Downend Voice March 2021 by Gary Brindle

downendvoice www.downendvoice.co.uk www.downendvoice.co.uk March 2021, Issue 93

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

Council unveils recovery budget SOUTH Gloucestershire Council has agreed a budget of more than £400 million to deliver public services next financial year, focusing on helping people to recover from the pandemic and rise to meet the challenges of the future. The Recover and Rise budget will further the council’s key priorities of improving school standards and outcomes for young people, improving infrastructure within local communities, and delivering value for money. The budget is balanced, despite the tough financial climate.

Vital support

The budget allows for vital support for residents hit hardest by Covid-19. It includes a £1 million resilience funding package to widen the support net for those who had previously been ineligible; £102,000 “surge funding” for expanding welfare debt advice; more support for domestic violence victims, and a pay boost targeted at the lowest paid council staff.

Children and young people

Improving school standards remains the council’s top priority. Following last year’s launch of its trailblazing Recovery Curriculum, the budget includes a £1.2 million investment to launch phase two. This phase will continue the essen-

tial work to help schoolchildren to catch up on lost learning and support their general wellbeing. The council’s capital investment into school buildings hits a new record with funding committed to ensuring new primary school buildings in Winterbourne, Frenchay and Lyde Green are low carbon, reflecting the council’s climate emergency commitments. Elsewhere, upgrades and improvements to buildings are planned across the district.

Adult social care

The council tax rate will rise by 4.99 per cent, which includes three per cent to be focused on boosting adult social care services. As normal life returns, the pressure on adult social care services will continue. The remaining 1.99 per cent increase will go towards protecting wider services. This means the South Gloucestershire Council element of Council Tax for a Band D property for 2021/22 will be £1,620.39 –an extra £1.48 per week.

Boosting communities

The budget includes investment in major projects such as purchasing the Thornbury Hospital site for plans for a brand-new healthcare facility for the town; £25 million regeneration plans for Kingswood Town Centre and completing the new Yate Park and Ride, due later this year.

Getting around

Cabinet Member for Schools, Skills and Employment Cllr Erica Williams at Courtney School in Kingswood

The council will continue its record investment in the local highway network, with millions more to be invested in resurfacing roads and filling potholes across South Gloucestershire. It is also supporting sustainable travel options and improving cycle and pedestrian routes.

Platinum Jubilee

To mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the council has

View from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Toby Savage

WELCOME - We’re proud to partner with The Voice, a great local business, for this special edition that brings you our latest news. It focuses on our new ‘Recover and Rise’ budget, designed to help you overcome the challenges of the past year. At the same time, we’re prudently managing our finances on your behalf. The pandemic is particularly tough on children and young people. For this reason, we’re launching the next phase of our trail-blazing Recovery Curriculum, a new Youth Employment Hub, and we’re significantly increasing record investments in school buildings including rebuilding Frenchay Primary School. The budget also triggers infrastructure projects to further improve local communities, including regeneration of Kingswood Town Centre, purchasing the Thornbury Hospital site to secure its future, and the completion of the Yate Park and Ride. We will also continue record investment in highways and improve how we get around the area. allocated £50,000 to prepare an activities programme across South Gloucestershire.

More to help Cllr Toby Savage, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “This last year has changed our day-to-day lives and the council and our services have had to adapt

to meet the needs of residents, businesses and communities in the wake of Covid-19. I am proud that through this budget we are doing even more to help residents and their families recover and to rise above the challenges over the past year, widening the safety net to offer much-needed help to more people. “

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

Financial support

Protecting wellbeing SOCIAL distancing and self-isolating can be daunting for all of us so it’s really important that we look after our mental and physical health. The South Glos One You service for adults, offers advice and support to help keep well, covering a range of topics, from how to stay active at home, to maintaining mental health, tips on sleeping well, quitting smoking, healthy eating and getting enough to eat. The website

is oneyou.southglos.gov.uk or people can call 01454 865337. The South Glos Mind You website www. mindyou.org.uk has advice and information on mental health for young people and children and their parents and carers, including videos and webinars, and contact details of where to get more help.

MANY people are struggling financially at the moment. It’s important to know that there are benefits and grants available. For support on looking at which options are available, please book an appointment to speak to one of the South Glos One Stop Shop customer advisors www.southglos.gov.uk/ contactus or call 01454 868009.

Successful local vaccination rollout LAST month (February), saw the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire area reach a major milestone, as all care homes had been offered the Covid-19 vaccination. As of 18 February, in the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) area, 200,000 people had received their first dose. That success continues. To keep up to date on the rollout, please visit the BNSSG Healthier Together’s website bnssghealthiertogether.org.uk. When you qualify for a vaccine, you can book online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119 free of charge, anytime between 7am and 11pm seven days a week. At the time of going to print, those aged over 65; clinically vulnerable adults with underlying health conditions and those who work in social care, providing hands-on support to those vulnerable to Covid-19, are eligible for a vaccine. Remember that no one will be asked to provide personal details as part of this process and no payment is required.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adults and Housing, Cllr Ben Stokes visiting the Vaccination Clinic at West Walk Surgery in Yate

Free support for South Glos businesses SMALL Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Gloucestershire, and residents considering setting up their own business, can get up to 12 hours of free business support from the South Gloucestershire Business Support Service. It is offering group webinars, and

one-to-one business coaching (subject to assessment and availability). The publicly funded programme forms part of Universal Business Support – a West of England Combined Authority initiative, delivered in partnership with the council.

Webinars cover topics such as starting and planning a business, business strategy, digital marketing, social media, finance and more. All the webinars can be viewed on this webpage: www.coolventures.co.uk/ training/

downendvoice www.downendvoice.co.uk www.downendvoice.co.uk March 2021, Issue 93

FREE EVERY MONTH IN DOWNEND, MANGOTSFIELD, STAPLE HILL, BROMLEY HEATH & FRENCHAY Police officer's award for bravery Sergeant Chris Wright, a police officer who tackled a knifeman in Staple Hill has been commended for his bravery. PAGE 11

Ryley, 18, makes debut for City

You've just LOST £15,000 Justin Beattie, from Downend, couldn't believe it when he gave the wrong answer to a question in the Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? hot seat, losing £15,000 in the process. Host Jeremy Clarkson said the dad's four-letter reaction was a first for the show. Full story: Page 15 Picture Stellify Media

Thousands take Covid surge tests

MORE than 36,000 people took Covid-19 tests as part of a twoweek 'community surge testing' programme to detect a new variant of the virus. People in Downend, Staple Hill, Mangotsfield and Frenchay were among those who attended mobile testing units or collected home self-testing kits after

the coronavirus mutation was detected in the area. Mobile testing units were set up at the Bristol & Bath Science Park in Emersons Green, Shaftesbury Park in Frenchay and four other sites in Bristol and South Glos. People who had no symptoms of coronavirus Turn to Page 5

Eighteen-year-old Ryley Towler, a former pupil at Mangotsfield School, has made his debut for Bristol City's first team. PAGE 7

Swimming pools given revamps Swimming pools at Christ Church Infant School and Barley Close Community Primary School are being refurbished. PAGE 8

£2k council tax Downend's average Band D council tax bill for 2021-22 will top £2,000 for the first time.. PAGES 12 & 13

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downendvoice www.downendvoice.co.uk

Publisher Gary Brindle 0117 907 8585 07799 461169 Journalist Linda Tanner 0777 0700579 Journalist Ken MCormick 07715 770377

Follow us on Twitter @downendvoice ADVERTISING sales@downendvoice.co.uk Tel 0117 907 8585 Tel 07799 461169 EDITORIAL news@downendvoice.co.uk Letters to the publication can be sent to the above e-mail address or by post to Letters, Downend Voice, 6 Elkstone Walk, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6JT. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter. DEADLINE Our April edition deadline is March 17. L O C A L I N F O R M AT I O N South Gloucestershire Council www.southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk general enquiries: 101 Emergency: 999 Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk General enquiries: 0117 926 2061 Emergency: 999 NHS 111 Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582 Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk Environment/trading standards

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Downend Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Downend Voice is distributed each month to local residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from local pickup points. Feedback is welcomed, call Gary Brindle on 0117 907 8585 or news@ downendvoice.co.uk.

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

A member of the

March, 2021

n NEWS

Infections falling NEARLY 100 people have died with Covid-19 in South Gloucestershire since the start of the year. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show a total of 93 deaths of people who had recently been diagnosed with the virus - 55 of them in hospital, 36 in care homes and two at home – in the five weeks to February 5. Deaths peaked during the week to January 29, when 43 people died – 22 in hospital and 21 in care homes. The number for the year so far compares with 276 deaths with Covid-19 registered in the area during the whole of 2020. Rates of coronavirus infection have been falling through February. During the week to February 15 there were 379 cases recorded in South Gloucestershire, a case rate of 132.9 per 100,000 people. That was down from 1,214 five weeks previously, when the case rate stood at 425.8 per 100,000. In Downend there were 33 positive tests in the week to February 15, down from 45 in the week to January 11. In Mangotsfield there were 20 cases (down from 27), in Staple Hill North there were 11 (down from 31), in Staple Hill South & Kingswood North West there were 6 (down from 47), in Frenchay & Great Stoke there were 15 (down from 70) and in Emersons Green there were 13 (down from 70). A meeting of the council's health scrutiny committee in January heard that care homes inevitably see Covid-19 outbreaks and deaths two to three weeks after spikes of infection in the community. Care Provider Oversight Group co-chair Rebecca Harrold said that, although the vast majority of care home residents and staff in South Gloucestershire had their first dose of vaccine by late January, it was “not completely effective”, so restrictions on visits had to remain in place.

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March, 2021

n NEWS

15,000 take community surge tests From Page 1 were encouraged to attend and have a test in order to better trace the virus's spread. Libraries in Downend, Staple Hill and Emersons Green, Hambrook Cricket Club and Pucklechurch Community Centre served as 'collect and drop' centres, where people could pick up a kit to carry out a test at home, then drop it off to be taken away for analysis. Over the first three days of the campaign, from February 7 to 9, a total of 7,600 tests were carried out at the mobile test sites, with 7,500 kits collected for home tests. The programme was launched by the NHS to trace the VOC202102/02 variant of the virus, which was first detected in the UK in December. It has been designated as a "variant of concern", because it contains a mutation which some scientists think could make it

more easily spread and more resistant to vaccines. A Public Health England spokesperson said all positive tests found during the surge testing programme were sent for genomic sequencing, a test to establish whether they are cases of the new variant. The process takes around two weeks, and as the Voice went to press, PHE was still waiting to find out how many cases of the variant had been found during the surge testing in the area. However, South Gloucestershire Council's director of public health, Sara Blackmore, said further cases of the variant had been identified from testing of people with symptoms, which are carried out separately to the community surge testing programme. People who took tests under the surge testing scheme were, however, told whether they had tested positive for Covid-19

Voice journalist Ken McCormick took home a testing kit during the surge test campaign INTRODUCED as a convenient alternative to queuing at a mobile testing unit, home testing kits for Covid-19 were picked up by thousands of people during the community surge testing campaign. Living in an affected postcode area, I decided to do my bit and collected kits for myself and the two other over-16s in my household from Downend Library, a short walk away. Each one came in a little grey plasticwrapped parcel, a bit like something you'd ordered online would be delivered in. Inside was a box, sample tube, swab in a sealed packet, an absorbent pad, security

within a few days. Anyone who received a positive test result must selfisolate for 10 days, along with everyone in their household or support bubble. After the first week, around one per cent of tests were found to be positive. The testing was only being carried out on people living or working in 24 specific postcode areas, which included the BS16 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 postcodes covering part of Fishponds, Stapleton, Frenchay, Downend, Mangotsfield, part of Staple Hill, Frenchay, Emersons Green, Lyde Green and Pucklechurch. People in other areas, including parts of Staple Hill in BS16 4, were not being asked to take a test. Ms Blackmore said: “The response to our community surge testing programme has been nothing short of incredible. “The tests will help Public Health scientists to better

sticker, a couple of plastic bags and an instruction booklet. Everyone was also given an extra letter pointing out that while the kit was designed to be posted back via the Royal Mail, in this case it had to go back to the library – which meant some of the instructions in the booklet should be ignored. This did make things a little more confusing, even though it actually meant there were fewer boxes to fill in on the website. An alternative phone-based system was in place for anyone not online. Once the registration was out of the way it was time to wash hands and deal with the swab. This was something like an oversized cotton bud, which first had to be rubbed on the tonsil area for 10 seconds, avoiding the

understand what is happening as the virus changes, and to make sure that the vaccines remain effective in protecting us all." Meanwhile testing facilities for people who have one of the main symptoms of Covid-19 – a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – have been enhanced. A testing centre in the car park of Cleve RFC's Hayfields ground, in Cossham Street, Mangotsfield, has been turned into a walk-through centre. It was initially set up as a temporary drive-through mobile site in November but since late January it has been converted to a walk-through site. Anyone who is suffering one of the symptoms of coronavirus can book an appointment by calling the NHS on 119 or visiting www.gov.uk/get-coronavirustest online.

tongue or sides of the mouth, and then put up the nostril – about an inch or "until you feel some resistance" for another 10 to 15 seconds. The experience couldn't be described as pleasant – and the leaflet warned that it might be "uncomfortable" - and some people did report gagging. For me, the nostril bit was worse, as I ended up sneezing and blowing my nose for several hours afterwards. But a little bit of discomfort is a small price to pay if it helps detect how the virus is spreading through our communities. After that the swab was placed in the sample tube, bagged and boxed and dropped off at the library. The tests for our household came back negative – mine was last in, two-and-a-half days after the test.

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March, 2021

n NEWS

Have your say on High Street future PEOPLE who live, work or shop in Staple Hill are being asked how they think the High Street should change. A survey asking what people like, dislike and would like to improve has been posted online and is available to fill in until March 21. The survey has been produced by South Gloucestershire Council working with the Staple Hill Chamber of Trade and Commerce, ward councillors, Friends of Page Park and other local groups. The idea is to gather opinions and suggestions from everyone who uses the shopping area, including Broad Street up to Page Park, or who could visit but currently stay away. Staple Hill Chamber of Trade and Commerce chair George Georgiou, who runs butcher's shop The Butcher's Hook, said: "We know what the traders want from the High Street but we don't know what the residents want. "We want new customers and

New bins make a difference NEW bins have been installed in Staple Hill as part of a drive to improve the area. The bins are bigger and easier to empty by crews in waste lorries, and are the first part of a project which will also see new planters installed during the spring to brighten up the High Street and Broad Street. Ward councillor Ian Boulton said traders had lobbied to improve the bins and the Growing Staple Hill project, organised with the friends of Page Park and advice from Britain in Bloom had identified that the bins and other ‘street furniture’ were "letting us down and helping to make our town centre look untidy". more people to come to the High Street and we're keen to find out what changes could make them come.Once it's all collated and the data is analysed, we will pick the top priorities." Staple Hill and Mangotsfield ward councillor Ian Boulton said: “Primarily we hope the survey of residents and visitors to Staple Hill will provide valuable market research for existing and

A new bin outside Spencers jewellers in Broad Street. Photo: Steph Purser

potential businesses who are considering investing in our town centre. "By finding out what people want, and also don’t want, on our High Street, our traders can respond to changing trends in order to increase their chances of developing viable and thriving businesses. "We also hope to be able to use the responses to help South

Gloucestershire Council create a local High Street that will attract even more locals and visitors alike. If we can attract more visitors to our High Street our local traders can then work to entice that increased footfall onto their premises and, ultimately, build their businesses." To fill in the survey online visit southglos.researchfeedback. net/s/StapleHill

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March, 2021

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n NEWS

Ryley impresses on Bristol City debut

A FOOTBALLER who once led an undefeated Mangotsfield School team to nine trophies has made his professional debut for Bristol City. Ryley Towler was named man of the match in City's narrow FA Cup 5th round defeat to Premier League side Sheffield United. The 18-year-old Bristol City Academy graduate, who played the full 90 minutes at left-back at Bramall Lane, said his mum had cried when she heard that he was going to play. Ryley told City's Robins TV channel: "I’m buzzing to make my debut as a Bristol boy, so to make my debut for my boyhood club is a dream come true. "Everyone was watching. I told my parents on the way that I was starting and they couldn’t believe it." Ryley has been with City since the age of seven and said his arrival in the first team showed there was "a clear pathway" for academy players to make their

Ryley Towler in action against Sheffield United. Picture courtesy of JMP UK mark at Ashton Gate. Despite the Robins losing the match to a highly controversial penalty, awarded following a VAR review, Ryley was the highest-rated player on either side in the BBC's match report, and the Sky TV commentators said his school should be proud of him. School head of PE Tristan Hawkins said: "Mangotsfield

PE department and staff are incredibly proud of Ryley making his professional debut at the age of 18; he is an example of what you can achieve with hard work and dedication. "He grew in confidence as the game developed, he was strong on the ball and made some key clearances in the first half. "We are positive this is just the start of a bright future

for Mr Towler, and we will be supporting him and watching him every step of the way." Another Mangotsfield School footballer is now making his first steps into the professional game: Year 11 pupil Curtis Dunn has signed a two-year academy contract with Forest Green Rovers. Mr Hawkins said: "Curtis is a multi-talented sportsman who has represented Mangotsfield School for cross country and athletics and is currently captain of the Year 11 football team. He has a promising future in football and we wish him the best of luck with his exciting opportunity." Curtis said: "It took a lot of effort and there were lots of obstacles in the way but hard work and dedication paid off and got me there – I still can’t believe it’s happened. "I’m very proud to be given the opportunity and will work just as hard when I get there."

