Forest of Dean Magazine January17

FOREST OF DEAN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE January 2017

www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

FREE

January What‘s On Guide

Recipe

Squash & Spinach Lasagne

Gardening

Local News Local Businesses

by Pippa Greenwood

Home & Interiors

Martin Lewis MONEY SINS

by Katherine Sorrell

Estuary Oils Your Leading Fuels & Lubricants Supplier

Estuary Oils

Andrew Mould Managing Director

Blueboy Carpets Ltd

Mob: 0788 7777 752 Email: andrew@estuaryoils.com Web: www.estuaryoils.com

CARPETS, RUGS, VINYL & WOOD FLOORING

at excellent prices

01594 836926

www.blueboycarpetsltd.co.uk

Estuary Oils Caldicot: 01291 422 656 Cardiff: 02920 887 973

YourForest Leadingof Fuels & Lubricants Dean: 01594 Supplier 825 130

Estuary Oils

Head Office:

Andrew Mould Unit 57D Symondscliffe Way

Managing Director Severn Bridge Ind Est, Caldicot, NP26 5PW

www.twocan.estate

Mob: 0788 7777 752 Email: andrew@estuaryoils.com Web: www.estuaryoils.com Head Office:

Unit 57D Symondscliffe Way

Caldicot: 01291 422 656 Cardiff: 02920 887 973 Forest of Dean: 01594 825 130

Import Furniture Depot

N E E P R O O T W S O NE IN 2 577006 E R O L T B S A NHAMVAIL el: 0124

A50 3HQ E T L W E O H N C L NEW ANChEStreet G

FIN Hig 0a% t 272-274

T

2000 Square Foot Showroom

Stores inCheltenham Cheltenham &&levels Gloucester 2000 Square Footstock Showroom Gloucester Filled with Stores oak and pineinfurniture, massive in living room, bedroom, Filled with oak and pine furniture, massive stock levels Filled with oak and pine furniture, massive stock levels living room, bedroom, dining room and occasional furniture. Lots of chairs to choose from inininaliving wideroom, varietybedroom, of fabrics and styles dining room and occasional furniture.

Lots of chairs to choose from in a wide variety styles -dining room and occasional furniture.

Lots of chairs to choose from in a wide variety offabrics fabrics and styles tables in many different sizes too. All with very quick delivery times - normally within 7 of days fromand placing order tables tablesininmany manydifferent differentsizes sizestoo. too.All Allwith withvery veryquick quickdelivery deliverytimes times--normally normallywithin within77days daysfrom fromplacing placingorder order Still time for Pre-Christmas Delivery!

Still time for Pre-Christmas Living Room Ranges Delivery!

Living Room Ranges Living DiningRoom RoomRanges Ranges Dining Room Ranges Dining Room Ranges BedroomRanges Ranges Bedroom Bedroom Ranges OccasionalFurniture Furniture Occasional Occasional Furniture

Our Prices Our Prices OurBePrices Can’t Can’t Be Beaten Can’t BeBeaten Beaten Probably the Probably Probably the cheapest cheapest inthe the cheapest in the inCounty! the County!

County!

Fantastic prices on fabulous Fantastic prices on our our fabulous Fantastic prices on our fabulous ranges of original furniture ranges of original furniture ranges of original furniture We pride ourselves on providing quality furniture with a difference.

2000 sqranges ftquality showroom We pride ourselves onfine providing furniture with afor difference.

We source all our at the very best prices our

We all ouronfine ranges quality at the very bestand prices Wecustomers pridesource ourselves providing furniture withtake afor difference. throughout Gloucestershire - come aour look customers - come and takefora look our We sourcethroughout all ourour fineGloucestershire rangesshowrooms at the very best prices superb today inside inside our superb showrooms today customers throughout Gloucestershire - come and take a look inside our superb showrooms in Cheltenham or Gloucester today

www.importfurnituredepot.co.uk www.importfurnituredepot.co.uk www.importfurnituredepot.co.uk 4 - TEWKESBURY DIRECT

Page 2

272 - 274 High Westgate RetailStreet Park (Opposite the Brewery) Westgate Retail Park (Opposite Dunelm Mill) (Opposite Dunelm Cheltenham, GL50Mill) 3HQ Gloucester GL1 2RU (Opposite Dunelm Mill) Tel: 01242GL1 577006 Gloucester 2RU

Tel: 01452GL1 524545 Gloucester 2RU

Mon Mon-Sat - Sat 9.30am - 5.30pm 9.30am-5.30pm Sun 11.00am 272-274 High- 4.00pm Street Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm Sun 11.00am-4.00pm Sun 11.00am-4.00pm Cheltenham GL50 3HQ

Westgate Retail Park

(Opposite 01242Dunelm) 577006 Tel:Tel: 01452 524545 Tel: 01452 524545 Gloucester, GL1 2RU Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm

Sun01452 11.00am-4.00pm Tel: 524545

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 3

Help when you need it...

• 24 hour emergency monitoring service • Help you or a loved one maintain independence and improve quality of life Recently discharged from hospital?

Taken a trip or fall?

Forest Linkline can help.

A simple push of a button will activate a call to our monitoring centre and help will be on its way!

Supra C500 KeySafe™ Forest Linkline monitoring service can be used in conjunction with Supra C500 KeySafe™, providing secure external storage for keys and allows immediate access to your property by the emergency services to ensure your safety and well-being.

Additional benefits include: • Store keys when out jogging • Safe storage for children’s house keys • Safe place for self-catering properties to leave key for visitors • Passcode can be changed as required • The first police approved KeySafe™ • 4096 possible combination codes

Call us today 01594 812505 @Forest_Linkline Page 4

Forest Linkline

www.forestlinkline.co.uk To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

From the Editor

Local Magazines Published

by Glos Directories - connecting local businesses with local people

Dear Reader, Here's hoping you had a wonderful Christmas and I hope you have been able to take some time out to relax and enjoy the festive season with family and friends.

I would like to thank all our readers for supporting the local businesses that have advertised with us in 2016.

If you have made some New Year’s Resolutions for 2017, I hope they last longer than mine! However, I'm feeling quite motivated right now and I'm convinced that 2017 will be the year where I really get fit, eat more healthily and have a major declutter. Yes, I received the KonMari book for Christmas...!

Our monthly articles are always a great read and there are lots of puzzles for you to enjoy over the last few days of the holidays, so grab a cup of tea and that last slice of Christmas cake and sit back with your January issue of the magazine.

Happy New Year from all of us at The Forest of Dean Magazine!

Best wishes, Vicky Muller

- Editor

Please like us on Facebook.com/ForestofDeanMagazine Follow us on Twitter @ForestMagazine

Tel: 01594 806 555

Local: community@forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk Advertising: office@glosdirectories.co.uk Website: www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

Tel: 01594 806 555

www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

Request a price list online or call to book your space in Aug/Sept Magazine Page 5

Book now to be included in the next Issue and grow your business locally.

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Take thyme to enjoy your winter garden

This is usually the coldest time of year and some of us do not like to work outside in the cold weather. However, winter is a wonderful time to enjoy your garden.

While these are the darkest days of the year, you can take comfort in the fact that spring is just around the corner. This is a good time to prune overgrown, neglected or congested shrubs and climbers. Remove any old wood and cut them back quite hard. Also open the middles of the shrubs to let air through.

Another more cautious approach is to cut back only half to a third of the stems. If they recover well, cut back the remainder the same time next year.

Clematis plants (group 3), which flower from summertime onwards, need to be pruned quite hard now – shorten all stems to about 6-12 inches off the ground.

Taking root cuttings is an excellent way of increasing stocks of various hardy perennials; the best time to do this is when the plants are fully dormant. Dig up the established plants, wash the roots free of soil and cut off the thicker healthy roots close to the crown. Replant the parent plant and pot the root cuttings in 5 inch pots.

If you have a kitchen garden, then this is an excellent time to improve the ground. Add lime to any vegetable plots as this can increase the yield of your vegetables.

You can also force any established rhubarb plants to gain early stems.

January is an ideal time to clean your greenhouse, if you haven’t already done so.

On a mild day, use disinfectant to scrub down the greenhouse structure, benches and paths and don’t forget to wash all your pots.

Also cut back any dead growth on perennials at this time of year, in order to allow new growth to develop and remember to keep off the soil if the ground is frozen or waterlogged.

Plants to enjoy this month: Shrubs - Daphne mezereum, Garrya elliptica, Holly, Mahonia, Viburnum, Climber plants, Winter jasmine and perennials - Helleborus niger and Iris reticulata.

The Garden Lady 01594 541118 or 07767 690009

Catherine will take you on an inspirational journey.

My purpose in life is to create landscape magic, to share that passion for beautiful gardens with as many people as possible, to have fun and to achieve success.

The business involves garden care & conservancy for clients in many different situations - from busy professionals to elderly people. I am a sole trader, and have been working for myself for 24 years.

I cover the Forest of Dean area, Gloucestershire, Monmouth & Ross-on-Wye. I am also a professional speaker who talks to small groups and clubs.

Small or large areas • Practical garden ideas & help • Design consultation • Planning advice • Planting & plant care • Pruning and maintenance The right garden has a beneficial effect, is an oasis of calm and a home in the natural world to make you feel good.

The Haven, Hart Lane, Ruardean, GL17 9UT mail2@thegardenlady.me.uk

www.thegardenlady.me.uk

Carers Drop-In Do you look after someone who is frail, ill or DisableD? Then you may like to meet with other carers to share stories, swap coping ideas, gain helpful information and relax over a cuppa.

Come and join us on the 3rd Thursday each month between 10.30am and 12.00pm At: The Community Lounge Two Rivers Housing Western Way Dymock Next meeting date

19th January

If you need help with or advice on your garden, For more information contact Roger Hare at please give me a call on 01594 541118 or ‘Carers Gloucestershire’ on 01452 872241 or 07767 690009. www.thegardenlady.me.uk email rhare@carersgloucestershire.org.uk.

- Catherine Williams, The Garden Lady Page 6 To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

Boilerfixers Ltd

Suppliers of

Propane & Butane Cylinders

BOILER REPAIR, SERVICING & INSTALLATION

for Domestic Heating and Business Use from 4.5 - 47 kilos

Fixed cost repair or replacement

Call 01452 452053 to book a visit, or to receive FREE ADVICE from SOMEONE WHO KNOWS HEATING

www.boilerfixers.com

Email: boilerfixersinfo@gmail.com

Caravan & Camping Gas incl. GAZ

To order call Malcolm on

01452 762712 or 07973 402982

Compton Green Business Park Redmarley Road, Newent

Gas Safe Registration No. 582922 | Oftec No. 101192

Various Size Units To Let Storage / Distribution / Office Workshops Refurbished and Insulated Premises Do Not Flood Single / Three Phase Electrics

CCTV/HD Cameras On Site

Mobile Ten Tonne Container Loading Ramp - Now Available For more information please phone John Stallard

01531 820568

Everyone Welcome!

Coffee

nt e w e N rt Adve

Chat

and

Every Tuesday

Every Wednesday

10am – 12 noon Gloucester Drop In, Brunswick Road,

10am – 12 noon

and...

Forest of Dean Drop In, The Main place,

Gloucester,

Coleford,

GL1 1HT

Gloucestershire, GL16 8RH

For more information call: 01452 529663

For more information call: 01594 834436

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 7

Gardening Gardening

Fighting Greenwood Fightingthe theFrosts Frosts bybyPippa Pippa Greenwood

put on a bit of new put onSo, a bitthere’s of new growth. growth.

So, there’s definitely a very good definitely a very good reason to brace reason get to brace yourself, out into yourself, into the garden get andout take the garden and take some precautions. some precautions.

Plants in containers Plants in containers are particularly are particularly vulnerable to vulnerable to freezing or frosting or frosting asfreezing their roots are asprotected their roots are not not protected beneath the soil, beneath the soil, but are relatively but are with relatively exposed just exposed with just the container and the container and a bit of compost to a bitthem. of compost cover Thin- to cover them.

Thinwalled containers walled pose the containers greatest pose especially the greatest threat, threat, especially those made of metal.

The frosts are here, and in those made of metal.

The frosts are here, and in Thicker wood or ceramic the weeks ahead the worst Thicker wood or ceramic the weeks ahead the worst pots provide a little extra of the winter is likely to arrive pots provide a little extra of the winter is likely too.

Added to that thereto arrive insulation, but even these insulation, butmore. even Where these too.

Added to that there may need a bit is often a fair bit of rain or may need a bit your more.

Where is often a fair bit of rain or possible, plunge pots even snow at this time of even at this time bypossible, digging aplunge hole inyour the pots soil year, sosnow our gardens canof by placing diggingthe a hole in in the our gardens can and plant itssoil beyear, in forsoquite a battering. and placing the Ifplant in its be in for quite battering. pot into the hole. it is too Now most of theaplants you pot into the hole. it is too Nowinmost the plants heavy to move thenIfwrap grow your of garden are you heavy then wrap grow in fairly your garden are it up welltoinmove several layers probably frost-resistant, it up well in several layers probably fairly frost-resistant, of bubble wrap, polythene but what can you do to bubble wrap, but what you do orofold curtains – it polythene may not ensure thatcan damage toto those or old curtains it may ensure pretty but it’ll– do the not which arethat not damage so hardytoisthose look look pretty but it’ll do which are not so hardy is job. If the container is inthe a kept to a minimum? Some job.prominent If the container is in a kept to a minimum?

Some very position and deterioration may already very prominent position and deterioration may already you want it to look more have occurred, but it is the you want buy it to some look more have occurred, but which it is thehit appealing, hessian last frosts and those appealing, buy some hessian last frosts and those which hit and use lengths of this to the plants in spring that are and use lengths of layer this toto the plants in spring that are likely to be most damaging, create an outermost be most damaging, create an outermost layer to aslikely they to catch plants out hide the insulation material as they catch plants out hide the insulation material when they have already – it can actually end up when they have already – it can actually end up Page 8

looking rather nice! looking rather nice!

If very harsh weather is If very or harsh weather is a forecast there has been forecast or there has been spell of mild weather which a spell of mild weather which may have promoted some may have promoted some soft, new growth that will be soft, new frost growth that will be particularly prone, drape particularly frost prone, drape a double layer of horticultural a double of growth horticultural fleece over layer the top overand the anchor top growth offleece the plants it of the plants and anchorlife it well.

If you want to make well.

If youthen want to make a lot easier invest in life a lotEasy easier then invest in some Fleece Jackets: some Easy Fleece Jackets: they come in three sizes and theyone come sizes and each hasinathree draw-string each oneso has a draw-string and toggle that you can and toggle so that easily insert the plantyou andcan easily insert and then secure it. the Youplant can find then secure it. website You can find out more on my out more on my website www.pippagreenwood.com/ www.pippagreenwood.com/ products/protect-your-crops. products/protect-your-crops.

