Cheltenham Standard 11th September 2014

Montpellier Drive | CheltenhamGloucestershire | GL50 1TY01242 226300

WEEKLY

www.cheltenhamstandard.co.uk 11 SEPTEMBER 2014 ISSUE 8 Your discerning local weekly newspaper FREE

THE continuing saga of the roadworks in and around town doesn’tlook like abating anytime soon.

The works which will replace old sewerpipes are an attempt to prevent flooding, aspart of Severn TrentWater’s £5millionscheme to improve the sewerage systemthroughout the town. There is no doubtthat some of the local traders in the townhave been affected by both the disruptionand restrictions to the normal traffic routes.Customers’ not being able to park near oroutside retailers has had a hugelydetrimental effect on some businesses.Andy Deacon, owner of Bloomers Floristsin Great Northwood Street said, ‘this hasbeen going on way too long. It would benice if they could at least do a decentnumber of days work to get it finished’. Hewent to add, ‘I only ever see workmen thereon three to four days a week and they don’teven work Saturdays. We all know thiswork has to be done, but it’s the way it’sbeen handled that irks me. My business is50% down on takings and its hurting’.However some retailers although badlyaffected were able to see some light at theend of the tunnel. CatherineWilce ofclothing store Revamp on the corner ofGreat Northwood Street and Suffolk Roadcommented, ‘some compensation is in placefrom Severn TrentWater and I have to say

I’m reasonably happy with the way theyhave dealt with me’. She went on to say,’ Ihave been here for six years and the sixmonths before the road works went upwere my best six months ever. So it was ahuge hit on my business when the road

works started. The sales just dropped off. Iwas absolutely distraught about how tokeep my business going. However I’m nowfairly comfortable with what Severn TrentWater have put in place by way ofcompensation and I am being kept better

informed on progress and a completiondate’ A spokesperson from Severn TrentWater said, ‘the £5million investmentwe’re making to replace sewers throughoutCheltenham is essential to prevent internalsewer flooding for local residents andbusinesses in the town. Work on SuffolkRoad is progressing well and is on scheduleto be completed in early October. “But asimportant as what we’re doing, is how wedo it, so we’re always looking at ways ofdoing the work to cause as little disruptionas possible. In addition, we’re workingclosely with the businesses in the SuffolkRoad area to make the compensationprocess as smooth as possible. As well asadvertising in the local press we aresupporting events, like last weekend’s halfmarathon and the Soukmarket, to spreadthe message that ‘businesses are open asusual.” CatherineWilce who is a member ofthe Suffolk Traders Associationmasterminded the ‘Souk Street Market’which took place last Saturday on SuffolkRoad in an attempt to energise some lifeand business back into the area.

PROPERTY& HOMEA SNAPSHOT OFTHEVERY BESTHOUSES ONTHE MARKET

YOURWEEKENDTV GUIDECOMPLETESCHEDULEINSIDE!

WIN ONE OFTHREE PAIRSOF TICKETSFOR 1984AT THEEVERYMAN

PAGE 20 >>PAGE 19 >>PAGE 16 >>

Road works continueto cause misery

PHOTO’S:JAMESTANDY

Suffolk Road

2 CHELTENHAM STANDARD 11 SEPTEMBER 2014

THURSDAY 11th SeptMin 12ºC Max 19ºC

FRIDAY 12th SeptMin 13ºC Max 20ºC

SATURDAY 13th SeptMin 13ºC Max 20ºC

SUNDAY 14th SeptMin 15ºC Max 20ºC

MONDAY 15th SeptMin 15ºC Max 20ºC

TUESDAY 16th SeptMin 14ºC Max 21ºC

WEDNESDAY 17th SeptMin 14ºC Max 21ºC

CheltenhamWeatherWatch

THE head of a traveller familywho forced homeless men anddrug addicts to work aslabourers for as little as £5 aday has been ordered to paymore than £1.7m or be facedwith six more years in jail.William Connors was jailed forsix and a half years in 2012after a trial that heard he liveda life of luxury while exploitingthe men he called “dossers”.At the Bristol Crown Court

confiscation hearing, otherfamily members were alsoinstructed to pay up or facemore time in jail. The court heard thefamily made £5m. The bank account andassets of 53-year-old William Connorsand his family were frozen in 2012.Connors' wife, Brida, 50, was told at thehearing she must pay £139,175.24 withinsix months or face a further 20 months in

jail. Sons John and James must pay acombined total of £440,000 within sixand 21 months respectively, while son-in-law Miles has to pay £17,886 within sixmonths. The court was told the Connorsfamily gained £5m from their criminalactivity and that more than £570,000

was available immediately. Therest of the money would bepaid from their assets. All fivewere jailed for between twoyears and six and a half yearsin 2012. Some £150,000 ofthe £2.3m would be given tothe Connors family's victims,who lived in poor conditionson traveller sites while theyworked for the family's pavingand patio businesses. Some ofthe men worked for the familyfor nearly two decades. Manywere hit with broom handlesand belts and punched and

kicked. The men were given so little foodthey resorted to scavenging from dustbinsat supermarkets. However the Connorsfamily lived in luxury caravans fitted withtop-of-the-range kitchens, drove poshcars such as Rolls Royces and holidayedin Mexico.

Infamous traveller family fromStaverton ordered to pay back £1.7M

[email protected]

CUSTOMER SERVICESof�[email protected]

[email protected]

LOCAL NEWS [email protected]

HEALTH & [email protected]

[email protected]

GOT A STORY? EMAIL ORCALL US ON 01242 257019www.cheltenhamstandard.co.ukTwitter: @CheltStandard

THE FAMILY of a womanwho was killed whilecrossing a road has said theyhave been “devastated” byher death. Katie Clutterbuck,19, died in FrenchayHospital, Bristol, followingthe collision on Bath Road,Cheltenham, in Septemberlast year. Lance Hepworth,67, of Penrith Close in the town, has beenjailed for seven months at GloucesterCrown Court. The taxi driver previouslyadmitted causing Miss Clutterbuck'sdeath by driving without due care andattention. He was also disqualified fromdriving for three years and ordered to pay£1,100 in fines and costs. He will have totake an extended test when he returns todriving. In a statement released throughGloucestershire Police, her family saidKatie, who was on an evening out withfriends, would be remembered for her“happy, caring nature, (her) kindness,smile, laughter and beautiful blue eyes’.They went on to say, ‘losing Katie has hadan effect not just on all of the family but

on her friends, workcolleagues and those kindpeople who were there atthe scene of the accident,particularly those who triedto save her life,” thestatement continued. “Weare still trying to come toterms with her death. Theloss is devastating and will

remain with us for the rest of our lives.”Her family said that some of MissClutterbuck's organs had been donatedafter her death. “Katie was a beautifulyoung woman both inside and out whowas just gaining in confidence andmaturing as a young woman of 19-years-old,” they added.“As a family we made the decision todonate Katie's organs, by which she hasgiven hope to seven people to extend theirlives. “Although Katie's life has ended alltoo soon through no fault of her own, shelives on through seven other people, aswell as in our happy memories of ourtimes spent together as a family and inour dreams.”

Taxi driver jailed for Katie’s death

Looking forthe perfectcandidate?

Why not advertiseyour position with

The CheltenhamStandard

Call Claire on:

01242 257019

EX-SPECIAL Forces soldier NigelThomas completed an epic journeynot only in miles, but also to raise£1m for charities including Hire aHero. Nigel completed a gruelling1,027 miles assent up the countryfrom Land’s End to John o’ Groatson a 1940’s butcher’s bike with histent and back pack with him. Nigelstopped off at Kingsholm, home ofGloucester Rugby so that he couldwitness local companies signing upto the governments CorporateCovenant. Signing with Nigelincluded Paul Baldwin fromBrunsdon; Paul Bates on behalf ofThe Cheltenham Standard and BenHannaby from C&P Food Services.Suzanne Hall-Gibbins ofCircle2Success who are championingthe Covenant locally said,‘Gloucestershire businesses haveembraced the idea of supportingboth current and ex-militarypersonnel.

Support for armedforces covenant

Katie Clutterbuck

11 SEPTEMBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD 3

FOLLOWING on from our coverage ofthis continuing story in last week’sedition it is reported that in 2013 policefrom forces including Sussex,Warwickshire, Cornwall and theMetropolitan Police were brought in tohelp with the operation. Officers saythere will be a focus on more communitypolicing with local officers on patrol. Thesecond year of the cull is expected tobegin soon but Gloucestershire Policesaid they did not know the exact date.Assistant Chief Constable Richard Berrysaid lessons had been learnt from lastyear's Operation Themis. “This yearthere will be a different look and feel tothe operation, very much focussed withlocal officers and less reliance on mutual

aid (officers coming in from anotherforce). “It will be very focussed on dealingwith local Gloucestershire officersdealing will local issues.” ACC Berry alsosaid the policy will mean fewer officerson the ground “certainly at the start ofthe cull”. The cost of last year's operationreached £2.3m, which has now beenpaid back by the Home Office, aspokesman said. The four-year pilot aimsto cull 70% of the initial population ofbadgers to test how effective, humaneand safe a cull can be. Governmentministers and the National Farmers'Union believe culling badgers will curbTB in cattle. Opponents still insist thatshooting the animals is not effective andis inhumane.

Fewer officers to be involvedin policing badger cull

3 Great Norwood Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 2AW

Tel: 01242 527988Email: [email protected]

www.bloomersofcheltenham.com

� Artistic & Creative Floral Designer

� Bespoke Bouquets and Arrangements

� Quality, Fresh Flowers from Holland

� Home Delivery

10% OFF any purchase with thisvoucher until 30th September 2014

DiscountVoucher10%

THE country's biggest cycle race, whichincludes big names from the cyclingworld such as Sir Bradley Wiggins andMark Cavendish atre set to arrive in theregion this week. The riders will headsouth crossing Herefordshire,Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershireand then into Bristol to finish covering182km. On day two in the region theriders will embark on Stage 5 in Devon,which will start on Thursday in Exmouthat 11am and finish in Exeter, havingcrossed Dartmoor, at 3.30pm aftercovering 171km. The last day in the WestCountry will start in Bath on Friday at10am before travelling West to reachHemel Hempstead at 3.30pm Stage 6 of

the tour will pass through Bath andNorth East Somerset, Wiltshire and oninto Oxfordshire covering a total of203km. There will be several vantagepoints to make for across the three days toensure you get the best view of the cyclistsin action. People from all walks of life areexpected to watch along roadsides. In theCotswolds and in Cheltenham youngstersfromWinchcombe School, GlenfallPrimary and Pittville School will all be onthe route cheering on heroes like SirBradley Wiggins. Also watching the racewill be a cycling group from St EdwardsSchool in Charlton Kings.For more detailsvisitwww.tourofbritain.co.uk

Tour of Britain cyclistsarriving in the West Country

THE Gloucestershire Constabularycontributed to the 9,500 officers andstaff who were involved in a combinedoperation involving police, intelligenceagencies and military personnel toensure the safety of sixty world leaders,their staff and the public. It was one ofthe biggest tasks ever undertaken bypolice in the UK with the entourage fromthe USA alone was around 1500.Figures supplied by Gwent Police, who

co-ordinated the operation, showed therewere a total of 31 arrests for offencessuch as trespassing and assault on thepolice.“Once again, it demonstrates the

qualities we have at the county’s disposaland the ability of our officers and staff torise to the occasion whenever required.We can be very proud”, said Mr.Surl.“Gloucestershire will always be ourpriority, but we also have a responsibilityto support our colleagues to managenational events or threats. I never hadany doubt the Constabulary would be upto the job. “It has been a very busyperiod for the police and with the nextphase of the pilot badger cull nowunderway there is little respite but I amconfident the Constabulary will continueto maintain the high standard of servicethey have set themselves”.

Crime Commissioner Martin Surl praisespolice for their work during the NATO Summit


CHELTENHAM’S NUMBER ONEUPMARKET FREE NEWSPAPER

10,000 COPIES DELIVERED THROUGHOUTTHE TOWN.

INCLUDING 4,000 COPIES DELIVERED

DOORTO DOORTHISWEEK IN BATTLEDOWN,CHARLTON KINGS,TIVOLI

Asda Superstore Hatherley Lane

Co-op Convenience Gloucester Road

Co-op Convenience Bishops Cleeve

Co-op Convenience Leckhampton Road

Co-op Convenience Priors Road

Morrisons Up Hatherley

Sainsbury’s Store Gallagher Retail Park

Sainsbury’s Oakley

Tesco Metro High Street

Tesco Super Store Colletts Drive

If you have problems getting your copy please ring:

01242 257019

CHELTENHAM’S HALFMARATHONorganisers praised the town’s residents forturning out to support the thousands ofpeople who ran. Warm, sunny weathershone on the event last Sunday which wastaking place for the second time sincebeing revived. Organisers GO2 werethrilled that 2,979 runners started the13.1-mile race, which was up on lastyear’s 1,872.Thousands of residents lined the streets

as men, women and children raisedmoney for their favourite charities or justran the 13 miles for fun or personalchallenge. Jamie Warren, GO2’s,commented, ‘congratulations to each andevery runner who crossed the line. Peoplewere running for lots of reasons. Theatmosphere and support from the crowdswas fantastic and we know howmuch therunners appreciate it’. He went to say, ‘wewould also like to make a special thanks

to all of the volunteers who helped makethe day so special. All of our participantsshould feel extremely proud of what theyachieved and we hope the event’s successwill inspire many more to sign up for nextyear’s event’. Former jockey JohnFrancombe started the race in EveshamRoad, with the elite athletes setting offfirst and other not-so-serious runnersfollowing behind. They included peoplein penguin outfits and one man with anenormous Italian flag draped over hisshoulders. This year’s event delivered a lotof enjoyment for a lot of people but it didcause some misery for motorists withmany finding it hard to get across towndue to the many roads that weretemporarily closed for the safety of therunners.David Roper, from Cheltenham, won

the race in a time of one hour, nineminutes and 25 seconds.

