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NORTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE SPICE UP YOUR V VA ALENTINE’S DA AY Y WITH OUR DELICIOUS DISH!
R R S
R Richards & Son Ltd FAMILY BUSINESS
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SPECIALISTS New Roofs ◆ New Builds ◆ Slate, Chimney & Tile Repairs New Valleys ◆ Felt and Battening ◆ Lead Work ◆ Leak Repairs ◆ Rubber Roofing ◆ Fibreglass Roofing ◆ Felt Roofing ◆ Guttering ◆ Soffits ◆ Fascias (range of colours) ◆ Carports ◆
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One of the many reasons to choose us:
In partnership with our sister company, Severn & Wye Scaffolding, we create a safe working environment which enables our professional team to focus on delivering a high quality service. This is more cost-effective than using external scaffolders Se ev vern & Wye and is far more convenient for customers – the SCAFFOLDING scaffold is erected and removed in a timely fashion.
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North Gloucestershire: Gloucestershire: 220,000 0,000 ccopies opies North C heltenham: 443,000 3,000 ccopies opies Cheltenham: C otswolds: 330,000 0,000 ccopies opies Cotswolds: G loucester: 446,000 6,000 ccopies opies Gloucester: S troud D istrict: 441,000 1,000 ccopies opies Stroud District:
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W elcome Welcome ttoo FFebruary ebruary Like many special occasions, Valentine’s Day will look a bit different this year. While you may not be heading out to a restaurant for a romantic meal, why not try out our Delicious Dish recipe and spice up your night with our creamy vegetable curry? As we’re spending much more time at home with our families, we may experience more arguments than normal. Roberta Smart shares her secrets for handling family conflict in her Parenting & Guardianship article. To escape your four walls with your daily exercise, you may wish to explore the great walks on our Cotswold doorstep. Al Hidden shares some of his favourites in his Holidays & Travel article. Please ensure you adhere to government guidelines when exercising. If you’d rather spend your outdoor time in your garden, check out Julia Smith’s latest gardening tips or start building your own herb garden – one of Louise Williams’ tips for being more sustainable in a small space.
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Contacts C ontacts Advertising Marketing A dvertising & M arketing Dave Kingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk Lois Kingscott lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk
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Delicious Delicious Dish Dish with w ith H Helen elen K Kingscott ingscott
Creamy C reamy vegetable vegetable curry curr y Spice Spice up up your your V Valentine’s alentine’s night night with with this this Sri Sri LankanLankaninspired inspired v vegetable egetable curry! curry! Serves Serves 4
IIngredients: ngredients: 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into bite sizes chunks; half a butternut squash, peeled and cut into bite sized chunks; 2 red peppers, deseeded and sliced; 1 large red onion, finely sliced; 3 garlic cloves, finely sliced or use lazy garlic; 2 green chillies, deseeded and sliced; 100g baby spinach, washed; juice of ½ lime; 3 tbsp coconut oil (I used 2 olive oil and 1 coconut for a milder coconut flavour); ½ tsp ground turmeric; ½ tsp ground cinnamon; ½ tsp chilli powder; 1 tsp medium curry powder; 1 tsp cumin seeds or ground cumin; 1 tsp brown mustard seeds or wholegrain mustard; 1 tbsp coconut sugar or maple syrup; 400g tin coconut milk.
M Method: ethod: 1 Preheat the oven to 240°C (fan 220°C/gas mark 9). 2 Put the sweet potato and butternut squash in a baking tray. Season with salt and pepper then add 2 tbsp olive or coconut oil, the curry powder, chilli powder, turmeric and cinnamon. Toss it all together to coat. 3 Roast for 25 minutes, then add the peppers for a further 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside. 4 Using a heavy based saucepan, melt the coconut oil. Once hot, add the cumin and mustard followed by the garlic, chillies and red onion. 5 Cook for about five minutes, then add the
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coconut milk and coconut sugar/maple syrup. Cook for a further 15 minutes, adding the lime juice for the last five minutes. 6 Add the sweet potato, squash and pepper mix and cook for a further five minutes, making sure it doesn’t stick to the pan. 7 Add the spinach, stirring through to wilt before serving. If the mixture is a bit thick you can add a splash of water. 8 Serve with naan or your favourite rice. If you prefer your curry a bit milder, reduce the amount of fresh chilli or just use a few chilli flakes instead.
CLEEVELINE C LEEVELINE TTAXIS AXIS
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110% 0% o off ff with w ith tthis his a advert dvert Mark M ark Hawkes Hawkes
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Pet Pet Care Care with Megan Megan Jackson Jackson with o ragon V et C entre off D Dragon Vet Centre
P Puppy uppy farms farms – a g growing rowing problem problem With our increased time at home many people have enjoyed the delight of a puppy this year. Prices for pups are climbing and illegal puppy farms across the country and abroad are taking advantage of the demand. Thankfully, most pups come from caring, responsible breeders, but here are some tips on what to look out for. Puppy farms will have many dogs, often kept in poor conditions and bred continuously. Some also illegally import puppies, bringing with them potential disease. These puppies may have a range of health and socialisation problems that can put a huge emotional and financial burden on new owners.
