Cotswold Link (West Oxfordshire) November December 2016

CotswoldLink

FREE

West Oxfordshire

Your

www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

|

Bi-Monthly Royal Mail distribution: 18,200 homes & businesses

Nov//April Dec 2016 March

Landgate House

Successful Holiday Letting ‘Out Of Season’ What’s The Secret?

Cotswold Link talks to Character Cottages, a Cotswold holiday cottage expert, about how to successfully holiday let a property through the off peak season

Forge Folly

Norman Chapel

“Many cottage owners are worried

beautiful rolling countryside, all provide the

“If you are planning to let your holiday home,

about not being able to generate enough

setting for perfect weekends away.”

there is absolutely no need to wait until the

bookings during the off-peak season,

spring or summer to get started. It can take

which runs from the week after October

“The key to maximising bookings out of season

us less than four weeks to get a well pre-

Half Term through until March, excluding

is to continue marketing a property effectively.

sented property completely ready to let, so

Christmas and New Year.”

At Character Cottages, we maintain our

there is still plenty of time this year to start

marketing spend throughout the year,

benefitting from the off peak market. ”

“If you live in the Cotswolds, it is easy to forget

rather than just focusing on peak months,

that booking a holiday home in the area out

so that interest is constantly generated and

of season is actually an extremely attractive

bookings are taken all year round.”

idea. The region is easily accessible from both the north and the south, and is less

“We have also devised a dynamic pricing

than two hours by train from London’s Pad-

system, allowing us to accurately match

dington station. Most importantly, the area

holiday prices with the level of demand from

retains its charm and appeal all year round,

guests. This has been a very successful strategy

whatever the weather.

for our owners and has allowed them to Spring Cottage

generate profitable income in months when Holiday homes with real fires and cosy furnishings,

some people perceive it to be too quiet to

welcoming country pubs, walks in the clean

be able to make any money.”

country air, and picturesque villages in

2

Your CotswoldLink

www.character-cottages.co.uk letmycottage@character-cottages.co.uk Tel: 0208 935 5375 Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

3

inside

Your CotswoldLink

18

08

How to choose the perfect Christmas Tree

We take a look at some key tips to ensure you get the perfect Christmas Tree

New Businesses

We look at some exciting new businesses in the area

14

10

Piece of mind

A look at Lasting power of Attorney-paid funerals

02

16

02 Maximise lettings in low season 14 How to make Easy Mulled Wine editorial: local news 06 Council supports power cut helpline 16 Stay warm & well this Winter news 08 business: 16 local Beware of fraudsters New Businesses & Services garden view: 10 advertorial: A look at Lasting Power of Attorney 18 How to choose a Christmas Tree education 12 events Seasonal events across our area 20 Enjoy our Christmas Quiz cotswold link 14 christmas Tips to enjoy Christmas Preparation 22 Advertiser Index advertorial: FEATURED

recipe: FEATURED

FEATURED

FEATURED

FEATURED

FEATURED

Welcome to the November - December issue

Christmas is fast approaching and we have a handy guide for helping to make the preparations a little easier this year! (p14), as well as how to successfully choose a Christmas Tree (p18) and how to stay warm and healthy this Winter (p16).

Don’t forget, if you have any news, events, updates or stories of local interest, please send them to editorial@jkanorth.com 01609 777401 01609 779097 and we’ll do our best to publish them for you.

I hope you all enjoy this issue and I’ll see you again in the new cotswoldlink.co.uk year.

Best wishes for a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Christine Campbell | Editor Cotswold Link Magazine is published in good faith and the editors cannot be held responsible in any way for inaccuracies in reports or advertising in reports or advertising that appear in this publication and the views of the contributors may not be the those of the editors. Adverts and advertisers Your Cotswold Link carry no implied recommendation from the magazine or the publishers. All rights reserved. All information is appearing in Cotswold Link Magazine correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of going to press. Cotswold Link Magazine cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.

4

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

5

Council supports power cuts helpline West Oxfordshire District Council is supporting the launch of 105, a new national three-digit helpline telephone number that will make it quicker and easier for people to report a power cut.

Many people don’t know who to contact during a power cut and wrongly call the electricity supplier shown on their bill.

By calling the helpline, householders will be put through to the company that repairs local power networks and restores power.

Cllr Robert Courts, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said, “Having a free, easy-to-remember number is a great boon during a power cut and so we are keen to let West Oxfordshire householders know about the new 105 helpline.”

The 105 number is available to electricity customers in England, Scotland and Wales and can be accessed from most landlines and mobile phones The number is jointly funded by electricity network operators - the companies that manage the cables, wires and substations that bring electricity into homes and businesses. Network operators can also be contacted directly by phone or via their website, and most network operators can be contacted through social media too.