A double fleece layer can of A double fleece can course be used onlayer plants in of course used on beds andbe borders too,plants or to in beds and borders too, or to protect slightly tender wall protectLarger slightly tender wall shrubs. individual shrubs.

Larger individual plants in borders, which are plants in even borders, too big for the which large are too big for even the fleece jackets, can be large given fleeceterm jackets, can bewith given longer protection a longer termprotective protection‘cage’. with a home-made home-made protective ‘cage’.

Just use four stakes or sturdy Just to use four stakes or sturdy canes create a framework canes to wrap create a framework which you with netting youwire, wrap withfillnetting orwhich chicken then the or chicken thenthe fill the central spacewire, around central around straw the plant withspace dry bracken, plant with dry bracken, straw or leaves. or leaves.

Evergreens in containers Evergreens in containers and in open ground may and in open ground suffer from drought asmay well from drought as well assuffer foliage or stem growth as foliage stem growth – during the or cold weather – during the cold weather

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

they continue to need a fair they continue need a fair amount of waterto and if this is amount of in water and they if this is frozen solid the soil, frozen solid soil, they soon suffer.

Soinitthe is essential suffer.

So it isthese, essential to soon continue to water to continue to water especially if they are inthese, a spot especially if they are in a spot where they are sheltered where arerain sheltered from a lotthey of the which from a lot of the rain which does fall, or if the weather does fall, or A if deep the weather has been dry. mulch has been dry.

A mulch applied to the soil deep or compost applied to thethe soilground or compost surface before surface frosted before the becomes will ground help too. becomes frosted will help too.

Once frozen, soil moisture Once frozen, soil moisture becomes unavailable, so this becomes unavailable, so this mulch will help to keep the mulch will help to keep the water available. water available.

Although most fruit trees Although fruit trees - like applesmost and pears, - like apples and pears, cherries and plums - are cherries - are hardy, theyand are plums also prone they aremain also risk prone to hardy, damage.

The is to damage.

The main risk is to newly-opened blossom, to newly-opened blossom, though the buds themselves though the buds themselves may be damaged too, with may be damaged too, with

late frosts being the most late frosts harmful as bybeing then the the most buds harmful by then the buds are furtheras developed.

If you are further developed.

If you are planting new fruit plants, are planting plants, it really pays tonew buyfruit them it really pays tonursery buy them from a specialist from nursery and try atospecialist get late-flowering and trywhere to get possible, late-flowering varieties possible, asvarieties they arewhere less likely to be as they when are less likely to be flowering there is still a flowering when there is still a risk of frost. risk of frost.

Finally, don’t forget to use Finally, don’t forget to use fleece to cover any seeds fleece to cover any seedsA already sown out of doors. already sown out of doors. A double layer of well-anchored double of well-anchored fleece or alayer fleece-covered fleeceEasyTunnel or a fleece-covered pull-out is quick pull-out EasyTunnel quick and easy to install, andiswill andtoeasy to install, and will help provide protection help tobit provide protection and that of extra warmth and that bit of extra for germinating seeds warmth and forseedlings germinating seeds any brave (or and any seedlings brave (or foolhardy) enough to poke foolhardy) enough to poke their heads above ground their the heads ground before coldabove weather is before the cold weather is

over! If you are planning on over! any If you are varieties planningof on sowing early sowing crops suchany as early broadvarieties beans of such asI’d broad or crops lettuce, then also beans or lettuce, I’d also suggest that then you cover the suggest the soil before that you you sow.cover A layer before you polythene sow. A layer of soil well-anchored well-anchored willofkeep off excesspolythene rain and will keep excess allow a littleoff warmth to rain buildand a little warmth to build up,allow so when you sow the up, so when you sow from the seeds they won’t suffer seedssogginess they won’tand suffer from excess won’t excess sogginess and won’t get such a cold shock. get such a cold shock.

Visit Pippa’s website www.

Visit Pippa’s website and www. pippagreenwood.com pippagreenwood.com and book Pippa for a gardening book Pippa the for areally gardening talk or peruse useful talk or peruse the favourite really useful selection of Pippa’s selectionitems, of Pippa’s favourite gardening including gardening items, including pop-up crop covers, pop-up crop covers, SpeedHoes, SpeedWeeders, SpeedHoes, raised bed kits,SpeedWeeders, fleece raisedfor bed kits, fleece jackets plants, pull-out jackets for plants, EasyTunnels, ‘Grow pull-out Your EasyTunnels, Your Own with Pippa‘Grow Greenwood’ Own with Pippa Gift Voucher cards,Greenwood’ signed Gift Voucher cards,besides. signed books and lots more books and lots more besides.

Coinros Park Nursery Ltd Quality plants at great prices!

Follow us on Facebook

Varied selection of WINTER INTEREST SHRUBS, ORNAMENTAL TREES, FRUIT TREES & SOFT FRUIT BUSHES Large collection of ROSES WILD BIRDCARE SEED & FEEDERS in stock

Colourful WINTER PLANTERS We would like to thank all our customers for their continued support.

We wish you a prosperous New Year!

Tel. 01594 840447

New Office, Old Park, Lydney, Glos, GL15 6BU (Behind Taurus Crafts) Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 9

Page 10

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

Tracy’s Barber Shop BULK BAGS

from £45

No appointment gentleman’s barber.

Opening times:

delivered locally incl. VAT

Monday 9.00am - 5.00pm Tuesday 9.00am - 5.00pm Wednesday 9.00am - 5.00pm Thursday 6.00pm - 8.00pm Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm Saturday 9.00am - 1.00pm

Blue Rock Crescent, Bream Gloucestershire, GL15 6LW

T: 01594 564444 W: www.whiteknightgroup.co.uk

Do you need expert independent pension advice?

Can we improve your income and options available in retirement?

WE HAVE THE EXPERTISE TO HELP CONTACT Bill Ballinger Dip PFS Tim Beal Dip PFS

billballinger@whiteknightgroup.co.uk

timbeal@whiteknightgroup.co.uk

White Knight Group is an independent intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Couduct Authority who also trade under the names of: Dean Magna Insurance & Financial Consultants, Farmer & Clark Insurance & Financial Consultants and Swambo Woollett Insurance & Financial Consultants & Newent Insurance Services.

Britannia House, High Street, Bream, Lydney, Glos, GL156JS Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 11

Squash & Spinach Lasagne Serves 4

Ready in 1 hour 30 minutes

If you fancy a meat-free supper this week then try this delicious filling vegetarian lasagne. Serve with a crisp green salad and crusty bread.

Preheat the oven to 200C, Fan 180C, Gas Mark 6. Place the diced butternut squash, onion, garlic and oregano in a large roasting tin and drizzle over 2 tbsp of the olive oil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and toss to mix.

Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the squash is very tender. Cool for 10 minutes.

Ingredients: • 1 butternut squash, peeled and flesh diced • 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

Transfer everything from the roasting tin (including any pan juices) to a food processor and process until smooth, adding a little hot water if needed to give the mixture a spreadable consistency.

• 1 tsp dried oregano • 3 tbsp olive oil

Steam the spinach for 1-2 minutes until just wilted.

Place the lasagne sheets in a large shallow heatproof dish and cover with boiling water. Leave for 3-4 minutes to soften then lift out of the water and drain on kitchen paper. Mix together the ricotta and cottage cheeses in a bowl along with half the mozzarella cheese.

• 200g baby spinach leaves • 250g pack fresh egg lasagne sheets • 250g ricotta cheese • 300g cottage cheese

Spread a third of the squash mixture in the base of a square medium-sized ovenproof dish. Top with a layer of wilted spinach followed by a layer of the cheese mixture and a layer of lasagne sheets, cutting them to fit if necessary.

• 150g ready-grated mozzarella cheese • 25g pine nuts • Green salad, to serve

TIP

5

Instead of the spinach you could use lightly fried slices of courgette or sliced beefsteak tomatoes.

Page 12

Repeat the layers two more times, finishing with lasagne sheets and a thin layer of the remaining cheese mixture. Scatter over the rest of the mozzarella cheese and the pine nuts, and drizzle over the rest of the olive oil. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese topping is golden and bubbling. Serve with green salad.

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK From 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 6pm

01531 820771

Secure off lead exercise area & large area for on lead walks Contact us or pop in & see us to discuss how we can care for your pet.

www.bullartree.com Bullar Trees, Tewkesbury Road, Upleadon, Nr Newent, Glos, GL18 1ED Newent Community School and Sixth Form Centre Watery Lane Newent Gloucestershire GL18 1QF Tel: 01531 820550 Fax: 01531 820707 Email: admin@newent.gloucs.sch.uk Website: www.newent.gloucs.sch.uk

Would you like to help make a big difference to a young person? ► Are you able to spare some time? ► Are you committed to helping young people? ► Are you a good role model and willing to listen? ► Are you open-minded and non-judgmental?

If yes, then we need you to become a Voluntary Mentor. ► Mentoring can be very rewarding for you and the young person. ► You will meet with students on a one-one to basis and by giving just a few hours of your time each week during term time, you could make a real difference.

If you are interested in becoming a Mentor, please contact Ann Price, Business Manager on 01531 820550 for further details.

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 13

HIGH HOPES PARTNERSHIP PROPERTY MAINTENANCE Insured local tradesperson, no job too small, competitive rates, FREE quotes

• Helping hand with projects • Small electrical, fencing and studwork • General carpentry • Decking and patios • Painting and decorating – inside and out • Shed/chalet/greenhouse building • Flat pack furniture assembly • House/garage clearance • Carpet cleaning • House cleaning AND MUCH MORE...

Friendly Service

Get in touch today!

Deals this good don’t last forever...

07851 704626

Email: juliekirkham@msn.com

in: es W ith i t i n u t y Oppor • Potter g in n ry • Garde • Weave g in ery • Far m k • Bak r o W d • Woo • Café try e k s a B

•

Volunteer

With Camphill Village Trust Park At: ** Oaklands Grange Village

nities... u Comm me Everyone Welco

We have a range of rewarding opportunities to offer from working outside on the land to producing crafts.

Can you spare 3 hours a week or more to assist us in our workshops?

If you can, we’d love to hear from you!

Contact: 01594 516551 (Oaklands Office) Email: oaklands@cvt.org.uk

An application form and DBS check must be completed prior to starting.

Reasonable expenses covered. Some training provided.

Page 14

18 yrs +

Work placements skill sharing.

to

• Do you have skills a nd enthusiasm to share?

• Would you like to l earn more about a specific interest?

• Do you enjoy a rela xed and fun atmosphere work ing as part of a team?

• Can you help suppo rt adults with learning disabiliti es in our communities?

Registered Charity 232402

www.cvt.org.uk

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

Clearance SALE SAVE

UP TO

70% *

OFF RRP PRICES AS MARKED

Womens I Mens I Home I Food 01989 769000 labelsshopping.co.uk

Ross On Wye M50 / J4 SAT NAV: HR9 7QQ

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 15

MARTIN LEWIS Money Sins

By Martin Lewis @moneysavingexpert

Are you a sinner? Financially that is. There are a host of everyday money misdemeanours that millions of people do, costing them thousands, without being aware of it. These aren’t horrors like grabbing a payday loan, but the result of simple misunderstandings, bad habits or inaction.

off with the savings and an emergency happens that costs you £1,000 to fix, you’d use all your savings and still have £1,000 of credit card debt.

• If you do pay off the debt with the savings, and a £1,000 emergency happens, you’d need to pay for it on your credit card, meaning you still have no savings and £1,000 of credit card debt.

So having recently toured around the UK doing roadshows for the sixth series of my ITV show, I’ve collated five of the most common.

The end result of them both is the same, yet by paying off the debt with the savings, you save in the meantime.

1. Saving while you’ve expensive debts Savings rates are depressingly low – the top easy-access rate is 1%. Credit card and other interest rates are depressingly high. So, £1,000 credit card debt at 18% costs you £180 a year, the same amount saved in top paying savings account at 1% interest only earns you £10.

If you had both, pay the debt off with your savings and you'd be £170 a year better off.

Many of you will be thinking, "but I want to keep my savings, what if the boiler packs up or the roof falls in?" However, that’s a sentimental strategy, not a logical one. Let’s carry on the £1,000 debt and £1,000 savings scenario to show you why.

• If you don’t pay the debt Page 16

The only exception is if the debt is at 0%. Then the financially savvy and disciplined can do what’s called stoozing, where you deliberately build up 0% debt only to save it and earn interest. Though with current saving rates so low, it’s not as easy as it used to be. Full help on that at www.mse.me/ stoozing 2. Not at least asking your energy firm if you are on its cheapest deal Most people in the UK are on their energy firm’s standard tariff, which typically means they’re overpaying by £300 a year. I’ve talked about switching until I’m blue in the face, and, of course, the best plan is to take five minutes to do a full market comparison via my www.CheapEnergyClub.com

or any www.Ofgem.gov.uk approved comparison site.

Yet for some that doesn’t hit home. So, let me be plain. Even if you won’t do that, just pick up the phone and ask your current provider “Am I on your cheapest tariff?” and, if not, switch to that as there’s no change but the price!

For example, as I write (it can change daily), on EDF’s standard tariff someone with typical usage pays £1,070/year. It also has a 12-month fix at £880/year - £190/year less.

The British Gas’s standard tariff with typical use is £1,044/year, but it also runs Sainsbury Energy (i.e. it’s the same company but a different name), and its cheapest fix is £804/year – saving £240/year. This don’t ask don’t get saving works at all the big firms, so if you won’t do a comparison, at least do this.

3. Only making the minimum repayments on credit cards Credit card minimum payments are based mostly on a percentage of the balance, which only just covers the interest. So, you hardly clear any off.

A 30-year-old with £3,000 debt on a credit card at 17.9% interest, who made only typical minimum repayments, would take 27 years to clear it. By then, they’d be 57 and have paid a

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

total cost £4,000 in interest (see my minimum repayment calc at www.mse.me/minrepay to work out how long it’ll take you).

Now you may be thinking ‘easy to say, but I can’t afford more than the minimum.’ Well, I have a solution. On £3,000 debt, the current minimum is around £70 a month. If instead of opting to pay the minimum, fix your repayment at £70. The debt will clear in five years at a total cost of £1,500 in interest, saving £2,400.

Though if you’ve debt on more than one credit card, focus all spare cash on repaying the most expensive, making only the minimums on the others.

That way you get rid of the most expensive debts first.

