRIGHTMARE Tractor rides, pumpkin carving, Haunted Hayride, spooky treasure hunt, fairground rides, and more. Over Farm, Over, Gloucester GL2 8DB. 01452 521014. www.frightmare.co.uk SLIMBRIDGE OCTOBER HALF TERM – CONSERVATION IN ACTION A programme of activities focusing on the conservation projects that are currently running. These activities will include: a trail identifying the projects and their progress, paper aActivities, craft activities, a map game. Cost: Included in admission, free to members. www.wwt.org.uk 24 OCTOBER MAD SCIENTIST AT THE BREWERY The Mad Scientist will make an appearance at The Brewery creating lots of messy and dangerous experiments! Free spooky face painting and kids can help the Mad Scientist in his live shows – see some magic! Shows are 30 minutes and begin at 11am, 12.15pm, 2pm & 3.15pm. 01242 574378 www.thebrewerycheltenham.co.uk.

BLUES HOUNDS Real rhythm and blues at the Café René, 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester. 11pm.

Free entry before 11pm, only £2 after.

01452 309340. www.caferene.co.uk 25 OCTOBER STOW-ON-THE-WOLD GYPSY HORSE FAIR Traditional gypsy gathering to socialise and trade horses.

25-27 OTOBER SHOWTIME 2012 – ANY STREET, ANY TOWN A musical interpretation by a cast of over 100 girls from Girlguiding Gloucestershire, of life today – good, bad, happy, and maybe even a little sad. Whatever you imagine may be happening on a high street, or in a town may well happen on stage this autumn! Thurs 25th – Fri 26th October at 7pm. Sat 27th October at 2pm & 6.30pm.

Tickets: £9 (£7) Box Office: Showtime 2012, 6 Milton Grove, Stroud, GL5 1NP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 26 OCTOBER MAX BOYCE & SPECIAL GUESTS Winner of six gold discs and an MBE, Max Boyce is a Welsh icon having sold albums in their millions. Tickets £21.50. Box: 01684 295 074. www.rosestheatre.org.live CASE CLOSED + PRIME POSITION & DIRTY LYLE Live hip hop at the Café René, 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester. 11pm. Free entry before 11pm, only £2 after. 01452 309340. www.caferene.co.uk

Page 16

27 OCTOBER VINTAGE & CRAFT FAIR Hels Belles Boutique will be hosting its first Vintage and Craft Fair at the New County Hotel, Gloucester, boasting a plethora of stalls brimming with vintage treasures and hand made goodies. Treat yourself to a cream tea or home made cake at the vintage tea party. Southgate Street, Gloucester. Free entry. 10am4pm. www.helsbellesboutique.co.uk GLOUCESTER ZOMBIE WALK

Free, fun, fancy dress family event walking through Gloucester city centre. Starts 2pm at The Café René, 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TP. Tel: 01452 309340 QUEDGELEY VILLAGE HALL TABLETOP AND FUN DAY Charity fundraising for Parkinson’s UK and Gloucester support group. 2-4.30pm. If you wish to book a table for this event please contact Janet on 01452 539138 or on 07778 560 848. Tables are limited so do not delay. Cost is only £5 per table and a small donation of a prize for the raffle if you wish.

HALLOWEEN: CIRQUE DU MACABRE A circus of horrors and delights at Cafe Rene from 7pm onwards, to celebrate Halloween – think vaudeville, burlesque, cabaret, freak show and spectacle. Free entry before 11pm. Café René, 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TP. Tel: 01452 309340. www.caferene.co.uk ST CECILIA SINGERS AT GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL Concert in aid of Cancer Research. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £15. 01452 528753.

WINGATES BRASS BAND Gloucester Rotary Club present one of the elite brass bands in Britain in aid of the Severn Freewheelers, a group of motorcyclists who provide out of hours free courier services for hospitals, carrying anything from blood to Xrays. Come and support them at Stroud Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets £10. Tel: 01453 760900. www.subscriptionrooms.org.uk MOSAIC WORKSHOP Indulge in the art of creating beautiful images using small pieces of coloured glass and ceramic tiles. Develop your technique in this form of decorative art as you master skills in design, choosing materials, cutting, sticking and grouting. All materials and tools are provided. Box Office: 01684 295 074. www.rosestheatre.org.live. 10am. £60 including lunch.

To advertise call 01242 510500

HALLOWEEN PARTY If you are going to pick a venue for a Halloween party, they don’t fit the occasion much better than this annual adult Halloween party at Woodchester Mansion.

Bar, disco and hot food, fancy dress compulsory, prizes for best costumes.

Shuttle bus from car park to mansion between 7-8pm and again between midnight-1am. Tickets £20 each from 01453 861541. www.woodchestermansion.org.uk WORK WITH A WARDEN NENE DARVICS AT SLIMBRIDGE WWT Play a part in Conservation by helping to identify and ring the Nene goslings of 2012, and prepare nesting wigwams for the breeding season. This one-off event takes participants behind the scenes at WWT Slimbridge, where in the hands of the Duckery Warden they will be able to experience and admire the birds in the hand. Teamwork is vital, and a love of Hawaiian Geese essential! Ask all those questions you have always pondered over from the other side of the fence… Time: 10.30 - 4.30pm. Minimum age 15 years.

