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W elcome Welcome ttoo A pril April
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Online this this month month ... ... Online Enter our our fantastic fantastic competitions competitions Enter and you you could could win: win: and three-night break break in in a cottage cottage in in • A three-night the Quantock Quantock Hills Hills in in Somerset Somerset the family ticket ticket to to • A family Cotswold Farm Farm Park Park Cotswold pair of of weekend weekend tickets tickets to to • A pair Linton Festival Festival Linton U nit H hurchill IIndustrial ndustrial EEstate, state, C hurchill R oad, Unit H,, C Churchill Churchill Road, LLeckhampton, eckhampton, Cheltenham, Cheltenham, G loucestershire G L53 77EG EG Gloucestershire GL53
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Spring has sprung and with Easter just around the corner we should have lots to look forward to this month. Hopefully, we can say goodbye to the months of rain we’ve had so far this year and welcome some sunshine! We have an exciting announcement in this month’s issue as we launch our brand new print directory! We want to offer exposure to all businesses and budgets in Gloucestershire, so we hope this new feature will be an excellent way to do that. See inside for more details. Yet again we have three fantistic prizes up for grabs on our online competitions page. We will be booking up your spring/summer diaries with the opportunity to win a stay at a lovely cottage in the Quantock hills close to the beautiful jurassic coast, as well as days out at Cotswold Farm Park for the little ones and Linton Festival for the music lovers. More details inside. If you use the services of our advertisers or attend the events listed, please tell them you found them in The Local Answer! If you can’t find the service you require inside, head online to our Directory, where we have details of many more local businesses.
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Contacts C ontacts Advertising A dvertising & M Marketing arketing Dave Kingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk Lois Kingscott lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk
LLeaflets eaflets & D Distribution istribution John Overton (01242 541075) leaflets@thelocalanswer..co.uk Louis Jordan distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk
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DIRECTORY BARNWOOD TRUST Supporting disabled people and COTSWOLD WILDLIFE PARK people with mental health Get closer to wildlife! www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk challenges. 01242 539935 BATHROOMS info@barnwoodtrust.org www.barnwoodtrust.org LIFESTYLE BATHROOMS Specialising in designing rooms for ELECTRICAL SERVICES customers with mobility issues. SHURMER ELECTRICAL 07496 057281 / 01453 884167 Reliable electrical services for rex@lifestylebathrooms.net domestic and commercial www.lifestylebathrooms.net requirements. SEVERN VALE BATHROOMS 07468 581025 Gloucestershire’s premier www.shurmer.co.uk/electrical bathroom installation company. FOOT CARE 01452 330852 www.severnvalebathrooms.co.uk SOPHIE LANE MOBILE FOOT CARE Advertise Your Business Nail trimming, corns, calluses and routine foot care. 07921 821805 including VAT/month enquiries@sophielanefhp.co.uk
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PAINTING & DECORATING BRIAN MITTEN 07951 397210 / 01242 462480 brianmitten64@gmail.com
RECYCLING & SKIP HIRE STEVENS RECYCLING 01242 522647/529397 stevensrecycling584@gmail.com www.stevens-recycling.co.uk
BUILDING SERVICES
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C&G PAVING Landscaping, driveways and patios. 01242 801706 / 01452 341699 candgpavinguk@gmail.com www.cg-paving.co.uk HOME CARE ROOFING & BUILDING 07768 528944 / 01242 809264 mitchelldavishomecare@hotmail.com
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CHARITIES BUILDING CIRCLES IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE Helping with learning disabilities, friendships and providing a social platform. 01452 617346 admin@buildingcirclesglos.org.uk www.buildingcirclesglos.org.uk
GARDEN SERVICES CHELTENHAM TREE SERVICES 01242 581541 enquiries@chelt-trees.com JH GARDEN CARE All aspects of gardens and trees. 07985 297713 jhgardens93@hotmail.com
CLEEVELINE TAXIS 01242 374224 cleevelinetaxis@gmail.com www.cleevelinetaxis.com
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WINDOWS, DOORS & CONSERVATORIES ALBANY WINDOWS 01242 511384 sales@albanywindows.co.uk www.albanywindows.co.uk CLEARWAY DOORS & WINDOWS LTD 01242 513322 www.clearwaydoorsandwindows.co.uk
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Apple and Rocky A pple a nd Raisin Raisin Rocky Road R oad IIngredients: ngredients: 200g white chocolate; 200g oaty type biscuits; 2 tbsp golden syrup; 130g unsalted butter; 100g mini marshmallows; 100g bag of dried apple rings, chopped into small pieces; 50g raisins. M ethod: Method: 1 Grease and line a 23cm square tin with greaseproof paper. 2 Break up the chocolate and put into a bowl with the golden syrup and butter. 3 Put some water in a saucepan and pop the bowl on the top, making sure it doesn’t touch the water. Bring to the boil then simmer until the mixture has melted. Stir then allow this to cool for 10-15 minutes. 4 Put the biscuits into a bag and crush roughly with a rolling pin. Empty into the chocolate mixture and give it a stir. 5 Add the marshmallows, apple pieces and raisins and stir until thoroughly coated. 6 Poor the mixture into the prepared tin then press down and into the corners. Put into the fridge until set. 7 Remove from the tin, take off the paper and cut into slices.
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Chocolate Chocolate E Egg gg R Rocky ocky R Road oad Ingredients: Ingredients: 225g dark chocolate; 100g unsalted butter; 2 tbsp cocoa powder; 2 tbsp golden syrup; 100g rich tea biscuits or similar; 50g mini marshmallows; 200g mini eggs. M ethod: Method: 1 Use the same method as the Apple and Raisin Rocky Road, but add the cocoa powder to the chocolate mixture, and instead of apple and raisin, add 150g of the mini eggs. 2 Once pressed down in the tin, scatter the remaining eggs on top and press down lightly. Leave to set as before and cut into slices.
