Downend Voice April 2023

Outstanding!

Pavilion costs rocket

THE estimated price of a new sports pavilion for Downend has skyrocketed, with the project now expected to cost at least £1.25 million.

Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council is planning to ask residents for their views on taking out a loan to help pay for the project.

But the consultation cannot take place until the parish council knows whether its bid for £250,000 in funding from the Football Foundation - the

charity that awards Premier League, FA and Government funding to grassroots football facilities - has succeeded.

The prospect of borrowing £400,000, or possibly more, to help fund the new building on the King George V playing fields led to a heated debate at an extraordinary meeting of the parish council in March.

Turn to Page 6

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Jenny's on a 500-mile mission

Jenny Wooldridge from Downend plans to run 500 miles with her dog Wilbur to raise awareness of male suicide. PAGE 7

Lego engineers show their skills

Three local primary schools, Frenchay, Stanbridge and Barley Close, achieved success in a regional Lego competition.

PAGE 11

Cleve celebrate vital victory

Cleve Rugby had a 54-12 victory over local rivals Chipping Sodbury, with Andy O'Donnell marking 600 first-team games. PAGE 57

Pupils at Bromley Heath Infant School spell out the rating awarded by Ofsted inspectors - the highest possible - in their latest report. Full story: Page 3

Spring in your step

As the bluebells have spring up and we get into sunnier times you might start to enjoy the garden. We don’t often think of gardening as exercise but it is, and you’ll get the most out of it and you body if you treat it in the same way.

So here’s a guide to keep your back in good shape whilst looking after the garden.

Warm up

Start with a brisk walk around the garden or gentle star jumps to get the heart rate up, you want to be on the edge of starting to get out of breath. Then move on to the lighter jobs you have to do to and build to the larger or heavier jobs now you’re thoroughly warm.

Break up the job

Even if your garden is covered

in leaves, don’t go raking up leaves for an hour in one go. Aim for spending 20-30 minutes on any one thing and take regular breaks. Perfect time for a cuppa!

Make it easy for yourself

Use tools to cart around the heavy bits, sack-barrows and wheelbarrows are and absolute god sends when it comes to bending and lifting.

Tips for using the ladder

When using a ladder or steps, make sure you are always facing it, keeping your shoulders, hips and knees pointing in the same direction. Rather than leaning

or reaching, move the ladder or step regularly to keep up with where you are. Any kind of ladder must be firmly and safely planted in position and, if possible, have someone else there to keep an eye on things.

Clothes

Wear moderately warm, comfy clothes that don’t restrict your movements. You should be a little bit chilly to start with and this will encourage you to get working and warm – better for your immune system too!

Seek professional advice – If you want to prevent back aches/pains or are experiencing some now, give us a call to stay well and keep active!

Matt Sutton

AN infant school is celebrating receiving an 'outstanding' rating from the education watchdog.

Inspectors from Ofsted visited Bromley Heath Infant School over two days in January and their report, published in March, praised the school's "inspirational" leaders, "passionate and knowledgeable" staff, and pupils who learn "exceptionally well".

The inspectors rated the school in Quakers Road as 'outstanding' in every areaquality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision.

Inspectors Angela Folland and Lizzie Lethbridge said: "Bromley Heath’s motto ‘be the best you can be’ is visible in every aspect of school life.

"Pupils learn exceptionally well from the moment they start school and consistently rise to the high expectations that adults have of them.

"Pupils show respect for one another at all times. They listen carefully to each other’s contributions in lessons. During breaktimes, they play harmoniously, enjoying the wide range of activities available."

The inspectors praised the curriculum, which they said was "designed to give all pupils the knowledge, values and life skills they need to be successful in the future".

They highlighted the school's success in linking different subjects to reinforce knowledge, giving an example of using pupils' learning about Bristol's geography to help lessons on history, and use of 'play projects' to help children apply their knowledge practically.

Successful techniques in ensuring pupils learn to read well had been used to create a "secure and consistent way" of developing numeracy skills.

Infant school provides an 'outstanding' education

particularly pleased that the inspectors noted the school's focus on children's personal development.

She said: "The outcome is thanks to a truly dedicated, hard-working and creative staff team, who work exceptionally well together and always try to make every day that little bit better, as well as the amazing children, who are so enthusiastic about their learning and really make the school the fantastic place it is.

Mrs Perry-Hodge also thanked the school's "active and supportive" parents, the governing body and contributions of her predecessor, Mrs Long.

The inspectors praised the leadership of head teacher Abigail Perry-Hodge and chair of governors Shelley Humphries, saying: "Leaders at all levels, including governors, are inspirational.

"Their full focus is on making sure that every pupil gets the very best education possible.

"Staff are proud to work at this school, where they feel encouraged and supported."

It is the first time the school, which has 180 pupils aged from four to seven, has been given an outstanding rating.

It had previously been rated 'good' in all its inspections, but at its last shorter visit in 2019 Ofsted found evidence of significant improvement under previous head Tina Long and recommended a longer inspection this time around, to take "deep dives" into some

subject areas.

Mrs Perry-Hodge said she was proud of the report, and

She said: "Whilst we are all delighted with the result, we will continue just as we have before, making the children's journey the best it can be."

Head teacher Abigail Perry-Hodge (centre), deputy head Kirsti Harris (left) and early years lead Danielle Blackburn (right) with children from Bromley Heath Infant School.

A reaction to the report spelled out by pupils and staff on the school field and captured by a drone.

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Bus franchising sparks row

POLITICAL leaders have blamed each other for a lack of progress on investigating bus franchising - taking the power to set bus timetables and routes back under public control.

The Reclaim Our Buses campaign is calling for the West of England Combined Authority to formally explore how bus franchising could work in the region.

But Metro Mayor Dan Norris has accused South Gloucestershire Council of being the main obstacle blocking bus franchising.

Mr Norris said that, unlike the nine other combined authorities in England, WECA lacked the power to raise its own income through charging a precept on council tax bills, forcing it to rely on receiving government funding with strict rules.

At a West of England Combined Authority scrutiny meeting on March 13 Mr Norris said: “Unless we get precepting sorted, then there won’t be any franchising.

"And at the moment, South Gloucestershire Council doesn’t want franchising and they don’t want precepting. Given I’ve got a voting system which requires unanimous voting, that’s quite an obstacle."

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COMPLAINTS

Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in the Downend Voice, contact the publisher using the details below. We aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour. Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Voice website here, or can be obtained by contacting the Publisher.

A member of the

Speaking after the meeting, South Gloucestershire leader Toby Savage accused Mr Norris of indulging in the "politicking", adding: "The WECA mayor has not wanted to facilitate a regional discussion about bus franchising.

"Were he to do so — and contrary to what has been stated — South Gloucestershire Council would be supportive of bus franchising being properly investigated, so we can understand how best to resolve the challenges facing our bus network."

Bus franchising has been in place in London for decades through Transport for London, and will be launched in Greater Manchester later this year.

Matthew Topham of Reclaim Our Buses campaign said Mr Norris couldn't know whether precepting would be needed until an investigation has been carried out, and said franchising might not require WECA to take on a financial risk.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Troubled home improves

IMPROVEMENTS have been made at a secure children’s home near Mangotsfield following a damning report criticising “unlawful, painful” physical restraint.

Ofsted inspectors returned to South Gloucestershire Councilrun Vinney Green secure unit for an 'assurance' visit in January, six months after publishing a report criticising the unit’s leaders for “repeated failures”, including unjustified use of solitary confinement for up to three days.

The education watchdog’s latest report says it did not identify “any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children” and that youngsters felt safe and were treated with dignity and respect. It describes the home, for young offenders deemed too vulnerable to be placed elsewhere in custody, as a “positive environment which supports them to make good progress”.

Although it was not a full reinspection, Ofsted assessed the care and safety of children and the effectiveness of managers at the home, which was judged to be 'inadequate' last June and to require improvement following a reinspection in August.

The report said: “The quality of care provided to children continues to improve."

It said youngsters knew how to make a complaint if they were unhappy about any aspect of their care and that these were “taken seriously, investigated and acted on”.

The report said: “Managers carefully review all incidents of physical restraint to ensure that the use of the measure was appropriate and proportionate."

Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

More 48s and 49s - but 47 bus is axed

ANOTHER revamp of bus services will see an increase in the number of 48 and 49 services linking Downend and Staple Hill to the city centre from April.

But only half of those services will continue to Emersons Green - and the last direct service to Yate, the 47, is being axed just six months after it was introduced.

Operator First and Metro Mayor Dan Norris say more than 1,600 hours of bus journeys in Bristol every week, which were cut in November due to driver shortages, are being reinstated from April 2, as a result of a £7 million investment under the West of England Combined Authority’s Bus Service Improvement Plan.

From Monday to Saturday there will be four 48s an hour from Downend to the centre and four 49s from Staple Hill, with two buses per hour on each service on Sundays.

In the opposite direction, every other 48 will terminate at the Horseshoe in Downend and every other 49 at Page Park in Staple Hill, with only half of the services going on to Emersons Green.

First says bus destination displays will indicate where each bus will terminate.

And neither the 48 nor the 49 will go to Lyde Green any more - the only bus service to the estate will be the metrobus m3.

First says it is axing the 47, less than six months after it was introduced, due to "low passenger numbers".

A new WECA-subsidised hourly service, the 525, will be operated by Stagecoach between Emersons Green, Pucklechurch, Westerleigh and Yate but will not pass through Shortwood village.

The end of the 47 also means that the bus link between Oldbury Court and Downend has been lost.

First says it is extending its use of new artificial intelligence (AI) scheduling software to improve punctuality across a range of services.

Managing director Doug Claringbold said: “These new timetables will significantly increase the service we offer our customers and I’m confident that our investment in new technology will also continue to improve punctuality.

"We will also be reinstating journeys in Bristol that we had to temporarily suspend last year, as we are starting to see the effect of our major driver recruitment and retention campaign."

Mr Norris said the increase in services meant Fishponds Road would have a frequency of ten buses an hour at peak times, which meant passengers could "turn up and go" without needing to check a timetable.

Some evening services on the 17 route to Southmead Hospital, Kingswood and Keynsham will be cut back after losing a subsidy from councils made via the West of England Combined Authority - although First says daytime services will continue, with a "revised timetable to improve punctuality".

Mr Norris called on local councils to increase their support for routes that were not commercially viable, but said they had recently reduced the amount they spent on routes via the transport levy, adding: "Less cash cannot equal more buses."

Residents will be asked views on pavilion loan

From Page 1

The parish council first unveiled detailed plans for a new pavilion to replace the existing run-down building in late 2020. At the time the cost was estimated at £600,000 to £700,000.

A planning application followed in March 2021, but it took a year for permission to be granted by South Gloucestershire Council.

The parish council first increased precept payments, collected as part of residents' council tax bills, when it took over responsibility for sports provision in 2016.

After deciding a new pavilion was needed in 2017, it has built up almost £540,000 in reserves towards the project.

A further £112,000 will come via South Gloucestershire Council, from contributions made by developers.

If the Football Foundation awards the £250,000 asked for the total would stand at just over £900,000.

But the cheapest quote received for the modular building and associated works is £1.25m, leaving a shortfall of around £350,000.

A report on the scheme put the difference down to two main factors.

The first is a dramatic increase in materials and construction costs - blamed on

a combination of "post-Brexit adjustments", the pandemic and inflation - since the planning application was made.

The second is "significant landscaping works" required to comply with planning permission for the site, which will include a new car park, electric vehicle charging points, scooter and bike parking and sports equipment storage.

Parish councillor Ben Burton, who is leading the project as chair of the sports pitches working group, told the annual parish meeting on March 16: "There's been a bit of price increase but a good proportion of that is investment in improvement of the park for the wider good."

The new pavilion includes changing facilities that meet

Tree seats are removed

WOODEN seating installed around the trunks of trees in Downend's high street area has now been removed.

The Voice reported last month that resident Terry Henson, who was one of the volunteers who helped build the seating with Downend In Bloom, had launched a protest after Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council agreed to pay the estimated £12,400 cost of removing the seats and repairing the stonework underneath.

Council workers removed them at the beginning of March.

However parish councillor James Griffiths said the original cost of the project was now expected to be lower. "The removal has cost £650, and the stone planters were in much better condition than first expected. Further work will be done to repair the stonework."

Cllr Griffiths said rubbish and rat droppings had been found under the seats after they were removed.

He said: "No-one could get access underneath to collect the rubbish or clean - it was unhygienic and attracted rodents, which shows the justification for removing them."

Cllr Griffiths said the parish council had voted to create a high street working group, which would meet once the local elections had taken place in May. Its first action would be to review existing seating and work out where new seating should go.

Sport England requirements for accessibility and child safeguarding, plus meeting rooms, office space and a recreational area that could be used by the whole community.

Cllr Burton, who also serves on South Gloucestershire Council's cabinet and is a coach with Downend Saints, the 'lead club' set to help run the pavilion and pitches, said loan repayments would not add to the amount currently charged in the precept, which is £65.74 for Band D homes this year.

He said taking a loan would enable the project to get going, adding: "If we try to save up another £500,000 the costs are going to keep going up."

A resident at the assembly said: "If we didn't do this project, the precept would be much

lower."

Cllr Burton said the consultation would probably include more than one option, rather than one simple yes or no answer on taking out a loan.

Ten days earlier there was heated debate at an extraordinary parish meeting, held to agree a public consultation over the loan and choose lowest bidder Derbybeech Ltd as the preferred contractor.

Mary Lewis, the chair of the Friends of King George V and Badminton Road Playing Fields, said she was "annoyed" that after years of planning the project might not be signed off.

She said: "Please, please don't delay the project now that it's got to this stage."

But former parish councillor Martyn Poole said: "All of the council tax payers in Downend & Bromley Heath are going to be left with a debt, for the first time ever, and they really get very little say in it."

Parish councillor Matt Pitts said: "Each household will be paying £340 to £350 each for a pavilion which 95% of the population isn't going to use. I feel uncomfortable committing the next seven or eight parish councils to a debt over 25 years, at 5% interest."

Fellow councillor Phil Abbott said: "Over 60% of the parish supported the build.

"The pavilion as it is isn't fit for purpose - it's got to go."

Unicorn coming

DOWNEND will host a decorated unicorn statue this summer as part of a new fundraising art trail.

The two metre-tall creation will be named Gracie, after WG Grace, and stand outside the former Lloyds Bank building on the corner of Badminton Road and Cleeve Road.

It will form part of the Bristol Unicorn Trail, part of the Unicornfest event raising money for charity Leukaemia Care between July and September.

The final design for Gracie has yet to be revealed but the statue will be one of dozens dotted around the city, with people encouraged to use trail maps to track them down, like the Gromit Unleashed and Wow! Gorilla trails of previous years.

Unicorns have been chosen for the trail due to their association with Bristol's coat of arms, as the city celebrates the 650th anniversary of being made a 'corporate county'.

For more information on the trail visit theunicornfest.co.uk

To advertise, contact Gary on 0779 9461169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: sales@downendvoice.co.uk

A computer-generated image of the new pavilion building

Jenny runs 500 miles in memory of dad

A DOWNEND woman is running 500 miles in support of a suicide awareness charity.

Jenny Wooldridge took on the year-long challenge in memory of her dad Brian Davies, who took his own life 30 years ago, aged 57.

Starting with the Bristol 10k back in September, Jenny has been running every week with her Labrador dog Wilbur, and is already more than halfway through her challenge. She originally planned to finish with the Bristol Half Marathon, but after it was moved from September to May she applied for and won a place at the Great North Run on September 11.

Jenny is raising money for charity the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), which works to tackle the stigma around suicide, raise awareness and offer support to people who are struggling with life.

CALM says 6,500 lives in the UK are lost to suicide every year and three quarters of those are male: it is the biggest killer of men aged under 45.

Jenny said: "So many people are affected by suicide and so many men are losing their lives unnecessarily. Men are also less likely to engage with support or traditional mental health services. In 1992 we lost our Dad to suicide. His death was sudden and came

without any of the apparent warnings.

"It was utterly ‘out of character’ and it was devastating. For years after his death, I struggled with my own mental health as I tried to come to terms with the loss of Dad.

"Running was one of the things which got me through these times and just the sense that I had to hang on and hope that things would get better.

"Last year marked 30 years since we lost Dad and I wanted to give something back and help, in my own way, to break the stigma of mental health and suicide.

"I wanted to stand with those who struggle

with dark thoughts but also to talk about hope, hanging on and new horizons."

Jenny is aiming to raise £500 to support CALM's work with her 500-mile run - she has an online donations page at justgiving.com/ fundraising/jenny-wooldridge22.

She said: "Every pound given can alter a life, and we can all make a difference by talking about mental health and enabling people just to talk about how they feel."

CALM runs a national helpline, open from 5pm to midnight every day, on 0800 585858.

To find out more about CALM visit www. thecalmzone.net.

Jenny Wooldridge and her dog, Wilbur

Jenny as a child with dad Brian Davis

Children lead the way on car-free travel

A PUPIL at a Downend primary school has won an award for encouraging children and parents to leave the car at home on the school run.

Annette Poon, aged nine, was among children from across South Gloucestershire who took part in a council-run competition to design a poster to encourage environmentally-friendly travel to school.

The St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Primary School pupil's winning design included people walking and scooting to school, as well as an electric car - and called on people to stop using oil.

The competition, called Safer, Fitter, Greener, Wiser, was linked to the Modeshift STARS (Sustainable Travel Accreditation and Recognition for Schools) initiative to persuade families to use "active travel" methods, including walking, scooting and cycling, to travel to school instead of driving.

St Augustine’s has already

won ‘Modeshift Bronze’ accreditation in recognition of its work to promote active travel, and head teacher Mark Hilliam says the school is close to

winning silver status.

He said: "The children at St Augustine’s really enjoy our ‘walk to school’ initiatives.

"Annette’s winning design really encapsulates our Catholic ethos and commitment to protecting our planet."

Also celebrating awards success was Barley Close Primary School in Mangotsfield.

The school became the first in the district to win platinum Modeshift STARS status last year, and was invited to a regional awards ceremony, where it was named South Gloucestershire school of the year.

Head teacher Jo Williams said: "Barley Close has continued to work with Living Streets and Mode shift to support sustainable travel to school as well as encouraging active travel to make the streets safer when coming to school.

