NEARLY 500 teenagers will be waiting eagerly tomorrow (Friday) to see if they have won a top prize in The Cotswold Challenge that was introduced by five members of the Fairford & Lechlade Business Club (FLBC) to give hope to those students that missed out on GCSEs and A-Levels this year because of the lockdown.

The five members of the team are: Nigel Chute of Chute Design, who has helped with the Innovation category; Barry Jackson, who is offering a copy of his signed book: ‘How To Sabotage Your Career In 8 Easy Steps’; Allison Murray of Allison Murray Design, who has created the branding and artwork for the website, social media and winning certificates; Chris Roberts, founder of the FLBC; and Fiona Scott of Fiona Scott Media, who has been responsible for publicity.

The challenge launched at the end of April inviting young people to enter their work into one or more of three categories, Art & Design; Creative Writing and Innovation & Entrepreneurial Thinking.

Illustrious and expert judges such as Lady Bathurst, Tessa Bremner, Suzannah Harvey, Adam Henson and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen have been wading through the mountain of entries to select the most talented and outstanding paintings, photographs, poems, stories, designs, inventions and business ideas.

There is a top prize of £500 for the winner in each category followed by prizes of £300, £150, £50, book tokens, signed books and certificates.

A full list of winners will be posted on Friday on social media; in the local media and on The Cotswold Challenge website: www.thecotswoldchallenge.com.

BUSINESS packs to help local traders start up again include general guidance; a checklist of things to think about; posters to help get the ‘Stay Safe – Shop Local’ message across and large circular floor stickers to remind customers of the need for social distancing.

These packs are being distributed to local businesses but, if you have not yet received one, please contact your Fairford and Lechlade Cotswold District Councillors: Stephen Andrews for Lechlade on 01285 719924, stephen.andrews@cotswold.gov.uk or Andrew Doherty for Fairford on 07879 692429, andrew.doherty@cotswold.gov.uk.

JOIN Jenna outdoors at Fairford Town Football Club every Tuesday and Thursday at 6.30pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm for a session of Boogie Bounce.

Boogie Bounce is a complete exercise programme performed on a mini trampoline with Patented T-Bar handle.

The programme works every muscle in the body including facial muscles!

Fantastic full body workout, massive calorie burn and weight loss, increased metabolism, relieves stress, low impact on joints and ligaments, improves the lymphatic system, reduces cellulite, suitable for all ages, shapes and sizes. To book, visit: bit.ly/2YoffZ9.

AS part of the National Gardens Week scheme, the gardens at The Old Rectory, Quenington will be open to visitors courtesy of David and Lucy Abel Smith on Sunday from 11am until 6.15pm.

Admission costs £10 per person with children free.

To conform with Government guidelines and to ensure the safety of volunteers and visitors, you will need to pre-book tickets and only 20 people will be allowed in at any one time for a one and half hour visit with 15 minutes allowed between each session, so visitors can enter and exit safely.

There will also be teas, coffees and home-made cakes on offer.

To pre-book your visit, please visit: bit.ly/2AY2knM.