SEPTEMBER 2022 The Local A NSWER GLOUCESTERSHIRE’SBIGGESTLOCALMAGAZINE STROUD DISTRICT FIND OUT THE WINNERS OF OUR £5,000 GIVEAWAY – DETAILS INSIDE!
Page 3 The Loc a l A NSWER Delicious Dish 5 Looking Good, Feeling Great 7 Medical Health 9 Word Search 10 Mirror Mirror on the Wall 11 Parenting & Guardianship 13 Money Matters 16 TLA Distributors Required 16 Education & Employment 17 Motoring 19 What’s On 20 TLA Charity Giveaway Winners 22-23 Homes & Gardens 24 TLA Leaflet Distribution 24 Wildlife Matters 27 Quick Crossword 29 Sudoku 30 In the Garden 31 Interior Design 35 Holidays & Travel 39 TLA Sport 41 Index, Competitions, Solutions 42 Inside this month ... Unit H, Churchill Industrial Estate, Churchill Road, Leckhampton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7EG Telephone 01242 www.thelocalanswer.co.ukinfo@thelocalanswer.co.uk510500 @thelocalanswer Stroud District: 40,000 copies Gloucester: 50,000 copies Cheltenham: 43,000 copies Cotswolds: 30,000 copies North Gloucestershire: 20,000 copies toWelcomeSeptember This month’s edition is packed full of interesting articles, from questioning whether electric vehicles are the future in Toby Aiken’s Motoring feature, to finding out what makes a great CV in our new writer Rosie Plimmer’s Education & Employment article. Our other new writer Kirsty Lilley is raising awareness of migraines in her Medical Health article, while Roberta Smart considers how we talk to our young girls following the Lionesses’ recent win in the Euro finals. We announce the worthy winners of our £5,000 charity giveaway and you can find out more about the wonderful organisations the prize money will be helping. If you would like to advertise your business or event over the autumn or winter, get in touch by emailing info@thelocalanswer.co.uk or call 01242 510500. If you use the services of any of our advertisers, please tell them you found them in The Local Answer! Contacts Lois Barnes lois@thelocalanswer.co.uk Rob Kingscott (01242 accounts@thelocalanswer.co.uk541071)ACCOUNTSJamie Kirby distribution@thelocalanswer.co.uk MANAGINGDISTRIBUTIONDIRECTORMARKETING & EDITORIAL Dave Kingscott dave@thelocalanswer.co.uk ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: info@thelocalanswer.co.uk LEAFLET DISTRIBUTION ENQUIRIES: leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk Amber Enright amber@thelocalanswer.co.uk SALES
6 Remove from the heat and add 30-40g of freshly chopped parsley. Pop the lid on your casserole dish and cook in the oven for around one hour until the vegetables are soft.
7 Remove from the oven and add a bit more chopped parsley and salt and pepper.
8 Serve with rice or bread rolls.
Tip: If you are a fan of apricots and sultanas in your tagine, then add approx. 75g of dried apricots, roughly chopped and 50g sultanas at the same time as the chickpeas and stock. This tasty vegan dish is packed full of flavour. It’s a great recipe to batch cook and pop in the freezer for an easy dinner when you don’t fancy cooking. Serves
Spicy8 vegetable tagine The Local Answer To advertise call 01242 510500 Page 5
25g brown sugar
600g onions
2 vegetable stock cubes
500g carrots
Delicious Dish with Helen Kingscott
1Method: Pre-heat your oven to 160°C (150°C fan/gas mark 3) then prepare your vegetables. Finely chop the garlic and fresh chilli, roughly chop the onions, peel and cube the swede, carrots and butternut squash.
2 tins chopped tomatoes
1 swede (approximately 500g)
1 butternut squash (roughly 500g if you prefer buying prechopped frozen vegetables)
4 tsp ground turmeric 4 tsp ground coriander
3 Add the spices and lemon zest and continue to saute for another five minutes.
4 Add the tinned tomatoes and vegetables and stir well.
3 tbsp vegetable oil
Small pack of fresh flat leaf parsley
2 lemons, zest and juice
Ingredients:
1 red and 1 green chilli (or use 1 tsp chilli powder)
4-5 cloves fresh garlic
2 tins chickpeas, drained
500ml boiling water
2 Place a heatproof casserole dish onto a medium heat. Add oil then saute the garlic, chilli and onions for around eight minutes to soften.
5 Add the stock cubes, water, lemon juice, chickpeas and brown sugar. Mix well then add enough water to cover everything. Bring to the boil.
As we have seen, there are a number of different factors that go into developing and maintaining good health and wellness. Many people make the mistake of thinking that they need to severely restrict their lifestyle in order to see benefits – in reality, though, moderation and good habits will facilitate a strong foundation for living a healthy lifestyle. What positive lifestyle habits will you strive to maintain? What two changes can you make in your life for the next 30 days to improve your health and wellbeing? Start working consistently on those aspects today to strengthen your foundations, and you’ll soon see positive outcomes.
How strong are your foundations?
When working with corporates on developing a wellbeing culture, I’m always amazed at how many people in those environments haven’t ‘joined the dots’ between how their organisational vision and values (foundations) are best expressed as outcomes when aligned to specific positive actions, behaviours and habits. We all want to be healthy and it seems like every day we’re inundated with new diets, wonder supplements, fitness fads, the latest gym chain on the market. But in our search for the holy grail – optimal health – is there really a single answer as to how we maximise our health and wellness outcomes? Sleep is one of the most important processes the body undergoes For example, we all know that nutrition and hydration are important for health and fitness – but what specific factors matter when it comes to getting this aspect right? We also know that one of the most important processes the body undergoes to maintain optimal immune function, recover and repair itself is Alignedsleep.tothis is the importance of regular age-, goal- and ability-appropriate exercise for both physical and mental health. The importance of mental health has become much more prominent in the mainstream media (rightly so) but continues to be an area in which we struggle to find balance, due to continued societal prejudice. These four key factors –nutrition, hydration, sleep and with Will Mbanga mental health – play a crucial role in your health and fitness journey and should be seen as essential foundations to master for everyone looking to optimise their wellbeing.
Looking Good, Feeling Great
In order to do this, we must first understand what wellbeing means to us as individuals. When considered holistically, it covers not just the absence of physical and mental illness, but also encompasses a sense of purpose and a state of equilibrium in our lives. Setting realistic goals I often talk about the ‘wellness/performance lifestyle’ as the Holy Grail – whether you are a mere mortal trying to stay healthy, or a performanceoriented athlete looking to smash PBs. This entails strong self-awareness, which allows us to set realistic goals and be honest with ourselves about our shortcomings, and seek the appropriate help we might need along the way. Thereafter, it is being committed to repeating a series of positive actions and behaviours (habits) which over time allow you to become the best version of yourself. And when you’re the best version of yourself, your whole circle of influence benefits. Moderation and good habits
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There is also known to be a genetic component which might make it more likely you will experience migraine because of a specific trigger.
