Winchcombe WINTER 2014, issue 8
Bringing you the best news and features from your community
Free
Festival fun
A saucy treat!
DARREN’S TOFFEE PUD
FOR CHRISTMAS
In fine voice Our community choir on song
A falconer’s life
Win tickets FOR PANTO FUN
GARY’S IN PRINT
P L U S : L O C A L N E W S / B U S I N E S S / W I N E / B A K I N G / H E A L T H / F E AT U R E S / P R I Z E S TO W I N D e l i v e r e d t o : W in c h c o m be , A l d erton , T o d d ington , D u m bleton , L a v erton , S tanton , Di d brook , G u iting P ower , B ro c k h a m pton A v a i la b l e i n : B is h ops Clee v e , W oo d m an c ote , P restb u ry , B e c kfor d , G ot h erington , nort h C h elten h a m
Take the
indoors, out!
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Welcome To our winter edition with its snowy front cover scene taken at Didbrook by Winchcombe photographer John Ord. This issue is packed full of exciting and inspiring things to do, make and see in the coming months. We’ve a four page feature on Christmas in Winchcombe including plans for this year’s Christmas Festival Night and great offers being run in the Business Forum’s new Advent Campaign, supported by local retailers and businesses. Read about an exciting new venture for former Winchcombe School pupil, Darren Lane, now a talented chef who is tantalising tastebuds in Prestbury, and learn why grooming dogs is good for their health.
This lovely snowy scene of Vineyard Street is wet off the canvas this winter from talented Winchcombe artist Barbara Curry. Barbara’s pictures are available as Christmas cards and calendars from Keelings Newsagents in the High Street. See Barbara’s advert on page 14.
Contents
Winter
5 NEWS UPDATE New seats for St Peter’s?
19 N EWS EXTRA
7 WHAT’S ON Choirs, Christmas, Art
21 W INE SCHOOL
9 STICKY TOFFEE SPECIAL
25 FAMILY LIFE
Darren’s saucy pud
I hope you enjoy it. Happy reading, Happy Christmas and a Happy 2015!
Ruth Ruth McDonagh EditorMcDonagh Ruth Editor
Dr John in Italy
An affordable Christmas
27 H EALTHY LIVING Jayne eases the strain
If you’re feeling a little under the wet and windy weather, there’s some excellent promotions in acupuncture and reflexology, and we talk to Holistic Therapist Jayne Burke on why £40 a month is better spent on a regular massage than a Sky TV subscription! Family Life writer Mrs G has some top tips for an affordable Christmas and we find some quality products at Ashtons, the area’s newest Farm Shop, Cafe and Plant centre. We also catch up with singers from Winchcombe Community Choir who regularly move their audiences to tears.
Fly high with falconer Gary
29 IN JOY AND HARMONY Community choristers
11 BUSINESS NEWS
Meet a handy mechanic!
13 PREENED POOCHES 31 L OOKING BACK Why it’s good A 1938 nativity scene
to groom
WORDSEARCH 15 SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS Winchcombe’s plans
Win tickets for Sleeping Beauty
for Christmas
This magazine is produced quarterly by Winchcombe Life of 15 Isbourne Way, Broadway Road, Winchcombe GL54 5NS. Design by Charlotte Kidner 07775 630899 and David Fern 07590 609018. Printed by Stephens & George. Reproduction of the whole or any part of any Winchcombe Life material, advertising or photographs is strictly forbidden without the consent of the publisher. Dates, information and prices are believed to be correct at time of print but may be subject to change and no responsibility is accepted for advertisers’ errors or omissions.
FRONT COVER PHOTO: Our stunning front cover photo of ‘Oak tree in the snow’ was taken at Didbrook and kindly provided by John Ord Photography at Kinetic Studios, Winchcombe. To see more of John’s work including amazing sports portraits, visit www.johnordphotography.com and www.kinetic-studios.co.uk GET IN TOUCH: If you’ve news or events to promote, call editor Ruth McDonagh on 0780 9096036, or email ruth@winchcombelife.co.uk follow us on twitter @winchcombelife READ ONLINE: www.winchcombelife.co.uk Winchcombe life WINTER 2014
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News UPDATE PARISH SPLIT OVER PEWS Controversial proposals are being explored to remove the pews from Winchcombe’s historic St Peter’s Church in favour of new flexible seating. As part of a consultation process, the Parochial Church Council has put forward options for alternative seating and more community-based uses for the 500-year-old building. It says new seating could provide improved comfort; create a new open space for a variety of community uses; increase the capacity of the church and give informal seating options for social and fundraising events. The space would also be available for hire. But the proposals are receiving mixed reactions from parishioners, some of whom believe the integrity of the church could be lost. Jackie Hayter, a member of the Friends of St Peter’s, said: “I don’t like the idea of the church being used for banqueting, or indeed for commercial purposes and many others agree. We have rain coming through the roof at times and the organ needs urgent work. I think these should be given priority.” A church-goer in favour of the idea, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “Flexible seating would offer great benefits. It would open it up for wider community use and encourage more people to use the church. This could then help fund maintenance. People don’t like change and this is a very emotive issue. However the timing is an issue. There is urgent maintenance work that needs addressing before any refurbishment.” The PCC estimates the cost of the project at around £90,000 which it says could be raised from gifts and loans; grants; Friends of St Peter’s; fundraising, sales of the old pews and sponsorship of the new seating. It says any loans secured, would be re-paid through hiring out the church as a new community venue. Potential layouts for the church include using it as a cleared open space, for service hospitality, for a dinner/banqueting area, for full capacity seating, as a stage and with tables and chairs. It said any new seating would be of high quality design, using traditional materials and craftsmanship to ensure it was in keeping with the interior of the church that dates back to 1468. The PCC ‘s new website for the consultation is www.atstpeters.co.uk . The closing date for comments was November 14th.
PUPILS APPEAL FOR SUPPORT Pupils at Winchcombe School are keen to forge new links with business people and entrepreneurs in the town – to help prepare them for the world of work. The School is looking for local businessmen and women, or semi-retired professionals who would be willing to pass on their experience and expertise in a range of new initiatives. Claire-Lise Harrison, Head of Careers and Enterprise at the school, is keen to set up new partnership activities which could prove beneficial for both the pupils and local businesses alike. Claire said one of the areas in which help was needed was the School’s Practice Interview Programme in which Year 10 students – aged 15 and 16 – are given mock interviews. The practice sessions are held every June for approximately 100 pupils to help prepare them for external interviews at sixth form centres and colleges.
Any business people or professionals willing to offer their services would be fully briefed and de-briefed on the day and sent an information pack beforehand. If you are able to support the school with the practice interviews or other areas, please email Claire at charrison@winchcombeschool.co.uk
NEW ON AIR Two new young presenters have joined the Saturday team manning the microphones at Radio Winchcombe. Teenagers Steff Cater and Adam Spragg, are both running their own programmes; Steff ’s at midday and Adam’s from 6-7 pm. Station manager Nick Mundy said: “There are many opportunities and we are always looking for more volunteers to help in advertising and programme scheduling. Anyone interested should contact us.” Programmes@radiowinchcombe.co.uk
STEPS DVD NOW OUT A DVD of the history of Winchcombe as performed at the Steps Through Time event earlier this year is now on sale. The production, which portrayed the story of Winchcombe through the centuries, is now available on professionally produced DVD at £6 from the Cotswold Eye Care Centre in the High Street and St Peter’s Centre in Goucester Street. For details visit www.fostpw.org.uk
HELP WITH READING If you know an adult in the Winchcombe area who struggles to read there is now one-to-one support on offer from a team of North Cotswold volunteers. Read Easy is a national charity with trained coaches across the UK and the North Cotswold branch is now extending its service to include Winchcombe. Places are now available for adults who would like to meet one of the reading coaches and find out more about how the charity could help them. Read Easy committee member Derek Taylor said: “One in twenty adults in the UK has never learned to read. Often it’s due to childhood issues where they just didn’t progress at school, but as an adult they often feel ashamed and go to great lengths to hide their lack of understanding.” Read Easy teaches adults to read on a one-to-one basis, so the whole process remains private and the student learns at his or her own pace. To learn more contact Sue Brereton on 0844 493 0686, or send an email on a student’s behalf to suebrereton@ readeasy.org.uk. The charity is also looking for quiet rooms for coaching, contact Sue if you can help. Winchcombe life WINTER 2014
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10647 - GWR Winch Santa HP_Layout 1 03/11/2014 15:37 Page 1
A C hr istmasboat ordretmheember a Take a magical train journey with an extra special visit to Santa. Travel by steam from Cheltenham Race Course to visit Santa in his Grotto, or from Toddington by early 1960s rail car with Santa visiting families on the train. Great top-quality presents for all children. Every Saturday and Sunday from 29th November - plus 22nd, 23rd & 24th December Book your tickets online at www.gwsr.com
Blow away those Christmas cobwebs; trains run Boxing Day until Friday 2nd January. Special steam and diesel gala days Mon 29th & Tues 30th December
O ur 2015 timetaburledabeygi7tnsh March Sat
THERE’S LOTS MORE TO SEE AND DO AT THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE RAILWAY 693 yard tunnel at Greet Famous 15 arch Stanway viaduct Tea room, shop and small museum at Toddington, café at Winchcombe Heritage steam engines, diesel railcars and diesel locomotives Free car and coach parking Heritage Trail at Toddington
24 MILE ROUND TRIP
Cotswolds Tourism Award Winner 2014
!
