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GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S BIGGEST LOCAL MAGAZINE JANUARY 2021
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W elcome Welcome ttoo JJanuary anuary Happy New Year to you all! We hope you were able to enjoy a bit of a different Christmas and connect with family and friends in one way or another. January can be a tough month for many as we recover from the festivities of Christmas – and this year is even more strange as we continue to live with lockdown restrictions. Laura Nicklin has some great gadget suggestions to help you beat the January Blues, while this month’s Delicious Dish is a big serving of comfort food in the form of Snowdon Pudding. If you’ve been thinking about making some New Year’s Resolutions, why not make some eco-friendly ones this year? Both Gill Greenwell and Louise Williams have great ideas in their Interior Design and Save the Planet articles. Roberta Smart has dedicated her feature to finding fun in our ‘new normal’, while Holly Prince weighs up the pros and cons of working from home – another ‘new normal’ for many of us. Happy reading!
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Quick Crossword ACROSS DOWN 1 Wily 1 Religious non-belief 5 Pen tips 2 Local vegetation 7 Lead-in 3 Extent 8 Brave man 4 Sloping typeface 9 On an occasion 5 Asian food items 10 Lazed 6 Tour de France 11 Have effect (on) vehicle 13 Scalp parasites 12 Wheel tooth 14 Oversee 15 Astounding 18 Dress ribbons 16 Respected 21 Tropical tree 17 Pilot safety aid, ... 22 More profound seat 24 Irritating to the skin 19 Beer 25 Terrace level 20 Long steps 26 Cattle prod 22 Dutch sea walls 27 Run off to marry 28 Old 23 Golfer’s two under par 29 Becomes faster, ... up
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ANSWER
THE MAYFLOWER
RESTAURANT Happy New Year to our wonderful customers! Thank you to all customers, old friends and new, who supported us throughout a difficult 2020! We wish you all a safe and happy New Year, and hope to see you for a dine-in meal or take-away very soon. We will be open from 29th December, including New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day!
Safe & Simple Takeaways
Visit www.themayflowerrestaurant.co.uk and select dishes from our Take-Away Menu. Telephone 01242 522426 to place your order and pay when you collect.
OPENING HOURS: Monday to Saturday, 12-2pm & 5.30pm onward. Closed on Sunday. Lunch Menu available from Monday to Friday (not Bank Holidays). Take-Away service available at all times. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates about the restaurant’s opening times. These will be changeable depending on lockdown restrictions.
32-34 Clarence Street, Cheltenham GL50 3NX – 01242 522426
www.themayflowerrestaurant.co.uk
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Delicious Delicious Dish Dish with w ith H Helen elen K Kingscott ingscott
I llove ove a an no oldld ffashioned ashioned ssteamed teamed pudding, pudding, especially especially in in the the colder colder w winter inter months. months. T There here are are many many variations variations of of this this pudding, pudding, some some using using suet, suet, but but I like like this this one. one.
S Snowdon nowdon Pudding Pudding IIngredients: ngredients: 60ml/4tbsp marmalade; 50g/1¾ oz raisins (I used sultanas); 75g/2¾ oz caster sugar; 100g/3½ oz white breadcrumbs; 50g/1¾ oz cornflour; grated rind of 2 lemons; 3 medium eggs, beaten; 100g/3½ oz margarine, melted.
M Method: ethod: 1 Grease a 600ml/1 pint pudding basin. 2 Spoon 30ml/2 tbsp marmalade in the bottom (I added two more for luck!) Sprinkle over half the dried fruit. 3 Mix together all the dry ingredients, stir in the eggs, remaining marmalade, margarine and dried fruit.
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4 Pour into the pudding basin then cover with a disc of greaseproof paper, then a piece of pleated foil. 5 Either place on an inverted heatproof plate inside a pan or, as I did, just use the steamer part of a saucepan set. 6 Add a little water to the pan, cover and steam for 1½ hours, topping up the water as necessary. 7 Carefully turn out and serve with custard, cream or ice cream. Tip: Tip: This freezes well so you could pop a couple of slices in the freezer for an easy pudding another week.
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Beauty Beauty rresolutions esolutions ffor or 2021 2021 2021 has arrived and I think we can agree that 2020 was a year we would all like to forget, and hope this New Year will see us enjoy a more ‘normal’ lifestyle. We have become so much more aware recently of the importance of keeping our hands clean and not touching our faces. It is also very important to ensure our makeup equipment is kept to the same high clean standards. It is quite amazing how soon brushes and other tools collect bacteria, which can cause skin irritations and even infections.