There is a need for more information and awareness. A migraine is usually a moderate or severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head. Many people also have symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light or sound. They are known as a wholebodyThereevent.are several types of migraine, including migraine with an aura, which refers to specific warning signs that may indicate the onset of migraine including flashing lights in front of the eyes. Migraine without aura, the most common type, is where it starts without specific warning signs.Theexact cause of migraines is unknown, although they are thought to be the result of abnormal brain activity temporarily affecting nerve signals, chemistry and blood vessels.
There is no specific cure for migraines but there are a
Migraine awareness The Local Answer To advertise call 01242 510500 Page 9
For further help and information visit www.nhs.uk or www.migrainetrust.org
Medical Health with Kirsty Lilley variety of medications which can help. Over the counter painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can be effective in reducing symptoms, but be sure to follow the recommended guidelines for usage. If you are on any other medications, check with your local pharmacist for any contraindications. If these are proving ineffective or you are experiencing frequent or severe migraine symptoms (over five attacks a month by the NHS guidelines) it is recommended that you see your GP even if you are currently on medication, as it may be that you will benefit from preventive treatment. Migraines can severely impact on your quality of life and reduce or stop your ability to carry out daily activities.
When to get medical advice
There can be several different triggers to these events including hormonal changes, certain food or drinks, stress, tiredness or other environmental conditions. It can be helpful to keep a note of anything that is associated with the onset of migraines so you can build up a picture of what may be contributing. Managing stress levels and paying attention to diet will certainly be helpful lifestyle changes.
Several effective treatments are available to help prevent or treat symptoms so there is no need to suffer in silence. Ensure you are speaking to your GP for help and support.
Migraine awareness week runs from 5th to 11th September 2022 and aims to highlight the debilitating neurological condition, which usually starts in early adulthood and affects one in five women and one in fifteen men in the UK. Migraine is the third most common disease globally with the prevalence rates at one in seven. Unfortunately, research has recently indicated that almost 23% of people who have been experiencing migraine attacks in the UK have waited over two years for treatment.
Don’t look until you’ve finished! Solutions on ‘Index of Advertisers’ page. Word Search MMLRHEYAATLEBHTAWIYVXTLN OJILTOPEAMMNVUCMMTSHYYEE URZEKORRKARNSADHVLZQQKOL SJATTEASUNSKPYPGIRZICTVT ESRYANDPEYOLGVRKEDYIENGR KEDGTBRTZQADGSERPRHGVQUU HUSUWBRWBHTNOUTYYCIUJIIT OULIEXHTYAPCDGANH SSPKWOG ZAKTOEGWCNNIJDMUAENEAHEH QFREJTRABBITGHAHOBRFGRAP NJLJNURKZDONVLHKJBEEVRPH TKPWGPDOFUNARWOXIFPCFAIU ENWXZYNLTEHUAPWLBNLKTMGO VFJFDRVHVBPNMFITERREFGYY GECKOJEHATLOOPUXPKQQRATQ XRLXJRIPIAYFHYXGVQLCXWQC MOHAJFPQGPSSZVWZHRJTMYFI OLTBQTOPHTUJSXMCLEIUAAQU HNODJCKAUEOSPEFUFWUMBTFH SNAKERYRXDHSIFDLOGTEQHLA YEQJKOPRHUMDNMLKSDDATRNC KEWYKSTOSZPXVBHDMJCYOQJU BYYBOYUTWCEMESUMZEAFWGNJ PEEHSLQCEKPTCHINCHILLAQZ GECKOFERRETDONKEYDOGCHINCHILLACHICKENCATBUDGERIGARALPACA PARROTMOUSELIZARDHORSEHAMSTERGUINEAGOLDFISHGOATGERBILPIG TURTLETORTOISETARANTULASNAKESHEEPRATRABBIT Showroom –Units 40 & 41, SpaceBusinessCentre, TewkesburyRoad, Cheltenham, GL51 9FL For a free no obligation quotation call 01242 511384 Installers of top quality windows, doors and conservatories. Pets Page 10 www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk The Local Answer
Items labelled with a number 2 are ‘close out’ stock, meaning they are unsold stock from a designer that would have been sold at a much higher price elsewhere. Often designers manufacture too much stock and are left with a surplus, which could result in us getting a great Numberbargain.7items are known as ‘packaway’, which means they are original items that were packed for the previous year. Personally it does not bother me if an item is from last season – if I like it and it suits me, I’ll buy it. The takeaway here is that the best bargains to look for are items with codes 2 or 7. Outlet shops Here we find another surprise, especially in the high-end designer boutiques. It is often assumed that goods come from the brand’s main stores, but this is not always the case.
Mirror Mirror on the Wall with Val Starr Outlet shopping
Some items might have ‘OE’ on their label, which translates to Outlet Exclusive. For example, Ugg, a brand well-known for its boots, produce an Essentials range
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for their outlets. The boots have the same upper style but a different sole with a larger tread than the Classics.
Coach is a US high-end store known for their lovely clothing, handbags and accessories.
There is a sign on the counter in their Bicester store stating that the product assortment in all Coach outlet stores is a mix of past seasons’ products from their branded stores, and new season products made specifically for their outlet stores. Not many of us read these types of notes but at least they’ve put it outRalphthere!Lauren is another example of a high-end brand that sells ranges in their outlets that you might not find in their flagship Bond Street store. This information does not in any way mean there are not great deals to be found, but it perhaps might make us more aware as consumers of what exactly we are buying. I for one will still head to the outlets when I can and rejoice when I find a bargain, as I would not want them to go the way of the high street! Happy shopping.
Many people, including myself, were surprised that all is not what it seems, so it’s useful to be aware of exactly what you are buying. A favourite for many fashion followers is TK Maxx, which features on most high streets and offers an enormous range of items, often at very tempting prices.
Most people are being very careful how they spend their hard-earned cash at the moment, with prices soaring and the cost of living rising. For those of us who enjoy spending our money on fashion, we often head to outlet stores to pick up a bargain. Even if it means a drive and parking fees, we feel that it is worth the effort to get our favourite highend or designer brand at a big discount. But is it?
In a recent programme it was discovered that 60% of items in TK Maxx were legitimate ‘close out stock’ – meaning they got a deal on existing unsold stock from another brand – and the remaining 40% is made up of made-to-order contracts.
The key to look out for at TK Maxx is numbers on the right hand corner of the price tags –specifically, numbers 1, 2 and 7. These numbers are a sort of ‘secret code’ to the product. Number 1 represents a product that has been produced by a brand specifically for TK Maxx, so it may not be quite the same as they would manufacture for their own brand stores. Calvin Klein and DKNY are a couple of examples. This does not mean the product is in any way inferior, but in my opinion it was not quite what I had thought.
