downendvoice www.downendvoice.co.uk www.downendvoice.co.uk Issue 92
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A 'tragedy waiting to happen' Business left in lockdown limbo Mokka, a cafe bar ready but unable to open in a former bike shop in central Downend, cannot claim any lockdown financial support. PAGE 7
People living near a junction where out-of-control vehicles have hit several cars are calling for changes. Full story: Page 3
Covid vaccinations start PEOPLE in the Downend area are being vaccinated against Covid-19, as the national programme reaches GP surgeries. The first jabs in Downend were administered just before Christmas at Christchurch medical centre in North Street, for patients of the Downend Health Group, Emersons Green Medical Centre, Leap Valley, Orchard and Three Shires GP practices.
The Healthier Together partnership of ten local health and care organisations, which is organising vaccinations in the area, said that by mid-January, 19 local centres were acting as hubs across the Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset region, along with Southmead Hospital and Ashton Gate stadium, where a "super vaccination centre" has been set up. Turn to Page 5
If you are caring, a team player, and can empathise and communicate well, join our local care force. We’ve seen an increase in demand for care and support workers and have lots of vacancies available. The work is incredibly rewarding, and you will help and support others to be as independent as possible. You’ll learn on the job and be provided with training and opportunities to gain qualifications. Find your next role at: www.proudtocaresouthglos.org.uk If you’d like an informal chat before applying, email: proudtocare@southglos.gov.uk
Sanctuary Church closes for good Sanctuary Church in Staple Hill High Street, founded 25 years ago, has shut its doors for a final time. PAGE 12
Plan for 30 homes meets opposition Dozens of people have objected to a plan for 30 homes on a site east of Malmains Drive in Frenchay. PAGE 16
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Publisher Gary Brindle 0117 907 8585 07799 461169 Journalist Linda Tanner 0777 0700579 Journalist Ken MCormick 07715 770377
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February, 2021
n NEWS
Did you see stabbing? POLICE are trying to trace anyone who saw an attack on a 15-year-old boy on the main road from Downend to Fishponds. The teenager needed hospital treatment after he was stabbed in daylight in Downend Road, near the junction with Lawn Road, at about 12.20pm on New Year’s Day. Two men, aged 22 and 28, have been arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in connection with the incident, and were later released under investigation. Two teenagers, aged 16 and 18, were arrested on suspicion of the same offence and released on bail. Police say the boy suffered a number of stab wounds but his injuries "are not considered to be life-threatening or life-changing". Officers have been viewing CCTV footage taken nearby as part of their enquiry. They are calling on any witnesses who have yet to come forward, any motorists who were passing through the area and might have video footage or anyone else with information about the incident to call them on 101 and quote the crime reference number 5221 000 288. Acting Detective Inspector Mark Newbury said: “We are keen to hear from any witnesses who were in the area at that time, or drivers who potentially may have useful dashcam footage. “Thankfully incidents of this nature are rare, but we’re conscious a similar assault occurred in Bristol city centre, in which a 17-yearold was injured on New Year’s Eve. He remains in hospital but his condition is also not believed to be life-threatening. “At this time the two incidents are separate investigations but we are keeping an open mind as to whether they may be linked. “Our neighbourhood teams are aware and additional patrols will be carried out as a precaution.”
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February, 2021
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n NEWS
Call for change at 'very dangerous' junction PEOPLE living by a junction blighted by accidents are calling for changes to be made before someone is killed. Residents of Westbourne Road in Downend say out-ofcontrol vehicles which plunge down Boscombe Crescent have wrecked cars but could easily kill another motorist, pedestrian or even someone in their home. Neighbours living by the junction are calling for Boscombe Crescent to be made one-way, uphill only, and for physical measures to prevent accidents. Qaiser Mehmood has had two cars parked outside his home written off in the space of six months by cars coming down the hill. The most recent accident happened in December, when his family were about to get in to their car. Qaiser said: "I was at the front door and my family were coming out – if we had left our house one or two minutes earlier we would have been in the car when it was hit." The other accident happened when the family was at home. He said: "If there was no car parked outside it would have come directly into my front room, where my kids were watching TV. "It's so dangerous. I don't want to let my kids outside to play in the front garden." Qaiser said the accidents had left him £3,000 out of pocket due to the difference between what he paid for the cars and what the insurance company paid him – including £2,000 on his most recent car, which was
A car hit Qaiser Mehmood's vehicle after its handbrake failed
A car belonging to Brian Adams was written off in 2019
Qaiser Mehmood's previous car was written off in the summer.
hit by a vehicle whose handbrake had failed when it was parked facing downhill. A car belonging to neighbour Brian Adams was written off when it was hit by a vehicle that lost control coming down the hill during wintry weather. He says the problem is worse in winter because the council does not grit either road, as they are not main roads. But Westbourne Road is on the 48 bus route and Brian said Boscombe Crescent was used by parents and children, including many pedestrians, going to Downend School. Brian said: "There are coaches going down from the school – I dread to think what would happen if the brakes went on one. It's a very dangerous junction. It's a fatality waiting to happen." Sayed Shah has lived in Westbourne Road for 15 years and says there has been an increase in traffic and accidents in the last five. He has lost one car that was hit while parked outside his house and is waiting for permission to install a dropped kerb to park his car off the road.
He said: "How long is this going to go on? You can't have a good car, a brand new car, living here. "There needs to be a permanent solution." Sayed said that if Boscombe Crescent became one-way the entrance to the road could be made smaller. The residents have contacted South Gloucestershire Council and Emersons Green ward councillor Rachael Hunt to call for action. But they have been told a one-way system could cause new problems. Cllr Hunt said: “Ensuring our local roads remain safe is an important priority for my fellow councillors and I, and I appreciate residents raising their concerns with us. "It is important that we find solutions which do not cause knock-on effects for other residents living nearby and, having discussed the matter with council officers, I have asked them to investigate what potential solutions there could be to this issue.” A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said:
“A 20mph speed limit was put in place in this area in 2016 and our records show that there have been no recorded injury accidents in the last 20 years at the junction of Boscombe Crescent with Westbourne Road, nor any along Boscombe Crescent east of Bowden Place. "Making the road one-way could also result in a range of further issues for local residents, including encouraging an increase in traffic speeds, as well as increased congestion and ratrunning through Lytchet Drive and Lulworth Crescent. "However, following the matter being raised by local members, with a request to improve road visibility in the area, the roads are set to be included in the next waiting restrictions review that the council will be undertaking, with a consideration for the installation of appropriate speed calming measures." The spokesperson encouraged people to use the 'Requesting traffic management and road safety improvements' page on the council's website, southglos. gov.uk, to make suggestions.
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February, 2021
n NEWS
More children in schools during Lockdown 3 AS many as one in three children are attending lessons at some schools in the Downend, Mangotsfield and Staple Hill area in the third lockdown. Schools say the amount of home learning organised online for other pupils has been stepped up, with more live lessons via video links and increased contact and interaction, with more work being uploaded and marked than in the first lockdown last March. Schools are also organising laptops, through both government schemes and donations, to give to families who do not have the necessary technology at home. At Blackhorse Primary School, 139 pupils – one in three – are attending school, including 40 classed as vulnerable. Head teacher Simon Botten said children, staff and parents alike had to "zip up their hero suits" to find the strength to adapt to the new circumstances. Mr Botten said the latest
Blackhorse Primary School children donned superhero suits for a moraleboosting video shared to raise spirits as the latest lockdown started lockdown announcement left them just one day to organise home learning and decide who to accept into school, adding: "In my 14 years as a headteacher it was one of the most stressful days of my career. "The staff were incredible. They know the risks which they face by being in school but every last one just rolled up their sleeves and set about moving learning online, whilst also
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teaching in school – including daily live video call lessons, video tutorials and even daily individual calls to hear children read." Mr Botten said the three tablets and laptops provided for the school by the Department for Education was a "woefully inadequate" number, so parents helped solve the problem by donating old tablets, buying new ones to donate or giving cash so that every child would have access to a device and would not have to share with others. About one in four pupils is still attending Barley Close Community Primary School in Mangotsfield. Head teacher Jo Williams said: "This has increased from the March lockdown. We have spoken to all our vulnerable families and offered a place. "Classes are now in year group bubbles and as we have large year group teams, some staff are in, teaching face to face, and others staying home to do the remote learning. "We are also calling our families weekly to ensure all is
OK and can help support over the phone. The children in school are getting the same learning as the children at home, so when we can all be together again we will all have done the same." The school is also organising food parcels for children who receive free school meals, which are delivered to any families selfisolating. Ms Williams added: "We have been really fortunate with the DfE laptop scheme – we had 18 given to families in July and we now have a further 38 to allocate." Will Roberts, chief executive of the Castle School Education Trust, which runs Downend School and Mangotsfield School, said about one in every ten pupils was in school. He said numbers were higher this time partly because more key workers were going in to work, and partly because the first lockdown had shown both that it was "advantageous" to have vulnerable children in school, and the best way to organise this safely. Mr Roberts said it was difficult to fund and to find devices for all staff and pupils who need them. He said: "We have had our deliveries of government ones, which arrived after Christmas, but still not as many as we would ideally have. So we’re not being prescriptive about the style of learning, because if it’s all live learning you need a particular device all of the time. Parents sometimes need more flexibility over what device they can use." CSET schools were set to start Covid-19 testing for staff from January 18.
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February, 2021
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n NEWS
Vaccinations under way From Page 1 The first vaccinations offered to Downend residents used the Pfizer/BioNTech jab, with the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab also offered from early January. But the government's decision to delay second doses of the vaccination from three weeks to 12, to ensure more people could quickly receive a first shot, meant that some patients in the area had second appointments cancelled. Mangotsfield resident Ray Isaac, a volunteer driver with Kingswood Community Transport, was one of the first to receive a vaccination, on December 23. But his appointment for a second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab, on January 13, was cancelled. The decision to delay is controversial because, while evidence has been found that a
Mangotsfield resident and Kingswood Community Transport volunteer Ray Isaac receives his first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine longer gap between doses can increase the effectiveness of the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab, Pfizer says its vaccine has only been tested with a 21-day gap. Ray, 82, was philosophical about the delay, saying: "I would have liked to have the second one but I suppose they're trying to do the right thing so I don't mind." He said he hoped the change would mean other people such as his wife, who is under 80, could get the vaccination more quickly.
The Healthier Together partnership is urging people not to call their surgery to ask when they will be given the vaccine but instead to wait to be contacted. The group said: "Staff are working tirelessly to ensure the necessary measures are in place for those most at risk to get their vaccine first. "We ask for your patience and understanding; we are doing everything we can to stick to our timelines; however, we may need
to cancel or amend appointments depending on delivery of the vaccine. Please be assured that no one will be left behind – this is the start of the vaccination programme and there will be enough for everyone." A spokesman for the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, which is part of the Healthier Together partnership, said each group of surgeries, known as a Primary Care Network (PCN), was planning vaccination days according to planned deliveries, with some organising them on consecutive days and some aiming to use an entire delivery of vaccines in a day. Each PCN was being given discretion to either honour existing bookings for second doses or rearrange them for 12 weeks after the first. The spokesman said people who had been invited to have a jab at the Ashton Gate stadium centre but felt it was not convenient to travel there could wait to be invited to their local GP site.
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n NEWS RAPID tests for Covid-19 are now available to anyone living or working in South Gloucestershire. Critical workers – including nursery workers, funeral directors, staff in essential shops and bus and taxi drivers – and community volunteers are being offered weekly tests, as the programme to find people who have the virus but no symptoms is expanded. It comes as the level of cases of coronavirus in the area stands at more than double a month previously – and the total number of residents who have died with the virus passes 270. The council says the rapid testing programme is aimed at finding people who have coronavirus but no symptoms, so that they can isolate and prevent the virus spreading. The test involves taking a sample of saliva to look for signs of Covid-19, returning results within an hour. The first testing site was set up at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre on January 18 and a
February, 2021
Rapid testing starts in South Glos as Covid death toll passes 270 second site in Kingswood was expected to be set up in the week beginning January 25. They are separate from the testing sites in use for people who are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, including one in Mangotsfield and one at UWE's Frenchay campus. Rapid tests can be booked online at beta.southglos.gov.uk/ book-rapid-flow-test/. South Gloucestershire director of public health, Sara Blackmore, said: “Anyone can spread the virus without having symptoms, which is why this new testing programme is an important new tool for us to identify people who may have the illness without knowing. "With additional information we can take additional steps to
as a whole, the number of confirmed cases in the week to January 12 was 1,144 – down from 1,321 a week previously but more than twice the total of 525 four weeks before. In total since the start of the pandemic, 11,459 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in South Gloucestershire – around one person in every 25. The national rate is one in 19. The number of South Gloucestershire residents who have died since the start of the pandemic had reached 273 by January 1 – one in 10 of the annual 2,825 deaths from all causes. Some 54 deaths with coronavirus came in the last five weeks of the year.
