April16

COTSWOLD

PR EVIEW April 2016

£2.95

THE FINE ART & ANTIQUES ISSUE

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THE CADA FAIR AT BLENHEIM PALACE EXHIBITION OF REMBRANDT ETCHINGS PERIOD FURNITURE RE-UPHOLSTERY

SPECIAL FEATURES SPRING PROPERTY COMMENT GALLERY OF SCHOOLS’ ART NATURAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS THE COTSWOLDS’ BEST ARTISAN GINS

Cotswold preview APRIL 16 YOUR ESSENTIAL monthly GUIDE TO the cotswolds1

Hendy Curzon.com Town & Country Gardens

to contact us - 01993 886915 the Design Barns, Bolton’s Lane, Oxfordshire info@hendycurzon.co.uk

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APRIL 16 Cotswold preview

welcome …to the April issue of Cotswold Preview.

We were tempted to emblazon this month’s cover with “The Finer Things in Life”.

In the end, we opted for “The Fine Art & Antiques Issue” – which certainly reflects the weighting of our content towards these two topics. However, the former banner perhaps better sums up our intention in this issue: to highlight an approach to life which favours quality over quantity. For example, in a world of mass production, items which have been made with great care, by hand, have a special resonance.

Our selection ranges from exquisite etchings by Rembrandt (on display at The John Davies Gallery in Moreton-in-Marsh from Saturday 16 April) and beautifully crafted furniture and ‘objets’ that have stood the test of time (at the CADA Fair at Blenheim Palace from Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 April) to small batch, artisan gins made here in the Cotswolds (see our feature In Good Spirits).

We also love the distinctive Cotswold scenes painted by artist John Hammond, including the one we have chosen as this month’s cover picture. You can view Hammond’s most recent collection in a solo exhibition at John Noott Galleries at Broadway Modern, in Broadway, from Saturday 9 to Sunday 24 April.

Continuing our underlying theme, this issue also features profiles of entrepreneurs and business owners, a Head Master, a chef and a Heritage Officer – all of whom are linked by their impressive attention to detail and focus on quality.

We salute their dedication.

We wish you all an inspiring April…

The Cotswold Preview team Spring 2016 PROPERTY comment

food & drink feature… IN GOOD SPIRITS

In good

Spirits

Gin is currently enjoying a global revival similar to that of craft beer, with specialist distillers creating unique combinations of botanicals with which to flavour their spirits. Here, we explore the Cotswold based distillers who are setting new standards of excellence with their small batch, artisanal gins…

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Widely seen as the most sophisticated type of white spirit, gin was long associated with older drinkers. However, with a ’gin revival’ well under way, the younger generation is now also turning to gin as a drink of choice. This, combined with the emergence of high quality, artisanal gins, has given the spirit something of a dynamic new image.

Juniper-steeped spirits have been used for medicinal purposes since the early Middle Ages but the Dutch were the first to drink them recreationally in any great volume. They produced a drink called Genever, which was the precursor to gin.

We can thank the first Earl of Leicester, Robert Dudley (a Warwickshire resident) for indirectly bringing gin over to England. Dudley was a strong supporter of the Protestant cause, so much so that when the Dutch rebelled against the Spanish Habsburg rule in 1585, he led the English campaign to the Netherlands. Dudley failed in his military role but he did send his men home with a taste for Genever.

At this time, English distillers were starting to dabble with Juniper as a flavouring for spirits and were selling it in ’Strong Water’ shops. By 1600, there were 200 of these in London alone.

Fast forward to the present day and gin’s place in the panoply of British drinks is firmly entrenched.

Particularly since the drink’s revival, many specialist distillers produce their own niche bottlings, with each one’s recipe of botanicals a strictly guarded secret. It is these subtleties of flavour combinations that make each gin so unique.

In the Cotswolds, one of the best known artisanal gins is the aptly named Cotswolds Dry Gin, which is widely available across the region. It is produced by The Cotswolds Distillery, in Stourton, a company set up by Daniel Szor to produce world-class, small batch whisky, gin and other spirits. Having put together an experienced and hugely passionate team, Daniel is now focussed

Cotswold preview APRIL 16

The Cotswold Distillery

on producing high quality spirits using traditional distilling methods and locally sourced ingredients.

Before launching its first gin, The Cotswolds Distillery team meticulously went through the process of bottling every conceivable botanical with which the spirit could be flavoured. An expert botanist was brought in at the start to help in the search for more unusual Cotswolds botanicals.

Resulting from this process, the distillery now boasts an entire library of botanicals, lined up in its gin blending room – otherwise known as ’the lab’.

For gin production, the distillery uses a bespoke copper Holstein still which is run very slowly to achieve maximum intensity and depth of flavour. Having tried and tested a huge number of botanicals combinations, the team hit on a recipe using nine botanicals to produce a London dry style gin with a unique Cotswolds twist: hence the name Cotswolds Dry Gin. The botanicals – juniper, coriander, angelica root, Cotswolds lavender and bay leaf, grapefruit, lime, black pepper and cardamom seed – result in a classic, well-balanced gin with notes of crisp citrus and spice. Due to the quantity and volume of botanicals used in its production, Cotswold Dry Gin is unusually aromatic and characterful. It is 80 delicious on its own and over ice, but also robust enough to stand up to tonic and smooth enough to craft a mean gin martini.

On the following pages, our invited panel of the Cotswolds’ leading property experts present their professional opinions of the current market and share some of their agencies’ newest listings…

St Marys in Chalford: guide price £1,500,000, available through Savills, Cirencester

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Cover image: Reflections, Cirencester by John Hammond. This painting is among those by the artist in this month’s solo exhibition at John Noott Galleries at Broadway Modern: 01386 858969 / WR12 7AA / john-noott.com

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CONTENTS APRIL 16

in this issue...

106 what’s on

100

12

april diary

47

what’s on features

56

exhibition in the spotlight

58

april listings

78

highlighted charity event

property & home 80

property comment

88

highlighted properties

98

editor’s choice: interiors

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interiors feature: back to the future

106 garden design tips:

dividing and buying perennials

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ANTIQUES AT HERITAGE 6 MARKET PLACE

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WOODSTOCK

Exhibiting at THE COTSWOLDS ART & ANTIQUES DEALERS' ASSOCIATION FAIR

WOODSTOCK, OXFORDSHIRE OX20 1PP

21ST HAMPTON ANTIQUES

- 24TH APRIL 2016 10am - 5.30pm

CATHERINE HUNT ORIENTAL CERAMICS JOHN HOWARD

HALL-BAKKER DECORATIVE ARTS

ANTIQUES AT HERITAGE MON TO SAT 10AM TO 5PM SUN 1PM - 5PM

T: 01993 811332

www.woodstockheritage.com

For complimentary tickets to the fair visit the shop or download at www.thecada.org

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ANDREW REEVE ANTIQUES

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CONTENTS APRIL 16

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family matters 112 school reports 114 school profile: King’s High School for Girls, Warwick 117 family matters feature: mastering the art 124 books recommended by… Octavia’s Bookshop

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style & lifestyle 128 editor’s choice: fashion & beauty 130 health & beauty feature: natural beauty 138 retail feature: Cotswold Trading 140 editor’s choice: food & drink 142 food & drink feature: in good spirits 148 chef profile: Miles Thwaites 150 inn profile: The New Inn, Coln St Aldwyns 152 the Preview interview: Jo Baker 156 specialist business profile: ATC Floors & Doors 159 venue of the month:

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Temple Guiting Manor & Barns

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3 –19 June 2016 Art Workshops Tony Allain, Gary Long, Roger Dellar, & demonstrAtions Deb Walker, Alex James Lecture series

Sir Roy Strong & John Julius Norwich David Haycock, Richard Ormond

recitALs & concerts Voces8 workshop & concert, the Severn

Trio, ‘Come & Sing’ Workshop Patrick Lichfield Photographs, Competition Exhibition, WWI & WWII

Tony Allain, Team Blue

exhibitions

FuLL progrAmme detAiLs At

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Editor’s Choice… INTERIORS

Cotswold

PREVIEW

Lorfords Antiques is one of the UK’s top destinations for interior designers and discerning private buyers looking for decorative antiques: stock spans 18th century pieces through to 20th century design. Lorfords has been trading in Tetbury since 2003 and more recently opened two additional show spaces in hangars at the nearby Babdown Airfield, a former WW2 Air Force base. This spring, further expansion is under way into an extra 7,500 square feet of space. You can find items from specialist dealers such as Lee Wright Antiques, Blank Canvas Antiques, Ark Angel, Hetman Gallery and Original House. Lorfords Antiques at Babdown Airfield: 01666 503970 / GL8 8YL / lorfordsantiques.com

Editor’s Choice

Our selection of design highlights from across the Cotswolds…

Design aficionados should check out interior designer Amanda Hanley’s new showroom in Burford – a great source for stylish home furnishings. Amanda Hanley By Design: 01993 822385 / OX18 4QA / amandahanley.co.uk

Contributing Writer Sally Bult editorial@guidemedia.co.uk Sales Manager, Central & South Cotswolds Lucy Dowie lucy@guidemedia.co.uk Sales Manager, Cheltenham Helen Edwards helen@cotswoldpreview.co.uk

The Stroud Window Company’s timber alternative windows offer the best of both worlds: the traditional designs retain the look and feel of timber whilst offering the benefits of uPVC. The windows are all hand made to order in a range of wood grain foils and colours to suit your property’s architecture: for example, 17th century windows would have been Oak and unpainted whilst 19th century windows were always painted. The Stroud Window Company: 01453 824032 / GL10 3HE / stroudwindows.com

We are big fans of the recently opened Wild Boar in Stroud: the shop stocks an eclectic mix of interior pieces, antiques, art, taxidermy and jewellery. New in is a range of carnival lights, handmade in Birmingham, which include stars and letters in various colours and finishes, all made to order for £275. The owner, Becky Thomas, also sources specific requests as well as fittings for shops and restaurants. Wild Boar: 01453 759123 / GL5 1AJ / wildboarstroud.com

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Natural Beauty

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Sales Manager, Oxfordshire Cotswolds Joanna Bolton jo@cotswoldpreview.co.uk Design & Production Eve Bodniece eve@guidemedia.co.uk Managing Editor & Director Eleanor Chadwick eleanor@guidemedia.co.uk

The skin absorbs small amounts of whatever is put onto it, so it is important to know exactly what goes into beauty products – the ingredients to avoid and those that are naturally effective…

With many thanks to Preview’s Advisory Panel GARDEN DESIGN TIPS

Cotswold Preview is published by:

by Daniel Mogridge Herbfarmacy 130

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Guide Media Ltd. Registered office: 2 Westgate, Shipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire OX7 6DG tel: 01993 833239 www.guidemedia.co.uk A garden designed by Daniel Mogridge

DIVIDING AND BUYING PERENNIALS IN SPRING

Any comments should be directed to the publisher in writing to the above address.

Cotswold Preview is designed to celebrate the best of what’s on and what’s new across the Cotswolds.

We aim to inform and inspire our readers through the highest standards of journalism and design and to work closely with our advertisers to maximise their opportunity for response.

As colour and scent return to our gardens, and with spring in the air and in our step, the lure of new plants can be hard to resist. But before heading to your local garden centre, professional garden designer Daniel Mogridge has some words of advice on how best to divide your own perennials or buy wisely…

Plants can be expensive and new ones are easily lost in a garden on their own, so it’s important to buy wisely or use what you already have. Before setting off for your local garden centre, there are a few considerations well worth making.

Firstly, take a stroll around your garden and remind yourself of what is out there and how it is evolving. Does it have a ‘backbone’? If not, you would do well to consider some good sized shrubs to add structure.

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Also, are there any perennials you can divide? These are, quite literally, free plants.

Remind yourself of which plants were successful last year and which were not. And ask yourself what changes you would like to make, if any, and how you can make them successfully.

The internet has an abundance of images to inspire you. Likewise, magazines are a good source for new looks and ideas. Visit some local parks or open gardens such as Kew, RHS Wisley, Sissinghurst or Hidcote Manor. All the while,

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Mastering the ART

family matters feature… MASTERING THE ART

© All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced without the written permission of Guide Media. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any material supplied for publication or to edit such material prior to publication. All material is sent at the owner’s risk and whilst every care is taken, Guide Media will not accept liability for loss or damage. The opinions expressed in this publication are the views of the individual authors. Guide Media suggests that further guidance is taken before acting on any information given and, in particular, strongly advises viewing any property prior to financial decisions. Cotswold Preview ISSN:2044 9267

Please recycle this magazine when you have finished with it.

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We present a gallery of artwork created by pupils at leading schools across the Cotswolds…

Symbiosis of Animals and Mechanical Forms Sophie Hawthorn, age 14 The Kingsley School

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COTSWOLD PREVIEW READER COMPETITION

win a luxury set of Ila’s organic skin care Organic skin care brand ila is offering Cotswold Preview readers the chance to win this luxurious set of face and body treatments…

Headquartered in Woodstock, West Oxfordshire, ila is well known for its pure, organic skin care.

Meaning ‘Earth’ in Sanskrit, ‘ila’ reflects the belief of the company’s founder, Denise Leicester, that the power of nature is the source of real wellness.

From earth to skin, ila goes to great lengths to maintain the purity of each of its plant and mineral ingredients. The brand philosophy is that the purer the processes used, the purer the end product – and the greater the natural healing energy contained within.

To coincide with our feature this month about natural beauty products (turn to pages 130-136), ila is offering Cotswold Preview readers the chance to win a set of its face and body treatments, worth over £150.

‘Skin Saviour for Glowing Radiance’ (pictured) includes a hydrating and healing trio of ila’s face products, all rich in the purest rose damascene: Cleansing Milk for Natural Beauty, Hydrolat Toner for Hydrating the Skin and Day Cream for Glowing Radiance. The set also includes ila’s Bath Soak, Face Oil for Glowing Radiance and a Rose Quartz Heart.

For the chance to win this fabulous prize, just answer the following question: What does ‘ila’ mean in Sanskrit?

The first name out of our competition hat will be the lucky winner. ila: 01608 677676 / ila-spa.com

To enter this competition: Simply contact us by email or post before the deadline of 30 April 2016 with your answer to the question stated above. Please include your name, address and phone number or email address.

Contact details: eleanor@guidemedia.co.uk / 2 Westgate, High Street, Shipton-under-Wychwood, Oxfordshire, OX7 6DG. Entries are limited to one per family. Guide Media’s competition terms and conditions apply.

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I would like to say a big thank you to the whole team at Cotswold Preview. I received excellent support during my first year of trading and everyone was so friendly and easy to work with. The team is always professional and proactive, with a dedication to going that extra mile to promote local businesses. I can’t say thanks enough, and I look forward to continuing to work with Preview over the coming years.

We would like to say how pleased we are with our advertising in Cotswold Preview magazine. The publication covers the areas which we are keen to advertise in with a quality and content that we feel appeals to our target audience. The service that we have received from Preview’s advertising team has been excellent and we are delighted to have sold items entirely thanks to customers seeing our items featured in the magazine. We couldn’t be happier.

Andrew Jordan

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Andrew Jordan Landscape & Garden Design

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Cotswold Preview provides an essential monthly look at what’s on in and around Cirencester and the Cotswolds. Its size and format makes it very manageable and it always looks tempting to read.

From an advertiser’s point of view, the advertisements are laid out to look far more appealing than the average magazine ad.

Cotswold Preview has been invaluable to me over the last few years. The team have advised and guided me through the maze of marketing and always provided sound advice with a structured, strategic thought process. I would highly recommend them: they are totally professional, always willing to go that extra mile and a delight to deal with. The response to the advertisements has been exceptional and I shall look forward to working with them for many years to come.

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As a reader, Cotswold Preview magazine is always a delight to receive, having a luxurious feel and good quality content. As an advertiser, the distribution network, including into other quality independent businesses, means that the magazine has a wide audience pitched at the right level. The standard of artwork produced is excellent, with each advertisement skilfully put together by Preview’s in-house team.

Amanda Hanley by Design Cotswold Preview is an attractive, informative and high quality magazine with lots of editorial interest. We advertise regularly within its pages, especially to help remind Preview’s readers about our spring and autumn Open Mornings.

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WHAT’S ON DIARY 12 WHAT’S ON FEATURES 47 EXHIBITION IN THE SPOTLIGHT 56 WHAT’S ON LISTINGS 58 HIGHLIGHTED CHARITY EVENT 78 Cotswold preview MARCH 16

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Exhibitions & Auctions

Albion Gallery

Grayson Perry exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath An American Toy Story at American Museum in Britain, Bath Planning for Peace at Museum of Bath Architecture, Bath Sculptors’ Prints and Drawings at Gallery Pangolin, Chalford Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Chris Dunn exhibition at Pound Arts, Corsham The Stations at Gloucester Cathedral Through The Shop Window at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum Robin Furlong & Colin Fraser exhibition at John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon A Weather Eye: Light and Landscape at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth Helen Jones exhibition at Prema, Uley Oxford Art Society exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock

Performing Arts

The John Davies Gallery

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Rehearsal for Murder at Theatre Royal, Bath, 8pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm James Veitch: Dot Con live comedy at Rondo Theatre, Bath, 8pm Beach Boys Band at Chapel Arts Centre, Bath, 7:30pm Single Spies at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Our Town at Everyman Studio Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain at Cheltenham Town Hall, 7:30pm Sweeney Todd at Cheltenham Playhouse, 7:30pm Romesh Ranganathan live comedy at The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 7:45pm The Doors Alive at Gloucester Guildhall, 7:30pm Hamlet at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:15pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm

Events Bath Comedy Festival at venues across Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Spring Flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham IMPRESS’16 Printmaking Festival at venues across the Cotswolds Paella, Cocktails & Superfood Sangria at Aspargasm, Naisworth

April Friday

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*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

MARCH 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON DIARY Exhibitions & Auctions Grayson Perry exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath An American Toy Story at American Museum in Britain, Bath Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Chris Dunn exhibition at Pound Arts, Corsham Through The Shop Window at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum Robin Furlong & Colin Fraser exhibition at John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon A Weather Eye: Light and Landscape at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth Oxford Art Society exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock

The Stour Gallery

Performing Arts Rehearsal for Murder at Theatre Royal, Bath, 8pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm Peter Gill live music at Chapel Arts Centre, Bath, 7:30pm Single Spies at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Our Town at Everyman Studio Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain at Cheltneham Town Hall, 7:30pm Sweeney Todd at Cheltenham Playhouse, 7:30pm Nel at Pound Arts, Corsham, 7:30pm Lunchtime recital at Gloucester Cathedral, 1pm Body Double at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Hamlet at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:15pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Rob Harbron & Emma Reid live music at Prema, Uley, 8pm

Victoria Art Gallery

Events Bath Comedy Festival at venues across Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Arts and Crafts Movement tour at The Wilson, Cheltenham Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Oak and Furrows Wildlife Rescue talk at Corinium Museum, Cirencester IMPRESS’16 Printmaking Festival at venues across the Cotswolds Eric Freeman: A Legend In These Parts film showing at Gloucester Guildhall Concertina Workshop with Rob Harbron at Prema, Uley

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April

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

Cotswold preview MARCH 16

Saturday

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Exhibitions & Auctions

Victoria Art Gallery

Grayson Perry exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath An American Toy Story at American Museum in Britain, Bath Planning for Peace at Museum of Bath Architecture, Bath Impressionism: Capturing Life at Holburne Museum, Bath Saving Bath at No.1 Royal Crescent, Bath Fragile at RUH, Bath Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Cotswold Stars and Stones at The Theatre, Chipping Norton Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester The Stations at Gloucester Cathedral Through The Shop Window at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth Helen Jones exhibition at Prema, Uley Oxford Art Society exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock

Performing Arts Steve Tilston live music at Chapel Arts Centre, Bath, 7:30pm Body Double at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Barbara Dickson live music at Tithe Barn, Bishop’s Cleeve, 7:45pm Virtuosi GUS Band at the Subscription Rooms, Stroud, 3pm And Finally… Phil Collins at Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, 7:30pm

Events Barbara Dickson

3

The Martian film showing at Barnsley House, Barnsley Bath Comedy Festival at venues across Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Cheltenham Horticultural Society Show at Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham The 33 film showing at The Theatre, Chipping Norton IMPRESS’16 Printmaking Festival at venues across the Cotswolds Steam Day Rover at Dean Forest Railway NGS Open Garden at Buckland Lakes, near Faringdon Eric Freeman: A Legend In These Parts film showing at Gloucester Guildhall Bigger Splash film showing at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Tower visit at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Sunday Market at the Subscription Rooms, Stroud

April sunday

16

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

MARCH 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON DIARY Exhibitions & Auctions British Life at Banbury Museum Impressionism: Capturing Life at Holburne Museum, Bath Saving Bath at No.1 Royal Crescent, Bath Fragile at RUH, Bath Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Robbie Chapman exhibition at Gardens Gallery, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Unity & Loyalty at Chippenham Museum A Journey through Leather, Metal & Clay at Gallery @ The Guild, Ch. Campden Cotswold Stars and Stones at The Theatre, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Chris Dunn exhibition at Pound Arts, Corsham Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Robin Furlong & Colin Fraser exhibition at John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Helen Jones exhibition at Prema, Uley

The John Davies Gallery

Performing Arts Single Spies at Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:30pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm New Act comedy night at Komedia, Bath, 8pm Amazing Bubble Man at Cheltenham Town Hall, 2pm Body Double at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm The Railway Children at Swindon Arts Centre, 2:30pm

Events Bath Comedy Festival at venues across Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Big Hero 6 film showing at Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham IMPRESS’16 Printmaking Festival at venues across the Cotswolds Eric Freeman: A Legend In These Parts film showing at Gloucester Guildhall The Big Batsford Chicken Hunt at Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-in-Marsh Canoe Safari at WWT Slimbridge Post Show Talk: Don Quixote at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford town walk starting at Waterside fountain, Stratford-upon-Avon Swindon Fringe Festival at venues across the town

RSC Swan Theatre

4

April

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

Cotswold preview MARCH 16

Monday

17

Exhibitions & Auctions

The John Davies Gallery

The Stour Gallery

Grayson Perry exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath An American Toy Story at American Museum in Britain, Bath Planning for Peace at Museum of Bath Architecture, Bath Impressionism: Capturing Life at Holburne Museum, Bath Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Vintage Fashion auction at Chapel Walk Saleroom, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Chris Dunn exhibition at Pound Arts, Corsham Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Through The Shop Window at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum Robin Furlong & Colin Fraser exhibition at John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth Helen Jones exhibition at Prema, Uley Oxford Art Society exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock

Performing Arts Single Spies at Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:30pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm The Wizard of Oz at Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham, 7pm Lunchtime recital at Cheltenham Town Hall, 1:05pm Stones in His Pockets at The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 7:45pm Body Double at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Hamlet at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:15pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Art meets Music at Stratford ArtsHouse, Stratford-upon-Avon, 2pm

Events

5

Bath Comedy Festival at venues across Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham The Orpheus Mosaic talk at Corinium Museum, Cirencester IMPRESS’16 Printmaking Festival at venues across the Cotswolds Skate Festival at Gloucester Cathedral Bigger Splash film showing at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Tower visit at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

April

Tuesday

18

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

MARCH 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON DIARY Exhibitions & Auctions Grayson Perry exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Through The Shop Window at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum Robin Furlong & Colin Fraser exhibition at John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud A Weather Eye: Light and Landscape at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth Helen Jones exhibition at Prema, Uley Oxford Art Society exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock

Albion Gallery

Performing Arts Single Spies at Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:30pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm The Card Ninja live comedy at Rondo Theatre, Bath, 8pm The Wizard of Oz at Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham, 7pm Hetty Feather at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7pm Bed Time at Everyman Studio Theatre, Cheltenham, 2pm Stones in His Pockets at The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 7:45pm Giselle ROH live screening at Gloucester Guildhall, 7pm Body Double at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Hamlet at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:15pm Doctor Faustus at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm

Barnsley House

Events The Intern film showing at Barnsley House, Barnsley Bath Comedy Festival at venues across Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Gordon Buchanan talk at Cheltenham Town Hall Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham IMPRESS’16 Printmaking Festival at venues across the Cotswolds Steam Day Rover at Dean Forest Railway Skate Festival at Gloucester Cathedral Beautiful Blossoms at Lydiard Park, Swindon Spring has Sprung at Charlecote Park, near Wellesbourne

6

April

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

Cotswold preview MARCH 16

wednesday

19

Exhibitions & Auctions

Albion Gallery

Grayson Perry exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Through The Shop Window at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum Robin Furlong & Colin Fraser exhibition at John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud A Weather Eye: Light and Landscape at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth Helen Jones exhibition at Prema, Uley Oxford Art Society exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock

Performing Arts

Gloucester Guildhall

Single Spies at Theatre Royal, Bath, 8pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm The Wizard of Oz at Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham, 7pm Hetty Feather at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7pm Bed Time at Everyman Studio Theatre, Cheltenham, 2pm Reel Rhythm at Cheltenham Playhouse, 7:45pm Stones in His Pockets at The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 7:45pm Great Scott! at Pound Arts, Corsham, 7:30pm Simon Evans live comedy at Gloucester Guildhall, 7:30pm Body Double at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Hamlet at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:15pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm

Events

7

Bath Comedy Festival at venues across Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Arts and Crafts Movement tour at The Wilson, Cheltenham Specialist tour: Censorinus at Chedworth Roman Villa, near Cheltenham Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Ceramics Drop-in workshop at New Brewery Arts, Cirencester IMPRESS’16 Printmaking Festival at venues across the Cotswolds Skate Festival at Gloucester Cathedral Spring has Sprung at Charlecote Park, near Wellesbourne

April

thursday

20

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

MARCH 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON DIARY Exhibitions & Auctions Grayson Perry exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Through The Shop Window at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum Robin Furlong & Colin Fraser exhibition at John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud A Weather Eye: Light and Landscape at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth Helen Jones exhibition at Prema, Uley Oxford Art Society exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock

The John Davies Gallery

Performing Arts Single Spies at Theatre Royal, Bath, 8pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm Hannah Johnson live music at Chapel Arts Centre, Bath, 7:30pm Simon & Garfunkel at Cheltenham Town Hall, 7:30pm The Wizard of Oz at Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham, 7pm Hetty Feather at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 5:30pm Bed Time at Everyman Studio Theatre, Cheltenham, 2pm Reel Rhythm at Cheltenham Playhouse, 7:45pm Stones in His Pockets at The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 7:45pm Great Scott! at Pound Arts, Corsham, 7:30pm Alexei Sayle live comedy at Gloucester Guildhall, 7:30pm Body Double at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Hamlet at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:15pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm

The Stour Gallery

Events Bath Comedy Festival at venues across Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Tiara Making workshop at New Brewery Arts, Cirencester IMPRESS’16 Printmaking Festival at venues across the Cotswolds Marguerite film showing at Gloucester Guildhall Martin Wainwright talk at Wootton Village Hall, Wootton-by-Woodstock

8

April *For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

Cotswold preview MARCH 16

friday

21

Exhibitions & Auctions Grayson Perry exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath John Hammond exhibition at John Noott Galleries, Broadway Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Through The Shop Window at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum Robin Furlong & Colin Fraser exhibition at John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud A Weather Eye: Light and Landscape at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth Helen Jones exhibition at Prema, Uley Oxford Art Society exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock Octavia’s Bookshop

Victoria Art Gallery

Performing Arts Single Spies at Theatre Royal, Bath, 8pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm A Big Sing at Cheltenham Town Hall, 7pm Hetty Feather at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7pm Reel Rhythm at Cheltenham Playhouse, 7:45pm Stones in His Pockets at The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 7:45pm Great Scott! at Pound Arts, Corsham, 7:30pm Moonlight and Magnolias at Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa, 7:30pm Body Double at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Hamlet at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:15pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 1:30pm Doctor Faustus at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm

Events

9

Bath Comedy Festival at venues across Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Needle Felted Butterflies and Bees workshop at American Museum, Bath Guided tour at The Wilson, Cheltenham Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Night Night, My Little Tiger book launch at Octavia’s Bookshop, Cirencester IMPRESS’16 Printmaking Festival at venues across the Cotswolds Spring Festival at Dean Heritage Centre, Forest of Dean

April

saturday

22

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

MARCH 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON DIARY Exhibitions & Auctions Grayson Perry exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Impressionism: Capturing Life at Holburne Museum, Bath Saving Bath at No.1 Royal Crescent, Bath John Hammond exhibition at John Noott Galleries, Broadway Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Through The Shop Window at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth Helen Jones exhibition at Prema, Uley Oxford Art Society exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock

Performing Arts The Railsplitters live music at American Museum, Bath, 2pm The Solid Silver 60s Show at Cheltenham Town Hall, 7:30pm Hetty Feather at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 5:30pm Great Scott! at Pound Arts, Corsham, 7:30pm Moonlight and Magnolias at Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa, 5pm Martin Turner live music at Tithe Barn, Bishop’s Cleeve, 7:45pm

Fosse Gallery

John Noott Galleries

Events Bath Comedy Festival at venues across Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Andoversford Races at Cotswold Kennels, near Cheltenham Day of Comedy, Literature, Jazz & Soul at Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham WWII Operational Base open afternoon at Buscot Estate, Coleshill IMPRESS’16 Printmaking Festival at venues across the Cotswolds Steam Day Rover at Dean Forest Railway Spring Festival at Dean Heritage Centre, Forest of Dean The Antique and Collectors Fair at British Motor Museum, Gaydon Disorder film showing at Gloucester Guildhall NGS Open Gardens at Stretton-on-Fosse, near Moreton-in-Marsh Tower visit at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

