Glos North

Welcome to December

As we head into the final month of 2022, we have lots of festive inspiration for you. From a tasty treat for friends and family, and ideas for sprinkling some festive flair on your interiors, to a roundup of travel films to add to your Christmas list, and loads of ideas for activities to keep the kids happy in the lead-up to the big day.

Our What’s On section is also full of Christmas events to help you get into the festive spirit. There are enchanted trails, markets, family entertainment, concerts and fayres galore!

Julia Smith discusses the big Christmas tree debate and whether she prefers real or fake in her In the Garden article, while Dorothy Glen tells us about the mythical side of mistletoe in her Wildlife Matters feature.

All of us at The Local Answer wish you a safe and happy Christmas.

Delicious Dish with Helen Kingscott

Deliciously chewy apple and date bites

Keep things simple this Christmas with a tasty traybake that is sure to be a hit with both children and adults alike. Makes 8 bites.

Ingredients:

150g cooking apples

150g stoned dates

280g light soft brown sugar

175g plain flour

225g butter

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

100g porridge oats

Method:

1 Preheat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan/gas mark 5). Grease and line an 18cm square tin.

2 Peel, core and chop the apples and put into a saucepan with about two tablespoons of water. Bring to the boil then simmer until cooked.

3 Add the dates and 50g of the sugar and continue to simmer for five minutes. Take off the heat then mash together with a fork until well mixed.

4 Melt the butter in a medium sized saucepan then add the flour, bicarbonate of soda, oats and the remaining sugar and stir until well coated.

5 Press half of this mixture into the tin, spread the apple and date mixture on top, then cover with the remaining oat mixture. Press down gently

with the back of a spoon.

6 Bake for approximately 30 minutes until lovely and golden. Cool in the tin, then cut into squares.

Tip: Make twice as many, as they’re very tasty and will disappear in no time, especially if you’re hosting family and friends over Christmas!

Medical Health

The most common male cancer

Earlier this year, much-loved journalist and BBC television presenter Bill Turnbull passed away due to prostate cancer. He spent the last few years of his life raising awareness of the disease, which sees one in eight men diagnosed in their lifetime. This makes it the most common male cancer in the UK. According to Prostate Cancer UK, the disease kills more than 11,500 men in the UK every year, with another 47,500 diagnosed. Worryingly, most men don’t know anything about the illness, according to male cancer charity Orchid.

The risk of prostate cancer increases as you get older, with most cases developing in men aged 50 or older, the NHS says. Black men are more likely to be affected, while it is less common among Asian men. The risk is also higher for those with a family history of the disease.

Men who have these risk factors may be offered a test by their GP, but there is no national screening programme for the disease. As with all cancers, the earlier it is found, the easier it is to treat.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis and is part of the male reproductive system. About the size of a walnut, it is located between the penis and

the bladder, and surrounds the urethra. Its main function is to produce a thick white fluid that creates semen when mixed with the sperm produced by the testicles.

Symptoms

Symptoms of prostate cancer will usually not appear until the cancer is large enough to press against the urethra. If you find yourself needing to urinate more often, having to wait longer before you can pass urine, or urinating involuntarily after going to the toilet, it is a good idea to get checked by a doctor.

However, Prostate Cancer UK says it is more likely to be a sign of a very common noncancerous problem in men –an enlarged prostate. Other warning signs include erectile dysfunction, blood in urine, weight loss or any new and unexplained lower back pain.

Testing

There is no single test for prostate cancer. All the tests used to help diagnose the condition

have benefits and risks that your doctor should discuss with you. The most commonly used tests for prostate cancer are:

• Blood tests

• A physical examination of the prostate known as a digital rectal examination (DRE)

• An MRI scan

• A biopsy

Treatment

If you do have prostate cancer, you may not need treatment. If the cancer is at an early stage and not causing symptoms, your doctor may suggest either ‘watchful waiting’ or ‘active surveillance’.

The best option depends on your age and overall health. Both options involve carefully monitoring your condition. Some cases of prostate cancer can be cured if treated in the early stages. Early detection is always the key.

If you are concerned, talk to your GP, or for further information visit www.nhs.uk/ conditions/prostate-cancer or www.prostatecanceruk.org

with Kirsty Lilley

Parenting & Guardianship

with Roberta Smart

Make an event out of advent

December is dominated by the ‘big day’ near the end, but why wait until the 25th to celebrate when you can create magic all through the month?

Make an event out of advent rather than simply focusing all your energies on one day – this spreads the load and takes away a lot of the stress of expectation.