4. Don’t cover your home’s value on buildings insurance Your house price is the wrong figure; you only need to insure the usually much lower rebuild cost – literally how much it would cost to rebuild your

home should it get knocked down. This is often far less than the market value. There’s information and a calculator on this at http://abi.bcis.co.uk.

5. Saving or borrowing to pay your children’s tuition fees I’m often freaked out by parents telling me they’re saved up so their child won’t have to pay tuition fees at uni.

Worse, some even extend their mortgage. My problem isn’t just that it’s actually students’, not parents’ responsibility to repay this…

All new English full-time students can get a tuition fee loan and a living loan to help pay for uni costs. You’re eligible to start repaying in the April after leaving, but only if you earn over £21,000, and you repay 9% above that.

Repayments stop after 30 years. In many ways, it acts far more like a tax than a loan, and how many would save “in case my child earns enough to be a

higher rate taxpayer”?

An extreme example provides clarity. Imagine your child goes to uni and becomes a brilliant poet, who never earns above the £21,000 threshold. They would never repay a penny. So, if you paid the fees for them, you’d throw £27,000 away.

Most of course will earn over the threshold. However only high earners will earn enough to repay in real terms what they borrowed within the 30 years. If not, again it means pay their tuition fees and you’re paying more than they’d need to repay. For most parents if you want to help them, a better thing to prioritise is building up a mortgage deposit. For far more on this see my mse.me/ dontpayupfront guide.

Martin Lewis is the Founder & Editor in Chief of Money Saving Expert. To join the 10 million people who get his Martin’s Money Tips weekly email, go to www.moneysavingexpert.com/ latesttip

Winter Anorak Black ice Blizzard Boots Cold Fog Freeze Frost Frozen Gloves Hail Hat

Hibernation Icicles Mitts Parka Scarf Season Skiing Sledge Sleet

Snowdrift Snowman Soup Thermals Windy

Find the words associated with winter in the grid and the remaining letters will spell out a related phrase

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 17

Cake and Bake Mulled Pears This is a lovely winter pudding that tastes just as delicious served warm or cold. Choose firm but ripe small pears, and use a vegetable peeler to scoop out the core from the base of each one.

Ingredients:

1. Pour the wine into a large pan

and add the sugar, lemon rind, cinnamon stick and cloves. Heat gently, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved.

• 450ml red wine (see Tip) • 150g caster sugar

2. Meanwhile, peel the pears, leaving the stalks on.

• 1 pared strip of lemon rind

Gently lower the pears into the hot liquid. Cover and simmer for 35-40 minutes until the pears are tender.

• 1 cinnamon stick

3. Remove the pears with a slotted spoon and

set aside in a heatproof serving dish. Blend the arrowroot to a paste with 1tbsp cold water and stir into the poaching liquid. Simmer gently for a further 5 minutes, stirring, until syrupy. Remove the lemon rind and cloves from the syrup.

• 2 whole cloves • 8 small Conference pears • 2tsp arrowroot • Softly whipped double cream or crème fraiche, to serve

minutes. Serve the pears and syrup, warm or cold, with a dollop of whipped double cream or crème fraiche.

TIP

Serves 4 Ready in 1 hour, plus cooling time Page 18

4. Pour the hot syrup over the pears and leave for 30

Choose a full-bodied red wine such as Merlot or Burgundy. If you prefer, replace half of the red wine with clear apple juice or cranberry juice.

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

Blueboy Carpets Ltd

No.1 for Quality & Price

ENERGY

P LU M B I N G

&

H E AT I N G

Local, competitive & great customer service

Boiler service from £45 + VAT New boiler installations from £1400 + VAT Based in Longhope Tel: 01452 238555 www.broadoakservices.com Look at our reviews for BroadOak Services on trustatrader.com

01594 836926

Large selection of

CARPETS, RUGS, VINYL & WOOD FLOORING

at excellent prices OPEN Mon - Sat

9am - 5.30pm FAST, FRIENDLY & EFFICIENT SERVICE

Established over 25 years

atblueboycarpets@aol.com

www.blueboycarpetsltd.co.uk

11 Pyart Court, Coleford, Glos, GL16 8RG

Singing for the Brain ® Groups Forest of Dean Singing for the Brain Held on the first and third Monday of the month, 11am till 12.30pm at Forest of Dean Drop In The Main Place, Old Station Way, Coleford, GL16 8RH After your singing session you are welcome to come to the Drop In for Tea or Coffee.

The Drop In is situated on the ground floor in the same building opposite the Library.

If you would like to participate in any of the groups listed please contact Jane or Rachel on 01452 525222 or the Drop In 01594 834436

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 19

REGISTER TODAY

and drop off your agricultural waste for FREE Once registered with RWR we will take your fertiliser bags, feed bags, spray canisters, silage wrap, clear plastic film, baler twine string and much more, offering free ‘drop offs’ at our baling site in Newent, or a fixed rate collection fee that is cheaper than any landfill site.

Waste Transfer Notes supplied.

Call Anouk Skurek on 07765 252433 to find out what RWR can do for your farm - large or small.

Office number: 01531 888111

Barn @ The Moat Anthony’s Cross Newent Gloucestershire GL18 1JG

enquiries@ruralwasterecycling.co.uk

www.ruralwasterecycling.co.uk Page 20

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

Auction Anecdote Due to the Christmas holiday I have an early deadline for my anecdote this month so I can’t chat about the results from my December sale as it has not taken place yet. However, I have some really interesting items in the sale and so I thought I might mention a few of them anyway - although by the time you read this they will have been sold.

Firstly, I am dying to mention our exciting letter from Horatio Nelson – the letter is a request to his Commadore Robert Linzee to purchase more rope for his ship the Agamemnon.

The letter is not dated but Nelson was Captain of the Agamemnon (reputedly his favourite ship) from 1793 to 1796. In the letter he asks for 200 fathoms of rope plus various blocks in order to be able to ‘drag the guns for we have not a fathom of rope in the ship’. In excellent condition and with two letters concerning provenance the letter is expected to make £1000/£1500. It has already created considerable interest and, since you won’t read this till after the sale, I can reveal that bids have been left prior to the auction within this price range!

Further interesting items in the sale (other than jewellery which I have promised I won’t mention this time) include a very fine French silver miniature mantel or boudoir clock. Of absolutely stunning quality and in its original tooled leather case the clock is in perfect condition. It is signed by one of France’s leading clock makers of the time – ‘Le Roy et Fils’ who had a shop at 57 New Bond Street and enjoyed a Royal Patent from Queen Victoria. Estimated at £1000/£1500 it may well end up back in a New Bond Street shop window – which would be rather fitting!

It is very hard to pick one last item to chat about from the range of items on offer but these Staffordshire stirrup cups are a bit of a favourite of mine as they have ‘oodles’ of rustic charm and are very appealing.

These novelty cups were made in the 19th century in order to serve a warming punch to the hunt before leaving – they were traditionally handed out by servants to the riders whilst in the saddle and so have no flat base since I guess the contents were ‘downed’ pretty quickly. Now of course they make charming collectables and are usually in the form of fox heads but sometimes hounds, rabbits or even fish can be found. This collection is being sold individually or in pairs and once again pre-sale interest indicates they are going to be popular.

Smiths next auction is on the 27th January and as well as a range of antiques and collectables includes a special section for coins and notes. Final entries are invited on the 3rd & 5th January or by appointment.

Please telephone 01531 821776 or see the website www.smithsnewentauctions.co.uk

- Written by Rita Kearsey Manager of Smiths Auction Room at Newent

Monthly Sales of Antiques & Collectables Fri 27th Jan Sale at 10am

with Coins & Notes Section Viewing Day prior 10am - 7pm and morning of sale

Two Henry VII silver coins

Charles I shilling

Next Antiques & Collectables Sale

Fri 3rd March at 10am with Medals & Militaria Section Entries Invited

2nd, 7th, & 9th February 10am - 3pm or by appointment Home visits for larger consignments Live online bidding available at

www.smithsnewentauctions.co.uk

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 21

Home & Interiors Declutter for the New Year holding onto things that you really need and/or love.

What could be a better New Year’s resolution for your home than to eliminate mess, create space and generally have a good sort out?

If too much mess and clobber has built up in your home over the past year, then it’s time to declutter your stuff and sort your storage, so that your home will be mess-free and super-stylish in time for 2017.

First, grab some rubbish bags and a few boxes or baskets. Work methodically through each room and sort out obvious rubbish, things that can go to a local charity shop, items that could be sold second-hand, anything that needs mending, little-used things that can be put away in the garage or loft, and genuinely great stuff that you want to keep. Try to get rid of as much as possible, only Page 22

With what’s left, it’s now time to work out where it will go. Label your storage if necessary, and make sure the whole family knows what’s meant to go where. If you still need extra storage after your clear-out, look for all the areas where you could fit more in, whether built-in or free-standing: from backs of doors to under the stairs, tops of wardrobes to under the bed. Think racks, hooks and shelves as well as conventional cabinets and chests of drawers and, where possible, ensure they coordinate with existing furniture.

You can also relocate some storage; for example by adding a storage unit in the living room to avoid having to tidy toys away upstairs every day.

There are a few rules of storage that might be helpful.

First, store like with like and match the size and shape of the container to what’s being kept inside (in other words, find small, lidded boxes for things like Lego and big squishy baskets for teddy bears). Store as much as possible near to where it’s most needed, but don’t store frequently used items below knee level or above shoulder height, especially if they’re heavy. Avoid storing things on surfaces such as tables or desks, and allow yourself

By Katherine Sorrell room to expand – but only within reason. If you have allowed extra space, and then filled it… it’s time to start all over again.

Easy ways to banish clutter • Write a list of where you want to declutter.

• Have an intensive declutter workout and spend five minutes clearing as much as you can in one area.

You’ll be amazed at the difference you can make.

Repeat as often as you can.

• Hang your clothes up with the hooks all facing one way, and only turn the hook the other way when you wear something. After, say, six months, you can easily assess which items you never wear. You could try the same idea in the kitchen (turn mug handles in one direction, put glasses upside down, and so on), the playroom, the living room…

• Make it a family competition with prizes. Who will be the fastest to find three things to throw away, three things to give away and three things to tidy away?

• If what you need is some emergency decluttering, pop everything into a big box and hide it somewhere until you have time to go through it properly.

Main Image: Mazeballs bed, £625, Loaf: 0845 468 0698; www.loaf.com

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

STOVE SPECIALIST

WOOD, MULTI & FLEXI FUEL BURNING STOVES FROM £399 FULL STOVE RANGES AVAILABLE ALL AT DISCOUNTED PRICES

INSTALLATION SERVICE AND FREE QUOTATION BY A HETAS REGISTERED FITTER AVAILABLE. WE SUPPLY FLEXI LINERS, PIPE WORK AND TWIN WALL SYSTEMS

PRICE MATCH CONSIDERED ON LIKE FOR LIKE QUOTES FOR A FRIENDLY AND RELIABLE SERVICE, PLEASE COME IN AND SEE US OR GIVE US A CALL.

COUNTRY CORNER

23 BROAD STREET, NEWENT, GLOS, GL18 1AQ TEL: 01531 822460 Open Mon - Sat 9.15AM - 5.00PM www.countrycorneronline.com

www.countrycorneronline.com

DK Furnishing

01594 843261

OPEN 9.00am - 4.30pm Tuesday - Friday, 9.00am - 4.00pm Saturday

• BEDROOM,

LIVING ROOM & OCCASIONAL FURNITURE in pine, oak and sheesham

• BEDS including wood, metal, leather and divans • MATTRESSES including orthopaedic, pocket sprung and memory foam in a range of sizes from 2’6” to 6’.

Odd sizes can also be made.

• We also stock a variety of GIFT ITEMS

www.dkfurnishing.co.uk

Come and see our fantastic new range of Wicker furniture

26 Newerne Street, Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15 5RF Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 23

ONE STRESS LESS No payroll to do!

We will look after your full payroll and auto enrolment needs, and promptly file all the necessary forms and reports.

One call will tell you more and it is cheaper than you may think!

Call John Jelf NOW on 01452 699 800 You will not be disappointed!

Follow us on social media.

www.paeroll.co.uk

106.2 - 107 - 107.8 FM

MONDAY - THURSDAY 6am - 10am Paul Ellery In The Morning 10am - 2pm Mark Edwards 2pm - 7pm Drive Time 7pm - 6Am Non Stop Sunshine FRIDAY 6am - 10am Paul Ellery In The Morning 10am - 2pm Mark Edwards 2pm - 7pm Drive Time 7pm - 10pm Chris Roberts 10pm - 7Am Non Stop Sunshine

SATURDAY 7am-10am Mark Edwards in the Morning • 10am - 2pm Gregg Upwards All Request Saturday • 2pm - 6pm Paul Ellery • 6pm - 9pm All the Hits with Pat Sharp • 9pm - 11pm Totally 90’s• 11pm - 6am Non Stop Sunshine SUNDAY 7am - 11am Roger Noble • 11am - 3pm Sunshine On Sunday • 3pm - 7pm Matt Healey• 7pm - 9pm Totally 80’s• 9pm - 11pm Mike Hollis Soul Show • 11pm - 6am Non Stop Sunshine Page 24

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

Your Local Travel Counsellor Do you have a disability and find organising holidays around the world difficult? If so, we can help...

Call today at a time to suit you.

Chris Gooch

Travel Counsellor

T 01452 341580 M 07967 183517 E chris.gooch@travelcounsellors.com

W www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/chris.gooch

Mini Cryptic Crossword

Across 1. Deviant seeing second birth (7) 7. Fine part of leaping animal (5) 8. House going to popular rogue (7) 9. Large part of a church failing (5) 11. Conversations about headwear (5) 12. An odour an Italian reduced (5) 14. Angry redhead one preceded (5) 16. Back-to-front top, a novel problem (7) 18. Speed sports team reduced by half (5) 19. Contempt aids cast in a row (7) Down 1. Hammer handed to student (5) 2. African flower cut for nothing (3) 3. Hackneyed start of short story (5) 4. Sound of coins being tossed (5) 5. Her pal set out with a painter (7) 6. Sign for a takeaway, perhaps (5) 10. Word for ‘semi-transformed’ (7) 12. A counterpart of the Greek variety (5) 13. More detailed snake diagram, initially

(5) 14. Parts of Rwanda’s capital lose out (5) 15. Haggard

Republican in the beginning (5) 17. A bird from Palermo, allegedly (3)

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 25

Fussy Eaters

by Kate Duggan

Ah, fussy eaters. Don’t you just love them? And don’t you just love those parents who gloatingly tell you that their child eats whatever they’re given, or goes to bed hungry? (Obviously these people have never been woken up at 3am by wails of, “I’m so hungry. Please can I have some porridge?”)