10 April

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

Cotswold preview MARCH 16

sunday

23

Exhibitions & Auctions

John Noott Galleries

British Life at Banbury Museum Impressionism: Capturing Life at Holburne Museum, Bath Only a Free Individual Can Create a Free Society at ICIA, Bath Saving Bath at No.1 Royal Crescent, Bath Fragile at RUH, Bath John Hammond exhibition at John Noott Galleries, Broadway Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham The Wilson at Gardens Gallery, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Unity & Loyalty at Chippenham Museum A Journey through Leather, Metal & Clay at Gallery @ The Guild, Ch. Campden Cotswold Stars and Stones at The Theatre, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Chris Dunn exhibition at Pound Arts, Corsham Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral llumination at ACP Gallery, Painswick Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon

Performing Arts RSC Swan Theatre

Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm Unheard at Komedia Presents… at Komedia, Bath, 8pm Stones in His Pockets at The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 7:45pm Doctor Faustus at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm

Events

11

Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Lemur feeding talk at Cotswold Wildlife Park, near Burford Spring Flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham NGS Open Garden at Kiftsgate Court, near Chipping Campden Cirencester Hare Festival in Cirencester IMPRESS’16 Printmaking Festival at venues across the Cotswolds Disorder film showing at Gloucester Guildhall Spotlight film showing at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Deadly Safari at Longleat House and Gardens Canoe Safari at WWT Slimbridge Tower visit at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford town walk starting at Waterside fountain, Stratford-upon-Avon

April

monday

24

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

MARCH 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON DIARY Exhibitions & Auctions WWI Recruiting Posters at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath An American Toy Story at American Museum in Britain, Bath Planning for Peace at Museum of Bath Architecture, Bath Impressionism: Capturing Life at Holburne Museum, Bath John Hammond exhibition at John Noott Galleries, Broadway Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Chris Dunn exhibition at Pound Arts, Corsham Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Through The Shop Window at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth Oxford Art Society exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock

The Stour Gallery

Performing Arts The Herbal Bed at Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:30pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm Lunchtime recital at Holburne Museum, Bath, 1:10pm Lunchtime recital at Cheltenham Town Hall, 1:05pm Pia de’Tolomei at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:30pm Stones in His Pockets at The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 7:45pm I am Joan at Sundial Theatre, Cirencester, 7:30pm Moonlight and Magnolias at Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa, 7:30pm Singin’ In The Rain at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, 7:30pm Hamlet at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:15pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Tamsin Waley-Cohen plays Tchaikovsky at Stratford ArtsHouse, 8pm

Events Open Gardens Day at Barnsley House & Gardens, Barnsley Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Specialist tour: Mosaics at Chedworth Roman Villa, near Cheltenham Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Disorder film showing at Gloucester Guildhall Tower visit at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford ArtsHouse

12 April

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

Cotswold preview MARCH 16

tuesday

25

Exhibitions & Auctions

Dyrham Park

Waterperry Gardens

An American Toy Story at American Museum in Britain, Bath WWI Recruiting Posters at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath John Hammond exhibition at John Noott Galleries, Broadway Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Chris Dunn exhibition at Pound Arts, Corsham Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Through The Shop Window at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth Oxford Art Society exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock

Performing Arts The Herbal Bed at Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:30pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm Arrival – The Hits of Abba at Cheltenham Town Hall, 7:30pm Don Giovanni at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:30pm Stones in His Pockets at The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 7:45pm Moonlight and Magnolias at Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa, 7:30pm Singin’ In The Rain at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, 7:30pm Private Lives at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Hamlet at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:15pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm

Events

13

Spectre film showing at Barnsley House, Barnsley Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Steam Day Rover at Dean Forest Railway Disorder film showing at Gloucester Guildhall Tower visit at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Japanese Paper Art workshop at Nature In Art, Twigworth Botany for Beginners day course at Waterperry Gardens, near Wheatley Charlecote Library book talk at Charlecote Park, near Wellesbourne

April

wednesday

26

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

MARCH 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON DIARY Exhibitions & Auctions John Hammond exhibition at John Noott Galleries, Broadway Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Chris Dunn exhibition at Pound Arts, Corsham Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Through The Shop Window at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth Oxford Art Society exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock

John Noott Galleries

Performing Arts The Herbal Bed at Theatre Royal, Bath, 8pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm Northern Harmony live music at American Museum, Bath, 7:30pm Roy Chubby Brown live comedy at Cheltenham Town Hall, 7:30pm Tamsin Waley-Cohen & Huw Watkins concert at Pittville Pump Room, 7:30pm Don Giovanni at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:30pm Stones in His Pockets at The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 7:45pm Mark Watson live comedy at Gloucester Guildhall, 7:30pm Moonlight and Magnolias at Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa, 7:30pm Singin’ In The Rain at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, 7:30pm Private Lives at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Hamlet at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:15pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm

Pound Arts

Events Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Specialist tour: Discovery at Chedworth Roman Villa, near Cheltenham Guided tour at The Wilson, Cheltenham Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Ceramics drop-in workshop at New Brewery Arts, Cirencester Macbeth film showing at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Spectre film showing at Pound Arts, Corsham Disorder film showing at Gloucester Guildhall Tower visit at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

14 April

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

Cotswold preview MARCH 16

thursday

27

Exhibitions & Auctions John Hammond exhibition at John Noott Galleries, Broadway Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Antiques & Interiors auction at Bingham Hall, Cirencester Chris Dunn exhibition at Pound Arts, Corsham Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth Oxford Art Society exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock

Pound Arts

Performing Arts John Noott Galleries

15

The Herbal Bed at Theatre Royal, Bath, 8pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm The People’s String Foundation live music at Chapel Arts Centre, Bath, 7:30pm The All Star Stand-up Tour at Cheltenham Town Hall, 8pm Iphigenie en Tauride at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:30pm Shakespeare’s Will at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Elvis vs Jerry Lee Lewis: Rematch at Cheltenham Playhouse, 7:45pm Stones in His Pockets at The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 7:45pm Kelly Oliver live music at Pound Arts, Corsham, 7:30pm Dr John Cooper Clarke live music at Gloucester Guildhall, 7:30pm Moonlight and Magnolias at Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa, 7:30pm Singin’ In The Rain at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, 7:30pm Private Lives at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Hamlet at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:15pm Doctor Faustus at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Tortoise in a Nutshell in Feral at Prema, Uley, 8pm

Events Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Northern Harmony singing workshop at American Museum, Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Hail Ceasar film showing at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Tower visit at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

April friday

28

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

MARCH 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON DIARY Exhibitions & Auctions John Hammond exhibition at John Noott Galleries, Broadway Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Rembrandt Etchings at The John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth Oxford Art Society exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock

The John Davies Gallery

Performing Arts The Herbal Bed at Theatre Royal, Bath, 8pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm The Simon and Garfunkel Story at Chapel Arts Centre, Bath, 7:30pm Spring Ball at Cheltenham Town Hall, 8pm Don Giovanni at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:30pm Shakespeare’s Will at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Stones in His Pockets at The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 7:45pm Bad Guys at Pound Arts, Corsham, 2pm Moonlight and Magnolias at Loft Theatre, Leamington Spa, 7:30pm Singin’ In The Rain at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, 7:30pm Private Lives at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Hamlet at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:15pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Doctor Faustus at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 1:30pm

Fosse Gallery

Events Daffodil Society National Show at Coughton Court, Alcester Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Arts and Crafts Movement tour at The Wilson, Cheltenham Specialist tour: Bacchus at Chedworth Roman Villa, near Cheltenham Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Cars Through the Lens workshop at British Motor Museum, Gaydon Hail Ceasar film showing at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Heythrop Team Chase at Langston Farm, Little Compton

16 April

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

Cotswold preview MARCH 16

saturday

29

Exhibitions & Auctions

Prescott Bike Festival

An American Toy Story at American Museum in Britain, Bath Planning for Peace at Museum of Bath Architecture, Bath Impressionism: Capturing Life at Holburne Museum, Bath Saving Bath at No.1 Royal Crescent, Bath John Hammond exhibition at John Noott Galleries, Broadway Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Cotswold Stars and Stones at The Theatre, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth Oxford Art Society exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock

Performing Arts

Mari Wilson

Vienna Festival Ballet: Swan Lake at Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham, 5pm Fire Springs live music at St Philip and St James Church, Cheltenham, 2:30pm Cheltenham Philharmonic Orchestra at Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham, 3pm Grimethorpe Colliery Band at Cheltenham Town Hall, 3pm Roy Orbison Story at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7pm Mari Wilson live music at Tithe Barn, Bishop’s Cleeve, 7:45pm Arthur Smith & Guests live comedy at the Subscription Rooms, Stroud, 8pm

Events

17

Daffodil Society National Show at Coughton Court, Alcester Carol film showing at Barnsley House Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath World Heritage Day at No.1 Royal Crescent, Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Specialist tour: archaeology at Chedworth Roman Villa, near Cheltenham Prescott Bike Festival at Prescott Hill Climb, near Cheltenham Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Truth film showing at The Theatre, Chipping Norton Steam & Diesel Multiple Unit Day Rover at Dean Forest Railway Fritillary Sunday in Ducklington Hail Ceasar film showing at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa NGS Open Garden at Upton Wold, Moreton-in-Marsh Fixtures at Stratford Racecourse, Stratford-upon-Avon Tower visit at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

April sunday

30

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

MARCH 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON DIARY Exhibitions & Auctions British Life at Banbury Museum Impressionism: Capturing Life at Holburne Museum, Bath Saving Bath at No.1 Royal Crescent, Bath Fragile at RUH, Bath John Hammond exhibition at John Noott Galleries, Broadway Nature of the Beast at Gallery Pangolin, Chalford Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Cotswold Stars and Stones at The Theatre, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Chris Dunn exhibition at Pound Arts, Corsham Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Rembrandt Etchings at The John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon

Gallery Pangolin

Performing Arts Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm Swing at The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 7:45pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm

Events Bath in Fashion at venues across Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Knife Skills and Carving with Jenny Chandler at Bertinet Kitchen, Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Wine Tasting: Prize winning wines at Chapel Arts Centre, Bath Jasleen Kandhari talk at St. George’s Hall, Blockley Tea Dance at Cheltenham Town Hall Spring Flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham 42nd Street film showing at The Theatre, Chipping Norton Gilding for Painters & Calligraphers workshop at New Brewery Arts, Cirencester NGS Open Garden at The Old Rectory, Duntisbourne Rouse, Cirencester Hail Ceasar film showing at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Canoe Safari at WWT Slimbridge Tower visit at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford town walk starting at Waterside fountain, Stratford-upon-Avon Photography workshop with Steve Russell at Calcot Manor, Tetbury Needle Felt Narratives – Animal with Wire Armature at Prema, Uley

Bath in Fashion

18 April

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

Cotswold preview MARCH 16

monday

31

Exhibitions & Auctions

Bath in Fashion

British Life at Banbury Museum Jeremiah Goodman exhibition at American Museum in Britain, Bath Planning for Peace at Museum of Bath Architecture, Bath Impressionism: Capturing Life at Holburne Museum, Bath John Hammond exhibition at John Noott Galleries, Broadway Nature of the Beast at Gallery Pangolin, Chalford Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Cotswold Stars and Stones at The Theatre, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Chris Dunn exhibition at Pound Arts, Corsham Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Rembrandt Etchings at The John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth

Performing Arts

Cheltenham Town Hall

Stomp at Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:30pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm Lunchtime recital at Cheltenham Town Hall, 1:05pm The Merry Wives at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Kathryn Tickell & The Side live music at The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 7:45pm Shakespeare 400 Gala at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon, 6pm Doctor Faustus at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm The Sentence at the Subscription Rooms, Stroud, 8pm

Events

19

Bath in Fashion at venues across Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Second World War walk at Buscot Estate, Coleshill Vincent Van Gogh, a New Way of Seeing film showing at Pound Arts, Corsham Far from the Madding Crowd film showing at Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham Hail Caesar film showing at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Tower visit at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Angela Thompson talk at Nature in Art, Twigworth

April

tuesday

32

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

MARCH 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON DIARY Exhibitions & Auctions British Life at Banbury Museum Jeremiah Goodman exhibition at American Museum in Britain, Bath Planning for Peace at Museum of Bath Architecture, Bath Impressionism: Capturing Life at Holburne Museum, Bath John Hammond exhibition at John Noott Galleries, Broadway Nature of the Beast at Gallery Pangolin, Chalford Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Chris Dunn exhibition at Pound Arts, Corsham Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Rembrandt Etchings at The John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud Eileen Cooper RA exhibition at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth

American Museum in Britain

Performing Arts Stomp at Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:30pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm The Merry Wives at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Karen Teed live music at Everyman Studio Theatre, Cheltenham, 8pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Doctor Faustus at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 1:30pm A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody at Arc Theatre, Trowbridge, 7:30pm

John Noott Galleries

Events Jigsaw Festival at Coughton Court, Alcester Burnt film showing at Barnsley House, Barnsley Bath in Fashion at venues across Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Cara Romero: New Native Art talk at American Museum, Bath Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Steam Day Rover at Dean Forest Railway Strike a Light Festival at venues across Gloucester Professor Robert Winston: Modifying Humans talk at Royal Spa Centre Tower visit at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

20 April

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

Cotswold preview MARCH 16

wednesday

33

Exhibitions & Auctions

The CADA Fair at Blenheim Palace

Impressionism: Capturing Life at Holburne Museum, Bath Jeremiah Goodman exhibition at American Museum in Britain, Bath John Hammond exhibition at John Noott Galleries, Broadway Nature of the Beast at Gallery Pangolin, Chalford Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Rembrandt Etchings at The John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud Eileen Cooper RA exhibition at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth

Performing Arts Stomp at Theatre Royal, Bath, 8pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm Keith James live music at Chapel Arts Centre, Bath, 7:30pm The Merry Wives at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Wizz Jones live music at Everyman Studio Theatre, Cheltenham, 8pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody at Arc Theatre, Trowbridge, 7:30pm American Museum in Britain

21

Events Jigsaw Festival at Coughton Court, Alcester Meet-the-Gardener Lunch & Tour with Richard Gatenby at Barnsley House Bath in Fashion at venues across Bath Regarding Renoir: A Personal View talk at Holburne Museum, Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Cheltenham Women – Forcing Change? talk at The Wilson, Cheltenham Specialist tour: conservation at Chedworth Roman Villa, near Cheltenham Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Chipping Norton Literary Festival Mud, Myths & Murder talk at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Henry III – the Boy King, talk by Tim Porter at Gloucester Cathedral Strike a Light Festival at venues across Gloucester The CADA Fair at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock

April

thursday

34

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

MARCH 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON DIARY Exhibitions & Auctions Impressionism: Capturing Life at Holburne Museum, Bath Jeremiah Goodman exhibition at American Museum in Britain, Bath John Hammond exhibition at John Noott Galleries, Broadway Nature of the Beast at Gallery Pangolin, Chalford Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Chris Dunn exhibition at Pound Arts, Corsham Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Rembrandt Etchings at The John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold Eileen Cooper RA exhibition at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth

Bath in Fashion

Gallery Pangolin

Performing Arts Stomp at Theatre Royal, Bath, 8pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm Tankus the Henge live music at Chapel Arts Centre, Bath, 7:30pm The Tallis Scholars at Cheltenham College Chapel, 7:30pm The Merry Wives at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Micah P Hinson live music at Everyman Studio Theatre, Cheltenham, 8pm The Music of Ivor Novello at Pittville Pump Room, 7:30pm Ex Cathedra concert at Holly Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody at Arc Theatre, Trowbridge, 7:30pm

Events Jigsaw Festival at Coughton Court, Alcester Bath in Fashion at venues across Bath Diego Romero: New Native Art talk at American Museum, Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Silk Painting for Beginners workshop at New Brewery Arts, Cirencester Chipping Norton Literary Festival Strike a Light Festival at venues across Gloucester The CADA Fair at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock Wotton Arts Festival, Wotton-under-Edge

22 April

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

Cotswold preview MARCH 16

friday

35

Exhibitions & Auctions

Bath in Fashion

Bath Society of Artists 111th Annual exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Impressionism: Capturing Life at Holburne Museum, Bath Jeremiah Goodman exhibition at American Museum in Britain, Bath John Hammond exhibition at John Noott Galleries, Broadway Nature of the Beast at Gallery Pangolin, Chalford Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Animal Best of Children’s Book Illustrations at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Rembrandt Etchings at The John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud Eileen Cooper RA exhibition at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth

Performing Arts

John Noott Galleries

Stomp at Theatre Royal, Bath, 8pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm An Evening with Groucho at Chapel Arts Centre, Bath, 7:30pm The Mersey Beatles at Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham, 8pm Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Cheltenham Town Hall, 7:30pm Tom Donald live music at Christ Church, Cheltenham, 8pm The Merry Wives at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 2pm Into the Breach at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody at Arc Theatre, Trowbridge, 7:30pm

Events

23

Jigsaw Festival at Coughton Court, Alcester Bath in Fashion at venues across Bath Traditional Ash Basketry workshop at American Museum, Bath Guided tour at The Wilson, Cheltenham Chipping Norton Literary Festival Strike a Light Festival at venues across Gloucester The Holistic Chef Jamie Raftery at Aspargasm, Naisworth Shakespeare’s Birthday celebrations in Stratford-upon-Avon The CADA Fair at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock Wotton Arts Festival, Wotton-under-Edge

April

saturday

36

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

MARCH 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON DIARY Exhibitions & Auctions Bath Society of Artists 111th Annual exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Jeremiah Goodman exhibition at American Museum in Britain, Bath Planning for Peace at Museum of Bath Architecture, Bath Impressionism: Capturing Life at Holburne Museum, Bath Saving Bath at No.1 Royal Crescent, Bath John Hammond exhibition at John Noott Galleries, Broadway Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Animal Best of Children’s Book Illustrations at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth 21st century Group exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock

Performing Arts

The CADA Fair at Blenhaim Palace

Stomp at Theatre Royal, Bath, 2:30pm Sonnet Rap Marathon at Shakespeare Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, 11am The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark at Arc Theatre, Trowbridge, 2pm

Events Jigsaw Festival at Coughton Court, Alcester A Walk in the Woods film showing at Barnsley House, Barnsley Bath in Fashion at venues across Bath Foraging walk at Prior Park, Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath NGS Open Garden at Blockley Gardens, Blockley Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Traditional Ash Basketry workshop at American Museum, Bath Major-General Andy Salmon talk at Christ Church, Cheltenham Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Chipping Norton Literary Festival Steam Day Rover at Dean Forest Railway Strike a Light Festival at venues across Gloucester The Holistic Chef Jamie Raftery at Aspargasm, Naisworth Shakespeare Marathon and Half Marathon, Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival Tower visit at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon The CADA Fair at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock Wotton Arts Festival, Wotton-under-Edge

Albion Gallery

24 April

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

Cotswold preview MARCH 16

sunday

37

Exhibitions & Auctions British Life at Banbury Museum Impressionism: Capturing Life at Holburne Museum, Bath Nature of the Beast at Gallery Pangolin, Chalford Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Nikki Seville exhibition at Gardens Gallery, Cheltenham Recent Encounters at Gallery @ The Guild, Chipping Campden Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Rembrandt Etchings at The John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon

Performing Arts Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival

Stratford-upon-Avon

Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm The Open Mic Night at Komedia, Bath, 7:30pm Lucia Di Lammermoor at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, 7:15pm The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark at Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham, 10:30am Rehearsal for Murder at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Lucia Di Lammermoor live screening at The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 7:15pm Sister Act at Dursley Operatic & Dramatic Society, Dursley, 7:30pm Lucia Di Lammermoor ROH live screening at Gloucester Guildhall, 7pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm

Events

25

An Introduction to Bread Making cookery course at Bertinet Kitchen, Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Wild Garlic walk at Prior Park, Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Furniture Painting workshop at New Brewery Arts, Cirencester Strike a Light Festival at venues across Gloucester Deadly Safari at Longleat House and Gardens Canoe Safari at WWT Slimbridge Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival Tower visit at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford town walk starting at Waterside fountain, Stratford-upon-Avon Railway Town film showing at Wyvern Theatre, Swindon Containers & Hanging Baskets workshop at Waterperry Gardens, Wheatley Wotton Arts Festival, Wotton-under-Edge

April

monday

38

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

MARCH 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON DIARY Exhibitions & Auctions British Life at Banbury Museum Bath Society of Artists 111th Annual exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Jeremiah Goodman exhibition at American Museum in Britain, Bath Planning for Peace at Museum of Bath Architecture, Bath Impressionism: Capturing Life at Holburne Museum, Bath Nature of the Beast at Gallery Pangolin, Chalford Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Rembrandt Etchings at The John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Melting Point at Nature in Art, Twigworth 21st century Group exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock

American Museum in Britain

Performing Arts Goodnight Mister Tom at Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:30pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm Lunchtime recital at Cheltenham Town Hall, 1:05pm Rehearsal for Murder at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Lost the Plot at Everyman Studio Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Mapdance at Sundial Theatre, Cirencester, 7:30pm Sister Act at Dursley Operatic & Dramatic Society, Dursley, 7:30pm Doctor Faustus at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm

Royal Spa Centre

Events Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Wild Garlic walk at Prior Park, Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Lady in the Van film showing at Pound Arts, Corsham Strike a Light Festival at venues across Gloucester Marguerite film showing at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Canoe Safari at WWT Slimbridge Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival Tower visit at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Stratford town walk starting at Waterside fountain, Stratford-upon-Avon An evening with David Starkey at Wyvern Theatre, Swindon Wotton Arts Festival, Wotton-under-Edge

26 April

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

Cotswold preview MARCH 16

tuesday

39

Exhibitions & Auctions

American Museum in Britain

Bath Society of Artists 111th Annual exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Jeremiah Goodman exhibition at American Museum in Britain, Bath Nature of the Beast at Gallery Pangolin, Chalford Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Rembrandt Etchings at The John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Eileen Cooper RA exhibition at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery Melting Point at Nature in Art, Twigworth

Performing Arts

RSC Swan Theatre

Howlers at the Hall at Cheltenham Town Hall, 8:30pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm Goodnight Mister Tom at Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:30pm Rehearsal for Murder at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Lost the Plot at Everyman Studio Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Sister Act at Dursley Operatic & Dramatic Society, Dursley, 7:30pm Henry V at Gloucester Cathedral, 7:30pm An Evening with the Rubettes at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, 7:30pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Doctor Faustus at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 1:30pm

Events

27

Brooklyn film showing at Barnsley House, Barnsley Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Wild Garlic walk at Prior Park, Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Cheltenham Jazz Festival Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Lady in the Van film showing at Pound Arts, Corsham Steam Day Rover at Dean Forest Railway Strike a Light Festival at venues across Gloucester Marguerite film showing at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival Charlecote Library Book talk at Charlecote Park, near Wellesbourne Wotton Arts Festival, Wotton-under-Edge

April

wednesday

40

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

MARCH 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON DIARY Exhibitions & Auctions Bath Society of Artists 111th Annual exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Jeremiah Goodman exhibition at American Museum in Britain, Bath Nature of the Beast at Gallery Pangolin, Chalford Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Rembrandt Etchings at The John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Eileen Cooper RA exhibition at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery New and Nearly New at Great Oak Hall, Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury Melting Point at Nature in Art, Twigworth

Performing Arts Goodnight Mister Tom at Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:30pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm Richard Herrring live comedy at Cheltenham Town Hall, 8pm Rehearsal for Murder at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Lost the Plot at Everyman Studio Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Roses of Our Lady at Cheltenham Playhouse, 7:30pm Sister Act at Dursley Operatic & Dramatic Society, Dursley, 7:30pm Blofeld & Baxter live comedy at Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, 7:30pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm

Gallery Pangolin

Events Jeremiah! Inspired Interiors tour at American Museum, Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Wild Garlic walk at Prior Park, Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Cheltenham Jazz Festival Mary Clear talk at The Wilson, Cheltenham Arts and Crafts Movement tour at The Wilson, Cheltenham Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Ceramics drop-in workshop at New Brewery Arts, Cirencester Lady in the Van film showing at Pound Arts, Corsham Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival Tower visit at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Highgrove Garden Tour with lunch at Calcot Manor, near Tetbury Wotton Arts Festival, Wotton-under-Edge

Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival

28 April

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

Cotswold preview MARCH 16

thursday

41

Exhibitions & Auctions

Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival

Bath Society of Artists 111th Annual exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Jeremiah Goodman exhibition at American Museum in Britain, Bath Nature of the Beast at Gallery Pangolin, Chalford Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Simon Lewty exhibition at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum Rembrandt Etchings at The John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold Eileen Cooper RA exhibition at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery New and Nearly New at Great Oak Hall, Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury Nick Baldwin exhibition at National Herb Centre, Warmington 21st century Group exhibition at Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock

Performing Arts

Great Oak Hall, Westonbirt Arboretum

Goodnight Mister Tom at Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:30pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm Bride Before A Fall at Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:30pm Rehearsal for Murder at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Lost the Plot at Everyman Studio Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Roses of Our Lady at Cheltenham Playhoue, 7:30pm Rob Beckett live comedy at The Theatre, Chipping Norton, 7:45pm Sister Act at Dursley Operatic & Dramatic Society, Dursley, 7:30pm Cymbeline at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:15pm Doctor Faustus at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm

Events

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Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Wild Garlic walk at Prior Park, Bath Up Late at Holburne Museum, Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Cheltenham Jazz Festival Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Leamington Music Festival Weekend at venues across Leamington Spa Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival Tower visit at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Wotton Arts Festival, Wotton-under-Edge

April friday

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*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

MARCH 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON DIARY Exhibitions & Auctions Bath Society of Artists 111th Annual exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Jeremiah Goodman exhibition at American Museum in Britain, Bath Nature of the Beast at Gallery Pangolin, Chalford Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton Rembrandt Etchings at The John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon Soft Engineering: Textiles Taking Shape at Museum in the Park, Stroud Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold Eileen Cooper RA exhibition at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery New and Nearly New at Great Oak Hall, Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury Melting Point at Nature in Art, Twigworth Nick Baldwin exhibition at National Herb Centre, Warmington

Performing Arts Goodnight Mister Tom at Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:30pm Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath, 7:45pm Bride Before A Fall at Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:30pm CSO – Russia Revolution & Romance III at Pittville Pump Room, 7:30pm Rehearsal for Murder at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Lost the Plot at Everyman Studio Theatre, Cheltenham, 7:45pm Roses of Our Lady at Cheltenham Playhoue, 7:30pm Sister Act at Dursley Operatic & Dramatic Society, Dursley, 7:30pm Cymbeline at RSC Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:15pm Don Quixote at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 7:30pm Doctor Faustus at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, 1:30pm

Amberley Cow Hunt

Stroud International Textiles: Select 2016

Events Impressions of Colour & Movement workshop at Holburne Museum, Bath Spring park walk at Dyrham Park, near Bath Wild Garlic walk at Prior Park, Bath Tulips at the Courts Garden, Bradford-on-Avon Cheltenham Jazz Festival Spring flowers at Lacock Abbey, near Chippenham Stroud International Textiles: Select 2016 at venues across the Cotswolds Leamington Music Festival Weekend at venues across Leamington Spa Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival Amberley Cow Hunt in and around Amberley, near Stroud Wotton Arts Festival, Wotton-under-Edge

30 April

*For contact details please see pages 44–46. The full What’s On Listings start on page 58

Cotswold preview MARCH 16

saturday

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CONTACT DETAILS A handy reference guide to the galleries, museums, National Trust properties, theatres, concert halls, hotels, visitor attractions and all other Cotswold venues mentioned in our diary pages…

Albion Gallery: 01608 238020 / OX7 5AD / albiongallery.co.uk American Museum in Britain: 01225 460503 / BA2 7BD / americanmuseum.org Anne Hathaway’s Cottage: 01789 201806 / CV37 6QW / shakespeare.org.uk Arc Theatre: 0845 299 0476 / BA14 0ES / arctheatre.org.uk The Assembly, Leamington Spa: 0844 854 1358 / CV31 3NF / leamingtonassembly.com Avebury Manor and Garden: 01672 539153 / SN8 1RF / nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury Bacon Theatre: 01242 258002 / GL51 6HE / bacontheatre.co.uk Bath Abbey: 01225 422462 / BA1 1LT / bathabbey.org Bath Assembly Rooms: 01225 477173 / BA1 2QH / nationaltrust.org.uk/bath-assembly-rooms Bath Racecourse: 01225 424609 / BA1 9BU / bath-racecourse.co.uk Banbury Museum: 01295 753752 / OX16 2PQ / cherwell.gov.uk/museum

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Bampton Classical Opera: 01993 851876 / bamptonopera.org Barnsley House: 01285 740000 / GL7 5EE / barnsleyhouse.com Barnsley Herb Garden: 07773 687493 / GL7 5EE / herbsforhealing.net Batsford Arboretum: 01386 701441 / GL56 9AB / batsarb.co.uk Beckford’s Tower: 01225 460705 / BA1 2LR / beckfordstower.org.uk The Bertinet Kitchen: 01225 445531 / BA1 2QR / thebertinetkitchen.com Blockley Decorative and Fine Art Society: GL56 9BY / blockleydfas.org Bridge House Theatre (BHT): 01926 776438 / CV34 6PP / bridgehousetheatre.co.uk British Motor Museum: 01926 641188 / CV35 0BJ / britishmotormuseum.co.uk Buckland Manor: 01386 852626 / WR12 7LY / bucklandmanor.co.uk Building of Bath Collection: 01225 333895 / BA1 5NA / buildingofbathcollection.org.uk