"The children record the way they travel to school daily and are rewarded by travelling in an active way.

"The school has seen a reduction in the number of cars at the school gate."

Mrs Williams said pupils also take part in regular road safety workshops: a recent project with Year 5 pupils focused on environmentally-friendly forms of travel.

New double yellows near school

DOUBLE yellow lines and zigzag parking restrictions are set to be introduced on streets near Barley Close Primary School.

South Gloucestershire Council plans to introduce the new measures to "prevent inconsiderate and dangerous parking" close to the school in Mangotsfield, and "make it more attractive to walk to school".

The scheme includes extra double yellow lines on Royal Road, Stockwell Drive and Stockwell Avenue.

There would also be a new yellow zigzag 'no stopping' restriction on Stockwell Drive, in force between 8-9.30am and 3-4.30pm, to prevent cars parking close to the pedestrian access into the school during the morning and afternoon school run.

Announcing the measures, the council said: "Concerns have been raised regarding the dangerous and inconsiderate/inappropriate parking on the streets surrounding Barley Close Community Primary School, including parking on the pavement.

"These proposals therefore aim to address some of these concerns where possible, and will supplement the existing restrictions in Barley Close itself. These residential roads and pavements in this area are narrow, and parking reduces the width of the road even further, making pedestrians feel vulnerable."

The zigzag lines will extend in front of the two houses either side of the school's pedestrian access in Stockwell Drive.

The new double yellow lines will be on all sides of the road at the Stockwell Drive/Stockwell Avenue junction, at the Stockwell Drive/ Royal Road junction, and on various stretches of Royal Road between Greenside and Stockwell Drive.

A short "informal consultation" on the changes was announced by the council after March's Voice went to print and closed before April's edition was published.

The council said the restrictions would supplement the Highway Code rule on parking within 10 metres of a junction, and said it hoped to bring in a legal order and paint the lines during the next 12 months.

Annette Poon and her brother Bennett with her winning poster, which has been turned into a banner.

Vaccination centre shuts

A COVID vaccination centre set up at the University of the West of England's Frenchay campus has closed, after giving more than 270,000 jabs.

It brings to an end a three-year occupation of UWE’s Exhibition and Conference Centre, which started when the building was converted into an NHS Nightingale Hospital early in the pandemic.

It took just 24 days and cost £14.2 million to open the hospital in April 2020, but it was never used to treat Covid cases.

After being 'stood down' a year later it was taken over by the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Vaccination Programme, and opened as a vaccine centre that July.

At its peak in December 2021 more than 4,000 people a day were being given AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna jabs at the centre, which was open seven days a week for appointments and walk-in clinics.

The 273,000 Covid vaccinations administered at the centre represented more than one in every ten of the 2.6 million given across the region, and it also offered flu and monkeypox jabs.

Future vaccinations will all be administered at community vaccination clinics, GP surgeries and pharmacies

The UWE centre's final vaccination clinic was held on March 17.

BNSSG Covid-19 Vaccination Programme chief nurse Anne Morris said the closure was a "positive

milestone".

She said: "The closure of the Vaccination Centre @ UWE Bristol is only possible because of the hard work of numerous health and care colleagues across our system, as well as the overwhelming response from people in our area who have come forward for their covid vaccinations when invited."

UWE Bristol vice-chancellor Professor Steve West said: "It is a source of great pride for our staff and students that our university hosted the region’s largest vaccination centre."

For details of local vaccination sites visit www. grabajab.net.

Easter trail

FAMILIES are being encouraged to count the chicks along Staple Hill High Street over the school holidays.

The Staple Hill Chamber of Trade is running an Easter Trail, which launches on April 1 and runs for three weeks.

Children can count the chicks along the street to win a chocolate treat and entry into a draw for a giant Easter egg, with finders of a 'golden egg' winning a £25 voucher to spend at a participating shop on the high street.

Entry forms can be collected from Nom Wholefoods, Platinum Pet Care, the Card Shop or Sweet Treats.

Nom's Nikki Watten, who is helping organise the event, said: "We’d also like to thank the children of Tynings and Staple Hill primary schools for beautifully colouring in the flowers that have been displayed in shop windows for Mother’s Day."

For more information search for @wearestaplehill on Instagram or Facebook.

family run

for over 85 years, supplying and tting quality ooring in the Bristol and surrounding

The opening ceremony for the NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol in 2020. Picture: Ben Birchall, Press Association.

n TURNERS VISION

How to choose sunglasses to protect your eyes

AS

we head into spring we’ll be reaching for our shades on the way out the door.

Sunglasses are often seen as more of a fashion piece than eye protectors. Luxury brands advertise them as accessories to complete your outfit, but mention little about the benefits for your eyes.

Sunglasses vary greatly. Some provide excellent protection against harmful UV rays, whereas others are just slightly tinted lenses that look great but offer little benefit. With such a vast array to choose from, it can be overwhelming trying to find a pair that fit your style and provide the necessary protection.

So here’s my list of the 5 features to look out for when choosing sunglasses.

1.Look

for UV protection

Personally, I think that this is the most important factor. UV rays are extremely harmful to eyes, damaging your corneas and causing cataracts and macular degeneration. When looking for sunglasses, aim for lenses with 100% protection against both UVA & UVB rays, to maximise effectiveness. Look out for the Zeal Optics range in our stores – (part of the Hawaiian brand Maui Jim, designed by folk who know more than most about designing sun protection!).

2.Check the lens colour

The colour of your lenses can affect how much visible light enters your eyes. Lenses that are too dark can increase your eyes' sensitivity to light if worn a lot. Lens colour has little effect on protection from UV rays, however, it can impact your vision in certain environments, for example, grey lenses are great for bright sunlight.

3. Consider the shape and size

Not something you would usually consider affecting your eye health, but the shape of your glasses can add extra protection. Ideally, sunglasses that fit close to your face and cover much of your eyes are the best, as those that don’t cover enough of the eye can allow for UV exposure at certain angles.

4. Pick a pair suited to your lifestyle

When are you going to be wearing your sunglasses most? Just out for a walk? Then stylish Ray Bans will do the job. But if you’re into outdoor sports a pair with impact resistance, like the Oakley range, are recommended. If you spend time near water and snow, Polarised lenses can reduce glare. We stock all these brands in both our Henleaze and Fishponds branches. If you wear prescription glasses, don’t forget to get prescription sunglasses to avoid discomfort.

5. Don’t forget about the quality

Finally, choose sunglasses made from high-quality materials. Cheap materials won’t provide the same UV protection and likely won’t last as long.

What do I wear?

I get asked this a lot! I love my chrome Rockstar glasses by Tom Davies –the creator of bespoke eyewear for the stars. Want to channel your inner rock star? We have a stock of these in our stores to try out. To book an appointment or view our sunglasses range, 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

Lego winners build technology skills

CHILDREN from three schools in the area cleaned up at a regional Lego competition.

A team from Frenchay Primary School won both the innovation and overall awards at the Institute of Engineering and Technology First Lego League competition held at the Whirlpool factory in Yate in March.

Also picking up trophies were a team from Stanbridge Primary School, who won the robot design award, and Barley Close Primary School, who were judged to be the most improved team over the course of the event.

A total of 80 children from eight schools in Bristol and South Gloucestershire took part in the event and also had a tour of the sponsors' factory, where Hotpoint and Indesit tumble driers are made.

The aim of the annual competition is to promote science, engineering, maths and technology skills, teamwork and creativity.

This year's theme was energy, and the teams were given a series of fast-paced challenges and games, using programmed autonomous Lego robots they had been working on in advance.

Whirlpool spokesperson Ian Moverley said: “It has been a jam-packed day and very inspiring to see the students working together to use their ingenuity and resourcefulness to programme their robots, solving real-world challenges around energy and fuel.”

As overall Champions Award winners, the Frenchay Primary team will take part in the contest's national finals in Harrogate in April.

Frenchay teacher Hannah Price, who coached the team of Year 6 pupils, said: "This has been such a wonderful opportunity for the children to develop their STEM skills and experience life in the engineering world.

"We are absolutely thrilled to have won the competition, which is down to the whole team's dedication and hard work."

Stanbridge's team worked on coding for their robot to iron out some glitches during the day, and deputy head David Payne praised their "dedication and collaboration".

He said: "Computing has become a cornerstone of our curriculum offer. It has empowered the children to develop 21st century skills that will support them in being successful adults and our computing lessons have become a treasured part of the school week for many children."

Barley Close head teacher Jo Williams praised the team and teacher Lauren Coyne, who coached them for the tournament.

The tournament is open to teams of up to ten children aged 9 to 11, with at least two adult coaches. For more information about next year's event email elle.roberts-nissen@ consciouscomms.com.

Barley Close was the most improved team

The winning Frenchay Primary School team

Stanbridge Primary School won the robot design award

Row over new voter ID rules

MORE than 8,000 voters could be "disenfranchised" at South Gloucestershire’s elections because of a new law requiring them to show proof of identity at the polling station, it has been claimed.

The elections in May will be the first for which residents will have to show an accepted form of ID - and face being barred from voting if they do not have one.

Frampton Cotterell ward Liberal Democrat councillor Tristan Clark told a council meeting in February: “The number of voters who lack an accepted form of ID in South Gloucestershire could, under the Cabinet Office’s own assessment, exceed 8,000 people.

“Will polling station staff be recording the number of people they turn away for lacking the requisite form of ID, so that proper analysis of the residents disenfranchised by this rushed and ill-conceived legislation can occur?”

Council cabinet member Ben

Burton insisted that the changes in last year’s Elections Act had not been rushed.

The Frenchay & Downend ward Conservative councillor said: "I’ll follow up with democratic services whether they will be recording the amount of people turned away."

He said a trial in 2018 in Swindon had been followed by a "a robust and comprehensive review" by the Electoral Commission of the number of people voting.

Cllr Burton said: "In that instance it did not cause a significant change in voting habits, and actually turnout was higher than the previous election in 2016.

"The arrangements are in place to ensure that the democratic process remains secure and that voting will hopefully remain high.

"The actual list of acceptable forms of ID is incredibly long. We are talking passports, driving licence, biometric immigration

document, identity cards, MOD ID, blue badge, national identity, old person’s bus card, Oyster card, freedom passes and a whole host more.

“So actually the chances of someone not having those is relatively small, and we will make the arrangements where we are able to support those who do not have an acceptable form of ID.”

More information about ID and how to apply can be found online at beta.southglos.gov.uk/ voter-id.

Anyone who is not online can also apply in person, by calling South Gloucestershire Council on 01454 863030 and making an appointment to visit the council offices in Yate.

People applying for the free ID need to have their National Insurance number and a recent photo to hand.

Cllr Burton said that 56 people in the district had applied for a free 'voter authority certificate' by early February.

Electoral Commission research found voters less likely to have an accepted form of ID are over-85s, people with disabilities, trans and homeless people.

The deadline to register to vote is April 17, postal vote applications must be made by April 18 and proxy vote and for free ID applications by April 25.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Nominations closing

ANYONE who would like to stand for election in this year has until April 4 to submit their nomination.

The local elections on May 4 will see all 61 seats on South Gloucestershire Council up for election, including three seats each for the Frenchay & Downend, Staple Hill & Mangotsfield and Emersons Green wards covering the area.

The 492 town and parish council seats up for election across the district include 13 on the new Staple Hill & Mangotsfield Parish Council, 12 on Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council, 16 on Emersons Green Town Council and four Frenchay members for Winterbourne Parish Council.

The deadline to submit nomination papers is 4pm on April 4.

For more information about becoming a candidate, visit beta.southglos.gov.uk/stand-for-election, call 01454 863030, email electoral.services@southglos.gov.uk or write to Electoral Registration, PO Box 1953, Badminton Road, Bristol, BS37 0DB.

Scooter parking hazard

ELECTRIC scooter operator Voi says it is making changes to a parking zone in Downend after scooters were left obstructing a crossing point for pedestrians at a busy junction.

Residents say up to six hired scooters at a time have been "dumped" at the corner of Buckingham Place and Westerleigh Road, often obstructing a tactile dropped kerb installed to help visually-impaired people cross.

John Blake, who lives nearby, said the problem had persisted for months, despite repeated complaints to the operator that it was a hazard, particularly to elderly people using the footpath. John said he was almost hit by a Voi scooter mounting the pavement to use the e-scooter operator's designated parking place in March.

Voi has another parking spot close by, next to Sainsbury's Local.

A Voi spokesperson said: “We’re sorry if our scooters parked on the corner of Westerleigh Road and Buckingham Place have caused any inconvenience to pedestrians.

"We’ve made some changes to the parking at that location as a result of the complaint and our street patrols will carry out regular checks to monitor it.

“Anyone concerned about e-scooter parking or who spots inconsiderate riding or parking can report it on report.voi.com and we’ll investigate any issue.”

Appeal over flats plan

A DEVELOPER wanting to build 42 retirement flats on the site of the former Staple Hill Infant School has launched a legal challenge to South Gloucestershire Council.

Churchill Retirement Living submitted plans for four-storey apartment buildings with one- and two-bedroom flats, communal facilities and car parking on the corner site in Page Road last September. The application was validated in October, giving the council three months to decide whether it would approve or reject it.

The time limit ran out in January and the developer has now appealed to the Planning Inspectorate over the council's failure to determine the plan in time.

It means the final decision on whether to build the flats now rests with a government planning inspector, rather than local councillors.

In a document supporting the appeal, agents Planning Issues said the plans "accord with national and local planning policy, and in line with the presumption in favour of sustainable development...should be approved without delay".

They said the site was a "highly sustainable location" at a a vacant brownfield site within reasonable walking distance of local services, and would make a positive contribution to the local economy by placing development where it is needed, to meet a "serious and significant" need for older people's housing.

Churchill Retirement Living, which has already built New Pooles Lodge retirement development on nearby Staple Hill Road, also said the council had been unable to demonstrate a five-year supply of housing land that would weigh against the scheme.

The old infant school building was demolished in 2019.

There have been five objections to the plans, mainly focusing on parking, congestion, design and the size of the development.

South Glos Council can still decide whether it would have supported or rejected the plans, and should therefore contest the appeal.

Scooters parked at the corner of Buckingham Place and Westerleigh Road.

Picture: John Blake

Woman fined over cigarette

A STAPLE Hill woman has been ordered to pay almost £900 for throwing a cigarette end down a drain in the High Street.

South Gloucestershire Council said Sarah Hopkins was seen by enforcement officers, who handed her a £150 fixed penalty notice for littering, which would have been cut to £75 if paid within 10 days.

However the council said that Hopkins, who lives in the High Street, "made no effort to make any payment" and as a result she was taken to court in February.

She did not attend the hearing at Bristol Magistrates Court, at which she was found guilty in her absence and fined £220, ordered to pay £559 in costs and an £88 victim surcharge, totalling £867.

Two other people were also ordered to pay a similar amount after their cases were heard at the same hearing: a Kingswood man who threw away a drinks can in Regent Street and a Fishponds man who threw a cigarette down a drain in Moravian Road, Kingswood.

South Gloucestershire Council's cabinet member responsible for environmental enforcement, Rachael Hunt, said: "We all have a responsibility to dispose of our litter correctly and there is no excuse for carelessly discarding waste and expecting others to clean it up.

"Cans or smoking litter should be placed in the bins provided or taken home.

"There is a common misconception that by throwing cigarette ends down the drain that is somehow a lesser thing to do than throwing it on the ground.

"However, both instances constitute littering, with those thrown down drains eventually making their way into water courses and potentially even the sea, and it can take between 18 months and 10 years for the component parts of a cigarette end to decompose."

Littering and other anti-social offences can be reported by visiting www.southglos.gov.uk/report.

Heathfest festival cancelled

BROMLEY Heath's summer community festival has been cancelled, for the fourth year in a row.

Organisers of Heathfest announced the decision that this year's volunteer-run festival would not take place "with much regret".

The event in Bromley Heath Park attracted 4,000 people the last time it was staged in July 2019, and raised £2,500 for local charities.

But it had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus lockdown in 2020 and continuing restrictions the following year.

Last year a decline in volunteers following the pandemic meant there was not enough support to run the festival.

The Heathfest Committee appealed for people to get involved, but not enough came forward to run the event this year.

The committee said: "We are very sorry we cannot bring you a Heathfest extravaganza this year.

"Unfortunately, having lost many existing committee members after holding the roles for a number of years, and due to not having enough people involved in helping to organise, before and also on the day, it is just not something we can run successfully this year.

"We will be following up with anyone who has already been in contact to help and also looking to hold a new members' meeting in July, in order to discuss whether it can happen next year.

"Please do let us know if you are interested in joining the committee, in whatever capacity - all interests and skills welcome, whether that be social media, production, sponsorship, admin, site management, finance - there is a place for everyone.

"The festival takes a huge amount of organisation both in the months before and on the day, so any help from local residents would be hugely welcome."

Anyone who wants to get involved should message the Heathfest Facebook page.

Inspector praises after-school club

AN inspector has praised the well-mannered children and attentive staff at a primary school's after-school club.

Ofsted visited Stanbridge Out Of School Club, which is based at the Downend primary school in Stanbridge Road but run independently, in January and found the club met its requirements for quality and standards of early years provision.

Inspector Shanaz Scully said: "Children enjoy attending this after-school club. They are happy to explore their surroundings and are independent learners.

"Staff provide a warm welcome and know how to meet the needs of all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities."

The inspector praised the club's "well mannered, polite, and respectful" children, and said staff are "attentive to children's needs and ensure they follow children's interests when

planning activities".

Children were encouraged to be active, from practising forward rolls and handstands on mats indoors to playing team sports outdoors.

She said: "Staff are good role models and encourage all children to have a go and participate, while ensuring children gain the essential skills, such as learning to follow instructions, turn taking and being a team player."

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The inspector also praised relations with parents, staff's understanding of their role to provide a safe environment and arrangements for safeguarding at the club, which has 153 children aged four to 11 on its roll and up to 60 places available per session. It is managed by Nikki Morris, who is also a teaching assistant at the school.

Ofsted's report was written by the same inspector who visited

last year and said the club was not meeting requirements, due to a technical error. Some staff, who had enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) safety checks in relation to their roles during the school day, did not have separate checks in place for their club roles.