A Great Famil y Day O ut
Timetable and discount tickets available online Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway The Railway Station Toddington, Glos GL54 5DT Tel: 01242 621405 www.gwsr.com
Corner Cupboard inn winchcombe
Come and try our Christmas Menu • Two-for-one specials throughout January and February* • Enjoy locally-sourced food • Real ales and roaring log fires •
Open 10am to midnight, seven days a week
NEW YEAR OFFERS
FREE bottle of house wine for every table of four dining Mon – Thurs
*Two-for-one New Year specials apply to lunch and evening meals during January and February 2015
Corner Cupboard Inn, 83 Gloucester St, Winchcombe Cheltenham, Glos. GL54 5LX Tel: 01242 602303 Email: jason@cornercupboardwinchombe.co.uk
what’s on Fri 21st Nov – Weds 24th Dec
ART SHOW The work of two Cheltenham artists will be on show until Christmas in the gallery area at Barnbury in North Street. Original oils by Anthony Slessor and acrylics and watercolours by Rosie Lomberg, will be featured. Anthony uses a range of colours and textures for strength and vitality, while Rosie specialises in intertwining, plants, seed heads, leaves and flowers. Open daily. See www.barnbury.com for full details. SATURDAY 29TH NOVEMBER
SANTA FUN
The first Santa Special trains steam into action this weekend taking excited youngsters to see Father Christmas. Starting today, Santa Specials run every weekend in December and every day on the 22nd, 23rd and Christmas Eve from Toddington and Cheltenham. You’ll also meet Santa’s Elves and enjoy mince pies, quality presents and refreshments. Book early online at www.gwsr.com. SATURDAY 29TH NOVEMBER
CRAFTS GALORE A Christmas Craft Fayre boasting more than 60 stalls full of festive goodies takes place today in Dumbleton. There’s everything from furniture, cards and candles, to pictures, fashions and jewellery. There’s a licensed bar, mulled wine, barbecue, teas and cakes. The Fayre at Dumbleton Village Club off Main Street, runs from 10 am til 3.30 pm. Entrance fee £1, under 12s free and there is free parking. Visit www.dumbletonclub.co.uk/fayre for more details. TUESDAY 2ND DECEMBER
FESTIVAL NIGHT The annual Christmas Festival takes place in Winchcombe town centre this evening with stalls, food, music, dance and song. More than 30 festive gift stalls will be open on Abbey Terrace and North Street, along with shops and businesses. Local choirs, musicians and morris dancers will perform and Father Christmas will be waiting in his grotto. The Festival organised by the Business Forum, starts at 5 pm. See pages 16 and 17 for full details.
Wednesday 3rd & 17tH December
BOB DATES
Meet businesspeople from the Winchcombe area at the Cleeve Hill Business Over Breakfast meeting today. It’s a bright 6.45 am start at The Rising Sun Hotel on Cleeve Hill and includes structured networking, a full English breakfast and featured guest. Set up by Forum Secretary Bob Turner, it’s free to try and meets fortnightly. Contact Bob on 01242 603583 for details. FRIDAY 5TH DECEMBER
ROTARY RACE Join Rotarians from Winchcombe for an action-packed race night this evening starting at 7.30 pm at Abbey Fields Community Centre, Back Lane. The evening is raising funds for Winchcombe Scout Group and other local youth projects. Tickets are £10 to include a glass of wine and a ploughman’s supper. Call Joe Cooper on 07512 205985 for details.
Centre and the Sue Ryder Hospice at Leckhampton Court, Cheltenham. There are singers from Winchcombe and Pershore Community Choirs, harp music and a National Youth Choir soloist. It starts at 6.30 pm with refreshments available. Tickets are £5 available on the door. UNTIL 27TH DECEMBER
NATURE SHOW A stunning ‘Back to Nature’ exhibition is currently running at the Winds of Change Gallery in High Street, Winchcombe. There are wood engravings, linocuts, textiles, pottery, sculpture, illustrations and many other creations from talented artists celebrating the beauty of British wildlife and nature. The exhibition is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10 am to 5 pm until Saturday December 27th. THURSDAY 29TH JANUARY
QUESTION TIME
Many Winchcombe traders will be keeping their shops and businesses open late on the three Tuesday evenings in the run up to Christmas. The late night shopping initiative is run by the Business Forum. For details visit www.winchcombe.co.uk.
A Question Time event with panellists of MPs, an MEP, council leaders and a television celebrity, is taking place in Winchcombe this evening. The event is being organised by the town’s Business Forum to give its members a chance to raise questions about business, community and social issues. It is being held at the Methodist Church and tickets will be on sale in the New Year. Visit www.winchcombe. co.uk for details.
SATURDAY 13TH DECEMBEr
Saturday 31st January 2015
TUESDAY 9TH, 16TH, 23RD DECEMBER
SHOP LATE
FESTIVE BRASS
PERFECT PICS
Musicians from Winchcombe Concert Brass are staging their annual Christmas Concert tonight at 7 pm. The event will feature festive classics, carols and other popular favourites. They will be joined by Winchcombe Abbey Church of England School Choir and there’s also a licensed bar and mince pies. Admission is £7 for adults and £1 for children. Tickets are on sale from Keelings Newsagents in the High Street. Any proceeds are shared between the school and band.
Improve your photography skills at a one-day training course running in the New Year with professional Winchcombe photographer John Ord of Kinetic Studios, Rushley Lane. John is running monthly, Saturday courses on 31st January, 28th February and 28th March. John promises a hands-on, interactive, fun day with course notes, lunch and expert tips and advice. Call him to learn more 07939 077336. www.johnordphotography.co.uk
FRIDAY 19TH DECEMBER
MUMS’ TREAT
CASTLE CAROLS Festive song will ring out from Sudeley Castle this evening at a fundraising carol concert in aid of Winchcombe Day Care
SUNDAY 15TH MARCH 2015
Celebrate Mother’s Day next year by treating your mum to a special ride on a GWR heritage train from Toddington or Cheltenham. Book early at www.gwsr.com
Winchcombe life WINTER 2014
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Lunch Offer 2 courses £12.95 3 courses £14.95 Evening Wine & Dine 3 courses and Carafe of Wine £49.95 for two £89.95 for four High St, Winchcombe 01242 602359 www.wineandsausage.co.uk
New YEAR New YOU!
FREE 7 Day Gym Membership & Group Circuit Class Pass with this Voucher Valid for one person only Expires 28th February 2015
David Parker and Nick Cafearo are offering a FREE 7 Day Gym Membership & Group Circuit Class Pass at Winchcombe’s popular Body4you Gym. Start the New Year with a bang, tone up and get in shape now! • • • • • •
Exclusive gym in the heart of the Cotswolds Programmes design Latest equipment Great social environment Flexible payment options Some of the friendliest Personal Trainers in the Cotswolds • Open 6 days a week
For a FREE consultation about Personal Training call David Parker or Nick Cafearo - and we’ll do the rest! • Personal Training • Group Circuit Membership • Gym Membership from £26.25 a month • 12 Cardio Pieces, Weights Area and a Power Plate
www.body4you.com Body4you Ltd 11 Isbourne Business Centre Isbourne Way, Winchcombe GL54 5NS info@body4you.com
01242 604011
01242 604011 www.body4you.com
Darren delights diners IN MILL STREET
From the age of 15, Darren Lane had already cooked up his future career plans.
