Fishponds Voice - May 2024 - Issue 110

School to shut after 74 years

A FISHPONDS school will close in the summer after 74 years, as it is "no longer financially viable".

The owners of Gracefield School, an independent preparatory school for children aged four to 11, in Overndale Road, said in a statement that "falling pupil numbers, the challenging economic outlook

and pressures from the cost-of-living crisis have meant that it is no longer financially viable for the school to operate".

The school will close at the end of the summer term, on July 12.

Turn to Page 3 >

Goodbye, Jack

A Second World War veteran from Fishponds who served with an elite unit has died, aged 99.

PAGE 10

Birth centre call

Fishponds' MP has called on the government to take action over the NHS staffing crisis that has left mums-to-be unable to use Cossham Birth Centre for 18 months.

PAGE 4

Sewage 'disgrace'

Raw sewage was flushed into the River Frome, which passes through the Fishponds area, for thousands of hours last year.

PAGE 5

Woman raped near Snuff Mills

POLICE are trying to trace a man who raped a woman near Snuff Mills.

The attack happened on March 22 between 10.30pm and 11.20pm, when a passing motorist intervened and took the woman home. She was later taken to hospital for treatment and given specialist support.

EDITORIAL

Ken McCormick 07715 770377

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May 2024 - Issue 110

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The suspect was described as being black and driving a black Audi car.

The motorist who intervened has come forward after an appeal was shared online, including on the Voice website.

Detective Constable Alastair Lea, of the Operation Bluestone serious sexual offence investigation team, said: "This was a terrifying incident and one which we are taking incredibly seriously. We believe this was an isolated incident, however we’re working tirelessly to identify the person responsible and our investigation is well underway.

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote the crime reference number 5224 074 730, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Appeal to identify stalker

POLICE want help to trace this man as part of a stalking investigation.

He got on to a bus in Speedwell Road, heading towards the city centre, at 3.15pm on March 4 and sat next to a teenage girl.

A police spokesperson said the girl "had seen the man on a number of occasions watching her, and made her feel uncomfortable".

The man is in his 20s, around 5ft 7in and slim, with black hair and a medium-length, black beard. At the time of the incident he was wearing a black padded coat and black trousers.

Police have asked anyone who recognises him to call them on 101 and quote the crime reference number 5224 056 736.

MIKE PALMER BUILDING

Final term for Gracefield School

> From Page 1

Gracefield opened in 1950, and has been run by the current owners, Elizabeth and Ivan Morgan, since 2002.

The school, which charges fees of £2,427 per pupil per term, has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted in six consecutive reports, most recently last summer, when inspectors said many pupils "use the word ‘fun’ when they describe school".

It has 65 children on its roll, with 18 members of staff.

Mr and Mrs Morgan said they had hoped to be able to find new owners for the school but had been "unable to find a viable option that could secure the school's future", despite years of efforts.

Mr Morgan said: “It is widely recognised that the last few years have been very difficult for most independent schools across the UK. Navigating inflationary costs and continually reducing numbers of pupils is a significant

challenge facing the entire education sector.

"The Covid pandemic put an additional burden on school budgets, however I am proud that Gracefield remained open to pupils throughout, in addition to offering an excellent remote service to all its pupils.”

Mr and Mrs Morgan say their main concern now is "ensuring that every child's educational

journey continues as smoothly as possible".

Mrs Morgan said: “We are working with local authorities and other independent schools so that parents can make the right choices for their children and we will be liaising with parents throughout the process.

"We are also fully committed to supporting our dedicated staff members during this period of transition and will do our utmost to assist them in securing new roles."

The owners said the schools' senior leadership team would talk to pupils about the closure and look after them "with compassion and understanding over the next few months and beyond".

Mrs Morgan said: "We are extremely proud of the countless students who have graced our classes and are immensely grateful to everyone who has been a part of Gracefield School’s 74-year journey."

Principal confirmed

FAIRFIELD High School has announced that interim principal Edel Cronin has been appointed to the job permanently.

Ms Cronin has served as the school's vice-principal, transition lead and achievement coordinator.

Fairfield High School has 1,080 students aged between 11 and 16 on its roll, many of whom live in Eastville.

Nicky Edmondson, the chief executive of Excalibur Academies Trust, which runs the school, said: "I am confident that Edel will take Fairfield forward in this new chapter of leadership, inspiring both staff and students alike."

Ms Cronin said: "I am honoured to be chosen to represent this wonderful, diverse school and look forward to giving everything I have in order to ensure it continues to flourish."

Liz Morgan at Gracefield School

Midwife crisis keeps birth centre closed

FISHPONDS' MP has called on the government to take action over the NHS staffing crisis that

the Voice has been asking the trust whether it will be able to reopen the centre, but it

opened 11 years ago, it has been forced to close its doors for over two and a half years due to

people of Bristol and South Gloucestershire."

Responding to the MPs'

Chester Park Federation

Do you have a child born between 1st September 2019 and 31st August 2020?

'Disgraceful' rise in sewage spills into River Frome

RAW sewage was flushed into the River Frome for thousands of hours last year, the Environment Agency says.

The river flows through Vassalls Park, Snuff Mills and Eastville Park on its way to the Floating Harbour.

During 2023 there were 119 spills, for a combined total of 98.63 hours, from six combined sewer overflows (CSOs), where rainwater and waste water from homes is combined and washed into waterways, along the course of the river in Fishponds, Stapleton and Eastville.

They were at Frenchay Park Road, Eastville Park, Brentry Road, Stapleton Road & Glenfrome Road, Muller Road and Greenbank View.

Further upstream there were 520 separate spills, for a total of 4,058 hours, from eight CSOs in the South Gloucestershire villages of Iron Acton, Frampton Cotterell and Winterbourne.

Further spills were recorded by CSO monitoring equipment into local tributaries of the Frome, including: 33 spills for over 100 hours into Fishponds Brook at Forest Road; 31 spills for 9.92 hours into Coombe Brook at Rose Green Road; 12 spills for 1.7 hours into Coombe Brook in Moorlands Road, with others of less than an hour in Lodge Causeway, Speedwell Road, Burchells Green Road and Sheppard Road.

CSOs along the course of Horfield Brook, which joins the Frome at Riverside Park in St Jude's, recorded more than 1,000 hours of spills.

The Environment Agency said nationally, storm overflows rose by 54% in 2023 compared with 2022, partly due to wet weather.

Water minister Robbie Moore said sewage pollution in waters was "unacceptable", adding: "The data shows water companies must go further and faster to tackle storm overflows and clean up our precious waterways."

David Hanks of volunteer conservation group Frampton Cotterell Nature said: “It is disgraceful that the amount of sewage entering our rivers has increased."

Bristol Avon Rivers Trust carries out annual tests of water quality in the Frome, using samples collected by volunteers.

Chief executive Simon Hunter said the figures did not provide all the detail needed to show

the impact spills are having, as a concentrated discharge into a small stream would have a worse effect than more diluted sewage going into a large river.

Wessex Water, which is in charge of the region's sewage systems, said "exceptionally wet weather" was the main reason for the increase in discharges, which were "mostly rainwater to protect properties from flooding during the fourth wettest year since records began".