S Stylpro tylpro This is a clever invention from a previous Apprentice winner Tom Pellereau, created in 2011. It cleans nearly all cosmetic brushes and dries them in less than 30 seconds – quite a sight to see! The kit includes a cleaning bowl and flexible silicone collars to fit any brush size, as well as a make-up brush cleansing solution, which is a vegan formula infused with wheat germ, grapeseed and argon oil. It operates with 2 AAA b a t t e r i e s , w h i c h a r e in c l u It removes even the toug make-up build up, clea inside the bristles, which normally hard to rea incredibly fast and effectiv Price seems to vary but have found this item fo £29 .99 – have a sho around. Of course this i an investment, but as w are using far more brushe in cosmetic applications is a good idea. We should all be clean ing our tools thoroughly every week and if you cannot afford a StylPro The Local Answer
soak your brushes in a cleansing liquid regularly and allow to dry naturally.
Mascara M ascara Of all the cosmetics we apply, we really should dispose of our mascara every three months, even if there is some left. I know it is hard to throw away a product which you like and have not finished, but mascara wands collect bacteria, which can easily be spread into the delicate eye area, causing an s can be nsightly, so and invest in a. the reigning t-have – their and Bad Girl are great for ur eye lashes ving them a rl to boot. market is full scaras promwondrous s, so trying m out is often the only way to see the To advertise call 01242 510500
one that best suits you. Some make up counters allow you to bring in your old mascaras and offer a sample of theirs.
Hair H air b brushes rushes Hair brushes have a similar issue to mascara. Anything we use on a daily basis collects bacteria, so combs and brushes need a good cleanse on a regular basis. I soak mine in shampoo and scrub them clean.
Toothbrushes T oothbrushes These are a magnet for germs and bacteria and are often in the bathroom where all sorts of things float in the air. I change my brush head every few months, no matter if it still looks in good shape. I may even change it more regularly if I have a sore throat or cough. My dentist advises this is a simple and easy step to assist in keeping a healthy mouth. All these tips are easy and inexpensive to do, and at the same time they give you peace of mind as you head into this New Year. I hope it is a healthy and happy one for everyone. Page
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N New ew year, year,, n new ew d dawn awn It’s a time of year for planning and making resolutions, but more so now than ever before, it’s impossible to know what lies ahead. Who could have predicted 12 months ago what 2020 would bring? Brexit, yes, and an American election that was almost lost in other news when it was writing headlines of its own. But not the global lockdown that dominated the year. I took all my staff for lunch on my birthday in early February and gave them the rest of the day off, nice guy that I am. We talked about the good times that lay ahead and made plans for the short and medium term. Everything in the garden seemed rosy. We all know what happened next.
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
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E Establishing stablishing ffinancial inancial sstability tability sshould hould b be e at at tthe he ttop op o off y your our llist ist So what should our financial resolutions be for 2021? Top of the list surely has to be establishing financial stability. Not as easy to deliver as it is to say, and it’s relative for each of us, depending on our own individual financial circumstances. But having a budget for our personal expenditure is a great place to start. If 2021 turns out to be another major challenge, we want to be in as strong a position as we can be to cope. So what will Money Matters resolve to do this coming year? We’ll start with trying to keep you informed and entertained through the monthly ramblings on a variety of topics. We’ll look for as many positives as we can within our messages. And we’ll see what we can do to promote local businesses, which probably need our support more than ever. Oh yes, and of course, we’ll still do the lottery, just in case one day it could be us. Whatever you do, have a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Page 8
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P Parenting arenting & G Guardianship uardianship w with ith R Roberta oberta S Smart mart
Finding Finding ffun un iin n our our ‘new ‘new normal’ normal’ 2020 was, well, interesting wasn’t it? I wonder what 2021 has in store? Whatever it may bring one thing is for certain, family has never been more at the forefront of everybody’s minds than it is right now. And across this year I hope to bring you inspiration, comfort and uplifting ideas to help you navigate the ups and downs of family life in our ‘new normal’. January finds us in the depths of winter, looking yearningly at the horizon for any signs of spring; grabbing any bright sunny weekends with glee as a chance to go outdoors and feel free. Our children have had a lot to cope with over the past year and are probably feeling a certain amount of grief and sadness around the limitations we are all living under. So how can we make the days more special and memorable, in a good way? Finding fun is easier than you might imagine if you allow your own inner child to take the lead from time to time: think back to when you were a
kid – what did you love to do to get excited and let loose? Dancing maybe? What about having a regular dance party in the living room on a Friday night? You can all choose favourite songs to put on your Spotify account and push back the furniture to really have a wild time, get sweaty and laugh as you take turns to ‘Lead the dance’. Let little ones teach you how to floss, or simply jump around like a loon before collapsing in a heap on the sofa and having gigantic cuddles!
