Cotswolds

Welcome to January

Happy New Year! We hope you had a safe and enjoyable Christmas, and are ready to embrace 2023!

Many of our articles this month have a focus on making positive, healthy changes to our lifestyles to improve both our physical and mental health. There is also more advice from the NHS about staying well over the winter, especially if you’re feeling low or anxious.

Gill Greenwell gives her tips for saving money while adding style to your home in her Interior Design article, and Al Hidden shares ‘a gem of a Cotswold walk’ in his Holidays & Travel feature – ideal for blowing away the cobwebs after the festive season.

Dorothy Glen writes about squirrels in her Wildlife Matters article – perhaps you might spot some of these ‘amusing’ critters scurrying around if you go on Al’s Cotswold walk!

Super spinach soup Delicious Dish with Helen Kingscott

Kickstart the new year with a super healthy green soup, rich in Vitamin A! This is a great recipe to batch cook so you can make lunch for the week, or stock up your freezer. Serves 6.

Ingredients:

30g butter/vegan spread

2 large bags baby leaf

spinach (roughly 400g)

350g potatoes

2 sticks celery

1 large onion

1 garlic clove (or use lazy garlic)

4-6 cm fresh ginger (or use lazy ginger)

1 litre vegetable stock

2 tbsp crème fraiche/dairy free cream

A few toasted flaked almonds

Method:

1 Heat the butter/spread in a large casserole dish and sweat the onion on a low heat for approximately 10 minutes until softened.

2 Add the chopped garlic,

ginger, finely diced celery and potatoes. Mix well and cook for another five minutes.

3 Pour in the hot stock and bring to the boil, then simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are cooked.

4 Add all the spinach, season with salt and pepper, then cook for a further 3-4 minutes until the spinach has wilted.

5 Puree the soup in a food processor or use a stick blender.

6 Stir in the crème fraiche or dairy free cream and reheat gently.

7 Garnish with extra crème fraiche/cream and a few toasted flaked almonds. I used a dry skillet to toast mine rather than putting on the oven.

8 Serve with some lovely fresh rolls.

Medical Health

Dry January: why not give it a go?

As January heralds the start of a new year, it is typically the time at which we might begin to think about breaking some habits that no longer support us.

With the excesses of the festive period over and the recognition that we may have indulged a little too much in terms of alcohol intake, it might be a good idea to start to consider how we adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Dry January is a public health campaign which encourages people to give up alcohol for the month of January and reset their relationship with booze.

You may be surprised to know that the current guidelines for recommended alcohol intake for both men and women is no more than 14 units a week, spread across three days or more. That’s around six medium (175 ml) glasses of wine, or six pints of 4% beer.

There’s no completely safe way of drinking, but sticking within these guidelines lowers your risk of harming your health.

The benefits of cutting down

According to research by Alcohol Change UK, in just one month, 70% of people undertaking Dry January sleep better, 86% of people save money, and 65% of people notice generally improved health, which may include lower blood pressure, a reduction in diabetes risk and a reduction in levels of cancerrelated proteins!

In terms of long-term change, research also indicated that

Dry January helped people to adopt more sustainable benefits, with 70% of people who undertook Dry January maintaining healthier levels of drinking up to six months after. They also noted a significant improvement in wellbeing.

Tips for getting started

If you are unsure about going completely dry in January but would like to find ways to cut down your alcohol consumption, here are some tips.

• Aim to stick to the guidelines (as noted above) for safer alcohol intake.

• Pace yourself and enjoy each drink slowly. Remember, you don’t have to join in every time someone else decides to drink.

• Keeping a drinking diary for a couple of weeks will help you identify your drinking patterns.

• Try drinking low alcohol and alcohol-free drinks. You could also alternate an alcoholic drink with a glass of water or other soft drink.

• Have a few days free of

alcohol each week and plan some activities which don’t rely on alcohol consumption if you think you might find it difficult to say ‘no’.

• Eat before and while you drink, which will slow down the alcohol being absorbed into your blood stream.

• Ask for help if you feel your drinking is getting out of control and you are worried about your health. Contact your GP for further help and advice.

Remember, it’s not about giving something up as much as it is about getting something back. Get your fun back. Get your energy back. Get your calm back and notice an improvement in health and wellbeing.

If you are dependent on alcohol, stopping drinking suddenly can be dangerous. Please speak to your GP who will be able to support you and get help for you to reduce your drinking safely.

For further information, visit www.alcoholchange.org.uk

with Kirsty Lilley

Looking Good, Feeling Great with Will Mbanga

New year, better you

Happy New Year! l wanted to share some thoughts as you begin to plan around the changes and growth you may wish to experience in the year ahead.

Our lives can sometimes feel like we’re on a treadmill, which can be quite hard work. But imagine for a moment that, like a very expensive treadmill, you can speed up, slow down, change the incline, distance and terrain in your life – how different could it be? Because you can and you already have at various points in your life.

