The Local
A NS W E R
GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S BIGGEST LOCAL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2019
STROUD DISTRICT A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS AND CLIENTS!
The The Lo Local c al
AN ANSWER SWER Stroud Stroud District: District: 41,000 41,000 ccopies opies Gloucester: Gloucester: 46,000 46,000 copies copies Cheltenham: Cheltenham: 43,000 43,000 copies copies Cotswolds: Cotswolds: 30,000 30,000 copies copies North Gloucestershire: N orth G loucestershire: 220,000 0,000 ccopies opies
W elcome Welcome ttoo D ecember December
M anaging D irector Managing Director Dave Dave K Kingscott ingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Marketing Marketing LLois ois K Kingscott ingscott llois@thelocalanswer.co.uk ois@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Sales Sales C Claudie laudie FFrancis rancis iinfo@thelocalanswer.co.uk nfo@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Sport Sport R Roger oger JJackson ackson
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and we have a jam-packed Christmas themed issue for you this month. There are lots of festive editorials to enjoy and a What’s On section full of events to add to your Christmas calendar! We also have a special gift for you with our brand new Online Competitions feature! Read more about this inside and check out the fantastic prizes up for grabs. We had so many enquiries last month asking where the cover photo was taken so we thought we had better include a mention this month! Martin Vincent’s image is of the Mill at Lower Slaughter – a great place to include on a winter walk. Thank you to all our readers and clients for your continued support throughout 2019. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
ssport@thelocalanswer.co.uk port@thelocalanswer.co.uk
EEntertainment ntertainment TTom om H Hadfield adfield eentertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk ntertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Administration Administration Helen Kingscott H elen K ingscott Distribution Distribution JJohn ohn O Overton verton – 001242 1242 541075 541075 leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk
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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. We have details of many more local businesses including: M Mortgage ortgage A Advisor dvisor • W Window indow C Cleaning leaning Hypnotherapy • M Hypnotherapy Magician agician • C Cake ake M Maker aker Visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk Page 3
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DESI LATIMER PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE
STROUD
stroudbrexit@gmail.com @brexit_latimer
For a Clean-Break Brexit
desilatimer
To reduce tariffs on non-EU goods to cut the cost of living
brexitpartyuk
To scrap inheritance tax
www.stroudbrexitparty.org
To end interest on student loans For zero business rates on high streets outside London
Printed by Precision Colour Prin!ng, Haldane, Halesfield 1, Telford, Shropshire TF7 4QQ Promoted by Paul Oakden on behalf of The Brexit Party, both of 83 Victoria Street, London, England, SW1H 0HW
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The Local Answer
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4 Put the tinned tomatoes in a small pan over a medium heat and add the red onion and vinegar. Season, bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. 5 Heat 2 tsp olive oil in a large frying pan and fry the meatballs for 3-4 minutes until golden on one side. Then turn and cook for another 34 minutes or until cooked through. 6 Add the tomato sauce and return to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. 7 Meanwhile, put the butternut squash noodles in a separate frying pan and add 1 tsp olive oil, a splash of water, the remaining garlic and chopped sage. 8 Season then cover the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes until just tender. 9 Serve with the meatballs and tomato sauce, and scatter over the pine nuts.
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To enter, take a photo of your most creative ‘Elf on the Shelf’ and send to: stroudcentral@kipmcgrath.co.uk Visit our Facebook Page for more information! Kip McGrath Stroud Central
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O T A C T T O C S Y MOLL le & Vale
VOTE MOLLY VOTE MOLLY 12 12 DECEMBER DECEMBER 22019 019
Stroud, Valllleys
Recent elections and polls are showing that people are fed up with being failed by the major parties and are increasingly turning to the Greens we can win. If you want politics to change vote for Molly Scott Cato on 12th December 2019. Vote Molly to unite the Remain vote. Vote Molly for tougher action on Climate Change.
www.mollyforstroud.co.uk www.mollyforstroud.co.uk molly@mollyforstroud.co.uk molly@mollyforstroud.co.uk Printed Printed by by Precision Precision C Colour olour Printing, Printing, H Haldane, aldane, Halesfield Halesfield 1, 1, Telford, Telford, Shropshire Shropshire TF7 TF7 4QQ. 4QQ. PPromoted romoted bbyy N Neil eil B Buick uick oonn bbehalf ehalf ooff M Molly olly Scott Scott Cato Cato and and The The Stroud Stroud District District Green Green Party, Party, 28 28 Springhill, Springhill, Stroud, Stroud, GL5 GL5 1TN. 1TN.
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WIN BIG! Our brand new online competitions feature is now live!
To kick things off in style, we’ve got SIX competitions with fantastic prizes up for grabs from some great local businesses! Two tickets to see Cheltenham Town Football Club play Morecambe on Saturday 1st February, plus a mascot package and a signed ball!
A three-course meal for two people with a bottle of wine at Café René in Gloucester!
A family game of bowling for up to five people at Hollywood Bowl Cheltenham in The Brewery Quarter!
Four tickets to see Promenade Productions’ pantomime ‘Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates’ at The Bacon Theatre on Thursday 16th January!
interior needs A family ticket to see the Peter Pan themed Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle!
A £100 voucher to spend on soft furnishings at Interior Needs in Gloucester!
