Cheltenham Magazine Feb15

CHELTENHAM MAGAZINE www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk

February 2015

Inside this issue Puzzles &Crosswords

Listings & Local Businesses & much more!

LOCAL EVENTS Martin Lewis

YOUR CAR INSURANCE

Pippa Greenwood

Preparing for warmer weather HOME & INTERIORS Create a romantic style

by Katherine Sorrell

RED VELVET CAKE

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to the February 2015 edition of Cheltenham Magazine Dear Reader,

If you set yourself a New Year’s resolution, chances are that 4 out of 5 people gave up on theirs by the 21st of January, so fingers crossed if you pledged to lose weight, give up smoking or even took part in Dry January, that you made it through the month.

January threw a lot of strange weather at us.

One day it was stunning and then we had rain, sleet, more sunshine, more rain, snow, icy roads, black ice and Gale force winds. That Indian summer we had seems years ago‌ In this month's issue we have our regular articles and local news. Martin Lewis has some great tips on your car insurance so take note! We also have two full pages of local Events - if you are holding an event and would like it published in the next issue, just email Anne at office@ glosdirectories.co.uk.

Finally, I would like to wish you a happy Valentine's Day and lots of love to our readers from all at Cheltenham Magazine!

Vicky

(Editor)

What our advertisers say...

On recently opening a new showroom in Cheltenham I started to advertise in the Cheltenham Magazine along with a few others, I can honestly say the Cheltenham magazine is the only one that has shown results with enquiries. We use tracking numbers on all our adverts so we know which ones work.

Chris Groome - Deca Design Flooring

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Martin

LEWIS Car Insurance Car insurance prices have fallen 40% over the past two years, according to the AA. But with a rise in fraudulent claims, its latest index predicts an increase of up to 8% in 2015; others think 10% is possible. So to help you drive down costs, let me answer your most common questions…

Q. Is this only something you can do if you’re at renewal?

A. No, everyone should be checking their price right now, even if you only signed up to a new deal a few months ago. Unless you’ve claimed, you can usually cancel a policy for a fee of around £50 and get a refund for the rest of the year (though you won’t earn no claims for that year). It’s worth checking if it’s worth it.

Q. My renewal’s only six weeks away, should I just wait?

A. It’s likely if you did try and cancel and get a new policy now, the cancellation fee will diminish any savings – so that’s a bit futile. Yet there is another trick – www.aviva.co.uk, www.postoffice.co.uk and www.lv.com quotes last 60 days, so why not grab them now and you’re effectively locking in those prices in case they rise in the meantime.

Q. Are the savings that great? Can’t you just auto-renew?

A. Never just auto-renew without checking elsewhere, often it just lets insurers smack a price rise on you, as it knows apathy means many will keep paying more and more.

I’m not saying auto-renewing will never be your cheapest option, just that it should never be done without checking and comparing elsewhere first.

Q. So it’s just a question of getting on a comparison site?

A. That’s the route many use, but there are steps to really kick it up. It’s important to understand that there’s no one cheapest provider, so it’s a case of following a system.

Never just do one comparison, you need a benchmark of a few comparisons to find out where’s cheapest. There’s a system to follow fully explained at www.mse.me/ carinsurance. In a nutshell…

Combine comparison sites. They don’t all cover the same insurers, so combining a number of sites is the best way to really make a meaningful saving. My current top picks for a typical driver are www.moneysupermarket.com, www.confused.com, and www.comparethemarket.com Check insurers that comparisons miss. Comparison sites let you compare 100s of insurers quickly but they don’t capture the entire market. The biggies, including Aviva, www.directline.com and www.zurich.co.uk only offer their products directly.

More than one car at home? Comparison sites can only cope

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with one car at once so don’t include multi-car discounts. Therefore you should always manually check those that offer it. The big one is www.admiral.com multi-car, but www.churchill.com, www.directline.com and www.privilege.com also offer it. I’m not saying they’ll win, but that you should check.

Difficult to insure? Use a broker. If you’ve difficult circumstances (eg, past bans or big accidents) that make getting insurance difficult, a comparison site is less likely to help as these are mainly focused on ‘normal’ policies.

You may be better off finding a local broker - see the British Insurance Brokers’ Association website (www.biba.org.uk), as these can sometimes find a cheaper deal for you.

Q. So it’s all pretty straightforward?

A. Ah if only. Common-sense doesn't always do the job…

- Third party's not always cheapest. Merely selecting comprehensive makes some insurers see you as a lower risk.

So always check both.

- Adding a responsible second driver can cut your costs. This can bring down your risk average and price ― of course, it must be someone who may drive your car. As Mazzyb5 tweeted: "Took your advice and added mum ― saved £500."

- Tweaking your job description can cut costs. I'm not saying lap dancers should call themselves cabinet ministers (or vice versa, heaven forbid). But these days many people have such specific job descriptions car insurers don't list them, as Fabsternation tweeted: "Thanks. Changing from creative director to marketing manager saved £300." See my fun car insurance job picker tool www.mse.me/jobpicker.

- Beware paying monthly. A monthly payment plan for your insurance is essentially a high-interest loan. For example, if your premium is £1,000 but you’re paying an APR of 25%, your insurance will actually cost £1,140 once you factor in the interest. So either pay in full, or if you can't afford it, use a credit card with a lower APR or better still, a 0% credit card for spending, ensuring your repayments are big enough to clear it within a year.

Q. And any special tips for young drivers?

A. With the average premium for a 17-22-year-old at an eyewatering £1,194 per year, young car drivers can be priced out ― all the techniques above will help, but if you’re not getting there, check ‘pay how you drive’ (telematics) this involves a device being fitted inside your car that monitors your actions behind the wheel. Full info in www.mse.me/youngdrivers.

@MoneySavingExpert

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Cheltenham Magazine Article read out on radio

January's article on gym-phobia by Kate McLelland (p. 18) made it ‘On Air’ with the Cotswold Listener, presented by Shirley Mawer.

The Cotswold Listener is a free local talking newspaper for the visually impaired living in Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and the North Gloucestershire area. To find out more about the service and how to get involved, visit: www.cotswoldlistener.co.uk

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Introduce your little ones to the wonderful world of music DID YOU know the ear is the first organ to develop fully in the womb – meaning babies can start to take comfort from the sound of their mother’s voice from just 11 weeks?

Award winning music classes for babies & young children CHELTENHAM & GLOUCESTER T: 07768 457403 E: cheltenham.gloucester@monkeymusic.co.uk

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN ITALIAN? Then call Elisabetta from ANGELIC LANGUAGES Early exposure to singing, listening to and playing music can sharpen up a whole range of skills.

In babies and infants, greater exposure to music increases cell changes in the area of the brain concerned with speech. And since music uses both sides of the brain, it boosts other areas too, such as movement, creativity, spatial reasoning, memory and emotional intelligence.

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Monkey Music is the UK’s leading pre-school music group with classes across Cheltenham and Gloucester for babies from 3 months to children of 4 years.

The aim is simple; to educate and entertain through song, dance and play.

Classes run in: Mondays - Up Hatherley and at Highbury Church, Cheltenham; Tuesdays - in Bourton-on-the-Water, Bishops Cleeve and Walton Cardiff, Tewkesbury; Wednesdays – in Churchdown and Charlton Kings; Thursdays – in Leckhampton; Fridays – at the Playfarm, Cheltenham; Saturdays – at the Whole Foods Market in Cheltenham.

