South Warwickshire NOW - May 2018

Warwickshire South

AND NORTH COTSWOLDS

Now

Be the Best Version of Yourself

At The Kingsley School See page 43 for more information

experimenting with tiles batsford arboretum KIP MCGRATH MAy 2018 | Issue 24 Your Free County Magazine t @NowWarwickshire | G South Warwickshire & North Cotswolds Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 1 n

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

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10

Warwickshire South

AND NORTH COTSWOLDS

Now 16 20 22

Contents

32

MAY 2018

HOME & GARDEN 10

Experimenting with Tiles

14

BBC Gardeners’ World Live

16

Making a Spring Hanging Basket

20

Hayfield Views

22

How to Have Fantastic Summer Baskets

26

Nature Notebook

Health & Beauty 28

The Pedicure Guide for Summer

30

Stratford Hearing Centre

32

Your Guide to Manicures and Pedicures

34

Choosing the Right Wedding Band

south warwickshire

NOW

editor

design

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

Paul Blyth paul@pw-media.co.uk

Advertising

01905 723011

Jess Keare 01905 727908 jess@pw-media.co.uk

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

Genna McCann-Taylor 01905 727902 genna@pw-media.co.uk

nowmagazine.co.uk

26

Bex Small bex@pw-media.co.uk

Contributors Front Cover: Kingsley School www.thekingsleyschool.co.uk

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Leamington History Group Fresh Radio Station

SE Davis & Son Ltd Angela Slater Hayes Gardening World Wagging Tails Miles Jones Hillers Farm Shop Mary Jane Gunn, CABA Glynis Dray Batsford Arboretum Hanson Auctioneers Royal Three Counties JSL Productions Stratford Hearing Centre

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38 36 Food & Drink

42

36

Recipe Asparagus, Watercress, Pea &

Ricotta Salad

Golden Years 38

A New Alternative to Equity Release?

Education 42

Spotting the Signs of Autism

44

Kip McGrath

Our Events Diary

46

46

Walks Stow-on-the-Wold Circular Walk

48

Batsford Arboretum

49

Hanson’s Auctioneers

50

Competition Royal Three Counties

52

What’s on this month?

58

Competition Battle Proms

competition winners Wychwood Festival H. Yendall, Blockley

Worcester Racecourse

W. Bolton, Wellesbourne S. Westlake, Evesham J. Warner, Shipston-on-Stour J. Jolliffe, Worcester

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: Reproduction in whole or in part 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: 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 magazine your name and address may be forwarded to the host of said competition.

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here & Now

Warwickshire Winners in Raspberry Pi School Competition

#PrepForPup Almost one in ten Brits who have bought a puppy ended up giving it away, after just one month according to a new survey. The research has revealed the shocking number of UK residents who have bought a dog on a whim, resulting in 9 % re-homing the animal after as little as four weeks of buying it.

Over a quarter said the reality of the commitment of having to look after the puppy was simply too much to take on. More than quarter said that having bought a puppy, it caused too much damage to the house, while a further 24 % admitted they struggled to train the dog and a further 24 % said they were totally unprepared for the expense.

According to the research over half admitted they realised it was a mistake almost as soon as they brought the puppy home, with one in twenty dumping the animal with a dog’s charity and a further 3 % relying on parents to take the burden.

Forthglade published the report for National Puppy Day to mark the launch of its ‘Prepare for Puppy’ campaign, backed by TV Vet and dog owner, Steve Leonard, who comments “The results of this poll are deeply concerning.

“Unfortunately, there is a real lack of education around what is involved when taking on a puppy. Raising a dog of any age requires consistent, gentle handling, teaching and care; and this is never more crucial than when you welcome a puppy into your family “Preparation is everything – from vaccinations and puppy-proofing to ensuring your dog has a nourishing, balanced diet. There will be so much to learn about your puppy, his needs, his character and his health. Getting to know your new puppy won’t happen overnight but there is nothing more heart-warming than seeing the bond between an older dog and its owner, from a lifetime working together to make each other’s lives better – and this comes from getting it right from the start.

I hope this campaign helps to promote all the considerations necessary before people rush out and get a puppy”.

Gerard Lovell, Managing Director at Forthglade who commissioned the report, commented, “We know a puppy is bought with the best intentions, but when the reality of the situation hits home, that’s when the panic sets in. Welcoming a dog into the family can be a wonderful experience, but sadly if you’re not fully prepared, things can go wrong very quickly and this is when we see puppies being dumped at rescue centres or sold on online. We hope this campaign will make people stop, do more research and decide whether a puppy is right for them.”

For more information on Forthglade’s ‘Prepare for Puppy’ campaign, visit Forthglade.com to download the One Paw at a Time guide for expert tips and advice.

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The UK’s brightest innovators from schools across the country competed in the final of PA Consulting Group’s sixth annual Raspberry Pi coding competition on Tuesday 17 April 2018. PA’s annual competition aims to inspire the innovators of the future. This year, it challenges school children and college students to use the credit-card-sized, highly capable Raspberry Pi computer to produce innovations to help save the planet.

Kenilworth School has won PA Consulting’s annual Raspberry Pi programming competition for its age category. Schools were asked to produce innovations under the theme of sustainability and Kenilworth School created a solution to switch off street lights when no one is nearby. The system uses infrared beams which work together to identify when no-one is nearby, and switch off unnecessary streetlights in the area.

The judges were impressed by the imagination of the team and how their innovation used mostly recycled materials.

The team were also able to present the technical details of their idea to the judges with clarity.

Titanic Article - 2018 Parts of this article should have been attributed correctly to Alan Griffin of Leamington History Group. The Group are dedicated to collecting and preserving the history of Leamington Spa and the neighbouring districts. Membership of the group costs £10 per year and is open to everyone with an interest in the history of the town. They usually meet at The Dormer Conference Centre, next to St Peter’s Church in Dormer Place on the fourth Monday of the month, starting at 7.30 pm. Meetings are free for members and students. (Nonmembers are welcome to join us for £2.50 per session.) Free weekly drop-in sessions are held every Tuesday from 10.00 am to noon at South Lodge, Jephson Gardens. Each year there is a programme of free Guided Walks to explore the history of the town. They also organise a History Fair each autumn Visit http://www.leamingtonhistory.co.uk for more details of events and how to join.

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here & Now

New Warwickshire Radio Station Launches on Digital

Dementia Awareness Week Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Awareness Week has been renamed as Dementia Action Week. It takes place from 21-27 May 2018 and Alzheimer’s Society is calling on everyone in Coventry and Warwickshire to unite today and plan actions, big or small, to make a huge difference to people affected by dementia.

There are more than 8,823 people living with dementia in Coventry and Warwickshire and too many face the condition alone without adequate support. Here are the top five ways you can get involved in 2018: 1. Become a Dementia Friend Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends initiative allows people to learn a little bit more about what it’s like to live with dementia and then turn that understanding into action. There are already more than 64,490 Dementia Friends across Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire. To get involved you can either find your nearest Dementia Friends Information Session – a fun, interactive session that covers five key messages through activities and discussion – or watch an online video. To find your nearest session, visit dementiafriends.org.uk 2. Spread the news This year’s Dementia Action Week theme is community change and we want to see a big impact in Coventry and Warwickshire. People with dementia and carers have shared actions with us that will make a difference, from ‘invite me out. Friends still mean the world to me’ to ‘take time to listen. I can still teach you a thing or two.’ Unite against dementia and help people affected to feel included in their community and able to live the life they want.

3. Arrange a quiz event Sign up, team up and compete to unite against dementia with our all-new, actionpacked mega-quiz. With someone developing dementia every three minutes, it’s the biggest health and social care challenge we face right now. This is your chance to help us outsmart it, using the mighty power of the quiz to raise funds – and have a lot of fun. Sign up today for your free Challenge Dementia Quiz pack at alzheimers.org.uk/challengedementia You can also contact your local Community Fundraising Officer, Lisa Courtney on 07484 504 822.

4. Join dementia research In the UK, one person develops dementia every three minutes and almost everyone knows someone whose life has been affected. There hasn’t been a new drug for dementia in 15 years. But since 2013, the number of clinical trials for Alzheimer’s drugs has doubled. Alzheimer’s Society will continue to drive forward research for effective treatments for dementia and – ultimately – a cure. Unite against dementia and sign up to take part in research, visit alzheimers.org.uk/joindementiaresearch 5. Get involved on social media Whether you are planning your own fundraising event, attending a Dementia Friends Information Session or have a unique action to help make a difference, Alzheimer’s Society wants to hear about it. Share what you are planning on social media by using #DAW2018. You can ‘like’ or ‘follow’ your local Alzheimer’s Society pages: Alzheimer’s Society West Midlands.