To T o enter enter any any (or (or all) all) of of these these ccompetitions, ompetitions, visit visit
www.thelocalanswer.co.uk w ww.thelocalanswer.co.uk and and go go to to the the Competitions Competitions ttab ab
If you are a local business that would like to run a competition on our website, please email lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk for more details
D Distributors istributors Required Required For a few hours each month in the following specific areas:
Brimscombe • Bussage • Coaley Nailsworth • Slimbridge Stroud (Cashes Green) • Stroud Centre 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 £6T The h e Loc Lo c al al £9/hour). ANS A NS WER WER Magazines are delivered to Distributors’ homes towards the end of each month and we expect deliveries to be completed within four days between the hours of 7am and 9pm. You must be 13+ years old, flexible, reliable and sufficiently physically fit to perform the STROUD D STROU DISTRIC ISTRICT duties. GLOUCESTERSHIRE G LOUCESTERSHIRE’’S S BIGGEST B IGGEST LLOCAL OCAL MAGAZINE MA AGAZINE DECEMBER DECEMBER 2019 2019
AV VERY ERY M MERRY ERRY C CHRISTMAS HRISTMAS TTO OA ALL LL
O OUR UR R READERS EADERS A AND ND C CLIENTS! LIENTS!
For details email John – distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk
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A personal letter from Martin Surl Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire I a m c o m m i t t e d t o m a k i n g o u r c o u n t y s afe r fo r a l l road users. No more so than at this time of the year. I h o p e y o u c a n h e l p m e b y c i rc u l a t i n g t h i s m e s s a g e amongst your family and friends about this year’s ‘Anti-Drink-Drug Campaign’. In the last 50 years, road casualties caused by drink driving have fallen dramatically, yet on average 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured each year in the UK in a drink drive related collision. Combining illegal drugs with alcohol is especially deadly since it has been found that drivers who have consumed both are 23 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than sober drivers. Last year in Gloucestershire, the police recorded 39 drink or drug drive collisions. Whilst this figure reflects a d o w n w a r d t re n d t h e re i s g ro w i n g a n e c d o t a l evidence that, in some parts of the county, people h av e b e c o m e c o m p l a c e n t b e c a u s e t h e y t h i n k t h e y can get away with it. This constitutes not only a d a n g e r t o t h e m s e l v e s b u t a l s o t o o t h e r m o re responsible road users. T h e p r i m a r y a i m o f t h i s y e a r ’ s p r e -C h r i s t m a s campaign is to educate drivers to make an informed decision not to drive under the influence of drink or drugs. You can help me by circulating the following advice and information: • That the drink drive campaign is about to launch
• Encourage people to make sensible plans to enjoy t h e i r c e l e b r at i o n s a n d h e l p t h e m g e t h o m e s afe afterwards • P ro m o t e t a x i s a n d a l t e r n a t i v e t r a n s p o r t o p t i o n s home in the lead up and during the campaign. • Perhaps local licensees could be encouraged to offer free soft drinks for drivers or some nonalcoholic drinks options, which could be published and promoted. • We would rather drivers did not get on the roads under the influence of drink or drugs in the first place, however if they do then the police will come down hard on those offenders. A period of enforcement will start on 3 December when those who decide to ignore this advice will be t a r g e t e d t h ro u g h o p e r a t i o n a l ro a d s i d e a c t i v i t i e s throughout the county in both urban and rural areas. Safe and Social Driving is one of my priorities and is aimed at getting all road users to behave responsibly towards each other. This campaign aims to get people t o t h i n k b e fo re d r i n k i n g o r t a k i n g d r u g s a n d t h e n getting behind the wheel and to understand the consequences of their actions. I hope you will be able to play your part and have a safe and enjoyable Christmas.
Best Best wishes! wishes!
What s On The Local Answer Event Listings are compiled and presented in good faith with the kind support of many contributors. We recommend you use the contact details provided to check event information updates prior to planning your visit. 12 SEPTEMBER – 12 DECEMBER STROUD HARMONY SINGERS COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE CHOIR Pop, Soul, Jazz, Blues, Folk – original arrangements and compositions. New members welcome! No auditions. Private coaching available. Thursdays 7.45-9.30pm. Cashes Green Community Centre, Stroud. tessvox22@mail.com or 07425 139767. 29 NOVEMBER – 1 DECEMBER NEWARK PARK CHRISTMAS FAIR There will be lots of stalls in the marquee and in Newark House, with a choice of tasty treats and special festive gifts for you to browse. Newark Park, Wotton-under-Edge GL12 7PZ. 30 NOVEMBER – 1 DECEMBER MADE IN CHALFORD CHRISTMAS FAIR Original, locally handmade gifts including jewellery, ceramics, glass, textiles, food and more, raising money for Chalford Village Shop and the charity Allsorts, which supports children with additional needs. 11am5pm. Victoria Works Studios, London Road, Chalford, GL6 8HN. 1 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS MARKET Dozens of stalls packed full of gifts from independent businesses from across the county and slime-making workshops for the kids courtesy of SillyScience. The Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE. thesubrooms.co.uk 3-10 DECEMBER THE BIG GIVE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE For seven days, all donations to Cobalt through www.thebiggive.org.uk will be
