South Warwickshire Now August 2019

South

Warwickshire AND NORTH COTSWOLDS

Now

Sizzling Leamington Food and Drink Festival September 7th & 8th

! s n r u t e R

NAture’s Recycling BAck to school Looking after your Allotment AUGUST 2019 | Issue 38

PICK I’m ME FREE U P

Turn to page 29 for more details

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HOMES • GARDENS • FOOD & DRINK • WALKS • HEALTH & BEAUTY • WHAT’S ON • COMPETITIONS

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Warwickshire

04

Contents

18

South

AND NORTH COTSWOLDS

Now 08

AUGUST 2019

HERE & NOW 04 All the latest news from around Warwickshire.

22

Home & Garden

21

08 Nature’s recycling.

Back to School 18 All the essentials for heading school.

Competition 21 Win a Tea for Two at Hillers Garden Restaurant.

KEEPING ACTIVE

26

26 Glynis Dray takes us on a walk from Cheltenham to Cleeve Commom.

south

warwickshire

NOW 01905 723011

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2nd Floor, Richardson House 24 New Street, Worcester, WR1 2DP

editor Dawn Pardoe PW Media & Publishing Ltd dawn@pw-media.co.uk

Advertising Emma Cox 01905 727902 emma@pw-media.co.uk

design Daisy Bennett daisy@pw-media.co.uk

is prohibited without permission. Colour transparencies, prints or any pictoral media for this publication are sent at owner’s risk and whilst every care is taken, neither PW Media & Publishing Ltd or its agents accept liability for loss or damage. No editorial submissions will be returned unless accompanied by a Self Addressed Envelope. DISCLAIMER:

Contributors Glynis Dray WaterSafe Warwickshire County Council Wyevale Garden Centre

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that adverts and articles appear correctly, PW Media & Publishing Ltd cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor. Please note that if you enter a competition in the South Warwickshire Now magazine your name and address may be forwarded to the host of said

Kate Gilmartin 01905 727905 kate@pw-media.co.uk

competition.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: Reproduction in whole or in part

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HERE & NOW

THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR AREA

Popular festival to thrill BMW fans BMW fans will be able to see over 1,000 BMWs when the British Motor Museum hosts the BMW Car Club National Festival on Sunday 11 August. Regarded as one of Europe’s largest gathering of BMW’s, the festival is organised by the BMW Car Club GB and promises to be even bigger than last year.

New for 2019 is a Show Arena featuring Grandstand seating, new Display Ramp and all major activities! Vehicles on display will include M Power, ALPINA, Z’s and i’s, as well as modern, classic and modified BMW models including MINI’s.. The ‘New Car Village’ will be showcasing the latest models from BMW, ALPINA, AC Schnitzer and MINI. Visitors will be able to see the pre-launch of the new BMW 1 series, the 3 series Touring (1st public viewing) & the fabulous new M8 together with fully accessorised M2 & M4 models. The Car Club displays will include a wide variety of vehicles from various regions and model registers. Visitors can

also enjoy the popular Car Club Concours and see some of the cleanest BMW’s trying to outshine their fellow competitors with classes from Pride of Ownership through to Elite and Masterclass. Entertainment will be provided by Steve Deeks, a professional presenter and raconteur. There will also be musical entertainment from Fat Cat Brass, a modern, funky brass band who play their own quirky twist on great tunes from the last 5 decades.

Trade stands will offer a range of products from brakes, exhausts, tuning packages, detailing products, leather care and restoration plus accessories and goodies.

The ‘Car Club Village’ will offer a place to sit, chat and meet fellow enthusiasts. Staff and Directors from the BMW Car Club will be on hand to answer questions and enrol new members. There will also be a traditional tombola with prizes donated from the trade stands and winner’s prize draw.

Tickets cost £18 for adults, £10 for children (under 5’s are free) and £46 for a family.

Entry to the Museum is also included in the ticket price. Also included is entry to the new exhibition entitled “The Car. The Future. Me.” which opened on 13 July and will explore the future of the motor vehicle. Discounted tickets are available in advance from the BMW Car Club website www.bmwcarclubgb.uk or by phone 01970 267989.

To find out more about the British Motor Museum visit www.britishmotormuseum. co.uk or call 01926 641188.

Explore Batsford Arboretum this summer Located just 1 ½ miles from Moreton in Marsh, Batsford Arboretum is home to one of the country’s largest private collections of trees and shrubs from around the world. Spread across 56 acres, it’s the perfect place to soak up the sunshine, follow the meandering waterways or escape the heat under the cooling tree canopy this summer.

You’ll find delicious lunches, hot drinks and homebaked cakes from the Garden Terrace Café - enjoy your meal on the terrace whilst the children visit our play area.

Browse the gift shop and the fantastic range of plants and gardening sundries in the garden centre or visit Batsford’s wood turner.

If you love exploring in the great outdoors, you’ll love Batsford Arboretum! Open daily, dogs welcome on a short lead.

Summer events: The Big Batsford Bug Hunt! Daily until 1st September; Family Forest School, 8th August; Forest Stories & Crafts, 15th August.

