Stroud by The Local Answer

The Local

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GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S BIGGEST LOCAL MAGAZINE MARCH 2020

STROUD DISTRICT WIN TICKETS TO COTSWOLD WILDLIFE P PA ARK – SEE INSIDE

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Stroud District: S troud D istrict: 441,000 1,000 ccopies opies Gloucester: G loucester: 446,000 6,000 ccopies opies Cheltenham: Cotswolds: C heltenham: 443,000 3,000 ccopies opies ~ C otswolds: 330,000 0,000 ccopies opies North Gloucestershire: N orth G loucestershire: 220,000 0,000 ccopies opies

IInside nside tthis his m month onth ... ... Delicious D elicious Dish Dish EEducation ducation & Employment Employment Sudoku S udoku Holidays H olidays & TTravel ravel Quick Q uick Crossword Crossword Motoring M otoring What’s W hat’s On On TTLA LA Entertainment Entertainment H omes & G ardens Homes Gardens IIn n tthe he G arden Garden M oney Matters Matters Money G adgets & G izmos Gadgets Gizmos IInterior nterior D esign Design S ave tthe he P lanet Save Planet W ord Search Search Word TTLA LA Sport Sport IIndex, ndex, C ompetitions, S olutions Competitions, Solutions

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March’s winning cover photo: Keith Fairburn

W elcome Welcome ttoo M arch March Spring is finally breaking through and Julia Smith’s latest ‘In the Garden’ article has some great tips on how to get your garden organised in time for the warmer months. We’re very excited to introduce two new members of staff who joined the TLA team last month! Luke (pictured below) will be taking over Sales and Advertising as Claudie jets off on her travels, and Matt is with us two days a week while he finishes college. We are looking forward to him coming on board full-time in the summer, when he’ll get stuck into the production and editorial elements of the magazine. This month’s competitions include some fantastic prizes from The Fountain Inn in Gloucester, Cotswold Wildlife Park and Giffords Circus! Go to our website for more details. If you use the services of our advertisers or attend the events listed, please tell them you found them in The Local Answer! If you can’t find the service you require inside, head online to our Directory, where we have details of many more local businesses.

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Contacts C ontacts M anaging D irector Managing Director Dave Kingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk

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Telephone Telephone 01242 01242 510500 510500 @ @thelocalanswer thelocalanswer

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Marketing M arketing

Lois Kingscott lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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LOCAL L OCAL B BUYER UYER P PAYS AYS CASH FOR YOUR C ASH F OR Y OUR UNWANTED U NWANTED RECORDS R ECORDS Most LPs, EPs & singles from the 1960s/70s/80s/90s in good condition considered. Especially wanted are large or small collections of Heavy Rock, Psych & Prog Rock, Punk, 90s Britpop, Jazz and Soul. Cash paid at the time of collection. e-mail: e -mail: v vinyl@willowpitch.co.uk inyl@willowpitch.co.uk 01242 0 1242 7 702947 02947 o orr 0 07785 7785 5 515987 15987

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S Show how h homes omes o open pen W Wed-Fri ed-Fri 110am-4pm 0am-4pm Visit Visit us us a att 2 24 4S Stuart tuart Court, Court, Butt Butt S Street, treet, M Minchinhampton, inchinhampton, G GL6 L6 9 9JB JB 0 07464 7464 4 489058 89058 e enquiries@stuartcourt.co.uk nquiries@stuartcourt.co.uk w www.stuartcourt.co.uk ww..stuartcourt.co.uk Page 6

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E Education ducation & E Employment mployment w with ith H Holly olly P Prince rince

Work Work experience experience Students considering their options for post-education have so many possible routes they could take, that it can seem daunting. Some students may already have an idea of what they want to do based on their interests or what they’re good at. Others may have no clue about what job they’d like to do when they finish education. Work experience is a good opportunity to explore some of the roles that are out there. If you are a student in Year 10, work experience is often organised by your school. This might entail spending a week with a local employer doing simple tasks and learning about their values, approaches and attitudes.