Get a Get artisitic rtisitic a and nd a adventurous! dventurous! Den building is always great fun and can keep young and older kids alike ent ert ai ned f or hours using furniture, blankets and accessories to create a house within a house! If they are feeling artistic they could create ‘Keep Out’ signs or other fun details like ‘This Way to the Castle’ or ‘Secret Dungeon’ for example. If The Local Answer
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you can share a fun adventure story around the den building you can all use your imaginations to build castles, forts, wizards lairs, fairy grottos – whatever your heart’s desire and it is all free! Togetherness has never been more important so letting your kids learn about what interests you, as well as you being willing to take an interest in their passions, can lead to some amazing adventures. Playing music together is such fun, from simple recorder tunes to full on band rehearsals depending on what you have handy. Instruments are available cheaply these days and there are so many online tutorials to help you learn together. Whatever you decide to do, do it together and make memories of closeness, love and laughter that will hopefully overshadow the difficulties we are all navigating these days. I wish you all a very happy new year and a wonderful January. Take care and stay safe! Page
E Education ducation & E Employment mployment with w ith H Holly olly P Prince rince
W Working orking from from home home Recent world events have led to an increase in the number of people having to work from home. This has advantages and disadvantages – for both the employee and the company they work for. One good thing about working from home is not having to commute – being able to get out of bed that little bit later, then not having to wait in queues for buses, the hassle of train delays, or frustrating traffic jams – plus saving money on petrol, which is good for the environment too.
Manage Manage y your our o own wn ttime ime Time-management becomes a personal remit – having lunch at a time that suits you, and not having to wait for a colleague to cover your break. You don’t have the boss breathing down your neck when you’re sat in the comfort of your own home. For the company, they may be able to save money on renting office space due to not needing as much as before, plus, making the most of
modern technology by having meetings via social media saves time and money. Disadvantages include the need to be self-motivated – you still need to get up at a reasonable hour and get your work done. There are still deadlines to meet and those boring-but-compulsory conference calls to be on time for. From a social point of view, there is no interpersonal contact with colleagues – and human contact is important for health and well-being, it is a social need. You may struggle without others to talk to and discuss things with – and it’s not so productive talking to the dog!
N No op peer eer ssocialising ocialising In addition, there’s no peer socialising – e.g. having coffee breaks and lunch together, and some people can find this demoralising and Page 10
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depressing, as it is an integral part of the work environment. Family interruptions may be something that needs contending with, especially if there are young children at home.
Higher H igher e energy nergy ccosts osts For both the individual and the employer, there may be a higher cost in terms of energy bills. For the staff member, being at home means using more electricity for laptops and lighting, and water for all those coffees. For the employer, if some staff are in, but not others, there may be the wasted costs of having to heat or light a whole building if they are unable to contain the energy consumption – and in the winter months there is a greater need than when the days are lighter and warmer. Home-working is a sign of the times – so many things are now able to be done online that work can be done remotely with no need for office space. This seems to be the direction the world is heading in. The Local Answer
No one likes a fight
There There iiss a b better etter w way ay tto o rresolve esolve cconflict onflict Mediation is becoming an increasingly popular way for couples who are separating or divorcing to reach an amicable agreement on many issues, including children, home and finances. According to Ministry of Justice data, 70% of couples opting for mediation reach agreement. How does mediation work? It is a process that starts with you both sitting down – face to face or on Zoom – with an impartial, professional mediator who helps you identify the issues to be discussed. These are clarified, explored and options for resolving them developed. Of course, it’s far easier said than done – and a lack of faith or trust can be normal – but a professional mediator will guide you gently through your resolution options to reach an agreement that suits your situation. “I like to think of it as a jigsaw,” says professional mediator Catherine Frances (pictured), “where both parties bring half the pieces to the table. Together we look at each piece or i s s u e, a n d f o r a m o m e n t s e e m t o g o r o u n d i n c i r c l e s u n t i l suddenly the corner pieces, then the edges start to emerge and gradually the foundations of an agreement are built.” Mediation sessions are focused on your unique circumstances and you make the ultimate decisions – unlike going to court when a judge will impose his or her decision on your family. The are many other advantages for choosing mediation over court action – it’s less expensive, quicker to settle and
