Downend Voice November 2022

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL

SUPPLEMENT

Council faces tough financial choices

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

COUNCIL is working to address a potential budget gap of £29.3 million next year (2023/24) as the serious financial situation affecting all local authorities intensifies. The council published its draft budget last month.

Global events, rising inflation and continuingly increasing de mand for services mean costs are rising at an unprecedented rate.

The council’s financial position has changed in a very short space of time, similar to many other local authorities across the country.

Rising costs

The council has through contract negotiations saved money, such as a fixed price energy contract which will save £2 million, but this is due to end next spring. Increasing costs have put the council under growing financial pressure. Not only will energy prices rise for the council next spring, but the expect ed national pay offer for staff will increase the council’s spend by an extra £6.4 million each year.

Rapidly growing demand on services, including adult social care, means the cost of delivering existing support is likely to rise by £8.5 million every year. Additional ly, capital costs – for building roads, schools, and other one-off projects – have already risen significantly and may continue to grow if the costs of materials, for example, don’t return to more normal prices

Savings

The council is in a relatively good

starting position, with additional savings of £2.9 million identified this year and £23.6 million of savings already in the pipeline, although the unprecedented costs and other pressures means there is still the potential for a £29.3 million gap in the budget.

The council is now having to look for possible changes to the way it delivers some services and even whether or not it can contin ue to provide some services. Some changes may result in redundan cies for its staff. It is also looking at how it can raise income, including by increasing Council Tax. The council is prevented by law from raising Council Tax by more than 1.99 per cent without a local referendum. A one per cent rise in Council Tax would generate £1.6 million. The council is now working to identify new ways to increase income and reduce spending and the impact those steps might have. Proposals will be presented to its Cabinet in December.

Support for those in need

The council will prioritise support for people who need it most. There are two grant funds, Community Resilience Fund and Household Support Fund, available for those struggling financially. The council also continues to press for reform to special educational needs and disability support, and to fully fund the cost of care.

An urgent challenge

Cabinet member for Corporate Resources, Cllr Ben Burton, said: “By

View from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Toby Savage

WELCOME –We’re glad to team up again with The Voice, a wonderful local business, to bring you this special edition. This time we are focusing on the council’s finances. The global economic situation means that your council faces an unprecedented challenge. Along with other local authorities, we are seeing increasing demand for services, rapidly rising prices and reduced income. Our prudent financial management has put us in a position of relative strength. But, despite significant savings, we have an increased gap in our finances for 2023/24. This means we will need to make further savings and that will involve some tough decisions. No one wants to do this and I’m acutely aware this comes when people are finding it hard to manage. It’s very important to us that you have your say. You’ll find out more in this edition and how you can find support if you’re struggling with the cost of living. Read on too to learn about our schools’ fantastic performance, how to nominate a community hero, progress on a new park and many other stories.

the start of the 2023/24 financial year, we will have already delivered £102 million of annual savings by working tirelessly to focus our resources on delivering our council plan priorities.

“However, the current scale of challenge is too large and too urgent for us to be able to rely solely on this approach. We now need to find ways to cut services or change how they are delivered. We will do these in the least disruptive

and detrimental way possible to continue supporting those who need it most.”

The outcome of the Govern ment funding settlement expected later in the year could improve the financial outlook. After the council has received that updated information, it will publish detailed four-year budget proposals for further public comment.

The council will make final budget decisions in February

BUDGET CONTINUED

2023.  However, it first wants to hear from South Gloucestershire residents.

Have your say

We will be running two phases to this year’s consultation. The first phase starts in October and asks for your views on the council’s draft budget proposals.

The second phase will run from Tuesday 6 December and will ask for your views on

updated budget proposals which will consider up to date information on what funding will be available from central government and the options that we have for balancing the council’s budget.

As a local resident, it is important that you have a say in how we shape services in the future and our budget consultation is a key part of this.

View the budget at www.southglos.gov.uk/

budget and then send your comments:

• By email: consultation@southglos.gov.uk

• By completing an online survey or download from the council website: www.southglos.gov. uk/budget

• By writing to: Freepost RTXL-YJXJ-BXEX, South Gloucestershire Council, Corporate Research & Consultation Team, Council Offices, Badminton Road, Yate, Bristol, BS37 5AF

• By telephoning 01454 868009.

a vaccine if you’re eligible, is now. The UK Health Security Agency is expecting a double threat of low immunity and widely circulating flu and covid-19, creating an unpredictable winter and additional pressure on health services.

Free flu jabs are available to anyone over 50. Over 65s, pregnant wom en, people with certain health conditions or who work in some frontline jobs, can book now. You simply call your GP or book at a pharmacy. For covid jabs, first, second and booster vaccines are available at local clinics. At the time of writing this, autumn boosters are available to over 65s, pregnant women and anyone over 5 with an underlying health condition. Book with your GP or find a local walk-in clinic at bnssghealthiertogether. org.uk/covid

Nominate your community hero!

Struggling with costs? Help is at hand

The current rising cost of living is impacting on us all. Prices are going up and energy bills are climbing fastest of all. But no one should be embar rassed to ask for help if you don’t have enough to afford essentials and pay your bills. There is extra government support and help available from local services.

Your council offers a wide range of support including emergency and long-term support, help with housing benefit, various financial support grants and council tax reduction schemes. It can also help provide food and activities for children in the school holidays. You can visit one of the council’s three One Stop Shops in person where someone will be on hand to answer questions, resolve problems and offer advice. Or you can find de tails of support along with links to trusted national and partner resources on the council’s website at southglos.gov.uk/costofliving

Keep healthy and happy this winter

Winter, and worries over finances, can take a toll on your personal health. Did you know that the council offers plenty of free health and wellbeing support? Provided by the council’s partner Southern Brooks, activities range from tea and chat to help you reach out and connect, through to workshops on building resilience. Find out more about how you can access these free activities and other health and wellbeing support at oneyou. southglos.gov.uk

To help yourself to have a healthy winter, make sure you and your family’s vaccines are up to date. The time to boost your protection with

Do you have a hero in your community? Know someone special who vol unteers? South Gloucestershire Council wants to hear from you about the volunteers who make a difference in your area, from litter picking groups, to the befriending volunteers who brighten people’s days. The Chair of the council, Cllr Sanjay Shambhu, is calling for nominations of people who have made a difference to be put forward for the Chair’s 2022-23 Commu nity Awards. You can nominate a person or a community group and it’s very easy to do. The deadline is Friday 18 November and all the information on the awards, including how to make a nomination, can be found on the council’s website at southglos.gov.uk/communityawards.

Welcome to our new school

STAFF and pupils of Frenchay C of E Primary School have finally moved in to their new home.

The new £11 million school, built on the site of the former Frenchay Hospital, opened its doors for lessons at the beginning of October.

It follows years of planning and building, including delays due to the pandemic and supply

Craig

HAIR DESIGNERS

shortages.

After starting work in the two-storey low-carbon building, which has 14 classrooms and space for pupils numbers to more than double over the coming years, head teacher Katherine Marks said: "It was worth the wait."

More pictures: Page 5

Retirement flats plan for site

Plans have been unveiled for 42 retirement flats on the site of the now demolished Staple Hill Infant School in Page Road.

9

Let's be more disability friendly

A Downend man who lost his sight wants to make the area more accessible for people with disabilities.

27

Football and fundraising

A friendly football match between Mangotsfield residents has raised more than £4,000 for two charities.

36

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Frenchay Primary School head teacher Katherine Marks with pupils in the new school's library

SUTTON Chiropractic in Downend wants you and your family to get the most out of your health and enjoy life to the full. As we approach these longer days and darker months, we often experience less energy and the inevitable winter cold.

Not to worry though, we’ve put together a guide to beat the winter blues and run into Christmas better than ever before – and we certainly need it after Christmas 2020!

The Nervous system –the game changer

A well-adjusted spine is the key to nervous system that works well.

This helps your resilience in these winter months; helping you shrug off that cold, move better and enjoying a sense of ease in the body.

Get this right and the rest will follow.

Immune system boosters

Sunlight:

Always in short supply at this time of year, so when the sun is out get some on your skin, vitamin D from sun exposure vastly improves your immune system function.

Supplements:

I recommend Vitamin D3 daily as standard going into November.

Diet:

Enjoy what you enjoy but go steady on the sugar and booze.

These are well known

Immune system suppressors.

Increase your vegetable intake, aim for a colourful plate of food at each meal.

For those of us with a sweet tooth opt for Strawberries –

Staying well in winter

you feel at the beginning of December, you won’t regret it.

Emotional Wellbeingconnection

Staying connected to people we love and receiving their care in return is an essential part of maintaining your health and wellbeing.

Making time for regular zoom chats or even better in

person coffees or walks in the park could become a part of your healthy weekly habit on the run up to Christmas.

Get yourself checked by our Chiropractors, you won’t regret it; people swear we have magic in our hands!

Come and see how we can help you beat the winter blues, stay well and live a fuller happier life.

Matt Sutton

they are a great source of Zinc, an excellent protection from bacterial infections, like that first rumbling of a sore throat when that cold is on its way.

Showers:

If you’re feeling brave, start or finish your daily shower with 1-2 minutes on cold, this stresses the immune system in a way that causes it to function better.

Movement – motion is lotion

The most underused mood booster, guaranteed to beat the winter blues.

This is a great time to take up a new exercise class or renew that membership.

I recommend anything that gets you breathing deeply and gives you a light sweat. Do it 2-3 times a week.

Yoga is a personal favourite, but a winter walk/run is hard to beat.

Whatever you enjoy make a commitment to yourself for the next 4 weeks and see how

Christchurch Family Medical Centre, North Street, Bristol BS16 5SG

0117 214 1636

www.suttonchiro.co.uk

@suttonchiro

reception@suttonchiro.co.uk

New home gives school space to grow

THEY have waited patiently - some of them for years - but children at Frenchay C of E Primary School cannot contain their excitement at finally being in their new school.

For head teacher Katherine Marks it has been easy to tell how much they love it.

She said: "They've given a little cheer each morning when I've come out to open the school gates."

The difference to the school's cramped old site next to Frenchay Common, where it had been since 1842, could not be more marked.

The new two-storey building has six upstairs classrooms, eight more on the ground floor, a library space with a twostorey coloured window, a large hall which can be partitioned to create separate cafeteria, assembly or gym areas, and two new kitchens - a big one where school meals can be prepared

on site, and a smaller one where pupils can learn about cooking.

Outside is a playground and playing field, with separate outdoor learning areas, including one for early years pupils, which Mrs Marks says have already shown their worth.

She said: "The children are enjoying having the outside so close. They have been more focused in the afternoons because they can pop out and have a break."

The estate around the new school in Alexander Road is a still building site, and the school itself needs some finishing touches: a play castle, climbing frames and outdoor stage will be installed early next year and a 'spiritual area' for quiet reflection is also awaiting completion, although a mosaic made at the old school at Churchside has already been installed.

The school community itself is also a work in progress: having been limited to 140 pupils on its old site, there are currently 159 children in the new building.

Capacity for next year will be 210, with spaces for a single form of 30 new reception pupils.

Eventually, as the number of families in the area grows around it, the school will have places for up to 420 children, in two forms every year.

All will be taught in airy classrooms, with large digital screens in an £11 million building which has been built to be highly energy efficient, with triple glazing, solar panels, low energy LED lighting, air-source heat pumps and a mechanical ventilation and heat recovery

system.

After years in the pipeline, plans and funding for the school were approved in 2018-19, with the original completion date of September 2020 postponed after the lockdown, and supply issues meaning a revised opening date of this September was put back

by a month.

But Mrs Marks said: "It was worth the wait.

"It's a wonderful building. There are still things we need to learn but it's fantastic.

"When I go back to the old site now I wonder how we coped as long as we did."

Head teacher Katherine Marks in a first floor classroom overlooking an outdoor learning area and surrounding trees

The two-storey window by the library

Deputy head teacher Michael Backett teaches a Year 5 class

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Watchdog raps council over road closure failures

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council has been criticised by a watchdog for failures in its decision to remove experimental road closures in Staple Hill.

The experimental closures of Signal Road and Charnell Road were brought in during 2020, to divert through traffic away from the entrance to the Bristol & Bath Railway Path and improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

But while people on the two closed roads and on Charnhill Drive backed the scheme in a public consultation, saying it had stopped a rat run, people on Teewell Hill and some other streets nearby said they made traffic worse outside their homes, with both sides raising petitions and making protests.

Last year the council recommended the two closures be made permanent and sent letters to residents informing them. But three months later the authority reversed the decision, then removed the concrete blocks stopping traffic.

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DEADLINE

Our December edition deadline is November 16.

LOCAL INFORMATION

South Gloucestershire Council www.southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009

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Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk Environment/trading standards

01454 868001

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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 resident of one of the two closed roads, whose identity has been kept confidential, complained to the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman that the council had failed to properly consider whether the restrictions should be removed, making the two roads less safe and forcing him to use his car more.

The ombudsman agreed, finding the council was at fault by "failing to properly consider the removal of experimental traffic regulation orders".

The ruling continued: "(The council) failed to provide evidence considered in support of its decisions to revoke the orders or to let them lapse. It failed to get updated information about the scheme’s operation and had no written procedure. It published incorrect information in a letter, which it failed to correct for months."

The council has agreed to send the resident a written apology for its failures, to start a review to ensure it has written procedures to follow in future schemes, and ensure there are checks in place to stop unauthorised letters being sent to the public.

The resident told the Voice: "I am obviously pleased the ombudsman found in my favour, but my main feeling is of frustration.

"In the last eight months of the traffic management scheme I sent many emails to both council officers and councillors alerting them that the council's planned actions were unlawful, as they were ignoring current statutory government guidance.

"These emails were largely ignored. The ombudsman's report has clearly and officially disagreed with the Council, highlighting also that they failed to comply with government guidance.

"I think the ombudsman’s report is particularly shocking when you consider the many displays of local support for the previous traffic scheme that the council simply chose to ignore."

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: “We can confirm that we have received the findings of the Ombudsman and are adhering to the conclusion and recommendations set out in the report.”

Staple Hill and Mangotsfield ward councillor Katie Cooper, who along with colleagues Michael Bell and Ian Boulton has called for a comprehensive traffic review for the whole area, said: "The closures were imposed top-down by the council without a wider traffic review and without consultation with residents. So it is no surprise that they just created new problems elsewhere and upset as many people as they pleased."

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Marathon run brings in cash in memory of brave Phoebe, 18

A DOWNEND mum has dedicated her run in the London Marathon to a teenager who died after a two-year battle with leukaemia.

Phoebe Hill-Nelmes, who lived in Bromley Heath, was 16 when she was diagnosed with the disease, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

She had a bone marrow transplant in February 2020, just before the Covid pandemic, and spent much of the lockdown in hospital.

However in July last year she was told the disease could not be cured, and she passed away two days before Christmas, aged 18.

Phoebe's family have set up a tribute fund in her memory for the Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children's Hospital Charity.

Called the Phoebe HillNelmes Star Tribute Fund, it has raised more than £13,000 so far.

Sharon Herniman, whose son is best friends with Phoebe's younger brother Ted from their time playing football for Bromley Heath United, had been awarded a place in the London Marathon ballot before the pandemic started, and her place was deferred until this year.

Sharon said: "I wasn't going to run for a charity initially, but since gaining the ballot place some good family friends tragically lost their beautiful daughter.

"For two years she fought so hard - she had such strength and determination, she never gave up and always had a smile.

"I wanted to do something in Phoebe's memory and when her mum told me about the Phoebe Hill-Nelmes Star Tribute Fund, raising money for the children's hospital where she spent much of her last two years, I knew that was the charity I wanted to support."

Sharon completed the marathon in four hours and 38

minutes - almost 40 minutes inside her personal best time.

She said: "It was the most amazing, supportive and inclusive event I have ever done - there was support and people lining the streets from start to finish; it was like nothing I have ever experienced before."

Sharon said she was "chuffed to bits" that supporters who sponsored her had donated more than £1,600 to Phoebe's fund as the Voice went to press.

Last year the Voice reported how Phoebe had gone along to support Ted as he and his teammates at Longwell Green U16s as they took part in a fun run in October. They raised £12,000 for the Anthony Nolan charity, which had found the bone marrow donor for her transplant through its stem cell register.

Phoebe's dad Andy Hill, who runs Fishponds garage Surecar, said: "We're very grateful to Sharon and I want to thank everybody for their phenomenal support.

"Phoebe was such a strong character, so kind and considerate.

"We are distressed and devastated to lose her but are so grateful for what the children's hospital and NHS did for Phoebe.

"We set up the Star Tribute fund for the Wallace & Gromit Appeal to give something back and will continue to raise funds in Phoebe's memory."

The Phoebe Hill-Nelmes Star Tribute Fund can be found online at phoebehill-nelmes. muchloved.com.

To donate to Sharon's London Marathon fundraiser, visit phoebehill-nelmes. muchloved.com/Fundraising/ Events/656851050.

Virtual marathon helps hub: Page 25

Sharon Herniman with her London Marathon finisher's medal

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Calls for change as bus cutbacks bite

THE main 48 bus service from Downend to the city centre now runs less often, to accommodate a new route introduced by First.

The bus operator introduced the new 47 service as a "partial replacement" for several other routes it was axing, including the 5, Y5 and Y4, as it cut services in the face of a driver shortage and reduced passenger numbers.

The new timetables, published after October's Voice went to press, show that the new hourly 47 service, which runs from Yate to the city centre via Pucklechurch, Emersons Green, Downend, Oldbury Court and Eastville, takes one of the timetable slots previously used for the 48, which now runs twice instead of three times an hour, 20 minutes before and after the 47.

People living in Frenchay now only have one service, the hourly 19, and need to change in Downend or at a metrobus stop to reach the city centre or Yate.

A Frenchay resident told a recent meeting of the area's community engagement forum: "A quite sizeable village now has almost no link to Bristol."

Residents of Stapleton, which has lost both of its services with the axing of the 5 and Y4, told a public meeting in Oldbury

Metro Mayor Dan Norris with new driver recruits Giusy Caternicchia and Kai Foday at First's Lawrence Hill depot, which serves the Downend area

Court that they had been left "totally and utterly isolated" by the cuts.

Multiple attempts are now being made to try and force improvements in services.

Downend and Bromley Heath Parish Council is calling on the West of England Combined Authority, which has responsibility for regional transport planning, to introduce a 'hopper' bus service to serve Bromley Heath. Councillors would like to see a return of the 462, which ran via Bromley Heath and Mangotsfield to the

city centre and Emersons Green, before the pandemic.

A petition calling on First and Metro Mayor Dan Norris, who leads WECA, to "reconsider the disastrous decision" to drop the 5 had gained more than 1,900 signatures online and hundreds more on paper by midOctober.

It can be found at chng.it/FYpSs4qs.

Campaign group the West of England Shared Transport and Active Travel Network (WESTACT) has written an open letter calling on the Metro Mayor and the leaders of all councils in the area to suspend the deregulated bus market and provide a franchised bus service, under contract through WECA.