By actively setting out to manage your life, intentionally designing it for your skills, your uniqueness, your energy, purpose and passion, you can design a ‘treadmill’ that nobody can compete with you on.

Successful people are masters of reflection Reflection as a tool is a powerful enabler when we are honest about what we want or need to change, and when we have the right motivation. Whether in professional sport, business or personal life, the most successful people in the world share a common trait –they are masters of reflective practice.

This is how they continually perform at the highest levels and sustain their performance and mental health. Their ability to reflect and adapt from their learnings gives them an evolutionary edge.

As you go into the New Year, many of you will have thought about resolutions, changes and goals you’d like to achieve or make in your personal and/or work life. Some of these will be

deeply personal, while others will be the more usual things, such as making improvements in areas like losing weight, eating better, or getting a promotion at work.

In order to reach these decisions, you might work through a variety of methods and techniques, but essentially you will be using the process of reflection to help choose a better or more desirable future.

Instead of going into 2023 with a ‘new year, new me’ attitude, why not strive to become a better version of your current self? One way in which we can all make a conscious effort to improve our wellbeing is with regard to our mental health.

While the statistic pre-Covid was one in four people, this year more like one in three people in the UK will experience a mental health condition or episode. The personal costs of this are huge, as are those to family and communities.

For various reasons, awareness, treatment and prevention

of mental health conditions are often limited via health services. I believe there is also a need for more support and effort focusing on the prevention of mental health conditions in business.

Improvements with mental health in the workplace

Thankfully, there has been a shifting regulatory landscape when it comes to workplace mental health, despite society in general lagging behind. The key change is that, if not already, businesses will soon be required to apply a risk management approach to psychological health and safety.

This is an exciting development in the world of work and I would encourage those of you in decision-making positions to encourage this process.

By intentionally taking control of your life, you can build your own treadmill. Remember, your life is your field of play! My departing question for you to consider is, “What does your treadmill look like?”

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

with Val Starr

Simple healthy habits

After a challenging 2022, I don’t think we should put additional pressure on ourselves with demanding resolutions that are often impossible to keep.

Studies have shown that as many as 80% of people who set New Year’s resolutions give them up within three months, so why not try to form healthy, sustainable habits instead of following strict rules?

Skincare can cost a fortune when you add up all the different products on the market, but there are simpler and less costly ways of looking after your skin. Let’s examine a few.

Makeup brushes

Cosmetic tools should be cleaned weekly, especially if you use them every day. To get them squeaky clean, try using a simple soap solution, which is great if you have sensitive skin. I let my brushes soak for a while, rinse well so the water is clear, then allow them to dry naturally.

The worst thing you can do for your skin is to go to bed with makeup on, so always take the time to remove it and cleanse before bed. Also, never share makeup brushes.

Coconut oil

An inexpensive item with so many good uses. It’s great for your nails, and perfect for moisturising your scalp. Warm between your hands and gently massage on to your scalp – this will help remove dandruff or dry skin. Take an extra minute or two to enjoy a relaxing head massage, and for even better results, leave it in as a mask for half an hour before shampooing and rinsing your hair.

Exfoliation

From our scalp to our toes, you

should aim to exfoliate at least once a week, always using an upward motion towards your heart. The market is saturated with exfoliants, but you might just find one in your fridge if you consume cow’s milk!

Lactic acid works as a natural exfoliator and helps to remove dead skin cells by stimulating new cell generation. It contains Vitamins A and D, which help to enhance the skin’s natural complexion and give you a radiant glow. Just dab onto your skin with a clean cloth and gently rub.

If you’re vegan, lots of skincare products now use plant-based milks in their formulae, and these give similar results.

Limit heat

Our skin can suffer when the central heating is on, often causing tight, dry and irritated skin. While you may be tempted to have long, hot showers in the winter, quick showers are best. Apply moisturiser as soon as possible after exiting the shower – the longer you wait, the more hydration is lost.

Vaseline

Unlike other parts of the body, our lips don’t contain oil glands,

meaning chapping is common, especially in the colder months. Cracked lips can be painful, so look after them as best you can by regularly applying vaseline or similar. Staying hydrated also helps, so ensure you drink plenty of water.

Suffering with dry, cracked heels? Apply a generous layer of vaseline before you go to bed, and wear socks overnight to help soften your skin.

SPF

Sun protection is the most important step you can take to care for your skin. Daily, yearround application is key, as the sun’s rays still penetrate during the winter. Use a broad spectrum SPF – minimum factor 30 during the winter and higher in the summer.

Ultraviolet rays (UVA) are the worst for ageing our skin, as they cause wrinkles, sun spots and break down collagen. Get the best sunscreen you can afford and if you only keep up with one new habit this year, make sure it’s applying SPF every day.

These simple ideas can be easily kept on top of and your skin will thank you.

