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Sept 2015
LOCAL EVENTS Lovely Lawns
Gardening by Pippa Greenwood
A Stitch In Time While The Sun Shines Home & Interiors by Katherine Sorrell
Martin Lewis Childcare
The Millionaire Maker Local Writer Richard Denny
This month’s magazine distributed in
Leckhampton • Montpellier • Tivoli • The Park • Bath Road Town Centre • Naunton Park • Sandford Park • 10,000 copies
Also available to view online at www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk
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From the Editor Hello Reader,
Local Magazines Published by Glos Directories - connecting local businesses with local people
As we say farewell to summer and welcome the autumn don't blink too fast, as it will be Halloween before you know it, followed by Bonfire Night and then Christmas! There is plenty to do in September and October. A great family event we can look forward to is the Leckhampton Court Autumn Fayre for Sue Ryder on 12th September. It promises to be an action packed day with live music, dance displays, extreme kite flying and entertainment for the kids, not to forget the bouncy castle. Another fantastic event is the world's biggest coffee morning for Macmillan Cancer Support, which raised a staggering ÂŁ25,102,796 last year. This takes place on the 25th September. The Parabola Arts Centre is going to host some fantastic shows so don't miss out on Hal Cruttenden or The Noise Next Door with their brand new comedy show at the end of September. To find out what else is on during September and October have a look at our What's On section on pages 39-43. Kind regards, Vicky Muller
- Editor
Cheltenham Magazine Distribution Areas Distributed in Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec Charlton Kings, Charlton Park, Moor End, Prestbury, Pittville, Fairview. (10,000 copies)
Distributed in Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov Leckhampton, Montpellier, Tivoli, The Park, Bath Road, Town Centre, Naunton Park, Sandford Park. (10,000 copies)
Cheltenham Magazine prints 10,000 copies per month. All our magazines are also available to view online. Please visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk, email us on info@cheltenham-magazine.co.uk or call us on 01242 500 028 to request advertising rates for Cheltenham or should you like information on any or all of the other publications which we publish in Gloucestershire.
Please like us on Facebook.com/CheltenhamMagazine Follow us on Twitter @CheltenhamMag
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Request a price list online or call to book your space in Aug/Sept Magazine Book now to be included in the next Issue and grow your business locally. Please mention Cheltenham Magazine when responding to advertisers Page 5
Manufacturing Positions with HPS TR Ltd, Newent
HPS TR Ltd located in Newent has Openings for 2 x
Workshop Assistants interested in hands-on manufacturing. Candidates need to be physically fit, have a clean UK Drivers License, be machine oriented (be able to use a lathe, milling machine and common workshop hand tools), have some engineering background, be forward thinking, dynamic, polite, organised, and tidy. Compulsory attendance is required at all off-site trade shows.
Working hours are fulltime Monday-Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm with ½ hour lunch. This is not a part time position.
Starting salary is £10/hour, with an opportunity for advancement.
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For more information visit www.hps-tr.com
E-mail: info@hps-tr.com or call 01531 822 641 Page 6
To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk
New Farm Shop Opens at Brockmore Farm Farm to fork took on a whole new meaning when Char and Andy from Gorsley’s Brockmore Farm recently opened the doors of their new farm shop to the public. We sent Cheltenham Magazine's Gregg Upwards to see what everyone is talking about. Char outside her farm shop
Yorkshire pudding and stuffing for just £3.99). The fruit also gets sold and what is left over makes some lovely jam. What I loved about my visit to Brockmore Farm Shop was the range of food, you can eat there as well as the menu which has a great selection of sandwiches, jacket potatoes with lots of fillings, all day breakfasts and bacon sandwiches. Tea and coffee is also served. Take a visit to Brockmore Farm and Farm Shop - you will love too!
Brockmore Farm Shop Gorsley
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Gregg during his visit to the farm shop
Having known Char from her Farm Shop in The Shambles Newent, I was well aware of her dedication and attention to detail when it comes to Farm to Fork, however seeing it is a completely different matter. Everything she sells in the shop has been grown, reared and made on the farm. Brockmore Farm has over 200 sheep that provide the lamb, and pigs that provide the pork and bacon and if you love your BBQ and sausages you have to try their amazing pork and apple burgers. We loved the pork and mustard sausages and as for the eggs, Char and Andy’s chickens provide the most delicious eggs, try them and you will never buy supermarket eggs again! Not just the meat, but also all vegetables grown on the farm get sold to the public or turned into ready made meals for Gorsley’s elderly residents (choice of meat, 3 veg,
Brockmore farm shop and cafe farm to fork
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Page 7
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To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk
Tips from The Millionaire Maker The media have called Richard Denny the millionaire maker. For over 30 years he has helped thousands of people into financial wealth, and others into greater achievement and happiness. His lectures, books, videos, DVD’s and CD’s are bought around the world and he lives right here in the Cotswolds.
Happiness Europe is now being challenged with a massive immigration situation. This is heading towards epic proportions as people flee from terror and others risk their lives to hopefully have a better life. I have been working in the Ukraine and learnt that 1½ million people have been displaced due to the Russian invasion. What has that got to do with happiness? When we meet people and enquire how they are the standard British response is “not too bad, thank you”. It’s as though we are expecting to be bad. We have been conditioned to grumble, moan and find fault with our lot. The reality and truth is we are pretty fortunate and should be much happier than we admit. Let me share with you something that I promise will make you happier and dare I say more prosperous. Liggy Webb, the world authority on modern life skills, in her brilliant book ‘Thank You’ (she lives in Cheltenham) develops the concept of an attitude
of gratitude. We all know of the amazing power of the brain and when it is thinking positively it really is mind-blowing what our brain will do and achieve for us. So here is what you can do to become a little happier: 1. Just before you go to sleep at night recall three things that happened during the day that made you happy. 2. If you are able to say thank you to God – great – if not just say and think thank you. You will go to sleep on positive thoughts and start developing an attitude of gratitude. 3. The following day your first thoughts should be a thank you for the night – for being alive – and a thank you for what you have. These first thoughts flash through your mind in a few seconds, but are all positive and will kick-start your brain into its success mode. For more detailed information and help join the Denny Business Academy for free. www.dennyacademy.com
For success and wealth go to www.dennyacademy.com Page 91
WinchcombeMagazine Magazinewhen whenresponding respondingtotoadvertisers advertisers Please mention Cheltenham
Charity Quiz Night
WSP Solicitors and Randall & Payne are hosting their seventh annual charity quiz night on September 16th to raise money for The Pied Piper Appeal and Gloucestershire Young Carers. The quiz, hosted by Steve Knibbs (BBC Points West) attracts entries from all across Gloucestershire. An enjoyable evening held at Marling School Stroud, the quiz in previous years has raised thousands of pounds for a number of different charities. This year’s proceeds will be split between The Pied Piper Appeal and Gloucestershire Young Carers. The Pied Piper Appeal is Gloucestershire’s leading children's charity, set up in 1992 they work tirelessly to help fund life-changing medical and practical equipment that can transform the lives of sick and disabled children in Gloucestershire. Gloucestershire Young Carers also founded in 1992 is a dynamic charity constantly growing and developing to meet the everchanging needs of young carers in the county. Entry costs £50 per team of four, which includes a 20” Fat Toni’s pizza, and there will be a raffle and a bar. The quiz is to be hosted at Marling School, Stroud from 7pm 16th September, to enter please contact amberdeacon@wspsolicitors.com or rob.case@randall-payne.co.uk.
Boat Moorings The Old Rectory Bredon - Moorings from £825 per year
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Worked finance example: 6 Double Glazed Windows & Single UPVC Door at a package price of £4,295 pay £46.03 per month for 120 months at a fixed rate of 4.9% per month. Total amount payable £5,523.60 charge for credit £1,228.60.Representative APR 4.9%. Prices are for white casement windows, each section of a bay window counts as one window. Maximum window size 2.4m x 1.5m. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. The G2S Group act as an intermediary and only offer products from Barclays Partner Finance. Barclays Partner Finance is a trading name of Clydesdale Financial Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Barclays Bank PLC. Clydesdale Financial Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services Register Number: 311753). Registered in England, registered number 2901725. Registered office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP.
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Page 11
Home & Interiors A Stitch In Time While The Sun Shines By Katherine Sorrell tackle each area, and call in an expert if you lack the necessary equipment and skills.
Roofs
Maintaining the fabric of your house is a bit of a chore - but keep on top of it and you will reap the rewards, says Katherine Sorrell Keeping a regular eye on your property and repairing it when necessary – especially before winter – is an insurance policy against major problems. It will make life easier in the long run, save money and help maintain the value of your home. As Marianne Suhr, historic buildings surveyor and coauthor of Old House Handbook, says: ‘It really is a stitch in time. Buildings can quickly decline if they are not maintained properly. A missing roof tile can lead to water ingress, then dry rot, death watch beetle and even structural collapse.’ Start by finding out what your home is made of and how it is built, then identify areas of concern. Work out how to Page 12
Twice a year, use binoculars to check the condition of your roof and chimney. Look out for general damage, split lead work, loose mortar, missing, slipped or broken tiles or slates and anything else suspicious. From inside your loft, check for evidence of leaks, and examine supporting timbers for signs of deterioration. Brush moss growth off roofs, or fit copper growth inhibitors. Be very careful - it is often better to commission a professional to do roof work.
Rainwater goods
Problems with gutters and downpipes cause damp patches, but are often easily remedied. Observe where water is going during heavy rainfall – is it flowing off the roof into the gutters, down the downpipes and into the drains? If not, perhaps leaves, moss or other debris have blocked your rainwater goods, or a joint has come apart, or water is gathering in one area. Patch or weld metal, replace damaged plastic sections and add extra brackets where there is sagging. Clear gutters, downpipes and drains regularly and redecorate metal rainwater goods when necessary.
Walls
Damp in walls might be caused by the ground level outside being higher than inside. If so,
dig back to the correct level, but if problems persist, dig down further and lay a gravel path to create breathing space for the wall. Remove and replace any damaged render, and re-point mortar if it has weathered or is very loose. Although they are everyone’s biggest fear, cracks in walls can be caused by many things – but most are nothing to worry about. When you spot a crack, mark the end of it with a pencil or take a photo and note the date, so you can keep track of it. The Building Research Establishment suggests that cracks less than 5mm wide that do not grow any larger, will generally not affect structural integrity and can simply be redecorated. Contact a structural engineer if you have concerns.