A political row over the cuts flared at South Gloucestershire Council's meeting on October 12, with the Conservatives claiming money spent on WECA's new offices could have been used to save bus routes, and Labour blaming the Government, privatisation and driver shortages for the cuts.

Mr Norris has been campaigning to recruit more bus drivers, saying: "Sorting the driver shortage is a vital step to fix the bus network."

Letters: Page 67

Single fares reduced

BUS fares for single and return journeys have been cut - but day rider tickets have risen by more than 13%.

Operator First West of England introduced the changes at the end of September, as a result of government funding secured by the West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council.

Adult single fares in the firm's Bristol Zone, which includes Downend, Staple Hill, Mangotsfield and Frenchay, have been reduced to £2, a 9% reduction on the previous £2.20 fare.

Return or '2-Trip' tickets are reduced by just over 18%, from £4.30 to £3.50 in the Bristol zone, while West of England Zone single fares have been capped at £3.70 - down from a maximum of £6.50 for longer journeys.

Return tickets in the regional zone have also been reduced, to a maximum of £5.

But the Bristol Zone adult day ticket - also known as the day rider - has gone up from £5.30 to £6.

First says more than half

of passengers who buy the day ticket only use it once or twice, so could save by switching to singles or returns.

Day tickets for travel outside Bristol have been reduced from £7.50 to £7, and there is now a flat £1 fare for all child single journeys.

But First is axing its £3.50 night and £1.30 3-Stop Hop tickets, which were popular for people making short journeys.

The changes come in advance of a national £2 single fare cap the government is funding from January.

First West of England managing director Doug Claringbold said: "The £2 single fare in Bristol offers outstanding value and, rather than waiting for the Government’s temporary £2 single fare cap to start in January, we are taking act ion now to help our existing customers and to encourage new customers to use our Bristol services."

Metro Mayor Dan Norris said the changes would "offer a small helping hand to people facing a crippling cost-of-living crisis".

Retirement homes bid for old school site

PLANS to build a development of 42 retirement flats on the site of the former Staple Hill Infant School have been unveiled.

Churchill Retirement Living has submitted plans for fourstorey apartment buildings with one- and two-bedroom flats, communal facilities and car parking on the corner site in Page Road.

The old infant school building was demolished in 2019, and pupils have been in the new primary school building on the opposite side of the road for more than a decade.

Churchill Retirement Living, which is the second-biggest builder of retirement homes in the country, has already built developments at New Pooles Lodge on nearby Staple Hill Road, and Trewin Lodge and Trewin Mews in Yate.

In its planning statement supporting the scheme, the company said there was "significant unmet need" for retirement housing in the area,

with more than 4,500 sheltered housing units needed across the whole of South Gloucestershire.

It said the plan would redevelop an unused "brownfield" site, reducing the need for greenfield development elsewhere, and was in a "highly sustainable" location.

The company said: "The principle of redevelopment for a retirement living scheme is considered acceptable for this site.

"The scheme has been designed to reflect the character and scale of the surrounding area whilst making efficient use of this

sustainable site.

"The provision of retirement housing releases under-occupied family homes back into the housing market. This should be afforded significant weight in the determination of the application."

As the Voice went to print three residents had written to object to the plans, while a fourth had written to say it was "vital that sufficient parking is provided for both residents and their visitors".

One objector said the planned development was "far too large for the area it is in", and would

be taller than surrounding buildings.

Another raised concern over extra traffic on a road used by pupils of the primary school, while a third said the area needed more affordable housing, and building a retirement development would be "insulting beyond measure to the community it claims to be looking to serve".

The plans can be viewed and commented on by visiting the planning section of South Gloucestershire Council's website and searching for application P22/05589/F.

Pedestrian seriously injured

A MAN was taken to hospital with "potentially life-changing injuries" after a collision with a taxi in Downend.

The injured pedestrian, who is in his 80s, collided with the blue Peugeot Partner Tepee car on Cleeve Hill, shortly before 9.45am on October 13.

Police closed Cleeve Hill between the Badminton Road and Cleeve Park Road junctions for around four hours so that an investigation could be carried out and the vehicle, which had damage to its windscreen and bonnet, could be removed.

The collision happened where the road splits into two lanes approaching the traffic lights, after the junction with Cleeve Hill Extension, which leads to the Co-op car park.

An Avon and Somerset police spokesperson said: "The injured pedestrian has gone to hospital with potentially life-changing injuries. His next of kin are aware."

Anyone who saw the collision or has dashcam or other video footage of the incident and has not already spoken to the police is being urged to call 101 and give the reference number 5222 246 437.

Contact

01179 575154

Sophia House, 9 Soundwell Road, Staple Hill, BS16 4QG Website: www.logicshesolutions.co.uk

The old Staple Hill Infant School building in 2019How the new apartment buildings could look

Police sealed off the scene of the collision

No need to be dazzled behind the wheel

IT’S that time of year when we have more patients coming in to see us for help with headlight glare – that disarming sensation when an oncoming car’s headlights dazzle you and leave you briefly unable to see the road ahead.

The irony here is delicious. Headlights, high beams and fog lights are all supposed to help drivers see at night – but in many cases they have entirely the opposite effect.

Glare from an oncoming vehicle’s lights can distract you, physically hurt your eyes and have an adverse effect on your reaction time.

Research from the RAC shows that nine out of ten drivers think most car headlights on the UK’s roads are too bright – and the vast majority of those drivers get dazzled by them while driving.

And the problem is getting worse every year. Nearly two thirds of drivers say they’re getting dazzled more now than they were a year ago. The same number say they can’t tell if the vehicle coming toward them at night has its lights dipped or on full beam.

Official government data shows there are around 300 collisions every year where dazzling headlights are a factor.

Ninety per cent of the information a driver needs and uses is visual so to have your eyesight compromised – even for two or three seconds – while you’re behind the wheel can have disastrous consequences.

If you experience night-time glare, you’re in good company. I, along with a good number of our patients, used to experience it too. But now, thanks to our sophisticated lenses, I’m so much happier on the few occasions that I drive late into the night.

These days my night driving tends to involve ferrying one or more of our three little darlings from here to there and back again, which as they grow older is getting later and later!

How does the lens work?

Our clear comfort lens removes the excess light that would otherwise give you glare and only lets the light though that you need in a more balanced and calming way.

Is this a tint?

No, you cannot legally wear anything other than the very palest of tints for driving at night.

Is this an anti-glare coating?

Our lens is far more sophisticated than the anti-glare coatings of old, we have the lens custom made to include the glare protection on the inside which means you get more comfortable vision.

What glasses options can you choose from?

Most patients choose either varifocals or distance glasses with their clear comfort lens, but we’re happy to look at any prescriptions you may have and see how we can help.

To book an appointment, please call our Henleaze team on 0117 962 2474 or Fishponds team on 0117 965 4434

Peter Turner is a Senior Optometrist at Turners Opticians in Bristol, with a specialist interest in visual development and visual performance.

Forest school's 'exceptional' tots and staff praised

school helping children to learn outdoors in Page Park has been praised by the education watchdog.

Ofsted visited Page Park Preschool Forest School in September and the regulator's report, published in October, praised the "ambitious" curriculum, "exceptional" staff and behaviour of children.

Inspector Elaine Douglas said the quality of education, personal development and leadership of the forest school were all good, while children's behaviour was outstanding, with the forest school receiving a 'good' rating overall.

The Forest School is part of Page Park Preschool, which also has a 'good' rating from Ofsted, and is run by their committee.

It has been running since 2018 on Tuesday mornings during term time, focusing on outdoor activities, from digging and learning about trees and fungi to toasting marshmallows.

The inspector said: "Staff

are exceptional role models, demonstrating that when some things are difficult, they keep trying until they succeed.

Children persevere and become highly resilient.

"Children become highly confident, including those who are newer to the setting. They are extremely motivated and eager to have responsibilities."

The report said staff "enable children to become independent, confident learners, willing to have a go and work cooperatively with others".

The inspector said: "The manager plans an ambitious curriculum and has high expectations for all the children.

"Children make good progress in the healthy environment.

"Children's behaviour and attitudes are exceptional. They are extremely inquisitive, concentrate well and are highly motivated.

"Staff skilfully support children in understanding their emotions and thinking of others. Children learn to resolve any conflicts for themselves. They develop an excellent understanding of rules and appropriate behaviour.

"Staff start the day helping children to recall safety rules and give them opportunities to set their own."

Preschool manager Clare Haughton said: "We are really proud of this positive report, and I think it is a true reflection of our practice and the ethos around what our preschool wants to achieve.

"A big thank-you to all the staff who work hard to provide a safe, secure and fun environment, and to all the parents that continue to support us."

Children and staff from Page Park Preschool at the Forest School area in the park

PLANS to use the former Original Factory Shop building in Staple Hill as a 24-hour gym have been approved.

Owner Greenstone Noble served notice on the Original Factory Shop to quit the premises on the corner of Broad Street and Byron Place earlier this year and the shop, which had traded on the site of the former Somerfield supermarket for more than 10 years, shut in July.

The owner has already signed an agreement for global fitness brand Snap Fitness to take over the site and applied for a certificate of lawfulness to allow it to change the hours of operation.

It said Snap Fitness, which already has branches in Filton, Clifton and Ashton Gate, would have up to six staff at the gym from 6.30am to 9pm, with personal trainers able to operate outside those hours, and members able to access the gym at any time of day or night using what was described as a "secure" swipe card system.

South Gloucestershire Council planning officers have now approved the change of

Gym plans approved for former Staple Hill shop

the area to appeal to a wider demographic of users and the presence of large car parks nearby able to accommodate gym users.

Officers said that under changes to planning laws introduced in 2020, shops and gyms are classed as the same type of use for a site and changing from one to the other did not constitute development.

They said setting up a gym involved no changes to the building apart from internal modifications to build the gym, changing and shower facilities.

hours, issuing a certificate of lawfulness under delegated powers without the issue going before a committee of councillors.

A total of 17 people wrote to object to the plans, with complaints ranging from concerns over parking and the loss of shops in the high street

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area to disturbance caused by round-the-clock use of the building and gym users visiting at times when other shops would be closed.

The council also received nine comments of support, which included the convenience of having a gym on a bus route for commuters' use, enabling

Looking back to the building's original planning permission in 1983, the officers said: "No prior conditions were attached to the original planning permission for the retail unit, stating that the unit must remain specifically in retail use or providing limitations on operational times."

all products bought in the salon

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The Original Factory Shop on its closing day in July

Christmas fair at Cleeve Wood Road returns

AFTER missing two years because of the pandemic, Christmas at Cleeve Wood Road shops is back again, to start the festive season and raise money for good causes.

For the first time, this year the event will also feature a lights switch-on ceremony for a new Christmas tree, which will be installed at Cleeve Wood Road shops in Downend following discussions with Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council and South Gloucestershire Council.

Other new attractions include a new outdoor Santa's grotto and rides on a traction engine.

Returning favourites include fairground rides, a hog roast, a wide variety of stalls selling handmade and locally-produced goods and a high-value raffle, for which tickets will be on sale from early November in Cleeve Wood Pharmacy and Style Collection.

The event, on Sunday November 27, from 1pm until 4pm, will raise money for three charitable causes: BOSH (Bristol

Outreach Services for the Homeless), Children's Hospice South West at Charlton Farm Hospice and Help Dave Battle Brain Cancer.

A Cleeve Wood Road shops committee spokesperson said: "It’s a great way to kick off the Christmas season and support your local community and some worthy causes.

"Over the years we have raised thousands for the causes we support and we hope this year will be no different.

"The event is outdoors, so if attending we recommend wrapping up warm and trying to arrive on foot whenever possible, to ease traffic in the area. The event is weather dependent so please check the event Facebook page for the latest updates.

"We’d like to thank the organisers of this event who have put many months into the planning. The committee group is small but dedicated. A big thankyou to Mel Wiltshire and Alison

Workman from Style Collection, Michelle Cipolla from Cleeve Wood Pharmacy, Adam Jones from West 70 Photography and local resident Louise Chapman.

"We’d also like to thank the parish council for their help and contribution to this event, as well

as those businesses at Cleeve Wood Road shops who contribute."

Anyone who would like to volunteer on the day should email info@cleevewood.co.uk.

More information about the event can be found at www. cleevewood.co.uk/christmas.

Nursery told by inspectors to improve

A DOWNEND children's day nursery has been told it needs to improve.

An inspector from education watchdog Ofsted visited Mama Bear's Day Nursery in Downend Road in September.

Her report says the nursery requires improvement in all areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Inspector Dominique Allotey said the quality of teaching at the nursery, which has 70 children aged one to four on its roll, was "variable".

She said: "Children are gaining some of the skills they need to help them in their future learning and eventual move on to school. However, due to some weaknesses in teaching, not all children make good enough progress in their learning and development."

Giving more detail, the inspector said: "Some staff do not have a good enough understanding of child development or understand the intent behind what has been planned for children."

She said staff working with children aged over two "do not focus enough on what each child needs to learn next", adding: "As a result, children do not make the best possible progress in their learning."

The inspector said she "found possible hazards to children in the shed and courtyard area", although leaders "took immediate action when these were identified".

The inspector praised many aspects of the nursery, saying children were happy there, were well supported and relished exploring "a range of interesting resources".

She said: "Children behave well and get on well with one another. Staff work hard to learn about children's lives outside of the nursery and build effective relationships with parents."

The inspector called on the nursery to ensure all staff receive support to help raise the quality of teaching, plan effectively to ensure every child makes good progress and ensure risk assessment and daily safety checks are thorough in "identifying and

minimising hazards" to children's safety.

She said: "Leaders are aware of the areas for improvement within the nursery and are proactively self-evaluating and planning ways to address the issues."

The nursery, which was founded in 2007 and employs 12 childcare staff, was rated 'good' at its previous inspection in 2016.

A spokesperson for Mama Bear's said: "Whilst we are disappointed with the overall outcome, there were many positive areas recognised and highlighted throughout Ofsted’s report, namely that children are happy and settled in the nursery and staff offer support and reassurance to children; that children have good relationships with staff and that children’s emotional needs are met well.

"There were many positives observed around supporting children’s speech and language development, which underpins all other areas of learning and development, and is a key element of the work that the staff team work hard to promote.

"Children’s behaviour was complemented, as was our partnerships with parents.

"The inspector spoke to several parents as part of her inspection and fed back that parents were happy with the nursery and the effective sharing of information."

Christmas is Coming!

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Mama Bear's Day Nursery in Downend Road

Platinum award for school's travel plan

A MANGOTSFIELD primary school has become the first in the area to win a top award for encouraging families to leave the car behind on the school run.

Barley Close Primary School is one of only 51 in England to receive platinum Modeshift STARS (Sustainable Travel Accreditation and Recognition for Schools) accreditation for encouraging pupils to walk, scoot or cycle to school.

And the prize for being the first school in South Gloucestershire to reach the highest level is a £5,000 award towards providing facilities such as cycle and scooter storage, lockers, seating or parent waiting shelters.

Barley Close has been working for four years to reduce the number of parents driving the school run, achieving its first award in 2019. Since then 21 other schools have signed up. Before the project began, half of all Barley Close parents drove their children to school but that

number has reduced to 17.5 per cent as the school promoted 'active travel', including cycling, scooting and a 'Park & Stride' project to encourage those parents who do drive to par away from the school and make the last part of their journey on foot.

Head teacher Jo Williams said: "We are so proud to be awarded platinum in recognition for all our work on sustainable travel,

educating our pupils on being active travellers and the impact on them, and their environment.

"The whole school community is involved in the project and over the last few years it has been great to work together and build on our success year on year.

"We have increased the number of children actively travelling to school and been able to provide more storage for

bikes and scooters.

"We have also been able to continue our partnership with South Gloucestershire Council’s Road Safety and Sustainable Travel team to provide training and opportunities for our children on road safety, Bikeability and sustainable travel which is important to our children’s future and the school ethos.”

Council cabinet member for schools Erica Williams presented the school with a banner to announce its achievement of an 'outstanding travel plan'.

She said: "We know that small changes like walking and cycling to school or work instead of using cars and other vehicles can have a big impact on congestion, pollution and improve air quality. Becoming more active also provides significant health benefits and I’m sure more schools across South Gloucestershire will be inspired by the success achieved here."

Come along to the Christadelphian Hall on Hill House Road, Downend or watch live on YouTube.

for more details

Barley Close pupils with head teacher Jo Williams and South Gloucestershire cabinet member for education Erica Williams

Plans to turn terraced home into seven bedsits approved

PLANS to turn a former family home into seven bedsits have been passed, despite objections from 17 neighbours.

South Gloucestershire Council's development management committee unanimously approved plans to make the terraced house in Cassell Road a sevenbedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO), despite refusing a similar application for a house in Stoke Gifford at the same meeting.

The meeting heard concerns about parking issues had been raised by Downend and Bromley Heath Parish Council, as well as by neighbours.

Councillors were told the house already had a licence for six bedsits and property owner Mohibbul Ehtisham, of Easton, who has been renovating it after buying it last year, wanted to add an extra one.

The plans showed two bedrooms on the ground floor, three on the first floor and two in the loft, with the kitchen the only

communal space.

One resident who objected said any claim that the house had already been used as an HMO was "disingenuous and misleading".

The house has a drive with space for one car, and before the meeting neighbours told the council that their street, which is on the boundary of South Gloucestershire and Bristol, between Downend Road and Staple Hill High Street, already suffers parking and traffic problems.

Others said the home's garage was also being converted into accommodation.

One resident told the planning committee, which met on October 13, that a parking survey for the application had been done in July, when many people were on holiday, and that there were concerns about the lack of communal space in the house, after it had been divided into seven bedrooms.

The plans were referred to the committee by Frenchay & Downend ward councillor Ben Burton, who cited concerns over parking

provision, and said "insufficient weight" had been given to other householders' concerns.

However, the council's planning department recommended the scheme for approval.

A council officer told the meeting that issues of internal space would be dealt with by licensing rather than the planning system.

Committee member and Staple Hill & Mangotsfield councillor Michael Bell said: “This is just for one additional person, it’s not starting an HMO from scratch, so I would support it.”

The same committee rejected plans for a seven-bed HMO in Kings Drive, Stoke Gifford, against officers' recommendations, after being told that its parking survey, also carried out in July, provided insufficient information because car-owning students who rent flats in the area were away.

Meeting report by Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

MONDAY - FISHPONDS

6.30pm at the Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR Claire 07791574353

TUESDAY - DOWNEND

St Augustines Church Hall Boscombe Crescent BS16 6QU 9.30am and 11.00am Tel.Anna-Marie 07854177308

5.30pm at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Downend BS16 6QR Claire 07791574353

TUESDAY - FISHPONDS

9.30am at the Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR Claire 07791574353

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WEDNESDAY - STAPLE HILL

The Salvation Army 21 Broad Street BS16 5LN Wednesdays at 5.15pm and 6.45pm Tel. Anna-Marie 07854177308

NEW GROUP OPENING 2ND NOVEMBER

WEDNESDAY - LYDE GREEN

Lyde Green Community Centre, Thistle Close BS16 7GW 7.30pm Wednesdays. Tel Lesley 07503524459

FRIDAY - STAPLE HILL

The Salvation Army, 21 Broad Street BS16 5LN Fridays at 7.30am 9.00am and 10.30am Anna-Marie 07854177308

Lesley's weight gain started in her early 30's. After suffering with endometriosis and having several different treatments she gained over a stone in a month. This is when the battle began. She joined her first slimming group with a friend an reached her target weight. Delighted she thought that was it, she was back where she thought she should be. But unfortunately her problems returned and she had to have a full hysterectomy. Since this she has battled continuously with her weight. The usual yo-yo dieting loosing a stone and then thinking "I can do this on my own" only to realise that she couldn't and the pounds would creep back on.

