Winchcombe Dec15 by Love Local Magazines

WINCHCOMBE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE www.winchcombemagazine.co.uk

December 2015

FREE r u o Y

ne i z ga a yM l h nt o M

December Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s On Guide Growing Fruit Trees

Gardening by Pippa Greenwood

Make Room for Guests at Christmas

Home & Interiors by Katherine Sorrell

Martin Lewis

Advice for Winter

The Millionaire Maker Local Writer Richard Denny

Local News Local Businesses Finance

Financial Help for First Time Buyers Christmas Last Post Dates

ÂŁ45

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To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.winchcombemagazine.co.uk

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NOW OPEN IN WINCHCOMBE Trade warehouse open to the public OPEN Wednesday - Saturday 10.00am - 5.30pm

Tel. 01242 603463 The Broadway Wine Co. specialises in: Bin End Lines ❧ Bankrupt Stock ❧ Wholesale Trade Wines ❧ Wide Selection of Single Malt Whiskeys & Ports ❧ Stockists of Gosset Champagne plus all leading brands Unit 17 Isbourne Way, Winchcombe, Glos, GL54 5NS (100 yards past the petrol station)

www.broadwaywinecompany.co.uk Please mention Winchcombe Magazine when responding to advertisers

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Accident damage Alloy wheel refurbs Scratches & dents Full resprays Insurance work Trade/Fleet Motor home specialist Free pick up & delivery

Unit 6, Orchard Ind. Estate, Toddington, GL54 5EB (Behind the Cafe)

OPEN 8.00am - 5.30pm Monday - Friday

Tel. 01242 620876

firstchoicecbr@gmail.com

HPS TR Ltd, Newent

Britain’s Premier Sport Shooting Supplies Company

Commercial manufacturer and supplier of a vast range of top quality ammunition, from new to once fired to reloading free issue cases, HPS offer a bespoke ammunition service for both sport shooting and hunting. Manufacturing their own aluminium (“The HPS Convertible”) and wooden rifle stocks, HPS can build you a custom rifle to suit your specification. From ammunition, rifles, range equipment and accessories, HPS provides the sport shooter a We are only a short variety of products and drive from J3 off the services and should be M50. Call first, but do your first stop for all come by & see us! your shooting needs.

Tel: 01531 822 641 Fax: 01531 828 741 E-mail: info@hps-tr.com Website: www.hps-tr.com Page 4

To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.winchcombemagazine.co.uk

From the Editor Dear Reader,

Local Magazines Published by Glos Directories - connecting local businesses with local people

Well where did the year go? I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s December already and Christmas is almost here! This year for the first time we have been delivered our 'Elf on the Shelf'. He is Santa's 'scout' and flies back to Santa each night and let's him know if the children in the house have been naughty or nice that day. He then ends up somewhere else in the house when he returns each morning and the kids are so excited to find where he has landed! Wish the Elf would stay all year to keep my children in line but alas, he goes back to the Northpole on Christmas Eve and only returns again next year. I would like to wish you a magical and Merry Christmas and a happy New Year from all of us at Winchcombe Magazine! See you next year! Best wishes, Vicky Muller

- Editor

JOIN OUR DISTRIBUTION TEAM! Local Distributors wanted to assist with distribution of our magazines in Winchcombe.

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Request a price list online or call to book your space in Aug/Sept Magazine Book now to be included in the next Issue and grow your business locally. Please mention Winchcombe Magazine when responding to advertisers Page 5

Bad Back, Stiff Neck, Aching Shoulders?

For Best Value Advertising!

This space only ÂŁ20 + vat I use PAT (Positive Appropriate Touch) to help you to let go of any unnecessary muscle tension. Holistic Therapy sessions tend to leave you feeling calmer and more relaxed; reduce stress & anxiety, promote a sense of well-being, and encourage better sleeping patterns.

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Jayne Burke, Holistic Therapist 01242 602 582 www.jayneburke.com Jayne Burke Holistic Therapist 42 Greet Road (opposite the doctors) & Winchcombe Clinic (next to the library). Established in Winchcombe since 1997. Ample off road parking. All appointments must be pre-booked.

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JOSSPA launch mobile foot health clinic to help keep your feet in tip top shape!

JOSSPA, the urban spa retreat in Cheltenham, have just launched their brand new mobile foot health clinic to help bring perfect tootsies to homes around the county plus pop-up clinics at care and community centres. Run by Foot Health Practitioner, Jo Donald, the new mobile clinic offers a range of different treatments dedicated to various conditions. The elderly may just need help cutting their nails, dressings applied or comfort paddings made. Whereas, the younger populations tend to have more concern around verruca’s, athletes foot, ingrown toenails and corns. Jo said: "We often forget how our feet bear the weight of our entire bodies on a day-to-day basis, making it easy to understand how a foot problem can quickly lead to discomfort and be extremely detrimental to a daily routine. I am really excited to now be able to offer foot care to the wider public offering foot health checks and combating uncomplicated medical conditions such as fungal infections and callus (hard skin) whilst combining popular treatments such as reflexology and pedicures."

HOME VISITS Callus

Athletes Foot

Corns

Medi-Peds (Varnish/Shellac)

Fungal Infection

Medi-Flex (Foot Health & Reflexology)

Ingrowing Nails Problems Cutting Toe Nails

01242 520553

Call ly run business since 1929 or email to book anFamiappointment

foothealthclinic@josspa.com Treatments by: Jo Donald S.A.C. Dip, FHPT, S.A.C. Dip. FHPP

Family run business since 1929 www.josspa.com

Family run business since 1929

Existing client Sam Rossiter enthused: “I saw Jo to get my foot health checked and the day after it was like walking on air! It is a bit of pampering that is well worth it.” The clinic offers a large range of treatments and packages in the comfort of your own home or at pop up clinics around the county. Gift vouchers and certificates can also be purchased with free delivery if you think your loved ones could benefit from a foot health check and treatment, which could also be combined with reflexology or a varnish or shellac finish this Christmas! Please call 01242 520553 or email foothhealthclininc@josspa.com for more information or to make an appointment.

Treating;

Family run business since Family run business since 1929 1929 Family runbusiness business since 1929 1929 Family run since

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Visit our Showroom: Winnen’s, unit 18, neptune business centre, Visit our Showroom: Winnen’s, 18, neptune business Visit our Showroom: Winnen’s,unit unit 18, neptune business centre, centre, Tewkesbury road, cheltenham, cheltenham, Gl51Gl51 9Fb Tewkesbury road, our Showroom: Winnen’s, unit neptune business centre, Tewkesbury road,cheltenham, Gl51 9Fb 9Fb Visit our Visit Showroom: Winnen’s, unit18,18, neptune business centre, Tewkesbury road, cheltenham, Gl51 Gl51 9Fb 9Fb Tewkesbury road, cheltenham, Mon-Fri 9.00-5.30 Sat 9.00-5.00 Mon-Fri 9.00-5.30 Sat9.00-5.00 9.00-5.00 Mon-Fri 9.00-5.30 Sat Mon-Fri 9.00-5.30 SatSat 9.00-5.00 Mon-Fri 9.00-5.30 9.00-5.00

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16/02/2015 16:31:37

HALF PRICE GYM MEMBERSHIP

Valid for one person only from 1st Dec 2015 31st Jan 2016 T&C’s Apply David Parker and Nick Cafearo are celebrating the completion of their BRAND NEW GYM FACILITY at Winchcombe’s popoular Body4you Gym with a HALF PRICE GYM MEMBERSHIP when you join during the months of December 2015 and January 2016.

HALF PRICE GYM MEMBERSHIP FROM £15 A MONTH MON-FRI 7AM-8PM / SAT 8AM-12PM

Volunteers Needed! Change someone’s life and enrich your own Bu

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We are looking for special people who can ing Circ give ild a few hours a month to support and offer friendship to isolated and lonely people with Learning Disabilities throughout Gloucestershire. in

We are also ir looking for Volunteers to help us at Gl o c e st e rs h our uquarterly social events, and to help with our Logo Idea 1 ongoing fundraising activities. Bu

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Circto the life Make ingand irc diﬀerence to your life inga Creal l ild ild of someone who needs your friendship.

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If you would like further information about becoming an volunteer we would be delighted to hear from you: r o u c e st e rs h

Email: admin@buildingcirclesglos.org.uk Logo Idea 3 Original Logo Logo Idea 1 www.buildingcirclesglos.org.uk

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Building Circles in Gloucestershire n r i

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To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.winchcombemagazine.co.uk

Tips from The Millionaire Maker The media have called Richard Denny the millionaire maker. For over 30 years he has helped thousands of people into financial wealth, and others into greater achievement and happiness. His lectures, books, videos, DVD’s and CD’s are bought around the world and he lives right here in the Cotswolds.

Happy Christmas Many of us know, but some have forgotten, that Christmas is a Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus. The 25th December is the day that Jesus was born and gifts were given to him. This has become a very happy time for most Christians and this celebration is shared with millions of people who are not practicing Christians but who wish to be part of this memorable event. They show their loved ones their love with gifts and a special meal to celebrate this special day, the great ‘Christmas Dinner’. Sadly and unfortunately these festivities can easily become so pressurised, particularly with the media encouraging us to spend, spend, and spend so that the opposite of happiness occurs. Worry, pressure, debt, guilt, dissatisfaction, arguments, anger and jealousies can all rear up. Apparently the busiest month for divorce lawyers is January. Now I am sure you, my readers, really do want to look forward to a happy Christmas, so here are a few tips:

1. Children laugh on average 150 times a day, adults laugh on average six times a day. Be a child this Christmas and laugh a lot bringing happiness to others. 2. Resist and fight the pressures to spend, borrow and get into debt, this only brings very short term happiness. 3. The Christmas story is about bringing happiness and joy to others, so may I respectfully suggest you reduce your expectations from others to zero and give attention, time, conversation, listening, playing with others and you will have a very happy Christmas. 4. Expect nothing for you, but give kind and caring words to others. Be grateful for what you have; your smile is infectious let others catch it, and decide to enjoy each day regardless. 5. Eliminate the tendency to think it’s another person’s role to make you happy, be it a partner, a parent, or a child. Finally just spare a thought that this wonderful celebration of Christmas is all to do with the birth of a person 2015 years ago in Bethlehem. For more detailed information and help join the Denny Business Academy for free.