Immediately in Bourton-on-the-Water, Cirencester, Ebrington, Lechlade-onThames, South Cerney, Stow-on-the-Wold and Upper Rissington, and to join our waiting list for other areas in the Cotswolds

To register your interest, please visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk/ become-a-distributor.aspx

Each round is made up of 150-400 copies per month. The rate of pay is 6 pence/copy. Depending on property types, our current team of people average between 100-150 copies/hour (equivalent to £6-£9/hour).

Magazines are delivered to Distributors’ homes towards the end of each month and we expect deliveries to be completed within four days between the hours of 7am and 9pm.

You must be 13+ years old, flexible, reliable and sufficiently physically fit to perform the duties.

Helping Families find the right help

We help families find high quality nannies, domestic help and child care professionals Mother’s Help

Nannies

Maternity Nurses

Babysitters

Housekeepers, Cleaners

One-off, short-term or long-term support

Full-time, part-time, live-in or live-out

A bespoke, personal and attentive service

Initial consultation to fully understand your requirements

All candidates thoroughly vetted, including relevant DBS and reference checks

Helping Nannies find the right job

Nanny jobs in Gloucestershire

We have a wide range of nanny jobs in Gloucestershire available, so if you are a childcare professional in this area then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

For more information please contact Laura: gloucestershire@mums-the-word co uk mums-the-word.co.uk • 07775 309183

Education & Employment

with Rosie Plimmer, Careers Consultant

Five affordable options for adult education

Today’s employers expect job applicants to be lifelong learners. In fact, a 2021 survey by the educational publishers Pearson found 89% expected their employees to continually be learning.

However, research shows post-21 adult learning has declined over the past decade due to Government cutbacks and rising prices. With university fees of £10k+/year being prohibitive, it’s timely to remember the considerable benefits of alternative, cheaper, flexible and practical approaches.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships offer the chance to train while earning. Originally targeted at 18-25year-olds, ‘adult apprenticeships’ are increasingly allowing people of all ages to move into numerous professions, from IT to beauty therapy.

Other benefits include having a nationally recognised qualification, proof of competence for a specific role, and the ability to continue on a learning path from Grade 2 (GCSE equivalent) to Grade 7 (degree equivalent) over time, as suits.

A good place to start is apprenticeshipguide.co.uk and gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship for specific opportunities.

Online learning

Online learning is a $300bn market, expected to double before 2030, with courses covering technical, softer and creative skills. Benefits are that courses are extensively

reviewed by past students (and are generally high quality), are relatively affordable at £10£100, can be completed flexibly, and cover the latest knowledge in fast-changing professions like IT.

A good startpoint is to review leading providers: Udemy, Coursera, Lynda, Skillshare, Udacity and Linkedin Learning.

Work-based training

Work-based training remains amongst the most popular methods, used by about one in three adult learners. Larger organisations with learning and development budgets tend to offer more training courses, but smaller organisations can offer more chances to widen a role. HR advisors and line managers are good starting points.

Local colleges

Local colleges or adult training centres are found in many towns and offer lots of free or

low-cost courses, with the frequent benefit of classroom interactions. Lists of venues and courses can be found on Government websites such as nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ find-a-course/searchFreeCourse

Independent learning

Independent learning is now a route for about one in three ‘self-directed’ adult learners who use resources ranging from YouTube and books to networks, mentors and volunteering opportunities to build know-how.

Excellent free sources exist to help too, such as the Open University’s Open Learn courses. This option excels when developing a niche that straddles traditional disciplines.

Lifelong learning can also improve mental health, social connections and personal fulfilment, so don’t let prohibitive university costs stop your educational journey.

Roger Downes of Andorran

10%OFFwiththisadvert Money Matters with

Who pays the most tax?

Ever since it was invented centuries ago, the idea of the tax system has been that those earning the most pay the highest contribution in taxes. It seems perfectly logical and fair. The system increases the rate as your income gets higher. Those earning the least pay 0%, increasing to 20%, through 40% to a maximum of 45% Easy? Sadly no

There are a number of intricacies that mean that many people pay more than 45%, even though they don’ t earn anywhere near the threshold at which that rate kicks in

It works like a tax in everything but name

Fir stly there is student loan repayment. It works lik e a tax in everything but name for those who have university finance to repay. It starts every year when your income reaches what for graduates is a relati vely modest £20,0 0 0 or £27,0 0 0 depending on when you were at uni ver sity. Above that they pay an additional 9%, making their effecti ve tax rate 29%, 49% or even 54%

Next you hit the child benefit repayment challenge. This generally affects a different group to the student loan issue, but there will be taxpayer s, probably a growing number of them, who are penalised by both ‘taxes’. If either parent earns over £50,0 0 0, the child benefit they have received starts to be repaid If that parent’s inc ome goes over £60,0 0 0, all of the benefit is recalled.

This clawback increases the effective tax rate for those involved by anything from 6% upwards, depending on how many children they have. If you have as many as six children, your effective rate on this band of income goes over 90%!

