Cheltenham Standard 1st October 2014

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EVERN Trent Water took the decision to reopen Suffolk Road last Friday 26th September. This was after difficulties with ground conditions stopped the company from putting new sewers in place. The work, which will prevent sewer flooding in the area starts again next year once investigations are complete and a new design is in place. Severn Trent Water in a statement to The Standard said, ‘’We carried out investigations before starting work in Suffolk Road. We knew that we would be working with sand when putting the new sewers in place.

We dug holes at various points on Suffolk Road to establish the characteristics of the sand we would be working in and whether the sand would be suitable to hold our sewers, using our preferred method of

installation. We did an assessment based on our findings and put a plan in place to install the sewers based on what we knew. Unfortunately once we started the work, the characteristics of the sand in some places varied and just isn’t able to hold our new sewers.

This is why we now have to reassess how we will complete the work successfully’’.

Wayne Ellis from Severn Trent Water further explained, “Our contract partners, NMC Nomenca, did do extensive investigations before starting work to replace the sewers in Suffolk Road, but unfortunately they didn’t show how poor the ground conditions were. A lot of the ground is sand which just doesn’t hold the pipes we’re putting in. So we need to go away, review our options and redesign a solution that will mean

Continued on Page 2

PHOTO: JAMES TANDY

Temporary reprieve for Suffolk Road misery

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 2 OCTOBER 2014

Cheltenham WeatherWatch THURSDAY 2nd Oct Min 13ºC Max 17ºC FRIDAY 3rd Oct Min 12ºC Max 19ºC SATURDAY 4th Oct Min 8ºC Max 15ºC SUNDAY 5th Oct Min 11ºC Max 15ºC MONDAY 6th Oct Min 9ºC Max 14ºC TUESDAY 7th Oct Min 9ºC Max 14ºC WEDNESDAY 8th Oct Min 10ºC Max 14ºC

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Local accountant charged with twenty nine fraud offences LOCAL accountant Bruce Pritchett has been charged with a range of fraud offences after a joint investigation between Gloucestershire Police and HM Revenue and Customs.

Mr Pritchett, 57 of the Reddings, Cheltenham will appear before magistrates in Cheltenham on October 27 charged with a total of 29 offences, which include: • 21 counts of fraud by misrepresentation • Two counts of fraud by abuse of position • Two counts of obtaining a money transfer by deception • One count of failing to

disclose knowledge of money laundering • One count of dishonestly failing to disclose information to make a gain • One count of false accounting • One count of theft.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2002 and 2013 and relate to Mr Pritchett’s accountancy practice in Shurdington.

Anyone who has concerns they may have been a victim of a fraud that could be related to this case is urged to call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and quote “Gloucestershire Police Operation Real”.

Three men arrested on suspicion of drugs offences POLICE in Cheltenham have arrested three men on suspicion of supplying class A drugs following an operation in the Rowanfield area of the town.

Officers conducted drug warrants at two flats at Rowanfield Exchange in Devon Avenue last week on Friday 26th September.

Drugs paraphernalia, money and a large knife were seized from one of the addresses.

Police arrested three men, two from London, aged 19 and

28 and a 34-year-old man from Gloucester. All were bailed until November 21st.

Police Sergeant Julia Martin-Jones said: “We were acting on the concerns of local residents about drugs dealing in this particular property’’.

She went to add, “It has been a good result for the community.

Some of these residents are very vulnerable, so we hope we have gone some way into allaying their fears by disrupting criminal activity on their doorsteps.”

Suffolk Road works set to return...

Continued from cover story...

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we can install the sewers successfully’’. He also went on to add, “In the meantime, we didn’t want to cause residents and businesses in the area any more inconvenience, so rather than leave the road closed during this time, we’ve decided to suspend work and reopen

the road until we’re in a position to start work again.

Severn Trent Water met with local traders last week to explain what was happening with the current situation and the way forward. He went on to further comment, ‘’we’ve agreed to meet with them again in November when we’ll hopefully have a new design plan in place.

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A MAN has been charged with causing the deaths of two people who died when a car crashed into a pub in Suffolk last year.

Passengers Christopher Doran, 19, from Cheltenham and Jonny Cash, 18, from Ashford in Kent, died when the Citroen Berlingo hit the White Hart Inn, Blythburgh, last November.

We expect work to restart next year once we’ve spoken to Gloucestershire County Council highways and local businesses’’.

The company went on to explain that the ongoing work in Andover Street and Andover Road will continue as planned and its proposed work in Painswick Road and St James Place will follow in the coming months.

NMC Nomenca will be

Miles Cash, 19, from Wokingham, Berkshire, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

He is due to appear before magistrates in Ipswich on the 15th October.

Three other men arrested in connection with the crash will face no further action, Suffolk Police have said.

carrying out the work on behalf of Severn Trent Water.

You can find out more at www.northmid.co.uk/ cheltenham.

Wayne Ellis finally added: “We really appreciate everyone’s support and patience during all of this work.”

For help with water or sewerage services, customers can call Severn Trent 24 hours a day on 0800 783 4444.

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South African Scammers Retired resident shocked by fraudulent attempt from mystery mailer claiming to be South African Banker

By Faye McNaught DAVE Keen, a resident of The Park area in the town, was disturbed to receive a letter personally addressed to him last Tuesday containing a suspicious offer of investment from “the leading bank in South Africa”.

The address on the envelope was scrawled in child-like handwriting, and had the appearance of being sent from a young relative. The sender had used Dave’s full name and exact address, which he found “worrying” and after speaking to neighbours, only to find that he was the only person on his road to receive the letter, was puzzled as to why he was targeted.

The writing style of the letter inside was very unusual and Dave said, “I spotted that it was a scam straight away, I almost

wanted to laugh at the way it was written”. The mysterious sender attempted to reassure the reader that, “this letter is neither junk, illusion nor mere imagination” and then went on to explain how a civil engineer, after depositing sixteen million US dollars in their bank, died with his son in an “auto bomb blast in Iraq”.

The sham offer was for an investment opportunity in exchange for the safekeeping of a percentage of the funds, and although Dave was able to recognise the dubious nature of the letter immediately, he felt “concerned” that someone less wise to the ways of fraudsters could fall victim and hand over their bank details. He said, “Unfortunately this type of area is an ideal target with the general age profile”, as many of his neighbours are elderly and

could be vulnerable. He referred to an incident just over a year ago when a “confused widower” in his area was conned out of £8000, and felt that this could easily happen again.

Scams such as these are becoming increasingly frequent, expanding into digital communication platforms such as email. They can even be sent from an address familiar to the recipient posing as a friend or family member. The wealth of personal information that is now available on the internet means that these hoaxes can be much more personalised, and therefore far more convincing to the less discerning eye.

Church officials sold painting without permission Church officials were billed as “stupid” and their conduct “dismal” when they sold a painting at auction for £20,000 without diocesan permission The Gloucester Diocese church court report accepted that the vicar and wardens had not acted dishonestly. The 19th Century Madonna and Child by Franz Ittenbach was sold by Emmanuel Church in Cheltenham last October.

A parish spokesman stressed that officials had acted properly. The vicar Reverend Jacqueline Rodwell has subsequently left the parish.

The results of an investigation by the chancellor of the diocese in June found the painting was unwanted by the church and put up for sale by the vicar last year after there was an initial plan to throw it away.

Ms Rodgers said the legal position is that “disposal of any such item without a faculty is akin to theft of Church property”.

It was sold to a London art dealer by Chorley's auctioneers at Prinknash Abbey near Gloucester, in October 2013.

Following the investigation, retrospective permission to sell the painting, which was given to the church in about 1949, was granted. It means the £20,000, which had been held in a trust by the Parochial Church Council (PCC) while an investigation took place, has now been freed up to be used by the parish.

The investigation found Ms Rodwell was

unaware she needed a “faculty” from the diocesan chancellor that would have allowed her to sell church property.

The report stated, “The conduct of the priest in charge and the church wardens in this matter has been dismal’’. He went to say, “They have been really, really stupid.

But they have not been dishonest.”

The Venerable Robert Springett, the Archdeacon of Cheltenham, said the parish had been doing “the best they could”.

“They were acting in a way that they thought was reasonable and right and hadn't quite recognised the significance of the process they needed to follow in obtaining a faculty to sell the painting,” he said.

He said if the sale had not been authorised retrospectively the parish would have faced “financial hardship” through being forced to return the money, plus costs associated with the sale.

As a result of the ruling, auction houses and antique dealers across the UK have been warned not to accept anything from a church unless they are sure it can be sold legally.

Dave Keen

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 2 OCTOBER 2014

Supermarkets go head to head on fuel prices A FUEL war has been ignited after three of the biggest supermarkets in the county announced that they have slashed their petrol and diesel prices.

Sainsbury’s and Tesco have dropped their fuel by a whopping five pence per litre.

Asda also announced reductions of one per cent for petrol and two per cent for diesel.

The motoring organisation AA has welcomed the move, as did their rival, the RAC. However the group representing independent fuel retailers said the announcements would further endanger local petrol stations, particularly those in rural locations.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams commented that the price of both petrol and diesel had “been low for around three months” and that motorists have already been enjoying “some of the cheapest prices for over three years”.

He did however add that the latest price cuts “will take us to a new low, the likes of which we haven’t seen since late 2010 and early 2011 when the price of petrol and diesel unfortunately jumped by 10 pence a litre in just a few months”.

A spokesman for the AA, Luke Bosdet, echoed those sentiments, saying the cuts were “particularly welcome as families get

back to school runs and into their autumn routines”. In March, the AA said petrol prices had fallen to their lowest in three years. In the same month, Chancellor George Osborne unveiled a fuel duty freeze, as part of the annual Budget.

The head of the RMI Independent Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), Brian Madderson, said that ‘the latest move would deliver yet another blow to local filling stations, which have been struggling to survive in recent years’.

Last week, the PRA said almost 900 independent

forecourts had closed between 2008 and 2013, more than a third of which were in rural areas.

“Those businesses are at the heart of rural communities,” Mr Madderson said, adding that they tend to employ up to 10 people, and offer “much needed local facilities”. He finally added, “Once they’re gone, they’re gone.”

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Illegal eel fishing on rise TEAMS of people are coming to Gloucestershire to illegally fish for eels in the Rivers Severn and Avon, the Environment Agency has recently reported.

