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IInside nside tthis his month month ... ... Quick Q uick Crossword Crossword Delicious D elicious Dish Dish Mirror Mirror Wall M irror M irror oonn tthe he W all Good, LLooking ooking G ood, Feeling Feeling Great Great Holidays H olidays & TTravel ravel Distributors Distributors Required Required Parenting Parenting & Guardianship Guardianship Motoring Motoring Money Money Matters Matters EEducation ducation & Employment Employment Homes & Gardens Gardens Homes S ave tthe he P lanet Save Planet ord Search Search W Word Sudoku Sudoku In the the Garden Garden In Interior Design Design Interior Gadgets & Gizmos Gizmos Gadgets Index, Competitions, Competitions, Solutions Solutions Index,
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U Unit nit H H,, C Churchill hurchill IIndustrial ndustrial EEstate, state, Churchill Road, C hurchill R oad, LLeckhampton, eckhampton, Cheltenham, GL53 C heltenham, Gloucestershire Gloucestershire G L53 7EG 7EG
01242 510500 510500 Telephone T elephone 01242 info@thelocalanswer.co.uk info@thelocalanswer.co.uk @thelocalanswer @ thelocalanswer
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W elcome Welcome ttoo M arch March As we move from winter to spring, for a lot of us, life will start to get that little bit easier. The evenings will be lighter, the weather will be warmer (hopefully!) and new life will be popping up in the form of spring flowers and baby animals. Life may still be tough, but these little things are sure to bring a smile to our faces. Many of you will be desperate to hug your friends and family, and while we can’t help on that front, perhaps our cute front cover stars will give you hope that a hug isn’t too far away. Our March editorial content is full of useful ideas from garden gadget recommendations, advice to help you start a vegetable patch, bathroom interior suggestions, and a simple but impressive recipe to treat your mum this Mother’s Day. There is also an important message from Roberta Smart to remind you that you are doing great and to celebrate the little wins. Whether you’re a parent or not, those little victories can help to keep your head up in these tough times.
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Quick Crossword ACROSS 1 Desert wanderer 7 Scandal 8 Cape 10 Logically 12 Bluffing 14 Unit of land 16 Grassed section 17 Canines 20 Unwillingness 23 Inuit canoe 24 Provoking 25 Group of musical notes DOWN 1 Rock face recesses
2 A great distance 3 New Zealand bird 4 Acute pain 5 Bolted (of gate) 6 Rewrite on keyboard 9 Buddhist fate 11 Careless pedestrian 13 Opposite of aye 15 Protruded, ... out 16 Tempting 18 Chopped wildly 19 Rough-skinned 21 Female relative 22 Apiece
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Delicious Delicious Dish Dish with w ith H Helen elen K Kingscott ingscott
F Fruity ruity M Millefeuille illefeuille A very very simple simple yet yet impressive impressive looking looking dessert dessert to to make make for for Mother’s Mother’s Day! Day!
IIngredients: ngredients: 225g/8oz ready rolled puff pastry 225g/8oz frozen berries of your choice (or fresh when in season) 150g/5oz caster sugar 150ml/¼ pint double cream 4 tbsp raspberry jam 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tbsp icing sugar
M Method: ethod: 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan 180°C/gas mark 6). 2 Place the fruit and caster sugar in a saucepan and gently heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Continue to cook gently for five minutes. 3 Remove from the heat and stir in the jam. Leave this to cool. 4 Unwrap the pastry and cut into eight squares roughly 8cm/3 inches square. 5 Place onto a dampened, nonstick baking sheet and cook
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for about 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Remove to a cooling rack and leave until cold. 6 Put the cream, vanilla extract and icing sugar into a bowl and whip until softly peaked. 7 When ready to serve, place one square of the pastry on a serving plate, add a good
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dollop of cream followed by a couple of spoonfuls of your fruit mix. Top with another square of pastry then dust with some more icing sugar. If If young young children children are are m making aking this this for for Mother’s Mother’s D Day, ay, p please lease ensure there there is is a na dult tto ensure an adult o help help with with heating heating tthe he ffruit, ruit, and and cutting cutting and and baking baking the the pastry. pastry.
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Mirror Mirror Mirror Mirror on on tthe he Wall Wall w with ith V Val al S Starr tarr
D DIY IY S Spring pring C Clean lean Perhaps many of us have been a little lazy over the last few months being in lockdown away from our normal routine? Why bother making the effort when often no one is there to appreciate it? It is never too late to kick start a good beauty regime. Very often when we look good, we feel good; so let’s start with some basics, which are easily done at home and should become part of your beauty routine.
