Cotswold Link (North Cotswolds) Sept-Oct 2015

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September / October 2015

Are You

Maximising the Return on Your Holiday Cottage?

Letting out your holiday cottage to guests can be very profitable, if done correctly.

Cotswold Link speaks to Cotswold holiday letting expert, Character Cottages, to learn more.

“Renting out your Cotswolds cottage as a holiday let can be a very profitable business”, says Mat Faraday, co-founder of Character Cottages.

“Renting out your Cotswolds cottage as a holiday let can be a very profitable business”, says Mat Faraday, co-founder of Character Cottages. “For many owners, it makes financial sense to turn the fixed costs incurred when a second home is sitting empty, such as council tax and utility bills, into significant profits.”

Getting the set-up of a property right from the outset is one of the key factors to its overall financial success. Typically, the single most important driver of financial success is understanding the optimal guest capacity of your cottage. For example, if you are confident that the overall living space within your property is appropriate and large enough, then converting a spare room or a study into a double bedroom can increase your gross annual income

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by approximately £10,000.

The other key set-up factor that can have a major impact on performance is the general

around £40,000 to £55,000 per annum of gross income. Exceptional properties can achieve even higher income levels.

finish, décor and equipment of a property.

Mat concludes: “Your holiday cottage has

Mat notes: “In today’s market, the best

the potential to earn you valuable income

performing cottages tend to be those with a

for 12 months of the year, when it would

modern country look, finished in a homely but

otherwise be sitting empty. To find out more

uncluttered style.”

about converting your cottage to a successful

The central location of the Cotswolds, together with its picturesque villages and stunning countryside, makes it one of the most popular

holiday let, just get in touch with us and we will happily walk you through the process from start to finish.”

regions all year round in the UK for visitors looking to rent holiday homes, which helps to ensure that high income levels are generated.

For example, an average, nicely presented cottage that sleeps 8 guests should generate

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www.character-cottages.co.uk owners@character-cottages.co.uk Tel: 0208 935 5375

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inside

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Garden View

Autumn arrives, we take a look at this key month in terms of 22 As preparing your garden for Winter and planning for Spring

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Harvest Time

The origins of Harvest Celebrations

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War on litter!

Pauline makes her neighbourhood litter-free!

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10 New Local Businesses 20 A look at back pain & Osteopathy garden view: children 14 A look at Roald Dahl Day 22 The Start of Autumn garden view: good read 14 We look at an exciting new book 23 The Importance of Bread local news: education 14 Parents Guide to Exam Reform 24 Cotswold District Council updates astronomy: out & about 16 Seasonal events across our area 26 The September Lunar Eclipse driving local news: 18 Student gains work experience 28 Safe Driving Advice this Autumn cotswold link local news 20 New Doctors Surgery Approved 30 Advertising Details & Index new businesses

health: FEATURED

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Welcome to the September - October issue As the nights start to draw in and attention turns towards Christmas and Winter, we look at a wide range of Autumn stories, from the upcoming Lunar Eclipse (p26) to how to care for your lawn (p22). There’s our Autumn events to enjoy on pages 16-17 and some helpful seasonal driving advice on p26.

01609 777401 01609 779097 I hope you enjoy this issue and I’ll see you again in cotswoldlink.co.uk time for Christmas!

Best wishes, 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 appearing in Cotswold Link Magazine carry no implied recommendation from the magazine or the publishers. All rights reserved. All information is 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.

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Fantastic Broadband boost for thousands of Cotswold businesses Over 3,300 small and medium businesses across the Cotswolds will soon be eligible for a non-repayable government grant to pay for communication speeds which exceed 30 Mbps.

Working in partnership with Gloucester City Council, Cotswold District Council has just received clearance to extend the BDUK broadband voucher scheme to a wide range of postcodes that will encompass at least 3,300 business premises in Cotswold District. This means that the companies can each obtain a grant worth up to £3,000 towards connection and construction charges for technologies that can deliver broadband (with the exception of satellite communications.)

The news has been hailed as a great technological breakthrough by the Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Partnerships, Cllr Chris Hancock: “Our local businesses do a great job but there is no doubt that many have been hindered by very slow broadband speeds and ‘dead zones’ across

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many parts of the District, and there is now this great opportunity for thousands of traders to overcome these problems at no extra cost to them. In fact, realistically, the number of business potentially impacted is larger as our estimates are based on our business rates database and excludes micro businesses working from home.

“In the best of all possible worlds, some of our local traders could take maximum advantage of this development through a course of free internet training from experts at Google should they do well in the forthcoming Great British High Street awards.”

How to apply: 1. Enter the postcode of your business at www.connectionvouchers.co.uk · If eligible you will then be given further options to arrange your connection voucher.

