Bradley Stoke Voice - May 2023 - Issue 07

Foodstore plans approved

A DISCOUNT foodstore, rumoured to be Lidl, has been given permission to extend and move into a unit at Bradley Stoke’s Willow Brook shopping centre despite concerns over a loss of parking.

Anchor store Tesco and a ward councillor objected to the plans by the centre’s owners because it would mean losing another 55 car park spaces on top of the 80 that went with the recent opening of a McDonald’s and Starbucks 24-hour drivethrough at the site.

But South Gloucestershire councillors heard there would still be enough parking following a drop in retail customers since the pandemic and the rise of online shopping.

Planning officers said the proposed extension of the Poundstretcher unit at the end of the shopping terrace was similar to but smaller than a previous scheme that was granted consent on appeal three years ago, so the principle of its use had been established.

Ward Cllr Roger Avenin (Conservative, Bradley Stoke South) told the development management committee that the loss of the parking spaces was a

“considerable reduction” from what was originally envisaged.

He said: “Weekend car parking spaces are at a premium and at peak times of the year, such as Easter and Christmas, it’s almost impossible to find a space. I’ve given up, turned around and gone to either Sainsbury’s in Stoke GIfford or The Mall at Cribbs. I’m not sure who this development is for but there is a suggestion it’s for Lidl.

“We already have a massive supermarket – Tesco – we have Tesco Expresses in the north and south of the town, and in the north we also have Aldi. How many food outlets does Bradley

Stoke need, for heaven’s sake?” Committee member Cllr Colin Hunt (Conservative, Emersons Green) told the meeting: “The overriding factor is they already have planning permission for a larger building there which would take up more parking spaces. If we grant this today, we will have control over the conditions.”

A report to councillors said: “The store would undoubtedly make a positive contribution to the vitality and viability of the town centre. It would increase choice to the consumer and provide competition to the

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May 2023 - Issue 7

EDITORIAL

Jane Williams

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LOCAL INFORMATION

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existing uses within the centre, all of which is in the public interest.

“On balance the scheme is not considered to give rise to unacceptable levels of traffic that would result in an unacceptable impact on highway safety. The scheme would retain appropriate levels of parking provision.”

It said the development was not strictly compliant with a planning policy that earmarked the site for a retailer selling higher value goods such as TVs, kitchen appliances or sofas rather than weekly groceries.

Plans approved Food prices rise at the fastest rate for 45 years

But this was justified because other vacant units in the terrace remained unoccupied and the number of discount supermarkets had increased in recent years, so there was “unlikely to be a significant resurgence in demand for further non-food retail floorspace in the town centre in the medium to short term”.

“The vitality and viability of the town centre would therefore be best served by the proposed convenience discount foodstore,” the report added.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporter

PRICES in the supermarkets are still rising sharply with food and drink inflation now at its highest level in over 45 years, adding to the inflation pain suffered by West of England households.

Food and drink prices rocketed by 19.1% in March, according to the ONS - up from 18% per year in February, and the highest seen since 1977 – some 46 years ago.

But some products have jumped by even more, with the sharpest rises in March seen for everyday staples like olive oil (up 49%), milk (up 38%) and eggs (up 32%).

Bread and cereal prices rose by 19.4%, while meat cost 17.4% more than in March 2022 and vegetable prices jumped 19.3%. Fruit is 10.6% more expensive than a year ago.

The ONS says soaring food and drink prices meant the cost of living rose more than expected last month, with overall inflation remaining in double digits - at 10.1% - and the ONS warns this could remain the case next month unless food inflation is gripped.

The news comes after Which? found it is the cheapest everyday products which are being the hardest hit by rising costs, warning that even value foods, despite remaining a cheaper option, are at risk of becoming too expensive for locals on the tightest budgets.

Responding to the latest figures, Metro Mayor Dan Norris blamed 13 years of Conservative government that had left the country with “weak economic foundations” meaning “prices are out of control”. He said: “These latest figures perhaps won’t come as a surprise to residents - we’ve all seen those sky-high prices in the shops. But it nonetheless paints a really bleak picture for the hundreds of households in the West of England already skipping meals: the costof-living crisis hasn’t gone away - whatever the Government might think - and it is the poorest who are feeling the brunt.

“While supermarket chains can and should do more to support hard-pressed locals, it is ministers who need to grip this. Yet the truth is under the Tories, this country has weak economic foundations and we are all seeing the results - taxes up, debt up and prices out of control. Never before have West of England residents paid so much to get so little in return. Enough is enough. At a minimum, we need ministers to bring forward Labour’s really vital plan to drive up pay, transform workers’ rights and deliver good working conditions for all.”

To advertise, contact Shaun on 07540 383870 or email sales@bradleystokevoice.com

Poorer South Glos homes missed out on crucial retrofit measures

HUNDREDS of low-income households in South Glos missed out on having crucial energyefficiency measures installed in their homes last year just as the fuel poverty crisis hit.

New official data shows that 2022 was the worst year on record for the Government’s main programme for insulating poorer people’s homes, despite pleas from Metro Mayor Dan Norris (pictured) to ramp up the work as energy bills rocketed.

Installations under the ‘Energy Company Obligation’ scheme - which requires energy suppliers to install energy efficiency measures like double glazing in low-income and ‘fuel poor’ homes - fell by 59% with hundreds of South Glos’s poorer families thought to have missed out.

Experts say this is because of ministers’ poorly managed transition to a new version of the scheme, with repeated delays to the passing of legislation required for the new version leaving a four-month period of retrofit inactivity between July and October - just as the energy price crisis began to bite.

Now Dan Norris warns there is serious danger of the same thing happening again this year, as the Government again introduces yet another

version of the scheme. The Government originally said ‘ECO+’ would be ready to launch at the start of this month, but industry figures say they are still waiting on guidance on how the scheme will work and for the necessary legislation to be laid in Parliament.

Mr Norris warned that with the scheme unlikely to be launched until late summer or even early autumn., this winter could be as “tough as the last” for poorer South Glos homes. “If the Government continues stalling on really, really vital retrofit measures, next winter will be as tough as the last for poorer South

Glos locals, and fuel poverty will get worse, not better”, he said.

The latest challenges with the ECO scheme reflect a lack of effective national retrofit policies, says Mayor Dan Norris, who has long called for a major national insulation programme to complement the West of England’s own retrofitting programme.

He pointed to the Government’s botched boiler upgrade scheme where only a third of its £450m annual budget has been spent and the many abortive schemes from ministers – including the 2020 Green Homes Grant, scrapped after six

months – over the past 13 years.

As part of his flagship £60 million Green Recovery fund, Dan Norris has brought forward over £5 million - and recently secured over £12 million - to begin retrofitting some of the 250,000 homes in need of energy improvements across South Glos, and the wider West of England region.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “To fix the fuel poverty crisis for good, fixing the nation’s leaky homes, like we are in the West of England, will be crucial. From Georgian townhouses, to Victorian terraces, my West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is supporting retrofit as the best long term solution to cut bills for local people for good. But we cannot fix this crisis alone – we need central government to play its part, and that means reversing its disastrous record on heating homes - energy efficiency rates are now 20 times lower than under the last Labour government. That in turn means dropping the boom-bust policymaking and matching our ambition by coming forward with a proper plan to end the delays, and insulate the homes we need at pace - to complement our retrofitting programme here in the West of England.”

Why do people complain about their varifocals?

Finding glasses that better your vision at all distances is challenging. Most settle for the headache of switching between glasses for different needs. This is expensive and a hassle - having multiple frames gives you one more thing to worry about losing/breaking.

Varifocal lenses, also known as multifocal lenses, are a great solution. These top-of-the-range lenses are suitable for near, intermediate and distance vision, meaning you have one pair to see in different environments by having different lens zones. For example, the top 3rd of the lens will be designed to see objects further away, the middle for intermediate viewings, with a seamless transition to the bottom 3rd for near vision. You can see any distance by moving your eyes between these points on the lens.

Why do people complain about varifocals?

- Adapting your eyes to these lenses can be challenging. Some struggle with distorted vision when looking through the wrong section of the lens for their needs at that moment in time.

- It can take several weeks to adjust.

- Varifocal lenses can be more expensive.

- They can cause headaches and dizziness initially.

- When reading with varifocals, you must maintain an unnatural position, keeping your head straight and looking down through the near vision part of the lens.

While that might sound bleak, there are many benefits, which is why they are so popular with glasses wearers.

The benefits of varifocals

- Money-saving - you only need one pair of all-purpose glasses.

