Emersons Green Voice March 2020

emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2020 — ISSUE 42

www.emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

FREE EVERY MONTH IN EMERSONS GREEN, LYDE GREEN, SHORTWOOD & PUCKLECHURCH

Storms chaos

Chris has a lot to celebrate

MP spends more time with family Local MP Chris Skidmore lost his job as Universities Minister in the reshuffle but tweeted these photos to say he regarded more time with his wife and three children as a promotion.

PAGE 15

Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis wreaked havoc on successive weekends. Many trees came down, including this one on the ring road, which motorists cleared out of the way. Report: Page 4 Picture: Lucy Lane

Don’t take the green out of Lyde REVISED plans for development opposite Lyde Green Common have provoked further opposition.

Residents say the plans for 89 homes at White House Farm on Howsmoor Lane would take away green space and put pressure on stretched services.

The plans submitted to South Gloucestershire Council by Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes include a mixture of one- and two-bed flats and two-, three- and four-bed houses.

One objector said: “We were sold on the place called Lyde Green, on the basis that there was some green, some farmland. This place wasn’t part of the main overall plan we were shown of the area, neither were many others that already have succumbed to the expansionist plan, where no green will be left in Lyde.

Full story: Page 7

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Funds raised for lifesaving device Lyde Green resident Carrie Plummer has successfully raised funds online for a defibrillator for the development.

PAGE 3

Safety moves at the shops Improvements are planned to the crossing near the roundabout at the entrance to Emersons Green retail park.

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March, 2020

n NEWS

eggs smell ‘at emersonsgreenvoice Bad extremely low level’ Publisher Gary Brindle 0117 907 8585 07799 461169

Follow us on Twitter @ emersonsgreenvoice

Journalist Linda Tanner 0777 0700579 Journalist Ken MCormick 07715 770377

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Journalist Keri Beckingham 0796 72777090

ADVERTISING sales@emersonsgreenvoice. co.uk Tel: 0117 907 8585 Tel 07799 461169 EDITORIAL news@emersonsgreenvoice. co.uk Letters to the publication can be sent to the above e-mail address or by post to Letters, Emersons Green Voice, 6 Elkstone Walk, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6JT. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter.

DEADLINES April edition deadline is March 18.

LOCAL INFORMATION 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

Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk Environment/trading standards 01454 868001 Well Aware Health and social care information www.wellaware.org.uk Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252 PUBLISHER’S NOTE Emersons Green 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.

Fishponds 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 pick-up points. Feedback is welcomed, call Gary Brindle on 0117 907 8585 or news@fishpondsvoice.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 Emersons Green 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.

NHS 111 Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582

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A member of the

DETECTORS installed by the Environment Agency in Emersons Green and Lyde Green have found traces of hydrogen sulphide – the gas known for smelling of rotten eggs.

The agency’s Ambient Air Monitoring team installed remote monitoring equipment at both Emerson’s Green Village Hall and the Lyde Green Community Centre last year and is set to keep it in place until the end of March at least, to get results for a range of weather conditions.

In an update on its activities, the agency said both hydrogen sulphide and methane had been detected at “extremely low levels” which were nevertheless strong enough for some people to smell.

The agency said: “Both these gases are known to be generated by landfill sites as well as other sources such as coal mining.

“The equipment is extremely sensitive and capable of detecting one part of gas in a billion parts of air.

“The levels detected are significantly lower (1,000 times lower) than the occupational exposure threshold for hydrogen sulphide as set by the Health and Safety Executive, but they are at a level where some people may be able to smell them.”

The agency has been investigating two landfill sites nearby as part of its operations in the area.

It said the amount of landfill gas extracted from the Shortwood Landfill site by Enovert Landfill since the summer of 2018 had increased by more than 8%.

The agency said: “The company has continued to raise the extraction wells, as the landfill site increases in height, in order to facilitate the collection of the gas generated by this fresh waste. “With our support, Enovert has carried out audits of the gas collection system to identify possible leaks and areas where improvements can be made to increase the amount of gas being collected.”

At the Lyde Green former landfill site near Honeysuckle Road, Vertase Ltd has been excavating since 2018 so the land can be redeveloped for housing.

The agency said excavation work at the site has now finished and the area has been backfilled with “inert materials”, such as rubble and soils.

The agency said: “Vertase Ltd will monitor the area over the next few months and collect evidence to show the land is safe to redevelop.

“We will continue to regulate Enovert, Vertase and the other sites to ensure they are compliant with their permit and working with best available techniques.

“Please keep telling us, using our incident hotline, when the odour is occurring, as this is really helpful in our investigation.

“It is unlikely that we will be able to eliminate all odour, especially if a combination of sources are causing an impact.

“We will continue to investigate reports of odour in the area.”

For more information about the work email wessexenquiries@ environment-agency.gov.uk.

To report any environmental incidents call the free 24-hour hotline on 0800 807060.

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March, 2020

n NEWS A CAMPAIGN has successfully raised funds for Lyde Green to have its own life-saving defibrillator.

The appeal was launched by resident Carrie Plummer, who works for a law firm and has lived in the development with her partner and two children since August 2018.

In December she decided to post on the Lyde Green Local Facebook group to ask residents if they knew where their nearest defibrillator is located, which according to the Heart Safe website is in Argos in Emersons Green.

She also wanted to gauge interest in fundraising for an external automated external defibrillator (AED) cabinet for the development, at a cost of around £995 + VAT, which could increase survival rates of CPR only from 7% to around 70%.

After receiving positive comments, Carrie set up a Just Giving page, and by February 1 the fundraising target of £1,500 had been achieved through 89 donations.

Carrie said: “I worked for the NHS front line many years ago in cardiac theatre, and I also have experience of heart difficulties within my family.

“As a new community we don’t even have a GP, and I know the difference that an AED can make in the event of a cardiac arrest is massive. It just feels like there isn’t enough infrastructure in Lyde Green at the moment.

I’ve recently had AED training at work, and the AED that we have has been used by members of

3

Online appeal funds vital defibrillator for Lyde Green

public, and I also know that one in Clifton has been used 19 times by the public too.

“As well as donations from Lyde Green Local members and local residents, we also received donations from businesses that are local to the development too, including £200 from ALD, £200 from The Skin Confidence Clinic which is run by a lady from Lyde Green and £186 from Eco Fix UK, who also offered to help with the installation. Chasers Nightclub in Kingswood also contacted me out of the blue on Facebook to ask if we would like them to do some fundraising for us, and through hosting buckets for spare change on two Saturday nights they managed to raise £207. The fact that these donations have been made from people who probably don’t live in Lyde Green and were enjoying a

Flytipping costs man £700 A MAN has been ordered to pay more than £700 after a toilet, plasterboard and several bags of rubbish were found dumped in a lane.

The waste was traced back to Ashley Wise by South Gloucestershire Council’s environmental protection team after it was found in Cattybrook Road North, Shortwood, last summer.

The council had to send a team to clear the rubbish and officers found evidence linking it to the 29 year old’s home address in Crome Road, Lockleaze. They visited his house and left a contact card after getting no reply. Wise then called the council, claiming that about a week earlier, two men with a van had ‘cold called’ at his address, having spotted the waste in his front garden. He admitted the waste was his and said he had agreed a price of £50 with the men to get rid of it.

But Wise was unable to provide any details of the men, their van, a phone number or a receipt for the waste removal.

Appearing at Bristol Magistrates Court in January, Wise pleaded guilty to failing in his duty of care for the secure transfer of household waste and was fined £100, along with £574 in costs and a victim surcharge of £30.

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night out is amazing.

“We raised £1580 in total on the Just Giving page, plus the cash donation from Chasers.

All of the residents who have contributed have been brilliant, and all of the businesses donated without requesting any publicity – having their support has been absolutely incredible.”

As well as the fundraising, Carrie approached Sainsbury’s

Local in the development, who have agreed to host it, including paying for the installation within the next month or so.

Once it has arrived and been installed it will be registered on the 999 network, and members of the public who need to use it will be given a code to open up the cabinet.

Carrie said that any money left over after the AED has been purchased will go towards its ongoing maintenance, as pads can only be used once and new pads can cost up to £35, and the battery will need to be replaced around every five years or so at a cost of £100. It will also be likely that the community’s support will be needed to keep the AED operating effectively.

To find out more about the fundraising, visit bit. ly/37w08OB online.

CATERERS REQUIRED Housing 21 require caterers to provide a quality lunch time catering service to residents at Falcon Court Extra Care Housing in Kingswood.

The commercial space includes an equipped kitchen. The attached restaurant area holds a capacity of approximately 36 seats.

There is scope to further expand the business to the public if so desired.

The licence agreement will provide you with rent free occupation to be reviewed after 6 months.

For further information please contact The Court Manager Tel: 03701 924106 Mob: 07712 318448 Email: jo.osborn@housing21.org.uk

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n NEWS

Storm force Branches of a tree brought down by the storm near the Dame School Drivers grabbed a trampoline at Westerleigh Road/ Blackhorse Lane junction.

Picture: Hajra Fatima

STORM Ciara battered the Downend area, bringing down trees, fences and even hurling a trampoline into a busy road.

The winter storm blew into the area on the weekend of February 8-9 and the wind and rain continued for several days.

In one incident a tree blew down across the Avon Ring Road between the Bromley Heath and Wick Wick roundabouts, bringing traffic to a halt, on the morning of Sunday February 9.

Drivers came together to push the tree out of the way, clearing

one lane so that traffic could start to move again and alerting the emergency services and council.

Lyde Green resident Lucy Lane said: “Three men had pulled over trying to move it, but clearly needed help.

“Me and my partner pulled over behind their car past the tree, put our hazards on and got out to help. It’s a good thing I keep a high vis vest in the boot of my car! Seeing us stop several other cars, about 15 people, did the same and got out to help.

We could only manage to clear

one lane but traffic was up and moving again. .”

Another tree came down in Mangotsfield, narrowly missing the Dame School building in the park on the corner of St James Street and Richmond Road.

South Gloucestershire Council received a total of 28 calls relating to fallen trees before 10am on Sunday. Avon Fire and Rescue Service was called out to 41 incidents, including broken glass, loose signs, a collapsed wall and downed power lines.

Hajra Fatima was caught up in one of the more bizarre incidents of the storm when rush hour traffic on Westerleigh Road was held up by a large trampoline blown out of a garden and into the road near the Blackhorse Lane junction.

