North Glos by The Local Answer

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ANSWER A NS W E R

GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S BIGGEST LLOCAL OCAL BIGGEST M AGAZINE MAGAZINE JJUNE UNE 22021 021

N NORTH ORTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE GLOUCESTERSHIRE WIN WIN TICKETS TICKETS TTO OC COTSWOLD OTSWOLD FFARM ARM PARK! PARK! SEE SEE CENTRE CENTRE PAGES PAGES

R R S

R Richards & Son Ltd FAMILY BUSINESS

ROOFING & SCAFFOLDING

SPECIALISTS Serving Gloucestershire and beyond

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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O One ne o off tthe he m many any reasons reasons tto o cchoose h o o se u us: s:

IIn n partnership partnership w with ith o our ur ssister ister ccompany, ompany, S Severn evern & W Wye ye S Scaffolding, caffolding, w we e ccreate reate a safe safe w working orking e environment nvironment w which hich e enables nables o our ur p professional rofessional tteam eam tto o ffocus ocus on on d delivering elivering a h high igh q quality uality sservice. ervice. T This his iis s more m ore ccost-effective ost-effective tthan han u using sing e external xternal sscaffolders caffolders Se evern vern & Wy ye e and a nd iis s far far m more ore cconvenient onvenient ffor or ccustomers ustomers – tthe he S SCAFFOLDING CAFFOLDING scaffold scaffold is is e erected rected a and nd rremoved emoved iin n a ttimely imely ffashion. ashion.

FREE WRITTEN QUOTATIONS – NO OBLIGATION

LOCAL REFERENCES SUPPLIED

For a friendly, professional service please give us a call:

01432 870957 / 01242 300028 / 07437 016736

www.rrichardsandson.co.uk

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AN ANSWER SWER

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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Telephone T elephone 01242 01242 510500 510500 info@thelocalanswer.co.uk info@thelocalanswer.co.uk @thelocalanswer @ thelocalanswer

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June’s winning cover photo: Lizzie Rimmer

W elcome Welcome ttoo JJune une As the country starts to open up with further easing of restrictions, many of you will be looking forward to getting out and supporting the local businesses that are now able to reopen. Whether it’s a pub, restaurant, visitor attraction, health and beauty business, sports facility or a local event, they’ll all be grateful of a visit from you. Please remember to adhere to current guidelines, but do your bit to support your local community and enjoy getting out and about again! To give you a headstart, we are giving you the chance to win family tickets for Cotswold Farm Park! After more than a year of restrictions, this is your opportunity to win a fun family day out at one of the county’s favourite attractions. For more details of how to enter, see the centre pages. Don’t forget about Father’s Day on Sunday 20th June – Gloucester Brewery are offering a special discount on beer and spirit gifts, which could be the perfect present for your dad.

If you use the services of any of our advertisers, please tell them you found them in The Local Answer!

Contacts C ontacts DIRECTOR MANAGING MANAGING DIRECTOR Dave Kingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk MARKETING & EDITORIAL EDITORIAL MARKETING Lois Kingscott lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk ACCOUNTS ACCOUNTS Rob Kingscott (01242 541071) accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk ADVERTISING ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: ENQUIRIES: info@thelocalanswer.co.uk LEAFLET LEAFLET DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION ENQUIRIES: ENQUIRIES: leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION ENQUIRIES: ENQUIRIES: distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk Page 3

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CLEEVELINE C LEEVELINE TTAXIS AXIS

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cleevelinetaxiis@gmail.com cleevelinetaxis@gmail.com w www.cleevelinetaxis.com ww.clleevelinetaxis.co om

D Distributors istributors Required Required To join our waiting list for various locations in the Tewkesbur y Borough including:

Priors Park Please email d distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk istribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk with your name, postal address, telephone number and date of birth. A member of our team will respond with more information. Please do not call the office – our staff are only returning to work part-time, so may not always be available to take your call.

Each round is made up of 150-400 copies per month. The rate of pay is 6 pence/copy. Depending on property types, our current team of people average between 100-150 copies/hour (equivalent to The The L Loca ocal £6-£9/hour). ANS A NS WER WER Magazines are delivered to Distributors’ homes towards the end of each month and we expect deliveries to be completed within four days between the hours of 7am and 9pm. You must be 13+ years old, flexible, reliable and sufficiently NORTH NORTH GLOUCES GLOUCESTERSHIR TERSHIRE physically fit to perform the duties.