Sun shines onhalf marathon

PHO

TO

’S: J

AM

ESTA

ND

Y


GLOUCESTERSHIRE Constabularyis holding a family open day later thismonth to celebrate its 175thanniversary. The event, which is takingplace at police headquarters inQuedgeley between 10am and 3pm onSunday September 14, will showcasethe work of officers and units fromacross the spectrum of police activityand offer the public the opportunity totake part in a range of fun activities.Police dogs, the Tri-Force roadspolicing team, forensics unit, firearmsofficers and crime reductiondepartment will all have stands on theday while there will also be the chancefor people to take a police fitness test.Bike security marking will be

available and information on how to

become a special constable. Youngpeople will have the chance to havetheir face painted, try some balloonmodelling or even sponge a bobby!Entry is free and parking will beavailable at the nearby park and ride.Disabled parking will be available onsite at Waterwells Business Park. ChiefConstable Suzette Davenport, who willbe attending the event, said: “We'venever had an open day on this scalebefore but it's a fantastic way ofcelebrating our anniversary andhighlighting the sheer array of workwe're doing. “They'll be plenty ofentertainment too - not least becauseI'll be taking part in the ice bucketchallenge after being nominated byone of my colleagues.”

Meet your local ‘bobbies’

CHELTENHAM Borough Council has wonan appeal made by Nina Salerno, owner of24 Lansdown Parade, Cheltenham, whichis a Grade II listed building. Salernopleaded guilty at court in June to carryingout unauthorised works to the property,including removing and replacing thestaircase and removing and replacing/re-positioning three fireplaces. The workscarried out were deemed to affect theproperty’s character as a building of special,architectural or historic interest. Thematter went before CheltenhamMagistrates Court on 16 June 2014 wherethe defendant was found guilty of thecharges brought against her and ordered topay the council’s full legal costs within 14days of the trial. Nina Salerno appealedagainst the issuing of a Listed BuildingEnforcement Notice (LBEN) byCheltenham Borough Council. A planninginspector appointed on behalf of theSecretary of State has dismissed the appeal,stating: ‘the requirements of the notice setout exactly what would be required for the

purposes of restoring the character of thebuilding to its state before theunauthorised works took place."Following the successful prosecution of MrsSalerno and the unsuccessful appeal by MrsSalerno against the LBEN an applicationhas now been submitted to the council forListed Building Consent (LBC) to removethe unauthorised fire surrounds andstaircase balustrade to be replaced withmore appropriate designs. Mike Redman,director of environmental and regulatoryservices, said: “Prosecutions are only usedby this authority in the most serious cases,usually where a satisfactory resolutioncannot be achieved by working with theowner of a property. Our enforcement teamis committed to protecting the heritage ofour beautiful town for future generationsand in particular, its large number of listedbuildings’ He went to say, ‘we will continueto carry out inspections and respond tocomplaints about unauthorised changes tolisted buildings, using our statutory powerswhen necessary.’

Appeal dismissed byplanning inspector

IS THE number of women involved inpolitics important? Is it OK that womenare underrepresented in politics andpositions of power or is that simplybeing ‘politically correct’ to worry aboutsuch things? “Sex and Power 2014:Who runs Britain” is a recentlypublished a report on women’s access topolitical social and economic decisionmaking. This showed that throughout thecountry only 33% of all councillors arewomen. At Gloucestershire CountyCouncil only 17% of the 53 councillors arefemale. Cheltenham Borough Council isslightly better at 27.5% but only oneCabinet member is female and barely anyof the council’s committee chairmanshipsare held by women at the moment. Thereare people who would say gender of ourelected representatives shouldn’t matter,it’s the persons capability for the job thatmatters. The problem with this is that thecurrent situation cannot possibly be basedon merit unless women arecomprehensively inferior to men, whichwe are not. If the gender imbalance inpolitics and power is not because women

are woefully lacking in intelligenceand leadership skills, why are we sounderrepresented? And why doesthat even matter? Being a femalecouncillor in an often maledominated environment is notalways that easy. Ill temperedheckling by the opposition canbe an unpleasant experience.As a councillor I haveexperienced harassment anddiscrimination which was solelybecause of my gender, somethingI have never experienced before.The Report also outlines a verypoor experience for some womenMPs. But you have to getelected in the first place and

here is where theproblem lies. I havesuggested to a number

of women I know personallyor have met throughcampaigning that they shouldput themselves forward forelection. I did this because Ibelieve what they had to offerlocal politics is currently missing.Not one of them fancied the idea.

Women who are intelligent, capableand caring already have dozens ofother commitments to juggle. It istrue that finding the time andcommitment to give to public lifeoften means other areas of your lifeare neglected. This could put a lot

of people off standing for election. On theother side of it, once elected you do havean opportunity to make a real difference tothe community you serve which is veryfulfilling. It is important that the lifeexperience of women, our hopes and fearsare understood by those who hold powerand reflected in the decisions that aremade. I know from the issues frequentlyraised with me on the doorstep that thereis often a fundamental lack of awarenessof how some important decisions impacton women. At the crux of this isacknowledging and changing the maledominated culture that we have inheritedin our political system. Political parties arethe gatekeepers to local councils and toparliament. They must work much harderto recruit women to stand for election andencourage more women to take keydecision making roles. If women want realequality in gender representation we needto be the ones demanding it. We need topush political parties to take this seriouslyand address the issue; without suchpressure the boys with the jobs are nevergoing to make themselves redundant.

ON MYSoapbox

By COUNCILLOR KLARA SUDBURY


AGROUP of women who all met for thefirst time on September 7th 1964 to starttheir nursing careers have met up again.They started their three-year SRN nursetraining at the Cheltenham School ofNursing. The Preliminary Training Schoolwas based in 2 College Lawn and involvedthree months of study, with one dayworking on wards. Residencyat the time was compulsoryuntil aged 21 years. In thosedays they had a curfew until10pm and at weekends10.30pmwith writtenparental consent. How thingshave changed!Their uniforms were made

to measure with starched aprons, collarsand caps with a hem length just 14 inchesfrom the floor…in other words a midi-skirt.They also had to wear regulation greystockings and black lace up flat shoes. Talkabout old school discipline! The nurse’s hairhad to be short and not touching collars orif it was long it had to be tied in a bun orFrench pleat, with not a pony tail in sight.Rosie Crooks said, ‘we’ve all kept in touchover the years and have met in smallergroups fairly regularly, however this is the

first time we have allbeen together since our 21st anniversary

in 1985’. She went to comment, ‘we are allmarried and have had children and everyone of us has had varied and interestingcareers in nursing’. Three of the ladiesremain local, with the others living inBristol, Devon, Dorset and even Spain.The band of ‘angels’ met last Saturday on

the lawn at the hospital to reprise theirfriendship and have a ‘nursy’ catch-up. Theythen had lunch at The Daffodil, which wasin fact their local cinema back in theirstudent days.

The Dog Si�ng ServiceDo you hate having to put your dog in kennels?Well there is a friendly alterna�ve for your dog!

PetStay, Gloucestershire are a local company and provide a safeand friendly alterna�ve to kennels. We have an excellent

reputa�on of providing a home from home environment for dogs.

“We provide a loving, caring, safe and less stressful alterna�veto kennels. Your dog would stay with one of our carers in theirhome. We have hand-picked all of our carers to ensure that

your dog will have the best care possible whilst you’re away onholiday. Our dog carers are checked, licensed and insured.”

Contact Emma on07815 497632 / 01242 702006

[email protected] www.petstay.net

PetstayPetstay

THErole and work of GCHQ hasbeen much in the news over thelast couple of weeks. First up,

there was the somewhat limited protestby the hacktivist group, AnonymousUK. In a truly surreal statement, one ofthe protestors even claimed that“terrorism is a myth”, no doubtperpetrated by Government to justifythe surveillance work of GCHQ andothers. This was rapidly followed byenhanced police patrols as part of thesecurity for the NATO summit.The focus of much of the internationalmedia has been the world’s response tothe Islamic State, the Jihadist drivenIslamic group which has seized largesections of eastern Syria and northernand western Iraq. Its methods are sobrutal that even the Al-Qaeda terroristgroup has disowned it. It operatesthrough multiple killings, torture,kidnapping and mutilation and acomplete contempt for the most basichuman rights. Tragically, it’s not justabroad that we must focus our counter-terrorism efforts. Within every Westerncountry, including our own, there are atiny minority who despise our valuesand society and actively seek to harm us.Let me declare an interest from the off.Terrorism law is a significant part of mywork as a barrister. I have first-handexperience of a case where an atrocitywas only narrowly averted in Dewsburyand another where one defendant hadabsconded to Syria. It’s hard for many ofus to understand how British citizenscan become so radicalised. But we mustnever pretend that it can be resolvedthrough kind words and politicallycorrect hand-wringing. That’s why Iabsolutely support the proposals byPrimeMinister David Cameron to give

police new powers to seize the passportsof suspected terrorists seeking to travelto Syria and Iraq. We need to closewherever we can, what the PrimeMinister called “a gap in the armoury”.But my experience tells me that perhapsthe most important weapon againstwould-be terrorists is evidence.Whether it is seizing passports fromreturning terrorists or locking them up(the legally more straightforwardoption) any decision has got to be basedon evidence. Individuals can’t simply bedetained because they’ve arrived fromTurkey, even if Turkey may have beenused by some as a gateway to Syria.Evidence doesn’t miraculously appearout of thin air. It needs to bepainstakingly gathered. Increasingly ittakes the form of digital records andmetadata as terrorists get moresophisticated in covering their digitaltracks. The work of the intelligenceservices in this regard is absolutelycrucial. That’s why I completely disagreewith the proposed Lib Dem digital ‘billof rights’, which would restrict theability of the security service to collectmetadata – the information that isgenerated as you use technology. I don’tdisagree with the sentiment. Strikingthe right balance between liberty andsecurity is essential to a free society. ButI disagree with the Lib Dems’judgement. The UK already hasprobably the most stringent system ofintelligence oversight in the developedworld. Equally, Britain’s intelligenceofficers are well known to be scrupulousabout complying with the letter of thelaw. Given that, and given the scale ofthe task facing those who seek to keepus safe, they need to be given the toolsto get on with the job.

CHALKTALKConservative ParliamentaryCandidate for Cheltenham gets vocal...

ANEW training course starts onMonday22 September and more dogs are neededto train up. Constabulary Drugs DogInstructor PC Rich Hunt said:“We are running a proactive

drugs/cash/weapons search course,starting on 22nd September and runningfor 6 weeks. “We are hoping to have a fullline-up of 'students’ on the course, and weare on the lookout for privately owneddogs that owners are willing to donate tous for this vital work.“The type of dog we are looking for

would be working-type dogs such asSpringer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels,Labrador cross springer, Collie crossspringer. They need to be aged between 12

months and 2 years old, and mostimportantly they need to have a very high‘play and search’ drive.“The sort of dog we need would search

all day if they lost their tennis ball in thefield! Playing with a tennis ball is reallyimportant as that is the main reward wewould use when teaching the dogs to findthings. “Anyone who believes their dog fitsthe bill and is willing to offer them to us isasked to contact me urgently, since we onlyhave two weeks before the course starts.“Contact me (PC Richard Hunt) on

07788 454916 and we will come out andassess your dog to see if it would besuitable. Thanks to everyone for yoursupport.”

