Emersons Green Voice September 2021 by Emersons Green Voice

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September, 2021 Edition—Issue 56

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

Students hail strong grades YOUNG people are starting new courses this month after achieving excellent GCSE and A-level grades in spite of the challenges of the pandemic. PAGES 10 to 13

Changes to school plans

50,000 jabs

The team of staff and volunteers giving Covid-19 vaccinations in Emersons Green and Downend celebrate after reaching the 50,000th jab

Protest over water supplier PEOPLE living in Lyde Green say they have “no confidence” in their water supplier, amid a barrage of complaints. Unlike other areas nearby, people in Lyde Green pay their bills for water and sewerage to Leep Utilities, under rules which allow smaller companies to supply new estates.

But residents say they are being overcharged, having “random” extra direct debits taken from their accounts and suffering from poor customer service. A petition has been launched which calls on the company “to stop the mass overcharging of Lyde Turn to Page 4

THE new school buildings for Lyde Green have been delayed and the secondary will now be run by Olympus Trust. PAGE 3

Enjoy the Three Greens Festival! ORGANISERS of this month’s Three Greens Festival have revealed more details about the event. PAGE 5

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emersonsgreenvoice Publisher Gary Brindle 0117 907 8585 07799 461169

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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 October edition deadline is September 15. 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 NHS 111 Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582

Some of the seized goods

Woman sold fake designer goods via Facebook

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Journalist Linda Tanner 0777 0700579

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September, 2021

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.

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A LYDE Green woman sold fake designer clothing, trainers and accessories via a Facebook group. South Gloucestershire Council said its trading standards officers searched Charlotte Pocknee’s home in Jenner Boulevard and seized counterfeit items including handbags, belts and clothing. The council said Pocknee, aged 26, was selling the goods via a group called Haute Couture. Trading Standards officers were carrying out checks as part of an initiative called the Real Deal Online, where social media sites are monitored to prevent illegal items from being bought and sold. A council spokesperson said they came across an advertisement by Haute Couture offering suspected counterfeit goods for sale in a local buying and selling group. They made £100 of test purchases of designer branded T-shirts and swimming shorts in January last year: the items were later confirmed as fake by the brands. When her home was raided Pocknee’s phone was also seized, and the council said a detailed review of its contents showed “a wealth of evidence” that she knew she was acting illegally. The spokesperson said: “Text messages found on the phone included her own comments where she stated that she should not be selling replica items. “Evidence found on the phone has also resulted in further

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investigations into suppliers and resellers.” The council said financial records showed Pocknee had paid more than £7,400 to suppliers for the goods, buying more than £4,300 of fakes in just under four months. Pocknee was prosecuted and pleaded guilty to 10 charges under the Trade Marks Act relating to selling counterfeit goods when she appeared at Bristol Magistrate’s Court on July 26. She was given a community order including a three-month curfew and told to pay £800 in costs to the council and a £95 victim surcharge. The fake items found at her home will be destroyed. Council cabinet member for communities Rachael Hunt said: “Practices like this will not be tolerated in South Gloucestershire and I am pleased to see this case come to a conclusion with these orders and fines handed to the offender. “Our Trading Standards team is proactive in monitoring the selling of counterfeit goods on social media sites and will continue to observe suspicious sellers and enforce the legislation. “The sale of counterfeit goods harms legitimate businesses and also means that the purchaser receives low-quality goods.” Cllr Hunt called on anyone who suspects they may have been sold fakes to report it to trading standards on 0808 223 1133.

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September, 2021

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Lyde Green school buildings delayed THE opening of new school buildings for Lyde Green children will be delayed after South Gloucestershire Council said it had made changes to its plans. A 900-place secondary school for 11 to 16s and 420-place primary were scheduled to open next September at a site in Honeysuckle Road. However the council has now issued a statement saying: “There have been some changes to the plans that will go forward, which will delay the completion of the new buildings.” “Nonetheless, we are confident that we will be able to make sufficient provision of school places available for Year 7’s entering secondary school in September 2022.” The council has not given a new opening date or revealed an

alternative to providing places on the site but says it will update parents “in the coming weeks”. The secondary school will not now be run by SGS Academy Trust, which won the bid to set it up under the government’s Free Schools scheme. It will instead be part of Olympus Academy Trust, which runs Winterbourne Academy, Bradley Stoke, Patchway and Abbeywood community schools. Chief executive Dave Baker said that while some details had yet to be agreed and the current priority was preparing admissions arrangements, there would be some changes to the SGS plans. Mr Baker said: “The name will obviously need to change from SGS Parkfield and the school will be referred to as Lyde Green Secondary School in

the interim, pending a decision about the name.” The previous plan to emphasise engineering, digital technology and “employability skills” is set to be dropped. Mr Baker said: “The new school will be a mainstream secondary school without specialism and will offer the full national curriculum, as all other Olympus secondary schools do.” The SGS plan had included a commitment to “provide an inclusive environment for children with autism”. Mr Baker said: “All our schools are fully inclusive and this will be no different. Neither SGS Academy Trust or the council have given reasons why it is no longer involved, other than to say it was “not able to continue”. The contractor responsible

for building the schools has also changed, from Wilmott Dixon to BAM. No reason for the change has been given. A council spokesperson said: “We are currently working closely with Olympus, CSET [the trust that will run the new primary school] and BAM to finalise plans for the new school provision, including designs and final completion dates for new buildings. “However, we remain committed to ensuring that pupils entering Y7 in September 2022 will be accommodated. “Places will be available through the normal admissions process from September 2021 and there will also be information events for families to hear about plans, with details to be shared as soon as they are available.”

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September, 2021

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‘We have no confidence in water supplier’

From Page 1 Green residents” and resolve the problems. Leep says it is meeting with customers to understand and resolve problems. The petition on website change.org was started by resident Andrew Clark, and had been backed by more than 300 people as the Voice went to print. It states that the company “has been charging double and triple the usual rate” with “really poor customer service and no way to resolve the issue”. Declaring that the signatories have “no confidence in Leep Utilities”, it calls for the services to be run by Bristol Water instead - although Andrew has since been told this is not possible under current rules. Andrew said Leep’s bill for his two-bed flat in Lyde Green, at £85 per month, is double what he was paying for a property the

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same size in Fishponds. After a struggle to contact Leep, staff suggested he might have a leak so he paid for two different plumbers to check - and they found nothing wrong. Andrew said many other people had shared their experience of problems, from high charges and inexplicable direct debits to calls for help going to voicemails, which were not answered. He said: “Everything about Leep Utilities is going wrong the bills are wrong, the customer service is wrong and the way they take your money is wrong. “We’re just trying to find some way as a collective to get them to fix it, because individually it’s impossible.” Andrew has contacted official customer champion the Consumer Council for Water and with some other residents and town councillors has now met with Leep to start addressing the

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problems. Leep was launched in 2017 and took over supplies to Lyde Green when it bought out SSE Water two years later. In a statement to the Voice, the company said: “Leep Utilities prides itself on providing great customer service and has been meeting with its customers in Emersons Green to understand their issues and to explain both Leep’s charges and services provided. “Where there have been individual concerns raised, we are working directly with those customers to resolve any issues and would continue to encourage any of our customers to talk to us if they need assistance.” Leep insisted its prices “match, or in some cases, are lower than” regional suppliers, its average monthly bill in Emersons Green was £33.21 and said variations were due to previous underpayments, including to SSE Water. The company said it was replacing its voicemail system with a call-back facility that meant 94% of customers “get through to us either first time or get a call-back within an hour”. It added: “Leep Utilities is committed to working with any of its customers that have issues until they have been resolved to mutual satisfaction.” Emersons Green town councillor Matt Palmer attended a “fairly productive” meeting with Leep to discuss the problems. He said: “Leep admitted that

Andrew Clark there were a few issues they needed to resolve, particularly customers’ ability to get hold of and speak to an actual person, as well as having no online platform. Matt said the company pledged to investigate the cases presented to them, and compare average bills for all sizes of homes in Lyde Green to those in other areas. He added: “Leep stressed that water rates have to be the same as Bristol Water, so they were very unsure as to what was causing high bills in Lyde Green.” Another meeting was due to take place on September 6. The petition can be found online at chng.it/4XRTF8kNWD

Have a say on green spaces PEOPLE are being encouraged to have their say on plans to improve the network of green spaces and water courses, including parks, nature reserves and other open spaces across South Gloucestershire. The council's draft Green Infrastructure Strategy, known as ‘Greener Places’, is open to comment until September 12. It involves plans to protect the area's "green infrastructure" of parks, woodland, farmland and water, and improve and create more habitat for nature. Council cabinet member for the environment, Steve Reade, said the strategy "recognises that we all have a part to play in responding to the challenges of the changing climate and the nature crisis." People can view the strategy and have their say online at consultations.southglos.gov.uk/Greener_Places.

