Gordano Living June 21 by Gordano Media

Gordano June/July Issue 2021

THE LOCAL MONTHLY MAGAZINE DELIVERED DOOR TO DOOR

HERE FOR THE COMMUNITY

welcome

EDITOR’S NOTE The flags are flying high along the High Street, adding a welcome burst of colour to the route and signalling that summer has well and truly arrived. Thanks to Portishead in Bloom (PIB) and the Christmas Lights team for lifting our spirits with these colourful creations and reminding us that longer days and lighter evenings are with us once again. We’re delighted to be able to give you a glimpse behind the scenes at the hard work that goes into making these brilliant banners for our town. While the seasonal calendar might not be as full as in pre-2020 years, there’s still plenty planned for the coming months, from PIB’s Big Picnic and outdoor cinema events in Clevedon to the always-popular Portishead Summer Show and That’ll be the Day evening of music - details inside. I’m sure I’m not the

only one crossing fingers and toes that these much-needed events get the green light to go ahead and I look forward to seeing you at as many of them as possible. A huge thank you to everyone involved in organising anything in the coming months aimed at bringing a little summer cheer to the town. June and July are also wonderful months to enjoy the abundance of natural beauty on our doorsteps. If you’re tempted to finally get outside after what feels like a lifetime spent indoors, you’ll find information on both organised walks and new trails planned for our area inside. Enjoy your summer, however you choose to spend it. Until next month,

Miriam

Cover photo by Alan Harrison

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 June This magazine can and should be recycled after use to help protect the environment

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community news

Busy times for Portishead in Bloom

Portishead marks Royal British Legion’s 100year anniversary Members of the Royal British Legion (RBL) Portishead joined other branches across the country and abroad to mark the service’s centenary on Saturday May 15 by laying a wreath at the Battery Point memorial. The event was led by RBL Portishead’s Vice Chairman Mike Aitken, with President Derek Wilks laying the wreath and the Reverend Rob Eastwood Dewing officiating. The Portishead branch of the RBL dates to 1921, when the organisation as we know it was first formed, in the aftermath of the First World War. Today it is the UK’s largest Armed Forces charity, with 2500 branches. RBL Portishead has now resumed its in-person meetings on the third Monday of the month at Clarence House in the High Street, from 7pm to 8pm. Visitors are welcome. The branch also hopes to take part in the Summer Show in July.

Volunteers with Portishead in Bloom (PIB) have been busy planting and cutting back in and around town, in preparation for summer. Jane Pagano from the group said: “We have planted up the tubs in the High Street with a mixture of hanging geraniums, petunias, bidens and osteospermum. Other beds will be planted soon for the summer.” Volunteers were also out in force recently at the Esplanade meadow, cutting back the shrubs overhanging the path by the pool and tidying around the fruit trees. Judges from South West in Bloom will be visiting the town to view the group’s efforts on Monday July 5.

Book your next great read A new Fastback service being offered by North Somerset Libraries enables fiction lovers to beat the queues for the latest bestsellers. Fastbacks are extra copies of new entries to the hardback bestseller charts, with popular titles from top authors like Victoria Hislop, Richard Osman and James Patterson among those on the list. They have a loan period of one week, aren’t reservable or renewable, to ensure as many people as possible get to enjoy them, but can be returned to any Libraries West library. Fastback titles are available at Portishead, Nailsea, Clevedon, Weston and Yatton libraries, with new entries to the top 10 fiction charts added each week. Keep your eyes peeled for the Fastback logo to make use of this new service.

community news

Flying the ﬂag for Portishead talented team of creatives, is responsible for the impressive display. Those with a sharp eye will spot that the new additions are mostly located in the Precinct, with a Window Wanderland-themed flag one of around six enjoying their first outing. “We like to try to acknowledge the local groups, so we’ve got flags for the Christmas Lights, the RNLI and the Soapbox race, for example,” Judith explained. A flag made and displayed last year as a tribute to the NHS during the Covid-19 pandemic, meanwhile, is once again on show outside Somerset Hall.

Judith busy flag-making In a sign that summer is well and truly on its way and in keeping with tradition, Portishead in Bloom’s flags are now up in the high street, complementing the colourful flowers in tubs and planters below and elsewhere. The number of flags has risen this year to around 60, approximately double the number that were installed in 2014, when it was decided to make a new set, according to Judith Burrill, PIB volunteer who, together with her

Judith explained that the flags are put up along the high street every year in late May, which is traditionally when the town’s summer events begin, and remain in place until September. “When they come down, we go through them, making notes of repairs that will need doing, cutting out new pieces of fabric and so on,” she said. The hardwearing fabric used by the team comes from the ‘freebie bins’ at Cameron Balloons, while the flags are created in a three-fold thickness to give them maximum durability. Judith had words of thanks for the Christmas Lights team, who install and take down the flags. “We usually make them cakes when they’re out doing their bit as a sign of our appreciation,” she said. “It’s lovely to see the way groups support each other here - I think it goes to show what a great community spirit we have in Portishead.”

The flag-makers and the Christmas Lights team at this year’s installation

installations

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community news Dental team brace themselves for triathlon Staff at Combe Road The Combe Road Dental Dental Practice are Practice staff ahead of their preparing to get their challenge teeth into a team triathlon for a good cause in June by walking, cycling and swimming to raise money for the British Red Cross Society. The 15-strong group will cycle 100 miles, walk 50 miles and swim five miles between them, with the aim of raising a targeted £1000 to help some of the world’s poorer countries as they battle the Covid-19 pandemic. Dental nurse and participant Trudy Stone said the challenge provided a great opportunity for the team to regroup and have a laugh, while raising money. “I’ve travelled to India and other countries where there’s severe poverty, but always found the people I’ve met to be incredibly kind,” she said. “We’ve been really fortunate to have had the NHS to look after us throughout the pandemic and support made available to workers and businesses. This is an opportunity to help those who are trying to cope without the assistance we’ve had and who are really struggling right now.” Trudy is organising the routes for her fellow walkers and cyclists, while Strode Leisure Centre is kindly allowing the swimmers to do their lengths in the pool there free of charge. Anyone who’d like to donate to the team’s fundraising campaign can do so by visiting their JustGiving page or simply drop money in at the dental surgery.

Mayday with a positive meaning More than £1200 has already been raised locally for the RNLI during this year’s Mayday Mile initiative, which took place virtually during the month of May. The Mayday Mile encourages members of the public to cover the distance of a mile in any way they like, with the aim of raising funds for the RNLI lifesavers who risk RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Dave Slack and long-standing RNLI supporter wife their lives to answer mayday Helen braved the cold of swimming a mile in calls and rescue others. Clevedon Marine Lake Braving the chilly waters of hopefully those like Arthur and Clevedon Marine Lake without Robin that will be the future for the wetsuits, RNLI Lifeboat Operations RNLI.” Manager Dave Slack and longstanding RNLI supporter wife Helen swam a mile and raised £585 for the RNLI in the process. Another £630 (plus Gift Aid) was raised by 14-year-old Arthur from Bream in Gloucestershire and his schoolfriend Robin, who ran, scooted and cycled the distance from home to Portishead lifeboat station. The RNLI is a cause close to Arthur’s heart and for which he has been fundraising since 2017, in special memory of his grandpa, who was a keen supporter and fundraiser for the charity. Adam Pentney, Chair of Gloucester and Forest of Dean RNLI said: “It’s wonderful to have junior supporters who are keen to raise money. It’s

The funds raised will go a long way towards kit for the lifeboat crew in their lifesaving missions. Consisting of a dry suit, thermal onesie, lifejacket, helmet and seagoing gloves, a total kit for one crew member costs £1741, while training per crew member per year costs approximately £1400 in addition. To support Arthur and Robin via their Just Giving pages, visit www.themaydaymile.rnli.org/ fundraising/arthurs-fundraisingpage and www.themaydaymile. rnli.org/fundraising/robinsmayday-mile-challenge-rnlifundraising.