Police on sniff for canine recruits

Band of angels meet again atCheltenham General Hospital

PHO

TO

:JA

MES

TAN

DY

Above (left to right): RosieCrooks, Margaret Wild, BerylMarquardsen, Sue Leslie, DianeBox Anna Dallinson, BarbaraProbert, CarolynWhittington


CHELTENHAMBorough Council’sallocation of local funding to increasecommunity pride and improveneighbourhoods is seemingly not so much apostcode lottery as postcodediscrimination. Cheltenham BoroughCouncil (CBC) has announced that‘Cheltenham’s hidden gem, the ItalianGardens in Sandford Park, has had awelcome addition thanks to funding of£1,500 from the council’s CommunityPride scheme’. And the community shouldindeed be proud of it judging by theaccompanying image. However, it begs animportant question: which of Cheltenham’sother communities are benefiting from thefund given some areas in the town is,according to the government’s PublicHealth England survey, amongst the mostdeprived in the country?On further exploration, it seems that

CBC is proud enough to fund yourcommunity project as long as you’re not onthe poor list. Friends of Hatherley Park, forexample, received 100% of the £1017funding requested for a notice board andpicnic tables to ‘offer users a place to sittogether and enjoy a snack close by the playequipment’. Perhaps a £14.50Waitrosepicnic blanket and access to Asda’s noticeboard would have been more appropriatefor the residents of Hatherley if it meantthat the CheltenhamHousing Aid Centre –who requested £4800 to fund runningcosts of a workshop to give homeless peoplewith addiction problems the skills tomanage finances, access training andmaintain healthy living – would get morethan the £0 that they were granted.Staggeringly, of a total of 30 projects thatwere considered for funding, only sevenwould benefit the communities that are thelowest on the poverty scale, and areamongst the most deprived communities inthe country (according to the government'sPublic Health England survey), whilst 14 ofthose projects would have benefited thewealthiest regions in Cheltenham, andconversely, in the country. Worse still, justfour of the projects that actually receivedfunding were those lowest on the povertyscale, whilst eight of the projects awardedfunding were from the wealthiest

communities in town. And the shockingstatistics don’t end there. A total of £19,974was granted to those wealthiest areas, withmore than half of those projects receiving100 percent of the grant requested. Yet thepoverty stricken areas most in need ofcommunity pride funding received only£8257, two thirds less than their alreadywealthy counterparts. Even then, one ofthose, the St Paul’s Road Area Residents’Association, received funding to ‘work withcouncillors and council departments todeliver improvements in theneighbourhood, e.g. road works, parkingplans, traffic schemes, waste handling,policing, public area noise, and anti-socialbehavior reduction, better public planningdecisions, and public art’. Surely those‘improvements’ are actually requirementsthat should be funded by council tax.Perhaps that is why they only received 39percent of the grant requested. CharltonKings Parish Council, on the other hand,received 100 percent of their requested£2500 to renovate the village stocks.Richard Gibson, strategy and engagementmanager at CBC said Council said“Community Pride is open to anyorganisation to bid; the council does notencourage or deter applicants – it is up toindividual organisations to decide whethertheir project meets the criteria. The councilhas a long tradition of working withcommunities across the whole ofCheltenham. Via Cheltenham BoroughHomes it provides direct grant funding of£34,200 per annum to both Hesters WayPartnership and Oakley RegenerationPartnership. It is working with localresidents in the St. Peters and theMoorsarea to un-lock £1m awarded to this areaby the Local Trust.”Pride of Cheltenham isone of the elements that hold ourcommunities together, so the good news isthat a total of £12725 was granted toprojects that would benefit the town as awhole. The most visible being the Council’s£3000 grant to the Cheltenham in Bloombulbs that have become, according to thefunding application ‘rather ad hoc andtired’. Thankfully the rewards of thatparticular pot of gold can be enjoyed byCheltenham residents rich or poor, and ofcourse, by the visitors to our fine andostensibly prosperous town.

Community Pride…if your postcode’s rightBy JO BETTERIDGE

LAST Saturday saw a little bit of theMiddle East arrive in town. The SuffolkTraders Association threw animpromptu ‘Souk’ street market inSuffolk Road taking advantage of theroad closures which were in place for thehalf marathon. One of the organisers,Catherine Wilce said, ‘it was a great dayand the weather held for us. It was reallygood to see such a good turn-out to

support the event. And the camels werea real attraction’. The Souk or markethad a good selection of local traders andmembers of the public showcasing theirwares. The Souk also got some welcomesupport from the local bars andrestaurants who opened their doors forthe one-day street market. This smallcomes on the back of the roadwork’swhich were re-instated on Monday.

Camels come to town

HOLIDAY BrowniesGloucestershire returnedbigger and better thisAugust. The scheme, likelast year, aimed atgrowing Girlguiding bytaking budding Browniesoff the waiting lists andgiving them the chance toexperience the joys ofGirlguiding. The girlswere given the chance tolearn the ways of Guidingby taking part in a variedprogramme that encouraged team work,decision making, and also the key valuesof Guiding by learning the promise andlaw. Additionally, during the three days atthe outdoor centre in Cowley, the girlsundertook activities such as grasssledging and rope climbing challenges,crafts such as French knitting andphotography, as well as learning theBrownie story and to top it off they wereall enrolled as Brownies.Also due to this year being an

extremely special year in the Browniecalendar, the girls were given the chanceto work on their first badge, ‘The BigBrownie Birthday Challenge Badge’ bycarrying out special activities such as:learning the Countryside Code; makingthe Promise inMakaton; finding outabout Brownies from other countries;helping protect insects by making them abug hotel; having a cup of tea in anunusual place; and writing a letter tosomeone telling them how wonderful it isto be a Brownie. Already the programmehas inspired some girls to move off thelong waiting lists and into units with nowaiting lists with their new holiday

Brownie friends. Additionally, the girlsstill waiting to join a unit have beenassigned a Brown Owl so they are able tocarry on earning badges and also toattend events across the county. Some ofthe parents of girls on the programmesaid were clearly pleased saying, ‘it is areally fun and exciting experience for anylittle girl! A very well organised andthought out programme’. Thisprogramme really does show thatgrowing Guiding is possible however theydo need more volunteers to run theirunits in Gloucestershire. So if you fancyvolunteering give them a call.

• Tuffley RainbowUnit onMondayevenings.• Guide Unit in Brockworth on Tuesdays.• Mitcheldean Rainbows on Thursdays.• CheltenhamRainbows, Saturdaymornings.

To register your interest in volunteeringor to register your daughter withGirlguiding, please go towww.girlguiding.org.uk and clickregister your interest.

Holiday brownies returnfor a second successful year


BUSINESS

I T SEEMSeverybody is astudent these

days. ‘You’ve got to geta degree’, they’ll say.Even if it’s a crap onenot worth the paperit’s printed on. But

don’t worry, it’s still a degree. You mayhave got yourself a measly 2.2 insomething as pointless as Travel andTourism, but it’s still a degree they’ll say.Hmm. 2.38 million students were studyingfor a qualiFcation or for credit at 161 HEIsin 2012/13. Of these institutions, 160 werepublicly-funded. I.e. we the taxpayerproviding the ‘student loan’ for tuitionfees that they will never be able to payback. See my point? In fact in 2012/13 atotal of 787,900 qualiFcations wereawarded at HE level to students inpublicly-funded HEIs. So the naked truthis that we have over three quarters of amillion of them with degrees and aproportion of that Fgure will no doubtinclude the ‘pointless mob’. In the UK wehave some of the most irksome, irrelevantdegree courses on the planet. One Gamingexample of how to waste both our moneyand your life is a degree in ‘FootballCulture’, which has a module called‘David Beckham’. For those of you wantingto study this true British icon, starfootballer and philanthropist,Staffordshire University is running thismodule all about David Beckham. If that’snot daft enough for you, how aboutgetting yourself along to DurhamUniversity who run a module entitled,‘Harry Potter and the Age of Illusion’? Thecourse aims ‘to place the phenomenonthat is Harry Potter in its' social, culturaland educational context and understandsome of the reasons for its popularity’. It’s

a bloody kiddie’s book for crying out loud.So for you Muggles out there wanting toget Dumbledored’ up North whilstlearning about the phenomenon that is,Harry Potter, this one’s for you. Again I restmy case. And our friends at UCAS(headquartered right here in Cheltenham)sit up at the racecourse in their ivorytower and actively encourage thisnonsense. It’s called a clearing facility.More like a dustbin for the dumb. They(UCAS) can get you in somewhere even ifyou were really dim at school with only ahandful of less than impressive A Levels. Isaw a chap in the last few weeks who hadreached the dizzy heights of achievingthree rubbish A-Levels at D and C. This‘brain of Britain’ was then off to study‘performance art’. Not actually dancing,just studying it. Go and get a job and don’tbe hiding in a non-descript university forthree years to avoid either the dole or amediocre job.You may just get a shockand receive some fantastic on-the-jobtraining which could lead to a great career.In my view they need to make universityentrance much more difFcult and dropthese nonsensical, worthless courses thatjust don’t make any sense. Entry doesn’thave to be elitist, just make it for theclever souls amongst us.We needscientists, doctors/dentists/nurses,engineers, linguists, teachers and the like.Not performance art bods. Here’s an idea;if you’re not too bright, please consideractually working for a living and notsecreting yourself at university for threeyears. Follow your passion and don’t chasea pointless piece of paper that says youmight be clever, because a 2.2 in HarryPotter or SurFng Technology isn’t going tocut it. Hogwarts here I come!

Eric Barton, Editor

Cheltenham Standard is published weekly by Paul.Bates Publishing Ltd is registeredat Suite 104, Eagle Tower, Montpellier Drive, Cheltenham, GL50 1TA. Reproductionof any material, in whole or in part, is strictly forbidden without the prior writtenconsent of the publishers. All material is sent at the owner’s risk and whilst everycare is taken, Paul.Bates Publishing Ltd will not accept liability for loss or damage.Dates, information and prices quoted are believed to be correct at time of going to press but are subject to change and no responsibilityis accepted for any errors or omissions. Neither the editor nor publisher accepts responsibility for any material submitted, whetherphotographic or otherwise. All rights reserved. ISSN no. 2055-2092. Terms and conditions at www.cheltenhamstandard.co.uk

EditorsDESK

Got a comment?Contact us at [email protected]

CheltenhamStandard

ENTREPRENEURNick Gay isopening Oxford Chelt Wine School,the first independent wineeducation company to cover boththe Oxford and Cheltenam areas –offering an exciting and trulyoriginal range of tastings andcourses for those who are keen tolearn more about wine.Nick, who now lives in

Cheltenham, is the newest wineschool owner within the successfuland rapidly expandingwww.localwineschool.com family –a UK-wide network of over 20independent wine schoolsproviding a wide range of wineevents for beginners andenthusiasts alike. Chris Powell, thefounder and owner, set up the firstschool in Newcastle in 2000. Nicksaid: “After reading about the LocalWine School network, I wasinspired to set up a wine school ofmy own, primarily because Iwanted to continue my career as aneducator in a field which I ampassionate about while running myown business. I also liked theindependence of the Local WineSchool network and the fact that ithas a well-proven business model.Nick has selected a varied range

of appealing and contemporaryvenues to launch his wine tastingsand courses. In Cheltenham,evening tastings will be held in thebeautiful de Ferrieres Gallery,housed in TheWilson, a newlyopened addition to Cheltenham’sart scene at Clarence Street, GL50

3JT. The Promenade is round thecorner with excellent bus links toGloucester and beyond, and thevenue is a brief 20minutes awayfrom Cheltenham Spa station.Cheltenham’s Saturday courses willtake place at the luxurious Hotel duVin, Parabola Road, CheltenhamGL50 3AQ, which is convenientlylocated for the train station about15-20minutes away and a shortwalk from the Promenade. The firstall-day Saturday course with lunchand Champagne will be held onSaturday, November 15 from 11am -4pm. Tickets are now on sale atwww.oxfordcheltwineschool.comand all tastings are available to buyas gift vouchers for Christmas,birthdays and other specialoccasions.

For more information aboutupcoming dates and prices forOxford Chelt Wine School, visitwww.oxfordcheltwineschool.com,[email protected] call Nick on 01865 238042 ormobile 07858 220119.

Local entrepreneur launchesOxford Chelt Wine School

Nick Gay ofOxford CheltWine School

“It’s great being a student...no work for three years”

ILLUSTRATIONBYJAMESTANDY

11 SEPTEMBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

BUSINESS

GIRLGUIDING GLOUCESTERSHIRE needs yourvote in the Lloyds Bank Community FundGirlguiding Gloucestershire has been short-listed forthe Lloyds Bank Community Fund 2014 inGloucestershire. By encouraging the public to vote,Girlguiding Gloucestershire has a chance to beawarded a grant of up to £3,000 from Lloyds Bankto enable it to continue doing good work in thecommunity. It has over 6,500 members, includingover 5,000 young members and nearly 1,500 adultmembers and volunteers. GirlguidingGloucestershire offers all girls and young women aspace where they can be themselves, have fun, buildbrilliant friendships, gain valuable life skills andmake a positive difference to their lives and theircommunities. They give girls a voice by buildinggirls’ confidence and raising their aspirations. Wealso offer fantastic opportunities to our adultmembers, with chances to learn new skills, gainqualifications, try new things and to make lifelongfriendships. They plan to refurbish the toilet andshower block on their campsite. This will makeadventurous activities such as camping, bivouacking,geocaching and learning bushcraft skills even moreattractive to their members and volunteers. CountyCommissioner, Helen Welsh said: “The Lloyds BankCommunity Fund will make a huge difference toGirlguiding Gloucestershire by enabling us torefurbish our toilet and shower block at ourcampsite, making a difference to the lives ofhundreds of women and girls in Gloucestershire.Please vote for Girlguiding Gloucestershire to benefitfrom the Community Fund award.” The Lloyds BankCommunity Fund was set up to help local people

across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, theChannel Islands and Isle of Man to have a positiveimpact at the heart of their community by givinggrants to up to 1,400 local good causes in 350communities. There are four good causes short-listed in each community and Lloyds Bank is invitingeveryone to vote for the causes they’d most like tosupport. Members of the public can vote for theirpreferred community group on-line, by SMS orTwitter, or in a branch of Lloyds bank from 2September to 10 October 2014. The local good causethat receives most votes in each community willreceive an award of £3,000, with the other groupsreceiving £2,000, £1,000 or £500 depending onthe votes received. You can find out more about theCommunity Fund and Girlguiding Gloucestershireand cast your vote by visiting the Lloyds BankCommunity Fund website at:www.lloydsbank.com/communityfund.Voting for the 2014 Community Fund is open untilFriday 10 October.

HOW TO VOTE....