IIdentify dentify y your our sstrengths trengths a and nd w weaknesses eaknesses Doing tasks that would be required in that company can help you to identify your existing strengths and weaknesses – i.e. what skills you already

possess for a working environment, and which attributes you will need to gain or improve. Chat to the people already employed there and see what their backgrounds are in terms of qualifications and what it is they enjoy about their job. Whether it is a company you might one day consider, or an employer you wouldn’t dream of working for, any form of wor k exp eri enc e gi ves you an idea of the world of work and how it operates. At the end of your week, you may then be in a position to decide whether to stay on for further education, or if you wish to finish school at 18 years of age and find a paid job. Similarly, if you’re a student who is leaving college in a few months, contact local employers to gain information about

what they do and what sort of people they’re looking for. Find a few possible companies and write to them to ask if you can work shadow one of their employees. Ensure you use a polite and professional tone, and show some enthusiasm when getting in touch so that the employer knows you’re keen to get some first-hand experience. Sometimes it can be hard to find opportunities, but persevere and ask your college or university careers advisors for help if you need it.

Demonstrate Demonstrate a positive positive work w ork ethic ethic When you get an opportunity, get to know the people there and build your contacts by networking with them. Ask lots o f qu esti ons to fi nd ou t ab out the employer and the positions available within the company. Some people go on to get a paid job with the company they work-shadowed, so it is an advantage to demonstrate your keenness and positive work ethic. Above all, explore all your options and have fun. The Local Answer

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Sudoku Fill the grids so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.

D Distributors istributors R Required equired For a few hours each month in

North Nibley 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 100150 copies/hour (equivalent to £6-£9/hour). Magazines are delivered to T The h e Loc Lo c al al Distributors’ homes towards the A ANS NS WER WER end of each month and we expect deliveries to be completed within four days between the hours of 7am and 9pm. Yoou must be 13+ years old, flexible, reliable and sufficiently physically fit to STROU STROUD D DISTRIC ISTRICT perform the duties. GLOUCESTERSHIRE GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S ’S BIGGEST BIGGEST LOCAL LOCAL MAGAZINE MA AGAZINE M MARCH ARCH 22020 020

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W WIN IN TTICKETS ICKETS TTO OC COTSWOLD OTSWOLD W WILDLIFE ILDLIFE

P PARK AR K – S SEE EE IINSIDE NSIDE

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

Stralsund

A Along long G Germany’s ermany’s Hanseatic Hanseatic coast coast Bright spring sunshine makes rainbows among the jets of Rostock’s Joy of Life fountain on Kröpeliner Straße. As we admire the multi-coloured, step-gabled buildings around us, we’re part way through a west-to-east rail tour of four historic German Hanseatic ports – Lübeck, Rostock, Stralsund and Greifswald.

Rostock’s R ostock’s m many any d delights elights Our sojourn began in historic Lübeck, the world’s marzipan capital, with a stay at the Hotel Lindenhof just five minutes from the city’s main station. Now, days later and a couple of hours along the Baltic coast, we’re enjoying Rostock’s many delights. When we’re done with the university, Neuer Markt, botanical garden, and the fifteenthcentury astronomical clock in St Mary’s Church, Warnemünde’s lighthouse and magnificent 9.5km beach are a short S-Bahn ride away. Too soon, we’re on another train, heading for Stralsund, which was founded in easy-toThe Local Answer

remember 1234. Further east again, it’s one more Hanseatic gem with copious red-brick architecture, the fourteenthcentury Marienkirche and the ultra-modern Ozeaneum aquarium.

Seafood S eafood iis sab big ig p part art o off Baltic B altic coast coast life life Alongside typical northernGerman cuisine, seafood is a big part of Baltic coast life. If this is your taste, try delicious Fischbrötchen – fish sandwiches – at Stralsund’s Fischhalle or Nur Fisch (‘Fish Only’). Alternatively, savour simplebut-mouthwatering roast fish dishes at waterfront Speicher 8 (‘Store Number 8’). Greifswald, our fourth stop, just 50km from the Polish border, is another Hanseatic university city. Allow at least a couple of days to relish the Pommersche Landesmuseum, Gothic St Nikolei cathedral, and even more piscatorial feasting. Try the Fischer-Hütte or, after local Zwickel Bier at the Fritz Braugasthaus, head for the fishing-village suburb of Wieck To advertise call 01242 510500

for Wiecker-style fish soup overlooking the distinctive Dutch-style drawbridge.