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father’s day

Building a bond Father and son, Tony and Ash Read of A J Read & Son look back on business and pleasure Like father, like son: Ash as a young boy getting to grips with a digger under Tony’s watchful eye

Tony Read remembers the day of December 12, 1989, well. “I was out on the golf course when I got the call,” he said, referring to the news his wife was in labour with their second child. “I was over the moon it was a boy,” said Tony, of the son they named Ash. Today, the father-son duo work together for their family

construction business A J Read & Son. Tony recalled that the signs were there early on that Ash would one day join him in the business. “When he was very, very small, he was doing lawns for people, driving diggers and more, and all of it was self-taught,” he said. “He’s always been a very good learner and picks things up quickly. He’s very clever with his hands.” Ash in fact joined the business while still in his teens after experiencing challenges at school, leading to a mutually agreed arrangement with the school authorities. “I went to school one day a week to collect work to do from home and spent four days a week working with Dad,” explained Ash, a solution that left him feeling relieved. “I hated school and would have done anything to get out of there,” he said.

and with a clean and tidy approach. “Ash is a massive addition to the business and it’s basically his business now,” said Tony, referring to his plans to retire in due course. Although now Ash is grown and has his own family, and the pair don’t spend as much time together outside of work as they once did, the bond is as strong as ever. “He’s my best mate more than anything,” said Ash.

Ash and Tony at work together

Ash looks back on those years spent beside his father with fondness, saying, “Growing up, watching Dad, learning and spending time together, this is the most important thing in life.” The feeling is reciprocated, with Tony saying, “I love my son to pieces.” The pride that Tony takes in Ash is evident, citing a list of attributes that they share, such as getting on with customers, taking pride in the job at hand, making sure it is done right

feature

Have you made a Will during lockdown? Wards Solicitors will check it, for free Laura Jakeways, Wills and Probate Partner, Wards

in 2020, with many keen to get the ball rolling with a DIY version, easily bought online. But making a Will is not always straightforward. Family set-ups can be complicated and the legal process for correctly drawing up a Will is strict. What can go wrong with a DIY will? At face value, a DIY online Will can look attractively cheap. But the real cost can end up being disproportionately high if it turns out that the Will has been incorrectly drawn up and is therefore declared invalid. For example, if your Will is not signed or witnessed correctly, your estate may end up being treated as if you had died without making a Will at all. This is called dying intestate and means your estate is left to your next of kin in a fixed order, decided by law and not necessarily as you wanted. Family disputes over Wills, already growing in number, are expected to rise further this year, with the popularity of DIY Wills considered a key factor.

The pandemic has prompted many people, young and old, to get their affairs in order by writing a Will. In fact, recent figures showed the demand for online Wills rocketed by 267%

As the DIY Will market is unregulated, there is nowhere to go for legal comeback if something goes wrong.

How we can help At Wards, we will check your DIY Will for free. Our team is highly experienced and qualified, and most are members of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Both organisations require the highest standards from their members with proven qualifications and experience. A correctly drawn-up Will is an inexpensive way of avoiding difficulties for your family and friends after your death and brings peace of mind by putting you in control of your estate. We will: • Review your DIY Will for free to make sure it has been drawn up correctly • Advise you how to amend it if necessary, to protect your wishes • Ensure your Will is as robust as possible, in case it’s challenged in the future • Explain wealth preservation steps to maximise tax relief and minimise liability for Inheritance Tax. Get in touch To find out more, speak to our Wills and Probate Partner Laura Jakeways in our Portishead office on 01275 850460 or email info@wards.uk.com

community news

Wild Portishead wants to hear your voice shaped by the community, Wild Portishead wants to hear from the public on the issues that they want to see on the agenda. Since its launch, Wild Portishead has been actively lobbying on behalf of the public on issues that matter, with recent examples including raising concerns over tree felling in Portishead and plastic pollution generated by North Somerset Council’s tree planting scheme. Earlier this year, Wild Portishead launched a metre of meadow project, encouraging the public to leave a square metre of grass uncut in their gardens to In 2019, with the aim of protecting, preserving and conserving Portishead’s green spaces, Wild Portishead, cofounded by Chris Sperring MBE and Jonathan Mock, held its first meeting and met with a hugely enthusiastic response from the public. Now, the not-for-profit company has launched the Wild Portishead Nature and Environment Forum as a dedicated platform for all members of the community to set goals together and work collaboratively to achieve them. With the idea that this will be

Chris Sperring MBE believes nature conservation should be led by the people

allow natural growth and observe it in the process. Chris said people had been excited by the initiative and that as well as being one way to get people to think about what is in their gardens, it had been especially important in a year whose weather patterns have so far proved inclement to the insect population. “We mustn’t forget that to rear good sized numbers of young, birds need protein, which is insects,” he said. Chris told Gordano Living that one of the many initiatives he’d personally like to see come out of the Wild Portishead Nature and Environment Forum is swift boxes placed in buildings. He noted

that the swift population in the country has declined drastically in recent years. “Some might still remember in the early 1990s, on humid summer evenings hearing the screams of swifts chasing each other up and down the high street,” he said. Remembering the enthusiastic response to the initial launch of Wild Portishead, Chris said: “People really get this and want to do this. Nature conservation should be led by the people, as that way it has an incredible sense of ownership and longevity.” To have your say on Portishead’s future as a green space, contact wildportishead@gmail.com.

Posset Cars takes taxi services up a gear “Reliable, friendly, reasonably priced and local,” according to Posset Cars owner Mike Beecher, is what people look for in a taxi service and this is exactly what Posset Cars has brought to the market since its launch in recent months. Mike speaks from experience, having set up his own business after time spent as a driver for another company and listening day in and day out to what customers really want. Based in Portishead High Street, Mike emphasizes that he is here to serve the local community but also “happy to do anything”, including trips to and from Bristol, and is able to cover all of North Somerset. Although these are early days, his business is already blossoming through word of mouth. “It is starting to pick up,” he said, adding that the phone hadn’t stopped ringing that day. With his availability seven days week and his emphasis on excellent service at affordable prices, it’s clear that Posset Cars has a bright future. Once life returns to an air of normality amid the ongoing pandemic, Mike anticipates airport runs becoming one of his popular services, while hospital drop-offs and pick-ups are another steady request. According to Mike, advance booking is always preferable, with at least two hours’ notice or ideally a day in advance. To know more, visit www.possetcars.godaddysites.com or @Possetcars on Facebook, and to book your next taxi ride, call or Whatsapp 07434 366661.

community news

Pull someone’s leg for a great cause Wrong Trousers Day is back on Friday July 2, giving everyone the perfect excuse to dress in the silliest style possible for a good cause. A highlight of The Grand Appeal’s calendar, this fun event sees favourite cine characters Wallace and Gromit urging us once again to don the most ludicrous legwear for a day as a way of raising funds for the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. Rest assured your

donations will help support sick children and their families through the toughest of times. Donating has been made as easy as possible this year - simply text 70085 and: 1WTD to donate £1; 5WTD to donate £5; and 10WTD to donate £10. Don’t forget to share your photos and stories on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn, tagging The Grand Appeal using #WrongTrousersDay.