Feet F eet Feet are often neglected, yet they are our foundation so even if they are out of sight, they should be pampered regularly. If you are missing a regular visit to the podiatrist, why not invest in one of the many foot care products on the market? These products gently remove hard skin and are easy to use. Scholl foot care system runs on batteries and gently removes dead skin, making your feet feel as smooth as silk. Nail clippers might help with those tough nails, and a good soak in warm water will soften up the toughest areas. Also consider leaving a cream on overnight under a pair of light socks. You might not be apply-
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ing nail polish at present, but a good base coat will protect your nails and make them look fresh.
Body Body Wash Wash Statistics are showing that we may not be showering as frequently while we’re homebound as when we were going to work every day! I hope this is not the case, but if you have been neglecting your wash routine, here is a little recommendation. I love Australian Bodycare Tea Tree Oil Skin Wash so much that I buy it by the litre. It is brilliant for removing any bacteria, and I love the f h smell of tea tree. If you it a little strong, just kn does not linger after y have bathed or showered. With so much hand washing at the moment I prefer to use this product as it does not strip the skin but is stil incredibly effective. If you prefer a citrus aroma you can now find this with all the same benefits.
Scalp S calp Heating, hats, and winter conditions often leave us with a flaky itchy scalp. Tweak’d by nature has a lovely all-natural cleansing and volumising scrub, which I use once a week. It looks like a firm clay consistency, but don’t be deceived by its appearance. Apply a small amount in your palms and rub the contents until it becomes a foamy lather. Apply to your scalp, gently massage in, then spread down to wash your hair. PrefTo advertise call 01242 510500
erably leave on for a couple of nutes then rinse out. u can then apply your al shampoo and/or nditioner (although not ssential) and your scalp will feel refreshed, clean nd your hair will have n extra bounce and hine.
Exfoliation E xfoliation rom head to toe we eally must not be lazy n this area. It is easy to allow skin to build up which is not good, plus our body lotions and reams cannot penetrate properly through skin build up. I recommend exfoliation once a week at the least. There are so many good scrubs out there which will gently do the job. You can always rely on Liz Earle for good natural ingredients. Don’t be tempted to use the same body scrub on the delicate skin of your face and neck, as they might irritate sensitive skin. Spring is around the corner so let’s get ready to be the best we can be! Page
Looking Looking Good, Good, F Feeling eeling Great Great with w ith W Will ill M Mbanga banga
A brave brave new new w world orld I ended last month’s article encouraging you to look into a sauna as a health and wellness treat in 2021 and perhaps more than ever, regular use or investing in a sauna might be the best thing you do all year. With the available technology, owning an infrared sauna is now more affordable and less hassle than a traditional steam sauna. Infrared saunas are becoming a common wellness tool around the world and have been used in different formats by cultures all over the world for generations. Having a sauna in the home is becoming the Northern Hemisphere equivalent of a pool in the garden in the Southern Hemisphere! The proven benefits range from reducing inflammation and pain, and strengthening the cardiovascular system, to revitalising dermal cells for healthy skin. If I win the Euromillions, that’ll definitely be going up in my attic!
IIt’s t’s e easy asy tto ob be ed distracted istracted o orr o overwhelmed verwhelmed With all the competing fitness fads, health hacks and wellness trends we are bombarded by daily, over and above the many other things you do and concerns about the future, it’s easy to be distracted or overwhelmed. One simple, effective way to reduce this type of stress is to remind yourself that sometimes, the most important things that matter are what you’re doing in this moment and focusing on right now. The great John Wooden said “Do not mistake activity for achievement” and I fear that is The Local Answer
a trap that many of us fall into with respect to our fitness regimen.
Workout W orkout with with intention intention Of course, getting the mileage in or ‘grinding out’ the reps in your garage gym are necessary elements in your fitness journey. However, intention is key – if every rep, mile, effort and workout is accompanied by an intense focus to develop good form and to improve your movement quality (focusing in the moment) you will have achieved so much more than just hitting PBs. Some tips for participating in an online fitness class as a beginner to intermediate enthusiast: • Focus on correct technique – speed, tempo and weight can come later. Conditioning is secondary to safe technique. • Familiarise yourself with the equipment – get your saddle height sorted! Also, If you don’t have the equipment, no problem – a good program
will enable you to follow along using bodyweight variations. • Online training is not a competition (unless it is one!) Work at your own pace and don’t try to keep up with the trainer/online fitness masochists; be conscious of the cues from your own body. • Be mindful of your breathing. Some trainers will make a recommendation, otherwise just focus on slow steady breaths – in through the nose, out through your mouth. Mask up if sharing a training space within a bubble! • Depending on the type of online platform you’re training on, you don’t have to have your camera on, but please remember to mute yourself during the training! • If you can’t keep up, focus on your form until you’ve built the confidence and fitness to get after it.
