Clevedon &Yatton
May/June Issue
THE LOCAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE DELIVERED DOOR TO DOOR
HERE FOR THE COMMUNITY
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EDITOR’S NOTE
FIND US ON
Spring has predictably treated us to an entire variety show of weather displays, ranging from glorious sunshine to howling winds and hail, but even the worst of those couldn’t take the edge off the uplifting sight of seeing the shops turning their signs to open and people enjoying a drink or meal outside one of Clevedon’s restaurants. Wasn’t it a great feeling? Mother Nature is also arguably at her best at this time of year, making a walk, bike ride or run a real treat if you can dodge the spring showers. While on the subject of lovely places to take a stroll, a huge well done to Clevedon Pier for winning its third Pier of the Year award – a huge achievement! And well done, too, to everyone who’s giving up their free time
to help keep the town looking lovely; whether you’re litter-picking or gardening, rest assured it’s highly appreciated! As the easing out of lockdown continues, some of us might be tempted to pause and reflect on a year so different from previous ones and, in many cases, spent largely indoors. Netflix and pizza delivery stores were amongst the winners in April 2020-21, but it’s evident from stories shared and enjoyed that many of us got creative too and found fascinating ways of filling those often difficult hours. I’ve decided to share a snapshot of our humble lockdown projects and am hoping you’ll reciprocate! If you’ve discovered a new talent in lockdown or maybe an old one, do drop me a line! Until next month, Cover photo by
We’re always here for poorly pets!
01275 847400
www.portisheadvets.co.uk
Miriam
Tracey A. Thomas Photography
Gordano Media Limited, PO BOX 221, Bristol, BS20 1EA. To advertise call our team on 01275 849369 Email: miriam@gordanomedia.co.uk // Website: www.livingmagazines.online Copy deadline for the next issue is 30th May. This magazine can and should be recycled after use to help protect the environment
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community news
Dyslexia-friendly books mark a new chapter for readers With their themes of magic and mischief, the Harry Potter books have cast an invaluable spell over countless children in recent years by introducing them to the wonderful world of words. But for Alistair Sims, who runs the independent bookstore Books on the Hill, JK Rowling’s masterpieces brought about a different kind of realisation. “I was 13 years’ old when reading one of the Harry Potter books and something clicked,” he said. “I realised that while I could read very fast in my head, I couldn’t read the words out loud; I had to stop every few words and found I was mispronouncing them.” It was that watershed moment that led to Alistair eventually being assessed and diagnosed as having dyslexia. “Fortunately, it got picked up and I received the support I needed at school,” he said, “but I still face the challenges that come with dyslexia on a daily basis.” Against that backdrop Alistair decided to embark on a very personal project – setting up a venture, titled BOTH Press, to produce a collection of dyslexia-friendly mini-novels for adults. A kickstarter launched to finance the initiative proved highly successful, to Alistair’s delight, meaning eight books can now be brought to completion. Written by award-winning authors and spanning a
variety of genres, from crime and fantasy to a ghost tale and steampunk, the books will be launched on Saturday June 12 at the Clevedon Literary Festival, where Alistair will be taking part in a panel titled Writing 4 Dyslexia.
the sentences and the paragraphs,” he said. The books have also been designed to appeal to a broad range of people, including those who find difficulty reading for other reasons and others who simply love a good story.
Alistair explained that the changes implemented to make the books dyslexiafriendly are focused on formatting rather than the text itself. “For example, we use a specific font that we find works, in a larger size, and increase the spaces between both
Alistair hopes to build on the project by publishing more books for people who find reading a challenge, describing the project to date as “an incredible journey”.
Fancy a chat about books? If you love reading and are looking to make new connections, the North Somerset Libraries’ Reading Friends programme could be for you. This programme is free and open to everyone, connecting likeminded people who wish to chat and share stories over the phone. The team at North Somerset Libraries will ask you to share details about yourself in order to match you with a trained Reading Befriender, who will then make regular calls for one-to-one chats. If you are interested in knowing more or taking part, contact the outreach and volunteering team on library.volunteers@n-somerset.gov.uk or 01275 888 864.
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community news first
Gardening group dig deep to pretty up town With spring well and truly upon us, Clevedon Community Gardeners have been busy helping to add to the town’s charm on their regular Friday outings, even if the weather hasn’t always been playing ball. Clearly visible in their trademark red tops, the group, which today numbers over 20 members, maintains key flower beds across Clevedon, as leader Linda Knott explained. “We are not a formal institution but mostly a bunch of people who want to make Clevedon look as attractive as possible,” she said. “The group are all keen and experienced gardeners who know exactly what to do and have fun at the same time. After about one and a half hours’ gardening, we have coffee together, recently taking our own, but looking forward to going to the nearest cafe for coffee, chat and laughter.” Working with both Nailsea Town Council
and North Somerset Council, the group take care of a number of beds in and around town, including those at Hill Road, which they’ve opened up to provide a welcome view down through Alexandra Gardens, where they also maintain the rose quadrants. Other areas looked after include two raised beds at Six Ways, the Salthouse Field garden by the green arch, the community centre beds at the back of the building and the area in front of the Hawthorn’s carpark. “We have restored the garden at the bottom of Victoria Road with funding from the town council,” Linda said. “The traffic island by the sailing club and Pier Copse are our pride and joy.”
