Ripples MAR 2018 L&F v2016.qxp_1 LINK – May 07 23/02/2018 12:09 Page 1 March 2018 Ripples MAR 2018 L&F v2016.qxp_1 LINK – May 07 23/02/2018 12:09 Page 2 CONTENTS Gut feeling Ripples March About March, many will be regretting New Year’s resolutions broken before they News 4 really got going. Given that a fifth of Brits are ‘on a diet’ at any one time, I’d bet my monthly food bill that failed diets top the score. Home & Garden 13 Creative Arts 19 Aiming to rectify a few niggling ailments, I was recently advised by a dietitian to switch to a diet dictated by my blood type – O negative. The Blood Type Diet was outlined by Councils 24 The New York Times best-selling author Dr Peter D’Adamo. The dietician said that our Rippling Yarns 28 blood type links us to the food groups that our ancestors ate. I am sorry to report that I Learning & Libraries 29 found it so restrictive to be unworkable. Yet others have apparently achieved success with it. Water Park 30 There is an amazing array of diets – Atkins, non-dairy, gluten-free Local History 32 and so on – foisted upon a bamboozled population desperate to Volunteering 34 cope with bulging waistlines. And it’s big business, according to Sport 36 Professor Tim Spector who claims there are ‘well over 30,000 books available, with their own websites and merchandising, Food & Drink 38 promoting diet regimes and supplements ranging from the Business 42 sensible to the dangerous’. What are we to make of it? The first Wellbeing 46 clue is in the title of his book ‘The Diet Myth – the real science behind what we eat’. Pets 50 Profile 52 Much of what Professor Spector has to say resonates with me. ‘I thought changing my lifelong dietary habits would be my Events 53 greatest challenge – but … finding out the truth about food was an even greater one.’ Contacts 58 Although I was unable to accept the blood type diet, that dietician has sure got me thinking. The second clue lies in the book’s dedication: ‘To my family and other microbes’. Transport 58 Prof Tim reckons our bodies contain 100 trillion of them, weighing over four pounds in COVER PICTURE: our guts alone. And if they’re not happy, we’re not happy. Pupils of Hatherop Primary It’s a fascinating, entertaining and compelling read. He outlines what science tells us about School extending fats, carbohydrates, sugars, fibres and so on. He explains why excessive caffeine and generosi-tea to their guests alcohol are not good for us. And about allergies, antibiotics and the latest fad – probiotics. (see page 41). Photo: Chris Roberts. I’ve not quite finished it yet, and I hope he’ll tell me how to keep those critters happy. REMINDER: Adrian Young, editor The deadline for our April edition is 12 noon, The Diet Myth was published in 2015 by Weidenfeld & Nicholson. ISBN 978 1 780 22900 3 Friday 9th March. Ripples Community Magazine Published by Adrian Young and Graham Fry © Ripples Community Magazine, 2018. All rights reserved. Named contributors retain copyright on their work. Ripples Magazine is published 10 months a our format or inconsistent with our Email is preferred for contributions, year during the first week of the month; we editorial policy. otherwise by post. take a break in January and August. Make sure you are writing for a general All news, events and announcements: The deadline for contributions and audience, not just your own organisation. [email protected] advertising is 12 noon on 2nd Friday of the Contributions up to 150 words are Paid advertising: month before publication. preferred. If it is too long, we may ask you [email protected] to cut it down. We may publish longer Opinions expressed in the magazine are not Distribution: contributions, but get in touch first to avoid necessarily those of the publishers. [email protected] the annoyance of a rejection. 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Get parent’s consent in the mistake in Ripples so we can rectify it in a and to not publish any contribution or case of minors. future issue. advertisement that is either unsuitable for www.ripplesmag.co.uk 3 Ripples MAR 2018 L&F v2016.qxp_1 LINK – May 07 23/02/2018 12:09 Page 4 NEWS Fairford Community Voice EDITOR: Recently I attended a meeting of the Fairford l Encourage the preservation, maintenance and Community Voice committee in Fairford’s fine improvement of historic buildings, structures, Community Centre. The breadth of what they do and green spaces and other areas of public interest, in their relationship with the Town Council inspired this Fairford and the immediate surrounding area. article to bring readers up to date. l Monitor proposed new developments