The agency said night patrols had discovered groups on the river banks between midnight and 6am taking fish by rod and line for commercial resale.

Al Watson, who has led night patrols since, June said fish were being taken "in quantities for profit". The maximum penalty for illegal fishing is £50,000.

Mr Watson said the patrols aimed to

protect species like eels which are in decline and to educate fishermen about the need to hold a current licence from the agency.

CHALKTALK

Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Cheltenham gets vocal...

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UPERFAST broadband is vital to the success of any town.

Centres with low broadband speeds risk falling behind their rivals.

That’s why it’s so frustrating that significant parts of Cheltenham are missing out on the national superfast broadband rollout. Unlike Gloucester, there are scores of homes and businesses in Cheltenham that are being overlooked for this vital service.

Why? First, a little background. The UK is in the middle of a £2.5 billion project to upgrade the country’s communications network, replacing the old copper connections to the local phone exchange with fibre. Copper is pretty ancient technology. Its cables are prone to interference and even small distances reduce broadband speeds.

Fibre, on the other hand, is immune to interference and ‘attenuation’ and therefore dramatically boosts overall speeds.

No surprise then that the aim is that 90 per cent of Britain should end up with superfast fibre broadband. Much of that work is being delivered by Openreach, the company responsible for connections between private properties and the telephone exchanges.

We need this urgently in Gloucestershire. In 2013, the percentage of the county’s households not receiving a 2MB average service was 11%, compared to just 5% in London.

Gloucestershire had the 131st slowest average speeds out of the 202 areas.

And yet whilst the county overall is starting to benefit from the rollout, areas of Cheltenham are being left behind. That is because Openreach have decided that replacing the old copper connections is not commercially viable in specific areas. Anticipating these gaps, the government set up its own scheme (Broadband Delivery UK) which was designed to step in these circumstances. Our local version of that

is called Fastershire, and covers Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Councils. It is funded by the government and is intended to intervene where the private sector won’t.

The conundrum here is that Fastershire don’t seem to agree with Openreach that these areas of Cheltenham are not commercially viable to upgrade. And because of EU state aid guidelines, there are restrictions on the extent to which the Government can intervene in markets deemed to have ‘commercial potential’.

It’s all a rather complicated mess.

The bottom line is that parts of Cheltenham are stuck in limbo – not ‘urban’ enough to satisfy Openreach that they are commercially viable, and not ‘rural’ enough to qualify for state support. It all seems rather perverse.

That’s why I have written to BT asking them to explain their decision to exclude these areas from their commercial rollout and to look at potential ways to get around this problem. The current situation won’t do. If Cheltenham is going to keep up (and outperform!) its rivals, we can’t afford to have one hand tied behind our back.

So, if you know of other broadband infrastructure issues affecting our prospects here in Cheltenham please email me at alex@alexchalk.com

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Police say thanks

Cheltenham Charity Cuppa Full to the Brim

By Faye McNaught HISSING kettles could be heard across Cheltenham Town last Friday as local businesses and residents showed their support for Macmillan.

On the 26th September many of Cheltenham’s local businesses put their charity hats on and took part in ‘The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Among the participants was Pitman Training on Rodney Road, whose staff have been brewing up for charity since September 2011 and manage to raise a few hundred pounds each year.

Training Manager Kevin Daws holds a personal appreciation for the charity, having lost his mother to cancer and described the level of care which she received in Macmillan’s North Yorkshire hospice as “exceptional”. He said “any amount we manage to raise is a bonus”, for a charity which he has seen to “give a lot of support and dignity back to people”.

Pitman Training has had a great show of loyalty for the last four years

from their current and former students with cake donations. They’ve also received support from local Swedish restaurant Svea, whose traditional Scandinavian recipes Kevin said “went down very well”.

This year however, Kevin was “surprised and touched” by an unexpected donation from The Office Coffee Company based in Leckhampton. They contributed a 500 gram tin of their Fairtrade coffee, which goes towards the Cool Earth charity in their work protecting the Amazon rainforest and supporting coffee farmers in developing countries. Co-founder and self-confessed “coffee-holic” Richard Doherty said they had donated to over 10 local businesses, adding up to approximately 3000 cups. Richard explained how his

company had managed to “feed off an appetite for fresh coffee” whilst “setting ourselves apart from our competitors because with every sip businesses have a positive impact on the environment”.

AS THE badger cull reaches its planned half-way point, Gloucestershire police officers have been reaching out to thank everyone they have come into contact with during Operation Themis – the police’s response to this year’s cull.

So far two people have been arrested as part of the operation with one man, a 48-year-old man from Salford in Greater Manchester arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass and common assault. He’s been released on police bail until October 7th pending further enquiries.

The second man, 30-year-old Joseph Hilton of Lakeside in Bristol has been charged with common assault and aggravated trespass and will appear before Cheltenham Magistrates on October 23rd.

Both men were arrested following an incident at a farm at Bromsberrow Heath, near Ledbury on September 22nd Chief Inspector Charlie Laporte, Silver Commander for Operation Themis said “I’d like to thank everyone we have come into contact with during the badger cull this year. We understand it is an extremely divisive subject, however most people have been very co-operative and courteous to our officers’’. He went to say, “We understand that there has been a feeling of harassment or intimidation amongst those living in the area, whether they are involved in the cull or not. Let me be clear, any report of this nature is being thoroughly investigated by officers and dealt with appropriately. Officers will continue to work in the cull zone every night and if you feel you are being intimidated or harassed, please contact us on 101. If you feel threatened or in danger, call 999 immediately.”

A40 on Golden Valley to get a spruce-up PLANS to clear litter from verges and central reservation along the A40 Golden Valley are underway.

The litter and debris have been hidden over the summer by the long grass however now the grass has been cut, the refuse has been uncovered.

A team from Ubico, Cheltenham and Cotswold’s local authority owned environmental services company, were out last week to collect as much litter as they safely can. However special traffic safety measures are needed for a thorough clean-up which takes time to organise.

Ubico is working with Gloucestershire County Council to arrange a date for the clean-up as soon as possible.

Rob Bell, managing director of Ubico, says: “We are working with the county council to get a day arranged for this

clean-up work to be carried out as soon as possible. The grass cutting and litter collection is usually carried out at the same time but, possibly due to a change of contractor, hasn’t happened on this occasion.”

Chris Riley, Local Highways Manager at Gloucestershire County Council said, “We work together with our partners to continually improve services for local residents. At present we’re working with Ubico to resolve the issue at hand.”

The County Council also stated that, ‘grass mowing and street cleaning is usually coordinated to be carried out at the same time so that all work is completed as efficiently and effectively as possible, saving the taxpayer money by only having to pay once for traffic safety and delivering a better outcome through joined up working’.

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 2 OCTOBER 2014

Triumphant Tresses Hairdressers at new salon remain star struck by having their vintage hairstyles modelled by a finalist of Miss Pinup UK

By Faye McNaught LOCAL salon The Cutting Connection has only been open on Tewksbury Road since June, but they are off to a flying start after having their retro hairstyles showcased at a national competition.

Last Saturday, Cheltenham resident Emma Mason, otherwise known as ‘Lady Allure’ took part in the finals of Miss Pinup UK at The London Tattoo Convention. Her flame-red hair was sculpted into a 50s vintage style by The Cutting Connection’s local hairdresser Angie Meadows.

Angie said the demand for her styles at the event “went through the roof ”.

Emma came fourth in the judging panel but in first position for the people’s vote. She said, “Angie is the best hairdresser I have ever come across. It has taken me my whole life to find someone who could manage my crazy mane”.

Business owner Matt Bryan, “spotted an

opportunity to build a business”, when he noticed a vacant space in the LA Fitness gym in Cheltenham. As well as the “image conscious clientele” already in the building he was drawn by the “really flexible opening hours” and decided to launch a salon offering “a good mix of off-peak hours”. The Cutting Connection is open until 8.00pm on most weekdays, which Matt believes “offers something fresh and new” considering the amount of competition in the industry.

In light of the Hollie Gazzard tragedy, Matt is also doing work along with other Gloucestershire hairdressers aiming to try and spot any signs of domestic violence whilst talking to their customers. Matt believes that as a hairdresser he often acts as a “counsellor” for his clients, and is supporting Nick Gazzard in trying to “spearhead the trust for Cheltenham” and “doing anything I can to help with such a horrible situation”.

International market returns to town CHELTENHAM’S International Street Market returns to the town for the 14th time on Thursday 2nd October for four days. The market will have a continental feel, which will offer more variety, new flavours and different crafting techniques.

With dozens of stalls on the pedestrianised area of the Promenade (by Waterstones and Cavendish House), it will feel like a trip around the globe with traditional crafts and French baked goods. There will also be stalls selling a range of crêpes, paella, curry, noodles, Polish cuisine, cheeses and olives.

The market will open from 10am until 5.30pm on each of the four days.

Andrew Lloyd Webber at Literature Festival the Literature Festival programme, which already boasts a stellar line-up.

Andrew’s interpretation of this notorious scandal will offer a fascinating dimension to the event and I’m sure audiences will be keen to ask him questions about his writing process for Stephen Ward.”

As well as Andrew Lloyd Webber, the Literature Festival has made some other exciting additions to the programme, including a Rugby World Cup preview event on Monday, October 6th with Kingsholm and International stars Billy Twelvetrees, John Afoa, Greg Laidlaw and Gloucester Rugby CEO Stephen Vaughan.

For tickets, visit cheltenhamfestivals.com or call 0844 880 8094.

WellChild completes two hundred Helping Hands projects

PHOTO: JFAYE MCNAUGHT

AWARD-WINNING composer and producer Andrew Lloyd Webber is the latest big name to join the line-up for The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival this weekend.

Andrew is appearing with Geoffrey Robertson QC in the Profumo affair event, ‘Stephen Ward was Innocent, Ok’, on Saturday, October 4th Andrew has detailed knowledge of the Profumo affair, having written the musical Stephen Ward and presented a TV documentary about him.

Stephen Ward was centred on his involvement with Christine Keeler and their chance meeting in a West End night club that led to one of the most sensational political trials of the 20th century.

Literature Festival Director Jane Furze said: “Andrew Lloyd Webber is a fantastic addition to

Martin Quantock, manager of Cheltenham Business Partnership, said: "With the autumn upon us what better way to warm up your taste buds than by visiting Cheltenham’s Continental Street Market and sampling the tastes and smells of foods from all over Europe along with traditional crafts and gifts.

