Want a Fine Family Car? Treat Yourself... Jaguar XJ Review

The drivers of Cheltenham were inspired to look but not touch.

Evan Burgess knows nothing about cars but has driven for years, whilst James Weighill loves cars but has no licence. Together they make a compromise car review team, with Evan reviewing the drive and James reviewing the passenger seat.

James and I made our way to our allotted test drive at H.A. Fox with a sense of anticipation. Based in Cheltenham’s Kingsditch Industrial Estate, the showroom is right next to Bentley and Aston Martin. The cordial and polite staff offered us refreshment and we perused the nick nacks for sale in the waiting area. “Should I?” remarked James, thinking of getting a £40 Jaguar teddy for his soon to be born son. It certainly is tempting to be affiliated with Jaguar, a brand with such quality design and heritage, even I wanted to take home a mug.

This man has no understanding of cars.

The XJ is a saloon car with five seats and doors. That was normal to me, but it lacked one thing I had grown accustomed to. The ignition. Fortunately, the friendly salesman explained to me the keys just needed to sit in the cup holder and then I needed to turn the car on with the click of a button. Once that rookie mistake was overcome it was just a matter of having my electronic seat adjusted for me like a baby in a booster by the same salesman. I did try, but to the uninitiated the seat controls appeared like Tetris blocks stuck to the side of the seat. With our dignity in tatters we hit the back streets of Swindon Village to try out some country lanes.

We noticed quickly there was hardly a bump to be felt despite the fact that some of the roads hadn’t had any love for years. The sleek automatic commanded respect on the road as buses and lesser vehicles quivered in fear at the thought of insurance claims lest they collide. In some respects keeping their distance probably allowed them to get a good look at the long and sturdy XJ frame.

James: No license, but multiple copies of  Auto Trader.

We were incredulous as drivers rewrote the highway code to wave us on and stared at the vehicle from head to toe. It was in a way that if you saw them doing it to your girlfriend, you’d get angry, even though you'd understand.

The seats were more than comfortable and the driving experience was easy going with the accelerator and brake very intuitive. The engine always shut off when the car stopped and jumped straight back to life when the accelerator was pressed. Without doubt this is a car fit for family outings with small children or single professionals commuting to work. Due to the smoothness of the ride James was certain he could really work up a snooze in the passenger seat. He in fact wondered if it might be better to buy an XJ than a house.

H.A Fox were more than helpful to us and if you would like to find out more about their range or talk to an adviser, you can contact them with the following details.

Telephone: 01242 851 612 

E-mail: sales@cheltenham.hafox-jaguar.co.uk 

Website: http://www.hafox.cheltenham.jaguar.co.uk/

The Importance of Post Workout Meals with Zane Bokmeldere

Food and exercise must be combined for optimal results.

Personal Trainer Zane Bokmeldere outlines the benefits of choosing the right foods to support your health and fitness targets...

I have noticed that with many of my clients and acquaintances there is a reluctance to see the benefit of eating soon after exercise. Most comments are something like "What is the point spending and hour to burn calories just to put them back on again right after?"
 

Delicious and nutritious!

My response would be the use of a metaphor. Imagine having a maxed out £1000 credit card where your normal eating represents just the interest repayment. If you never put back more than the interest you will never pay off the principle of the credit card and always be at least £1000 in debt. By not eating enough after exertion, you are essentially trying to buy things on a maxed out card! You will end up in greater debt and bigger problems then when you started. When training your muscles vigorously they become depleted of nutrients and in fact are broken down. The only way to repair the micro tears that training causes is for fresh nutrients to replenish what was used. The right way to put it back is with a nutritionally balanced post workout meal designed for muscle recovery like the lovely pancakes pictured.

In the long term, if you don't eat in a supportive manner, your immune system will weaken and your fat loss goals will slow down or even come to a complete halt. Physical bankruptcy! Remember a simple rule, the more muscle you have the faster your metabolism. The faster your metabolism, the more calories burnt whilst at rest. To achieve this you must eat properly. Do not starve your muscles if you strive to gain a lean and toned physique.

For more personal advice and personal training please contact:

Zane@zanemeldere.com 
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ZM-Fitonline/117117085042434?fref=ts

 

Zane in competition.

Pancake mix: 70g gluten free oats 1tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp stevia, 1/2 scoop whey protein best vanilla or cinnamon flavor or add cinnamon to the mix

1 egg white

Topping:

3-4 Egg whites

blueberries Milk+water Mix all dry ingredients then slowly add water and milk until you reach even semi thick mix, add blueberries on top and layer with scrambled egg whites. Will make 2 pancakes.