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Lesley says "I have never had a particularly 'good' diet. I have always said "I don't like vegetables or fruit only carrots and strawberries, so I can't follow Slimming World or any other plan properly to loose weight and keep it off" 1 year ago she rejoined Slimming World a week before she was due to go on holiday but, decided that NOW was the time. This time around it has been different. She has realised that she can do this without eating lots of fruit and veg, but it works way better if you do!

She decided to push herself and try an Extra Easy SP week. Making a conscious decision to try veg that she had never even tried, and found that she actually did like most of them!

That week she lost more than double her weekly average. This was the turning point for her and she now regularly includes veg in her meals. Her favourite being a breakfast of bacon, mushrooms, egg and asparagus tipsa free food breakfast with two speed foods.

She has further been encouraged by comments from her great niece who she walks to and from school. The youngster told her mum that she had been playing a game with aunty Lesley chasing and racing each other and she said "you know mum, aunty Leslie is pretty quick" this has boosted Lesley's confidence and self esteem, and continues to spur her on.

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25th November 2022

Many of our local businesses, restaurants and cafes will be open later than usual, offering competitions for the children and festive delights such as a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie... or two! This year our high street businesses also have a chance to win the most coveted prize of ‘The Best Dressed Christmas Window 2022’. The winner will be announced at ‘The Big Christmas Switch On’ after being judged by Parish Council Chairman, Councillor Jon Hunt.

We are excited to have The Great Day Choir joining us from 6pm to get us in the Christmas spirit, followed by the switch on at 6:30pm outside The Horseshoe Pub. For further information, please contact our clerk, Angela Hocking, tel. 0117 9567001 or email clerk@dbhparishcouncil.co.uk.

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PTFA brings back community feel to school

A SCHOOL'S revived parents, teachers and friends association is already making a difference for pupils.

Downend School science teacher Emma Welch revived the PTFA, which had been dormant for years, with the help of parents last year.

Despite initially being hampered by covid restrictions, the group managed to raise £2,400 in its first year towards equipment, projects and extracurricular activities to make students' experience of school life more enjoyable.

Mrs Welch said: "The last two years for kids really haven't been much fun, and schools don't have a lot of money for extracurricular things.

"I really wanted the children to be able to go to fun events, give the school a more community feel and raise some much-needed funds for the school.

"It has been really heartwarming to see the

community supporting their local secondary school."

In the summer the group supported the school's annual Pride Day, where school values are celebrated and children have a chance to take part in activities, then held a 'pre-loved' uniform sale.

Mrs Welch, who has been a teacher at Downend since 2008 and is also a parent, said: "The idea was to try to make uniform affordable to people, as everyone is feeling the pinch.

"Even though we only sold

Downend School's Year 7 disco in October was staged by the newly reformed PTA

things for very low prices, we made £900 - a queue formed from the door right down the street outside the school."

In October the PTFA staged a disco for Year 7 pupils, attended by 200 children, which raised more than £840.

Mrs Welch said it had been a "brilliant night", adding: "The kids danced and sang the night away having lots of fun with all their new friends.

"Parents, teachers and some sixth formers came in to help out. The kids got to see their

teachers not just in lessons, and had a chance to get together and have fun."

Next up is a Christmas craft fair, on Saturday November 26 from midday until 5pm, which already has more than 30 local crafters signed up.

Entry will be £1 for over16s, which will include a raffle ticket for prizes donated by stall holders and other local businesses.

Mrs Welch said: "We want to support local traders - some of them attended the school or have children here - and we are hoping that the whole community supports this event."

The PTFA will be running a coffee shop with cake and mince pies and people are encouraged to bring cash as some of the traders are not able to accept cards.

The PTFA has already made a donation to set up a snack station for sixth formers, including buying a store cupboard and coffee machine.

New parish council gets final approval

PLANS for a new parish council for Staple Hill and Mangotsfield have been given final approval by South Gloucestershire Council.

The new parish council, which will have 13 councillors in four different wards, will have its first elections next May, after a review of local representation was approved at a council meeting on October 12.

Council cabinet member for communities Rachael Hunt said: "I’m delighted that the council will be introducing these new town and parish councils across South Gloucestershire.

"Solving community challenges using local knowledge and contacts is something that town and parish councils can often do better and more cost-effectively.

“Residents in these areas will now have a stronger voice and will be able to focus on what matters to them in their local area, such as keeping streets and open spaces clean and tidy, and having flower displays to brighten up community areas."

However the decision to set up the council has been criticised by the area's ward councillors, after a report showed just 274 out of more than 10,000 Staple Hill & Mangotsfield residents had responded to a three-month public consultation on setting up the council - and only 39% of those were in favour of creating a new parish council, with 49% wanting things left as they are.

Speaking at the council meeting, ward councillor Ian Boulton said the new council had "failed to gain the support of the people it directly affects", despite South Gloucestershire funding a "completely biased" communications campaign in favour of the idea.

Cllr Boulton described a report which claimed local opinion on the idea was "balanced" as "Orwellian", and said it had led to a perverse conclusion that "residents would accept the imposition of a parish council when clearly they don't".

He said the decision was "putting a shadow over the future of existing community groups, such as the Staple Hill Partnership, Community Hub and Mangotsfield Residents Association, which arguably are more inclusive and do more good work supporting the community" than many parish councils.

Cllr Boulton said he had also received a letter from Filton & Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti, stating that the MP was "genuinely confused" as to why the authority was setting up the new council despite local opposition.

Refurbishment complete

A FUNERAL director in Hambrook is opening its doors to the community for the day following a major refurbishment.

R Davies & Son, previously known as TB Pendock, has a rich history of serving the local community. Now, Dignity – which R Davies & Son has been a part of for 30 years – has invested £90,000 to upgrade the entire premises at The Poplars, Hambrook, giving it a modern feel throughout.

The open day will take place on Monday October 24, between 10.30am and 4pm.

The project includes the refurbishment of the reception room and arrangement room, where the bereaved can discuss their funeral wishes in private with a caring member of the team.

The chapel of rest has also been modernised, providing a calm and tranquil place for bereaved families to spend time with loved ones. The interior of the premises has been redecorated and all rooms have new furniture, wallpaper, carpets, and other furnishings throughout.

Funeral director Shaun Moody said: "We strive to provide the highest quality and dignified service for the bereaved whilst upholding the traditions of the funeral itself.

"It’s so important to us that bereaved families have the right space to say goodbye to their loved ones; this refurbishment project has enabled us to continue to provide a modern and tranquil space for the local community.

"During the morning a small dedication service will take place, held by Rev Charles Sugden of St John the Baptist Church, Frenchay, officially opening our refurbished premises.

"A selection of refreshments, including tea and coffee will also be provided.

"We look forward to welcoming members of our local community along."

Visitors are welcome with no need to register attendance.

Time to remember

ARRANGEMENTS for this year's parades and services to remember the sacrifices of those who have died in conflict have been confirmed.

This year Remembrance Sunday is on November 13 and the Staple Hill parade will gather at Page Road at 10am, with representatives of uniformed organisations marching along the High Street and Broad Street to Page Park for a service which will begin at around 10.30am, culminating with the two minutes' silence at 11am.

Afterwards veterans are encouraged to join a gathering after the march back from the park, at Page Community Association Hall on Page Road.

Mangotsfield's Remembrance service will be at the war memorial, with people gathering at 12.15pm for a 12.30pm start. A less formal service of remembrance will take place in the Red Lion at 11am.

Staple Hill & District Royal British Legion, which organises the area's Poppy Appeal, needs volunteers to collect donations at four supermarkets, from October 29 until November 12.

Anyone who can volunteer at Tesco Staple Hill is being urged to call Paul or Lynn on 0774 700 3240; volunteers who can help at Sainsbury's in Emersons Green should call Hazel on 0771 732 6303; volunteers who can help at the Co-op in Downend should call Glen on 0785 713 3500; anyone who can volunteer at Morrisons in Fishponds should call Ian on 0795 010 4450.

The Page Park service relies on donations to help pay for essential expenditure such as insurance, order of service printing, loudspeakers and qualified first aiders.

Staple Hill & District Royal British Legion president Ian Boulton has set up an online fundraising page with the aim of raising £600 towards the cost.

The page can be found at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ianboulton-1.

TALK TO US ANYTIME

Whatever your funeral wishes or budget, we can provide a funeral to suit you. Prepaid funeral plans also available.

FOCUS ON

TShirts 4 You

As well as T-shirt & vinyl printing we have a huge stock of workwear with a large selection of industrial shoes and boots available with high vis jackets, gloves, trousers and tops — why waste time looking anywhere else for your quality named workwear?

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.

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.

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.

Staple Hill Stores

Known locally by many people as ‘Arkwrights’, quite simply this store has so many different items they

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.

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 seeking experienced advice, Lloydbottoms are here to help you.

To discuss how we can help you, please contact us for a free

initial consultation. We look forward to working with you.

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 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.

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

Spectrum Accountancy Solutions

is an established practice based in Staple Hill. We provide professional advice to 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.

'Virtual marathon' miles are all too real

WHILE thousands of runners were pounding the streets of the capital, a team of fundraisers ran their own 'virtual' version of the London Marathon around Staple Hill.

The group of 22 runners raised more than £1,500 for the Staple Hill Community Hub and around the same total for several other charities by completing five circuits of a local course, including Page Park and the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, in October.

While 50,000 people were tackling the traditional London course, another 40,000 were running across the country.

The Staple Hill race was organised by community hub chair William Lee, who said: "The ‘virtual’ means that you can cover your own marathon course anywhere on the same day that the runners are racing in London.

"There’s nothing ‘virtual’ in the effortyou still have to complete 26.2 miles!

"The group had been training for several months and this paid off as they all completed successfully.

"Starting with our first training run back in March, and ending with a brilliant event in October, it has been a fabulous marathon journey.

"I was so pleased that everyone completed the 26.2 miles.

"We are all now looking forward to

receiving our official London Marathon finishers' T-shirts and medals and will wear them with pride in our achievement."

One of those who took part was Mehala Osborne, who described the event as a "wonderfully organised, supported, encouraging, inclusive way to do a marathon," adding: "I honestly never thought I would ever do that."

The Virtual London Marathon was set up when the mass-participation part of the London race was cancelled in 2020 and runs in parallel with the event in the capital, which is moving back to its traditional April date from next year.

side salad TUNA, MAYO & SWEETCORN £7.50

BAKED BEANS & CHEDDAR CHEESE £7.50 PRAWN, CUCUMBER, ROCKET, MARIE SAUCE £8.50

Soup of the Day SERVED WITH RUSTIC BREAD £6.50

Lunch Mains - ALL £10 HAM, EGG & CHIPS (GF)

TRIO OF SAUSAGE, PEAS, MASH, GRAVY (GF)

BEEF PIE, MASH, SEASONAL VEG, GRAVY RED PEPPER & STILTON PIE, MASH, SEASONAL VEG, GRAVY (V) WHOLE TAIL SCAMPI, CHIPS & PEAS

Fancy adding a tea or coffee for just £2? - Just ask your server

Runners take part in the Virtual London Marathon to raise money for Staple Hill Community Hub

Traders' Halloween trail

STAPLE Hill traders are encouraging children to search the high street in search of treats, then solve a tricky puzzle, in the run-up to Halloween.

The area's chamber of trade is organising a Halloween trail to help keep youngsters occupied during the half term holidays, show their parents what the High Street and Broad Street have to offer - and raise money for a good cause.

Children will have to spot the knitted dogs with pumpkins in the windows of 12 shops in the area.

Each dog holds a letter and when those taking part have spotted them all they will need to arrange the letters into a word.

The shops taking part will have sheets where people can write their answers in return for a 50p entry fee, with all proceeds going to Bristol greyhound rescue charity DAWG.

There will be prizes for winning entries.

Shops including Staple Hill Stores, Nom, Sweet Treat and the Butcher's Hook have signed up to take part.

Preparations are also underway for this year's Christmas on the Hill event, which will kick off the festival season in Staple Hill on December 3.

The chamber has booked a fun fair for young visitors and market stalls including gifts, sweets, food and drink will be set up in Fountain Square and outside the library, with more attractions planned on the High Street near Page Road.

discussions are still underway about the full range of attractions - with more details expected to be known in time for next month's Voice.

But the chamber is on the lookout for a Santa to appear at the event, along with buskers to add some extra musical flavour.

Anyone who can help should email staplehillchamber@gmail.com for more details.

Fireworks tickets on sale

MORE details of this year's Downend Round Table fireworks display have been revealed.

The Bristol area's biggest annual display, which takes place on Friday November 4 at King George V playing fields, raised £45,000 for good causes last year, when it sold out in advance for the first time.

This year the event will open at 5.30pm, with the quieter children's display taking place at 6.30pm.

A bonfire will be lit at 7pm, weather permitting, with the main display getting underway at 8pm.

This year, organisers have introduced a new sparkler area, where people will be able to buy a sparkler and enjoy it in a dedicated safe area, with all money from sales going to good causes. Sparklers are not allowed in the arena and stall areas and cannot be brought in to the main site from outdoors, for safety reasons.

Entry to this year's event is cashless, with tickets on sale online beforehand and entry on the gate via contactless card readers.

Most of the stalls will also be card-only, although sparklers and light-up toys will still be sold for cash.

Tickets are now sale from the downendrt.co.uk website, with updates on both the main Downend Round Table Facebook page and the event's own dedicated page.

Downend Round Table Fireworks chairman Paul Wells said: "Most people buy their tickets in the week before the event but with last year's selling out people might want to get their ticket a bit earlier this time. As always, all profits from the event go towards local charities and causes; if you think there is a charity or group that supports people in Downend or the surrounding area that we could support, please put them in touch with us."

This year's event will again be hosted by Jay from Party Peeps.To get involved with Round Table, or request funding for a local good cause, email hello@downendrt.co.uk

OPEN

Roy's mission to make Downend disability-friendly

A DOWNEND man who lost his sight is on a mission to make the area more accessible for people with disabilities.

Roy Stone's world changed in just one day last November, when he fell ill while out in the high street and had to go to hospital, where he was found to have suffered a stroke.

He said: "It was like someone had put cling film over my eyes, rubbed grease on it and put another piece of cling film on top. One day I had perfect sight, then that was it."

The sudden change meant Roy had to relearn his way around the area he has lived in for more than 20 years.

He is determined to make the area more disability-friendly, one step at a time - starting with toilets.

Roy says the public disabled toilet in Westerleigh Road, by the Sainsbury's Local store, badly needs to be updated, with mismatched and badly-placed taps, soap and dryer that are

difficult to use if you cannot see.

He said: "It needs a handsfree tap, soap and a dryer, in a row, which I've found at many other toilets.

"It also needs new wall and floor tiles - I put my cane against the wall and couldn't find it against the white tiles."

Roy also wants to set up a guide for people with disabilities to share knowledge of which businesses in the area, such as cafes, pubs and shops, have the

Performance perfected. Faster clear. Faster dark.

most disabled-friendly toilets.

He said: "It would be handy if everyone knew where the best places were - at the moment there's not anything to let people in my position know where to visit and where to avoid."

The toilet in Westerleigh Road is operated by South Gloucestershire Council and is believed to have last been refurbished around 10 years ago, with support from the parish council.

South Gloucestershire recently received £135,000 to install six new fully accessible 'Changing Places Toilets', including one for Page Park, although no improvements are currently planned at Westerleigh Road.

A spokesperson said: “Making our communities accessible for all is a council priority and we welcome any feedback around how we can make improvements to property we own to support this. We understand that the local councillors are aware of these particular issues and have reached out to the resident to discuss further.

"Our public toilets are designed and refurbished in line with the relevant Building Regulations and accessibility requirements, and they are regularly cleaned and inspected."

Roy has asked anyone who would like to help create the toilet guide or has suggestion for it to contact him via the Voice at news@downendvoice.co.uk.

Roy Stone in the disabled toilet in Downend.

Starting school in September 2023?

Come and see what Staple Hill Primary School has to offer

Join us for a tour of our wonderful school and meet our team:

Saturday 8th Oct at 10am

Wednesday 12th Oct at 2pm

Thursday 13th Oct at 9.30am

Wednesday 9th Nov at 6.30pm

Tuesday 15th Nov at 2pm

Thursday 17th Nov at 9.30am Thursday 8th Dec at 2pm Thursday 5th Jan at 9.30am

01454 867240 or email

FOLK & ROOTS PREVIEW

& ROOTS JANICE BURNS & JON DORAN + DAN WELTMAN

FRIDAY

NOVEMBER

CHRIST CHURCH DOWNEND.

ONE of the UK folk scene’s most exciting young duos will be the headline guests as the highly successful Downend Folk & Roots continues its Autumn/Winter concert series.

Janice Burns & Jon Doran are an Anglo-Scottish duo who came together after discovering a shared love of traditional music. They find their songs in archives that span the depths of our history – songs that tell vivid stories about the nature of life and our place in the world.

Janice & Jon’s compelling storytelling comes alive through tight vocal harmonies and sensitive interplay between mandolin, bouzouki and guitar. Their arrangements have a spellbinding presence and an understated energy that transports their songs from the pages of books and manuscripts into the imagination of the listener.

The duo met whilst studying folk and traditional music at Newcastle University, including a year spent at the University of South-East Norway together. Since then, they’ve gone from strength to strength, with recent performances at the likes of Sage Gateshead, Manchester Folk Festival and Edinburgh Tradfest. Their self-titled EP was released in 2020 to overwhelmingly positive feedback, including airplay on BBC Radio 2.

Folk songs have always travelled, put down new roots, borrowed and evolved. Janice & Jon’s upcoming album No More the Green Hills, set for release this month, brings together songs that have survived through the ages, shapeshifting and adapting to changing environments as they’ve been passed from singer to singer. Exploring man’s relationship with nature, love and loss, these are songs with an enduring resonance for audiences everywhere.

Joining Janice & Jon on the bill will be Bristol songwriter Dan Weltman, whose new solo album Rivers In My Mind is a stark but affirming meditation on love and loss, displaying a flair for beautifully poised, folk-influenced songcraft. The singer with Bristol band Snails, as well as one third of old-time stringband The Ninetree Stumblers, his solo material branches away from Snails' quicksilver psychpop into darker emotional terrain while retaining the same gift for a melody that seeds and blooms in the listener's memory. Produced

by Lukas Drinkwater (Emily Barker), Weltman filters American influences (1960's Greenwich Village via 1970's widescreen country) through the same gently surreal English lens once peered into by Ray Davies, Bill Fay and Nick Drake among others. Dan will get the music underway with a 25-minute set at 7.45pm.