who take care of other planters. While the unpredictable weather has made gardening a challenge this year, the group hopes that we can all look forward to some welcome splashes of colour across Clevedon as summer approaches, which will help raise the spirits and bring out the best in the town. Instantly recognisable in their red shirts, Clevedon Community Gardeners maintain key flower beds across town
The group receives funding from several sources, including the local Rotary club and Lions, the town council, businesses and individuals. They also work in sync with additional voluntary groups
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commmunity news
Anniversary project marks a step in the right direction Clevedon Civic Society is taking steps to commemorate their 50th anniversary while also honouring the town’s connection with world-famous poets. The society plans to upgrade the appearance of the flight of steps leading to Poets Walk at the southern end of the Marine Lake. Each of the new steps will have a line of poetry from ‘In Memoriam AHH’ by Alfred, Lord Tennyson carved into the new granite face of the steps. The poem commemorates the return of Arthur Henry Hallam for burial at St Andrew’s Church following his death in Vienna in September 1833 at the age of 22. Arthur Hallam was the grandson of Sir Abraham Vth Baronet of Clevedon Court and a friend of Tennyson. The poem became nationally famous as the public responded to its themes of talent and friendship cut short. It was even said that the poem became Queen Victoria’s favourite. By the time the railway reached Clevedon, people were flocking to visit the memorial to Arthur Hallam in St
Andrew’s Church. “We hope that this will resonate with present day residents and visitors, some of whom may wish to find out more about the history of the town and others who will be moved by the experience of reading these evocative lines in the landscape of the Severn Estuary which inspired them,” said John Tranter, Chairman of the Society’s Conservation and Planning Group, which is spearheading the plan to improve the steps. The money for the scheme will come from funds accumulated by the Civic Society, mainly generated by its members’ writing,
A line of poetry from ‘In Memoriam AHH’, by Alfred Lord Tennyson, will be carved into the granite face of each of the new steps publishing and selling books of local interest. “It is therefore most important for us to mark this 50th anniversary with a project of some cultural significance to the town which will last for some time to come,” the chairman added.
Remarriage: the biggest threat to your children’s inheritance By Nicola Richardson
I was browsing through a newspaper last week and stumbled across a problem page. The person who had written in wanted to challenge their stepmother’s Will. The problem is an all too common one; her father had gone on to remarry after her mother’s death. He and his new wife then made simple mirror Wills. So, when he passed away a few years later, he left everything, including his late wife’s possessions, to his new wife. She then decided to change her Will reducing the percentage of the estate her stepdaughter received in favour of her own children. She even gifted jewellery belonging to her husband’s first wife to her friend! Naturally, the stepdaughter was upset and hurt that her mother’s jewellery had been
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gifted to a stranger. She was equally upset that she was now only going to inherit 25% of her parents’ home. It had been her father’s intention for her to inherit the house and any savings to be split equally between her and his stepchildren. He had simply trusted his wife to honour his wishes. It is so easy to protect against this scenario; he could have left his new wife a right to occupy his home. This would have provided the security of somewhere for her to live until she died without her owning the property, protected his daughter’s inheritance and saved her a lot of heartache. For advice on how to protect your home from third party threats, such as remarriage, please call Nicola on 01275 851056 or email nicola@ richardsonswills.co.uk.
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community news first
Triple whammy for Clevedon Pier
Landmark attraction scoops Pier of the Year for third time Clevedon Pier has been named Pier of the Year 2021, making it the only pier to have clinched the coveted award three times – first in 1999 and again in 2013. Phil Curme, Chairman, Clevedon Pier & Heritage Trust, said the accolade was the perfect tribute for a local landmark that had provided visitors with a place of respite during a difficult year. Asked what he believes sets the North Somerset attraction apart from other piers, Phil cited its Victorian elegance, which he said added to the tranquil surroundings it offered visitors. “Once we could partially open, we soon saw that people were keen to enjoy a walk and benefit from some much-needed time out,” he said. Aware that the pier’s scenic setting was important to visitors, the team took steps to ensure it remained attractive, even when regulations required Covid restrictions to be put in place, opting for flower displays, rather than plastic barriers, to provide a socially distanced, one-way route for pedestrians and a Stop/ Go lollipop system for visitors buying refreshments from the pagoda.
major part in securing the pier’s success at the awards, as National Piers Society Chairman Tim Wardley acknowledged. Offering his congratulations, he said of the pier: “Always enterprising and finding ways of adapting to the economic challenges of the Covid pandemic. A worthy winner.”
Photo by Karen Lupton
The only Grade 1 listed pier in the country, Clevedon Pier needs to generate an annual surplus of £100,000 to cover running costs and undertake long term-maintenance, but like so many attractions, it was hit hard by the pandemic, losing much-needed income from the closure of its facilities. It received a financial lifeline in the form of grants totalling £39,000 and £24,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Architectural Heritage Fund respectively.
