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Gloucestershire Independent


Opposition slams free school plan


SHADOW education secre- tary Tristram Hunt criticised plans for a Steiner free school in Stroud during a trip to the town recently. The shadow cabinet minister reiterated the view expressed locally by Stroud Labour Party that the school is not needed because there is already an oversupply of pupil places in the Five Valleys. Speaking during a visit to Archway Comprehensive, the high-ranking Labour politi- cian said in contrast to the cur- rent coalition Government, his party would only allowwhat he called ‘parent-led academies’ to open in areas where there was a clear need for them, defined by a shortage of school places.


Awards joy as hobbyist turns pro


PHOTOGRAPHER Gemma Dawks has snapped up three prestigious awards despite turning professional only two years ago. Minchinhampton mother- of-two Gemma has already received three international awards from The Guild of Professional Photographers. A still life and fine art pho-


tographer, Gemma won two top ten awards and also be- came a member of The Pho-


tographers Bar. This unique distinction is


awarded to very few photog- raphers who have success- fully had images assessed by the Guild. Gemma who has been pas- sionate about photography since she was a child said: “I can’t remember not loving photography. “Whenever I got a new camera I would take a pic- ture of my old camera and


Gemma Dawks with her prestigious award (4035845)


absolutely any other still life around.” But it never occurred to


her to make a living out of her hobby and she trained as an engineer instead.


“I only started my profes- sional journey at the end of 2012.


“Despite all the hard work


I never imagined that a year on I would be winning inter-


national awards,” she said. “I am absolutely thrilled to


have received these awards.” Gemma prints all her own


work from her home in Minchinhampton.


DoCare: helping people to remain inown home


• Home is wherethe heartis


• HomeiswhereDoCare helpsyou to remain


Foraward-winning homecare youcan trust, choose DoCare –supporting


clients in Cirencester,the Cotswolds, South Gloucestershire andbeyond.


Fora no obligation chatcallDoCareon 0333 7000333, email: info@docare.co.uk or visit www.docare.co.uk


FORmost or most people, being able to re- main living independently at home is so important, particularly when they are el- derly. The thought of moving to a nursing or care home can be a daunting or even unwelcome prospect. This is where DoCare comes in. For ten


years, we have been providing a very high level of support for both our private cli- ents and those referred to us by social ser- vices, enabling them to remain at home. We have highly-trained teams in South Gloucestershire, the Cotswolds, Bristol and Oxfordshirewho can provide support to meet your needs. For more, call 0333 700 0333, e-mail info@ docare.co.uk or see docare.co.uk


Abbeyfield Cirencester –Totally committed to takingthe lonelinessout of oldage


Over 65? Simplify your lifeand make themovetoAbbeyfield House, 45 Chesterton Lane,Cirencester,GL7 1XJ.


We offer: •Ahome from home forolderpeople whofind that living alonenolongersuits them.


FROM £300 PERWEEK *


•Acomfortablebalance of privacy, supportand security. •Yourown privateroom with en-suite. •The servicesofour excellentHouse Manager, Elaine King and herstaff whoprepare home cooked meals ,7daysaweek. •Wewelcome shortand respitecarestays.


Formoreinformation call Nikki Browningon07709234656 or visit www.abbeyfield.com/cirencester


*Price advertised is inclusiveofaccommodation,all meals,servicesand bills.Extra charge forCarelineand phoneline.


Let’smake it a golden anniversary forCobalt Cobalt is 50 and launches a new Appeal 2014 is a milestone year for Cobalt and they are celebrating five decades of supporting people in the community. You or someone you


know may well be amongst those the char- ity has helped?They have just launched their Diag- nostic Imaging for Life Anniversary Appeal to make the latest and best PET/CT scanning avail-


able to people locally. The new scanner, research to improve diagnosis and treatment, and better pa- tient accommodation will cost £1.8million. Cobalt needs to raise half a mil- lion pounds to make this pioneering work a reality, improving diagnosis and treatment for thousands. For more information about their Appeal visit www.cobalt50.co.uk. PET/ CT can provide informa-


Abbeyfield vacancies


IF staying in your own home is no longer an option, then it may be time to choose the right place for yourself or an elderly relative to live, where you can enjoy companionship whilst still main- taining your independence. Abbeyfield residents have their own


private room and we can accommodate up to seven residents. Charges from £1,300 per month, this is inclusive of accommodation, all meals and services. Call Nikki Browning on 07709 234656, email


nbrowning.abbeyfield@gmail.


com or visit our website www.abbey- field.com/nailsworth


Three-quartersofall Wills are currently outofdate…isyours?


Take this opportunitytoput things straight or make your wishes known


MAKE AWILLMONTH APRIL2014


In April asolicitor near youisdonatingtheir expertise andtimefreeofcharge. They can write or update astraightforwardWill foryou,in returnfor adonation to Cobalt.


Forthe list of participating solicitors andthe voucher youneed,ortofind outmorecontact Zena GilesLegacy Officer, call 01242 535922 or send an email with your details to zena.giles@cobalthealth.co.uk


THERE are many life changes to ad- just to around the age of 50. Children may leave home, parents age and need support. You may have been through relationship changes and dealing with step-parenting. Work may be chang- ing through redundancy, retirement or redeployment. Your health becomes more important for an active retire- ment. To cope with these changes and help you get what you want out of life, Kathy Butterworth is running a coach- ing and support group called Nifty@ fifty (for people aged 50+) at Ashcroft Centre, Cirencester. Call 01285 238304 or 07709 971507 for information.


“Liveout of your imagination, not your history“ (Stephen Covey)


Coaching &Support groupfor age50+


Monday7-9pm or Friday 10-12noon Ashcroft Centre, Cirencester 01285 238304/07709971507


March 13, 2014


tion that helps doctors make an early, informed diagnosis of cancer and dementia and plan the most appropriate treat- ment. “We are looking to the community to get involved in celebrating our 50th and supporting our An- niversary Appeal. Please get in touch, contact the fundraising team on 01242 535922,” said Zena Giles, Fundraiser, Cobalt


Join Nifty at 50 club


Mention ‘Newsquest’


whencalling –for acomplimentary


memoryassessment


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