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W elcome Welcome ttoo N ovember November
M anaging D irector Managing Director Dave Dave K Kingscott ingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Marketing Marketing LLois ois K Kingscott ingscott llois@thelocalanswer.co.uk ois@thelocalanswer.co.uk
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Sport Sport R Roger oger JJackson ackson ssport@thelocalanswer.co.uk port@thelocalanswer.co.uk
EEntertainment ntertainment TTom om H Hadfield adfield eentertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk ntertainment@thelocalanswer.co.uk
Administration Administration Helen Kingscott H elen K ingscott Distribution Distribution JJohn ohn O Overton verton – 001242 1242 541075 541075 leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk
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It’s Guy Fawkes night this month and we have plenty of displays for you to choose from in our What’s On section. Not only that but you could be in with a chance of winning five tickets to the fantastic Burley Fields Lakes Bonfire & Firework display! See inside for full details and be sure to get your entries in quick – the competition deadline is Monday 4th November due to the date of the event. There are lots of ediorials for you to enjoy this month. If you have guests staying over the festive season be sure to check out our Interior Design article for tips on how to make your bedrooms extra cosy for them.
Inside Inside this this month month ... ... TLA Online TLA Directory irectory 4 Online D Delicious Dish ish 5 D elicious D Holidays ravel 7 H olidays & TTravel Wildlife Matters 8 W ildlife Matters Pet 9 P et Care Care Motoring 1111 M otoring Parenting P arenting & Guardianship 1133 G uardianship Word Search 1144 W ord Search EEducation ducation & 1155 EEmployment mployment Medical Health 1177 M edical Health What’s Onn 1188 W hat’s O
TTLA LA EEntertainment ntertainment 222-23 2-23 Homes Homes & Gardens Gardens 2244 Quick Crossword Q uick C rossword 2277 Garden IIn n the the G arden 2299 IInterior nterior Design Design 3311 G Gadgets adgets & Gizmos Gizmos 3333 Save S ave tthe he Planet Planet 3355 Sudoku S udoku 3399 Money Matters M oney M atters 3399 TTLA LA Sport Sport 440-41 0-41 Competitions, IIndex, ndex, C ompetitions, Solutions S olutions 4422
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U nit H hurchill IIndustrial ndustrial EEstate, state, C hurchill R oad, Unit H,, C Churchill Churchill Road, LLeckhampton, eckhampton, Cheltenham, Cheltenham, G loucestershire G L53 77EG EG Gloucestershire GL53
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If you use the services of our advertisers or attend the events listed, please tell them you found them in The Local Answer! If you can’t find the service you require inside, head online to our Directory. We have details of many more local businesses including: Bookkeeping • First Bookkeeping First Aid Aid Training Training • Glamping Glamping Insurance Insurance • Pet Pet Therapy Therapy • Pilates Pilates Restaurants & T Restaurants Takeaways akeaways • Wedding Wedding Planner Planner Visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk
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Delicious D elicious Dish Dish with with H Helen elen Kingscott Kingscott
JJam am roly-poly roly-poly An old-fashioned old-fashioned w inter w arming An winter warming pudding that that has has recently recently come come pudding b ack iinto nto fashion! fashion! back IIngredients: ngredients: 150g vegetable suet; 225g self-raising flour; 1 tsp baking powder; pinch of salt; 200ml semi-skimmed milk; 175g strawberry jam. M ethod: Method: 1 Sift the flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt into a large bowl. 2 Stir in the suet, then gradually add the milk until a soft but not sticky dough is formed. Cover the bowl and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes. 3 Roll out on a lightly floured surface to make a rectangle about 30 x 20cm. Spread the jam over this but leaving a 2cm border. 4 Brush the border with water then roll up the dough and pinch the ends to seal it. 5 Wrap the roll loosely in baking parchment then again in a bigger piece of foil so you can twist the ends to make it watertight. 6 Put the roly-poly seam side up in a large deep lidded frying pan or as I did, a heat proof casserole dish. 7 Pour boiling water halfway up the pudding and simmer with the lid on for 2 hours, keeping the water topped up. 8 And to serve, it just has to be some lovely hot custard.
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Nail Trimming • Corns Calluses • Cracked Heels Fungal Nail Infections Routine Foot Care
C Call all 07921 07921 821805 821805
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HOME H OME C CONSULTATIONS ONSULTATIONS &A PPOINTMENTS APPOINTMENTS
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W WE EA ARE RE RECRUITING! RECRUITING!
Bramble Bramble ho home me c care are
We are a local company looking for
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We care for clients in their own homes so a Driving Licence is essential, however we do of fer full training which will give any successful candidates a Care Cer tificate! AND we pay up to £11.50 per hour! If you’re interested, send your CV to recruitment@bramblehomecare.co.uk or call 01684 217040 for more information!
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Priors Park Neighbourhood Project registered charity (PPNP Community Hub) offers room hire and a wide range of FFrom rom £5 £5 to to £15 £15 activities. We need volunteers to Call 01684 290069 help in all apsects from admin support to being a Trustee. f d il We’d love to hear from you! in support of For For details details please please contact contact Ruth Ruth 01684 01684 290069 290069 / 07549 07549 153614 153614 ruth@ppnp.co.uk ruth@ppnp.co.uk
OOKER YOUR Y OUR ELECTRIC ELECTRIC C COOKER OR OVEN OVEN N OT W ORKING? OR NOT WORKING? EST E ST 2 2004 004 l cal TTel: el: 07955 07955 295360 295360
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Holidays H olidays & Travel Travel w with ith A All H Hidden idden
More M ore than than an an E Enigma nigma November is here, another summer has gone and we’re looking forward to Christmas. As we discovered last November, this month’s recommendation makes a great day out or weekend away – without breaking the bank. We’re heading for Bletchley Park, scene of so much gamechanging British wartime intelligence and where, famously, the Allies’ best minds painstakingly unravelled the mysteries of Germany’s Enigma coding machine. When we visited last year, we made a weekend of it. I would recommend this because there is so much to see at Bletchley Park and everything is presented in such fascinating detail that it’s easy to fill a day. The good news is that tickets (save by booking in advance) remain valid for a year, so you can visit again on the same ticket if you wish.
Code-breaking Code-breaking d delights elights for for y young oung and and o old ld We stayed at Milton Keynes’ Holiday Inn Express, but feel free to choose from a good range of budget and luxury
Picture: Shaun Armstrong/Bletchley Park Trust
accommodation in and around the area. Once you’ve got the hang of the (actually very logical) boulevard-and-roundabout road network, it’s never a long drive to Bletchley and the home of GCHQ’s predecessor. From period military cars and dispatch motorcycles, to the Colossus computer and Lorenz cipher machines that occupied Alan Turing and nearly 10,000 colleagues, the museum delights young and old alike. It’s so much more than just the Enigma story and plenty of interactive displays ensure engaging hands-on experiences.
Picture: WhichMuseum
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My top tip? Take one of the guided tours while you’re there – they last about an hour and give a great overview before you explore on your own. And do check out Bletchley Park’s website for special events and exhibitions – as I write, a ‘DDay: Interception, Intelligence, Invasion’ special is running until April 2029.
The T he b best est ffoodie oodie secret secret iin n Milton Milton Keynes? Keynes? Snacks and light meals are available at Bletchley Park, but after a busy day’s code-breaking, you’ll want more substantial refreshment. If you love pizza, don’t miss the ‘A Pizza This’ takeaway beside East Willen Lake – maybe one of the bestkept foodie secrets in Milton Keynes. It’s run by a lovely local couple from their converted VW campervan. Their mouthwatering pizzas were amazing, as was the delicious supper at the Cross Keys pub on Newport Road the following evening. So there you have it, my tip for an intelligent November escape just a couple of hours’ drive from Gloucestershire. You should try it sometime! Page
Wildlife W ildlife M Matters atters w with ith M Maxine axine R Raggatt aggatt
Robin Robin redbreast redbreast The European robin is Britain’s national bird. Robins are a member of the thrush family, so they are related to the nightingale and the blackbird.