A spokesperson said: "Storm overflows are legal but outdated, which is why we’re investing £3 million a month to progressively improve them – with plans to more than double that investment if approved by our regulators."

The company has just started work on three projects to separate and store rainwater at Frampton Cotterell, which it says will "ease pressure on the combined sewer system and further protect the River Frome".

Wet wipes and other waste by the sewage overflow into the River Frome at Cog Mill, near Iron Acton. Picture: David Hanks

nADVERTORIAL

ELIGIBLE people are being invited to have a top-up Covid-19 vaccination this spring. The NHS is offering Covid-19 vaccines to people who are at increased risk of serious illness from the virus – including those aged 75 and over (by 30 June 2024), residents of care homes for older adults, and those aged 6 months and over with a weakened immune system.

Eligible people can make an appointment at a GP vaccination clinic when invited. People can also book an appointment at a GP clinic, a local pharmacy or at a community vaccination clinic in the following simple ways:

• Download the NHS App and make an appointment

• Visit www.nhs.uk/get-vaccine to use the online National Booking Service

• Call 119 for free if you can’t get online (translators are available)

The Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) NHS area is also offering walk-in vaccinations in community clinics. For details

Top up Covid-19 vaccination on offer for high risk people

and more information about the spring campaign, visit www. grabajab.net.

Vaccinations for people living

in the community began on 22 April 2024 and local GPs have also started visiting adult care homes. Spring vaccinations will be available until 30 June 2024.

Bristol GP Dr Hyunkee Kim said: “Protection against Covid-19, either from catching the virus or from a previous vaccination, can fade over time and the virus can change, so if you are at higher risk of severe illness it is important that you top up your protection.

“For some, particularly older people and those with a weakened immune system, Covid-19 can still be very dangerous and even lifethreatening. If you or your child are entitled to a spring top up vaccination, I strongly encourage you to take up the offer. It’s quick and easy to recharge your immunity and will give you the

protection you need for the months ahead.

“Covid-19 vaccines provide protection against the virus and help reduce the risk of serious illness. The vaccine has saved countless lives, prevented thousands from needing to go to hospital and helped us to live with the virus without fear or restrictions. For local vaccination information, visit www.grabajab. net.”

Those invited should make sure their appointment takes place at least three months since their last dose.

Anyone who believes they should be eligible for a vaccine but does not get invited can check online. Alternatively, they can self-declare via the National Booking Service and then speak to a clinician on site.

Dr Hyunkee Kim

Help run our free party

ORGANISERS of Fishponds' biggest free party are calling on people to help make this year's event the best yet.

Party in the Ponds will take place in Vassalls Park on June 22, from noon to 10pm.

Last year's event attracted around 7,000 people and this year's event has scaled-up facilities, including two raised stages to accommodate more bands, dancers and other performers.

Entertainments director Vicki Stoneman said: "We have a jampacked line up of musicians, performers and dancers across two different stages, to showcase all the wonderful talents of Fishponds and provide a fantastic day out for all.

"We currently have 85 confirmed stalls, which cover an array of arts and crafts, handmade jewellery, vintage clothing, bath and body, children’s games, face painting, food and drink vendors and our

wonderful Party in the Ponds raffle."

This year's full line-up will be revealed closer to the event but Vicki said some of the acts that were a hit in previous years are returning, including Dreamscape and Golden Guild.

To help everything go smoothly the event needs volunteers to come forward and help run it.

Spokesperson Cameron McNeill said: "We have lots of jobs including helping with the entertainment, providing support for the stalls and parking control.

"If anybody would like to lend us a hand, please reach out."

Anyone who would like to volunteer can get in touch by email at partyintheponds@ gmail.com.

People can also get in touch with the organisers via the Party in the Ponds Facebook page or the website www. partyintheponds.co.uk.

School taxi bills soar

TAXIS driving children with special educational needs and disabilities from Bristol to school are now costing the taxpayer several thousand pounds a day.

City council budget documents report an “unprecedented” recent rise in demand for home-toschool transport, both within and out of the city, due to a shortage of special school places within the city and rising levels of pupils with SEND.

The documents show the council is paying £1,404.52 a day to transport 13 pupils to and from Briarwood School's primary sites in Hillfields and Barton Hill.

Many pupils are driven outside the city, with the furthest daily journey to Petherton Park School, 48 miles away.

It costs the council £150 each day to take one pupil to and from Petherton Park, near Bridgwater. Other long daily trips are: 42 miles to Talocher School, Monmouthshire, at a daily cost of £202; 36 miles to Ysgol Ty

Monmouth, costing £140 a day; 31 miles to Dovecote School, near Street, costing £270; and 30 miles to Weston College, costing £513 for four students.

Some children are accompanied by paid escorts, who then have to be driven back to Bristol.

The documents said: “The council has faced unprecedented demand for home-to-school transport, coupled with increased service costs, partly due to the lack of local education provision resulting in many more children travelling out of the authority area to access SEND provision.”

The council expects to spend £11.8m on transport for about 1,200 passengers this year.

Councillors have previously been told some taxi firms are making a lot of money from school transport. To bring costs down, the council plans to buy a fleet of minibuses and pay its own staff to make the trips.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

School's Ramadan celebration

CHILDREN, parents and staff at Chester Park infant and junior schools joined in a celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Events marking the festival were held in the first week back after the Easter holidays.

Pupils decorated classrooms with lanterns, crescents and banners.

A parent paints a henna pattern on head teacher

Mike McNama's hand

Events included themed assemblies, a coffee morning, where parents shared conversation over cultural foods and applied traditional henna patterns onto their hands, and a charity cake sale, which raised £500 towards humanitarian aid in Palestine. To end the week children had class parties, with singing, dancing and food.

Picnic in the park is a big hit

A PICNIC organised by and for Hillfields residents proved to be a big success, with about 200 people taking part.

The community meal at Hillfields Community Garden, in Hillfields Park, on April 20 celebrated the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr, but was open to everyone – and people from a variety of cultures attended.

The picnic was the idea of Jero Saeed, who has lived in the estate for about 10 years and has children at Minerva Primary Academy.

She said: "We all come from different backgrounds but we like to come together as one, like a big family. I'm Kurdish and we've had Pakistani, Turkish, Arab, Irish and Australian people come along, and people from Senegal and Egypt – whatever your background and what you look like, at the end of the day we're one community, all here together."

Mondays

Jero first got involved with the Hillfields Community Garden after meeting co-founder Sarah Rogers at an event at Hillfields Library, and offered to organise the event.

She said: "At Christmas time people of all backgrounds come together, so I thought 'why don't we do it for Eid'?"

People attending the event brought different types of food to share and were encouraged to wear cultural outfits.

Jero's husband Rebwar organised children's activities.

Sarah said: "Everyone dressed up for the occasion and people were still buzzing, days later ."

The Community Garden hosts a summer event on June 29, which will include the launch of the area's community climate action plan, drawn up after an extensive consultation with residents, including an online survey and meetings at the Hillfields Community Hub in March.

Pilates classes in Fishponds

Suitable

David to retire after 71 years in carpets

MORE than 70 years since he started work, the owner of a Fishponds carpet business is finally preparing to put his feet up.

David Gibbs began work selling rugs and lino for the Co-op in 1954, after leaving school aged 14 with no qualifications.