Efforts were also made to ensure the pier’s 50th anniversary didn’t go unmarked, with socially distanced activities arranged, including an outdoor museum detailing the attraction’s fascinating history.
Activity at the pier is now gathering pace in line with the easing of lockdown, with the souvenir shop open and the pagoda offering takeaways, while the team hope to be opening up the Glass Box café in the near future.
These and other initiatives played a
Phil said: “The award is a real vote of
confidence and a great start for what we hope will be a very successful summer season. A big ‘thank you’ to all of the National Pier Society members who voted, and also to all those who in so many different ways played a part in helping Clevedon Pier meet the challenges resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.” Clevedon Pier is open seven days a week, with some restrictions in place to ensure social distancing. The management team is hoping to have most areas of the pier fully operational by the summer. Its team are also always keen to hear from anyone interested in volunteering there. For further information, go to www.clevedonpier.co.uk.
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community news
No-fault divorce arriving for separating couples in the autumn. Should you wait? Harbour Family Law Founder, Solicitor and Director Katy Zikking reports Family lawyers have (since before I began my career some 20 years ago) been campaigning for a no-fault divorce system. It is often a surprise to divorcing couples that unreasonable behaviour or adultery needs to be alleged in a divorce petition if you have not yet been separated for two years. We have all heard of the American way of divorcing on the grounds of ‘irreconcilable differences’ which sounds so, well… sensible! It is often assumed we have or should have the same option. We have not, unfortunately. If everything falls into place, we now will do from autumn of 2021. Instead of having to make critical allegations about your soon-to-be ex, you can instead cite ‘irretrievable breakdown’ and proceed with the application, whether your spouse agrees or not. We are committed to helping clients achieve a dignified and amicable outcome to their divorce and to try and preserve ongoing family relationships for the future
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as far as possible. This is for the simple reason that this is the best way to deal with a divorce, if at all possible. The upcoming change in the law is a very welcome and overdue change that is going to help us and our clients to achieve this outcome. So – the question is now being asked – should you wait until the autumn to begin your divorce process? Everyone’s financial and legal circumstances in divorce are different. There are unfortunately no blanket answers that can be provided to this. You should seek legal advice on your particular situation before deciding whether to wait until the new divorce process is available or to proceed with the existing system to protect your legal position.
All of our team of solicitors at Harbour Family Law are specialist family lawyers. We will be able to advise you on your next steps, whatever your situation may be. Please contact us by e-mail at: mail@ harbourfamilylaw.co.uk or by calling 0117 3751780. To know more about Harbour Family Law, visit www.harbourfamilylaw.co.uk
www.harbourfamilylaw.co.uk
community news
Clevedon family donate lifechanging MND equipment The family of a man from Clevedon who died from motor neurone disease (MND) have donated £4000 of equipment to the team of community therapists who supported him. The equipment enabled Adrian Bull to communicate effectively in the later stages of the disease. A keen singer and choirmaster for a number of churches over the years, Adrian was referred to Sirona Care & Health’s North Somerset service after being diagnosed with MND in 2019. There is no cure for MND, which affects
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the brain and nerves, but symptoms can be managed to help sufferers achieve the best possible quality of life. Speech and language therapists worked closely with Adrian to create a voice bank that would enable him to talk using his own synthesised voice even when he could no longer form words himself. Sadly, he passed away in January 2021 at the age of 76. To honour his memory and thank the team at Sirona, his family decided to donate his speech equipment to help others suffering from the same condition. The equipment comprises a grid pad communication aid, an eye gaze device and amplifier. Jen Dobie, a Speech and Language Therapist at Sirona, said of Adrian: “He has left a wonderful legacy; this extraordinarily generous donation
will mean that other people who cannot afford this kind of equipment will now get a chance to communicate and we will remember Adrian every time we lend that equipment out.” Adrian Bull and some of the equipment donated by his family
community news first
Helping you to get connected A free service by North Somerset Council is already changing lives for the better by loaning laptops and data packages to eligible local residents. Since launching in December, 70 residents have so far benefitted from the ‘Get Connected’ programme, which is open to low-income residents on Universal Credit or with little or no qualifications. Ultimately, the free service aims to increase the level of basic digital skills and abilities. All residents are supported throughout the 12-month loan period with regular check-ins and referrals to employment and welfare support. The majority of those on the programme have signed up for a variety of courses available via the council’s community learning team and library service, as well as through Weston College. Courses are varied and include IT, business skills, maths, English,
construction, warehouse industry training, hairdressing, confidence building, laughter yoga and many more! Seven residents have since found employment after participating. “The past months with the Covid restrictions and lockdowns have shown us how important being connected is, and we are committed to reducing digital inequality, so I’m delighted to see the positive effects the programme has had so far,” said Cllr Catherine Gibbons, the council’s executive member for children’s services and lifelong learning. A limited number of laptops and data packages are available. To find out more about the scheme and whether you are eligible contact the council’s digital inclusion project co-ordinator Jane Goodison on 01934 426196 or jane. goodison@n-somerset.gov.uk.