Doors and windows
Remove flaking paint from timber doors and windows and redecorate once the wood has dried out. If there is rot, fill carefully or cut out the section and replace. Overhaul sash windows, by re-aligning, replacing cords and adjusting the weights; add brushes so they are soundproof and don’t rattle. Rusty metal windows should be cleaned, repaired and re-squared. Plane and/or sand sticking wooden doors and windows, and check that locks and hinges are doing their job properly. Oil them every now and then to keep them in tip top condition. Main Image - Bay windows installed in a period property, by The Sash Window Workshop, tel 01344 868668; www.sashwindow.com.
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Park Street Garden Services Based in Cheltenham
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GENERAL BUILDER Mathew Moore
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Page 13
Golden Years Memories of 50 Years Ago by Ted Bruning
North Sea oil and gas reserves may be running dry, but for exactly 50 years they have been making an enormous contribution to our economy. For it was on 21st September 1965 that BP announced that its barge, Sea Gem, had made the first successful “spud”, or test drill, 40 miles off the Yorkshire coast. Sea Gem was one of a number of competing test rigs prospecting the North Sea at the time. Geologists had been certain for quite some years that the reserves were there, and in mind-boggling quantities. But it was only in 1964, when Britain joined the European Free Trade Association, that the North Sea was considered worth a really serious look because EFTA membership meant the end of the tax incentives that had propped up Britain’s not inconsiderable onshore oil industry. That’s right – Britain’s not inconsiderable onshore oil industry. Anglo-Iranian Oil (which eventually became part of BP) had been operating several wells in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire since the Page 14
1930s. Their output had been invaluable during World War II and when Iran nationalised its oil-wells from 195153, and in 1964 they hit peak production. But now, despite the operating difficulties and a technology that was still in its infancy, the North Sea beckoned; and BP engineers based at Eakring near Mansfield improvised the Sea Gem using a French-built work barge, eight specially-made telescopic legs, and a drilling rig. In June 1965, Sea Gem went to work. Sea Gem’s well was actually the fourth to have been spudded in British waters. The first had been for an American company in December 1964, and two more followed in spring and summer 1965. By September all three had been completed and found only dry wells. When Sea Gem started work a further four rigs were also drilling, but showing no signs of success. By 17th September Sea Gem’s drill had bored down to nearly 3,000 metres, and it was starting to look as though this was yet another dry hole. When its instruments began to indicate the presence of gas, nobody got too excited – it wasn’t uncommon to find small pockets as the drill went deeper. But then the fluid
retrieved from the bottom of the well was observed to be frothing and bubbling. Within two days the rig’s crew were certain they had a viable well; and on 21st September BP announced publicly (but very cautiously): “A test in BP’s North Sea well now being drilled by the Sea Gem 42 miles east of Humber has produced gas, but not in sufficient volume to be commercially significant. The well is being drilled deeper in the hope that commercial production may yet be encountered.” It needn’t have been so cautious. By mid-December, that first well was yielding ten million cubic feet of natural gas a day – enough to justify the building of pipelines to the shore. It was the start of a new era. There was a tragic postscript, though, for the drilling of the North Sea’s first successful well was immediately followed by the deaths of its first victims. On the night of 27th December, while Sea Gem was moving to another test site, two of its legs gave way. Sea Gem quickly collapsed and sank beneath the icy waters; and although most of the crew were rescued, 13 men died.
Happy 50tH BirtHdays to Lennox Lewis (2nd), Charlie Sheen (3rd), Moby (11th), Zak Starkey (13th), and Omid Djalili (30th). Cake and botox to you all!
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Train Your Dog with ECHO Dogz The aim of ECHO Dogz is to help people and dogs understand each other. I offer practical solutions for all domestic dogs, no matter their age or breed. Dogs learn quickly in their own environment, that’s why ECHO Dogz promotes training at your home where specific obedience training and behaviour modification can be applied, while you and your dog are given the individual attention you deserve. I have successfully trained and rehabilitated thousands of dogs, working internationally with dogs and owners in Africa and the Middle East has enabled me to further develop my methodology in multiple disciplines of canine handling and orientation.
The secret to a well behaved dog is communication and ECHO Dogz will teach you how to communicate effectively with your dog through non- confrontational techniques. Dogs of all breeds and ages benefit from this method as it is personalised, practical and progressive. My 3 week home obedience course covers everything your dog will need to clearly understand you in and around the house. The 3 one hour sessions include recalling or getting your dog to come to you, sit (first time, everytime!), down or go lie on your bed, out, stay, and walking on the lead without your dog taking you for a walk! A 30 minute follow up 1-2 weeks after completion of the course ensures the results are long lasting. ECHO Dogz also resolves specific behavioural issues effectively at the source...your dog’s home. Problems are identified and resolved during a one-on-one consultation at your home. Consultations are normally an hour
with a follow up one to two weeks thereafter. Results are noticeable almost immediately and with consistent practice and follow-thru, the unwanted behaviour is completely resolved within a week or two.
Give me a call for a free assessment and find out about my refreshingly affordable rates.
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Page 15
Lovely Lawns by Pippa Greenwood Almost every garden has a lawn, and there is a lot you can do to keep it in good condition. Don’t wait until spring but get to work now with some autumn lawn care to keep your lawn looking healthy and green. Large weeds in small lawns are best removed by hand, perhaps using a sturdy old kitchen knife – perfect for removing dandelions, small clumps of daisies and other weeds missed by the mower. You should also take a look at the level of moss in the lawn: when green and luxuriant it can look quite attractive, but once it dies out the lawn will look really awful. On the whole, moss in lawns is encouraged by compaction, poor drainage of the soil and lawn surface and by excessive shading, perhaps by nearby trees or herbaceous plants in adjacent borders. It is worth doing anything you can to alleviate these problems, and for shading you should prune back shrubs which overhang the lawn or have trees professionally crown thinned or lifted, so that more light gets through to the lawn. Herbaceous plants are easily dealt with by using bamboo canes and string to ease them up and away from the grass. Compaction is relatively easy Page 16
to deal with, and in small areas where the problem is not too bad, you can use a normal garden fork. Drive this into the lawn every 10 – 15 cm (4 – 6 in) and ease it back and forth slightly to enlarge the holes created by the tines of the fork. This creates some drainage channels, which will also improve aeration. On very heavy sites or where compaction is bad, use a hollow tine aerator. These can be bought as attachments for some lawnmowers, or you can buy or hire a dedicated machine or piece of equipment. A hollow tine aerator removes cylinders of turf and the soil beneath, thus producing a better effect than using a garden fork. Once aerated, brush a sandy top dressing mixture into all the holes, using a mixture of sieved garden soil and horticultural sand, perhaps mixed with a small quantity of sieved leaf mould. The top dressing ensures that the holes are kept open to allow better drainage and aeration over a longer period.
before you attempt to rake it out. Raking out can be combined with scarifying, where you use a spring tined rake to aggressively rake the surface of the lawn, so that dead moss, thatch (the accumulated bits of dead grass and other lawn debris) and any other surface debris are removed. Once done, you will find that the lawn looks a lot worse than it did when you started, as it will look thinner and more moth-eaten. However, scarifying helps to ensure that the grasses receive plenty of air and allows for better re-growth; have faith, the situation will improve.
Use a proprietary moss killer if moss is really out of control, applied exactly according to the manufacturer’s instructions; you should make sure that the moss is killed off completely
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Historic phone boxes given new life
Ten historic phone boxes in the heart of Cheltenham’s town centre are to be restored and rejuvenated. As the first part of the refurbishment of the pedestrianised part of the Promenade, the ten phone kiosks are being removed to be refurbished and then reinstalled in the same locations. The borough has adopted them for re-use as 'art boxes', which will be managed by The Wilson, Cheltenham’s art gallery and museum as spaces for changing displays. Two of the kiosks will also act as a home for power and water supplies for the Continental, Christmas and farmers’ markets.
Chalk Talk We're rightly proud of our schools here in Cheltenham. Our town's motto is Salubritas et Eruditio and our educational heritage reaches deep back into history. Pate's, often described as Cheltenham's first school, was first established back in 1574 when Elizabeth I was on the throne. As Cheltenham has grown a number of great local schools have emerged. They're recognised as some of the very best in the country, and their success is a tribute to local teachers and governors. But how do our schools here in Cheltenham compare with elsewhere in the country? Ofsted reports don't exactly tell the whole story, but the data can provide a snapshot. And the picture for Cheltenham from this year's data is positive. 94 per cent of all schools in our constituency, ranging from nursery to secondary and including special schools, were judged as 'good' or 'outstanding' for overall effectiveness
The boxes are Grade II listed structures date back to 1935 and have been in their current location on the Promenade since the 1960’s. Howard Barber, public realm designer at Cheltenham Borough Council said: “The boxes have become shabby and neglected especially as their use as phone boxes has declined and it was important to find a new use for the boxes that justifies keeping them, and makes them relevant to the town.” Richard Statham, collections and engagement manager at The Wilson is looking forward to the project: “We’re excited to be making creative use of these iconic features of Cheltenham’s Promenade.” Kevan Blackadder, town centre manager added: "Our red phone boxes are a national icon even though the number of telephone boxes kept in use has fallen significantly with the increase
as at 31 May 2015. This compares with a figure of 83 per cent for England. At the end of Key stage 2 (Years 3 to 6) 81 per cent of Cheltenham children achieve Level 4+ in reading, writing and Maths. That compares to a national average of 79 per cent. When you get to Key stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) Cheltenham pupils pull even further ahead. 59 per cent of our young people achieve over five GCSEs at grade A*-C, compared to a national average of 56.8 per cent. The nineteenth century Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, said: "Upon the education of the people of this country the fate of this country depends." I couldn't agree more. In other news, I was concerned to hear the head of the new National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), Sara Newton, say that members of the public should no longer expect police officers to turn up at their door if they are burgled. Burglary is a horrible crime which robs people of their security and leaves them feeling violated and vulnerable.
in people using mobile phones. "The boxes are as much a part of the Prom as the trees and I'm delighted the town has found a way to retain them while putting them to good use." The restoration is likely to take about 6 weeks. If you have comments on this project, or would like to get involved in any way please email the urban design team on: projectfeedback@cheltenham.gov.uk or call 01242 264328.
It requires a police response. I met with Gloucestershire Police to discuss this and I was delighted to receive their reassurance that local police expect to attend every dwelling burglary in Cheltenham, including attempted burglaries. This is good news, and confirms that Cheltenham's officers are doing an excellent job of making important reforms whilst continuing to deliver on the public's priorities. Burglars beware.