Not Not just just a att C Christmas hristmas R obi ns can b e f ound almost everywhere throughout the UK and seen all year round, not only at Christmas! They are extremely territorial birds, especially towards their own kind; however, they are not shy. If you find yourself digging in your garden, you’ll often spot a rob in wa tch in g you, w ai ti ng to hop in and snap up any worms in the turned-up soil.
T The he rrobin’s obin’s n nest est Robins are famous for nesting pretty much anywhere. They prefer to settle near ground level in tree hollows, climbing plants, piles of logs and tree roots. Some of the more unusual but popular nesting sites for these birds are flowerpots, shoes and boots, post boxes and even clothes pockets. Page
The females build the nests using grass, dead leaves, moss and hair. Robins usually lay 46 eggs per clutch and the incubation period lasts about 13 days. When the chicks hatch, they are entirely dependant on their parents for food and warmth as they have no feathers or fluff at all. Quills will start to appear around day three, and they usually have all their feathers by day 14. Juvenile robins have a brown breast rather than red; which will later come through after their first moult. Robins have two broods a year. If the winter is mild, then they can have up to four clutches as they will start breeding in January instead of March.
W What hat you you ccan an tto o do do h help elp You can help encourage robins to nest near your home in a few easy steps. • Leave natural fibres and hair in your garden. When removing www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk
the hair from your hairbrush, you could pop it outside for robins to weave into their nest to keep their young warm. Place it in an easy to spot area such as a hanging basket, in amongst trees and bushes, or log piles. • You can put a nesting box in your garden to encourage robins to nest there – ensure it has an open front, as they tend not to use boxes with a small circular hole. Be sure to place it somewhere discreet and well-hidden where they won't be disturbed. • All birds and other species need to have access to food throughout the winter, especially when food is scarce, so placing a few bird feeders about and some water is always a good idea. A robin’s favourite foods are mealworms and fruit, so you could put out some raisins, cranberries or chopped apple as a well needed nutritional boost during the winter. The Local Answer
Pet Pet Care Care w ith O liver W ilkinson with Oliver Wilkinson o ragon V et C entre off D Dragon Vet Centre
TTewkesbury ewkesburryy New Veterinary Care in Tewkesbury Dragon Vets now has a new Tewkesbury branch; we have taken over the ownership of 31 Church Street in Tewkesbury. We will be providing the same high quality veterinary care and advanced treatment that has been our trademark in Cheltenham for over 50 years.
£40 £ 40 ++VAT VAT ffor or a sstarter tarter ccourse ourse ooff ttwo wo vvaccinations accinations ffor or ppuppies uppies oorr kkittens ittens OPEN MONDAY-FRIDAY 9AM- 6.30PM 31 Church Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5PD
www.dragonvet.co.uk www.dragonvet.co.uk
01684 01684 217 217 708 708
OPEN SATURDAY 9AM-12 NOON Prestbury Park , New Barn Lane, Cheltenham GL50 4SH
T: 01242 580324
F: 01242 241908
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Why dog W hy owning owning a d og might best might be be the the b e st probiotic probiotic yyou ou can can take! take! It turns out that the DNA of our gut bacteria shares a lot of similarities with that of pet dogs. What’s interesting is that when compared to other animals (like pigs and mice) that are as genetically similar to humans as dogs are, it’s dogs that have the most similar gut microbiome (bacterial flora). Dogs have lived in close proximity to us for thousands of years, sharing our environment and diet, so perhaps it’s not surprising that our digestive system has evolved similarities at a bacterial level. The similarities don’t end there though. Other studies have shown that our gut bacteria is affected directly by being a pet dog owner, with transfer of gut bacteria between pets and us, and between other human family members to a greater degree, when there is a dog in the household. Most importantly this is largely a beneficial process. Epidemiology studies have shown that children who grow up in households with dogs have a lower risk of developing auto-immune diseases such as asthma and allergies. It is also thought that exposure to animal microorganisms at an early age helps stimulate our immune systems. There are even suggestions that higher levels of certain gut bacteria can have a positive effect on mental health, and scientists have hypothesised that the well-documented mental health benefits of pet ownership might be partly to do with the effect our pets have on our gut bacteria. So it’s not just unconditional love that our four legged friends are giving us but a healthier gut, immune system and maybe much more!
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G Gloucestershire’s loucestershire’s VW VW AUDI AUDI Group Group Specialist Specialist SServicing ervicing FFrom rom £ £95.00 95.00 M MOT OT £ £39.95 39.95 C Cambelts ambelts FFrom rom £ £249.00 249.00 A Air ir C Conditioning onditioning rregas egas £ £45.00 45.00 FFree ree Courtesy Courtesy Cars Cars – Collection Collection & Delivery Delivery
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UNIT U NIT 8 8A: A: B Beta eta C Close, lose, D Delta elta D Drive, rive, TTewkesbury, ewkesbury, G Glos. los. G GL20 L20 8 8SR SR
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Motoring M otoring w with ith T Toby oby A Aiken iken
Toyota T oyota punching punching above above iits ts w weight eight Back in the 80s and 90s, if you wanted a fast, Japanese Coupe, your go-to manufacturer was Toyota. Competition from the likes of Honda wasn’t far behind, and arguably, with the NSX, they overtook, while Nissan had a fair few options available too, but the real performance was found in the Supra. There is a new Supra out this year, but for the last few years, Toyota’s sporting pedigree has resided in the GT86 – and bearing in mind the new Supra starts a little north of £53k, I think the £20k saving offered by the GT86 means it’ll be around for some time yet.
A ttraditional raditional J Japanese apanese ssporty porty ccoupe oupe The model I tested was a high-spec ‘Blue Edition’, with optional performance pack and m an ua l ge a rb ox . Mor e o n th e gearbox later. The blue edition, predictably, comes in a stunning blue colour, and looks every bit the sleek coupe it is marketed as. Small, compact, and high-revving; very much the traditional Japanese sporty coupe. Powered by a 2-litre boxer engine with almost 200bhp, it sounds great and really puts the power down well. It is questionable whether 200bhp is enough for a sporty coupe, but on this occasion, I was very happy with the performance. While the 0-60 time isn’t blistering, it’s no slouch either, coming in at a little over seven seconds. There are numerous debates and arguments raging between fans and critics of a boxer engine, but to be honest, I The Local Answer
© Toyota
prefer to focus on how a car feels and drives, so I’m going to ignore it. Well, mostly ignore it. One major criticism of boxer engines is that they are noisy, which the GT86 was, but it was a good noise. The high revving engine meant that it seemed more powerful than it was, and with the manual gearbox (lovely short shifting gearstick, by the way) it was easy to make it sound as good as it looked. And make no mistake, this is a very good looking little sports car. So it looks good, sounds good and has heritage on its side. But what about practicality? Well, the boot isn’t big. It’s not tiny, but not massively practical for four people – which is what it seats. But not in comfort for those in the back. I’d almost go so far as to suggest that this should have been a simple two-seater, but then it would be competing with the more expensive, more powerful Supra. All in all, practicality is not the best, but To advertise call 01242 510500
it doesn’t need to be. It’s not going to be a family’s first car – it’s a second car when a family has an estate or a practical hatchback as well.