• To vote ONLINE, a voter must have a valid emailaddress and be able to access the internet: Go towww.lloydsbank.com/communityfundfind Girlguiding Gloucestershire andclick on the vote for us button

• To vote by SMS/TEXT, a voter musthave a valid mobile phone number:text VOTE FJM to 61119 (leave spacebetween VOTE and FJM)

• To vote by TWITTER, a voter musthave a valid Twitter account: create anew tweet and include #CommFundFJM in it. You can ask your friends tore-tweet it in the message to createtheir vote (leave a space between#CommFund and FJM)

• To vote in a PARTICIPATINGLLOYDS BANK BRANCH: visit abranch in Cheltenham or BishopsCleeve and approach a member ofstaff to ask for a voting token. (Youdon’t have to be a Lloyds customer)

You can vote 4 times by using eachmethod once but each method canonly be used once per account (so ifyou have multiple twitter or e-mailaccounts, or mobile phone numbersyou could vote from each).

Lloyds Bank Community Funding


HEALTH&LIFESTYLE

LAST week I was called an ‘arrogantCheltenham wannabe’. Withoutconsidering (or asking, for that matter)what that actually meant. I wasdevastated. It made me doubt myselfagain having worked hard to rid myselfof that insidious habit. I concluded thatthe comment must have been because Ihave been shouting from the socialmedia rooftops and telling anyone whowill listen how proud I am to have beenasked to write for The CheltenhamStandard, and about my new businessventure. But these successes are newfound, and follow years of passiveaggressive bullying and destructiverelationships that left my confidence atrock bottom. I know I’m not alone in

having suffered this. So it got methinking…why do people put othersdown so much? To make them feel bad?I really don’t think that’s the case most ofthe time. I think they do it to makethemselves feel better, to camouflagetheir own insecurities. In fact when Iasked my friends if I was guilty ascharged, one heartening response was inthe form of a quote, and went: ‘Whensomeone undermines your dreams,predicts your doom, or criticizes you inany way, they’re telling their story, notyours’. Often people don’t realise theharmful effects of their careless, off-the-cuff criticisms, and such put-downs areoften a projection of a person’s ownissues. But the comments still smart. An

element of self-doubt lurks somewherewithin us all, and unfortunately furthererosion of self-esteem at the hands (ortongues) of others is common.Mediation coach and Mentor WendySharam says, ‘warmly thank the peoplewho put you down, it’s their little way ofsaying “I admire you’. Noted!Then there’s the question of what aCheltenham wannabe is anyway? I liveand grew up in Cheltenham, so it’s notlike I ‘wanna’ be from here. Not thatthat’s a great accolade anyway – it’shardly New York. So what do I wannabe? Successful, confident, attractive,popular, rich? For these are the qualitiesI’d associate with a ‘wannabe’. Somewhatshallow perhaps? Indeed. But let’s face

it, who doesn’t want to be those things?They’re what give a person confidencewhen frequenting the ‘Nam’s hotspots ofa Friday night. But I’ll tell you what Iwant, what I really, really want. Aftermuch musing, I’ve concluded I simplywant to be happy. Which, for me, meansstriving to be the best I can possibly bespiritually, physically and mentally, thusbringing a bit of sparkle to my life as wellas others’. And I want to do it inCheltenham. So, a Cheltenhamwannabe? Looks that way. What’s more,I’m proud to be, by my own definition.But arrogant….moi? Nope. I’m way toogood for that.

Surging throughthe veins of

Cheltenham LifeThePulseBy JO BETTERIDGE [email protected]

Musings of a CheltenhamWannabe

LET’S be honest, traditional ‘female’roles in the household stillpredominantly lay firmly in the remit ofthe fairer sex especially when it comesto childcare. So why, when we’restruggling to balance childcare,cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing andshopping do many of us think it’s such agreat idea to run our own businesses aswell? Cheltenham mum Hetty Zeigler-Jones (pictured) makes it sound ratherappealing, if not exhausting… “I’mpassionate about what I do, and as Ican work at the kitchen table with thekids running around, it made sense towork from home”. Apart frommanaging a home, a one-year-old and athree-year-old, a husband and a parttime job in a local restaurant, Hettyruns her own catering business, FromCanapé to Cake, specialising in cateringfor special occasions, including thecreation of truly impressive celebrationand wedding cakes. Perhaps she’s luckythat she’s not an accountant or a lawyer– or even a journalist – some jobs youjust can’t do with the ringing of a child’snumerous noises and demands in yourears. Being a chef, Hetty gets away withbeing able to do much of her work in afamily environment, but confesses she

has to save to the close, intricate workof sugar craft until after bedtime whenshe can concentrate better, or when herhusband is on hand to help out with thekids. From humble beginnings as acook in an old people’s home as ateenager, self-taught chef Hettyembarked on an impressive career‘cheffing’ on super yachts in the south ofFrance and Italy, heading up a cookery

school and as full-time chef atCheltenham restaurant, Flynn’s.She admits to not really wantingto go on maternity leave whenexpecting her daughter Imogen,but the issue was forced whencolleagues could no longersqueeze past her bump in thekitchen.

However much we love ourchildren, we often need toexercise the old grey matter evenwhen on maternity leave, soHetty combined that withindulging in her passion forcooking, and took a sugar craftcourse. Slowly but surelycommissions for cakes came infrom friends and family, and nowshe’s being asked to create somany, and to cater so many

parties with her impressive canapés,that breathing life into From Canapé toCake seemed a natural progression.Plans for Canapé to Cake are to remaina ‘cottage’ industry, but a move to a newhouse will mean long-anticipatedexpansion to an industrial-size kitchenfor Hetty, as anticipated contractsdemand higher output.

It’s truly inspiring that women can

follow their dream and work thataround their children if their chosencareer allows it. Many of us, myselfincluded, have managed to find that all-elusive work-life balance by taking ahuge leap of faith, leaving full timeemployment and relying upon oneselfto earn a crust from home. It may seema ‘pie-in-the-sky’, far flung dream formany, but you will be surprised whatyou can achieve it you want it badlyenough.www.canapetocake.co.uk

The rise and rise of the mumpretreneur

We’re on the hunt for local storiesthat are happening in your area.

Send us your local reports on anythingfrom mums and toddlers, through to

the local moggy getting stuck up a tree.

We want to know!Drop your local stories onto our lap [email protected]

Wantto be a

reporter?

IT'S a modern parenting dilemma;when do you give your child theirfirst mobile phone? Sooner ratherthan later, it would seem, as newresearch suggests more than half ofchildren aged 10 or under (52%)have a mobile phone, and themajority (90%) of kids aged eightto 14 own one. The study bycomparison sitebroadbandchoices.co.uk found that10 was the average age thatchildren get their first phone. Andwhatever the age of the mobile-owning child, almost half expect tospend more than twice as long ontheir phone over the summerschool holidays, using it for anextra two or more hours per day tocall and text, play games, use socialmedia and messaging apps. Butwhile some parents may worryabout the time children spend ontheir phones, the fact is thatmobiles can serve a useful purposefor parents. A separate study byNetmums and the online mobilephone retailer e2save found thatparents' main motivation forbuying phones for their childrenwas emergencies and safety, witharound half of the phones boughtfor children aged between nine and14 years purchased for this reason.Communication and keeping tabson their child's whereabouts werealso important factors, accountingfor 39% of motivations to buy aphone for nine to 11year-olds, and

29% for those aged between 12and 14. ‘Most of the time parentsare giving mobile phones tochildren because of safety andkeeping in touch’, agrees JeremyTodd, chief executive of theparenting charity, Family Lives.‘Our main concern is if the phoneis just being used as a pacifier, tokeep children quiet’. While mostparents (45%) think their childonly spends up to one hour per dayon their mobile, almost a quarterof kids admitted to spending up tofour or more hours per day usingit. Indeed, 15% of children saidthey'd rather give up food andsleep in favour of playing on theirmobile, while nearly a quarter(23%) were willing to give upseeing their friends face-to-face touse their phone more. Childrenpredominantly use their mobilesfor making calls, texting,playing games and using socialapps such as Facebook and Twitter.However, aside from gaming, thesurvey found there's a moreworrying aspect of children'smobile phone use as 5% admitthey use their mobile phone toshop online and make in-apppurchases, often without theirparent's knowledge. If your childhas a smartphone, make sure theyunderstand they shouldn't buy anyapps or make in-app purchaseswithout your permission first. It’llsave you a few quid!


GOD bless the checkout girl in SainsburysOakwood who wished me a lovely last day ofthe school holidays. She clearly does not havechildren! For the sake of my mental healthI’ve spent the last 3 weeks of the summerholidays wishing for my children to return toschool to get back the routine and domesticharmony that pre-existed before the holidays.A world where the house wasn’t constantlytrashed and “mummy” was not used 72 timesin one minute (I kid you not!) The everincreasing bouts of hysteria (that’s mine), andexhaustion of not being heard throughoverzealous role-play has taken its toll…. Am Ion my own in feeling this way? Certainly not,and I feel the pain for fellow parents whomhave had to endure the lengthy holidays of theprivate schools. I struggled with 6 weeks so Ican fully empathise with parents requiringtherapy after 9 weeks of summer holidays.That said, having moved my children fromprivate education at the end of last year Iknow my preparation for returning to schoolhas been a much easier process, not tomention a far less costly one. My shopping listfor the start of term merely consisted of alarger size in uniform and shoes all of whichcan be purchased from any supermarket. Byleaving private education I have managed tobypass the shopping lists that include hockeysticks, rugby boots and boiler suits (to name afew and costing a pretty penny). Of course…I’m sure there must be some researchsomewhere to state that at the age of 6 yearssuch sports are contributory to academia anda successful professional adult life? (possiblyfor debate on another occasion). Brieflyputting my elation at the return to schoolaside, there is just one personal reason thatcaused me (and I’m sure many of you) anelement of sadness at the start of this newterm. Why? Because my youngest startedschool. It’s a milestone when your baby is nolonger your baby but a little boy or girl, andlike many of you mummy’s (and daddy’s) , Icried a river seeing that little person swampedin a school uniform being taken to theclassroom on the first morning. It was alsolovely to see that for the most part bothparents were present at drop off, and I wishfor all you parents sakes that your little onessettle in and make friends quickly. So, it’s been

a week now since the start of term and I’verealised that one must be careful what theywish for. I was clearly deluded for everbelieving that a domestic harmony existed justbecause the children were at school. I hadclearly forgotten the feeling of having done aday’s work before actually arriving at work, orthe relentlessness of “Mums taxi”. The“Challenge Anneka” moment at the end ofeach day when meetings and phone calls needto be brought to a speedy and professionalclose so that you can go at break neck speed toget to the school gates on time just so youcould shout (in your head) “stop the clock”!!!!!I’d forgotten that the whole family needed tobe uprooted for the daily after school clubs,following that busy day at work. Weekly for usit will be football with Andy Tucker, breakdance at Danceworks and gymnastics, andI’m pretty sure that by the end of this term Iwill have been committed by proxy to at leastone other after school club. All this resultingin tired, hungry and hysterical children and anirritable, hungry and mildly hysterical parentby the time you cross the threshold of home.On the first day of term a local friend postedthis on her facebook “First day of school for allof us today, and we survived...it's nearly halfterm, right?!” Uh huh!… It appears that whenour children transgress over the duration ofthe holidays thus reaching militant status, wewant them returned to school but when thereality hits of actually getting our cherubsthere, whilst contending with work andhome…. it really is just too much! Bring on theholidays!!! Aren’t we an odd bunch? Perhapssome professional input from a psychologistwould be helpful at this point?

Local deals and promotions at a glance….

Groupon @ www.groupon.co.uk/browse/gloucestershire?category=health-and-�tness• Ten cardio kickboxing lessons at KicXMartial Arts in Cheltenham from £9.00• One months gym access at Gym 66 inCheltenham – £17.95

Living Social @ www.livingsocial.com/gb/cities/270-cheltenham• Ten gym passes at Gym66 in Cheltenham– £10.00

By NATALIE NEALE

HealthMattersYour essential guide to staying healthyand enjoying the best life has to offer

Back to school, back tonormality or maybe not…

HEALTH&LIFESTYLE

ON THE DOGAND BONE....


EDUCATION

AS SEPTEMBER dawns, parents will beturning their minds to feeding theirchildren during the new school year - andmany of them will be opting for packedlunches. Research shows around 57% ofchildren don't eat school lunches, meaningmany parents are facing the daily chore ofbuying and preparing packed lunches fortheir kids. Indeed, a new survey has foundthat more than half (55%) of motherswould rather their child has a packedlunch, and six out of 10 mums (66%) thinka lunchbox is a healthier alternative toschool food. However, 61% of the mothersquestioned for the Organix No JunkChallenge Lunchbox Campaign said theyfound it difficult to make their child'slunchbox varied and interesting, and 57%said they needed more advice on whatshould go in a child's lunchbox. And that'swhere The Lunchbox Doctor can help.Jenny Tschiesche runs The LunchboxDoctor website to provide recipes,lunchbox ideas and nutrition advice, and is

supporting the No Junk Challenge, whichaims to encourage parents to cook withfresh natural ingredients and to challengethe food industry to remove the 'junk' fromchildren's food. She says: “We don't have toput things in lunchboxes when they're notideal for our children. Parents can producesomething for the same price, or less, thana school meal, using 'real' food, and it canbe better nutritionally.” The Organix surveyfound that sandwiches are the lunchboxstaple for 81% of children, and Tschieschesays the typical schoollunchbox consists of awhite bread sandwich,often with a sweetfilling like jam,rather than aprotein filling.“It's a commonmistake to usewhite bread, andalso to not use aprotein filling,” she

says. “A lot of parents will use jam orchocolate spread because they know theirchild will eat it. But there's no fibre in thewhite bread, and no protein in the filling,and that combined lack of sustenancemeans kids are likely to have a burst ofenergy which might last while they'rerunning round the playground atlunchtime, but they'll be suffering an houror two after that.” She says that as well asthe white bread sandwich, children areoften given crisps and a sweet bar,sometimes covered in chocolate, or adried fruit and cereal bar. “We'vebeen led to believe these cerealbars are a much healthier

prospect, but often thebars have moresugar in themthan thesugary cereals,”she says.”Eventhough theymight have some

seeds in them, at best, all the sugar justfuels this burst of energy followed by a lullin the middle of the afternoon.”Tschiesche,a mother-of-two, points out that manychildren's lunchboxes also containyoghurts, but says these often containingredients parents might not want theirkids to have, such as sugar or artificialsweeteners, colourings and flavourings. “Allof it's targeted at convenience. If you're aparent, you're busy by definition, andmany products say 'ideal for lunchboxes'.That can mean it's attractive and colourfulfor the child, and simple to pack, but itdoesn't mean it's ideal for the child'shealth, wellbeing and sustenance.” Indeed,the survey found that nearly all mums(97%) want more healthyoptions for lunchboxes for their children,and 87% think the foodindustry needs todo more to provide healthy, nutritious foodfor children.For more information on the No JunkChallenge, visit www.organix.com/nojunk

New term, new food?

