North Glos by The Local Answer

The Local

A NS W E R

GLOUCESTERSHIREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BIGGEST LOCAL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2019

NORTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS AND CLIENTS!

R R S

R Richards & Son Ltd FA F AMIL LY Y BUSINESS

ROOFING & FASCIA BOARD SPECIALISTS Servviing Gloucestershire and beyond ◆

New R Ro ooffss ◆ New Builds ◆ Slate, Chimney and Tile Repair ◆ New V Va alleys ◆ Felt and Battening ◆ Lead W Wo ork ◆ Leak R Re epairs ◆ Rubber R Ro oofing ◆ Fibreglass R Ro oofing ◆ Felt R Ro oofing Fascias & Soffits and Gu utttering – Carpor rtts Re R eplacement Fascias in a range of colours

15 YYe earss’’ Guarantte ee

FREE WRITTEN QUOT TA ATIONS - NO OBLIGA AT TION LOCAL REFERENCES SUPPLIED

Insurance Back keed Guarantee

01432 870957 / 01242 300028 / 07437 016736

The The Lo Local c al

AN ANSWER SWER North North Gloucestershire: Gloucestershire: 20,000 20,000 copies copies Cheltenham: C heltenham: 443,000 3,000 ccopies opies Cotswolds: C otswolds: 330,000 0,000 ccopies opies Gloucester: Gloucester: 46,000 46,000 ccopies opies Stroud District: S troud D istrict: 441,000 1,000 ccopies opies

W elcome Welcome ttoo D ecember December

M anaging D irector Managing Director Dave Dave K Kingscott ingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Marketing Marketing LLois ois K Kingscott ingscott llois@thelocalanswer.co.uk ois@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Sales Sales C Claudie laudie FFrancis rancis iinfo@thelocalanswer.co.uk nfo@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Sport Sport

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and we have a jam-packed Christmas themed issue for you this month. There are lots of festive editorials to enjoy and a What’s On section full of events to add to your Christmas calendar! We also have a special gift for you with our brand new Online Competitions feature! Read more about this inside and check out the fantastic prizes up for grabs. We had so many enquiries last month asking where the cover photo was taken so we thought we’d better include a mention this month! Martin Vincent’s image is of the Mill at Lower Slaughter – a great place to include on a winter walk. Thank you to all our readers and clients for your continued support throughout 2019. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Inside Inside this this month month ... ...

R Roger oger JJackson ackson ssport@thelocalanswer.co.uk port@thelocalanswer.co.uk

D Delicious elicious D Dish ish

EEntertainment ntertainment

What’s Onn W hat’s O

2222

W Word ord Search Search

Homes Homes & Gardens Gardens

2288

TTom om H Hadfield adfield

M Medical edical Health Health

Wildlife Wildlife Matters Matters

3333

eentertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk ntertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk

EEducation ducation & EEmployment mployment

1100

In In the the G Garden arden

3355

rossword Quick Crossword Q uick C

12 12

Administration Administration

Holidays ravel H olidays & TTravel

Helen Kingscott H elen K ingscott

Motoring M otoring

Distribution Distribution JJohn ohn O Overton verton – 001242 1242 541075 541075 leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk

LLouis ouis Jordan Jordan

13 13 15 15

Accounts Accounts Rob R ob Kingscott Kingscott accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk

U nit H hurchill IIndustrial ndustrial EEstate, state, C hurchill R oad, Unit H,, C Churchill Churchill Road, LLeckhampton, eckhampton, Cheltenham, Cheltenham, G loucestershire G L53 77EG EG Gloucestershire GL53

Telephone Telephone 01242 01242 510500 510500 @ @thelocalanswer thelocalanswer

w www.thelocalanswer.co.uk ww.thelocalanswer.co.uk

3377 4411

Save Save the the Planet Planet

4433

Sudoku Sudoku

4477

Parenting P arenting & Guardianship G uardianship

17 17

M oney M atters Money Matters

Pet P et Care Care

18 18

TLA Sport Sport TLA

Online Competitions ompetitions O nline C

1199

Index, Competitions, Competitions, Index, Solutions Solutions

TLA TLA Entertainment Entertainment 220-21 0-21

ddistribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk istribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Interior Interior Design Design Gadgets Gadgets & Gizmos Gizmos

4477 448-49 8-49 5500

Competitions C ompetitions o on np pages ages 1 19 9&2 24 4 If you use the services of our advertisers or attend the events listed, please tell them you found them in The Local Answer! If you can’t find the service you require inside, head online to our Directory. We have details of many more local businesses including: Mortgage Advisor Window Cleaning M ortgage A dvisor • W indow C leaning Hypnotherapy • M Hypnotherapy Magician Cake Maker agician • C ake M aker Visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk

Page 3

Meet the new arriv at Burley Fields Burley Fields Lakes has something new to offer this Christmas – an o p p o r t u n i t y f o r c h i l d re n ( a n d a d u l t s ! ) t o fe e d a n d p e t t h e i r beautiful tame deer. Let the kids experience the joy of selecting their o w n C h r i s t m a s t re e a n d y o u ’ l l b e able to visit these wonderful animals in their field – and, armed with a free deer treat given out with t r e e s , t h e y ’ l l s o o n w a n t t o m a ke friends with you! Owner S Kincart welcomed the d y Fields when their Prinknash Bird & sadly closed in “We’ve always r roaming our hop customd fishermen y seeing at es. We e re a l l y sed to a s afe to deer nkand, se they

at e e r A t ll th a for amily f

a re t a m e , w e t h meeting them would n i c e b o n u s fo r a n buying a Christmas t the kids will love th Trees will be on f ro m 1 s t D e c e m e v e r y d a y f ro m 1 0 late. The other great ro u n d a t t r a c t i o n F i e l d s L a ke s i s t farm shop. Set in the farm, the open for over 1 St e v e ’ s p a r t n e r P butcher Mark and stockman A All meat produced is from their own a n i m a l s ( e i t h e r b o r n o r re a re d o n s i t e ) a n d t h e y re g u l a r l y p re s e n t a v a s t s e l e c t i o n o f b e e f, p o r k , c h i c ke n , l a m b , m u t t o n , g o a t a n d venison. T h e y a l s o p ro d u c e s u p e r b s a u s a g e s w i t h a g re a t r a n g e o f flavours varying each week from Wild Garlic (picked from the farm’s f o re s t ) t o S p i c y C h i l l i , M u s h ro o m , St i l t o n , L e e k , R o s e m a r y & T h y m e , Beef, Lamb & Mint and Venison.

For th of free range turkeys a av a i l a b l e w i t h a l l t h e t r i m m i n g s , providing delicious flavour for the perfect Christmas dinner. T h e s h o p i s o p e n f ro m 1 0 a m t i l l 5.30pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and 10am-4.30pm on Saturdays. Why not visit Burley Fields Lakes for all three treats – a real Christmas nce with tree, a touching experien deer and to quality local pr

BBurley urley Fields Fields Lakes Lakes Farm Farm Shop S ho Leckhampton Leckhampton Lane Lane • Cheltenham Cheltenham • GL51 GL51 4XP 4XP • 01242 01242 861333 861333 / 07914 07914 940557 940557

O Open pen Thursday/Friday Thursday/Friday 10am-5.30pm 10am-5.30pm & Saturday Saturday 10am-4.30pm 10am-4.30pm www.burleyfieldsandlake.co.uk www.burleyfieldsandlake.co

OPEN EN D DAILY AILY 10am 10 till late for

CHRISTMAS HRISTMAS TR TREES REES

Wa Want ant to where your y to know know where meat comes m eat c omes ffrom? rom? HaMeat

m All meat and poultry A ll m eat a nd p o ul t availapbers Call ll 007341 7341 835151 835151 / 07831 07831 734683 734683 we sell stock w es ell iis s ffrom rom s to FREE LO le – C A born and/or born a nd/or reared reare L DELIVER Y on on site! site!

FANTASTIC VALUE!

GET READY FOR CHRISTMAS PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW!

Non-needle drop

LOCAL

NORDMAN FIR

ALL SIZES AVAILABLE

FROM ONLY £20! CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE

& Boneless Breasts Geese, Ducks & Chickens, Veni n son, Lamb, Goat, Pork, Sirloin, Fillet, Ribs of Beef, Gammon & Cooke k d Ha Sausages, Bacon, Eggs

PORK IS THE SWEETEST!

FFANTASTIC ANTASTIC P PRICES RICES O ON N EVERYTHING EVERYTHING W WEE SELL SELL – ALL ALL YEAR YEAR ROUND! ROUND!

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

Turkey T urkey meatballs meatballs aand nd b butternut utternut ssquash quash n noodles oodles L Looking ooking ffor or a an na alternative lternative tturkey urkey rrecipe ecipe tthis his ffestive estive sseason? eason? T his d ish o ffers a llow-carb ow-carb This dish offers a lternative tto on oodles, w hilst g etting iin n alternative noodles, whilst getting a nother o our ffive-a-day! ive-a-day! another off y your om ake d ouble o he T he rrecipe ecipe sserves erves ttwo wo sso The make double off tthe reeze ffor or a nother d ay. m eatballs a nd ssauce auce a nd ffreeze meatballs and and another day. IIngredients: ngredients: 300g turkey thigh mince; 2 sun-dried tomatoes in oil from the deli; 2 garlic cloves or use lazy garlic; 8 sage leaves; 1 medium egg yolk; 1 tbsp cornflour; 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes; ½ red onion; 2 tsp balsamic vinegar; 3 tsp olive oil; 1 x 300g pack butternut squash noodles; 30g pine nuts. Method: Method: 1 Put the pine nuts in a small saucepan and toast them over a medium heat for 1-2 minutes, shaking the pan frequently. Tip into a dish and leave to one side. 2 Put the mince in a large bowl, add the drained and finely chopped sun -dried tomatoes, half the garlic and finely chopped sage leaves, the egg yolk and cornflour. 3 Season with salt and pepper, mix together, then roll into small balls. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

CLEEVELINE C LEEVELINE TTAXIS AXIS

0 01242 1242 3 374224 74224

cleevelinetaxis@gmail.com cleevelinetaxis@gmail.com www.cleevelinetaxis.com www.clleevelinetaxis.co om The Local Answer

4 Put the tinned tomatoes in a small pan over a medium heat and add the red onion and vinegar. Season, bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. 5 Heat 2 tsp olive oil in a large frying pan and fry the meatballs for 3-4 minutes until golden on one side. Then turn and cook for another 34 minutes or until cooked through. 6 Add the tomato sauce and return to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. 7 Meanwhile, put the butternut squash noodles in a separate frying pan and add 1 tsp olive oil, a splash of water, the remaining garlic and chopped sage. 8 Season then cover the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes until just tender. 9 Serve with the meatballs and tomato sauce, and scatter over the pine nuts.

W WE E NEED NEED

VOLUNTEERS VOLUNTEERS an yyou ou sspare pare •C Can jjust ust a ffew ew hhours ours month am onth ttoo ssupport upport and a nd offer offer ffriendship riendship with ttoo ppeople e op l e w ith llearning earning disabilities? d isabilities?