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March, 2021

n NEWS

School swimming pool revamps under way WORK has begun on two separate projects to revamp school swimming pools in Downend and Mangotsfield. Generations of children in the area have learned to swim in the pools at Christ Church C of E Infant School and Barley Close Community Primary School. But both pools were badly in need of refurbishment and fundraising has been under way to pay for the work needed. At Christ Church Infants, the school has come to an agreement with swimming teacher Jane Short, who has run First Strokes Swim School for nearly 25 years. Jane has agreed to pay £12,000 towards the cost of the refurbishment, which the school will treat as advanced payment on hire costs and add to money the school had raised. In a normal year around 250 children learn to swim with First Strokes at Christ Church and around 300 at Barley Close. Jane said: "The sides of the pool at Christ Church had rusted and last year was the last time we were able to use it. "A friend of mine remembers her parents fundraising for it to be built when she was at

Work under way to refurbish the Christ Church Infant School pool school – and she's 52! "In the last 15 years, ten pools have been closed and bulldozed or redeveloped in

and around Bristol. I’m very thankful that Christ Church and Barley Close schools have decided to refurbish and give children the opportunity to learn to swim." Contractors from First4Pools are expected to finish at Christ Church ready for children to be able to swim after Easter. Head teacher Anna Martin said: "We are very much looking forward to a non-leaking, heat retaining pool." At Barley Close, work is under way to replace the roof at the pool, which is used from Easter to October for lessons and fun sessions. Head teacher Jo Williams said the pool is nearly 50 years old and the roof had started to let rain in. Funding is coming from more than £10,000 raised by parents over the past ten years, and a number of grants. Once the roof has been replaced by Downend-based Beefree Construction, the school will look at internal work which needs doing to improve the pool, using funding from a £50,000 award from South Gloucestershire.

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

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getting the nation back up and running again and serving the communities in which we operate. Please check out our website to fully understand what we have on offer: https://www.wildyeastbakery. co.uk/ We are also on the following social media sites: https://www.facebook.com/ wildyeastbakerybristol https://www.instagram.com/ wildyeastbakerybristol/ https://twitter.com/wild_yeast We pride ourselves in our attention to flavours and having high standards to stand out from the crowd with our products, aiming to be better than the rest and look forward to meeting you.

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March, 2021

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n NEWS

RedX Dance appear on national TV

LOCKDOWN hasn't stopped youngsters from a Staple Hillbased street dance company from showcasing their talents to a huge audience. RedX Dance members Molly May Tutton, Phoebe Ripard and Madison Bragg have all appeared on national television after submitting home videos of them busting their moves. The videos were used in the CITV programme Scrambled which broadcasts on Saturday mornings. Phoebe, 10, and Madison, seven, appeared in the new talent show Scrambled Got Talent where they had to impress judges Harry Smiles, Billie Eyelash and Will.I.Phone. And Molly May, six, showcased her dance routine in the Kitchen Disco Hub where the presenters learnt her impressive moves and encouraged viewers to do the same. RedX dancers were invited to send videos of them dancing at home, with three of the girls so far selected to appear on the show. RedX Dance was set up by sisters Gabriella and Jasmine and Sorisi-Thomas in 2012, when they were just 17 and 16 years old respectively. The duo originally held dance classes at Stanbridge Primary School and Emersons Green Hall but, as the troupe's popularity increased, they moved to premises in Page Road, Staple Hill. Gabbi said the children relished the opportunity to appear on national television: “The children were excited to take part in Scrambled and over the moon to have been selected. We felt very proud that our students had appeared on TV dancing!” Jasmine said it was very much business as usual despite restrictions: “Whilst we’ve not been able to attend dance classes in person at the RedX Dance Studio, we have been keeping our children dancing each week with classes on Zoom. “We’ve had a great response from our children who have joined in weekly classes and challenges. “During the first lockdown we were able to supply free lockdown t-shirts to the children who took part in classes as well as put on a lockdown performance for family and friends, which was very special. During the second lockdown, the children obtained commemorative lockdown medals to mark the occasion. The children are now working towards getting back to the studio and performing in a live show when restrictions are lifted.”

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Local Apprentice Opportunities Plummet “MUST DO BETTER”: is the message from Labour’s Metro Mayor candidate Dan Norris who has condemned the Conservative West of England Metro Mayor for failing on apprenticeships. Latest figures show that during the current Metro Mayor’s term of office the number of new apprenticeships in the West of England has plummeted. There are 1630 fewer in South Gloucestershire, North East Somerset, Bristol and Bath than when the Tory Mayor came to power. The Metro Mayor is responsible for apprenticeship cash and policy but around 65% of small businesses across the West of England have never used apprentices. Dan Norris said “Apprenticeship opportunities in the West of England are at their lowest level in 5 years. That’s not good enough. The Metro Mayor is failing to create the opportunities local young people need. Investing in training will be central to rebuilding our economy after the pandemic. If elected I will be a ‘jobs first’ Metro Mayor.”

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March, 2021

n PETER'S VISION

Myopia matters myopia! Now I’ve not changed prescription since my mid teens, which as a 70s child does mean I have a superb collection of 1980s glasses - think big brown plastic (thanks Dad for that!) that I can still wear. Great for the retro look, or even the odd fancy dress party, but nothing I can wear to work under any circumstances! Seriously though, increasing myopia does matter. The risk of eye health problems increases if your myopia developes past a certain point. The exact dioptric value of the myopia is not as much of a concern as the growth and thinning of the key part of the eye, the retina. In the past there was not thought to be much that can be done about myopia development. The good news is that we now have more options to offer you than ever before. I’ve talked before about Ortho-K, the overnight vision correction, as well as daily disposable contact lenses that

ANOTHER month of lockdown goes by, and with the vaccine rollout gathering pace I can sense a feeling of hope in the air. Of course I think the usual signs of spring help us too! Whether it’s the new shoots from the bulbs, the warmth in the air or the lighter days I think taking time to appreciate the little things can make such a difference to us all. One thing that we’ve been aware of for many years, and is perhaps gaining traction as more treatment options are becoming available, is myopia. Now for those of you who haven’t swallowed an Optometry encyclopedia, myopia is short sight in everyday language. Those of us who are short sighted need glasses or contacts to see in the distance, which for example can be watching TV or driving. I really should add a note for parents here; just because your child can see an aeroplane in the sky or an animal in a field doesn’t mean that they don’t have a degree of

can help slow down myopia. The exciting news, drum roll please… is that we now have a glasses lens option too. This really is quite exciting news for our younger patients who decided against contact lens wear, and previously had no clear option to help slow their myopia progression. If you’d like to know more about this for yourself or those you love just visit our website and click the Myopia tab. We’ve a dedicated email address on the website you’re welcome to use to contact us if you have any concerns or questions about myopia. Don’t forget, whether you’re myopic or not, we’re still here when you need us six days per week. For eye care, advice, glasses and contact lenses 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 continuing to offer 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!

Peter

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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0117 965 4434

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March, 2021

downendvoice

n NEWS

Officer put himself 'in the line of danger' to being down knifeman AN "incredibly brave" police officer who brought down a man armed with several knives at flats in Staple Hill has been commended by the chief constable. PC Chris Wright was one of the first officers on the scene following an emergency call to an incident at Pleasant House in Pleasant Road in June last year. When he arrived, 41-year-old David Wilkie, who was armed with three knives, was in a communal walkway. Avon and Somerset police said PC Wright took command of the situation, asked colleagues to ensure residents went back inside their homes and called for armed back-up. But before support could arrive, Wilkie rushed down the stairs to confront PC Wright and his three colleagues. As he approached them wielding the knives, PC Wright drew his Taser stun gun and told Wilkie to stop but he continued to approach the police. PC Wright then fired the Taser "because of the continuing risk posed to officers and the public and the fact the man continued to walk towards him aggressively", bringing Wilkie to the ground, where other officers kicked the knives away from his reach and put him in handcuffs. Wilkie, of Brigstocke Road, St Paul's, was arrested and later charged with affray, possession of a bladed article, common assault and criminal damage. He was jailed for a year the following month. The officer, who has been on the force for 16 years, has been

promoted to sergeant since the incident. Sgt Wright said: “In all my years of service, this is the first time I’ve actually thought 'I’m in trouble here', but we are well trained in how to deal with scenarios like this, and thankfully the training kicked in. “I was worried about my colleagues, as none of them were equipped with Taser and they didn’t have time to flee. I told them to get back into the car but he came down the stairs too quickly. Thankfully the Taser worked and nobody was injured. “Once it was over it did hit home and it made me reflect on what happened. “I’m honoured to receive the commendation. It was nice to be recognised but I also want to point out that my colleagues are out there putting themselves in harm’s way every day.” Chief Constable Andy Marsh said: “This was an incredibly brave officer who put himself in the line of danger to keep the public safe. “Sgt Wright was calm and measured when faced with a threatening and aggressive armed man, and used all of his training and experience to engage with the suspect, before using his Taser when all other options had been exhausted. "After the Taser was discharged, he kept talking to the man and made sure he was given the appropriate after-care. “He fully deserves this commendation which is in recognition of his selfless courage in what was clearly an extremely volatile situation.”

Chris Wright with his award

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The Grapevine Brasserie, St James Pl, Mangotsfield BS16 9JB You can view our menu on our website, Instagram or Facebook To place an order you can call us Friday & Saturday from 4.30pm or Sunday from 11.30am : 0117 9570614 Message us any time via Instagram or Facebook Email us any time on: info@grapevinebrasserie.co.uk Please leave us these details on ordering: Name | Day & time of collection | If ordering a burger state if you want cheddar cheese, blue cheese, vegan cheese or none | Any other special requests Payments are made via cash or card on collection

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Body camera footage shows the knifeman approaching as PC Wright raises his Taser stun gun

Another officer kicks away one of the knives (circled in red) as the stunned man lies on the ground

With our other sister company “MOKKA” on Downend High Street still waiting for the go ahead to open, for now we will continue to focus on the Grapevine and it’s takeaways until both can officially fully open. We hope to see you all soon, take care, team GVB.

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downendvoice

March, 2021

n NEWS

Average Downend council tax bill tops

AVERAGE council tax bills in Downend will top £2,000 for the first time this year. Increases in charges from bodies including South Gloucestershire Council, the police and fire service mean that a median Band D council tax payer will be charged a total of £2,022.76 from April – more than £100 up from last year's total of £1,908.69. South Gloucestershire Council's share of the bill is going up by 4.99%, the maximum allowed, to £1,620.39, from £1,543.37 last year. Of that rise, 1.99% will go to general services, such as street lighting, libraries and repairing potholes, and 3% will cover some of the growing costs of adult social care. Overall bills vary according to the size of a property – in Downend they vary from just over £1,300 in Band A to more than £4,000 in the highest Band H. The amount residents pay also varies according to the area

where they live. Parish councils such as Downend & Bromley Heath charge a precept for their services which is added on to bills, while there are also "special expenses" charges for neighbourhood services specific to each area. This means that while the Band D bill in Downend is more than £2,000, a Band D taxpayer in Staple Hill, which has no parish council, will pay £50 less and people in Frenchay, who come under Winterbourne Parish Council, will pay around £25 less, keeping all of their bills just below the £2,000 mark. Downend and Bromley Heath Parish Council has frozen its budget, but the £66.37 Band D charge is 17p up on last year, due to changes in the number of people in the area liable to pay council tax. Band D taxpayers will pay the police £241.20 in 2021/22, up £13.39 or 5.88 %. Avon Fire Authority's charge of £76.43 is £1.49 or 1.99% up on

last year. The South Gloucestershire budget was described as the "most important in its 25-year history" by council leader Toby Savage when it was agreed in February. The Conservative administration says the more than £400 million spending agreed for the coming financial year puts the district on a firm footing to “recover and rise” from the pandemic, with a wide range of support for communities, families and young people. The proposals were formally accepted at a meeting of the full council on February 10, with a late amendment by the majority Tory group voted through to divert £120,000 from reserves – including an unspent £100,000 from its Brexit Preparedness Grant – to high streets, focusing on Downend, Filton and Chipping Sodbury. Labour joined the Conservatives in voting to approve the budget while the

Liberal Democrats abstained. The Lib Dems proposed giving the climate emergency greater priority. In an amendment supported by Labour but voted down by the Tories, the group proposed to use the additional £120,000 to help the three high streets “build back greener”. It said the priority should be on reducing businesses’ energy costs and CO2 emissions, and providing more electric vehicle charging points. Lib Dem Dodington ward councillor Louise Harris told the meeting: “The point of the climate emergency is that it is an emergency and that requires action now – we can’t afford to wait a year or two." The amendment was criticised by Conservatives as “too prescriptive” for the three different high streets. Labour tabled its own amendment, allocating £50,000 to start a pay modelling review to ensure the council’s lowest

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downendvoice

March, 2021

£2,000 for first time paid staff receive the Real Living Wage. Deputy group leader and Staple Hill councillor Ian Boulton said the Tories, who have controlled the council since 2015, had broken a pledge made when it was under no overall control to pay the living wage and that 500 employees had fallen back into poverty pay. Cllr Savage said: “The Real Living Wage is a laudable aim but it is difficult to see where the funding is going to come from unless you’re looking to cut front-line services." The amendment was voted down, with the Lib Dems abstaining. Cllr Savage said the coronavirus pandemic had “ravaged” the country’s finances and the council's budget was “shaped by a single overriding aim to put South Gloucestershire in the best possible position to recover and rise”. The authority will be hiring

consultants to come up with ways to plug a £16.3m financial black hole by 2024/25. The budget includes a £1m council tax support package for those who have missed out on previous help, £102,000 of “surge” funding to expand welfare debt advice, more support for domestic violence victims and £1.3m to increase wages of the lowest-paid council staff. It also devotes £1.2m to launch phase two of the council’s Recovery Curriculum, preparing schools for the return of classes after lockdown. A further £468,000 will be used to create a youth employment hub to address the increased number of young people not in education or employment. Figures from South Gloucestershire Council and Local Democracy Reporting Service Budget meeting reporting by Adam Postans, LDRS

Band D council tax bills 2021/22 Parish/ area Downend & Bromley Heath Emersons Green Winterbourne & Frenchay

Parish budget

Unparished (Staple Hill & Mangotsfield)

Parish precept

Special expenses

Total council tax

£304,500 £66.37 £18.37

£2,022.76

£256,232 £39.59 £17.74

£1,995.35

£185,350 £48.91 £8.43

£1,995.36

n/a

n/a £30.44 £1,968.46

FUNDING for 70 new Avon and Somerset police officers has been approved only after a row between police and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens and councillors. The commissioner had wanted to raise bills for Band D taxpayers by £15 from April. But members of the police and crime panel vetoed the 6.6% rise, saying it was too much for families struggling with the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the end the panel accepted a £13.39 increase, with the gap plugged using £1 million of reserves which had been earmarked for the PCC's fund.

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downendvoice

March, 2021

n NEWS

Concern at Baugh Farm 'eco garden' bid PLANS to use agricultural land in Downend as an “eco domestic garden” will open the floodgates for residential development, campaigners claim. Daveene McCallion wants to change the use of a field at Baugh Farm in Fouracre Crescent as well as retain a hardstanding area. But her plans have proved unpopular with locals who have launched a petition amid fears the land could then be developed spoiling the picturesque Leap Valley. A supporting statement says the proposal “does not include the erection of any physical structures and therefore, will not affect the amenity of neighbouring properties”. But neighbour James Weaver, who has started a petition against the proposals, questioned the claim: “This statement is contradictory to the request that the hardstanding be retained, as the proposed hardstanding itself constitutes development and its purpose within an 'eco garden' should be questioned.” Mr Weaver further questioned the applicant's motives: “Why does the applicant require such an excessively large additional unconnected garden in addition to her

already very large garden? “There is a significant risk that this is development by increment, and that this is just the first step to obtain permission to develop the 'site' into housing, and this application is intended to establish a previous development principle.” More than 150 people have signed the petition which was launched to “protect the woodland at Baugh Farm and Leap Valley from residential development”. Many more people have lodged complaints to South Gloucestershire Council against the scheme. Mary Lewis, chair of The Friends of Leap Valley, said: “Development of an 'eco garden' could easily be carried out under the present agricultural land usage designation and does not need Change of Use to C3 designation. This would open up the potential for further future development.” Her thoughts were echoed by Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council, which registered concerns: “Change of use is unnecessary as the applicant currently has all the permissions she needs to achieve her stated aims. Residential development would be out of keeping with the local area.”

John Sneddon, from Staple Hill-based Tetlow King Planning which is representing Ms McCallion, said: “It should be noted that the site lies within the settlement boundary where development is considered accepted. The surrounding area is characterised by residential properties with large domestic gardens and therefore, the proposal will not look at of place within the locality and will not adversely affect the character of the area. “An area of hardstanding is considered wholly acceptable to allow our client to use small vehicles (lawn mowers, small tractors/ trailers etc) to continue management of the land without turning up soil and creating a mess for neighbouring properties.” He added: “My client will manage this site in an ecologically sensitive way and seek to continually improve its ecology and intends this to be an eco-domestic garden enhancing wildlife and biodiversity.” • PLANS to turn a paddock between Downend and Winterbourne into pitches for travellers have been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council. The plans can be viewed on the council's website, by searching for application P21/00326/F.