A great great driving driving experience experience The ride isn’t the best for passengers either, but as the driver, I felt very connected; both to the car and the road. And the way the power is delivered really gives a great driving experience, with all the drive coming straight from the back wheels. One word of warning though. While driving to work once, around a slight left hand bend, I hit a pothole – not at speed mind you, but the back end still snapped out of line and it took some opposite lock to get the car pointing the right way again. Slightly worrying that it can do so at low speed, but easy enough to snatch control back. To sum up: small, noisy, impractical for a family and will try to step out of line without provocation. I loved it. Page 11
Police Police and and Crime Crime Commissioner Commissioner Martin Martin Surl’s Surl’s
ANNUAL A NNUAL R REPORT EPORT T A April pril 2 2018-March 018-March 2019 2019
OF COURSE EVERY CRIME MATTERS but the police can’t do it all on their own A vibrant news media is the essence of democracy. To plagiarise a famous quotation, we may not always approve of what it says but we defend its right to say it. So while some news organisations suggest that some police forces appear to have given-up investigating some crimes, let me reassure you that is not the case in Gloucestershire. The most recent intelligence shows that the number of burglaries in our county has fallen, but that is no consolation if your home or property has been broken into. Burglary is a heinous crime and must always be a priority for the police, no matter what. That is why I have repeatedly argued that tackling burglary and serious organised criminals around the countryside targe communities must be higher u law enforcement agenda. Having raised the issue wit Government ministers and t Organised Crime Units, it alre forms an important part o refreshed Police and Crime P general strategy for reducing c anti-social behaviour in Glou for the next two years. But the do it all on their own. I want to work with part county to prevent crime. How does occur, I want victims to heart of police process by be what’s happening; what’s likely to happen and, ultimately, to make sure victims feel that they have received a reasonable level of service, proportionate to the harm caused by the offence. To help us make sure that what we see as reasonable matches what victims feel, I want to hear about people’s experiences of being a victim of burglary. It will start with the initial call; the response from Police and Scenes of Crime Officers; how well you were kept updated to the point when your case was concluded. I cannot reopen
estigations but it is vitally important at the Constabulary always seeks to om what’s good, or bad, and to ly improve. ngs with Home Secretaries and other nt representatives, I have consistently l Government cuts and the loss of hundreeds of officers have been to the detriment of neighbourhood policing. I am pleased the Home Office has a new focus. Every crime matters because every crime has a victim, but the so-called ‘Thin Blue Line’ will only stretch so far and needs the support and input of every law-abiding citizen in Gloucestershire.
M Martin arrttin S Surl url Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire
You Y ou can police Martin can read read more more aabout bout tthe he cchallenges hallenges ffacing acing tthe he p olice iin n PPCC CC M artin SSurl’s url’s annual annual report report online: online: https://www.gloucestershire-pcc.gov.uk/reports/ h ttps://www.gloucestershire-pcc.gov.uk/reports/ FFor or a p rinted ccopy, opy, email email the the Office Office of of the the Police Police and and Crime Crime Commissioner Commissioner at at printed PCC@gloucestershire.pnn.police.uk or or call call 01452 754348 01452 754348 PCC@gloucestershire.pnn.police.uk
P Parenting arenting & G Guardianship uardianship w with ith R Roberta oberta S Smart mart
Road Road safety safety and and reflectives reflectives It’s November. It’s dark out there and it’s time to think road safety! Now is the time to kit the kids out with reflective strips and glow in the dark accessories, to help keep them safe on their walk to and from school, especially if you live in a rural area and have to navigate dark country lanes every morning and evening.
Ensure E nsure y your our ssafety afety a ass a p pedestrian edestrian o orr ccyclist yclist Making sure that you are seen by traffic can be a big way to ensure your safety as a pedestrian or a cyclist. Even during the daytime, using basic reflective gear can literally be a lifesaver, but what to choose? Pick something removable or lightweight, avoiding a full neon coat or trousers – the kids will only refuse to wear them. Also, consider how you are seen from all angles – front and back, as well as from the sides if you are crossing busy roads.
Encourage Encourage tthe he w whole hole sschool chool tto o iinvest nvest I did a little research and discovered a plethora of great ideas you can use for your family, or talk to your school and encourage the whole school to invest in some lifesaving items for the children. My personal favourites include stick on reflectors for arms, shoulders, wrists and ankles, and the reflective clips that kids love to ‘collect’. In fact, how about offering a collection of super-fun reflective The Local Answer
Picture: ESB
items as ‘rewards’ rather than sweets and encourage your kids to take responsibility for staying safe and visible. Start young and good habits will grow. Also, peer pressure to ‘stay safe and be seen’ will quickly catch on at school if the reflectors are fun, desirable and have to be earned. Suddenly the most glowing students are literally glowing, and taking great pride in taking care of themselves. If you have a pet, try a reflective harness to ensure you always know where they are on those bedtime walks; and why not treat the family to a high-vis reflective sash each for walking, cycling, jogging or simply staying safe out and about. I cannot overstate the importance of making yourself visible, especially as our clothes seem to morph into a black hole of invisibility as soon as winter comes around. To advertise call 01242 510500
Brush Brush up up on on general general road road safety safety As well as ensuring you can be seen, it’s important to brush up on general road safety. Reminding kids of the lessons they learned in their cycling proficiency training and modelling best behaviour by never going out without ensuring you are visible, will all go a long way to keeping your family safe during the winter months. As a quick addendum, do you carry a car kit in the boot, just in case? A very basic car kit includes a reflective triangle and high-vis vest – in case you break down and need to be seen. You’ll also benefit from a travel first aid kit and emergency foil blanket. Add warm clothes and a litre of water and you are good to go, and well prepared for whatever the dark nights may throw at you. Happy travels! Page 1
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W Wintertime intertime ccommuting ommuting Having recently changed the clocks back, you may be one of those people who grumble and groan about ‘losing an hour’ of light, and there is often debate about whether the UK should change the clocks or not. The idea of daylight saving time (DST, also known as British Summer Time) was first proposed in the late 1700s. However, the UK didn’t start to introduce it until the 1920s when the rapid development of rail travel called for a more consistent way of time-keeping across various locations.
B Both oth a adults dults a and nd cchildren hildren n need eed tto o ttake ake e extra xtra ccare are As the UK continues to use DST, doing the school run or commuting to and from work with an hour’s less daylight can be more hazardous, leading to a higher probability of having an accident. RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) says there is a rise in road accidents every autumn, so both adults and children need to take extra care.
Children staying on after regular school hours for extra-curricular activities or going to friends’ houses after school need to be more vigilant getting home when there is less natural daylight. It’s good if children can journey home with friends, but if they walk, cycle or get the bus home on their own, they need to take precautions to stay safe. The suggestion of a hi-viz vest might not go down too well, but maybe encourage them to carry a torch and stick to well-lit areas. Advise them that they need to be aware of their surroundings and that having earphones in can limit their ability to hear vehicles or strangers approaching. Some young people don’t like their parents ‘keeping tabs’ on them, but ask them to inform you what time to expect them home, assuring them that it’s for their own
safety (as well as your peace of mind!). Ensure mobile phones are charged in case of emergency, but be aware to not have valuables on show. The same advice applies to adults. Waking up bleary-eyed in the mornings or coming home from work when it’s darker can make you feel more tired, so you need to be careful when driving. Ensure you have a red triangle and a blanket in your car in case you breakdown.
Notify Notify people people if if you’re you’re going g oing tto o be be late late If you’re very tired, consider getting a lift home with a friend or staying the night locally so that you don’t put yourself, and others, at risk. If you walk home or get public transport, it can be useful to carry a personal attack alarm. Also, notify people if you know you’re going to be late so that they know to look out for you. Safe travels! The Local Answer
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Lung Lung C Cancer ancer Awareness Awareness Month Month Lung cancer is the UK’s biggest cancer killer. It is the most common cause of death from cancer for both men and women, claiming almost 35,000 lives a year. Early detection of lung cancer makes it more treatable, so encouraging people to recognise symptoms, such as a persistent cough, and see their doctor sooner could save lives. As a child I hated my dad smoking. I was terrified he would get lung cancer and die before he could see me get married or have children of my own.
