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GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S BIGGEST LOCAL MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2020

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IInside nside tthis his m month onth ... ... Delicious D elicious Dish Dish P Parenting arenting & G Guardianship uardianship M Medical edical H Health ealth EEducation ducation & EEmployment mployment Holidays Holidays & Travel Travel Quick Q uick C Crossword rossword Motoring M otoring LLooking ooking G ood, FFeeling eeling G reat Good, Great H Homes omes & G Gardens ardens IIn n tthe he G Garden arden S Save ave tthe he P Planet lanet G Gadgets adgets & G Gizmos izmos IInterior nterior D Design esign Word W ord Search Search M Mirror irror M Mirror irror oonn tthe he W Wall all Sudoku S udoku Money M oney Matters Matters Competitions, Solutions IIndex, ndex, C ompetitions, S olutions

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September’s winning cover photo: Mark Harrison

W elcome Welcome ttoo S eptember September This month’s issue is packed full of great articles including Julia’s autumn gardening tips, sustainable interior suggestions from Gill, and Holly Prince looks at the transition from Primary to Secondary school in her Education & Employment article. We’ve also got our usual puzzles and the Word Search theme is ‘Pets’. We’re very happy to be attending Gloucester Day again this year with our charity tombola. All stalls will observe social distancing guidelines so if you decide to attend we would love for you to pop by our stand and say hello! In this month’s snippet of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Annual Report, Martin Surl tells us about an animal safeguarding scheme that has recently been established. Find out more inside and you can read the full report online. We have two new competitions for you to enter on our website this month – see inside for more details.

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Contacts C ontacts O Online nline tthis his month month ... ... Enter Enter our our fantastic fantastic competitions competitions (details (details on on page page 12) 12) a and nd you you could could w win: in: Franke Vital Vital Capsule Capsule 3 in • A Franke in 1 Filter Filter Tap Taap worth over over £800 £800 worth signed and and dedicated dedicated copy copy of of • A signed Dave and and Darcy Darcy Go Go to to the the Beach Beach Dave

Unit U nit H, H, C Churchill hurchill IIndustrial ndustrial EEstate, state, C Churchill hurchill R Road, oad, LLeckhampton, eckhampton, C Cheltenham, heltenham, G Gloucestershire loucestershire G GL53 L53 7EG 7EG

Telephone T elephone 01242 01242 510500 510500 @thelocalanswer @ thelocalanswer

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Advertising A dvertising & M Marketing arketing Dave Kingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk Lois Kingscott lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk

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

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Delicious elicious Dish Dish D with with H Helen elen Kingscott Kingscott

R Refreshing efreshing citrus citrus posset posset served ser ved with with llemon emon aand nd aalmond lmond b bites ites F For or tthe he P Posset osset IIngredients: ngredients: 1 lime; 2 oranges; 1 lemon; 600ml double cream; 175g caster sugar. M Method: ethod: 1 Squeeze the juice from the oranges and put into a small saucepan. Bring it to the boil allowing it to reduce by half. 2 Squeeze the juice from the lemon and lime and stir into the pan adding the cream and sugar. Stir and bring to the boil which will thicken it and may curdle but it will become smooth again as it simmers. 3 Boil gently for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. 4 Pour into individual glasses and chill for at least 4 hours but can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Serve with these delicious soft biscuits.

For For tthe he B Biscuits iscuits IIngredients: ngredients: 125g caster sugar; 125g ground almonds; 2 large egg whites; 75g icing sugar; 2 tsp lemon juice; grated zest of 1 large lemon. M ethod: Method: 1 Preheat the oven to 170C, 150 Fan, gas 3. 2 Line 2 baking sheets with greaseproof paper. 3 Put the sugar into a food processor with the lemon zest and whizz for a few seconds to make a fine lemony sugar. Tip into a mixing

bowl then add the ground almonds. 4 In another bowl, whisk the egg whites with 25g of the icing sugar until they form stiff peaks. Add to the bowl with the ground almonds and gently fold in along with the lemon juice. 5 Put the remaining 50g of icing sugar on a big plate then drop heaped tablespoons of the mixture onto it, rolling them around until completely coated. Put 6 on each baking sheet and press down to form a biscuit shape about 1cm thick. Dust with more icing sugar then cook for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. The surface will appear cracked and they will be quite soft. 6 Cool for a bit then transfer to a cooling rack.

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Abbbbbey A be y M Mii llll

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r a n g e o f f a y r e . Yo u c a n e n j o y morning coffees, lunches (including ‘2-course Specials’), afternoon Welsh teas and Wye Valley cream teas – as well as their Infamous Dragon PieTM or Mill Wheel Tea CakeTM. The venue, which can seat over 10 0 people, is also available for functions daytime and evening, and guided tours of the Wye Valley and Ro y a l Fo r e s t o f D e a n c a n b e arranged for groups. Menus can be tailored to your specific requirements – e.g. buffets, dinners, salmon suppers, etc. Why not take an excursion through our beautiful countryside to this relaxing gem adjacent to the Wye – and take advantage of Abbey Mill’s Afternoon Tea offer (right).