What What tto o llook ook o out ut ffor or Many of these sellers will be very good at covering up the real origins of the pup. You should always insist on visiting the puppy in its home with their mum, regardless of any excuses. Owner, mum and pups should have a strong bond, so watch their interaction and check that the property doesn’t seem suspicious. Reputable breeders will care about their pups’ future homes so will likely question you. They should also be able to answer questions of yours and consider returns policies if any health concerns are found. Check the puppies match the ones in the advert and that they look healthy.
W What hat tto od do o iiff y you ou ssuspect uspect a puppy puppy ffarm arm Walk away. This can be extremely difficult and often people talk about ‘rescuing’ puppies from farms, but ultimately the money will be used to continue the trade and mean many more dogs and puppies suffer. Consider reporting adverts to the websites they’re listed on or a local authority. In extreme welfare cases you can contact the RSPCA. In Gloucestershire there is a charity dedicated to animal welfare and they are running a campaign against puppy farming. For more details on what to look out for and how to report visit their website – www.naturewatch.org Bringing a dog into the family can be a wonderful process, but always make sure you’ve done your research and don’t forget those dogs in rescue centres that might make the perfect pooch for you. Page 6
TTewkesbury ewkesburryy Dragon Vets Tewkesbury is fully equipped with a sterile operating theatre, digital radiography, ultrasonography and laboratory equipment. Drop in and have a look around. You will see many of the same friendly faces from our main surgery at Dragon Vets Cheltenham. You can book your visits and pick up pet supplies, food or medications at either surgery if it’s more convenient.
OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY 9am- 6.30pm & SATURDAY 9am-10.30am 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
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Looking Looking Good, Good, F Feeling eeling Great Great with w ith W Will ill M Mbanga banga
Give G ive your your body body an an MOT MOT With everything 2020 gave or took away from us, one thing remains the same – we are another year older and unless we take care of ourselves, growing old can be hard! A decrease in capacity can have a knock-on effect: weight gain leads to loss of self-confidence; deteriorating eyesight and hearing can lead to social isolation; lack of endurance and strength can lead to injury and reduced capacity. As 2021 ramps up, this is the ideal time to undertake an MOT on your physical and mental health and lifestyle factors to enable you to get through the year in your best shape. A good place to start is finding or re-committing to your purpose. With all the challenges and drama of life, especially at the moment, connecting with or finding your purpose has never been more important. Whether we like it or not, the world has changed – how we respond determines the quality of our lives.
P Physical hysical h health ealth In looking at our physical health, finding balance across the components of healthrelated fitness (cardiovascular, endurance, strength, flexibility, body composition) along with a nutritious diet will be key to ensuring good health. Thereafter, building in additional components based on your fitness/performance needs (agility, speed, balance, power, coordination) in a progressive manner with appropriate recovery, will enable you to achieve and maintain your peak condition or goals. The Local Answer
Mental health The mental/emotional aspect of our health is the most neglected and most difficult to manage, as it impacts our motivation and mental state, which can result in unhealthy habits or neglecting our physical fitness needs. Connecting with family and friends has become more difficult, but it is an essential human need, so ensure that you reach out in whatever (safe and legal) way you can, for your own health as well as that of others – we are in this together. A great starting point is gratitude. A daily ‘gratitude check-in’ or helping others less fortunate than you will make a huge difference to you in the long-term and to them immediately. After such a difficult year, with so much uncertainty of the year ahead, ensuring you are in the best possible headspace and remaining positive under the relentless pressures of modern life is critical.
L Lifestyle ifestyle ffactors actors The biggest challenge for lifestyle factors is finding things to do that don’t cost money, or whose costs are outweighed by
• Connecting with people • Spending quality time with friends and family • Developing new skills, habits and hobbies • Being open to different perspectives and learning new things by getting out of ‘echo chambers’ that fuel your beliefs or biases • Spending more time outdoors • Exercise! And finally, if you’re going to save up to do one thing this year, I recommend a sauna! There are so many benefits, including: • Boost in circulation • Supports cardiovascular health • Improves flexibility and recovery • Clearer skin • Reduces stress • Boosts immune system • Boosts collagen production • Reduces inflammation Like anything that has physiological effects, please consult your GP before hopping into a sauna.
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P Parenting arenting & G Guardianship uardianship w with ith R Roberta oberta S Smart mart
Handling Handling family family conflict conflict Have you ever put your foot in it really badly with one of your adult kids and fell into a total panic about what might happen? As our children grow and mature, our relationships take on a whole new shape and structure. As they find their autonomy and their own voices, and begin to live lives of their own, it can become perilously difficult to navigate the new people they are becoming. Confession time: I recently upset my daughter, aged 20, and for a short while I was mortified with fear that it could result in a long silence, separation, and a split in the family. Sadly this is my own family history and I have a great fear of it repeating with the next generation. The misunderstanding arose because of my muddled words, poor timing, her self-consciousness and the surrounding stress levels of multiple changes occurring in her own world. The Local Answer
What did I do to repair the damage? Firstly, I respected her need to leave abruptly. Respecting her space was important, although scary. Next I called her, but of course she did not pick up – who would when they are hurting and feel horrible? So I messaged her and offered a full and clear explanation of what I said, why and what was intended. And I said sorry for the hurt caused.