“TToo oo many many family family breakdown breakdown cases cases are are going going to to through mediation mediation court court rather rather than than b being eing ssettled etttled through Family breakdown breakdown cases cases which which are are resolved resolved … Family through through professional professional mediation mediation are are cheaper cheaper and and quicker quicker to to settle. settle. And And academic academic research research shows shows that that they they secure secure better better outcomes, outcomes, particularly particularly for for children, children, as as they they are are lless ess acrimonious. acrimonious.” T The he N National ational A Audit udit Office Office www.stratfordfamilymediation.com w ww.stratfordfamilymediation.com
aims to minimise distress. National Audit Office research found that mediation ‘secures better outcomes, particularly for children, as they are less acrimonious’. In 2013, nearly two thirds of couples who attended a single mediation session for a child dispute reached a full agreement. The underlying principles of mediation are that it is voluntary, completely confidential and mediators are impartial with no vested interest in the outcome. Mediation is not reconciliation, counselling or therapy, and it is not a substitute for legal a d v i c e. N o r i s i t l e g a l l y b i n d i n g – a l t h o u g h you can submit an agreement document to the court to make it so. There are a few cases where mediation is not suitable, so a mediator will first hold a MIAM – Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting – with each person to ascertain their own position and screen for domestic abuse, coercive control, child protection issues or a general power imbalance in the relationship. If the mediator suspects any of these, an alternative path may be suggested – not necessarily court, perhaps shuttle mediation where the parties are in separate rooms and the mediator liaises between them. A family mediator specialises in resolving all kinds of family relationship disputes. When looking for a mediator, look for one who is a member of the Family Mediation Council FMC – this means they have to abide by a strict code of conduct.
Venture Venture House, House, Birmingham Birmingham R Road, oad, SStratford-upon-Avon tratford-upon-Avon CV37 CV37 0HR 0HR
0 07949 7949 8 827698 27698 a admin@stratfordfamilymediation.com dmin@stratfordfa amilymediation.com
Pet Pet Care Care w ith M egan JJackson ackson with Megan of Dragon Dragon Vet Vet Centre Centre of
Ag glimpse limpse iinside nside a Vet V et Hospital Hospital
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.
A ccomfy omfy bed bed tto o rest rest and and recuperate recuperate
OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY 9am- 6.30pm & SATURDAY 9am-10.30am 31 Church Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5PD
www.dragonvet.co.uk w ww.dragonvet.co.uk
01684 01684 217 217 708 708
OPEN SATURDAY 9AM-12 NOON Prestbury Park , New Barn Lane, Cheltenham GL50 4SH
T: 01242 580324 w www.dragonvet.co.uk ww..dragonvet.co.uk
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We all know what a human hospital is like, and can picture family and friends receiving the care they need. But what happens in a veterinary hospital is more of a mystery for many. As a vet, admitting people’s fur babies is common and can be for a whole range of reasons. These include, among many others, fluid therapy for severe vomiting or diarrhoea, infections that benefit from intravenous antibiotics and conditions that need further investigation not possible during a consultation. Whilst the vast majority are back home within a few days, for owners the thought of being separated from their poorly pet can trigger a whole onslaught of emotion. In the hope of providing reassurance, here is a little insight into what happens when your pet spends the night with us. Of course there can be great variation depending on the practice and reason for admitting your fluffy friend, however the principles remain the same. Firstly, an intravenous catheter is placed in the leg and often a blood sample taken. This is usually welltolerated when the patient is conscious, with a little distraction by way of head rubs. Any further procedures will be carried out as needed and your pet given a comfy bed in kennels or smaller cages, all size appropriate to provide space but ensure rest. Dogs and cats have separate rooms wherever possible and cats may be given something to hide in. Rounds are carried out just like in human hospitals, with both vets and nurses doing regular checks. You may be allowed to visit, although be mindful this can sometimes distress pets once they’re settled. Your vets will keep you updated, especially if anything changes, as we know how difficult it can be when you’re sitting at home feeling the absence of your much loved pal. However, try to be patient if you’ve not heard anything – they are all busy providing care. Rest assured veterinary staff care a huge amount about your pet and we will do everything possible to minimise stress and provide much needed TLC, not just medical care, during their stay.