Come along and visit this traditional continental market over the weekend, soak up the atmosphere and treat yourself at the same time!”

The market has been coordinated by Geraud Markets, which also puts on Cheltenham’s Christmas market.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE based children’s charity WellChild has just completed its 200th Helping Hands project to help seriously ill children and their families across the UK. WellChild’s Helping Hands programme operates nationwide, enlisting the support of volunteers from companies and organisations to tackle individual home development projects to provide better home environments for seriously ill children.

Since the programme started in 2006, Cheltenham based WellChild has worked up and down the UK with 88 different companies and organisations to provide 41 bedroom and 155 garden restorations in the homes of seriously ill children and young people and install major refurbishments in eight institutions working with seriously ill children.

A number of projects have taken place in different parts of Gloucestershire. As well as helping families across the county with new gardens and bedrooms the Helping Hands scheme has rebuilt a go-kart track for the Hop, Skip

and Jump charity near Cheltenham, created a new mural for The Ridge School in the town and transformed a playroom for Amberley Ridge Special School on Rodborough Common.

The 200th project was to makeover a garden for 14 year old Ramzi and his family from London. Ramzi has autism and cannot speak, he also has obliterative bronchiolitis and bronchiectasis, for which he uses inhalers and medicines for his chest. He also receives regular physio and it is vitally important that he has regular exercise.

Working with a team of volunteers, WellChild made the garden secure and safe for Ramzi and made it attractive and useful for him adding artificial grass, a playhouse and play equipment as well as painting the fences. The result is a much improved environment he can use in safety.

WellChild’s Helping Hands Coordinator, Lee Trunks said: “It is a wonderful privilege to be involved in the Helping Hands projects as they make a tremendous difference to the lives of young people and their families’’.

2 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

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May the force be with you!

Jedi Knight training comes to Cheltenham STAR WARS fans are being given the opportunity to become Jedi Knights and learn how to wield lightsabers in combat.

LudoSport has opened its first academy teaching seven forms of combat from the Star Wars world using flexible blades mounted on weighted hilts.

The sport began eight years ago in

Art Playground needs more volunteers THE Art Playground is a social enterprise that encourages creativity and curiosity for art in adults and children alike via fun, quirky interactive art projects and pop-ups in Cheltenham locations such as The Brewery. Their aim is to make art fun and accessible, and to get away from the ‘stuffy’, ‘quiet please’ art gallery stereotype. One of their events, for example, was billed ‘Please do touch the artwork’.

Run by a board of dedicated arts

professionals and obsessive’s, The Art Playground is supported by a team of volunteers who never cease to amaze with their generosity, skills and sharp dress sense. They would, however, love more volunteers to join their bright and merry band. Simply just drop into their workshop for their Social Saturday on 4th October to find out how you can get involved. You don’t have to be particularly arty, just interested and enthusiastic. www.artplayground.org.uk

Italy but has only just come to England with the first classes right here in Cheltenham. Instructor Jordan Court said people were already “hooked”.

The classes began last month. So far there are six pupils, but this number is expected to increase. Jordan Court attended an international boot camp to learn the sport. The 34-year-old said fighting with “an elegant weapon for a more civilized age” was a childhood dream come true.

“My brother and I used to steal our Mum's bamboo garden canes to fight with,” he said. The lightsabers used in

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the sport are all hand-made and are provided for use during the classes.

The sport is so new to England that there have only been a handful of classes so far but Mr Court said there were plans to begin teaching in Bristol by the end of October... if “the Force” was with the academy.

BBC weight loss programme wants applicants THE production team behind a new BBC One television series are looking for applicants from Gloucestershire to take part in a weight loss programme.

The new show which is to be called ‘Weight for Love’ is looking for couples who want to lose weight at the

same time. Entrants will receive expert advice on weight loss.

Weight for Love will be produced for the BBC by Renegade Pictures.

For more information email: couples@renegadepictures.co.uk

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 2 OCTOBER 2014

BUSINESS Editor’sDESK

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HEY can detect the moon’s seismic movement and its anomalies from Earth. The scientists and geologists know exactly the make-up of the moon’s geology and density. This is all thanks to the Apollo crews of the late sixties and early seventies leaving behind an array of measuring equipment. It allowed the scientists to monitor the moon’s activity and possible shifts in both density and orbit. That science stuff is all very important to our tides etc. They know all this information and yet the moon is over a quarter of a million miles away. And here in Cheltenham Seven Trent Water can’t seem to find out what’s just eight feet or so below the surface on Suffolk Road, enabling them to fix our sewers?

I didn’t think for one minute that I’d be revisiting this subject. For me it was done and dusted and as previously indicated by Severn Trent Water it would all be back to normal at the beginning of October (their words, not mine).

Unbelievably they’ve filled in the gaping great holes they dug up on Suffolk Road twice now; once for the half marathon to enable that to go ahead (all very noble, but only because they had to) and again now because they don’t know what to do. Like Arnold Schwarzenegger they say, ‘they’ll be back’. This latest ‘filling-in’ was done very rapidly; almost if they didn’t want

anyone to see them doing it. To my mind it was done in a sheepish kind of way, perhaps speed born out of embarrassment? There were more men filling in than were there when the work was supposed to be being completed.

It’s borderline bungling of the highest order.

It’s all very well handing out the odd bit of compensation to the local traders, who will of course quite rightly grab it.

But what about the ongoing traffic misery that we’ll all have to endure again next year? Surely in this day and age they must have had an inkling of what was down there? It makes nonsense of the ‘investigation’ does it not? The explanation is in the word ‘investigation’ i.e. Investigate, find out, enquire etc. I could go on and rhyme off the full Oxford Dictionary. Any investigation they’ve had or instigated with their contractors has failed. Simple as that. They can’t come back and say it was a successful investigation because it was wrong and didn’t highlight the problems. Apparently there was a shift in the type of sand in various areas and that was quite a surprise to them. It beggars belief that present-day technology wasn’t able to identify the type of soil and any possible problems.

In no part of any communiqués have we had a ‘sorry’ or ‘we got it wrong’. Mind you it seems no-one wants to admit failure these days or take corporate responsibility.

Is it Severn Trent’s Water intention to get it right next time or just have another ‘dig’ at it?

Got a comment?

Contact us at editor@cheltenhamstandard.co.uk

LinkedIn seminar LOCAL Website Designer and SEO Expert, Simon Dye, is leading the latest Cheltenham Chamber Business Seminar. The topic of Simon’s Seminar is ‘LinkedIn - raising the profile of you and your business’.

“LinkedIn currently has 14 million UK business users and my seminar will explain how to get the most out of this business oriented social network.”

Commented Simon Dye, CEO of Website Design Cheltenham, “Many

businesses are missing out because they do not appreciate the power of LinkedIn.’’ Simon will make local business people aware of the benefits of LinkedIn and will give examples of local businesses which have achieved sales and increased market profile due to their presence on LinkedIn. To reserve your place go to: www.cheltenhamchamber.org.uk/ events.php?e_id=77

WHERE THERE’S MUCK THERE’S BRASS Montpellier Asset Management un-muddle the mire MOST of us have heard that saying over the years and no doubt quite a few of us will know someone who has profited from those exact words, but perhaps you didn’t know that the UK Government is now actively supporting financial mechanisms that can pay you potentially a very nice return from what effectively comes out of a cow’s rear end.

It’s called Anaerobic Digestion and it is a way of generating energy from biodegradable waste that is often burned or sent to landfill, such as food and agricultural surplus which of course includes the waste from crops and everything that cows produce on a daily basis.

The process involves bacteria breaking the waste down in the absence of oxygen and this process releases biogas, which can

be injected directly into the national gas grid or used to generate a constant flow of electricity that doesn’t depend on weather conditions and all of which you can get paid for.

So far so good and with the UK Government offering generous tax relief of up to 98% in certain circumstances from investing through an Enterprise Investment Scheme into Anaerobic Digestion then you really can say, “Where there’s muck there’s brass”.

More information simon@montpellierasset.com The above article does not offer investment or tax advice and we recommend that you seek independent investment and tax advice before entering into any financial contract The value of investments and the income derived from them can go down as well as up and you may not get back your original capital.

Entrepreneurs thrive at Connect Business Day ENTREPRENEURS were inspired to “bake a bigger cake” as thousands of connections were made at a business-boosting event in Cheltenham.

Successful speakers and expert exhibitors entertained more than 220 visitors at the Connect Business networking event, run by community group Cheltenham Connect.

The Mayor Simon Wheeler opened the event and told attendees the expertise and entrepreneurial spirit in the room should encourage everyone to “bake a bigger cake” for business, rather than take a larger slice of the existing one. Keynote addresses were made by Martin Horwood MP, Steve Knibbs, Gloucestershire Reporter for BBC Points West and Luan Wise and Fiona Spencer from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

There was also a panel discussion on growing your business with three successful businesswomen - Simone

Hindmarch-Bye of Commercial Group, Clare Holland of Keith Holland and Associates and Louise Ladbrooke of Business West.

Belinda Wilson, of Cheltenham Connect, said the free-to-attend event filled a larger venue than last year which was exciting for the county’s businesses.

“To see so many great connections being made – an average of 10 new contacts per person – was excellent. And to hear really motivational speakers and speak to so many talented business people made it a super event for Cheltenham Connect,” she said. “We are sure many commercial conversations will continue, which can only encourage local sourcing between businesses in Gloucestershire, both large and small.”

For more details about Cheltenham Connect and the events it holds visit www.cheltenhamconnect.co.uk

Cheltenham Standard is published weekly by Paul.Bates Publishing Ltd is registered at Suite 104, Cheltenham Eagle Tower, Montpellier Drive, Cheltenham, GL50 1TA. Reproduction of any material, in whole or in part, is strictly forbidden without the prior written consent of the publishers. All material is sent at the owner’s risk and whilst every care is taken, Paul.Bates Publishing Ltd will not accept liability for loss or damage. Dates, information and prices quoted are believed to be correct at time of going to press but are subject to change and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions. Neither the editor nor publisher accepts responsibility for any material submitted, whether photographic or otherwise. All rights reserved. ISSN no. 2055-2092. Terms and conditions at www.cheltenhamstandard.co.uk

Standard

2 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

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BUSINESS Skeleton invited into Women’s Business Club closet

By Jo Betteridge

FAMOUS Cheltenham skeleton, Bony Tony, has received an official invitation to join the Cheltenham Women's Business Club by Franchise Director Angela De Souza and local director Lorah-Kelly Beard in commiseration of being put out to pasture. Angela and Lorah-Kelly took pity on Tony, who has lost his permanent home, and not only entered his selfie-with-a-skeleton competition, but also invited him as a guest to the Club along with the Regency Clinic owner’s wife, Fru Grace.