He struck out on his own as a carpet fitter in the early 1960s and built a business which became the Bristol Carpet Manufacturing Company, better known simply as Bristol Carpets.

Now ready to retire at the age of 85, David is handing over to his son John, daughter Debra, nephew David and grandson Jake, who are among 30 people working for the business in Chapel Lane, on the Fishponds Trading Estate.

David, who lives in Downend, says that over 71 years he must have sold "millions of yards" of carpet, but it is the people he will miss when he stops working in May.

He said: "I still enjoy meeting people. We've built a very loyal band of customers – 90% of our business is with people who have been here before."

Born in Hanham, David went to school in Staple Hill before starting work at the

Co-op department store in Castle Street. It was one of the few shops still trading in the bombed-out area that was later levelled and turned into Castle Park.

After two years of National Service with the Military Police, he decided to set up his own business in 1961.

David said: "I went back to my old job and thought 'I'm not going to stand this for the rest of my life'."

As carpets became more popular David

fitted them for several shops, before making the move into selling them as a discount supplier.

From its first store in Church Street, near Old Market, the growing family business moved to Chapel Lane for the first time in the late 1960s. It branched out into manufacturing, buying carpet factories in Cornwall and Ireland before moving production to Crews Hole Road, St George, with 12 looms making Axminster carpets in the 1980s, and 200 employees.

The retail side of the business in Chapel Lane was sold to Haskins, but Bristol Carpets returned to the site, and sales, in 2004, after moving out of manufacturing and selling the Crews Hole site for development, with the looms going to China.

After retirement David will concentrate on charity work which he does with a group of friends. They pick a different charity to support every year – this year it is the Great Western Air Ambulance charity.

But David won't be able to resist returning to the shop once in a while, saying: "I'll come in and stir them up a bit!"

David Gibbs at Bristol Carpets' showroom

David Gibbs

Veteran Jack, who served in elite unit, dies at 99

A SECOND World War veteran from Fishponds who served with an elite unit has died five months short of his 100th birthday.

Frederick McKinnon, who was known as Jack or Mac to friends and family, was a driver with the Long Range Desert Group, an Army reconnaissance and raiding unit best known for its work transporting SAS soldiers behind enemy lines, which earned it the nickname the Desert Taxi Service.

Jack served with the unit in Egypt, Italy and Yugoslavia.

After the war he returned to Bristol and ran his own building business, became a "devoted" Freemason and lived in Fishponds until his death in April, aged 99, from a lung disease.

Jack was born in Staple Hill and grew up in a house on the High Street, along with a brother and two sisters.

He attended Speedwell School, but daughter-in-law Jenny McKinnon said he was eager to work from a young age, running errands for local businesses, and "didn't get to school very often, as he was busy earning money".

Jack worked for radio and TV business Rediffusion before

volunteering in 1942, aged 18, joining the Royal Corps of Signals, and training as an expert driver. He volunteered for the LRDG and arrived in Egypt in 1943, towards the end of the North Africa campaign.

The group then operated in Italy, which took Jack to Naples and Rome, before pushing into Yugoslavia, often navigating in enemy territory, without maps.

As the war ended in 1945, the LRDG was disbanded and Jack spent time in the Army Air Corps, before returning to the 'Siggies'. He spent time guarding high-ranking Nazi prisoners in

Germany and served in Palestine before he was demobilised in 1947.

He later told fellow Freemason Dick Smith: "I just consider myself lucky that I got through it all unscathed."

The LRDG featured in the hit BBC drama SAS Rogue Heroes, about the early days of the SAS and its founder David Stirling.

Jenny said Jack knew Stirling and watched the series when it aired in 2022, adding: "He used to like watching it, so it can't have been that bad!"

She said he was "very reserved" when it came to discussing his wartime service, including when BBC researchers came to interview him.

Jenny said: "He didn't speak a lot about his Army days, he was secretive that way, but I know he was under fire a lot and did parachute in to various places."

After the war Jack built a building firm, McKinnons of Bristol, from scratch before retiring aged 59 due to back problems.

He met wife Barbara at a dance in Pucklechurch and the couple had one son, Adrian, who died in 2002, three granddaughters and six great-grandchildren.

Jack joined the Freemasons in 1978 and was a member of the Downend Lodge, rarely missing a meeting.

He was also a chairman of a 'court' of the Ancient Order of Foresters.

Jack and Barbara used to take the bus from Fishponds into Broadmead every day to visit the M&S cafe and he continued to visit after Barbara passed away in 2021.

Jenny said that when M&S closed in 2022 he "transferred his allegiance" to Morrisons' cafe in Fishponds.

She said: "He would take his buggy down there every day for lunch – they were going to do a party for his hundredth birthday."

Jack and Barbara lived in Mayfield Park North before moving to a house he had designed and built himself in Poplar Place, off Lodge Causeway, where he continued to live with support.

Jenny said: "He was a very determined, independent man and a very special person."

Jack's funeral is being held on June 3 at 12.30pm at Westerleigh Crematorium – anyone who knew him is invited to attend.

Cup in memory of Hillfields boxer Jude

THIS year's annual Bristol Box Cup will be held in memory of Hillfields boxer Jude Moore.

Jude, who died unexpectedly in March last year, aged 19, had been a previous winner of the box cup event, aimed at entry-level school-age boxers, before going on to win

many other titles from regional to national level.

The 10th Bristol Box Cup will be held on June 22-23 at Thornbury Leisure Centre, is organised and run by Jude's old club, Fishponds-based Downend Boxing Club. Organiser Joanne Turner said: "Within

an hour of launching the participants' registration, we already had 100-plus applications from all over England, Wales and Ireland, so the number is going to be a record for us."

For more information, email bristolboxcup@yahoo.co.uk.

& SPENCER

CURTAINS

Jack McKinnon in his Army days. Photo courtesy of Dick Smith

Children's sign language lesson for TV

PUPILS at a Fishponds school were inspired to learn sign language after a visit from a campaigner filming a programme for the BBC.

Daniel Jillings, who is profoundly deaf and cannot use hearing aids or speak, started his mission to create a GCSE in British Sign Language (BSL) when he was 12 years old. He succeeded in his campaign – a GCSE in BSL will be offered from September next year – but the change came too late for Daniel, now 18, to take it.

Daniel now has another goal, to get more children learning BSL, which is currently used by an estimated 151,000 people in the UK, including 87,000 deaf people.

To spread his message, he visited Fishponds CE Primary Academy to meet Year 6 pupils, tell them his story and help them learn some of the basics of signing.

Children met Daniel's hearing dog, Varley, and were interviewed by a crew from by Bristol production company Drummer Television.

They learned phrases and discovered some of the advantages of signing, such as being able to have a conversation through a closed window or from a distance across a noisy

playground.

Daniel's visit formed part of a programme called My Life: Can BSL Change the World? for the CBBC channel. It was first screened on April 28 and can be viewed on the BBC's iPlayer service.

Fishponds Academy, in Fishponds Road, was chosen because it has just set up a BSL club, which coincided with Daniel's campaign.

More than a third of pupils speak English as

an additional language – above the national average of 21%.

Head teacher Michelle Omoboni said: "I am so proud of the way our children rose to the challenge of being filmed.