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DIRTY D IRTY C COOKER OOKER OR OR OVEN? OVEN? Tel: 01242 227067
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R Raising aising children children in in the the digital digital age age Like many parents, I daresay you read the headlines about the evils of modern technology. Maybe you are of the ‘no TV, no devices’ approach, preferring your children to read, make things and play outside. If that is the case, then all power to you, but for many, screen time is a mainstay of modern life and it looks like it’s here to stay. So what is the best way to support your children, allow them to navigate the virtual world without turning grey?
E Establish stablish b boundaries oundaries As always, the first port of call is establishing boundaries. Although most effective when introduced at an early age, it is never too late to change and reaffirm the boundaries you want to maintain. Rather than approaching the issue as a struggle to overcome, it is easier for everyone if screen time is incorporated into a wider plan of action. Linking screen time to certain times of the day and creating a sense of pride in the kids for
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following the rules is highly effective. Children who actively look forward to their ‘screen time’ and can self regulate – turning off when a programme has ended or when a certain game level is reached and receiving praise and affirmation for their choices – will grow up confident a n d w i t h a n i n n a t e ab i l i t y t o trust themselves. However, a lack of clear boundaries or understanding as to what is expected of them can leave our kids feeling lost and confused, leading to parental involvement being repeatedly negative, critical and frustrating. Life with our kids can be easy and fun if well-managed, so t h in k c a re fu l ly ab o ut ho w you want your relationship to feel and aim to keep that in mind when making changes. Teenagers use gaming to connect with peers and feel secure, so giving them the space to play whilst maintaining high expectations of respectful behaviour and healthy self care is a great way forward. To advertise call 01242 510500
Finding points of connection where you can listen to them and let them know you are available is key, so try to avoid only ever talking to your teen to tell them to clean their room or have a shower! A cup of tea and a heartfelt ‘I love you’ goes a long way with our older offspring, and it makes you feel good too!
C Children hildren n need eed a rrange ange o off llearning earning e experiences xperiences With little ones, there are many great children’s programmes and games that they will enjoy, and that will indeed aid their learning. As long as they are supported with physical play and a wide range of learning experiences in life, they will thrive. But remember, your phone is no replacement for your attention, so while it may keep your toddler quiet for a while, eye contact and conversation is so much more valuable. Sharing screen time and mummy/daddy time is a sure-fire way to keep your young ones on track as they grow up in the digital age. Page
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Fashion F ashion ACCESSORIES BEACHWEAR COLLECTION COMMERCIAL DESIGNER CHIC CLASSIC CLOTHING FAD
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Installers of top quality windows, windows, doors and conserva tories. conservatories. For a free no obligation quotation call
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Showroom – Units 40 & 41, Space Business Centre, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham, GL51 9FL
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FANTASTIC PRIZES TO BE WON! cottage break break 3-night cottage 3-night the Quantock Quantock Hills Hills in in the Win a mid-week break for up to four people in Groom’s Cottage at Pardlestone Farm, which has direct access to Somerset’s unspoiled wilderness, and is within walking distance of an award-winning pub and the spectacular Jurassic coast.
F Family amily tticket icket tto o C Cotswold otswold Farm Farm Park Park Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park has a long-standing reputation for a fun-filled day out. Visitors of all ages can interact closely with the animals and learn about farming, past and present.
P Pair air o off w weekend eekend ttickets ickets tto oL Linton inton F Festival estival Herefordshire’s premier music, real ale and cider festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary! From 3rd to 5th July 2020, Linton Festival will feature an international selection of artists from the UK, Germany, Ireland and the US.
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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 Free Free Courtesy Courtesy Cars Cars – Collection Collection & Delivery Delivery
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Czech Czech Mate Mate Telling my wife that my next review was going to be a Skoda didn’t generate the same reaction as an Audi or a Volkswagen, despite effectively coming from the same stable as its reputable German engineered cousins. And that in itself speaks volumes. If we’re of a certain age, we all remember the longstanding jokes about Skoda’s reliability... what’s the best way to find spare parts for a Skoda? Follow one. What do you call a Skoda with twin exhausts? A wheelbarrow. But those jokes are almost thirty years old. And in that time, Skoda, like it’s erstwhile home, Czechoslovakia, evolved. The former joining the VW family in 1994, the latter splitting into Slovakia and the Czech Republic one year earlier in 1993. It’s astounding that a reputation for poor quality can persist almost three decades after it should have died a death. This Skoda Superb is quite frankly well-named; it really is superb. The body shape is sleek for a large family hatchback and
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sharing underpinnings with so many well-respected marques (more on that later) means it handles well too, with a great ride and minimal road noise. The interior is a genuinely nice place to be. The model I tested had sculpted comfortable heated seats with plenty of Alcantara leather and quality materials for the dash and steering wheel.
Ab big ig ttick ick tto o the the p practicality racticality ccolumn olumn A reasonable satnav and fantastic stereo, topped off by Skoda‘s version of the virtual cockpit first seen in Audis, complete an incredibly spacious cabin. The space is amazing. Rear legroom should accommodate three adults in comfort, regardless of height, and a truly massive boot gives another big tick to the practicality column. The only downside to the great two-litre engine and auto gearbox was the four-wheel drive system, which is frankly unnecessary in a family hatchback and impacted the fuel eco-
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nomy considerably. I averaged 29mpg in a week of predominantly motorway commuting. A bit more on the underpinnings. It’s based on something VW call the MQB platform which allows them to base a wide range of cars on the same modular base. Hence this big hatchback shares a skeleton with everything from superminis to mid-size SUVs from the VW group. Not surprising they want to use this platform on so much given its $60 billion development cost... and therefore not surprising that the result is such a consummate performer, able to handle motorway miles, country roads and town driving without any discomfort. Other than the four-wheel drive system, my only issue was the colour of my test car, and although it grew on me and looked great when the sun shone, it was one of the ugliest colours I’ve ever seen on a press car. Easily overcome though, just don’t order yours in Dragon Green Metallic.