Don’t D on’t make make excuses, excuses, b belittle elittle o orr sshame hame What I did not do was make excuses, attack, belittle, shame or otherwise try to shift my discomfort onto her. I had to take full responsibility for what I said, albeit a misunderstanding, and honour her pain, no matter how uncomfortable that was for me. Blessedly she responded within an hour to acknowledge what I had said, to inform me of why she was hurt and to let To advertise call 01242 510500
me know we were ok. Phew! I could breathe again! Why am I bringing this to you? Because no matter how we try, we will upset those we love from time to time – it happens. And I wanted to share my one piece of wisdom that I turn to whenever I find myself in this position: breathe, feel, allow and then respond. Do not react! Quite simply, in the moment of panic and realisation that something has happened, I turn to my breath to calm myself, allow all my feelings to flow through me, have a cry if necessary and then, and only then, will I respond to the other person’s needs; taking full responsibility for myself and allowing them all of their feelings. There is something uniquely powerful in approaching things in this way that can literally save families from imploding, and I truly hope you find this useful the next time things go a bit haywire in your home. Good Luck! Page
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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
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Decisions, D ecisions, d decisions… ecisions… Once upon a time, fuel options were simple: petrol or diesel. The biggest worry was putting the wrong fuel in the car. For the record, I only did that once. But it was in my wife’s brand new car. Fast forward to 2021, and the ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars looming, there are a raft of new greener options. But are they all viable in the real world? I thought I’d take the chance to share my experiences and evaluate the different options. I’ve been reviewing cars for five years and have experienced all of these for a week or so at a time, so while it’s not a foolproof assessment, hopefully it might give some insight to the pros and cons of each option. Let’s look at the most recent addition to the line up – the mild hybrid. Consider this a first stage hybrid where the majority of power is still delivered courtesy of a conventional engine, supported by a comparatively small battery.
A ssmaller maller e engine ngine w with ith b better etter ffuel uel e economy conomy This means the hybrid tech can’t power the car on its own, but supports the engine when needed, increasing power, or improving efficiency. So you can benefit from a smaller engine without a loss of power or a larger engine, with better fuel economy. I recently drove the Ford Kuga Mild Hybrid, and the 2.0 diesel engine delivered around 50-60mpg in the real world. I previously owned an equivalent non-hybrid from another manufacturer, that averaged around 40mpg, so you’re going to see The Local Answer
an improvement of somewhere in the region of 10-20mpg. Next up: the self-charging hybrid. With a bigger battery pack, they can be driven for short distances at moderate speeds in full electric mode, reverting to hybrid mode when pushed or when the battery is depleted. These can’t be plugged in and like the mild hybrid, the battery is recharged with brake-based energy recovery systems. Personally, I’ve not been massively impressed with selfchargers. I think it means paying for two whole powertrains and lugging around lots of extra weight. They have improved and if you live solely in a built up area, or just drive to the shops a few times a week, then it might work for you. Plug-in hybrids are similar, but with increased battery capacity and the ability to plug your car in to charge. More capacity equals a greater electric range and slightly higher pure-EV speeds before triggering the conventional motor. Finally, the full EV. A few To advertise call 01242 510500
years back, these were the sole dominion of the likes of Tesla, Nissan and Toyota. Nowadays, most major manufacturers offer an EV in a range of styles and sizes.
Limitations L imitations with with range range a and nd ccharger harger a availability vailability The limitations with a modern EV are range and the availability of high-capacity chargers. With the fastest chargers, 200 miles can be added in around 30 minutes and if you’ve driven 200 miles, you’ll probably want a cup of tea and a stretch of the legs. But range-worry is a thing and running out of ‘fuel’ is a much bigger problem. On balance, I think either end of the scale works best, depending on your situation. Full EV takes a little getting used to, but the performance and practicality are fantastic. Mild hybrid means you can have decent power and better than expected fuel consumption. In my opinion, the middle options are neither here nor there – they don’t quite cut it, despite appearing the most flexible on paper. Page 11
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IIn nw with ith tthe he n new ew With the roller coaster that was 2020, many of us had an unexpected lifestyle change, and what we often took for granted seemed to be gone overnight. Dressing up to go out on an evening, with high heels and lipstick, seems to have been put on the back burner, at least for now. Instead, we look for comfortable cosy dressing. Of course, fashion quickly adapts to the ‘new normal’ and with that in mind jeans, bell sleeves and bold bright colours are ontrend for spring, perhaps to brighten the mood.
J Jeans eans Most of us cannot recall a time when jeans were not around, and in the past they have often had the ‘tag’ of being mostly for younger people! Now we have the Duchess of Cornwall wearing jeans on her Christmas card, as well as many wellknown men and women of a certain age wearing them regularly, so jeans are certainly here for all. Boot cut and straight legs are the most flattering, as they elongate the leg. Jennifer
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Lopez was recently seen in a mega wide, flared patchwork style jean by Tom Ford with the price tag of £2550; I don’t imagine many of you will be looking to buy this particular pair! Nowadays, the choice for jeans is endless and with such a durable fabric, they can last a long time if you invest in a good pair. NYDJ (below) – Not Your Daughter’s Jeans – are an incredibly successful U.S. range with a hefty price tag, but they are well-made and live up to their label name, as they are cut to suit most women. This range has every conceivable style and a good selection of colours, as well as corduroy. You might pay a little more than the typical high street jean but you get what you pay for. Be careful with sizing as they are generous.