G GLOUCESTERSHIRE’ LOUCES STEERSHIRE’S B BIGGEST IGGES ST LLOCAL OCAL M MAGAZINE AGAZINE JUNE JUNE 2021 2021

P PLEASE LEASE S SUPPORT UPPORT LLOCAL OCAL G GLOUCESTERSHIR LOUCESTERSHIRE B BUSINESSES USINESSES

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S u n day 4t h J u ly 2021

11am – 4pm En t r y o n t h e d ay £5pp (u. 5s f re e ) ~ Ea r l y bi rd t ic k e t s £3. 50 – p u rch a s e o n l i ne*:

vvalewildlife.org.uk/open-day-2021 a lew i ld l i fe. o rg . u k/op e n-day-2021 *Fu l l re f u n d i f g o ve r nme n t re s t r ic t i o n s f o rc e us t o c a n c e l t h e e ve n t

FFood o o d & ddrink r i n k vendors ve n do rs • FFun u n ddog o g show sh o w SSmall m a l l business b us i ne s s & ccharity h a r i t y sstalls t alls FFun u n ffor o r all a l l the t h e ffamily! am i l y ! C a l l 01386 882288 f o r mo ree de t a i l s

SStation t at io n R Road, o ad , BBeckford, e c k f o rd , nnrr TTewkesbury, e w k e s b u r y, GL20 GL20 7AN 7AN R Registered e g i s te re d Charity C h a r i t y Number: N u m b e r: 7 702888 02888

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

Roasted Roasted vegetable vegetable quiche quiche B alance tthis his iindulgent ndulgent q uiche Balance quiche with a fresh fresh ssalad, a l a d, a nd e njoy tthe he with and enjoy leftovers for for llunch unch tthe he n ext d ay! leftovers next day!

IIngredients: ngredients: 2 small red onions; 1 red pepper; 1 yellow pepper; 200g baby courgettes; 5 large eggs; 300ml double cream; 200g Gruyère cheese, grated; 2-3 tbsp olive oil; 225g plain flour; 175g cold butter, cubed.

M Method: ethod: 1 To make the pastry, put the flour and cubed butter into a food processor and whizz until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add one egg and one tablespoon of cold water and mix until combined. 2 Roll out the pastry on a floured surface and line a 25cm (10in) round loose-bottomed flan tin. Prick the base with a fork then chill in the fridge for 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan 160°C/gas 4). 3 Line the pastry case with greaseproof paper and baking beans. Cook for 10 minutes. Remove the beans and paper, then return to the oven for 15 minutes until golden. Remove from the oven and set aside. 4 Increase the oven temperature to 200°C (fan 180°C/gas 6). 5 De-seed and slice the peppers, peel the onions and slice into wedges, and halve the

6 7

courgettes length ways. Pop them on a large baking tray, drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 30 minutes, turning halfway through. Whisk together the cream, eggs and half of the cheese, adding a little more seasoning. Put the other half of the grated cheese into the base of the pastry case then arrange the vegetables on the top. Pour over the cream mixture. Reduce the oven temperature to 180°C (fan 160°C/gas 4) and cook the quiche for 25-30 minutes until set and golden brown. Serve warm with new potatoes and a fresh salad.

Celebrate FFather’s ather’s D Day... ay... 9

with 1 10% 0% O OFF FF our range of delicious beer and spirit gifts until 20th June ’21 when ordering online at

w www.gloucesterbrewery.co.uk ww.gloucesterbrewery.co.uk

Use code: Local10 Local10 at checkout to claim your discount

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Page 5

Quick Crossword 2

ACROSS 1 Infuriate 5 Shed tears 7 Filter 8 Long story 9 Mosquito bite irritation 10 Fossil resin 11 Apple, ... Smith 13 Dull 14 Ferocious 18 Partition 21 Current units 22 Dog breed 24 Move on knees 25 Relinquish (territory) 26 Dress-up toy

27 Velocity 28 Requests, ... for 29 Takes place after DOWN 1 Flags 2 Anew 3 Short prose piece 4 Small stones 5 More peculiar 6 Parcel 12 Scold repeatedly 15 Without purpose 16 Infected sore 17 Encloses in shell 19 Reminder 20 Sewing spikes 22 Knife part 23 Assistants

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Leaflet Distribution Service

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

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Get a sweet deal... 25% OFF 20,000 homes

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Please per month. are p er m onth. Please note: note: prices prices listed listed are FREE ARTWORK SERVICE F REE A RTWORK CREATION CREATION S ERVICE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE “So far within the first month of advertising with The Local Answer I’ve already received a lot of business. It’s been a really good investment and has already paid for itself several times over – I look forward to the months ahead.” aintenance Will Will Hinde Hinde Garden Garden M Maintenance

For more details about this fantastic offer, please call 01242 01242 5 510500 10500 or email info@thelocalanswer.co.uk info@thelocalanswer.co.uk *Terms & Conditions: 25% Discount applies to 6 or 12 month bookings for Quarter, Half or Full Pages only. Offer open to companies based within the Tewkesbury Borough. Discounted rates apply to the North Gloucestershire edition only. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Book before 10th June if you wish to appear in the July magazine.

EU EU Nationals Nationals n need eed tto oa apply pply tto oE EUSS USS Following Brexit, all EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who were resident in the UK by 31st December 2020 need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS). The deadline for applications is 30th June 2021 – the end of this month. Anyone who fails to apply risks losing their right to live, work and study in the UK. They could lose access to public funds and benefits, pensions and some NHS treatment. People who have lived in the UK for five or more years will receive Settled Status, while those who have lived in the UK for less than five years will receive Pre-Settled Status.

