Cotswold Link (West Oxfordshire) Jan-Feb 2016

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January / February 2016

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inside

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New Tourism Partnership

The Cotswold Tourism Partnership looks set to boost tourism within the Cotswolds

Freeland Library

The Little Free Library at Freeland is a huge success!

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Garden View

Garden Resolutions to try & stick to for 2016!

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06 Council helps aspiring home owners 16 How bright is a star? local news: advertorial 08 Later Life Planning 16 Local design leads art trail way garden view: education 10 Cotswold School success 18 Garden Resolutions for 2016 garden view local news: 12 Little Free Library proving popular 18 Big Garden Birdwatch advertorial: out & about 12 Seasonal events across our area 20 Roaring Success: Walkers Logs cotswold link local news: 14 New Tourism Partnership 22 Advertising Details & Index advertorial: advertorial: 15 Successful large cottage letting 23 New Year...New Bathroom? astronomy

local news

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Welcome to the January - February issue

Happy New Year to you all!

I hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year. As we start 2016 we look at a whole host of early year success stories and updates, from the Freeland Library and Cotswold School, to a new Tourism Partnership and the continuing success of Walkers Logs. There’s lots more in this issue too and I hope you enjoy it.

I’ll see you again in March.

Best wishes,

01609 777401 01609 779097 cotswoldlink.co.uk

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.

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Helping aspiring homeowners create their own ‘grand designs’ West Oxfordshire District Council is on the look-out for anyone with a local connection to the District who has ‘grand designs’ to build their own home.

As part of the Government’s ‘Self-build and Custom House-building Act,’ the District Council would like to hear from anyone hoping to build their own home or looking to contract a builder to construct it for them. This includes individual homes and larger developments.

Cllr Warwick Robinson, Cabinet Member responsible for Planning said: “We believe there is an interest in custom and self-build housing within the District as it can be seen as a more affordable route to home ownership and it often inspires innovative, creative design and construction

“We are keen hear from anyone who has any self-build plans and are urging them to sign up to our new online register. This will help us find out more about the number and types of homes they would like to build as we are also working with other individuals and groups to identify suitable land for such projects.”

“Signing up to the register doesn’t mean we can guarantee that a suitable plot will be identified, or become available, however we will do everything we can to help.”

The Council’s self-build register will be reviewed regularly, helping to inform them of the level of demand for plots in West Oxfordshire and enabling them to develop a strategy for matching people to plots in their area.

Self-build homes are subject to the same requirement for planning permission as other homes.

For more information about custom and self-build housing, including sources of funding and advice, or to register an interest, see the Council’s website www.westoxon.gov.uk/housing or call 01993 861000.

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Do you own a house? Shares or investments?

Have a pension plan or a bank account?

Do you own a business?

If you have anything at all in your name, estate planning should be an important consideration so you know for certain the right people will inherit your assets when the time comes. In other words, you should have a Will.

Most people believe their estate will automatically pass to the right people when they pass away but this is not necessarily the case. Assets of those dying without a Will are to be distributed under the laws of intestacy, which could leave stepchildren or unmarried partners out of the equation.

If no next of kin can be found, it may even mean that your money is given to the crown.

Even Wills that haven’t been updated to reflect the real value of a deceased person’s estate or lack of knowledge as to where the Will has been stored can create further problems.

In reality, writing a Will and keeping it up to date is just good sense. Estate planning enables you to consider the impact of inheritance tax on your estate and it is principally the only way to ensure that your wishes are recorded and carried out.

If you don’t have a Will, it is advisable to think about what impact this may have on your family when you are gone and ensure your loved ones are provided for. Similarly, if you already have a Will, it is important to keep it updated if your circumstances change; for example, if you get married, buy a property, have children or get divorced, this change should be reflected in your Will or you may run the risk of it being invalid.

You can’t predict when you are going to need a Will. So if you own assets or a business now is certainly the time to think about writing a Will to ensure both your estate and your family are protected.

Also consider mental capacity and what will happen if you were no longer able to make decisions yourself. Who would you choose to decide what was best for you regarding your finances, property, health and welfare?