Loss of personal allowance for those earning over £100,000

Still further up the scale is the loss of personal allowance for those earning over £10 0,0 0 0 a year, who suffer a 60% tax on their next £25,0 0 0 of income.

Sound complicated? It is and it k eeps tax advisers in business!

Happy New Year.

and presented in good faith with the kind support of many contributors. We recommend you use the contact details provided to check event information updates prior to planning your visit.

25 NOVEMBER – 30 DECEMBER

SPECTACLE OF LIGHT

Explore our magical after-dark experience and follow the new illuminated trail around our beautiful castle grounds. Enjoy the wonderful music as you discover each new secret of this romantic environment. Refreshments available. Various dates and times. For more details, please visit www.sudeleycastle.co.uk

25 NOVEMBER – 31 DECEMBER

ENCHANTED LIGHT TRAIL

Our family-friendly illuminated light trail is a wondrous nighttime experience, showcasing marvellous creations, installations and illuminations. Our Christmas light trail tells a beautiful story of encouraging inclusion and kindness, with clues and puzzles for young inquisitive brains to engage with. Tickets from £12-£25, babies go free. Various dates and times. For more details, please visit www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk

26 NOVEMBER – 31 DECEMBER

SNOW WHITE

1 DECEMBER – 1 JANUARY

ELF HUNT

The naughty elves have gone missing in Batsford Arboretum, find them to win a prize! £3 per child. Admission fees apply to children and accompanying adults (all children must be accompanied by an adult). Batsford Arboretum, Moreton-inMarsh, GL56 9AT. For more details, please visit www.batsarb.co.uk

7 JANUARY

CHELTENHAM CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Prokofiev: Classical Symphony. Stravinsky: Pulcinella Suite. Mozart: Symphony 40. St Andrew’s Church Montpellier. 7.30pm. Tickets £20. Students free. Tickets available on the door or from The Playhouse, Cheltenham. www.cheltplayhouse.org.uk. For more information visit www.cheltenhamchamberorchestra.org.uk

14-15 JANUARY

WILD WINTER WEEKEND

Two days of workshops, talks and demonstrations. Guides in the Hide will be on hand to help you identify the winter wildlife. Highlights include a talk with Chris Moore on his book –Peter Scott and the Birth of Modern Conservation – and Winter Goose ID Workshops. For more details, please visit wwt.org.uk/Slimbridge

19 JANUARY

The Local 40-word** listing: £30+VAT 65-word listing: £45+VAT 90-word listing: £55+VAT

THE ROYAL BALLET: LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE

Inspired by Laura Esquivel’s novel – a captivating family saga where the central character’s emotions spill out

through cooking to influence everyone around her in startling and dramatic ways. An entertaining and engrossing new ballet. An event cinema screening. 7.15pm. Tickets from £12.50. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. For more information, please visit www.rosestheatre.org

19 JANUARY

PAUL JONES & DAVE KELLY ACOUSTIC

Founder members of The Blues Band, Paul Jones and Dave Kelly’s tangled and colourful roots go way back into the true undergrowth of the tradition. As well as their own original material, they not only know and perform the work of the greats – ranging from Howlin’ Wolf and John Lee Hooker through to Sonny Boy Williamson –they actually played alongside them, and enjoyed their friendship. 7.30pm. £28. The Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE. For more details, visit www.thesubrooms.co.uk

20 JANUARY

THE GUITAR ICONS SHOW

A colourful, dynamic and exciting tribute show featuring the music of some of the world’s most iconic and influential electric guitar players. Musicians that have shaped pop and rock music over the years – and many that continue to do so. Faithful live renditions of the original pieces to showcase the work of the greatest guitar icons. 7.30pm. £18.50. Gloucester Guildhall, 23 Eastgate Street, GL1 1NS. For more details, visit gloucesterguildhall.co.uk

Answer Event Listings are Include a 3cm deep image with any of these options for an extra £30+VAT *Figure based on 2.2 readers per magazine with a total monthly circulation across Gloucestershire of 183,000 magazines. **The name and date of the event must be included in the word limit (you can also include a description, timings, ticket prices, contact details, website address, etc.). Page 20 www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk The Local Answer

ROYAL AIR FORCE SQUADRONAIRES BAND

The Famous Royal Air Force Squadronaires Band are performing a public concert at the Bacon Theatre. Tickets are free of charge and there will be a retiring collection in aid of Forces charities, to be nominated by the Squadronaires. 7pm. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk

25-28 JANUARY CINDERELLA

Promenade Productions’ traditional family pantomime for fun, laughter and audience participation. The Playhouse, Cheltenham. 7pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. 12pm Saturday (4.30pm performance sold out). Tickets: adults £16, children £12 from theatre Box Office on 01242 522852 or online at www.cheltplayhouse.org.uk