Cost: £60 which includes refreshments and lunch. Must be pre-booked on 01453 891223 or email events.slimbridge@wwt.org.uk 27/28 OCTOBER HALLOWEEN AT PRINKNASH BIRD & DEER PARK

For the last weekend in October, Prinknash Bird and Deer Park is going to be the spookiest place to enjoy. The whole park will be lit by pumpkins and spooky lighting.

There will be a wicked witch and fun fortune teller, face painting, nail painting and pre-carved pumpkin competition. Tickets £7.50. 01452 812727. www.thebirdpark.co.uk 30-31 OCTOBER WESTONBIRT FAIR In aid of Help for Heroes. 108 stalls all within this beautiful house. Wide range of items for sale such as jewellery, clothing, gifts and crafts and many more. Tickets: £7.

Children free. 10am-4pm. www.westonbirtautumnfair.org.

The Local Answer

Frightfully e Night time liv Funny daytimes s t s ghouls & gho By day, our “Frightfully Funny” By night, as darkness falls, our attractions become “Live” and ghosts and ghouls come out to play!

Some day time attractions will be available, along with: d Hayride • The infamous Haunte • The Haunted House ifying • And a new, truly terr Scare Maze for 2012!

attractions are family friendly and include: • Trailer rides to the pu m patch where visitors ca pkin amongst the pumpkins n walk choose their own pum and pkin.

Children can also partak e in a treasure hunt • Spooky's Mask Hunt - an indoor treasure hunt fo r children • Children’s amusemen t rides • Quad train rides • Fairground rides • Shows, entertainmen t and much more

All daytime activities take place between 20th-28th October. Pay as you go on rides and attractions. All attractions are subject to weather! Night time activities will run on the 20th and 21st October, then from the 24th to the 31st Oct. 20th October is Charity night, all proceeds from the three main haunts go to “The Old Spot Trust”, and this in turn will be distributed amongst local charities. The night time events require tickets, available from the 8th September and are suitable for over 14s.

PUMPKINS FOR SALE

Over Farm Market, Over, Gloucester GL2 8DB

www.frightmare.co.uk 01452 521014

Come and visit Prescott Shooting School For A Festive Extravaganza and find out what we do best!

• • • • •

Fun for the whole family with have-a-go activities Special one day offers in the shop!

Huge range of gift ideas for those who have it all!

Open clay shoot Come and talk to Daniel and his friendly team about all your shooting & country sports requirements. • Gunsmith advice, tips & tricks to help look after & maintain your guns • Plus loads more!

Christmas Special One Day Deals In The Shop

What Can We Do?

Clay Shooting Practice (Licence Holders Only) 50 Bird Sporting re Entry 2 Man Christmas Turkey Flush!

Come and have a go!

No Experience Required!

Minimum age 12 Have A Go Clay Shooting ÂŁ25-25 Shots, Professional Instruction & All Equipment Provided FREE Have a go Archery & X-Bows FREE Have a go Air Rifles

Spend £150 • Tweed Clothing Ranges From Alan Paine Country Collection • Aigle Fleeces & Wellington Boots • Top Gun Clothing & Accessories • Croots Leather Accessories • Viyella Shirts • Brattonsound Gun Cabinets • Private Shooting Tuition Offers

or more in the shop and receive a

50% off voucher for a shooting lesson! Great extra Christmas present!

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B4 07 7

Pinnock Wood Farm, Nr Winchcombe, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 5AX tel: 01242 673542 mob: 07921 951477 email: dan@prescottshooting.com

Ford Prescott Shooting

Temple Guiting

3 NOVEMBER UNIVERSARAMA! From Squashbox Theatre. Since the dawn of time, human beings have gazed up at the night sky and wondered… What’s up there? How far does it go? Does it ever end? Well, wonder no longer! All these questions and more will be answered in Universarama! Let Professor Johnson (Kneehigh Theatre) take you on a journey to the edges of space and time! Along the way we will explore the solar system, study the stars and constellations, visit distant galaxies, and hear the fascinating story of John Couch Adams, the Cornishman who discovered Neptune. Universarama! is a marvelous blend of spectacle, storytelling and cabaret, all contained within an accessible, funny and unique family show.

Suitable for ages 8 years+. 2.30pm.

Tickets: £10 (£7) Family £30. Box Office: 01242 258002 www.bacontheatre.co.uk 9 NOVEMBER THE CANTERBURY TALES

Drama by The Pantaloons. Madcap medieval mayhem as the criticallyacclaimed Pantaloons present every single one of Geoffrey Chaucer’s timeless tales in

under two hours. Come and join the pilgrims for puppetry and poetry, music and magic, talking chickens and burnt bottoms.

Each tale will be told in a different performance style, from musicals to silent films, from physical theatre to Shakespearean. Plus, the audience gets to select which tales are told, resulting in a unique theatrical experience every time.

Fast-paced, physical and funny, this performance is in modern English and suitable for the whole family. 7.30pm.

Tickets: £13 (£11). Box Office: 01242 258002. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 10 NOVEMBER BLUES BROTHERS U.K.

Blues Brothers U.K. is the country’s premier tribute to the music of The Blues Brothers. It stars the sensationally talented, energetic and authentic Dave Ratty and Iain Barton (Jerry Lee Lewis Story, Talbot House) as Jake and Elwood Blues, supported by the mighty voices of The BeeVees and a fabulous 6 piece blues and soul band. All the great Blues Brothers’ favourites are performed. 7.30pm. Tickets: £15 (£14). Box Office: 01242 258002. www.bacontheatre.co.uk

DEAN FOREST RAILWAY The Friendly Forest Line

FIREWORK DISPLAYS 22 OCTOBER EBLEY FIREWORK DISPLAY Organised by Stroud Rotary Club and Stonehouse Round Table. Gates open 6pm. Adults £6, children £3. Marling School Field, Stroud.