You should consider making a Lasting Power of Attorney.

For free advice please call the local office of Lionheart Later Life Planning on 01993 220281.

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Congratulations!

To The Cotswold School, Bourton-on-the-Water What a pleasant way to start the year with a local Cotswold school winning a National Award.

So congratulations to the staff and pupils of The Cotswold School, Bourton-on-the-Water for achieving national recognition. This monumental achievement has been awarded following four consecutive outstanding Ofsted inspections in all categories.

We must not forget the part that the parents have played in this award. One could argue that the Cotswolds is populated by a predominantly affluent society with healthy children and are therefore easier to teach. However; there are within the district many families who find it difficult to make ends meet and are categorised as under privileged. It is these parents who deserve equal if not more praise by ensuring that their children are brought up in a proper respectful environment. In all fairness the school have paid tribute to the parents and carers for the part that they have played and it is good to note that they have been included in the “team”.

The feeder schools have also played their part and should be acknowledged. It can be frustrating as a teacher in a comprehensive school only to find that

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Winner of The Sunday Times Comprehensive School of the Year 2015 2016

the newly admitted year 7’s have not been schooled properly in some aspects of their basic education.

No doubt other schools within the area are asking themselves “How did The Cotswold School manage it?” Hopefully the communication lines between the schools are open and flourishing with discussion.

We must recognise that there are many teachers, pupils, parents and governors in other schools putting in just as much effort and in some cases more than those who have won the award.

Their day will come; it may not be as a national award, maybe something relatively modest, but just as important, possibly in the form of a thank you note from a former pupil who has made a success of his or her life.

Difficulty recalling the multiplication tables?

Then you are in esteemed company Caroline Herschel (1750 – 1848) Caroline Herschel was the first woman to be awarded Honorary Membership of the Royal Astronomical Society (along with Mary Somerville). She was the dis-

coverer of comets and nebula. Her mathematics included carrying out thousands of complex astronomical calculations involving arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, formulae and logarithms. Some years ago Caroline was celebrated by the University of Durham as one of the great mathematicians of all time. She was less than 4ft 10inches in stature and was taught mathematics by her brother William Herschel who is better known as the discoverer of the planet Uranus.

In her later life she wrote:

“My memory is as good as ever...

I could never remember the multiplication table, but was obliged to carry always a copy of it about me” I hope that this gives both comfort and hope to those that are struggling with their tables.

John Harris

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Out & About 13th January

Little Free Library - a huge success!

Back in September last year, we reported that Freeland Parish Council had opened a book exchange, called a Little Free Library, in their rural Oxfordshire community.

The idea behind it was to provide a place in the village where people could share their used books. Parish Councillor Matthew Ruddle successfully applied for a Community Activities Grant from West Oxfordshire District Council to fund the project. “The grant meant that we were able to have the Little Free Library built, and now that is has been set up, there are no running costs”, he said.

Unlike a traditional library, there isn’t a permanent collection of books. The books come and go, as people in the community take and donate them. “I’m constantly amazed by how people put new books in it every day, there’s always something different inside to discover”.

The Little Free Library organisation was established in the United States, to promote literacy and a love of reading, and has evolved into a worldwide movement.

It works by people donating used books, and taking books whenever they see something they’d like to read.

n Cotswold Decorative & Fine Arts Society “The Drama behind the Taj Mahal” by Oliver Everett. This lecture is based on the Islamic manuscript, the Padshahnama, which is the unique official history of the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal. The book is the finest Islamic manuscript in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle and was given to King George III in 1797. For more information please see: www.cotswolddfas.org.uk.

Lectures begin at 11.00am with coffee and tea from 10.15-10.45. Non-members are very welcome (suggested donation £8).

Bradwell Village Hall, Burford, Oxfordshire OX18 4XF ........................................................