26 JANUARY THE CRUCIBLE

A witch hunt is beginning in Arthur Miller’s captivating parable of power. Raised to be seen but not heard, a group of young women in Salem suddenly find their words have an almighty power. As a climate of fear, vendetta and accusation spreads

through the community, no one is safe from trial. Captured live from the Olivier stage at the National Theatre. £16.50 (£14.50, students £12.50). 7pm. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk

27-29 JANUARY

GLOUCESTER CAJUN AND ZYDECO FESTIVAL

Featuring live performances from The Cajun & Creole Express, Chanky Chank, Cajun Roosters UK, The Rosellys and many more! We will also have special talks and performances in ‘Jim’s Lounge’ takeover of the cinema stage including ‘Get Your Roots Out’ live podcast, American Roots Revue and more. With a mixture of live music and dancing all day, the party atmosphere is contagious, bringing the spirit of Louisiana to Gloucester. Various times and prices. Gloucester Guildhall, 23 Eastgate Street, GL1 1NS. For more details, visit gloucesterguildhall.co.uk

4 FEBRUARY LIONEL

Following his TV appearances with Lionel Richie himself, Malcolm Pitt delivers a breathtaking performance in this high-octane show, celebrating the music of Lionel Richie and the

Commodores. This award-winning five star production also features a stellar line-up of world class musicians including musical director Jonny Miller from Talon. 7.30pm. Tickets from £20. The Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX. More details at www.rosestheatre.org 14-15 & 17-18 FEBRUARY

ROCOCO PLAYERS PRESENT GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Neil Bartlett’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ well-loved story, directed by Antoinette Wilson. St. Mary de Crypt, Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TP. (7.30pm, plus Saturday 2.30pm). £15 (£12 concessions). 01452 305235. www.discoverdecrypt.org.uk

26 MARCH

NATIONAL STAR’S SUNRISE WALK

Join National Star’s Sunrise Walk on Sunday 26th March 2023 from Ullenwood, Cheltenham. By putting your best foot forward you will transform the lives of young people with disabilities with every step. The beautiful 12k circular route will give plenty of opportunity to soak up the stunning views around the Cotswold Way. Registration from 4.30am with the walk starting at 6am. nationalstar.org/get-involved/sunrise-walk

Buying ready-made metal gates or railings from a DIY store can seem a cost-effective way to satisfy your needs – but is it the right choice?

For some, the ‘cheapest’ method will always appeal, providing you are able or don’t mind doing the installation work yourself, and have the right tools and know-how. But if you want genuine value, paying a little more for bespoke ironwork solutions is the answer.

Ultimately you get so much more for your money, reaping the rewards for years to come –and you don’t need to worry about making an ‘off the shelf’ product fit your property. You get a high quality product professionally installed.

MPL Wrought Iron have been creating bespoke solutions for almost two decades, with thousands of satisfied customers all over Gloucestershire.

Managed by owner Tom Morse, MPL design and manufacture products in their workshop located near Coombe Hill. Tom is proud of the reasons why many customers return and recommend MPL’s service to friends and family. He said: “We’re a friendly bunch and focus on a reliable, quality-driven approach. The standard of our work is excellent – it only leaves the workshop when we’re completely happy with the quality.

“After an initial consultation, our customers can relax in the knowledge that we’ll do the rest –making and installing an exact solution, chosen by them for their property.”

Contact MPL for a friendly and reliable approach

long lasting and especially for you

Following a site survey, the MPL team of skilled metal workers start the process of forming, bending, welding and finally painting or powder coating the end product before professionally installing it at your home or business premises.

MPL service domestic, commercial and industrial customers throughout Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds. They also provide subcontract services to other professionals such as builders, architects, designers and landscape gardeners.

Tom said: “It’s not just me –the whole team are passionate about our work. When any of us are driving around the county, we can’t help but notice jobs we’ve done – and we’re very proud.”

Carbon-friendly wouldn’t usually be a term associated with metalwork, but sourcing products manufactured by a great local company that last for decades will certainly help keep the footprint to a minimum. approach to any artisan metalwork you need

Please think of us when selling your vehicle – we would like to be “The Local Answer” for selling your vehicle in Gloucestershire. We buy and collect vehicles in every corner of the county, including the Cotswolds. If you prefer, you can also book an appointment to drop your car off at our Buying Centre at Coombe Hill.

Outstanding nance settled

RT Financial Planners is an established firm of financial advisers. We have been in operation locally for nearly 20 years with offices in Cirencester and Winchcombe.

Motoring

with Toby Aiken

Would I go for an Aygo?

Firstly, apologies for another Toyota review – sometimes these things happen. Actually, before I get into the review, I have a question for the people at Toyota.

Why does an X suggest a car is more rugged? More of an SUV? Is it because the X can be appropriated to be the ‘cross’ in cross country? That is my only assumption, and while it’s not an important factor, it’s perhaps the subject of another column at some point.