By doing small activities every day, your family can make the magic of Christmas a fun and relaxing affair. So, here are my suggestions for fun festive activities you can enjoy in the buildup to the big day.

Treasured

decorations to use in years to come

Start by getting your tree and decorating with the basics, then add one ornament each day for advent. Choose from traditional saved decorations, new treats or, indeed, you could make your own ornaments using salt dough, paper, paint and glitter. These are sure to become treasured decorations to keep and use in the years to come.

Think of the birds in the cold weather by creating a nature

Christmas tree, featuring fat balls, nuts, seeds and berries strung along the branches.

Then get wrapped up warm and go on a hunt for Christmas lights at dusk. There is nothing more exciting than seeing the amazing sparkles and colours decorating houses and shop windows this month.

Try not to get overwhelmed shopping for gifts. Why not add a budget challenge just for fun? Seeing what you can find or create for a limited budget is such a fun challenge and feels so rewarding, especially for older kids who may not want to spend all their pocket money!

If you get fed up indoors, go on a Christmas nature hunt. Search for holly, ivy and other winter wonders, and collect some to decorate your home.

For the little artists, use ceramic paints to decorate a plate for Santa, ready to hold the mince pie and carrots for Rudolph on Christmas Eve. While you’ve got the arts and crafts out, why not make an angel to place on top of the tree?

Create a range of handmade gifts, from coloured pictures and baby hand prints, to thread paper chains that you can hang around the house.

Enjoy the true flavours of Christmas

For your own hungry bellies bake mince pies, gingerbread stars or even decorate a gingerbread house to enjoy those true flavours of Christmas. Don’t forget a Yule Log with melted chocolate and icing sugar snow!

What about activities with friends? Christmas is a time to come together so whether you create a Christmas sing-along, go on a day trip to visit Santa at a local grotto, arrange a sleepover to watch Christmas movies, or simply spend time with grandparents reading stories and snuggling, you can be sure that this Christmas you make more memories and share more joy than ever before.

Yule blessings to you for Christmas 2022 and I shall see you in the New Year!

Holidays & Travel

with Al Hidden

Around the world by DVD

December’s here, the perfect time to add to our film collections, do some stocking filling or get travel inspiration on favourite streaming platforms. So I thought about DVDs that always inspire me with their sense of place – and might do so for you. Let’s dim the lights in India and work our way back to Europe!

In Mumbai, an office worker’s wrongly delivered lunch drives heart-warming comedy drama set in India’s largest metropolis. The Lunchbox (stop sniggering in the back row please) is as mouth-watering as Ila’s food…

Further east, Japanese boy meets girl with a 180-degree twist in a bizarre, upside-down Anime world where the sky’s literally the limit. The beautifully drawn Patema Inverted delights and challenges throughout. So does The Rabbit Proof Fence’s true story of hope, survival and Australia’s ‘Stolen Generations’ of aboriginal children.

Thrills aplenty

Across the Pacific, 1993’s Falling Down is an unconventional thriller. It powerfully blends shattering violence with the absurdly funny as Bill Foster (Michael Douglas) makes his ‘more than angry’ journey across scorching Los Angeles –ordering fast food won’t be the same again!

Counterpoint Hollywood drama with gritty reality as two British women paddle 2500 chilly kilometres in Alaska. And if Kayaking the Aleutians isn’t scary enough, try the 3,200foot rope-free climb of Yosemite’s El Capitan with Alex Honnold in Free Solo. Don’t look down!

For great Cuban music and atmosphere, Ry Cooder’s Buena Vista Social Club is another favourite. And in a biopic once described as breathtakingly beautiful enough to be a travel ad for South America, The Motorcycle Diaries will surely reward – and inspire South American adventures.

Cool, crazy and back to the 1960s

In Europe, Norway’s Cool & Crazy engagingly profiles Berlevåg’s male choir, while Hans Petter Moland’s ‘sly, entertaining revenge thriller’ In Order of Disappearance is set in the country’s haunting snowscapes.

From 1960s France, Belle et Sébastien always takes me back to childhood’s black and white TV. And I defy you not to laugh through Mr. Bean’s Holiday journey to the Côte d’Azur. Further south, 1970’s cult Figures in a Landscape sets a mysterious helicopter against two fugitives in a landscape of arid plains and snowy mountains (actually, Southern Spain).

And finally, because I love anything Swiss, Erich Langjahr’s Hirtenreise ins dritte Jahrtausend (Shepherd’s Journey into the Third Millennium) is a gentle gem of a documentary. Hard to find and costing a fortune if you do, it’s worth the effort!