"Fishponds Academy are wholeheartedly committed to giving our children every opportunity to expand their horizons."

She said the TV crew enjoyed "being part of our Fishponds family".

Daniel said: "This documentary is so important to me because it shows how many children are excited about the BSL GCSE.

"It is crucial that young people are exposed to BSL from a young age so they can help to break down the communication barriers that deaf people face every day."

Executive producer Rachel Drummond-Hay said: "It was an absolute joy collaborating with Fishponds CE Academy for this film. The children were so engaged and the staff so accommodating.

"It was a delight to see how enthusiastic everyone was to bring the learning of BSL into the classroom and help BSL campaigner Daniel Jillings in his mission to improve communication between deaf and hearing for the future generations."

Children from Fishponds CE Academy practise sign language through a window

New housing: we need quantity and quality

ACROSS Bristol we can see signs of regeneration, with scaffolding and cranes appearing on numerous sites as derelict eyesores are demolished and new buildings start to spring up.

This is particularly so in the city centre, where the area around Temple Meads and into St Philip's Marsh will be totally transformed. It has also been the case in Fishponds, with all the new housing around Blackberry Hill. There’s more to come, with plans for new homes at Atlas Place and, on a smaller scale, the Vassall Centre site redevelopment.

There are often valid concerns when there’s the prospect of new development: what will be the impact on traffic and parking; will the housing be affordable; what about access to local GPs, dentists and school places?

And in the case of the Vassall

Centre, what will it mean for community provision and the groups who currently use the centre?

These are all issues that should be addressed during the planning process. In some cases they’ll be reason enough for applications to be rejected. But the fact is, we need more housing.

House prices in the South-West have risen by 400% in the last 25 years, and Bristol is now the UK’s most expensive city to live in, outside London.

There are some who prefer to duck these difficult questions and say the focus should be on bringing vacant properties back into use, rather than building new ones. Often, they dress this up in the rhetoric of “we don’t need more homes, we need better homes.”

I agree, of course, that we should aim to bring empty homes back into use, although sometimes this can be an expensive business, with lots of repairs and renovation needed.

But this will be nowhere near enough to meet the scale of housing need in the city.

There are around 5,000 empty homes in Bristol, plus 400 void council properties.

Even if you could put all of those to use, there are currently 19,500 families on the waiting list for council housing alone –without even factoring in other demand.

So we need to build more homes. We can all agree on the need for a brownfield-first approach. And we can all agree on the need to protect precious green spaces.

But we need to have a public

Kerry McCarthy MP for Bristol East writes for Fishponds Voice

debate about the green belt or rather, the ‘grey belt’, where car parks and wasteland, purely by geographic coincidence, fall with the green belt.

Freeing up that land and reforming planning laws to build up to 1.5m homes on 'grey belt' sites would help us deliver the affordable homes that so many local people need.

Friends across generations

RECEPTION class children from Avanti Gardens School in Fishponds sang and danced with tenants of a care home when they visited to build community relations.

The youngsters from the school's Orchid class visited Colliers Gardens care home in Oldbury Court in April.

They took pictures they had drawn in class, sang along to Toy Story favourite You've Got a Friend in Me and performed the Cha Cha Slide, with some of the residents joining in.

Car wash homes refused

PLANS to build nine new homes on the site of a former garage recently used as a hand car wash have been refused.

Developer MD & MN Savory Partnership wanted to put three threebedroom houses and six two-bedroom flats on the former Forecourt Motors site in Hillfields Avenue, opposite the Marshfield Rd junction.

Another plan by the same developer, for seven flats and two houses, was given planning permission in 2020.

But Bristol City Council's planning officers rejected the scheme using delegated powers in April. They said the development was "out of keeping with the established street scene and detracts from the area's character and identity", due to its "height, scale, massing" and window design. It said the proposed vehicle access did not have adequate turning space, which might lead to vehicles reversing into the road.

Four residents had objected to the plans, on grounds including insufficient parking, noise pollution and overlooking existing homes.

A TAXI driver who abused pedestrians crossing Fishponds Road in front of his “speeding” car has been banned from the trade for 10 years.

Cabbie barred

Early years teacher Tiva Corcoran said: "The children were very keen to engage and spread their love and kindness with members of their local community.

"They were very excited about the visit and were very keen to entertain the residents without tiring them out!"

Finishing off with a reading of class favourite story The Smeds and the Smoos, Ms Corcoran said: "Fun, laughter and a great sense of community spirit was felt by all."

A council licensing hearing was told the cabbie, who has not been named, blew his horn, stopped abruptly and walked over to them in an “abusive and confrontational manner” while swearing and coming “right up to their faces” by the lights at the junction with Stapleton Road.

His solicitor told the hearing that he had learned his lesson and that it was “the spur of the moment and an act of road rage”.

The driver also assaulted a man who opened a butcher's shop in competition to his father's, a day after the road rage incident in May last year.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Your Home Away From Home in Fishponds Your Home Away From Home in Fishponds

projects. Automated care plan system. Automated care plan system.

Wheelchair cars available for all. Wheelchair cars available for all.

Great daily activities. Great daily activities.

Nutritious fresh meals. Nutritious fresh meals.

And much, much more. And much, much more.

Children from Avanti Gardens school with Colliers Gardens care home residents

Free Legal Stock Take meeting

Nowadays we all have so much life admin to sort out – it is easy for things to get out of date.

A FREE review meeting with our local, friendly team at Simpson Solicitors is like a Free Legal Stock Take meeting. Being a fully regulated law firm there is no pushy follow up as there is no obligation to instruct them. Just the peace of mind that you have received proper legal advice.

The Free Legal Stock Take meeting focusses on making sure your legal affairs are in order and if needed they can help you with a new Will or Lasting Powers of Attorney. It is all about making life as easy as possible for those that you care about - if you were to become seriously ill or die unexpectedly.

√ Checking any existing documents are legally valid: Checking your Will or Powers of Attorney are signed in accordance with the complex rules that apply, with advice to make sure they still reflect your current family arrangements.

√ Property ownership: Advice to make sure it’s owned in the best way to prevent problems. There is a £3 charge from HM Land Registry.

√ Reviewing what you own: Making sure those you trust can find and are legally able to access your bank accounts, investments, and life insurance if you were seriously ill or had died.

Fees

Powers of Attorney: Appoint those you trust

make decisions, in case of serious illness or injury

√ Inheritance Tax and Care Home Fees: Applying the current rules to your situation with advice so your family don’t receive an avoidable bill for tax or care home fees.

√ Free secure storage service: Offered for your legal documents and the information you might want your family to be able to access.

To arrange your Free Review meeting you can pop in to their Kingswood Office or email message@simpsonslawuk.com or call 0117 960 8594

Remember, they offer a FREE home meeting service if you find it difficult getting to their offices.

weight

Chase Shopping Centre, Kingswood, BS15 8LP | simpsonsolicitors.com

OF EASTVILLE PARK

The people’s park

EASTVILLE Park was created in the late 19th century, as the result of a long-running campaign for a 'people’s park' to enhance the lives of the poor working classes in the over-crowded and unhealthy parish of St Philip's.