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Holidays H olidays & Travel Travel w with ith A All H Hidden idden
The T he m moving oving aart rt o off ttravel ravel The wild Atlantic hurls angry chevaux blancs against Brittany’s rugged coast. I feel the breeze and warm September sunshine, smell Gallic ‘ozone’, and can taste the seafood we’ve just enjoyed in clifftop Restaurant Bar Le Vivier. The scene’s soundtrack is a song we heard dri ving down the Quiberon Peninsula from Plouharnel and Carnac’s mystical standing stones, via sleepy Portivy harbour. But this time, there’s just another pile of ironing in front of me and France Gall sings, not from car speakers, but our lounge stereo. We may be locked down, but that magical afternoon is evoked in exquisite detail by a stunning seascape on the wall.
IInspiration nspiration for for traveltravellless ess ttimes imes More overseas travel may be nearer now than at any time since Coronavirus changed our li ves. But for us, one of the greatest sources of joy and inspiration during a travel-less year was a painting commiss-
ioned from a photograph taken that afftternoon in France. Maybe you’re adept with paints and brushes and can crafftt your own artistic travel masterpiece? Or perhaps you’d rather someone else captured that image of Manhattan’s sk yline, the Alps or a deserted Thailand beach that unfailingly fuels your wanderlust.
U Unique nique ttravel ravel m memories emories w with ith e every very glance glance Photos are fine, but easily forgotten on hard dri ves or suffocated in digital photo frames. However, convert a moment into hand-painted oils, watercolour s or acrylic, and unique travel memories are reborn with every glance – in ways photos can’t match. It perfectly complements ‘The Local Answer ’ back issues, well-thumbed guidebooks, and small-screen inspiration from Richard Ayoade et al as we countdown to resumed globetrotting.
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The The breathtaking breathtaking Côte Côte Sauvage S auvage For years we couldn’t decide which of myriad seascape photos we’d ask Cheltenham artist Jilly Hamilton to interpret on canvas. Our favourite Shetland beach? Norway’s coast somewhere north of Hammerfest. Or the romantic world’s end bleakness of Patagonia’s Beagle Channel and Isla Navarino? As it happens, it was Brittany’s breathtaking Côte Sauvage that finally prompted our decision – just before the pandemic arrived – and helped keep us sane through lockdown. The timing was perfect. Now, a year after ’k eywork er ’ and ‘social distancing’ entered our vocabulary, this image k eeps reminding us that we will travel again. Lockdown or not, whether you do it your self or commission travel-inspired art, unique paintings of favourite places really help when you’re stuck at home with a world to explore. Page 11
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AFTER The Local Answer
P Parenting arenting & G Guardianship uardianship w with ith R Roberta oberta S Smart mart
C Celebrate elebrate the the little little wins wins Remember the story of the Tortoise and the Hare? Well, I am thinking that right now, we are pretty much all in ‘tortoise mode’ and I want to remind you that this is perfect. Gone is the striving to win the race. All bets are off. Right now we are pretty much focused on simply getting through each day with our sanity intact, and that is a full time job! I wanted to reassure you that it is perfectly acceptable to feel like you have achieved literally nothing in your day; it is ok that your kids are not progressing in leaps and bounds in their maths assessments; and it is most definitely totally appropriate that you are seriously questioning all of your intimate relationships right now. Everyone feels flat and unmotivated and is it any wonder? People, these are not normal times, so let’s release our attachment to normal yardsticks, shall we? This March, let us instead focus on welcoming spring, finding small moments of bliss
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amid the chaos, and measuring our lives in ‘glasses of water consumed’, ‘cups of tea drunk hot’ and spring flowers spotted on our daily walks rather than money earned or grades achieved.