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help keep South Gloucestershire safe." The most recent Office for National Statistics figures as the Voice went to print showed that during the week to January 12, 42 cases had been confirmed in Downend, with 19 in Mangotsfield, 34 in the ONS's Staple Hill North area and 43 in Staple Hill South and Kingswood North West. In the ONS Frenchay and Great Stoke area there had been 62, there were 59 in Emersons Green and 47 in Pucklechurch and Westerleigh. Case rates were more than double the level a month previously but were all below the national average of 537.9 per 100,000 people. For South Gloucestershire
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downendvoice
February, 2021
7
n NEWS
New business left in lockdown limbo A NEW business has been left high and dry by lockdown rules which mean it cannot open – or claim any financial support or relief. Mitch Hoare and dad Mike's plans to set up cafe, bar and lounge Mokka at a former Downend bike shop started before the first lockdown last year. They invested £100,000 and spent months over the summer transforming the building next to the roundabout at the top of the high street into a venue where people could meet, eat and drink. They fitted out the interior, set up Covid security measures, put insurance and licences in place and took on 16 staff, including two chefs from a fivestar hotel. But just as they were about to open to the public at the start of November, the second lockdown was introduced – and since then, the tier system and third lockdown have kept the venue shut.
Mitch Hoare inside new Downend cafe, bar and lounge Mokka And because Mokka has been unable to trade, they are ineligible to claim any support grants, furlough payments or business rate reductions offered to other businesses by the government. The family also runs the Grapevine in Mangotsfield and Foresters in Downend, where Mitch's brother Vinny is the landlord. Sisters Jade and Baily were also set to join the team running Mokka.
Mitch says that all they are asking is for Mokka to be treated the same as businesses that were already trading. The business was due to open to the public on November 6 and had held test openings with family members on October 30 and 31 – the day Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the second lockdown, starting on November 5. Mitch said: "Because the business hadn't traded for a
single day, we're ineligible for any of the benefits. "Everything was ready to go – the chefs were in, the menus were done, the licence and fire regulations done and we had tested the food with the family. We had the whole team of 16 in place and the rota was done. "We've set up the till systems and internet – the business has multiple bills set up and those companies don't want them to stop. "We stocked up the spirits and the fridges – it's just dead money sitting on the shelves. "We were trying to open but because of the lockdown we couldn't. I just don't understand how every other company can be getting the reliefs and benefits when we are in the same position as them." The Voice has contacted the government's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to ask why the rules bar businesses like Mokka from any support.
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February, 2021
n PETER'S VISION
Caring for your eyes reduce dramatically when concentrating. My top tip here is to start blinking each time you make a repetitive action, whether for example it’s turning the page of a book or clicking send on an email. The momentary pause whilst waiting for something to happen that doesn’t require our immediate attention (unlike a young family member who’s accidentally pressed delete on their school work!), means that we can re-learn to blink and at the same time, not miss anything important. That’s a win win in my book. Oh and thanks to cloud computing, I can be super Dad just now and again by recovering pages of seemingly lost work from the ether at the click of a button. I’m sure in no time at all the children will realise how easy document recovery is, but for now and while they're young I’ll enjoy my brief moment of glory thanks! Another tip is to keep your glasses clean for those long hours
AS we’re in lockdown (again) I thought that I’d write about the things you can do to look after your eyes from the safety (and comfort I hope!) of your own homes. I’ve been reading with interest how fellow eye care professionals across the globe have been caring for their patients. I’ve been pleased to note that we compare very favourably with some of our good and well respected colleagues. For your eyes, I’ll start with the basics. Please drink a good amount of water. Every day. It’s easy even for us to miss this one, particularly on the days we’re home schooling! Drinking water as well as eating a balanced diet that includes oily fish or plant based omega oils, helps ensure we have the ingredients needed for a good tear film. When we blink, our glands are then able to release good quality tears to freshen the surface of our eyes. On to blinking. Our research shows that our blink rate can
on the computer, whether in work or at home. It may sound obvious, but please, if your glasses have a fancy high tech lens surface (as ours do), don’t just reach for a convenient item of clothing or tissue. It is important to use a quality microfibre lens cloth - these are designed to gently lift particles off your lenses, not smear them further as items of clothing do! Don’t forget, we’re still here when you need us, for eye care, advice, glasses & contact lenses, six days of the week. Just get in touch and we’ll be happy to see how we can help you. Times are tough for many of us, and as a thank you for choosing us for your eye care we’re offering to help you in return with a glasses voucher with your extended eye exam. Just ask about our look in to help out offer. To help us keep you all safe, we’re still asking you all to telephone first to book a time to come in. Please call our Henleaze
practice on 0117 962 2474 or our Fishponds practice on 0117 965 4434. We look forward to seeing you soon!
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Peter Turner is a Senior Optometrist at Turners Opticians in Bristol, and also works part time as a Senior Optometrist at the Bristol Eye Hospital.
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February, 2021
downendvoice
9
n NEWS
Volunteer army steps forward once again
PEOPLE who need help to get through the latest lockdown are being reassured that it is still available. Volunteers who came together at the start of the pandemic are continuing to operate support networks for anyone who is in quarantine because of coronavirus, is shielding because they are clinically vulnerable and have no social bubble, or is facing food poverty. Many groups formed from people coming together on social media to offer or ask for help, and groups such as the BS16 Covid-19 Community Care Group and Hack The Problem community volunteers are offering help with groceries, prescriptions and other essential support via their Facebook pages. Other networks were the result of existing organisations coming together. In Staple Hill and Mangotsfield, the Salvation Army, Staple Hill Community Hub and Mangotsfield Residents Association, along with local councillors Michael Bell, Ian Boulton and Katie Cooper, have been working together with volunteer helpers and donors, including a group of bikers collecting and delivering donations to care homes and the NHS. Ian said: "Since Lockdown 1 we, with the help of our amazing community volunteers,
Members of the Tuesday Move It Club in Staple Hill received presents from the Staple Hill Community Hub after it had to cancel their annual Christmas party. The hub is providing food parcels for people who are facing food poverty and support for those who are isolating or shielding. have been kept consistently busy providing support to our Staple Hill and Mangotsfield residents, and we plan to continue our efforts through Lockdown 3 and beyond. "Through the Staple Hill Community Hub and the Salvation Army we are continuing to be able to provide emergency food parcels to residents who are facing food poverty."
Hub chair William Lee said the community was continuing to offer help, with around 30 people answering a call for volunteer food parcel deliverers in December. Food donations have been coming from individuals and businesses, including a wave of donations in the run-up to Christmas and a recent donation of food worth ÂŁ300 from Sainsbury's Local in Downend. William said: "I'd like to say a big thankyou to everybody who has helped." Anyone who needs help with food and lives in the Staple Hill and Mangotsfield area can get help by visiting the Salvation Army in Staple Hill High Street between 11am and midday on Tuesdays or Thursdays. People can also contact the Staple Hill Community Hub by calling 07467 097175, emailing hello@staplehillcommunityhub.org. uk or messaging the hub's Facebook page. People can also contact Michael on 0787 5631817, Ian on 0756 243 7598, Katie on 0759 633 8107 or Clive Heath of Mangotsfield Residents Association on 07560 716 8700. Food donations can be made at the Salvation Army at the opening times mentioned above or via the Bean Tree Cafe in Page Park. Long-life food such as tinned beans, pasta, rice and breakfast cereal is particularly useful.
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To advertise, contact Gary on 0779 9461169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: sales@downendvoice.co.uk Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579
downendvoice
10
February, 2021
n NEWS
Council to consider pavilion plan views DOWNEND and Bromley Heath Parish Council is looking through responses from the public to its plans to replace the pavilion at King George V playing fields. A total of 86 people responded to the council's consultation, by email, online questionnaire and a tear-out form included in last month's Downend Voice. The parish council says the responses showed "widespread support" for the new pavilion design. Some residents raised concerns, mostly over the use of the bar and function room area outside the pavilion's current hours of use, and security of the surrounding area. The parish council's pavilion working group will meet during February to look at each response to the consultation in detail, to see if changes need to be made in response so that people are happy with the proposals.
How the new pavilion could look It will then present a report which will be considered at February's main parish council meeting, where a decision on moving forward with a planning application will be made. The parish council has already set aside just under £390,000 for the project, with around £80,000 coming from South Gloucestershire Council, including money paid by
developers of local sites in legal deals, and an application made to the Football Foundation for a contribution. Parish councillor Ben Burton, who chairs the pavilion working group, said the council still hoped to have the new pavilion completed by the end of the year. He said: "We would like to thank local people for actively engaging in our recent
consultation about the design of the proposed new pavilion at Badminton Road playing fields and King George V Park. "There appears to be widespread support for the design of the pavilion, and we have also received some very constructive ideas about how the facilities can be improved for both users and neighbouring residents. "We intend to carefully consider the suggestions put forward before finalising the planning application submission. "The investment in this new pavilion, and the wider park, will further enhance one of Downend's most loved open green spaces." The new building would be made using pre-fabricated plastisol wall panels and timber cladding, with metal shutters to cover all doors and windows when it is not in use. It would be built on the site of the existing pavilion.
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YOUR
Community NEWS
Brought to you by
DOWNEND & BROMLEY HEATH PARISH COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
& Bromley Heath. This year has been a trying time for all and Alvis wants to help and give back to the community in whatever way she can.
Well Christmas has come and gone, along with 2020, so let’s hope 2021 will treat us all more kindly. Please take care and stay safe, only going out for the essentials or asking someone else to kindly collect any groceries for you. Kingswood Community Transport is still operating, helping service users by collecting their prescriptions and/or enabling you to visit the shops to pick up your groceries. Do contact them for further help and advice.
PAVILION PROPOSALS AT KING GEORGE V PLAYING FIELDS Thank you to everyone who has responded to the public consultation. 86 constructive responses have been received and we will be investigating the issues and suggestions made prior to submitting a planning application to South Gloucestershire Council in the near future. Further information will follow in subsequent editions of Downend Voice.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW PARISH COUNCILLOR Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council is pleased to announce that the recent councillor vacancy has now been filled. We are delighted to welcome Alvis West. Alvis lives locally with her family and loves the sense of community we have in Downend
PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS A reminder that all our Council meetings are currently being held via Zoom. Details of our Council and Committee meetings, and a wealth of additional information about the Parish Council, can be found on our website, www.dbhparishcouncil.uk.
