Love Local Magazines - Forest of Dean March'20

Forest of Dean Your FREE local community magazine MARCH 2020

WIN TICKETS TO A CHELTENHAM E TOWN F.C. GAM

THIS MONTH: Your essential local ‘What’s On’ guide Big Interview with Michael Duff, CTFC Manager Treat Your Mum with our Mother’s Day Gift Guide Estuary Oils Your Leading Fuels & Lubricants Supplier

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2

WIN TICKETS TO A CHELTENHAM TOWN F.C. GAME

COMPET

PAGE 15

IT IO N

A note from the Editor TIME TO SPOIL YOUR MUM After months of rain, storms and floods, we move into March hoping that Spring will bring us calmer and dryer weather.

This month: MOTORING

6-7

FOOD & DRINK

10 & 11

THE BIG INTERVIEW

12 & 13

QUIZ TIME

14 & 15

MOTHER'S DAY

16 & 17

HOME & GARDEN

18 & 19

TECHNOLOGY

22 & 23

LOVING LOCAL

26 - 29

www.lovelocalmagazines.co.uk GENERAL ENQUIRIES: anne@lovelocalmagazines.co.uk T: 01242 388 366

Come rain or shine, on 22nd of March it's time to spoil your mum! Have a look at our fantastic Mother's Day guide on the centre pages of this magazine for unique present ideas, places to go and things to do - and the best part is, it's all local!

Ever wondered what life as a Football Manager is like? This month you can find out with our 'Big Interview' in which we asked Cheltenham Town F.C. Manager Michael Duff to tell us about his job.

Want to see Cheltenham Town F.C. in action?

Then enter our competition on page 15 for a chance to win a pair of tickets to see a home game during the remainder of the season.

In addition, we also bring to you the usual mixture of interesting articles, scrumptious recipes, fiendish puzzles, local events and local businesses. Enjoy the read!

Best wishes, Anne

12-13

TO ADVERTISE james@lovelocalmagazines.co.uk T: 01242 388 367 Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert.

All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication.

Love Local Magazines do not officially endorse any advertising/editorial material included within the publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval systen or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher. The use of this magazine for canvassing or direct marketing is strictly prohibited.

THIS MONTH'S BIG INTERVIEW: Michael Duff, Cheltenham Town F.C. Manager Page 3

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Page 5

MOTORING

Leasing a car for the cost of a weekly shop The average weekly shop is about £60, so which cars are available for less than £240 per month?

There are many things to take into account when financing a car, such as depreciation and the difference between finance deals. So, to give some context, we decided to look at cars that cost less than the average weekly shop, something most people don’t give a second thought about.

Each of these deals is based on a personal contract hire (PCH) deal, where you pay an initial rental or deposit plus your monthly fee, which usually includes servicing. At the end of the agreement – often between two and four years – you hand the keys back with no extra to pay, assuming it’s in good condition and you’ve kept to the pre-agreed annual mileage limits, of course.

The prices here are just a guide, as monthly payments will vary depending on the deposit amount, credit status, and current offers and promotions running. Offers correct at time of writing and are subject to change.

6

Volvo S90 £229.55 per month x 47 Initial rental: £2,065.95 Additional fees: £360 Mileage limit: 5,000p/a Total over 48 months: £13,214.80

Hyundai Ioniq Electric £237.03 per month x 23 Initial rental: £1,422.18 Additional fees: £199 Mileage limit: 5,000p/a Total over 24 months: £7,072.87

Skoda Superb £212.31 per month x 35 Initial rental: £1,910.79 Additional fees: £298.80 Mileage limit: 8,000p/a Total over 36 months: £9,640.44

Nissan Qashqai £181.55 per month x 47 Initial rental: £1,089.30 Mileage limit: 5,000p/a Total over 36 months: £9,622.15

Seat Ibiza £135.41 per month x 47 Initial payment: £1,218.69 Additional Fees: £tba Mileage limit: 8,000p/a Total over 48 months: £7,582.96

Honda Civic £171.45 per month x 47 Initial rental: £1,028.70 Additional fees: £360 Mileage limit: 5,000p/a Total over 48 months: £9,446.85

By James Baggott

Top Tips ● Shop around for the best deal and make sure you factor in any upfront payments required ● Ensure that leasing is the right choice for you, as you will not own the car ● Check you are comfortable with the financial commitment ● Be careful of any damage and return costs at the end of the lease term

MOTORING

What you need to know about Hybrids Looking to move into the world of electrification? Here’s all you need to know about hybrids.