Getting streets ahead with litter-picking Did you know that nearly 150 streets have been adopted by volunteers across North Somerset to help keep communities litter free? Under the scheme, volunteers choose the street they’d like to ‘adopt’, with North Somerset Council providing the necessary litter-picking equipment and safety information. If you’d like to apply to become a volunteer, you’ll need to download and complete the council’s adopt a street application form, safety quiz and risk assessment. The council is also keen to be kept informed on how often you litter pick your adopted street(s) and how much you collect – something you can do by completing a litter log at the end of each month. To find out more about adopting a street or to download an application form, go to www.n-somerset.gov.uk/adoptastreet.

portishead people

A rich legacy Cathy Salisbury, daughter of Sandy Tebbutt who sadly died in May, shares a wonderful selection of memories of her mother, who contributed so much to Posset life and its history the house were bequeathed to museums by the Heaven family. “There was a lot of life and love there, and plenty of work carried out - every square inch was renovated over the decades,” she explained. The Gordano Civic Society, which had caught the previous houseowner’s attention, played an important part in Sandy’s life for many years.

undertook involved creating information boards in and around town, including the viewing points by the Royal and the Lake Grounds. Her expansive knowledge of the Posset area and its history meant she was sometimes interviewed herself for television and radio, with Nick Knowles, from DIY SOS, and Mark Steel who presents a self-titled In Town show on Radio 4 among the well-known personalities who sought her out. Sandy’s passion for reading and writing meant she was ideally suited to her role as librarian at St Katherine’s School – a post she took up when the new building opened its doors. “She loved working there and had a great relationship with the staff - lots of teachers remember her,” Cathy said.

She joined it soon after moving to Portishead and immersed herself in the role of secretary when it became available. “I remember mum and dad bought a lovely desk for her to work at and she’d sit in the alcove close to the bay window, While Posset’s history fascinated Sandy, preparing all her notes before going off to meetings,” Cathy said. Sandy with Cathy Over the years, Sandy played an active part in the society, Gardening was one from organising of Sandy’s many meetings and speakers loves to spearheading countless projects linked to the town’s Sandy Tebbutt’s insatiable appetite for digging heritage and history. Just last deep into Posset’s history and sharing her year, she helped to have a sign findings was somewhat legendary in and installed at Adelaide Terrace around town. In fact, it even helped her to secure the much-loved family home in 1982, as in Woodhill Road, detailing its historical significance. Her wellher daughter Cathy Salisbury explained. known published Posset Pieces “Mum and dad had been thinking of moving books, numbering more than 20, to a new house with a bigger outdoor space are absolute gems of meticulously since they were both keen gardeners,” she said. researched and compiled facts and “One day mum spotted a lovely double-fronted anecdotes documenting times Georgian style house in Nore Road in an estate gone by, many taken first-hand agent’s window and immediately went in to from residents who shared their ask about it, but was informed by an employee, stories and those handed down by somewhat apologetically, that there’d been a family members. mistake and the property wasn’t for sale after “Mum loved talking to people and all. Mum was so taken with the house that she politely asked the estate agent to let the owner finding out things out about their lives and their relatives,” Cathy know if she did ever change her mind and said. “She did huge amounts of decide to sell, could she please be informed!” transcribing and kept detailed It transpired that the house belonged to the records, sometimes making trips Heaven family who owned Lundy Island, with to London to the Records Office as deep roots, historical ties and longstanding part of her research.” links to the area. “Once the owner discovered The two world wars were a that mum was secretary of the Gordano Civic particular source of interest Society, she said she didn’t want to sell it to to Sandy, in part because her anyone other than ‘Mrs Tebbutt’!” husband had spent his childhood Cathy remembers the house being full of at the Nautical School in fascinating artefacts, including a huge painting Portishead, where his own father of Lundy Island, which following the sale of had been based. Other work she

portishead people she found time to enjoy a wealth of pastimes, from bird watching and walking to gardening, including being a longstanding and award-winning member of Portishead in Bloom. In fact, it was her love for the great outdoors that brought her together with her husband, when both were members of the Clevedon Cycling Club. “Mum had moved to Bristol from Kent in 1964 and thought cycling would be a great way of making new friends,” Cathy explained. “They met on one of their first trips out and married on New Year’s Day in 1966.”

Sandy with Cathy’s brother Owen

One project that sadly, Sandy didn’t manage to see completed was the reinstating of the ‘hockey stick’ railings at Lorimer’s Park, close to where she lived. “Mum knew they were taken away for the war effort and had photos of how they used to look,” Cathy explained. Her friends and colleagues at the Gordano Civic Society are hoping that the project will be finalised in the near future as a tribute to Sandy. They also hope that the society archives, which are now at the newly established Heritage Centre, set up in the Folk Hall by Sandy and Portishead Town Councillor Janet Davey, will soon be able to welcome visitors. There will be a memorial service for Sandy at St Peter’s Church, Portishead on September 17. Anyone interested in attending can find out more by contacting Cathy at cathy@salisburyfamily.com Photos kindly provided by the Tebbutt family

Councillor Janet Davey, co-organiser, Heritage Centre said of Sandy:

“Sandy was my inspiration for the Heritage Centre. I absolutely loved working with her, and her energy and dedication were legendary. The Gordano Civic Society has been looking for a venue for our heritage for many years, and they were also looking for a home for the Carey’s 1880 delivery map of Portishead, which is now on the wall of the Folk Hall. The walls of the Folk Hall were fairly bare, and the back glassed in cabinet had not really been updated for many years, so Sandy and I saw this as an opportunity to turn this area into something to celebrate the fascinating past of our town. During last year, whilst she was ill, Sandy prepared a timeline for the Folk Hall, outlining the history of our town, which was installed during the autumn of 2020. It consists of 37 A3 posters, including text and pictures, and is a wonderful legacy to have left to the town. If people require more indepth information, Posset Pieces, also written by Sandy, will provide this. Sandy and I had spoken about having Heritage afternoons, specifically, Sunday afternoons once a month where people could come and browse the materials that we already had, and that have been added to significantly during the past year by kind and generous donors. We were also going to serve tea and cake. I hope to be able, after Covid, to honour that wish of Sandy’s. I was also hoping Sandy would be able to open the new centre; sadly, that is not to be. Again, as soon as we are able, we will be holding an opening ceremony, where Sandy will be very much in our thoughts. We will let people know when these events are planned.”

‘World War One’ is one of several Posset Pieces by Sandy that can be purchased at Careys in the High Street. All profits go towards enhancing the heritage of the town. Information on this and other publications can be found at www.gordano society.org.uk

Posset Pieces World War One

Special colour edition!

No. 22 Autumn Local history 2018 from Portishead and the Gordano region of North Somerse t

the great outdoors

Work set to begin on next phase of tidal trail Photos by Bob Cartwright and Les Baker

sections are established, 24 of the 32 miles of the North Somerset Tidal Trail will be ready for the official opening of this part of the England Coast Path National Trail later this year or in early 2022. The council hopes that the trail will provide local people with opportunities to explore more of North Somerset, while also increasing visitor numbers to the coastline and towns. The Portishead to Clevedon route is part of the North Somerset section of the England Coast Path National Trail Work is set to begin this summer on the local section of the North Somerset Tidal Trail, which begins at the River Avon, Portishead and follows the coast to Poets’ Walk, Clevedon. The route is part of the North Somerset section of the England Coast Path National Trail, a country-wide project launched in partnership with Natural England aimed at providing the public with access to walking routes along the entire coast of England. Work is already under way on the section of the North Somerset trail between Woodspring Priory and Uphill, with the installation of signage, ramps and new gates progressing and resurfacing taking place. North Somerset Council said that once these

Portishead Strollers invite you to walk the walk With lockdown easing, Portishead Strollers have been able to increase the size of their walking groups from Monday May 24, making the experience a much more sociable one. The strollers have been organising walks in and around Portishead throughout the recent lockdowns, but kept group numbers small. If anyone is interested in joining them for a one-hour walk on Mondays, the strollers will be meeting alongside the new electric car charging point at Parish Wharf at 10.30am, before splitting into suitably sized groups, depending on numbers. One group will undertake the route at a gentler pace. Portishead Strollers is part of the Walking for Health scheme, managed locally on behalf of The Ramblers by North Somerset Council. No need to make arrangements - just turn up!