The need for public spaces for recreation was eventually recognised by both central and local government, and money was made available for a 70-acre park in what was then the semi-rural Parish of Stapleton.

Initially the pristine Victorian park was well-maintained and cared for by a full-time park warden and groundsmen, but World War II damage and disruption and changing social conditions over the following decades led to deteriorating facilities and less visitors.

In 1985 local people recognised the need for volunteers to help with fundraising and maintenance, and the Eastville and Fishponds Community Association was formed to convert the damaged swimming pool into a community garden.

The Eastville Park Action Group (EPAG) was set up to work with the council to apply for Heritage Lottery funding for refurbishment of the entire park. Unfortunately this bid was unsuccessful and the park again deteriorated, despite the ongoing efforts of EPAG.

In 2015 the current Friends of Eastville Park Group evolved from EPAG and has since succeeded in raising over £200,000 to fund a multi-use games area and new play area equipment.

When the bowling club closed, the Friends obtained a lease for the Nissen hut and bowling green.

A new bowling club was

established, and funds raised to refurbish the Nissen Hut for use as a community hub and home for the Friends.

In 2021 the Friends became a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) and the former nine committee members became trustees.

The rather formal objective of the charity was: "For the benefit of the inhabitants of Eastville and the surrounding area, to provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupation, in the interests of social welfare with the object of improving their conditions of life, for the inhabitants of the area in particular but not exclusively, by the preservation, promotion, support, assistance and improvement of Eastville Park."

To put it simply, the group will do all it can to cheer up the park and local residents!

The experience we've gained over recent years fills us with confidence that we are well-placed to play a significant role in future development of the park, for the benefit of our local community.

Working alongside other stakeholders, we can engage in conversations that will shape Eastville Park for years to come.

By encouraging you to share your views, ideas and skills, we can work together to push for improvements we’d all like to see, and the park desperately needs.

Everything we achieve as a group is entirely down to the amazing contributions of volunteers: activities, nature conservation, fundraising, food club and committee work are all possible because of the time and effort given by many wonderful

A little egret at the weir on the River

people.

There are always opportunities to join in, and we encourage you to get in touch at friendsofeastvillepark@gmail.com if you’d like to be involved in any way.

Our popular free weekly activities

groups at the Community Hub are open to everyone and newcomers are always welcome – for more details, see the What’s On section in this edition of the Voice.

Mo Lewis

Frome. Picture: Hopalong Tabby

WHAT’S ON

MAY

May 8

n WILD WOMEN AT HILLFIELDS

COMMUNITY GARDEN, Hillfields Park, Thicket Avenue, 7pm-9pm. Monthly group focused on nature connection, support and creative activities. Open to women of all ages. No need to book. More information from hillfieldswildwomen@gmail.com

May 10

n CONCERT AT ST MARYS

CHURCH, Manor Road, Fishponds, with 9-5 Harmony. Refreshments on sale, 12.30-1pm, concert 1-2pm. There will be a retiring collection.

May 12

n ROYATE HILL LOCAL NATURE

RESERVE Come along to an open day to explore the reserve and its wildlife, 11-2.30pm at Wainbrook Drive, off Clay Bottom. Enjoy site tours (11am, 1pm, 2pm), bug hunts and free food and drink.

May 12

n DISCUSSION: CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS POLITICAL CHALLENGEs, with Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy, St Anne's church, St Leonard's Road, Eastville, 3-5pm about. Christian Aid Week event, with opportunity for questions. In the garden (church hall

eat the food you love and still lose weight!

eat the food you love and still lose weight!

if raining).

May 18 n ALL SAINTS CHURCH SPRING FAYRE AND FUN DOG SHOW, All Saints Community Hall, Grove Road Fishponds, noon-3pm. Selection of crafts, games and plants for your garden. Lunch and other refreshments available. Entrance fee 50p per adult. Dog show with categories including waggiest tail, cutest eyes, best paw shaker, and a chance to teach your dog some tricks. Register on the day. More details at www. allsaintsfishponds.co.uk.

May 31

n COMMUNITY FUN DAY, Page Park, Staple Hill, 11am- 3pm. With bouncy castle, children’s entertainment, fun fair, food and drink stalls. Raising money for Ignite Life, providing essential services to disadvantaged young people across South Gloucestershire and Bristol. For more information call 0117 287 2494 or email hello@ignite-life.co.uk.

REGULAR EVENTS

Monday

n BARTON HILL RFC CHARITY CAFE, Duncombe Lane, Speedwell, from noon until 3pm. Food and drink, bargain donated goods, friendly and welcoming place to meet, staffed entirely by volunteers raising money for charity.

n CREATIVE GROUP at the Nissen Hut, Eastville Park, 6-9pm. More details from friendsofeastvillepark@gmail.com.

Tuesday

n PHOENIX ART CLUB meets on Tuesdays at Stapleton Church Hall, Park Road, from 10am to midday.

n GARDENING IN RETIREMENT CLUB, Every third Tuesday of every month at 10.15am at the Assembly Hall, Salisbury Road, Downend. Nonmembers welcome - £3 including tea or coffee.

n WOMEN'S SINGING CIRCLE, Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Oldbury Court. every Tuesday, 10-11am. Friendly singing circle with songs and melodies taught by ear. No experience needed. All welcome, from grandmas to children. More information from 07507 563 289 or email valeriesingingbristol@gmail.com.

n NATURE CONNECTION GROUP at the Nissen Hut, Eastville Park, 11am-2pm. More details from friendsofeastvillepark@gmail.com.

n FOLK AROUND FISHPONDS, every other Tuesday, 7.30pm10.30pm, at the Nissen Hut, Eastville Park. More details from www. folkaroundfishponds.org.uk.

Wednesday

n BARTON HILL RFC CHARITY CAFE, Duncombe Lane, Speedwell, from noon until 3pm. Food and drink, bargain donated goods, friendly and welcoming place to meet, staffed entirely by volunteers raising money for charity.

Park, 11am-2pm. More details from friendsofeastvillepark@gmail.com.

n EASTVILLE YOUTH CLUB at the Nissen Hut, Eastville Park, 3.30-6.30pm. More details from friendsofeastvillepark@gmail.com.

n BROMLEY HEATH PROBUS CLUB holds fortnightly meeting with Speakers for ladies and gentlemen on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 10:00 am till 12:00. We also enjoy lunches/outings together. Please join us at the Assembly Hall, Downend. More details on 0117 9574583 or see our website.

n SONGBIRDS CHOIR at the Nissen Hut, Eastville Park, 7-9pm. More details from friendsofeastvillepark@gmail.com.

Friday

n EASTVILLE PARK FOODCLUB OPEN FOR COLLECTIONS, every Friday noon-1pm. To enquire about membership, email eastvilleparkfoodclub@gmail.com or call 07591 748548.

n BOWLING, Social lawn bowls at the bowling green, Eastville Park, from 5pm.

n FRIENDS OF HILLFIELDS

LIBRARY Silver Explorers social group for retired people living in Hillfields, every Friday, 10am-noon. Activities include talks, music, crafts and history. Free tea and coffee. More information at friendsofhillfieldslibrary@gmail.com or friends' Facebook page.

n IN-THE-PINK Sensible exercise to music for mature ladies every Friday, 9-10am, Hillfields Park Baptist Church, Thicket Avenue. Followed by chat & coffee, pay session-by-session. Get yourself fit & make new friends. More information from Julie on 07903 123793.