Abbey Abbey M Mill, ill, Tintern, Tintern, Monmouthshire Monmouthshire NP16 NP16 6SE 6SE abbeymill.com abbeymill.com

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Sandwiches, S andwiches, Victoria Victoria Sponge, Sponge, Welsh Cakes, W elsh Bara Bara Birth, Birth, Welsh Welsh C akes, Scones, Strawberry S cones, S trawberr y Jam Jam aand nd Clotted C lotted Cream Cream – all all served ser ved with with brewed orr ccoffee. ffreshly reshly b rewed ttea ea o offee. ALL FOR ONLY A LL F OR O NLY £12.50/person £12.50/person BOOKINGS BOOKINGS ONLY ONLY – We We need need at at days’ notice please lleast east ttwo wo d ays’ n otice p lease

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The Wye Valley and Royal Forest of Dean are wonderful places to visit any time of year, and are parrtticularly beautiful during the autumn months. The faster flowing river and brilliant colours of the forest provide an exceptional spectacle – whether you view them from the warmth of your vehicle or wrap up for a stroll in the clean air. Set on the banks of the River Wye amidst breathtaking scenery at Tintern, the award-winning Abbey Mill is an ideal location to pause for a while. It’s open from February to December (Wednesdays to Fridays 10.30am-5pm). There’s ample car parking, great views in every direction and much to do and see in the centre itself. In amongst the ‘Old Mill Buildings’ are the waterfall and trout pond, and the buildings themselves house five distinctly different shops displaying a l l s o rt s o f t r a d i t i o n a l c l o t h i n g , houseware and gifts. You can also admire the skill and patience of members of the ‘Wye Valley Craft Association’ demonstrating their individual crafts. Abbey Mill is also renowned for the quality and value of its fine food and beverages. The Coffee S h o p a n d Te a r o o m s t a ff a r e extremely friendly and serve a great

TRADITIONAL AFTERNOON TEA

*Present Present this this Voucher Voucher ttoo rreceive eceive ttwo wo Afternoon Afternoon Teas Teas for for only only £20 £20 until until 31st 31st October October 2020. 2020.

M Make ake y your our v visit isit e extra xtra sspecial pecial w ith a b ottle of of Prosecco Prosecco with bottle 2 0cl £ 5.50 o 5cl £ 15.95 20cl £5.50 orr 7 75cl £15.95

O Open pen FFeb-Dec eb-Dec Wed-Sun Wed-Sun 10.30am-5pm 10.30am-5pm @ @abbeymilltintern abbeymilltinter n

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

Everything Ever ything is is going going to to be be OK! OK! Do you believe me? Well you should, because it is true! This does not mean nothing uncomfortable will happen, of course, or that events beyond our control will cause us pain of some kind, surely this is the stuff of life? But ultimately, everything is always OK. But (of course there is a but) you have to choose it, decide it and be assured of it, in order to experience it. Our children know this intuitively, which is why they generally do not ‘worry’ as such, and those that do will have learned to do so from observing the world around them and the behaviours of the adults they know best.

C Children hildren sseek eek o out ut jjoy oy a and nd llaughter aughter Children want to believe in the best in life, they seek out fun, joy and laughter and right now, when so much is ‘not great’ in our world, they need us more than ever to show them that we know it to be true and that we trust them in their belief.

But how can you believe everything is OK when you feel the opposite? When you are concerned about money, paying bills, staying healthy and protecting your family? The answer is simple, but not easy. You filter out the negative stuff which creates fear within you, and you fill your mind and heart with good stuff: consider this a diet for your soul – soul food. To help your children navigate returning to school and living their lives in uncertain times, you can make a few commitments to yourself.

Stop S top watching watching the the n news ews a and nd sscrolling crolling on on ssocial ocial m media edia Firstly, stop watching the news, it only makes you angry! Spend less time mindlessly scrolling on social media, it only makes you anxious. Spend more time looking for things to be grateful for and celebrating them wildly. Let your children lead once in a while, rather than restraining The Local Answer

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and limiting their exuberance. Try to follow their lead, and find moments of joy in the simple things. One thing I recommend more than anything else is let them get bored! A bored kid is a creative kid. Eventually they WILL find something to do, and hopefully it does not include a screen.

L Learning earning tto op problem roblem solve solve is is so so enriching enriching From washing up, basic cooking or fixing a broken toy, to putting on the pillow cases or sorting and folding laundry; no matter what age they are, learning to problem solve, learn new skills and managing their own lives more is so enriching for them. It builds confidence and gives them the personal tools to help them navigate these difficult times for themselves. Empower your children to find what’s good in themselves and their world, and believe them when they share it with you. It might just be the best thing you have ever done! Page 

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

Pain P ain management management Roughly 43% of adults in the UK live with some degree of chronic pain, which is described as pain that lasts for longer than three months. We all know the common, old school treatments for pain that revolve around medication, low impact exercise and perhaps some physiotherapy. However, health professionals are now realising how important the link between the body and mind is based on research and scientific evidence, showing that we can improve our physical health through mind activities such as meditation, hypnosis and mindfulness. Many hospitals now have specialist pain clinics where people who suffer from chronic pain can go to gain advice on living with pain and some pain management techniques.

R Reduce educe tthe he d distress istress ccaused aused b by y cchronic hronic p pain ain Pain Management Programme (PMP) is a psychologicallybased rehabilitative treatment, delivered in a group setting by an interdisciplinary team of experienced health care professionals. For many people, attending a Pain Management Programme reduces the disability and distress caused by chronic pain by teaching physical, psychological and practical techni ques to impro ve qualit y of life. Aromatherapy (using essential oils during massage) and Acupuncture (using ultra-fine sterile needles inserted into specific acupuncture points, triggering the body’s natural healing response) both stimulate the nervous system, blood supply and muscular system. The Local Answer

Acupuncture also causes the release of neurochemical messenger molecules, and the resulting biochemical changes promote physical and emotional well-being, providing relaxation and reducing anxiety. Other complementary therapies that have been proven to reduce pain or improve living with pain include: • Reflexology • Bowen Technique • Osteopathy • Pilates and Yoga • Shiatsu • Reiki • Homeopathy As a Clinical Hypnotherapist myself and someone who has a chronic illness that causes pain, I am very aware of wanting to find natural ways to manage pain without side effects. I often use self-hypnosis when having a flare up and have helped many clients learn this technique. Way back in the 1840s, Scottish surgeon, Dr James Esdaile researched the ability of hypnosis to eliminate pain, To advertise call 01242 510500

using hypnosis to induce mental anaesthesia for surgery. Patients did not experience any pain, and postoperative mortality was reduced to two per cent. Through self-hypnosis clients can be trained how to induce anaesthesia in any part of the body. This stands them in good stead for relieving both acute and chronic pain.