Season’s greetings and happy viewing everyone!

Pet Care

with Oliver Wilkinson of Dragon Vet Centre

to Tassie

We recently had to say goodbye to our beloved elderly dog Tassie. She was remarkably well right up until the very end and, mercifully, the decision to let her go was a straightforward one.

A few weeks earlier I had written an email to the owner of one of Tassie’s offspring who had just passed away at the age of 10 (Tassie had a litter of puppies in 2012). The words I wrote to him seemed particularly poignant in hindsight:

“Our dogs are such a huge part of our lives, sharing our journey and in doing so becoming an integral part of our stories. It’s no wonder then that when we lose them, our lives and stories lose a little colour, a little joy and a little piece of our heart.”

As a vet, I am acutely aware that at some point in our experience as pet owners we must face the reality of the finiteness of their lives and our time together. Over the years, I have had more than a few bereaved pet owners tell me that they won’t get another pet, as the trauma of losing them is too much to bear.

As much as the pain of losing Tassie is particularly raw, I can also remember the joy of owning her, of taking her on so many adventures; travelling to Australia and back together, walking, running and exploring all around the country. Cuddling on the sofa in the evenings, snuggling under the duvet on lazy Sunday mornings. Doggie kisses and overexcited greetings. Stealing cake and raiding bins. It is only because they bring us so much joy that their passing seems so hard. It is a great privilege to own a pet and I wouldn’t trade one memory to lessen the pain.

If you or a loved one have struggled with the loss of a pet, The Blue Cross offer a Pet Bereavement Support Service, the details of which can be found on their website at www.bluecross.org.uk.

“It is a great privilege to own a pet”

Deegan Financial Planning

Abbey Wills

Do you have an up-to-date Will?

Have you appointed Guardians for your children? Are you concerned that your children may lose your home to cover the cost of Care Home fees? We can also arrange Lasting Power of Attorney COMPETITIVE FEES

For an appointment in your own home please contact Peter Aldous: 01367 250289 or 07795 024431 paldousabbeyfs@inbox.com

Money Matters

with

Downes of Andorran Know your customer

Abbreviations abound amongst financial and legal language and KYC is one of the latest with which we have had to become familiar. Know your customer (or client if you prefer), or KYC for short, has become an everyday requirement as part of the financial world’s bid to combat terrorism, money laundering and the like.

It’s commonplace to be ask ed to prove your identity and where you live For most of us, it’s easy enough as we have a passport or dri ving licence, although that isn’t true for everyone and some struggle to pass even the ‘easiest’ of tests. We’ve got used to being ask ed and now it’s almost as routine as putting on your seat belt when you jump in the car.

Reckon on the banks to take it to the extreme

In most professional firms, follow up checks are then carried out to review the credentials of the person whose ID has been presented. We are told to do more stringent checks in certain circumstances and indeed we do

But you can reckon on the banks to take it to an extreme One in particular, who can remain nameless for the sak e of this article Multiple page questionnaires, often written in language that is difficult to understand and is ambiguous, have to be completed in short order, otherwise the bank will take steps to penalise you. In some cases, they go as far as closing your account without reasonable warning

I spok e to someone recently whose account was closed without reference to the proprietor of the business It was a retail business recei ving direct payments on a regular basis When the bank was challenged, the businessman was told there was nothing that could be done and that he would have to open a new account a process he was told would take at least three weeks. So what does he do in the meantime?

No bank managers to talk to any more

It wouldn’t be quite as bad if you could talk to your bank manager, but they have long since ceased to exist. You’re not exactly going to get a lot of help, therefore, if you’re struggling with these forms And if you fail, with or without help, your account will probably be closed I know we have to do these checks, but big is definitely not beautiful in business when it comes to banking KYC.

Member of the Society of Will Writers & Fully Insured

Roger

Immediately in Tewkesbury and Winchcombe and to join our waiting list for various areas across the Tewkesbury Borough

To register your interest, please visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk/ become-a-distributor.aspx

Each round is made up of 150-400 copies per month. The rate of pay is 6 pence/copy. Depending on property types, our current team of people average between 100-150 copies/hour (equivalent to £6-£9/hour).

Magazines are delivered to Distributors’ homes towards the end of each month and we expect deliveries to be completed within four days between the hours of 7am and 9pm.

You must be 13+ years old, flexible, reliable and sufficiently physically fit to perform the duties.