For more details see: www.gloucester. gov.uk/grants

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NEW Businesses & Services Everything you need for your vintage party!

Heather Blackman has been bowled over by the fantastic support she has received from customers for her new business, “All Things Vintage China Hire”.

Supplying beautiful, vintage crockery, cutlery and tea sets, Heather is available to provide the

New Website Launched Local Electrical Company: ARC Electrical are delighted to announce the launch of their new website: www.arc-electrical.me.uk perfect items for your function, whether it’s a wedding, christening or afternoon tea. It all started with collecting vintage crockery for her daughters wedding and has now developed into a business.

To hire vintage crockery for a special event contact Heather on: 01993 830381 / 07837 324034 / allthingsvintagechinahire.gmail.com

We spoke to owner Paul Hopcraft about the new website, “We decided to totally relaunch our existing website as we have so much more information to give our customers than ever before. For example, we are seeing huge numbers of LED lighting installations as people look

to cut their energy costs and so we decided to have a dedicated page covering LED’s on our new site.

Customers can view the savings to be made with LED installations, as well as lots of other information about the services we offer.

We are happy to assess your energy usage and provide recommnendations when we visit your home for electrical work. www.arc-electrical.me.uk 01789 773087 / 07796 990309

Cotswold Carpets Celebrate 26 Years of Trading As Cotswold Carpets celebrate 26 years of supplying fantastic products and service to local people, we spoke to owner Robert Hoare about this wonderful achievement.

“We started our business in Moreton-inMarsh in October 1989 and have gradually built our business on providing the best customer service possible, along with good quality materials and fair prices.

We operate from our original premises in New Road, Moreton-in-Marsh (Near the old Post Office) and our carpet warehouse and show room on the Worcester Road Trading Estate, Chipping Norton.

One reason we are able to provide such prompt and professional service is that we have 10 full time fitters working in 5 pairs. Our expert fitters are all fully employed by us and can be completely trusted to provide a top class job. We have expertise in Carpets, Vinyls, Vinyl Tiles (Karndean / Amtico), Natural flooring (Sisals / Seagrass) and Wooden Flooring (Solid / Engineered).

We are members of the Greendale Buying group, so we can provide competitive prices from bulk buying and exclusive products. We are delighted

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to be able to pass these savings onto our customers. We are also members of the Carpet Foundation, operating from the Trading Standards approved code, including a deposit safeguard scheme.

Over the years we have built a reputation second to none and we have hundreds of thank you letters from happy customers on file and display. As we have been in business for 26 years and survived two major recessions, we must be doing something right!

We look forward to helping you select the perfect carpets and flooring. ........................................................................

Cotswold Carpets Ltd: New Road, Moreton in Marsh. GL56 0AS (Near the Old Post Office) Unit 19, Worcester Road Industrial Estate, Chipping Norton. OX7 5XW Tel: 01608 651991 enquiries@cotswoldcarpets.co.uk www.cotswoldcarpets.co.uk

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Cotswold Petroleum are the local name in home heating oil situated in the heart of the Cotswolds.

“We may be a new name to the Cotswolds, but we have over 40 years’ experience in the fuel distribution business supplying over 100 million litres of fuel every year in the Home Counties from 5 Depots” said Richard Burton, Managing Director.

From their local depot at Springhill near Broadway, Cotswold Petroleum distribute a full range of heating oils, agricultural diesel as well and road fuels for home farm and industry.

They are also proud to be an Authorised Distributor of Morris Lubricants - Britain’s oldest independent lubricant manufacturer.

Cotswold Petroleum’s mission is to provide their valued customers with the best service possible in

the Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire & Worcestershire area. Angelo Coletta, Depot Manager, said “We endeavour to complete all our deliveries within 48 hours of receiving an order, and will try and accommodate special delivery requests where possible. When there is an emergency for instance, if someone has run out, we will do our best to supply the same or next day”.

Cotswold Petroleum source all their product from UK refiner Phillips 66 ensuring quality and consistency. They are also the first fuel Company in the area to sign up to having their fuel monitored by independent tester, Oil Tank Services on a regular basis to ensure the highest quality.

Furthermore this is a great time to buy your home heating oil “Prices have fallen by nearly 40% since this time last year, so this is an excellent time to top up your tank” said Angelo.

If you would like further information on their service or products please visit: www.cotswoldpetroleum.co.uk or telephone the Cotswold Hotline: 01386 579 579.

Alternatively come and see us at this years’ Moreton Show - we have a stand and would love to meet you.

HOME HEATING | FARM FUEL | COMMERCIAL FUEL | LUBRICANTS | HOTLINE : 01386 579 579

www.cotswoldpetroleum.co.uk

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Roald Dahl Day Roald Dahl Day is celebrated on September 13th to mark the birth of one of Britain’s most famous children’s writers. Dahl was born in Llandaff near Cardiff in 1916. The son of Norwegian parents, he was named after Roald Amunsden, a polar explorer from Norway.