- They can help with eye conditions such as presbyopia, myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

- They’re customised to your eyesight, whether you choose Everyday Varifocal lenses for multi-distance viewing or Occupational Varifocal Lenses that are better tuned to your vision and the consistent environment you spend the most time in.

- There are no visible reading areas due to the graduated lenses

How to make varifocals work for you

There are a few tips I recommend to patients to help smooth the transition to varifocals:

- Keep changing your environment, this will get you used to looking through the different parts of the lenses. The more you do it, the quicker you’ll adapt.

- Talk to others who use varifocals, they can give you some tips on how they adjusted.

- Practice makes perfect - they may feel uncomfortable at first, but you will adjust. Carry a spare pair of your previous glasses in case of headaches and/or dizziness.

What are my thoughts on Varifocals?

Whether you are short, medium or long-sighted, varifocals prioritise your vision across all distances. Personally, I like them a lot. They can take some adjusting, but their convenience is unmatched. We offer personalised lenses to fit your exact prescription. To book an appointment, call our Henleaze team on 0117 962 2474 or Fishponds team on 0117 965 4434.

Peter Turner is an Independent Prescribing Optometrist at Turners Opticians in Bristol, with a specialist interest in visual development and visual performance, who also works as a Senior Optometrist at Bristol Eye Hospital

Recycling rate continues to rise

THE amount of waste recycled by South Gloucestershire residents continues its upward trend, reaching almost 60% for the latest data period, which is 2021/22.

This figure puts South Gloucestershire Council in second place for unitary councils in England and tenth position for all England councils for recycling.

Service Director for Place operations Mark King said: “This is a tremendous achievement, a testament to the waste and recycling services provided by the council, and to the efforts of residents to recycle their waste at home and the Sort It recycling centres. Since the introduction of recycling collections and fortnightly bin collections in 2003, our recycling figures have gone from just 14% to our current rate of 59.9%.”

He continued: “Consistent data collection, forward planning through our Waste Strategy and keeping pace with legislation changes has helped us to identify the best course of action to keep the service fit for purpose.

“We know there’s still more we can do to increase recycling as there are still a lot of materials that could be recycled ending up in black bins. Recycling as much as possible keeps valuable materials like metal, plastic, glass, paper and card in use for longer, reducing the need for raw materials to make products and packaging. It also helps to keep waste costs down for South Gloucestershire and supports our journey towards our net zero carbon target set out in our Climate and Nature Emergency Declaration.”

The council continues to look for opportunities to improve the service, manage costs and cut carbon. It is currently taking part in a trial to collect and recycle plastic bags and wrapping. The trial is taking place with 2,000 households currently and, if successful, the council hopes to expand into a second phase which will include 25% of South Gloucestershire households.

There are also national changes from the government Waste and Resource Strategy that the council will need to respond to such as Extended Producer Responsibility, consistent recycling collections, Deposit Return Schemes and new recycling targets.

Find out more about recycling from home at southglos.gov.uk/ recycleweekly

Our growing company is seeking a skilled IT Helpdesk Technician to join our friendly team in Bradley Stoke.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for solving complex IT issues and providing exceptional customer service.

As an IT Helpdesk Technician, you'll be responsible for providing technical support to our clients via phone*, email, and remote access tools.

*Note – We know how disruptive answering calls can be, so we have a dedicated call handling team to help our Helpdesk staff.

Key Responsibilities:

* Troubleshooting and resolving hardware and software issues for our clients.

* Providing support for networking, security, and other IT-related topics.

* Logging and tracking issues in our ticketing system.

* Communicating effectively with clients to ensure their satisfaction with our services.

* Collaborating with our team to continuously improve our IT support offerings.

Qualifications:

* 2 years of experience in a similar IT support role preferred.

* Strong technical skills in hardware, software, networking, and security.

* Excellent communication and customer service skills.

* Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

If you're a problem solver with a passion for IT, we want to hear from you!

Bonus lunches - Optional social events – Friendly working environment – Hybrid working available – Part time and Full time positions

£27,500 - £37,500 Annual Salary

A life saved and £5,500 raised

Two years ago baby Elliot Smith was born at Bath Royal United Hospital to Downend parents Tricia and Liam. He was 10 weeks early and spent 9 weeks in the Neonatal Unit at Bath Royal United before being allowed home with a series of ongoing ailments.

A scan of Elliot's head confirmed that he was suffering from a condition called Saggital Craniosynostosis, a condition where the bones of the skull grow together prematurely creating a malformed skull. This in turn leads to the impairment of brain development, increased intracranial pressure, and a great deal of discomfort. With this also comes the possibility of seizures, stroke, and ultimately the loss of a short life.

Elliot was referred to Birmingham Children's Hospital one of five centres of excellence in the UK where he was scheduled for urgent surgery to remove the whole top section of his skull, break it apart and reinsert the remodelled section. He spent a week in hospital under the expert care of the team there before being discharged home.

Because Covid restrictions were in place at the time (only one visitor), Elliot's parents were

forced to take shifts throughout the week, day and night to be by his bedside. Accommodation at a nearby hotel was arranged by the Hospital Charity. Follow up appointments have been carried out at both Birmingham and Bristol Children's Hospitals. Elliot is progressing well and as expected.

In order to show their gratitude to the team at Birmingham, Elliot's parents set about raising funds to assist the Craniofacial unit there with their ongoing work.

Many fundraising events were held, all of which were sponsored by Bristol Carpets. Elliot's parents say that without their fantastic support and sponsorship we would not have reached our target of £5,500. Dave Gibbs of Bristol Carpets together with his team have been with us all the way and we cannot thank them enough.

Elliot's life has been saved. Thank you Bristol Carpets.

Tony Joiner

Elliot's Great Granddad.

Foodies Festival granted licence

BRISTOL Foodies Festival will go ahead this month after councillors granted permission despite police and environmental health objections.

South Gloucestershire Council’s licensing subcommittee heard the organisers have run the event 128 times across the country since 2005 without a single serious issue and that parking for 600 cars had been found in a nearby field, amid concerns about streets and driveways being blocked.

The three-day food and drink extravaganza from Friday to Sunday, May 12-14, which includes demonstrations by celebrity chefs and a funfair, has been held for several years on Clifton Downs.

It was under threat after Bristol City Council refused to allow it back, citing poor management of the event.

And then police and South Gloucestershire health and safety officials said its new location at Little Stoke Park in the middle of a Stoke Gifford housing estate was inappropriate because residents would suffer noise, nuisance and antisocial behaviour.

But the sub-committee has granted a premises licence for live music – including charttopping throwback headline acts Blue and Scouting For Girls – and alcohol sales from 11am to 10pm after hearing the performances would end at 8pm and attendees, expected to be 3,000 people a day, would leave the site gradually.

Barring serious issues, it means the festival will be held there annually for the next three years before a fresh application is needed.

Avon and Somerset Police licensing officer Wes Hussey told the hearing: “Our objection is that the venue is wholly unsuitable and inappropriate for this size of event and its closeness to houses. Holding an event of this size at this location is likely to have an adverse, negative impact on residents’ mental health and wellbeing.”

Mr Hussey said the proposed car park at nearby Gallivan memorial fields had only one way in and out through a farm gate. He said part of Little Stoke Park would remain open for the

general public but this could attract some people to bring their own alcohol and sit outside the fence listening to the music.

Stoke Gifford neighbourhood police Sgt Craig Doyle said: “My main concern is the knock-on effect the extra footfall would have on residents. It’s a small, busy road and all the adjoining streets have residential traffic.

“The neighbourhood policing cover would be very minimal and should anything significant happen, it would have to pull on local response capabilities or other specialist units.”

South Gloucestershire Council food health and safety team leader Richard Ryder said: “We had concerns because Bristol City Council let us know the reasons they didn’t allow the festival to continue at the Downs, which raised alarm bells with us.”

He said these included stewards failing to search people on entry despite promises from organisers.

Mr Ryder said the event management plan failed to include risk assessments of the axe-throwing or the distance between hot food outlets for fire safety. He said there was also scant detail about stewarding or security and the food traders, although the festival had since confirmed they would require a minimum four-star hygiene rating.

Mr Ryder said: “The information we received was very late. We have since received more information but our confidence in the management of the event is quite low.”

Environmental protection officer Sophie Hatfield said: “The noise management plan is not as detailed and robust as we would expect given the size of the event. Although the music is scheduled to finish at 8pm, people will still be on site until 10pm, so for three days this has the potential to have a significant impact on residents.”

