Marathon success

A FISHPONDS teenager took the London Marathon in his stride, after being confirmed as the youngest of the 48,000 runners to take part.

Jude Brown was 18 years and six days old when he completed the 26 miles, 385 yard course in 3 hours 22 minutes on April 23.

Mum Paula said Jude "loved" the experience of running his first marathon.

Party needs you

PEOPLE are being urged to help make Fishponds' biggest free party a success next month.

Party in the Ponds will take place in Vassalls Park on June 17, returning to its traditional early summer slot.

It is the second time the event will take place on the Oldbury Court Estate, having outgrown its previous home in Fishponds Park before the pandemic.

Organisers of the not-for-profit event, which runs from noon to 9pm, are on the lookout for volunteers to help set up and steward it. They are also aiming to widen the variety of stalls, and are looking out for photographers, perfumers and dog treat sellers, as well as vegan and gluten free caterers.

For more information email partyintheponds@gmail, call Gareth Edwards on 0752 898 9445 or visit the Party in the Ponds Facebook page.

Park group launches

Jude and stepdad Nick Tuftnell, who is registered as severely visually impaired, ran to raise money for charity Fight for Sight - their total was close to £1,000 as the Voice went to press.

course.

Nick finished the course in a time of 2 hours 55 minutes 11 seconds.

Donations to the appeal can be made online at 2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/nick-tuftnell.

Jude runs with Bristol & West Athletics Club, which is based in Whitehall, and is studying a Level 3 BTEC extended diploma in sport, fitness and personal training at SGS College and hopes to continue studying sport at university.

A WAVE of support has boosted a group set up to support a park. Friends of the Park - Oldbury Court Estate/Vassalls Park held its launch event in April, and 50 people came along to talk about its plans for the future.

The group plans to focus on regular work parties to clear and repair, improve the park's ecology, promote access to sport, arts and events, with a longer-term aim of replacing the pavilion wrecked by arsonists in 2020.

Members are carrying out surveys to find out where more benches are needed and what facilities park users would like to see in the future.

The next event for volunteers is a two-hour litter picking and survey session on Monday May 8, meeting at the park's kiosk at 11am, with a clean up and repair working party planned towards the end of May.

For more information email admin@oldburycourtpark.org.uk.