Charity Golf Comes to South Cerney 21st March!

Justin Rose has donated to the cause...

Sponsors and partakers are sought for a charity golf day on 21st March for Have a Heart Appeal...

Paul Sparrowhawk is looking to make money for a noble group of children's charities by mixing good deeds with golf. 40 teams are needed to take part in a wonderful day that will benefit everyone involved!

Local businesses are needed to sponsor each hole on the course and sponsors will be advertised on the tee box on the day. Media coverage before and after should highlight the good will!

Teams of four are then needed to actually participate. Each team entered pays up £100 with food included and prizes to be won through the day.

So far 34 teams have entered and hole sponsors include Jaguar and local European ladies tour golfer Charlotte Ellis has a team entered. So far 34 teams have entered and these lucky people stand a chance of winning a multitude of prizes including a signed Taylormade SLDR donated by Justin Rose.

Have A Heart Appeal will split the proceeds between three children's charities, 'Make a Wish Foundation', 'Starlight UK' and 'Ray of Sunshine' that help seriously ill children's wishes come true.

For more information, contact Paul Sparrowhawk

07741273503
paul.sparrowhawkltd@yahoo.co.uk

The Black Feathers-Strangers We Meet E.P

Evan Burgess reviews the Black Feathers newest release 'Strangers we Meet', copy 173 to be precise...

After buying the new Black Feathers E.P. after a wonderful performance at the Vaults, it was clear that when the band plays live it sounds CD quality. So what sound would the band actually produce from a record player? With a 5 track E.P. with all the tracks well tested live in the UK and USA, it would be interesting to see if the studio was used as another instrument or if it would sit in the background and just document the live experience.

The answer was a combination of both. When ‘Strangers We Meet” begins, it is hard to hear anything but the crispness of guitar and vocals. But as it develops crescendos of reverb and swooshes of violin drop in with complete congruity. Then comes the resonance of double bass, keeping a tight plod that is the one thing that holds you down to earth as the emotional vocals build to ecstasy.

Track 2, 10,000 times pumps a caffeine high of energy into the listener. The dissonant harmonies cause goose bumps. Reminiscent of Alice in Chain’s ‘No Excuses’ the song is effervescent and yet pounding. The vocal lines are familiar and yet go to places where you would least expect at the last moment.

Open book is a well known live favourite, with the signature homely harmonies dodging in unexpected directions like one of those fireworks that doesn’t seem to stop exploding. But at the core it is quite a simple ballad that people can pick the main chorus lines from if they wanted to sing along. That though, is the only thing. People wouldn’t usually dare trying to sing along at a Black Feathers show as they are there to listen. The intimate nature of the recording also means that at home, trying to sing along feels wrong. Because there is such a live feel to the record, you’d feel like you were interrupting even when you were driving in your car.

The last two tracks ‘You Will Be Mine’ and ‘All Came Down’ represent the personality of the band. With the instrumentation sounding thick and countrified on ‘All Came Down’ the tricks of harmony all seem to be put into action to make the three minute song feel more epic than the time it really consumes. The strings and mandolin are a perfect compliment to the guitar and vocals, which are the only thing you would usually hear on the song from live performances. But if the record sells as many copies as it deserves, then perhaps that will soon change with a larger audience requiring a larger live show.

Find more out about the Black Feathers:

http://theblackfeathers.com/shop

https://www.facebook.com/theblackfeathers?fref=ts

Crafted for Christmas 2013: New Brewery Arts Gallery until Jan 4th

So good the Chamber of Commerce had to visit...

Awe inspiring pieces of art and craft are currently on display at New Brewery Arts, Evan Burgess found out more...

Intricate and lavish pieces are currently on exhibition in Cirencester at New Brewery Arts. Crafted for Christmas is a seasonal show following on the tradition from 2012's exhibition. With a diverse array of crafts represented, pieces vary in price from a suitably gift friendly £15, to a diamond encrusted £12,000. The artists who have contributed to Crafted have seen an already strong turn out from the public to view their expertly fashioned wares.

Why not treat yourself to a slow and steady appraisal of

Kate Kelly's birds and Ray Mallaney's light shades

some of the finest local artists Gloucestershire has to offer. Though not all artists are based locally, some makers can be found from NBA’s premises. Such talent as Louise Parry, Richie Alli and Helen Nottage work onsite at NBA and have been making waves with gallery goers since November.