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Aaron Gregory hitting the airwaves in the Fresh studio

A new radio station called Fresh Coventry & Warwickshire has launched on digital radio, broadcasting to Leamington Spa, Warwick, Kenilworth, Southam, Stratford and beyond, providing entertainment for up to 900,000 people.

Founded by 21-year-old Station Manager Aaron Gregory as a hobby five years ago, Fresh, previously only available online and on mobile devices, is now also broadcasting live on DAB from its offices in Leamington Spa. It can be heard 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by anyone with a digital radio and aims to play the freshest and most up-to-date music as well as providing a community platform across the county as the only truly local radio station.

Said Aaron, “Our passionate team of volunteer presenters play the hits before they’re hits.

With such a great range of

music we’ve something for everyone. Why not tune in and find out?”

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Home & Garden

Experimenting with Tiles

Over the past few months, we have seen top interior designers getting creative and setting the trend with tiles, experimenting with colour, pattern and texture. It seems new trends these days are seen first on instagram as designers experiment to test market reactions. We have travelled through the new trends and some seem ‘very back to the future’ for the designers. The spaces are no longer constrained by hard surfaces and straight lines; spaces can be fluid, full of energy and character.

The first trends is using patterned tiles and are a great way of adding personalization to a room. Formerly bathrooms and kitchens have adhered to the white walls and neutral floors. Injecting pattern into a room can transform a space, adding a detail of interest, colour and light.

Continued over the page

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Home & Garden

The next trend is encaustic tiles, with a riot of colour and pattern to choose from.

First made in Europe in the late nineteenth century, encaustic tiles were used to decorate the floors of palaces in Russia, and grand hallways from Paris to Saigon.

Today, these beautiful tiles can be found in countless chic bars, restaurants and homes in major cities. Encaustic tiles are great for lifting the atmosphere of a room, adding colour and design. Repetitive patterns and multi-coloured tiles can make a room feel bigger whereas neutral patterned tiles can add a sense of warmth and texture.

On trend for urban, chic interiors, is the ceramic tile, a popular choice for when mixing materials in a kitchen or bathroom. The brick shaped ceramic tile is very now, as it allows you to play with design. Use bricks horizontally for a classic, modern look, or vertically for a sleek urban feel. Brick ceramics can also be used to create the ever-popular chevron pattern.

Mirror tiles with metallic accents are tipped to be fast sellers for 2018. They must be used sparingly to avoid turning your home into an Austin Powers set but can add a touch of luxury to a space. The mirrored effect tiles bounce light around the room, making a space feel more open. n

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Home & garden

Celebrating the Houseplant Renaissance

at BBC Gardeners’ World Live

As the resurgence in house plants takes the UK by storm in 2018, BBC Gardeners’ World Live has introduced a new stage dedicated to the art of indoor gardening – Blooming Interiors.

The Blooming Interiors stage brings indoor gardening gurus to the fore including Matt Biggs, author of Practical Guide to Growing Healthy Houseplants and Jane Perrone, presenter of podcast On The Ledge. Michael Perry (Mr Plant Geek) completes the line-up with an exclusive Houseplant Edition of his Weird and Wacky Plant Show. Complementing the houseplant hotshots, British Florist Association experts present daily demos on how to create the most stunning indoor displays with your garden flowers. You can even pay a visit to renowned floral designer Jonathan Moseley and his team on the British Flower Bus for more floristry tips, including wedding florals, situated next to the Blooming Interiors stage.

Then all you need to do is start creating your own indoor jungle!

Browse over 100 places selling quality plants, many suitable for indoor gardening, in the Floral Marquee and Plant Village at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (14-17 June at Birmingham’s NEC). From Streptocarpus, orchids and air plants to cacti, carnivorous plants and the stunningly colourful Coleus you’ll be spoilt for choice!

As houseplant-mania hits the streets, we’ve asked Jane Perrone, famed Gardening Editor of Guardian and presenter of On the Ledge, for her top tips for extending your garden indoors.

1. Know your plants!

Houseplants come in all shapes and sizes, and all have different requirements for watering, feeding, light, humidity and potting compost. For instance, plants that come from tropical climates tend to like moist soil and high humidity, whereas cacti from desert areas n 14 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

are happy in dry air and don’t need watering as much. The more you can find out about the houseplants you own, the better you’ll be able to care for them, so invest in a good book on houseplants or join an online community to connect with others who share your interests.

(And listen to On The Ledge podcast of course...)

2. Don’t overwater Most houseplants are killed by one thing - too much water.

Confusingly, plants are just as likely to be wilting because they are waterlogged as opposed to because they are short of water. Always test the compost with your finger before watering, and as a rule only water when the soil feels dry down to a depth of about 3cm (although bear in mind point number 1 - there are many exceptions to this rule!).

Finally, make sure you allow pots to drain and remove any water from the bottom tray or cachepot so the plant isn’t sitting in water.

3. Keep them close Stick a houseplant high up on a shelf and the likelihood is you won’t spot when it needs some TLC. Instead, place your most prized houseplants somewhere you’ll see them often - on the kitchen windowsill where you can look at them as you wash up, or perhaps on your bedside table. That way you can enjoy their beauty and step in quickly when your plant has a problem.

For more houseplant advice visit janeperrone.com Celebrate the best of summer gardening at BBC Gardeners’ World Live, 14 – 17 June at Birmingham’s NEC. Find out more and book tickets today at bbcgardenersworldlive.com

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g t n i e pr sk

Home & Garden

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res ent C en ard ift any G s l skin et will ps for a H t ti sk or a ing ba me s o i s v d e � g nt a ut han e ar rom it. r a l e p t o ring. H best f rt, uha hough q sp r he ir U well t ially in tting t a d s Ala ins: “A , espec and ge la a lf exp or are yourse do e out ing on t 1. Choose your basket crea Baskets come in all shapes and sizes, some even have

2

a flat back that would be perfect for a wall mount.

Choose one that suits your style. When hanging your basket, brackets and supports can be located on walls or sturdy garden frames, such as a pergola. Remember to position them so they are not a hazard to passing foot-traffic.

2. Fill a third with potting compost Add enough compost to allow your plants to stand at the right height for arranging.

3

3. Select your plants, considering their height, colour and shape Stick to an odd number of species as this creates a balanced look. Good plants for this time of year include miniature daffodils, primulas, primlets, heathers, pansies, polythanus and the grass Carex evergold.

4. Create interest by adding some evergreen plants Adding a trailing ivy will soften the edges of the basket whilst small starter shrubs and dwarf conifers are great for height and structure.

5. Arrange your display Position your plants until you are happy with the effect, then top up with compost, working it into the gaps.

Feed your basket with a general purpose slow release fertiliser for great results.

4

6. Aftercare Water your basket regularly, especially during dry weather. Some people opt for an automatic irrigation system that they can hook up to an outside tap.

Dead-heading the old flowers will keep displays going, extending the show into the following season if the weather is favourable.

Remember that you can hook out old plants and replace them with new to keep your basket looking good. n For more information visit www.haskins.co.uk FIND OUT HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR HANGING BASKETS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER ON PAGE 22

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Home & Garden

S.E. Davis & Son Ltd S.E. Davis & Son is a family owned business that has been located at its 16 acre site in Astwood Bank for over 70 years. With many years of experience the company can offer specialist advice and provide exceptional customer service and care, from enquiry to purchase to delivery, assisting customers in regards to the most suitable products for their requirements.

A garden, a terrace, a driveway can easily be transformed with the wealth of decorative chippings and gravels we have available to choose from. We are also first choice for creating and rebuilding estate roads, farm driveways, forest roads, car and lorry parks, bridleways and footpaths.

The business stocks the widest range of landscaping and building materials in the Midlands including many decorative gravels, chippings, hardcore, sand, and recycled pipe beddings. These are available for collection in any quantity, from a single rockery stone or a 20kg bag, or we are able to deliver bulk bags and up to 20 tonnes loose. We also stock turf, topsoil, bark, rockery stones and large stones suitable for water features.

The company has continued to invest in new crushers, screeners, shovels and bulldozers, some of which are available for hire, and constantly look to increase the range of products and services. The latest investment has been the development of mobile aggregate washing plants that is not reliant on settlement lagoons but recycles the water that is used.

Recycling is hugely important to the business and the company is proud of its recycling heritage, initially delivering crushed brick to Redditch during the development of the new town. From this, the recycling process has been continually refined resulting in the current operation which crushes and screens demolition material, producing reusable materials. The screened products

are washed producing recycled sharp sand and a range of recycled pipe beddings.