For more details, visit www.batsarb.co.uk Batsford Arboretum & Garden Centre, Batsford, GL56 9AD. Tel: 01386 701441.

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HERE & NOW

HERE & NOW

THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR AREA

New business grows from old foundations

Funding for Festival’s Bedtime Stories project

The Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival is delighted to announce that it has been awarded funding through the Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants programme to develop its transformative Bedtime Stories project. The £15,000 grant will enable the charity to extend the reach of the Bedtime Stories project – which builds literacy skills and encourages important family bonds through storytelling – to families living in areas of disadvantage and to more families affected by a parent being in prison.

When Jo Carroll and Steve Taylor wake up to the picturesque view from their window each morning, they are thankful.

Nestled in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the rolling Warwickshire countryside, their neighbouring boutique glamping retreat has been one of the area’s best kept secrets – until now. Since word got out, demand is already outstripping supply for Winchcombe Farm’s three beautiful bespoke holiday homes in Tysoe.

And following a busy first year of trading - and recent planning consent - work is now under way on two more luxury lodges, the first of which will open its doors to guests in the autumn. In their first year of the holiday lettings business Jo and Steve have hosted more than 600 groups from over 14 countries.

The couple’s vision for the future is already taking shape with building work on the new lodges under way. The former nursery baby room is being transformed into a three-bedroom luxury lodge that sleeps between 6-8 people, including a geodesic dome or tepee on raised platform and spacious decking, plus private hot tub. Early plans for the second – and largest lodge - on the site of the nursery’s old garage extension, include four bedrooms and three bathrooms plus private hot tub. Will’s Tree House – originally converted from the former nursery forest school classroom – is also set for an expansion with the couple planning to create one of only a handful of treehouses in the country that will sleep six people. n To find out more visit Winchcombe Farm at www.winchcombefarm.co.uk

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Since launching in 2017, the Bedtime Stories project has worked with 9 schools and 12 prisons, reaching more than 1000 families. With this funding, the Festival will be able to deliver the project in a further 5 schools with above average pupil premium rates and to provide a further 12 workshops for prisons, reaching a further 1000 families.

Devised by Stratford Literary Festival’s founder and director, Annie Ashworth, the Bedtime Stories project encourages parents and carers to read

to their children, helping to develop and reinforce literacy skills and, importantly, helping to build vital bonds.

In schools, the Festival invites children in years 1 to 3 and their parents or carers to write a bedtime story together. The families are then invited to an after-school Bedtime Story Party, for which they are all encouraged to wear pyjamas and bring a favourite cuddly toy, where the Festival creates a bedtime atmosphere with hot chocolate, blankets and pillows.

In addition to sharing some of the stories they have written, the families hear from a well-known children’s author who reads and talks about their work. In prisons, the Festival organises author-led workshops and, over the course of a day, participants are helped to create their own bedtime story for their children which they can subsequently give to their children on visits, read over the phone or record themselves reading – working with the Storybook Mums and Dads recording initiative. n

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Home & Garden

Nature's recycling Your easy to follow guide to home composting with everything you need to get the best out of your bin.

Composting is an inexpensive, natural process that transforms your kitchen and garden waste into a valuable and nutrient rich food for your garden.

It is nature’s way of recycling and helps to reduce the amount of organic waste going to landfill.

By composting kitchen and garden waste you can easily improve the quality of your soil and be well on your way to a more beautiful garden.

The following easy guide to home composting will provide you with all the information needed to get the best out of your bin.

Fallen leaves provide carbon and fibre for your compost bin and allow important air pockets to form

Step 1 – Placing Your Bin It’s best to site your bin on a level, welldrained spot. This allows excess water to drain out and makes it easier for helpful creatures such as worms to get in and get working on breaking down the contents.

Placing your bin in a partially sunny spot can help speed up the composting process.

Step 2 – Put these in Like any recipe, your compost relies on the right ingredients to make it work.

Good things you can compost include vegetable peelings, fruit waste, teabags, plant prunings and grass cuttings. These are considered “Greens.” Greens are

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quick to rot and they provide important nitrogen and moisture. Other things you can compost include card and cardboard items, including egg boxes, scrunched up paper and fallen leaves. These are considered “Browns” and are slower to rot. They provide fibre and carbon and also allow important air pockets to form in the mixture. Crushed eggshells can be included to add useful minerals.

Step 3 – Keep these out Certain things should never be placed in your bin. No cooked vegetables, no meat, no dairy products, no diseased plants, and definitely no dog poo or cat litter, or babies nappies. Putting these in your bin can encourage unwanted pests and can also create odour. Also avoid composting perennial weeds (such as dandelions and thistle) or weeds with seed heads.

Remember that plastics, glass and metals are not suitable for composting and should be recycled separately.

Step 4 – Making good compost The key to good compost lies in getting the mix right. You need to keep your Greens and Browns properly balanced. If your compost is too wet, add more Browns.

If it’s too dry, add some Greens. Making sure there is enough air in the mixture is also important. Adding scrunched up bits Continued over the page

Home & Garden

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Home & Garden of cardboard is a simple way to create air pockets that will help keep your compost healthy. Air can also be added by mixing the contents.