Solicitor Piers Warne, representing Foodies Festival, said many residents had expressed support for the event and had bought tickets. He said that unlike huge events like Glastonbury Festival which pays for policing, Foodies had not done so because there had never been any need.

Mr Warne said: “It’s not going to affect the day-to-day management of the police service and there is no additional resource being called on.”

He said many details, such as numbers of stewards, typically did not get finalised until very near the event in consultation with the council’s safety advisory group, which Mr Ryder chairs and includes police, fire and ambulance representatives.

“We don’t accept any allegations that this is ever a poorly managed event,” Mr Warne said. “Bristol City Council provided partial information to officers and frankly I’m severely disappointed in how they comported themselves in providing information about this – it has given an unfair impression of what happened.”

He said it omitted the positive feedback from city council officers and that other authorities around the country had congratulated Foodies on how it was run.

Mr Warne said the original application was for a permanent licence but that this would be reduced to three years. He said the stage and speakers would point away from the houses towards the railway track.

Mr Warne said alcohol sales would stop at 8.40pm on Friday and Saturday and 7.40pm on Sunday, with live music ending at 8pm on each day while the first two evenings would have recorded music until 9pm which would help disperse the crowds by 9.30pm.

He said that since the festival began in Edinburgh 18 years ago there had been no food poisoning outbreaks – a concern raised as a risk by environmental health because of a lack of information on the application – and no serious crime or disorder.

While the capacity was for 5,000, there were more likely to be 3,000 people, the solicitor said. Mr Warne said the busiest times were 1pm to 3pm for the food and drink rather than the music later on.

He said that while the entrance gateway to the parking was “not ideal”, it would be managed effectively and that other options were explored, including the Rolls Royce car park in Filton but that the company had declined to give permission because of an arson attack on dozens of vehicles a year ago.

Mr Warne said noise levels would be engineered and monitored by a professional acoustics company throughout the festival and that most attendees would travel on public transport. He said anyone sitting outside the fence for free would hear only muffled, distorted music.

Foodies production manager Terry Barratt said the axethrowing was very safe and was contained inside a cage and netting with blunt axes and had been part of the festival for two years without incident.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporter

A crowd enjoying the experience at Foodies in 2022

Council secures £700,000 for new sports facilities

A NEW sporting vision for Patchway has finally become a reality with more than £700,000 invested into new sports facilities at Norman Scott Park.

The facilities, partly funded by developer contributions, include the Jason Franklin 3G facility (an all-weather training pitch) and Twin Lane cricket nets to help budding and more experienced players hone their skills. There is also a new pavilion boasting six changing rooms, replacing the former run-down facilities on the site.

A new café called Snack Attacks is based at the pavilion where people can enjoy refreshments and relax after the sporting action.

South Gloucestershire Council supported the huge sports redevelopment at Norman Scott Park in Patchway by providing £776,460 of Section 106 funding secured from developers. A further £800,000 of funding was provided by Patchway Town Council and £50,000 contributed from Sport England. The vision has also been supported by the Patchway and Charlton Hayes Community Sports Association, as well as local sports teams.

The 3G pitch was completed first, followed by the cricket net facility which has been up and running for over a year. The pavilion was completed very recently, and the café opened in December.

Councillor Rachael Hunt, cabinet member responsible for communities at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “I am delighted that South Gloucestershire Council was able to support the Norman Scott Park sports redevelopment in Patchway by awarding over £700,000 of Section 106 developer funding. This continues our investment in supporting local sports clubs and helping to improve our public open spaces. The new pavilion is a wonderful community building - it has a new café, a viewing terrace and great changing rooms for local teams - I really enjoyed visiting the park and seeing how it has all come together.

“South Gloucestershire Council has an ongoing programme of grant applications to enhance the quality of green spaces. Funding has been provided by various bodies such as developers, National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), and People’s Postcode Lottery, among other external sources. The council has successfully delivered almost £14 million of improvements to parks and open spaces since 2015.”

The Mayor of Patchway, Daley Lawrence, said: “We’ve replaced what was old, depilated buildings with a brand-new facility using partially 106 money from South Glos Council and the town council’s money. This is a well-used facility.

“We’ve got various football teams and leagues that play here including Patchway Town Football Club and there are also cricket teams who play here too. We’ve even managed to get four new junior teams that will start this year on the cricket pitch. We’re delighted to provide this facility for the people of Patchway.”

The development Norman Scott Park is named after the first chair of Patchway Town Council, Norman Scott and as an instigator of the park has been honoured for his dedication to the cause. Jason Franklin is named after a local personality, who has since passed away, who also helped make the whole sports development possible.

Jail for rogue roofing scammers

THREE rogue traders who targeted South Gloucestershire residents with a roofing scam have been jailed.

The men traded under names including Yate Roofing, and made £45,000 by cheating 18 home owners in an area stretching from Gloucestershire to Wiltshire and Bristol.

Trading standards officers say there may have been many more unknown victims in the area.

Brothers Matty Rossiter, aged 18, and James Rossiter, aged 24 from Sambourne Park, Minety, Wiltshire, were arrested and pleaded guilty to participating in a fraudulent business and fraud by false representation.

Dean Smith, aged 21, from Aldermaston in Berkshire, admitted participating in a fraudulent business.

On April 13 at Swindon Crown Court, Matty Rossiter was sentenced to two years and three months in prison, James Rossiter was sentenced to three years and four months in prison, and Dean Smith was sentenced to three years in prison.

The prosecutions were brought by Wiltshire Trading Standards, who said the cases that formed the basis of the case happened between October 2020 and March 2021, when the men carried out unnecessary and overpriced work.

But a spokesperson said: “During the investigation many more consumers were interviewed who had also been defrauded but did not want to provide a witness statement.

"Some were cold called but many had engaged the men through Facebook and professional-looking websites.”

Trading standards officers say the three men also used the business names Southern Homecare, Chippenham Roofing, Skyline Roofing, Wiltshire Roofing, Tree Wise, RM Building & Landscapes and Enterprise Roofing.

Many of the victims ended up having to pay out more money to have the faulty work put right. The biggest loss was £9,000.

Among the victims was a Yate man, Stuart Dye. BBC News reported that he had been charged £3,000 for less than a day's work, with one of the tiles used by the gang taken directly from his neighbour's roof.

A chartered surveyor called to assess the work said it was "abysmal", "carried out with no attendant skill or competence" and "probably without the use of appropriate hand tools".

Trading standards also released a video made by the roofers showing them mocking

What to wear right now n STYLE ADVICE

I CAN’T spin it any differently. Knowing what to wear right now is proving tricky.

I’ve been dying to ditch the woollies for weeks, but this prolonged cold and wet weather is dampening my enthusiasm.

At some point I hope we can stop wearing our puffers and reaching for fluffy bed socks, but until then I think we need to stick to the safety net of layering as best we can. However, if you’re looking for a little inspo, I’m here to share the new trends appearing on the high street and online.

First up is the short trench. It’s a new take on the iconic trench coat, and great if you want to have a more polished touch to a casual look. There are cropped, belted, and voluminous versions to choose from, all in classic beige tones. I think the belted versions are great for adding shape to your overall silhouette, but it depends on the

look you want to achieve. All can look chic and are great for being smartly dressed while running errands, and could make good car jackets for the spring. Choose showerproof designs, obviously.

an 82-year-old Wiltshire man they had targeted, bragging about "doing some bodging" and how easily they could find elderly victims like him.

People are being urged to be extremely cautious of anyone who turns up on their doorstep offering to do work that perhaps they didn't even think was needed, at ‘too good to be true' prices.

They recommend always getting at least three quotes, with full details in writing, before any work takes place.

Anyone who thinks they have been the victim of a rogue trader should call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.

Next up, I suggest investing in a couple of oversized shirts. A truly versatile separate, the shirt this season is worn slightly larger and is fantastic worn with the other spring ’23 trends I mentioned in a previous column: wide-leg jeans, denim midaxi skirts, and the 90’s re-born cargo trouser.

But the real reason I’m including it here is that they can be layered. Keep warm now by wearing it with a long-sleeve T-shirt, polo neck or jumper and on its own when the sun appears. You’ll also have a cover-up for the beach.

My last suggestion is a denim jumpsuit. I love how these offer a cool vibe for daytime wear, but then you can add some eyecatching jewellery and heels and wear them in the evening.

Denim is a heavier material, but even on chilly days you can

Gail Painter's fashion tips

layer a T-shirt underneath or opt for a jumper over the top, the latter making it appear as jeans. More than one way to wear it. I love that!