H
e was never in any doubt that he was going to be a chef and after a two-year apprenticeship and many unsociable hours, he worked his way up to a series of head chef roles, the most recent at the former Merlot Brassiere in Cheltenham. Now, 11 years after taking his first sous chef job at the Harvest Home, Greet at just 16, the former Winchcombe School pupil has recently set up his own venture – The Mill Street Kitchen at the historic Plough public house in Prestbury. In the small kitchen at this Grade 1 listed pub, Darren is already gaining a reputation for producing and presenting refined, restaurant quality food from locally-sourced ingredients. Some of the dishes that are proving customer favourites include his own recipe for home-made burgers created from steak mince (that receive many a high five from visiting Americans), and his succulent fillet steak. He has all his meat supplied by nearby Waghorne’s the Butcher and insists of cooking everything from fresh. His pan-seared calves’ liver with black pudding mash and a smoked bacon and red wine sauce has also been in great demand, along
with his Sunday roast with home-made Yorkshire pudding and the sticky barbecue ribs he serves with his unique, home-made sauce. “I aim to provide freshly-made classic pub dishes as well as brasserie-style meals with a little twist of my own. I do everything myself so it’s hard work and long hours, but it’s very good being my own boss and having the flexibility to put my own menu together. Having complete freedom to create my own dishes and decide what’s on or off the menu is brilliant and I really enjoy it. I’m always looking for new recipes and ways to improve and create new dishes and I change the menu regularly to keep customers interested.” Mill Street Kitchen can cater for 36 diners, with up to 12 in the cosy private dining room at the rear off the pub. Darren has just launched his new winter dishes and already has bookings for his set Christmas menu that offers two courses at £16.50 and three courses at £21. “I’m getting quite a lot of repeat bookings and a core of regular diners which is great. I really appreciate the chance to run my own business, which is thanks to Keith Fagan and Cathy Richards the landlord and lady of the Plough itself. “I love cooking and never stop learning. I work hard on my menus to try to give a good variety of styles and I hope I’m offering something for everyone. If you’ve not been to the Plough for a while why not come and see us – and try out The Mill Street Kitchen for yourself?!” The Mill Street Kitchen is open Wednesday to Sunday for lunches and evening meals. Roast lunches are served Sundays12 noon -3 pm. To book ring 01242 222180. Millstreetkitchen@outlook.com www.ploughprestbury.co.uk
Sticky Toffee Pud Serves 6 – 8
FOR THE PUDDING • 3 oz / 85 gms unsalted butter at room temperature • 9 oz / 255 gms caster sugar • 10 oz / 280 gms dried dates, finely chopped • 15 fl oz of boiling water • 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda • 3 eggs • 9 oz / 255 gms self raising flour • 3 camomile tea bags 1 tsp vanilla bean paste FOR THE SAUCE
250 gms unsalted butter • 250 gms dark soft brown sugar • 500 ml double cream ½ tsp vanilla bean paste • 100 ml Tia Maria
TO MAKE
1 Cream together the butter and sugar 2 Boil water in pan, add teabags and simmer for five minutes 3 Remove teabags and add chopped dates and bicarbonate of soda 4 Give the dates and water a very short blend 5 Add the flour and eggs to the sugar and butter and beat together 6 Add the date mix and fold together ensuring it’s all mixed well
TO COOK
Place in a non-stick tray near the top of a pre-heat oven at 180 C. The pudding will take approximately 40 minutes to cook, depending on oven type. Check regularly and when a knife insert comes out clean it is cooked. Leave to cool before turning out and cutting.
FOR THE SAUCE
1 Gently melt the butter in a pan 2 Once melted add sugar and cook for two minutes 3 Slowly add the cream, Tia Maria and paste and bring to the boil. Once boiled simmer for five minutes.
TO SERVE
Serve with vanilla ice cream, or a dollop of thick double cream!
SUNDAY ROAST SPECIAL OFFER Enjoy a Sunday roast for two people at just £15* with this voucher. *Valid January and February 2015. Usual price £18.
Winchcombe life WINTER 2014
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Alexander Burn Half Page Landscape:Layout 1
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ALEXANDER BURN FUNERAL DIRECTORS Alexander Burn is an independent family business with three offices in the Cheltenham area. We offer a courteous, efficient and respectful service,
private chapels of rest. We also offer repatriation and prepayment plans
and are available 24 hours a day,
to make a difficult time easier for you.
www.alexanderburn.com Bishops Cleeve 22 Church Road 01242 673300
Cheltenham 436 High Street 01242 245350
Winchcombe 11 North Street 01242 604888
Generations of care for you in Bishops Cleeve & Winchcombe Across our branches in Bishops Cleeve we provide: • Smoking Cessation service
• Truss fitting service
• Medicine Use Reviews
• Free pregnancy tests
• New Medicine Service
• Community dosette boxes
• Urgent Repeat Medicine Service
• Inhaler technique support service
• NHS Electronic Prescription Service
• Weight management service
• Appliance use reviews
• Repeat pathfinder prescription service
• Emergency contraception (EHC)
• Disposal of waste medication
• Travel Clinic including Malarone tablets without a prescription
• Free prescriptions collection and delivery plus much more... visit our website www.badhampharmacy.co.uk
• Alcohol advice and support service
Church Road Pharmacy
Stoke Road Pharmacy
Tel: 01242 672653 23 Church Road, Bishops Cleeve, GL52 8LR
Tel: 01242 672211 4 Stoke Road, Bishops Cleeve, GL52 8RP
Open every day of the year
Open six days a week
Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm
Monday - Friday 9am - 1pm & 2pm - 6:30pm
Saturday
8:30am - 5:30pm
Sunday & Bank Holidays
11am - 1pm & 6pm - 7pm
Saturday
9am - 12noon
Sunday
Closed
For out of hours emergency prescriptions & advice please call 07837 513492
1954 – 2014 celebrating 60 years of pharmacy service in Bishops Cleeve
Your Local Independent Hearing Specialist Free Hearing Tests The Latest Digital Technology Exceptional Aftercare Service for the Life of your Hearing Aids Reassurance of a Full Refund within 60 days if not Entirely Satisfied Free Of Charge Home Appointments if Preferred Existing Hearing Aid Users Welcome Great Price Battery Offers 01242 262551 - info@andrewbirdhearing.co.uk www.andrewbirdhearing.co.uk
business NEWS FESTIVE FIRS
Helen and Lauren Stanford ouside The Vintage Button.
PUSHING THE RIGHT BUTTONS If you like vintage goods and you like buttons you’re in luck! Winchcombe’s newest shop, Vintage Button is now open for business selling everything from hand-made button jewellery and vintage dresses to mirrors, bunting and picture frames – all artistically decorated of course, with vintage buttons. The North Street boutique is run by mother and daughter Helen and Lauren Stanford, who have turned their part-time passions into full-time work. Helen, a former childminder, has been making button jewellery and accessories for two years and Lauren worked in retail after studying textiles at school. Helen said: “Lauren and I saw the button tin at her grandma’s one day and we started going through it. They were such lovely old buttons it was a shame to put them away. We began playing around with them and I ended up turning them into jewellery and people starting buying things and it went from there.” Now the creative mum and daughter team regularly scout around car boot sales and charity shops to find vintage goods for the home and old buttons to recycle and refresh. Lauren’s interest is vintage clothing and there’s a rack of dresses, coats, shoes, bags and tops on sale. They will also buy unwanted items from customers if the condition and age is right. Vintage Button is open Tuesday to Saturday 10 am til 5 pm.
Scores of Christmas trees will be adorning the streets of Winchcombe in the run up to December 25th, thanks to the town’s Business Forum. The Forum has ordered nearly 60 trees on behalf of retailers, pubs, cafes, business people and householders who buy the firs to decorate their premises for the festive season. Volunteers from the Forum and other community groups erect the trees. Once again the Forum is providing the tree outside the Town Hall in the High Street and this year is inviting the public to sponsor its decorations with proceeds going to the Winchcombe Day Care Centre. A range of wooden figures painted in the Day Care Centre’s blue and white branding will be on sale from the Centre itself and from The Coventry from mid November, at £2 each. Each decoration has a plain side for your personal message, dedication or tribute.
A TASTE OF THAI There’s a new manager and chef at the helm of Greet’s Harvest Home pub – with an exciting new menu direct from Thailand. Angie Scott formerly manager of the Corner Cupboard in Winchcombe is now running the pub, supported by Tina and Phil Vytaya, whose family run the Taste of Thai restaurant in Gloucester. As well as tasty Thai food served every evening, there is a ‘traditionally English’ menu available at lunch-times with roasts on a Sunday. To book call Angie on 01242 602388.