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September, 2021

n NEWS ORGANISERS of this month’s Three Greens Festival have revealed more details about the event and their aims. The festival is due to take place on September 25 and is the idea of volunteer group the Friends of Emersons Green Park. As well as bringing the people of Emersons Green and Lyde Green together, the friends want the event to get people thinking about a new approach to our relationship with the Earth. Lead organiser Chris Sunderland said: “Festivals have always been a way to stimulate our imagination and bind communities together with a common purpose. “By focusing on Emersons, Lyde and the Earth as the Three Greens, the festival is designed to give us hope that we can live well on the Earth.” Chris said a date near the Autumn equinox had been chosen as it is a time when day and night are the same length all over the planet He said: “If it is successful, our local festival could provide a model for other neighbourhoods across Bristol and beyond.” The festival will begin with parades starting separately at the Langley Arms Car Park in Emersons Green and Lyde Green Community Centre car park, assembling from 9.30am. People are invited to take part using sustainable transport

Festival aims to bring people together to celebrate nature

The Brigstowe Village Band will greet the festival parade at Emersons Green Park from walking and cycling to skateboarding. The organisers are suggesting people in the parade dress up, for example wearing a fancy hat, and carry something from nature with them like a bunch of flowers, or a branch. When the parade arrives at the festival site at around 10.30am the natural objects will be arranged into a display. Parade goers will be greeted

Markings repainted MISSING road safety markings around a zebra crossing were repainted, days after the Voice raised concerns with South Gloucestershire Council. The council resurfaced the busiest stretch of Emerson Way during April and May, as part of a five-month road works programme. But while the striped crossing between the library, village hall and retail park was repainted, none of the zigzags and double yellow lines which stop vehicles from parking nearby and blocking views for pedestrians and traffic were. Town councillor Matt Palmer raised the issue with the council after complaints that cars and vans were being parked dangerously close to the crossing.

Matt told the Voice the situation was reported to the council on June 14 but more than a month later, the lines had still not been replaced. But three days after the Voice contacted the council for a comment on the situation contractors had returned to finish the job. A council spokesperson said: “Unfortunately we were not able to complete both sets of road markings at the same time due to a heavy downpour of rain. “Our priority at the time was to install the zebra crossing and we returned on Thursday July 22 to complete the zig zags.” Matt said it was “great news” that the road markings were painted but said: “It is, however, deeply concerning that the

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by the Brigstowe Village Band, a local band that models itself on the days of Thomas Hardy. The focus of the festival will be a big tent from which local naturalist Ed Drewitt will lead wildlife trails at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, and there will be talks about wildflowers and allotments, and lessons on apple pressing. At around midday festivalgoers will be invited to take part crossing safety markings on Emerson Way took so long to be painted. “Even after calls to the Council, public fears were not taken seriously. “This has perhaps raised doubts over South Glos Council’s

in a community promise about our relationship with the Earth, followed by Brazilian dance music from The Clube de Choro at 12.30pm. A children’s nature-based play area will be set up and taster sessions of Yoga and Tai Chi will take place at 12.30pm and 1.30pm respectively. Further walks and tours will take place during the afternoon and at 8pm there will be a Colombian music concert in the Village Hall led by professional musicians Francisco Correa and Emily Andrews, who live locally. The concert and wildlife trails are bookable in advance via the festival’s Facebook page and website, friendsofemersonsgreenpark. wordpress.com, where more details can be found. Organisers are also encouraging people to show their creative talents in poetry and photography competitions with a green, natural theme. Chris said: “Why not have a go and see what happens? “And, of course, come along on the day and join in the parades!” commitment to road safety.” Matt has asked residents who want support in making for road safety suggestions to email Matt. palmer@emersonsgreen-tc.gov. uk or clerk@emersonsgreen-tc. gov.uk.

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n NEWS A MANGOTSFIELD teenager whose dad was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer has had her head shaved to raise money for charity. Madison Long, 16, had her flowing locks removed live on Facebook and Instagram, and is donating them to the Little Princess Trust, a charity which provides real hair wigs, free of charge, to children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer or other conditions. Maddy, who is about to start sixth form at St Brendan's College, also decided to collect donations for Macmillan Cancer Support through a fundraising page and had raised more than £1,000 as the Voice went to print. Last month the Voice reported that Maddy's dad Rich, 49, a wing commander in the RAF, had undergone surgery to remove his prostate after being diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. Rich, who has been recovering since the surgery last October, staged an eight-hour 'yogathon' in Page Park in July to raise awareness of the risks of the disease and raised £1,600 for charity Cancer Research. Maddy said other people had not been as lucky as her dad and she wanted to do something to help them. She said: "I have been growing my hair for years in order to donate it, and I thought I would go all the way and shave it off to raise

September, 2021

Maddy braves the shave

Shorn - Maddy after the shave

Maddy Long before the shave money for Macmillan Cancer Support as well. "I am so grateful to everyone that donated – this money will go towards supporting people with the emotional and physical struggles that cancer brings. "I think I am finally used to the (very)

short hair and it has been fun surprising people with it!" To donate to Maddy's appeal online visit bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/ maddy-long.

Cash for improvements to cycle path IMPROVEMENTS are set to be made to the Bristol and Bath Railway Path between Staple Hill and Bitton after a project won government funding. Charity Sustrans, which helps run the stretch of the path with South Gloucestershire Council, said a project to upgrade drainage, resurface aging sections of the path and improve access points had won a share of £30 million under the Department for Transport's Summer of Cycling & Walking investment scheme to improve infrastructure for "active travel". The amount which will be made available for improvements has not been revealed but Sustrans south of England director James

Cleeton said it would be used to tackle issues which make the path more difficult to use, including flooding near the Staple Hill tunnel. The announcement comes as the council and Sustrans launch an appeal for volunteers to join a group to help maintain the path between the Staple Hill tunnel and Rodway Hill. Sustrans is working with the council to extend the OnePath improvement project from Bristol across the South Gloucestershire boundary. The charity's head of partnerships, Jon Usher, said the group would coordinate with the council and local nature groups to help manage the path. A council spokesperson said: "This would

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involve volunteers helping to keep the path clear, litter picking and supporting with the management of important wildlife habitat along certain sections. We have already had discussions with some local groups and we are keen to hear from anyone else who may be interested in taking part." The volunteers would provide a missing link between existing groups for East Bristol and Bath, who sometimes link up to tackle jobs on sections of the path in South Gloucestershire. Anyone who is interested in volunteering to help maintain the path can show an interest by emailing GreenSpace. Volunteering@southglos.gov.uk.

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September, 2021

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Vaccine team celebrates 50,000 jabs A COVID-19 vaccination centre for patients in Emersons Green and Pucklechurch has celebrated delivering its 50,000th jab to members of the community. The team based at Christchurch Family Medical Centre in Downend is managed by the Network 4 Primary Care Network, including Downend Health Group (Christchurch and Willow surgeries), Green Valleys Health (Leap Valley and Emersons Green), Three Shires Medical Practice, which includes Pucklechurch, and Orchard Medical Centre in Kingswood. The vaccination centre in the former Boots pharmacy next to Christchurch Family Medical Centre on North Street has been operating constantly since the first delivery of Pfizer vaccine last December and delivered its 50,000th jab in August. Most vaccinations have been provided in the centre, although a small number have been

A cake marks the 50,000 vaccinations delivered at the Christchurch medical centre administered in care homes and at the homes of patients unable to go out. GP based centres, which contact patients to offer a jab, have been operating in tandem with the mass vaccination centres which have been giving jabs to people booking via the NHS website. Some 86% of the primary care network (PCN)’s patients

Probus club reopens THE Frenchay Probus Club is re-launching with an open invitation to new members to join an open meeting on Wednesday October 6 at 10.15am at Frenchay Village Hall. Probus clubs are an opportunity for men who have retired from business or professional life to meet up socially with others in a similar position. They arrange for visiting speakers as well as holding social events and occasional outings. The Frenchay club has been running successfully for over 40 years but needs to recruit new members, particularly from the more recently-retired, to stay viable. A club spokesman said: "We meet normally at 10am until 12 on the first Wednesday of each month." Anyone interested is encouraged to email frenchayprobus@ outlook.com in advance.

have received one dose and 77% have received two doses of vaccine. For the over-50s the percentages are 94% and 92% respectively and for the over-80s and care home residents, 99% and 98%. The centre recently started to vaccinate 16 and 17-year-old patients of local surgeries and will continue to operate at North Street to offer booster doses and some flu vaccinations to eligible patients throughout the autumn. Initially made up of nurses, doctors, managers and admin staff from the surgeries, the vaccination centre has since recruited a large number of new staff and volunteers, including many who have come out of retirement to help with the vaccination effort. More than 8,000 hours in total have been worked by staff and volunteers in the centre since it opened.

To celebrate the milestone the PCN held a celebratory event in August to say thank you to all of those involved, with food and drink from the Staple Hill-based Los Hermanos food truck and a specially-made cake from Piece of Cake bakery in North Street. Network 4 PCN clinical director Richard Berkley said: "I have been amazed and humbled by the sheer generosity of people giving up their time to achieve this momentous task. "Vaccination remains the cornerstone to us getting our lives back. "All our health services are under such pressure at the moment, yet people still manage to give even more. "I am so grateful to them all. We have also learned how working together in a group of surgeries can help, and we hope to continue to join forces together and bring new services like this in the future."