Your Y our risk risk increases increases the the m more ore y you ou ssmoke moke Around 90% of cases occur in people who smoke or who used to smoke. The risk of developing lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes and how long you have smoked for. After 10 years of stopping smoking your risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker. Breathing in other people’s smoke over a long period can also increase your risk of getting lung cancer. Other environmental factors, such t b t
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you’ll be referred to a special clinic at the hospital called the rapid access clinic or urgent cancer clinic. If you live in England, you should see a specialist within two weeks of referral. The specialists may then ask for additional tests such as:
•C CT T sscan can •B Biopsy iopsy This is when a sample of tissue is taken from the tumour
•B Bronchoscopy: ronchoscopy: Lung cancer usually affects people over the age of 60, and while younger people can develop this type of cancer, it is rare. Often you won’t have any symptoms until a tumour becomes quite large. This means it might only be discovered when you have an X-ray or scan for a different reason. As the condition progresses, you may experience some of the following symptoms: • A cough • Feeling out of breath • Chest pain • Feeling tired • loss • t loss • arse voice • d in your mucus or phlegm If your doctor hinks you may ave lung cancer, To advertise call 01242 510500
A thin, flexible telescope called a bronchoscope is passed through your nose or mouth and down your windpipe. If the tumour is visible, your doctor can take a sample.
• Endobronchial Endobronchial ultrasound ultrasound (EBUS): (EBUS): This is similar to a bronchoscopy, but has an ultrasound scanner in the tip. This is passed into the windpipe through the mouth. It allows the doctor to scan and take tissue samples of lymph nodes in your chest.
•P PET-CT ET-CT scan scan In the past 10 years there has been a lot of progress in lung cancer treatments. People are usually given more than one treatment at a time and you might have several courses of treatment. This could include surgery, drugs therapies and radiotherapy. Always see your GP if you are concerned, as early detection can save lives. 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. 1166 OCTOBER OCTOBER – 1166 N NOVEMBER OVEMBER NATURAL PERSPECTIVES ART EXHIBITION AT CHAPEL ARTS
We explore the variety of ways in which artists interpret the natural world. Wednesday-Saturday 10am4pm. www.thechapelarts.com 1 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER MESADORM Made up of talented artists who have worked with the likes of Paloma Faith, acoustic/synth/folk quintette Mesadorm will be performing in Winchcombe. 7pm. £13.50. Postlip Hall, Winchcombe, GL54 5AQ. www.winchcombe.co.uk NOVEMBER 2 NOVEMBER TEWKESBURY BONFIRE NIGHT AND FIREWORKS With a bonfire, fireworks, children’s entertainment and refreshments. 69pm. Free entry. Vineyards Playing Fields, behind Tewkesbury Abbey, Church Street, GL20 5PG. 7-9 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 7-9 ROBIN HOOD MEETS BABES IN THE WOOD The Manor Players of Tewkesbury perform this twist on a classic story. 7.30pm every night, Saturday 2.30pm matinee. Adults £10, u16s £6. Watson
Hall, 65 Barton Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5PX. tewkesburymanorplayers.co.uk 8 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER FIREWORK AND BONFIRE NIGHT The Friends of Bishop’s Cleeve Primary Academy will host their annual Bonfire Night with food, drink and fireworks. 6.15-8pm. Adults £6, Secondary School Age £5, Primary School Age £3, Preschoolers free. Bishop’s Cleeve Primary Academy School, Tobyfield Road, GL52 8NN. www.facebook.com/friends.bcpa 9 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER SING WITH CLEEVE CHORALE Rehearse and perform Haydn’s Creation in St. Michael and All Angels Church Bishop’s Cleeve at 9.45am. The day will includes a light lunch and tea and cake. Scores provided. Tickets £15 (Students £5) or attend the performance at 3pm for £5. Available from George Lewis Footwear, ring 01242 674114 or on the door. More information www.cleevechorale.co.uk BONFIRE & FIREWORK DISPLAY AY – BURLEY LAKES FIREWORKS NIGHT
Disco roadshow, pig roast, small fun fair with new rides, burgers, chips and licensed bar at Burley Fields Lakes, Leckhampton Lane, Cheltenham.
Gates open and bonfire lit at 5.30pm. Kids Show at 7pm and Grand Finale at 8.30pm. Last admission 8.15pm. Adults and children £5 in advance, £7 on the night. Tickets on sale at Burley Fields Lakes Farm Shop, Sardar’s Cafe (Warden Hill) and Bargain Booze (Bath Road). Call Steve on 07831 734683, Pam on 07769 700067 or 01242 861333. Strictly no alcohol, fireworks or sparklers to be brought in. CHARITY CHRISTMAS FA AI R A selection of gifts for sale and refreshments available, all raising funds for charity, including Cobalt. 10am to 12.30pm. Alderton Village Hall, 4 Church Road, Alderton, Tewkesbury, GL20 8NR. ERICA PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS Winchcombe based band Erica will be hosting a gig at Croft Farm featuring local acts The Filthy Casuals, Johnny Fingers and I, The Lion. 4-11.30pm. Tickets £10 must be bought in advance. Croft Farm Waterpark, Bredons Hardwick, Tewkesbury, GL20 7EE. Email jez@neverpunch.co.uk for full details. AUTUMN CRAFT FAIR Selling everything from ceramics to chutney. Cobalt charity cards and refreshments also available. 2-5pm Eastcombe Village Hall, Stroud, GL6 7EB. 10 10 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER CIVIL SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE A service to remember those who served in the First World War. Service at 10am, 2 minutes silence 11am and Sung Eucharist performed by the Abbey Choir at 5pm. Tewkesbury Abbey, Church Street, GL20 5RZ. www.tewkesburyabbey.org.uk
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1133 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER K2TOGS SALE Community knitting group K2Togs will be holding a sale of their knitted items, including babywear, hats and scarves and more. 10.30am-2.30pm. Free entry. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL50 5NX. www.rosestheatre.org 114-24 4-24 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER GLOUCESTER QUAYS VICTORIAN MARKET
In addition to the open-air ice rink there will be a whole host of stalls selling food, drink and bespoke gifts alongside a line-up of entertainment. Gloucester Quays, St Ann Way, GL1 5SH. www.gloucesterquays.co.uk 15 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 15 WINCHCOMBE LIVE Folk, roots and blues band Grizzly and the Grasshoppers will be performing as part of the monthly Winchcombe Live shows. 8.15-11pm. The White Hart,
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High Street, GL54 5LJ, Winchcombe. facebook.com/winchcombelive 1166 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTLE Enjoy a festive day of Christmas shopping at Hatherop Castle School. Over 40 stalls selling gifts, stationery, jewellery and homeware. Meet friends for coffee and lunch. Feel good about spending to support a local charity. 10am-4pm. Hatherop Castle School, GL7 3NB. AN EVENING WITH THOMASINA MIERS OBE
21 21 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER THE COTSWOLD WAY: 100 MILES OF HISTORY Dr Stephen Blake is is currently Chairman of the Gloucestershire Local History Association, and his illustrated talk will bring to life the fascinating history of The Cotswold Way. 7-8.30pm. £10. Broadway Museum and Art Gallery, Tudor House, 65 High Street, Worcestershire WR12 7DP. www.broadwaymuseum.org.uk 221-25 1-25 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER CHELTENHAM FLAMENCO FESTIVAL
Come to an evening with MasterChef winner and co-founder of Wahaca Mexican street food restaurants, at The Griffin Centre, Rendcomb GL7 7HA. Bar opens 6.30pm, starts 7.30pm. Tickets £18 from www.ticketsource/ thomasinamiers. Enquiries annabelpurcell@hotmail.co.uk
Experience the passion and exuberance of this year’s Flamenco Festival, featuring best emerging artists from Cadiz, Southern Spain. Performances at The Parabola, Chapel Arts, The Strand and workshops for adults and children to have a go! Tickets £8-£22. www.flamenke.com or 07875 643158.