SOCIAL SOCIAL EVENTS EVENTS FRIENDSHIPS FRIENDSHIPS

• Full Full support, support, training training aand nd flexibility flexibility aare re ggiven, iven, aallowing llowing yyou ou to to ccommit ommit tthe he hours hours you you choose choose •W Wee ccover over tthe he w whole hole ooff G Gloucestershire loucestershire and and hhelp e lp w with ith yyour our eexpenses xpenses

0 01452 1452 6 617346 17346

Registered charity number 1178538

admin@buildingcirclesglos.org.uk admin@buildingcirclesglos.org.uk

To advertise call 01242 510500

Page 5

Word W ord S Search earch Y E A J V H C N S C T G C Y A S M S U T H C L R

R E P Y X O S I A X M A R E W U M S Y J N O Z V

C X N H A K V L Z T R G W K K A Q T Y V M O U T

L N L M I U H S E R I G G R S L O O X Q R K M T

M B H R I P N I O I J V I U M C M C U B I I T R

H I Y Z L H E T C P G X I T S A U K W S I E L P

P C B O F L C Z J M Z H T T Y T X I J N M A S L

Z N D L V E F A M I L Y E D Y N F N G P O I R Z

T U L E M Z F U F K J R I O A A G G G C R J P L

R O S D J D F K I U U Y E K T S Q D D B S R S N

E L K N I W T D U N E X F G N E J P D A E K R L

A S U S E J L E I D R I E X N G L S P S M H O A

Z N L E K X D Q M K C E N K E A A T E X N L X N

J G G P D B F U H F R B A B Y X M N S Z O P H R

R Y O E J S V O Z T I Z M V B P T E O I K F K D

J Y I R L B X N S D S Y W X K S P B R P M M Y W

M N O Q T C A A S V G N O C K L J F K R N F A H

W E P L D E M X I A I Z N U E H V D J G E L I U

H G Q M L T X M X T Z Q S S N O A P T G P Q L S

C K P C S B A U B L E S N W I L U W T E N Y Y O

T K K I H Y T E U U Y I V L F L Q Q N D V W A P

A V R G Y H K S M K T P N S O Y D R G W P M T C

X H E C W D X M R E C Y O O O Y G U K U K Q H G

C N W K K X R E E D N I E R Y F Z C Y R X N G W

Christmas C hristmas ANGEL BABY BAUBLES CARROT CHIMNEY CHRISTMAS TREE COAL COOKIE ELVES

FAMILY HOLLY JESUS MANGER MISTLETOE NATIVITY PRESENTS REINDEER RUDOLPH

SANTA CLAUS SLEIGH STOCKING SNOWMAN TINSEL TURKEY TWINKLE

indows, windows, uality w quality op q off ttop nstallers o IInstallers onservatories. conservatories. nd c and oors a d doors For a free no obligation quotation call

01242 511384

Showroom – Units 40 & 41, Space Business Centre, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham, GL51 9FL

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 

www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk

The Local Answer

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

W Winter inter aaches ches o orr something something m more? ore? We all experience the odd ache or stiffness in our joints and bones, so when does the odd ache become something more? Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in a joint. In the UK, more than 10 million people have arthritis, affecting people of any age including children. There are many different types of arthritis and related conditions, the two most common types being Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Making Making m movement ovement more more d difficult ifficult tthan han u usual sual Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the UK, affecting nearly 9 million people. It most often develops in adults who are in their mid40s or older and is more common in women. This condition initially affects the smooth cartilage lining of the joint, which makes movement more difficult than usual, leading to pain and stiffness. Once the cartilage lining starts to roughen and thin out, the tendons and ligaments have to work harder. This can cause swelling and the formation of bony spurs called osteophytes. Severe loss of cartilage can lead to bone rubbing on bone, altering the shape of the joint and forcing the bones out of their normal position. The most commonly affected joints are those in the hands, spine, knees and hips. In the UK, rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 400,000 people, often starting when a person is between 40 and 50 years old. Women are three The Local Answer

times more likely to be affected than men. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system targets affected joints, which leads to pain and swelling. The outer covering (synovium) of the joint is the first place affected. This can then spread across the joint, leading to further swelling and a change in the joint’s shape. This may cause the bone and cartilage to break down. People with rheumatoid arthritis can also develop problems with other tissues and organs in their body.

IItt iis s iimportant mportant tto og get et a an n a accurate ccurate d diagnosis iagnosis Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your symptoms may vary, which is why it is important to get an accurate diagnosis. Common symptoms include: • Joint pain, tenderness and stiffness • Inflammation in and around the joints To advertise call 01242 510500

• Restricted movement of the joints • Warm red skin over the affected joint • Weakness and muscle wasting There is no cure for arthritis, but there are many treatments that can help slow it down. These include lifestyle changes, medication, physiotherapy and surgery.

M Maintaining aintaining a healthy healthy llifestyle ifestyle is is key key Living with arthritis isn’t easy, and carrying out simple, everyday tasks can often be painful and difficult. Many people with arthritis say their joints become more painful and stiff in the winter, though it’s not clear why. So, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key through a balanced diet, keeping active and staying warm. There are also a range of services and benefits available, and remember to always seek support from your GP. Page 

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

Taking T aking a break… break… then th e n getting getting back back into into it it Winter is the time of year when the energies of nature slow down – trees shed their leaves to conserve energy and animals prepare for hibernation. But we as humans have such busy lives that it seems we’re on the go, non-stop, whatever season it is! With Christmas coming and the year drawing to a close, it is a good opportunity to pause and take rest. However, we may find that after our usual activities are put on hold for a week or two, it can be hard to get started up again when ‘normal life’ resumes in the New Year.

Remind Remind y yourself ourself w why hy y you ou sstarted tarted If you started a course in September, you may find you are losing interest or drive. If this is the case, remind yourself why you started the course in

the first place; remember the aspects that inspired your enthusiasm in the beginning and consider your long-term goals – what you want to get out of it. Also, doing a course is not just about learning the subject; it also teaches you skills such as problem-solving and perseverance – which can be useful in any area of life. Alternatively, you may be looking forward to a ‘fresh start’ in the New Year, which could include starting a course or seeking new employment. When Christmas is out of the way, the New Year is a good time to set in motion things you want to achieve over the upcoming 12 months ahead. Instead of setting New Year’s Resolutions, maybe set goals around personal or professional development, with a view to doing some training in order to increase your skillset,

enhance your abilities in a certain area, or perhaps to start your own business. In terms of working life, you may find it an effort to get up on time in the mornings if you’ve been enjoying lie-ins over the festive break. To make it a bit easier, aim to get up a little bit earlier each day on the few days before you have to go back to work, so that it’s not such a shock to the system.

F Focus ocus o on n tthe he p positive ositive a aspects spects o off y your our jjob ob If you’re not much looking forward to going back to work, focus on the positive aspects of your job – these may include being part of a team, or chatting with your colleagues, getting back into a routine and regaining structure to your days, or having a reason to get out of the house and away from family if you’ve been under each other’s feet too much over the holidays! It’s good to take a break over the festive period so that we can then be ready to emerge into the New Year and increase our activities once more as the energies rise towards spring! Happy Holidays!

Page 10

www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk

The Local Answer

ONE ONE DRINK DRINK IS ONE IS O NE TOO TOO MANY MANY

REMEMBER REMEMBER IT’S IT’S ALWAYS ALWAYS NONE NONE FOR FOR THE THE ROAD ROAD

ILLEGAL ILLEGAL DRUG DRUG DRIVING DRIVING

PENALTIES PENALTIES ARE ARE AS AS SEVERE SEVERE AS AS DRINK DRINK DRIVING DRIVING

TOO TOO MUCH MUCH TO TO DRINK DRINK LAST LAST NIGHT? NIGHT?

YYOU OU MIGHT MIGHT BE BE OVER OVER THE THE LIMIT LIMIT THE THE NEXT NEXT MORNING MORNING

A personal letter from Martin Surl Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire I a m c o m m i t t e d t o m a k i n g o u r c o u n t y s afe r fo r a l l road users. No more so than at this time of the year. I h o p e y o u c a n h e l p m e b y c i rc u l a t i n g t h i s m e s s a g e amongst your family and friends about this year’s ‘Anti-Drink-Drug Campaign’. In the last 50 years, road casualties caused by drink driving have fallen dramatically, yet on average 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured each year in the UK in a drink drive related collision. Combining illegal drugs with alcohol is especially deadly since it has been found that drivers who have consumed both are 23 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than sober drivers. Last year in Gloucestershire, the police recorded 39 drink or drug drive collisions. Whilst this figure reflects a d o w n w a r d t re n d t h e re i s g ro w i n g a n e c d o t a l evidence that, in some parts of the county, people h av e b e c o m e c o m p l a c e n t b e c a u s e t h e y t h i n k t h e y can get away with it. This constitutes not only a d a n g e r t o t h e m s e l v e s b u t a l s o t o o t h e r m o re responsible road users. T h e p r i m a r y a i m o f t h i s y e a r ’ s p r e -C h r i s t m a s campaign is to educate drivers to make an informed decision not to drive under the influence of drink or drugs. You can help me by circulating the following advice and information: • That the drink drive campaign is about to launch

• Encourage people to make sensible plans to enjoy t h e i r c e l e b r at i o n s a n d h e l p t h e m g e t h o m e s afe afterwards • P ro m o t e t a x i s a n d a l t e r n a t i v e t r a n s p o r t o p t i o n s home in the lead up and during the campaign. • Perhaps local licensees could be encouraged to offer free soft drinks for drivers or some nonalcoholic drinks options, which could be published and promoted. • We would rather drivers did not get on the roads under the influence of drink or drugs in the first place, however if they do then the police will come down hard on those offenders. A period of enforcement will start on 3 December when those who decide to ignore this advice will be t a r g e t e d t h ro u g h o p e r a t i o n a l ro a d s i d e a c t i v i t i e s throughout the county in both urban and rural areas. Safe and Social Driving is one of my priorities and is aimed at getting all road users to behave responsibly towards each other. This campaign aims to get people t o t h i n k b e fo re d r i n k i n g o r t a k i n g d r u g s a n d t h e n getting behind the wheel and to understand the consequences of their actions. I hope you will be able to play your part and have a safe and enjoyable Christmas.

Best Best wishes! wishes!

Quick Q uick Crossword Crossword 2

1 0 10

1 1 11

1 2 12

13 13

1 4 14

1 5 15

1 6 16

A ACROSS CROSS 1 Penetrated 4 Net 7 Modern tune (3,4) 8 Uncanny 9 Spotted 12 Kerb 15 Tidiness 17 Obliterated 18 Provide with personnel 21 Took (revenge) 22 Traffic jam 23 Worthy novel

1st 1 st Choice Choice

1 7 17

1 8 18

19 19

20 20

Aerial A erial & Satellites & Satellites

2 1 21

2 2 22

DOWN DOWN 1 Restricts movement (4,4) 2 Perches 3 Globule 4 Wise 5 Bomber attack (3,4) 6 Rim 10 Less moist 11 Short break 13 Plague 14 West Indies island 16 Menservants 18 Male heirs 19 Tripped over 20 Dusting powder

Digital D igital A Aerial erial IInstallations nstallations Upgrades Upgrades and and Repairs Repairs

2 3 23

10% 1 0% ooff ff w with ith tthis his aadvert dvert

D Don’t on’t llook ook until until you’ve you’ve ffinished! inished! Solutions Solutions on on ‘‘Index Index ooff A Advertisers’ dvertisers’ page. page.

Call C all Mark Mark Hawkes: Hawkes: 01684 01684 325024 325024

H Have ave y your our say! say! D o yyou ou e njoy rreading eading o sing Do enjoy orr u using T he L ocal A nswer? The Local Answer? H ave yyou ou b enefited ffrom rom Have benefited a dvertising iin no ur m agazines? advertising our magazines? Would yyou ou c onsider lleaving eaving Would consider u s a rreview eview o nG oogle? us on Google?

If so, so, please please ffollow ollow tthese hese iinstructions: nstructions: If

1. Google browser 1. Go Go tto o yyour our G oogle b rowser

2. 2. Type Type in in The The Local Local Answer Answer 3.. C Click Write 3 lick W rite a review review ((on on tthe he rright ight h hand and side) side)

Your Y our feedback feedback w will i ll h help el p u us s ccontinue ontinue tto o improve improve tthe he ccontent ontent a and nd q quality uality o off tthe he magazines, magazines, a as sw well el l a as so our ur sservice ervice tto o our our readers readers a and nd ccustomers. ustomers.

TThank hank y you! ou!

Page 12

www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk

The Local Answer

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

Have Have a happy happy Christmas C hristmas iin n Adelaide Adelaide We started the year Down Under in Australia, facing the impossible challenge of mentioning every wonderful destination that Oz offers in just 400 words. So now, for our Christmas column, let’s end 2019 by celebrating Christmas in Australia. But not with that oh-so-predictable Christmas dinner on Sydney’s Bondi beach. Instead, we head 724 miles (1165km) east to Adelaide, South Australia’s magnificent coastal capital – a glittering jewel (or in this case a ‘Christmas bauble’) on the St Vincent Gulf.

Seasonal Seasonal a attractions ttractions aplenty a plenty As Australia’s fifth-largest city, Adelaide is a four-season joy with its vibrant Central Market, many churches, revitalising Himeji Garden, hikes up Waterfall Gully to Mount Lofty, and seaside Glenelg’s breathtaking coastal views. Now add some seasonal attractions and see why Adelaideans c laim to do Christmas better than anyone else in Australia.