Speaking on behalf of the club's trustees, chair Chris Moore said: "Though there was never any doubt in my mind of the outcome once we had ironed out the minor administrative issue on our last Ofsted visit, we're so glad that this follow-up inspection resulted in a positive outcome and gave our outstanding team the opportunity to show how dedicated they are to providing high quality care for the pupils of Stanbridge.

"Myself and the trustees are so proud of the efforts of the club staff, especially our manager Nikki and deputy manager Becky for having helped the club go from strength to strength."

School's music award

MANGOTSFIELD School has been given an award for its art, music and drama teaching.

The secondary school has been awarded a silver Artsmark Award, a quality standard for arts and cultural education accredited by Arts Council England.

The school unveiled a new vision for art, music and drama teaching after the lockdown, aiming to engage pupils who might find traditional classroom learning a challenge through a combination of opportunities including choir and drumming clubs, pottery and photography workshops, year group art trips to London’s National Portrait Gallery and theatres, and connections with artists.

The school has also hosted art workshops for Year 5 and 6 pupils at local primary schools and visited primary schools to share music.

Head teacher Hetty Blackmore said: "There is a real sense of belonging and ownership as students have had the opportunity to perform at concerts, demonstrate and sell their art at local community trails, and collaborate with Artsmark partners such as Art Bytes.

"Whilst we are very pleased to be awarded the silver, we are now aiming for the platinum award.

"We will use this platform as a springboard to celebrate the breadth of our school cohort.

"Already, we have new schemes of work in place celebrating the diversity, equity and inclusion of our community.

"We have two years to achieve the platinum and I am confident that our ambitious staff and fantastic students will rise to the challenge."

Talent showcase

TALENTED young musicians from the region's schools will perform on the same bill as professionals in Mangotsfield's St James Church.

Organisers of the area's Ham Farm Festival are holding a one-off concert on April 29 at 7pm.

Children from South Gloucestershire Music Hub will play for 30 minutes at the start, before a one-hour performance from professional violin and guitar duo Paco y Julian.

Festival organiser and musician Emily Correa, who also teaches flute at Downend School, said: "The idea of the concert is to enable local people and particularly local young people to hear world-class music making, and also to get young musicians in the area performing on a professional stage, to a public audience, showcasing the talent of South Gloucestershire youth.

"It's the first time a concert like this has happened in South Gloucestershire, but we hope not the last."

Tickets for the event, which is being subsidised by the festival, are free to under-18s and cost £10 in advance for adults, online at bit.ly/3ZJeN4O, or £12 on the door.

George Sharp, Ben Willoughby-Smith and Ollie Jackway practising in Mangotsfield School's music department

PROPOSED LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION INVESTMENT IN BROMLEY HEATH TENNIS COURTS

South Gloucestershire Council has been approached by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), who are interested in supporting them with their work to get more people in South Gloucestershire active, and specifically, through increasing opportunities to play tennis.

They would like to invest in our local tennis courts, but first want to understand about potential interest in tennis locally. We would like to hear from both those who do, and people who don’t currently play tennis. There are three sets of tennis courts in South Gloucestershire owned parks. The courts at Page Park and Kingswood Park are operated by South Gloucestershire Council, whilst the two courts at Bromley Heath Playing Fields are operated by Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council.

Improvements will include resurfacing of the courts, upgrading of the fencing around the courts, installation of gates access and an online booking system. A condition of the LTA funding is that courts must be pre-booked. Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council has agreed to cover the cost of court hire at Bromley Heath.

Before confirming the LTA investment, potential interest needs to be understood so please fill out the survey. This can be accessed via: https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/LTA_ investment/consultationHome

In addition to the above the Parish Council will receive a grant from South Gloucestershire Council towards downlighting for our tennis courts.  The energy-efficient lighting will only be activated when the tennis courts are in use. We will be consulting on the lighting proposal

shortly and hope you will also support this enhancement for our community.

GRAFFITI

It is a shame to have to report that there have been spates of graffiti at both the Bromley Heath pavilion and the pavilion at King George V / Badminton Road Playing Fields. The Parish Council has just spent £133 removing the graffiti at Bromley Heath. We would urge residents to be vigilant and report any issues to the Police immediately.

NEW PAVILION PROJECT AT KING GEORGE V / BADMINTON ROAD PLAYING FIELDS

Exciting developments have been made in relation to the building of a new pavilion at King George V and Badminton Road Playing fields. The proposed project is a communitybased pavilion and sports facility that will serve as a hub for sports teams, community groups, and local events. The facility has the potential to include a coffee shop (pop up or something more formal depending on demand), office space for the Parish Council Clerk, room rental for meetings, children’s parties and other gatherings. The improvements to the pavilion and

surrounding areas will help promote the wider park and intensify the use and enjoyment by the community.

A competitive tender exercise was conducted, with the lowest tender received of approximately £1.2m. This tender included clearing the existing site, ground works, new pavilion and landscaping. The lowest tender was higher than original estimates mainly due to the need to provide extensive landscaping works and improvements to the car park in order to comply with conditions attached to the planning permission. These are extra costs but represent a significant investment in the wider King George V park for the benefit of the whole community.

There has been significant public support for a new pavilion and ‘doing nothing’ is not an option given the Parish Council’s responsibility to ensure sports and other activities can take place on the playing fields. We have applied for a Football Foundation grant, the final amount of which is yet to be determined. The proposed pavilion and landscaping will attract significant additional third-party funding:

• Parish Council Reserves totalling £538,865.

• Section 106 funding from South Gloucestershire Council of £112,143.

• A Public Works Loan Board loan to make up any shortfall (final amount to be determined). This loan element will be the subject of a separate public consultation, but it is important to stress that it is very common for Parish Councils to borrow in this form to help make improvements to local facilities and the public realm. Residents should be assured that the Parish Council’s element of the Council Tax (known as the Precept) will not increase. The loan will accelerate the plans so that it can be implemented more quickly and ‘lock in’ lower construction costs.

The Parish Council has been committed to this project for over 6 years and the reality of successfully completing the project is on the horizon. The community has been supportive throughout and there is a fantastic opportunity to bring a lasting legacy. With careful planning and execution, this facility is poised for success.

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The T-shirt printing and embroidery service with a full range of leisure wear including tees, polos, hoodies and sweatshirts. Attached to this section is also the signmaking set up where all shopfronts and general signage is catered for with van livery a speciality. Ask Paul about the latest trend of bespoke wall art for your home decor, with a top quality canvas printer now available.

Staple Hill Stores

Known locally by many people as ‘Arkwrights’, quite simply this store has so many different items they are impossible to list.

The shop itself is classed as a traditional ironmongers which has served the locals for the last 20 years.

The stock ranges from, plants, seeds through to creosote, lightbulbs (over 250 different types), wild bird food and feeders as well as lots of loose traditional hardware items.

All the flower and vegetable plants are purchased locally from independent small nurseries.

Our hay and straw is grown on a farm near Pucklechurch. Our wooden furniture is

made out of drift wood from the river Severn and other woodwork is all made locally by craftsmen. A sharpening service for tools is also available.

Lloydbottoms

We are a well-established, friendly firm of Chartered Accountants, on Staple Hill High Street. We provide a full range of accounting and tax services to local businesses and individuals.

Our goal is to provide an outstanding tailored and personal service to our clients: helping our business clients to achieve greater profitability, and our individual clients to

enjoy greater wealth. Whether you are an individual looking for help with your tax return, a business needing assistance with VAT or payroll, or a new start-up

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To discuss how we can help you, please contact us for a free initial consultation. We look forward to working with you.

have just started supplying trellis and picket fencing made locally.

Within the pet foods section we have Royal Canin, James Wellbeloved, Burn’s, Chudley’s and Altarky and Forthglade wet dog and cat, Nature’s Diet wet foods as well as a wide range of dog treats natural or pre-packed, frozen dog and cat foods, reptile frozen foods, live insects and bedding. Our hay, straw and woodshavings are sourced locally.We offer a wide range of wild bird food, rabbit food, small animal foods, chick foods, budgies, parrot and canary food.

Farleys

Farley’s Pet Foods & Supplies has been on Broad Street in Staple Hill for nine years. It is a family run shop selling pet foods and garden supplies and have grown the garden supplies part of the business. The garden supplies section includes weed killer, fertilizers, treatments, hoses, hose fittings, spades, forks, hoes and we

Our range of frozen reptile food and live insects is a good asset as there aren’t many shops that sell that any more.

Spectrum Accountancy Solutions

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Sheen Studios

all businesses and individuals. The practice is supported by a team of friendly, skilled and experienced staff who will ensure you meet all compliance requirements. We offer a full range of accountancy services from personal taxation, VAT and year end compliance to business advice and Cloud accountancy. If you are affected by the new Making Tax Digital requirement you might want to get in touch with us to discuss your approach further. For an initial, free consultation, call us on 0117 902218.

Sheen Studios

This father and son business has been running now for 45 years with Michael Sheen

the 4th generation of picture framers. Terry, Michael’s father, was one of the founder members of the Chamber of Trade and is still striving to improve the local area.

Expert picture framing has been the mainstay of the business for the local area and beyond, where they are able to offer framing advice and ideas as well as picture restoration and renovation.

A wide range of jewellery, watches, limited edition prints, gifts and Bristol Blue glass are also available with a watch battery and strap fitting service.

If you need passport/visa photos just pop in for their instant photography service.

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More seek school places

AN extra 170 children applied for places at South Gloucestershire's secondary schools in September compared with last year.

The council received 3,334 applications from families with children heading into Year 7 after the summer holidays, up from 3,164 in 2022.

It meant that, while more children in total than last year were given a place at their first-choice school, the number who were offered none of their three preferences rose by 45%, from 85 to 123.

The number of children being offered their first-choice school was 2,887 or 86%, compared with 2,807 or 89% last year.

Another 264 (8%) were offered their second-choice school, up from 228 (7%) in 2022.

Third preference places were offered to 56 children (2%) up from 44 (1%) in 2022.

Schools in the area are under pressure for places as plans for a new secondary school in Lyde Green continue to be delayed. The council announced in March that it will no longer be open in time for September 2024 - two years after the date originally announced.

As a result Downend School has offered 60 extra places for September 2023 "to assist in responding to the additional demand for secondary school places from the Lyde Green housing development," the council says, although Winterbourne Academy has not offered any extra places this year, having done so in 2022.

Objection to bedsits plan

DOWNEND & Bromley Heath Parish Council has publicly objected to plans to turn a terraced house in Downend Road into eight bedsits.

Innova Property Ltd wants to turn the three-bedroom, two-storey house into an eight-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) over three storeys.

The plan involves turning the ground floor front room into a bedroom, dividing the first floor front bedroom into two bedrooms to make four on that floor and adding a further three bedrooms in an L-shaped loft conversion.

The developer says the loft conversion counts as permitted development and all of the bedrooms would be larger than the 6.51sqm minimum required under council policy.

But the developer says there are no parking spaces on the site, which backs onto Christchurch Lane, and says a "zero-parking approach is also to be maintained for the proposed use".

It says it will build a secure cycle store for eight bikes in the back garden.

The parish council has raised an objection on grounds of overdevelopment and no parking being provided.

No other objections had been received to the plans as the Voice went to print.

They can be found on the planning section of South Gloucestershire Council's website by searching for application P23/00727/F.

Care home rated good

A CARE home in Staple Hill run by charity Milestones Trust is good in all areas, inspectors have found.

The Care Quality Commission visited 25-27 Teewell Avenue for an unannounced inspection in February and found the home, for five people with mental health needs, was safe and well-led.

The CQC said: "People told us they were safe and liked living in Teewell Avenue.

"People were supported by staff who had been through a robust recruitment process, received training and were supported."

Slumber party

CHILDREN at Christ Church Infant School in Downend dressed in their pyjamas to enjoy some bedtime stories in class for World Book Day.

The after-school event raised £400 to buy new books for the school, which spread its celebration of the love of reading over a whole week in March.

There were class trips to Staple Hill and Downend libraries for more stories, and a ‘book in a shoe box’ competition, making displays based on favourite stories.

Former pupils now in Year 6 came back from neighbouring Christ Church Junior School to take part in a "reading café" event.

Head teacher Anna Martin said: "We were so inspired by how confidently they read now.

"All in all it was a wonderful week that was based around diversity, equality and inclusion.

"The whole week was planned by the brilliant Mrs Jenni Rylands, our reading lead, who works tirelessly to inspire all of our children to develop a love of learning, no matter what their ability."

Park operator fined

THE owner of a mobile home park next to the River Frome has been ordered to pay more than £33,000 in fines and costs for operating the site without the proper licence.

Wyldecrest Parks (Management) Limited took over Riverside Drive Park in 2021 and applied for a licence for 35 caravans.

Bristol City Council, which is the local authority for the site between Downend, Frenchay and Oldbury Court, asked for evidence of planning permission for the site to operate as a caravan park to support the licence application.

But the council said no evidence was supplied over the next year, leaving the authority "with no option but to pursue prosecution".

Wyldecrest was brought before Bristol Magistrates Court earlier this year and fined £8,000, plus £25,000 costs and a £181 victim surcharge, for operating the site without a proper licence.

After the council's summons was issued, Wyldecrest applied for a certificate of lawful existing use for the site, which was granted late last year, with a caravan site licence granted shortly afterwards.

Council cabinet member for homes Tom Renhard said: “This is a case where a large company, one of the UK’s largest operators of residential parks and holiday homes, refused to work with officers to ensure their operations were legal and above board.

"Such practices call into serious question the commitment of the company’s management to operating safe and compliant sites."

Wyldecrest has appealed to the Crown Court against the conviction.

Last year the company sparked complaints from neighbours when it felled up to 39 trees on the site.

An application to cut down another 26 trees at the site was made in January but rejected by the city council, which says it is investigating alleged offences of damaging trees subject to a Tree Protection Order over the past year.

Quarry House in Fishponds offers safe and nurturing care

We are now enabling close contact visits in the home, every resident is able to have an essential care giver, and there is no isolation required for new residents from the community. We still have a varied activity schedule which keeps life interesting and happy.

We also ensure:

• Strict Infection Control measures approved by Public Health England are fully implemented

• Care staff wear PPE at all times and we have ensured a high volume of supply

• Skilled nurses are on site 24/7 and respiratory equipment is at hand

• Safe face-to-face visits where possible

Christ Church Infants pupils ready for their bedtime stories

n PAGE PARK NEWS

We're ready to host Armed Forces Day

PAGE Park will play host to a celebration to show appreciation of the work of the Armed Forces in June.

Armed Forces Day is making a return in the district for the first time since 2019, after three years of cancellations following the pandemic.

The event was previously held in Kingswood but is moving for the relaunch, with a parade through Staple Hill to the park at the start of the event on June 17, which will also feature music, entertainment, business and craft stalls.

Armed Forces Day is an annual national event to give people the opportunity to show their support for the men and women of the Armed Forces past and present, including current serving troops, service families, reservists,

veterans and cadets.

Chairman of the organising committee Ian Campbell, who

Have your say on tennis court revamp

PEOPLE are being urged to have their say on plans to revamp the tennis courts at Page Park.

The Lawn Tennis Association has offered to spend around £50,000 resurfacing and upgrading the courts.

But the current free access to the three courts would end if the plan went ahead, as a condition of the investment would be that access is pre-booked, with users either paying a £36 annual household membership fee or £6 per hour to play and the courts fitted with a locked gate that users would be given a code to use for their booking.

Charges are currently made for bookings but unbooked access is free.

South Gloucestershire Council, which currently maintains the courts, has launched a consultation to ask people their views on the proposals, which also relate to the two courts at Bromley Heath Park operated by Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council and Kingswood Park.

In its consultation document the council said: "Similar projects have been carried out at courts in Bristol and Bath which have opened up opportunities for people who wouldn’t normally play tennis to participate, with thousands of bookings each year.

"Before confirming their investment, we want to understand about potential interest in tennis locally. Everyone (both those who do and don’t currently play tennis) is encouraged

also chairs the Staple Hill & District Royal British Legion, said: "The whole community

were disappointed that we had to cancel in 2020, 2021 and 2022 because of the pandemic but I am delighted to say with a new and energetic committee, we are gearing up for an amazing event this year.

"The British Armed Forces have worked tremendously hard throughout the global pandemic and I hope that we can give them a fitting celebration and say thank you in person.

"We all need something to look forward to and our local economy certainly needs a boost, so if you can, please join us."

The event will come six weeks after the park hosts a celebration picnic for the Coronation of King Charles III on Sunday May 7.

For more information see the official website at www. southglosafd.com.

Help park to bloom

South Gloucestershire Council shared pictures of revamped courts in Bath to show how the Page Park courts could look

to complete the survey to tell us what you think."

More details and the survey can be found at the consultations section of South Gloucestershire Council's website, at bit. ly/3n15jU4.

Friends of Page Park vice-chair Steph Purser said: "The courts do need improvements. The surface is poor.

"The council can't afford to do the courts up and it could come to the stage where if nothing is done they will be closed for health and safety.

"But our courts have always been free to use, and they are well used, including by running groups and boot camp exercise classes.

"There are arguments for and against. The important thing is that everyone in the community has their say in the consultation.

"It's frustrating that we only found out about the plans through reading an article in the Downend Voice and about the consultation nine days before it went live."

To advertise, contact Gary on 0779 9461169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: sales@downendvoice.co.uk

PEOPLE are being invited to help plant flowers to brighten up Page Park in volunteering sessions during April.

The Friends of Page Park have been given an £800 grant by the West of England Combined Authority's Bee Bold fund to encourage pollinators.

A further £750 from Wessex Water is going towards more plants, as well as a woodchip path to and increasing the size of the mounds around the park's Celebration Bench. A volunteer session to plant 500 bluebells, snowdrops and other wildflower plant varieties around the bench and other areas will take place on April 1 from 10.30am-1.30pm, with all welcome.

A second planting session will be held later in the month involving members of the Staple Hill Hub's Sprouts gardening group - more details will be posted nearer the time on the Friends of Page Park Facebook page.

Armed Forces Day 2019 in Kingswood. Picture: Rich McD Photography

n DOWNEND FOLK & ROOTS REVIEW

DOWNEND FOLK & ROOTS TOM MOORE & ARCHIE MOSS + MIKE WEAVER

FRIDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2023

CHRIST CHURCH DOWNEND

TOM Moore & Archie Moss are artists. They're magicians. They're conjurers. They might hold a viola (Moore) and an accordion (Moss) but they could just as easily use paints, film or the supernatural to create their world. This is folk music by way of black & white European cinema, by way of haunting, fragmented sketching.