APRIL 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON DIARY: CONTACT DETAILS

Buscot Estate: 01793 762209 / SN6 7PT / nationaltrust.org.uk/buscot-coleshill-estates Cotswold Art and Antique Dealers’ Association: 07831 850544 / cotswolds-antiques-art.com Campden Gallery: 01386 841555 / GL55 6AG / campdengallery.co.uk Chapel Arts Centre: 01225 461700 / BA1 1QR / chapelarts.org Charlecote Park: 01789 470277 / CV35 9ER / nationaltrust.org.uk/charlecote-park Chastleton House: 01494 755560 / GL56 0SU / nationaltrust.org.uk/chastleton-house-and-garden Chedworth Roman Villa: 01242 890256 / GL54 3LJ / nationaltrust.org.uk/chedworth-roman-villa Cheltenham Town Hall: 01242 521621 / GL52 1QA / cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk Chorley’s Auctioneers & Valuers: 01452 344499 / GL4 8EU / www.chorleys.com Cirencester Philharmonia: cirencesterphil.co.uk The Coach House: 01367 850216 / GL7 3RB / thecoach-house.com Corinium Museum: 01285 655611 / GL7 2BX / coriniummuseum.org Cotswold House Hotel: 01386 840330 / GL55 6AN / cotswoldhouse.com Cotswold Wildlife Park: 01993 823006 / OX18 4JP / cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk Coughton Court: 01789 400777 / B49 5JA / coughtoncourt.co.uk The Courts Garden: 01225 782875 / BA14 6RR/ nationaltrust.org.uk/courts-garden Dean Forest Railway and Museum: 01594 845840 / GL15 4ET / deanforestrailway.co.uk Dean Heritage Centre: 01594 822170 / GL14 2UB / deanheritagecentre.com Dormy House: 01386 852711 / WR12 7LF / dormyhouse.co.uk Dursley Operatic & Dramatic Society: 07890 203318 / GL11 4JB / the-dods.com Dyrham Park: 0117 937 2501 / SN14 8ER / nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park Everyman Theatre: 01242 572573 / GL50 1HQ / everymantheatre.org.uk Farncombe Estate, Broadway: 0333 456 8580 / WR12 7LJ / farncombecourses.co.uk The Fashion Museum: 01225 477789 / BA1 2QH / museumofcostume.co.uk The Forum, Bath: 01225 443114 / BA1 1UG / bathforum.co.uk Fosse Gallery: 01451 831319 / GL54 1AF / fossegallery.com Gallery Pangolin: 01453 889765 / GL6 8NT / gallery-pangolin.com Gloucester Cathedral: 01452 528095 / GL1 2LX / gloucestercathedral.org.uk

Cotswold preview APRIL 16

Gloucester Guildhall: 01452 503050 / GL1 1NS / gloucester.gov.uk/guildhall Green Park Station: BA1 2DR Gordon Russell Design Museum: 01386 854695 / WR12 7AP / gordonrussellmuseum.org Hall’s Croft: 01789 204016 / CV37 6BG / shakespeare.org.uk Harvey Nichols, Bristol: 0117 916 8888 / BS1 3BZ / harveynichols.com Herschel Museum of Astronomy: 01225 446865 / BA1 2BL / herschelmuseum.org.uk Hidcote Manor: 01386 438333 / GL55 6LR / nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote Holburne Museum: 01225 388588 / BA2 4DB / holburne.org The John Davies Gallery: 01608 652255 / GL56 9NQ / johndaviesgallery.com John Noott Galleries at Broadway Modern: 01386 858436 / WR12 7AA / john-noott.com Kelmscott Manor: 01367 253348 / GL7 3HJ / kelmscottmanor.org.uk Kenilworth Castle: 01926 748900 / CV8 1NE / english-heritage.org.uk Lacock Abbey: 01249 730459 / SN15 2LG / nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum: 01926 742700 / CV32 4AA / warwickdc.gov.uk Little Buckland Gallery: 01386 853739 / WR12 7JH / littlebucklandgallery.co.uk Lodge Park: 01451 844130 / GL54 3PP / nationaltrust.org.uk/lodge-park-and-sherborne-estate Loft Theatre: 0844 493 4938 / CV31 3AA / loft-theatre.co.uk The Lord Leycester Hospital: 01926 491422 / CV34 4BH / lordleycester.com Lower Slaughter Manor: 01451 820456 / GL54 2HP / lowerslaughter.co.uk Lucknam Park: 01225 742777 / SN14 8AZ / lucknampark.co.uk Lydiard House: 01793 770401 / SN5 3PA / lydiardpark.org.uk MAD Museum: 01926 865831 / CV37 6EF / themadmuseum.co.uk Malmesbury Abbey: 01666 826666 / SN16 0AA / malmesburyabbey.info Mary Arden’s Farm: 01789 204016 / CV37 9HH / shakespeare.org.uk Meantime: 07866 814776 / GL50 4EF / meantime.org.uk Museum in the Park: 01453 763394 / GL5 4AF / museuminthepark.org.uk Nash’s House and New Place: 01789 292325 / CV37 6EP / shakespeare.org.uk National Herb Centre: 01295 690999 / OX17 1DF / herbcentre.co.uk 

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WHAT’S ON DIARY: CONTACT DETAILS

Nature in Art: 01452 731422 / GL2 9PA / nature-in-art.org.uk New Brewery Arts: 01285 657181 / GL7 1JL / newbreweryarts.org.uk Newark Park: 01453 842644 / GL12 7PZ / nationaltrust.org.uk/newark-park National Gardens Scheme (NGS): ngs.org.uk No.1 Royal Crescent: 01225 428126 / BA1 2LR / bath-preservation-trust.org.uk Noel Arms Hotel: 01386 840317 / GL55 6AT / noelarmshotel.com Old Mill Gallery: 01380 724550 / SN10 5SF / oldmillarts.co.uk The Oxfordshire Museum: 01993 811456 / OX20 1SN / oxfordshire.gov.uk Parabola Arts Centre: 01242 707338 / GL50 3AA / parabolaartscentre.co.uk The Paragon Gallery: 01242 233391 / GL50 1SW / paragongallery.co.uk Pittville Pump Room: 01242 521621 / GL52 3JE / cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk Playbox Theatre: 01926 419555 / CV34 6LE / playboxtheatre.com The Playhouse, Cheltenham: 01242 522852 / GL53 7HG / cheltplayhouse.org.uk Pound Arts: 01249 701628 / SN13 9HX / poundarts.org.uk Prema: 01453 860703 / GL11 5SS / prema.org.uk Priory Park: 01225 833422 / BA2 5AH / nationaltrust.org.uk/prior-park Red Rag Gallery: 01451 832563 / GL54 1BB / redraggallery.co.uk Rondo Theatre: 01225 444003 / BA1 6RT / rondotheatre.co.uk Rousham House: 01869 347110 / OX25 4QU / rousham.org Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa: 01926 742762 / CV32 4AA / warwickdc.gov.uk/royalpumprooms Royal Spa Centre: 01926 334418 / CV32 4AT / warwickdc.gov.uk/royalspacentre RSC Swan Theatre: 0844 800 1110 / CV37 6BB / rsc.org.uk RSC Theatre: 0844 800 1110 / CV37 6BB / rsc.org.uk RUH (Royal United Hospital): 01225 824987 / BA1 3NG / ruh.nhs.uk/art Sarah Wiseman Gallery: 01865 515123 / OX2 7JL / wisegal.com Shakespeare’s Birthplace: 01789 204016 / CV37 6QW / shakespeare.org.uk Slimbridge Wetland Centre: 01453 891900 / GL2 7BT / wwt.org.uk Snowshill Manor and Garden: 01386 842814 / WR12 7JU / nationaltrust.org.uk/snowshill-manor

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SOTA Gallery: 01993 862799 / OX28 6FG / sotagallery.co.uk Stoneleigh Abbey: 01926 858535 / CV8 2LF / stoneleighabbey.org The Stour Gallery: 01608 664411 / CV36 4AJ / thestourgallery.co.uk Stourhead: 01747 841152 / BA12 6QD / nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead Stratford Racecourse: 01789 267949 / CV37 9SE / stratfordracecourse.net Stratford ArtsHouse: 01789 207100 / CV37 6LU / stratfordartshouse.co.uk Stroud Valley Artspace: 01453 751440 / GL5 2HA / sva.org.uk The Subscription Rooms: 01453 760999 / GL5 1AE / subscriptionrooms.org.uk Sundial Theatre: 01285 654228 / GL7 1XA / sundial-theatre.co.uk Swindon Arts Centre: 01793 614837 / SN1 4BJ / swindon.gov.uk Swindon Museum and Art Gallery: 01793 466556 / SN1 4BA / swindon.gov.uk Tewkesbury Abbey: 01684 850959 / GL20 5RZ / tewkesburyabbey.org.uk The Theatre, Chipping Norton: 01608 642350 / OX7 5NL / chippingnortontheatre.co.uk Theatre Royal, Bath: 01225 448844 / BA1 1ET / theatreroyal.org.uk Three Counties Showground: 01684 584900 / WR13 6NW / threecounties.co.uk Thyme at Southrop Manor: 01367 850174 / GL7 3NX / thymeatsouthrop.co.uk Under the Edge Arts (UTEA): 07791 323869 / GL12 7HW / utea.org.uk Upton House: 01295 670266 / OX15 6HT / nationaltrust.org.uk/upton-house Victoria Art Gallery: 01225 477233 / BA2 4AT / victoriagal.org.uk Warwick Arts Centre: 02476 524524 / CV4 7AL / warwickartscentre.co.uk Warwick Racecourse: 0844 579 3013 / CV34 6HN / warwickracecourse.co.uk Waterperry Gardens: 01844 339226 / OX33 1JZ / waterperrygardens.co.uk Westbury Court Garden: 01452 760429 / GL14 1PD / nationaltrust.org.uk/westbury-court-garden Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa: 01666 822888 / SN16 0RB / whatleymanor.com The Wilson: 01242 237431 / GL50 3JT / cheltenhammuseum.org.uk Wootton Village Hall: woottontalks.co.uk Wyvern Theatre: 01793 524481 / SN1 1QN / wyverntheatre.org.uk

APRIL 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON FEATURE: EXHIBITION AT THE JOHN DAVIES GALLERY

from Saturday 16 April

Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1606–1669) Self-Portrait In a Cap, Open Mouthed Etching, the only state signed with monogram & dated, RHL 1630

Exhibition of Rembrandt Etchings at The John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh This a rare chance to view a privately held collection of Rembrandt etchings alongside the gallery’s selling exhibition of original prints by Modern British and European Masters…

A superb collection of Rembrandt etchings, compiled by Neil Kaplan CBE QC, is being shown in its entirety, featuring over 50 works of art.

(The exhibits are not for sale). The collection focuses on ’Rembrandt’s people’: all the works are either portraits or figure studies portraying the human condition, and characterised with acute observation and masterful technique.

The exhibition is being staged to benefit the national charity Create, which takes professional artists into disadvantaged communities to lead arts workshops. These are designed to help attendees develop confidence, social skills and new friendships.

Cotswold preview APRIL 16

Create will benefit from sales from the gallery’s supporting body of original prints by Modern British and European Masters, including works by Auerbach, Bacon, Freud, Moore and Picasso.

A fully illustrated 100-page catalogue of the exhibition is available, with proceeds also going to benefit Create.

The John Davies Gallery is open Monday to Saturday, from 10am–5pm. This exhibition continues until 7 May. The John Davies Gallery: 01608 652255 / GL56 9NQ / johndaviesgallery.com

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WHAT’S ON FEATURE: CHIPPING NORTON LITERARY FESTIVAL

Winnie the Witch by Korky Paul at Albion Gallery

Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 April

Chipping Norton Literary Festival Affectionately known as ChipLitFest, this annual gathering is one of the most inclusive and welcoming of the UK’s many literary festivals…

As always, this year’s programme puts authors firmly at the heart of the festival, featuring new and established writers.

Be sure to book early for headline events such as ‘Afternoon Tea with Prue Leith’ (Saturday 23, 4pm–5pm at the Town Hall). The novelist and business woman talks with Jane Wenham-Jones over tea and cake for both audience and speakers, and discusses her culinary career as well as her latest novel, The Food of Love.

Other festival highlights include three Town Hall events: ‘Not In Your Genes‘, a conversation between psychologist Oliver James and broadcaster Will Gompertz (Friday 22, 6pm–7pm); a timely debate about the EU between the journalist Giles Merritt and politics professor Dr Matthew Goodwin (Sunday 24, 11am–12noon); and ‘The Thrifty Forager and Gardener’, a talk presented by Alys Fowler (Sunday 24, 1pm–2pm at the Town Hall).

You can also pep yourself up at Richard Godwin’s guide to cocktails, ‘The Spirits’ (Friday 22,

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6pm–7pm at WineBear); or discover some much more grounding facts at Bill McGuire’s ‘Very Short Introduction to Global Catastrophes’ (Saturday 23, 5:15pm-5:45pm at The Chequers).

Junior visitors are invited to a full programme of children’s events on Saturday and Sunday, spanning workshops, authors’ book readings and storytelling sessions. Additionally, Albion Gallery is hosting Animals, an exhibition of some of the best children’s book illustrations. This show is curated

by Korky Paul, the award winning illustrator of the Winnie the Witch series, and should appeal to readers and art lovers of all ages.

The festival takes place at venues across the town, including the Theatre and Town Hall, two pubs, one restaurant and the independent bookshop Jaffé & Neale. Many events are expected to sell out, so early booking is advised.

Chipping Norton Literary Festival: 01608 642350 / chippingnortontheatre.com (for tickets) / chiplitfest.com

APRIL 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON FEATURE: EXHIBITION AT AMERICAN MUSEUM IN BRITAIN

from Tuesday 19 April

Caroline Herrera’s Sitting Room, Manhattan

by Jeremiah Goodman

Jeremiah Goodman exhibition at American Museum in Britain, Bath ‘Inspired Impressions: Interior Paintings by Jeremiah Goodman’ is the first European retrospective of the artist’s signature room portraits…

Born in 1922, Jeremiah Goodman is revered within the interior design community for his rare ability to infuse paintings of rooms with warmth and personality. More than mere illustrations, his works convey how a space is experienced through the eyes of an artist.

After starting to draw at an early age, Goodman attended art school then concentrated his talents on creating portraits of rooms. For almost seven decades, his brushstrokes have chronicled the homes of power-brokers in the fashion and decorating worlds, such as those of Blass, Vreeland, Peretti and Duquette. Indeed, Goodman’s paintings form a unique record of the work of many design personalities of the past half century.

Cotswold preview APRIL 16

He has been widely published in the editorial pages of magazines ranging from Harper’s Bazaar to House and Garden. In 1987, Goodman received the prestigious Hall of Fame award in recognition for his contribution to the field of interior design.

His work is widely collected and is included in permanent collections such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cooper Hewitt Museum.

Still vital and energetic at 93, Goodman opened up his archives to the American Museum for this exhibition. The retrospective, curated by Dean Rhys-Morgan, is on display in the Museum Coach House and continues until 1 July.

American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Bath: 01225 460503 / BA2 7BD / americanmuseum.org / jeremiahgoodman.com

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WHAT’S ON FEATURE: THE TALLIS SCHOLARS CONCERT

The Tallis Scholars

Friday 22 April

The Tallis Scholars in concert at Cheltenham College Chapel This award winning British vocal ensemble, joined by Cheltenham College Chamber Choir, performs Thomas Tallis’ ‘Spem in Alium’…

Cheltenham College’s Subscription Concert Series is open to the public and brings acclaimed professional soloists and ensembles to perform within the college.

The April concert features The Tallis Scholars, a professional British vocal ensemble with a core group of ten singers who specialise in Renaissance a cappella sacred music.

The Tallis Scholars were founded in 1973 by their director, Peter Phillips. Over the past four decades, they have done more than any other group to establish sacred vocal music of the Renaissance as one of the great repertoires of Western classical music. They have performed at such prestigious venues as the Royal Albert Hall, the Sistine Chapel, the Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, bringing early music to every

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continent except Antarctica. They also bring fresh interpretations to music by contemporary composers including Pärt, Tavener, Whitacre, Muhly and Jackson.

In this evening concert (starting at 7:30pm), The Tallis Scholars and Cheltenham College Chamber Choir perform Thomas Tallis’ Spem in Alium, a 40-voice motet for eight five-part choirs. This is considered to be the most fluent of all multi-choral works of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Tickets are £10–£25, including a complimentary drink.

Cheltenham College Subscription Concert Series: 01242 265600 / GL53 7LD / boxoffice@cheltenhamcollege.org / thetallisscholars.co.uk

APRIL 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON FEATURE: STRATFORD-UPON-AVON LITERARY FESTIVAL

Stratford-upon-Avon

Sunday 24 April – Sunday 1 May

Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival

Stratford-upon-Avon’s ninth literary festival, held in the 400th anniversary year of Shakespeare’s death, presents a programme of over 100 events – confirming the town’s status as a leading cultural centre…

As the eyes of the world are turned on Stratfordupon-Avon for the ’Shakespeare 400’ celebrations this month, the town’s Literary Festival presents its biggest line-up to date. The Festival’s director, Annie Ashworth, says, “This year, we have plenty to fascinate Shakespeare fans, but also a host of events around other topics, from food to the economy, farming to psychology. Writers really enjoy coming to Stratford, which this year will be an even more special experience with the Birthday celebrations.”

In the words of his contemporar y, Ben Jonson, Shakespeare was not of an age but ’for all time’, and that is the theme of this year’s festival.

The programme takes a refreshing look at the legacy of the town’s most famous son, with a hip hop Sonnet Marathon, a historical investigation of Anne Hathaway’s garden and an exploration of the Bard with Michael Rosen.

Speakers include the naturalist and Springwatch presenter Chris Packham; the bestselling children’s writer Julia Donaldson; champion

Cotswold preview APRIL 16

of the high street, Mary Portas; veteran writer Hunter Davies; and journalist and broadcaster John McCarthy, who gives his personal view of events in the Middle East 25 years after his release as a hostage.

Other highlights include events with the BBC’s security correspondent, Gordon Corera, who gives an insight into espionage in the internet age; and biographer Sir Anthony Seldon and Today editor Peter Snowdon, who look at the achievements – or otherwise – of David Cameron in Cameron at 10.

A strong selection of history events are headlined by the award winning Simon Sebag Montefiore, who explores the legacy of the Romanov Empire, and the historian and TV presenter James Holland.

The festival presents an extensive selection of fiction from authors such as the Costa First Novel winner Andrew Hurley and Pulitzer prize winner Rod Norland. There is also a return 

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© Charlotte Knee Photography

WHAT’S ON FEATURE: STRATFORD-UPON-AVON LITERARY FESTIVAL

Julia Donaldson

Kathryn Hayman © Jo Charlesworth

Hunter Davies

Chris Packham

Mary Portas

of the free events series, New Voices, which provides a platform for new and self-published authors.

For those with an interest in creative writing, a series of masterclasses in fiction, poetry, selfpublishing and writing for business runs throughout the week, tutored by leading writers including Al Kennedy and Kathryn Heyman. New for 2016, an hour-long Writer’s Bootcamp each morning offers help and advice for writers.

There’s comedy from Austentatious, the highly acclaimed theatre group which improvises Jane Austen novels with ideas from the audience, and an evening with Henry Normal, the writer behind Gavin and Stacey and The Sketch Show.

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Keen singers are encouraged to join composer Juliet Russell in her scratch choir, to learn, rehearse and perform (in just five hours) one of Shakespeare’s sonnets that she has set to music.

Sunday 1 May is given over entirely to children, with appearances from Gruffalo creator Julia Donaldson and illustrators Tony Ross and Korky Paul; creative pop-up bookmaking; fun with Pip Jones and Squishy McFluff; and drama from Playbox Theatre.

Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival: (for tickets) 01789 207100 / stratfordartshouse.co.uk (for festival programme) stratlitfest.co.uk

APRIL 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON FEATURE: THE CADA FAIR AT BLENHEIM PALACE Fame Adorning Shakespeare’s Tomb, early needlework presented by Witney Antiques at The CADA Fair

Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 April

THE COTSWOLD ART AND ANTIQUE DEALERS’ ASSOCIATION FAIR AT BLENHEIM PALACE, WOODSTOCK This annual event is recognised as being the leading quality antiques fair held outside London…

The Cotswold Art and Antique Dealers’ Association (CADA) Fair this year celebrates its fifth anniversary. Since its inception, the Fair has gained a loyal following of collectors, art consultants, interior designers and the public alike.

The ver y best of each discipline is represented, including furniture, pictures, silver, early needlework and antique boxes, sculpture,

Cotswold preview APRIL 16

bronze, clocks and barometers, carpets and textiles, glass, jewellery, English and Oriental ceramics, garden ornaments and statuary, as well as other decorative items. All works are for sale, with prices ranging from £100 to £100,000+.

This year, 27 of CADA’s members are taking part, including new exhibitors Parkside Antiques, Iona House Galler y, Greenway Antiques, 

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A silver medal showing Sir John Vanbrugh and the facade of Blenheim Palace, presented by Timothy Millett

A silver snuff box picturing Buckingham Palace, by John Nash, presented at the fair

by Mary Cooke Antiques

Strachan Fine Art and Jeanette Hayhurst. Five guest dealers have also been invited to bring their expertise and additional contribution to the fair: Mary Cooke Antiques, Joanna Booth, Timothy Millett, Shaw Edwards and Cynthia Walmlsey.

The dates of the fair encompass major anniversaries of historical significance: HM The Queen’s 90th birthday on 21 April, and St George’s Day and Shakespeare’s birthday on 23 April.

Amongst the many world-class art and antiques to be exhibited, participating dealers are bringing works of art relating to these key dates.

Embracing these themes, Parkside Antiques is exhibiting an English Regency period needlework on silk which depicts a grieving lady laying flowers at the grave of William Shakespeare, after a painting by the 18 th century artist Angelica

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Kaufman. Architectural Heritage is showing a stunning mid 19 th century painted and stained glass panel showing a portrait of Shakespeare, and large stained glass windows showing portraits of Tudor monarchs either side of the Waldegrave armorial. Legge Carpets is bringing a fragment of an English roller-printed cotton plain weave entitled Shakespere’s (sic) Seven Ages of Man. And English pottery specialist John Howard is exhibiting a pair of earthenware lions and a unicorn as well as a rare glazed stoneware of St. George slaying the dragon.

John Howard, who is also Chairman of CADA, says, “This year’s Fair promises to be an especially exciting one and is a much anticipated event in the antiques calendar. It provides collectors and first time buyers with the opportunity to view and

APRIL 16 Cotswold preview

WHAT’S ON FEATURE: THE CADA FAIR AT BLENHEIM PALACE

A painted and stained glass panel (c.1860) showing a portrait of Shakespeare within a decorative painted frame, presented at the fair by Architectural Heritage

Legge Carpets is exhibiting this fragment of an English roller-printed cotton plain weave entitled Shakespere’s (sic) Seven Ages of Man

purchase outstanding antiques and works of art, showcased in the most stunning setting.”

This is the only antiques fair to take place at Blenheim Palace, home to the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. It is held in Blenheim’s Orangery and Campaign Rooms, overlooking the Italian Garden. Patron of the Association and Fair – and CADA member - is Lady Henrietta SpencerChurchill, sister of the present Duke.

Every year, the Fair helps to support a good cause and, this year, CADA’s chosen charity is The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Trust which opened in Woodstock in June 2015.

If you would like to attend the Fair, a complimentary invitation admitting two to the Fair and Palace grounds is available from the CADA website. The Fair is open from 10am–5:30pm

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Parkside Antiques is exhibiting this English Regency period needlework on silk, depicting a grieving lady laying flowers at the grave of William Shakespeare The Cotswold Art & Antique Dealers’ Association (CADA) Fair: OX20 1PP / thecada.org

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Lavender Walk by John Hammond

Saturday 9 – Sunday 24 April

John Hammond exhibition at John Noott Galleries at Broadway Modern, Broadway This solo exhibition, ‘Light and Shade: A Cotswold Journey’, features new works by the acrylics specialist John Hammond, whose impressionistic style perfectly marries the figurative and the abstract…

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EXHIBITION IN THE SPOTLIGHT: JOHN NOOTT GALLERIES

Wandering Under the Trees by John Hammond

John Hammond is one of Britain’s leading landscape painters working in the medium of acrylics. His paintings are full of texture, pattern, colour and depth which combine with strong observation and draughtsmanship to capture the very essence of the subject.

Working in an impressionistic style, he builds up layers of texture and hue which seem to glow from within. The paintings which result are both evocative and visually exciting, his vibrant palette and assured brushwork conveying the qualities of light and atmosphere he encounters.

Hammond trained at Wimbledon College of Art and at the Bath Academy of Art, graduating in 1982. He has participated in group shows including The Royal Institute of Oil Painters at The Mall Galleries, London, and The South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts, where he has subsequently been elected as a fellow Academician. He has also been a regular exhibitor with The John Noott Galleries for many years.

Hammond’s work is held in private and corporate collections worldwide and he has

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contributed to several art publications. He has recently produced a book about his paintings and working methods entitled Capturing Light in Acrylics.

This exhibition displays a new collection of the artist’s work, focussing on the Cotswolds – an area he has been exploring for the past year.

Centred around Broadway, but stretching as far as Worcester in the north and Bath in the south, and following stretches of the Windrush and Warden’s Way in the heart of the Cotswolds, he has found an exciting diversity of subjects. His Cathedral interiors contrast perfectly with views of Cotswold stone cottages in sleepy villages, while the vibrancy of lavender fields complements the greens of English springtime and shades of autumn.

John Noott Galleries at Broadway Modern is open Monday to Saturday, from 9:30am–5pm (closed 1pm–2pm), and on Sunday from 11am–4pm.

John Noott Galleries at Broadway Modern, Broadway: 01386 858969 / WR12 7AA / john-noott.com

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WHAT’S ON: EXHIBITIONS & AUCTIONS

EXHIBITIONS &AAprilUCTIONS Friday 1 – Sunday 24 The Beauty of the Orient at Nature in Art, Twigworth 01452 731422 / GL2 9PA / nature-in-art.org.uk Dutch lace maker Yvonne ScheeleKerkhof describes her own work as ‘painting in thread’. Her works in this exhibition take the viewer on a journey to discover the beauty of the Orient and the meaning and symbolism of the designs. from Monday 4 Spring Exhibition by The Fosseway Artists at Gloucester Cathedral Cloisters 01452 528095 / GL1 2LX / gloucestercathedral.org.uk The group of local painters known as The Fosseway Artists includes Susanna Austin, John Bailey, Angela Cash, Will Clapton, Jackie Cox, Carolyn E Cowper, Shirley Chalmers, Barry K Barnes, Jeremy Barnes, Andrea Bates, Angela Bentley and Carole Bury. The exhibition continues until 4 May. Tuesday 5 – Saturday 23 Mark Stopforth: Landscapes at Museum in the Park, Stroud 01453 763394 / GL5 4AF / museuminthepark.org.uk Mark Stopforth’s work over the past 20 years has been devoted to those landscapes that are associated with the untamed and wild spaces that can be found in the fens and fells of Britain.

More recently, he has been drawn to the vast immersive spaces of moorland and river estuary, evoking these landscapes through charcoal, pencil and oil.

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Huguenot Chair by Colin Fraser at The John Davies Gallery

until Saturday 9 Colin Fraser & Robin Furlong exhibition at The John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh 01608 652255 / GL56 9NQ / johndaviesgallery.com Bespoke furniture designer Robin Furlong and art dealer John Davies, both based at the Fosseway Business Park in Moreton-on-Marsh, have joined forces for this spring exhibition. Based in John Davies’ gallery, it also features the work of Colin Fraser, a British born artist now living and working in Sweden. His works are shown alongside a selection of Robin Furlong’s bespoke items of furniture such as side tables, cabinets, dining tables and bookcases, as well as his Quantum drinks cabinet. Colin Fraser works in egg tempera, which creates a glow to his compositions that capture lazy summer days, pastoral settings and still life scenes. He is often motivated by the way sunshine bursts through a window into a room, with each painting becoming a celebration of light. The John Davies Gallery is open Monday to Saturday, from 9:30am–5pm. 

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www.fossegallery.com Fosse Gallery Fine Art, The Manor House, The Square, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 1AF 01451 831319 mail@fossegallery.com

GARETH THOMAS

New paintings from Wales, Scotland and the South of France 10th April – 30th April Near Porthgain Windy Day, 32x24“, Oil.

Auctioneers & Valuers

Free Auction Valuations Every Friday 10am–4pm at our Prinknash saleroom or phone to arrange a home visit Now accepting entries for auctions in May & July to include Modern Art & Design, Toys, Ceramics

01452 344499 www.chorleys.com Prinknash Abbey Park Gloucestershire GL4 8EU

Cotswold preview APRIL 16

Russian silver & enamel spoon Sold for £1000

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until Saturday 9 A Weather Eye: Light and Landscape at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery 01793 466556 / SN1 4BA / swindon.gov.uk A Weather Eye celebrates light, landscape and the weather through a series of modern British art works. Featured artists include David Bomberg, Mary Fedden, Roger Fry and CRW Nevinson.

capture the very essence of each subject. With work in private and public collections worldwide, he is considered one of the foremost painters in his chosen medium of acrylics. The gallery is open Monday to Saturday, from 9:30am–5pm (closed 1pm–2pm) and on Sunday from 11am– 4pm. For further details, see our Exhibition in the Spotlight on pages 56–57.