Who W ho sshould hould apply? apply? Maria is Spanish and moved to the UK when she was 25 years old. She is now 75, with mobility issues. Should she apply to the EU Settlement Scheme? YES! If she does not, she is likely to lose her UK pension and Attendance Allowance amongst other things. Luka is three years old and was born in the UK. His mother is Polish and moved here just before Patryk was born. She has applied to the EUSS – should she apply for Luka? YES! It is one application per person, not per family.

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People particularly at risk are those over the age of 65, who may not realise that they need to apply to the Scheme. Even if they have lived in the UK for most of their life, they need to apply.

Need N eed help help with with your your application? application? North and West Gloucestershire Citizens Advice are working with Stroud and Cotswold Citizens Advice, Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (GARAS), and Gloucestershire County Council to offer free help in applying for the EUSS. If you are not sure whether you need to apply, or want help with your application, please contact Jennie Watts on 01452 527202 (ext. 262) or email jennie.watts@gloscab.org.uk N orth & W est Gloucestershire Gloucestershire North West C itizens A dvice Citizens Advice Messenger M essenger H House, ouse, Square, 35 3 5S Stt M Michaels ichaels Square, HX Gloucester G loucester G GL1 L1 1 1HX 527202 Telephone: T elephone: 0 01452 1452 527202 Email: E mail: iinfo@gloscab.org.uk nfo@gloscab.org.uk Website: www.gloscab.org.uk W ebsite: w ww.gloscab.org.uk

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Mirror Mirror Mirror Mirror on on tthe he Wall Wall w with ith V Val al S Starr tarr

A ffake ake tan tan is is a safe safe tan tan After such a lengthy lockdown, most of us are relishing the summer weather and spending much more time outdoors. Holidays are more likely to be spent in the UK owing to travel restrictions, so fingers crossed it will be a good summer. In the UK, people often think that even on a hot day, the sun is weaker than when we are basking somewhere abroad. This is a big mistake! From approximately April through to September, the sun in the UK is just as damaging to our skin. I always recall my dermatologist saying “as long as there is sunshine I will always be busy”. Now that’s something to think about.

A Application pplication Preparation is an essential step before applying any fake tan products; it’s key for a successful look. Thoroughly exfoliate all the areas to which you will be applying your products – particularly elbows, knees, hands and feet to avoid where you might have a skin bui up. Products tend accumulate in those area A mitt or a glove can hel you to avoid any staining on the hands, but make sure you wash them thoroughly after any application just in case especially between the fingers.

Tan T an accelerators accelerators Tan accelerators are often applied daily several weeks before sun exposure to help with obtaining a better and longer lasting tan It is important to note The Local Answer

they do not contain an SPF (sun protection factor) so you still need to apply sun protection. Elemis, Ultrasun and Gatineau all offer tan accelerators.

Fake F ake ttan an The demand for good quality fake tanning products we can use at home has increased enormously. The days of the ghastly orange streaky shades that rub off on our clothes and bedding is thankfully a thing of the past, as well as the horrible smell that came with it. Gatineau Golden Glow Gradual Tan is applied to dry skin and will give you a natural looking, sun-kissed glow. When you are satisfied with the result you can just top up when required. Elemis has a similar product. Tan Luxe is the new kid on the block, stealing a lot of thunder with its extensive range. This includes drops you can dd to your regular face or y creams, creating a om-made tan – the re drops, the deeper he colour. I like it as he content is super ydrating, unlike some which dry out the skin. A less well-known brand that launched a ake tan last year is Lucy Bee. Their products re vegan, cruelty-free nd palm-oil free, adhering to their ethos of ethical beauty. The tan has a tr opica l frag rance and is enriched with essential nutrients to hydrate and nourish your skin. To advertise call 01242 510500

S Sun un p protection rotection No matter which fake tanning product you choose, they won’t offer the sun protection you need to be safe. You must still apply SPF generously, especially to areas often overlooked like eyes, tips of the nose and ears, bald spots and lips – basically wherever skin is exposed. My favourite brand is Ultrasun. The entire range has an SPF to suit every age group, is a once a day application which is rare, and comes in sprays, liquids and creams to suit your preference. Their UVA SPF has a high factor, which works hard to protect you against the most damaging UVA rays. Ultrasun Face SPF 50+ is a winner in my book. It might cost a little more than your standard protection, but you only need it once a day and it also acts like a moisturiser. Allow 15 minutes for your skin to fully absorb (this goes for all SPF applications). You will still get a tan, but a safe one. Page 

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

Cat and Dog Boarding …caring …caring for for your your pet pet while while yyou’re ou’re aaway way Cheltenham Animal Shelter’s cat and dog boarding facilities provide warm, cosy accommodation for your pet while you are away.