Do you know that feeling just before a storm breaks? The prelude, the lull, the moment when the atmosphere changes, when the world holds its breath. That moment when you know something is about to happen but you're not sure when. The whole of this extraordinary set from these two incredible musicians feels like that. Giga is, almost certainly, a jig... but it's a jig that never allows you to dance. It builds and breaks and slows and builds again but it never permits you to relax into the tune. This gives it incredible power even as it constantly wrong foots you. It's dance music that's impossible to dance to.

Windmill Hill has an experimental sparse-ness and segues into Nina's Tune. It's almost unbearably tense as disjointed movements pile up next to one another, each one more ghostly than the last, each one threatening to spill out into something smooth and reassuring. It almost never does though. Instead, it feels as though a noir-ish Scandinavian dream is slipping through your fingers.

Moore's viola is echoed and looped - at times you'd swear that there are two, three or four of his instrument on stage - and on Universeum he helps a sweeping, star-gazing soundtrack unfold. The closest comparison is probably

n DOWNEND FOLK & ROOTS PREVIEW

NEXT AT DOWNEND FOLK & ROOTS: HARBOTTLE & JONAS + ROBERT LANE

FRIDAY 21 APRIL 2023, CHRIST CHURCH DOWNEND

HARBOTTLE & Jonas are the headline guests as Downend Folk & Roots round of their Spring season in style this month.

Partners in life and music, the dynamic Devon based folk duo are one of the most exciting acts on the UK circuit today, combining a love of the richness of traditional folk with their own original and powerful songwriting. Dave and Freya have developed a distinct and compelling signature sound, blending concertina, harmonium, banjo, stomp box, acoustic guitar and cittern with their beautiful and closely intertwined vocal harmonies.

Subject matter covers the historical as well as the more personal, with their engaging live shows full of stories as well as songs. People, places and events

are brought to life through their intimate, timeless music.

Their latest album The Beacon was released in March 2021, entering the top 30 of the Official UK Folk Chart ,and was declared an "sublimely exquisite offering" by Folk Radio UK. Expect a new release in 2023.

Joining Harbottle & Jonas on the bill will be Robert Lane, an artist who has toured extensively and released three albums. Also an actor,

Lau and all of their odd, gauzy cine-scapes and, like Lau, these are tunes that, ideally, could use some films to help them coalesce.

Moss adds a droning base with his accordion, setting up a meniscus that the tunes skip across, like a dragonfly or a hummingbird. The viola hovers over things, threatening to break the surface but instead, landing, pausing and flying off again. On Omens, from the latest album Spectres, it's almost a relief when the thin base layer is, eventually, broken and the stompbox drives a tune but, even then, the threatened deluge fails to materialise. Safety is so close but never arrives.

Pigeon City/Trapdoors brings

the evening to a close. It started life as a field recording on the latenight streets of Bristol but is now a disquieting, complex, hypnotic meditation on isolation, urban nature and darkness. It is startling, intricate and devastatingly beautiful. This is music for the head, not for the feet.

And then, after all of the experimentation, all of the pretty snatches, all of the tantalising moments, Moore and Moss play a simple, beautiful, acoustic folk tune - no electronics, no tension. The 7th of October almost says "yeah, so, we could do this stuff all day, do it better than anyone else, but we can do that other stuff too". The "other stuff" might be more difficult, might be disconcerting, might be uncomfortable but it's deeply rewarding.

Mike Weaver starts the evening in a much more comfortable way. His songs are soaked in nostalgia; he constantly reminds us of his age, his childhood, the people he used to know, the pubs he used to love and stories from before we were all born. His songs are lovely, his voice honest and his heart is, very much, in the right place. If he, unashamedly, looks back then Moore and Moss are resolutely looking forward.

Words: Gavin McNamara

Photos: Barry Savell

Downend on Friday 21 April 2023, are available online at downendfolkandroots.com and from Melanie’s Kitchen in Downend (cash only). They are priced at £14 each in advance or £16 on the door. Doors open at 7.30pm and the entertainment starts around 7.45pm.

he works in theatre and film and is a founding member of short form comedy improvisation group Improv Wolves.

Robert is also the host of The Robert Lane Creative Careers Podcast where he chats to creatives including musicians, songwriters, actors, writers, comedians and journalists about their careers and how they create their work.

Tickets for the concert, which takes place at Christ Church

There will be a bar, stocking cider, soft drinks, wine, hot drinks and locally-brewed real ale from locally-based Hop Union Brewery. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own glass/mug/ tankard, as well as reusable bottles for water, as part of the drive to be more environmentally aware. There is a 50p discount for those that do. There will also be sweet treats available at the bar courtesy of the Radstock-based Great Cake Company, as well as a prize draw, which helps to fund the support artists for each concert.

For further information, please email info@ downendfolkandroots. com or visit the website downendfolkandroots.com.

Hope after a year of turmoil

EVENTS have been held to mark how lives have been transformed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

It is now a year since the first Ukrainian refugees from the war started to arrive in the UK, and more than 400 are now living in South Gloucestershire, including almost 200 children, with more than 1,300 living in the wider region.

As they deal with the challenges of trying to start a new life - one they hope will be temporary, ending with a return home - there have also been many challenges for the people who have stepped up to help them.

Mangotsfield mum Vera Stadon, who was born in Ukraine but has lived in the UK since 1997, started an appeal to collect aid at the start of the Russian invasion in February last year.

Having collected several lorry and van-loads of donations at Emersons Green Village Hall in the early weeks of the war, she set up a group, Bristol Aid to Ukraine, which now has its own donated minibus.

The bus travels regularly to Ukraine with supplies, returning with refugees who have places to stay under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Among the first passengers was Vera's mother, who is 76 and lived close to a Ukrainian military base, but was not fit enough to stand in the long queues of people waiting to leave the country during the early weeks of the invasion.

The minibus is also used to take Ukrainians living locally

on days out to places of interest like Cheddar Gorge, to help them experience the British countryside and history.

The trips are part of the work Vera and fellow volunteers are doing to help refugees who have reached South Gloucestershire find their feet, giving advice and helping them make social connections.

A hub for Ukrainians living locally operates every Friday between 11am and 1pm at the St James church hall in Richmond Road, Mangotsfield.

Vera thanked the church, which stepped forward to offer the hall after the Voice published her appeal for a venue last year.

She said: "It's a place for people to gather and not be alone, to be around somebody who speaks their language, to share their thoughts and hopes about the situation, or take their mind off it."

Vera and two other Ukrainian-born women have worked with churches and councils to organise a series of cultural events relating to Ukraine and the invasion.

They included a day-long event in the Galleries shopping centre in Broadmead, which included exhibitions of paintings, ceramics and other creations by Ukrainian artists, photographs and items from the war.

There were performances by Czhedrik, an all-female choir of refugees living in the Bristol area and Oleksandr Balabanov, a 16-year-old Ukrainian singer who represented his country at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2020 and is now living in London.

Other events included a service at St Mary's church in Yate and a travelling exhibition, Ukraine Unconquered, which

was at the New Room museum in Broadmead until April 1.

Vera said: "As sad as it is, it's nice to see this big community, with lots of children, able to come together.

"I know that as soon as the war finishes most of them will go home, but it's nice for my children to get to know Ukrainian children, learn some words and feel a sense of belonging.

"It has been a very difficult year for Ukraine, and we've had terrible losses, of civilians and the army.

"Having looked very grim and hopeless, a year on the situation is more positive in a way.

"A year ago nobody believed Ukraine would survive - now the whole world is supporting Ukraine.

"We know we need to win this war, and we believe that we will."

Donations towards Bristol Aid to Ukraine's work can be made via the group's Facebook page.

A choir of Ukrainian women living in Bristol performs at a special event at the Galleries to mark the anniversary of Russia's invasion in February. Picture: Chris Taylor

Oleksandr Balabanov.

Picture: Chris Taylor

Ukrainians fight for their lives - and our values

n NEWS FROM YOUR LOCAL MP Filton & Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti writes about his recent visit to Ukraine

JUST recently, I stood in the destroyed town of Irpin in Ukraine, surrounded by homes similar to the ones we live in and the same cars that we drive.

All that was left behind by the people fleeing for their lives were discarded shoes, clothes and a few wrecked vehicles. I saw the complete annihilation of a community.

On the outskirts of Irpin I saw what the local Ukrainians referred to as the "Cemetery of Burnt Cars”, where families had loaded up what they could to escape the advancing Russian forces, but they didn’t make it out. The Russians fired on them and killed all trying to escape.

This is taking place, on the continent of Europe, in a Parliamentary democracy.

The people of Ukraine are

fighting for their lives and their freedom.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I have asked several Parliamentary questions, spoken in debates and hosted Ukrainian Members of Parliament at Westminster.

Within a few weeks of the invasion I asked the Deputy Prime Minister about the UK supplying Starstreak anti-air missiles to destroy Russian fighter jets in the air. Just a couple of weeks

ago, I asked the Prime Minister at PMQs to thank and pay tribute to the people who are working at MOD Abbey Wood who are providing the logistical support and procuring weapons to send to Ukraine so they can kick the Russians out and defend their country.

I felt incredibly moved to be in Kyiv for the anniversary of the invasion, when I was able to place a candle at the Wall of Heroes.

Since the conflict started,

the government has committed over £3.8 billion in humanitarian, economic and military assistance to Ukraine. The new revised Integrated Review has pledged to increase defence spending by a further £5bn over the next two years, on top of £560 million of new investment last year and a record £20bn uplift announced in 2020.

I founded and chair the AllParty Parliamentary Group for Sovereign Defence Manufacturing Capability, and recently began an inquiry on the impact of the Ukrainian war on our capacity to keep producing weapons for Ukraine and replenishing our supplies.

I will continue to work with ministers, manufacturers, the team at DE&S Abbey Wood to ensure that the Ukrainians get the equipment they need as quickly as possible as they defend our universal values of democracy, freedom and an international rules-based order.

Slava Ukraini!

Jack Lopresti in Ukraine

Easter services & events

New Beginnings- Easter at Christ Church Downend

EASTER is a time to celebrate that love has won, despite all the mess in the world. It’s a good time for a fresh start, a new beginning.

On Friday 7th April at our Good Friday Easter Activities with Messy Church for families (10- 11.30am at Christ Church Downend) you can explore together the meaning of Easter through crafts and activities and a short worship time.

If you would prefer quiet reflection, on the same day at 2pm our Good Friday “With Jesus At the Cross” allows space for you to ponder the events of the first Good Friday and what it means for you, through music, reflection and silence.

The celebrations get going on Easter Sunday (9th April) at our 9.15 Traditional Easter Communion at Church Centre,

Quakers Road. Then at 10.30 we join together for the Easter All Age Communion at Christ Church Downend, followed by an Easter Egg hunt.

See www.

christchurchdownend.com or call parish office on 0117 908 9867 for details.

You’re warmly invited to come to any of these Easter events and services, and be open to new beginnings.

Saturday 27th May 10am – 4pm Sunday 28th May 2.30pm – 5pm Monday 29th May 10am – 4pm

Enjoy the wonderful floral arrangements created by members and groups from our church community, along with refreshments.

Admission FREE

(donations for flower costs welcome)

Noisy fun

ARE you looking for something fun to do with your children this May Day bank holiday Monday?

Look no further!

On May 1 Christ Church

Downend will be holding a free family fun afternoon. It will be in the main church building from 2-4pm, with inflatables, games, face painting, a craft zone, a café area, BBQ and much, much more.

It will be part of a series of free family fun afternoons held all over Bristol as part of The Noise, an annual event run by Bristol churches. The Noise aims to show God’s love in practical ways and alongside the fun afternoon, we will be participating in community volunteering projects all across the bank holiday weekend.

In addition, for more senior citizens, there will be a free afternoon cream tea, with entertainment. Again, this will be in the main church building, and will run from 2-4pm on Saturday April 29. Please invite anyone you think might like to come.

Gary & Diane, Christ Church Downend Youth Team

n THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

We're all influencers

There was a time when if you wanted to buy something, go someplace or eat somewhere, then you would ask a friend for a recommendation or speak to a sales assistant. Sometimes you would take a ‘punt’ and try a café without a recommendation to varying degrees of success, but the failures became stories and part of our shared family or friend history … ‘do you remember when we tried that café in a double decker bus in a field in Cornwall with the compostable toilet?‘ (it was very good - the food not the toilet – 5* rating from us!). Now, the place to go for reviews is the internet and it seems that everyone is keen to give their opinions. Some even make their living from posting product reviews.

But are social influencers new? In the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, what the Church calls Holy

Week, a group of religious influencers, who didn’t like Jesus, asked him to review the 10 commandments and to tell them which was the greatest. Would it be: do not kill, or do not steal, honour your Father and Mother, or one of the others? Jesus responded:

‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’

(Matthew 22:37-40)

Whilst you may not have any aspiration to be a social influencer or a social media sensation, we are all influencers. Whilst you might not love the ‘Lord your God’, you can love your neighbour. The way we

With Colin Hylton-Jones Major The Salvation Army Staple

live our lives, the way we talk to those around us, the way queue in the supermarket influences those we meet. Today, why not make it your goal to influence those you meet by sharing a smile, a good deed or a helping hand. You are an influencer, why not try and be the best influencer you can be?!

Hill

Getting there

Mark Tanner is a life coach, debt coach with charity Christians Against Poverty and member of the Christ Church congregation.

THERE'S an interesting question I’ve been asked many times in my coaching career.

It centres on how to achieve a goal, whether that be losing weight, giving something up for Lent or adding something new to your lifestyle.

Although the answer I give is not always welcome, it is the only one that works: by being consistent with your efforts, whatever they need to be.

Being consistent means focusing on the activity, not the goal; putting in the best effort and thinking you can.

You should be prepared to rethink your tactics and nearly always need others around you to help.

Three years ago, I hauled my unconditioned body to the top of Pen-y-Fan, the highest mountain in Wales. My goal was to reach the summit and without any training.

The consistent action I need to take was theoretically easy, two steps on the flat path and one up to the next level. What could go wrong?

Within ten minutes of plodding, my lungs wanted to burst out of my chest and my quad muscles were on fire.

I sat down on a rock and realised that as it was, I would never even manage a quarter of Pen-y-Fan. I decided to still take two steps on the flat and then one up, but to sit and rest for a minute after steps up the slope.

I managed 30 metres before having to stop again, this time with tears in my eyes. I felt defeated.

A friend came back down, sat with me, talked to me, and offered to walk at my excruciatingly slow pace: he knew how much this small feat meant to me.

He helped me up and start slowly marching on, focusing on my boots and counting steps until I reached the next sitting stone. My mate had made that possible with his encouragement.

Some hours later, in the howling wind and rain I made it.

I learned some great lessons about consistency that day.

God is our constant guide and companion and when we sit on our own stones, he will hear us and help us to get back up and continue on our journey.

Mothers' Union's Lent lunch

CHRIST Church Mothers’ Union members, family and friends met together in March and enjoyed a Lent lunch.

We were pleased to welcome our special guest, the Rev Dan Watts, the new vicar of Christ Church.

The speaker following our lunch was Alexandra Henden, who gave an informative and thought-provoking presentation on St Mungo’s, a charity which supports people experiencing homelessness and helps to rebuild lives.

The Mothers’ Union meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 2.15pm, in the Christ Church Hall, North Street, Downend.

New members and visitors are always welcome.

The next meeting is on Wednesday April 5, when Rev Watts will be the Speaker.

Joan Wynne Jones

The Christ Church Mothers’ Union Lent lunch

n LETTERS

Tree seats must be reinstated

TERRY Henson is correct in his comments opposing the removal of the tree seats outside Sainsbury's (Voice, March).

I am a long-term resident of Downend and a 78-year-old pensioner, who walks with the aid of sticks.

This is a pivotal site, being located at the best position in the village to view most of the shops.

It serves as a useful resting place, particularly for men and women whose partners have gone shopping, people with dogs, since they are not allowed in shops, those with impaired walking ability, seating for the adjacent bus stops, a social meeting point and a place for smokers (if there are any left).

I feel that the excuse about anti-social groups of youngsters is not viable, since they will still congregate there or more likely on the other side of the road, in the pedestrian access way to the Co-op. Perhaps a few signs that the area is under CCTV surveillance would help.

That the current wooden seating is dirty and slippery is also no excuse for permanent removal, if periodic cleansing is carried out. A bucket and brush is the only plant required, or even resealing the surface. The cost of replacement timber, if necessary, is minimal in the great scheme of things.

Dismantling may well be necessary for maintenance but I strongly request that it be reinstated upon completion. This proposal seems to be purely financial, with inadequate reason for removal.

Richard Fuller Downend

Collect clothes to help wildlife

AVON Wildlife Trust is really excited to announce plans for a pop-up shop in the new Sparks project on Broadmead, which will be selling pre-loved clothing and fashion items in good condition. By opening the shop, we hope to play our part in encouraging peo-

ple to reduce their carbon footprint (the fast fashion industry is the second largest environmental polluter), minimise clothing waste and raise funds to protect local wildlife. You can help us by becoming a regular shop volunteer, organising a local fashion collection from friends and family, volunteering as a local donation point for your neighbourhood or running a fundraising event to support the project and wildlife. We need your fashion donations too - you can donate at Grow Wilder, 181 Frenchay Park Road, Stapleton. For more information, email me at keily.elvin@avonwildlifetrust. org.uk.

Keily Elvin Avon Wildlife Trust

Help's at hand with water bills

WATER bill debt may seem hard to overcome – but Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire wants to get the message across that help is out there.

Regular drop-in advice sessions are now being held to inform people about water tariffs available which can drastically cut monthly bills and wipe off arrears.

The sessions at the Community Hub in Staple Hill cover tariffs available from Bristol Water designed to help those struggling. Among the schemes covered are the Assist tariff which reduces your bill and Restart, which can write off arrears.

We can make an application for social tariffs on your behalf.

It is a step towards managing and this gives a feeling of hope. Sessions run on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 1pm to 3pm.