Over

many

have

supported

years,

the

various

Davis charities

family and

organisations and the Village Carnival is held in the grounds annually. They have been actively engaged in the collection and preservation of historic earth moving and agricultural machinery. It is believed this is the largest privately owned collection of such machinery in the country and attracts hundreds of visitors. These visits have helped to raise thousands of pounds for local causes, including the County Air Ambulance. n

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A conservatory with a beautiful

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tiled roof. What a brilliant idea.

u’ll be creating a comfortable, practical room that you can use f those nasty heating bills! o an all-year-round living space. Whatever the weather.

LIVING SPACE

d warm in the winter, we’ve now created ar-round by simply changing the roof.

armroofuk.co.uk SURVEY AND QUOTATION

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Home & garden

Hayfield Views Show Homes

Charms House Hunters

The brand new show home at Hayfield Views has delighted house hunters, with a number of off-plan reservations since its launch last month. The collection of new homes being built on the edge of Great Bourton village will consist of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes, as well as a newly built village hall and play area for use by the local community.

Built by Hayfield Homes and styled by interior design consultancy Claude Hooper, visitors to the recently launched five-bedroom show home will experience Hayfield Homes’ superior quality craftsmanship and intricate attention to detail firsthand. Inside the traditional country exterior, each room has been elegantly finished with a blend of contemporary and bespoke, quality furnishings, perfectly suited to Hayfield Views living.

Harriet Dickson, Sales Manager at Hayfield Homes, said, “Hayfield Views is our second residential development and we’re enjoying n 20 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

showing prospective buyers the quality on offer here. It’s not just a new home that buyers will get, but an opportunity to become part of a wonderful community in this idyllic village location.”

Emily Wakefield, Senior Interior Designer at Claude Hooper, said of the show home, “We have loved bringing Hayfield Homes’ vision for this development to life through the interior styling. The whole design has been underpinned by Hayfield’s unwavering commitment to building high quality homes, which is reflected throughout every single room. We are confident that these new homes will continue to be a hit with house-hunters.”n The show home at Hayfield Views is located at Main Street, Great Bourton, Oxfordshire, OX17 1QU and is open daily from 10am5pm. To register your interest in this exciting new development, please visit www. hayfieldhomes.co.uk or call 0845 052 4763.

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Home & garden

How to Have Fantastic

Summer Hanging Baskets Here is some great advice for planting your summer hanging baskets, courtesy of Hayes Garden World Summer hanging baskets are ideal for a splash of colour, even if space is limited.

Size can range from a slim flower pouch to a 45cm (18”) basket. There are infinite colour combinations and a huge range of plants to choose from; it can range in price from £10 to £60. The cheapest option can be achieved by buying a plastic hanging pot for a couple of pounds and a ready themed bedding pack, usually containing 10 – 12 plants; these usually retail for approximately £6 - £10. If money is not a consideration there are a lot of beautiful wrought iron hanging baskets which will last for many years. Just make sure that the supporting bracket is secure enough to support the weight of a heavy basket plus wet compost and plants. It needs a sunny sheltered site.

If you don’t fancy flowers why not try strawberries or tomatoes instead?

When do I plant my basket?

Small plug plants are available at Hayes Garden World from February, so the basket can be planted up from then if you have somewhere light and cool to keep it.

Make sure you don’t over-water as the small plants will

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rot easily. The larger plants are available from mid-April but also need to be kept inside, somewhere light and cool. Put the baskets outside when all danger of frosts have passed, usually the beginning of June. If you live in a mild area or can’t wait that long make sure you keep an eye on the weather forecast and are prepared to bring the basket in, or insulate it if frost is forecast.

What basket do I choose?

There is a vast range of baskets from which to choose; from the simple plastic hanging pot to elaborate wrought iron baskets. There is also a plastic basket with sections that pop out making it easier to plant around the sides and avoiding damaging the plant roots. If using a wrought iron or wire basket don’t forget the liner. If using a coir liner line it with plastic, making sure to slash the bottom to avoid the water collecting, this extends the life of the liner. You can be inventive and recycle an old colander, a sturdy wooden crate or even an old pair of boots (making sure there are plenty of holes in the bottom. Chain can be bought from any hardware store.

Continued over the page

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Home & garden What compost do I use?

Any good quality multi-purpose will suffice. Adding a water retention gel will cut down on watering. As bedding plants need a lot of feeding I always add a slow release feed. This should be enough to feed the plants through the main season, a supplementary liquid high potassium feed, such as Tomorite, may be necessary to prolong the show into early autumn.

There are composts available which already have water retention gel and slow release feed incorporated.

Which plants do I choose?

There is an infinite variety of summer bedding so first decide on a colour theme. You roughly need a plant for every inch of hanging basket plus a larger upright one for the centre of the basket. For example, if planting a 14� basket choose 14 trailing plants plus a large upright one for the middle. Trailing plants are usually sold in small single pots costing approximately £1.50 - £2.00 each. To keep costs down pad the basket out with trailing lobelia, which usually comes in packs, costing just a few pence per plant.

How do I plant the basket?

Place the basket on a pot or bucket to keep it stable.

Fill the basket half full with the compost, water retaining crystals and slow release feed mixture. Make slits around the sides of the basket to push the plants through. A good idea is to wrap a cone of cardboard around the plant roots; this makes it easier to push through and protects the roots. Once the side plants are in place, put in some more compost mixture and place the top plants, filling in any gaps around the plants. Once planted water well and leave to drain.

Leave the basket to settle in for about a week before putting in position.

How often do I need to feed and water the basket?

On a hot day you may need to water twice a day, morning and late afternoon, try and avoid watering in the midday sun. If reaching the basket is a problem there are products on the market to hang the basket from which lowers it for ease of watering and deadheading. If you have several baskets it may be worth considering investing in a watering system.

Incorporating water retention gel into the compost will help prevent the basket drying out. Feed weekly with a high potassium feed, such as Tomorite, if there is no slow release feed in the compost. If there is slow release feed in the compost you will probably only need to feed with a high potassium feed in late summer when the flowers are starting to fade.

What else do I need to do?

Make sure you keep deadheading the plants as this prolongs the flowering period. n

Angela Slater, Gardening Expert Hayes Garden World n 24 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

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nature

#30DaysWild Be inspired by birdsong, bumbling bugs and brilliants bats!

This June make room for nature and be part of

and females only six. These antler-like feelers also have a hidden talent; they can detect pheromones, which means males can find females even in the dark!

a national challenge to do something wild every day for 30 days! People who take part get a pack of goodies to inspire their daily random acts of wildness. These can take a few seconds, a few minutes, or if you lose yourself completely, a few hours! Take a moment to listen to birdsong in the park, eat your lunch outdoors, talk a walk in the woods, plant some wildflower seeds or get creative penning a poem inspired by your wild acts! Get connected to nature and go #30DaysWild!

May bugs are on the wing!

May bugs have many names from chover or billywitch to bummler and doodlebug! May bugs are properly known as cockchafers and they’re actually a beetle in the scarab family.

They’re about 3cm long so you won’t miss them, especially as they whir around the skies in early evening when the weather warms up. The larva of these chunky, noisy beetles is the rather ugly chafer grub; c-shaped with six legs close to their red-brown heads and sometimes found living in your lawn. Once they’ve transformed into adult beetles they stay buried until spring when they emerge, slightly disorientated and begin bumbling around. You may hear them clunking into windows or bumping into lamps as they’re attracted to artificial light!

They have distinctive antennae with ‘leaves’ which gives them a funky appearance. Count these ‘leaves’ and you can work out what sex the beetle is! Males have seven leaves n 26 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

Bats out and about Bats will have come out of hibernation during April and fed well on insects during the nights. They have large appetites as flying demands energy! A common pipistrelle can eat over 3,000 small insects in one night! So, in May bats are fully active and the females will be forming their maternity roosts, gathering together to give birth.

The common pipistrelle is our smallest bat and the noctule is the largest, with a wing span of 40cm. Noctule bats roost in holes in trees and feed on moths and flying insects especially cockchafer beetles! Brown, long-eared bats roll their long ears up or tuck them under their armpits when resting - if it was a human it would be able to tuck its ears into its belt.

Want to spot bats for yourself? Dusk in spring and summer is the ideal time to try! Look up and watch for their silhouettes.