Start with the giant Christmas tree in Victoria Square and Grote Street’s towering Santa Claus. Don’t miss myriad Christmas lights in the mesmerising displays at Westminster School, Lobethal and Ninth Avenue either. Or the warm Christmas welcome at supercool Ebenezer Night Market. What about something completely different when other attractions are closed on Christmas Day? You could always head for Adela ide Zoo near the Karrawirra Parri (River Torrens) river to celebrate with its giant panda, Sumatran tigers, adorable penguins and mischievous white-cheeked gibbons – hang onto your crackers!

Christmas C hristmas dinner, dinner, Adelaide-style A delaide-style Feeling hungry? As well as checking out Adelaide’s acclaimed fine dining scene, you’ll want to sample all-yearround treats such as Kitchener Buns, late-night pie floaters or North Adelaide’s enigmaticallynamed ‘AB’ – South Australia’s

Picture: playandgo.com.au

answer, perhaps, to Canada’s poutine? Then, come the big day, savour a traditional Christmas lunch al fresco with friends and family. Make sure to book early before celebrating in style at a classy city restaurant such as the Rob Roy Hotel, Fullerton’s Arkaba or the stylish Stamford Grand on the beach in Glenelg. For a change of scene on Boxing Day, grab the leftover Christmas ham, a bottle of the Adelaide Hills’ finest (Adelaide is, arguably, Australia’s wine capital) and some Goodieson’s Christmas Ale. It’s the perfect recipe for a picnic at West Beach, in Elder Park or in the beckoning hills out east of town.

M Merry erry C Christmas hristmas everyone e veryone If you’re going Down Under, Adelaide really should be on your must-visit list. If not this Christmas, how about making a New Year’s resolution to celebrate Adelaide-style in 2020? Merry Christmas everyone!

Picture: www.adelaidezoo.com.au

The Local Answer

To advertise call 01242 510500

Page 1

Motoring M otoring w with ith T Toby oby A Aiken iken

Wafting Wafting around around the the Cotswolds Cotswolds Cullinan iin naC ullinan Time for a big one. And not just in terms of price, but the sheer scale of this car. I was surprised when Rolls Royce announced they were building an SUV because it didn’t quite seem to make sense for the brand. But I’ve thought that before and been proven wrong, so when I was invited to a test drive event, I went with an open mind. I should highlight that this article isn’t headed with a price – partly because I had no indication of how much the model I drove was, and partly because it’s not as simple as taking the list price and adding extras. You see, you don’t order a Rolls Royce; you commission it. They don’t come with a list of options; you tell them what you’d like and they build it. That said, they start at £264,000, so it’s safe to assume that this press demonstrator was probably close to £400,000, but once you’ve passed a quarter of a million you kind of stop counting! But on to the car… can Rolls Royce, the maker that brought us the true definition of luxury, handle the concept of driving The Local Answer

off road? This is a manufacturer that includes decanters and champagne flutes in its vehicles for the incredibly discerning owners – surely one cannot sip a glass of bubbly while ‘Parker’ negotiates the Cotswolds’ green lanes? Actually, with the pillow-like suspension as good as it is, I suspect you could. But I also think this is a Rolls that will be driven more by its owner than a chauffeur, so that’s probably not so relevant. On to the design elements…

R Refinements efinements a and nd g gadgets adgets What do you get for a quarter of a million in terms of refinements and gadgets? Put simply: a lot, so I’m going to pick up on a few of the more unusual. Let’s start with the doors – they entirely encase the door sills, so the sills stay clean and dry even through the worst the muddy, wet English countryside can throw at it. So, when you reach your destination and open the door, there’s no risk of getting mud on your trousers as you get out. Nice touch. What if it’s raining when you get out? There are umbrellas To advertise call 01242 510500

housed in the door frame, and the holster for the umbrella is heated so that if you put it back in still wet, the warm air will dry it before you use it again. One other thing I’ll mention is the gearbox, which is connected to the sat nav. Seems odd? It’s so that the automatic gearbox ‘knows’ if there’s a hill coming up and can change gear before the engine is required to waft the car up the incline, ensuring the smoothest of rides for the driver and occupants. Overkill? Perhaps, but also something I’d expect from the designers at Rolls Royce. Overall I was impressed with the Cullinan. Yes, it’s huge, yes it’s powerful – the 6.7 litre V12 delivers around 560bhp – but when you’re driving, it doesn’t seem massive. Large, but manageable – even on narrow Cotswolds B roads. Luxurious, powerful, massive and deceptively quiet. But that price tag is immense, and I’m not convinced you get any more for your money than you would from a Range Rover – other than the prestige, and you get a lot of that from the Cullinan. Page 15

Leaflet Distribution Service

• Delivering Delivering d direct irect tto oo over ver 169,000 169,000 p roperties e very m onth properties every month •T Targeted argeted D Delivery elivery a across cross o our ur 5 500+ 00+ iindividual ndividual rrounds ounds •H assle-free S torage and and Delivery Delivery Hassle-free Storage ((we we a accept ccept d delivery elivery o off yyour our lleaflets eaflets di direct rect ffrom rom printing printing ccompanies) ompanies)

A And nd w with ith a m maximum aximum o off 2 BOOK n non-conflicting on-conflicting lleaflets eaflets EARLY d delivered elivered w with ith e each ach ccopy opy of of ffoor thhis is T The he L Local ocal A Answer nswer m magazine, agazine verryy popu serrvviicce! llaar yyou ou w will ill rreceive eceive fantastic fantastic e exposure xposure for for yyour our a advertising. dvertising For F or more more d details etails email email o orr phone phone John: John:

leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk

0 01242 1242 5 541075 41075

Page 16

G Gloucestershire’s loucestershire’s VW VW AUDI AUDI Group Group Specialist Specialist SServicing ervicing FFrom rom £ £95.00 95.00 M MOT OT £ £39.95 39.95 C Cambelts ambelts FFrom rom £ £249.00 249.00 A Air ir C Conditioning onditioning rregas egas £ £45.00 45.00 FFree ree Courtesy Courtesy Cars Cars – Collection Collection & Delivery Delivery

www.v-hubservices.co.uk www.v-hubservices.co.uk

01684 01684 2 214444 14444 Sales: Sales: Mon-Fri: Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm 9am-6pm Sat: Sat: 9am-4pm 9am-4pm SSun: un: Appointment Appointment only only

Service: Service: Mon-Fri: Mon-Fri: 8.30am-5.30pm 8.30am-5.30pm Sat: Sat: 8.30am-12.30pm 8.30am-12.30pm Sun: Sun: C CLOSED LOSED

UNIT U NIT 8 8A: A: B Beta eta C Close, lose, D Delta elta D Drive, rive, TTewkesbury, ewkesbury, G Glos. los. G GL20 L20 8 8SR SR

www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk

uss o on LLike ike u n FFacebook acebook

The Local Answer

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

Image: Enchanted Christmas, Paul Box

The The magic magic of of trees trees at at Christmas Christmas It is that time of year again – midwinter, the darkest day, the longest night and for many a time of magic and festivals of light. To that end, rather than talk about Santa, I wanted to share with you what I hope could become a new family tradition for us all. Whereas last year I shared with you the Icelandic Tradition of Jolabokaflod – the buying of books for gifts on Yule Evening – this year I am suggesting something to get us outdoors and into nature. Many Arboretums across the region are now offering wonderful events called Winter Wonderland, Magical Christmas Festival or something along those lines. I recently bought a membership to a local Arboretum and am already planning my first visit to their festival of light. It is a great family event and I can’t believe it has taken me so long to get there. To make up for this, I am inviting my grown up children to join us, and taking a friend and his two The Local Answer

under 10s so we can really enjoy the kids’ faces. I find trees magical at any time of year, but add in a light show, characters in costumes, music, food stalls, mulled wine, hot chocolate, burgers and pork rolls, and you have a true festival atmosphere.

C Creating reating a ttrue rue ssense ense o off e excitement xcitement iin n tthe he rrun un u up p tto oC Christmas hristmas I love trees even more than books and cannot think of anything more magical than sharing nature with the children, enhancing their knowledge of the natural world and creating a true sense of excitement in the run up to Christmas. I love that it then leads to a different type of gifting. In my mind, kids who love nature will appreciate practical gifts like books, pens, science kits, art kits and craft activities. A child at home in nature is less likely to get their fix from pink or blue plastic, and in this modern world we really do need to help our kids underTo advertise call 01242 510500

stand about environmental impacts of gift giving. It’s not hard to see that the joy of nature, coupled with a gift of warm gloves, colourful welly boots, a bike or scooter, camera, magnifying glass, bird feeders, etc. can set an imaginative child off on a life of love for the natural world. And as our futures really do lie in the hands of the children, can there be a better gift to give them than a love for the world they are a part of? The only caveat to this approach, of course, is you must accept being lectured by your nine year old about recycling, running the tap when cleaning your teeth and not reusing your carrier bags at the supermarket! Add in a side order of potential vegetarianism and a sudden passion for saving the badgers, and you have your own Acme Instant Climate Activist. But that’s a small price to pay for a better future, wouldn’t you say?

Merry M eerrry Christmas! Ch C hrristm h ma ass! a Page 1

Pet Pet Care Care w ith O liver W ilkinson with Oliver Wilkinson o ragon V et C entre off D Dragon Vet Centre

C Christmas hristmas C CATastrophes ATastrophes aand nd D Doggy oggy D Dangers angers We recently had a common emergency at the centre. ‘Gutsy’ the Labrador trotted in having polished off most of a Christmas pudding. He looked very pleased with himself and not at all bothered by the concern his owner was expressing at the risk of this potentially toxic ingestion. Happily oblivious to the potentially lethal effect on his kidneys that quantity of dried fruit could have, Gutsy looked decidedly less happy when I administered a medication to induce a stomachemptying, vomiting episode. He was even less impressed when I hospitalised him overnight to ensure any remaining grape toxicity was flushed out of his system with an intravenous fluid. The next day Gutsy’s kidney function was completely normal and he was returned to his worried owners who had to prepare a fresh pudding and place it more effectively out of his reach. Grape toxicity is well documented. Not all dogs are susceptible to the effect and many dogs are unaffected by grape consumption. However, as we have no way of knowing which dogs will suffer and which won’t, avoiding grapes, sultanas, currants, etc. is the safest option. Chocolate toxicity is equally common. Dogs are particularly good at scoffing chocolates left within reach, out of bags or even from within presents left under the tree! Remember, the darker the chocolate the more toxic it is so keep chocolates strictly for human consumption. Other common gastrointestinal problems at this time of year are stomach upsets from overindulgence, and fatty treats or leftovers can trigger diarrhoea or pancreatitis in dogs. Cats are dangerously attracted to string, tinsel and rubber bands, all of which can cause blockages when ingested and result in emergency surgery. Some Christmas plants can also be poisonous – poinsettias, holly and mistletoe can be quite toxic, with mistletoe berries being particularly lethal. Lilies, while not particularly festive, are very dangerous to cats. Nibbling a leaf, licking pollen from fur or even drinking water from a vase with lilies in it can all result in fatal consequences. So take care at Christmas – it should be a time of fun for humans and pets alike. If you are one of the 75% of pet owners who buy their pet a present, or one of the 2/3rds who spend as much on their pets as their partners, the last thing you want is to be rushing to the vets at closing time with a Christmas pudding emergency! Page 1

TTewkesbury ewkesburryy New Veterinary Care in Tewkesbury Dragon Vets now has a new Tewkesbury branch; we have taken over the ownership of 31 Church Street in Tewkesbury. We will be providing the same high quality veterinary care and advanced treatment that has been our trademark in Cheltenham for over 50 years.

£40 £ 40 ++VAT VAT ffor or a sstarter tarter ccourse ourse of two two vvaccinations accinations of ffor or ppuppies uppies oorr kittens kittens OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY 9AM- 6.30PM 31 Church Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5PD

w www.dragonvet.co.uk ww.dragonvet.co.uk

01684 01684 2 217 17 7 708 08

OPEN SATURDAY 9AM-12 NOON Prestbury Park , New Barn Lane, Cheltenham GL50 4SH

T: 01242 580324

F: 01242 241908

www.dragonvet.co.uk w ww..dragonvet.co.uk

2244 H HOUR OUR EEMERGENCY MERGENCY ~ 001242 1242 5522022 22022

www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk

The Local Answer

WIN BIG! Our brand new online competitions feature is now live!