What’s On

Food & Craft Field Fayres After having to cancel all events in 2020 and the North Somerset Show again for 2021 in the wake of Covid, the North Somerset Agricultural Society is launching a new Food & Craft Field Fayre with the hope of reigniting the region’s passion for local producers and bringing together a family-friendly crowd. The Food & Craft Field Fayre will celebrate creative makers and food producers from the South West and will take place at the North Somerset Showground on several dates this summer, with the first of these happening on June 26. Others will follow on July 10, August 7 and 21, and September 4, while September 18 will see a ‘countryside showcase’ - a new event for the society – take place, featuring workshops and countryside crafts and traditions on show.

“We also wanted to provide something which the local community could come along and enjoy in a Covid-safe environment as the event will be outdoors.”

The field fayres will be free to attend and will see around 30 different businesses from across the region set up stalls. North Somerset Agricultural Society secretary Tim Ledbury said: “We wanted to do something to give back to our stallholders who have supported us over the years and also to give them an opportunity to trade, especially as the main show has been cancelled for the last two years.

Call for panto participants While panto season may still be far off in many of our minds, Portishead Youth Centre are already planning theirs and on the lookout for anyone in Year 6 or above who would like to join in. “The idea of doing a panto at the youth centre was to give our young people something fun to look forward to when coming out of the lockdown,” said

Steph Forrest. “We want the young people of Portishead Youth Centre to be involved and run every aspect of the Pantomime with youth workers there to help guide them.” Steph added that there are young people planning, writing and designing the script and that they are looking for participants to help with acting, narrating, singing, dancing, set design,

costume design, lighting, music, directing, backstage help and promotion/advertising. The panto is set to be performed at the end of the year, although the official date is to be confirmed. To express an interest, email stephf@portisheadyouthcentre.co.uk.

more community news!

Winning views Congratulations to Emma Venn of Trinity AnglicanMethodist Primary School, who has emerged as the District junior winner in this year’s annual Rotary Young Photographer competition with the theme of ‘Wild Nature’. This follows on from her win in the local leg of the competition organised by the Rotary Club of Portishead. At the time Emma said: “I was really pleased and surprised to find out that I had won the Junior competition. I knew the competition was running through school. One day when I was out for a walk I thought the images I could see would make great pictures for the competition.” Emma’s entry will now compete in the national finals. Congratulations are also in order for Katie Thomas of St Katherine’s School, who succeeded in coming second in the Senior section of the District finals after winning the Senior section in the local leg. Following her initial win, Katie said: “I was delighted and surprised to win the Rotary Club Photographic competition with my bird pictures. These were taken during the first lockdown as part of my GCSE work. I’ve enjoyed looking at the other entries which are a really high standard so that makes this win even more special.”

Emma’s winning photo on the theme of ‘Wild Nature’

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What’s On

Seaside Cinema is back with a splash After an absence in 2020 due to the pandemic, the Curzon Cinema’s popular Seaside Cinema event is making a welcome return this summer. Taking place at Salthouse Fields, from Thursday July 8 to Sunday July 11, this year’s programme is bigger and better than ever, promising a fabulous experience in a beautiful setting beside Clevedon’s Marine Lake and sea front. The Curzon has utilised its Cultural Recovery Funding to pull off this set of community-based events, allowing it to host what it calls “a positive celebration that is long overdue”. This year, an LED screen will allow films to be shown at any time of day rather than having to wait until the sun goes down, which has allowed a brilliant line-up of eight screenings over the four days to be put together, starting with cult 1980s classic Back to the Future on July 8. In addition to much-loved family favourites, the films on show include Against the Tides, an award-winning feature-length documentary that follows marathon swimmer

and world record holder Beth French, who will be in attendance for a talk after the screening, as well as a series of short films curated by Clevedon Skate Park and Curzon Cinema that explore the vibrant communities that surround skateboarding, roller-skating and BMX riding. In tandem with the latter, from 10am to 4pm on the same day, activities will also take place at the skate park, namely skateboarding sessions with Keep Rolling Company funded by The Barn, free flatland BMX coaching sessions with Fusion Extreme paid for by The Veg Box and creative ‘zine making workshops with It’s Okay Proj funded by the YMCA. Ticket holders for all Seaside Cinema screenings are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket or camping chair, with food and drink available at the site and plenty of space to spread out. Full details and timings of all screenings can be found at www.curzon.org.uk. To grab free tickets for the coaching and workshops visit www. clevedonskateproject.com or follow them on social media @ClevedonSkateProject.

Screenings Thu 8 July 7.30pm Back to the Future (PG) Fri 9 July 4.30pm Up (U) Fri 9 July 8pm Bohemian Rhapsody (12A) Sat 10 July 10am Finding Nemo (U) Sat 10 July 1.30pm The Lion King (1994) (U) Sat 10 July 4.30pm Clevedon Skate Project X Curzon: Creativity on Wheels (age rating tbc) Sat 10 July 8pm Mamma Mia (PG) Sun 11 July 10am Swimming Under the Sky: Against the Tides + talk with Beth French (12A)

what’s on Welcome return for Summer Show Winning weekend of fun and competitions planned for July 24-25 With the less said about 2020 the better, the organisers of the Summer Show are pulling out all the stops to ensure the 2021 edition of one of Portishead’s most popular events provides visitors with two fantastic days out in a safe environment. Taking place over the weekend of July 2425 at its usual location of The Flower Show Field, this year’s extravaganza will feature hundreds of classes, a bake-off and great family entertainment in the arena, including jaw-dropping performances from two trapeze artists. Linda Hodgetts, General Secretary of the Portishead and District Horticultural Society, which organises the show, said: “We are so looking forward to holding the event again for our local community and cannot wait to welcome our visitors.” She explained that the show will feature a total of 300 classes, ranging from horticultural options and handicrafts to photography and painting, and with plenty of categories specifically devised for children. The Great Portishead Bake Off is an added attraction, aimed at all those with a passion for getting creative in the kitchen as they vie for a fantastic prize in the form of a specially commissioned cake-stand, made by Olwen KW.