It is humour and captivating characters that make Dahl one of the most popular British authors ever. Many of the characters and story lines in his books are based on his own life experiences. For example he was caned as a child for putting a mouse in a jar of gobstoppers in a sweet shop and later wrote Everlasting Gobstoppers.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory his third book stems from his days at Repton School where the boys were often asked to test new chocolates from the Cadbury factory. It is said he dreamed of inventing a chocolate that would impress Mr Cadbury.

When he left school Dahl worked for Shell until in 1939 he entered the RAF. He took part in several significant World War II air battles, and later worked for the British Embassy in Washington. Many of his stories have links to aviation. His first book The Gremlins which was published in 1942, is based on mischievous creatures who were part of RAF folklore. He left

A Guide For Parents: Exam Reform the service in 1946 having obtained the rank of Squadron Leader.

In addition to his children’s books Dahl also wrote children’s poetry, and it is often forgotten that he wrote adult fiction too. Some of his short stories were the base for the popular television series Tales of the Unexpected.

It will always be his children’s books that he is most famous for. Year after year children dress as his characters for world book day, and teachers plan lessons around his stories because of their popularity.

Reading remains so important for building children’s vocabulary, and for helping to stimulate their imagination and literacy skills. Dahl’s books are often the books adults recount as their favourites while growing-up, or the stories that really captivated them and got them into the reading habit.

A variety of awards and commemorations have been set up since Dahl’s death in 1990, and new readers continue to discover his books through new creations such as the Scratch ‘n’ Sniff version of The Twits which was released in June 2015.

By Susan Brookes-Morris

I find many parents do not understand the new reforms that are about to be implemented this coming academic year.

Students are constantly being told that the new system is far more difficult than the old one and they will have to study harder.

This in turn is putting more undue pressure on youngsters by teachers, who are also undergoing additional pressure by a system that is being run purely on examination results and not necessarily on broadening a student’s intellectual ability.

The following is an outline of the changes to the examination system mainly taken from information on Ofqual’s (The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) website – www.ofqual.gov.uk

The New GCSE’s • A new grading system of 9 to 1 will be used with 9 being the top grade.

• The courses are designed for 2 years of study with 1 final examination.

• Some but not all examinations will be split into Higher and Foundation Tiers.

• Resit opportunities will only be available each November in English Language and Mathematics.

From Sept ‘15 (Examined in 2017) The first teaching of: English language, English literature & Mathematics

A Good Read Diary of a Wimpy Kid n Jeff Kinney Of course this month children all over the country said goodbye to the long summer holiday and trudged (many of them reluctantly) back to the classroom. So this month we have a ‘back to school’ theme with the first book in the smash hit US book series.

Greg Heffley is finding his way through the minefield that is middle school.

As he points out at the start of the book this isn’t really a diary. In his own words there is none of this ‘dear diary’ rubbish and he won’t be discussing his ‘feelings’. It’s a journal, and as a journal it takes us through the school year from the all-important decision of where to sit on the first day of class, to the embarrassment of playing a tree in the school production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (and not even being able to throw apples at annoying Patty who is playing Dorothy!).

Along with his best friend, Rowley, he plans a Hallowe’en haunted house to raise some money but unfortunately they only manage one terrified guest before Rowley’s dad brings it to an end. But as we find out, that was not quite the end of the matter and it takes a full school year before the consequences of Hallowe’en night are fully realised.

Described as ‘a novel in cartons’ this is a perfect book for both those who love reading and those who are ‘reluctant readers’. Yes, it’s an American book, but there are no issues with readers relating to the culture: school is school, wherever you are in the world!

By Kath Bennett

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From Sept ‘16 (Examined in 2018) The first teaching of: Ancient Languages (Classical Greek, Latin), Art and Design, Biology, Chemistry, Citizenship Studies, Computer Science, Dance, Double Science, Drama, Food Preparation and Nutrition, Geography, History, Modern Foreign Languages (French, German, Spanish), Music, Physics, Physical Education & Religious Studies

From Sept ‘17 (Examined in June 2019 subject to authorisation from Ofqual) These include: Ancient History, Astronomy, Business, Classical Civilisation, Design and Technology , Economics, Electronics, Engineering, Film Studies, Geology, Information and Communications Technology, Media Studies, Psychology, Sociology & Statistics

The New AS and A Levels New AS and A levels will be taught in schools in England from September 2015.

The first results for the new AS levels will be in 2016, and for the A levels in 2017.

Further subjects will be introduced over the following two years. The content for the new A levels has been reviewed and updated. Universities played a greater role in the new qualifications than they did previously.

