Stroud District by The Local Answer

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S troud D istrict: 41,000 41,000 copies copies Stroud District: G loucester: 46,000 46,000 ccopies opies Gloucester: C heltenham: 443,000 3,000 copies copies Cheltenham: C otswolds: 330,000 0,000 ccopies opies Cotswolds: N orth G loucestershire: 20,000 20,000 ccopies opies North Gloucestershire:

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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 N ovember November After a long hiatus, we are delighted that our Wildlife Matters feature is back. This month you can read all about ivy bees in the article written by our new writer, Dorothy Glen. We’re also very excited that our event listings are back up and running. With fireworks displays and festive events galore, you’ll have plenty to fill your diary in the run up to Christmas. If you are organising an upcoming event, we also have a discount for promoting it in The Local Answer – more details inside. Life can seem a little gloomy as we approach winter, with darker nights and dull weather. But don’t fret – Gill Greenwell is on hand to brighten up your home with some great lighting recommendations! Check out her Interior Design article for more. Finally, we are looking for more distributors in various areas across the Stroud District. Find out more in the ‘Distributors Required’ advert and join our waiting list today.

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

Contacts C ontacts IRECTOR MANAGING MANAGING D DIRECTOR Dave Kingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk

M ARKETING & EEDITORIAL DITORIAL MARKETING Lois Kingscott lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk

ACCOUNTS ACCOUNTS Rob Kingscott (01242 541071) accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk

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Amber Enright amber@thelocalanswer.co.uk ADVERTISING EENQUIRIES: ADVERTISING NQUIRIES: info@thelocalanswer.co.uk ISTRIBUTION ENQUIRIES: ENQUIRIES: LLEAFLET EAFLET D DISTRIBUTION leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk ISTRIBUTION ENQUIRIES: ENQUIRIES: MAGAZINE M AGAZINE D DISTRIBUTION distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk

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Supply Supply chain chain pressure pressure

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Just a month ago, the queues at the filling stations were ridiculous as fuel tankers failed to get sufficient product to the retail outlets and the public started to panic. Unnecessarily in my view, but that’s an entirely different debate for another day. The same rumour-mongers that started the fuel supply panic are chomping at the bit to do the same for Christmas supplies of food and presents. They don’t help in the slightest, but there is no smoke without fire and there are definitely issues in the supply chain at the moment.

P Pushing ushing up up prices prices tthat hat cconsumers onsumers w will ill e end nd u up pp paying aying The major problem is the movement of goods. There are queues at ports as we struggle to get goods into the UK, and there is a shortage of HGV drivers to onward deliver them once they are landed. And needless to say it’s pushing up prices that eventually we, the ultimate consumers, will end up paying. The root cause is complex. The big talking points of the last couple of years are clearly involved. Our withdrawal from the EU has left us with too few drivers, to the point where the government has had to find a way of allowing European drivers to operate in the UK, at least on a temporary basis.

IIt’s t’s ttaking aking llonger onger tto oo offload ffload sships hips d due ue tto oC Covid-protection ovid-protection m measures easures The Covid impact is more complex. Many of t he go ods we i mport come f rom th e F ar East, where the pandemic struck earlier than over here and there have been timing issues ever since. Even when the ships arrive in our ports, it takes much longer to offload them due to Covid-protection measures under which the ports are obliged to operate. Business has also bounced back from Covid probably more rapidly than any of us were expecting, increasing demand at a time when we are having enough trouble getting our regular supplies. When demand increases, suppliers are able to increase prices, so naturally they do. What can be done? For most of us, nothing more than crossing our fingers and hoping that things ease sufficiently to allow the shelves to be full for Christmas. Oh, and don’t panic buy! Page 4

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

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IIngredients: ngredients: For the pastry 175g/6oz plain flour; 85g/3oz butter; 40g/1.5oz icing sugar; 2 tbsp water.

For the filling 85g/3oz butter; 4 medium eggs; 100g/3.5oz set honey; 100g/3.5oz walnut pieces; 100g/3.5oz toasted hazelnuts; 175g/6oz demerara sugar.

M Method: ethod: 1 In a bowl, add the flour, diced butter and icing sugar, and rub together until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the water and mix until it forms a smooth dough. 2 Butter a 23cm loose bottomed tart tin. Knead the pastry lightly then roll out on a floured surface just a bit larger than the tin. 3 Carefully lift and place into the tin. Prick the base all over with a fork then put into the fridge to chill for around 30 minutes. 4 Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F/ gas mark 5). 5 Remove the pastry base from the fridge and line with greaseproof paper then baking beans. 6 Bake for 10 minutes, remove the paper and beans and cook for a further five minutes. 7 Melt the butter in a saucepan, remove from the heat and stir in the set honey.