A SWIFT, SIMPLE AND HELPFUL SERVICE

Telephone: 01242 244856 Email: accountancy@andorran.co.uk

Manor Park Business Centre, Mackenzie Way, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 9TX

Motoring

with Toby Aiken

Sink or swim? The Yaris Cross

I was recently sent a press release with some statistics on driving licences and the costs of learning. The survey, conducted by bumper.co.uk (a car repair payment platform –who knew that was a thing?) suggested that 72% of adults that don’t hold a driving licence said that price was the biggest limiting factor.

I get that, because driving lessons are expensive. When I learnt, they were £12 an hour (ish) and are now in the range of £25-£30 per hour, which is close to a pure inflation price rise.

Cars have definitely not kept pace with inflation

But it got me thinking about the cost of motoring in general and, specifically, the recent Yaris Cross I reviewed. A Yaris in 1999 (its launch year) started at just under £7k. It now starts at £21k – inflation should mean the equivalent car is just under £12k, so cars have definitely not kept pace with inflation. This is the Yaris Cross, simply a small SUV crossover version of the Yaris. But so much more.

My first question to myself when writing notes on this car was ‘why’? I didn’t get why a crossover of a compact car was needed, but it actually made a lot of sense, very quickly.

The standard Yaris is (in my opinion) uninspiring. But the Yaris Cross adds something –and that something is style. It’s a much more stylish car that looks much more capable –which it is. A small, frugal nippy little car with a big boot and nice stylish touches all around.

What’s not to like? Well, the £25k price tag maybe…

A lot more car for your money

Aside from the fact that, as I’ve suggested, a Yaris should be sub £15k, the Cross version does actually give you a lot more car for your money. It is suitable for a small family, the boot is capable of holding more than a couple of bags of shopping and it actually looks so much more than a Yaris –perhaps this is another case of right car, wrong badge like the Mustang Mach E?

If the Yaris starts at £21k, then the Cross version is most definitely worth the £4k uplift in costs. I would happily drive a Yaris Cross around. The standard Yaris? Unless it was the GR (which is an incredible amount of fun and more expensive) then no thank you.

I think my issue therefore is that the Yaris shouldn’t have a starting price of more than £20k, which in turn pushes the

Yaris Cross price point up. But what does the Yaris’ inflationmatched price of £12k get you in a new car nowadays? I checked, and it’s a Dacia Sandero (Stepway or otherwise) or a Kia Picanto.

The Dacia is quite possibly a good shout – based on its (relatively short) heritage, I would definitely consider this, but an entry-level Kia Picanto? It’s perfectly functional, but doesn’t have the same style, space and kudos as even the entry level Yaris.

A lot of competition at the £25k mark

So what is the Cross competing against at the £25k mark? The truth is there is a lot of competition at that point, but I think the Yaris Cross will prove itself in reliability over the years and I don’t think it will age as much as some of the competition. It’s different, and while different is always a case of sink or swim, my bet is that this is a swimmer.

18 NOVEMBER – 4 DECEMBER

COBALT ONLINE CHRISTMAS AUCTION

Local medical charity Cobalt is holding an exciting online Christmas auction to raise funds for a Teenage and Young Adults (16-25 year old) Specialist Cancer Nurse Megan. Local businesses have generously donated over 40 fantastic lots to bid on, including a custom-made pearl and diamond necklace, vouchers for meals out, gin, wine and brewery experiences and much more. Ideal for Christmas gifts. Join in the fun at www.jumblebee.co.uk/cobaltchristmas

25 NOVEMBER – 21 DECEMBER

ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS TRAIL AT WESTONBIRT

Open on selected evenings from 4pm to 9.30pm. There’s magic around every corner on Westonbirt’s Enchanted Christmas trail! Father Christmas’ elves have made their way to the arboretum to decorate for Christmas. But they’re running slightly behind schedule… will the trail be ready on time? Witness the wonder, hilarity and general commotion that comes with playful elves creating Westonbirt’s spectacular illuminated trail. Advance booking essential. To book tickets visit forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/ enchanted-christmas

25 NOVEMBER – 24 DECEMBER

BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Experience the magic of Christmas on board a jumbo jet! Visit Cotswold Airport this winter and participate in

the world’s first grotto experience on board the Boeing 747 “Negus”. Let the elves show you how Negus is helping to save Christmas Day in this immersive theatrical production. For more information and to book, visit www.theflightbeforechristmas.com

25 NOVEMBER – 30 DECEMBER SPECTACLE OF LIGHT

Explore our magical after-dark experience and follow the new illuminated trail around our beautiful castle grounds. Enjoy the wonderful music as you discover each new secret of this romantic environment. Refreshments available. Various dates and times. For more details, please visit www.sudeleycastle.co.uk