While the contest stays true to the original TV show, comprising a signature dish, a technical component featuring a recipe kindly provided by Mokoko, and the highly anticipated showstopper, Linda stressed that aspiring bakers are not required to bake in front of an audience. The awesome array of entertainment across the weekend will range from circus acts Pirate Taxi and Tilly Lee Kronic on trapeze and the always popular Companion Dog Show to swing music from The Marionettes, Punch and Judy, a performance from the Stepping Stones School of Dance and much more. Other attractions will include the Royal British Legion, who will be celebrating their 100-year anniversary by making a presentation to the Portishead Cadets. Food and drink will of course be readily available, with options encompassing fresh pizzas and fair trade products. With government guidance suggesting the number of visitors might have to be limited, the society is encouraging people to purchase their tickets for the show in advance. Tickets are priced at £7.50 for adults, with children under 17 able to enter free of charge. Free parking is also available. For more information and full details of the competition schedule, go to www.portisheadsummershow.com. Photos of previous editions of the show by Bob Cartwright

What’s On

Portishead Choral Society to resume rehearsals Portishead Choral Society (PCS) hope to begin rehearsals again in the coming weeks, assuming the government’s ‘Roadmap out of Lockdown’ proceeds to Step 4 on June 21, with the removal of all legal limits on social contact. Rehearsals will be held on Thursdays at Portishead Methodist Church, with two, fee-free taster sessions scheduled for June 24 and July 1 at 7.30pm, ahead of the new season start on September 9. Concerts are usually given in December, March/April and June. Rehearsing in a friendly group of experienced and helpful singers is a wonderful way of taking part in music, so if you enjoy singing, you’re more than welcome to give PCS a try. For more details, contact John Turner at chairman@portisheadchoral.co.uk or call 01275 399919.

Tina May returns to Speakeasy in June Speakeasy Jazz Club has resumed its popular music sessions, with a summer season of afternoon entertainment now taking place outdoors at Clarence House’s beer garden. This month’s offering is an afternoon of entertainment on Saturday June 19 from one of the UK’s leading jazz vocalists, Tina May. Winner of the Best Jazz Vocalist BT Awards, Tina May is a regular at Ronnie Scott’s, The Pheasantry and Pizza Express. She will be accompanied at Speakeasy by the awardwinning pianist Craig Milverton, Ashley JohnLong (double bass) and Coach York (drums). Doors open 2.30pm for a 3.30pm start, with the performance finishing at 6.15pm. Admission is £20. No membership required. Spaces will be limited. For advanced ticket sales, phone Kate Sheridan on 01275 848391 or email katespeakeasy@hotmail.co.uk.

Gordano Probus on Zoom

July 23 will be the day

Despite facing some inevitable tech-led challenges, Gordano Probus has successfully set up a series of monthly Zoom talks, which they hope will pave the way for the relaunch of their in-person meetings and lunches at Clarence House, all being well in September. The group’s meeting in May was on the topic of macular degeneration, with a talk on Somerset Air Ambulance scheduled for June 9. Looking ahead, Paul Williams will speak on Portishead’s very own songwriter, poet and lawyer, Fred Weatherly, on Thursday July 8, at 11am. Anyone wishing to join the group for its Zoom get-togethers should contact Secretary Jim Bougnague by emailing jim.bougnague@ gmail.com or calling 01275 842259 for the password link. Further information on the group’s activities can be found at www. hugofox.com/community/gordano-probusclub-portishead-13670/home.

Musical nostalgia is set to once again descend upon Portishead Town Football Club on Friday July 23, with the return of the popular open-air concert, That’ll Be The Day. A regular feature on the town’s calendar of summer events in years gone by, the live event will see musicians take to the stage and entertain the crowds with hits from the 1950s through to the 1980s. Prepare to be taken back in time, while singing along to your favourite tunes. Doors open at 6.30pm and the concert will begin at 8pm. Attendees are welcome to bring their own chairs and even a picnic. Tickets, priced £12 in advance and £15 on the gate, are available from the Sports Shop on the High Street, Mark’s Barbers in West Hill or by calling Becki on 07393 543137.

Rubbish reaches new depths at Vale pond Nerf gun bullets, plastic bottles and bags, and a cigarette lighter were just some of the items of rubbish pulled from the pond located at The Vale on Galingale Way by a group of volunteers recently. Tina Mason donned waders bought specifically for the purpose and braved the water, supported by town council colleagues, after being alerted to the state of the pond by concerned residents and having been advised by local environmentalists that it was better to get the litter out and risk disturbing the wildlife than leaving it there. The group were pleasantly surprised to find that the pond was in a better state than expected, thanks to an earlier visit made by a team from North Somerset Council. “We’re so lucky to have so many green spaces to enjoy in Portishead,” newly elected Portishead East councillor Tina said. “Unfortunately there were a few glass bottles we couldn’t reach, but it just goes to show that by working together, we can

get things done.” Tina explained that alongside the waders, she’d invested in a pole and net that extends to over 4m. “I ‘tested’ the waders last week at Portbury Wharf Nature Reserve since we were really concerned about some plastic that the swan had pulled up,” she said. “Believe me, I thought it was my business skills that would come in useful as a councillor, but now I’ve got the kit, I guess I’m on call for pond clearance duties!” Tina’s waders came in useful at the clean-up

what’s on Some of the storyboats submitted for the flotilla

Plenty of prickly exhibits will be on show Last year’s food festival won its organisers a Gold tourism award

Seven hundred years and going strong

The time is fast approaching when the events planned to celebrate the 700-year anniversary of St Peter’s Church come to fruition. As part of the Storyboat 700+ project, an aerial waveshaped flotilla sculpture will be displayed in the church, complete with storyboats submitted by organisations, businesses and individuals about their links to Portishead and its history. The display will take pride of place at a patronal service to be held on Sunday June 27, which will be livestreamed, and the church will also be decorated with an installation of illuminated, willow sculptures by community artist Helen Wheelock. The flotilla will be available to view at the church in the week before the service. It will remain in the church until the autumn, before the boats are upcycled into a Community Prayer Coracle in a giant weaving-together of the town’s stories. For more information on all the events planned for the anniversary, which is being marked one year later than planned, go to storyboat700plus on Facebook or portisheadparish.co.uk.

A taste of things to come eat:Portishead is back for 2021 In a sign that more of our favourite happenings are finally resuming, May brought the welcome news that the fifth edition of eat:Portishead will take place on Saturday August 14. Organisers Bev and Sarah Milner Simonds said that the free food and drink festival would once again be held at Portishead Marina, but also extend to Parish Wharf, making it their biggest event yet. “The new larger areas means we have more space between stalls and also more capacity to include new producers who can take advantage of our Start Out Strong [SOS] discount for those most affected by the pandemic,” they said. The team successfully delivered six socially distanced and Covid-secure events between lockdowns in 2020, including last year’s eat:Portishead, which won a Gold Award at the Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards. They have also begun their series of adapted markets for 2021, included a well-received festival in Clevedon on Saturday May 15. For more information, go to www.eatfestivals.org.

Don't forget… The 2021 South West Cactus, Succulent & Exotic Plant Fair takes place at Portishead Youth Club on June 26 from 9.30am to 1.30pm. After an absence last year, the ninth edition of the fair will bring together traders and sellers from across the UK selling a range of quality plants, compost, books, locally made pots and other sundries. Experts will also be on hand to offer specialist advice on growing cacti and other plants. The event will take place in a Covid-compliant setting, with masks and social distancing required. Entrance is free. Photo shows a previous Big Picnic afternoon

Return of the Big Picnic Portishead in Bloom’s Big Picnic is back! Government guidance permitting, the group plan to hold this popular community event on Saturday July 17 at Jubilee Park from noon to 3pm. Bring your own picnic and prepare for a fun afternoon of children’s games and entertainment from local groups.