Day creche also available Experienced staff care for your pet to the highest standard

Visit gawa.org.uk/dog-cat-boarding or call 01242 523521 Profits made support vulnerable animals in need Cat and Dog Boarding is based at Cheltenham Animal Shelter, Gardners Lane, Cheltenham G L51 9JW ~ Charity reg 1081019

Friendly, experienced groomers Quote GROOM G ROOM provide the best canine care. to receive

Wash from £20 • Dry cut from £28 Wash, cut and nails from £38

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Visit gawa.org.uk/dog-grooming or call 01242 548774 74 Profits made support vulnerable animals in need Short Bark and Sides is based at Cheltenham Animal Shelter, Gardners Lane, Cheltenham GL51 9JW ~ Charity reg 1081019

Shipton Shipton G Golf olf C Course ourse

A 9 hole hole pay pay & play play course course in in the the heart heart of of the the Cotswolds Cotswolds

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

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Open every day dawn ’til dusk Friendly 9 hole golf course Hot food and snacks available all day

PAY & PLAY – NO NEED TO BOOK!

Available A vailable for for corporate corporate days, days, birthdays birthdays and and special special occasions occasions

Tel: 01242 890237

www.shiptongolf.co.uk

☎

shiptongolf@tiscali.co.uk

✉

Shipton Shipton Golf Golf Course Course

Nr Nr Frogmill, Frogmill, Shipton, Shipton, Cheltenham, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Gloucestershire GL54 GL54 4HT 4HT

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

Hip H ip d dislocation islocation

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

www.dragonvet.co.uk www.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

2244 H HOUR OUR EEMERGENCY MERGENCY ~ 001242 1242 5522022 22022 The Local Answer

This month I had the challenge of treating a young dog that had been hit by a car. The poor dog had suffered a dislocated hip as well as some minor abrasions. Interestingly, in the human world, hip dislocations usually respond well to being put back in or replaced, and with careful management will go on to heal without further intervention. However, in dogs and cats, the hip is notoriously unstable once it has dislocated, and there is a high rate of repeat dislocation after putting back in place (this is called a closed reduction). At least 50% of hips will dislocate again within days of a dislocation, leaving us with the challenge of how best to manage them. Historically, we would sometimes place the back leg into a sling to keep weight off the leg and keep the hip in the correct position. However, this is also fraught with complications, as the slings tend to be poorly tolerated by dogs and not at all by cats!

The T he ‘‘hip hip toggle’ toggle’ procedure procedure is is one one of of tthe he m most ost rreliable eliable techniques techniques So, in many cases surgery is required, as was needed with my patient. One of the most reliable techniques is called a ‘hip toggle’ procedure. In this technique, a hole is drilled from the outside of the femur/hip to the centre of the ball joint. A long suture can be passed through this bone tunnel to exit in the centre of the ball joint and an anchor or toggle is placed at the end of the suture. A hole is then drilled in the cup (pelvis) of the hip joint and the toggle/anchor is passed through the hole and secured on the far side. When the hip is then put back into position, the suture is pulled tight and secured with a button shaped device on the outside of the hip. This technique, while technically demanding, has a high success rate, with only a 5-10% risk of repeat dislocation of the hip joint, and most dogs and cats will use the leg quickly after surgery. Other options are to remove the ball joint altogether (an excision arthroplasty) or a hip replacement. So far, my patient is doing well and was walking on the leg the day after surgery. The long-term prognosis with hip toggle surgery is generally extremely good.

To advertise call 01242 510500

Page 11

Do Do something something a amazing mazing and and jjoin oin o our ur team team of of volunteers volunteers W ep rovide llife ife changing changing therapy therapy to We provide to many many rriders iders with with p hysical a nd/or learning learning disabilities disabilities a physical and/or and nd need need your your h elp. We We are are looking looking for for m ore volunteers volunteers tto help. more o help help run run o ur new new S aturday llessons. essons. our Saturday You don’t have uss – w we Y ou d on’t h ave tto o be be ‘horsey’ ‘horsey’ to to volunteer volunteer with with u e can but helps can train train yyou ou – b ut it it h elps iiff yyou ou are! are! Y You ou can can do do all all day day or or just just a few few hours hours to to suit suit your your availability. availability.

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Riding for the Disabled Association

0 1242 5 84420 01242 584420 iinfo@cotswoldrda.org.uk nfo@cotswoldrda.org.uk Charity No: No: 1 160676 Charity 1160676

H Hire ire o our ur iindoor ndoor o orr o outdoor utdoor a arenas renas b based ased a att C Cheltenham heltenham R Racecourse acecourse Our Our indoor indoor arena arena iiss 2 20m 0m x 4 40m 0m and and iiss ffully ully boarded boarded w with ith excellent excellent q quality uality arena arena surface. surface. There There aare re a limited limited number number o off p poles oles aand nd blocks blocks available available for for low low level level jumping. jumping. Our Our aarena rena iiss also also available available ffor or dog dog agility agility classes. classes. O Our ur aadjacent djacent outdoor outdoor aarena rena m measures easures 3 30m 0m x 4 40m. 0m. Our For more Our prices prices are are very very competitive! competitive! F or m ore information information vvisit isit our our website website www.cotswoldrda.org.uk/arena-hire www.cotswoldrda.org.uk/arena-hire o orr ccall al l 0 01242 1242 584420 584420

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

Respecting Respecting boundaries boundaries As the country opens up again and summer is in full swing, we are all filled with so many mixed emotions: excitement to get out and meet people again, definitely, but also certain trepidation after begin separated for so long. Will we remember how to socialise? How close can we get? What if others are more cautious than us, will we upset them?