Many a child has fond memories of waving at Bony Tony, who has, for the past 14 years, resided in the window of the Regency Clinic on the Hales Road.

He’s been showing patients how their bodies work in order that they understand their injuries and treatment ever since the Clinic first opened its doors.

Unfortunately for Bony Tony, a recent

move to new premises saw him replaced by a younger, more modern model, and with no street-facing window in the Clinic’s new building further down the Hales Road, Bony Tony has had to find other ways to remain in the spotlight.

He has therefore positioned himself outside the Clinic, and is encouraging

people to take a ‘selfie’ with him. And just in case the people of Cheltenham aren’t that into selfies, Tony is offering a free massage for the best photograph to entice people along. Tony is only outside the Clinic during opening hours for fear of kidnapping, so get cracking and get your photo taken with him – your last chance is on Saturday 4th October, and the competition closes on Sunday 5th October. To enter, or to vote, visit www.regency-clinic.co.uk To find out more about The Exclusive Business Support Network for Women Women’s Business Club, visit www.womensbusinessclub.co.uk

The legacy of Lodders FOUNDED over 225 years ago with offices in Stratford, Henley and most recently, Cheltenham, Lodders is an established, thriving law firm. The Cheltenham office, which opened in September 2013, has expanded quickly and is still continuing to grow. At Lodders they offer a personal, partner-led service and pride themselves on attracting ‘best of breed’ legal talent. Natalie Smith, associate, who has recently joined the Private Client department of Lodders Cheltenham office said, “The partners at Lodders have been incredibly supportive of me. They have gone above and beyond your average employer to make the transition to my new role as smooth as possible. I cannot imagine working anywhere else and I highly recommend them to anyone considering moving roles’. Lodders Cheltenham office is continuing to recruit. They are we’re informed, looking for a lead residential conveyancer, and would apparently be delighted to hear from any talented lawyers out there who would like to be part of their dynamic office.

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 2 OCTOBER 2014

HEALTH&LIFESTYLE THIS October The Department of Health is encouraging the country to ditch the fags for twenty eight days, and its believed that if you succeed the challenge you will be 5 times more likely to give up for good.

I’m a former smoker and one of the worst in lecturing those that still smoke. I don’t want to be forced to take lung-filling clouds of somebody else’s cigarette as I share the public space. Just try putting that cigarette within inhaling distance of my children and my alter ego ‘Medusa’ comes out to play and if you smoke whist pregnant, well that beggars belief. Do you think it’s any of my business? No of course its not. It just happens that health promotion is part of my job, and smoking is not healthy.

Cigarettes contain toxic chemicals on mass (over 5,000 are released when burning). Hydrogen Cyanide (used as a pesticide), Carbon Monoxide (car exhaust fumes), Ammonia (used in explosives and fertilisers), Formaldehyde (used by mortuaries and as a dye) and Acrolien (believe it or not used as a chemical weapon in WW1) to name only a few. Tobacco has been

HealthMatters Your essential guide to staying healthy and enjoying the best life has to offer

By NATALIE NEALE

STOPTOBER linked to cancer for decades, with a large number of chemicals considered as being carcinogenic (cancer causing).

For example Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are chemicals that seriously damages DNA and Nitrosamines are carcinogens found only in cigarettes. But they’ve managed to make it tasty.

‘Nicotine’ is the addiction. So ‘peeps’ of

Cheltenham are you getting the message here? Patches, sprays, lozenges and good advice can be free. Your GP is your first port of call when you want to quit.

Smoking is expensive, it isn’t cool and nor does it come without horrible consequences.

For help and support to quit smoking Gloucestershire NHS Care Services run a fantastic support service that can be found at www.stopsmokingglos.nhs.uk, and you can get yourself a free Stobtober pack from stoptober.smokefree.nhs.uk

If smoking isn’t your bag then fear not.

Why don’t you ‘Go Sober for October’ instead? Not only can you raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support but abstinence from alcohol comes with a mass of health benefits. We’re turning in to a nation of bingers with many not understanding or just ignoring the healthy safe limits of alcohol. The guidelines are; woman 2-3 units per day, men 3-4 units per day. I feel happy I’m within safe limits with my one large glass of wine surely? Err… no that’s 4.6 units for one large glass of wine and worse still 318 calories. I think it’s clear that not even I (as a healthcare professional) am absolutely clear on the number of units in a glass of wine. For more information about the negatives associated with alcohol, and for support in cutting down www.nhs.uk/Livewell/ alcohol/Pages/Alcoholsupport.aspx Whichever route you decide to take this October, let’s make it a healthy month in Cheltenham. Contact me natalieneale@cheltenhamstandard.co.uk I’d love to hear how you’re getting on.

Whether it’s giving up smoking for good, or alcohol for a month, we’re all behind you throughout the month of October.

2 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

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HEALTH&LIFESTYLE Sober for October?

Probably not!

SO it’s Go Sober for October (MacMillan Cancer are encouraging us to stop drinking for a month in order to raise funds) as well as Stoptober where the NHS want us to stop smoking. Both fantastic health initiatives, and great ways of raising money for charity, and don’t get me wrong, I’m all for charity, especially such a good cause as MacMillan, but… yes, and there is a big

ThePulse

By JO BETTERIDGE

jo@cheltenhamstandard.co.uk

Surging through the veins of Cheltenham Life

Musings of a Cheltenham Wannabe BUT (and I don’t mean my derriere).

Aren’t we all a bit ‘charitied’ out? What with confusion of who we were meant to be donating to for the ice bucket challenge (which at first was hilarious, but frankly, became annoying), where everyone felt forced to have ‘fun’ (it

didn’t look very much like fun to me) to raise money, but now we’re being cajoled into not having any fun at all for charity. Yes, there are serious health implications of drinking and smoking, and I’m certainly not condoning them or necessarily saying they are fun; but I will be carrying on both at full steam ahead since it’s my 40th birthday party at the end of October, and I’m not giving up any of my bad recreational habits I’m afraid. Clearly Natalie Neal doesn’t agree, so I asked some fellow dwellers of the ‘Nam’ what they thought: Iain Kennedy commented: “I agree with what MacMillan are trying to do with Sober for October, but I don’t think it will have any real health benefits as people will abstain for a month, then go out and get absolutely plastered on the first weekend in November. I’d rather just give £50 to charity and carry on drinking as normal”. I wonder if Macmillan have received his donation yet?

Sam Smith, of Bishop’s Cleeve, agrees: “I think Sober for October is a great idea, but not for me. I rarely drink at home in the week, and as a busy working mum of three, I don’t tend to go out much for drinks at weekends, so I would feel as if I was ‘cheating’ if I took part as I wouldn’t really be

giving much up anyway. I would much prefer to donate through another appeal, such as the MacMillan coffee mornings”.

But if anyone does fancy taking up the challenge to raise money for an exceedingly good cause and get healthier to boot, you’ll be pleased to know that Crazy Eights at No 131 the Promenade can still offer you a fabulous night out without the sauce: “At No 131 and Crazy Eights we take pride in creating well balanced, tasty drinks with fresh and seasonal ingredients whether alcoholic or not. We always have a non-alcoholic special amongst our seasonal tipples on our dinner menu, and should you not fancy any of the non-alcoholic cocktails on our drinks list, we are more than happy to conjure up a concoction to your taste” commented bartender Callum Rumble.

I can say in all honesty that I couldn’t find one person who is actually taking on the challenge despite thinking that it’s a good idea. Perhaps they’ll do Movember instead. Though I doubt that too as it seems that the menfolk of the ‘Nam have all gone ‘folk’ with their profusion of beards anyway.

And incidentally I do personally testify that the Apple Mojito at Crazy Eights is exceedingly good, and I enjoyed several of those without a sniff of rum, or any booze at all for that matter, for an entire evening. www.gosober.org.uk

Need an alcohol detox? Here’s how: HABITUALLY heavy drinkers, or those who have recently indulged in a skin-full would be doing themselves a great favour by ridding their bodies of toxins and then avoiding alcohol altogether (for the month of October, for example!). We all know the hideous morningafter side effects alcohol can cause, including depression, confusion, fatigue, nausea, fever, sweating, shaking, headaches, high blood pressure and increased heart rate.

So how do we banish those?

By drinking another skin-full of fluids. Healthy ones this time; water, teas, fresh fruit and vegetable, juices and fresh soups and broth. It’s also a good idea to take vitamins and mineral supplements - vitamin C, vitamin B, potassium, calcium and magnesium - to replenish reserves depleted by alcohol consumption. Avoid processed and refined foods too, and stay away from sugar. And it goes without saying that exercising regularly promotes good health, but it will also

increase the endorphins that will make you feel better while detoxing.

Detox Shopping list: Water, fresh fruit and vegetables to juice, green tea, fresh soup, high protein foods, vitamin and mineral supplements. And if you’re short of time (or energy), Not Just Juice (www.notjustjuice.co.uk) makes a great short cut to juicing your own.

Perhaps this’ll come in hand for some on Sunday 2nd November…

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 2 OCTOBER 2014

QUIRKY NEWS

Something a bit different...

Comic gaffe

STOLEN DIGGER IN POLICE CHASE A 22-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested after a three-hour pursuit of a 44-tonne digger.

Last week Leicestershire Police said the man called them in the early hours of the morning to say he had stolen the bulldozer.

A helicopter was drafted in to help and officers managed to stop the yellow-andblack machine on the A511 around Coalville, near Leicester, at 7am on the morning in question.

The force, which tweeted an image of

the pursuit, said: “Police were called at 3.14am today by a man who claimed to have stolen a 44-tonne digger from the Coalville area.” No-one was hurt in the incident.

Earlier, a spokesman for the National Police Air Service Birmingham-based helicopter said: “Just assisted our Leicestershire colleagues bring the pursuit of a stolen 44-tonne wheeled bulldozer to a safe end in Coalville!”

The 22-year-old remains in police custody.