Portishead Town Council

Meetings June/July 2021

Members of the public are invited to attend. Due to Covid-19 restrictions the meetings may be held where residents can join online, by phone or in person (in restricted numbers). Visit www.portishead.gov.uk or check our notice board for each meeting

Due to Covid-19 Gordano Valley Church can’t meet as usual. However we do record a service each Sunday which you can ﬁnd on our website

01275 847032

www.gvc.org.uk

Thurs 10 June - 7.30pm Community Matters Wed 7 July – 7.30pm Planning Advisory Thurs 8 July - 7.30pm Community Matters Wed 21 July - 7.30pm Town Council Folk Hall, High Street, Portishead BS20 6PR Tel: 01275 847078

education

Top marks and cakes for school staff at St Peter’s Parents of children at St Peter’s Church of England School treated teachers and other staff to a delicious afternoon tea on Thursday May 2, before the half-term break, as a special thank you for everything they’ve done since the Covid-19 pandemic turned the world of education upside down. Spearheaded by mum Dee Adam, the ‘You are Amazing Afternoon Tea’ took the form of goodie bags featuring cakes and bubbly, made up by participating parents for the 100-strong staff which could be enjoyed on-site in socially distanced bubbles or taken home. In a delightful surprise, Mokoko Coffee & Bakery offered to provide the 300 cakes ordered free of charge, which meant the parents were able to present headteacher Mrs Roberts with a cheque for more than £1103.98 to go towards a school project. “This was wonderful as obviously fundraising activities for the school have Staff enjoying their special tea

New preschool

been hit really hard this year,” Dee said. She explained that the idea for Headteacher Mrs Roberts the thank with the ‘cheque’ for you tea £1103.98 came after she and other parents decided they wanted to find a way of expressing their gratitude to staff after a challenging year of home-schooling and new classroom routines. “Everyone went the extra mile, from teachers preparing online lessons to administration staff communicating important information and cleaning and maintenance employees adapting brilliantly to the new ways of working,” she said. Funds were raised by bucket collections and online donations, with parents willingly chipping in. Behind the scenes Dee and her team also created a commemorative Thanks Board featuring individual messages to staff members.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Bristol Road, Portishead will be opening a new preschool in September 2021, housed in a separate modular unit on the school site. Applications for places are now open. To find out more, contact the school office on 01275 848367 or by emailing office@st-josephs.org. uk.

Dee said. “The aim was to let the staff know that we appreciated everything they did to keep the school running, continue educating our children and just as importantly, maintain the St Peter’s community spirit, all with a smile,” Dee said. “It was a wonderful day, full of UpandOver_134x97_June_UpandOver_134x97 15/06/2015 13:35 Page 1 laughter and tears, with even the weather on our side!”

Budget to Bespoke

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pets

Battling bloat

This issue, Vale Vets Portishead share Luther’s story - a tail with a happy ending thankfully, which includes a thank you letter from his grateful owner Before

“I just wanted to write and say a massive thank you to all the wonderful staff at Vale Vets. It was a year ago yesterday, in the middle of the night and in a full lockdown, that Luther was rushed into the surgery with bloat and a full torsion, and underwent major surgery and a stomach stitch. That was the longest night of my life and I really feared the worst, but thanks to my quick action and your amazing work Luther was back home with me the next evening. He is a totally different dog since

After

his surgery – no more nausea or diarrhoea. The food sensitivities have gone and he is generally a calmer, happier dog. He gets so excited when he comes to see you guys - there is huge disappointment if it’s just a weigh in! His reactivity has also changed; he happily greets people he knows and men are not the trigger they once were. I wish I had found your practice sooner; the way Luther is handled and your staff ’s extensive knowledge of behaviour makes him a happy and comfortable dog

when he visits. You give him the time he needs and he always has the option to move away if he is not comfortable. You take notice of his body language and respond accordingly, but most of all, your amazing surgery saved his life and improved his wellbeing. Thank you.” What is bloat and how can I prevent it? Bloat - also referred to as GDV (gastric dilation-volvulus) - is a life-threatening condition in dogs. It most commonly occurs in large, deep-chested dogs. This condition is commonly associated with being fed large

meals, which causes the stomach to dilate, expand and scarily often twist. Risk factors include: breed; being fed one single meal per day; age – the risk increases in older animals; and if animals are related to dogs that have suffered from bloat previously. Symptoms to look out for include drooling, distended or bloated abdomen, retching, your dog looking anxious, staring at its abdomen or stretching repeatedly. If you see any of these signs, please call your vet immediately for emergency attention. Measures to reduce the risk include: feeding two or three smaller meals a day (as opposed to one large meal); not exercising your dog within two or three hours of them eating; and preventative gastropexy, sometimes performed at the same time as neutering in large breeds.

wellbeing

Living with fibromyalgia By Zara Ford, Walnut Grove Question marks over cause

Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a poorly understood disorder that is characterised by joint pain, deep tissue pain, fatigue, depression, headaches and lack of sleep. It affects between 2% and 4% of the population, with more women than men affected. The underlying cause of fibromyalgia has confounded conventional medicine for decades. Wide-ranging symptoms The pain that FMS produces has no boundaries. People with FMS suffer chronic widespread pain, which can be described as burning, throbbing, shooting or stabbing. Painful areas often include the upper back, shoulders, neck, the low back and other areas around the joints. Many people will say: “I hurt all over.” Fatigue is another major symptom - hence the overlap and sometimes confusion with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). However, it must be stressed that these are not the same conditions and the approach to treatment and rehabilitation is quite different. FMS can be mild in some patients and yet incapacitating in others. The fatigue has been described as ‘brain fatigue’, in which patients feel totally drained of energy. Most fibromyalgia patients have an associated sleep disorder; researchers have found that FMS patients are able to fall asleep without much trouble, but that their deep-level sleep is constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity. The sleep pattern for clinically depressed patients is distinctly different from that found in those with FMS or CFS. Other symptoms patients suffer with are constipation, diarrhoea, frequent abdominal pain, abdominal gas and nausea. Recurrent migraine or tension-type headaches, sensitivities to odours, noise, bright lights, medications and various foods are also common. Painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea), chest pain, morning stiffness, cognitive or memory impairment, numbness and tingling sensations, muscle twitching, irritable bladder, the feeling of swollen extremities, skin sensitivities, dry eyes and mouth, frequent changes in eye prescription, dizziness and impaired coordination can also occur.

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it’s thought to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes in the way the central nervous system (the brain, spinal cord and nerves) processes pain messages carried around the body. It is also possible that there may be a genetic element in some cases. In many cases, the condition is thought to be triggered by a physically or emotionally stressful event. These could be wide ranging, such as: injury or infection; giving birth; having an operation; the breakdown of a relationship; or the death of a loved one. Diagnosis of fibromyalgia is difficult and some have argued that it is not helpful to have a diagnosis as it overmedicalises this complex group of distressing, medically unexplained symptoms, but I disagree. Many patients find a diagnosis helpful. It can be reassuring to know that there is no other, more severe illness involved, such as inflammatory arthritis or cancer, and halt a cycle of more and more medical tests, allowing patients to move forwards and find ways of reducing the impact of symptoms on their lives. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made purely on a clinical basis and is not a diagnosis of exclusion, so it can and does exist with other conditions. Treatment and management Exercise – both aerobic and strength training – has been shown to be effective in helping with the symptom picture. Physical therapies, such as osteopathy and physiotherapy, can be helpful for some, as can psychological

therapies. Drugs, such as painkillers, can help too, although beware opioids, as the long term nature of the condition can lead to addiction. Anti-depressants have also been shown in research to help, although typically, the results are not strong. At Walnut Grove we have a range of physical therapies, exercise approaches and psychological help, with clinicians who all work together to treat the patient and not the condition. This is not about a cure but reducing symptoms and improving quality of life.

t: 01275 818303 Walnut Grove Clinic, Slade Road Portishead BS20 6BB e: healthcare@walnutgroveclinic.com

get summer ready

4 hot tips for fabulous hair this summer With the weather heating up and the restrictions loosening for get-togethers, it’s time to swap loungewear and ‘bed’ hair for a glam new you. Top of your summer-ready list should be treating your locks to look their lustrous best, with some help from Portishead’s Petite Hair and their Kevin.Murphy range of products that are cruelty-free and PETA

approved. Read on for their top tips.