23rd January

n Live Comedy: HAL CRUTTENDEN - STRAIGHT OUTTA CRUTTENDEN 7:45pm - Chipping Norton Theatre Hal Cruttenden - Straight out of Cruttenden at The Theatre Chipping Norton on Saturday 23rd January 2016 Host of Live At The Apollo and star of Radio 4, the great Hal is back ranting about the real evils of the modern world - over sharing on social media and the 5:2 diet. â¯The more he complains the funnier he gets. As seen on The Royal Variety Performance, Would I Lie To You? The Great British Bake Off, Live At The Palladium and Have I Got News For You. Tickets £16. More details: www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk ........................................................ n 31st January Cinema: BROOKLYN 7.30pm - Chipping Norton Theatre Brooklyn tells the moving story of Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan, young star of Atonement and Hanna), a young Irish immigrant navigating her way through 1950s Brooklyn and the promise of America. The first pangs of homesickness quickly diminish as a new romance appears on the scene. Soon Eilis must choose between two countries and two

different loves. Sweetly nostalgic, this Colm Toibin adaptation boasts sensitive performances from its young leads.

Adults £8. Under 16s £6 www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk ........................................................

4th & 14th February

n The Classic Rock Show 7:30pm - New Theatre Oxford (4th) Cheltenham Town Hall (14th) Air guitars at the ready for this incredible musical journey through the best moments in rock featuring music by the likes of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Eagles, Dire Straits and Meat Loaf. Chas Cole for CMP Entertainment presents THE CLASSIC ROCK SHOW - Top 20 Greatest Guitar Riffs of All Time - LIVE! Part 2. For 2016 Classic Rock Show will focus on a new batch of rock gems best known for their irresistible hooks, instantly recognisable songs that have earned a golden status in the history of classic rock music. Tickets: £32.50, £22.50 www.theclassicrockshow.com ........................................................

6th & 7th February

n Stow Flea Market and Collectors Fair STOW FLEA MARKET - Sixteen stalls in the famous historical St Edwards Hall in the middle of Stow selling a multitude of interesting items including - Antiques, bric a brac, militaria, ephemera, art and crafts, glass, metalware, silver, jewellery, teddy bears, greeting cards, vintage items galore, beautiful powder compacts, toys and gifts. Upstairs is Isabel’s famous cafe with delicious hot or cold snacks, tea and coffee. All this plus more. Takes place every month - check out our facebook page ’Stow Flea Market and Collectors Fair’ plus Antiques-Atlas’ for forthcoming dates and information.

10.00 am - 4.00 pm. Free Entry St Edwards Hall, The Square, Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire GL54 1AF Contact telephone: 07704 145099 Call to check latest times or cancellations. ........................................................

Matthew explains “The idea is ‘take a book, leave a book’, but it’s not a strict rule. People are welcome to take as many books as they like, and they don’t have to bring them back. In fact, people are welcome to keep them or pass them onto someone else.” Villagers in Freeland have been very generous; since September, it is estimated that some 400 books have been donated and circulated around the village thanks to the Little Free Library book exchange.

If you’d like to visit this Little Free Library, you can find in on Wroslyn Road, Freeland, about halfway between the school and the pub. For more information please visit: www.freelandlittlefreelibrary.wordpress. com/

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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 p22.

18th February

n Live Music: Ryley Walker with Danny Thompson 7:30pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford Playing together for the very first time, the much anticipated collaboration between two of contemporary folk’s finest artists - Ryley Walker and Danny Thompson.

For this very special tour, Ryley is joined onstage by near-legendary double-bassist Danny Thompson, who performed with both Bert Jansch (in Pentangle) and Tim Buckley, as well as with Nick Drake, John Martyn and many more - helping to create the lyrical and jazz-flecked astral folk that so influenced Walker close to half a century later. As well as performing works from his previous albums, the shows will likely include new Ryley Walker material. Expect a memorable night as these two immensely talented artists come together to create something exceptional. Advance booking strongly advised.

Price: £14.50.

Venue: The Bullingdon, 162 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 1UE ........................................................

26th - 28th February

n Oxford International Art Fair Bringing the best selected artworks to Oxford by top emerging artists from around the world for everyone to enjoy.

You can look forward to a varied and colourful art fair. The selection is based on photographs, illustrations, paintings, bespoke crafts and also sculptures.