Tickets for the event, which takes place at Christ Church Downend on Friday 18 November

2022, 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 music starts around 7.45pm.

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. Sweet treats are 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.

“Pupils say they are happy here and love learning, because adults ‘make it fun’.”

Ofsted 2021

800th anniversary draws to a close

MEMBERS of St James Church Mangotsfield have had a busy year celebrating the church's 800th anniversary.

The final fundraising event for the year will be the Christmas Fair, to be held at the church hall, Richmond Road, on Saturday November 26 from 10.30am to 2pm.

The fair will have several stalls, games, refreshments and a visit from Father Christmas.

The year of celebration began in January with a Sunday morning visit from the Archdeacon of Malmesbury, Ven Christopher Bryan.

The following Sunday a full peal was rung by Bristol Bellringers.

In June, we welcomed several hundred local primary school children to the church for a living history presentation of the church alongside aspects of the history of the nation, with role-playing by church members to enliven the occasion.

Activity peaked with a festival weekend in July, which included a wine and cheese reception, church open day with cream teas, the Phoenix Wind Band playing in the church grounds and ending with Choral Evensong, sung by a festival choir directed by Jim Williams.

Also in July we were pleased to host part of the Ham Farm Festival, when a large choir

performed Misa Criolla, by the Argentinian composer Ariel Ramirez.

In September our first dog show was very popular with our canine friends and their owners, and in October our harvest supper was combined with a barn dance.

There have been several other events and we are thankful for the support of local choirs, as well as ongoing input from our own congregation and the local community.

We also look forward to welcoming Bishop Lee at our All-age Christmas Celebration on December 11.

A coloured brochure was produced as a souvenir of the church's 800 years. In its introduction our vicar, Rev Teresa Taylor, says: "It is our prayer that as you visit St James you will experience a sense of awe at its ancient history, receive strength from the 800 years of almost continuous weekly worship, and find peace."

As we look ahead we pray that this will continue, and future generations will enjoy this beautiful church and become part of its history.

Roger Long St James Church Mangotsfield

Church will rock in Martin's memory

A CONCERT is set to raise the rafters of a Downend church in tribute to a longstanding resident who died of motor neurone disease.

The concert in memory of Martin Brown has been organised by retired GP Peter Moore, who also lives in Downend and was a good friend of Martin's.

The Voice reported last month that Dr Moore, who worked at Kingswood Health Centre for 30 years but had to retire after being diagnosed with MND 13 years ago, was planning a special event to raise money for the MND Association, which works to improve access to care, funds research and campaigns for people living with or affected by the debilitating and lifeshortening condition.

Details of the event, on November 12 at Christ Church in Downend, have now been confirmed. Peter said: "Martin was a popular, energetic and friendly man.

"He had a deep Christian faith and became a lay preacher.

"Full of integrity and compassion, he was a father figure to many."

Martin and his wife Myra moved to Downend in 1978 and brought up their three sons here.

An accountant and a partner at Solomon Hare and Co, which later merged with a larger firm, Smith and Williamson, Martin's illness developed rapidly.

Peter said Martin first felt something was wrong when he fell over without warning in December 2016. He was diagnosed with motor neurone disease the following April and died in January 2018.

Peter said: "Martin and I were friends.

"Because I was well into my own MND journey, we were able to talk very candidly about the devastating effect the disease had on us and, most importantly, the concerns we had for our loved ones.

"Martin's disease tested him in many ways but he remained resilient and brave and died peacefully in Southmead hospital."

Bands The Music Train and the Riff Raff choir will be performing pop and rock songs from recent decades at the concert.

Doors open at 7pm and tickets, which cost £8, can be reserved by calling 0774 803 3226 or texting 0787 066 4027.

All the money raised will go to the MND Association in memory of Martin, and Peter has also set up an online page for anyone who would like to make a donation in Martin's memory, which can be found at justgiving. com/fundraising/martinbrowmnd.

Coffee morning helps charity

THE colourful poster outside the church in Cossham Street told passers by that Mangotsfield United Reformed Church were back holding their annual coffee morning on October 6 in aid of the cancer charity Macmillan - and it was well supported.

A big treat for the coffee drinkers was a visit from the children from the Abacus pre-school, based in the adjoining hall.

The children, aged between two and four years old, sang nursery rhymes to a very appreciative audience.

The adults were occupied trying to complete the two quizzes provided, with varying degrees of success and much consultation.

There were plenty of cakes and pastries, provided by church members and friends of the church. At at the end of the morning £274 had been raised for the charity - an excellent result for a small church.

June Watts

Remembering with love and thanks

ON Remembrance Sunday, November 13, as the nation remembers those who died in wartime, we take a moment in the evening at 6.30pm to bring our thoughts closer to home, in a service called Remembering with Thanksgiving.

Being bereaved can be a difficult time, and special moments to reflect, give thanks for them and to mark their passing can mean a lot.

At this service at Christ Church Downend, there will be the chance to light a candle for a loved one. You’ll hear an uplifting message of comfort and enjoy traditional hymns. If you would like the name of a loved one read out at the service, contact the parish office in advance, on 0117 908 9867.

All are invited, whether you were bereaved recently or a long time ago. We also host a Bereavement Group at Christ Church Downend on the second Tuesday of the month at 2pm

Trunk or treat?

THERE'S something very exciting about going out in the dark on Halloween, as many children don’t get to be outside at night except on this special night of the year.

But not everyone wants to celebrate the darker side of life, or have their children get the idea that sweets and treats can be secured with menaces!

Trunk or Treat is an event suitable for three to 10 year olds, and does things a little bit differently. Children arrive at the Christ Church/Medical Centre car park on Christ Church Lane with their grown-ups and bags ready for collecting goodies. A collection of cars will have their 'trunks' (boots) open, with a variety of snacks, sweets and games to play. Move from car to car and see what each boot holds.

Bring pumpkin lanterns and dress up brightly. Torches, head torches and phone lights will help you find your way safely.

Entry costs £2 per child or £5 for a family of 3 or more children.

Anita Dobson

Martin Brown

Dr Peter Moore

Winter blooms will brighten gloom

OUR panolas are in!

Well done to the In Bloom team of volunteers who turned out and planted 1,200 of them with great efficiency in one day.

We were really lucky with the date we chose, as the weather was good up until lunchtime for the planting - then, as soon as we arrived home, the heavens opened. Watering in plants is always a

problem for In Bloom, and having nature help us out with watering was a real bonus!

We can now look forward to a winter and spring of beautiful colour, as our panolas thrive.

As usual, we have had a few problems with foxes raiding our planters.

We have now put a mesh over our larger black planters, which does make it more difficult to plant but has certainly helped with

keeping the foxes at bay.

We have also changed three of our low blue planters, which were always being dug out by the foxes. We had tried mesh on those, but the foxes had even managed to break that open. We have now replaced these three with two higher planters, which means they will hopefully be more fox-resistant.

This is a real ongoing issue.

Dave and I also had a trip to St Aldams Farm Nursery in Pucklechurch recently.

They have been very generous with donating some of the summer plants that have been used for our Downend School project.

We bought half a dozen trailing pansies, which we have planted in our garden as a trial for next year. In pictures they look fabulous in hanging baskets and high planters, so if they are successful we may look into those for some of our taller planters next year.

To find out more about Downend & Bromley Heath in Bloom or volunteer, visit the Facebook page or call 07504 244361. Jackie Baker

Wrap up in style this winter n STYLE ADVICE

LADIES, if you’re thinking of investing in a new winter coat but are not sure which style will suit you best, don’t worry - I’ve got some tips that will ensure you make the right choice.

Wrapping up and keeping warm is a necessity during the colder winter months, but we also want to look and feel good.

Choosing the best coat design that will flatter your figure will do wonders for your confidence and appearance.

Also, you’ll be wearing it until next spring, so you want to buy wisely.

Knowing what suits my clients’ body shape really helps them, so this month I’m sharing my tips on what to look out for when you shop for a winter coat.

If you’re an apple, look for:

• styles that skim the body

• styles that draw the eye up with pretty necklines and embellishments

If you’re a strawberry (inverted triangle), look for:

This coat, from John Lewis & Partners, would suit a strawberry or rectangle body shape.

• styles that flare from the hip or have pockets on the hips to draw attention and offer balance to wider shoulders

• dropped shoulders to soften the shoulder line

If you have a pear body type, look for:

• styles with more detail on the top half (that can include double breasted detail, wipe lapels, chest pockets)

• don’t lose your waist, choose designs with a belt

• fit and flare styles (flares from waist) look good

If you have a rectangle body type:

• your body is balanced so you can wear all styles, though perhaps steer clear of entirely straight styles, and opt for belted, or double breasted versions of these

As an example, a trench style offers more interest, but look around and have fun with shapes and textures

If you’re an hourglass, look for:

• styles that show off your defined waist (narrow or belted)

• eye-catching details, such as wide or shawl collars, with a flared lower half that can include pockets

I hope this helps you choose, but if you have any queries, you can email your fashion and style questions to info@notgivinin.com and look out for the answers in future issues of the Voice.

www.notgivinin.com

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.

• Strict Infection Control

approved by Public

England are fully

• 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

Gail Painter's fashion tips

Frenchay care home to close for up to a year

A FRENCHAY care home has closed for up to a year for "significant repairs and refurbishment".

Begbrook House in Sterncourt Road closed two months after regulator the Care Quality Commission made a visit, when "safeguarding concerns" were raised.

Owner Barchester Hellens says the closure of the home was unrelated to the CQC visit and report.

The regulator visited Begbrook House in May. The home, which provided personal and nursing care for up to 32 people, had 23 residents at the time.

The CQC has issued a report, which did not provide an overall rating of the home but said: "The inspection was prompted due to safeguarding concerns which had been reported to us by the service and the local authority safeguarding team.

"This was in relation to safeguarding people from abuse and the process which staff followed to report such concerns.

"At the time of this inspection the concerns were being investigated by the service and other agencies involved.

"We inspected to examine those areas of risk and to check that people were safe.

"Although the staff we spoke with understood their responsibility to report and raise safeguarding concerns, recent incidents at the service highlighted that policy and procedure were not always followed.

"The appropriate action had not been taken by some senior staff when they had been alerted to recent concerns. Equally staff who had raised the concerns had not escalated these to management or the local authority when their concerns had been ignored."

The CQC said there were enough staff and effective quality assurance systems at the home, and residents felt safe and positive about the management of the home.

The Voice asked Barchester Hellens to comment on the report and the company issued a statement, which said: "Following a review we unfortunately had to make the difficult decision to close Begbrook House in July for significant repairs and refurbishment for a period of 9-12 months whilst we make vital improvements, that sadly could not take place whilst we cared for residents living there.

"Support was given to residents and staff to find alternatives care homes and employment, including within other Barchester care homes locally."

Asked to clarify whether the closure and the CQC visit were

connected, the company issued a second statement, which said: "The closure of Begbrook House was unrelated to the CQC report and is due to the need for a refurbishment.

"The decision to close a home for refurbishment is not one that is taken lightly and involves a lengthy process of review.

"We have an ongoing programme to refine and improve our homes, and 75% have been refurbished over the last five years."

The Voice asked Bristol City Council, which runs the safeguarding team covering the home, about the concerns raised.

A council spokesperson said: "We cannot comment on individual services or share details of safeguarding concerns."

The CQC has confirmed that Begbrook House is no longer registered following the closure.

Road, Downend, Bristol BS16 6BB kipmcgrath.co.uk/bristol-north

Your parks need you

PARKS in the Downend area need more help from the people who use them, to ensure they remain great places to visit.

That's the message from two groups who have helped improve two of the most popular parksbut need more volunteers to help move things forward.

The Friends of Bromley Heath Park desperately need people to take over the running of the group. And the Friends of Page Park in Staple Hill are looking for a new generation of helpers to step up with new ideas to take the park forward into the future.

September's Voice carried an appeal from Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council for volunteers to take over the roles of chair, treasurer and secretary of the

Friends of Bromley Heath Park, as long-standing chair Sharon Herniman and treasurer Simon Shellard are stepping down.

But a recent meeting held for new volunteers only attracted four members of the public, and the group needs more park users to step up if it is to keep going.

In the past seven years the friends group has worked with the parish, South Gloucestershire Council and Downend Men in Sheds on improvements including replacing the play area flooring, restoring and making safe the play train, repainting the basketball and tennis courts and play equipment, improving the skate park and replacing bins.

It has also organised events and is hoping to have an input in the upcoming refurbishment of the park's pavilion.

Sharon said: "I feel the time is right for me to step aside for others to bring some new life and ideas into the friends group. It needs some energy injected into it.

"Without friends groups, parks don't get as much support - the council will do the maintenance but friends groups can make grant applications to access funding that councils can't.

"The park and playing fields are a huge part of Bromley Heath and used by most within the community – the friends group plays a vital part in interacting with the community."

Friends of Page Park vice-chair Steph Purser said the park was very popular and valued - but it was usually the same small number of people who helped make events like the Platinum Jubilee celebration and recent Pumpkin Patch happen.

She said: "The park brings people together - but it's the

members of a community that make the community and if people don't come forward and join us, we'll lose that community.

"We need more people to be part of making things happen - don't sit back and wait for someone else to do it."

The friends group has been key to winning funding for the park's regeneration and Steph said: "What has been achieved wouldn't have happened if a group of people hadn't got together to make a difference.

"Now we need people to take

the friends forward for the next four or five years. We want to bring in younger people with new ideaswe need that influx of new energy."

*Anyone who is interested in getting involved with the Friends of Bromley Heath Park should call Sharon on 07534 603704.

Anyone who would like to get involved with the Friends of Page Park is invited to the group's annual meeting at the Bean Tree cafe on November 17 at 7pm or email friendsofpageparkbs16@ gmail.com.

Pumpkin fun

CROWDS of people turned out on a beautiful autumn afternoon to visit Page Park's Pumpkin Patch event and artisan market.

Toby Bentham won the pumpkin carving competition with this frightening face he carved into a multi-coloured pumpkin he spotted in a local supermarket.

Toby, of Fishponds, is pictured receiving his prize from Page Park trustee Janet Biggin.

Day of football and fundraising in Mangotsfield

A FRIENDLY football match between Mangotsfield residents has raised £4,000 for two charities.

The match, organised by Mangotsfield Community Association, was the centrepiece of a fundraising day at Mangotsfield United’s Cossham Street ground.

It was being staged for the first time since the pandemic, having previously raised more than £7,000 for good causes.

First played as a Reds v Blues match between City and Rovers fans, this year the game, on September 25, was played between the Red Lion Exiles and Inter City Firm, playing in blue and white respectively.

It was followed by music and a series of fundraising events, as the MCA pushed to raise as much as possible towards its £10,000 target this year for St Peters Hospice and Special Friends Club, a charity supporting young people with autism and special needs.

Gerrian Baker, who helped organise the event, said: "A great crowd, with the weather gods looking down on us and smiling, was buoyed by our hosts at MUFC, Shaun and Sharon, and our wonderful resident DJ’s Nick and Chris from Souled Out and Gone Funky Roadshow, who made sure that everyone was thoroughly entertained from start to finish.

"The match started with a wonderful minute's silence for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, where you could have heard a pin drop.

"It was a keen, competitive affair that was eventually edged in the end with an Inter Village Firm win over the Red Lion Exiles, with the Exiles goalkeeper Rob Weakley taking the welldeserved award as man of the match, for a display that could possibly keep him in Gareth Southgate’s plans for the World Cup!"

The fundraising events included bucket collections,

raffle tickets, an auction and head shave, and a performance from local singer Carrianne.

Gerrian added: "Well done to Mike Heath and Karen Fox, and Matt and Sarah Proud for all their hard work in making this happen.

"There are far too many other people to thank who contributed to such a great day, however you know who you are...wonderful, wonderful people.

"We asked for the village to take part, and take part they did - Mangotsfield really showed its true sense of community spirit and generous nature. Well done, everyone."

The MCA will hold another fundraiser - Mangotsfield’s

Action from the game

very own Stars in Their Eyes contest, at the Red Lion pub on November 11 from 6pm.

The Red Lion Exiles (in blue) and Inter City Firm (in white) observed a minute's silence for the Queen before the match kicked off.

Organisers Mike Heath and Matt Proud watch the match with Charlie Bennett.

Dame School renovations are ready to start

PLANNING is well under way for this year's Remembrance parade and service.

It will take place on Sunday November 13. The parade will assemble at the Scout Hall at 12 noon and walk up to the War Memorial for the service of remembrance at 12.30pm.

This year we want to change something. Those who regularly attend will know that the young uniformed groups, the various age groups of scouting and guiding, stand behind the War Memorial, and parents and members of the public stand in front of the War Memorial.

It has been pointed out that this means many of the young people aren’t able to see what’s really going on. So this year we want to flip it round and have them in front of the memorial, with parents and public at the back, and we are asking for your help to make this happen, please.

There is also a less formal and quieter service of remembrance in the Red Lion at 11am.

The wheels of voluntary work often turn slowly, but we finally have the money

and necessary permissions to start work on renovating the Dame School building, by having the bars on the windows and the door repaired and repainted. We are also about to rebuild the small retaining wall at the back of the planting area, so if you have any natural local stones, the sort I seem to dig up every time I work on my garden, and want to donate them, then please let us know or just drop them off but please no bricks or concrete etc.

I know this has been mentioned before, but South Glos Councillors have money to give out each year, called Member Awarded Funding, to local groups and organisations to help in the community. But did you know that many councillors struggle to give this money away, as people don’t apply? Well, we do - and have just received money to provide more flower planters around the village. You’ll see them soon.

Our last South Glos Council Community Engagement Forum in September had a very useful presentation on what is available to the community to help with the cost of living crisis.

There is a range of help, including the Community Resilience Fund, Welfare Grant Scheme, Council Tax Rebate Scheme, Household Support Fund and help with energy payments.

A new welfare and debt advice service can help and signpost people to specialist agencies such as Citizens Advice, Talking Money, Bristol Water and Severn Wye.

It can be accessed through council One Stop Shops or by calling 01454 868009.

Finally a couple of dates for your diary: the next MRA/Red Lion coffee morning is on November 2 from 10am: a chance to meet old friends and make new ones.

Our next meeting is on October 28, at 7.30pm in the Scout Hall.

As always, we’d love more people to get involved, so if you’d like to please get in touch via MangotsfieldRA@gmail.com, the Mangotsfield Matters Facebook page or call our chair, Clive Heath, on 07507 168700 or me on 07918 701881.

Chris Amos

Cossham Birth Centre shuts

A MIDWIFE-led service allowing mothers to give birth at Cossham Hospital has been temporarily closed due to staff shortages. The Cossham Birth Centre at the hospital in Lodge Road is part of the closest NHS-run maternity service to the Downend area.

Other midwife services at the hospital, including antenatal and postnatal clinics, are running as normal.

North Bristol NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, aims to reopen as soon as possible but has not given an anticipated reopening date.

A previous temporary closure of the birth centre lasted a year, from October 2018 to October 2019.