With all the talk about the future of petrol and diesel vehicles, and ultra-low emission zones being implemented in cities in the UK in the near future, perhaps now is the time to start to understand the hybrid options, and what hybrid cars are all about.

What is a hybrid?

As the name suggests, it’s a combination of an electric vehicle and an internal combustion engine (usually powered by petrol or diesel).

It will have a battery-powered electric motor that will work in conjunction with the combustion engine to power the wheels.

Generally, the idea is that the electric motor takes care of the driving at low speeds or while accelerating because that’s when a combustion engine is at its most inefficient.

Then, once up to speed, when the engine can run at low effort to keep things ticking along, it takes over. The result is better fuel economy, which is always a good thing!

Types of hybrid Mild hybrid (MHEV) The mild hybrid takes the hybrid principles but utilises them in the mildest of ways. They typically have a small battery and an electric motor that can take over running the car’s ancillaries, such as the headlights and air

conditioning. This means the engine can be turned off to save fuel at times when it is not needed, e.g. when decelerating or when stopped. The important distinction is that the wheels cannot be powered by the electric motor.

Hybrid When you hear a car referred to as simply a ‘hybrid’ alone, it tends to mean that it can run on pure electric but the batteries can only be recharged through regenerative braking. This is when motors in the wheels ‘harvest’ energy that would normally be lost when decelerating and braking and use it to replenish the battery charge. This is where the term ‘self-charging hybrid’ comes from – you never charge the vehicle from an external source, it recharges itself through regeneration.

Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Plug-in hybrids are the ultimate form of hybrid models because they can plug into an external source of electricity to charge the batteries.

This means you can top the batteries up to full charge overnight and thus maximise the electric-only range. If your daily commute is quite short you might rarely need petrol power, saving you lots of money in the long run.

By James Baggott

Page 7

Spring is on its way March is a hopeful month and no more so than in the garden.

An increase in daylight hours enables you to leave the sofa and screen behind and to spend more time outdoors getting fresh air.

With plenty of signs of new life in the garden to motivate you, start tackling all those gardening jobs on your to-do list but be cautious and avoid planting or sowing too early as there is still the risk of frost.

Beds and Borders: This is the best time of year to think about your garden in earnest, including what to plant, how to care for your plants and how to improve the soil.

Lawns: Start a regular mowing regime, sow lawn seed on bare patches or make a new lawn.

Other tasks: Sow flower and vegetable seeds for the summer, prune and fertilise roses and hand-pollinate peaches, esp. if they are growing against a wall.

Avoid cutting hedges, trees and dense vegetation as there may be nesting birds.

TOP TIP: Consider joining gardening clubs and allotment groups as they’re a great place to meet like-minded people and make new friends. Chatting about plants and clubbing together will improve your mood and increase your motivation.

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Page 9

FOOD & DRINK

Spinach & Ricotta Dumplings Ready in: 1 hour, plus overnight chilling Serves 4 as a starter, 2 as a main course INGREDIENTS ● 225g baby spinach leaves ● 150g ricotta ● 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley ● 50g grated Parmesan ● 100g plain flour ● 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed ● 2 medium eggs, beaten ● Salt and freshly ground black pepper ● 50g butter ● 6 tbsp crème fraiche ● 2 tsp freshly chopped chives ● Salad leaves and cherry tomatoes, to serve

10

METHOD Place the spinach in a large metal colander set over the sink.

Pour over boiling water to wilt. Refresh under cold water, drain well then squeeze firmly with your hands to remove any excess moisture.

Roughly chop the spinach and place in a large mixing bowl.

Add the ricotta, parsley, Parmesan, flour, garlic and eggs. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and mix to a soft dough.

Using clean damp hands, divide and shape the mixture into about 12 walnut-sized balls. Chill for 30 minutes.

Bring a large pan of lightly salted water to the boil. Gently add the dumplings. They will drop to the bottom at first then slowly rise to the top. Once they have risen to the top, cook for a further minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and divide between 2 or 4 warmed dishes.

Melt the butter in a small pan. Stir in the crème fraiche and simmer to make a creamy sauce. Pour the sauce around the dumplings. Garnish with chopped chives and serve with salad leaves and cherry tomatoes.

TIP: Serve the dumplings with a ready-made tomato and herb pasta sauce instead of the creamy sauce, if liked.

FOOD & DRINK

Cheat's Apple Strudel Ready in: 55 minutes Serves 6

A classic strudel with home-made pastry can take a long time to make, but using a convenient pack of ready- rolled pastry means you can have a delicious fruity pudding on the table in less than an hour!