Delight D elight iin nm moments oments o off e enthusiasm nthusiasm a and nd e energy nergy If you do happen to be blessed with moments of buoyancy, enthusiasm and energy, then delight in those moments and wring the life out of them, cheering all the way. But please, don’t berate yourself when you can hardly string a sentence together, realise you have not worn anything but pyjamas for a week and the kids are surviving on cereal and sandwiches. This month I want to offer you the permission to attain your lowest benchmark and be happy. I urge you to celebrate little wins: teeny-tiny-wouldn’tusually-count-but-right-now-give -yourself-a-trophy little wins! Got all the recycling out in To advertise call 01242 510500
time for the refuse collection? You win! Had a domestic day and cleaned the bathroom? You win! Enjoyed a calm family dinner? Managed to navigate homeschooling, online learning and play referee to three under tens and survived? You win big time! Different times call for different approaches and you are doing an amazing job. And if you are flying solo, you too are commended for your resilience, courage and commitment to staying safe under very trying circumstances. So many of you cannot see your beloved family and friends right now and I want to acknowledge you. Living alone can be a wonderful, freeing experience but it can also be lonely and difficult, so please know that if this is you, I see you, you are noticed and not forgotten. To all the warriors staying the course this spring, you are honoured and recognised, and I am so very proud of you all. Until next month, stay safe! Page 1
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Motoring M otoring w with ith T Toby oby A Aiken iken
A Audi udi A3: A3: an an evolved evolved h hatchback atchback I’ve driven a lot of Audis in my time reviewing cars, but never the A3. I’ve also been close to buying one or two older used models in the past, but never quite gone through with the purchase for one reason or another. It was never because I didn’t like the car, so I was understandably looking forward to this review, especially as lockdown has made reviewing cars that little bit trickier. The first thing I was struck by was the size; the newest A3 seems smaller that its predecessors, but I think this is a result of the more sculpted bodywork misleading the eye. Inside, it feels bigger than it looks from the outside, so in reality it’s still a practical small family hatchback – but not quite a TARDIS.
LED llighting LED ighting – a rreally eally n nice ice ttouch ouch w when hen iit’s t’s d darker arker o outside utside Sticking with the interior, the materials and the seats are as you would expect; comfortable and high spec while being relatively understated. The LED lighting feature around the cabin that highlights the interior detail is a really nice touch when it’s darker outside and really underlines the quality feel you’d expect from the prestige manufacturer. In fairness, these LED lights are a £110 option, but I would be tempted to spec them. It also features Audi’s brilliant virtual cockpit; an integrated digital dashboard that can be customised with your preferred view. When in sat nav mode, this is particularly useful as the dials shrink down to the edge of the display while the rest is The Local Answer
devoted to giving you a clear view of the route ahead. So it looks good on the outside and ticks all the expected boxes on the inside. What about the engine? My review model was fitted with a 1.5 litre, 150PS petrol unit, which was ample for the car and gave a good response when pushed. If economy is your priority, this unit gives fuel consumption around the 45mpg mark. Personally I think the power/performance balance would be better served with a turbo charged diesel unit, but this option delivers perfectly well as it stands.
Stable S table through through ccorners orners a and nd ccomfortable omfortable o on n tthe he sstraight traight I think this A3 sits a little lower than previous models; at least it feels that way, and this translates to a planted feel when you’re driving. Stable through corners and comfortable on To advertise call 01242 510500
the straight, engine noise is minimal, which makes it a good long-range cruiser while being small enough to be agile and capable in the urban environment as well. This being an S-Line model is a relatively high spec, but it doesn’t include Audi’s legendary Quattro system which, while impressive, would be wholly unnecessary in a hatchback like this and has a significant impact on economy.
Av very ery ccapable apable ccar ar To sum up: a very capable car with a strong heritage and all the technology you’d want and expect from Audi, all wrapped up in a package that looks smaller than it is. It has to be said, this is a very good looking car sat by the curb, and I think Audi have managed to make the A3 more visually appealing without clearly redesigning it. It’s definitely a case of evolution not revolution which, for me at least, is a good thing. Page 15
Money Money Matters Matters w with ith R Roger oger D Downes ownes o off A Andorran ndorran
T The he Budget Budget Dear Mr Chancellor, I appreciate it can’t have been an easy year for you, but it hasn’t been much fun for any of us. When you announce your Budget plans at the start of March, please don’t make it any more difficult than it has to be. I’m sure that you will headline your announcements with further support for businesses in the current pandemic and rightly so. I’m equally sure that you must be tempted to start making us all pay for that support through increased taxes. But please resist the temptation to do too much too soon. Rumour has it that you are planning some changes to tax on people who sell their businesses. You restricted that year, much to the disappointment of many, and there is no need to make it worse this time around. Most of us who end up selling our businesses do so as part of our retirement plans and have made contributions to your piggy bank over many years in the business taxes we have paid. Please don’t be tempted to do anything aggressive. There are also suggestions that you are going to be rotten to those who save for later years via a pension scheme. We are already encouraged to take the pressure off your state pension commitments by saving for ourselves in later years. Please don’t make it unattractive by withdrawing tax relief on contributions. You seem to think that small businesses run as limited companies are drawing an unfair tax advantage. Most of them do it because it affords them protection from personal liability, not because of the tax savings. You have upset this group by excluding them from your pandemic support packages. Please don’t hit them again with unnecessary tax increases. You can put the price of beer and petrol up if you must, but just a word of warning – you’ve closed the pubs and told us to stay off the road! Whatever you do, Mr Chancellor, all our businesses and the entrepreneurs behind them need support at this time, not more taxation. Kind regards, Roger Page 16
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GUY SHEPPARD
The Raven & The Crow
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E Education ducation & E Employment mployment w with ith H Holly olly P Prince rince
P Practice, ractice, progress progress and and perfection perfection Whether in employment or education, there is often a pressure to strive to be the best. And for some people, aiming for the top is what drives them; whereas for others, ’doing your best’ is satisfying enough, without feeling the need to be perfect. Sometimes we are pushed by others to reach a certain attainment or to meet their expectations. Other times it is a self-imposed demand to reach a particular goal. In education, there is often a need to perform well and achieve high standards. School grades are important, but sometimes children can feel pressure to be ‘straight A’ students.