DOWNEND & BROMLEY HEATH PARISH COUNCILLORS Downend Ward CLLR MIKE BAKER Tel: 07789 393 681 CLLR JANET BIGGIN Tel: 0117 957 6987 or 07966 204 260 CLLR BEN BURTON Tel: 07870 639 486 CLLR JAMES GRIFFITHS Tel: 07742 400 474 CLLR SHARON HERNIMAN Tel. 07534 603 704
CLLR COLIN OGDEN Tel. 0117 940 6531 CLLR SHEILA OTTEWELL Tel: 0117 957 2724 CLLR RAJ KUMAR SOOD Tel: 07901 621 632 CLLR ALVIS WEST 07767 216 412 CLLR ANITA WOODBURN Tel. 07786 360 447
Staple Hill Ward CLLR PHILLIP ABBOTT Tel. 0117 957 0075 CLLR MATT PITTS Tel. 07837 870 039 Clerk to the Council Mrs Angela Hocking Tel. 0117 9567001 E-mail. clerk@dbhparishcouncil.co.uk
www.dbhparishcouncil.uk
downendvoice
12
February, 2021
n NEWS
Sanctuary Church closes its doors A CHURCH in Staple Hill has closed its doors for the final time. The Sanctuary Church, on Staple Hill High Street, was founded 25 years ago. As well as church activities, the building also hosted community groups, including the Powerhouse youth club, Streetvibes dance group, Happy Hands toddler group and a mature adults keep fit, and supported events including Christmas on the Hill. Members of the congregation are joining other churches in the area, while the future of the building has yet to be decided. Minister Nigel Farmer, who helped found the church, said: "It is always sad for a church to close. We know the community has enjoyed many fun programs at the building. "As an independent church, that doesn't run with any outside support, we are even more dependent on the members who attend to run all the many
The Sanctuary Church in Staple Hill. Photo: Michael Bell aspects of a healthy church. "The members that love and follow Jesus have provided all the finance to support the programmes for the past 25 years; we are so very grateful to each of them." He said the church's longer services may not have been suitable for "a generation that is in a hurry", saying: "Let's be honest, if a community wants a church and believes and follows Jesus as Lord, they would attend
that church on occasions, so as to worship, encourage and serve one another." Nigel had decided it was time to step down as the minister at the church, and the high costs of maintaining and heating the building, which is more than 100 years old, were another factor in the church's trustees deciding to close. He said: "After starting the church 25 years ago, and working as the Minister for the past 10
years, it has become a tiring work, and the need for a change had become clear to me. "Covid-19 has certainly given many of us the opportunity to stop rushing around and reflect on what is important to us. So I will join the many who are out there looking for work, whilst finding another great church where I can worship God and serve the community. "The trustees had looked at options to employ another minister, from both within and outside, but it was felt that there was more to be done than simply replacing the lead person. Therefore the other options were not viable. "Now they are looking at all options, so that the charity can benefit from a sale, and use the funds to the very best for charitable work, both home and abroad. Other churches have shown an interest, and of course there is always the possibility of building developers."
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To advertise, contact Gary on 0779 9461169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: sales@downendvoice.co.uk
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downendvoice
February, 2021
13
n NEWS
Rajastan Royal wins takeaway crown
A DOWNEND takeaway has been named the region's best in the annual Asian Curry Awards. Rajastan Royal in Westbourne Road took the West of England Takeaway of the Year title at the awards, which were announced at a virtual ceremony in December. As well as celebrating exceptional food, the awards, which are in their 10th year, also recognised those who worked hard to help their communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. Free meals were delivered for key workers and homeless people during lockdown under the Food 4 NHS Project led by Rajastan Royal manager Naseem Talukdar, involving teams from takeaways and restaurants across Bristol. Naseem said: “This is a proud moment for our team and our customers, who voted for us. “We have worked hard over the Covid-19 period and it’s great to get such recognition.” Organised by the Asian Catering Federation, the awards cover a range of national cuisines, including Chinese, Bangladeshi, Indian, Thai and Middle Eastern.
Rajastan Royal chef Afjal Khan with the award The judging panel, chaired by Curry Club founder and Good Food Guide author Pat Chapman, included chefs, restaurateurs and food critics, including Bristol food writer Emily Knight. Hundreds of establishments across the country took part. Fishponds resident Naseem is also a project manager for charity Plastic Pollution Awareness and Action Projects, which looks
MAL R O N S A N E OP National Award winners of the Good Garage Scheme
at alternatives to single-use plastic in the food industry. He also campaigns for greater support for homeless people, organising the provision of hot meals and essentials for people on the street, and works with campaign group UK Curry Connect to raise awareness of skills shortages in the Asian catering. Naseem, who has received a Bristol High Sheriff’s Award in recognition of his contribution to the city, said: "It’s a great boost to confidence to receive such an award and we couldn’t have done it without the support of people in our community. "We’ve received lots of positive messages, both in person and online. This event is an opportunity to see what others are doing in the industry and keep on improving our work." Asian Curry Awards chairman Yawar Khan said: "The team at Rajastan were deserving winners, as they have given back to their community over the years and have upped this support since the coronavirus outbreak. "In turn, their community showed their appreciation and voted for them to win this award."
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To advertise, contact Gary on 0779 9461169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: sales@downendvoice.co.uk Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579
downendvoice
14
February, 2021
FOCUS ON
Staple Hill 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.
Staple Hill Stores Known locally by many people as ‘Arkwrights’, quite simply this store has so many different items they are impossible to list. The shop itself is classed as a traditional ironmongers which has served the locals for the last 18 years. The stock ranges from, plants, seeds through to creosote,
garages with high standards of workmanship and investment in the future. You can check out what others had to say at www. autocaregarages.co.uk So if you need a Service, MOT, Tyres, Brakes or any vehicle repair why not pop in, call up or visit us online @ www. bmmotoring.co.uk lightbulbs (over 250 different types), wild bird food and feeders as well as lots of loose traditional hardware items. A sharpening service for tools is also available.
BM Motoring Centre
We aim to always offer a fast, efficient and reliable service at a great price with no hidden extras Open Monday to Friday 0800-1700 & 8-12 on Saturdays Bristol’s approved dealer for Falken Tyres
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At BM Motoring we pride ourselves on our 5 star service, the team are always approachable and will go out of our way to help explain any work that has been carried out on your car. A family run business B M Motoring invest heavily in training and the latest equipment to ensure we are always able to offer the very best advise and assistance. A part of the Approved Garages and Autocare nationwide car schemes. These are independent bodies recognising good independent
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
STAPLE HILL STORES TRADITIONAL IRONMONGERS
SPECIAL OFFERS THIS MONTH 20% OFF ALL TORCHES WILD BIRD 20% OFF ALL BATTERIES FOOD 20% OFF ALL LIGHT BULBS FOR DECEMBER AND JANUARY 88-90 High Street, Staple Hill
To advertise, contact Gary on 0779 9461169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: sales@downendvoice.co.uk
0117 956 8318
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downendvoice
February, 2021 clients to enjoy greater wealth. Whether you are an individual looking for help with your tax return, a business needing assistance with VAT or payroll, or a new start-up 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.
and live insects is a good asset as there aren’t many shops that sell that any more.
The Make Up Box
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
My name is Lynne and I have been a local Avon representative for the last 10 years, I am also a full time bookkeeper. I have a customer base of 225 customers which has built over the years, all of these great customers have helped me achieve number 1 top seller in the area for 2016. I made the decision to open an Avon shop, and it's been fun - hard work, but fun - and already I have met some great new people in Staple Hill and surrounding areas. My loyal customer base have popped by as well to support me for which I am very grateful. I hold a large stock of Avon products, and customers are enjoying the fact that there are testers of foundation, lipsticks and perfumes to sample before buying. So come on don't just walk on by, call in and take a look. I aim to make it as easy as possible for people to get their cosmetics, it is simply a walk in Avon book - so pop in and pick up the latest brochure in store and call, text or email your order back to me and collect in store. You now have a permanent Avon Lady at 51 Broad Street, Staple Hill Tel: 01454 860 025 Find us on Facebook
The Card Shop The Card Shop is an independent
card and gift shop offering an extensive range of cards, gifts and handmade crafts. Frequently described as ‘an Aladdin’s Cave’, The Card Shop has an extensive choice of cards (large, small, ’wordy’, ages – young and old, and humorous) for every occasion. It also stocks a wide variety of gifts, from fun and quirky (mugs, storage tins, money pots, wine glasses), scented candles, scarves, jewellery and accessories, to more traditional items for those special occasions such as weddings, births and anniversaries. We pride ourselves on being able to offer such variety, be it cards or gifts, combined with excellent customer service - we are always happy to help so please do not hesitate to ask. The shop is open 9am-5pm Monday - Saturday.
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
15 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.
Senator Mobile
Senator Mobile provide something a bit different for the area. They are able to offer for sale a wide range of mobile phones and accessories, including the chance to swap your old model in for a newer phone. If you are missing a charger or need a new phone cover again this is the place to come, they have hundreds to choose from. They are also able to undertake a full repair service from cracked screen replacement to new batteries or any eventuality. How many old phones do you have tucked away in various drawers within your house? Have a clear out and recycle your phones at Senator Mobile.
To advertise your business in the Staple Hill feature Contact Gary on
07799461169
FARLEYS Pet Foods & Garden Supplies Stockists of Royal Canin and James Wellbeloved —oOo—
Seasonal Plants & Seeds —oOo—
Reptile Foods & Frozen 40 Broad Street, Staple Hill Tel: 0117 9566787
To advertise, contact Gary on 0779 9461169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: sales@downendvoice.co.uk Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579
downendvoice
16
February, 2021
n NEWS
Council-owned developer plans Frenchay homes A HOUSING development in Frenchay will be one of the first in the area built by a councilowned developer if it goes ahead. The land at Malmains Drive is owned by South Gloucestershire Council and was previously set aside to be the site of the new Frenchay Primary School, which is now set to be built on part of the former Frenchay Hospital site instead. It is one of six council-owned pieces of land earmarked for housing projects, which also include a site at Vinney Green, between Mangotsfield and Emersons Green. But the proposal for 30 homes on land east of Malmains Drive, 11 of which will be for social housing, has been objected to by 36 people, with just two public comments in support. The site would be developed by Aequus Developments Ltd, a housing developer wholly owned by neighbouring Bath & North
What the new homes at Malmains Drive could look like. Picture: AHR Architects East Somerset Council. If successful it would provide the template for a housing delivery partnership with Aequus and housing associations to develop council-owned sites, which South Gloucestershire is considering instead of setting up its own housing company. Council cabinet member for corporate resources Ben Burton, who is a Frenchay & Downend ward councillor, said the proposed development illustrated why he believes the joint venture approach to housing is the “right way to
proceed”. He told a cabinet meeting in December: “Thirty-five per cent of those properties are going to be affordable housing. “Air handling units for heating have been proposed, and EV (electric vehicle) charging points have also been included in those plans.” Cllr Burton said a joint venture approach provided "an opportunity for the council as a whole to actually deliver better quality housing, the type of housing our residents want to live in".
It will also give the council the chance to share in the profits of development, which could be used to provide more housing. But residents objecting to the plans say the site is too small to accommodate 30 new homes and that not enough parking is included for the new homes, which could lead to increased on-street parking in Malmains Drive. Objections have also been made on the grounds of increased traffic, loss of open space and flood risk. Winterbourne Parish Council, which covers the area, has not objected but raised concerns over "excess parking" on main roads and extra traffic on Malmains Drive, which councillors said was "already used as a rat run, even more so since the Hambrook lights have been changed". The application is currently awaiting a decision on planning permission.
Hilary Bloor DSCh, MInstChP
Chiropodist HCPC Reg No 18014
is relocating to:The Fishponds Practice. 834 Fishponds Road Bristol BS16 3XA. Telephone: (0117) 9491290 www.soletosoulbristol.co.uk
There are a number of opportunities throughout our organisation to work either directly within one of our academies, provisions or as part of our central support team.
With effect from 1st November 2020. To advertise, contact Gary on 0779 9461169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: sales@downendvoice.co.uk CLF_Work with Us leaflet_CLF0087 (72303).indd 2
Got News? Call Ken On 07715 770377 01/09/2020 11:11
downendvoice
February, 2021
17
n NEWS
Surge in graffiti tagging across area POLICE are working with schools, residents and on social media to try to find the people responsible for a surge in graffiti across Staple Hill and Downend. Patrols are also being stepped up in the worst-affected areas, where walls and street furniture are being spray painted by a number of different vandals. The police Staple Hill Neighbourhood Team issued a statement on social media about the issue, linking the graffiti to other anti-social behaviour by groups of youths in the area. As well as increasing patrols, police are sharing intelligence between stations to ensure all officers are aware of the problem and checking social media for posts which could help identify who is responsible. They are also working with South Gloucestershire Council's anti-social behaviour team and local councillors to increase security at the affected areas. The team said: "We have been working with the local schools, showing images of the graffiti to pupils to see if they can identify offenders by their tags. "Also we have given advice on the risks and consequences of causing damage and
Graffiti tags in Staple Hill. Pictures: Ian Boulton
Graffiti on a phone cabinet in Croomes Hill, Downend
being dealt with by the police." Staple Hill and Mangotsfield ward councillor Ian Boulton said a lot of effort was going into trying to tackle the problem. In Downend more graffiti has also been appearing. Resident Martin Searle contacted the Voice to raise concerns, saying: "I'm
sure someone could identify the persons responsible, and put a stop to it. It is not street art, but pure vandalism." Anyone who thinks they know who is responsible for any of the damage should call the police on 101 and quote the crime reference number 5220 135 324.