Remember the days when your kids would eat most things, as long as it was blended with carrot? Or when you smiled smugly because your nine month old would happily chew on broccoli? It’s like they hit two and then develop taste buds that despise anything other than pasta, bread and sweets.

Forget five a day, sometimes you wonder whether your child has eaten so much as a grapesized portion of fruit and veg all week. If you’re at your wits end trying to get them to eat some vegetables, these tips might just help.

We know it’s winter, but there are few kids who’ll refuse ice-cream or lollies, even if it’s snowing outside. Try blending two small frozen bananas with a couple of handfuls of frozen raspberries or mixed fruit, and about a third of a cup of yoghurt. It makes a great Page 26

ice-cream and uses up those bananas the kids have been turning their noses up at. Or, even simpler, buy a readymade smoothie, pour it into lolly moulds and freeze.

While too much fruit juice isn’t great for a child’s teeth, one glass is fine. Ideally, give it to them with a meal. Keep an eye out for mixed juices and smoothies too. (Some even have added multivitamins.)

Contrary to popular belief, not all kids like tomato-based sauces. Most do however.

Cooked tomatoes are even healthier than raw, so try whizzing up a batch of sauce with a few hidden veggies.

Cook a couple of cans worth of chopped tomatoes, along with some salad peppers, carrots, leek and any other vegetables you have languishing in the fridge. You can add a tiny bit of sugar if you want. Blend until smooth if your kids are particularly fussy, then use it as a pasta sauce, or add it to mince to make bolognaise, or cottage pie. Freeze what you don’t use – it’ll keep for months.

You can also disguise veggies in other ways. Cauliflower mixes well with potato for

example. Or try finely slicing a sweet potato, tossing it in olive oil and roasting it to make ‘intergalactic orange crisps’. (It’s all in the name.)

Kids often prefer raw vegetables to cooked. You could offer them raw carrot, cucumber and salad pepper crudities as a side dish or snack.

Some kids will surprise you by loving quite strong flavours.

(Mine go mad for olives for example.) And strong flavours can be great for masking the taste of vegetables. So try pesto, garlic or mild curry.

Children also like having some control. You could give them a list of five vegetables some days, and ask them to choose two for dinner. Or start a reward chart where they get a sticker for each type of vegetable they eat that week. And try setting out various raw veg with tortilla wraps and letting them make fajitas. Or doing the same with pizza bases.

When all else fails, my fussy five year old will eat most things if I pretend it’s a fish that doesn’t want to be eaten, and he’s a shark. The things we do as parents…

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

@GlosBiltong

The Gloucester Biltong Company

Producing the finest quality Traditional & Naga Biltong.

All styles of curtains, blinds, pelmets etc. with a wide range of fabric, poles and accessories to choose from.

Mail order on Tel: 01452 346496 or email info@gloucesterbiltong.co.uk or simply visit us at Unit 28 Kestrel Court, Waterwells Drive, Quedgeley, Gloucester GL2 2AT.

OPENING TIMES

Mon - Fri: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Sat: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

www.gloucesterbiltong.co.uk

Or visit our shop & showroom in Chapel Hay Lane, Prospect House, Church Road, Churchdown, GL3 2ES

www.chosencurtains.co.uk sales@chosencurtains.co.uk

Wanted: Postcode Pioneers We are looking for innovative organisations, businesses and residents within the Forest of Dean who have trouble finding others or being found using current addresses.

Locating properties without street numbers has always been hard. The advent of postcodes and satellite navigation has helped but it is still, for many, a real issue with single postcodes covering many properties over large areas.

The Hashpoint Project is a free, open database of geographic locations that can be self-managed by organisations, individuals and companies. It harnesses the most up-to-date satellite data and imagery to allow you or your clients to easily be found.

The system simply assigns a single letter (we call a hashpoint) to each property which, when combined with the postcode, can be used to accurately pinpoint your property, include relevant contact and delivery information and even additional locations such as road access, parking etc.

The platform can be accessed online or via a mobile app and interfaces directly with google’s navigation tools. It is currently live in beta test phase and is being fully launched in January 2017.

If an accurate way of locating others or being located would help you then get involved. For details or to register call 01452 760580, visit hashpoint.org or try googling GL141PQ#A.

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 27

6

INTERNAL COLONIAL DOORS COMPLETE WITH BRASS OR CHROME HANDLES

SUPPLIED & FITTED for

ONLY

Classique

£395.00

Sudoku

30inch, 27inch etc.....

Victorian

6 Panel

6 METRIC DOORS - £495.00 6 PRE-FINISHED FROM £795.00

EXTENSIVE RANGE OF OAK & PINE DOORS ALSO AVAILABLE!

01531 641 757 | 07831 326 847

Landline

Mobile

ledburydoorsupplies@gmx.co.uk unit 2, Steensbrook Fromes Hill, Ledbury Herefordshire HR8 1HU

ledbury

doorsupplies

Why It’s Important To Socialise Your Puppy Socialising your puppy is important to its general development, and encourages a calm, confident and friendly personality that’s accepting of change and new situations. It also makes life with a dog easier for you, and helps with general training.

Vary the activities You’ll retain your puppy’s interest by introducing plenty of variety, such as meeting new people and other animals in different environments, but take care not to overload their nervous system.

Keep hold of your puppy at first when you meet new people, letting them gently approach your dog with a small treat. This will make it a constructive experience for the dog, and they’ll retain positive associations.

A few activities to try It’s also worth remembering that until your puppy has its first vaccination, you may Page 28

PETS need to avoid certain situations, but here are a few suggestions for places to go and people to meet once it is safe: • Busy, noisy streets as well as quiet countryside areas.

• Young and older children (under close supervision).

• Paddling in the sea.

• Meeting a variety of dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes.

• People on motorbikes, cycles and skateboards.

The noise of household appliances can scare a young puppy, so it’s a good idea to expose them to the vacuum cleaner and washing machine very carefully, in short stages.

Dog training classes are a great way to meet different dogs, and also provide a good support network for you. http://blog.petplan.co.uk/01/2016/advice/dogtraining-socialising-puppy-puppies-with-peopleother-animals-canines/

By Ann Haldon

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

Fancy paying 40% less at the vets?

40%

£61.00

£35.00

43%

£45.00

£28.00

38%

£45.00

£35.00

22%

NEWENT SKIPS LTD. Fast friendly service • No VAT

Monday - Saturday 7.30am - 5.30pm Sand, Gravel & Top Soil Delivered

Ring: 07817 649650 1YD - 2YD - 4YD - 6YD Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 29

New Year, New Tech, New You The gadgets that can help you reach your New Year goals

It’s that time of year again: gym owners rub their hands together in glee as the entire world makes New Year resolutions to sort out their health, their fitness or their looks. But while many of those gym memberships will turn out to be expensive mistakes as the initial fervour fades, a few wellchosen gadgets could keep you on the right track all year round.

Health and fitness tracking is huge in technology right now, largely because it’s still a relatively untapped market: even the best-known fitnesstracking smartwatch, the Apple Watch, has only sold a few million units. That means there are plenty of firms hoping to win over everyone from casual dieters to mountain explorers.

For the latter category, outdoor watches such as the Casio Smart Outdoor Watch are built to military specifications for toughness and deliver accurate GPS, as well as recording your hikes and climbs. If that sounds like overkill, and for most of us it probably is, the £170 Garmin Vivosmart HR+ is one of the best all-round fitness trackers for monitoring your heart rate, recording your activity and tracking GPS. It’s pretty, too - and the Misfit Ray is prettier Page 30

still, resembling a bracelet rather than a watch. It’s half the price of the Garmin and offers good all-round fitness-tracking features. Over 2017 we’ll see a lot more wearable trackers, many of them odd: fancy a Welt, a sensor-enabled belt that tracks your steps for as long as you keep your trousers on?

If you’re more concerned about what you’re putting into your body than what you’re sweating out, smartphone apps offer all kinds of diet and lifestyle tracking - and increasingly those apps tie in with platforms such as Apple Health, WiThings’ HealthMate, Microsoft Health, Jawbone UP and many more. Platforms are designed to enable data sharing from multiple trackers, so for example Apple’s Health app can get data not just from the iPhone it’s on but also from the Apple Watch, from wireless scales and from a wide range of wired and wireless health-monitoring devices. If you haven’t already committed to a particular health-tracking platform, it’s a very good idea to check out sites such as Wareable.com to find out the latest news and rumours about the different manufacturers. For example, at the time of writing Microsoft has announced

the end of its Microsoft Band tracking device, so if you buy one now you might not be able to get a repair for it or a replacement one if it breaks. It also means that if you want to upgrade from a Band 2, there won’t be a Band 3 to fulfil your wishes.

Gadgets don’t just help you when you’re exercising or watching what you eat. They can help you when you’re asleep too. Many wearable devices such as the Fitbit Blaze and Surge, Fossil Marshal, Pebble Time and Apple Watch (via third-party apps) can monitor your sleep, gathering data to help you identify the triggers of a poor night’s sleep and the best times to set the alarm for, and the best times to head up the wooden hill to Bedfordshire. The data recorded does vary from device to device and some are more practical than others - wearing a smartwatch in bed all night means you’ll have to charge it in the morning - but the insights can be useful.

Images L to R: Casio Smart Outdoor Watch; Garmin VivoSmart HR+; Misfit Ray fitness tracker; Fossil Marshal smartwatch

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

Branches in: Gloucester, Newent, Mitcheldean and Coleford

w w w . s t e v e g o o c h . c o . u k

4 High Street • Newent • Gloucestershire • GL18 1AN • Tel: 01531 820844

Sales

Lettings

Auctions

Classic & Country

For all your Selling, Purchasing, Auctioning, Letting, & Surveying Requirements Gooch & Burley Surveyors & Valuers Coventry Building Society available at Newent Branch

View properties online 24/7

01452 760511

STEAMED UP DOUBLE GLAZING?

Your local, friendly, helpful store with easy access & plenty of parking.

Don’t replace the Frames... just the Panes!

Broken or Damaged Windows?

Faulty Hinges, Handles or Locks?

Want the latest energy saving glass?

5 year guarantee on new double glazing.

...we make saving money perfectly clear...

Call Freephone

0800 61 21118

www.cloudy2clear.com

We are open Weekdays 8.30am-5.30pm & Saturdays 9.00am - 2.00pm Suttons Seeds & Compost/bark/grow bags, shrubs and seasonal plants Food, bedding & health care products for all animals/birds We are now DIY supplies incl. cement, stockists for sand, ballast, postcrete natures:menu Local eggs, honey, jam, chutney & potatoes Calor gas, logs, kindling, coal, briquettes, firelighters & paraffin From brooms & buckets to wheelbarrows, wellies & waterproofs.

We are on the A48, just outside Westbury-on-Severn at Elton Court, GL14 1JG

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 31

Voted the best of the best…

We’ve been voted best in the region for customer satisfaction - again!

That’s 6 years running

SHOWROOM & WORKSHOP

The Workshop, Bye Street, Ledbury HR8 2AG Mon-Fri 8.00am-4.30pm Sat 8.30am-12.00 noon UNMANNED SHOWSITE AT

Three Shires Garden Centre, Ledbury Road, Newent GL18 1DL Mon-Sat 9.00am-5.30pm Sun 9.30am-4.30pm

Established 1995

WWW.SHANEHOWELLS.CO.UK

01531 635338

Page 32

CONSER VATORIES ● S U N L OU N GES ● W INDO W S ● DO O RS FASCIToAadvertise & GU Tcall T ER IN 806 G ●555 GL S Swww.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk CENTRE 01594 orA visit

This space only ÂŁ28 + vat per month (t&c's apply)

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.

F O R K

For Best Value advertising contact us today to include Here isbusiness one in the your February Issue. possible solution

(others may806 exist) Tel: 01594 555 FORK www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk pork park

LOCAL ELECTRICIAN

dark dirk disk DISH ŠPuzzlepress.co.uk

D I S H

NICEIC Domestic Installer Insured CRB checked NO JOB TOO SMALL Call Darren on 01452831016 or 07739825645

dmc electrical, 97 Oak Way, Huntley

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 33

Triangle Radio

We are a Community Radio Station, serving the Forest of Dean, fully run by volunteers who have a passion for radio and the community.

Since our last article some two months ago, we have been in busy mode full steam ahead towards Christmas and the New Year.

The end of November saw us supporting the lights switch-on in the town centre of Cinderford, where we played out those well known Christmas tunes and undertook a live broadcast.

This year just rocked and we couldn’t believe the amount of children of all ages queuing to see the big guy in red.

The Clive Southerton Soft Rock and Acoustic Show played host to the local band The Six Foot Way and we saw five members of the group take over the Triangle office as the studio was just too small, it was fantastic in every way! (You can catch the Podcast on the Triangle Radio website.)

PROGRAMME Monday 08:00: Breakfast Shuffle with Daren 10:00: Daytime Shuffle with Clive 13:00: Daytime Shuffle with Ian 16:00: Daytime Shuffle with Ryan 19:00: Q-Burn with Peter Anthony 21:00: Encyclopedia of Rock with Trevor Howard (Rpt) 22:00: Americanza with Alan Roberts (Rpt) Tuesday 08:00: Breakfast Shuffle with Daren 10:00: Daytime Shuffle with Clive 13:00: Daytime Shuffle with Ian 16:00: Daytime Shuffle with Ryan 18:00: Daytime Shuffle with Dan 19:00: Manda's C60 Mix Tape (Rpt) 20:00: Chris Arscott’s Folk Show 21:00: Forest Chat with KAT (Rpt) Wednesday 08:00: Breakfast Shuffle with Daren 10:00: Daytime Shuffle with Clive 13:00: Daytime Shuffle with Ian 16:00: Daytime Shuffle with Ryan 18:00: Soft Rock & Acoustic Sessions Page 34

During Christmas and New Year’s Eve we undertook another successful FM broadcast across Cinderford. The 4-day broadcast saw us showcasing the best of our shows from the run of the mill Breakfast with Daren through to the greatly produced Dave Jury’s Strike up the Brass which features the varied offerings of the Forest of Dean’s Brass community.

Finally, our plan for the coming year is to expand to broadcasting full time across the Forest on FM. We have expressed an interest to Ofcom for us to launch as a full community station and hopefully we should hear in quarter two this year if we were successful. In readiness, we have started to make contact with key stakeholders in the community to see if we can realise the next step of our plan.