The T he b body ody ccan an p produce roduce iits ts own own painkillers painkillers The body also has the ability to produce its own painkillers called endorphins and encephalin. The key to increasing these is a relaxed mind and body. Good quality relaxation accelerates the body’s natural healing abilities, and relieves stress and tension, leading to greater comfort and ease. Afftter all, no one can be anxious, tense and relaxed at the same time, therefore the latter is effective for controlling pain. For any chronic pain, always discuss treatments with your GP and look into all available resources. Page 

Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl’s

ANNUAL REPORT T April 2019-March 2020

Animals’ rights enshrined in Police welfare scheme Meet PD Arnie – and yes, his bite probably is worse than his bark if you’re on the wrong side of the law. PD Arnie is a German Shepherd who can trace his blood line from North Wales where the Constabulary spotted him as a puppy with potential, back through Eastern Europe. According to Gloucestershire’s Chief Constable Rod Hansen, who is also the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for police dogs and mounted policing, Arnie is a dog with a big future as well. “We took him as a puppy in August 2017 and drip fed some of his training prior to starting his initial dog course”, said Mr. Hansen. “It normally takes 13 weeks to train a dog, but because of the outstanding team work between Arnie and his handler PC Ben Smith, he completed his licencing within six weeks. So, he’s a bit of a high flyer in that regard. “Arnie is trained in tracking human scent, bite work, p r o pe r ty s ea r ch e s , b u i l d i n g a n d o p e n a re a s e a rch e s ; his ability has marked him as a potential firearms support dog and he has proved his worth in a number of violent situations”.

‘A compassionate approach’ Arnie is one of the reasons why the Constabulary has been instrumental in establishing an animal safeguarding scheme. The Animal Welfare Independent Visitors Scheme has been driven through Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Martin Surl’s Police and Crime Plan commitment to ‘A compassionate approach’. It ensures that police dogs are trained and cared for in a humane, ethical and transparent way and recognises that Arnie’s welfare, and those of all the animals in the Constabulary’s dog and mounted sections are cared for in the same way as their two legged colleagues. In further recognition of that, the county’s police horses and dogs now have their own ID cards and collar numbers in line with the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Act 2019 – also known as Finn’s Law

after Hertfordshire PD Arnie above and, below, Martin police dog, PD Finn, Surl meets PD Finn and his handler who was seriously injured in the line of duty. It defines service animals as ‘sentient beings’ rather than ‘assets’, making it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to a service animal.

Martin Marrttin Surl Surl

Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire

The background to the above story is contained in the PCC’s annual report, available in full online file:///C:/Users/243071/Downloads/OPCC-Annual-Report_2020__WEB-FINAL.pdf You can read more about the challenges facing the police in PCC Martin Surl’s annual report online: https://www.gloucestershire-pcc.gov.uk/reports/ For a printed copy, email the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner at PCC@gloucestershire.pnn.police.uk or call 01452 754348

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

Primary Primar y to to Secondary Secondar y school school transition transition School is a big part of childhood, with children spending around seven hours of their day there. Whether it’s true or not that ‘school days are the best days of our lives’, it certainly is an important stage in life for learning and growth. In a way, moving from primary to secondary school is a rite of passage, which involves students having to make many adjustments – in their environment, friendships and level of learning. Growing up through the school, from Year 1 to Year 6, a child may have been with the same friends and teachers for the past eight years, so when it’s time to leave they may be sad to say goodbye.

C Children hildren m may ay n need eed emotional e motional ssupport upport A child may not be going to the same secondary school as their friends, and making new friends can be daunting, so they may need emotional support if they are feeling anxious or lonely. For others who have not enjoyed primary school, a change may be what’s needed – a chance to be in a different environment, surrounded by different role models, could have a positive influence on their behaviour and mental attitude towards learning. Change is hard for anyone, but the transition from primary to secondary school is a particularly stressful stage, and this all happens around the time of starting puberty, so a The Local Answer

lot is going on in a child’s body and brain! As well as the physical changes, a young person may be exploring their personal values and experimenting with their identity, which can cause some youngsters to feel confused or lost, impacting on their engagement in learning.

You You may may notice notice changes changes in in ttheir heir behaviour behaviour Whether a child is looking forward to moving on or not, there may be various changes in their behaviour. For example, becoming more withdrawn due to worrying more than usual, or maybe the opposite – becoming more outgoing and engaging in risk-taking behaviours now that they feel more mature. To advertise call 01242 510500

Whatever they feel is ok; it takes time to adjust, so young people need to be supported and encouraged to embrace the novelty of it all.