Low flyers may come as low as 2 metres from the ground or up to 10 metres up. Out in the countryside hover by field edges where insects gather above the hedges and trees – ideal hunting ground for bats! Or join an expert for an after dark walk around a nature reserve with bat detectors to see or hear them. n

Louise Barrack, Communications Officer Warwickshire Wildlife Trust #staywild #30dayswild

‘Buy with Confidence’ as Wagging Tails becomes Trading Standards Approved!

Local Dog Boarding company Wagging Tails has been confirmed as a member of Trading Standards ‘Buy with Confidence’ Scheme.

Run by Sarah Evans and offering dog boarding to owners in the CV postcode area, Wagging Tails Warwickshire has successfully met all of Trading Standards’ requirements and is now ‘Buy with Confidence’ Trading Standards Approved.

background checks.

Talking about Wagging Tails membership

of

this

scheme

Sarah commented, “At Wagging Tails we have always been fully committed to providing the very best and most ethical business possible. Membership of Trading Standards ‘Buy with Confidence’ scheme is another factor that sets Wagging Tails apart and reiterates our commitment to working ethically and trading fairly, whilst offering the very best

The ‘Buy with Confidence’ scheme has been set up in response to concerns about ‘rogue traders’, which are often highlighted in the media, and is the largest scheme of its kind nationally.

dog care possible.”. n

In order to become a ‘Buy with Confidence’ member a business must pass a set of tailored

For further information on

Further information and a list of Trading Standards ‘Buy with Confidence’ members can be found at www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk

Wagging Tails please visit www.waggingtailsuk.co.uk/cv t @NowWarwickshire | G South Warwickshire & North Cotswolds Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 27 n

The Pedicure Guide

for Summer

1

With Summer coming up fast, it’s officially flip flop season! Here’s our guide for an ultimate pedicure this summer...

2

3 4

n 28 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

5 6

7

8

1. chanel

4. L’OCCITANE

7. BARE FEET

The must-have partner of the ROUGE COCO collection, LE VERNIS LONGUE TENUE reinvents itself in six nail polishes that all boast electrifying shades and mirror shine. Available in Prune Dramatique, Exquisite Pink, Bleu Trompeur, Rose Néon, Violet Piquant and Brun Contraste.

A prescription for relief and well-being. Rich in nourishing shea butter (15%) and containing antiseptic A.O.C. lavender essential oil to purify, and anti-inflammatory arnica extract to help reduce redness and irritation, this cream moisturises and relieves irritated and tired feet.

A relaxing foot soak formulated for its soothing benefits, leaving feet cleansed, moisturised and refreshed. Use daily for tired feet and legs or weekly as a luxury treatment to maintain the beauty of the feet.

£22.00

£115.00

2. L’OCCITANE

5. BARE FEET

Our classic formula is enriched with 20% Shea Butter which penetrates quickly to help protect and nourish with no greasy film. You can use it daily, just squeeze a generous amount in your hands and gently massage into hands, nails and cuticles.

A conditioning foot cream with antibacterial properties, blended with ginger and manuka honey to moisturise and hydrate skin leaving the feet soft and smooth.

£20.00 - 150ml

6. BARE FEET

3. L’OCCITANE Often neglected, your cuticles and nails need extra love sometimes too. Enter our nourishing nail and cuticle oil. Formulated with 30% Shea oil that softens cuticles whilst helping strengthen nails.

£7.50 - 100ml

A relaxing foot soak formulated for its soothing benefits, leaving feet cleansed, moisturised and refreshed. Use daily for tired feet and legs or weekly as a luxury treatment to maintain the beauty of the feet.

£9.50 - 200ml

8. BARE FEET A conditioning nail and cuticle serum formulated with sweet almond oil, ginger extract and manuka honey to condition and hydrate nails and cuticles. Absorbs quickly to leave nail cuticles nourished and moisturised.

Leading Podiatrist Margaret Dabbs has collaborated with Marks & Spencer to offer a uniquely formulated foot care range to pamper and beautify your feet.

£8.50 - 7ml

£9.50 - 200ml

£14.00 - 7.5ml

t @NowWarwickshire | G South Warwickshire & North Cotswolds Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 29 n

Health & Beauty

Stratford Hearing Centre

Awarded Gold Standard Rating Under New Best Practice Programme Stratford Hearing Centre has been awarded ‘Consultant Approved’ accreditation by Phonak, the world’s leading manufacturer of hearing instruments. A first of its kind, the award recognises the centre as offering an outstanding level of care to their customers and best practice in audiology.

Worcester and Stratford Hearing Centres are proud independent family run hearing centres with over 30 years of collective experience in helping people hear better. Their Worcester branch was awarded ‘Consultant Approved’ 3 years ago. Now, Worcester and Stratford Hearing Centres are the only ‘Consultant Approved’ hearing centres in Worcestershire and Warwickshire, respectively. They are committed to following the very highest standards of audiological and customer care as specified by an independent advisory panel.

To qualify under the ‘Consultant Approved Site’ scheme and become recognised as a centre of excellence, audiologists at Stratford Hearing Centre were required to pass a series of audits against best practice set by an independent advisory panel, made up of some of the best clinicians in the country, including Harley Street audiologist Rony Ganguly and Professor Quentin Summerfield from the University of York.

Continuing accreditation commits the centre to provide all of their patients: • Full diagnostic hearing assessment • Screening for issues related to your general health that may impact on your hearing solution • Consultation to understand your lifestyle needs, your

n 30 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

motivation and management of your expectations for the future • Full range of rehabilitation, fitting, verification and counselling services to ensure the very best outcome • On-going care and support Director

of

Audiology,

Tom

Dixon

said:

“We

are

extremely proud to have achieved ‘Consultant Approved’ accreditation from Phonak. It is a great way for us to illustrate to customers the level of experience and loyalty that we can offer at Worcester and Stratford Hearing Centres, while also allowing us to ensure we are delivering consistently high standards that exceed industry standards.”

Phonak’s Richard Jones, said: “Phonak has been a pioneer of hearing instrument development for more than 70 years. We are proud of our longstanding relationship with Worcester and Stratford Hearing Centres and the Consultant Approved Site programme is a way of promoting the outstanding quality service and expertise that they deliver every day”.

At Worcester and Stratford Hearing Centres, you can rest assured you are receiving the very highest standards of audiological and customer care. n To book your full hearing assessment please contact your nearest branch.

Worcester Hearing Centre: 01905 617803 www.worcesterhearingcentre.co.uk Stratford Hearing Centre: 01789 264111 www.stratfordhearingcentre.co.uk

t @NowWarwickshire | G South Warwickshire & North Cotswolds Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 31 n

Health & Beauty

Your Guide to

Manicures & Pedicures Manicures and Pedicures are a simple and delightful way to look good, feel good and show off something different. It’s time to decide which is right for you using this handy guide.

The art of taking care of your hands is as varied as the individual lines on our palms and the swirls on our finger tips. The options are many and the effects instant. Depending on your experience with manicures, it may be best to start off simple.

A basic manicure is one that you can do at home. They are quick, simple and easy to change if needed. No fuss and no mess. Not even a UV lamp is required for these types of manicures. A nail technician will apply a lotion or oil to the cuticles which will then be left to soak for about five minutes. Once the cuticles have been attended to, a base coat (or two) will be applied and the hands placed under a dryer to speed up the process.

If you long for something more extravagant, go and see a professional. Gel, Acrylic and Shellac are the more common types to be found on the High street.

Gel based manicures last far longer (approximately for four weeks) and do not chip thanks to a special varnish which is applied. Gel based manicures will be hard to remove however, your hands needing to be soaked for some time or even employing a UV light to help.

Acrylic nails are less resistant to chipping and these can even be fixed at home in emergencies. They last the longest out of all

the types of manicures available but if you tend to use your hands regularly for work, this type may not be for you. For those who are expecting, it is recommended to avoid this type as the process involves potent chemicals.

Finally, Shellac manicures are a new alternative and are a hybrid of gel and nail polish. They have the benefit of being nearly as durable as gel manicures along with the more natural look but without the potentially damaging chemicals. With the previous types however, there are disadvantages. You have to get these removed by a professional and this manicure requires a healthy nail bed.

These are the basics and the most cost effective. If you really want to go full flamboyant you can try paraffin manicures, ideal for people with dry hands. Or how about a hot stone manicure that is part manicure, part hand massage? Even more recently, 3-D manicures have seen a rise in popularity. Now you can walk around with mini designs that have a wonderful textured look.

If you are going to accessorise your hands then why not do the same and treat your feet? The choices of pedicure are even more varied and interesting than those available for your hands. You can still pamper yourself with Acrylic, Gel and Shellac types of

n 32 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

pedicures but if you want something extra then there are some real exotic treatments.