TUNING UP YOUR CAR and HEALTH! Bishop’s Cleeve mechanic Jonathan Taylor, pictured left, has been tuning up engines since leaving school. But for many of his regular customers and friends, he’s also the man they call on to help keep their health on the right road too. Jonathan, who has run his mobile business J.T. Vehicle Services since 1996, travels the area tuning up, repairing and servicing engines and cars for customers at their own homes. After health problems of his own were helped by a course of reflexology he decided to train in the ancient Chinese art himself. He said: “It happened by accident really. I mentioned it to one of my customers who was in a lot of pain and she asked if she could have a treatment. She did, it worked and it went from there. I only do it for friends, it’s not part of my business, but I would certainly do it for anyone with health issues.” For Jonathan’s mobile vehicle services see his advert on page 28. Winchcombe life WINTER 2014
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Commemorate an event Celebrate a special day Honour a loved one...
...By illuminating St Peter’s Church Tower For a minimum £5 donation you can light up the tower for an evening. Ideal for anniversaries, birthdays, memorials, to celebrate successes, pay tribute to loved ones. Application forms available at: St Peter’s Church and Centre, Gloucester Street, Top Shop and Coventry Building Society.
Supporting The Friends of St Peter’s.
Pleased to be stockists of
Moroccan Oil
Wi Fi available Good Salon Guide 4 Stars Cats-Whiskers Winchcombe
www.cwch.co.uk
Abbey House, High Street Winchcombe, Gloucestershire GL54 5LJ
01242 604390
The Veg Shop Now open in North Street
Locally-grown vegetables from Washbrook Farm, Ebrington Great seasonal range including sprout stems, curly kale, purple sprouting, potatoes Apples from Hayles Fruit Farm Orders taken Contact Tom Anderson 01242 602075 07989 444068
FREE delivery for pensioners in Winchcombe
Open 9 am – 5 pm every Friday and Saturday
Keep your best friend
d e m o o r g ll e W In our Animal Life feature we’re talking to professional dog groomer Kate Allardyce, about the importance of keeping your pet in good condition – from nose to tail. This year Kate celebrates ten years as owner of Cottage Canine Grooming in Winchcombe.
N
o matter what the weather, it’s vital that your dog is groomed regularly all year round. Today, more and more dogs are kept as companion pets and live in warm, centrally-heated houses during the winter. These artificial conditions make their coat shed and mean they require as much, if not more grooming at this time of year. Our recent wetter and warmer winters bring mud and lots of it. This can cause real discomfort to your pet if it’s left to matt in the coat. Equally, in snowy periods some dogs can become completely ‘snow balled’ which for long-haired breeds can cause serious problems. Due to today’s hectic lifestyles, increasing numbers of dog-owners are turning to the services of a professional dog groomer. As an expert in the field, Kate Allardyce gives professional advice and chats through all the grooming options for your dog.
Grooming is often adapted at different times of the year to take account of the heat and external conditions. “A spaniel may have a real short, all over cut for the summer, then we may opt for a longer body length, but with the leg fur kept nice and short, so he or she can still run free through all the mud, and be easily cleaned up by the owner,” said Kate, pictured bottom left. “Neglecting your dog’s grooming requirements can lead to discomfort and distress to your pet. If he, or she, is a long or double-coated breed such as a springer or cocker spaniel, a Westie, a short-legged terrier with a long silky coat, or the popular Cockerpoo or Labradoodle, the winter can play havoc with their coats. If you own a double-coated breed imagine wearing a thick duffle coat in the house that you can never take off! So having your dog groomed isn’t just about his coat – it really is an investment for his general health too.” If you’ve never used a professional groomer, the services don’t just involve a bath and a dry. Each dog in a full grooming appointment will stay with us on average for between two to three hours. In this time he will have a full ‘nose- to -tail’ health check. Groomers are not vets, but on average most dogs visit them every four to 12 weeks, and perhaps see their vet only once or twice a year. As they are in close contact with your pet they look for and notice potential problem areas and if found would immediately refer you to your vet. “As part of the grooming consultation
we will check your dog’s teeth and gums, remove ear hair in certain breeds and carry out a thorough ear clean. We check and cut their nails and give you advice on maintenance. Anal glands are examined and if necessary expressed and any new lumps or bumps that have appeared will always be noted. Like many health issues, if caught in the early stages it can save your dog a lot potential problems further down the line.” A professional groomer working with your dog regularly, will get to know your four-legged friend very well. Any behaviour changes will be reported to you, as these can be worked through with you and, if appropriate, a canine behaviourist too. Behavioural changes can often be linked to an underlying health issue, so any changes can be as important as physical issues. “Each dog that comes to us will be assessed as an individual and a grooming method procedure will be tailored to best suit his or her needs. Not one dog is treated the same, as they all have their peculiar likes and dislikes. It’s our job to carry out the groom in the least stressful way possible with a bundle of patience, care and LOVE,” said Kate. Winchcombe life WINTER 2014
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Christmas cards and calendars from
Winchcombe artist Barbara Curry
are now on sale from Keelings Newsagent in the High Street For that special Christmas gift Barbara’s vibrant, original oil paintings of local summer and winter scenes are now available. Call her on 01242 604118 to view.
Voted Best Salon in Cheltenham 2013 *The Best of Cheltenham awards
An established salon with over 20 years experience See Barbara’s ‘Snowy Vineyard Street’ picture on page 3
Festive Treats at the
Lady Jane Tea Room Christmas menu bookings now being taken for Sunday 7th, 14th & 21st December. Wednesday specials throughout December. T: 01242 603578 E: nicky@ladyjane.plus.com
~ Fully Licensed Premises ~
Christmas Festival Night Tuesday 2nd December
Visit us for: · 15% off all products purchased · Lovely gift sets for men and women · Spend £50 and get a free Decleor candle · Spend £100 and get a free cosmetic bag · Gift vouchers for a post-Christmas treat · Free gift wrapping We stock Guinot, Decleor, Clarins, Caci, Jessica www.beautybeyondwinchcombe.co.uk The Coach House, 2a Bull Lane, Winchcombe Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 5HY
01242 604017 Open 6 days a week with 2 late nights
We’v e everything you need FOR A PERFECT COTSWOLD CHRISTMAS An exciting line up of Christmas events and promotions that will run throughout December is being launched in Winchcombe next week.
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hopkeepers, restauranteurs, business people and publicans are joining forces to celebrate the festive season in style, by laying on Christmas offers, events and entertainment for shoppers and visitors who visit the Cotswold town over the coming weeks. The festive fun kicks off on Tuesday 2nd December at 5 pm, with the town’s annual Christmas Festival Night. The evening includes the chance for some late night shopping and there will dozens of stalls, live entertainment and festive food and drink. Traders, craftspeople and local charities will be running stalls laden with great gift ideas such as jewellery, ironwork, pottery, cakes, preserves, paintings, cards, home ware, glass and decorations. Many of the town’s shops and cafes will also be opening late and offering free festive food and drink. This is the fourth year the popular
Christmas Fair has been held and is organised by Winchcombe Business Forum and supported by town groups and traders. North Street will be closed to traffic and transformed into a hive of Yule Tide activity with live entertainment being announced by Winchcombe’s Town Crier, Tom Anderson. There will be dancing, singing, a Mummer’s Play by Winchcombe’s Happenstance Border Morris, plus carols from Winchcombe Community Choir and young voices from Isbourne Valley Primary School Choir. Winchcombe Hand Bell Ringers will be performing, as will Winchcombe Concert Brass. There will also be a children’s treasure hunt competition, Santa Claus will be in his Guide hall Grotto in the High Street and there will be stalls selling hot food including turkey baps, Christmas burgers and hot mulled
cider. Many traders will also be serving mulled wine and mince pies to customers. Jane Royle, Winchcombe Business Forum’s Co-ordinator for the Christmas Festival Night, said: “As well as the ever-popular Christmas Festival and late night shopping evenings, this year we’re also running a new Advent Festival which will give shoppers and visitors something extra to enjoy and celebrate in the run up to Christmas.” On Tuesday 2nd December to Wednesday 24th, the Advent Campaign will feature a carol concert, 10 per cent off a Fizz Evening, Christmas menu deals, discounts on goods, food and craft demonstrations, live music nights and entertainment and late night shopping on Tuesday 9th, 16th and 23rd. For more details of the offers and events in the Advent campaign see over, on pages 16 and 17. Visit www.winchcombe.co.uk for details.