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8 Beat the eggs lightly in a bowl then pour in the butter mix followed by the sugar. Mix together well. 9 Chop the hazelnuts and walnuts and sprinkle onto the base of the tart. Pour over the honey mixture and bake for 25-35 minutes. After 20 minutes check it isn’t browning too much and if so cover lightly with a piece of foil. Continue to cook until set. 10 1 0 Leave to cool then cut into slices. This goes beautifully with extra thick cream.

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Looking Looking Good, Good, F Feeling eeling Great Great with w ith W Will ill M Mbanga banga

Fit F it ffor or life life As the sun begins to dip on its orbit across our skies, daylight hours become shorter and cooler, and our bodies start to make an imperceptible shift as they prepare for the ‘long dark’ of winter. We start struggling to find or make time to exercise due to lack of motivation or poor organisation, and we start to put on or stubbornly hold onto extra weight because of a lack or reduction of exercise. All of this contributes to the winter blues. While these seasonal changes are normal and very common, ensuring that you continue to make good choices and don’t get dragged down through feeling unmotivated, overwhelmed or less active is key. In t h e U K , a l ar g e n u mb e r o f premature deaths are associated with an unhealthy lifestyle – poor diet, obesity, drug abuse, excessive alcohol consumption, poor sleep, high stress levels, smoking and other factors. There is a simple solution for prolonging one’s life; make better choices! Of course, it isn’t as simple as just ‘doing better’, but you’ll be on the right track if you eat healthily, reduce alcohol consumption, stop smoking, don’t take drugs, look after your mental health, connect with positive people and engage in regular exercise. To quote Douglas Adams, “Life is wasted on the living”. It is by its very nature a ‘long game’, but we don’t acknowledge this with our behaviour and actions in our youth, and for s ome of us, as pects of our adult lives continue to put our health and well-being at risk. With life picking up pace as the world (slowly) opens up The Local Answer

again and returns to what we all hope is a kinder, more tolerant and self-aware society, ensuring we maintain an optimal standard of health and mental well-being is more important than ever before. A friend’s little boy put it to me beautifully the other day: “you need to practice running so you can get away when the zombies come for you”.

Having a cconsistent Having onsistent rroutine outine is is essential essential The key to ensuring you remain fit for life is consistency in your routine. Whether you train three times a week, or every day, having a consistent routine and prioritising your own health by blocking out some quality ‘me time’ to do your daily admin – exercise, planning, meditation, reading, listening to podcasts, drinking water, prepping healthy meals, etc. – is essential. Thereafter, an achievable, realistic goal, such as a target weight, distance or exercise duration, will enable you to stay motivated in those harder, cold, dark months ahead.

Below is a basic plan to kickstart your winter training. You can adapt it to suit your fitness level and access to equipment, or mix it up with other exercises that you enjoy. If you’re unsure of how to perform an exercise, have a quick look on YouTube to get an idea of correct form.

S Sample ample ttraining raining plan plan F Frequency: requency: 3 times per week Target: repeat circuit as many Target: times as possible in 25 minutes W Warm arm up/cool up/cool d down: own: 5 minutes of cardio, such as jogging on the spot or using a skipping rope E Exercises: xercises: Burpees – 10 repetitions (reps) Push ups – 10 reps Jumping jacks – 40 reps Lunges (each leg) – 10 reps Squat jumps – 10 reps Mountain climbers – 40 reps Plank – 30 seconds Crunches – 10 reps Good mornings – 10 reps Sprint on the spot – 30 seconds Remember, life is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be ups and downs in your journey, but you’ll maintain a good standard of health if you commit to always being ‘fit for life’.

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NEW

by local author

GUY SHEPPARD

The Raven & The Crow

Jaimie can’t breathe. Jaimie can t speak. i m. Other patients are sick. Other patients can’t help h coming’.’. coming s is i l i v e devil d e h t ‘the ‘ s y a says s o h who w n e v a raven r a s t u r t struts s t s e h chest c s i his h n On O the Intensive Care n i s k e e w g n i d n e p s r e t f a l a n o i Doctors insist he is delus urvived Covid-19. Unit of his local Gloucestershire hospital, having s mas k ke mask beak-like and beak-li PPE and full PPE in full dressed in ne dresse someone sees someo he sees night he Next Next night te… opposite… bed opposi the bed in the Ivona in called Ivona woman called young woman attack attack a young earch the wards, she When Detective Sergeant Alison Ellis arrives to s s talk of crime and ou i t i t s r e p u s s ’ e i m i a J y l e r u S . r finds no violent intrude r who lives in a care folklore is as confused as her own elderly fathe ho me? all.’ us all.’ kill us will kill Crow will ‘The Crow out ‘The cries out Ivona cries dying Ivona the dying Except the Excep the crow-man f o y r e t s y m e h t e v l o s p l e h o t d r i b l a e r Can Ellis enlist a ? s e i d before anybody else v e? detective? play detecti ever play raven ever Can a raven Can