26 NOVEMBER – 31 DECEMBER SNOW WHITE

Snow White, the palace orphan, is horrified that her evil queen Malvinha is stripping Tewkesbury’s natural resources to fund her desperate bid to be the fairest in the land. She sets out to save the county with the help of her buxom Nanny, the palace IT guy and some very strange small people. Little does she know that the queen is out to get her with a dodgy magic apple and a very talkative mirror. Various dates and times. Tickets from £15. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. For more information, please visit www.rosestheatre.org

1 DECEMBER

CHELTENHAM ANIMAL SHELTER FESTIVAL FAYRE

Come along to the Shelter for our

popular Festive Fayre where you can meet Santa in his grotto, shop from local traders and enjoy some entertainment, games and tasty food. There will be a pop up photoshoot for pets and family plus face painting and much more. 4.30-7pm. For more details please visit www.gawa.org.uk

1 DECEMBER – 1 JANUARY ELF HUNT

The naughty elves have gone missing in Batsford Arboretum, find them to win a prize! £3 per child. Admission fees apply to children and accompanying adults (all children must be accompanied by an adult). Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-inMarsh, GL56 9AT. For more details, please visit www.batsarb.co.uk

4 DECEMBER OVERBURY ARTISAN CHRISTMAS FAIR

‘Not just any Christmas Fair’. High quality, true artisan pieces with relaxed shopping and a warm festive welcome. Refreshments throughout the day. 10am-4pm. Overbury Village Hall, GL20 7NZ. Raising funds for Overbury Playground.

4 DECEMBER MIND BODY SPIRIT SHOW

By Deer Spirit Events. Holistic therapies, 1-1 readings, crystals, selfhelp and wellbeing products and advice, arts, crafts and Christmas gifts. Enjoy with family and friends, or come along for a relaxing Me-Day! Worcester County Cricket Club, New Road, WR2 4QQ.

VEGAN CHRISTMAS MARKET

60 stalls of all vegan and cruelty-free shopping, food, drinks and gifts. Get your Christmas shopping done and also enjoy some yummy vegan food and drink. £3 entry on the door. Under 16s free with an adult. Dogs allowed on leads. 10am to 3pm. Blackfriars, Via Sacra, Ladybellegate Street, Gloucester GL1 2HN. For more information see the ‘Vegan Events Gloucestershire’ Facebook page.

8-24 DECEMBER

CHELTENHAM

CHRISTMAS MARKET

Find festive treats and unique gifts at the Cheltenham Christmas Market. Around 80 market stalls will run along the pedestrianised Promenade and Long Gardens in front of the Municipal Offices. An opportunity to pick up unique gifts, Christmas decorations and delicious goodies. Daily from 10am-6pm Monday to Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sundays. More details at www.visitcheltenham.com/whats-on

10 DECEMBER

POPTASTIC CHRISTMAS CONCERT!

Join the Cotswold Area Community Orchestra, Sounds of Music Choir and Vocalist Lucy Curtis for a Poptastic Christmas Concert! In aid of Cancer

Research UK. 7.30pm. Entry £5 on the door. Bring your own drinks and nibbles. Stonehouse Community Centre, GL10 2NS.

10 DECEMBER

CAMBRAY CHRISTMAS MARKET

Craft stalls, Father Christmas, facepainting, free hot chocolate & mulled punch. 10.30am-3pm. Cambray Baptist Church, Cambray Place, Cheltenham GL50 1JS. www.chelt.org.uk

10-11 DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL

Themed decorated Christmas trees, Christmas stalls, luxury hamper raffle and refreshments. Entry by donation. All are welcome! 10th December 11am-5pm, 11th December 2pm-5pm. St Mark’s Methodist Church, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham, GL51 8PX. www.stmarksmethodist.org.uk

For more details, email leckhampton.events@sueryder.org

11 DECEMBER

JAMES HOPKINS TRUST ANNUAL CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA

With special guests, stalls galore, Santa’s Grotto and lots of games, this is an event with fun for all the family! 1-4pm. Hatherley Manor Hotel, Down Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham GL2 9QA. In aid of James Hopkins Trust.

13 DECEMBER

THE ROTARY CLUB CHELTENHAM NORTH CAROL CONCERT

11

DECEMBER DECEMBER DOG DASH

Join in the festive fun with a dog walk like no other! Dress your pooch in their festive best and enjoy a seasonal walk through our grounds. Entry is free with a suggested donation on the day of £5. Tea, coffee, cake and a food van with prizes for the dress-up winners. Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, Church Road, Cheltenham GL53 0QJ.