This year we plan to build on the success of 2016 and run another round of training. We would really like to hear from anyone who has an interest in getting involved and

with Clive (Rpt) 20:00: The Blues Hour 21:00: Blues Hour Xtra 22:00: The Nighttime Shuffle Thursday 08:00: Breakfast Shuffle with Daren 10:00: Daytime Shuffle with Clive 13:00: Daytime Shuffle with Ian 16:00: Daytime Shuffle with Ryan 18:00: Chris Arscott’s Folk (Rpt) 19:00: The Blues Hour (Rpt) 20:00: Best of British Unsigned 21:00: Encyclopedia of Rock with Trevor Howard 22:00: Q-Burn with Peter Anthony (Rpt) Friday 08:00: Breakfast Shuffle with Daren 10:00: Daytime Shuffle with Clive 13:00: Daytime Shuffle with Ian 16:00: Daytime Shuffle with Ryan 17:00: The Forest Weekly 19:00: Friday Night Party with Dan Green 20:00: It’s the Weekend with Ryan Davies

helping us build on the foundations we have put in place so far. The training will be free of charge and is open to anyone from 16 years onwards. We are also able to offer it to those under 16, however we would need a parent or guardian to be present. Please do get in touch for more information.

Triangle Radio would like to wish all their listeners and Forest of Dean Magazine readers a happy and successful 2017!

Triangle Radio is available online at www.triangleradio. co.uk where you can stream or download our free app on Google Play Store or via the TuneIn App. Written by Daren Green (Programme Controller)

22:00: Global House Party 23:00: Bass And Breaks Saturday 08:00: Saturday Breakfast with Daren 10:00: The Daytime Shuffle 18:00: The Elbum Show with Phil Meek 20:00: Saturday NIght Party with Dan Green 21:00: Electrik Playground with Andi Durrant 23:00: House Central with Jay Forster Sunday 08:00: The Daytime Shuffle 10:00: Check in with Cat Lake 12:00: Mellow Moments 14:00: Forest Chat 16:00: Manda’s C60 Mix tape 17:00: The Soft Rock and Acoustic Sessions 19:00: Americanza with Alan Roberts 21:00: The Chill Factor 23:00: The Nighttime Shuffle

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

STAMP APPEAL We need your used postage stamps Used postage stamps can be turned into valuable funds for New Start Cat Rescue What to do: Collect your used postage stamps and those from friends, family, colleagues or local businesses Cut out the stamps leaving a 1/4 inch or 1/2cm border all the way around on a single layer of envelope Pop them into a stamped envelope

Send stamps to: NEW START CAT RESCUE Used Stamp Appeal Fords Farm Horsey Norfolk NR29 4EP

CODEWORD

12

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.

26 19

9

15

3 5

3 20

21

2

7

25

26

24 26 2 14

9

21 8

18

25

9

R

O

7

16

16

26 21

10

3

19

S

16

20

3

4

17

9

24

3

7

6

10

14

19

9

6

3

9

21

3

14 2

21

13

4 2

3

21

2

25

16

6 2

2

4

10

18

15

25

20

26

24

20

20

25

19

9

11 9

16

10

3 25

3

3

2

25

3

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

17 5

19

25 19

22 23

5

26

10

21 10

17 7

3

10 26

1

25 16

19

26

17 10

19 25

5

2

17 3

9

22

Page 35

OPENING HOURS

Mon - Fri: 10am - 5.30pm Saturday: 10am - 2pm

Tel. 01452 700838 New EU legislation prevents us from telling you what we sell apart from

ZERO NICOTINE E-JUICES Loads of other great vaping products available ...but but we can’t tell you what they are

FREE Starter Kit with E-Juice purchases (whilst stocks last)

18+ Only

Local Business With Free Parking

FREE DELIVERY ONLINE

T’s & C’s apply

• Friendly knowledgeable staff to give you all the advice and guidance you need • You can sit in a modern professional environment and discuss your needs • We offer only quality equipment and premium Zero Nicotine E-Juices • Free consultations and sampling sessions available

Come in and talk to us and see if we can help you It‘s time to join the thousands of others that have already made the switch to Zero Nicotine E-Juices and feel healthier, wealthier and happier as a result.

Gloucester Road, Hartpury, Glos, GL19 3BG info@ecigjuiced.co.uk www.ecigjuiced.co.uk Page 36

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

New Year Resolutions – To smoke or not to smoke There is a saying that resonates with me, particularly in relation to giving up smoking and it goes like this: “If it was easy everybody would be doing it.” which coupled with a quote attributed to Mark Twain of “Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I have done it thousands of times.” perhaps helps you understand why so many of us find it extremely difficult to give up smoking tobacco.

We all know smoking is bad for us and apart from costing us a King’s ransom it is likely to be the cause of an early and unpleasant death, so why do we do it? Well the simple answer is because we have an addiction that fundamentally is no different to a heroin or alcohol addiction other than that it does not outwardly manifest itself in an obvious manner other than being anti-social and banned from public places.

As soon as you are able to accept this fact, you are on your way to being able to beat it and if you really want to and are prepared to be determined then it is possible with a wide range of options open to you that can help with the effects of nicotine withdrawal from tablets, gums, patches and willpower to hypnosis and e-cigarettes.

Due to new regulations emanating from Brussels, we are not able to make

any claims about the effectiveness of e-cigarettes or vaping as a method of giving up smoking but we can nevertheless provide you with some information that may enable you to draw your own conclusions as to whether it might work for you or not.

“Study finds direct association between e-cigarette use and successful quitting” The Pharmaceutical Journal – 14 Sept 2016 “E-cigarettes are around 95% less harmful than smoking” Public Health England – 19 Aug 2015 “All GPs encourage smokers who want to use e-cigarettes as an aid to quit smoking to seek the support of local stop smoking services” Recommendation published by the Royal College of General Practitioners “Promote e-cigarettes widely as substitute for smoking says new RCP report” Royal College of Physicians – 28 April 2016 “Since late 2013 e-cigarettes have become England’s most popular quitting aid” Smoking in England – Smoking Toolkit Study Should you decide that this is a method that may work for you then make a plan to succeed and you may find some useful tips at

www.givingupsmoking.co.uk or visit our shop in Hartpury where we will be happy to discuss your options and let you try different solutions under no obligation or pressure to purchase.

Please do be aware that some e-cigarettes are much better suited than others for helping you quit smoking and getting professional advice before purchasing is highly recommended. Unfortunately, all too often people come to us for help that are struggling with overly expensive and complex equipment that is totally unsuitable for their needs so make sure that you come and talk to us first.

We are aware that it may appear convenient to pick up an e cigarette when you are doing your weekly shop or filling up with petrol but you will be severely limited in choice, suitability, support and advice as well as undoubtedly paying a great deal more than you need to. For these very same reasons we don’t supply cabbages or petrol.

- Written by Mark from eCIG JUICED Gloucester Rd, Hartpury GL19 3BG

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 37

Finance

Interest Rates Are Low, So What Are Your Best Options For Saving? By Ann Haldon are a few of the different accounts available at the time of writing.

Bank current accounts

With interest rates set to remain low for a while, it’s worth considering what you could do with the spare cash you might now have. It’s always a good idea to pay off your debts first, but there is also some benefit to starting a small nest-egg.

From April 2016 everyone has a Personal Savings Allowance, which means that many people won’t need to pay tax on their savings (subject to a maximum limit). This makes the Individual Savings Account (ISA), although still a good choice, perhaps no longer the automatic first choice for savers.

This broadening of your options means you could switch your current account to benefit from the credit interest offered by a different bank, or perhaps opt for a fixed-term ISA that removes the temptation to spend.

With each bank applying their own rules for eligibility, here Page 38

It’s not something that we are used to, but currently some banks are offering high credit interest rates on their current accounts. Most of these deals only last for a year, however, and are used to attract new customers, but many also offer cash back or a monetary incentive.

• Nationwide offers 5% AER fixed on their FlexDirect account for balances up to £2,500. This rate lasts for one year only and then drops to 1%, so you’ll need to be prepared to swap again if you want to get a higher rate after this. To be eligible for the account you have to pay in at least £1,000 per month.

• Tesco Bank pay 3% variable AER on balances up to £3,000. There is no minimum pay-in amount with this account, and you get Clubcard points when you spend using your debit card.

Bear in mind that this rate is variable, however.

regular savings accounts As the name suggests, these accounts require a regular payment in order to benefit from the higher interest rates.

They are often linked to a current account with the same bank, in which a minimum balance needs to be held, so this could affect your eligibility if you’re not able to maintain this balance.

Again, some high interest rates are only available for a year as the banks use them as ‘loss leaders,’ assuming their new customer won’t be inclined to move once the rate falls.

• First Direct offers 5% AER for one year, to customers holding a First Direct 1st Account. You’re allowed to save between £25 and £300 per month, but if you miss one deposit your savings account will close and the balance will be placed into a low-interest account.

• The HSBC Regular Saver is available to current account customers (Advance Account or Premier Account). It offers a credit interest rate of 5% AER on savings up to £3,000 per year, but if you miss a payment your money is put into an account with low interest. cash isa Once the obvious choice to maximise your savings, a cash ISA can be a good place to start your nest-egg if you don’t

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

want to switch bank accounts or save a regular amount each month.

In the 2016/17 tax year the ISA limit is £15,240, and you have a choice between a variable and fixed rate account.

• The Coventry Building Society Easy Access ISA offers a rate of 1.1% AER. There is no limit on the number of withdrawals, and you can replace money that you’ve taken out in a tax year without it becoming part of the ISA limit.

• Paragon Bank’s three-year fixed term ISA pays 1.5% AER at the time of writing, with a minimum of £500 being required. Although you can access your money in a fixed term ISA if you need to, the banks make hefty charges for doing so.

Fixed-rate accounts If you want to guarantee your rate of interest and are sure you won’t need the money for some time, a fixed-rate account could be a good option. You need to factor in the likelihood of rates rising again in the future, however, and try to determine the best length of time to lock your money away, otherwise you might lose out if the interest rate goes above that of your account.

• Atom Bank offers 1.4% AER for a one-year term, but you must open the account with their Android or iOS app, which won’t appeal to everybody. You can deposit between £50 and £100,000, and the interest is applied either monthly or annually.

• Tesco Bank has a fixed-rate account over three years,

Estuary Oils Your Leading Fuels & Lubricants Supplier

Estuary

offering 1.2% AER. You can open it online with a minimum deposit of £2,000.

Savings accounts offer a guaranteed return on your money, which can grow surprisingly quickly, especially if the interest is applied monthly.

Having some cash to one side gives you a degree of control to deal with unexpected life events such as redundancy, or simply the reassurance that you have a ‘cushion’ to fall back on. http://www.moneysavingexpert. com/banking/compare-bestbank-accounts#interest http://www.moneysavingexpert. com/savings/best-regularsavings-accounts#bb http://www.moneysavingexpert. com/savings/best-cashisa#manipulate http://www.moneysavingexpert. com/savings/fixed-rate-savings

Your Local Independent Family Oil Company

Oils www.estuaryoils.com enquiries@estuaryoils.com

Caldicot: 01291 422 656 Cardiff: 02920 887 973 Forest of Dean: 01594 825 130 Emergency Telephone Numbers: Andrew 07887 777 752 / David 07976 091 307

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 39

Page 40

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

Craig's Comment New Year, new you. This is a phrase we hear regularly in January.

However, the idea does not need to stop with us. Local organisations, town and parish councils, and ultimately the Forest of Dean District Council, should also think about how this might apply to them.

Over the past year we have often heard how, due to uncertain political and economic situations around the world, interest rates have dropped.

While this is something that many of us may hear but do not think about on a daily basis, it does have a direct impact on us.

Take the District Council as an example; at the start of 2016 it was estimated that the income the District Council would make from investments would be £161,700.

This figure was used when budgets were put together for the year ahead. However, if we fast forward to 2017 we will see that this income has dropped down to £130,000, which means the Council has received £31,700 less than it had expected, a gap that now needs to be plugged somehow.

This month, as we move into the new year and start all over, is an opportunity for the District Council,

along with our local parish and town councils, to change how they do things and to consider investing in their communities instead of projects abroad.

With interest rates being so low overseas, investing locally could give councils better security over local taxpayers’ money as well as a better income from interest. It would also mean that local people’s money is reinvested back into their own communities. Put simply, the Council’s money/your money would be working twice as hard.

There are already some fantastic examples of community banks around the UK. One sees around £3million invested into it every year from Powys County Council. The agreement is that this money can only be made available to residents who need emergency home or damage repairs.

With community banks, decisions are being made at a local level by people who know the area well, which means that they are able to offer better interest rates than larger corporate banks.

Some town councils have reported receiving up to three times as much interest from their community bank as they would have done had they invested elsewhere. Again, with this comes the added bonus of knowing that they are helping the local economy, with loans being made to

local families for mortgages and also to local businesses in their community.

I made these suggestions at a recent District Council committee meeting so was pleased to hear that the concept, along with other ideas to invest local taxpayers’ money more wisely, is now being explored by the cabinet at the Forest of Dean District Council.

Instead of seeing a £31,700 hole in the Council’s finances, this year we could see a better return from the Council’s investments, which means that there would be more money to spend on local services, in addition to the money helping local businesses and home owners.

And before you think that these ideas only apply to councils – anyone can put their money in a community bank or credit union! This way you can be safe in the knowledge that your money, or the money from your organisation or association, is safe while also doing some good in the community and helping the local economy to grow and thrive.

What better change to make for 2017?

Craig is the District Councillor for Oxenhall and Newent North East.

If Craig is your councillor you can contact him on craig.lawton@ fdean.gov.uk. To find out who your District Councillor is you can contact Forest of Dean District Council on 01594 810000.

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 41

LOCAL FREELANCE Crystal Flame Photography PHOTOGRAPHER (With mobile studio)

Lock Up Your Stuff!

PORTRAITS

Families, Children, Christenings, Pets, Teen Shoots, etc

It seems that there’s a new hack every couple of days, with websites admitting that hackers have managed to get people’s account details.

That’s dangerous, because many people use the same passwords on every site - so if somebody manages to get your login details for one website, they might be able to get into your email and favourite online shops. The good news is that protecting yourself is simple.

[No posing in studio - comfort of your home or preferred location]

WEDDINGS

Imaginative and Relaxed Photography

Packages from £100 to £800

For quote or discussion call Colin on 07851 407628 or 01531 822172 or email colinwe@aol.com zedman65@mail.com

First of all, don’t use the same user name and password twice. And secondly, don’t use easy to guess passwords. “12345678” is one of the UK’s most popular passwords and easy to guess, but something like “ektg-243n-brb456” isn’t. That’s hard to remember, of course, but you don’t have to remember it: on Apple hardware the Safari web browser can remember your passwords for you, and on other devices, apps such as the excellent LastPass or 1Password do the same.