METHOD Preheat the oven to 200C / 180C fan / gas mark 6. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.

INGREDIENTS ● 2 large dessert apples, peeled, cored and chopped ● 50g raisins or sultanas ● 1 tbsp cornflour

● 50g caster sugar

● 2 tsp ground mixed spice ● 320g pack ready-rolled

shortcrust or puff pastry ● Beaten egg, to glaze ● Icing sugar, to dust

● Whipped cream, custard and fresh berries, to serve

Place the apples and raisins or sultanas in a bowl. Mix together the cornflour, sugar and spice and add to the apples, tossing to coat.

Unroll the pastry but keep it on the paper. Using a rolling pin, gently roll the pastry a little thinner. With one long side facing you, spoon the apple mixture along the length, leaving a 2cm border at the edges. Gently roll up the pastry to enclose the filling and fold the pastry in at the ends (see Tip).

Place seam-side down on the baking sheet. Brush all over with beaten egg. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the pastry is crisp and golden. Leave to stand for 10 minutes. Dust with icing sugar and serve sliced with whipped cream, custard and fresh berries.

TIP: Take care when rolling up the pastry and seal the edges by brushing with some of the beaten egg.

Page 11

THE BIG INTERVIEW

Michael Duff used to play for Cheltenham Town F.C. In 2018, he returned to the Club in the capacity of Manager.

Love Local Magazines met with him to find out what life as a Football Manager is like.

■ If you weren’t a Football

Manager, what would you be?

A football coach!

■ Who is your Football Manager role model or idol, and why?

I don’t have a specific person that I would want to be. I take different things from different people I’ve played under and who I watch on TV. I just want to be the best version of myself.

■ What did it feel like returning

to Cheltenham as Manager?

It was an opportunity to get a first team job at a club that I knew well.

I’m lucky that in 25 years I’ve only had two football clubs, Cheltenham being one of them, so coming back was a no brainer. It’s great to bring the family home.

■ How do you cope with the

pressure of being a Football Manager?

It’s not easy because it never stops.

I’m constantly thinking and the phone never stops ringing. Generally spending time with my family – that’s how I get away. I try and switch off. My kids aren’t interested in whether we’ve won, lost or drawn, so I spend as much time as I can with them when I get the chance.

12

Michael Duff

Cheltenham Town F.C. Manager

"Coming back to Cheltenham was a no brainer."

■ Do you ever switch off from football?

No. Like I said, I spend time with my family to switch off but it’s always in the back of my mind. I get moments when I completely forget about it, but I’m always thinking of something I could tweak, or a player that’s been mentioned, or a player that I like or have watched on the telly.

It’s difficult to get away from it.

■ What does a typical working

day look like for you?

I’ll be up walking the dog at quarter past seven, get into work for half eight.

Then I plan training, start training at 11am, finish at 1pm and have some food. In the afternoon, I analyse performances, deal with players and agents, conduct media interviews, hold meetings, etc. I normally leave work between half four and 5pm.

THE BIG INTERVIEW emotional. I never walk straight into the dressing room afterwards. I take the emotion out of every decision.

■ Can the Robins make

the playoffs this season?

You’ll have to ask the players. We’re seventh and we’ve been there all season so there’s a possibility that we can, whether we do is another matter.

■ It feels like CTFC is on the

Then quite often I’m watching stuff at home or I’m going to watch other games on two or three evenings a week.

up – what’s driving this, and how do you sustain it?

Planning, hard work and structure.

■ What could the next few years hold for the Robins?

We’ve got to take it season by season.

■ What’s your half time team At the minute we’re on the crest of a talk like if you're losing? wave and we are punching It’s no different from when "There’s a above our weight. Notts we’re winning. If we are County got in the playoffs possibility that winning, I don’t say it’s all a couple of years ago and were relegated the next great and if we’re losing, the Robins can year. It happens quite a lot I don’t throw teacups around make the playoffs in this League because the the place. I try and be as turnover of players is so constructive as possible. this season." high. Historically, we’ve I always have a three- or been a bottom-six club. four-minute break with the Our aim is to go from that to a club that staff. Then I walk into the office, can consistently get into the middle band. decide what we’re going to talk about how we’re going to tweak things, what we’re going to tweak, and whether they "We’ve got to take it need a rocket. It’s constructive, it’s not

season by season."

