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AN ANSWER SWER N orth G loucestershire: 220,000 0,000 ccopies opies North Gloucestershire: 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: Stroud District: District: 41,000 41,000 copies copies Stroud

W elcome Welcome ttoo M arch March

IInside nside tthis his m month onth ... ... W ord Search Search Word D elicious D ish Delicious Dish S ave tthe he P lanet Save Planet P et C are Pet Care M edical H ealth Medical Health M otoring Motoring TTLA LA S port Sport W hat’s O n What’s On TTLA LA EEntertainment ntertainment H omes & G ardens Homes Gardens G adgets & G izmos Gadgets Gizmos Q uick C rossword Quick Crossword IIn n tthe he G arden Garden IInterior nterior D esign Design S udoku Sudoku M oney M atters Money Matters Index, Competitions, Competitions, Solutions Solutions Index,

March’s winning cover photo: Keith Fairburn

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Online this this month month ... ... Online E Enter nter o our ur ffantastic antastic ccompetitions ompetitions a and nd y you ou ccould ould win: win: • A three three course course meal meal ffor or two two with with wine wine at at TThe he FFountain ountain IInn nn in in Gloucester Gloucester • A ffamily amily tticket icket ttoo vvisit isit Cotswold Wildlife Park C otswold W ildlife P ark • A signed Giffords signed copy copy of of the the new new G iffords Circus Circus ccookbook ookbook aand nd aann EEmma mma Bridgewater Bridgewater mug mug 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 is finally breaking through and Julia Smith’s latest ‘In the Garden’ article has some great tips on how to get your garden organised in time for the warmer months. We’re very excited to introduce two new members of staff who joined the TLA team last month! Luke (pictured below) will be taking over Sales and Advertising as Claudie jets off on her travels, and Matt is with us two days a week while he finishes college. We are looking forward to him coming on board full-time in the summer, when he’ll get stuck into the production and editorial elements of the magazine. This month’s competitions include some fantastic prizes from The Fountain Inn in Gloucester, Cotswold Wildlife Park and Giffords Circus! Go to our website for more details. 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 M anaging D irector Managing Director Dave Kingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Marketing M arketing

Lois Kingscott lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Advertising Advertising Claudie Francis (01242 510500) info@thelocalanswer.co.uk Luke Manton (01242 541073) info@thelocalanswer.co.uk

LLeaflets eaflets & D Distribution istribution John Overton (01242 541075) leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk Louis Jordan distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk Page 3

Word W ord S Search earch G A D O X Q J E V S C Y P S W U N Z Z P A C I H

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S Spring pring BABIES BLOOM BLOSSOM BULBS BUTTERFLY CLEANING CHICK DAFFODIL FLOWERS

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Pork Pork tenderloin tenderloin in in a white white wine wine and and mushroom mushroom sauce sauce S Simple imple e enough nough for for a quick quick m mid-week id-week m meal, eal, b but ut ‘‘gourmet’ gourmet’ e enough nough if if y you ou are are entertaining entertaining guests! guests! IIngredients: ngredients: 500g pork tenderloin trimmed and cut into eight pieces; 250g chestnut mushrooms, washed then halved; 100ml white wine; 100ml hot chicken stock; 150ml double cream; 40g butter; 2 tbsp olive oil; 500g new potatoes; bunch of chives, finely chopped. Method: M ethod: 1 Put the new potatoes on to cook until tender, around 10 minutes depending on the size. 2 Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the pork rounds for two minutes on each side.

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3 Transfer to a plate and cover with foil. 4 Add the mushrooms and cook for two minutes, put the pork back in, add the wine and allow to bubble for another couple of minutes. 5 Add the cream and hot stock, cook for a further five minutes then season to taste. 6 Drain the potatoes, stir in the butter, then mix in some of the chopped chives. 7 Put two pork rounds on each of your serving plates, pour over the sauce, sprinkle with a few more chives and serve with the potatoes and your choice of seasonal vegetables.

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

Why Why biodegradable biodegradable iisn’t sn’t always always sso og reat great The thing about environmental information being more freely available with the internet is that you begin to learn that things you believed your whole life might not be accurate. You read or hear biodegradable and you think that it’s planet friendly right? Well, I have some worrying news for you. Certain items will only break down (biodegrade) with a specific combination of chemicals and gasses present, and even then they convert into micro-plastics, leaving toxic residue. So just because something states biodegradable on the packet, you still need to check it’s really an ecologically sound product.

There There are are genuine genuine plant-friendly p lant-friendly o options ptions It really does seem to be a scary time and so many favourite products are suddenly ecologically damaging but rest assured, there are some

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genuinely planet safe options. I want to talk about something that as a mum, was one of my parenting staples. Wet wipes! They have a multitude of uses and saved the day for me on more than one occasion, but knowing what I do now, I’d never have used the ones I did. They are one of the worst! A recent study discovered that 90% of wet wipes contain plastic. This also refers to the so-called flushable toilet wipes – please don’t flush them, despite what they say on the packaging. Wipes cause no end of problems in the sewer systems and also leak microplastics into the water! So what can you use instead to tackle these parenting emergencies? Well never fear, there are quite a lot of alternatives! Go back to a simpler time and just use damp flannel squares for sticky fingers and faces. Have a search online –

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there are so many reusable fabric wipes available to buy now that you can wash in the machine and use time and time again. There are lots of pretty designs and softer options for delicate skin.