For success and wealth go to www.dennyacademy.com 9 Page 1

Please mention Winchcombe Magazine when responding to advertisers

The Clubhouse

Home of the Bugatti Owners’ Club

A Warm Welcome & Good Food in Beautiful Surroundings

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Zaza's Blog Hello!

So, this month brings all the excitement of my first Christmas in Winchcombe and I’ve really been getting into the spirit of things. In particular, I have learnt that I’m rather partial to a mince pie or two! My friends over at Attwoolls have fitted me with my very own rug to protect me from the Winter weather and I have had great fun dressing up for the festive season - this year, I took my inspiration from a friend of mine named Rudolph... There are so many local events Page 10

Visit our website www.cotswoldlistener.co.uk or call 01242-252072 and leave us a message.

to look forward to and I’m determined to do everything! Firstly, I’ll be heading down to the Christmas Advent Festival here in Winchcombe to make a start on my Christmas shopping and snaffle a few mince pies. Then, as I got so distracted by the mince pies and mulled wine, I’ll have to go late night shopping in Broadway to pick up all the gifts that I forgot... on top of this, I shall be joining in the carol service at Sudeley Castle, popping next door into Broadway Wines for a cheeky tasting, visiting Santa at Toddington Railway, enjoying the pantomime at Cheltenham, and sampling festive menus throughout the town. I’m really looking forward to it all and wish everybody a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Until next time, - Zaza Zebra

To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.winchcombemagazine.co.uk

Cheltenhamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Stall Markets in the Promenade Christmas Charities, Fine Food & Drink Market Saturday 5th December, 9am - 4pm at Long Gardens First stop for cards, gifts and wrapping, plus a taste of pleasures to come!

Christmas Celebration Farmers Markets Friday 11th & 18th December, 9am - 2pm at Long Gardens The essential destination for the finest local food and produce to satisfy all!

Christmas Gifts Arts & Crafts Markets Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th December 9am - 5pm at Long Gardens Monday 21st, Tuesday 22nd & Wednesday 23rd December, 9am - 5pm in the Pedestrian Zone

NOW OVER FIVE DAYS!

The treasure trove for gifts, treats and that extra special something for someone...

Please mention Winchcombe Magazine when responding to advertisers

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Business Spotlight

From Farm to Fork

Hello, I’m Chris Sweet from Radio Winchcombe and this is the latest edition of Business Spotlight. As a response to the growing demand for fresh, locally produced food, a number of farmers and food producers have taken the initiative of opening their own farm shop. One of them is Lisa Grayson, who with her partner Simon Knight, recently opened tCourt Farm Shop with butchery in Stoke Orchard. I had the pleasure of speaking to Lisa to find out more about her and Simon's new business venture. Q. What made you and Simon decide to take the leap to diversify and develop Court Farm Shop? To give you a bit of background, Court Farm is a family owned farm, which has been run and managed by the Knights & Bellinghams since 1936. Simon is a fourth generation farmer following in the footsteps of his dad, granddad and great uncle and has been steadily growing his business for the last 15 years. He now manages 1,700 hens for egg production, 400 sheep (producing 700 lambs a year) and a handful of pigs and Ray (Simon’s Dad) manages 180 cattle for beef. For years, we were selling eggs from our “Egg shed”, using an honesty box. We had a steady base of 240 customers a week who came to us predominantly for eggs. We really wanted the opportunity to showcase our beef and lamb as well as a range of local produce but were restricted without having the infrastructure of a shop. There was talk of taking our “Egg shed” to the next level for a few years but nothing came of it. I then came along and Ray planted the seed about having a Farm Shop and the rest is history! I now manage the Page 12

farm shop and Simon is continuing to manage the farm with his Dad (Ray). John, Simon’s great uncle still lends a hand. Together they are focusing on producing quality lamb, beef and free range eggs for the farm shop. It is very much a working family farm and we hope to continue to build a sustainable business providing benefits to the local residents, tourists, suppliers and farmers. Simon and I are both passionate about the core values, which the farm shop is built upon, namely: • Promoting home, farm and local produce • Educating young people and promoting the farming industry, rural practices and the value of the countryside • Securing the long term future of family farming on Court Farm Q. What products do you stock? The farm shop with butchery specialises in the sale of traceable fresh meat both from our family’s own beef herd and lambs as well as from local suppliers. We also provide an outlet for our own fresh, free range eggs, honey from bees on our farm and support other local producers of poultry, game, fruit, vegetables, cakes, confectionery, jams, chutneys, ales, ciders, bread, dairy, deli, store cupboard items and gifts, seasonal plants and Christmas trees. We have already had to increase our shelving, which means our product range has increased too. We try to add new lines constantly so there are always new products for our customers to see when they come back. Q. Tell me about your butchery. We are really proud of our butchery and thankful to have a great butcher working for us. Mike takes great pride in his work and showcases our meat exceptionally well. He makes our sausages in a

variety of flavours and also makes burgers and faggots on site. He cuts the bacon cured on site by hand so you get proper slices, which aren’t wafer thin! He has 36 years’ experience and has loads of advice to give regarding the best cuts for your recipes and the best way to cook them. We have a variety of meat boxes available for those who would like to fill their freezer and have weekly meat offers on which are advertised in our Farm Shop as well as on our website and facebook Page. We can also provide BBQ meat for large events. In fact, we had the pleasure of providing the burgers and sausages for Bishop’s Cleeve Primary Academy’s Bonfire Night recently. Q. What have you got available for Christmas? We are very excited about Christmas at Court Farm Shop! Customers can have a chat with Mike, our butcher to place Christmas meat orders. We have a wide range of meat items available for order. This includes a full range of turkeys, turkey crowns and butterflies, geese, ducks, chicken, beef ribs, gammon joints and meat boxes. Mike is also doing a Three Bird Roast, which will be individually prepared in our Butchery. Handmade Christmas cakes made to order by Sweet Success are also available. You can pick our Christmas order forms up from our farm shop or download a copy from our website. Our farm shop will be full of Christmas goodies and we have a Christmas hamper service available. And to top it all off we are selling British Grown Christmas Trees again this year, some of which are locally grown in Leigh Sinton. You can come to choose your tree and we will net it for you.

To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.winchcombemagazine.co.uk

Q. Why should people shop with you? Court Farm Shop is built upon a strong history of traditional family farming as well as the valued loyalty of our customers. From our modest beginnings of selling our own free range eggs from our “Egg shed” we pride ourselves on the quality of the produce we sell. As well as providing an outlet for our own produce (beef, lamb, eggs and the occasional pork), we support other local producers of poultry, fruit, vegetables, dairy, jams, chutneys, plants, etc. and create a farm to fork philosophy. The vast majority of our produce is sourced locally, within a 30-mile radius of our farm, which reduces food miles and encourages local farm productivity. However, to enable us to provide customers with a full range of fruit and vegetables, out of season items are sourced from further afield. Many people have the perception that farm shops are expensive

when in fact they are not. We have worked hard to source local produce at reasonable prices meaning you can come to our shop to support your local farmer and buy good, quality produce at affordable prices. With a great team behind us who offer a fantastic, friendly and informative service, Court Farm Shop with Butchery is full of delicious, home produced and local food to tempt your taste buds! Q. What events do you have planned? Our next event will be “Live Lambing” in February. We will open up our barns so customers can see our sheep and lambs and may even be lucky enough to see one being born. Q. Where are you located? We are situated in the village of Stoke Orchard on the edge of Bishop’s Cleeve on Stoke Road (just before the railway bridge, opposite Pussy Willows Cattery).

The road links Bishop’s Cleeve and Tewkesbury, which makes it an ideal location for our farm shop. We have great access with plenty of parking. Q. It is still very early days for you, but how have you found it so far? It has been great! The amount of support we have received from existing and new customers has been phenomenal! We could never have dreamt of a better start. Every element of the farm shop is doing really well and we are especially pleased with the butchery. Our new animal area is also attracting lots of visitors. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved with our farm shop. Simon and I have a fantastic team behind us. Special thanks to Helen, Katie, Mike, Libby and Laura, and of course my dad for designing and building a fantastic farm shop! - by Christopher Sweet

COURT FARM SHOP COURT FARM COURT FARM SHOP

NEW FARM SHOP OPEN NOW IN STOKE ORCHARD! NEW FARM SHOPFARM OPENSHOP NOW IN STOKE CELEBRATE THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AT COURT CELEBRATE THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AT CO Christmas Trees (Nordman Fir & Norway Spruce Freshly Cut & Pot Grown Available)

Christmas Trees (Nordman Fir & Norway Spruce Freshly Cut & Pot Grown Available) n Christmas Our Farm Farm Shop Shop is is full full of of Christmas Christmas Goodies Trees (Nordman Fir & Norway Spruce Freshly Cut & Pot Gr Our Goodies NEW FARM SHOP OPEN NOW IN STOKE ORCHARD! n with Our is full Wine of Christmas n Join Join us us for for Late Late Night Night Shopping Shopping aFarm glassShop of Mulled Mulled & Mince MinceGoodies Pie n with a glass of Wine & Pie rd th th n Join us for Late Night Shopping with a glass of Mulled Win (Thurs 3 , 10 & 17 December Open Until 9pm) CELEBRATE THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AT COURT FARM SHOP rd th th (Thurs 3 , 10 & 17 December - Open Until 9pm) (Thurs 3rd, 10th & 17th December - Open Until 9pm) n Christmas Hamper Service stmas Trees (Nordman Fir & Norway Spruce Freshly Cut & Pot Grown Available) n Christmas Hamper Service n Christmas n Place Place your ChristmasGoodies Turkey/Meat Orders Hamper Service Farm Shop is fullyour of Christmas n Christmas Turkey/Meat Orders n Place Christmas Turkey/Meat Orders n Order Order your Handmade Christmas Cake your us for Late Night your Shopping with a Christmas glass of Mulled Wine & Mince Pie n Handmade Cake n Order your Handmade Christmas Cake rd th th s 3 , 10 We & 17 December Until 9pm) invite you to to- Open visit Court Court Farm Shop Shop where where we we have have an an Animal Animal Area, Area, a a full full range range of of We invite you visit Farm We invite you to visit Court Farm Shop where we have an An products as well as our Fantastic Butchery Counter with Christmas Order Service stmas Hamper Service products as well as our Fantastic Butchery Counter with Christmas Order Service products as well as our Fantastic Butchery Counter with Ch e your Christmas Turkey/Meat Orders Stoke Road, Road, Stoke Stoke Orchard, Orchard, Cheltenham, Cheltenham, GL52 GL52 7RY 7RY Stoke Stoke Road, Stoke Orchard, Cheltenham, GL er yourwww.courtfarmshop.co.uk Handmade Christmas Cake www.courtfarmshop.co.uk 01242 678374 Like & Follow Us: 01242 678374 Like & Follow Us: n n n n

www.courtfarmshop.co.uk 01242 ite you to visit Court Farm Shop where we have an Animal Area, a full range of 678374 Like & Fol ducts Please as wellmention as our Fantastic Butchery Counter Christmas Order Service Winchcombe Magazine when with responding to advertisers Page 13

Winchcombe Walkers are Welcome www.winchcombewelcomeswalkers.com WINCHCOMBE

Walk Number 1 Sudeley Sudeley Castle circularCastle walk circular walk

A short circular walk taking in pretty Vineyard Street, Sudeley Castle and river. Alternatively follow the main road into Winchcombe.