© Pictures by Thousand Word Media

Page 13

QUIZ TIME

Pictograms

PICTOGRAMS

3 words

W IS DO M

2 words THE TAMING OF THE GROUSE

4 words DISMISSING

AXING

SACKING

WORDWHEEL Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten minutes to find as many words as possible, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. Each word must be of three letters or more, all must contain the central letter and letters can only be used once in every word. There is at least one word that uses all of the letters in the wheel.

E P I

D

S T U

TARGET Excellent: 23 or more words Good: 19 words Fair: 16 words 14

SUDOKU

Puzzle Page

QUIZ ISLANDS

1. Which group of 12 large islands and numerous small islands has a name that literally means “twelve islands”?

2. Who sings the first line of the 1983 hit single Islands In The Stream?... Kenny Rogers or Dolly Parton?

3. Which American state was named after the largest of the Channel Islands?

4. In the book Gulliver’s Travels, there are two islands in which the inhabitants are about onetwelfth of the height of a normal human. One of these is called Blefuscu. What is the other island called?

5. On each episode of the radio show Desert Island Discs, how many recordings is a guest allowed to choose when deciding what they would take if they were to be cast away on a desert island?

6. Found in a number of Indonesian islands, including the island it is named after, what is the world’s largest living species of lizard?

7. Behind Great Britain and Ireland, what is name of the third largest island in the British Isles?

8. True or False… the official International Bartenders Association recipe for a Long Island Iced Tea cocktail contains tea?

9. A villa on which island was used as the setting for the TV show Love Island when the show was revived in 2015?

10. What term, that was first created by Sir Thomas More to refer to a fictional island society off the coast of Australia, is now used as a general term for an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect?

Answers on p. 20

QUIZ TIME

IT'S C OMPE TITION TIME! WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO A CHELTENHAM TOWN F.C. HOME GAME

Entering Could NOT BE EASIER!

To enter the competition & C's a simply visit our websiteT's and pply submit your information.

Closing Date & Time: 4pm on Monday 16th March 2020

© Thousand Word Media

www.lovelocalmagazines.co.uk

Page 15

MOTHER'S DAY

22

Treat your mum this Mother's Day

MARCH

Treat mum like a Queen this Mother's Day weekend at Sudeley Castle Enjoy a walk around the beautiful castle and gardens, before indulging in an extra special afternoon tea. With a glass of Prosecco on arrival, followed by an amazing array of sandwiches, cakes and scrumptious cream scones, it's the perfect Mother's Day treat!

Available all weekend. ÂŁ35 pp. Advance bookings only: 01242 604 244 or www.sudeleycastle.co.uk

Indulgent treatments at Jodi Brooks Beauty & Cosmetics in Winchcombe Book an indulgent pampering session for your mum this Mother's Day. From nail treatments, facials and massages to skin care and more, there's a perfect gift for your mother at this fantastic local beauticians. www.jodibrooksbeauty.co.uk

Inspirational shopping with lakeside restaurant near Newent Treat your mum with a day out at the fabulous 3-Shires Garden Centre. This is a true destination centre with inspirational products for the home and garden in a pleasant lakeside setting. The Gallery Restaurant, overlooking the lake, is very popular for delicious food and drink with friends and family from coffee and homemade cakes to delicious three-course lunches. www.bluediamond.gg/garden-centre/3-shires-garden-centre 16

MOTHER'S DAY

Well Walk Tea Room

Indulgent afternoon tea in Cheltenham Set aside an hour or two and enjoy an indulgent afternoon tea with your mum at this wonderful family-run tea room. Tucked away in a quiet location in the centre of Cheltenham, Well Walk Tea Room gives you everything you would want from a tea experience and more! Enjoy sumptuous freshly baked goods served on vintage china, take in the charming interiors and atmosphere and sit back and relax it's the perfect location to spend some quality time with your mum. £16.95 pp - incl. a bouquet for each mum. www.wellwalktearoom.co.uk

Afternoon tea or a relaxing spa experience at the wonderful Hatherley Manor Hotel in Gloucester Experience the Cotswolds in this elegant 17th-century manor house in the rolling Gloucestershire countryside. The 4-star, AA hotel features an elegant restaurant, a cosy lounge bar within the original beams of the manor, a luxurious state-of-the-art Spa and elegant rooms with 24-hour room service and free Wi-Fi. www.hatherleymanor.com

Visit and explore the unique and beautiful Rococo Garden in Painswick Experience the great outdoors, with a cheeky peek into the flamboyant frivolity of the early 1700s, in the UK's only complete surviving rococo garden. This is a place to forget the stresses of everyday life. A place for fun, adventure and exploration. A place to relax, to restore, and to discover a haven of peace and tranquillity, sprinkled with quirky features to surprise and delight you. www.rococogarden.org.uk

A fun day out at Cotswold Farm Park - Mum goes free!