To kick things off in style, we’ve got SIX competitions with fantastic prizes up for grabs from some great local businesses! Two tickets to see Cheltenham Town Football Club play Morecambe on Saturday 1st February, plus a mascot package and a signed ball!

A three-course meal for two people with a bottle of wine at Café René in Gloucester!

A family game of bowling for up to five people at Hollywood Bowl Cheltenham in The Brewery Quarter!

Four tickets to see Promenade Productions’ pantomime ‘Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates’ at The Bacon Theatre on Thursday 16th January!

interior needs A family ticket to see the Peter Pan themed Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle!

A £100 voucher to spend on soft furnishings at Interior Needs in Gloucester!

To T o enter enter any any (or (or all) all) of of these these ccompetitions, ompetitions, visit visit

www.thelocalanswer.co.uk w ww.thelocalanswer.co.uk and and go go to to the the Competitions Competitions ttab ab

If you are a local business that would like to run a competition on our website, please email lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk for more details

Entertainment E ntertainment

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

C Christmas hristmas O Oratorio ratorio ffor or Choral Choral Society Society The Tewkesbury Choral Society is one of the oldest choirs in the county, with origins dating back to the nineteenth century. Performing at Tewkesbury Abbey, the choir is also one of the most popular in Gloucestershire, and has over 100 members, as chairman Aj Peffers explains. He said: “We have around 125 members across the age and ability range – we pride ourselves on being a friendly society which welcomes anyone and helps with reading and interpreting the music score if needed.” Aj has lived in the area for 25 years, initially spending two decades in Cheltenham before moving to Malvern. He has been singing with the choir since 1994 and has been

The Tewkesbury Choral Society

treasurer or chairman for many of those years. “The choir is one of the oldest in the area,” continued Aj. “A ticket in the Gloucester Library archives is dated 1844 but there is reference in the newspaper to a concert in 1837. “We perform twice a year, under the baton of our Musical Director John Holloway.” This month the choir will be performing Bach’s Christmas

FFilm ilm Review Review – Joe Joe K Kennett ennett

Oratorio at Tewkesbury Abbey. The original oratorio was written to be performed over several days during the festive period, but Aj explains that the society’s version will be more condensed. He said: “Our Musical Director has extracted a variety of arias, choruses and the chorales for which Bach is well known, to provide a concert of good length. “The experience of a good Musical Director counts here – John knows which elements of the music need to be firmly in place.” The Choral Society will be performing alongside The Regency Sinfonia at the concert which takes place on Saturday 7th December. Full story online.

Book Book Review Review – Aloÿse Aloÿse of of Daylesford Daylesford Book Book Club Club

Terminator: T erminator: Dark Dark Fate Fate

The T he Winter Winter Soldier Soldier

Set in the original timeline of ‘Terminator’ and ‘Terminator 2: Judgement Day’, the sixth instalment in the franchise restores faith in what was once such an epic saga of films. We return to Sarah Connor’s (Linda Hamilton) storyline some 18 years since we last saw the iconic heroine, but it’s clear she hasn’t forgotten her roots. Connor makes a dramatic return looking as badass as ever, but the machines have, of course, become more advanced than ever before. Where previous films in the franchise have fallen flat, ‘Dark Fate’ excels, bringing to screens a story which emanates with the original plot. Newbies Dani (Natalia Reyes) and Grace (Mackenzie Davis) bring fresh energy alongside the original stars Arnold Schwarzenegger. of the saga. Photo: Paramount Pictures Full review online.

by Daniel Mason It is easy to forget the Eastern Front of the First World War but this novel describes in great detail the agony of war in this region. Lucius is a young medical student of Polish extraction living in Vienna with his prominent family. He decides to enlist as a medical officer but realises when he arrives at the field hospital that he is illequipped to deal with the wounded he finds there. Sister Margarete, a young nun, is his saviour. She teaches him how to be a battlefield surgeon and as time goes on their relationship blossoms. Interwoven with this narrative are insights into the anomalies of war in 1914. There is dry humour, the writing is beautiful, the detail sometimes hard to take, but the author doesn’t dwell on it. Full review online.

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

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

Creating C reating aart rt ffrom rom recycled recycled metal metal Zimbolic are a company who specialise in creating stunning sculptures from recycled metal. Established in 1998, the Gretton-based company work with artists in Zimbabwe to produce lifelike models of birds and other animals. Ben Hoadley runs the company, and explains how they first started out. “After falling in love with the artwork, we originally started importing stone sculptures,” he said. “These were very heavy and prone to getting damaged in the container on their way over to us, so we moved onto metal wildlife sculptures that are far more robust.” It’s important, says Ben, that the company support the artisans, their employees and local communities in Zimbabwe.

Zimbolic’s pheasants are amongst their most popular sculptures

He said: “We have eight team leaders that have worked with us for many years now. They each have a team of skilled artists working for them to create the sculptures. “We work together to create our unique designs and once we’re both happy with them, a price is agreed and they are paid 100% upfront so they can purchase their materials and

consumables and keep the rest as a wage.” The models are then made by the artists, before being to customers shipped throughout Europe. The artwork on offer includes a range of animals, from hedgehogs and pigs to a range of birds and even 12ft tall giraffes. Ben added: “The pheasants are so life-like, but I also love the geese that are made from reclaimed fridge and dishwasher panels! We always have a few designs in the pipeline; I’m particularly excited about a peacock that we have been working on for some time now and is coming over in time for Christmas.” Keep up to date with new pieces by following Zimbolic on Facebook. Full story online.

Winchcombe Winchcombe e exhibition xhibition for for llocal ocal ccharity harity Robin Reckitt has been painting and illustrating for most of his life. Now 91, the former Winchcombe resident is currently living in the Lilian Faithfull care home on Suffolk Square, where he has a small studio attached to his room. He still paints, and also helps teach and encourage others to try their hand at art. Martin Podd is a friend of Robin’s and met him around 30 years ago. “I started painting and was having terrible trouble with trees,” he ex plained. Someone told me, ‘go and see Robin, he can paint trees with his eyes closed’, and that was true!” A former member of the armed services, Robin became a professional painter in 1978.

Robin Reckitt

Whilst he is best known for his paintings of Cotswold landscapes, he also illustrated birds for the conservationist organisation Birdlife International, a role that took him all over the world. “He painted birds in countries including Sudan, Egypt and the Cape Verde Islands,” said Martin.

“He also took groups abroad for painting holidays, he’s a great teacher.” And there will be a chance for the public to see and purchase some of Robin’s works at an upcoming exhibition this month. Along with five other artists, including Martin, Robin will be raising money for Lilian Faithfull, with a percentage of the profits raised from the exhibition going to the charity. “This event is for one day only and is a great opportunity to purchase an original painting by Robin,” added Martin. “There will be pieces with prices on and also pictures where people can make offers to the artists.” The exhibition will be at The Guide Hall in Winchcombe on Saturday 7th December. Full story online.

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

What s On The Local Answer Event Listings are compiled and presented in good faith with the kind support of many contributors. We recommend you use the contact details provided to check event information updates prior to planning your visit. 23 NOVEMBER – 23 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM Father Christmas and his elves will be at Cotswold Farm Park to help visiting children create a Christmas Eve Box, and pick a present from the Toy Room. Selected dates. Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power, Cheltenham, GL54 5FL. www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk 23 NOVEMBER – 24 DECEMBER SANTA’S FARMYARD GROTTO Meet the animals in the animal experience centre and take a festive tractor ride to visit Santa in his Farmyard Grotto. Adults and children £8.50, toddlers and concessions £7.50. Cattle Country Adventure Park, Berkeley, GL13 9EW. www.cattlecountry.co.uk 29 NOVEMBER & 6 DECEMBER LATE NIGHT CHRISTMAS SHOPPING The perfect opportunity to stock up Christmas gifts, with shops open late and festive food, music and lights on offer. 5.30-8.30pm. Full details at www.broadway-cotswolds.co.uk 29 NOVEMBER – 22 DECEMBER ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS Voted number one last year as Britain’s Favourite Christmas Light Display, see an all new illuminated woodland trail at Westonbirt Arboretum along with their Christmas village. The National Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury, GL8 8QS. Full details: forestryengland.uk/westonbirt 30 NOVEMBER – 24 DECEMBER SANTA SPECIALS Travel from either Toddington station on a 1960s diesel train or from

Cheltenham Racecourse on steam train, and meet Santa and his elves. £16/£17. Full details at www.gwsr.com 30 NOVEMBER – 4 JANUARY ALADDIN This year the popular Roses pantomime will be Aladdin, featuring lamps, genies and flying carpets. Tickets £15-£25. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL50 5NX. Full details at www.rosestheatre.org 3 DECEMBER WINCHCOMBE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL Shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants in Winchcombe will be throwing open their doors for an evening of festive shopping and celebration. 5-8pm. North Street and Abbey Terrace, Winchcombe. www.winchcombe.co.uk 3-10 DECEMBER THE BIG GIVE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE For seven days, all donations to Cobalt through www.thebiggive.org.uk will be DOUBLED making a fantastic £50,000 available to support Cobalt’s Breast Cancer Research Nurses. From 12 noon on the 3rd to 12 noon on the 10th. 3-11 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING WORKSHOPS You will be greeted with a festive fizz and then make your own blue spruce wreath, decorating it in your own personal style. 7-9pm. £45. Bluebell Wood Forest, 67a Barton Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5PX. Call 01684 276769 to book a place.

5 DECEMBER SUZI RUFFELL: DANCE LIKE EVERYONE’S WATCHING Following her smash hit UK tour, comedian Suzi Ruffell brings a mix of storytelling, observations and social politics. 8pm. £14-£16. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. www.rosestheatre.org 6 DECEMBER CRACKING CHRISTMAS CONCERT An evening of Christmas music from the Tewkesbury Chamber Choir with festive treats and a raffle with all proceeds going to Staverton and Boddington Churches. 7.30pm. £6. Boddington Manor, GL51 0TJ. www.tewkesburychamberchoir.com CONEY HILL RFC CHRISTMAS FAYRE Plenty of stalls with Christmas gifts, food and activities for children plus a special visit from Santa. 7-10pm. Coney Hill RFC, Metz Way, GL4 4RT. 7 DECEMBER ROBIN RECKITT EXHIBITION A display of work by celebrated Winchcombe artist Robin Reckitt and other local artists, raising money for Lilian Faithfull Care Homes. 10am-5pm. Winchcombe Guide Hall, High Street, Winchcombe, GL54 5LJ. CHRISTMAS ORATORIO A condensed version of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio performed by Tewkesbury Choral Society with conductor John Holloway. 7.30pm. £15. Tewkesbury Abbey, Church Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5RZ. www.tewkesburychoral.org.uk/concerts

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

info@thelocalanswer.co.uk Event listings start from only £25+VAT in print or £12 online. Page 22

www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk

The Local Answer

WIN W IN T TICKETS! ICKETS! courtesy c ourtesy of of The The Bacon Bacon Theatre Theatre

Win tickets to see the Flowers Band’s ‘A Christmas Celebration’ at the Bacon Theatre on Sunday 15th December at 3pm! Celebrate Christmas with Flowers, the West of England’s No 1 brass band, and their special guests, the Cheltenham based Beauregard Youth Choir. Get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy a host of Christmas classics and seasonal favourites. Tickets cost £12 (£8) and can be booked by calling the box office on 01242 258002 or online at www.bacontheatre.co.uk To enter our draw to win a pair of tickets, send your name, address and telephone number to ‘Flowers Band’, The Local Answer, Unit H, Churchill Industrial Estate, Churchill Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, GL53 7EG. Alternatively, send your details stating ‘Flowers Band’ to competitions@thelocalanswer.co.uk Closing date: Thursday C losing d ate: T hursday 5th 5th December December 2019. 2019. 7 DECEMBER THE NO-GOOD NANCYS CHRISTMAS PARTY An evening of festive musical entertainment. Two live music stages featuring the No-Good Nancys with special guests Water for Dogs, Blue Ribbon and Variant B. 7.30pm. £8. Watson Hall, 65 Barton Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5PX. www.thenogoodnancys.co.uk CHRISTMAS FAYRE Lots of stall holders, handmade gifts and the now infamous Elfridges shopping store! 2-4.30pm. Bishop’s Cleeve Primary Academy, Tobyfield Road, Bishop’s Cleeve, GL52 8NN A CURIOUS CHRISTMAS EVENT AT REGENT ARCADE Join Who 1 and Who 2 in the Curious Christmas Garden and make some fantastically curious Christmas crafts! Taking you down memory lane to a Whoville inspired garden, it may be a mad but definitely a fun day. 11am4pm. Free event. No registration required. Visit regentarcade.co.uk 8 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS CONCERT The Tewkesbury Town Band’s annual Christmas Concert will feature lots of seasonal music from the Band, its