Take T ake an an interest interest in in their their education education If you have an 11 year old child, nurture and support them through this time. Take an interest in their education, and listen to their concerns. Respect their feelings, but also reassure them that even though moving up to ‘big school’ can be nerve-wracking, it is also an exciting time! Encourage your child to focus on the positives, such as different opportunities, selfdevelopment and new engaging activities. It’s all part of life’s journey. Page 11

ENTER OUR BRAND NEW COMPETITIONS! WIN A FRANKE VITAL CAPSULE 3 IN 1 FILTER TAP WORTH OVER £800 COURTSEY OF DREAM DOORS GLOUCESTERSHIRE The most advanced out of the Franke Vital range, the Capsule 3-in-1 Filter Tap SemiPro is the modern but convenient choice of design for your kitchen. A pull out spray allows for maximum convenience when cleaning and washing and a rotation of 360° offers both optimum freedom and flexibility to give your kitchen a new lease of life. Terms and conditions apply (see online).

WIN A SIGNED AND DEDICATED COPY OF DAVE AND DARCY GO TO THE BEACH BY LOIS KINGSCOTT Dave and Darcy Go to the Beach is the first children’s picture book by local author Lois Kingscott. The book is based on her real horse, Dave, who is usually based at Cotswold Riding for the Disabled where Lois will be donating 10% of the profit from this book.

Find out more about the book and Dave the horse at www.loiskingscottauthor.com

Closing date for competitions: Wednesday 30th September 2020 Winners will be notified shortly after this date.

E Enter nter o online: nline: www.thelocalanswer.co.uk www.thelocalanswer.co.uk

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

Chamonix C hamonix – see see you you aanother nother ttime ime As you read this, it’s September and we’re not riding the cable car up to L’Aiguille du Midi – a breathtaking 3,842m above Chamonix. Nor are we walking the Petit Balcon Sud or relaxing on our hotel’s terrace, sipping crisp Apremont and gazing up at mighty Mont Blanc. Sadly, we’re not tucking into mouth-watering lake-fresh Féra, traditional Savoyard Farcement, or ubiquitous – but always delicious – Reblochon and Comté-based fondue either.

between the summer and winter high seasons. Until our hotel’s announcement, talk of second spikes and lightning 14-day quarantines, we’d been getting increasingly excited about the amazing flight and hotel package, complete with free local travel passes. With Geneva transfers and a foray over the nearby border, I might even have got my annual Swiss fix as well! Alas, the travel gods had different ideas.

E Exploring xploring the the rrenowned enowned Chamonix C hamonix Valley Valley

M Mountain ountain rrailways, ailways, ssublime ublime h hiking iking a and nd m museums useums

Instead, as with so many 2020 travel plans, we’re reflecting on what might have been before our hotel didn’t reopen after its Covid-19 closure. Instead, with plans for Haute-Savoie dashed, we are looking forward to visiting the Chamonix Valley another time. A shame! It was a great package too, one of those ‘how do they do it?’ specials designed to fill Chamonix hotels

If you’ve visited Chamonix, nestling beneath Europe’s highest peak, you’ll understand our disappointment. Of course, there’s that gravity-defying ride up to L’Aiguille du Midi (the ‘Needle of the South’), the Montenvers rack railway to the Mer de Glace, and the quaint Tramway du Mont-Blanc to the Bionnassay Glacier. Wherever you travel near

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Chamonix, stunning mountain panoramas are inescapable. On foot, instead of by train or cableway, the valley also offers hundreds of kilometres of wellmaintained high- and low-level hiking trails for all experience levels. Nature lovers will be in their element everywhere, including Parc Merlet’s mountain nature and wildlife reserve. Back in town, look forward to a good selection of interesting museums and galleries too. And of course, whether for hearty mountain breakfasts, restorative lunches amid the peaks, or cosy suppers back in the Arve Valley, there’s delicious Savoyard and international cuisine to suit all budgets and tastes. Okay, so Chamonix was knocked off our 2020 travel plans. But as one of France’s oldest mountain resorts, this Alpine gem near France, Italy and Switzerland’s tri-point (Mount Dolent) remains on the cards for the future. Maybe we’ll see you there! Page 1

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D DOWN OWN 1 Californian National Park 2 Choked 3 Equal 4 Consumes food 5 Self-contradiction 6 Ox harness 10 Actor’s parts 11 Grating 13 Poorer quality 14 Wool fat 16 Photographer’s tool 18 Trivia test 19 Periods of time 20 Door frame post

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

S Should hould you you meet meet your your heroes? heroes? They say you should never meet your heroes, as they disappoint more often than not. My love of cars really developed in the late 1990s to early 2000s. I’ve always loved them, but that was when I really started taking an interest in them and dreaming about my ideal fivecar-garage. The line up in that mythical garage changes continually, but for quite some time, the original Toyota Supra would have been in it. The original started production way back in the late 70s, but through four iterations was on sale until 2002, when Toyota retired the Mk4 – the car that was in my garage. It left a hole. But in 2019, Toyota re-birthed the name with an all-new car under the GR Supra banner. As with anytime that a manufacturer brings back a much-loved model, there was some trepidation. Add to that the new Supra was a collaboration with BMW, and the fear was that the raw power and beauty of the Supra would have been diluted. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. The new Supra looks the The Local Answer

part, thanks to the flowing styled lines of the body – reminiscent of the Mk4, but clearly different and a new generation of speed. Coupled with the BMW 3-litre engine and turbocharger from the Z4, and you have a potent recipe for a seriously fast sports car.