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IIt’s t’s a privilege privilege to to run run London London Marathon Marathon Nick Matthews is in an upbeat mood as he looks ahead to this year’s London Marathon. The 49-year-old’s preparations are on track – appropriate enough as he’s a railway engineer! – and he certainly has fond memories of the world’s most iconic race. This year’s spectacular is on Sunday 26th April and it will be the third time that Matthews, a member of Tewkesbury Running Club, has competed in the showpiece event. The most recent was in 2015 when he produced the run of his life to finish in three hours, 38 minutes, a time that remains his best over 26.2 miles. He’s not expecting to go round quite so quickly this time, although he does want to beat his 2012 time of 4.06. “That day in 2015 was a really, really good day,” said Matthews. “The aim is to go under four hours this time, maybe 3.50 or 3.45.” Matthews is a relative new-
Nick Matthews
comer to competitive running having joined Tewkesbury Running Club in 2007. Born in Birmingham, the onetime RAF man moved away from Tewkesbury for about five years before returning to the town, and Tewkesbury Running Club, some four years ago. So what persuaded him to take up running more seriously when he was in his mid-30s? “I did the Swindon Half Marathon,” he said. “I was in a pub
with a friend, we’d had a lot of beer and it seemed like a good idea at the time!” That was in 2005 and he clocked up a time of two hours, 10 minutes which he describes now “as not the best”. “I’d always done a bit of running, just to keep fit,” said Matthews. But once he joined Tewkesbury, things really started to take off. “I ran my first marathon in Edinburgh in 2008,” he said. “I ran just over four hours which wasn’t bad at all.” The London Marathon in a few weeks’ time will be his seventh race over the distance and he added: “I’ll run anything, I usually do half marathons, that’s probably my best distance.” He got his chance to run in London after winning the club’s ballot and he said of the race: “It’s the ultimate, it’s a rare privilege to be given the chance to run in it.”
Come ome a and nd jjoin oin u us s P Prestbury restbury h have ave a tteam eam o off ttennis ennis a aces ces C Prestbury Playing Fields are set to undergo a bit of a revamp in the early part of the summer. There are plans for a new Daily Mile running track and a new floodlit multi-use games area with an activity wall along the outside. The plans also include new outdoor gym equipment, which will also cater for people with mobility issues, and a car park, so there’s going to be plenty going on in the area in the coming weeks with the work due to start in May and set to take six to eight weeks. It’s all pretty exciting news for anyone who lives in Prestbury, of course, but while there are clearly going to be a number of changes, one thing that won’t change is Prestbury Tennis Club,
Gloucestershire team manager Andy Addis has issued an open invitation to all rugby players in the area to get involved in their end-of-season county championship campaign. For information, email andyaddis@live.co.uk or call 07742 655132.
B Burnsy urnsy ccentre entre stage stage Members of Prestbury Teennis Club
which has occupied a prime site on the playing fields for many years. “Yes, it is very exciting but we’ll be able to play tennis just like we always do,” said Heather Soons, who has been Prestbury Tennis Club’s secretary for the past 10 years. Full story online.
It’s now 28 years since Chris Burns, one of Gloucestershire’s finest ever footballers and at the time playing for Portsmouth, went toe-to-toe with mighty Liverpool at the semi-final stage of the FA Cup. Portsmouth were beaten in a penalty shootout after a replay and the now 52-year-old Burns said: “It’s the one we let get away.” For full versions of all these stories and more, visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk
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Ryan Ryan Higgins Higgins fired fired up up for for new new sseason eason Ryan Higgins is one of those real top drawer all-rounders. s When you see him bat you think he’s a batting all-rounder and when he’s bowling you think he must be a bowling all-rounder. The figures don’t lie – the 25year-old has enjoyed huge success since joining Gloucestershire from Middlesex for the start of the 2018 season. He has made runs aplenty and has also been a regular wickettaker with his bustling, sharper than medium pace. And the great thing from Gloucestershire’s viewpoint is that he has been producing standout performances in all formats of the game – in the four-day county championship, in 50overs cricket and in T20. And in a few months’ time there’s every chance we’ll be adding a fourth specialism to his impressive CV because he’s been selected to play for Welsh Fire in the much-heralded Hundred competition, where he will line up with and against some of the biggest names in world cricket. And it’s not just in the quickest of quickfire formats that he will be taking on some of the world’s finest in 2020 because for the first time since the midnoughti es, Gl oucest ershi re will be competing in the top flight of the county championship this season. It’s no wonder Higgins can’t wait for the new campaign to start. “It’s really exciting,” he said. “When I first came to Gloucestershire one of the aims was to get into Division One, now we’re there we are all very happy.” And since winning promotion, Gloucestershire have worked hard to strengthen the side, with former West Indies fast bowler Jerome Taylor and all-rounder George Scott joining on longterm contracts, India Test batting star Cheteshwar Pujara linking up for the early part of the season, and Afghanistan leg-spinner Qais Ahmad signing up for the second half of the campaign.
Ryan Higgins has been in outstanding form since joining Gloucestershire
“It shows the intent of the club,” said Higgins. “It shows that we want to stay up and cement our place in Division One. “We don’t want to be there for just one season, we don’t want to be a yo-yo club.” While Scott and Ahmad have bags of potential, Taylor and Pujara are proven on the biggest stages, with Pujara still a major player in Test cricket. And they’ll certainly strengthen Chris Dent’s largely youthful team as they go toe-to-toe with the likes of champions Essex, Surrey and Yorkshire in the purest form of the county game. Higgins played a handful of games in Division One for Middlesex in 2017 and is certainly not daunted by moving up a level this season. “I was talking to some of the players from Kent and they were saying that there isn’t as big a gap as you’d expect,” he said. “There are obviously two or three players in each team who stand out and the standard is going to be a step up, but the pitches will be better which will help the batters, although it may be a bit tougher for the bowlers.” Higgins has proved over the past couple of years that there’s nothing he likes more than a
challenge and that’s going to stand him in very good stead in the coming months because he’s entering uncharted waters this season once the new Hundred competition kicks in in the middle of July. And that tournament is a challenge that Higgins can’t want to take on. He’s in a Welsh Fire squad that includes world class Australian duo Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc, as well as England batting star Jonny Bairstow. Gloucestershire left-arm seamer David Payne is also in the squad and Higgins said: “It’s very exciting. “I remember watching the draft and to get selected was awesome, it was an amazing feeling.” The eight-team tournament, which starts on Friday 17th July, features many of the best players in the world and Higgins added: “I just need to make sure that when I get the chance I play well.” Gloucestershire’s county championship season gets under way against Yorkshire at Headingley on Sunday 12th April (11am) and their T20 campaign begins on Friday 29th May with a floodlit tie at Somerset (6.30pm). Full story online.