Teacher Sian Ferris, a local mum-of-three, brought Monkey Music to the area in 2002.

Book by 28th Feb and receive a free ear clean!

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She said: “Music and rhythm can engage children at an incredibly early age and there’s a great deal of research to show how important music can be in the development of young minds.

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Weddings by Sam is a Gloucestershire based wedding photography service, specialising in wedding photojournalism run by Sam Furlong. Sam is a former newspaper photographer who spent almost 15 years working for the national press on news and current affairs stories. As a result, he is now very experienced in capturing that decisive moment on breaking news events where there is no second chance to get it right.

Using this experience he now photographs weddings in the same spontaneous, unscripted manner, capturing the day naturally as it unfolds rather than interrupting your day to stage lots of formal, posed photos. By working in this way, Sam captures the real story of your day and with a wealth of experience of working quickly under pressure, Sam gets the shot every time.

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Community Sponsorship Roof of your scout hut falling in? Club strip seen decidedly better days? Can’t send teams to tournaments because the coach hire’s too expensive?

Whatever field you’re in, if you’re the organiser of any sort of club or voluntary group you’ll know one thing: money’s too tight to mention.

Of course you fund-raise like mad, and all the members pay their subs, and that’s usually enough to keep you ticking over. But often there’ll be an emergency – or, for that matter, an opportunity – that your normal income won’t cover. That’s why a regular sponsor can be extremely welcome.

But why would anyone want to give your club money?

What’s in it for them? This is where you have to get one thing straight in your mind. Sponsorship isn’t the same as charity. You’re not begging. What you’re proposing is a business arrangement with benefits for both parties: investment for you; high visibility and positive associations for your sponsor.

In brand-building terms, sponsorship is good value. It’s closely targeted to a particular customer base, and a one-off

investment in (say) a club strip buys multiple outings. It also creates good ongoing PR for the sponsor as a business that gives back to the community.

So you’re not going to local businesses cap in hand; you’re offering them a strong marketing proposition.

As with all sales, the best way of convincing a potential sponsor is face-to-face. But unless you happen to know the boss personally, you’ll need to bait your hook with a letter. This will be your first point of contact with your potential sponsor, so make sure your letter is formally laid out, addressed to the right person (check the recipient’s name and correct title first with a helpful receptionist), and completely free of spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. And get it checked unless you are certain you know the difference between its and it’s and your and you’re.

In your letter, first introduce your organisation and outline why you are looking for sponsorship.

Show the relevance of your club or organisation to the company’s target market and detail the benefits to the

sponsor. Keep it brief, though: too long and it won’t get read.

The main point of the letter is to arrange a meeting, and end by saying that if you don’t hear back in a week or so you’ll call back – and make sure that you DO call back!

If the company agrees to a meeting, send a brief but formal proposal (no more than two pages), restating what you’ve said in the letter in more detail. The proposal should be laid out in distinct sections with bullet-points that can easily be referred to during the meeting.

Before the meeting, research into the company’s operations.

Look at its sales material. Get to know all you can about it.

Then you can think from its point of view.

At the meeting itself, go through the same points you made in your letter and your formal proposal. Be enthusiastic, but don’t rant.

Don’t just talk – listen too. If your proposal is rejected, find out why. It may be that there’s a flaw in your presentation that you can put right.

Afterwards, get everything in writing. A sponsorship deal is a contract, so be businesslike!

Please mention Cheltenham Magazine when responding to advertisers.

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Looking for a local florist? A photographer?

A cleaner?

We offer something a little bit different, a little bit special.

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To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk

“The fountain is one of Cheltenham’s most iconic landmarks so we are delighted the trident has been found safe.We’d like to thank everyone for their help in assisting with its safe return.

“Although the perpetrators have apologised in their note, unfortunately they do not seem to realise the considerable repair costs of around £5k.The top fork section of the trident has come away from the staff and also Neptune will need a new arm as it was badly damaged during the removal. A stonemason will then need to put it all back together again.

“We are hopeful of a repair being completed before the fountain switch-on in the spring.We will look into how we fix the trident back to negate any future attempt to remove it unlawfully.”

Trident’s return is triumphant

NEPTUNE’S TRIDENT HAS BEEN FOUND!

‘’Please can you return this to Cheltenham Borough Council, or the police.We were drunk and there was no harm meant.We’re sincerely sorry.’’ Neptune’s trident has been found and returned to the borough council in January, along with an apologetic note and a costly repair bill.

Stroud police contacted the council on the 5th of January to say that the trident had been recovered from a garden in Painswick and was safe with them. An officer from the council collected it from the police and it is being stored in the Municipal Offices until it can be repaired and put back where it belongs, on the fountain.

The trident, which Neptune holds in his hand atop the famous fountain in the Promenade, was first noticed missing on the morning of 21 December 2014 and after being returned to the fountain by a member of the public, was taken again sometime during the same weekend.The council issued a press release asking the public to help in finding the missing trident.

Garrie Dowling, senior property surveyor, said:

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Collecting, kennelling and re-homing stray dogs in Cheltenham

Volunteers Needed!

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Friendly, and piano tutoring. ing Circfun give hours aenthusiastic month to support and offer Friendly, fun and enthusiastic piano tutoring. ild a few Friendly, fun and enthusiastic piano tutoring.

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From 1 February 2015, Cheltenham Borough Council will be using a new collection, kennelling and re-homing service for any stray dogs found in the borough.

As part of a procurement exercise, the contract has been awarded toWorcester Regulatory Services.

Councillor Andrew McKinley, cabinet member for development and safety, says: “We are required to deal with stray dogs within Cheltenham borough, and the cost of looking after dogs that are not reunited with their owners is funded from the public purse.

“A review of all council services in our public protection division is essential to us continuing to provide value for money.”

Cheltenham Borough Council put the collection, kennelling and re-homing service for stray dogs out to tender in November following a review of this service.This was a shared procurement exercise withTewkesbury Borough Council and Gloucester City Council.Worcester Regulatory Services, who managed the service under interim arrangements, have now been selected to manage this service going forward.

Barbara Exley, head of public protection, continues: “The welfare of dogs is paramount and using Worcestershire Regulatory Service will ensure stray dogs found within the borough are well cared for − and if not claimed by their owner are found loving homes within a very short timeframe.”

Dog owners are legally required to ensure their dogs wear a collar and an identity tag detailing the owners name, address and telephone number. Unlike a collar and tag a microchip is a permanent record of ownership and cannot fall off or be removed; micro chipping will be a legal requirement in England from April 2016.

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To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk

Hobbies Get Ready For The Cycling Revolution

By Kate McLelland When Graham Flavell moved to rural Dorset to begin a new job, he decided to take up cycling as a way of exploring the countryside. For many years he continued to enjoy low-key, leisurely bike journeys: discovering more about the local area and enjoying the occasional family holiday on two wheels.

afford to buy models such as the new, lightweight carbon framed bicycles, which can cost up to £1,000. An old bike can fit the bill (provided you’re not competing in the Tour de France or planning any off-road trekking), but if you’re buying second hand it’s advisable to get your bike serviced to ensure that it is roadworthy.

In recent months, however, Graham’s commitment to cycling has undergone something of a revolution. He is now one of the many thousands of people in the UK for whom cycling has become a serious hobby, and he currently cycles up to 140 miles each week with a few like-minded friends.

If you’re not sure what type of bicycle you need - and there are a bewildering variety of models out there - a specialist cycling shop should be able to help. Alternatively Guardian journalist Helen Pidd’s book The Complete Guide to Everyday Cycling (published

by Penguin) offers a practical, illustrated guide to buying and riding a bike for the first time.