COMEDIAN Seann Walsh was forced to cancel a gig in Hertford after he mistakenly travelled to Hereford 150 miles away instead.

The 27-year-old, who has appeared on TV programmes including Mock The Week, had to scrap the show at short notice once he realised his mistake.

Walsh took to Twitter to apologise to fans, saying: “I am sorry. Please feel free to tweet me abuse!” He promised to reschedule the show in Hertford at a later date.

He added: “It is now taking me over four hours to get home. The gig was 45 minutes away. I deserve this. If it makes

you feel any better my train home is cancelled.”

The comic also tweeted a photo of a vending machine, with a message saying: “Just having a look at the menu for dinner.”

Japanese condom meals A JAPANESE chef has written a recipe book called, ‘Condom Meals I Want To Make For You’.

Thankfully, Kyosuke Kagami uses condoms as a cooking device, rather than suggesting you eat them.

The book features recipes such as condom snails cooked with butter, condom cookies and condom meat stuffing.

Kagami created the e-book to help promote safe sex and demonstrate the

durability of condoms, with Japanese men reportedly the third worst in the world for using the contraceptive.

VENTING SPLEEN… Local man about town, Tom Thurlow lets loose

A

NYONE else noticed how this town has suddenly turned into a candy shop? No? Well go out on a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday night; actually Saturday night as well, and you’ll see how Cheltenham is swarming with a fresh batch of drunk and wild students.

God knows I do love it this time of year when our university fills its dorms up and before they’ve even unpacked their suitcases they’re straight down to MooMoos for shot after shot of Sambuca - they’re thirsty. And of course I’m down at the club like a bullet with my credit card ready to adopt my very own little student.

Before I could even take a glance at this year’s catalogue, out of nowhere, a 10/10 storms over to my unsuspecting pal Rupert and sucks half his face off and then returns back to her

pack of Freshers without even leaving a name.

I’m really not joking when I say that seconds after another pops up in this student-filledmetropolis and decides she wants a go on Rupert. So with literally no exchange in niceties she plants one on him, hangs around for a grind on him and then decides to strut off somewhere; presumably the bar, the drunk wench.

So you’re probably pondering that this friend of mine must be some hunky Casanova type to get this type of attention? Well, he’d kill me for not blindly agreeing, but I’d say he was more of a Shia La Beouf than a throb like Brad.

The fantastic truth is that as long as

you’re not a troll, you can board this train and not get off until you’ve gorged on the entire buffet cart.

So with all of this in mind I’m excited to announce my latest business venture. If you don’t want to use my astonishingly good value for money website, ‘Shag At Uni’ to satisfy your student craving, for a limited time only you can now book yourself a place on a ‘Tom Thurlow: Students Gone Wild’ tour.

Every Friday night you’ll be invited round to Thurlow Mansion where, joined by my real world friends, you’ll get to drink yourself silly on copious amounts of Chase vodka. By 11pm we’ll crank it

up to red wine. This should get you trashed no problem.

By 12am we’ll arrange for my driver to take us to the front door of MooMoos. This is the nightclub that all students go to in Cheltenham so it’s an absolute must for our hunting ground. Thanks also to their recent £1million re-furb it’s also damn sexy.

On arrival we’ll be greeted by the club’s charming General Manager Ian; and don’t worry, now that you’re VIP he’ll make sure you don’t queue. Speaking of VIP, we’ll then be passed on to the club’s very own VIP manager Jess, who’ll take us to our own booth and make sure we’re suitably sorted with enough vodka and mixers that you can afford to share some of it out with a student that takes your fancy.

Of course, they have to consent too (lawyer made me write that in).

Then hey presto!

You’ve bagged yourself a student.

You can thank me later for using my exclusive new service. Right after you’ve paid me my fee of £75. It works out cheaper than hiring a prostitute…just.

Disclaimer: Mixing alcoholic drinks is stupid. In fact drinking just one drop of alcohol is reckless and this column in its entirety is one sick joke. Please drink responsibly. Chase Vodka and MooMoo Clubrooms: Ignore the above disclaimer. Holla at me and sort me out this Friday yeh? Let’s get wasted, omg, #yolo.

Get more of Tom’s insights by following him on Twitter @thurlow

The views, opinions and positions expressed by the authors and those providing comments on these articles are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of The Cheltenham Standard

2 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

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CoffeeBreak

Chopper fridge provides the ultimate ‘cool’ A US FIRM has invented a Chopperstyle motorised fridge for the ultimate cool way to take drinks to a party.

New Orleans-based designers have been working on the Kreweser for the last two years.

It will cost about £400 and is capable of accelerating its rider (and a thirst-quenching 89 litres of cooler space) to speeds of up to 18mph.

The low-profile 48-volt battery pack is capable of taking a rider on a 16 mile journey before recharging.

The scooter also folds up for easy transportation to events with the collapsible design providing ease of transport in any vehicle.

Optional accessories include your own custom wrap and a 400 watt smartphone-controlled Bluetooth stereo integrated into the walls of the cooler.

The Kreweser team has now launched a Kickstarter funding drive, with a goal of $90K to bring the invention to market

Your Weekly HOROSCOPES ARIES (March 20 – April 18): A skittish colleague wants to retreat and start again. Tell this person no can do. Things are too far along to back out now.

TAURUS (April 19 – May 19): A skittish colleague wants to retreat and start again. Tell this person no can do. Things are too far along to back out now.

GEMINI (May 20 – June 20): You can’t arrive at a solution without wrestling with the problem first. That’s the key to getting a hold on today’s predicament.

CANCER (June 21 – July 21): Intimates rely on you for practical advice today. Don’t be afraid to tell it like it is. They can take it.

LEO (July 22 – Aug 21): You’re asked to go above and beyond the call of duty. Since you have to anyway, you might as well comply while it still looks like a noble gesture.

Drug-laced noodles local noodle shop in northern Shaanxi province.

He asked his family to help him test the theory, eating noodles at the restaurant and going home to take urine tests.

When the relatives also tested positive for drugs, they alerted the police, who launched an investigation.

An anti-narcotics police agent said that chemicals from poppy, even poppy seed pods, could build up in the body and produce a positive drug test.

If the food is ingested over a long period of time, it would have an addictive effect, he added.

Unfortunately for Liu, his appeal was dismissed by police who say their priority was to punish drug users, regardless of intent.

POLICE in China arrested a noodle shop owner who allegedly added opium poppy buds to his food to make it addictive.

The man was held for questioning and police say he admitted buying 2kg of poppy buds for the equivalent of £60.

He allegedly added it to dishes in secret in the hope that customers would keep coming back for more, reports the South China Morning Post.

The restaurant’s activities came to light after customer, Liu Juyou, 26, tested positive during a routine urine test under an anti-drink-driving programme.

Liu was detained for 15 days, unable to convince police of his suspicions that the drug had come from food at his

1

2

3

VIRGO (Aug 22 – Sept 21): It’s difficult finishing something. You can always think of a million things that need to be fixed. Nevertheless it’s time to wrap things up and to start something new.

4

5

6

7

LIBRA (Sept 22 – Oct 22): A family matter requires your immediate attention. It’s annoying having to re-shuffle prior commitments, but you’ll be glad you did.

SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21): You’re not the most practical of personalities, but a sensible approach will get you a lot further than a take it-or-leave-it ultimatum.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 20): Something may be beyond your means now, but don’t give up because you never know when it might be within means one day.

CAPRICORN (Dec 21 – Jan 18): Pay attention to what’s being said. A throwaway remark or passing reference holds the key to unlocking the dilemma.

AQUARIUS (Jan 19 – Feb 17): Beware the Moon in Capricorn for the next couple of days.

It brings out your gloomy side. Your spirits will lift by Friday.

PISCES (Feb 18 – March 19): Rein in those anti-establishmentarian impulses of yours because corporate types can help or hinder your cause. You want the former and not the latter.

Word Ladder Convert the word at the top of the ladder into the word at the bottom of it, using only the four steps in between. Every word must be a valid five-letter word.

TEARS

SLEEP

SMILE

DREAM

CRYPTIC Crossword 8

9

10

11 12 13

14 15

16

17 19

20

22

21

23

18

ACROSS 1. It would take long legs to make him a flier! (5) 4. Delicate scrap of material in folder (7) 8. Direction for higher standards of patient care? (7) 9. Pleas become void (5) 10. Endure the final one (4) 11. Suggesting Communist takes nothing before fast (8) 13. Thus there’s no returning within a short time (4) 14. Responsibility for returning some letters unopened (4) 16. Omit to indicate permission is not possible (5,3) 17. Season for a trip in America? (4) 20. Country of certain dialects (5) 21. Protective barrier in sport? (7) 22. Everybody has gone wrong about old ship (7)

23. Crop needing wind initially, then warmth (5) DOWN 1. Twice the normal portion with lookalike giving aid (6,7) 2. Depressions in the hills? (5) 3. Length of enclosure (4) 4. Fix quickly before half open (6) 5. Non-specialised in every respect (3-5) 6. It may seem remarkable that I am a reporter (7) 7. Illumination for the currently underweight? (8,5) 12. Reporting 100 who are too old (8) 13. Lads can produce malicious gossip (7) 15. Seabird almost short of breath? (6) 18. How an increase in pay may present itself (5) 19. Wane again (4)

Last week’s solutions (25th September 2014): Across: 3 Admission; 8 Tern; 9 Ascertain; 10 Lament; 11 Flier; 14 Title; 15 Rest; 16 Sheds; 18 Cost; 20 Clean; 21 Tasks; 24 Orator; 25 Tentative; 26 Gown; 27 Cranberry. Down: 1 Athletics; 2 Dramatist; 4 Dust; 5 Ideal; 6 Sitter; 7 Omit; 9 Andes; 11 Fleas; 12 Reception; 13 Itinerant; 17 Score; 19 Tartan; 22 Katie; 23 Peer; 24 Over.

14

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 2 OCTOBER 2014

RECRUITMENT

Looking for the perfect candidate?

Why not advertise your position with

The Cheltenham Standard Call Claire on:

01242 257019

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CHELTENHAM STANDARD 2 OCTOBER 2014

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2 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

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18

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 2 OCTOBER 2014

T

have turned what must be profound grief into a force for good. Hollie was murdered by her former boyfriend shortly after their relationship had ended. In fact the period during which a woman plans to leave or leaves her violent partner is often the most dangerous time for her (or her children) which is one reason why many remain in violent relationships.