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downendvoice

March, 2021

n NEWS A DOWNEND dad who blew £15,000 of winnings with a wrong answer on Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? is looking on the bright side. Justin Beattie's shocked fourletter response to being told he had got the £32,000 question wrong – and lost most of the £16,000 he had already won – had to be bleeped out by the ITV show's producers, with host Jeremy Clarkson telling him: "That's a first. Nobody's ever said that." But Justin is happy to have come away with £1,000 and an anecdote for his next trip to the pub – whenever it opens. Justin, who was a Royal Navy submariner for 25 years and now works for a Bath-based engineering firm liaising with MoD Abbey Wood, says one of the worst things was not being able to talk about what happened to anyone – except his family and "phone a friend" nominees – between the filming of the show last September and its screening in January. He said that once the show was screened, "all my ex-Navy colleagues were about as sympathetic as you'd expect them to be". The question was: "Which sportsman retired aged just 26, before making an unsuccessful return to competition eight years later?" The options were tennis player Bjorn Borg, racing driver Alain Prost, boxer George Foreman and athlete Carl Lewis. The correct answer was Borg SOUTH Gloucestershire Council says it has supported enforcement action against two pubs found to be operating in breach of Covid-19 restrictions. The authority said it has worked with police to issue fines to the managers of the White Swan in Downend and Ye Olde Inn in Westerleigh after receiving complaints that people were drinking inside both pubs during Tier 3 restrictions which required them to close. In both cases, the council says the managers had received fixed penalty notices and had been asked to leave by the licence holders. Paul Hughes, chairman of the council’s regulatory committee, said: “During Tier 3 restrictions and the current lockdown, licensed premises can

Dad from Downend misses out on TV Millionaire £15k

Justin Beattie in the Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? hot seat Picture Stellify Media

but Justin confidently gave Lewis's name. He says he slipped up after mistakenly thinking of Lewis's great rival Ben Johnson, who was 26 when he was banned from the sport after failing a drugs test following the 1988 Olympic 100 metre sprint final – and later made a failed comeback. Getting the answer wrong meant that not only did Justin have to leave the hot seat, but his winnings were reduced to the lowest 'safety net' of £1,000. And that put on hold his plans

to use a big prize to fund setting up a micropub in Downend. Justin is a fan of the smallscale, no-frills beer-focused boozers, such as the Wooden Walls in Staple Hill and Snuffy Jack's in Fishponds. He would like to set one up in the Downend and Bromley Heath area and says he already has a name chosen: The Four Graces – after faith, hope, charity and WG Grace. But after Justin mentioned his love for micropubs on-air, he received a little thank-you from

Snuffy Jack's: they delivered him and partner Sarah, who live in Downend with four of their seven children, a pint each by way of a thank-you. Justin is something of a TV show veteran. He was a quarter-finalist in the 2019 series of MasterChef and has been a contestant on Tipping Point and Mastermind. Another previous quiz show appearance landed him on blooper programme It'll Be Alright on the Night, when he misheard a question from John Leslie during an episode of Wheel of Fortune. Justin said: "I thought the next time I humiliated myself on recorded TV, the thing to do was swear filthily and it would end up on the cutting-room floor – it turns out that's not the case!" ITV were unable to confirm whether Justin's use of the s-word really was the first time a losing contestant had sworn during Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? But Justin said: "I came out with what I thought was a pretty well justified word – and I stick by that one, it was a pretty valid comment on the day. "I don't believe for one moment that nobody else has ever done it."

Pubs fined for Covid breaches only open for takeaway, delivery or click and collect. We have been carrying out checks and are pleased to say the majority of pubs have been following the rules.The activity at both these pubs was not in line with the rules and risks spreading the virus further in the community. We will not tolerate this and our licensing team will work with the police to take action where we find premises open or when we receive complaints.” The council is encouraging people to report breaches by businesses on 01454 868001. For other breaches, such as large gatherings, call the police on 101.

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downendvoice

March, 2021

n PAGE PARK NEWS

60-year mystery solved IN January the Friends of Page Park received an email from someone who had moved close to the park and had found something in their garden that might be of interest to us. It was part of the original top of the park's drinking fountain, which had been missing for well over 60 years. They asked if we would like to have it back and we came and collected it. Frustratingly this comes just a couple of years too late to return it to the fountain, as this piece has recently been replaced as part of our Heritage Lottery Fund project. However, we welcome the original stone back to our park where it belongs. The top ball section of the fountain is still missing – we believe it might still be in one of the gardens in Burley Grove. A group of youths are believed to have removed the top of the fountain and rolled it down Gerrish

Avenue. The piece found this year may well have been dislodged or fallen off but it was far too heavy to be removed, so a local resident managed to store it in their garden but never told anyone. It was found when home's current owner was clearing the garden. The fountain was given by the people of Staple Hill and Mangotsfield in recognition of their appreciation to Arthur William Page, who gave 19 acres of his front garden to create Page Park. Looking at photographs of the fountain on the park's 50th birthday celebration in 1960, the top was already missing – and to be fair we haven't been able to find out any information since, until about a year or so ago. By sheer coincidence the story of what happened was confirmed yesterday to us by a local resident. What is noticeable is the original sections of the fountain

Bandstand restoration THE Friends of Page Park have been awarded a grant of £10,000 towards restoring and redecorating the bandstand. The work will involve repairs to the roof, stonework on the edge of the flower beds, painting and decorating woodwork and railings and renewing the flowerbeds, plus an arrangement for fencing to surround the bandstand when work is in progress The grant requires a 10% donation from a third party, and this £1,000 will be covered by the Friends from part of the profit from the sale of our calendar. Hopefully we can get the work completed ready to start our program of events as soon as Covid restrictions are lifted.

A part missing from the drinking fountain is recovered from a nearby garden were stuck together, whereas now the restored fountain is connected by a metal rod going from top to bottom. It would be good to find a use for the recovered stone, so if you have any suggestions then please let us know.

The missing stone

Revamp planned for aviary WE'VE known for some while that we needed to do something for the aviary to make it a nicer place to visit and a much nicer place for the birds to live. Friends trustee Tom Beard, of the Bean Tree cafe, will be supervising and overseeing a major revamp project, together with officers at South Glos Council and our amazing grounds crew. Exact details are yet to be confirmed but it will include new paving stones and trellis outside and a revamp inside. The trustees have agreed to fund the project but hope to raise £1,000 in donations from the community. Donations can be made online at virginmoneygiving.com/fund/pageparkaviary

Please respect other park users THE park has been very, very busy during the latest lockdown. When it's a nice day, everyone wants to get out and head for the nearest green space: they are more important now than they have ever been. The park is there for everyone and it's important to respect other users and remember social distancing. If the park is really busy when you arrive, maybe consider coming back at a time when it's less busy.

Steph Purser

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YOUR

Community NEWS

Brought to you by

DOWNEND & BROMLEY HEATH PARISH COUNCIL

Welcome 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. The Parish Council intends to carefully consider all suggestions and reservations put forward before finalising the planning application submission. The Parish Council wants to ensure that the Pavilion becomes an asset to the community as a whole. We hope the investment in the new Pavilion, and the wider park, will further enhance one of Downend’s most loved open green spaces. Cllr Ben Burton (Chair of the Sport Pitches and Pavilion Working Group)

Overview

The consultation asked three questions and an overview of the responses is shown in the graphs below.

1. Do you like the overall design?

2. Do you think the design is sympathetic to the surrounding park and playing fields? No 28.0%

No 31.6%

3. Do you think the new pavilion provides the facilities that you think are required?

No 37.0%

Yes 68.4%

Yes 63.0%

Yes 72.0%

The key benefits of the new pavilion were identified as follows: Great for the community and what the area needs. The appearance of the building will be vastly improved. The design is well thought out for a variety of uses. The facilities are excellent and will be good for the various sports teams that use the playing fields. The facilities will provide a wider community use and social hub. A number of concerns were raised and these have been addressed in the Q&A section of the full consultation response. The main concerns centred around the following themes: The space available for parking of vehicles.

The security of the pavilion and possible anti-social behaviour. The ‘bar’ area indicated on the plans and possible disturbance to residents. The size and position of the pavilion. A full consultation response will be placed on the Downend and Bromley Parish Council website at: https://www.dbhparishcouncil.uk If you would like a copy of the consultation in another format then please contact Angela Hocking (Clerk to Downend & Bromley Heath Parish Council) via email: clerk@dbhparishcouncil.co.uk or telephone 0117 9567001.

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

March, 2021

n NEWS

Electric car charging points arrive

Work underway to install an electric car charger in Mangotsfield

The new charging point in Staple Hill A NEW electric car charging point is up and running in Staple Hill – with another in the process of being installed in Mangotsfield. The two-point 22kW fast charging point in the Haynes Lane car park, between was already being used when the Voice visited on February 21, despite having an official opening date in March. Meanwhile contractors have been in the St James Street car park in Mangotsfield installing another charging point. It follows the installation of multiple

charging points at the Bristol and Bath Science Park in Emersons Green earlier this year. A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: “We’ve been working to install charging points across the district as part of our plans to upgrade the publicly available charging network in South Gloucestershire." The spokesperson said the council was due to open further sites in Thornbury and Patchway before the end of February, with

sites in Kingswood and Hanham also due to open in March. The St James Street car park site is also due to open by the end of March, along with another charging point at Yate Shopping Centre. Councils are being invited to apply for a share of £20 million funding in the coming financial year to pay for on-street residential charging points, so people who do not have private parking such as a drive or garage can still charge cars near their homes.

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downendvoice

March, 2021

n NEWS

Andy raises £5k for hospital staff after mum's Covid death

A TEACHER who lost his mother to Covid-19 has raised more than £5,000 to thank staff at Southmead Hospital. Andy Marshall-Aherne, 36, wants the money to be used to support the well-being and mental health of nurses and doctors working tirelessly at the hospital. Christine Marshall, 68, was treated on a ventilator in the intensive care unit for 18 days but couldn’t be saved. Her whole family caught the virus at new year but only Christine, who was healthy with no underlying conditions, became ill enough to be hospitalised. Within days of catching Covid she was unable to stand or move, was fighting for breath and had a temperature of 40C. After being rushed to Southmead Hospital she developed secondary pneumonia and a lung infection. Andy, who lives in Lyde Green, said the care and

Christine Marshall with her son Andrew compassion his family received from the hospital was exemplary. He said: “Despite the fact the hospital was so full, the staff never made you feel rushed. “It was reassuring to see the patients being cared for so well. It was busy yet all the staff were calm. "At the end my dad Richard and I were able to be with my mum at the hospital. The staff even made some handprints of my mum to give to my children to remember her by.”

Christine’s grandsons George, seven, and Jacob, four, pupils at Blackhorse Primary School, are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their beloved granny, who devoted hours to baking with them at her home in Coalpit Heath. Andy, an assistant principal at King's Oak Academy in Kingswood, began his fundraising when his mother was admitted. Despite not being a regular runner, he vowed to run 10k

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every day until she came home. He began pounding the pavements in Emersons Green and Downend during the dark winter evenings and ran well over 100 miles before completing a final run on the day she died. Since her death, he has been amazed that 300 people have contributed to the fund and left kind messages for him and his family, including their memories of his mother. Christine was a headteacher for 30 years before setting up a school improvement business and carrying out voluntary roles for schools. She also spent time volunteering for Bristol charity CCS Adoption. Andy, an ex- pupil of Ridings High School, said: “I was so proud of the work she did and it inspired me to go into teaching." His fundraising page for Southmead Hospital Charity is at justgiving.com/fundraising/ Andrew-marshall-aherne

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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

n NEWS A GRIEVING pensioner says he was "effectively fined for having lost my wife" after being sent a bill of more than £100 by his phone company. Don and Denise Willcox were married for 44 years before Denise passed away in August last year. The couple's household bills were all handled by Denise, whose name was on their Virgin Media account for phones and TV at their Staple Hill home. After receiving an offer for a new mobile phone in January this year, Don got in touch with Virgin and was asked to contact a department handling bereavement, to change the account details. Don says he was initially told he would be able to take up the new offer. Then, not only was the offer withdrawn but he was told the media contract for his home address would be increased from £49 to £83 per month, because all discounts only applied to his wife. This was despite the account still being for the same address and paid for from the same bank account.

March, 2021

Phone company's 'despicable' charges after wife's death

Don Willcox with his wife Denise, who died last year Don said: "The only change was from my wife’s Christian name to mine. "I said that I was disgusted, effectively being fined for having lost my wife; that I would be changing to a different supplier and would be notifying them of

cancellation when I had secured another contract." Mr Willcox says he then arranged a contract with another provider and notified Virgin that he was leaving, and says he was told the outstanding bill would be £53. He says he was then sent a bill for £114.40, which included a "package change" of £88.53 and a monthly bill of £83, minus his credit balance. He also says the company "had the nerve" to charge him £8.70 for the 1 hour and 38 minute call to cancel his contract, which included more than an hour on hold. Don and his daughter challenged it with the company's bereavement

team. Don said: "I truly believe that Virgin Media’s procedures and actions, with the exception of the bereavement team, are disgusting and despicable." The Voice contacted Virgin Media to ask whether it felt Don had been treated fairly and how it planned to resolve the case. The company has accepted that a human error meant that Denise's discounts were not applied when responsibility for the bill was transferred to Don and that its advisor did not properly explain the changes to him, and how they would appear on his bill. It is waiving his final bill as a goodwill gesture. A Virgin Media spokesperson said: "We sincerely apologise to Mr Willcox for the error when transferring his wife’s account into his name and are pleased to have resolved the matter to his satisfaction." After Virgin Media called him to apologise, Don said: "They have promised me they are changing things so this doesn't happen to anyone else. "It's completely down to the Downend Voice that it's been resolved."

'Speak out' appeal A FORMER governor at a Downend school is calling for greater awareness of sexual harassment in schools and for adults to have "difficult conversations" with children about consent. Mum-of-four Clare Davis heads a coaching and training business and also runs YouTube channel Mental Health Chats, to talk about difficult issues. She says conversations with sexual abuse victims and the head of a recovery charity showed a fear of speaking out. Clare, who served as a governor at St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Primary, said: “We need to speak about sex with our children early on, so they better understand consent and acceptable behaviour. “Sexual assault has a long-lasting impact on a person and it would be better if we could help stop would-be perpetrators early on. “It helps to raise awareness among those who safeguard children be it teachers, parents or coaches – to know the signs to look out for if a child has been affected. “We need to have those difficult conversations, use the correct words rather than euphemisms, and find the best way to support children who have been harmed.” A recent government report found that a third of girls and 6% of boys reported sexual harassment at school. But children may struggle to speak out for fear of consequences, self-blame and feelings of helplessness.

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.

To advertise, contact Gary on 0779 946 1169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: sales@downendvoice.co.uk Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579 CLF_Work with Us leaflet_CLF0087 (72303).indd 2

01/09/2020 11:11

downendvoice

March, 2021

n NEWS

Litter busters A FATHER and son have been using their lockdown time productively by turning into litter busters. Nigel Richardson and 13-year-old Mangotsfield School student Tom purchased a litter-picking device after noticing how much rubbish was accumulating in and around Emersons Green. So far they have collected five huge bags full of plastic bottles and cans and are urging people, including car drivers, to think twice about how they discard their litter. Nigel said: “People are switching off to it. They discard rubbish, throw it out of their cars and aren't taking it home. It's everywhere – in roads, fields, hedgerows.” Ever since the first lockdown the pair have been walking on a figure of eight walk from their home in Emersons Green up towards Shortwood and back. “It's a reason to get us out, rather than just a walk. Tom thinks what we are doing is useful and productive. He likes protecting the environment. “We've been out five times so far and fill

Tom and dad Nigel pictured on one of their litter-picks up recycling clothes bags. Each time we count the number of cans so next time we try to collect more. We soon got up to 50 – it's an obscene number of cans and bottles that we find.

“Some of the bigger items like cardboard and polystyrene may have been blown from the refuse lorries that are using the tip but the cans and bottles must be coming from people dropping them or throwing them out of cars.” Nigel said he has noticed bottles full of what looks like urine, where people must go to the loo in their cars before throwing the containers out of the window. “We can't touch those. It's unfortunate but we have to leave them,” he said. Nigel said he has noticed an increase in discarded masks and takeaway packaging. “Going back to the start of lockdown we noticed the odd mask but now we easily see about five on a 30 minute to an hour walk. It's a real shame as you see pictures on the internet of animals with them wrapped around their necks.” Nigel urged people to think twice before recklessly throwing their waste away. “People are thinking 'I can't be bothered – the council will do it' and the situation just gets worse and worse. “We have met other people out there who are doing the same as us; it's commendable. People who discard litter should appreciate there are people in the community who want the environment to be looked after who are picking up litter as well as the council. They need to take their litter home and recycle it.”

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downendvoice

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

March, 2021

n NEWS

'I didnot realiseI wasEuropean' Hambrook junction curbs stay in place HELP is on hand for EU nationals and their families who live in South Gloucestershire. They now have less than 100 days to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to be able to continue living and working in the UK. Home Office figures show that not everyone knows they need to apply: 11,360 EU citizens living in South Gloucestershire have made the application, out of an estimated 17,000. After applying, 98% of successfully achieved either pre-settled or settled status. The multilingual team at Southern Brooks Community Partnership is raising awareness and giving individuals across South Gloucestershire support with all aspects of the EU settlement scheme. EU Brexit Development Coordinator Tamara Smith said: "Time is running out. So far we've helped many successful applicants, but we see a lot of cases where people didn't realise they need to apply. "Today we ask friends, colleagues, employers and neighbours of EU nationals to highlight the urgent need to apply and their right to remain in the UK. "We can support individuals through their application, but after June 30, people who have lived here for decades are at risk of becoming irregular migrants overnight." One mother of two, who had moved to the UK from Germany as a child in the 1940s and is technically a German national, said: "I did not realise I was European; I would never have thought Brexit applied to me." Groups likely to be excluded include older people, young people in care, children born here to EU parents, domestic violence victims (including those with an EU ex-partner) and temporary workers. Free multilingual support with applications is available from Southern Brooks Community Partnerships for South Gloucestershire residents by calling 07929 787 473 or emailing euss@southernbrooks.org.uk.