After approximately 12-18 months your finished compost will be ready.

Step 5 – Using your compost Finished compost is a dark brown, almost black soil-like layer that you’ll find at the bottom of your bin.

It has a spongy texture and is rich in nutrients. Some bins have a small hatch at the bottom that you can remove to get at the finished product, but sometimes it’s even easier to lift the bin or to tip it over to get at your compost. Spreading the finished compost into your flowerbeds greatly improves soil quality by helping it retain moisture and suppressing weeds.

Composting is the easiest way to make your garden grow more beautiful.

Warwickshire County Council is helping residents to start composting at home, with the offer of a 330 litre compost bin for just £5 for anyone attending a one hour workshop, where you will be shown how to get started with your new bin.

Offer open to Warwickshire residents only.

Workshops will last for no longer than 1 hour. One £5 compost bin per household,

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an additional bin may be purchased for £10 each (maximum of 2 bins).

Further workshops will be arranged for the Autumn 2019, details of which will be posted on Warwickshire County Council website and also advertised on their facebook page at WarwickshireRecycles. n www.warwickshire.gov.uk/composting

Home & Garden

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Home & Garden

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Home & Garden

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Home & Garden Moving with the trends Trends for colour and outdoor styling are filtering through from the fashion and interior design worlds. Just as people choose to cocoordinate their wardrobes and living spaces, gardens are now following suit, and the younger generations are particularly swayed.

These style-conscious Brits are investing in their gardens year-round in a bid to constantly update and reinvent their outdoor space. During the extended hot summer of 2018, which welcomed Royal Wedding celebrations and World Cup fever to homes across the nation, Brits turned their gardens into the ultimate ‘staycation’ spots.

Sales soared for quick-fix plants and accessories that offered instant impact for last-minute hosting and special occasions in the garden throughout the warmer months.

The internet, social media and TV programmes are just a few of the platforms heavily influencing gardeners’ shopping habits, having a direct impact on sales. The immediacy and fast-paced nature of social media in particular is driving reactive sales in the garden.

Planting by colour Contemporary gardeners are showcasing their adventurous side, moving away from traditional planting schemes and towards more dynamic designs centred on complementary colour palettes.

A dominant colour is often accented with plant pairings that look good together for form or colour all year round, moving harmoniously with the seasons. Early summer welcomes pastel hues before the hot reds, oranges, pinks and yellows dominate later in the season.

Brits’ ongoing quest to turn their outdoor space into an oasis of calm, especially amongst urban gardeners, is driving sales of green and white flowered plants; while shrubs that offer multiseason interest are also increasingly popular.

Colour is not only a focal point for flowers, but also an appealing factor when it comes to stems and leaves – and the aptly-named Hydrangea ‘Magical’ ticks both boxes. The plant series, which provides long-season interest, has become the top-selling summer flowering shrub, up 15% YOY with particular growth in the muted pastel shades.

Favouring Fragrance & Texture Scent plays an increasingly important role in gardeners’ planting schemes. Many plants such as herbs and geraniums not only offer fragrance through their flowers but also their leaves, bringing a beautiful aroma to the garden which can later be enjoyed in vases or potpourri. The trend for small-space gardening has turned attentions toward scented plants that make Continued over the page

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Home & Garden Home & Garden

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Home & Garden

much more of an impact in enclosed spaces, where their fragrance is contained. Traditional favourites such as lavender and rosemary are trending for this reason, joined by more unusual shrubs such as daphne and sarcococca.

Dual-purpose plants that are both fragrant and offer a unique, architectural look and feel are also gaining ground. Just as florists are using unexpected, seasonal elements to reinvent traditional arrangements, this approach is being reflected in the garden.

Textural plants such as ferns, grasses and trailing varieties are surging in sales.

Ornamental vegetables including artichoke and kale are being introduced to flower beds

to add structure, texture and colour as well as space-saving solutions for gardeners with no room for a vegetable patch.

Shady Dealings Just as fragrance and colour have the ability to transport us, light also plays an essential role in the garden and is one of the most crucial factors for garden design.

This not only relates to creating ambience with solar lighting, or ensuring visitors are entertained in the sunniest spots of the garden, but also getting the most from our plants using natural light and shady spots.

Weather aside, shade in the garden is a

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rising concern for Brits, particularly those in urban areas where gardens are surrounded by fences, tall buildings or sheltered by surrounding balconies.

Whether dealing with part-shade or complete shade throughout the day, gardeners often worry that their plants won’t respond well to a dark environment. n For more information and to find your nearest Wyevale Garden Centre visit www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk

Home & Garden

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BACK TO SCHOOL

Back to School

With September fast approaching and the new school year starting, we take a look at all the different products to get you set for the autumn.

F&F’s BACK TO SCHOOL RANGE

Kit your kids out with Tesco’s futureproof school uniform from just £5, made to save you time and money.

Everything from shirts to skirts are ready for all the lunchtime spills, hattrick celebrations and inches they grow. Available in store.