She said: ““As we reached the traffic lights, two men on the other side came out of their car and picked it up and pushed it back into the garden.”

There was further wind and rain a week later as Storm Dennis swept through the area.

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March, 2020

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n NEWS

£10m investment in digital engineering

EMERSONS Green will be the home of a new project to develop a key part of the region’s hi-tech industrial future.

The new Centre for Digital Engineering Technology & Innovation is being launched at the National Composites Centre and neighbouring Centre for Modelling and Simulation, at the Bristol and Bath Science Park in Dirac Crescent.

It is being set up using £10 million of investment, half of it from businesses based in the region and the other half from the West of England Combined Authority.

DETI is a collaboration between industry and academia, led by the NCC, to develop digital engineering – using new technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality in design and manufacturing, and giving people the skills and training to use them.

It aims to give a competitive advantage to the region’s

advanced engineering sector, which employs 30,000 people directly, with many thousands more in the supply chain, and supports 2,000 businesses.

Metro Mayor Tim Bowles said: “DETI will be nationally important centre, based in the West of England. It will help secure the future of the aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries and is a key part of our Local Industrial Strategy ambition to strengthen crosssectoral innovation and support

our region’s ambition for clean and inclusive growth.”

DETI will develop training in advanced digital engineering to increase skills and retrain people in the current workforce.

It will also engage with schools, particularly in less affluent parts of the region, with the aim of inspiring 1,000 children to pursue a career in digital engineering.

The NCC and CFMS will be where DETI will undertake its research, innovation and skills

initiatives, working with leading companies.

A key aim is to use digital engineering in research and design to help reduce carbon emissions by developing products that are lighter, more fuel efficient and create less waste.

Businesses investing in DETI alongside Weca, CFMS and the NCC include Airbus, RollsRoyce, GKN, and Baker Hughes.

The University of the West of England and Bristol University are also involved.

NCC chief executive Richard Oldfield said: “The world faces unprecedented challenges which will require step changes in how society uses resources. DETI will bring together leading companies and tech disruptors to create the design and digital engineering of the future. It will help cement the UK’s world leading position as an engineering nation, helping to overcome the world’s most complex challenges.”

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n NEWS A POORLY girl has enjoyed a day out thanks to a donation from Lee’s Lasting Legacy.

Lee Belgium was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in May 2016 when he was six. After being told by doctors that there was nothing else that they could do for him, his family, who live in Lyde Green, decided to raise £90,000 for Lee to go abroad for a treatment trial and a bone marrow transplant, which they hoped would save his life.

Sadly Lee died in April last year, before he could have the transplant and his family announced that they were starting a charity in his name to help other families.

In the run-up to Christmas, Lee’s Lasting Legacy announced it would be giving a day trip to a poorly child and their family at a location of their choice, up to the value of £200. Followers of the charity’s Facebook group were asked to post suggestions for who they could help, and the recipient, a three-year-old girl called Daisy, was drawn at random from all entries received on Christmas Eve. Daisy, from Lowestoft, was diagnosed with acute lymphoplastic leukaemia at the age of two in June 2019. Daisy is one of seven children, and her mum Shari McKay took her to the doctors after noticing that she was extremely weak and had pale skin.

Shari said: “It was amazing to receive the donation and we were really shocked to have been picked. I received a message

March, 2020

Daisy enjoys a day out courtesy of Lee’s Lasting Legacy

Daisy at the Sea Life Centre on Facebook to say that we had won £200 for a day trip out, and we chose to go to the Sea Life Centre in Great Yarmouth.

As a single mum I haven’t been able to afford a day out like that since Daisy has been poorly, and it was so lovely that we were nominated. Daisy especially enjoyed going in the underwater

tunnel, and her face lit up when she saw the fishes above her.

“When we first found out that Daisy was poorly it was really hard, but all of the doctors and nurses have done everything they can to save her life. She is currently cancer free but still has to go to hospital regularly, and our friends, family and

local community have been fundraising for toys and sticker books for her so that she has something to do, which is amazing.

“I would like to say thank you so much to whoever nominated us for the donation. It was such a thoughtful thing to do for a family that don’t have much. It’s really amazing what people can do, sometimes it has brought me to tears. Daisy has been through so much, but she still finds a way to smile - she’s my inspiration.”

Shari also used part of the £200 towards Daisy’s third birthday party on February 2, where the two princesses from Frozen came to visit her and her friends.

Lee’s mum Clare said: “Daisy received a couple of nominations and my daughter Courtney picked her name out the bowl on Christmas Eve. It makes me feel so happy that we as a charity can help a child who is going through what Lee had, and give her a great day out with her family. I know how much Lee loved going out.”

To find out more about Lee’s Lasting Legacy, join the Leebelgiumlastinglegacy Facebook group.

To find out more about Daisy, visit the GoFundMe page Daisy’s Fight Against Leukaemia.

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March, 2020

7

n NEWS

‘There’ll be no green left in Lyde’ REVISED plans to demolish old farm buildings in Lyde Green and build 89 new homes have been unveiled.

Builders Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes want to develop land at White House Farm on Howsmoor Lane.

Objections have already been received, with one objector saying the scheme would “pile more pressure on failing resources” in the area.

The land is opposite Lyde Green Common and the buildings that will be demolished around the Grade II listed White House farmhouse include the old milking parlour, workshop, kennels, outbuildings and a bungalow.

The proposed properties include a mixture of one- and two-bed flats and two-, threeand four-bed houses.

Plans were first submitted to South Gloucestershire Council in September 2018. They were not part of the original master plan for the development, and have now been revised.

They include the creation of car parking, garages, bin and cycle stores, landscaping, internal access roads and infrastructure and engineering works needed for the new homes.

Several objections to the scheme from members of the public have been published on South Gloucestershire Council’s website.

Mark Humphrey said: “There are already insufficient amenities in Lyde Green and this will simply pile more pressure on the failing resources.

The new homes will be built on land around the Grade II listed White House farmhouse “I see no reason why this proposal should be considered at all until the issues that Lyde Green already faces are addressed. There is no GP surgery, no secondary school, no allotments, very limited green space (and even that is likely to be built on) and no desire to fulfil any of the promises already made for the Lyde Green area.”

Neighbour Marina Romero said the plans would be “absolute murder to the many wild animals that live on this space”, including foxes and deer.

She added: “We were sold on the place called Lyde Green, on the basis that there was some green, some farmland. This place wasn’t part of the main overall plan we were shown of the area, neither were many others that already have succumbed to the expansionist plan, where no

green will be left in Lyde.

“This is absolutely outrageous, and future generations will cry out loud at the fact that this was allowed.”

Neighbour Gemma Williams

said: “My main concern is the lack of infrastructure in this area.

Where are the new homeowners’ children going to go to school?

Which doctors will these families sign up to? Because Emersons Green surgery is already cracking under the pressure of this estate.”

Emerson Green Town Council’s planning committee has also lodged an objection to the scheme on the grounds that the area is not included in the master plan, open space would be lost and there is a lack of current amenities and infrastructure for existing residents.

South Gloucestershire Council is due to make a decision on the plans by April 12.

To view or make a comment on the plans, visit the planning section of the council’s website and search for planning reference PK18/3977/F.

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March, 2020

n NEWS

Pupils explore ideas for a healthy life YOUNGSTERS at Pucklechurch Primary School found out about all aspects of a healthy life in a week-long series of special events.

The school’s health and well-being week involved all pupils taking part in a wide range of activities run by teachers, parents and guest speakers.

They included dentists’ workshops, football with Bristol Rovers coaches, rugby with external coaches, body image coaching, Zumba dance, mindfulness, gardening,

music, forest schools, hockey, art and healthy cookery.

The event was organised by the school’s head teacher Alex Capel, who said: “We feel it is vital for our children to focus on the importance of their health and well-being.

“We know the pressures that children can feel and we want to help equip them to deal with this.

“Enabling them to experience as many different opportunities as possible, some of which they may not have thought about

before, gives them their own personal tool kit. It is key for our children to have a thorough understanding of how to care for their bodies, from healthy eating to exercise to taking care of minds and learning to relax.

“It was a lovely week, enjoyed by all of the children, our volunteers and staff.”

Staff found that the week enabled children to understand better how to care for themselves, from taking up exercising to music instead of watching videos to discovering how to make vegan biscuits.

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March, 2020

9

n NEWS

Have your say on road safety moves PEOPLE living in Emersons Green are being encouraged to have their say on two road safety schemes.

One will see speed tables – extended versions of speed bumps – installed at the pedestrian and cycle crossing point at the entrance to Emersons Green Retail Centre, next to the Emerson Way roundabout.

The other will see chicanes on Church Farm Road and Johnson Road, including two with oneway priority signs, removed and replaced by speed tables.

Both have been opened to consultation by South Gloucestershire Council.

Emersons Green ward councillors Rachael Hunt, Colin Hunt and Judy Adams are calling on residents to have their say on the changes at the retail centre, which they say will improve

visibility and reduce vehicle speeds around the centre’s southern entrance, by the Sainsbury’s petrol station.

As well as speed tables in each direction, the work would also convert the existing segregated pedestrian and cycle paths into a shared use path and involve cutting back vegetation.

Rachael Hunt said: “I am delighted that this consultation is taking place. As a new mum, I find myself much more aware of road safety when I am out pushing a pram and much more cautious when crossing the road, even on established crossings.

“This crossing is so close to the roundabout and poses a major hazard to someone crossing over as cars tend to turn in quickly. By taking this additional precaution now, we could save a potentially disastrous accident later on.”

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Councillors Judy Adams, Colin Hunt and Rachael Hunt Colin Hunt added: “At the moment the shared use paths are not up to standard, and not only will these plans give increased safety and better access, they will ensure the existing pedestrian and cycling facilities are fit for purpose.”

The council says it is replacing the chicanes, which it calls “priority narrowings”, on Church Farm Road and Johnson Road to make it easier for buses to travel on the roads and to “reduce conflict” between drivers.

The chicanes on Church Farm Road by the junctions with Home Field Close and Sarum

Close currently have road signs indicating priority to traffic in one direction. One other chicane on Church Farm Road and two more on Johnson Road will be removed and replaced.

Both consultations can be found on the council’s website at southglos.gov.uk/consultations.