When do things go from being new and different, to standard and accepted? The X suggesting a bigger version of the base car, two-tone paint jobs, and retro looks. When did these things suddenly become popular again? I know fashions and trends come and go, but often these things just happen so unobtrusively that we’re accepting them before we’ve noticed them.

A city car for a growing family

Anyway, back to the car. The Aygo X is clearly intended to be a city car for a growing family,

and a city car it most certainly is. It looks good, and while it may have 5 doors, it’s really tiny, while still being spacious. Somehow.

The thing is, while a city car is all well and good, in today’s economic environment, even a city car has to be able to hold its own in a range of situations. I’m not saying it has to be able to go off-roading, but even a frugal 3-cylinder 1-litre supermini has to be able to cut it on the motorway, A roads and B roads that make up Britain.

When it comes to capable superminis, the Fiat 500 really laid down the gauntlet to the others in the category when it was launched, and is equally at home in pretty much any environment. So much so that when it came out it rapidly moved to the top of the popularity charts, displacing many established city cars in the process.

So does the new Aygo X meet the challenge? Can anything?

On the A roads it needs to be pushed to move well, but that’s expected really when you buy a

small engine car. There’s a bit of body roll, being a taller supermini ( the X factor perhaps) but nothing like what you might expect considering the height to weight ratio. And it has to be said, it corners superbly, again lightness is its friend here.

B roads are handled pretty well

The cornering means B roads are handled pretty well too, but motorways – that was always going to be the challenge. A challenge that it just about acquits itself on. But only just. It’s fine at speed, and as long as you pay attention and work the gearbox, it can keep up. But above 55 or 60mph, the road noise does get a bit intrusive. Not unmanageable, but definitely noticeable.

But realistically, this isn’t going to spend many miles on the motorway, so I can’t really hold it as a negative. It’s a capable car. Practical, nippy, you might say. And while it probably doesn’t quite match the Fiat offering in style, I’m not sure anything does.

Wildlife Matters

with Dorothy Glen

Squirrel squabbles

January is a sleepy time for our wildlife, as many creatures lie low in the cold months until the spring. But as you stroll through your local green spaces, you may notice that squirrels are still very much awake and active.

Their chittering and chases around trees and across paths give life to dull, cold days, but the purpose of all this dashing about isn’t just to keep warm –it’s squirrel breeding season.

Very successful at breeding

Grey squirrels commonly have two litters a year, the first born in the spring after the winter courtship and the second in summer. They are very successful at breeding in the UK, and can be seen easily on any walk in the park, woods, or raiding your garden bird feeder.

But as well as being one of our most common wildlife encounters, they are probably also one of the most disliked. A non-native and invasive

species of rodent, grey squirrels have almost eradicated the native red squirrel from England, and threaten the population in the rest of the UK.

Grey squirrels dominate shared habitats

They were introduced in the 1870s to provide amusement in public parks and estates, but quickly spread into the countryside where they were unregulated by any natural predators. Larger, stronger and better able to store fat over winter, grey squirrels dominated the habitat and food they shared with the red squirrels.

To make matters worse, grey squirrels also carry squirrelpox, a virus they are immune to, but which is fatal to the reds. Ultimately, when grey squirrels are introduced to a red squirrel habitat, the reds are extinct within 15 years. Such is the threat that if a grey squirrel is trapped, it is illegal to release it. Instead it must be ‘humanely dispatched’.

A prominent fixture of our wildlife

Realistically, we must accept that the grey squirrel is here to stay, and is a prominent fixture of our wildlife. They are, as 1870s Britain recognised, amusing. Their nose-to-tail high speed chases around tree trunks make us smile; their double jointed ankles make it possible for them to rotate their feet backwards so they can descend trees head first.

We chuckle about their ability to forget where they’ve buried their nuts; in fact, this makes them excellent seed distributors for trees. They also show intelligence by hiding from other squirrels when burying their caches of food, and even pretending to bury it when they feel they are being watched.

So, this January when you take a frosty walk in the park, enjoy the presence of grey squirrels, as the Victorians intended. It’s not their fault they’re here, after all.

In the Garden

Start your winter tasks

Another year is starting and who knows what the weather will bring to us! This is part of the fun of gardening – you have to roll with the punches and not get too het up about heatwaves in February or hailstorms in June.

Global warming is affecting all our weather and although we may not have the Mediterranean climate some were promising us, we have more extremes of everything! So make the most of dry, sunny winter days and start getting the new year gardening tasks done.

Grapevines, including ornamental varities such as Vitis coignetiae, need pruning now. If left too late they will bleed from the cuts, as their sap is rising ready for the spring burst of growth. Prune back last year’s stems to one or two buds to keep it in check.

Garlic is easy to grow

Garlic is an easy crop to grow, but it does best when it has endured some winter cold. If

your soil is very heavy you could sow the individual cloves in small pots of soilbased potting compost and leave in a sheltered place outside ready for planting out in the springtime. Otherwise, plant them in a sunny spot (pointy end up) with about 2cm of soil covering the end.