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Office O ffice C Cleaner leaner W Wanted anted We’re Cleaner leaner for for o our ur office office in Wotton-Under-Edge. in W otton-Under-Edge. W e’re llooking ooking ffor or a C Currently we around 6 to to 8 hours hours a week, week, split split over over C urrently w e need need around weekday evenings orr e early early e venings o arly mornings mornings weekday early (a day would be ay w ould b e considered). considered). (a weekend weekend d Previous off clean experience iis s preferred. preferred. Quality Quality o clean Previous cleaning cleaning experience and and reliability reliability is is essential. essential. All are re provided. provided. products and and equipment equipment a All cleaning cleaning products For ask for for Linda, call 01453 01453 521621 521621 and and ask Linda, For more more information, information, call or linda@mra-marketing.com. or email email linda@mra-marketing.com. We We look look forward forward to to hearing hearing from f rom you! you! Page 8

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

Family Family estrangement estrangement This month I want to talk about estrangement and how it feels when you hear of the passing of someone you never really knew, but always loved. Recently, I had the heartbreaking news that my brother Steve passed away from lung cancer aged only 67. I had a strange relationship with Steve, as he was raised by his mum along with brother Mike after she split from my dad, before I was born. We never lived together and I met him only once as a child when our grandmother died. I was about six years old. I spent years wondering what he was like; would I even know him if I passed him in the street? I felt his absence deeply. I know I am not alone in this phenomenon and want to acknowledge any of my readers who have lived this story. I next saw Steve when he attended my wedding in 1991. Mike had invited him along and it was a shock to see him sitting in the pew with my family. After the ceremony he met me outside the church with a cool “hi Sis!” I threw my arms around him, crying, shocking the poor bloke who had no idea how much those words meant to me. One more brief meeting, two weeks later at a birthday party I can’t recall, and I’ve not seen him since. Estrangement is the norm in my family. Today I am heartbroken. In part for the loss of a brother I never knew, but also for the habitual estrangement that typifies my family. Something I had no control over as a child and which seemed insurmountThe Local Answer

able in adulthood. I never managed to bridge the gap and instead it only intensified with me being estranged from both my parents and another brother. When we are raised to be distant from family, we hold no expectations of things ever being different, yet we still feel the loss. I wanted to use this month’s column to say “I see you”, and encourage you to reach out, no matter how awkward it may feel, if you want to make contact with family members.

T The he p possibility ossibility of of new new cconnection onnection a and nd a cchance hance tto o ffill ill iin n tthe he gaps gaps Yes, fear of rejection is present, but within this outreach lies the possibility of new connection, a shared history, a chance to fill in the gaps created by others. Of course, you may choose to stay estranged for good reason and that is great too; but please, do what you need To advertise call 01242 510500

to do to feel good, because your feelings matter and only you can change your story. I believe that families are some of the most difficult things we have to navigate in life but also the most treasured of blessings when things work out. So I urge you, chase your blessings, protect your boundaries and take care of one another. If you’re wondering where to start on your journey to finding an estranged family member, there are many charities out there that can put you on the right track, such as the Salvation Army. While it has its flaws, social media is also a great resource for reaching a wide audience, especially in other parts of the country or, indeed, the world. People travel and you never know where they’ll end up. If you make the decision to trace and reconnect with someone from your past, I’m sending you my best wishes and hope everything works out how you want it to. Page 

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

Forward F or ward planning planning November has arrived, which means Christmas and the holiday season are just around the corner. Issues have recently come to light regarding deliveries on various fronts, so I know many people are shopping online for themselves and loved ones from the comfort of their own home this year. Generally, I do not shop in advance, but this season I want to be on the safe side. While shopping online doesn’t feel the same as when you are in a store and can actually see the item, the quality and if it is for you, it is likely to be the preferred option for many customers this year. Below you will see a few online fashion retailers that you may or may not be familiar with. The choice is endless, and it is important you do your own research and check return policies so there are no nasty surprises if you pick the wrong size.

Great G reat S Scot cot I am excited to share this site, as it was by wonderful accident

that I found it. Great Scot is truly a great find if you are looking for authentic products made in Scotland with the finest materials, tweeds and fabrics. They have lovely skirts, Lady Mary jackets (a particular favourite), blouses, capes and scarves, as well as a great men’s selection, including waistcoats and cute bow ties in lovely rich tweeds. All of their items are going to stand the test of time, as they are classics that will never go out of style. So not only are you buying products that have been made in the UK, but this is sustainable, high quality fashion that is exquisitely made. They ship worldwide and let me assure you, any lucky recipient will be delighted with the wrapping and packaging they receive. I opened my order and was thrilled at the skilful wrapping and presentation – it felt like I was receiving a present. Enjoy browsing their beautiful site, bearing in mind tartan is one of the main looks from the upcoming season!