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Motoring M otoring w with ith T Toby oby A Aiken iken
Toyota T oyota Land Land Cruiser Cruiser – does does what what it it says says on on the the tin tin I’ve always loved big 4x4s. I grew up on Exmoor in Devon, so there were always a lot of them about – mainly Land Rovers to be fair, but as offerings from further afield became more affordable and developed a reputation for reliability, the traditional khaki, greens and dark blues were joined by some much brighter offerings. Back to the Land Cruiser. As robust 4x4s go, it’s right up there among the best. BBC documentary film crews in Africa and the support crews for most Top Gear style adventures use them because they are so solid and reliable; so what does that tell us? They are reliable and can hold a lot of stuff while travelling over some of the most challenging terrain the world has to throw at us. But we live in the UK. Challenging terrain isn’t everywhere you look, so to be worth the almost £40k price tag, the Land Cruiser has to work as a car too.
Comfortable, Comfortable, sspacious pacious a and nd ssupportive upportive I tested it both with my family, and with a work trip to London for a client meeting that meant motorways and city driving (pre-lockdown). While mod-cons aren’t all that evident, it’s comfortable enough. Good supportive seats, lots of space and a ride quality that, while robust, isn’t jarring or unfitted to motorways. Even navigating London and multi-storey car parks wasn’t that challenging. But there are many more luxThe Local Answer
urious cars that can manage off road – the Land Rover Discovery for example. But that starts at almost £10k more than the Land Cruiser; that’s a lot for some more leather and a few gadgets. You could argue that the badge adds some value, but in reality, if you’re looking for a work horse that can handle town driving too, does the badge matter that much? I’d suggest that it doesn’t. And even if, for you, reputation is important, the Land Cruiser is trusted by the most demanding film crews in the most challenging environments on the planet, so surely that counts for something. On to the equipment. It’s missing a couple of things I’d like: sat nav on the Utility model for example. The next model up has it as standard, but that’s another £3k on the price tag. It has bluetooth though, so you can always use your smartphone for navigation, battery permitting. It has all the usual bells and whistles you’d expect from a To advertise call 01242 510500
capable rugged off-road vehicle – and one or two that I’m still unsure of. There was one button in particular that stumped me. To this day I have no idea what it did, so I didn’t press it, just in case!
IItt works works well well off off the the beaten track track beaten So reasonably comfortable, very spacious, easy to drive and move around, just not that luxurious. But I think if you want something that works first and foremost off the beaten track, and can handle any urban duties you throw at it, then the Land Cruiser is probably a good bet for you. Between this version and a Discovery, I’d probably take the Land Rover. But up the spec level on this and I have a feeling my decision would be different. For a big beast of burden, the Land Cruiser’s looks are more convincing than those of the Discovery, and for that, I think I could be swayed the way of the Toyota. Perhaps. Page 15
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Holidays H olidays & Travel Travel w with ith A All H Hidden idden
Slow trains Slow trains across across snowy snowy Switzerland Switzerland The iconic Hans Hilfik erdesigned Swiss railway clock on Andermatt station clicks to 11:54. Pack ed with excited tourists, the red and whiteli veried Glacier Express pulls out. As we watch, serenaded by clanging warnings and flashing red lights, it rattles over the Gotthardstrasse level crossing and starts its gravitydefying switchback climb towards the snow-shrouded Oberalp Pass and, 177 km later, St. Moritz. But we’re not on board, even though, like its passengers, we started in Zermatttt and will enjoy Calandabräu and delicious local Capuns overlooking the icecovered St. Moritzersee tonight.
One One o off tthe he cclassic lassic rrail ail journeys journeys Summer or winter, ‘the slowest express train in the world’ is among the world’s classic rail journeys as it winds through Switzerland’s heart. However, nice as in-seat catering, recorded commentary and are, panoramic windows there’s a strong case for riding local trains – hourly Regionalzüge or ‘Regio’ that stop at every station – through the same snow-frosted Alpine landscape instead.
A ssense ense o off tthe he rreal eal S Switzerland witzerland Doing so means you’ll share the journey, 291 bridges and 91 tunnels with local Walliser, Urner and Bündner folk. And probably in less-crowded carriages where you can easily The Local Answer
swap sides to photograph the ever-changing winter wonderland. What’s more, you’ll get a greater sense of the real Switzerland served by the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn and Rhätische Bahn’s narrowgauge trains. Best of all – with careful timetable planning – you can hop on and off to explore places that Glacier Express passenger s only see fleetingly from their seats. Steaming coffee and scrumptious Vanill-Schnäggu pastries from Bäckerei Zuber on Brig’s Bahnhofstrasse? A stroll around snow-bedeck ed Andermatt or Hospental? Or how about visiting Filisur ’s curving Landwasser Viadukt where trains emerge from a sheer cliff face to cross the Glacier Express ’s towering architectural poster child? And then, shortly before To advertise call 01242 510500
reaching the Engadine’s blue skies and champagne air, there is pretty little Bergün/Bravuogn and the Albulatal’s spiralling tunnels to savour.