The Church Farm Road/ Johnson Road consultation closes on March 4 and can be found at bit.ly/2SxDKQx, while the Emerson Way consultation closes on March 9 and can be found at bit.ly/37Cspmq.

If approved both schemes would be introduced over the next year.

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March, 2020

n NEWS

Plan for homes on pub car park rejected PLANS to build nine threestorey homes in the centre of Pucklechurch have been thrown out.

South Gloucestershire Council planning officers said the proposed redevelopment of the car park and garden behind the Fleur de Lys was cramped and unsuitable.

They described the scheme as comprising “an unsuccessful offthe-peg suburban ‘cottage’ style of buildings” that would be out of keeping with the conservation area.

“The resulting appearance would be more akin with a higher density residential estate than a piece of high quality infill development in a historic village setting,” their report said.

They were concerned that the proposed properties would be visible from the churchyard of the Norman church of St Thomas a Becket, a Grade 1 Listed Building.

Planners also noted that the

site was close to the difficult junction of Shortwood Road, Abson Road and Westerleigh Road and said: “It is recognised that the local highway network is not ideal.”

The officers’ report said there was scope for some redevelopment of the site, although at a much reduced density and scale.

The scheme for the Fleur, which is said to date from the early 19th century, when it

served as a coaching inn on the Bristol to Christian Malford turnpike road, was put forward

by Stokes Morgan Planning Ltd on behalf of UKS Group Ltd. It proposed demolishing extensions at the back of the pub to allow for the building of a pair of semi-detached homes and two terraces. It said this was “ a suitable design solution for what is currently an under-utilised and unattractive car parking area” and suggested that the

reduction in floorspace would make the Fleur de Lys a more viable business proposition.

A number of residents objected to the proposals, including people living in Shortwood Road and Queens Drive, who said their homes would be overlooked by the new properties.

One said: “It seems to me they are trying to shoehorn in too many properties on a small plot.”

Residents were also worried about the traffic implications.

They said reducing the number of parking spaces for the pub to eight would mean people would park on the roads, causing further problems at an already difficult spot.

This was echoed by Pucklechurch Parish Council, which recommended refusal of the plans on the grounds of the negative impact on the conservation area; poor design; impact on highway and pedestrian safety; and density.

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Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2020

11

n NEWS COUNCIL tax payers will see the average overall bill rise by £70 to almost £1,900 in Emersons Green this year.

South Gloucestershire Council has agreed a £232 million revenue budget, which will see the cost of the authority’s services rise by 3.99 per cent to £1,543.37 for a median Band D tax payer, up £59.22 from £1,484.15 last year.

Just over half of the increase is a precept to be spent exclusively on meeting the growing cost to the authority of adult social care services.

Emersons Green residents also pay for the services of Emersons Green Town Council: its £245,975 budget is up by 4.99% on last year’s budget of £234,285 but the £39.40 precept charge to Band D tax payers for its services is expected to be unchanged from last year, due to an increase in the number of households paying council tax.

In addition a charge for “special expenses” – £17.80 for Band D tax payers – is added to bills for services the council makes which are specific to the Emersons Green area.

Pucklechurch Band D tax payers face a £77.25 parish council precept and a £21.92 special expenses bill.

In Downend the £66.20 precept charge for Band D residents is slightly lower than last year, while the charge for “special expenses” of £16.97 for Band D tax payers – is slightly higher.

People living in areas with no parish council, including most of Staple Hill and Mangotsfield, face a special expenses charge of £30.61 for Band D tax payers, which is down from £31.02 last

Average council tax bill in Emersons Green nears £1,900 year.

The bill for policing services will rise by £10 per Band D household this year, from £217.81 to £227.81 – a rise of 4.59% - while Avon Fire Authority has increased its precept by 1.99% to £74.94 for Band D tax payers.

The overall Band D bill in Emersons Green will be £1,882.72, up £70.37 on last year’s bill of £1,812.35, while in Pucklechurch it will be £1,924.69, in Mangotsfield and Staple Hill it will be £1,856.13 and in Downend will be £1,908.69.

Bills vary according to the size of property a resident lives in: in Emersons Green this ranges from £1,255.15 for Band A to £3,765.44 for Band H. As well as spending on services and day-to-day operations the council plans £145m in capital spending on roads and building projects, while a further £219m will be spent on council-run schools, up by £11.4m.

Council leader Toby Savage said the budget would deliver

“the best possible value for money, while also taking action to respond to the climate emergency and improve our local environment”.

He added: “We have been able to increase spending in some key areas this year, including on schools, where we continue to work hard to deliver our number one priority, which is to drive up educational standards for all.”

Labour group leader Pat Rooney said accused the council

of failing residents in three key areas: schools, metrobus, and the Joint Spatial Plan.

She said: “The Conservatives have been in control of South Glos for the past 10 years and our secondary schools are still at the bottom of the national league tables. Parents see little or no improvements, and we are still suffering from a cash starved Schools budget.”

Liberal Democrat leader Claire Young said two amendments to the budget, over protecting “environmentally valuable land” from sale and supporting men and LGBT victims of domestic abuse had been accepted by the ruling Conservatives.

But she added: “We are disappointed that the Conservatives declined to accept our perfectly reasonable amendment that, in light of reports that the Chancellor has asked for Government departments to look for 5% cuts, the Council should write to the Government asking for local government funding to be put on a sustainable long-term footing.”

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emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2020

n INTERVIEW How long have you been at Mangotsfield?

I taught my first lesson here as a newly qualified English teacher in 2002 and worked here for a number of years before marriage, children and a move to Chipping Sodbury School. It was a joy to return to Mangotsfield 18 months ago as deputy head and when the opportunity arose to apply for the permanent post of headteacher I had to go for it!

Hetty Blackmore has become the first woman headteacher at Mangotsfield School. She tells the Voice about her plans for the future

I love this school. I was Miss Tabor back then and I taught English and media studies and ran two World Challenge expeditions, to Botswana and Zambia in 2006 and to India in 2008. I am still in touch with some of the first tutor group I saw through the school.

They are in their late 20s now and some of them have become teachers, which is lovely.

How will you develop the school’s relationships with parents, neighbours and the wider community?

What do you see as the current strengths of Mangotsfield School?

Will you be making lots of changes?

No! I have taken over halfway through the academic year and I am continuing with The Mangotsfield Way, which we launched in September. One of my reasons for wanting the job was that I knew the school was on the right track and I wanted to drive it forward.

Tell us more about the Mangotsfield Way It is our school vision. We want our students to Love Learning, Embrace Challenge and Show Respect and we are all working together to create a strong community. Our staff team are committed to delivering an ambitious, culturally broad and knowledge rich curriculum, and to meeting the needs of individuals.

How do you bring learning to life for students?

I always want learning to be as exciting and engaging as possible, both inside and outside the classroom. Recently, we had a Holocaust survivor in to speak to students.

Another highlight was a Greek myths day for the whole of Year 9 (see photo on page 24) , while a group have been ski-ing in Andorra.

Mangotsfield has never received a Good report from Ofsted and exam results are below average. How will you tackle this?

Our data is disappointing, there’s no denying that, but we have a clear picture of what

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Is there help beyond the trust?

Government funding is enabling me to have support from Dave Baker, CEO of Olympus Trust and a National Leader of Education.

South Gloucestershire secondary schools, which most people now know are poorly funded compared with the rest of the country, are working hard to improve their performance. I have always believed in being outward facing; I previously worked as an Advanced Skills Teacher, which took me into other schools for extended spells.

So you have happy memories of the school?

It is a very calm place for learning. Behaviour is good. Our Ready to Learn system works so well now that the numbers of students having to leave lessons has halved from a year ago.

Our support for vulnerable students is also recognised as very strong.

governors, including our experienced chair Ann Duff. The trust is appointing a director of education and the school is recruiting two deputy heads.

Hetty Blackmore with head girls and boy Josie Batten and Kamal Mendez-Gardener we have to do. Like many schools, we are returning to a two-year GCSE programme to ensure students in their first three years with us receive the breadth of curriculum they are entitled to. We will decrease the number of GCSEs that students sit.

Mangotsfield recently closed its sixth form. What's your feeling about that?

There is sadness about the loss of the sixth form, of course, but we are fortunate in having a close partnership with Downend School, whose Post 16 centre with excellent teaching and a record of success, is only a mile away. The change allows us to really concentrate on our delivery of the curriculum for our 11-16 students.

Many readers remember Mangotsfield featuring - not always in a positive light - in the BBC TV series School in 2018. How do you feel about that?

It’s important to realise that the show was filmed more than two years ago. The school has continued on a dramatic journey of improvement ever since and is now in great shape. Anyone who would like to see for themselves the reality of life at Mangotsfield in 2020 is welcome to contact me to arrange a visit.

What support do you have for continuing that improvement journey?

Being part of CSET - Castle School Education Trust - is a great help. I work closely with the three other secondary headteachers (of Downend, Marlwood and Castle), the CEO Will Roberts and his team, and our

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Last year’s high-profile fundraising project, Mango 50, had the benefit of increasing parental engagement and we are very grateful to our Friends of Mangotsfield School, who support us in many ways. We have plans for engaging with business and community groups locally and are also keen for our students to go out into Bristol and beyond to take advantage of the many opportunities available to them.

What role do students play in building community at Mangotsfield School?

There is no stopping them! Students have trained as Anti Bullying Ambassadors and Wellbeing Buddies and have supported the Resound foodbank. Our Eco Team is particularly proactive; they have presented assemblies, sold wax wrap, worked to reduce single-use plastic on site and they have plans to create a bee-friendly garden on site.

How do you see the school’s future?

It’s looking promising! We have 74 teaching staff and 38 support staff dedicated to taking this truly comprehensive school into the 2020s. We are building strong relationships ; I am always out and about around school - I even have a pink hi-vis jacket given to me by students.

We have about 1060 on our roll at present and our numbers are growing. Offers go out this month to prospective Year 7 students for September and we look forward to getting to know them and their families.

Finally, this is a big job you have taken on. How do you switch off from the pressures of the role?

My husband is also a teacher and we have two children, aged eight and ten, so I spend a lot of my ‘free’ time running round after them. We have a 1985 camper van and enjoy and enjoy camping in West Wales and Devon. I run, do yoga and read - lots! I am an English teacher after all.