Duration: 1 hour

Win Wi Winch i hcombe m e mbe

St. Peter ters Church hu h

Start/finish: Back Lane car park £1 all day. Toilets 20p in car park.

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Refreshments: Winchcombe and Sudeley Castle Ascent: 125 feet/38 metres e

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Winchcom be Way

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Su eley Sude S Castle C

Go through the gate and turn right along the road, until you reach the gatehouse. Driveway to Sudeley Castle

Walk down the slope through the avenue of lime trees to the bridge over the lake. Carry straight on along the driveway, passing the children’s play fort on your right Continue ahead along the drive, towards the car park. Follow the passing the unusual Almsbury drive and pass in front of the Lodge. Visitor Centre and continue on to the car park exit B.

Almsbury Lodge

0.5 5 km

To ou uri uri urist ur risst Inform nffo f mation mat m tio Centre

Difficulty: An easy, fairly level walk.

Leave Back Lane car park via the far corner access into Cowl Lane. Turn right and follow the road to the High Street. Turn right and follow Abbey Terrace until you see Vineyard Street on your left. Carefully cross the main street and continue down Vineyard Street (also known as Duck Street), over the bridge and up the slope to the entrance of Sudeley Castle A.

0 25 mile 0.25 il ile

Sta ancombe Farrm

Distance: 2 miles / 3.2kms

OS maps; Outdoor leisure 45, Landranger 163

Sudeley Castle

Turn left, crossing the road into Rushley Lane and follow this quiet lane past Laundry Cottage, taking in the lovely views across the valley to Winchcombe. Eventually the lane turns left at the junction with Stancombe Lane. Follow the road as it turns left and walk down to the main Broadway Road and then turn left C.

View from corner Rushley Lane

To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.winchcombemagazine.co.uk

From here there are two options to return to the town centre: Option 1 – Just before the bridge, go through the kissing gate into the field and follow the footpath alongside the River Isbourne. You will pass through three fields, crossing two small bridges. At the far end of the third field go through the kissing gate and walk along the alley between the cottages to Castle Street D. At Castle Street turn right and follow the road over the bridge and uphill to the High Street. Carefully cross the road and turn left to the Cats Whiskers (hairdessers) and turn right into Cowl Lane and follow this to Back Lane car park.

field and follow the footpath along- Sudeley Castle side thehere Riverthere Isbourne. Parrinterest the sixth wife of Points of From are two to Katherine From of here twotooptions options Option 2interest - there If you are prefer stay onto Points of interest Points King Henry VIII is buried in the return to the town centre: return to the town centre: Almsbury Farm aYou hard follow Broadway will surface pass through three fields, chapel Almsbury Farm her marble which contains Almsbury Farm The barn is a listed building, an Road back into town with its variety Option 1 – Just before the bridge, The barn is a listed building, an crossing two small bridges. At the tomb. During the Victorian period Option 1 listed – Justbuilding, before the bridge, example of medieval The barn is a an architecture. of different style houses. go through the kissing gate into the example of medieval architecture. far end of the third field go through much of the castle was restored by go through the kissing gate into the example of medieval architecture. As you enter the centre of Sudeley Castle field and follow the footpath alongthe kissing gate and walk along the the Dent family. field and follow the footpath along- Sudeley Castle Winchcombe you pass two Katherine Parr the sixth wife of side the River Sudeley alley theIsbourne. cottages to Castle sidebetween theCastle River Isbourne. Katherine Parr the sixth wife of teashops displaying “Walkers Katherine King VIII Street D.Parr the sixth wife of are River Isbourne King Henry Henry VIII is is buried buried in in the the You will pass Welcome” signs. King Henry is through buried inthree the fields, chapel which contains her You will VIII pass through three fields, The onlywhich river incontains Englandher to marble flow chapel marble small bridges. the tomb. the chapel whichtwo contains her marble Atcrossing Castle Street rightAt crossing two smallturn bridges. Atand the north its entire length. It period tomb.forDuring During the Victorian Victorian period far end of the third field go through Past these you North much of the castle was tomb. themeet Victorian period far During end the third field go Street, through follow theofroad over the bridge and emerges much offrom the castle was restored by a spring onrestored Cleeve by the gate and walk along the family. continue ahead HighCarefully Street much castle was restored bythe theofkissing kissing gate and walk along the Common uphill tothethe Highinto Street. the Dent Dentand family. joins the River Avon. alley between the cottages to Castle until you meet Whiskers the Dent family. alley between the Castle cross the road Cats and cottages turn lefttoto(hairthe Street D. River dressers). Here turn right into Cowl Street D. Winchcombe Walkers are River Isbourne Isbourne Cats Whiskers (hairdessers) and Copyright The river Lane and follow this to Back Lane Welcome River Isbourne The only only2013 river in in England England to to flow flow turn right into Cowl Lane and At Castle Street turn right and north for its entire length. car park. At Castle Street turn right and The onlythis river inBack England to flow north for its entire length. It It follow to Lane car park. follow the road the follow road over over theItbridge bridge and and emerges north for the its entire length. emerges from from aa spring spring on on Cleeve Cleeve uphill to the High Street. Carefully Common and joins the uphill to the High Street. Carefully Common and joins the River River Avon. Avon. emerges from a spring on Cleeve cross road and turn left to cross the the road and turn left to the the Common and joins the River Avon. Copyright Winchcombe Walkers are Cats This Walk Route isWalkers courtesy Winchcombe are Cats Whiskers Whiskers (hairdessers) (hairdessers) and and Copyright Welcome 2013 turn right into Cowl Lane and of Winchcombe Walkers Welcome 2013 turn right into Cowl Lane and Copyright Winchcombe Walkers are are Welcome. follow this Welcome follow2013 this to to Back Back Lane Lane car car park. park. Hailes Street

Each month we will publish a different route. All routes are available to view on their website:

www.winchcombewelcomeswalkers.com

Hailes Street

Option 2 - If you prefer to stay on a hard surface follow Broadway Road back into town with its variety of different style houses. As you enter the centre of Winchcombe you pass two teashops displaying “Walkers are Welcome” signs.

Option 2 - If you prefer to stay on Hailes Street a hard surface follow Broadway Hailes Street Road back into town with its variety of different style houses. As you enter the centre of Option prefer to stay on Option 2 2 -- IfIf you you Winchcombe youprefer passto stay twoon aa hard surface follow Broadway hard surface Broadway teashops displayingfollow “Walkers are Road into Road back backsigns. into town town with with its its variety variety Welcome” of of different different style style houses. houses. As you enter the of As you enter the centre centre of Past these you meet North Street, Winchcombe you pass two Winchcombe you pass two continue ahead into “Walkers High Street teashops displaying are teashops displaying “Walkers until you meet Cats Whiskers (hair-are Welcome” signs. Welcome” signs. dressers). Here turn right into Cowl Lane and follow this toNorth Back Lane Past Past these these you you meet meet North Street, Street, carcontinue park. ahead into High Street continue ahead into High Street until until you you meet meet Cats Cats Whiskers Whiskers (hair(hairdressers). Here turn dressers). Here turn right right into into Cowl Cowl Lane Lane and and follow follow this this to to Back Back Lane Lane car car park. park.

Past these you meet North Street, continue ahead into High Street until you meet Cats Whiskers (hairdressers). Here turn right into Cowl Please mention Winchcombe Magazine when responding to advertisers Lane and follow this to Back Lane

Page 15

Growing Fruit Trees by Pippa Greenwood

For the ultimate in gorgeous apples, pears, plums or more, the fruit needs to be freshly picked and sun-warmed - so grow your own and make some good looking additions to your garden, even when space is limited. There’s no need to have a massive plot or an orchard to grow fruit trees… You can grow fruit trees in surprisingly small spaces, especially if you don’t grow them in a classic tree shape, but train them. Training them into espaliers (several sets of horizontal ‘arms’), cordons (single main stems grown at an angle) or fans (with branches trained into a fan shape) means that you can grow many varieties of apples and pears up against a suitable vertical surface such as a wall, fence or set of sturdy wires. You could also train fruits like apples to make a neat edging for a bed or border about 45cm above ground level (called ‘step-overs’). A step-over apple grows to a height of about 30cm and is trained to forms two horizontal ‘arms’, which will bear a smallish crop of fruit. Try step-overs around the edge of your vegetable plot or flower bed. To make a real feature of fruit, use a tree to create a Page 16

decorative and productive arch. Buy an inexpensive bare root cordon (straight stem) or a ‘whip’ fruit tree of your favourite variety, pair it with another variety that is a suitable pollinator (check with the nursery) and plant one on each side of the arch, training them in as they grow. It will look pretty when in blossom in spring and will bear tasty fruit too. Provided you get the right rootstock (see below), you can grow fruit trees in large containers. The container needs to be big - a half-barrel at least - and have drainage holes kept clear using a few inches of broken china or ‘crocks’ at its bottom. Good quality loambased compost such as John Innes No.3 will work well, but help to keep it well aerated and free-draining by adding 2550% multi-purpose loam-free compost. It is essential to choose fruit trees on the right ‘rootstock’, as this determines the ultimate size and vigour of the tree. Apples are complicated, but as a rule, for step-overs, cordons, dwarf bushes and trees in containers try the extremely dwarfing M27 - though weak varieties may fail in poor soil or if not well pampered. For bush, cordon, espaliers and

half-standard try the dwarfing rootstock M26, while for a cordon, an espalier on poor soil, arches and bush trees try the semi-dwarfing MM106. You can buy one year old ‘maidens’ or ‘whips’ which are small, fairly straight stems and train them yourself or you can buy trained or part-trained trees. Make sure you choose varieties that flower at the same time so that they pollinate each other and thus provide fruit. Ask your supplier which ‘pollination group’ each variety is in. At this time of year you can buy inexpensive fruit trees sold ‘bare-root’, which means lifted from a field and not container grown; they also establish well. Bare-root fruit trees are generally available from about November until early March - so don’t delay, get ordering or planting today! Perfect as a Christmas gift, make vegetable growing fun with Pippa’s unique ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ system. Select the vegetables you’d like to grow at www.pippagreenwood. com and your garden-ready plants will be delivered in May, accompanied by weekly emails packed full of advice and tips. Gift cards are available too for this perfect present! It is great value and various pack sizes are available.