Adjustments: • AS and A Levels will be decoupled – this means AS results will no longer count towards an A Level in the way they do presently.

• There will no longer be modular examinations.

• Both AS and A Levels will be examined at the end of the course.

• AS examinations will typically take place after 1 years study.

• A Level examinations will typically take place after 2 years study.

Ancient Languages (Classical Greek, Latin), Dance, Drama and Theatre, Geography, Modern Foreign Languages (French, German, Spanish), Music, Physical Education & Religious Studies I can understand why parents and students find the proposed changes confusing.

Hopefully the above will go some way to simplifying the situation, but one thing is certain we have not heard the last of the saga.

John Harris

From Sept ‘15 AS Levels of the following subjects will be first examined in June 2016 and the A Level subjects will be first examined in June 2017: Art and Design, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, English Language, English Language and Literature, English Literature, History, Physics Psychology & Sociology

From Sept ‘16 AS Levels of the following subjects will be first examined in June 2017 and the A Level subjects will be first examined in June 2018:

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Out & About Community 6th September

n NGS Open Gardens Wyck Rissington 1-5pm. 4 beautiful gardens, Cream teas overlooking Village Green. Hear the historic Wyck Rissington Hybrid Minimus on the restored Church Bells Entry: £6, Children Free. Car Parking.

Wheelchair Access. Disabled Toilets. ........................................................

11th & 12th September

n The Finstock Ale 2015 – Beer Festival The Finstock Ale beer festival, sponsored

by Howse and O’Reilly electrical contractors, returns for the third year in 2015 fresher than ever! The Finstock Ale commences at 7pm on Friday 11th September with The Cotswold Comedy Club for a great comedy night, and the full festival bar of all twenty beers and four ciders will be on sale. Suitable for all over 18s with three great stand-ups and the Comedy Club compère Ken Norman.

Tickets £10 from https://www. wegottickets.com/event/316605 or email: thefinstockale@gmail.com The Beer Festival commences midday on Saturday 12 September with a large marquee village. The beer tent will of course be the focus, but with much more.

A great variety of music acts will perform from 1pm to close at 11.30pm, including 1000 Mile Highway, The Wirebirds with Jenny Haan, James Morgan, Roughcut Ruby and old favourites Black Max and the Pirates, Jeff & Mandy and Acousticana.

Keep up to date with developments at : www.facebook.com/TheFinstockAle and follow us at @TheFinstockAle on Twitter. Finstock Playing Field, OX7 3DH ........................................................

12th & 13th September

n Northleach Steam & Vintage Show plus Ale Festival Full Size Steam Engines - Scale Size Steam Engines ~ Stationary Engines

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~ Vintage Tractors ~ Classic Cars ~ Vintage Motor Cycles & Pedal Cycles Military Vehicles. This year’s show looks to be even bigger than last years, with more engines and vehicles on display, lots more stalls and a greater variety of food offerings from burgers and Cornish pasties to hog roast, al fresco Italian to Mexican, donuts, ice-cream and cakes as well as traditional confectionery to bring back memories of bygone days. Red Lion Inn will be hosting its own Ale Festival at the show with live music throughout the day, and for the children there will be additional entertainment including fun fair amusements, ferret racing, airsoft target paintball, have-a-go archery and even a climbing wall.

Eastington Road, Northleach, GL54 3PJ 10am-5pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun £5 Adults, £3 Senior Citizens, Children under 16 FREE www.northleachsteamshow.co.uk ........................................................

Charlbury Art Society 9th September

n “Other Ways” An illustrated talk by Chipping Norton artist, Judith Yarrow, on her personal journey through art. 7.30 pm in the Memorial Hall, Browns Lane. members free, Visitors welcome, £3.

18th & 19th September

n Street Fair Art Exhibition Including work by Charlbury Primary School pupils, in the Memorial Hall, Browns Lane. Friday 7 pm – 9.30 pm; Saturday 9.30 am – 5.30 pm. Entrance Free.

14th October

n Charlbury Art Society AGM Followed by Dr Willem Hackmann’s illustrated talk on “The Moving Image” 7.30 pm in the Memorial Hall, Browns Lane. Members free, visitors welcome, £3. marioncoates@tiscali.co.uk www.charlburyarts.co.uk ........................................................

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Having an event?

Email us your event details to: events@jkanorth.com and we’ll publish it for you. Magazine distribution dates are on p30.

18th October

n Apple Day: YOUR COMMUNITY ORCHARD – PICK YOUR OWN Announcing good crops at Chipping Norton Community Orchard (off the A44, Worcester Road). All are welcome to pick, but please wait until “Pick me Now” appears on each tree. Picnic tables now enhance the site so you can make an outing of it. Many of the trees are 5 years old and coming into their own.