Velvet V elvet Soft, luxurious and comfortable, velvet can also be cosy and warm. The ‘new’ velvet is soft and smooth, not the crushed velvet of old. There is a richness to wearing velvet, ch of course can be essed up or down. Look for nice matt which will stand he test of time. Zara has a divine black velvet jacket with embroidery which is striking for £79.99 (above). Boden has velvet trousers for £90. If you want just a touch of velvet, a lot of jumpers and dresses have just a velvet ollar or cuffs. Hobbs has ome cute wrist warmers for 5. To advertise call 01242 510500
F Flat lat sshoes hoes As we are spending more time at home, flats and mule styles have taken over from high heels. Flats look good with jeans and just about any clothing – the choice is endless for patterns and style. Next have a stylish Forever Comfort range, which is reasonably priced. The leopard toe cap ballerina flats are sleek and designer looking for £34. As we are now shopping online more and shoes are tricky to get the right size, do make sure of the return policy before you hit that ‘buy’ button!
Alice A lice bands bands These accessories have become popular again, as they can look dressy if you are doing business online. Soft velvet bands in gorgeous shades are easy to find and wear, as are dressier ones with studs and pearls. In fact, you can always pin ornaments on yourself to make for an individual look. Accessorize and Zara have a good selection. A new item of fashion always cheers our mood, so indulge a little – you deserve it! Page 1
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SSwitch witch & SSave ave on utilities o n your your u tilities C Customer ustomer rreviews eviews JULY JULY 2020 2020 I have to be be a have found found Utility Utility Warehouse Warehouse to great o great company. company. TThey hey aare re cconvenient onvenient tto contact, contact, quick quick to to assist, assist, knowledgeable knowledgeable in their in their their advice advice and and thorough thorough with with their ffollow ollow up up customer customer service. service. Margaret Margaret Weston Weston
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IIs s iitt ttime ime ffor or a p power ower shift? shift? We’ve just completed our busiest month of the year with the filing deadline for personal tax returns having passed at 31st January. There was no extension to this as part of the COVID19 support programme and we had to achieve it whilst working almost exclusively from home. The idea of making home-working arrangements a more permanent feature of working lives is a debate that will run for a while.
Savings S avings o on n rrent ent and and office office costs costs Employers and employees will see different benefits and happily will agree on those that work for both parties. For employers, one of the main attractions will be the savings that they can make in rent and associated office costs. So is there an opportunity for a geographical shift in activity too? Those who know me well will tell you that I don’t have too many good words to say about the nation’s capital city, save for a small piece of footballing turf in the red part of N5. The capital has long been the ‘go to’ place for making money to the point where it’s almost a different world to the rest of the country in terms of prices, salaries, etc. That applies to rents too, so is this the perfect time for firms to abandon London and move to smaller, more affordable bases in the rest of the country?
Less Less pollution pollution and and an an easier easier llifestyle? ifestyle? The benefits, as we who live in Gloucestershire can vouch for, go well beyond cheaper office accommodation. Less pollution, open fields, the ability to get almost anywhere you want to go without too much grief... The list goes on and on. Office rents are as much as 75% lower than they are in the capital. Is it time for a power shift and for more people to find a Local Answer?
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ADVERTORIAL ADVERTORIAL
WINDOW W INDOW REPAIR R EPAIR SERVICE SERVICE COMPETITIVE OMPETITIVE PPRICING RICING & QUALITY QUALITY W WORKMANSHIP ORKMANSHIP A ATT ALL ALL TIMES TIMES
Your Y our local, local, reliable reliable window window rrepair epair and and replacement replacement company company Misty to Clear Glos cater for all types of glass replacements, including window and door repairs, composite doors, UPVC doors, patio doors, and much more! We can also change faulty locks, and repair sticky doors that keep catching. No job is too big or small for Misty to Clear Glos. Whether you’re looking to replace all your conservatory panes or wanting a repair, our qualified and experienced double-glazing engineers are here to provide friendly, helpful advice.
Our O ur SServices ervices
Window Glass W indow & G lass RReplacement eplacement
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With over 25 years’ experience in the glass industry, we can cater for any type of misted glass unit for replacement or repair. Our services include misted double-glazing, condensation and even broken window hinges. Plus, we provide FREE no obligation quotes, giving you the chance to see if we’re the right company for you.
Door Door & Window Window LLocks ocks
Don’t replace the Frames ... just the Panes! Broken B roken or or Damaged Damaged Windows? Windows? Faulty Handles Faulty Hinges, Hinges, H andles or or Locks? Locks? Want Want the ‘A-rated’ energy energy saving saving glass? glass? the latest latest ‘A-rated’ 10 10 year year guarantee guarantee on on new new double double glazing! glazing!