Pretty P retty Little Little Thing Thing This site has hundreds of styles to suit all tastes, with extensive ranges including evening wear, day wear, lounge wear and even beauty. With products to accommodate all budgets, think of this as a one-stop shop.

Linzi L inzi Linzi is your go-to for shoes for the entire family. Here you will find boots, shoes, slippers and much more on a very extensive The Local Answer

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Image: Great Scot

website. Buying footwear online can be tricky – nothing beats trying on shoes to be sure they are comfortable. However, Linzi have a good size guide on their site so do look at this before you buy.

Stradivarius S tradivarius Stradivarius is the sister brand to the ever-popular Zara that many of us know and love, always with the latest designs at great prices. Stradivarius has a youthful range but does cater to all ages like big sister Zara. Most high street shops, including smaller, independent retailers, have an online presence nowadays, so if you are concerned about getting out and about in time to purchase Christmas gifts and party outfits, why not browse their online stores and avoid panic buying closer to the holidays! Page 11

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

Birthday Birthday bus bus Because life isn’t all flashy m o to r s, h ot h at c he s or d re a m super cars, sometimes it’s nice to get behind the wheel of something more… well, ordinary? I’ve reviewed a lot of amazing cars, and I’ve reviewed a lot of ‘ e ve r yd a y’ c ar s . T h e k e y t h in g is not to compare apples with oranges. Something I thought I’d have to remember for this month’s review. Back in the summer, my daughter turned seven, and the extended family were going to Cotswold Water Park in Cirencester (side note: I have no idea why we’d not been before, it’s amazing!). As the entry fee is per vehicle, we thought taking something massive would be wise. Enter the Ford Tourneo Custom Active. AKA a Transit van with sliding doors, eight comfortable seats and a decent boot space. AKA the Birthday Bus. As I said, it’s important to remember this is in effect a van, converted to a car, so the driving experience was bound to be somewhat cargo like, right?

F Ford ord h have ave ((once once a again) gain) p pulled ulled a b blinder linder Nope. I’ve no idea how, but Ford have (once again) pulled a blinder in making this converted Transit feel like a massive (yet easy to drive) car. I guess, to be fair, I’ve not driven the Transit that this is based on, but in all honesty, it was a godsend for the birthday, and worked perfectly well as a car too. I took it to Tesco, hockey practice, literally to anywhere I The Local Answer

went, and I didn’t feel like I was in a van (until I got out). Good visibility, easy to manoeuvre and even relatively easy to park, I was blown away by how this thing handled; no wonder Top Gear’s late, great Sabine Schmitz chose a transit when she attempted to lap the Nürburgring in under ten minutes – this thing is simply brilliant. So where’s the downside? The looks? Another no. Okay, it’s based on a van, but Ford do seem to have the ability to make any vehicle they make look good. I think it’s because the styling doesn’t try to hide anything. It’s big, it’s box-like, but that doesn’t mean it is devoid of personality or soul – far from it. I had this for seven days and was genuinely disappointed to see it go. If you’re in the market for something big, and need at To advertise call 01242 510500

least seven seats and decent storage, then I urge you to consider this. It would be all too easy to dismiss it because it looks like a Transit, but again, consider that Ford’s iconic van looks good… it really does!

T The he ttendency endency w would ould b be e tto o llook ook a att tthe he betterbetterknown k nown V VW Wo options ptions There aren’t many options at this end of the seating capacity, and the tendency would be to look at the better-known VW options. While these are amazing, I suspect once you’d customised to your heart’s desire, the Ford would come out considerably cheaper. The model I tested was around £50k, but a VW California starts at £60k, give or take. I’d love a California, but it would be hard to justify the extra spend. I think many will though, purely because of the badge, which is a shame. Page 1

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What W hat s O On n The The Local Local Answer Answer Event Event L Listings istings a are re ccompiled ompiled a and nd p presented resented in in good good faith faith with with the the kind kind support support o off m many any ccontributors. ontributors. W We e recommend recommend you you use use the the contact contact details details provided provided to to check check e event vent iinformation nformation u updates pdates p prior rior tto op planning lanning y your our v visit. isit. 6 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER ANIMAL ANTICS

Time for The Animal Guyz to literally bring the stage to life with this brandnew funny, entertaining and educational live show that will delight the whole family. Packed with animal effects, music and laughter, designed to both entertain and educate using no live animals, stunning puppetry and special effects to bring incredible lifelike and size animals and dinosaurs to the stage right before your eyes. 2pm. Tickets £14 (£12 concessions). 01242 258002. The Bacon Theatre, Dean Close School, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk FANTASTIC FIREWORKS FUNDRAISER Join Frampton Youth Football Club for a night of entertainment raising money for local community groups. With a professional fireworks display to music, bonfire with special effects, bar, BBQ and sweets, this is a great event for the whole family. Tickets £10 adults, £5 children and must be bought before the event – no tickets at the gate. Gates open at 5.30pm.