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emersonsgreenvoice

14

March, 2020

n NEWS DONATIONS to the area’s biggest foodbank are soaring – and so is the number of people needing help.

The Resound Foodbank in to buy food, for example in Blackhorse Road received more the aftermath of being made than 13 tonnes of food in 2019. homeless or unemployed.

The total of 13,310kg was up by Families can be referred to a 16% on 2018’s figure of 11,185kg. foodbank by a professional such The amount of food and as a social worker, health visitor household supplies issued to or Jobcentre official up to three people in need was just over 12.5 times every six months and are tonnes – up by almost a third on given a food voucher. the previous year.

Last year 393 vouchers People are referred to mrSTAPLEhill(0319)1PP 13/3/19 11:54 were Pageredeemed 1 at the Resound foodbanks when emergencies foodbank, a 30% rise on 2018. mean they are unable to afford A total of 1,223 people – half of

Foodbank demand rises them children – were fed, again up 30% on the previous year.

Over Christmas 3,129kg of food and supplies was donated – up by a quarter on last year – with 2,375kg handed out – up 15%.A total of 239 people in 77 families were helped.

Resound foodbank joint coordinator Steve Riches said: “The increases we have seen during 2019 are comparable with

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increases seen by foodbanks in many parts of the country.”

Donations can be made at the foodbank between 10am and noon every Friday and there is a permanent collection point at Sainsbury’s in Emersons Green.

The Resound foodbank is a branch of the Yate and Chipping Sodbury Foodbank, which is part of the Trussell Trust network.

Collection points for the food bank have been set up at Sainsbury’s in Emersons Green and Lyde Green Community Centre.

Emersons Green town councillor Matt Palmer, who set up the collection point at the community centre, said: “The numbers show that there is an ever increasing number of adults and children using the foodbank inside Resound, and what is positive is that donations have kept up with that demand.

“Once again the local community has continued to show its strong spirit, and £165 was raised at Christmas through a Just Giving page..”

For more information call 0117 305 0969 or email info@ resoundbristol.co.uk.

Rainbow Run CHILDREN’S Hospice South West is holding its last Bristol Rainbow Run at North Somerset Showground in Wraxall on Saturday June 6.

Organisers say the 5k run will have a colourful festival vibe, with entertainment and live music in the event village.

Participants will be able to walk, jog or run the distance through blasts of colour while raising money for local children not expected to reach adulthood.

Anyone aged five years and over can take part and if you sign up early you will save 25%.

Find out more at www.chsw. org.uk/rainbow. You can also email events@chsw.org.uk 01275 866600

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2020

15

n NEWS

Skidmore loses Government role Bank branch set to close

CHRIS Skidmore has said he has been promoted “to be a better dad” after being sacked from the Government.

The Kingswood MP’s former job as Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation was abolished in Boris Johnson’s February reshuffle, with the brief now being split into two roles.

The Voice asked Mr Skidmore, who has been MP for Kingswood since 2010 and was re-elected with an increased majority last December, to comment on his departure from the government.

He has not replied but has wished his successors – junior education minister Michelle Donelan and junior business, energy and industrial strategy minister Amanda Solloway – good luck on Twitter, where he also published pictures of himself enjoying time with his children.

In one he described his new role as ‘minister for bathtime in the Skidmore household.

Mr Skidmore said: “Got a promotion in the #reshuffle to be a better Dad with more time to spend with this gorgeous little one...Thanks everyone who I’ve had the chance to work with and the civil service teams that have supported me – you have all been amazing.”

Mr Skidmore and his wife Lydia have three children: Clemmie,Henry and baby Ottilie, who was born during the general election campaign last year.

The biggest shock of the

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reshuffle was the departure of Chancellor Sajid Javid, who quit after being given the choice of sacking his team of advisers or resigning.

Mr Javid, 50, grew up in Bristol and in the early 80s attended Stockwell Hill Comprehensive School, which became Downend Comprehensive School in 1982.

After resigning he said: “It has been a privilege to serve as Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Prime Minister & government will continue to have my full support from the backbenches.”

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

DOWNEND has been dealt a blow with the planned closure of its Lloyds Bank branch.

Lloyds Banking Group announced that the Badminton Road branch will close on May 6 as part of a nationwide cull as more and more people choose to bank online.

The news comes less than six months after Lloyds shut in Staple Hill when customers were told they would be able to continue banking locally by visiting the Downend branch.

The bank closure has sparked dismay from community leaders and residents, although it has been described as “unsurprising” following the loss of the area’s Co-operative Bank in 2014 and its NatWest branch less than a year later as more customers use online services.

HSBC and the Yorkshire Building Society retain branches in Badminton Road.

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

emersonsgreenvoice

16

March, 2020

n AROUND THE WIs MANGOTSFIELD WI IN a change to the proposed programme of events, our February meeting was all about relaxing and unwinding with friends. We are excellent at arranging events even at short notice. So we drafted in some assistance to help us learn a few techniques to unwind and relax. As always we enjoyed meeting visitors and welcoming new members.

Our meeting on Monday March 23 will be about hedgehogs.

Yvonne Cox from Hedgehog Rescue in South Gloucestershire will come to speak.

It will be an interesting and informative talk and I wonder if she will bring any hedgehogs?

If you would like to come along to one of our monthly meetings, you do not need to know anyone.

We will welcome you and assign a WI member to guide you through the evening.

You will be able to enjoy cake and a cuppa and start making new friends. I guarantee that you will be offered the best cake ever, you may learn a new skill too.

Our meetings start at 7.30pm and any visitors can attend for one free visit and a subsequent visit at £4.

We have a broad range of ways to contact us, mangotsfieldwi@ gmail.com to email the team directly. Our website gives details about meetings and upcoming events for members www. mangotsfieldwi. org.uk or you can Like our Facebook page https://www. facebook.com/ Mangotsfield/ Kate Tarr

BEECHMERE BELLES: EMERSONS & LYDE WI BEING part of a WI brings with it a feeling of belonging and the chance to meet new people and learn new things on a regular basis.

I have been a member for a couple of years now and find it brilliant that after every meeting, I have either met another interesting lady or been inspired to try something new.

At our last meeting I got talking to a new member whilst enjoying a wonderful piece of cake, it was so good I had to ask for the recipe, not only was she a lovely lady but her shopping bag caught my eye.

Looking at it more closely I found it was covered on both sides by the most beautiful cross stitch designs.

Instead of having the finished product framed and hung a wall,

she had neatly pressed, hemmed and sewn onto both sides of the bag. What a fantastic idea, meeting this lady has inspired me to try something different.

Beechmere Belles had a very insightful talk from Andrew Flack about the origins and history of Bristol Zoo. It is the fifth oldest in the world, and it was amazing to hear how forward-thinking Bristol Zoo was and still is. His talk was accompanied by pictures and the photos of Rosie the elephant giving rides to the children brought back memories for some members. It was also amazing that Alfred, the silverback gorilla, remained at the zoo during WW2.

He became quite a hit with the US service men based in Bristol. Even making it into the press back in America due to the fact the service men used to write home about him.

March brings with it not only better weather, fingers crossed, but the perky little heads of daffodils and other spring flowers that will brighten our days. This month’s meeting will be led by the bee lady, I’m sure we will learn some interesting things about these very important insects, how to stop a sting hurting would be good.

We also have our Sunday lunch club to look forward to and the Cinema Club will be off to see Military Wives. We really are being busy bees.

Beechmere Belles sends huge congratulations to our ex-treasurer on the safe arrival of her gorgeous baby boy, born in February and in March one of our lovely younger members gets married. We all wish her the most fantastic day ever and look forward to seeing the photos and hearing all about it. Wishing you and your future husband luck and happiness always.

If you would like to try the WI please join us every fourth Thursday of the month at Emersons Green Village Hall, 7.30 for a 7.45pm start, you can come as a visitor and decide if you would like to join at a later date.

The WI is a fully inclusive organisation that welcomes everybody that lives their lives as a woman.

Check us out on our Facebook page Emersons Green & Lyde Green WI - Beechmere Belles Beechmere Belles – Emersons Green & Lyde Green WI

DOWNEND WI HELLO and happy new year.

We start the year, with our member Sam running a session that should save us money and

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be good for the environment, by helping us learn how to make the most of the clothes in our wardrobes. This should be an interesting session and make us want to rush home to see what items we do have lurking and not worn for a while.

February will be shaking off the cold and having a boxercise session that will be suitable for everyone.

January is registration for the year and the cost is £43: you get 11 meetings to meet new people and learn something new.

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

Come along and join us, as either a member or a guest.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday January 28.

Julie Walker, President

SHORTWOOD VILLAGE WI HELLO from us all at Shortwood Village WI. Our February meeting started with a visit from Alyson from Hives and Herbals and who is also know as The Bee Lady. Wow what a lovely lady and she gave us an absolutely fascinating talk about the life of a honey bee and bee keeping. Alyson began by telling us about her past life as a maths teacher, then her work with the Adoption Society which ended with redundancy. So at this point in her life, certain circumstances meant, that she found herself expanding her bee keeping hobby and this is now a very successful business in the cottage industry.

Alyson involved us in her talk by asking us questions about bees and although we knew the answer to some, mostly after a few guesses she had to give us the facts and figures which were all amazing.

Did you know that the Worker Bees are all female and these make up the vast majority of the bees in a hive? What a surprise!! That’s not to say that the minority drones (male bees) don’t contribute as well. They are amazing creatures with a fascinating life cycle and so with the extra knowledge we have I think, that this summer, you will see us all watching the bees in our garden at closer quarters. We then went on to make a candle each.

After a cuppa and biccy, we had the opportunity the purchase some of the items which Alyson makes for example lip balm, honey, wax wraps and kits to make your own.

The business side of the evening followed and included a chat about our proposed trips to

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various houses and gardens this year and a catch up about our plans to visit Denman College.

Hopefully, after a look around the college, we will take part in a short course, maybe cookery, followed by afternoon tea.

Just a quick mention about our skittles match against Wick and Doynton, as despite a strong start we were beaten in the end. “It is not the winning it is the taking part that counts” as they say! Not sure about my fellow team members but I certainly knew the next day that I had used muscles that I didn’t know I had and definitely don’t normally use!