APPLE DAY this year is Sunday October 18th from 12noon-3pm. Bring your apples and press your own juice. New for this year will be apple tasting . Enjoy Wassailing, singing, dancing, childrens’ games, seasonal refreshments and lots more. All is free – donations, if you can spare them, fund the orchard.

See local press for more details.

Heather Leonard Orchard Group For directions and more details ring 01608 643691 ........................................................

22nd October

n Save the Children North Oxfordshire Autumn Fair A prestigious Autumn Fair will be held to support the work of Save the Children, both here in the UK and overseas; all money raised will help vulnerable children.

There will be 20 plus stalls catering for all tastes and pockets, a chance to shop early for Christmas in a peaceful and picturesque setting. Light lunches will be available, also a bar. Spacious Car Park A chance to buy goods of high quality, variety and design. A wide range of Save the Children Christmas Cards / Wrapping, Paper / Tags etc will be on sale. There will be a Home-made cake stall with a huge variety to tickle your taste buds. Also a chance to try your luck with a Raffle lovely prizes! Please come and enjoy a fun day out and give your support to the valuable work of this Charity.

Thank you.

Times - 10am - 4pm Entrance £3 Wychwood Golf Club near Lynham, , Oxfordshire OX7 6QQ ........................................................

30th September - 4th October n 13th Tetbury Musical Festival The full programme is available now. www.tetburymusicfestival.org.uk ........................................................

25th October

n The Nightmare 10k Steeplechase Mud Run 10k Mud Run with 35 obstacles & Kids 3k. Withington Estate, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 4BG Free Admisson. Details: 01242 890451 10am – 12noon ........................................................

Chedworth Roman Villa

n Sept 12 – Oct 4: Art Exhibition Contemplate a range of sculptural and mosaic artworks at Chedworth Roman Villa. Be inspired by the beautiful surroundings and long history of artistic endeavour. Included in admission. n Sept 20 – Archaeology talk Join Dr Nick Humphris for a presentation and tour on the archaeological life of Chedworth Roman Villa. Included in admission. n Oct 10: Mosaic workshop Be inspired by professional mosaicist Erica Bibbings and create your own mosaic. All materials and lunch provided.

Booking essential, £50 pp. See our website for details or call 08442491895. n Oct 15: Discovery tour of the Villa Join the man who discovered the Villa in 1864 – gamekeeper Thomas Margetts – as he takes you on an exciting tour.

Included in admission.

Chedworth Roman Villa Yanworth, Cheltenham GL54 3LJ Phone: 01242 890256 ........................................................

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.

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An Indian Summer's Evening of Music, Song & Readings at St Nicholas' Church, Chadlington, OX7 3LX in support of the Lawrence Home Nursing Team

Featuring 'The Cotswold Concertiers', Refr 'The Rhythm Is Life Choir', Folk Group 'Revival' will beeshments se and soloists William Ford and Jill Greer

rved

7pm Friday 18 September 2015 Tickets £15, please contact verityfifer.lhnt@gmail.com or 01608 684475

Cheltenham Student Gains Work Experience with Citywing Citywing was delighted to welcome Elliot Archer, a student from Pate’s Grammar School, Cheltenham, to the Island last month for a work experience placement.

Elliot, aged 17, is an aspiring pilot and his time with Citywing helped him learn more about the aviation industry and gain invaluable hands-on experience.

Elliot said: ‘This was my first visit to the Isle of Man, and a very memorable one – I could not have been made to feel more welcome. I had a great introduction into the operation of Citywing, and it was interesting to see the different areas of the industry.’ During his work experience, Elliot gained insight into flight planning and management, and learnt about METARs (Meteorological Aerodrome Reports) and TAFFs (Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts)

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and how to read them. He also paid a visit to Air Traffic Control, Isle of Man Airport’s Fire Service, the Met Office, Rendezvous Handling and spent some time in the cockpit of a Let410 aircraft.

Citywing Managing Director David Buck said: ‘We are always open to consider work placement requests from students on and off-Island – not only does it provide a fantastic opportunity for students to learn more about the aviation industry, it also helps to strengthen our relationships with UK destinations.

Visit www.citywing.com to keep up to date with our latest news.

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Back Pain

Approval given for new surgery in Stow-on-theWold

Back pain affects about 80% of adults at some stage in their lives. The pain can be acute or chronic. When acute the onset is sudden, usually brought on by bending, lifting, twisting, falling or an accident.

Cotswold District Council’s Planning Committee have approved an application for a new doctor’s surgery in Stowon-the-Wold which should bring an end to concerns about the future provision of medical facilities in the town.