Mobile rapid Covid-19 testing service to be offered in Clevedon Clevedon residents will be able to make use of a new mobile testing service for Covid-19 from May 17. The mobile unit, which is a specially adapted van, will visit the town on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 8.30am to 7.30pm and 8.30am to 5.30pm respectively. It will also tour areas at weekends, offering assisted tests and home kit collections. Specific locations will be revealed closer to the time, North Somerset Council said. Councillor Mike Bell, Executive Member for Health said: “We are working to give all our residents access to local regular testing if they do not have symptoms of Covid-19. Our new mobile testing unit will allow us to bring assisted rapid testing to Clevedon for the first time and give more opportunities for people across the area to get their twice-weekly tests.” For more information about regular rapid Covid-19 testing for people who do not have symptoms of coronavirus visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/rapidtesting.
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community news
Curzon reopens in celebratory mood financially amid the ongoing challenges of the pandemic. To support the balcony campaign, donations can be made online at www.curzon.org.uk/fundraising or by cheque payable to ‘Curzon Clevedon Community Centre for the Arts’, sent to 46 Old Church Road, Clevedon BS216NN.
Artist’s impression of the upgraded balcony
Your guide to what’s on at the Curzon With Covid-safety measures still in place, seat numbers are greatly reduced and booking is advisable. Visit www.curzon. org.uk for full details and timings.
As the Curzon gears up to reopen its doors on May 17, it does so while looking back on an entire year in which it was only able to open for four weeks, but also looking ahead with renewed vigour, following the news that its balcony fundraising appeal, launched in April, has been boosted by £10,000 in National Lottery funding. Susannah Shaw, Curzon CEO, said: “This incredible grant has boosted our appeal to £41,000. Thanks to National Lottery players we have just moved a big step closer to reaching our £70,000 target and
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reopening the balcony!” The total raised has also been buoyed by the public’s generosity, including local restauranteur Junior Poon, who has pledged to donate 100% of the value of gift vouchers sold until the end of August up to a maximum of £5000. The Curzon hopes to raise the full £70,000 by July at the latest, with work on the historic balcony, which has been hidden from view since 1972, expected to take four to six weeks. Potentially, this could mean that the balcony would be able to open in September this year. New platforms will be built on the balcony for 25 luxurious armchairs, sofas and tables. Improvements include speakers, lighting and safety rails. The additional space this would provide would allow the Curzon to increase its socially distanced capacity by 30%, putting the charity in a stronger position to recover and survive
Nomadland Mon May 17, 7.30pm, Tue May 18, 7.30pm, Wed May 19, 2.30pm (subtitled), Thu May 20, 2.30pm, Fri May 21, 8.00pm, Sat May 22, 7.30pm, Sun May 23, 7.30pm. The Three Tenors: Voices for Eternity (Event Cinema) Wed May 19, 7.30pm Minari Thu May 20, 7.30pm Peter Rabbit 2 Fri May 21, 4.30pm, Sat May 22, 10.30am & 2.30pm, Sun May 23, 10.30am & 2.30pm, with more screenings to be announced very soon for half term. Curzon Comedy Fri May 28, 7.45pm Bringing some much-needed laughter back to Clevedon with four stand-up comedians ready to take to the stage: Sally-Anne Hayward, Lou Conran, Raymond and Mr Timpkins, and Tom Deacon.
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community news
Leisurely ways to lift the spirits in lockdown By Miriam Dunn
Did you embark on a lockdown project? Perhaps you’re a keyworker and have been busier than ever this past year, or maybe you found yourself trying to navigate the uncharted waters of home-schooling, in which case you’d be forgiven for doing nothing more than sinking on the sofa with a boxset in your downtime. However, research has shown that with more free time and most of our usual leisure activities off limits, many of us gravitated
towards some sort of project in one or more of the lockdowns. As someone who enjoys singing and with Portishead Choral Society’s weekly rehearsals halted, I joined the Stay At Home Choir (SAHC) mid-2020, while partner Mario, unable to go and watch Bristol City on Saturdays, impressed us all by creating his first model railway. We’re in agreement that both have proved to be incredibly satisfying and helped lift our spirits on the inevitable difficult days; I’ve been lucky enough to attend Zoom rehearsals with the King’s Singers and Gareth Malone (OK, with hundreds
of others, but hey!), record some truly glorious music and be part of a fantastic global choral community. Thank you SAHC team! Mario has… watched a train go round a track – backwards and forwards, mind you – but at least he hasn’t been forced to witness a season of underwhelming performances firsthand down at the Gate. So what about you? We’d love to hear about your lockdown projects, big or small! If you’re happy to share them with us and our readers, please do email me at miriam@ gordanomedia.co.uk and well done!