Graham says: “We meet twice a week and I enjoy the camaraderie of cycling in a group. It was hard when I started, but I’ve been amazed how my fitness has improved over the last six months.”

So where do you start if you have decided to take up cycling for the first time? It really depends on what kind of cycling appeals to you. Will you be using your bike for transport, for leisure or for competition?

Budget is another important factor. Not everyone can

Once you have bought your bicycle, you’ll need to acquire some basic skills. How to signal, how to ride in traffic, how to do an emergency stop and even how to change a tyre: these are all essential things to learn before you before you set out on a busy road. The British Cycling website (www. britishcycling.org.uk) allows you to search for a local Bikeability course, designed to teach you the skills you need to ride

confidently on today’s roads.

Britain’s network of cycle lanes and paths is steadily growing, and cycling is now a much safer activity than it used to be, although urban cyclists often complain of cycle lanes being too narrow, or the layout stopping abruptly. Rural roads offer their own challenges, but after a lifetime’s cycling along country lanes Graham Flavell says that the drivers he has met are generally respectful.

Sport England claims that over 2.1 million people currently cycle on a weekly basis in the UK and in the autumn of last year the government published a draft version of its Cycling Delivery Plan for consultation, giving details of a 10-year strategy that includes the ambition to double the amount of cycling activity on Britain’s roads by the year 2025.

The government is keen to promote this plan because cycling not only benefits our mental and physical health, it also protects the environment by cutting down on carbon emissions.

Graham Flavell agrees there are really no better reasons to get on your bike!

Please mention Cheltenham Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 13

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The Better Life Make Do and Spend

by Derek Thompson www.alongthewritelines.blogspot.co.uk February isn’t quite spring, but there’s still plenty to celebrate because our local National Trust gardens are once again open for business. Forget the telly and the Internet, when you really want to get inspired

by Nature you need to be out there amongst it. Obviously, you also need to be dressed for the part, which was how Wellygate came about.

For those of a more rural disposition, wellies are a way of life. We pop to the shops in ours – you learn a lot about customer service by the reception your footwear receives. This time of year people are generally forgiving, unlike Anne’s wellies.

When she noticed a split along one boot, she wasn’t unduly concerned; she even took my suggestion of a bicycle repair kit well. She improvised for a while with a plastic bag (a tad sweaty, I gather) and finally, accepting that 10 years is a good innings for boots, we checked for replacements online. The same brand (no names no pack drill) is now manufactured overseas – a sign of the times and, apparently, terrible customer reviews. I was delighted though because this gave us Page 16

more reason to repair them, apart from my fondness for saving money.

We went into town for some sealant and on the way back we detoured to the National Trust, where I gallantly lent Anne my wellies and trusted to my weatherproof boots.

The sight of a few daffs, a smattering of cyclamen and a good show of snowdrops will gladden the heart of any gardener; it’s as if Nature is whispering that spring is definitely on its way, meantime here’s something to tide you over. Our walk completed, we bought some discounted cyclamen and retired to the tearoom, where I discovered my supposedly weatherproof boots had come out in sympathy. Luckily for us, we’d bought a large tube of sealant.

Back home, we learned that a couple were moving out of their rented cottage soon – something to do with the landlord, upcountry, ringing in the changes (and the till).

This was sad news indeed, as we’d bartered with them several times and our battered aluminium greenhouse was enjoying a new lease of life there. They grew the best rhubarb and, thanks to them,

I saw my first tayberry in their garden.

Villagers had been invited to pop up the following day if they wanted any cuttings and seeds, or to buy some of their stock. Next morning at 10 o’clock sharp we trundled up the lane (there are no proper roads), Anne carrying a tin of home baked scones.

As we rounded the bend we joined a trail of neighbours who had all decided to put in an appearance – an event somewhere between community spirit and plant envy, with a whiff of the Boxing Day sales about it. There were people already milling about in the garden, secateurs and plastic bags in hand.

Anne delivered the scones, while I went on a plant hunt worthy of the Bolithos.

February is not the ideal time to take cuttings, and I’m not sure I agree with one neighbour’s advice of, “If in doubt, plant out,” but I’m delighted to have 10 rosemary cuttings in the house. Thanks to the cineole compound in our Rosmarinus officinalis, and along with our new rhubarb plant, what better way to remember your neighbours?

To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk

Don’t miss your right to vote council backs national campaign

Residents of Cheltenham borough who have not yet registered to vote are being encouraged to do so – in line with a national campaign.

NationalVoter Registration Day takes place on 5 February 2015 as part of a nationwide week of action to encourage and inspire people to come out and register to vote.

In line with the campaign, and with the general election taking place this year, the borough council is urging its residents to get involved by registering to vote.They can do this online at https://www.gov.uk/ register-to-vote or contact the elections team for a registration form. In the next couple of weeks, every household in the borough will receive a letter asking them to check that their registration details held on the electoral register are correct. If they are not correct, residents are advised as to how they can update their details so that they are entitled to vote.

The national campaign also aims to tackle the lack of engagement in politics which is common across the UK particularly among those aged 18-24, as less than 25% of that age bracket turned-out to vote in the 2010 General Election.

National Voter Registration Day proved to be a success last year, with around 35,000 people in the UK registering to vote in just one day.

Andrew North, electoral registration officer said: “We fully support this national campaign which highlights the importance of voting. It’s so important that people make sure they are registered to vote before they go along to the polling station on voting day.You can register your details quickly online and the form takes about five minutes to complete.

Registering your details by post is also easy – just contact the borough council’s elections office to do this.

“Once registered, residents can exercise their democratic right to vote for the candidates that they wish to represent them in government. Don’t forget – if you are not on the register, you cannot vote.’’

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‘We’re watching you’ campaign launches in Cheltenham Cheltenham Borough Council has joined forces with environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy in a bid to reduce dog fouling in key problem areas of the town.

The ‘We’re watching you’ campaign, which initially launched in November is now being rolled out nationwide and Cheltenham Borough Council has signed up to be a part of it.

The campaign sets its sights on irresponsible dog owners, with recent research showing that dog walkers are more responsible, and pick up after their dogs, when they think that they are being watched.

Keep Britain Tidy recently conducted a social experiment, working with 20 land managers across the country, they saw an average reduction of 46% in the levels of dog fouling. Feedback suggested that dog fouling tends to occur at night time and during the winter months, as some dog owners feel that they can’t be seen ‘under the cover of darkness’.

Cheltenham Borough Council has signed up to the edgy and uncompromising poster campaign to tackle dog fouling hotspots. The ‘We’re watching you’ series are visible after dark and use innovative, cutting-edge materials. The social experiment was the first time such a material has been used on a poster.

Adam Reynolds, green space development manager, said: “Feedback from residents has told us that dog fouling is a key issue in King George V Playing Field, Springfield Park,Warden Hill and Sandford Park and they would like to see it addressed.

“The vast majority of dog owners are responsible people, who habitually pick up after their dog and dispose of the poo bags correctly, either in the nearest bin or by taking home to dispose of in their own household waste bin. However, we want to target those who don’t act so responsibly and we’re hoping this campaign will do just that.”

“The public protection team and two community park rangers have put the signs up and will be monitoring the success of the campaign.”

Councillor Chris Coleman, cabinet member for clean and green environment, added: “We are thrilled to be working with Keep Britain Tidy, and being a part of such a cutting edge campaign.