KLEENEX POCKET PACK

Kleenex® Original Pocket Pack tissues are perfect for kids going back to school (they fit into pockets, lunchboxes, & school bags), and are brilliant for everyday use.

RRP £1.75

NUSHI PENCIL CASE

For the style conscious Nushi have a range of gorgeous hand made animal print pencil cases which can be personalised with your name. The perfect size to keep your school pens, ruler and calculator safe with a range of colours and prints to choose from there is bound to be something to delight.

To see a selection of pencil cases like the one shown below, (£14.99) visit www.nushibag.co.uk

EXCILOR 2 in 1 WART AND VERUCCA TREATMENT

This is a fast and effective way to treat warts and verrucas, combining freeze and gel treatment in one device, with visible results in just 5 days, giving you more time to prepare your little ones for going back to school.

RRP: £24.99

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MIFFY BACK PACK

Miffy is a cute white rabbit, originally created in 1955 by Dutch author, artist and illustrator Dick Bruna, whilst on holiday with his family.

Bruna drew a little bunny rabbit whilst telling his son a bed time story about a little rabbit who runs around the holiday home at night.

This stylish Miffy backpack, lined with front pocket and adjustable straps. Perfect for school or college. For more back to school accessories, go to www.miffy.com Price: £21.25

LOCKER DAYS

From positively worded magnets to soft faux fur carpet and interchangeable wallpapers available in a variety of bold and beautiful patterns, Locker Days range allows tweens and teens to pick a print to match their personality as well as brightening up a hard day.

The collection can be changed and moved seamlessly, without the drama of marking their locker, and will also include mirrors, pen pots and magazine files which work equally as well in their bedroom or a study space for keeping stationery organised.

Decorate your locker from £2.99. www.lockerdays.com

ACE CLEANING PRODUCTS

Help to erase all of your children’s stains at the end of a long school day. All ACE products are tough on stains and gentle on clothes, enabling you to keep your family memories but remove the stains!

Products start from just £2 each.

For more information, go to www.acecleanuk.co.uk

VALE PIANOS

Learning to play an instrument has been shown to have huge benefits for your child including: memory capacity; academic skills; problem solving and self confidence along with the ability to manage stress better.

The beginning of a new year at school can be a great time to pick up a new hobby and start learning a new instrument such as the piano.

At Vale Pianos, they offer piano lessons that are fun and engaging.

They also have a fantastic range of pianos to get you started including digital and acoustic.

Go and visit their fantastic range or visit www.valepianos.co.uk.

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FOOD & DRINK

In Season

Tomatoes

At the absolute height of their season in August

• 100g of borlotti beans, cooked

are tomatoes, the British and French heirloom

• 4 mint leaves

varieties being the leaders in flavour due to their

• 12 flat-leaf parsley leaves

natural pollination by bees. Heirloom tomatoes are available in

• 50ml of extra virgin olive oil

all shapes and sizes each with their own unique characteristics.

• sea salt

They are grown for a variety of reasons, such as for food,

• pepper

historical interest, access to wider varieties, and by people who

Method

wish to save seeds from year to year, as well as for their taste.

1. Wash the tomatoes, cut into wedges and

Yellow heirlooms tend to be milder than sharp reds and the greens have a zesty bite. The darker varieties tend to have a more savoury taste than those

of the

sweet.

Steer away from supermarkets and head down to your local farmshop to find these unusual looking fruits with maximum flavour, perfect for a summer salad. Henry Harris serves his tomatoes with borlotti beans and goat’s cheese.

Why not try this receipe, perfect for Heirloom tomatoes:

place in a bowl. Season with sea salt and pepper and mix well. Leave to stand for 5 minutes, then add the borlotti beans 2. Cut the mint and parsley leaves into thin strips (julienne) and add the the bowl, along with the olive oil. Mix gently with your hands and divide between 2 shallow plates 4 mint leaves 12 flat-leaf parsley leaves 50ml of extra virgin olive oil 3. Cut the goat’s cheese in half, and place a half onto each

Ingredients

salad. Finish with a grind of black pepper and a drizzle of olive

• 1 Rove des Garrigues goat’s cheese,

oil, if desired. n

or a young, fresh equivalent • 350g of heirloom tomato, mixed

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HEALTH COMPETITION & BEAUTY

Win an Afternoon Tea for Two at

Hillers Garden Restaurant

Visit Hillers this Summer, a family run enterprise that is passionate about bringing you the

T

best in quality local produce and customer service that’s second to none!

his Summer the Maize Maze is back at Hillers! A four acre adventure that has been designed in the shape of a sheep, that is suitable for families with children of all ages. It costs £3.00 per child and you can go in it as many times as you like in a day, 2 accompanying adults go in for free.

There is lots of fun to be had once you are in the Maize Maze; if you find the hidden token in the middle, you can take it to the farm shop along with your ticket at the end of your visit to receive a free delicious treat!

Also in the maze are 8 hidden animals, find them all and indentify them correctly, fill in the crossword and mystery word on the back of your ticket and correct entries will be entered

into a free prize draw to win a Hillers Hamper worth £50.00. The entry will be drawn at the end of the maze season.