Anyone in South Gloucestershire can seek free, independent, impartial and confidential advice from Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire by calling 0808 278 7947 or visiting www.southgloscab.org.uk

956 4797 :: 0117 571 889

Yvonne Parks, Money Advice Supervisor Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire

n STAPLE HILL COMMUNITY HUB

A WOMAN who survived domestic abuse is taking on the London Marathon to raise money and awareness of the charity which has supported her.

THE Staple Hill Community Hub supplies a wide range of services and offers help to all different types of people in our area.

Amy Yapp is sharing her story to help charity Refuge – and to encourage other women in abusive relationships to seek help.

However, one of the most popular things we do is the Friendship and Exercise Club, which was the first to be launched in South Gloucestershire back in 2011.

Amy, a former Downend School pupil who grew up in the area and now lives in Fishponds, found herself in a relationship where she was subjected to physical, psychological and emotional abuse over four years.

Amy runs to help other domestic abuse survivors

support groups and a 24-hour helpline offering advice.

While Amy never needed to stay in the charity's accommodation, its helpline provided invaluable support when she needed to talk to someone outside her family and friends.

She was beaten, isolated from her family and friends and lost control of her finances.

Two of the sessions, which are sponsored by the Staple Hill Community Hub, have been held at the Staple Hill Methodist Church on Thursday mornings for some years and are very well subscribed. So much so that the Hub started a third group some months ago, held on Tuesday mornings at the nearby Salvation Army.

Amy said: "When I look back, I do not recognise the person I had become at all. I was conditioned how to behave and even speak. Living by rules which I was not allowed to break.

The club is run by local company Sporting Chance and is aimed at older people of all abilities.

"Compliments turned into insults, then eventually insults turned into physical abuse.

attends the club, explained how it has helped him.

since been convicted of assault for beating her.

He said: "I joined the new group when it started.

She said: "I never realised when I was in that situation that there was so much help out there – during those critical moments, having someone to reassure you is so important."

A student paramedic studying at Gloucestershire University, Amy also works for supported living provider Aspire in Downend, Staple Hill and Fishponds.

Amy aims to raise £2,000 for Refuge at the marathon, which takes place in October.

had forgotten I had!

exercise, we finish with tea and biscuits and a friendly chat, which of itself is a good thing, as many of our regulars live alone.”

To support Amy's appeal visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/amyyapp98.

The aim is to help and encourage people to keep active, to build friendships and to help improve self-confidence and to maintain independence.

"You say 'oh, that will never happen to me' but after experiencing all that, it showed me how anyone can be affected."

David James, who regularly

Amy left her abuser, who has

"Ann-Marie, our leader, encourages us to work at a pace which we find comfortable. She explains everything as we go and I have discovered muscles which I

A friend who had been through a similar experience told her about Refuge which, as well as providing emergency accommodation for women and children fleeing abuse, runs local

Decluttering does wonders for mental health

PHYSICAL environments influence emotions, cognition, and behaviors.

Cluttered environments can be uncomfortable, embarrassing, depressing and stressful. They can cause friction between household members and create feelings of not being in control.

Clutter causes negativity. If your hallway has become a dumping ground, every time you come into your home it will feel negative rather than positive. If the clutter continues into the kitchen these negative feelings continue, and so on and so forth.

I have been running the declutter service for over 10 years and thankfully have seen many positive changes in recycling. It is a great resource, and if an item can be recycled it is far easier to let it go.

There is no harm in asking for help and people find that once they’ve tackled their clutter, they feel that a weight has been lifted, their mood improves and they enjoy a sense of freedom.

Reorganising and decluttering and your home is not about making a ‘show home’. It is about managing your belongings and making your home an inviting, pleasurable place to live in and somewhere to feel proud of.

Whether you have hoarding tendencies or are just fed up with general mess and clutter, help is at hand to get you motivated.

FM DeClutter Services provide a friendly tailor made service that works with you, at your pace, with empathy and understanding.

For further information, help, advice and solutions, call Fay Gregory at FM DeClutter Services

Tel: 078 2107 8526 or 0117 955 0713 www.fmdeclutterservices.com

"I always feel better for having spent this hour of exercise. It is a very friendly group, and there is plenty of laughter as we work to the background sound of music which was current when we were younger!

She has run in a number of distance races but has never taken on a marathon before, and when she discovered that Refuge had places for fundraisers in the London Marathon it

"After the varied hours of

It’s a friendly group but not a closed shop!

For more information about the work of Refuge visit the website www.refuge.org.uk.

If you would like more information, you can call the Staple Hill Community Hub on 01454 868374.

Matthew Pick

The charity's free national domestic abuse 24-hour helpline is on 0808 2000 247.

One of the activities at the Hub's friendship and exercise club

Amy Yapp taking part in a Bristol 10k

n DOWNEND IN BLOOM

MANY residents will have noticed that in their own gardens, after the spells of quite cold weather and frost we have had through January and February, the appearance of traditional spring blooms has been delayed, in particular crocus and daffodils.

However, as we move into early spring and slightly warmer days, the crocuses have now appeared and daffodils are coming into bloom around the area.

As well as bulbs planted by the Downend & Bromley Heath in Bloom group, we must thank local residents for bulb planting in front gardens and grass verges around the area. It all goes towards making our area more colourful and attractive, especially at what can be a rather gloomy time.

Thanks also to Fishponds and Downend Rotary Club for their purple crocus plantings, such as on the grass verges alongside Badminton Road. The purple colour of the crocus signifies support to eradication of polio worldwide.

Spring arrives at last

The In Bloom Group have recently applied for a grant to encourage bee pollination. We hope, if we are successful, that this will enable us to plant out thousands more daffodil and crocus bulbs later in the year.

As always, we would welcome support for the group on our planting days, and with other activities.

Our panolas in the planters in the High Street and surrounding areas have provided a stunning display throughout the winter months and early springprobably the best since we first started putting panolas in about five years ago.

We are hoping that they will stay flowering for the celebrations of King Charles III’s coronation, so that the area will still look colourful.

The panolas will be replaced by our summer planting in a couple of months (usually at the end of May) but in the meantime, enjoy the displays.

Behind the scenes over the last couple of months, the ‘crew team’ of the In Bloom group and associated volunteers have been hard at work relocating their shipping containers, which are sited in the King George V playing fields car park.

They are moving to an exciting new home – more about this in the next couple of months.

In Bloom would like to welcome two new volunteers, Tessa and Alan. We hope you will enjoy working alongside us.

If you would like to volunteer to help out with In Bloom, please contact Jackie Baker on 0750 424 4361.

Malcolm and Catherine Pick (Volunteers, community garden)

The community garden outside the public toilets in Westerleigh Road, mid-March

Friends boost science

A SUPPORTERS group has paid for children at a primary school to have some hands-on experience of science.

The Friends of Barley Close paid for all classes at the Mangotsfield primary school to have a science workshop linked to their current study topics, from adaptation and camouflage to electricity.

They included a biological diversity workshop for Year 6 pupils, who learnt of the threats facing cheetahs, pressures on many of our habitats and the importance of maintaining diversity of species while finding out about conservation at home and abroad, and making their own cast from a cheetah's paw print.

Bev's 'transformation'

SIX months ago Bev was struggling with her health and it had been a difficult 18 months going through treatment for breast cancer. After having surgery and then being on medication she felt like she'd lost who she was. She had no energy, low mood and felt like a completely different person. The more time she spent sat on the sofa, the worse she felt and the more difficult things became - it felt like she was spiralling out of control.

Her wake up call came when she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and she knew she had to do something to try to reverse it. She wanted to feel better about herself again.

After finding Vibrocise on an internet search she was a bit sceptical at first, but it was local and she felt strongly about supporting small businesses. She also thought that it seemed like the type of structured, supportive exercise that she needed and would fit into her daily routine, so she plucked up the courage to make contact. She was very anxious about going at first but as soon as she started the trial she knew it was going to be an investment in herself. Everyone was so friendly and down to earth and she felt like she was finally doing something positive for herself again. She never thought she'd say that she'd enjoy doing exercise and not find it a chore.

5 months on she's still attending 3 times a week and feels a hundred times better. She's got more energy than she's had in years and she's much more in control of her lifestyle.

Stteve Bellamy

Year 4 children built battery-powered circuits as part of an electricity workshop and Year 5 held an investigation to find out more about fingerprints.

Steve Bellamy

Car r pets

"I've lost nearly two stone, 4% body fat and gone down two dress sizes. I've also been using the herbalife shakes every day which has helped me to reach my weight loss goals. I feel supported, I'm much stronger and I've noticed a big change in my body shape. Going to Vibrocise has also motivated me to improve my diet, walk more and restart my pilates class, I feel like a new woman"!

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Year 4 pupils build circuits in their electricity workshop

n MANGOTSFIELD RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION n COMMUNITY

NEWS

Spin bike challenge

MANGOTSFIELD Community Association kicks off this year's fundraising with a 913-mile equivalent Spin Bike Challenge.

Our nominated charities for the Mango-Melrose-Leeds-IpswichMango challenge are St Peter's Hospice and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

We aim to celebrate the achievements of three sporting legends in the late Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow and our very own Marcus Stewart, all of whom have been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

The route takes us from the Red Lion in Mangotsfield to Doddie's home ground at Melrose RFC, venturing south to the home of Rob's Leeds Rhinos, across country to Ipswich Town FC, where Marcus made his first Premier League appearance, then back to Mangotsfield

The challenge takes place on Saturday and Sunday, April 8 to 9, from 11am-10pm each day.

Keeping us entertained will be our local DJs Chris & Nick, from the Souled Out and Gone Funky Show, and of course our legendary donation BBQ from 2-6pm on both days (weather permitting).

Please sign up and get a sponsorship form at the Red Lion.

The Easter Weekender starts on the Thursday night, with the Souled Out And Gone Funky Radio Show, while Friday sees the return of Club Tropicana vinyl disco.

You can donate online to this year's MCA fundraising at www. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ mango-mca-1.

Volunteers needed

CHARITY Home-Start Bristol is looking for new volunteers.

Home-Start supports hundreds of families with children aged under five across Bristol and South Gloucestershire who are going through tough times.

The next volunteer training course starts on April 27.

Anyone who would like to get involved should visit the website homestartbristol.org.uk, email admin@homestartbristol.org.uk or call 0117 950 1170.

AS our secretary Chris has previously said, we have had a few setbacks with several planned projects but we will get there in due course. Some of the processes we have to follow can be a bit long-winded.

I hope you all liked the picture in the last edition of the Voice of our stone wall-building efforts.

Our last Hour a Month volunteering session was quite successful, despite it being a freezing cold day. We managed to tidy up the Dame School, and it was good to see the daffodils coming through. We painted over the graffiti on the wall up by the toilets - I'm not sure if that will be the last time!

There will soon be work carried out on the metal bars on the Dame School building. We are waiting for better weather before we move on with some of the projects.

Our next Hour a Month is on Saturday April 1 - meet at 10.30am in the car park. Hopefully spring

Can you spare us an Hour a Month?

weather will then be with us, we could do with it. Please come and join us - the more the merrier.

We are also looking to investigate the grave stones found in the Dame School grounds, one going back to 1804, which could be very interesting.

Also, please watch this space for information and date of the Dramway Path talk, which we know will be of great interest to many - all welcome.

Finally, our monthly Red Lion/ MRA tea, coffee and cake morning on Wednesday April 5 is open to all: a time to get together with friends and to make new ones.

If you want to get involved with any of our activities,

please get in touch via email at MangotsfieldRA@gmail.com, the Mangotsfield Matters Facebook page, call our secretary Chris Amos on 07918 701881 or me on 07507 168700.

We also post details of events on our community notice board at the Dame School.

We exist to make Mangotsfield a better and safer place for all to live in, and to hopefully help to continue to bring our community together, to be encouraged, to stay encouraged and to encourage one another.

We hope you all have a good, safe and blessed Easter time.

Clive Heath

WILL & PROBATE ADVICE

25% OFF during Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) Month

No one want to be a burden to their family but having NO Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) can cause huge problems for those you most care about.

The law often doesn’t work in the way you’d expect. Even married couples need LPAs to appoint each other to have the legal right to support each other.

Simpsons have extended their 25% OFF offer for one final month; due to the unprecedented demand meaning that until now not everyone who wanted a FREE review meeting has been able to book. Unusually, their price even includes their aftercare service to support your Attorneys. To qualify call them on 0117 960 8594 or pop into their Kingswood Office by April 30th to book your FREE review meeting and mention you saw it in The Voice.

WHY: If you lost the mental capacity to make decisions on your own,

then bank accounts / savings can be frozen and family can be left powerless to help you. So you need Lasting Powers of Attorney to be already in place that legally appoint those you trust to act for you.

WHEN: If you had a serious accident or perhaps a routine operation went wrong or you had a stroke or developed dementia.

WHAT: Most people need two LPAs, one for Money issues and one for Health issues – so they are fully covered.

Money – Allowing access, perhaps to pay for care or treatment or to support your children and to pay your bills.

Home – Decisions on where you are cared for and if needed authority to sign so you can move home to more suitable accommodation.

Medical treatment and care - Allow those you trust to speak up for you to get the treatment you would want and your wishes for resuscitation if you have no quality of life.

THE DIFFERENCE WITH SIMPSON SOLICITORS’ COMPLETE SERVICE: No complicated forms to complete as they do all the form filling. But with them the price you pay also covers extra clauses to record our wishes, acting as your Certificate Provider as to mental capacity, helping your Attorneys sign. They also handle the lengthy court registration process –so you have LPAs ready to be used when needed. Their price even covers certified copies.

Michelle Baden-Daintree at Simpson Solicitors adds: "But most of all we give you peace of mind as we include our after care service of future support and guidance to those you trust, in activating and using your LPAs – so they don’t feel burdened."

Kings Chase Shopping Centre, Kingswood 0117 960 8594

message@simpsonslawuk.com

Melissa Witter

Michelle Baden-Daintree

n CLEEVE HILL TENNIS CLUB

Hello there,

It’s me Alex Lambert againLadies Captain at Cleeve Hill Tennis Club (CHTC), Downend.

AFTER outlining the basics of what our tennis club is about last month, I wanted to focus this time on some specifics and a very special award.

With spring in the air, we look forward to the upcoming summer season but just before we do, we are coming to the end of the winter tennis season. As I write this, our mixed first team is facing the final match against division leaders, Clevedon, on Friday 17 March, where a win would secure us a place in the Avon tennis league first division next year. Good luck to those playing and well done to all those who have taken part in the mixed winter league matches to date.  Special award  I would like to congratulate our Trustee, Mr Mike Kehoe, whose contribution to CHTC was recognised with an Unsung Hero award by Avon Tennis last month. This county award acknowledges someone who has made a substantive yet unheralded contribution to tennis that has resulted in a positive impact to their club and their local community.

Mike has been one of the driving forces within the club for many years as a player, coach, chairman, trustee, and Honorary President. He was instrumental in creating a third court which involved the purchase of neighbouring land, steering a planning application through the council and overseeing the building works. He has devoted a huge amount of time and effort to the club and shown unstinting commitment.

Avon Tennis secretary Clive Sampson said: “Without volunteers like Mike working behind the scenes our clubs would not be able to provide opportunities for others to play and enjoy tennis. It is heartening to reward those who put so much effort in."

We are very thankful to Mike for all his efforts and grateful to Avon Tennis for recognising the significant impact he has had

on our club and the wider community.

Finally, I would like to talk about our thriving junior offer and the importance of being active. As parents we all want our children to have a healthy physical development; to be involved in social and fun activities that promote teamwork and encourage dedication and self-confidence. These are just a few of the benefits of introducing children to tennis early. Short tennis can often be the perfect way to start your child off.

Chris and his team of

coaches introduce tennis to all age ranges by keeping it fun and simple. The sessions are loud and full of games so, no matter your child’s age or ability, the coaches are determined to put a smile on their face by the end of a session! They’ve got a great tennis camp coming up for the Easter holidays, too. Check out the details in the advert.

Hope to see you on court soon! weather and lighter evenings, what are you waiting for? Grab a racket and come and see what Cleeve Hill is all about!

07802485696

info@taylortennis.co.uk

(half day) £15

cleevehilltennis.com

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA

March 31

n CONCERT at Christchurch

Downend Bristol on Friday 31st March at 7pm. "Music of America". by Winterbourne Wind band Tickets £5 adult £2.50 children. The link for tickets is www.ticketsource. co.uk/winterbournewindband

Starting April

n PILATES - NEW CLASSES @ Bristol Dance Studio, Fishponds.

Tuesdays 9.30am General Pilates

10.45am Beginners Pilates

12pm - Power Flow Pilates

@The Unitarian Chapel, Frenchay

Thursdays 9.30am General Pilates

11am Gentle Pilates

Small, friendly & warm venues. Beginners, refreshers, a little rusty, Full on enthusiasts or just intrigued. Everyone welcome. Debbie 07771 544549 bristol@mm-pilates.co.uk

Mindful Movements Pilates @mmpilatesbristol

April 1

n HEADWAY BRISTOL Easter coffee morning, Frenchay Beckspool Building, Frenchay Park Road, 10am-noon. Cuppas, cakes and fun while raising money for charity supporting local people with brain injuries. Includes bacon and sausage baps, cakes, tombola and kids' crafts. For more information call 0117 414 3222.

April 1

n COFFEE MORNING – Salvation Army, Broad Street, Staple Hill. 10 am – 12 noon

April 2

n MESSY CHURCH 4pm - a craft based fun afternoon for all the family. Staple Hill Salvation Army, Broad Street, BS16 5LN (free admission)

April 4

n EASTER MUSIC EVENING presented by the Salvation Army Band and Songsters. Staple Hill Salvation Army, Broad Street, BS16 5LN @ 7.30pm. Free admission. Tel 0117 9569733 for information

April 4

n EASTER MAKE AND DO + MESSY SPACE from 10.00-11.30 am at Badminton Road Methodist Church. Downend Children must be accompanied by an adult. £3.00 per child or £5.00 per family. this includes craft and refreshments

April 6

n SPEAKER/COFFEE MORNING, Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road, Downend, with talk: a week in the life of Chauffeurhire. Doors open 10.15am. Entry £2.50, coffee extra.

Come along and make new friends - you will be made to feel most welcome.