TK Maxx
I am thinking of the message received by so many little girls across the world as they watch these incredible sportswomen achieve their dreams: ‘You can do it! You can win! You are amazing and anything is possible.’Instark contrast to the negativity of most major media coverage of women’s stories, we are seeing a new era of possibilities for our little girls going forward. “Be strong, brave, determined and focused!” No longer is the message, “be afraid, protect yourself, play small, keep everyone else happy, be beautiful in order to be worthy” We are now hearing the message, “be strong, brave, determined and focused!” So how do we bring this message home to our babies, toddlers and school age girls? How can we begin to change the narrative of the centuries
As I sit down to write this article, England Women’s Football team have just won the Euro finals against Germany. Go Lionesses!
How are we talking to our girls?
The lionesses have shown us what young women can achieve with the right guidance, support and coaching, and now it is time to bring that home, in our own homes. Are you ready to raise a lioness? It may take a while to learn a new way to talk to our girls, but if we are determined, try our best and accept when we get it wrong we will begin to build a new world for women of the future, which enables them to lead, guide, compete and win, no matter what they choose to do. I for one would be proud to see my daughter stand tall, speak her mind and honour herself in any situation.
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As parents and grandparents we can stop commenting on girls’ looks, what they are wearing or indeed their ‘nice manners’, and instead commend them for speaking up, saying no, and having a voice and an opinion of their own. We can offer them opportunities to be strong and powerful; to climb, run, shout, compete, win and lose. We can teach them to be caring and selfhonouring rather than passive and self-neglecting.We can refuse to ‘worry’ about appearances, with regard to weight, hair colour, facial features, and instead see our girls as adventurers and equip
The door is open, the time is now, are you ready to raise a lioness?
them to deal with all that life handsMostlythem.we can stop sexualising them through clothing choices and comments around being attractive to boys, refusing to condemn them to a life of unworthiness, people pleasing and self denial.
Parenting Guardianship with Roberta Smart
which asked only that girls be pretty and humble, helpful and supportive, caring and nurturing, and actively belittled them for being anything else? By noticing moments of courage, strength, determination and resilience and honouring them. Commend them for having a voice of their own
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Follow Da ve’s a d ventures @loiski ngscottauthor
Dave and Da rcy Have a Bi rthda y Party
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Dave an d Da rcy Save Ch rist mas
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Dave and Da rcy a re goi ng to the beach fo r thei r su m mer
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DistributorsRequired 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 You9pm.must be 13+ years old, flexible, reliable and sufficiently physically fit to perform the duties. SEPTEMBER 2022 The ANSWERLocal GLOUCESTERSHIRE’SBIGGESTLOCALMAGAZINE STROUD DISTRICT PLEASE SUPPORT LOCAL GLOUCESTERSHIRE BUSINESSES Immediately in Cam, Dursley, Stone, Stonehouse, Stroud Centre, The Stanleys and Wotton-under-Edge Please visit www.thelocalanswer.co.uk/become-a-distributor.aspx Please do not call the office our staff are very busy, so may not always be available to take your call. Wallbridge, Stroud, GL5 3JD 01453 752555 clockhousevets.co.uk Find us on social media Did you know that dental disease is found in 4 out of 5 pets over the age of three? Come and see us to discuss your pet’s dental needs. We will also be carrying out free dental checks at Frampton Country Fair on Sunday 11th September. CLOCKHOUSE VETERINARY GROUP Signs of dental disease include: • Smelly breath (halitosis) • Red or swollen gums (known as gingivitis) • Difficulty in eating and chewing food • Loose teeth • Bacterial overgrowth on teeth, leading to plaque and tartar formation, which causes discoloration of teeth • Long-term disease can lead to weight loss Money Matters with Roger Downes of Andorran
Interest rates
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It’s difficult to have a conver sation about financial matter s at the moment without the subjects of inflation and interest rates being high on the agenda. The two are link ed, of course, with interest rates used by government in an attempt to control inflation With inflation rampant at a rate we haven’ t seen for a generation or more, it’s a certainty that we are going to see interest rates pushed up in an attempt to slow inflation. The argument, in a nutshell, is that people spend less when interest rates are higher and spending less will control the increase in inflation. It has a proven track record, so don’t expect there to be a u-turn any time soon To be fair, interest rates reached an unsustain ably low base of 0.1% at the start of the covid pandemic They were always due to rise at some point and there are many ‘experts ’ who think that we should have suffered much more rapid hikes than the gentle monthly increases that have seen the Bank of England base rate reach 1.75%. Base rate will peak between 3 and 5% It won’t stop there expect base rate to peak at somewhere between 3 and 5% by the end of this year and remain there for what will seem an age after that another twelve months at least and maybe more. These are levels that we haven’ t seen for approaching 20 years, meaning that the newest generation of businessmen and women have never had to run their companies with interest costs at this level Indi viduals with mortgages will no doubt have not considered whether their borrowings were affordable at these rates of interestDoubtless the banks won’t increase what they pay on savings as quickly as they do what they char ge on borrowings But that’s ‘par for the course’ in terms of their behaviour.
There are challenging times ahead, but if it helps us to win the battle against inflation, it will have been worthwhile.
Everything you write should be directly addressing the job advert. To pass ATS screeners, or bored and irritable recruiters, this extends to using the same language and phraseology as used in the job specification.
Education & Employment with Rosie Plimmer, Careers Consultant
Remember that the job of the CV is not to get the job, but to get the chance of an interview. Put yourself in the shoes of someone who is going to get perhaps a hundred CVs and who sees their job as filtering out 80-90 before lunch.
While listing past jobs and education in reverse chronological order still stands, the ABCD of the modern CV is now ‘Achievements’, ‘Brevity’, ‘Clarity’ and ‘Directness’. Achievements Recruiters will glaze over if you tell them you are ‘knowledgeable’, ‘hard-working’ or ‘highlyskilled’. They want to know what you tangibly achieved at each job. This means listing cost and time savings, customers won, service-levels hit and projects delivered. List times you were personally recognised too. Brevity
Hit the nail squarely on the head of what is sought.
Clarity
510500 Page 17
Your document must show it is going to be easy to read from the first glance. This means using a clean font like Arial or Calibri and a font size of at least 11pt. Demarcate sections with white-spacing and headers, and retain a border.
The total length of a CV is still usually two pages, but shorter is better and there is no space for waste. The words ‘Curriculum Vitae’ should not appear at the start as it’s wasteful. Your profile should be a 3-5 line paragraph that summarises your suitability for the job role. Only include jobs from the last ten years. List a What makes for a great CV? Answer To advertise call 01242
maximum of your top five achievements per job and use bullet points.
Check you are writing in plain English by using software such as Grammarly.
Directness
The Local
When it comes to writing CVs, guidance is changing in light of wider trends in the job market and recruitment processes. The internet has made it easier for applicants to find suitable openings and submit applications, but then harder for recruiters to handle the volumes. Increasingly, they are using so-called Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) to help with theAccordingfiltering. to various UK research, recruiters receive an average of 250 applications per post, spending only seven seconds on each CV and rejecting most for reasons outside of the applicant’s competency. For example, 76% of CVs are rejected because of an unprofessional email address!