Some people find that birds will pull them out thinking they are something tasty, but if that is the case place some scrunched up chicken wire over them. Fresh homegrown garlic is lovely to use, as what we buy in the supermarkets is often a bit dry.

Clean paths and patios

On a mild day, clean your paths or patio if they are slippery with moss and algae. Scrub with a stiff brush and some proprietary paving cleaner. Wooden decking can be such a slippery hazard – it works well in North

America where they have drier winters. The new-style composite decking seems to be much better suited to our climate and looks good for much longer. It still needs a good brush, but at least it is less of an ice skating rink!

No-dig gardening is becoming more popular

Old gardening books will tell you that now is the time to dig over the vegetable patch, but I suggest looking at some of Charles Dowding’s YouTube videos. He is an advocate of no-dig gardening, and he has been doing it for years with very good results.

Digging messes up the structure of the soil in many cases, whereas covering weeds with cardboard and adding more compost to plant directly into creates a much better eco-system. This works even on grassland and is so much easier than back-breaking digging and removal of grasses. Anything for an easier life!

with Julia Smith

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Interior Design

with Gill Greenwell

Recycle and save money

Watching the finals of Grand Designs House of the Year 2022 reminded me how recycling and re-using things is costeffective and good for the planet. The idea of reclaiming is not new and is even more on-trend with the current focus on sustainability.

Volunteering in a charity furniture shop has also opened my eyes to the possibilities of breathing new life into old things, so here are some ways you can be more creative with your interior style and save money.

Back to basics

Architectural salvage yards are good hunting grounds for creating a modern rustic look. You can find anything from reclaimed floorboards to old vintage tiles. Get creative with natural wood. Two friends of mine have made stylish dining tables by adding new tabletops to old table bases, using a single beautiful piece of timber and industrial style wooden planks.

Retro lighting

Stylish looking lighting can be expensive, but you can pick up some fab vintage pieces in charity shops if you love a midcentury or modern look. Electrical items are carefully checked by experts and you’ll be amazed at the variety and prices of lamps and lampshades, often in perfect condition.

If you like a more industrial feel, I came across retro lighting company Skinflint at a design fair in London and I was impressed by how sustainability is at the heart of everything they do.

Repaint and repurpose

A quick and easy way to add vibrancy and colour to a room is to paint an old piece of furniture. It’s really not difficult, all you have to do is trawl online sites or local charity shops for interesting-shaped pieces, invest in a good paintbrush and some beautiful paint.

Farrow and Ball match-pots are great for smaller items, and Annie Sloan’s easy-to-apply chalk paint comes in a wide selection of colours. You will find plenty of videos on YouTube showing you what to do.

Re-upholster and recycle

Why not give a pre-loved chair or ottoman a new lease of life by re-upholstering it? A good way to introduce some pattern and a pop of colour to a room. For a bespoke designer look,

Changing Rooms expert Micaela Sharp advises using good quality fabric, mixing patterns and adding some trim. Check out her easy-tofollow online course.

I love rooting through remnant bins in fabric shops for gorgeous pieces of material. Start a new hobby and create something unique.

Personalise with muchloved vintage pieces

Adding authentic character to your home is easy if you fill it with the things you love. A chair from your granny’s house that sparks childhood memories, or things that have travelled with you through your life and say something about you.

With a little bit of ingenuity and creativity, you too can create a home that is stylish, individual and joyful.

Image: Lucie Annabel

Holidays & Travel

with Al Hidden

Another gem of a Cotswold walk

Think January: cold, wet, short, dark days and a New Year credit card bill to pay. Alternatively, how about clear, dry and a delicious picnic or cosy pub pause amid worldclass scenery?

Your Boxing Day stroll was the warm-up; now set your Sat Nav for Hazleton, just off the A40 near Cheltenham, and get those walking muscles working again.

One of our favourite circular walks from the village is ‘the Hazleton-Turkdean-Cold AstonNotgrove diamond’. It’s a rewarding, c.16km/10-mile walk including sections of the Diamond, Macmillan and Gloucestershire Ways. A mixture of limestone tracks, quiet roads and hilltop footpaths means you needn’t be a mud-plugger to enjoy the walk.

Past gorgeous Lower Dean Manor

Leaving Hazleton, head for Turkdean. En route, after passing Lower Barn and Nut Tree Brake, we always gaze down

enviously on gorgeous old Grade II* listed Lower Dean Manor. Once held by Llanthony Priory, it’s now the home and recording studio of a British music industry treasure.

After crossing the minor road through Turkdean, a few more gentle kilometres lead us past quaintly named Kitts Knob and Bangup Barn to Cold Aston. There, in the heart of another classic Cotswold village, the village green and welcoming Plough Inn make perfect stopping places.