Contact your local Slimming World Consultant and join a friendly and super-supportive group today!

Contact your local Slimming World Consultant and join a friendly and super-supportive group today!

Mondays 6.30pm & Tuesdays 9.30am

The Beechwood Club, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 3TR Tel: Claire 07791 574 353

Tuesdays 6.00pm & 7.30pm

Speedwell Methodist Church

378 Speedwell Road, Bristol BS15 1ES Tel: Lesley 07503 524 459

n DOWNEND FLOWER ARRANGING CLUB meets at 7.30pm on the first and third Wednesday of each month from September to June, at Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road, Downend. Call Genise on 0777 245 1217.

n MUSIC WITH MAYA at the Nissen Hut, Eastville Park, 9.30-10.30am. More details from friendsofeastvillepark@ gmail.com.

n ANSWERING THE CALL EXHIBITION at Glenside Hospital Museum, UWE Glenside Campus, Blackberry Hill, Wednesdays 10am1pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm until December 14.

n FRENCHAY FOLK DANCE CLUB meets alternate Wednesdays, English and American folk dancing to live music, 7.45-10.15pm, Frenchay Village Hall. New dancers always welcome. More details at www.frenchayfdc.co.uk or email FFDCSecretary@gmail.com.

Thursday

n EASTVILLE PARK COMMUNITY HUB Welcome Space for over 55’s, 11am-2pm.

n COMMUNITY CONNECT GROUP at the Nissen Hut, Eastville

n CONCORD WIND BAND. Friendly, mixed-ability band, playing music for fun. Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, every Friday 7.30-9.30pm, with tea break. New members welcome. Contact Jayne on 0788 072 4948.

Saturday

n LU LIFE CHURCH 'SHARED SPACES', Fishponds Old Library, Fishponds Road. Every 3rd Saturday of the month, 2-3pm. Singing, dancing and drumming. All welcome. For more details email LULifeChurch@gmail.com or call Rev P on 0750 839 0298.

n VOLUNTEER GROUP at Hillfields Community Garden, every third Saturday of the month, 10am1pm. Meet your neighbours and have fun. Free lunch. More details from hillfieldscommunitygarden@gmail.com.

n FISHPONDS REPAIR CAFE. All All Saints Church on 1st Saturday of the month, 10am-noon. Drop in for advice and help in mending electrical, household or textile items, including toys and computers.

n LEGO AND DUPLO CLUB, Hillfields Library, every 2nd Saturday of the month, 11am-noon. Open to all ages.

School's community Ramadan celebration

Exhibition opens to tell nurses' stories

Future options

NEWS DOWNEND School hosted an event for pupils, staff and families to mark the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The school teamed up with Bristol Muslim Cultural Society to host its first community Iftar in April.

Pupils

THE history of Commonwealth nurses and their contribution to the NHS is one that is often overlooked.

This unseen past is uncovered at Glenside Hospital Museum through the exhibition Answering the Call, which highlights the triumphs and difficulties faced by these nurses.

Supported by Historic England, the exhibition is the result of a collaboration of ex-nurses, artists and members of the local community.

Artists have used textiles, ceramics, print and sculpture to capture their histories.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Iftar is the name of the sunset meal that breaks the fast, and is usually shared with family and friends, or at a mosque with members of the local Muslim community.

When the government took control of 2,688 hospitals on July 5, 1948 there was already a shortage of staff.

Specialist mentor Talal Khan, from the school's inclusion team, said: "This was a chance to acknowledge and celebrate Muslim students, staff and parents, whilst also giving the wider school community an insight into what makes this month so special.

The 54,000 vacancies were compounded by post-war losses, low wages and other barriers, such as a marriage bar for women. The answer to this shortfall was to call on people to come to Britain. Health minister Aneurin Bevan, the chief architect of the NHS, planned to recruit nurses and student nurses from both Europe and the Commonwealth.

nice mix of students, staff and parents, with both Muslim and non-Muslim members of the school community coming together in good numbers."

travelled from Commonwealth countries to work in the newly-formed NHS.

The evening started with a presentation from Rizwan Ahmed of Bristol Muslim Cultural Society, who highlighted some facts about Ramadan.

The exhibition uses individual histories provided by courageous nurses who

"For the first event of its kind, the uptake was much larger than expected, with around 80 attendees, consisting of a

TURNERS HEARING CARE BLOG

Ear care, fact and fiction

To start, an ear wax factoid:

inspired by different aspects of the stories that we collected from the NHS nurses, the stories of the courageous women who travelled so for on their own, these focused and ambitious women who have fulfilled their ambitions with verve."

SIXTH form students from Downend and Mangotsfield Sixth Form and their families had a chance to find out more about their options for the future at a post-18 careers event.

Moira Gavin produced work inspired by the oral history of Celestine Lewis.

The event in March included workshops on applying for university places, student finance and apprenticeships.

She said: "I think she was an amazing woman, who worked so hard to do the best she could to provide for her children.

student, was "impeccably observed" by non-Muslim attendees.

A team consisting of ex-nurses, students and community members documented the experiences of these nurses and then participated in using stitch, print and sculpture to create a display of work that gives an insight into their contribution to psychiatric hospital care.

This was followed by a call to prayer by a student, and the breaking of the fast with dates and water. The communal prayer, also led by a Muslim

Team member Anwyl Cooper-Willis said: "It was really exciting – everyone produced lots of varied work, such creative stitchers.

Our ears can be funny things, they come in all shapes & sizes and are usually totally taken for granted - unless we have a pain, ache or hearing difficulty. “How can I safely care for my ears?” I hear you ask.

Did you know that ear wax can be wet or dry. For most of us it’s often genetically determined, it’s considered to be the wet type in most people of Caucasians or African descent and dry in most people of East Asian descent.

What does safe ear care sound like?

Firstly there is a reason for the oft quoted Ear Doctor saying “don’t put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear”. The delicate structures inside your ear really, really don’t like being poked, scraped or wiped with rolled tissue paper or cotton buds. Such items are definitely not called earbuds despite many people referring to them by this name! These can actually push ear wax or debris further into your ear which can increase the risk of hearing problems.

Turn down the volume

Whilst perhaps a controversial thing to say, particularly in a house like ours with teenages around, regularly being in or around loud noise can be damaging to our ears and hearing. Wearing ear protection around loud noises such as drilling or concerts can reduce the risk of ear damage and hearing loss. When listening to music or the TV consider wearing ‘over the ear’ headphones rather than in ear devices such as ear buds so you place more distance from your eardrum and the mini portable speaker that makes up our headphones.

Keeping your ears dry

Prolonged exposure to water, such as if swimming regularly, can impact on your hearing and ear health if the water sits in your ear canal for too long. This is particularly risky if swimming distances in open water, and the water contains harmful bacteria. Tilting your head to one side then the other after swimming can help excess water drain out of your ears. For regular swimmers swim ear plugs are a good idea, you can even order custom fit ear plugs!

Staying Active

Regular exercise encourages good blood circulation which helps your ears stay in good health. Doing activities you enjoy, whether dancing (just turn the music down a touch eh!), running or walking can help you exercise regularly, which benefits more than just your ears.