Friday 26th Feb 2016 : Private View & Vernissage from 18.00pm - 21.00pm : £ 10 GBP per ticket - book online.

Saturday 27th Feb 2016 : Live painting and Art show from 11.00am - 17.00pm : Free entry (pre booking is recommended).

Sunday 28th Feb 2016 : Global Art Awards and Art show from 11.00am - 17.00pm : Free entry (pre booking is recommended).

End Date: February 28, 2016.

End Time: 5:00 pm.

Price: Free. ........................................................

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

5th & 6th March

n Devil Mud Run DEVIL MUD RUN is a hardcore, hilly 8km course featuring over 30 obstacles and gives you the chance to take part in trail running across open, rugged countryside, through woods with plenty of mud and water thrown in! To complete the course you will have to jump, climb, wade, crawl, slide, conquer hellish hills, stinking swamps and survive the Devil’s Playground! The course is challenging enough for the most serious of competitors but will be an excellent achievement for any fun runners to complete too. Bring supporters along with you for a fun, family friendly day out! For more information about event and passed events, please visit www.

Middle Stanley Farm, Stanley Pontlarge Nr Cheltenham. GL54 5HE devilmudrun.com ........................................................

13th March

n Jason Donovan LIVE Jason Donovan Ten Good Reasons + Greatest Hits. No Support. Artists performing: Jason Donovan.: Tickets avaiable.

Doors open: 19:00: Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult.

New Theatre, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 2AG www.gigantic.com/jason-donovan-newtheatre-2016-03-13-19-00 ........................................................

17th March

n Live Comedy: Ed Byrne: Outside, Looking In 7.30pm - Cheltenham Town Hall The Dublin-stand-up and regular guest on Mock The Week returns with a new show of observational humor.

‘A masterful display of the comic’s art …

This is a seamless and perfectly timed show that could stand proudly next to any Izzard, Bailey, Carr or Skinner stadium-filler’ – Sunday Times Cheltenham, GL50 1QA. £20.50 0844 576 2210 / www.edbyrne.com ........................................................

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

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New Partnership set to boost West Oxfordshire’s tourism

West Oxfordshire District Council is looking to further help tourism businesses in the area by developing close links with the new Cotswolds Tourism Partnership.

The Cotswolds Tourism Partnership is a collection of public and private sector organisations looking to promote and manage tourism to the Cotswolds in a more co-ordinated way. The new partnership which is already working with Cotswold District Council, and other local authorities in the area, will act as the destination management organisation for the Cotswolds.

West Oxfordshire has always successfully been marketed as the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, and that will continue, but it will have access to a wider audience by working with the destination management organisation and attending travel shows and exhibitions under the ‘Cotswolds’ banner.  Cllr James Mills, Cabinet Member responsible for

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Tourism said, “Working through the Partnership will open more doors for us and we are very excited about the opportunities it offers for our local attractions, accommodation providers, restaurants, shops and businesses that benefit from the buoyant tourism industry we have in West Oxfordshire.”

He added: “Being in the Cotswolds Tourism Partnership is a real bonus and should bring extra investment, but we will continue to work closely with the rest of Oxfordshire via Experience Oxfordshire.”

Photograph left of Burford High Street in West Oxfordshire. Burford is often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’.

Having a buoyant visitor economy is an important part of West Oxfordshire’s economic success and last year figures showed that tourism spending in West Oxfordshire was £274m and it accounted for 4,850 jobs in the district.”

The Cotswolds Tourism Partnership has also recently announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive, Robin Tjolle, to help lead the development of the organisation. He said, “The Cotswolds is such a well-known tourism destination and it is really important that we all work together to manage tourism to the area in a co-ordinated and joined up way.”

The partnership aims to make it easier for visitors to stay and experience more of the Cotswolds by showing what a wonderful destination it is for international visitors, families, young couples and empty nesters alike.

Photograph: Derek Cotterill

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Meadow View, Blockley

Holiday Letting Large Cottages What’s The Secret?