for Fairford What is Fairford Community Voice? in liaison with the Fairford Town Council, Cotswold District Council and other relevant Fairford Community Voice (FCV) was formed in 2016 organisations, and initiate appropriate action bringing together Fairford Preservation Trust, Fairford concerning the need for new development, Planning Watch and the Fairford Environmental Society positioning, architecture, infrastructure etc. to raise and monitor local issues that concern Fairford residents. l Monitor new developments in Fairford, during their construction phase, to ensure compliance A potted history with the agreed plans and conditions concerning Fairford Preservation Trust (FPT) was set up in 1965 by architecture, access, infrastructure, timing etc. Dr Charlton Shaw who saw the need to preserve the old buildings and promote the sympathetic design of new l Work with Fairford Town Council, Cotswold ones and to preserve the structure and life of the town. District Council and other relevant organisations, FPT sought to stimulate public interest in the care for to ensure the introduction and maintenance of the the beauty, history and the character of the area and its general infrastructure in Fairford and surrounding surroundings. At its 50th AGM in 2015, it was agreed areas, including water supply, drainage/sewage that the Trust would merge with Fairford Planning systems, highways, footpaths (urban and rural) Watch and the Fairford Environmental Society to form and other public amenities. Fairford Community Voice and this group was formed at l Support all activities which will maintain and their 2016 AGM. increase the pleasure of living in Fairford for all Who’s active in FCV? existing and future residents, including the David Perry is the president of FCV. The committee monitoring and action, regarding all comprises Malcolm Cutler (Chairman), Gill Compton environmental issues in Fairford and the (Treasurer), Alison Hobson (Secretary), Sarah Basley surrounding areas. (Fairford Planning Watch), Margaret Bishop, Dr Stewart l Pursue these ends through meetings, Benzie, Greg Phillips, Ian Westlake and Sue Hughes. presentations and other forms of publicity, The Committee meets five or six times a year to including social media e.g. website, e-mails, consider issues in the area that have come to their Facebook etc. notice. A watching brief is kept on local planning Next month, we’ll report on initiatives FCV is pursuing, applications (Fairford Planning Watch), footpaths, trees including Walkers are Welcome, Local Planning, the and local amenities in the area plus any issues reported River Coln Environment and the Fairford Award. by FCV members and other Fairford residents. Fairford Community Voice aims to… How to contact or join Fairford Community Voice l Encourage greater public interest in, and care for, the unique character and history of Fairford, and Web: www.fairfordcv.org.uk the immediate surrounding area. Email: [email protected] CONTACT RIPPLES COMMUNITY MAGAZINE For news, events and announcements Your local reporters Email: [email protected] Fairford and surrounding villages or post to: Tel: (01285) 712150 Ripples Magazine, Email: [email protected] 2A The Stables, Gilberts Lane, Highworth SN6 7FB Lechlade and surrounding villages Tel: (01793) 764768 Email: [email protected] 4 www.ripplesmag.co.uk Ripples MAR 2018 L&F v2016.qxp_1 LINK – May 07 23/02/2018 12:09 Page 6 NEWS EASTER SERVICES & EVENTS Farmor’s founding day reunion The Farmor’s School the word through any ex- LECHLADE CHURCHES TOGETHER BAPTIST Reunion 1958-1963 held students and staff that you in September 2016 in are in contact with. The Monday 26th March: 7.30pm Celebration Service LECHLADE BAPTIST CHURCH Fairford Community organisers are also hoping for Ecumenical Lent Groups – at the Baptist Church (Tel: 01285 711551) Centre was so popular to compile a book of Palm Sunday 25th March: 10.30am Guest Speaker: and well attended that anecdotes, memories and Mr. Bill Eteson; organisers are considering photographs to ANGLICAN holding a follow-up event. commemorate this historic 6pm Communion Service ST MARY’S FAIRFORD (Tel: 01285 712467) This will be a reunion on anniversary. Saturday 24th November Good Friday 30th March: 10.30am Communion If you have anything you Palm Sunday 25th March: 8am Holy Communion to celebrate the 280th Service led by Mr David Duffey would like to contribute, (Prayer Book); 10am Palm Procession followed by All- anniversary of the please send it to Emma age Family Eucharist; 6pm Evensong Easter Sunday 1st April: 10.30am Guest Speaker: founding of Farmor’s White: ewhite@farmors.