The The ffocus ocus for for several several d days’ ays’ exploration exploration From Zermatt to St. Moritz, the journey takes around eight hour s. Add some en-route diversions and you’ll easily extend your adventure by several rewarding hours. Alternatively, how about making the Glacier Express route your focus for several days’ exploration? Since the first Glacier Express steamed out of the Matterhorn’s shadow in 1930, it’s become one of Switzerland’s top tourist attractions. But for the truest Helvetic experience, I’d still recommend those hourly Regionalzüge on any winter day. Page 1
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Grow G row shrubs shrubs for for ffree ree New Year resolutions are easily made and even easier broken, however if you used your enforced time at home in 2020 to start gardening I think one of your resolutions should be to carry on! Hopefully you will have got the bug properly now and benefitted so much from being outside and perhaps eating some home-grown produce for the first time.
Wonderful Wonderful p pink, ink, p purple urple a and nd v violet iolet ccolours olours To see the flowers of your Hellebores at their best in the coming weeks, cut away last year’s grotty leaves. If you haven’t got any this is a good time to buy them, as they are starting to flower and you can pick your favourite from all the wonderful range of pink, purple and violet colours. They like a nice rich soil and will thrive in semi-shade, and look so magical with snowdrops and evergreen ferns during the dark days of January and February.
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Mulch fruit trees , bushes and canes with organic matter, unless the soil is wate rlogged or frozen. This will give them a well-needed boost for the coming season.
Take T ake cuttings cuttings from from deciduous d eciduous sshrubs hrubs Why not grow some shrubs for free? Hardwood cuttings are taken from deciduous shrubs just after leaf fall or just before bud burst in spring. Think Buddleja (above), Cornus and Philadelphus. Choose strong, healthy shoots and cut stems about 20cm long of a pencil thickness. Trim the top with a slanting cut just above a bud (so you know which side is up!) and square cut the base just below a bud. Remove the leaves from the bottom two-thirds and cut remaining leaves in half. Remove a sliver of bark from the base and dip the To advertise call 01242 510500
cutting in hormone rooting powder to aid rooting. You can push them into open ground or use pots which you can put in a cold frame. They will be ready to move to a final location in autumn or pot on into containers.
S Sort ort o out ut y your our ffruit ruit a and nd v vegetable egetable p patch atch Tidy up your vegetable plot by clearing away the finished crops and putting them on the compost heap to reduce pests and diseases. If you cover the soil with black plastic this will warm the soil up ready for sowing seed later and keep weeds down. Try forcing some rhubarb. Cover the dormant buds with either straw or dry leaves inside a terracotta forcing pot or a large bucket to keep the light out. Tender pink stems will be produced in a few weeks’ time. Don’t do this to the same plant every year, as it will need to recover and build its reserves up. Page 25
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IInterior nterior D Design esign w with ith G Gill ill G Greenwell reenwell
5 new new year year home home resolutions resolutions New Year is a good time to reflect on the past year and to look forward. This year it feels very different, as 2020 has been a year like no other. More than ever before we have been focusing on our homes, and looking for comfort and stability in our surroundings. Here are my reflections and predictions to help you refresh your living space and create a feelgood home for 2021.
1 1.. E Edit dit y your our p possessions ossessions We are all spending much more time in our homes and want to make maximum use of our living space. A clutter-free environment is a calming place to be, and if you plan your decluttering it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Our organised homes need to look good on Instagram too! Why not create a gallery wall for your pictures or collate a rainbow bookshelf? My daughter has re-arranged all
her books by colour – so easy on the eye on a Zoom call.
2. R 2. Refresh efresh w with ith bold b old ccolour olour A quick, easy, and cost-effective way to revamp a room is to paint a feature wall in a deep hue to create visual depth. Great for highlighting a particular feature in a room like a bedhead or fireplace, and also works for defining a different activity area, such as a dining area or workspace. Another easy fix is to change the colour of your kitchen units. Interiors influencer Lisa Dawson has just painted her units ontrend black – if you want a less dramatic look, forest green is looking to be a popular choice for 2021.