Do D oy your our rresearch esearch a and nd ffind ind w what’s hat’s best best for for you you If you can’t face that when you are dealing with changing nappies (a whole article topic in itself!), there are wipes that are made of bamboo or cotton that state ‘biodegradable’. These genuinely do break down completely and contain no plastic. Just do a bit of research first to make sure they really are good ones. There are also compostable wipes available – a far better option, but it’s important to compost them properly, as they apparently don’t break down in landfills. The thing with the truly planet-friendly wipes is that sadly they are often more expensive than their plastic counterparts, making them out of budget for some. The most cost-effective option is of course reusable fabric wipes, but if wet wipes with plastic really are your only option, maybe simply try to limit your use of them and never ever flush them. The Local Answer

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

Separation S eparation aanxiety nxiety

TTewkesbury ewkesburryy 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.

£40 £ 40 ++VAT VAT ffor or a sstarter tarter ccourse ourse ooff ttwo wo vvaccinations accinations ffor or ppuppies uppies oorr kkittens ittens OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY 9AM- 6.30PM 31 Church Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5PD

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Many dogs show signs of anxiety when left alone, with symptoms such as toileting in the house, destructive behaviour, barking, howling, pacing and restlessness. Surveys show up to 25% of dog owners recognise these symptoms in their pets. However, in a pilot study where cameras were placed in homes, over 85% of dogs exhibited signs of anxiety. Sometimes these symptoms – whining, trembling, panting or drooling – wouldn’t be obvious without the hidden cameras. Some dogs are more likely to suffer – for example, those that have come from rescue shelters and already suffered an experience of separation. A major house move or change in the family can sometimes trigger anxiety, and genetics can also be a factor, as certain breeds seem to be more prone to feelings of abandonment. Labradors, German Shepherds, Pointers, Vizslas, Poodles and Bichon Frises have all been suggested to be more prone, although in reality any dog can suffer. Mild cases may be treated with giving dogs toys and treats to play with while on their own. A toy such as a Kong that can be stuffed with something tasty and sticky like peanut butter is ideal. They can be frozen to make it take even longer for your pet to work their way through the treat.

C Counter-conditioning ounter-conditioning and and d desensitisation esensitisation Severe cases may need medical intervention or desensitisation and counter-conditioning with the help of a behaviourist. Counter-conditioning trains the dog to associate being on their own as a positive experience by being rewarded for staying calm. Desensitisation tries to break the link between leaving and anxiety. Often dogs get anxious before we even leave the house, so mixing up cues that trigger anxiety (like picking up keys or putting on coats) can start to desensitise a dog to us leaving. In recent years, pet cameras have become increasingly popular. You can even get cameras that allow you to talk to them, give them treats and send you alerts if they start barking! It’s clear that many dogs suffer from some level of anxiety when they are on their own. If you are worried about your pet then speak to your vet or a behaviourist about what can be done to ease an anxious dog.

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M Medical edical H Health ealth with w ith H Holly olly H Hannigan annigan

M Multiple ultiple S Sclerosis clerosis awareness awareness Anyone who has heard of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) will be aware of how debilitating and isolating it can become. This year, MS Awareness Week runs from 20th-26th April, and hopefully after reading this article you will have some more understanding yourself. MS is an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system (spinal cord and brain) where the immune system gets confused and instead of attacking an infection or virus, it turns on itself and attacks the nerve cells. The ‘messages’ being transmitted from and to the brain are disrupted, causing them to slow down, become distorted or not get through at all. This process of attacking nerve cells causes many scars or lesions in different places within the central nervous system.

Patients Patients experience experience different d ifferent ssymptoms ymptoms a att different different times times The symptoms that occur depend on the site and severity of the lesions, and this is why people with MS experience different symptoms at different times. I t i s e s t i m a t e d t h a t th e r e a r e more than 107,000 people in the UK diagnosed with MS. It is commonly diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 30 and there are roughly three times more women affected than men. The symptoms of MS vary considerably but often the things that are affected are: • Balance – in some people with MS, problems with balance can cause unsteadiThe Local Answer

ness, clumsiness, and affect limb movement and posture • Bladder problems tend to fall into the areas of urgency, frequency and retention • Bowel problems to some degree – constipation and difficulties emptying the bowel are the most common • Cognition – memory, information processing, problem solving, word-finding and concentration • Fatigue • Foot drop – a weakness in the ankle that causes the foot to drag along the ground or hang down when walking • Pain • Mobility issues • Speech and swallowing disorders • Spasticity, muscle spasms and tremors Symptoms can come and go, and some of them are much more responsive to treatment, while others can be more difficult to manage. Unfortunately, there is no To advertise call 0122 510500

one single test or procedure that can be used to diagnose MS. It is often a case of watching and waiting to see if new symptoms appear or previous symptoms recur. This process can be frustrating; it is hard to accept that a conclusive diagnosis can take months or even years.