NBT chief nursing officer Steve Hams said: "Like many NHS organisations across the country, we are facing workforce challenges due to sickness and vacancies.

"As a result, we have decided to temporarily suspend our birthing service at Cossham Birth Centre and divert labouring women to the midwife-led Mendip Birth Centre at Southmead Hospital - this will ensure that we are able to maintain a safe service.

"We have temporarily suspended the service before in similar circumstances and

our focus has always been on resuming the full service as soon as possible.

"Our improved home birth service, which launched this month, will continue to be available as an option for women on a case-bycase basis.

"All antenatal and postnatal clinics at Cossham are unaffected and running as normal.

"Any woman worried about this decision should, in the first instance, contact their midwife."

The trust needed to carry out a recruitment drive before reopening the centre in 2019, with expectant mothers who arrived during daytime offered the chance to give birth at the centre but those arriving at night diverted to Southmead.

It comes as the NHS faces widespread staff shortages as demand increases for the winter.

A meeting of South Gloucestershire Council's health scrutiny committee on September 21 to discuss NHS provision to manage winter pressures was cancelled, with members being told that the area's winter plan would not be finished in time to be discussed at the meeting.

The plan is now due to be discussed at a meeting on November 23.

Vaccination rates high

CHILDHOOD vaccination rates in South Gloucestershire are among the highest in the country.

While an NHS report found vaccine coverage had decreased nationally over the past year, with average rates below the 95% target, in South Gloucestershire 96.3% of babies had received the 6-in-1 jab, including polio diphtheria and tetanus, by their first birthday, with 96.7 vaccinated for pneumococcal disease, 95.6% for meningitis B and 94.6% for rotavirus.

NHS England South West screening and immunisation lead Dr Emma Kain said: "Childhood immunisation uptake for under 5s remains good across the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care System and is above the England average rate.

"Vaccination rates have not been significantly affected by the pandemic."

Dr Kain said the NHS was focusing on improving the uptake of the preschool booster and the second dose of Measles Mumps and Rubella, offered when a child turns 3 years 4 months, which were below the national 95% target.

Scouts get packing to raise funds

MEMBERS of a scout group held their first community fundraising event for two years - and received a big dividend from Downend Co-op customers.

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts from the 74th Kingswood group, based in Staple Hill, worked together during the four-hour event at the supermarket in October, greeting customers with a smile and handing out baskets, as well as helping them to pack their shopping bags

Group committee parent representative Stephanie Evans said: "Under the watchful eye of the scout leaders and parent helpers, the young people made sure light items went on the top of the bags not at the bottom!

"Their hard work paid off, as an amazing £577 was raised,

which will go toward future adventurous group activities.

"Now the group are able to run a full range of activities again, group camps are being planned for 2023, so some new tents will be purchased in time for summer."

The 74th Kingswood scout group meets each week at Staple Hill Methodist Church community rooms and currently has 49 young members across the beavers, cubs and scouts.

Their programme of activities aimed towards gaining experience badges includes community work such as litter picks in the Staple Hill and Downend area, and collections for the local food bank.

Stephanie added: "We would like to send a special thank-you

to the Downend Coop team for supporting u, and an additional thanks to Simon Bush, the branch manager, for agreeing to host our event."

For membership enquiries about the group call 0796 328 7295.

Scouts, cubs and beavers handed out baskets and packed shopping bags to raise money

Aston's talent

A MANGOTSFIELD School pupil is set to undertake an apprenticeship with top chef Tom Kerridge. Aston Prideaux, 15, had never cooked before the first lockdown, when he was stuck indoors and unable to take part in his sport of karate.

Desperate for a distraction, his parents bought him a barbecue to keep him occupied and he started looking at cooking videos for inspiration.

Now Aston, from Pucklechurch, is inspiring other people, demonstrating dishes on Instagram and YouTube.

Invited to cook on the firepit at Michelin-starred Tom’s Pub in the Park festival, he included a steak taco with pineapple salsa and homemade peach and pineapple hot sauce, which has become something of a signature dish.

Tom, known to millions of TV viewers after appearing on many BBC cooking shows, invited Aston to do some work experience at his restaurants during the summer, and the teenager impressed him so much he has been invited to complete an apprenticeship at Tom's Marlow restaurants next year.

Aston said: "I couldn't fry an egg before lockdown but now I have an amazing opportunity to spend time with a top chef."

Mangotsfield School head teacher Hetty Blackmore said: "Aston has achieved so much in challenging times, and we are delighted to see a student do so well."

Tribute to two Julies

MANGOTSFIELD School has paid tribute to two long-serving members of staff who clocked up 67 years of service between them.

Music teacher Julie Borowski reached a milestone 40 years teaching music at the school, while Julie Scull was the head teacher’s personal assistant for 27 years.

Both Julies have now retired, and their farewell speeches were an opportunity to look back over their decades of service, celebrate their careers and hear some funny anecdotes along the way.

Former colleagues and students sent messages, and "tears and laughter were shared in equal measure".

Head teacher Hetty Blackmore said: "So many students and families from our community will have been touched by their years of dedication.

"Mangotsfield will not be the same without them but their legacies will live on in our community."

Aston Prideaux and Tom Kerridge

Julie Borowski and Julie Scull with Hetty Blackmore

No-show annoys residents

COUNCILLORS were criticised when none of them appeared at a council-run community meeting to inform residents about neighbourhood matters.

South Gloucestershire Council runs 14 online community engagement forums. Each one meets three times a year to give residents the chance to hear from and question ward councillors, parish councillors and representatives from local police and fire service teams.

However when the Downend, Emersons Green and Frenchay Community Engagement Forum met on October 4, none of the six South Gloucestershire councillors from the two wards it covers - Frenchay & Downend and Emersons Green - were present to give an update.

Just one of the councillors, Emersons Green councillor Judy Adams, had sent an apology.

Former Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council chair Elizabeth Shepherd, who was among those attending the virtual meeting, said: "It's a bit of a poor show that out of six district councillors, not one of them has been able to turn up."

Community engagement forum chair Simon Kempster described the lack of councillors as "a bit disappointing".

The only elected councillor to make a report was Adrian Collins, who represents Frenchay on Winterbourne Parish Council, and asked for the ward councillors to be given feedback from the meeting about their non-attendance.

The Voice asked for a statement on behalf of the councillors.

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: "Whilst the council is consistently represented at this Community Engagement Forum by the local members, members were unavailable in this single instance owing to a number of prior commitments.

"Updates on any local issues raised have been sought and will be addressed in due course."

Bristol's Clean Air Zone starts on November 28

MOTORISTS who drive into central Bristol are being warned that older, more polluting vehicles will be charged from the end of November.

The city's Clean Air Zone will start operating on November 28.

From that date, drivers of cars, vans and taxis with petrol engines made before 2006 and diesel engines made before 2016 will have to pay £9 a day to enter an area including Broadmead, Cabot

Circus, the Centre, Temple Quay and Spike Island.

Larger vehicles, such as lorries and buses, which do not meet Euro 6 diesel engine standards will be charged £100 a day.

The charges will be in force 24 hours a day, every day, to drive in an area from Old Market, Bond Street and Temple Way to Hotwell Road and Brunel Way, and from Marlborough Road to Coronation Road.

swimming

University

NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

Under the bed, in the West of England: keeping us dogs safe during Bonfire Night

BANG! Pop! Screeeeech, Pant!

Hello, I’m Angel, First Dog of the West of England, and I write today to formally protest about your human Bonfire Night celebrations with those loud boom-boom things that terrify me and my fellow canine pals. Bad humans! Bad!

I’m sorry. I don’t actually think you’re bad. I think you’re the best, promise. Let’s go for a walk. Please can we go for a walk. Anyway, let’s cut to the chase. What, did someone say chase?!

Sorry, back again. The point is that for you hoo-mans, Bonfire Night may well be a time to ‘ooh’ and ‘aww’ over impressive displays and pretty colours exploding in the night sky. But un expected loud noises tend to have the opposite effect on us pets, and can leave owners pretty frazzled too - sorry, Dan!

The RSPCA say an estimated 62% of dogs in the UK show signs of fear on Bonfire Night. It’s easy for you all to say “Calm it, it’s just fireworks,” but that’s like you watching the UK’s current eco nomic trials and tribulations and us dogs telling you: “Calm it - mortgage rates, interest rates, fuel costs and inflation are no big deal – they are just money things.”

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So what can you do to help man’s best friend? Here are a few pointers for the big night.

The best thing you can do for your scaredy cat (or dog) is to make the day as un-Bonfire Night-like as possible. Why not create a ‘doggy haven’ with all our fave toys and blankets, like Dan has in the spare room - which, if you don’t mind me saying, is a bit dusty - or put on calm music to muffle the boom-y noises? I’m a big fan of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No 9 in E major –yes, I’m a cultured pooch!

And if you’re going to buy them, then please consider getting those ‘silent’ fireworks, or qui eter ones at least. The good thing about that is loads of supermarkets are stocking their shelves with these now - and some, like Sainsbury’s, have even stopped selling fireworks altogether (woooo!).

Dan’s a big fan of these quieter fireworks. He doesn’t want to be complete killjoy, because he, like many people, really enjoys the displays, but he thinks it’s bonkers the noise levels in those big scary light things used at public events are around 120 dB - equivalent to a rock concert or a jet engine.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris and his dog Angel write for the Voice

He thinks there are sensible ways to reduce the impact fireworks have on animals – includ ing farm animals and horses. That’s why he’s written to all supermarkets to clarify whether or not they’ll be stocking quiet ones in the run-up to celebrating the Gunpowder Plot near-miss of 1605 in 2022, and is encouraging you all to buy them. Way to go, Dan!

Happy Bonfire Night! Keep yourself and your furry family members safe and healthy!

Sincerely, Angel, very good girl to Metro Mayor Dan Norris.

Have you heard about Shared Lives yet?

It’s a bit like foster care – but for an adult. As a Shared Lives carer, you will be paid to support adults who need a little extra help from your own home.You’ll help them to achieve their goals and support them to live independently, helping them live their life, their way. They could spend the day with you, stay overnight or even move in, it’s flexible to you.

What does it mean to be a Shared Lives carer?

“I’m proud to be a Shared Lives carer because I believe that everyone deserves to be happy and be themselves, regardless of who they are and that’s exactly what Shared Lives does -placing people in homes with families where they are cared for, loved and respected.”Kwame, Shared Lives carer

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Find out more about becoming a Shared Lives carer on our website: www.ategi.org.uk or email us on carerapplication@ategi.co.uk

Real-life adventure tales at Stanbridge

Plea for help

A SUCCESSFUL baby and toddler group needs new volunteers.

Edds and Tales meets every Monday morning during term time from 9.30-11.30am at Christ Church Parish Hall in North Street, Downend.

CHILDREN at a Downend primary school had an inspirational visit from an adventurer who has rowed across an ocean, cycled around the world and climbed the tallest mountain on the planet.

James Ketchell visited Stanbridge Primary School to tell pupils about his exploits and motivate them to go on adventures of their own.

His feats include becoming the first person to have rowed the Atlantic Ocean, successfully climbed Mount Everest and cycled 18,000 miles around the world in 2014, in what has been described as the "ultimate

triathlon", and flying an opencockpit gyroplane over 24,000 nautical miles in 175 days five years later, to complete the first officially-recognised circumnavigation of the globe in an aircraft of that type.

A school spokesperson said: "James’s mission has been to inspire a million young people in classrooms all over the world to pursue their goals and dreams. He certainly did this for us!"

The busy group is looking for people to come between 10am and 11am to help serve teas, coffees and snacks to the toddlers, parents, grandparents and childminders who attend.

Anyone who would like to help can call in to the group or contact them via Facebook.

Carer support

CARERS Support Centre is inviting unpaid carers to a free event on November 24, to find out more about support to deal with the cost of living crisis.

The event from 10am-3pm is at the Vassall Centre in Fishponds and online. Call 0117 958 9902, or visit the website www.carerssupportcentre.org. uk/events.

#SaveSafely

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James Ketchell talks to Stanbridge Primary School pupils

James at the summit of Everest

Film location inspires pupils to write

A PRIMARY school picked an evocative location to inspire pupils to produce imaginative writing.

The gnarly trees and mossy rocks of Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean have appeared movies and TV series including Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Harry Potter and the deathly Hallows and Doctor Who, and many of the children from St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Primary School recognised it on their whole-school trip.

School writing lead Sara Allen said: “We wanted the whole school to experience a magical and mystical setting for their ‘big write’.

"The children had a wonderful day exploring the ancient woodland and returned to school brimming with writing ideas!”

Trees were also on the mind of school council members when they met with head teacher Mark Hilliam to pick new names for

their classes.

They chose Ash, Elm, Maple, Willow, Hazel, Birch and Oak.

Mr Hilliam said: "The children decided on the theme

of British trees to show they care for the planet and to symbolise new growth and a return to seven classes."

Year 6 councillor Megan

Challis said: “Trees are a good choice because the branches represent the teachers and the leaves are the children.”

Year 6 children from St Augustine of Canterbury school at Puzzlewood

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA

October 30

n ‘MESSY CHURCH’ 4pm at The Staple Hill Salvation Army, Broad street, Bristol BS16 5LN Tel 0117 9569733 for more information –creative worship for the whole family.

October 31

n TRUNK OR TREAT, alternative to trick or treating, 5.30pm, Christ Church/Medical Centre car park. Dress brightly, bring torches, carved pumpkin and bag for goodies. Children must be accompanied by an adult. £2 per child/£5 for 3 or more children in a family.

November 2

n CHRIST CHURCH DOWNEND MOTHERS UNION, 2.15pm. Speaker, David Cheesley: "Milk, Coal and Any Old Iron." Nonmembers welcome. Refreshments.

November 3

n SPEAKER MORNING, Lincombe Barn. Championing the Bristol Avon, with Simon Hunter of the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust, 10.4511.45am.Talk £2.50. Coffee extra. All welcome to listen to talks and make new friends.

November 4

n DOWNEND ROUND TABLE FIREWORKS DISPLAY, King

downendvoice

George V playing fields, Downend. Gates open 5.30pm. Last entry 8pm. Tickets £8 for over-16s, £6 age 3-15, family (2 + 2) £25, available from www.downendrt.co.uk. Under 3's free. No dogs allowed.

November 4-5

n WINTERBOURNE PLAYERS AND COURT PLAYERS present Rumours, a comedy by Neil Simon at WADCA, Watleys End Road, Winterbourne, 7.30pm. Tickets £10 from 07917 624360 or online at www.TicketSource.co.uk/ Winterbourne-Players.

November 8

n BEREAVEMENT GROUP at Christ Church Downend, 2pm.

November 9

n WELCOME WEDNESDAY. Friendly and free coffee afternoon on the 2nd Wednesday of the month (9th November), 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 for more information.

November 10

n DOWNEND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY TALK: a tour of gardens around the UK, 7.30pm, the Assembly Hall, Salisbury Road,

Downend. More details from Roger Davis on 0117 957 1703.

November 11

n MANGOTSFIELD COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Stars in their Eyes, raising money for St Peters Hospice and Special Friends Club, Red Lion from 6pm.

November 12

n CHRISTMAS MARKET, 11am3pm, Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road, Downend, BS16 2RW. Downend Flower Arranging Club will be selling beautiful Christmas arrangements for your home or to give as gifts to your friends and family at reasonable prices.

November 12

n CONCERT RAISING MONEY

FOR MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE ASSOCIATION, with pop and rock songs from recent decades form The Music Train and the Riff Raff choir. Doors 7pm. Tickets £8 (Under 18’s £2). To reserve tickets call 0774 803 3226 or text 0787 066 4027. Also available on the door.

November 12

n DOWNEND FOLK HOUSE CHRISTMAS MARKET, 11am3pm, free entry at Downend Folk House, Overndale Road BS16 2RW. Come and enjoy this early Christmas Market.

November 12

n DOWNEND AND KINGSWOOD BRANCH OF THE RNLI are holding a coffee morning on Saturday 12th November at Staple Hill Methodist Church BS16 5HQ, 10am until midday . Home made cakes and sales table. Everyone welcome. Thank you Much appreciated. Antonette Bawdon (secretary)

November 13

n STAPLE HILL REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY PARADE AND SERVICE Gather at Page road 10am, parade to Page Park where service will begin around 10.30am.

November 13

n MANGOTSFIELD

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY PARADE AND SERVICE. Meet at the war memorial, 12.15pm for 12.30pm start. Quiet service at Red Lion, 11am.

November 13 n REMEMBERING WITH THANKSGIVING SERVICE, Christ Church Downend, 6.30pm. Remember and give thanks for your loved ones who have passed away. Contact the parish office on 0117 908 9867 if you would like the name of a loved one read out.

November 17 n SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE OVER 50S FORUM talk on energy efficiency with experts from Warm and Well, at Emersons Green Village

sales@downendvoice.co.uk

Hall, Emerson Way, 10am. Open to anyone over the age of 50.

November 20

n FRIENDS OF LINCOMBE BARN PARK AND WOODs litter picking, tree planting and woodland management volunteer session, 2pm to 4pm. All welcome: tools supplied and refreshments for all helpers. Meet in the car park off Rockland Road.

November 21

n DOWNEND SENIOR FILM CLUB at 2pm The Duke (12) 2020

In 1961, 60 year old Kempton Bunton steals Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery. Based on a true story and starring Helen Mirren and Jim Broadbent. Tickets: £4.00 including refreshments. Carers welcome, easy access. For more information please call 0117 435 0063/4. Christ Church Hall, 57 North Street, Downend BS16 5SG.

November 26

n DOWNEND SCHOOL PTFA CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR, noon5pm. More than 35 stalls with local crafters. Entry £1 for over-16s, to include a raffle ticket. Under-16s free. Coffee with cakes and mince pies.

December 3

n THE CLEEVE SINGERS

CHRISTMAS CONCERT is a MATINEE and ONLY on Saturday 3rd December at 2.00 pm. The charity being supported this year is Clic Sargent chosen in remembrance of a members grandchildren. Tickets @ £5 will be available from Melanie's Kitchen, Lincombe Barn and on the Door. The event is at Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road, BS16 2RW.

December 3

n CHRISTMAS FAIR AT ST

MARYS CHURCH, Manor Road, Fishponds from 11am - 2pm . White elephant, tombola, cakes, books raffle, crafts etc plus Light refreshments . Christmas music provided by our choir.

December 3

n THE FILTONES CHOIR, CHRISTMAS CRACKERS CONCERT: 7.30 p.m. at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Bristol BS34 7PS. Tickets £8 in advance from Dot Bryant 07870 984760 or at the door.

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

Got News? Call Ken On 07715

making new friends? Why not become a member and find an interest group to join. 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. For more information 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 Meet every Monday, Wednesday evening 7.30 - 10.00 and Sunday 2.30 - 5.00. Refreshments inc. All levels really Welcome. For more information ring Kath 07517 1297

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 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 239 3875

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 more information see the website at www.lincombebarncameraclub. co.uk or email lincombe.barn@ gmail.com.