Amongst several key aims, the trust set up in Holliesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; name is working with Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service to help support and finance a program to take into schools to help educate teenagers on how to identify abuse and subsequently deal with the outcome. Providing better education about what domestic abuse is, showing that it can happen to anyone and how to leave a violent relationship is very important in equipping people with the skills that could possibly save their lives.

This needs to be supported nationally by government and undertaken by people who are highly skilled in this field.

Information is on the Hollie Gazzard Trust website holliegazzard.org.

Domestic violence can affect anyone and the impact it has on individuals, families and our society is all of our business.

Please look out for the great work the trust are doing and support them if you can.

HIS week 2nd October marks the United Nations International Day of Non-Violence and I wanted to mark this by writing about the impact of domestic violence. Although statistics are not entirely reliable, the figures for the extent of domestic violence that are available paint an appalling picture.

One in four women will experience domestic violence at some point in their life. Up to two women are killed by current or former partners every week in England and Wales. In 90% of domestic violence incidents in family householdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, children are in the same or the next room; an experience which can cause long lasting emotional and psychological damage. 50% of those children are directly abused.

Although only a minority of incidents of domestic violence are reported to the police, the police still receive one call about every minute in the UK. No other crime has a rate of repeat victimisation as high, with as many as 44% of victims of domestic violence involved in more than one incident.

Unless you have experienced domestic violence or know someone who has it can be tempting to think that it is something that happens to someone else. But it can and does happen to people from all walks

Soapbox

By COUNCILLOR KLARA SUDBURY

of life, regardless of family background, class, profession, race, age or religion.

Also unless you have been at the receiving end of abuse and violence from a person who says they love you it is very difficult to

really understand how damaging the impact is on so many levels.

I have found it both difficult and at the same time inspiring to see how the family of Gloucester hairdresser Hollie Gazzard

2 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

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CULTURE Stooping to conquer THE much-loved Northern Broadsides Theatre Company arrive back in Cheltenham this month (7-11 Oct) with Oliver Goldsmith’s much loved 18th century comedy of manners, She Stoops To Conquer.

Relocated, in true Northern Broadsides style, from the West Country to the North of England, Goldsmith’s 1773 play is a celebrated story of class, courtship and dysfunctional families.

Tongue-tied, uptight Charles Marlow needs a lesson in the art of love. He longs for a wife, but finds it easier to have a bit on the side. Barmaid Kate seems fair game, but there’s more to her than meets the eye.

Set against the increasingly chaotic proceedings of one very long night, She Stoops to Conquer is filled with ludicrous misunderstandings, larger than life characters, outrageous frocks and wigs and plenty of mischief and mayhem.

This is the latest in a string of comedy hits directed by Conrad Nelson which has seen An August Bank Holiday Lark; A Government

Lotty’s War A MESMERISING story of passion, courage and sacrifice, Lotty’s War is a thriller set in World War Two enemy occupied Channel Islands and comes to Cheltenham, prior to a West End run.

Written by Guernsey-born Giuliano Crispini, Lotty’s War is based on unpublished dairies about the German occupation of the islands, the only part of Britain captured by the Nazis.

On 28th June 1940, a squadron of German bombers raided the main harbour of Guernsey, killing 44 islanders, including Lotty’s father. With the last boat to England gone and the brutal German Army taking hold, Lotty is housed in close quarters with the enemy, in particular General Bernberg. In a tempestuous struggle between her loyalty to her

Inspector and The Grand Gesture performed on the Everyman stage.

Northern Broadsides is a unique theatre company with a true northern voice. Their work is characterised by a high degree of theatrical inventiveness and robust performances from a large ensemble cast of multi-talented and charismatic northern actors who all perform in their natural voices. For the past 22 years, they have delighted audiences here and abroad with a growing classic repertoire which has won them many awards and a loyal following worldwide.

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER Tues 7 – Sat 11 October Everyman Theatre Cheltenham, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ Tue-Sat: 7.45pm Matinees: Thursday and Saturday 2pm Tickets £12 – £28 available from the Box Office on 01242 572573 or online at www.everymantheatre.org.uk

homeland and the temptations of forbidden love, does Lotty dare to tread a passionate and dangerous path? Based on true events, Lotty’s War is a fascinating story of love and betrayal.

The cast includes Mark Letheren (Wire In The Blood; Silent Witness) as Rolf; Olivia Hallinan (Lark Rise To Candleford; Sugar Rush; Girls In Love) as Lotty and Adam Gillen ( Benidorm; Fresh Meat: Prisioner’s Wives.

LOTTY’S WAR Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ Monday 13th – Saturday 18 October Evenings: Mon – Sat 7.45pm Matinees: Thu & Sat 2pm Tickets: £13 - £28 available from the Box Office on 01242 572573 or online at www.everymantheatre.org.uk

Whistle down the wind BASED on the novel by Mary Hayley Bell and subsequent Richard Attenborough film, Whistle Down the Wind follows the fortunes of a fugitive caught between the prejudice of adults and the innocence of the young. Swallow, a girl growing up in America’s deep South in the fifties, discovers a mysterious man hiding out in her barn.

When she asks who he is and the first words he utters are “Jesus Christ”, it’s as if all her prayers have been answered.

Swallow and the town’s other children vow to protect the stranger from the world that waits outside.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s emotive score combines hauntingly beautiful love songs and explosive rock music with lyrics by acclaimed songwriter Jim Steinman.

Award winning CODS is once again pushing the boundaries of musical theatre with the Gloucestershire premiere of this classic tale. With well-known songs such as No Matter What, The Vaults of Heaven and the title track Whistle Down the Wind... this show is a must see!

BOOKING INFORMATION 4th–11th October 2014 (No performance Sunday 5th Oct) Evenings at 7.30pm Matinee Saturday 11th Oct 2pm www.playhousecheltenham.org Box Office Tel: 01242 522852 The Playhouse, Bath Road, Cheltenham GL53 7HG Tickets £14.50 (Concessions £12 Monday 6th, Tuesday 7th and Saturday 11th matinee)

BookReview

By EVE SEYMOUR

THE MONOGRAM MURDERS

By Sophie Hannah I READ a lot of Agatha Christie in my teens. I loved the glamorous settings, admired the fiendishly clever puzzles Christie set her reader, and, of course, found fiction’s bestknown and talented Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot intriguing, so it was with interest that I picked up Sophie Hannah’s novel. Unusually, Hannah, an acclaimed novelist in her own right, has been given unique permission to recreate a brand new story by Agatha Christie’s grandson, Mathew Prichard. And she doesn’t disappoint.

Set in 1920’s London, the novel starts with a chance meeting between a young woman, Jennie Hobbs, and Hercule Poirot in a coffee house. Jennie believes that she is to become a murder victim and, mysteriously, proclaims: ‘If I’m found dead, the killer should not be pursued.’ Later that night three guests are found murdered at a London hotel. In each of the victim’s mouths, a solid gold cufflink, monogrammed with initials. The investigation swiftly develops and a link is established between two suicides from sixteen years previously and current events. As ever, people are never quite what they seem. The exploration and exposure of human frailty is one of Hannah’s many talents.

While Hercule Poirot exercises his ‘little grey cells’, he has a willing assistant and protégé in the form of Edward Catchpool of Scotland Yard. Catchpool acts as narrator, and his observations offer a wry reflection on Poirot’s meticulous working methods. In true Christie style, everyone, it seems, has a compelling motive to commit murder, from the doctor, the victims themselves, to the brother of one of the dead. Just when you think you have a handle on what really took place, Poirot comes along, deconstructs everything you’re led to believe with amazing logic and attention to fine detail, and guides you down another path, often turning the plot on its head. The gloriously theatrical set piece ending in which everyone is summoned and Poirot reveals the identity of the murderer is thrilling. High on drama, I was kept guessing right up to the last moment. In short, for fans of Agatha Christie, this is a must read novel.

Sophie Hannah will appear at the Cheltenham Literary Festival on Wednesday 8th October. Catch her if you can.

Next time: I’ll be reviewing ‘Vagabond’ by Gerald Seymour

The Man Jesus This extraordinary play looks back two thousand years to witness key moments in the life of ‘the man Jesus’, through the eyes of the people who knew him.

Simon Callow, one of Britain’s best-loved actors, performs this fresh and moving account of biblical stories including the raising of Lazarus, the wedding at Cana and the journey to Jerusalem.

His powerful portrayal of the tyrants, traitors and madmen in Jesus’ life asks people of all faiths and none: what sort of a man was able to inspire the history of the world?

Thought-provoking, thrilling and full of wit, this production premiered to great acclaim at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre.

THE MAN JESUS Sunday 5th October: 7.30pm Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ

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28

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 2 OCTOBER

SPORT Cheltenham Youth Football League Results and Weekend Fixtures WEEKEND RESULTS

Under-15 Matthew Wyatt Cup

GFA COUNTY Under-12 COUNTY CUP

Charlton Rovers Blues 6 Cheltenham Saracens 2; Churchdown Panthers Colts v Fintan, away walkover; Cinderford Town, 3 ihops Cleeve Colts United 3; Gotherington Juniors 5 FC Lakeside 1; Leckhampton Rovers Cougars 4 Cashes Green Youth 2; Painswick Youth 4 Southside 1 Rodborough Youth 0 Lydney Town (Youth) 6.

Forest Rangers 3 Cheltenham CS Youth 0

CHELTENHAM YOUTH LEAGUE Under-11 Division 1 Cheltenham Saracens 4 FC Lakeside Blues 2; Churchdown Panthers 3 St Marks Juniors 2; Southside Lions 3 Leckhampton Rovers Harriers 2; Tuffley Rovers 1 Southside Panthers 3.

Under-11 Division 2 Bishops Cleeve Colts Rovers 12 Southside Tigers 0; Bishops CLeeve Colts 2 Swindon Village Bowmen 2; Charlton Rovers Blues 2 Gotherington Juniors 5; FC Lakeside Reds 1 Churchdown Panthers Colts 4; Leckhampton Rovers Meteors 3 Charlton Rovers Reds 3.

Under-16 C&G League Cup English Bicknor v Churchdown Panthers, post; Harvington CC v Cheltenham Saracens, post; Ruardean Hill Rangers 0 Fintan 3.