The public can also call 105 if they spot damage to electricity power lines and substations that could put them, or someone else, in danger. If there’s a serious immediate risk, the emergency services should also be contacted.

Visit powercut105.com to find out more about the new 105 telephone number and electricity network operators.

6

Your CotswoldLink

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

7

W E N businesses s e c i v r e s & in & around our area

“New To The Area” is a new business feature specifically designed to help new businesses and those that are offering new businesses and services to promote themselves cost effectively.

Businesses are invited to submit their adverts to this feature at the regular price (Advert sizes available: 1/8

and ¼) and they will receive the equivalent space in complimentary editorial*. This editorial provides excellent business exposure to 18,200 homes and businesses and allows further explanation of the new business or services available. * Editorial must be supplied completed.

Contact us today to get your business in the Link!

01609 777401 / 01609 779097 01904 709462 / cotswoldlink.co.uk

New online social housing system goes live

A new system which allows anyone on West Oxfordshire’s housing register to apply for vacant Housing Association properties has been launched.

Homeseeker Plus lists vacant houses across the District for rent online. Prospective and existing tenants are banded according to their individual needs and can then ‘bid’ for properties suited to their circumstances.

The scheme replaces the previous Housing Waiting List. Properties are advertised weekly and when the advertising period ends the Council will offer each property to the most appropriate bidder.

The aim is to match tenants with the best properties for their needs allowing them more choice over where they want to live.

tured) said: “Homeseeker Plus is about giving people more choice over where they want to live.

“It makes housing allocation fairer with tenants selecting properties most suited to their needs.”

Further details are on the Council’s website and this includes how to register for social housing.

Anyone requiring help with the new process including those concerned about using computers should contact the Housing Team on 01993 861000.

Cllr Robert Courts, Cabinet Member responsible for Housing, (pic-

New Showroom for local joinery company Goose Joinery is a local business established over 12 years ago. We originally concentrated on pure bespoke joinery in the Cotswolds, but have since expanded our range of products to include windows, kitchens and more.

Over the years we have expanded our customer base and extended our window and door supply to new products such as Rational aluminium clad windows.

These windows are perfect for this area, with the beauty of wood on the inside and the durability of aluminium on the outside. We also manufacture staircases in all shapes and sizes and supply all types of wooden flooring.

We have also greatly extended our kitchen range to include all types of furniture from traditional wooden, to fresh modern slab handleless designs. All our kitchen ranges are on display in our new showroom, incorporating a selection of appliances including: Neff, Bosch, Franke, Fischer & Paykal.

We also offer a very good range of worksurfaces such as Granite, Silestone, Quartz, Minerva and Maia. We can design your kitchen on our software so you can visualise and make changes to dependant on requirements and budgets.

If you have a renovation project or new build please call into the showroom to see how we can help your vision become a reality.

For more information please call us on: 01993 841755 or visit us at Unit 9, Ventura Park, Broadshires Way, Carterton, OX18 1AD

8

Your CotswoldLink

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

New Premises for local gym Established in 2004, Runnerbean has been going from strength to strength and in August 2016 we opened our brand new premises in Upper Rissington.

Open seven days a week, we offer a wide variety of services from Personal Training, Gym memberships, Group Exercise Classes and Alternative Therapies.

Alongside the traditional gym setting, we offer Reformer and Matt Pilates sessions or if you are looking for something more relaxing then come along and try one of our Yoga or Stretch classes in our purpose built studio.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

We also have a beautiful new Therapy room in which you can have a Deep Tissue or Sports Massage or book in to see our Chiropractor, Foot Health Professional, Hairstylist or Nutritionist.

NEED SOME WINTER SUN?

If you want to top up the Vitamin D then come along and try our Infra- Red quick tanning Sun Tower.

We have the reputation of being the Cotswolds friendliest gym and it really is. Whatever your shape or size, gender, age or fitness level we can offer something for everyone. For us, it isn’t just a job. We LOVE what we do!

Themore Cotswolds’ Friendliestor Gym For information to book an appointment please call us, e-mail us or simply pop in.

We hope to see you soon Laura & Antony

CLASSES We pride ourselves in providing a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, our weekly classes are available to everyone wanting to get that bit fitter.

TO BOOK A CLASS PLEASE CALL US ON O1451 822541 or email: enquiries@runner-bean.co.uk

Find out more at: www.runner-bean.co.uk

CLASS Timetable.indd 1

04/05/2016 13:01

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

9

If you have a joint bank account you will need a Lasting Power of Attorney On the death of a joint account holder the rules of survivorship apply and the bank account will pass automatically to the surviving joint bank account holder. However, if a joint bank account holder loses mental capacity the rules are not quite so easy.

If one joint bank account holder loses mental capacity they can no longer give their consent for the other joint bank account holder(s) to operate the account, resulting in the account being frozen. To operate the account an attorney would need to have been appointed and the power registered at the Office of the Public Guardian; or a Deputy would need to have been appointed through the Court of Protection. The application to appoint a Deputy can cost thousands of pounds and take a great many months.