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I believe that the future is (clearly) electric. But that doesn’t mean I think petrol and diesel will vanish in the next 10 years.Inreality, pure petrol and diesel cars will no longer be on sale by 2030 – but it’s another five years before all new cars and vans will have to be zero emission. That means there’s another 13 years from now that hybrids will be the predominant option alongside battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
Charge anxiety is replacing range anxiety And that is what is now replacing range anxiety: charge anxiety. Wondering if you will find a charger, if it is in full working order and if it is available. If someone has just plugged in, you’re looking at up to half an hour before you can take your turn, then another 20-30 minutes before you can be on your way again.
Motoring with Toby Aiken
Approximately 40% of UK households have off road parking. For the rest, they park on the street, and street charging isn’t ideal, needing a cable across a pavement, or similar option to charge off your home supply. But even allowing for
The future of motoring
that, there’s an additional issue: capacity.Imagine everyone coming home from work and plugging in their cars to their domestic supplies at 6pm. The mains running down the street simply can’t cope with that level of charge demand and it’ll reduce the amount of available power to everyone, so they’ll wake up to go to work the next day and find that their car isn’t as charged as they expected. More investment is needed Investment is coming, but even more is needed. Charging infrastructure is one thing –public charge points, chargers in lamp posts – whatever. But investment is also needed in domestic energy supplies to be able to cope with a massive increase in demand. The future may well be electric, but without serious and rapid investment, it might not be as bright or as fully charged as we would like.
So how about home chargers?
BP, for example, now has more than 8,000 Pulse charge points offering up to 150kW charging – that’s super-rapid.
And keep in mind that the average car on the UK roads is at least nine years old – depending on where you get your figures. And that’s average. Hybrids will still be popular well into 2040 By my reckoning, therefore, hybrids will still be popular well into 2040 and will probably still be a significant proportion of the vehicles on the roads by 2050. So petrol and diesel aren’t going anywhere for a while. Although according to the government, they are. The government has something called a Zero Emissions Mandate, which calls for 22% of new car sales to be zero emission – not hybrid, zero emission –by 2024. That’s just two years away! And the same mandate calls for 80% of new vehicles to be zero emission by 2030. That’s a huge step from where we are now, but the market is moving incredibly quickly. A decade ago, EVs had an average range of 74 miles. This year, a consumer looking for an EV has a choice of more than 140 vehicles, and with an average range of more than 260 miles.Range anxiety is therefore fading as more and more chargers appear on major routes.
day. For more information, please visit www.moretonshow.co.uk GLOUCESTER DAY Please join us for the Gloucester Day The Local Answer Event Listings are compiled 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. What’s On Promote your 2022 events! Promote your 2022 events in the county’s most widely-distributed magazine and reach up to 400,000* potential visitors! Advertise in print and receive a FREE equivalent listing on our website! Event listing prices (per month) To promote your event, please email info@thelocalanswer.co.uk Prices are per edition area – Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cotswolds, Stroud District or North Gloucestershire. 40-word** listing: £30+VAT 65-word listing: £45+VAT 90-word listing: £55+VAT 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 are 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
Moreton Show is one of the biggest one-day the The 165-acre site in the beautiful north Cotswolds is packed with things to see and do changing that’s what say about Moreton Show. for the prepare be surprised at how much there is the
11 FRAMPTONSEPTEMBERCOUNTRY
FESTIVAL
VERY SANTANA A West Midlands, UK-based band presenting a live experience spanning the entire musical Santana legacy, including the early era songs from the Abraxas album such as Black Magic Woman, Oye Como Va, Samba Pati through the late 70s hits such as Europa, to the modern era multi Grammy Awarded songs such as Smooth and Maria-Maria. 8pm. £17.50. Sundial Theatre, Stroud Road, Cirencester, GL7 www.sundial-theatre.co.uk1XA.
4 OFFSEPTEMBERTHERAILS
celebrations and parade. Gloucester Day commemorates the lifting of the siege of Gloucester in 1643 with a day full of frivolity, parades, music, street stalls, entertainment and a Mock Mayor making ceremony with our very own town crier Alan Myatt. From 11am. For more details, please www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.ukvisit
FAIR Held in 30 acres of beautiful Frampton Court Estate parkland, this is one of the last truly traditional Country Fairs. Join us in celebrating all that is great about the countryside and the people who work and live in it. With over 400 trade stands, three display rings and a traditional fun fair there is so much to see and do. 9am-6pm. Buy tickets online at framptoncountryfair.co.uk Age 13+ £11.50, age 5-12 £3. Frampton on Severn, Junction 13 off M5, GL2 7EP. 01452 740152. framptoncountryfair.co.uk UNTIL 4 SEPTEMBER
3 MORETON-IN-MARSHSEPTEMBER SHOW
bargain!
agricultural shows in
– and buy. Traditional and always
2 TACKSEPTEMBER&TABLE
THE BIG BATSFORD HEDGEHOG HUNT Find the hedgehogs hidden around the Arboretum and mark their locations on the map provided to win a prize! £2.50 per child (payable on arrival), plus admission fee. Booking isn’t necessary (only admission tickets need to be pre-booked, excluding Batsford members). Children must be accompanied by an adult. Daily activity. Batsford Arboretum and Garden Centre, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 9AT. www.batsarb.co.uk
day and
to
to see. Tickets from £10 in advance or £12.50 on
Live music on the outdoor platform. All kinds of impromptu entertainment for grown ups and children alike, as well as buskers and a Beer Tent. Craft stalls inside the Shed itself, and of course the Whistle Stop café will be doing take-away meals, hot and cold drinks and scrumptious pastries all day. Off the Rails is absolutely free. Just come on down to enjoy the fun! Plus, local and regional crafts on sale inside the main hall from 11am to 4pm. For more details, please visit www.shed-arts.co.uk
Follow Sherlock Holmes and his incomparable sidekick Dr John Watson on this riveting, until now unpublished, case... Damsel in distress Lucy Matravers engages Holmes and Watson to resolve a dispute over a family will. Little do they know that this small case brings Holmes straight into the clutches of his arch-enemy, James Moriarty! 7.30pm. Tickets £12. The Cotswold Playhouse, Parliament Street, Stroud, GL5 www.cotswoldplayhouse.co.uk1LW.
This event will be held in the arena at Cotswold Riding for the Disabled based at Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury Park, Cheltenham GL50 4SH. Tack, equestrian wear, crafts and more. 6pm to 8pm. Free entry – come and grab a 01242 584420.
10 SHERLOCK’SSEPTEMBEREXCELLENT ADVENTURE
UK.