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- by Alex Chalk Page 19
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MARTINLEWIS LEWIS MARTIN MARTIN LEWIS
MARTIN LEWIS
Childcare Childcare
First Time Buyers First Buyers This is anTime important warning for anyone who pays for
By Martin Lewis @moneysavingexpert By Martin Lewis @moneysavingexpert
This an important for anyone who pays for ByisMartin Lewiswarning @moneysavingexpert childcare. There are major changes due to take place to the childcare. There are major changes due to take place to the system this year – and you need to decide rather soon how By Martin Lewis system this year – and@moneysavingexpert you need to decide rather soon how It’s theIf you cheapest in history tomiss getout a theyperhaps affect you. leave ittime too late, you could they affect you. If you leave it too late, you could miss out on thousands of pounds. first time buyers’ mortgage – with rates at onIt’s thousands of pounds. perhaps the cheapest time in history to get a
historic lows and the new Help to Buy ISA
first time buyers’ mortgage with rates Are you eligible for childcare tax–credits? due. that’s not the same as saying it’satthe Are you Yet eligible for childcare tax credits?
historic lows andathe new Property Help to Buy ISA best time to buy house. is an ‘asset The most important start point is to check if you’re entitled due. Yet that’s not the same as saying it’sentitled the The mostthat important start pointmove is to check you’re assume class’ means prices – soifnever to what’s technically theProperty ‘Childcare is Element of best time to buycalled acalled house. an ‘asset to buying what’s technically the ‘Childcare Element of a home is as safe as houses. Working Taxmeans Credit’ –prices this is NOT the–same as Child Tax class’ that move soas never Working Credit’ – this is NOT the same Child assume Tax It’s farTax more toit examine Credit. You canimportant usually claim for childrenyour up toown age 15, buying a home is as safe as houses. Credit. You can claim it for children up to age 15, reasons for usually buying. If it’s a (Ofsted long term place to provided you pay for approved or equivalent) provided you pay important for approved (Ofsted or equivalent) It’s far yourthe own live, to more give you securitytoofexamine tenure, and childcare. childcare. reasons for buying. If it’s a long termeven place to repayments are affordable (possibly live, you security tenure, andSo the Sadlyto thegive eligibility criteriait's areofavery complex. I’ve tried to cheaper than renting) reasonable aim. Sadly the eligibility criteria are very(possibly complex. So I’ve tried to repayments are affordable even distil it in a simple rule of thumb: ‘if you’re a single parent Here’s to know… distil it in awhat simpleyou ruleneed of thumb: ‘if you’re a single parent cheaper than renting) reasonable aim. 16+ working 16+ hours a week,it's or aacouple BOTH working working 16+ hours a week, or a couple BOTH working 16+ hours a week, and your total household income is under Here’s hours a week, andyou yourneed total to household income is under Step 1.what Learn the lingo. Aknow… mortgage is likely to £46,000, you should definitely check out if you’re entitled.’ £46,000, shouldfinancial definitely transaction check out if you’re be theyou biggest you'llentitled.’ make,
Step 1. Learn the lingo. A mortgage is likely to
so armread yourself with knowledge to understand Please this carefully – I’m not saying you aremake, entitled, be the financial transaction Please readbiggest this carefully – I’m not Here sayingare youyou'll are entitled, the terms used. the key just that it iscommonly worth checking, as this is big money. The just it is worth checking, as this is bigto money. The sothat arm yourself with knowledge understand facts you’ll need to understand any average pay out is around £60/week. about That’s over average pay out is around £60/week. That’s over the terms commonly used. Here are the key £3,000/year. mortgage. £3,000/year. facts you’ll need to understand about any mortgage. If you’re not entitled taxinterest credits, decide now which a. Thenot Rate: Thisto is to the you now are charged, If you’re entitled tax credits, decide which other scheme works for you and it dictates you repay each other scheme worksthe foramount you
a. The Rate: This is the interest you are charged, month. This isitwhere everything is changing. If you’re eligible for and dictates the mortgages amount you repay each This is where everything is changing. Ifhave you’re eligible for b. Type: Most rate taxThe credits, you’re likely to be better off getting that. If not, month. taxreductions credits, you’re likely to be better off getting that. If not, forschemes the firsttotwo there are other look to at. five years. These b. The Type: Most mortgages there are other schemes to look at. have rate come in a few types. Fixes are where the rate is reductions for the first two to itfive Thesein locked in. Trackers are where canyears. only move This autumn, the new ‘tax-free childcare’ scheme launches This autumn, the new ‘tax-free childcare’ scheme launches come in a few types. Fixes are where the ratemany is and the current childcare vouchers scheme that lets relation to UK base rate moves. And variable and the current childcare vouchers scheme that lets manyin locked in. Trackers are where itincome can only move pay forwhere childcare from theirto pre-tax willbase close for rate, they tend move with UK pay for childcare from their pre-tax income will close for relation tocan UKSo base rateeligible moves. And variable new applicants. if you're for vouchers, but won't rates, but move at the lenders whim. new applicants. So also if you're eligible for vouchers, but won't rate, tend be for where the newthey scheme, gettoinmove quick. with UK base the deal: a short-term deal (eg, bec.forLength the newofscheme, get If in it's quick. rates, but can also move at the lenders whim. a- New 2yr fix), when does scheme: it end?If you're a single parent tax-free childcare c. Length ofchildcare the deal: If it's short-term - New tax-free scheme: Ifayou're a single deal parent(eg, d. Term: How long iswhere the entire who works, or a couple BOTH mortgage work, and you each a 2yr fix), when does it end? who works, or a couple where BOTH work, and you each borrowing length - for eg,every 25yrs, earn under £150,000, 80pand youwhen put in awill newit be d. Term: How long the entire earn under £150,000, forisevery 80p youmortgage put in a new fully repaid? childcare account, the government will add 20p on top childcare account, the government will addwhen 20p onwill topit be borrowing length -pay eg,for 25yrs, and which can be used Ofsted approved (or e. Penalties: Are to there any early-repayment which can be used to pay for Ofsted approved (or fully repaid? equivalent) childcare for under-12s. The maximum the penaltieschildcare if you try and pay itThe offmaximum or move,the before equivalent) for under-12s. e. Penalties: Are there any early-repayment Government will contribute is £2,000 per child per year. the deal ends? Government will contribute is £2,000 per child per year. penalties you try and off or move, f. Can youifoverpay? Arepay youitallowed to paybefore Mostdeal childminders, after-school clubs are Ofsted approved, the Most childminders, after-school clubs areThis Ofsted approved, more off ends? without any penalties? can be very asCan are many nannies. Are you allowed to pay f. you overpay? asuseful are many nannies. as it means you pay less interest over the - Current voucher scheme. Here you usually trade more offchildcare without anyclear penalties? This can betrade very - Current childcare voucher scheme. youmore usually mortgage terms and theHere debt quickly. in your pre-tax salary for vouchers. For example, a basicuseful as it means you pay less interest over the in g. your pre-tax salary for vouchers. For example, a basicYour loan-to-value (LTV):ofThe proportion rate taxpayer can swap £1,000 salary, which afteroftax rate taxpayer can swapand £1,000 of the salary, which afterquickly. tax mortgage terms clear debt more and National Insurance is only £700ish in your pay packet, and National Insurance is only £700ish inproportion your pay packet, g. loan-to-value (LTV): The forYour £1,000 in childcare vouchers. So you're up £300 of per for £1,000 in childcare vouchers. So you're up £300 per £1,000. £1,000.
your home's current value you are borrowing. eg, £20,000you deposit a £100,000 The amaximum can geton is £55/week per means year per parent, The maximum youcurrent can get is £55/week per year per parent, your are borrowing. whichhome's would be a gain ofvalue £930 for a basic-rate taxpayer. you’re borrowing £80,000 –you so it’s an 80% LTV. which would be a gain of £930 for a basic-rate taxpayer. eg, a £20,000 deposit on a £100,000 means Any parent can do this, even if their partner doesn't work, The lower the LTV,even the ifbetter deal you canwork, get. Any parent can do this, their partner doesn't you’re £80,000 so it’sdo, anbut 80% LTV. providedborrowing your employer offers it– (many many provided your employer offers it (many do, but many The lower LTV, better you get. don't). Yet ifthe you’re notthe up todeal this by thecan time the To help with this I’vesigned a totally free 60 page Firstdon't). Yet if you’re not signed up to this by the time the new scheme starts, you can’t do it after. So if it’s right for new scheme starts, you can’t booklet do it after.you So ifcan it’s right for Time Buyers mortgage youhelp – sort it soon. To this I’ve a totally free 60 page Firstyou – sort itwith soon. download from www.mse.me/FTB which takes
Time Buyers mortgage booklet you can
you through everything in more detail. - Tax-free childcare vs childcare vouchers. If you're a couple download fromvswww.mse.me/FTB which - Tax-free childcare childcare vouchers. If you're atakes couple where only one works, the vouchers win hands down, as where only one works, the vouchers win hands down, as you through everything in more detail. Step 2. Deposit, deposit, deposit. Every you won’t be eligible for the new scheme. Plus, 5% if your you won’t be eligible for the new scheme. Plus, if your childcare costs are it's likely vouchers win- due the bigger deposit uplow, to 40% cuts the rate sotoato childcare costs are low, it's likely vouchers win due the Step 2.National Deposit, deposit, deposit. tax and Insurance savings. more can have asavings. big impact. Every 5% taxlittle and National Insurance bigger deposit up to 40% cuts the rate - so a little can have a big impact. Yet formore the self-employed, those whose firms don’t offer Imagine you've a £150,000 home, and want a
Yet for the self-employed, those whose firms don’t offer the vouchers, or those with more than one child and high the vouchers, mortgage. or those withThat's more than one child and high £136,000 awins. 90.7% LTV, the top childcare costs, theanew schemehome, This is want just thea tip of Imagine you've and childcare costs, the new£150,000 scheme wins. This is just the tip of 2the year fix is 3.98%. Yet if you use £1,100 of iceberg mortgage. – full analysisThat's of which wins at LTV, the top £136,000 a 90.7% the iceberg to – full analysis of borrowing which wins atneeded, you'd savings reduce the 2mse.me/childcare. year fix is 3.98%. Yet if you use £1,100 of mse.me/childcare.