Come and sing with us at our Carol Concert. Compere Mark Cummings BBC Radio Gloucestershire, Organist Timothy Ingold, Leckhampton Junior School Choir, Cranham Handbell Ringers, Cheltenham Silver Band. 7.30pm. Tickets £12 (under 16s £8) from https://buytickets.at/rccn/780605 For information contact 01242 680532. Supporting local and Rotary charities. The Princess Hall, Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Bayshill Road, GL50 3EP.

18 DECEMBER

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT

Carols, candlelight, mince pies, mulled wine. 7pm. Cambray Baptist Church, Cambray Place, Cheltenham GL50 1JS. www.chelt.org.uk

In the Garden

with Julia Smith

The great Christmas tree debate

While gardening magazines love to show outdoor havens rimmed with frost in their Christmas editions, it is getting less and less likely that we will have weather like that at this time of year – mild and soggy would probably describe it better!

The upside to this is that if it is not too wet, we can continue to work in our gardens, moving plants and shrubs around, putting in hedges, and preparing for the spring.

One of the most debated subjects at this time of the year is that of Christmas trees. I do like a real tree, although we have a fake one which we have used on various Christmases in the last 20 years. For example, if we have been going away and couldn’t justify the cost of a real tree when we’d only enjoy it for a few days.

As our fake tree has been used multiple times already and is there for future backup plans, I don’t feel bad about having bought it and the fact that I don’t think it will be recyclable.

If you would prefer a real tree, the best ones to get to make sure the needles don’t all end up on the carpet before Christmas Eve are Nordmann Fir trees, which actually almost look fake because they are so

perfect! A less common option, but one which also has a lovely balsam scent, is the Fraser Spruce.

Check to see how fresh your chosen tree is

When you’re choosing your tree, bump the stump on the ground to see how many needles fall off – if there are only a few, that means it’s nice and fresh. When you get it home, leave it outside until you are ready to decorate it. Put it in the corner of a room where it is less likely to be knocked, and use a Christmas tree stand with a water reservoir in it.

As with cut flowers, cut a couple of inches off the trunk, as this will help it take up the water better. Eventually the water doesn’t go down at all, as the tree has stopped absorbing it. With flowers you could recut the stems, but it wouldn’t be practical with a tree. It will inevitably start to dry, but a good tree will easily

last for a few weeks and see you through the festive period.

Don’t burn your tree when Christmas is over – instead get it shredded, either through the council schemes or your local garden centre. If you have a large garden, you could cut it into small chunks and leave it for wildlife to enjoy while it rots down into the ground. This is a good idea if you have a sheltered section in your garden – you wouldn’t want to just lay it on an open lawn.

Festive gardening gifts

If you’re on the hunt for a gift for the gardener in your life, vouchers from local nurseries or garden centres are always appreciated. Lovely plant labels, twine, indelible pens for marking, garden gloves and good-quality tools are useful presents. Of course, hand creams and bath soaks are always welcome gifts to help undo the toll on your loved one’s body from all their hours spent working outside!

Happy Christmas!

Wildlife Matters

with Dorothy Glen

Mythical mistletoe

An iconic sight at this time of year, mistletoe is common throughout Gloucestershire. In fact, it thrives in this part of England and is sparse elsewhere.

Personally, having moved here from the east of England, it still feels unusual to me and I enjoy seeing trees laden with the distinctive leafy masses that I used to think of as rare.

It grows mainly on apple trees, poplars, limes and hawthorns, and is hemiparasitic, meaning it takes water and nutrients from its host, but still photosynthesises with its own leaves.

It has been spreading across the UK

With mistletoe comes mistle thrushes, which favour the berries, and excrete the seeds. Some seeds fall back onto the branches where they may grow into new plants. In recent years, though, mistletoe has been spreading more widely across the UK. This is thought to be due to black caps; migrant birds which are increasingly

found here over the winter, as well as the warmer months.

Black caps eat the berry flesh and wipe the seeds directly onto branches, efficiently transferring the plants to new locations. Mistletoe may be one of the species which benefits from our increasingly milder winters, as the black caps increase in number.

A long history of legend and folklore

But why do we kiss under it? Mistletoe has a long history of myth, legend and folklore. For the Druids, mistletoe represented vitality, as it grew green and lush in the winter on trees which had lost their own leaves.

The Romans hung mistletoe in their doorways for protection, believing it to represent peace and love. These, and the connection made in several cultures between the sticky white juice from the berries and male fertility, has led to the kissing-under-the-mistletoe tradition we know today.