There T here a are re a variety variety of of ttreatments reatments When it comes to treatments, there are Disease Modifying Therapies (medications designed to reduce the amount of relapses), complementary therapies such as massage and reflexology, gentle exercise and good sleep routines, diet and supplements, and recent research has shown positive results using medicinal cannabis. If you are struggling with a diagnosis or managing your symptoms, talk to your GP or access support groups. Sometimes counselling, CBT or Solution Focussed Hypnotherapy can help. Page 11

G Gloucestershire’s loucestershire’s VW VW AUDI AUDI Group Group Specialist Specialist SServicing ervicing FFrom rom £ £95.00 95.00 M MOT OT £ £39.95 39.95 C Cambelts ambelts FFrom rom £ £249.00 249.00 A Air ir C Conditioning onditioning rregas egas £ £45.00 45.00 FFree ree Courtesy Courtesy Cars Cars – Collection Collection & Delivery Delivery

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UNIT U NIT 8 8A: A: B Beta eta C Close, lose, D Delta elta D Drive, rive, TTewkesbury, ewkesbury, G Glos. los. GL20 GL20 8SR 8SR

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D Distributors istributors Required Required For a few hours each month in the following specific areas:

Tewkesbury – Mitton Each round is made up of 150-400 copies per month. The rate of pay is 6 pence/copy. Depending on property types, our current team of people average between 100-150 copies/hour (equivalent to £6-£9/hour). Magazines are delivered to T The he L Loc oca al l Distributors’ homes towards the ANS A NS WER WER end of each month and we expect deliveries to be completed within four days between the hours of 7am and 9pm. You must be 13+ years old, flexible, reliable and sufficiently physically fit to perform the N NORTH ORTH G GLOUCE LOUCES STERSH TERSHIIRE RE duties. GLOUCESTERSHIRE GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S ’S BIGGEST BIGGEST LOCAL LOCAL MAGAZINE MAGAZINE MARCH MARCH 2020 2020

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

P Power, ower, ccontrol ontrol aand nd a llot ot o off n noise oise I first drove the ‘entry level’ R8 from Audi several years back and was suitably impressed with the balance of power and control. With a facelift and a more potent power unit, the questions I was really asking myself were whether my memory was accurate, and if the performance pack could actually add that much more to it. I’ll come to my verdict on my memory later, but firstly I’ll answer the question about power and performance. Yes; yes it can. With slightly more than 600bhp being delivered to all four wheels thanks to Audi’s somewhat legendary Quattro system, the power is instant and, quite frankly, loud. Very loud. The true sound test is whether my daughter likes it – she has a thing for a roaring exhaust – and her approval was evident when I took her to a schoolfriend’s birthday party. So it’s fast and loud… what else? Again, Audi have made an i n cr e d i bl y g o od l o o ki ng c ar i n my opinion. But that opinion was not universal – in the

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office there were two schools of thought. On one hand, it had a lot of support and appeal to most of my team, but there were a few people who thought that it didn’t look quite nice enough – the subtext being that for the price tag, which is hefty, it should be better looking.

Aggressive A ggressive b but ut ssleek leek On balance, I side with the majority who thought it was beautiful – in a powerful, hunkered down poised way. From almost every angle, it looked ready to go. The two

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massive exhausts to the rear and the understated grille at the front complimented by the air intakes behind the doors (mid engined, after all) all make it look aggressive but sleek. Inside the cabin is a lovely place with lots of leather and one of my favourite dashboards – complete with a great red start button on the steering wheel, and one of Audi’s other innovations, a tracepad on top of the control dial that you can use to ‘write’ your destination in the sat nav. The only issue I found with this is that you have to use your left-hand – I’m righthanded, so it didn’t feel that intuitive. But that’s ultimately a very minor thing in what is otherwise a truly amazing car. So, was I impressed? Yes – every time I got in it. It’s rare to have that amount of power with four-wheel drive control and the safety net of one of Europe’s most renowned engineering powerhouses, but that’s what you get with the R8. Power, control and a lot of noise. Page 1

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with w ith R Roger oger Jackson Jackson

TO SHARE SHARE YOUR YOUR SPORTING SPORTING WANT W ANT TO STORY ON ON OUR OUR WEBSITE? WEBSITE? STORY Please Please eemail mail ffull ull ddetails etails ttoo ssport@thelocalanswer.co.uk port@thelocalanswer.co.uk

F Fergal ergal O O’Brien ’Brien sstable table iiss iin nu upbeat pbeat m mood ood Fergal O’Brien is primed and ready for his first Cheltenham Festival since his move to his new base between Withington and Compton Abdale. The trainer made the 10-mile trip across Gloucestershire from his previous home in Guiting Power at the end of last summer and it’s fair to say he hasn’t looked back. “It’s been exceptional,” said his business partner Chris Coley. “Just look at the number of winners he’s had, this game is all about having winners.” At the time of writing O’Brien had clocked up 56 winners for the season and was well on course to smash his previous season’s best of 60 which was set a couple of campaigns ago. Life at Ravenswell Farm is certainly good for O’Brien and there’s clearly much more to come. “It’s not finished yet,” said Coley of the new set-up, “but it’s all very professional. The gallops

Miles M iles of of smiles… smiles… “It’s cricket with a smile.” Those are the words of Jim Hyland, who is talking about indoor cricket in Gloucestershire, something he h a s b e e n a b i g s u p p o r te r o f f o r many years. The indoor version of this country’s number one summer game has been very popular around the county for some three decades now and its popularity shows no sign of waning. Hyland is the Gloucestershire Cricket Board’s indoor cricket coordinator and is a key player on the pitch as well as off it because he also plays for Whitminster in Division Two of the Cheltenham League. The Cheltenham League is made up of 24 teams split evenly over four divisions while the Gloucester/Stroud League

Fergal O’Brien

are exceptionally good, the facilities are excellent and the stabling and staff facilities are excellent too.” And Fergal O’Brien is clearly a very good trainer. “We’ve got plenty of entries for the Cheltenham Festival,” continued Coley, who lives in the heart of Cheltenham.“We’ve never had a winner at the Festival, we’ve had a few places but we’ve yet to win. “That’s the aim, we’d love to boasts another 17 teams who compete across two divisions.