Rügen’s R ügen’s iisland sland attractions a ttractions Before leaving Germany’s Baltic coast, consider two more rail excursions. An hour to the north, the varied attractions of Rügen (Germany’s largest island) await – not least its golden beaches, white chalk cliffs and Prora’s massive Naziera, Strength through Joy (Kraft durch Freude) holiday apartments. Alternatively, an hour east of Greifswald, Peenemünde’s Historical Technical Museum, the site of WW2 V1 and V2 missile research, is also worth visiting. Whether you seek stunning beaches, Hanseatic architecture, wartime technology or superb seafood, Germany’s Baltic coast offers an interesting alternative to more predictable European coasts. So how about letting the Deutsche Bahn take the strain from Lübeck to Greifswald as you enjoy a sublime Teutonic littoral experience! Page 11

Quick Quick Crossword Crossword 2

1 0 10

1 1 11

1 2 12

13 13

1 4 14

1 5 15

1 6 16

1 7 17

1 8 18

19 19

DOWN D OWN 1 Rotates 2 Lacking principles 3 Most populous continent 4 Sinks in middle 5 Narcotic drugs 6 Foliage part 10 Await with horror 11 Lawn tools 13 Offered 14 Tropical disease 16 Textile, woven ... 18 Flesh of fruit 19 Concludes 20 Move through water

20 20

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2 1 21

2 2 22

ACROSS ACROSS 1 Yacht race 4 Submerged sandbank 7 Dirtying 8 Neckwear item 9 Iguana or monitor 12 Restate (position) 15 Study the heavens 17 Climbed 18 Stage 21 Not any place 22 Mountain tops 23 Walked in step

2 3 23

D Don’t on’t llook ook until until you’ve you’ve ffinished! inished! Solutions Solutions on on ‘‘Index Index ooff A Advertisers’ dvertisers’ page. page.

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

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

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

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

To advertise call 01242 510500

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

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. 2255 JANUARY JANUARY – 8 M MARCH ARCH ENDANGERED AND EXTINCT A touring exhibition of work by creative recycling artist Val Hunt, animals, exotic birds, fish, dinosaurs and species of flora, all on the edge or now extinct, have been made from a selection of throwaway materials, especially Val’s favourite medium of drinks can metal. 11am-4pm. Free. Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stratford Road, Stroud, GL5 4AF. www.museuminthepark.org.uk 6 MARCH MARCH ANNETTE GREGORY PRESENTS JAZZ & ME TOUR 2020 AT KINGS THEATRE

Annette Gregory is a jazz singer who is blessed with incredible vocal tones that are rich, smooth and full of soul. Annette will be reflecting on her musical journey into jazz. She now wants to share the full insight into her musical heritage of reggae and soul music, giving some of her favourite songs a jazz feel, leaving room for

those classic jazz standards. Kings Theatre Gloucester. Tickets £12. 01452 300130. kingstheatregloucester.co.uk www.annettegregory.info I’M SORRY I’LL READ THAT AGAIN... AGAIN! Performed on stage in classic radio comedy style with live music and sound effects, The Offstage Theatre Group recreates the surreal cult comedy show featured on BBC Radio in the 1960s and 1970s. 8pm. £17.50. The Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE. www.thesubrooms.co.uk 7&8M MARCH ARCH WORLD BOOK DAY WEEKEND Dress up as your favourite book character this World Book Day weekend. Follow our bookworm trail around the house or pop by the drawing room for a story. 11am-5pm. Free with admission. Newark Park, Ozleworth, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 7PZ. nationaltrust.org.uk/newark-park 8 MARCH MARCH STROUD FILM FESTIVAL LAUNCH The Prince Albert provides the setting for this chance to find out more about the festival. What’s happening over the next two weeks? Meet people who make films, people who enjoy films and the people behind the festival! See a selection of inspiring short films and listen to the soundtrack through silent disco headphones. For full details of the festival and launch event, visit www.stroudfilmfestival.org

110-13 0-13 MARCH MARCH THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

From the roar of the crowd, to the thrill of the action, The Jockey Club opens its doors for four of the biggest days in sport as over 260,000 people flock through the gates when Jump racing’s top protagonists take to their greatest stage. Four days of extraordinary await as Champions return to retain their crown, while others battle to steal the limelight. A week of drama and high emotion, with moments of pure theatre thrown in for good measure. The Festival 2020 is set to have it all. For tickets please visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham 12 MARCH 12 & 27 27 M ARCH FOREST SCHOOL FOR TOTS Bring your little one for some outdoor fun! A chance for pre-schoolers to engage with nature and explore our Forest School site (complete with large covered area for wet days)! Children can enjoy bug hunting, making mud pies, craft activities, storytime and more! Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 9QB. For full details please visit batsarb.co.uk