3 NOVEMBER FERN BONFIRE AND FIREWORK DISPLAY Professionally organised by the Forest of Dean Lions Club and Severn Dean Lions Club. Funfair, hot food, free car parking.

Gates open 5pm, fireworks at 7.30pm. £5. Speech House Field, Speech House, Coleford, Forest of Dean.

FIREWORKS AT GLOUCESTER DOCKS A spectacular display will again be organised by Gloucester Round Table.

Live music, local radio, market stalls and hot food. Tickets: Adults £5, child £2.50, Family £12.50.

FIREWORKS AT CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE This large display organised by the Round Table offers local radio, street performers and food and drink. Gates open 5pm, display starts at 7pm. Adults £6, child £4.

S A N TA

SPECIALS

Get the Christmas pulse racing on our seasonal trains!

Booking online or tel.

01594 845840 www.dfr.co.uk Solve that tricky present problem in our gift shop!

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Page 19

Carry on Christmas at the Farm!

Join in the fun at Over Farm for a lot of laughter, sexual innuendos and general tomfoolery as frustration surrounding the relationship is shared with the audience and taken out on the elves.

Strictly over 18’s only.

Contact Information Over Farm, situated on the A40 near Gloucester Sat Nav: GL2 8DB T: 07880 663808 W: www.overfarmmarket.co.uk E: matt.keene@overfarm.co.uk

Scan QR code on smart phones for more details.

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From £24/1000+VAT t 01242 541075 e leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk

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WIN A FAMILY TICKET TO ‘FRIGHTMARE’ at Over Farm, Over, Gloucester GL2 8DB

Have fun this Halloween at Over Farm in Gloucester, where from 20th October until the end of the month all sorts of activities will be taking place for children. By day you can take a trailer ride to the pumpkin patch and choose your very own pumpkin or search for hidden treasure. There will also be fairground rides, quad train rides, shows, entertainments and much more.

Night time brings out ghouls and ghosts! Night time activities will run on the 20th and 21st October, then from the 24th to the 31st October. Attractions include the infamous Haunted Hayride, the Haunted House, and a truly terrifying scare maze for 2012.

Over Farm have kindly given a Family Ticket for Four to win, which includes 3 haunted attractions: The Haunted Hayride, Stagefright and Panic. Over Farm recommend this event as being suitable for over 14’s. To enter, just send your name, address and telephone number to: Frightmare Competition, The Local Answer, 1 Ullenwood Court, Ullenwood, Cheltenham GL53 9QS. Closing date: Monday 15th October 2012.

For further information about Frightmare at Over Farm visit www.frightmare.co.uk

The Local Answer

D i d y o u k n o w?

Tug ʻIrisʼ with barges on Glos Sharpness Canal 1930s

Picture courtesy of The Waterways Archive/Canal & River Trust

The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal was once the broadest and deepest Canal in the world. Opened in 1827, it cost £440,000 (£22bn in todayʼs terms).

It was 86 feet in width, 18 feet deep and could take ships of up to 600 tons. One of the two locks was 115 feet in length. The debts incurred in its construction were not paid off until 1871.

By 1905, over 1 million tons of goods were transported annually into Gloucester Docks. Oil in bulk was brought to storage tanks at Quedgley.

In 1909, a narrow strip of land between the canal and the River Severn near Purton, which had become badly eroded, was reinforced by beaching dozens of disused vessels. This practice continued until after World War II. The site is now the largest shipsʼ graveyard in mainland Britain.

In 1937, two submarines, HMS H33 and HMS H49 navigated their way into Gloucester Docks on a goodwill visit.

Commercial traffic had largely ceased by the 1980s and the canal is now almost exclusively used by pleasure craft, but can still be used by vessels of up to 64m in length, 9m in beam and up to 32m in height. The maximum draft is now 3.5m.

www.thelocalanswer.co.uk

Page 21

Come and join us this Halloween on Friday 26th October for Scouts and Brownies and Saturday the 27th and Sunday the 28th for everyone else. Enjoy our illuminated enchanted wood, Trick & Treat the wicked witch in the Wendy House, Fun Fortune Teller in the Gypsy Caravan and face painting all free on the night. Bring your own pumpkin to enter a prize draw. Spit Roast and refreshments are available for purchase. Set price £7.50 per head and under 1ʼs go free...

Scouts and Brownies Halloween “Private Night” Fri 26th October. Bookings only

A magical night of spells and spooks at Prinknash!

AS THE peacocks begin roosting and the owls start hooting, the scene is set for yet another Halloween at Prinknash Bird and Deer Park.

The black-necked swans glide across the Monks’ Fishpond in and out of the pools of light as you explore the enchanting illuminations, spooky lighting and fun activities that Prinknash has in store for you and your young ones.

Wrap up warm and see the fabric ghosts, birds in the trees and ‘trick or treat’ the not so Wicked Witches in the Wendy House! Will you pluck up the courage to knock on the oak door in hope of another treat? Have your ‘fun fortune’ told in the Gypsy Caravan and get your face professionally painted to celebrate Halloween!