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A BAN on some turns at the Hambrook traffic lights looks set to stay in place for longer, due to the effect of the pandemic. Changes to the junction of the A4174 Avon Ring Road and B4058 Bristol Road to Frenchay and Winterbourne were first introduced on an experimental basis in August 2019. The order enforcing them was due to stay in place for up to 18 months while the impact of the changes was assessed, which would have meant it ran out this February. But the steep drop in traffic levels since the first coronavirus lockdown last March has made it impossible for officials to assess the impact of the changes. The bans on traffic from Frenchay and Bromley Heath accessing Bristol Road towards Winterbourne were introduced in a bid to cut the amount of toxic nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from stationary traffic. South Gloucestershire Council was ordered to take action by the government, as pollution levels were above legal limits. But with the level of traffic – and pollution – far lower during lockdown, the council is waiting for word from the government about what it should do now. A council spokesperson said: "The data from our nitrogen dioxide monitoring along the A4174 Ring Road between the A4017 Bromley Heath Road and M32 Junction has been significantly impacted by the reduced traffic levels due to the Covid-19 restrictions. "As only a limited period of the monitoring data is representative of normal traffic conditions, we are seeking guidance from the government’s Joint Air Quality Unit as to the way forward with the scheme."

Signs to change SOUTH Gloucestershire Council says it will correct road signs at the entrance to Emersons Green Retail Park after complaints that they were confusing for drivers. Downend resident Geoff Watson spotted an upside-down sign at the entrance to the car park from Betts Green, which appeared to give drivers entering the car park priority while telling them to give way at the same time. A council spokesperson said it was not clear how the signs came to be reversed but its StreetCare team would rectify the problem.

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March, 2021

downendvoice

n NEWS

Festival cancelled as appeal made for help THIS year's Mangotsfield Village Festival has been cancelled, with the coronavirus pandemic putting paid to the popular event for a second year running. Organisers say uncertainty over when restrictions on mass events might be safely lifted have led to the decision. And they are using the time out to reflect on whether the current one-day event should change – and are calling for people to come forward and get involved with running it. Festival chair Chris Amos said the committee was sad to announce the event would not now take place in June, but added: "I’m sure you will understand why. "Whilst there seems to be light at the end of the Covid-19 tunnel, it is far from clear when and over what time frame the current restrictions will be lifted. What is clear is that large events are very unlikely to be allowed.

The procession for the 2019 Mangotsfield Village Festival passes Picture: Chris Taylor along St James Street. "The cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 festivals has given the organising committee a chance to reflect. "It’s clear that the festival needs to change and evolve to better reflect what people want and expect from it. "Our current thinking is to run a different festival, made

up of a number of events spread throughout the week, culminating in festival day itself, which will still give local schools and organisations a chance to show what they can do but also have more family friendly 'free stuff' to excite, engage, amuse and entertain. "We have a few ideas of the

sorts of things we could do but – and it’s a big but – the existing committee is small and we are not as young as we were. "To run a new style festival, with more events and more 'stuff', will require many more people to get involved. "So we’d love to hear what you want to see at the festival and love to see more people helping out." Anyone with ideas about the festival or who can help out should email yourviews@ mangotsfieldfestival.co.uk. The festival awards grants to local voluntary organisations to support their work in the community, giving out more than £1,000 in 2019/20. Chris said anyone was welcome to apply welcome to apply and people should visit mangotsfieldfestival.co.uk/ community-award for more information.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Excitingdevelopmentsat Abacuspre-school ABACUS pre school in Mangotsfield continue to thrive and invest in their facilities for all the children to enjoy. They have just developed a new ICT area which includes 4 Kindles and a mini laptop with a larger monitor for the children to access with adult support. As well as developments inside, the garden has also been updated. The fabulous garden is safe and secure and includes a water wall, a music wall, a construction area and a fully accessible mud kitchen They provide an enhancing environment for the children to play, learn and develop within. Their site consists of one large room based within the church hall, an adjacent small room used for small group activities. They have the use of two outside areas within the grounds providing an opportunity to offer various outside activities. which we use all year round. Plus they offer up to 30 free funded hours for 3-4 year-olds. Check out the website for full details on Abacus and read these

testimonials to help give you peace of mind when registering your child with Abacus. "Very welcoming and supportive team and I’m so please I chose Abacus. Tapestry is amazing - it’s so nice to see my child interacting with others. My child as learnt so much, her vocabulary has improved so much since joining." "I like the personal feel and how activities are developed for

"Love the resource bags and treasure box ideas."

just started I can already see developmental chang – he has started speaking more English and is more sociable." Please feel free to contact the pre-school to find out more information and arrange a visit.

"Everything you do seems to be working well for my son and other children. I am happy with the overall education approach, and although my son has only

See Abacus's ad on Page 3 of this month's Downend Voice

each individual. The atmosphere is friendly and cosy. Great range of things to play with which are set out in a thoughtful way."

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

Got News? Call Ken On 07715 770377

downendvoice

March, 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.

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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

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downendvoice

March, 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

25 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.

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FARLEYS Pet Foods & Garden Supplies Stockists of Royal Canin and James Wellbeloved —oOo—

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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

March, 2021

n NEWS

Slip road plan PLANS for a slip road to ease traffic problems at the Mangotsfield Sort It centre have been submitted. South Glos Council bought the land for the slip road last year for an undisclosed sum. Niall Kelly, planning manager for council waste contractors SUEZ, said in the application the slip road would "alleviate issues associated with traffic queuing to access the site" by separating vehicles waiting to get in to the tip from traffic heading to Siston Hill and Mangotsfield. He said: "No increase in traffic into the site is proposed as a result of the development." The council also wants to relocate its recycling lorries and dustcarts to Mangotsfield from their base in Cowhorn Hill in Warmley. If the plans are given permission work on the slip road would begin during the autumn. To comment on the plans, visit the planning section of the council website and search for application P21/00540/F.

M32 park and ride 'four years away' A PARK and ride to ease traffic on the M32 is at least four years away, says a senior Bristol transport official. The scheme is included in the region's Joint Local Transport Plan, published last year, and was also part of Bristol City Council's Clean Air Zone plans to cut the number of vehicles in the city centre. But finding a site for the scheme has been an ongoing issue, with agricultural land near the Bristol/South Gloucestershire border at Sims Hill ruled out in 2019. Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said at the time that his "clear preference" was for a site further nearer the M4 junction at Hambrook, putting the site in South Gloucestershire and making it dependent on an agreement between the two councils, which has so far failed to materialise. The city council’s head of strategic city transport, Adam Crowther, said that, “being realistic”, the park and ride, which could be used by commuters heading from South Gloucestershire into Bristol, would not be built until after 2025. Mr Crowther was updating city councillors on the council’s latest plans for a Clean Air Zone earlier this month. The M32 P&R was originally

part of those plans but had to be removed because it would not be ready in time to help the council in its legal obligation to reduce Bristol’s levels of pollutant nitrogen dioxide by 2023. Mr Crowther said: "Looking at when we might deliver a park and ride, I think it’ll be kind of post 2025, being realistic. “I’d like to bring it forward quicker than that but we have to work with the other authorities and we also have the maintenance scheme planned around the Eastville viaduct as well.” A park and ride on the M32 has been talked about for years and the West of England Combined Authority started looking at potential sites in early 2018. It said it would investigate plans to downgrade the M32 motorway to an A-road in order to help make the park and ride easier to set up. Members of the overview and scrutiny management committee expressed disappointment that the M32 P&R had been removed from the council’s CAZ plans, saying park and rides were “fundamental” to achieving clean air for the city. By Amanda Cameron, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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Police car attacked POLICE are trying to trace whoever was responsible for slashing the tyres of a patrol car in a street on the Downend and Fishponds boundary, while an officer was visiting a crime victim. The marked car was parked in Cassell Road, between Downend Road and Staple Hill High Street, when the vandal attack took place between 4.15pm and 5.30pm on Saturday January 23. Two tyres were slashed as the officer took a statement from a victim of crime nearby. After examining CCTV and carrying out house-to-house enquiries, Avon and Somerset police have called on anyone who saw the damage being caused, or knows who did it, to call 101, quoting the crime reference number 5221 016 350.

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March, 2021

n NEWS

School leads way in helping young carers A PRIMARY school in Mangotsfield has won an award for its work ensuring young carers do not miss out on their education. Barley Close Community Primary School is the first in the area to win a silver Young Carers in Schools award from Bristol-based charity Carers Support Centre. The charity's Young Carers in Schools programme helps primary and secondary schools support children who have to help care for family members at home, and the awards celebrate good practice. Young carers can struggle to keep up with their schoolwork, are often bullied at school, and on average have significantly lower educational attainment than other children, with three quarters having to take time off school due to the physical and mental toll their responsibilities take on them. The last census found there were more than 1,300 young carers in South Gloucestershire and Bristol, looking after people with a physical disability, mental health or substance misuse issue. Barley Close young carers say the school's dedicated group makes them feel "safe and happy" and provides "a comfortable environment where everyone can be themselves".

Young carers at their dedicated group at Barley Close school The school's special educational needs coordinator and inclusion leader, Alison King, said: "Young carers are just children, and yet they take on huge responsibilities looking after someone at home. "I am so proud to receive the silver award for our school. "It shows the high level of thought and commitment that our staff show when supporting vulnerable children, such as young carers.

"Our dedicated young carers group, ‘Funtime Players’, has been able to continue throughout the lockdown periods thanks to access to online learning platforms. "Gaining the silver award demonstrates our ongoing commitment from all school groups, including school governors, teachers and teaching assistants to make sure that all children, regardless of their circumstances, are happy and able to thrive in school." Carers Support Centre helps schools with training for staff, governors and pupils to set up support groups, homework clubs and drop-in sessions for young carers. Carers Support Centre young carers manager Joss Tagg said: "To achieve their Silver Award Barley Close Primary has demonstrated that it supports young carers in many ways, including awareness raising with pupils and staff, and by building links within the local community. "Young carers are consulted with, and vital information is made available to pupils and families, letting them know where to go for help." School can find out more about the programme by emailing Vicki Houselander at VickiH@carerssupportcentre.org.uk or visiting www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk.

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March, 2021

n NEWS

Car and bank cards stolen in break-in POLICE are trying to identify these men after a break-in at a Downend home. The victims' car was stolen after the burglars took the keys, and bank cards were used in a number of shops in Bristol in the hours after the break-in, which happened overnight from January 9 to 10. Avon and Somerset police say the back door of a property in Chestnut Road, which links Downend Road to the Co-op car park, was forced open between 10.30pm and 7am. Officers have released CCTV

images of three men they want to question in connection with the burglary and are asking anyone who thinks they recognise any of them, or thinks they have other information which could help the investigation, to call 101

and quote the crime reference number 5221 006 038. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Police have conducted doorto-door enquiries and say patrols

have been increased in the area following the incident. For advice on protecting your home and property, visit bit. ly/3iSZLVn online

Spring Update – New Growth! Thank you to those of you who applied to our recent councillor vacancies – it was great to see such a strong field of candidates. At the Full Council meeting in January, councillors coopted two new members to the Town Council: 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 meetings 10.30am 1, 15 & 29 March Full Council meeting 7.00pm 11 March Finance Committee 7.00pm 25 March

Councillor James Dowling “I live with my young family in Emersons Green. My daughters attend primary school, where I am also a Parent Governor. I have a strong passion for my local area, where I grew up, and am excited and honoured to become a councillor for the Town Council. In my day job I manage the Signals & Traffic Control Team at Bristol City Council. I hope that some of my skills that I have learned working within the local authority over the years will benefit, Emersons Green Town Council. In my spare time I enjoy travelling, reading and various sporting activities such as cycling, football, and tennis. I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and also walking our puppy around the various lovely open spaces in South Gloucestershire”

Councillor Bobbie Sunderland “I have lived in Emersons Green for 22 years. I am a retired accountant having previously worked in financial management for Bristol City Council. I am on the Management Committee of the Friends of Emersons Green Park and have helped with the Community Orchard in the Park since the orchard was created in 2011. I love gardening at home, in the park and on our allotment. I also enjoy walking and am often seen out with my Golden Retriever. Caring for the natural world and learning more about it, is very important to me”. If you wish to contact one of our councillors directly, all councillor contact details are available on our website: http://www.emersonsgreen-tc.gov.uk/towncouncil/councillors/

YOUTH CONSULTATION The Youth Consultation, run in partnership with Creative Youth Network, will conclude at the end of March. It is not too late to get involved! If you are aged between 11-19 living within the Town Council area, please complete the online survey to make sure your voice is heard. https://www.creativeyouthnetwork.org.uk/emers ons-green-youth-survey

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March, 2021

n NEWS

Family walks 'Bristol Three Peaks' for hospice WHEN cancer claimed the life of her mum, a Bromley Heath woman was determined to help the hospice which made her last days more comfortable. Hollie Curnow hopes the more than £11,000 she and her family have raised carrying out Bristol's answer to the Three Peaks Challenge will be just the start of their support for St Peter's Hospice, which desperately needs donations after losing an estimated £2 million in income during the pandemic. Hollie's mum Angela, a payroll supervisor at Bristol University, died in November, just nine months after being diagnosed with cancer. She was 55. In the final weeks of her life she was referred to St Peter’s Hospice, the Bristol area's only adult hospice. Hollie said the family was "incredibly grateful" to the hospice staff for making her mum's last days comfortable and settled, and for supporting them through a terrible time. She said: "It would have been so difficult without them. I would want other families to have the support we had." When Hollie learned that St Peter's Hospice had lost half of the annual £4 million income it receives from its charity shops, fundraising campaigns and donations due to coronavirus restrictions, she and the family decided to do something to help. With her partner George, dad Russell, brother Josh, his partner Charlotte and Russell's

Hollie Curnow with dad Russell, brother Josh, partner George and aunt Mandy on the Bristol Three Peaks walk

Angela Curnow

sister Mandy, Hollie set about organising a fundraising event. She said: "Originally we thought about doing the actual Three Peaks Challenge (Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike) but with all the travel restrictions we thought it was better to do something closer to home." When they learned there was a Bristol Three Peaks walk – taking in Knowle Hill, Maes Knoll and Blackberry Hill in the Mendips, south of the city, they quickly set about preparing for the 16.7-mile challenge, and did it in December, completing the challenge supported by relatives and friends who were on hand with refreshments and encouragement. Hollie said her mum had been a well-loved person who

to do something positive. "I didn't want to wallow in my own grief but to do something where we could be together and talk about mum and think about the good times." Russell has also raised more than £600 for Macmillan Cancer Support, after Angela asked him to help the charity. To donate to the family's St Peter's Hospice fundraiser, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/ josh-curnow. Donations to Macmillan can be made at justgiving.com/ fundraising/russellcurnow To find out more about the St Peter's Hospice When it Matters Most campaign to raise £2 million, visit stpetershospice. org/support-us/make-adonation/.

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had not told a lot of people about her illness. As well as support from many friends, the family's fundraising was boosted after being shared by the hospice's social media account. Hollie said: "We set the target at £1,000 and thought that would be a good amount to raise. It very quickly got to £1,000 and, in a couple of days, to £5,000. "We thought £10,000 was very ambitious but we reached that during the walk, so it spurred us on. "Mum would have been thrilled with the amount that was raised for the hospice, because of how much she valued her experience there. "She definitely would have been proud that we all got together at such a difficult time

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March, 2021

n NEWS

Road safety plan PEOPLE are being asked to have their say on plans to improve pedestrian safety around Christ Church Junior School. South Gloucestershire Council wants to widen the footpath outside entrances to the school in Pendennis Road and upgrade the crossing points south of the main entrance and at the junction with Shrubbery Road and Christchurch Avenue. The footpath along Pendennis Road on the school side will be widened to 3m (about 10ft) between the school's entrances and the Christchurch Avenue junction, effectively making a temporary widening scheme introduced under Covid-19 measures permanent. Crossing points across the school entrance and exit will have "tactile paving" installed to help visually impaired people cross safely: this will also be installed at the upgraded crossings south of the main entrance on Pendennis Road and by the Shrubbery Road and Christchurch Avenue junctions. If the scheme is approved it is due to be carried out during the next 12 months. Anyone who wants to comment on the scheme should visit the consultations section of South Gloucestershire Council's website. People who are not online who want to find out more about the plans and comment should call 01454 868004 or write to South Gloucestershire Council, Department for Environment and Community Services, PO Box 1954, Design and Operations Team, BS37 0DD. The deadline for comments is March 9.

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professional training for teachers. Mangotsfield Primary School, in Church Farm Road, Emersons Green, will become a Teaching School Hub, the Department for Education has announced. The school will work with the Cabot Learning Federation and other partners to provide initial teacher training, leadership qualifications and other forms of professional development after being named the South Gloucestershire and B&NES Teaching School Hub. Mangotsfield Primary's Head of Teaching School, Sian Kinder, said: "It is an honour and privilege to be able to build upon the partnerships grown and sustained over the past number of years in this region and beyond, to harness the expertise and experience to ensure the new Hubs are successful." Head teacher Faye Kitchen said: “Our passion and vision are centred around the value of excellence and each and every young person having the best chances in life. "The Teaching School Hub collaboration will certainly make that difference." The aim of the hubs is to drive school improvement by providing high quality training. They are part of the Department for Education’s recruitment and retention strategy to change the provision of education training and development "to ensure all children and young people experience excellent teaching in schools led by excellent leaders". The 11 Teaching School Hubs for the South West announced by the DfE replace 83 Teaching Schools currently in operation.