–
Come
they
TOP SALE
Specialist nurseries from all over the UK will be heading to Malvern Autumn Show, with impressive displays and hands-on advice, offering inspiration for seasoned growers and newbies alike. There is plenty more including great food, cookery demonstrations and shopping arcades, plus a selection of artisan craft for you to browse and buy. 9am-6pm each day. More details at www.malvernautumn.co.uk HOLY APOSTLES MARKETS & WORKSHOPS
years.
expansion
Produce a beautiful botanical painting with artist Debbie Devauden. This botanical painting workshop is aimed at students of all levels. Debbie’s fun and relaxed approach inspires students to produce intricate botanical paintings. £60 per person. 10am to 4pm. Book online: wwt.org.uk/slimbridge the award-winning college for young adults with disabilities at Ullenwood and discover more its work and current plans for as part of its Building a Brighter Future Appeal. Wednesday 21st September, 10am or 2.30pm. Booking essential: https://bit.ly/TourStar 23-25 MALVERNSEPTEMBERAUTUMN
about
top quality ‘like new’ and new baby and children’s
Please bring
11 CIRENCESTERSEPTEMBERVEGAN FAIR A wide range of vegan stalls including delicious vegan street food, baked goods and sweet treats, ethical clothing brands, cruelty free cosmetics, arts and crafts, charities and outreach, as well as free samples from our info tent. Vegans, vegetarians, pescatarians,flexitarians,omnivores and just the v-curious – all welcome! 10am-3pm. Market Place, Cirencester GL7 2NW. More details at www.veganfairs.co.uk 17 ANSEPTEMBERINTRODUCTION TO BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION
visit www.createcheltenham.com 1 TEWKESBURYOCTOBER BABY & CHILDREN’S MARKET NEARLY NEW SALE Lots
A fabulous market showcasing a variety of skilled crafters, artists, bakers, food producers and more! This year we will also be running workshops alongside the market. 1-4pm. Entry and parking is free! a please of stalls bursting with items from birth to 8 Plus a small selection of unique businesses in the baby and children’s showcasing and products and services all under one roof! Great brands at up to 90% off the full retail price! 2pm-4pm.
SHOW
industry
shopping bag. For more details,
selling their
Wheatpieces Community Centre, Columbine Road, Tewkesbury GL20 7SP. For more details, please www.babyandchildrensmarket.co.ukvisit 1-2 TECKELSOCTOBERBIG SUMMER WEEKEND Our annual summer fundraising event will take place on the 1st and 2nd October at the beautiful Fromebridge Mill Pub, GL2 7PD We will have a dog show with lots of classes, demos and talks to watch, a large craft market, food, entertainment and much more! For more information about the event and tickets, please www.teckelsanimalsanctuaries.co.ukvisit 14 WILDLIFEOCTOBERPHOTOGRAPHY FOR BEGINNERS Learn how to take the perfect wildlife picture and begin to understand some of the basics of photography composition and techniques. £63 per person. 10am to 3pm. Book online: wwt.org.uk/slimbridge The Local Answer To advertise call 01242 510500 Page 21
21 NATIONALSEPTEMBERSTAR SUPPORTER TOUR Visit
24 CREATESEPTEMBERCHELTENHAM –
Nominated by Jeannie Bowers ALFIG is the largest and most active Facebook group for reuniting pets in Gloucestershire. Since inception we have grown to cover all animals, birds and reptiles, and we work with experts and veterinary staff, as well as 15+ volunteers/admin. Since the Pandemic we have rehomed over 100 cats, and we work with Crickmore Vets and local fosterers to help many cats in need find their forever homes.
Thank you to everyone who entered our TLA Charity Giveaway. We were blown away by the volume of entries and the obvious support for Gloucestershire’s charities and not-for-profit organisations.
We had nearly 5,000 nominations in total for the five £1,000 prizes, with more than 360 organisations put forward. There could only be five winners, but it’s heartwarming to know so many local organisations have the support of Gloucestershire residents.
Find out more by searching ‘Animals Lost & Found in Gloucestershire’ on Facebook
Find out more at www.opportunity-group.co.uk
please support local charities & £5,000 Your wor thy winners!
Nominated by Bex Greenwood Cirencester Opportunity Group specialises in working holistically with children and parents, providing inclusive early years education and support for families. Next year marks the 50th birthday of the charity, and they feel extremely proud to still be able to continue to make a positive difference to the lives of so many local children and their families.
CIRENCESTER OPPORTUNITY GROUP
LOST & FOUND IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE (ALFIG)
ANIMALS
The Local ANSWER
Nominated by Sally House
Nominated by Nicki Hurst Scrubditch Care Farm is a small charity near Cirencester providing therapeutic farm-based activities for adults and young people with learning disabilities and mental health issues, as well as people living with dementia. Attendees help to care for our many animals, grow fruit and vegetables, cook and spend time working in our woodland. Time at the farm can help to increase confidence, build independence and promote good health and wellbeing.
Find out more at www.cdch.org.uk DOGS & CATS HOME
Find out more at
The vision for Gloucester Feed The Hungry is to help put a smile on the faces of people who need it most. To never look down on anyone struggling, but to always be there to lend a helping hand to help them up and have hope for a better tomorrow.
GLOUCESTER FEED
The Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home works across Gloucestershire to support over 1,000 animals each year. They find new families for abandoned, neglected and abused animals who need a new home, and provide access to veterinary treatment for low income pet owners through subsidised veterinary clinics, ensuring no animal suffers because of cost.