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To advertise, contact Gary on 0779 946 1169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: sales@downendvoice.co.uk Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579
downendvoice
18
February, 2021
n NEWS Appeal for crash witnesses
Police probe dangerous driving
POLICE are trying to trace witnesses and video footage as they investigate a crash in Hambrook that left a driver fighting for his life. The man, who is in his 50s, was taken to hospital with what police described as "life-threatening injuries" after his black BMW left the Filton Road and crashed at about 5.10am on January 2. He remained in hospital more than ten days after the incident, by which time his condition was described as "stable". Avon and Somerset Police want to hear from the drivers of any other vehicles which may have been involved in the collision, from anyone who saw what happened or who has dashcam footage from the time of the crash. Witnesses should call 101 and quote the incident reference number 5221 000 588.
POLICE are trying to trace two Audi drivers who were seen speeding and driving on the hard shoulder in heavy traffic on the M32. The incident, involving two vehicles – one red and one yellow – happened at around 4.20pm on New Year's Eve, between the Easton and Hambrook junctions. Both cars left the motorway at the Hambrook junction for the A4174 Avon Ring Road. Police have launched a dangerous driving investigation and are appealing for witnesses to come forward, particularly any motorists who have dashcam footage of the two Audis. Anyone who can help the investigation should call 101, quoting reference number 5220 291 572.
Calling all Young People! Emersons Green Town Council wants to improve youth provision within the Emersons area. We are working in partnership with Creative Youth Network to ascertain the needs and desires of young people in the area. Creative Youth Network will be engaging with young people through a variety of means, including surveys, detached work and focus groups. The outcome of the consultation will directly influence how the Town Council prioritises projects and facilities for young people, including potential capital projects, so the impact is real! If you are a young person aged between 11-19 living within the Town Council area (covering the wards of Badminton, Blackhorse, Pomphrey, Emersons Green and Lyde Green) please take a few minutes to complete the survey at the link (https://www.creativeyouthnetwork.org.uk/emersons-green-youth-survey) or using the QR code. By completing the survey, you will be entered into a prize draw for a £25 Love to Shop voucher! If you would like to get more involved in deciding what youth provision will be available in your area, you can also register your interest on the survey. If you want to get in touch about the survey, or with any questions or ideas, please contact: Ellen.Wilson@creativeyouthnetwork.org.uk INTRODUCING… Councillor Steve Bassett Emersons Green is a far cry from the industrial Midlands where I originated. After gaining a diploma in community and youth work I went on to complete a degree in Education, BPhil (Ed) at Birmingham University. While working in Bristol city children services I worked with looked after children and young people subject to court orders, so I have a wide experience of young people and the challenges they face. I think it is important to put something back into the community you are part of. I have four grandchildren and see all children as the foundation of our future as a community. Our young people deserve the best we can offer. If we wish to enjoy living in a place like Emersons Green we need to provide for our young people. Among my interests are, cycling, running and hill walking, all I should add, within any government lockdown rules in place at the time.
All Town Council meetings are open to members of the public and are currently held remotely by Zoom or Skype. Please see our website for meeting agendas, including joining instructions, or contact us on clerk@emersonsgreen-tc.gov.uk Planning Committee meeting 10.30am 1 February Full Council meeting 7.00pm 11 February Planning Committee meeting 10.30am 15 February Finance Committee 7.00pm 25 February
clerk@emersonsgreen-tc.gov.uk / www.emersonsgreen-tc.gov.uk Tel: 0117 3026989
To advertise, contact Gary on 0779 9461169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: sales@downendvoice.co.uk
Got News? Call Ken On 07715 770377
downendvoice
February, 2021
19
n NEWS
Parties line up by-election candidates A DATE has been set for a by-election to find a successor to South Gloucestershire councillor Jon Hunt. The council has announced that the election to replace Mr Hunt – who resigned as a member for the Frenchay & Downend ward when he left politics in August last year, shortly after completing successful treatment for cancer – will take place on May 6. Elections to replace councillors usually have to take place within 35 days of them stepping down but emergency coronavirus legislation overrides the requirement. The election to replace Mr Hunt, who represented the area for nine years and was a member of the ruling Conservative cabinet, will take place on the same day as the metro mayor and police and crime commissioner elections. His party, which holds the ward's other two seats, has selected Liz Brennan as its candidate. Liz, a mum-of-three from Yate, is a swimming teacher and office worker. She has a daughter with
Liz Brennan cystic fibrosis and was part of a successful campaign for the drugs Orkambi, Symkevi and Kalydeco, which could transform the lives of people with the debilitating condition, to be made available on the NHS. Liz also campaigned for free swimming sessions for pregnant women in South Gloucestershire’s leisure centres. She said: "The Frenchay and Downend ward is a wonderful and very inviting area that my family and I love, whether it’s spending time at one of the many parks and green spaces or on Downend’s vibrant High Street." Labour, runners-up in 2019's local elections, have selected Sean Rhodes, a dad-of-two from Winterbourne Down, as their candidate.
Raj Sood
Sean Rhodes
A child psychologist, Sean has been volunteering as a delivery driver for North Bristol Foodbank during the pandemic. He studied at UWE and was president of the university's students union in 1995. Sean is making education, community and health his priorities. He said: "Downend and Frenchay residents, and business owners, have told me that they need the same level of support and representation that they see councillors providing in neighbouring areas. My parents live in Staple Hill, and I've seen the huge amount of work their three Labour councillors put in for them." The Liberal Democrats have selected Downend and Bromley
Heath parish councillor Raj Sood. He owns and runs the Premier MS2 convenience store on Quaker's Road, which is an important community hub for Bromley Heath, Downend and Frenchay. Raj moved to Downend in 2005 and has been a parish councillor since 2015, contributing to financial and planning issues, having originally trained as a civil engineer. He said: "Serving my community, as a retailer, parish councillor or simply as a neighbour and volunteer, is a big part of my life. I would be honoured to have the opportunity to expand that contribution as a South Gloucestershire councillor.”
Two Metro Mayor candidates unveiled TWO major parties have announced their candidates to stand in May's West of England mayoral elections. Current Metro Mayor Tim Bowles, the first person to hold the position created in 2017, announced last year that he was retiring from politics. Labour and the Liberal Democrats have already selected former MPs as their candidates to replace Conservative Mr Bowles. Now the Greens have announced that Jerome Thomas, the deputy leader of the party’s opposition group on Bristol City Council, will contest the election for them. He has pledged to make "well-paid green jobs, affordable warm homes and low-carbon green transport" his priorities, adding: "Good implementation of green policies in these areas is key to our future health and prosperity." Jerome said: “I believe,
working with people across the region, that these policies can be practical and achievable without costing the earth.” Shortly before Christmas the Conservatives announced that Samuel Williams would be their candidate. Samuel was previously his party's candidate for the Bristol mayoral election. As Metro Mayor, in charge of an area including South Gloucestershire and B&NES as well as Bristol, he says he would "prioritise the region becoming a leading light in growing an ecologically sustainable and commercially viable economy", and also backs plans for a free port – a low or no-tax zone to encourage economic activity – for the city. Samuel is the founding director of communications firm Hodos Consultancy. Dan Norris, who represented Wansdyke and was a minister
in Gordon Brown's government, had been selected as the Labour candidate, while ex-Bristol West MP Stephen Williams, who was a minister in the coalition government from 2010-15, has been chosen by the Lib Dems.
The metro mayor is the political head of the West of England Combined Authority, which has responsibility for regional transport, strategic planning, economic growth and adult skills.
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February, 2021
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A Downend Voice reader captured the moment police pulled over a car carrying suspected class A drugs
Drugs arrest after car stopped in High Street A MAN was arrested after police found suspected cocaine in a car which they stopped in Staple Hill High Street. The incident happened during the afternoon of January 14. An Avon and Somerset police spokesperson said: "Officers stopped a suspicious vehicle shortly before 2pm. "A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a number of small bags containing what is believed to be cocaine. "The 26-year-old driver of the vehicle was subsequently arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply." The man was later released under investigation, while police enquiries continue.
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Knife crime: A new way forward
I THINK it’s fair to say that the past year has been full of ups and downs and has left many of us wondering where our ‘normal’ life went. 2020 challenged all of us in so many ways and this was especially true for us in the police, as we adapted quickly to new legislation to help manage the Coronavirus pandemic, and had to juggle this alongside our normal day to day duties to keep our communities safe. Whist the pandemic did mean some types of crime such as burglary and road traffic incidents reduced temporarily, other crime types, particularly those which affect the most vulnerable members of our community such as domestic abuse, did unfortunately increase. Despite the added pressure the pandemic has brought to our service, we haven’t taken our foot off the pedal when it comes to keeping our young people safe. Last year, we ran a successful project with a number of schools in Avon and Somerset which led to the creation of short, animated films exploring issues around knife crime. The films, produced by secondary school aged children in partnership with students at UWE Bristol, are all original and thought provoking, and explore a range of themes such as the role of social media, bullying, speaking out if you suspect someone is carrying a knife, and the cyclical, retaliatory nature of knife crime. The films can all be viewed at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/ knifecrime and are a great starting point
By Sergeant
Ruth Gawler for conversations with young people about serious violence. Some of the young people involved in the above films also made a documentary, in partnership with a local film maker, which explores how agencies must work together and listen to young people if we are to break the cycle of violence and calls for sustained, long term investment in youth services. The film, called Knife crime: A new way forward, can also be viewed via the link above. No matter where they lived and went to school, the young people involved in this project told us time and time again that their main concerns were the lack of safe spaces for them to go to and their need for trusted adults to speak to. It’s no secret that engaging young people in activities that interest them is a successful way to divert them away from crime and anti-social behaviour and we’re thrilled that our successful Crime Prevention Through Sport initiative has received the funds needed to continue throughout 2021. We have partnered with Somerset Active Sports Partnership (SASP) and West of England Sports (Wesport) who will help us to manage and administer
the fund, meaning we benefit from their expertise and can join up with partners to ensure the smooth delivery of sporting activities for young people which will help to divert them away from unfavourable behaviours and into more positive and beneficial activities. In Downend, Staple Hill and Mangotsfield, I know the local community were understandably shocked and alarmed by an incident on the railway path in Kingswood in December, where a woman jogger was stabbed in the leg. A few days after the incident we arrested a 14-yearold boy who was later released under investigation and our enquiries continue. Neighbourhood officers in partnership with officers from Operation Remedy have stepped up their patrols on the path to increase visibility and feedback from users of the path has been very positive about how reassuring they find this police presence. As we look further ahead, we are forming a multi-agency partnership to look at long term solutions to the issues on the railway path working with our partners in Bristol City Council and Sustrans amongst others. I am hopeful that we will find solutions to ensure this much loved path remains a safe and sustainable space to exercise and commute. As we move into 2021, we remain committed to working with our local communities to find opportunities to support everyone, including young people, and to help to keep them safe.
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downendvoice
February, 2021
n NEWS
U-turn on 'build outs' Touch-free crossings call A TRAFFIC calming scheme in Frenchay that has been heavily criticised by residents is set to be replaced. South Gloucestershire Council says that the gateway and four "build outs" narrowing Beckspool Road, which were blamed for causing up to 50 motorists to blow their tyres on the widened kerbs in the first months after they were installed, will be removed under the plan. They are set to be replaced with five new 'speed tables' elongated speed bumps which have gaps at the sides to allow larger vehicles and cyclists to avoid them – similar to two already installed between the Cleeve Road and Frenchay Hill junctions. Double-yellow lines will be laid down on the northern side of the road either side of each of the new speed tables: the southern side already has double-yellow lines along its length. The pedestrian crossing by the vehicle entrance to the church, used by children walking to the primary school, will have bollards added to it. Explaining its reasons for the scheme, the council said: "Developers of the former Frenchay Hospital site have recently installed traffic calming features on Beckspool Road, and concerns have been raised by residents and motorists to address the safety and effectiveness of the current features." It said the new scheme was intended to support the current 20mph zone while "removing any unnecessary restrictions to allow free flowing traffic and parking within the vicinity of Frenchay Common". A three-week consultation on the new measures was announced after last month's Downend Voice went to print, and was due to close on Monday, January 25. People living nearby were sent letters inviting them to comment. Those not online were being advised to call 01454 864 539 to find out more about how to have their say on the plans. If approved the scheme is expected to be installed by March 2022.