Cotswold Link interviews Character Cottages, a local holiday letting expert, to understand the local market for large holiday cottages

Cotswold View, Bourton

July Cottage, Ilmington

”Owners of large houses are often under the impression that the demand for holiday letting is low and unprofitable. Are you able to shed some light on the market and the holiday letting opportunity?”

The great news is that big properties in the

for large groups of people, who want to get

holiday homes perform exceptionally well in

Cotswolds, especially those with traditional

together to celebrate an event, such as a 60th

the Cotswolds. For example, we have success-

character, do very well as holiday lets! To

birthday party, family gathering or a university

fully generated more than £90,000 per annum

understand why, a good place to start is by

reunion. Hotels often don’t appeal to large

of gross income, from over 55 bookings, for a

looking at the history behind the area…

groups, as they sometimes lack the desired

beautiful, detached, six bedroomed house in

communal feel and can often be too expensive.

the North Cotswolds.

with wool, silk and other raw materials. As a

A further attribute of the demand for big

At Character Cottages we are very experienced

result, many of the cottages in the area were

Cotswold houses is that, being event driven,

at marketing and maximising the returns on

built for the farm labourers and factory workers,

it is less impacted by seasonality. For example,

large properties. We can offer owners a wide

and are quite small, typically with one or two

if Grandma’s 70th birthday happens to be in

and detailed range of support and advice

bedrooms. Larger properties are less common

January, then that’s when the group will want

on many key holiday letting factors, including

and, consequently, this creates a restricted

to book their break, regardless of the fact that

furnishing, pricing, occupancy, security deposits

supply of big houses for the holiday letting

this is traditionally a quieter month for holiday

and overall property management. To find out

market.

letting. This means large properties can command

what your large house can do for you, just get

strong prices throughout the year.

in touch with us!

The Cotswolds has a long history of working

Many people are surprised to learn that the underlying demand for large holiday lets in the

When you combine the limited supply of

Cotswolds is very high. The central location

properties with the strong and constant

of the Cotswolds makes it the perfect location

demand, our experience has been that large

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

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Local designs mark the way for winning art trail

The

Cotswold Sky

A joint public art project between West Oxfordshire District Council and Eynsham Parish Council is among the winners of an Oxford Preservation Trust award.

How bright is a star?

Onemethodofmeasuringthebrightness of a star is in terms of magnitude, or its apparent brightness when viewed from Earth. This does not mean that the brighter the star you see with the naked eye is either bigger or closer to us than a dimmer one.

The method of comparing stars was first introduced to us by the Greeks who introduced a system that gave the brightest stars a magnitude number of 1 and the faintest a magnitude of 6. Obviously this system was subjective and complicated by the fact that a stars apparent magnitude will vary due to atmospheric conditions. We now have measuring instruments which allocate each star into its correct category of magnitude that now goes down to magnitude 22.

Vega in the constellation Lyra is used as the standard reference point having a magnitude of zero.

The Wharf Stream Way Art Trail in Eynsham has been recognised as one of the best environmental projects in the area by a panel of expert judges who said that the quality and range of the 2015 entries was stronger than ever.

With good eye sight on a clear night one may be able to observe stars between magnitudes 5 and 6, but if you live in a town this could be as low as magnitude 3.

Unique artworks, designed by local residents and artists have been used to create a fascinating trail linking east Eynsham to the River Thames.

Table showing magnitude scale of planets visible to the eye, plus The Sun and the Moon

Some objects are brighter than zero for example, Sirius the brightest star in the sky has a magnitude of -1.47 and all the planets visible to the naked eye, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn have negative magnitudes.

Object

Maximum Magnitude

Sun

-26.74

Moon

-12.9

Mercury

-2.45

Venus

-4.89

Mars

-2.91

Jupiter

-2.94

Saturn

-0.49

Sky Diary

January 27th 23.52 hours

Look in the direction of SE, the Moon is close to Jupiter.

February 1st 06.00 hours

Looking South the Moon is close to Mars February 6th 07.00hours

Mercury, Venus and the Moon are close together in the SSE, both Mercury and the waning Moon may be difficult to see, Mercury and Venus being below the Moon. Saturn and Mars can be seen higher in the sky with Saturn due South and Mars SSW.

