Pet Talk With Corinium Vets: BBQ Safety Tips July 2018

Food for dogs?

BBQ safety tips for pet owners

We all love a family BBQ on a hot summer day.

Please consider the potential dangers for your pets if they are to be part of this joyful event.

Here are a few top tips on how to avoid accidents with pets:

1. Please don’t feed any scraps and tell your family members and friends not to ‘accidentally’ drop food. Scraps can upset your pet’s stomach. Some, for example garlic, onions and grapes are poisonous for pets. Undercooked or fatty foods can give them diarrhoea and vomiting.

2. Place left overs and litter in a lidded bin. In particular bones, plastic bags, corn on the cob and peach stones will often cause bowel blockages or injuries if ingested by greedy pets. Kebab skewers can cause very serious injuries.

3. Keep pets at a safe distance from the barbeque while it is hot. Keep pets away from flames and glowing embers. Leave lighter fluid and firelighters out of reach.

4. Alcohol is dangerous for pets, so keep alcoholic drinks out of reach of thirsty pets.

5. Your pet is at risk of heatstroke in the sun and hot weather. Keep pets in the cool shade and provide plenty of water. Dogs will enjoy licking ice-cold water or ice cubes. A moist towel placed over the back or a cooling vest may be appreciated by a dog who is getting very hot. It may be better to get them into a cooler place indoors to calm down and relax in peace, especially if they are very excitable.

6. White or pale coloured animals may suffer from sunburn especially on their nose and the end of their ears. Use a pet safe sun cream.

We hope these tips are helpful and everybody is able to enjoy the lovely summer weather!

Dr. Bettina Gruninger (Veterinary Surgeon), Alison Cuss and Nicki Wray (Veterinary Nurses)

Country Matters By the Hodge July 2018 The Need for Rare Breeds

Country Matters

By The Hodge

“…our pedigree farm livestock is just as much a part of Britain’s heritage as is her castles, her art collections or her historic churches.”

HRH The Prince of Wales, 1996 writing in The Ark

So, I got into trouble last month. Well, it’s not so unusual, it happens quite frequently. Part of life’s rich tapestry – one shrugs and move on. What else can you do?

My crime? Inducing you, dear readers, to eat rare breeds of livestock. Hang him! Flog him! Send him to the colonies!

You may recall that I discussed farm shops, real and phony, and suggested you give up the convenience of the mega-emporiums, (supermarkets to you), and shop instead for real tasty, delicious, healthy food at either of the two real farm shops, one of which specialises in rare breeds.

So what are rare breeds? Rare breeds as defined no only here in Britain but within the confines of the UN and all its members, are pedigree, native animals whose populations have fallen into decline so that they’ve become…. rare. Native? Doesn’t mean they wander about in a loincloth and with a spear in their hoof but that they were developed in this country.

But, and this was the viewpoint of the big commercial farmer back in the 1970s when such breeds were first recognised and steps began to be taken to rescue them, if they’re rare they can’t be much good can they?

There’s many reasons for their rarity. For a start, many don’t suit intensive factory farming. Stick a Gloucestershire Old Spots pig in an intensive indoor pig unit and it’ll soon turn up its trotters and snuff it.

Others are not specialist enough at what they do. Most milk is derived nowadays from mega-producing black and white Holstein cattle. The output by comparison of a rare Red Poll cow is minute so it’s fallen on the wayside despite its hardiness, the high quality of its milk and the fact that surplus male offspring make excellent beef. Specialist dairy farms just want mega-producers as it’s the only way they can survive with the stupid prices they receive for milk.

Little primitive black sheep like Hebrideans are a total anathema to a commercial shepherd with his flock of hundreds of Dutch Texel sheep with their huge rumps and rapid growth from compound feeds, but put them both on the side of a mountain where food has to be searched for and the wind and the rain blows hard and the Hebridean will be in his element and the Texel will be pushing up daisies.

And farming is a fashion industry. If Old MacDonald imports a flock of Rouge de l’Ouest sheep from France and sends his Southdowns off to market in disgust, sure as eggs is eggs, Farmer Giles next door and all his other neighbours will soon be following suit. Just like sheep.