A PARISH councillor is calling for touch-free pedestrian crossing controls to be installed in Downend to help protect against Covid-19. Raj Sood says replacing the buttons with touch-free versions would cost about £100 per unit. Replacing all of the crossings in the centre of Downend would cost about £1,400. He said: "When we press the button on a pedestrian crossing, we are touching a surface that many others will have already touched, some of whom may have Covid. "Installing a simple, relatively cheap piece of kit allows people to operate it touch-free. "That cuts the risk of spreading the virus, especially in a busy place like Downend shopping centre. I want to see this technology piloted here, where it could make a real difference." South Gloucestershire Council cabinet member Steve Reade said: "As a council we have taken a range of measures to deal with the Covid-19 crisis and to make our communities safer for residents. "We are already exploring the prospect for introducing touch-free pedestrian crossings amongst a range of other potential options and will ensure our response will provide the best value intervention for the long term and avoid costly knee-jerk responses."
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Scotney Castle by Brian Kinsman
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February, 2021
23
n FRIENDS OF PAGE PARK NEWS
Entries open for calendar competition THE Friends of Page Park have announced that this year's photographic competition is open for entries. We are asking for landscape photos of Page Park through the four seasons. This year we are accepting four photos per person, and these will be judged by the Friends and a professional photographer, who will consider the following: originality, appeal of the photograph, composition, technical ability and interpretation of the theme. Photos should not contain any images of people or children. The judges will choose the best 12 photos to form our 2022 calendar, with the very best photo taking centre stage on the front cover, plus a small gift for the photographer. The calendar will be on sale from September at local businesses around the area and pop-up shops in the park. Our 2021 calendar was a great success, boosting funds for our future projects: we sold over 830, with some going to destinations around the world, including Australia and the USA. To enter, send up to four photos per person, as a JPG image of between 2 and 5 megabytes, with your first and last name, contact phone number, address and age (if you are under 16, please supply
New members join our grounds crew This week the grounds crew have had two new members join them. Sophie and Josephine have taken up apprenticeships with South Gloucestershire Council. If you see them, please say hello. Hopefully once the virus situation is under control, we can all work together in the park again.
Morning view of Page Park, by Terry Graham a name of parent or guardian consenting). All photos must be taken in Page Park and say where in the park they were taken. Only landscape format photos will be accepted for this competition. Images may be digitally enhanced to remove spots and scratches, and enhanced to make
them brighter or clearer but not manipulated with colour. The competition is open to all, including schools and groups. No photos of people are allowed, just of the park itself, and nature and wildlife within it. By entering the competition the entrant waives all rights of redress in terms of any copyright infringement caused by any
publication or reproduction of photos entered for the competition. The closing date is June 30 – entries should be emailed with the required information to pageparkcompetition@gmail.com. We are looking forward to seeing all the entries from our amazing park visitors and community.
Park's positive impact Avoid the crowds THE results of last year's annual Page Park survey have been announced. In total 717 survey forms were completed - well over double the number returned for previous surveys. Nearly three quarters of respondents (72%) gave the park an overall satisfaction score of either nine or ten out of ten. Almost all of the respondents (98%) agreed that the park has a positive impact on the local community. Nine out of ten agreed that there is a good community spirit in the local area around the park, with 94% agreeing that the park enhances their quality of life, and 81% agreeing that the park feels safe. The largest number of respondents to the survey (76%) said that they use Page Park to relax and get some fresh air. Seven out of ten say they visit with friends and children, and six out of ten of respondents like to visit the cafĂŠ. Overall, 72% of respondents agreed that the park area now feels safe as a result of the restoration project, and 67% agreed that having a dedicated park grounds coordinator present makes the park feel safe. The survey is important in helping to prioritise future projects, supporting funding applications and showing the council and Heritage Lottery Fund how funding is used.
If you visit the park or another open space and it's busy, you should leave and go back at a quieter time. Please remember to stay two metres apart from anyone not in your household or support bubble at all times during your visit. If you visit any public toilets, you must wear a face covering unless exempt. Remember to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly to help #StopTheSpread
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February 2021 24
15 February, 2021
n WILL & PROBATE ADVICE
Staying open at Kings Chase, Kingswood LOCAL Wills experts Simpson Solicitors remain OPEN in the Kings Chase shopping centre in Kingswood (opposite Costa Coffee) during the lockdown to help readers of Kingswood, Downend and Fishponds Voice. The Government have identified the importance of having up to date Wills and Powers of Attorney in place during the COVID pandemic. The team at Simpson Solicitors have again been designated as key workers. So please support this local service and “Shop Local”. Solicitor, John Baden-Daintree says “If you became seriously ill or died, having Powers of Attorney and a Will in place is the only way you can make sure your wishes are followed. Not having them in place can cause great difficulty to your family.”
To find how they can help you or members of your family, just telephone 0117 960 8594 or pop into Simpson Solicitors to arrange a FREE Review Meeting with a friendly advisor. They will take as long as you need to guide you. They provide a COVID safe environment and you can choose your preferred way to get the ball rolling: ● Telephone Meeting ● Zoom Video Meeting (they can help you set this up)
● In person at your home ● In person at their offices If you then go ahead our readers will be offered 20% OFF their already competitive charges. Their No Hidden Costs service includes amendments and a supported Signing Meeting as well as free storage of your documents. This local, award winning service is designed to give you the peace of mind that everything has been prepared properly and is legally valid.
John and Michelle Baden-Daintree of Simpson Solicitors, Kings Chase Shopping Centre, Kingswood
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BOOK YOUR FREE MEETING: Call 0117 960 8594 OR message@simpsonslawuk.com OR Michelle at Simpson Solicitors OR Kings Chase Shopping Centre offices in Kingswood (opposite Costa). If getting to us is difficult our FREE home visit service covers Bitton, Downend, Fishponds, Hanham, Kingswood, Oldland, St George, Staple Hill, Warmley, Willsbridge and surrounding areas.
Got News?contact Call Gary 07540 383870 Email: news@kingswoodvoice.co.uk To advertise, on 0779 9461169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: sales@downendvoice.co.uk Got News? Call Ken On 07715 770377
February, 2021
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25
n CHURCH NEWS
Bell rings for prayer FOR centuries, churches have rung their bells to call people to pray. In a new initiative which started on January 1, the bell at Christ Church Downend is being rung every Friday at 7pm, to encourage the local community that the church family are praying for them in these difficult times. The parish church was built in the 1830s for the community. A former archbishop once said that the Church "is the only organisation that exists for the sake of its non-members". The ringing of the bell Noah Parfitt rings the Christ Church bell will be a reminder that the on New Year's Day to mark the first Friday church family, along with prayer session the other churches in the area, is there to pray for them, for peace and flourishing. If you would like to ask for anything particular to be prayed for, visit the website www.christchurchdownend.com and fill in the form, email office@ christchurchdownend.com or call the office on 0117 908 9867. Jenny Rawling
The shed needs something new for the new year
A space to say thank you YOU may have seen our nativity advent calendar shed on the car park at Badminton Road Methodist Church in the lead-up to Christmas – Thank you to everyone who contributed and made it so splendid! Since then, we have been wondering what to do with the shed. Lent (the weeks before Easter) is a time when we often think about giving things up. Lots of people have been giving things up for the sake of others during the pandemic, and we thought it would be nice to use the shed to celebrate what they are doing and say thank you. Could you help us? Do you have something that could go in the shed? Perhaps something you have made, drawn or painted? Something that will make other people know they are valued and bring a smile to their faces? You can contact us on Facebook or Twitter @MethodistsBR, or via our website www.badmintonroadmethodist.org.uk. Naomi Sharp, Lay Pastor
CENTRE • PHONE NUMBER BRISTOL NORTH • DOWNEND • 0117 373 8367 Address 32A Downend Road, Downend, Bristol BS16 5UJ kipmcgrath.co.uk/centre kipmcgrath.co.uk/BristolNorth
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February, 2021
n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC
We’re closer to beating virus, so please don’t flout the guidelines
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HORTLY after the New Year, we all received the news we would be entering a third national lockdown. Although unsurprising, I know it was not how we wanted to enter 2021 but, as I’m sure you will agree, the restrictions were and continue to be needed to avoid further harm in our community. With cases rising to new heights, I welcome the Government’s decision to implement this lockdown to slow the transmission and ensure the NHS can cope. I urge you all to continue to stay at home to protect yourself and your loved ones from this fatal virus. For those of you who might be frustrated with another lockdown and are tempted to flout the rules, please don’t. We all know how lockdown works,
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and irresponsible and reckless behaviour will not be tolerated. Avon and Somerset Police and their dedicated COVID-19 team have my full support in responding to breaches of the emergency regulations by engaging, explaining, encouraging and enforcing the law. We might feel disheartened at the current situation but it is only temporary. With every vaccine administered, we are changing the odds against the virus and are one step closer to beating it. For this reason, please be responsible during the winter months and follow regulations. For some of you, I know, home is not always a safe place, and as a community we all have a part to play in ensuring our family, friends and neighbours are
supported during these difficult times. If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic abuse, please remember that lockdown and isolation rules do not apply. If you need to leave your home because you are worried about your safety, you can. You are not – and never will be – alone. Young people continue to be further impacted by the pandemic and are now not able to attend school or college. Alongside the difficulties of home learning, young people are more at risk of criminal and sexual exploitation online, and also might be vulnerable to abuse at home. It is our duty to look out for our children and young adults; they might not always recognise the signs of abuse or feel like they can speak up about it – we need
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February, 2021
27
n NEWS
School gears up for centenary celebration
EXCITING plans are being made to celebrate 100 years of education at a school attended by many children from across the area. An exhibition, reunion and other events at Kings Oak Academy are planned for this year, if Covid restrictions allow. Founded as Kingswood Secondary School in 1921, the school became Kingswood Grammar School in 1927, then Kingsfield School in 1968. Over the years many people from Downend, Staple hill and Mangotsfield attended. The original, wooden school building famously burned down in a suspected arson attack in 1976. The modern building was completed in 1977 and a primary section has been added in recent years. Since 2011 the school has been known as King’s Oak Academy. It is part of the Cabot Learning Federation. Principal Katherine Ogden said: “We are planning a number of events and ask for your help.
Kingswood Grammar Form 2B, from 1956, with Colin Pillinger in the back row, second from left Do you have any photographs or memorabilia from your or from members of your family’s time at the school?” Kingswood Heritage Museum will run an exhibition from April to November, including more than 200 photos, and also hopes to organise a school reunion. Publicity officer Richard Hartill said: “The exhibition will tell the story of all four
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schools that have occupied the Brook Road site. It will feature key individuals associated with the schools, including the first headmaster, Major Elton, and distinguished ex pupils.” Former pupil Mike Bendrey, from Downend, who edits a biannual Kingswood Old Scholars Association newsletter, is helping the museum put together a list of alumni who
have gone on to great things. They include Sir Bernard Lovell, founder of the Jodrell Bank observatory; Professor Colin Pillinger, best known for the Beagle 2 Mars lander; and Richard Scudamore, former chief executive of the Premier League. Prof Pillinger, who died in 2014, once wrote that the wooden school was nicknamed “the cow sheds” when he attended, and that seeing Sir Bernard’s name on the school honours board inspired him. Mr Bendrey said: “We’d like people to get in touch to let us know about the names of old pupils and their achievements. We wish to highlight the men and women who have made a memorable contribution to the life of our nation.” Memorabilia and photos can be sent to Miss Ogden at koa.principal@clf.uk or posted to the school at Brook Road, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 4JT. Details of old pupils can be sent to kosanews@tiscali.co.uk.