In perhaps its most epic role,

mistletoe also features in Norse mythology. The god Baldr was the most beautiful and favourite son of Odin and Frigg. His mother made all things in existence swear never to hurt Baldr, and the gods passed the time enjoying throwing weapons at him and seeing them fail.

An epic role in Norse mythology

The mischief maker, Loki, discovered that mistletoe, being too young to be considered a threat, had not made the vow. Loki went next to Hod, Baldr’s blind brother, and suggested Hod must feel left out of the festivities as he was unable to aim and throw.

Loki passed him a spear made of mistletoe, and helped him throw it at Baldr, killing him. In some versions, Frigg’s tears became the berries, and the gods made mistletoe promise it would only commit acts of happiness or usefulness for evermore.

Whether you believe the folklore or not, kissing under the mistletoe is a tradition that will likely continue for many years. Merry Christmas!

Interior Design

with Gill Greenwell

A sprinkle of festive flair

My family has always been big into Christmas, even though we can’t always be together nowadays. Our three daughters live in a mid-century ranch house in the American midwest, a contemporary Australian home and a modern apartment in Battersea.

As a family, we take decorating our homes at Christmas very seriously, so each year I suggest new festive decorating themes to suit our various styles of home. Here are a few ideas to inspire your Christmas interiors.

Eco-festive

If you like to embrace all things natural, use a palette of winter white paired with fresh greens and warm caramels. Create wreaths and garlands from nature – dried teasels paired with soft wispy sea lavender always look lovely.

Make the tree woodland themed and search out leafpatterned baubles. I love Graham and Green’s woodland-

inspired feather baubles. John Lewis has a range of sweet wildlife ornaments the children will adore, featuring owls, pheasants and hedgehogs.

The sustainable option

If sustainability is important to you, there are lots of ways you can reuse or make your own decorations. Anything made of paper is on trend –you can find honeycomb ball decorations everywhere. I particularly like Sass and Belle’s range of colours and shapes. Check out their coloured recycled glass baubles too.

Easy to make, paper chains are a fun Christmas activity for the kids. The Cambridge Imprint kit makes 10 metres of chain and comes in a beautiful reuseable box. Also check out the gorgeous reuseable crackers from The Oathouse.

Elegant vintage

For a touch of glamour, art deco themes are popular this year. Think lots of sparkle, beads and feathers. For a roaring twenties themed Christmas table search out beaded placemats, antique tableware and Capiz shell lotus tealight holders in soft dusty pinks and creams.

Create a boho idyll with shimmering crystal and Capiz shell garlands from Cox and Cox, and mix with wavy pampas grass dotted with fairy lights. Check out Rockett St George for more ideas.

Nostalgic retro

For that classic Christmas look you can’t go wrong with a red,

green and gold scheme. Add some touches of tartan, and traditional wooden nutcracker ornaments, which seem to be everywhere this year.

Search out retro bottle brush mini Christmas trees to complete the look. Don’t forget to bring out your nostalgic heirloom decorations – our family have collected ours over the years – or trawl the charity shops and start your own collection.

Nordic with a twist

No Christmas decor feature is complete without a mention of Nordic hygge and Christmas markets. For a fun, quirky touch Aldi’s cute gonks rooted in Nordic mythology are in a chic new grey and white colour this season. Create a charming German Christmas marketplace on your mantlepiece with tiny laser-cut wooden houses from Etsy.

With these individual stylish touches, you too can create a joyful uplifting space for the festive season.

Image: Gisela Graham

Image: Cox & Cox

INSPECTION AND TESTING

PROPERTY SERVICES HANDYMAN

TILING

KITCHEN FITTING

FIRE ALARM INSTALLATIONS

FENCING

GARDEN GATES

Tewkesbury’s miles of smiles

Teri Watkins has been one of the driving forces behind women’s rugby in Tewkesbury for close on three decades.

She was one of the founding members of the ladies’ section at Tewkesbury RFC, she played for them regularly from 1994 up until 2008 and she captained them for three years.

These days she’s their team manager and fixtures secretary, and remains a hugely committed figure to the cause.

She’s also on Tewkesbury Rugby Club’s full committee –“She has been forever,” said her sister Lesley Neild – so it was richly deserved when the club made her their very first women’s life member in August.

“She’s done so much for the club over the years,” said Lesley, who is also one of the founder members of the club’s ladies’ section and a past captain.

So how did the ladies’ section come into being at a club where the men’s team were formed way back in 1950?