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19-21 AND 26-28 MARCH NELL GWYNN After more than a decade of rigid Puritanical rule, the Monarchy has been restored and the theatre doors are thrown open once again. King Charles II revolutionises the theatrical world by permitting women on the stage. From inauspicious roots in a back-street brothel, Nell’s life moves from an orange-seller to becoming one of the first women on stage; to becoming the favourite mistress of King Charles II. £12 (u18s £8). cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk The Cotswold Playhouse, Parliament Street, Stroud, GL5 1LW. 22 MARCH MOTHER’S DAY AFTERNOON TEA Treat your mum to a delicious afternoon tea this Mother’s Day. Enjoy homemade cakes, scones and a selection of finger sandwiches. A glass of prosecco or a soft drink is included. Three time slots available at 12 noon, 2pm or 3.30pm. WWT Slimbridge, Bowditch, Slimbridge, GL2 7BT. wwt.org.uk/ wetland-centres/slimbridge 27 MARCH – 4 APRIL THE GARDEN A collection of work, new and old, gathered together by young artists Olivia Bouzyk and Tomasz A Kowalski.

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A new show inviting you to come and rest in the sun of a beautiful spring garden brimming with prints. Enter our conceptual garden and contemplate our works as if you were in the real garden; exciting your senses with the colours, shapes, and textures. Stroud Valleys Artspace, 4 John Street, Stroud GL5 2HA. www.sva.org.uk 4-5 APRIL MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION Layouts, refreshments, children drive yourself Thomas. Raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. St. Margaret’s Hall, Coniston Road, off Windermere Road, Hatherley, Cheltenham GL51 3NU. 10am-5pm. Full details at www.cheltmodrail.org.uk 4-19 APRIL ROCOCO EGGSPLORERS An unidentified egg has been found in the Garden and we’re not sure what has hatched out of it! Young detectives can explore the Garden to track down the clues and hopefully find the hatchling. The trail is only £1 (plus standard admission) and of course there is a chocolate prize! Families can battle their way to the centre of the unusual maze, play hide and seek in the nooks and crannies, or simply enjoy the rustic woodland

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play area. Dogs on leads are very welcome to join in the fun too! 10.30am to 5pm daily. Painswick Rococo Garden, GL6 6TH. rococogarden.org.uk 5 APRIL ROALD DAHL AND THE IMAGINATION SEEKERS All around the world Roald Dahl’s words are disappearing, not only from books but children’s minds too! Now only an organisation known as ‘the ancient guild of tale tenders’ can save the stories – and they need your help. A thrilling story delivered through performance, games and creative play that explores Roald Dahl’s extraordinary stories, including ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, ‘The BFG’ and ‘The Twits’. 2pm. For details and tickets visit thesubrooms.co.uk 10 APRIL FOREST OF FOOLS Forest of fools fuse traditional instruments with funked-up, high tempo beats, charting a course into the depths of the musical unknown. Where no single tune is exactly as it seems, this is acoustic dance music but not as we know it! Head for the dance floor, you’re in for one hell of a ride! 7.30pm. Stroud Brewery, Kingfisher Business Park, GL5 2BY. www.stroudbrewery.co.uk

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1111 APRIL APRIL THE BIG EASTER EGG TRAIL

Come and join the Easter Bunny to find the clues around the park and win some Easter chocolate. A joint event to support Cobalt and Maggie’s. Entry £2.50 per child. 1-4pm. Sandford Park Café, Cheltenham GL53 7PU. EASTER EGGSTRAV VAGANZA AT SANFORD PARKS LIDO Join us on Easter Saturday for a funfilled day for all the family. Meet the Easter Bunny between 11am and 1pm! There will be a variety of games and activities for both adults and children, such as egg and spoon races and ‘hook-a-duck’ in the paddling pool! The pool will be open as usual between 11am and 7.30pm. This event is free and welcome to all ages. Sandford Parks Lido, Keynsham Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7PU.