HIGHnumbers of youngsters are “not wellserved” by their courses, it says.Inspectors say it is “simply not enough” tokeep teenagers in education until 18 if theyfail to leave with decent qualifications andexperience. Instead, this will delay an“inevitable fall” into becoming “Neet” - notin education, employment or training.Figures show that nearly 1.18million 16 to24-year-olds are classed as Neets and inaddition to this, the number of people whosewhereabouts are unknown is rising,inspectors said.The education inspectorate's annualreport on further education (FE) and skillssaid “toomany learners were notprogressing from their prior attainment to ahigher level of study tomeet educational andcareer aspirations”.The Ofsted research warns: toomanyeducation providers are not ensuring theirprogrammesmeet the needs of learners toomuch teaching of English andmathematicsis not good enough too few studentsprogress to an apprenticeship, employmentor higher levels of learning toomuch careersguidance is weak, not giving teenagers a

clear idea of the paths available to them. Itsays providers and employers should worktogether to ensure that their education andtraining leads to secure employment. Thereport urges the government to ensure thereis a reliable system for tracking young peopleas theymove between different types ofeducation and training. It says local councilsshould be given powers tomake sure theyare given full information by schools,academies and colleges on youngsters whodrop out of their studies. Speaking as thereport was published, Ofsted chief inspectorSirMichaelWilshaw said the principlebehind new rules requiring young people tostay in education and training was“undoubtedly a good one”.But he warned: “The gap between thegood intentions of government policy inrelation to this age group and the reality ofwhat is happening on the ground isworryingly wide. “The simple truth of what'shappening at themoment is that toomanyof our young people, particularly those fromdisadvantaged backgrounds and those whowant to follow vocational pathways, are notyet being well served by these programmes.

“As chief inspector, I am very concerned thattoomany young people drop out of theirpost-16 education and training course at tooearly a stage. Toomany of these youngpeople who do drop out simply disappearfrom the educational radar and are notproperly tracked by the local authorities.”Lorna Fitzjohn, Ofsted's director for furthereducation and skills, added: “It is simply notenough to keep young people in educationand training longer if they still fail to gainmeaningful qualifications and experiencethat will help them achieve their careergoals.“Instead, all this will do for many is delaytheir inevitable fall into the Neet category.”The Ofsted report comes a year after newfunding scheme was introduced for FE inEngland. Since September 2013, collegeshave been funded for students' programmeof study rather than by the individualqualifications taken. A programme of studyincludes qualifications, maths and Englishstudy and work experience. 'Gill Clipson,deputy chief executive of the Association ofColleges, said: “Themove to programmes ofstudy and away from colleges being funded

by qualification is a fundamental change.“So too is the requirement for all youngpeople to continue to studymaths andEnglish if they have not reached anacceptable standard at school.”The intentionis right but, as this is such a fundamentalchange, it is not surprising that there hasbeen variable implementation particularlysince the Ofsted fieldwork for this reporttook place even before the first full year ofimplementation was complete.” ADepartment for Education spokeswomansaid: “The number of young people Neet isat its lowest level since consistent recordsbegan.“And it is encouraging that this report byOfsted shows our plan for post-16 educationis already having a positive impact just twoterms after coming into effect. “The reportshows positive early signs that schools andcolleges are entering young people for morerigorous qualifications. “In fact, the latestfigures show that the numbers of those overthe age of 17 taking GCSEs in English andmaths are rising, giving thousandsmore thevital knowledge and skills demanded byemployers.”

Toomany young people in England are dropping out of sixth-form or college andare not being given the chances that will help them in future, Ofsted is warning.

Drop outs “not well served”

11 SEPTEMBER 2014 CHELTENHAM STANDARD

IT’S an old tune that most parents haveheard lots of times: music benefitschildren. Plenty of studies have shownthat learning an instrument is linked toimproved language development, IQ,academic performance, reasoning abilitiesand creativity. And in the most recentmusic education study published in June,researchers from Boston Children'sHospital found that children who hadearly musical training were better atquickly processing and retaininginformation and problem-solving. Butwhile there's little doubt that playing aninstrument is good for children bothacademically and socially, that doesn'tmean most children actually get thechance to have music lessons. In 2011, theGovernment's National Music EducationPlan promised to ensure children from allbackgrounds had the opportunity to learnan instrument and make music withothers, in a bid to address the nation's'patchy' music education. But, accordingto the maverick classical pianist JamesRhodes, that promise has not beenfulfilled. The musician passionatelybelieves that the opportunity to learnmusic should indeed be available to allchildren and, as well as petitioning theGovernment to make more effort to fulfilits pledge, Rhodes has taken matters intohis own gifted hands and is launching anational 'instrument amnesty'. The idea is

that the public donate instrumentslanguishing unused in attics andcupboards, and Rhodes will then givethem to children who need them. Tohighlight his campaign, and what he feelsis the parlous state of the UK's musiceducation, Rhodes, 39, has taken part in anew two-part Channel 4 series, Don'tStop the Music, which follows him as hevisits schools to investigate their musicalactivities and find out how moreinstruments might help them. He says:“I've been concerned for some time aboutthe state of music education in thiscountry and, after spending somemonths visiting schools, the thing thathorrified me was that it was such aninconsistent lottery. “Some schools aredoing brilliant things, but in themajority, music barely featured at all, andwhere it did, parents were paying forinstruments and tuition and there wasvery little time in the school curriculumfor it.” “At school, we need to do morethan just literacy and numeracy, andmusic is a wonderful way to do that.Music is an amazing opportunity thatwe're depriving children of.” Rhodesstresses that his campaign isn't justabout getting instruments to children,it's also about pressing the Governmentto fulfil its pledge to give every child fromevery background the chance to play andenjoy music.

Don’t stop themusic

For boys and girls aged 2 - 18

Preparatory School T: 01242 538900Senior School T: 01242 538600We all strive for the best

St Edward’s S C H O O L C H E LT E N H A Mwww.stedwards.co.uk

Saturday 27th September 9.00 am - 12.30 pm Open Morning Senior School

Tuesday 30th September 7.00 pm Scholarship Information Evening Senior School

Thursday 9th October 9.30 - 12.00 noon Working Open Morning Preparatory School

www o.ukds.cedwart.sww

day 27th Sept

StS C H O O L

Satur ember

Edwt arE N H A M

27th Sept

TH E LCH O O L

P

F

b t

oateparPr9.30 - 12.00 noon W

sday 9th OctThur

Senior School7.00 pm Scholar

uesday 30th SeptT

Senior School9.00 am - 12.30 pm

day 27th SeptSatur

T 01242 538900S h ltP

ys and girls aged 2 - 18or boF

ory SchoolorningMpen Oorking 00 noon W

obery 9th Oct

hooleningvEormation ship InfScholar

ember30th Sept

hoolorningMpen O12.30 pm

ember27th Sept

SPbest T: 01242 538600Senior School

T: 01242 538900ory SchoolateparaPr

For girls and boys, aged 3-11 years, the King’s Junior School offers a unique programme for identifying and developing individual talents. Come and see

how we offer each child every opportunity to realise their full academic, sporting or artistic potential.

www.thekingsschool.co.uk

For further details, or to arrange an individual tour, contact the Registrar, Sharon Bird: 01452 337337 or [email protected]

Open Morning

Saturday 18th October

10am - 12noon

Nurturing

since 1541Talent


QUIRKYNEWS Something a bit different...

Cat crazy creationsA CAT-MAD couple have started theirown online feline furniture shop offeringa range of platforms for pets to sleep,play and relax on. Megan Hannemanand partner Mike’s business -Catastrophi Creations - stems from thecouple going the extra mile to welcomenew kitten Ickle to their Michigan home.

“We were trying to design a cat wall forhim to climb and couldn’t figure out howto bridge the gap where our hallway was.Then it hit me! We needed a bridge,” saidMike. “Since we were bringing home akitten, we decided that it was safest toadd ropes along the length of it and thuswe created the Indiana Jones Cat Bridge.“Little did we know that Ickle would

completely fall in love with his bridgeand would be sleeping on it almost everynight.” The couple realised that othercats would probably enjoy usingsomething similar and decided to set uptheir own online shop. Mike says that allof their items are fully customisable,giving each customer a very personalexperience.

“We’ve been lucky enough to have twovery cute cats, Ickle and Heisenberg,whoare very active and eager to test out ournew ideas,” he said.

“When we build a new piece offurniture, they help us decide how fun orfunctional the piece is. They definitely letus know what does and doesn’t work.

Dream house…not!A HOUSE thought to be Britain'snarrowest has been put up for sale formore than £200,000.

The two-bedroom terraced house, inHarringay, north London, is believed tohave been built on a driveway betweentwo other homes.

Measuring just 83 inches in width, theproperty boasts a reception room,kitchen and bathroom, as well as a roofterrace to provide outside space.

It is to be sold at auction on October 1by agents McHugh & Co with a guideprice of £235,000-plus.

SOMETIMES I really dowonder whetherCheltenham has lost its

grip on reality. I’ll just come outand say it. If you’re going to openup a new restaurant in this townmake sure whatever you do I’minvited to the opening night. It’scome to my attention that theold D-Fly has completed a majorrefurbishment and will bereopening Wednesday 10thSeptember as ‘Ange Noir’ (it’sFrench for something, should’veasked my sister). The new venueis being headed up by MarchellaDe Angelis who also ownsCotswold’s 88 hotel in Painswick.Probably got a bit of moneybehind him. That I can respect.However, as the opening was thisweek and I still haven’t receivedany kind of formal invitation it’slooking unlikely there’s going tobe any kind of fanfare or red

carpet launch around his newrestaurant. I’m not saying I’mCheltenham’s Top Celeb, butI’m also not going to behumble about this. I reckonI’m at least hitting Top20? What’s not tolike about getting

Tom Thurlow in with yourbusiness? You can ‘pap’ meeating two portions rather thanone and send it into SpottedCheltenham for guaranteedcoverage. You could probably tellCotswold Style you caught mewearing a two-year old YSL beltand they’ll dedicate half a pagefor it. But what I then found outreally put the icing on the cake.My publicist did some digging

and it looks like ownerMarchella has beenraving to the local pressabout a different localcelebrity. It only turnsout that liberal wishy-

washy MP MartinHorwood turned up

unannounced late last week to‘take a look’. My God. Thequicker next year’s GeneralElection comes around so we canbe a Conservative constituencythe better. Then that insufferableHorwood can disappear from thecircuit. Back on the subjectthough; local businesses havelong embraced me and Iembrace them back. TakeCheltenham Nando’s (a personalfavourite). Just the other day Icalled in advance to tell them Iwas coming to try their newboneless chicken thighs and onarrival I enjoyed kisses & hugsfrom several of their fine lookingservers. Manager Will escortedme over to a reserved booth andI enjoyed VIP treatment for therest of my evening. GeneralManager Rob even put a candlein their chocolate cheesecake justfor an excuse to sing Happy

Birthday to me. It wasn’t evenmy birthday. In all honestythough I’m gutted. Anyrestaurant with a dress code thatprohibits men from wearing‘tracksuits, flipflops, hoodies,dirty trainers (particularfavourite of mine) or shorts’sounds like a delightful place. Imean that is quite acomprehensive list of no-nos!Marchella De Angelis, I leavethis message to you. Get incontact with the CheltenhamStandard or tweet me, I don’tmind which, but invite me inand let me sample some of yourrestaurant’s finest food. I want towrite about it, I want us to befriends, but more importantly Idon’t want to pay.

Get more of Tom’s insightsby following him on Twitter@thurlow

VENTING SPLEEN… Local man about town, Tom Thurlow lets loose

Man asks Siri tohelp cover up murder

A US MAN spent his 101st birthday atwork in the job he has held for anastonishing 73 years. Herman 'Hy'Goldman still works four days a week atlight fixtures company Capitol Lightingin East Hanover, New Jersey.

He used to say that he would retire at100 but when he reached the milestone,he changed his mind. His co-workerscelebrated his latest birthday with him.Aside from a brief absence to serve in the

US Army in the Second World War, MrGoldman has worked for the firm since1941.

The store says he was first hired to sellitems and stock and clean the displays.