pets
Ask the vet
Phoebe Norton, Vale Vets Portishead Q: My usually lovely elderly cat has recently become grumpier when being touched or picked up, and I have noticed her hair is more matted than usual. What could be causing this? A: It sounds like your cat might be suffering joint pain associated with osteoarthritis. This is a well-recognised condition in older humans but not often thought about or diagnosed in our feline friends. The condition can be difficult to diagnose in cats because they are so good at hiding pain and don’t often show classic signs, such as limping, like dogs do. Signs to look out for that might indicate your cat has joint pain include:
- Difficulty using their litter tray or cat flap - No longer jumping onto high surfaces - Sleeping more - Avoiding interaction with people or other pets - No longer enjoying being held or touched - Over-grooming of joints If a vet diagnoses arthritis in your cat, they may prescribe anti-inflammatory painkillers for them. This will help your cat live out its golden years comfortably and ensure they can continue to do the things they love! There are also changes you can make to help your elderly cat: - make sure they have somewhere to sleep that is super comfy and easy to reach - provide steps or ramps to their favourite spots or in front of litter trays or cat flaps
- make sure they don’t have to use stairs to get to their food/water/litter tray - gently groom your cat to keep its fur matt free - keep claws well trimmed - make sure they are not overweight as this can worsen arthritis - feed them a joint supplement. See our advert on page 3
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what’s on
Take part in this summer's Virtual
Rainbow Run and support your local children's hospice
Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) is calling on people to take part in this year’s Rainbow Run Your Way fundraiser on June 19-20, 2021.
Charlton Farm, which currently supports more than 200 families whose children have been diagnosed with a life limiting condition.
Rainbow Run has become an event synonymous with sunny days and explosions of colour. In previous years, the event has been held at the North Somerset Showground but last year, due to the pandemic, it went virtual and still proved to be a huge success for the charity.
Kiley Pearce, Event Fundraiser at CHSW said: “We were overwhelmed by the amount of people that got involved last year. We could see from social media that everyone really embraced the fun and colour that the Rainbow Run is all about.”
Rainbow Run Your Way is open to anyone of any ability – it’s about having some colourful fun whilst raising money for CHSW’s Charlton Farm hospice in Wraxall. Participants can choose their own route, their own distance and can complete it however they wish. It’s a chance to don a bright outfit and complete the chosen distance by running, skipping, walking, skating or riding and having fun along the way! CHSW hopes to raise £30,000 for
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Taking part is free, but CHSW is asking everyone to register on its website to ensure they have access to event information and free resources. If participants raise £15 or more in sponsorship, they will be sent a 30th anniversary commemorative medal after the event. Rainbow Run Your Way is kindly sponsored by Ann’s Cottage and The Exeter. For more information and to register visit www.chsw.org.uk/rainbow.
Rainbow Run Your Way is about having some colourful fun whilst raising money for CHSW
community what’s on first Photo by Les Baker
Clevedon Literary Festival planned for June
Clevedon’s first in-person Literary Festival will take place over Friday June 11 and Saturday June 12, celebrating local poets, artists, writers, speakers and musicians in a variety of creative ways across several venues. True to its tagline of ‘More than Words’, participants can look forward to a range of activities encompassing workshops, storytelling, masterclasses, open mic events and musical performances. Led by Carol Price, the organisers have been able to hold the festival thanks to a grant awarded by the Arts Council England National Lottery Project. More details on events and how to obtain tickets can be found on the festival’s Facebook page and Discover Clevedon website.
Clevedon Art Club offers discounts
Clevedon Art Club raised £600 for the Curzon Cinema from an online fundraising show in 2020
to new members
Clevedon Art Club is offering new members an annual subscription at a discounted rate of just £10 as part of a move to let people know that it’s still possible to join a group or club despite the current Covid-related constraints. During the lockdowns, the club continued to run an activity programme of virtual monthly meetings and workshops for its members, but was unable to accommodate non-members as it would in physical meetings. The club now hopes that by offering new members a substantial discount on their subscription, people will be encouraged to join and, by doing so, participate in this year’s programme. For details of the programme for 2021, visit www.clevedonartclub.co.uk or find them on Facebook.
Anyone for grass court tennis?
Herbert Gardens Tennis Club, below Hill Road in Clevedon, is holding an Open Day on Saturday May 22 at 2.30pm. We welcome new members of all ages and abilities to join our small, friendly club. Please feel free to come along or contact Sue (01275 341743) or Dave (01275 873175) for more information. The event will be moved to Sunday May 23 if Saturday is wet.
what’s on
Dig for victory (and a good cause!) With spring here and the weather brightening, there’s never been a better time to get out in the garden and especially if it’s also in the name of a good cause. The Clevedon Yeo Rotary Summer Gardens competition is back in 2021 and looking for entries, meaning now is the time to get planting. Two categories are open for entries: formal gardens and fun gardens, leaving plenty of room for gardeners to get creative with a theme of their choice. Last year saw a wonderful assortment of gardens entered, with the funds raised from the competition enough to buy an X-ray viewer for Clevedon Community Hospital. To enter this year’s competition, which will be judged in late June/early July, send an email to Clevedon Yeo Rotary secretary at steviemolloy@ aol.com and he will respond with instructions on how to pay the £5 entry fee. Good luck and happy gardening!