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APRIL 19 APRIL 19 WARWICK WARRIORS The much-loved warriors from Dressed to Kill descend once again upon the Castle to impart their expert sword fighting skills. Learn how knights were trained in the 15th century and watch breath-taking sword fighting shows. See up-close the display of incredible, authentic steel armour masterfully crafted by Dressed to Kill themselves. For full details visit www.berkeley-castle.com Berkeley Castle, GL13 9BQ. QUENINGTON RARE PLANT FAIR

A specialist plant sale set in beautiful gardens; you will be spoilt for choice with 20 plant stalls. Refreshments available. Admission £5 per adult, children under 16 free. Cash or cheque only. 11am-4pm. The Old Rectory, Quenington, Cirencester GL7 5BN.

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APRIL 2266 APRIL ARTHUR’S SPRING STROLL A sponsored stroll with friends, family and your four legged friends along this seven mile walk. Sign up on the Cobalt website or phone 01242 535922. Meet outside the Nailsworth Fire Station GL6 0DU for 10am start. Free car parking in the town. 9 MAY MAY PLANT SALE Brighten your garden with bedding plants, perennials and shrubs sold in aid of Cobalt. Plants kindly provided by Greenway Nurseries. Refreshments available. 10am-2pm. Cobalt, Linton House, Thirlestaine Road, Cheltenham GL53 7AS. 18 18 MAY MAY COBALT INFORMATION EVENING Join Chief Executive Peter Sharpe for an update on the work of Cobalt. There will be an opportunity to see behind the scenes of the Imaging Centre and some of the latest diagnostic imaging equipment. 6-7.30pm. Refreshments are included. This is a popular event and places are limited, so please call 01242 535922 to book your place. Cobalt, Linton House, Thirlestaine Road, Cheltenham GL53 7AS. For more information please visit www.cobalthealth.co.uk

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Entertainment E ntertainment

IIff you you hhave ave a sstory tory ttoo share, share, pplease lease eemail mail ffull ull ddetails etails tto o TTom. om. with with Tom Tom Hadﬁeld Hadﬁeld ‒ entertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk entertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk

Stroud S troud F Film ilm F Festival estival returns returns Any film buff worth their salt should be heading to Stroud this month. That’s because for the sixth consecutive year, the Stroud Film Festival will be returning to venues in and around the town. “The festival is a non-profit collaboration between the twelve venues and partner organisations,” said organiser Andy Freedman. “Stroud is fortunate to have so many organisations keen to participate, and it’s also lucky that we have a large number of professional filmmakers and serious film fans living in the area.” The festival began on Thursday 27th February with a screening of the Oscar-nominated ‘Marriage Story’ at the Electric Picture House in Wotton. The official launch of the festival takes place on Sunday

‘Marriage Story’ was one of the festival’s first screenings

8th March at The Prince Albert Inn and Andy explains what visitors can expect to find. He said: “We aim to appeal to an even wider range of film tastes than last year, offering a varied programme of films and film events. “From award winning recent features and classic movies through to skateboarding films

FFilm ilm Review Review – Joe Joe K Kennett ennett

and films with a distinct Stroud flavour. There are workshops and events where people can dress up, through to films by young people and a chance to meet local film professionals.” Andy, who has lived in Stroud for nearly 30 years, has experience in scriptwriting and cinema programming, and also taught film studies and video production at a local college. His experience in the industry is what prompted him to begin the event. “The festival aims to give people in Stroud a chance to see films on the big screen and as part of an audience, the way they were traditionally meant to be seen,” he added. For more information on Stroud Film Festival and for the full line up of events, visit www.stroudfilmfestival.org Full story online.

Book Book R Review eview – W Willow illow TTonks onks

B Birds irds o off P Prey rey

AS Spark park o off L Light ight

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

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

Above Above is is a selection selection ffrom rom local local entertainment entertainment stories stories available available online online ... ...