To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.winchcombemagazine.co.uk

The Pine and

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Unit 4, Waterloo Business Par Upper Lyydbrook, Gloucestershire. GL17 9LR or telephone 01594 860116 www.pineandoakcentre. o.uk or ww pinecentrelydbroo .co k W are oud to o e you arg selection of Pine, Oak, ash beech,rubberwood, mango and wa nut fu itu e, including beds, m ttre ses, sofas and garden furniture. We also make bespoke kitchens and furniture in Pine and Oak, you can choose a colour from our board or closely match the colour to your existing furniture OPENING TIMES Mon 9am - 5pm Tues 9pm - 5pm Wed 9am - 5pm Thur 9am - 5pm Fri 9am - 5pm Sat 9am - 5pm S d ys - Closed Sunda Cl d Please mention Winchcombe Magazine when responding to advertisers

Page 17

Presenter Profile John Brooks

We play a mixed bag of records mainly from the 60s onwards and try and include old favourites, some you might have forgotten and some you wish you had forgotten. We also have a few guests to interview which is interesting and enjoyable. Last year we also recorded our first Christmas Day Show which required a lot more planning than normal. Neither Mary nor myself had any previous broadcasting experience but we have a lot of fun presenting the show and hopefully that transmits to the listeners. Join us live every week from 7am to 9am on Thursdays.

Programme Changes When I retired from a career in electronics and computing, I fortunately had some existing hobbies to fill my time - walking, cycling, singing in a choir, woodturning etc. but I fancied trying something different. So when Radio Winchcombe were awarded a full time licence, I volunteered to help on the Saturday Morning Breakfast Show where I had to learn the ropes. Sometime afterwards, the Thursday morning Breakfast Show needed presenters and so Mary Vincent- Coulter and myself took over in 2013 and have been presenting the show ever since. We alternate as the main presenters and have both have introduced our own innovations. My Quizette sets three devilish questions and has a unique marking scheme which on occasions has allowed listeners to score up to 10 marks out of three! Most weeks Mary brings a picture that caught her eye into the studio and describes it. As someone once said, the best pictures are on radio but I don't think this is what they had in mind. Page 18

Phill Bird winters in Gran Canaria (lucky chap) which becomes Winchcombe-on-Sea (or Winchcombe En El Mar in Spanish) for the winter as Phill continues with two of his programmes on Sunday night. Something A Little Bit Wintry airs at 8pm on Sunday (and repeated at 9am the following Tuesday) and Winchcombeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Late Lounge moves forward to 9pm on Sunday.

Remembrance Sunday Radio Winchcombe provided live coverage of the service from Abbey Terrace, Winchcombe on Sunday 8th November. Brian Maggs provided his usual informative and sensitive commentary on what was a very blustery day as people and various artefacts were buffeted by the gale. We would like to thank The Plaisterers Arms in Abbey Terrace for the use of their power and internet link, and also their alleyway where we were able to setup our equipment and protect it, and the

Technical Operator (!), from the wind and rain!

Christmas Programming At the time of writing we are preparing our Christmas Schedule of programmes that will include live outside broadcasts on 1st December from the Winchcombe Christmas Festival and on Christmas Eve from Shelter in Cheltenham, as well as special Christmas features and Christmas and New Year Specials from all of our regular programmes. Radio Winchcombe would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and especially to thank our listeners and advertisers for their support throughout the year. Have a relaxing and safe Christmas period. We also wish everyone everything they hope for in the New Year! Radio Winchcombe is your station so LISTEN IN AND

GET INVOLVED!

You can listen to your community station anywhere, anytime via: 107.1 FM, our Free App for Android and iPhone or online at www.radiowinchcombe.co.uk Twitter: @radiowinch Facebook: RadioWinchcombe

Get In Touch As ever, if you want to discuss any of the items above please contact me on 07768 777262 or office1@radiowinchcombe.co.uk

To advertise call 07939 802 384 or 01242 500 028 or visit www.winchcombemagazine.co.uk

Midnight 1am 2am 3am 4am 5am 6am 7am 8am 9am 10am 11am 12 noon 1pm 2pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm 7pm 8pm 9pm 10pm 11pm

Monday

Nights

Bill Pullen's Music Mix / Eclectics Anonymous Music For Musicians Nights

Community Voice/Maxine's Kitchen Daytime Daytime Specials Sun 1 & Sun 2 Specials Sun 3 & Sun 4 Sassy Music Smooth Beats / RGJ DBT With Derek BT DBT With Derek BT Sunday Classical Specials Sun 3 & Sun 4 Boogie Wonderland Boogie Wonderland

Nights Nights Nights Wake Up Winchcombe Wake Up Winchcombe Chill Alan Reid’s ‘Almost Half Way There’ show Alan Reid’s ‘Almost Half Way There’ show Specials Sat 1 & Sat 2 Specials Sat 3 & Sat 4 Community Voice/Maxine's Kitchen Community Voice/Maxine's Kitchen DBT With Derek BT DBT With Derek BT Specials Sat 1 & Sat 2 Specials Sat 3 & Sat 4 Music For Musicians Bill Pullen's Music Mix / Eclectics Anonymous The Secret Garden The Secret Garden

Nights

Wake Up Winchcombe

Something A Little Bit Wintry

Geoff Fox

Late For TheTrain / C60 Music Mix

The Late Night Request Show

Specials Fri 1

Daytime

Ten Bob's Worth

Showtime

Sunday Classical

The Late Night Request Show

Sassy Music

Smooth Beats

Chill

The Film Show

Focus

Manny Masih's Hometime

Bill Pullen's Sports Round-up + Daytime

Geoff Fox

Specials Fri 2

Specials Fri 1

Jim's Hometime

Impromptu

Easy N'Jazz

The Chart Hopper Show

Boogie Wonderland

Winchcombe Breakfast Thu

Specials Sun 3 & Sun 4

Specials Sat 3 & Sat 4

Saturday

Winchcombe Breakfast Sat

Chill

Focus

Nights

Specials Fri 2

Specials Fri 1

Hometime / Winchcombe Weekend with Bev

Late For TheTrain / C60 Music Mix

Winchcombe Calling

Dominic Morrison

Boogie Wonderland

Music For Musicians

Bill Pullen's Music Mix / Eclectics Anonymous

Off The Bench

Spragg On Saturday

Hometime / Winchcombe Weekend with Bev

Friday Night Sport

Specials Sat 3 & Sat 4

Hometime / Winchcombe Weekend with Bev

Specials Sat 1 & Sat 2

Saturday Brunch

Hannah Wilcock

What's New Winchcombe

Specials Fri 2

Specials Fri 1

Easy N'Jazz

Focus

Carousel

Sunday Boogie Wonderland

Wind-Down

Winchcombe's Late Lounge

Something A Little Bit Wintry

The Sunday Roast / Weekend Winch. Wind-Do

The Chart Hopper Show

Ten Bob's Worth

Impromptu

Laura Clifford In The Spotlight

Specials Sun 3 & Sun 4

Sunday Classical

What A Week Last Week Was!

Winchcombe Breakfast Sun

Wake Up Winchcombe

Music For Musicians

Bill Pullen's Music Mix / Eclectics Anonymous

Late For TheTrain / C60 Music Mix

Specials Sat 3 & Sat 4

Specials Sat 1 & Sat 2

The Fabulous Fifties Music Show/Business Spo Nights

Nights

The Fabulous Fifties Music Show/Business Spo Winchcombe Breakfast Sat

Winchcombe Breakfast Fri

Nights

Specials Sun 1 & Sun 2

Nights

Specials Sat 1 & Sat 2

The Film Show

Focus

Nights

Sassy Music

Friday

Specials Fri 2

Nights

Specials Fri 1

Thursday

Easy N'Jazz

Wednesday Nights

Tuesday Nights

Nights

The Fabulous Fifties Music Show/Business Spo Specials Fri 2

Focus

What A Week Last Week Was!

What's New Winchcombe

Wake Up Winchcombe

Music For Musicians

Nights

Sunday Classical

Specials Sun 3 & Sun 4

Specials Sun 1 & Sun 2

Smooth Beats / RGJ

Nights

At The White Hart Inn, High St. Winchcombe, Glos.

First Tuesday of each month 8.00pm WINCHCOMBE FOLK SONG NIGHT

welcomes singers, musicians & audience Free entry: voluntary charity contribution.