Wednesday

n DOWNEND FLOWER ARRANGING CLUB We are a friendly group who meet at 7.30pm on 1st and 3rd Wednesday from September to June at Lincolne Barn, Overndale Road, Bs16 2RW. For more information ring Genise 07772 451217

n DOWNEND BRIDGE CLUBNEW MEMBERS ARE WANTED Come and join us and play duplicate Bridge at Lincombe Barn Downend on Wednesday afternoons 2pm. We are a small, easy-going and friendly club. All levels are welcome. Please contact eveforbes77@gmail.com or 01179836886 or Yvonne Scoulding rscoulding@google.com or 01179568944

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. You would receive a warm welcome by this happy choir who have at least three concerts a year whose repertoire includes items from Shows, Abba, Beattles and general popular songs. 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 meet the third Wednesday of every month in the afternoon. We meet at 2pm at the old school hall now known as the YOU Foundation by the car park in Page Road Staple Hill. Speakers, quizzes and handy craft afternoon finishes with tea. Please telephone Madeleine Bills Secretary. 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 neighbourhood 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!

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 IGNITE YOUTH GROUP. Thursdays, term time only, at the Youth Hub & Parish Hall , 57 North Street, Downend. Year 6-8, 6.30-7.45pm. Year 9-11s, 8-9.15pm. A place to relax and have fun with friends. Free entry. Tuck

ON IN OUR AREA

available. Visit www.igniteyouthchristchurchdownend.co.uk to sign up and see the full programme.

n WINTERBOURNE WINDS, a friendly amateur wind band who play a wide range of music including pop, musicals and classical, rehearse at Frenchay Village Hall from 7.40-9.30pm. New members, especially flute, oboe, horn and percussion players, are welcome. For information email winterbournewinds@yahoo.com.

n SCRABBLE Downend Folk House Thursdays 1000-12noon Info: 0117 9562367 Maureen Walker.

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 at the church in Cossham Street. Coffee, cake and a chat.

Friday

n TAI CHI FOR PARKINSON’S. Weekly beginners Tai Chi & Qi Gong

class for people with Parkinson’s disease, their families and carers. We meet for Tai Chi, tea and cake at Lincombe Barn, Downend. BS16 2RW. Time: 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. Warm and friendly group run by volunteers from St James Church: everyone welcome to attend.

n JIGSAW TODDLER GROUP, Fridays in term time at Christ Church Parish Hall, North Street, from 9.45-11.15am. Toys, crafts, songs, refreshments and learning about faith in a fun way. No need to book.

n LATER LIVE MUSIC, Resound church, Blackhorse Road, Mangotsfield. Varied genres of music, every second Friday

monthly, except August & December, 8-10pm, £2.50. Hot and soft drinks for sale or BYOB. 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.

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 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.

Sunday

n EMERSONS GREEN BAPTIST CHURCH services are held every Sunday morning from 10.30am11.30am at Emersons Green Village

Hall, Emersons Way. For more information 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 THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

What do we really need?

WE are very aware of the needs that we have all had through the pandemic and now of the way the economic climate is affecting many people. Especially during such times, we like it when people provide what we needbe they employers, government, banks, charities, family, or friends. However, although those needs may be very real, we may well be overlooking what we really need.

Nearly two thousand years ago crowds of people were looking for a man who was providing what people thought they needed most – miraculous healing for the ill. Some wanted the miracle; some wanted the entertainment. Thousands gathered in a remote spot and the man (Jesus) had compassion on them. With just a boys packed lunch he fed at least 5,000 people!

Now you might well say, “Jesus is the kind of man we

need today!”, but you see, Jesus didn’t come into the world to simply be a miraculous vending machine. The day after he fed the vast crowd a hungry group from it sought out Jesus again. Here is what he said to them:

“The truth of the matter is that you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you believe in me. But you shouldn’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. No, spend your energy seeking the eternal life that I, the Messiah, can give you. For God the Father has sent me for this very purpose…The true Bread is a Person—the one sent by God from heaven, and he gives life to the world.”

“Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day of our lives!”

Jesus replied, “I am the Bread of Life. No one coming to me will ever be hungry again. Those believing in me will never thirst.”

John chapter 6 verse 26-27

and 33-35 (The Living Bible translation)

The Bible tells us that whether we feed on the basics or the best, we all one day will die. Jesus came to give us a whole new life with God that begins the moment we ‘eat’, that is receive Jesus by faith, and which continues in unimaginably wonderful ways forever. The problem is we get side-tracked by what we think are our most important and urgent needs or what we think will truly satisfy us.

At Good News Church we know people in the community will be concerned about keeping warm and keeping fed. You are very welcome to join us each Sunday between 10am-12.30 for our service with refreshments before and after. There will be a warm welcome, environment, and drink waiting for you. Additionally, on the 13th November and the 11th

With Pastor Paul Donovan Pendennis Good News Church

December we are having lunch together after our service. Again, you are invited to join us.

God and therefore we, are interested in the physical needs of people but our greatest desire for you is that in being with us you might find and receive what we all really need - Jesus, the living, lasting, satisfying bread that came down from heaven.

The Tynings is a happy, vibrant primary school tucked away in Staple Hill with fabulous school grounds and a dedicated Early Years play area. We understand what a huge step it is when your child starts school and our kind and caring Early Years team will do everything they can to ensure that the transition is a happy one. For more information and a chance to look around our amazing school why not join us on one of our Open Days:

THURSDAY

To book your visit, please email the office thetynings@sgmail.org.uk or call on 01454 866526

(Places also available in all other year groups)

THURSDAY

Emersons Green Town Council needs a new team member! Do you have a knowledge of, and interest in, local affairs? If you think you would like to represent your community and are over 18 years of age, you may be interested in joining us…

What is a Town Councillor?

Councillors are elected to represent an individual geographical area on the council, known as a ward or parish. The current vacancy is to represent the Pomphrey Ward, and applications close on Friday the 18 th of November.

Councillors are generally elected by the public every four years, but there is currently a Co option space available on the Town Council as a former councillor has resigned from their position.

Introducing...…

Originally, Alka is an Essex girl and has two teenage sons. One is studying at Oxford University, reading Law, and the other is on track to study Medicine. Naturally, Alka’s family is also proud of their British Asian and West Indian heritage and embraces all cultures in the area.

Personally, Alka moved to Emersons Green from the Asia Pacific region in 2000, when her husband was offered a role in an engineering company in South Glos.

Cllr Alka

Mehta Graham

“I would like to meet as many r esidents as possible, listen to their needs, and tr y to help.”

Since then, Alka has been involved in a variety of multicultural community projects in the local area, with a focus on bringing people together. Professionally, Alka has over 20 years of experience, worldwide, in Human Resources, relationship management, workforce planning, talent acquisition, and Senior Account Management. Alka’s focus on diversity and inclusion has consistently resulted in growth for her business clients. Naturally, Alka has a great network, both locally and globally! For fun, Alka enjoys walking, nature, and a good dance!

Being a Town Councillor, like Alka, is highly rewarding, and there are other voluntary roles available too. All of these roles give you a chance to make a huge difference in the quality of life for people in your local area, and to influence the way issues are dealt with locally.

Interested in helping? Get in touch now: clerk@emersonsgreen-tc.gov.uk Why not stand for election? Local elections are managed by South Glos Council and will take place in May 2023. More info: www.southglos.gov.uk

Come and join our clubs

OUR after-school Move it Club has moved times, so if your child is in school years 3-6, why not book on to our sessions on a Tuesday afternoon?

There’s a new start time of 3.30pm, so straight from school they can try their hand at netball, dodgeball or laser tag, to name but a few things.

Run by the team at local company Progressive Sports, bookings can be made via the Staple Hill Community Hub and you simply need to turn up outside our building at the bottom of Berkeley House on Nelson Road.

Bringing people together of all ages for exercise, to provide help or simply to have a chat is what we do.

We continue to offer home cooked food at really low prices at our Lunch Club on a Friday and Monday, and we know that for many people that come along, it’s so much more than just the food. Keep across our Facebook page for weekly menus.

And our regular coffee

morning, which brings people together every Wednesday at 10.30am, is a chance to pop in, have a cuppa and a natter.

If you’re looking for a new job, have you thought about dropping in to our Job Searcher’s Support Group on Monday afternoons?

n DOWNEND MEN IN SHEDS

Even raised beds are hit by rising prices

ONE of the original members of Downend Men in Sheds, John Lockwood, has agreed to take over the chairmanship of our group.

John is well known around the district for his active involvement in numerous projects and we look forward to being able to support him in the future.

In 2017 DMIS constructed a number of large raised beds for the Brain Injuries Unit, which is based on the old Frenchay Hospital site.

Over the seasons, plants have gone into the raised beds and out again, to the extent that the compost level in the beds has become significantly lower, making it difficult for the patients to undertake planting and care for beds.

Recently one of our members has taken it upon himself to transport bags of compost from the Thornbury Composting Centre, to begin the process of restoring the compost level, as well as adding some useful nutrition.

Due to the large capacity of the beds and the limited amount of compost that can be crammed into a typical family car, the process of restoring the levels is likely to require several more trips! The compost is being supplied free

The Hub's job searchers support group

Running from 2pm until 4pm, we provide support for people wanting to develop their CV, build confidence and improve interview techniques, as well as teaching basic IT skills.

It’s all completely free, and you can just turn up or ring 01454

of charge by the depot at Thornbury.

Raised beds and planters have also featured in our recent activities, which resulted from an enquiry at this year's Frenchay Flower show.

The initial enquiry was for three planters but when these were delivered we were asked to make a raised bed for a recently-built property where the builders had departed, leaving the front garden with poor quality soil, intermixed with typical builders' rubbish.

Due to the considerable size it was necessary to make the unit as a number of smaller sections; the photo shows one of the modules.

This job introduced us to the skyrocketing price of timber. On deciding to use identical timber for the second project, we phoned to check the price and were informed it was the same as for the first job, roughly one month earlier. The shock came the following day at the timber yard, when presented with an invoice which showed the price to have risen by a staggering 25% overnight. The timber merchant gave various reasons for the increase but eventually the manager was persuaded to allow the purchase to go ahead at the old price - a considerable relief, and a lesson for the future.

We have been fortunate that a member has been able to make visits to a local company, Heritage Fencing, which has kindly provided us with a selection of timber off cuts which would otherwise go to waste.

These have enabled us to produce a number of items which will be available at forthcoming local Christmas fairs.

We are continuing our introductory woodwork classes for pupils at Barley Close Primary School, since we understand the children’s experience has had a positive effect on their overall approach to learning.

There is something really special about woodwork, apart from it being completely different to normal school lessons and activities. Working with a natural material, shaping and joining and safely using real tools, contributes to their learning and development.

The activities also involve the practical application of measuring, and simple mathematical calculations, which add some purpose to what has been taught in lessons.

The member who runs the sessions has gained a great deal of satisfaction from seeing each pupil develop their skill and confidence as the lessons progress. His enthusiasm accounts for the fact that the lessons continued with minimal disruption throughout the Covid restrictions.

Or 0117 907 8585. Email: sales@downendvoice.co.uk Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

868374 to make an appointment.

The Staple Hill Community Hub Team

A raised bed module made by Downend Men in Sheds

AROUND THE WIs

STAPLE HILL WI

ONLY one more meeting before our Christmas Party.

First, I must mention our speaker in September.

Astrid Domingo-Molyneux took two years to ride around the world on her bike. Her talk, with a power point presentation, was excellent.

She told us about the people she met on her travels, as well as showing us her route. Not sure that I could travel around the world on my own, let alone riding a bike!

Our next meeting, on November 15, will include a speaker talking about Bristol Zoo.

As you may know, the zoo closed its Clifton doors in September and we have been lucky to secure a speaker.

I have a special relationship with the zoo, having worked there in my teens - I look forward to learning more.

We are having two stalls at Christmas on the Hill this year, so keep an eye out for us - we will be in the Methodist Church, so pop December 3 in your diary.

Last but not least, our Christmas Party takes place on December 20.

We will have some country dancing and an American supper.

These events are very sociable, so if you are thinking of coming along, this is a great meeting to choose.

Are you reading this and thinking you would like to meet new people? You may not be able to commit lots of time. That’s OK - we meet once a month. As a member you can participate in as much or as little as you like.

We have a diverse membership and anyone is welcome.

We have ample parking for ladies who need to drive to us and we meet on the third Tuesday of most months. Our meeting starts at 7.30pm - come and join us in

Christ Church Hall on North Street in Downend.Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

You can drop us an email to find out more at katetarr@avonfwi. org.uk.

Kate Tarr

BROMLEY HEATH WI

HOW quickly the last nine years have gone by!

Way back in autumn 2013 Sam Burch, the inspiration for and first president of Bromley Heath Women's Institute, founded this fantastic local organisation.

November 28, which is open to members and their friends and family. Our John Lewis Shopping Event is on November 23,and this year’s Avon Area WI Christmas Carol Service is to be held in Bath.

DOWNEND WI

AT our next meeting on October 25 we have our AGM, which this year is very important and special, as we have the officers of our committee standing down, with new members taking up those positions.

Our president, Julie Walker, and treasurer Claire Edmunds have held these posts for four years. Along with Ros Langley (secretary), their dedication to looking after our institute is amazing, and I speak for all members of Downend Women’s Institute when I say we really can’t thank you enough.

Our new president will be elected at this meeting, together with official announcements for treasurer and secretary. We will tell all in next month’s edition.

We will also be listening to a representative from the charity St Mungo’s. It is a tradition of ours to invite a charity to talk to us at our AGMs, so we are looking forward to learning more about this cause.

A project that we have all been working on will come to light during November: members have been busy using their embroidery skills, so keep an eye out in Downend next month.

An update from last month’s meeting: we had a visit from the lovely Kate of Kate’s Kards, based in Downend. We each made two cards which needed to be stamped, coloured and affixed, and while we did that, Kate guided us and we chatted with our friends.

Suzzie, Committee Member

In 2016 Sam was succeeded by Cheryl Benson and three years ago our current president, the lovely Lisa Smith, took on role.

Sadly our October meeting would be her last night “in charge”, as Lisa and two other longstanding committee members, Mel and Ros, had completed their term of office.

We are so grateful to them all for their hard work and commitment to BHWI, and look forward to seeing them, in a more relaxed capacity, at future meetings. Thank you, ladies.

Having completed our formal annual review meeting, we were delighted to announce that Sue Pitt was voted in as our new president, with an overwhelming majority. Congratulations, Sue!

Once the formalities were complete, we were delighted to welcome our guest speaker, Helen Ker Bridges, the volunteer coordinator from Bristol-based charity the Marmalade Trust who, like BHWI, were established in 2013.

Helen told us that the Marmalade Trust is the UK’s leading loneliness charity for all ages, and the only charity dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness.

They are a small charity with a big mission who appreciate that, although we live in a world of 24/7 communication, the need for their service continues to grow.

Loneliness is a feeling that everyone experiences at some time in their life, and the expression “you can feel alone in the middle of a crowded room” resonates with us all.

Helen told us about two of their projects: Marmalade Companions and Christmas Cheer, both of which were inspiring and, having experienced the inclusive atmosphere at the WI, Helen said that she hoped that some of our members might want to become involved.

Helen closed by handing out some leaflets and notices with contact information.

There was only time left for our new president, Sue, to thank Helen for a very interesting talk and to mention a few up and coming WI events: our committee are organising a trip to Winchester Christmas Market on Monday

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

Margaret Hanwell

AVON FEDERATION OF WIs

AVON Federation of Women’s Institutes held its Annual Meeting on September 27; the first inperson meeting for three years.

The venue this year was BAWA Conference Centre at Filton; an excellent choice to accommodate the members and guests attending – just under 300.

The meeting commenced with a one-minute silence in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a WI member for 79 years. This was followed by the singing of Jerusalem, led by Mary McCorquodale of Chipping Sodbury WI.

As with any charity, there was a formal/business element to the meeting, including an annual report from the chair, Sue Murphy, and adoption of the accounts presented to us by the treasurer Marion Hulance.

Following this we had several guest speakers. Rosie Walker from Woodland Trust told us of the work the trust does – not only encouraging planting of new trees, but also preserving ancient trees – the value of these trees to the environment cannot be overstated.

We then heard from two members of Avon Federation who are climate ambassadors – Wendy Clegg of Southern Clevedon WI, and Diane Barnard of Alveston WI.

The final speaker was Pauline Cox of Sow & Arrow, Clevedon, a nutritional therapists.

Following lunch, there were various awards and presentations, including WIs that had reached significant anniversaries: Winterbourne Down and Dundry 100 years, Easton in Gordano and Kewstoke 75 years, and Wick 50 years.

It was then time for our final speaker, Rev Kate Bottley. Seeing Kate on TV and recognising her mixture of commitment to God with her wit and humour is one thing, but to listen to her speak for an hour is enthralling, and wonderfully funny and uplifting. We all had happy, smiling faces.

Mary Berryman

New accommodation will cut reliance on HMOs

IN the past month I have made two visits to the University of the West of England.

The first was for the freshers' fair, an exciting event with a great atmosphere.

I then had a very interesting meeting with the vice-chancellor, Professor Steve West CBE.

We discussed future provision and expansion of university accommodation, with 900 new units scheduled for the next academic year, and plans for a further 2,500.

These vital facilities will reduce the reliance of the student population on HMOs, and should definitely be supported by the local area, as well as being an exciting development for the university to expand and a boost to the local economy.

We also discussed higher education funding, STEM, apprenticeships and mental health support for students, and the future of government strategy

working with universities.

We also had a ministerial visit in the constituency from Will Quince MP, Minister of State for Health who I accompanied to the NHS Blood and Transplant HQ in Filton as part of NHSBT’s efforts to encourage greater diversity in blood donation, to meet multiple health challenges such as sickle cell anaemia.

I also visited Aerospace Bristol, and it was very nice to meet the new CEO, Sally Cordwell, who leads a fantastic local attraction, which demonstrates the great aerospace heritage in our area.

It also has a STEM learning centre, which will help to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.

I hear from my constituents that the most significant issue of the moment is the cost-of-living crisis.

The government has subsequently announced a large raft of measures to help

households with rising bills. From November 6 the government is cutting National Insurance by 1.25% and cancelling the Health & Social Care Levy. This will reduce the tax on jobs, let families keep more of what they earn and support economic growth.

From October, the Energy Price Guarantee will limit the price customers can be charged for energy. This means the typical household will now likely pay £2,500 for their annual energy use, a £1,000 saving. These measures will reduce the impact of Putin’s war in Ukraine on the household budgets of people in our area.

The Energy Bill Relief Scheme will help to cut energy prices for businesses, charities and public sector organisations, such as schools and hospitals. It will run for six months, covering energy used from October to March.

In relation to this help for our communities, I met with Jon Rogers at Cattybrook Brickworks

Jack Lopresti MP for Filton & Bradley Stoke

to discuss their strategy to deal with energy prices, the stability of global energy markets and the integrity and security of energy supplies, issues which have great significance for the businesses, community organisations and households in our area.

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

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

Caring in the Community

Caring Comes 1st is an experienced provider of home care, specialising in quality care for elderly and disabled people in their own homes.