Saturday 9 – Sunday 24 John Hammond: Light and Shade: A Cotswold Journey at John Noott Galleries at Broadway Modern, Broadway 01386 858436 / WR12 7AA / john-noott.com This exhibition presents a new collection of work

by John Hammond, who for the past year has been exploring the Cotswolds and its surroundings.

His glorious Cathedral interiors which have been of note in recent exhibitions contrast perfectly with views of Cotswold stone cottages in sleepy villages. These paintings are full of texture, pattern, colour and depth which combine with strong observation and draughtsmanship to

until Sunday 10 Grayson Perry exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery, Bath 01225 477233 / BA2 4AT / victoriagal.org.uk Victoria Art Gallery is showing Grayson Perry’s The Vanity of Small Differences, a series of six large tapestries that explore the British fascination with taste and class. Victoria Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am–5pm, and on Sunday from 1:30pm–5pm. It is closed on Mondays and Bank Holidays. Admission charges apply.

Meadow Along the Fosse by John Hammond at John Noott Galleries at Broadway Modern

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until Sunday 10 Helen Jones exhibition at Prema, Uley 01453 860703 / GL11 5SS / prema.org.uk Helen Jones’ drawings depict the epic scale of the natural world, creating an uncertain and unsettled narrative. Her drawings are made using powdered black pigment applied by hand to tracing paper and removed with pencil erasers and scraping materials. More pigment is reapplied then again removed in an almost on-going cycle to build up a complex pattern.

Sunday 10 – Saturday 30 Gareth Thomas exhibition at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold 01451 831319 / GL54 1AF / fossegallery.com Welsh artist Gareth Thomas was brought up by the sea and encouraged to paint outdoors from an early age. His travels to Italy and France have brought

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WHAT’S ON: EXHIBITIONS & AUCTIONS disadvantaged communities to lead arts workshops. The John Davies Gallery is open Monday to Saturday, from 10am–5pm, and this exhibition continues until 7 May. For further details, see our What’s On feature on page 47.

an interpretive use of paint, the colours and tone used for greater visual effect, and his interest always lies with the spirit of the scene, not just a literal copy. Most of the painting is carried out in situ, although larger pieces are produced in the studio with the use of sketches and colour notes made outdoors and, rarely, photographs. Gareth has had many one man shows over the last three decades and his work is in private collections in Britain and overseas. Public collections holding his paintings include The House Of Lords, The National Library Of Wales, Lloyds Bank, Dyfed County Council, London Borough Of Hackney and the Glyn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea. The Fosse Gallery is open Monday to Saturday, from 10:30am–5pm. from Saturday 16 Exhibition of Rembrandt Etchings at The John Davies Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh 01608 652255 / GL56 9NQ / johndaviesgallery.com The gallery is displaying the privately held Neil Kaplan collection of Rembrandt Etchings alongside a selling exhibition of original prints by Modern British and European Masters. The exhibition is being staged to benefit Create, a national arts charity that takes professional artists into

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Nature of the Beast

An alternative look at the animal world through sculpture prints and drawings by a diverse group of artists

18th April - 27th May

GALLERY PANGOLIN

Gibbon Michael Cooper

House and lavender, near Lacoste

by Gareth Thomas at Fosse Gallery

until Sunday 17 Through The Shop Window at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum 01926 742700 / CV32 4AA / warwickdc.gov.uk Enter the shop window and discover what shopping was like in Royal Leamington Spa from the 1880s to the 1980s. Using personal stories, photographs and objects from the collection, the exhibition focuses on the various independent retailers that operated in the town during this period. 

CHALFORD - GLOS - GL6 8NT 01453 889765 gallery@pangolin-editions.com www.gallery-pangolin.com

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WHAT’S ON: EXHIBITIONS & AUCTIONS Throughout the exhibition there are opportunities to create ’memory boxes’ which will be added to a growing display. from Monday 18 Nature of the Beast at Gallery Pangolin, Chalford 01453 889765 / GL6 8NT / gallery-pangolin.com Nature of the Beast provides an alternative look at the animal world through sculpture, prints and drawings by a diverse group of artists.

Gallery Pangolin is open Monday to Friday, from 10am–6pm, and on Saturday from 10am–1pm.

The exhibition continues until 27 May. from Tuesday 19 Jeremiah Goodman exhibition at American Museum in Britain, Bath 01225 460503 / BA2 7BD / americanmuseum.org Inspired Impressions: Interior Paintings by Jeremiah Goodman is the first European retrospective of the artist’s signature room portraits which form a unique record of the work of many design personalities of the past half century. He has been widely published in the editorial pages of magazines ranging from Harper’s Bazaar to House and Garden, and in 1987, Goodman received the prestigious Hall of Fame award in recognition for his contribution to the field of interior design. Throughout the main

Leonard Stanley Hollywood Bedroom

by Jeremiah Goodman at American Museum in Britain

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Porpoise by Steve Dilworth at Gallery Pangolin

season, the American Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 12noon–5pm. The exhibition continues until 1 July. For further details, see our What’s On feature on page 49. from Wednesday 20 Hide and Seek: Drawings by Eileen Cooper at Swindon Museum and Art Gallery 01793 466556 / SN1 4BA / swindon.gov.uk Eileen Cooper’s practice as a painter and printmaker is underpinned by highly individual drawings, which reveal her working methods and strongly autobiographical preoccupations.

Celebrating themes including sexuality, birth, family, creativity and identity, Cooper’s distinctive imagery has afforded her much recognition and critical acclaim. This exhibition presents a collection of her works on paper spanning almost 40 years. until Friday 22 Ken Howard exhibition at Albion Gallery, Chipping Norton 01608 238020 / OX7 5AD / albiongallery.co.uk This solo exhibition features paintings by the contemporary British artist Ken Howard who is best known for his cityscapes, landscapes and interior scenes. Howard states that painting is, 

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Cotswold Artists 2016 Exhibition 22nd April – 14th May Now in its fourth year, we will feature twenty painters and sculptors from across the Cotswolds, covering a broad spectrum of genres and media. Our resident Cotswold artists will be joined by Raquel Alvarez, Bath’s Brian Elwell, sculptor Adam Binder and Victoria Young Jamieson.

Join our mailing list for private view invitations Visit paragongallery.co.uk or call 01242 233391 Open Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 – 5.30. Monday 10.00 – 4.00pm

PARAGON

Gallery

4 Rotunda Terrace, Montpellier Street, Cheltenham GL50 1SW Cotswold preview APRIL 16

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for him, about three things: revelation, communication and celebration. He says, “By revelation, I mean giving people a way of seeing, revealing the world around them in a way they have never seen before. By communication, I mean speaking directly in an instantly recognisable style.

My last criterion, celebration, is perhaps more difficult to explain. We all suffer in our lives, we lose loved ones and we suffer illnesses and the stresses and strains of normal life. But I want art to raise me above that: when I look at a painting I want it to celebrate life. For me, my main inspiration is light and it is through light that I want to celebrate my world.” The Albion Gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday, from 10am–5:30pm, and on Sunday from 11am–5pm. until Sunday 24 Saving Bath at No.1 Royal Crescent, Bath 01225 428126 / BA1 2LR / bath-preservation-trust.org.uk What has been saved, what has been lost and what challenges are yet to come?

Venice by Ken Howard at Albion Gallery

Explore the history of building conservation in Bath as part of a celebration of the work of Bath Preservation Trust. until Sunday 24 Cath Hodsman: Incredible Insects at Corinium Museum, Cirencester 01285 655611 / GL7 2BX / coriniummuseum.org Cath Hodsman, one of the country’s foremost natural history artists, pays homage to insects by painting and sketching them at a large scale.

She aims for 100% anatomical accuracy in every artistic study she produces. from Tuesday 26 Melting Point at Nature in Art, Twigworth 01452 731422 / GL2 9PA / nature-in-art.org.uk This display highlights a collection of natureinspired glass, demonstrating a number of different techniques and celebrating the variety of works in glass. The exhibition continues until 22 May.

Oranges and Pears by Sue Townsend at Great Oak Hall, Westonbirt Arboretum

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from Wednesday 27 Sue Townsend exhibition at Great Oak Hall, Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury 0300 067 4890 / GL8 8QS / suetownsendart.co.uk / forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt Sue Townsend, who lives in Tetbury, is exhibiting a collection of her work, including still life and

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WHAT’S ON: EXHIBITIONS & AUCTIONS wildlife paintings as well as pictures that reflect her love of the outdoors. During the exhibition, Sue will be on site painting and is happy to discuss her work and style. Her subjects are varied but landscapes and animals are her first love. She can often be found sketching and painting at locations across the Cotswolds but she also paints abroad in France, Italy and Portugal, where she takes small groups on painting weeks. The exhibition continues until 3 May and is open from 10am-4pm each day.

and has recently started to incorporate mixed media into her vibrant art pieces; by contrast, Jo loves to work in muted ceramics and recycled glass to give a calm feel to her creations. from Friday 29 Simon Lewty: The SIGNificance of Writing at Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum 01926 742700 / CV32 4AA / warwickdc.gov.uk Simon Lewty is a nationally renowned artist who now lives and works in Leamington Spa. This exhibition includes early works by Lewty dating back to the 1970s alongside his more recent works.

from Friday 29 Into the Wild at Corinium Museum, Cirencester 01285 655611 / GL7 2BX / throughout April coriniummuseum.org British Life at Banbury Museum This is the first collaboration of work by local 01295 753752 / OX16 2PQ / mosaic artists Yvette Green and Jo Moreman. They banburymuseum.org have come together for this exhibition to share A showcase of contemporary photographic images their passion for mosaics and their great love of that captures the essence and spirit of British life nature and all things wild. Even though they both – original and arresting images of our nation JOHN work in the medium of mosaic, their styles NOOTT are very Galleries and people. There are ten separate categories distinctive: Yvette works with bright stained glass including street life, rural life, portraiture  FINE PAINTINGS & WORKS OF ART

JOHN NOOTT Galleries F I N E PA I N T I N G S & W O R K S O F A R T

JOHN HAMMOND

SWAc

Light and Shade; A Cotswold Journey Saturday 9 April – Sunday 24 April Solo exhibition

Swans on the Windrush

Sunshine After Rain, Bath Abbey

Lavender in the Cotswolds, Snowshill

Full details can be found on our website www.john-noott.com John Noott Galleries, 10 The Green, Broadway, Worcs WR12 7AA www.john-noott.com 01386 858969 bm@john-noott.com

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and a special award for the best documentary feature. The exhibition continues until 9 July. throughout April An American Toy Story at American Museum in Britain, Bath 01225 460503 / BA2 7BD / americanmuseum.org This show tells the story of the 20th and 21st century toys and games that inspired and were inspired by popular films. Slightly worn residents of old toy boxes are displayed alongside mint condition, ’must have’ treasures and movie props that motivated their production. Throughout the main season, the American Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 12noon–5pm. The exhibition continues until 30 October. throughout April Impressionism: Capturing Life at Holburne Museum, Bath 01225 388588 / BA2 4DB / holburne.org Curated by the Holburne Museum’s Director, Jennifer Scott, Capturing Life brings together 28 masterpieces from British public collections to celebrate the Impressionists’ observations of humanity. The show centres on figurative paintings by some of the artists who exhibited at the first Impressionist exhibition of 1874, including Edgar Degas, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Alfred Sisley. Significant loans from, among others, Tate, The National Gallery, London and The Scottish National Gallery feature alongside the Holburne’s works on paper by the important but often overlooked British Impressionist Sir George Clausen. Admission charges apply. throughout April Planning for Peace: Redesigning Bath during WWI at Museum of Bath Architecture, Bath 01225 333895 / BA1 5NA / museumofbatharchitecture.org.uk In 1916, while Great Britain was in the middle of the First World War, architect Robert Atkinson designed an extraordinary project to redevelop the city of Bath.

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Grand in its vision and ambitious in scale, was this scheme mere propaganda to boost morale and project the confidence that war would soon be over? On display here, Atkinson’s incredible, unbuilt designs present a vision for peacetime Bath imagined during the realities of war. The exhibition continues until 27 November. throughout April Crafting Change: Community, Protest, Utopia at The Wilson, Cheltenham 01242 237431 / GL50 3JT / cheltenhammuseum.org.uk This partner exhibition to Hidden Agenda: Socially Conscious Craft explores how communities throughout history have found new ways of living, protesting and dreaming of creating a better world for themselves and the future. Curated by The Wilson, this exhibition features items selected from The Wilson’s Arts and Crafts Movement, local history and Wilson family collections. Focusing on craft objects and archival material, the exhibition explores key themes of people’s rights, utopia, war, recycling and community.

I Was Here by Michèle Griffiths at The Stour Gallery

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WHAT’S ON: EXHIBITIONS & AUCTIONS / PERFORMING ARTS throughout April Iceland, an Uneasy Calm at the Fox Talbot Museum, Lacock 01249 730459 / SN15 2LG / nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock This show presents a series of photographs taken in Iceland over the last eight years by Tim Rudman, one of the finest landscape photographers working today. The photographs are printed in black and white and are split-toned, giving the images an enhanced depth. The fact that Lacock is Britain’s birthplace of photography adds a special significance. The exhibition continues until 10 July. throughout April Michèle Griffiths exhibition at The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour 01608 664411 / CV36 4AJ / thestourgallery.co.uk The Stour Gallery’s spring exhibition features new work by Michèle Griffiths alongside a selection of work by gallery artists. Griffiths started making her Wall Fragments in response to the time-worn walls of villages she had visited on Greek islands.

Her works replicate the random marks made on the real walls and their annual whitewashing.

The artist states that Wall Fragments signifies the processes of time: imprints of human experiences, the things that have marked or injured us, the things that happen to us by chance and are then obliterated by forgetting, and the things that have marked us so deeply that they cannot be eradicated. The Stour Gallery is open Monday to Saturday (closed Thursday), from 10am–5:30pm. throughout April The Stratford-upon-Avon Collection exhibition at Hall’s Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon 01789 204016 / CV37 6BG / shakespeare.org.uk Artist Anthony Gill has created a new print collection depicting some of Stratford-upon-Avon’s defining architecture, including Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Harvard House, Nash’s House and Hall’s Croft.

His aim has been to create work which escapes a more commonplace view, exploring some of the extraordinary wealth of character to be found within the town.

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PERFORMING AApril RTS until Saturday 2 Single Spies at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham 01242 572573 / GL50 1HQ / everymantheatre.org.uk Chichester Festival Theatre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre collaborate to bring Alan Bennett’s classic comedy to Cheltenham as part of a new UK tour. Olivier nominated Rachel Kavanaugh directs a star cast. Single Spies explores our fascination with Russian spies and royalty, chronicling the lives of two members of the notorious ’Cambridge Five’ spy ring in the 1950s – Guy Burgess and Anthony Blunt.

Saturday 2 – Saturday 9 Body Double at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratfordupon-Avon 01789 403416 / CV37 6LU / thebearpit.org.uk Body Double is a new play by local playwright Mark Carey. It is a drama about the different roles people assume in life and about the dangers of pretending to be someone we’re not.

Tuesday 5 Piano trio lunchtime recital at Cheltenham Town Hall 0844 576 2210 / GL50 1QA / cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk Violinist Mee Hyun Oh, cellist Lydia Kwon and fellow South Korean pianist Soojin Kim perform piano trios by Mozart and Schubert. The concert starts at 1:05pm.

Tuesday 5 – Saturday 16 Stones in His Pockets at The Theatre, Chipping Norton 01608 642350 / OX7 5NL / chippingnortontheatre.co.uk A quiet Irish village community is turned upside down with the arrival of a Hollywood film crew, looking for the ’real’ Ireland for their latest 

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schmaltzy blockbuster. A pair of extras, Charlie and Jake, watch with amazement, envy and delight as cultures clash. Two actors play a vast array of eccentric and lovable characters in this worldwide comic theatre sensation.

Saturday 9 An Evening with Hazel O’Connor at the Subscription Rooms, Stroud 01453 760999 / GL5 1AE / subscriptionrooms.org.uk The award winning singer songwriter Hazel O’Connor teams up with Clare Hirst on sax and Sarah Fisher on keyboards to present a soulful evening featuring some of the greatest songs of the 20th century.

Saturday 9 Organelles live music at Prema, Uley 01453 860703 / GL11 5SS / prema.org.uk This un-categorisable quartet, formed by Mark Bradley, Paul Bradley, Pete Judge and Dan Marcus, presents a rare retrospective of its jazz/ pop/folk/rock back-catalogue.

Kelly Oliver at Pound Arts

Tuesday 12 Lunchtime concert at Holburne Museum, Bath 01225 388588 / BA2 4DB / holburne.org Anne Lewis (mezzo soprano) and Bill Taylor (harp) perform Scottish songs and airs, including some old favourites by Robert Burns. The concert begins at 1:10pm.

Tuesday 12 I Am Joan at Sundial Theatre, Cirencester 01285 654228 / GL7 1XA / sundial-theatre.co.uk A hopeful comedy about a woman in recovery from trauma who finds empowerment by connecting with various inspiring Joans. This solo show is performed by Viv Gordon.

Tuesday 12 Orchestra of the Swan concert at Stratford ArtsHouse, Stratford-upon-Avon 01789 207100 / CV37 6LU / stratfordartshouse.co.uk Orchestra of the Swan performs works by Mozart and Shostakovich, with Tamsin WaleyCohen as soloist in Tchaikovsky’s much loved Violin Concerto.

Tamsin Waley-Cohen at Stratford ArtsHouse

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Wednesday 13 – Saturday 16 Private Lives at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratfordupon-Avon 01789 403416 / CV37 6LU / thebearpit.org.uk Full of razor-sharp dialogue, Noel Coward’s Private Lives remains one of the most successful

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WHAT’S ON: PERFORMING ARTS comedies ever written. Amanda and Elyot can’t live together and they can’t live apart: when they discover they are honeymooning in the same hotel with their new spouses, they fall in love and learn to hate each other all over again.

Friday 15 Kelly Oliver live music at Pound Arts, Corsham 01249 701628 / SN13 9HX / poundarts.org.uk Kelly Oliver is a singer/songwriter, guitarist and harmonicist influenced mainly by acoustic and traditional folk music. Her debut album gained a 4* review, cementing her as “an emerging voice in British Folk music.”

Tuesday 19 Kathryn Ticklee & The Side at The Theatre, Chipping Norton 01608 642350 / OX7 5NL / chippingnortontheatre.co.uk The Side stays true to the spirit and essence of Kathryn’s own Northumbrian folk tradition whilst channeling the diverse musical experiences of each of the group.

Tuesday 19 Shakespeare 400 Gala Concert at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon 01789 338497 / CV37 6BG / Shakespeare.org.uk This concert (starting at 6pm) commemorates 400 years of Shakespeare’s legacy, presenting an evening of operatic classics inspired by his work.

It takes place in the church where Shakespeare was baptised and is buried. The evening is compèred by David Mellor.

and Mistress Ford get wise to his plan and scheme to exact revenge, with amusing consequences.

Wednesday 20 – Saturday 23 A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody at Arc Theatre, Trowbridge 0845 299 0476 / BA14 0ES / arctheatre.org.uk The comedy opens with the rich, bored Matthew promising to kill his rich, bored wife, Julia, so he can become a jet-setter like his friend who recently lost his wife. Julia, who’s always about three steps ahead of him, plays along. And so the game begins – a year-long match of wits and the witless.

Thursday 21 Orchestra of the Swan concert at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon 01789 267567 / CV37 6BG / orchestraoftheswan.org Orchestra of the Swan is joined by Tamsin WaleyCohen (violin soloist) in works by Vaughan Williams as well as a performance of Immortal Shakespeare, a new work by Dobrinka Tabakova. 

MON 25 - SAT 30 APRIL BOOKING NOW!

THE FATHER

MON 9 - SAT 14 MAY Starring Kenneth Cranham

Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 The Merry Wives at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham 01242 572573 / GL50 1HQ / everymantheatre.org.uk Northern Broadsides presents Shakespeare’s popular comedy. Sir John Falstaff is past his prime and skint, so rather clumsily attempts to seduce a couple of well-to-do wives. However, Mistress Page everymantheatre.org.uk Box Office: 01242 572573

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The Tallis Scholars at Cheltenham College Chapel

Thursday 21 Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers at the Subscription Rooms, Stroud 01453 760999 / GL5 1AE / subscriptionrooms.org.uk Members of Mugenkyo return to the roots of Taiko drumming in this dramatic and exhilarating show.

is diagnosed with shell-shock, their memories and dreams magically intertwining. Conjuring the hopes and regrets of middle- and upperclass London, this adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s celebrated novel offers a compellingly feminine response to the aftermath of the First World War.

Friday 22 The Tallis Scholars in concert at Cheltenham College Chapel 01242 265600 / GL53 7LD / boxoffice@cheltenhamcollege.org This award winning British vocal ensemble, joined by Cheltenham College Chamber Choir, performs Thomas Tallis’ Spem in Alium as part of Cheltenham College’s Subscription Concert Series.

Tickets are £10–£25, including a complimentary drink. For further details, see our What’s On feature on page 50.

Saturday 23 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra concert at Cheltenham Town Hall 0844 576 2210 / GL50 1QA / cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk This concert opens with Weill’s Overture to The Threepenny Opera and the jazz influences continue in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. The programme also features Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G and Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune. The piano soloist in both the Gershwin and Ravel is Peter Jablonski.

Friday 22 We’ll Gather Lilacs – The Music of Ivor Novello at Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham 0844 576 2210 / GL52 3JE / cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk An evening of Novello nostalgia, including melodies from Glamorous Night, Careless Rapture, Perchance to Dream, The Dancing Years and King’s Rhapsody. The performers are Marilyn Hill Smith, Sandra Watkins, Paul Connor and Alastair Massey, with narrator Geoff Bowden.

Sunday 24 Sonnet Rap Marathon at Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon 01789 204016 / CV37 6QW / shakespeare.org.uk New York-based rap artist Devon Glover, also known as The Sonnet Man, attempts to perform all 154 of Shakespeare’s sonnets in his own contemporary style as part of this year’s Shakespeare celebrations. This event is timed to coincide with Stratford’s annual marathon and half marathon races.

Friday 22 Dalloway at Pound Arts, Corsham 01249 701628 / SN13 9HX / poundarts.org.uk 1923: The War is over. While Clarissa Dalloway prepares a party in Westminster, Septimus Smith

Monday 25 – Saturday 30 Rehearsal for Murder at Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham 01242 572573 / GL50 1HQ / everymantheatre.org.uk Bill Kenwright presents a new production from

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WHAT’S ON: PERFORMING ARTS the award winning writing team Levinson and Link, whose work includes the mystery series Murder, She Wrote and Columbo. Playwright Alex Dennison is left heartbroken when his fiancée and leading lady Monica Welles is found dead from an apparent suicide. On the anniversary of that ill-fated night, Alex assembles the same cast and crew in the same theatre, for a reading of his new play. But as the reading begins, it becomes clear that Alex believes that Monica was murdered and he intends to uncover her killer.

Tuesday 26 David Starkey: The Tudors talk at Wyvern Theatre, Swindon 01793 524481 / SN1 1QN / wyverntheatre.org.uk This lecture, entitled The King is Dead – The Tudors, uncovers the dramatic story of this period in British history. David Starkey is one of the UK’s leading constitutional historians, known for his forthright views.

Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 Goodnight Mister Tom at Theatre Royal, Bath 01225 448844 / BA1 1ET / theatreroyal.org.uk Set during the dangerous build up to WWII, Goodnight Mister Tom follows young William Beech who is evacuated to the English countryside.

Here, he forges a heart warming friendship with Tom Oakley, an elderly recluse. All is perfect until William is suddenly summoned by his mother back to London.

evening opens with Love Cabaret, an eclectic mix of love poems, monologues and ditties, and it concludes with the premiere production of Robert Scott’s one-act comedy, Bride Before a Fall. until Saturday 30 Forever Yours, Marie-Lou at The Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal, Bath 01225 448844 / BA1 1ET / theatreroyal.org.uk Ten years after their family is torn apart, two estranged sisters meet. Carmen now sings Country and Western in a cheap nightclub whilst Manon is a devout reclusive, haunted by the past.

As they struggle to reconcile their versions of what happened back in 1961, we listen in on their parents, Marie-Lou and Leopold, as arguments intensify on the morning of the tragedy. This perceptive exploration of a dysfunctional family is considered to be one of the masterpieces of Canadian drama. throughout April Doctor Faustus at RSC Swan Theatre, Stratfordupon-Avon 0844 800 1110 / CV37 6BB / rsc.org.uk Maria Aberg directs Christopher Marlowe’s notorious tale of Faustus – a brilliant but embittered academic who has exhausted the confines of human knowledge. Risking everything, he strikes a deal with Lucifer: 24 years of absolute knowledge and power in exchange for his soul. 

Thursday 28 – Saturday 30 Roses of Our Lady at The Playhouse, Cheltenham 01242 522852 / GL53 7HG / cheltplayhouse.org.uk It’s 1968 and Britain is in full swing. However, for the girls of Our Lady’s Convent School, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the mini-skirt could just as well be on Mars. But that’s all set to change. Roses of Our Lady is a specially commissioned new coming-of-age musical.

Friday 29 & Saturday 30 Bride Before a Fall at Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham 01242 258002 / GL51 6HE / bacontheatre.co.uk Local troupe Nonumbum Theatre Co. present an evening of theatrical antics in two halves: the

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Doctor Faustus at RSC Swan Theatre

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Stratford Literary Festival with

Julia Donaldson John Torode Alice Roberts John McCarthy Simon Sebag Montefiore Howard Jacobson Mary Portas Paul Gambaccini

Martin Jarvis Michael Rosen Chris Packham Hunter Davies Korky Paul Austentatious Writers’ Workshops And much more...

24th April to 1st May Call 01789 207100 to book

Children’s Day Sunday 1st May

Full details at stratlitfest.co.uk

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WHAT’S ON: EVENTS

EVENTS April

Also in Stretton-on-Fosse, Old Beams is a traditionally planted, walled cottage garden.

The gardens are open for the NGS from 2pm– 6pm. Combined admission is £6 per adult, free for children.

Friday 1 – Sunday 10 Bath Comedy Festival at venues across Bath 0800 411 8881 / bathcomedy.com The 8th Bath Comedy Festival features over 100 events: everything from avant garde stand-up to family friendly comedy shows, comedy music and sketch shows. Headline acts include Dead Ringers and Impressions Show star Jess Robinson with Kirsty Newton, Radio 4 favourites Hardeep Singh Kohli and Arthur Smith, Steve Frost’s Improv All Stars and Patrick Monahan.

Wednesday 13 Botany for Beginners day course at Waterperry Gardens, near Wheatley 01844 339226 / OX33 1JZ / waterperrygardens.co.uk Bringing together the science and art of plants, tutor Louie Allen references Waterperry’s ornamental gardens, meadows and nurseries to reveal the vast array of flower and leaf shapes, and explain the identification techniques that lead to their classification. The course runs from 10am–3:30pm and costs £60 per place.

Friday 8 Martin Wainwright talk at Wootton Village Hall, Wootton-by-Woodstock OX20 1DZ / woottontalks.co.uk The talk, called Wootton? I’d rather be in Sheffield, aims to disentangle fact and fantasy on England’s so-called North-South divide. Wainwright worked as a journalist on The Guardian newspaper for 37 years, including 17 years spent as the paper’s Northern Editor. Since moving to Oxfordshire in his retirement, he has come to suspect that the south of the UK has been almost equally misunderstood as the north.

Saturday 16 Heythrop Team Chase at Langston Farm, Little Compton GL56 0SH / heythropteamchase.com Competing at speed on horseback over Cross Country obstacles is at the heart of country sport. 

Saturday 9 Night Night, My Little Tiger book launch at Octavia’s Bookshop, Cirencester 01285 650677 / GL7 2AA / octaviasbookshop.co.uk This book is by local professional event rider and author Lottie Prentice, who also wrote the lovely story A Tale of Ted. Octavia’s Bookshop is hosting the launch from 11am.

Sunday 10 NGS Open Garden at Stretton-on-Fosse Gardens, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 9SD Court House is a four acre garden with many spring bulbs, herbaceous borders and a recently redesigned and restored walled kitchen garden.

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Book launch at Octavia’s Bookshop

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of historic significance. Unlike a static bike show, Prescott gives you the chance to see many of the bikes running the historic hill climb course.

Sunday 17 NGS Open Garden at Upton Wold, Moreton-in-Marsh 01386 700667 / GL56 9TR / uptonwoldgarden.co.uk This constantly developing garden is laid out around the 17th century house (not open to the public), with yew hedges, a herbaceous walk, a pond, woodland gardens and a labyrinth. The garden is open for the NGS from 11am–5pm.

Admission is £10 per adult, free for children.

Prescott Bike Festival

The Heythrop Team Chase is one of just 17 British Team Chasing fixtures each year and, as the final event of the season, incorporates the National Team Chase Championships.

Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 Daffodil Society National Show at Coughton Court, Alcester 01789 400777 / B49 5JA / nationaltrust.org.uk The Daffodil Society returns to Coughton Court for its National Show, showcasing hundreds of exhibits and new varieties. Experts are on hand to answer questions and you can also see rare daffodils growing in the Throckmorton family gardens.

Sunday 17 Fixtures at Stratford Racecourse, Stratfordupon-Avon 01789 267949 / CV37 9SE / stratfordracecourse.net Stratford Racecourse is one of the country’s leading small summer jumps racecourses. Each year, it plays host to 18 fixtures between March

Sunday 17 Fritillary Sunday in Ducklington 01993 776625 / OX29 7UT The Snake’s Head Fritillary (L. Fritillaria meleagris) has become increasingly rare in recent years but it still grows in abundance in a meadow near the church in Ducklington. On one day each year, this field is opened to the general public from 11:30am.