If you are a serious chocoholic then you will be pleased to hear that chocolate pedicures are available. Everything from chocolate foot soaks chocolate lotions are used to soften and even protect your feet. Cocoa moisturises and firms your feet, acting as a powerful antioxidant.

If you want some real pain relief then try a sports or athletic massage. They add some extra massaging with cooling scented aromatics, helping to soothe sore and tired feet. This is highly recommended if you have stubborn calluses and other serious issues.

Costing for these various manicures and pedicures will vary from salon to salon. The average price will be £25-£35 depending on the type of treatment you want. Express pedicures may be even less since they won’t involve soaking your hands or feet and fancy oils. If you wish to combine treatments you are looking at an average of £50-£60.

Whether you want to go for a simple treatment or go all out at a spa weekend there are plenty of suitable choices that will make you look good and more importantly, make you feel good. n Miles Jones

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Our Brands Prima Donna, Marie Jo, Empreinte, Fantasie, Freya, Elomi, Wacoal, Simone Perele, Lise Charmel, Aubade, Passionata, Maryan Melhorn, Gottex, Melissa Odabash, t @NowWarwickshire | G South Warwickshire & North Cotswolds Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 33 n Hanro and many more

Health & Beauty

Choosing the Right

Wedding Band

Traditionally the material will be dictated by the engagement ring, yellow gold is a timeless choice in 14 or 18 carat both are more robust than 22 carat gold and therefore more suitable for everyday wear. While white gold and platinum, the strongest, most durable metal, have become the most popular contemporary styles. Rose gold has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, as has mixing and matching metals.

“If you fall in love with a ring that doesn’t perfectly complements the engagement ring, don’t worry”, says ring designer Anja Potze of Anja Potze, Worcester. “They are two separate rings for two separate reasons and sometimes it is good to be able to see the distinction.”

It’s also important to consider how the wedding band sits with your engagement ring. “I would always recommend choosing a wedding ring that is a similar width to the band of the engagement ring, not to dominate,” says Anja. If the engagement ring has a very large central stone then this may cause a gap between it and the band, in which case it’s worth considering a shaped band or one which interlocks with the stone.

Gold So the shopping starts, do you want to leave room for an eternity ring? Do you fancy a plain band or one that is diamond set. You can also choose a classic style or a contemporary one? n

Gold is one of the most common and desired metals used in rings of all varieties. The metal’s popularity for men’s or women’s engagement and wedding rings is unsurpassed. The larger the carat, the higher the percentage of pure gold in the ring and the more expensive it will be. The hardness and durability of gold varies depending on carat, so it is important to take these factors into account when selecting a gold ring.

Platinum Platinum is a white metal and the most expensive and prestigious option for a ring. It is long wearing and already exceptionally white, so it does not need to be rhodium plated like white gold. Platinum is also used in rings at almost 100% purity.

Tungsten Carbide Tungsten carbide is a compound of tungsten and carbon that is hard, heavy and durable. A tungsten carbide ring will stand up to any degree of wear and tear and remain looking like new. One major benefit of tungsten carbide rings is that their durability makes them much more scratch resistant than rings made of other metals. The drawback of tungsten carbide’s durability is that it cannot be cut and resoldered which prevents rings made of the metal from being resized. This makes having your finger sized accurately extremely important when buying a tungsten carbide ring.

n 34 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

t @NowWarwickshire | G South Warwickshire & North Cotswolds Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 35 n

Food & Drink

Asparagus, Watercress, Ingredients For The Dressing • 4 tablespoons of soy sauce • Juice of 1 lime • 2 tbsps of sesame oil • 1 clove of garlic, crushed • 1 tsp crushed ginger • 1 spring onion finely sliced • 2 tbsps of chopped coriander • 3 tbsps of sugar For The Salad • 1 punnet of watercress, washed • 1 round of asparagus • 150g cooked peas • 75g toasted pine nuts • 150g Ricotta • Few halved cherry vine tomatoes

Pea & Ricotta Salad Method To Prepare the Dressing Mix all of the dressing ingredients together in a bowl and set aside until later.

To Prepare the Salad Trim asparagus and drop into boiling, salted water for 5 minutes. Remove from boiling water and plunge into cold water. Drain and set aside.

Arrange salad – start with the watercress and layer items on top finishing with the toasted pine nuts Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad Great served with grilled chicken breast or as a BBQ salad. n

n 36 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

t @NowWarwickshire | G South Warwickshire & North Cotswolds Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 37 n

golden years

A New Alternative

to Equity Release?

Older borrowers could continue paying their mortgages until they die or move into care, under a new proposal by the The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). At the end of 2017 they launched a consultation to consider introducing retirement interest-only loans. These mortgages would see borrowers paying the interest on their mortgages without repaying the loan, and would last until death or a move into a care home. In a recent article Which? looked at how retirement interest-only loans would work and the pros and cons of these arrangements.

Under an interest-only deal, retired borrowers would pay the interest due on their mortgage, but do not make regular repayments on the loan itself. Over the years, the balance you owe doesn’t decrease. The FCA is proposing to allow older borrowers to take out interest-only loans, which they would continue to pay until they moved into a care home or died. At that point, the lender would sell the house to repay the loan. The owner – or their estate – would benefit from any value growth in the property, and the initial deposit. While repayments are significantly lower on an interest-only loan, a borrower will ultimately end up paying more interest over time without increasing their share of ownership. But if the property grows in value while you own it, you could still stand to make money on an interest-only deal.

Continued over the page

n 38 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

t @NowWarwickshire | G South Warwickshire & North Cotswolds Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 39 n

GOLDEN YEARS

It is tempting to think that the interest only

appreciation on the property, as they need

mortgage payer ends up better off because

to repay the original loan to the bank. The

the amount they pay a month is much lower

interest-only borrower saves in mortgage

than a repayment but that isn’t the case.

payments but usually the cost of clearing the

When the house is finally sold the capital-

mortgage at the end means they are slightly

repayment borrower will keep the proceeds

worse off. Of course this also assumes your

(leaving aside any sale costs). But the

property will grow in value, which it’s not

interest-only borrower only keeps any capital

guaranteed to do. If your property price

n 40 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

stagnates, an interest only borrower may walk away with much less – and if were to drop, you or your estate could end up owing the bank money after the sale.

So why is the FCA proposing the change?

This is because there are few interest-only loans available and borrowers looking to take one out need to show evidence of a

plan to repay their loan. Yet more than 1.9 million borrowers remain on interest-only loans today from deals agreed in the 2000s, when they were more readily available. While the majority of people on interest-only arrangements have a plan to repay, many don’t. When their term runs out, these homeowners must try to remortgage or face losing their homes. But in order to successfully remortgage, homeowners need to show they can afford the payments on the new deal – which might be significantly higher. Older homeowners may also be ineligible for a repayment mortgage, as they’re unlikely to be working long enough to pay it down. The FCA is hoping a retirement interest-only proposal could be the answer for these homeowners.

The lower payments mean they need a lower income to qualify, while allowing the deal to extend to retirement could help older borrowers.

At the same time, there is some concern that paying off an interestonly mortgage is effectively the same as renting – especially if your property doesn’t grow in value. Currently, one of the main options is a lifetime mortgage (equity release) where a new mortgage is placed over the property and interest payments are ‘rolled up’ into the loan. When the owner dies or moves into care, both the loan and interest are repaid from the sale of the house. But lifetime mortgages have high interest rates that can quickly eat up any equity in a home, leaving very little for the person’s care needs or heirs. The FCA currently classifies retirement interest-only mortgages as a type of lifetime mortgage. Their proposal would see the two concepts separated out, with different lending criteria applied. At the time of writing The FCA is currently reviewing the community’s views about its proposals. For detailed information please take professional advice. n The link to the consultation document for further reading is https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/consultation/cp17-32.pdf t @NowWarwickshire | G South Warwickshire & North Cotswolds Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 41 n

education

Spotting the signs

And Seeking Support for Autism

With around 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK – more than 1 in 100 – autism is far more common than many people think. If you include the family members and carers dealing with autism as part of daily life, the number of people affected rises to 2.8 million.

Experts now believe that the true number is much higher, with a “lost generation” of thousands missed due to low awareness and understanding of the condition. 5 times as many men than women are diagnosed, indicating an under-diagnosed female population. If you believe someone you care about may have autism, the wellbeing experts at CABA have provided this guide on the signs to look out for, following the charity’s partnership with the National Autistic Society.

What is autism?

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disability that affects how someone interacts and relates to other people, as well as how they experience the world around them.