S Setting etting ttargets argets tthat hat a are re personal personal tto o iindividuals ndividuals Children should be encouraged to try things beyond their capabilities, even if they find it a struggle, as that is a way to learn and grow – both academically and as a person. But also, teachers should be aware of individual differences and set
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targets for students for a level of attainment personal to them. Children should be rewarded for improvement and not just high grades. In the employment world, some jobs focus on encouraging employees to climb the career ladder. Some employees may want a promotion and a higher salary, but others are happy with the level of responsibility in their current position. In the workplace, it is good to set your own targets – know where you’re at and where you want to progress to. This could include continual professional development and training, or improving your interpersonal skills. In reality, perfection is an unattainable goal, so practice makes improvement. We can always be better and do better. Some people like to aim high and “shoot for the moon…” – but remember there is no such thing as perfect – “…even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars”. To advertise call 01242 510500
For others, there’s no need to be 100% flawless – it involves too much stress, and life is more about exploration – enjoying the journey, not just the outcome.
D Don’t on’t compete compete with with a anyone nyone e else lse So set targets by your own standards and focus on being the best you can be. You don’t have to compete with anyone else or aspire to some unrealistic ideal; instead, compare yourself with who you were yesterday – are you growing as a person? Progress often takes time and patience, so as you push yourself to grow, remember also to be kind to yourself, whatever your endeavour! As the great philosopher Plato once said, “Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow”. Celebrate every success, no matter how small or trivial, and remember to take stock every now again and look back on how far you’ve come. Page 1
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CCheltenham heltenham Rd Rd EEast, ast, Gloucester, Gloucester, GGL3 L3 11AE AE
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Kitchens & Bathrooms • Wet Floor Showers Property Refurbishment • All electrical work SSatisfying atisfying C Customers ustomers aacross cross Gloucestershire Gloucestershire ssince ince 1 1998 998
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RS Cladding & Roofing Ltd are specialists in R all types of Roofing, Flat Roofing and all Rain R aaiin Water Water Systems Sys
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S Save ave the the P Planet lanet with w ith L Louise ouise W Williams illiams
of responsibility of the responsibility it the s it hy iis W Why planet? the planet? save the to save children to children I watched an amazing, very hard hitting David Attenborough documentary called ‘A Life On Our Planet’ about the damage we are doing to our lovely Earth, and the animal species and plant species that are being lost daily, the swathes of forest being cut down, the fact that we are just take, take taking endlessly, depleting resource after resource. It saddened me to learn that there are several ‘frozen zoos’ across the world and they are storing the DNA of hundreds of thousands of animals that are in very real danger of extinction in our lifetimes.
S So om many any p people eople d doing oing e everything verything tthey hey ccan an But you know what was positive about it? The fact that there are so many incredible people across the world that are doing everything they can to counteract the damage. They are saving animals, re-planting the rainforests, inventing amazing ocean clean up machines and organising enormous litter pick and recycling initiatives. They are educating their communities, using social media to mobilise people across the globe, staging enormous, awareness-raising protests, taking world leaders to task and generally fighting so hard for their futures. And why is their future so important to them? Because these amazing warriors are children and young people. They are the driving forces behind enormous community education efforts, wildlife rehabilitation programs, and rousing
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people from their apathy, denial or sheer ignorance. One of the most famous of these is obviously Greta Thunberg. An absolute icon for young people, she has stood firm in the face of waves and waves of really quite sickening abuse from adults. Including Donald Trump. Imagine being so young and having a world leader of that level of fame attacking you and still pushing forward with your beliefs. It really is remarkable.
Young Y oung people people are are genuinely g enuinely ffearful earful ffor or tthe he on Planet Earth arth llives ives o nP lanet E But it’s sad that it’s the young people shouting the loudest about this. They are genuinely fearful for their lives on Planet Earth, and their children’s lives. But these future children are also our legacy, our grandchildren, our great grandchildren, carrying on our genes and our names into an uncertain tomorrow.