September 1st: Brad McEwen + Open night October 6th: Dark Island + Open night November 3rd: Open night December 1st: Open night after Christmas Street Festival January 5th: Open night February 2nd: The Vogwells + Open night Contact : Bob Speke 07578 808019 Chris Carruthers 01242 602236 4chriscrs@googlemail.com

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Page 19

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MARTIN LEWIS MARTIN LEWIS Winter Winter

A stark warning, not just for Game of Thrones fans… winter is coming. Yet A stark warning, just Gameknee of Thrones is coming. don’tnot leave it for till we’re deep infans… whitewinter stuff to sort bills,Yet as changes can don’t leave drag-on it till we’re knee deep in white stuff to sort bills, as changes can (sorry). drag-on (sorry). So dust off your long johns, grab a cup of Bovril and snuggle up with my So dust off your longto johns, cup of Bovril and up with my checklist keepgrab youracosts down and thesnuggle heat up. checklist to keep your costs down and the heat up. 1) Save £250+ on energy bills. 1) Save £250+ on energy bills. Winter is of course the highest-use energy period. So the Winter is ofkey course highest-use energy period. So the deal – that is tothe ensure you’re on the cheapest possible key is to ensure on thetariff cheapest possible dealprovider, – that it may be may you’re be changing with your existing may be changing tariffThe withmove youracross existing provider, it may beit now to switching. takes 17 days, so do switching. The move across 17 days, do it the nowcold to snaps. ensure you’re ontakes the right deal so before ensure you’re on the right deal before the cold snaps. Those who worry about this, don’t – it’s the same pipes, gas, Those who meter worry about this, don’t – it’s the lose samesupply. pipes, The gas,only and safety, and you don’t meter and safety, and isyou don’t supply.service. The onlyBut savings can be difference price andlose customer difference ishuge. price and customer service. But savings can be huge. About 70% are on their provider’s standard tariff – across About 70% the are big on their provider’s standard tariff – across six this is an average of £1,095/year based on typical the big six this is anYet average of £1,095/year based on typical usage. the cheapest open market’s deal is around £830 a usage. Yet the dealmuch is around £830 a winter yearcheapest – that’s open £260 amarket’s year saved, of that in the year – that’smonths. £260 a year saved, much of that in the winter months. However, as your exact cheapest depends on what you use However, asand your exactyou cheapest depends what you where live – to find out,onalways do ause comparison. and where you – to findyou out, always a comparison. Just live make sure select ‘alldo tariffs’ on a comparison site. Just make sure tariffs’ on a comparison site. You you can select use my‘all www.CheapEnergyClub.com which also You can usegives my www.CheapEnergyClub.com also monitors you switchers up to £30 cashbackwhich and then gives switchers to £30 cashback andbeats then it, monitors you tariffup after to check no one or any Ofgem.gov.uk tariff after to check nocomparison one beats it, or any Ofgem.gov.uk approved site. approved comparison site. 2) Switch energy now and you could get £100s back. 2) Switch energy now and you could get £100s back. If you pay by direct debit, it’s likely you’re in credit after the If you pay by direct debit, it’s Most likely providers you’re in credit low-use summer. give itafter back the automatically, low-use summer. Mostdon’t, providers giveask. it back automatically, but if they call and If you’ve switched in the past but if they don’t, call and ask. If you’ve switched in the past five years, your old supplier may still owe you too. five years, your old supplier may still owe you too. Asking for it back is simple and here’s a success to Asking for itencourage back is simple a success tome from 17 months you:and “Thehere’s balance owed to encourage you: “The balance owedgot to back me from 17about) months ago (which they never to me was £1,364.22. ago (which Athey never got back to me about) was £1,364.22. brilliant result but I do feel an idiot for not knowing how A brilliant result but I do feel an idiot for not knowing how much I'd overpaid, so I urge everyone to do the same as me much I'd overpaid, so I urge everyone to do the same as me and check.” – Col.escargot. and check.” – Col.escargot. 3) Free winter car check. 3) Free winter car check. Halfords.com is offering a free £15 winter car check, which Halfords.com is offering a free £15 winter check, which includes checks to your battery,car bulbs, wiper blades, oil and includes checks to your levels. battery,You bulbs, screenwash don’twiper needblades, to bookoilinand advance, screenwashthough levels. you You can don’t neediftoyou book in advance, online want, and the check should though youtake can online if you want, There and the should to buy about 15 minutes. is check no obligation take about 15 minutes. is no obligation tomight buy try to upsell you. anything, butThere be prepared that staff anything, but be prepared that staff might try to upsell you. The winter car check is on until spring next year. The winter car check is on until spring next year. 4) Are you entitled to any extra winter help? 4) Are you entitled to any extra winter help? Winter is a tough time for many as the cold sets in. But there Winter is a tough timewhich for many the cold sets in. But there are funds may as help… are funds which may help… a) Winter fuel payments. If you were born on or before 5 a) Winter fuel January payments. If you or beforecriteria 5 1953 (andwere met born otheron qualifying throughout January 1953 met other qualifying criteria throughout the(and week commencing 21 September 2015), you’re eligible the week commencing September 2015), you’re Ifeligible for the up to21£300 winter fuel payment. you get certain for the up to £300 winter fuel payment. If you get certain

benefits, eg, state pension, pension credit or jobseeker’s benefits, eg,allowance, state pension, or jobseeker’s– otherwise you you’llpension usually credit get it automatically allowance, you’ll usually get it it. automatically otherwise you 15 15 15. may have to claim You do that–by calling 03459 may have to claim it. You do that by calling 03459 15 15 15. b) Cold weather payments. Anyone on certain benefits, eg, Cold weather payments. Anyone on certain benefits, eg, pension specific income support, jobseeker’s allowance, specific income support, jobseeker’s allowance, credit, gets £25 for every seven days pension where there are subcredit, gets zero £25 for every sevenIt’s days where there are subtemperatures. paid automatically from 1 November zero temperatures. this year.It’s paid automatically from 1 November this year. c) Choosing between heating and eating? If you’re seriously Choosing between and eating? If you’re seriously behind,heating or in general financial hardship, you may be eligible behind, or in hardship, you may be eligible forgeneral specialfinancial tariffs/help. Try the HomeHeatHelpline.org.uk on for special tariffs/help. Try the HomeHeatHelpline.org.uk on 0800 33 66 99. 0800 33 66 99. 5) Do you know where your water cock is? Do you know where your water cock is? Everyone should know where their main water off-switch is, Everyone should knowknown whereastheir main water off-switch is, create an otherwise a stopcock. Frozen pipe bursts otherwise known asof a stopcock. Frozenworse pipe bursts createfind an the off average £4k of damage, if you can’t average of £4k of damage, worsefloods. if you So can’t finddon’t the off switch as your home if you know, spend five switch as your home floods. So if you don’t know, spend five minutes now finding out – typically it’s under the kitchen minutes now finding – typically it’s under the kitchen sink, in theout boiler cupboard, or outside. sink, in the boiler cupboard, or outside. 6) Full service car breakdown cover £41, basic for £16 – and if Full serviceyou’re car breakdown £41, basic for £16 – and if renewing,cover haggle. you’re renewing, haggle. Problems are more likely in winter and the consequences Problems are in winter and the consequences aremore morelikely severe. For breakdown, home start and onward are more severe. breakdown, home start and onward travel For cover, AutoAidBreakdown.co.uk charges £41/year, travel cover,though AutoAidBreakdown.co.uk if it sends a truck andcharges driver £41/year, you pay, then reclaim. though if it sends a truck and driver you pay, then reclaim. Or if you’ve got cover and are at renewal, haggle. In a recent Or if you’vepoll got Icover and are84% at renewal, a recent conducted, of AA andhaggle. 78% ofInRAC customers who poll I conducted, 84%lower of AArates, and 78% of RAC customers whofor the tried got like Graham did: “Thanks tried got lower rates,advice. like Graham did: five “Thanks for the haggling Just spent minutes on the phone to the haggling advice. Justgot spent minutes on the phone RAC and myfive renewal slashed from £252totothe £151. Just RAC and gotover my £100 renewal from £252 towork £151. Just do nicely!” for slashed about five minutes’ – that’ll over £100 for work – that’ll do nicely!” Fullabout help five to dominutes’ this in www.mse.me/breakdown Full help to do this in www.mse.me/breakdown For basic policies, buy through a cashback site like For basic policies, buy through or a cashback site and like you can reduce the Topcashback.co.uk Quidco.com Topcashback.co.uk Quidco.com and you canand reduce cost, eg,or RAC basic is £27.99 a year you the get around £12 cost, eg, RAC basic is £27.99 yearmore. and you get around £12 cashback, AA is a alittle cashback, AA is a little more. 7) Free loft/cavity wall insulation, open to all. Free loft/cavity wall insulation, open to all. Energy firms face sanctions if they don’t meet Eco quotas, so Energy firmssome, face sanctions they don’tEDFEnergy.com meet Eco quotas, eg, BritishifGas.co.uk, andso some, eg, British Gas.co.uk, Npower.com giveEDFEnergy.com free insulation and to anyone in England, Npower.com give free England, Scotland orinsulation Wales withtoaanyone suitableinhome (you don’t have to Scotland orbe Wales a suitable home don’t Ifhave theirwith customer or on a low(you income). youto paid for this be their customer or on a low income). If you paid for commercially, it could cost around £700. this commercially, it could cost around £700. The savings can be huge. The Energy Saving Trust estimates The savingsyou’ll can be huge. The Energy Saving Trusta estimates see a reduction in bills of £300 year compared with a you’ll see a typical reduction in bills ofhome. £300 aOn year compared with3-4 a weeks to uninsulated average it takes typical uninsulated home. On average it takes 3-4 weeks book a survey and a further two weeks for thetoinsulation to book a survey and a further two weeks for the insulation to be fitted (though it can take longer). be fitted (though it can take longer).

Please mention Winchcombe Magazine when responding to advertisers

Page 21

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Home & Interiors Make Room for Guests at Christmas box, bag or basket to stow bedding during the day.

Dinner is served

The tree is decorated and the turkey in the freezer, but are you ready to welcome friends and family this Christmas? Katherine Sorrell outlines some quick and easy ways to create extra space for holiday visitors.

Lounging around

If you’re going to need somewhere for everyone to relax in the living room, bring in beanbags for the kids and pop cushions on top of coffee tables and benches to create a few extra TV-viewing spaces.

A bed for the night

No guest room? No problem. A sofa bed, day bed or futon – or simply a longish sofa – will do the trick. A good quality airbed is a great thing to have, too. If your living room is acting as a temporary bedroom, clear space for your guests’ luggage and place a small lamp near the head of their ‘bed’ and a spare throw or blanket nearby. Use a

An extendable dining table is perfect for accommodating additional guests; alternatively enlarge your table temporarily by topping it with an overhanging sheet of plywood (you might want to protect the table with a pad or cloth first), covered with a pretty tablecloth. Or, create a separate dining table – maybe just for kids – using anything with a flat surface, from a trestle table to a coffee table, surrounded by cushions on the floor.

Any old china

If you haven’t got enough crockery for all your guests, plan ahead and pick up extras at car boot sales, charity shops or vintage shops; the same goes for glasses and cutlery. If all else fails, have a stack of paper plates to hand – no one will mind once the turkey is dished out, and at least you’ll save on washing up!

Are you sitting comfortably?

If you have a shortage of dining chairs, consider investing in a few inexpensive folding chairs that you could hide out of the way when not in use. If you’re not keen on how they look, try covering them with pillowcases and adding a pretty cushion.

By Katherine Sorrell

Alternatively, a flat-topped stool can double as a seat and as a side table – handy next to that seldom-used guest bed, too – and will slide out of the way under the table when not in use.