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222-23 2-23 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER MUSIC & LAUGHTER A show including comedy sketches, short plays and musical performances from the Bishop’s Cleeve Players and Cleeve Harmony. Friday 7.30pm, Saturday 2.30pm and 7.30pm. £10. Tithe Barn, 19 Cheltenham Road, Bishop’s Cleeve, GL52 8GD. www.bishopscleeveplayers.co.uk 23 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 23 THE BREWERY QUARTER’S LIGHTS SWITCH-ON PARTY
Get into the festive spirit with The Brewery Quarter’s annual Christmas lights switch-on party! 3-7pm. This year has a Frozen theme, with guaranteed snow and the Winter Princesses and Snowman joining a variety of local acts on stage. The party runs in conjunction with Cheltenham’s other festive activities happening across the town. Choirs, dancers, singers and panto stars will entertain the crowds before Father Christmas turns the lights on at 6.30pm. Across the whole weekend there is also a festive market where you can purchase unique and quirky gifts for loved ones. Visit thebreweryquarter.co.uk SLÂINTE CHARITY CONCERT Music from local Celtic band Slâinte to raise funds for the Gretton Tower Trust. Tickets (£10) can be bought or reserved from Jan Taylor at Kingsmead, Working Lane, Gretton, GL54 5EU or by calling 01242 603234. Gretton Village Hall, Gretton, Winchcombe GL54 5EP. www.celtmusic.co.uk CHARLTON KINGS CHORAL SOCIETY Mozart – Requiem, Holst – Clear and Cool (first performance since 1897, world première of version with orchestra), St Paul’s Suite, A Fugal Overture, Country Song and Marching Song. Hannah Davey (soprano), Serena Kay (mezzo soprano), Edward Rimmer (tenor), Nicholas Perfect (bass), The Regency Sinfonia, Conductor: John Wright. 7.30pm at Pittville Pump Room, East Approach Drive, Cheltenham, GL52 3JE. Tickets £15 (under 25s in full-time education £10). Book now on 01242 526636. www.ckcsonline.org.uk.
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2233 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER – 2233 D ECEMBER DECEMBER CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM Father Christmas and his elves will be at Cotswold Farm Park to help visiting children create a Christmas Eve Box, and pick a present from the Toy Room. Selected dates. Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power, Cheltenham, GL54 5FL. www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk DECEMBER 2233 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER – 2244 D ECEMBER SANTA'S FARMYARD GROTTO Meet the animals in the animal experience centre and take a festive tractor ride to visit Santa in his Farmyard Grotto. Weekends from 23rd November to 24th December. Adults and children £8.50, toddlers and concessions £7.50. Cattle Country Adventure Park, Berkeley, GL13 9EW. www.cattlecountry.co.uk 24 24 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER CHRISTMAS MARKET AND LIGHTS Father Christmas and a lucky member of the public will be switching on the Christmas Lights in Tewkesbury. 5pm. Tewkesbury High Street, GL50 5AS. www.tewkesburychristmaslights.com CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FAIR A festive shopping experience in the historical buildings of Cheltenham College. Over 70 stalls, yuletide singers, a festive cafe and a limited number of complimentary shopping bags for early attendees. 10am-3pm. £5 (under 16s free). Tickets bought in advance come with a free glass of fizz. To book call 01242 265694. Cheltenham College, Main Reception, Bath Road, Cheltenham GL53 7LD. Supporting Great Western Air Ambulance Charity. Sponsored by Savills. CREATIVE CHRISTMAS Handmade festive crafts, gifts and vintage items for sale. Proceeds of sale to charities including Cobalt. 11am to 1pm. The Barn, Daniel’s Orchard, The Leigh, GL19 4AG. 227-29 7-29 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER CHURCHDOWN PLAYERS PANTOMIME Snow White and the Seven Ugly Sisters – helping to raise funds for Cobalt. 7.30pm. Churchdown Community Centre, Parton Road, Gloucester, GL3 2JH. www.churchdownplayers.com NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2299 N OVEMBER & 6 D ECEMBER LATE NIGHT CHRISTMAS SHOPPING The perfect opportunity to stock up Christmas gifts, with shops open late and festive food, music and lights on offer. 5.30-8.30pm. Full details at www.broadway-cotswolds.co.uk 2299 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER – 2222 D DECEMBER ECEMBER ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS Voted number one last year as Britain’s Favourite Christmas Light Display, see
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an all new illuminated woodland trail at Westonbirt Arboretum along with their Christmas village. The National Arboretum, Westonbirt, Tetbury, GL8 8QS. Full details at forestryengland.uk/westonbirt 30 DECEMBER 30 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER – 2244 D ECEMBER SANTA SPECIALS Travel from either Toddington station on a 1960s diesel train or from Cheltenham Racecourse on steam train, and meet Santa and his elves. £16/£17. Full details at www.gwsr.com 30 30 NOVEMBER NOVEMBER – 4 JJANUARY ANUARY ALLA ADDIN This year the popular Roses pantomime will be Aladdin, featuring lamps, genies and flying carpets. Tickets £15-£25. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL50 5NX. Full details at www.rosestheatre.org 3 DECEMBER DECEMBER WINCHCOMBE CHRISTMAS FESTIVA AL Shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants in Winchcombe will be throwing open their doors for an evening of festive shopping and celebration. 5-8pm. North Street and Abbey Terrace, Winchcombe. www.winchcombe.co.uk 7 DECEMBER DECEMBER ROBIN RECKITT EXHIBITION A display of work by celebrated Winchcombe artist Robin Reckitt and other local artists, raising money for Lilian Faithfull Care Homes. 10am-5pm. Winchcombe Guide Hall, High Street, Winchcombe, GL54 5LJ. 8 DECEMBER DECEMBER CHRISTMAS CONCERT The Tewkesbury Town Band’s annual Christmas Concert will feature lots of seasonal music from the Band, its Training Band and Alderman Knight School Choir. 3-5.30pm. Tickets available from Cards & Gifts in Tewkesbury or from the Band’s Secretary Sue Corrigan on 07904 859249. Watson Hall, Barton Street, GL20 5PX. VEGAN CHRISTMAS MARKET The third Gloucester Vegan Christmas Market returns with vegan and cruelty free food, drinks and gifts and Santa’s Grotto. 11am-3pm. £2 entry, u16s free. Blackfriars, Gloucester GL1 2HS. Full details: facebook.com/veganeventsglos 3-10 3-10 DECEMBER DECEMBER THE BIG GIVE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE For seven days, all donations to Cobalt through www.thebiggive.org.uk will be DOUBLED making a fantastic £50,000 available to support Cobalt’s Breast Cancer Research Nurses. From 12 noon on the 3rd through to 12 noon on the 10th.
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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
C Cleeve leeve groups groups unite unite for for sspecial pecial sshow how The Bishop’s Cleeve Tithe Barn will this month play host to two of the village’s finest performing groups. The Bishop’s Cleeve Players and Cleeve Harmony will be taking to the stage together for a special production, called ‘Music and Laughter’. “Last year Cleeve Harmony joined the Players for our Variety Show,” said Sandy Newman, who is actually a member of both groups. “It was very successful so we thought we’d join forces again.” This year’s show will see the Players taking on a number of comedy sketches and short plays, with Cleeve Harmony providing musical accompaniment and also performing songs from the last 50 years. Sandy continued: “Next year is our 65th anniversary so we’ve been looking back through
Cleeve Harmony and The Bishop’s Cleeve Players
previous productions and found some short plays written by our members. “We’re going to be doing a spoof of Agatha Christie’s ‘Poirot’, a melodrama called ‘Virtue Triumphant’ and a few sketches with lots of audience participation.” Cleeve Harmony haven’t been around as long as the Players – “it’s their ‘6.5’ year anniversary!” added Sandy, who has been
FFilm ilm Review Review – Joe Joe K Kennett ennett
part of the group for four of those years. The group is made up of around 30 women of all ages, who get together every Wednesday to rehearse under the guidance of leader Donna Whitehouse. Music and Laughter will be at the Cleeve Tithe Barn on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd November. Full story online.