Take part in the lucky dip or stand by the small bonfire and be spellbound by the delightful surroundings that Prinknash has to offer. If you are after more ‘fun’ than ‘fright’ why not join the friendly team from 4.30pm on the 27th and 28th October at Prinknash for the best Halloween yet? Scouts and Brownies are invited to a special private evening on Friday 26th October! For more information on the Halloween Wonderland see the advertisement opposite.

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Page 23

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The Local Answer

Beat the rush before Christmas!

Ensure pre-christmas arrival of your new soft furnishings, or shutters by ordering from Interior needs through October. Please be aware, that the cut off date for shutters will be approximately mid October, and curtains by the end of October, early November. The coming months become extremely busy for us, so beat the rush, and have your new look ready for the Christmas Holiday.

At Interior needs we can supply, advise and design on complete refurbishment projects, or help update your existing decor by adding stylish new shutters or vibrant soft furnishings, all ready for the winter.

Why not come and check out our suppliers fantastic new Autumn/Winter collections. Ring ahead and we'll put the kettle on!

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www.interiorneeds.co.uk

Eastern Avenue, Gloucester GL4 3BU (Next to The Weavers Shop opposite PC World)

FARRDENN’S WORK TO FEATURE

Improving can satisfy During October, Channel 4’s new property series Double Your House for Half the Price will feature work carried out by Gloucestershire firm FarrDenn Construction.

Fronted by Sarah Beeny (left), the show advises viewers how to make the most of the property they already own – at a fraction of the cost of buying the house of their dreams.

It’s tougher than ever for property owners to move up the housing ladder, and more and more people end up stuck in properties they have outgrown. This series, made by Red House TV, sees property expert Sarah on a mission to help people work with what they’ve already got by extending every which way, using and adding onto the space they already have, while re-configuring their interior space. Along the way, they will also be creating as much equity in their homes as possible.

In each episode, Sarah meets and advises one family ‘bursting at the seams’ who cannot afford to move and decides to radically transform their existing home. Whether building up, out, down or around, the challenge is to increase the size of their property by up to 100%, and so create their perfect home at a fraction of the cost.

C4 Features Commissioning Editor Katie Boyd. She said: “We really wanted to show people that they can turn their existing home into their forever home for a lot less than it would cost them to move. And who better to come up with some radical plans and help them on the way but property guru Sarah Beeny.”

Converting your dreams to reality ...

Extensions ● Renovations ● Basement Conversions ● Barn Conversions ● Loft Conversions ● New Build

●

For a free quotation contact Ryan...

t 01242 268114 m 07787 547405 e r.farrell@farrdenn.co.uk w farrdenn.co.uk

Unit 4 | Space Business Centre | Tewkesbury Road | Cheltenham | Gloucestershire | GL51 9FL

IN NEW C4TV PROPERTY SHOW

your home your needs Gloucestershire construction company FarrDenn is owned and managed by Ryan Farrell. Established a decade ago, FarrDenn focus on providing ‘extension’ building services – from a small porch added to the front of your home, to a complete new property of your dreams.

Although mainly trading in the we’ve been saying to clients for Gloucestershire area, FarrDenn’s years – you don’t need to move in reputation has enabled Ryan and his order to have a fabulous, spacious team to secure business all over the home.” country. When Ian and Lynn Hiscock The episode focusing on the – a customer in Surrey – agreed to Hiscocks’ home – The Spinney – be featured on Channel will be aired during 4’s new show ‘Double October. Pictures to the Your House for Half the right give an insight into Price’, Ryan was how the additional, absolutely delighted. luxurious living space He said: “While has been created. people will need to look Ryan believes the carefully at the particular reason FarrDenn have episode’s credits to see enjoyed success is due the ‘FarrDenn’ name, to the personal service it’s great to know Ian they provide through and Lynn were so their small team of five proud of the work we permanent, committed Ryan Farrell carried out that they professionals. were happy to involve themselves in Ryan said: “Like any other the TV programme. company, we’re only as good as our “We’ve always worked very hard reputation. Consequently, we give to deliver innovative and quality potential clients as much developments of our customers’ information, help and – most homes – whether it’s been a re- importantly – ‘space’ as possible for vamp of existing space, or multi- them to make an appropriate storey extensions. decision for their needs. We advise, “Obviously we welcome this type but don’t pressurise – an approach of TV show as it supports what our clients find relaxing.”

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Page 28

To advertise call 01242 510500

WE GUARANTEE TO BEAT ANY LIKE-FOR-LIKE QUOTE! The Local Answer

Seasoned Logs

Quality Hardwood - Cut & Split

Free local Delivery

In t he G arden with Julia Smith

From the small: Leaks|Tap & Toilet Repairs|Showers To the large: Kitchen & Bathroom Installations New builds and everything in between

Call Pete:

07912 662516 01242 696950

email: pete@petet.co.uk

Call Ian: 07816 429585 See website for load sizes & prices www.woodlandenergyfirewood.co.uk

The Extending the life of your carpets “The most thorough cleaning you’ve ever seen...or it’s FREE!!”

If you’re not satisfied, we won’t accept your payment. Simple as that. For a great clean on carpets, upholstery and rugs, give us a call today.

We have our own dedicated rug cleaning studio so will collect, clean and return all rugs.

All tile and grout cleaned as well as restoration of all stone floors.

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The Local Answer

Salvia involucrata I don’t have any apple trees in my garden, but I have been toying with the idea of creating some ‘stepovers’.