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September, 2021

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Summer school helps new Year 7s settle in

NEW pupils had an early start at Mangotsfield School, which held a summer school to help them prepare for the transition from primary education. The secondary school in Rodway Hill welcomed 130 members of the new Year 7 to a ‘Challenge Week’ during the holidays in August. The aim of the week was to provide them with the chance to step out of their comfort zones and challenge themselves, make new friends, meet their teachers and get to know the school site before starting in September. The entire week was based around the 'Mangotsfield Way', which focuses on the four school values: "Community, love learning, respect and challenge". Students were split into five teams and completed various activities each day, provided by a combination of external companies and school staff. These included outdoor pursuits challenges with Adventure Bristol, escape room

Mangotsfield's new Year 7 had an early taste of school in the Challenge Week event challenges with Escape Game Events and a space show with Explorer Dome, as well as art, design technology, PE, drama and music workshops with the school staff. Head of Year 7 Naomi Clipston said the week had been a "brilliant success", adding: "My aim for the week was for the students to have fun but also to have the chance to settle any nerves before starting in September. "The confidence levels of the

students had clearly increased by the end of the week and as a result all were able to build positive relationships with their peers and staff. "Each and every student demonstrated our school values throughout the week and the feedback I received from the external companies and staff leading sessions was how engaged, enthusiastic, wellmannered and polite they are. "I am so proud of my year group already.” Assistant head Gareth John

said: “This challenge week was an ideal opportunity for us as a school to support the young people joining us in September. "We were delighted with the attitude from all those in attendance and students made the most of some exciting opportunities to push their boundaries. "This group of students have had their transition to secondary school hugely impacted and this week will go some way to preparing them for starting secondary school."

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September, 2021

n NEWS

Tree will be felled A TREE that has stood in Mangotsfield for a century is set to be felled. The ash tree, behind Mangotsfield's war memorial in the Alec Large Memorial Gardens, is suffering from ash dieback disease, a fungus which is slowly spreading across the UK, having arrived in Europe from Asia 30 years ago. The fungus slowly kills trees and is expected to kill eight out of ten of the country's ash population. Staple Hill & Mangotsfield ward councillor Michael Bell said South Gloucestershire Council tree officers broke the "very sad news" that the tree would have to be felled to committee members of the Mangotsfield Residents Association at a site meeting. He said the "very old and much loved resident" and a number of smaller ash trees in the area would be felled between now and November, and replaced by saplings of a different species.

Council objects to roundabout plan EMERSONS Green Town Council has raised concerns over a £30m project to transform five roundabouts on the Avon Ring Road. The three-year scheme proposed by South Gloucestershire Council would see extra lanes added to Lyde Green roundabout, near the Bristol and Bath Science Park, and the Rosary roundabout, by Emersons Green shopping centre. Three other roundabouts – Siston Hill near Mangotsfield, Deanery Road near Warmley and Kingsfield, at Longwell Green – would see new lanes built to take through traffic across the middle. The town council has objected to the plans, issuing a statement which said: “It is noted that, in February 2021, Emersons Green Town Council declared a Climate Emergency. The Town Council considers that the proposed scheme would increase car journeys, worsen air pollution and lock in car dependency. The Town Council also considers that the scheme would bring years of disruption for local residents and that the high cost of the project does not represent value-for-money for residents.” A public consultation on the proposed changes, which are aimed at tackling congestion on the A4174 and stopping drivers using nearby residential roads as rat-runs, closed in August. Meanwhile South Gloucestershire Council has said that changes to the Hambrook traffic lights which were introduced two years ago are to remain in place for some time to come. Bans on traffic accessing the B4058 Bristol Road towards Winterbourne from the direction of Downend or Frenchay were to be tried for 18 months to see if air quality improved but the experiment has been extended until traffic has returned to pre-Covid levels.

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September, 2021

Hard work pays off for Downend and Mangotsfield students THE head teachers of Downend School and Mangotsfield School have praised the "hard work and dedication" of GCSE and A-level candidates. At Mangotsfield, Year 11 GCSE candidates were described as "focused, determined and resilient throughout the final months of rigorous internal assessments". Head teacher Hetty Blackmore said: "This year the students have faced challenges, not only of multiple lockdowns, but also of a late change in the expectations for assessments. "There are so many individual successes to celebrate within the results and the school community are delighted by the personal achievements of the entire cohort." Mrs Blackmore said it was hard to pick out individual students but some had exceeded national expectations, and the top ten highest-attaining students were Ewan Smith, Bryce Gapper, Robbie Hedges, Poppy Gwilliam, Jacob Ankah, Bradley Day, Jessica Rigby, Zoe Skinner, Amy Streeting and Alice Trivett,

Mangotsfield School GCSE candidates celebrate their results. who had achieved 44 grade 9s, 34 grade 8s and 13 grade 7s between them. She added: "Last year, after the first lockdown, the then Year 10 cohort came back to school in tightly managed bubbles, staggered over term 6. "It was a nervous and emotional return after such a period away. Last September they returned as Year 11 and marched forward through the year, despite bubble closures, illness and absence. "The twists and turns of the summer exam season were challenging. This heroic year

group deserves medals and I am thrilled that their successful results are a testament to their hard work and resilience.” At Downend School Year 11 GCSE candidates and Year 13 A-level students, who include some former Mangotsfield pupils, were praised for their "incredibly hard" work throughout their education. Head teacher Lisa Howell said: "We are keenly aware of how the situation over the last two years has made the final straight of this journey even more difficult than usual. Rather than taking anything away from

the efforts and achievements of our students, this has only increased our admiration of them all. "They have shown such resilience in the face of two difficult and disrupted years, and have undertaken a whole suite of assessments in order to earn the grades that they now have. "There have been some fantastic individual performances across the whole range of grades, and the sheer hard work that went into these results is a cause for celebration. "We also recognise that learning is not just about exams and that what they have learnt throughout their education will form the building blocks for their future education, work, passions and interests. "We hope that our young people will continue to pursue the interests that they have fostered during their time at Downend School and wish them all the very best for their next steps. We look forward to seeing what they will achieve in the future."

Six out of ten St Brendan's students off to university MORE students from St Brendan’s Sixth Form College are going to university this year. The college in Brislington, which has many students from the Downend area, says A-level students have come through what has "arguably been one of the toughest and most unpredictable years students have ever faced". Adapting to home learning and significant changes in assessments after nationwide exams were cancelled meant the more than 800 leavers this year had to overcome many challenges. The college said 479 students (60%) are going on to university, the highest number from St Brendan’s to do so in the last four years. Of those, 121 have won places at the UK's leading 24 world-class, research-intensive

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universities, known as the Russell Group. The college's Aspire Programme, aimed at helping high-achieving students to gain places on some of the most competitive degree programmes in the country, saw more than 80% of its students win university places. Another 26% of students are progressing directly on to jobs or an apprenticeship, with employers including EY, Co-op Legal Services and the NHS. Principal Marian Curran said: "Once again, we have seen an increase in the number of students successfully securing courses at universities across the country. "This year over 60% of our leavers are progressing into higher education to continue their education. "Their hard work and determination has secured them the positive destinations they

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truly deserve and we are incredibly proud of them all. "We know that that they will be an inspiration to our new cohort of students in terms of being ambitious and aiming high. "To see two thirds of our leavers choose university is recognition of this ambition. "We love staying in touch with our alumni and can’t wait to follow their careers and accomplishments. "Students who choose St Brendan’s Sixth Form College receive pastoral and careers support, coupled with an outstanding quality of teaching and learning across all programmes and subjects. "Congratulations to the class of 2021 who coped well in difficult circumstances and displayed enormous resilience. This will hopefully enable them to succeed in realising their future dreams."

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September, 2021

n EDUCATION

emersonsgreenvoice

Colston's celebrates 'excellent' results PUPILS, staff and parents at Colston’s School are celebrating "excellent" academic and vocational results in A-levels and GCSEs. Half of the A-level grades awarded to students in the school's Upper Sixth were at A* or A, with 85% at A*, A or B. Among students studying CTEC and BTEC vocational subjects, 96% were awarded either a starred distinction or distinction, the equivalent of A* or A at A-level. Year 11 pupils also overcame a year and a half of disruption, with 58% of grades awarded at 7 to 9 and 22% of candidates achieving all their grades at 7 or above after a "rigorous and stretching" assessment process. Colston’s headmaster Jeremy McCullough said: "Everyone recognises that this examination cycle has been hugely disrupted by the ravages of COVID-19. "However, the students and teachers of Colston’s have responded magnificently to every challenge they have faced and we were delighted that, unlike last year, our hardworking examination candidates have had the opportunity to formally demonstrate just how much they have learned during these past two years. "Through a series of rigorous and

Colston's School A-level students celebrate their results stretching assessments, and by examination of portfolios where appropriate, our students have managed to achieve excellent outcomes." Mr McCullough said almost 90% of A-level candidates had secured their firstchoice university courses and the majority of GCSE candidates would return in September, when they will be joined by students from other schools in the sixth form.

He said: "Our students always learn much more than the content of examination courses and this is perhaps even more true this year. "We do not believe this cohort have missed out academically, but we do believe they will have picked up a great many other personal qualities, such as resilience and determination, that will stand them in good stead for the future."

