Enviromentally Friendly Dry Cleaning in Cirencester at the Waterloo Cleaners

The new hardware!

Waterloo Cleaners allow you to enjoy a step forward in dry cleaning...
 

The Waterloo Cleaners are officially the first clears in the Cotswolds area to adopt a new, eco friendly method of garment cleaning called ‘Wet Cleaning’, moving away from the traditional toxic, solvent based dry cleaning method.

Using the Miele Wet Cleaning process, we can clean ‘dry clean only’ labelled garments/textiles in a water-based system safely and effectively using safe biodegradable detergent.

How does it work?

The wet cleaning system uses highly sophisticated washers and dryers to safely clean all articles of clothing designated as dry clean only. Wet cleaning uses water (nature’s best cleaning solvent) and a safe biodegradable detergent mixture to clean. The biggest advantage of wet cleaning technology is that it is the most effective way to remove water based stains and odours, rendering clothes not only clean, but fresh smelling and the process does not expose workers or customers to toxic chemicals. A wide variety of materials can be cleaned in a wet cleaning system.

‘The advantage of the Miele system is that it is not only robust and well built but that it can also deal with unusual items, such as leather, handbags, sheepskin boots, beaded garments and wedding dresses. There’s not much we can’t process on site to our exceptional standards!’ says owner Darshan Mistry.

Come and give us a try, our existing customers love it!

The Waterloo Cleaners, 6 The Waterloo, Cirencester, GL7 2PY, 01285 651111. www.thewaterloocleaners.com

A Year of 'Firsts' for Corinium Radio

Harry and Cameron sending marathon signals during
a colossal stint supported by the gang.

Volunteers from Cirencester’s Corinium Radio ended the year with a twinkle in their eyes.

As Santa was putting his reindeers and sleigh through their annual MOT before the big day, the local community radio station’s helpers were in party mood.

Their last monthly meeting of the year in December took place not at the usual town library venue but at the station’s studio in Bingham House, Cirencester.

And the reason for that was because there was work to be done – on the station’s first Christmas tree! Alongside the normal agenda, the volunteers decorated the tree and switched on the studio’s festive lights.

Members were encouraged to take along a Christmas bauble to help decorate the tree and there were mince pies and the odd festive drink to enjoy.

Said Corinium Radio spokesman Tony Coleman, “It was great fun and a great way to end a really memorable year.

“A few days before, we did a special broadcast when thousands of townsfolk turned up for the switch-on of Cirencester’s Christmas

Fred Hart brought a continental
feel to the station.

lights. We didn’t have as many people at our switch-on but in its own way it was just as colourful an occasion.”

This has been a special year in the life of Corinium Radio and here is a taste of what 2016 will be remembered for.

It was, of course, the year that the local radio station celebrated its tenth birthday - not with one event but a whole stream of them!

Perhaps the biggest of these was the 30-hour radio marathon undertaken by two of the station’s young volunteers, Harry Jerome and Cameron MacGregor.

They were both 17 at the time and smashed all expectations by raising more than £1,200, which helped boost funds for the children of Cirencester Opportunity Group.

It was also the year that Corinium Radio took honours in the annual Cirencester Chamber of Commerce business awards.
The station was named ‘Creatives Champion’ in the awards, highlighting the support it gives to the wealth of creative talent to be found on its doorstep. And that set the stage for another ‘first’.

During 2016 Corinium Radio was really excited to welcome its first ‘Creative in Residence’ to the station in the person of local Cirencester artist Laurie Plant.

The year also saw the station take on a continental flavour when long-standing member of the radio team Fred Hart went off to Cirencester’s twin town of Itzehoe to cover their annual wine festival.

And it was the year Corinium Radio brought to life a book by local author Simon May.

Carole and Laurie with his piece now on display at the
council offices.

The station recently broadcast a play adapted from Simon’s book The Siege of the Hares, which was

So you can see there has been something to get excited about for Corinium Radio volunteers almost every week.
Why not join them and help make things happen during 2017. Make it your New Year resolution to contact chair Carole Boydell on 07776 144033 and become a member.

New Years Resolutions with Elite Health and Fitness

Christian, Lorraine, Matt and Mac of Elite.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

Elite have been helping people for years through the January period. Don't think it's too late to start work on the new year! For some more blogs visit www.elitefit.co.uk/

Each January, roughly one in three Brits resolve to better themselves in some way. I am certain a much smaller percentage of people actually make good on those resolutions. While about 75% of people stick to their goals for at least a week, less than half (46%) are still on target six months later, a 2002 study found.

Check out the top New Years resolutions:

Top 10 New Year's Resolutions

Stay fit and healthy 37%
Lose weight 32%

Enjoy life to the fullest 28%
Spend less, save more 25%
Spend more time with family and friends 19%

Get organized 18%

Will not make any resolutions 16%
Learn something new/new hobby 14%

Travel More 14%
Read more 12%
Source: Nielsen

Topping the list are stay fit and healthy, weight loss and enjoying life to the fullest. In 2017, what will you choose for your health?

Take a moment and reflect on the past 5 years of your resolutions. Write down your top three for each year and see if there is a pattern emerging. Do you find issues like your health condition, stress and weight loss are topping the list for each year?

If like many this is you something needs to change this year!

One of my favourite sayings: “if you do what you have always done you will get what you have always got”

It's hard to keep up the enthusiasm months beyond New Years’ celebrations, but not impossible. What needs to happen is change, sacrifice, planning and above all ACTION!

OK, what’s going to change? Perhaps it’s now time to seek some help in the area you most want to improve.

Many people join a gym only to be disappointed that it is way too busy at the times they want to go, or that the gym induction wait list is weeks away or that if you are left to your own devices your motivation and enthusiasm wanes after only a few weeks.