Find out more by searching ‘Gloucester Feed the Hungry’ on Facebook THE HUNGRY
COTSWOLDS
SCRUBDITCHwww.scrubditchcarefarm.org.ukCAREFARMNominatedbyAnnaAvino
& not-for-profit GIVEAWAY!organisations
Customers are entitled to a 14 day cooling off period For a FREE QUOTATION please call: 07786 058696 / 01452 348487 (Please dial area code) or email mitchelldavishomecare@hotmail.com 47 Worcester Street, Gloucester GL1 3AW www.homecareroofingbuilding.co.uk UP TO 30%OFF any orders in September 2022 T&CS APPLY • New roofs • Roof repairs • Flat roofs • EPDM rubber roof systems • Rotten timbers replaced • GRP & Felt • Chimneys • Felt & battening • Repointing • Rebedding • Lead work • External painting ALL WORK FULLY GUARANTEED • FULLY INSURED FREE SCAFFOLDING! Roofs demossed • Fungaseal treatments Guttering cleaned & cleared from £30 • FASCIAS • SOFFITS • APEXES • BOARDSBARGE • BOARDSCLADDING • GUTTERING & DOWNPIPES LeafletServiceDistribution • Delivering direct to over 170,000 properties every month • Targeted Delivery across our 500+ individual rounds • Hassle-free storage and delivery (we accept delivery of your leaflets direct from printing companies) For more details please leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.ukemail And with a maximum of 2 non-conflicting leaflets delivered with each copy of The Local Answer magazine, you will receive fantastic exposure for your advertising. EARLYBOOK for thisveryservice!popular JHD ROOFING & BUILDING • Roofing Repairs & Full Replacement • Slate & Tiled Roofs • Lead Work • Skylights • UPVC Fascias & Soffits • Gutter Replacement & Cleaning • Roof Cleaning • Chimney RemovalsRepairs,&Rebuild • Dry Verge Caps • Dry Ridge Capping • Fully Insured • All Work Guaranteed • Professional & Reliable • Free Quotes all ranges of flat roof systems, UPVC fascias, soffits & guttering or email: jhdroofingandbuilding@gmail.com 01452 347643 07879 370178(Please dial area code) JHD ROOFING & BUILDING UP TO 30% of f For a FREE ESTIMATE please call: Many local references available upon request Fully Insured ~ All work guaranteed We’ll beat any ‘like for like’ quotation! £799 applyforsinglecardriveT&CsBlockPaving • Tarmac • Gravel • Drainage • Kerbs • Steps Paths • Turfing • Fencing • Decking • Resin Bound Driveways C &G PAVING www.cg-paving.co.ukwww.cg-paving.co.uk FREE QUOTATIONS Call or email 01242 801706 • 01452 candgpavinguk@gmail.com341699 GUARANTEEDTOBEATANYGENUINEQUOTE LANDSCAPINGPATIOSDRIVEWAYS5YEARGUARANTEEWITHALLWORKS FULLY INSURED 10% OFFALL SEPTEMBERBOOKEDWORKIN2022 Page 24 www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk The Local Answer
Property Maintenance Free Quotations 07515 528933 arcorenovations.co.uk•Kitchens&Bathrooms • Roo昀ng • Damp issues • Plastering • Carpentry • Painting & Decorating RS Cladding Ltd offer home owners quality uPVC fascias, soffits, guttering, downpipes and cladding in a choice of colours (white, rosewood, oak or black). They’re virtually maintenance-free and will never need to be repainted. All our products are guaranteed for 10 years for peace of mind. RS CLADDING LTD ARE PROUD SPONSORS OF GLOUCESTER RUGBY RUBBER FLAT ROOFING ROOFING SPECIALIST Call now for a FREE Quote email: rs.cladding.roofing@live.co.uk FREEPHONE: 0800 747 1283 Whatever the weather, ClassicBond EPDM roofing membranes protect your property www.rscladdingandroofing.co.uk RS LTD RS Cladding & Roong Ltd are specialists in all types of Roong, Flat Roong and all Rain Water Systems FASCIAS, SOFFITS, GUTTERING, DOWNPIPES & CLADDING When you need a sustainable, long lasting rooftop, look no further than the single-ply membrane with half a century track record of performance and durability & ALL WORKERSKEY THANK YOU! NEW ROOFS, REPAIRS, CHIMNEYS, SLATES & TILES Your Local, Independent, Professional & Reliable 21 Draycott Crescent, Cam, Dursley, Gloucestershire GL11 5LW 07813 774370 johndykes52@hotmail.com www dykesbuilders co uk DYKES BUILDERS LOCAL • FRIENDLY • PROFESSIONAL A family business delivering a quality ser vice for your home For a free estimate please contact John Dykes: Extensions & New Builds Fascia & Guttering Fencing UPVC Windows & Doors Re-point Brick & Stonework All Aspects of Groundworks Community minded handyman/DIY services All jobs considered for home and garden Work and cost negotiable according to your needs www.ronjamins.co.uk 07776 203711 ronjamin7@gmail.com Ronjamin’s HELPING HANDS ROOFING & BUILDING RIGHT CHOICE rightchoiceroofingandbuilding@hotmail.com FULLYwww.rightchoiceroofingandbuilding.co.ukINSUREDALLWORKGUARANTEED FOR A FREE QUOTE: 01453 802635 / 07922 069253FOR A FREE QUOTE: 01453 802635 / 07922 069253 FREE SCAFFOLDING – SO NO EXTRA COST! DISCOUNT20% ON ALL NEWROOFSMONTH!THIS • Re-Felting & Battening • Complete Roof Re-Fits • Re-Pointing of Ridges, Chimneys & Walls • Lead & Valleys Renewed or Repaired • New Soffits, Fascias, Guttering & Cladding • Moss Removal • EPDM Rubber Roofs inc. Flat Roof Repairs • Dry-Verge and Dry-Ridge Systems • Exterior Painting The Local Answer To advertise call 01242 510500 Page 25
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As well as birds, many of our insects also migrate. Bestknown are perhaps the painted lady and clouded yellow butterflies, which both have occasional mass migrations. For example, the golden ball of clouded yellows which were mistaken for poison gas over the Channel during the Second WorldWhenWar.conditions are right we can see an explosion of painted ladies on our shores, the last being in 2009 when 11 million of the butterflies arrived from Europe. That year there was a large citizen science study, where a combination of observers and radar allowed scientists to understand the extent of the insects’ migration for the first time. Each butterfly only does one step of the journey The species makes a 9,000mile round trip from tropical Africa to the Arctic Circle, following the caterpillar food plants as growing conditions
Amazing migrations
Wildlife Matters with Dorothy Glen
September marks the end of our record-breaking summer. Flowers fade, leaves start to brown, the sun is lower in the sky and golden through the trees. As children are welcomed back to school, our songbirds emerge fresh-feathered from their annual moult and are welcomed back to our gardens.
change with the seasons. They do this over up to six successive generations, so each butterfly only does one step of the journey, and those which return to Africa are several generations behind their ancestors that left in the spring.Radar showed that the butterflies fly an average of 500m above ground in order to travel on the wind at 30mph. We are likely to see more migrants As the climate warms, we are likely to see more migrants, such as the impressive swallowtail butterfly, make a permanent home in the UK. Only this year we heard about the exotic-looking bee-eaters which successfully nested and reared chicks in Norfolk, one of only a handful of nesting attempts ever in the UK. There have been attempts from swallows to overwinter in England in recent years too –perhaps it won’t be long until we see them all year round.
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Some birds, though, are starting a longer journey as they fly south for the winter. Perhaps the best loved of these are swallows and house martins, which are a happy harbinger of the coming spring when they arrive earlier in the year. Cuckoos fly via Italy to the Congo rainforests In September, swallows begin the long flight back to South Africa. House martins travel to the sahara and beyond. Similarly, swifts, which spend their lives in flight, travel as far as Mozambique. Another impressive migration is undertaken by the cuckoo, which flies via Italy and Spain to the Congo rainforests.
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Keep up to date on social media! @thelocalanswer Sudoku Fill the grids so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9. Don’t look until you’ve finished! Solutions on ‘Index of Advertisers’ page. Promote your business in 40,000 magazines Call 01242 510500 or email info@thelocalanswer.co.uk STEVEN Stevens Recycling Ham Villa Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham GL52 6NB 01242 522647/529397 stevensrecycling584@gmail.com Domestic and Industrial Skips ATTENTION! Let us lighten your load! www.yestomess.com 07830 844932 yestomess365@gmail.com W aste clearance and recycling • House/flat clearance • Garage/shed clearance • Garden waste • Builders waste • Jet washing • Lawn mowing Page 30 www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk The Local Answer
What a lovely month September is with all the conkers ripening and the rosy apples and pears fattening in the trees. The berries start to come into their own on the Rowan trees as the transition from summer to autumn speeds up. If your garden is looking tired, pop to the garden centre and pick up some pots of cosmos, cleome or nicotiana to insert into the borders. Order your sweet pea seeds if you have space to sow under glass to get them to flower early next year. There are huge selections of extra fragrant ones in all different colours – just like a sweetie shop! Clematis are invaluable at this time of year
The herbaceous clematis are invaluable at this time of the year. They are not self-clinging and only grow to about 1m in height, but they look lovely scrambling through the border and can be used to give earlier flowering shrubs a new lease of life for the late summer.