Join us at our

Whole School Open Day Saturday 25th September 2021 To advertise, contact Gary on 07799 461169

BECOME THE BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF

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emersonsgreenvoice

September, 2021

n EDUCATION AUGUST 10th, 2021, was an uplifting results day for boomsatsuma College students, with all achieving a qualification, and an impressive 54% awarded a Distinction, or higher, opening up fantastic future possibilities for them in Bristol’s creative sector. Mark Curtis, boomsatsuma co-founder, states: “These students have come through challenging Covid-19 pandemic journeys over the past two years, so this is an important boost for them all. They all have these great platforms, that will help them move on to the next stages of their lives, be-it staying in education or into employment. What’s enormous, is that they leave with so much more than qualifications, in terms of work-place experiences, selfconfidence and wider life-skills. “We are now gearing up to return in September with next years’ students with most courses full, there are just a few spaces available for this year and we’ll be opening for 2023 enrolment to find the next generation of

Students pass with Distinction at boomsatsuma

Bristol’s creative voices.” The 2021 results show consistent performance across boomsatsuma’s creative media and acting courses, extending back over the past three years. There was no change in the

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way that the Level 3 National Diploma grades come via an assessment process, rather than exams, though Covid did mean boomsatsuma managed new teaching and student support processes, to sustain quality

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education and mentoring. The result was to achieve these excellent outcomes for the next generation of creative professionals.

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September, 2021

emersonsgreenvoice

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

New school year brings new start AFTER 18 months of disruption, repeated isolations and arguments over home schooling, everyone welcomed the long summer break! As schools return, it is the perfect time to get started with additional support for your child’s education. The children we tutor in English and Maths at Kip McGrath in Downend require tutoring for a variety of reasons: some are struggling to keep up, due to time out from school or additional needs; others are there because their parents want to make sure that their children are ‘on track’ and well supported in their learning; some parents would like their children to be extended beyond their year level, or are aiming to get their child in to one of Bristol’s best private schools or Gloucestershire’s grammar schools. And of course, there are those who are preparing for exams, from SATs right through to GCSEs. Whatever you and your child’s needs, the tutoring at Kip McGrath’s tuition centres is based on the simple ethos that ‘all children can progress if given the correct support’. Kip McGrath provides after school tuition in English and maths for children aged 5-16, using methods that have been proven over 40 years. All Kip McGrath tutors are qualified teachers, with years of teaching experience, and resources are mapped to the school curriculum. A free assessment will identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Based on this, your dedicated

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tutor will devise a personalised learning plan to enable your child to reach his or her individual learning goals. Each session lasts 80 minutes to ensure time for individual attention and time to practice what’s been taught. Lessons are available both in-centre or online. Building confidence is a key part of every session. Since I opened the Downend branch of the internationally renowned franchise 5 years ago, I have been delighted to see so many students improve their grades, as well as grow in confidence, motivation and self-esteem.

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Call 0117 373 8367, email bristolnorth@ kipmcgrath.co.uk or visit kipmcgrath.co.uk for more information or to book your free assessment. “My son is really starting to grasp the concepts he missed over the years. His confidence is coming back and he looks forward to his lesson every week” (Janis Philimore, parent of Kip McGrath Bristol North student) Jay Grocott, Owner and Centre Director of Kip McGrath Bristol North in Downend

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emersonsgreenvoice

September, 2021

n PETER'S VISION

The art of glasses

I - Original Eyewear Expert Eye Care

57 Henleaze Road

768 Fishponds Road

Bristol BS9 4JT

Bristol BS16 3UA

0117 962 2474

0117 965 4434

eyecareteam@turnersopticians.co.uk www.turnersopticians.co.uk Turners Eye Care Ltd T/A Turners Opticians Incorporated in England & Wales Reg No. 8201460 Subject to availability, T&C’s apply.

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’ve worn glasses all of my adult life, in fact since my mid teens. Seeing clearly is easily taken for granted, probably the expected norm for most of us in fact. The work we do and the patients we have the pleasure of looking after, help us stay very grateful for the vision we have, particularly as we’re often trying to help those whose vision is not what it used to be. The glasses that I need to wear to see the world clearly, are definitely as much of my wardrobe as anything else I wear. I appreciate I’m in the privileged position of having studied glasses design, manufacture and dispensing far more than most. This insight does mean I’m under more than just a little pressure in choosing my own glasses! The look as well as functionality really does have to be just right. I’m sure you’ll be reassured that my decision making is spot on (well usually, & I’m definitely not admitting otherwise!) It’ll probably be no surprise to you that on a recent trip to London, on our staycation trip this summer, the walking route we took around the sights of London just happened to take us past the Covent Garden store of Tom Davies. I’ve spoken about Tom a few times. I’ll make no excuses for writing about his eye for design again. They are without doubt the most stylish & comfortable glasses I own and have ever tried. Considering the hours I spend at manufacturing exhibitions trying on glasses this is saying something! Whether you’re looking for new glasses or sunglasses right now, or over the next few months, you really should take a look at our latest designs from Tom Davies. One of our new collections contains a pair of sunglasses called ‘Rock Star’. Originally designed as sunglasses for British band Muse’s lead singer, Matt Bellamy, the collection has expanded. One of many things I admire about Tom Davies is his ability to not only design beautiful glasses, but to also manufacture them in London too! When it comes to your eyes, our vision is that each of you receives world class eye care, which we firmly believe you deserve. Don’t forget, whether it’s for reassuringly thorough eye care, or for glasses to make you look like a rock star, we’re here when you need us, six days per week. Just get in touch and we’ll be happy to see how we can help you. We continue to offer COVID safe ways to choose your new glasses too! To help us keep you all safe, we’re still asking you all to telephone first to book a time to come in. Please call our Henleaze practice on 0117 962 2474 or our Fishponds practice on 0117 965 4434.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Peter

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

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emersonsgreenvoice

September, 2021

n LYDE GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Community centre is buzzing again WE are looking back on a summer which has felt very different from the one before – and in a great way! The atmosphere at the Lyde Green Community Centre has been buzzing again, welcoming everybody from our Little Ones of Lyde (and beyond) at our weekly Monday morning soft play sessions and a host of brand new regular groups, such as Healthy Hearts fitness class, STAR bereavement support group and Drake Judo to name a few. Our soft play equipment is available for hire at very reasonable prices, and we are pleased to be returning to private hire for birthday parties and other special occasions. This summer we have also hosted a popular magic show and disco, several Three Greens Festival workshops and free story time sessions to help keep everyone entertained. We are always on the look out for new ideas and value input from the community, so if there was something you loved or something you would love to see in future, please do get in touch via Facebook @ lydegreencommunityassociation, Twitter @LydeGreenCC, by email at info@lydegreenca.org or by calling 0117 957 0410. The LGCA would be nothing without the hard work and commitment of our lovely volunteers, trustees and staff. We pride ourselves on being different in our approach and belief that the people of the community of Lyde Green have a

Soft play sessions at Lyde Green Community Centre lot to offer, the LGCC is “more than just a building” and should be used to serve the community it was built for in the best way possible. This month we have sadly had to say goodbye to Bella Thompson, our very first community development worker, as she moves on to a new role – we would like to thank Bella for all the work she put in and are excited to be on the look-out for someone new to join us in this very rewarding role. Upcoming opportunities to work with us are on our website, www.lydegreenca.org. It has been great to see people making connections again in a new safe and covid-secure way. Whilst facemasks are no longer compulsory, at LGCC they are welcomed and you will see our staff and volunteer team continuing to wear them in busy

and communal areas of the centre, as we do our bit to keep our community reconnecting in the safest way possible. Our staff team have been extremely busy behind the scenes supporting our regular hirers with

appropriate Covid risk assessments and are really glad to see so many hirers now able to return after further restrictions have eased. On your next visit, do come and check out the latest addition to our lovely community garden. The 2020 lockdown collection of painted rocks, Rona The Rattlesnake, now calls this place home, as well as some lovely new benches. We have a lot to look forward to in September and beyond with the return of Mango Jams toddler group and new starters Sing and Sign. October 13 will be the AGM of the Lyde Green Community Association, where we present our annual accounts and report as well as voting for trustee positions. Trustees are working closely with Helen Crew, our charity and centre manager, to plan a community event for the meeting, so watch this space – and hope to see you there.

Bin collection delays BIN collections in the Emersons Green area are being hit by a staff shortage because of Covid isolation, summer holidays and driver shortages. South Gloucestershire Council warned residents of delays but is urging everyone to continue putting out their waste and sorting their recycling as normal. On August 12 the council reported that it had not been able to complete some collections in Downend, Mangotsfield, Pucklechurch, Emersons Green, Wick and Siston. Residents were being urged to leave the items out as crews would return as soon as possible. A council spokesperson said: “Like many authorities and waste contractors, Suez is currently experiencing staff shortages due to national driver issues, Covid isolation and annual leave. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused." People were being encouraged to report missed collections the day after they were due, online at www.southglos.gov.uk/reportit or by calling 01454 868000.