With a vast array of indoor and outdoor activities on offer, Cotswold Farm Park is the perfect destination for a fun family day out.

Visitors can meet and feed various animals and there are plenty of opportunities for the kids to burn off some energy and to learn about various aspects of farming.

SPECIAL MOTHER'S DAY OFFER: ‘Mums go free’ on 21st and 22nd of March! Applicable to online tickets only: www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk Page 17

HOME & INTERIORS

Quick & Inexpensive Home Improvements Breathe new life into your home with a few quick and inexpensive changes.

Dazzle with great lighting It’s quick and easy to upgrade lampshades or replace table or floor lamps to introduce some on-trend shapes, textures and colours.

Dimmer switches add flexibility but check that your light bulbs are the right wattage, so rooms are not poorly lit or dazzling. LED bulbs are kind to the planet and save you money over time. Perhaps consider smart lighting, controlled with a remote control, an app, or a voice command.

Ring the changes with colour Have a colour makeover with paint or a change of accessories – perhaps some vases on a shelf, a pile of fluffy towels, storage canisters in the kitchen or files in your home office. Go lighter and brighter for spring and summer.

Create great style with cushions and throws. Uplift a sofa with a throw and new cushions, choosing on-trend colours and patterns, complemented by some inexpensive plains. Vary textures and include interesting trims and fastenings.

18

A fresh look for flooring Completely alter a room’s look by removing the carpet, sanding back the floorboards and applying two coats of varnish. Alternatively, add or replace a rug to change the look and feel of your floor and room. Choose complementary colours and patterns and make sure the size and proportions of the rug suit the size and shape of the room, with the furniture fitting onto the rug comfortably.

Wonderful window treatments Change the look of windows with ready-made curtains. Floor-length is usually best unless furniture in the way makes sill length the better option. Alternatively, swap curtains for inexpensive clean-cut blinds. Simple slatted or roller blinds can be ordered to your exact measurements and in a variety of styles.

Give your pictures the professional touch Create a fabulous display of pictures by putting them in identical or coordinating frames and hanging them in orderly rows or well-planned groups for optimal impact.

By Katherine Sorrell

Great ways to give your home a new look: ■ Upgrade your lighting ■ Introduce new colours using paint and accessories ■ Choose new flooring or add a rug ■ Change your curtains ■ Use identical or coordinating picture frames & group pictures

HOME & INTERIORS

Room to Play Children need their own space so it is beneficial to create a dedicated space in which they can work, play and relax.

Where to begin?

Is the room just going to be a playroom, or will it double as another room, e.g. a child’s bedroom? Consider available space and its shape, who will use the room, your budget and your child’s likes and dislikes.

Sketching a floor plan helps, or involve an architect or interior designer.

Design basics Flexibility is key. Keep the basics plain and simple – neutral walls, floor and major items of furniture, with less expensive and easily changed items (such as blinds, cushions or storage boxes) themed to whatever colour or character will stimulate your child’s imagination.

On the floor The ideal playroom floor is non-slip, easy to clean, hardwearing and not too hard underfoot. Wooden or laminate boards plus a soft rug (on an anti-slip mat) is ideal, while vinyl, linoleum, cork or rubber are good choices.

Soft carpet will break falls but can stain, so use a texture or pattern that won’t show the dirt.

Off the wall Add interest to plain walls with your child’s artwork in bright frames, removable stickers or good-looking storage.

Blackboard paint or colour-in wallpaper allow for individual expression, or cover a wall with maps, flags, cork tiles, pegboard, sheet music, artificial grass, a hand-painted mural or a series of LEGO base boards.

Furniture and fun Leave space for whizzing around but perhaps add a swing, slide, tunnel, indoor activity frame or climbing wall. Floor cushions and beanbags are better (and cheaper) than quickly outgrown miniature sofas and chairs. Built-in bench seating along one wall, with storage beneath, is a perfect dual-purpose solution. A quiet corner for reading and a special spot for craft activities or homework are essentials, while a den or hideout of some kind is a great idea – even if it’s simply a blanket slung over the back of two chairs.

Storage To encourage tidiness, storage should be plentiful and easy to access. Incorporate it into tucked-away spaces such as chimney alcoves or below a window. Low shelving plus a variety of boxes or baskets is ideal. Peg rails, hooks and hanging fabric organisers are all useful space savers.