“ “What What a are re y you ou ccomfortable omfortable w with?” ith?” One thing is for certain, the world we are emerging into will never be the same and there are some fundamental differences which need to be addressed: the foremost of which is obviously ‘What are y o u c o m f o r t a b l e w i t h? ’ I t h i n k this will be the next ‘Hi, how are you?’ opener in everyday situations. Some people are desperate to get back to hugging and yet others will want to keep a distance for the foreseeable future. I know we are navigating this issue as my Improv Group takes to the stage again

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this month. Some members are highly cautious, whilst others are desperate to get up close and personal, so a lot of our prep work included navigating safe spaces for everyone. I would recommend being willing to ask the question and most importantly accept whatever answer you are given: this is not a time for talking people around, debating or getting offended if someone has a different perspective to you. Many people want to keep masks in order to feel safe – so respect that without comment.

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Still others hate them and can’t wait to leave them behind – again, respect their wishes. I think the classic phrase right now is ’stay in your lane’ and communicate clearly what you want and need.

Enjoy E njoy summer summer after after so so llong ong sshut hut a away way Then, it’s time to have fun. Meet up with family you have not seen in months, finally get to hold those ‘lockdown babies’ you have only seen in pictures or on video calls, and share your love once again. Hopefully we can travel, see a bit of the country if not the world, and actively enjoy summer after so long shut away. One final word, for those living alone without families, remember that you are seen, heard and valued, and simply making eye contact and smiling on the street will open up doors for you. Why not start being ‘that person who talks to strangers’ and give yourself the gift of connection too! Until next month, stay safe and remember your sunscreen! Page 1

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

S Seeking eeking S Shetland’s hetland’s Big Big Five Five After a short ferry ride and dri ve from Lerwick, we’re picnicking on salmon-stuffed Shetland bannocks and bags of Shetland Fudge Company’s ‘Puffin Poo’, overlooking the channel between Bressay and remote Noss. For year s, we’ve unsuccessfully stak ed out wrack-strewn Voe foreshores at sunset to spot Shetland’s famously shy otter s. Today, just a few mouthfuls into lunch, we didn’t expect to see the sleek creature now cavorting before us. Forget reaching for cameras; that would instantly break the spell. Sometimes, just watching beats photography. For the first time, we’ve hit Shetland’s wildlife jackpot!

Aw wildlife ildlife paradise paradise Thinking about Africa’s Big Five game animals (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and Cape buffalo) got me pondering the equi valents for Shetland – a much closer, more accessible destination for uncertain postlockdown times.

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Maybe you’ve visited this remark able archipelago with its relaxed Nordic ambiance, or followed its wildlife through Simon King’s books and wildlife documentaries? Either way, you will know Shetland is a wildlife paradise. We have tick ed many of Shetland’s wildlife highlights off our list during more than a decade of visits. As Shetland regular s, patience, luck and local tip offs have allowed us to see elusive otters and orcas. Depending on the season – we’ve always visited between June and August – puffins, arguably Shetland’s ornithological poster child, are an easier find. To get up close and per sonal, just visit Sumburgh Head in early August before they fly back out to sea. Then there are the tiny storm petrels that we helped catch, weigh, tag and release on one memorable night. Or their antithesis, the powerful, dive-bombing skuas – bonxies – that aggressi vely top Shetland’s food chain. To advertise call 01242 510500

Always A lways rready eady tto o ssurprise urprise These are just for starter s. From inquisiti ve seals – or maybe even a mythical selkie – to Mousa’s ground-nesting Arctic terns, Shetland wildlife always has a surprise in store. Lik e the pilot whale that surfaced, amid its breath’s pungent odour, beside us one tranquil evening off Trondra. Maybe you will cross your finger s for a serendipitous wildlife encounter? Or perhaps – here’s an insider tip – you’ll seek help from local guides such as Richard Shucksmith or Brydon Thomason? Either way, spotting any of Shetland’s Big Fi ve is the crowning glory to enjoying its scenery, white-sand beaches, delicious cuisine and famously warm welcome. Really, who needs the Maasai Mara or Serengeti when a picnic, a sunny day on Bressay and your private otter show lie just a few hour s north of Gloucestershire! Page 15

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

Iw was as wrong wrong about about my my car... car... for for the the most most part part This was always going to be an interesting review – and possibly one that costs me a lot. You see, I currently drive a Renault Captur. Not the most exciting car, and in fairness one that I’ll be switching fairly soon, but when I took out the PCP on it, we were torn between this and a similarly priced Ford EcoSport. Reviewing the EcoSport therefore means that I may be proved wrong in my preference for the Captur, so there really is a lot riding on this. Spoiler alert: I was wrong. At least partly. Before I go into why I was wrong (this time) I’ll talk about the Ford itself. I’m never all that sure where these small SUV type cars are aimed – bigger than a Fiesta, smaller than a Focus, but taller at the same time…