The T he p performance erformance m atches tthe he e xterior matches exterior llooks ooks p erfectly perfectly And speaking of potency, with 335bhp and the 8-spee d automatic gearbox, this car moves. Acceleration was fantastic, hitting 60mph in a shade over four seconds, and sounding amazing with a real growl from the exhausts. The performance matches the exterior looks and sound perfectly. So onto the interior. In all honesty, the interior is where the Supra lets itself down. It’s perfectly nice – don’t get me wrong – but spending north of £50k on a two-seater, personally I wanted a little more in terms of luxury. The materials were okay, but I think a sprinkle of alcantara would have gone a long way. The infotainment system was To advertise call 01242 510500

good and the digital dash was okay, but reminded me of the C-HR. The body-hugging sports seats were exactly what was needed, but then the steering wheel seemed to be straight out of a Corolla. On the whole, meeting my hero in this instance was, I think, a little underwhelming. It had so much promise, and from the outside it was near perfect – the engine and gearbox, a masterpiece and the noise from the twin exhausts was spot on. It was all just a little let down by the interior. There are touches that are clearly BMW, which is not a bad thing in its own right, but as part of the legend that is a Supra, is just wrong. There’s an upgrade coming in 2021, and I sincerely hope Toyota has done something with the interior so that it matches the exterior. Yes, it’s a minor niggle, and the beauty of the outside does outweigh the small annoyances inside, but it’s so agonisingly close to a perfect sports car, that the little things matter. Would it still be in my five-car garage? I honestly don’t know. Page 15

G Gloucester loucester D Day ay 2 2020 020 The Gloucester Day event this year is taking place on Saturday 5th September – the 377th anniversary of the lifting of the siege of 1643. We shall forever remember the 5th September and the gallant and heroic sacrifices that the men, women and children made on behalf of this City. Defending Gloucester during the English civil war, despite overwhelming odds, preserving our cherished parliamentary freedom and the liberties we enjoy to this very day.

We We can can still still mark mark this this special special day da y Regrettably, we are under siege once again. Unlike the foes of yesteryear, Covid 19 is invisible. By observing social distancing and taking precautions, we can still mark this special day and the launch of the most highly acclaimed History Festival in the United Kingdom, thus raising morale in the City. The Right Worshipful Mayor of Gloucester and Sherriff, ably assisted by the City Marshall and Ceremonial officers, will be circumnavigating the four gate streets, visiting the retailers and stalls and welcoming people back to our City. On your travels you may inadvertently bump into Colonel Edward Massey, from 1643, rallying his troops or even the Mock Mayor of Barton St

UR URGENT GENT APPE APPEAL AL PLEASE HELP! HELP!

Mary and his crazy court leet. At 2pm the public are invited to clap for the NHS and the City’s many Covid 19 support groups who have worked hard to serve the community over the past months. Please be mindful not to forget those in retail who, on a daily basis, have been on the front line.

P Play lay y your our p part art iin n sshaping haping tthe he ffuture uture of of our our city city There are many charitable Auxiliary, political and faith groups that have played a proactive part in the life of our great City. Please support them by visiting their stalls and finding out how you can play your part in shaping the future of our City. The Mock Mayor of Barton inauguration shall be taking place on Wednesday 2nd September in One-Eyed Jacks’ (public house on Barton Street) car park. Social distancing will be observed.

As a non-profit charity, we rely on donations from the public to help us continue saving cats and kittens.

DUE D UE TO TO THE CORONAVIRUS CORONAVIRUS WE DESPERATELY HELP DESPERA ATEL LY NEED YOUR H ELP NOW AS OUR MAIN SOURCE OF FUNDING HAS GONE.

YOU CAN HELP U US SB BY Y DONA DONATING: D Money (cash or standin ng o

Bank Account No: 65452295 5 Sort Code: 08-92-99

Wet W et food Litter (preferably wood chip) Bin B in liners (75 litres or more) Or by purchasing anythin ng on Wish List

Visit: newstartcatrescue e.org

difficult time for We understand that this is a difficult We e veryone a nd we rreally eally a ppreciate e very ssingle ingle everyone and appreciate every donation ever big or small. donation,, how however Registered Charity Number: 1145090

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Our hospital facilitates the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick, injured or orphaned British wildlife. This service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

TREATED TOTAL TOTAL CASUALTIES CASUALTIES TREATED S O FFAR AR THIS THIS YEAR: YEAR: 4,401 4,401 SO We have lots of hungry mouths to feed. Please consider making a financial donation through our website, or donating wet dog and cat food to the hospital.

w www.valewildlife.org.uk ww.valewildlife.org.uk Station Station R Road, oa d, B Beckford, eckford, n nrr T Tewkesbury, ewkesbury, G GL20 L2 0 7 7AN AN

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

B Back ack to to the the future future With gyms and leisure centres re-opening, many of you will be excited to go back – after all, gyms are a sanctuary for many of us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Whatever you’ve been doing exercise-wise over the past few months, the announcement and subsequent re-opening of training facilities would have filled you with a mix of emotions. Joy that things are returning to ‘normal’, a sense of hope that the worst is behind us, and perhaps you’re a bit nervous of going back to the gym after so much time out.