Book Book Review Review – Aloÿse Aloÿse of of Daylesford Daylesford Book Book Club Club
J Joker oker
Bird Bird Cottage Cottage by Eva Meijer
In a dark, dull, lifeless G oth am, A rth ur Fl eck (Joaquin Phoenix, below) is a failing stand-up comedian and clown. He’s on a variety of medication which is taken away because of cuts to social sevices, and faces neglect and violence wherever he goes. This is a man pushed further and further towards the brink of collapse. Director Todd Phillips deserves all the praise he can get for piecing together this masterful movie, full of raw emotion and dark truths, enough to humble any person on the sad realities of life. Of course though, the final words must go out to Phoenix for his gut-wrenching, committed, jaw-dropping performance as Fleck. He has mastered every aspect of becoming this role, from the way he walks right through to the way he laughs, with such pain in every cackle. Full review online.
Bi rd Cottage is a translation of a Dutch novel about an English woman called Gwendolen (Len) Howard. She was born in 1894 and became an accomplished musician. In 1938 she gave it all up and moved to an isolated cottage in Sussex where she studied birds. Meijer tells her story in novel form interspersed with some of Len’s writing. When she makes the move to Sussex she becomes known as “The Bird Woman”. The birds are Len’s life. They fly in and out of the house and she studies their characters and their habits. During WW2 she buys food for her birds rather than for herself. This is an enchanting book and gives one a whole new outlook on the avian world. 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
Concert Concert p planned lanned iin n aaid id of of G Gretton retton T Tower ower The Tower in Gretton, also formally known as St Philip’s Chapel of Ease, has been standing in the village for hundreds of years. The building of a new church in 1868 saw the chapel fall into disuse, and four years ago a local group called the Gretton Tower Trust was formed to help stop the rot. Paul White, who has lived in Gretton for 27 years, is part of the Trust. He said: “Gretton Tower Trust was formed by local villagers to save the historic old church tower, for the benefit of the community. “In particular the Cotswold stone tiled roof is in disrepair with slates falling off, exposing the rafters and other internal timbers.” The Trust holds regular fundraisers in the local area to raise
Slâinte
money for the Tower, and this month a special concert will be held by local band Slâinte to try and help out. Paul, who also happens to play bass with Slâinte, hopes the concert will be as popular as a previous event they played in the village, when they managed to raise over £1,000. He continued: “The band has
been together, in one format or another, for 30-odd years, producing three CDs, several European tours and literally hundreds of gigs. “We play traditional Celtic songs, jigs and reels from slow ballads with delicate arrangements to 100mph fiddle tunes.” Alongside Paul in the band are Joe White, Mark Harmer, Streak Paterson and Alan Jenkins, all of whom are from the wider Cotswolds area. Slâinte will be playing the Gretton Village Hall on Saturday 23rd November. Tickets are £10 and can be bought or reserved from Jan Taylor at Kingsmead, Working Lane, Gretton, GL54 5EU or by calling 01242 603234. For more information on the Gretton Tower Trust visit www.grettontower.org.uk Full story online.
C Chance hance to to llight ight up up Tewkesbury Tewkesbur y There are not many clearer signs that the festive season is almost upon us than the switching on of a town’s Christmas lights. In Tewkesbury, the annual Christmas Market and Lights has become a huge event, with a day of activities and events dedicated to the switch on. “We’ve got a Christmas Market with around 70 stalls, a funfair, real reindeers and more,” said Andrew Turner, Chairman of the Tewkesbury Christmas Lights Committee. “There’s also going to be music from the Tewkesbury Town Training Band and a ukulele band, as well as a falconry display and the lights switch on.” The Christmas lights will be
Last year’s Christmas Lights switch on. Photo: Jack Boskett
switched on by Father Christmas himself, however, new for this year, members of the public will have the chance to help him out. “This year we have a JustGiving page,” continued
Andrew, “and anyone who gives a donation will be entered into a draw to win the chance to turn on the Christmas lights.” Fundraising efforts are ongoing throughout the year, and are organised mainly by committee members, along with the support of the local community, businesses and the Town and Borough Councils. The Tewkesbury Christmas Market and Lights takes place on Sunday 24th November, with the switch on at 5 o’clock. To donate and be in with a chance of turning on the lights, visit www.justgiving.com/crowd funding/tewkesburychristmas lights 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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Tidy T idy up up before before winter winter hits hits The autumn garden has looked really good this year, especially in all the lovely sunshine we have had (in between showers!). The borders were beautiful in October and the Michaelmas daisies and Sedums looked particularly fine with tones of purple and pink and flowered on and on. Traditionally, the first week of November is the time to make winter sowings of peas and broad beans. These should be ready to pick from May, which is earlier than the spring-sown crops. Sow broad beans in double staggered rows at 25cm intervals in rows 6090cm apart. Peas are sown in a double row at 5cm intervals in rows 10-15cm apart.
C Clear lear o out ut n nesting esting b boxes oxes If you have any nesting boxes in your garden they should be emptied now and cleaned with boiling water. Once they are dry, if you put a handful of something like woodshavings inside they can
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be used by small mammals or birds overwintering. Prune blackcurrants now, removing two or three of the oldest branches down to the base. You can take cuttings really easily from blackcurrant bushes by snipping some healthy 25cm long shoots, which have formed this year (make a slanted cut at the bottom so you know which way up they go!), and simply sticking them in the ground – it really is that easy! If shrubs such as Cotinus (smoke bush) have become too large they can be cut back now by a third, providing the weather is still mild, and this will produce a more compact shrub next year. Cotinus grown for their foliage only can be cut down to the ground in early To advertise call 01242 510500
spring, thus producing large spectacular leaves.
To tidy To tidy your your borders borders o orr n not ot tto o ttidy idy tthem? hem? There are two schools of thought on tidying borders for winter: you can leave the dying foliage and stems of perennials over winter to help insects survive (and slugs that like to hide under the rotting foliage!). Alternatively, you only leave the architecturally pleasing seedheads and get rid of the rest. What I suggest is that if you get round to it, do tidy up and then sit back and feel smug, but if you don’t get round to it, tell yourself that you are trying to be ecologically sound and still sit back and feel smug! If you do get round to clearing up, now is a good time to add a layer of (or homemade compost bought sacks of soil-improver) and let it lie on the top, and the worms will incorporate it over the winter. Page 29
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Bedroom Bedroom bliss bliss There is nothing like that feeling of hunkering down in a warm, welcoming haven in the colder months. As the days get cooler, and we start focusing on hibernating for the winter, it’s a good time to think about refreshing our bedrooms. The good news is, you don’t have to spend a fortune to create that special cosy space. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Create C reate a ccalm alm sspace pace Ideally your bedroom should be a calm sanctuary you can retreat to, but all too often it ends up being a messy space full of piles of clothes, unread books and old magazines – time to detox. First up clear the clutter – organise your wardrobe and store your clothes away; donate books you’ll never read to a charity bookshop; recycle old magazines. Smartphones and tablets are known to interfere with a good night’s sleep, so minimise your stress levels and keep them out of reach.