It It a achieved chieved w what hat Ford Ford often often delivers delivers There’s clearly a market for them, and Ford is particularly adept at finding niches in the market and exploiting them really quite well, so I’ve decided not to worry too much about where it sits in the line up, rather just take it at face value and see what it’s like. In short, it’s really quite impressive. Yes, it’s powered by a 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine, but Ford has always managed to get a lot out of these small engines, and while it’s not what you’d call fast, it’s nippy enough and, paired with the 6-speed manual gearbox, it achieved what Ford often delivers. It was, for want of a better word, eager. And a lot more The Local Answer

fun than a small engined car such as this should be. If the engine and gearbox are a winner, and in this they are, then usually it’ll take a big faux pas from the engineering team to mess something up. Perhaps, given its ride height, the downside would be body roll in the corners? Nope. Pretty stable all things considered, and without excessive power to contend with, there were no real surprises. I remember driving a Scenic for the first time and almost feeling seasick on roundabouts. The interior was perfectly acceptable too – not too luxurious, but for £24k, you’re not going to get swathes of leather and inset aluminium. That said, I certainly had no complaints, and nothing felt particularly cheap. I had one issue, which is actually quite embarrassing, and probably more a reflection on me than the car. It took me far longer than it should have To advertise call 01242 510500

to figure out how to open the boot.

A ttrio rio o off iissues ssues Yep, I got stumped by one of the most simple actions, and all because I forgot that the EcoSport has a side opening boot and therefore the ‘handle’ was disguised in the light cluster. But the odd opening mechanism wasn’t the only downside to the boot, in fact it was part of a trio of issues. The second was that being a side-opener, you need to leave a good amount of space to fully open the boot. And thirdly, the boot space wasn’t fantastic, which in itself was my saving grace. Because while we both preferred the EcoSport to my Captur, the French model does win on practicality and an expandable boot thanks to a sliding rear seating mechanism. But on interior, performance, looks and literally everything else, the EcoSport wins. Which means I lose. Page 1

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S Super-greed uper-greed A few weeks ago, the ‘Big Six’ Premier League football clubs angered most of their fans and those members of the public who are remotely interested in the sport by announcing the formation of a European Super League. Put aside the obvious jokes about the identity of the ‘Big Six’, it was another example of those with power and money trying to bully their smaller counterparts and make the rich even richer. It didn’t last long and will almost certainly never happen in the way it was envisaged, but the message from the rich is clear – there’s no such thing as too much money. Professional golf was threatening a similar move too and, whilst it attracted a lot less publicity and emotional backlash, it too was symptomatic of the same issue – greed.

There’s T here’s a tthin hin lline ine b between etween g greed reed and a nd m making aking m money oney The line between greed and making money is a fine one. It compares to the line that comes between brave and stupid. The same action can b e s e e n b y o n e p e r s o n a s b r a ve r y a n d b y t h e next as stupidity; capitalism or greed, it’s an identical argument. In many walks of life, market forces prevent matters getting out of hand by placing competitive pressures in the way of flagrant overcharging. But in a world where those pressures exist only to inflate already swollen coffers, it seems the rich don’t care about anyone other than themselves. All of those football fans are ordinary people like you or me. We shouldn’t be surprised at the attitude taken by the ‘Big Six’, as we come across it in our daily lives, trying to deal with the big banks, utility companies, mobile phone providers etc. Despite all their promotional promises, we are just a number and, if we don’t like it, we are sufficiently unimportant that we can be cast aside. I’m so glad I work in an environment where we all care about the clients we serve and the job that we do. Page 24

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

L Let’s et’s hope hope for for a sunny sunny ssummer ummer Ah June, the month with the longest days of the year, strawberries and cream, the start of Wimbledon, cricket, festivals and outdoor living. Your garden will be looking wonderful now after all the care and attention you have been lavishing on it over the past months so make sure you take time to enjoy it! The fertiliser in container plants potting compost is usually used up within six weeks, so when you are potting them on, add some slowrelease granules or make sure you give them a liquid feed every week or two whilst they are actively growing. This will make them flower much better than they would otherwise.

E Every very g garden arden n needs eeds a P Peony eony p plant lant June is a good month for seeing Peonies at their best. They are one of the oldest cultivated flowers (the Chinese have used their roots in medicine for over 1,500 years!) and every garden is better for

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having one or more of these gorgeous plants. There is a rich palette of red to choose from, going from pale pink to crimson. I love the leaves as they push through the soil in April/May, unfurling slowly with such promise to come. There are even scented beauties to be had like the ‘ D u c h e s s e d e N e m o ur s ’ . T h e y like to be left alone once planted and need a well-drained soil in full sun, although they can tolerate a little shade. If the weather is warm you can move your indoor cacti outside to a bright but sheltered place. They will benefit from the extra sunlight and fresh air – think of it like a holiday for them! They will need watering at least once a week, as they are probably in a small pot. To encourage the deveTo advertise call 01242 510500

lopment of flowers, feed fortnightly with a weak liquid highpotash fertiliser like tomato feed. Don’t panic if your apple trees shed a lot of little fruits at this time of year. It is the ‘June drop’ and they get rid of excess fruit to enable them to ripen and better grow the remaining fruit.