Funds raised last year bought an X-ray viewer for Clevedon Community Hospital
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home and garden
The pods are built using thermally efficient and ecofriendly building products, creating a cosy, energysaving space on your back doorstep
Cedar Space brings your aspirations home to your garden The pandemic has transformed our lives in so many ways, including how we value and use the space afforded by our homes. It’s no surprise that garden offices have become a growing trend, and locally, Cedar Space has been the business making this aspiration a reality. As founder Neil Mander explained, “In the pandemic, with people spending more time at home, they realised they needed more space. In the past they might have considered an extension or loft conversion, but today multi-purpose garden pods, such as those offered by Cedar Space, are a quick, efficient and cost-effective way to transform a garden area into the space of their dreams.” Offices are not the only reason that clients seek Neil out for his services. “It could be a gym, yoga space, music studio, family room, store-room or whatever the client desires,” he said of the pods that he builds and finishes in their gardens. Quality underpins everything Cedar Space does, with the name itself referring to Neil’s preference for working with cedar wood, prized for its durability that can last up to 50 years. “These are long-lasting structures,” Neil said, adding that not only does this give value for money but such
an addition to the garden can also add value to the client’s house should they wish to sell in the future. Importantly, the pods are also built using the most thermally efficient and eco-friendly building products, creating a cosy, energy-saving space right on your back doorstep. Another of the many appealing aspects of Cedar Space’s garden pods is the use of an environmentally friendly, groundscrew system, resulting in minimal to no disruption to the garden itself. In general, no planning permission is required either, subject to the pods being sited to the rear of a building and meeting certain conditions, such as those relating to distance from the home and height. Due to growing interest, Neil advised, however, that anyone considering a pod should get in touch sooner rather than later, as bookings can run several months in advance. No job is too big or too small for Cedar Space, with Neil offering a free consultation to discuss clients’ needs. He is known for working closely with clients,
contributing his own ideas to help them unlock the potential of their aspirations and the space they have to hand. “I present a general plan and then later we can share CGI imagery prior to building,” he said of the process. Clients can also choose to include exterior features, such as decking and astroturf, as well as selecting interior finishes. “Whether it’s something straightforward or an entirely customised bespoke work, we always look at quality and offer the best solutions for the job at hand,” he said. “Whatever the client desires, we’re up for the challenge.” For more information, visit www.cedarspace.co.uk, email enquiries@cedarspace.co.uk or phone 0117 405 7222.
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A local family run business
Don’t move, improve!
Our key services include groundworks, landscaping, driveways, new builds, extensions, domestic renovations and commercial developments.
All types of building work undertaken including permitted development without the need for an architect.
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Phone: 07971 328115 info@ivywoodconstruction.co.uk ivywoodconstruction.co.uk
home and garden
House clearances by Changing Lives charity
Downsize, declutter or simply re-distribute items you no longer want or need which runs across Clevedon, North Somerset, Changing Lives are also passionate about extending the life of homeware and furniture pieces. “We love rehoming, repurposing and recycling items that would otherwise have gone to landfill and house clearances play a key role in this,” a representative said. Many items from Changing Lives’ house clearances are sold through their retail stores in Clevedon and website, with the proceeds funding their life-changing work. In addition to their charitable mission of transforming the lives of local people through their Volunteer Plus programme
The response from customers has been wonderful. Here’s just one example:
“
Extremely professional, helpful and friendly. They were careful to remove all items with ease. Would recommend Changing Lives House Clearance to others. - Mrs Wickins.
”
Starting from just £90, Changing Lives’ popular house clearance service is available across the wider Bristol and North Somerset area, although they’ve also cleared houses from as far afield as Gloucestershire (travel fees apply). Changing Lives usually clears residential properties only. However, if you’re looking to clear a business premises, feel free to call them to discuss your requirements and they may be able to help. To find out more and arrange your house clearance, phone 01275 878871 or email house.clearance@ changinglives.org.uk. www.changinglives.org.uk/houseclearances
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home and garden
Gather, therefore the roses By Elly West, a garden designer. For more details, visit www.ellyswellies.co.uk. I used to be ambivalent about roses - I’m not sure why. Maybe it was the thorns, or perhaps because I thought they were difficult, or because I couldn’t quite shake off that old-fashioned image of shrub hybrid teas, planted in a row. Now, however, I can appreciate their many qualities. Today’s roses are both tough and stylish, and mix well with both contemporary and cottageplanting schemes, alongside perennials and ornamental grasses, or trained over a pergola or arch. There’s a reason why they regularly top the list of our favourite garden plants; many will flower right through the summer, offering both colour and fragrance, followed by attractive hips that draw wildlife to your garden. Roses need lots of nutrients, so do well on our North Somerset clay soils. However, they will still benefit from digging in some well-rotted manure or compost when you’re planting a new rose, or around the base of the plant in spring or summer to give it a boost. You can buy specially formulated rose feeds or just chuck a handful of fertiliser on the surface of the soil and fork it in at some point during the growing season. I also dump the wood ash from my log burner around the base of my roses as it gives them a feed of potassium. Read the small print and you can find roses that will do well in tricky spots, such as shade and dry soil or on a steep slope. Many of the modern varieties will also keep flowering for months on end, starting in June and continuing until October or even later. Given that there are 150 known species of rose and literally thousands of garden hybrids, the David Austin website (davidaustinroses.co.uk) is a great place to start if you’re not sure which one to buy. You can search by colour, type or situation and it also lists thornless varieties.