Co-worker Sandy Ronco says MrGoldman now specialises in rebuildingitems that were damaged or unusable.Mr Goldman lives in nearby Whippanyand still drives himself to work. Welldone him, there’s hope for us all.

US Man still goes to work aged 101yrs

The views, opinions and positions expressed by the authors and those providing comments on these articles are theirs alone, and do not necessarily re�ect the views, opinions or positions of The Cheltenham Standard

An illicit dating website has created arange of cards for cheating spouses tosend to their mistresses and lovers. Theadulterous cards are the brainchild of theIllicit Encounters website whichspecialises in extra-marital affairs.

It has it’s own website –MistressCards.com –where nine differentdesigns are available tochoose from. They featuresaucy photos and verses such as: “Rosesare red, violets are blue, it's a good thingmy wife doesn’t know I'm sh***ing you.”

Dodgy dating cards


ACROSS1. Those who avail themselves of servicesrendered (6-5)9. Censure for shocking pub assault (7)10. Container in which you'll 8nd some ofthe morphia left (5)11.The result of summing up (5)12.Ann unusually eager for this material(7)13. Slip list in the book (6)15. Stays in the wrong sector (6)18.The gateman has become a bigbusiness operator (7)20.The heart's regularly ordered beat,initially (5)22.A capital ring for a lover (5)23. Large part of the claimmen settled (7)24.Ten genially disposed in a gracelessway (11)

DOWN2. Usual procedure assumed by the rider(5)3. Back a great many, we hear, to make anew distribution (7)4. The kind of place for corporalpunishment (6)5. Prone to be disguised as an artist (5)6. Dear Sir, those in the attack have beenrouted (7)7. Promote a greater number as well (11)8.They're used for surveying aircraftschedules (5-6)14. Prevailing system of discipline fornearly all the military body (7)16. Amotto put up by northernTurk (7)17.Margaret holding the money forrationing out (6)19. Everybody goes round to the island (5)21. Somehow learn to describe glandsaffected by nephritis (5)

CRYPTICCrossword

YourWeekly HOROSCOPESARIES (March 20 – April 18): You can’t afford to be there for someone who won’t be therefor himself. It’s time to protect your own interests.

TAURUS (April 19 – May 19): If a sale is being held up or a venture is proving to be costlierthan expected then these are sure signs of trouble. Get out while the getting’s good.

GEMINI (May 20 – June 20): If he says you’re better off without him, then you shouldlisten. He’s not just playing hard to get. He’s telling the truth.

CANCER (June 21 – July 21): A wolf in sheep’s clothing is trying to pull the wool over youreyes. It’s awkward saying no, but say it. Better rude than sorry.

LEO (July 22 – Aug 21): Squeaky wheels don’t always get the grease. In fact this person’sconstant complaining is greasing the slide to a swift and dramatic exit.

VIRGO (Aug 22 – Sept 21): You’re really good at solving people’s problems. It’s whythey’re always handing them off to you. Today you might want to think about handingthem back.

LIBRA (Sept 22 – Oct 22): A simple misunderstanding isn’t as simple as all that. If it were,then you’d have no problem clearing it up. Why are you not divulging?

SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21): All may be fair in love and war, but that won’t stop the otherside from pressing an unfair advantage today.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 20): It’s human nature to realize the value of something onlywhen you’re close to losing it. It’s better to ,nd out now than later..

CAPRICORN (Dec 21 – Jan 18): You’re afraid people will reject the new things you’retrying to introduce into your life. Actually they’re wondering what’s taking you so long?

AQUARIUS (Jan 19 – Feb 17): Someone who promised to be there pulls out last minute.It’s a ,asco, but it’s not unsalvageable. A plus point is that you never have to deal with thisperson again.

PISCES (Feb 18 – March 19): You’re involved in a situation where the cure is as bad aswhat ails. Nevertheless cures heal. It’s more than can be said about your other option.

CoffeeBreak

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8

9 10

11 12

13 14 15 16

17

18 19 20 21

22 23

24

Taxi driver strips off in cop stationA FRUSTRATED cabbie strippednaked in a police station after his taxiwas confiscated. Zhen Hsiao, 47, sawred when police in Southern China toldhim they were confiscating hisunlicensed cab after pulling it over inNanching, during a crackdown on thecity's so-called 'private taxis'. “You thinkmy taxi is illegal? I'll give yousomething to really look at. Look at me- that's what I think of your law,”

shouted Zhen as he leant on the frontdesk. Goggle-eyed members of thepublic stared on as Zhen washandcuffed and then led away - still inthe buff - by embarrassed officers.Witness Li Hsu said: “He was veryangry and telling the police they'd kisshis backside if he could afford to bribethem.” Police say Zhen new facescharges of driving an illegal cab and ofbreaching public decency laws.

RICE

CAKE

LOVE

HATE

WordLadderConvert the word at the topof the ladder into the wordat the bottom of it, usingonly the three steps inbetween. Every word mustbe a valid four-letter word.

Last week’s answers (4th September 2014): Across: 1 Impunity; 5 Amps; 9 Fast; 10 Alfresco; 11 Quail; 12Violent;13Meadow saffron; 18 Napoleon; 19 Avid; 20 Opiates; 21 Piton; 22 Rhea; 23 Sturgeon. Down: 2Measure; 3 Untried;4Television set; 6Masseur; 7 Shorten; 8 Cry off; 13Man-hour; 14 Apprise; 15 Owlets; 16 Flaming; 17 Orinoco.

FOR SALE: House with a pigA HOUSE has been put up for sale onRightmove with a picture that shows alarge pig living in the lounge. The smalldetached property inBritannia Road, Ipswichis on the market for£120,000, and isdescribed by the estateagent Connells as"unique". One photo onthe online advert clearly

showed the pig sleeping in a corner, butthe photo has since been removed.The property features an open-plan

kitchen and loungearea (occupied on anapparentlypermanent basis bythe pig), plus abathroom, separatetoilet, entrance halland loft bedroom.

GECKOS (small lizards) whoentertained Russia with their sexualexploits in space have died or dare wesay croaked? It’s reported that thelizards were put on the RussianFoton-M4 capsule to examine whateffect microgravity would have ontheir lovemaking. But their journey

ended with the confirmation that theyhad been found dead when thecapsule landed in southern Russia.Russian space agency Roscosmos

said: “It was established that while theDrosophila flies handled spaceflightwell, developed and bred successfully,all the geckos, unfortunately, died.”

Lovemaking lizards die in space


TELEVISIONYour one-stop guide to the besttv over the four-day ‘weekend’



NOSTALGIA

WHEN war broke out a well-rehearsedplan was put into action to set uphospitals throughout the UK andCheltenham Racecourse was earmarked.Initially they were intended to supplementthe main military hospitals by providingbeds for soldiers (walking wounded) whowere in need of convalescence. ByOctober 1914, a steady stream ofcasualties were already being transportedback to England and when a massevacuation from around Antwerp wasnecessary it was obvious that military andcivilian hospitals did not have theresources needed. Frantic preparations toturn private houses and schools into

Voluntary Aid (VA) Hospitals began.Each VA hospital had a commandant whowas in effect the matron andadministrator. Staff were usually from asingle voluntary aid detachment (VAD),with some trained nurses, and the restbeing volunteers who came from all walksof life. Transport was normally providedby men’s detachments but women wouldalso drive ambulances and delivery vans.There was no shortage of volunteers andby the summer of 1914 there were some2,500 VADs manned by 74,000volunteers, of which at least two thirdswere female. They were trained toorganise transport as well as provide food

and dressings for ambulance trains.Setting up emergency field kitchens andeven auxiliary hospitals were part of theirresponsibilities. The hospital opened on28 October 1914, and was the fifth suchfacility to open in the county. ThirteenBelgian and two British patients were thefirst to be accommodated in an upstairsward, formerly known as the LadiesDrawing Room. The following day 16more patients arrived and the OldLuncheon Room was opened. EarlyNovember saw the opening of the LargeLuncheon Room with its veranda andannex. These three wards provided 100beds. The number of beds was increased

in April 1917 to 150, and in 1918 to 200,plus emergency beds. It was classed as aprimary hospital and received cases directfrom the port of disembarkation. By 28February 1919 there had been 3,169admissions with just 18 deaths. Of theseadmissions: 2,677 were British, 249Australian, 101 Belgian, 128 Canadian,seven American, six pensioners and onenaval. The average number of residentpatients at any one time was between 102and 175, each staying an average of about50 or 60 days. Eighteen of the staffworked continuously from the day thehospital opened until its closure on 28February 1919.

CheltenhamRacecourse, theWW1Hospital

“REMEMBER the men of Cheltenhamwho gave their lives for you in the GreatWar. If they were strangers to oneanother in their common home, theyserved and wrought and died in manylands far and near as a band of brothers.Learn from them so to live and die thatwhen you have followed them and areno more seen, you may like them beremembered and regretted.”

4th August marks the centenary of thedeclaration of war, and UK’s entry into oneof the biggest conflicts in history. Over thenext four years, there will be manyprogrammes of commemoration, bothnationally and locally.Around the town you will find areas of aspecial wild flower mix, which includesFlanders Poppy, and the EverymanTheatre is leading on a countywideprogramme of events calledGloucestershire Remembers, whichincludes research facilities, plays andeducational resources. The most visuallyprominent work will be the restoration ofthe war memorial on the Promenade.Hoardings went up around the memorialat the end of July, as work began on phaseone of the restoration. This will includerepaving, drainage work and installation ofLED lights. This work will be completed bySeptember, and planning is underway forphase two. This will include significantfundraising, restoring the balustrades, theold lanterns, and re-etching all of thenames on the monument. This work willpreserve the memorial for another 100years. The war memorial is a simple butmajestic focal point in the town, enjoyedand explored by dozens of people everyday. Its significance is still profound. It isthe place to which people naturally flock,on significant anniversaries of conflict orloss, to organised services, on personalpilgrimages, or in times of shared grief or

tragedy. After the murder of Lee Rigby lastyear, dozens laid flowers and tributes onthe steps. 887,000 soldiers died in theFirst World War. Over 1000 of these werefrom Cheltenham, including two women,Elizabeth Roberts of the Women’s RAF,fromHanover Street, and Anna MadelineShaw, a Red Cross nurse from LypiattTerrace. The memorial stands for all of thevalour and sacrifice in the war effort, allwho served, and the families left behind, aswell as for each person whose life was lost.It’s hard to imagine that 100 years ago,people of Cheltenham were, much like us,going about their daily lives, and that from

the 4th August those lives were changedforever. In generational timescales, acentury is not long. The names on thememorial are people’s grandfathers, fatherseven, who didn’t return to their daily livesand families. This restoration will ensurethat their names remain a part ofCheltenham for the next century, andbeyond. The government has produced627 paving stones which commemorateWorld War One Victoria Cross recipients.The stones are to be installed in the districtwhere each recipient was born. InCheltenham, two will be laid around the25th September 2015, and one on 2nd

September 2018, in tribute to CaptainAnketell Moutray-Read, Captain ArthurForbes Gordon Kilby, and Lt Col RichardAnnesley West. Relatives of the threeservicemen are invited to contactCheltenham Borough Council if theywould like to be involved in these events.A blog of events happening in theborough can be found viawww.cheltenham.gov.uk/ww1. People areinvited to make their own contributionsand share their family stories ofCheltenham in the First World War.

Words by HannahWright

Our Band of Brothers....


CULTURE

Thanks to our friends at The EverymanTheatre, Cheltenham you couldWin one ofthree pairs of tickets for George Orwell’sclassic novel ‘1984’ now adapted as a playfor the Friday 26th performance.

To go into our free to enter draw to wina pair of tickets just answer this question....

Q. Which other novel byGeorge Orwell immediately

preceded ‘1984’?

A. Coming up for AirB. Animal Farm

C. The Road toWigan Pier

Answers by email to:[email protected] three correct randomly chosen answers win.

Closing date 22nd September 2014

The BIG BOOK Review…

HARMONY and Will’s marriage is understrain following Harmony’s miscarriage.Enter a handsome stranger in the guise ofLuke Crawford and the scene is set foradultery, betrayal and revenge.

So far, so unremarkable, you may think,but, as the novel develops, a superior anddarkly compelling ‘inner’ tale emerges.Luke Crawford, it’s revealed, was Will’sgreat childhood friend and blood brother,and Will has much more to fear fromLuke’s reappearance in his life than the

simple fact that Luke has designs on his wife. On one level thestory revolves around two people desperate to get a marriageback on track against heavy odds; on another the lure of elicitpassion and inevitable consequences; Knally, and this is key, anexploration of childhood trauma.There is a moral at the heart ofthe book: damaged children create damaged adults, and we, asparents, ignore these at our peril. Boarding school doesn’t get agood press so if you’ve just dropped off your small son ordaughter, the novel should come with a note of caution.There’s atelling line quite early on from Will’s eight year-old perspective:‘If he’d described how he’d lain awake trying to work out whathe’d done to upset his parents so much they would send himaway...’ Enough said! The dual narrative (Harmony’s and Will’s)creates an intimate tone in a deftly plotted storyline. Big themesare explored with sensitivity and a light touch and Jennings’scharacters are credible and fallible.There are some nice twistsand, if you have a nasty suspicion lurking in the back of yourbrain as to where the story is heading, when the truth is Knallyrevealed it doesn’t disappoint but packs a strong punch straightto the gut. Skilled writers give the reader the ending theysecretly want, but not always in the way they expect it.Theending of ‘The Judas Scar’ is no exception. It’s authentic anduplifting without succumbing to sentimentality, a genuinetriumph of love over adversity, and for this I highly recommend it.