Sunday 17 Prescott Bike Festival at Prescott Hill Climb, near Cheltenham 07005 968687 / GL52 9RD / prescottbikefestival.co.uk This annual festival celebrates engineering excellence. You can see rare, classic, modern, customised and hand built bikes, as well as those

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Bath in Fashion

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WHAT’S ON: EVENTS ChipLitFest presents an interesting programme of speaker events. For further details, see our What’s On feature on page 48.

Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 The Cotswolds Art & Antique Dealers’ Association Fair at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock 07831 850544 / OX20 1TA / cadafair.com The CADA Fair returns to Blenheim Palace for its fifth consecutive year, showcasing the best examples of fine art and antiques from many of the Association’s members. Everything is for sale, with prices ranging from £100–£100,000.

For further details, see our What’s On feature on pages 53–55.

The CADA Fair at Blenheim Palace

and October. On race days, visitors can picnic in the centre of the course whilst enjoying the racing. There is free admission for under 18s as well as free children’s entertainment at most of the summer meetings.

Monday 18 – Sunday 24 Bath in Fashion at venues across Bath 0844 847 5256 / bathinfashion.co.uk This annual, week-long celebration of fashion promises stimulating debate as well as instore and catwalk events. The line-up includes designers and global fashion experts such as Erdem, Julien McDonald, Zandra Rhodes and Livia Firth. Topics range from high street to haute couture, and the sartorial style of Cecil Beaton and Sir Roy Strong to the influence of Valentino and Versace.

Wednesday 20 – Wednesday 27 Strike a Light Festival at venues across Gloucester 01452 503050 / strikealightfestival.org.uk Strike A Light Festival is a biannual festival which aims to bring the communities of Gloucester together. The programme includes professional dance and theatre performances.

Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 Chipping Norton Literary Festival 01608 642350 / chiplitfest.com / (for tickets) chippingnortontheatre.com Taking place at venues across the

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from Friday 22 Wotton Arts Festival, Wotton-under-Edge wottonartsfestival.org.uk The festival’s aim is to encourage artistic talent, both local and from further afield. It presents a varied programme of arts to appeal to all the community, spanning exhibitions, concerts, talks, film screening and heritage walks. 

select 2016 select festival celebrating the handmade

Saturday 30 April – Sunday 22 May exhibitions, workshops & talks in and around the Stroud valleys

select trail

open studios + exhibitions Weekends 7- 8 + 14 -15 May

town,

www.sitselect.org

s i t 2016 cotswold preview ad march 2016 FINALp.indd 2

4/3/16 75 17:51:06

Saturday 23 Shakespeare’s Birthday celebrations at venues in Stratford-upon-Avon shakespeare.org.uk Stratford’s tradition of the Birthday Celebration dates back more than 100 years and brings together residents and visitors in a vibrant mix of pageantry and performance.

The town is putting on an extra special celebration this year for Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary, with live street entertainment across the town and a Shakespeare show broadcast live from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in the evening, followed by fireworks.

© University of Birmingham for Science Uncovered

There are also children’s events and workshops. The festival runs until 1 May.

Alice Roberts at Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival

Sunday 24 Shakespeare Marathon and Half Marathon, Stratford-upon-Avon shakespearemarathon.org.uk The Rotary Club of Statford-upon-Avon has been raising money for charity through this event for over 30 years, helping to support good causes such as the Shakespeare Hospice, Stratford Samaritans, Lifespace and ESH Works. from Sunday 24 Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival (for tickets) 01789 207100 / stratfordartshouse.co.uk (for festival programme) stratlitfest.co.uk Stratford-upon-Avon’s ninth literary festival, held in the 400th anniversary year of Shakespeare’s death, presents a programme of over 100 events.

The festival runs until 1 May. For further details, see our What’s On feature on pages 51–52.

Lianne La Havas at Cheltenham Jazz Festival

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from Wednesday 27 Cheltenham Jazz Festival 01242 850270 / cheltenhamfestivals.com 2016 marks the 20th birthday of the annual Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Events to mark the occasion include performances by Jazz Jamaica, who played at the very first festival in 1996, and Jamie Cullum, the festival’s long-standing artistic curator. The line-up looks to the future too, with rising talent and innovative collaborations.

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WHAT’S ON: EVENTS As well as the live music on the Festival site in Montpellier Gardens, there are performances at venues all over Cheltenham, including a street stage featuring local musicians and pop-up performances in The Brewery Quarter. Jamie Cullum says, “It’s been great to see Cheltenham Jazz Festival grow so much over the years – and for a festival of any type to reach 20 years is a huge achievement.” The festival runs until 2 May. from Saturday 30 Stroud International Textiles: Select 2016 at venues across the Cotswolds sitselect.org This event builds on Select Festival’s previous successes and its reputation, gained over the course of ten years. Select 2016 centres on the Stroud Valleys, featuring artist-led exhibitions, lectures, workshops. The popular Select Trail, where over 70 designer makers open their studio doors, takes place on the weekends of 7–8 May and 14–15 May. The festival continues until 22 May. For full details, please see next month’s issue of Cotswold Preview.

Amberley Cow Hunt

Saturday 30 April & Sunday 1 May Amberley Cow Hunt in and around Amberley, near Stroud GL5 5JG Amberley Parochial School’s popular annual Cow Hunt takes place from 1pm–5pm on both afternoons. Families are invited to embark on a trail through the village of Amberley and the surrounding National Trust Common to discover more than 30 wonderfully dressedup (wooden) cows, hidden to celebrate the springtime arrival of the real cows to the Common.

There is plenty to keep little ones entertained, including face painting, whilst adults can rack their brains in the Cow Hunt quiz, and rest and refresh in the vintage tea tent. Quiz sheets and trail maps (£4 each) are available from the start of the trail, outside Amberley Parochial School. Funds raised go to help the school as well as the Bath-based charity Send a Cow, which provides livestock for families in Africa.

Lost adults by Abbot & Ellwood at Stroud International Textiles: Select 2016

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HIGHLIGHTED CHARITY EVENT: FUNDRAISING WALK FOR ROSY

Saturday 23 April

Walkers fundraising for ROSY

FUNDRAISING WALK FOR ROSY, IN AND AROUND CHARLBURY This friendly walk takes place each year to raise money for the local charity support group ROSY: Respite nursing for Oxfordshire’s Sick Youngsters…

ROSY is an organisation that raises awareness of the need for respite nursing and funds to boost the extremely limited resources of Oxfordshire’s Children’s Respite Nursing Team. The team offers respite nursing to terminally, acutely or chronically ill children and babies in their homes.

Its annual fundraising walk covers three West Oxfordshire estates: Cornbury, Ditchley and Blenheim.

The full walk is around 30 miles but this year (by popular demand) there is also a 20 mile circuit, with both routes beginning and ending at Cornbury Park.

Some entrants choose to split the walk between a couple, swapping over at the lunchtime break. Each walker aims to raise £250 for ROSY.

The scenery along the way is breathtaking and there are pit-stops to help keep energy levels up – coffee in the morning, lunch at Blenheim and afternoon tea and brownies taken at the homes of the charity’s supporters along the way. There is also a well earned glass of wine or beer at Cornbury Park at the end of the walk.

Those who have completed the walk in the past can vouch for the fact that it is an inclusive and friendly day. Everyone knows someone but you are also likely to find yourself just striking up interesting conversations with fellow walkers.

If you wish to join the walk to support ROSY, please call 01865 848696.

For further details about ROSY and its work, visit www.rosy.org.uk ROSY is a Support Group operating as a part of the Oxford Health Charity: registered charity number 1057285

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property&home

PROPERTY COMMENT: SPRING 2016 HIGHLIGHTED PROPERTIES EDITOR’S CHOICE: INTERIORS INTERIORS FEATURE: BACK TO THE FUTURE GARDEN DESIGN TIPS: DIVIDING AND BUYING PERENNIALS Cotswold preview APRIL 16

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Spring 2016 PROPERTY comment

On the following pages, our invited panel of the Cotswolds’ leading property experts present their professional opinions of the current market and share some of their agencies’ newest listings…

St Marys in Chalford: guide price £1,500,000, available through Savills, Cirencester

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property comment‌ SPRING 2016 Nic Mills, County Homesearch Company 01285 656310 / county-homesearch.com Traditionally the spring market is buoyant and this year is no exception. This looks set to continue, with confidence due to a shortage of available housing stock combined with strong demand.

Sale prices across the Cotswolds have continued to rise year on year and rental prices have kept pace with inflation. On top of this, there has been the added incentive for second home buyers to try and beat the new increase in Stamp Duty, which arrives in April.

For County Homesearch, both buyer and rental enquiries are higher than ever before as clients have been frustrated at not finding the home they are looking for. Some excellent acquisitions have been secured.

Successful negotiations are being achieved for our clients with vendors who are realistic and those able to move now could do well. Even though a degree of national uncertainty is on the horizon with the referendum, the quintessential Cotswolds will no doubt, as usual, ride out any market fluctuations.

Planning a successful purchase is of the essence. No two clients or purchases are the same and we tailor our ser vices to meet those individual requirements.

Having an independent buying agent working with you can ensure that.

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Lynn Simmonds, Hamptons International, Cheltenham 01242 222909 / hamptons.co.uk The Cheltenham property market is an interesting one at present. Many potential vendors are sitting on the fence to see how the next few months pan out and we believe this is because of various economic factors potentially having an effect on the housing market, such as the global downturn and the possibility of a Brexit from the EU. For those wanting to sell their property right now, and especially those not buying on, then things are very rosy. Due to a shortage of property stock across all styles and price ranges, many vendors are achieving very good prices with a rush of potential buyers wanting to view as soon as they can. All this means that Cheltenham is seeing some good sales activity at present. Although there are fewer buyers around, the ones who are out viewing are generally proceedable and very desperate to find a property.

At the start of 2016 there was an initial rush of investors looking to complete on second homes or investment properties before the extra 4

A three bedroom penthouse apartment in Montpellier: ÂŁ1,450,000, available through Hamptons, Cheltenham

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property comment… SPRING 2016 3% Stamp Duty for buyers of second homes comes in force at the beginning of April. This caused a surge in activity in the price range of £200,000 to £300,000 particularly with town centre apartments and especially in the very sought after Montpellier and Lansdown areas of town.

However, we are not concerned about the market being affected long term: properties in the top residential areas of the town always attract interest, whatever the market conditions. Just this week, we have seen potential buyers wanting to get in early to a magnificent penthouse apartment we have been instructed on in Montpellier Spa Road.

William Leschallas Jackson–Stops & Staff, Burford 01993 822661 / OX18 4QJ / jackson-stops.co.uk The market in 2016 got off to a brisk start with the telephones ringing as soon as normal hours resumed in January.

In addition, viewings were booked and deals done over the Christmas break. The market has remained active with sales being agreed throughout Januar y and February, proving that the seasonality of the property market is not what it used to be.

If anything, the market has eased slightly at the beginning of March.

The main cry from all agents is the limited supply of new property onto the market. There are a few reasons why this might be the case but, in the main, people are saying that they cannot see something to buy and they are worried they will be homeless if their property sells quickly. However, if everyone who said that did put their house up for sale, then most of them would see the supply from which to buy!

The Stamp Duty changes which came into effect on 1 April for second

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homes has certainly influenced the market in the short term as investors wanted to complete their deals quickly to avoid the extra 3% in Stamp Duty.

Interest rates now look set to stay low for longer than was being touted last year, which is certainly good news for buyers and the market. However, elections can distort the market and we wait to see what effect the referendum in June has as people become more engaged in the debate.

As always, the property market faces many challenges and it is our job to work through them and do the best for our clients.

Tom Banwell, Knight Frank, Cheltenham 01242 802775 / GL50 1NW / knightfrank.co.uk Winchcombe continues to grow in popularity, with the demand for family homes and cottages within easy reach of the town being the most highly sought after. As with other population centres, the convenience and range of amenities that towns offer seem to be a significant draw. In Winchcombe, this combined with the unspoiled nature of the town centre and its location in the folds of the Cotswold AONB, make it particularly appealing.

Buyers are drawn to the town from all over the country and this year from as far afield as Russia.

Excellent communication links via the A40 4

A detached property near Winchcombe: £1,250,000, available through Knight Frank, Cheltenham

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and M5 and the close proximity to Cheltenham make Winchcombe a popular choice for those looking to be more central within the country.

The past year has seen a good level of property transactions in the town, not all publicly advertised sales, with several properties being sold confidentially to Knight Frank registered buyers who specifically want to be in Winchcombe.

We tend to use guide pricing as a strategy to draw strong levels of interest, which can attract more than one offer and allows us to push the selling price over and above the headline price.

Of the Winchcombe properties over £600,000 that Knight Frank has sold in the past 12 months, we have achieved within 2% of the guide price in ever y case and we regularly agree sales at the guide price or as much as 10% in excess of it.

Jamie Dalrymple Hamilton, Murrays, Minchinhampton 01453 886334 / GL6 9BN / murraysestateagents.co.uk January and February have been exceptionally busy months for Murrays, a reflection perhaps of vendors and purchasers reacting to the impending changes to Stamp Duty in April.

Many property pundits predict a lessening of activity thereafter but although that may be the case in other parts of the Cotswolds, here in the Stroud Valleys we have always had a much more ’balanced’ market as so many of our clients live and work locally and there is not such a high percentage of second home owners in our villages.

Looming next on the horizon however is the impending referendum on our membership of the

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Corner Cottage: a Grade II listed attached townhouse in Nailsworth, £695,000, available through Murrays

European Union. Like the stock market, the thing the property market dislikes most is uncertainty.

The closer we get to the vote on 23 June, the more this is likely to affect activity overall and the eventual result will inevitably cast a shadow over proceedings for the rest of the year. A vote to leave could have all sorts of unexpected consequences before everything settles down, while a vote to stay could actually boost activity and prices in the short term. Our advice if you are thinking of selling is therefore to go to the market early this year rather than waiting until the traditional summer selling season.

Emma Branch, Penny & Sinclair, Burford 01993 220555 / OX18 4QA / pennyandsinclair.co.uk We are still seeing a steady continued growth and interest in the Cotswold property sales market, particularly for properties priced at less than £1 million. Buyers are coming mainly from London, major cities or abroad and the Cotswolds still remains the number one area for establishing the perfect country lifestyle: it is outstandingly beautiful with the additional benefits of excellent schools, charming villages and vibrant cities.

There is a scarcity of lovely character properties and the demand is high,

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property comment… SPRING 2016 so competition is fierce among buyers. This, in turn, is driving the prices higher. Transport links to the Cotswolds are improving with future plans for a faster train link to Cheltenham from London and, according to the recent article in the Sunday Times, Cheltenham and the surrounding areas are the places to buy.

regulation and interest rates. We will wait to see what impact this has on sentiment locally.

In the meantime, with the market gearing up for the busy months ahead, we would advise those considering a sale to speak to an agent to get the ball rolling and take advantage of the latest influx of applicants seeking property in the Cotswolds.

Anthony Coaker, Savills, Cirencester 01285 627550 / GL7 1QD / savills.co.uk This market has long been a challenging one but 2016 is showing some very positive signs.

Enquiry levels are strong and we have a number of key instructions coming to the market this spring. However, already this year we have sold a number of properties that were launched last year, principally to London based buyers. With the absence of a general election (which skewed traditional market conditions in 2015), we are anticipating a busy spring period across all price ranges.

We deal with everything from cottages to country estates and our buyers are made up of a combination of local and second homers. Also, the increased popularity of town living has seen extra demand for properties in places such as Cirencester, Tetbury and Burford. With so much on offer in the Cotswolds in terms of restaurants, countryside and leisure, buyers are becoming increasingly demanding. They are often reluctant to compromise on the convenience of a local shop and pub, and if a doctor’s surgery is nearby, all the better.

This means that as a vendor you need to give your property every chance: from pricing attractively, to draw interest, through to ensuring that everything is presented in the best possible light. At the very least, this means lawns mown, decoration neutral and clutter at a minimum.

From a national perspective, considerations for the coming year will focus on the increase in Stamp Duty on additional homes, mortgage

Soffi Searle, SEARLES Property Consultancy 07887 888686 / searlespc.co.uk 2016 has started with a lack of stock – supply of rental accommodation is the lowest for a while.

Plus the April deadline for the Chancellor’s Stamp Duty surcharge reform for buy-to-let may push landlords in the buy-to-let world out of the market. This would, in turn, cause supply of rental accommodation to drop further. There are encouraging signs that there are buyers out there looking to invest in rental accommodation but these are only signs and not hard evidence that these buyers actually will buy property to let out.

Unfortunately, all this means that tenants who have to rent end up competing over the limited supply of properties available, whereas previously the supply versus demand ratio seemed pretty even.

Then there is the 23 June EU referendum to be considered. If you already own a property and are looking to let it, you are likely to be in a fairly strong position. Many potential home buyers are concerned about what changes in Europe may mean for house prices, and as such are holding off buying a property until they are more confident about the future. They may turn to the private lettings market as a solution.

Should we see a slowdown in investment from overseas, there may be the potential for a rise in unemployment levels. Historically, in times of financial uncertainty, the UK rental market becomes more buoyant, with more households choosing to rent than commit to a mortgage. 4

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property comment… SPRING 2016 European uncertainty aside, ARL A has estimated that there will be a 9% uplift in the requirement of households requiring rental accommodation over the next decade, so we are expecting to see an upturn in demand whatever is decided in June.

However, many landlords are reliant on tenants from EU countries to let their properties, and if the UK exits the EU they could find it difficult to let their properties as easily. As part of the EU, European tenants can rent privately in the UK with no visa requirements. Without EU membership, this could become more complicated, especially in light of the new “Right to Rent” legislation.

HSBC has warned that should the UK exit the EU, the country’s economy would suffer, with 1.5 percentage points knocked off the 2017 GDP growth rate. Experts believe that this slowdown would affect rental growth, however there is no estimation as to how much. The best example of something like this happening in recent years is the Scottish independence referendum. Analysis of the market during this time shows slower house price growth in Scotland, with 10% fewer transactions relative to England. The short lead-in to the EU referendum means that the impact may not be as severe, however you should expect some turbulence leading up to 23 June.

So we are all slightly holding our breath to see what is going to happen – and remember that predictions can always be wrong!

David Robinson, Wychwoods, Burford 01993 824800 / OX18 4QA / wychwoods.com The first couple of months of 2016 have been characteristically busy. This follows a sticky autumn market when stock levels and transactions were low.

The lack of activity last autumn has translated into a busy start to the year, and the energy in the market has been added to by the change in Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), which means that from 1 April of this year buyers of second homes and investment properties will pay an additional 3%

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The Ridings, Leafield: offers over £500,000, available through Wychwoods

SDLT. At an extra £9,000 on a £300,000 house, and £30,000 on a £1m property, this has become a significant factor in a number of sales we have agreed this year.

The once traditional spring surge in the market still happens, but to an extent it does now play second fiddle to the first quarter, and this has held good for a number of years. However, spring remains a popular time to present houses to the market, with those having well planted gardens at a particular advantage here, as they will be shown to great effect when plants are in flower, and there are leaves on the trees, and a bit of warmth in the air to be able to enjoy it all.

Our view is that the market will continue to be quite active for the next few months, though the referendum in June may cause a brief hiatus, in the same way that a general election does, as uncertainty tends to cause a delay in some decisions. We are seeing a modest push forward in values at the moment, and are regularly meeting asking prices, especially on houses which are in short supply, such as well presented, good sized family homes in villages. However, with buyers being well informed, properties which are overpriced are soon identified and characterised by lack of viewings and interest in general.

Confidence is generally good, and sentiment, such an important part of what oils the market, is also positive, and this should mean a decent level of activity over the coming months, which is good news for buyers and sellers alike.

APRIL 16 Cotswold preview

Security starts at your gate

BROADSWORD security services

INTRUDER ALARMS, CCTV, GATE AUTOMATION, ACCESS CONTROL LOCKS, SAFES, SECURITY GRILLES FIRE SYSTEMS My family have dealt with Broadsword for a number of years, for domestic security; we have received first class service from all members of the team both in the office and in the field. It’s a pleasure to deal with such a caring and trustworthy business. We have recently asked them to take over our business fire alarm system and have also found them to be excellent, punctual and value for money. I would strongly recommend Broadsword as a company who will look after both domestic and business alike to a high standard. – Tim Crabtree, Managing Director of Abbots Office Solutions

Call now on 01608 641670 to find out more about our services and arrange a free and confidential site survey.

Broadsword Security Services 5 Essex House, Cromwell Business Park, Chipping Norton, Oxon OX7 5SR Cotswold preview APRIL 16

phone: 01608 641670 email: sales@broadswordsecurity.com visit: www.broadswordsecurity.com

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jackson-stops.co.uk

Fulbrook Charming period cottage within one mile of Burford Sitting room, kitchen/dining room, two double bedrooms, bathroom, study area, garden, garage and stores.

Guide price: ÂŁ325,000

88 People Property Places

Burford 01993 822661 Cotswold offices at Burford, Chipping Campden and Cirencester APRIL 16 Cotswold preview Local & National reach through a network of London & Regional offices

jackson-stops.co.uk

Aldsworth Spacious converted period barn in village location Reception hall, drawing room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, cloakroom, study, four bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms (2 en-suite), garage and gardens.

Guide price: ÂŁ895,000

People Property Places Cotswold preview APRIL 16

Burford 01993 822661 Cotswold offices at Burford, Chipping Campden and Cirencester 89 Local & National reach through a network of London & Regional offices

HIGHLIGHTED PROPERTY

Down Cour

SLAD, GLOUCESTERSHIR

Down Court

Slad 1 mile, Stroud 2.5 miles, Cheltenham 14 miles, Cirenc M5 (Junction 11A), Bristol 35 miles

country house occupying a A beautifully situatedA beautifully countrysituated house position at the head of the valley. occupying a commanding position at the head of the valley.

Reception hall, Cloakroom, Drawing room, Dining roo Garden room, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Utility ro

Location: Slad 5/6 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms Annexe Accommodation: Reception hall, cloakroom, drawing Landscaped gardens, Tennis Court, Extensive gara room, dining room, study, garden room, kitchen/breakfast About 1 acre room, utility room, six bedrooms and four bathrooms.

Outside: Annexe, landscaped gardens, tennis court and extensive garaging in all about 1 acre.

Guide price: ÂŁ1,575,000 Tel: 01285 627550 Email: acoaker@savills.com

Savills Cirencester 1 Castle Street, Market Place Cirencester GL7 1QD

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acoaker@savills.com 01285 627 550

www.savills.co.uk APRIL 16 Cotswold preview

HIGHLIGHTED PROPERTY

Chester Hill House

Down Cou

SLAD, GLOUCESTERSH

Slad 1 mile, Stroud 2.5 miles, Cheltenham 14 miles, Cir M5 (Junction 11A), Bristol 35 miles

A beautifully situated country house occupyin

A very fine and most comfortable Cotswold country house with position at thelovely head of the valle views across the valley.

Location: South Woodchester Reception hall, Cloakroom, Drawing room, Dining Garden room, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Utili Accommodation: Reception hall, drawing room, dining room, sitting room, study, kitchen/ 5/6 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms Annexe breakfast room, butlers pantry, utility room, lower ground floor with snooker room and store room, Landscaped gardens, Tennis Court, Extensive master bedroom with en suite bathroom, guest bedroom with en suite bathroom, four further About 1 acre double bedrooms and family bathroom.

Outside: Double garage with studio flat, outbuildings, two paddocks, mature gardens and grounds in all around 2.32 acres.

Guide price: ÂŁ1,575,000 Tel: 01285 627550 Email: acoaker@savills.com

Savills Cirencester 1 Castle Street, Market Place Cirencester GL7 1

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acoaker@savills.com 01285 627 550 www.savills.co.uk91

HIGHLIGHTED PROPERTY

Highmead

One of the finest period town houses in Stroud, beautifully presented and within walking distance of the town centre and railway station, with garage, parking and good garden.

Location: Stroud Accommodation: Porch, entrance hall, sitting room, dining room, family room, kitchen/ breakfast room, utility room, two cloakrooms, boiler room, cellar, four double bedrooms, two bathrooms, two further second floor bedrooms and box room.

Outside: Garage, driveway and walled garden at the rear.

Price: ÂŁ749,000 Tel: 01452 814655 Email: painswick@murraysestateagents.co.uk

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HIGHLIGHTED PROPERTY

High Croft

A handsome detached Cotswold stone period family house with the benefit of a self-contained annexe. It is situated in an elevated position within the popular village of Edge, enjoying panoramic views over the Painswick valley and beyond.

Location: Edge, near Stroud Accommodation: Open plan kitchen/dining/sitting room, study/dining room, cloakroom, pantry, five double bedrooms, en suite shower room, two family bathrooms, further study/office, utility room, wine room and cellar.

Outside: Large landscaped gardens, double garage, parking and rolling views across the countryside.

Price: ÂŁ875,000 Tel: 01452 814655 Email: painswick@murraysestateagents.co.uk

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HIGHLIGHTED PROPERTY

High View Lodge A substantial, detached, south facing family home located in an elevated position and enjoying far reaching views towards Wychwood Forest.

Location: Charlbury Accommodation: Entrance hall, drawing room, study, dining room, conservatory, kitchen, utility room, cloakroom, five bedrooms one with en suite, and family bathroom.

Outside: A lovely well established garden, greenhouse, patio, south facing terrace, double garage and driveway providing ample parking. EPC rating C Guide price: ÂŁ715,000 Tel: 01993 220555 Email: burford.lettings@pennyandsinclair.co.uk

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HIGHLIGHTED PROPERTY

Contemporary barn conversion

A stunning luxury barn conversion finished to the highest standard, offering contemporary living and set in a lovely Cotswold village with 16th century pub and a good village community.

Location: Aldsworth Accommodation: Entrance hall, sitting room with hard wood flooring and wood burning stove, open plan kitchen with bespoke units and natural stone flooring and separate utility. Polished steel sweeping staircase leading to the first floor. Four large bedrooms, all with en suite bathrooms, study.

Outside: Electric wooden gates opening onto a driveway with large garage and wood store.

Gardens to the front of the property overlook open farmland and to the rear of the house is an enclosed garden and terraced seating area. EPC rating C Rental price: ÂŁ4,950 pcm Tel: 01993 220888 Email: burford.lettings@pennyandsinclair.co.uk

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Burford – Providence House, 49 High Street, OX18 4QA Chipping Norton – 18 Horsefair, OX7 5AQ Milton-under-Wychwood – Dashwood House, Shipton Road, OX7 6JH sales@wychwoods.com

www.wychwoods.com

01993 824800 01608 637247 01993 832288

let@wychwoods.com

Westhall Hill, Burford - A Grade II Listed cottage with views towards Burford. The property is in need of renovation and would make a wonderful family home.

Ditchley Road, Charlbury - Set in a generous plot of 1.1 acres with extensive southerly views, the spacious and flexible accommodation offers scope for further extension

WYCHWOODS Independent Estate Agents For a friendly, pro-active and tailored approach to selling or letting your property, contact us today for a free, no obligation Market Appraisal. We are here to help.

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D.J. HICKS

Vintage & Homewares

ANTIQUE FURNITURE Unit 1a Warren Business Park Knockdown Nr Tetbury Gloucestershire GL8 8QY Tel: 01454 238004 Mobile: 07889 655152 Email: djhicksantiques@hotmail.co.uk Website www.djhicksantiquefurniture.co.uk

Tetbury

Nailsworth

www.domestic-science-home.co.uk e: hello@domestic-science-home.co.uk

Gilli Hanna Decorative Antiques French & country furniture & accessories Online & at Station Mill Chipping Norton OX7 5HX www.gillihanna-antiques.co.uk 07771 766 055

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Editor’s Choice… INTERIORS Lorfords Antiques is one of the UK’s top destinations for interior designers and discerning private buyers looking for decorative antiques: stock spans 18th century pieces through to 20th century design. Lorfords has been trading in Tetbury since 2003 and more recently opened two additional show spaces in hangars at the nearby Babdown Airfield, a former WW2 Air Force base. This spring, further expansion is under way into an extra 7,500 square feet of space. You can find items from specialist dealers such as Lee Wright Antiques, Blank Canvas Antiques, Ark Angel, Hetman Gallery and Original House. Lorfords Antiques at Babdown Airfield: 01666 503970 / GL8 8YL / lorfordsantiques.com

Editor’s Choice

Our selection of design highlights from across the Cotswolds…

Design aficionados should check out interior designer Amanda Hanley’s new showroom in Burford – a great source for stylish home furnishings. Amanda Hanley By Design: 01993 822385 / OX18 4QA / amandahanley.co.uk The Stroud Window Company’s timber alternative windows offer the best of both worlds: the traditional designs retain the look and feel of timber whilst offering the benefits of uPVC. The windows are all hand made to order in a range of wood grain foils and colours to suit your property’s architecture: for example, 17th century windows would have been Oak and unpainted whilst 19th century windows were always painted. The Stroud Window Company: 01453 824032 / GL10 3HE / stroudwindows.com

We are big fans of the recently opened Wild Boar in Stroud: the shop stocks an eclectic mix of interior pieces, antiques, art, taxidermy and jewellery. New in is a range of carnival lights, handmade in Birmingham, which include stars and letters in various colours and finishes, all made to order for £275. The owner, Becky Thomas, also sources specific requests as well as fittings for shops and restaurants. Wild Boar: 01453 759123 / GL5 1AJ / wildboarstroud.com

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interiors feature… BACK TO THE FUTURE

Back to the

FUTURE

Richard Ricardo demonstrating traditional upholstery techniques

The rejuvenation of antique upholstery is a specialist field – but in the hands of an expert, furniture that has already stood the test of time can be given a new lease of life…

If you had to pinpoint the golden years of upholstery, it would have been during the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras. At that time, seats had gone from being straight-backed places to perch, and had became soft, deeply comfortable pieces of furniture.