By Katherine Sorrell

Top Tips ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Sketch a floor plan Keep the basics plain and simple Choose non-slip, easy to clean flooring Add interest to the walls Create areas for different purposes Offer plenty of storage solutions

Page 19

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Page 21

TECHNOLOGY

Tech scams to watch out for

By Carrie Marshall

Top Tips

● Stay cynical and trust nobody ● Assume any unsolicited message is a fraud ● Check invoices are genuine ● Never transfer any money if in doubt There are many traps one can fall into online and some scams can leave the victims seriously out of pocket. So how can you keep yourself safe from scammers?

Step one is to trust nobody. One of the most common kinds of scams is called ‘phishing’, which is when fraudsters create a convincing-looking fake email purportedly from your bank, from PayPal, from eBay, etc.

They’re traps - the sites they link to are also fake and they’re designed to trick you into entering your username and password.

If you do, the villains can use those details and start spending your money – and because so many people use the same details on multiple sites, the fraudsters can often access multiple sites too. Many security packages can detect phishing emails, but they’re not 100% reliable so it’s important to stay cynical.

A new and worrying kind of scam centres around bank transfer payments. Fraudsters pose as genuine tradespeople or service 22

providers and send a convincing-looking invoice with the bank details they want you to transfer money to. According to payment processing firm ShieldPay, in the UK alone such frauds cost UK bank customers a whopping £207.5 million in 2019.

Whether it’s fake emails or fake invoices, it’s a good idea to assume that anything unsolicited that appears in your email inbox is a fraud: if in doubt, call your bank or tradesperson on the phone (and don’t use any numbers listed in the suspicious emails – they can be faked too). Never, ever transfer money if there’s the slightest possibility that the recipient is a scammer.

Some of the oldest scams have been reborn on the internet too: snake oil salesmen selling dodgy products that promise to cure all ills; auction scammers who sell fake or broken items without disclosing their status; get-rich-quick schemes, dodgy lotteries and other dubious supposed moneymakers. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

When you’ve been the victim of a scam: 1) Contact the police if the scammer is nearby or you have sent them money in the last 24 hours.

2) Inform your bank using the number on the back of your bank card to contact them 3) Contact Action Fraud to report the fraud

TECHNOLOGY

Improve your smartphone photography For many of us, our phone has become our main camera, but the images we capture on it might not always be to our satisfaction, so here are some useful tips and tricks to help you step up your smartphone photography game.

Simple things can make a huge difference – before you start, make sure your phone’s camera lens is clean. Carrying a small microfibre cloth in your bag or pocket can work a treat.

To avoid blurry images, always hold your phone with both hands when taking pictures and use your index finger or thumb to trigger the button.

If something’s too far away, don’t use your camera app’s digital zoom but get closer for sharper pictures.

Think about your composition. Choose interesting surroundings and backdrops but make sure they don’t distract from your subject. When photographing objects, try following the Rule of Odds, which states that an odd number of objects is visually more appealing than an even one.

An important factor in getting a good photo is lighting. That changes throughout the day: on a bright day, noon is usually the worst time to take pictures because there’s not much shadow, and if the sun’s in front of you your subjects will appear much darker and more

By Carrie Marshall indistinct than when the sun’s behind you.

If you’re shooting in the evening, get as much light as you can onto your subject. If things are really dark you’ll often end up with noisy, poorly detailed pictures, or you’ll have to use the flash and end up with unnatural results.

Finally, be smart and back up your photographs. A lost or damaged handset can easily be replaced, but memories can’t, so it really is crucial that you have a backup of any photos that matter to you. At the very minimum you should ensure that every picture and video is automatically uploaded to ‘the cloud’, e.g. iCloud (Apple phones) or Google (Android). But for ‘belt and braces’ make extra copies. Connect your phone to your PC regularly and copy your photos across to your harddrive or use a third-party app such as Flickr or Dropbox to make and store duplicate copies. Or you could use a tried and tested way of backing up photos: print them!

Top Tips

● Hold the phone with both hands ● Avoid using digital zoom ● Think about your composition ● Ensure proper lighting ● Back up your photographs Page 23

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LOVING LOCAL

STAMP APPEAL We need your used postage stamps Used postage stamps can be turned into valuable funds for New Start Cat Rescue

Lydney Sports Clubs in urgent need for helping hands and funds

What to do: Collect your used postage stamps and those from friends, family, colleagues or local businesses Cut out the stamps leaving a 1/4 inch or 1/2cm border all the way around on a single layer of envelope Pop them into a stamped envelope

Send stamps to: NEW START CAT RESCUE Used Stamp Appeal Fords Farm Horsey Norfolk NR29 4EP

Biblins Bridge closed due to flood damage

The wooden footbridge over the River Wye at Symonds Yat has been severely damaged by flooding in the wake of Storm Dennis and is currently closed.