WINDOW W INDOW REPAIR R EPAIR SERVICE SERVICE G utter, Fascia Fascia & Cladding Cladding Gutter, C leaning Service Service also also available! available! Cleaning
… we make saving money perfectly clear! Call Paul on o orr p paul@mistytoclearglos.co.uk aul@mistytoclearglos.co.uk
001452 1452 5543158 43158
07530 07530 9940610 40610
E Education ducation & E Employment mployment w with ith H Holly olly P Prince rince
beyond E English nglish and and Maths Maths – beyond sschool chool life life We may groan at the thought of having to read Shakespeare or do algebra, or we may revel in studying Keats and learning to multiply fractions. Either way, the study of English and Maths is essential for life beyond the school classroom. The so called ‘three Rs’ (Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic), as they were once known, have been imperative in education for over 150 years. English and Maths are two of the core subjects at school, with every child having to study them until the age of 16.
F Fundamental undamental m methods ethods o off ccommunication ommunication Reading, writing and speaking are the fundamental ways that we as humans communicate with each other. Reading enables us to acquire new knowledge and learn facts. This may be from books, magazines, websites or even instruction guides. Spelling and grammar come into play when we write. Writing aids us to consolidate our knowledge and clarify our thought s, whe the r thi s is wi th good old paper and pen, or electronic text. A good grasp of the English language can help us when writing letters, completing job applications and typing blog posts, as we want to be understood by our readers. Verbal speech is another aspect of language, which serves us in job interviews, sharing information with The Local Answer
colleagues, or just chatting to friends – as human beings, language will always be the way we communicate.
Understanding U nderstanding m maths aths helps h elps with with money money matters m atters Mathematics has various branches – it’s not just about numbers, but is also to do with shape, spatial awareness, problem-solving, logic and reasoning. In our daily lives, a basic understanding of maths can assist us with money – for instance paying for goods in shops, it is useful to know how much money we are spending, or looking at our bank balances, we can work out how much we can afford to spend compared with how much income we have. Maths can also help with games and puzzles such as Sudoku or Tetris, as it uses the same part of our brain that To advertise call 01242 510500
interprets and processes patterns in sequences and shapes. In addition (no pun intended!), maths can aid in our decision-making – for example if we are lost, we can decide which way to go based on spatial information.
Adult A dult e education ducation iiss a available vailable Unfortunately, a large number of people in the UK – roughly 6-8 million people – are still considered illiterate. This means they struggle to read or write, and have a reading age of less than 11 years. Help is available though, in the form of adult education courses, which enable people to gain the skills they need to get the relevant qualifications. This can then lead to being able to get a job, and therefore an income and the ability to support themselves. Page 1
MPL M PL W Wro ro
RAILINGS R AILINGS Design, colour and style to suit your taste and your property
BALCONIES B ALCONIES Specialists in Regency replacements and contemporary hanging spaces
High quality, lo made espec Buying ready-made metal gates or railings from a DIY store can seem a cost-effective way to satisfy your needs – but is it the right choice? F o r s o m e , t h e ‘c h e a p e s t ’ m e t h o d w i l l a l w a y s appeal, providing you are able or don’t mind doing t h e i n s t a l l a t i o n w o r k y o u r s e l f, a n d h a v e t h e r i g h t tools and know-how. But if you want genuine v a l u e , p a y i n g a l i t t l e m o r e f o r b e s p o ke i r o n w o r k solutions is the answer. U l t i m a t e l y y o u g e t s o m u c h m o re f o r y o u r money, reaping the rewards for years to come – and you don’t need to worry about making an ‘off the shelf’ product fit your property. You get a high quality product professionally installed. MPL Wrought Iron have b e e n c r e a t i n g b e s p o ke s o l u t i o n s fo r a l m o s t t w o d e c a d e s , w i t h t h o u s a n d s of satisfied customers all over Gloucestershire. Managed by owner Tom Morse, MPL design and m a n u f a c t u re p ro d u c t s i n their workshop located near Coombe Hill. Tom is proud of t h e re a s o n s w h y m a n y customers re t u r n and recommend MPL’s service to friends and family. He said: “We’re a friendly bunch and focus on a reliable, quality-driven approach. The standard of our work i s e xc e l l e n t – i t o n l y l e a v e s t h e w o r k s h o p w h e n we’re completely happy with the quality. “After an initial consultation, our customers can re l a x i n t h e k n o w l e d g e t h a t w e ’ l l d o t h e re s t – making and installing an exact solution, chosen by them for their property.”
Contact C ontact M MPL PL ffor or a ffriendly riendly a and nd rreliable eliable a app pp m mplmetal@mpl-wrought-iron.co.uk plmetal@mpl-wrought-iron.co.uk
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R RAILINGS AILINGS • G GATES ATES • B BALUSTRADES ALUSTRADES • B BALCONIES ALCONIES • H HANDRAILS ANDRAILS • BOLLARDS BOLLARDS • HEIGHT HEIGHT R RESTRICT ESTRICT
ought ought Iron Iron
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GATES G ATES Styles to suit your specific needs including wooden in-fill and bi-folding
Following a site survey, the MPL team of skilled m e t a l w o r ke r s s t a r t t h e p r o c e s s o f f o r m i n g , bending, welding and finally painting or powder c o a t i n g t h e e n d p ro d u c t b e f o re p ro f e s s i o n a l l y installing it at your home or business premises. M P L s e r v i c e b o t h d o m e s t i c , c o m m e rc i a l a n d i n d u s t r i a l c u s t o m e r s t h ro u g h o u t G l o u c e s t e r s h i re and the Cotswolds. They also provide sub-contract s e r v i c e s t o o t h e r p ro f e s s i o n a l s s u c h a s b u i l d e r s , a rc h i t e c t s , d e s i g n e r s a n d landscape gardeners. Tom said: “It’s not just me – the whole team a re p a ss io n at e a bo u t o u r w o r k . W h e n a n y o f u s a re d r i v i n g around the county, we can’t help but notice jobs we’ve d o n e – a n d w e ’ re v e r y proud.” Carbon-friendly wouldn’t usually be a term associated with metalwork, but sourcing products manufactured by a g re a t l o c a l c o m p a n y t h a t l a s t f o r d e c a d e s w i l l certainly help keep the footprint to a minimum.