We hope that we will see the same results as the other local authorities who took part in the trial.”

Keep Britain Tidy chief executive Phil Barton said: “We are delighted that Cheltenham Borough Council is joining with us for this campaign.

“Our research tells us that people see dog fouling as, by far, the most unacceptable and dirtiest type of litter.

“This campaign has been proven to make a difference and encourage the minority of dog owners who don’t pick up after their pets to do the right thing.”

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They deserve a medal!

Nominate your hero for the Cheltenham Medal of Honour.

Nominations are now open for the 2015 Cheltenham Medal of Honour.The medal recognises the worthwhile voluntary contribution that some of the borough’s local residents have made to their communities.

The nominations are considered by an independent panel and all information is treated on a confidential basis. The award is presented during the Inauguration of the Mayor ceremony which will be held in June.

David Richards won the award last year for services to the community.

Cllr Simon Wheeler, mayor, says: “Nominating your local hero for this medal is a great way to say thank you publicly for the hard and valuable work they have done. I’d like to urge our residents to think about people they know that deserve this award, and send in their nominations right away.”

For more information on the scheme and a nomination form, contact Jennie Ingram, Cheltenham Medal of Honour Committee, Municipal Offices, Promenade, Cheltenham GL50 9SA, or call 01242 264108. The closing date for nominations is Friday 20 March 2015.

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Page 21

Preparing for Warmer Weather

by Pippa Greenwood

The combination of the poor weather in February and the very fact that gardens tend to be at their least appealing this month, means the chances are yours is receiving nothing much more than a fair helping of neglect at the moment. But rather than waiting until the spring before you venture out into the garden again, take the opportunity to use a few spare hours to give it a miniature make-over to reignite your enthusiasm.

Wherever you live, it is likely that your garden will have suffered general winter wear and tear and so will be in great need of a general tidy-up. Start by clearing up any remaining fallen leaves, broken twigs and perhaps even soggy rockets or other fireworks which landed in your garden back at the beginning of November! Where possible, make sure that you compost anything you collect up. Twigs and woody debris are best binned or burned or perhaps even heaped up in the corner of the garden to act as a sheltering spot for wildlife, but fallen leaves, the Page 22

top growth of herbaceous perennials and so forth, can be added to the compost heap. If you don’t already have a compost heap, now’s the time to treat yourself to a double berth bin system.

When it comes to tackling herbaceous or flower borders, don’t get too carried away and make things look too clean and tidy, as by doing this you may well cut down on the amount of protection that faded top-growth can provide. I tend to leave most of the remains of herbaceous plants in place until spring, simply because of the little bit of warmth they do provide, but the most ugly, straggly or unkempt bits could certainly be cleared up now. While you are doing this make sure that you collect up any pests that you find. Keep a particular look out for slugs and snails and catch them while they are snoozing!

It is too early in the year to cut your lawn and indeed you should try to keep off it as far as possible, but you will make it look infinitely better if you clear twigs and

leaves from it and cut back any weeds which have grown even faster than the grass itself. Collect up any pots or other containers which have been left around the garden and now only contain faded remains of plants. Where possible you can use these to create spots of colour and interest in the garden by clearing them out, using fresh compost and then replanting with anything that will bring a little bit of life and colour to the garden at this time of year. If you choose temporary winter plantings such as winter flowering pansies, pompom winter daisies and so forth, then these can simply be removed when it is time to replant with summer bedding. Or how about a pot or two of early flowering bulbs such as miniature iris or snowdrops? Scrubbing down the outer surfaces of pots and containers will also help to clean them up again, because by now they have invariably accumulated a good helping of algae and soil and can look quite a mess.

If like me you have some

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fruit, check fruit trees for signs of any dead shrivelled fruit still remaining on the branches and cut these out, as they often harbour brown rot disease and can cause a lot of problems in the future.

However these definitely shouldn’t be composted - bin or burn any you find.

Use a stiff brush to clear off surface debris from your terrace or patio and then once it is clear, if it still looks in need of a bit of a facelift, use the stiff brush or yard broom to scrub it over thoroughly and then - provided freezing weather is not forecast - wash it over with a few buckets of water. By the time you have decorated it with a few attractively planted containers of winter flowers, it will be almost unrecognisable.

If beds and borders are in need of some winter interest then a trip to your favourite local garden centre is bound to give you plenty of ideas for what’s looking good – you can be sure that any garden centre will have the currently best looking plants in a prominent position at this time of year. Some of my favourites include the small trees or shrubs which not only look good, but also have a delicious fragrance during the winter months. These include winter sweet, hamamelis (witch hazel) and sarcococca.

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Council agrees to support the delivery of the Cheltenham Transport Plan Cheltenham Borough Council will support the recommendations of the TRO (Traffic Regulation Order) committee.

The borough council will pass their support on to Gloucestershire County Council (the TRO making authority) to progress to the next stage in the delivery of the Cheltenham Transport Plan (CTP).

At a council meeting in November 2013, Cheltenham Borough Council committed to further consider the Cheltenham Transport Plan once the recommendations of Gloucestershire County Council’s TRO Committee had been received.

At the next meeting the council considered the recommendations of the TRO committee meeting which took place on 15 January. The committee concluded that the Traffic Regulation Orders relating to the Cheltenham Transport Plan should be fully implemented, with the exception of the one relating to Boots’ Corner (the intersection

of the High Street with North Place) which they have advised should be implemented on an experimental basis for an initial ten month period.

Councillor Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for development and safety, says: “I am delighted that the Council has endorsed the recommendations of the County Council’s Transport Regulation Order committee; The Cheltenham Transport Plan is central to the delivery of the council’s aspirations for improvements to Cheltenham town centre. The implementation of proposed traffic changes will help to support the delivery of key development projects aimed at consolidating the long term economic performance of the town.”

The borough council, through the Cheltenham Development Task Force, has been developing a framework for the regeneration of Cheltenham town centre over a number of years. The task force considers that this, along with other commercial developments and public realm improvements will assist in maintaining the long term vibrancy of Cheltenham town centre.

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Page 29

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To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk

Radon reminders due on Gloucestershire doorsteps Thousands of households yet to take up a free radon test offer, can expect a Public Health England (PHE) reminder letter in the coming days.

In November PHE announced it was working with Forest of Dean District Council, Cheltenham Borough Council, and Cotswold District Council in Gloucestershire and had written to more than 18,000 homes offering a free radon test.

So far nearly more than 4,600 households have taken up the offer with those living in the Cotswolds leading the way with a 27% response, about 2,200 households applying for a test. In the Forest of Dean some 2,400 have responded.

Radon is an odourless, colourless natural gas which seeps into homes from the ground. Long term exposure to the gas can lead to lung cancer and it’s estimated that each year about 1,000 people across the UK die from a radon linked lung cancer.

“We are really pleased that so many people have already taken up our offer of a free radon test,” said Neil McColl, head of radon at PHE. “But thousands haven’t. The households we’ve

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written to are those which are most at-risk from higher levels of radon, it’s really important those people that haven’t yet replied have a good look at the information we’ve provided and really think about getting a test for their home.

“It’s free and easy and doing a test is the only way of knowing for sure what the level is and if you need to do anything about it.”

The areas of Gloucestershire identified for the programme were chosen because there is a five per cent or greater chance that their radon level will be at or above the point at which PHE recommends protective action.