E EFFIC EF FF IEN FIIC CIIE ,, EN NT T S S P E E E SP E PEED DY DY YD D ELIVE DE EL E LIIV R R VERY Y

GREAT WEEKEND HIRE GREAT WEEKEND HIRE OPTIONS GREAT WEEKEND HIRE OPTIONS OPTIONS

Small Cultivator Cultivator Digger £25 £25£90

Hedge Small Trimmer Digger £25 £90

Plate Hedge Plate Hole Pressure Post Hole Post CompactorCompactor Washers Borers Trimmer Borers £25 £35 £25 £25 £35 £25

Pre Was £

Cherry picker hire available with free sitewith surveys Cherry picker hire available free site surveys Massive range of salerange itemsofincluding and and hand tools Massive sale items including and all gardening and all gardening and han

Unit 1 Ashburton Industrial Estate, Ross-On-Wye 5SY ☎ 01989 Byard Rd, Gloucester GL2 5DFGL2 ☎HR9 01452 526616 Byard Rd, Gloucester 5DF 01452566729 526616 7.30am-5pm and 8am-12pm 7.30am-5pm and Saturdays 8am-12pm Saturdays

www.ermin.co.uk www.ermin.co.uk

Branches in: Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, Cirencester, Worcester, Ross-on-Wye Branches in: Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud, Cirencester, Worcester, Ross-o Page 42

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

What‘s On in January Dean Heritage Centre Open every day, 10.00am 5.00pm, Last entry: 4.00pm Camp Mill, Soudley, GL14 2UB

Park, Nr Lydney, Forest of Dean Back by popular demand!

Come along and try the synthetic skating rink, browse the craft stalls, have your face painted and take part in the indoor and outdoor activities (new experiences every day including archery, fencing, body zorbs, snorkelling and much more) and after all that why not visit the bar and restaurant.

Mince Pie Specials Sunday 1st and Monday 2nd January, From 9.50am, Dean Forest Railway, Forest Road, Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15 4ET

With five galleries spanning over 10,000 years of history, plus outdoor attractions, trails and a woodland playground, the Dean Heritage Centre is so much more than just a museum. Non giftaid prices: Adults: £7.20, Conc: £6.30, Children (3-16): £5.40, Family (2 plus 2): £23, Family (2 plus 3): £28. For more information call 01594 822170 or visit www.deanheritagecentre.com.

Perrygrove Railway Open every weekend all year round, and daily during local school holidays Perrygrove Railway & Treetop Adventure, Perrygrove Road, Coleford, GL16 8QB

Adults: £7.00; Seniors: £6.60; Children (3 and over): £5.65; Family (2 adults & 2 children): £24.50. For more information call 01594 834991 or visit: www.perrygrove.co.uk.

Winter Woodland Sunday 1st & Monday 2nd January, Whitemead Forest

Christmas Day is over and it’s time to get out for some fresh air and perhaps a short walk!

Travel through the magical forest (keeping an eye out for some deer or even a wild boar!) and take a short walk at Parkend or pay a visit to a pub for a bite to eat and some real ale. All dates are on steam hauled trains.

No need to book in advance.

Evie’s Aeroplane Ongoing until Sunday 3rd January, 10.00am - 3.00pm, Clearwell Caves, Nr Coleford, GL16 8JR Come along and follow the delightful cavern displays which tell the enchanting story of a little girl and her toy aeroplane and the adventure they get up to during Christmas. Tickets are £10.00 per person, under 2’s free.

Newent & District Camera Club Meeting Tuesdays, meet at 7.30pm for 7.45pm start (meeting ends at 10.00pm), Newent Library 10th Jan: Members' evening No. 3, Submit print & DPI entries for "Transport". 17th Jan: Monthly Competition No. 5, Theme: "Transport", judged

by club members. 24th Jan: "Confessions of a failed 5 second flasher" by Bob Train LRPS, Submit print & DPI entries for Portfolio. 31st Jan: lnternational Salon of Photography 2016, presented

by Cheltenham Camera Club. New members always welcome, fee of £2 per evening (visit 3 times before joining).

For further information on the Club please visit www. newentdcc.com or email tonycook01@gmail.com.

Severn Bore Thurs 12th - Mon 16th January, Minsterworth, Various times

Come and see one of Britain's truly spectacular natural phenomena. Please use one of the car parks (do not park along Church Lane). No fixed car parking charge, a voluntary contribution is requested.

For more information and the timetable visit: www.severnbore.co.uk.

Bells Hotel Events Bells Hotel, Coleford, Gloucestershire, GL16 8BE Saturday 14th January: An evening of comedy and music with Ivor Ellis. Tickets: £11.00 to include a 2-course meal. Friday 20th January: Freddy Mercury Tribute Show. Tickets: £17.50 to include a 2-course meal and party disco. To book tickets, please call 01594 832583.

Carers Drop-In Thursday 19th January, 10.30am - 12.00 noon, The Community Lounge, Two Rivers Housing, Western Way, Dymock Do you look after someone who is frail, ill or disabled? Then you

events cont'd...

Pictograms

AB R W LE

4 words

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.

A.M. 2 words

3 letters: 14 4 letters: 13 5 letters: 3 6 letters: 1

COM PANY

Puzzle & Crossword Solutions Review Of The Year

2 words FETA

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.

TARGET Excellent: 50 or more words Good: 40 words Fair: 33 words

1. Fiji's 2. Coronation Street 3. Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton and Mel B ("Gem standing for the first letters of their first names") 4. Robot Wars 5. Roald Dahl's 6. Maria Sharapova (after failing a drugs test) 7. Mark Clattenburg 8. Ukraine 9. Angelina Jolie 10. Heroes, Life On Mars, Starman, Let's Dance and Space Oddity

Codeword 12

P N Page 44

G U R

9

W O

26 19

I

S

3

E

20

L

5

Y

A

14

F

2

F

2

A

26

S

A

26

9

14

I

H

24

2

M E

3L ALE AR AW AW BA BR EA ER

21

I

R

1

Z

14

F

I

O

18

B

3

R E

2 4

A C

25

T

10 3

N E

21 8 9

E

A

15

K

15

K

7

3

E X

6

M P 3

26

I

V O

7

19

9

S

7

16

E

21

R

20

L

10

16

U

N I

L

H

18

B

Y

25

T

P

19

S

2

A

16

U

7

3

7

E

6 2

P A C

2

K A

17 3

G

M E

M V L

T

15

8

20

Y

P

25

4

18

L

6

6

A B

E

21

R

19

S

17 24

T

24

20

17

R

2

3

G

25

20

T

5

U G

O

21

26

16

C

F

25

4

U

M

14

19

16

9

L

C

O O

N

3

E

9

20 4

10

3

16

S

R

E

25

T

21

13

R M U

U

3

2

21

9

9

19

S

Q

O

25

T

16 3 3 1

U E E Z

25

3

5

26

T

H

E

21

I

R

10

N

9

11

26 19

I

S

O

10

10

N

26 17

N G 5

19

S

T

19

S

22

D

10

N

10

H

25

23 2

J

A

17

G

17

N G 3

E

25

5

9

22

10

11

12

13

23

24

25

26

T

I

H O

D

O N Q W X

22

D

J

Y

T

I

Mini Cryptic Crossword Solution

Word Ladder Here is one possible solution (others may exist) FORK - pork - park - dark dirk - disk - DISH

Easy Crossword ACROSS: 7 Voyage, 8 Tongue, 9 Lime, 10 Executed, 11 Seaside, 13 Clasp, 15 Bagel, 17 Bicycle, 20 Indicate, 21 Shut, 22 Vipers, 23 Attack.

DOWN: 1 Docile, 2 Base, 3 Depends, 4 Utter, 5 Annually, 6 Buyers, 12 Specimen, 14 Liberal, 16 Auntie, 18 Launch, 19 Balsa, 21 Sett.

Pictograms 1. Top Of The Morning 2. Part Company 3. Say Cheese

Sudoku 3 Letters ALE ARE AWE AWL BAR BRA EAR ERA

LAB LAW LEA RAW WAR WEB 4 Letters ABLE BALE

BARE BAWL BEAR BLEW BREW EARL REAL WALE WARE

WEAL WEAR 5 Letters ABLER BLARE BRAWL 6 Letters WARBLE

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

...events cont'd may like to meet with other carers to share stories, swap coping ideas, gain helpful information and relax over a cuppa. Come and join us on the 3rd Thursday each month. For more information contact Roger Hare at ‘Carers Gloucestershire’ on 01452 872241 or email rhare@ carersgloucestershire.org.uk.

REGULAR EVENTS Charity Quiz Night Last Friday of every month, Doors open at 7.00pm, Sixteen Community Cafe, Bank Street, Coleford, GL16 8B 7.15pm: Talk from charity; 7.30pm: A mouth watering meal; 8pm: Quiz; 8.30pm: Raffle; 8.45pm: Vote of thanks.

Tickets: £7.50 includes a meal.

For more information visit: www.jamiefundraiser.co.uk or contact Jamie on info@ jamiefundraiser.co.uk or 07586530907.

Coffee & Chat Every Monday, 11.00am - 12.30pm, Lydney Community Centre, Naas Lane, Lydney, GL15 5AT For more information call 01594 845704.

Forest of Dean Drop In Coffee & Chat Every Wednesday, 10am - 12 Noon,

Forest of Dean Drop In, The Main Place, Coleford, GL16 8HR Everyone welcome. For more information call 01594 834436.Run by the Independence Trust.

visit: www.jamiefundraiser.co.uk or contact Jamie on info@ jamiefundraiser.co.uk or 07586530907.

Knit and Natter sessions Every Thursday, 7pm - 9pm, Mad Dog Designs at Taurus Crafts, Lydney It doesn’t have to be knitting it can be any craft that can be transported easily! Why not come along and share your ideas!

For more information email enquire@tauruscrafts.co.uk.

Coleford Country Market Every Fri from 9.30am 12 Noon, beside the Clock Tower in Coleford; Every Sat from 10am - 12 Noon, in Mushet Walk, near the Co-op. We sell home-baked cakes and pastries, home-produced preserves and honey, handmade crafts, home grown seasonal fruit, as well as vegetables and plants.

Severn Sun Tai Chi and Yoga Yoga: Wednesdays, 7.00pm - 8.30pm Tai Chi: Thursdays, 7.00pm - 9.00pm, Blakeney Youth Centre Friendly classes, all abilities.

Telephone Natalie on 01594 510666 for more information or to join.

Table Sale Last Sunday of every month, 12pm - 3pm, Sixteen Community Cafe, Bank Street, Coleford,GL16 8B Refreshments are available; tables £5. For more information

LOCAL MARKETS

St. Briavels Farmers Market First Saturday of every month, 9.30am - 1.00pm, The Pavilion, St. Briavels Produce, patisserie, fish, pies and more.

Boiler Service Installation and Breakdown Central Heating Installations and Upgrades All aspects of Plumbing work carried out GAS . LPG . OIL . RENEWABLES

Duanne Hill Mobile 07773 395803 Email fusionpropertyservices@yahoo.co.uk Hasnett Road, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 2FX

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 45

Do You Let Your Age Do The Talking?

by Kate McLelland

The invitation arrived via social media: “A group of us are going to Glastonbury Festival for the day. Do you fancy coming along, too?”

I had been to the festival twice in the early 1980s, watching sets by artists like Elvis Costello and the Style Council. I’d loved it all - the mud, the dodgy burgers from a van, the opportunity to bond with thousands of other young music fans, but now, at the age of 56, I just couldn’t see myself fitting in (even though I still have the same pair of wellies).

Almost without thinking, I replied, saying that I would be busy on the day my friend had suggested. It was an instinctive reaction, but as I pressed ‘send’ and watched my reply appear online, I immediately regretted my decision.

My husband and I have watched Glasto on TV many times in recent years and we’ve often remarked on the number of older people we see in the crowd.

Page 46

This reaction made me think about other times when I have refused to do something, or hesitated to take part in an event, because of my age. I realised that since turning 40 I have begun to censor everything I do, looking at life through an ‘age appropriate’ lens rather than thinking about what I really wanted. It was a sobering thought, but within ten minutes I had come up with a list of things I could do differently in future:

on the dance floor.

From now on, although I may not be the first on the dance floor, I certainly won’t be the last. don’t be an ageconscious shopper Worries about not dressing appropriately for our age can hold us back when choosing what to wear. We opt for ‘safe’ styles that often have the effect of making us feel even older than we are.

MuM and dad dancing The jokes about “Dad dancing” have no doubt been responsible for millions of older men making an excuse to visit the loo as soon as the music starts playing at a family wedding.

It may have been different in the Seventies and Eighties, but these days you’ll find a real cross-section of ages browsing through the clothing rails: what’s more shop assistants don’t seem to care that the person entering the fitting rooms isn’t a size 10, aged twenty-something.

We’re all probably a little self-conscious when it comes to dancing, particularly if our kids are watching, but provided you’re not planning to moonwalk or point at the ceiling, Saturday Night Fever style, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t strut your stuff

Short skirts, revealing tops, body-hugging clothing and huge heels will still be out for me, but I’m giving myself permission to drop into some of the more youthful stores I used to shun, just in case there’s something that catches my eye.

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

You’re never too old for adventure We may be less physically able than we once were, but this doesn’t rule us out from ever enjoying another adventure, whether that’s climbing Machu Picchu or pony trekking in Bridlington.

Nowadays we may be more inclined to stay in a hotel than camp out at a music festival, but at least we are still taking part. It’s important that we keep our minds and bodies active, staying open to experiences and interests that enrich us.

Next time I receive an invitation from friends to go somewhere unusual, I won’t come up with the kneejerk response of saying (or thinking) “I’m too old for that.”

don’t disappear into the crowd A lot of my older friends complain about feeling invisible, and that’s because they’ve lost confidence. Their body language says “don’t look at me, I’m not worth your attention”, so it’s hardly surprising that people no longer notice them.

help me with my posture, but keep my body flexible.

As older people we have surely earned our place in society? That means we have every right to enjoy life and express ourselves without fear of an adverse reaction.

The truth is that we are often the harshest judges of our own behaviour, setting limits and curtailing our ambitions to avoid the slightest risk of criticism.

A long, hard look in the mirror at home showed me that I was beginning to slouch - shoulders rounded, tummy sagging, head down – but when I lifted up my head and straightened my shoulders, I seemed more alert, more engaged with the world and – dare I say it – more youthful.

Teenagers are blissfully unconcerned about the views of their elders, and recently I’ve come to the conclusion that older people should take a leaf out of their book. I’ve decided that even if I live to be 100, nothing can stop me from living my life to the full.