A Art rt • E Events vents • E Experiences xperiences • F Film ilm • L Lifestyle ifestyle L Literature iterature • M Music usic • R Reviews eviews • T Theatre heatre • T TV V

Nell Nell G Gwynn wynn ccomes omes tto o tthe he P Playhouse layhouse Based at the Cotswold Playhouse in Stroud, the Cotswold Players’ origins can be traced back to 1911, making them one of the oldest amateur dramatic groups in the county. Over a century later, the Players are still going strong and this month will be taking to the stage with their version of an Olivier-award winning Jessica Swale play. “Nell Gwynn tells the remarkable true story of a very unlikely heroine in a highly entertaining way,” said Heidi Price, who will be directing the upcoming production. “Following the restoration of the monarchy, Charles II, a notorious seducer and avid theatre-goer, threw open the theatres. “He then revolutionised theatre by permitting women on stage

The Cotswold Players in rehearsal

for the first time in history, and Nell Gwynn was one of the first women to act on stage. “She went on to become one of the most famous actors of her day and soon caught the eye of Charles II and became his mistress.” Heidi has been involved with the Cotswold Players since 2011, and ‘Nell Gwynn’ will be

the third play she has directed with them. Rehearsals are of course well underway, and Heidi says that the fact the show involves live music has been an enjoyable learning curve for her personally. “We have a cast of 24, four of whom are the musicians,” she said. “We are fortunate to have a lovely mix of new members, long-standing members and a range that are in-between. It has been lovely to have live music and some songs – a new departure for me in directing. ‘Nell Gwynn’ will be at the Playhouse from Cotswold Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st and Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th March. For more information visit www.cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk Full story online.

T The he Stroud Stroud midwife midwife turned turned n novelist ovelist When it comes to book writing, it would be fair to say Mandy Robotham has taken the road less travelled. Originally from Tottenham, Mandy trained as a journalist and moved to Gloucestershire in 1992 with her partner Simon. But when she gave birth to their eldest child Harry in 1994, a surprise career change was in the offing. “I was enticed by the process of pregnancy and birth,” she explained, “I decided there and then to become a midwife.” Writing remained an interest and a passion to Mandy, but when her second son Finn was born, finding the time to sit down and write became understandably difficult. A few years on, and with her sons all grown up, Mandy got

Mandy Robotham

back into writing through a course at Prema Arts Centre in Uley, before doing a part-time Masters in Creative Writing at Oxford Brookes University. After graduating from the c o u r s e , Ma n d y a d m i t s t h a t s h e had a lot more confidence but still “no idea for that novel”.

And as most new authors find, inspiration came from everyday life. “Write what you know is common advice for new writers, and so it seemed sensible to begin with a book about a midwife,” she said. That novel was called ‘A Woman of War’, and tells the story of a woman taken from Nazi concentration camps and assigned to be a midwife for one of Hitler’s inner circle. The book was published in 2018 and received nearunanimous praise from readers. “The idea that people want to read a story to come out of my head still astounds me,” said Mandy. “It’s meant I have more respect for writers than ever. It’s not easy – there really is blood, sweat and tears in every book.” 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 with ith JJulia ulia S Smith mith

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

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

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

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

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

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Money Money Matters Matters w with ith R Roger oger D Downes ownes o off A Andorran ndorran

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

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

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T The he financial financial ccost ost iiss h huge uge There is the north v south element to the debate too. I can’t help feeling that’s politically driven. Until the current Prime Minister won so many seats north of Birmingham for the first time last December, there was only token commitment to integrating the country in this way. All of a sudden, it’s become full-on. The financial cost is huge and we can only hope that the government’s accountants have done their homework on the pay back that such investment will deliver. For me, it’s all part of the demands we all make for our daily lives to be conducted at a faster and faster pace than ever before. Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s healthy, but for the moment, I can’t see a way of slowing it down. Page 24

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

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

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

This powerful speaker has a 2.1 stereo audio setup and a great bass effect. And the clear audio makes for pristine sound, perfect for parties or when you want to create The Local Answer

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

Ryze R yze T Tello ello Drone Drone Currys: £99 What better way to appreciate the clear blue skies of spring than by getting an aerial view? Whether you’re already an experienced flyer or a novice, the Ryze Tello Drone is easy to use. With its handy app downloaded onto your smartphone, you can enjoy a breathtaking birdseye view and also snap some great aerial images in HD. The image stabilisation means that you can easily capture clear images in all their HD glory, and also get some cool footage while you’re exploring the skies. Perform cool stunts by tapping the screen and enjoy up to 13 uninterrupted minutes of flying. When your battery starts to run low on fuel, don’t panic; the drone will still be able to land safely, even if you lose connection. To advertise call 01242 510500

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

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IInterior nterior D Design esign w with ith G Gill ill G Greenwell reenwell

Kitchen Kitchen revamp revamp I have decided to update my kitchen as my house project this year. When we moved in ten years ago, we did a complete refit, changing the layout to reflect the way we live. This time around I am looking for a cleaner, more contemporary look. Here are some things you should be thinking about for your next kitchen project.