Since then, sofas have become an integral part of increasingly sedate lifestyles, and comfort is one of our chief requirements when furnishing a home. By using traditional skills to give an antique piece of upholstered furniture a new lease of life, the splendour of the old can be incorporated into contemporary interiors.

Re-upholstering antiques is a very specialist trade. Across the Cotswolds, there are several practitioners who come highly recommended and

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who have their own particular areas (and eras) of expertise.

One is Marcus Spencer, who has more than 20 years’ experience working as an antique upholsterer and whose workshop is based at an historic silk mill in Chalford, near Stroud. His passion for restoring antique soft furniture was established during his apprenticeship at Howard and Sons in London, restoring the company’s hand crafted armchairs and sofas. He uses traditional upholstery practices and is well known for his meticulous attention to detail.

During his apprenticeship, Marcus also produced sofas for top London designers, which no doubt helped hone his focus on achieving superb results. He says, “I start with a vision and it may 4

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take a day or several days to get anywhere near that, but I love the fact that at the end of the day I can see what I’ve done and the progress I’ve made.

Mind you, I am a perfectionist – I think you do need to be one in this job!”

Turning back the clock and rejuvenating treasured heirlooms to their former glory is part of the joy for Marcus. As he says, “I really enjoy working for my private clients. I recently re-upholstered a lady’s Parker Knoll chair which she had been left by her mother: seeing her

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joy when it looked like new again was a reward in itself.”

He is also concerned about the environmental impact of our throwaway society and aims to use responsibly sourced, non-toxic and environmentally friendly upholstery materials. He explains, “My grandparents would have saved for a long time to buy their sofa and it would have been for life.

After 100 years, there wouldn’t be a lot wrong with it – just the need for new fabric and perhaps the re-springing of the seat. Today, a modern sofa lasts

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interiors feature… BACK TO THE FUTURE

Left: A Chesterfield sofa buttoned by Marcus Spencer in butterscotch silk velvet; Below: A pair of English Walnut Gainsborough armchairs, c.1760, for sale at D.J. Hicks Antique Furniture

for only around five to ten years, and often gets dumped when we tire of the fabric. It then goes into landfill and the modern upholstery materials are full of toxins which end up poisoning the oceans.”

Traditional techniques use horsehair, feathers and hessian: all low impact, natural products.

Marcus also hand stitches everything. Aside from commissions from trade and private clients, Marcus’ work includes buying furniture to restore and sell. He is also working on producing nontoxic, upholstered headboards mixing traditional

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techniques with new ideas – such as using coconut hair for stuffing.

Although mass production has seen modern upholstery methods change, Marcus says young apprentices are still excited to learn the traditional techniques, and he doesn’t see antique upholstery as a dying art. He says, “I think upholstery really went into decline after the First World War. So many craftsmen were lost and then post-war mass production also came into play. Antique re-upholstery is a niche profession but I’ve never 4

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interiors feature… BACK TO THE FUTURE been so busy as I have been over the past ten years. It’s something that we are really good at in England: it’s part of our heritage and other countries just can’t compete with that.” He adds, “You can’t beat the feeling of an old, upholstered piece of furniture. Not only is it unique, but it’s more comfortable and a better investment.”

’’

You can’t beat the feeling of an old, upholstered piece of furniture. Not only is it unique, but it’s more comfortable and a better investment…

’’

Marcus Spencer

Dave Hicks of D. J. Hicks Antique Furniture, based near Tetbury, agrees that antique furniture can make a better investment. He says that currently, a real mix of styles is selling and there are no real trends being witnessed in the business, although the general feeling is that brown furniture is coming back. He says, “I believe that antiques look as stunning in the modern new-build home as in a Georgian mansion. They complement the way we live our lives today and you shouldn’t be afraid to use them.”

His team has over 50 years’ combined experience of restoring and dealing in antique furniture and he claims that almost anything can be restored – even if it requires replacement frames and legs. Larger pieces of furniture requiring re-upholstery are outsourced but many smaller items like dining chairs and drop-in seats are re-upholstered on site. Dave says, “Antique furniture always represents an investment. You enjoy its comfort and then when you want to replace it, it will have a value because it is of a period. That’s something that can’t be said of modern mass produced furniture.”

Richard Ricardo, whose specialist business Richard Ricardo Antique Upholstery is in Hook Norton, adds, “Such pieces need to be upholstered properly in the traditional manner, using the

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correct materials to preserve their value.” Richard specialises in both bespoke furniture and high quality antique upholstery. He works with dealers and interior decorators in London and throughout the Cotswolds, especially in the Cheltenham and Stow-in-the-Wold areas, as well as for many private clients. He says, “People like to make their own mark on their home, so they might buy a large Cotswold property and then need to re-upholster an antique piece that’s always been in their family.

They love it, but it is covered in the wrong colour or texture for its new setting. Other clients collect antique furniture because they love it or see it as an investment.”

He sees a trend towards bespoke furniture in the Cotswolds at the moment, as buyers look to bring a modern, contemporary feel to the interiors of older properties that appear very traditional from the outside. He has many clients who commission bespoke pieces that blend in with their surroundings: “I’m currently overseeing the 4

Richard Ricardo reupholstering a period armchair

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Creating inspirational spaces

L’una Design are determined to come up with interior design solutions and go beyond their clients expectations. They view every new project as an opportunity to be incredibly innovative and pride themselves on being able to deliver creativity and flare at a realistic budget. Their goal is to simply create inspiraritional spaces whether they re-design, recreate or refresh your home or workspace.

L’una Design Centre Unit 6 The Courtyard, Montpellier Street, Cheltenham GL50 1SR t: 01242 578798APRIL w: www.lunadesign.co.uk e: info@lunadesign.co.uk Cotswold preview 16

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© Fabiola Partyka

interiors feature… BACK TO THE FUTURE

A traditionally re-upholstered sofa

by Marcus Spencer

creation of a sofa and pair of chairs that take a contemporary slant on the Regency style. Everyone has different taste and the value of my skills is that I can create something to suit a client who wants to embellish their home with something that is new but has echoes of a particular period.”

Richard’s passion for furniture was formed during childhood visits to aristocratic relatives in the stately homes of Yorkshire. “I loved the look and feel of beautiful, historic furniture,” he says,

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“but I hated how it was falling apart – with torn fabric, burst stuffing and loose legs. I remember wanting to fix it.”

The process of re-upholstering a piece of antique furniture involves looking to its past as the guide. As Richard explains, “I always start with the history of a piece,” he says. “I look at how it was made, the shape of the frame, how the wood and stuffing were united. Then I often work in much the same way as the craftsmen who created it, using my understanding of classic methods and highquality fabrics to bring the piece back to life.”

In such skilled hands, antique upholstery can be given a future that’s as long and distinguished as its past.

Contact details: D.J. Hicks Antique Furniture: 01454 238004 / GL8 8QY / djhicksantiquefurniture.co.uk Richard Ricardo Upholstery: 01608 730253 / OX15 5LR / richardricardo.org Marcus Spencer: 01242 285930 / GL6 8NR / marcusspencer.co.uk

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GARDEN DESIGN TIPS

by Daniel Mogridge

A garden designed by Daniel Mogridge

DIVIDING AND BUYING PERENNIALS IN SPRING As colour and scent return to our gardens, and with spring in the air and in our step, the lure of new plants can be hard to resist. But before heading to your local garden centre, professional garden designer Daniel Mogridge has some words of advice on how best to divide your own perennials or buy wisely…

Plants can be expensive and new ones are easily lost in a garden on their own, so it’s important to buy wisely or use what you already have. Before setting off for your local garden centre, there are a few considerations well worth making.

Firstly, take a stroll around your garden and remind yourself of what is out there and how it is evolving. Does it have a ‘backbone’? If not, you would do well to consider some good sized shrubs to add structure.

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Also, are there any perennials you can divide? These are, quite literally, free plants.

Remind yourself of which plants were successful last year and which were not. And ask yourself what changes you would like to make, if any, and how you can make them successfully.

The internet has an abundance of images to inspire you. Likewise, magazines are a good source for new looks and ideas. Visit some local parks or open gardens such as Kew, RHS Wisley, Sissinghurst or Hidcote Manor. All the while,

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gardens design tips…DIVIDING AND BUYING PERENNIALS refer what you see back to your own garden and consider how you could adapt it to suit.

DIVIDE AND CONQUER Most perennials will benefit from division every two to three years to keep them fresh and vigorous. They can, however, be divided more frequently for the purpose of propagation (your freebies!). It is possible to do this at any time of year but now in early spring is best, while the soil is warming up but the air is still cool. These are the right conditions for root growth and quick establishment. For spring flowering perennials, it is best to divide them a little later – after flowering.

For best results, choose a cool day when the soil is dry enough to work. To lift a plant, dig around it with a fork and tease it out of the ground. For larger plants, you may need to trench around it with a spade and undercut it to limit root damage. Once the plant is out, remove excess soil and prepare to divide the clump. There are several ways to achieve a good divide depending on the type of roots, which you will now be able to see.

Some, like Lamium maculatum and Ajuga reptens, produce clearly visible plantlets than can simply be cut off at the new rooting point. Others, such as Hostas and Heucheras, create clumps of crowns which can be teased apart by hand.

Woody crowned plants like Pulmonaria and Hellebores need cutting apart with a sharp knife or spade. Dividing ornamental grasses can be done with a spade or even with a saw for an accurate split. Larger perennials such as Hemerocallis can also be split with a sharp spade, or if possible levered apart using two forks back to back.

If you are dividing for rejuvenation, you will want to take from the outside of the clumps where the growth is more vigorous.

Separate these by whatever suitable means and then throw away the tired centres.

You are generally looking for healthy clumps of about 20-25

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per cent of the original to replant in place or in a new location. It’s a good idea to prepare any new positions in advance so the new plants can be planted straight away, mitigating their stress.

Replant in generous holes, taking care to position the crown at the right height and keep the plants well watered during their first season.

THE MARCH ‘MARCH’ Now you can go to the garden centre ready to make sense of it. You will be able to make informed choices and not fall into the trap of picking up one of everything, which can lead to a garden being an assault on the eyes.

A bit of repetition works very well with planting, as it appears more natural. Odd numbered groups of a few well chosen varieties make pleasing beds and boarders. They are also simpler to maintain and, most likely, more reliable.

Now when you indulge in an impulse purchase, it may stand up as a feature rather than get lost in the crowd, and you will know that your money has been better spent.

As is true of all retailers, there are garden centres of various standards. Good signs to look for are: • A well maintained centre • Helpful, well informed staff • Clear labelling on plants • Healthy looking plants 4

Propagaion by division, using the two forks back to back method

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garden design tips… DIVIDING AND BUYING PERENNIALS

A garden designed by Daniel Mogridge

Once satisfied with your chosen centre, there are a few ways to identify the best plants and avoid any rotten apples. Ideally, you want plants bred in Britain as these will be best suited to our climate and other growing conditions (a member of staff will be able to find out for you if the label doesn’t tell you).

If you are interested in a plant, inspect it for obvious signs of damage, disease or neglect.

Check for even, healthy growth and pop the root ball out of the pot to see that it is neither ‘pot bound’ nor newly ‘potted-on’.

A pot bound plant will have a tight mass of roots crammed into the pot, growing in a spiral pressed to the inside of the pot with little visible soil. A newly potted-on plant will have little sign of roots, and the compost will fall away to reveal a smaller root ball within. Since you pay per pot size, you will be paying over the odds for that one.

A happy plant should have enough fibrous roots to hold the soil in the shape of the pot on extraction, with some larger roots showing too. Do be sure to replace the plant as you found it if fails your selection process.

Alternatively, you may be lucky enough to find a nursery shop at a garden you visit. While these may be more expensive, such shops tend to sell very good stock with the added advantage of the plants being grown in situ.

If you live nearby, any plants you buy should feel right at home in your own garden since growing conditions will be similar. Staff on hand are likely to be very informative as they will have played a role in propagating and nurturing the plants themselves, and so can pass on precious knowledge. However, always remember you are buying a living product: some natural variation is to be expected.

Daniel Mogridge is a landscape and garden designer based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. He believes that good garden design transforms living space and anchors you and your home to your environment. His background as a gardener and landscaper coupled with a Masters diploma from the renowned Oxford College of Garden Design provide him with the ideal set of skills to create beautiful gardens of all sizes and to all budgets.

For further details, please contact Daniel Mogridge: 01242 518508 / GL53 8AN / danielmogridge.com

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RHS Medal Winning Designer

Creating inspirational Gardens that add value to your home and bring years of enjoyment.

Garden desiGn & BUiLd Bed & Border desiGn PLant soUrcinG 01285 810756 www.andrewjordangardendesign.com

Turning Visions into Reality Landscape Contractors Tel: 01285 654766 www.estatesandgardens.co.uk Baunton Lane, Cirencester, Glos. GL7 7BG

From uninspired to inspirational - we transform both large and small gardens to suit your style and budget. All our garden layouts are individual, to complement the character of your home. We can create an outdoor space which can be enjoyed, nurtured and developed for many years to come.

www.susandunstall.com susan@susandunstall.com +44 07879 842 934

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DAY & BOARDING BOYS and GIRLS AGES 3-18

A bookshop selling hats? Yes, we are the…

MADHATTER

BOOKSHOP

near Banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 5QL

Whole School Open Morning

Friday 29 April from 9.45am

Open Afternoon focusing on Sibford’s provision for pupils aged 3 ~ 7

Wednesday 4 May 2pm ~ 3.30pm for further details visit the website

Madhatter Bookshop is a unique family run business based in Burford. Books and hats are our passion and we sell a wide range of both for all occasions.

www.sibfordschool.co.uk or call 01295 781203

‘All children make excellent progress in their learning and development’ ‘Standards achieved in EYFS are excellent’ Independent Schools Inspectorate Report 2015

Open 7 days a week, everyone is welcome to come and browse through the latest titles and have fun trying on a hat or two at the same time.

Shop online at: www.madhatterbooks.co.uk 122 High St, Burford, OX18 4RE | Tel: 01994 822539 email: info@madhatterbooks.co.uk

Grow. Explore. Discover.

Unlocking potential | Inspiring futures An outstanding day and boarding school for students aged 11–18

Burford School Founded 1571

www.burford.oxon.sch.uk admin.4040@burford.oxon.sch.uk | 01993 823303

The Kingfishers Experience Pre-Prep (3-7) Open Morning, Thursday 12 May at 9.30am

Register now T: 01242 265639 E: prepadmissions@cheltenhamcollege.org www.cheltenhamcollege.org/prep-home

Cheltenham Road, Burford, Oxfordshire OX18 4PL

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.

family matters

School reports School profile: king’s high school for girls, warwick Family matters feature: mastering the art Books recommended by… octavia’s bookshop Cotswold preview APRIL 16

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school reports

s c h o o l

r e p o rt s

We celebrate local schools’ recent successes as well as upcoming highlights…

Burford School 01993 823303 / OX18 4PL / burford.oxon.sch.uk The annual British Physics Olympiad (BPhO), run by the Physics Department of Oxford University, encourages excellence in young physicists. This year’s competition was entered by more than 1,800 sixth formers who have since been whittled down to just 26 – including Joseph Duffy, a Year 13 student at Burford School. Joseph now goes forward to the training camp for Round 3, the outcome of which will be the selection of two teams of five students to represent the UK at international level for physics in Switzerland and for astronomy and astrophysics in India.

We wish Joseph well in the next round.

Cheltenham College 01242 265600 / GL53 7LD / cheltenhamcollege.org A Third Form (Year 9) Cheltenham College pupil, Jack Cunningham, recently clinched the U14 Boys English Alpine title after winning the Giant Slalom and Super Giant Slalom (his favourite discipline) at the English Alpine Championships in Italy. Jack’s Housemaster at Cheltenham College, Mr James Coull, says, “We are all so proud of Jack’s recent achievements. He has worked really hard to balance his studies and his training and has done so with little fuss. At College, we actively encourage all pupils to explore their talents and interests beyond the classroom and Jack is certainly taking full advantage of this.”

The Cotswold School, Bourton-on-the-Water 01451 820554 / GL54 2BD / cotswold.gloucs.sch.uk Congratulations go to Eleonore Gilbert (age 12) of The Cotswold School, who has been selected to go through to the Regional Finals of the annual Rotary Young Chef of the Year competition. Eleanore started her culinary journey in November 2015 when she took part in the competition’s first round. Tasks have included preparing a three course meal for two people in just two hours, with a budget for ingredients of no more than £15. The judging criteria included the taste and presentation of each of the three courses, the planning and costing of the meal, healthy choices of dishes, table layout and presentation, neatness of working area and the range of skills used. Eleanore clearly impressed the five judges with her dishes such as salmon en croute with sugar snap peas, toasted almonds and chives.

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Co-educational Boarding and Day (ages 13 – 18)

Open Morning Saturday 14th May (Years 9/10 entry) Saturday 18th June (Sixth Form entry)

+44(0)1684 581 515 • registrar@malverncollege.org.uk • www.malverncollege.org.uk

From Prep to Senior to Sixth Form...

Key Dates 5th March 2016

Taster Morning for Year 7 (Sept 2017)

9th May 2016

Prep School Open House

29th June 2016 Open Evening

1st October 2016

Prep School Open Morning & Senior School Open Afternoon

12th November 2016 Entrance Exam for Year 7 (Sept 2017)

For more information please contact the School Registrar at 01926 421368 or email registrar@kingsleyschool.co.uk www.thekingsleyschool.co.uk

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@kingsley_school

Girls 3 to 18, boys 3 to 7 years old

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Mr Richard Nicholson, Head Master, with pupils at King’s High School for Girls

SCHOOL PROFILE

KING’S HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, WARWICK In September 2015, Mr Richard Nicholson became Head Master at King’s High School for Girls – the unanimous choice of the selection panel and the first male appointment in the school’s 136 year history. Here, he outlines what he believes makes King’s High such a successful and happy school…

Please would you tell us a little about your own education and professional background prior to becoming Head Master of King’s High, Warwick.

My teaching career began in London and I then moved to St Catherine’s School, a large and highly successful GSA school in Bramley, Surrey, where I was Director of Music. After three years, I joined the senior management team at The Lady Eleanor Holles School (LEH) in Hampton, a GSA school for girls aged 7–18. I held a number of roles there, latterly being sole Deputy Head.

As a boy, I was a chorister at Southwell Minster and then a music scholar at Denstone College in Staffordshire. It was there, influenced by some wonderful teachers, primarily the Director of Music at the time, that I decided I wanted to teach.

I spent my gap year as organ scholar at Lichfield Cathedral, and then took up the organ scholarship and read Music at Pembroke College, Oxford.

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What is the history of the school?

King’s High Warwick was founded in April 1879 and was a trailblazer of girls’ education. By the early 1900s, King’s had grown and flourished, had boarders, a curriculum which included Euclid and Botany, and our Sixth Formers began to go to university. The school introduced innovations such as Form and School councils, very far-sighted for the 1920s, and began its tradition of welcoming illustrious speakers from the world of the arts to speak to and inspire the girls. The school expanded over the years and, by 1970, had over 600 pupils, and university entrance, including at Oxbridge, was far more widely achieved.

‘Excellent‘ and ‘Outstanding’ are words that jump out from our most recent ISI inspection report. King’s High has an enviable academic reputation coupled with an unusually wide range of extracurricular activities.

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school profile… KING’S HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, WARWICK What was your first impression of the school?

I distinctly remember feeling very much at home from the very first time I visited the school. I have been overwhelmed by the kindness and warmth of welcome I have received as head: this warmth is a real hallmark of the school as a community. When I walked through the famous blue door, I thought, “Yes, this is right”. A sense of purpose, fun and joy fills the building, and that is very rare to find.

In three words, what do you bring to the school?

Experience, drive and enthusiasm.

Do you plan to introduce any changes, and if so, what are they?

King’s is a forward looking school: behind the elegant 18th century facade of Landor House beats the heart of a thoroughly 21st century school community. Staff and pupils share an ambition for the school to be the very best it can be, and we have had an initial focus on looking at enhancing our school community, strengthening links with the wider community and developing both our curricular and extracurricular offer. We have already expanded our enrichment and careers programmes, with a broader range of visiting experts and opinion formers visiting the school, and harnessing the expertise of our alumnae in an exciting programme of careers visits to universities.

We are also increasing our sports provision with additional coaches in Netball and Hockey, and are shortly to launch a ’Talented Athletes’

Mr Richard Nicholson standing in front of the famous blue door at King’s High

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Programme’ for our most able sportswomen. We are delighted that alumna Emma Beddoes, a Commonwealth Games medallist, has agreed to be Patron.

Ensuring our facilities are the best they can be is important, too, and we are already working with architects on enhancing and refreshing aspects of our current buildings.

We are working with pupils in devising a House System, which will be in place for September and, very excitingly, we are also creating our own Sixth Form qualification, to sit alongside our A Level provision. This, too, will be in place for the start of the next academic year.

We have also made superb appointments to the teaching staff, including a new role: Director of Educational Innovation. However, I suspect the breakfasts for parents we now offer at ’home’ sports matches have been the biggest hit!

What are the strengths of the school?

King’s is already a very successful school and one with a great sense of pride and self-confidence, so this year for me has been spent listening, learning and laying the foundations for the future.

I have now spoken with all the girls, asking them what they think I should know about the school and what they love about it. Their response has been remarkably constant across the year groups: the school is a very friendly place where girls are kind to one another; they love their learning and their teachers; the trips and extracurricular activities are greatly enjoyed; and lunches are a big hit, as is Matron! That there is such consensus about the strengths of the school is testament to our success in delivering our aims: we know what our school stands for and how those values can be inculcated.

As well as this, in teaching Years 7 and 12, I see each week their inquisitiveness, thirst for knowledge, enthusiasm and sense of fun. In the girls’ activities outside the classroom, too, I am impressed by their commitment, determination, skills and expertise.

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school profile… KING’S HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, WARWICK In your view, what are the benefits of a single-sex education for girls?

My experience of having worked in girls’ schools for a number of years before having the privilege of leading King’s High is that such an environment actively promotes opportunities to prevent girls from falling into gender stereotypes. For example, girls are free to choose examination subjects because they like them, rather than because it is expected of them, and they take part in every aspect of school life: in plays, building the set and designing the lighting sequence as well as arranging costumes and make-up; in orchestras, playing trombones and bassoons, as well as the flute and violin.

That girls have the opportunity to explore their academic and extracurricular interests led purely by their talents and ambitions is essential.

This, for me, is the most potent argument for single-sex education.

At King’s, such individuality is reflected in the girls’ choice of A Level studies. Choosing Maths or a Science goes as unremarked on as choosing English or History, and rightly so. To put that into a of national perspective, currently some 79% of our Sixth Formers study at least one subject related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (’STEM’ subjects). Nationally, the figure for girls taking STEM subjects in GSA schools is 55%, as compared with 34% of girls across all schools nationally.

However, what is so exciting at King’s is that we are in the position to offer girls not just the best opportunities afforded by a single-sex school, but what could be termed ’single-sex plus’. This is because the Warwick Independent Schools Foundation offers our girls and boys all the advantages of single-sex education plus opportunities to work together. In short, I believe that we offer the best of both worlds. Barely a day goes by without boys from Warwick School walking through our buildings; more often than not, as I walk to see colleagues at Warwick Prep School and Warwick School, I meet girls on their way to the Myton Road site. They may be having

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Mr Richard Nicholson with King’s High pupils

a lesson in subjects we offer jointly at Sixth Form – this year, that includes Drama, German, Latin, and English Language. They may be taking part in Foundation Music Groups, or attending one of the other extracurricular clubs and societies run jointly. On a Friday, it will most likely be for one of the numerous activity options, such as Science in Action, CCF or Young Enterprise.

Such opportunities ensure balance and breadth for our pupils, and complement their day-to-day learning environment.

How do you prepare the school’s pupils for the next stages of their lives?

We want the girls to head off to the course of their choice at the university of their choice and to be as prepared as they can be for the world of work.

We also aim to provide them with the tools to be able to cope with the ups and downs which they will inevitably encounter.

What are your plans for the future direction of the school?

King’s has a very proud history and an extremely exciting future in which I am proud to be playing a part. Over the next few months, we will be consolidating the developments outlined earlier, as well as looking further at strengthening our curricular and extracurricular provision, and reaching out further to our Warwick community.

King’s High School for Girls, Warwick: 01926 494485 / CV34 4HJ / kingshighwarwick.co.uk

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Mastering the Art

family matters feature… MASTERING THE ART

We present a gallery of artwork created by pupils at leading schools across the Cotswolds…

Symbiosis of Animals and Mechanical Forms Sophie Hawthorn, age 14 The Kingsley School

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Self-portrait (Inspired by Vincent van Gogh) Caspar XXX, age 6 Beaudesert Park School

Theatrical backdrop for Junior Form play ’Dahl’s Diabolical Dilemmas’ Merrie Wells, age 11 Dean Close Preparatory School

Harmony in Red (Inspired by Matisse) Group work by year 5 The Croft Preparatory School

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family matters feature… MASTERING THE ART Lino Print of a Bird Joe Tagg, age 11 Cheltenham College Preparatory School

Portrait in style of German Expressionism Verity Manning-Cox, age 16 Malvern College 4

Why don’t we sort this mess out!

Lex Ramsay, age 18 Sibford School

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A Level Course Work Danielle Tipton, age 18 Bredon School

’’

I was mainly inspired

by Native American art, where strong colours and sharp outlines are typically used and which I brought in and added to my portrait. I was also inspired by Karl Schmidt-Rottluff ’s block print images and paintings.

I used acrylic paints, as I wanted to create a strong and bold image with good definition and contrast…

’’

Sam Baldwin

Portrait Sam Baldwin, age 16 Wycliffe College

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family matters feature… MASTERING THE ART India II Callum Harvey, age 17 Burford School

’’

With this painting, I wanted the expressions and the environment to contrast with the colours…

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Callum Harvey

Grandad (Inspired by Kris Trappenier) Eloise Humphrey, age 18 The Cotswold School

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Toys Dominic McClaran, age 17 Dean Close School

A321 Anna Kvasnikova, age 17 Cheltenham College

My Sister Emilia Melvin, age 16 King’s High, Warwick

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family matters feature… MASTERING THE ART

’’

Throughout the piece, I have used a variety of warm and cold colours and painted in bold strokes, with hints of yellow and brown to create highlights on the faces. Parts of the faces are ‘incomplete’ which has not only creates visual disintegration but also evokes emotional disintegration…

’’

Iris Lam

Disintegration (Inspired by David Cambria) Iris Lam, age 18 Malvern St James Contact details: Beaudesert Park School: 01453 832072 / GL6 9AF / beaudesert.gloucs.sch.uk Bredon School: 01684 293156 / GL20 6AH / bredonschool.org Burford School: 01993 823303 / OX18 4PL / burford.oxon.sch.uk Cheltenham College: 01242 265600 / GL53 7LD / cheltenhamcollege.org Cheltenham College Preparatory School: 01242 522697 / GL53 7AB / cheltenhamcollege.org/prep-home Dean Close School: 01242 258000 / GL51 6HE / deanclose.org.uk Dean Close Preparatory School: 01242 512217 / GL51 6QS / deanclose.org.uk/preparatory

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King’s High, Warwick: 01926 494485 / CV34 4HJ / kingshighwarwick.co.uk Malvern College: 01684 581500 / WR14 3DF / malverncollege.org.uk Malvern St James: 01684 892288 / WR14 3BA / malvernstjames.co.uk The Cotswold School: 01451 820554 / GL54 2BD / cotswold.gloucs.sch.uk The Croft Preparatory School: 01789 293795 / CV37 7RL / croftschool.co.uk The Kingsley School: 01926 425127 / CV32 5RD / thekingsleyschool.com Sibford School: 01295 781200 / OX15 5QL / sibfordschool.co.uk Wycliffe College: 01453 822432 / GL10 2JQ / wycliffe.co.uk

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Books recommended by…

Octavia’s Bookshop

ANTIQUES, UPHOLSTERY & GIN The award winning Octavia’s Bookshop, on Black Jack Street in Cirencester, stocks childhood favourites and beautiful reference books as well as all the latest best sellers. To tie in with this issue's editorial topics, Octavia Karavla, the bookshop’s owner, recommends several of her favourite books about antiques, upholstery and gin…

William and the Missing Masterpiece by Helen Hancocks Paperback, £6.99 This picture book is a stroke of pure genius. Meet William the ‘international cat of mystery’, a rather distinguished detective sort of cat. When Monsieur Gruyere, gallery owner extraordinaire, finds that his masterpiece the Mona Cheesa has gone missing, he immediately seeks William’s help. It's off to Paris for William, who has to uncover the crime in a sophisticated game of cat and mouse. Filled to the brim with stunning illustrations and scrumptious cheesy puns, this book will please both children and adults alike.

Gone with the Gin

by Tim Federle Hardback, £9.99 When Cotswold Preview mentioned there would be a feature about Gin in this issue, I couldn’t resist sharing this tantalizing treat of a cocktail book. Full to the brim with delicious drinks that have a Hollywood twist, Tim Federle, author of Tequila Mockingbird, has punned to perfection yet again. For the comedies we have Sloppy in Seattle, for the thrillers Dirty Harry Martinis and for the fantasies Long Island Iced E.T., to name but a few. The book also reveals recipes for great movie munchies and some very entertaining drinking games. What’s not to like?