The surgery and associated parking will be located at the brownfield site of Tall Trees in Oddington Road, and was approved subject to amendments to the layout, parking, landscaping and detailed design.

At the same meeting, the Committee rejected an alternative application for a primary health care centre on a greenfield site off Maugersbury Road, which also included the erection of five new residential units.

Commenting on the approved Tall Trees application, Cllr Sue Jepson, CDC’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing, said: “I am very pleased that local residents in Stow can now look forward to seeing the establishment of a modern new surgery to serve the needs of the town. The existing facility has not been fit for purpose for some time, and patients will now be able to benefit from a larger surgery with adequate car parking.

Unless the onset is traumatic, the cause of the pain usually lies in the daily habits of the affected person – the bending or lifting was only the final straw that broke the camel’s back. Very often a history of vague and mild aching is reported, but these symptoms were dismissed, or addressed by taking painkillers. Chronic pain develops slowly and lasts for a long period of time.

Why is it so painful?

When there is an injury to a body structure, histamine and other chemicals are released by the damaged tissue which sets up an inflammatory reaction leading to swelling. This can increase the pressure on nearby structures causing pain, and the chemicals also stimulate the nerves that transmit pain. This is the body’s response in trying to protect you from aggravating the injury, by making you stiffen up and feel pain as you place more strain on the injured area.

“Both the sites we considered fell within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but most of the Committee felt that the Tall Trees proposal was less intrusive than the Maugersbury Road option, especially because the latter also involved the construction of five houses.”

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Unfortunately, it also restricts circulation, which hinders important nutrients needed for healing from reaching the affected area. It is important to receive appropriate treatment, such as osteopathy, so as to decrease this reaction, speed up the healing and allow the injured area to return to normality as soon as possible.

What are the causes of back pain?

There are many causes, starting with the fact that our bodies are designed for movement. We are meant to exercise our bodies daily, not sitting still for long periods during the day. Therefore, common causes of back pain include poor posture, lack of exercise, poor muscle tone, wearing high-heeled shoes, spinal problems, disc injuries, muscle spasm, digestive problems, arthritic conditions and emotional stress.

How can I help myself?

Seek the advice of an osteopath immediately when you start to experience discomfort in your back. This will shorten considerably the time spent in pain. Also take up exercise, such as Pilates, to strengthen your lower back and abdomen.

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a gentle and effective hands-on approach to healthcare, based on the principle that the way your body moves influences how it functions.

Osteopaths are highly competent healthcare professionals, recognised by the NHS as fully qualified to diagnose and treat independently.

Over 30,000 people every day visit an osteopath suffering from a variety of conditions including neck or back pain, joint or muscular pain, sports injuries, recurring headaches and more. Many patients are pregnant mothers, unsettled children, or those with work strain, or pain and stiffness related to advancing years.

The author Cissi Williams is an Osteopath, Cranial Osteopath, Transformational Coach and Energy Medicine Practitioner. She works at the Higher Health and Healing Clinic in Charlbury.

For more information, email info@ inspiredwellbeing.net

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GARDEN VIEW

The Start of Autumn

September 23rd is a special date in the gardening calender. The sun is directly above the earth’s equator and day and night are exactly the same length.

Because of this, September is a pivotal month in the year: it heralds the end of summer and the start of autumn. It’s also a pivotal month in the garden. It’s a time of endings but also a time for rejuvenation. Summer plants fade and enter their dormant period, while leaves take on autumn hues: yet autumn crocuses push up through the soil, while bushes and trees are laden with fruit.

This dual aspect to September means that on the one hand I find myself preparing my garden for its long winter sleep, but on the other I’m planning ahead for next spring.

So, while cutting down the perennials which have finished flowering I’m also checking to see if any have become too big for the space they’re in. If they have, I’ll divide them now, while the soil is still warm, and move them to another part of the garden, where they’ll flourish when the new growing season begins next year.

Likewise, I’m planning where any new trees or shrubs will go. I’ll get them in during September and they’ll be off to a flying start come Spring.

My garden is chock-full of Spring bulbs already but I can always find room for some more. While I’m at it I’ll be planting a few in pots so I can be sure of a great spring display on the patio.

Meanwhile I look upon all the weeding, tidying and leaf-raking that I’m doing as an investment in compostable materials for my bin and my leaf-litter pile, which when left over the winter transmogrify into rich, crumbly compost and leaf-mould respectively. When dug into my soil in early spring it will give my garden a much needed shot of energy with which to kick off the growing season.

The autumn equinox is the gardener’s equivalent of the New Year.

It’s a time to reflect on the past season while resolving to do even better in 2016 Autumn Lawn Care Sweep the leaves I put mine in a perforated dustbin liner, in a dry spot and wait for them to rot down.