‘The Judas Scar’ is published by Cutting Edge Press.

Next time, I’ll be reviewing ‘Vagabond’ by Gerald Seymour(no relation!)

Eve Seymour is a freelance editorial consultantand the author of seven crime Kction novels.Beautiful Losers will be published by US publisherMidnight Ink early 2016. To see more details of herwork visit www.evseymour.co.uk

THE JUDAS SCAR By Amanda Jennings

With EVE SEYMOUR

THE names of Robert John Gaudio and Bob Creweprobably don’t trip off the tongue like Lennon andMcCartney but you will undoubtedly know the vastmajority of their songs whether sung others or bythe original artists Frankie Valli and The FourSeasons. As long as you do not confuse this showwith that of hit musical The Jersey Boys you areassured an enjoyable evening as New Jersey Nightstransports you back to the 1960’s with a tribute tothe music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasonsrendering a host of hits such as Sherry, Big GirlsDon’t Cry,Walk Like a Man, Silence is Golden, andGrease. Set on the ‘boardwalk’ and stripped of anystory this show is like a juke box that concentrates

on the songs of this harmony quartet who took thecharts by storm in the early 60’s, which it does withgreat enthusiasm.The ‘Four Seasons’ are competentand the rotating of the quartet to take the lead asFrankie Valli works well, and certainly allows a restof the vocal chords from the trademark Valli falsettovoice. Special mention must go to the dancers whowere brilliant holding the show together and whobrought the juke box to life.Thankfully the girlswere given a chance to show off more than theirdancing skills as with a brief Phil Spector Wall ofSound during scene changes with a couple of songsincluding a wonderful rendition of the ‘Do Ron Ron’.They really should have been given the opportunityto sing more.As they danced I thought: ‘That would begood for my Zumba class.’ Not only is this a musicaltreat it is also a visually enjoyable show with shinysuits and glittering dresses that transports you notonly back to the 60’s, but also to the inside of thejuke box where you become encompassed andabsorbed by the whole atmosphere of the era.

New Jersey NightsEveryman Theatre: 8th – 13th September

Reviewed by ANDREW MARSHALL

CHELTENHAM’S funniest festival builds onthe success of previous years and boasts thebest line-up yet including; Ardal O’Hanlon,Al Murray, Marcus Brigstocke, Mark Steeland Rory McGrath, with shows alreadyselling out.The Hobgoblin CheltenhamComedy Festival is back and will run from14th – 20th September 2014 across variousvenues in the town.

Headline shows from Al Murray, PamAyres,Tom Stade, Marcus Brigstocke, Mark Steel,Rory McGrath and Philip Pope and Andrew O’Neill.The Family Fun Day which includes returnperformances from Cheltenham favourite TweedyThe Clown and his Magic and Mayhem Show, andComedy Club 4 Kids plus face painting and craftactivities on Saturday 20th September at theParabola Arts Centre.The Late & Local ComedyNight - a night featuring the best established localcomedic talent and featuring up-and-coming artistson Thursday 18th at The Frog and Fiddle. Allestablished and aspiring comics and cabaret artistsare local to the Cheltenham area. For performanceenquiries, please [email protected]

More locally themed comedy from JohnWagstaffe, Cerys Nelmes as well as sketch impro

chums Knowing Smirk. An extra specialevening from local comedy clubHowlers featuring the knock-outcomedy talents of Matt Richardson,Stuart Goldsmith, Gareth Richards withspecial guest to be announced.Thefestival will Knish off in Kne style with abumper Festival Finale, at CheltenhamTown Hall on Saturday 20th September.Headlined by Ardal O’Hanlon and

featuring TV favourites Sara Pascoe, JarredChristmas, Gary Delaney and compered by JohnRobbins. For the latest news, listings and to sign upto the festivals’ newsletter, please visitwww.cheltenhamcomedy.com

Facebook www.facebook.com/CheltenhamComedyTwitter @Cheltcomedy

Tickets for all events are on sale starting at only£6.00, via Cheltenham Town Hall Box OfKce, onlineat www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk or by calling0844 576 2210.

Tickets for Pam Ayres and Al Murray available fromThe Everyman Theatre direct on 01242 572573 orwww.everymantheatre.org.uk

Oh titter yee…The Hobgoblin Cheltenham Comedy Festival, 14th – 20th September 2014

Competition

CONGRATULATIONS.BRISTOL STREET MOTORS

ARE INVITING READERS OF THE CHELTENHAM STANDARD TO OUR

EXCLUSIVE ‘DO A DEAL’ EVENT STARTING FRIDAY

12TH SEPTEMBER.

BRISTOL STREET MOTORS TEWKESBURY ROAD, CHELTENHAM GL51 9DT. TEL: 0844 811 4984Models shown for illustration purposes only. Terms and conditions apply.

0844 811 4984TEL:TEWKESBUR

OL STREET MOBRIST

Models shown for illustration purposes only

4 811 4984CHEL,ADY ROBUROTSTREET MO

erms and conditions applyTses only

TENHAM GL51 9DTHELLTENHAM GL51 9DTORS

.GL51 9DT

Follow us onCheltenhamTewkesbury Road, Cheltenham GL51 9DTTel 0844 811 4992

Choose from over 6,500 quality used cars online at www.bristolstreet.co.uk

WHY CHOOSE BRISTOL STREET

MOTORS?The UK’s fastest growing motor retailer!

6500 Used Cars in Group Stock

Over 100 dealerships Nationwide

Used Car locator service

Part Exchange welcome - Best prices paid

We buy Cars for Cash!

Finance packages to suit your budget

Existing Finance settled

All vehicles Hpi checked

Free 5 days insurance

99 Point Safety Check

Service Plans from £9.99 per month

5DAYS

99

BUY NOW AND

UNTIL JANUARY2015^

NOTHINGPAY

£500DEPOSITALLOWANCE

FINANCERight now at Bristol Street Motors, you can choose any used car and as part of our fabulous 4 or 5 year repayment plan, we’ll pay your repayments for you until January 2015.Yes, you can drive away a quality used car now and pay absolutely nothing until January 2015. Plus, receive £500 Finance Deposit Allowance!

AND

13/62 Nissan Qashqai 1.6 Diesel N-Tec+ 5drFeatures include: • Alloy Wheels • Sat ellite Navigation • 360 Park Assist • One Owner • Save over £8000

from new list

OUR PRICEFROM ONLY £13995

16.9% APR Representative

Features include: • White • Low Tax • Great MPG

• Ford Reliability • Ideal 1st Car

• CD Player

12/62 Ford Fiesta 1.25 3dr


Features include: • Alloy Wheels • Heated Seats

• Bluetooth • Cruise Control • Drive Away Today

10/60 Mazda 3 1.6 Takuya 5dr


Features include: • Alloy Wheels • CD Player

• Low Insurance • Great Low Price Sports • Ideal First

Car

12/12 Vauxhall Corsa Limited Edtion Sport 3dr


Features include: • SatNav • Automatic • CD Player

• Reverse Camera • Prestige British

Motoring

08/08 Jaguar XF Diesel Saloon 2.7 Premium

Auto 4dr


Features include: • Grey • £0 Tax • 68 MPG

• Ideal 1st Car • CD Player • Bluetooth

11/61 Fiat 500 Twin Air 3dr


Features include: • Alloy Wheels

• CD Player • Leather Upgrade

• Sunroof • Ideal Family Car

09/59 Mazda 2.2D Estate 5dr


Features include: • Red • Alloy Wheels

• Hard Top Cabriolet • CD Player • Save Thousands

From New

12/62 Mazda MX5 Sport 2.0 2dr


ore fsoohC 005,er 6vm oo ed csy utilau0 q te anilns orac

akTTakaz0 M6//600/1

sltosirb.www

21rd5ayyauk6.a 3 1dz

es include:turreeaF

ku.oc.teerts

rd5 32.1atsieFrdoFFo26//62

es include:tureaF

APPAYTON

Y NUB

AYGNIHT

DNW AON

DAAN CEIRPRUO

o• Bluety Wheels • Hea• Allo

9£7 CEIRPRUO

yoday TToawe A• Drivolontrooth • Cruise Ctsed Seatheels • Hea

es include:turreeaF

59995 E

es include:tureaF

59995£7799

t MPGeaax • Grw TTax • Groe • L• Whit

a

TON2LITNU

s pd anr aad cseuhn cau co, ysrotoMotsirt Bw aot nhgiR I

GNIHT^5012

YRRYAUNJAL

£ruf ot oraynse aooh

teertl So FED

£CE

DA

NANIITSOPE

005£

AN YLLYONOMRF 9

n

£7

iwTTw1 F6//611

ye• Gr

S

L

RBYHW

ONOMRF5

r

9995

dr 3in A00iat 5F

oothery

t Car

es include:turres include:eaF

etPla1s

ax • 68 MPGy • £0 TTax • 68 MPG

T

Y

ERETLOTISR

ESHOOCYY

LLY 59995£7799

tsioepDecanniF00£5

eivece, rsulP5102yyaranuJlituntoly netulosby aapor nad csey utilauq

evirn dau co, yseYYeaanuJlitunuoyrrofuoy yal pl’ew,nalpaer 5 ys 4 ouolubafas pd anr aad cseu

AL

.5gniht

dnw aoy aawa

.5102yyarstnemyaper ru

tnemyaper raruf ot ora ED

ECANWWANOLLITSOPE

pn Soitd EdetimiLauxhaVVa12//1212

YLLYONOMRFCEIRPRUO 9£7

ur orG0056

worge UhT

MO

dt 3rropasrrsoClla

59995

ckotSpns irad CesU

r!eilaterrrotomginwtestsas f’’KU

?SORTO

!ecnaowllAtsioepD

OUtsissk Ara0 P63

noitagiave Ntillt ea• Ssleehy Woll• A

:udelnciserutaeF

assaisss2N6//633/1

ECRIPRU

i6D.i 1aqhsanQa

£rd+5cc+ 5eTTe--TlNeseeesi

5399951££1r

CEIRPRUO

y• Allo

48849£

IL

e bW

tBest EraP

desU

iontaNerrvOeryWheels • CD Pla


5495

t LG

!hsar Cos fray Cub

diaes pcirpe -omclee wgnahcxE

ecivrer sotacr load C

eidwonsiphserlaed0001

RFtsiw lem norf

0008r £ave oveS•nerwOneO•

tsissk Ara0 P6• 3

pS2 M6//621

• Har

YLLYONOMR £S0//088/0

rd0 2.t 2rrop5Xa MdazM

housandse Tv• Saeryop Cabriolet • CD Plad TTop Cabriolet • CD Plarrd T

y Wheelsed • Allo• Res include:tureaF

wom NeFrrom Ne

5

r

399951££1

d4ooutAmuimerre7 P.n 2looaS

seleiF Dr Xauga8 J0

tige Britishes• Praerse Camerve• R

erytic • CD Plaomautv • AtNa• Saes include:tureaF

iM t

YLLYONOMRFCEIRPRUO 4

t

8849£

sEaz9 M5//5099/

e

5

erF

el vlA

tsixE

yttiusnaniF

SAYDDAY5

r

495

de 5attD2.a 2d

ery• CD Play Wheels• Allo


adether UpgraL

ecnarusns iya5 d

dekcehi cpes Hlcihe

delttseecnainFgin

tdgeubrruoyoes tgakcae pcn

y

YLLYONOMRFCEIRPRUO £ OOMRF

RPRUO5995149£ YLLYONCEIR 95921£

61

YLLYONOMRFCEIRPRUO 98£

9

PR

9.9£ivreS

o9 P999

A%9.6

959h

e

tnr moe9 pomrs fnale Pci

kcehy Ctefat Snio

ivatnteserpeRR

4480el TTel ahnetelhC

busekweTTeeltheC

61

2991 414 8TD1 95Lm Ga

,doaRyrumhane

PRA%9.6nosuwloolF

eivatnteserpeRR

WebsiteTestimonials“Excellent service, work done as perquote. Superb knowledge anddiagnosis”. A+S Merrett

“I have been in the trade over thirtyyears, I can honestly say Doug wasbrilliant! he listened to the problemI had (most other ;rms quotedbefore I even explained the problem£1100-£1300+vat) took the autobox to him monday morning , readytuesday. picked up gearbox £549.60inc vat!! car runs great if you needan auto gearbox repair DONT GOANYWHERE ELSE!!! ATGL is theway Jon Stockwell Euro CarServices”. Jon S., Hereford

"Auto trans are literally the mosthonest, transparent and helpfulgarage I have ever been to”. Gillian,Cheltenham

AUTOMATIC GEARBOX?• If you have a problem we will solve it!

• Easy to 4nd:GL2 5HS 9.5 Miles from Eagle Tower in Cheltenham• Worth the journey• Professional, honest and clean, YES a clean garage• 12 month warranty on all works• Give us a call for advice• We deal directly with all major insurance and warranty companies• We only use the highest quality oils• All units are repaired on site• 9 out of 10 Autogearboxes fail from overheating, replace your cooler• No transmission is sealed for life

• All auto gearbox oil requires changing every 40,000 miles


SPORT

CHELTENHAM TIGERS tasteddefeat in their opening match ofthe Western Counties Northseason.It turned into a perfect start for

Coney, tries from Steve King andSteve Griffin had helpedCheltenham into an early lead.The Tigers then threatened a

comeback as Sam Brookes try wasconverted by Josh Herbert.With half-time fast approaching,

Coney Hill managed to secureanother three tries to give them acommanding lead at the break.Matt Cock, captain Rory baker andKing added his second of thematch.Despite Cheltenham’s Herbert

awarded with a penalty try, thehosts held a 19 point lead at theend of the half.It was a perfect start to the

second half for the Tigers, as WillScott crossed over.However, it wasn’t enough to

quell the attacking prowess of theiropponents, who saw Tom Knightand Holder score to bring up theforty point mark.Tim Acheson offered

Cheltenham a sight of a comeback,but Coney’s Baker scored hissecond of the afternoon and Holderadded two kicks to move the hoststo fifty points as they ran out easyvictors.