Furthermore great hardship and stress can fall upon the joint bank account holder(s) who have mental capacity as they cannot easily access the funds in the joint bank account.

10

Your CotswoldLink

As you may have already seen in the news the banks and building societies are beginning to investigate more and more cases of joint bank accounts where there are issues of loss of mental capacity. We would strongly recommend you consider getting your affairs in order to prevent this type of thing happening to you. Whilst you are still mentally capable you can choose who you want to appoint as your attorney(s). More importantly you can ensure that your loved ones are not left in distress and worrying about their and your finances.

You may think you don’t need to make a lasting power of attorney, because your money is held in a joint bank account with your partner. Most people assume that if they were to suffer a stroke or develop dementia, their partner would be able to carry on operating the account and would continue to have full access to their pension and other income paid into the account.

But beware, for things are not so simple

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

In accordance with guidance from the British Bankers’ Association, it is common practice for high street banks to freeze withdrawals from a joint account if one of the account holders is mentally incapable. If your partner has lost mental capacity, you will not automatically be able to access the joint account unless you have a lasting power of attorney, enduring power of attorney or have been appointed as deputy by the Court of Protection.

Once the bank becomes aware of the incapacity and blocks the account, it could take several months to appoint a deputy, if there is no power of attorney in place. Once you have

lost mental capacity it is too late to make a power of attorney and there is no alternative but to apply to the Court of protection for a Deputy to be appointed.

This is yet another reason why you should make a lasting power of attorney, while you are still in good health. For a free no obligation chat call Lionheart Later Life Planning 01993 220281 in Carterton or mobile 07769 730616.

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

11

Out & About Every 4th Thursday

n Chipping Norton Flower Club With demonstrations, outings, workshops and more. Join us in the Lower Town Hall every 4th Thursday of the month Starting 22nd September at 7pm For more information tel: Ann. 01608 683289 or Kaye 01993 831146 ........................................................ n Fosseway Café Orchestra (Shipston-on-Stour U3A group) meets every Tuesday from 10.00-12.00 in Todenham Village Hall @GL56 9PL. No auditions. We can write special parts for players of 4 notes, but generally players are Grade III - VI. Total cost is £3.00 per session. 07967 423550. n Via Fossa (Shipston-on-Stour U3A group) Advanced Recorder Consort meet on Mondays @GL56 9SR. We play in 4 parts. Cost is 50p.

Contact Christine on 07967 423550. n Recorder Ensemble - Beginners (Shipston-on-Stour U3A group) meet on Fridays @GL56 9SR. Cost is 50p.

Contact Christine on 07967 423550. ........................................................

5th November

n The Kingham Fireworks From 5.30, Fireworks at 7pm The event will take place next to The Royal British Legion, Kingham and there will be plenty of free parking available behind The Legion and next to The Football Club. We will be serving drinks.

There will be a hog roast, mulled wine and hot chocolate and lots of family fun including fair rides, sparklers and live music. The Event is free but please bring some cash for a donation to support the event and local charitable causes. ........................................................

9th November

n Cotswold Decorative & Fine Arts Society: November Lecture 11.00am -12.15 A lecture by Lars Tharp “Hogarth: Harlots, Rakes and Crashing China” Bradwell Village Hall, Burford )X18 4XF. Non-members welcome (suggested donation £8). ........................................................

11th November

n An Evening of Ballards, Bagpipes and Ballyho An evening of Bagpipes, Ballads and Bally-Hoo - a wee show of tunes and songs to highlight the trials, tribulations and duties of The Piper through times of war and down the years. Richard Jasper is a singer/songwriter and Highland Piper who has played with some of the greatest exponents in the field of Piping. He has also played with bands of the Household Division at prestigious events including Wembley Stadium, Olympics 2012 and

12

Your CotswoldLink

The Royal Albert Hall. He is currently to be found playing with ‘La Phooka’ an Oxford Band.....’a hundred years ago the army Piper had a roll, simply beyond belief: In the Great War, the Piper would rise, unarmed in defiance of machine guns and shells and in defiance of any notion of self preservation would stand straight and play their comrades into battle....

Profits towards The Poppy Appeal and ‘Raise the Roof’’Appeal. Tickets available from Greenway Antiques 01993 705026 jean_greenway@hotmail.com or Richard 07801 63173 7.30pm - price £8 entrance - there will be a running cash bar available St. Mary’s Church, Church Green, Witney Oxfordshire OX28 4AW Tel: 01993 705026 ........................................................

18th November

n Illustrated Talk An illustrated talk by David Harrison entitled Naughty Samuel Pepys the great Diarist with the roving eye! The talk will include plague, fire, drink, sex, music, marital conflict, corruption, the fall of Kings and courage in public life to name but a few topics covered.