We provide a personal service for those who need additional support looking after themselves, or with household tasks. Our care services allow people to maintain their quality of life and dignity, while they live as independently as possible at home. We tailor our care plans to each person’s individual needs and routines. Caring Comes 1st is a family-run company, our management team has over 20 years of experience in healthcare. They have all been care assistants themselves and so have a deep understanding of what people need and want from our service.

Our services

Personal Care - Short daily visits to help with everyday personal tasks.

Dementia Care - Helping people with dementia follow a familiar routine.

Palliative Care - End-of-life care offering specialist support. Domestic Services - Extra help with household chores.

We are now taking referrals for private and funded clients, to find out more about our services please call

Caring Comes 1st | 54 Moravian Rd | Kingswood | Bristol | BS15 8ND

n LOCAL HISTORY

Sharing memories of Downend's past

RESIDENTS have been telling CHAP, Downend’s Community History and Art Project, about their memories of days gone by in the area.

Barb has fond memories of growing up in Downend.

She remembers being taken to the Downend Cottage Homes development for swimming lessons, skimming the leaves (and occasionally a dead hedgehog) from the surface of the water before being told to get in, cling onto a white polystyrene float and sink or swim.

As she recalls: "There was no health and safety then!"

The cottage homes were resident childcare communities for youngsters who were suffering difficulties or had been classed as 'wayward' or 'delinquent'.

Barb thinks that some of the girls had been sent there as a result of liaisons with American GIs during the war. What was considered acceptable behaviour was very different back then.

Mrs Duncombe has shared some interesting artefacts, such as a ration book from 1941, showing how you had to exchange coupons to get hold of a restricted amount of meat, cooking fats, butter and margarine, and sugar during the Second World War.

The book has been stamped by a butcher at the Staple Hill branch of the Bristol Co-op, which was on Broad Street near the High Street crossroads and has long since gone.

It’s hard to imagine always

having to keep outdoor clothing, your gas mask, identity card and ration book ready to take with you if you needed to take shelter during an air raid, as instructed on the back cover.

Mrs Duncombe has also kept this paper bag since 1936, when she was seven years old! It shows King George VI, grandfather of our new King Charles III, after his brother Edward VIII had abdicated. He is pictured with his wife Elizabeth, our late Queen Elizabeth II’s mother, who was known later as the Queen Mother.

Do any readers remember where Downend Press was located?

How long will we hold on to our souvenirs from King Charles III’s coronation next year?

If you have memories or artefacts you'd like to share, contact us at downendchap@gmail. com or write to CHAP, 49 Overnhill Road, Downend, Bristol, BS16 5DS

Downend CHAP is a not-forprofit voluntary organisation that aims to produce a community history resource, create a coherent identity for Downend and Emersons Green based on past places, people and events, and encourage local people to take part in all its activities.

We want to run enjoyable and inclusive community activities that bring history to life through arts, publications, music and events.

For more information visit the CHAP website at www. downendchap.org.

Helen Rana

by

Avenue,

www.avenue-vets.com

A ration book from 1941 shows a stamp from the butcher at the Co-op in Staple Hill

A paper bag commemorating the accession of King George VI, printed by the Downend Press

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

We must stand together against hate crime

MY team and I recently recognised National Hate Crime Awareness Week.

Hate crime is an offence that is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, disability and gender identity, instead of something they have done, the result of a disagreement or being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Being targeted because of your age, race, sexual orientation, religion or any other reason is unacceptable and, as communities, if we see this behaviour we must challenge it and report it.

We must help give victims of hate crime the confidence to speak to the police or partner agencies about their experience.

If, as a victim, you do not feel like you can talk to the police for whatever reason, there are still many options available for support, such as Victim Support, SARI

or VOCAS, the Victims of Crime Advocacy Service.

VOCAS provides an enhanced advocacy service to those victims of crime who feel they need it and an opportunity to talk in confidence to someone who understands how race, sexuality, disability, mental health, age and/ or exclusion can contribute to you struggling to have your voice heard or understanding your rights and options.

To tackle hate crime, we must stand together and fight for a stronger and fairer society.

I also want to let you know about courier fraud scams, which appear to be increasing.

Unsuspecting victims receive calls from criminals asking them to withdraw cash and leave it for a courier to collect.

In one scam, the criminal pretends to work for the victim’s bank and says they are investigating counterfeit notes at their local branch.

They tell the victim to withdraw

money, and not to tell the bank what they have been asked to do.

The criminals then send someone to the victim’s house to collect the notes, claiming they will be checked to see if they are counterfeit – in reality, they just drive off with the victim’s money.

Another scam is when the fraudster claims to work for the police and says they have arrested someone using a cloned card belonging to the victim.

The victim is urged to withdraw money as part of the investigation - but is simply giving it to the fraudster.

These scammers pose as trusted officials and apply pressure in the hope people will let their guard down.

I want us to be one step ahead of them.

So, what should you do if you are targeted?

Take your time and consider if the police or your bank would really ask you to do this. If the answer is no, hang up - as long as

With Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford

you have not provided your bank details, your money is safe.

If you want to call the police or your bank, using an advertised number, leave it at least 10 minutes or preferably use a different phone - fraudsters often stay on the other end of the line, keeping the connection open and pretending to be whoever you have dialled.

Finally, report it to Action Fraud, online or on 0300 123 2040.

High St grants top £58k

DOWNEND'S high street area and independent traders have been given grants totalling £58,380 to recover post-pandemic.

South Gloucestershire Council says Help Us Thrive grants of £18,945 have been added to by £39,435 of funding to date from the government’s Welcome Back Fund to support the return to high street shopping since the first grants were announced last year.

Among the businesses to have benefited are cafe and bar Mokka, Bride at Home bridal shop and Craig Anthonys hair salon.

More than 50 businesses and organisations across South Gloucestershire have now received a share of nearly £800,000 worth of grants aimed at improving high streets, with Staple Hill businesses also among those to benefit.

Mokka Lounge in Downend used a £5,000 grant from the Help Us Thrive fund to pay for its outdoor seating area in 2021, after missing out on initial government support.

Co-owner, Mitch Hoare said the terrace had been "really successful", enabling the business to employ more staff - it is now set to expand into the former betting shop next door.

Georgina Lake, Staple Hill florist Bunch, said a business grant had helped pay for website upgrades which were "critical to us continuing to do business".

The council is encouraging independent high street retailers to get in touch and find out what support is available by emailing its high streets team at highstreets@southglos.gov.uk.

Frenchay and Downend ward councillors Liz Brennan, Ben Burton and James Griffiths said: “We’re delighted that local traders in Downend have been able to benefit from the funding the council has provided to help them bounce back from the pandemic."

Outdoor gym brings joy

CHILDREN at Mangotsfield C of E Primary School are keeping fit and having fun at the same time thanks to a new "fresh air gym".

The school in Church Farm Road, Emersons Green, has bought 10 pieces of outdoor fitness apparatus, including 'air walkers', crosstrainers, spinners and a rowing machine, and say the equipment has been a big hit during break and lunchtimes.

The school recently won a School Games Platinum award for maintaining consistently high standards in sport provision and has pledged to ensure all pupils have opportunities to be active.

Head of school Kirsty Croasdale said: "We are keen to promote active lifestyles alongside our curriculum offer and proud sporting record. This investment in new equipment will help more of our learners value the positive impact being active can bring."

Green -

HUNTERS Estate Agents, Downend are delighted to offer for sale this executive style Redrow Homes built detached family property which occupies a quiet secluded position of only three properties. This attractive home is displayed throughout in excellent order and is conveniently located for access onto the Avon ring road, for major commuting routes, for the Bristol cycle path and for the amenities of Emersons Green. These amenities include a wide variety of independent shops and supermarkets, restaurants, coffee shops, doctors surgery and dentists.

The property offers spacious living accommodation which comprises to the ground floor: entrance hall, lounge with feature fireplace and French doors leading into a conservatory, utility room, cloakroom and a modern fitted kitchen with granite work tops and matching breakfast bar and integrated appliances to include: oven & hob and dishwasher. The open plan dining room which links

to the kitchen produces a fantastic social space for the family to enjoy. To the first floor can be found a family bathroom with jacuzzi bath and four good sized bedrooms, the

master of which has an en-suite shower room.

Additional benefits include; a double garage with electric door, a driveway for 2/3 vehicles and a

larger than average rear garden which is mainly laid to lawn. An internal viewing comes highly recommended.

THE elegance of the Edwardian era is evident within this charming four bedroom detached family home built circa 1902. The well proportioned rooms boast a wealth of character and charm including high ceilings, bay windows, deep skirting boards and decorative coving. The house has served the current family for nearly 60 years and is ready for a new owner to modernise and cherish this well loved family home.

The ground floor accommodation comprises a welcoming entrance hall which gives access to all reception rooms. The lounge is located at the front of the property with a splay bay window and stone fireplace housing a gas fire. The study and dining room are situated to the rear of the property with the study offering an open fireplace with a window looking out to the garden. Beyond the dining room is a kitchen with light wood effect wall and base units, space and plumbing for washing machine, gas cooker and fridge/freezer; additionally, there is a ground floor cloakroom and access to a cellar.

The first floor features four bedrooms, three being well proportioned doubles, a family bathroom which has a white two piece suite and a separate WC.

Externally there are walled gardens to the front and rear, the front offering a driveway for several vehicles and giving access to a single garage.

The established rear garden is

fully enclosed offering an abundance of mature trees and shrubs around a level lawn, a pond and a brick built storage shed. Gated access leads to the side of the property that offers the possibility to extend (subject to planning permission and building regulations).

This type of property is rare to the market and we anticipate considerable interest.

Scan to get an instant valuation for your property.

the place for you…

LOCATED on the ever popular Cleeve Hill in Downend is this 1930's, 4 bedroom detached family house with a beautifully presented rear garden measuring at approximately 200ft long. Situated just walking distance from the local high street, shops, major transport links this property also is also within reach of some of the locals best schools making it an ideal family purchase.

Upon entering you will find an entrance porch, traditional entrance hallway, lounge with bay window and a gorgeous open fireplace, moving through the property you stumble upon a beautifully presented and extended kitchen/dining room fitted with granite work tops and double range oven . This room also benefits from skylight windows making this a very light and area room and perfect for entertaining in. Additionally to the ground there is a utility and W.C. Upstairs

there are 3 double bedrooms and 1 single bedroom , additionally to the first floor there is a family bathroom with the master bedroom also offering an en suite.

Externally and to the front is ample off street parking with the rear garden mainly being laid to lawn, offering plenty of shrubs, trees and plants making it

perfect for the garden enthusiast. Additionally there is some outer storage and an office/gym space that was previously converted from the garage.

Trees and light

TREES are an interesting source for creative picture-taking. For the photographer there is the advantage that, while they respond to the changing seasons as living things, they stay in the same place.

Singly, they can portray a sense of drama, such as when shown leafless in winter, but in woods and forests, light and shade can create an altogether different atmosphere.

The three pictures shown here are concerned with conveying something of the mystery of woodland glades and trails; the light filtering through the leaves and branches gives a sense of the peace and tranquillity that exists in these places.

'Forest Sunlight' is a classic depiction of what we all can experience in a walk in the woods: sunlight streaming through the leaves and branches, the colours and dappled light giving an autumnal feel to the picture.

'The Last Rays' does not rely on colour at all - instead we have the sun throwing a spotlight through the trees, giving a haunting quality to the scene.

'Cairngorm Lake' has a different approach, for here we view an open area across still water, the muted light showing the opposite bank, misty on the right-hand side, while the trees are mirrored in the water, fading into sombre darkness.

Downend Camera Club is a friendly informal group meeting on Tuesdays at 7.30pm at the Assembly Hall in Salisbury Road, Downend.

The club offers an active and interesting programme including photographic presentations and competitions.

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 a forum for discussion of all things photographic.

Ed Shorney

Cairngorm Lake by Dave Britton

The Last Rays by Ian Boulton

Forest Sunlight by Derek Britton

WECA must take control of buses

AS residents and organisations in the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and North Somerset, we are deeply concerned by the present cuts to essential bus services. The impact of these lost services will mean many, including the most vulnerable, will be unable to make essential journeys including to shops, schools, and doctors and hospitals.

The private bus companies are entirely profit-driven, so they’re justifying the bus cuts with the falling passenger numbers, rising fuel and wage costs, and driver shortages that make the services unprofitable with no regard for the public need.

This deregulated market is always at odds with the bus services that many in our communities need to get to work, school, shops, and health centres.

These changes to local bus services are making many residents genuinely fearful that people of all ages and abilities will be cut off from vital facilities they need to live well. Further, the loss of public transport will worsen congestion on the roads, increase air pollution, and undermine commitments WECA has made to reduce its carbon emissions and its climate emergency pledge.

The current constitution of WECA requires that the Metro Mayor Dan Norris and the three group leaders of Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, and South Gloucestershire to all agree to make changes to bus services.

This open letter is calling

for them to put in place bus franchising, to suspend the deregulated bus market and provide a bus service under contract from WECA.

Residents want and deserve a bus service that delivers for all, and the only way for this to take place is for WECA to use its powers under the WECA constitution to deliver bus franchising.

We encourage readers to sign this open letter now at actionnetwork.org/forms/franchiseweca-bus-services-now

West of England Shared Transport and Active Travel Network

Help your dog face fireworks

BONFIRE night can be terrifying for many dogs, but did you know that teaching dogs to cope with noise fears in advance can help lessen the stress they experience when they hear the unexpected whizz, pop, and bang of fireworks?

Gradually teaching your dog that noises are not scary will help them cope with unexpected noises over time. This usually involves playing recorded versions of the scary noises, but starting at such a low volume that your dog is not worried by them.

The volume and direction of sounds are changed over time, but so slowly that your dog shows no signs of any fear. The sounds should also be associated with something that they enjoy, such as their favourite treats or a game.

Dogs who are very frightened already may require support from a qualified, experienced behaviourist.

We are a charity that offers more tips and advice at Dog

School: fun, educational courses for dog owners based on up-to-date scientific research.

The nearest sessions are in Pucklechurch and St George.

Using reward-based training, we teach the key skills your dog needs to thrive in everyday situations, including focusing on helping dogs to cope with unusual sounds, so they remain relaxed and happy. For more information visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/dogschool.

Bec Konteh Coach, Bristol Dog School The Dogs Trust

What else was MP doing?

them solve their benefits, debt, employment, and other problems. Our service is free, independent, confidential and impartial. We value diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination.

We are currently recruiting for a variety of roles, whether you have 3 hours to offer or 2 half days.

If you are interested or would like more information, visit our website www.southgloscab.org.uk/ get-involved/ or email Emmanuelle. claverie@southglos.org.uk for more details or an informal chat.

Emmanuelle Claverie Lead Supervisor Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire

Nominate your dementia hero

INDIVIDUALS and organisations in Bristol who have gone the extra mile for people affected by dementia could be recognised at the prestigious Dementia Hero Awards, sponsored by Tunstall Healthcare.

I WAS truly spellbound (sic) by our MP's eulogy for our late Queen and about his tributes, and his dashing around between locations to reinforce his dismay at her death and his loyalty.

But in the last month, meantime, just what did he do for his constituents, which is what we pay him for?

Alan Elkan Downend

Can you help give advice?

DO you have a few hours a week to spare and want to make a real difference? Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire is looking for volunteers to help in our friendly office in Yate.

You don’t need specific qualifications or experience: advisers receive full training.

You’ll gain new skills, meet new people, and you’ll be helping our clients overcome the problems they face and making a real difference to their lives.

We’re a registered charity providing people with free information and advice to help

The Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Hero Awards will celebrate the achievements of individuals, groups and organisations who meaningfully involve people affected by dementia in activities and projects that make a real difference.

There are nine award categories, including an outstanding achievement award. Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges in research and innovation, local government, those who care for people with dementia and dementia-friendly businesses, among others.

With an estimated 4,730 people living with dementia in Bristol, it’s vital we join forces to improve the lives of people affected by dementia, now and in the future. Facing dementia, we are always better together.

It couldn’t be easier to enternominate yourself or someone who has inspired you for a Dementia Hero Award at alzheimers.org.uk/ dementiaheroawards.

Nominations close on Friday November 18.

Lorna Robertson Area Manager Alzheimer’s Society

Metro Mayor Dan Norris and First Bus managing director Doug Claringbold.

WE have all of the daylight hours for outdoor photography, but some parts of the day are more highly valued by photographers than others.

For example, photograph in the middle of a bright sunny day and your pictures will be over-bright, with details lost.

Photographers tend to prefer the hours around dawn and sunset. Why is this? Basically, it’s the quality of the light at those times.

When the sun is just above the horizon, the light has a much longer journey through the atmosphere, and at an angle. This means that the light is softer and redder than during the full day – colours are less likely to be bleached out and the shadows will be longer, bringing more detail into the picture.

This is called the magic hour or, more commonly, the golden hour. Consider three photographs from our members:

The colourful photographic hours

'Evening on the Towpath' by Jeff McKinstry is taken fairly early into sunset, and the whole picture is suffused with a soft roseate glow that means we can almost feel the evening warmth enjoyed by the couple next to their narrowboat home. The shadows, creeping from the right, ensure that every detail of the grass blades can be seen. Don’t you wish you could be there with them?

Roy Shergold’s photograph, 'Sunset, Port Quinn', takes us closer to sunset. The sun is now on, or partly below, the horizon and the light has become more dramatic. The softness has gone and the shadows have become deeper, harsher. We know that twilight will soon be approaching.

That brings us to the blue hour, when the sun is at a significant depth below the horizon and residual, indirect, sunlight takes on a predominantly blue shade, and there are no sharp shadows because the sun has set. It will not be night-dark, and things will still be visible, but the presence of artificial light, such as street lamps, can add hugely to the overall effect.

An excellent example is provided by Anita Fullerton, with her picture 'Blue Hour, Little Venice'. Notice, in particular, how effectively the reflections add to the whole effect.

Are you interested in photography and want to find out more? Why not join us for the coming year? New members and guests are always 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, lincombebarncameraclub.co.uk, or contact us on lincombe.barn@gmail.com.

Stay safe, and enjoy the colours.

Sid Stace

Evening on the towpath by Jeff McKinstry

Sunset, Port Quinn by Roy ShergoldBlue Hour, Little Venice by Anita Fullerton

A pleasant surprise!

IT'S always nice to have surprises isn't it?

Pleasant ones, that is!

And that is exactly what happened on October 12, early in the morning.

Merle rang me up to say she was taking a choir member from the Barn to Westonbirt to see the colours, and would I like to go?

Well, naturally, I said "yes".

Pepe had had his morning walk, and I knew we would be back by the four hours that they say you should leave a dog.

I made sandwiches and a drink for my lunch, although the cafe would be open - being a diabetic I

have learnt not to take chances.

It was not long before it was just after 10am, the time Merle was coming to pick me up.

Merle soon arrived and I settled myself in the back seat as the other lady was in the front passenger seat. Actually I had met the other lady before at our last speaker and coffee morning.

As Merle drove along, the sun came out from behind the white fluffy clouds and the morning looked promising for our walk through the many trees.

It was with enthusiasm I looked forward to seeing the various trees that always turn

colourful at this time of year. I know the maples and acers but that is as far as it goes - I'm just not a tree expert.