Social scenarios, including family events, school and work, can be difficult, leaving them feeling overwhelmed and anxious.

How is autism diagnosed?

Autism is a spectrum condition, meaning that, while all autistic people share certain difficulties, they will all be affected in different ways. In order for an autism diagnosis to be made, an individual will be assessed for persistent difficulties with social communication. Signs to look out for include:

• A very literal understanding of language.

They may find it difficult to use, or understand, facial expressions, tone-ofvoice or jokes • Difficulty making eye contact • Avoiding or resisting physical contact, they often want to be alone • Not responding to their name • Getting upset over minor changes • Displaying extreme anxiety and phobias • Have unusual reactions (over or undersensitivity) to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel • Having obsessive interests

when you need someone to listen without

While there is no cure for autism, having the right support at the right time can make a huge difference to the lives and wellbeing of those affected. Yet, according to The National Autistic Society, 70% of autistic individuals aren’t getting the help they need from social services, with the same number saying they would feel less isolated if they had more support. But, help is available.

If you’re a parent or a carer of a pre-school

Pre-diagnosis? Help is at hand If you have any concerns about booking an assessment for a friend or family member, pre-diagnosis support is available. Charities such as CABA provide practical and reassuring advice over the phone.

subjects such as getting extra help in school,

Volunteers are a phone call away There are trained volunteers out there, who are all parents themselves of a child, or adult, with autism. They know the impact autism has had on their own families, and can offer emotional support whenever you need to talk about your situation or feelings – or just

working parent with a young, autistic child,

n 42 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

judging. Volunteers are available to speak over the phone, or using online services.

The National Autistic Society has a specialist parent-to-parent service.

Join support groups Joining a support centre can help you, and the person you care about, feel less isolated.

Click here to find a network of local support groups and branches run by volunteers, most of whom have a personal connection to autism.

Schools entitle you to education rights or school-age child on the autistic spectrum, you are entitled to impartial, confidential information, advice and support on education rights. The National Autistic Society, for example, aims to explain education law and can help you explore your options and make informed decisions about your child’s school education. It also offers advice on specific assessments, education plans, reviews and school transport.

Having autism doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a normal life. For inspiration that it can be done, check out Marion’s story. A single, Marion shares how the support on offer has made life easier for her whole family. To find out more, visit caba.org.uk. n

Mary Jane Gunn, support manager at wellbeing charity CABA

t @NowWarwickshire | G South Warwickshire & North Cotswolds Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 43 n

education

Kip McGrath

Royal Leamington Spa

Kip McGrath Royal Leamington Spa provides professional tuition in English and maths to primary and secondary school children. The centre is OFSTED registered, professionally managed and resourced with fully qualified teachers who are DBS checked.

We provide individual learning programmes to cater to your child’s needs. Each session includes written and computer based activities, plus ongoing progress reports and regular tutor feedback. The Kip McGrath teaching and learning method is systematic, methodical and has 40 years of success behind it. A variety of courses are offered to help fill any learning gaps, focusing on English, reading, spelling, comprehension, maths and a summer brain camp.

studies show, that children, who are fluent readers and

Beat the summer Brain Drain

when they return to school. Our 200 UK centres are on a

“Summer brain drain” is another term for summertime regression and describes the loss in learning, that children experience during the long summer holidays. Extensive

Warwickshire South

AND NORTH COTSWOLDS

Now

If you would like to advertise in our next issue please contact one of our sales team.

Jess Keare

Genna McCann-Taylor

Tel: 01905 727908 Email: jess@pw-media.co.uk

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

n 44 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

who love to read for fun during the summer holidays, may actually improve their literacy skills. However, children with less fluent reading skills and who never read during the long break, can actually regress by two months.

For many children, especially those who have struggled academically during the term or are moving up to an important academic year and are ambitious to keep a step ahead, our Kip McGrath Summer programmes give your child the opportunity to work with our qualified teachers in a modern and fully equipped learning centre, so that they can kick start their learning and place them in pole position mission to beat the summer brain drain.

Book a FREE assessment today and find out how we can help your child build a brighter future!. n

t @NowWarwickshire | G South Warwickshire & North Cotswolds Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 45 n

KEEPING KEEPING ACTIVE ACTIVE Start / Finish: The walk starts outside the Library in the Town Square.

Public Transport: Nearest railway station is at Moreton-in-Marsh. This serves towns along the ‘Cotswold Line’ with a number of local bus services. Please use ‘Traveline’ and check local bus timetables.

Parking: Large car park with WC to south of town – see sketch-map.

O/S Map: Outdoor Leisure 45 Distance: The main walk is 7 miles* NOTE: Bridge repairs between A and B in April/May 2018. The 1.5mile diversion is partly on busy roads so either return on outward walk (8 miles) or do ‘There and Back’ walk to Donnington (6 miles) or do shorter ‘There and Back’ walk to Broadwell (4 miles). This should only be a temporary ‘closure’!

Stow-on-the-Wold Circular Walk Written and illustrated by Glynis Dray

Time: Allow all day for the main walk as there is plenty to see along the way and it will give you time for diversions. Choose a day with good visibility to enjoy the views.

Refreshments: Take a picnic to eat en route. No shops after leaving Stow-onthe-Wold. Please support local cafes and restaurants.

Terrain: Stow is high up in the Cotswolds so the outward walk trends downhill and the return walk uphill with a ‘sting in the tail’ climbing up from either ‘Upper Swell’ or ‘Lower Swell’ (more climb involved). It is a very pretty walk through Broadwell and Donnington. The area above and below Stow is gently undulating and very rural. You may see deer. Rugged pushchairs may get to Broadwell but wheelchairs and ordinary pushchairs are advised to stay in Stow and maybe go as far as Stow Wells at point 2 as there is the return climb back up the hill! There are gateways, bridges, a few stiles and steps and kiss-gates.

Strong boots are essential. There is some lane-walking.

History: Stow-on-the-Wold is an historic market town serving a large area of the Cotswolds. It celebrates a wealth of history and the two ‘wells’ at point 2 are part of that. If the bridge at Donnington Brewery is open, you will pass this old watermill (featured in the painting here). There is a pretty ’ford’ worth a wander across the village green

1. With your back to Library door, turn right and walk northwards, towards Moreton-in-Marsh. Before you reach A429, take cycle route 48 on right at Parson’s Corner. There are old farm buildings right here in town. Walk down lane to corner, turn left to ‘Wells’. Notice ‘dry valley’ to the right on the permeous limestone. This weathered stone gives local buildings their characteristic golden colour.

your own risk or return to Stow along outward route via Donnington

2.From second well or trough, welcomed by livestock being driven uphill to market in days gone by, continue to end of lane where ‘restricted by-way’ starts. This is the ‘drove road’ that once linked Broadwell to Stow. It is also a section of long distance path known as ‘Monarch’s Way’ and the King did indeed pass this way and a local battle was fought not far from here (near point 5). Shortly this treelined route rejoins a macadamed lane that takes you into Broadwell.

footbridge in ¼ mile or proceed straight ahead to Lower Swell and

3. At this corner, go straight on to village green (marked green on map) and cross to old ‘ford’ beyond. Walk back across green and up past old cottages and farm buildings to corner where path leads straight on towards church and a beautiful mansion on your left. The ‘right of way’ passes through churchyard to lane beyond, turns right to another lane then left up to ‘Fosse Way’ (Roman Road).

Market Square where walk ends. n

4. Cross this busy road with care to lane opposite that leads up hill to Donnington. At corner, keep straight on round through older part of village to corner at top.

5. Turn down track on right then, just beyond village pump, turn left through gate and cross field to another gate. The ‘right of way’ cuts off corner but please keep to field edge, turning left at corner and on up side of same field with hedge on right. Shortly you will reach brow of hill and will notice Civil War monument set below this ridge.

Walk down slope, across a stream and right to an old drove road that leads to busy A424.

6.Cross with care to lane opposite and proceed to A (see map).

7.The section of walk from A to B is (April 2018) closed to pedestrians while a bridge undergoes urgent repairs. Please follow diversion at n 46 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

and Broadwell as a ‘re and Back’ walk (8 miles). If road is open, turn left passing Donnington Brewery which occupies an old watermill on River Dickler to point B. 8.Turn left along busy B4077 and walk with care to Upper Swell.

Just before bridge, take footpath on left and either turn left over climb steep hill up B4068 into Stow.

9. The main walk crosses footbridge and climbs up grass slope on ‘Gloucestershire Way’ (LDP) to rejoin B4077 into Stow. Please walk along wide grass verge on right.