Colour C olour m me eb beautiful eautiful To create a restful haven, go for colours that make you feel happy and relaxed. Think warming soft neutrals, rich corals with washed indigos, or on-trend calming greens. Try a wallpaper with a natural motif as a backdrop for your bed (like Cole and Son’s “Tree” pattern) or create a restful photo wall. I’ve painted my bedroom a lovely calm grey, and on one wall is Farrow and Ball’s beautiful Wisteria wallpaper. I love curling up on my bed with The Local Answer
a cup of tea when I need some time out.
Add A dd ttexture exture Texture is all important, as it softens a space and will give your room a restful feel. Try adding knitted or velvet throws and cushions, soft rugs and blankets, which are having a bit of a moment, for when it gets chilly. I like welsh blankets for their colours and patterns (try Melin Tregwynt’s website for inspiration) or you could search out an antique quilt to create a vintage look.
Re-style R e-style your your bed bed It goes without saying that the most important element in a bedroom is a comfortable bed, so make sure you invest in the best you can afford. I was recently reminded of the importance of styling your bed. It’s amazing what a difference you can make by using contrasting or toning To advertise call 01242 510500
colours and patterns for your bedlinen. It really doesn’t have to be all pristine white – try mixing and matching old and new. Soft coloured, crumpled linen sheets are very on trend, as are different shaped pillows and cushions. You can so easily change the whole look of your room!
Finishing F inishing ttouches ouches Your bedroom is your personal space, it’s all about you. If you fancy something fun and unexpected, create an interesting shaped headboard in a bright patterned fabric (check out Firmdale Hotels Instagram for ideas) and don’t forget the all-important soft lighting. Now all you need to do is make yourself a cup of luxurious hot chocolate, sink into your cosy bed, open that new book and allow yourself some time to dream. Page 1
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W Winter inter w warmers armers It’s hard to believe that 2019 is coming to a close – where has the year gone?! Just as we were embracing the summer weather and blue skies, it’s now time to bundle up for the dark winter nights. Here are a few gadgets that may come in handy for those struggling to adjust to the colder temperatures.
Heated B Heated Back ack a and nd S Seat eat Massage M assage C Cushion ushion Menkind.co.uk: £49 As the days start to feel shorter, and the nights are drawing in, you may feel like there aren’t enough hours to get things done. Whether it’s work deadlines, looking after kids or even getting a headstart on Christmas shopping, you may feel yourself getting pent-up with stress.
Soothe away frustrations and enjoy some well-deserved warmth and relaxation with this portable heated massage cushion from Menkind. The Local Answer
Simply strap the massage cushion into a chair and use the remote control to start kneading away those irritating knots. Customise your settings and choose a level suited for your aches. Not only will the massage cushion get rid of all that built-up tension, but it will also increase circulation, helping you feel more alert. Time your sessions with the timer button, making it feel as though you have your own personal masseuse.
Microsoft Arc Microsoft Arc Bluetooth Bluetooth Mouse M ouse John Lewis: £69 This snazzy little gizmo is designed to switch on once it’s in your palm and turn off when it’s used up too much energy. If your fingers are feeling the chill, this mouse will keep them cosy whilst also connecting via Bluetooth for wireless use. Scroll both vertically and horizontally, with a wireless range of up to 10 meters. If you’re working on the go, this little mouse will let you easily connect your device and scroll away on any surface. So whether you’re sat in the office, on the train or in a cafe, you’ll have power at your fingertips. To advertise call 01242 510500
Sony S Sony SRS-XB22 RS-XB22 Wireless W ireless Speaker Speaker John Lewis: £74.99 Small and compact, this niftty wireless speaker is the ideal gizmo, whether you are indoors, outdoors or on the move. Use the Sony Music Center App on your smart device (available on iOS and Android) to get the Live Sound Mode for a 3D audio, and utilise your DJ skills by adding sound effects by tapping the speaker. Yo You can also play with the lighting in tune with the music, making it feel even more like your own at-home club. With up to 12 hours of nonstop music, the Sony SRS-XB22 will keep everyone entertained. This stylish gadget is even waterproof, so it can be submerged in 1-metre deep water for up to 30 minutes. And, just as an extra bonus, it’s dust-proof!
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Eco-friendly Eco-friendly aand nd tthoughtful houghtful Christmas Christmas gift gift ideas ideas By now, your thoughts may well be turning to Christmas presents, and perhaps you are wondering what to get for the children in your life or for the person who has everything. It can be easy to revert to the classics; a new toy for a child, a gadget to open wine for an uncle (who will probably put it in the back of a drawer to be taken to a charity shop in five years’ time), yet another scarf for Granny. Perhaps though, you could think a little outside the box and come up with some ideas for gifts that will be useful throughout the year and won’t add to any landfills in January. Here are a few gift ideas we have done over the years. One of the main things I have learnt in life is that people value time together and gifftts that facilitate that are so appreciated. For vouchers where people need to choose a date, we tend to draw a voucher and either give
the money with it or pay when they choose.
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A season pass for a local attraction they like going to, l i k e a f a r m p a r k , i s s om e t h i n g that will bring joy year-round. A trip to the cinema, followed by lunch or an ice-cream sundae is always a treat for my two. As is a trip to a fun museum, especially if it’s the gift giver that takes them.
Make something. Most people love to receive something that has had a lot of thought or time invested in it. If you can show that you care enough to sit and crochet or knit a hat in their favourite colours, put photos of them in an album or gather together some bits in a box for a film night with popcorn or a relaxing pamper day, it will always be appreciated. Remember that it really is the thought that counts. There is honestly no need to spend a fortune on a plastic toy that will probably be forgotten about by Boxing Day when the thing that most people love about Christmas is time with the ones they love. And if you can spread that out throughout the year, all the better!
For For older older recipients recipients A voucher for an afternoon tea somewhere lovely. A theatre trip with a night in a hotel. A subscription to their favourite magazine. A massage at a lovely spa.
For F or ccreatives reatives A half day course doing something they enjoy – whether that’s floristry, pottery painting, sewing, writing, etc. Often, it’s something people would love The Local Answer
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“I “I hate hate technology” technology” It’s one of the most widely-used phrases in my office and it’s not just me, as the old man of the team, who can be heard to mutter it! This month I suffered an e-intruder, who briefly took over my e-mail account. Fortunately, my IT support team were on the case in minutes and had re-taken control inside half an hour with no obvious loss of personal data or lasting damage. But it was another reminder of just how much we rely on technology and how vulnerable we are to it. For the half an hour I was without my PC, I had to find something else to do. I looked at my ‘to do’ list and decided that only a couple of items involved me being away from my machine. I had to talk to people! I think they were almost as happy as me that ‘normal service’ was restored so quickly. At a headline level, technology has been changing the way in which businesses operate for decades now. The simple technology of vehicles that could move goods more quickly than boats and planes, taking them direct to your doorstep rather than a depot or port is often ignored as a major technological advance, but it was definitely an early part of the technology revolution.
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Mechanising processes previously carried out by human beings quickly followed and those affected had to adapt in order to survive generally. We were all running scared of robots taking our jobs. More recent advances have been in the name of improving living standards for all of us, but there is still a fall-out from these advances. Online banking has caused widespread closure of local branches and internet shopping has had a similar effect on the High Street. And it shows no signs of abating. The latest changes have hit businesses in a different way, with HMRC demanding VAT returns via digital software despite businesses, HMRC themselves and notably software providers being badly under-prepared. This will lead to more changes in my accounting practice in due course as Making Tax Digital is rolled out to other taxes. And “I hate technology” will be heard even more often at Andorran Towers!