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February, 2021
n AROUND THE WIs demonstrations to historical talks, so google Denman, whether you belong to the WI or not, and see if there is something to keep you occupied during lockdown. Julie, President DOWNEND WI SADLY we are all back in lockdown, but with this and the vaccination programme there is hopefully light at the end of the tunnel. Following on from last year, where we continued our monthly meetings and managed to have some of our original speakers, we are continuing to meet on Zoom and are taking the opportunity to have speakers from different parts of the country who are highly recommended by other WIs but we wouldn't in normal times be able to use. At our meeting in January we have a magic demonstration and the opportunity to learn some tricks! The college associated with the WI National Federation, Denman, is now offering a wide range of online courses to both members and non-members, with many at only £5: these range from cooking
MANGOTSFIELD WI IN December we sent a special handmade Christmas card, together with a chosen poem and a tea bag, to all our members. Giving the ladies the opportunity to enjoy a nice hot cup of tea, reflect on the past year and make their plans for what for most would be a very different Christmas. And to all you readers, on behalf of Mangotsfield WI, we hope you had a safe and happy festive holiday and New Year. To start off 2021, we sent birthday wishes to all our ladies with January birthdays. Our next meeting will be a triple Zoom
event: coffee catchup 10.30am, tea'n'chat 2.30pm and tipple talk 7.30pm. This will give as many members as possible the chance to connect at times of the day most suited to them - or, of course, take part in all three! February is still in the planning stage. We are currently in full lockdown but, with vaccines now on the horizon, all are looking forward to happier times. Our regular meetings at St James Church Hall, Richmond Road, Mangotsfield by then should have resumed. If you are not a member but would like to join us, please let me know by emailing carol@applause. co.uk Carol Coombs
BROMLEY HEATH WI THANKS to Covid-19, all WI branches are temporarily closed – but I really feel that there has seldom been a better time to be or
become a WI member. Way back on 12th March 2020, our ladies met as usual on the second Thursday of the month, but little did they expect that at least a year would pass before we could meet up in person again! Fortunately, through the saving grace of the internet, we have held our meetings online, and enjoyed talks and lessons from a wide variety of talented speakers from far and wide. This month our first international speaker will be coming to us live from France, on Zoom. Frances from France will be telling us all about the origins of pearls – and our husbands will be delighted to hear that Frances can’t bring sample pearls for us to try and buy! I’ll tell you more about it next time. Historically the WI has often been unfairly stereotyped by the age old “jam and Jerusalem” cliche but throughout the coronavirus crisis the organisation's members, as a support and information network, have really come into their own online. When Covid-19 hit last year, a small but inspired group of
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February, 2021
29
n NEWS UK members established WI Wanderers, an international private Facebook group, the main purpose of which is to ensure that WI members feel connected. The group is open to any member who would like to get to know ladies outside their area or is just looking for something different to do during lockdown. It has been a boon for the WI members who opted to join with daily online access to a wide variety events and activities, some of which do involve pre-booking and payment, but the majority of which are complimentary. There are not enough hours in the day for all that goes on. Nowadays the song You’ll Never Walk Alone would probably be a far more appropriate song for the Women's Institute than Jerusalem. Meanwhile back at BHWI, Liza and her committee have lined up a whole series of interesting Zoom meetings right through until April 2021. Please email us at bromleyheathwi@gmail.com if you would like to become a member. Stay Safe. Margaret Hanwell
Barley Close staff's big effort STAFF from a school in Mangotsfield raised a magnificent £4,000 for a charity which helps children who care. The team from Year 5 Elephants class at Barley Close Community Primary School - Tracey Eatwell, Katy Cripps and Julie Williams - all took part in the 12 days Katy Cripps of Christmas challenge to raise money for the Bristol-based Young Carers charity. Over the course of November and December they took part in 12 separate fitness activities either 12 runs, 12 cycles or 12 fitness classes. Mrs Eatwell runs the Young Carers group for children attending Barley Close who look after
Barley Close staff members Tracey Eatwell and Julie Williams with their medals family members at home. The group recently received a bronze award from the charity, recognising the hard work and support they offer to the children and their families. In recognition of their fundraising challenge the staff members were each given a Christmas robin medal.
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February, 2021
n RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Cauliflower Bolognese with Mel of Melanie’s Kitchen
T
HIS month’s recipe is a vegan alternative to a meat Bolognese sauce and a brilliant way to use cauliflower. I came across it a year or so ago in the Co-op magazine and have made it several times ,often changing it slightly depending on what is in the fridge, I often substitute leek for the onion. The wine lends depth of flavour to the sauce but feel free to use the same amount of veg stock plus a tbsp of tomato puree. It freezes well so usually half gets frozen for use later. The last time some came out of the freezer it was unlabelled , the carnivore of the household was disappointed to discover upon eating that it was vegan! It is lovely with pasta (top with cheese if you are not vegan) or as a filling for a jacket potato ,you can also top it with mash sweet potato and turn it into a cottage pie. The original recipe uses a food processor to blitz all
the veg together , I tend to just chop everything small to start with and save on the washing up.
Cauliflower Bolognese serves 4 400g tin of chopped tomatoes 1 medium onion finely chopped 1 garlic clove crushed 1 stick celery chopped finely 1 medium carrot grated 100g mushrooms finely chopped 250g cauliflower florets chopped finely (approx. ½-1 small cauliflower) 150ml red wine 1tbsp dark soy sauce Rapeseed or olive oil for frying Fry all the veg except the cauliflower in a large pan over a medium heat for approx. 10 minutes until soft and golden. Stir in the cauli ,pour in the wine
and cook for 2-3 minutes until has been absorbed. Tip in the tomatoes and soy sauce cook for a further 5
minutes or so while you cook the pasta to serve with it. Season to taste
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downendvoice
February, 2021
31
n PHOTOGRAPHY
TAKING BET TER PHOTOGRAPHS
N
EN
AC
DOW
LU B
WITH
D CA MER
Cambodian survivor by Phil Peglar
The annual competition IT seems a long time ago now, but back in December the club held its annual competition: 36 entries made up of those who had been judged to be the top six images in each of the six competitions held through the year. Interestingly, none of those who gained the top three places in this annual event actually came first in those qualifying competitions. With different judges for each competition, perhaps it is not that surprising, given that it is generally accepted that all judging is subjective; an image that works for one judge means little to another. This gives hope to all those with entries! The cup for first place was awarded to ‘Cambodian Survivor’, a close-up portrait in black & white. This highlights an issue of some debate over entries in photographic competitions, namely the extent to which titles are important. Here, the choice of title is a big part of why it was chosen – we read into the face of the subject the suffering we can imagine she had endured. Second place went to ‘Super Tiger Legged Tree Frog’, a fine studio shot of an exotic subject. Its success has much to do with technical issues
Whitesands Bay by Helen Sheppard
of composition, sharpness and lighting, but the frog itself does seem to have an appealing character, and that does help the image. Third place went to ‘Whitesands Bay’, which as a beach scene is a conventional subject, but the magnificent sky and the light on the sand makes for a great image. Taken directly into the light, the sun is inevitably burnt out into a white spot, but not so much as to make it that intrusive, and the tiny silhouette of the runner is in just the right place. Now in the New Year, we start again, with first competition set for this month. Why not join our club and see how your own photographic efforts measure up? Downend Camera Club is a friendly informal group, who normally meet on Tuesdays at 7.30 pm at the Assembly Hall, Salisbury Road, Downend, although actual meetings are currently suspended. For the time being we are continuing with a programme of interesting online photographic presentations as well as Super Tiger Legged Tree Frog by Trevor Toms regular competitions. feature, a forum for discussion of all things The Club has a Facebook page and photographic. Do check it out. a website at www.downendcameraclub.org. uk that shows details of the club, members Ed Shorney galleries, past competition winners, and a new
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32
n NEWS
downendvoice
February, 2021
Fly-tippers return
Mail delays continue
PEOPLE are being asked to keep an eye out for flytippers after rubbish was dumped outside garages in Mangotsfield. The combination of household and garden waste was found in Hillside, off Burley Grove, in January. Ward councillor Michael Bell is calling on anyone with information about the culprits to contact him on 07875 631817. Information can also be reported to South Gloucestershire Council's environmental protection team online at www. southglos.gov.uk/flytipping, by email at streetcare@southglos.gov.uk or by calling the Street Care helpdesk on 01454 868000. The environmental protection team has a 100 per cent record of successful prosecutions in cases against fly-tippers who can be identified. Hillside is one of several sites in Mangotsfield to fall victim to flytipping recently, along with Walker Court flats in Albion Close and the site of former garages in Long Road.
ROYAL Mail has thanked customers for their "patience and understanding" after a combination of coronavirus cases and increased demand delayed some deliveries. The Voice understands that at least nine members of staff based at the Fishponds delivery office in New Station Way, which serves the BS16 postcode area, had positive tests for Covid-19 in the run-up to Christmas, with more staff having to self-isolate after being advised by Test and Trace – all as the service had to handle "exceptionally high volumes" of parcels and mail. Delays have continued into January and, while the area did not appear on the Royal Mail's national list of 28 postal districts worst affected by the virus, people living in the BS16 postcode area, which includes Frenchay, Downend, Staple Hill and Mangotsfield, have commented on social media about delays, with some complaining of going up to a week without deliveries. A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Across the UK, our people are working hard to deliver as comprehensive a service as possible to all our customers, in challenging circumstances. Every single letter and parcel is important to us. Like most organisations, we have a number of employees who are self-isolating in line with government guidance. This has a direct impact on our staffing levels, especially in areas where there are higher levels of local outbreaks. We are working hard to deliver as normal a service as we can, drawing in extra resource and offering additional overtime where possible. "We remain grateful to all our customers in these areas for their patience and understanding as our dedicated workforce work hard to deliver these exceptional volumes, whilst also adhering to necessary social distancing measures. "Throughout the pandemic, every decision we make puts the health of our people and customers first."
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downendvoice
February, 2021
33
n LETTERS Community hospital: we're still waiting! AS readers will know, I regularly question South Gloucestershire Council and the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, as to lack of progress on healthcare provision on the Frenchay site. It does feel that I am flogging a dead horse, but still I continue, because I know that Southmead Hospital lacks sufficient beds for the population it serves. For the benefit of newcomers, it was agreed in March 2005 that a new acute hospital would be built at Southmead and a community hospital on the then Frenchay Hospital site. Without the Frenchay provision, the plan was incomplete. The new hospital at Southmead opened in April 2014 with only 800 beds: a reduction of 320. The reduction was possible, we were assured, as the Frenchay provision, our community hospital, would offset it. In 2010, after much thorough work, formal approval was granted for a community hospital at Frenchay of 68 beds, with other much-needed facilities, under the Labour government. In 2010 the incoming Conservative government scrapped the project. Frenchay is now referred to as a “health care facility” and not a community hospital, like the one in South Bristol. Just as the new Southmead hospital was opening, Chris Skidmore MP raised the issue of the lack of promised community hospital provision at Frenchay in Parliament. Seven years later, we are still awaiting our community provision at Frenchay and I have received no evidence from either the Council or BNSSG that the project has even begun. Each body repeatedly assures me of their commitment to the project but when I ask for evidence, they can provide none to support their claims. I have on file letters from BNSSG stating an aim "to have a new service model commencing delivery in April 2020". So where is it? Our Members of Parliament, Jack Lopresti, Chris Skidmore and Luke Hall, should join forces, form a united front and bring pressure to bear on the council and the CCG to provide honest answers as to why, after 16 years, we still have no provision on the Frenchay site.
Had the plan been implemented, we may not have needed the Nightingale Hospital with its associated heavy expense. Call your MP now. Barbara Harris Downend
Turn sculpture to face the public HAVING read the comments in December's issue regarding the placement of the sculpture at the old Mangotsfield C of E Primary School, I agree. Having been born a few houses down from the school in Richmond Road, I attended the school from 1937 and today, as I pass the development, I still look at the tree, which still exists, against which I played cricket. Therefore I was pleased to read that a sculpture was to be installed to commemorate the school's being. However, on visiting to view the sculpture I was somewhat puzzled, as I was looking at the back of it from the pavement, with the sculpture facing a limited number of apartments, of which the occupants would probably have little interest in the school. Could an explanation be given to how this positioning was determined? Also, could some thought be given to reversing the sculpture so that local people who attended the school and the public could view it from the pavement as they walked past? A Smith Mangotsfield
Thanks to shoppers I WOULD like to share with the shoppers of Downend Co-op that I miss doing my weekly charity collections but also to let them know that, since my last collection back in March, just before lockdown, we raised enough money to donate 100 epilepsy information packs to the NHS.