“We used to play netball for Dowty Ashchurch,” explained 63-year-old Teri.

“We used to go to Tewkesbury Rugby Club for a drink after matches, as did quite a few of the Tewkesbury hockey girls.

“We were all just talking one day when someone said, ‘Why don’t we start a women’s rugby team?’”

That someone was Maggie Cole, who, along with Teri, had started Dowty Ashchurch Netball Club back in 1978, so they had ‘form’ for starting up a sports team. What they didn’t have was any experience of playing rugby, but that’s where Carolyn Goodey came in.

“She said, ‘I used to play rugby,’ and it went from there,” said Teri.

Carolyn was Tewkesbury’s first

ever ladies’ captain but although things moved very quickly right from the get-go, Teri admits that initially she had misgivings.

“The ladies started training in February 1994, but I didn’t attend any of the early sessions,” said Teri, “I said I preferred to play netball.”

So what persuaded her to give rugby a go?

“Tewkesbury’s first game was against Cainscross and we only had 14 players so my sister said, ‘You’re playing’,” she recalled.

So Teri, a full-back who later became a fly-half, made her rugby debut in her mid-30s and she’s never looked back.

“I was virtually a veteran before I’d ever caught a rugby ball,” she laughed.

“I remember the first time I was tackled, I thought, ‘I don’t like this!’, but I got up, dusted myself down and then I loved it.

“The first time I touched the ball I got the bug.”

And it was a similar story for Lesley.

“Rugby’s a great game,” she said. “I used to come off a netball court feeling frustrated, it’s supposed to be a non-

contact sport but there was always plenty of contact.

“With rugby it’s all out there. You get thrown to the floor, you get tackled, you get pushed around, it’s all legal.

“Netball has rules which can be broken, rugby has laws and laws have to be abided by!”

The ladies’ section at Tewkesbury currently have one team who play in Women’s 2 South West (North) and they also have a junior girls’ section which is run by Sarah Hayes.

“We have 23 players signed on for the adults and 20 play regularly,” said Teri.

“The numbers are quite good, although we’re definitely on the lookout for new players for both the adults and the juniors.”

The ladies train every Wednesday at the club in Gander Lane, so what does women’s rugby have to offer for aspiring players?

“Comradeship,” said Teri, who is married to former Tewkesbury first-team player Kev Watkins.

“You can be arch-enemies on the pitch but at the end of the game you shake hands and we’re all friends in the bar.” Full story online.

with Roger Jackson

Tewkesbury play in Women’s 2 South West (North)

Puzzle Solutions

Index of Advertisers

Lewis & Sons 27

The Roofing Company 26

CLEANING SERVICES

Cannins Exterior Cleaning 26

Ovenbusters 34

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Burton Electrical 36

SCR Electrical & Property 36

FURNISHING & APPLIANCES

Bella’s Interiors 39

Laskeys Curtains 37

The Carpet Hut 34

The Fireplace Gallery 36

GARDEN SERVICES

Cheltenham Town Landscaping 28

Cleeve Fencing 28 Lawn Doc 28

MPL Wrought Iron 30 Nick Thomas Home & Garden 28

YRCLMHPZTREAZJRJMWHCTAXC KVHN EEXNBICNUOLSNGYYNEGK KREW APNLHYBDLSKULGOIOPQP IGCK JYHMRZOLEDNSEPERQLMC HYWK VXAIILFVMJIEKDJLTDLS YHDX HOKUPHLEZDWJ XBSBCETB TKXR CSVHNECFFFTLDFVXAMXA ESME NILSITZAUKDE Q UONAXMU UMRE SAZEOCJMFIUIMHZSSIXB UKED CXTRIPMIKUNDKFTDVATL YTCN TMRIJGZLJUERCRISGIZE IPYI GAGGVXHYRYXIEBZYNZQS VNOE CRWGIITEIEFENAMWONSN LSOR YEKRUTTDOKGXKBVXCUSW FOOY AWKSMSYYATNNEYBKKENI LYYF SUALCATNASEGAXPSLHOL QDGZ MMQOMUXFGQJLAMTPJVAU QRUC SSTOCKINGDPSTNEBFDPW NGKY UYYXUWJGGDDPESORKJTT DWUR TJVQBSNPCBASXZIPRGGE VPKX HNMRIIMORSEMNOKMNEPN WMQN COOKIEAIJRKHLPFMFLQY ATHG LZUMTLSRPSROXHKYAILY PCGW RVTTRPLZLNLANRDWHUSO

Competition Rules

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

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