cross a threshold and be at just under 90%, savings to reduce the borrowing needed, you'd What about free2yr childcare for threeThis and would four year-olds? where thefree top fix is 2.69%. save What about childcare for andunder four year-olds? cross a threshold bethree at just 90%, over £700/year inand mortgage payments alone. where the top 2yr is 2.69%.plans Thistowould save The Government havefix announced give working The Government have announced plans to give working over £700/year mortgage parents withsaving threein and four-year-olds 30 hours of free Of course for a depositpayments is often aalone.
parents with three and four-year-olds 30 hours of free childcare per week. If made law, pilot schemes will start in childcare per From week. autumn If made law, pilotalso schemes will start struggle. you’ll be given thein Sepcourse 2016, though there's whether it's Of forscepticism a scepticism deposit isabout often ayour Sep 2016, though there's about whether it'sfirst chance of asaving cash boost towards buying deliverable. struggle. From autumn you’ll also be given the deliverable. home if you save into a new type of Help to Buy
chance of a cash boost towards buying your first
ISA. Yet already for at least 38 weeks a year (each week of the if for you a new type of Help Buy Yethome already atsave least into weeks a year (each week to of the You can save up to38a£200 month and the school year), if you’ve threeevery or four-year-old, you’re school year), if you’ve a three or four-year-old, you’re ISA. entitled to 15 hours a week of free childcare. Families with Government will add 25% onchildcare. top (soFamilies £50 onwith entitled to 15 hours week of free You save upaalso to £200 every month and a lowcan income may also get free early education forthe two£200). You can save an additional £1,000 a low income may also get free early education for twoGovernment addit,25% on topyou (socan £50save on year-olds. when you firstwill open meaning year-olds. £200). can also save an additional £1,000 Contact You your local council to check ifwill yourhave child qualifies at £1,200 in the first month (that £300 Contact your local council to check if your child qualifies at (a goodyou place to start is gov.uk/find-free-early-education). If when first open it, meaning you can save (a added good place is gov.uk/find-free-early-education). If on to topstart of it). they do, in go to finder.familyandchildcaretrust.org for info on £1,200 first month (that will havefor £300 they do, go tothe finder.familyandchildcaretrust.org info on which childcare providers you can use under the scheme. added on top of it).need which childcare providers you can use under theto scheme. The minimum you to have saved getfree the You then liaise directly with the provider to get the You then liaise directly with the provider to get the free bonus is £1,600 (so a £400 bonus), and the childcare. childcare. The minimum you need to have saved to get the
maximum the Government will contribute is bonus is(so £1,600 (so afor £400 bonus), and the Is there help for paying summer schools? £3,000 that means you will have saved Is there help for paying for summerwill schools? maximum the Government contribute is £12,000). For full information see £3,000 will have If you’ve(so got that older means childrenyou and work, checksaved whether there www.mse.me/helptobuyisa. If you’ve got older children and work, check whether there £12,000). For full information see are any summer schools in your area that they can go to. are any summer schools in your area that they can go to. Some schools, community centres and youth groups have www.mse.me/helptobuyisa. Some schools, community centresto and youth groups have Step 3. Speedily compare benchmark your their own schemes. their own schemes. cheapest. It’s important to start to work out the
Step 3. Speedily compare to benchmark your
exact cost you’re likely to pay as soonsoasif you pay for Most are Ofsted (or equivalent) registered, cheapest. It’s start toso work Most are Ofsted (orimportant equivalent)to registered, if youout paythe for them, you qualify for childcare tax credit or you can use them, youcost qualify for childcare credit or youas can use exact you’re likely totaxpay as soon childcare vouchers to pay for them. childcare vouchers to pay for them.
WORDWHEEL
Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten minutes to find as many words as possible, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. Each word must be of three letters or more, all must contain the central letter and letters can only be used once in every word. There is at least one word that uses all of the letters in the wheel.
Word Ladder
Change one letter at a time (but not the position of any letter) to make a new word - and move from the word at the top of the ladder to the word at the bottom, using the exact number of rungs provided.
L E A F
TARGET Excellent: 8 or more words Good: 6 words Fair: 4 words
S
E
E
D
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Please mention Cheltenham Magazine when responding to advertisers Page 25 Check your existing policy to see what excess you areelectrics. charged It foreven repairs – it could be as much as £50! includes a are highly trained Boiler, Heating, Hot Water, Plumbing & Electrics.
Call 01684 773 747
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all the boxes?
Does your Annual Boiler Insurance tick all the boxes?
No EXCESS charges
Cake and Bake Lemon Crumble Cheesecake Bars Tangy and creamy with a golden buttery crumble topping, these cheesecake bars make a delicious sweet treat. For a smoother cheesecake filling, use full-fat soft cheese instead of the ricotta.
Ingredients: THE BASE • 250g plain flour • 2 tsp baking powder • 140g butter, chilled and diced • 125g caster sugar • 1 medium egg, beaten THE FILLING • 750g ricotta cheese • 225g caster sugar • Zest and juice of 1 lemon • 3 medium eggs, beaten • 100ml soured cream • 1 tbsp cornflour • Fresh mint sprigs, to decorate
Makes 12 slices Ready in 1½ hours, plus chilling Page 26
1. Preheat the oven to 180C/Fan 160C/Gas Mark 4. Grease an 18cm x 28cm tray-bake tin and line the base with baking paper. 2. To make the base, sift together the flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs then stir in the sugar. Reserve a third of the mixture and chill in the fridge. Stir the beaten egg into the rest of the mixture to make a crumbly dough. Spread into the base of the prepared tin and press down firmly in an even layer. 3. Bake the cheesecake base for 15-20 minutes, or until pale golden. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 160C/ Fan 140C/ Gas Mark 3. 4. To make the filling, beat the ricotta cheese, sugar and lemon juice and zest in a bowl until creamy then gradually beat in the eggs. Fold in the soured cream and cornflour and spread the mixture over the warm base. 5. Sprinkle the reserved fine crumble mixture over the top in an even layer. Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes, or until set and pale golden. Leave in the tin to cool completely then chill for 2-3 hours. Slice into 12 bars and serve decorated with fresh mint sprigs.
TIP
For an extra fruity flavour, scatter some fresh blueberries or raspberries over the cheesecake mixture before sprinkling with the crumble mixture.
To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk
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WITH
THE BAND OF THE
GLOUCESTERSHIRE CONSTABULARY Saturday 26th September
7.30pm- 9.30pm
Music from the Movies
Complimentary Food and Wine
Raffle
Tickets £10 Churchdown Community Centre Parton Road, Churchdown, GL3 2JH
To book call 01242 244998 or email admin@buildingcirclesglos.org.uk Charity number 1119570
Eighth Page Advert only:
*£40 + vat per month
Contact us today to be included in the October issue.
Tel: 01242 500 028
*T&C's apply
www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk
David Richards on 01242 898 750 or 07725 722132 Please mention Cheltenham Magazine when responding to advertisers
Page 27
Crete Trading
Volunteers Needed!
From Crete, Greece, the Island with the healthiest diet in the world and renowned for it’s oil
We are looking for special people who can ing Circ hours a month to support and offer give li d a few friendship to isolated and lonely people with Learning Disabilities throughout Gloucestershire.
sales@cretetrading.com
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Fine Azorias extra virgin olive oil, Original Logo PRICE acidity 0.3%, at a BARGAIN ‘Heavenly oil at earthly prices’ ing CirRidgway, c Independently assessed byildJudy one of the UKs leading oil experts; ‘a very good oil...good bitter and peppery tastes balanced ir Gl by the o u c e st e rs h fruit, the Logo Idea 2 aftertaste is sweet & ing Circ ild attractive...’
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To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk
The Lions Club of Cheltenham Message in a Bottle What is Message in a Bottle? It is a voluntary scheme for anyone living at home, who might be reassured to know that essential information would be readily available to the Emergency Services should
they suffer an accident or sudden illness. The scheme ensures that vital information is available with regards to relevant illnesses, allergies, medication and contact addresses. When emergency services see medical information and personal details of a patient they can render safer and speedier first aid by shortcutting timeconsuming fact finding enquiries about the patient. What do you have to do? Bottles are available, free at most chemists. Included with the bottle is a form to fill in. This includes details of illness, allergic reaction to medicine, any medication for diabetes, asthma etc, where you keep your medicine, doctors details, next of kin,
and anyone dependent on you such as children  and even pets. When completed the form is placed in the bottle and put in your fridge door and one on the inside of your front door. Emergency Services are aware of the system and will look for the stickers. If you have difficulty in obtaining a bottle please contact John Grover on 01242 237042. The Lions Club of Cheltenham meet on the second and fourth Monday at the Victory Club. Anyone interested in finding out more can contact Peter Weir on 07973 807159. - by David Green, PR Officer Lions Club
PRESTBURY PANTHERS NETBALL CLUB A NEW and exciting sporting club for U11’s in the community of Prestbury, offering girls and boys the opportunity to learn NETBALL and skills in an enjoyable and positive environment. Currently registering players from Year 3 to 6 for September 2015. Training at Pittville School on Saturday mornings. Please contact info@prestburypanthers.co.uk or visit our website www.prestburypanthers.co.uk for further details. Please mention Cheltenham Magazine when responding to advertisers
Page 29
Finance What you need to know about NS&I Premium Bonds By Ann Haldon Premium Bonds were first introduced in 1956 by Harold MacMillan as a way to reduce inflation, and they remain a popular savings choice today. It is estimated that over £50 billion is held in the Premium Bond ‘pot,’ making them the largest savings product in the UK. Not a ‘standard’ savings option, bonds pay no interest and never expire. They can make you a millionaire though, if you are lucky enough to win one of the two £1 million draws each month. How do they work? Bonds up to the value of £50,000 can now be bought following a recent rise in the maximum limit. At the other end of the scale the minimum purchase is £100 which buys you 100 £1 bonds, with all bonds being entered into a monthly prize draw. Premium Bond numbers are picked at random by ERNIE (Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment), and you can check whether you’re a winner via the NS&I website from the third day of each month. The government funds the prize money by calculating a rate of interest as if the bonds were ‘standard’ government bonds, rather than using money from the sale of new Premium Bonds. You can buy them from Page 30
a post office, or directly from NS&I by phone or online. How much can you win? Winnings range from £25 to the £1 million jackpot, with prizes also including a percentage of £25,000, £50,000 and £100,000 wins each month. Returns average the equivalent of around 1.3% according to Moneywise, who also state that the chance of winning from a single bond are approximately 1 in 26,000.� You can be lucky though – the Guardian recently reported a £1 million jackpot winner who had held just £400 worth of bonds. For those wanting a reliable income from their savings, however, other products would be more suitable if they are willing to forego instant access in favour of higher interest rates. What are the main benefits of Premium Bonds? • All winnings are tax-free – a big draw for some people, especially as ISA rates remain low • Bonds can be cashed in with no notice needed • They can be purchased for a child or grandchild with a minimum investment of £100 (unless you are paying by standing order, in which case it is £50) • There’s no risk of losing your capital – Premium Bonds
are backed 100% by a government guarantee • You can choose to have your winnings reinvested in more Premium Bonds, which works in a similar way to compound interest in a savings account • Premium Bonds never expire Unclaimed prizes If you bought Premium Bonds in the dim and distant past, it might be worthwhile looking on the NS&I website where there’s an ‘unclaimed prizes’ finder. With no time limit for claiming, even bonds from 1957 are still valid, and there is a reported £41 million yet to be claimed. Premium Bonds cannot be passed on to someone else on the death of the holder. They remain eligible to win prizes for 12 months, but can be cashed in at any time. NS&I also provide a tracing service, not just for Premium Bonds, but for any of their savings and investment products. Should you choose Premium Bonds over traditional savings accounts? The problem with Premium Bonds is that because you are not guaranteed a return on your money, the investment could reduce in value over time due to inflation. Other savings accounts, even though their interest rate may be low, offset this issue a little.