Large brightly painted information panels and way markers highlight the history of the Wharf Stream, a route used for more than 600 years for freight carrying. They also depict some of the flora and fauna that can be seen along the way.

The information panels are designed by local artists, Jane Tomlinson and Lorna Marrison, and they mark the start and end of the Trail, one being at Swinford Green, and the other near the Wharf Stream.

Panel above is by Jane Tomlinson and below by Lorna Marrison. Another local artist, Alice Walker, has designed a wooden waymarker inspired by drawings and artwork done by Eynsham Day Centre users at their weekly meetings.

Cllr Gordon Beach, Chairman of Eynsham Parish Council said, “This is an excellent example of co-operation between the two councils, to bring a part of Eynsham history to life and it complements work by volunteers since 2006 to open up the Wharf Stream. This has included gaining permissive rights for footpaths, installation of new entrance gates and new bridge installed by Oxfordshire County Council, seating along the trail and owl boxes as part of work to support and encourage wildlife.

The project has been funded by money secured by the District Council under planning rules from the developer of the 100-home Swinford Green development on the eastern edge of Eynsham, along with a grant from the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE).

The Sky looking South at 07.00 hours February 6th February 24th 05.48 hours in the West, Jupiter can be seen above the waning gibbous Moon.

February 29th (Leap Year day) 05.45 hours Looking South you will see Saturn, Mars then the Moon in that order. Now look over to the West to see Jupiter just before it disappears over the horizon.

The Sky Looking South at 05.45 hours February 29th 05.45

Cllr Warwick Robinson, the District Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for public art projects, said: “It’s marvellous that the Wharf Stream Way Art Trail has gained such high recognition as it brings the story of an age old route to life for the enjoyment of residents and walkers. It’s an excellent example of public art that’s been inspired and created by local people; they are deserving winners of an Oxford Preservation Trust award.”

Two further pieces of artwork are to be commissioned for the trail.

John Harris

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17

GARDEN VIEW

Gardening Resolutions for 2016 I’m a sucker for resolutions. I make loads every year though I have to admit I break most of them too.

as soon as a get them home and definitely before their flowers drop off and they turn up their little green toes.

But it’s January and time for a spot of gardening self-improvement. To this end here are my gardening resolutions.

Plants bought from a nursery, especially those in cell pack, are already in less than ideal conditions and letting them dehydrate further will make for a sick, leggy plant more prone to disease.

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. I will take a daily walk around my plot and pull out a few weeds as I go. I will not wait until I can’t stick a pin between the dandelions.

Let’s face it gardeners are great procrastinators.

But by doing a little and often we can keep our plots looking spick and span.

2

. I will not leave seed sowing until it’s too late!

This is my personal nemesis. I get carried away by all the glorious seed catalogues, order dozens of packets then pop them in a drawer and forget about them.

3

. I will plant all the plants I buy from a nursery

Big Garden Birdwatch It started back in 1979 when the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) invited its junior members to count the number of birds in their gardens over a weekend in winter.

The aim was to work out the ten most common birds in the United Kingdom, and thanks to children’s TV programme Blue Peter, thirty four thousand youngsters took part!

The Big Garden Birdwatch has taken place every year since, with over half a million people – adults as well as

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Preparation is the key here. I will make sure I have the correct pots, enough potting compost and the time to spare before I buy.

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produces weak root systems. If I know I won’t have the time I’ll invest in an irrigation system.

6

. I will start another compost bin. it’s not difficult and will help the environment as I’ll be able to recycle even more of my waste vegetable matter.

There are small drums and bins which will suit even the tiniest spot.

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. I will help wildlife by making sure I provide habitats for birds, bugs and beasties.

. I will clean my gardening tools at the end of each day spent gardening.

Any effort I put in will be repaid tenfold. A garden is a little ecosystem. If it functions well there will be natural pest control, pollination and soil conditioning.

This is sensible because dirty tools can spread disease. Mild bleach (one part bleach to 10 parts water) or an organic cleaner, which I prefer, will make sure they’re ready for use next time.