Letters offering a free test went to more than 8,000 homes in the area covered by Cotswold District Council, almost 10,000 in the Forest of Dean District Council area and about 200 homes in the area covered by Cheltenham Borough Council. PHE scientists estimate there is a higher than usual chance that homes who have been sent letter will have high radon levels.

Neil added: “Now Christmas and New Year are over we felt it’s a good time to remind people about radon in their homes, hopefully many of those who get reminder letters form us will take the chance to do something about this.”

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Page 31

Clients travel from far and wide to visit Cheltenham Wigs

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Cheltenham Wigs is proving popular with both clients in need of wigs for medical purposes which include clients with cancer, alopecia and scalp psoriasis, and clients who purely want a change of image.

Owner Leigh Carbone is building up a very steady client base with people travelling to Cheltenham from Berkshire, South Gloucestershire and even as far as Italy. For those who may not be able get to Cheltenham Wigs, Leigh offers a call out service. Her understanding of style, colour and image makes choosing and purchasing a wig a very smooth operation.

Leigh’s wigs are of the best quality and very well priced. She spends a lot of time helping clients choose a wig which is a free service when purchasing one. Leigh is very knowledgable about the quality of wigs and gives a thorough breakdown on the different types available to meet the clients requirements. You will be sure to feel very welcome and comfortable so don’t hesitate to contact Leigh to discuss your requirements.

If you would like to book an appointment please call 01242-724669 or send an email to cheltwigs@gmail.com.

For more information you can visit: www.cheltenhamwigs.co.uk

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Page 33

Cake & Bake Red Velvet Cake Serves 8 Ready in 1 hour 30 minutes plus cooling and chilling

This luscious cake is an American classic and has a vibrant red coloured chocolate sponge filled with a tangy soft cheese frosting and dark chocolate icing.

THE CAKE • 300g plain flour • 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda • 4 tbsp cocoa powder • 235g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing • 300g caster sugar • 3 medium eggs, beaten • 200ml buttermilk • 1� tsp vanilla extract • 2 tbsp liquid red food colouring THE CHOCOLATE ICING • 140g plain chocolate, broken into pieces • 75g butter, diced • 75ml double cream THE FROSTING • 55g unsalted butter, softened • � tsp vanilla extract • 115g icing sugar, sifted • 115 g full-fat soft cheese • 1 tbsp mini chocolate chips, to decorate Page 34

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. Grease and line the bases of 3 x 20cm round sandwich tins. Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and cocoa powder into a bowl and set aside.

2. Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and using an electric whisk beat together until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs then beat in the buttermilk, vanilla extract and red food colouring. Fold in the sifted flour mixture.

3. Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared tins and level the surfaces. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until risen and just firm to the touch. Leave the sponges in the tins for 10 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely.

4. To make the chocolate icing, put the chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Leave until melted.

Remove the bowl from the heat and stir the mixture until smooth. Cool for 2-3 minutes then stir in the cream. Leave at room temperature for 20-30 minutes then chill in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally until the icing is just thick enough to spread.

5. To make the frosting place the softened butter in a bowl and beat in the vanilla extract. Gradually beat in the sifted icing sugar until very smooth and thoroughly blended, then beat in the soft cheese. Don’t overbeat or the icing will start to go runny.

6. To assemble the cake, sandwich all three sponges together with twothirds of the frosting and nearly all of the chocolate icing (reserve 1-2 tbsp for decorating the top of the cake). Spread the rest of the frosting around the sides and over the top of the cake, smoothing it with a spatula.

7. Gently reheat the rest of the chocolate icing in the microwave on low setting for a few seconds – it needs to be just soft enough to pipe.

Spoon the icing into a paper piping bag and snip off the end. Pipe swirls of icing on top of the cake then sprinkle with chocolate chips. Chill in the fridge until ready to eat.

TIP - To add an extra sweetness and colour to the cake, place 2 tbsp granulated sugar in a bag with a little red food colouring paste. Rub the bag between your fingertips to colour the sugar. Use a palette knife to coat the coloured sugar around the side of the frosted cake. Only add this final touch just before serving the cake otherwise the sugar will dissolve into the frosting.

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Crossword

Across 8 Travel in a wind-driven boat (4) 9 Tied (5) 10 Flesh from animals (4) 11 Signal with a flag (6) 12 Plentiful (8) 13 Tame (8) 15 The circle of colour around a nipple (6) 17 Like a phantom (7) 19 Engraving (7) 22 An obvious truth (6) 24 Planning (8) 26 A large arboreal boa (8) 28 An affront (6) 30 Weight-loss program (4) 31 Submarine (5) 32 A language of Pakistan and India (4)

Down 1 City in Italy (4) 2 Without fault or blemish (8) 3 Plague (6) 4 Rub (7) 5 A military assistant (8) 6 A tiny amount (6) 7 Sound an alarm (4) 14 Different (5) 16 Cloth made from flax (5) 18 Radiant (8) 20 Characteristic of country life (8) 21 Swordfish (7) 23 Motivate or prod (6) 25 Machines for lifting heavy objects (6) 27 French for "Black" (4) 29 Ore deposit (4)

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Page 35

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A. Siberian A Canada A. Ten feet Page 36

To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk

Astrology Aries Aspects Cancer Capricorn Conjunction Forecast Gemini Leo

Libra Mars Mercury Moon Neptune Opposition Pisces Pluto

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Page 37

Home & Interiors How to create romantic style at home printed. Decorative details are important, too: embroidery, borders, ruffles and scalloped edgings will enhance even the plainest of fabrics, and since a little goes a long way there is no need to break the bank to achieve the desired effect.

As for furniture, try to steer clear of very dark and heavy pieces, instead opting for simple, country-style or shabby chic furnishings in natural pine or else painted in pale and pretty colours.

You may wish to go to the edges of pillowcases, Who wouldn’t fall in love town in the bedroom with a napkins or cushions, or even canopied or half-tester bed with romantic style? entire panels (especially (if you’re on a budget, simply Feminine, delicate and vintage or antique) hung hang generous amounts of across a window or thrown hemmed, sheer fabric from oh-so pretty, this is a over a bed. Gorgeous. a hoop above the bed for timeless look that will Sheers are also perfect for a similar effect), combined work in all styles of this look. Employ organza, with blissfully beautiful bed chiffon, tulle, georgette and linen: perhaps crisp white home, from a bijoux voile in opulent swathes and cotton edged with drawn city apartment to a Decorative details are gathers, and layer them withprinted. threadwork and topped with too: embroidery, crisp cottons and linens for important, grand country pile, says a vintage chintzy eiderdown ruffles and scalloped interest and appeal. Since borders, or satin quilt. In the living Katherine Sorrell will enhance even how things feel is just as edgings room, opt for a plump and the plainest of fabrics, and important as how they look, (of course) comfortable sofa, Make your home a haven a little goes a long way add some deliciously soft since chaise longue or armchair from everyday worries with a is no need to break the and tactile fabrics such as there in a traditional style, piled romantic decorating style that bank to achieve the desired angora, mohair or cashmere, with cushions and bolsters takes you worlds away from effect.trimmed with lace, embroidery or perhaps warm and snuggly the busy bustle of modern wool or felt. Choose floral buttons,try while in the As fororfurniture, to steer life. It’s a look that is eternally patterns that look as if they’re an old-fashioned clear kitchen of very dark and heavy charming and appealing, worn or faded (definitely not dresser is opting just thefor thing, pieces, instead pretty as a picture, soft and digitally printed or modern piled with vintage patterned simple, country-style or dreamy and completely in style) – you just can’t crockery. shabby chic furnishings in irresistible. beat classics such as roses, natural pine or elsehome painted No romantic would be hydrangeas, peonies and The first ingredient? in pale and pretty colours. complete without atmospheric Sumptuous fabrics, of course. the like, especially when You may wish which to go to lighting, is best they’re laceyfall trims the edges of hand-drawn pillowcases, or block-town in WhoThink wouldn’t in around love the bedroom with a napkins or cushions, or even canopied or half-tester bed with Page romantic style?