To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk
If you are a higher rate tax payer, you may find investing in Premium Bonds useful if you have already exhausted other tax-free options. People often buy bonds after inheriting money, or sometimes when they need to ‘store’ a lump sum temporarily – a deposit on a property or an inheritance, for example. So in general terms, Premium Bonds should probably not be the first choice for savings – the main attraction for many is the potential chance of a big win. On a lighter note ERNIE has become something of a celebrity over the years. According to NS&I he receives Valentine’s and Christmas cards – possibly from bond holders trying to court favour and influence his decisions? If you do win the £1 million jackpot, don’t expect a cheque through the post. ‘Agent Million’
will call to deliver the news in person. NS&I claim that one Agent Million has informed more than 100 winners of their new millionaire status. Government’s wishes for Premium Bonds Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Harriet Baldwin, explained the government’s goals regarding Premium Bonds, “Our long-term plan is all about supporting savers and boosting working people’s financial security at all stages of life… That’s why we have increased the amount people can invest in premium bonds for the second time in two years.” Although not suitable for savers looking for a guaranteed regular income, Premium Bonds offer a way to boost a nest egg. They hold a special place in the nation’s heart – along with ERNIE of course.
�http://www.moneywise. co.uk/banking-saving/savingsaccounts-isas/premium-bondswhat-you-need-to-know http://www.theguardian.com/ money/2015/may/30/premiumbonds-safe-savings-waste-time http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ finance/personalfinance/ savings/11245455/ How-to-claim-forgottenPremium-Bonds-and-thelast-known-locations-of-thelost-100k-winners.html http://www.nsandi.com/ernie http://www.nsandi.com/do-ihave-any-unclaimed-prizes
Goodrum Carpets
A LOCAL BUSINESS EST. OVER 30 YEARS
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Carpets • Carpet Tiles • Natural Flooring • Vinyls • Insurance Estimates • Remnants CALL NICK FOR A FREE ESTIMATE.
01242 251700 or 07967193966 Please mention Cheltenham Magazine when responding to advertisers
Page 31
The Roses Reopens This September!
The Manfreds
Comic Illustration Workshop
Talon
Plus a capella tribute from 7pm
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (12A)
Tues 29 Sep & Thur 1 Oct
Absolutely Anything (12A)
Steve Ashley
Chris Ramsey
Jethro
Thurs 24 Sep 7.30pm
Sun 27 Sep 7.30pm
Sat 26 Sep 10am - 4pm
Amy (15) Mon 28 Sep 7.30pm
Tues 29 Sep 8.30pm Folk in The Roses’ Bar
Wed 30 Sep 8pm
Tues 29 Sep & Thur 1 Oct
Fri 2 Oct 8pm
Please visit rosestheatre.org to see our full programme of events
Box Office: 01684 295074
Sun Glos. GL20 Registered Charity Number 1051708 PageStreet, 32 To Tewkesbury, advertise call 07939 802 384 or5NX 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk
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CODEWORD Each letter in this puzzle is represented by a number between 1 and 26. The codes for three letters are shown. As you find the letters enter them in the box below.
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Page 33
Around Britain UNESCO World Heritage Sites 1. Bath - Famous for being the site of the only naturally hot spring in Britain, Bath was granted official city status by Elizabeth I in 1590 and went on to become a popular resort in the Georgian era, the period from which many of the city’s most beautiful buildings originate. The City of Bath was appointed a World Heritage Site in 1987. 2. Durham - Situated on a bend of the river Wear, Durham Cathedral was built to accommodate the remains of St Cuthbert in the late 11th century. Perhaps the largest Norman structure still standing in Britain, together with nearby Durham Castle it was appointed a World Heritage Site in 1986. 3. The Giant’s Causeway, Co Antrim - One of the UK’s four natural World Heritage Sites, The Giant’s Causeway was officially appointed in 1986. Comprising 40,000 interlocking columns of basalt, formed by an ancient volcanic eruption millions of years ago, according to legend the causeway was built by the giant Finn McCool in an attempt to cross to Scotland. 4. Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire - One of the most famous symbols of the Industrial Revolution, Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire was made a World Heritage Site in 1986. The bridge from which the gorge takes its name was completed in 1779, and is thought to be the first iron bridge anywhere in the world. 5. Saltaire, West Yorkshire - Built by the industrialist Sir Titus Salt for his workforce in 1853, the Yorkshire village of Saltaire was appointed a World Heritage Site in 2001. An outstanding example of Victorian philanthropy, Salt built houses, schools, bathhouses and a hospital for his workers, as well as providing them with a library, a concert hall and a gymnasium. © Taken from The British Isles: A Trivia Gazetteer by Paul Anthony Jones
Starts and Ends 1. What is the only capital city in the world that begins with the letter “i”? 2. Which TV show was often ended by Nick Ross encouraging viewers not to have nightmares? 3. If a game of football begins with a “kick-off”, which sport begins with a “ball-up”? 4. Of the 118 identified chemical elements, 85 have that a name that ends in what letter? 5. What is the more typical ending for a letter that begins “Dear Sir or Madam”?... “Yours sincerely” or “Yours faithfully”? 6. Which song by U2 starts with Bono counting in Spanish “unos, dos, tres, catorce”, numbers that translate as “one, two, three, fourteen”? 7. Which famous film ends with the line “it was beauty killed the beast”? 8. Which two signs of the zodiac share the same five letter ending? 9. Which is the only Beatles hit single with a title that starts and ends with the same letter? 10. Which two cities were the original endpoints of the Orient Express? Page 34
To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk
Back to School It doesn’t matter what your age, September always signifies back to school. New uniforms have been bought, exercise books have been packed, and the summer is well and truly over. It’s time to knuckle down and get on with reading your set texts for the term. We’ve picked out a selection of the best books about school. You’ll be straight back into the classroom before the bell has rung. Looking for Alaska - John Green Fitting in at a new school is never easy, but Miles Halter’s life is transformed the day he starts at Culver Creek Boarding School and meets the eponymous Alaska Young. She’s beautiful and smart and funny and incredibly sexy, thinks Miles. He’s a smitten kitten but she is more than just a little bit complicated and confused. First comes love and then comes tragedy - and we’d expect nothing less from the author of the blockbusting ‘The Fault in Our Stars’, John Green. How will Miles cope with life on a rollercoaster ride? It’s a really funny book and like your first love, will stay in your heart for a long time. Goodbye, Mr Chips - James Hilton As the students move through the years and eventually leave school, there are some masters and mistresses who live out their days in the same establishment; the school becoming as much a part of their lives as their own family. Mr Chipping or ‘Mr Chips’ teaches classics at Brookfield School and is something of an institution. The kids think classics and Latin are antiquated subjects, and that their master has perhaps ‘had his chips’, but he perseveres as a staunch believer in discipline and education. Time does move Mr Chips on though, as he falls in love with the young and challenging Katherine and worries about the world that lies beyond Brookfield as times change and life continues.
I’d Tell You I Love You, but Then I’d Have to Kill You - Ally Carter The Gallagher Academy sets itself apart as being for ‘exceptional women’ and the high achievers among us. It’s actually a school for future spies. Here the young ladies learn combat and martial arts, code-deciphering and even have the odd bit of tuition in chemical warfare. Cammie is one such highly-intelligent student who’s being primed for a life in espionage. However, she can’t escape the fact that she’s also just a girl who’s got a bit of a crush on a boy. How does she go about concealing her identity from the one person she might be falling in love with? It could be a case of mission: impossible. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie - Muriel Spark Most people would say that they have one teacher who really sticks in their mind and who had a significant impact on their future. Unconventional and unorthodox schoolmistress Miss Brodie nurtures the highachieving ‘Brodie set’ and has a great influence over her girls, through her charm and her guile. She fills her lessons with personal accounts of her love life, her politics and her unique slant on life and the future of the Brodie set. Miss Jean Brodie has become an iconic literary figure and has been brought to life both on the stage and in film, by Dame Maggie Smith no less. It’s a back to school must.
Stargirl - Jerry Spinelli Another unusual and left-of-centre teenage girl now, in the form of ‘Stargirl Caraway’. She arrives like a little sprinkling of sunshine at Mica High, strumming her ukulele and taking care of her pet rat. Leo Borlock falls head over heels for her and for a while it looks as though everyone at the school has a soft spot for Stargirl. But, teenagers are fickle, and as soon as you’re up they’ll bring you crashing back down to earth again. The one thing that might save Stargirl is the one thing that could also destroy her: Leo thinks she needs to blend in. Can you make someone be ‘normal’? Can you pretend to be something you’re not? This enchanting book celebrates our quirks and eccentricities and should be read by everyone- whether their ‘freak flag’ is flying, or it’s hidden. The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger Holden Caulfield is cheesed off. The original personification of teenage angst, he narrates a couple of days in his life after being expelled from his stuffy prep school, and generations of adults take him into their stilladolescent hearts. The fact that, to this day, it remains on banned book lists should give you some indication of the power of this antiestablishment novel. Teenagers tend to either revere Caulfield, or absolutely detest him and can’t see what his problem is. Either way, it makes for controversial reading, and a great escape from the ‘olds’ who’ll just get on your case.