Hallway solutions

Extra guests means a proliferation of coats, shoes, boots and umbrellas, so a simple stacking shoe rack will always come in handy, as will a few extra hooks mounted on the wall. How about a free-standing coat rack? Or, for cheap and instant spacesaving, over-door racks, hooks and shoe organisers can be added anywhere in the house.

Eat, drink and be merry

Aim to create enough room in your kitchen to store all your festive goodies by clearing out your cupboards and fridge in good time. Add internal racks, shelves, boxes and baskets so you can stack everything neatly (clear plastic makes it easy to see everything at once).

Bathroom bliss

Clear plenty of space for your guests to store their toiletries before they arrive and look for bath and shower caddies that attach by hook or suction, allowing you to stock all sorts of products out of the way. Provide clean towels on a separate hook or rail from your own – a clothes airer that hooks over a radiator is ideal – and some luxury soaps. Your visitors will never want to go home…

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Main Image: Stella sofa bed in Herringbone, £1,340, sofa.com, 0845 400 2222.

Page 25

Thinking of buying a hamster? Which type should you choose? As one of the most popular small pets in the UK, hamsters take pride of place in many homes. They can make a great first pet for children, although they do not tolerate rough handling, so you need to make sure that younger ones treat them gently. Dwarf vs golden hamsters Not many people know that you can buy dwarf hamsters as an alternative to the more commonly known Syrian, or golden hamster. Syrian

PETS

hamsters live for 2-3 years on average, and are very solitary in nature. They should be kept on their own in a cage, as they display a strong tendency to fight with other hamsters. Dwarf hamsters grow to approximately 8cm in length. They look extremely cute, but beware if they escape their cage â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they can be very difficult to catch! This type of hamster is not as solitary as its golden counterpart, but even so it is advisable to check with the breeder or pet shop whether two or more hamsters would mix. Caring for your hamster Hamsters are usually bought

between the ages of four and eight weeks. Care will involve cleaning their cage, providing the correct type of food, as well as making sure they are entertained when you are asleep. Hamsters love to climb and run around, and these activities are essential for their health. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need a large cage with a wheel and other toys such as cardboard tubes. Wooden toys are also good for keeping their teeth short. http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/ advice/small-animal-care-advice/hamstercare-advice/caring-for-your-hamster http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/ advice/small-animal-care-advice/hamstercare-advice/are-hamsters-the-rightanimal-for-you By Ann Haldon

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CHURCH ROAD Bishops Cleeve Monday - Friday 8.00am - 6.30pm Saturday 8.30am - 12.30pm Free Nurse Clinics & Pet Advice CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES

Folly Gardens Vets

Folly Gardens would like to introduce their NEW Folly Care Club. This is a way for pet owners to save money and pay monthly for their pet’s essential preventative care.

Thursday 24th Christmas eve: Open from 8.00 am to 5.00pm emergencies from 5.00pm - 6.30pm Friday 25th Christmas Day - Closed Saturday 26th Boxing Day - Closed Sunday 27th - Closed Monday 28th Bank Holiday - Closed Tuesday 29th - Thursday 31st - Open as usual Friday 1st Jan - Closed Saturday 2nd - open as usual

In case of emergency, when the clinic is closed please call: 07074 838999.

At Folly Gardens Veterinary Clinic we believe in a proactive, preventive approach to your pet’s healthcare. We know how important your pet’s health is to you and we want to help you keep them happy and healthy for longer. This is why we have designed this Care Club.

Folly Care Club makes it easy for you to protect your pet and your family against preventable diseases and discomfort by making sure your pet’s vaccinations and parasite control are all up to date. In addition, regular check-ups and early diagnosis of any potential health issues will help your pet enjoy a long, comfortable life, whilst saving you money and worry too. Folly Care Club is not pet insurance: it includes the essential things like vaccinations, flea, worm and parasite treatments, quarterly health checks and advice in an easy monthly payment plan – the things that pet insurance generally doesn’t cover. With prices from as little as £5 per month. However young or old your pet, our Care Club is designed to adapt to your pet’s needs, from puppy or kitten, to adulthood and throughout their senior years. For more information please call into the clinic or call us on 01242 679880.

We would like to wish all our customers a Merry Christmas! 12 Columbine Rd Walton Cardiff Tewkesbury, GL20 7SP Tel. 01684 292244

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Page 27

Goodrum Carpets

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Page 28

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Finding Gifts For The “Nothing I Need” Brigade by Kate McLelland “There’s nothing I need. Don’t buy me anything.” It’s the festive season, and not buying anything just isn’t an option, unless you want to feel like a cross between the Grinch and Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas morning. But what do you get for those friends or family members who genuinely seem to have everything? I’m not talking a mansion, a yacht and a Ferrari: just all the things required for comfortable, everyday living. There comes a time in everyone’s life when it’s likely that they will have collected all the knick-knacks, gadgets and gizmos they’ll ever need. So what are the options when it comes to buying an original gift for the man or woman who says “There’s nothing I need”? Give a goat At Oxfam (www.oxfam.org. uk) it costs just £25 to buy a goat for a needy family trying to survive in areas affected by war or drought, who can use the gift to produce nutritious dairy products such as milk and cheese. Oxfam also supplies a brightly coloured gift card that explains your purchase. An unforgettable experience If you’ve run out of gift

ideas for your nearest and dearest, why not give them an experience? It could be anything from afternoon tea for two at a choice of 70 hotels and restaurants nationwide (£36 from www.redletterdays. co.uk), to a hot air champagne balloon flight for one (from £109 at www.buyagift.co.uk). This isn’t the kind of gift you can keep in your bottom drawer, but the lucky recipient is unlikely to ever forget the sensation of drifting high over the British countryside with a glass of bubbly in their hand. Adopt a rare animal The World Wildlife Fund (now called WWF) has another clever gift idea for people who like to feel they are helping a good cause. Go to www.wwf. org.uk and buy an “adopt a wild animal” pack as a gift. This isn’t an actual adoption – your donation won’t be linked to a specific animal – but the adoption pack does include a cuddly toy version of the chosen species. Go retro Treat them to a retro sweet hamper (£36) or a retro chocolate gift box (£12.95) full of Munchies, Curly Wurlies and other nostalgic goodies, both

from www.retrosweets.co.uk. Vintage board games are also popular: you can buy old games in “as new” condition from online retailers such as eBay and Amazon. Buy a gift voucher It used to be that gift vouchers could only be exchanged at one particular retailer, but those days are long gone. The “Love2Shop” voucher can be spent in over 20,000 UK locations, including restaurants, hotels, spas and leisure resort (www.highstreetvouchers.com). Can’t afford any of the above? If your Christmas gift budget won’t stretch to the items mentioned here, consider giving the gift of your time. Buy a small gift box and enclose a note promising to do something for the recipient: a couple of hours of gardening; baking a cake every week for a month; decorating the spare room. These gifts are a far cry from a boring box of toiletries or a shirt and tie set, and at least you’ll win Brownie points for original thinking. You’ll also avoid the dirty looks and long silences that come from having taken the “Nothing I need” brigade’s protestations a bit too literally!

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Page 29

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Golden Years

Memories of 50 Years Ago by Ted Bruning

On 22nd December 1965 Transport Minister Tom Fraser gave us a Christmas present we still use every day – the 70mph speed limit. And not before time, either, because out there on Britain’s roads it was absolute carnage. Back then, there was only one speed limit: 30mph in built-up areas had been the legal ceiling since 1935. Anywhere else, you could go as fast as you liked – and despite the primitive suspension, steering and brakes of the day, and the complete lack of even the most basic safety features (such as seatbelts, for instance), people did. And died. You’d be astonished at the number of road deaths people used to take pretty much for granted. In 1926 when records began, 4,888 people were killed on Britain’s roads. At the time there was a 20mph speed limit, which was scrapped in 1930 as being unenforceable - and perhaps predictably things very quickly got worse. In 1934, with car ownership at only 2,500,000, there were 7,343 road deaths, half of them pedestrians.

During the war, the black-out trumped petrol rationing and 1941 became the worst year on record with 9,196 road deaths. Afterwards, with rationing still in place until 1950 but the streetlights turned back on, the annual death toll fluctuated between 4,500 and 5,500. But from the late ‘50s on, with returning prosperity bringing rising car ownership, new technology producing faster cars, the closure of many branch-lines and factory sidings forcing freight off the rails and on to the roads, and the gradual spread of the motorway network, matters span out of control again. The total for 1964 was 7,820, the worst since 1934 (barring the blackout years, when more British civilians were killed in road accidents than by German bombs). A series of high-profile pile-ups on fogbound motorways in the autumn of 1965 persuaded the Government to act, and on 22nd December the 70mph national speed-limit was announced as a four-month trial. The results were positive enough to persuade Fraser’s successor Barbara Castle to give it another 15 months; in July 1967 it became permanent, and the only change since then has been the reduction of the national limit to 60mph except on motorways and dual carriageways, where it remains

70mph, and on roads with designated lower limits of their own. It would be nice to record that the introduction of the 70mph limit (and the breathalyser that followed in 1967) had a dramatic effect on road safety. No such luck. The grim toll was stubbornly slow to fall and it wasn’t until the 1990s, after the Government adopted more sophisticated and closelytargeted road safety campaigns, that it fell below 3,000 and stayed there. But since 2007, when the number of road deaths fell below 3,000 for the first time ever, there has been a miracle. The figure for 2013 was 1,713 deaths: a record low. There are many reasons for this, not all of them positive: safer cars and better engineered roads, fine; but also far more single-occupancy journeys (hence fewer casualties per crash), punitive insurance premiums that price many younger drivers off the road, and far fewer unaccompanied child pedestrians. How great a part speed limits have played is something to argue about, but the fact remains that for whatever reason Britain is second only to Sweden in the international road safety rankings.

Happy 50tH BirtHdays to Katarina Witt (3rd), Ed Davey (25th), Heidi Fleiss (30th), and Will Carling (31st). Cake and botox to you all!

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Page 31

DOG TRAINING AT YOUR HOME

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PAMINGTON FARM

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CODEWORD Each letter in this puzzle is represented by a number between 1 and 26. The codes for three letters are shown. As you find the letters enter them in the box below.