I’ve decided to join a local yoga class that will not only

QUICK CROSSWORD

Across

1

2

3

4

7

5

6

8

7 Long sea journey (6) 8 Muscle used for swallowing (6) 9 Type of fruit (4)

9

10

11

12

13

10 Killed (8) 11 Holiday destination (7)

14 15

16

13 Hold tight (5) 15 Type of bread (5)

17

18

19 20

21

17 Two-wheeled transport (7) 20 Point out (8) 21 Close (4)

22

23

22 Poisonous snakes (6) 23 Assault (6) Down 1 Compliant (6) 2 Foundation (4)

3 Relies upon (7)

14 Broad minded (7)

4 Speak (5)

16 Female relative (6)

5 Yearly (8)

18 Set in motion (6)

6 Purchasers (6)

19 Lightweight wood (5)

12 Sample (8)

21 Badger's den (4)

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 47

LOCAL CLUBS & SOCIETIES Forest of Dean Walking for Health We offer 16 free, regular walks throughout the Forest of Dean. No need to book. They are suitable for all abilities and can range from just 10 minutes to up to an hour. All end at a café or similar so there’s a chance for refreshments and a chat.

Full details on our website at www. walkingforhealth.org.uk/forestdean-walking-for-health or phone Kim Spencer on 01594 562240.

BREAM Bream Friendship Circle Every Monday, 2.00pm - 4.00pm Bream Community Centre If you are lonely and in need of friendship, then come along and meet like-minded people. Tea & Biscuits, Bingo, Table Top Sales, Mature Isometrics and monthly trips out.

For more information call Mrs Selway on 01594 564443.

Bream Gardening Society Meets monthly, indoor meetings are held second Tuesday of the month at West Dean Centre in Bream, 7.30 pm. Summer garden trips are organized to different gardens and places of interest during the summer.

For additional information contact Secretary, Jennifer Lang, at 01594 719314.

Bream Silver Band and Training Band Rehearsals Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7.30pm - 9.30pm, at the Bandroom, Sun Tump, Bream.

New members welcome.

Contact our Secretary on 01594 564382, for Training Band call 01594 860181. www.breamband.com Bream Rugby Social Club High St, Bream, Lydney Tel: 01594 562320 Bream Sports Club High St, Bream, Lydney Tel: 01594 563094 Forest of Dean Male Voice Choir The choir practices every Monday and Friday evening at the West Dean Community Centre, Bream.

New members always welcome. We offer enjoyable taster sessions free of charge. No auditions - just a friendly bunch of guys so join and enjoy their company and camaraderie. The choir sings at concerts to raise money for

various charitable causes as well as at private functions. For more information call Eric Woods on 01594 836050.

Forest of Dean Parkinson’s Group Meets at the first Wednesday of the month, 2pm - 3.30pm, West Dean Centre, High Street, Bream, Lydney, GL15 6JW We offer information, friendship and support to local people with Parkinson's, their families and carers.

We also organise regular events and social activities, all are welcome to join us. Contact Jane Henderson, Volunteer Co-ordinator on 0344 225 3694 jhenderson@parkinsons.org.uk if you are interested in coming along, See more at: www.parkinsons.org. uk/local-support-groups/regions/ south-west-england/south-forestparkinsons-group CINDERFORD Causeway Club Edge Hills Rd, Cinderford Tel: 01594 822039 Cinderford Band Contact: Ian Tomlins - Press Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Webmaster for the Cinderford Band. Tel: 01452 723518 Cinderfordband03@aol.com www.cinderfordbrassband.co.uk Cinderford Bowling Club Steam Mills Recreation Ground, Cinderford, Gl14 3JD Tel.: 01594 542004 Cinderford Hanover Court Activities Cinderford Hanover Court, Extra Care Flats, GL142 LQ We offer the following group activities: Every Tuesday: Songs of Praise, 3-4pm with a cup of tea; Wednesday,10.30-11.30am: Trevor Reynaert Tai Chi - £3; Wednesday, 3-4pm: Quiet Corner Book Reading with Mary including the partially sighted - £3; Thursday, 11-12am: Extend Exercises with Sue; Last Friday of each month, 3-5pm: A social Musical Afternoon with singing, dancing, friendship, tea and raffle £4, monies for a defribulator. Come and bring your friends. For more information contact Celia Large on 01594 824276.

Found in the Forest Youth Theatre Sundays, 12.00 - 1.30pm (Ages 7-10), 2.00pm - 3.30pm (ages 11-16) Artspace, Cinderford A fun, practical drama group for anyone aged 7-16. Get involved with acting, drama and performance, have fun and meet some new friends along the way. Each term ends with a performance for friends and family.

Contact Jamie@actorworkshop.co.uk or call 07712481991.

Miners Welfare Hall Wesley Rd, Cinderford Tel: 07551 032480 Soldiers & Sailors Club 1 Commercial St, Cinderford Tel: 01594 822142 YMCA High St, Cinderford Tel: 01594 823388 COALWAY Coalway Singers Practice every Monday, 7.15pm 9pm Pisgah Chapel in Coalway We welcome all ladies or girls aged 16 or over with an interest in music and singing. We are in the process of learning a new repertoire under the direction of our new musical director Sam Davis and pianist Joe Smith.

Valerie Harris: 01594 832465 Eileen Avery: 01594 835977 Coalway Ladies Group Meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 7pm, Pisgah Hall, Old Road, Coalway, GL16 7JT We have a varied programme of interesting speakers throughout the year. Ladies of 16years onward and visitors are always very welcome.

For more information call Anne on 01594 834402.

COLEFORD Coleford Bowls Club The Bells Hotel & the Forest of Dean Golf & Bowls Club, Lord's Hill, Coleford, GL16 8BE Tel.: 01594 839417 Coleford Chess Club Every Tuesday, 5.00pm - 7.00pm Main Place, Coleford Library Our free 'just for fun' chess club ranges from young novices to experienced league players; so please come along to learn, or brush up on your chess skills in a relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere.

Coleford Hard Of Hearing Club Meets every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month between 10.00am and 12 noon at St. Margaret Mary Church Hall, High Nash, Coleford, where there is ample parking. Our aim is to spread useful information, help those with hearing impairment feel less isolated and have fun. We welcome new members and volunteers, and try to have four special events e.g.

Christmas lunch or summer trips each year. For more information please contact Elaine on 07971 303958.

Coleford Photographic Club 17 Cinder Hill, Coleford, GL16 8HJ New Members Welcomed. All ages, abilities and photographic interests.

Tel: 01594 839118.

Page 48 call 01594to806 555your or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk Get in touch with the ForestTo ofadvertise Dean Magazine have local club or society listed for FREE!

DRYBROOK The A. W. Parker (Drybrook) Band Tel: 01594 543707 www.drybrookband.co.uk Drybrook & District Ladies Choir Practice every Wednesday in Drybrook Bandroom (7pm - 9pm).

All ladies, or girls aged 16 or over, with an interest in music and the ability to sing in tune welcome!

Tel: 01594 542414 www.ddlc.org.uk Drybrook & District Male Voice Choir Tel: 01452 830492 Drybrook Memorial Hall & Social Club Drybrook Road, Drybrook Tel: 01594 543794 Forest of Dean Model Railway Club Meets in the Parish Room at the United Reformed Church, Drybrook, GL17 9JE, every Monday and Friday evening from 7pm until about 10pm (except Christmas and Easter).

Facilities include test tracks in N, OO and O gauges, areas for browsing the library collection or constructing models and kits. We have N and OO Rolling Roads and Wheel Cleaning facilities and a kitchen for teas and coffees (free). Membership consists of an annual fee, and a weekly sum payable on attendance. We have a wide range of skills, and are always ready to provide help and advice to anyone who asks. We will discuss any aspect of railway modelling with anyone who wants to chat, and there is always a warm welcome awaiting visitors and prospective members alike. For more information visit: www.fodmrc.co.uk.

LYDNEY Forest of Dean Camera Club Meets each Monday evening at 7.30pm (doors open at 7.00pm).

Meetings are held at the Viney St. Swithin Sports and Social Club, Viney Hill, near Lydney. The programme includes talks with advice on various aspects of photography, question and answer sessions and competitions.

Progarmme details and information can be obtained on the club website: www.forestofdeancameraclub.co.uk Forest of Dean Sea Cadets Parade Tuesday & Thursday evenings, 7.00pm - 9.15pm Open to young people aged 10-18. Rowing, kayaking, canoeing, D of E, as well we many life skills, i.e. First Aid and leadership. See our website for more details of the varied programme available to all: www.sea-cadets.org/forestofdean.

Contact by email forestofdeanscc@ btinternet.com.

Forest of Dean U3A Every 3rd Thurs of the month, 1.40pm, Lydney Town Hall Painting, skittles, whist, photography, three walking groups, bridge, cribbage, French, art and crafts, trips, singing and luncheon club are just some of the voluntary activities offered during each month for the over 50s.

Why not come and join our lively, friendly groups? Come along, listen to our guest speakers, and meet the people who run the groups. Annual membership is only £15. For more details visit: www.u3asites.org.uk/forest-of-dean Lydney Community Centre Naas Lane, Lydney, Glos, GL15 5AT Accessible and dementia-friendly building with three rooms and hall to hire for meetings, birthday parties and concerts; Wi-Fi available. White Lotus Classes, Tai Chi & Fitness, Tai Chi Sword, Zumba, Kickboxing, Pilates, Lindy Hop Dance, Painting, Chat and Craft, Women’s Institute, Riverside Church, CAP Unemployment & Debt Counselling, Beast Keep Fit, Jeans Keep Fit, Welcome Trust Tea & Toast, Golden Triangle Club, Jazz 4 U Club, Film Club, Jazz Concerts, Monday Drop in Coffee & Chat, Kids Arts & Craft, Over 60`s Club, Drama Society & Scenesetters. All details of days and times including social events can be found on www.lydneycommunitycentre. co.uk and facebook, or email lydneycommunitycentre@outlook.com.

Tel. 01594845704 / 07504565153.

Lydney & Severnside Flower Club Meet on the second Monday of the month, 7.15pm at Lydney Town Hall Floral demonstrations at most meetings.

Refreshments and raffle. Give yourself a treat! Visitors always welcome.

Contact: 01594 860 578 Lydney Tennis Club Hams Road, Lydney Tel: 01594 842159 Lydney Training Band We rehearse every Monday evening from 6.30 til 7.30pm at the Bandroom, Swan Road, Lydney GL15 5RU. Training is given by experienced and qualified teachers (DBS checked). All ages welcome including adults. £1 a week covers tuition and instrument.

Come along and have a chat or ring Kerry Ford BMus on 01594 530886.

The Senior Band rehearses on Fridays from 7.30 til 9.30pm.

The Royal British Legion Clubs 3 Hill Street, Lydney Tel: 01594 842444 Parkend Working Men’s Club Lion Row, Parkend, Lydney Tel: 01594 562566

Sports Clubs in Lydney Lydney Bowling Club Bathurst Park, Lydney Tel: 01594 842962 Lydney Cricket Club The Pavilion Recreation Ground, Swan Rd, Lydney Tel: 01594 842765 Lydney Golf Club Naas Lane (access off bypass), Lydney, GL15 4ES Tel: 01594 842775 Lydney Town A.F.C Recreation Ground, Swan Rd, Lydney Tel: 01594 844523 Lydney Rugby Football Club Regents Holme, Regent St, Lydney Tel: 01594 842479 Viney St. Swithins Sports & Social Club Recreation Ground, Viney Hill, Lydney, Tel: 01594 510658 Lydney Yacht Club The Old Shipyard House, Harbour Road, Lydney, GL15 4ER Tel: 01594 842573 MITCHELDEAN Forest of Dean Chess Club Meets Monday evenings (except during Public Holidays), 7.00pm9.30pm at Mitcheldean Library.

The club competes in Division Two of the North Gloucestershire Chess League and also runs its own internal tournaments. Training sessions, simultaneous displays and social matches form part of the club’s variety of chess-related activities. New members are welcome; why not come along for a taster session? For further information, contact Secretary Ray Francis (07815597714) or visit www.fodcc.org.uk Forest of Dean Motorcycle Club Meet at least once a month on a Tuesday night, 12 Vantage Point Business Village, Mitcheldean, GL17 0DD Family oriented Club. Members enjoy all aspects of Motorcycles from Vintage to Modern and from Club Rallies to the Isle of Man TT. For more information contact Mike (Spike) Hook on 07815571350 or email: spikehook@3rossroad.freeserve.co.uk Mitcheldean Folk Club Every second Thursday of the month, 8pm, The White Horse in Mitcheldean Xerox Sports & Social Club Vantage Point Business Park, Mitcheldean, GL17 0DD Xerox SSC has a well maintained clubhouse consisting of a bar, lounge, skittle alley, snooker room and an exceptionally well appointed function

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 49

...Local Clubs & Societies cont'd room. The club regularly hosts charity evenings & includes a thriving Country/ Western club which holds events every month. There is a floodlit patio and a secure, extensive car-park reserved for members and guests. Annual membership fee £5.20. Tel: 01594 544900 NEWENT Newent Bridge Club In the Sixth Form Centre of Newent Community School We play duplicate bridge every Wednesday (18.45pm for 19.00pm start) and Friday (19.00pm for 19.15pm start). There is always a host on Fridays, so you don’t need a partner. Visitors are always welcome.

Full details on our website www.bridgewebs.com/newent.

Newent & District Camera Club Meets every Tuesday at 7.30pm for a 7.45pm start (meetings end at 10.00pm), Newent Library New members welcome. Fee of £2.

For further information please see our website www.newentdcc.com or email our Chairman on tonycook01@ gmail.com.

Newent Walking Group Meets twice a month on a Sunday.

An informal friendly walking group.

Walks may be full or half day and vary in distance between 4 and 10 miles, often with a picnic or pub break. For more information please telephone our Programme Secretary, Alison Jones, on 01531 820151.

NEWNHAM Clay Hill Potters Pottery Group in Newnham-OnSevern, www.clayhillpotters.co.uk Lions Club of Severn Dean 2 Whetstones, Newnham GL14 1BL Tel: 0845 833 5836 The Friendship Club Social club for over 50s which

“I must say I am thrilled with the coverage of my charity event in your magazines. I already had a response from people wanting tickets. Thank you so very much!”

Martin

Variety Show Mitcheldean

Page 50

meets fortnightly in the Armoury Hall in Newnham during the afternoon.

Opportunity for members to meet their friends for a chat and a cup of tea.

There is usually also some entertainment which varies from fortnight to fortnight.

Tel: 01594 516545 The Newnham Art Group Newnham Art Group meets every Tuesday in the Armoury Hall between 10am and 12 Noon with the exception of short breaks at Christmas and Easter and a longer recess in the Summer.