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A Alabama labama R Rot ot – in in tthe he p press ress aagain! gain! Alabama Rot, or Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV), continues to strike fear in pet owners up and down the country. In 2019 there were 29 cases, bringing the total to 219 confirmed cases since it was first diagnosed in the UK in 2012. It has a worryingly high mortality rate of about 80%. To date there have been six cases in Gloucestershire with a single confirmed case in Cheltenham.
New Veterinary Care in Tewkesbury Dragon Vets now has a new Tewkesbury branch; we have taken over the ownership of 31 Church Street in Tewkesbury. We will be providing the same high quality veterinary care and advanced treatment that has been our trademark in Cheltenham for over 50 years.
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IItt ccan an ccause ause u ulcerative lcerative sskin kin llesions esions The condition was first recognised in Alabama in the US (hence the name) and seemed to affect mostly greyhounds. It is thought that a toxin produced by certain strains of bacteria caused ulcerative skin lesions but then progressed to cause irreversible kidney damage. Efforts to determine the exact bacteria or toxin that causes the condition in the UK have so far been unrewarding, so as a result there is no vaccine available and treatment is aimed at resolving the skin lesions and monitoring and supporting kidney function. Diagnosis is also difficult and often only possible on post mortem.
A Associated ssociated w with ith w wintery/muddy intery/muddy w walks alks iin n tthe he ccountryside ountryside 90% of all cases are diagnosed in the colder/ damper months of November through to May. Often it is thought to be associated with wintery/ muddy walks in woods or the countryside, but the exact triggers are still to be established. Significant research is ongoing. General advice is to wash off muddy paws at the end of a walk to reduce potential bacterial exposure. If your dog does develop unexplainable skin ulcers or sores then you should take them to your vet straight away, but be reassured it is still an extremely rare condition. Page 14
OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY 9AM- 6.30PM 31 Church Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5PD
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What W hat s O On n The The Local Local Answer Answer Event Event L Listings istings a are re ccompiled ompiled a and nd p presented resented in in good good faith faith with with the the kind kind support support o off m many any ccontributors. ontributors. W We e recommend recommend you you use use the the contact contact details details provided provided to to check check e event vent iinformation nformation u updates pdates p prior rior tto op planning lanning y your our v visit. isit. 33-19 -19 APRIL APRIL EASTER FUN AT PRIMROSE VALE Aimed at children between 2-13 to enjoy various activities around the farm, and to cater for younger visitors, there is a pre-schoolers trail. It is quieter than the Halloween trail, and great fun for all ages. Primrose Vale, Shurdington Road, Bentham, GL51 4UA. www.primrosevale.com 4 APRIL APRIL CLOTHES SWAP In aid of Cobalt. An ingenious and great way of swapping five items from your wardrobe and raising funds along the way. Tickets £5 – includes coffee and cake. Phone 01242 535920 for information. 10.30am. Emmanuel Church Hall, Fairfield Parade, Leckhampton, Cheltenham GL53 7NT. WINE FESTIVAL
Join wine lovers in the Regency splendour of The Pittville Pump Room, with over 250 different wines to choose from. Favourites from England, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa,
Chile, Argentina and the USA. £25 per person with a choice of attending 12pm-3pm or 4pm-7pm. Full details at cheltenhamwinefestival.com East Approach Drive, GL52 3JE. 44-5 -5 APRIL APRIL MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION Layouts, refreshments, children drive yourself Thomas. Raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. St. Margaret’s Hall, Coniston Road, off Windermere Road, Hatherley, Cheltenham GL51 3NU. 10am-5pm. Full details at www.cheltmodrail.org.uk 4-19 APRIL APRIL 4-19 THE GREAT LITTLE CHICK HUNT
Enjoy the perfect spring day out at Sudeley Castle and take part in a host of activities this Easter holiday. Search the castle rooms to find over 100 Easter chicks hidden around the castle. A trail activity sheet will be available to keep track of how many you find. Venture outside and follow an egg-citing trail of easter-themed
activities. Complete the trail for a chocolatey prize. Sudeley Castle & Gardens, Winchcombe, GL54 5JD. Full details at sudeleycastle.co.uk 7 APRIL APRIL DOCTOR DOLITTLE EASTER HOLIDAY Come along to the John Moore Museum this Easter, as we have been inspired by Hugh Lofting’s Story of Doctor Dolittle! You will get to see and touch some of the UK’s most amazing wildlife this school holiday! In our Natural History Collection, we have everything from tiny pygmy shrews and dormice to large mammals like foxes and badgers. We also have beautiful birds from vibrant kingfishers to intelligent owls! 41-42 Church Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5SN. www.johnmooremuseum.org APRIL 8 APRIL WIZARD OF OZ Join Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the cowardly Lion as they journey on a panto-filled adventure through Oz to meet the legendary Wizard and defeat the Wicked Witch of the West. £16£18. 3pm and 7pm. Full details at www.rosestheatre.org. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. 11 11 APRIL APRIL THE BIG EASTER EGG TRAIL Come and join the Easter Bunny to find the clues around the park and win some Easter chocolate. A joint event to support Cobalt and Maggie’s. Entry £2.50 per child. 1-4pm. Sandford Park Café, Cheltenham GL53 7PU.