So these rare breeds should really just be allowed to die out, shouldn’t they. They can’t hack it compared with the Limousins and the Belgian Blues (beef cattle), the Beltex and the Bleu de Maines (sheep) or the Pietrains and the Durocs (pigs) so let them go. We don’t need dodos and dinosaurs.

Or maybe we do need to conserve them after all in which case, the last thing you should be doing is telling people to go and eat them! Stupid boy!

Well, no actually. We must conserve them because they all have attributes that differ from the modern breeds big commercial farmers rely on. And we must eat them too. Many animals are, for one reason or another, not suitable to breed from. For a start, most males are surplus to the needs of the breeder. One ram can look after the needs of 30 or 40 ewes and bulls and boars are similar. If there’s no market for the surplus – i.e. if we don’t eat them – then farmers struggle to keep them. So having a healthy market for the non-breeding stock is essential for the health of any of these breeds. So go and buy the meat!

Am I forgiven? 

Guided Bird Walk in Amphitheatre Ciren Wildlife Group

Walk through Cirencester and see it with fresh eyes.

On an uncharacteristically hot and sunny bank holiday weekend, Cirencester Wildlife Group met in the Roman Amphitheatre for a guided bird walk, hosted by Andy Lewis from the North Cotswold Ornithological Society. With temperatures predicted to reach into the low 20’s for both Friday and Saturday the conditions were perfect, and true to form our feathered friends didn’t disappoint.

Friday’s walk began with an unexpected arrival, an Australian couple who had recently arrived in the UK and were looking for somewhere to stretch their legs.

“Aye, you’ll never guess what they are!” – Upon spying Andy’s binoculars.

Strangely enough they were both keen bird spotters from Adelaide and lucky for us they must’ve packed some Aussie sunshine! After a quick trip back to the car they soon returned, binoculars in hand.

After listening to a few songs and calls, and Andy interpreting the morning chorus - “twiit, twiit” nuthatch, “teecha-teecha-teecha” great tit, “tser err-err-err” blue tit – we began our walk.

It wasn’t long before we had our first guest, a great stotted woodpecker, which was heard calling long before it was spotted “tchick…tchick…tchick”. After sitting in the tree for a few minutes, no doubt wondering what we were all staring at, accommodatingly it glided down to a nearby bird feeder so we could all get a closer look – Beautiful!

As we continued on around the amphitheatre we heard and saw many different woodland birds: blackcaps, chiffchaffs and gold crest. We also heard lots of wrens, with their characteristic trill, as well as a few different stories about the birds of Australia. Apparently their robins really do have a red breast, unlike the dusky orange of their British equivalent! But their magpies aren’t actually magpies, think that makes us even.

All kinds of birds inhabit Cirencester!

Strangely enough, for such a warm morning, we didn’t see any birds of prey – that would have to wait until the following morning.

Saturday’s walk started in the same way, the only difference being it was a little warmer and there were no antipodean additions! "pink, pink” chaffinch, “oo-OO-oo” woodpigeon and of course the, by now, unmistakable trill of the wren.

It looked like this walk would also end without any birds of prey but just as Andy was drawing things to a close a sparrow hawk circled overhead and shortly after a long tailed tit flew across in front of us carrying a feather in its beak – a lovely late flourish to end two very enjoyable walks.

Thank you to everyone who came along, we hope you enjoyed it. And thank you to Andy Lewis for volunteering his time to support the Group. If anyone is interested in receiving notifications about upcoming events please email wildciren@gmail.com for details.

Mel, Huw and Scott

Cirencester Wildlife Group

P.S. there’s an open invitation to attend an Adelaide Bird Society field meeting, if anyone is looking for an excuse to stretch their legs (or spread their wings)!

Minety Music Festival 2018 29th June-1st July

Minety Music Festival is now in its second year, following on from the fabulous success of 2017, when it was shortlisted in the UK Music Festival Awards ‘Best New Festival’ category.

It is a community ‘not for profit’ 3-day summer music event (run entirely by volunteers) & in 2018 aims to raise funds for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Combat Stress and Naomi House & Jacksplace Hospice.

Over 40 bands on 2 stages showcasing local music talent and covering a wide spectrum of music styles with plenty to do and see for the whole family.