The Maze is open daily 10.30am – 5.00pm with last entry at 4.30pm. Ticket sales and maze entrance are located next to the miniature railway and outdoor footwear is advisable.

Make a day of it with a visit to the sandpit and enjoy a picnic or enjoy refreshments at the Garden Restaurant followed by a visit to the bird hide, our best kept secret located in the display garden.

There really is something for everyone at Hillers, from the award winning Farm Shop that includes Ragley Estate Butchers, Hillers

Fish Shop, delicatessen, cheese counter and bakery, to the Garden Shop with display garden and bird hide. We have Hillers Gifts and Interiors where you can find the perfect outfit or a gift for that special someone and the Garden Restaurant with sunny outdoor terrace, perfect to enjoy the summer sun.

For your chance to win one of two Afternoon Teas for two at Hillers Garden Restaurant, visit the South Warwickshire Now Facebook page for details of how to enter.

Terms and conditions: Closing date for entries is August 23rd 2019. Prize cannot be exchanged for cash or other products. The prize is to be claimed within three months of the competition closing date.

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SENIOR LIVING

Allotment growing What to do with the allotment when it starts to get too much or you get older! We all eventually grow older and at some time we may start to feel that an allotment is getting too much for us due to aches and pains, recurring accidents, the effect of hot summers or cold winters and the basic fact of having less energy.

Our author has had his allotment for 10 years and in now 83 and these are his suggestions to keep growing and keeping active in the allotment 1.Share the load of running your allotment Find somebody or somebodies to help work the entire plot or half the plot. This might be persuading a younger member of the family or a neighbour to help out voluntarily , in return for produce. If not you could pay for some help. Other suggestions are involving the gardening club of a local school if one is close enough to your plot, maybe involve a scout or two who want to obtain their gardening badge. Involve one or two friends from your social clubs. Try reducing the space you need to constantly work productively or keep neat. This may involve giving back half and allow this to be rented out separately.

2. Manage the space better Cover half with old carpets or sheets of black plastic permanently or work each half alternate years. Plant up half with fruit trees and bushes planted through plastic sheeting. Plant up half with an annual or biannual green manure crop. Grow perennial aromatic herbs ecologically for sale. For instance rosemary and sage. Plant half up with roses for cutting for the house, showing or even sale.

Grow young fruiting or flowering trees for sale.

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3. Livestock If allowed in the rules of your allotment set up a poultry run. They are always very popular with fellow gardeners giving fresh eggs daily and free manure.

Plant through black plastic 4. Timesaving and labour saving Planting through holes or slits in black plastic sheeting reduces the time spent on weeding between plants. A water reservoir continues to all exist all summer under the plastic between plants which will develop longer roots. After a few months the earth under the plastic will firm up and it easy to walk on the plot in wet weather. Plant less plants and only grow those that thrive in your soil. This may mean cutting back on the number of types and varieties that you grow. Just grow sufficient for your own use unless you are getting help as above. Tell people who have received free or inexpensive vegetables in the past, when you had planned over production beyond your own needs, that in future its ‘ help out or no veg’. Make raised beds or set up containers for daily harvests.

Construct raised beds for the smaller vegetables or most frequently harvested. Collect large containers such as plastic builder’s buckets, plastic drums, large paint pots, large shrub and tree tubs etc., for growing all or some of your vegetables. Place them on top of earth covered with a black plastic sheet and you will have no weed problem.

5. Food for health Only grow vegetables that have high concentrations of beneficial vitamins and minerals. These include globe artichokes, broccoli, garlic, Continued over the page

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FOOD & LIVING SENIOR DRINK onions, parsley, peas, tomatoes and squashes.

6. Make your allotment survive without you in the Winter.

If you dislike the cold, only work the plot for 6 months in the year otherwise try having built a metre high raised cold frame for bringing on seedlings and sheltering winter salad leaf plants and mints as well as vegetables such as carrots and radishes. This gives a small area that you can ‘potter’ in the cold months but still get a small crop.

Allotment management Warwick District Council does not directly manage allotments. Many local allotments are managed by the tenants themselves and administered by the town or parish council concerned. There are some exceptions to this type of administration – for example, St Johns Allotments, Kenilworth are owned by the tenants; St Marys are owned by the church and administered by a trust, and there are several other variations.

Is it expensive?

The most expensive allotments are no more than £30 a year for a big plot. That’s less than 60p a week – great value for money. Growing costs little, and many allotments organise a bulk buy of reasonably-priced seeds. Some sites have a waiting list, but others have vacancies.

For details about allotments in your area, go to www. warwickdc.co.uk n

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FOOD & DRINK

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KEEPING ACTIVE Start / Finish: This circular walk starts at Cleeve Hill Golf Club House public car park (Point 1) or ‘The Rising Sun’ Hotel for those who arrive by bus (Point 2).

Coffee available at Hotel before walk.

KEEPING ACTIVE Public Transport: Nearest railway station – Cheltenham Spa. Take Bus ‘D’ or ‘E’ from outside station main entrance to Pittville Street (Stop 16) in Cheltenham.