38 To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk entire panels (especially (if you’re on a budget, simply

Home & Interiors How to create romantic style at home

achieved by combining a ceramics. Accessorise with HOME variety of light sources – a fine china teacups andCAKEBRIDGE cake central chandelier perhaps, stands, delicately etched IMPROVEMENTS together with a selection of glassware and bone-handled Tel: 01242 577120 wall and table lights, the latter cutlery. One or two heartCall for a FREE Quote today small and graceful rather shaped pieces add to the or 07914 000702 than large and imposing. If effect – perhaps a lavender Double Glazing why pay more? you are in a crafty mood, you bag, mirror, picture frame or Pale colours and FULLY INSURED could embellish a plain card & Fitsoap High quality uPVC Supply or dish – as will a scattering faded patterns or fabric Doors, shade by adding a onlyof small ornaments, from Supply Windows, Interior/exterior gathered fabric edging, lace birds and animals to female Glass&droplet Conservatories, painting All Colour Range trim or ribbon bow. And don’t figures. Last, but definitely not chandeliers Porches, Cladding Available decorating forget that twinkly fairy lights least, add flowers everywhere A husband and a selection of candles possible, in vases and milk Plumbing tiling All typesorof glass Venetian &mirrors 5% Discount on & wife team tea lights (preferably scented) and other locks fibottles, tted jam jars Security Small electrical mentioning Rose petals will really this add atmosphere informal containers. Roses or Made totomeasure work advert “Peter & your home. ranunculas, alliums or Susan asters 10 year guarantee Lace and ribbons provide a great – informal arrangements of Carpentry And speaking of finishing Insurance back guarantees on offer would old-fashionedservice. blooms Iwith a Etched glass Soft furnishing else can 7 daytouches, turnaroundwhat - FREE advice thoroughly lovely scent will be sure to oneexperience do to make this look 20 years services recommend them.” bring romance to any home.

Vintage teacups come together flawlessly?

Quality craftsmen - Trade customers Kate Shannon, Leckhampton Design advice In general, choose surface welcome Curly metal Image: These embellished cushions finishes that are shiny and have a gentle and romantic feel. furniture reflective, from mirror to pearl, peterscopes@btinternet.com From £19.99, all Retreat Home, tel www.mdwindows-cheltenham.co.uk polished metal to glazed 01628471056; www.retreat-home.com.

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And speaking of finishing touches, what else can one do to make this look come together flawlessly?

In general, choose surface finishes that are shiny and reflective, from mirror to pearl, polished metal to glazed

GL OS

achieved by combining a variety of light sources – a central chandelier perhaps, together with a selection of wall and table lights, the latter small and graceful rather than large and imposing. If you are in a crafty mood, you could embellish a plain card or fabric shade by adding a gathered fabric edging, lace trim or ribbon bow. And don’t forget that twinkly fairy lights and a selection of candles or tea lights (preferably scented) will really add atmosphere to your home.

RomantIc style at a glance

ceramics. Accessorise with fine china teacups and cake stands, delicately etched glassware and bone-handled cutlery. One or two heartshaped pieces add to the effect – perhaps a lavender bag, mirror, picture frame or soap dish – as will a scattering of small ornaments, from birds and animals to female figures. Last, but definitely not least, add flowers everywhere possible, in vases and milk bottles, jam jars and other informal containers. Roses or ranunculas, alliums or asters – informal arrangements of old-fashioned blooms with a lovely scent will be sure to bring romance to any home.

Image: These embellished cushions have a gentle and romantic feel.

From £19.99, all Retreat Home, tel 01628471056; www.retreat-home.com.

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RomantIc style at a glance Pale colours and faded patterns Glass droplet chandeliers Venetian mirrors Rose petals Lace and ribbons Etched glass Vintage teacups Curly metal furniture Page 39

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● Business Directory To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk

What's On in Feb/Mar Wildlife Photographer of theYear Exhibition Ongoing until Sunday15 March, Tues-Sun 10am-5pm Nature In Art,Wallsworth Hall, Twigworth, GL2 9PA A fantastic national touring exhibition showcasing the best photography of wildlife from around the world. As one of the very first venues outside of London to be selected to host the exhibition this is an exciting opportunity for visitors to see some truly amazing photography. For more information call 01452 731422 or visit www.nature-in-art.org.uk

Churchdown Book Fair Sunday 1 Feb, Sun 1 Mar, 10am -3.30pm Churchdown Community Centre, Parton Road, Churchdown, GL3 2JH First Sunday of Every Month.

Established over 25yrs, Gloucestershire’s longest running independent Book Fair, attracting between 20-25 dealers from all over the country. 1000s of quality second hand and antiquarian books, postcards and Ephemera. excellent refreshments, easy parking.

Admission: 50p (Under 16s FREE).

Trade FREE with card from 9.30am.

For enquiries & bookings call Terry Sims on 01452 546879 or email: terry_bookworms@hotmail.co.uk For more information visit: www. churchdownbookfair.wordpress.com Cheltenham Civil Service Club Over 30s Disco Friday 6 Feburary, 6 March, 8pm-12am Cheltenham Civil Service Club,Tewkesbury Road, Uckington, Cheltenham, Glos, Gloucestershire GL51 9SL Over 30s disco on the first Friday of

every month. All types of music played from the 50s to the present day - disco, jive, motown, rock n roll etc. Friendly group, all welcome. Dress code is small casual (no jeans please). Bar and large car park. Admission: £5.

Prazak String Quartet Wednesday 11 February, 8 pm Pittville Pump Room The Prazak Quartet will return to Pittville Pump Room in Cheltenham after almost a decade for a rare concert performing music such as Dvorak Quartet in E flat major.

Tickets start from £17, under 25s: free of charge.Tel: 0844 567 2210 Folk Three Festival Friday 13 - Sunday 15 February, from 7.30pm Cheltenham Town Hall The newly-launched FolkThree Festival will see some of the best folk acts taken to the stage over three nights.

The event will attempt to boldly combine the traditional elements of the former folk festival with modern touches to attract broader crowds.

Fri 13 Feb: Chris Wood; Shooglenifty, Laura-Beth Salter and Kaela Rowan; Sat 14 Feb: Rory McLeod, Eliza and Martin Carthy: Sun 15 Feb:The Blair Dunlop Band, Seth Lakeman.Tickets for each evening concert cost £20, weekend tickets are £50.

Tel: 0844 576 2210 A Sound of Music Sing-a-long Wednesday 18 February, 7pm Everyman Theatre Celebrating the hit film’s 50 year anniversary, ‘sing-a-longers’ can expect to find the Everyman filled with musical fans dressed in a myriad of creative outfits, and while fancy dress isn’t compulsory it helps get the crowd in the spirit – with a costume competition for the best dressed invited onto the stage to show-off their originality.Then sit back and watch Julie Andrew’s musical in full-screen Technicolor, complete with subtitles so that even if you don’t know the words, you can still sing – or yodel – along.You don’t need to be a classically trained singer or karaoke regular to take part in this fun-filled evening.