April 7

n GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE at 10.30 am at Badminton Road Methodist Church , Downend Led by Mrs Vivien Lear. No sermon, but reflections on the events that took place on the First Good Friday.

April 9

n EASTER MORNING SERVICE at 9.00 am at Badminton Road Methodist Church Downend Preacher The Rev Samuel Uwimana Holy Communion followed by The Flowering of the Cross. After worship coffee will be served along with Easter biscuits.

April 13

n DOWNEND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY MEETING, 7.30pm at the Assembly Hall, Salisbury Road. Talk on flower arrangements. More details from Roger Davis on 0117 957 1703.

April 15

n RNLI COFFEE MORNING. The Downend and kingswood branch of the RNLI are holding a coffee morning on Saturday 15th April at Staple Hill methodist Church, BS16 5HQ, 10am-12noon. Cakes, Bric a Brac and souvenirs. Everyone welcome "

April 17

n DOWNEND SENIOR FILM CLUB at 2pm Living (12A) 2022. Bill Nighy gives a career defining performance as a senior civil servant who is forced to confront a terminal diagnosis. Set in 1950’s London. Tickets: £4.00 including a cream tea. Booking essential, please call 0117 435 0063/4. Carers welcome, easy access.

April 22

n SPRING LITTER PICK AND WORK DAY in Lincombe Barn woods, 10am-noon. Tools and refreshments for all volunteers provided. Organised by the Friends of Lincombe Barn Park and Woods.

April 29

n FREE AFTERNOON CREAM TEA, with entertainment. Christ Church Downend, 2-4pm. Part of The Noise events over bank holiday weekend. Please invite anyone you think might like to come.

April 29

n PACO Y JULIAN AND YOUNG PERFORMERS spotlight concert, 7-9pm, St James Church, Mangotsfield. Includes performers from south Gloucestershire Music Hub and professional musicians. Tickets £10 in advance online at bit. ly/3ZJeN4O, £12 on the door, free for under 18s.

April 30

n MESSY CHURCH 4pm – a craft based fun afternoon for all

the family. Staple Hill Salvation Army, Broad Street. BS16 5LN (free admission)

May 1

n FREE FAMILY FUN AFTERNOON, Christ Church Downend, 2-4pm. Inflatables, games, face painting, craft zone, café area, BBQ and much, much more! Part of The Noise, free events held in Bristol churches over the bank holiday weekend.

REGULAR EVENTS

n BRISTOL U3A: Have you reached a point in your life where you have fewer responsibilities and more time for yourself? Would you like to take part in activities where you can share skills, abilities or hobbies whilst having fun and making new friends? Go to www. bristolu3a.org.uk for details.

Monday

n MEDITATION SESSIONS IN FRENCHAY Just come along to the sessions that run from 3rd Monday each month at 7pm Frenchay Unitarian Chapel BS16 1ND from 20Sept for the Personcentred Group Meditation and 1st Wednesday at 7pm from 6th Oct for the Kundalini movement meditation. Contact Andrea on 07791119658 homewards.ma@ btinternet.com.

n SINGALONG 4 ALL - Mondays

10.30/11.30, Grace court, Dial Lane, Downend BS16 5UP. £4 ...£1 tea n bikkies Tel: Barbara 07816839141.

n SOCIAL BADMINTON every Monday at Kingswood Leisure Centre from 2-4pm. Intermediate level, all welcome.

n EDDS & TALES Baby & Toddler Group Every Monday, Christchurch Parish Hall, North Street, Downend. 10.00 - 11.30 (term time only) £3 per family (first visit free) including drinks, snacks and craft activity ALL WELCOME - Just turn up Join our Facebook group Edds and Tales

n STAPLE HILL JOB SEEKER SUPPORT GROUP, Staple Hill Community Hub, Berkeley House, 1A Berkeley Rd, every Monday from 1.30-3.30pm. Laptops and Wi-Fi available for job searches, free tea and coffee, welcoming environment. Run by local councillor Katie Cooper and volunteers. Call Julie on 01454 868374 with any questions or to let us know you are coming.

n PUCKLECHURCH SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB are looking for new players. We meet every Monday evenings and Sunday & Wednesday afternoons at Pucklechurch Community Centre. Refreshments available. For more information contact John 0117 9372873.

n PILATES CLASS 18:45 – 19:45

at Christ Church Parish Hall, North Street, BS16 5SG. Contact Kerry 07919 051019 or email kerry@ yogaandpilatesforlife.com

n YOGA CLASS 19:55 – 20:55 at Christ Church Parish Hall, North Street, BS16 5SG. Contact Kerry 07919 051019 or email kerry@ yogaandpilatesforlife.com

Tuesday

n DOWNEND GARDENING IN RETIREMENT CLUB Meetings on the third Tuesday of each month. Venue as usual: Assembly Hall, Salisbury Road, Downend. Time 10.15am. New members and Visitors welcomed. Varied speakers.

n BOARD GAMES NIGHT every Tuesday from 7pm. All Welcome

The Wooden Walls Micropub, 30 Broad Street, Staple Hill, BS16 5NU

n LINCOMBE BARN CAMERA CLUB meets every second, fourth and fifth Tuesday of the month at Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road. New members always welcome. For information see website at www. lincombebarncameraclub.co.uk or email lincombe.barn@gmail.com.

n BROMLEY HEATH

GARDENING CLUB Meets at Christ Church Centre, Quakers Road, every third Tuesday of the month at 2.30pm. Talks, day trips and short holidays - everyone welcome. Call May on 0117 957 3695 for details.

n MESSY SPACE AT BADMINTON ROAD

METHODIST CHURCH, 10.0011.30am. This is a term-time group for babies and toddlers with their carers: play, crafts, story, refreshments. More information: www.badmintonroadmethodist.org. uk or 0117 956 1106

n BODY TONE 9:30 – 10:25 at Christ Church Parish Hall, North Street, BS16 5SG. Contact Kerry 07919 051019 or email kerry@ yogaandpilatesforlife.com

n TAI CHI CLASS, The Folk House, Downend - Tuesdays 7.308.30pm. Contact Georgina Green - 07845 748568, georginagreen@ mindfultaichi.org.uk

Wednesday

n DOWNEND FLOWER

ARRANGING CLUB We are a friendly group, we meet at 7.30pm on 1st & 3rd Wednesday each month from September to June at Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road, BS16 2RW. Ring Genise on 0777 2451217 for more information.

n DOWNEND BRIDGE CLUBNEW MEMBERS ARE WANTED

Come and join us and play duplicate Bridge at Lincombe Barn Downend on Wednesday afternoons 2pm. All levels welcome. Please contact eveforbes77@gmail. com or 0117 9836886 or Yvonne

Scoulding rscoulding@google.com or 0117 9568944

n CLEEVESINGERS OF DOWNEND Enjoy singing, then come and join this four part choir who meet on Wednesday evenings at Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road 7.30 p.m. from September until July. For more information contact the Secretary on 0117 9561881.

n DOWNEND SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB Musical entertainment from 2-4pm every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at North Street Church Hall. All are welcome.

n THE WOMEN’S SECTION OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

We now meet every two weeks the 1st and Third same place starting at 2.00 Have trips organised like an Alpaca Farm and Tyntsfield. We are also booked for shows at the Bristol Hippadrome for the matinees and have coaches booked to take us . If any one would like to know more please contact me Madeleine Bills 0117 9560805

n DOWNEND TANG SOO DO meets at Christchurch Parish Hall, North Street on Wednesday evenings from 7.30-9pm. Suitable for beginners and ages 10+. First class free. More details from Ian on 07817 744689 or at the Downend Tang Soo Do Facebook page.

n FRENCHAY PROBUS CLUB We meet at Frenchay Village Hall on the first Wednesday of each month between 10.00 and 12.00 hrs. For further details contact: frenchayprobus@outlook.com

n WARMLEY JAZZ CLUB, every Wednesday £5 on the door. Cadbury Heath Social Club. Doors open 7.30pm. More details at warmleyjazz.co.uk.

n MEET THE BEAT TEAM, Bean Tree Cafe, Page Park. Every Wednesday afternoon, 2-3pm. If you have any problems or issues you would like to discuss with the police team, please come along.

n BRISTOL SCRABBLE CLUB meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm until 10pm at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS. New members welcomefirst visit free so come along and give us a try. For further information contact Sheila on 01179570792 or 07435316458 or email shinett@ blueyonder.co.uk.

n MANGOTSFIELD AND CASTLE GREEN UNITED REFORM CHURCH invite you to their regular twice monthly sessions of Friendly Voices. These are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 10.30 a.m. to 12 noon. Come along for a sing-along (and coffee) Carers very welcome. For further information contact June Watts on 0117 9566625.

n CROSS STITCH Like to

learn this absorbing relaxing hobby and have fun at the same time? Why not join the Club at Lincombe Barn. Beginners and those with all abilities welcome. New term commences beginning of September on Wednesday mornings 10.00 am until noon. Contact Lincombe Barn 9562367.

n THE FRENCHAY FOLK

DANCE CLUB meet fortnightly at Frenchay Village Hall from 7:45 until 10:15pm. All standards of dancer are welcome to enjoy live Bands and experienced Callers. Visit frenchayfdc.co.uk or call 0117 3021543 for more information.

n FRIENDLY VOICES is a dementia friendly singing group. There is no cost and the sessions are led by a qualified music therapist, Sharon, who brings a lot of experience and plenty of instruments to have fun with. The sessions are open to all and if you think that you ,or someone you love, would benefit by them come along or contact June Watts on 0117 9566625

n WEDNESDAY CAFE FOR SENIORS, at Badminton Road Methodist Church (BS16 6NU) every Wednesday 10am to 12 noon. All Welcome – just come along – make new friends over a cuppa and cake. Information: 0117 239 5984

n DOWNEND FLOWER

ARRANGING CLUB We are a friendly group, we meet at 7.30pm on 1st & 3rd Wednesday each month from September to June at Lincolne Barn, Overndale Road, BS16 2RW. Ring Genise on 0777 2451217 for more information.

n ST JOHNS BADMINTON CLUB are looking for more players. We meet every Wednesday from 8pm to 10pm at Kingswood Leisure Centre. We are a friendly and sociable club age is no barrier. If you are interested, please ring Sue on 07715 738131 or just turn up.

n STAPLE HILL METHODIST CHURCH Fellowship group 3rd Wednesday of the month, 2.153.45pm Coffee/tea, homemade cake and a chat!

n PILATES 10:15 – 11:15 at Christ Church Parish Hall, North Street, BS16 5SG. Contact Kerry 07919 051019 or email kerry@ yogaandpilatesforlife.com

n PILATES 19:00 - 20:00 at The Sports Pavilion, Pomphrey Hill, Emersons Green, BS16 9NF. Contact Kerry 07919 051019 or email kerry@yogaandpilatesforlife.com

n WELCOME WEDNESDAY

Friendly and free coffee afternoon on the 2nd Wednesday of the month (14th December), 2-3.30pm at The Grapevine Brasserie, St James Place, Mangotsfield, BS16 9JB. Meet new people, have fun, and find out what’s happening in

your local area. Call 0117 435 0063.

n MOTHERS UNION - worship, friendship, supporting charities, refreshments: First Wednesday of the month, 2.15pm at Christ Church Parish Hall, North Street. Non-members welcome. More details from 0117 908 9867.

Thursday

n BARN BELLS handbell ringers meet at Lincombe Barn, Downend, from 2-4pm weekly. Anyone who can read music is welcome to join.

n BRISTOL MALE VOICE

CHOIR are recruiting new members. 7pm - 9.15pm, St Andrew's Methodist Church, Elm Park, Filton, BS34 7PS. A varied repertoire, no audition. No need to read music - our regular practices will get you in shape to sing at our regular concerts and enjoy the social vibe. www.bristolmvc.org.uk email secretary@bristolmvc.org. uk Telephone 07764447699.

n WINTERBOURNE WINDS, a friendly amateur wind band who rehearse at Frenchay Village Hall from 7.40-9.30pm. New members, especially flute, oboe, horn,trumpet,euphonium and percussion players are welcome. For information email winterbournewinds@yahoo.com.

n IGNITE YOUTH GROUP. Thursdays, term time only, at the Youth Hub & Parish Hall , 57 North Street, Downend. Year 6-8, 6.307.45pm. Year 9-11s, 8-9.15pm. A place to relax and have fun with friends. Free entry. Tuck available. Visit www.igniteyouthchristchurchdownend.co.uk to sign up and see the full programme.

n YOGA 10:15 – 11:15 at Christ Church Parish Hall, North Street, BS16 5SG. Contact Kerry 07919 051019 or email kerry@ yogaandpilatesforlife.com

n DEWDROP INN CAFE, Resound church, Blackhorse Road, Mangotsfield. Every fourth Thursday of the month, 2-4pm. A place for the community to relax and unwind with old & new friends. Tea, coffee, cakes and biscuits £2.

n MANGOTSFIELD AND CASTLE GREEN UNITED REFORMED

CHURCH regular coffee mornings, held on the first Thursday of the month, 10.30am-noon

n SCRABBLE Downend Folk House Thursdays 10-12noon Info: 0117 9562367 Maureen Walker.

n WARM SPACE CAFE at Christ Church, Downend. Every Thursday 11-2pm, Soup and roll lunch served from noon. Free. Live music from Music Train on 1st and 3rd Thursdays, other musicians on

other weeks.

Friday

n TAI CHI FOR PARKINSON’S. Weekly beginners Tai Chi & Qi Gong class for people with Parkinson’s disease, their families and carers. Lincombe Barn, Downend. BS16 2RW. Fridays (term times) 10.15 – 12.15 including tea / coffee break. Contact: Claire - Claire@ Taichibodyandmind.co.uk (07769 857672) or Sarah - buqiworks@ gmail.com (07815 662844)

n PAGE PARK UKULELE CLUB, Bean Tree café, Fridays at 1pm. All abilities welcomed. Places £4 each. For further details call or text 'Ukulele' to Ben on 07910 668258.

n MANGO JAMS PARENT/ CARER AND TODDLER GROUP meets every Friday at St James Church Hall, Richmond Road, Mangotsfield, 9.15am to 11.15am.

n JIGSAW TODDLER GROUP, Fridays in term time at Christ Church Parish Hall, North Street, from 9.45-11.15am.

n LATER LIVE MUSIC, Resound church, Blackhorse Road, Mangotsfield. Every second Friday monthly, except August & December, 8-10pm, £2.50. More details at facebook.com/ lateratresound.

n ARTWINGS, Resound church, Blackhorse Road, Mangotsfield. Every fourth Friday, except August & December, 7.30pm. Explore new ways of creating and making, natter over refreshments. £5, includes materials.

n RAINBOW TOTS PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP meets at Emersons Green Village Hall every Friday morning in term time, from 10-11.30am. For more info email church.egbc@outlook.com

n IN-THE-PINK We are a group of mature ladies who meet for sensible exercise to music every Friday 9am - 10am followed by chat & coffee time. Pay sessionby-session basis. Get yourself fit & make new friends at Hillfields Park Baptist Church, Thicket Avenue. For further enquires call Julie on 07903123793.

n MESSY VINTAGE Come and Share God-Centred Fun & Fellowship for the Older Generation at Badminton Road Methodist Downend, 2nd Friday monthly 10.30am to 12 noon. Contact Information 0117 2395984

Saturday

n BRISTOL SUGARCRAFT

GUILD We are a small friendly group who meet every third Saturday of the month 2pm to 4pm at St Andrews Hall, Elm Park, Filton. If you would like to make sugar flowers and models we hold workshops with instruction. Beginners very welcome. call Jean

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA

Kington on 01454 314178.

n STAPLE HILL METHODIST

CHURCH Coffee mornings in our beautiful building every Saturday 10.00-12.00 in aid of church funds or charities. Enjoy Fairtrade coffee, tea and cake, and stalls.

n SATURDAY SOUP 12-2pm every Saturday throughout the winter until 1st April, at Staple Hill Methodist church hall (downstairs, via alley off High Street). We offer a Warm Welcome café with free soup and bread, tea and coffee, leisure activities and someone to chat to, to all in our community who would appreciate it at this time. If you’re not sure, pop in to see us, you will be very welcome.

Sunday

n EMERSONS GREEN BAPTIST

CHURCH services are held every Sunday morning from 10.30am11.30am at Emersons Green Village Hall, Emersons Way. We also hold regular craft services - please check our Facebook page for dates Contact Rev Kevin Donaghy 0117 9575418, e-mail church. egbc@outlook.com or visit www. emersonsgreenchurch.org

n BADMINTON ROAD METHODIST CHURCH BS16 6NU. All are welcome to worship

each Sunday, 10.30am. First Sunday of the month is usually a service of Holy Communion. Information: 0117 239 5984

n MANGOTSFIELD AND CASTLE GREEN UNITED REFORMED

CHURCH hold regular weekly Sunday morning worship at Cossham Street. Services start at 10.30 a.m.with different speakers each week. New members very welcome. For more details please contact Peter Redding (Ch.Sec.) on 0117 9657075.

n STAPLE HILL METHODIST

CHURCH, High Street BS16 5HQ Sunday services 10.30am + Sunday Club for ages 5-17. Holy Communion 2nd Sunday of the month – all invited. Taizé worship 6.00pm 3rd Sunday of the month. Contact Rev Dr Aboseh Ngwana 07482 550888, Philippa Church

Liaison at staplehillmethodist@ hotmail.co.uk or www. staplehillmethodist.com

n CHRIST CHURCH DOWNEND: 9.15 am Traditional morning worship (Holy Communion on 2nd & 4th Sundays) at Church Centre, Quakers Road BS16 6NH. 10.30 Morning worship with youth and children's groups at Christ Church Downend, Downend Rd BS16 5UF

News from Downend, Emersons Green & Staple Hill libraries

Monday 3rd April : Eastersaurus (craft activities suitable 4 – 9 year olds)

10.30am – 11.30am at Downend Library

Tuesday 4th April : Eastersaurus (craft activities suitable 4 – 9 year olds)

10.30am – 11.30am at Staple Hill Library

Thursday 6th April : Eastersaurus (craft activities suitable 4 – 9 year olds) 2pm – 3pm at Emersons Green Library

Friday 7th April – Monday 10th April : no staffed hours, but Open Access available 8am – 7.30pm

Thursday 13th April : Eastersaurus (craft activities suitable 4 – 9 year olds) 2pm – 3pm at Emersons Green Library

Saturday 15th April : Lego Club @ Staple Hill Library 10.30am – 11.30am (*spaces limited so please ask staff to book your free place or email staplehill.library@southglos.gov.uk. )

Saturday 22nd April : Lego Club @ Downend Library 10.30am – 11.30am

For other activities see www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries or facebook.com/sgloslibraries .