Forestry England advises walkers to keep away from the bridge whilst it is closed and to take extra care around the river.

The damage has been caused by debris washed downstream from Lydbrook, Ross-on-Wye and Hereford.

Structural engineers are currently inspecting the bridge, however, it will likely be some time before the bridge can be used again.

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Lydney Rugby Club had only recently refurbished their clubhouse

Lydney Cricket Club, Lydney Rugby Club and Lydney Town AFC, all situated at the bank of the River Lyd, suffered enormously from flood damage caused by Storm Dennis.

With clubhouses and pitches flooded and lots of equipment ruined, the clubs have launched crowdfunding appeals on www.justgiving.com. To see how you can help, find the clubs on Facebook or Twitter.

WE NEED YOUR FURNITURE AND ELECTRICALS

Items need to be in good condition and in working order (upholstered furniture needs to have fire labels).

Help us to help those who need us with your donations.

We do FREE COLLECTIONS on furniture every Thursday. Please call us on 01594 827205 to arrange collection and we will be happy to help you.

We are passionate about making the Love Local Publication locally relevant to our readers, and we are looking for a local 'news and views' contributor in your area.

If you have a few hours per month to write and send us informed, important, local news and views that matter in your area, then we'd love to hear from you.

To find out more about becoming a local contributor, email us at:

anne@lovelocalmagazines.co.uk

27

LOVING LOCAL

MARCH EVENTS

Your essential guide to local events in and around the area WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR Ongoing until 29 March, Nature in Art, Gloucester, GL2 9PA. All the latest winners in the world’s most prestigious wildlife photography competition organised by The Natural History Museum. www.natureinart.org.uk NEWENT ONION FAYRE OPEN MEETING 3 March, 7.30pm, Newent Market House The team is looking for new members for fresh ideas and helping hands. Come and be part of Gloucestershire's largest free one-day event and support your community. onions@newentonionfayre.net, 07831762735 or 01531 821610 for details.

SOUTH HEREFORDSHIRE DOWSERS TALK. 5 March, 7.30pm, Aston Ingham Village Hall, HR9 7LS. 'Dowsing and Guidance' with Lisa Fullbright Cossey. Visitors £5, Members £3. www.shd.org.uk OPEN GARDEN FOR NGS: HOME FARM 8 March, 11am - 4pm, Huntley, GL19 3HQ. Beautiful garden with exceptional views and spring flowers. Stout footwear recommended. Admission: £3.50; children free.

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CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL AND GOLD CUP 10 - 13 March, Cheltenham Racecourse For details and tickets: www.thejockeyclub.co.uk SEVERN BORE 10 - 13 March, Minsterworth. One of Britain's few truly spectacular natural phenomena. Access to public footpath adjacent to the Church. Please use one of the car parks.

ART LECTURE 12 March, Highnam Community Centre (Gambier Parry Hall), GL2 8DG. John Singer Sargent: A Life Through Pictures. Visitors welcome. T: 01684 833701 JUMBLE SALE 14 March, 2pm, Linton Village Hall. Teas and cake too. Call 07974 484141 or email LVH@lintonvillage.com to donate jumble.

WILDLIFE SAFARI 14 March, Tudor Farmhouse Hotel, Clearwell, GL16 8JS. Hunt for bats, deer, badgers, foxes, voles, mice, hedgehogs and wild boar with Ed Drewitt (naturalist, broadcaster and wildlife detective). Bring warm layers, robust walking shoes and a torch. Walks lasts approx. 2h. Tickets: £40.

T: 01594 833046.

GERRY FFRENCH AT FOREST FOLK CLUB 15 March, 7.30 for 8pm start, The Orepool Inn, Coleford, GL16 8LH. A wonderful performer, writer and recording artist of rich contemporary folk music. £7 on the door.

FLICKS IN THE STICKS 19 March, 7pm for 7.30pm start, Gorsley Village Hall.

'Official Secrets' (cert. 15).

Admission (at the door): £5, Children (u18) £3. Discounted tickets (£4.50, Children £2.50) can be purchased in advance from Gorsley Community Shop or Tony Beckwith (01989 720358, mtonybeckwith@gmail. com). Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available and you are welcome to BYO drinks (glasses provided). Fish and chips will also be available in the car park.