Rake Use a wire rake to pull out all the dead moss and thatch. I put everything I collect into the compost bin Spike lawn Push a garden fork right through the lawn into the earth below then rock it a little to open up the lawn’s surface and allow air in.

Brush with top dressing This is available from garden centres. Brush it into the holes with a stiff broom. To make your own top dressing, mix 3 parts top soil with one part peat substitute and 6 parts sharp sand.

By Rachel Leverton

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Harvest Time -

f Bread The Importance o

We have celebrated a successful harvest since pagan times in Britain. Today events are commonly held in September or October on the Sunday when there is a full moon closest to the Autumn Equinox (September 23rd).

Prior to King Henry VIII’s break away from the Catholic Church however, celebrations took

place on August 1st at the start of the Harvest season. The day was known as Lammas or ‘loaf mass’, and marked the wheat harvest specifically with celebrations on later days to honour fruit crops.

On Lammas it was customary for farmers to make a loaf from the new crop and take it to church.

Stories of tradition then vary, with some sources saying the blessed loaf would be used for communion during a special mass thanking God for the harvest.

Others say the loaf was split into four pieces and placed in the corners of the barn to protect the grain that had been gathered.

Frequently celebrations in schools and churches include hymns such as We Plough the Fields And Scatter, and All Things Bright and Beautiful.

Decorations such as corn dollies and the display of home grown produce are set out. This format is thought to emanate from when the Revered Robert Hawker invited parishioners to harvest celebrations in Morwenstow in Cornwall in 1843.

Whether you celebrate formally or not it’s a great time of year to enjoy the foods of the season, especially bread.

By Susan Brookes-Morris

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Pauline wages war against litter louts!

Pauline Farman, a dedicated volunteer, has pledged to make her neighbourhood a litter-free zone.

When she retired three years ago - after working as a teacher and a dispenser in a doctor’s surgery – Pauline planned to take long walks in the Perrott’s Brook and Daglingworth area, and felt that it would benefit the community if she could also use the time to collect litter.

As a result, she carries out litter picks about twice a week, and derives great satisfaction from her mission: “I get a fantastic reaction from the public when they see me out on my rounds improving their environment. I meet lots of very nice people and the police often stop to thank me and check that I am ok.

Cotswold District Council’s waste company Ubico has provided me with a huge supply of black refuse bags and collects them from my home when they are filled. Additionally, Amey gave me an excellent high visibility jacket to improve my safety, so I know that I have good support from local businesses.”

Naturally, she would welcome the prospect of more volunteers picking up litter elsewhere in the District: “I would love to see others following my lead in other neighbourhoods. In particular, I think the younger generation can play a vital role in educating their elders about the antisocial nature of littering and how it blights the environment. If we can get this message across to school age children, I believe they can influence others to change their attitude.”

Cllr Sue Coakley, the Cabinet Member for the Environment at Cotswold District Council, is full of praise for Pauline: “Pauline deserves a huge ‘thank you’ from the

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Council and we are right behind her efforts to combat littering. I’ve taken part in a few litter picks myself and I know that it’s hard work but incredibly satisfying when you can see a visible improvement to the landscape.

In a perfect world, there would be no need for anyone to undertake this clean-up activity, but littering is on the increase in this country and it’s important to publicise the efforts of people like Pauline to counter this dreadful and totally unnecessary trend.”

Anyone who wants to know more about starting a litter pick should contact Cotswold District Council on 01285 623000 – we can provide instructions, gloves, high visibility jackets and waste bags, ensuring that volunteer activity is carried out safely and effectively.

Pauline is also willing to tell schools and societies about her work – contact press@cotswold. gov.uk for more details. You can also consult the Keep Britain Tidy website which provides good information about getting involved as a volunteer: www.keepbritaintidy.org/getinvolved/531

Extra funding available for street cleansing  Cllr Lynden Stowe, the Leader of Cotswold District Council has allocated an individual allowance of £2,000 to each Councillor to fund additional street cleansing work within their wards.

Each elected Member will be able to request the Council’s waste service provider, Ubico Ltd, to provide extra services up to the value of £2,000 by a deadline of the end of January 2016. This means that residents can now make requests to their Ward Councillors for additional work such as enhanced street cleaning, grass cutting, clearing up during or after a local event, and installation and emptying of extra litter or dog mess bins (provided they are on land owned by Gloucestershire Highways, Cotswold District Council or a town /parish council.)

Commenting on this extra funding, Cllr Sue Coakley, CDC Cabinet Member for Health, Environment and Communities, said: “We know that residents place a high priority on the maintenance of clean streets and the timely disposal of unsightly litter. The crews from Ubico Ltd often receive praise for the high standard of their street cleansing across the District, and this new fund will enable the public to benefit even more from their expertise.