Page 24

Training Band and Alderman Knight School Choir. 3-5.30pm. Tickets available from Cards & Gifts in Tewkesbury or from the Band’s Secretary Sue Corrigan on 07904 859249. Watson Hall, Barton Street, GL20 5PX. VEGAN CHRISTMAS MARKET The third Gloucester Vegan Christmas Market returns with vegan and cruelty free food, drinks and gifts and Santa’s Grotto. 11am-3pm. £2 entry, u16s free. Blackfriars, Gloucester GL1 2HS. Full details can be found at: facebook.com/veganeventsglos XMAS POP-UP MARKET There will be 25 independent stalls to explore this Christmas and helping to support local traders and also fundraise for the next phase of renovations at the Village Club. 10am3pm. £1 entry. Dumbleton Village Club, Golden Hay, Main Street, WR11 7TH CAROL CONCERT Family friendly and all are welcome, the service will be followed by refreshments. 4pm. Free. Old Baptist Chapel Court, Tewkesbury, GL2 5RZ. www.johnmooremuseum.org PITTVILLE PARK ELF HUNT You will be taught how to be an elf by some of Santa’s elves who have come

www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk

straight from the North Pole, and once you’ve had your training try and find the mischievous elves who are hiding around the park. 10am-3pm. £12.50. Pittville Park, Evesham Road, GL52 3AB. www.elfinthehouse.co.uk 9 DECEMBER SANTA’S CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN Santa loves starting the countdown to Christmas by opening the windows of his giant Christmas calendar. But when he tries to begin the countdown this year, disaster – the calendar is broken and all the magical goodies have gone missing! Join Dotty the Elf, Dasher the Reindeer, Jack Frost and Pompom the Penguin in a fun, festive, musical adventure to help fix the calendar and start Santa’s Christmas Countdown. Bring your Christmas letter to post in Santa’s special post box! 10.30am. £10 (£8). The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, GL51 6EP. bacontheatre.co.uk 13 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS CAROLS IN THE BANDSTAND A free event, organised by the Friends of Montpellier Bandstand and Gardens in aid of local charity – simply wrap up warm and bring your best singing voice. 5-7pm. Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham GL50 1UL.

The Local Answer

1144 DECEMBER DECEMBER CHRISTMAS CAROLS BY STEAM TRAIN The carol service will take place under the Christmas lights on the platform at Winchcombe station following arrival of the special train from Toddington. 7pm. £12-£17. The Railway Station, Toddington, GL54 5DT. www.gwsr.com JOHN COGHLAN’S QUO Original Status Quo drummer John Coghlan, with his great band, brings a night of vintage Quo from the period he performed with the band from 1962 to 1981. 7-11pm. £15. Watson Hall, 65 Barton Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5PX. www.tewkesburytowncouncil.gov.uk 14 14 DECEMBER DECEMBER TEDDY BEAR WORKSHOP AT REGENT ARCADE

Join the Elves in the Teddy Bear workshop. Your little ones will enjoy a fun filled session with dance and play,

before getting to stuff and fluff their very own bear! With a birth certificate in hand, each child will get to take home their teddy. Free event. Registration required – visit regentarcade.co.uk 20 20 DECEMBER DECEMBER CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHT A delicious three course traditional Christmas dinner, live music from the band 4 On The Floor and a fully stocked and festive decorated bar. 7pm. £35. Hillside Brewery, Holly Bush Farm, Ross Road, GL17 0NG. hillsidebrewery.com 2211 DECEMBER DECEMBER CLEEVE COMMON FESTIVE TRAIL Follow the trail of clues on a circular one mile walk around the common and answer all the questions to find your way back and collect your prize. 12-3pm. Booking essential, £2.50 per child, adults free. Full details at www.cleevecommon.org.uk 28 28 DECEMBER DECEMBER BIRDS OF PREY DAY J.R.C.S Falconry will be bringing along a selection of birds of prey including a Golden Eagle, a Hooded Vulture, an Eagle Owl, a Little Owl, an American Kestrel and a Barn Owl. 10am-5pm. £2-£6. John Moore Museum, 41-42 Church Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5SN. www.johnmooremuseum.org

31 31 DECEMBER DECEMBER – 3 JJANUARY ANUARY CHRISTMAS CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES AT NATURE IN ART Encourage your children’s creativity with a range of art sessions including Firework Salt Painting and mosaics. 10.30am-4pm. £6, pre-booking required. Nature in Art, Wallsworth Hall, Sandhurst, GL2 9PA. www.discoveryzone.org.uk 1122 JANUARY JANUARY ANDRÉ RIEU: 70 YEARS YOUNG A live screening of André Rieu’s ultimate concert featuring musical highlights chosen by the maestro himself to celebrate his 70th birthday. 3pm. £20. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. www.rosestheatre.org 16-19 16-19 JANUARY JANUARY ROBINSON CRUSOE AND THE PIRATES Panto fun’s not over yet! Escape the winter chill! Sail to sunnier climates and search for hidden treasure with Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates, courtesy of Promenade Productions. Traditional family pantomime at The Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham. Thursday and Friday performances 7pm, Saturday midday and 4.30pm, Sunday 2.30pm. Tickets £11-£16 from Showcase 01242 224144 or online www.bacontheatre.co.uk

Vinyl Records

WANTED

LOCAL L OCAL B BUYER UYER P PAYS AYS CASH FOR YOUR C ASH F OR Y OUR UNWANTED U NWANTED RECORDS R ECORDS Most LPs, EPs & singles from the 1960s/70s/80s/90s in good condition considered. Especially wanted are large or small collections of Heavy Rock, Psych & Prog Rock, Punk, 90s Britpop, Jazz and Soul. Cash paid at the time of collection. e-mail: e -mail: vinyl@willowpitch.co.uk vinyl@willowpitch.co.uk 01242 0 1242 7 702947 02947 o orr 0 07785 7785 5 515987 15987 The Local Answer

To advertise call 01242 510500

Page 25

Homes & Gardens

CPA G PAVING P A AV VING &

LANDSCAPING L ANDSCA APING DRIVEWAYS D RIVEWAYS PATIOS P ATIOS

HOME CARE ROOFING & BUILDING

o orr e email mail m mitchelldavishomecare@hotmail.com itchelldavishomecare@hotmail.com

47 47 WORCESTER WORCESTER STREET, STREET, G GLOUCESTER LOUCESTER GL1 GL1 3AW 3AW

Cs T& pply a

07768 07768 5 528944 28944 / 01242 01242 8 809264 09264 ((Please Please ddialial aarea rea ccode) ode)

ALL WORK FULLY LY GUARANTEED • FULLY INSURED INSUURED For For a FREE FREE QUOTATION QUOTATION p please lease ccall: all:

5 YEAR YEAR

r 99le ca £7r singdrive

FOR ALL YOUR PROPERT PROPERTY TY NEEDS • Roofs repairs & full replacement • Tiles & Slates • Felt & battening • Ridge tiles & chimney repairs • Lead work • Flat roofs • EPDM rubber F FREE REE 330% 0r% OFF OduFrinFg • Repointing SCAFFOLDING! SCAFFOLDING! any any oorders ders during • Roof coatings December December 2019 2019 T T&Cs &Cs a apply pply • Dry verge systems • uPVC fascias, soffits & gutters • Moss removal/fungicidal treatments • External painting and much more!

10% OFF

ALL WORK BOOKED IN DECEMBER 2019

G GUARANTEE UARANTEE WITH ALL WORKS

FULLY INSURED

Block Paving • Tarmac • Gravel • Drai g • • p Paths • Turfing • Fencing • Decking • Resin Bound Driveways

FFREE REE QUOTATIONS QUOTATIONS Call or email 01242 801706 • 01452 341699 candgpavinguk@gmail.com

GUARANTEED GUARANTEED TO TO BEAT BEAT ANY ANY GGENUINE ENUINE QUOTE QUOTE

www.cg-paving.co.uk w w ving.co.uk w ww ww w..cg-paav

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

Page 2

www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk

The Local Answer

Free Free Roof Roof Inspection Inspection

New New Roofs Roofs R Roof oof restoration, restoration, Leak Leak Detection Detection P Pointing ointing & Lead Lead Work Work A All ll aspects aspects o off Flat Flat roofing roofing TTiling, iling, Slating Slating & Cladding Cladding FFacias, acias, Soffits Soffits & G Guttering uttering

Reliable electrical services for domestic and commercial requirements

E Electrical lectrical

S S.J. .J. LLewis ewis & S Sons ons LLtd td Complete Complete R Roof oo f S Specialist pecialist

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

www.shurmer.co.uk/electrical

01242 0 1 24 2 6 649286 49286 | 01432 01432 2 298287 9 8 2 87 0 7 58 4 6 6930 1 07584 669301 www.sjlewisandsonsltd.co.uk www.sjlewisandsonsltd.co.uk

SPEC IAL O FF on En ER CLEARA d of Line NCE UP T O 35 STOCK

O OVER VER 20 20 YEARS YEARS E EXPERIENCE XPERIENC DIS COU %* *T&

Cs Ap ply

RESIN IVEWAYS & PATIOS

W Weed eed Free, Free, No Maintenance, No Maintenance, P Porous o ro u s S Surface urface

e yourself the cost igging up your old e and apply to your existing surface

C COST OST EFFECTIVE EFFECTIVE S SOLUTION OLUTION

LANDSCAPING • PATHS PAT PA ATHS • PATIOS PA ATIOS • DROP KERBS • GARDEN WALLS AT WA • FENCING FENC CING RESIN BOUND BOUND DRIVEWAYS CHIPPINGS DRIVEWAYS • RESIN DRIVEWAYS • HOT HOT TAR TAR SPRAY SPRAY & CHIPPINGS DRIVEWAYS SURFACE DRESSING DRESSING • CARPARK CARPARK REPAIRS, CLEANING & S EALING S ERVICES REPAIRS, CLEANING SURFACE SEALING SERVICES DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL DOMESTIC

01452 0 14 5 2 7 757836 5 7 83 6 • 0 07867 78 6 7 9 910377 1 03 7 7

OFFERS ANTASTIC OFFERS View View our our gallery gallery at at w www.pave-drive.co.uk ww.pave-drive.co.uk FFANTASTIC ON FENCING FENCING AND AND ON ARTIFICIAL LAWNS LAWNS ARTIFICIAL

5Y YEAR EAR G GUARANTEES, UARANTEES, FREE FREE NO NO OBLIGATION OBLIGATION WRITTEN WRITTEN QUOTATIONS, QUOTATIONS, FULLY FULLY INSURED INSURED

The Local Answer

To advertise call 01242 510500

Page 2

ALL ABOUT BUILDING A LL A BOUT B UILDING ROOFING &R OOFING DDISCOUNT ISCOUNT for fo or over over 55s 55s

STEVEN Domestic and Industrial Skips

•E Extensions xtensions • D Driveways riveways ricklaying • R enovations •B Bricklaying Renovations Garage Conversions Conversions • Garage ro u n d w o rk & D ra i n a g e •G Groundwork Drainage andscaping & P atios •L Landscaping Patios •F ascias, S offits & Guttering Guttering Fascias, Soffits itchen & B athroom F itting •K Kitchen Bathroom Fitting

01242 01242 8 895268 95268 / 0 01452 1452 4 447007 47007 / 07925 0 75415 754157 7 rrob@allaboutbuild.co.uk ob@allaboutbuild.co.uk

W WE EB BUILD UILD T THINGS HINGS T THAT HAT L LAST AST

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

Ham Villa Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham GL52 6NB

01242 522647/529397

stevensrecycling584@gmail.com

OOKER YOUR Y OUR ELECTRIC ELECTRIC C COOKER OR OVEN OVEN N OT W ORKING? OR NOT WORKING? EST E ST 2 2004 004 l cal TTel: el: 07955 07955 295360 295360

For more information please visit the website @

www.fix-my-oven.co.uk w ww.fix-my-oven.co.uk

DIRTY D IRTY C COOKER OOKER OR OR OVEN? OVEN? Tel: 01242 227067

GRASS

SCAPE

www.ovenbusters-cheltenham.co.uk www.ovenbusters-cheltenham.co.uk

SPECIALISTS IN

JHD D

15% 15% OFF O FF

ROOFING & BUILDING • Roofing Repairs & Full Replacement • Slate & Tiled Roofs • Lead Work • Skylights • UPVC Fascias & Soffits • Gutter Replacement & Cleaning • Roof Cleaning

UPP TO U TO

3 30% 0% o off ff

• Chimney Repairs, Removals & Rebuild • Dry Verge Cops • Dry Ridge Copping • Fully Insured • All Work Guaranteed • Professional & Reliable • Free Quotes

aallll rranges anges of of flat flat roof roof ssystems, ystems, UPVC UPVC fascias, fascias, ssoffits offits & gguttering uttering

Many Many llocal ocal references references available available upon upon rrequest equest F Fully ully Insured Insured ~ All All work work guaranteed guaranteed W We’ll e’ll b beat eat a any ny ‘like ‘like for for like’ like’ q quotation! uotation! F For or a F FREE REE E ESTIMATE STIMATE please please call: call: Please ddial ial 001242 1242 802542 802542 (a(Please 07879 3370178 70178 rea ccode) ode) 07879 area

o orr e email: mail: jjhdroofingandbuilding@gmail.com hdroofingandbuilding@gmail.com

Page 0

aallll w work ork booked booked in in December December 2019 2019

BLOCK PAVING • TARMAC • GRAVEL • ARTIFICIAL GRASS

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

www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk

The Local Answer

List your business in our online directory from only £12 per month ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ *Only available on Platinum Listings. See website for more details.