Visitors welcome £3 (to include refreshments) further details 01451 820233 or just turn up!

2.30pm Great Rissington Club GL54 2LP ........................................................

18th November

n Christmas Flower Arranging Cotswold Flower Club present a wonderful evening of Christmas Flower Arranging.

Browne’s Hall, Carterton. Doors open at 7.00 p.m. Tickets £8.00, available on the door. Light refreshments. Raffle.

Further details from 01993 843236. ........................................................

20th November

n Burford Singers – Mendelssohn’s Elijah 7.30pm at Church of St John the Baptist Church Green, Burford OX18 4RY Mendelssohn’s Elijah has been a great favourite with singers and audiences alike, ever since Mendelssohn himself conducted the first performance - in Birmingham Town Hall - 170 years ago. Its dramatic depiction of Elijah’s overthrow of the priests of Baal and his conversion of the people to the worship of the one true God clearly inspired Mendelssohn to create his great choral and orchestral masterpiece.

Tickets in advance reserved at £21, £17 and £13, unreserved £10.50. Telephone booking: 01993 822412 Booking in person: The Madhatter Bookshop 122, High Street, Burford OX18 4QJ Full details and booking form available on our website www.burfordsingers.org. uk ........................................................

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

Having an event?

Email us your event details to: events@jkanorth.com and we’ll publish it for you. Magazine distribution dates are on p22.

20th November

n A concert of European Baroque Music Enjoy a concert of European Baroque Music on Sunday 20th November at 5.00pm in St Mary’s Church, Church Green, Witney. The Lower Windrush Choral Society, celebrating their 25th Anniversary, will be singing music by Handel, Purcell and Pergolesi.

Tickets available from St Andrew’s Bookshop, High Street, Witney and Rapture, Woolgate, Winey. Enquiries to 01993 773283, £10 in advance, £12 on the door. Doors open at 4.30 St Mary’s Church, , Church Green, Witney, Oxfordshire OX28 4AW Contact telephone: 01993 773283 ........................................................

20th November

n Cheltenham Bach Choir presents: HANDEL Dixit Dominus and MOZART Requiem Cheltenham Bach Choir launches its 70th Anniversary Season with two of the most exciting and popular choral works in the repertoire. With four fantastic soloists, the excellent Regency Sinfonia and the choir on top form under music director David Crown, this is going to be an evening to remember!

Tickets £20, £15, £10 and £8 (students and children £8). Email boxoffice@ cheltenham.gov.uk or phone 0844-576-2210.

Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham GL50 1QA ........................................................

26th November

n Moreton-in-Marsh Christmas Moreton’s 7th Christmas Market with over 50 stalls lining the High Street selling a great selection of Christmas gifts and food including soaps, candles, jewellery, hand made products for the home, wooden gifts, festive wreaths & garlands to name a few. Further Charity and Local Organisation stalls in the Redesdale Hall, also from 9 am. Local singers and carol singing by the local schools will be on the stage during the day. Carol Service in the afternoon followed by the arrival of Father Christmas & Light SwitchOn. Father Christmas will then be in his Grotto in The Redesdale Hall for Children to visit him.

Starts at 9am. Free Entry. ........................................................

26th November

n Independent Oxford Christmas Market Knock your Christmas socks right off your feet at this year’s Independent Oxford Christmas Gift Market! Find the very best that our wonderful city’s independent businesses have to offer, across two of Oxford’s brilliant venues.

10am - 5pm.

The Old Fire Station, 40 George Street, Oxfordshire OX1 2AQ Contact telephone: 01865263990 www.oldfirestation.org.uk/event/ independent-oxford-christmas-market/ ........................................................

27th November

n 7th Aldsworth Christmas Fayre Locally produced Christmas food items and gift ideas. Raffle, refreshments and festive cheer. Café offering light homemade ‘soup and roll’ lunches, sausage rolls, mulled wine and mince pies, tea or coffee and home baked cakes Aldsworth, Glos GL54 3QS From 11.00am to 2.30pm in Aldsworth Village Hall £2 programme entry & children FOC Tel Shona on 07803029943 ........................................................

3rd December

n Ramsden Christmas Market 1pm - 4pm The biggest and most magical Christmas market in West Oxfordshire, with over 50 stalls selling hand-made, ethically sourced or local crafts and gifts, locally produced and organic food items.

The entire market is under cover and there will be musical entertainment throughout the afternoon. Santa Claus for the children, hot mulled wine and a bar for the grown-ups, cakes, teas come and enjoy. £2 for adults, free for children under 16. Visit the Ramsden Events facebook page for regularly updated details.