The popular Gratitude Tree from Oxford based wire sculptress Rachel Ducker is interactive. It has allowed the public to leave a leaf on one of the many branches which states what they are grateful for. Among many comments left, the dramatic “For finding my melanoma before it spreads” stands out. A romantic shared leaf left by a couple warms the heart. “Waking up with my girl Kim” stands proudly on one side, whilst ”Finding you when I did” sits on the other.

The intensely popular Gratitude Tree

Louise Parry’s beautiful and intricately made jewellery has often drawn gasps when people look at the carefully made clocks, earrings and necklaces. Helen Nottage’s ceramics have also impressed with many people stopping to stare and wonder at the different textures the vessels possess.

If you wish to stand a chance of getting something from the gallery, then be quick! With only until Saturday 4^th January, time is running out. Seeing, let alone owning a piece from any one of the 28 makers/artists on display is pure eye candy.

For more information click here. To connect with NBA on facebook click here.

Pancast Poductions Are Busy Documenting Culture, We Found Out More...

Neil and Pavo

Pancast Poductions is a locally based duo of podcasters, Pavo and Neil, who are currently taking the area by storm with their relaxed and informal interviews of local people of interest and even those from further afield.

With a large bank of past interviews, the two formats are “Movie Heaven” and “Live @ the Shed”. Having fun is the key component that makes the podcasts accessible and enjoyable. We caught up with Pancast Poductions in order to find out how things have been going for the local lads!

1. How long have you been going with your interviews, and so far which one has garnered the most attention?

We’ve been going since April this year. The podcast that had the most interest worldwide was with Mike Beckingham Simon Pegg’s brother.

2. How much thinking do you put into making the interviews before you do them, or is it more spontaneous?

We like to go into interviews with hardly any preparation so we are genuinely interested in the answers to the questions.

3. Which people would you like to interview that no one would believe you could get in?

Simon Pegg, Harrison Ford and Paul McCartney.

4. How have you found social media’s ability to spread the word?

Social media is a necessity. It helps tell everyone in the world what is going on and to gain access to the podcasts.

5. What is the most exciting project you’re working on right now?

Our next live show at the vaults on Tues 17th Dec. Also we have plans for our 1st Anniversary in April and ideas for new podcasts.

To find out more about Pancast, visit them online!

www.pancast.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/pancast

Brewery Blues Review: The Curious Little Big Band Dec 13th 2013

The Curious Little Big Band

Evan Burgess reviewed Friday 13th's gig at the Brewery Arts Theatre, bad luck? Not at all...

With a well earned reputation for lively and entertaining gigs, the Brewery Blues was to host yet another stormer for the local population’s consumption. With a sold out show the audience was treated to a varied and delightful group of performers, starting with an a cappella choir Prima Donnas. With versatile foreign language songs, the group also left us with a Christmas feeling by adding in a few carols. Enjoyed by all, they made way for the next act which was quite a contrast.

Rosie Blackallar played the keyboard proficiently accompanied by dynamic bass player Henry Blackallar and neat drumming from Andy Hughes. A mixture of covers and originals, the singing was well honed and the overall effect of the music was warm and inviting. The keyboard and bass worked well together to create a sound bigger than three individuals. Finishing on an uplifting note with a cover of Don’t Stop by Fleetwood Mac, the audience were finding it hard not to get up and dance.

Rosie Blackallar

Following Rosie was the last ever gig by band The Blues Grinders. Doing what you’d expect of such a name, people were more than welcoming to the fun loving and well known band’s solid beats and tight phrasing. Brewery Blues promoter John Drummond got on the mic for some all out blues numbers. Charming and crowd pleasing, the band did a great job and left the audience wanting more.

To finish the night, headliners The Curious Little Big Band were yet again completely different to any act so far on the bill. With a line up of rich instrumentation and colourful attire, the singing stood out as top notch with sometimes four band members providing full overtones. Lead singer Miles was not going to waste time being shy, and held eye contact with almost everyone in the room throughout the show. Clearly excited to be on stage, the band were determined to have fun. Polished and full of surprises, every part worked and added something to the show without anybody being overshadowed. With a magnificent rendition of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, it’s clear that it will take a lot of beating for the Brewery Blues to find a more entertaining set of performers.

Use Facebook? Follow the Curious Little Big Band here.

Details for the next Brewery Blues show can be found here.