F FREE REE G GOLD OLD L LISTING ISTING For every customer that advertises in our printed magazine, for the duration of your booking. Head Head online online tto o ccheck heck o out ut the the new new feature: feature:

www.thelocalanswer.co.uk w ww.thelocalanswer.co.uk

’

220% 0% ooffff

with with this this advert advert during during December December

Paving & Tarmac Specialists Block Block Paving Paving • TTarmac armac • Landscaping Landscaping riveways FFencing encing • Patios Patios • D Driveways & Sons Ltd

Garden Walls Walls Garden

A ALSO LSO

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

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

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

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

Tel: T el: 01452 01452 6668005 68005 / 001453 1453 2297010 97010 / 001285 1285 2238089 3 80 8 9

Reduces Puddles •R educes P uddles • Firm, Firm, attractive attractive Surface Surfface Can •C an bbee aapplied pplied oover ve r EExisting xisting Surface Surface • Cost Cost Effective Effective

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

Company Company rregistration: egistration: 1 11415390 1415390

Page 2

www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk

The Local Answer

Wildlife Wildlife Matters Matters with w ith H Helen elen K Kingscott ingscott

Aw winter inter p project roject for for wildlife wildlife I have wanted an insect house in my garden for a while, so back in March I persuaded my husband to build one for me – well, two actually! They were really easy to make and I’ve enjoyed filling them with all kinds of materials to encourage wildlife to make themselves a home. I have been really surprised by how many people have commented on them as they walk past my garden, and most have asked to take a picture so they can make one themselves. So I decided to show you how I did it. The image on the right shows the nearly finished house (I am still filling some of the gaps) and you can find the rest of the photos online with instructions of how the y were made. I have also made a couple of natural hedgehog houses and, although I haven’t checked as I don’t want to disturb them, I hope my hedgehogs are fast asleep. I’ve also written an article about this, which you can find on our website.

H Hibernating ibernating species species Lots of people think squirrels hibernate, but they don’t. They just stay in their cosy beds and sleep for 18-20 hours a day, only popping out to eat some of the food they have buried for a rainy day. They will have grown a thicker coat and wrap their fluffy tails around them when they go to sleep. New queen bumblebees ‘hibernate’ alone underground or in long grass, with their vital fat stores helping them survive the winter. Come the spring, the warmer temperatures wake the queens and they seek nectar The Local Answer

to feed on before finding a suitable nest site for the year. This is why it is good to plant crocus, snowdrops, hyacinth and primroses for them to feed on when they wake. Solitary bees look for hollow stems or little holes in wood or bamboo canes, as you’ll see in my insect houses. Look at my pictures online to see them creating a winter home to lay their eggs. Toads, frogs and newts will usually leave their ponds to ‘hibernate’ in the winter. They love rockeries, woodpiles, compost heaps, old plant pots and greenhouses – they make you jump when you go to clean it out in the spring! If you read my ‘how to make an i nsect h ouse’ article, it explains about frogs using the gap under the pallets, where I’ve put old house tiles/slates for them to crawl beneath. If you have a deep pond they may also sleep on the bottom. Try not to tidy your garden too much this winter, as you will be removing most of the To advertise call 01242 510500

shelter for wildlife and leaving overwintering invertebrates homeless. So leave seed heads on your alliums, teasels, sea holly, echinops, and any hollow standing plant stems.

Hiding Hiding p places laces a and nd ffood ood for for beneficial beneficial insects insects Ladybirds, lacewings and wasps will wait out the winter under loose bark on logs, piles of stones and twigs. Leaf litter is mulch that also provides hiding places and food for beneficial insects like ground beetles, centipedes, millipedes and spiders. Eventually, the worms will drag the mulch down from the surface and eat it, enriching the soil. guide to to full sstep-by-step tep-by-step guide A full making your own house making y our o wn insect insect h ouse can be our can b e found found on on o ur website. website. V Visit isit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk www.thelocalanswer.co.uk and and h head ead tto o tthe he Pets Pets & Wildlife Wildlife category category iin n tthe he N News, ews, A Articles rticles & Reviews Reviews section. section. If you create one yourself, please send us your photos – admin@thelocalanswer.co.uk Page 

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

Be Be inspired inspired by by your your g garden arden tthis his ffestive estive season season As we get closer to the big day, make sure your garden doesn’t look like ‘The Nightmare before Christmas’ this year! I know it gets dark early and sometimes the weather is not conducive to being outside for long, but it is nice to look out and see something a bit cheerful. You can dress up your garden for the festive season by putting outdoor fairy lights in trees, which can be seen from the house, and hanging homemade wreaths in prominent places. Don’t forget the birds either – tie up a tasty fat ball or seed feeder to keep them happy through the colder months (remember to take off any netting).

Turn T urn to to nature nature for for your your hristmas d C Christmas decorations ecorations Dress the house with stems from the garden, using the bare twisted branches of corkscrew hazel or willow for a vase. Use the red or yellow stems of Cornus (dogwood) or Salix (willow), which can be used inside or, alternatively, pushed into pots outside to add height to flowering displays. The RHS do this in their gardens and it looks very effective. The long rope-like stems of clematis can be used to fashion a front door wreath. Use florist wire to add sprigs of holly or other items like dried Hydrangea heads, cones, etc. Add a tartan bow and there you have it – much nicer than those you can buy from the shop, and cheaper! The Local Answer

G ifts ffor or g ardeners Gifts gardeners If you have a gardener for whom you wish to buy a gift, a book is always welcomed. Some books I have really enjoyed and found useful include the RHS ‘Propagating Plants’ by Alan Toogood – easy to read and lovely clear illustrations on how to get plants for nothing – and ‘The Well-Tended Perennial Garden’ by Tracy Disabato-Aust – also very informative with plenty of advice and tips. If you’re trying to think of stocking fillers for the gardener in your life, labels and twine always come in handy.

Look L ook a after fter h houseplants ouseplants Check all houseplants regularly as the light levels reduce. To advertise call 01242 510500

Some might have to be moved to somewhere a little brighter, especially those with variegated leaves. Houseplants don’t like fluctuations in temperature, so keep them away from radiators and fires (not easy in a small house) and away from windows where the nighttime temperature can fall dramatically. They do like being grouped together as they make a microclimate to benefit each other. Now is a good time to plant new rhubarb (now there is a gift idea for the person who has everything!) and to divide large clumps. Replant in enriched soil and wait for the plant to take off in spring.

Merry M eerrry Christmas! Ch C hrristm h ma ass! a Page 5

O OAK AK D DOORS OORS O ONLY NLY £1 £199 99 professionally professionally supplied supplied & fitted fitted

es udes clud Incl In e dles andl Han ges inge Hin T T! A V VA &

FREE FREE HOUSE HOUSE SURVEY SURVEY c call all ttoday! oday!

Page 6

e ach each

Please contact Justin on:

t: 01242 500 283 m: 07974 309 348 www.door-suppliers.co.uk

Blissful lissful B Bathrooms athrooms BB B

w www.blissfulbathrooms.co.uk ww.blissfulbathrooms.co.uk

www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk

The Local Answer

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

Dress Dress yyour our table table ffor or Christmas Christmas I am always inspired by the Cheltenham Literature Festival, and this year I was lucky enough to hear Nina Campbell, doyen of interior design, talking about her life in design and her love of ‘tabletops’. Listening to her made me think of how I create a dining table. It really doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive to be stylish. If, like me, Christmas is a very special time for you when friends and family come together, there is nothing more fun than setting the table for Christmas dinner. Make yours a focal point and dine in style this festive season.

Set S et tthe he m mood ood Start by picking a theme, be it Scandi simplicity, traditional, glamorous or country style – use Instagram or Pinterest for inspiration. Follow through with your table colour scheme – white and pale, red and green, silver and gold, green and natural – it’s up to you. Buy proper napkins if possible, as they do make a difference. A friend bought some beautiful white Irish damask linen ones especially for Christmas – they look so chic tied with silver ribbon.

The T he p perfect erfect ccentrepiece entrepiece I always make my own table centre. A florist friend showed me how and it really isn’t difficult – you just need a plant pot painted to match your scheme, some Oasis, moss and a votive candle. Gather foliage from your garden, sprigs of evergreen like ivy or holly. Add flowers to match your chosen theme (I love simple white roses with lots of The Local Answer

Image: Daylesford

greenery) or nuts and fruits sprayed silver or gold. Get creative!

Add Add some some sparkle sparkle Coloured glasses are a must for a Christmas table. I always remember the cranberry and emerald coloured wine glasses that came out every Christmas at my parent’s home. This year, bottle green glasses are trending, and champagne coupes are back. Gold edged wine glasses add a touch of glamour and mismatched antique ones add sparkle. You can find multicoloured drinking glasses at Habitat. I have swirly white and green ones from Daylesford, or check out your local supermarket or charity shop.

Create C reate an an atmosphere atmosphere Candlelight always creates a magical glow; candelabra are having a bit of a moment, especially for a contemporary To advertise call 01242 510500

Scandi style setting. Tealights in silvery holders add glamour – The White Company is a good source for these. Their black dinner candlesticks would make a real style statement matched with all white tableware and simple greenery.

A Add dd a p personal ersonal ttouch ouch Why not put a smile on your guests’ faces with an element of surprise? It is those individual elements that make a difference. Search out quirky napkin rings, little birds or reindeer are fun. Personalise place settings with hand-written place names and napkins wrapped with simple twine and sprigs of herbs, or make your own colour-themed crackers. Make your Christmas Day this year an occasion to remember. Don’t forget to take some time out for yourself to enjoy that festive glass of bubbly – you deserve it! Page 

Creating beautiful homes in the Cotswolds CURTAINS C URTAINS • BLINDS BLINDS • CARPETS CARPETS • UPHOLSTERY UPHOLSTERY • S SHUTTERS HUTTERS • P PAINT AINT Many of us have difficulty choosing the right colour paint for a box room, let alone selecting colours, fabrics, flooring and furnishings to create a wonderful aura to be enjoyed for years to come. Interior design can be a daunting prospect – it’s much easier to be clear on what we don’t want than it is to pinpoint exactly what we’re striving to achieve. This is where local company Rapportt Interiors can help! Whether you’re searching for inspiration or already know what you want, a visit to the company ’s premises is extremely worthwhile. Based just outside Winchcombe (with on-site parking), the showroom is light, spacious and full of on-trend ideas and furnishings from some of the UK’s leading designers and suppliers. There’s also an extensive range of fabrics, paint, wallpaper and carpet on display, plus furniture and accesories creatted by Rapport Interiors’ own upholsterers.