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WOW - MINI COOPER 3-DOOR HATCH FROM £239 A MONTH WITH JUST £239 DEPOSIT. MINI Select representative example: MINI Cooper 3-door Hatch with PEPPER Pack Term of agreement 49 months 48 monthly payments £239.00 On the road cash price* £16,364.13 Customer deposit £239.00 Retailer contribution £359.93 Total deposit £598.93 Amount of credit £15,765.20 Optional to purchase fee^ £1.00 Optional final payment^ £6,637.14 Total amount payable £18,709.07 Rate of interest 5.2% fixed Representative 5.2% APR
AND MINI COOPER 5-DOOR HATCH FROM £249 A MONTH WITH JUST £249 DEPOSIT. MINI Select representative example: MINI Cooper 5-door Hatch with PEPPER Pack Term of agreement 48 monthly payments On the road cash price* Customer deposit Retailer contribution Total deposit Amount of credit Optional to purchase fee^ Optional final payment^ Total amount payable Rate of interest
49 months £249.00 £16,964.13 £249.00 £215.24 £464.24 £16,499.89 £1.00 £7,007.10 £19,424.34 5.2% fixed 5.2% APR
For your MINI wow factor and more information call by and see our MINI Specialists.
COTSWOLD CHELTENHAM
Tewkesbury Road,Cheltenham GL51 9SG 01242 587029 www.cotswoldcheltenhammini.co.uk
COTSWOLD GLOUCESTER Cole Avenue, Gloucester GL2 5ER 01452 872626 www.cotswoldgloucestermini.co.uk
Official Fuel Economy Figures for the MINI Hatch Range: Urban 36.7-64.2 mpg (7.7-4.4 l/100km). Extra Urban 58.9-88.3 mpg (4.8-3.2 l/100km). Combined 47.9-78.5 mpg (5.9-3.6 l/100km). CO2 Emissions 136-95 g/km. Cotswold Motor Group is a credit broker and not a lender. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions. Finance examples are for MINI Select agreements for a MINI Cooper 3-door Hatch with PEPPER Pack and a contract mileage of 32,666 miles and excess mileage charge of 4.33p per mile; and a MINI Cooper 5-door Hatch with PEPPER Pack and a contract mileage of 32,666 miles and excess mileage charge of 4.55p per mile. Applies to new vehicles ordered between 21 August and 30 September 2015 and registered by 31 December 2015 (subject to availability). Retail customers only. *On the road cash price includes 3 year MINI Retailer Warranty, MINI Emergency Service, 12 months’ road fund licence, vehicle first registration fee, delivery, number plates and VAT. ^Option to purchase fee and optional final payment payable at the end of the agreement if you decide to purchase the vehicle. Excess mileage charges and vehicle condition charges may be payable if you return the vehicle. All prices are correct at time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Retail customers only. Finance is subject to status and available subject to over 18s in the UK (not The Channel Islands or The Isle of Man). Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Advertised finance is provided by MINI Financial Services, Bartley Way, Hook, Hampshire RG27 9UF. You will have a 14 day statutory right to withdraw from the agreement. Cotswold Motor Group trading as Cotswold Cheltenham and Cotswold Gloucester commonly introduce customers to MINI Financial Services. This introduction does not amount to independent financial advice. Pictures may include options not included in finance examples.
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To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.cheltenham-magazine.co.uk
There’s Life in the “Old-Cog” Yet. Iain Betson suggests rock-oil* still rolls. I’m not convinced electric cars are all they are made out to be. I don’t believe the hype about “zero emissions” - that an electric car is somehow non-damaging to the environment because there’s no CO2 emitted. Well, unless it’s charged up with fairy-dust, where’s the electricity coming from? Over 75% of the UK’s electricity is fossil fuel generated. In essence, electric cars push their emissions down the energy generation chain and add to the load on the grid too. Then there’s the problem of limited range. Batteries are the Achilles heel of the electric car. Consider your phone as an example. Ten years ago, Nokia’s 6310 would go about a week between charges. But today’s smartphones need a top-up pretty much daily. Battery technology has lagged
Cheltenham’s parks amongst the best in the country Montpellier Gardens, Hatherley Park, Naunton Park and Springfields Park are amongst the best in the country – and that’s official. All four parks have retained their Green Flag status which shows to visitors that they are well maintained and well managed, with excellent facilities. The judging took place in June and the results were announced at the end of July. To achieve the status of a Green Flag, the judges score each park under key areas which include: a welcoming place; clean and well maintained;
behind electronics, and will continue to do so. Of course, burning oil has issues. We all know that, but consider the amount of energy stored in the petrol tank of an average saloon. It’s simply huge. That’s why the internal combustion engine has lasted so long and, with continuous development, will continue. Within 5 years of the government introducing road tax based on CO2 emissions, manufacturers had introduced engines that produced the same, or sometimes more, power yet produced less CO2. In fact, per vehicle, income from road tax has dropped each year as a result. Here’s another pointer to the efficiency of modern engines. Bentley’s L series engine has been produced since 1959. In that time, it has been continuously developed, to the point that the current version will run on the emissions of the original. Like it or not, the internal combustion engine will still keep us rolling for a while yet. *The word petroleum comes from the Latin petra, meaning ‘rock’ and oleum, meaning ‘oil’.
sustainability; conservation and heritage; and community involvement. On top of this Hatherley Park was also nominated for the Bees Needs ‘Champion of Champions’ Awards. These awards form part of the Green Flag awards for 2015 for recognition of efforts to help save the endangered bee population. This is the first time Hatherely Park has been nominated for this award with 25 other organisations also nominated. Janice Peacey, community ranger, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to retain our green flag award for the four parks and gardens from Keep Britain Tidy. We’re delighted that our residents are able to benefit from green space of the very highest quality. We’re also pleased that Hatherley Park was nominated for the Bees Needs ‘Champion of Champions’
Awards. Although we did not win this time it is still great to be nominated along with the 25 other organisations.” Councillor Chris Coleman, cabinet member for clean and green environment, added: “This award represents the hard work and dedication of council staff, volunteers, community groups and local residents. These parks are fantastic places to enjoy and I’m very pleased that we have retained the Green Flag status for them.” For more information on the Green Flag Awards visit their website: www.greenflagaward.org.uk
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Pictograms 4 words
. . . .
NO ON NO NO
2 words
MARATHON 3 words
B R I TAB You have two minutes to find all the words of three or more letters that can be made from the letters above. Plurals are allowed, proper nouns are not. The 6 letter word will always be just a normal everyday word.
3 letters: 11 4 letters: 3 5 letters: 1 6 letters: 1
Puzzle & Crossword Solutions Mini Cryptic Solution
Starts and Ends Quiz
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1. Islamabad (capital of Pakistan) 2. Crimewatch 3. Australian Rules Football 4. M 5. Yours faithfully 6. Vertigo 7. King Kong 8. Aquarius and Sagittarius 9. Yesterday 10. Paris and Istanbul
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Pictograms 1. Point Of No Return 2. Half Marathon 3. Cut It Out
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What's On in Sept/Oct Katherine Parr Day Saturday 5th September, 10am Sudeley Castle & Gardens, Winchcombe, GL54 5JD
11.45am, Alex will officially open the newly resurfaced Clay Courts. Tom has been selected to represent Great Britain at the INAS 2015 Games in Ecuador for disability tennis, this September. Join Alex and Tom and, for a small donation to help with Tom’s training towards the Games, challenge them to a game of doubles! Refreshments available from East Glos cafe and Grand Raffle with great prizes. Open Garden for NGS Sunday 6th September, 2pm - 5pm, Stanway Fountain & Water Garden, near Winchcombe, GL54 5PQ Interesting and picturesque Baroque water garden. Come and see Britain's highest fountain (300ft) at 2.45pm and 4pm for 30 minutes. Admission: £7, children free. For more information visit: www.stanwayfountain.co.uk
We will be celebrating the life of one of Henry VIII’s wives and former Chatelaine of Sudeley Castle, Katherine Parr. The day will include: Queen Katherine walking through the grounds of the castle in her famous gown, talks from our experienced guides, Gloriana Living History and Tudor Dance Group performances and much more. Please see www.sudeleycastle.co.uk for further information. Bride & Groom Show Sunday 6th September, 11am 3pm, Cheltenham Town Hall Find out everything you need to know to plan your dream wedding. There will be a bridal fashion show at 12 Noon and 2pm. Admission: free. For more information visit: www.brideandgroomshow.com Fundraiser – Alex Chalk challenges Gold Medal Winner Tom Mellor (Exhibition Tennis Match) Sunday 6 September, 10.30am – 11.30am, East Glos Club, Old Bath Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7DF Free event - Alex Chalk MP will be challenging Tom Mellor in this exhibition match at Cheltenham’s East Glos Club. Afterwards, at
Heritage Open Days Thursday 10th - Friday 13th September, Various times & venues An opporunity to visit churches, pubs and other historical buildings around Cheltenham. Enjoy great guided tours, interesting events and activities and soak up local history and culture. For a complete list of events and walks and for further information visit: www.heritageopendays.org.uk. Don’t miss out on this unique chance to explore places you have never seen before. Sue Ryder – Leckhampton Court Autumn Fayre Saturday 12th September, 11am - 4pm, Leckhampton Court Hospice Grounds, Church Road, Leckhampton, GL53 0QJ A great day out for all the family whilst helping us to raise much-needed funds to ensure excellent care for the people of Gloucestershire. You can enjoy live music and dance displays from special guests, face painting, extreme kite flying displays and a bouncy castle. Local craft, fashion
and food stalls will also be making an appearance and there will be a raffle with some great prizes to be won. Refreshments will be available including vintage tea, a BBQ and a Pan Asian food stall. Adults £2.50, children go free. Heritage Open Day Sandfork Parks Lido Sat 12th Sept, 11am - 5.30pm, Sandford Parks Lido, Keynsham Rd, Cheltenham, GL53 7PU
Sandford Parks Lido will open its doors as part of the Heritage Open Days weekend, allowing visitors to explore the facility and to access areas not normally accessible by the public. Please note that normal entrance prices apply for using the facility for swimming. Classic Vehicle Day Sunday 13th September Toddington Station car park Classic Vehicle Days present a host of vehicles from days gone by, including selections of cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles and buses. With over 120 exhibits, alongside a number of vintage trains, the day promises to be a great way to reminisce over some beautifully restored machines. Please note that if you only wish to view the classic vehicles but not ride the train, there will still be an entry charge of £3. Anyone purchasing a train ticket has full access to the site. If you would like an entry form to submit your vehicle for the event and for general information, please visit www.gwsr.com. Cheltenham Triathlon Sunday 13th September, 7am 1pm, Sandford Parks Lido,
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events cont'd on p40...