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

Wanted: your ideas to keep us moving

I’VE always said that local people know their communities best. I’ve also always remarked that people across the West are endlessly able to come up with great ideas. You only have to look at my Big Choices public meetings I held last summer to see that!

Now you may or may not have come to these meetings, where I listened to thousands of people air their concerns and suggest solutions to the many, many challenges we have on the buses at present. If you did, thank you for engaging in one of the knottiest issues this region is facing right now!

If you didn’t, fear not. You’ve still got time to tell me your community’s unique transport challenges and help me find the best transport solution for its particular needs.

Welcome to WESTlocal - a new £2 million fund from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority to help communities design and then run their own version of new transport in their patch.

Maybe the challenge in your area is driving children to school? Getting older residents to the shops? Workers to large local employers at the start and end of shifts?

Whatever it is, with WESTlocal - open

to a wide selection of community groups, schools, faith groups, town and parish councils, and more - we will unleash the power of local people working together, and keep residents on the move.

All you need to do is come up with an idea, then get together with other groups in your community (or go it alone if you want to), identify a range of transport needs and come up with a transport scheme to tackle them. We will support you to put those plans into action and make them a success.

The fund is super-flexible, and communities can consider a range of ideas, with fixed timetables or flexible services, and pre-booked or “buy on the bus” services. They could run to key locations – think GPs or colleges. And various vehicles can be used. Traditional buses, minibuses - you name it!

Your proposed scheme must serve residents based in the West of England area. Your ideas must be locally designed and new - they can’t simply keep schemes going that are already in place.

For those thinking “but I’ve never run public transport before, Dan” - don’t worry.

Expert advice and support will be made

Awards celebration

VOLUNTEERS from Downend and Soundwell have been recognised in this year's South Gloucestershire Council chair's awards

Bromley Heath resident Michael Paraskeva was recognised for stepping in at Emerson's Green Village Hall after the charity's grounds caretaker retired to help with maintenance, upkeep of the grounds and car park.

He has also helped raise money for charities Paul's Place and Resound food bank by getting involved in Bromley Heath 'Door Step Santa' visits.

Sarah Reid, from Soundwell, has raised money for different charities that support epilepsy, young careers and hidden disabilities, including running a marathon.

She has also donated 540 epilepsy information packs to schools, libraries, surgeries and other venues, as well as giving awareness talks to charities, brownie groups and schools.

available every step of the way, to help all those looking to set up a new transport scheme.

Once you have got your idea, contact transport.operations@westofengland-ca.gov. uk and put ‘WESTlocal idea’ in the address line.

The West of England Combined Authority will get back to you to explain the rest of the process. You have from now until the end of April 2024 to have the idea and get the application process in. Okay, so now you can get going - there’s nothing stopping you!

This is people-powered transport, designed and delivered locally.

Slug menace affects traffic lights

SLUGS and other small creatures are shorting out traffic lights across South Gloucestershire, it has been revealed.

The molluscs squeeze their way into control boxes for warmth and shelter but are singed when they come into contact with the electrical wiring, which knocks out lights in the district about once a month.

The council has now set up its own in-house team of dedicated engineers to try to prevent the damage caused by the pests and keep the local road network running.

The team is carrying out preventative maintenance to seal holes and make sites watertight, with the aim of cutting reported faults from the current eight per day down to "two or three a week".

A council spokesperson said: ““This is by no means unique to South Gloucestershire but is an issue our new in-house team is actively trying to prevent to keep the network running."

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice

Award winners at their presentation ceremony

STYLE ADVICE

A man’s spring capsule wardrobe n

A CAPSULE wardrobe is one of the easiest ways to run an efficient wardrobe. It takes the form of a limited number of key pieces that are the core of your wardrobe.

All the pieces should be timeless, preferably of good quality, to be worn year in, year out.

There’s also a focus on colour, perhaps choosing a colour palette, such as neutrals, that will work well together, thereby allowing clothing to be mixed and matched and worn in several ways.

So, what could be in a capsule wardrobe?

For a change, I’m focusing on the male wardrobe. Most of my male clients don’t really like shopping, so I’m hoping this will act as a guide for anyone who feels it is torture to think about what to wear.

There are many theories on how many pieces are needed for a capsule wardrobe, but ultimately the idea is to keep it to as few pieces as possible. The exact selection of garments needed

A blazer is part of a good capsule wardrobe.

depends on the lifestyle of the owner, so be judge as to whether this fits the bill for you or your partner, or make edits as you see fit.

People say 33 is the ideal number of pieces for a capsule wardrobe. With spring in mind,

here’s what I would include:

2 x jeans (light and medium wash, or medium wash and black)

1 x chino trousers

1 x lounge wear joggers

1 x shorts

1 x trainers (neutral colours)

1 x casual high top boots

1 x leather smart shoes

1 x smart/casual shoe (boat or loafer)

1 x summer sandal or slider

1 x blazer

1 x waterproof jacket

1 x fleece or gilet

1 x lightweight puffer/quilted jacket

2 x round neck sweatshirts or hoodies

2 x spring knits (could include a cardigan)

2 x long sleeve T-shirts

3 x short sleeve T-shirts

3 x non-iron collared shirts (2 x smart long and short sleeved/1 short sleeve casual)

3 x polo shirts

1 x denim shirt

Gail

1 x overshirt (shacket)

1 x tan belt

1 x baseball hat

While there’s a focus on spring, the above list includes many pieces that can be worn all year round, so it’s essentially the full capsule wardrobe.

What do you think? Drop me a line at info@notgivinin.com with any questions about this or other fashion queries.

www.notgivinin.com

Painter's fashion tips

Picture: John Lewis & Partners

n COMMUNITY NEWS

DOWNEND WI

WE have enjoyed some really fabulous meetings so far this year.

It’s been wonderful to see so many of our lovely members coming month after month, and welcoming some new potential members as guests, too!

At our February meeting, Amy Grimsby taught us how to needle felt and all members made fabulous buzzy bees. What a skill to have tried, and gold stars for everyone’s attempts – they looked wonderful.

At April’s meeting we are very much looking forward to welcoming the wonderful team from Downend in Bloom, who keep our high street looking amazing, season after season.

In preparation for the celebrations for King Charles III's Coronation, our members are all currently busy sewing felt flowers to go on our post box topper, which I know will be just as fantastic as the “poppy topper” that we did to honour Remembrance Sunday last November.

We will also be attaching a QR code to the topper, so direct donations can be made to a local foodbank we are collecting for. Each month we are also collecting different items for donation to our foodbank, and our members have not disappointed us.

We meet at Christ Church Hall in North Street on the last Tuesday of each month, at 7.30pm.

As a member, you can participate in as much or as little as you wish within our varied programme throughout the year –there is no pressure at all.

It’s a chance to meet new people & experience new things, so if you would like to know more about joining us, please contact us by email at downendwi@yahoo. co.uk.

Guests are welcome for a small charge of £4, which includes a tea or coffee.

Please come along – you will be more than welcome!

Shelley, Downend WI President

BROMLEY HEATH WI

OUR March meeting was our chance to get spaced out –although no tablets, injections or gas canisters were required, as we welcomed back 'space detective' Jo Richardson.

Jo, a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, had received such glowing reviews when she spoke to us last year that she was

invited back to tell us about the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis.

Astronomy is something that goes over many people’s heads - in more ways than one - but Jo had the expertise, flair and enthusiasm to engage and entertain all present.

By combining the technical meteorological details with a personal account of her family’s travels to northern Finland, supplemented by a slide show of beautiful photographs, we all gained a better understanding of the aurora - and some a desire to visit Finland.

When Jo asked, it transpired that some of our members had been fortunate enough to witness the Northern Lights, either from a cruise ship or a specific trip to Iceland.

Sorry to disappoint you, but their outlet in Emersons Green isn’t far enough north! But there are parts of Bristol where light pollution is less prevalent and, with the right equipment and weather permitting, you can get a better view of the night sky.

Jo told us about her Star Gazing Location Guide she has drawn up for Avon and Bristol CPRE, which can be found online and has detailed information for anyone interested in learning more about astronomy.

Our committee plans to launch some new groups, including a lunch club, crochet, reading groups and a theatre trip.

Our monthly meeting normally takes place on the second Thursday of the month but as it is Easter, our April meeting will be on Thursday 20th.

Our speaker will be Amy from Dotty Herberts florists in Downend, who will be showing us how to make a spring wreath.

Please contact us at bromleyheathwi@gmail.com if you would like any more information.

Margaret Hanwell

RODWAY RUBIES WI

WE are a new addition to the Voice — Rodway Rubies Women’s Institute was set up in January 2020, just prior to the Covid pandemic, which closed social life down for everyone!

We survived and have a flourishing, very active WI, with nearly 60 members.

We meet in the United Reformed Church at 37 Cossham Street, Mangotsfield, on the third Monday of each month, between 7.30pm and 9.45 pm.

Recently we had a great speaker telling us of her experiences as a magistrate, and we have a full and varied programme for the coming year.

Our WI year commences in April, with a light-hearted talk entitled “Life down the Plughole”, which also has a more serious message.

We welcome anyone interested to come along to a meeting and test us out!

BEECHMERE BELLES

BRILLIANT fun, thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining are a few words to describe our line dancing meeting.

Every lady joined in, we had straight lines (not always, but let's not dwell on that) and we did ourselves proud.

Our instructor for the evening was great at teaching us the steps, so after a nice gentle walk-through, the music started and we were off: not all of us always in the same direction all of the time, but some of us in the right direction some of the time. Everybody had a great time.

On April 27 we will be having our taste buds tempted by an amazing vegan chef.

The Cooking Flea is giving us

MANGOTSFIELD LADIES

a demonstration of the food she serves for private dinner parties. Lots more people are moving away from a full meat-based diet, but are not sure how to serve or even where to begin creating vegan meals, so this will be a great introduction.

In May we will be learning all about the benefits of open water swimming. One of our very brave ladies had her first taste of open water swimming recently - she was smiling in the picture but that could have been frozen on!

The big event this year is the King's Coronation and to celebrate, we will be popping along to a local eatery for afternoon tea. We always try to stay local when we have extra events, as it is important to support local independent businesses. Downend, Mangotsfield and Emerson’s Green have some great places to eat and drink.

If you would like to join the lovely group of ladies that are Beechmere Belles, we meet every fourth Thursday of the month at Emersons Green Village Hall, at 7.30pm. The first meeting is free.

Our door is open to any lady who would like to pop in: there is always cake and a warm welcome.

For more information, email us at Beechmerebelles@gmail.com or have a look on our Facebook page.

FOR our February meeting we had two presentations.

The first was by Carrie Anne Bessell, who has her own hairdressing and beauty salon, and provided an in-depth look at hairdressing and health benefits of Hopi Ear Candling. The second talk was on essential oils and how they can be used to enhance well-being.

I mentioned last time that one of our ladies celebrated her 95th birthday. She arrived at the Lamb wearing a princess crown and a huge badge with ‘95’ on. A member's granddaughter made a beautiful chocolate cake with chocolate strawberries and a musical candle on top, which played a tune and unfolded petals. At our meeting in the hall she was presented with a lovely bouquet of flowers.

Our March social gatherings were our usual pub lunch at the Lamb and an evening curry night at the Cinnamon Tree, always popular as it is a BYO.

St James Church Hall is being completely refurbished, with the ceiling, floors and a complete redecoration. Our March meeting was therefore being held at the Lamb, and the hall will be new and fresh for our King Charles III coronation meeting in April - we now have AHM caterers in place for the evening.

Looking ahead to summer, with the hall refurb completed, we are planning to hold a 'sounds of the 60’s' evening on Saturday June 3, from 7.30-10pm. We have booked award-winning musician Jeremy Huggett with his band, including keyboards, sax, flute, guitar, bass and drums, to transport us back to the wonderful era of The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield, The Monkees, Beach Boys, Troggs and The Animals.

Carol Coombs - Mangotsfield Ladies - carol@applause.co.uk

n OCEAN ESTATE AGENTS PROPERTY OF THE MONTH Shrubbery Road, Bristol, £425,000

Overview

NEW to the market this 2 bedroom semi detached bungalow is on a great sized plot in Downend, benefiting from plenty of off street parking, light and open living and potential to extend.

When entering the property you come through to an entrance porch, hallway, following onto a well proportion ground floor consisting of lounge with bay window and fireplace, Kitchen/ Dining room, bathroom. Master bedroom with fitted wardrobes and a second double bedroom that will take you in to a full width conservatory.

This property offers a great opportunity to put your own stamp on a well loved family home and a exciting move up or down the ladder in the ever popular location of BS16.

Outside

Externally this bungalow offers ample off street to the front with a rear garden laid to patio making it low maintenance. Additionally situated to the side is a single detached garage.

Location

This home sits within reach of both Downend and Staple Hill High Streets giving easy access to local shops, amenities and bus routes. This property is also close to major transport links such as the Ring

Key points

Semi Detached Bungalow

2 Bedrooms

Lounge with Bay

Garage

EPC - D

Floor Area - 67 Square Metres

Road and M32.

Short mat bowls club expands

ONE of the fastest-growing indoor sports is short mat bowls, and this is certainly reflected in the success of the Downend Short Mat Bowls Club.

The Club meets every Thursday afternoon at Christ Church Parish Hall in Downend.

We are a thriving club with three mats and 24 members, and hope to enter a team in the Bristol and District League this year.

Because we are currently full on Thursdays, we have decided to open for an additional day on Monday afternoons.

This would be a great opportunity, if you have never tried this intriguing game before, to give it a go.

The rules are very similar to the traditional full-length game but short mat has the additional challenge of a restricted playing surface.

We will provide you with bowls and coaching.

If you are interested, you can find us on Facebook, give me a ring or text on 07791 366894 or email parsonsm@hotmail.co.uk.

Mike Parsons

75th anniversary celebrations

PAGE Park Bowls Club is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

To open our celebrations, council leader Toby Savage has agreed to bowl the first bowl in our first game of the year, the Les Fulbrook Trophy Match.

Held each year at the beginning of the season, this game is an in-house charity match and will take place at 2.30pm on Saturday April 8.

We still have some availability on our annual course to train people to play the sport during the spring.

Boarding &

Open to anyone aged 12 years and above, the course will be held at Page Park for seven consecutive Saturdays beginning on April 22, from 10am to noon, under the tuition of five qualified Bowls England coaches.

All equipment will be provided with the exception of flat soled shoes, which are essentialno heels or ribbed soles please.

There will be an initial registration fee of £5 and a charge of £5 per session, to cover costs.

To register your interest, call 07718 306623 or email donwillcox@hotmail.co.uk.

Applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

For additional information please visit our website, www.pageparkbowling.org.uk.

Don Willcox

Downend Short Mat Bowls Club in action

n GARDENING

CLUB AT THE BARN

WE have reached the time of year when we hope the weather will be a little kinder to us.

We can find more time to get outside and enjoy a little gardening. Many of us will have daffodils and crocuses out in our gardens, cheering us up no end.

I visited my local garden centre this week, for food for the birds.

It was a joy, as they have begun getting new plants in, a good selection of Alpine plants, ferns and pansies.

We can begin to sow our seeds to get an early crop of vegetables, and our bedding plants are on their way.

It is an exciting time of year, with so much to look forward to.

Do try and grow something new this year. We are spoilt for choice, but we also need to think of the wildlife and make sure we plant something for them, and be rewarded by their visits.

If we have room for a small tree, so much the better - a fruit tree can always be planted in a pot and put on the patio, not only pollen for the bees but something for you also, in the way of an apple or pear depending on what you choose to grow.

If you are limited for space you could always try a miniature rock garden in an old sink, or you may have a container lying around you could utilize. Add a small rock or two and a few plants and you are there.

Also, think about growing cherry tomatoes in a hanging basket: just use your imagination and your garden will be a delight.

Our April speaker will be Adam, showing us how to plant a hanging basket.

Mary Head

Conference host

A FRENCHAY woman has chaired a major conference for women in business.

Jo Kinsey is the national president of the Business and Professional Women UK organisation, which staged the Women, We Mean Business conference in Belfast in March.

A series of speakers in UK, European and international organisations took part in the event. The BPW UK annual general meeting was also held at the event, with motions on issues such as making misogyny a hate crime.

n PHOTOGRAPHY WITH DOWNEND CAMERA CLUB

GETTING interesting pictures of animals can be surprisingly difficult.

A simple record shot of a beloved pet is one thing: taking images that are interesting to others is much more of a challenge.

Annoyingly for the photographer, many birds and animals appear camerashy and don’t want to pose.

Then, when it comes to entering animal pictures into photographic competitions, there is a prevalent view that the subject has to be doing something to be considered a contender – the simple portrait shot, the ‘bird on a stick’, no longer makes the grade.

At club level though, simply having the subject appearing to show some character is often enough. Here are three images from the latest club competition by way of example.

In the ‘Plaintive Fox’, the subject has been nicely photographed, and though it isn’t doing much, it does look quite gloomy. This is a case where the title helps the image by creating a perception in the viewer’s mind that the fox is actually sad, although it is just as likely to be hungry (they usually are).

‘Seal with a Kiss’ is an amusing shot, appearing to show two seals in an amorous clinch. Once again the title helps, along with the posture of the subjects. It’s easy to see the seal on the left as the male, making his advances to his intended, and her perhaps slightly hesitant response.

‘Four Wise Lemurs’ is a well-composed picture, showing the communal nature of the creatures and their inquisitive nature. Though three are looking straight ahead, only the one on the right is looking directly at the camera. Interestingly, each face is different, so it is possible to identify each individual. Just as well it’s daylight: those red eyes would be quite spooky in the dark.

Downend Camera Club is a friendly informal group, meeting on Tuesdays at 7.30pm at the Assembly Hall in Salisbury

Animal magic

Road, Downend.

The club offers an active and interesting programme, including photographic presentations and competitions. New members are always welcome, and initial meetings are free, with no obligation to join.