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n NEWS

Council looks at alternatives to banks BANKING services provided by post offices could be expanded in South Gloucestershire under plans being considered by the council. A taskforce has asked cabinet members to team up with the Post Office to extend its coverage to more residents, potentially through extra mobile routes and the local authority’s work to revitalise high streets. It comes after scrutiny commission councillors found the ongoing closure of bank branches in the district had left householders and businesses sorely lacking over-thecounter cash and cheque services. A group of councillors discovered that the Filton & Bradley Stoke Parliamentary constituency had lost 45 per cent of its banking network since January 2015. The latest branch to shut is Lloyds Bank's Downend branch, which is due to close its doors for the final time on Wednesday, March 3. The bank in Badminton Road had been scheduled to close in May last year but was granted a temporary reprieve during the first lockdown, only for the closure to be confirmed in December. Taskforce chairman and Frenchay &

Downend ward Conservative councillor James Griffiths told a cabinet meeting that a rapid increase in online banking and the costs of running physical branches was behind the decline. The taskforce was initially established to explore whether the council should invest in community bank Avon Mutual, which is applying for a banking licence and hopes to bring branches to high streets. But Cllr Griffiths said the fledgling venture was not yet in a position to offer an alternative to traditional banks and the taskforce had expanded its remit to explore gaps in provision and the level of need. He said Bristol Credit Union (BCU) offered loans and savings accounts, which may be an option for those finding it difficult to obtain credit from commercial institutions, but that many banking facilities in the district were not fully understood or communicated effectively. “Post offices provide the greatest coverage of everyday banking services, particularly in rural areas, although this is by no means universal,” Cllr Griffiths told the meeting on February 1.

The taskforce report recommended that South Gloucestershire Council officers should “work with the Post Office to discuss the potential for greater coverage”. This could be through extending mobile routes or enhancing its high street services through the council's “Thrive” campaign to support high streets. The report also recommended maintaining talks with Avon Mutual, ensuring online banking was part of the council’s drive to tackle digital exclusion and helping to raise awareness of services offered by post offices and BCU. It said: “Research undertaken by Citizens Advice confirms that for many people, post office banking is the only option left." Cabinet member and Frenchay & Downend councillor Ben Burton said it was also important to consider the future use of properties left empty by banks, and "how they can be best adapted to support residents in terms of facilities they require on high streets". By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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February 2021 32

15 March, 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.

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March, 2021

n NEWS A GROUP bringing cheer to front-line workers, hospital patients and care home residents is looking for donations of treats to deliver in the run-up to Easter. Andy Davies, a veteran from Soundwell who served with the Royal Air Force Police during the 1980s, formed South West Volunteer Riders with two fellow ex-veterans, Phil Rhestigini and Sue Mackel, at the start of the latest lockdown. They now have a team of 24 volunteers collecting and distributing donations to hospitals, fire and police stations, care homes, and charities supporting veterans and people in need across the region, mostly by motorbike. Andy usually works as a martial arts and motorcycling instructor, but each lockdown leaves him unable to work, with his gym unable to open and motorbike training and testing suspended, so he turns his energy to helping other people in need. In the first lockdown last year he was part of a group called NHS Band of Hope, which collected PPE and other

Bringing cheer by bike

essentials for NHS and care home workers. During the latest lockdown the new group has been collecting toiletries in bottles and tubes, such as shower gel, toothpaste and moisturiser, for NHS and care home staff and patients. The volunteer network now stretches from Somerset and Wiltshire to Gloucester.

The group is also collecting clothing which is donated to a homeless veterans' charity. Now they are adding Easter eggs, sweets, biscuits and other treats to the list of donations they are looking to distribute to children in hospital, nurses, care home residents and staff. Anyone who would like to donate items for the South West Volunteer Riders to deliver can

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email Andy at daviesa98@yahoo. co.uk or call 07598 505299. Andy is also a member of the Volunteer Blood Bikes emergency service and veterans group West of England Rolling Thunder. He said: "When the latest lockdown started I thought 'I've got no work on, so what can I do to help'? "Delivering by bike works well because we can get through traffic and the helmet and gloves are a good form of PPE when we do deliveries and collections."

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The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances. The Partner Practice is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James's Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group's wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group's website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The 'St. James's Place Partnership' and the titles 'Partner' and 'Partner Practice' are marketing terms used to describe St. James's Place representatives.

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downendvoice

March, 2021

n AROUND THE WIs

DOWNEND WI THINGS certainly are not easy at the moment, so any fun we can have is a welcome tonic – and our January meeting was just that. Wayne Trice, a magician, intrigued us via Zoom with his sleight of hand and quick wit. We were invited to join in, and he showed us some tricks which we could perform to our families, some with more success than others! This is one advantage that Zoom offers: having speakers from across the country, which in normal times would not be possible. Also, our subgroups have still been meeting via Zoom, which otherwise at the moment would not be possible during lockdown, so a good way of keeping in touch. We, of course, are hoping for our meetings in the hall to resume soon, and with the vaccination programme going well and covid cases falling, it is looking more positive. On a less positive note, we have been informed by the police that the poppy wreath we laid at Downend memorial has been vandalised. We were really saddened by the news, as we know the wider community will be, as for many it holds deep personal meaning. However, the culprit has been caught and, in true WI spirit, it will not deter us from laying a wreath this November. We hope any ladies thinking of

joining the WI will get an idea of what we are about and will come and give us a try as soon. Contact us on downendwi@yahoo.co.uk if you want to join at one of our virtual meetings or, when we can meet in person, we meet the last Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm at Christ Church Hall in Downend. We have some great meetings coming up and in March, our speaker is booked for a chocolate demonstration. Being the lead up to Easter, it's perfect timing – and who doesn’t like chocolate?! Take care and keep safe. Ros Secretary

BROMLEY HEATH WI THIS month it’s a 'double issue' from BHWI, encompassing both our online January speaker and February’s meeting overall. Our first guest of 2021 – and very first international speaker – was “The Pearl Lady” Frances Carlaw, 'live' online from France. For thousands of years pearls were extremely rare, found occasionally in oyster beds in certain parts of the world. It wasn’t until the early 1900’s that a Japanese man, named Kokichi Mikimoto, made a study of the natural process and worked out how to farm 'cultured' pearls by copying Mother Nature’s own technique. When a patent was granted around 1916, real cultured pearls become more readily available

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but the subsequent arrival of high quality ‘fake ’manufactured pearls makes it extremely difficult to tell real pearls from fake nowadays. The best quick ‘test tip’ is to rub them along your top teeth and gums: should they feel rough, then they are real pearls. Mass produced artificial pearls will feel smooth. Should you be lucky enough to possess any pearl jewellery, you will certainly improve their lustre by wearing them close to your skin more often, where they enjoy the warmth. Leaving them safe, cold but unappreciated and untouched in your knicker drawer will certainly not help either them or you, so why not just wear and enjoy them? On to February, when Dr Jenny Burbage, from the University of Portsmouth’s Research Group into Breast Health, joined us online to give us both an informative talk and PowerPoint presentation. This included a brief but fascinating history on the development of ladies' underwear. (Read on at your peril, gentlemen!) Following the demise of the dreaded Victorian-era corset, a new Australian company, Berlei, was established in Sydney in 1910, and became world leading bra designers and manufacturers by around 1917. Specialist maternity nursing bras followed soon afterwards, but we had to wait around 60 years for the next bra milestone. Finally, in 1977, a supportive sports bra was developed in the USA and has been of tremendous benefit to both amateur and professional sportswomen alike. Gone are the days of the legendary accidental boob 'black eye' whilst you are out running! I wonder if there is any correlation between the increased popularity of the bra and hence cleavage in the same decade that the availability of pearls to adorn them increased? During our 10-minute meeting tea break, our members took the opportunity to have a quick natter and general catch-up. Topics ranged from moving house to the wonders of catnip, but top of the list was "who's had their first coronavirus jab"? Sadly, not me yet, but fingers crossed, it won’t be long after our March meeting? You may have seen our

President Liza’s recent post, on the HeathBoard Facebook group, offering you lucky ladies a free online trial of BHWI. In March we are all looking forward to a return visit from the Quirky Bird, whose fantastic online paint along class I missed last time. You don’t have to miss out this time. Please email us at bromleyheaqthwi@gmail.com if you would like further information. Stay Safe. Margaret Hanwell

MANGOTSFIELD WI IN the last edition we said that our January meeting would be a triple Zoom event – and indeed it was: coffee catch-up at 10.30am, tea'n'chat at 2.30pm and tipple talk at 7.30pm. We had lovely support to all three events and it was great to connect with members at differing times of the day. Some members attended all three! There was an introductory talk at the beginning of each session, relating to the history and origins of coffee and tea. In the evening, as it was Burns Night the theme was a Rob Roy cocktail named after the noted Scottish outlaw Robert MacGregor and created in 1894 by the mixologist at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Manhattan. March 20 is the official start of spring, with Mothering Sunday on the 14th and clocks going forward on the 28th – all things to cheer the mood after what has been a pretty dark winter. Although vaccinations are now well under way, it is likely that we are still a few months away from getting together in the hall, so we are currently planning further Zoom events, drawing on some of the many interesting presentations and talks that are now becoming available. If you are not a member but would like to join us, please let me know by emailing carol@applause. co.uk. Carol Coombs

News: email us at: news@downendvoice.co.uk

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downendvoice

March, 2021

n RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Easy double chocolate and nut cookies with Mel of Melanie’s Kitchen Who doesn’t love a homemade cookie – these are quick ,easy to make and dangerously moreish. They keep in an airtight container for 3 days, apparently. I freeze them to ensure I don’t scoff the lot in one go. They can be varied if you don’t like nuts leave them out ,just add extra chocolate or substitute dried fruit -cranberries are nice.

Easy double chocolate and nut cookies makes 10 120g butter softened (or use a block margarine) 75g soft brown sugar 75g caster sugar 1 egg beaten 150g plain flour plus 30g cocoa 1 tsp cinnamon plus ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda 100g dark or milk chocolate cut in chunks 50g chopped pecans or walnuts or extra chocolate or cranberries

Method 1. Heat oven to 180/160C fan/Gas 4 Line 2 baking sheets with non-stick parchment. 2. Cream butter and sugars together with the cocoa and cinnamon until light and fluffy. 3. Beat in the egg ,then stir in the flour, bicarb, chocolate and nuts. 4. Scoop 10 large tablespoons of the mixture on to the baking trays

,leaving room for them to spread. Flatten each one slightly 5. Bake 10-12 mins until firm round edges but soft in middle. 6. Cool on tray for a few minutes then eat warm or transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

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March, 2021

n MANGOTSFIELD RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

Community awards recognise people doing their bit IT’S easy to forget that, despite the current situation, there are people who quietly “do their bit” for the local community. They aren’t asked to do it; they just feel that it’s the right thing to do. All too often their efforts go unnoticed or are taken for granted. Well, a local resident felt that their efforts should be noticed, and asked the Staple Hill Partnership and the Mangotsfield Residents Association to help. To that end, we have started up a 'community award' as a way of saying thank you. We have given two so far: • To Edward Stevens, who has single-handedly and tirelessly been looking after Narrow Lane in Staple Hill, which is an historic public footpath between Seymour Road and Gloucester Road. He conducts regular litter picks and, more than that, has been maintaining the vegetation to make this a valuable nature corridor.

At his own expense he has been landscaping the path including planting native trees and shrubs and ensuring that this hidden footpath is enhanced as a sanctuary for local wildlife. • To the Mangotsfield Spar and Post Office, who work long hours and are always polite and helpful. The shop/post office has been an important community hub for local residents during these difficult times. We are sure there are many

other people deserving of recognition, so if you know of anyone you think should have a public thank-you for “doing their bit”, then please email us at MangotsfieldRA@gmail.com or Katie.cooper@southglos.gov. uk stating who you are, who you are nominating and why you are nominating them. We’ll do the rest. As this edition of the Voice hit the streets we were about to hold the latest Staple Hill, Mangotsfield and New Cheltenham Community

Engagement Forum, on February 25. The CEF is “an open virtual forum for residents to discuss and address neighbourhood matters and help build a stronger community”. If you’d like to attend a forum then please contact communityengagement@southglos. gov.uk. We’ll report back on the February meeting in the next edition of the Voice. I think we can be cautiously optimistic that we will soon be able to get back to a more normal life. There are many things the MRA want to do, and it would be lovely to get started again. We’d love more people to get involved, so if you’d like to – or you need any help – then please get in touch at MangotsfieldRA@ gmail.com, via the ever popular Mangotsfield Matters Facebook page or telephone 07507 168700. In the meantime, please stay safe, and look out for one another. Chris Amos

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March, 2021

downendvoice

n NEWS

Policeman Craig creates children's books A DOWNEND police officer has discovered a new talent – for writing and illustrating children's books. Craig Davies has invented bedtime stories for his two children for years and also likes to draw sketches when he is not on duty. He has combined the two to create an ebook, Fisherman John, which he has made available to download free. Craig said: "It all started on a holiday to Ireland in 2017, when my two children and I would draw silly sketches of all sorts of things when they were bored. "I drew a number of cartoon zombie creatures and began putting words to the story. This formed the basis of the first book I've written – that one hasn't been published yet, so watch this space. "I have always enjoyed drawing and reading to the children and I would often make up fantasies and adventures at bedtime. "Things evolved and Fisherman John, who is based upon a real person, was born. "My children are still interested in illustrating and sketching and tell me they are excited by me writing books for everyone to read." Craig, who has been a police officer for more than 20 years, says writing stories provides a "complete change of pace" to his job. He has also enjoyed being able to offer the book free to provide something to help other parents through lockdown. He said: "The feed back I have received has been great. "The second Fisherman John book is under way and I'm looking forward to getting it out there and continuing the series in the future." The book can be found by searching for Fisherman John at the Google Play store or direct at tinyurl.com/14kezmxl. To find out more about the book, search for Fisherman John Book Series on Facebook.

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downendvoice

March, 2021

n NEWS DOWNEND Cricket Club is trying to trace relatives of a member who died while serving in the Armed Forces during the Second World War. The club is currently undergoing a revamp and has uncovered some pictures in storage which it does not have room to display in the clubhouse. It is looking for new homes for the photos and would like them to go to relatives or people with an interest. One of the pictures is of Jack Philip Smith, a sergeant in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who died in July 1940. He is buried in Mangotsfield Cemetery. Sgt Smith is reported to have died in a training accident while instructing another airman near Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. The pilot he was instructing, William Roy Driscoll, was also killed when their Tiger Moth biplane, based at RAF White Waltham in Berkshire, crashed. The dedication on his picture says that Sgt Smith, who was aged just 19, was "a most

Do you remember Jack?

Jack Smith

Albert Humphries

Arthur Pearse

promising member of this club". Club president Miles Davis is trying to find anyone who knows of any surviving members of Sgt Smith's family. He is known to have had a sister called Gwen, who married a man called Karl Young. The club is also looking for

new homes for photographs of its former president Albert Humphries, who was in the position from 1920-45, and first XI captain Arthur B 'Artie' Pearse, who passed away in April 1940 and was said to be "a great sportsman who always played the game".

Miles said: "I’d rather they were given away to people who may want them as opposed to be stuck in a cupboard at the club." Anyone who has information on the surviving relatives or has an interest in the pictures can call Miles on 07988 476878.

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Got News? Call Ken On 07715 770377

40 TEACHERS at Christ Church Infant School were given thankyou presents for their hard work during the latest lockdown. Parents, Grace Church and the Co-op in Downend made it possible for head teacher Anna Martin to show her appreciation for the way staff rose to the challenge of the latest lockdown arrangements. When the lockdown was announced on January 4 all schools had to quickly switch to remote learning for the majority of children, whilst also staying open for those key worker and vulnerable children who still needed to attend. Anna said: "The staff have had to rapidly change how they work and have done this with their usual care, positivity and team approach that makes everything seem possible." Wanting to show her appreciation but with no spare funding available from the school budget, the head wrote to local supermarkets asking if they could help provide some thankyou presents. Parents also helped spread

downendvoice

March, 2021

Community's thank-you present for teachers

the word and managed to secure donations of pens, sweets and toiletries themselves. Anna said: "There is never any spare funding in the school budget to spend on staff, as every spare penny goes to the children. "The Co-op offered to help straight away and donated lots of wine and chocolates. "After a parent kindly

shared the letter with her church, the pastor at Grace Church got in touch with a lovely email and an extremely generous donation of £500." Pastor Peter Bowley wrote to the school saying: "We as a community are grateful for all in the teaching profession who are having to work sacrificially during the pandemic to teach

and care for our children. "Once again thank you all for what you are doing for our children, and we pray that you would all stay safe in the process." Anna said she was overwhelmed by the support and felt lucky to be able to show staff how appreciated they are by the local community.

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downendvoice

March, 2021

n CHURCH NEWS

Tie a ribbon for a loved Poetic tribute to one on our Tree of Hope Covid warriors IT'S been a tough 12 months for so many. Trees can be a sign of lasting strength and hope, as they weather the storms of life and stand strong. We have a very old yew tree in the churchyard at Christ Church Downend, which must have seen many seasons come and go and survived many a storm. Come to the big yew tree in the centre of the churchyard at Christ Church Downend and tie a white ribbon on to one of the branches in memory of a loved one, or simply as an act of prayer and reflection. White ribbons will be available at the tree from Saturday March 20 until Easter Saturday, April 3. Please avoid Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st during school time, when school children will be doing activities in the churchyard. Then, from Easter morning on Sunday April 4, we invite you to bring a flower to the tree and add to the display as a sign of hope, turning our tree of sorrow into a Tree of Hope. Please observe restrictions, use sanitiser before and after touching the ribbons, and be aware that the ground around the tree is uneven.

IN response to our invitation to celebrate and say thank you to those who are giving things up for the sake of others, we were delighted to receive this poem from a member of 11th Kingswood Guides: Thank you to all our Covid warriors Heroes of the front line And many more to add, it’s really not all bad Neighbours who shop for the elderly or give a friendly wave Keeping in touch with those who are lonely by lending a listening ear and showing we are brave Young people who have tried their hardest to keep learning online Oh, and not forgetting their parents and teachers making sure it is all just fine Understanding that there are many people who have given time and care Thank-you Covid warriors, we will beat this if we share.