DOUBLED making a fantastic £50,000 available to support Cobalt’s Breast Cancer Research Nurses. From 12 noon on the 3rd to 12 noon on the 10th. 6 DECEMBER STROUD CHRISTMAS GOODWILL EVENING This year the theme for Goodwill Eve is ‘WILD’, with street performers, lantern procession, Christmas market and late night shopping. 5-9pm. Free entry. Stroud Town Centre. www.facebook.com/pg/Stroud GoodwillEvening WELLNESS SPA CHRISTMAS SHOPPING DAY The Wellness Spa Christmas Shopping Day will feature goody bags and free prize draw, festive cocktails and nibbles, plus exclusive discounts on products, gift sets and vouchers. 10am-4pm. Richmond Villages Painswick, Stroud Road, GL6 6UL. 6 & 7 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS CONCERTS The Stuart Singers will be performing two concerts in aid of Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton RDA, Alzheimers Research UK, Allsorts Toy Library and Pancreatic Society. 7.30pm. Tickets £10 from Market Stores Minchinhampton or call 01453 882440. Holy Trinity Church, Bell Lane, MInchinhampton, GL6 9BW 6 & 14 DECEMBER THE DIY CHRISTMAS ART SHOP There will be handmade items on sale from local artists and makers including tree decorations, Christmas
cards and original artworks. Stroud Valleys Artspace, 4 John Street, Stroud, GL5 2HA. www.sva.co.uk 7 DECEMBER A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Hosted by actress Lisa Maxwell, the evening will feature music and readings with star from stage and screen, in aid of Cotswolds Dogs and Cats Home. 6.45pm. £4-£21. St Mary’s Church, New St, Painswick, GL6 6UT. cotswoldsdogsandcatshome.org.uk CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS CRAFTS WORKSHOP Let your children’s imaginations run wild this Christmas with crafts on offer including stone painting, candle holder making, wooden gift creations and festive posy arrangements. 10am3pm. Miserden Nursery, Stroud, GL6 7JA. www.miserdennursery.co.uk 7-22 DECEMBER SECRET GARDEN STAR TRAIL Textile artist Corinne Hockley brings a touch of winter magic and a hint of frost and snow to the ‘secret garden’ with this outdoor intervention. 11am4.30pm. Free entry. Museum in the Park, Stroud, GL5 4AF. www.museuminthepark.org.uk SANTA’S COMING TO SLIMBRIDGE Activities throughout the day include ice your own gingerbread man, build an elf den, toast marshmallows, get creative making arts and crafts, and of course, visit Santa in his grotto. WWT Slimbridge, Newgrounds Lane, Gloucester GL2 7BT. Full details at www.wwt.org.uk
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77-8 -8 & 14-15 14-15 D DECEMBER ECEMBER FATHER CHRISTMAS AT NEWARK PARK Come and see the house decorated and meet Father Christmas in the cosy drawing room. 11.30am-3.30pm. £5 including gift. Newark Park, Ozleworth, Wotton-under-Edge GL12 7PZ 8 DECEMBER DECEMBER ORCHESTRAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT The programme comprises beautiful music spanning around 300 years played by Orchestra Pro Anima, directed from the violin by Michael Bochmann MBE, and begins with a reception in the long drawing room. 5pm. £42. Berkeley Castle, GL13 9PJ. www.berkeley-castle.com HATTIE BRIGGS AND GUESTS Singer-songwriter Hattie Briggs returns for a special homecoming gig, following a successful tour supporting Alfie Boe. 8pm. £6.50-£16.50. The Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE. thesubrooms.co.uk CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR Browse over 30 local business and their crafts, with stocking fillers, Christmas gifts, decorations and so much more, there will be something for everyone. 12-4pm. Stonehouse Court Hotel, Bristol road, Stonehouse, GL10 3RA. www.stonehousecourt.co.uk 1122 DECEMBER DECEMBER CHRISTMAS PRESENCE CHARITY CONCERT This year featuring the Stanley Singers and guest performers as well as an opportunity to warm up your voice and join the community carols. 7pm. £5-£8, carers and under 5s free. Stroud Baptist Church, John Street, Stroud, GL5 2HA. Call 01453 756745 for tickets. 112-19 2-19 DECEMBER DECEMBER WREATH-MAKING WORKSHOP Learn how to make your own luxury Christmas wreath using traditional methods and beautiful decorations from traditional cinnamon and orange, to more unusual dried seedheads. Selected dates and times. £45. The Malthouse Collective, Salmon Springs Trading Estate, Cheltenham Road, Stroud, GL6 6NU. www.themalthousecollective.co.uk 1133 DECEMBER DECEMBER DOREEN DOREEN Doreen Doreen return for their annual Christmas party, performing hits from Abba, Queen, Ian Dury, Britney Spears and Tom Jones. 8pm. £16.50-£18.50. The Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE. thesubrooms.co.uk CAROLS AROUND THE TREE The annual Carols around the Christmas Tree with mulled wine, mince
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pies, carol singers and a special visit from Father Christmas. 6pm. Falfield Village Green, Bristol Road, GL12 8DH. 1144 DECEMBER DECEMBER CRANHAM VILLAGE CHOIR CONCERT If you enjoy a festive singalong, then let Cranham Village Choir take you on a traditional musical journey under the sparkling lights of the glasshouse cafe. 11am. Miserden Nursery, Stroud, GL6 7JA. www.miserdennursery.co.uk TEDDY BEAR WORKSHOP AT REGENT ARCADE