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Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

unBEElie

We have already received over five hundred entries to the South Gloucestershire Bee Trail Challenge to support local high streets. All entries have a chance to win £150 of vouchers to spend at participating traders. Here is the story so far… HANHAM

STAPLE HILL

Nicola Bartlett, owner of participating trader Eclectic Gifts in Hanham www.southglos.gov.uk/ hanhamtrail

Emma-Jayne Barr, Week 2 winner, from Kingswood, with Ivy Bee in Staple Hill www.southglos.gov.uk/ stapletrail YATE

DOWNEND

Toby Savage, leader of South Gloucestershire Council, with Astronobee in Downend www.southglos.gov.uk/ downendtrail

FILTON

Andrew Turner, Week 1 winner, from Pucklechurch with Flora in Yate Station Road www.southglos.gov.uk/ yatetrail

For more information and to take part see  southglos.gov.uk/shopsouthglos # SGBeeTrail

Artist Sara Budd with Pollinator who can be found on Filton High Street www.southglos.gov.uk/ filtontrail

The South Gloucestershire Bee Trail is part-funded by European Regional Development Fund.

ievable

Summer on your high street CHIPPING SODBURY

KINGSWOOD

Jane Wicks outside Bristol Natural Treats in Chipping Sodbury, one of the participating traders www.southglos.gov.uk/ chippingtrail

THORNBURY

How you can still win £150 The Bee Trail Challenge runs until 18 September. You can enter the Challenge in two steps:

Lilian Matua, Week 1 winner, with Carly Morrish of participating trader Fabrics Plus in Downend www.southglos.gov.uk/ kingswoodtrail Louise Granger, Week 1 winner from Chipping Sodbury (pictured are Jack and Ava) with ThornBee in Thornbury High Street www.southglos.gov.uk/ thornburytrail

STEP ❶ Visit a high street featured on these pages and take a selfie at both bees. You can enter to win on all eight of our selected high streets. STEP ❷ Upload your two selfies to the Bee Trail Challenge website immediately by using the QR code on the bee information panel or when you get home by using the website addresses under the photos. To discover our map of the bee locations, information about the artists, and terms and conditions, visit  southglos.gov.uk/shopsouthglos And remember to enjoy the hive of activity and take time to rediscover your high street. If you are a winner, we will let you know within 10 days of entering.

emersonsgreenvoice

n NEWS FROM OUR MP

September, 2021

Save the number 18 bus

Chris Skidmore writes for

Emersons Green Voice

S the local MP, I have long recognised the importance of public transport in helping people to get around our local area. It is why I was so concerned earlier in the summer at the potential loss of the 17 bus service and why I was pleased to join efforts from across our community to secure the future of this much-valued service. But no sooner had we worked together to successfully defend this important link to Southmead Hospital than we received news from the West of England Combined Authority that they had decided to withdraw funding from the 18 bus service. The number 18 bus is a vital lifeline to many residents, linking

Kingswood to Bath. It is a service that many depend on for travelling to work, to school and to visit friends and family. The decision by the West of England Combined Authority to withdraw its subsidy without any consultation must be reversed. I have launched a petition to reinstate funding for the 18 bus service and you can sign it via my website, www.chrisskidmore.com. The petition calls on the West of England Combined Authority and the Metro Mayor to renew funding provided to the Number 18 bus service and allow it to continue to operate, keeping our communities in South Gloucestershire connected. When subsidised bus services transferred from South

Gloucestershire Council to WECA under the previous Mayor, there was a guarantee that services would be protected and improved, and I am determined to see WECA live up to these promises. We need to see investment across all modes of transport – whether that is investing in the future of the A4174 Ring Road to improve traffic flow, extending MetroBus and public transport services, along with new walking and cycling routes. Local people need to be helped to get around the area through a range of options that’s suitable and convenient for them, and this is something I will continue to campaign for as your Member of Parliament.

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emersonsgreenvoice

September, 2021

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Back to school health SUTTON Chiropractic in Downend helps you and your family get back to doing the things you love. As the kids go back to school it’s important we give them the best start and a comfortable time in this exciting, sometimes stressful phase. A recent study of primary school aged children found 38% had lower back pain caused by school bags! With this in mind, it’s time to alter those school bags, improve that posture and negotiate on screen time at home. We want your whole family to be in the best of health, and enjoy life. So we thought we’d put together a few tips that can help the kids and parents get the best start this term.

1. Bags

This is an important factor and has the potential to hinder or help your child’s health if properly cared for. An overloaded, one shoulder carried bag will create postural distortions in the spine, rib cage and lower back – impacting on growth spurts, contributing to Scoliosis and creating problems further down the line. Equally weight and distribution of items within the bag have an important effect. This can be easily avoided thankfully: Wear both straps – if this is totally uncool, encourage them to at least swap from one shoulder to the other regularly Keep bag light (less than 15% of their bodyweight) Pack the largest heaviest items in the bottom, lighter smaller objects in the top of the bag Have the bag higher up on the back rather than lower down

2. Posture

What is good posture? Simply, posture is the body's position and alignment while at rest or in motion. In fact, did you know that

Posture Exercises In addition to incorporating routine chiropractic care in support of proper spinal alignment and to limit postural imbalances, you can improve your posture with these exercises: 1. Chin tuck. Hold your head upright. Pull your chin in toward your neck; hold that position for a count of five; then relax. Repeat 10 times. 2. Shoulder blade squeeze. Sit up straight in a chair with your hands resting on your thighs. Slowly draw your shoulders back and squeeze your shoulder blades together. Hold for a count of five; relax. Repeat 3- 5 times. 3. Abdominal pull-in. Inhale; then exhale slowly to a count of five, pulling your lower abdominal muscles up and in, as if moving your belly button toward your spine. Relax and breathe normally. Repeat 3- 5 times. 4. Upper-body stretch. Stand facing a corner with your arms raised, hands flat against the walls, elbows at shoulder height. Place one foot ahead of the other. Bending your forward knee, exhale as you lean your body toward the corner. You should feel a nice stretch across your chest. Hold this position for 20–30 seconds. 5. Arm-across-chest stretch. Raise your right arm to shoulder level in front of you and bend the arm at the elbow, keeping the forearm parallel to the floor. Grasp the right elbow with your left hand and gently pull it across your chest so that you feel a stretch in the shoulder on the right side. Hold for 20 seconds; relax both arms. Repeat to the other side 3- 5 times.

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Matt Sutton there are actually two types of posture? Dynamic posture is simply our whole body’s posture while moving. It’s how we walk, run, lift, and bend. Static posture on the other hand is our body’s posture while at rest. It’s how we sit, stand, and lay. Achieving and maintaining good dynamic and static posture is important because poor posture can have a direct negative impact on our bodies, both physically and mentally. Although back pain is the most commonly associated with poor posture, it’s only the tip of the iceberg. Poor posture can also cause or compound: Back pain and neck pain Headaches and migraines Arthritis Respiratory issues

reduction of screen time for children, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, puts it very simply; don’t get addicted, preserve your sleep and set a house rule for the amount of screen time you will all have. Simple fixes of no phones at the dinner table and replace your phone alarm clock with a small travel alarm clock – keeping the phone out of the bedroom will help preserve sleep properly. We are creatures of habit and the quality of our habits determines the results. Essentially this means what we do today, sets us up for tomorrow. Keep consistent in the pursuit of your health goals and the changes will come. We are running a Kids posture screening in clinic to help iron out the issues listed above, contact us to find out more. Also we would like to give a shout out to Clara C-L for being the best young patient we have!

3. Screen Time

All guidelines point towards

SPECIAL OFFER: New patient consultation £20 If a previous patient consultation free of charge

Rates: £38 a session (adult) £22 under 16 years old or blocks of sessions at a discounted rate starting of £31

Email: sales@emersonsgreenvoice.co.uk

Christchurch Family Medical Centre, North Street, Bristol BS16 5SG T: 0117 214 1636 W: www.suttonchiro.co.uk FB: @suttonchiro E: reception@suttonchiro.co.uk

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emersonsgreenvoice

September, 2021

n WHAT’S ON

n NEWS

September 14 n SODBURY & DISTRICT FLOWER ARRANGEMENT SOCIETY is re-starting with a “Welcome to a New Beginning” evening at 7.30pm on September 14 at the Old Grammar School Rooms, Chipping Sodbury. If you have been looking for a new relaxing, absorbing hobby, excellent for mental well being please come along and meet our members and find out what we do. Refreshments will be served. Further meetings will be on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, starting from October 12. The annual Christmas Open demonstration held in the Town Hall “Seasonal Sparkle” with Coral Gardiner will be on November 30 - tickets are on sale now for £10. For further information contact Rosemary Cummins on 0117 937 3836. Sunday n EMERSONS GREEN BAPTIST CHURCH has now resumed normal faceto-face church services. Church services w are held every Sunday morning from 10.30am-11.30am at Emersons Green Village Hall, Emersons Way. During the service there is an activity for younger children. A weekly Rainbow Tots (for pre-school children and their parent/s, carers, etc) run by Emersons Green Baptist Church will re-commence on Friday September 10, from 10-11.30am. Cost: £4 for first child, £2 for each additional child. For information contact Rev Kevin Donaghy 0117 9575418, e-mail church.egbc@outlook.com or visit www. emersonsgreenchurch.org