and Fitness providers will go 5 Nutrition. Many of us have developed an intimate above and beyond to keep us relationship with our fridge safe as they welcome clients d uring lockdown – not always b a c k t h r o u g h t h e i r d o o r s . Many of you turned to online in the healthiest way! Change H er e a r e t en t ip s t o he lp y ou training, apps, walking, running any negative eating habits or perhaps consulting with a PT train confidently on your return: and feed your body healthy via email or phone, while some 1 Start slowly. The temptation foods to sustain your health t o g o ‘ a l l o u t ’ s t r a i g h t a w a y purchased home gym equipand exercise demands. is powerful. To avoid injuries, ment. Whatever you chose to 6 Wash your hands and wear start slowly and build up to do is fine, provided you were your mask! Practice good consistent and committed. Of your ‘normal’ routine. hygiene wherever possible. interest has been the growth 2 Mobility and flexibility. Spend By being careful, we will and popularity of technology to time focusing on quality each contribute to lowering fill the gap that was left by movement preparation to the chances that gyms or lockdown, as the use of apps improve mobility and leisure facilities have to and online training options grew flexibility, particularly if you close again in future. significantly during this time. haven’t been training 7 Play the long game. Your c o n s i s t e n t l y f o r a w h i l e . It It is is iimportant mportant w we e health and fitness journey is 3 Re-build your engine. remain remain vigilant vigilant a marathon, not a sprint. Engaging in progressively With so much uncertainty and 8 Get back into a routine. A c h a l l e n g i n g e x e r c i s e w i l l fear – both genuine as well as good routine will optimise increase your endurance, tabloid/social media fuelled – your training and maximise b e n e f i t s r e s u l t i n g i n p o s i t i v e alongside the clear and still your performance and results. for your overall health. present danger of infection, it is 9 Set goals, then smash them! important we remain vigilant 4 Prioritise rest and recovery. Revisit the reason(s) why Ensure you get enough as we support local gyms, PTs you train – it’s important to sleep, adequate recovery and leisure businesses. have clear, defined goals to between sessions, and use Between Government regulawork toward. recovery methods such as tions and their own commitment foam rolling, deep tissue 1 10 0 Above all, enjoy it! Get fit to providing hygienic environments, I’m confident Leisure massage and stretching. having fun.

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IIn n tthe he Garden Garden w with ith JJulia ulia S Smith mith

P Perk erk up up your your autumn autumn border border September is a lovely month. The weather is usually rather good, the evenings haven’t drawn in too much and the children are, hopefully, back at school! This is a good time to give established lavender plants a clip – don’t cut into the old bald wood as it will not regenerate (in cases like this it is better to buy a new plant). Younger plants can do with a harder prune to keep them bushy. Cut asparagus ferns to the ground and get rid of them as they may be harbouring the eggs of the asparagus beetle, Crioceris asparagi. Apply a balanced feed such as blood, fish and bone meal over the soil surface to help ensure a good crop next year.

IItt fflowers lowers iits ts ssocks ocks o off ff ffrom rom A August ugust tto oO October ctober If your autumn border is looking a bit lacklustre it might be time to perk it up with the bright, cheerful Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii. Its daisylike orange-yellow flowers with cone-shaped black centres look

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wonderful. It flowers its socks off from August to October and looks really good planted with ornamental grasses in bold drifts in a sunny or semi shaded border. When you plant herbaceous perennials I find that it is always best to plant in groups, rather than just dotting the odd single plant here and there, which looks bitty. The usual thing is to plant in odd numbers (I don’t know why – it just looks right) of perhaps three or five so they bulk up to form a nice clump.

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Bring B ring h houseplants ouseplants back b ack iindoors ndoors Bring indoors any houseplants that you have put outside for the summer. The nights are getting cooler and they would be better off inside before you forget about them! They may need re-potting after a growth spurt through the summer, but either way you need to check for signs of pests in case you bring them inside as well. There is still time to take cuttings from half-hardy plants such as Osteospermum, some Salvias, Pelargoniums, Penstemon, etc. Take 6cm long cuttings and put them around the edge of a pot filled with half John Innes compost and half grit. Put on a greenhouse bench or windowsill where they can get some sunlight. Keep harvesting apples throughout September and October. Don’t store damaged fruit as it will contaminate the others. Wrapped in a twist of newspaper and spread out on a rack in a dry, cool dark place they could last till Christmas. Check from time to time. Page 21

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

H Have ave any any cchanges hanges b been een m made? ade? Last July, the Cotswold District Council declared an ecological emergency. Experts say that since the 1930s, 97% of Britain’s wildflower meadows have been destroyed. 97%! And the impact that has had on our flying insect population, especially vital pollinators like bees, has been catastrophic. Thankfully, people have recognised the enormous importance of bees and the role they play in our survival, but it is important to recognise that not everything we do to try and help is actually helpful!

Check Check that that w wildflower ildflower seeds seeds a are re UK UK native native It’s worth noting that some of the ‘pretty’ wildflower seeds and bombs you can buy are not actually native to the UK and therefore, whilst looking beautiful and eye catching on roundabouts and verges, they aren’t food for the bees. So do make sure to check that they are UK native plants and flowers when buying. With regards to mammals in the UK, studies show there has

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been a 41% decline in species studies since 1970 and that 26% of these are at risk of disappearing altogether, with one in seven UK species at risk of extinction. But there is some hope. During lockdown, many people spent time really exploring and enjoying their local area, taking new pleasure and delight in the countryside. There was a renewed interest and enjoyment in nature and being outside, and a feeling that people have slowed down enough to see what is happening around them and have a real desire to help stop this rapid decline in our wonderful British ecosystem. The thing we can all do to help when exploring our natural world is to really learn the countryside code. As a child, these things were ingrained in m e , b u t I k n o w f o r ma n y t h e y are new. Things like closing gates, keeping dogs on leads if they might chase other animals, and leaving nothing but footprints are all things you would hope were common sense, but someTo advertise call 01242 510500

times it seems people need a reminder. Lead by example, take every scrap of rubbish home, impress on children the importance of leaving things as you found them.