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books recommended by… OCTAVIA’S BOOKSHOP The Button Box: Lifting the Lid on Women’s Lives

by Lynn Knight Hardback, £15.99 This is another fascinating book tracing social histories, this time through something as seemingly small and inferior as a button. Lynn Knight’s button collection, passed down from her Grandma and kept in the safety of a Quality Street tin (which I too have inherited from my own Mother, filled with beautiful buttons), sheds light on the role of women both at home and at work. Each button, from Victorian examples to super-trendy Biba ones, is an emblem of the identity of women in each period. This gorgeous gift book is one that could also be passed down from generation to generation.

The Crafter’s Year published by Dorling Kindersley Hardback, £14.99 The subject of buttons leads me seamlessly to another new book that I have recently started stocking, The Crafter’s Book.

This is a really lovely, well produced collection of very appealing projects to do throughout the year, such as mosaics, candle making and découpage, as well as some cooking and gardening ideas. Certain things will make perfect presents for friends and some are simply fun to fill your own home. I particularly like the vintage teacup candles which are very pretty but also easily achievable.

The Hare with the Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance

by Edmund De Waal Paperback, £9.99 This bestselling and rather remarkable book is a memoir by the celebrated ceramic artist De Waal. However, it also provides a valuable lesson in how objects can tell incredible stories by leading you through people, places and time. When he inherits the ‘netsuke’, a collection of 264 tiny ivory and wood carvings from his Uncle Iggie’s home in Tokyo, including the hare with the amber eyes, De Waal begins his journey.

The journey takes him from the Odessa Empire to Paris, to occupied Vienna and then back to the collection’s home in Tokyo. He learns not only of his family history portrayed through the netsuke but also how national monuments reveal great changes in human history as a whole.

This is an elegant, beautifully written book.

Octavia’s Bookshop, Cirencester: 01285 650677 / GL7 2AA / octaviasbookshop.co.uk

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LIFESTYLE • HOME • GIFTS

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Have a girls night in the shop with prosecco and nibbles, take time trying on clothes and enjoy the experience of having the shop to yourself!

Visit our shop online

WWW.QETTYBANGBANG.CO.UK

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61 Long Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8AA Tel: 01666 503148

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style&lifestyle

EDITOR’S CHOICE: FASHION & BEAUTY HEALTH & BEAUTY FEATURE: NATURAL BEAUTY RETAIL FEATURE: COTSWOLD TRADING EDITOR’S CHOICE: FOOD & DRINK FOOD & DRINK FEATURE: IN GOOD SPIRITS EDITOR’S CHOICE: FOOD & DRINK CHEF PROFILE: MILES THWAITES INN PROFILE: THE NEW INN, COLN ST ALDWYNS THE PREVIEW INTERVIEW: JO BAKER SPECIALIST BUSINESS PROFILE: ATC FLOORS & DOORS VENUE OF THE MONTH: TEMPLE GUITING MANOR & BARNS Cotswold preview APRIL 16

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Editor’s Choice… FASHION & BEAUTY

One of the Cotswolds’ loveliest spas is at Lucknam Park, near Bath. Recently upgraded, it is set within a walled garden and features a 20m heated indoor pool, indoor-outdoor hydrotherapy pool, outdoor salt-water plunge pool, a fitness suite and thermal cabins. This month, Lucknam is also hosting a three day Hatha yoga retreat (20–22 April), led by Ben Parkes. The retreat includes two nights’ luxury accommodation, meals and full use of the spa facilities, and is priced at £930 for single occupancy or £1,330 based on two sharing. Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa: 01225 742777 / SN14 8AZ / lucknampark.co.uk

Editor’s Choice

Highlighting some of our personal favourites: a spa, a jeweller and lifestyle brands…

We are fans of The Cotswold Tweed Company which opened recently in Stowon-the-Wold. The bijou shop was set up by Sally Knight to specialise in tweed clothing from a variety of premium labels such as Cocoon Luxury Wear and the Kingham-based Holland & Cooper, as well as country boots and hats. You can also find a selection of items for children, including some rather smart capes.

The Cotswold Tweed Company: 01451 833509 / GL54 1AB

Accha’s latest collections include pieces that are perfect for springtime, such as this boho-chic Indigo Blue Quilted jacked in Paisley ((£145). It is pictured here with one of the brand’s popular suede-fringed Clutch bags (£135, available in a range of colours) which are just the right size to fit an iPad or 14" laptop. To view or buy online, visit acchalondon.com

This pretty 9ct rose gold bracelet (£250) features a large oval faceted amethyst and pink quartz, with three oval rose gold beads at intervals and a Carabina clasp. It is available from Michael Jones Jeweller, in Banbury, which is a great source for gifts – or simply to treat yourself: you can browse the wide selection of jewellery and top brand watches in store or online. Michael Jones Jeweller: 01295 263540 / OX16 5JG / michaeljonesjeweller.co.uk

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Natural Beauty

The skin absorbs small amounts of whatever is put onto it, so it is important to know exactly what goes into beauty products – the ingredients to avoid and those that are naturally effective‌ Herbfarmacy 130

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health & beauty feature… NATURAL BEAUTY

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products gentle enough to use on her daughter’s highly sensitive skin and was dismayed to discover that, by law, a product need only have 1% natural or organic ingredients for its formula to be called ’natural’. She started to create her own organic salves and creams, and after many years of research and development, launched Green People in 1997. This organic range covers all aspects of family skin care and promises never to contain aggressive ingredients or synthetic chemicals, fragrances or colourants.

’’

Concerns about synthetic chemicals in certain skin care and hair care products include suspected links to medical problems. Ingredients that are still in the research spotlight include phthalates, sulphates, synthetic colour and fragrances, parabens... the list goes on. But in any case, why use harsh synthetic chemicals when ingredients derived from nature can be harnessed to deliver effective results?

The competitive skin care market has developed over recent years to bring these more natural products into the mainstream. To help consumers choose between the various brands, there are certain accreditations to look out for, such as the Soil Association’s organic ’badge of approval’.

Many natural products are developed with a whole ethos in mind – as part of a harmonised bodymind relationship – so the effects may benefit more than just your skin. Producers of natural skin care and hair care also tend to consider sustainability, environmental and ecological impacts more than your average manufacturer.

This is certainly true of Dr Hauschka, which has used 100% natural ingredients in its skin care for over 40 years. In fact, Dr Hauschka manufacturer WALA Heilmittel has been studying and working with plant and mineral extracts since 1935. Over these decades, the company has developed an in-depth understanding of the way in which certain plants mirror specific skin functions and the manner in which each plant interacts with the skin to stimulate and support the complexion. WALA now owns and operates its own biodynamic garden and farm, and the vast majority of ingredients in the Dr Hauschka skin care line are from biodynamic nd organic sources.

Dr Hauschka’s formulations draw on centuries of herbal wisdom and combine traditional approaches with modern science and technology.

The company’s aim is to create gentle yet effective natural skin care products which let the skin become self-sufficient. For example, Rose Day Cream – one of Dr Hauschka’s most popular products – contains extracts of rose petals and rose hips to nourish and balance the skin, with shea butter, rose petal wax and avocado oil to help conserve moisture.

Natural formulations are sometimes also born of necessity. Charlotte Vohtz struggled to find

The highest quality ingredients make for the most effective products available...

’’

Dr Hauschka

You can find Green People products at The Organic Farm Shop in Cirencester, which also stocks Herbfarmacy, an organic brand made from herbs grown on the maker’s own fields in Herefordshire.

Herbfarmacy’s founder, Dr Paul Richards, has been growing herbs for 30 years and is passionate about the benefits of organic plants. The brand’s range includes products devised for children and for specific skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea. For example, its traditional herbal tinctures, such as Chickweed Balm, Comfrey Balm and Horse Chestnut Balm, are wonderfully soothing and can also be used on children, while Divine Light Face Cream is formulated for younger or oily skin, ideal for teenagers struggling with spots.

Whole Foods Market, the American retailer which has a store in Cheltenham, is another good source for natural skin care and hair care products. The company’s buyers are trained to find local producers which meet the company’s strict standards on product ingredients and production methods. One such producer is Balmology, the brainchild of Cheltenham resident Catherine Lewis.

The brand’s range includes balms to cleanse, nourish and comfort as well as a beauty oil designed to hydrate and leave skin feeling radiant. 4

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health & beauty feature… NATURAL BEAUTY Balmology’s formulations use fine, organic plant oils and follow three principles: to be waterless, 100% organic and preservative free, and naturally effective.

Water content can account for as much as 80% of some creams and lotions but Catherine has chosen to banish it completely from her products because waterless products don’t require the addition of synthetic emulsifiers, fillers or preservatives. That means less potential irritation for sensitive skin. Catherine also runs a series of courses for those interested in producing their own personalised skin care products.

A range of balms which we particularly like is Hurraw! Lip Balms. These are made in the USA using all natural, vegan, raw, organic and fair trade ingredients. If that makes them sound good enough to eat, they probably are – and they come in tempting flavours such as chocolate, coffee, cherry, Earl Grey and Licorice. There’s even a balm made to Ayurvedic Dosha Principles. They are a godsend for anyone with dry or chapped lips: smooth, non-sticky and long lasting.

The Greenshop in Bisley is also a great place to find a range of natural beauty products.

Shop manager Jon Saunders says, “Our prime concern is the sustainability of products. We would always avoid palm oil, the production of which is destroying life-giving rainforests and the habitats of wild animals. We also like to buy local wherever possible: the Woodside Beeswax moisturising cream and the Thrupp Goat Maid Soaps are great examples which have a loyal customer following.”

Essential oils have been shown to be extremely effective at enhancing the state of our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Made up of very small molecules, essential oils can potentially deliver their unique healing properties to every cell of the body. They have a positive effect on the skin, penetrating into the deeper layers to encourage the process of cellular renewal, to enhance blood circulation and help tackle problems such as acne and eczema. Additionally, essential oils can be used to transform moods and impact on our emotional state through the sense of smell.

The specialist company Aromatherapy Associates has long been an expert in the production of skin care products which incorporate

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essential oils. For example, its Fine Line Face Oil contains oils of evening primrose and ximenia to help diminish the appearance of fine lines; essential oils of rose and patchouli to encourage a healthy glow; and apple and raspberry seed oils to help plump the skin.

When considering natural products, Patsy Robertson from well-being store Mayfair & Grace, in Tetbury, says, “If you eat healthily, then what you put on your skin should be of the same calibre.

I think there is much more awareness now – for a long time, people have been using products and not knowing the effect they may be having on their health. By using natural products, you are not poisoning your body.”

Mayfair & Grace offers a wide range of natural skin care and well-being brands including Dr Hauschka, Neal’s Yard, Caudalie, Burt’s Bees, Nourish and This Works. Patsy recommends This Works Sleep Plus Pillow Spray as a fast-acting natural remedy to help restore healthy sleep patterns for restless sleepers. Produced using 100% pure essential oils, this potent blend with lavender has been clinically proven to provide a better night’s sleep.

AEOS (Active Energised Organic Skincare) also considers not just the skin but the whole body and mind. Underpinning the brand is the belief that a healthy, glowing complexion indicates a level 4

AEOS Refreshing Hydrating Mist

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Harriet’s offers a unique hairdressing experience.

All the products used are made from the maximum amount of organic ingredients and the minimum amount of harmful chemicals.

Beginning with a free consultation and hair health analysis, Harriet’s provides a thorough healthy hair-care service for all in this highly relaxing environment.

Phone us on 01453 759666 to book a free 15 minute consultation or to make an appointment.

33 High Street, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 1AJ

www.harrietsorganic.co.uk © Camilla Reynolds

1 Oxford Street, Moreton In Marsh, Gloucestershire GL55 0LA

t: 01608 651618 www.henrysofmoreton.com

New spring stock just arrived from Sebago, Musto, Anna Lascata, Peregrine & Bladen.

HenrysMoreton • Henry’s of Moreton • henrysofmoreton

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Rose Day Cream (£29.50, 30ml)

by Dr Hauschka Mallow beauty balm (£18, 30g) by Herbfarmacy

Dry Shampoo (£28.95, 200ml) by Tabitha James Kraan

Organic Colour Systems products used by Harriet’s Organic Hairdressing

of well-being, not just beauty. As a result, AEOS’s multi-award winning products contain natural, organic and biodynamic plant extracts, essences and essential oils, as well as spagyric tinctures of crystal energies, and waveforms of colour.

The belief is that, by choosing a product by colour, your body is indicating what it needs and the associated crystals within the individual product replenish these qualities. For example, AEOS’s pink cleansing lotion contains crystal essences of fire opal, rose quartz, calcite, quartz, charoite and rubelite. Pink is the colour of kindness, caring and warmth: qualities found in these crystals.

At Shire Farm, its certified biodynamic farm, AEOS grows plants to use in its products, sourcing other ingredients from organic and biodynamic farms across the world. Plants grown using such methods are believed to have more vitality and a profoundly positive effect on the raw materials produced from them. The AEOS philosophy embraces a holistic approach, from farming and sourcing of materials to creating each skin care preparation: look after the soil, feed the skin,

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nourish the soul.

Ila-spa follows a similar philosophy, going ’beyond organic’. The company’s focus on finding the purest raw ingredients, grown and harvested by artisan producers in harmony with nature and local communities, results in the creation of distinctly luxurious products. The brand’s founder, Denise Leicester says, “Ila’s vocation is to bring purity, energy and balance into everyday life through the creation of luxury organic products that are as effective as they are ethical: no-compromise skin and body care with the ability to awaken, transform and heal.”

Its products are blended by hand in small batches in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, and can be experienced at one of the selected ila spas throughout the country. Locally, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa near Bath, Whatley Manor in Malmesbury, Ellenborough Park in Cheltenham, Lakes by Yoo in Lechlade and Pink Gloss Boutique in Chipping Campden all offer a range of ila-spa treatments. Ila therapists are also trained in yogic techniques to channel healing energy, a process that is central to the success of the treatments.

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health & beauty feature… NATURAL BEAUTY Pilow Spray (£25, 200ml) by This Works

Balmology products: Exotic Rose Beauty Oil (£30, 50ml), PostShave Balm (£26) and Neroli & Frankincense Beauty Balm (£28)

Lip Balm (£3.99)

by Hurraw!

Alternatively, for a home spa experience, a range of ila’s seasonal products can be bought online. For spring, its products have been devised to release toxins, rejuvenate and boost the immune system whilst restoring natural vigour. If you would like the chance to win a fabulous selection of ila products, please turn to our Reader Competition on page 11.

As with mainstream skin care, hair care products – ranging from everyday shampoos to colouring and straightening treatments – can be loaded with harsh chemicals. However, a number of salons now focus on natural and organic hair care to help redress this balance.

One example is Harriet’s Organic Hair Salon, in Stroud, which uses only organic, plant based products. Owner Harriet Cawkwell started her business largely because she and her family had sensitivities and allergies to many modern products used in the home. This led to her researching gentler and more natural products. As a hair stylist in conventional hair salons, Harriet had also been concerned that the harmful chemicals to which

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Quinoa & Calendula Shower Gel (£14.95 200ml)

by Green People

she was exposed, including ammonia, could have serious long-term consequences for her health.

Harriet’s Organic Hair Salon doesn’t use any hair care products that Harriet hasn’t ’tested’ on herself or her children. She particularly recommends products from the Organic Colour Systems, which can help repair damaged hair and allow it to continue being coloured without further harm to the hair or body. These treatments don’t compromise on results as they can achieve seven shades of lift, with 100% grey coverage, whilst being free from ammonia, parabens and SLSs. At the salon, clients’ hair is stretch-tested: naturally healthy hair should stretch 30% and then retract back. If your hair stretches too much, it requires protein; if it stretches too little, it needs moisture. Harriet can then prescribe specific shampoos for clients to take home in order to continue rebuilding their hair.

It’s no surprise that she describes herself jokingly as a ’hair doctor’. As she says, “A lot of what we do is repairing the damage that conventional products have done to hair in the past.”4

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health & beauty feature… NATURAL BEAUTY Her favourite product is the Organic Colour Systems Revamp: “Not only is it organic and a natural product, but there is nothing else like it. It’s made from quinoa protein, which is left on the hair as a treatment to rebuild the hair’s structure. It is the most used product in the salon as we find that a lot of people’s hair is lacking in protein and therefore strength because of the damage conventional colours do. After just one application, you can see the difference in the stretch test.”

Harriet believes that many people’s awareness of their chemical intake is now changing, and they are beginning to understand that there is an alternative. Just as the general public’s interest in the provenance of food has developed over the years, with consumers questioning what they put in their body, now they are considering what they put on their body.

At the opposite end of the Cotswolds, in Stowon-the-Wold, Tabitha James Kraan is a longstanding pioneer of organic hairdressing. In the 1990s, an enlightening conversation with her midwife brought to her attention the fact that what she was putting onto her body, in the form of chemical based hair dyes and shampoos, would be passed on directly to her unborn child. Scientific research has shown that up to 60% of a product applied to the skin is absorbed into the body, therefore up to 60% of all the chemicals she was dying her hair with would be passed on. She was convinced that there had to be a natural alternative: in 1999, Tabitha opened her first organic hairdressing salon.

After years of searching for the ultimate ’clean’ hair care products, she decided simply to Contact details: The Greenshop: 01452 770629 / GL6 7BX / greenshop.co.uk Mayfair & Grace: 01666 504128 / GL8 8JG / mayfairandgrace.co.uk The Organic Farm Shop: 01285 640441 / GL7 5HF / theorganicfarmshop.co.uk Whole Foods Market: 01242 542950 / GL51 9RR / wholefoodsmarket.com AEOS: aeos.net Aromatherapy Associates: aromatherapyassociates.com

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create her own collection of high performance professional hair products, made from the purest ingredients. These formulations are designed to nourish, enhance and protect your hair – naturally and organically.

One of Tabitha’s products is the TJK Organic Dry Shampoo. This is a particularly effective treatment for long hair and helps tackle the problem of greasy roots caused by frequent washing of hair with a detergent. (When the hair is stripped of its natural oils, the sebum glands go into overdrive to try and replace it, thus causing a frustrating cycle of greasy roots and over-washing). By using the dry shampoo and allowing more time between washes, hair is allowed to regain its natural equilibrium and healthy appearance.

TJK Organic Dry Shampoo includes plant ingredients such as burdock, nettle and comfrey, blended with the naturally cleansing chestnut powder, tapioca powder and bicarbonate of soda, plus an infusion of organic essential oils – and not a synthetic chemical in sight.

Another of Tabitha’s recommended products is the TJK Organic 4-in-1 Conditioner. This is one of the most adaptable products in her range: it can be used as a traditional conditioner, a leave-in conditioner, a scalp moisturizer or as a styling tool to smooth and texturise hair and add volume.

So, when you next find yourself reaching for a moisturiser, lip balm or shampoo, check the label and ask yourself if you would knowingly let its ingredients cross your lips. If the answer is no, maybe it’s time to find a more natural alternative.

Balmology: balmology.co.uk Dr Hauschka: dr.hauschka.com/en_GB/ Green People: greenpeople.co.uk Harriet’s Organic Hair Salon: 01453 759666 / GL5 1AJ / harrietsorganic.co.uk Herbfarmacy: herbfarmacy.co.uk Hurraw! Balm: hurrawbalm.com ila-spa: ila-spa.com Tabitha James Kraan Organic Hairdressing: 01451 831999 / GL54 1AA / tabithajameskraan.co.uk

APRIL 16 Cotswold preview

OPENS 21st MARCH 2016

Right in the heart of the ‘ Queen

of the Cotswolds ’ our Painswick is just the spot to escape the mundane , spoil the mind, throw a party, or

meetings and do’s

weddings

just unwind .

treatments

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EXPERT, BESPOKE WEDDING AND PARTY PLANNING www.henrybonas.com

Cotswolds: 01285 721199 London: 020 7197 1790

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Inside Cotswold Trading’s Broadway store

Spring'’16: monochrome meets teal green and sunshine yellow Cotswold Trading in Broadway presents what’s new for April in homewares and accessories…

It’s that time of year again to celebrate the ORLA KIELY beginnings of the outdoor season. At Cotswold The London based Irish designer is renowned for Trading, we have embraced the trend for beautiful her retro-style floral prints in bold, vibrant patterns. rich teal greens, sunshine yellows and contrasting Her new SS’16 collection features the Giant Linear Stem pattern in Dandelion or Liquorice monochrome patterns which are seen across colourways on practical PVC-coated cotton. a wide range of homewares and fashion Choose from the versatile Midi sling, accessories: our Broadway store is bursting Classic shoulder bag or Backpack tote with new season stock such as a stunning, and match with the Big Zip wallet and dandelion yellow shoulder bag from Orla Patricia watch.

Kiely and a sumptuous cotton velvet throw from Vivaraise in this season’s dark sea FABFUNKY green. Both are ideal for when you’re British brand FabFunky delights in out and about, so why not pack up a bringing a little whimsy into your picnic or join in the family fun at one life and a smile to your face. New of the Cotswolds’ point-to-point meets Giant Linear Stem Zip this season is a glorious range this month. shoulder bag (£125) in of characterful Milliners Dog Our pick of what’s best in store this Dandelion or Liquorice

by Orla Kiely cushions, featuring a range of month includes:

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retail feature… COTSWOLD TRADING Dachshund Milliners Dog cushion (£55)

by Fab Funky

Designbox of 13 Misfortune Cookies (£13.99) by Pechkeks

Basil & Cucumber pillar candle (£14.99)

by Dassie Artisan

formally attired dogs with top hats and monocles.

The designs incorporate a selection of pages of text from an antique Gentleman’s Etiquette guide from the 1800s. Not that these dogs need an etiquette guide of course: they have impeccable manners already.

DASSIE ARTISAN Dassie Artisan is committed to offering its customers hand made treasures that are created by talented artisans. Each item is representative of the hard work and skills developed over generations, woven with ounces of culture and years of heritage. The brand’s scented pillar candles are perfect for creating a glow on a mantelpiece or as a centrepiece on a table setting – a must-have for any romantic dinner or dinner party to create a relaxed, cosy atmosphere.

PECHKEKS As merciless as Misfortune Cookies may be, they are lovingly made down to the last detail. Along with the black cat, there are three other illustrations adorning the individual cookie wrappers. The cookies themselves are as black as their packaging,

and every last crumb is baked in the south of Germany. The incredible number of nasty fortunes dreamt up at Misfortune Cookies’ headquarters means there are no duplicates in a box. And if there are: bad luck! So, if you dare, buy them now and prepare yourself for what lies ahead. Careful – these are not for children!

VIVARAISE Update your bed linen with a beautiful Lison throw from Lyon based luxury Lison throw homeware brand Vivaraise. Made (£168) by from 100% cotton, this luxurious Vivaraise throw adds texture and style to any room.

BARREL PICNIC HAMPER Enjoy balmy spring and summer days in the countryside with a very stylish Barrel Picnic Hamper.

With a buff antique wash finish to the willow and a smart, cream faux leather trim, this hamper has twinlidded access, cutlery, plates and Barrel glasses for two, Picnic Hamper and straps to secure two (£69) wine bottles inside.

In Broadway, Cotswold Trading has been a stalwart on the village’s shopping scene for over 15 years. The independent gift store sources contemporary lifestyle products from all over the world, from the unique and quirky to the classic and traditional, providing an interesting and diverse collection.

Cotswold Trading: 01386 853331 / WR12 7DT / cotswoldtrading.com

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Editor’s Choice… FOOD & DRINK A hidden gem in a tiny Cotswold village near Broadway, Buckland Manor is fast becoming one of the area’s hottest dining destinations. Recent accolades for head chef William Guthrie and his team include successfully holding a coveted 3 AA rosette status and being named Cotswold Hotel Restaurant of the Year in 2015. At lunchtime, guests can choose from set menus starting at just £24.50 for two courses, or indulge with a seven course tasting menu, available at both lunch and dinner. For a slightly lighter indulgence, there’s a fabulous new five course tasting menu for just £55, also available at lunch and dinner. Reservations are recommended.

Buckland Manor: 01386 852626 / WR12 7LY / bucklandmanor.co.uk

Editor’s Choice

News from four of our favourite Cotswold restaurants this spring…

Congratulations to Vanessa Curnock and Amol Patil, who this month celebrate a year as the owners of Jesse’s. Tucked behind Jesse Smith’s butchers on Black Jack Street, the restaurant is the only one in Cirencester to have two AA Rosettes as well as a presence in the 2016 Hardens and Michelin guides. The menu of contemporary British cuisine is designed by head chef David Witnall (pictured here with Vanessa): we can highly recommend the dark chocolate cheesecake with Malteser ice cream.

Jesse’s: 01285 641497 / GL7 2AA / jessesbistro.co.uk

Jazz lovers should head to The Shaven Crown in Shipton-under-Wychwood, near Chipping Norton, for its regular live music events: The Richard Exall Duo are playing on Thursday 21 April, from 8pm. The Shaven Crown: 01993 830500 / OX7 6BA / theshavencrown.co.uk Just open in Milton-under-Wychwood, Shipton’s neighbouring village, The Hare has all the elements of a destination pub: a welcoming team, an interesting menu, well prepared dishes and an interior that’s quirky but relaxed (there’s a knack to that). Well worth a visit.

The Hare: 01993 835763 / OX7 6LA / themiltonhare.co.uk

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A traditional country inn overlooking the Coln Valley

Cosy bar areas and restaurant serving great food Local ales, as well as ciders and lagers, on tap Selection of high-quality wines and spirits Two outside terraces with dining 15 stunning rooms, all en suite New dining experience from ‘The Shack’ now open “The menu will delight you, whether you want a snack, pub meal or a sophisticated restaurant experience.”

Coln St Aldwyns, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 5AN

01285 750651 www.new-inn.co.uk

A S U M P T U O U S T R E AT

• • • • • • • •

Exclusive use of the whole venue Civil ceremony licence Stunning outside ceremony shelter Dining room with rolling views over the Cotswold countryside On site caterers offering a range of BBQ and rotisserie options One of the Britain’s largest indoor barbeques Well stocked bar with licence till 12.30am Statement fire place and magnificent fire pits

For more info and to take a sneak preview of the venue view our photo gallery online www.crippsstonebarn.com For enquiries call 01285 721909 enquiries@crippsstonebarn.com www.crippsstonebarn.com

/StoneBarn /TheStoneBarn

E A S TER A F TER NOON TE A AT B U C K L A N D M A N O R Celebrate the start of spring with our decadent Easter afternoon tea

£25 . 0 0 PER PERSON M A K E YO U R R E S E RVAT I O N AT W W W. BUC KL ANDMANOR .CO.UK OR CALL 01386 306481 Afternoon tea is served from 2.30pm – 5.30pm Monday – Saturday and 4.00pm – 6.00pm Sunday. Subject to availability. Price per person.

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02/03/2016 09:0

In good

Spirits

Gin is currently enjoying a global revival, with specialist distillers creating unique combinations of botanicals with which to flavour their spirits.

Here, we showcase the Cotswold based distillers who are setting new standards of excellence with their small batch, artisanal gins‌

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food & drink feature… IN GOOD SPIRITS Widely seen as the most sophisticated type of white spirit, gin was long associated with older drinkers. However, with a ’gin revival’ well under way, the younger generation is now also turning to gin as a drink of choice. This, combined with the emergence of high quality, artisanal gins, has given the spirit something of a dynamic new image.

Juniper-steeped spirits have been used for medicinal purposes since the early Middle Ages but the Dutch were the first to drink them recreationally in any great volume. They produced a drink called Genever, which was the precursor to gin.

We can thank the first Earl of Leicester, Robert Dudley (a Warwickshire resident) for indirectly bringing gin over to England. Dudley was a strong supporter of the Protestant cause, so much so that when the Dutch rebelled against the Spanish Habsburg rule in 1585, he led the English campaign to the Netherlands. Dudley failed in his military role but he did send his men home with a taste for Genever.

At this time, English distillers were starting to dabble with juniper as a flavouring for spirits and were selling it in ’Strong Water’ shops. By 1600, there were 200 of these in London alone.

Fast forward to the present day and gin’s place in the panoply of British drinks is firmly entrenched.

Particularly since the drink’s revival, many specialist distillers produce their own niche bottlings, with each one’s recipe of botanicals a strictly guarded secret. It is these subtleties of flavour combinations that make each gin so unique.

In the Cotswolds, one of the best known artisanal gins is the aptly named Cotswolds Dry Gin, which has just received the accolade of ‘World’s Best London Dry Gin’ at the 2016 World Gin Awards. It is produced by The Cotswolds Distillery, in Stourton, a company set up by Daniel Szor to produce world-class, small batch whisky, gin and other spirits. Having put together an

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The Cotswolds Distillery

experienced and hugely passionate team, Daniel is now focussed on producing high quality spirits using traditional distilling methods and locally sourced ingredients.

Before launching its first gin, The Cotswolds Distillery team meticulously went through the process of bottling every conceivable botanical with which the spirit could be flavoured. An expert botanist was brought in at the start to help in the search for more unusual Cotswolds botanicals.

Resulting from this process, the distillery now boasts an entire library of botanicals, lined up in its gin blending room – otherwise known as ’the lab’.