The Market is on Saturday, 3rd December, from 1pm to 4pm at Lower Farm, Ramsden, OX7 3AZ. Ramsden is 4 miles north of Witney just off the B4022 road to Charlbury and Chipping Norton. ........................................................

6th December

n Winchcombe Christmas Festival Christmas Advent Festival. Organised and partially funded by the the Winchcombe Forum, the festival will see shopkeepers, restauranteurs, businesspeople and publicans alike joining forces to celebrate the festive season in style by laying on Christmas offers, events and entertainment for shoppers and visitors who visit the Cotswold town throughout December. More details will follow nearer the time.

For full information and events diary go to www.winchcombe.co.uk Time: 5pm to 8pm.

Also Shops open late every Tuesday in December. ........................................................

Please note: the editors cannot be held responsible for any changes to events listed.

Please contact event organisers directly. All events correct at time of going to press.

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

13

It’s just around the corner… …Christmas that is. Now we all know someone who buys their prezzies in the January sales, has their cards written and addressed by Easter and their turkey ordered before the first frost.

We hate their smugness and lack of proper festive spirit but mainly we hate them because we know that we could never ever be that organised...until now!

We’re not suggesting that you start planning Christmas while on your summer holidays but it does pay to be a little bit organised. You’ll arrive at December 25th with far fewer grey hairs and much lower blood pressure if you plan ahead.

Clear out food cupboards Be ruthless. Chuck out all the out-of-date items and things you know will never be eaten. Make room for all those festive goodies.

Clear out toy cupboards Be ruthless. Involve the kids. Donate outgrown and unplayed-with items to charity. If you are an eBayer, spend an afternoon listing items for sale.

Order meat early Farmers’ markets and shops are teeming at this Christmas time. Don’t imagine you’ll get what you want if you leave it until the last minute.

Who’s coming to dinner?

Are there any vegetarians, vegans or dairy intolerances among your guests. Are you planning a party?

List all the food, alcohol and gift items you think you will need and add to it as you go along.

Study your list Are there items which can be bought online? Do any of your local shops offer home delivery? Look into local veg-box schemes. Divide the remaining list into manageable chunks and purchase a few things each week. For foodstuffs, begin with items which can be frozen and end with the fresh items which need to be purchased just a day or two before.

Puds and cakes Make these early to give them time to mature. Stir up Sunday is the last Sunday before advent and this year is on November 30th. This is traditionally the time when Christmas puddings are made. I make my

Christmas cake during the first week of December which gives me time to feed it as much brandy as it will hold. Yum! Write the cards It’s bit of a chore but put the carols on, pour a glass of something festive and get into the spirit. You’ll feel really virtuous when they’re done.

Tree lights and outdoor lights Test them well in advance so they can be replaced if necessary.

Check bed and linen status!

Will you need to buy or borrow fold-up beds, or extra bedding for your guests? What about elderly guests?

They may be able to lie down on a Z bed but will they ever be able to get up again!

By now you should be feeling organised and in control. You may even feel the beginnings of a smug smile twitch at the corners of your mouth. Enjoy it…you earned it. Just be aware that someone somewhere hates you for it!

Easy mulled wine About this recipe: This mulled wine recipe couldn’t be easier to do. Don’t bother with expensive wine - a cheap red will work beautifully and no one will ever know the difference! Start with a little sugar, then add more to taste. This recipe can be easily doubled or trebled. ................................................................................................................................................

Ingredients Serves: 4 1 litre dry red wine 2 (5cm) cinnamon sticks 1 dessertspoon whole cloves 1 dessertspoon whole allspice 1 large piece orange rind (avoid the pith) 1 large piece lemon rind (avoid the pith) 4 tablespoons sugar, or to taste ................................................................................................................................................

Method

Prep:3min › Cook:20min › Ready in:23min In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine the red wine, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, lemon rind and orange rind. Heat gently, but don’t bring to the boil. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the sugar, and once dissolved, taste to see if you’d like to add more.

Keep hot on medium to low heat for 20 minutes to let the flavours infuse the wine.

Serve your mulled wine hot in glasses or mugs.

14

Your CotswoldLink

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

15

Keep warm, keep well Cold homes have a significant impact on people’s health. One of the best ways of keeping yourself well during winter is to stay warm.

Keeping warm over the winter months can help prevent colds, flu or more serious health conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.

The chances of these problems are higher if you’re vulnerable to cold-related illnesses because of one or more of the following: - you’re over 65 - you’re on a low income (so can’t afford heating) - you have a long-term health condition, such as heart, lung or kidney disease - you are disabled How to fight flu Flu is a highly infectious illness that can spread rapidly. You may be eligible for a free flu jab if you’re at risk of complications from flu.

Find out if you can get the flu jab for free on the NHS. Fuel poverty facts On average, there are around 25,000 excess winter deaths each year in England. There is strong evidence that some of these winter

deaths are indeed ‘extra’ and are related to cold temperatures as well as infectious diseases such as flu.