10. At top of hill, turn right then cross to road opposite leading into

t @NowWarwickshire | G South Warwickshire & North Cotswolds Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 47 n

Living History

Batsford

Arboretum

Home to one of the largest private tree collections in the country, Batsford Arboretum near Moreton-in-Marsh, is an intimate and romantic place to visit, with interest all year round from the first snowdrops of spring, right through to the outstanding autumn colour in October and November.

Batsford dates back to 1886 when the estate

with his infamous family. Their time at Batsford was short

was inherited, indirectly, by Algernon Bertram

however, the huge costs associated with running such a large

Freeman-Mitford - grandfather to the infamous

house meant they were forced to sell it after World War I. The

Mitford sisters. During the 1860’s, Mitford worked for the

estate was bought by Gilbert Alan Hamilton Wills, later the

foreign office in Japan and China and fell in love with the

1st Lord Dulverton, who took a great interest in the gardens.

oriental landscape – a passion which directly influenced his

During the Second World War and in the years following,

design for the arboretum. On his return to the UK in the 1870’s,

the wild garden became overgrown and fell into neglect

Mitford was secretary to the Ministry of Works which, at that time, administered Kew Royal Botanical Garden. His longstanding friendships with three successive directors at Kew also proved to be of great benefit to Batsford! On inheriting the estate, Mitford moved permanently to the Cotswolds and between 1886 and the early 1890’s, he knocked down the old Georgian mansion which stood in the grounds and built the neo-Tudor house you see today, now privately owned.

Mitford’s influence on the gardens was equally radical. He

until Frederick Anthony Hamilton Wills succeeded his father as the 2nd Lord Dulverton in 1956. Lord Dulverton rescued the garden and turned it once again into a place of beauty.

He was passionate about forestry and trees and set about restoring the garden to its former glory, creating the bones of the arboretum you see today. His edict was simple; to collect the rare and the beautiful and to this end, he introduced collections of Birch, Maple, Oak, Ash, Lime, Magnolia, Mountain Ash, Pine, Fir, Spruce and many other rarities.

all but erased any trace of the old layout and created a wild garden of naturalistic planting derived from his observations

The 2nd Lord Dulverton donated Batsford Arboretum to

in China and Japan. He created one of the foremost

a charitable trust, The Batsford Foundation, in 1983 to

collections of the time – some of which remain to this day.

secure the future of the arboretum and protect, develop

Mitford also built the 600 metre artificial watercourse which

and enhance both his own developments and the original

runs down the western side of the gardens, as well as other

Oriental plantings and landscaping. Batsford Arboretum is

features such as a thatched cottage and a Japanese Rest

still managed by The Batsford Foundation today. n

House, and introduced several bronze statues, including a Buddha.

For more information about Batsford Arboretum, visit www.batsarb.co.uk.

Following Algernon Mitford’s death in 1916, Batsford Park

Batsford Arboretum and Garden Centre, Nr. Moreton-in-

was inherited by David Mitford – who moved into the house

Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 9AD

n 48 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

The High Street's back in Vogue!

Rare book found at free valuation day in Cheltenham sells for THOUSANDS at auction A hugely sought after first edition book found at a free valuation day in Cheltenham has sold for a record price at auction.

High Street, by Eric Ravilious and J M Richards, was first published in 1938, to capture the life of the now much-changed British high street.

One of the first copies ever made was contested to £2,050 at Derbyshire’s Hansons Auctioneers Spring Fine Art Auction believed to be a hammer price record.

It was found at a valuation day held by Hansons at The Kings Head, Bishop’s Cleeve, near Cheltenham.

Jim Spencer, head of the Library Department at Hansons, said: “I’m always delighted for our vendors when something they bring along to a free valuation event exceeds all expectations in the saleroom. As far as I am aware, the book has not sold at a higher

price at auction.

oyster bar.

“It’s one of the most famous and iconic illustrated books of the 20th century. It’s sought after because only 2,000 copies of the original book were printed before the lithographic plates were destroyed in the London Blitz.”

Ravilious began work on his High Street lithographs in 1935 and it took him a year to complete them. He sought out odd shops in London and country villages, often with Victorian visual appeal, as inspiration for his work.

“As a result, it has become one of the most collectable of all artist’s books from the period. The copy we sold was printed in 1938 and included its original book seller’s receipt from Cornish Brothers of New Street, Birmingham.”

High Street was sold at Hansons’ Fine Art Auction on March 23. Hansons is now consigning entries for its June 28 Summer Fine Art Auction. n

“I put an estimate of £1,000-£1,500 on it but it soared past that figure to make more than £2,000.”

High Street pairs the illustrations of Ravilious with text by architectural historian Richards.

Shops captured by the artist include the family butcher, the coach builder, the cheesemonger, the knife grinder and the

Hansons 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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competition

Competition

THE ROYAL THREE COUNTIES SHOW

The Royal Three Counties Show returns for its 60th year at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, June 15th - 17th - and it’s the biggest celebration of the great British countryside yet.

This year Worcestershire hosts the show, sharing some of the best bits of the county with visitors. Worcestershire Music will entertain the crowds, and visitors can follow a trail of beautiful works of art from celebrated artist, David Birtwhistle. The extremely popular Medieval reenactment camp returns to focus on Worcestershire’s exciting history and The Firs, birth place of Sir Edward Elgar, will be showcasing an original piano owned by Elgar.

Highlights for 2018 include: Favourites from The Archers will give talks alongside judging a range of competitions and some lucky visitors will even get the opportunity to meet some of Ambridge’s finest.

The Gardening Hub, which will host a roadshow with BBC presenter Martin Fish, will offer interactive workshops and Q&A sessions.

Wellington Boot Theatre, hosted by BBC Hereford and Worcester presenter, Andrew Easton, will shine a spotlight on inspiring outdoor activities.

Equine Village will give visitors the opportunity to talk through all there is to know about caring for horses.

The action-packed Main Arena will

feature the Shetland Pony Grand National, the jaw-dropping Red Devil parachute displays, sheepdog displays, a parade of farm machinery through the ages, and the always impressive Grand Parade.

Cookery Theatre will demonstrate a range of dishes created from produce featured at the show.

Farming Village is the place to check out some of the finest livestock around with no less than 120 breeds of animals and almost 900 classes.

Countryside Village will have galloping acrobatics, pole climbing, breath-taking falconry, impressive animal displays and country sports demonstrations.

Ask the Farmer will provide the perfect opportunity to ask any farming related questions in a relaxed setting.

Young Enterprise Zone will be business first and foremost in this new area packed with fresh ideas, inspiration and enthusiasm for the rural economy.

Aimed at encouraging youngsters to embrace an entrepreneurial spirit in the agricultural and associated industries. n Tickets are now on sale. Advanced tickets are from £19 for adults and £5 for children, family tickets are also available. For information on ticket prices and on the show, please visit the website below or call 0844 811 0050.

www.royalthreecounties.co.uk

For your chance to win one of five Family Tickets to The Royal Three Counties Show at the Three Counties Showground on June 15th 17th, simply fill out the entry form with the correct answer to the following question:

Which BBC Presenter will be at the Gardening Hub this year?

Send your answers in a sealed, stamped, addressed envelope to: Three Counties SWN, PW Media & Publishing Ltd, 2nd Floor, Richardson House, New Street, Worcester, WR1 2DP. Closing date for entries is 23rd May 2018. n 50 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

Answer: Name: Address: Tel: Email:

If you would like to receive news, special offers and exclusive discounts via email from The Royal Three Counties Show please tick this box

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What's On

MAY Wednesday 2nd - Monday 7th Cheltenham Jazz Festival Montipellier Gardens, Cheltenham, GL50 1UL IUp and coming local acts and national artists come together on our free stages across town for some musical inspiration between Festival gigs.Listen to popup street performances during the day, discover new jazz favourites in the evening or dance into the night…with more than 60 performances, there is something for everyone! www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz

Saturday 5th - Monday 7th OlymPigs Cotswold Farm Park, Bemborough Farm, Kineton, Cheltenham,GL54 5UG The races have no greater aim than for individuals and teams to demonstrate their strength and fitness by racing whilst carrying a sack of wool – up and down a hill that reaches a gradient of 1 in 4. Around this the town celebrates with a street fair that aims to please many with street entertainers, local stalls and amusement rides. The many catering establishments in

OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST EVENTS THIS MONTH

the town also join in to provide a very local fare for visitors. Please Note: No animals are used in this event. www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk

Sunday 6th - Monday 7th Stratford Festival of Motoring The 2018 Festival will follow the same successful formula as the past 5 years with the option of taking part in our fun Cotswold tour on both the Sunday and bank holiday Monday morning. The historic town centre streets of Stratford-upon-Avon will be closed to normal traffic, allowing motoring enthusiast to showcase around 300 cars per day.. There will also be new activities for the family area to make the festival fun for everyone. www.stratforward.co.uk/events/ stratford-festival-of-motoring

Tuesday 8th Fantastic Food Festival Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, OX20 1PP This will be our 4th year at Blenheim Palace - and each year it gets bigger and better!

