Small Claims Court – easier than you think!
by Alison Fielden & Co

Each Court (the closest Courts to Cirencester are Swindon and Gloucester/Cheltenham) handles claims of a value under £10,000, being what is termed a “small claim” although this is a significant sum for most people. The “value” of a claim is the amount you seek to recover (perhaps the cost of services received or product you bought).

Before issuing a Claim in the Court, we suggest you write to the business or person you wish to claim against and clearly state that you are going to issue a County Court Claim unless you receive full payment of the sum you consider owed to you within 14 days of the date of your letter (always give a deadline).

If you do not receive payment, then prepare to issue a Claim. However, before you issue the Claim, satisfy yourself that your claim is reasonable: was the product you purchased faulty or not working as described? Were the services not of the expected standard or not what you had agreed? There are many reasons for a Court Claim however these are the common reasons.

You can issue the Claim on-line through the “Money Claim Online” website. You will pay a fee to issue the Claim, starting at £25.00 for a claim value of up to £300. When you issue the Claim, you become the “Claimant” and the person/business you issue the Claim against is the “Defendant”. The Court will issue the Claim, sending the Claim forms to the Defendant. Often receipt of the Claim forms results in the Defendant making immediate payment to you! No one wants to go to Court and receipt of a Claim forms will show the Defendant that you are serious and payment often results. Furthermore, a business does not want the publicity (through word of mouth at the very least!) that it has had a Court Claim made against it.

If the Defendant disagrees with the Claim, they might give a Defence, stating why they disagree. The Claim will then proceed to a “Final Hearing” where you and the Defendant will meet before a District Judge who will listen to both of you and make a decision. You and the Defendant can “settle” the Claim at any time before the Final Hearing (and most claims do settle without going to a Final Hearing) meaning that you reach an agreement satisfactory to both of you to end the dispute.

If you consider that you have a valid claim and you have tried to settle the matter direct with the person or business concerned, then consider issuing a Court Claim to settle the matter. If you feel you have a claim but it is worth more than £10,000, you will need to discuss such claim with us as different “rules” apply. Regardless of the value of your claim, please contact us and we will advise you as to the best way forward. We look forward to hearing from you.

For advice about Litigation Matters, please contact Andrew Stokes at Alison Fielden & Co on 01285 653261 or andrew.s@alison-fielden.co.uk. The Gatehouse, Dollar Street, Cirencester, GL7 2AN.

Inspired by Strictly Come Dancing? Britiannia Dance is for You!

We saw many celebrities embracing the different styles and characters of all those glitzy ballroom dances on our TV screens in Strictly and no doubt many of you were tempted by the prospect of learning a classic Waltz or cheeky cha cha.

It seems learning to dance is not just a rewarding hobby to grasp the skill of partner dancing but it can benefit your mental and physical wellbeing, create a new spark or dynamic in your relationship with an escape from the norm plus provide opportunities for meeting new people too.

Britannia Dance, run by experienced, qualified teachers Sam & Martina Ellis, are excited to announce a new beginner class starts in Cirencester on Thursday 2^nd February at 7pm, in Chesterton Primary. They have a proven track record of turning non-dancers into twinkle toed with a relaxed and friendly approach.

This long awaited class in the community is taking bookings now so why not try a new thing with your partner for 2017 and discover the magic of Ballroom! 

To register email dance@britanniadance.co.uk or call 07766 101790

10 Ways Fitness Helps Success and MOT your Body!

Crushing another day at work because of fitness.

10 Ways Fitness can help you Succeed in Business with Elite Health & Fitness 

1. Increased Energy
Consider cortisol, a steroid hormone that regulates your energy throughout the day. Under normal conditions, cortisol levels peak early in the morning to get you going, and then gradually declines as the day progresses, leaving you relaxed and ready to sleep at bedtime. A hectic work environment can throw this natural cycle into disarray. Even worse, many stressed-out workers turn to junk food, sugary snacks and caffeinated energy drinks to keep themselves going — all of which can make the hormonal roller-coaster ride even wilder. Months of this routine can exhaust the body and mind.

2. Better Sleep.

As little as 10 minutes of aerobic exercise, such as walking or cycling, can dramatically improve the quality of your night time sleep, especially when done on a regular basis. It may be easier when you are tired to skip the workout and go to sleep, but it may be beneficial for your long-term health to make the hard decision and get your exercise. This will reduce any patches of drowsiness and give you more energy throughout the day.