Teach T each children children to to respect respect ttheir heir ssurroundings urroundings The most important thing we can do is to teach our children, the next generation, to respect their surroundings. Tell them the names of the flowers and the bugs, encourage them to get down and really study that beetle. Take them into woodland and get them to close their eyes and try to identify all the different noises they hear. Teach them the difference between the trees, how to tell which is which by the shape of the leaves. Look for animal tracks in the mud, make bug homes in the garden, identify scraps of fur found on fences. These small people are the future of planet Earth, and if we teach them to understand and truly care, maybe we can make up for the mistakes of previous generations. Page 2

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Glamping G lamping G Gizmos izmos G Galore alore With the ever-changing lockdown rules creating uncertainty about holidays abroad, many Brits are feeling disheartened as they pine for some holiday TLC. But don’t fret – even if you can’t go abroad, you can still have a nice little staycation to make you feel like you’re on a break. With the sunny weather in abundance and plenty of gadgets to keep you occupied, you can feel like you’re on holiday without all the travel.

L LuminAID uminAID P PackLite ackLite 2-in-1 2-in-1 P Phone hone Charger Charger L Lantern antern Amazon: £69.99 Glamping – glamorous camping – has become much more popular in recent years, and it’s the perfect solution if you’re feeling a bit twitchy from being stuck in the house all the time.

tery guaranteed to give you re than 60 minutes of ower time, you’ll be left ing clean and refreshed. also comes with a low tery warning and charge cator light, so you won’t be ght off guard. And this zmo is another multi-tasker, s you can also use it to wash cars, give your dog a clean or water your garden plants when you get home.

V Vinology inology Deluxe Deluxe Electric Electric Corkscrew Corkscrew your phone charged with the LuminAID PackLite 2-in-1 Phone Charger Lantern. This snazzy little gizmo works as both a charger and a camping lantern, and it’s easy to pack. Recharge your phone with either the USB or built-in ar panels. Not only will this me in handy during an emergency, but you also get some nice lighting for your glamping ambiance; you even have brightness settin pick from. The Pac also waterproof an floats on water, ideal for the outdo

John Lewis: £45 Let’s face it, it wouldn’t truly be glamping if you didn’t act the part; so what better way to get started than with a bottle of bubbly? With the deluxe electric corkscrew from Vinology, you’re all sorted; this sleek gadget works effortlessly on all bottles. It can unscrew a cork in less than 10 seconds, and can open up to 50 bottles when fully

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

S Something omething o old, ld, something something n new ew Since lockdown, it feels like there is a greater emphasis on our relationship with the environment. Sustainability in interior design often means using vintage or pre-loved items in our homes. A mix of old and new furniture creates a stylish and eclectic look, but it’s important to get the balance right – too much old and your home starts to look like your granny’s house, too much new and it feels like a hotel. It’s key to get the right mix. Here are my tips to help you add a touch of style to your living space, and do your bit for the environment too.

Adding A dding ccharacter haracter Whether you have an old desk or chair you’re lucky enough to have inherited, or something you’ve picked up in a charity shop, a vintage piece brings character to any room. I particularly like vintage midcentury furniture mixed with modern Scandi inspired interiors. It’s key to avoid a cluttered museum look – only keep the

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things you like, and mix with contemporary pieces. I love an antique writing desk we inherited from my mother-in-law, which I’ve paired with a modern black bentwood chair and a faux cheetah seat for a contemporary look.

Grab yourself Grab yourself a bargain b argain You can pick up vintage tables, chairs, lamps and pictures at inexpensive prices if you are prepared to put the time in. Get up early and go to flea markets, hit the second hand shops or your local charity furniture store, and find out about local furniture auctions. You can place your bids online but it’s more fun to go in person. Or you can just relax on your sofa at home, hunt around eBay and follow the store designer’s go-to @vinterioruk on Instagram.

Be ccreative Be reative with with upcycling u pcycling The lockdown trend for upcycling old pieces has led to an increase in Insta-upcyclers. Annie Sloan, the original inventor of chalk paint, has lots of practical makeover ideas you can check out on @anniesloanhome. I found some bargain 1970s varnished wood fold-up chairs and repainted them in a soft grey. With the addition of home-made seat cushions, my daughter now has a new set of dining chairs! A friend painted her cherished traditional oak dresser in a deep charcoal grey – it’s now the centrepiece

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of her ultra-modern kitchen/ dining/living space.

Inject Inject a contemporary contemporary ffeel eel w with ith recycled recycled o objects bjects If you are keen to add a modern feel to a traditional home and care about the planet, think about investing in items made from recycled materials. Recycled glass always looks stylish for la mp bases, or look out for storage trugs made from recycled tyres for a modern industrial vibe.

Something S omething tto o please please you y ou Your possessions tell your story – keep around you the things that hold special memories for you and have travelled with you through your life. Your well-loved and pre-loved pieces will turn your house into a home.

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Don’t replace the Frames ... just the Panes! Broken B roken or or Damaged Damaged Windows? Windows? Hinges, Handles orr LLocks? FFaulty aulty H inges, H andles o ocks? Want W energy saving saving glass? glass? ant the the latest latest ‘A-rated’ ‘A-rated’ energy 10 guarantee new double glazing! 10 yyear e ar g uarantee on on n ew d ouble g lazing!

WINDOW W INDOW REPAIR R EPAIR SSERVICE ERVICE Cladding G utter, Fascia Fascia & Cladding Gutter, C leaning S ervice also also a vailable! Cleaning Service available!

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S Skin kin ssurvival ur vival We are now very familiar with the ‘stay alert’ warning, but sadly our skin does not always listen! Face masks are the new norm and I am sure many of us are finding this necessity hard to adjust to. The wearing of face masks, particularly for those who, by law, have to wear them all through the working day, can take its toll on your skin. People are finding they get a rash around the chin area which they never had before, as well as other areas where the mask may cause irritation. It is important now to treat our skin with a lot of TLC. Summer is drawing to a close and perhaps we have enjoyed more sun than usual with staying at home. Or, if you have been cooped up indoors, you might be noticing more dryness. Here are a few simple tips that might help.