What are your thoughts on spring dressing? If you’re stuck, drop me a line at info@notgivinin. com with any questions about this or other fashion queries.

www.notgivinin.com

Seek out an oversized shirt this spring

The men filmed themselves as they carried out shoddy work

Get ready for the Bradley Stoke 10k

SOLE Sisters has been hosting the Bradley Stoke 10k running race for 18 years, and are incredibly proud of the event which takes a huge amount of planning. This year’s event is on Sunday, June 11.

Penny, who is the Race Director, tells Bradley Stoke Voice: “We rely on the goodwill of our club members to help support the event by meeting regularly, marshalling, setting up on the day (6am), giving out numbers, medals and t-shirts.

“We need up to 80 marshals around the course to ensure that our runners are safe and that we give clear directions and loads of encouragement to ensure they enjoy the event.”

The event hosts up to 650 competitors and usually sells out within the first week of opening. However, this year the uptake has been a little slower than previous years so Sole Sisters are really keen to get more participants.

The race starts at 9.30am on 11 June, it is fully chip timed, and has two pacers running a 49 min pace and a 59 min pace. There is also a great warm-up from ‘Terry the Tornado’!

All finishers receive a running t-shirt and medal, with awards for age categories and 1st, 2nd and 3rd male and female and 1st Bradley Stoke resident.

To enter, visit: solesistersrc.co.uk/ bradley-stoke-10k

n NEWS FROM THE BRIGHTWELL

Giselle Rozelle:

How The Brightwell is helping me

I FIRST moved to Bradley Stoke 27 years ago. In 2003, my family and I moved to Germany and returned in 2008. From September 2008, I enjoyed working at Holy Trinity Primary School as a lunch break supervisor for a child with special needs.

Towards the end of 2011, I started to experience back problems as well as pain and stiffness in my legs so I went to see a spinal specialist. The x-rays revealed that something was amiss, so I was referred to a neurologist. I was shocked to be diagnosed with progressive MS, a condition which I knew nothing about. At the time, my symptoms were mild –including difficulty with my fine motor skills like fastening zips and buttons – but I was still able to drive and hold down a job.

The Brightwell had recently moved to its current site on Wheatfield Drive in Bradley Stoke from Nailsea. I didn’t have any major symptoms – my legs were a bit stiff and my

muscles wouldn’t relax after exercise –but I live just around the corner from the centre and I decided to start going to physiotherapy there.

I loved going for my weekly physio with Amrik, finding it a very happy and chatty place. All the staff and volunteers were friendly and knowledgeable, plus it was nice to be able to chat with other people with neurological disorders who understood what I was going through.

I was aware that the Brightwell also offered oxygen therapy. However, initially the huge oxygen tank looked bewildering and I was worried that it would be claustrophobic to sit inside it for an hour at a time. One day, I was chatting to a friend, who mentioned another friend with MS who was a regular visitor at the Brightwell doing oxygen therapy and how beneficial she found it.

As a result, I took the plunge and started oxygen therapy in April 2014. The staff and volunteers guided me through it. For the

first week, I attended daily with the lowest pressure in the oxygen tank and by the end of the week my symptoms had improved. The pressure gradually increased over the period of a few weeks and I found that pressure three gave me the best results.

Over the years, the disease inevitably progressed, and I found that pressure three was no longer helping me as much.

So I tried pressure four and found this to be much more beneficial. I find the oxygen treatment helps all my symptoms, including fatigue, my balance, bladder control and even lifts my mood.

The treatments offered at the Brightwell won’t stop my MS from progressing but they definitely alleviate the ‘brain fog’, help me to think more clearly and give me a feel-good factor. Now, 11 years on from my diagnosis, I can no longer drive but I am living the best life I can. I like to help out at the Brightwell whenever possible and have enjoyed attending the centre’s quiz nights, bingo nights and Christmas events, all of which help raise much-needed funds.

I will always continue with my oxygen treatment. If anyone has a neurological condition, I would definitely recommend that they go along to the Brightwell to have a chat with the staff, who will make you feel welcome and will reassure you how they can help.

Giselle Rozelle

Will writing scheme supports The Brightwell

LIVING with a neurological condition can be complex and challenging whether it’s caused by a long-term illness like Multiple Sclerosis or the sudden effects of something like long Covid.

The Brightwell in Bradley Stoke provides a range of therapies – oxygen therapy, physiotherapy and specialist clinics – to help anyone suffering from a neurological problem, whether it’s permanent or temporary.

Raising funds to provide these vital services is a constant struggle which is why Wards Solicitors’ Katherine Roe, who works in the Bradley Stoke office, is delighted to have formed a very special partnership with The Brightwell.

Every month, Katherine, an Associate Solicitor in the Wills, Probate and Mental Capacity team, visits The Brightwell to help people who want to make or update a standard Will. She gives her time and expertise for nothing in return for a donation to the charity.

Katherine says: “Our scheme with The Brightwell has been running for six months now and is proving very popular.

It is hugely rewarding to be able to provide properly drafted Wills while at the same time raising money for such a worthwhile and important cause.

“Many of those who have decided to make a Will attend the centre on a regular basis.

“It is lovely to hear from them in person about how much they benefit from the therapies offered there and the difference it makes to them.”

Why is it important to make and regularly review your Will?

It puts you in control of the final destination of your estate and brings you peace of mind knowing that your family, friends and the charities of your choice will be provided for as you wish.

It is an inexpensive way of avoiding difficulties for your family and friends when you die because it sets out exactly what you want.

You can appoint people you know and trust as executors so everything is handled how you want for your beneficiaries.

Regularly updating your Will means you won’t miss out on fast changing tax laws like Inheritance Tax.

You can be clear about what kind of funeral you want.

Katherine usually visits the centre on the first Friday of the month but please book ahead by contacting The Brightwell on 01454 201 686 or contac them via email: community@thebrightwell.org.uk

Katherine Roe

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council has rejected claims it would take 742 years to repair all of its crumbling roads and potholes.

The figure was put to council leader Toby Savage at a cabinet meeting in March by Yate town councillor Chris Willmore, who said it was based on raw government data used to compile a league table of backlogs.

She told Mr Savage: "You have more A-road length than Bristol but only managed to repair a third as much. At the current rate of repairs, Bristol could repair all its A roads in 56 years – you would take 170 years.

“If we go to the other roads, South Glos repairs half as much each year, even though it has more roads. Bristol at its current rate would take 391 years to repair all those roads – South Glos would take 742 years.”

Council leader Toby Savage admitted there was work to do but said the administration had committed an extra £1 million in the budget, set in February, to improve the state of highways and pavements.

The numbers were based

'742-year pothole backlog' claim rejected by council

were based on the "inaccurate" assumption that all of the network needed to be repaired, whereas only 3% of A-roads and 7% of other roads needed urgent maintenance, with the network as a whole in "a very reasonable condition".

Potholes have worsened on many roads in the district in recent months and the council says it has "filled around 17% more potholes since the start of January compared to last year".

works inPerrinpit Road, Frampton Cotterell, Yate Road, Iron Acton and Old Gloucester Road, Winterbourne.

A council spokesperson said four to eight maintenance crews were out five days a week and sometimes on weekends, adding: “This time of year is traditionally busy in terms of repairing potholes, as the cold and wet weather over the winter months takes its toll on our road surfaces.

on Department for Transport figures which said the council reconstructed or re-laid 0.7 miles of its 119.2 miles of A-roads and 1.9 miles of its 1,409.8 minor roads in 2021-22.

However, afterwards, the council said the estimates

Road maintenance has been made an election issue by parties campaigning ahead of the local elections, with both the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives claiming credit for a recent decision to resurface Church Road in Frampton Cotterell, after organising petitions.

Ahead of the campaign the council also announced the completion of flood resilience

"We repair around 11,000 potholes a year, although it is difficult to provide an exact number, as repairs may include multiple potholes under one job."

The council has launched a new online system for residents to report potholes and other issues online last year, which residents can access at www.southglos.gov.uk/reportit

Town councillors floated a rubber duck in this large pothole in Sundridge Park, Yate

Funding agreement to support community cohesion

YTL Developments and Southern Brooks have announced a new funding agreement to support community development and cohesion across North Bristol.

Southern Brooks has been leading community development work across South Gloucestershire and North Bristol for over 30 years. Now new funding from YTL Developments is enabling them to bring their experience to bear at Brabazon – the new neighbourhood being built on the historic former Filton Airfield.