Get in the crowd!

There will also be a range of FREE activities in the Kidzone, including slacklining, an inflatable side and assault course, bouncy castles, circus skills workshops and a mobile caving experience. Although the festival hopes for hot weather, it will be fully prepared for all eventualities!

Chesney Hawkes

The main stage will be undercover, so whatever happens, you can stay dry and enjoy a superb weekend of music. You are guaranteed excellent music, a superb wide range of food and a well stocked house bar, Gin & Prosecco Bar and Coktail Bar! Free camping means that you can really embrace the festival atmosphere!

Headliners

On the “Regent Building” Main Stage

Friday 29^th June: Bon Giovi Saturday 30^th June: Neville Staple Band Sunday 1^st July: Chesney Hawkes

www.minetyfestival.co.uk

Cirencester Hypnotherapy Centre: One for the Ladies

Nicola Griffiths hypnotherapist.

One for the ladies…or is it?

I recently found myself in a situation where I absolutely knew I had to take more time for myself.  I run a busy clinic, I have my hypnotherapy clients and I lecture at two schools of hypnotherapy training.  I don’t make life easy for myself as one of those schools is in Belfast and the other in Manchester, so not exactly on my doorstep.  Oh, and that doesn’t include the new school I’m taking on in completely the opposite direction of Southampton!

So considering all this, I found myself smiling to myself as I said to a client the other day “If we run ourselves ragged, we can damage our health and our ability to concentrate.  Our focus can become foggy and we lose sight of what we want to achieve”.  Mmmm, Nicola, you might want to listen to yourself a bit more!

But then I relaxed, as I know I do look after myself in between all the work.  I take time out for things like facials and spa days.  I have regular reflexology and acupuncture which I love.  And I know that we don’t have to put everything down in order to regain that focus, you don’t have to have a week’s holiday to recharge (although I’ve nothing against that obviously).  Even 50 minutes of proper time out can do the brain one heck of a lot of good.  It allows the thought processes to calm and for clarity to emerge.

Sue Drew, the holistic beauty therapist at my clinic calls it ‘Investing in Yourself’.  She says “People get facials for different reasons, and with our busy lifestyles it is not easy to find time for yourself. However in my many years of experience in the beauty industry, without a doubt my clients who have a regular facial look younger and have a lovely complexion”.   Now if that happens, it’s certainly going to do people a power of good!

People incorrectly think of massage, whether a facial massage or a body massage, as a pamper session.  In fact massage is very beneficial for stress and various other symptomology. Even the NHS recognises it has benefits!  

I originally entitled this snippet ‘One for the Ladies’, but then I thought that was wrong.  Because in these modern times, we see more and more men coming in for facials and massages – not just because they need distressing but these days they tend to look after themselves more than they’ve ever done before.  Now there’s a nice topic for my next little article!!

Nicola runs the Cirencester Hypnotherapy & Health Centre in Dyer Street.  Their massage therapists include Sue Drew, Maggie Godden, Sally Peachey, Karen Benbow (Indian Head Massage) and Cheryl Webster. More details at: www.cirencesterhypnotherapycentre.co.uk

What's on at Corinium Museum

Exhibitions and Events

June

Roman Soldier on a Stick

Family Drop-in

Friday 1 June, 10-11am

Create a Roman soldier on a stick inspired by the Roman army and the kit they carried.

Cost: £2.50 per child, £1.50 for members

Early Man

Family Film Friday

Friday 1 June, 11am

Set at the dawn of time, when dinosaurs and woolly mammoths roamed the earth, Early Man tells the story of how one plucky caveman unites his tribe against a mighty enemy and saves the day!

Cost: £5.60 per adult, £2.70 children

Booking recommended

‘Inside Out’

Exhibition by Anne Boning

7 June – 1 July

Artist and Sculptor, Anne Boning, presents a series of paintings exploring light, shade and colour.

The exhibition comprises a series of more than fifty small watercolour paintings.

The images are an expression of the artist’s innermost thoughts and were painted over a particular period of time.