A Alex lex A Addai ddai iis sp pace ace a ace ce Ask Alex Addai if he’s living the dream with Cheltenham Town and he’ll say “definitely” without a moment’s hesitation. And it’s not difficult to see why because the one-time Spurs academy player was out of fulltime football for five years after Alex Addai leaving Blackpool, for whom he never played a first-team game, in 2013. He played for a whole collection of non-League clubs, including Grays Athletic, Kingstonian and most recently Merstham before Cheltenham offered him a route back into the Football League a couple of summers ago.

have a winner, that’s what everybody dreams about.” A win at the showpiece occasion on the National Hunt calendar – the four-day spectacular gets under way on Tuesday 10th March – would help to lift O’Brien’s profile even higher, of course, and there is certainly plenty of ambition at the stable. “We’re never going to get past the Nicky Henderson’s and the Paul Nicholls’ – they’ve got 150 to 200 horses in training – but we want to be high up there in the next bracket and we are already cementing our place up there,” added Coley. Indeed they are because after their 56th winner they ranked 12th in the trainers’ championship, ahead of some top-name trainers. O’Brien currently has close to 80 horses at his new home and it’s easy to see why the 47-yearold describes his new set-up as “a game-changer”. The 26-year-old pacey attacker joined Cheltenham for the start of the 2018/19 season since when he has established himself as an important member of their first-team squad.

Rugby R ugby sspectacular pectacular The nights are getting lighter and spring is only just around the corner with the clocks going forward on the final weekend of March. Okay, so that is still a few weeks away, but once we move into British Summer Time it’s extra special for rugby fans because it signals the start of the end-of-season cup festivities, namely the Cheltenham and District Combination knockout competitions. For full versions of all these stoories and more, please visit our website: www.thhelocalanswer.co.uk

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Now Now Jonjo Jonjo Jr Jr is is top top of of the the class class Jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jr has come a long way since the days when he used to bunk off school so that he could go to the Cheltenham Festival. In those days it was very much a watching brief for the now 22year-old, but this year he will be one of the main men at Cheltenham Racecourse when the four-day extravaganza gets under way on Tuesday 10th March. “I’d have been about 13,” recalls the former Cheltenham College pupil. And, yes, the school did find out that he was at Prestbury Park when he shouldn’t have been, but this is a story with a happy ending! “After that the school let me go to the Festival as long as I’d done all my work in the morning,” continued Jonjo. “I’d get a taxi at 1.15 and I’d still get there for the first race at 1.30 because all the crowds had gone in.” These days it’s fair to say he’s very much top of the class and the crowds will certainly be watching him as he looks to build on the remarkable success that he has had over the past year or so, success that includes a winner at last year’s Cheltenham Festival. It was always likely that Jonjo Jr was going to enjoy a career in racing in some capacity. His dad remains one of the great names in the sport and after a fabulous riding career he is still training winners at the age of 67 from Jackdaws Castle in the heart of the Cotswolds. Young Jonjo was born in Cumbria where his dad was training at the time, before heading south to Gloucestershire with his fam ily around the turn of the century when they moved to the training base that is still home for them today. Jonjo Jr was a pupil at Cheltenham College Junior and Senior School and became a boarder from the age of 12. “I had to,” he told The Local Answer with a laugh. “I would

Jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jr is one of the sport’s rising stars

never have got any of my school work done if I hadn’t because I always wanted to be out with the horses. “So even though I lived only half-an-hour away I became a boarder. I loved it though, it was great fun.” And while the horses and jumps racing was a big part of his life even back then, it wasn’t the be-all and end-all for him because he threw himself into school life and was actually a more than decent rugby player, someone who was good enough to play openside in the school’s 1st XV. But while he loved the rough and tumble of the great game that is rugby, he was never truly converted and when the Cheltenham Festival came around in March there was only one thing on his mind. “I just remember all the Irish coming over to Cheltenham,” he said. “There’d be swarms of them. “There were people everywhere, all going to the racing, it was amazing.” Jonjo’s dad is one of Ireland’s most famous men, of course, but Jonjo Jr considers himself English “except when it comes to the rugby, I’m Irish then!” The Irish are a big part of what makes the Cheltenham Festival

so special and Tuesday 10th March can’t come around quickly enough for all racing enthusiasts. “That half-hour before the first race on the Tuesday is really special,” said Jonjo. “You’ve got the Supreme Novices, the Racing Post Arkle Challenge and then the Champion Hurdle. “That’s all the best and speediest horses from England, Ireland and France. “They’re all running in the first three races, it’s scintillating.” And Jonjo, who is leading the way in the race for this season’s conditional jockeys’ title – he rode the 2018 Gold Cup winner Native River to victory at Newbury at the start of February and at the time of writing had just reached 50 winners for the season – knows what it’s like to win at the Cheltenham Festival. “I was very lucky to win on Early Doors for Joseph O’Brien in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle,” said Jonjo. “Winning at the Cheltenham Festival is something everyone wants to do and for it to happen to me was absolutely amazing. “Any win is very hard to get but especially at Cheltenham.” Jonjo is eligible to ride in that race again this year, of course. 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