Naomi Sharp, Lay Pastor, Badminton Road Methodist Church www.badmintonroadmethodist.org.uk

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downendvoice

March, 2021

n PHOTOGRAPHY

TAKING BET TER PHOTOGRAPHS

DOW

LU B

WITH

D CA MER

Quality counts THE first week of February saw the first of six competitions to be held during the year, and it was good to see that, despite the current restrictions to our lives and the consequent limited opportunities for picture-taking, the number and quality of entries was as high as ever. The situation we are in presents challenges for photography, but it shows that there are still opportunities for creative work while staying within the rules – plus now there is time to review old image records to find hidden gems. Shooting digital, many enthusiast photographers fill memory cards with so many pictures that worthwhile images are overlooked. The deserved winner of the competition was Strolling Through the Hills, a title that perfectly matched the mood of the picture, a balanced composition, a marvellous sky with the shadows of clouds moving across an undulating landscape, and fardistant hazy hills. Second place went to Coniston Water, a high-quality classic image,

Coniston Water by Derek Britton extremely sharp and in focus from the rocks in the foreground to the distance. The colour of the sunlit trees along the shoreline and reflected in the still water contrasts with the blue sky and fleecy white clouds. Third place went to Fungi, a triptych, the kind of picture that is difficult to get right in terms of matching images, but when it works, as here, the total is greater than the sum of the parts. The individual pictures become stronger when combined in a panel. What all three images demonstrate is photography to a high technical standard. Quality counts. Downend Camera Club is a friendly informal group who normally meet on Tuesdays at 7.30pm at the Assembly Hall in Salisbury Road, Downend, although actual meetings are

Strolling through the hills by Trevor Toms

Fungi by Wendy Lockyer

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currently suspended. For the time being we are continuing with a programme of online photographic presentations as well as regular competitions. The club has a Facebook page and an exciting new website at www.downendcameraclub.

org.uk that shows details of the club, members' galleries, past competition winners and a new feature: a forum for discussion of all things photographic. Please do check it out. Ed Shorney

Followusononlineat www.downendvoice.co.uk

To advertise, contact Gary on 0779 946 1169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: sales@downendvoice.co.uk Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

March, 2021

downendvoice

n NEWS

Chris starts over as an apprentice – at 36 A FORMER pub manager from Downend is showing that it isn't just school leavers who can start a new career as an apprentice. Chris Wiggett is 36 and spent 10 years in the pub industry, including being a general manager for several well-known chains. But Chris decided it was time for a change, and the father-of-two is in the final year of his Engineering Advanced Apprenticeship with Defence Equipment & Support, the procurement arm of the Ministry of Defence at Abbey Wood. Chris said: “I wanted something a bit more intellectually challenging for myself, something a bit more that I was interested in. “I was running quite a busy town centre pub and a management team of about seven. It’s dealing with stress, prioritising workflow management, working with finances – a lot of quite transferable skills into what we do at DE&S.”

Chris has experienced work with land vehicles, submarines and the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft in his placements so far. He said: “There's just so much opportunity out there. If you want to do something you can quite easily get into that field and the guys there will show you everything you need to know, and you can just go and do it.” Chris also said becoming a DE&S apprentice had given him the chance to embrace

flexible working, adding: "As a family man with two young kids and a wife who works, it has been great. Along with pension benefits and everything, the benefits package is quite good.” Even though he is still an apprentice, Chris has already been given responsibility and the opportunity to prove himself. He has received a commendation and got distinctions across the board for his assessments. Chris's role was one of those

celebrated by DE&S during National Apprenticeship Week in February. The organisation employs more than 400 apprentices across its sites. Entry talent and learning support lead Sue Snowball said: "We’re always looking for talented and enthusiastic people across all backgrounds to start their exciting and fulfilling career with us." For more information visit bit.ly/3qK9nVW. • Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti, who is co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships, is looking for a new business administration and constituency support apprentice for his constituency office in Bradley Stoke. The role will last for 15 months and involve learning the ropes of a busy parliamentary office. For more information visit bit.ly/3pyG3jv.

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

March, 2021

n NEWS FROM YOUR LOCAL MP

Is your loved one buried in Mangotsfield Cemetery?

OST cemeteries that aren’t part of a churchyard are a product of the late nineteenth century, when church burial grounds started to become full, overcrowded and people started looking for other solutions. These became peaceful sanctuaries of remembrance, carefully designed and manicured to create a tranquil place for families and friends to mourn and remember. They also act as a form of social history; as Natural England puts it, a biography of the community, where you can walk and learn more about the people who lived in our area before us. We can see their names, often learn something about a family. Sometimes we might even find out a little bit of how they died.

Memorials in these cemeteries are a great source of information about the lives lived by those before us. Most often the management of cemeteries falls under the auspices of the local authority, as it is in South Gloucestershire, where the council first built Mangotsfield Cemetery in 1880. The council have done a good job maintaining the facility and keeping it in good order, both well maintained and safe for visitors. The pandemic has taken away much from us that once was ordinary and routine. For those with relatives buried at Mangotsfield, and any other burial place, they have not been able to visit their friends or loved ones or tend to their graves; maybe because of the lockdown

restrictions, or maybe before that due to shielding or other health concerns. As such, I was concerned when I was notified that the council had put up signage on unsafe headstones, indicating that they were at risk of removal if plot owners didn’t contact the council. Knowing that people might not have had the chance to make the journey, I made people aware on my social media channels that they might need to check and made enquiries with the council. They confirmed that while those who they had records for had been contacted, others who they did not would have to contact them, hence the signage on the headstones. I'm grateful that the council have now decided to extend the time plot owners have to

Jack Lopresti

contact them if they think their headstone might be unsafe. It’s right that the council do all they can to keep the site safe, and to protect other visitors from unstable masonry. But we must be conscious of the restrictions in place, and make sure that people aren’t making unnecessary journeys during lockdown that made the original deadline of January 31 unsuitable, no matter how well-intentioned. My team and I are here to help with anything I might be able to assist with. You can email me on jack.lopresti.mp@parliament.uk or call 01454 617783 on Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm.

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downendvoice

March, 2021

n PHOTOGRAPHY WITH LINCOMBE BARN CAMERA CLUB

Lean On Me by Jeff Mckinstry

Never Forget by Joy Flood

Our first competition of 2021

COVID-19 and lockdown continue but we are all starting to construct a new normal, learning new technologies as we go. How many of us knew what Zoom was at the beginning of 2020? For we camera enthusiasts it meant a kind of lens. It now means a way of meeting online, without having to meet, so to speak. February brought our first competition of the year, courtesy of Zoom, and a very successful one it was: ladies versus gentlemen. As a club, we have always had a good gender balance between men and women, with the women providing some very fine photographers. And so it proved in the competition, with the ladies trouncing the gentlemen by 553 points to 524. We shall be back! In the meantime, enjoy some gender

balanced images from the contest. Our chairman, Roy Shergold, produced a very strong image in Budleigh Salterton, which shows how using black and white can enhance the composition of a photograph. Budleigh Salterton by Roy Shergold Rachel Domleo's Early Morning Run spots a jogger out and about, with the shadows still long on will have had our next competithe ground, providing a powerful tion, with the subject being People dynamic to the image. At Work. We’ll have some of the Shadows also play an important winning images in next month's part in Jeff Mckinstry’s Lean On Downend Voice. Me, as the image of Jimi Hendrix We always welcome new memlooks on. bers so, if you're interested and Joy Flood provides us with a would like to be part of our resurchange of mood in her deeply gence, take a look at our website romantic image Never Forget, at www.lincombebarncameraclub. which makes more than a passing co.uk or contact us at lincombe. nod to some of the great films of barn@gmail.com the 1940s. Stay safe! Early Morning Run by Rachel By the time you read this we Sid Stace Domleo LOW

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downendvoice

March, 2021

n DOWNEND IN BLOOM

Looking forward to a more positive year AS you know, we had a difficult time last year, with many ups and downs. However, we now have a new year for In Bloom and hopefully it will be more positive than last. This time last year, we were enjoying our winter panolas and looking forward to receiving our summer displays, but then things changed rapidly. With the first lockdown we were trying to decide if we were still going to go ahead with our summer displays. We were thinking that, even if we were able to have them delivered, would we be able to water them and would there be anyone around to actually see them? With all of that in mind, we made the very difficult decision not to proceed with our order. Our supplier was having the same thoughts and our summer flowers were cancelled. At the end of 2019 we were hoping to set up a project in conjunction with Downend School. We are very mindful that our group consists of mostly older residents and would very much like to encourage interest from the younger community. Lockdown put a stop to these activities but we are hoping that we will soon be able to resume these plans. We have been chosen to receive Co-op funding again this year: this will hopefully enable us to take this project forward. You can register your Co-op card to support In Bloom by going on to the Co-op membership page and choosing us as your chosen recipient. This year we would like to involve junior schools in some form of planting. We have some sites in mind for this project and are hoping it could take on some form of competition, with the pupils designing a small area they could then maintain. It will take a lot of planning but is exciting nevertheless. Although last summer was very quiet we did manage to do some maintenance on our wooden planters. We also used the time to complete the cladding of our two containers in King George V car park, which I hope you

agree look very good. We decided in June to plant out our winter panolas, as they would go through the winter/ spring needing very little attention and watering. The preparation and topping up of the containers and the planting of nearly 1,000 plants proved to be quite challenging, as we had to make sure our volunteers were safely socially distanced. A few of the In Bloom Crew and myself spent a few days preparing the planters and volunteers then collected plants from a central point to put in four planters each, which proved to be very efficient. With regards to fundraising we obviously were worried that it would be difficult to do our usual events. We therefore followed the masses and tried selling some Christmas items through our Facebook page - @Downendand BromleyHeathinBloom if you haven’t seen it - with a socially-distanced pick-up point. This proved a huge success, that we will be replicating this year. Flushed with this success, we have now advertised our bird boxes, feeders, bird tables,

planters and other items on line and have been inundated with sales. We have a huge debt of gratitude to our crew, who not only do the production and maintenance of our planters but also make our displays in the High Street. I am sure you have all seen the poppies, snowmen and Father Christmas displays, and also our Easter bunnies. They also turn out at unearthly hours of the morning to help put up our large summer displays. At the end of last year the supplier of our large floral displays said they were changing direction in their business and we now have a new contract, with a company called Plantscape. We look forward to new beginnings and working with them over the coming years. Be assured Downend and Bromley Heath will be back blooming again this summer! Jackie Baker 07504244361 jabaker32@outlook.com Loving our village

n CHRISTINE'S COLUMN

Winning my war on arthritis and depression ON February 3 a year ago, I had my op for my knee replacement. How lucky I was to have been able to have had it done, for no one could have predicted the year ahead. I often wonder how I got arthritis in my left knee. Some people say it is hereditary, as my mother had it in her left knee, but she was much older than me. I sometimes thought it was due to a battle on the hockey field when I was at school! But no doubt it was passed down through family genes as, dare I say it and touch wood and all that, I have not had arthritis anywhere else – and neither did my mum.

Going back to the days when my dear mum was alive, I could not imagine why she took a long time to cross the road: I would try and hurry her up! She would become most annoyed and, until my knee became exceedingly bad, I didn't understand the reason why. My mum never had a knee replacement, and if she had ever had the opportunity to, I don't know if she would have done. But I'm jolly glad Lance, my boyfriend, insisted and made me persist in contacting my GP, who set the ball rolling for me to go through the process that is the necessary

journey up to the operation. It was not an easy journey but, with Lance's support, I made it! And here I am, a year later, with not only a new knee but being cured of my horrid depression. On February 1, Jane the nurse came and gave me my third injection. I'm so much better now, and I wonder what difference I will notice with the third injection? I will let you know. Christine Broadway

To advertise, contact Gary on 0779 946 1169 Or 0117 907 8585. Email: sales@downendvoice.co.uk Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

March, 2021

downendvoice

n LOCAL HISTORY

Handel Cossham: preacher, educationalist andpolitician

A bust of Handel Cossham stands in the hospital funded by his legacy and named in his honour

Last month Mangotsfield Residents Association member and historian David Blackmore looked at the early life and industrial success of Handel Cossham, who owned mines which now lie disused under the area, and land on which thousands of our homes are now built. But how did his name end up on roads, a hall and even a hospital? This month, David looks at his public life and legacy. AS Handel Cossham grew up in Thornbury, he listened to some of the most celebrated nonconformist speakers and ministers. At 16 Cossham himself became a teacher in the Thornbury Congregationalist Chapel's Sunday school. By 18, he was addressing temperance meetings, and became a school teacher and a lay preacher. It was only the start of a lifetime of service, which would see him continue to preach, found schools and eventually lead to him becoming an MP – and a benefactor for the public good after his death. The 1858 Primitive Methodist magazine gives an account of the opening of Mangotsfield Primitive Methodist chapel, which had operated from a single room since 1836.

Cossham's memorial in Avonview Cemetery, St George

Cossham became very interested in the church, and his drive and enthusiasm bought new life into its activities. A revival in January 1857, with 60-70 new members, made more room essential and the foundation stone of a new chapel was laid by Cossham, then living at Shortwood Lodge. It was built by local preacher Mr Lambert and opened that November. A Sunday school was added and it eventually became Cossham Street Methodist Church. Education was of huge importance to Cossham, and he helped set up the British School (to provide Christian but non-sectarian education) near the colliery in Thornbury in 1850, before establishing an infants school at Pucklechurch, and British Schools at Mangotsfield, Staple Hill and Gillingstool, Thornbury, which was built in 1862. He also started schools for his colliers' children in Yate and Parkfield, between Pucklechurch and Lyde Green. Cossham was involved in the temperance movement to curtail alcohol consumption from the age of 13 and it was a fundamental part of his lifelong beliefs. In his later life it was reported that Cossham said of his 1,500 employees that "if total abstinence prevailed, wages would be raised 25 per cent without strikes or agitation, and with injury to no one". When he bought the old Wesleyan Chapel in Thornbury for £150 in 1888 and donated it to a group of trustees for use as a public hall – later to be named Cossham Hall – he stated that “liquors and tobacco shall not be sold or supplied”. The hall was to be used for “philanthropic, religious, moral, political, educational, musical and general purposes”.

In the 1860s Cossham entered politics, becoming a Bristol city councillor for the St Paul’s ward, where he defeated the Conservative candidate by a large majority, and he then turned his ambition towards Parliament, standing unsuccessfully at Nottingham in 1866, Dewsbury in 1868 and Chippenham in 1874. From 1882 to 1885 he was mayor of Bath and, in November 1885, became the first Liberal MP for the newly-created East Bristol constituency. The November 28 edition of the Western Daily Press recorded the celebrations on a dark and wet night on Troopers Hill, saying: "A large crowd of three or four thousand persons assembled, and the utmost enthusiasm prevailed. Numerous tar barrels were placed together and ignited, and the bonfire might have been seen from the greater part of Bristol." During his time in Parliament Cossham contributed to 272 debates and it was in London that he died of a heart attack on April 23 1890, either at the National Liberal Club in Whitehall or in the House of Commons, according to conflicting reports. At the time of his death his home was Holly Lodge, in Holly Lodge Road, St George, where he

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had served on the local and school boards. On the day of Cossham's funeral an estimated 50,000 people were present at the St George Cemetery – now Avonview – or lined the route. Cossham was a staunch advocate for a local park, with St George Park eventually being laid out after his death, on 38 acres of land at Fire Engine Farm in 1894. Having no children, in his will he directed his trustees to build and endow a hospital near Kingswood Hill for the treatment and relief of the sick and injured. The hospital cost £30,000 to build and furnish, with a further £90,000 invested in an endowment to maintain 50 beds. Cossham Hospital eventually opened in 1907 on Lodge Hill, on the border of Fishponds and Kingswood. Cossham dedicated it to the working people of East Bristol and South Gloucestershire, "that I may hereafter be remembered by the sick and suffering as a friend who, in death, as well as in life, felt it his duty to try to lessen human suffering and increase human happiness". *Elements of this article were produced with the help of Thornbury Roots website, www. thornburyroots.co.uk

Cossham Hospital was paid for by a bequest in Handel Cossham's will

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n M COLEMAN ESTATE AGENTS PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

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Cedar Court, Cleeve Road, Downend - £130,000 M COLEMAN Estate Agents are pleased to offer for sale this delightful one bedroom apartment; purpose built for the over 60s and occupying a pleasant position within the highly sought after location of Downend we believe this property will perfectly suit those looking to downsize. Situated on the ground floor the accommodation comprises a spacious sitting/dining room that benefits from French doors to the rear elevation and an electric fire which helps create a warm and homely feel. There is a door to a cleverly designed kitchen utilising all available space, a range of wall and base units are finished with traditional style wooden doors and there is an integrated oven, hob and extractor plus space for an undercounter fridge/freezer and washing machine. The bedroom is a nicely proportioned double which boasts a fitted wardrobe and the bathroom has a three piece suite with a shower over the bath. Externally there are well tended communal garden to three sides of the building and seven parking spaces available on a first come, first served basis. Additionally there is a visitor suite available to be pre-booked for visiting friends and family. The property is located perfectly for those looking for easy access to all the amenities of Downend Village as well as being well served by public transport with bus routes to the centre of Bristol and further afield.