BS16 is hot postcode for house sales MORE homes have been bought and sold in Emersons Green postcode area than almost any other part of the UK so far this year. Latest Land Registry records show 345 houses and flats had been sold in the BS16 postcode area, which also includes Staple Hill, Mangotsfield, Emersons Green and Fishponds. That made the area the fifth busiest in the country, behind two Brighton postcode districts, one in East London and one in Croydon, which was the busiest with 425 transactions. The government's stamp duty holiday and young first time buyers having extra money saved from not going out during lockdown are among the explanations for the more than 197,000 transactions in the year to May, which were divided into postcode areas by national estate agent Keller Williams UK. Downend estate agents say

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there are a number of reasons why the area is the busiest in the whole of the West Country. Lawrence Foster, sales manager of Ocean estate agents in Downend, said the experience of the covid lockdown in London had prompted many residents of the capital to relocate, with Bristol and Brighton among their most popular destinations. He said the BS16 area's schools and access to major transport links made it popular, and it was also better value for money than many areas closer to the city centre. Lawrence said: "In Bishopston or Clifton you can't get what you can for your money in BS16." He said people looking for extra space in the garden, or to convert a garage into a home office or games room, were more likely to find it in the area. Joanne Wade, managing director of M Coleman estate agents, said there were more

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buyers than sellers in an "incredibly busy" market in the BS16 postcode area, particularly in Fishponds. She said one house which had been listed for sale at 6pm on her firm's website had attracted 10 bookings for viewings overnight, with another 10 booked during office hours the next day. Joanne added: "BS16 has always been incredibly popular because of good schools, and access to the city, ring road and motorway network. "It's also been extended considerably – with Emersons Green and Lyde Green the postcode has grown in size – as well as being an amazing area to live and work!" Joanne said more first time buyers were coming out of the rental market, having gained more disposable income by saving the cost of commuting, eating out and socialising during lockdown.

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September, 2021

n NEWS

Covid support for young carers praised A MANGOTSFIELD school has been given an award in recognition of its support for young carers during the pandemic. Barley Close Primary School has been recognised by the Children’s Society and Carers Trust for its commitment to pupils who support a parent or family member who is struggling with a physical or mental illness, whose roles were more important than ever during the lockdown. The school organised weekly phone calls, activity packs and letters for young carers, along with doorstep covid-safe checks and extra support for any child who needed it. Barley Close was nominated by Vicki Houselander of Bristol Carers Support Centre for a Young Carers in Schools Covid Award, to thank staff for their work. National young carers lead

A young carers' session at Barley Close school earlier this year at the Children’s Society, Helen Leadbitter, said: "Hundreds of schools across England are participating in the Young Carers

in Schools programme, using the tools and resources to improve their support systems, and ensuring that no child need miss

out on educational opportunities because they are a carer." She said three quarters of schools achieving a Young Carers in Schools Award have noticed improved attendance among their young carers, with 94% noticing improvements in their well-being and confidence. Barley Close head teacher Jo Williams said up to one in every five school-age children have a caring role, with one in every eight of those aged under eight and each one missing or cutting short an average of 48 school days each year. She added: "The commitment and support shown by Barley Close will help to secure future opportunities for young carers and increase their well-being at school." For further information on the Young Carers in Schools award email ycis@ childrenssociety.org.uk

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September, 2021

n NEWS PEOPLE with minor illnesses are going to hospital accident and emergency departments because they cannot get an appointment with their GP, it has been claimed. South Gloucestershire Council’s health scrutiny commission heard some residents were calling their surgery for an appointment, only to be told they were number 100 in the queue. The organisation which funds GP surgeries said work was being done to tackle staffing shortages across the system. But one reader who contacted the Voice in response to last month's national patient survey, which showed nearly three quarters of patients had problems contacting some local surgeries, said he has had to call more than 100 times to get through, been kept on hold for 20 minutes – and been offered an appointment five weeks away. Earlier this summer NHS managers urged people with minor ailments to stay away from A&E as hospitals, including Southmead, experienced levels of demand usually only found in winter. But Staple Hill and Mangotsfield councillor Michael Bell told the scrutiny meeting on July 28: "There’s a great deal of public frustration at the moment about the difficulty even to make a telephone appointment with our local GPs. "It is not uncommon for the answerphone to give the message that the caller is number 15 in the queue, even at 8 o’clock in the morning. “The result of this is that more residents in need of medical assistance and advice

Patients go to A&E after they fail to get GP appointments Michael Bell are presenting themselves at the Southmead Hospital A&E or other A&Es, which can then create waiting times on occasions of five hours at the hospital for what may well be a relatively minor ailment.” Kingswood councillor April Begley said she had heard from residents who had been told "100 people have been waiting" for calls to be answered. Voice reader Martin Cox said he found it "almost impossible to make an appointment to see or talk to a doctor" at Christchurch Medical Centre in North Street. He said: "We are told to ring at 8am but it is constantly engaged and when you eventually get through you are told there are no appointments left, please ring tomorrow at 8am, and so it goes on and on!" Mr Cox said on one occasion he had called his surgery 106 times before receiving an answer, "only to be told I was 17th in the queue". He added: "I was then on hold for a further 20 minutes...before I spoke to someone who told me that all the appointments were gone for that day. I tried to make

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an appointment for any time in the next week but was told their system will only let them make appointments for that day." Mr Cox said in August he received a letter asking him to discuss a blood test with his doctor but when he called to arrange an appointment, the earliest one available was five weeks away. He said: "The system is not working and is not fit for purpose." David Jarrett, the South Gloucestershire area director for the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, which funds GP surgery provision, told councillors work was being done to tackle staffing challenges across the health system. He said: “We are also working with individual practices in

terms of resilience and support to continue to ensure access is maintained. "Face-to-face appointments have always been available throughout Covid at practices. "Calls are triaged but face-toface appointments are available.” Kingswood councillor Andrea Reid told him face-to-face appointments have not always been available at every practice, saying in some cases "the patient has been asked to send photos of the issue rather than see a doctor". The commission has asked for a report showing the extent of the problem and action to tackle it. Meeting report by Amanda Cameron, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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September, 2021

n LYDE GREEN OPEN SPACE COLUMN

Feel connected to the common TUCKED away at the bottom of Howsmoor Lane there is a small oasis of green lands that bear all the fruits of a natural gateway for our local wildlife. Sitting at the bottom of an urban cliff edge is 19.69 acres of common land that backs out onto the Dramway and beyond. This is a fantastic area, full of diverse species of plant life, bees, birds, bugs and more. Known as Lyde Green Common, it is protected by the original Commons Act of 1899 and further laws from 1965, 2000 and 2006, as well as a scheme of management. The registration of the common was made by Pucklechurch Parish Council on March 6 1968 and this became final a lot later – on February 10, 1984, to be exact! Everyone has a right to ‘roam’ on common land and, as they are classed as access lands, they are free for all to enjoy, meaning you can walk anywhere you like across the common land, so you are not just stuck on the footpaths. Some people have the right to utilise the common at Lyde Green, with one of our residents close by

being classed as a ‘commoner’. Commoners can use the common for things like grazing livestock, taking timbers and other materials. You may be surprised to know that our wonderful land has nine registered rights for holders of the common and all rights of grazing are for two donkeys, 164 cattle, 20 horses, 12 sheep, three goats and six geese! There are some things you cannot do without permission, including camping, lighting fires or having BBQs, holding festivals and driving motorised vehicles across the land. Some of you may know that we have had many issues with

the latter (motorbikes and quad bikes) previously, but thanks to the hard work of everyone it seems the message is slowly getting through. South Glos Council owns the scheme of management for the common land and this is an important aspect, as they are in the final stages of proposals for their Common Connections project: a four-year landscape restoration project which is looking at habitat connectivity and achieving a net gain for biodiversity. The premise is to improve links between common land, unimproved grass and woodlands, so a whole host of green spaces across the area. The planning for the project is almost complete and due to be submitted later In the year. We ask you all to enjoy the common at Lyde and to make the most of this wonderful little pocket of land. Get there early to hear the birdsong or leave it late to see the bats – whatever you enjoy, there is something for everyone’s wildlife interests. We hold regular meetings at the community centre on the first Monday of every month, so pop

along if you would like to find out more on what we do and maybe sign up to our volunteer list. On Sep 6 at 7pm, we have Common Connections project officer David Tibbatts from South Glos Council in attendance. Our neighbours at Emersons Green are holding their ‘Three Greens Festival’ on September 25, and part of the programme will be guided walks around Emersons and Lyde Green, including a walk around the common. If you would like to find out more about our group or help with volunteering please visit Facebook @lgopenspace or email lgopenspace@gmail.com. Laurence Binks

n AROUND THE WIs MANGOTSFIELD WI

ALTHOUGH August is a quiet month for our WI, with the school holidays and so on, we have still managed to arrange some social gatherings. We had a had a lovely time at a coffee morning at the Warmley Waiting Room, which we think is well worth a visit. We also have a booked Mokka in Downend for a breakfast, and a few of us have booked to see White Christmas at the Hippodrome in November. Regular readers will know of our monthly pub lunch at the Lamb – we have already booked our Christmas lunch there in December. On a more serious note we have received an action pack from the National Federation of WIs providing information on a number of initiatives being supported by WIs across the country: ‘The Whole Story’ relates to climate change; ‘Stop Modern Slavery’ and ‘Make a