In 2013 there were 2.35 million households in England in fuel poverty. This is when a household is living below the poverty line and has higher than average energy bills.

Keep your home warm If you have reduced mobility, are 65 or over, or have a health condition such as heart or lung disease, you should heat your home to at least 18C. It’s a good idea to keep your bedroom at this temperature all night if you can. During the day you may prefer your living room to be slightly warmer. Make sure you wear enough clothes to stay warm.

If you’re under 65 and healthy and active, you can safely have your house cooler than 18C, if you’re comfortable.

You can also use a hot water bottle or electric blanket (but not both at the same time) to keep warm while you’re in bed.

Eat well in Winter Food is a vital source of energy, which helps keep your body warm. Try to make sure that you have hot meals and drinks regularly throughout the day and keep active in the home if you can.

Stay Active We all know that exercise is good for your overall health - and it can keep you warm in winter.

If you can stay active, even moderate exercise can bring health benefits. If possible, try not to sit still for more than an hour or so. Remember to speak to your GP before starting any exercise plan.

Wear warm clothes Wrap up warm, inside and out. Wear lots of thin layers - clothes made from cotton, wool or fleecy fibres are particularly good and help to maintain body heat. Wear shoes with a good grip to prevent slips and falls when walking outside. If possible, stay inside during a cold period if you have heart or respiratory problems.

Help your neighbours in winter Check on older neighbours or relatives to make sure they’re safe and well. Make sure they’re warm enough, especially at night, and have stocks of food and medicines so they don’t need to go out during very cold weather.

If you’re worried about a relative or an elderly neighbour, contact your local council or ring the Age UK helpline on 0800 00 99 66.

Beware of fraudsters claiming to represent HM Revenue & Customs Residents in the Cotswolds are being warned of a phone scam that is currently taking place across the country.

Fraudsters pretending to be from HM Revenue & Customs are calling unsuspecting residents and telling them that they are under investigation and are due to appear in court.

The automated phone message then asks the person being called to press 1 so that they can speak to a case officer.

PLEASE DO NOT FOLLOW THIS INSTRUCTION. Instead, HANG UP IMMEDIATELY this is a scam and if you continue with the phone call it could direct you to a premium-rate number which may accumulate very expensive charges on your phone bill without your knowledge.

This reminder follows recent appeals to be extra vigilant about any emails from GOV.UK which claim that the recipient is eligible to receive a tax refund. The email indicates that the refund can be recovered by completing and submitting a tax return form which asks for the recipient’s banking details.

We advise all residents to be wary of any unsolicited calls and emails from unknown companies. If you cannot verify the identity of the caller, do not give out any personal details, especially banking information.

To report a suspected scam please contact Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cyber-crime reporting centre: · Call: 0300 123 2040 · Visit: www.actionfraud.police.uk

16

Your CotswoldLink

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

17

GARDEN VIEW

How to choose the perfect

Christmas Tree

Measure your space Be sure you know what size (height and width) you need before heading to the outlet. Measure the ceiling height in the room where the tree will be displayed. The trees in the field look small when the sky is the ceiling.

Don’t overbuy. Measure the width of the area of the room where the tree will be displayed. Most trees on tree farms are trimmed to an 80% taper. So a tree that’s 10’ tall will be 8’ wide at the bottom. A tree that will fit in the room vertically may be entirely too big horizontally.

Ask questions about the trees at the outlet Ask the retailer when he/she gets the trees: are they delivered once at the beginning of the season, or several shipments during the season?

Often, a tree obtained soon after its arrival on the outlet will be very fresh because it was cut recently. Also ask the retailer which tree type performs best in your climate. Some species last longer and remain fresh longer than others in different climates.

Do a branch/needle test for freshness Run a branch through your enclosed hand - the needles should not come off easily. Bend the outer branches - they should be pliable. If they are brittle and snap easily, the tree is too dry.

Look for other indicators of dryness or deterioration Indicators might include: excessive needle loss, discolored foliage, musty odor, needle pliability, and wrinkled bark. A good rule-of-thumb is, when in doubt about the freshness of a tree, select another one. If none of the trees on the outlet look fresh, go to another outlet.

Once at home: Christmas tree positioning and decorating Choose a well-lit spot where the tree will stand out and be noticed.

Don’t put it somewhere where excited children or pets are likely to crash into your masterpiece.

Avoid standing the tree next to radiators and fireplaces - they can dry out the tree, and are also fire hazards Display larger decorations evenly on branches around the tree from bottom to top, then repeat with smaller ones, to create an even spread Caring for your tree Ensure your tree is getting enough water - they need a lot, and thrive best on approximately 1-2 litres daily.