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PlantRosaof‘Charles thede Mills’ month Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’ is a beautiful, red-magenta, old-fashioned rose dating to the eighteenth century, with an intense, sherbet-sweet fragrance. It has closely packed petals and flowers in early summer. Unlike some of the more modern varieties, it only flowers once, but keeps going for a month or so, earning its place in a mixed border or as part of an informal, flowering hedge. This variety likes full sun and fertile soil, and reaches about 1.2 metres in height.
home and garden
Expensive? That’s rubbish! Nigel Hammond looks into the costs behind clearing out
Fly tipping has become a growing scourge in recent years, with this serious criminal offence of dumping waste annually costing councils in England over £58 million to clear it. Fly-tippers themselves are often motivated to commit such a crime in order to avoid the costs associated with commercial removal of waste. Rather than baulking at the thought of paying for such a service though, it pays to consider what is behind the cost. All licensed waste removal operators will have the usual business overheads, such as van insurance, public liability insurance, petrol, advertising and waste licences among others to pay for. Not to mention the additional cost of hiring a helper. Then there are the dumping costs. It currently costs £150 + VAT to dump one tonne of mixed non-recyclable rubbish, bearing in mind that one tonne is not that much weight. On top of these costs the dump also charges individually for other items, such as £10 for car tyres, £25 for mattresses, and £70 for fridges. Other items can also incur extra charges. For example, old pots of paint cause problems because they are classed as hazardous waste, which means additional costs. Then, there are some items, such as old TVs, cooking oil and gas bottles, which are not accepted at all, creating a headache when trying to quote for jobs! A typical garage clearance will have half a tonne of general waste, two mattresses and a fridge to clear. This would cost £50 for the two mattresses, £70 for the fridge and £75 for the general waste, which is a total of £195 plus VAT, plus overheads, etc. That is just the bare cost of the job without factoring in any profit! So, hopefully people can see why commercial waste
removal is the price that it is. One thing to bear in mind,
too, is that as much as 80% of the things we throw away could be recycled. That’s why, when you need a clear-out, it’s always worth calling a professional. If you’re looking to declutter or planning a house clearance and need some help, call Nigel, Man with a Van, on 01275 852 971.
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wellbeing
t a C sk
A
Cat Wright, a Solution Focused Hypnotherapist, explains why it’s OK to ease ourselves back into the outside world at a leisurely pace
or work (some of us, of course, have also worked from home).
I know I should be looking forward to the end of lockdown, but after not socialising for so long I’m got mixed feelings about the coming weeks. How can I prepare myself for things returning to normal? I don’t know where I first heard the term ‘Coronacoaster’, but I love it. To me, it represents the highs and lows, and twists and turns that the last year or so has presented us with. Of course, ‘real life’ is full of twists and turns, and bumps in the road, but the ones experienced in the past year have been exaggerated by the fact that the health and wellbeing of ourselves and our loved ones has been, more than ever before, at the forefront of our minds. We have predominantly remained at home for much of the time, except for essential visits
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For many, lockdown has not been all bad; we have learned to slow down and spent more time with our families. Some of us have developed our cooking skills, others have exercised more, perhaps replacing the daily commute with some kind of physical activity. So as the restrictions ease, it is understandable that many of us have mixed feelings about getting back to ‘normal’. As we move forward it is important to think about the new habits we have created, what we have enjoyed and what we will miss. If there are things you will miss, make a point of popping them in the diary. It may not be as frequently as in lockdown, but continuing to do things we have enjoyed is a good habit to keep. As we move from ‘staying safe at home’ into being out and about more frequently, spending more time with others, it is important to remember that not everyone will be ready to do this at the same time. Each of us will have different needs,
concerns and priorities in the coming weeks and months, so remember, just because you can go somewhere/do something, does not mean you have to do them all at once! Paying attention to our own needs and considering the needs of those around us continues to be really important; some of us may be ready to go to shopping centres, meet in bigger groups and eat in restaurants, whilst others may prefer a picnic at a quiet spot, away from the bustle. All these different experiences will bring with them the benefit of connection with the world and with each other. Either way, take your time, notice how you are feeling, be gentle with yourself and go at a pace that is comfortable for you. Remember – nights in are still allowed! Cat is a Clinical Solution Focused Hypnotherapist based in Portishead, who is passionate about helping people affect change in their lives. You can find her on Social Media or through her website www.catwrightsolutions.co.uk
wellbeing
Everyone should have their hearing regularly tested Why would I need a hearing test? It’s a question that many people routinely ask, when in fact, comprehensive hearing examinations should be a regular part of your healthcare. All adults should have their hearing checked on a regular basis, in the same way that they go for annual medicals or vision check-ups. While the frequency of testing depends on your risk of hearing loss, no one should leave it longer than a few years between tests. Without regular screenings the consequences can be significant; people can find themselves suffering from depression, social isolation and even missing out on career opportunities