Match’, which addresses the need for more stem cell donors. At Mangotsfield we will be looking through these and have already held a Zoom meeting to discuss the ‘Making a Match’ project. For more information take a look at our Facebook page @ MangotsfieldWomensInstitute or our website, www.mangotsfieldwi. org.uk. If you are not a member but would like to join us, please let me know by emailing president@ mangotsfieldwi.org.uk Carol Coombssident@ mangotsfieldwi.org.uk. Carol Coombs

SHORTWOOD VILLAGE WI

FOR our July meeting we were able to meet in the chapel, as opposed to the vestry, as this was more socially distanced. The meeting kicked off with a

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visit from Daphne Atkinson for a talk on ‘Life Below Stairs’, about her mother’s memoirs of working as a housemaid at Ickworth House, in Bury St Edmunds, in the 1930s. Firstly we had a slide show, giving a guided tour of the house and a detailed explanation of the Hervey family, finishing with the present Marquis of Bristol, Frederick Hervey, who is brother to the socialite and model Lady Victoria Hervey. Following on from this was an account of Daphne’s mother’s year as a housemaid, including the two occasions around Christmas when the house staff were allowed in ‘the room’ to mix with the upper echelon, and treated to goodies. We then discussed the usual WI business, including, among other things, the ‘cream teas on the lawn’ to be held at the end of August at Diane’s house, with 50% of the profit going to a charity yet to be decided.

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The evening was rounded off with the raffle and the obligatory cuppa with biscuits. Our calendar for meetings in 2022 is filling nicely, and we are hoping to be able to organise a few day trips for 2022 along the way. For our September meeting we will be welcoming Ken Thomas to give an intriguing talk, titled ‘Would You Trust A Murderer With An Axe?’ If you would like a taster of a WI meeting, we would love to see you. We are a friendly and relaxed bunch and meet on the second Thursday of the month, in the chapel or vestry on Main Road in Shortwood Village. Our next meeting is on September 9 at 7.30pm, and you are welcome to join us. For further details please email me at millhousejoinery@aol.com, with the heading Shortwood Village WI. Lynne Miller

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September, 2021

emersonsgreenvoice

n NEWS

Pupils celebrate year of helping others MANGOTSFIELD Primary School pupils have found many ways to make a difference to their community. The school set up projects for each of its year groups under the banner ‘Pay it Forward’, which means doing something good for someone else, in recognition of a good deed done for you. The school's reception children found out about 'superheroes' within the community and made cards to recognise the work of people including emergency service staff, teachers, carers and shop workers. Year 1 children wrote letters to ask for plastic recycling facilities in their classrooms and called on Sainsbury's in Emersons Green to reduce its use of plastic after learning about plastic pollution, while Year 2s raised more than £1,100 for the Bristol Bike Project with a sponsored cycle ride after learning about the area's cycle routes as part of a project on sustainability and healthy living. Year 3 pupils raised more than £2,000 for the Help Bristol’s Homeless charity by running 1km every day for two weeks after learning about the Norwegian tradition of ‘dugnad’, which involves communal support or community volunteering projects. Children in Year 4 looked at the different cultures among their year group and researched topics from a range of different countries before recording presentations and interviews to help pupils learn more about and celebrate their heritage. Year 5 pupils raised £700 by collectively

Mangotsfield Primary School pupils enjoy their end of year picnic walking, cycling, running and swimming the length of the Amazon river – a distance of over 4,000 miles – after learning about the damage that deforestation is causing to biodiversity, the environment and indigenous communities. The money is going to charities working to protect forests at home and abroad. Year 6 children worked to leave a legacy for future generations of pupils to enjoy by getting involved in planning and redesigning the school's allotment and outdoor learning environment. Assistant head teacher Sonia

Nicholls said: "After a challenging year, our pupils wanted to show their gratitude for the community and world in which they live. "Their efforts were celebrated through an end of year summer picnic where they shared their musical and dancing talents with the whole school. "It was so wonderful to all be together again!" The picnic raised £850 for three charities, including the Grand Appeal for Bristol Children's Hospital.

Zac's 117-mile coastal challenge smashes target A YOUNG fundraiser from Downend has completed a five-day, 117-mile Jurassic Coast walk to help homeless people. Zac Churchill aimed to raise £100 to buy sleeping bags for Helping Homeless Believe, a Bristol-based charity which provides emergency help for anyone spotted sleeping rough in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. But thanks to support from people who read about his challenge or met him during the walk from Exmouth in Devon to Studland in Dorset at the end of July, the Mangotsfield Primary School pupil had raised more than £2,300 as the Voice went to print. Mum Mel said nine-year-old Zac is the youngest person to have completed the walk. She added: "It was extremely challenging but Zac picked himself up from the lows and soldiered on, despite all the blisters, the sweltering heat, the nettles that were higher than him that we had no choice but to walk through, and all the insect bites." Zac said: "I really enjoyed the walk – I got to see dolphins, peregrine falcons, deer and loads of rabbits – and so many beaches. "There were so many cliffs and really steep steps but I was whizzing ahead and was

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Zac Churchill with his parents on the Jurassic Coast walk at the top when my Mummy and Dad were still at the bottom. "I feel really happy I have raised so much money for the homeless. I hope it helps lots

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of people." To donate to his fundraiser, visit gofund. me/c78658be online.

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n ON THE TREATMENT TABLE

Thanks for the warm welcome HELLO! It’s Catherine Quinn here taking over from Tim for the month… I am one of the Chiropractors here at Cleve Chiropractic and thought I’d relive my first 18 months here with you in Bristol which didn’t turn out quite as planned … March 2020 will stick in all our minds for decades to come. It will be spoken of in school history classes and will be remembered as a month where our worlds changed. I had planned for a big change in March 2020 … but little did I know quite how momentous that would all turn out to be! After completing the Winter Sports season with the Norwegian and Dutch Skeleton teams, swapping in and out of various countries with Tim, I was about to begin a journey I had been planning for over a year … my big move to Bristol. That weekend I packed up my London life and made the drive across the M4 to settle into my brand-new home in Frenchay. After just two weeks of seeing patients at Cleve, driving back and forth to London to treat

the Queens Park Rangers Team, and trying to turn my house into a home, that fateful night finally arrived Lockdown! There I was in a city where I knew very few people, the Clinic closed and the world turned upside down, what now?! As Tim has spoken about, I have the honour of being President of the British Chiropractic Association. So, with Tim (as our brilliant Treasurer), we had the responsibility not only to ensure that the patients and staff of Cleve Chiropractic were safe, but that every Chiropractor in clinical practice, education or research across the UK was also able to stay as safe as possible during a time of great uncertainty. We jumped straight into action, meeting with everyone from the Department of Health and Public Health to our Regulator and the NHS. There was little to no guidance available for those of us providing healthcare in a private setting, but whilst NHS healthcare stood still to prioritise the Covid response, so many of you were still experiencing back, neck and other joint pains, with

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nowhere to access care. Our priority was to get those able to help back in clinics as quickly as possible to help you. I can only imagine the frustration of the patients I saw during lockdown via telehealth who knew that what they really needed was some hands on care. I was frustrated too! After just two weeks of meeting and helping the lovely people of Mangotsfield and beyond, I was now limited to showing all my best stretches over Skype and filming exercise videos for our social media channels, when what I wanted to do was be physically present to provide my best possible treatment. With so many people now working from home and unable to exercise in the ways they wanted, demand to see us in clinic was certainly high! After two months of Tim and me writing risk assessments and guidelines, giving seminars on how to practise safely, and then finally implementing it for ourselves at Cleve, we were able to open our doors again and start doing what we love best, helping you to live pain free and well. From that point on, being in clinic each week with you all has been wonderful as I have been able to helping so many of you to cope with and manage the changes you have each experienced in your lives, working from home and revamped exercise programmes. Remember that the simple answer to most of these challenges is to remember is to move well and often, so if you can keep up a regular and manageable level of activity, you will be doing yourself the biggest favour for years to come! I want to thank the amazing team at Cleve Chiropractic for welcoming me so warmly over the last 18 months, my patients for giving me all the tips on where to go and what to do in Bristol and listening to my dreadful dating experiences… and

with Tim Button, Doctor of Chiropractic at Cleve Chiropractic and Next Step in Mangotsfield

0117 957 5388

drtimbutton@cleve chiropractic.com www.clevechiropractic.com facebook.com/clevechiro twitter.com/clevechiro

my next-door neighbours Sam and Nathan for being the best neighbours I could have ever asked for! My heartfelt thanks go to Tim and his family for making me a part of their family when mine felt so far away and being my ‘support bubble’ through one of the most surreal and potentially isolating times of my life. I hadn’t ever thought I would have a Christmas at the Button household but waking up on Boxing Day morning after a fabulous day to three Button children wanting to jump on my bed made me feel incredibly loved! My first 18 months in Bristol has taken some adjusting to… but I am excited about what the next 18 months will bring and I look forward to meeting more and more of you in clinic as we help you to overcome the physical challenges and painful episodes you may face #CleveFamily xx