Frampton Youth Football Club, Whitminster Lane, Gloucester, GL2 7HU. For more information and to book visit https://fixr.co/event/584412785 7 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER BONFIRE NIGHT AT HILLSIDE BREWERY A roaring bonfire lighting up our beautiful Hillside meadow, an aweinspiring fireworks display and fire performer to keep kids (and big kids!) entertained all evening. Hungry guests will be more than satisfied by the delicious Hog Roast on offer, with retro popcorn and candy floss stalls providing the perfect sweet-treats for afters. Our fantastic selection of Hillside craft beers will be flowing all evening, as well as a fully stocked bar with plenty of alternatives such as wines and soft drinks. From 6pm. Advance tickets only – no tickets on the gate. For more details and to book visit www.hillsidebrewery.com/ bonfire-night-event-and-fireworks 112-13 2-13 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING? The Cotswold Savoyards present an autumn concert, a wonderful, funfilled evening of musical theatre favourites and classic songs from the West End – and, yes, there will be some Gilbert & Sullivan in there too! What better way to celebrate the return of live Musical Theatre than this toe-tapping medley of songs that will fill your heart with joy and love of the Theatre and everything that we have missed for the last 18 months?

Tickets £10. 7.30pm. More details at www.cheltplayhouse.org.uk Cheltenham Playhouse, 47-53 Bath Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7HG. 21 21 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER CHRISTMAS FAIR Join us for a fun, festive family day with local businesses selling a range of gifts – perfect for Christmas shopping! There will also be mulled wine and mulled cider, food from Tall Order Catering, entertainment and much more! 11.30am to 3.30pm. Free entry. Patesians Sports & Social Club, Sandy Lane Playing Field, Everest Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham GL53 9LG. For more information, or to book a trade stall, please email info@patesians.club 224-27 4-27 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER AMAZING GRACE John Newton, a wilful and musically talented young Englishman, faces a future as uncertain as the turning tide. He finds himself torn between pursuing a life as a slave trader or embracing the more compassionate views of his childhood sweetheart. Accompanied by his slave, Thomas, John embarks on a perilous voyage on the high seas. Brimming with emotion and adventure, Amazing Grace is an unforgettable musical saga that captures the spirit of history’s sweetest and most powerful sound: freedom. Tickets £14£15. 2pm or 7.30pm. More details at www.cheltplayhouse.org.uk Cheltenham Playhouse, 47-53 Bath Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7HG.

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2255 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER & 55-7 -7 D DECEMBER ECEMBER CHRISTMAS ARTISAN MARKET This special festive four day event will celebrate local makers and producers at Cheltenham’s iconic pump room. The market launches on Thursday 25th November as part of the switch on of the pump room’s Christmas lights display, complete with carol singers and choirs, live entertainment and special guests. For more details visit www.cheltenhamtrust.org.uk 2266 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER – 2211 D ECEMBER DECEMBER ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS

Set out on an adventure through the illuminated trees of the arboretum and look out for clues to reunite Father Christmas with his lost reindeer! Experience mesmerising light displays amongst amazing trees but watch out for the storm, and don’t get lost! Relaxed sessions available, with adapted trail for those who require additional needs, such as autism. Advance booking essential. www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, Tetbury, GL8 8QS. 2266 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER – 3300 D DECEMBER ECEMBER SPECTA ACLE OF LIGHT 2021 Discover the new Light Curve and the flickering flames of the Queens garden. Gaze at the sparkling water features and the mesmerising Carpet of Colour. Light beams, lanterns and much more. Sip festive warmers of spiced mulled wine and sprinkled hot chocolate as you join the magical trail around these