Autumn
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erature than our garden compost bins. Sow lettuce crops for autumn and winter use. They can be sown in open ground but will do better with some protection like a cold frame. They can also be sown into modules and transplanted when big enough to handle. Land cress can withstand the cold Lamb’s lettuce needs sowing after midsummer as it tends to bolt if sown earlier. It has a mild, slightly earthy flavour. Land cress looks a bit like watercress and has a similar peppery taste. It can withstand the cold. Pick off the best leaves and let it regrow up from the bottom. Winter purslane likes poor soils and dry conditions and self-seeds. It is half-hardy so will need frost protection, either a cold frame or fleece. Bring your houseplants back inside – some might need repotting into fresh compost. Examine for any little critters that may be hitching a ride inside!
Try clematis ‘Gazelle’, which is white with small scented flowers, or ‘Chinook’ which has lavender/blue coloured flowers. They need hard pruning in February or March as they flower on the current season’s growth.Pruneout old raspberry canes by cutting them back to ground level. Don’t shred and compost the cuttings, as they can be a source of disease. You can put them in the council’s green waste removal bins, as they compost to a much hotter tempis coming
In the Garden with Julia Smith
01242 510500 CALL NOW! Promote your business in 40,000 magazines info@youbettercallpaul.co.uk VANLITTLEWHITEMAN BIG00790397465VANS AVAILABLE Great reviews on Discounts for OAPs, students, NHS, emergency services Gloucestershire’s friendly, cost-effective removals, collections, deliveries and house clearance service! Digital Aerial Installations Upgrades and Repairs 10% off with this advert Mark Hawkes Tel: 01453 222181 1st Choice Aerial & Satellites Walk-in showers Wet rooms • Bathrooms Cloakrooms Tiles • Wall boards Full bathroom design service Save 20% VAT If you need to make changes to your bathroom due to disability or a medical condition, we are able to supply your bathroom VAT free, saving you 20%. PLEASE ASK FOR DETAILS Specialists in bathroom design Contact Rex for a free home visit to discuss your needs 07496 057281 01453 884167 rex@lifestylebathrooms.net www.lifestylebathrooms.net Choose from well known brands in the comfort of your own home Page 32 www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk The Local Answer
www.cheltenhamregencycleaners.co.uk Call 01242 279590 or 07754 417650 2 BED PROPERTIES WAS FROM £180 NOW FROM £135 3 BED PROPERTIES WAS FROM £220 NOW FROM £165 CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING 25% Discount during September 2022 Quality made to measure window blinds expertly fitted by your local advisor Quick, friendly and efficient service All types of blinds available including conservatory sides and roof – curved blinds for bay windows a speciality! Call Chris on 01453 731376 or 07825 205293 for a no obligation quote with fitting included severnshades@gmail.com www.severnshadesblinds.com We’ll beat any like for like quote by at least 5% Severn Shades Blinds A blindsrangewideofandfabricsatpricestosuityou! DISCOUNT10% withadvertthis DecoratingJacob’sPainting& Interior & Exterior high quality traditional painting from our professional and friendly team SASH WINDOWS • WOODWORK METAL GATES • PLASTERING/DRYWALLFENCESREPAIRS FREE ESTIMATES 07950 211303 www.jacobsdecorating.co.uk FREE ESTIMATESGET A FREE QUOTE! SKIRTINGWALLS•CEILINGS•FLOORINGDOORS•WINDOWS For a great finish on INTERIOR PAINTING Handyman & Home Services andy.rogers42@hotmail.co.uk • 07827 919 488 Over 30 years ’ FREEexperienceESTIMATESNojobtoosmall • Doors & Locks • Skirting/Architrave • Stair Handrails, Newels & Spindles • Shelving • Hallway Solutions • Sash Window Repairs 01453 548523 07732 188932 timfowler82@gmail.comCARPENTRY/JOINERY&PROPERTYMAINTENANCE KITCHENS | BATHROOMS | BEDROOMS info@knights-interiors.co.uk 01452 348054 knights-interiors.co.uk Unit 39 Kestrel Court, Waterwells Drive, Quedgeley, Gloucester GL2 DIYBOTHSUPPLYING2ATTRADE&CUSTOMERS Page 34 www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk The Local Answer
call 01242 510500 Page 35
The new approach
Sustainability is one of the biggest interiors trends. Look at what you already have and go for a ‘tweakment’ rather than a full refurb. Think about repainting your existing units, putting on new door fronts or replacing your worktops with quartz or a composite. You’ll be amazed what a difference it will make and how much money you can save.
Interior Design with Gill Greenwell
Introduce colour
Image: Weaver Green Kitchen confidential shelving or vintage style cupboards with glazed doors and display your favourite kitchen items. Fill the shelves with bright ceramics and coloured glassware, and add favourite artworks on the walls. On-trend washable rugs give an instant homely and lived-in look. My sister has a braided rug in her country kitchen and it looks so cosy. Check out Weaver Green for some lovely designs. Must-have accessorieskitchen
For a finishing touch, no modern kitchen is complete without a coffee maker – whether it’s a traditional Italian Moka pot or a top of the range Delonghi bean-to-cup machine. Search out original and unusual handmade pottery (check out Toast’s selection). Add wooden serving boards for nibbles and tapas style suppers (available from Trouva), and you will be guest ready.Now your kitchen really will feel like the heart of your home – a welcoming living space that’s not just for cooking. soft sage or olive green with soft plaster pink walls for a country look. If you want to introduce a bolder colour just paint some of the base units. I have painted mine a beautiful deep green-blue shade for a change of look. For the autumn, natural warmer colours will be trending so for inspiration search out ochre, mustard and rust schemes on Pinterest. Handles and taps Another easy way to upgrade your look is to switch up the handles on your kitchen cabinets. Brass is currently a popular choice and looks great with green. You don’t need to invest in new handles – my daughter spray-painted hers copper for an instant update. Review your power sockets and add some USB ports for your tech. Say goodbye to the kettle and invest in a boiling water tap – so much better than waiting for a kettle to boil for your morning cuppa.
After a long hot summer in our gardens and outside spaces, come the autumn it’s a good time to relook at our interiors. Once you’ve packed away the pizza oven and had your last barbeque, the kitchen will become the beating heart of your home again. If you’re thinking of a kitchen refresh this autumn, these are some of the key trends for AW 2022.