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March, 2021

n NEWS

Martin named as A DOWNEND man has found his way onto a national list of the UK's top 100 change makers – a list of the innovators, creators and radical thinkers who are making a difference. Martin Bisp, co-founder of charity Empire Fighting Chance, came in at number 33 on the Big Issue's annual celebration of people who are making the world a better place. Martin, along with pal Jamie Sanigar, started the Eastonbased boxing charity 13 years ago. Their non-contact boxing programmes have been credited with transforming the lives of thousands of young people by keeping them on the straight and narrow. Martin finds himself in good company – Marcus Rashford is number one for his campaign in persuading the government to provide meal vouchers in the summer holidays to 1.3 million

children. Martin, 50, said: “I didn't know anything about it. I have no idea how they identified our work but it was flattering that we were included.” Martin's place in the list acknowledges the challenges the charity has faced during lockdown. It also gave him a platform to call for organisations such as schools and police to take a more compassionate view of young people. “I never met a 13-year-old who wants to become a drug dealer. Circumstances such as complex home lives dictate it,” he told the Big Issue. Martin's work during lockdown reveals how passionate he is about reaching out to the most vulnerable in society. “It became obvious last February that we might have a problem so we started to look at different ways we could engage kids if we couldn't meet face-

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March, 2021

one of top change makers to-face. We rang every single young person on our one-to-one therapy programme - those who are the most vulnerable - and told them whatever happens we will support you. We guaranteed they could still access support from a mentor.” This not only included Zoom work but also socially distanced sessions at car parks adjoining tower blocks. They also worked with the Pasco Group, which owns Subway franchises, to deliver food parcels. “Every week we visited a number of families where we delivered food and a session at the same time.” When restrictions started to lift, Martin oversaw the construction of a makeshift outdoor gym on the basketball court at the charity's base in Easton. “It was pretty weather proof so we started to do socially

distanced face-to-face sessions, carrying on our usual work.” Martin and his team were able to continue working with schools as many stayed open to support vulnerable children. “We haven't stopped! We lost our big group sessions as we can't run those but we have made sure that every young person who was on one of our programmes for the most vulnerable was supported from week one.” The charity found itself receiving additional referrals, largely fuelled by a number of other services and charities floundering because of the pandemic. “We found a way of delivering sessions to everyone who rang us,” Martin said. Empire Fighting Chance was founded after Martin and Jamie witnessed a drugs deal outside a boxing club in St Paul's. They invited the lads involved to try

boxing which led to them turning their lives around. As well as supporting youngsters in Bristol, the charity now helps young people throughout 16 areas in South Wales and have trained 14 partner organisations across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and North Wales to deliver their programmes. Martin fears the future will hold even bigger challenges. “Furlough ends at the end of April so we are going to have more unemployment and poverty, and there are published links between poverty and mental health issues. "Having young people out of school for so long will lead to problems. We also have a huge issue of young people being groomed for gangs and poverty is a big driver for that. It is a concern.” Martin is currently working with the Home Office to

investigate long-term solutions to youth violence. As part of this, the charity is undergoing a two-year evaluation with Manchester Met University. Students on its renowned criminology course will examine the charity's programmes and how effective they are in reducing violence. “If the results continue, we might be working with the Home Office to roll our programmes out much further afield,” Martin said.

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March, 2021

n GARDENING

Birds and ponds can help your garden – and your mood HELLO again! I hope you enjoyed reading my first article in the last Downend Voice. My life has been challenging over the last few months and I have been continuing to battle with my mental health. I usually keep myself mentally well by spending lots of time outdoors in nature. I haven’t been able to do much of that recently, between the challenging cold and wet weather and the coronavirus pandemic keeping us all in. So, what have I been doing to keep myself healthy? The first big news is that I

have got a new puppy. Lots of people have got a new furry friend in lockdown and it's easy to see why. They are cute little balls of fluff that do adorable things. However, I have found it to be challenging to say the least. What with the broken nights' sleep, toilet training and the online puppy training – I have been remarkably busy and have not really had time to worry or be anxious or depressed! The other thing I have done is to continue to feed the birds in my garden that visit my feeders. I have kept the seeds

My pond is bringing me happiness

dry and fresh, and have been watching them visit. I have blue tits, sparrows, blackbirds and goldfinches. Visits from the birds can lift your mood. They seem so unconcerned by the virus and are joyful in their play. The fact that they still have their freedom and choose to spend it where I can see them brings me contentment. My pond is bringing me happiness. I am watching it every day. I have got a large clump of frogspawn there and I am watching the tadpoles get bigger each day. There are so many visitors. In the summer we get pond skaters and dragonflies. Lots of birds stop to drink there. We have a resident fox that I have seen around the edge. The surface is broken up by water lily leaves. The bees and wasps land on the leaves and drink from the pond before flying busily away. I’ve included a picture of the pond that I dug out a few years ago. I recommend having some sort of pond in your garden. If you haven’t got much space you could still have one made from a pot, trough or old white stone sink. All you need is a frostresistant ceramic pot. Pipe some silicone around the hole in the

n DOWNEND GARDENING CLUB AT LINCOMBE BARN the area worth exercising to see; it will cheer Busiest time of the our minds and keep us fit. We will not be close to anyone, so keeping our distance. (Oh how, year for gardeners like most of you, I would like to hug my great AS I write this it is a lovely sunny day and the birds are hopping around the garden. I have some early crocuses out: although they are not a patch on the ones in the churchyard at Coalpit Heath, they are a sight to behold. My snowdrops are in full bloom and I have treated myself to a new variety, just a potful, so I will look after them for future years. Something else I am going to treat myself to is a miniature Solomon's seal, which I saw on BBC Gardeners' World: will have to Google that! I think the spring gardens round about are going to be lovely this year. So many of us have put a few extra bulbs in while we have been in lockdown, this should make the gardens in

grandchildren, but the time will come.) I have bought some zinnia seeds, so they should make a colourful display this summer. As I write this my purple pussy willow is in flower, my witch hazel is in full bloom. My little wren visits and pops from pot to pot, searching out insects. She almost disappears in the pansies. How little things please us now! It's good news from the RHS: Chelsea will go ahead this year in late September, so that will be something to look forward to, if only on Gardeners' World. It has given our local horticultural show committee the encouragement to hold ours in September this year. I think it might be a light at the end of the tunnel, and we may be able to think about re-starting gardening club for the winter term. I

with

April Hulin

bottom and stick a piece of old tile on the top. Then run a bead of silicone around the edge of the tile making it watertight. Then add a few pebbles and, if your pot is large enough, add some pond plants. Always make sure that any wildlife has a way of getting out of the water and out of the pot. The addition of a pond will increase the ecosystem within your space, which will bring even more animals. This is great because they will prey on pests within the garden, which is environmentally friendly and will reduce the need for chemicals. If you, like me, are growing edibles, this means that you can have organic produce. Start planting your seeds indoors in March and you can also direct sow some seeds into your veg patches. The season is starting! April Hulin

think just coffee, a biscuit and a good old chat to see what we have all been up to. We might have to bring our coffee in a flask: we wait and see what changes occur. So what should we be getting on with? Bedding plant seeds should be in – check the information on your seed packet. Chatting our potatoes, buying our peas and beans and starting our tomatoes and cucumbers. This is the busiest time of the year for gardeners – everything to be ready and the weeds will be putting their first root forward, so to speak, keeping us going with the hoe. Please plant some pollinating plants for the bees – after all, we need them to get a good crop of vegetables. Enjoy spring, be out in your gardens and enjoy each new plant that appears, as it has fought off the winter to come and cheer us.

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Mary Head (Secretary)

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downendvoice

March, 2021

n THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

Goodnews–evenbetter thanavaccine I HEAR that those administering vaccines locally are doing a wonderful job and even working ahead of government schedules. Our thanks go to all who are working tirelessly to provide us not simply with a jab but a large dose of hope, joy and peace for the future. The rapid development, testing, approval and roll-out of vaccines is certainly good news. We have never seen such excitement from people receiving a needle in their arm! The good-ness level of any news is usually made all the greater when the context of that news has been difficult and dark. The exam passed after failure, the baby after miscarriage, the ‘all clear’ after treatment. 2020 has been a difficult, worrying, often painful and sad year that has affected us all. And now there is a way out – and it is indeed great news.

The Bible tells us of a way out of the predicament the human being is in – and unsurprisingly, describes it as ‘good news’. It is astoundingly good because of the darkness we are in, the breathtaking future it secures and because of what it cost. Allow me to explain. We are all infected by something far more serious than Covid-19. It causes havoc and heartache in lives, families and societies across the entire globe and leads to death in all. No one escapes. It is an invisible disease that affects our thoughts, words, and actions. The Bible calls it sin. We are born with it. We are like cars with wheels out of line – always veering toward the gutter with a constant struggle required to keep it on the road. We sin against others, we sin against ourselves, but ultimately sin is against God. The Bible describes us as being dead in our sins. We

have no vital connection with God, no life with him and we are under his just condemnation for our crime. One day we will all stand before him in judgement. That is the problem, but there is something more wonderful than a vaccine – there is a cure! The Son of God came into the mess and pain of the world to save. He was like a doctor humbly choosing to work on a Covid ward, yet he was never infected, he never himself sinned. In his death, he took upon himself our sin and endured what we deserve. God the Father accepted his perfect sacrifice and restored Jesus to life again. He won victory over sin, Satan, and death – he is the cure we really all need. When we turn to God, receiving this once-for-an-eternal-lifetimeremedy we are forgiven, made new, united with God. That lasts throughout this life and takes us into a glorious life with God

Pastor Paul Donovan PendennisGoodNewsChurch PendennisRoad, StapleHill www.pendennisgoodnews.com

beyond the grave – a life with him and free from viruses, loneliness, needles, death, and sadness. We rightly thank those who are serving us to bring an end to this pandemic. God however is worthy of greater praise and honour for what he has done for us. The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Saviour is astoundingly GOOD NEWS.

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Graffiti cleaned up AN information board that had been made unreadable by graffiti has been cleaned up by a public-spirited resident. In February's Voice Staple Hill and Mangotsfield councillor Michael Bell appealed for advice on how to clean the sign, on the Bristol & Bath Railway Path at the old Mangotsfield station. Resident Steve Brown decided to take on the job and cleared the spray paint before covering the sign board, which includes information about the history of the area for walkers and cyclists using the path, with an oil-based paint-resistant substance. Councillor Bell said: "Many thanks to Steve Brown. "Litter, fly tipping, dog mess, and graffiti are all very visible and are an eyesore in our local areas. "This location in particular is walked or cycled past every day by a large number of users of the Bristol to Bath Railway Path." Steve, who said cleaning the sign took a can of graffiti remover and some "elbow grease", added: "Glad to have it back looking much nicer for the hundreds of people that pass it every day." Councillors are currently working with council officers, police and community groups to try and tackle a spate of graffiti in the Downend, Staple Hill and Mangotsfield area.

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downendvoice

n LETTERS Parked cars part of the problem on Westbourne Road

Parish councillor Raj Sood has called for push-button pedestrian crossings in Downend to be replaced with touch-free devices to help minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Drawbacks of touchless crossings I WAS interested to see the article about touchless pedestrian crossings (Voice, February). In terms of coronavirus control, this would seem a good idea, as the less we touch, the less the chance of spread of the virus. However, we are making many of these changes without considering how they impact people with disabilities. My work role is teaching independence skills to visually impaired people – I am also registered as blind. Tactile access to pedestrian crossing controls is vitally important to visually impaired people; indeed, many people will not realise crossings often have a rotating knob under the right-hand corner of the box,

indicating to visually impaired people when the lights have changed. The standard method of teaching visually impaired people how to use pedestrian crossings is to press the control button then move their hand to the rotating knob, which indicates when it is safe for them to cross. Removing the press button would make it exceedingly difficult for them to use these boxes, as they still would have to handle the control just to find out there is no press button! A heat or movement sensor might be a sensible response to covid, but pedestrian crossings are about getting people safely across the road. Altering the way crossing controls work, especially without consultation, could make them unsafe for visually-impaired people, who strongly rely on touch. Chris Taylor

WESTBOURNE Road has been increasing in danger with the increase in vehicles being parked along both sides of the road at the Boscombe Crescent end in the last 20 years, as highlighted in the Voice article (February). With the increasing number and size of vehicles, and the large buses on the route, the cars hit as mentioned in the article are part of the problem. Pavement parking reduces space to walk especially, a larger issue during a global pandemic. The junction is one of the few passing spaces along that thin one-way flow that parked

cars create. Speeding along Westbourne Road is a larger issue than the speed of traffic in Boscombe Crescent. Maybe a wider survey of the residents in the local area would provide a more balanced view of the issue? Parking restrictions along Westbourne Road at the end would make the road far safer, especially with the buses in that section. Redirecting the bus route via Dibden Lane would also help. Putting in off-street parking on unused greens in the area would also help. A legal ban on pavement parking and speed tables to reduce the volume of traffic speeding in the area would improve safety more than blocking traffic for a few residents on the street. Kevin Clarke

A car damaged after being hit while parked at the side of Westbourne Road.

School memories I was intrigued by the article on the old Mangotsfield Primary School (Voice, November) and especially the picture of the class of 1948, with teacher Mr Thomas. My mum, Olive Cottrell, was born in 1935 and was a pupil there Sadly mum died last March, aged 84: she always liked to be driven past the old school, and it brought back good memories. Jon Parr

n SPORT

Cricket club waits for lockdown to lift CARSONS and Mangotsfield Cricket Club had planned for a quick start to the New Year, supporting the Gloucestershire Cricket Board coaches at Lyde Green and Blackhorse schools. Unfortunately the lockdown prevented this from happening but the club are still hoping that there will be further opportunities as and when the schools reopen, which can then link into the Friday afternoon sessions we are due to be running at Mangotsfield School during March, for school years three to six. After sessions for girls were publicised in the

December issue of the Voice, club chair Andy King has confirmed that the club has already recruited some members for its new girls’ team, as well as a female level 2 coach. The club was due to be having winter nets, but these have been put on hold and will probably be cancelled. Subject to the guidelines and weather, it is hoped Carsons and Mangotsfield can start using their outdoor nets as early as possible. They are also looking to start fitness sessions when guidelines allow. Andy is optimistic for the season ahead, with

several new players joining the club at 1st team level, in what is a young team. There are also more youngsters feeding through the academy into the senior section: the numbers do look healthy. Carsons and Mangotsfield are also delighted to announce that DFCA will be running junior coaching sessions on Saturday mornings from May 1 to July 3. They will take place from 9am to 11am, including hard ball sessions for 9-10 year olds and 11-12 year olds.

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downendvoice

March, 2021

n ON THE TREATMENT TABLE

Springis springing Blog 81 - It’s getting to that time of year again when the light lasts for just a few minutes longer each day and everything seems to be waking up from the dark slumbers of winter. Somehow this seems more appropriate than ever for the times in which we are living – and the whole country appears to be ready for a new wave of positivity. Vaccination numbers are up, Covid cases are down. There are rumours of summer holidays and schoolchildren being allowed back in the classroom. Like most parents, I’m constantly amazed by the innocence of young children and how they can help you stay grounded, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Oscar, the youngest addition to the Button family, has learnt the word “horse” or “orse”, as he puts it, and lets us know every moment of the day – he even shouts it out in his sleep. It reminds me that, at Cleve Chiropractic, we treat local “orse” riders on a regular basis. I’m

so pleased that the lovely riders have been allowed to carry on exercising their beautiful animals and we can still treat them when they fall off! Despite all the falls, kicks or bites they suffer, riders always seem capable of keeping a smile on their faces when it comes to the joy of caring for and riding their precious horses. I wonder if any of them will help me show Oscar a real “orse” one day? I hope so – and I can’t wait to see the look on his little face. With the advent of spring comes the welcome arrival of two new faces at Cleve Chiropractic. Dele Bamisaye is someone I know only too well as he used to be one of my patients. He worked as a radiotherapist in the NHS for 10 years before switching his focus to the private sector. As an athlete, Dele competed at a national level and saw the benefits that chiropractic had on his training, recovery and performance. He’s taken that interest a step further by completing a

chiropractic masters degree and the International Certificate in Sports Chiropractic (ICSC) qualification, which allows him to treat athletes at the highest level of their sport. Now Dele is ready to help you achieve your goals and fulfil your potential. His experience and expertise are just a phone call away. I’m so pleased that Dele has agreed to come and take over Mike Jordan’s full-time duties, although Mike is staying on with us, working every other Saturday. Our second newcomer is acupuncturist Jennie Abraham, who adds another important dimension to our health and fitness portfolio. Her skills can help with chronic and acute pain that you might suffer in your joints or muscles, or as a result of a sprain, for example. Apart from assisting with general well-being, acupuncture can be beneficial for arthritis, headaches and migraines, regulating the menstrual cycle and PMS, fertility, stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, IBS and other digestive issues. It's also fantastic for helping to keep the body in balance to prevent illnesses and pain.

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 Finally for this month, a reminder that Cleve Chiropractic remained open throughout the latest lockdown. We’re Covid safe and have all the necessary PPE and sanitization protocols in place. Please stay safe and remember that we’re here to help whenever you need us.

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l Chiropractic & Physiotherapy l Back & Leg Pain, Sciatica l Sports Massage l Pilates l Headaches & Migraines l Trapped Nerves l Repetitive Strain Injuries l Occupational Injuries l Sports Injury Specialist l Competitively priced

Y IATR E POD

LB WIL BLE ILA A V A 020 IN 2

Member of the British Chiropractic Association

DAY Monday

CLASS Pilates Pilates Pilates

TIME 10:00 – 11:00 11:00 – 12:00 18:00 – 19:00

Currently online Currently online Live & online

Wednesday Pilates

12:00 – 13:00

From 26/08/20

Friday

10:00 – 11:00

Live & online

Pilates

Check details on Facebook & Website for developments £49 for a block of 6 Pilates sessions.

The practice of pain relief Contact

0117 957 5388

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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

March, 2021

n BOXING

Callum turns pro as Kourtney joins Army A YOUNG boxer is following his dream of turning professional. Callum Smith, aged 20, is one of the members of the Downend Boxing Club still striving for success despite the pandemic. Callum has boxed since the age of 11 and has had more than 60 contests, many at the elite competition level for each age group as he has grown up. Among the tournaments where he has represented the club, based at the Harry Crook Centre in Fishponds, are the Celtic Box Cup in Ireland, where he won a silver medal, and the prestigious Haringey box cup. Callum will be trained by Welsh former professional boxer and middleweight world title challenger Gary Lockett, in Cardiff. Downend Boxing Club coach Craig Turner said: "Callum is massively gifted. Trying to hit him is like trying to catch butter melting in a pan, and whilst you're missing, he's hitting you with fast, accurate shots.