wonderful grounds. Tuck into takeaway hot food and delicious donuts from the Castle Terrace. For more details and to book visit sudeleycastle.co.uk 2277 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER CRAFFT T MARKET AT HOLY APOSTLES CHURCH Join us for another craft market at Holy Apostles Church Hall! We will be open from 1-4pm so come and browse a selection of stalls from crafters, artists and local small businesses. Entry to the market is free, please remember to bring a face covering (if required) and a shopping bag! Holy Apostles Church, London Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, GL52 6HW. 2288 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER THE SUFFOLKS CHRISTMAS MARKET With market stalls, a fun fair, children’s entertainment, carols, street food and, of course, Father Christmas, you’ll definitely get in the festive spirit at The Suffolks Christmas Market. 11am to 5pm. The Suffolks, Cheltenham. 4 DECEMBER DECEMBER TEWKESBURY TOWN BAND’S CHRISTMAS CONCERT Tewkesbury's very own brass band once again gathers at The Roses for a magical Christmassy celebration of music and song. 7.30pm. Tickets £1315. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, Glos, GL20 5NX. 01684 295074. www.rosestheatre.org 1122 DECEMBER DECEMBER ORCHESTRA PRO ANIMA CHRISTMAS CONCERT The concert will be preceded by a 5pm reception in the Long Drawing Room where you can enjoy wine, mince pies and other festive fare. The Christmas trees and twinkling lights create a truly special atmosphere. The programme comprises beautiful music spanning over 200 years played by Orchestra Pro Anima and directed by Michael Bochmann MBE, with the outstanding French Horn player Stephen Roberts.

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Tickets £42, including the Reception and refreshments in the interval. Full details at www.berkeley-castle.com. Berkeley Castle, GL13 9BQ. 1144 DECEMBER DECEMBER SANTA’S BEST EVER CHRISTMAS Dotty the Elf thinks Santa is planning a surprise Christmas party, Pompom the Penguin thinks Santa has been making Christmas crackers, and Dasher the Reindeer thinks Santa has got their biggest Christmas tree ever – do you think they’re right? A festive, musical, interactive adventure most suitable for 2-7 year olds, where every child will receive a specially wrapped present from Santa! 10.30am. Tickets £10 (£8 conc). 01242 258002. The Bacon Theatre, Dean Close School, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk 17 DECEMBER DECEMBER 17 THE KATE’S HOME NURSING CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT Seasonal music, reading and carols with Richard Coxon (Tenor), Imogen Cox (Violinist), Katy Treharne (Soprano) and David Harrington (Pianist). Tickets £15 through Gabrielle Kubale – email gabriellekubale@hotmail.com – or at The Borzoi Bookshop, Stow-on-theWold. 6.30pm. St Lawrence’s Church, Bourton-on-the-Water. www.kateshomenursing.org FIREWORK FEST(IVE) – SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EDITION Promising to be the biggest ever winter display at Wall’s club, join us for a firework display with a difference. Wrap up warm and get yourself in the festive spirit as we light up the skies. The event is expected to sell out quickly so book your tickets soon! An unmissable Christmas event that promises to be a family friendly and exciting evening out. Walls Club, Hammond Way, Barnwood, Gloucester, GL4 3YL. For more information and to book visit www.chaselanefireworks.co.uk/events

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Prepare Prepare your your spring spring bulbs bulbs November can be quite a mild month and it is unusual to have snow this early in the winter – although it can come early, as it did a couple of years ago. This means that you can still potter about in the garden for a while longer, perhaps splitting herbaceous perennials which have become too big, and replanting smaller portions. You could even share the rest with neighbours and friends.

C Cut ut h holly olly ffor or C Christmas hristmas b before efore a all ll tthe he b berries erries g get et e eaten aten If you have a nice holly that gets berries on it but the birds eat them all before you can use them at Christmas, cut some of the branches by the end of November. Store them in a cool, bright place like a cold frame or under polythene in an unheated greenhouse where they won’t lose too much moisture. Prune blackcurrant bushes, taking out the oldest branches at the base. You can use some of the shoots of this year’s

growth for hardwood cuttings which root so easily. Tulips can be planted now. I prefer to plant in pots, which can be buried in the border when they come into flower and are easily removed when they fade. There are such delicious colours for sale nowadays. If you’re not confident on colour combinations, most bulb companies have collections that complement each other. It pays

to buy the best quality bulbs you can – they should be firm and plump, so don’t use any that are skinny or mildewed, as you won’t get the desired effect when they flower. This is the time of year to plant bare-root fruit trees and bushes, and roses, which is a cheaper way to buy plants. Don’t plant if the weather is freezing or the soil is waterlogged, but make sure to plant as soon as possible when you receive them, and don’t let the roots dry out. It’s a good idea to stand them in a bucket of water for a couple of hours before planting to give them a good drink.

A ‘‘lasagne’ lasagne’ of of bulbs bulbs Plant up some winter containers to add interest to the patio. You can make a ‘lasagne’ of bulbs to flower in spring and top off the container with ivies, winter flowering heathers or grasses. Remember that you may have to water containers if there is little rain and lots of drying winds. The Local Answer

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Let’s Let’s talk talk about about lighting lighting Good lighting is key to creating atmosphere in a space; getting it right is at the heart of a comfortable home. In the winter months we can’t be so reliant on natural daylight and, as we will all need to be much more eco-conscious in the future, it’s a good time to review the options for creating an atmospheric, well-lit space.