‘Wealth of experience’ From a lifetime in the industry, owner Mark Evans has much knowledge to share but, he says: “The real strength of Rapportt Interiors is the combined wealth of experience we possess. Interiors advisor Lauraa Ford and myself work with designers, seamstresses, upholsterers, flooring experts and professional fitters to provide the best service ible. e remove the hassle for customers by co-ordinating Visit Visit o our ur W and delivering a complete design service. And many Showroom S howroom clients use our showroom for all their carpet, curtain, 9am-5pm 9 am-5pm upholstery and paint choices made all under one Monday M onday tto o roof.” Friday F riday There’s an extremely friendly and helpful atmosphere pportt Interiors. If you need assistance with any aspect of interior design – from a new blind for your bathroom to a whole house makeover, they are happy to help.

‘Quality products and service’ Mark said: “We pride ourselves on our personal and professional service. I’m pleased that many clients have been delighted with our approach and come back year after year for their continuing projects. Another reason customers return is because we have our own curtain makers, upholsterers, carpet and hard flooring fitters, so we can offer genuine delivery times as well as guaraantee you’ll be getting quality products and service.” You can find more information on the website (below) or, for ideas and advice, why not visit the showroom?

1155 IIsbourne sbourne W Way, ay, B Broadway roadway R Road, oad, Winchcombe, Winchcombe, Cheltenham, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Gloucestershire GL54 GL54 5NS 5NS

Pictures courtesy of Little Greene Paint & Paper

T:: 01242 T 01242 604 604 543 543 E: E: info@rapportinteriors.com info@rapportinteriors.com w www.rapportinteriors.com ww w.rapportinteriors.com

interior int in erior needs neeeds

Come enjoy a and of coffe cup e mince p and ie!

We would We would like like to to wish w aall of our our ccustomers ustomers a vvery ery of Merry Merry C Christmas hristmas and New and a Happy Happy N ew Year! Year! Curtains Curtains

Frrseoneal

pe design interiorrvice se

& fabrics fabrics T Tracks racks & p poles oles Interior Interior shutters shutt rs Perfect Perfect fit fit blinds bli ds Bay Bay w window indow treatments tr atme ts Lighting Lighting W Wallpaper allpaper Mirrors Mirrors

Tel: T el : 0 01452 1 452 5 522 22 4 422 22

en e nq quiries@interiorneeds.co.uk uiries@interiorneeds.co.uk

Sandersons Romo Zoffany Prestigious Casadeco Bill Beaumont Warwick Hardy Villa Nova Harlequin xaflex James Brindley Silent Gliss Velux Blendworth

JANUARY SALE • JANUARY SALE • • • • • •

20% off Fabric on M.T.M. orders 220% 0% ooff ff B Blinds linds Shutters 220% 0% ooff ff S hutters Lighting Mirrors 220% 0% ooff ff L ighting & M i r ro r s Tracks Poles 220% 0% ooff ff T racks & P oles Wallpaper 110% 0% ooff ff W allpaper

JANUARY SALE • JANUARY SALE

CHRISTMAS HRISTMAS

O Opening pening H Hours: ours: SSaturday aturday 221st, 1st, 10am-3pm 10am-3pm tthen hen Closed Closed until until Thursday Thursday 2nd 2nd January January Normal Normal Hours: Hours: Monday Monday Showroom Showroom closed closed ((open open bbyy aappointment ppointment oonly) nly)

TTues-Sat ues-Sat 110am-3pm 0am-3pm S unday C losed Sunday Closed

Sale starts 1st December 2019 until 31st January 2020 E Eastern astern A Avenue, venue, G Gloucester loucester G GL4 L4 3 3BU BU ((Next Next tto oT The he W Weavers eavers S Shop, hop, o opposite pposite S SMYTHS) MYTHS)

w www.interiorneeds.co.uk ww.interiorneeds.co.uk

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

IIt’s t’s the the most most wonderful wonderful ttech ech of of the the year year With busy jobs, family life and other obligations, it’s easy to put off Christmas shopping, especially when it seems like there is still so long to go. But, as always, time flies, and if you’re finding yourself in a festive conundrum, here are some gadgets you can gift your loved ones.

Anki A nki Vector Vector Smart Smart R Robot obot Menkind.co.uk: £119 Don’t be fooled by his adorable appearance; the Anki Vector Smart Robot is a fountain of knowledge, with built-in Amazon Alexa, so you can ask him anything. And not only does he answer your questions, but he communicates by creating a custom text-to-speech voice. Vector is self-aware, being able to react to his surroundings and move about with ease. He recognises objects and rememb ers peopl e too! Using his HD camera vision, Vector can identify faces. His impressive technological advances also include an Infrared Laser Scanner, WiFi connection and a High-Res Colour IPS Display. Vector can even hear and feel; he has a four-microphone The Local Answer

array for directional hearing, as well as touch sensors, so you can pet him. Introduce your family to Vector, the curious robot who is small but stout.

Kindle Kindle O Oasis asis Amazon: £299.99 This gizmo is a great gift idea for any bookworm, with a light, portable design that will save you from weighing down your bags with books. To aid your nighttime reading, the Kindle Oasis is equipped with an adjustable warm screen light, which ranges from paperwhite to amber. It is even waterproof, so if you’re jetting off for a tropical Christmas getaway, this gadget can tag along and not risk damage via the pool. Or, if you are staying at home and feeling the festive stress, why not have a relaxing read in the bath? This Kindle will help expand your personal library, with access to millions of books, audiobooks and newspapers, and can be paired with Bluetooth headphones or speakers.

To advertise call 01242 510500

Apple A pple W Watch atch Series Series 5 John Lewis: £339 The Apple Watch Series 5 GPS has it all: it lets you send and receive text messages, answer calls and receive notifications when it’s connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It tells you when you’ve started a workout and monitors your heart rate throughout the day. If it detects any unusually high or low heart rates, it will alert you. The built-in GPS measures your workout accurately, so you can leave your iPhone at home and review your route when you return. Distance, speed and pace are all accurately recorded. The Apple Watch Series 5 is also water-resistant for up to 50 metres, so you can even wear it when you swim.

Page 41

Specialists Specialists iin n bathroom bathroom safety safety and and design design

We can help you with any bathroom makeover, large or small, but have particular expertise when designing rooms for customers with mobility issues. Wet •W et rrooms ooms Shower •S hower rooms rooms Bathrooms •B athrooms •C loakrooms Cloakrooms •W all boards/Tiles boards/Tiles Wall

With 30+ years of experience in the bathroom industry, and only offering well w known ell k nown brands brands, we can help you o achieve the bathroom you have always wanted. We work with friendly, friendly,, polite polite bathroom bathroom fitters fitters who are able of o produce a h igh standard standard of high nish. We offer the full finish fi bathroom service and can upply everything you w i l l ne e d t o c o m p l e t e he job, including iles, wallboards and accessories.

Before

After

Save 20%

VAT*

*If you need to make changes to your bathroom due to disability or a medical condition, we are able to supply your bathroom VAT free, saving you 20%. Please ask for details.

Contact Rex on 07496 057281 or 01453 884167 for a free home visit to discuss your needs

rex@lifestylebathrooms.net

www.lifestylebathrooms.net

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

H How ow to to have have a lless ess Christmas iimpactful mpactful C hristmas Christmas is a time for celebrating and joy, but it can also be a time when our usual planet-friendly tendencies go out of the window in the name of tradition. Here are some tips for you to limit your impact on the planet this festive season.

Have a p Have pre-Christmas re-Christmas cclear lear o ut out Not only will this leave you space for all the new things coming in (parents particularly will know what I mean!), but your unwanted items might make the perfect Christmas gift for someone else. Also, charity shops are often overwhelmed after Christmas and temporarily stop taking donations, so items can end up going to landfill to create space.

Forgo F orgo tthe he p printed rinted w wrapping rapping p paper aper When I was a child my lovely Mum wrapped everything in brown paper and then decor-

ated it with stamps or sprigs of holly she’d painted gold. At the time I was horrified and longed for the patterned shiny paper I saw in the shops, but now I absolutely get it. You can’t recycle most wrapping papers and actually, her patterned brown paper looks so effective. Just don’t tell her I said that after all my years of moaning!

Make y Make your our own own ccrackers rackers This is another activity we used to do when I was young that I didn’t understand! We used to make our own decorated crackers filled with chocolates or little treats (not plastic) and make the bang noises ourselves. For the hats, we would have a competition after presents were opened to make them f r o m t h e d i s c a r d e d wr a p p i n g , with a prize for the most creative. We’d wear them for lunch, always a source of great hilarity when someone (usually my Dad!) made a g re a t b ig b on ne t th at d angled in his food!

Use U se tthose hose ttrimmings rimmings Start a compost bin if you don’t already have one and put all the Christmas veg peelings in to create fertiliser for your plants.

Source S ource y your our meat meat As a vegetarian, I am passionate about my husband and children choosing good meat (as they aren’t looking likely to join me anytime soon!) and ensuring that they have less, The Local Answer

To advertise call 01242 510500

but better quality from animals that have at least had a good life.

Buy e Buy experiences xperiences iinstead nstead of of ‘things’ ‘things’ Sometimes I feel suffocated by the amount of ‘stuff ’ we have accumulated. Instead of buying yet more things that my children don’t need, we try and get a few nice but useful items to open – luckily, Santa always brings socks! Then we get something that will give us year round use, like a farm park ticket or just some family time with a weekend away somewhere.

Use U se public public transport transport We all know parking is a nightmare in towns at Christmas so it’s actually less stressful to ditch the car and, if possible, use public transport to do your Christmas shopping. Thank you for reading my column this year. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Page 4

The Local Answer

To advertise call 01242 510500

Page 45

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

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

C Contractors ontractors – ouch? ouch? Whilst the minds of politicians and most of the country were tied up with the UK’s exit from the EU and more recently the impending General Election, the government has been working away at changes to the tax rules for many of our small businesses. The widely-publicised change in 2019 was the introduction of Making Tax Digital for VAT. By now, VAT-registered businesses that are required to comply have filed two quarterly returns under the new system and are beginning to get used to life in the new technological world in which they are obliged to operate. So what will 2020 bring in terms of significant changes to the tax rules for small businesses? The answer is IR35 or ‘off-payroll working’ as it is now more correctly known. Many contractors operate through forming a limited company and selling their services through invoices to their customers rather than being on the customer’s payroll as an employee. Why would they do that? Well, for purely commercial reasons only of course (just in case anyone from HMRC is reading this article!). The fact that the customer doesn’t have to pay employers’ national insurance and the contractor gets some decent tax breaks are purely co-incidental benefits, you understand!

Taxing T axing contractors contractors as as if if they they were were employees e mployees

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

THE SOLUTION FOR YOUR NEW BATHROOM ... Your local family business

The Local Answer

HMRC has called time on this practice by requiring, from the start of next tax year, the ultimate customer to tax the contractor as if they were an employee, even if the contractor continues to submit invoices. It removes the tax breaks for both the customer and the contractor. As you can imagine, it doesn’t sit well with either the contractors or the customers, although there are a number of people who are unaffected by the change who think it’s about time. My issue with it is that we are four months away from its implementation and the government hasn’t even issued draft legislation yet, let alone got it through parliament. They are all too pre-occupied with the B word and now the election. It’s just another example of uncertainty in the world of small business.