Our March meeting is a chatter natter evening, which I am sure will include one of Caroline’s infamous quizzes. There is always a warm welcome for new members and the first taster session is free. We meet on the second Thursday of the month, so 12th March is next, at 7.30 pm in Shortwood Chapel, Main Road Shortwood, BS16. Hope to see you then!! For any further information please contact me on millhousejoinery@aol.com with the subject Shortwood Village WI please.

Lynne Miller

DOWNEND WI FOR our first meeting of the year in January we were joined by Sam from Samantha Costi Styling and Anna from Always A Fashion Parade who talked us through making the most of the clothes that we already own and gave good tips on saving money and helping the environment.

February we have a interactive session, where we will be shaking away the winter cold by doing some Boxercise. This session is suitable for all, whether standing or sitting on a chair.

We have also realised there was an error in our advert in the January edition of Downend Voice and in our printed programme. Our March meeting is on March 31 and not the 24th (the leap year confused me!). For March we will be joined

by Bristol Blue Glass.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday Febuary 25 at 7.30pm in Christ Church Hall, North Road, Downend. If you want to come along as a guest and see what we are about, please feel free to join us where you can have tea, coffee and cake together with the chance to win a lovely prize in our raffle.

If you would like more information feel free to contact me by email at downendwi@yahoo.co.uk Julie Walker, President

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2020

17

n NEWS

Can you help make St James fit for the future?

FUNDRAISERS have launched a final push to raise £100,000 to support the project to upgrade St James Church in Mangotsfield for future generations.

A look inside the church in Cossham Street shows how work to transform it for the Create 800 project has been progressing.

It has now been eight months since the keys were handed over to the builders and, like other buildings its age, the 798-yearold church has revealed a lot of extra problems which need fixing, including pillars that need underpinning, cracks to be secured and extensive loose plaster to be replaced.

New floor tiles have been laid, new heating and lighting has been installed and the church’s west door now leads to a lobby, with access to two toilets.

A new kitchen and refreshment area has also been fitted.

Church warden Chris Llewellyn said: “With the pews

A look at the work under way at St James Church in Mangotsfield.

Picture: Chris Taylor removed and floors levelled, we now have a wonderfully flexible space.

“We look forward to moving back into a church building with greatly increased accessibility, with nearly all level floors:

a warm welcoming flexible space for the communities of Mangotsfield, Emerson Green and Lyde Green to use.”

Chris said the finished building will have space for concerts and possibly a

community café.

The Create 800 appeal has been named for the church’s 800th anniversary, which falls in 2022.

Chris said: “By maintaining and updating the building we secure it not just for this generation but for the generations to come.

“This work, as well as taking extra time, has also increased costs. To complete we need to raise a further £100,000.

“Much fund raising has taken place, in a variety of ways, with grants applied for and some granted. But we now appeal for your help. As well as pay for the extra work, we also must purchase chairs, tables and equipment.”

People are being urged to make a donation, however small, towards the work on the Create 800 Virgin Money Giving page, which can be found at bit. ly/2wkzVpr.

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March, 2020

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I read an article recently entitled protecting your eyes from winter. I must say that this caught my eye. Tips included turning down your heating to prevent dry eye, which is may be OK for some, but I know this would be unpopular in my house! The advice to cut down on coffee to prevent dry eye was an interesting one as well. Now I’m not saying I totally disagree with this advice but perhaps if you’ve dry eye in the winter try drinking a little more water and even using artificial tear drops too.

I’ve also read about the lower winter light levels making it harder for us to see indoors. This is quite sensible, and I’m sure many of us would just reach for the light switch and hey presto it’s light again! Seriously though, I think the point being made was that in dim light you’re more aware of the changes in vision you’ve maybe been putting off getting looked at. We all do it, just because we're human.

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Well, we can help here! Our exciting new glasses collection

called Maxx give you the on trend look we all want as well as a price to keep your wallets to happy too. Whether you need help to see far, close or far and close, with our custom design lenses it’s only you who will know that your glasses aren’t just to make you look smarter. If you choose glasses from the new Maxx range you’ll get lighter lenses and anti-glare coating all included.

You and your family are most welcome to come and see us for your eye care and on-trend new Maxx glasses. We’d like to check you can see clearly and have healthy eyes too. To book an extended eye exam or frame style consultation for yourself or those you love, please call 0117 962 2474 or 0117 965 4434. Appointments can also be booked via our website, or just pop in to our practices in Henleaze or Fishponds and say Hi! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Peter

Peter Turner is a Senior Optometrist at Turners Opticians in Bristol who also works part time as a Senior Optometrist at the Bristol Eye Hospital

Turners Eye Care Ltd T/A Turners Opticians Incorporated in England & Wales Reg No. 8201460

To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2020

19

n NEWS NEW metrobus links for Downend and Emersons Green, extra park and rides and support for a new M4 junction are all part of a new transport blueprint for the region.

The Joint Local Transport Plan aims to make walking, cycling and public transport the “natural” way to travel around the West of England. It includes an £8.9 billion wishlist of projects for completion in the region by 2036, including a £2.5billion “mass transit system” with sections of underground rail.

The revised plan, published at the end of January, follows a public consultation last year that drew around 4,200 responses.

But it is already facing calls to be redrawn, because it is based on assumptions from a housing strategy which was axed after criticism from government inspectors.

The plan’s authors say the goal of ensuring transport is carbon neutral by 2030, in line with the climate emergency declared by all four councils in the area, “requires a substantial modal shift away from cars to public transport, cycling and walking”.

It means congestion charges for motorists are now seen as “likely”, as are fuel tax increases. The plan acknowledges private cars will remain “essential” for some, but envisages most of the vehicles remaining on the road by 2036 will be electric.

The plan envisages a mass transit system branching out from central Bristol to the north, south and east of the city and

More metrobus routes on way in transport plan Bath, involving on-street trams or light rail rather than underground, which would be expensive.

Metrobus routes from Bromley Heath to Yate, Emersons Green to south Bristol via the Avon Ring Road and Bristol city centre to Bristol Airport are also in the plan.

The long-discussed junction 18A for the M4 between Hambrook and Tormarton, with a link road to Yate, is included, along with the extension of the M4 Smart Motorway scheme from the M32 junction east to the A46 junction.

A new park and ride near the M32 and another near Warmley, where the A420 meets the ring road, is also in the plan.

Changes to the way private and commercial vehicles are used are being mooted, including road user charges, cutting parking spaces, a workplace parking levy, congestion and emissions charging, delivery hubs for online retailers to replace doorto-door deliveries and pooling of space in delivery vehicles are also up for discussion.

However, there is currently a shortfall of

at least £6bn in funds for the scheme.

At a meeting of South Gloucestershire Council on February 12, campaigners called for the plan, known as JLTP4, to be restarted because it included roads to support large new housing developments proposed in the rejected West of England Joint Spatial Plan (JSP).

Meanwhile, the West of England Combined Authority is running consultations on a regional bus strategy and a cycling and walking infrastructure plan until March 15.

Weca wants people to have their say on improving the bus network, doubling frequency on some routes and creating better, faster, more reliable and more accessible services.

The Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan outlines £400m of infrastructure projects to improve cycling and walking across the region.

To take part, visit www.travelwest.info/ transportconsultations or call 0117 428 6210 to ask for a paper copy of the consultation documents.

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March, 2020

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA Monday March 2 n Royal Osteoporosis Society Bristol Support Group, 1.45pm in Westbury Methodist Church Hall.

Talk by occupational therapist Maria Fitzgerald. All welcome.

For more information call 07710 743613.

Wednesday March 4 n Downend Flower Arranging Club demonstration, Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road, 7.30pm. Sallying Forth Once More, with Sally Taylor.

Visitors very welcome - £8 on the door.

Thursday March 5 n Downend Local History Society: Gloucester Docks, Then and Now, with Tony Conder. Lincombe Barn, 7.30pm. Visitors welcome: £3, including refreshments.

Thursday March 5 n Mangotsfield Residents Association, talk on the history of mining in Mangotsfield. Resound Church, Blackhorse Road, 7.30pm.

No charge but donations welcome.

Bellymixtures 4 Complete Beginners Starting Wednesday 26 Feb at 8pm. £5 per class.

Come and have a wiggle and a giggle.

Ffi 07900 216913 or www.bellymixtures.com

Friday March 6 n World Day of Prayer 2pm @ Downend Methodist Church, Badminton Road BS16 6NU Saturday March 7 n Splash of Soul charity night, KES Club, Kingswood (formerly Kingswood RBL club). DJs will be spinning northern soul, Motown and 60s R ‘n B tunes. £5 on the door. 7pm-12am.

Saturday March 10 n St James Mangotsfield are holding a Breakfast Morning and Table Top Sale on Saturday 21st March 10 am to 1 pm. In St James Church Hall, Richmond Rd. Last orders for Breakfast taken at 12:30pm. Lots of bargains to be had, books, craft, cakes, bric a brac and lots more. To book a table and for more details please e-mail elgalannash@gmail.com.

Saturday March 28 n Concert for Ryan, Christ Church, Downend, 7.30pm. Concert in memory of respected Mangotsfield musician Ryan Price, who composed handbell music. All money raised goes to the Cre800 appeal for St James Church. For tickets call Antony Jefferies on 0117 956 2309 or email antony. clare@tiscali.co.uk.

REGULAR EVENTS Please check these events are still running

Mondays n Am/pm Star Jumpers-Pre-school gym classes, village hall, contact Steve Denny 0117 9570009

n 10.30—11.30, Coffee Drop-In session—village hall, Free tea or coffee, contact Kevin Donaghy 0117 9575418 n 10.30am -12.30pm, Knit & Natter—Knitting Group, Village Hall. Tel 01454 862182 n 10.00—11.45, and 13.45-14.45, Diddi Dance—Preschool dance class, Village Hall contact Emily Norman 07850 983821 n 4.15pm – 6.30pm Ballet, tap and modern dance contact Kathy Plaster, 0117 9655660 n 19.00—21.00 The Daisy Foundation—Antenatal class Village Hall, Carrie Cherrington 07752 467535 n 20.00—21.00 Pilates Village Hall, contact Miriam Roberts 07889 243998 n 19.00 – 20.00 Flow Yoga, Village Hall, Hayley McAlinden 07748 452956 n Zumba Fitness with Sam & Karen, 7-8pm, Downend School n Phoenix Wind Band (20+ concert level players). Emersons Green Library, 7.30-9.30 p.m.