1. Find your balance After a wash and rinse, and ahead of any styling, use STAYING.ALIVE, a leave-in treatment designed to help restore the pH balance of the hair and close the cuticle while improving elasticity, repairing damage, improving manageability and smoothing the hair.

2. Think about heat protection When possible, allow your hair to air dry instead of using heat styling to cut down on damage. If you do decide to use heat, always apply HEATED.DEFENSE, a leave-in heat protectant. As well as reducing damage, this weightless foam helps promote smooth, tangle-free hair any time you style.

3. Make a splash If you’re tempted to take time out in the swimming pool, don’t forget MAXI.WASH is a

great way to keep that chlorine from damaging your hair.

4. Enjoy a treat! At Petite Hair, senior citizens and students between the ages of 18-21 enjoy a discount, while stylist Sian also has a great offer of 10% off for new clients on all lady services in June and July. The Kevin. Murphy range is available to buy from Petite Hair at 98 High Street. To know more or book an appointment, call 01275 390822.

get summer ready

Beauty with benefits

Whether for business or pleasure, Bristol Beauty Aesthetics Training has the course for you Now that the weather is brightening and everyone is being tempted out of Covid hibernation, thoughts are naturally turning to looking our best as we all head for the great outdoors. For Portishead-based Bristol Beauty Aesthetics Training though, interest in all things beauty-related has been on the rise for some time. “In March, we tripled the number of students on the year before,” said the training school’s owner Klaire Reed, adding “It’s amazing!” As Klaire explained, this booming interest stems from a range of reasons. “We’re teaching a lot of beginners,” she said, “as well as people who have been made redundant and people looking to change career, including medics who want to come out of the National Health Service.” Klaire loves the variety that this brings to her schedule. “I love teaching medics who are interested in skin rejuvenation,” she said, “and the next day it could be something completely different like someone who’s never painted their nails before.” Klaire has nearly 30 years of industry experience, including teaching for 10. Her success has

seen her convert the ground floor of her home into a training space, for which she is fully licensed by the council. A total of 66 courses are offered, ranging from beauty treatments such as nails and makeup to massage and aesthetics. “We go down the natural route,” said Klaire, explaining that this means she does not teach any courses in injectables, such as botox or filler. Her skin rejuvenation courses are aimed at slowing down the ageing process through methods such as chemical peels, micro-needling and mesotherapy. There is also the Vampire facial, which, despite its name, is not painful for the patient. Her students range in age up to people in their 60s and 70s, with a minimum age requirement of 16 for beauty classes and 18 for aesthetics classes. Classes are mixed ability and sizes are deliberately kept small so Klaire can give trainees her full and personal attention. “People like small classes,” she said, “it keeps it informative.” Naturally, the classroom is kept Covid-safe through a range of measures, including rapid Covid testing for students and models, and PPE supplied. Courses last two days, involving one day prior study at home followed by training with a model and an assessment in class. Models are members of the public, who can apply to take part, giving them access to beauty and aesthetic

treatments. “This is on a first come, first served basis,” said Klaire, “and it’s a great opportunity to have treatments free of charge that otherwise could cost up to £300.” Many of Klaire’s students begin as a hobby, but these courses can be used to set up in business. At the end of a course, students receive a certificate with accreditation, typically with industry bodies ABT or CPD. This is important, said Klaire, as it provides students with the paperwork required to set up in business with the necessary insurance. Additionally, Klaire is able to help trainees build business plans through her extra mentoring services. Keep up to date on Facebook and Instagram by following @bristolaestheticstraining. To know more about the range of courses on offer, visit www. bristolbeautyaestheticstraining.co.uk or call 0117 287 2377.

get summer ready

Take five for a new you Linda

abundance.

After a year of great challenges, many of us will be looking to the summer as a time when we can in some way feel rejuvenated or refreshed. If deciding just how exactly to achieve this feels daunting, Clinic No.5 at the Triangle in Portishead is where beauty, health and wellbeing options are in

Launched in March 2020 by Linda, Clinic No.5 brings together Linda’s Enhanced Life practice with Frontalis Clinic by Ruth and Gordano Chiropractic headed by Mike. Beautiful brows and luscious lashes Linda has been in the beauty business for just over 20 years, focusing more recently on her greatest passion of permanent makeup, for which she qualified with KBPro, an industry leader, in 2018. Linda is passionate about brows and lashes, and through her bespoke treatments can deliver incredible results. Among these is microblading, which uses a fine blade to implant semi-permanent pigment into the skin to mimic hair strokes. “This is perfect for those with fine or sparse brows,” Linda said, “giving a natural looking appearance of fuller, thicker brows that can last for 18 months”. HD brows is an alternative to microblading, involving a full grooming session, with waxing, threading, tweezing, tinting and make-up, whose effect can last up to eight weeks, while powder ombre brows is another alternative suitable for covering permanent brow makeup Mike

and giving a soft, powderedeffect finish that can last up to 18 months. LVL lashes, which involves lifting, curling and tinting, gives an effect that lasts weeks and can really make the eyes pop. All about aesthetics As a medical aesthetic practitioner and nurse, Ruth offers non-surgical enhanced aesthetic solutions for people wishing to improve their appearance and confidence from her Frontalis Clinic at No.5. Ruth has plenty of professional qualifications and expertise that includes being a registered nurse with 15 years’ experience in acute medicine, A&E, general nursing, and being a GP practice nurse, as well as four years working as a surgical nurse specialising in cosmetic surgery. She is also a trained aesthetician specialising in muscle relaxing injections and dermal fillers and is a fully insured and registered member of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), and Association for Nurse Prescribing (INP). This means that Ruth is qualified to prescribe medication as well as perform procedures. More recently, Ruth has added a range of tests to her service offering, including to determine gender or Down’s syndrome in pregnancy, check for Vitamin D levels, Covid antibodies or general health, as well as PCR tests for travel. Ruth prides herself on her personal approach and encourages free consultations to discuss options. “There is no obligation to have treatment,” she says, adding that it’s important to reassure clients she is not going to change their face but rather to enhance and improve, and to help regain what has been lost. In addition to procedures such as botox and fillers, Ruth can also help with the removal of skin tags, pigmentation and age spots, as well as perform Ruth ear syringing. Head to toe treatments Mike opened the doors of his Gordano Chiropractic clinic at No.5 at the end of April, backed by over 20 years of experience in his field, spent at clinics in Bristol and Portishead. Some may remember Mike from his multidisciplinary clinic Optimus, where he offered chiropractic and physiotherapy based at The Hub. Mike is keen to point out that his approach differs to those in the field who offer short sessions with high repetition. “That’s not how I practice,” he said, “I begin

with a 45 minute to an hour thorough exam and consultation with a report and discussion of treatment options, then like to offer half hour appointments.” His treatment options, alongside chiropractic joint manipulation, include massage, dry needling – a Western variation of acupuncture, ultrasound and cold laser therapy among others. Although a good number of his patients see him for issues with their back and neck, Mike’s treatments are for a range of body issues. After his assessment, he is also able to make referrals for consultations with a surgeon or GP, while an additional bonus of Ruth and Mike’s practices both being at No.5 is that each can also make referrals to one another. Linda emphasises that the clinic has several Covid certifications and is a Covid-friendly space with measures implemented from arrival onwards to assure maximum safety. Linda and Ruth both offer no-obligation free consultations, which also forms part of their belief in reassuring clients with the aim of customer satisfaction. “Even if you’re just curious about microblading,” said Linda, “come and have a chat.” For more information, visit www.clinic5.life, and to learn more about Linda, Ruth or Mike, visit www.enhancedlife. uk, www.frontalisclinic.com and www.gordanochiropractic. co.uk, or check Facebook and Instagram for @FrontalisClinic and @enhancedlifebylinda/ @enhancedlife_. To book, call Linda on 07791080488, Ruth on 07903654673 or Mike on 07392682073.