Merle kept going to have a look at the names on the trees to enlighten us.

It was a very enjoyable walk seeing the different hues - reds, oranges and yellows.

As we neared the cafe we looked forward to having a hot

with Christine Broadway

drink, to round off a most pleasant morning.

Thank you, Merle!

n DOWNEND GARDENING CLUB AT LINCOMBE BARN Getting the garden ready for winter

WE have been fortunate enough to have had some lovely autumn days, good for walking and getting out and about, especially in the garden.

It is often warmer outside than in. Looking from my window on a sunny October morning, and watching sparrows bathing in my pond, it is a joy.

They manage to bathe on top of the water lily leaves. I would think many of you experience these happenings close by or out for a walk.

November is the month we're able to begin planting out bare root plants, and it's still not too late to plant bulbs.

We can also carry out some light pruning and tidying up, so

the paths are clear from foliage and are safe for us to walk around, as winter is just around the corner.

There's time, maybe, for a last cut of the lawn to tidy it up. We do not need to tidy up too much, as the birds and wildlife enjoy a scratch around, and finding something to eat to keep them going. As the birds have stopped nesting, we can cut our hedges back.

Around the garden centres and some supermarkets, there are now trays of outdoor cyclamen, which make some good colour in the garden; primroses and polyanthus are about, which can be planted out for the spring show.

My garden is now full of cyclamen neapolitanum, which have spread. The garden is in bloom all over, with them in between all the other plants - they spread quite easily, and there is now a carpet of pink and white. It

is good for the bees to find some nectar.

If we are thinking of Christmas, perhaps we can think about a plant as a treat - there are some which flower in winter.

Mahonia Charity and a witch hazel and winter jasmine are three

good ones that have perfume as well as blossom; skimmias have red berries, as do Hollies during winter, so if you look around, you can find colour to brighten up your patch.

Enjoy your late-season gardening.

Mary Head

Embracing the changing of the seasons

AS autumn draws in, the colours of our world changes. The vibrant depths of greens being replaced by an array of yellow, orange, and red, and, for the next few weeks, we see rainbows appearing across the canopies of our natural world. While the allure of the coziness of home gets stronger and the nights draw in it’s important for our physical and mental wellbeing to continue to spend time in nature.

Whether you enjoy, a brisk walk in the recently fallen crunchy leaves, or a mindful meander simply observing the visual wonders the natural world offers, it really is a great time to get outside. We have many options of wonderful green spaces to explore here in Downend. The Parish Council have maps of 6 local walks on their website that you can download and print if you are looking for some inspiration.

For those who enjoy a purpose to your walks’, foraging season is very much under way, with harvests being brought in on both an industrial and individual level. While out and about keep your eyes peeled for crab apples, elderberries, sloes, hazelnuts, sweet chestnuts, and walnuts to name just a few. We have been foraging and cooking with our groups, it’s a great way to help children to learn about our world, alongside playing conkers and making leaf kebabs of course!

If you would like to be kept up to date with the activities we run for children locally feel free to pop along to www.mud-pies..co.uk and join our mailing list.

from Downend, Emersons Green & Staple Hill libraries

With money being tight for many of us this Winter don’t forget that most of the services on offer at our libraries are FREE.

So that means it is still FREE to Join the library

To borrow books (with DVDs available to 50p for 3 weeks hire)

Reserve books from across South Gloucestershire and the neighbouring authorities for collection at your local Library

There are no fines if childrens books should go overdue

To attend pre-school Rhyme Time (Wednesdays 9.30am at Downend, Thursdays 9.30am at Staple Hill) or Storytime (9.30am on Tuesdays at Emersons Green Library)

Join in our Lego Clubs (one Saturday morning a month at each library – see www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries

To use the computers and WiFi (printing also available at a small charge)

Research your Family History on Ancestry (available on the library computers)

Download our e-books, e-audiobooks, e-newspapers, e-magazines at www.librarieswest.org.uk

Come along to our Coffee Morning (Fridays 9.30am at Downend Library) or Tea, Talk & Stories Book Group (Thursdays at 2.15pm at Staple Hill Library)

Celebrating recycling success in South Gloucestershire

WE’RE extremely proud of how good we are at recycling in South Gloucestershire.

The latest figures (2020/21) show that 60% of household waste is put out for recycling by residents, placing us well ahead of the national average.

We now have the fifth-high est recycling rate of all unitary authorities in the country and are recycling ten times more waste than we were in the year 2000.

These record-breaking figures are testament to the commit ment and effort that you, our residents, put into recycling your waste.

The council has also made ambitious changes to our waste and recycling collections, which means we are well on our way to hit our 70% recycling target, with nothing going to landfill, by 2030.

We are beginning to explore options for when our current waste contract ends in 2025, however officers and cabinet

members have stressed that the intention is to stay with the current method and timescale of weekly recycling and food waste collections and fortnightly black bin collections.

Recycle Week took place recently, from October 17-23, and this year the focus was to help people recycle even more by improving knowledge about how recycling makes a difference.

Recycling keeps metals, plastics, glass, paper, card and even clothing in use for longer, reducing the need for raw mate rials and in turn saving energy, water, fuel and the materials themselves. Recycling is one of the easiest ways we can help reduce our impact on nature and the environment.

Most of South Gloucester shire’s recycling is processed in the UK to make new products and packaging. Our food waste is recycled in Bristol, where it gener ates electricity and fertiliser.

Sorting and separating items in your recycling containers helps our crews put them into the right part of the truck and send them to the correct destination for processing, maximising recycling and keeping the cost of waste lower.

Our efforts are being further boosted by our involvement in a national trial to collect plastic bags and wrapping from households, as part of normal weekly recycling collections. The trial will help inform government and industry how plastic bags and wrapping can be added to existing household recycling collections to protect our envi ronment.

These collections began from October 17, with selected house holds from parts of Bradley Stoke, Chipping Sodbury and Olveston taking part.

If successful, the number of homes included will be expanded in 2023, with an aim of rolling

With Rachael Hunt, cabinet member for communities

it out to all households in the district by 2025.

Further information on waste and recycling collections and ad vice on how you can re-use and recycle more of your waste can be found online at beta.southglos. gov.uk/environment-and-waste/ waste-and-recycling.

Flyers face Cardiff in Severnside FA Cup derby

DOWNEND Flyers have been gearing up for their own "Severnside derby", as they entertain Cardiff City Ladies in the Women's FA Cup.

The Flyers have reached the third qualifying round of the competition this year, equalling the furthest they have progressed, following a bye in the first qualifying round, followed by an away walkover against Chippenham.

The team may be familiar with this stage of the competition, but playing such illustrious opponents is a rarity and there were collective gasps when Cardiff were drawn out of the hat, as they are the highestranked team the Flyers could have drawn.

Downend Flyers play at the sixth level of women's football. in the South West Regional League (Northern Division), whereas their Welsh visitors ply their trade two divisions higher, in the National League Division 1and had a perfect five wins from five at the start of the season, as the Voice went to press.

Meanwhile the Flyers have made a solid start to their own campaign, with a narrow loss on the opening day of the season followed by a stonking 11-0 victory in their last outing versus Chipping Sodbury.

The club have been very much looking forward to the big cup match, which was set

to take place at their Pomphrey Hill ground at 2pm on Sunday October 23.

They are encouraging as many readers who receive their copy of the Voice before the match to come down for the afternoon and join their fans and families cheering on the

team as they hope to cause an upset.

For more information on the club visit www.downendflyers.com or follow them on Twitter @downendflyersfc.

Duncan Gardner

Downend Flyers Ladies squad have been preparing to face Cardiff City Ladies in the Women's FA Cup

Mangos in the relegation zone again

HAVING been relegated from the Southern League Division 1 South last term, Mangotsfield United find themselves facing another fight for survival.

Currently second from bottom in the Hellenic League Premier Division, manager John Allen, who only joined the club in the summer, has seen his side take just one point from six home league matches this season.

The return to the club of strikers Ben Bament and Luke Ballinger, with a wealth of experience between them, may help stop the slump.

The poor run started with a 2-1 home loss to Hereford Pegasus, who were visiting Cossham Street for the first time. Josh Haynes scored Mangotsfield's goal.

Another 2-1 home defeat followed just three days later, when Royal Wootton Bassett Town completed the double over the Mangos. The visitors were ahead after just four minutes, and although the Mangos tried everything they could to get back into the game, they found the Royals’ defence a hard nut to crack and the visitors scored a second with just 7 minutes to go; Josh Haynes scored a consolation goal on 89 minutes.

The following Saturday saw Mangotsfield in FA Vase action at Cossham Street. Older supporters remember the halcyon days of the

mid-1990s when the Mangos reached the FA Vase semi-finals, only to lose 2-1 on aggregate to Lancashire outfit Clitheroe.

Could the Mangos replicate the good old days? They started with a 2-0 win over Abingdon United, in what was a very even game, which went right to the wire before Isaac Flynn and Oli Jenkins both scored in second-half added time, to clinch another home tie, against Devon side Crediton United, which was due to be played on October 22.

Unfortunately, Mangotsfield’s poor league form in the league quickly resumed, with the club losing the next four games.

First came a crushing 3-0 defeat at Chipping Sodbury Town, where the hosts simply out-muscled the visitors in every department.

Another abject performance followed at Corsham Town, where ex-Mangos striker Dan Demkiv opened the scoring on 51 minutes, before his brother Callum Owen Demkiv made it 2-0 five minutes later.

Just three days later came another home defeat, again 2-1 to Wiltshire side Shrivenham.

Conceding again after just four minutes, the Mangos were once again chasing the game and Ben Bament’s goal in second-half

stoppage time was once again too little, too late.

Things then went from bad to worse as the Mangos crashed 5-1 at home to another Hereford side, Westfields FC, who were also making their first visit ever to Cossham Street.

It was, as the score suggests, a poor performance by the hosts, who were already 3-0 down before Jeffrey Barimah scored on 53 minutes but went on to concede another two goals.

Dave Smale

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

October 25 Cribbs FC (home)

October 29 Malvern Town (away)

November 5 Tuffley Rovers (home)

November 8 Chipping Sodbury (homeGlos Challenge Trophy)

November 12 Lydney Town (home)

November 19 Worcester Raiders (home)

November 26 Brimscombe & Thrupp (away)

DURING the last few months of this blog I’ve really enjoyed talking to you about all the things going on outside of the clinic. Now it’s time to take you back inside and focus on a common problem that we treat here at Cleve Chiropractic – neck and arm pain.

Pain in both these areas can vary from a mild annoyance to having a crippling impact on your life. When a patient comes to see us with these symptoms, we first consider red flags that would need further investigations, such as night pain and unexplained weight loss.

When these have been ruled out or dealt with, in most cases the problems can then be managed in house. Some of the causes of this condition include traumas, such as a sports injury or a fall, simply sleeping in a strange position, or even extreme sneezing. Our job is then to work out what happened in the first place and try to reverse it.

With severe neck and arm pain, we would first consider problems such as disc bulges or bony spurs in the neck. To assess this in the clinic, we run through

Neck and arm pain

the same advanced neurological tests that a consultant would conduct and, if appropriate, refer the patient in house for an X-ray, or for an MRI scan, which takes place off site.

If the diagnosis is confirmed as a disc issue, the immediate remedy involves gentle traction and soft tissue work. With regular treatment, we would expect a patient to feel significantly better within two or three months.

Another cause of neck and arm pain that’s even more common is a condition known as Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, or TOS. Many people would have suffered with temporary TOS, probably without realising – it sometimes happens when we have slept in an odd position that leaves us with a numb arm. In most cases, this sensation will quickly disappear.

However, muscle spasms and joint issues can sometimes create permanent neck and arm pain, or feelings of numbness. We define TOS as a condition where a patient’s pulse will disappear

at the wrist when we perform certain stress tests – sadly this can frustrate patients for years. Fortunately, however, TOS normally responds really well to treatment in most cases, allowing the patient to get back to enjoying their lives again within a matter of weeks.

One more example of neck and arm pain can actually originate from shoulder problems. The most common of these is impingement syndrome, where classically a tendon and small fat sac – called a bursa – gets trapped between the arm and the shoulder. Bursas can refer pain down the arm and make the neck muscles spasm, causing the patient to endure some annoying neck pain.

It’s beginning to sound like all bad news, isn’t it? But don’t worry, because help is at hand. The good news is that, in the clinic, we have ultrasound scanners that can easily diagnose these conditions. After that, we can treat you with a combination of therapies

n SPORT

867240

including chiropractic, physio, sports therapy and sometimes injections.

So if you, or anyone you know, has been suffering with neck and arm pain, book in to see us straight away and let’s get you on the road to recovery!

Carsons and Mangotsfield celebrate successful season

THE annual club dinner of Carsons and Mangotsfield Cricket Club was held at Pomphrey Hill to celebrate a successful season of cricket.

As a reflection of how the club has evolved over recent seasons, more than 70 guests attended the event.

It was also pleasing to see most of the young players who had played their part in the successful 3rd team attend for the first time, and the camaraderie that had developed between them.

During the evening Tom King was presented with the Young Player of the Year award for his contribution with the bat and the keeping gloves.

The main club award went to Hannah Clatworthy, for her fantastic contribution in time and commitment to the club as Child Welfare Officer.

Hannah's work in this demanding role since 2017, as membership has expanded, was recognised by Gloucestershire Cricket earlier in the season when she was named its volunteer of the month for June.

As the season has drawn to a close, I want to say a massive thank you to all those who sponsored the club over the season - it was much appreciated.

As well as shirt sponsors and ground boards, there were also match ball sponsors for the first time.

If you are interested in either playing cricket next season or a local business interested in sponsoring the club, please contact iancoles7@ sky.com.

Ian Coles Vice Chair

WIGS

be purchased off the

made to measure in

Tackling the climate emergency

Recycling success

More than 2,000 South Gloucestershire homes are taking part in an exciting trial of a new flexible plastic recycling scheme as part of their normal weekly recycling collections. Selected households in Bradley Stoke, Chipping Sodbury and Olveston are participating in the first year of the potential three-year trial which is part of the drive to increase the amount of packaging that we can recycle to protect our environment, including plastic bags, confectionary wrappers, foil lined packaging and plastic film.

Government figures on national recycling rates show South Gloucestershire is now recycling 60 per cent of all its waste. The council had the fifth highest recycling rate of all councils of its kind in the country in 2020/21, an amazing success by everyone involved.

Green light for nature projects

The council is looking at ways to protect and conserve wildlife and nature across the area. It is a key part of the council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan, for which it was scored in the top-10 of councils in the UK, recognising the commitment to deliver real change.

Several nature projects have been given the go ahead, including as part of the new local plan. One such project is Frampton End Farm nature reserve, near Frampton Cotterell where planting new trees and wetlands will help act as a carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide emis sions and tackling climate change.

At Siston Common in Kingswood, hundreds of local volunteers recently came together to plant over 7,000 wildflower plants in the new meadow created by the council. The mass planting marked the start of the Commons Con nections, the Wild Belt project, a £1.26 million project to increase, improve and better connect important habitats across South Gloucestershire for nature that will also include the planting over 6,000 new trees to help address biodiversity decline.

Improvements will be made to links between registered common land, unimproved grasslands, woodlands and associated habitats along the South Gloucestershire and Bristol border. Tree and wildflowers will be planted, alongside the conservation of grassland habitats and pond creation and restoration.

The council will create a brand-new biodiversity-focused park at the former Warmley Pitch and Putt golf course to support nature

recovery in the community. The council asked residents to choose where the park should be and received nearly 200 responses with the most popular choice being the former golf course. The park will also aim to include space that is accessible for everyone, providing a

Following its success last year, the council’s tree voucher scheme is back. To mark National Tree Week (Saturday 26 November –Sunday 4 December), the council will be offering vouchers that can be exchanged for trees once again to residents to improve the tree coverage in South Gloucestershire. The council is aiming to plant enough trees by 2030 to double its tree canopy to improve biodiversity and keep its local environment healthy as part of its response to the climate and nature emergency.

stimulating and relaxing environment for the whole community. Consultation on what might be included as part of the new park will start in November and on the council’s consultation website at southglos.gov.uk/consultations

Tree Week coming up

South Gloucestershire is taking action to respond to the climate emergency with many initiatives to help residents and organisations play their part in helping the planet.

Cllr Steve Reade planting wildflowers with Max and Kady Stuart

Community planting in Page Park, Staple Hill

Spotlight on learning Schools success

South Gloucestershire is making great strides with education, as demonstrated by its recent Ofsted reports. Over the last five years, its schools have moved from 35 per cent Good or Outstanding at Secondary and Post 16 to 71 per cent. And, as of 31 May this year, 83 per cent of all its schools (including Primary) are rated as Good or Outstanding. This means 32,432 of the area’s young people attend a Good or Outstanding South Gloucestershire School, compared with 6,036 pupils in 2017.

Building blocks of learning in Winterbourne and Frenchay

The new Frenchay Church of England Primary School opened its doors to pupils last month. The £11 million building on the former Frenchay Hospital site will accommodate 420 pupils – up from 140 at its former Victorian home on Frenchay Common, where it had been since 1842.

The building is designed to the standards of environmental organisation Passivhaus, meaning it will have a very low carbon impact on the environment. Benefiting from an £800,000 investment from the council’s Climate Emergency Fund, the design includes high levels of insulation, triple glazing, low energy LED lighting, heating provided by air-source heat pumps and recycling of heat through a mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system, which also ensures good air quality throughout the school.

The school will use electricity only, requir ing no fossil fuel consumption on site, and generate its own zero carbon energy through photovoltaic solar panels on the roof, with any surplus energy feeding into the national grid.

Meanwhile, work is underway building Elm Park Primary School’s new facilities. Two build ings will replace the Winterbourne school’s existing premises over two phases, ultimately providing places for 210 local children to learn in high quality classrooms.

The first phase is expected to cost around £11 million, provided by the council, and will open for pupils at the start of term in September 2023. Also designed to Passivhaus standards to minimise environmental impact, the new buildings will transform the existing site with eight classrooms and state-of-the-art facilities providing community-use spaces in cluding a hall, multi-use outdoor sports pitch and playing field.

This is all part of the council’s continued investment in schools with £82m capital investment since 2019 and last summer more than £2.2m was spent on improvements and maintenance.

Summer Reading Challenge

Six thousand children took part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge at South Glouces tershire libraries, with primary school children reading nearly 100,000 books

over the school holidays. Libraries and The Reading Agency partnered with the Science Museum Group for this year’s challenge, which helps to build children’s reading skills and confidence.

The science and innovation theme, named ‘Gadgeteers’, was designed to spark children’s curiosity about the world around them and celebrate the role of the imagination in both reading and the sciences. Parents and carers said the challenge had been great to keep children reading over the summer holidays and the free events really helped to involve and encourage children to be part of the challenge.

Well done to all those who took on the challenge.

Cllr Ben Burton and Cllr Erica Williams with Headteacher, Carol-Marie Bond, plus local councillors and representatives from BAM Construct UK.

Cllr Rachael Hunt with children receiving their Summer Reading Challenge certificates and medals