Under-18 League Cup Churchdown Panthers v Gotherington Juniors Whites, away walkover; Gotherington Juniors BLues 5 Bishops Cleeve 2; Southside 1 Shurdington Rovers 7.

Under-12 Division 1

Under-13 Division 1

Cheltenham CS Youth Blues 3 Abbeymead Rovers Reds 2; Longlevens Lions 2 Leckhampton Rovers Lions 3; Prestbury Phantoms Spirits 2 Southside Sharks 1; Worcester Colts 2 Broadwell Amateur Youth 0.

FC Lakeside Blues 9 Kingshill Lions 5; FC Oakwood 0 Quedgeley Wanderers 6; Gotherington Juniors 1 Shurdington Rovers 1; Shurdington Rovers Wolves 3 Worcester Colts 1; Tuffley Rovers 9 Charlton Rovers Reds 0.

Under-12 Division 2 Abbeymead Rovers Yellows 9 Bishops Cleeve Colts 0; Charlton Rovers Reds 9 Longlevens Youth 1; Leckhampton Rovers Predators 1 FC Lakeside Whites 1; Tuffley Rovers 2 Leckhampton Rovers Eagles 1.

Under-12 Division 3 Bishops Cleeve Colts Rovers 4 Churchdown Panthers Whites 3; Southside Tigers 4 Charlton Rovers Blues 0; Swindon Village Bowmen 3 Churchdown Panthers Reds 1 Winchcombe Town 13 Prestbury Phantoms Falcons 0.

Under-13 Division 1 FC Lakeside Blues 9 Kingshill Lions 5; FC Oakwood 0 Quedgeley Wanderers 6; Gotherington Juniors 1 Shurdington Rovers1; Shurdington Rovers Wolves 3 Worcester Colts 1; Tuffley Rovers 9 Charlton Rovers Reds 0.

Under-13 Division 2 Bishops Cleeve Colts Rovers 2 Bishops Cleeve Colts United 3; Bishops Cleeve Colts 2 Hardwicke Rangers 2; Cinderford Town 7 FC Lakeside Reds 0; Cotswold Rangers Youth 5 Charlton Rovers Blues1; Leckhampton Rovers Falcons 10 Abbeymead Rovers 0; Northleach Town 1 Fintan 4.

Under-14 Division Bishops Cleeve Colts1 Lydbrook 4; Churchdown Panthers 12 Charlton Rovers Blues 0; FC Barometrics 12 Leckhampton Rovers Cheetahs 0; FC Lakeside 0 Leckhampton Rovers Sharks 9 Gotherington Juniors 2 Cheltenham Spa 3; Leckhampton Rovers Whites 1 Lydney Town (Youth)1.

Leckhampton Rovers Lemurs v Bishops Cleeve Colts; FC Lakeside Reds v Churchdown Panthers Albion; Leckhampton Rovers Wolves v Bishops Cleeve Colts Rovers.

Under-11 Division 1 Cheltenham Saracens v Leckhampton Rovers Spitfires; FC Lakeside Blues v St Marks Juniors; Leckhampton Rovers Harriers v Tuffley Rovers; Southside Panthes v Southside Lions.

Under-11 Division 2 Bishops Cleeve Colts Rovers v Swindon Village Bowmen; Bishops Cleeve Colts v FC Lakeside Reds; Charlton Rovers Red v Charlton Rovers Blues; Gotherington Juniors v Churchdown Panthers Colts; Southside Tigers v Leckhampton Rovers Meteors.

FIXTURES SUNDAY GFA Under-15 County Cup

Under-10 Development Red FC Lakeside Blues v Bishops Cleeve Colts; Prestbury Phantoms Rovers v Churchdown Panthers United; Winchcombe Town v Longlevens Infants Lions; Prestbury Phantoms Tornadoes v Lydney Town.

Under-10 Development Yellow Gothering Juniors U10 v Leckhampton Rovers Pirates;

Under-12 Division 3 Bishops Cleeve Colts Rovers v Swindon Village Bowmen; Churchdown Panthers Whites v Southside Tigers; Prestbury Phantoms Falcons v Churchdown Panthers Reds; Winchcombe Town v Leckhampton Rovers Jets.

Under 13 Division 1

Under 13 Division 2

GFA Under-16 County Cup

CHELTENHAM YOUTH LEAGUE

FC Lakeside Blues v Abbeymead Rovers Yellows; FC Lakeside Whites v Leckhampton Rovers Eagles; Leckhampton Rovers Predators v Charlton Rovers Reds; Longlevens Youth v Bishops Cleeve Colts; Tuffley Rovers v Cheltenham CS Youth Reds.

GFA Under-18 Cup

FC Lakeside 2 Southside Galaxy 3; Fintan 2 Cheltenham CS Youth 4.

FIXTURES SATURDAY

Under-12 Division 2

Gotherington Juniors v Charlton Rovers Reds; Kingshill Lions v Shurdington Rovers Wolves; Quedgeley Wanderers v Tuffley Rovers; Shurdington Rovers v FC Lakeside Blues; Worcester Colts v FC Oakwood.

Under-18 Division

Evesham Utd 1 FC Lakeside 2; Quedgeley Wanderers 4 St Marks Juniors 1; Whitecroft FC 4 Tuffley Rovers 1.

Abbeymead Rovers Reds v Leckhampton Rovers Lions; Cheltenham CS Youth Blues v Forest Rangers; Quedgeley Wanderers v Longlevens Lions; Southside Sharks v Broadwell Amateur Youth; Worcester Colts v Prestbury Phantoms Spirits.

Charlton Rovers Reds v Cirencester Town; Fintan v Tuffley Rovres; Kings Stanley v Rodborough Youth; Leckhampton Rovers Cougars v Cashes Green Youth; Lydney Town (Youth) v Frampton Youth.

Cheltenham CS Youth v Gotherington Juniors Blues; Fintan v Stratton; Hucclecote Youth v Wotton Rovers; Lydney Town v Churchdown Panthers; Shurdington Rovers v Bishops Cleeve; Stonehouse Town v Gotherington Juniors Whites.

Under-16 Division 1

Under-12 Division 1

Cheltenham Saracens v Ruardean Hill Rangers; Churchdown Panthers v Kings Stanley; FC Oakwood v FIntan; Painswick Youth v Tewkesbury Town; Wotton Rovers v Wickwar Wanderers.

Under-14 C&G League Cup FC Lakeside v Painswick Youth; Gotherington Juniors v Charlton Rovers Bues; Leckhampton Rovers Sharks v Charlton Rovers Reds; Leckhampton Rovers Whites v Leckhampton Rovers Cheetahs; Lydbrook v Bishops Cleeve Colts; Lydney Town (Youth ) v Cheltenham Spa CS.

Bishops Cleeve Colts Rovers v FC Lakeside Reds; Bishops Cleeve Colts v Cotswold Ranges Youth ; Fintan v Cinderford Town; Hardwicke Rangers v Abbeymead Rovers; Leckhamptn Rovers Falcons v Bishops Cleeve Colts United; Northleach Town v Charlton Rovers Blues.

Under-14 Division Churchdown Panthers v FC Barometrics

Under-15 Division Cinderford Town v Gotherington Juniors.

Under-16 Division 1 Evesham United v Quedgeley Wanderers; FC Lakeside v St Marks Juniors; Tuffley Rovers v Whitecroft FC.

Under-16 Division 2 Charlton Rovers v Bishops Cleeve Colts; Harvington CC v FC Highnam.

Under-18 Division Tewkesbury Town Colts v FC Lakeside.

2 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

29

SPORT Hook to remain at fly-half

Civil Service move top GRASS ROOTS FOOTBALL

CHELTENHAM Civil Service Reserves moved to the top of Division Two after putting seven past Gloucester Elmleaze.

Joseph Mccauley was the standout player on the day, he bagged a hat-trick to help put his side top.

Whaddon United Reserves slipped from the summit as they drew 1-1, with Cheltenham Patriots. Michael Davis scored Patriots’ goal, who are still yet to lose this season.

In a battle of two teams in the bottom three, W.M.K. put Shurdington Rovers to the sword with a 6-3 victory. The result gives the home side their first points of the campaign, thus moving them off the bottom of the table.

W.M.K.’s Sam Rayner was another player to hit a hat trick. Mo and Ahmed Naser also hit goals and substitute Jamie Makepeace added another.

Northleach Town claimed their first point of the campaign with a 3-3 draw with Prestbury Rovers. The point was not enough to move them off the bottom

RUGBY UNION

of the table.

Division Three finally got underway, and Leckhampton Rovers are the early leaders after winning 3-1 at Gala Wilton Thirds.

James Horrell scored the first brace of the season and Dominic James gave the home side the perfect start.

Falcons Reserves are joint top after claiming a close 2-1 win at Shurdington Rovers Reserves. Ben Ashton and Greg Hallam getting the goals for the Falcons, while Jonathon Ashby got on the scoresheet for Shurdington.

Fintan began their campaign with a hard fought 2-1 win over Dowty Dynamos.

The hosts were two up by half-time, thanks to goals by Jack Daniels and Lee Hitchman. Adam Ryman pulled one back for Dowty to setup a tense finish, but Fintan claimed all three points.

A first half goal fest saw Brockworth Albion Reserves and Pittville United share the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Brockworth’s goals came courtesy of Wayne Stevens and Ian Taylor. While Dominic Curnock and Daniel Metcalfe made sure Pittville went home with a point.

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RUGBY UNION

CHELTENHAM Tigers secured their first win of the season with a 31-21 defeat of North Bristol.

With no win from their first four matches, they were ahead within the first two minutes when Josh Herbert converted a 45-metre penalty.

And Herbert was again on target with his second penalty, shortly afterwards, and the Tigers were now six point to the good.

It was turning into a battle of the team’s kickers, as North Bristol were on the scoreboard just before ten minutes, Dan Snow halving the deficit. Only for Bristol to hand back those three point, Herbert again with the successful kick.

Bristol were first to cross the try line, when five minutes later, Jon Gait went over and Snow added the conversion to put the visitors ahead for the first time.

There were no more scores before the

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Tigers claim victory over Bristol break, but after the restart Snow extended Bristol’s lead to four point by landing another penalty.

Cheltenham fought back strongly and had their try on fifty-two minutes, debutant Richard Beeney crossing. With the conversion missed, the Tigers were now back in the lead by a single point.

And they stretched that advantage to eight, as Herbert added his name to the list of try scorers and his conversion brought the score to 21-13.