HAND H AND R RAILS AILS All made to your requirements with your design features welcome
p proach roach tto oa any ny a artisan rtisan m metal etal w work ork y you ou n need eed
2 242 42 6 680077 80077
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U UPP TO TO 3 30% 0% off o ff all a ll rranges anges o off fflat lat rroof oof ssystems, ystems, U UPVC PVC ffascias, ascias, ssoffits offits & guttering guttering
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Paving & Tarmac Specialists B Block lock Paving Paving • TTarmac armac • Landscaping Landscaping riveways FFencing encing • Patios Patios • D Driveways & Sons Ltd
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aintenance • Low M Maintenance •C hoice ooff Colours Colours Choice •D urable & Long Long Durable LLasting asting •W eed Free Free Weed Drainage •P orous for for Drainage Porous
Rectory Rectory F Fields, ields, R Rudford, udford, G Gloucestershire loucestershire G GL2 L2 8 8DT DT
Tel: T el: 001452 1452 6668005 68005 / 001453 1453 2297010 97010 / 001285 1285 2238089 3 80 8 9
•R educes P uddles Reduces Puddles • FFirm, irm, attractive attractive Surfface Surface •C an bbee aapplied pplied oover ve r Can EExisting xisting S urface Surface Cost Effective Effective • Cost
w www.marshallsdriveways.co.uk ww.marshallsdriveways.co.uk
Company Company rregistration: egistration: 1 11415390 1415390
Kitchens & Bathrooms • Wet Floor Showers Property Refurbishment • All electrical work SSatisfying atisfying C Customers ustomers aacross cross Gloucestershire Gloucestershire ssince ince 1 1998 998
We are a local company with a proven track record of delivering excellent customer service, great value for money and the very highest levels of workmanship for every one of our customers.
C Contact ontact u uss tto o ssee ee h how ow w we e ccan an h help elp yyou... ou ... e info@nkscontractscentral.co.uk info@nkscontractscentral.co.uk t 01451 01451 861155 861155 w nkscontractscentral.co.uk nkscontractscentral.co.uk Page 22
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Quick Crossword ACROSS 1 Most agile 5 Peel 7 Uncouth 8 Walked 9 Go by (of time) 12 Aspiring actress 15 River of ice 19 Grills 21 Wired message 22 Salute 23 Went on horseback 24 Hearing membranes DOWN 1 Hospital workers
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Promote your business in Gloucestershire’s largest magazine! © Lovatts Puzzles
Don’t look until you’ve finished! Solutions on ‘Index of Advertisers’ page.
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Free Free Roof Roof Inspection Inspection
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The Local Answer
IIn n tthe he Garden Garden w with ith JJulia ulia S Smith mith
G Get et tto og grips rips w with ith your your borders borders If the weather is anything like it has been for the past few weeks, it is a mistake to think that you can plant things outside now unless under cloches or in a greenhouse.
P Plant lant w when hen cconditions onditions a are re m more ore ffavourable avourable I have found that being too eager is a waste of time – wait a few more weeks and plant when the conditions are more favourable, and the plants get off to a flying start. They will soon catch up with the poor struggling specimens that you couldn’t wait to pop in the cold, wet ground. Deciduous shrubs (ones with leaves that fall off in winter) which flower later in the year can be pruned now. Shrubs like the butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii), which needs a good hard prune to stop it becoming a spindly monster, and hypericums, which often get infected with rust disease, can also be pruned right back to the ground.
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R emove weeds weeds ffrom rom Remove y our b orders your borders If the weather allows, get out in the borders and remove any weeds. Compost the annual weeds but dispose of things like dandelions (perennial weeds that continue growing year on year) in the garden waste collection – they compost at a much higher temperature to kill off any problem seeds. Removing weeds now will make your job so much easier later on in the season before they take hold. This is the perfect time of year to get to grips with putting stakes in your borders. You remember what happened last year (and if you were like me probably every year before that too!) when you didn’t get round to it and by the time your peonies, To advertise call 01242 510500
poppies or whatever had started flopping, it was too late?!