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. 7 MARCH MARCH BATTLE OF THE BANDS An exciting competition to find local talent, with the triumphant band winning a chance to play a set at Lakefest 2020, a professional photoshoot and a £250 cash prize. All proceeds from the night will be going to local charities. 7.30pm. £8. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL50 5NX. www.rosestheatre.org 10-13 10-13 MARCH MARCH THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

From the roar of the crowd, to the thrill of the action, The Jockey Club opens its doors for four of the biggest days in sport as over 260,000 people flock through the gates when Jump racing’s top protagonists take to their greatest stage. Four days of extraordinary await as Champions return to retain their crown, while others battle to steal the limelight. A week of drama and high emotion, with moments of pure theatre thrown in for good measure. The Festival 2020 is set to have it all. For tickets please visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham

12 & 27 27 M ARCH 12 MARCH FOREST SCHOOL FOR TOTS Bring your little one for some outdoor fun! A chance for pre-schoolers to engage with nature and explore our Forest School site (complete with large covered area for wet days)! Children can enjoy bug hunting, craft activities, creating mud pies in our mud kitchen, storytime and more! Free tea or coffee for adults. Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 9QB. Full details at batsarb.co.uk 13 MARCH MARCH 13 BARBARA DICKSON Barbara Dickson’s interpretation of traditional music, married with 20th Century songs and material from the theatre, is renowned and admired. She tours with a four-piece line up biannually, but in between, fulfils concert dates with the talented Nick Holland, who plays keyboards and sings. 7.30pm. For more details visit www.cleeveconcerts.com 1144 MARCH MARCH TEWKESBURY FARMERS & CRAFT MARKET A monthly food and crafts market held in the shadow of Tewkesbury Abbey. A great selection of fresh produce from local farmers and growers, as well as a selection of arts and crafts. 9am-1.30pm. For more details visit www.cotswoldmarkets.com 2211 MARCH MARCH AN EXHIBITION OF ART & JAZZ Welcome to this wonderful ‘Exhibition of Art & Jazz’ showcasing original art from local artists Jane Ware and Sue

Jolley plus Jazz merchandise and limited-edition photographs of saxophonist and vocalist Kim Cypher (behind the scenes and ‘live’ performance photographs by Ron Milsom). Dove Gallery, 6 High Street, Winchcombe, GL54 5HT. More details at facebook.com/katharinedove.co.uk 21-22 21-22 MARCH MARCH MOTHER’S DAY AT SUDELEY CASTLE Treat mum like a Queen this Mother’s Day weekend. After enjoying walking around the castle and gardens, indulge in an extra special afternoon tea. A glass of prosecco on arrival, with afternoon tea commencing at 3pm. £35pp (children £17.50). For more details visit www.sudeleycastle.co.uk 22 22 MARCH MARCH MOTHER’S DAY LUNCH Mother’s Day is a perfect opportunity to show you care for the mums in your life. Join StarBistro’s team of chefs as they serve a delicious Mother’s Day Sunday lunch, supporting National Star’s work alongside young people with disabilities. Two sittings – 12pm and 2.30pm. 01242 535984. Visit www.nationalstar.org for more details. 2277 MARCH MARCH SCALLYWAGS COMEDY AT THE WATSON HALL Jarred Christmas has a unique style that deftly mixes gags with storytelling. He has a dynamic onstage persona and the ability to improvise and roll with anything that’s thrown his way. 7.15pm. Watson Hall, Barton Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5PX. More details at www.facebook.com/scallywagcomedy

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The Local Answer

2288 MARCH MARCH RACHMANINOV VESPERS AT TEWKESBURY ABBEY

Rachmaninov loved this beautiful choral work above all his other compositions. Within the atmospheric surroundings of Tewkesbury Abbey and with the Cheltenham Bach Choir’s wonderful sound, this will be a compelling concert. Conductor: David Crown. Tickets £20 (£8 student/child) www.cheltbachchoir.com CARDS ON THE TABLE AND JERKINS FOR GOALPOSTS Discover what the Tudors and Stuarts liked to do in their spare time, from illegal gambling, a gory execution or two, cudgel-play and more! £6, concessions £4.50, children £2. Old Baptist Church, Off Church Street Tewkesbury, GL20 5RZ. For more details visit www.johnmooremuseum.org

The Local Answer

228-29 8-29 MARCH MARCH PAW PATROL WEEKEND Chase and Marshall from 'PAW Patrol' are coming to Cattle Country! They will be appearing together every hour from 11am to 3pm. For more details visit www.cattlecountry.co.uk. Cattle Country Adventure Park, Berkeley Heath Farm, Berkeley, GL13 9EW. 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. 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 11 11 APRIL APRIL THE BIG EASTER EGG TRAIL Come and join the Easter Bunny to

To advertise call 0122 510500

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. 13 13 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 18 18 APRIL 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

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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