Those are my resolutions. You may have different ones and that’s fine. I’m sure we’ll break a few along the way but no-one said the path to perfection, particularly gardening perfection was easy.

. I will buy another water butt and water my plants faithfully, particularly my pots. Lack of water

By Rachel Leverton

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children - regularly taking part. Last year, more than 8.5 million birds were counted, with house sparrows being the most common sighting, followed by starlings, blackbirds, blue tits and wood pigeons.

The annual survey has identified that certain species of bird are on the decline (such as house sparrows and starlings) whilst others are on the increase (for example blue tits and wood pigeons). By monitoring trends in this way, problems can be spotted early and first steps taken to put things right.

and 31st January. To take part, you need to watch for one hour the birds that land in your garden or local park, record the highest number of each bird species you see at the same time (not over the entire hour, as you may end up counting some birds twice), then report back your findings. For more details on how to get involved, visit http://www.rspb.org.uk/ discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdwatch

By Debbie Singh-Bhatti

This year the Big Garden Birdwatch takes place on the weekend of 30th

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A roaring success...

Having been involved in the woodburning industry for over 40 years, the Walker family know a thing or two when it comes to what goes into providing top quality logs and kindling. Based in Burford, Walker’s Logs was founded in 2005 as an efficient and expert way of combatting an issue that every owner of a woodburning stove has encountered at some point or another; wood that is simply too wet.

Burning wet wood not only blackens stoves, produces soot and can ultimately lead to chimney fires (around 90% of stove problems arise from the use of wet wood), but it’s considerably less efficient and harder to use than dry wood. However, finding a ready supply of dry wood with Britain’s famously wet weather is easier said than done, and that’s where Fred Walker of Walker’s Logs offers a compelling solution.

Walker’s Logs boasts several kilns, state of the art firewood processing equipment and a bespoke firewood processor, built specifically for them in Italy, which turns tree trunks into logs with remarkable efficiency. Their kilning process reduces moisture in the wood from around 60% to between 15% and 20%, removing the equivalent of 20,000 bottles of water from the wood and leaving it in the perfect condition to be used in homes. The kilning process is monitored with meticulous attention to detail and constant temperature and humidity checks to ensure the wood is dried perfectly, and since the kiln is fired using sawdust and bark it’s eco-efficient too.

The end result is a consistent, reliable supply of wood that is unrivalled in the heat it generates, its efficiency and its cleanliness.

As well as avoiding the aforementioned issues with soot and the potential fires, the lack of moisture in the wood means it can be lit quickly and easily, and once done so, it burns with much more heat, making it far better at warming your home on those chilly evenings. High quality ash, beech and oak are used for the logs, ensuring every customer gets a consistently excellent quality product.

What’s more, all trees used for Walker’s Logs are sourced in a sustainable, environmentally-friendly manner.

With such a heritage-inspired approach to production, it would come as little surprise if Walker’s Logs were as old fashioned in the rest of their methods.

However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Their modern website is intuitively navigable and makes ordering fast and simple. Company founder Fred says, “we want to make ordering logs as easy and hassle free as possible, we have now introduced an online shop where customers can order logs at any time of day to suit them!”

Recently, Fred’s wife has joined the company to help deal with orders and office work, to ensure customers receive speedy deliveries and excellent service. They also offer a rapid delivery network and a variety of different bundle sizes to suit every need.

For more information call: 01285 720940 or visit: www.walkerslogs.co.uk

Tel: 01285 720940

Your CotswoldLink 20 www.walkerslogs.co.uk

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Art & Antiques Mallams: p3 Attractions & Events Cotswold Archery: p13 Builders & Contractors CN Glass: p13 Cotswold Stoves & Chimneys: p4 JA Shirley Building Services: p23 PJC Services: p6 The 50 Plus: p8 Carpets & Flooring Chipping Norton Flooring: p7 Cotswold Carpets: p1 Children’s Services Cotswold Tutor: p10 Chimney Services Cotswold Stoves & Chimneys: p4 Mr Sweep Chimney Services: p19 Cleaning Services The Laundry: p8 MRK Services: p19 Dentist Cirencester Dental Practice: p11