Free entry

Discover the Archaeology of the Cotswolds

Afternoon Talk with Dr Alison Brookes

Thursday 7 June, 2.30-4pm

The Prehistory galleries of the Corinium Museums are to be transformed during the Stone Age to Corinium Project. Join Dr. Alison Brookes, Collections Development Officer, to explore how the new space will inspire and engage visitors with the archaeology of the Cotswolds.

The talk will offer the opportunity to see a selection of objects which are currently in storage including rare stone tools, the earliest pottery vessels and an array of Bronze and Iron Age metalwork. During this new series of talks Alison will reveal how the objects were discovered and what they tell us about the earliest human occupation of the Cotswolds.

Cost: £7 per adult, £6 members

Battle of the Sexes

Corinium Cinema

Thursday 14 June, 7pm

The electrifying 1973 tennis match between World number one Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and ex-champ and Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) was billed as the Battle of the Sexes and became the most watched televised sports event of all time.

Cost: £6.50 per adult, £5.50 concession

The Post

Rural Cinema

Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 June, 2.15pm

In June 1971 The New York Times, the Washington Post and the nation's major newspapers took a brave stand for freedom of speech and reported on the Pentagon Papers, the massive cover-up of government secrets that spanned four decades and four Presidents.

Cost: £5.60 per adult, £4.80 concession

Booking recommended

Dr Valija Evalds – What Are They Wearing?

Evening Lecture

Thursday 28 June, 7-8.30pm

What Are They Wearing? Dr. Valija Evalds explores images of cloth and clothing on medieval and renaissance artefacts in the Corinium Museum Collection. Abbot’s mitres and renaissance ruffs often look exaggerated to the modern eye, as do the shapes of medieval and renaissance bodies. And why would a merchant like John Coxwell wear so much black? Dr Evalds asks what the artists meant to convey when they depicted garments, and what the contemporary audience understood when they saw it.

Valija Evalds has a PhD in art history from Yale University. She has lectured in medieval art history, the history of costume and textiles, the development of illustrated children's books and the history of the home. She has published articles on medieval sculpture and the history of dress. 

Cost: £7 per adult, £6 members

Booking recommended

Please contact us if you would like any further details or images for any of the events that we are holding.

Cirencester Open Air Pool in 148th Year!

No reason not to enjoy the open air pool!

Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool opens for its 148^th Year

Fingers crossed for a gloriously sunny summer in the Cotswolds this year as Cirencester Open Air Swimming Pool gets ready to open its doors for its 2018 season on the 24^th May.

The 28 metre pool is now reaching its 148th year and offers swimmers of all ages a chance to swim in natural spring water heated to 27°C. The facility also includes a tuck shop serving a number of hot and cold refreshments, a sunbathing patio area and a smaller paddling pool for children. 

It has been run by a community of lovely and enthusiastic volunteers for a number of years now and they have been working hard ready for the grand opening on the 24^th May

This year will see the return of two of the open air pool’s most popular events, the 24 hour charity swim on the 1st - 2nd of September to raise money for the pool and Splash day, a big themed party with burgers and fun activities taking place thorough-out the day – keep an eye on the COASP website for the date.

The pool will also be hosting a Summer Solstice swim on the 21st June at 4:30 am until 6:30am for early risers and two night swims from 10pm to midnight on the 30th June and 4th August for night owls. 

There will be a weekly youth evening every Friday up to 21^st July from 7 - 8:30pm for children aged 10 - 17 to enjoy a swim and a splash with their friends.

There will also be parent and toddler sessions available from 10am – 11am during term time including free tea and coffee.

Season tickets will be available to purchase from the pool for: 

Adults £85

Child / Students £50 

Concession £60

Family (2+2) £180

1A & 2C £150 / 1A & 1C £120

(3rd & extra child £30 each) 

Be sure to get yours early to make the most of your summer at the pool.

Thanks to our lovely heated spring water, swimming feels great no matter the weather!

The open air pool will be available for party bookings once again this year on Tuesdays, Thursdays (7 - 9pm) or on Saturday and Sunday (6 - 9pm). Fridays (7 -9pm) available during school holidays. Make sure to book early to get your first choice of date for that special event.

More information can be found online at www.cirenopenair.co.uk or call the pool on 01285 653947 from 24^th May.  The Pool can also be contacted via facebook