G Grow row p peppers eppers in in the the ssunniest unniest p part art o off y your our g greenhouse reenhouse If you are lucky enough to have a greenhouse, plant peppers and aubergines in large pots or grow bags in the sunniest part of it. Otherwise, you can try them in a couple more weeks in a sheltered bright spot in the garden. Some sunny years they may be fine, but if the summer is poor they will need the extra warmth of the greenhouse to fruit or they’ll never perform as well as their greenhouse friends! Page 25

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

Country C ountr y ccottage ottage sstyle tyle At this time of year our thoughts naturally turn to summer holidays. As more of us than ever are holidaying in the UK, it’s not surprising that nostalgic rural style has emerged as a key lockdown look. “Cottagecore”, as it’s known in the online world, is Tik-Tok’s top interiors trend of 2021. Follow my tips to help you create an on-trend English country style feel for your home.

1 1.. T The he ssimple imple llife ife Cottagecore reflects a new appreciation of the simple pleasures of life; walks in the countryside, the smell of woodsmoke and fresh flowers. Whether you are an urban or country dweller, it’s not difficult to bring a natural feel to your home. Think stripped and waxed wood floors, soft earthy paint colours and beautiful old rugs. A popular Instagram neutral is pink, the colour of old plaster. Accessorise with plants in simple terracotta pots you’ve painted yourself and handpicked flowers arranged in jugs.

Image: Vanessa Arbuthnott Fabrics

2. 2. Buy Buy vintage vintage Sustainability underpins this look. Mix reclaimed and upcycled furniture with new pieces for a contemporary rustic vibe. Wander around small antique shops and markets when on holiday, become a regular browser on eBay and at your local charity furniture shop. Search out solid furniture made from natural materials that age well. Look for odd pieces of old china that you can mix and match. You’ll be amazed what bargains you can find. I recently snapped up some beautiful old botanical prints for just a few pounds, I was thrilled.

3.. A 3 Add dd ssome ome ffloral loral cchic hic

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Florals are another key element. Look for vintage style prints in muted hues or interesting patterns in contemporary colours. Be inspired by nature and don’t be afraid to mix and match – maximalism won’t look out of place. I discovered the company Cabbages and Roses years ago – their beautiful vintage inspired fabrics and wallpapers are

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loved by Cottagecore queen Paula Sutton (follow her on Instagram @hillhousevintage). For more inspiration check out Vanessa Arbuthnot Fabrics.

4.. A cosy 4 cosy corner corner This style is all about recreating the safe and comforting feel of an old cottage in your home, but you don’t have to live in the country to make it work. A comfy chair, a vintage floor lamp, some overfilled bookshelves and an oriental style rug is all it takes to create your own cottage-style cosy nook to relax in.

5.. Craft 5 Craft it it yourself yourself Over the past year we’ve all learnt to slow down, appreciate the natural world and enjoy the good life. It’s the perfect time to take up a new hobby. Joining an online flower arranging course was the best investment I made last year, and my daughter took up pottery. Whether it be needlework, upholstery or up-cycling furniture, there will always be a place for your own handcrafted piece in your new country style home.

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

Cool C ool o off ff this this summer summer Summer is officially here, and that means sunshine, barbecues and plenty of Pimm’s. But it’s not just all sunbathing and cocktails – this can also be a good excuse to treat yourself to some nifty new gadgets that could make life just that bit better. So, why not check out some of the latest gizmos on the market and see which ones can help make this the best t!

trying to perfectly position your camera to snap that selfie – this gizmo has been updated to meet your needs in that department! Please note, the Instax Square Film is sold separately.

Ultimate Ears Ultimate Ears Megaboom M egaboom 3 John Lewis: £149.99 In case the name of this portable wireless speaker didn’t give it away, the Ultimate Ears Megaboom 3 packs a mighty punch when it comes to highquality, 360 degree sound. Simply use your mobile phone to control the speaker and appreciate its 45 metre range. It even comes in an array of colours to suit your aesthetic, from Ultraviolet Purple to Lagoon Blue to Unicorn (pictured). This speaker is also built to withstand water and dust (it can be submerged in up to one metre of water for half an

F Fujifilm ujifilm IInstax nstax C Camera amera John Lewis: £119.99 Instant cameras were once thought of as retro, but they’ve made a big comeback as more millennials appreciate the old school aesthetic of printed square photos. Thanks to this cute instant camera from Fujifilm, you can take highquality photos to capture your precious summer memories (and match your aesthetic). However, there’s also a nice twist to this camera, as it includes a handy selfie mode activated by a simple twist of the lens. Don’t worry about The Local Answer

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hour) and is even ‘shockproof’, in case you suffer from butter fingers. Enjoy up to 20 hours of uninterrupted music as you settle in for a long summer.