KEMPLEY DAFFODIL WEEKEND. 21 & 22 March, St Edward’s Church, Kempley, GL18 2BP. Now in its 45th year.

Come and see the wonderful displays of wild daffodils in the local woods and fields. Free guided walks start at 9.45am (5 miles), 10am (5 miles) and 2pm (2 miles). All walks start from St Edwards Church; light refreshments available. www.daffs.org.uk/walk

LOVING LOCAL MOTHER'S DAY POTTERY PAINTING 21 March, 2 - 4pm, Hot Pot Pottery, Coleford, GL16 7NS Come & paint your mum a fabulous Mother's Day present or treat her to her own pottery painting session. £6.50 pp to paint plus the price of the chosen pottery piece.

Please book in advance: 01594 837943

5pm, Dymock Parish Hall, GL18 2AG. Trading tables with a variety of goods for sale. Guided walks at 11am (1.5 h) & 2.30pm (1h) to see the wild daffodils. Information available for people unable to walk re circular vehicular routes. Refreshments available.

Jenny Thick: 01531 890453, jenniferthick@aol.com. dymockparishhall.co.uk

COMMUNITY CINEMA 21 March, Doors open at 6pm for 6.30pm start, Newent Community Centre, Ross Road. Family film and refreshments. Free admission. Children must be accompanied by adults.

For further details: Andrea Cox: acox27@btinternet.com

OXENHALL DAFFODIL WEEKEND. 28 & 29 March, 10am - 5pm, GL18 1RH. See the daffodils. Free guided walks from Village Hall at 10am (5 miles) and 2pm (1.5 miles).

St Anne’s Church open from 10.30am to 12pm. Village Hall open from 12pm - 5pm. www. stanneschurch-oxenhall.org.uk/

FILM EVENING 21 March, 7pm for 7.30pm start, Pauntley Village Hall 'The Good Liar' (cert 15).

Tickets £5.50, to include tea/coffee & cake. BYO wine/beer. Raffle. Advance booking please, by phone on 01531 822315 or email pauntleyvillagehall@gmail.com.

‘BIG BREW’ COFFEE MORNING. 28 Mar, 10.30am 12.30pm, Newent Community Centre. To raise money for “Traidcraft Exchange”.

LES GLORIABLES 27 March, 7.30pm, Cliffords Mesne Village Hall A riotously silly physical comedy show created by French/English duo Spitz & Co. Tickets: £12 (Under 18s £6) - from Gareth: 01531 821654, dgwilliams 84@hotmail.com.

DAFFODIL WEEKEND & SPRING FAYRE 28 & 29 March, 10am -

FOREST OF DEAN SPRING HALF MARATHON 29 March, 10am start, The Speech House Hotel, Coleford, GL16 7EL. Short distance event in aid of charity. Entrants must be 17 yrs on the day of the race. Registration costs: UKAaffiliated club members: £27; everyone else: £29. Deadline for entries: 15th March. www. forestofdean-halfmarathon.co.uk FAMILY ACTIVITIES 4 April, 10am - 12pm, Community Cafe, 36 Broad St, Newent. Tile painting, coffee & refreshments, tombola. In aid of Newent Youth Services.

Regular Events FARMERS MARKET 1st Sat/month, 9.30am 1pm, The Pavilion, St. Briavels. Produce, patisserie, fish, pies, etc.

COUNTRY MARKET Fridays, 9.30am - 12pm, beside the Clock Tower in Coleford; Saturdays, 10am 12pm, Mushet Walk, near the Co-op. Home-baked goods, preserves, honey, handmade crafts, homegrown seasonal fruit, vegetables & plants.

NEWENT MEND & REPAIR CAFÉ 3rd Sat/month (not in Dec), 10am - 1pm, Community Cafe, 36 Broad St, GL18 1AJ. Bring your broken, damaged and worn out items for our expert volunteer repairers to fix. Small donation only.

Cake & drinks for sale.

T: 01531 890 609 YORKLEY MEND & REPAIR CAFÉ 2nd Sat/month, 11am 1.30pm, The Community Centre, Yorkley, Bailey Hill, GL15 4RS. Bring your broken items for our skilled repairers to mend. Please phone or email us beforehand - Andrew Worsley: 01594 562396, Andrew@earthy. f9.co.uk. Repairs are free; donations welcome. Charges for replacement part may apply. Visit the Café for drinks and refreshments during the sessions. Volunteer repairers/ menders always welcome.

Page 29

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