M Make ake ssupport upport sstructures tructures ffor or your your p plants lants Hazel or birch is the ideal thing to use for ‘pea sticks’ (not just for peas!) and now is a great time to cut it, as the sap rises and it gets a little more pliable before the leaves appear. Make different sized support structures to suit the plants, weaving and tying in with garden twine. or Things like Asters Achilleas work well with black plastic netting stretched between four stakes – it soon disappears when the plants get going and you can always add a higher level of netting later on using the same stakes. Of course, you can buy a large variety of plant supports but they can be pricey, so perhaps just buy one or two each year and make the rest. Page 25
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www.lifestylebathrooms.net www.lifestylebathrooms.net
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AFTER The Local Answer
IInterior nterior D Design esign w with ith G Gill ill G Greenwell reenwell
C Create reate a h home ome w workspace orkspace So many of us are working from home now, a key interior trend emerging for 2021 is a renewed focus on the space devoted to our work lives. Whether you have the luxury of a dedicated room to work in or simply a quiet corner, follow my tips to help you create a cosy, organised and practical home office space.
1 1.. Find Find y your our p perfect erfect sspace pace Ideally your home office should be a quiet room with a pleasant view away from the hustle and bustle of family life. Maybe it’s time to think about reorganising your living space. If you’re like me with daughters now living away from home, convert that rarely used teenage bedroom into a dedicated workspace, or repurpose the dining room you never use. If you’re short on space, u t i l i s e t h o s e s m a l l o ve r l o o k e d areas – a narrow corridor, a chimney alcove, the landing, or the space under the stairs.
2 2.. The The flexible flexible option option Create a dual-purpose office/ guest room using clever furniture choices. Replace your spare Image: Swoon Editions
bed with a comfortable sofabed (my daughter’s cat relaxes on her new blue velvet sofa bed while she works). Re-purpose a dressing table – my mother-in-law used a pretty vintage writing desk as her dressing table – and pair it with a comfortable chair. Make sure it has good back support for those long Zoom calls. Be inventive – double-up a dining table as a desk during the day, or utilise the kitchen table. A friend’s daughter even uses her ironing board as a desk. Search out on-trend trestle tables for a contemporary Skandi vibe.
3 3.. T The he ccloffice loffice Storage is key to making your home office work. Ideally you need to be able to tidy away your work-related paperwork in the evenings. How do you keep your work-related clutter contained? Catch up with the latest home office trend and create your own innovative storage solution by converting a closet, wardrobe or alcove into a hidden office or The Local Answer
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‘cloffice’. Fit your space with shelves – the lowest one needs to be desk height – fit a couple of doors if needed, and you have your office in a cupboard!
4 4.. Personalise Personalise your your space space You don’t have to compromise on style to create your ideal work zone at home – uplifting decor boosts your mood. Paint the walls in a colour you love, and make open shelves a mixture of treasures and goodlooking storage. I particularly love storage boxes covered in marbled paper. Provide creative inspiration with favourite pictures, and cosy up with a rug.
5. 5. Add Add some some fun fun desk desk accessories accessories Invest in that forever desk, add photos and an amazing desk lamp, fun pots for pens and beautiful stationary – check out papier.com for some lovely designs. Now you can make your home workspace a stylish and joyful place to be, somewhere you enjoy spending your time and are happy to work. Page 2
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The Local Answer
S Save ave the the P Planet lanet with w ith L Louise ouise W Williams illiams
How How to to be be more more sustainable sustainable in in a small small space space It can often feel impossible to live a more sustainable life in a small space – a flat without a garden for example. It seems to be the long off dream for many to have a smallholding with a vegetable patch and a few chickens scratching around one day in the future, but this isn’t the reality for most people. It’s true that trying to live sustainably in a smaller space can have more challenges, but it is possible to have small scale degrees of self-sufficiency just about anywhere. Here are just a few ideas:
1.. P 1 Plant lant h herbs erbs iin np pots ots This is a great way to ‘grow your own’ on a small scale. You can also have tomatoes in window boxes or, if you have a balcony or yard, you can make a vertical pallet planter. Check Pinterest for ideas for growing things in small spaces.
2.. L 2 Lighting ighting Change your lighting to LED bulbs if you haven’t already –
they can last up to 50 times longer than regular bulbs and are made without using any hazardous materials or chemicals.
3. D 3. Don’t on’t leave leave devices devices on o n sstandby tandby This is often forgotten about in our busy lives, but if we all turn our many devices off when they’re not in use, we can save a huge amount of energy. TVs, computers, phones, tablets, stereos, coffee machines – have a little look around your home and see how many things you spot with little lights on waiting for use.
4.. E 4 Energy nergy Switch to an eco-friendly energy provider. It’s not always possible to put solar panels or heat pumps into your own property, especially if you are renting, but there are a few energy providers across the UK who use only renewable energy sources. Thankfully, more and more companies are catching on to this and hopefully the choice will be greater soon.
Walk or cycle as much as possible. Don’t jump in your car if you’re only popping down the road to the shop – short trips in a car are bad for the environment, so walking or dusting off your bike is much more eco-friendly.
5.. M 5 Meal eal p plan lan
8. 8. Tackle Tackle draughts draughts
This is the best way to avoid food waste and also saves all those last-minute panics about ‘what to cook’ at 5pm when e v e r y o n e i s h u n g r y an d r a t t y ! It will also help you to cut down on ready meals and those plastic cartons, as you won’t be caught out as often.
If it’s not an option to switch out your windows and doors to double glazed windows and new, tightly fitting doors, get some heavy, thermal lined curtains to cover them and make (or buy) a good draught excluder for the bottom of doors.
6.. B 6 Batch atch cook cook This is an extension of the above. When you make meals, The Local Answer
make several extra portions to put into the freezer. This saves energy in cooking the food, and also waste if you end up cooking a bit too much for one day’s meal.