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1111 APRIL APRIL EASTER EGGSTRAV VAGANZA AT SANDFORD PARKS LIDO Join us on Easter Saturday for a funfilled day for all the family. Meet the Easter Bunny between 11am and 1pm! There will be a variety of games and activities for both adults and children, such as egg and spoon races and ‘hook-a-duck’ in the paddling pool! The pool will be open as usual between 11am and 7.30pm. Free event. All ages welcome. Sandford Parks Lido, Keynsham Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7PU. www.sandfordparkslido.org.uk BON GIOVI The world’s best Bon Jovi tribute band from the UK. Established for 19 years, they have performed in 27 countries. Bon Giovi are the No. 1 tribute band for a breathtaking Bon Jovi Performance. 7.30pm. Tickets £12. For full details visit tewkesburytowncouncil.gov.uk/ event/bon-giovi. Watson Hall, 65 Barton Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5PX. 16-25 16-25 APRIL APRIL CHELTENHAM POETRY FESTIVAL The 10th Cheltenham Poetry Festival is going to take place in and around important venues in Cheltenham, including the chapel at Francis Close Hall, the University of Gloucestershire, Smokey Joes Cafe, the Sober Parrot and the Playhouse Theatre. Full details at cheltenhampoetryfestival.com 1133 APRIL APRIL EASTER EGGSPRESS
Enjoy a day out on one of the GWSR Easter Eggspress specials! Climb aboard at Cheltenham Racecourse, Toddington or Broadway Station for this ‘eggsellent’ event which will be taking place at Winchcombe Station. As you travel through the beautiful Cotswold countryside, you can enjoy one of our free children’s quiz sheets with Easter puzzles and games to make your journey even more enjoyable. For more details visit www.gwsr.com 1155 APRIL APRIL HOLIDAY CRAFT – COLOUR-WAYS A workshop to explore colour, inspired by the work of Liz West. Children will have the chance to explore how to mix and use colour in their paintings. Working to produce their own colour
Page 16
wheel, they will also have chance to experiment with other art materials to explore colour. A hands-on workshop which could get messy! 10.30am and 1pm. £5. The Wilson Art Gallery & Museum, Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3JT. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk APRIL 18 18 APRIL THE CHELTENHAM FRYER – FISH & CHIP SPECIALS The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway’s famous Fish and Chip Special Train “The Cheltenham Fryer” will be offering a leisurely evening ride through the Cotswold countryside with the addition of a scrumptious fish and chips meal brought to your table. £24 per person – includes train travel in your reserved seat and a large portion of fish and chips. For more details please visit www.gwsr.com 1199 APRIL APRIL QUENINGTON RARE PLANT FAIR
A specialist plant sale set in beautiful gardens; you will be spoilt for choice with 20 plant stalls. Refreshments available. Admission £5 per adult, children under 16 free. Cash or cheque only. 11am-4pm. The Old Rectory, Quenington, Cirencester GL7 5BN. 24-26 APRIL APRIL 24-26 FRESH: ART FAIR Returning for our fourth year in Cheltenham, Fresh: will be bigger and better than ever. There’ll be 15 new galleries, fresh work from returning exhibitors, workshops, talks, artist demos and the return of our famous outdoor Sculpture Park. For full details visit www.freshartfair.net/fairs/freshart-fair-cheltenham-racecourse/ 25-26 25-26 APRIL APRIL WARTIME IN THE COTSWOLDS Come and visit our nostalgic 1940s weekend for all the family at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. 2020’s event will have an emphasis on the Home Front. Transport yourself back to September 1940 and imagine you are waiting for a train at a small station on the Great Western Railway. For full details of the event
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and to purchase tickets, please visit www.gwsr.com 2266 APRIL APRIL ARTHUR’S SPRING STROLL A sponsored stroll with friends, family and your four legged friends along this seven mile walk. Sign up on the Cobalt website or phone 01242 535922. Meet outside the Nailsworth Fire Station GL6 0DU for 10am start. Free car parking in the town. 20 20 MAY MAY YOGA AND MIDNFULNESS CHARITY EVENT Yoga and mindfulness classes will be taken by professional teachers as part of an event for local medical charity Cobalt. The fundraising event will be held during Mental Health Awareness Week at Brockworth Community Centre in Gloucester. Tickets are £15 and must be pre booked, with proceeds helping Cobalt in their work to support local people with cancer and dementia. 01242 535900. fundraising@cobalthealth.co.uk www.cobalthealth.co.uk 229-30 9-30 APRIL APRIL THAT’LL BE THE DAY Prepare for a nostalgia extravaganza as the UK’s No.1 Rock & Roll variety production returns! This very special edition of the show presents the most popularly requested songs, impressions and comic sketches from over 33 years of That’ll Be The Day. Featuring smash hits from the 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s this is a throwback evening of brilliant entertainment that guarantees to have you on your feet and dancing in the aisles before the night is over! 7.30pm. £28. Full details at www.rosestheatre.org. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. 3-5 3-5 JULY JULY LINTON FESTIVAL
20th Anniversary, music, beer and cider festival raising money for local charities. Headliners include The Counterfeit Stones, Walter Trout and One Night of Queen plus many more amazing international bands/artists. Tickets from £22 plus camping. Full line-up on website: www.lintonfestival.org
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Entertainment E ntertainment
IIff you you hhave ave a sstory tory ttoo share, share, pplease lease eemail mail ffull ull ddetails etails tto o TTom. om. with with Tom Tom Hadfield Hadfield ‒ entertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk entertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Manor Players Hi-de-Hi Manor P layers ready ready to to say say H i-de-Hi The Manor Players of Tewkesbury have been performing for Gloucestershire audiences for over half a century. The group, which first formed as the Mitton Manor Players in 1969, usually perform twice a year, and this month will be bringing their first show of 2020 to the stage. ‘Hi-de-Hi’ will be a musical take on the classic 80s sitcom, and director Peter O’Brien says the show will feature all the familiar characters. “We’ve taken bits and pieces from the programme and we’re combining them to make an episode in the show,” he explained. “The characterisation is all there, people know what to expect – they’re all larger than life characters.” Peter, who has been with the
The ‘Hi-De-Hi’ cast
Players for close to 15 years, will also be starring in the production as ballroom dancer Barry – “that role is miscast, I’m not the most graceful!” he laughed. Whilst he has directed musicals and pantos with other theatre groups, he says it has always been a “secret ambition” of his to put on this show.