3. F 3. Focus ocus o on n ssustainability ustainability We all care so much more about sustainable living now. Think about repairing and repurposing what you have, search out second-hand or vintage items, upcycle and repaint old furniture. My bargain hunting sister-in-law has made an occasional table out of old leather suitcases, which is a real talking point. Make this the year you become a regular at your local car boot sale, vintage market or charity furniture shop – bargain hunting really can be fun.
4.. E 4 Embrace mbrace jjapandi apandi Catch up on the next interiors The Local Answer
Image: IKEA
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trend, japandi. Combining Japanese and Skandi influences, this look focuses on simplicity, natural elements and comfort – so in tune with our current search for stability and calmness in our homes. Look out for furniture and accessories made from natural materials like wood or bamboo, and soften the look with cosy warm textures for rugs and cushions.
5.. Treat 5 Treat yourself yourself For that extra touch of cosiness to get you through those last few dark months of winter, why not treat yourself in the sales to some bright new cushions or a textured rug in a contemporary design? A set of brand-new soft bedlinen will transform your bedroom into a cosy haven. Now you have your resolutions sorted you can look forward to a happy and healthy new year. Page 2
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Beat Beat the the January Januar y blues blues Princess 33900 Princess 33900 Smart Smart Cordless C ordless R Robot obot Vacuum Vacuum
As we enter the New Year and try to move as far away from 2020 as possible, it’s feeling increasingly harder to ignore those dreaded January blues. You’d even be forgiven for leaving your Christmas lights out for longer, just to inject some much-needed holiday cheer into your home. But if you’re still in need of some helpful gizmos to perk you up, why not give one of these household gadgets a try?
IInstant nstant P Pot ot D Duo uo P Plus lus 6 M Multi-Use ulti-Use P Pressure ressure C Cooker ooker Lakeland: £89.99 If being in lockdown has done anything, it’s forced more of us to spend more time in the kitchen. So why not make your life easier and jazz up your kitchen space with this multitalented pressure cooker? The Instant Pot Duo Plus from Lakeland comes equipped with everything from a sous-vide setting to sterilising setting. Whether you’re whipping up rice, steaming vegetables or cooking up a tasty stew, this
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Argos: £199.99 Make hoovering a doddle with the Princess Smart Robot Vacuum from Argos. Suitable for laminate flooring, hard floors, carpets and rugs, this snazzy gizmo is the perfect little helper for any home. With its smart sensors, this little robot can get to work while you crack on with other chores, as it can find its own way around household obstacles like stairs or sharp corners.
gadget has it all, and it makes cooking simpler than ever, so even beginners can get involved. What better way to enjoy a cold winter evening than with a warm homemade meal?
The The V Velvetiser elvetiser Hotel Chocolat: £99.95 I have 3 words for you that will automatically cheer you up: hot chocolate maker. Instead of worrying about going out to get your chocolate fix, enjoy your fresh hot chocolatey beverage from the comfort of your home. The aptly-named Velvetiser from Hotel Chocolat is a sleek and stylish contraption that is perfectly suited for any chocolate lover. Instead of waiting impatiently by the microwave or heating your milk over the stove, simply plug in the Velvetiser to whip up some delicious baristastyle hot chocolate in just 2.5 minutes. This gizmo is easy to clean and the perfect piece of tech to perk up a chocolate lover’s winter.
Just use the Homewizard Cleaner app to set the robot’s schedule, so it can get cleaning even when you’re not home, and it sends you an alert when it’s finished. Your home will be glistening clean in no time.
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New N ew year, year, n new ew h habits abits This is the start of a brand new year. 2020 was a year unlike anything any of us have ever experienced and the focus quite rightly shifted from the environment to pure survival. Although we are not out of the woods yet, it is important to yet again think about the changes we can make or reimplement to be more environmentally aware. We really need to keep the environment in focus as well. Here are some ideas to get you thinking.
Plastic Plastic b bags ags Many supermarkets switched back to automatically delivering any food shops in plastic bags when they were leaving the shopping outside for us, which has resulted in an overflow of plastic bags in our house. We are making sure that we reuse them and any that are ripped or damaged in any way are taken to the special recycling box when I visit the supermarket. They also take things like bread bags, cereal box liners, bubble wrap, the plastic that keeps cans together, and frozen food bags like fruit, vegetables, chips, etc. As a general rule, any ‘stretchy’ plastic. Just make sure it is clean, dry and try to remove labels if it’s the ‘help yourself’ fruit and veg bags. It’s not for the home compostable, biodegradable bags though.