RUGBY UNION

WHADDON UNITED and FC Lakesideremain the only teams, in the CAFLDivision One, with 100% record,boasting three wins from three games.

Whaddon’s latest victory came away atStar FC Reserves, with a 7-0 win, leavingthe hosts bottom of the league with nopoints from the opening three fixtures.The visitors had five different scorers,throughout the match, but it was Lewis

Peters and Michael Winter whoshone. Both claimed a brace ofgoals, as Ryan Peach, MichaelPowell and Ben Griffiths got in onthe actionWhile FC Lakeside saw off

Newton FC, in a devastatingsecond half showing, winning 4-0away from home. Having been 1-0at half-time, Lakeside scored threein the remaining forty-fiveminutes and kept pace withWhaddon.R.S.G beat Bishops Cleeve

Thirds 6-1 to move into third, ongoal difference. Substitute StevenBrown grabbed two goals, whileDaniel Beames, Tom Webb, DelNelder and Leo Kent added theextras.Kings AFC claimed their first

point of the season, drawing 1-1 withUpton Town. AC Olympia and Falconsfollowed suit, drawing 2-2 with eachother. Nick Holleron and Luke Skearsgetting the goals for AC Olympia.In Division 2, Cheltenham Civil Service

Reserves thrashed Northleach Town 10-0to maintain their winning start. WayneO’Shea scored a hat-trick, after comingfrom the substitute’s bench and MichaelKember and Daniel Warren both scoredtwo apiece.Andoversford also kept up their good

start to the season, with a 4-2 win atShurdington Rovers. Ashley Cleal andLiam Mansell got the ball rolling beforethe break. Billy Frewin added a thirdbefore Mansell rounded off the victory.There were also wins for Prestbury

Rovers and Southside FC.Division four finally got underway, or

be one game, as Cheltenham Civil Servicescored six goals in the second half to beatSouthside Reserves FC 8-1.Richard Miles grabbed three goals as

there was a brace for James Conibere andWayne Hardyman.

GRASS ROOTS FOOTBALL

Whaddon and Lakeside share top spot

JACK LISOWSKI exited the ShanghaiMasters at the first hurdle, with a 5-1defeat to Ding Junhui.It was a scrappy opening to the match

with the highest break, for either playerbeing 28 in three frames, and it wasChina’s Ding who took a 2-1 lead. Thedefending champion then extended hislead to two frames, with a break of 43, asthe players headed for their interval.And the man from Churchdown

couldn’t muster a response, Ding movedto within a frame of victory by compilinga break of 128. And just to rub salt intothe wounds for Lisowski, he had built upa 44 point lead in frame six, only to seeDing produce a 67 clearance to book hisplace in round two.It was a day of upsets, as a number of

the top seeded player failed to makeprogress. World Championship runner-up, Ronnie O’Sullivan, went out 5-3 toveteran Alan McManus. O’Sullivan hadproduced a break of 139 in frame 3 butcouldn’t claim victory.Judd Trump also suffered an early exit

as he feel to a surprising 5-2 loss toWales’ Dominic Dale. John Higgins,Barry Hawkins and Ricky Walden allfailed to make the last 16.

Lisowski thrashedby Ding in Shanghai

SNOOKER

Tigers fallto defeat atConey Hill

Jack Lisowski

LE PARIS CAFĒWarden Hill, Cheltenham

SPECIAL OFFER!

BUILDERS BIG BREAKFASTand Tea or Coffee£5.00

TakeawaysBaguettes £2.50

Rolls £2.50Sandwiches £2.00

You’ll never be disappointed hereBig appetites need only applyYou will never leave hungry!

FREE parkingBookies next door!

Newspapers to read, healthy banter


SPORT

Gloucester sufferopening day thrashing

LAST week I wrote that we may seeCheltenham Town at the top ofLeague Two after their trip toMorecambe. And for, almost, a daythat was the case. Their 0-0 draw atthe Shrimps sent them a point clear,but Burton Albion’s win overPortsmouth sent them back to thetop.Despite Mark Yates’s side failing to

claim a third straight victory, theirdefensive solidity was evident onceagain, especially in the second half.

It was a strong start for the Robins’and they really should have beenleading at the break. Morecambewere the stronger side in the secondperiod.I think it speaks volumes that after

the game both Yates and, captain,Matt Taylor revealed the players weredisappointed not to have won thematch. Confidence is sky high in theclub at the moment which is in starkcontrast to how the situation wasduring the last campaign.

Meanwhile, it’s fair to say thatGloucester Rugby’s start to theseason was pretty much a disaster.Northampton Saints ran in eight

tries in a 53-6 demolition job. Thereigning Premiership champions laiddown a marker to their competitors,but it was a tough start forGloucester under David Humphreys.To be fair the new boss didn’t offer

any excuses for his side’s humiliation,but it shows that it may be a verydifficult start to 2014/15.

By MATTHEW THOMAS [email protected]

SportsEye....

THEUniversity of GloucestershireAll Golds ended theirChampionship 1 season with a 68-24 defeat to Oldham Roughyeds.Defeat is harsh way for Steve

McCormack’s tenure to come to anend, but it has still been animpressive campaign for the side.All Golds knew they were

destined to miss out on the play-offs after Hemel Stags grabbed adraw at Oxford, condemning theyoung side to a sixth place finish.Oldham started strongly and had

the first try after just one minute,when Jon Ford exploited a gap inthe visitors defence to open thescoring. It seemed the All Goldswere struggling down their left sideand the hosts took full advantage,Josh Crowley crossing the line todouble their advantage.The university side briefly

threatened a comeback when MilesFairbank managed to touchdown.However, it was short lived as

Oldham ran in four tries in ablistering ten minute spell as thegame slipped away fromMcCormack’s side. Phil Joy, DannyLangtree, Ben Wood and Crowleyall managed to score in what wasthe most decisive period of thematch.Another Crowley try put Oldham

into a thirty-six point lead at thebreak.Matthew Bradley managed a

small response at the start of the

second period, but Oldham werestill well in charge and MichaelWard and Langtree scored afurther two time and the hostspassed the fifty point mark.A slick combination between

Ben White and Bradley sentFairbank over the line.Roughyeds managed to score

another three tries before the endand ended with a comprehensivevictory.“This game epitomized our

season really; we had spells in thegame like in the first half when wewere just on the back foot, Oldhamwere fantastic like the table

suggests,” McCormack told theclub’s official website.“I thought the boys were superb

in the second half.Four months ago when I came

into the club and had an overlookof everything, if somebody saidthat come the last weekend of theseason you’re in with a chance ofthe play-offs, bearing in mind theplayers injuries and change incoach, then they (the players)deserve an enormous amount ofcredit to be within a sniff, andpeople outside the club probablydon’t realise the effort these playershave put in.”

GLOUCESTER Rugby started their Premiershipseason in the worst possible way, with a 53-6 defeat atNorthampton Saints.Penalties from James Hook and Creig Laidlaw were

the only points the Cherries scored all match.The Saints ran in eight tries, including a hat-trick for

Wales international George North and two for LutherBurrell.It was David Humphreys’ first match in charge of

Gloucester, and has a big task on his hands as heprepares his side for their return to Kingsholm to playSale Sharks.

GOT A LOCALSPORTS STORY?Contact our Sports Editor via

[email protected]

RUGBY LEAGUE

All Golds miss out on play-offs

PHOTO:LEW

ISMITCHELL

RUGBY UNION

Robins to faceBristol City in JPTTHE SECOND round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophyhas pitted Cheltenham Town against Bristol City.The tie will take place on 8th October at WhaddonRoad, and it was announced that the match will betelevised on Sky Sports.Cheltenham last had a match televised in January

2013, when they hosted Premier League side Everton inthe third round of the FA Cup.City, who are now managed by former Town boss,

Steve Cotterill and Cheltenham have not played eachother since 2007, when both clubs were in League One.

FOOTBALL

CYCLING’S Tour of Britain is set to head forGloucestershire this Wednesday afternoon.The tour includes a number of Britain’s top cyclists,

including former Tour de France winner BradleyWiggins and sprintspecialist Mark Cavendish.Australia’s Mark Renshaw

leads the overall race, havingtaken victory in stage two.Ben Swift is now in secondplace while Cavendish runsin fifth. Wiggins is currently36th, with seven morestages to run.

Tour of Britain headingfor Gloucestershire

CYCLING

SPORT32 CHELTENHAM STANDARD 11 SEPTEMBER 2014

completelymotoring

4 Vernon Court Meteor Business Park Staverton GL2 9QL www.completelymotoring.co.uk

SELLING YOUR CAR?We’ll give you a better price!

CALL 01452 713123 FOR A BETTER CASH OFFER ON YOUR CAR

01452 713123

£5000TO

FINANCE SETTLEDNO ADMIN FEE

£50,000

Gloucestershire’ssolar poweredused car dealership

withMATTHEW THOMAS, SPORTS [email protected]

CHELTENHAMTOWN’S unbeatenstart to League Two continued witha 0-0 draw against, fellow fast

starters, Morecambe.The point had put them top of League Two,until Burton Albion’s win over Portsmouthon Sunday.After scoring his first goal for the club in

the midweek cup victory over OxfordUnited, loanee JohnMarquis was handedhis first league start in attack, in place ofTerry Gornell. While Steve Elliott returnedto the heart of the defence.Morecambe had their goalkeeper, Barry

Roche, to thank for quashing an impressivefirst half showing fromMark Yates’ side.Marquis very nearly provided the ideal

start, heading JordanWynter’s cross forgoal but found the keeper in the way.The 22 year-old continued to impress

and the striker provided a greatopportunity for Craig Barham-Barrett toopen the scoring. Marquis slipped thewing-back in one-on-one but again he wasdenied by Roche.It was turning into a busy afternoon for

the Morecambe stopper, first he had todeny a bullet volley fromMarquis and hewas lucky on 33 minutes when, Barham-Barrett’s cross, foundMarquis in the boxbut could only fire wide.Morecambe’s reaction, into the second

half, was telling and Kevin Ellison’s shotcrept just wide of Trevor Carson’s post.And after seeingWynter’s deflected cross

tipped over by Roche, both Jack Redshawand Jamie Devitt saw efforts sail wide for

the Shrimps as they continued to step up.On 66 minutes Cheltenham had their

best chance of the half, Matt Richardsproducing another fine save from Roche.Yates decided to introduce Koby Arthur

with 75 minutes gone, but it wasMorecambe who came close to a latewinner. Redshaw burst into the box andlooked destined to score but for a terrificblock from Elliott.The visitors had one last chance in injury

time, Jason Taylor producing another savefrom the Morecambe goalkeeper.“It was a great point,” said Yates to the

press after the game.“I felt, with the pressure they put on in

the second half, to stand firm like we didand keep another cleansheet. We wouldn’thave done that last year, we’d have cavedin.”In a terrific end-to-end game Yates

revealed that his players were slightlydisappointed not to win, after animpressive first-half showing.“They were a little bit disappointed in

there in the end, that they haven’t won it.But a draw is a fair result.We bossed the first half, had five or six

chance, but they were better than us in thesecond half. How it’s ended up 0-0 I’llnever know.It was also the Robins’ third cleansheet,

in all competitions, on the trot.Underlining the new defensive solidityinstilled in the new 3-5-2 formation.“That is just down to pure hard work,”

Yates said.“Total commitment, total effort and a

desire to do well for everyone. It’scompletely different this year.”Yates will now turn his attention to next

weekend’s trip to 19th placed Luton Town.

PHO

TO

:TH

OU

SAN

DW

OR

DM

EDIA

Taylor: Disappointednot toWinMATTTaylor has said the CheltenhamTown players felt disappointed not towin, after their 0-0 draw atMorecambe.“To be honest, the lads were a little bit

disappointed,” the Robins’ captain said.“Certainly after the first-half showing,

we felt we should have been ahead by atleast one goal. We never felt in greatdanger, but we didn’t quite reach thesame standards that we did in the firsthalf. We were a little bit unlucky not togo in (at half-time) leading.”After a terrific start to the current

campaign, Taylor believes the attitudeand commitment of the players ispleasing to see.“You come away to a team that has

had a good start and get a point youwant to be happy, but the lads weredisappointed and that’s a good sign. Itshows the standards we’ve set so far.We’ve come away satisfied, but with a

tinge of disappointment.”But the captain was keen to express

the resilience of the team, especiallywhen put under pressure in the secondhalf.“The lads have put their bodies on the

line and defended as well as theypossibly can.”

CHELTENHAM TOWN 0MORECAMBE 0

FOOTBALL

Robins Stalemateat Morecambe

PHO

TO

:TH

OU

SAN

DW

OR

DM

EDIA

Cheltenham Standard 11th September 2014

Documents

local traders

placefrom severn trentwater

local press

suffolkroad area

lifeand business

business is50

work saturdays

way theyhave