FFilm ilm Review Review – Joe Joe K Kennett ennett
“I want to put my own stamp on it,” he continued. “The show is not typically a musical, but as we are a musical group we’ve added songs from around that period of time, like ‘Holiday Rock’.” The original programme was set in the late 50s at fictional holiday camp ‘Maplins’ and followed the inept staff in charge of providing entertainment for the holidaymakers, who were known as Yellowcoats due to their uniforms. “On the night our front of house staff will be the actors in their yellow coats,” said Peter, “and of course the bar will be open! We’ve also got live music rather than backing tracks which I think really adds to it. We’re getting there with rehearsals, it’s coming together nicely.” Full story online.
Book Book Review Review – Willow Willow Tonks Tonks
Onward O nward
Platform Platform S Seven even
‘Onward’ follows brothers Ian (Tom Holland) and Barley (Chris Pratt) as they embark on an old world quest to retrieve an almighty gem capable of bringing their dad, who passed when they were too young to remember him, back to life to spend a final 24 hours with them. Pixar humanises figures of fantasy, bringing suburban life to a community of elves, where unicorns are akin to cats who screech at each other over scraps of food, and dragons are overexcitable dogs who bound around causing chaos, creating the perfect balance of relatable realism and wacky fantasy. Laugh-inducing and tearjerking from beginning to end, ‘Onward’ encapsulates what Disney Pixar does best. Bring tissues and get ready to fall in love with a new host of unlikely f riendships. Barley and Ian Lightfoot. Picture: Disney Pixar Full review online.
by Louise Doughty This engrossing mystery d e al s w i t h d e s t r u c t i v e r e l at i o n s h i p s a n d t h e i r consequences in a tense and immersive plot that k e ep s y o u g r i p p e d u n t i l the final page. L is a c a n n o t r e m e m b e r the circumstances surro u nd i n g h e r u n t i m e l y d e at h , a n d h e r g h o s t i s t r ap p e d w i t h i n t h e c o n f i n es o f a t r a i n s t a t i o n , observing the busy lives of those rushing around her. As the story unravels, we learn of her dark relationship with Dr Matthew Goodison, and discover the reasons behind her tragic death and how she came to be on platform seven on that fateful night 18 months beforehand. A chilling portrayal of manipulation, possession, love and loss, ‘Platform Seven’ is a must-read. Full review online.
Above Above is is a selection selection ffrom rom local local entertainment entertainment stories stories available available online online ... ...
A Art rt • E Events vents • E Experiences xperiences • F Film ilm • L Lifestyle ifestyle L Literature iterature • M Music usic • R Reviews eviews • T Theatre heatre • T TV V
Band B and set set a song-a-month song-a-month challenge challenge It’s always important that any new band makes their name memorable, and it’s fair to say that one Tewkesbury trio has achieved that. “Yeah, we get asked a lot about the name,” said Craig Sipek, vocalist and bassist for Feed Me Milk. “We were originally going to have a fourth member on vocals. He said to us one day that his friend suggested we should call ourselves ‘Feed Me Milk’ as a joke. “The three of us quite liked the name and it sort of just stuck. I think it’s quite a memorable name as it’s a bit obscure. Calcium is key!” Completing the trio alongside Craig is drummer Callum Bennetts and guitarist and vocalist Ryan Nottingham. The band formed in late 2018 after Ryan’s dad saw Craig
Feed Me Milk
performing an original song at a local open mic night. They started writing and performing soon after, and Craig says that since first starting out, their sound has changed significantly. He continued: “Our newer music is a lot different to our first few tracks, which were quite punky and rough.
“I can fit our new style somewhere between dancerock, hip-hop and funk. Lyrically we are all over the place, but we like to touch on social issues every now and then.” For 2020, the boys have set themselves the challenge of releasing at least one new track a month. “The idea came about as a result of us not putting any new music out last year, aside from our EP at the start,” said Craig. “We were so busy gigging everywhere that we never found the time to record any new songs and we felt that we neglected our audience that don’t like to go out to gigs. “ S e e i ng t h e a u d i e n c e e n g a g e with a song we wrote is pure bliss,” he added. “It's like a confirmation that we’ve written a solid track.” Full story online.
E Erica rica set set ffor or release release of of charity charity single single Erica are a well-known band in this part of the world. Formed close to a decade ago, the band is made up of Winchcombe friends Dalton Woodward, Will Hall and Michael Long. So far Erica have three albums to their name, including last year’s WhiteHorse, but this month are preparing for a unique release, featuring another (L-R) Dalton, Will and Michael on Lake Annecy local famous face. Actor James Moore is best the fact he loves to play the known for his role in the popular drums,” explained fellow ITV soap ‘Emmerdale’. drummer Will. He joined the cast in 2018, and “We invited him to join Erica last year won the National in the studio for a jam, and he Television Award for Best Newagreed to come along. That jam comer for his role as Ryan turned into the embryo of a Stocks. song that then developed as the “We struck up a conversation friendship did.” with James on Twitter and talked “The new single is called ‘Not about his passion for music and Alone’ and features James
taking on Will’s role of Erica drummer!” continued Michael. “Dalton and James wrote the lyrics and it was a collective effort on the music, finally mixed and mastered by our producer, Dave Draper. “It’s a lighter electronic pop sound than the usual Erica vibe and has a positive message about growing up, regardless of personal circumstances and also the complicated transition to adulthood.” Proceeds from the single will be split between Paul Cooper’s charity, The National Children’s Football Alliance, and James’ chosen charity, Ataxia UK, which supports people, like James, with ataxic cerebral palsy, which can affect balance, coordination and speech. Full story online.