The Clinic @ No. 5 Independent treatment rooms

Enhancement for your brows and lashes • Microblading • Nouveau lashes • HD Brows With over 20 years in the industry

Instagram - enhancedlife F enhanced brows and lashes

www.enhancedlife.uk • lmcentee218@gmail.com • 07791 080488

Free consultation with Registered Nurse Prescriber for a personalised treatment plan for women and men of all ages. We offer safe discreet treatments that rejuvenate and subtly enhance all skin types • Dermal Fillers • Anti-Wrinkle Injections • Lip Enhancement • Ear Syringing • Vitamin B12 Injections • Cheek Enhancements • Tear Troughs • Dermapen • Hyperhidrosis • Chemical Peels • Blood tests • General health check • Pregnancy gender testing • Covid PCR tests

Frontalis Clinic

Frontalisclinic.com • frontalis4u@gmail.com

07903 654673

No5 The Triangle, Portishead, Bristol, BS20 6PG

Over 20 years clinical experience Treatment of musculoskeletal pain & Injuries

Specialises in: Backpain – sciatica – slipped discs – neck pain migraines – pinched nerves – hip pain shoulder pain – RSI’s www.gordanochiropractic.co.uk Mike@gordanochiropractic.co.uk

07392 682073

The Triangle Portishead BS20 6PG

home and garden

Heaven scent

Plant of the month Lavender

By Elly West, a garden designer. For more details, visit www.ellyswellies.co.uk.

Our sense of smell is extremely powerful and aromatherapists have long extolled the benefits of different fragrances for improving our mood and wellbeing. A strong scent can instantly bring back a forgotten memory and floral notes are the most popular in the perfume industry. For this reason, I nearly always try to include scented plants in my garden designs near the areas where clients want to sit and relax. At this time of year and onwards into summer, it’s easy to find flowers that are full of fragrance. Roses are bursting into bloom this month, along with lavender, sweet peas and lily-of-the-valley. Honeysuckle is a fastgrowing climber that’s great for fences near to a seating area, and is beneficial to wildlife as well. The flowers will

attract bees and pollinators, while birds will enjoy its berries later in the season, plus the dense shelter it provides. Trachelospermum jasminoides is another scented climber, which has the benefit of glossy, semi-evergreen leaves, and will quickly clothe a pergola or fence. Enjoy fragrant plants by placing them near paths, seating areas and walkways, or in pots next to the front door. Don’t forget leaves for fragrance, as well as those with scented flowers. Mint and lemon balm spring to mind, but both are fairly rampant growers so need to be contained. Salvia, rosemary and perovskia all have leaves that produce a fragrance when brushed against or crushed.

Instantly recognisable for both its scent and appearance, lavender is an English country garden staple and for good reason. The silvery evergreen leaves provide structure all year round and its versatility means it can be grown as a hedge, in a pot, in a herb garden or as part of a mixed border in both contemporary and traditional schemes. The flowers are loved by bees and are generally shades of purple, but there are also pink and white varieties. Some forms are more compact than others, so better suited to hedging. Hicote is the classic English lavender and has a neat and tidy habit, while Grosso is much larger and more sprawling. There are also French varieties with ‘ears’ on top of the flowers, although these tend to be a little trickier to grow and need frost protection in colder areas. Lavenders are originally from the Mediterranean region, where they are found growing wild in dry, exposed and rocky areas. As such, they will do best on free-draining soil in full sun. Always make sure you cut them back hard after flowering, using a pair of shears, and chopping off the flower stems and firmly into the new leaves to keep plants flowering well in subsequent years and to stop them getting woody.

Getting your garden summer ready with GreenThumb With warmer, longer days on the horizon, the beautiful bright colours of your garden are best enjoyed alongside a lush, green lawn. GreenThumb Lawn Treatment Service will ensure your lawn takes its rightful place as the centrepiece of your garden, reaching its full potential as a weed-free, healthy, and well-loved lawn. Not only do we have over 30 years’ experience in caring for millions of lawns, but we also continue to pioneer innovative solutions in lawn care, boldly leading the way in our industry as the most recommended lawn treatment service in every part of the UK. As summer approaches, it’s essential that you keep your lawn healthy and strong in preparation for the rising temperatures, increased humidity and reduced rainfall; this is where our NutraGreen ‘Summer Ready’ treatment can help. Our ‘Summer Ready’ treatment is applied between April and June, and features a fully coated fertiliser, designed to give your lawn a timed release of nutrition over several months, feeding your grass and stimulating growth. This sophisticated treatment also includes a weed control to help eradicate those which are unwelcome on your lawn, keeping your lawn looking its best and ready for summer.

An added benefit of our ‘Summer Ready’ treatment is that you’ll also receive an application of our fantastic water conserver, Oasis. Now is the perfect time for an Oasis treatment as it helps your soil to make the best use of any available moisture, meaning you’ll need to water up to 80% less. Our popular Oasis treatment now features an innovative, highly concentrated seaweed extract, which has proven to have an almost immediate visual effect on the colour of your lawn. This unique solution also improves the quality of your grass, benefits root development and helps with stress tolerance; what’s not to love?!

Contact your local GreenThumb branch today on 0117 9109182.

At this time of year, we also recommend implementing a regular mowing regime to help your lawn be the best it can be. Dry, sunny days are the best conditions for mowing; however it’s important that your mower blades are kept sharp or replaced when needed, to avoid causing damage to the grass plant. It is also important, especially during the summer months, that your grass isn’t cut too short as this will weaken it, attracting unwanted weeds. When dry, we advise raising the height of your cut from 1 inch up to 2 inches and giving it a good drink the day after mowing. Let’s create the lawn we both love.

business Can I claim legal fees chasing payments as a tax deduction? By Ali Redwood of Tax Assist Accountants Legal fees resulting from attempts to recover bad debts are deemed to be incurred for the purpose of the trade and are therefore considered to be allowable expenditure in establishing your business profit for the year.

I am considering taking legal action to recover a debt from a customer who has a history of not paying me. Can my solicitor’s fees and other legal costs therefore be regarded as legitimate business expenses for tax purposes? And are there different procedures depending on the size of the debt? Legal and professional costs that a business incurs are allowable when they are wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the trade.

It should also be noted that where a bad debt relating to ordinary trade transactions with a specific customer is written off, that amount is also an allowable deduction. This contrasts with the rules for a general bad debt provision, which is not an allowable deduction for tax purposes. So yes, the legal fees incurred in respect of that debt recovery are allowable as a deduction for tax purposes and you get an allowable deduction in the accounts for the bad debt itself, as the debt relates to a specific customer. Collecting debts from customers can be stressful and we have lots of experience in this area. To discuss the best approach to take, please feel free to contact us on 01275 390596.

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