Winchcombe life WINTER 2014
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Come and browse our fantastic range of affordable winter and special occasion outfits • Pretty Christmas outfits – all sizes • Gift vouchers available • More than 300 beautiful hats and fascinators available to hire from just £10 • Great choice of pretty earrings, necklaces and brooches • Lovely handbags, shoes and scarves • Personal, friendly service • All ages welcome
View our latest stock: www.justin-fashions.co.uk justinwinchcombe Tel: 01242 603204 Open: Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm 2 – 4 Hailes Street, Winchcombe GL54 5HU
John Keeling NEWSAGENT
The Vintage
Button Co.
Wishing all our customers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Thank you for your custom
Hand-made button jewellery Home accessories Vintage clothing and furniture
Best Wishes from John and Ann, Paul, Audra & Caroline
Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am–5pm 4 North Street, Winchcombe, GL54 5LH
Open daily, including Sundays 4 High Street, Winchcombe, GL54 5HT 01242 602440
· · ·
•
Friendly
•
Professional
FREE 15 minute consultations £10 off first treatment (if booked following free consultation) Treatment vouchers make ideal Christmas gifts
Contact Anna for advice 07540 353137 Clinic at Cotswold Eye Care Centre, High St, Winchcombe Gloucestershire, GL54 5LJ anna@acupuncturecheltenham.org www.winchcombeacupuncture.co.uk
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Great range of newspapers and magazines Newspaper deliveries 7 days a week Christmas and greetings cards, gift wrap Convenience grocery goods
Oyez, Oyez, Oyez
Advent is coming! Come join the festive fun in Winchcombe. In our exciting new
Advent Campaign we’ve 24 great deals and seasonal celebrations taking place throughout December. Be sure to pay us a visit!
1 Christmas Festival Night
14 Free parking in Bull Lane and Back
2
15 GWR Santa Special trains running
Tuesday 2nd Dec 5 pm – 8 pm: F ree cleaning solution with every £25 spent at. Cotswold Eye Care Centre
3 Wychwood Trading, furniture
painting workshops just £45, usually £75 on Saturday 7th Dec
4 Late night shopping, Tues 9th Dec 5 pm – 8 pm
5 6 7
F ree fizz and 10% off all goods at The Emporium,Tues 9th Dec F ree reflexology taster sessions with Judith Humphreys at Cotswold Eye Care Centre on Tues 9th and 16th Dec. S pecial Christmas Menu at Lady Jane Tea Rooms including home-made masala Christmas pud – a lighter alternative. Order yours by Dec 10th.
8 Radio Winchcombe live broadcast from Winds of Change Gallery featuring Hattie Briggs and Louise Latham and Ethemia., Sat 13th Dec
9
Free parking in Bull Lane & Back Lane car parks, Sat 14th Dec
Lane car parks., Sat 21st Dec
every weekend in December.
16 Get 20% discount on professional
photography courses booked with John Ord Photography for Spring 2015. Christmas Gift vouchers available.
17 Great selection of Christmas cards
and wrapping paper, including work by Winchcombe artist Barbara Curry at Keelings Newsagents.
18 Free 15 minute consultation at
Winchcombe Acupuncture and £10 off first treatment booked. Book four treatments and get the fifth free. Gift ouchers available.
19 Special Christmas outfits, accessories and gift vouchers available, Just In Fashions
20 Christmas art exhibition at Barnbury Home and Interiors
21 Get 40% discount on January 2015
furniture painting workshops booked and paid for in December at Wychwood Trading
10 Free gift wrapping, range of men and 22 Celebrate or commemorate a women’s gift sets Beauty Beyond. special date or person by lighting up St Peter’s Church Tower for a 11 10% off voucher for all hair appointments booked with Sarah Adams at Spargo
12 Charity Carol Concert at Sudeley
Castle, Friday Dec 19th. at 6.30 pm
13 Winchcombe Live with singer/
guitarist Rodney Branigan, Fri 19th Dec at 8.15 pm, The White Hart.
minimum donation of £5 per night
23 Free wine and mince pies for all clients at Cats Whiskers.
24 Children’s Society Christmas cards on sale at The Coventry.
h Listings not dated are available throughout December.
hChristmas Festival Night offershChristmas Festival Night offershChristmas Festival Night offersh Beauty Beyond:15% off all products purchased. Spend £50 and get a free Decleor candle, spend £100 and get a free cosmetic bag. Cotswold Eye Care Centre: Advice from expert frames consultant and 10% off any ‘Change Me’ frames ordered. Sherry served. Reflexology: Free taster sessions with Judith Humphreys. Just in: Free expert bra fitting with Pam Thomas from Joyce Brooks Lingerie and style advice from Image Consultant Margaret Large, mulled wine on offer. Radio Winchcombe: Live broadcast outside the Town Hall.
Spargo: Free crazy hair colours for kids with Sean and Sarah. Sue Ryder Charity Shop: Fundraising tombola, mince pies and coffee. The Coventry: Raffle, sherry, mince pies and cards and calendars for sale by Margaret Steward in aid of Winchcombe Abbey Primary School. Vintage Button: Button jewellery demonstration. Winchcombe Flowers: Free candle with every £30 spent. Wychwood Trading: Furniture painting demonstrations, book a January workshop for £45 instead of £75 – ideal gift.
Forum’s fir tree fundraiser On Festival Night, Winchcombe Business Forum is raising funds for the town’s Day Care Centre by asking shoppers to sponsor a £2 decoration for the Business Forum Christmas Tree outside the Town Hall. Sponsors can pay for a decoration, include a personal message and hang it on the tree. To launch the fundraiser the Centre’s oldest member will switch on the tree lights helped by local youngsters at 5 pm.
hChristmas Festival Night offershChristmas Festival Night offershChristmas Festival Night offersh 17 Winchcombe life WINTER Winchcombe life WINTER 20142014
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The strength of teamwork… a reputation for results
10% off
Appointments booked with stylist Sarah Adams with this voucher*
Spargo Unisex Hair Salon Sudeley Cottage, High Street, Winchcombe
01242 602222 *Voucher valid from Nov 24th 2014 – Jan 31st 2015
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Christmas Festival Night - Tues 2nd Dec - til late Call in for FREE fun hair colours* for children *Easy wash out, red, blue, lilac
The Gardeners Arms
A big thank you and a
Happy Christmas
16th Century traditional village pub, Friendly, family-run free house
to all our customers
Come and see us in the New Year to discuss fresh designs for your home in 2015 Please visit our showroom at: Isbourne Way, Broadway Road, Winchcombe GL54 5NS
01242 604543
www.rapportinteriors.com
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www.gardenersarms.biz
LOCAL NEWS KEEP YOUR SAVINGS SAFE FROM ‘cold calling’ TELEPHONE FRAUDSTERS Coventry Building Society are encouraging members to be on their guard against telephone fraudsters who ‘cold call’ with the aim of conning customers out of hundreds, or even thousands of pounds.
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elephone fraudsters are targeting savers and often claim to be from a bank, building society, the Serious Fraud Office or a credit card provider. They telephone homes at random and may claim that savings are at risk, or bank details or credit cards have been compromised. They may tell people to enter their card PINs on the telephone keypad, or suggest that funds need to be transferred to another account for the customer’s protection. Some even say they will send a courier to a customer’s home to collect debit or credit cards. Another trick is to suggest calling them back to verify who they are but actually stay on the line so individuals are actually re-connected to the criminal. In fact, it is not normal practice for a bank or building society to ask savers to give their cards or cash to a courier. Neither would they ask customers to divulge their full card PIN to anyone. That is completely
confidential to an individual and them alone. Savers should be very wary of providing any personal or account information to someone who has called unexpectedly. The Coventry say “we only ever ask for selected characters from our member’s password, never the full details. Neither would we ring and instruct anyone to send money elsewhere to ‘keep it safe’ or ask for their card PIN”. If you receive a suspicious call from a person claiming to be your bank or building society; 1. Close the call without giving security or account information 2. Make sure the line is clear by phoning an alternative number/family or friend and 3. Phone the bank and report the call.
RAIL Recruiting If you’re interested in working on a real railway, you can find out more at a special recruitment weekend being held by Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. The popular heritage railway is looking for volunteers and is holding a two-day Volunteer Recruitment Fair on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd March at its Toddington base. The aim is to give potential volunteers the chance to learn about the work of the GWR and the wide range of departments, activities and opportunities on offer. For more details visit the ‘join us/volunteer’ pages at www.gwsr.com or call 01242 621405.