Varied, challenging, will appeal to Grade 6 players or above, e-mail phoenixwindband@hotmail.com. n Royal Naval Association, South Glos branch. Downend Cricket Cub, 7.30pm for 8pm 2nd Monday of every month. Call Bob Walker 0117 9567617. n Social badminton. Kingswood Leisure Centre, 2-4pm, intermediate level. n Drop in art group, Page Hall, Page Road, Staple Hill (please use side entrance), every Monday, 10am-12.30pm. No tuition. A friendly welcome guaranteed. Call Judith on 0117 957 0327. n Indoor short mat bowls at Pucklechurch Community Centre.

Established and beginners welcome. Bowls provided. Sessions Sunday afternoon, Monday and

Wednesday evenings. Contact Roger Payne 0117 937 3653. n 4-8pm Ages 3 -15yrs Hip Hop classes, RedX Dance, Staple Hill, 07722 128159 n 18:30-19:30 Pilates Christ Church Hall, Downend. Kerry 07919 051019 n 19:35 – 20:35 Flow Yoga Christ Church Hall, Downend. Kerry 07919 051019. n Keynsham Machine Knitting Club 2nd Monday Of Each Month 2.00pm-4.00pm Sterling Way Community Centre Park Road Keynsham BS31 1DF A friendly, supportive, enthusiastic group of people.New members welcome Contact Pat Hames 01454322553 n Pucklechurch Handbell Ringers meet from 7-8pm, termtime only.

You don’t need to be able to read music. Call Marion on 01179373528. We welcome all ages but to join in our activities, we would prefer members to be over 16. n Zumba session”– with Sam & Karen. 7pm -8pm 07799628308 n Bootcamp HIIT style 6pm – 7pm – Paul Green 07890742566 n Book club for carers – 11.45am -12.45 3rd Monday of each month – Stacey Vallis 01179652200

Tuesdays n Morning Jo Jingles—music for babies & young children. Village Hall, Tracy Bees 077139 43666 n Am/pm Star Jumpers—Preschool gym classes, Village Hall, contact Steve Denny 0117 9570009 n 10.30--11.40, Sing & Sign-Baby signing class, Village Hall, contact Katherine Amor 07594 460448 n Afternoon/Evening, Ballet, Tap & Modern Dance—for children & Adults, Village Hall, contact Kathy Plaster 0117 9655660 n 19.15—21.00, Downend Art Club—for adults, Village Hall, contact Steve Wheeler 07928 799835 n 18.30-19.30, W.W. Village Hall, contact 0345 345 1500 n 19.30—20.30 Boogie Bounce—

News from Downend, Staple Hill and Emersons Green libraries MONDAYS : Knitter Knatter - 10.15am: social knitting group meets every Monday at Downend Library for refreshments and to learn knitting techniques. New members always welcome.

TUESDAYS: Free SGS College Computer course at Downend Library – to improve your IT skills (including using the Internet to book holidays/shop safely on line, create letters & posters ). To book please contact Susannah. griffiths@sgscol.ac.uk or call 0117 9092272.

WEDNESDAYS: Rhyme Time (singing for pre-schoolers) takes place at Downend Library every week starting at 10.30am.

THURSDAYS: On the second Thursday in the month (12th March) Emersons Green Library host a Memory Café – a social & support

To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

group for people with dementia and their carers. Starting at 2pm there are a variety of activities to do and speakers to listen to.

FRIDAYS: Fancy a Coffee and chat? Then the Downend Library Coffee Morning is the place for you today between 10.15am – 11.30am.

SATURDAYS: Downend, Emersons Green and Staple Hill libraries are all staffed 9.30am – 1pm today (Open Access is also available between 8am – 9.30am & 1.15pm – 7.30pm).

SUNDAYS: All South Gloucestershire libraries are available 8am – 7.30pm for Open Access users. Alternatively you can browse or renew books 24 /7 via the Libraries West App or at www.librarieswest.org.uk. (You will need your PIN for these services).

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Special events on Saturdays in March:

7th March: Science Week craft activity at Downend Library 11am – 12pm – it is totally FREE (and suitable for 4-10 year olds) 7th March: Lego Club at 11am @ Emersons Green Library 14th March: Lego Club at 10.30am @ Staple Hill Library 21st March: Lego Club at 11am @ Downend Library 21st March: Missed the 1st meeting of Book Wurms (Teen Reading group at Emersons Green Library)? This is the 2nd meeting at 11.30am – newcomers are very welcome.

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2020 Fitness class for adults, Village Hall, contact Claire Boon 07805 360411 n 20.00—20.55, Emersons Green Community Choir—For adults, Village Hall, contact Rachael Hunt 07908 211174 n 1pm – 2pm – Seated Pilates for seniors Village Hall, Emily Doe 07737250042 n Meditation group, Soundwell Road Spiritual church, Staple Hill.

Every Tuesday 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

All welcome, details 01454 320179 or soundwellroadchurch@yahoo. co.uk n Willow Ladies Club Downend, meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 10am-11.30am at the Assembly Rooms, Salisbury Road, Downend. Guest speakers, outings, new members welcome for ladies of any age. n 4-8pm Ages 8 -25 yrs Hip Hop & Contemporary dance classes, RedX Dance, Staple Hill, 07722 128159 Tuesdays n Pucklechurch Folk Dance club. English Folk Dancing Club that meets alternate Tuesdays, 7.45pm to 10-15pm. Pucklechurch Community Centre. All ages and abilities are welcome .Contact details, Von 0117 937 2818 n Downend Camera Club. 7.4510pm, Assembly Hall, Salisbury Road, BS16 5RA. All abilities and interests catered for but beginners particularly welcome. n Messy Space – term time group for parent/carers with babies, toddlers and pre-school children.

Badminton Rd Methodist Church BS16 6NU, 10.00–11.45 am.

Wednesdays n Flower Arranging – Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road, 7.30 p.m. every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, September – May. All levels welcome. Call Isabel 0117-9568504 n Am/pm Music with Mummy pre-school music group, Village Hall, contact Debra Denny 0117 9574443 n 10.00—11.30 Rainbow Tots— Parent & Toddler Group, Village Hall, contact Kevin Donaghy 0117

9575418 n 10.00—11.25 Book Club, Village Hall, contact Diane Roberts 0117 9566963, Monthly n 18.00—2100 Pilates, Village Hall, contact Rose Skinner 07901914969 n Am/pm, Baby Sensory—Early Learning for Babies, Village Hall, contact Gemma Irwin-Porter bristoleast@babysensory.co.uk n 19.00—20.00, Flow Yoga Village Hall, contact Hayley McAlinden 07748 452956 n 20.00—21.00 Zumba—Dance Fitness Village Hall, Amy Millard 07971 901686n Diamond fellowship at Fishponds Baptist Church hall, Downend Road, 10.30am. Open to everyone, first and third Wednesdays every month. Contact 0117 9653421. n 13.45— 14.30, Diddi Dance, pre-school dance class, village hall, Emily Norman, 07850 983821 n 13.30— 15.30, Bingo—Win Prizes, Village Hall Tel 01454 862182 Fortnightly n 6-6.50pm All Boys Ages 7 -15 yrs Hip Hop classes, RedX Dance, Staple Hill, 07722 128159 n 17.30—19.30 T.A.G.B. Tae Kwon Do, Village Hall, Lee David Newman Tel. 07795 467262 n 10:30 – 11:30 Pilates Christ Church Hall, Downend. Kerry 07919 051019 n 19:00-20:00 Pilates Pomphrey Hill, Mangotsfield. Kerry 07919 051019 n Frenchay Folk Dance Club meets alternate Wednesdays for English and American country dancing.7.45 - 10.45 at Frenchay Village Hall.

All dances are explained and walked through before dancing to live music. New dancers of all abilities always welcome. Call 0117 9868534. n 10-1130am Oldland Common Friendship & Exercise Club at The Community Building (rear of Redfield Edge School), High Street, Oldland Common, BS30 9TL. Contact Spencer on 07825 155954 n ‘Mango Jams @ Lyde’ Parent / Carer Toddler Group run by St James Church, meets every Wednesday during term-time

25%

from 9.15-10.45am. at Lyde Green Community Centre, BS16 7AG www.stjameschurch.co.uk or Sally: 07733 25637 n Support your Self-Care with Monthly Maintenance Shiatsu Clinic in Iron Acton every Wednesday between 3-8 pm.

Naturally restore your energy levels and improve your overall health and lifestyle for just £35 per month.

Contact Anna on 07487 511516 or email anna@wholehearted-health. co.uk for more information and to book your 1-1 treatment session. n Wednesday Café, Badminton Rd Methodist Church 10 am – noon.

Weekly coffee, cake and chat for older folk. All year excluding 2 week break at Christmas and last 2 weeks in August. n Artintro Workshopsfor adults and children with professional artist Catherine Williams.Emersons Green Village Hall, 5.30-8.20pm adults, 6.30-7.15pm children. To book a place call Catherine on 07966 328525.

Thursdays

n 09.30-10.30, W.W. Village Hall, Sarah Hills 07837 096297 n Fishponds and Downend Rotary Club. Langley Arms, Guest Avenue.