Artist exhibition A rtist JJane ane Ware Ware holds holds new new e xhibition Jane Ware moved to Cheltenham as a teenager and says she brought with her “a love for all things creative”. “I desperately wanted to go to Art College when I was 16,” she said, “but my parents thought becoming a shorthand typist a better career option! “Now at the age of 63 I am finally following my dream to be a full time creative artist!” Jane, along with husband of nearly 40 years John, has lived on the Gloucestershire and Worcestershire border near Bredon for eight years. Jane continued: “My paintings are inspired by Cotswold landmarks, jazz culture, cafe conversations, and holiday memories, from seagulls in St Ives to sunsets in South Africa. “I paint mainly in watercolour and ink, and I also enjoy experimenting with colourful acrylics,

Jane Ware

and developing New York cityscapes from annual trips to sketch with my daughter in Manhattan!” Jane is a committee member of Cheltenham Art in the Park and has exhibited in Imperial Gardens annually since 1975. Since then she has become an active member in the local

FFilm ilm Review Review – Joe Joe K Kennett ennett

artistic community and regularly exhibits her work in the area. “I have many creative friends who I paint and share exhibitions with on a regular basis,” she explained. “I’m a keen supporter of local art and sculpture exhibitions, and welcome all new opportunities to display my artwork in public exhibition spaces.” This month, Jane will be exhibiting alongside her friends – artist Sue Jolley and saxophonist and vocalist Kim Cypher – at Dove Gallery in Winchcombe. ‘An Exhibition of Art and Jazz’ will feature paintings by Sue and Jane, as well as limited edition behind the scenes and live performance photographs of Kim by Ron Milsom. The exhibition runs from Friday 20th to Thursday 26th March. Full story online.

Book Book R Review eview – W Willow illow TTonks onks

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Margot Robbie reprises her role as Harley Quinn in the latest instalment of the DC extended universe. Set post-break up between Quinn and the Joker, the film depicts her fall from grace and the discovery that more people want her dead than she had thought. What DC seem to be doing well in the past year with the likes of Joker (2019) is making audiences fall in love with the villains as well as the heroes. Robbie brings such fresh energy to the character of Harley Quinn, and the film really benefits on the whole as a result. It’s refreshing to see a new group of antiheroes take centre stage – superhero films are in a time of new starts and ‘Birds of Prey’ stands on its own two feet and keeps faith in the DC Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn universe alive. Picture: DC Films Full review online.

by Jodi Picoult A Spark of Light, the number one Sunday Times Bestseller, is a fantastic page-turner, tackling the controversial issue of abortion and the prochoice/pro-life debate with beautiful elegance. The story begins at 5pm in a women’s centre in America and both those inside and outside the clinic have a story to tell. A gunman, guided by his own personal agenda, has taken everyone inside the centre hostage. We are introduced to an array of characters who each tell their own story – a doctor, a nurse, patients, an anti-abortion campaigner, the gunman and a hostage negotiator. A thrilling book from start to finish, you are kept on your toes wondering what will happen right up to the very last page. 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

Blues B lues aartists rtists fflock lock to to Winchcombe Winchcombe Following a rip-roaring success of an inaugural year, the Winchcombe Live Blues Weekend returns for its 2020 edition later this month. Organised by the team behind the monthly Winchcombe Live shows, the Blues Weekend will this year feature singers and bands from across the UK. “We’ve got quite a lot of new acts,” explained Dave Wade, one of the organisers behind the event. “There’s a couple of people who played last year but we wanted to try and keep it fresh.” Dave and the team decided to hold the Blues Weekend following the success of Winchcombe Live, which has seen bands and singers perform gigs at The White Hart Inn. The continued popularity of the gigs and the success of the

The Achievers will be playing on the Saturday. Photo: Tim Taaphouse

first Blues Weekend has, says Dave, been hugely encouraging. “It’s been doing really well, we’ve had a very successful season,” he continued. “We sold out all the ticketed gigs last year, and this year all the tickets have gone already – we needn’t have printed off so many posters!” T h o s e t ic k e t e d e v e n t s i n c l u d e Stroud band The Achievers and

Birmingham funk and soul group the Thomas Atlas Band. Those without tickets need not worry however, as the majority of gigs will be free to enter, thanks to sponsors Rosie’s Café Bar, The Old Bakery and The White Hart. Dave added: “We’ve got people from places like Oxford, Wiltshire and Wales travelling to play here. “Some of our other shows include the Dusk Brothers, Mart Spoelstra, Mojo Hand, Steve Kent, Sid Harvey and Liam Ward. “We’re not-for-profit, and funds raised will be going to Winchcombe Playgroup to help out with some of their projects.” The Winchcombe Live Blues Weekend takes place from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th March. Full story online.

L Local ocal bands bands battle battle for for ttop op p prize rize A br an d n ew ev en t is se t t o p it some of the area’s best up and coming bands against each other for the chance to perform at one of the most popular festivals in the region. Battle of the Bands has been set up by the team behind Tewkesbury’s Big Weekend and will be held at the Roses Theatre. “We’re always trying to think of something different to bring to the town,” said Carol Crilly, who is part of the team organising the event. “It’s the first time we’ve done it and we’ve got some great prizes on offer.” Those prizes include a professional photoshoot, a £250 cash prize and the opportunity to play a 45-minute set at Lakefest. On the night, each band will

Teewkesbury band Feed Me Milk will be performing

have a 15 minute slot to perform, before a panel of local industry professionals decide who will be the winner. When Carol spoke to The Local Answer, the acts that had been confirmed were Feed Me

Milk, Quiet Pills, 52 North, Damon Quemby, and Scram. “We approached the Roses Theatre as we want it to be a community event,” she continued. “It’s a non-profit night, all proceeds will be going to local charities.” The evening is just one of the events Carol is helping to organise in the build-up to May’s Tewkesbury’s Big Weekend. First held in 2015, the Big Weekend was originally started to showcase Tewkesbury and its community spirit. The Battle of the Bands will be at the Roses Theatre on Saturday 7th March. Tickets are on sale now, and for more information visit www.facebook.com/Tewkesburys BigWeekend

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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March March madness madness As we finally escape the bleak winter months and celebrate the beginning of spring, it’s time to start looking at some of the latest hi-tech gadgets hitting the high street. And if your spring clean includes sprucing up your tech, you’ve come to the right place. So, let’s get started!