E Exfoliate xfoliate This might sound like a contradiction for a rash or dry skin, but it is not. You should,

of course, try a very gentle type of exfoliation, and do this a couple of times per week. It is imperative that with a new product you try a spot test just to avoid any extra irritation. I particularly like Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel. It’s a bit pricey but a little goes a long way. It is non abrasive, contains fruit enzymes and is so easy to use. Apply a thin layer all over the areas you want to exfoliate and leave for approximately ten minutes. This product gently nibbles away all the dead skin cells and leaves your skin soft and radiant. If you don’t have ten minutes, then Gatineau’s Radiance Enhancing Gommage is pretty much instant. Apply to dry skin and gently massage for one to two minutes until the texture turns to liquid, then gently wash off. This product contains some great ingredients including enzymes, vitamin C and AHA. I regularly exfoliate my hands at the same time, as they have taken a battering with all the extra hand washing. The beauty of good exfoliation is it prepares your skin for the products you choose to apply afterwards, as there are no dead skin cells for products to sit on.

Facial F acial o oils ils Mention oils and we think greasy; the new generation of oils are anything but. If you have oily skin, these oils will work with your skin to moisturise it, not make it even Page 2

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more oily. There are now so many to choose from, and the best are the ones that are just pure oil with no additives. AD Skin Synergy is highly recommended; their nourishing night treatment aromatic facial oil is excellent. Massage a few drops on to fingertips and warm, then gently massage onto the face and neck. You might not need any additional night time creams as this is a stand alone product. This is UK produced and as natural as you can get; your skin will thank you for it.

Face Face masks masks Designers have jumped on this bandwagon and the choice is now so varied. I prefer ones that can breathe and are made of natural fibres, which are easier on the delicate facial skin. Make sure if yours is washable you ensure the water is at least 60 degrees. The British Wildlife Centre has a couple of cute ones of a fox and a wild cat – nice to support a worthy charity whilst staying safe! The Local Answer

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Furlough Furlough time time For many people the last few months have been spent at home on furlough leave. The vast majority had never even heard of the word ‘furlough’, let alone knew what it meant or what its impact would be. At headline level, you were 20% worse off with your salary, although some employers kept furloughed staff on full pay, often to the annoyance of work colleagues who were obliged to work for their money. But retail outlets were closed, supermarket shelves were emptying fast and online trades were out of stock of many regular items. It wasn’t easy to spend money, mortgage companies were offering repayment holidays and therefore most furloughed staff weren’t out of pocket with the lower salary.

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There is only so much daytime television you can watch, especially in the absence of live arts and sports events. So what did those on furlough leave do with their hours and their cash? For many, it was an opportunity to work on their home and garden. But the paint or plants that they needed were unavailable as the retail outlets selling such products were deemed not to be essential and consequently closed. Others took the opportunity to study, learn new skills or even re-train. Any learning was online, of course, as educational establishments were also closed. A few chose to do voluntary work, but with the lockdown obliging everyone to socially distance, this effort, however well placed, often proved impossible to deliver. Those who succeeded have promised to keep up the voluntary work when they return to the day job, which is clearly good to hear. You couldn’t go on holiday, particularly outside of this country until recently, and even now you potentially face self-isolation issues on your return. It really was difficult to find something on which to spend your money. The obvious question being asked by those on furlough leave was whether there would be a job for them to return to. They were reluctant to spend too much money, unsure as to the possible impact on their long-term finances and grateful that, in most cases, they could match their outgoings to their reduced salary. With the furlough scheme ending next month, those who have been ‘enjoying’ their time on leave will hope to be returning to their day job.

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Index of Advertisers WHAT’S ON

BUILDING SERVICES 20 EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS A1 Roofing 20 Abbey Mill Tintern 6 C&G Paving 20 Gloucester Day 16 Dykes Builders Home Care Roofing 20 HEALTH & BEAUTY Marshalls Driveways 22 The 1:1 Diet 5 WB Home Improvements 26

INFORMATION

FURNISHING & APPLIANCES 10 Bella’s Interiors Dream Doors HOMES & GARDENS BATHROOMS GARDEN SERVICES Lifestyle Bathrooms 26 Lawn Doc Severn Vale 18-19 & 33 Project Outdoors Police & Crime Commissioner

TV & AERIALS 1st Choice Aerials 20 WINDOWS, DOORS & CONSERVATORIES Albany Windows 30 & 35 Clearway Windows 36 Garolla 22 Misty to Clear 31

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 26

ANIMAL SERVICES New Start Cat Rescue 16 Vale Wildlife Rescue 16 26 CHARITIES 28 Active Impact 4

Care UK 8 HOUSE CLEARANCE Richie’s House Clearance 5 MOTORING SERVICES Bridgend Garage 14 PUBLISHING Lois Kingscott 2 SKIP HIRE & RECYCLING Stevens Recycling 34

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Puzzle Solutions M O U S E K H O Z Q N T E V G X M O H S Y K B P

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N E L T R U T H H P H U O Y Q C I U H A C U J Z

Competition Winners TLA Photography – September 2020 Cover: Mark Harrison

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

proof of receipt of entry. 8 The Local Answer accepts no responsibility for the provision of the prize, which remains at all times the full responsibility of the prize donor(s). 9 By entering any competition you agree to have your name published in the next issue of The Local Answer should you be drawn as a winner of the prize. 10 By entering any competition you agree to have your details passed to a third party. 11 One entry per household.

BOOKING DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE – Thursday 10th September 2020

STEVE

ATTENTION A TTENTION! Let us lighten your load!

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