For For full full articles articles and and m more ore sstories tories vvisit isit w www.thelocalanswer.co.uk ww.thelocalanswer.co.uk
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The The nodding nodding heads heads of of bluebells bluebells At last spring is really here and everything is bursting with life. British gardens typically look at their best in spring and early summer when everything seems to be gearing itself up for a spectacular display of colour. As daffodils finish flowering, the faded flowerheads can be removed. The small daffodils which are being grown to naturalise can be left to form seedheads. Don’t cut off the foliage – it needs at least six weeks’ dying to replenish the bulb underneath so it can flower the following year. Also, don’t tie up daffodils in strange bundles with elastic bands, as this can damage the leaves as well as being very odd-looking!
English English b bluebells luebells a are re under under threat threat from from tthe he Spanish Spanish v variety ariety A wood full of the beautiful nodding heads and scent of bluebells is a quintessentially English experience and they
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will be coming out this month. Unfortunately, they are under threat from the Spanish bluebell, which is grown in gardens as it was considered more decorative than its English cousin. How to tell them apart? Well the English bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) has scented flowers borne on one side of the stem, the anthers are cream-coloured and unequal, and the flower spike is nodding. The Spanish bluebell (H.hispanica) has unscented flowers borne on all sides of the stem. It has blue equal anthers and an upright flower spike. So take care with what you plant (under no circ u m s t a n c e s h a rv e s t a n y from the wild!), sourcing them from reputable retailers, and you too could enjoy the fragrance of your own little bluebell patch. To advertise call 01242 510500
Keep a lookout for the red lily beetles on newly emerging lily shoots. Pick them off and squash them, and if you are not averse to the use of chemicals, use a systemic spray like Provado Ultimate Bug Killer to keep them safe for up to six weeks.
Feed F eed your your fruit fruit b bushes ushes With having such a wet winter it might be a good idea to feed your fruit bushes – the rain washes all the goodness from the soil. A balanced general fertiliser such as Gromore or blood, fish and bone can be applied at about 70g per square metre to give them a boost. Now is the time to make successional sowings of beetroot, chard and radishes outdoors ready for gathering in July and August. Follow the instructions on the packet, sowing in an area where the soil has been carefully raked to a fine tilth and don’t forget to label the rows! Page 25
P romote your your Promote b usiness iin n business
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PAINTING P AINTING & DECORATING D ECORATING B BRIAN RIAN MITTEN MITTEN
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225 5Y YEARS’ EARS’ E EXPERIENCE XPERIENCE
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Blissful lissful B Bathrooms athrooms BB B
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Thinking Thinking of of replacing replacing y your our Blissful Bathrooms Showroom is based bath with with a walk-in walk-in shower? shower? in Cheltenham and we specialise in full bath bathroom installations. We offer a fully Y YOU OU C COULD BE OULD B E EELIGIBLE LIGIBLE project-managed in-house service. FOR VAT RELIEF! FOR V AT R ELIEF! We offer free delivery on all products. P lease c all ffor or ffurther urther details. details. Please call CONTACT THE SHOWROOM: Tel. 01242 678 080 Blissful Bathrooms, 3 The Green, Station Road, Woodmancote, Cheltenham, GL52 9HR
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S Save ave the the P Planet lanet with w ith L Louise ouise W Williams illiams
ne lectric C Considering onsidering aan electric ccar ar – is is it it e nough? enough? I’ve been feeling incredibly guilty about my vehicle emissions for a while now. Every time I drive for the school run (often with this terrible weather lately) I watch the fumes from the cars around me swirling up into the ether and am consumed with angst about the fact that my car is doing the same. So I started researching electric cars.
Think Think ccarefully arefully a about bout which m which model odel you you go go for for One of the biggest issues for me is range. Unless you have a very big budget and can afford a car that does hundreds of miles and recharges in minutes while you drink a coffee in a service station, you need to think a bit carefully about which model you are going to go for. I’m terrible for planning and I also get a lot of anxiety about
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trips at the best of times and would be really worrying about the chargers not working at the service station, or (which I think would be more likely these days!) them all being in use! So that has led me to look at hybrids. A battery meaning I can do all my local running around emission free, and then if the worst happens and I can’t recharge for whatever reason on a longer journey (I feel I’d struggle on my trips back through Wales) I have the backup of an engine. But then I start to question myself again – is that good enough? And I think that sums up the way I feel generally about the environment at the moment. Is what I’m doing, or attempting to do, good enough?
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We recycle and we try to find alternative routes to school, I’ve made a whole heap of changes to how we buy and live but ultimately, we are certainly leaving our mark on the planet as a family, despite our efforts. And with the local flooding and the terrible fires recently in Australia, it can feel as though we, as a world aren’t doing enough.
It’s It’s important important tto oa also lso look look for for the the positives positives But then maybe it would all be so much worse now without the things we have done. It’s important to also look for the positives. There are incredible initiatives reported every day – plastic bag equivalents made from plants that break down to nothing, amazing inventions to clean up the sea, people talking about the environment and doing their best to do better. I’m trying to take comfort from that, and continuing to educate my children on how they can live a more sustainable life. I hope by making small changes daily, and making bigger changes where I can, soon I will be able to feel much less guilty. Page 2
interior interior needs needs Luxurious L uxurious Curtains Curtains & Stylish Stylish Blinds Blinddss New New SSpring pring Fabric Fabric D Fa Designs esigns
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Having a spring clean will freshen things up, and giving a room a lick of paint can make a bit of a difference. However, choosing the right colour or colours for your walls and fabrics is key to creating the right mood for you. At Interior Needs we ca advise, design and Fa F ab brriics supply everything you c s, B Blliin nd ds s, Aw Awni nin ng gs & need for complete S Sh hu utttte errs s refurbishment projects T TH HR RO OU UG GH HO OU UT T or to help update your A AP PR RIIL existing decor.