Design and detail It’s the details that make all the difference. Personalise your space by opting for open Image: Wren Kitchens
A good way to update your kitchen is to change the colour of your units. I am a fan of shaker cabinets that can easily be repainted. Green is a continuing trend for kitchens – pair
The To advertise
Local Answer
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DistributionLeafletService And with a maximum of 2 non-conflicting leaflets delivered with each copy of The Local Answer magazine, you will receive fantastic exposure for your advertising. EARLYBOOK for this veryservice!popular • Delivering direct to over 170,000 properties every month • Targeted Delivery across our 500+ individual rounds • Hassle-free storage and delivery (we accept delivery of your leaflets direct from printing companies) For more details email leaflets@thelocalanswer.co.uk Don’t replace the Frames ... just the Panes! Broken or Damaged Windows? Faulty Hinges, Handles or Locks? Want the latest ‘A-rated’ energy saving glass? 10 year guarantee on new double glazing! 01452 543158 or 07530 940610Cleaningpaul@mistytoclearglos.co.ukGutter,Fascia&CladdingServicealsoavailable!… we make saving money perfectly clear! REPAIR WINDOWSERVICE Page 38 www.TheLocalAnswer.co.uk The Local Answer
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ExploringValleyMysteriousTrail
Taiwan’s future looks ominously uncertain. Given possible change ahead, maybe time will prove that now’s a good time to visit, explore the spectacular landscapes, enjoy delicious island food and meet the welcoming Taiwanese. Don’t wait too long. Sadly – and I pray I’m wrong – others’ ambitions for Taiwan may soon mean it’s too late…
Through Taiwan’s Taroko Gorge
One of the world’s most challengingroads
Holidays & Travel with Al Hidden aka ‘Mysterious Valley’ –Trail, along a deeply incised tributary of the Liwu. The narrow path twists under lofty cliffs carved from tortured convolutions of eonslong orogeny. Observation platforms, cool romantic grottoes, aquamarine pools and polished river rock make this a must-see Taroko Gorge highlight at any season.
It was all down to Charley Boorman and his motorcycle! He turned us on to Taiwan in general and the twisting mountain highway from Hualien County, through Taroko National Park, in particular. After breakfasting on traditional Taiwanese Congee and other goodies, we’d started early and followed the Liwu River away from the Pacific and into the deepening Taroko Gorge – the ‘Jewel of Taiwan’. Soon we’ll say ‘Lí-hó’ to its breathtaking landscapes.
Leaving the car for a while, we walk the Shakadang River –
Trailside notices warn of hazards as diverse as falling rocks, wild animals, poisonous snakes and – yes, really – killer bees! On this mild November day, however, we meet none. After a couple of hours exploring the Shakadang, a tsunami of coaches has disgorged hordes of daytrippers.It’stime to continue along Taiwan’s Cross-Island Highway, reputedly one of the world’s most dangerous. The journey tests our concentration to the limit, plus everything learned during two decades of advanced driver training. Eight hours later, shattered after crossing the 3275m Wuling Pass, we eventually reach the Crystal Resort Hotel in lakeside Ita Thao – our base for several days and, tip, infinitely nicer than the big west-shore resorts. It’s dark and, already, Taroko National Park seems a lifetime away. Yet its memory is already etched as enduringly in our minds as the Shakadang’s schist and marble cliffs that awed us earlier.
Despite minor earth tremors, we’d slept well, treated royally at the cute-named Crossing the Rainbow Bridge Bed & Breakfast beside the blue-arched road bridge over the Liwu. Now, beating the crowds, an hour into our drive through Taiwan’s central mountains we pull off the two-lane road under the watchful gaze of signature white carved-stone guardian lions.
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Dursley chairman Phil Sprague
Bream, St Mary’s Old Boys, Lydney 2nds and Whitehall will all be moving up to Counties 2 Gloucestershire South alongside Dursley with Sprague adding: “We’ve had some cracking good fixtures with Bream, and St Mary’s is always a good fixture, they are a lovely bunch of people.”
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“I think the reconstruction of the league will actually help us,” he told The Local Answer. “Four of the teams who were in the same division as us last season are in the new division so it’s not like we’re going into the unknown.“Itwill be easier for the coaches to plan for those matches because we’ll know their style of play.”
It will be Level 8 as opposed to Level 9 and with Clifton 2nds, Dings Crusaders 2nds, Drybrook 2nds and Frampton Cotterell making up the division, Dursley will have to go some to match last season’s achievements.
Dursley playing rugby for fun
“It’s about the long-term development of people and players… and having fun, that’s the ethos of Dursley Rugby Club, it’s very important,” said Sprague.“Attheend of the day we play rugby for fun. We’ve got an awful lot of youngsters coming through our youth set-up and into the senior set-up and it’s vital that we get their progression“That’sright.how you improve the club because you retain people if they enjoy it.”
“The women’s leagues have been reorganised as well,” said Sprague. Full story online.
New season, new division, new challenges for Dursley Rugby Club.Their all-conquering men’s flagship team swept everything before them last time out, winning Gloucestershire One South with a perfect playing record of played 20, won 20, and they’re fit and raring to go again as they prepare for life at a higher Followinglevel.the RFU’s wideranging reconstruction of the leagues they’ll be competing in the new-look Counties 2 Gloucestershire South, a 12-strong division which will include the likes of Berry Hill, Bristol Saracens and Old Elizabethans.
That youth set-up is another of the success stories at Dursley because Sprague reckons the club have some 300 youngsters from the minnows – that’s under-5s – all the way up to under-18s.
“We want more kids to play rugby, well, any sport really, but I’m chairman of Dursley Rugby Club so I obviously want them to play rugby,” he said. “But it’s not just the rugby, it’s the camaraderie; the mates they make will be friends for life.”
“Last season we only managed the cup games. The 3rds were mainly made up of Colts and vets – the young lads provided a bit of pace and the vets were the wise old heads, mainly in the“Itforwards.alsostrengthens the 2nd XV because they have players they can bring in who have been playing reasonably regularly.”
The 2nd XV will again compete in Bristol and District 1 Merit Table where they will play against teams from Bristol Saracens, Chipping Sodbury, Chepstow and Wotton.
“It’s a nice little league,” said Sprague. “They are good fixtures and it’s a competitive league.”The women’s team, meanwhile, will be competing in Women’s South West North this season as opposed to South West Central in 2021/22.
Anyone who has played any team sport will know that Sprague is spot on, of course, and while Dursley Rugby Club are clearly on a big upward curve, there is one area that Sprague wants to improve this season.“One of the things we struggled with last season was getting the 3rd XV back together again,” he explained. “Pre-covid we played eight or 10 games a season and then the end-of-season Stroud Combination cup games.
“Our aim as always will be to go into every game to win it,” said Sprague. “You don’t go into a game to lose it. But realistically, if we can be very competitive in all of our fixtures that would be a positive for the season.”Andwhile winning is important, it’s not the be-all and endall for Sprague, who coached the 1st XV for a while a number of years ago.
And club chairman Phil Sprague, who took over from Simon Bilous midway through last season, can’t wait for the new campaign to start.
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