After Herbert added another penalty, Cheltenham were handed another boost when North’s Jim Hitchman was sin binned.

And the Tigers soon took advantage running in another try, Sam Brookes this time touching down and, as ever, Herbert kicked the conversion to open up an eighteen point gap.

Despite a late consolation try, Cheltenham claimed their first win of the campaign.

Cheltenham suffer mixed start to season

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JAMES Hook needs more time to show his best form at fly-half for Gloucester, according to his at boss at Gloucester David Humphreys.

The Wales international has started all four Premiership matches this season at number 10, but his versatility has meant he has never settled in a regular position.

Humphreys went on to state that there are no plans to move him around the backline.

Hook played for 53 minutes in the win against London Welsh last Friday, converting a try but missing three times from the tee, before being replaced by Mark Atkinson, with Billy Twelvetrees moving to fly-half.

Director of rugby Humphreys further commented, “We knew when James arrived he hadn't had a huge amount of game time in that position over the last couple of seasons, so it would take him some time to bed in’’.

©LW

CHELTENHAM have one win and one defeat after the first weekend of Division One waterpolo fixtures, after beating the City of Sheffield and losing to Lancaster.

On the opening day, Joel Thomas briefly earned Cheltenham a 5-4 lead with three goals in the space of 58 seconds halfway through their match against Lancaster And despite drawing the third quarter to take a 9-8 lead, Cheltenham saw their opponents completely dominate the final stages. Lancaster an in six goals, Glen Robinson and Alex Parsonage both score twice, Tom Curwen and Roger Kennedy earned Lancaster a 15-10 win.

On Sunday, they managed to put that

disappointment behind them as they took apart a City of Sheffield side, 14-7.

Cheltenham will enter the second weekend fourth in the table, with Lancaster top of the pile.

They will now travel to Portsmouth on 11th October, to face three opponents over two days. Bristol Central will be their opponents on the Saturday, before Invicta and Polytechnic then tackle the defending champions.

Meanwhile, in Division Four, Cheltenham Spartans lost both of their weekend matches.

After claiming two opening win, in the opening weekend, they went down to a heavy 27-8 defeat against Watford. Then succumbed to Southampton, losing 13-9.

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Here at The Standard we’ve teamed up with our sister publication Cotswold Style, House of Fraser and rugby icon Phil Vickery’s clothing brand to find the new male face for Raging Bull. This is an amazing opportunity to get noticed and be the face of the brand. Simply send us an image of yourself or your partner to enter this fabulous competition. The winner will model in a fashion shoot for Cotswold Style Magazine and will also have the chance of winning £300 of Raging Bull clothes, together with an overnight stay at the stunning Ellenborough Park with a meal for two.

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2 OCTOBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

31

SPORT

SportsEye....

By MATTHEW THOMAS

PHOTO: THOUSAND WORD MEDIA

I’M SURE everyone associated with Cheltenham Town will want to see the back of September pretty quickly.

No league wins in the whole of the month is worrying. What is even more worrying is the lack of goals, only one league goal in five matches.

Having not scored since their winner against Hartlepool, the club has seen it’s first choice strikers fail to score.

Koby Arthur’s departure has been felt, the man who was on loan from Birmingham was making a very strong impression. Mainly they were from the bench, but as long as he was scoring goals it didn’t matter how he was in the squad.

mattthomas@cheltenhamstandard.co.uk

Byron Harrison is the only other striker who has registered a league goal. While midfielder, Joe Hanks, is the only other player in the squad to have more than one goal to his name. And the teenager is starting to really establish himself in Mark Yates’ side.

And while the team is still creating chances, you need to have someone who is clinical enough to put most of them away. And Cheltenham just don’t have that at the moment.

Meanwhile over at Kingsholm, Gloucester will be happy to have claimed their second win of the season. The Cherry and Whites claimed a bonus point win at

London Welsh.

A mixed start to the season for David Humphreys then, but after some their slow starts in recent games, they seemed to keep things tight early on.

Leading at half-time, they produced a strong second half showing running in three tries.

Yes London Welsh were bottom of the table, but it is still a morale boosting victory for the team and now sit seventh in the Premiership table.

It’s the Leicester Tigers up next for Gloucester, but they were on the wrong end of a 19-22 scoreline against London Irish.

Second half blitz secures Gloucester victory RUGBY UNION

GLOUCESTER fought off a brave London Welsh, with three tries in the last twelve minutes to claim their second win of the season.

Mark Atkinson ran in two tries, while teammates Charlie Sharples, Jonny May, Henry Purdy and a penalty try moves Gloucester into seventh in the Premiership table.

The match was pretty even for over an hour, although Gloucester always held an advantage. But into the last quarter of an hour, with the visitors leading 15-10 they had an inspired ending to the claim, to claim a bonus point in the process.

It was a cagey start to the match, with both sides struggling to make any significant progress into each other’s territory. But it was Welsh who had the first chance of points, but Olly Barkley pulled his penalty kick wide.

James Hook missed his penalty kick as the visitors struggled to make their mark on the game.

However, their first serious attack of the half nearly saw them claim the first try. Dan Robson took a quick tap and go, he then tried to chip past the last man but the bounce of the ball didn’t fall kindly for him and the chance was lost.

After another penalty miss from Hook, Gloucester put together another good move which did lead to the game’s opening try.

Another quick tap from Robson allowed Hook and Billy Twelvetress to set up Jonny May. The winger slipped when in space but the support from his teammates kept the move alive. And the three who started the move were involved again, this time playing in Henry Purdy who touched down his first try in the Premiership.

And in quick succession they had their second try. A loose ball was collected by Robson who fed Sharples, and the winger ran clear to move David Humphrey’s side into double figures. Hook finally landed a kick, as he converted the try.

With five minutes of the half left, Welsh were on the scoreboard as Ben Pienaar went over and Barkley slotted the conversion to bring the score to 12-7.

And on the stroke of half-time, Barkley brought the home side to within two points with his penalty.

Gloucester looked to restore their lead early into the second half, Robson again looking dangerous. The scrum-half very nearly finding his way to the touchline but a knock on put pay to the danger.

The visitors were now piling on the pressure, but they only added to their lead on fifty-four minutes, when Twelvetress landed a penalty to move Gloucester five points ahead.

He then struck the upright with another penalty attempt as they looked to put the game beyond Welsh.

Welsh were then reduced to fourteen men on sixty-five minutes, Taione Vea saw yellow for collapsing the scrum.

Creig Laidlaw landed the penalty.

Then they ran riot. Mark Atkinson set the ball rolling, Jonny May’s great break led to the centre scoring from close range. And May then scored a simply sensational try, after breaking from midfield he threw a dummy before outpacing his pursuers to score.

May then scored his second after collecting a nice chip through by Laidlaw, and a late penalty try brought up forty-six points for Gloucester and a pleasing end to their second half dominance.

The Cherry and Whites are back at Kingsholm on Saturday to face Leicester Tigers.

32

CHELTENHAM STANDARD 2 OCTOBER 2014

with MATTHEW THOMAS, SPORTS EDITOR

SPORT

mattthomas@cheltenhamstandard.co.uk

Robins extend Marquis loan FOOTBALL

PHOTO: THOUSAND WORD MEDIA

ON LOAN striker, John Marquis, will remain a Cheltenham player for another two months, after his loan deal from Millwall was extended.

After losing Koby Arthur, when the Ghanaian was recalled by Birmingham, this will come as a boost to the club who are currently short of goals as it is.

Despite not scoring a league goal yet, there have been promising signs from the 22 year-old since he made his debut against Hartlepool last month.

His only Robins’ goal, to this point, came in their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy triumph over Oxford. Scoring the opener in Town’s 2-0 win at Whaddon Road.

Coming through the Millwall youth setup, Marquis has had previous loan spells at Portsmouth, Torquay and Northampton. All during the previous campaign.

He has also made 41 appearances for his parent club, scoring 5 times. The most famous of these was the winning goal against, Premier league, Aston Villa in the FA Cup in 2013.

I’m enjoying it and hopefully I can push on.”

Cheltenham downed by high-flying Burton FOOTBALL

BURTON ALBION CHELTENHAM TOWN

C

1 0

HELTENHAM Town have ended September without a league win, after going down 1-0 at Burton Albion.

Stuart Beavon scored the only goal, sending the hosts to the top of the table in the process.

Mark Yates’ Cheltenham, have taken two points from a possible fifteen during the last month and have only scored once in those five matches.

As it has been with the team recently, they started slowly and Trevor Carson had to react smartly to keep out Adam

McGurk. The opportunity feel to the striker after a slip in midfield by Matt Richards.

Carson was again in the way to deny McGurk, who headed straight at the keep after a cross by Phil Edwards.

The Brewers goalkeeper, Jon McLaughlin, was finally tested when he had to save a Joe Hanks strike after good link-up between John Marquis and Byron Harrison.

Then on thirty-four minutes the homeside took the lead, a nice pass from John Mousinho allowed Beavon to thrash his finish into the corner of the net.

Nine minutes after falling behind, the Robins finally uttered a response but Hanks wasted a good opportunity after a good setup by Harrison. While Carson

denied another goal for Deavon, as the teams headed for the break.

The second half saw a much improved Cheltenham side emerge, and Steve Elliott saw his volley blocked and Matt Richards saw his shot fly wide as the pressure mounted on the home defence.

New signing, Raffaele De Vita, then nearly made a decisive contribution. His cross managed to find Hanks, on the edge of the penalty area, but the teenager’s effort was well kept out by McLaughlin.

Into the final minutes and the visitors should have been rewarded for their endeavour. As first, Lee Vaughan’s cross fell invitingly for either Harrison or Terry Gornell to convert, but neither did.

Then Steve Elliott saw his goal bound

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header cleared in the six yard box.

It brings an end to a frustrating month for Cheltenham, who will now have to do without Troy Brown for next weekend’s game with AFC Wimbledon. The defender picked up his fifth yellow card of the campaign and is now suspended.

“I felt in the first half we didn’t have a pass in us, we didn’t do the basics right, it just looked like two average teams out of a little bit of form,” Yates said.

“In the second half I thought we were really good but we had to be - we had to go and press and change our system a little bit - and we’ve got to work out ways we do that from the start.

We’re going to need a goal to go in off someone’s backside next week and then hopefully we can get up and running.”

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