1st and 4th Thursday - Fellowship Meetings 19:00 for 19:15, 3rd Thursday - Speaker Meeting 19:00

We would love to publicise your event Send details of your events and activities in the following format:

WHAT IT IS WHERE IT IS WHEN IT IS in no more than 40 words: email us at: news@emersonsgreenvoice. co.uk or call us on 07770 700579 / 07880 731148

for 19:30. Please email Contact@ FandDRotary.Club to make arrangements. n Am/pm, Baby Sensory—Early Learning for Babies, Village Hall, contact Gemma Irwin-Porter bristoleast@babysensory.co.uk n Am, Mini Professors, science for pre-school children, Emily Hellewell, 07848 930513 n 12noon —14.00 Senior Citizens

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Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

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22

March, 2020

n WHAT’S ON Lunch Club Village Hall, 01454 862182, Monthly n 12.45—13.45 Ballet & Modern Dance for Children Village Hall, contact Kathy Plaster 0117 9655660 n 14.00—16.30 Whist Club—Card game group for all abilities. Village Hall, Contact Pat Weymouth 0117 3732017 n 16.00—17.30. 3D Street Dancing—for ages 8—13 yrs Village Hall, Louise Hopton 07754 039059 n 17.30—18.30, Emersons Green Rainbows Village Hall, Lindsey Naldrett 078755 47434 n 19.00-21,00, Spanish language sessions, village hall, Fabiola Doano, 07960 426326 n 19.30— 21.15, Beechmere Belles W.I. Evening Group, Village Hall, contact Katie Bateman 07800 981777. Monthly n 19.30—21.00 Real Fitness with Sarah—Fitness class Village Hall, Sarah Buscemi 07975 943589 n 20.00—21.15 Karate—for adults Village Hall, Allan Harris 01179 323249 n 4.15-7pm Competition Crew Ages 7- 18 yrs Hip Hop classes, RedX Dance, Staple Hill, 07722 128159 n Zumba Fitness with Sam & Karen, 6.45-7.45pm Christchurch Infant School n Hatha Flow Yoga, gentle and nurturing. Pomphrey Hill Sports Pavillon. 10.45 - 11.45 am. All levels, ideal for beginners. Contact Yolanda 07982418847 or email at hola@yogawithyolanda.me n 930-11am or 1115-1245pm Staple Hill Friendship & Exercise Club meet weekly for gentle exercise at Staple Hill Methodist Church (Hall), High Street, Staple Hill, BS16 5HQ. Contact Spencer on 07825 155954 n Hatha Flow Yoga, gentle and nurturing. Pomphrey Hill Sports Pavillon. 10.45 - 11.45 am. All levels, ideal for beginners. Contact Yolanda 07982418847 or email at

hola@yogawithyolanda.me n 6.45pm – 8pm Qi Gong, Village Hall, Donna Pinker 07968158918 n 6pm-7pm –Flame Fitness, Village Hall, Alex Lambert 07769329027 n Yoga 7pm -8pm with Siobhan 07535971874 n Emersons Green Quilters, Christ Church Centre, Quakers Road, 7.30pm-9.30pm on second Thursday of every month. Contact Ann Price 07505267931 Email: emersonsgreenquilters@gmail.com n Pucklechurch Players drama group meets at 8.15pm in the meeting room, Pucklechurch Community Centre. Anyone interested in being onstage or helping backstage is welcome to come along. For more information text 07748 160562 or visit the group’s Facebook page. n Barn Bells are a friendly group of handbell ringers who meet 2-4pm at Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn. Visitors are very welcome to meet us for a trial ring, especially those with some music reading ability. Please leave your name and number at the Barn Office 0117 956 2367 if interested

Fridays n 10.00—11.30, Rainbow tots, parent and toddler group, village hall, Kevin Donaghy 0117 9575418 n S13.15-14.45, Splatt Messy Play, baby and toddler group, Contact Lynsey Abbott on 07713 480102 n 4.10-8pm Ages 6-18 yrs Hip Hop & Contemporary dance classes, RedX Dance, Staple Hill, 07722 128159 n 13.30—16.00. Positive Steps— Adult Support Group Village Hall, Tim Dunton 01225 287431 n 14.00 –16.00 Emersons Green Ladies group Village Hall, Edith Anderson 0117 9573422 Monthly n 18.00—19.15 GKR Karate Village Hall, Mark Woods 07951 947280 n Zumba Fitness with Karen, 9.15-10.15am, Winterbourne Community Centre

To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

n Zumba Gold with Karen, 10.30-11.15am, Winterbourne Community Centre n 7-9.30pm Kingswood Photographic Society, St Barnabas Church Hall, Church Avenue, Warmley, BS30 5JJ, welcomes and supports all levels of experience including beginners. n Kingswood Probus Club, Warmley Community Centre, Deanery Road, Warmley, second, fourth and fifth Thursdays www. kingswoodprobus.co.uk n Spiritual healing at Soundwell Road church Staple Hill every Friday 7pm -8pm. Free entry.

Details 01454 320179 n ‘Mango Jams’ Parent / Carer Toddler Group run by St James Church, meets every Friday during term-time from 1.15-2.45pm. at St James Church Hall, Richmond Rd, BS16 9EZ, 07733 256372 n 12noon – 1.15pm – Over 60’s Seated Exercise, Village Hall, Caroline Aqui 07946201923 n 10am-11am – Spirals exercise class Village Hall – Carol Ramsey 07768732111 n 11am – Midday – Sosa dance class Village Hall - Carol Ramsey 07768732111 n 9.15am – 11.30am – Diddi Dance Village Hall, Emily Norman 07850983821 n 9.45am – 12.15pm – Spanish lessons Village Hall – Fabiola Doano 07960426323

n Spirals with Carol at Emersons Green Village Hall.

Dynamic flow class to music blending Pilates & Ballet to improve flexibility, balance, core and more. Mix of standing/ matwork with adaptions/ progressions. All levels. NEW TIME: 9.30–10.25am, £7. 07768 732111.

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Saturdays n From 12pm T.A.G.B. Tae Kwon Do, Village Hall, Lee David Newman 07795 467262 n 10-11 am Saturday Sports Club for 4-8 year olds at Mangotsfield Primary School, Church Farm Road, BS16 7EY. £5 per session.

Discounted if pay termly. Contact Spencer on 07825 155954 / info@ sportingchance-pt.co.uk n 10.30am -12.30pm –Meditation, Monthly sessions, Village Hall, Eve Robshaw – 01179742633

Sundays n 10.30—11.45, Emersons Green Baptist Church Service, Village Hall, Kevin Donaghy. 0117 9575418 n 7.15pm Pucklechurch village badminton club meet in Pucklechurch village hall w members alway welcome. n Servicesat St Thomas a Becket, Pucklechurch - 1st Sunday in month 8.30am, Holy Communion said; 10am, Cafe Church; 2nd/3rd/4th Sunday 10am, Family Communion n Soundwell Road Spiritual church Staple Hill, Sunday service 6.30pm to 7.45pm. Doors open 6pm, all welcome. 01454 320179 n The Village Church,10.30am -11.45am, at Mangotsfield Primary School, Emersons Green. n Shortwood Methodist Church worship, 2.45pm, all welcome n St James Church, Mangotsfield.

8am weekly Holy Communion.

10.30am Ist Sunday: All-Age Worship; 2nd: Morning Worship; 3rd & 4th: Communion; 5th: Healing / Worship n Badminton Road Church.

Charlotte Close. The Big White Building. Morning Worship 1030am. Each Sunday morning.

Come and join us.

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2020

23

n NEWS

‘Friendly and welcoming’ preschool praised AN inspector has praised a Mangotsfield preschool’s happy, enthusiastic children and “friendly and welcoming” staff.

Abacus@Mangotsfield, which is based in the United Reformed Church building in Cossham Street, was visited by Ofsted in January and a report has just been published.

The education watchdog rates preschools in in four areas: education quality, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Abacus@Mangotsfield, which was founded in 2010 and is one of four settings run by Learning Through Play Ltd, was rated good in all four areas.

Inspector Terri Breakwell said: “Children are happy and enthusiastic about coming to the preschool.

“Staff have high expectations of all children, follow their interests and help them to make independent choices in their learning. For example, children are involved in choosing the

resources that are on offer throughout the day.

“Staff form strong bonds with children from the outset. They provide children with a safe and caring environment for them to learn and grow.”

The inspector praised the links the preschool, which has 35 children on its roll, had built with older members of the community through visits to a monthly coffee morning held at the main church hall. The get-togethers, featured

in the Voice last year, helped children learn about their wider community and build their selfesteem, the report said.

Other areas highlighted included the preschool’s hospital role-play area, which was said to enhance children’s imaginations and creativity, and the use of “golden rules” to promote good behaviour and sharing.

The inspector also praised the “strong partnerships” staff have formed with parents,

adding: “Parents comment on how well their child has settled into the provision and the range of activities on offer when they arrive. Parents describe the staff as 'very friendly and welcoming'.”

Pre-school manager Kate Menear said: “We were really pleased that Ofsted highlighted the strong partnership we have with our parents – we pride ourselves on that.

“We do have high expectations of the children and we help them to make independent choices when they are learning. We give them praise for their achievements.

“It was really nice that the inspector picked up on our links with the church and the children being able to be with different generations.

“We’re really proud to get a good rating, because Ofsted changed the inspection framework in September and it has made the standard a lot higher.”

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March, 2020

n NEWS n TEACHERS at Mangotsfield School dressed up as gods and goddesses to teach year 9 pupils about Greek mythology. The event was staged by the school’s English department, with all members getting into costume and character in the hall to help pupils learn more about the story of the Greek hero Hercules. There was also Greek food tasting and a range of activities. The day was part of the Year 9 Literature through Time work, with pupils reading texts including the Bible, Chaucer and Edgar Allen Poe.

n MANGOTSFIELD RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

W

E are holding our first talk on Thursday March 5, at Resound Church, with a 7.30pm start. It’s about our local mining heritage: there’s a lot of it. All are welcome and there is no entry cost, but donations would be appreciated.

Congratulations to David Blackmore, one of our founder members and one of our key local historians. He has recently received a South Gloucestershire Council Chair Community Award – well deserved.

Our next HAM (Hour-a-Month) will take

place on Saturday February 29, at 10.30am.

We will be doing more gardening at the Dame School and creating a herb garden on the small patch of land by the village car park. Please come along and help us out.

We are about to start building planters to go in various locations around the village. So far we think we’ll be putting 10 out, with a view to more in the future if they are successful. We’d welcome help from any DIY enthusiasts.

One recurring subject at our last meeting in January was dog mess and litter, and there were

comments like “it seems to be getting worse”.

It’s not a problem unique to Mangotsfield, but surely we must be able to do better. Please don’t be afraid to report instances of littering or people not clearing up after their dog.

Our next meeting was due to take place on Friday February 28 at 7.30pm in the Scout Hall.

If you are interested in getting involved then please get in touch by email at mangotsfieldourvillage@gmail.com or via the Mangotsfield Matters Facebook page.

Chris Amos

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Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2020

25

n CRAFT COLUMN Decorative Coaster With Liz Freke of Hattie’s Hooray’s Why not create a gorgeous coaster for Mum on Mothers Day – to go with her favourite mug? You could even create a set, and also one for yourself!

These coasters are so easy to create and look wonderful finished with any bits of ribbon you have in your craft box.