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...events cont'd from p39 Keynsham Rd, Cheltenham, GL53 7PU Fun event open to all abilities of competitors consisting of a 12km cycle, a 2.5km run and a 500m swim. The event raises funds for LINC (Leukaemia Intensive Chemotherapy) and Sandford Lido Limited. All tickets have sold out, please support those who have entered by donating. For more information visit: www. sandfordparkslido.org.uk/e1cheltenham-triathlon.html Wedding Inspiration Day Sun 13th September, 11am - 3pm, Pittville Pump Room, East Approach Drive, Cheltenham, GL52 3JE
and much, much more. For detailed information on train timetables, ticket prices and directions to the various train stations, please visit www.gwsr.com Classic Car Ralley Sunday 20th September, 10am 4pm, Sudeley Castle & Gardens, Winchcombe, GL54 5JD Display of classic cars on the North Lawn, directly in front of Sudeley Castle - a must for every car lover! For more information visit: www.sudeleycastle.co.uk Discover Cancer Research UK Tuesday 22nd September, Pittville Pump Room Come along to find out more about the lifesaving research, work and funding of Cancer Research UK. To receive your personal invitation to this event, contact Mark Falber on 01934 517104.
transforming audience suggestions into fantastically funny scenes and songs in the blink of an eye. These five young gentlemen hold court like modern day troubadours. Ripples of excitement and delight pass through their audiences as they stroll onto the stage for an hour of pure entertainment. Whether a late night lock in or a charming hour, these boys are not to be missed! Tickets: £14.50. For further information, please visit www.cheltenhamcomedy.com. Howlers At The Hall Wednesday 23rd September, 8.30pm, Cheltenham Town Hall Fun comedy club night with new and established comedians. Admission: £12, Students: £9. For more information visit: www.howlerscomedyclub.co.uk
The Noise Next Door ‘Noise in the Hood’ – Brand New Comedy Tour Tuesday 22nd September, 8pm Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham
Come along to discover the Pump rooms as a wedding venue and meet prestigous local suppliers Admission: free. For more information call 01242 264231. Day out with Thomas Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th September, 9am, Cheltenham Racecourse & Toddington Station GWR offer the opportunity to ride with Thomas and all his friends in this action packed, fun family event. Trains will run regularly throughout the day from Toddington (from 09:30) and the Cheltenham Racecourse (from 09:45). When you want to take a break from riding with Thomas and friends there are a whole host of other activities you can get stuck into including: meeting and listening to story re-enactments with the the Fat Controller, face painting, a Punch and Judy show, a magic show Page 40
Cheltenham kick starts the Noise’s third National Tour as they split sides and break even more hearts with their parade of sharp suits, catchy songs, quick-fire wit, enviable rapport, banter and stories. They have been performing their own distinctive brand of off-the-cuff comedy since they met at university eight years ago. With absolutely no script, they have an uncanny knack of
Cheltenham Concert Series Friday 25th September, 7.30pm, Cheltenham Town Hall The internationally renowned Basel Symphony Orchestra will come to the Town Hall to perform a ballet score composed by the French group 'Les Six', Mozart's Piano Concerto No.21 in C major and Stravinsky's 'The Rite of Spring'. Conductor: Dennis Russell Davies. Ticket prices: £32.50, £27.50, £15 and £12.50. Hal Cruttenden: Straight Outta Cruttenden Friday 25th September, 8pm Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham The hugely talented Hal Cruttenden graces Cheltenham with ‘Straight Outta Cruttenden’, his first new show since the critically acclaimed ‘Tough Luvvie’.
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working in the UK today and has toured extensively around the globe. He recently appeared on the new BBC 1 series ‘The John Bishop Show’ and has two other shows currently in development. He also had two Radio 4 series in the past year and has a third in the pipeline. Tickets: £16.50. For further information, please see www.cheltenhamcomedy.com
Hal will be ranting about the real evils of the modern world - over sharing on social media and the 5:2 diet. The hungrier he gets the funnier he becomes. Hal also gives us his unique insights on being an orphan on Facebook, taking his wife to Saudi Arabia and how he knew George Osbourne at school (or Gideon as he was then) and personally blames him every time he puts up the price of petrol. Hal is one of the top comedians
106.2 - 107 - 107.8 FM
Pedal for Maggie’s Saturday 26th September, Start and finish is at Maggie’s Cheltenham Annual bike ride in support of Maggie's. 42 miles cycle through beautiful Cotswold countryside. The event is open to all levels of cyclists who are over 14 years of age and have a reasonable level of fitness. You can register online. There is a £20 registration fee (£25 if you register on the day). Fundraising is not compulsory but anything you raise in sponsorship will help Maggie's to continue to offer support for people affected by
cancer. For more information please contact Maggie’s Cheltenham on 01242 250611, email cheltenham@maggiescentres.org or drop into the Centre and speak to a member of staff. Coffee with Cobalt Saturday 26th September, 10am - 12 Noon, Linton House, Thirlestaine Road, Cheltenham
Enjoy a cuppa and some delicious homemade cake. We're launching our Cobalt Christmas cards for 2015 and there will be lots to see, including various local craft stalls - you may even take home a lovely prize from our raffle.Parking available and everyone welcome we hope to see you there!
events cont'd on p42...
Mon-Friday
6am-10am Paul Ellery 10am-3pm Shaun Tilley 3pm-7pm Mark Edwards (Fridays Only) 7pm-10pm Friday Night Floorfillers Mark Baker
Saturday
7am-10am Mark Edwards 10am-2pm All Request Saturday Gregg Upwards 2pm-6pm Mark Baker 6pm-8pm 70's Heaven Shaun Tilley 10Pm-1Am Dancing through the decades mick brown
Sunday
6am-10Am Mark Baker 10Am-2Pm Leon Oldman 2Pm-6pm Matt Healey 6pm-10pm 80’s Heaven Shaun Tilley Please mention Cheltenham Magazine when responding to advertisers
Page 41
...events cont'd from p41 Craft Fair Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th September, 10.30am - 4pm Winchcombe station, GL54 5LB Come and see some exquisite locally-made crafts by some of our volunteers. Entry to the fair is free of charge and you can also visit the model railway and the new Discovery coach. If you fancy a hot drink with a slice of cake, the station’s 1950’s style ‘Coffee Pot Café’ is nearby. Charity Celebration Concert Sat 26th Sept, 7.30pm - 9.30pm, Churchdown Community Centre, Parton Road, Churchdown, GL3 2JH 10 years Building Circles in Gloucestershire Celebration with the band of the Gloucestershire Constabulary. Music from the movies, raffle, complimentary food and wine. Tickets: £10. To book call 01242 244998 or email admin@ buildingcirclesglos.org.uk Cheltenham Half Marathon Sunday 27th September
Cobalt are delighted to be chosen as an Affiliate Charity Partner for the Cheltenham Half Marathon this year. If you want to take part, then grab one of our free places, all you have to do is pledge to raise £200 for the charity. Your place will include a Cobalt t-shirt/ running vest, Cobalt sponsorship forms, help with online fundraising and PR support. You'll also feature on our charity website, Facebook and Twitter pages. Don't delay, grab a place today and run for Cobalt. Contact Mary Peterson on 01242 535920 or email mary. peterson@cobalthealth.co.uk to get yours before they're gone! Page 42
Boo Hewerdine Sunday 27th September, 7.45pm, The Tithe Barn, Bishop's Cleeve, Cheltenham Road, GL52 8LU Come and see singer-songwriter and record producer Boo Hewerdine for his debut solo appearance at the Tithe Barn. Tickets: £13. Cheltenham Litertaure Festival Friday 2nd - Sunday 11th October, Imperial Square & Montpellier Gardens Cheltenham will once again host the renowned Literature Festival. Come along to celebrate the world's best writing, meet world stars like Ronnie Wood, Caitlin Moran or Sophie Thompson, and soak in the great atmosphere. There will also be a variety of great events for children to enjoy. Booking for all events strongly recommended. For more information visit: www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/ literature Devil's Aquathlon Sunday 4th October Cheltenham's Sandford Parks Lido will once again play host to the monumental challenge of the Devil's Aquathlon, a tough swimming and running challenge, that starts with a 2km swim in the lido's 50m main pool. The heating to the main pool will be tuned off at the end of the summer season (Sunday 27th September!), so wetsuits are advisable but not necessary. Brave competitors will then run out of the lido and up to the Devil's Chimney on Leckhampton Hill, returning to finish in the lido grounds, a round route of 10km. Last year over 100 competitors turned out to take part on a gloriously sunny day. Why not raise funds for Cobalt whilst you take part? Contact Cobalt's Community Fundraiser, Mary Peterson on 01242 535920 or email mary.peterson@cobalthealth.co.uk to let her know you're registered and to get your sponsorship forms and Cobalt t-shirt. Are you tough enough?
The Devil’s 2k Swim Sunday 4th October, 1pm – 2pm Sandford Parks Lido Taking place in the Lido’s 50m pool, this event is in aid of the Sandford Lido Ltd. Charity. Entrants to the 2km race must be 17 or over and will take place immediately after the last wave of the ‘Devil’s Aquathalon’. For further information about entering, please see www.sandfordparkslido.org.uk. Macmillan Lido Challenge Sunday 4th October 2pm – 6pm Sandford Parks Lido The day of swimming challenges at the Lido concludes with the Macmillan Lido Challenge. Every penny you raise in this 2km, cold water event will help us to ensure no one faces cancer alone. Entry forms and further details available at www.sandfordparkslido. org.uk and www.macmillan.org.uk. Dean Friedman Sunday 4th October, 7.45pm The Tithe Barn, Bishop's Cleeve Singer-songwriter legend Dean Friedman treats us to an evening of some of his finest music. Tickets on sale now - £20, please see www.cleeveconcerts.com for further information. Autumn Diesel Weekend Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th October, time tbc, Cheltenham Racecourse & Toddington Station Another chance to visit our fleet of heritage diesel locomotives. Entry is by ticket only, please see www. gwsr.com for further information. Halloween ‘Steam and Scream’ Special Saturday 31 October, time tbc Cheltenham Racecourse & Toddington Station Dress up in your scariest costume and
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join the ‘Spooky Specials’ to celebrate Halloween in style. Normal ticket prices apply, for more information please visit www.gwsr.com.