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Awesome A wesome Awnings, Awnings, Perfect Perfect Fit Fit Pleated Pleated Blinds Blinds & Shaped Shaped Shutters Shutters eenquiries@interiorneeds.co.uk nquiries@interiorneeds.co.uk | 01452 01452 522 522 422 422 | w www.interiorneeds.co.uk ww.interiorneeds.co.uk Eastern Eastern Avenue, Avenue, Gloucester Gloucester GL4 GL4 3BU 3BU O Opening pening T Times imes T Tuesday-Saturday uesday-Saturday 110am-3pm 0am-3pm | M Mondays ondays by by appointment appointment only only
IInterior nterior D Design esign w with ith G Gill ill G Greenwell reenwell
W Wake ake up up to to spring spring It feels like spring has been a long time coming. If you’re like me, you start to crave more light and colour when the sun starts to stream in after the long, grey months of winter. The good news is, homeware shops are brimming with new fabrics, wallpaper and furniture. Celebrate the new season by following my tips to give your home a spring update.
P Pastel astel p perfect erfect An easy way to brighten up your home is to introduce pastel colours into a neutral scheme. Think petal inspired hues. Blush pink looks great matched with grey sofas for a midcentury living room scheme. I paired a soft, greyish-lilac with taupe in my bedroom – it feels so calm and restful. Fresh green walls with white tiles look clean and chic for a bathroom. For a warm welcome, paint your front door a sunny daffodil yellow and accessorise with grey metal planters.
Floral F loral cchic hic I am a bit of a fan of florals (my first home was all Laura
Ashley). The good news is that flowers feature strongly in the new spring fabric and wallpaper collections. Inspired by a trip to Japan earlier in the year, I am particularly drawn to the oriental style wallpapers. Little Greene’s lovely Belton design would look stunning in a hall or small bedroom, or for a real statement think about a wallpaper mural. Check out the gorgeous chinoiserie designs at www.surfaceview.co.uk or visit www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk for more inspiration. And remember you can always pick up a contemporary floral design on a single chair or a cushion.
Spring S pring blooms blooms Fresh flowers bring spring into your home and are a sure-fire way to lift your spirits. There are so many glorious spring flowers to choose from and you may find some growing in your garden that you can harvest. Mix daffodils with forsythia, masses of dark purple tulips, or white hyacinths always look stunning. Add some pussy willow branches for height,
Image: Little Greene
then dry them and create a year -round sculptural arrangement.
Natural Natural selection selection The new spring furniture ranges feature lots of natural cane and rattan – perfect for a lighter spring/summer natural look for your décor. There are some great cost-effective pieces available online – check out the rattan fold up dining chairs at H&M, or the round black bamboo mirror at Trouva. Be sustainable by searching out old pieces and make them look this season by revamping them with a lick of paint in jade green, coral or on-trend classic blue.
Easter E aster tablescape tablescape For that seasonal finishing touch, dress up your lunch table for Easter. Create an Easterthemed table with pastel hued napkins and coloured glasses, then scatter around cute and charming eggs, chicks and bunnies. For a quick and stylish decoration, arrange white painted branches in a large vase and hang hand painted eggs on it – great fun to make with the kids. Happy Easter! The Local Answer
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Page 2
Specialists Specialists iin n safety safety and and des de
We can help you with any bathroom makeover, large or small, but have particular expertise when designing rooms for customers with mobility issues.
Before Before
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bathroom ďŹ tters high standard of ďŹ nish
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bathroom bathroom sign sign Wet rrooms ooms • Wet Shower rooms rooms • Shower Bathrooms • Bathrooms Cloakrooms • Cloakrooms Tiles • Tiles •W all boards bo ds Wall
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01453 884167
rex@lifestylebathrooms.net
www.lifestylebathrooms.net
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Index of Advertisers WHAT’S ON
CLEANING Ovenbusters
EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS Cotswold Wildlife Park
TV & AERIAL 5 1st Choice Aerials
SKIP HIRE & RECYCLING 22 Stevens Recycling
17 ELECTRICAL SERVICES Shurmer Electrical
WINDOWS, DOORS & 26 CONSERVATORIES HOMES & GARDENS FURNISHING & APPLIANCES Albany Windows BATHROOMS 26 Clearway Windows Blissful Bathrooms 26 Bella’s Interiors 36 Garolla Lifestyle Bathrooms 30-31 Dream Doors 28 Severn Vale Bathrooms 17 & 35 Interior Needs
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8 & 32 33 22
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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
BUILDING SERVICES C&G Paving Cheltenham Town Roofing Home Care Roofing JHD Roofing & Building Marshalls Driveways NKS Contracts R. Richards & Sons S.J. Lewis & Sons
20 21 20 21 20 23 2 21
GARDEN SERVICES Cheltenham Town Landscaping Cheltenham Tree Services Grass Scape JH Garden Care Lawn Doc
23 24 22 22 22
CARE SERVICES Barnwood Trust Building Circles
6 17
MOTOR SERVICES Cleeveline Taxis V Hub
5 10
PET SERVICES PAINTING & DECORATING Brian Mitten 26 Dragon Vets Tewkesbury
14
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Competition Winners TLA Photography – April 2020 Cover: Kay Ransom.
Competition Rules 1 Prizes are as stated and no cash or prize alternative will be offered. 2 Employees of The Local Answer and their families or households are not eligible to enter. 3 The first correct entry drawn at random after the closing date will win the prize as stated. 4 The winner will be notified by telephone after the closing date has passed. 5 The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 6 Entrants must be over 18 years, unless stated. 7 Proof of posting is not regarded as
proof of receipt of entry. 8 The Local Answer accepts no responsibility for the provision of the prize, which remains at all times the full responsibility of the prize donor(s). 9 By entering any competition you agree to have your name published in the next issue of The Local Answer should you be drawn as a winner of the prize. 10 By entering any competition you agree to have your details passed to a third party. 11 One entry per household.
BOOKING DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE – Friday 10th April 2020
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