WARNING - Now I am going to give you a pitch for our services

At Elite we understand with all of the noise in people lives, demands, stresses, strains we are pulled from pillar to post. It is really hard to see the woods for the trees and we get why many fail in the quest for improved health.

From 2003 when we first opened, we’ve fine tuned our programmes and systems to guide, coach and motivate people like you. We cut through all of the noise and conflicting information. We get the mind and body where it needs to be for success.

We have home programmes, mentoring programmes and studio based programmes. These cater to your needs and budget.

At Elite Health & Fitness you don’t just get a personal trainer. Along with our team of personal trainers is a clinical nutritionist to tackle your life outside the gym. You will join us in our biggest year yet and you will be part of our successful community. We really care about each and every client and have created a lovely facility that never gets overcrowded as we limit our availability to make sure we offer the very best service. This includes an app and online support group to keep you involved and enjoying the process.

Is Elite Health & Fitness right for you? Check out the website where we are regularly updating with helpful information. If you can’t wait and want to know more before the January rush then email admin@elitefit.co.uk. We will forward the link and you will be one of the first to have a look at what we can do for you.

12 Hour Fundraising "Roll" at Gracie Barra Swindon

Gracie Barra Swindon engage in a foot chasing drill under guest coach
Saeed Esmaeli

In a campaign that has already raised 870% of its target, Gracie Barra Swindon seek your help to make a small difference to two bereaved sons.

On Saturday Dec 10th mother Andraya Lyons (nee Webb) died and all the property in her house was unusable due to smoke damage. Her two sons now need financial help to allow them to continue, including essentials like clothes and practical help in relocating.

Alex Cohen, a blue belt at Gracie Barra Swindon, who lives near where the incident occurred, has arranged for Sunday 15th January to become a 12 hour fund raiser. People can watch or take part in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu between 9am and 9pm. Gracie Barra Swindon is located at 16 Ashworth Road, Orbit Centre Swindon, and can be contacted here.

You can donate on the day, or via the crowdfunding page here.

Cirencester Grapplers Brings Judo and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu Together

Coach Steve Evans on top is shown some framing by Pat
Reeves.

Cirencester Grapplers Brings Judo and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu Together

On Sunday 11^th December Cirencester Judo Club coach Steve Evans and Gracie Barra Swindon coach Pat Reeves worked together to put on a fun and action packed hour at the leisure centre. With locals and people coming all the way from Stroud for the event, the two disciplines merged in order to bring BJJ, a fast growing martial art, to Cirencester.

Lining up at the beginning.

The event saw absolute beginners and experienced practitioners work together in order to build confidence in ground fighting. Coach Steve, a black belt in Judo, is automatically classified as a blue belt in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu due to Judo and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu’s shared techniques. He found coach Pat’s techniques on the ground very interesting and technical.

The coaches talk about side control!

Judo focuses more on throws and take downs from standing, yet Brazillian Jiu Jitsu carries on beyond this point. Many judo players have started cross training as they have found that the enhanced ground work improves their chances in competition. To train with Pat you can take the short ride to Swindon and visit Gracie Barra Swindon at 16 Orbit Centre, Ashworth Road Swindon. Find out more here! 

To find out more about Cirencester Judo Club, contact cirenjudo@outlook.com and to keep informed about more grappling events, contact Evan@Cirencester-Scene.co.uk

Don't miss BJJ at CrossFit Cirencester with coach Wal on Friday 13th January.

Photos by Miguel Rapagão. 

Solar Panels and the Law: Alison Fielden & Co Explains Your Options

Solar Panels and the Law
Generally, we are more energy conscious now than we used to be, and ready to explore new ways of saving energy resources. Solar panels are an example.

So far as the law is concerned, there are two ways for property owners to organise the installation of solar panels. The first is to buy the panels and pay for their installation; the second is to grant a Lease to a supplier to fit their solar panels on your property.

Buying your own panels
You can pay for these outright or on hire purchase. It may also be possible to obtain help under the Government’s “Green Deal” Scheme.It will be your responsibility to obtain any necessary Planning Consent from the Local Authority and/or comply with Planning Legislation as to the position and siting of the panels.

You will normally need Building Regulations approval from the Local Authority to cover such details as materials used and methods of construction, and any electrical works.

Once you have installed the panels, you can potentially benefit by using the electricity they generate to reduce energy costs and if the “feed-in” tariff applies, you can earn from each kilowatt-hour of electricity generated and in any case sell surplus energy to the energy supplier.

Granting a Lease
Normally a supplier of solar panels will ask for a Lease of 25 years or more and the terms should be checked carefully as for any Business Lease. If not stipulated otherwise, the supplier may be entitled to a new Lease on similar terms when the period of the Lease expires. The Lease should also deal with rent payments, responsibility for repairs, insurance and who will own the panels at the end of the Lease.

If a Lease is granted, it will normally be the supplier’s responsibility to apply for Planning Consent and Building Regulations.

General Considerations
1. Restrictive Covenants
Before starting work, it is prudent to check whether there are any Restrictive Covenants affecting your property which forbid the installation of solar panels or require consent from a third party.

2. Mortgage Lender Requirements
If you have a mortgage you will need to check whether your mortgage conditions allow the installation of solar panels, or require you to take any particular steps. This is particularly pertinent where a Lease is granted to a third party. Most commercial lenders will have stipulations about what the Lease provides, for example how long the Lease may last, and their position must be protected in case they need to exercise their power to sell the property if you default. Each lender will have its own detailed requirements which should be checked before you start work.

For more information please contact Alison Fielden, Alison Fielden & Co, The Gatehouse, Dollar Street, Cirencester, GL7 2AN or alison@alisonfielden.co.uk.