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One One of of Gloucestershire’s Gloucestershire’s sporting sporting g greats reats Ask any talented up and coming sportsman or woman if they’d like to go professional when they grow up and the answer is almost certain to be a resounding ‘yes’. It’s the dream of many, of course, but the reality is that very, very few make it to the top of their chosen sport. So imagine how good someone must be if they were able to play not one sport professionally, but two? That’s something that Ron Nicholls, one of the greatest sportsmen ever produced by this wonderful county of ours, managed to do in the 50s and 60s when he was paid to play both cricket and football, and he continued to play top-level cricket until the mid-70s. Nicholls was a seriously good cricketer and footballer in an age when the seasons weren’t
O One ne o off tthe he ffinest inest He was the hometown boy who did well, very well. Keith Knight, born and bred in Shurdington, was the footballer who lived the dream in the late 90s as Cheltenham Town took the non-league footballing world by storm, winning the FA Trophy at Wembley and following up 12 months later by climbing into the Football League for the first time in their history. They were massive achievements, of course, and as someone who has lived in the area for the majority of his 50 years – Knight still lives in Shurdington today – he is rightly very proud of the role he played in those heady days some 20 years ago. PLUS: All eyes on derby day
A sspecial pecial m meeting eeting Retired businessman Martyn Thomas will, quite literally, have
Ron Nicholls playing a typically stylish cover drive
blurred like they are today – football was played in the winter and cricket was played in the summer. Not that too many were good enough to take advantage of that, of course. The likes of Denis Compton, Arthur Milton, Barrie Meyer, Phil an extra spring in his step when he heads off to this year’s threeday November Meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse. That’s because the 63-year-old, a member of the Yes No Wait Sorries syndicate run by Chris Coley, has recently recovered from a broken ankle, an injury that pretty much kept him housebound for six weeks. Now happily restored to full fitness, he is counting down the days to one of the major meetings on the jumps racing calendar. More than 70,000 spectators are expected at the three-day spectacular with the action getting under way on Friday 15th November with Countryside Day. The Saturday, which features the BetVictor Gold Cup, is the showpiece day, but horseracing fans will still turn out in force on the Friday and Sunday.
Neale and Chris Balderstone spring immediately to mind along with Nicholls, who played cricket for Gloucestershire for close on 25 years, scoring more than 23,000 first class runs, and kept goal in more than 180 Football League games for Bristol Rovers, Cardiff City and Bristol City, before ending his career with Cheltenham Town. Born on 4th December 1933 in Sharpness, some 18 miles west of Stroud, Nicholls moved to Cheltenham with his family when he was five or six – the second youngest of seven children. He attended St John’s Primary School before going on to Whaddon Secondary School in Clyde Crescent, and his son Laurie, himself a decent sportsman, said: “He was bright, sharp, but all he wanted to do was play football and cricket.” Full story online.
Ah helping elping h hand and Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards warmed the hearts of millions around the globe with his exploits at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. The ski jumper from Cheltenham was on the front page of pretty much every national newspaper as, against all odds, he went shoulder to shoulder with the big boys from Switzerland, France, Austria and the like in one of the very toughest of sporting events. These days Eddie, now 55 and living in South Woodchester just outside Stroud, is patron of CASS & Friends, the charity dedicated to helping athletes aged 12 to 18 living in and around the Cotswolds reach the top in their particular sport by offering them financial support. For full versions of all these stoories and more, please viisit our website: www.thhelocalanswer.co.uk
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Up aand Up nd ccoming oming sstar tar F Freddie reddie H owchin iis sE uropean cchampion hampion Howchin European Young Freddie Howchin is good at sport, very good. And it’s not just one sport that 10-year-old Freddie is good at, he’s very good at five. You see, Freddie is a budding modern pentathlete so that means he needs to be able to run, shoot, swim, horseride and fence. And the Bishop’s Cleeve Primary School pupil is certainly ticking all those boxes because he is already a European champion. “He is European Under-11 Triathle champion,” said proud dad Neil, who lives in Bishop’s Cleeve. “He won the title in Madeira in Portugal.” Now for those who don’t know, triathle is a shorter version of modern pentathlon, comprising three disciplines – shooting, running and swimming. But that makes Freddie’s victory no less impressive, indeed, he had to complete each discipline twice before claiming gold. And that’s not all because Freddie then teamed up with Emily Miller from Somerset and won the mixed pairs gold as well. So how did Freddie, who also plays football for Cleeve Rovers, get into multi-disciplined sport? “He’s always done lots of different sports,” said his dad, “football, cycling, running, swimming. “He was doing a biathle, which is a run, swim, run last year and he finished third. “I got approached and was asked if I realised he’d qualified to represent Great Britain in the European Biathle and Triathle Championships in Germany! “I was then asked, ‘Can he shoot?’” T he a nsw e r t o bo th ques ti ons was ‘no’ but that wasn’t going to stop Freddie or his dad. Neil borrowed a laser gun and Freddie practised his shooting in
Freddie Howchin is European Under-11 Triathle champion
the side alley at their home for hour after hour. “Our house was like a sports centre,” laughed Neil. It was hard work, of course, but although Freddie was competing in the under-11 age group in Germany – his birthday is in July so some of his opponents were almost two years older than him – he still won medals in the biathle and triathle team events. And he built on that success this year, of course, with his stunning success in Portugal and Neil said: “He’s not the best runner, swimmer or shooter but as a combination he’s very good. “He’s also a member of a pony club and can fence – he’s won a lot of fencing competitions. He wants to go as far as he can in modern pentathlon.” And he’s certainly got the full backing of his family “One of his big attributes is that he’s quite relaxed, he sleeps before a race,” said Neil. “He’s not all pent up, he’s quite chilled. “He trains hard but he doesn’t let it take over his life.” He certainly does train hard – he swims in Cheltenham every other evening, fences in Malvern
on a Wednesday, and on Friday evenings he trains at Bath University, which is the home of modern pentathlon in this country. That’s where world champion Jamie Cooke, a former Balcarras School pupil, is based and the 28-year-old has already taken time out to help Freddie. The county has a proud record in the sport and in addition to Cooke, Richard Phelps and Graham Brookhouse won Olympic team medals in the late 80s and Phelps also won the world title back in the day as well. Getting to the very top is the dream for young Freddie who says that the shooting is probably his favourite discipline. That’s not surprising because in Madeira he hit the target every time, 20 out of 20. “I’m good at it and because it’s the first event I can get into the lead,” said Freddie, who was heading for a swimming session when he spoke to The Local Answer. And while he’s happy to work hard, he’s ambitious too. “I want to be the best in the world, just like Jamie Cooke,” Freddie said. “He’s a brilliant athlete and he’s very good at transition.”
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Lifestyle Bathrooms 16 Severn Vale Bathrooms 39 & 43 BUILDING BUILDING SERVICES SERVICES C&G Paving 24 Cheltenham Town Roofing 25 Home Care Roofing 24 JHD Roofing & Building 25 Marshalls Driveways 24 Pave-Drive 27 R. Richards & Sons 2 S.J. Lewis & Sons 26 C LEANING CLEANING Ovenbusters 6 EELECTRICAL LECTRICAL S ERVICES SERVICES Shurmer Electrical 26 APPLIANCES FFURNISHING URNISHING & A PPLIANCES Bella’s Interiors 32 Dream Doors 34 Gloucester Carpet Outlet 36 Rapport Interiors 30
Spacemaster 32 G ARDEN S ERVICES SERVICES GARDEN Cheltenham Town Landscaping 26 Cheltenham Trree Services 28 25 Grass Scape 26 Lawn Doc TTV V&A AERIAL ERIAL 1st Choice Aerials 5 W INDOWS, D OORS & WINDOWS, DOORS C ONSERVATORIES CONSERVATORIES 38 AJ Windows 14 & 44 Albany Windows
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C Competition ompetition W Winners inners The TLA Photography winner for the November 2019 cover is Martin Vincent.
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