You will need: 2 pieces of fabric each measuring 15cms x 15cms A piece of wadding slightly bigger than the fabric pieces Sewing machine Cotton in a complementing colour Sewing needle Fabric scissors Iron Fabric Glue

1. Begin by placing your wadding on a flat surface. Now take your two fabric squares and place one on top of the other with the right sides facing each other and place these on top of the square of wadding. There should be a border of wadding around the edges. Pin in place around each edge.

2. Machine stitch around three edges (approx 0.5cms from each edge). At the final edge, only machine stitch halfway across.

Trim the excess wadding.

3. Using the gap you have created, pull the fabric and wadding through the hole, ensuring that when turned right side out, the right sides of the fabric are on the top and bottom of the coaster and the wadding is sandwiched in between.

4. Taking the open part of the edge, either fold each edge in slightly on itself and use fabric glue to stick together, or use a small ladder stitch to hand stitch the open seams together. You have now closed your coaster on every side.

5. You are now ready to have some fun with your sewing machine!

The next part is all about being creative as you bind the three layers together. Sew across the surface of the coaster in any way you’d like to – we sewed freehand swirly patterns across the surface of the coaster but you can be as creative as you like. Maybe you might want to sew in straight lines or be adventurous and sew the person’s name onto the coaster – just have fun! Once done, fasten off threads by puling them to the back of the fabric and tying off with a knot. We used a final row of top stitch around each edge of the coaster, so that it retains its square shape and also looks nice from underneath!

6. Now you can decorate your coaster in any way you like. We used fabric glue to stick a piece of ribbon around the edge and finished off with a bow. You could let your imagination run wild here. But, most of all, have fun and once finished, enjoy a cup of your favourite drink with your new handcrafted coaster. Happy crafting, and see you next month for a wonderful Easter make.

Got a story? Email us at news@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk Finance options available!

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emersonsgreenvoice

vet 26

March, 2020

n VETS’ ADVICE

What is a Cat Friendly Clinic?

F

ROM moment your cat disappears when they spot the cat carrier to the time of getting them home bringing your cat to the vet can be a stressful one. At Vets4Pets Emersons Green we recognised this challenge and have worked with International Cat Care to achieve the Gold standard Cat Friendly Clinic award. Keep reading to see what we do differently…

Your Vet and Appointments: On specific days Practice Owner: we have cat-only appointments, guarantees that your visit Carlathis Puime Costoya won’t be accompanied by a curious MRCVS canine!

The cat basket: Choose a basket that is dark inside, easy to clean and where we can take the lid off fully. Put a towel inside which they e Pets atcan Home, hide under if they’re nervous.

The waiting room: We have a Green, Bristol, BS16 7AE cat only waiting area, using the towels provided prevents your com/bristol-emersons-green cat seeing other animals. For particularly nervous cats weSun can 5pm Sat, 10.30am - 4.30pm move them in a secluded area until

s Green

it is their turn to be seen which can really help (just ask the reception team!)

The consult room: Our vets will try to honour your cat’s wishes – they’re welcome to explore the

room, sit in the sink, hunt for the treat tin or hide in the basket if they prefer.

Hospitalisation: Should your cat needs to be hospitalised we have ‘cat condos’ which are even bigger than the Gold Standard requirements. They have places to hide, perches to sit up high and plenty of room!

Finally, all our staff have received training in how to care for our feline friends and their humans, please talk to us if you would like any further support – even if it’s getting them in the basket!

Vets4Pets Bristol Emersons Green Inside Pets at Home, Emersons Green Retail Park, Emersons Way, Emersons Green, Bristol BS16 7AE

Call us 0117 910 9352

or visit vets4pets.com/bristol-emersons-green

Vets4Pets Bristol Emersons Green

Your Vet and Practice Owner: Carla Puime Costoya MRCVS

Inside Pets at Home

We’re open 7 days a week!

Vets4Pets Bristol Emersons Green

Inside Pets at Home, Emersons Green Retail Park, Bristol, BS16 7AE

Call us: 0117 910 9352 or visit: vets4pets.com/bristol-emersons-green Open 7 days a week: 8.30am - 7pm Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm Sat, 10.30am - 4.30pm Sun

To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

emersonsgreenvoice

March, 2020

27

n SPORT

Turmoil at Mangotsfield Utd as manager Price quits

MANGOTSFIELD United have been thrown into turmoil following the recent resignation of manager Ollie Price.

A 3-3 home draw v Slimbridge and then a 2-1 away loss at Larkhall Athletic in late January were completely overshadowed by the events of February 1, as the team prepared to face Evesham United at Cossham Street.

Just 90 minutes before the match manager Ollie Price resigned, along with his dug-out team, at the prospect of a further cut to an already-low playing budget.

His resignation statement, issued immediately on Twitter, said his position had “become untenable”.

Ollie said: “I am a man of principle and have set standards that I work to achieve.

Throughout my time as MUFC manager, I have faced many challenges, all of which up to now I’ve taken in my stride.

However, it’s got to the point

where enough is enough and I can no longer keep producing miracles.”

He thanked the chairman and directors for giving him the opportunity to manage the club and expressed his satisfaction at being able to give young players the chance to play Southern League football.

Ollie also thanked the volunteers, supporters and supporters’ club for their “overwhelming support”, adding: “We wouldn’t even have a club without the contributions you make.

“I cannot stress enough how disappointed and gutted I am to have to resign, but I feel I have done the best I can under the circumstances. I’m now going to enjoy some much-needed quality time with my family, whilst considering my options.”

Ollie remained in the dug-out for the Evesham match, along with assistant Neil Simons. As for the game itself, Mangotsfield lost 5-3. The players’ body

language in the first half told a million stories and they trailed 0-2 at half-time but really perked up after the break and got back to 3-3, before two late Evesham goals killed them off.

The result barely mattered, given the wider picture, but the fact that the players still played for the club when they could easily have all walked out before 3pm stood them in good stead with the supporters.

In the days that followed, with most of the players having already left, speculation about the future of the club grew all the time, as the club’s financial situation was aired in public.

It wasn’t just about who would replace Ollie Price; it was all about could the club continue in the Southern League, voluntarily return to the Western League or was the club in danger of folding.

Chairman Mike Richardson announced that youth team boss Glyn Ashton had also become the new first team manager.

For the trip to Basingstoke

Town, the few remaining first team players, including keeper Marko Radovanovic, were joined by a number of inexperienced debutants from the club’s youth team and put up a spirited performance, only losing 2-1. Three nights later, at Portsmouth-based Moneyfields, Mangotsfield fielded an even younger starting XI and succumbed to defeat by the only goal in the 50th minute, despite creating a number of decent chances of their own.

Mangotsfield’s overall future remained unclear as the Voice went to print. The immediate task is to fulfil all league fixtures.

To the people of Mangotsfield, your presence at any of our next home games would be very much appreciated. Support your local club!

Next home games: March 7, 3pm: Thatcham Town.

March 21, 3pm: Bristol Manor Farm March 28, 3pm: Frome Town.

Dave Smale

please contact Don Willcox on 0117 9083249 / 07718 306623 or email donwillcox@hotmail.co.uk A similar course last year proved a huge success with

24 people attending the taster course, with many going on to play the sport more regularly.

More info at www. pageparkbowling.org.uk

Your chance to try bowls EVER fancied trying your hand at bowls? A course to train to basic level will roll out at Page Park this spring.

It will take place over six to seven consecutive weeks from Saturday April 25 from 10am-noon, under the tuition of qualified coaches from the English Bowls Association.

Equipment will be provided but flat soled shoes are essential, strictly no heels or ribbed soles.

There will be an initial

registration fee of £5 and a charge of £2.50 per session to cover costs.

It is not a condition that you must join Page Park Bowls Club but should you wish to do so then it is a condition of club rules that members must have satisfactorily completed the course. Alternatively, other local clubs will be happy to accept new members who have successfully completed the course.

To register your interest,

EMERSONS TAXIS Emersons Green, Downend & Surrounding Areas

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Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

emersonsgreenvoice

28

March, 2020

n SPORT

Accessible club helps young players enjoy football

A FOOTBALL club based at Frenchay is helping young players with physical, sensory or learning disabilities to enjoy playing the game.

Rockleaze Rangers is one of the biggest grassroots clubs in Bristol, running junior teams from under-6 to under-18 and has five senior teams up to Gloucestershire County League level.

Based at the University of the West of England Hillside Sports Ground in Frenchay since last season, the club is now hosting a weekly session for children aged 8-16 with disabilities, between 6.30pm and 7.30pm every Wednesday.

Rockleaze Inclusive Coach Ian Louden said: “In the years before the move to Hillside, a number of the coaches recognised that some children struggled to cope in a 'mainstream' group for a number of different reasons.

“The success of the move to Hillside and the fantastic facilities available there led the

Members of the Rockleaze Rangers group for children with physical, sensory or learning disabilities during a session at the University of the West of England Hillside Sports Ground in Frenchay club to look into the possibility of providing football opportunities for children who found it difficult to fit into the club's regular training groups.

“With help from Jason Lee at the Gloucestershire Football Association and Kris Taverner / Ian Blundell at Bristol Bears

Community Sport, Rockleaze took over responsibility for a small existing group for children with a physical, sensory or learning difficulty that was being run by Bristol Bears.”

The group has a coaching team of two Rockleaze coaches plus two UWE students.

Ian said: “The sessions are about providing a fun and supportive social environment for the children and giving them a sense of 'belonging' within the club. The children in the group love the facilities (a 4G pitch and proper goals) and the sociability of the group.”

The group currently has around 12 regular players, aged from around 10 to 15, mostly from North and East Bristol, although some come from as far away as Portishead to take part.

The club has space and resources to grow the size of the group and provide more boys and girls with the chance to play and have fun.

Any child from 8 to 16 years old with a physical, sensory or learning difficulty is welcome to come along to the Wednesday session.

For more information, contact Ian Louden by email at inclusive@rockleazerangers. org.uk.

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We have vacancies

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Annual salary of £24,628* plus £1,800 Bristol Allowance

The role: • Driving a Milk & More vehicle (3.5 tonne and Electric Street Scooter milk floats) to deliver milk and more to around 200 homes per night across Bristol and / or the surrounding area

Life Assurance x 2

• Working on your own, largely at night, and outdoors and in all weathers, with deliveries to be made before 7am

25 days annual leave

• Its hard physical work, with lots of walking but many of our team love the exercise!

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If this is the role for you apply now...

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