Tickets: £19.Tel: 01242 572573 Devil Mud Run Saturday 21- Sunday 22 February, times to be confirmed Stanley Pontlarge, Cheltenham, GL54 5HE Jump, climb, wade, crawl, slide and

survive the Devil’s playground in the 8K Devil Mud Run, with obstacles such as the Ice Dip, Satan’s Steps, Hay Bale Mountain and Swamp Thing. Tickets cost £45. For more information call 07703 698675.

Howlers At the Hall Wed 25 February, 8.30pm Cheltenham Town Hall Since 2008, Cheltenham Town Hall has provided the perfect setting for the ultimate comedy club night, showcasing the very best in new and established comedy talent. Previous acts include top comedians Reginald D Hunter, Rhod Gilbert, Jon Richardson and Sarah Millican to name but a few! Keep an eye on Howlerscomedyclub.co.uk for details of which rising star you could see next. Over 18s only.

Tickets: £12, Student: £9.

Cate Cody Quintet Picnic Supper Sunday 1 March, 7pm-10pm The Tithe Barn, Cheltenham Road, Bishop’s Cleeve, GL52 8LU For those wishing to eat, please bring a tablecloth, picnic supper and drinks.

For those wishing to dance, please bring your dance shoes and drinks. Disabled Access -TheTithe Barn now has a lift for wheelchair access and toilets for the disabled.Tickets: £15,Tel: 07817 726069, For more information visit: www.jazzcats.co.uk Oxford Philomusica Concert Monday 2 March, From 7.30pm CheltenhamTown Hall

Hear three stunning Mozart pieces, when the Oxford Philomusica returns to CheltenhamTown Hall, joined by star pianist Maria João Pires, conducted

by Marios Papadopoulos. Having been hailed as ‘excellent’ by Gramophone and ‘thoroughly impressive’ by BBC Music Magazine, music fans from far and wide will enjoy this performance.

Ticket prices range between £11.50 and £31.50.Tel: 0844 576 2210

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Page 41

Learn to Scuba Dive Learn to scuba dive safely with Dive 90, a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre established for more than 20 years. All our courses, from novice to professional level, are accredited by PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, the world’s largest diving organisation. This means that you will receive high-quality, structured training and gain a qualification that is recognized worldwide.

Dive 90’s scuba instructors and divemasters have between them many thousands of logged dives and a knowledge of diving that is second to none. So whether your aim is to explore coral reefs and observe their diverse marine life or research and dive a shipwreck, our training will give you the knowledge and confidence to get the most out of every dive.

Our courses are supported by weekly club meetings and a well-stocked dive shop where we offer expert guidance and advice. We also arrange regular trips to some of the best dive locations in the UK and worldwide.

In addition to scuba certification training, we offer a wide range of speciality courses. As well as the more usual specialities – see the navigation list to the right – we also offer training in: Aware Coral Reef Conservation Aware Fish Identification Boat Diver Diver Propulsion Vehicle Drift Diver Master Scuba Diver

Multilevel Diver Night Diver Peak Performance Buoyancy Project Aware Search and Recovery Diver Underwater Videographer

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To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk

...events cont'd from p41 Cheltenham Ladies’ College Spring Concert Friday 6 March, 7.30pm Pittville Pump Room Cheltenham Ladies’ Collge returns to Pittville Pump Room for its annual Spring Concert.This year’s programme features senior music scholars playing movements from Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto, the BrahmsViolin Concerto, Vivaldi’s Concerto for FourViolins and DvoráksWaldesruhe for Cello and Orchestra.The College Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by CLC’s Director of Music, Dominic Hawley.

Poetry Afternoon Friday 6 Mar 2015, 4pm - 6pm The Greenway Hotel & Spa, Shurdington, Cheltenham, GL51 4UG

An afternoon of romantic poetry atThe Greenwayfrom.Tickets: £10.00 per person. Price includes poetry recital and a cream tea or a glass of wine. For more information call 01242 862352.

Music for Youth Regional Festival Saturday 7 March, 12pm & Sunday 8 March, 11am CheltenhamTown Hall Over 1,000 young musicians perform as part of the world’s largest youth music festival, Music for Youth. Support and listen to some of the finest young musicians from Gloucestershire and beyond. A full timetable of groups performing will be published close to the event at Gloucestershiremusic.co.uk.

Cheltenham Festival & Gold Cup Tuesday 10 - Friday 13 March, 10.30am-6pm Cheltenham Racecourse, GL50 4SH 10 Mar: Champion Day, 11 Mar: Ladies Day, 12 Mar: St Patrick’s Thurday, 13 Mar: Gold Cup Day Tickets sell out quickly so make

sure you buy your ticket in advance.

Gates open at 10.30am, with the first race each day at 1.30pm and the last race each day at 5.15pm. Booking Hotline: 0844 579 3003.

Cheltenham Philharmonic Orchestra Spring Concert Sunday 22 March, 3pm Pittville Pump Room A delightful concert of 19th and 20th century music, ranging from Brahms St Anthony Variations (1873), to Duruflés Three Dances (1932), by way of Silbelius Karelia Suit and Hubert Parry’s orchestral masterpiece, Symphony No.3 ‘The English’. For 20 years before the First World War this piece was the most frequently played symphony by any English composer.

of dazzling spring flowers, including Daffodils, Tulips, Alpines, Orchids and Cactus. With lots of plants for sale at competitive prices, plus cake and craft stalls, this is a must for all gardeners! See Cheltenhamhorticultural.co.uk for details. Tickets: £2, Children: Free The Amazing Bubble Man Monday 30 March, 11.30am & 2.30pm, Cheltenham Town Hall

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Concert Thursday 26 March, from 7.30pm Cheltenham Town Hall The world-class Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra will once again be performing at this year’s Cheltenham Concert Series.

The orchestra will open with Beethoven’s ‘Coriolan Overture, Op.62’ followed by Richard Strauss’ final masterpiece, ‘Four Last Songs’.

The orchestra will then conclude the enchanting evening with Schubert’s great ‘Symphony No. 9’ in C major, which is generally regarded as his finest work for orchestra and certainly his most innovative. Ticket prices range between £11.50 and £31.50. Tel: 0844 576 2210

This internationally acclaimed show features bubble art, magic, science and lots of fun for the whole family.

Louis Pearl has been delighting family audiences with his unique show for nearly 30 years. Fabulously entertaining, he explores the breath-taking dynamics of bubbles, combines comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized! Tickets: £14, Children: £ 11.50, Family of four: £46 Easter Family Film Tuesday 31st March, from 1pm; Film from 2pm The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 6EP We are delighted to be screening as our Easter Family Film this year, the first full length feature set in the Lego universe aptly titled:The Lego Movie. From the creators of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, this original computer animated film will delight the whole family. It features some of the Lego world’s most popular figures, while introducing several new characters, and offers a visually unique Lego world as never seen before.

Dir: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller; Australia, USA, Denmark, 2014, 100 mins.Tickets: £7.00 to include an Easter treat. For more information call: 01242 258002 or visit: www. bacontheatre.co.uk

Churchdown Craft and Produce Market Saturday 28 March, 10am-1pm St John’s Church Hall, St John’s Avenue, Churchdown, Gloucester, GL3 2RD Craft market with 20 stalls and wide range of craft. Tea and Coffee available. Ample Free Parking, free admission. Tel: 01452 545960. Call to check latest times or cancellations.