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We W e can can still still secure secure a ffuture uture for for our our children children Although bleak, sad and worrying, the overall message from the program was that we can still secure a future on Eart h f o r ou r c hild ren, th ere is hope, but only if we all act now and don’t just leave it to the children. We need to help and support them in their efforts, look to how we can improve, choose renewable energy sources and cut down on our plastic use. Try not to waste food, plant more trees and plants, and if we can, donate to some of the amazing non-profit projects like One Tree Planted, which put 10 million trees into the ground just last year. Parents and grandparents still have a responsibility to help our younger generations to fight this battle – we will be stronger and have a better chance of winning if we act together.
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Installers of top quality windows, windows, doors and conserva tories. conservatories. For a free no obligation quotation call
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Showroom – Units 40 & 41, Space Business Centre, Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham, GL51 9FL
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P Paving aving & TTarmac armac SSpecialists pecialists
Why choose us?
Marshalls Driveways & Sons Ltd is a professional paving and driveway solutions company based in Gloucester, serving customers throughout Gloucestershire and surrounding areas.
We specialise in a range of services and products including block paving, driveways, tarmac, garden landscaping and patios. We have many years’ experience and only use the best quality materials. Our fully trained, professional team ensure every job is finished on time, on budget and exceeds the customer’s expectations.
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What makes us great?
• We are courteous, professional and experienced • We are a reliable local company • We’ll beat any like-for-like quote • We are fully insured and provide insurance backed guarantees • Free consultations and written quotations • Competitive prices on great products from the leading manufacturers • Local references are available on request
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R Rectory ectory F Fields, ields, R Rudford, udford, G Gloucestershire loucestershire G GL2 L2 8 8DT DT
Company C ompany registration: registration: 11415390 11415390
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WB Home Home Improvements Improvements
Family run business ~ 40 years’ experience All aspects of roofing – new installations, repairs, cleaning, chimney repointing, ridge tiles, gutters, fascias, soffits and flat roof work Re-pointing and general brick work and garden wall replacement and repairs NO JOB TOO obligation’ N OJ OB T OO SMALL SMALL – ffor or a ffree ree ‘‘no no o bligation’ estimate contact William e stimate please please c ontact W illiam ... ...
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Stevens Recycling
Ham Villa Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham GL52 6NB
01242 522647/529397
stevensrecycling584@gmail.com
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IIn n tthe he Garden Garden w with ith JJulia ulia S Smith mith
H Houseplants ouseplants aand nd veg veg patches patches It’s March already and things are definitely starting to move in the garden. You will be seeing bulbs appear that you have forgotten about, adding to the feeling of optimism and renewel that nature gives us. Cacti as houseplants are becoming very popular, as they suit a contemporary home and demand little attention, but can need a bit of TLC by the end of the winter. Don’t just leave them to get dusty and forgotten on a windowsill, but put them in some fresh soil (you can get cactus compost from the garden centre) and put in a slightly larger pot. Watch your hands on the spines (you can use some card to make a handle to wrap around the plant). Finally, water very sparingly just around the edge, making sure not to wet the plant.
H Houseplants ouseplants h help elp w with ith m mindfulness indfulness House plants in general are very in vogue. This is to do
with all the extra time we are spending at home and the trends towards mindfulness and calmness. It is recognised that plants do help the atmosphere in a home. If you have room, a large plant like the fiddle leaved fig (Ficus lyrata) is a nice statement plant which can grow over six feet tall. Look on the RHS website for house plant advice – or find a local plant shop – because the siting of plants is all important due to the various light levels and temperatures that different plants need.
H Have ave a g go oa att g growing rowing y your our o own wn tthis his y year ear If you have never tried before, do grow at least one thing for eating this year. Produce for beginners to grow would be runner beans, cherry tomatoes, courgettes and cut and come again lettuces. Don’t plant a whole packet of The Local Answer
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seed unless you have lots of time and freezer space – share a packet amongst some interested friends or neighbours.
F Fool ool p proof roof ttomatoes omatoes The cherry tomatoes need starting off inside in a warm place towards the end of the month. Varieties like Tumbler can be grown in baskets and pots, and need no special training so are pretty fool proof. Lettuce can be sown in small short rows every couple of weeks so you get a succession of plants to pick over. No one needs 10 courgette plants unless they are running a restaurant – two or three will be ample, and really one is just fine if space is limited. Runner beans can be made into a wigwam of canes and five or six plants are enough for this. Sow two beans per pot and nip off the weaker one to ensure good germination. Page 2
Don’t replace the Frames ... just the Panes! Broken B roken or or Damaged Damaged Windows? Windows? Hinges, Handles orr LLocks? FFaulty aulty H inges, H andles o ocks? Want W energy saving saving glass? glass? ant the the latest latest ‘A-rated’ ‘A-rated’ energy guarantee new double glazing! 1100 yyear e ar g uarantee on on n ew d ouble g lazing!