The stepover apple (horizontal cordon) is a way of training apple trees so that they don’t get higher than about 50cm, by training them sideways. It is best suited for spur-fruiting apple trees, and as the name suggests the tree is so small that it can be ‘stepped over’ to reach the area beyond; ideal for today’s tiny gardens, for edging a path etc. The training has to be carried out on very young trees.

Choose a maiden whip (a one-year-old tree) that is supple and can be bent over. Make sure that the selected cultivar is grafted onto a M27 rootstock. (A good fruit tree nursery would supply the necessary maiden whip apple). When selecting a cultivar, bear in mind that most apples are not self-pollinating and you may need to plant two different cultivars unless a suitable pollination tree is growing near by. Prepare a support using robust posts, at least 60cm high, spacing them 1.5-2m apart. Fix to the posts a tightly-stretched horizontal wire suspended 45cm from the ground. In winter plant your maiden whip next to the post and tie the tree to it – allow 1.52m between trees. In spring carefully start to bend the tree towards the horizontal wire tying it in a few places to distribute the pressure evenly. It might take a whole summer to bend. Any side branches that form in summer should be shortened to 3 leaves. Don’t prune the leader (the main stem) until it reaches the desired length then prune just above a bud.

Plant of the month is Salvia involucrata which is a tall, perennial with heart-shaped, long-stalked leaves. It has spikes of lipstick-like flowers in brilliant magenta which sing out in the autumn garden. It is reasonably hardy in the shelter of a south or west facing wall in well-drained soil. You can also take cuttings in summer just to be on the safe side!

As always if you fancy a change in your garden, be it just a replanted border or a complete garden design, do contact me by mobile or email (details below), or visit my website. Make this year a special one for your garden.

www.juliasmith-gardening.co.uk ~ 07929 587751

www.thelocalanswer.co.uk

Page 29

E G N A R Y R U B R E T N A C

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The Canterbury Collection is crafted from solid oak and oak veneers and finished with an elegant lacquered finish. The pieces have a warm, rustic feel, with natural imperfections and interesting end-of-wood grain. Canterbury will delight customers who love modern elegance in their homes.

Perfectly suited to modern day living, the collection offers style and practicality in any setting. The nature of natural wood is such that variations in grain and shade occur, along with some knots and streaks in the wood, so no two pieces are exactly alike. Each piece is hand assembled and finished, which further adds to its individuality.

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Page 32

To advertise call 01242 510500

The Local Answer

Propert y News

G O N LO P O U EN W C I ES N TE R

Experiencing tenant arrears?

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For more information call 07889 823 688

Fax: 01452 300573 email: ray.activ@gmail.com

The Local Answer

Due to the current economic climate the percentage of landlords experiencing tenancy arrears is rising quite dramatically.

If you are a landlord with tenant arrears it is imperative that you act sooner rather than later, in order to minimise the accumulation of arrears.

Communication with your tenant is important, as you need to establish why the tenant is falling into arrears.

Have they lost their job? Have they been unable to work due to sickness? Or are they generally living beyond their means. Once you have established the reason for the arrears it may be possible for you to put a payment plan in place in order that the arrears are paid off over an agreed period of time.

The tenants may well be entitled to additional financial help in the form of benefits if they are struggling financially due to loss of employment or ill health. If the tenants are good tenants who are looking after your property well, and are likely to remain in the property long term, it may be an option to reduce the rent in order to ease their situation.

Once a tenant is two months in arrears the Landlord can serve a section 8 notice for repossession of the property. This should be deemed as a last resort, as it is far better to work with the tenant to try and resolve the issues.

It is important for landlords when they are recruiting new tenants to ensure they carry out the appropriate employment and credit checks to ensure that the tenants are in a financial position to meet their commitment.

97 Hewlett Road, Cheltenham. GL52 6BB

e: cheltenham@northwooduk.com

Telephone 01 24 2 5 8 77 44

www.thelocalanswer.co.uk

Nikki Ponsford

Page 33

Bathtime a Strug

Make your bathtime safe, pleasure once again!

Would you like someone to fit you a new bathroom, let them do the whole thing - just sit back, relax and see your bathroom transformed? Severn Vale Bathrooms can strip your old room, fit everything you want expertly from ceiling lights, shower, toilet, basins, flooring - in fact leave EVERYTHING to them!

PEA RC

EW AY

A430

AL CAN

BR IST OL Br i s RO Mo tol St AD tor ree s t

They employ their own skilled fitters who will transform your bathroom in four to five days, and even take away all the rubbish and leave your home spotless. Even the highest quality bathroom furniture and sanitary ware won始t enhance your home if it始s fitted badly, which is why choosing who installs your new bathroom is just as important as choosing the bathroom suite. Severn Vale Bathrooms is a trustworthy, local family business that has been installing bathrooms in Gloucestershire and the surrounding counties for more than 20 years and can design the perfect bathroom solution, tailored specifically to meet your needs.

Severn Vale Bathrooms do not use subcontractors, having instead an in-house team of highly skilled professional fitters. A team will be assigned specifically to each installation to ensure it is completed with as little upheaval as possible, within four to five consecutive days (based on a typical bathroom installation). Severn Vale fitters are polite and professional and work in a clean and tidy manner. They will ensure that all rubbish is removed at the end of each day, so that your home is left as you like it.

Remember that you will live with - and use, your new bathroom every day for many years after it is completed, so getting the design right to meet your needs and preferences is of critical importance. That始s why Severn Vale design high quality CAD drawings, providing you with a guide to how your new bathroom will look before a move is made. Over the years, Severn Vale has evolved solutions for every corner of the bathroom, from the ceiling to the floor, as little or as much as you feel is right for you, using reliable tried-and-tested products which will stand the test of time. This is particularly important if you, or someone in your family, has a disability.