Divoom Divoom T Tivoo ivoo M Max ax 2 2.1 .1 Bluetooth Bluetooth Speaker Speaker Menkind.co.uk: £119 If you want a snazzy sound system that also boasts some awesome nostalgic pixels, then you’ll be wanting the Divoom Tivoo Max 2.1 Bluetooth Speaker. This cool stereo speaker comes equipped with a programmable LED display. Just hook it up to your phone or laptop and watch the pixels jump to life in tune with your music.

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the perfect ambience. Every Tivoo-Max is equipped with a programmable LED that gives you a range of pixel animations. The Tivoo-Max also comes in handy as an alarm clock, with a real-life sunrise lighting effect and audio alarm to make you rise and shine.

Ryze R yze T Tello ello Drone Drone Currys: £99 What better way to appreciate the clear blue skies of spring than by getting an aerial view? Whether you’re already an experienced flyer or a novice, the Ryze Tello Drone is easy to use. With its handy app downloaded onto your smartphone, you can enjoy a breathtaking birdseye view and also snap some great aerial images in HD. The image stabilisation means that you can easily capture clear images in all their HD glory, and also get some cool footage while you’re exploring the skies. Perform cool stunts by tapping the screen and enjoy up to 13 uninterrupted minutes of flying. When your battery starts to run low on fuel, don’t panic; the drone will still be able to land safely, even if you lose connection. To advertise call 0122 510500

Sphero Sphero Mini Mini John Lewis: £49.99 Mini in name, but mighty in nature! The Sphero Mini is an adorable little robotic ball packed with entertainment! It has a little gyroscope, accelerometer, and LED lights, as well as an hour of playtime. By downloading the Sphero Edu app, you can program your Mini to do whatever you like. You can even use the FaceDrive feature to steer your mini using only your facial expressions! When you fancy a change, you can swap the interchangeable plastic shell whenever you feel like it, and use the Sphero Mini as a game controller.

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Organising O rganising your your garden garden plants plants March is always an exciting time in Gloucestershire with the racing buzz in the air! The daffodils are at their best on the roundabouts and verges to welcome the punters and the weather can be beautiful – we have sat outside a pub in the town at 10 o’clock at night after the races in our short sleeves! On the other hand, there has also been snow at race week, so who knows what will happen this year. Fingers crossed for sunshine!

B Bright right a and nd ffiery iery rreds eds a and nd yellows yellows Now is the time to hardprune the stems of willows and dogwoods that have been wonderful and bright during the winter with their fiery reds and yellows. Species grown for their colourful stems include Cornus alba, C. sanguinea and C. sericea (all dogwoods) and the willows (salix) include Salix alba and S. irrorata. Cut back to two or three buds from the base of the shrub. This very old technique is

called ‘coppicing’ or ‘stooling’ and will provide lots of fresh new shoots and colour for the next winter. This can be done every year, or every two years depending on how you want the shrub to grow. March is also a good time to divide Hostas if they are getting too big. Dig them up and slice them into sections, making sure each has some shoots at the top. Replant them, enriching the soil with

some compost and bonemeal. If you have too many bits to plant in your garden, pot them up and give to a friend – after all, that is one of the greatest pleasures in being a gardener! Agapanthus rarely need dividing – probably only every five years or so when they start flowering less than before. If this is the case with yours, divide them now, cutting through congested clumps with a sharp spade and replanting in nice free-draining soil. They will take a year to recover properly so don’t panic if they don’t flower in the first season.

Promoting Promoting conservation conservation of of Alpine Alpine plants plants March and April are the main repotting times for Alpine plants. If you are interested in Alpines it is worth visiting the Alpine Garden Society garden at Avon Bank in Pershore, which is a non-profit organisation whose aim is to promote the conservation and cultivation of Alpine plants and their habitats. The Local Answer

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Thinking Thinking of of replacing replacing y your our Blissful Bathrooms Showroom is based bath with walk-in shower? ath w ith a w alk-in s hower? in Cheltenham and we specialise in full b 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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Kitchen Kitchen revamp revamp I have decided to update my kitchen as my house project this year. When we moved in ten years ago, we did a complete refit, changing the layout to reflect the way we live. This time around I am looking for a cleaner, more contemporary look. Here are some things you should be thinking about for your next kitchen project.

C Colour olour cco-ordinate o-ordinate If you’re happy with your current layout or are on a tight budget, you don’t have to rip out your old kitchen units. There are lots of companies specialising in replacement kitchen doors or you can repaint the old ones. I’m a fan of the classic shaker kitchen design for kitchen cabinets – it really stands the test of time. My original shaker units are in good condition but are painted cream, which looks dated. It won’t be too expensive or difficult to repaint them. Grey is still the go-to neutral colour and the good news is that colour is back in fashion

for kitchens – think Farrow and Ball’s Hague Blue or Green Smoke.