The partnership will fund an extra community development worker and a range of activities designed to integrate the new neighbourhood at Brabazon with existing communities across South Gloucestershire and North Bristol.

Rob Bartlett, Marketing & Sales Manager at YTL Developments said: “As the birthplace of Concorde, the former Filton Airfield was known for the collective spirit of a community that changed the world. Brabazon is being designed to live up to that legacy, creating a new neighbourhood to inspire the next generation.”

Crucially, the partnership – worth almost £50,000 over an initial two year period – is designed to engage existing

local communities – from Bradley Stoke to Patchway, Henbury and Brentry - as well as new residents at Brabazon. Under the programme, Southern Brooks will:

Run neighbourhood events, from welcome workshops and community meetings to dropin sessions and pop-ups

Provide targeted funding for local groups, helping anything from book clubs to gardening groups and parenting networks with everyday expenses

Manage newsletters and social media channels to communicate community information

Identify and support potential community champions

Southern Brooks and YTL Developments will use the Royal Society for Public Health Community Spirit Framework to measure the success and help target support where it is needed most.

Alison Findlay, CEO at Southern Brooks, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with YTL Developments. There is already a strong local community culture in North Bristol and South Gloucestershire. This new funding partnership will help that to expand even further, creating a sustainable and cohesive community that works for

everyone in society.”

The partnership with Southern Brooks is just one of a number of community initiatives instigated by YTL Developments. In November 2022, a planning application was submitted to restore the historic Grade-II listed aircraft hangar 16U into a new local social hub.

The building - which once housed ‘Battle of Britain’ fighter planes – will be transformed into a brand-new public library, café, gym and community centre, incorporating quiet pods for working or studying, activity rooms that will host a busy calendar of social events, and a large hall that will be home to multi-faith groups and a perfect venue for community events. If planning consent is confirmed in the coming weeks, construction will start this Summer with the new community centre set to open in 2024.

YTL Developments has also recently launched new pathways into employment for local young people. They are working with Bristol Talent Partnership to hold taster sessions about careers in property, launched a work experience programme for 16 yearolds and introduced university placement opportunities for students.

Egg-stra special thanks!

DOCTORS, nurses and other healthcare professionals at Concord Medical Centre in Little Stoke were treated to an egg-stra special Easter delivery from Metro Mayor Dan Norris.

Mr Norris dropped off a donation of chocolate Easter eggs to our NHS heroes to be distributed across the practice with thanks to sponsorship from Mission Street, Business West and Wessex Water.

It is all part of Dan Norris’s campaign to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the chocolate Easter Egg which was first made in the West of England. 150 years ago this Easter, the inventive people at Fry’s factory in Bristol made the world’s first commercial hollow chocolate Easter egg.

Mr Norris said: “I love it when something local to our area goes global so, as we celebrate Easter this year, I want everyone to know the chocolate Easter egg is something first hatched in our amazing region. Chocolate has brought more pleasure to the

world even than the Beatles so I think this is one to be egg-xtra proud of.

“We all appreciate our NHS workerstheir heroic efforts through Covid, one of the hardest winters we’ve seen, and at the same time dealing with their own cost of living worries. That’s why I’m really pleased that as part of our 150 egg giveaway we can celebrate and thank some local NHS staff.”

As well as the 150 egg giveaway, as part of the Mayor’s campaign celebrating the chocolate egg’s 150th birthday, all primary school pupils received a booklet about the history of the Easter egg, youngsters took part in an Easter poetry competition, and residents were ‘egged on’ to support local food banks.

Investing in hi-tech skills for the future

THIS month I have focused on three main areas: ensuring our area continues to have and increases the number of hightech, high-skilled, high-paid jobs, our support for Ukraine and the defence and aerospace industry in the region, and access to public transport in our community.

I visited the National Composites Centre in Emersons Green, a world-leading facility which provides end-to-end engineering support for companies such as GKN, RollsRoyce, Airbus and Leonardo as well as small and medium size businesses such as LINEAT who are engaging in cutting-edge research to recycle carbon fibre.

The fantastic base of aerospace, defence, and manufacturing jobs in our area was a crucial factor in basing the NCC here and is playing a key role in generating inward investment in the UK and generating economic growth and innovation.

The Catapult network, of which the NCC is a part, has a

significant apprenticeship intake, with 1,000 apprentices across the network.

In the Autumn Statement, the Chancellor invested an additional 35% in Catapult funding, which will be vital in providing significant investment in skills in our area to educate and inspire young people and to generate the skills needed for an advanced, high-skill, high-wage economy.

I met with Andy Start, CEO of MOD Defence Equipment and

Support and Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff at Abbeywood. We discussed the fantastic work the MOD team at DE&S are doing to support the Ukrainians in the defence of their country, as well as how MOD DE&S support the UK defence industry.

I have been working with various stakeholders involved in our public transport network in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

One issue that kept coming up was the issue of insufficient

numbers of bus drivers, resulting in service cancellations and unreliability.

As a result of these discussions, I took action to help organise a recruitment event with First Bus and the Job Centre in Horfield. Driving a bus is not just a job, it's a public service vital to our communities: without bus drivers people cannot get to work and are cut off from other crucial public services.

I will continue to seek solutions to this problem and will work with stakeholders to find solutions to this problem. I will soon meet again with the Managing Director of First Bus to raise the issues relating to bus services.

As always, should you need my help with anything, my office is open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm.

Please telephone me on 01454 617783 or email me at jack. lopresti.mp@parliament.uk if I can be of assistance, or to book a surgery.

n WHAT’S ON

12-14 MAY

n FOODIES FESTIVAL

Bring your own drinks and nibbles, even a whole picnic. Everyone welcome. Tickets from thebrightwell.org.uk/events

18 MAY

n ARTS APPRECIATION GROUP

7pm (doors at 6.45pm). Your £28 ticket includes Bucks Fizz on arrival, delicious cupcakes throughout, and gorgeous scents plus your own unique candle creation. Visit thebrightwell.org. uk/events for tickets.

accompanied by a paying adult. For more info, visitthebrightwell. org.uk/events

Regular events

Every Monday

n RHYMETIME

The UK’s most popular food and drink festival is coming to Little Stoke Park. Expect a huge celebration of food, drink and live music. Get top tips from top chefs, find your new favourite tipple in the drinks tastings and enjoy lots of family friendly attractions including fair rides and inflatables. foodiesfestival.com

17 MAY

n CHARITY BINGO NIGHT

Come on down to The Brightwell for a 7pm start (doors from 6.30pm). Tickets £8 per person, including six prize bingo games, two cash games and ‘Silly Bingo’. Enjoy a fun-filled evening of bingo, prizes and laughter.

You are welcome to join the group at Bradley Stoke Community School, for 7.30pm (doors from 7pm), for an illustrated talk by Richard Box on ‘A Stitch in Time: Embroidery Through the Ages’. For more details, please telephone Sally on 01454 774401.

18 MAY

n 80S FAME

DANCE WORKSHOP

Pull on your legwarmers for a two-hour dance workshop at The Brightwell led by the Showgirl Academy, a professional dance company. Bring your own drinks. Tickets are £15 per person from thebrightwell.org.uk/events

26 MAY

n CANDLE-MAKING WORKSHOP

Treat yourself to a fun and relaxed craft class, where you will learn the art of candle-making using cruelty-free materials. Starts at

Hospital patients get CAZ exemption

SOME patients at Bristol city centre’s hospitals have been granted new exemptions to the Clean Air Zone after the council agreed to a three-month trial.

They include people attending emergency departments at the BRI, Bristol Children’s Hospital or Bristol Eye Hospital and those receiving cancer treatment or end-of-life care.

Residents will also not have to pay to enter the zone for tests and treatment if they are eligible for support under the NHS healthcare travel costs scheme, such as those on certain benefits, including universal credit, income support and jobseeker’s allowance.

Patients may be eligible if they are on a low income and have savings of £16,000 or less, along with carers and parents who qualify for the scheme and whose child has been referred.

This also applies to appointments at the Bristol Heart Institute, Bristol

Haematology and Oncology Centre, St Michael’s Hospital, Bristol Dental Hospital and Central Health Clinic.

Most temporary exemptions for the CAZ, which came into force in November, ended on March 31, including residents who live in the zone, Blue Badge holders, low income workers and community transport vehicles.

A report to the University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Trust (UHBW) board, which runs the hospitals, said bosses had successfully negotiated the additional exemptions from April 1 with Bristol City Council.