It was wonderful taking the packs to the NHS building in Bristol, just days before lockdown, where the staff were so grateful and would distribute them to every local doctors surgery and hospital epilepsy ward in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, raising epilepsy awareness and money for epilepsy charities with profit from my daughter Layla's epilepsy book for kids. Sadly, a few weeks later the book's publisher passed away from the virus. Now, nearly a year later, we hope to find a new publisher who will continue publishing Layla's book and helping raise epilepsy awareness and money for epilepsy charities. One day, when it is safer, I look forward to fundraising again for the seven charities that have helped us over the years. In the past few years we have donated hundreds of epilepsy information packs to every local school and library, doctors' surgery and hospital epilepsy wards in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. We hope a new publisher can help us continue this: if anyone knows a publisher who can help, we would be grateful if you can let us know through the Downend Voice. Sarah Reid, Soundwell
'Puddle' needs a warning sign LAST week I decided to follow a walk that Councillor Bell recommended in the Downend Voice during the summer. We had our two dogs with us, so set off on a lovely day to do one of these walks, the one that takes you by Syston Court. It was indeed a lovely walk, until we made our way back across the old Shortwood Golf Club course and saw what we considered a big puddle. The dogs ran over to the puddle, which turned out to be a really deep lake: one of our poor dogs ended up in the water, frantically scrambling to get back out, only to find that they couldn't get a grip on the mud surrounding the water. It was really distressing, and we finally managed to get her out covered in mud and soaking wet. Although this golf course is no longer used, surely there should be warning signs for people? I dread to think what would happen if a toddler fell in. Downend Voice reader
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34
February, 2021
n NEWS FROM YOUR LOCAL MP
A time for renewal and hope THE new year is a time for renewal and hope; of looking back on the year that’s ending and looking forward to the opportunities that a new year can bring. While this year may have started feeling quite different to that, there is a lot to be hopeful for this year, as well as many good things to look back on from 2020. I have been moved and inspired by our communities pulling together to support the vulnerable and needy and those being asked to shield. Businesses found new ways of operating in challenging circumstances. The summer brought a brief near respite, where people were out and about, enjoying the weather and supporting local businesses. And so, this year there is great cause for optimism. Vaccines are being rolled out; across our area and the whole West of England, nobody is more than 10 miles from a vaccination centre, whether that’s the large-scale
centre at Ashton Gate Stadium, which was visited by the Prime Minister when it opened last week, or your local GP surgery. As I write this, more than 2.5 million people in Britain have been vaccinated, and the South West is near the top of the table for the number of jabs per 100 people, with 285,332 people vaccinated in our region. The UK is way ahead of our friends on the continent, and third in the world for total vaccines administered. This is an incredible achievement, and it will only progress faster as more people become eligible. We have a vaccine developed here in the UK by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, which is cheap and easy to store and, thanks to the work of the UK Vaccines Taskforce, plenty of doses on order to ensure that everyone can in time be vaccinated. Where in March last year we were facing an unknown enemy,
this time we know how to beat it. By keeping away from those we don’t live with, and staying at home as much as possible, we can keep the virus at bay. New treatments are coming which makes it easier to help people suffering the most and reduce the impact on our hospitals. We do, however, have to get through this period of difficulty. We are all frustrated that we are again in a national lockdown. But we must face the fact that the new strain is putting incredible pressure on our health service and respond accordingly. I would like to pay tribute to everyone working in the NHS, care homes and all other key workers. You are doing a fantastic job and we are all immensely grateful. I am confident that this year will see a return to normality as the vaccine programme kicks in. And then, we can see the benefits of some of the huge changes that are being made in our area.
Jack Lopresti The West of England Combined Authority is investing millions of pounds to transform transport in the region and investigate how 5G can benefit residents and businesses. More defence spending means well-paid, secure jobs in our formidable defence and aerospace industries. 2021 brings with it both hardship and optimism. Let’s face it head on, look out for our neighbours and friends and embrace the opportunities that come our way . My team and I are on hand to help you with anything you might need. You can email me on jack. lopresti.mp@parliament.uk, or call my team on 01454 617783.
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downendvoice
February, 2021
35
n THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
Compassion, care, climate ... curtains to Covid?
W
ELL, hello 2021. I like writing this column but it’s been a bit tricky this time! No prizes for guessing why… How do I think of something new to say, onthe current situation? We already know that we need to continue ‘doing our bit’ for one last push, enduring the prolonged and dreary restrictions of lockdown for just a few more weeks, until the welcome relief of the vaccine means that the threat of coronavirus will eventually subside. We know that this will take longer and be more painful if we don’t all keep on carrying on… Let’s all try and make any necessary isolation easier for our neighbours, colleagues, friends and family, in order to beat this virus ASAP. We have quickly learned how to meet our family, friends or colleagues in online groups (forcing many of us to rearrange our background bookshelves for maximum impressability factor, or to pay more attention to personal grooming, at a time when hairdressers and beauty parlours are sadly closed). Zoom church services have been very much appreciated by a wider audience than are able to attend in person on a Sunday (although at Staple Hill we have been grateful for services in the building too, when they’ve been possible) and our church WhatsApp conversations have been eclectic and delightful,
enabling us to get to know each other much better in some ways. We’ve learned a lot about Covid-19, science, inequality and which information sources to trust… social media chat is less reliable than articles from competent and reputable organisations such as the NHS, official medical and science bodies and of course the BBC. A year on and we know much more also about ‘long Covid’ and its effects, on the increasing number of people living with it, who are perhaps no longer, or not yet, able to carry on as they were before… this has also led to greater acknowledgement of previously misunderstood or underreported chronic conditions such as ME. On a global as well as local level we know that compassion for others is a much better way than conflict, points-scoring from entrenched viewpoints, or incitement to violence… do we? We know, or certainly found out in 2020, the importance of supporting each other, whether carer, keyworker, or customer, and that the lowest-paid and regarded are often the most important contributors to the wellbeing of our society. For example, parents have done an amazing job in doing their very best to homeschool their children, and teachers have worked harder than ever in facilitating this. We know that we have a climate emergency and doing
Steve Bellamy Ctta eeetllsllaam S e myy S ev vre epB B
LOW LOW
our individual bit to help alleviate it can’t wait until the pandemic is over. (That’s fortunate that my 2-hour commute in the car has finished then, along with my job… but I have plenty to keep me busy looking into all the new possibilities the current situation could provide - might as well embrace it… and get my bike fixed too!). The incoming President of the United States, Joe Biden has stated an encouraging ‘desire to work together on the basis of a shared belief in the dignity and equality of all humankind, on issues such as caring for the marginalised and the poor, addressing the crisis of climate change, and welcoming and integrating immigrants and refugees into our communities’. These words are not new, or exclusive to any religion or secular body, and more importantly they require action! However we know that this is what we have to do if we want everything to be nice for all of us. Jesus put it more simply: ‘Love one another’ and ‘love your neighbour as yourself’. Big goals… achievable, not easy, lots of small steps, for example keeping the covid rules or thanking someone instead of complaining. And finally, we know that the days are getting longer and spring will come soon… why not put something fun in your diary now? It might require a bit
With
Anna Graham Steward at Staple Hill Methodist Church
of imagination in thinking up something nice to do at this time, but it is so important to look after yourself (something I find very hard to believe). But we are all loved, and lockdown won’t go on for ever. Get out for that daily legal walk if you can! On behalf of Staple Hill Methodist I wish you a happy, compassionate and hopeful New Year.
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downendvoice
36
February, 2021
n GARDENING
Lift your mood by planning your plants HI, I am April Hulin, and I am a gardener. I have grown my own fruit and veg since I got my own garden aged 19. Five years ago, I started my own gardening business around Bristol, called April Gardens. Gardening has a massive place in my heart, as I use it as a tool to maintain good mental health each day. Let me share with you some of the coping strategies that I have employed in the last five years that have got me through some very tough times. I am certainly not claiming to be an expert, but I thought if I shared some of my
story, it might help someone, somewhere – and if that is the case, it is worth it. The coronavirus has been extremely difficult for all of us. It has made many of us feel isolated, alone, anxious and in some cases depressed. It has made us all change how we live our lives and how we work. Many people have started to struggle that have previously had good mental health. We have not been able to socialise indoors, so people have been forced outside to socialise, walk dogs and many have tried gardening. Our outdoor spaces have become
Sunflower
Marigold
even more important to us. This appreciation of the outdoors is not new to me. It is something that I have always felt. When I was a child, I relaxed easily when I was outside, surrounded by trees and grass. Later, I started to grow my own flowers and plants, and have taken so much pleasure in it over the years. There is something amazing about planting a seed and nurturing it into a plant. I start my blog at an amazing time in the year. The winter is turning into spring, and we are surrounded by snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils and, later, tulips. It is a time for bulbs. The third lockdown has sapped all our energy and made us lose a bit of hope. As we look around now, perhaps we can be heartened by the immense amount of colour that will soon be around. Spring is nearly here, it is time to plan what we are going to try and grow this year – and why not order some seeds online? Try some helianthus annuus (sunflowers) or calendula officinalis (marigolds)? These can be brought on inside or in a greenhouse, in seed trays, and then planted out when the weather warms. Or maybe some cosmos bipinnatus which, again, you can sow in trays, but you will need to plant out after the risk of
with
April Hulin
frost has passed. All of these are valuable plants to help our bees thrive. Maybe even some easy vegetables that can be grown in pots? Training tomato plants or courgette, or even some runner beans. I guarantee that the process of planning and growing plants will go a long way to lifting your mood. Also feeding the birds is a great thing to do. Watching them visit is very therapeutic. Visiting birds reduce pests in your garden, without the need to use chemicals. Good luck with it all – why not email me at hulinapril@gmail. com and let me know how you are getting on? I'd love to hear about it. April Hulin
n CHRISTINE'S COLUMN AT the beginning of December I was voluntarily admitted to Oakwood psychiatric ward, Southmead Hospital. I was determined to find a cure for a very strange feeling I had for 34 years, when I was admitted to Glenside, Stapleton. I was treated for depression, which is not a case of just feeling depressed. Depression is an illness and whatever you do, the horrid feeling will not go away. Being the secretary of Downend Folk House Gardening Club for 34 years gave me something to focus on - but it has been half my life. Kirsty, my daughter, had never known her mum without depression. When I met my lovely boyfriend Lance, three years ago, I was determined to find a cure for
this awful illness. But how to go about it? My GP I have to thank for that. For a number of years I had been taking an antipsychotic drug, which kept me stable but did not really do anything for me. My doctor on the ward told me I had antipsychotic depression, and they were going to give me an injection in the rear, to replace the tablets I had been taking...there was a slight overlap between having the injection in the hospital and coming off the tablets. After two weeks, I was able to return home. At first I did not notice any difference to my feelings and reaction to things. I just had two tablets left to take. When I came home I was naturally most pleased to see Kirsty and Lance, who were
very supportive, and also various friends and relations phoned me, sent letters and cards. I have to have an injection at the beginning of every month. This is given by an experienced nurse called a care coordinator. When Jane came to introduce herself, she asked if I felt any different and I did not at first but then, as the first few days of being back in familiar surroundings went by, I did begin to feel incredibly better. The feeling was amazing and I knew after just one injection, that the depression was lifting. I hope I can make a full recovery. Happy new year to you all.
To advertise, contact Gary on 0779 9461169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: sales@downendvoice.co.uk
Christine Broadway
Got News? Call Ken On 07715 770377
downendvoice
February, 2021
37
n PROPERTY OF THE MONTH 20 Buckingham Gardens, Downend, BS16 5TW
HERE TO GET
you
THERE
Asking price £350,000
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Hunters Estate agents are delighted to bring to the market this stunning semi-detached bungalow located within a popular no-through road in the heart of Downend. The property is handily placed with the local high street being a short walk away with it's array of shops, coffee shops and restaurants along with several bus stops close by. The property has been much improved by it's current owners having recently undergone full refurbishment to include an impressive loft conversion to create well balance living space over 2 floors. The beautifully presented living accommodation comprises to the ground floor: entrance porch, entrance hall, lounge with feature fireplace, dining room, modern shower room, fitted kitchen with stylish units, oak work tops and integrated appliances. A turning
staircase rises to the first floor where there can be found a superb master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom. Externally the property has
a brick paved driveway to front providing off street parking for 2 cars and a good size rear garden with a raised veranda laid decking leading
down to a brick paved patio and split level artificial lawn. From the rear garden there is access to a lean to/ workshop and cellar storage.