FLYING START TO NEW BOOK A fascinating new book charting the life of professional falconer Gary Cope, pictured above, of Winchcombe is now out in paperback – and is already flying high in the Amazon reader ratings. Gary, of Gloucester Street, has related the highs and lows of life with his amazing birds. His book Time To Fly, includes his career as resident falconer at Sudeley Castle, of his foray into breeding birds of prey and his stint as working as the Royal Professional Falconer for the Saudi royal family. As a young boy, Gary was mesmerised by a pair of kestrels flying in the evening sun and his dream to become a professional falconer took off! In a career spanning 36 years, he has dedicated himself to the ancient art of falconry and is a passionate conservationist. Working with experienced journalists and editors Anne Barclay and Rob Flemming, Gary spent 18 months relating his life story, including the people, relationships, failures, successes, dark times and comic events. The result, Time To Fly, was published in September in paperback and as a kindle version. It’s available from Amazon at £7.27 or on Kindle at £3.15.Signed copies of Gary’s book are also available via the website. www.timetofly.org.uk.
Winchcombe life WINTER 2014
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We reach over 200,000 collecto rs worldwide. MONTHLY SALES OF: ANTIQUES, SILVER, PORCELAIN, FURNITURE, PAINTINGS, PRINTS, JEWELLERY, COINS, MEDALS, STAMPS AND COLLECTABLES. WE ARE NOW CONSIGNING FOR THE FOLLOWING SALES: 17TH DEC 2014, 29TH JAN & 26TH FEB 2015 PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A FREE AUCTION ESTIMATE.
FREE HOME VISITS FOR AUCTION VALUATIONS www.bespokeauctions.co.uk admin@bespokeauctions.co.uk TEL: 01242 603005 THE OLD BOYS SCHOOL, GRETTON ROAD, WINCHCOMBE, GLOUC. GL54 5EE
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Winter Warmers FROM ITALY
As the world’s largest wine producer Italy is one of the best sources of winter-warming red wines.
T Wine School WITH Dr John Wine School is brought to you by Bishop’s Cleeve wine expert Dr John Parr – along with the chance to win a bottle of one of his featured tipples.
Win a bottle of delicious wine from Italy by re-arranging the letter mix below to find Italy’s ‘foggy’ grape variety.
BOBONEIL Email your answer clearly marked Wine School, with your name and telephone number to: ruth@winchcombelife.co.uk or post to Wine School, Winchcombe Life, 15 Isbourne Way, Broadway Road, Winchcombe, GL54 5NS. Closing date is January 5th 2015. The winner will be announced on November 3rd. Entry for strictly over 18s only.
he typically savoury reds are excellent wines to enjoy with food, made as they are to complement Italian cuisine. A diversity of wine styles is derived from a wealth of native grapes growing in a range of climates from mountain terraces and Alpine valleys in the north to sun-baked hills in the Mediterranean south. In the north-west, surrounded by the Alps, the beautiful wine growing region of Piemonte is famous for white truffles, hazelnuts and artisan chocolate-making. Its signature red wines are named after the villages of Barolo and Barbaresco and made from the Nebbiolo grape, so called after the foggy autumns or ‘nebbie‘. Hillside vineyards with sunny exposures help ripen the grapes in what is a chilly sub-Alpine climate. Nebbiolo produces age-worthy and powerful styles of wine that require years to soften the tannins and reveal complex flavours and classic aromas of ‘violets and leather’. Other noteworthy red grapes are the Barbera making plummy, earthy wines with crisp acidity, a perfect match with the region’s dishes, and the Dolcetto for dark wines in an approachable soft and fruity, medium-bodied style. The Veneto region in the north-east produces the appealing light, cherryfruited reds Valpolicella and Bardolino, from the Corvina grape. Look out for a special style of Valpolicella called Amarone, made by drying grapes on straw mats to concentrate sugars and flavours before fermentation, resulting in a rich velvety wine with raisin dried fruit flavours. In central Italy on the Mediterranean coast, Tuscany is a region of stunning landscapes featuring villas, poplars and olive
groves among scenic hillside vineyards. To the south of the renaissance city of Florence, among hilltop medieval towns are found the famous wines of Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. These come from the sour, cherry-flavoured Sangiovese grape. Chiantis are made in a fresh and fruity style for drinking young as well as a more serious earthy style for ageing. Brunellos from the same grape are structured, deeply concentrated wines requiring long bottle ageing before being enjoyed. On the coast, the region of Bolgheri is home to the iconic Super Tuscans, fashionable, expensive reds made from international grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In the south, among craggy mountains and beautiful coastlines, vineyards use altitude and sea breezes to temper the intense summer heat. In Campania, look for one of the best reds of southern Italy, the full bodied Taurasi made from the ancient Aglianico grape grown in volcanic soils. In Puglia, the ‘heel’ of Italy, the Negroamaro and Primitivo grapes thrive on the hot plains to produce dark, ripe and fruity wine styles and some of the best value wines to be found. On the Mediterranean island of Sicily, vineyards share a landscape rich in Greek and Roman archaeological history.The mountainous landscape featuring snow-capped Mount Etna, creates relatively cool, but very sunny, growing conditions where the Nero d’Avola grape gives spicy aromatic reds. The native grapes of Italy express the unique growing conditions found in each region. For authentic wines with real character to accompany Italy’s delicious foods, seek out its vinous treasures. Enjoy!
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Richard and Christine Shaw, pictured above and son Matthew, top left.
Celebrating a year of quality & service If you appreciate quality, local products and you love plants, flowers and fine food – you’ll certainly enjoy a trip to Ashtons.
Life advertorial
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his refined, family-run Farm Shop between Sedgeberrow and Ashton-under-Hill, is this month celebrating its first anniversary – and for owners and managers Richard and Christine Shaw and their son Matthew, it’s the culmination of years of hard work. Christine, a former head Jacqui Young teacher at an inner city school in Wolverhampton and Richard, an Operations Director of a company in Birmingham, gave up their established careers to drastically change their lifestyle. They took over the 15 acre nursery site on the busy A46 three years ago and have transformed it from a greenhouse selling only plants, into the impressive, purposebuilt farm shop, cafe and plant centre that it is today. With a splendid delicatessen and stunning displays of specialist goodies, it’s a real foodie’s heaven. From handmade chocolates and age-ripened cheeses, to fine wines, liqueurs, award-winning pork pies, cooked meats, olives, jams and chutneys, Ashtons oozes quality and style. The couple’s ethos is simple. High quality, locally-sourced products and first-class customer service. Christine said: “We believe that like us, a lot of people value fine goods. We stock items that you won’t find in a supermarket and when you buy from us, you know that you are buying a
carefully created product made from quality ingredients. “As an independent business ourselves, we also support as many local producers and suppliers as we can, providing they meet our quality standards.” Their glass-fronted, open plan cafe, boasts views across the Worcestershire countryside to Bredon Hill – the Wychavon Way runs right past the shopand their delicious breakfasts include Gloucester Old Spot sausages and bacon, free range eggs as well as locally grown mushrooms and tomatoes. They also serve light lunches daily including tasty homemade soup, paninis and sandwiches, all created to order. There’s a mouth-watering array of homemade cakes created in their own kitchen by ‘star baker’ Carol Lomas, ably assisted by Jane Norton and Christine herself. Their Thursday Morning Cake Club (£4.50 for a cup of tea or coffee and a slice of something special), is proving so popular that plans are afoot for one firm favourite to have its own following, The Ashtons Bakewell Tart Fan Club! Seasonal foods and produce abound with hampers of all shapes and sizes now available. Simply choose your items and hamper option and leave with Christine to expertly pack and wrap. Many of Ashton’s colourful plants and flowers are still grown and cultivated
in the nursery and are competitivelypriced. They range from pot plants and flowering shrubs, to traditional cottage garden favourites, herbs, vegetable plants, evergreens, hanging baskets and tubs. Richard said: “It’s been a complete lifestyle change, but we love it. We’re in a beautiful part of the country and instead of spending hours in our cars commuting every day, we now enjoy a tranquil 60-second stroll across the grass. Our customers are aware that most of the money that they spend here goes back into the local economy, either by paying our staff or because we buy from local suppliers. That way we try to re-invest the money back into the local economy. Pretty much everyone who visits us comes back again, so if you’ve not been in to see us yet, please come and say hello!”
www.ashtongc.co.uk 01386 881870 info@ashtongc.co.uk Loyalty rewarded
Sign up for the Ashtons Customer Loyalty Scheme and go in to a free prize draw to win a Christmas hamper worth £40. Sign up on line or in store.