Transfer to W1 ‘Marchants’ bus that will take you to ‘The Rising Sun Hotel’.

Return to Cheltenham on W2 service. Use ‘Traveline’ to check current timings.

No Sunday service.

Parking: Car park near Golf Club House (see sketch-map) O/S Map: Explorer Map 179 Distance: The main walk is 7.5 miles. Shorter Walk – 5miles.

Time: Allow all day for the main walk as there is plenty to see.

Refreshments: Enjoy a picnic up on the hills as there are some lovely views. No refreshments once you leave Cheltenham apart from Rising Sun Hotel (01242) 676281 and Cleeve Hill Golf Club House.

Terrain: Cleeve Hill and Common are on the northern end of the Cotswold Hills just outside Cheltenham. This ‘circular’ walk encompasses a section of ‘The Cotswold Way’ (LDP). This is a lovely walk and is undulating with a few gentle climbs. Boots essential. Poles useful. Some of the walk is on restricted by-ways. Walking across old quarry areas can be disconcerting to inexperienced hill walkers. Navigational skills needed on hill-tops to remain on course. With assistance the restricted by-ways can be used for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

History: The golden Cotswold limestone has been quarried in various quantities over the centuries and used to build local cottages then more recently to develop the Regency Spa Town of Cheltenham. Plenty is written about this activity. The quarry cliffs are dangerous and should be avoided. Please keep to the paths. Spring-line settlements have developed around the edge of Cleeve Hill. Take care when crossing the golf course. You will pass a pool near point 9 which is near source of the River Isbourne that flows through Winchcombe and into the River Avon near Evesham. There is ‘The Isbourne Way’ (walk) that starts on Cleeve Common.

Cheltenham to Cleeve Common

1. Note: short walk is from Golf Club House along wide ‘ridge’ of Cleeve Common (shortly forking left) to three masts and back (see sketch-map – large pink dots). If you have arrived by car, the walk starts in the car park near Cleeve Hill Golf Club House. Walk to ‘Club House’ then take ‘restricted by-way’ south-westwards that skirts western edge of Cotswolds just above B4632 and village of Woodmancote.

6. On reaching the pillar, turn north-eastwards and walk straight

2. At point 2 notice lane coming up from ‘The Rising Sun Hotel’ (opposite Gambles Lane). Those who have travelled by public transport will start and end walk here! On a clear day you can see Malvern Hills! From Cattle Grid, turn right from ‘Rising Sun’ or continue straight on along ‘Cotswold Way’ on restricted by-way for ¼ mile forking left along surfaced quarry track. This area was extensively quarried.

8.You are quite close to Winchcombe (glimpses of its Abbey Church

3.At brow of hill, leave surfaced track and walk along swathe of grass on left, through disused quarries. This path is somewhat irregular underfoot so take care. Below is a hamlet of quarryworkers cottages. Continue walking up slope, curving leftwards beyond fort, gradually climbing up onto Cleeve Hill itself. As you climb gently up this wide hillside path the views on right extend across Cheltenham Race-course to town and beyond. You may also hear occasional steam engine on nearby Gloucestershire and Warwickshire railway!

4. Having joined a higher track, near a clump of pine trees, you will soon notice a trackway on your right that leads down towards Prestbury. Do not go through gateway. Keep along top edge of hillside with boundary on right. Shortly a group of three tall masts will come into view (weather permitting!) Keep aiming for this landmark.

5. You should be at masts with a car park and lane on your right.

The short walk meets here from left (those on short walk need to turn back and retrace steps to Golf Club House at point 1).

The main walk follows fence on right as far as ‘Trig Point’ (concrete pillar at 1300’ from which Ordnance Survey mapping was surveyed in past). n 26 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 38 | August 2019

across common-land until you reach ‘Cotswold Way’ with its ‘waymarkers’ which is following eastern edge of Cotswolds just above fenced farmland.

7. Turn left along ‘Cotswold Way’ and walk northwards for a mile along this well marked route.

are possible).

9. Shortly you will drop down through a quarried area with a pool (near source of River Isbourne). In the valley, follow a line of beech trees then climb the slope beyond to a gate.

10. Follow track uphill and round a large curve back to car park at Golf Club House. Those who came by bus/train will need to follow route from point 1 to point 2 to complete walk. n Written and Illustrated by Glynis Dray

Classic Porsche 911 wins the race to be top lot!

A classic Porsche 911 convertible – ravishing in red from 1985 - took pole position in Hansons Auctioneers’ Summer Fine Art and Jewellery Auction. It roared past diamonds, wonderful art work and sensational ceramics to be the highest selling lot, even though it needed some TLC to put it back on the road.

Adrian Rathbone, associate director at Hansons, said: “The desire to own a classic car with pedigree saw phone, internet and room bidders battle up to £27,000 from a low estimate of £8,000.”

But the Porsche was far from the only star in Hansons’ sale. Lot 432, a silver hip flask in the form of a Shell lubricant canister made

by William Base & Son, Birmingham, in 1929, sold for £1,900. In the fine watches and jewellery section, lot 17, an 8.5 carat diamond solitaire ring topped £26,000; lot 197, a gents’ Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust wristwatch, reached £2,000 and lot 86, a suffragette’s hunger strike medal from 1912 swept to £12,500.