3. Better Mood

Exercise promotes all kinds of changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and well-being. It also releases endorphins, powerful chemicals in your brain that energise your spirits and make you feel good.

4. Improved Focus.

These guys decided to train! Look how happy they are.

Exercise improves your brain in the short term by raising your focus for two to three hours afterwards. If you have a presentation or speaking engagement try to work out beforehand; you'll be at your peak when you must perform. In the long term, it can even help stave off brain aging and Alzheimer's. This works on the cellular level through neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to improve itself with blood flow and levels of brain-derived protein.

5. Increased Productivity

It is a fact that productivity brings about more productivity. When an individual is productive and efficient they are propelled to succeed more. Planning an exercise session within a busy schedule is more likely to increase your work performance and improve time management.

6. Reduced Anxiety (deadlines)

There is a direct link between inactivity levels and anxiety, this is due to issues such as hormone balance, tension and immune support. The benefit that exercise has on this primarily from the release of endorphins, these and are directly related to regulating mood and controlling the mind.

7. Brain Training

The cerebellum, the area of the brain traditionally associated mainly with movement, is also involved with higher functioning, like planning, socialising, abstract thought — even creativity and emotional intelligence.

8. More Resilient at Work

Regular exercise builds self-regulatory resources, the ability to self-regulate, or exert willpower, may be the most significant key to

Organise your resources!

success in the work environment — it’s what allows you to stick to a task when others give up, and to overcome obstacles that at first seem too difficult.

9. Helps Impulse Control

The release of endorphins after exercise can improve the prioritising functions of the brain. That means better decisions! Your ability to sort out priorities improves, allowing you to block

Get in touch with Mac of Elite
for your personal fitness MOT!

out distractions and better concentrate.

10. Time to Think

One factor that is often not said is that during exercise your mind can become free of distraction. This allows you to think with a clearly. If there are pressing matters on your mind, head out for a walk, run, cycle or some strength training. This will improve your decision making and reduce the effects of external stress on your thoughts.
Question: There is one important aspect underpins all the above and that is: 

Answer: _____________

_________________________________________________

We would like to offer you a ½ price MOT

·         Nutritional Analysis

·         Fitness Analysis

·         Report on what you can do to improve things

Normally £60 you can receive this for £25 – simply email: admin@elitefit.co.uk and quote Bus/Art/01

__________________________________________________

Brazillian Jiu Jitsu in Cirencester

Wal (far right) went on to medal at the European
championships in Lisbon a week later.

Cirencester Grapplers was lucky to have some great coaches come in to train in Cirencester. Working at CrossFit Cirencester, Waldemar Glaz helped us get to grips with escaping after being pinned. A typical session of Brazillian Jiu Jitsu entails a skill being practised, then drilled.

However there were some key issues to address for people new to BJJ, such as the differences between sport and martial jiu jitsu. Known as human chess for its intricacy, lots of rolls, flips and sweeps are used in competition that may not be so useful in a night club brawl! Check out this video for a fun demo of sport style jiu jitsu. The next week Wal won Bronze in his weight category at the European IBJJF championships!

Connor and Will (centre) are looking forward to coming back
to Ciren!

Sport BJJ with Wal
Recently Connor Heaven and Will Stone also came in to show some great techniques. These techniques, known known as “spider” and “lasso” guard, are ways in which to hold back an opponent using their sleeves. These grips are then used to unbalance and sweep an opponent onto their back. If you’re interested in finding out more about grappling in town, check out the facebook page or e-mail for more details.

Will and Connor demonstrating Spider Guard Sweeps!

CJ Hole Celebrates 150th Birthday

 Mike Davis CJ Hole Director CJ Hole

New in town, but with wonderful experience stretching back 150 years, find out more about CJ Hole!
 
In July 2015 I was given the opportunity to open CJ Hole’s 20th branch in Cirencester. 18 months later and I can honestly say I’m enjoying Cirencester more than I could have imagined. For the last 25 years I have worked, as an estate agent, in numerous towns around Cirencester and have always hoped, one day, to be based here.

CJ Hole was established in Bristol in 1867 which means we are celebrating 150 years in 2017! 2017 also sees the 900th anniversary of the founding of the Augustinian Abbey of St Mary, in Cirencester, by King Henry 1 in 1117 and we are proud sponsors of the ‘The Abbey 900’ festival year!