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Education Cotswold Tutor: p10 Elderly Services The Langston Care Home: p8 Electrical Services Cotswold Aerials: p21 Mayday Aerials: p13 PJC Services: p6 Fashion & Clothing Cotswold Frockshop: p17 Finance & Legal Lionheart Later Life Planning: p8 Food & Drink Tatty Bunting: p2 Furniture Amanda Hanley By Design: p9 Cottonwood Interiors: p1 MRK Services: p19 Gardening & Outdoors Cotswold Tool & Plant Hire: p19 MRK Services: p19 Norton Air: p19 Russell Nicholls Tree Surgery: p19

Next issues

West Oxfordshire Mar / Apr 2016

Dist: w/c 29th February ‘16 Copy: 5th February ‘16 ............................................

North Cotswolds Mar / Apr 2016

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Healthcare & Wellbeing Cirencester Dental Practice: p11 Footworx Clinic: p11 Ramona Gogolos Foot Health Professional: p11 Heating Cotswold Stoves & Chimneys: p4 Fosse Fires: p1 Gas & Oil Heating Services: p23 Heat Store: p3 Hire Cotswold Tool & Plant Hire: p19 Fosseway Tool Hire: p21 Holidays Carrick Travel: p14 Character Cottages: p15 Holidays Please: p24 Home & Interiors Amanda Hanley By Design: p9 Chipping Norton Flooring: p7 Cotswold Carpets: p1 Cotswold Stoves & Chimneys: p4 Cottonwood Interiors: p1 Country Bathrooms: p23 Fosse Fires: p1 Heat Store: p3

from only

Dist: w/c 29th Feb & 7th Mar ‘16 Copy: 5th February ‘16

Sewing Tuition: p10 Woodentop Restoration Company: p3 Kitchens & Bathrooms Country Bathrooms: p23 Cottonwood Interiors: p1 Woodentop Restoration Company: p3 Laundry The Laundry: p8 Logs & Fuel Cotswold Petrolium: p21 Fosseway Tool Hire: p21 Walkers Logs: p5 Motoring Norton Air: p19 Painters & Decorators PMO Decorators: p6 Pets & Animals Dial A Dog Wash: p12 My Best Friend Dog Care: p1 Plumbing PJC Services: p6 Property Maintenance CN Glass: p13 Cotswold Stoves & Chimneys: p4

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Gas & Oil Heating Services: p23 JA Shirley Building Services: p23 Mr Sweep Chimney Services: p19 PJC Services: p6 The 50 Plus: p8 Sewing Sewing Tuition: p10 Sound & Vision Cotswold Aerials: p21 Mayday Aerials: p13 Tree Surgery Russell Nicholls Tree Surgery: p19 Tuition Cotswold Tutor: p10 My Computer Tutor: p10 Sewing Tuition: p10 Weddings Cotswold Frockshop: p17 Windows CN Glass: p13 Distinguished Windows: p4 The Index is a free service offered to our customers. No responsibility can be held for errors or omissions.

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New Year...New Bathroom?

Cotswold Link recently spoke to Country Bathrooms owners Ross & Deborah about their business and what makes it tick!

Country Bathrooms service all your bathroom needs from minor repairs and tiling work only through to full design, supply and re-fit.

“For us it’s all about offering a personal service at a competitive price. People know that when they contact us they will speak to either Deborah or myself and that we are here to help”, says Ross.

All work is carried out with the customers needs in mind, from initial visit to the finishing touches, we always ensure that all of our work is carried out with the upmost professionalism and to the highest standards as we pride ourselves on keeping our customers happy and delivering their requirements.

Deborah continues, “We specialise in all things bathrooms and I think that people really appreciate honest advice and traditional values when they are undertaking such important work as a new bathroom.”

For more information, give Ross & Deborah a call now on: 07776 145 878 / 01451 84460 or visit: www.countrybathrooms.co.uk

Ross was born and raised in Witney and now lives in the Cotswolds. He is a fully City & Guilds qualified Plumbing and Heating engineer who specialises in bathroom installations, running his own bathroom fitting business since 2006.

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