Free tea at Ashtons
Bring this voucher along to Ashtons and enjoy a free cup of tea or coffee* in the cafe. *Voucher valid from December 1st, 2014 to January 31st,, 2015 for one person.
Hot lunch Wednesday
Redeem this voucher during January 2015 and you’ll enjoy two hot lunches for the price of one, a saving of £7.50*
*Hot lunch set menu served on Wednesdays only, between 11.30 am – 4 pm. One main course £7.50, two courses £10.
Winchcombe life WINTER 2014
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Take a trek
to the tower
Summary:
A beautiful walk to Broadway Tower that offers spectacular views across the Vale of Evesham and beyond. Distance: 4 miles Duration: 2½ - 3 hrs (Without stops) Difficulty: Moderate, some steep sections and stiles. Start/finish: Grid reference SP096375 (OS Explorer sheet OL45) Postcode WR12 7AA
Description:
1. Start at the war memorial at the bottom of the High Street and walk eastwards up past the red phone boxes. Continue on past the shops until you reach a sign pointing right, ‘activity park & picnic area’. 2. Follow this path between the avenue of trees with the playground on your left, and pass through the kissing gate at the end. Continue straight across the field, through the kissing gate at the other side, over a small footbridge and through another gate into a ‘ridge and furrow’ field. Be wary of muddy areas near these gates after wet weather. Continue to follow the direction arrows through two more kissing gates and fields until you reach the road. Watching for traffic, turn left and continue up Snowshill Road until you reach St Eadburgha’s Church, parts of which date back to the 11th Century. 3.Turn left just after the church, through the gateway into Coneygree Lane, named after the medieval ‘free’ rabbit warren granted here by King Henry III in 1251. Follow the track uphill for just over half a mile. 4. At the top of the track, turn right and continue on through a 2-in-1 gate, following the path through the field to the house at the top. Follow the track to the right of the house until you reach two field gates. 5. On reaching a farm gate with two stone gateposts, turn left.Through the gate and
up the track until you reach Rookery Farm. Keeping the farm buildings on your left, continue straight on up the metalled track until you see a kissing gate on the left. Go through the gate into the grounds of the Rookery Barn Cafe. Just by the main entrance, pass through the tall kissing gate and head on up towards the tower. 6.You are now at the second highest point in the Cotswolds with its beautiful landscape laid out beneath you, so take a few minutes to soak in the breathtaking views over fields, hills and hedgerows as far as South Wales in the distance. A climb up the tower, a folly built in 1798 for Lady Coventry, is well worth the extra 55 feet - on a clear day, you can see 13 counties from the top! 7.To continue the walk, pass through a second high kissing gate beyond the tower onto the Cotswold Way and turn left down towards a stile. Follow the Cotswold Way signs down the hill for a mile, keeping the wonderful dry-stone wall on your
right, and passing over several stone stiles and down one flight of steps.Towards the bottom, the path levels out; continue to follow the signs through two metal kissing gates and over a stream, heading for the houses at the far side of the last field. Pass through two more gates and follow the alley towards the road. 8.Turn left and continue down the High Street, back towards the memorial at the start. Broadway, the ‘Jewel of the Cotswolds’, is the perfect place to seek out a pub or café to rest tired feet and to plan your next walk on the Cotswold Way.
Walk Route courtesy of:
Cotswold Way National Trail Please check online for latest route updates. To enjoy its other walks please visit: www.nationaltrail.co.uk Winchcombe life WINTER 2014
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St Edward’s
www.stedwards.co.uk
S c h o o l • c h e lt e n h a m
Kindergarten • Pre-PreP • PreParatory • Senior • Sixth Form
“To sum up my child’s first term in his own words, Brilliant!” Parent year 3
“Fantastic, caring environment she won’t ever forget” Parent year 6
“The ethos of the school is
We nurture investigation For boys and girls aged 2 - 18
Preparatory School T: 01242 538900
designed to encourage the development of balanced, interested, caring and intelligent individuals. it encourages selfconfidence. the children are grounded, good company and resilient.” Parent year 12 Senior School T: 01242 538600
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Affording Christmas
the nearly new way!
O family life WITH MRS G
A former marketing professional, Mrs G is now a ‘stay-at-home’ mum with a seven-year-old daughter and five-year-old son. Here she suggests ways to keep control of those spiralling Christmas costs.
ur children wrote Christmas lists back in the summer, thanks to the TV adverts which began tempting them. Unfortunately, they seem to think they’re getting everything on said list, plus more recent additions! So when did they start believing they could have it all? It is, of course, our fault. We grew up in the era of easy credit; we didn’t have to save for something special, we bought it and paid later. We think we’re good parents, if our children have the latest gadgets, but what about teaching the importance of value? That we have to earn the good things in life? When I was growing up, we had one main Christmas present and a small stocking and this was absolutely enough. My mum even made the stockings, which were filled with useful things we’d need over the coming year: a new toothbrush, flannel, bubble bath, notelets for those all-important thank you letters, a snazzy pen, a magazine, plus a few chocolate treats. And as with most children, it was the unwrapping that was the most fun. You really don’t need to spend a fortune to entertain little ones. No surprise then that my Christmas stockings are similar. I even started buying a few items with
each weekly shop back in October to spread the cost. Setting expectations is harder and it’s an important lesson all year round. The children have new reward charts: simple chores such as clearing plates from the table, tidying toys away before bed, clothes to the laundry basket etc. A full chart earns a treat. To make room for the seasonal influx of new toys now is a good time to de-clutter. I’ve recently begun filtering out untouched, broken, outgrown or unpopular items. Anything that can generate a bit of income is ‘retired’ - with the money going towards the next ‘must-have’ item. If you can’t face EBay, check out ‘Cheltenham Mums Noticeboard’ on Facebook or visit local ‘Nearly New Sales’. NCT run regular sales throughout the year (www.nct.org.uk) and local groups often run similar events. Consider donating items to a charity shop. I’m a firm believer that not everything has to be bought new. My little boy loved his bundle of Fireman Sam toys bought from Ebay last year for less than the cost of one brand new item. And that list? It was circulated to grandparents and other relatives looking for ideas! Winchcombe life WINTER 2014
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When out at night switch on a light.
Leaving your home in darkness is sending a clear message to burglars. • If you have a burglar alarm use it! • Lock all your windows and doors. • Always keep expensive items out of view from prying eyes. • Install security lights – burglars prefer to work in darkness so a brightly lit garden or front door would not be attractive to a thief. • Register and mark your property. • Plant prickly plants underneath your windows and on your garden boundaries. There are a number of low cost gadgets that can quickly make your house look occupied from a simple timer switch to a fake TV light that flickers. Your local police supply these items at cost price. For more information please visit our website www.gloucestershire.police.uk
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Let Jayne help ease ...
...your stress and pain
If you drove your car at 100 mph every day and never had it serviced, you probably wouldn’t be surprised if it broke down.
When we’re young our bodies are resilient enough to bounce back but, our ‘hard and fast’ living catches up with us as the years pass – bringing devastating results. Ignoring those minor, niggling aches and telltale twinges can lead to chronic pain and debilitating illness or immobility which can have a devastating effect on your whole life - and those closest to you. Jayne said: “We need to listen to our body’s whispers so it doesn’t have to resort to shouting to get our attention.”
She believes that massage is for all ages. Touch is a form of communication and can help with bonding and developmental processes. As a Massage in Schools Instructor and an Infant Massage Instructor, Jayne really enjoys teaching mums how to massage their own babies; either on a one to one in their own homes or in a group. With an impressive array of professional qualifications to her name (including training at The Christie Hospital, two years at Cardiff Metropolitan University and working in a Sue Ryder Hospice), Jayne offers a range of holistic therapies including: holistic massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, Indian head massage, crystal healing, ear candling, reflexology lymphatic drainage and even laughter and happiness therapy - all tailored to each individual client. She said: “I gently massage your tired, tight, aching muscles and you become more relaxed and enter a very calm, meditative state (some fall asleep!), allowing me to work deeper into your muscles (without inflicting pain or bruising!), clearing your mind and any buried emotions and leaving you feeling calm and refreshed.” Often Jayne’s patients come to her as a ‘last resort’ when the doctor can’t help. Once the muscle pain and tension is released and the body’s natural energy flow is balanced, they are amazed how much better (both physically and mentally) they feel.