Any resident wishing to make a request for extra cleansing work should contact their Ward Councillor; they will consider each request they receive and then decide whether to allocate funding from their individual £2,000 budget.”

To contact your local Ward Councillor just go to: www.cmis. cotswold.gov.uk/cmis5/Councillors.aspx and insert your postcode.

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The

Cotswold Sky

A Lunar Eclipse to occur on Monday 28th September One of the easiest and spectacular astronomical events to observe is that of a Lunar Eclipse. You do not need a telescope, a pair of binoculars can be useful, but you will need some very early morning energy on this occasion which is due to occur in the early hours of Monday 28th September (Alas we cannot fight nature and arrange for a more convenient time).

A Lunar Eclipse occurs when the Earth’s shadow passes over the Moon’s surface, but because the orbit of the Moon is not in the same plane as the Earth they do not occur every month.

As you can see from the diagram the Earth casts two shadows that fall on the Moon during a Lunar Eclipse.

• The umbra is a full shadow.

• The penumbra is a partial outer shadow.

The Moon therefore passes through these shadows in stages: • The initial and final stages, occur when the Moon is in the penumbra shadow. Should you view this part of the eclipse, notice the shadow of the Earth as it crosses the Moon.

• The dramatic part of a Lunar Eclipse is when the Moon is in the umbra shadow. During this stage the Moon takes on an eerie blood red colour.

This is because the red light of the Sun’s spectrum is refracted towards the Moon as it passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, whereas the other colours in the spectrum are blocked and scattered.

The timetable of events is as follows:

• 02.07 hours to 03.11 hours - Moon enters Earths Penumbra shadow • 03.11 hours to 04.23 hours – Total Lunar Eclipse, the Moon is now in Earth’s Umbra Shadow • 04.23 hours to 05.27 hours – Moon leaves Earth’s Penumbra Shadow Make the best of this Lunar Eclipse because, although there will be penumbra and partial eclipses occurring in Europe over the next 3 years there will not be another total Lunar Eclipse until the early hours of 27th July 2018.

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Sky Diary

10th September: Mars can be located north of the crescent Moon.

19th September: Saturn can be seen to be just South of the Moon.

23rd September: Autumn Equinox 09.20 hours BST 28th September: Lunar Eclipse 02.07 hours to 05.27 hours BST 9th, 10th and 11th October (06.30 hours) Get up for this one, look East to see Venus, Mars, Jupiter, the Moon and Mercury within a relatively small visual field of view. Mercury will be below and slightly to the left of the Moon.

11th to 31st October at 06.30 hours (05.30 hours after the clocks have been put back) – Look East each day and observe the progress of Venus, Mars and Jupiter as they close in towards each other.

25th October – Clocks go back one hour.

Planets

Mercury – Visible in the East around 06.30 in the morning from 6th to 24th October.

Venus – Visible in early morning throughout September and October.

Forming a cluster of planets with Mars and Jupiter.

Mars – Rises in the early hours during September. Can be observed with relative ease along with Jupiter and Venus particularly as the days progress towards 25th October.

Jupiter – reappears in the September morning sky.

Saturn – By mid-September Saturn sets 2 hours after the Sun so is not so favourable for observing in comparison to previous months. By the end of October it is almost lost in the evening twilight.

Meteor Showers

October 10th: Southern Taurids October 21st / 22nd: - Orionids Useful Internet sites: • http://www.space.com/15689lunar-eclipses.html • http://www.timeanddate.com/ eclipse/total-lunar-eclipse.html John Harris

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Autumn Leaves present

Driving Hazards Autumn is the picture-perfect the of year when many drivers take to the road to view the autumn colours. The leaves are beautiful to see, but when wet or in piles on the roads, they present driving hazards unique to the season.

Drivers should prepare for autumn driving conditions by having their vehicles’ tires, brakes and wipers checked before heading out on the road.

“Drivers should be aware that wet leaves on the road surface can make stopping difficult, and piles

of leaves can obscure potholes, curbs and street markings. Add to these hazards the fact that road conditions can change from ideal to miserable in a matter of minutes, and what you have is a potentially dangerous situation.

the car and the road in all types of driving conditions. To maximize tire life and safety, check the inflation pressure and the tread depth, and inspect the sidewalls for cracks or punctures. As a general rule, tires should be rotated every 6,000 miles and balanced.

The brake system is the car’s most important safety system.

Brakes are a normal wear item for any car, and brake linings, drums and rotors, as well as brake fluid, should be checked at each oil change.

To help ensure the performance and safety of wipers, blades should be replaced every six months or when cracked, cut, torn, streaking or chattering.

Windshield wiper fluid should be checked monthly and only washer fluid should be used.

Tires can affect the car’s ride, handling, traction and safety, and are a critical connection between

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