Callum Smith with Downend Boxing club coach Craig Turner

Kourtney Morgan-Hemmens has joined the Army.

Jasmine Poole is leading the country's boxers in a home running challenge

"With continued commitment and drive, Callum can be special, and we would all love to see that happen." Former Downend boxer Kourtney Morgan-Hemmens could continue her sporting career in the Army. Kourtney, 19, is the first woman to wear the Mercian Regiment's badge after passing

out of training at Catterick. The regiment is known as the Heart of England's infantry. Craig said: "We couldn't be prouder of her – next stop possibly the Army boxing team." As the young members of the boxing club continue to train at home during lockdown, England Boxing has launched the national Strava running challenge to keep

the country's boxers in shape. The challenge is to run one kilometre in the fastest time recorded by the Strava app. Downend boxer Jasmine Poole won the competition on two consecutive weeks, with times of 3min 27s and 3min 30s respectively. Jasmine plans to continue to defend her title.

Downend Voice

AERIALS

AERIALS LOCALSERVICES A.G. For Digital TV Advertise your business

Give Gary a call on 07799461169 ACUPUNCTURE

AERIALS

Est 1967 • Free Quotes • No VAT

Ring Round — Then Ring Us We will undercut any quote for quality work

TELEPHONE

DOWNEND 0117 956 4516 MOBILE 07770 634 804 ARCHITECT SERVICES

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07968 855 001

• Digital Aerials • Fully Guaranteed • Repairs • Satellites • Free Quotes • OAP Discount • Additional TV Points • Humax Recorders

Willow Surgery, Hill House Road, Downend on: 0117 970 9505

Affordable Prices - Reliable Service

Gisela treats a wide range of conditions from physical complaints, including infertility to emotional and stress related problems. Call her to discuss your health issue on: or make an appointment direct at the

A Member of British Acupuncture Council and Lecturer

0117 967 9028

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

Got News? Call Ken On 07715 770377

downendvoice

March, 2021 BATHROOMS & KITCHENS

Bathroom & Kitchen Specialists All work carried out by us

One call is all you need Book now for your makeover

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Call Tony 0777 6188595 tony1osborne@yahoo.co.uk Find us on Facebook osborneandsons

CARPENTRY & INTERIORS

General Carpentry & Floor Fitting Kitchens, all wood flooring, LVT flooring, Door hanging

A family run business Contact Alan on 07411834534 or 01179374887

BURGLAR ALARMS

59 CLEANING SERVICES

MARK EVANS

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Vinney Green Farmhouse Emersons Green BS16 7AF

M.J.E. ALARMS



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

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We service all makes of alarms, from an upgrade and service to new alarm systems

Alarm Services from £45

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enquiries@markevanselectrical.co.uk Trusted Trader

ELECTRICIANS

CARPENTRY

PHILIP PERKINS

Carpentry

atom electrical specialist domestic installers

General Carpenter/Kitchen Fitter (Member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen)

• Kitchens supplied & fitted or supply only • Full kitchen or fronts only • Worktops • Fitted Wardrobes • Door Hanging • Skirting • Stairs & Balustrades • Laminate & Wood Flooring • All aspects of general carpentry work

CALL FOR A QUOTE - NO JOB TOO SMALL 0117 9373941 OR 07788 115945

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FENCING

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FRENCHAY FENCING & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

all work guaranteed - all quotes free OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE LOCALLY BASED

Call Mike on 07962226226 or Andy on 07747148106 Contact us at Facebook: Frenchay fencing

downendvoice

60 ELECTRICIANS

GUTTERING SERVICES

March, 2021 LANDSCAPING

MARK EVANS

Hawthorn Landscapes and Tree Care

Electricians & Alarm Specialists

Vinney Green Farmhouse Emersons Green BS16 7AF

Experts in

Full housge rewirinnteed at ara all work gu t prices s e b e th

Our electricians can also provide extra sockets, low voltage halogen lighting, electrical testing, landlord certificates, kitchen and bathroom electrical work, garden lighting and all your electrical needs

0117 956 0695 / 07770 233475

enquiries@markevanselectrical.co.uk

We are a family run business est 1990 we do all types of Fencing, turfing,patios,power cleaning Trees and shrubs topped shaped and felled All types of rubbish removed - cheaper than a skip

Replacement and Maintenance:

Guttering, Downpipes UPVC Fascia Boards Soffits and Cladding Unblock & Gutter Cleaning

Email hawthornlandscapes@yahoo.co.uk

All work guaranteed Based in Bristol area Call Paul for free quote

Freephone 0800 858 9803 Mobile 07580 260 676

01454 850201 or 07980 001109

OVEN CLEANING

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Mark’s Gutter Cleaning



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   

Call or Book online

www.marksguttercleaning.co.uk Tel: 0117 3708528 Mob: 07543056558

Trusted Trader

FENCING

Based in Downend, Bristol

HOUSE CLEARANCE

DOWNEND G FENCIN RVICE) (ERECTING SE

e - All types of 45 years experienc arance etc. fencing, repairs, cle L AL SM O NO JOB TO

TEL: 0797 3381663

GARDEN MAINTENANCE

D. ATTWELL

LANDSCAPING & TREE SERVICES For All Garden Works Patios – Decking Gravelling – Fencing Wood Chippings – Jetwashing Foliage Removed – Roots Destroyed Garden Walls & General Building

• FULLY INSURED • LICENSED WASTE CARRIER

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PAINTING & DECORATING

J L Painting & Decorating Garden, Clearance House, Garden, Office Clearance House,House, Garden, OfficeOffice Clearance

House, Garden, Office Clearance - all Plus all other Plus All Your Other Waste Removal Needs too! House, Garden, Office Clearance -- Plus other House, Garden, Office Clearance Plus all other Plus Your Other Waste Removal Needs too! Plus All All Your Other Waste Removal Needs too! On-average Average cheaper than a skip. On cheaper than aa skip. OnAverage cheaper than skip. removal On average cheaper waste removal On cheaper than aa skip wastewaste removal -Average On average cheaper than than skipa skip

07592 003 Tel: 07592 506 003003 Tel: 07592 506 Tel:Tel: 07592 506506 003 1/4 Load 1/4 £89 1/4 Load Load £89 £89 Half Half £139 Half Load Load Load £139£139 3/4 Load 3/4 £179 3/4 Load Load £179£179 Full Load Full £199 Full Load Load £199£199

Jason Lee Qualified Painter & Decorator No Job too small Free No obligation quote Telephone:

07474573780 0117 2792264 e: jl.painting.decorating@outlook.com

www.junkmonsters.co.uk www.junkmonsters.co.uk

HAIRDRESSER

PAINTING & DECORATING

Professional Mobile

SJM DECORATING

Hairdresser 20 years plus experience Cutting womens, gents and children. Styling and blow drying, perming, colouring and highlighting. Wedding & prom hair

Professional Decorating Local Qualified tradesmen Internal & External Decorating Fast, reliable & friendly service Fully insured

Call Karina on

07789718422

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Free Quotations

Call Scott 07515 523 623 0117 3824411

www.sjmdecorating.freeindex.co.uk

Got News? Call Ken On 07715 770377

Classic & Natural stone tiles

Specialising in Italian showers March, 2021

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downendvoice PLUMBING

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T: 0117 382 7716 / 07557 335 956 E: dacriscobuilder9@gmail.com

PAINTING & DECORATING STEVE PAINTER

DECORATING SERVICES

* TAPS, WASHERS * BALL VALVES * LEAKS, WASTES * OVERFLOWS, DRIPS * LEAD PIPES * TOILETS, FLUSHES

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Traditionally trained Quality workmanship Paperhanging specialist Friendly and reliable Competitively priced

City and Guilds Qualified

Affordable | Reliable | Professional Free Quotations

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email: sbsplastering@aol.co.uk CHECK OUT REVIEWS ON GOOGLE

PLUMBING

10 Year Warranty’s available Finance also available

518308

PLUMBING & HEATING

CREST HEATING & PLUMBING OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE HONEST & RELIABLE

TEL: 07765 250816

Call Steve Painter on:

SBS PLASTERING

Boiler installation, servicing and repairs

BOILERS, BATHROOMS AND GENERAL PLUMBING

01179 565 190 / 07853 250 035 PLASTERING

PLUMBING & HEATING

Tel: 0117 9676268 info@arheatingservices.co.uk

Renovation Painter Tiler Decorator 17 Years Experience Tiling Interior & Exterior Masonry E: dacriscobuilder3@gmail.com Interior Facade T: 0117 401 8568& / 07557 335 956 PaintingDacrisco Builder No Job Too Small Free Quote 17 Years Experience

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0117

957 5092

PLUMBING

56746

629179

07878249260 phil@andersonheatingservices.co.uk

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

JJ PLUMBING BOILERS • BATHROOMS • KITCHENS MOBILE: 07989 072976 TEL: 01454 859474 www.plumber-in-bristol.co.uk

J AND J CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE SERVICES Providing general building, factory facilities work, gardening, pest control

Tel 07779242184 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

March, 2021 WIGS

PLUMBING & HEATING Bristol: 0117 9000 986 Mobile: 07834 633376

3 generations in the plumbing and heating industry and a quality service from a local family business.

Wigs Bristol

LOCATED IN DOWNEND

We have been supplying all types of wigs and hairpieces for fashion and medical purposes for 45 years. Wigs can be purchased off the peg or made to measure in hair or synthetic fibre.

Boiler service and repair, New boilers supplied and installed, full system and design, Free 10 year parts and labour warranty on new boilers, general plumbing. We are also Gas safe registered. OAP DISCOUNTS

ROOFING

TREE SURGEONS

N . BROWN

ROOFIN G LIMITED

SLATING • TILING • REPAIRS GUTTERS • FASCIAS FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTES

Give Nigel a call he’s local and has a wealth of experience

✆ 07779 786072 ROOFING

J.A. Cole & Sons Tree Surgeons

We stock many styles and makes.

Please book an appointment on:

0117 956 6556 www.wigsbristol.com

WINDOW & DOOR SOLUTIONS

• Tree Surgery • Hedge & Shrub work • Precision Felling • Size Reduction • Fully insured • Domestic & Commercial .

We replace & install all new Windows, Doors, Bi-folding Doors, conservatories and much more!

PROFESSIONAL EXPERT SERVICE - 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE OF TREE WORK Free Quotations & Advice

0117 9567298 07768 973291

www.bristol-tree-surgeons.co.uk

TREE SURGEONS

A MURPHY

FLAT ROOFING

We can also service & repair all types of PVC, Aluminium & Timber windows/doors From Misted Double Glazing - Lock Repairs - Hinge Replacement - Door/ Window Handles and more.

FOR A FREE QUOTATION CALL

Mastic | Asphalt | Felt Roofing Contractors

077867 30804 or 0117 279 9409

Downend based BS16 6AP Over 40 years experience References available on request

info@treadwellwindows.co.uk treadwellwindows.co.uk

TEL: 0117 431 5880 MOBILE: 07976 442703 WASTE DISPOSAL

SHOWER REPAIRS

B R O K E N S H O W E R ? A p r i c o t S h o w e r s A p p r o v e d C o n t r a c t o r

S h o w e r i n s t a l l a t i o n s A l l m a k e s s u p p l i e d I n s t a l l e d , r e p a i r e d R e p l a c e m e n t u n i t s

F R E E E S T I M A T E S

F R I E N D L Y P R O M P T S E R V I C E , A L L W O R K G U A R A N T E E D

A p r i c o t E l e c t r i c a l

2 0 0 O v e r n d a l e R o a d , D o w n e n d B r i s t o l B S 1 6 2 R H Mobile

0117 956 3285

BASED IN DOWNEND!

07976 665448

RUBBISH CLEARED

Registered upper tier waste carrier licence no CBDU225074

We load and clear rubbish/junk from houses Flats, Sheds, Attics, Gardens etc etc No job too small - we even clear single items Cheaper than a skip and we load no VAT Contact Stuart or Sue

WINDOW & DOOR SPECIALISTS

Window and Door Specialists • Supply & Fit • Fascias, Soﬃts and Guttering • Conservatories • Commercial & Shop Fronts • Composite Doors • Windows & Doors • Repairs & Replacement Glazing • Bi-Folding Doors • UPVC and Aluminium

Freephone 0800 0234 995 Mobile 07770944727 anytime inc. weekends

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

tel: 07977490777

www.maynardwindows.co.uk e: maynardwindows@mail.com

Got News? Call Ken On 07715 770377

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

Getting around: Major project updates GETTING around in South Gloucestershire is set to be safer, quicker and greener, thanks to major projects which are currently underway. These include: • Cribbs Patchway Metrobus Extension: The bridge move, the heaviest ever bridge lift of its kind in the U.K, has now been completed as part of this project. Once the remaining works are finalised, the metrobus route will travel through the Cribbs Patchway New Neighbourhood, on the former airfield site, and link with Highwood Road at the San Andreas roundabout, next to the Mall at Cribbs Causeway • Wraxall Road roundabout: Work is underway on South Gloucestershire’s first through-about (a roundabout with lanes of traffic through the middle). The improvements will reduce traffic congestion and increase capacity at the busy junction on the A4174 Avon Ring Road • Yate Park and Ride site: Opening later this year, the £3.5 million park and ride on Badminton Road will help reduce traffic by encouraging people to use other travel options such as public transport, cycling or car sharing. It will include 192 parking spaces, 38 electric vehicle (EV) charge points, and secure cycle storage for 46 bicycles. Existing bus routes and

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Strategic Infrastructure, Cllr Steve Reade next to the new electric vehicle charging hub at Bristol and Bath Science Park in Emersons Green services, ahead of the expansion of metrobus services to the area, will take passengers into Bristol and Yate • Electric vehicle charging hub at the Bristol and Bath Science Park in Emersons Green: the council has installed a 12-charging bay hub complete with a solar canopy, with six EV charge points, as part of the Revive vehicle charging

Land purchased for new Thornbury healthcare facility SOUTH Gloucestershire Council is to purchase the Thornbury Hospital site to support the development of new healthcare facilities. In a landmark agreement with North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT), South Gloucestershire Council will secure the land to advance longterm proposals to deliver improved GP primary care, outpatient and social care services for Thornbury. This follows a £13.3 million bid to Government for the redevelopment of the site. It will also provide a new home for the town’s local GP practices, enhanced mental health support, social care and NHS beds and a proactive ‘frailty hub’ which would focus on the elderly community receiving care in their own homes.

network • Links between Lyde Green and Emersons Green: A £6.5 million project to improve pedestrian and cycling routes between Emersons Green and Lyde Green • Flood resilience: The Government has awarded £3.2 million to help improve the drainage of roads in South Gloucestershire. The council is also contributing a further

£500,000 to the scheme from existing maintenance budgets • E-scooters: Following the successful launch of the West of England e-scooter trial, the trial area for the ‘hop-on hop-off’ rental e-scooters is expanding to include areas such as Bradley Stoke, Stoke Gifford and Filton in South Gloucestershire.

Extra funds for Kingswood town centre project KINGSWOOD’S town centre regeneration project has received significant additional funding. The West of England Combined Authority has announced a £7.56 million investment, supported by a further £5 million from South Gloucestershire Council. Together, this matches the £12.5 million secured by the council through the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, announced in December. The funding will pay for: the pedestrianisation of Regent Street; the creation of a new public open space providing opportunities for markets, performance arts and cultural events; traffic re-routing; and promoting cycling, walking and access to nearby green spaces and Kingswood’s local heritage sites. It will also fund the full restoration of the historic Whitfield Tabernacle, which has lain derelict for three decades, to become a cultural and community venue. Finally, the funding will allow the council to invest in property and commercial premises that will directly contribute to the town centre regeneration at a time when the market faces considerable challenges. Local feedback has played a major part in developing a masterplan for Kingswood and the council aims to publicly consult on this more widely in the coming year.

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

Think NHS 111 first

Census 2021: Take part

IF you have an urgent but non-life-threatening medical need, make sure you use NHS 111 first rather than going straight to A&E. NHS 111 will help you right away. If you need urgent care, the NHS can book you in to be seen quickly and safely at an appropriate local service such as a minor injury unit or the out-of-hours GP. If you need an emergency ambulance, one can be dispatched immediately. Clinicians, such as nurses, doctors, pharmacists and paramedics, play an increasingly important role in NHS 111. In many cases clinicians in the service can assess patients and provide the advice you need over the phone without having to visit a physical service You should still dial 999 if you have a life-threatening illness or injury. Just think 111 first. When you think you need A&E, contact NHS 111 by phone or online.

HOUSEHOLDS across South Gloucestershire will be asked to take part in Census 2021 this spring. Census day is Sunday 21 March, it is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. Understanding the needs of the nation helps everyone from central Government to organisations, such as councils and health authorities, plan and fund public services across England and Wales. Census outputs inform where billions of pounds of public funding are spent on services such as transport, education and health. Results will be available within 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations.

EU Settlement Scheme: reminder

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you and your family members need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK. To be eligible, you need to have been living in the UK by 31 December 2020. The deadline for applying is 30 June 2021. You can apply and find organisations that can help with your application on this website www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

Keep in touch with the latest South Glos news

  

Sign up now for our weekly update on the latest Covid-19 news for the local area and council service updates:  www.southglos.gov.uk/covid19newsletter If you are not online and would like a printed copy, please call us on  01454 868009

Businesses can also sign up for weekly updates on

Covid-19, support grants, and other local resources and updates:  www.southglos.gov.uk/covid19businessupdates www.southglos.gov.uk/coronavirus