At CJ Hole we provide professional and expert advice in residential sales, the sale and purchase of plots of land, new homes and potential development opportunities in and around Cirencester. We also offer landlords in the Cirencester area a high-quality lettings service including comprehensive property management. We have a unique service offering, Manage & Protect, which includes,

· CJ Hole will guarantee all unpaid rent from a tenancy

· Monthly tenant credit checks and notification of worrisome changes (such as no pay check!)

· CJ Hole will pay for legal assistance to pursue tenant-caused damage to your property over £1,000

· Free tenant eviction

· Legal representation and expenses paid by CJ Hole

· A 24/7 phone helpline for property-related matters

· All the benefits of our current Fully Managed service

If you are looking for an agent who will give you the individual service of an independent business but with the security of a corporate company, then we are the agent for you! We are currently running a promotion for new Landlords, so please call now for a free market appraisal.

Portable MRI Scanning. Results in 2 Days!

What you can expect to see in yourself!

Twisted your knee skiing? Pulled you back lifting Christmas presents? We can help!

The Cotswold Diagnostic Clinic is a sports clinic treating all sports people from the annual egg and spoon racer to the elite athlete or performer. We also do ultrasound and MRI scanning for sports, spinal, orthopaedic and rheumatological conditions.

Scanning can help to diagnose injuries, guide recovery times and help to exclude more serious or unexpected conditions. For example, we can give an estimate of time for muscle injury recovery. It can also provide accurate guidance for treatment. Ultrasound shows moving images of soft tissue injuries, such as tendon and ligament problems, muscle strains, and plantar fasciitis. It also assesses for arthritis, lumps and bumps, and collections (e.g. a large bruise). A particular advantage is guiding local treatments for injury rehabilitation.

MRI provides a much wider view for assessing muscles and larger joints (such as the shoulder, hip,

knee and ankle. It is also particularly useful in spinal injuries, knee ligaments and bony stress reaction. Examples include anterior cruciate injuries in skiers, stress fractures in runners, and looking for joint or bone injury in severe ankle sprains.

To arrange an ultrasound or MRI scan, you will usually need a referral from your doctor, physiotherapist or other health professional. We can provide advice on the benefits of different types of scans, on what the results actually mean for you, and on whether you require an additional specialist opinion.

Sports physician Dr Mahnaz Alsharif runs the sports clinic at Cirencester Hospital. Radiologist Dr Russell Young runs ultrasound at Cirencester Hospital and MRI scanning at Cirencester Football Club starting early in 2017. Primarily we are interested in providing a more accessible expert service in the Cotswolds. For further details, see the website at www.cotswolddiagnosticclinic.co.uk. 

Spring Workshops at New Brewery Arts

Learning through all seasons! New Brewery Arts.

Spring Workshops at New Brewery Arts

There is a lot to be done this spring at Cirencester’s central arts centre.  Whether it is a workshop or a five week course, you can make great headway in the field of your choice.

February
Sticking out in February is Valentine’s Day Paper Cutting with Catherine Green.  Hone your skills with a scalpel to the level or Art Surgeon in this four hour session. Sure, you could pop into a supermarket to get a card, or you  could learn how to make your cards from scratch!

Find out more here!

March
Making your own aromatherapy candle on the 18th Feb will be a great way to relax! This is an increasing return, because you not only enjoy the process but the result.

In March cushion making with Martha Van de Laan will give anyone with a sewing machine a new purpose! With details like how to do the buttons and button holes, your designs will have a solid base for future refinement.

Making a leather day bag with Jeremy and Carla Bonner is a top notch choice for those who want to house their laptop more exquisitely or approach craft from a pragmatic angle. You will truly be able to use what you make!

April
April sees a powerhouse month of craft touchdown. With a three day stonecarving master class, you will get exercise with your art! Less labour intensive pursuits include watercolour portrait with Mark Kelland and Silver ClayJewellery with Melanie Blake.

May
Make a clay chicken sculpture with Peter Garrard and discover pastels with MaxHale!

Don’t forget there are five week courses at New Brewery Arts and a whole host of other workshops. Even better, if you have friends or family you want to bring down, the Barrel Store offers a residential package.

Check out the complete package of courses and workshops here!

http://www.newbreweryarts.org.uk/whatwedo/