D Dyson yson P Pure ure C CoolMe oolMe F Fan an Boots: £299 Not only does this Dyson fan cool you down during the midst of a summer heat wave, but it a l s o p ur i f i es y o u r ai r ! C r e at e d to improve air quality, the Dyson Pure CoolMe Fan – the first personal purifier from Dyson – p r oj e c t s cl e a n , fi l t e r ed a i r t ha t removes 99.95% of allergens and pollutants. Thanks to its sealed filter, this fan traps any harmful gases, ensuring your home is clean and fresh. Adjust the airflow however you like thanks to the different modes, and ensure that the summer heat doesn’t stop you from getting a good night’s sleep! You can set the fan’s sleep timer to help you keep cool as you try and get your eight hours of kip. Page 2

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

Am more ore e ethical thical w wardrobe ardrobe As the retail world starts to open up, it can be tempting to rush out and just buy any old clothes that don’t have elasticated waists or fall into the pyjama category after a year of being at home. There are ways to buy and wear more ethically though, so try to avoid fast fashion and think about these ideas instead.

B Buy uy ssecond-hand econd-hand High-street shops have reopened but don’t forget that means so have charity shops! Over the last year many people have been focusing on clearing out their unworn clothes, and there have been weight gains and weight losses so the charity shops are stocked full. I think the old stereotypes of them being stuffed with moth eaten items from long ago days have gone now, but just in case you’re still wary, you can find some amazing bargains, designer items at a fraction of the cost, high street labels and even clothes with tags on that have never been worn! Stock can vary between shops so it’s worth taking some time to check out those in your area – some have children’s

clothes as well, some only take high end items, etc. You will soon discover your favourites! It can also be really fun to check out charity shops if you are away somewhere new, especially in very affluent areas as this is where you tend to find the designer items, if that’s what you like.

Ethical E thical ffashion ashion Believe it or not, there are ethical clothing companies! Know The Origin is a good place to look as they only stock brands that adhere to strict guidelines in fair wages and factory safety standards after being shocked at the horrific factory collapse in India that killed so many. A quick online search with the terms ‘ethical fashion’ and ‘sustainable fashion’ will throw up lots of results that you may never have heard of.

IIndependent ndependent b businesses usinesses Look for small home makers. Not only are you helping to support someone and their family directly, in my experience the clothes are often of a far superior quality, the fabric

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choices are better, you don’t get things like twisted seams, and they wash well, meaning you will get many more wears out of them and be able to pass them on too. You can also have more of a say in design and have some garments made-to-measure, which means a much better fit. Find them on social media or at local craft fairs and markets.

C Clothes lothes sswap wap Why not join an online swap or sell group – there are many targeted at different styles of clothing. Following guidelines, look at how you could set up a clothes swap with friends too. Something at the back of your wardrobe that you never wear could be exactly what your friend has been looking for and you then have the potential to swap it for something that you really like. This is an affordable way to update your look as it’s all swaps and no postage costs if you live close enough to drop off the items! Have fun finding fashion items that are less expensive for your pocket and the planet.

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26 Blissful Bathrooms 28 18-19 Lifestyle Bathrooms 4 Severn Vale Bathrooms 10 & 35 6 BUILDING BUILDING SERVICES SERVICES C&G Paving 20 FFOOD OOD & D DRINK RINK Cheltenham Town Roofing 22 Gloucester Brewery 5 Home Care Roofing 21 H HEALTH EALTH & BEAUTY BEAUTY JHD Roofing & Building 20 Be Well Gloucestershire 8 Marshalls Driveways 21 The 1:1 Diet 4 R Richards & Son Ltd 2 Roofcure 247 20 IINFORMATION NFORMATION 22 North & West Gloucestershire RS Cladding 24 Citizens Advice 8 S.J. Lewis & Sons C LEANING S ERVICES CLEANING SERVICES S SPORT PORT Ovenbusters 28 Shipton Golf Course 10 Regency Cleaners 28 H HOMES OMES & G GARDENS ARDENS PPLIANCES FURNISHING & A FURNISHING APPLIANCES BATHROOMS B ATHROOMS 26 Bella’s Interiors 36 AHM Installations 28 Dream Doors Cotswold Farm Park Vale Wildlife Open Day VRXPerience

G GARDEN ARDEN S SERVICES ERVICES Cheltenham Town Landscaping 23 24 Lawn Doc 33 We Do Garden Rooms H HEATING EATING & PLUMBING PLUMBING M.J. Harris Domestic Repairs 30 TTV V&A AERIAL ERIAL 24 1st Choice Aerials DOORS W INDOWS, D OORS & WINDOWS, CONSERVATORIES C ONSERVATORIES 16 & 32 Albany Windows 14 Clearway Windows 23 Garolla 33 Misty to Clear

PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL S SERVICES ERVICES A ANIMAL NIMAL & P PET ET SERVICES SERVICES Cat and Dog Boarding Dragon Vets Teewkesbury

Short Bark & Sides SwimDogs CHARITIES CHARITIES Cotswold RDA HOUSE CLEARANCE CLEARANCE HOUSE Yees to Mess MOTOR SERVICES SERVICES MOTOR Cleeveline Taaxis PUBLISHING PUBLISHING Lois Kingscott SKIP HIRE HIRE & RECYCLING RECYCLING SKIP Stevens Recycling

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