Join the Elves in the Teddy Bear workshop. Your little ones will enjoy a fun filled session with dance and play, before getting to stuff and fluff their very own bear! With a birth certificate in hand, each child will get to take home their teddy. Free event. Registration required – visit regentarcade.co.uk 15 15 DECEMBER DECEMBER CAROL SINGING Join Eleanor Holliday and friends for some festive singing to lift the spirits and celebrate this special time of year. 4-5pm. Free entry. Museum in the Park, Stroud, GL5 4A AF. www.museuminthepark.org.uk MUSIC OF REMEMBRANCE AND REFLECTION A concert with award winning saxophonist Patsy Gamble, organist Julian Elloway, John Broomhall on keyboard and guiatrist Muddy Manninen. 7.30-10pm. £10. Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton, GL6 9BW. 16 DECEMBER DECEMBER 16 PIRANHA POETRY An open mic poetry night featuring Casey Bailey, Tanya Feasey, Clive Oseman and Josephine Lay. 7.3010.30pm. Free entry. The Ale House, 9 John Street, Stroud, GL5 2HA. 1177 DECEMBER DECEMBER ADVENTURE FILM NIGHT – CHRISTMAS SPECIAL A night of short films with a shared love of the great outdoors. 7.30-10pm. £5. Stroud Brewery, Kingfisher Business Park, London Road, Thrupp, GL5 2BY. CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION An evening of festive songs and carols to celebrate the Christmas season with the Heart of Gloucester Community Choir. 7pm. £6.50. Nature in Art, Wallsworth Hall, Sandhurst, Gloucester, GL2 9PA. natureinart.org.uk
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SING ALONG CHRISTMAS CAROLS Join in with all your favourite Christmas Carols with music provided by the Forest of Dean Brass. All proceeds will be donated to local charities Young Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire Young Carers. £6. 7.15-9.30pm. Blackfriars Priory, Gloucester, GL1 2HJ. 19 19 DECEMBER DECEMBER NIGHT AT THE MOVIES CHRISTMAS PARTY Embrace your inner movie star at this fun themed party night dress as your favourite film star, character or wear your most glamorous red carpet outfit and celebrate the festive season. 7pm. £28. Egypt Mill Hotel & Restaurant, Stroud Road, Nailsworth, GL6 0AE. 2200 DECEMBER DECEMBER DARKEST NIGHT #3 An audiovisual extravaganza in celebration of the longest, darkest, craziest night of the year: the Winter Solstice. 7.30pm. £6-£10. Stroud Valleys Artspace, 4 John Street, Stroud, GL5 2HA. www.sva.co.uk 2211 DECEMBER DECEMBER THOMAS SAVES CHRISTMAS A unique concert based on a new Thomas the Tank Engine story written by local authors Katie Fforde and Jane Gordon-Cumming, featuring the Thames Head Singers. 7pm. £3-£10. Rodborough Parish Church, Walkley Hill, Stroud, GL5 3TX. thesubrooms.co.uk 21-24 21-24 DECEMBER DECEMBER JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Star of the BBC sitcom ‘Allo ‘Allo Sue Hodge returns as the hilarious Fairy Cucumber in a fun-filled pantomime for all the family. £12.75-£19.50. The Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE. thesubrooms.co.uk 22 22 DECEMBER DECEMBER CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS CRAFTS Suitable for children aged 5+. Create hand crafted Christmas cards, unique Christmas tree decorations and Santa crafts. 11am. £10. Full details at www.facebook.com/studio3stroud 28 28 DECEMBER DECEMBER 12 HOUR DJ MARATHON DJ Anna J and special guests will keep the music rolling non-stop from midday to midnight in aid of the British Heart Foundation. 12pm-12am. The Prince Albert, Rodborough Hill, Stroud GL5 3SS. 16-18 & 23-25 23-25 JJANUARY ANUARY 16-18 BABES IN THE WOOD The Cotswold Players present their version of the classic pantomime, loosely based on the story of Robin Hood. £7-£13. The Cotswold Playhouse, Parliament Street, Stroud, GL5 1LW. cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk
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Meet the new arriv at Burley Fields Burley Fields Lakes has something new to offer this Christmas – an o p p o r t u n i t y f o r c h i l d re n ( a n d a d u l t s ! ) t o fe e d a n d p e t t h e i r beautiful tame deer. Let the kids experience the joy of selecting their o w n C h r i s t m a s t re e a n d y o u ’ l l b e able to visit these wonderful animals in their field – and, armed with a free deer treat given out with t r e e s , t h e y ’ l l s o o n w a n t t o m a ke friends with you! Owner S Kincart welcomed the d y Fields when their Prinknash Bird & sadly closed in “We’ve always r roaming our hop customd fishermen y seeing at es. We e re a l l y sed to a s afe to deer nkand, se they
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a re t a m e , w e t h meeting them would n i c e b o n u s fo r a n buying a Christmas t the kids will love th Trees will be on f ro m 1 s t D e c e m e v e r y d a y f ro m 1 0 late. The other great ro u n d a t t r a c t i o n F i e l d s L a ke s i s t farm shop. Set in the farm, the open for over 1 St e v e ’ s p a r t n e r P butcher Mark and stockman A All meat produced is from their own a n i m a l s ( e i t h e r b o r n o r re a re d o n s i t e ) a n d t h e y re g u l a r l y p re s e n t a v a s t s e l e c t i o n o f b e e f, p o r k , c h i c ke n , l a m b , m u t t o n , g o a t a n d venison. T h e y a l s o p ro d u c e s u p e r b s a u s a g e s w i t h a g re a t r a n g e o f flavours varying each week from Wild Garlic (picked from the farm’s f o re s t ) t o S p i c y C h i l l i , M u s h ro o m , St i l t o n , L e e k , R o s e m a r y & T h y m e , Beef, Lamb & Mint and Venison.