because of hearing loss they didn’t know they had. At Andrew Bird Hearing, the team will give you a free comprehensive hearing evaluation and recommend the next steps you should take. The family-run business works out of Tudball Opticians on Hill Road in Clevedon every Wednesday. They look forward to welcoming new and existing clients. Owner Andrew Bird said: “Hearing tests are often overlooked by people when in fact everyone should be having periodic hearing tests throughout their adult life. “Don’t wait until you think you have hearing loss as early diagnosis could be crucial. The earlier a problem is detected, the more successful the treatment. “Don’t put it off any longer! No matter what your age or hearing ability, it is always a good time to get a hearing test.” One in six people across the UK actually have some amount of hearing loss. Adults can suffer noise-induced hearing loss if they are excessively exposed to loud sounds, such as music or work-related
noise. People can also be suffering from age-related hearing loss without even realising it. The loss can be so gradual that they may not realise they are turning up the volume on the television or regularly struggling to hear people talking. Andrew continued: “We pride ourselves on our welcoming approach as we are always here for our clients. We have a team of qualified and experienced audiologists who offer a personalised service.” For a free-of-charge and no-obligation hearing test, get in touch with Andrew Bird Hearing. Quick and pain-free ear wax removals using microsuction are also offered for a fee. Andrew Bird Hearing works out of Tudball Opticians, 95 Hill Road, Clevedon on Wednesdays from 9am to 5pm. To make an appointment, call 01242 262551 or email info@ andrewbirdhearing.co.uk For more information visit www.andrewbirdhearing.co.uk
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business Every month McManus Williams Limited answers some of your business and accountancy related questions.
The 2021 Budget:
key announcements Many of us will have been glued to the television as Chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed his much-anticipated Budget and confirmed his plans to support our economic recovery through existing and new Covid Support measures. It was an interesting budget - as much for what wasn’t mentioned as what was. Overall, it is likely to be largely welcomed, with measures announced that will preserve the jobs and livelihoods of millions. Sadly, though, it did nothing to address the woes of PAYE freelancers and company
directors on dividends who have been largely ignored, but who will now be expected to pay their share of extra corporation tax when the economy does finally recover. Others will also question the delay in announcing these measures, exacerbating uncertainty, and ask whether this is the right time to be raising taxes, with a hike in Corporation tax and the freezing of personal allowances and tax bands. One thing is for sure - being Chancellor during a global pandemic is a tough gig! Below are some of the key
announcements from the Chancellor’s speech: • Furlough Scheme extended to September 30, 2021 with employers being asked to contribute 10% in July and 20% in August and September. • 4th and 5th rounds of the SEISS grants announced, this time to include the 2019/20 tax returns and those that started self-employment during that year and who were previously excluded. • Stamp Duty Nil Rate Band of £500,000 will continue until the end of June 2021, reducing to £250,000 until the end of September 2021 and back to the normal £125,000 thereafter. • Restart grants of up to £6000 for non-essential retail and up to £18,000 for leisure and hospitality businesses were announced. • Rates holiday for hospitality and leisure businesses also extended to end of June 2021 and further discounted by twothirds over the remaining nine months of 2021/22. • Reduced rate of VAT for hospitality of 5% extended until September 30, 2021, increasing to 12.5% for the next six months of 2021/22 before returning to the standard rate of 20% next April. • Corporation Tax Rate will be increased to 25% from April 1, 2023, although the first £50,000 in profits will continue to be taxed at 19% with a tapered rate
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from 19% to 25% on the next £200,000 of profits. • Tax Free Personal Allowance and higher rate bands will increase slightly to previously announced levels, but then remain frozen until 2026. • National Living Wage to rise to £8.91 from April 1, 2021. • Increased tax relief on capital expenditure for businesses from April 1, 2021 with a new Super Deduction scheme. • Increased scope to utilise trading losses to generate refunds of tax paid in prior years. If you would like to read our latest Covid support bulletin, with a link to our Budget 2021 factsheet, please visit this link: https://conta.cc/3qmUQOY. This column was due to appear in our April 2021 magazine after the 2021 Budget was presented in March.
Local Services Plumbing and Heating
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swifttreesurgery.co.uk • All aspects of tree surgery • Hedge & Shrub Maintenance • Free no-obligation quote • Over 10 years specialist experience • Fully qualified & insured tree surgeons
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Tel: 01275 568 145 or 01275 878 000
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KEV’S CLEANING SERVICES LTD Friendly team of reliable and trustworthy staff
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• We clean all windows inside and outside and always include window sills & frames. • Skylights / solar panels / conservatories and any type of roof. • We offer regular and one off cleans.
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