WINDOW W INDOW REPAIR R EPAIR SSERVICE ERVICE Cladding G utter, Fascia Fascia & Cladding Gutter, C leaning S ervice also also a vailable! Cleaning Service available!
… we make saving money perfectly clear! Call Paul on or or p paul@mistytoclearglos.co.uk aul@mistytoclearglos.co.uk
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IInterior nterior D Design esign w with ith G Gill ill G Greenwell reenwell
Bathroom Bathroom bliss bliss Apparently, we are spending more time in the bathroom. I’m not surprised all that extra time we have at home, and with home schooling, frazzled mums desperately need a sanctuary to chill out. When my kids were small a favourite book was Five Minutes’ Peace, about a mummy elephant trying (and failing) to find a quiet moment away from the family – in the bath! Now is the perfect time to think about giving your bathroom a refresh. Here are some ideas to help you create your own bath-time haven.
1 1.. Form Form a and nd function function Whether you are just making a few cosmetic changes or doing a complete refurb, planning is key. Be clear about what you need – do you want to create a sanctuary to soak in, an invigorating space to start the day or a practical family bathroom? If you love a long soak or have small children, stick to a classic layout, but if you only ever hop in the shower or have teenagers, swap out the bath for a massive walk in shower.
Image: Wallsauce.com
Wall hung fittings save space and under the basin works well for that all-important storage. My French friends have two washbasins – they say it’s the key to a happy marriage!
2. 2. A room room to to relax relax in in To create your dream bath-time sanctuary, think about a vintage style freestanding bath painted an amazing colour – it will look great on Instagram! For a contemporary look, go for a bath in an interesting shape. For a more affordable solution, opt for a fitted design in classic white, and choose a nice bath panel to match your scheme – wood strips or tiles always look smart.
3 3.. T Tile ile style style There are so many tile options now that the choice can be bewildering. If you like a clean monochrome look, affordable white metric herringbone tiles grouted with dark grey look fresh and stylish, and you can accessorise with lots of green plants. Brightly patterned or azure fish scale tiles create a MediterrThe Local Answer
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anean feel. Search out foxed glass mirror tiles for a vintage vibe.
4 4.. S Smart mart d decor ecor If you don’t want to break the bank, stick to a cosmetic update. A new lick of paint can make a real difference. Don’t be afraid to be bold with colour – teal, dark blue or pink look great above white tiles. Wallpaper is an increasingly popular option (you can protect it with lacquer) – I have my eye on a dreamy mural above my bath. Hang extra-large mirrors paired with wall lights to bounce around the light, and don’t skimp on the taps or the heated towel rail – it’s the small things that make a difference.
5 5.. A ttouch ouch o off lluxury uxury It’s time to add those little extras. Treat yourself to some soft new towels, a chic waffle style bathrobe, and some ontrend Aesop bath products. All you need to do now is turn on the taps, add your favourite bubble bath, light some candles, pour a glass of fizz – and relax. Page 2
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G Gadgets adgets & G Gizmos izmos w with ith L Laura aura N Nicklin icklin
G Gizmos izmos for for your your garden garden As we edge closer to spring, there are more opportunities for those going stir-crazy indoors to find a welcome escape in their gardens. Whether you’ve always been blessed with a green thumb or are a novice, gardening can help to distract you from, well, everything and provide you with a new project. Check out these useful gizmos that can help make gardening more enjoyable.
Even if you’re currently isolating in a one-bedroom flat, you can still ensure that your produce gets the care it needs thanks to the kit’s handy LED grow lights. Also check out the 50 different pre-seeded plant pods that are on offer, including strawberries, peppermint, mini tomatoes, pak choi and chives (available separately).
Click Garden C lick And And Grow Grow G arden Gardening G ardening Kit Kit Amazon: £89.70 Of course, you may not have a garden where you can potter about, but that shouldn’t stop you from practising the art of horticulture. With the clever Click And Grow Gardening Kit from Amazon, you can now try growing your own herbs and veggies, all from the comfort of home. It’s simple: just drop the plant pods in, fill the water reservoir and plug in the self-watering planter. Get experimental and grow whatever takes your fancy, whether you’re in the mood for homegrown fruit and veg, or feel like growing your own basil to give your dishes some flavour. The Local Answer
N Netatmo etatmo IIndoor/ ndoor/ O Outdoor utdoor W Weather eather Station Station Amazon: £149.99 Let’s face it, if you’re a Brit, then chances are that even when you do want to get out in your garden, the weather isn’t always on your side. However, thanks to the Netatmo Weat Station, you can at lea be a little more prepared This smart gadget can connect with persona assistants like Alexa to provide accurate weathe forecasts. It come equipped with two sen sors: one for indoors an one for outdoors. You will receive real time weather notifica tions, be able to chec seven-day forecasts t prep for the week ahea To advertise call 01242 510500
and even record things like indoor noise levels, humidity and atmospheric pressure. It’s simple to set up and once you’ve downloaded the app, you’re ready to get going.