“Being out of balance in one aspect also affects the others, hence the importance of treating the whole person holistically not just the symptoms.” Jayne recognised the connection in our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being after she developed a chronic back problem during a particularly stressful year when a loved one underwent life-saving surgery.
Peter B suffered five weeks of agonising pain with a trapped nerve and associated disturbed sleep. The pain was unrelenting even with diazepam, morphine and physiotherapist sessions. Some relief was obtained during his first holistic massage with Jayne, and, after further sessions, his initial pain disappeared.
Peter B said “I can now get on with enjoying my life again, and I feel five years younger.” Jayne N was the main carer for her parents and her mum had recently passed away. She had trouble sleeping and neck, shoulder and upper back ache. After a few massage sessions she said “I felt as if a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders and my thoughts were much more positive.” Jayne said: “Our bodies are very finely tuned machines and, like cars, they need regular maintenance and support to keep them running smoothly. In my opinion investing £10 a week on your body to pay for a monthly massage will do you much more good in the long-term than a meal out, a new pair of shoes, or a subscription to Sky!”
For more information contact Jayne on 01242 602582 or visit www.jayneburke.com 42 Greet Road (opposite the doctors), Winchcombe. And at: Winchcombe Clinic (next to Winchcombe Library), Back Lane.
Winchcombe life WINTER 2014
Life advertorial
A
ccording to Winchcombe Holistic Therapist Jayne Burke, that’s exactly what many of us do to our bodies. Working long hours, lack of sleep and poor diet all makes for a highly stressful lifestyle – and that’s without the odd family drama or personal crisis thrown in.
27
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Advertising Manager required WINCHCOMBE LIFE Winchcombe sprinG 2013, issue 1
Bringing you the best news and features from your community
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We’re seeking an experienced sales professional with a media background. You’ll need to be motivated, confident and able to work on your own initiative. If you’re customer-focused, friendly and professional we’d like to hear from you. This is initially a freelance, commission-only role, but could offer future opportunities for a business partnership for the right person. Please email or post your CV with a covering letter by December 19th to: ruth@winchcombelife.co.uk or Ruth McDonagh, Editor, Winchcombe Life, 15 Isbourne Way, Broadway Road, Winchcombe GL54 5NS
Step into Spring
WiTh our scenic Walk
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business upd aTes 1
d u o l g n i g n i S and proud There’s one surprising fact about members of the highly successful and popular Winchcombe Community Choir – many of them thought they couldn’t sing!
S
ince its humble beginnings as a ‘singing workshop’ in early 2008, the choir has gone from strength to strength and now boasts more than 40 members and attracts singers from Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Bishop’s Cleeve. In its seven year history, the choir – part of the national network of Natural Voice choirs - has performed at 50 events, concerts and venues in Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire and has learned a repertoire of nearly 90 songs from all over the world. Co-Choir Leaders Liz Hooper and Chrissie Leaney, pictured below, were originally members themselves under the tuneful wing of choir founder and former leader Alice Robin. When Alice and her family moved to New Zealand two years ago, Liz and Chrissie, with their backgrounds in teaching and music and a shared love of African harmony were delighted to take over. Now as members of the Natural Voice
Practitioner’s Network, they teach songs aurally, with no reading of music required. Chrissie said: “Winchcombe is a great community with a wonderful sense of place, and it did not have an open-access community choir available to everyone regardless of their singing ability. We don’t have auditions, you don’t need to read music, have any choral or background or experience, just a love of singing and having fun.” Both Chrissie and Liz say television exposure from choir guru Gareth Malone has had a positive effect in helping to change the perception that choral singing is formal and only for those with musical training. Liz said: “Community Choirs particularly highlight the joy of learning together aurally, and supporting one another without being judgemental. The massive buzz for both choir leader and choir member of performing a piece of music needs to be experienced to be believed. It gives a huge natural high, releasing a flood of feel-good endorphins.” It is also quite common for first-time singers and even the audience to be moved to tears by the sheer emotion of 40 voices singing in harmony. Liz said: “Singing as we do in an open, and sharing environment is a wonderful experience and we’ve had many members reduced to tears on many occasions. It really is an absolute joy and a privilege for Chrissie and I to lead such an enthusiastic and great choir. So if it sounds appealing, do come and join us - you have nothing to lose but your inhibitions!”
You can see Winchcombe Community Choir performing at Winchcombe Christmas Festival on Tuesday 2nd December at 6.15 pm in North Street and at a charity carol concert at Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe, on Friday 19th December, at 6 pm. Bass singer John Russell, from Cheltenham is one of the founder members. He says the choir has boosted his confidence, improved his general health and given him the ’buzz’ of performing. “I never realised I could get such a feeling from singing in front of an audience. It is brilliant. After the first singing workshop I went away on a real high.It was fantastic - and I was always told I couldn’t sing!” Jeanie Yates from Twyning added: “Like many people, I thought you had to be able to sing but oddly enough you don’t. I went along with a friend and loved it.That was two years ago and I’ve been coming ever since. I feel a part of something really special.” Winchcombe Community Choir meets every Wednesday during term time at Cleeve Room, Abbey Fields Community Centre, Back Lane, from 10 am to 12 noon with refreshments afterwards. Its winter term runs until December 10th. For more details 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
Winchcombe life WINTER 2014
29
L ooking back
NATIVITY SUPPORT FOR JEWISH REFUGEES This touching photograph of a ‘Nativity Tableau’ at Winchcombe Women’s Institute was taken in 1938 and features some dearly departed local residents. The event took place at the former WI Hall in Cowl Lane - currently being redeveloped for housing - just nine months before the outbreak of World War II. At the time, many Jews were fleeing their homes in Germany and money raised from the event was going to the Archbishop’s Fund for Jewish Refugees. The caption states that the Nativity Story was told in a sequence of carols and tableaux. Among the well know, town figures appearing were: Back row, far right: The late Mr Henry Green, the former Hailes Street greengrocer; Back row, third from right, the late Mr Neil White. Second row, from left: The late Barbara Mason; third from left, the late Barbara Marsh and fourth from left, the late Betty Fisher. Front row, the Three Wise Men are, from left; believed to be Mr Jack Smith (with blackened face), and Mr Bill Humphries, third man unknown.
WIN
a trip to th panto! e
IT’S PANTO TIME WITH TWEEDY! Enter our winter word search competition and your family could be enjoying the annual fun-filled pantomime at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham – oh yes you could! Win a family ticket for two adults and two children (or one adult and three children) worth £72. If you win you’ll be taking your seat for the 4 pm performance of Sleeping Beauty on Saturday 10th January, 2015. This year’s panto features the return of the hilarious and ever-popular Tweedy the Clown. With his trademark tuft of red hair, Tweedy will be bringing some slapstick comedy to this traditional children’s fairy tale. All you have to do is find the word that is NOT listed in the grid from the list opposite and email that word along with your name, address and a telephone number, to ruth@winchcombelife.co.uk clearly marking your entry Sleeping Beauty. You can also post your entry and contact details to us at 15 Isbourne Way, Broadway Road, Winchcombe, GL54 5NS. Send in your entry by Friday December 19th, 2014. (Only one entry per family, entrant must be over 18; no cash alternative. Winner will be notified on Saturday December 20th).
Good Luck!
Which one of these words does NOT appear in the grid?
BEAUTIFUL ENCHANTED FAIRY PRINCE
N I Y D E E W T E W W R G F M
T C Y C I R E L T S A C A W U
CASTLE EVERYMAN FINGER SPINDLE
E B E A U T I F U L U I N A Z
K L H L M E J Y O A R I P K X
Y I D O U W G C I Y P B E G D
CURSE THEATRE HANDSOME KISS
E M S N Z B I T Q I R U X E U
M G B S I F G R H P I R H V R
O M H I I P D Q K L N E R E O
PANTO SLEEP PRINCESS TWEEDY
S T W D S X S L N N C G W R I
The two lucky winners of the GWSR Full Steam Ahead competition were Mr Brian Merritt of Toddington and Mrs Rebecca Flavelle of Winchcombe.
D E N C H A N T E D E N E Y P
N N S Q O Z X G G O S I C M A
A P Z A W J L Z Z V S F N A N
H M C U R S E S M H Q R I N T
B N E O D A Y Q S P G R R O O
M Z C D E R T A E H T Z P E Z
Winchcombe life WINTER 2014
31
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