Join Winchcombe Business Forum
Los Pacaminos feat. Paul Young Friday 23rd October, 7.45pm The Tithe Barn, Bishops Cleeve Join us for a great night of rocking with hits from ‘The Texas Tornados’ and ‘Ry Cooder’ to ‘Los Lobos’ and ‘Roy Orbison’. The Tithe Barn promises to become a perfect setting for this lively Mexican fest! Tickets £18, please see www.cleeveconcerts. com for further information.
With the dark nights approaching, the thought of winter can be depressing, especially if you live on your own! Volunteering, and doing something different is a great way to meet new people, have a laugh, and to give back to your local community. Winchcombe Business Forum needs to bring more people onto the committee for us to be able to support the local business community, but in order to do that we need more volunteers. If we have more help, we can encourage more people to join us, if we have more members, we can run more workshops, and events, invest in the www.winchcombe. co.uk website and social media, and be truly sustainable. We need a new treasurer by the end of the year, and are always looking for marketing support. With or without these skills, the Forum is always welcoming and really values your feedback and input to make sure we deliver the needs of the local business community. There is also other more practical help that we need, tasks like putting up Christmas trees and banners in the streets. So do contact us with your thoughts, and if you are interested in learning more about us, please give me a ring on 07870632093 or email us via the website – or just turn up to our next event!
Cheltenham German Beerfest Saturday 31 October, 5pm – 11pm, Cheltenham Town Hall
A traditional German beer festival comes to the Cheltenham Town Hall, complete with live ompha music, singers, authentic steins of German ale, sausages and pretzels. A great night out for all at only £12pp. Tickets available in advance from www.beerfestuk.com.
LOCAL MARKETS Cheltenham Arts & Craft Market Saturdays 9am - 5pm, Pedestrianised area of the Promenade, outside Cavendish House. Dates for 2015: September 19th, October 17th, November 21st, December 19th & 20th. Cheltenham’s Farmers’ Market Every second and last Friday of each month, 9am - 2pm Pedestrianised area of the Promenade, outside Cavendish House A great opportunity to sample and buy locally grown and made produce from Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds.
Come along to one of our networking events Business over Breakfast, Rising Sun Hotel: 23/9, 7/10, 21/10, 4/11, 18/11, 2/12, 16/12 Business over Brunch, Wesley House: 17/9, 15/10, 19/11, 17/12 WWiB Meetings: Meet for coffee in Food Fanatics at 5.30pm, the meeting starts at 6pm prompt and lasts for one hour. Join us for a chat at our social meetings. Location is shared by email prior to meeting or visit our Facebook page. September 2nd Food Fanatics October 7th Social November 4th Food Fanatics December 2nd Social For more information visit
www.winchcombe.co.uk
- by Claire Thayers
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Health Sitting Comfortably? It Could Be Killing You. By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk
Even if you exercise regularly, too much sitting could significantly shorten your life. With employment and entertainment becoming ever more sedentary, sitting down for hours is the norm for many of us. But in the last decade, research has increasingly proved that prolonged sitting is a health risk in itself, regardless of how much or how little exercise we do, and can cause irreversible damage. Disturbing rEsEarch A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2008 estimated that for every hour we sit watching TV after the age of 25, our life expectancy decreases by 21.8 minutes, while a 2012 study in the Lancet estimated that inactivity causes 9% of premature deaths. So how does sitting shorten life expectancy? Recent studies showed a 147% increase in the incidence of cardiovascular events (incidents causing heart muscle damage) and a 112% increase in diabetes risk amongst those spending longest sitting, Page 44
compared to those who sat least. Inactivity is known to increase breast and colon cancer risk too - and unsurprisingly, obesity. James Levine, Director of the Mayo Clinic-Arizona State University Obesity Solutions Initiative, has said he believes sitting is more dangerous than smoking. “We are sitting ourselves to death.” We know prolonged inactivity results in decreased bone density, and evidence now shows it reduces the action of enzymes that maintain healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Some experts have suggested the effects of prolonged sitting may partially resemble those of zero gravity, causing the accelerated ageing, bone and muscle loss that occurs in astronauts. Unfortunately, exercise sessions aren’t a “cure for too much sitting,” explains Professor Marc Hamilton, from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, in Men’s Health. “The average person could never do enough to counteract the effect of hours and hours of chair time.” tackling thE ProblEm A moderately active lifestyle which includes housework, walking or gardening is ideal. Take regular active breaks from seated activities like reading and watching TV: mop the floor, take a quick walk, or do a few minutes of ‘step’ (an exercise step isn’t required. Stairs will
do). You could also consider: • Reducing your sitting time by standing on public transport, walking or biking to the station, or getting off the bus earlier. • Standing or walking while on the phone. • A standing desk, a desk that converts between sitting and standing, or a unit that converts your normal desk to a standing one. • A treadmill desk (or attach a bracket or stand to your treadmill). • Sitting on a yoga ball; your core muscles will be used constantly to retain balance. • Walking or organising a sporting activity at lunchtime. • Active Sitting. It won’t replace standing or walking, but makes sitting healthier. Try raising your heels up and down; contracting your stomach muscles; raising and lower your lower leg from knee height or whole leg from hip height; swivelling your office chair using just your hips; tensing, stretching and bending your arms; rolling your shoulders. • Using the Pomodoro Technique, described here: http://pomodorotechnique. com/. This time management technique inserts regular breaks – that’s the time to get active. So next time you’re about to start something, stop. Does it have to be done sitting down? If not, then don’t sit! Bear in mind, though, that constant standing isn’t ideal either. Experts recommend aiming for a 50/50 split between sitting and activity.
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Cheltenham Useful Numbers DOCTORS SURGERIES
COUNCIL
Leckhampton Surgery
01242 539080
Underwood Surgery
01242 580644
UTILITIES
01242 215020
Gas Emergency
Springbank Surgery Overton Park Surgery
The Portland Practice Yorkleigh Surgery
The Royal Crescent Surgery St Georges Surgery Sixways Clinic
Seven Posts Surgery
HOSPITALS
01242 234306
Electricty -足Power Loss
0800 365 900
01242 519049
Water Leaks
0800 169 1144
01242 215015
HELPLINES
01242 580248 08444 772551 01242 246549 0300 422 2222
Cheltenham General
0300 422 2222
Charlton Lane Hospital
LIBRARIES
01242 802897 01242 634100
Cheltenham Library
0845 2305420
Prestbury Library
0845 2305420
Hesters Way Library Upper Hatherley Library
01242 262626
01242 580511
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital Nuffield Health Hospital
Cheltenham Borough Council
0845 2305420
Water Severn Trent
0800 111 999
0800 783 4444
Alcoholics Anonymous 0845 769 7555 Search & Rescue Team 01242 519470 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
0845 2305420
POST OFFICES
Cheltenham Post Office 08457 223344 Bath Road Post Office, 170 Bath Road, GL53 7NF Charlton Kings, Budgens, 12 Lyefield Rd. W, GL53 8EZ Hesters Way, 8 - 10 Hesters Way Road, GL51 0DA Prestbury, 6 High Street, Prestbury, GL52 3AS 107 Salisbury Avenue, Warden Hill, GL51 3DA Shurdington, 2 Yarnolds, Shurdington, GL51 4SH
EMERGENCY NUMBERS Ambulance (Emergency Only)
999
Fire (Emergency Only)
999
Police (Emergency Only)
999
Gas Emergency
Police (non-emergency) NHS Direct
0800 111 999 101 111
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 Train Information
01242 544120 08457 484950
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advertisers index Accounting & Bookkeeping Cheltenham Tax Accountants 27 Aerials & Satellites Digital TV & Satellite Systems 18 Airport Transfers & Taxis AJH Chauffeurs 4 Architects hookmason architects 8 Boat Moorings The Old Rectory 10 Building, Maintenance, Repair, Carpentry & Handyman Services, Painters & Decorators Cakebridge Home Improvements 20 Dave Dowell 18 Matthew Moore General Building 13 Business & Technology Audio & Video Conversion 20 Building Supplies Staverton Building Supplies 3 Carpets & Flooring Carpets Direct 17 Goodrum Carpets 31 Storey Carpets 2 Ceramics Ceramic Centre Cheltenham 17 Charities & Community Building Circles 28 Classes Monkey Music 22 Electrical Services Flexitest Ltd 27 Pro Electrical 20
Entertainment / Theatre Sunshine Radio 41 Roses Theatre 32 Events Charity Celebration Concert 27 Charity Quiz Night 10 Food & Drink Brockmore Farm Shop 7 Crete Trading 28 Wiltshire Farm Foods back page Funeral Directories Alexander Burn 24 Furniture Country Garden Centre 23 Garden Centres Country Garden Centre 23 Gardens & Landscaping Edward Price 22 Jim's Mowing 17 Park Street Garden Services 13 Tree Shop Ltd 27 Guttering Severn Guttering Services 17 Hypnotherapy Advance Practice 4 Interior Design Bella's Interior 17 Motoring, MOT’s & Vehicle Sales Cotswold Mini 36 Exhaust, Tyres & Batteries 6 Morgan Auto Services 13 Pets Echo Dogz 15
Advertising Rates start from only Sixteenth Page £28 Eighth Page £40 Quarter Page £64 Half Page £110 Full Page £195 Per month & excl vat
Photography Mouse About Town 31 Plumbing, Heating & Boiler Services Johnston Scotia 25 MJ Taylor 8 Panda Heating 2 Paul's Plumbing 23 Removals Swift Removals & Storage 24 Roofing LCM Flat Roofing 17 Premier Building Systems 2 Shopping Brockmore Farm Shop 7 Sports Clubs Cheltenham Tigers 47 Prestbury Panthers Netball Club 29 Storage Swift Removals & Storage 24 Television Aerials & Satellites Digital TV & Satellite Systems 18 Vacancies HPS TR Ltd 6 Windows, Doors & Conservatories G2S Group 11 Cloudy 2 Clear
Homestyle Clear Vision
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24 18 20
QBD Ltd 33
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Range
Introducing our Nutritious & New Delicious range. Low on calories, salt and fat. Big on taste.
wiltshirefarmfoods.com
01242 820 764
To order your FREE brochure, call your local team today on
Our new Nutritious & Delicious frozen meals help you to eat well, without the faff of cooking. With free delivery to your door and ready to eat in minutes, each meal offers a low fat, low salt option that’s under 400 calories, a good source of protein and contributes to your 5 a day. And we’ve done it without compromising on the flavour. 24 years of great service Main meals from £2.95