The club is on both Facebook and Instagram and has a website at www. downendcameraclub.org. uk that shows details of the club, members' galleries, past competition winners and upcoming events.

Ed Shorney

The Plaintive Fox by Alan Thunhurst

Four Wise Lemurs by Ben Newby

Seal with a Kiss by Chris Boys

Mystery over detectorist's nautical finds

A METAL detectorist from Staple Hill is looking for information about his latest finds.

David Upton searches local fields and other areas, with the permission of landowners, to look for lost or buried artefacts.

His latest finds are brass items with a nautical theme, uncovered while searching derelict outbuildings at an old market garden near Frenchay.

They include a handbell with an anchorshaped handle, a ship's oil lamp with a gimbal fitting, which would have kept the lamp horizontal in a swell, and a decorative letter opener, with the name Sea Princess engraved on the hilt.

David believes some of the items could be from the 18th or 19th century.

While two ships have been named the Sea Princess in the past 50 years, both cruise ships operating between 1979 and 2020, the letter opener was in a building which David, who grew up in the area, says has been

disused for at least 60 years.

He said: "It could be from a ship from Bristol docks many years ago."

The lamp is stamped with the words "Made in England" in capitals but the bell has no markings.

David hopes to donate the items to Frenchay Village Museum if he can establish some details about their origin.

Do you remember a ship called the Sea Princess being based in Bristol, or have any information about the other items?

Contact news@downendvoice.co.uk.

David Upton with the bell and letter opener

The oil lamp, bell and letter opener found in Frenchay

The letter opener has been engraved with the name Sea Princess

EASTER, being a moveable feast, always leaves me feeling confused as to when it occurs.

I’m not the only one, however. I recently bought a packet of hot cross buns from the Co-op. Once a special treat of Good Friday they have now become a year-round nibble.

However, encouragingly, this packet had a label wishing me "Happy Easter". The use-by date was March 13, leaving me thinking that Easter was exceptionally early this year! Not so, it’s April 7 - I checked.

Even so, and setting aside the religious meaning, there are a great many iconic images that we think of as relating to Easter: newlyhatched chicks, the Easter bunny, chocolate eggs and spring flowers, to name a few.

I set the club members a challenge on this, but the request was clearly a difficult one for many.

Never mind - several excellent photos were offered, with ducklings being the most popular option. They are photogenic little chaps, it must be said, and the choices I offer here get us close to them and their character while offering excellent close-ups of their immature clothing.

First up is 'Full Steam Ahead' by Shaun Martin. A determined little figure paddling

along, a bow wave before it and a distorted reflection. The down, more like hairs than feathers, shows up with great clarity.

Anita Fullerton gives us three for the price of one with 'Huddle Up'. No water for these three, siblings presumably, although it sits in the background while they remain dry. Again, the hair-like down is shown with great clarity.

Bruce Gibbs takes a floral view of Easter with 'Composite', his montage of daffodils and pussy willow catkins. It’s unusual to present, as a single picture a set of nine organised images, as here, but what better for Easter than a mixed bunch of daffodils?

Are you interested in photography and want to find out more? Why not join us for the coming year?

New members, visitors and guests are always

n CHRISTINE'S COLUMN

OUR next coffee and speaker morning at Lincombe Barn includes a talk from coach company Chauffeurhire.

I have been on several trips with them. One of the first and most exciting was a trip to see the Blackpool Illuminations one October.

You can imagine it was quite a long journey - about three and a half hours each way.

When we arrived, it was quite a different world from where we had come from.

It was so very misty and you just could not see the sea. I felt I was in a foreign place.

made welcome (£3 if you just want to try us out).

If you’re looking for company and new acquaintances, as well as regular activities, and would like to be part of a small but flourishing club, take a look at our website at www. lincombebarncameraclub.co.uk or contact us at lincombebarn.cameraclub@gmail.com.

Happy Easter!

Sid Stace

Coach trip memories

I went with a couple of friends and we mooched about, going in a cafe and souvenir shops, until it was time to go on the tram with the rest of the coach party to see the illuminations. This certainly was the highlight, and the varied and pretty lights lived up to our expectations!

After waiting many years to go to Blackpool I certainly was not disappointed by the fantastic spectacle that had been waiting for me.

Another memorable coach trip

was to Swanage with my friends Jayne and Thelma.

Unfortunately it rained nearly all the time we were there.

The highlight was having fish and chips in Harry Ramsden's.

I would really like to go there again; hopefully we will not get soaked next time!

My favourite trip was to Brixham. I've frequented it before on a family holiday when I was a child, and again when my daughter Kirsty was a child.

There is something I think which draws you to it - and I don't mean the coach!

It does help a great deal when the coach stops outside a shop which sells yummy pasties, just in time for lunch.

The talk is at the barn on Thursday April 6, with coffee from 10.15am - more details are on the what's on page.

A big thank you to everyone who came to the last speaker/ coffee morning, our bring a friends for free event with a talk from John Lockwood on historic Downend. It was a bumper turnout and was certainly amusing.

Huddle Up by Anita Fullerton

Full Stem Ahead by Shaun Martin

with Christine Broadway

Composite by Bruce Gibbs

n SPORT

Still time to enter road race

HUNDREDS of runners are set to take part in this year's Frenchay 10k charity road race.

This year will be the 41st time the race has been held, with runners of all abilities racing through some of the area's most scenic places, including Snuff Mills and Frenchay village.

The race will start at 11am on Sunday April 16 at UWE's Blackberry Hill campus, on a circular route that takes runners through Snuff Mills and Vassalls Park before heading through the Oldbury Court housing estate, along Vassall Road and Gill Avenue, then down to the River Frome at Frenchay Bridge and up Frenchay Hill. Runners then head through Frenchay village to Park Road and head back towards the race headquarters, running down Broom Hill before a final stretch up Blackberry Hill.

Race director David Guyatt said: "The race was conceived with the aim of raising money for local charities and this year's race is no exception. We are delighted to be supporting Children’s Hospice Southwest and Freewheelers blood bikes. "Both charities provide incredibly important services and support for local communities, and all proceeds from the race are distributed to both charities, providing welcome funds at a time of continued financial challenges.

"Volunteers from both charities will be present at race headquarters at UWE Blackberry Hill on the day of the race."

The Frenchay 10k was first held in 1980 and it is one of the country's oldest 10k events, returning last year after a two-year break because of the pandemic.

Entries are still open for the event - they can be made online at the website frenchay10k.co.uk, where there is more information, or on the day at the start.

There will be marshals on duty around the course and organisers are encouraging residents to line the route to show their support.

Lucy wins gold

A MANGOTSFIELD School student has won gold at this year's British Schools Judo Championships.

Lucy Cerri, who is a Year 7 pupil at the school, took part in the adaptive section of the national tournament, held in Sheffield in March.

Lucy trains with the Bristol-based Kodachi Adaptative Judo Club, which is a club for children with special educational needs.

Head teacher Hetty Blackmore said: "Lucy joined Judo when she was in Year 4 and was told by her previous coach she couldn't compete due to her special needs.

"To date, Lucy has won two gold medals at national level.

"It just goes to prove that disability is no barrier to what you can achieve.

"Lucy's hard work and determination have paid off with a fantastic result.

"A big congratulations to Lucy from everyone at Mangotsfield School, and we all look forward to seeing Lucy's gold medal very soon."

Lucy Cerri with her gold medal

Flyers looking for a strong finish

FOLLOWING a great run of dry weather in February, Downend Flyers' women's and girls' teams were finally able to knuckle down and eat into some serious fixture backlogs that built up over the wet and cold winter months.

Sadly the first weekend in March saw an end to that luck, with all home games postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

The women's first team now find themselves with four games left and could still claim second spot in the South West Regional Women's Football League Northern Division, with a strong finish and other results going their way.

However, their attentions were not on the league as they looked forward to a Gloucestershire County Cup semi-final away at Forest Green Rovers.

Their opponents will be stiff opposition, as they are high flyers in the division above, but the players will be relishing the opportunity to test themselves against higher division opponents for the second time this season, following their Women's FA Cup against Cardiff City in the autumn. Meanwhile the reserves and newly-formed 'A' team are closing out their respective seasons with both squads also looking to finish the campaign strongly.

With over 40 players across three teams, we can really see the amazing growth in the adult game, considering we just had one team before the pandemic.

We are always on the lookout for more coaches, so if you are interested, please get in touch.

The girls' teams are all also finishing their seasons over the next month or so, with many teams gunning for promotions and league titles.

With 17 teams in the Bristol Girls league, we are by far the biggest girls' team in Bristol and we are looking to create even more sides in the summer, including an inaugural U18s team.

Find us on twitter or Facebook for more details.

n MUD PIE EXPLORERS

Jaspers win promotion

BRISTOL & West Hockey Club's

Jaspers ladies 1st team have secured promotion by guaranteeing first place with one game still to play in their division.

The side remains unbeaten in the league so far, and will be looking to add the cherry on top of that cake with one final game against Westberries.

B&WJ1s have drawn four games and won the rest, scoring 46 goals and conceding only eight times in a 17-game period.

The team will move up into the West Women's Division 1 North league from the start of next season where they will be one step away from West Premiership status, following a tremendous effort.

On the men's side of the game it's crunch time, as the 1st team are currently sitting joint top with Bristol University 2s, on 51 points.

The lads are ahead by the narrowest of margins, only by +1 goal difference. The stage is set however, as the local students are next up, in what could prove to be the season decider with only three games remaining.

The summer hockey season is just around the corner - to get involved or for more information visit www.bandwhc.org.uk.

Harry Bryant

Duncan Gardner

Funded outdoor fun for local children

OVER the Easter holidays Mud Pie Explorers CIC has funded sessions for children from low income families. We are offering holiday activities and food clubs in the Easter school holidays for children aged 8 to 16 years who live in South Gloucestershire. Children attending must be 8+ and eligible for income-related free school meals. All the groups take place at Lincombe Barn Woods, Downend and include a campfire lunch.

South Gloucestershire Council has commissioned us to provide free sessions for children who get benefits-related free school meals (not universal infant free school meals) through Department for Education (DfE) funding. Families can self-refer and book spaces directly via www,mud-pies.co.uk

Mud Pies also have received funding from Westport and the West of England Healthier with Nature partnership to run a new social prescribing pilot project. The new group for autistic children & their parent/ carer, from South Glos, will take place on Saturday afternoons at Lincombe Barn Woods. Downend. Starting 22nd April 2023 for 12 weeks.

There will be a Forest School group for up to 10 children and a separate group running at the same time for parents/carers. Both groups will include woodland skills, campfires, a sense of freedom and time to be. Kate Toner, founder of Bristol Autism Support and the Autism Training Company, will be providing some support for parents/ carers as a part of this exciting project. Families and external partners can refer to this project by emailing emer@mud-pies.co.uk.

To donate to the essential work of this local not for profit Community Interest Company please pop along to www.mud-pies. co.uk

n SPORT

Huge win over Sodbury for Cleve

IN a must-win game to ensure league survival, Cleve were on the ball from the start.

Within the first two minutes they mounted an attack on the Chipping Sodbury line that saw Will Callaghan go over for a try, which was converted.

The game restarted and Greg Welling got hold of the ball and broke through Sodbury’s centres to set up Dom Callaghan for Cleve’s second, and another conversion from Nathan Huntley put them 14-0 up after just 5 minutes.

Sodbury then showed why they have done well this season, moving the ball wide and for their left winger to score.

Cleve went back on the attack, passing the ball well between backs and forwards. In a ruck close to the 22, Sodbury were penalised for offside, with Huntley stroking over the ensuing penalty.

As the game again became an end-to-end match, Sodbury drove the ball from a maul following a 5 metre lineout to score again but failed to convert to make it 24-12 at halftime.

Cleve’s new number 8 Ben Roach, an Aussie working in the UK, took the game to Sodbury with some impressive driving play.

The second half began like the first, with

from Cleve's big win over Chipping

the home side on the attack.

Some great penetrating runs by the centres saw Greg Welling go over the line, converted to make it 31-12.

The game again went backwards and forwards, but Cleve kept Sodbury out, and won a penalty following a misdemeanour in a ruck, which was kicked by Huntley.

Cleve were now dominating the game and, by passing and line breaks, got close to the line.

A short pass to Paul Vinicombe saw the power of the forward drive straight over the

line, to make it 44 to 12.

Andy O’Donnell, celebrating 600 games for Cleve's first team, played a significant part in the victory, adding his experience to the front row

In the final minutes Cleve were still in the mood for more tries.

The last one was in some ways the best - a short pass to the Number 8 and a break through Sodbury’s line then saw a great offload by Rich Bullough to Will Warman.

The scrum-half then accelerated to the try line and scored, with Huntley again converting.

The game finished 54-12 to Cleve.

Cleve Seconds were also playing on the same day, hosting Bristol Saracens, This game was a close affair, with only a try separating the two teams until the last third.

Cleve, however, ran out winners 24-12.

Man of the match was awarded to Theo Garnett, who contributed well to a fine Cleve performance.

Steve Bateman

Action

Sodbury

Mangos reach cup final

RECENT improved form has seen Mangotsfield United reach mid table in the Hellenic League Premier Division - and their first cup final for several years.

A 2-1 win over Fairford Town at Cossham Street saw Oliver Whelan netting for the visitors on 51 minutes, but the Mangos soon level and pull ahead, thanks to Simon Prangley (56) and Oli Jenkins (59). The home side stood firm to clinch the win, with Fairford also losing a player to a straight red card.

Next up came an impressive and perhaps unexpected 2-1 Hellenic League Cup semifinal win away at high-flying Malvern Town – where Mangotsfield had lost 7-2 in the league earlier in the season. This time was different; they matched the hosts all the way and took the lead through Simon Prangley on 40 minutes.

Malvern levelled two minutes later but the Mangos kept at it and clinched a memorable win with a goal from Conrad David EssilfieConduah on 87 minutes, to reach a twolegged final.

Then came another home win, 1-0 over Hereford Lads Club. Jaydn Crosbie netted the all-important goal after 21 minutes, in a game with little to choose between the sides.

The following Tuesday saw the Mangos forced to take defeat on the chin, as fastimproving Thornbury Town were 1-0 winners at Cossham Street.

The Mangos never really got going on the night and the visitors were well worth their win. The very low crowd of just 61 was explainable though, with Bristol City v Manchester City live on ITV in the FA Cup at the same time.

Another defeat followed three days later, with a 2-1 loss at Hereford Pegasus.

Going in a goal down at half-time, the Mangos levelled in the first minute of the second half through Karem Karahus, before Pegasus got what proved to be the winning goal on the hour mark.

Mangotsfield bounced back in the following midweek game, with a 2-0 away win at struggling Tuffley Rovers.

Sebastian Scott (54) and Louis Short (90) netted the goals in a hard-fought match.

However, the Mangos came unstuck again

the following Saturday with a 2-0 home defeat against local rivals Roman Glass St George.

The game was part of a community day, with fans given free entry and events either side. But in the match itself the hosts never really got going, and goals from Oliver Woodhouse (7) and Rhys Sarson (76) sealed the points for the visitors.

The first leg of the Hellenic League Cup Final was a tense affair at Cossham Street, with the Mangos and visitors Pershore Town battling out a goalless draw in a game of few chances.

It left all to play for in the second leg, which was taking place after the Voice went to print.

Dave Smale

Remaining fixtures

March 25 Corsham Town (H)

April 1 Shrivenham (A)

April 7 Roman Glass St George (A)

April 15 Malvern Town (H)

April 18 Lydney Town (H)

n ON THE TREATMENT TABLE

Knee replacement surgery

IN the past few months, I have seen a number of patients after having a knee replacement which hasn’t worked as well as hoped. I thought it would be nice to review this option a little and discuss how we would support a successful procedure and how we would help difficult cases where patients feel no better or even worse after an operation. With the NHS struggling to provide patients with timely access to treatment, more and more patients are realising that there is a cost-effective way to get care at a time and place that suits them, and with the experience we have in the clinic, we are so well placed to provide this!

Knee replacement surgery is really common and used to treat severe knee pain and disability caused by arthritis, injury, or other conditions. The chances of success depends on your overall health, age, the severity of the knee damage, and how well you follow your post-surgery rehabilitation plans… we’re all human after

all! According to the NHS, 90% of people who undergo knee replacement surgery feel better (15%) or much better (75%). These are good odds!

While the surgery can often be positive in the short term, a proper rehabilitation program (that means doing your exercises!) is essential to a great long-term outcome. Successful rehabilitation can be challenging, and I’m afraid it really does rely on you committing to your program for several months, but thankfully we can help you through this. Having regular check ins for some face to face, hands on treatment will help you stick to the plan, motive you when it’s getting tough, and improve how well the area is functioning.

Sometimes, even with the most dedicated patient, the knee replacement can really stiffen up and may lose some movement, making it hard to bend the knee and walking properly. In these cases, patients will likely be offered a ‘manipulation

under anaesthetic’, which can help restore range of motion. But what happens when this is unsuccessful, and the patient is left with a knee that struggles to bend and straighten well? This type of patient will typically come and see me 1-2 years later, feeling quite despondent as they think they have tried all available options.

The good news is that the main outcomes patients are looking for, are increased range of motion and decreased pain, and these are outcomes we can really help with. In all the cases that I have seen like this recently, all patients increased their knee range of motion and reduced pain significantly.

When a knee hasn't moved well for a while, a lot of the soft tissue structures surrounding it will have become very tight and tense. We start with gently working through these tissues (muscles, joints, and tendons), to make it easier for us to then apply gentle manipulations to the

knee. As you know, we keep the clinic stocked with the very best in modern technology (powered by hugely experienced clinicians!) and have developed our protocol to include using our shockwave machines to breakdown some of the adhesions that have built up around the knee capsule and the joint line. When the knee is in a painful state, we may also use laser therapy to reduce the pain and speed up the healing process.

If you think we can help you are a loved one with an issue like this then please call and book into the clinic and see if we can help you. And remember, you don't have to wait until you reach the point of knee replacement. If you're experiencing stiff, sore, or achy knees, our team will be able to assess and help you manage this before reaching the point of surgery.

with Tim Button, Doctor of Chiropractic at Cleve Chiropractic and Next Step in Mangotsfield

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