For th of free range turkeys a av a i l a b l e w i t h a l l t h e t r i m m i n g s , providing delicious flavour for the perfect Christmas dinner. T h e s h o p i s o p e n f ro m 1 0 a m t i l l 5.30pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and 10am-4.30pm on Saturdays. Why not visit Burley Fields Lakes for all three treats – a real Christmas nce with tree, a touching experien deer and to quality local pr
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Hattie Hattie Briggs Briggs excited excited ffor or S Stroud troud g gig ig It’s been a good year for Hattie Briggs. The London-based singersongwriter has been performing virtually non-stop all over the country, and will be ending 2019 with a show at the Stroud Subscription Rooms this month. “It’s been an amazing year,” she said. “Probably the best so far in terms of my music career. “I’ve had a few headline gigs and touring with Alfie Boe was such a great experience.” Hattie was asked to support Boe on the tenor’s 21-date tour, after he heard her busking at Paddington Station. She continued: “He stopped and listened for a few songs and put some money in my case. It was quite surreal – once I recognised him I tried to sing my best and not stare at him so I didn’t make him feel awkward! “I didn’t have a chance to
Hattie Briggs
speak to him then but he messaged me on Instagram later on and asked if I would open for him on his tour.” The tour took place in the spring and saw Hattie perform in venues around the UK in places including Liverpool, Edinburgh and Manchester. It finished with a performance
FFilm ilm Review Review – Joe Joe K Kennett ennett
at the Royal Albert Hall – where she received a standing ovation – and she says the whole experience was something she’ll never forget. “It was quite tiring but also really energising, I loved it. Alfie, his team and everyone who worked on the tour was so lovely.” Originally from Chichester, Hattie lived in Stroud for five years. She will be returning to the town to perform at the Subscription Rooms on Sunday 8th December. She’ll also be joined by some special guests and says she can’t wait to get on stage again. “It’ll be my first time back in Gloucestershire for a while,” she added. “It’s going to be a really good show.” Full story online.
Book Book Review Review – Aloÿse Aloÿse of of Daylesford Daylesford Book Book Club Club
Terminator: T erminator: Dark Dark Fate Fate
The T he Winter Winter Soldier Soldier
Set in the original timeline of ‘Terminator’ and ‘Terminator 2: Judgement Day’, the sixth instalment in the franchise restores faith in what was once such an epic saga of films. We return to Sarah Connor’s (Linda Hamilton) storyline some 18 years since we last saw the iconic heroine, but it’s clear she hasn’t forgotten her roots. Connor makes a dramatic return looking as badass as ever, but the machines have, of course, become more advanced than ever before. Where previous films in the franchise have fallen flat, ‘Dark Fate’ excels, bringing to screens a story which emanates with the original plot. Newbies Dani (Natalia Reyes) and Grace (Mackenzie Davis) bring fresh energy alongside the original stars Arnold Schwarzenegger. of the saga. Photo: Paramount Pictures Full review online.
by Daniel Mason It is easy to forget the Eastern Front of the First World War but this novel describes in great detail the agony of war in this region. Lucius is a young medical student of Polish extraction living in Vienna with his prominent family. He decides to enlist as a medical officer but realises when he arrives at the field hospital that he is illequipped to deal with the wounded he finds there. Sister Margarete, a young nun, is his saviour. She teaches him how to be a battlefield surgeon and as time goes on their relationship blossoms. Interwoven with this narrative are insights into the anomalies of war in 1914. There is dry humour, the writing is beautiful, the detail sometimes hard to take, but the author doesn’t dwell on it. 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
Festive Festive concert concert for for R Rodborough odborough cchurch hurch A special concert is set to be held this month at St Mary Magdalene Church in Rodborough. The show, called ‘Thomas Saves Christmas’, was written by local authors and sisters Katie Fforde and Jane GordonCumming, will feature music from local choir the Thames Head Singers, and will be narrated by BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s Dominic Cotter. “We wanted to do something to raise money for the church and asked the choir if they would do a concert,” said Katie, who is a member of the Thames Head Singers. “The choir committee thought it would be fun to do something a bit different and came up with the notion of using Thomas the Tank Engine.” Rodborough and Thomas the Tank Engine have a special
The ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ stained glass window
connection. Reverend Wilbert Awdry, the creator of the popular children’s character, retired to the village in the 1960s, and regularly preached at the church. There is even a stained glass window depicting Thomas at the church, commissioned by the Reverend in memory of his wife, Margaret.
Katie, an author of almost thirty books, got together with Thames H ead Singers’ musi cal director Andrew Hopwood and his wife Frances to piece together a brand new Thomas the Tank Engine story. They soon enlisted Katie’s sister Jane – also an author who most recently published her romantic novel ‘A Proper Family Christmas’ – to help finalise the script. The concert tells a festive story, with nearly all of the songs having a locomotive theme. Profits from the concert, which takes place on Saturday 21st December, will go towards the upkeep of the church. For more information on the Thames Head Singers and the concert visit their website: www.thsingers.org.uk Full story online.