Cheltenham Horticultural Society Sunday 29 March, 12pm Pittville Pump Room Come and see the wonderful display of spring flowering plants at the Cheltenham Horticultural Society’s 73rd annual spring show. Hundreds

Please mention Cheltenham Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 43

interior needs

LIGHTING at interior needs

20%off LIGHTING on production of this advert

Extensive range of designer brands ● Sandersons ● Romo ● Zoffany ● Prestigious ● Hardy

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Luxaflex James Brindley Silent Gliss Velux Blendworth

Tel: 01452 522 422 enquiries@interiorneeds.co.uk

Mon-Sat: 10am-5pm Sun: CLOSED

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Interior needs are your local leading experts in specialist window shading solutions, such as conservatory blinds and shutters, specialising in tricky bays and odd shapes – We’ve got it covered.

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We take pride in our expertise, all conservatory blinds and and this is why these images shutter ranges throughout February are our actual work Eastern Avenue, Gloucester GL4 3BU (Next to The Weavers Shop opposite PC World) Page 44

www.interiorneeds.co.uk

To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk

useful information

DOCTORS SURGERIES Leckhampton Surgery

01242 539080

Springbank Surgery

01242 234306

Underwood Surgery

01242 580644

Overton Park Surgery

01242 580511

Yorkleigh Surgery

01242 519049

The Royal Crescent Surgery

01242 580248

St Georges Surgery

01242 215015

Sixways Clinic

08444 772551

HELPLINES

Seven Posts Surgery

01242 246549

Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 769 7555 Childline 0800 1111 Citizens Advice Bureau 0870 120 4040 Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 Directory Enquiries 118 500 Drugs Helpline 0800 776 600 Floodline 0845 988 1188 Parentline Plus 0808 800 2222 RSPCA 0300 123 4999 Samaritans 01452 306333 National Missing Persons 0500 700 700 Martin Horwood MP 01242 224889

HOSPITALS Gloucestershire Royal Hospital

0300 422 2222

Nuffield Health Hospital

01242 802897

Cheltenham General

0300 422 2222

Charlton Lane Hospital

01242 634100

LIBRARIES Cheltenham Library

0845 2305420

Hesters Way Library

0845 2305420

Prestbury Library

0845 2305420

Upper Hatherley Library

0845 2305420

POST OFFICES Cheltenham Post Office

08457 223344

UTILITIES Electricty -足Power Loss

0800 365 900

Gas Emergency

0800 111 999

Water Leaks

0800 169 1144

Water Severn Trent

0800 783 4444

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Bath Road Post Office, 170 Bath Road, GL53 7NF

Ambulance (Emergency Only) 999

Charlton Kings, Budgens, 12 Lyefield Rd. W, GL53 8EZ

Fire (Emergency Only)

999

Hesters Way, 8 - 10 Hesters Way Road, GL51 0DA

Gas Emergency

0800 111 999

Prestbury, 6 High Street, Prestbury, GL52 3AS

Police (Emergency Only)

999

107 Salisbury Avenue, Warden Hill, GL51 3DA

Police (non-emergency)

101

Shurdington, 2 Yarnolds, Shurdington, GL51 4SH

NHS Direct

111

St Marks, 255 - 257 Gloucester Road, GL51 8NW Tewkesbury Road, 93 Tewkesbury Road, GL51 9DB Up Hatherley, 238 Hatherley Road, GL51 6HB Whaddon Road, 112 Whaddon Road, GL52 5NQ

TRAVEL Bus Information

01242 544120

Train Information

08457 484950

COUNCIL Cheltenham Borough Council

01242 262626

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Page 45

Monkey Music

7

Regency Dry Cleaners

5

Canine Comforts

7

Regency Dry Cleaners

5

Pro Electrical

21

Roses Theatre

27

Clothing Repairs & Alterations

Accountants

Cheltenham Tax Accountants

15

Dog Grooming

Digital TV & Satellite Systems

15

Dry Cleaning

Aerials & Satellites Beauty

Cosmetic Contour

Beds

Storey Carpets

Blinds, Curtains & Soft Furnishings

8 14

Interior Needs

44

The Old Rectory

26

Boat Moorings

Building, Maintenance, Repair, Carpentry & Handyman Services, Painters & Decorators

20

LH Handyman Services

17

Matt Grimshaw Carpentry PJ Home Improvements

20 15 15

Simpson's Decorating & Gardening 7

Business

Cheltenham Magazine Websites 35 Pink Elephant Marketing & PR

18

Your Local App Cheltenham

40

Storey Carpets

14

Building Circles

12

Carpets

Charities

Entertainment / Theatre Sunshine Radio

Fencing

Gloucestershire Deaf Association 10

17 18

Deca Design Flooring

2

The Hunters Inn

28

Food & Drink

Kilcot Inn

29

Wiltshire Farm Foods

Funeral Directories Alexander Burn

back page

37

Gardens & Landscaping Colesbourne Sawmills

17

Edward Price

20

Simpson's Decorating & Gardening 7

Garden Machinery

E. Buckland Garden Machinery Cheltenam Garden Machinery

Hypnotherapy & Reiki

Advance Practice Positive Exchange

www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk

29

Angelic Languages

7

Cotswold Mini

47

Prestbury Piano

12

Motoring, MOT’s & Vehicle Sales Music Tuition Photography

Mouse about Town

Weddings by Sam

8

Plumbing, Heating & Boiler Services Johnston Scotia MJ Taylor

24-25 18

Paul's Plumbing

15

Swift Removals & Storage

31

Five Star Property Services

20

Robert Myatt

33

Removals Roofing

LCM Flat Roofing Schools

Dive 90 Dive School

The Downs Malvern

Sheds

21

42 6

Colesbourne Sawmills

17

Cheltenham Tigers

30

Swift Removals & Storage

31

A&R Stove Installers

17

Digital TV & Satellite Systems

15

Cheltenham Magazine Websites

35

Cheltenham Wigs

32

Cloudy 2 Clear

21

MD Windows & Conservatories

39

Sports Clubs Storage

Stoves & Fireplaces

23

Television Aerials & Satellites

33

Website Design

11

37

Wigs

Windows, Door & Conservatories

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Deadline 16th Mar for Cheltenham April issue. to promote your business in Cheltenham Magazine.

5

Colesbourne Sawmills

Request advertising prices online via the website or call Vicky today to discuss your advertising.

Free advert design & free online listing included.

CALL 01242 500 028

Flooring

Dave Dowell

Five Star Property Services

Electrical services

Dudley Fencing

Cakebridge Home Improvements 39

Page 46

Language Tuition

Children's Classes

advertisers index

Read The Online Editions

Tel: 01242 500 028 or 07939802384 Advertising: info@cheltenham-magazine.co.uk Website: www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk

To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk

PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE MOST POWERFUL MINI EVER. THE NEW MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS HATCH ARRIVES APRIL.

The MINI John Cooper Works Hatch is one tarmac-trashing beast of a car. It packs a 2.0 litre MINI TwinPower Turbo engine tuned to 231 hp, coupled with short overhangs, a wide track and an aerodynamically optimised exterior, making it The Most Powerful MINI Ever.

To earn the John Cooper Works badge, simply being powerful is not enough. You’ve got to redefine the numbers, increasing the air intakes to cool the monster under the bonnet and make the body and chassis extremely light. Finally you’ve got to charm aerodynamics with a roof spoiler, side skirts, and air channelling components around the C-pillars and distinctive rear aprons.

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Please mention Cheltenham Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 47

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