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downendvoice
39
n PROPERTY OF THE MONTH Signal Road, Staple Hill Asking Price £365,000
Ocean are delighted to offer to the market this spacious 3 bed semidetached family home located a short distance from Page Park, the Bristol to Bath Cycle path and for the local Staple Hill High Street shops and bus links. The current owners have occupied this home for many decades and has been the perfect family home. They have created bright and welcoming living space through out which presents as entrance hall, lounge through diner, kitchen, 3 bedrooms and a shower room. There is also a WC from the entrance hall. The 2 double bedrooms have built in wardrobes and there are views over the cycle path to the front. Externally the rear garden has been landscaped into sections with the top tier offering a vegetable patch and greenhouse. The other 2 levels have been patioed for low maintenance and perfect for catching the afternoon sun. There is plenty of off street parking, a detached garage to the rear with power and side access.
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40
downendvoice
February, 2021
n LOCAL HISTORY
Handel Cossham: A fortune mined from beneath our feet His name can be found on roads, a hall and even a hospital – but how much do you know about Handel Cossham? Mangotsfield Residents Association member and historian David Blackmore looks at how he became one of our area's leading industrialists Part 1: HANDEL Shepherd Cossham was born on March 31 1824 in Thornbury High Street, the son of the town's carpenter and joiner, Jesse Cossham, and his wife, Sarah. It was often said that Handel – named after the composer it is said his father greatly admired – was born in the same house as
his father, grandfather and great grandfather, and it now carries a plaque proclaiming it as the birthplace of this "non-conformist Preacher, Industrialist, Geologist, Politician, Educationalist and Public Benefactor". After moving to Ryeford, near Stroud, when he was a year old, he returned to Thornbury in 1830, attending the local Dame school and Sunday school. Documents drawn up when he later donated a hall to the people of Thornbury stated that he left the town in 1845, "to fight the battle of life", moving first to live near a colliery in Yate, where he worked as a clerk, and gained knowledge of mining and geology. Although he studied mining, working “almost night and day”, he found time to preach at the colliery. In January 1848 Cossham married Elizabeth Wethered, his employer's daughter, going into partnership with her father and
brothers. They set up business at Parkfield – between Pucklechurch and what is now Lyde Green – and Shortwood in 1851. Over the coming decades, as coal fuelled the industrial revolution, the business prospered. In 1863 Speedwell and Deep Pit at St George were acquired by the partnership and in 1864 the Kingswood Colliery followed. They also took out a lease on Brandy Bottom, near their Parkfield mine, in 1871, sinking the New Pit shaft and building its horizontal engine house. The shaft at Brandy Bottom colliery had been first sunk in 1837, with much of the work done by young children, whose small size enabled them to get along the narrow passages, where they would pull heavy tubs of coal along using chains. Coal hauled up at Brandy Bottom was loaded on to wagons, initially on the Dramway, a horse and gravity railway that delivered it to barges on the river Avon for use in Bristol and other cities. Cossham connected Brandy Bottom underground to his nearby Parkfield Colliery and at some time renamed the complex as ‘Parkfield South': as a long-standing member of the Temperance Association, the name Brandy Bottom had to go. In 1864 Cossham purchased the bulk of the 210-acre Hill House Estate, in Staple Hill. It was broken up and auctioned ten years later, divided into some 60 building lots and auctioned off. The fields sold off are now bounded by present day South View, Park Road, Salisbury Road and Burley Crest, with other roads now standing at the edges of the estate including Park Road, West Park Road and Clarence Avenue. In 1879 his in-laws decided to sell up, and Cossham snapped up nearly all of their shares, forming a limited liability company, the Kingswood & Parkfield Colliery Company Ltd, which came under his control along with Charles S Wills, of the tobacco family. He was soon a wealthy man, having also bought the mineral rights of the St George area in 1875. The company now controlled almost 3,000 acres of freehold minerals, yielding a daily output of nearly 1,000 tons of coal and employing over 1,500 workers. Unusually for a mine owner,
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Portrait of a young Handel Cossham, in 1848 Cossham was concerned for the welfare of his workers and introduced many safety measures, such as stone or brick-lined shafts, before legislation made them compulsory. He was held in high esteem by his colliery workers, building ranks of local pennant stone cottages for them in what is now Cossham Street, Mangotsfield, and the 'Parkfield Rank' in Pucklechurch. After Cossham's death in 1890 his mining interests were held in trust for his wife, who died in 1896. His coal interests in the area were acquired in an auction in 1900 by the Bedminster, Easton, Kingswood and Parkfield Collieries Ltd, which had been specifically formed for this purpose. But the company was soon struggling, with all of the region's mines on the decline after the opening of the Severn Tunnel in 1886, and consequent availability of cheaper coal from South Wales, making them uncompetitive. By the First World War, Brandy Bottom had closed and the other pits were being operated by a receiver, before being bought by Somerset Collieries and renamed the East Bristol Collieries Ltd. The Parkfield Colliery was almost exhausted and closed in 1936, by which time just 80 men worked there. The site was auctioned the following year, including the manager's house, buildings and around 20 acres of land. In Part 2 next month: Cossham the preacher, educationalist, politician and benefactor *Thanks to www.thornburyroots.co.uk
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February, 2021
downendvoice
41
n PHOTOGRAPHY WITH LINCOMBE BARN CAMERA CLUB
Flowers on the Wall by Joy Flood
Busy Bee by Wendy Rayner
If winter comes, can spring be far behind? SHELLEY’S words from Ode to the West Wind can rarely have had more resonance than in January, as we sit in the midst of actual winter and what we hope will prove to be the darkest point of the pandemic, with vaccines now starting to be distributed. Time, then, to look forward in more ways than one, and consider a few members' pictures of what we can look forward to, as the winter slowly passes and the weather
begins to warm. The day begins with Mary Criddle’s delightfully atmospheric Sunrise in Nelson, while Jeff Mckinstry enjoys the bluebells of Spring in a Churchyard. Wendy Rayner has found not only the floral promise of the sun but the gift of honey to come, with Busy Bee. Finally, Joy Flood demonstrates that anyone can create a floral display, with Flowers on a Wall. With Zoom becoming a familiar
part of our lives we are now functioning as a club again, albeit at a distance. Competitions are about to restart, with the first being ladies versus gentlemen. More news of that next month.
If you would like to be part of our resurgence, take a look at our website, www.lincombebarncameraclub.co.uk, or contact us on lincombe.barn@gmail.com. Sid Stace
H. G. Harris Family Funeral Directors 9 Broad Street, Staple Hill Bristol BS16 5LN Tel: 0117 956 9479 Fax: 0117 956 4070 Email: info@funerals.uk.net Web: www.funerals.uk.net
Christine English
BSc (Hons) Podiatry, M Ch S, HCPC Registered
Chiropodist / Podiatrist All aspects of foot care from a degree trained professional
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42
n ON THE TREATMENT TABLE
Couch potato no more I THINK I must be one of the very few people who have actually found a small benefit in the misery of the recent lockdowns prompted by the pandemic. After telling people for years that I used to be fit and once played lots of sports, I thought that it was about time I pulled my finger out and did something to flex my muscles again. So, in joyous 2020, I completed the BBC’s Couch to 5K Challenge and it was brilliant. I downloaded the app and there was Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson telling me when to run and when to walk, three times a week for nine weeks, until I could run a 5K – easy! Nearly anybody could do it. Now I run a 5K once or twice a week. It takes about 30 minutes and I really do feel better for it. I wanted to share some advice about running as a lockdown
lifeline but admit that I’m no expert – luckily, I know someone who is. I have treated Jack Pitcher for years, since the days when he was a top non-league football striker. Now he’s such a great runner that he finished in the top 50 in the 2020 virtual London Marathon. So Jack, it’s over to you… “As soon as I entered the room for my last treatment with Tim, he said to me: ‘I’ve just been talking about you, I want you to be our expert.’ I’m not sure I’ve ever really considered myself to be an expert in anything so my initial response was to laugh. But he then went on to explain what he meant and it all made a bit more sense. So here goes. “You could say I’ve been running all my life. Until a few years ago, I used to run around after a football but now leave the
ball at home. Running became my main sport in 2017 when I met my wife Emily – she was a member of a club and running in lots of races, which sounded exciting. I’ve always been very competitive, so it didn’t take long for me to get involved. I started off having to chase her round but, after a few months of more focused training, my base fitness started to come
back and I managed to catch Emily up – much to her frustration! “My running really started to pick up and became that much more enjoyable when Emily and I joined Emersons Green Running Club at the start of 2018. I always used to think that everyone at a club would be extremely experienced and serious runners and that I would feel a bit out
CLEVE CHIROPRACTIC & PHYSIOTHERAPY CENTRE WE’VE MOVED, BUT NOT TOO FAR... With a Team approach to healthcare.
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February, 2021
43
n SPORT of place. But I couldn’t have been more wrong – everyone was extremely welcoming and there were group sessions for all different standards and abilities. “Tim asked me to come up with a running tip to share in this blog, so here it is: join a local running club. I admit I’m biased towards Emersons Green, but there are many great clubs in this area, such as Bitton, Staple Hill, Frampton Harriers, Stanbridge Fliers and Active Soul – to name but a few. “Whatever your motivation, I guarantee you’ll meet lots of other like-minded people and the social side of running will make it that much more enjoyable. Even in the past year at Emersons, we have had monthly challenges, virtual events and, when permitted, properly run club nights that have all really helped to keep members motivated during an extremely tough year. So what are you waiting for?” Thanks for that Jack. Hopefully you will inspire a new batch of local runners who will be pounding the streets and parks in 2021. Don’t forget that, despite this
Boxers mark four years
with Tim Button, Doctor of Chiropractic at Cleve Chiropractic and Next Step in Mangotsfield
0117 957 5388
drtimbutton@cleve chiropractic.com www.clevechiropractic.com facebook.com/clevechiro twitter.com/clevechiro
latest lockdown, we’re still open at Cleve Chiropractic. We’re Covid safe and have all the necessary PPE and sanitisation protocols in place. Please stay safe and remember that we’re here to help whenever you need us.
JANUARY marked four years since Downend Boxing Club moved in to the Harry Crook Centre. During the lockdown, members and volunteers have been sharing memories online, and it is amazing to see how much has taken place in a relatively short space of time. The empty hall looked a daunting sight when we first saw it, needing re-decorating. However, through the wonderful and tireless efforts of volunteers, it took on a new lease of life. A generous grant from Bristol City Council's Harry Crook sport department followed, and a full-size international ring and state-of-the art weight apparatus was installed. Within three weeks of opening, the centre played host to the West of England regional youth championships, and other tournaments have followed. We hosted boxers from the RAF and Army when they were deployed in the area, and an international training day followed. As a result, the England talent team brought an open talent day to the centre, and the best young athletes from all over the country attended. The centre also serves as an England Boxing educational venue, with coaches and officials attending to gain vital qualifications and safeguarding knowledge. Around 40 new coaches from across the country have attended and qualified. Four of our young people have boxed for England since we have been here, with numerous national and international medals won. More importantly, scores of young people have gained a healthy alternative to the knife and gang violence that we hear so much about, and gone on to careers and better lifestyles, thanks to the discipline that boxing offers. Not bad for a small former boys' club: I’m sure former Lord Mayor of Bristol, Alderman Harry Crook, would have approved.
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44 BATHROOMS & KITCHENS
February, 2021
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February, 2021 ELECTRICIANS
GARDEN MAINTENANCE
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PLUMBING
February, 2021 PLUMBING & HEATING
STEVE PAINTER
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February, 2021 PLUMBING & HEATING
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47
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Downend - A5 - we re open 2021.indd 1
11/01/2021 15:06