U Understand nderstand tthe he jjargon argon The language of lighting can be confusing. In the past, the only available option was bright, fluorescent lighting. Halogen took over in the 70s, making it possible to create a warmer light and highlight different areas of a room. Now, the energy efficient lighting of choice is LED, which is even more versatile. It can be used in strips under cupboards and shelves, and you can even get dimmable bulbs. LED emits a naturally cool light, so it’s important to use the right level of colour index (kelvin) for your bulbs – the higher the colour index, the cooler the light. Lighting expert Sally Storey recommends 2,200 to 2,700

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kelvin or ‘warm white’ for most interiors.

Layer L ayer u up p One thing interior designers agree on is that lighting should be layered. It’s not enough to have one overhead pendant in a room – you should have a mix of ambient, accent and task lighting. Ambient lighting is achieved through overhead lights, ontrend wall lights, free-standing uplighters or table lights. Do fit dimmers where you can; I have them everywhere in my house. If you want to create some drama, use accent lighting for highlighting interesting features, such as old beams or a fireplace nook.

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Task lights are used to read by or to work by. With people increasingly working from home, task lights are even more important. I love a bright coloured angle poise lamp on a desk – John Lewis has a great selection. For reading, a free-standing lamp is always a good option in a sitting room, To advertise call 01242 510500

and don’t forget to have good bedside lights at the right level if you like to read in bed.

K Kitchens itchens a and nd b bathrooms athrooms In kitchens and bathrooms, aim to balance ambience with task lighting. Spotlights work well over kitchen worksurfaces, or add some LED strips under kitchen cupboards. Statement pendants look good over kitchen islands and dining tables. In bathrooms, create a relaxing atmospheric glow over the bath and have separately switched task lighting over the basin for shaving or applying makeup.

Light Light and and shade shade For that finishing touch, why not treat yourself to some new lamps? I love a fancy statement table lamp, and there are some amazing shapes, colours and textures out there at the moment. Pooky is my go-to brand – look out for their outlet sales, or just swap out your old lampshades for some new ones. Your local charity shop will be happy to take them! Page 2

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Berkeley • Brimscombe • Bussage • Cam • Dursley Minchinhampton • Painswick • Randwick • Stroud Centre Uplands • Whiteshill • Woodchester • Wotton under Edge P Please lease o only nly a apply pply ffor or tthe he a areas reas llisted isted a above. bove. Please email d distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk istribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk with your name, postal address, telephone number and date of birth. A member of our team will respond with more information. Please do not call the office – our staff are only returning to work part-time, so may not always be available to take your call. Each round is made up of 150-400 copies per month. The rate of pay is 6 pence/copy. Depending on property types, our current team of people average between 100-150 copies/hour (equivalent to £6-£9/hour). 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 duties. Page 28

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

High-tech High-tech winter winter warmers warmers As we creep closer to Christmas, more and more gadgets are hitting the market that could make for some great gift ideas. So, if you’re trying to plan ahead or are simply on the lookout for some winter warmers, read on...

Smeg S meg M Milk ilk F Frother rother Currys: £149 What better way to cosy up for an evening at home than with a freshly brewed hot chocolate? Well, with this snazzy milk frother from Smeg, you can whip up a hot beverage Starbucks-style from the comfort of your kitchen in no time. This gizmo has eight different functions, so you can craft your own hot or cold drinks like a fully trained barista. And its cool 1950s vintage design is just an added bonus, giving your counter tops some style.

Beurer Beurer S Soft oft C Cosy osy H Heat eat Pad Pad Argos: £32 It’s time to revamp your tired old hot water bottle with this crafty heat pad. Combining the traditional with the high tech,

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this gizmo is ideal for warming yourself up during those chilly winter nights. With hand held control, three temperature settings and an irresistibly snuggly material, the Beurer Soft Cosy Heat Pad will ensure you don’t have to suffer in winter anymore. And don’t worry about safety, because this clever contraption also comes with an auto shut-off after 90 minutes, as well as a removable controller.

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S Shiatsu hiatsu F Foot oot M Massager assager Amazon: £99.97 No one likes having cold feet, and during this time of the year you’re even more likely to stock up on wool socks. However, there is another option: a gadget that operates both as a foot massager and heater! The Shiatsu Foot Massager works to improve blood circulation with its infrared heat function, whilst also soothing muscle tension and nerve pain. So, when you want to feel nice and toasty, simply pop your feet into the chambers and choose between the three pressure levels. Page 2

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Wildlife Wildlife Matters Matters with w ith D Dorothy orothy G Glen len

Interesting Interesting ivy ivy b bees ees I recently discovered little ‘volcanoes’ of powdery soil in the sunny flower bed underneath my ivy. I’ve been waiting for them, as they appear every year around this time, along the line of the lawn. This is the work of ivy bees, a relatively new addition to British wildlife, first being reported in the UK in 2001 and gradually moving north. Ivy bees are dainty bees, similar in size to honey bees but recognisable to me because they’re extra stripy – with bright narrow bands of black and yellow.