Christmas tree afterlife Call your local council and ask if they will collect and recycle If it has roots, plant and care for the tree in early January to enjoy it again next year

18

Your CotswoldLink

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

19

A Christmas Family Quiz

Relax and chill out. Gather the family around and crack the Cotswold Link’s Annual Family Christmas Quiz.

Good Luck, Wishing All Readers a Happy and Joyous Festive Season – John Harris (Answers p22) 1: Whichever direction you look you are facing north. Where are you?

2: Abigail’s mum has 3 daughters; one is called Rebekah and the other is Naomi. What is the name of the third daughter?

3: What has hands but cannot clap?

4: What do the numbers 11, 69 and 88 have in common?

5: Using only addition, how do you add eight 8’s and get the number 1,000?

6: What colours are the berries of the mistletoe plant?

7: In the song 12 Days of Christmas “….my true love brought to me nine …” what?

8: What Christmas item was invented by London baker and wedding-cake specialist Tom Smith in

20

Your CotswoldLink

1847?

9: How many points does a snowflake have?

10: What is New Year’s Eve called in Scotland?

11: Who was Scrooge’s dead business partner in “A Christmas Carol”?

12: Which record was a Christmas number one in 1975 and 1991?

13: Whose coronation took place on Christmas Day? 14: Who walked from Gloucestershire to London and married Alice Fitzwarren?

15: In which pantomime do Robin Hood and Maid Marion appear?

16: On which day of the week is Christmas Day this year?

17: From which country did the Christmas tree originate?

18: How many Reindeer does Santa have?

19: How many ghosts visited Scrooge?

20: In Christmas Carol what is the name of Bob Cratchit’s son?

21: What did the first ever text message sent on December 3rd 1992 say?

22: Which famous scientist born on Christmas Day was the first scientist to be buried in Westminster Abbey?

23: From which town did Mary and Joseph come from before arriving in Bethlehem?

24: Which singer of the Eurythmics was born on Christmas Day 1954?

25: Which Christmas Carol includes the lyrics “In heaven the bells are ringing”?

26: Which historic playwright quoted “At Chrima I no more desire a rose, than wish a snow in May’s new-fangled shows; but like of each thing that in season grows”?

27: In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone what Christmas present does Harry receive in his first semester at Hogwarts?

28: Which 2010 3D fantasy film is an adaptation of a famous ballet by Tchaikovsky?

29: What was the name of Cain and Able’s mother in the Bible?

30: Who discovered Christmas Island?

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

New Drystone Waller Since starting at Huntmans Quarries actually digging out the stone, Luke Dadge knew he wanted to be a drystone waller.

Trained by successful drystone wallers in the Cotswolds Completed a Level 2 qualification in Dry Stone Walling We asked Luke why he decided to start his own business, “I decided to branch out on my own as I’ve always wanted to run my own business and throughly enjoy Dry Stone Walling. The quarry was great experience for me and I really enjoyed my time there, but I’ve always wanted to branch out on my own.”

For more information and a free quote, call Luke on: 07904 385172 / 01451 821295

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

21

Contact us today to get your business in the Link!

Aston Magna

Next issues

Blockley Bourton-on-the-Hill

Moretonin-Marsh

Little Compton Evenlode

Longborough Condicote

Oddington Broadwell

Winchcombe

Stow-onthe-Wold

Great Rollright

Chipping Norton Cornwell

............................................

Heythrop

Lidstone

KinghamChurchill Upper Slaughter Dean Sarsden Naunton Chadlington Wyck Bledington Taston Lower Slaughter Whittington Rissington Church Greenend Spelsbury Westcote Shorthampton Nether Westcote Notgrove Shipton-underIdbury Dowdeswell Andoversford Little Wychwood Chilson Rissington Fifield Shipton Milton-under- Ascott-underClapton-on-the-Hill Great Fawler Wychwood Wychwood Turkdean Rissington Compton Finstock Abdale Langley Ramsden Great Withington Leafield Barrington Fulbrook Taynton Hailey Asthall Windrush Little Leigh Eastington Swinbrook Barrington Crawley Chedworth Asthall Minster Lovell Coln St Dennis Witney Bradwell Village Aldsworth Icomb

North Cotswolds

15,350

Charlbury

Northleach

Burford

Shilton

Christine 01609 777401 07742 595747 christine@jkanorth.com

Dist: w/c 9th January ‘17 Copy: 9th December ‘16

Little Rollright Over Norton

Bourton-onthe-Water

homes & businesses

West Oxfordshire Jan / Feb 2017 North Cotswolds Jan / Feb 2017 Dist: w/c 9th January ‘17 Copy: 9th December ‘16

West Oxfordshire

18,050 homes & businesses

Brize Norton

Carterton

Dwight 01609 779097 dwight@jkanorth.com www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

1/2 Page from only

Elspeth 01904 709462 elspeth@jkanorth.com

£180!