Chief executive Eugine Yafele’s report to the meeting last month said two long-term exemptions were also still in place – frequent outpatients who have three or more appointments a month for at least three months and visitors of long-stay inpatients.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

9-11 JUNE

n BRADLEY STOKE COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

The annual community festival will have something for everyone. It will promote local talents, clubs, bands and dance groups at the three main activity centres.

11 JUNE

n BRADLEY STOKE 10k

Organised by Sole Sisters Running Club, the annual 10k run starts at 9.30am. This is a fully-marshalled, mixed-terrain race, with a medal and t-shirt for all finishers. For more info, visit solesistersrc.co.uk/ bradley-stoke-10k/

11 JUNE

n THE BRIGHTWELL COLOUR RUN

Supported by Bradley Stoke Town Council, this run is all about having fun and is suitable for all the family. Tickets are £10, and under-5s can run for free when

Come along to Bradley Stoke Library on Mondays between 11-11.30am for a rhyme time session for younger readers. Term time only.

Every Thursday

n KNIT, STITCH & NATTER

Every Thursday, the Knit, Stitch & Natter group meets at Bradley Stoke Library at 10am to work on their own projects in the company of other like-minded crafters. There is no need to book in advance. Just bring your own project and join the friendly group in the warm and welcoming library.

Every Friday

n STORYTIME

Come along to Bradley Stoke Library on Fridays between 10.45-11.15am for a storytime session for younger readers. Term time only.

Conservatives vow to champion South Glos

The Conservatives will ensure that South Gloucestershire continues to see record-breaking successes in the years to come, if re-elected in May.

Keeping car parking free in all council-owned car parks, boosting record attainment levels in schools, ensuring South Glos remains among the top performing councils in the country for recycling and investing in the local road network are just some of the key priorities the Conservatives will seek to maintain over the next four years.

Since 2019, the Conservatives have worked in partnership to drive up education standards, meaning 90% of pupils in South Glos are now being taught in Good or Outstanding schools. They have invested tens of millions of pounds in education provision, including building new schools and refurbishing existing ones, alongside creating extra provision for children with additional learning needs.

The Conservatives have also supported households in achieving record recycling rates, putting South Glos among the best performing councils in the country. They have introduced an innovate new soft plastic recycling scheme from the kerbside, which they will seek to expand to the whole district.

They have delivered new public transport infrastructure, including new park and ride provision and MetroBus extensions, and invested in local high streets to boost the economy. They have also been at the forefront of campaigns to oppose the Labour WECA Mayor’s bus cuts and unsustainable housing targets that

would concrete over our Green Belt countryside.

And thanks to the Administration’s sound management of the Council’s finances year after year, 2023 will again see free parking remain in place in all Council-owned car parks across South Glos.

Cllr Toby Savage, Conservative

Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “Our achievements over the past four years speak for themselves, and we are determined to work with residents, businesses and community groups to ensure these successes continue and to champion our area as a great place to live, work and visit.

Promoted by Stephen Bower, on behalf of South Gloucestershire Conservatives, of 5 Westfield Park, Bristol, BS6 6LT.

n AROUND THE WIs

Stoke Gifford WI

President Sue Grimsted welcomed members to our April meeting. Sue spoke of the sad passing of our Treasurer of 10 years, Jackie Fenton, who will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Our speaker for the evening was Stephen Loader, Chaplain for the sailors at Portbury Dock. He gave an interesting and amusing talk about his work and responsibilities as Chaplain, and showed us photos of the sailors that he meets while they are in dock, and the many donations that he is able to pass on to assist in their lives at sea.

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 3 May at 7.30pm at the Trust Hall, North Road, Stoke Gifford. This will be our Resolution meeting where we will discuss the result of our votes this year that the WI will take forward to government.

This will also be our Coronation meeting with a Coronation-themed competition, quizzes and buffet,

and members have been asked to wear anything red, white and blue. Visitors will always find a warm welcome, so please come along and join us.

The Avon Federation of Women’s Institutes

Spring has arrived; we have lighter evenings, and some better weather, enabling us all to get out and about.

Avon Federation of Women’s Institutes continues its work with supporting WIs and members in the area – almost 100 WIs. In addition, the teams meet and plan events which are open to all WI members in the area.

Future events for May include basic first aid, coffee morning with guest speakers, and Federation quiz, when WIs can compete against each other. In June, we look forward to a visit to Hinkley Point Power Station C, a Cotswold steam train trip with cream tea, which will be a chance to enjoy the Cotswolds’ scenery with the nostalgia of steam, plus a cream tea. Also

in June, there is the chance to hear the authors of “Scandal of Sexit” discuss their book; and crochet for beginners. As the summer progresses, we have an opportunity to try petanque, and the Federation lunch at Mendip Spring Golf Club, with guest speakers.

At national level, work continues on our engagement with women in today’s society. A recent survey by the National Federation of Women’s Institutes found that there are many women who are interested in the WI and who support what we do, but are unable to join us as members. The main reasons for not joining included a lack of time; overriding commitments such as caring responsibilities or work; and not being able to find a local group that worked for them.

On the basis of this information, the NFWI is introducing WI Supporters. There are two level of WI Supporters. Option 1 is Supporter, with a minimum donation of £5, for which they would receive

a package of promotional materials and information on our campaigns. Option 2 is Supporter Plus, this will give a broader range of information on the WI, including receipt of our monthly magazine, limited access to our online forum and courses. This is more of a taste of the WI for women who are interested in becoming involved in the WI but don’t know where to start or cannot find a suitable group. The minimum donation for this level is £18.

Members and non-members can get further information on any item mentioned above by ringing the Avon Federation office on 0117 9864782.

Advertising feature

New exhibition at Aerospace Bristol is out of this world!

Aerospace Bristol, on the site of the former Filton Airfield, will host Luke Jerram’s Mars as part of a new Journey to Mars exhibition. The artwork will be stunningly displayed from 4th May to 5th June alongside the last Concorde ever to fly.

The temporary exhibition marks the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Beagle 2 lander on Mars Express, Europe’s first mission to Mars. It will include models of Beagle 2 and the Mars Express Orbiter on display alongside Luke Jerram’s Mars sculpture.

Measuring seven metres in diameter, Mars features

detailed NASA imagery of the Martian surface. At an approximate scale of 1:1 million, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 10 kilometres of the surface of Mars.

Visitors will have the chance to view Mars from the air, as though they are a satellite, mapping and studying the surface in perfect detail, with every valley, crater, volcano and mountain laid bare to inspect. The Journey to Mars exhibition is included with museum entry.

Visit https://aerospacebristol.org/ for more information and for tickets.

Golf club's 'eyesore' storage barn approved

PLANS for an “absolutely huge” storage barn at a South Gloucestershire golf club in the Green Belt have been approved, despite residents’ objections. Councillors granted permission for the 1,500 sq m U-shaped “eyesore” building around a new service yard at the Kendleshire course near Coalpit Heath, despite concerns about noise, fumes, its size and “industrial” appearance, the impact on wildlife and danger of stray golf balls from the neighbouring driving range.

Development management committee members heard the 7m-high structure would be used to keep trailers, mowers, fuel and equipment, replacing an existing off-site store which is being bulldozed and replaced with five homes.

But residents are angry because they believed planning consent had been granted for the grounds store’s demolition and new houses at nearby

Henfield Farm on the basis that the club would not require a new building, and would move the vehicles and machinery into existing facilities at the course.

Eight residents objected to the barn, which will be 55 metres (180ft) long and 33m (108ft) wide on its wings.

Committee member Brian Hopkinson (Con, Charlton & Cribbs) told the meeting last month: “What a massive building in the greenbelt - it’s absolutely huge.

“This situation where they get rid of buildings because they don’t need them for storage of equipment and then you get houses put in there, and they come back with this plan which is going to be absolutely terrible, I find this absolutely crazy - I just hate it.

“It’s running rings around our officers, and it’s not good.”

Mike Bell (Lab, Staple Hill & Mangotsfield) said: “I’m voting against it. The building will be an

eyesore because of its size in the greenbelt.”

Neighbour David Tooze told members: “This is a massive 1,500 sq m intrusion into the Green Belt that happens to be twice the size of the existing facilities.

“It is not for recreational purposes, there is no benefit for the golfers or anyone else: it’s purely to enable financial gain to be made in an application to build five luxury houses on the current site of the existing facilities.”

However, council officers recommended giving the go-ahead after concluding the impact on residents and the building’s design were not unacceptable - and because national planning policy gives golf clubs and other outdoor sports facilities an exception for development in the Green Belt as long as they “preserve the openness” of the countryside.