B Bose ose P Portable ortable B Bluetooth luetooth S Speaker peaker John Lewis: £224.99 If you’re an avid gardener, why not play some tunes while you are pottering about? Well, now you can, with the Bose Portable Bluetooth Speaker from John Lewis. This sleek, stylish and – importantly – water-resistant gizmo not only looks good, but it also offers high-quality sound. Just connect the speaker to ur smart device to ay your favourite ongs. The speaker provides 360° sound, with crystal clear udio, so no matter here you are, you n enjoy your tunes your heart’s content. You can even take ands-free calls, and he speaker’s battery asts all day, so you have more time to rack on with your ardening! Page
IIndex ndex o off A Advertisers dvertisers FFOOD OOD & D DRINK RINK
Glevum Cladding 20 20 5 Home Care Roofing 4 Marshalls Driveways 25 NKS Contracts 21 H HEALTH EALTH & BEAUTY BEAUTY RS Cladding 22 Be Well Gloucestershire 8 WB Home Improvements 26 Healthwatch Glos 6 LEANING S ERVICES CLEANING SERVICES NHS Gloucestershire 18-19 C Extra Level Pro Cleaning 21 H HOMES OMES & G GARDENS ARDENS Regency Cleaners 12 BATHROOMS B ATHROOMS URNISHING & AHM Installations 28 FFURNISHING APPLIANCES PPLIANCES Lifestyle Bathrooms 12 A 28 Severn Vale 26 & 30-31 Bella’s Interiors Dream Doors 35 B UILDING S ERVICES BUILDING SERVICES ARDEN S ERVICES GARDEN SERVICES A1 Roofing 21 G 26 C&G Paving 20 Lawn Doc Dykes Builders 21 MPL Wrought Iron 14 Qwerty Beer Box Woodruffs
H ANDYMAN S ERVICES HANDYMAN SERVICES Your Way Home Help 12 TTV V&A ERIAL AERIAL 1st Choice Aerials 21 W INDOWS, D OORS & WINDOWS, DOORS C ONSERVATORIES CONSERVATORIES Albany Windows 24 & 36 32 Clearway Windows 22 Garolla 28 Misty to Clear
P PROFESSIONAL ROFESSIONAL SERVICES S ERVICES CHARITIES CHARITIES Let’s Be Clear Campaign 2 H OUSE C LEARANCE HOUSE CLEARANCE Yes to Mess 16
CARE CARE SERVICES SERVICES Scarlet House Care Home 10 MOTORING MOTORING SERVICES SERVICES Bridgend Garage 14 PUBLISHING PUBLISHING Guy Sheppard 16 Lois Kingscott 12 REMOVAL REMOVAL SERVICES SERVICES Littttle White Van Man 16 SKIP S KIP HIRE HIRE & RECYCLING RECYCLING Stevens Recycling 26
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BOOKING BOOKING D DEADLINE EADLINE FFOR OR N NEXT EXT IISSUE SSUE – M Monday onday 88th th M March arch 22021 021
We care care about about We environment the the environment
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QUALITY KITCHEN MAKEOVERS by simply replacing the doors and worktops
kit ch en
UKFrom ma ’s the ke # ov 1 er
OUR SHOWROOM IS CURRENTLY CLOSED BUT VIRTUAL APPOINTMENTS ARE AV VAILABLE. GET IN TOUCH TODA AY TO DISCUSS YOUR KITCHEN MAKEOVER IDEAS!
ex pe r ts
Beffo ore
● FROM
SIMPLE DOOR REPLACEMENTS TO COMPLETE FITTED KITCHENS
● FULL LY Y
INST TA ALLED BY LOCAL PROFESSIONALS IN JUST A FEW DA AY YS
● CHOOSE
FROM A LARGE SELECTION OF DOORS, WORKTOPS AND APPLIANCES
● 93
DO YOU DREAM OF A NEW KITCHEN?
SHOWROOMS NA AT TIONWIDE
CALL US NOW FOR A FREE ESTIMA AT TE
www.dreamdoors.co.uk Book now to visit our showroom at
01453 299344 18 High Street, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire GL10 2NA