Consisting of amateur artists who simply want to take time out on a regular basis to draw and paint and exchange tips, advice and ideas. £2 to cover room hire and refreshment costs. Tel: 01594 516450 or 01594 516007 Newnham Club Newnham Club is a social and sports club situated in a fine building in the centre of the village. In addition to the bar and a family friendly atmosphere it offers a number of activities including skittles, darts, snooker, pool, a garden with a barbecue and an area where you can watch televised sport. It also has a large function room with a bar that can cater for a wide range of events. Tel: 01594 516379 Newnham Garden Club Providing a forum for all species of gardener in Newnham and the surrounding area. The club meets on the third Monday of each month at 7.30pm at the Armoury Hall. The programme is varied and includes talks from specialists and professionals; summer trips to gardens; themed evenings and a Christmas Party. Indoor meetings include a bring and buy plant stall, a raffle, a monthly competition, refreshments and a chance to talk horticulture. Members range from beginners to professionals.

Tel: 01594 516165 Newnham Players The group welcomes new members for all aspects of drama from acting and directing to make up and construction, costume skills, props, sound engineers,

front of house, etc. For more details visit: www.newnhamonsevern.co.uk Newnham Youth Club For children from Year 7 and older.

Meets at the Armoury Hall on Monday evenings during term time between 7pm and 8.30pm. Club is run by local volunteers and seen as a benefit for both the young people of the village and the wider community, providing a safe environment for young people to meet, socialise and engage in fun activities. New children and volunteers always welcome. Tel: 01594 516742 / 01594 516287 Pillowell Singers Practice Wed evenings from 7pm to 8.30pm at Pillowell Methodist Church New members welcome. Ladies with an interest in joining please ring 01594 562 485.

WOOLASTON The Springfield Singers Rehearsals Tuesday evenings, 19.45pm - 21.30pm Woolaston Primary School Subscription: £15 per month.

Secretary Lesley Wreford: 01594 529468 www.thespringfieldsingers.co.uk

Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF) is the support agency for voluntary and community groups in the Forest of Dean.

A data base of groups is kept, so if you are looking for an activity or club get in touch.

We are also the local volunteer centre. Have a look at www.fvaf.org.uk email help4groups@fvaf.org.uk or phone 01594 822073.

Get in touch with the Forest of Dean Magazine to have your local club or society listed for FREE!

“Your magazine is a really good source for advertising and it is bringing people in. Thank you!”

“Looks lovely as always - very nice layout and quality. I do get quite a lot of feedback about the feature.”

Sarah

Rita

Gloucestershire County Council

Smiths of Newent Auctions

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

INTERESTED IN RENEWABLE ENERGY? LEARN MORE ABOUT GSM

HEAT PUMPS - SMART SWITCHES SOLAR PV - AIR CONDITIONING Call Cassie now to arrange a free, noobligation survey: 01531 828782 WEB: WWW .GSMLIMITED .COM

•

Local business

•

Established 30 years

•

Free home surveys

•

Local installs to view

•

No deposit required

•

Ethical sales

•

Service support

•

Latest technology

•

Design, installation and commissioning

E MAIL: ENQUIRIES @GSMLIMITED .COM

VISIT: OLD STATION ROAD , NEWENT , GLOUCESTERSHIRE , GL18 1BB

Review Of The Year 2016 1. After winning their first ever Olympic medal in 2016, which country's prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, announced they would no longer be progressing plans to change the country’s flag and that the union jack would stay part of it?

2. On March 1st, screenwriter Tony Warren died at the age of 79. Which longrunning TV show did he create?

3. Which three members of the Spice Girls reunited in 2016 and launched a new website called "The Spice Girls Gem"?

4. After a 12 year absence, which TV show returned in 2016 and was won by Apollo?

5. Words such as wondercrump, snozzwanger and scrumdiddlyumptious were included in a new dictionary that was compiled to mark the centenary of which author's birth?

6. Who was in the news in March 2016 for her use of meldonium?

7. In football, which Englishman refereed the final of Euro 2016?

8. Which country won the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest with a controversial song about Joseph Stalin's deportation of the Tatar people from Crimea in 1944?

9. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie separated in September 2016, with which one of the two filing for divorce?

10. In the week following the death of David Bowie, which five of his hit singles reentered the UK top 40 singles chart?

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 51

Health

By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

Realistic Resolutions for a Happier, Healthier New Year

New Year resolutions sound like a great idea: a fresh year and a fresh start. So why do they often fail?

Setting YourSelf up for failure At New Year, festive goodwill and New Year enthusiasm can entice us into making a multitude of overly ambitious resolutions, setting ourselves up to fail and often, give up completely on our goals. So let’s turn three popular, doomed-to-failure aspirations into realistic resolutions.

More exerciSe Your resolution: I’ll go to Pilates, do my dance DVD and walk two miles every week!

You didn’t manage any of these things every week last year - ask yourself why. Identify activities you enjoy and can most easily fit in. a Better resolution: I’ll do at least an hour’s exercise every week.

Weather too bad for walking?

Missed Pilates? Resolve to do your exercise DVD instead.

Anything else is a bonus. Better to do some exercise consistently than none. leSS alcohol Your resolution: “I won’t drink Page 52

on weekdays/at home/EVER AGAIN!” Recent research shows that even alcohol intake under the recommended limits of 2-3 units daily and 14 units per week increases your risk of many serious conditions, including dementia and some cancers, so reducing your intake is great – but tough if you’re a regular drinker. a Better resolution: Think about when and where you drink alcohol, and reduce your intake gradually. Try: • Matching every alcoholic drink with a soft drink, or buying a large soft drink later in the evening to last until home time.

• Finding other ways to relax if you always have a drink on returning from work (or make it a Friday-only treat). Feeling you ‘need’ a drink is a warning sign; consider if you need to make changes in your work life.

• On alternate nights, swap that wine with dinner or beer with friends for low-alcohol or nonalcoholic versions. no SMoking Your resolution: “I smoke 30 a day, but I’m quitting for good at New Year!”

It’s probably quicker to list conditions not aggravated or caused by smoking than to list those that are, and accepting you’re addicted to nicotine can be hard. But that twitchiness you

feel – the need for a cigarette to ‘calm your nerves’ - is nicotine withdrawal, which can occur very quickly.

This can make smoking hard to kick, particularly for moderate or heavy smokers. While a few successfully go ‘cold turkey’, gradually reducing your nicotine intake is the most reliable and angst-free method. a Better resolution: Try the options below and keep going until you find a strategy that works.

• Visit your GP. They can prescribe some nicotine replacement products and refer you to counselling.

You can also buy nicotine replacement products; experiment and see what works best for you.

• If you don’t already, make yourself smoke outside; it takes more effort. Toxins from your cigarette linger in the air (second-hand smoke) and settle on surfaces, where they’re re-released (third-hand smoke), so you’ll be improving the health of housemates and visitors too.

• Smoke to a timed schedule and gradually increase the time between cigarettes. Even if you smoke 25 a day and only drop one daily cigarette per fortnight, you’ll still be a nonsmoker in under a year.

• Keep nicotine but eliminate cigarette toxins like cyanide and arsenic by swapping to e-cigarettes or vaporisers.

‘Resolution’ has an array of scientific and historical meanings, including ‘reduction to a simpler form’. So keep your resolutions simple – and realistic!

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

EMERGENCY NUMBERS Ambulance (Emergency Only) Fire (Emergency Only) Gas Emergency Police (Emergency Only) Police (non-emergency) NHS Direct CHURCHES

999 999 0800 111 999 999 101 111

Aylbuton Methodist Church Bailey Lane End Methodist Chapel Bream Methodist Church Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Cinderford Baptist Church Cinderford Methodist Church Clements End Methodist Church Coalway Methodist Church Coleford Baptist Church Drbrook Methodist Church Forest Church Forest Gate Church Ellwood Methodist Church The Forest of Dean Community Church Lydney and Woolaston Methodist Church Mayhill Methodist Church Mount of Olives Elim Pentecostal Church Pillowell Methodist Chapel Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church St. Ethelbert's Littledean St. James Church (Bream) St. John's Cinderford Stroat Church St. Stephens Church Cinderford DOCTORS

Blakeney Surgery Brunston Practice Coleford Health Centre Dockham Road Surgery Drs Andrew, Edwards, Hayes & Cleary Drybrook Surgery Forest Health Care Lydney Practice Mitcheldean Surgery Newnham Surgery Severnbank Surgery Wye Valley Practice, St. Briavels HOSPITALS

Gloucestershire Royal Hospital Lydney & District Hospital Ross on Wye Community Hospital The Dilke Memorial Hospital LIBRARIES

Bream Community Library Cinderford Library

01594 833247 01594 825662 01594 825662 01594 832904 01594 822618 01594 824656 01594 833247 01594 833247 01594 839377 01594 825662 01594 542232 01594 544844 01594 833247 01594 824076 01594 833247 01452 830329 01594 837047 01594 825662 01531 821647 01594 833173 01594 822286 01594 562985 01594 822286 01594 529209 01594 822286 01594 510225 01594 833255 01594 838108 0844 815 1058 01594 562437 01594 542239 01594 820820 01594 842167 01594 542270 01594 516241 01594 845715 01594 530334 0300 422 2222 03004 218722 01989 562100 03004 218640 01594 563073 0845 230 5420

Forest of Dean useful numbers

Coleford Library Lydney Library Mitcheldean Community Library Newent Library Newnham Community Library POST OFFICES

Blakeney Post Office Bream Post Office Gorsley Post Office Hartpury Post Office Higham Post Office Netherend Post Office Newent Post Office Parkend Post Office and Stores Yorkley Post Office and Stores TRAVEL

Bus Information Train Information COUNCIL

Forest of Dean Council UTILITIES

Electricty -­Power Loss Gas Emergency Water Leaks Water Severn Trent

0845 230 5420 0845 230 5420 01594 544164 0845 2305420 01594 516296 01594 510310 01594 564 333 01989 720 258 01452 700 416 01452 522 912 01594 528361 01531 820326 01594 563565 01594 562331 0871 200 2233 08457 484950 01594 810000 0800 365 900 0800 111 999 0800 1691144 0800 783 4444

HELPLINES Alcoholics Anonymous Glos 01452 418515 (24hrs) Alcoholics Anonymous National 0800 9177650 Childline 0800 1111 Citizens Advice Bureau 03444 111 444 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 NHS Direct 08 45 46 47

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 53

advertisers index Auctioneers & Valuers Smiths of Newent Building Supplies Hale & Co

21

23

Caring Services & Technology Forest Linkline 4 Carpet Cleaners Billy Russell

Carpets & Flooring Blueboy Carpets Ltd

Charities, Clubs & Groups Forest of Dean Chess Club New Start Cat Rescue Singing for the Brain Clothing Freedom Embroidery

Curtains & Blinds Chosen Curtains

33 19 20 35 19 20 27

Decluttering Services Clutterfly 19 E-cigarette Stores eCIG Juiced

Electrical Services Dmc Electrical Entertainment Sunshine Radio

36 33 24

Estate Agents & Property Steve Gooch Estate Agents 31 TwoCan Estates back page Events Carers Drop-in Drop-in Coffee Morning Food & Drink Gloucester Biltong Wiltshire Farm Foods

6 7 27 55

Framing Services Art-i-Frame 14

Furniture DK Furnishing Gloucester Import Furniture Garden Centres Coinros Park Garden Centre Garden Machinery & Tools Hale & Co Garden Services The Garden Lady

9 23 6

Gas Cylinder Suppliers FloGas

7

Hair & Beauty Tracy's Barber Shop

11

Handyman Dave Dowell

35

Heating & Plumbing Services Aqua Heat 2 Boilerfixers Ltd 7 Broad Oak Services 19 Fusion Plumbing 45 Interior Design Chosen Curtains DK Furnishing

27 23

Legal & Financial Services Dobbs & Drew Property Lawyers 10 White Knight Group 11 Logs Log Boy 11 Oil Estuary Oils

39

Opportunities Forest Voluntary Action Forum 40 Oaklands Park 14 Voluntary Mentors Wanted 13

Payroll Services Paeroll 24 Photography Crystal Flame Photography Plant Hire Ermin Plant Hire Services

Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert. All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication. Glos Directories does not officially endorse any advertising/editorial material included within the publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval systen or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher. The use of this magazine for canvassing or direct marketing is strictly prohibited.

F

Include your business in the February issue - call us today or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk Page 54

23 2

42 42

Property Maintenance High Hopes Partnership Recycling Rural Waste Recycling

Removals DRL Removals

14 20 13

Renewables GSM Ltd 51 Schools Newent School

Shopping Country Corner DK Furnishing Farm & Country Store Gloucester Import Furniture Labels Outlet Shopping Skip Hire Newent Skips

Storage Compton Green Business Park Stoves Country Corner

13 23 23 31 2 15 29 7 23

Travel Travel Councillors Chris Gooch 25

Vets & Pet Services Bullar Tree Kennels & Cattery 13 Farm & Country Store 31 Sundean Vets

29 Video Production Dominic Iles

24

Weddings Crystal Flame Photography

42

Shane Howells

32

Windows, Door & Conservatories Ledbury Door Supplies 28

Window Repairs & Glazing Cloudy2Clear

31

Advertising Rates start from only Sixteenth Page £18 Eighth Page £28 Quarter Page £35 Half Page £58 Full Page £99 Per month & excl vat

Read The Online Editions

To advertise call 01594 806 555 or visit www.forestofdeanmagazine.co.uk

Some days the freezer is far enough to go for something tasty to eat.

If the weather isn’t looking too good, or you don’t fancy a trip to the shops, wouldn’t it be great to have a delicious meal within reach that can be ready in minutes?

Chicken & Vegetable Casserole £2.95

Wiltshire Farm Foods offers over 300 ready meals, each made using tasty ingredients that are perfectly cooked then quick-frozen to lock the goodness in. Special dietary needs like gluten-free or low calorie? It’s all available no-contract, no-commitment and with free delivery. Just order what you want, when you want.

Call us today for your FREE brochure

01600 892855 wiltshirefarmfoods.com

Please mention Forest of Dean Magazine when responding to advertisers.

Page 55

01531 829300 info@twocan.estate www.twocan.estate

estate agents

Your ethical agent Estate Agents, Letting Agents, Property Management.

Newent

Newent

Newent

A rare breed...

TwoCan is a division of Two Rivers Housing, all our profits go back into the community to help improve the lives of others. Not only do we offer great value, our fee structure is simple and fair.

Our most popular packages are ÂŁ1799 (inc VAT) for selling and ÂŁ360 (inc VAT) for letting.

Contact us today for your free market appraisal. for you - for your community - not for profit