They said the grounds store

was essential for the club’s operations, the floorspace was justified and the applicants had reduced the height by one metre during the planning process.

Officers also agreed it was reasonable for the equipment to be kept in a secure and central location at the course.

Colin Hunt (Con, Emersons Green): “This application is in the greenbelt but it is a recreation, a sport, which allows for development in the greenbelt. “Golf courses need places to maintain and store. I can’t see much of a problem.”

Councillors voted 5-2 in favour of granting permission, with an additional condition to have netting at the end of the driving range to stop golf balls being hit into a fishing lake beyond it, which has been annoying local anglers.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Community woodlands update

TWO community woodlands are keen to celebrate local support and partnership working to help develop their woodlands and make them more accessible. Community support and work has been vital.

Several Bradley Stoke residents serve on the Splatts Abbey Wood Conservation Group Committee. The woodlands have worked with local communities and university students, and in partnership with South Gloucestershire Council, to make their great achievements.

Faith Terry-Doyle of the Student Union at UWE said: “It has been absolutely fantastic to work with the dedicated volunteers from the Splatts Abbey Wood committee and the Sims Hill Woodland committee. I’m incredibly impressed with

the student volunteers from UWE Bristol and the University of Bristol who have spent hours of their time transforming these local woodlands to enhance biodiversity and wildlife. We have a small group of inspirational student project leaders here at UWE Bristol,

who help to run and organise work days for students to learn practical skills in woodland management, as well as giving them a chance to spend time outdoors and meet like-minded people.”

UWE student project leaders

Will, John, Stefan and Tom said: “All the UWE students have really enjoyed working at Splatts Abbey Wood over the last few months and it has been great to see the progress we have made over the academic year. Over the winter period we have been removing the old tree stakes and coppicing the woodland to allow the wildflowers to grow, as well as building a new bog garden, which we have finished just in time for spring. As well as our work at Splatts Abbey Wood, we have also been volunteering at Simms Hill Community Woodland, where we have been learning new skills including tree planting and tree maintenance.”

On behalf of the community representatives on the Splatts Abbey Wood committee (which is made up of Andy Ward, Jenny James, David Bell and Isabelle Plummer), Fred Hillberg said: “I remember Splatts Abbey Wood when you had to fight your way from one end to the other and was a bit of an adventure playground for the little gang I was in with my schoolmates. There was also an adjoining Woodland which later disappeared.

“So it was of great interest to me when about 20 years ago I read that South Gloucestershire Council were looking for volunteers to help manage and

renovate and preserve this ancient woodland for the benefit of the community. The woodland is now owned by the MOD and leased to South Glos Council.

“It was hard work initially for the local volunteers, which included staff from the MOD, opening up the woodland by coppicing and establishing pathways. Progress was very slow for a number of years until we were joined by volunteers from the UWE and this made a tremendous difference. Projects were achieved in months which previously had taken years, and thankfully that partnership continues to flourish today, giving the community a facility of flora and fauna that we can all enjoy and protect for the future.”

Splatts Abbey Wood Conservation Group are at splattsabw@gmail.com

Sims Hill Community Woodland’s Nicola Rivett said: “Sims Hill Community Woodland Group including new members from Stoke Gifford Retirement Village were recently joined by the UWE Student Greenspace Group at Sims Hill Wood for a tour and practical task. The wood is behind Bristol Business Park and the Scholars Chase development. We looked at different species in the wood and discussed ash dieback and future plans for the wood including thinning and replanting with a more diverse species mix, and improving the paths.

“To find out more about the group and get involved in managing Sims Hill Wood join our public Facebook page or email simshillcw@gmail.com.”

A recent work day at Sims Hill Community Woodland

£12m green homes boost for poorer households

More than 800 West of England households suffering from the costof-living crisis will benefit from improvements to their homes to cut between £200 and £400 a year from their energy bills each year.

This is down to Dan Norris’s Mayoral Combined Authority securing £12 million for upgrades to homes in South Glos, and the wider region. The cash will go towards loft insulation and new windows for 780 of the West’s hardest to heat homes to bring them up to an energy efficiency ‘C’ rating over the next two years.

And with 31% of total carbon emissions in South Glos coming from leaky homes, these home upgrades will help the West of England in its efforts to reach our ambitious net-zero-by-2030 target.

These schemes will also support hundreds more jobs in the construction and home retrofit sectors, helping in the delivery of Metro Mayor Dan Norris’s pledge of creating 23,000 new green jobs.

But Mr Norris warned there is still much more urgent work to do to retrofit the 250,000 homes in need of energy efficiency performances in the West of England as he vowed to redouble efforts to insulate homes and keep more money in people’s pockets in a costof-living crisis.

He said: “The climate and cost-of-living emergencies are the biggest challenges we face as a region right now. That’s why this is such a big win for South Glos and our region as we insulate the gorgeous Georgian Bath townhouses, Bristolian Victorian terraces and beautiful lias stone cottages and more to slash emissions and reduce home energy bills today - and long into the future.

“That’s vital at a time when energy prices are going through the roof. And it’s all the more vital if we are going to reach our very ambitious net-zero targets.”

Thousands of energy support vouchers left unclaimed

SOUTH Glos households on prepayment meters are being urged to check for their energy bill support vouchers before the 30 June deadline. Millions of pounds in government support remains unclaimed.

Those on prepayment meters in South Glos should have received a total of six vouchers (two £66 vouchers and four £67 vouchers) with a combined value of £400. This would have been sent by text, email or post – and had to be taken to a Post Office to be credited to their meter.

Households in the area who are having difficulties with their energy supplier should contact Citizens Advice South Glos on 0808 278 7947 or by visiting southgloscab.org.uk/contact-us

Police told they must improve by inspectors

INSPECTORS say Avon and Somerset police force “requires improvement” in investigating crimes including rape and serious sexual offences.

Half of all investigations carried out by the short-staffed force end up with no further action being taken, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services said.

The force also needs to improve responding to the public and recording crime data.

The constabulary was graded as “adequate” in protecting vulnerable people and preventing crime and anti-social behaviour, and “good” at treating the public with respect.

A 12-month review of Avon & Somerset Police was carried out by the inspectorate between 2021 and last year.

Inspectors said: “The constabulary’s capacity to conduct timely investigations into rape and other serious sexual offences is exceeded by the number of these offences.

"As a result, such crimes are often left without being allocated to an investigator for a period of time during which evidential opportunities could be lost — as could the confidence of the victim.

"The constabulary told us that, between April and June 2022, the number of such unallocated crimes varied between 125 and 48. Although these crimes are kept under review by supervisors and senior officers, they aren’t actually being actively investigated.”

Avon and Somerset Police has a dire shortage of detectives and investigators, the inspectors said. This means that half of all investigations considered for prosecution result in no further action being taken.

Another area needing improvement is recording data about crime. During the year covered by the inspection, the police force didn’t record an estimated 13,100 crimes, including 420 sexual offences. Particular crimes picked out by inspectors included rapes, crimes involving vulnerable victims, and anti-social behaviour.

They said: “The constabulary should improve its recording practices to make sure that rape crimes and reported incidents of rape are recorded correctly. Some unrecorded crimes were of a serious nature, such as controlling and coercive behaviour, sexual assaults and other assaults.

“When the crime was not recorded there was often limited evidence of investigation or safeguarding the victim. Failure to record these crimes can result in offenders not being identified or brought to justice.”

Police bosses said they had plans in place to address the problems in the inspection, like recruiting new staff, and added that extra demand from people suffering from mental health issues are increasing pressure on the police force.

Chief Constable Sarah Crew said: “Responding to the public more quickly, improving our investigations and better management of offenders are areas of intense focus for us, and we have plans in place to address the shortfalls outlined.

"The report recognises the sheer volume of non-emergency demand coming in the police service, much of which we know is spillover demand from other public services.

“In the last 12 months, we’ve taken more than 385,000 calls for service, with under a third of these relating to crime or anti-social behaviour. The rest are issues which go beyond the policing sphere, including incidents involving people in mental health crises.

Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford said: “I am delighted that Avon and Somerset Police has been graded outstanding for their work in ‘engaging with and treating the public with fairness and respect.’

"However, I’m concerned — as I’m sure local people will be — about the areas highlighted that still require improvement including investigating crime, recording data about crime, responding to the public and managing offenders.”

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Refugee festival returns

A FESTIVAL to celebrate the cultures of people who have come to Bristol and South Gloucestershire as refugees - and bring them together with other residents - is returning to Page Park.