1/4 Page

1/8 Page

£105!

£65!

from only

from only

Index Art & Antiques Cotswold Frames: p6 Attractions & Events Cotswold Falconry: p13 Blinds Associated Blinds: p24 Builders & Contractors Cotswold Stoves & Chimneys: p6 CR Building & Small Works: p19 JA Shirley Building Services: p17 P & S Property Services: p19 PJC Services: p17 The 50 Plus: p10 Carpets & Flooring Chipping Norton Flooring: p7 Kingham Carpets: p3 Children’s Services Cotswold Tutor: p20 Chimney Services Cotswold Stoves & Chimneys: p6 Heat Store: p4 Mr Sweep Chimney Services: p4 Cleaning Services MRK Services: p19 The Laundry: p4 Computer Support My Computer Tutor: p20

Dentist Cirencester Dental Practice: p11 Education Burford School: p1 Cotswold Tutor: p20 Elderly Services The Langston Care Home: p10 Electrical Services Cotswold Aerials: p23 Mayday Aerials: p19 PJC Services: p17 Watercare Specialists: p17 Finance & Legal Lionheart Later Life Planning: p11 Food & Drink Swan at Ascott: p12 Furniture Bob Dadge Carpentry: p6 Cottonwood Interiors: p3 Goose Joinery: p8 MRK Services: p19 Gardening & Outdoors Cotswold Tool & Plant Hire: p19 Get Rid Removals: p19 Luke Dadge Drystone Walling: p21 Gifts Cotswold Frames: p6

Pure Silver Design: p13 Healthcare & Wellbeing Cirencester Dental Practice: p11 Footworx Clinic: p11 Ramona Gogolos Foot Health Professional: p10 Heating Cotswold Oil & Gas Services: p17 Cotswold Stoves & Chimneys: p6 Fosse Fires: p1 Gas & Oil Heating Services: p16 Heat Store: p4 Hire Cotswold Tool & Plant Hire: p19 Holidays Character Cottages: p2 Home & Interiors Associated Blinds: p24 Chipping Norton Flooring: p7 Cotswold Stoves & Chimneys: p6 Cottonwood Interiors: p3 Country Bathrooms: p3 Fosse Fires: p1 Kingham Carpets: p3 Paul Matthew Interior Design: p1 Sewing Tuition: p20 Jewellery Pure Silver Design: p13

Kitchens & Bathrooms Country Bathrooms: p3 Cottonwood Interiors: p3 Goose Joinery: p8 P & S Property Services: p19 Laundry The Laundry: p4 Locksmith P & S Property Services: p19 Logs Walkers Logs: p5 Painters & Decorators PMO Decorators: p3 Pets & Animals Dial A Dog Wash: p10 Vets Home Visit: p10 Plumbing Cotswold Oil & Gas Services: p17 Gas & Oil Heating Services: p16 PJC Services: p17 Property Maintenance Bob Dadge Carpentry: p6 Cotswold Oil & Gas Services: p17 Cotswold Stoves & Chimneys: p6 CR Building & Small Works: p19 Gas & Oil Heating Services: p16 Get Rid Removals: p19

Goose Joinery: p8 JA Shirley Building Services: p17 Mr Sweep Chimney Services: p4 P & S Property Services: p19 PJC Services: p17 The 50 Plus: p10 Removals Get Rid Removals: p19 Sewing Sewing Tuition: p20 Sound & Vision Cotswold Aerials: p23 Mayday Aerials: p19 Sport & Leisure Runnerbean: p9 Travel & Tourism Character Cottages: p2 Tuition Cotswold Tutor: p20 My Computer Tutor: p20 Sewing Tuition: p20 Windows Goose Joinery: p8 Milena Windows: p23

The Index is a free service offered to our customers. No responsibility can be held for errors or omissions. Multiple entries included on a space available basis

Answers to Christmas Quiz 1 North Pole 2 Abigail 3 A clock

22

Your CotswoldLink

4 They look the same when upside down 5 888+88+8+8+8 6 White 7 Ladies Dancing

8 Christmas crackers 9 Six 10 Hogmanay 11 Jacob Marley 12 Bohemian

Rhapsody 13 William 1st 14 Dick Whittington 15 Babes in the Wood 16 Sunday

17 Germany 18 Nine 19 Four 20 Tiny Tim 21 Merry Christmas

22 Isaac Newton 23 Nazareth 24 Annie Lennox 25 Ding Dong Merrily on High

Please mention Your CotswoldLink when contacting any of our advertisers

26 William Shakespeare 27 Invisible Cloak 28 The Nutcracker: The Untold Story

29 Eve 30 Captain Cook

Advertising - contact Christine: 01609 777401 or Dwight: 01609 779097 | www.cotswoldlink.co.uk

Your CotswoldLink

23

www.cotswoldlink.co.uk