Star Star sstudded tudded n night ight ffor or local local charity charity A special event is set to be held this month in aid of local animal charity Cotswold Dogs and Cats Home. ‘A Christmas Celebration’ will be hosted by the charity’s patron, actress Lisa Maxwell, and will feature her friends from stage and screen for a night of music and readings. “It’s our fourth annual year doing this,” said Jane Ellis, head fundraiser for the Home. “Lisa has been a patron here for as long as I can remember, and she is always keen to help out when she can.” Maxwell is best known for her roles in ‘Eastenders’, ‘Hollyoaks’ and ‘The Bill’, as well as a stint as a regular panellist on ‘Loose Women’. “She’s brilliant,” continued Jane, “she invites all the guests,
Lisa Maxwell at a previous Christmas celebration
people she has worked with on stage and screen. “It’s always a great evening. There’s readings and singing, and Lisa gets everyone, including the audience, involved.” Some of the guests confirmed for this year’s concert include
Lesley Joseph, Julia Hills, Stirling Gallacher, Judy Holt and Carla Mendonca. There will also be a performance from the Gloucestershire Police Male Voice Choir, as well as refreshments and a raffle, with all donations going to the charity, which is based in Cambridge, just a few miles west of Stroud. “The centre opened in 2016 so some people are still unaware it exists,” said Jane. “We home around 250 to 300 cats and dogs and we’re looking to branch out to cover the county.” The Christmas Celebration will be at St Mary’s Church in Painswick on Saturday 7th December. Jane added: “Dogs on leads are very welcome!” 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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IIn n tthe he Garden Garden w ith JJulia ulia S mith with Smith
Be Be inspired inspired by by your your g garden arden tthis his ffestive estive season season As we get closer to the big day, make sure your garden doesn’t look like ‘The Nightmare before Christmas’ this year! I know it gets dark early and sometimes the weather is not conducive to being outside for long, but it is nice to look out and see something a bit cheerful. You can dress up your garden for the festive season by putting outdoor fairy lights in trees, which can be seen from the house, and hanging homemade wreaths in prominent places. Don’t forget the birds either – tie up a tasty fat ball or seed feeder to keep them happy through the colder months (remember to take off any netting).
Turn T urn to to nature nature for for your your hristmas d C Christmas decorations ecorations Dress the house with stems from the garden, using the bare twisted branches of corkscrew hazel or willow for a vase. Use the red or yellow stems of Cornus (dogwood) or Salix (willow), which can be used inside or, alternatively, pushed into pots outside to add height to flowering displays. The RHS do this in their gardens and it looks very effective. The long rope-like stems of clematis can be used to fashion a front door wreath. Use florist wire to add sprigs of holly or other items like dried Hydrangea heads, cones, etc. Add a tartan bow and there you have it – much nicer than those you can buy from the shop, and cheaper! The Local Answer
G ifts ffor or g ardeners Gifts gardeners If you have a gardener for whom you wish to buy a gift, a book is always welcomed. Some books I have really enjoyed and found useful include the RHS ‘Propagating Plants’ by Alan Toogood – easy to read and lovely clear illustrations on how to get plants for nothing – and ‘The Well-Tended Perennial Garden’ by Tracy Disabato-Aust – also very informative with plenty of advice and tips. If you’re trying to think of stocking fillers for the gardener in your life, labels and twine always come in handy.
Look L ook a after fter h houseplants ouseplants Check all houseplants regularly as the light levels reduce. To advertise call 01242 510500
Some might have to be moved to somewhere a little brighter, especially those with variegated leaves. Houseplants don’t like fluctuations in temperature, so keep them away from radiators and fires (not easy in a small house) and away from windows where the nighttime temperature can fall dramatically. They do like being grouped together as they make a microclimate to benefit each other. Now is a good time to plant new rhubarb (now there is a gift idea for the person who has everything!) and to divide large clumps. Replant in enriched soil and wait for the plant to take off in spring.
Merry M eerrry Christmas! Ch C hrristm h ma ass! a Page 21
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Dress Dress yyour our table table ffor or Christmas Christmas I am always inspired by the Cheltenham Literature Festival, and this year I was lucky enough to hear Nina Campbell, doyen of interior design, talking about her life in design and her love of ‘tabletops’. Listening to her made me think of how I create a dining table. It really doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive to be stylish. If, like me, Christmas is a very special time for you when friends and family come together, there is nothing more fun than setting the table for Christmas dinner. Make yours a focal point and dine in style this festive season.
Set S et tthe he m mood ood Start by picking a theme, be it Scandi simplicity, traditional, glamorous or country style – use Instagram or Pinterest for inspiration. Follow through with your table colour scheme – white and pale, red and green, silver and gold, green and natural – it’s up to you. Buy proper napkins if possible, as they do make a difference. A friend bought some beautiful white Irish damask linen ones especially for Christmas – they look so chic tied with silver ribbon.
The T he p perfect erfect ccentrepiece entrepiece I always make my own table centre. A florist friend showed me how and it really isn’t difficult – you just need a plant pot painted to match your scheme, some Oasis, moss and a votive candle. Gather foliage from your garden, sprigs of evergreen like ivy or holly. Add flowers to match your chosen theme (I love simple white roses with lots of The Local Answer
Image: Daylesford
greenery) or nuts and fruits sprayed silver or gold. Get creative!
Add Add some some sparkle sparkle Coloured glasses are a must for a Christmas table. I always remember the cranberry and emerald coloured wine glasses that came out every Christmas at my parent’s home. This year, bottle green glasses are trending, and champagne coupes are back. Gold edged wine glasses add a touch of glamour and mismatched antique ones add sparkle. You can find multicoloured drinking glasses at Habitat. I have swirly white and green ones from Daylesford, or check out your local supermarket or charity shop.