Last year nearly 25,000 visitors spent a fantastic day meeting our stallholders, sampling delicious food & drink and enjoying talks and tastings from talented and entertaining chefs and producers - all

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in the wonderful setting of the grounds of Blenheim Palace. This year we will have over 150 stalls offering local produce and a wide range of food and drink you won’t find in many high street supermarkets.

Enhancements for 2018 will include a Cheese and Chilli Zone within the Pleasure Gardens, with bravery badges awarded to anyone with the courage to try the scorching Dorset Naga!

Stars including Raymond Blanc, Great British Bake Off 2017 Winner Sophie Faldo, and the Pigott Brothers from the BBC’s Big Family Cooking Showdown will be in attendance.

There will also be strolling Jazz musicians, childrens storytelling, face painting, and the Adventure Playground to keep the little ones entertained.

Entry to the food festival is included in the admission ticket to Blenheim Palace - and the talks, tastings and demos are free as well!

Admission to Blenheim Palace is £26 for adults, £23 for concessions, children 5 - 16 £14.50 (under 5 free) or a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £62.50 www.fantasticbritishfoodfestivals.com/ blenheim

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What's On Wednesday 9th One Woman Sex and the City The ULTIMATE Girl’s Night Out! The Core Theatre, Theatre Square, Touchwood, Homer Road, Solihull B91 3RG This loving tribute and send-up takes audiences through a laughter-infused version of all six seasons of the beloved show. TJ Dawe - (Director and co-creator of One Man Star Wars Trilogy, One Man Lord of the Rings and PostSecret: The Show) has comedic whirling dervish Kerry Ipema (PostSecret: The Show) bringing all our favorite characters to life as they brunch, banter, argue, support each other and swoon over men and Manolos.

There will be puns, cosmopolitans and audience participation. For anyone who remembers the naked dress, the tantric sex demonstration, the post-it note, and “he’s just not that into you,” One Woman Sex and the City: A Parody on Love, Friendship, and Shoes will provide a great reminder of why this series and its characters have stayed so firmly in women’s hearts and minds Flash sale! Tickets cost only £10 over Easter - offer available from Box Office on 0121 704 6962 ask for ‘Flash Sale Price’ and you will receive the discounted price - normal price £16 each

Friday 11th - Sunday 13th The Handmade Fair Ragley Hall, Alcester B49 5NJ The Handmade Fair is the ultimate creative day out. Take part in hands-on workshops, learn from the experts, eat from delicious street food vendors, and buy tools, materials, and beautiful products from the handpicked sellers. Parking is free for 2018. Ticket prices range from £12 for entry only to £90 for the VIP experience www.thehandmadefair.com/ragley

Thursday 17th - Monday 21st Giffords Circus Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe, GL54 5JD Giffords Circus proudly presents a family friendly 90 minute show, suitable for all ages.

This year Giffords Circus celebrates the birth of circus which happened near Westminster Bridge in London in 1768, and is, in our view, the most bonkers, surprising, diverse and life affirming art form there is.

Doors will be open 30 minutes before the show.

Tickets: £10 - children and £15 - adults 01242 691 181 For more information visit www.giffordscircus.com

Thursday 17th Katie Piper: What’s in my Head Royal Spa Centre, Newbold Terrace, Leamington Spa, CV32 4HN In a time of glossy magazines, Photoshop, Instagram filters and app dating remaining in touch with reality has never been harder.

Katie embarks on her debut theatre tour to share what she has learnt and what helped her remain positive even through the toughest of times. She will discuss her own battles with anxiety and explain how she has overcome its crippling clutches.

Katie is opening her own diaries, photo albums and personal memories in this most intimate and revealing talk about her life.

Insecurities exist in us all and adversity

n 54 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

in life is unavoidable, but how can it be managed? How can we find the light in the darkest of times? Katie believes no matter how big or small your challenges might seem, there is always a confident way forward and she will show you how.

This is her story, this is her life, this is her wisdom. This is ‘What’s in My Head’.

Tickets: £22.50 - £51 Show starts at 7.30pm www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalspacentre

Saturday 19th - Sunday 20th Meet the Machinery Weekend Cotswold Farm Park, Bemborough Farm, Kineton, Cheltenham,GL54 5UG Back by popular demand…Following the success of last year’s weekend, we’re once again giving the chance to get up close to our biggest pieces of equipment. Learn how they work and the important jobs they do for us – if you’re lucky, you may even be able to take a selfie in the driver’s seat!

Come and join us for a proper tractorfest… perfect for all those future farmers out there (and anyone who can appreciate impressive gadgets)!

For more information visit www.cotswoldsparkfarm.com

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What's On

Saturday 19th Alcester Food Festival The event will take place in the historic and attractive centre of Alcester, filling the High Street, Church Street and Henley Street with a wide range of fabulous food and drink.

The wedding will be screened throughout the town in all the pubs and a public venue (TBC) plus exhibitors are encouraged to bring special merchandise. Visitors can enjoy free parking and ride as well as free entry into the Festival www.alcesterfoodfestival.org.uk

Thursday 24th Little Shop of Horrors The Bridge House Theatre, Myton Road Warwick, CV34 6PP 7.30pm - 9.30pm Performed by the cast of Spa Theatre Company Juniors, Little Shop of Horrors comes to Warwick. There is also a matinee performance at 14:30 on 26th May. Cost £12

OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST EVENTS THIS MONTH

www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk

Friday 25th May - 2nd September Fevral: A Folklore Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Jordan Well, Coventry City Centre, CV1 5QP Within this exciting exhibition artist Stewart Francis Easton explores the creation and development of folkloric tale.

Beginning with a series of creation myths Easton maps the course of a folk tale from its inception in history, with its many branches, to the tale’s role in contemporary life.

Fevral - A Folklore is an exhibition showing works in oil, fabric, stitch, pen and yarn FREE Admission www.theherbert.org/whats_on/1296/ fevral_a_folklore

Monday 28th Tetbury Woolsack Races Tetbury Woolsack Races, an annual event held on the last bank holiday Monday in May that attracts crowds of up to 5000

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people and raises money for local charities and good causes. The races have no greater aim than for individuals and teams to demonstrate their strength and fitness by racing whilst carrying a sack of wool – up and down a hill that reaches a gradient of 1 in 4. Around this the town celebrates with a street fair that aims to please many with street entertainers, local stalls and amusement rides. The many catering establishments in the town also join in to provide a very local fare for visitors. www.tetburywoolsack.co.uk

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Our Events diary

Competition BATTLE PROMS

This summer celebrated local landmarks Blenheim Palace and Ragley Hall will once again play host to an expected crowd of around 8,000 happy picnickers each, when the Battle Proms returns for their annual open-air concerts in July and August.

We have 3 pairs of tickets to giveaway to these spectacular highlights of the summer calendar!

The concerts include a full programme of captivating classical music from the 60-piece New English Concert Orchestra complemented by 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 groundshaking live fire from over 200 cannons!

These quintessentially British ‘party in the park’ concerts feature magnificent musical firework displays, culminating in a flag waving, sing-a-long, firework spectacular including all the ‘last night of the proms’ finale favourites such as Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory.

Battle Proms concerts are 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!

The Battle Proms return to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire on Saturday 21st July, and Ragley Hall in Warwickshire on Saturday 11th August. n Don’t want to leave it to chance? To book tickets for this summer spectacular, visit www.battleproms.com.

www.battleproms.com

To be in with a chance of winning two tickets 8th Annual Battle Proms Picnic Concert at Blenheim Palace, simply fill out the entry form with the correct answer to the following question:

What Date Will the Concert Be Held at Blenheim Palace?

Answer: Name: Address: Tel:

Send your answers in a sealed, stamped, addressed envelope to: Battle Proms SWN, PW Media & Publishing Ltd, 2nd Floor, Richardson House, New Street, Worcester, WR1 2DP.

Email:

Closing date for entries is 23rd May 2018. n 58 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018

If you do not wish to receive information on forthcoming events, news and offers from JSL Productions please tick this box

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n 60 | South Warwickshire and North Cotswolds Now | Issue 24 | May 2018