Small cchanges Small hanges – b big ig difference d ifference It’s amazing what a difference new taps and handles make. I am replacing my door and drawer handles with on-trend brass ones. It’s not in budget to change my existing granite worktops – if it was, I would be looking at soft grey or white quartz. I love the warmth of natural wood in a kitchen so I will be keeping my wooden benchtop, sanding it and reoiling it with Danish oil. New tiles for splashbacks can make a real statement. Fish scale shaped tiles in soft aqua tones create a contemporary look. My daughter has classic white “subway” tiles with dark grey grouting in her modern apartment kitchen – they didn’t cost too much and look great.

Storage S torage solutions solutions Having the right storage is key. My new look kitchen needs to

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work efficiently with clear surfaces and cupboards where I can easily find things. If your kitchen surfaces are cluttered, and cupboards stuffed with mis-matched crockery or packets of odd ingredients, it’s time to have a clear out and create some extra space. Just back from a trip to Japan, I was reminded of the Japanese approach – only keep things that are useful or that you particularly love. If you haven’t used something for a long time, the chances are you don’t need it. Keep food items in clear containers so you can see them, and if you have room, install open shelving so you can display things beautifully.

Ah happy appy sspace pace Your kitchen is the heart of your home, so it needs to be practical and reflect your personality. When I have completed my project hopefully mine will be just that. I will be treating myself to some new matching crockery in a nice bright colour, or a new kitchen clock like the one I saw in a department store in Japan – in the shape of a cat complete with swishing tail! The Local Answer

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Transport T ransport Divide Divide It was supposed to unite the country, but the government’s recent announcement that HS2 is to proceed ‘full steam ahead’ is set to divide the nation’s opinions, much in the same way that Brexit has done for the last four years. I have no plans to take sides. There are obvious benefits to making the country a smaller place operationally and that’s directly in keeping with our desire to isolate ourselves from the rest of Europe. One person’s economic benefit is another person’s cost, depending on which side of the argument you sit. Beginning to sound familiar yet?

The T he h human uman sside ide o off tthe he story story On the other hand, there are personal sadnesses, with homes and businesses that have been precious to people for decades being compulsorily purchased to make way for the rail line. That’s the human side of the story and you can’t help but sympathise with those directly affected. I would hate for it to happen to me. We’re all looking at environmental issues more closely these days, and in many ways rightly so. If that’s part of this argument, then it supports the government’s decision, as train travel tends to carry one of the lowest carbon footprints of long-distance transport. It doesn’t beat the bike or the feet, of course, but they’re not practical answers for the miles involved in this debate.

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Don’t look until you’ve finished! Solutions on ‘Index of Advertisers’ page.

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There is the north v south element to the debate too. I can’t help feeling that’s politically driven. Until the current Prime Minister won so many seats north of Birmingham for the first time last December, there was only token commitment to integrating the country in this way. All of a sudden, it’s become full-on. The financial cost is huge and we can only hope that the government’s accountants have done their homework on the pay back that such investment will deliver. For me, it’s all part of the demands we all make for our daily lives to be conducted at a faster and faster pace than ever before. Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s healthy, but for the moment, I can’t see a way of slowing it down.

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Index of Advertisers WHAT’S ON EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS Cotswold Wildlife Park Giffords Circus

17 17

HEALTH & BEAUTY Sophie Lane

HOLIDAYS & TRAVEL Omega Breaks

HOMES & GARDENS BATHROOMS Blissful Bathrooms 28 Lifestyle Bathrooms 10 Severn Vale Bathrooms 8-9 & 33 BUILDING SERVICES C&G Paving 20 Cheltenham Town Roofing 20 Home Care Roofing 20

JHD Roofing & Building 21 Marshalls Driveways 24 NKS Contracts 22 Pave-Drive 25 R. Richards & Sons 2 S.J. Lewis & Sons 22 CLEANING Ovenbusters 28 ELECTRICAL SERVICES Shurmer Electrical 30 FURNISHING & APPLIANCES Bella’s Interiors 28 Dream Doors 31 Spacemaster 30 GARDEN SERVICES Cheltenham Town Landscaping 25 Cheltenham Tree Services 26

Grass Scape JH Garden Care Lawn Doc

22 Clearway Windows 21 Garolla 21

32 21

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

PAINTING & DECORATING MOTOR SERVICES 30 Cleeveline Taxis Brian Mitten V Hub TV & AERIAL 1st Choice Aerials 21 PET SERVICES Dragon Vets Tewkesbury WINDOWS, DOORS & CONSERVATORIES SKIP HIRE & RECYCLING Albany Windows 4 & 36 Stevens Recycling

5 12 7 34

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Competition Winners TLA Photography – March 2020 Cover: Keith Fairburn.

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 – Tuesday 10th March 2020

STEVE

ATTENTION A TTENTION! Let us lighten your load!

Domestic and Industrial Skips Ham Villa Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham GL52 6NB

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Spring into action! Boost the growth of your business this year with a promotional campaign in The Local Answer. We’ve helped hundreds of local companies grow their customer base, so why not let us help you? Getting your message in front of potential buyers is what we do best – we have the biggest audience in Gloucestershire by far! With print and digital packages to suit all budgets, we’d love to hear about your plans for 2020 and help you achieve them!

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