From a simple grab rail, to a low-level, easy-access shower cubicle, a broad range of unobtrusive mobility solutions is available.

We are here

COLE AVENUE

Call us today for a FREE quotation

01452 330 852

18 Capitol Park, Pearce Way, Gloucester. GL2 5YD (BEHIND BRISTOL STREET FORD MOTORS) www.severnvalebathrooms.co.uk EMAIL: enquiries@severnvalebathrooms.co.uk

ggle? easy and a

20% OFF

COMPLETE BATHROOM INSTALLATIONS FOR OVER 60’S! NO MORE GROUT! So, how can you keep your new bathroom looking good well into the future? One of the biggest bugbears is mouldy tile grout - a problem everyone has faced at some time, which is why Severn Vale Bathrooms only use UPVC decorative wall panels, a superior alternative to traditional wall tiles.

These are waterproof and rotproof, they reduce condensation and most importantly - there is no tile grout to discolour! An extensive range of colours and styles is available, most of which are on display in the showroom.

Whether you want to update your bathroom or alter it to meet changing needs, or create one from scratch, Severn Vale Bathrooms will provide a convenient one-stop package from beginning to end.

Give Severn Vale Bathrooms a call and see what the team can do for your bathroom. Youʼll be amazed at the difference.

Quality bathrooms at affordable prices!

COME AND SEE OUR SHOWROOM

OPENING HOURS: Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm, Saturday: 9am - 2pm

Severn good reasons to use Our own in house highly skilled workforce Established for over 20 years ✔ Experts in bathroom design & installation ✔ Unobtrusive mobility solutions ✔ Family run local business ✔ Extensive product ranges ✔ We use UPVC decorative wall panels in all our bathroom installations ✔ ✔

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Female Computer Technician

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the best recipe for successful home computing www.thecomputercookie.co.uk

www.politeautobodyshop.co.uk

The Computer Cookie

Page 36

To advertise call 01242 510500

The Local Answer

Traditional Values, Modern Day Technology Dee & Griffin have been established in Gloucester since 1991. They pride themselves on their traditional customer care but at the same time recognise the need to embrace modern day technology.

This is illustrated by their web-based service, available to customers 24 hours a day 7 days a week when buying or selling a property.

From the outset of your home move you will be given a unique username and password, enabling you to track progress – alleviating those frustrating times when you don’t know what is happening and at what stage in the preceedings you are.

Dee & Griffin also actively encourage customers to deal with matters face to face. Both offices have easy access and parking and friendly staff to offer their expertise on a wide range of legal matters including: surrounding areas – they are a local customers to see and used by the ✧ Residential and Commercial company for local people. Huccle- company to ensure that every need cote under 5’s football team, Barn- is being met and every financial Conveyancing wood Bowling, Hucclecote and matter dealt with efficiently and ✧ Matrimonial Longlevens RFC, Chosenhill RFC and courteously. ✧ Civil Litigation In next month’s Local Answer Gloucester Rugby all benefit from ✧ Wills and Probate magazine Dee & Griffin will give their support.

Dee & Griffin pride themThey are proud of their advice on making a will – with a selves on their community customer feedback with each trans- money off voucher – and watch this involvement. All their staff are action being followed up with a space over the coming months for from Gloucester and the questionnaire, available for all advice on other legal matters.

dee & griffin

Home Conveyancing services available, including keeping track online and fixed fees.

SOLICITORS

Moving House?

Call your LOCAL Solicitor for a quote on

01452 617288 Matrimonial and Family Law Wills and Probate High quality legal service and advice to the public

Hucclecote Court, Hucclecote Rd, Gloucester. GL3 3RU 9A & 9B School Lane, Quedgeley, Gloucester. GL2 4PJ

www.deeandgriffin.co.uk

●

Tel: 01452 617288 Fax: 01452 610087 Tel: 01452 724343 Fax: 01452 724843

info@deeandgriffin.co.uk

Specialist Nursing & Dementia Care Welcome to Deanwood Lodge Specialising in nursing and dementia care, we offer the highest standards of care, comfort and support, with friendly, experienced staff, and a warm, homely atmosphere.

We also offer quality Respite Care, so if you care for an elderly family member, we are able to provide, affordable care to give you a well earned break.

To find out more Please Phone Tel: 01452 415 057 Email: info@deanwoodlodge.co.uk

Our Facilities at a Glance

or visit our website:

ͻ 24 hour nursing and residential care tailored to individual needs

www.deanwoodlodge.co.uk

Deanwood Lodge Church Road, Maisemore Gloucestershire GL2 8HB Referral Hotline 07795 102 983

ͻ Each room beautifully furnished to highest standards ͻ Landscaped Gardens ͻ Selection of Lounge and dining areas ͻ Lifts to all floors for easy access ͻ Daily Social activities

HUCCLECOTE ACCOUNTING & TAXATION SERVICES Se lf Ass es s me n t ta x r e t u rn s So l et r ad er / pa r tn er s h ip ac c o u n t s Li m it ed Co m p an y ac c o u n t s an d ta x r e t u rn s Bo o k k eep i n g a n d v a t re tu r n s P a y r o ll a n d C IS a s si s ta n c e

AC C A

What Makes Us Different ͻ ͻ ͻ ͻ ͻ

We ensure we really know each of our residents as individuals Carefully recruited staff team who are passionate about high quality care Specialist nurses to ensure the highest standard of contemporary care Freshly prepared meals and snacks using local produce Excellent links with our local community to enable our residents to remain active and i n volved

HATS Gl o u ces t er L t d T h e W h i te H o u s e 1 62 Hu ccl ec ot e R o ad H uc cle co t e Gl ou c es te r GL3 3 SH Te l: 01452 61119 9

Hucclecote Accounting and Taxation Services (HATS for short) offers a wholly individual approach to accountancy and taxation services. Our staff are patient, professional and friendly and they offer a taxation service that’s tailored to your needs.