To advertise call 01242 510500

Page 4

S Sport port

TO SHARE SHARE YOUR YOUR SPORTING SPORTING WANT W ANT TO STORY ON ON OUR OUR WEBSITE? WEBSITE? STORY

with w ith R Roger oger Jackson Jackson

Please Please eemail mail ffull ull ddetails etails ttoo ssport@thelocalanswer.co.uk port@thelocalanswer.co.uk

M Miles iles o off smiles smiles ffor or N North’s orth’s ttrailblazers railblazers This team of smiling faces are trailblazers at Cheltenham North Rugby Club. They are the under-13 girls’ team and they are the first female side in the club’s proud 114-year history. And they’re doing pretty well as well because in their first ever festival down at Walcot Rugby Club in Bath, they won three and drew one of their four games. The team are coached by Ian Parker, a former 1st XV winger at the club, who is loving his new role. His daughter Evie is part of the girls’ squad and he said: “They are coming on really well. We normally play 12-a-side but we’ve got a squad of 18, we’re very lucky.” Around two-thirds of the squad used to go to Bishop’s Cleeve Primary School where Parker is a teacher, and it was there that they first learned

Cheltenham North Under-13 girls’ team

about the thrills and the spills of the oval ball game. “I do touch rugby at the school – it’s for mixed teams – and some of the girls really took to it,” said Parker. And it’s fair to say that more

A ttop op R RFU FU m man an As rugby résumés go, Nigel Gillingham’s is pretty impressive. The one-time Leicester second row – he played for the Tigers when they were the undisputed kings of the jungle back in the 1970s – is these days playing as big a role on the administrative side of the game as he did all those years ago as a player. So much so that in less than two years’ time he will take over as president of the Rugby Football Union, a position that is currently held by England and British Lions great Peter Wheeler. Gillingham is currently the RFU’s junior vice-president and will become senior vicepresident next year before taking on the top job on 1st August 2021. He is also a hardworking member of the Gloucestershire’s RFU – he’s their RFU representative.

and more girls from around the county and beyond are taking to a rough and tumble game that back in the day was considered only suitable for boys. “It’s great,” said Parker. Full story online. In fact he was one of the best amateurs around because he won the Skerries 100 Road Race in Ireland back in 1963, which was one of the biggest races on the circuit at that time. “We as a family are so very proud of him,” wrote Pamela, who lives in Winchcombe where her husband was brought up.

John Godwin won the Skerries 100 Road Race in Ireland in 1963

F Full ull sspeed peed a ahead head Pamela Godwin is very proud of her late husband John who was a top motorcyclist back in the day. So much so that she wrote a letter to The Local Answer asking us if we’d be interested in doing a story on him. The answer was an emphatic ‘yes’, of course, not least because John, who died in January 2016 at the age of 80, was a seriously good race rider.

Ab big ig n netball etball ffan an Kirsty Wingate is a big supporter of netball, a very big supporter. She plays the game, she umpires and works tirelessly as a volunteer administrator. The 49-year-old took over as chair of Gloucestershire Netball at their AGM in May and she has previously served on the management committee as honorary, league and tournament secretaries. For full versions of all these stoories and more, please viisit our website: www.thhelocalanswer.co.uk

Above Above is is a sselection election ffrom rom llocal ocal ssport port sstories tories aavailable vailable oonline nline ... ...

F From rom Anfield Anfield to to Bishop’s Bishop’s Cleeve, Cleeve, Nigel Green Green just just loves loves football football Nigel Nigel Green has been a regular on the touchline at Bishop’s Cleeve Football Club since the mid-noughties. As secretary of the club for close on 14 years – he‘s also matchday programme editor and in charge of the club’s communications – he travels with them home and away week in, week out. Being on a touchline is something that Green, now 64, is used to, although back in the day he was even more involved in games than he is today. That’s because in the early days of the Premier League he was one of the leading linesmen in the country and got to officiate at all the top grounds in the country. “I was a Premier League linesman for 10 years,” he said, “I think my first season was in the Premier League’s third season.” That was in 1994/95 and Green added: “I went to all the top grounds in the country – Old Trafford, Anfield, Ewood Park, Goodison Park, Highbury, Maine Road, The Dell, Upton Park.” Green has great memories of his time at the very top of English football. “There was the Class of 92 at Old Trafford,” he said. “Arsenal had Adams, Bould and Seaman, there was Alan Shearer, Batty and Flowers at Blackburn, Neville Southall was at Everton. “Then there was the Crazy Gang at Wimbledon – Vinnie, Efan Ekoku, Corky and Dennis Wise. Dennis Wise was a very nice man off the pitch.” In those days there wasn’t the number of TV cameras at games that there are today and there was certainly no VAR. The players used to fly into tackles for fun – there were no handbags back then! – and watching Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane go toe-to-toe when Arsenal played Manchester

Nigel and Hilary Green

United was worth the admission price on its own. “It was a great time,” said Green. “There was a great camaraderie between the officials, everyone had each other’s back, there was no back biting. If you made a mistake, you’d get lots of phone calls backing you up.” Green admits that his job got harder over the years. “We went from four cameras to 40 cameras at games,” he said. “You’d have a person running behind you up and down the touchline with a camera on his back.” All linesmen – or assistant referees as they are known today – make mistakes of course but while Green says he got “hundreds of decisions right”, he does remember one that he got wrong. “It was at Old Trafford, Manchester United against Spurs,” he said. “Steve Bruce came charging out and Jurgen Klinsmann came charging in. I gave him offside but the replays showed he was just on. It was a split second’s difference, you’re always under pressure.” Green has happier memories of a decision he made in a game at Upton Park.

“John Hartson was sent off on my say-so,” said Green. “Paul Durkin was the referee and Harry Redknapp, who was West Ham’s manager, wasn’t happy at half time. But at the start of the second half he told me he’d seen the TV replays that showed I was absolutely right!” And Green, who lives in Eckington, knows he was absolutely right to join Bishop’s Cleeve after previously serving as secretary at Sourport Swifts. And he didn’t come alone because his wife Hilary is also a major player at Bishop’s Cleeve. “She used to work in hospitality, now she does it at Bishop’s Cleeve,” Green said. Green estimates that he spends 40 hours a week on football club business and he reckons his wife does even more hours than that. “She does the players’ food, does the laundry, cleans the changing rooms and the clubhouse,” said Green. “She’s just put the training tops in the washing machine as we speak.” Every grassroots club needs people like Nigel and Hilary Green, of course. “It’s great fun,” said Green. “We’re a small club but we’re a good club.” Full story online.

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

IIndex ndex o off A Advertisers dvertisers FFOOD OOD & D DRINK RINK

HOMES H OMES & G GARDENS ARDENS

Burley Fields Lakes Farm Shop

BATHROOMS B ATHROOMS Blissful Bathrooms 36 Lifestyle Bathrooms 42 Severn Vale Bathrooms 47 & 51 BUILDING SERVICES SERVICES BUILDING All About Building & Roofing 30 28 C&G Paving Cheltenham Town Roofing 28 Home Care Roofing 28 JHD Roofing & Building 30 Marshalls Driveways 32 Pave-Drive 29 R. Richards & Sons 2 S.J. Lewis & Sons 29 CLEANING CLEANING 30 Ovenbusters ELECTRICAL SERVICES ERVICES ELECTRICAL S 29 Shurmer Electrical

WHAT’S W HAT’S ON ON EEVENTS VENTS & A ATTRACTIONS TTRACTIONS Bacon Theatre

IINFORMATION NFORMATION NHS Gloucestershire Police & Crime Commissioner Gloucestershire Constabulary

6-7 11 26-27

H HOLIDAYS OLIDAYS & TRAVEL TRAVEL JustGo! Holidays Stagecoach

12 23

RETAIL R ETAIL Vinyl Records Zimbolic

25 25

FFURNISHING URNISHING & APPLIANCES APPLIANCES 36 Bella’s Interiors Dream Doors 52 Interior Needs 40 Just Doors & Handles 36 Rapport Interiors 38-39 SERVICES G ARDEN S ERVICES GARDEN Cheltenham Town 32 Landscaping Cheltenham Trree Services 34 30 Grass Scape 29 Lawn Doc TTV V&A ERIAL AERIAL 12 1st Choice Aerials WINDOWS, DOORS W INDOWS, D OORS & C ONSERVATORIES CONSERVATORIES AJ Windows 44 Albany Windows 8 & 46 Clearway Windows 45

PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SERVICES C ARE S ERVICES CARE SERVICES Building Circles 5 M OTOR S ERVICES MOTOR SERVICES Cleeveline Taaxis 5 Motor Mods 16 V Hub 14 & 16 PET SERVICES SERVICES PET Dragon Vets Tewkesbury 18 S KIP H IRE & RECYCLING RECYCLING SKIP HIRE Stevens Recycling 30

TToo advertise advertise in in print print or or oonline nline pplease lease ccall all 01242 01242 5510500 10500 or or to to list list yyour our bbusiness usiness iin n our our brand brand new new oonline nline directory, directory, visit visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk www.thelocalanswer.co.uk and and ggoo ttoo tthe he D Directory irectory ttab. ab.

Puzzle Puzzle Solutions Solutions P

R C

P O P

S T

F E

C N

A L

G I

V R

I S

Y E A J V H C N S C T G C Y A S M S U T H C L R

E D

S E

R E

U S

A I

D I

M A

R O A

R P E

O W

S O N G

D O

D E

M I

T S

R E P Y X O S I A X M A R E W U M S Y J N O Z V

C X N H A K V L Z T R G W K K A Q T Y V M O U T

L N L M I U H S E R I G G R S L O O X Q R K M T

M B H R I P N I O I J V I U M C M C U B I I T R

H I Y Z L H E T C P G X I T S A U K W S I E L P

P C B O F L C Z J M Z H T T Y T X I J N M A S L

Z N D L V E F A M I L Y E D Y N F N G P O I R Z

T U L E M Z F U F K J R I O A A G G G C R J P L

R O S D J D F K I U U Y E K T S Q D D B S R S N

E L K N I W T D U N E X F G N E J P D A E K R L

A S U S E J L E I D R I E X N G L S P S M H O A

Z N L E K X D Q M K C E N K E A A T E X N L X N

J G G P D B F U H F R B A B Y X M N S Z O P H R

R Y O E J S V O Z T I Z M V B P T E O I K F K D

J Y I R L B X N S D S Y W X K S P B R P M M Y W

M N O Q T C A A S V G N O C K L J F K R N F A H

W E P L D E M X I A I Z N U E H V D J G E L I U

H G Q M L T X M X T Z Q S S N O A P T G P Q L S

C K P C S B A U B L E S N W I L U W T E N Y Y O

T K K I H Y T E U U Y I V L F L Q Q N D V W A P

A V R G Y H K S M K T P N S O Y D R G W P M T C

X H E C W D X M R E C Y O O O Y G U K U K Q H G

C N W K K X R E E D N I E R Y F Z C Y R X N G W

C Competition ompetition W Winners inners Burley Fields Lakes Fireworks – Damien Cooper, Vikki Lewis, Roxanne Wiggall, Tami Taylor and Emma Denton.

Competition Competition R Rules ules 1 Prizes are as stated and no cash or prize alternative will be offered. 2 Employees of The Local Answer and their families or households are not eligible to enter. 3 The first correct entry drawn at random after the closing date will win the prize as stated. 4 The winner will be notified by telephone after the closing date has passed. 5 The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 6 Entrants must be over 18 years, unless stated. 7 Proof of posting is

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

BOOKING B OOKING D DEADLINE EADLINE FFOR OR N NEXT EXT IISSUE SSUE – FFriday riday 55th th D December ecember 22019 019

We care about W ec are a bout tthe he e nvironment environment

A fully fully-recyclable -recyclable pr product oduct

As As w well ell aass the the p paper, aper, the the iinks nks aand nd varnishes varnishes u used sed iin n producing producing T The he LLocal ocal A Answer nswer are are b biodegradable. i o d e g r a d a b l e. T The he p process rocess u used sed by by rrecycling ecycling ccompanies ompanies to to e extract xtract iinks nks aand nd coatings coatings including including U UV V varnishes varnishes ffrom rom the the paper paper render render the the p paper aper ssuitable uitable for for pulping pulping and and recycling. recycling.

Page 50

(our printer) printer) a re Precision C olour P rinting Ltd Ltd (our Precision Colour Printing are ouncil ((FSC) FSC) proud Council p roud to to be be a Forest Forest Stewardship Stewardship C certificate holder, and The Answer nd T he LLocal ocal A nswer iiss certificate h older, a proud p roud to to have have this this publication publication printed printed on paper with FSC o n p aper ccompliant ompliant w ith F SC demands environmentd emands tto o ssupport upport e nvironmentally beneficial, a lly appropriate, appropriate, socially socially b eneficial, and economically managea nd e conomically vviable iable m anagement off tthe world’s m ent o he w orld’s forests. fo orests.

www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk

The Local Answer

QUALITY KITCHEN MAKEOVERS by simply replacing the doors and worktops

kit F c r Vi hen om sit t ou mak he U r s eo Kâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ho ve s # wr r e 1 oo xp m er no ts. w

PRICE FREEZE on

Beffo ore

9 Est. 199

all orderrs or the rest of 2s0ffo 19 BOOK YOUR APPOINTME N TODAY! T