This vintage Porsche 911 sold for £27,000, more than treble its low estimate of £8,000.

Mr Rathbone said: “It was an excellent Fine Art Auction made all the better thanks to our new country house auction venue, Bishton Hall, a Georgian mansion in Staffordshire. It provides us with ample space to showcase paintings, furniture and other objects in a wonderful period setting.”

venue will offer free valuations every Thursday, 10am-2pm. Enjoy morning tea or afternoon coffee and explore its Grade I Temple Garden. Mr Rathbone said: “We are delighted to advise clients in confidence on anything from a single ring or watch to a collection of artwork or the entire contents of a property.”

Hansons is now gathering items for its October Fine Art, Jewellery, Silver and Art also excelled such as lot 4000, a signed oil Watches sales. Free home visit valuations painting by British artist Edward Brian Seago available by appointment. Alternatively, (1910-1974), entitled Cottages near Martham, enjoy a trip to Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge, Staffordshire, ST17 0XN. From August 15, the which saw the gavel fall at £7,200.

To find out more, email arathbone@ hansonsauctioneers.co.uk or call 01283 733988. Hansons also hold free monthly valuation events in Knowle, Stratford on Avon, Kenilworth and Bishops Cleeve. To find out more, call Carol Jones on 07802 839915.

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KEEPING ACTIVE EDUCATION

What's On AUGUST Wednesday 7th - Monday 26th Dragon Slayer Don’t miss the Summer’s must-see show return at Warwick Castle!

Experience a full evening of spectacular entertainment combining fearless fire jousting, perilous stunt riding and epic battles with a breath-taking light projection show finale complete with live actors, pyrotechnics, fireworks and more. Dragon Slayer performances run on selected dates throughout August. Tickets start from £20. For more information go to www.warwick-castle.com

Saturday 10th Battle Proms Pack up the hampers and champers and join thousands of loyal fans for an exceptional afternoon and evening of entertainment at the 9th annual Ragley Hall Battle Proms Concert. The extensive programme of entertainments also includes toe-tapping vintage vocals, breathtaking Spitfire display to Elgar’s Nimrod, sensational freefall demonstration

by The Red Devils parachute team, dramatic WWI cavalry display, and ground-shaking live fire from over 200 cannons! The Battle Proms is still believed to be the only opportunity in the world to see their signature piece – Beethoven’s ‘Battle Symphony’ – performed as he composed it: with 193 live firing Napoleonic cannons providing a thunderous percussion! Find out more and book tickets at www.battleproms.com

Sunday 11th Retro Warwick Classic Car Show Bring along your pre-1990 classic car, retro, commercial, scooter, bike

OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST EVENTS THIS MONTH or hot rod. Park up in Warwick’s the picturesque Market Place and enjoy the cars. pubs, cafes, attractions and many interesting shops.

From 9am onwards. It’s Free and no pre-booking required!

The Mechanicals Band & special guest Ellie Gowers Temperance in Leamington Spa are delighted to welcome back the Mechanicals Band who played to full & enthralled houses at the Magic Lantern in November & March. They are a folk group who enjoy setting their favourite poems to music. The group has a lush, string based sound (violin, viola and double bass) topped off with tasteful drums and percussion & the acoustic guitar and vocals of songwriter Wes Finch.The group’s first show was at the RSC’s The Other Place in Stratford on Avon and was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 as part of the Shakespeare400 celebrations. Since then they have played in folk clubs and bookshops, at festivals and on boats all over the country and have recently released a new EP featuring the verse of poets such as W.B. Yeats, Arthur O’Shaughnessy & Edna St. Vincent Millay as well as composing a series of pieces by Philip Larkin which they performed at Coventry’s SHOOT Festival in April. Entrance £8 in advance online or from the cafe. £10 on the door, subject to availability.

Macbeth - Outdoor Theatre The Three inch Fools return to Charlecote Park for a third year to present William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The Three Inch Fools are a five-strong troupe of actors with all manner of musical instruments, travelling with set, props and costumes across the UK, performing a highly imaginative and vibrantly musical take on Shakespeare’s plays.

Join us at Charlecote on 11th August, bring along a picnic and blanket, soak up the atmosphere and settle in for an evening of entertainment.

Tickets range from £0 for children under 10, to £16 for adults. Family

Retro Warwick Classic Car Show Sunday 11th n 28 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 38 | August 2019

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What's On The Three Inch Fools present Macbeth Sunday 11th

tickets are available. For more information go to www.eventbrite.co.uk

Saturday 17th Art in the Gardens A festival which showcases local artists and the wide range of arts and crafts they specialise in. The weekend aims to bring the world of arts and crafts to life for visitors. A group of sixteen restored Victorian hedged gardens overlooking Warwick Racecourse. Artists working from summerhouses, gazebos and lawned areas around Hill Close Gardens. Not just a formal exhibition of arts and crafts. Adults and children can watch the various artists at work (see a wide range of arts and crafts demonstrated) around the gardens, chat to them about their work, or take part in free workshops. Adults ÂŁ4.50 Children ÂŁ1 (Under 5s, HCGT and RHS members free). For more information about the event visit www.hillclosegardens.co.uk Warwick Regatta This year Warwick Boat Club hosts the 31st Anniversary Warwick Regatta. The event has been held by Warwick Boat Club on the River Avon, with the picturesque setting of Warwick Castle as the backdrop, every year since 1988 following the reformation of the Rowing section in 1987 and attracts hundreds of crews from around the country.