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

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

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

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

Image: Harvey Jones

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

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

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

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

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

To advertise call 01242 510500

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

Do D oy your our rresearch esearch a and nd ffind ind w what’s hat’s best best for for you you If you can’t face that when you are dealing with changing nappies (a whole article topic in itself!), there are wipes that are made of bamboo or cotton that state ‘biodegradable’. These genuinely do break down completely and contain no plastic. Just do a bit of research first to make sure they really are good ones. There are also compostable wipes available – a far better option, but it’s important to compost them properly, as they apparently don’t break down in landfills. The thing with the truly planet-friendly wipes is that sadly they are often more expensive than their plastic counterparts, making them out of budget for some. The most cost-effective option is of course reusable fabric wipes, but if wet wipes with plastic really are your only option, maybe simply try to limit your use of them and never ever flush them. Page 2

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Cashes Cashes Green Green footballers footballers a are re fflying lying h high ig h The good times are back for Cashes Green Football Club. The club’s two Stroud League teams are flying high in their respective divisions and there is plenty of optimism as they look ahead to the future. Their flagship team are going great guns in Division Five – they are chasing their third successive promotion – while their reserves are doing just as well in Division Seven. There’s clearly a feelgood factor around the club, one that is helping to propel the club onwards and upwards, and yet it wasn’t so long ago that the future looked very bleak for one of the more established names in the Stroud League. In fact, so tough did it get that they were forced to withdraw their only team from the league midway through the season a handful of years ago. “Yes, that was tough,” admitted

Cashes Green won the Division Six league and cup double last season

current first-team manager Andy Bunn, who has done so much to help turn the club around in recent times. The 48-year-old has a long association with the club, which goes back all the way to the late 1980s when he started playing for them as a 16-year-old. He’s now in his second spell as manager – he stopped playing when he was 38 – and clearly seems to know what it takes to That’s because it’s the time of year when the end-of-season rugby cup games kick in and as organiser of the Stroud and District Combination’s four knockout competitions, it’s pretty full on. He’s also chairman and treasurer of the Combination, as well as enjoying roles at Cirencester Rugby Club and the Gloucestershire RFU so rugby is a very big part of his life. The draws for the Senior Cup, Junior Cup, Junior Plate and Bill Adams Trophy were made in the early part of the season, and the Senior Cup draw included Western Counties North highfliers Stroud, who have entered the competition for the first time for a number of years.

be the main man. In his first spell as boss he won promotion to Division One and then guided the club to runners-up in the top flight. Since returning to the club they’ve won promotion from Division Seven before winning the Division Six title last time out. They also won the division’s League Cup last season. When the club were readmitted into the league they had to start in the basement division, but that already seems a long time ago with Bunn saying: “It’s all very healthy. The first team are doing well and Dave Frost is doing a great job with the reserves. He’s brought in a lot of new players.” And there’s certainly plenty of ambition at the club. “We want to get back up to Division One, that’s the aim,” said Bunn. Full story online.

Rugby R ugby sspectacular pectacular

Miles Miles o off ssmiles… miles…

is talking about indoor cricket in Gloucestershire, something he has been a big supporter of for many years. The indoor version of this country’s number one summer game has been very popular around the county for some three decades now. Hyland is the Gloucestershire Cricket Board’s indoor cricket coordinator and is a key player on the pitch as well as off it because he also plays for Whitminster in Division Two of the Cheltenham League. The Cheltenham League is made up of 24 teams split evenly over four divisions while the Gloucester/Stroud League boasts another 17 teams and they compete across two divisions.

This is a busy time of year for Simon Collyer-Bristow.

“It’s cricket with a smile.” Those are the words of Jim Hyland, who

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M Making aking a ssplash! plash! Their alarms go off at 5.35am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings every week of the year. But they have no trouble getting out of bed even at that unseemly hour because their alarms have been set for a specific reason. You see, a dedicated group of Stroud Masters Swimming Club members are about to leave home – from all corners of Stroud and the surrounding area – and head for an hour-long/3.2km training session in the pool at Archway School. Sessions start at 6.30am and typically 2.4km (less for the slower lanes) is swum at a lungbusting heart rate of 150bpm+.