Seen Seen iin n llarge arge n numbers umbers September to ffrom rom S eptember to November N ovember They feed on nectar and pollen from ivy flowers, and if you have a generous patch of ivy in your garden they can be seen in large numbers from September to November, especially on a sunny day. On my ivy, they are joined by honey bees, hover flies, wasps and red admiral butterflies, all taking advantage of this vital late food source. Sometimes the noise they create takes me

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by surprise and I look up to the ivy, at head height, and wonder if I should be so close to this intimidating mass of insects. But they’re not at all interested in me. Male ivy bees have no sting, and females are rarely aggressive and struggle to penetrate human skin. If they do, it feels similar to a nettle sting. Even the wasps aren’t bothered with me when they already have such a great supply of nectar. So I watch and listen, and I find it calming having them hum away in the background.

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Making M aking llittle ittle v volcanoes olcanoes iin n my my flower flower bed bed By mid-autumn, the ivy bees are busy mining their underground burrows, pushing the soil out of the top to make the little volcanoes I see in my flower bed. They are solitary bees, but in my little corner of the garden where conditions are right there are many nests. Inside, the female bee deposits her eggs and a store of ivy pollen for the larvae, which emerge as bees the following year, around the time the ivy flowers again in September. Ivy is a hugely valuable food source at this time of year for insects. You can encourage ivy bees into your garden by avoiding cutting it back until the spring (and no later), when the flowers are long gone and the birds have had the attractive purple berries. Allowing it to flower has the added benefit of keeping the wasps fed, so they are less likely to bother you and your sweet autumn treats. Page 1

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

Inviting Inviting IIstanbul stanbul It’s September 2021. The Government just announced that the foreign-travel traffic light system is to end. Now the travel pundits predict that Turkey and Egypt will top many Brits’ lists for a late-year getaway. Full disclosure: the closest I’ve been to Turk ey is 37,0 0 0 feet on an Emirates flight from Birmingham to Dubai – if you don’ t include Cheltenham’s excellent Istanbul Kitchen restaurant. That said, I’d like to visit. Talking about the country with Mrs H got her reminiscing about her travels there before we met. Impressi vely, she’s explored the west and south extensi vely from Istanbul to s e a s i d e Ka ş . A l o n g s i d e t h e latter ’s whitewashed houses and pervading scent of bougainvillea, her recommendations include Gallipoli, Ephesus and Selçuk’s famous white storks.

A ffull-on ull-on 24/7 24/7 b buzz uzz But it’s Istanbul, straddling the Bosporus where Europe meets Asia, that she k eeps The Local Answer

returning to. And it’s there that I hope to be introduced to Turkey. In the metropolis that inspired Edmondo De Amicis to write, ‘The whole world thinks that this city is the most beautiful place on earth.’ As a teaser to that future trip, we blow dust off Jan’s carefully collated photo albums. They’re pack ed with prints from back when you captured travel memories on rolls of Kodacolor, then waited eagerly until your snaps arrived from Bonusprint. “We’ll visit the Blue Mosque,” she enthuses as decades-old memories flood back like water under the city’s showpiece Bosporus Bridge. “And Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar in Eminönü,” she suggests, excitedly painting her glowing picture of Istanbul’s colour s, welcoming citizens, intoxicating aromas and full-on 24/7 buzz. Googling the bazaar, I discover it’s one of the world’s finest shopping malls and picture somewhere that makes Gloucester Quays look lik e a corner To advertise call 01242 510500

shop! Mr s H confirms my assessment. This I must see.

F Ferry erry across across tthe he B Bosporus osporus I’m excited now. Even more so when we contemplate food, discussing mouth-watering döner and lahmacun, and tempting meze grabbed between sights. And Istanbul’s ubiquitous pide flatbreads and glass after refreshing glass of mint tea. “We’ll catch a ferry across the Bosporus too,” she adds. That’ll be on the way to Grand Çamlıca Mosque, Turkey’s largest. Its six sk yscraping minarets dominate Istanbul’s eastern horizon above sprawling Üsküdar. The experience will be novel for us both; it was built since Jan’s last visit. My would-be guide had me at Baklava and Hagia Sophia. As for the traditional hammam experience so many visitor s adore, I’m not so sure! Maybe I’ll pass on Turkish baths and Emre’s thumping massage. That aside, Istanbul, I am looking forward to meeting you. Page 

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