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11 18

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Page 33

Page 34

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Finance What type of financial help is available for first time buyers? By Ann Haldon The thought of buying your first home can be daunting, but there’s help available from the government that you may not know about. Equity loans and mortgage guarantees combine within the Help to Buy scheme, which has been a popular option for many people wanting to get their foot on the property ladder. Other possibilities include Shared Ownership schemes and Help to Buy ISA products. Additionally, choosing a fixed rate mortgage deal will help you to budget effectively and provides peace of mind that you can afford the repayments. Help to Buy Equity Loan You only need to find a deposit of 5% as the government loans you the remaining 20%. The loan is offered interestfree for the first five years, with an interest rate of 1.75% being charged in year six on the amount of the original loan. Subsequent annual rate increases are in line with inflation, using the Retail Price Index plus 1%. You’ll be able to repay part of the loan early without penalty if you want, and you can sell your home whenever you like. The repayment figure on sale is based on the property’s value at the time so that the government benefits from its rise in value. Mortgage Guarantee This part of the Help to Buy

scheme is available until 31st December 2016 for new-builds and older homes. It is valid for properties worth up to £600,000, and the government provides a guarantee to mortgage lenders for up to 15% of the property value. The scheme is geared towards purchasers with a low deposit, and is intended to encourage confidence in lenders that their money is safe, increasing the likelihood of them offering a larger number of 95% loan-tovalue mortgages. Shared Ownership The Shared Ownership scheme enables you to own a proportion of your home - usually between 25% and 75% of the property’s value. You pay rent to a housing association on the remaining proportion, but at a subsidised rate. Shared Ownership helps people to buy their first home because rents are generally low, and are paid in conjunction with a mortgage. The housing association may allow you to purchase more of your home over time – usually up to its full value. Help to Buy ISA The Help to Buy ISA is a new product offered by the government, and is due to be introduced this month (December). If you make a lump sum deposit of £1,000 the government will boost this

amount tax-free by up to £250 when you buy your home, plus by another £50 for each further £200 of monthly savings. There is a limit on these tax free bonuses, however, of £3,000. Fixing your mortgage rate If you fix your mortgage rate you’ll be able to budget with confidence, and won’t need to worry about mortgage interest rate rises. Interest rates are expected to increase in the spring of 2016, so this is a good time to look for a suitable fixed rate deal. It can be difficult to know for how long to fix your rate, but with increases expected over the next few years a five-year term might be the best choice, even though the rates offered will be higher than deals over two or three years. With a little research and pre-planning you can take advantage of the various schemes available, fixing your interest rate to provide some stability and peace of mind. http://www.moneywise.co.uk/ news/2015-09-09/first-timebuyers-to-get-4000-deposit-boost http://www.moneysupermarket. com/mortgages/hubs/first-timebuyers/ http://www.moneysupermarket. com/mortgages/first-time-buyers/ http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/ money/mortgageshome/article3177711/Time-start-savingbenefit-new-Help-Buy-Isa.html

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Page 35

Winter Ball Friday 11 December 2015 Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham 7pm - 1am • • • •

Champagne reception Three course meal Entertainment Exclusive raffle

Tickets £90

with table packages available

For information and tickets call 01242 246270 or email leckhampton.fundraising@sueryder.org

Sue Ryder Care is a charity registered in England and Wales (1052076) and in Scotland (SC039578). Ref No. 04353. © Sue Ryder. July 2015.

Page 36

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It is all covered by our policy. are highly trained system and controls, hot water for several large b FREE BOILER SERVICE in registered trades system, radiators, internal manufacturers CheckCheck your your existing policy to see what excess you repairs couldbebe much as £50! an each yearfor of repairs the policy. existing policy to see what excess youare arecharged charged for – -itItcould asas much £50! plumbing and household ofas spare parts. Ou electrics. It even includes a are highly trained Page 24 To advertise call 01684 772572 or 07912 575741 or visit www.glosdirectories.co.uk FREE BOILER SERVICE in registered trades each year of the policy. A Fixed Low Cost Of £7.99 A Month, For The First 12 Months.

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No EXCESS charges

Scott Johnston & all at Johnston Scotia would like to wish our customers and Cheltenham Magazine No EXCESS charges – You pay no readers a Merry Christmas and a parts Happy New Year! or labour. It is all cov

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Page 37

No EXCESS charges – You pay no

Movie Pictograms

PD U H L O

2 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.

4 words

3 letters: 9 4 letters: 5 5 letters: 0 6 letters: 2

HAIRRY GRAINGE DAMION

Puzzle & Crossword Solutions

3 words

Christmas TV Quiz

GOLF E KILDARE

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: 15 or more words Good: 12 words Fair: 9 words

18 17 4 5

S T

E Page 38

18 16

10 9 6

A Z E

3 Letters Duh Duo Hod Hop Hup Lop Old

22 13 6

S E

16 4

Pod Pud 4 Letters Hold Loud Loup Plod Updo

P A

B L

solution (others may exis SHIP shop shot soot sort PORT

14 6

G E

6 Letters Holdup Uphold

10 24

2 4

10 17

25 23

20 17

Here is one possible solution Here is one possible (others may exist)

Codeword Sudoku

Word Ladder

1. Gavin And Stacey 2. The Simpsons 3. Charlie Brown (in A Charlie Brown Christmas) 4. David Walliams 5. Only Fools And Horses 6. Catherine Tate 7. Queen Elizabeth II (in 1957) 8. Archie Mitchell 9. An alarm clock 10. Wimbledon Common (the mispronunciation gave her the inspiration for The Wombles)

3L Du Du Ho Ho Hu Lo Ol Po Pu

T T O

17 1

21 6 6 9 6

E Z E C R

18 25

10 23

18 4

14 6

G E

Pictograms 1. Iron Man 2. The Hills Have Eyes 3. Carry On Doctor

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What's On in December Cinderella at The Roses Ongoing until Saturday 2nd January, various times, The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX Christmas time wouldn’t be the same without a trip to the panto. This year the Roses is showing Cinderella with a magical cast fun for all the family guaranteed. For more information and tickets visit: www.rosestheatre.org Winchcombe Folk Night First Tuesday of the month, 8pm -10.45 pm, The White Hart Inn, High Street, Winchcombe, GL54 5LJ Open Mic Night: a mixture of regular contributors performing traditional and contemporary songs as well as newcomers. Come along from some great music and atmosphere. Admission: free (voluntary charity contribution). For more information call: 01242 602236. Winchcombe Late Night Christmas Festival Tuesday 1st December, 5.00pm 8.00pm, Winchcombe Town Centre

A one night Christmas Festival brimming with music, festive food, over 40 stalls and seasonal live entertainment. Many of the town’s shops and cafes will also be open late to serve mulled wine and mince pies. For more details visit the Christmas Festival facebook page, the town’s website and www.winchcombe.co.uk Celebrity Christmas Concert Thursday 3rd December, 7.30pm Tewkesbury Abbey

In aid of the HELP Appeal, the only charity in the country focused on building hospital helipads across the country. Guest readers include Adam Henson; Pam Ayres and Matt Frei; music will be performed by Soprano Nicki Kennedy, Contralto Katrina Hicks Beach, Trumpeter Gavin Wells and the Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum. Tickets from £5 to £100, which also includes supper with the stars after the concert. For further information call 0800 3898 999. The Royal Marines Christmas Spectacular Thursday 3rd December, 7.30pm Cheltenham Town Hall

Enjoy festive entertainment from the Royal Marines: Listen to some of the finest seasonal music from the Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines. There will be Christmas music, military marches, big band hits, popular showstoppers and much more. For more information visit: www.marinesspectacular.co.uk Carols with Cooper, Simpson, Frazer & Freya Friday 4th December, 7.30pm, Postlip Hall, GL54 5AQ Wonderful carols to get you into the festive spirit. Cooper, Simpson, Frazer & Freya mix old and new with a firm foundation of traditional Yorkshire and Derbyshire carols. For more information and tickets visit: www.postliphall.org.uk Christmas Carols at GWSR Saturday 5th December, train leaves at 7pm, Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, the Railway Station, Toddington, GL54 5DT Annual carol service led by Cheltenham Silver Band in aid of Winston's Wish. Admission: £7.50

in advance. For more information visit: www.gwsr.com The Joy of Christmas Saturday 5th December, 7.30pm, Cheltenham Town Hall

Seasonal readings and music with the Jubilate Chamber Choir, the University of Gloucestershire & Community Choir, the English Concertante Orchestra, Holy Apostles’ School Choir, Charlton Kings Junior School Choir, St Edward’s School Senior Choir, St Edward’s School Preparatory School Choir and the Richard Pate School Choir. Presented by Vernon Harwood (BBC), conducted by Ian Higginson Admission: £12.00. Tickets can be purchased from the Cheltenham Town Hall Box Office: 0844 5762210. Santa Specials at GWSR Sat 5th, Sun 6th, Sat 12th, Sun 13th, Sat19th, Sun 20th, Tues 22nd, Wed 23rd & Thurs 24th December, Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, the Railway Station, Toddington, GL54 5DT Two great ways to visit Santa: either from Cheltenham Race Course by steam train all the way to Winchcombe (or the North Pole!) through the long tunnel, to visit Santa and his elves in his grotto; or from Toddington Station by an early 1960's diesel rail car with Santa and his young elves on board the train, spending lots of time sitting with each family. Santa Fun Run Sun 6th December, Registration from 9.30am, race starts at 11.00am, Pittville Park, Cheltenham Walk, run or jog 1 to 3k and help raise money for Cobalt and Cancer

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events cont'd on p40...