That means you get all the experience of the HATS team of Chartered and Chartered Certified Accountants; there’s always someone on hand to help. We offer a bespoke accounting service, based on your precise requirements; you can have as much or little help as you need.

Plain English Best of all, you get a ‘plain English’ approach to accountancy. No accountant’s shorthand; just plenty of common sense advice and assistance on all manner of accountancy services. Taxation really doesn’t have to be taxing!

Free initial consultation Even if you’re not sure what accountancy service you need, just contact us and take advantage of HATS’ free initial consultation. www.hatsgloucester.co.uk

Page 38

To advertise call 01242 510500

The Local Answer

Quality Care in Your Home

Money Matters

Building the future with Roger Downes

We are a local, Brockworth, Gloucester based company offering quality, reliable, consistent care in your home by trained committed carers who undergo enhanced CRB checks

Care at home, without leaving home

● ● ● ● ●

Full time live-in care Personal care – washing, bathing/showering, cooking Light household tasks – cleaning, washing, ironing Respite care Shopping, accompanying to appointments We welcome further enquiries or your questions please ring Jenny Mills or Catherine White

Rojene Live-in Care Ltd, 2 Mostham Place, Brockworth, Gloucester GL3 4BA Tel: 01452 526150 info@rojene.co.uk www.rojene.co.uk

wood

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TEL: 01452 700289 FAX: 01452 700196 email: sales@bees-online.co.uk www.bees-online.co.uk

The Local Answer

Last month the Government announced a series of measures that it says will benefit the construction industry as part of stimulating the economy. But will they work or is it more rhetoric from a Government that has no idea on how to get growth going again?

My contacts in the construction industry welcome the news, but they are all sceptical as to whether the measures will work or even whether they address the correct issues. What they do tell me is that the construction sector is the barometer for business success – it is generally the first sector to feel the pinch when recession comes our way, but it is often the first to come out of the slump.

At the moment the word is that there are no signs that this is happening, so any help that the Government can give in this area is bound to be welcome. Relaxation of the planning rules for building of small extensions and conversions, a reduction in the amount of affordable housing that has to be provided as part of a development and state-backed guarantees to encourage building to happen are all positive packages.

They wonʼt be universally popular, with some people fearing that they are a free for all for uncontrolled building, but something has to be done and these seem to me to be sensible measures for both the construction industry and the homeowners who donʼt want – or canʼt afford – to move house.

The Government has also announced measures to improve the chances of first time buyers being able to afford to get onto the housing ladder. This is a whole subject in itself and one which is just as important to solve as the state of the housing market and the rules for planning.

Roger Downes FCA is a director of Andorran

www.andorran.co.uk 01242 244856

accountancy@andorran.co.uk

www.thelocalanswer.co.uk

Page 39

1st Choice

Aerial & Satellites

Digital Aerial Installations Upgrades and Repairs

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Mark Hawkes, Kensington House, Imperial square, Cheltenham GL50 1QZ

Tel: 01242 649120

Need to fill in a Self Assessment Tax Return?

The Tax Deadlines are Approaching!

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31st Oct for paper based & 31st January for online returns

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FEMALE DECORATOR All decorating needs met.

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Telephone -

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Stanley Plumbing Services Worcester Bosch Boiler Installations with 7 year Warranty • Kitchens • Heating Systems Bathrooms • Showers Tiling • Solar Thermal Installations designed and fitted from start to finish We are a local family run business

NO CALL OUT CHARGE m 07787 162 472 / 07787 162 474 t 01452 347929 e jgsplumbing@yahoo.co.uk w stanleyplumbingservices.co.uk

Cotswold Court, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham GL51 0TF

We have a specialist team of dedicated and experienced lawyers to cover all your legal needs and offer sympathetic, professional advice.

Our areas of expertise include: ●

●

●

●

●

●

Family Law Residential Property Personal Injury Commercial Property Education Wills and Probate

We have disabled access and parking and we can also arrange home visits.

Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority 559833

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01242 269998

www.langleywellington.co.uk Page 40

To advertise call 01242 510500

The Local Answer

GRP Electrical Domestic, Commercial and Industrial Work undertaken Security lighting 10% OFF Kitchen lights EVERYTHING Rewires for work carried out and booked Showers before 31st Fault finding October 2012 Inspection & testing Landlord certificates Distribution board upgrades Free Estimates No Call out Charge 144 Finlay Road Gloucester GL4 6TF Tel: (Gloucester) 01452 307413 Tel: (Cheltenham) 01242 649642 Mob: 07970 547277 Email: grpukltd@hotmail.co.uk www.grpelectrical.co.uk

STEVENS RECYCLING Domestic and Industrial Skips

ATTENTION! Let us lighten your load!