The practice of pain relief Member of the British Chiropractic Association

CLEVE CHIROPRACTIC 20A Cossham St, Mangotsfield, Bristol BS16 9EN

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September, 2021

n MANGOTSFIELD RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

n NEWS Ring road speed crackdown

Dame School plans are moving forward AT the end of July we finally got back together again. It was great to meet face-to-face after such a long time, and great to welcome some new faces – we hope to see you again. It was very much a case of "how is everyone doing?" rather than "next on the agenda is". Our next meeting will be on September 24 at 7.30pm at the Scout Hall. We’ve been pondering for some time what to put in the grass square in the Dame School garden. The intention has always been to have some sort of informative artwork installation depicting the history of the village, but we haven’t been quite sure how to go about it – actually, let’s be honest, we’ve had no idea how to go about it. Well, step forward Mangotsfield secondary school. Their art club were looking for a community project to get involved in and have agreed, without any arm twisting at all, to design something for us and help us see it through to completion. We’ll keep you informed on how it’s going. How about a community book swap or library? You know the sort of thing, a place where people can donate old books and others can take them and read them. They are often to be found in old telephone boxes. Well, we think it’s a great idea and, even better, we think we can make it happen, although it won’t be in a telephone box...well, probably not anyway. Watch this space.

How about some community artwork? We have a few ideas but would welcome any ideas about simple art 'things' that we could do to add a bit of colour to our community. Let’s talk South Glos community engagement forums. The council would love them to be more community-led and are perhaps a little frustrated that the community do not get more engaged. The community view often expressed on social media is that there’s no point, as the council won’t take any notice anyway. As is often the case, the reality is that there needs to be a meeting in the middle. The MRA have a slot at these meetings, and it would be great if the community could help us 'set the agenda' by telling us what’s on your mind, what you want to see happen and how can we work together to make the world a slightly better place – that sort of thing. Let us know – but please remember, no one has a magic wand! As always, we’d love more people to get involved, so if you’d like to or you need any help then please get in touch via MangotsfieldRA@gmail.com, via the ever-popular Mangotsfield Matters Facebook page or telephone our chair, Clive Heath, on 07507 168700 or me on 07918 701881. In the meantime, stay safe and look out for one another. Chris Amos

POLICE say they have been targeting speeding and antisocial driving on the Avon Ring Road. Neighbourhood and road policing teams have been working together to carry out patrols on the A4174 and around the Longwell Green shops and leisure park over the summer. A police spokesperson said officers seized one vehicle for having no tax or insurance, clocked a motorcyclist travelling at 100mph and caught a driver using a mobile phone at the wheel, who now faces a £200 fine and six points on their licence. They have also issued traffic offence reports, which can lead to court action, against motorists with unlawful modifications on their vehicles and warned some drivers their cars could be seized if they're found driving in an anti-social manner again. Police say the patrols will continue.

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September, 2021

n SPORT

Lambert and Martyn set Mangos chalk up first win of season in FA Cup for Cossham Street MANGOTSFIELD United have won through to the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup after recording their first competitive win of the season in the competition's Preliminary Round. The Mangos beat Tavistock AFC 3-0 at Cossham Street on August 21, with a goal from Liam Towler in the first half followed by two from Wayne Nderemani in the second in front of 200 spectators. Towler opened the scoring in the 45th minute with a 25-yard shot that hit the crossbar on its way over the line. Three minutes into the second half Nderemani scored from a corner before making it a brace in the 82nd minute, courtesy of a ball from George Neill, to see off the side that knocked them out of the competition last year. The Mangos are still four matches

away from the First Round proper – their next tie in the competition is in the First Qualifying Round on September 4. The club are still looking for their first win in the Southern League Division One South after suffering defeats in their opening two fixtures. On August 14 Mangotsfield lost the season opener 2-0 at home to Southampton based Sholing FC and just two days later travelled to Evesham United, where they lost despite going ahead in the 18th minute, when home defender Ryan Paddock turned Wayne Nderemani's cross into his own net. The Mangos' next fixture was set to be at home to Plymouth Parkway on August 28 in the league, with a derby match away to Bristol Manor Farm following two days later on Bank Holiday Monday.

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BRISTOL Rovers legends including Rickie Lambert and Nigel Martyn will be taking to the field at Mangotsfield United's Cossham Street ground later this month. The Martin Belsten Memorial Match on September 26 will feature a team of Rovers fans taking on a Rovers Legends side that is also set to include Aaron Lescott, Steve Phillips, Craig Disley and Lewis Hogg. The annual family-friendly charity match is organised by Rovers fan Ash Belsten, from Kingswood, in memory of his grandfather Martin, who took him to his first ever Rovers match and died in 2016. This year Bristol Rovers Community Trust is the chosen charity for the match, which will kick off at 3pm, with gates opening for pre-match events from 12.30pm. The match aims to raise £20,000 and was already more than half way to hitting the target as the Voice went to print, with around 500 tickets sold. Tickets for the match are for sale online at bristolroverscommunity.org.uk/ belstenmemorialmatch2021. Updates and details of other fundraising events connected to the match can be found on Twitter be searching for @martinbelstenm1.

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emersonsgreenvoice

September, 2021

n SPORT THE year 2022 will be a special one for Cleve RFC, who will be reaching the landmark of 100 years providing community rugby in South Gloucestershire. Plans are being drawn together for some memorable events to mark this amazing achievement. From small humble beginnings, using a field that is now part of Page Park in Staple Hill, to its current home at The Hayfields in Mangotsfield, the club has achieved some notable success in producing talented players. Following the covid interruptions to the 20/21 playing season, everyone at the club is looking forward to a return to rugby action and some season normality. The first team will compete in Western Counties North and the season starts in earnest on September 4 with the visit of Clevedon to the Hayfields, in Cossham Street. Entry to this first home game of the season will be free, and

Cleve Rugby Club gets set for centenary year

we would encourage local rugby enthusiasts to come along and enjoy the fabulous grounds, club house and facilities we have. There will be a demonstration of mini age grade rugby ahead of the match. We are enjoying a great pre-season, with head coach Ben Roberts putting all players, new and old, through their paces. We welcome new players of all abilities to join our friendly

Cleve family, so come along and enjoy the fantastic facilities we offer. If you would like to play rugby at Cleve RFC please email cleve80@outlook.com. Cleve is a members club, and to maintain and grow our status we value membership contributions. Club chair Simon Wilstead said: "This year we are offering free rugby for undersixes, as we continue to invest in local community sport. "We have restructured our membership pricing for the season ahead and we truly believe that we offer fantastic value for money for people of all ages and abilities to get involved in community rugby as their

sport of choice. "Cleve has amazing facilities and our members benefit off the field too, with reduced drinks prices, free hire of our function room and access to ballots for international tickets." Membership packages start from £40 for a year's social membership. We welcome all sponsorship enquiries, through our sponsorship secretary Adam Roche at media@cleverugby. co.uk. For details of how to join the club please visit our website cleverfc.rfu.club/information/ about-cleve-rfc. Adam Sheppard Director of Rugby

Cricket club in the hunt for trophies THE 2021 season has been a very rewarding one to date for Carsons and Mangotsfield Cricket Club, and there is the prospect of silverware as the season comes to its conclusion. The 2nd Xl have already secured promotion but only need 6 points out of a potential 40 from the final two games to win their division. The success of the team has been built around youth team players Ollie Clatworthy and Michael Coles, as well as veteran spinner Glyn “Polly” Flinders. The 1st Xl, having adjusted to life in the Division 7 at the start of the season, are also now on a fine run of form and unbeaten in 10 games, which sees them comfortably in third place.

AERIALS

Youth Team player Tom King has been in the runs, with Craig Woodland one of the leading wicket takers across the Bristol and District Cricket League. The Sunday team are also sitting in second place in the North Somerset Cricket League, still with a chance of promotion. The club’s U15s have shown their promise by going through the league season unbeaten and have finished top of their section. The club’s U16 and U19s team have also both reached the Gloucester Cricket Board’s T20s finals day, which is due to be held at Cirencester Cricket Club on September 5. To help celebrate 100 years of Carsons Cricket Club, chairman Andy King has organised a club tour of 30 players and spectators to South Wales. The week-long

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tour was oversubscribed and shows how the club has evolved in the last five years, on the playing and social side. With the club keen to encourage cricket in the area, youth coordinator, Tim Ravenscroft has run some coaching sessions for boys and girls at the club during the school holidays. The club have also hosted the Gloucester Cricket Board’s junior coaching sessions. Carsons and Mangotsfield have also entered into a sponsorship arrangement with local business JT Barbers. Owner Joe Tizzard told Andy he was looking forward to sponsoring a local club and has agreed to offer a discount to members for their first cut - hopefully there will be lots of smart haircuts around the club! Ian Coles

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