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The pinnacle The Cheltenham Cheltenham Festival Festival iiss tthe he p innacle off the Tom George o the sport, sport, says says trainer trainer T om G eorge Tom George has been rubbing shoulders with the top trainers in the land for some 25 years now. And the Slad handler has enjoyed great success over the years as well, including a couple of winners at the Cheltenham Festival, an event which remains the greatest racing show on earth. This year’s four-day Festival is just around the corner of course – the action gets under way on Tuesday 10th March – and George, just like every other horseracing enthusiast, can’t wait for that first race at 1.30pm. “There is an unbelievable atmosphere around the track during every day – something which I think is unique for any sporting event,” said George. “It is the best horses racing against one another, which of course provides the best racing. “It’s the spectacle as a whole – the best horses taking on one another never disappoints.” George knows all about beating the very best at Prestbury Park in March, with his first success coming with the Jason Maguireridden Galileo in the Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle in 2002. But he had to wait another 16 years before chalking up win number two at the showpiece occasion – there were a number of very near misses in between – when Noel Fehily steered 9-1

Toom George with Baby King and his beloved dog

shot Summerville Boy to victory in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Wins in any race on any course are hard to come by, but they are even tougher at the home of National Hunt racing where everyone and anyone is striving to be number one. And George would certainly love to be in the winner’s enclosure again in 2020. “I think the more you experience success on the big days and in the big races, the more you want to do it again,” he said. “It is very addictive! “When you train a winner at the Festival everyone remembers it and talks about it – it is the

pinnacle of jump racing. A lot of other races easily slip people’s minds.” George has been a regular in the winner’s enclosure at racecourses all over the country since the 1990s, so what would he consider to be a successful Cheltenham Festival this time around? “I’ve learned over the years not to get too hyped up going into the Festival, as there is nearly always more disappointment than success,” he said. “But I suppose if we could have a few of our Grade 1 horses placed I’d be happy enough.” And George is particularly hopeful about one of his horses. “I am really looking forward to Black Op running there this year now we seem to have his jumping sorted, touch wood,” he said. He is absolutely flying at home and will hopefully go well.” George’s many supporters will be hoping so too. It’s a full-on period for George around this time of year, of course, so when he gets a bit of spare time, how does he like to relax? “I often go on a fishing trip once a year which is something I have always loved from a young age,” he said. “I’ve been to Cuba a couple of times bone fishing which is very therapeutic.”

Jockey Jockey JJonjo onjo Jr Jr is is top top of of the the class class Jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jr has come a long way since the days when he used to bunk off school so that he could go to the Cheltenham Festival. In those days it was very much a watching brief for the now 22year-old, but this year he will be one of the main men at Cheltenham Racecourse when the four-day extravaganza gets

under way on 10th March. “I’d have been about 13,” recalls the former Cheltenham College pupil. And, yes, the school did find out that he was at Prestbury Park when he shouldn’t have been, but this is a story with a happy ending! “After that the school let me go to the Festival as long as I’d done all my work in the morn-

ing,” continued Jonjo. “I’d get a taxi at 1.15pm and I’d still get there for the first race at 1.30pm because all the crowds had gone in.” These days it’s fair to say he’s top of the class as he looks to build on a remarkable past year or so, a year that includes a winner at last year’s Festival. Full story online.

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

Competition Rules 1 Prizes are as stated and no cash or prize alternative will be offered. 2 Employees of The Local Answer and their families or households are not eligible to enter. 3 The first correct entry drawn at random after the closing date will win the prize as stated. 4 The winner will be notified by telephone after the closing date has passed. 5 The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 6 Entrants must be over 18 years, unless stated. 7 Proof of

posting is not regarded as proof of receipt of entry. 8 The Local Answer accepts no responsibility for the provision of the prize, which remains at all times the full responsibility of the prize donor(s). 9 By entering any competition you agree to have your name published in the next issue of The Local Answer should you be drawn as a winner of the prize. 10 By entering any competition you agree to have your details passed to a third party. 11 One entry per household.

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