Novices, juniors, seniors and veterans race along the 500m sprint course through St Nicholas Park and Myton fields, with special races designed for beginner crews too. The event is free to watch, attracting hundreds of spectators each year.

Sunday 18th Concerts in the Park Warwick District Council Events Team has arranged a series of free band concerts to entertain you in our parks this summer. Bring along a picnic and chairs and just sit back and enjoy the music! With lots n 30 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 38 | August 2019

OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST EVENTS THIS MONTH

WHAT’S ON

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What's On

OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST EVENTS THIS MONTH

of other attractions in the park, including cafés, play areas and skateboarding you could enjoy a great day out. This free event takes place at St Nicholas Park, 2.30pm - 4.30pm.

Saturday 24th - Sunday 25th Warwickshire Horticultural Show Something for all - there are 76 classes which include (apart from the obvious) handicrafts, paintings,and photographs. 34 cups and trophies up for grabs including the prestigious RHS Banksian Medal & Certificate awarded to the most prolific points winner on judgement day. Entries into the show will be received between 8am & 2pm on Saturday 24th August 2019 and judging will take place at 2:30pm.

Entry fee - All Classes - 25p per class for WHAS members, 30p for non-members, and u16s free. The event takes place at The Ballroom at The Court House and Pageant Garden - Warwick Horticultural & Allotment Society Annual Show is back in town.

Camper Calling Camper Calling is a perfectly formed family festival returning for its 4th year at Ragley Hall. Previously headlined by the likes of Mel C, Scouting For Girls, ABC, Feeder and The Lightning Seeds! Amazing music from your best loved bands, as well as introducing you to your new favourites! Combine that with family entertainment, loads of activities including craft workshops, lake activities and some seriously tasty food and drink, you’ll be as busy – or as chilled out – as you choose! For updates to the line-up, ticket sales and and any other enquiries please visit www.campercalling.com

Monday 26th Warwick Party in the Park Join in the fun at this free family fun day in St Nicholas’ Park, Warwick.

There will be so much to see and do. Come down to Party in the Park where you and your family can enjoy a day out -Stalls - Charities Food - Drink - Entertainment - Bouncy Castles & Much More! The event takes place from 10am - 5pm.

Monday 26th-Saturday 31st Summer Fun: Monk-Y Business The lives of the monks in Bordesley Abbey have returned to normal, but there is still plenty to keep the little ones busy as they hunt down the missing treasure at Forge Mill Needle Museum! Normal entry fee applies. Quill, Ink and Tile-Making – discover how to use a quill and ink, or make some authentic medieval tiles to take home.

These additional fun activities for children will take place at various times during the week, as listed below. These optional activities are available at just 50p per child. No need to book – just come and join in! For more information go to www.forgemill.org.uk

Friday 30th Morgan and West: More Magic for Kids!

Morgan & West have been performing their uniquel magic shows across the UK and around the world, including sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, Perth Fringe world, Adelaide Fringe where they were nominated for ‘Best Family Show’, and Buxton Fringe where they were awarded ‘Best Comedy Show’. They have also appeared n 32 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 38 | August 2019

Warwick Regatta Saturday 17th

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What's On

OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST EVENTS THIS MONTH

Warwick Party in the Park Monday 26th on The Next Great Magician (ITV), Penn & Teller: Fool Us (ITV), and The Slammer (CBBC). The show takes place at The Core Theatre, Solihull, 2pm. £10 per ticket. Suitable age 5-105! Running time 60mins no interval.

September Wednesday 4th Heartbreak Productions: Romeo and Juliet You are invited to an exclusive glittering red-carpet event that will be attended by notorious celebrity families, The Montagues and the Capulets. Join Heartbreak at The Studio, Royal Spa Centre in Leamington for this super glam outdoor adaptation of Shakespeare’s star crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. Set in the here and now,

and mixing in some modern language, music, and technology, this production explores how one of the most celebrated tales of passionate love would play out in the 21st century. Tickets £17.50/Conc. £12.50/ Family (2+2) £51. For more information, or to buy tickets go to; www. mpv.tickets.com

Friday 6th - Sunday 8th Bus Fest The world’s largest internationalevent for ownwers, and enthusiasts of VW transporters. Over 300 trade stands and with excellent facilities, there is plenty going on for the whole weekend and you will have a good time with us, whatever the weather. Book yourself into Busfest now! For more information, go to www.busfest.org. n

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n 34 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 38 | August 2019

Emma Cox

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Tel: 01905 727902 Email: emma@pw-media.co.uk

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n 36 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 38 | August 2019