Talal added: "Once the prayer was concluded, everyone took their seats in the Sixth Form common room and enjoyed a delicious array of food, very kindly arranged by BMCS.

"It's interesting how everyone has been

"She was kind – as kind at work as she was at home in a time when many weren't – although she experienced racism herself, she maintained that kindness and she took enormous pride in her work."

It included guest speakers from universities and exhibitions from employers including the NHS, Heidelberg Materials and Bristol City Robins Foundation.

The National Health Service has become the largest employer in Britain and one of the most diverse workplaces.

The exhibition's displays are woven into the museum. Take a journey, looking for the floral bouquet.

"Many parents chose to bring in cold food donations in the form of delicious desserts.

Head of sixth form Kate Long said: "We were delighted to have over 100 people attend the event, and take part in workshops and visit our careers fair in our sixth form common room.

Answering the Call runs until December 14. Glenside Hospital Museum is open on Wednesdays from 10am-1pm and Saturdays from 10am- 4pm.

"The school looks forward to hosting another community Iftar next year."

"We are always delighted to invite outside experts into school to share information, and we look forward to hosting our event again next year."

By Ray Gozra

If you think you have an ear problem, such as ear wax building up, you can now book an hearing care consultation with me, Debbie. I’m a fully qualified, registered and experienced Audiologist working at Turners Opticians in Fishponds. I’m passionate about people having access to clear effective hearing and being confident to seek further help where it is needed.

Debbie

Debbie Campbell is a qualified and experienced Audiologist, who has joined the clinical team at Turners Opticians in Fishponds having worked for many years in NHS Audiology clinics.

Teresa Searle's artwork depicts the journey of nurse Rachel Obi

and parents attended the community Iftar at Downend School

Bristol u3a

ARE you free on Wednesday May 8, from 2.30pm onwards?

Why not come along to the Crafty Egg in Fishponds for an informal social? You’ll meet some existing members of Bristol u3a (you in your Third Age) and have a chance to find out more about us and what we’re up to in East & North-East Bristol.

Don’t worry if you can’t make that as we’ll be announcing more drop-in events around the area in future editions of The Voice.

We’re always looking to start new interest groups locally, and the Sociable Cycling Group has been established for just over a year.

It meets twice a month, on the first and second Thursday mornings, and rides will usually start somewhere along the Bristol to Bath or Ring Road paths.

The first ride of the month is fully accessible to all abilities – short, on cycle paths or quiet lanes at an easy pace. The second

will be for the more confident cyclists – longer, on roads and more challenging.

Whatever the distance, there is always at least one stop for a cuppa and cake. It’s a highly participative group and routes are suggested by group members. Note that all participating cyclists are fully responsible for their own safety and the safety of others around them.

Bristol u3a is for anyone with some free time for themselves.

There’s no lower age limit, but most of our members are retired or semi-retired.

We come from all walks of life and have (at least) one thing in common: a zest for living and for trying/learning new things.

There are over 150 interest groups across Bristol for members to join – simply Google “Bristol u3a” to see for yourself, or contact me at learnlaughlive@bristolu3a.org. uk to find out more.

Lindsay Gough

560 run the Frenchay 10k

THIS year's Frenchay 10k was "yet again incredibly well supported", with more than 560 runners taking part.

The 42nd running of the race on April 14, from UWE's Glenside campus in Fishponds, raised money for charities Freewheelers (blood bikes) and Suicide Prevention UK, who provided marshals along with members of Emersons Green running club.

Race director Dave Guyatt said: "Both charities will receive a donation from the race committee, to the tune of several thousand pounds each.

Runners at the start of the 10k at Glenside. Picture: Wendy Gwinneth

"We were blessed with some lovely spring sunshine, which was greatly welcomed after such a wet period."

The winning time was just over 36 minutes, with most of the field arriving between 50 and 70 minutes.

Dave added: "As ever, we were grateful to our long running sponsors Star Legal (Fishponds) for providing valuable financial support.

"Many local residents and families of the runners lined the route and we were delighted that everyone returned safely without injury."

Planning for the 2025 run, the 43rd Frenchay 10k, will start in October.

Call to revive local pubs

MEMBERS of a group fighting to preserve Bristol's pubs have highlighted four in Fishponds that need urgent help. Bristol & District Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has a dedicated pubs group fighting to "stop the closure and redevelopment of viable pubs".

It offers support to community groups hoping to save their locals from permanent closure or redevelopment.

Ian Beckey, from the group, said there are four closed pubs in need of "enterprising landlords who can give them a new lease of life".

They include the Old Tavern, in Blackberry Hill, which is currently the subject of two planning applications to convert it into student housing.

Also included is the Farriers Arms on Fishponds Road, which is next to Morrisons and owned by the supermarket giant, which failed in a bid to win permission to demolish the building more than three years ago but has made no announcement on its future since then.

The two other pubs CAMRA has highlighted are still listed as available to let to a new landlord.

They are the Downend Tavern on Downend Road, which has been closed since October 2020, and the Greyhound in Lodge Causeway, which has been closed since June 2022.

The group is encouraging people who want advice on saving or reviving local pubs to email bristolpubsgroup@ camrabristol.org.uk

Abby is now offering Keratin smoothing treatments. Please telephone the salon for further information

Opening times:

Monday - CLOSED

Wednesday - 9.00 - 5.00

Friday - 9.00 - 7.00

Mural tribute to Trevor

A COLOURFUL mural on a Fishponds building is a tribute to a much-loved dog.

ELM Legal Services' office in Victoria Park, near the junction of Manor Road and Fishponds Road, was undergoing a refurbishment when one of managing director Jim Emsley's dogs, Trevor, died suddenly and unexpectedly.

Jim saw some work by spray paint animal portrait artist Jeff Paints online and Jeff, who is based in Devon, worked with Somerset artist Seymour Walls to create a wall mural of Trevor watching a leaping fish – a nod to the area's name.

Jim said: "Trevor was a very special dog, with a personality that brightened everyone's day – and now his memory lives on, brightening our office."

Tuesday - 9.00 - 5.00

Thursday - 9.00 - 5.00

Saturday - 8.30 - 3.00

n THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

A time to dream of warmer days

MAY is the month when we are looking forward to the summer and dreaming of warmer days and longer, sunnier evenings.

We have two bank holidays in May, so for some that can mean a bit of extra time off work.

I may daydream about what I am going to do with my extra time off, but it often becomes a time of catching up on those things I haven’t got done in my normal week.

Daydreaming may be seen as a negative thing, meaning you are not concentrating on what you are meant to be concentrating on, but dreaming is an activity that can be positive. It’s a time to think about what you may want in the future, a time to set goals, a time to hope.

The month of May is when Christians celebrate Pentecost, which is a Jewish festival,

when Jesus’s disciples came out of hiding after being afraid they were also going to be persecuted and killed like their teacher Jesus.

It’s a time when they started to dream again of what the future could be like.

Christians believe Jesus, their teacher and Lord, had gone back to heaven to be with God, and at the festival of Pentecost they received the Holy Spirit, which filled them with power and life and hope – a new beginning.

No longer were they afraid, but they came out of hiding and started speaking to those who had come to the festival.