Face F ace m masks asks Masks can’t be recycled. There is a lot of talk about the socalled ‘eco’ or recyclable ones that claim to be able to go in your kerbside recycling, but this isn’t confirmed by councils yet and could contaminate the The Local Answer
rest of your recycling for obvious reasons. There are many, many options for fabric face coverings, which are of course reusable – just pop into the wash. But in some circumstances they aren’t enough, in which case make sure you dispose of your singleuse mask in an appropriate bin.
P Plastic lastic around around the the home home This is a huge one. Making some minor changes we can cut down on our plastic use and although it might seem small, if every household did it, we would see a huge improvement. Here are just a few things that you can swap out to more eco friendly alternatives: • Cotton buds • Washing up sponges • Face wipes • Sanitary products • Nappies • Bin bags – black plastic is the worst! • Toothbrushes • Cling film • Sandwich bags To advertise call 01242 510500
There are replacements for all of these things. Look for bamboo cotton buds and toothbrushes, a huge variety of sponge options, reusable fabric pads for removing make-up, period pants, reusable pads and menstrual cups, cloth nappies, beeswax wraps and lunchboxes. A few quick internet searches should find you an alternative and if money is tight, a lot of things you can have a go at making yourself if you have some scrap fabric. It’s worth remembering that eco-friendly options are usually an investment that will last a lot longer than their less sustainable counterparts.
B Buying uying ssecond econd h hand and Someone’s trash is another person’s treasure as they say! Charity shops are always well stocked after Christmas so if you are able to shop there safely, try that first, or look online at second-hand selling sites. You might get a bargain too! Page 31
Sudoku Fill the grids so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.
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Don’t replace the Frames ... just the Panes! Broken or Damaged g Windows? Faulty Faulty Hinges, Hinges, Handles Handles or or Locks? Locks? Want Want the the latest latest ‘A-rated’ ‘A-rated’ energy energy saving saving glass? glass? 10 year guarantee double 1 0y ear g uarantee on on new new d ouble glazing! glazing!
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G utter, Fascia Fascia & Cladding Cladding Gutter, vailable! C leaning S ervice a lso a Cleaning Service also available!
… we make saving money perfectly clear! Call Paul on or or 07530 0 940610 p paul@mistytoclearglos.co.uk aul@mistytoclearglos.co.uk
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IIndex ndex o off A Advertisers dvertisers FFOOD OOD & D DRINK RINK
Glevum Cladding & Roofing 20 20 4 Home Care Roofing 21 JHD Roofing & Building H HEALTH EALTH & BEAUTY BEAUTY 23 Marshalls Driveways Sophie Lane Footcare 5 NKS Contracts 21 R Richards & Son Ltd 2 IINFORMATION NFORMATION S.J. Lewis & Sons 24 NHS Gloucestershire 18-19 CLEANING CLEANING H HOMES OMES & G GARDENS ARDENS 8 Ovenbusters BATHROOMS B ATHROOMS APPLIANCES PPLIANCES FURNISHING FURNISHING & A Lifestyle Bathrooms 14 Bella’s Interiors 26 Severn Vale Bathrooms 32 & 36 Dream Doors 30 28 Interior Needs BUILDING BUILDING SERVICES SERVICES 26 Applecrush Construction 22 Space Master C&G Paving 20 GARDEN GARDEN SERVICES SERVICES Cheltenham Town Roofing 23 Cheltenham Town Landscaping 24 The Mayflower
24 DBS Fencing 24 Lawn Doc HEATING HEATING & PLUMBING PLUMBING APW Plumbing & Heating 32 RAW Mechanical 32 TTV V&A ERIAL AERIAL 1st Choice Aerials 5 U TILITIES UTILITIES Utility Warehouse 16 W INDOWS, D OORS & WINDOWS, DOORS CONSERVATORIES C ONSERVATORIES Albany Windows 6 & 35 Clearway Windows 33 Garolla 22 Misty to Clear 32
PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SERVICES PET SERVICES ANIMAL A NIMAL & P ET S ERVICES Dragon Vets Tewkesbury C HARITIES CHARITIES Building Circles Let’s Be Clear Campaign MEDIATION SERVICES SERVICES MEDIATION Stratford Family Mediation MOTOR SERVICES SERVICES MOTOR Cleeveline Taaxis V Hub PUBLISHING P UBLISHING Lois Kingscott SKIP HIRE S KIP H IRE & RECYCLING RECYCLING Stevens Recycling
13 8 12 11 5 14 8 34
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B BOOKING OOKING D DEADLINE EADLINE FFOR OR N NEXT EXT IISSUE SSUE – FFriday riday 88th th JJanuary anuary 22021 021
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