Book for a Summer of Lifetime Memories

Cotswold Charm has a few bits of good news for you and is hoping to create some awesome summer memories for you!

Start by talking to us and start planning your dream holiday now!

The Government has set out it Road Map for ending the current Covid19 crisis – details below.

• Cotswold Charm self-catering accommodation can take bookings from 12 April.
• Cotswold Charm is also pleased to say that its new and updated website should be on line shortly.
• Cotswold Charm is also delighted to announce “Tally Ho View”; a new one-bed apartment at the bottom of Dyers Lane with wonderful views up the valley towards Campden House and Campden Wood – watch the buzzards rise and circle on the thermals.
• It is ideal for one couple, but along with the original Tally Ho, the two of them together can provide very private accommodation for two couples.
• Cotswold Charm is continuing with its Covid19 Cancellation Policy – we offer a full refund on all holidays cancelled because of a Covid19 reason.
• In addition and to avoid unnecessary bank charges, Cotswold Charm will not seek payment until two weeks prior to your holiday.
• Cotswold Charm as a gesture of goodwill towards its valued customers has not increased its prices for 2021. This is unlike many of its local competitors who have dramatically increased their prices
• Cotswold Charm continues to monitor, review and improve its Covid prevention cleaning procedures with the welfare of all in mind.

Attractions:

• Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Steam Railway will be restarting services on Tuesday 13th April 2021. They will be operating in a ‘Covid safe’ environment to make your visit as safe and enjoyable for you, their volunteers and local residents. You must pre-book your tickets and, if required, refreshments that will be delivered to your designated compartment of the train.
• National Trust/Hidcote Manor Gardens – outdoor spaces at Hidcote are open for local visitors to access for exercise. You will need to book your visit in advance. You may be turned away if you arrive without a booking.  Cafés are currently takeaway only, planning to offer outdoor seating from 12 April and inside seating from 17 May. Shop is due to reopen from 12 April.
• Sudely Castle reopens from 12 April – you can book your tickets from 25 March. The scene is set for a mighty migration of elephants grazing the grounds 31 May. Elephant Family at Sudeley will see over 30 enormous, life-sized elephant sculptures form a trail through the gardens this spring promising a poignant and fresh air-filled day out for families and conservationists alike.
• Shakespeare’s Birthplace is hoping to open its doors to visitors once again on Monday, 17 May 2021 after being closed for seven months due to the pandemic.

COVID-19 Roadmap: Overview

Earlier in the month the Government set out its Road Map for a possible return to normality when Covid is hopefully under control. Given a continuing reduction in Covid cases, people in England will see restrictions start to lift and the government’s four-step roadmap will offer a route back to a more normal life.

The success of the vaccination programme is one factor – so far almost 28 million people have had their jabs – but that was by no means the whole story. The public rose to the challenge of suppressing COVID-19: by obeying the law; staying at home; getting tested when needed; isolating when required, and following the ‘hands, face, space’ and ‘letting fresh air in’ guidance.
However, we must all remain vigilant – in particular against the threat from new COVID-19 variants – and continue to protect the NHS; a safe exit from lockdown can begin. It will take place in four steps:

• From 8 March priority was given to ensure that all children and students return safely to face-to-face education in schools and colleges from 8 March. Childcare and children’s supervised activities can also resume where necessary to enable parents to work or engage in similar activities. We are introducing twice-weekly rapid testing for secondary and college pupils – in addition to regular testing for all teachers – to reduce the chance of the virus spreading in schools.
• From 29 March people will be allowed to leave home for recreation and exercise outdoors with their household or support bubble, if they are eligible for one, or with one person from outside their household. Care home residents will also be allowed one regular visitor.  Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, and open-air swimming pools, will also be allowed to reopen, and people will be able to take part in formally organised outdoor sports. The ‘stay at home’ rule will end, but many restrictions will remain in place. People should continue to work from home where they can and minimise the number of journeys they make where possible, avoiding travel at the busiest times and routes.  Travel abroad will continue to be prohibited, other than for a small number of permitted reasons. Holidays abroad will not be allowed, given it will remain important to manage the risk of imported variants and protect the vaccination programme.
• From 12 April we will see the opening of non-essential retail; personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons; and public buildings, including libraries and community centres. Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms will also reopen (but only for use by people on their own or in household groups); as will most outdoor attractions and settings including outdoor hospitality venues, zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas.  Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can also reopen
  Hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors and there will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks and no curfew, although customers must order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’). Wider social contact rules will apply in all these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households.
• From 17 May the government will look to continue easing limits on seeing friends and family wherever possible, allowing people to decide on the appropriate level of risk for their circumstances. This means that most legal restrictions on meeting others outdoors will be lifted – although gatherings of over 30 people will remain illegal. Indoors, the Rule of 6 or 2 households will apply.
  But until this point, people should continue to keep their distance from anyone not in their household or support bubble.  Indoor hospitality will reopen and, venues will not have to serve a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks; nor there a curfew. Customers will, however, have to order, eat and drink while seated.
• From 21 June the government hopes to be in a position to remove all legal limits on social contact.

However, as we move through each of these phases in the roadmap, we must all remember that COVID-19 remains a part of our lives.

We are going to have to keep living our lives differently to keep ourselves and others safe. We must carry on with ‘hands, face, space’. Comply with the COVID-Secure measures that remain in place. Meet outdoors when we can and keep letting fresh air in. Get tested when needed. Get vaccinated when offered.

Hopefully, we will be that bit closer to a future that is more familiar.

Noticed Anything in the Countryside recently?

It is that time of year when the days start to lengthen more noticeably, but what about the bird song.

Have you noticed the change in tune? A sure sign that spring is very much on its way. Another noise not so well-received is that of gas guns regularly exploding throughout the day. Either early sown spring or late winter crops are just beginning to poke through the soil. This is like nectar to the crows and pigeons; their voracious appetites mean that a major part of the crop can be lost. In the current climate of conserving nature this action looks like condemning all birds to starvation.

Rest assured there is plenty of other food within the fields for the birds to breakfast, lunch and sup upon! The other thing to gladden the heart when out walking is the early lamb crops are now out in the fields. Some already ganging up and racing from point to point. As usual a plea about dogs – the action of lambs gambolling in the fields is, so the animal behaviourists tell us; just a practise to avoid predators.

Your lovely pet dog would never become a predator, would it? It just wants to play alongside the lambs. Seen by the sheep the dog is a predator. They will take flight. The natural instinct of the dog is to take chase. The results can be pretty catastrophic. Unfortunately most sheep farmers know what it is like to pick up mauled and dying sheep and lambs, so please keep your dogs on a lead.

Enjoy your walk, the busyness of the birds making their nests and having time to sing about it. The emerging blossom and crops and of course the downside….the lawn needs mowing.

Take Care of Our Countryside

Going for walks in the countryside has been a huge help to our mental health during the pandemic and many of us are appreciating outdoor spaces more than ever. However, the volume of people using public rights of way has increased hugely and in turn has added various pressures to the rights of way around Gloucestershire. Our county has some of the most beautiful countryside in England, so let’s all continue to respect, protect and enjoy it. Remember the countryside code; please act responsibly and respect the local environment, people and animals.

• • Please keep to the footpaths and bridleways
  • Clean up after your dog and take any litter home with you
  • Leave gates and property as you find them
  • Don’t block gateways, driveways or paths with your vehicle

Read more about using the countryside responsibly here: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/highways/public-rights-of-way/updates/the-countryside-code