Peter, who originally had denied knowing Jesus, stood up and said that this is what God said would happen, that old men would dream dreams, and young men would see visions.

This was a new start for followers of Jesus. They didn’t have Jesus physically with them, but they no longer felt afraid. They could see a picture of what the future might look like with God in it, and what it could start looking like now. Their daydreams could become their reality.

When I was younger I used to line all my toys up and teach them, and then used to do the same with my siblings (although not the lining up bit).

I dreamed of being a primary school teacher. As I grew older my dreams changed, due to circumstances and me changing, but those dreams helped me look forward.

The Easter story and the story of the disciples at Pentecost reminds me that there are better days to come, when dreams feel

less happy and when things seem without hope.

As the trees come into blossom, as the weather gets warmer, and as the days get longer and as summer approaches, may you find some time to get out, meet others, and enjoy the parks we are blessed with in Fishponds and be filled with hope.

SPORT

Jasmine makes national final

DOWNEND Boxing Club's Jasmine Poole has added another medal to her collection after making the England Boxing National Elite 63kg final.

Jasmine, 23, commenced her championship journey in Barnsley on April 13-14.

In her quarter-final contest, against Millie Hanson of Nottingham's Fusion Boxing, both girls dug deep, determined to reach the next stage.

After three tough rounds, Jasmine took the win on a split points decision.

The semi-final the following day saw Jasmine face Billie Matthews of the Royal Navy.

A back-and-forth contest, across three three-minute rounds, saw no ground given by either boxer. Matthews was, as expected, strong and tough, with a high level of fitness, and Jasmine had to be at her best to avoid the onslaught.

Another close bout saw the

Downend boxer again take a split decision and progress to the final, in Derby on April 20, where she faced Ella Thompson of Leigh boxing club.

From the first bell, Jasmine went for her taller opponent, trying to take the significant range advantage away, and the action was furious from start to finish.

Ultimately the long, clean shots from Ella caught the judges' eye, and she took the points decision and this years title.

Coach Joanne Turner said: "We are very proud of Jasmine's progress and her performances in this competition.

"This is the elite open championship, and only the very best reach the final stages.

"It is perhaps difficult for those outside of boxing to understand, but this is the pinnacle of the sport and where future world and Olympic champions first come to the fore.

n ON THE TREATMENT TABLE

Treating hip pain

A CALL from former Fishponds

Voice publisher Gary Brindle to help with some pains he had been experiencing inspired this month's advice about hip pain.

He was suffering with a combination of hip pain and reduced mobility and function, so we decided to take some X-rays to investigate.

We found Gary had some mild to moderate osteoarthritis (OA) in his hip, which was clearly aggravating the problem.

After a steroid injection that confirmed the problem was originating from the hip, we began a thorough rehabilitation programme of exercise and treatment to hopefully avoid, or at least delay, a hip replacement.

As his hip function returned, so eventually did his pain, so we took advantage of our shiny new traction machine, which we introduced to the clinic mainly for the purpose of decompressing spines, for those painful neck and lower back disc injuries that we treat nearly every day.

Tractioning hips manually is very hard to do, but research shows that machine-based traction provides a

consistent outcome. It can reduce pain and increase mobility and function. The more traction is combined with your treatment, the less treatment that you need!

At the clinic, we get very good outcomes by injecting hyaluronic acid (HA) into OA joints, including hips and knees. HA acts as a long lasting lubricant, and reportedly slows down the progression of OA whilst improving pain levels and function.

Gary’s treatment, including traction, is in its early stages but he will tell you that he’s already getting some much-needed relief from pain. Fingers crossed, if we continue down this path, we will get him back to his old self in no time.

Some or all of these approaches may be appropriate for you or someone you know – speak to us about a tailored care programme.

Book a consultation with any of the physios, chiros or sports therapists at our Mangotsfield clinic – we can help find the right route back to a healthy you.

Tim Button

Household names such as Anthony Joshua and Nicola Adams have won this championship, and Jasmine has shown she belongs in this company."

Elsewhere, newcomers Carmen O'Brien, 15, Miley Conors, 11, and 14-year-old Egil Metaj had their first taste of action in noncompetitive skills bouts in Street and Tavistock.

All performed well and are looking forward to competitive bouts in the near future.

At Broad Plain on April 20, Rio Toomey, 12, took part in his first competitive contest, losing a points decision in a competitive performance, as did team-mate Rudi Watts, 13.

Lacey Holloway, 12, and 20-yearold Victor Griffin represented the Western Counties against the Midlands in a regional team match at the same venue earlier in the day. Both performed well against heavier and more experienced

opponents, but unable to secure the wins on this occasion. The following day in Street, the team returned to winning ways, with 13-year-old Michael Knight winning his first contest, whilst Vibishan Lingarajah, 21, secured a win by way of a first round knockout of the local favourite.

Craig Turner

Jasmine Poole with her silver medal

● TV Aerials & Satellites

● Extra Points ● Repairs

● Sky Work Undertaken

● Telephone Extensions ● TV Wall Mounting

● CCTV ● Data Points & Wi-Fi Extensions

● TV/DAB/FM Multi Point Systems

contemporary kitchens, bathrooms & wetrooms, also cloakrooms & understair toilets

www.blueflameservice.co.uk To discuss your needs or to arrange a free, no-obligation quotation, please do not hesitate to contact

As one of the most used areas in the home, fitted kitchens need to be a flexible space while being up to daily wear and tear. A new fitted kitchen can be customised to suit any layout and lifestyle. Give your bathroom or wetroom the look it deserves with a beautiful range of traditional and modern styles. We take great pride in our work and we respect clients homes and belongings. All works are fully insured.

To discuss your needs or to arrange a free, no obligation quotation, please do not hesitate to contact us

HYPNOTHERAPY

Want to

Feel relaxed and free from anxiety and stress

Have a good night’s sleep

Stop smoking, lose weight

Overcome fear of flying, dentists or other phobias

Get relief from migraine, irritable bowl syndrome

Hypnotherapy can help

For more information and a free initial consultation contact Gerry Monaghan

Solution Focused Hypnotherapist

Tel/text: 07599 207 299

www.gerrymonaghanhypnotherapist.com

OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

HONEST & RELIABLE

TEL: 07765 250816

LOCAL PLUMBER

LOCAL PLUMBER

LOCAL PLUMBER

• REPAIRS/BURSTS • STOPTAPS

• REPAIRS/BURSTS • STOPTAPS

• TAPS • WASHERS

• REPAIRS/BURSTS • STOPTAPS

• TANKS, TOILETS

• TANKS, TOILETS

• TANKS, TOILETS

• DRIPS • LEAKS • REPAIRS

• TAPS, WASHERS • BALL VALVES

• TAPS, WASHERS • BALL VALVES

• TAPS, WASHERS • BALL VALVES

• TOILETS • BALL VALVES

• LEAD PIPES ETC

• LEAD-PIPES 0117 9564912

• LEAD-PIPES 0117 9564912

• LEAD-PIPES 0117 9564912

**NO VAT** **O.A.P. DISCOUNTS**

**NO VAT** **O.A.P. DISCOUNTS**

**NO VAT** **O.A.P. DISCOUNTS**