The pub’s timeworn flagstones, history-imbued beams and roaring fire are perfect all year round. You might even meet the resident ghost, ‘Old Harry’!

After tarrying awhile by the fire, a short road walk leads to one of our favourite parts of the day – the gorgeous treelined section of Gloucestershire Way to Notgrove. There, the village’s Norman church holds the graves of the Whittington family, famous for one Dick

Deer, red kites and buzzards

Leaving Notgrove and its glamping pods – we love the giant multi-coloured roadside bunny – behind, the Diamond Way descends through rolling farmland to Raspberry Brake, before climbing gently again. The views from the summit, where we cross the SalpertonTurkdean path, are always impressive. As elsewhere on the route, look out for deer, red kites and buzzards along the way.

Soon, we’re dropping steeply into Lumley Culvert before following a narrow metalled road back to Hazleton. Just after the twelfth-century St Andrews Church, look out for thoughtful ‘Slow Hedgehogs’ road signs, enjoy Hazleton’s ‘impossibly pretty’ period cottages and return to your car.

Now that was better than bingeing box sets on the sofa, wasn’t it!

Whittington, former Mayor of London.

The

A NSWER

Toby, age 14

Terry, age 71

Sophie,

Claire, age 42

Mum of distributors, ages 13 and 16

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“It’s a good way for my kids to learn independence and responsibility.”

“Now I’ve retired, it gets me out of the house and keeps me active.”

Jim Wood leads from front

Jim Wood epitomises everything that is good about Stow-on-theWold Rugby Football Club.

The flanker, who can play openside or blindside, was confirmed as 1st XV captain at the start of last season and the flagship side have enjoyed great success over the past 18 months or so.

Their success is not all down to him, of course, but he’s certainly playing his part.

For the 25-year-old, it is all about the club, the team – he’s certainly not in it for individual glory.

“I’d rather make a big tackle than score a try,” he told The Local Answer. “I love the contact, I love a tackle.”

A big tackle, particularly one made early in a game, can set the tone for the whole match, of course, and Stow, under the watchful eye of head coach Matt Carter, have been clocking up the wins in recent times.

They won the Southern Counties North title last season along with the Cheltenham Combination Senior Cup and are going well in the newly formed Regional 2 Severn this time around.

Wood is delighted with their form and clearly gives an awful lot to the club, but it’s fair to say that the club have given an awful lot to him too.

“I’ve been with them since the under-6s, under-7s,” said the former Cotswold School pupil. “I loved it straight away. I followed my dad and my older brother, they were my inspiration. I played through all the age groups up to under-16s and then went straight into the adults.”

In those days the club weren’t running a Colts team so it was a big jump for the young Wood, even up to the 2nd XV.

“It was tough back then but the club have progressed so much,” he said. “Now we’ve got a Colts team.

“The under-16s, Colts and adults all train together, it’s all part of the one-club ethos.”

Wood is a key component of the all-for-one and one-for-all culture that has been developed at the club.

His own transition into adult rugby was helped by the fact that when he first started playing for the 2nds his dad Ed, a front row, was captain of the team.

Not that Jim Wood has had it easy, anything but, as anyone who has been involved with the rugby club over the past few years knows.

“My brother Mikey died in a car crash in April 2013,” he said. “He’s a massive source of my inspiration. There’s a plaque in the first-team changing room that says ‘Never Step Back’. It’s got his name on it and it’s what I always try to do on and off the pitch.”

Mikey, a back row, was a month short of his 19th birthday when he died and he would

certainly have been very proud of everything that his younger brother has achieved at Stow Rugby Club, both as a player and as a captain.

So what sort of captain is Jim Wood?

“I’m quite quiet, I try to lead by example,” he said. “I put my body on the line, I’m always at training, I play every game.

“There are quite a few older guys in the team but everyone backs me 100 per cent. I’ve not always been the most confident person but everyone has made it really easy for me to captain.”

And Wood is also playing his part in nurturing the next generation of players because this season he is coaching Stow Lions under-13s alongside fellow players James Holmes and Will Oughton.

“I’m really enjoying it,” he said. “I was really nervous when I started.

“It’s not easy to pass on information but I think I’m getting better. The boys seem to enjoy it, I’d underestimated what a big thing it is for them to be coached by senior players at the club.”

And while Wood is obviously giving plenty to them, those youngsters are giving plenty back to him too.

“They come and watch me play on a Saturday,” explained Wood, who lives in Bourton-onthe-Water. “At the end of the game they’ll come up to me and say, ‘Well played Woody’, it’s nice.”

Those youngsters are just part of a growing army of Stow supporters, an army that includes Wood’s mum Sarah Parrott, who has been watching him play in all weathers for the best part of two decades, girlfriend Emma Taylor and gran Hazel Parrott.

with Roger Jackson

Stow captain Jim Wood, centre, pictured with Richard Huggett and Jamie Gibbs

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