For a limited time only 10% DISCOUNT on all skip hire when you quote TLA 22/08/85 Offer runs until 31/10/2012

Gloucestershire Constabulary People First Policing

Lights on, curtains closed!

I hope you had a good September and your households are calmer now the little ones have returned to school!

As we enter the Autumn period I feel its right that I remind you of personal security; the nights are drawing in and very soon Winter will be upon us. We have always Neil Smith found that during the Autumn /Winter months opportunist Gloucester Inspector thieves tend to increase their activity.

It is very, very rare that thieves will enter your house if they believe that someone is inside. Instead, the dark early evenings give them an opportunity to see if anyone is at home and with a few simple measures you will be able to stop them finding out. Leaving lights on timers, fitting movement activating lights in your gardens and closing curtains are all very easy, highly effective measures that you can take.

Crime is currently still going down compared to last year and Gloucester is an extremely safe place to live but unfortunately we are still having problems with people leaving vehicles insecure with valuable items inside.

Sat navs, mobile phones and laptops are still being left on display in your cars. I am finding this highly frustrating - I know we are all busy people but taking a few minutes to check will save you all a lot of long term hassle.

Sat navs now a days are extremely intelligent pieces of equipment - they contain so much of your personal information. They record your regular journeys, where you go and when, where your friends and families live and so much more. Do you really want this information in the hands of a criminal?

Another issue that raised its head last month was the news in the media around concerns for the future of Barton Street police station; I am sure some of you listened to my Chief Constable Mr Matthews being interviewed on local radio last month.

I can assure you all that no firm decision has been made, many factors are still to be taken into account and of course we have the arrival of the new Police and Crime Commissioner in November which may make a difference in many areas of our business.

The one thing I can promise you all is that regardless of what actually happens to Barton Street police station in the years to come it will not affect in any way, shape or form the level of excellent service that my officers give you.

Tel: (01242) 522647/529397 Fax: 01242 228438 The Local Answer

101

New Non-Emergency Number

Stevens Recycling

Ham Villa Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL52 6NB

www.gloucestershire.police.uk

www.thelocalanswer.co.uk

Page 41

Index of Advertisers FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT Blossom Chinese Bowden Hall Hotel Café René Over Farm Market Shahi Balti The Apple Tree Inn The Old Rectory Tiger’s Eye

6 13 6&9 17 & 20 6 5 5 6 & 10

WHAT’S ON Clubs & Sports Gloucester Rugby Prescott Shooting Shipton Golf Course Attractions Dean Forest Railway Prinknash Bird & Deer Park Slimbridge WWT

15 18 6 19 22 &23 14

HEALTH & BEAUTY Kim Brunwin Perm. Make-up 7

HOMES & GARDENS Bathrooms Severn Vale Bathrooms 34 & 35 Building Services FarrDenn 26 & 27 New Line Paving 28

Carpets & Flooring Sapphire Carpets 24 The Carpet Doctor 29 Cleaning Services Oven Busters 24 Electrical Services GRP Electrical 41 Furnishing & Appliances Interior Needs 25 Space Master Fitted Wardrobes 28 Warm Welcome 7 What!

30 & 31 Heating & Plumbing BeeKind 39 Pete T Plumbing 29 Plumbing 1st 32 Shackleton & Wintle 42 Stanley Plumbing 40 Woodland Energy 29 Kitchens Hatherley Worktops 32 Painting & Decorating Al Murad 33 Michelle Knight 40 TV & Aerials 1st Choice Aerials & Satellites 40 Windows & Doors Active Trade Frames 33 Albany Windows 24 C&L Windows 11 Cloudy 2 Clear 24 Window Geeks 29

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BOOKING DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: FRIDAY 12th OCTOBER 2012

Save money on your energy bills Diverse options on renewable technologies Shackleton & Wintle are one of just a few companies nationwide that can offer ‘total’ solutions to reduce the running costs of your home.

In addition to installing and servicing the most efficent boiler systems, we are MCS accredited in the following areas:

Heat Pump Systems, V-Phase, Solar Thermal Systems & Solar Photovoltaic PV, Bio Mass Heating Systems.

GAS

TM

15977

on Worcester Bosch

Gas and Oil Installations ~ and servicing Call us now to book your free survey

01242 222 641 PLUMBING & HEATING ENGINEERS

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FOR A FREE MARKET APPRAISAL OR BROCHURE, PLEASE CALL US TODAY

T=

01242 587744

A = 97 Hewlett Road, Cheltenham GL52 6BB

Gloucester

Good advice prior to letting combined with a professional and pragmatic Being busy with our work approach by the manager of the and familyme commitments branch, persuaded to use this lettingthe agent for my property.

A year guaranteed rental later Ischeme have no regrets that I signed gives us total up for the platinum service, they have security with no hassle been both friendly and efficient

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MRS S FROM CHELTENHAM MR HOLBUTT, CHELTENHAM

E = cheltenhamnorthwood.uk.com

Cheltenham

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Tewkesbury

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County and Country Roads The customer is always right

Since our establishment in 1968, we’ve built up a fantastic reputation for our high standard of workmanship and quality of service

Tarmac Driveways, Gravel, Block Paving We do patios and brick walls All building work undertaken Free Design Free Samples Free Brochures

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For a professional, courteous service – call John:

01242 500246 / 07875 742325 / 0800 389 9462 Stoneleigh Farm Buildings, Bentham Lane, Shurdington, Cheltenham GL51 4UT

www.countyandcountryroads.co.uk email: s.gorman@btinternet.com