Page 39

...events cont'd from p39 Research UK. Last year’s event raised over £4,000. For more information visit: www.santasfunrun.com Churchdown Book Fair Sunday 6th Dec, 10am - 3.30pm, Churchdown Community Centre, Parton Road, Churchdown, GL3 2JH Come and browse Gloucestershire’s longest running independent book fair. Admission: 50p, under 16s free. Trade free with card from 9.30am. Tapestry of Christmas Music Cheltenham Choral Society Tuesday 8th December 7.30pm, The Pump Rooms

A family concert in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Come along and enjoy festive music, seasonal readings and much more! Tickets: £10, under 13’s £5. Available on the door and from Cheltenham Town Hall. Malice Through the Looking Glass Thursday 10th December, 7.30pm, The Royal Oak, Prestbury, Cheltenham, GL52 3DL Murder mystery and a three-course dinner. A funny twist on Alice in Wonderland – the play is set six months after Alice went down the rabbit hole. Enjoy a great show as well as excellent food and outstanding hospitality. Fancy dress option: Dress as your favourite ‘Alice’ character! Tickets: £42. Email: eat@royal-oakprestbury.co.uk. For more information call 07775 797859 or visit: www.hauntedmysteryweekend.co.uk Family Christmas Concert in aid of Child Refugee Crisis Appeal Friday 11th December, 7pm, St Gregory’s Church Cheltenham A magical Christmas concert with Page 40

Tenors Un Limited, also known as ‘the rat-pack of opera’ and special guests The Mander Hall Academy and the All Saint’s choirs. Part of the proceeds from ticket sales and all of the proceeds from the refreshments will go to the Child Refugee Crisis Appeal, so come along, enjoy a fantastic family concert and give to the children who will be in great need this Christmas. Tickets are available from: www. tenorsunlimited.com/tickets or Sheila Mander: 07879 620 781. Sue Ryder Winter Ball Friday 11th December from 7.00pm onwards, Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham This amazing event is THE opportunity to dress to impress while raising money for a wonderful charity. Enjoy a 3-course dinner with top entertainment. Prices vary. For more information visit: www.sueryder.org The International Friday 11th and Saturday 12th December, 10.00am – 5.00pm Two days of incredible jump racing. For more information and tickets please visit: www. cheltenham.thejockeyclub.co.uk Musica Vera Christmas Concert Saturday 12th December, 7.30pm, St Peter’s Church, Church Road, Leckhampton, GL53 0QJ Bach’s ‘Lobet den Herrn’, Charpentier’s ‘Messe de Minuit pour Noël’ and carols for choir and audience. Conductor: David Dewar. Proceeds go to the Cheltenham Community Projects. Tickets: £12 to include refreshments; free admission to children under 16. Tickets can be bought at the door, or from The Wilson, Tourist Information Centre, Clarence Street, Cheltenham. Cafe Church 13th Dec, 6.00pm – 7.00pm, St. Michael and All Angels Church A totally informal service lasting about 1 hour aimed at 16-25

year olds looking to meet for fellowship and food. Cate Cody Trio Monday 14th December, The Daffodil Restaurant, GL50 2AE Fine dining and excellent live jazz music in the beautiful setting of The Daffodil Restaurant. For more information visit: www.thedaffodil.com Christmas Carols at the Plough Mill Street, Prestbury, Cheltenham, GL52 3BG Thursday 17th December, 9.00pm: Carols with The Black Abbot; Monday 21st December, 7.30pm: The Hand Bell Ringers; Tuesday 22nd December, 7.30pm: Jim (alias John) Shaw Carols; Wednesday 23rd December, 8.00pm: Carols with The Wassalers, a local Barbershop group. Christmas Carols at Sudeley Castle Friday 18th December, Doors open at 6pm, Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe, GL54 5JD Admission: £5. For more information visit: www.sudeleycastle.co.uk Carols in Tarlings Yard Friday 18th December, 6.00pm Lowry's Espresso Bar and Chocolatier, Unit 3/4 Tarlings Yard, Church Road, Bishops Cleeve, GL52 8RN Come along to Lowry’s Espresso bar and Chocolatier and enjoy festive fun with the Cleeve Brass Ensemble. Don’t miss out on crafts stalls, mince pies, mulled wine and a visit from Father Christmas. Christmas Day Swim Friday 25th Dec, 10am Sandfords Park Lido Come along for a quick dip in

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the main pool before heading home to warm up and have your Christmas dinner. The swim will take place promptly at 11am and you will need to be at the lido gates at 10am. The water will be extremely cold and this is an adults only event (age 17+). The event will finish at 11.30am. There is no charge to enter this event but there will be collection buckets at the entrance raising money for Sandford Lido Ltd, the charitable trust that operates the lido. Spectators are welcome. Boxing Day Challenge Saturday 26th December, registration from 9am for 10.30am start, Cheltenham Racecourse Get some exercise and fresh air whilst raising money for Winston's Wish. Entry: £5. For more information visit: www.boxingdaychallenge.com

Christmas Cracker at GWSR Tuesday 29th & Wednesday 30th December, Various times, Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, the Railway Station, Toddington, GL54 5DT A special steam and diesel event. For more information visit: www.gwsr.com

LOCAL CLUBS & CLASSES Alderton Acorns Preschool Group Alderton Village Hall, Dibden Lane, Alderton, GL20 8NT We pride ourselves on our friendly welcome to mother, toddler and baby groups helping children to be happy in a safe enviornment. For more information contact: 07843 161159. Brownies (7-10 years) Through regular meetings, special events, day trips, sleepovers,

camps and holidays, Brownies learn new hobbies, play music, explore other cultures and get adventurous outdoors. Girls can also extend their knowledge and abilities by working towards Brownie interest badges covering many different hobbies and activities. We are a registered charity and operate under The Guide Association. For more information contact Jacqui Dent on 01242 890505. Guided Walks of Historic Winchcombe Every Sunday, 11am and 2.30pm Tourist Information Centre Free Town Walks for anyone who is interested in the fascinating history of Winchcombe – from ancient Saxon Borough to WW2 and beyond. The walks are short and easy and designed to be accessible to all (less than a mile). Duration: 1–1¼ hours. The walks are led by local people who are keen to share the history of, and their enthusiasm for, the area. Places are limited to 10, but larger parties can probably be catered for if pre-booked. For more information come into the Tourist Information Centre in Winchcombe, call 01242 602925 or email: winchwalks@btinternet.com Royal British Legion Winchcombe Branch Meet Mondays, 7.30pm, The Winchcombe Conservative W. M. Club, Abbey Terrace, GL54 5LW The Royal British Legion is the UK‘s leading Armed Forces charity and one of its largest membership organisations. Members get together through the network of branches and clubs all over the country and overseas to participate in social, fundraising and welfare activities. Membership is open to everyone. For dates and more information visit: branches.britishlegion.org.uk/ branches/winchcombe or contact John Welch on 01242 602 233 or 07798 538 864.

Winchcombe Duplicate Bridge Club Meet every Friday from 1.45pmabout 5.30pm, The Community Centre, Langley Close, Winchcombe The table money cost is £2 per person and we serve tea & biscuits for 20p. Any one wishes to join please contact our Chairman Ted Phillips on 01242 620451. Winchcombe Film Society Fridays Subscriptions cost £20 per season

and entitle the subscriber to attend 10 film screenings free of charge and include complimentary tea/coffee and biscuits. For further information please email: winchcombefilmsociety@gmail.com Winchcombe Probus (Mercia) Wednesday Group Meet fortnightly on Wednesdays The Probus Mercia club for men provides an opportunity for retired or semi-retired people to meet and socialise. For more information please contact John Pearce on 01242 602834. 1st Winchcombe Scout Group The Group is home to a Beaver Colony, Cub Pack and Scout Troop with a growing membership of some 60 young people and adult helpers. For more information contact Jim Maher on 01386 881474. Woodmancote Probus Club Tuesdays, 10am – 12Noon Woodmancote New Village Hall Meetings start with refreshments followed by a talk at 10.30am. For more information call 01242 678121.

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events cont'd onPage p42...41

...events cont'd from p41

Fitness Happenstance Meet every Thursday evening, 7.30- 9pm, Abbey Primary School Happenstance Border Morris dancing and musicians welcomes both men and women of all ages. In the summer months we like to dance out. For more information please contact Cressida Pryor on 01242 604120/ 07791004649. Winchcombe Walkers Last Thursday of each month A relaxed group of people who meet on a casual basis for a walk of 5-8 miles. Our leaders are volunteers and we aim to cover the whole 12 months at our annual get together, usually towards the end of the year. For more information contact Paul Clark via email: clarksph@yahoo.co.uk

Gardening Winchcombe Gardening Club Wednesdays, 7.30pm, Methodist

Church Hall, Winchcombe Visitors and new members always welcome. For further information contact Diggory Davies on 01242 609590 or visit www. gfgs.org.uk/members/winchcombe

Music Blue Moon Harmony Choir Thurs evenings, 7.30pm - 9.30pm Bishop's Cleeve Junior School Blue Moon Harmony Choir was founded in 2002 with over forty regular members. However, we would welcome new singers in all parts. You are guaranteed a warm welcome and friendly support as we practice new songs together. You don¹t have to read music as CDs are supplied to help with learning. For more information call John on 01242 251531 or visit: www.bluemoonharmony.co.uk Cleeve Chorale Tuesdays 7.30pm Bishop’s Cleeve Primary Academy Are you interested in having a good sing (no previous experience required)? Then come along to our rehearsal nights. For more

information call: 01242 672881. Cleeve Harmony Ladies A Capella Chorus Wednesday evenings, 7.45-10pm, The Tithe Barn Whether you are a Bedroom Beginner, a Shower Songstress or an Experienced Singer, come and join in this brand new chorus. For more information, email Donna at cleeve.md@gmail.com or ring on 07737 280336. You can also find us on Facebook: Cleeve Harmony Chorus. Winchcombe Community Choir Meets every Wednesday during term time, 10am to 12 Noon Cleeve Room, Abbey Fields Community Centre, Back Lane For more information contact Chrissie on 01386 552736 or 07707 675216 or email chrissieleaney@naturalvoice. net or Liz on 01905 620827 or 07850 547916 or email lizhooper@naturalvoice.net

Christmas TV 1. A 2008 Christmas special of which TV show saw Dave Coaches get engaged to Nessa Jenkins? 2. Miracle On Evergreen Terrace is the title of a special Christmas episode of which TV show? 3. In an animated TV special that was first broadcast in 1965, who was feeling depressed because Christmas had become too commercialised? 4. Made into TV films broadcast at Christmas in 2012, 2013 and 2014, which comedy star wrote the children’s books Mr Stink, Gangsta Granny and The Boy In The Dress? 5. Diamonds Are For Heather, Miami Twice and To Hull And Back were all titles of Christmas special episodes of which TV sitcom? 6. Who played the title character in The Runaway Bride, the 2006 Doctor Who Christmas special? 7. Who read out the first Royal Christmas Message to be televised?... King George V, King George VI or Queen Elizabeth II? 8. Which EastEnders character was murdered on Christmas Day in 2009? 9. In the 2013 Christmas TV advert for John Lewis, what did the hare get the bear as a Christmas present? 10. Where in London did Elisabeth Beresford take her children for a walk one Boxing Day when one of them pronounced the name of this place wrong, giving her the inspiration for a group of TV characters? Page 42

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Have a ball at The Roses, Tewkesbury’s traditional family pantomime! Written and directed by Ben Crocker Director of Beauty And The Beast 2014

Sat 28 Nov - Sat 2 Jan

“More charming than a bucketload of princes” SoGlos on Beauty And The Beast 2014