Cheltenham & Bourton-on-the-Water
The Group Hug’s HQ is based by the Royal Ascot Racecourse. From one horseracing community to another, Cheltenham is renowned for the Cheltenham Festival which is 4 days of horse jump racing held every March culminating in the famous Gold Cup. The town is known for its Regency buildings including the Pittville Pump Room, a remnant of the spa towns historic past. There’s a ecclectic mix of traditional and modern culture, so something for everyone.
The Hug Directory Gloucestershire
With parks, theatres, museums and lots of culture and heritage you sure won’t get bored day or night. The Neptune Fountain deserves a visit, it’s said that it was modelled as an ode to Rome’s Trevi Fountain and can be found at Promenade, GL50 1PJ.
Sudeley Castle and Gardens is also a popular day out for visitors. Based on the outskirts of the historic town of Winchcombe it has royal connections going back at least a thousand years. It’s most famous for being the home of Katherine Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII.
A quiet town in Gloucestershire on the edge of the Cotswold National Park. It comes alive when Cheltenham Racecourse holds The Cheltenham Festival. A great town for a variety of shopping and perfect for catching up with friends or ideally located as a base to explore the Cotswolds.
What to see and do around Cheltenham:
Pittville Park – A short walk north of the town centre, you’ll find Pittville Park, Cheltenham’s largest park and home to the historic Pittville Pump Room. Meander around the park or enjoy the many playgrounds, boating lake, aviary and rabbits. Prestbury, Cheltenham, GL50 4SH
Mr Mulligan’s Cheltenham – Crazy golf will never mean the same again! A 36 hole indoor adventure golf course where you travel through a jungle with its Jurassic monsters and underwater, watch out for the pirates! A great experience for children and adults. Unit 5A, The Brewery Quarter, Cheltenham, GL50 4FA
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway – Run by volunteers and railway enthusiasts, step back 50 years and experience steam train travel along the heritage railway on a 28 mile round trip through the stunning scenery of the Cotswolds and the Malvern Hills. Operates between Broadway and Cheltenham Racecourse. The Railway Station, Toddington, Cheltenham, GL54 5DT
The Wilson, Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum – the Wilson is never dull. It houses many beautifully presented permanent museum collections and hosts several temporary and touring exhibitions so you can experience something new each time you visit. Famed for its Arts and Crafts collection. With so much to see you’ll want to return again and again. Clarence St, Cheltenham, GL50 3JT
Bourton-on-the-Water
Bourton-on-the-Water is also known as “the Venice of the Cotswolds” and if you are in the area, it is a must visit and beautiful, whatever time of the year. The village is regularly voted one of the prettiest villages in England as it really in unique with many individual shops and lovely “olde English” pubs and teashops. The river Windrush is central to the village and several bridges assist visitors to cross from one side to the other.
As well as the village itself there are other local attractions such as:
- Birdland Park and Gardens – 3 Rissington Road, Cheltenham GL54 2AY
- Dragonfly Maze – Rissington Road, Cheltenham GL54 2BN
- Cotswold Motoring and Toy Museum – The Old Mill, Bourton-on-the-Water, GL54 2BY.
Do you need help through divorce or separation around Cheltenham?
You may not have been married six times like Henry, but if you are looking to divorce or separate you would be wise to at least get some kind of legal advice. Family Solicitors in the area include Lodders at Glensanda House, 1 Montpellier Parade, GL50 1UA. They also have offices in Stratford upon Avon, Henley in Arden and Birmingham.
The positive things you should do after your divorce
Midwinters are based at 1 -3 Crescent Place, GL50 3PJ; “our specialist lawyers are recommended for their sensitive approach and professional advice”. You can call them for a FREE 30 minute consultation.
Dee & Griffin are based in Quedgeley at 9A & 9B School Lane, GL2 4PJ.
If you are situated more towards Cirencester, Michael Brady of Davey Law can be found at 10-12 Dollar Street, GL72AL “Michael is one of the most well-respected divorce solicitors in Cirencester”
Are you thinking about separation or divorce because of domestic abuse?
A common reason for divorce one party being abused in some way by the other party. This could be emotional or physical abuse and for the divorce court comes under the heading of “unreasonable behaviour”. Whilst the divorce proceedings trundle on through the civil court system, victims can find themselves also going through the criminal courts if the Police are involved and there is enough evidence to bring a case.
In recent years, there has been much talk in the UK regarding the law around the subject of Domestic Abuse and divorce with draft legislation proposed by Theresa May in February 2017. This draft was finally released in January 2019 and will now be brought to Parliament for debate. The bill sets out a statutory government definition of domestic abuse which includes controlling and manipulative behaviour. For the first time, abuse does not have to be physical or violent.
The bill will recognise economic abuse, (also known as financial abuse) which is where a partner is prevented from accessing bank accounts or employment. The victim becomes financially controlled. They may not be allowed to go out to work, or if they are employed, their wages may be paid into their partners account or they may not have access to benefits as they are given to a partner. December 2016 saw the introduction of the new law meaning that coercive or controlling behaviour is now a crime. This offence carries a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment, a fine or both.
The future
Slowly changes are being made. Escaping a domestic abuse situation leaves victims susceptible to many issues which also affect children as a parent may find themselves homeless, relying on foodbanks for daily essentials along with dealing with their mental health as they navigate the family court system against their perpetrator. Emotions run high and post separation abuse can be rife. The abuser is losing control and many say that economic abuse is the “tail” of physical abuse as the victim is out of arms reach. Read the rest of this article here