Create C reate an an atmosphere atmosphere Candlelight always creates a magical glow; candelabra are having a bit of a moment, especially for a contemporary To advertise call 01242 510500
Scandi style setting. Tealights in silvery holders add glamour – The White Company is a good source for these. Their black dinner candlesticks would make a real style statement matched with all white tableware and simple greenery.
A Add dd a p personal ersonal ttouch ouch Why not put a smile on your guests’ faces with an element of surprise? It is those individual elements that make a difference. Search out quirky napkin rings, little birds or reindeer are fun. Personalise place settings with hand-written place names and napkins wrapped with simple twine and sprigs of herbs, or make your own colour-themed crackers. Make your Christmas Day this year an occasion to remember. Don’t forget to take some time out for yourself to enjoy that festive glass of bubbly – you deserve it! Page 25
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Page 27
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IIt’s t’s the the most most wonderful wonderful ttech ech of of the the year year With busy jobs, family life and other obligations, it’s easy to put off Christmas shopping, especially when it seems like there is still so long to go. But, as always, time flies, and if you’re finding yourself in a festive conundrum, here are some gadgets you can gift your loved ones.
Anki A nki Vector Vector Smart Smart R Robot obot Menkind.co.uk: £119 Don’t be fooled by his adorable appearance; the Anki Vector Smart Robot is a fountain of knowledge, with built-in Amazon Alexa, so you can ask him anything. And not only does he answer your questions, but he communicates by creating a custom text-to-speech voice. Vector is self-aware, being able to react to his surroundings and move about with ease. He recognises objects and rememb ers peopl e too! Using his HD camera vision, Vector can identify faces. His impressive technological advances also include an Infrared Laser Scanner, WiFi connection and a High-Res Colour IPS Display. Vector can even hear and feel; he has a four-microphone The Local Answer
array for directional hearing, as well as touch sensors, so you can pet him. Introduce your family to Vector, the curious robot who is small but stout.
Kindle Kindle O Oasis asis Amazon: £299.99 This gizmo is a great gift idea for any bookworm, with a light, portable design that will save you from weighing down your bags with books. To aid your nighttime reading, the Kindle Oasis is equipped with an adjustable warm screen light, which ranges from paperwhite to amber. It is even waterproof, so if you’re jetting off for a tropical Christmas getaway, this gadget can tag along and not risk damage via the pool. Or, if you are staying at home and feeling the festive stress, why not have a relaxing read in the bath? This Kindle will help expand your personal library, with access to millions of books, audiobooks and newspapers, and can be paired with Bluetooth headphones or speakers.
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Apple A pple W Watch atch Series Series 5 John Lewis: £339 The Apple Watch Series 5 GPS has it all: it lets you send and receive text messages, answer calls and receive notifications when it’s connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It tells you when you’ve started a workout and monitors your heart rate throughout the day. If it detects any unusually high or low heart rates, it will alert you. The built-in GPS measures your workout accurately, so you can leave your iPhone at home and review your route when you return. Distance, speed and pace are all accurately recorded. The Apple Watch Series 5 is also water-resistant for up to 50 metres, so you can even wear it when you swim.
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C Contractors ontractors – ouch? ouch? Whilst the minds of politicians and most of the country were tied up with the UK’s exit from the EU and more recently the impending General Election, the government has been working away at changes to the tax rules for many of our small businesses. The widely-publicised change in 2019 was the introduction of Making Tax Digital for VAT. By now, VAT-registered businesses that are required to comply have filed two quarterly returns under the new system and are beginning to get used to life in the new technological world in which they are obliged to operate. So what will 2020 bring in terms of significant changes to the tax rules for small businesses? The answer is IR35 or ‘off-payroll working’ as it is now more correctly known. Many contractors operate through forming a limited company and selling their services through invoices to their customers rather than being on the customer’s payroll as an employee. Why would they do that? Well, for purely commercial reasons only of course (just in case anyone from HMRC is reading this article!). The fact that the customer doesn’t have to pay employers’ national insurance and the contractor gets some decent tax breaks are purely co-incidental benefits, you understand!
Taxing T axing contractors contractors as as if if they they were were employees e mployees HMRC has called time on this practice by requiring, from the start of next tax year, the ultimate customer to tax the contractor as if they were an employee, even if the contractor continues to submit invoices. It removes the tax breaks for both the customer and the contractor. As you can imagine, it doesn’t sit well with either the contractors or the customers, although there are a number of people who are unaffected by the change who think it’s about time. My issue with it is that we are four months away from its implementation and the government hasn’t even issued draft legislation yet, let alone got it through parliament. They are all too pre-occupied with the B word and now the election. It’s just another example of uncertainty in the world of small business.
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R Randwick andwick F Football ootball C Club lub a are re fflourishing lourishing Wayne Bown has been involved with Randwick Football Club on and off for 30 years. The current boss of their flagship team, who play in Division One of the Stroud League, has had a number of breaks from the club over that period but his love for all things Randwick FC has always burned brightly. In fact, he credits the club for playing a big part in developing him as an individual – a journey that has seen him graduate from Warwick University, become a family man and enjoy a high profile role at Callowell Primary School in Stroud where he is deputy head. “I first started playing for Randwick’s under-10s in 1989,” recalled Bown, who grew up in nearby Ebley. “Then I went to Marling School which was rugby and cricket dominated and I stopped playing football until I was 16.” So what got him back into football? “I read an article that said
Randwick Football Club were about to fold,” said Bown. “I definitely didn’t want that to happen so I went back up there with a group of friends from school.” That was a successful period for Randwick and Bown, who was a decent footballer, but he took another break from the club when he went off to university. “I always kept in touch with the club,” said Bown. “I kept in touch with people like Staffy [Phil Stafford] and in 2006 I
returned to the club to set up Randwick Hornets Under-10s.” Phil Stafford, the club’s secretary, is one of several longserving club members who have done so much good for the club over the years. Most of Bown’s original under10 players came from Callowell Primary School and it laid the basis for what was to come, because these days the club boast a thriving youth section as well as a top senior set-up. Full story online.