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7.. On 7 On your your bike bike
Hopefully some of these ideas will have inspired you to make whatever small changes you can to your home and daily life! Page 2
G Gadgets adgets & G Gizmos izmos w with ith L Laura aura N Nicklin icklin
Tech T ech out out these these Valentine’s Valentine’s g gadgets adgets Like many events, this year’s Valentine’s Day will likely be different from its predecessors, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Even if you can’t jet away on a luxury holiday or enjoy a romantic dinner at a restaurant, you can still make your valentine feel special with a thoughtful gift. Fortunately, there are some useful gadgets around if you’re looking for something a little different this year. So, if you’re struggling for inspiration, be sure to check out some of the latest gizmos on offer to make your Valentine’s Day truly special.
technology, in which the diffuser creates quick vibrations that combine the water and perfume to create spurts of scented mist. You don’t even have to worry about turning it off, as the diffuser switches itself off automatically when the water runs out. Enjoy 3-6 hours of subtle fragrance.
J JAM AM S Sput put O Out ut B Bluetooth luetooth T Turntable urntable
photo frame will make for a very thoughtful gift this Valentine’s, and will be a great addition to any home.
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B Bush ush D Digital igital P Photo hoto F Frame rame Argos: £44.99 Remember those magical moving photographs from the wizarding world of Harry Potter? Well, now you can spark some life into your own treasured snapshots thanks to the Bush Digital Photo Frame. All you have to do is select some of your favourite photographs and import them with either a USB stick or memory card. Then you simply adjust the settings so that you can enjoy a slideshow of all your fond memories. With quality screen resolution, this nifty The Local Answer
John Lewis: £79 If you’re looking to create a romantic atmosphere at home, then you’ll appreciate the help of this ultrasonic mist diffuser from John Lewis. Not only does this gadget produce a lovely fragrance, but it also looks very elegant, with its stylish gold exterior creating a luxurious feel to your home. The ‘ultrasonic’ part of its name refers to its ultra-sound
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Amazon: £99.99 If you or your valentine have a fondness for old records, then this gizmo will be the perfect addition for you. The JAM Spun Out can play 33 and 45 RPM speeds, as well as 78 RPM vinyl, so you can enjoy the sweet sound of your classic discs from back in the day. The turntable also comes with Bluetooth connectivity, so you can effortlessly connect it to your speakers for more enhanced sound. If you want, you can even convert your vinyl records to MP3 by connecting the turntable to your PC, allowing you to download music to your smartphone, so you can enjoy your classic vinyl wherever you are.
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Holidays H olidays & Travel Travel w with ith A All H Hidden idden
Great walks on our our G reat w alks on Cotswold doorstep C otswold d oorstep Travel went by the board last year: Shetland and France didn’t happen. Switzerland? Forget it! Instead, September ’s two-week break was a series of North Cotswold day hik es within a short (top-down, of cour se) dri ve of home. Interestingly, under glorious autumn skies, delicious picnics and magnificent Cotswold vistas oft ften felt as good as being lost in France, up an alp or spotting otters on Bressay.
Revelatory Revelatory Cotswold Cotswold w walks alks Now, shortly after the lowestk ey Christmas and New Year that I can recall, those walks remind of the beauty on our door step, and the promise Cotswold paths and bridleways hold for another year if overseas travel remains less than attractive. Particularly fascinating was how our walks linked and contextualised places we already knew – and other s normally passed at speed in the car.
The Cotswold Way, near Chipping Campden
Even after 17 year s in the Cotswolds, those September walks were revelatory. It is hard picking favourites from the many routes highlighted on our dog-eared map. Guiting Wood delighted several times – and delivered enchanting deer sightings. Equally, the impressi ve Cotswold escarpment provided consistently rewarding climbs, descents and views of Elgar ’s beloved Malverns. Try Stanway or Stanton to Shenberrow Hill for a start. Or the walk past Graham Greene’s old Chipping Campden home to Dover ’s Hill and on along The Mile Dri ve to Broadway Tower, Capability Brown’s impressive escarpment-top folly.
R Reminders eminders o off ffaraway araway d destinations estinations Longborough to Bourton-onthe-Hill and back via Sezincote’s ‘India in the Cotswolds’ reminded of faraway destinations when pragmatism counselled staying in Blighty. And wherever we trekk ed, from Hawling to The Local Answer
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Ilmington, it was interesting to note just how much prime Cotswold real estate is North American-owned. Which walks hold the greatest allure for (lockdown permitting) late-winter recreation? Guiting Wood is a sure bet for any season, while Ebrington to Ebrington via Foxcote House and Hidcote Manor is helpfully solid underfoot for much of the way. Each walk delighted in its own way. But if one best epitomised the rolling Cotswold landscape, it was probably heading east from Cutsdean through fields where sheep grazed peacefully and past meadows of smiling sunflowers. And then back via Jonjo O’Neill’s Jackdaw Castle stables – with the well-rated Plough Inn at Ford for journey’s end refreshment. Whether 2021 sees us heading further afield, or staying closer to home, there’s world-class walking for any season on our door step. Maybe you too will discover new corner s of the Cotswolds this year. Page
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