The free event on June 24 is part of the closing weekend of this year's Bristol Refugee Festival.

It will feature music, dancing, activities and world food, including sweets from people who have moved to the area after having to leave their old lives in Hong Kong and Afghanistan.

Dancers from Columbia, who were a hit at the initial event last year, are expected to return and a cultural performance by refugees from Ukraine is being planned, via

the Homes for Ukraine initiative.

The event will run from 11am to 5pm and is part of a weekend of celebrations, with another following in Queen Square in the city centre the next day.

Bean Tree Café owner Melody Beard is organising the Page Park event in coordination with South Gloucestershire Race Equality Network and dance and culture charity Movema.

Melody said: "It was a huge success last year and almost 1,000 people attended through the day.

"We've had a lot more requests to take part this year.

"We're working across every type of refugee population, to showcase the best from all of these cultures and make Staple Hill a place where people feel welcome."

The festival will include performances from people who have lived experience of being refugees, and aims to include people currently living in hotels while they wait to find somewhere permanent to live.

As well as free samples of sweets there will also be food stalls and Chinese games, with more entertainments set to be announced nearer the event.

Traditional Colombian dancing from Ayahuasca at last year's festival.

Picture credit: B Squared Studio

Go-ahead for Green Belt battery plant

A RENEWABLE energy battery storage plant has been approved on Green Belt land at Iron Acton, after negotiations over landscaping and nature protection.

The system will store electricity produced by a huge solar farm due to be built on 106 acres of land north of Iron Acton substation, at Lower Lark’s Farm, in Lark’s Lane.

The battery system has been given permission by planners despite being in the Green Belt, because of “very special circumstances” put forward by the developer RE Projects Developments.

Planners said they accepted the need for renewable energy infrastructure, to support increasing use of renewable and low carbon energy.

In a report supporting the application, planning officers said: “Although a battery does not generate energy itself, it is critical to the functioning of renewable energy systems and cannot be separated from the wider system.

"They are therefore a vital part of renewable energy infrastructure and are a key component of the low-carbon energy infrastructure required to achieve net zero emissions.”

The plant will be made up of battery storage units, control buildings and a substation, covering three acres of land between the existing substation and the proposed solar panels. Those were given planning permission in 2021, and will produce enough electricity to supply 17,000 homes.

The batteries will allow electricity to be stored and supplied to the National Grid when needed.

When the application was submitted in July last year there were no objections from local residents or councils.

The developers have agreed to 12 conditions, including screening with new trees and plants, following a detailed ecology plan to protect wildlife during construction, as well as a plan to protect from future flooding.

Planners say the plant would support South Gloucestershire’s declaration of a 'Climate Emergency' and its aims of a lower carbon economy.

Officers said: “Given the screening of the site within the landscape, combined with the existing adjacent industrial uses, any harm to the openness of the Green Belt is deemed to be outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme.”

When you mention The Voice

Ridings reunion

FORMER pupils of the Ridings High School who are about to turn 60 are being invited to a reunion.

In 1995, Suzanne Wembridge, Kate Ackerman (née Counsell) and Jane Cooke (née Wise) organised a '30 Something School Reunion Party' for everyone who started at the Ridings High School - now known as Winterbourne Academy - in September 1975.

Jane said: "At the time there was no internet, so we sat down with a list of names from the first-year register and a telephone directory to find fellow pupils.

"The reunion party at BAWA Leisure Club in Filton was a great success, with 160 attendees.

"It’s now nearly 30 years since that reunion, so we have decided to have another one with as many of the old school year together again for a catch-up, as everyone will be reaching the big 60 in the coming school year.

"Hopefully this time, with the help of the internet and social media, it should be easier to get the word out to make this a success."

The reunion is only for pupils of the Ridings High School born between September 1 1963 and August 31 1964, and teachers who taught there during the same years.

Miss Sedgwick was the head teacher at the time.

The event takes place in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on September 2.

Jane said: "It holds 200 people and we currently have 140 registered. It would be great to fill it!"

Anyone who started at the Ridings in September 1975 and would like to attend, or is still in contact with anyone else from that time who might be interested, is being urged to get in touch and pass the information on to old school friends.

The organisers can be reached at ridingsreunion@gmail.com, by anyone who wants to register an interest in the reunion.

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

Reasons to celebrate this May

IF you’re reading this, you are likely at home, rather than work, as this May has extra bank holidays. Hurray! And if someone is nagging you to mow the lawn on your day off, tell them the Metro Mayor says you don’t have to. More on that later!

The West of England has a long heritage of May Day celebrations, dating back to pagan times.

Many have echoes in customs such as dancing round the maypole. However, this bank holiday was first brought in as a way of marking International Workers Day in 1978.

The Spring bank holiday is back to its usual slot on the last Monday of May and this year, there’s that extra day off to celebrate King Charles’s Coronation too.

Whether you’re a republican or royalist, this is certainly a moment in history.

I’ve been finding out about our region’s association with coronations. Did you know that on May 11, 973 AD, Bath Abbey was the site of the coronation of Edgar, the ‘First King of All England’?

The service used for Edgar’s coronation

was compiled by Dunstan, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the same service is being used by King Charles III.

Bath Abbey is well worth a visit, as are so many attractions across our amazing region.

I run an Explore Local campaign, and as part of this, I get to visit many fantastic museums, green spaces and other attractions. As the Spring weather improves and everyone looks to the great outdoors, I’d urge you to explore our brilliant region.

I promised to get back to mowing (well, not mowing, to be precise). Because the other thing I’m marking this month is No Mow May. A month off from cutting the lawn for the very best of causes - our bees!

Our bees need our help because they are fighting some big enemies: pesticides, habitat destruction and climate change. But they are so vital. Bees pollinate flowers and crops. In fact, one in three mouthfuls we eat depends on our pollinator pals.

One way to give bees a break is to liberate your lawn and free the wildflowers in your grassy areas so they can grow wild

and provide a feast for pollinators.

Many people are doing that, as are organisations who I’ve been encouraging to enter my annual Bee Bold Awards to showcase the region’s very best “bee buddies”. I love to see the entries - it really gets me buzzing!

Finally, I’m well aware bank holidays don’t mean a break for all, especially people in emergency service roles like nurses, police or firefighters, so a special shout out to them, and particularly to bus drivers as I work hard to recruit more.

Keep safe - and I hope you have a great May.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Some ticket deals are too good to be true

AS we get closer to summer, many people are looking forward to attending local and national sporting, comedy and music events.

Unfortunately, unscrupulous ticket sellers prey on people’s excitement for such shows for their own financial gain.

I urge local people to be vigilant when buying tickets, as new national figures reveal over £6.7 million was lost to ticket fraud in 2022.

In the same year, Action Fraud received over 7,088 reports of ticket fraud, with 138 coming from Avon and Somerset residents.

As part of its latest awareness campaign, Action Fraud is working with the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) to promote the safe and secure purchasing of tickets to events, and advises the public to follow the appropriate preventative measures.

These include only buying from official promoters and ticket agents,

being wary of messages offering unbelievably good deals and avoiding paying for tickets by bank transfers. Remember - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

We have just marked the first anniversary of an independent report, Identifying Disproportionality in Avon and Somerset Criminal Justice System (CJS).

Independent chair Desmond Brown conducted a two-year deep dive review into local CJS partner agencies to investigate racial disproportionality.

Lots of work is being done to set up a programme under the Local Criminal Justice Board, a group of senior leaders from all the partner agencies of which I am chair.

The chief constable is leading the steering committee to deliver the recommendations.

It’s vital to work in partnership and implement real and lasting change, so that communities feel a difference in how they are treated

when they encounter the CJS, whether as a victim, a witness, or a perpetrator.

I will keep you updated on the progress of this important work that aims to build trust, confidence, and legitimacy in policing and the wider system, particularly in communities impacted by race inequality, where trust and confidence is low.

Earlier this year I, along with my counterparts in Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, penned a letter to Therese Coffey – the then Environment Secretary - calling for a new way to tackle the growing menace of fly-tipping.

The cost of fly-tipping on private land is estimated to be up to £150m a year, and the cost of clearance of fly-tipping for local authorities in England is nearly £50m.

It is time to make criminals pay for fly-tipping, not local people.

I am delighted that Rebecca

With Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford

Pow, MP for Taunton Deane, supports the five Southwest PCCs coming together to fight the scourge of fly-tipping. This is a step in the right direction.

This crime blights our rural landscape and causes problems for farmers and the rural economy. I’m committed to working with partner agencies to find new ways to tackle this problem.

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