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Dean Vernon likes playing golf at Painswick Golf Club. The 47-year-old has been a member for some four years and is close on three-quarters of the way through his 12 months as club captain. He took over in March and admits that when he first took on the new role he thought, ‘What have I taken Dean Vernon on?’ Happily, things have settled down a lot since those early days, so much so that Dean says he’d be more than happy to take on the captain’s role again next year if asked.
Dan Smith is in the front line, quite literally, as Stroud chase promotion from Western Counties North this season. The loosehead Dan Smith prop is captain of the team having taken over midway through last season when Harry Foote sustained a bad knee injury. And although Smith is 33 and has played for Old Richians, Lydney, Gloucester Under-21s and Bath United, this is the first time he has ever led a side. “I stood in as captain last season and I took over officially at the start of this season,” Smith said.
Kirsty Wingate is a big supporter of netball, a very big supporter. She plays the game, umpires and also works tirelessly as a volunteer administrator. The 49-year-old took over as chair of Gloucestershire Netball at their AGM in May and she has previously served on the management committee as honorary, league and tournament secretaries. Throw in the fact that she is also chair of her club Survivors, who have teams in divisions one and two of the Gloucestershire Netball League, and it’s fair to say it’s a big part of her life.
Randwick have a thriving senior and junior set-up
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O One ne o off tthe he R RFU’s FU’s leading leading men men As rugby résumés go, Nigel Gillingham’s is pretty impressive. The one-time Leicester second row – he played for the Tigers when they were the undisputed kings of the jungle back in the 1970s – is these days playing as big a role on the administrative side of the game as he did all those years ago as a player. So much so that in less than two years’ time he will take over as president of the Rugby Football Union, a position that is currently held by England and British Lions great Peter Wheeler. It’s primarily an ambassadorial role, but as one of the faces of the RFU it’s clearly a very important position and one for which Gillingham, a former Royal Air Force man, is obviously very well suited. Gillingham, who lives in Stroud, is currently the RFU’s junior vice-president and will become senior vice-president next year before taking on the top job on 1st August 2021. He’s also a hardworking member of Gloucestershire’s RFU – he’s their RFU representative – and on Saturday afternoons is a regular spectator at games up and down the county. “I go anywhere from Norton to Cinderford, Barton Hill to Frampton Cottrell, and from Cheltenham Saracens to Spartans,” said the 66-year-old, who is also a social member at Stroud. And he still very much enjoys the grassroots game, even though it is very different to when he was starting out all those years ago. “Yes it is,” he admitted. “What players want today is not the same as what they wanted years ago. “Back then they were happy to play week in, week out – it wasn’t as physical in those days – and your social life revolved around the rugby club. “But work patterns have changed and people want
Nigel Gillingham
different things and when you’re organising a team that’s when things become more difficult. “In saying that, the number of adult players playing the game is the same as a few years ago, it’s just that they don’t play as often.” And while few, if any, clubs are running the number of men’s teams that they did at the start of the century, the great game of rugby is still hugely popular in this country. “The female game is expanding quite rapidly,” added Gillingham, “and the age grade game has always been healthy.” Gillingham knows what he is talking about, of course, having fallen in love with the game way back in the Swinging Sixties. Born in Guildford in Surrey, he learned his rugby at RGS Guildford and was obviously pretty good at it because he went on to be selected for England Schools. He spent a year playing for Richmond before attending Loughborough Colleges where he captained the team in his
third year, leading their last side to win the Middlesex Sevens in 1976. While at Loughborough, Gillingham, who could also play in the back row, played for England Students before joining Leicester. And as choosing clubs to play for go, joining Leicester was a pretty good move because as well as the aforementioned Peter Wheeler, they were a team packed with star-studded names who dominated English rugby for a decade back in the 70s. A serious knee injury forced Gillingham to retire early but he went on to coach in the RAF before getting involved in the administrative side of the game, a journey that has taken him right to the top of the sport. And he says that when he does take over as president of the RFU he will be a very proud man. “It’s a fantastic honour,” he said. “When I was playing I didn’t know anything about the RFU! “It will be a great privilege to represent the RFU, I feel very proud.” Gillingham, who was awarded an OBE for services to RAF charities and RAF rugby in 2001, moved to Stroud in 2000. H e ’ d pr e v i o u s l y b ee n l i v i n g a t many different RAF stations across the country and abroad, but knew this area because his daughters were boarders at Wycliffe College in Stonehouse and he’d spent three years based at RAF Innsworth. It wasn’t until nine years after his move to this part of the world that he got involved with the Gloucestershire RFU, however, and it will come as no surprise to anyone involved with rugby around the county that it was Russ Hillier, the everpopular president of Stroud Rugby Club, who brought him into the fold. Full story online.
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