For gin production, the distillery uses a bespoke copper Holstein still which is run very slowly to achieve maximum intensity and depth of flavour. Having tried and tested a huge number of combinations, the team hit on a recipe that uses nine botanicals to produce a London Dry style gin with a unique Cotswolds twist: hence the name Cotswolds Dry Gin. The botanicals – juniper, coriander, angelica root, Cotswolds lavender and bay leaf, grapefruit, lime, black pepper and cardamom seed – result in a classic, well-balanced gin with notes of crisp citrus and spice. Due to the quantity and volume of botanicals used in its production, Cotswold Dry Gin is unusually aromatic and characterful. It is delicious on its own and over ice, but also robust 4

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enough to stand up to tonic and smooth enough to craft a mean gin martini.

The Cotswolds Distillery’s latest artisanal gin, 1616 Gin, is being launched this month to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death on 23 April. This gin uses whisky spirit distilled three times to create a taste that is closer to the gin-type spirits of Shakespeare’s time, when malt spirits were widely available instead of today’s more neutralflavoured wheat spirits. It should be a fascinating gin to taste: Daniel says that it carries the taste of whisky combined with its unique combination of botanicals.

Another of the Cotswolds’ independent artisanal gin producers is Shakespeare Distillery, a new company based on the Alscot Estate, near Stratford-upon-Avon. As the distillery’s founder, Simon Picken says, “Being based near Stratfordupon-Avon, we wanted to create something authentic to our area – and what could be more authentic to us than Shakespeare? Of course we couldn’t distil the Bard himself into a bottle but we could look at the Tudor period in which he lived and bring the essence of this into our spirits, the first of which is Stratford Gin. Above all, we wanted to make a modern gin with a twist of history.”

The Tudor period, the time of William Shakespeare, was a significant time for spirit production. Prior to Henry VIII’s reign, the monasteries had a stranglehold on distillation and its primary purpose in their hands was medicinal. However, after Henry’s dissolution of the monasteries, it became a time of discovery,

Gun Dog Gin’s fruit flavoured, gin based liqueurs

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Stratford Gin by Shakespeare Distillery

experimentation and innovation within the world of spirit production. Recreational drinking of spirits also became more widespread.

Shakespeare Distillery aims to recapture this period of innovation by fusing traditional and, in some cases, forgotten ingredients with modern distillation techniques. All operations are performed within the distillery to ensure quality control: the small team distils, bottles, labels, seals and distributes its Stratford Gin by hand and in small batches.

Choosing the right still is a major decision for any distillery and at Shakespeare Distillery, the still is a very modern design with a computer controlled cooling condenser to make production as environmentally friendly as possible. The team have christened her ’Portia’ after the heroine in Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice: a smart and discerning lady who steers the course of events to get whatever she desires.

With Stratford Gin, Shakespeare Distillery employs the London Dry method of production: nothing can be added to the gin other than the flavours imparted during

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food & drink feature… IN GOOD SPIRITS distillation. Simon Picken says, “For an extra challenge and to ensure we really can say that we have created a hand crafted product, we use the single shot method. This means that all the ingredients required to make one batch of gin are added at the same time. We don’t make a concentrate and blend this down to get the flavour we want: this means we need to put the same attention and passion into every batch to ensure consistency.”

Stratford Gin contains nine botanicals, all of which were available and widely used in Tudor England: rose, lemon balm, rosemary, angelica root and lovage, fused with the more familiar juniper and coriander as well as lemon and orange peel.

The first batch of Stratford Gin was released in December 2015 and it is now available to buy online from Master of Malt (www.masterofmalt.com) and from independent wine merchants in Stratfordupon-Avon, Leamington Spa and Warwick. It is also behind the bar at selected local hotels, bars and restaurants. Simon recommends serving it with

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tonic water, preferably Fever-Tree, garnished with a slice of lemon and a sprig of rosemary.

Shakespeare Distillery’s second product, Mulberry Gin, will be available from mid-April. This is made by combining Mulberries with Stratford Gin and leaving them to steep for several months before decanting and bottling. The resulting gin has a rich, fruity flavour and is ideal for sipping or using in cocktails.

Shakespeare famously planted a Mulberry tree in the garden of his home, New Place in Stratford-upon-Avon, following a royal decree in 1609 that all landowners should plant a Mulberry to help promote a native silk industry. However, the wrong variety of tree was imported: the heavily cropping black Mulberry arrived instead of the silkworms’ favourite, the white Mulberry. Sadly, Shakespeare’s Mulberry at New Place no longer exists, but some of the ancient Mulberry trees which do survive in Stratford-upon-Avon are said to have been cuttings from his original tree.

The specialist drinks company Gun Dog Gin, based near Ledbury and run by the mother 4

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food & drink feature… IN GOOD SPIRITS and son team Sue and Charles Frost, produces gin-based liqueurs flavoured with seasonal fruits.

The range includes Blackcurrant, Cherry, Damson, Quince, Raspberry and Rhubarb, with the fruit (or vegetable, in the case of rhubarb) sourced from the Herefordshire / Gloucestershire area. The base is a premium British gin, distilled especially for Gun Dog Gin, in which the fruit or vegetable is steeped for a number of months. The resulting liqueur can be drunk on its own or used as a mixer to make a long drink: try adding a shot to a glass of extra dry prosecco.

Over recent years, the spirited come-back of the gin industry has also spawned a number of specialist tonic companies. These include Fever-Tree Tonic, 1724 tonic, Bermondsey Tonic Water (BTW) and Fentiman’s Tonic from Hexham. To make the perfect G&T, it is worth trying several of these to identify the tonic water that best complements your chosen gin.

Due to the popularity of artisanal gins, many bars and restaurants now stock a selection that goes well beyond the old stalwarts of Gordon’s, Tanqueray and Bombay. For example, The Cotswold Gin Pantry at The Cotswold Plough Hotel, in Clanfield, was set up by the hotel’s owners because of their extensive knowledge of Genevers and gins from around the world. They aim to pass on their knowledge by allowing tastings of many different gins: the options currently run into the hundreds.

With different tonics available too, the combinations are Cotswolds Dry Gin by endless.

The Cotswolds Distillery Contact details: The Cotswold Plough Hotel: 01367 810222 / OX18 2RB / cotswoldsploughhotel.com The Cotswolds Distillery: 01608 238533 / CV36 5HT / cotswoldsdistillery.com The Feathers Hotel: 01993 812291 / OX20 1SX / feathers.co.uk Gin Festival: ginfestival.com

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Sibling Triple Distilled Gin by Sibling Distillery

Membership of The Gin Pantry Club is free and members are given a personal tasting card which remains in the Pantry for you to keep track of your likes and dislikes, plus every tenth G&T purchased is free. The Gin Pantry also has a number of ’gin experiences’, all of which can be bought as gift vouchers.

Locally, two other establishments stand out for the breadth of their gin bars: The Feathers Hotel, in Woodstock, and The Maytime Inn, in Asthall, near Burford.

New for 2016, Gin Festival is holding an event at Blackfriars in Gloucester on 17–18 June, showcasing over 100 different gins from new and established producers. If you are already a gin aficionado, this offers the chance to try some of the newer artisanal varieties.

Gun Dog Gin: 07791 750706 / gundoggin.co.uk The Maytime Inn: 01993 822068 / OX18 4HW / themaytime.com Shakespeare Distillery: 01789 801180 / CV37 8DX / shakespearedistillery.com Sibling Distillery: 07882 125969 / GL52 6EJ / siblingdistillery.com

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Will you take the bait?

The restaurant at The Fish Hotel is re-launching on 1st April, no joke.

To book a table, visit thefishhotel.co.uk/take-the-bait or call 01386 897 525 and quote “Take the bait” #takethebait The Fish Hotel, Farncombe Estate • Broadway • Worcestershire • WR12 7LJ

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CHEF PROFILE

MILES THWAITES Having trained with such prestigious names as Galton Blackiston, Richard Bainbridge, Mark Poynton, Dave Watts and Michel Roux Jr, Miles Thwaites recently became the new owner and Head Chef at The Coterie in Cirencester…

Please could you tell us a little about your background and what first inspired you to become a chef?

Growing up on the north Norfolk coast, I always had an interest in food – you are spoilt with so many small producers of quality produce. I did my work experience at a little local establishment called Crofter’s Restaurant. This was my first insight into a professional workplace and from that point I was hooked! The buzz of being in a busy kitchen on a Saturday night is like no other, and dishes that you create bring joy to customers. There are not many occupations which can offer the same level of artistic freedom as well as discipline and teamwork.

Where and with whom did you train?

After my work experience, I was employed at Crofter’s every weekend and as soon as I had finished my GCSEs, I started there full-time and worked there for two years. I then joined the one Michelin star restaurant Morston Hall, under Galton Blackiston and Richard Bainbridge. I spent three years working my way up to be Junior Sous

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Chef and I look back at this time as my ‘University years’ – absorbing as much as I possibly could.

I learnt to give full respect to produce and to use just the freshest possible ingredients. At Morston Hall I developed a love and understanding of using what is bang in season, as well as a connection from the raw ingredients to preparing, cooking and finally serving. When you understand what has gone into any product, you give it more love and attention.

After my time at Morston Hall, with the blessing and backing of Galton and Richard, I went to the two Michelin starred Le Gavroche, in London, where I worked for a year as Chef de Partie of the meat section. It was an honour to work for Michel Roux Jr. He is such a well respected person in the industry and with very good reason. The food is classical French and honest cooking: no water baths are used here! I learnt that simplicity is the key to letting the food speak for itself.

After my time at Le Gavroche, I was invited back to Morston Hall as Sous Chef, working closely with Head Chef Richard on perfecting dishes, finding new local suppliers and running the pastry

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chef profile… MILES THWAITES section. During this time, I also gained the title of Norfolk Young Chef of the Year, and finalist of Visionary Chef of the Year, a national title which pairs young chefs with a top regional chef. Having won my regional heat, I was paired with Mark Poynton of the one Michelin star restaurant Alimentum, in Cambridge.

After that, I spent some time doing ‘stages’ at restaurants including Restaurant Marcus Wareing and Viajante. I then took a job at Coworth Park where I met Dave Watts (formerly of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons).

When he asked me I wanted to come and work with him at the King’s Head in Cirencester, I jumped at the opportunity.

What is your favourite aspect of being a chef?

My favourite aspect of being a chef is the balance of discipline and creativity you have to juggle, as these do not naturally go together.

When did you move to the Cotswolds?

I moved to the Cotswolds 12 months ago to work with Dave Watts. Being a Norfolk boy, the Cotswolds are a home from home for me. The fields and the community spirit are some things that are still strong here but becoming a rarity in most of the country.

Please can you give us some examples of what’s on your menu at the moment?

One of our dishes is Cotswold lamb with a butternut squash and beurre noisette jus. The quality of the lamb we are getting from Jesse Smith’s is amazing at the moment. Perry, the manager there, knows what I am looking for and only selects the best for his shop. We also cure our own salmon for a salad with fennel and grapefruit, we make breads with our own mother yeasts and churn our own butter with local cream.

Do you enjoy cooking at home and, if so, what do you like to make?

When I cook at home, I’m big on comfort food: a slowly roasted pork shoulder or a cottage pie are always big winners. On my days off, I enjoy going to

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A dish created by Miles Thwaites

see what looks best in the greengrocers, butchers and fishmongers, so it’s always a surprise for me, too.

If there was one person in the world for whom you could cook, who would it be and what would you cook for them?

I don’t know who I would cook for, I just want to make people smile, whoever they are. We are committed to giving everyone the best experience we possibly can.

If you hadn’t chosen to become a chef, what else would you have liked to be?

I would probably still be working with food and drink – I could never leave them alone. I think it would be interesting to be a brewer or a forager, as I love working with nature.

From the restaurant’s menu at the moment, please choose your favourite meal.

From the menu, I would choose Honeyed pigs in blankets, and our locally shot Pigeon salad with celeriac, toasted rice and golden raisins finished with a Cotswold brandy sauce. For main course: Onion tart tatin with goat’s cheese, toasted caraway, local beetroot and Port reduction. And for an amazing finish to the meal: a slice of our tangy Lemon tart, cooked fresh every day, with our own raspberry sorbet.

The Coterie, 50 Cricklade Street, Cirencester: 01285 658971 / GL7 1JN / thecoterie.co.uk

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INN PROFILE

The New Inn, Coln St Aldwyns From its 16th century origins to the ivy-clad exterior, The New Inn at Coln St Aldwyns ticks all the boxes as a quintessential Cotswold inn…

The New Inn dates back to 1632 and was once one of three pubs in Coln St Aldwyns, an unspoilt village in the Coln valley near Cirencester. Over time, however, it became the last remaining establishment and was threatened with closure in the late 1980s. The locals fought to keep it open and, happily, they were successful.

Today, the inn is in safe hands, owned by the Cripps Barn Group which also operates the Cotswold wedding venues Cripps Barn and Stone Barn, as well as four other venues in the Midlands. The New Inn adds an extra dimension to the group’s portfolio, both as a showcase for the Cripps Barn style and also to accommodate wedding guests at the wedding venues.

However, as General Manager Tom Gabbitas explains, the focus has shifted slightly since The New Inn was bought: “It was evident from day one that this is a village pub and making sure we provide for the needs of the village has

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become our number one priority. We have a lovely mix of guests – those on a Cotswolds break as well as locals. I think it works really well, since the guests enjoy being part of a village inn and, for the locals, seeing more people eating here creates a really good atmosphere.”

Over the past three years, the Cripps Barn Group has fully redecorated the inn, and the neutrally toned furnishings now create a stylish, comfortable ambience.

A new menu has been created by Tom Bridgeman and Mark Henriques of Cripps Barn, who are also in charge of designing the food for the wedding barns. It follows the same principles of using the best quality raw materials, cooked precisely and delivered simply and expertly.

Using the same suppliers means that the quality and style is coherent throughout, and offers a reflection of what the group can offer in terms of wedding catering.

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inn profile… THE NEW INN, COLN ST ALDWYNS

New Inn favourites include the Chicken and leek pie served with mustard sauce and mash, and the Beef burger with triple cooked chips is very popular. The Sea Bass with crushed haricot beans and salsa verde also comes highly recommended.

Ingredients are prepared in the kitchen but cooked in an outdoor ‘shed’, which will provide an interactive element come summertime when guests will be able to dine outside on the terrace and watch the chefs in action. Currently, every Wednesday night from 6:30pm-9:30pm, Baz and Fred Mobile Pizza takes over The New Inn’s culinary offering, serving traditional stone baked pizzas with a variety of toppings. Other pop-up events along similar lines are planned for the months ahead.

If you are tempted to stay overnight, The New Inn has 15 bedrooms, including two particularly special ‘bridal suites’. All the rooms are smartly furnished but have their own quirky character and are child and dog friendly.

Asked to specify what sets The New Inn apart from the competition, Tom Gabbitas says, “Its location is fantastic – it’s close to the heart of the Cotswolds but isn’t crowded and busy. Guests can indulge in a quintessential Cotswold village pub and receive warm, friendly service. In fact, our warmth of welcome is something we really pride ourselves on.”

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The New Inn, Coln St Aldwyns: 01285 750651 / GL7 5AN / new-inn.co.uk

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PREVIEWinterview

Jo Baker Jo Baker is the Heritage Officer with the Holfords of Westonbirt Trust, an organisation set up to enable the long term conservation of Westonbirt House and Gardens, near Tetbury. Here, she talks to Sally Bult about the Trust and her personal perspective of the historic house‌ Please can you tell our readers a little about Westonbirt House?

There have actually been three houses on this site: an original Elizabethan farmhouse, which came into the Holford family through marriage, followed by a Regency mansion, which only lasted 40 years before Robert Staynor Holford inherited the building from his father in 1829 and developed the property.

He was a scholarly collector of rare books and Old Masters and was interested in the Arts, so he asked architect Louis Vulliamy to design and build this wonderful country house to display all his treasures.

In 1928, the house was sold and became a girls’ boarding school, Westonbirt School, which it remains to this day. Robert Holford was also a keen collector of trees, many of which were new to the country.

He positioned them in aesthetic fashion, establishing the arboretum, which has been managed for the past 50 years by the Forestry Commission.

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What is the aim of the Holfords of Westonbirt Trust?

It was established in 2006 by Lady Jenny Bland, who was head girl at the school in 1957 and who has a great appreciation of architecture and landscape.

Its aim is to raise funds for the restoration of the state rooms and generally conserve and restore the decorative elements of the house and gardens.

Through our open days and tours, our fundraising efforts are twofold: by opening the house to visitors, we can gain the funds required to restore the house; and we are also sharing its virtues with a much larger audience.

What parts of the house need most attention?

A large part of what you see has been here since Victorian times, with very few changes. Since the house is Grade I listed, English Heritage has to be consulted about any restorative work, and projects are completed at considerable cost, something

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the Preview interview… JO BAKER

A ceiling detail at Westonbirt House

the school would simply not be able to afford. In 2008, as our first project, we completely restored the Library, re-gilding the ceiling and restoring and rehanging the silk wall hangings. The next project will involve the Reading Room. Later, we will focus on elements of the gardens. It is incredible that there has been a school here for almost 90 years and yet there’s so little damage. The girls come in for their meals, relax in the Saloon and have their dorms upstairs. There’s just some light wear and tear really, and I do think that is because the girls appreciate and respect their surroundings.

How does the Trust raise funds and what is your role?

Our main annual fundraiser is our Gala Ball, which is usually held in November. It’s always well attended, with about 100 people – we can’t really let it get any bigger as that number is all we can seat comfortably in the Saloon. The event is like a big, private dinner party, with a warm, buzzy feel.

A charity auction also takes place and last year we raised about £20,000. It would be hard to do too many functions like this as we have to work around school commitments and also Westonbirt Leisure, which books weddings in the Library (which are very popular!).

I’ve been the Heritage Officer here for two years and my role entails organising

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the ball and also booking and conducting the House tours with a team of nine volunteers. Visitors have several options – if they are a group of 10–60 people, they can book a private group tour, which includes afternoon tea. The gardens are open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons between 2pm and 5pm and don’t require pre-booking. We also have set House and Garden Open Days throughout the year, between 11am and 5pm, when members of the public can explore the estate and take part in a guided tour if they wish.

The next one we have coming up is on Sunday 10 April, then there’s another on Sunday 1 May. The Italianate gardens, which also come under the Trust’s care, are overseen by Lady Mary Keen, with one gardener and a team of volunteers.

My background is in hospitality and so I really enjoy the interaction with visitors, who all have such a genuine interest in the house. Often they are 4

The gardens at Westonbirt House

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the Preview interview… JO BAKER

The servants’ bells, recently uncovered at Westonbirt House

researching family history – we’ve had visits from the great-granddaughter of a former head gardener and the grandson of a former butler, so one often learns things from the visitors!

Do you have a favourite room at Westonbirt House?

That’s a really hard choice… I think the Library has a huge ’wow’ factor with its view over the gardens, but also I think it is impressive when you arrive at the front door and look up and see the fire burning in the Saloon and the massive fireplace around it.

It is made from marble that Robert Holford brought back from his travels, and the marble bust by Corbier sitting above it is one of the more valuable pieces in the collection. Every room has its own magic, from secret doors to a huge array of different ceiling roses, and the woodwork and attention to detail everywhere is fantastic. Last year, we uncovered the servants’ bells and I had a great time with the housekeeper working out what rooms were where – they’re labelled with names from the Holfords’ time, such as Mrs Holford’s Boudoir and the Pomegranate Bedroom, with 93 miles of cable!

Is the house used for any other events?

The National Gardens Scheme has an Open Garden day here in July. Westonbirt House and

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Gardens has been used as a location for Antiques Roadshow and this year the Chipping Sodbury Classic Car Run will finish here. Last year, we had ten Riley cars from a classic club parked up on the side lawns: they looked such a glorious sight.

We often have enquiries but with all the other commitments, it can be hard to accommodate them. The house also hosts antique and charity fairs throughout the year, but you must remember that it is home to the girls here, and even during the summer holidays there is a summer school for international students, so it is never empty.

What do you enjoy most about working here?

Westonbirt House has a habit of getting under your skin. A few years ago, my daughter was at Westonbirt Prep and, although we live locally, I didn’t even know that you could visit the house and gardens. Once I came, I was fascinated about the amount of history here and now I could talk all day about the house.

Often people who visit come back to volunteer and I think it has got under their skin too! There’s always something new to learn and it’s wonderful to be able to share it with others.

The Holfords of Westonbirt Trust: 01666 881373 / GL8 8QG / holfordtrust.com

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Set in 5 acres of Warwickshire countryside and housed in a beautiful Cotswolds stone building, the Cotswolds Distillery is the first full scale distillery in the area.

Our bespoke distillation equipment is well underway in the creation of our fine, small-batch spirits, including Cotswolds Dry Gin and the first ever Cotswolds Single Malt.

Our young and passionate team are keen to impart their knowledge to visitors on the distillery tour (11am and 2pm MondaySunday), where guests will be able to see the bespoke copper stills first-hand, whilst learning the science behind distilling process from one of our highly-skilled distillers. www.cotswoldsdistillery.com Phillip’s Field, Whichford Road, Stourton, Shipston-on-Stour, CV36 5HG Cotswold preview APRIL 16

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Original pine flooring restored to its former glory by ATC Floors & Doors

ATC FLOORS & DOORS This established family business with a showroom in Cheltenham offers a complete service covering all types of wooden floors and doors – from advice and installation to maintenance…

Rather surprisingly, cleaning old floors for pocket money when she was growing up gave Scarlett Harris a love of wood – and flooring in particular.

Since then, she has turned that passion into a career and is now Managing Director of ATC in Cheltenham, a company specialising in all types of softwood and hardwood flooring and doors.

ATC was founded more than 20 years ago in Monmouth by Scarlett’s mother, Stephanie.

Scarlett’s involvement started when Stephanie asked her if she would mind helping with a move of premises. Afterwards, Scarlett stayed on to help with fitting jobs while her mother concentrated on the sales side of the business, and the working partnership proved to be a great success.

Stephanie and Scarlett’s subsequent search for additional premises led them to consider

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Cardiff and Cheltenham as possible sites. When a shop became available in the popular Tivoli area of Cheltenham, they decided it was the perfect location for Scarlett to operate her own showroom.

Late last year, with business booming, the mother and daughter team also opened another location in Chepstow, which they currently jointly run. This recent addition provides the business with a geographic triangle of coverage, and is easily accessible for them both.

Scarlett brims with enthusiasm and says, “I absolutely love it. I love wood and also the organisational side of the business, but I’d have to say that fitting is my favourite aspect – seeing the transformation of a space.” The firm employs its own team of full-time fitters, which ensures

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specialist business profile… ATC FLOORS & DOORS This page, from top: Wide oak boards with a natural finish, installed and hand oiled by ATC’s expert fitters; ATC’s Cheltenham showroom; timber samples on display in the showroom.

that every job can be given the full ATC guarantee on completion.

Flooring is core to the business, and while the original focus was on salvaging and restoring old timbers suitable for flooring, the company now also offers a full range of reclaimed, new and engineered floors. These range from oak, ash, walnut and maple to reclaimed oak, elm and pine.

In addition to supplying, fitting and finishing floors, ATC can refurbish and restore existing floors. As Scarlett says, it is important to seek professional advice when considering the options: “Invest in a good floor once and it will last you a lifetime.”

The firm’s other focus is doors: the Cheltenham showroom stocks a complete range of solid and engineered hardwood and softwood doors, both internal and external, alongside skirting, architrave and door liners. You can also find a large selection of quality door and window furniture – everything from hinges, thumb latches, ring turns, door handles, escutcheons, knockers, letterplates and covers, grills and rim locks to the door bolts, locks and nails required to keep them in place.

This range of items forms a growing part of the business and includes specialist products, as many as possible British made: brass door knobs from Birmingham, iron fittings from North Wales, glass knobs from Land’s End and cupboard handles hand painted in Cheltenham. Customers will soon be able to buy some of these fittings from ATC’s new online shop.

The company still undertakes salvaging, for example recently reclaiming timber beams from the attic of a farmhouse in Shurdington which had been destined for demolition. These beams 4

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specialist business profile… ATC FLOORS & DOORS Random solid Oak Welsh flooring in the bar and restaurant of Tudor Farmhouse Hotel in Clearwell, supplied and fitted by ATC Floors & Doors

even had land girl signatures engraved into the wood.

With reclaimed timber now becoming ver y valuable, there are contemporar y alternatives available.

Scarlett says, “New timber, such as Distressed Oak is now so cleverly designed to look old that it is actually very hard to tell the difference. We recently fitted our hand distressed Oak through the Jolly Brew Pub in Cheltenham and it is hard to tell it hasn’t always been there.”

As well as serving residential customers, ATC works with the commercial sector. One local client is Cotswold Inns & Hotels whose portfolio includes The Manor House Hotel in Moreton-in-the-Marsh and The Bay Tree and The Lamb in Burford. A buff and polish is often carried out at these hotels after the New Year festivities, while the hospitality trade is at its quietest.

Scarlett reflects on another project, for The New Theatre in Cardiff. She says, “It is a historic theatre attracting audiences from far and wide – which means lots of footfall. The audience pile in, out of the Welsh rain, shaking water from their brollies, boots and coats all over the floor. A solid oak floor was needed and we go back at least every two years to clean and buff it back to good condition. The New Theatre also asked us back to work on the stage. It was the first time we have worked on a theatre stage, but we were happy to do this work whilst buffing up and restoring the main hall floor. The Manager was so pleased with the results that we ended up doing his home as well!”

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If you have existing wooden floor or doors that aren’t in need of any major work, you can still benefit from Scarlett’s wealth of experience, and the showroom stocks a wide range of Osmo oils, finishes and tints designed to maintain and enhance the natural beauty of wood.

Scarlett is clear that she is not interested in diversifying to offer tiling or other forms of nonwood flooring. She believes that it is important to specialise in one thing and to do that well.

This specialisation and attention to detail make ATC an invaluable resource for anyone wanting to renovate or upgrade a property. And, tellingly, the company benefits from a lot of repeat custom.

As Scarlett puts it, “People often get us in to do one floor and then they keep coming back to us for more and more!”

ATC Floors & Doors, Cheltenham: 01242 220536 / GL50 2TJ / atcfloorsanddoors.co.uk

APRIL 16 Cotswold preview

venue of the month… TEMPLE GUITING MANOR AND BARNS

Temple Guiting Manor

Temple Guiting Manor and Barns This Cotswold venue blends the old world charm of a 15th century Manor with the contemporary elegance of its converted Barn and Cow Byre.

Landscaped gardens and beautiful interiors make the estate a luxurious country retreat for the most discerning of guests…

Set in an estate covering over 14 acres, Temple Guiting Manor and Barns forms the ideal retreat for large parties of up to 24 people. Smaller groups can also be accommodated, as the house and the barns can be hired separately.

The Grade I listed Manor has been privately owned since the 15th century and was described by the British architectural historian and author Sir Nikolaus Pevsner as “one of the finest, if not the very best, of the small Cotswold Tudor Houses.”

The current owner, Steven Collins, has redeveloped both the barns and the house, working closely with Ptolemy Dean, the celebrated

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architect and specialist in listed buildings. The estate now provides a seamless mix of traditional Cotswold charm and contemporary elegance.

The five bedroomed Manor (one bedroom with four poster bed) sleeps ten adults and two children under the age of 12. The house has a fully equipped kitchen but there is also the option for private chefs to prepare anything from snacks and afternoon tea to ten course fine dining.

There is additional accommodation in the beautifully converted barn, which sleeps ten people (plus two children under 12) in five themed suites. Guests can choose from an elegant 4

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venue of the month… TEMPLE GUITING MANOR AND BARNS Gold bedroom, a feminine Pink bedroom, the Blue bedroom, the White bedroom or an exotic African suite. All rooms come with en suite bathroom facilities, and two of the rooms are situated on the ground floor for ease of access.

Supplementar y accommodation is available in the self-contained Cow Byre, a converted cow shed ideal for couples, and the Grade I listed Peacock Shed, which also sleeps two.

The estate is licensed to hold civil wedding ceremonies in the Peacock Garden, which adjoins the Peacock Shed. This is a perfect spot for those looking for an intimate venue for a wedding, catering up to 30 guests.

Alternatively, there is a church five minutes’ walk from the estate.

Furnishings throughout include White Company bed linen and Sophie Conran for Portmerion tableware. Luxurious towels, robes, hot tub slippers, Green & Spring toiletries, a bottle of Champagne and flowers are also supplied.

There is a housekeeping service provided daily, except on Sundays and bank holidays.

The dining room at Temple Guiting Manor

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Temple Guiting Barns

The estate’s exceptional gardens were designed by Jinny Blom, the landscape gardener chosen by The Prince of Wales to design the award winning “Healing Garden” at the 2002 Chelsea Flower Show. This spring, on Sunday 26 May from 12noon-5pm, the gardens at Temple Guiting Manor are open to the public for the National Gardens Scheme.

The extensive walled gardens overlook the River Windrush, with views over gently rolling fields and the Manor’s own lake. Guests have access to an abundance of beautiful flowers, shrubs, herbs and vegetables from the kitchen garden, and are also welcome to collect fresh eggs from the chickens when they are laying.

The estate offers an all-weather astro-turf tennis court and two hot tubs. Activities such as tennis lessons, wine tasting, cocktail mixology and cookery lessons can be organized to take place on-site, while clay pigeon shooting, archery, golf and fly fishing can be arranged nearby.

This summer, the estate is opening Temple Guiting Village Shop & Café, stocking items from mainly British and local producers. Situated in the village of Temple Guiting, just a few minutes’ walk from the estate, the shop will be the ideal place to stop for drinks and cakes, or to stock up on essential provisions.

Temple Guiting Manor and Barns: 07748 118288 / GL54 5RP / templeguitingmanor.co.uk

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APRIL 16 Cotswold preview