Fishponds Voice September 2017

fishpondsvoice September, 2017 — ISSUE 32

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Pioneers of the new exams THE hundreds of Fishponds students who picked up their A-level and GCSE results in recent weeks were the first to sit new, more demanding exams.

A-levels are now judged by an exam at the end of two years, with AS-levels no longer counting towards the final mark.

GCSEs in English language, English literature and maths have been reformed and are now graded from 9 (highest) to 1 and the curriculum is tougher. All other subjects are still graded A*G in 2017.

Across the city, 58 per cent of young people achieved a pass in both English and maths GCSEs. At Bristol Metropolitan Academy it was a record 56 per cent.

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “Well done to all of our young people who took their GCSEs this year, as well as the families, carers, teachers and governors who have been instrumental in these results.

A huge amount of hard work goes into these exams and with tougher curriculum and number grades introduced this year our pupils have had to overcome many new challenges to succeed."

Full story: Pages 6 & 7

Hockeys Lane action call More than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for a change to the dangerous Hockeys Lane junction in Fishponds.

PAGE 9

Get set to Party in the Ponds Party in the Ponds, an event similar to last year's successful Make Sunday Special in Fishponds, is planned for September 9.

PAGE 13

Flower power draws crowds Khadija Meghrawi, from Fishponds, celebrated her 18th birthday on results day. She got 2A*s, an A in Chemistry and an A* in her extended project at Redcliffe Sixth Form and will study medicine at Bristol

Residents turned out in force to view a spectacular display at the 11th annual Fishponds Horticultural Show.

PAGE 18

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fishpondssvvoice September, 2017

— ISSUE 32

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Pioneers of th

s of Fishponds THE hundred picked up their students who results in A-level and GCSE the first to sit were recent weeks ing exams. new, more demand judged A-levels are now of two the end by an exam at ls no longer years, with AS-levethe final mark. counting towards language, GCSEs in English maths re and English literatu d and are now have been reforme t) to 1 and (highes graded from 9 is tougher. All A*the curriculum are still graded other subjects G in 2017.

58 per cent of Across the city, d a pass in achieve young people and maths GCSEs. y both English olitan Academ At Bristol Metrop per cent.

56 it was a record Mayor of Marvin Rees, all “Well done to Bristol, said: people who took of our young year, as well s their GCSEs this , carers, teacher as the families who have been and governors in these results. instrumental work of hard A huge amount exams and goes into these curriculum and with tougher introduced this number grades to have had year our pupils new challenges overcome many to succeed."

6&7 Full story: Pages

Hockeys Lane action call

people have More than 1,000 calling for signed a petition dangerous a change to the junction in Hockeys Lane Fishponds.

PAGE 9

Get set to Party in the Ponds

an event Party in the Ponds, successful similar to last year's in Special Make Sunday for Fishponds, is planned September 9.

PAGE 13

r Flower powe draws crowds y on her 18th birthda ds, celebrated extended wi, from Fishpon Chemistry and an A* in her in Khadija Meghra medicine at Bristol got 2A*s, an A results day. She e Sixth Form and will study project at Redcliff

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ONE of the great strengths of Fishponds is its diversity. Residents have settled here from other parts of the city, the country and the world and are made welcome.

We have seen the area change, even in the two and a half years that we have been publishing the Voice, and no doubt it will continue to evolve.

Our mission is to produce a free monthly newspaper in which, as our name suggests, as many voices as possible from our community can be heard. We provide a platform for local businesses to advertise their goods and services and for organisations to share details of their activities. We are fortunate to have a number of columnists who add variety to our pages and we

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fishpondsvoice Publisher Gary Brindle 0117 907 8585 07799 461169

ADVERTISING sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk Tel 07453 954261 Tel 07799 461169 EDITORIAL news@fishpondsvoice.co.uk Letters to the publication can be sent to the above e-mail address or by post to Letters, Fishponds Voice, 6 Elkstone Walk, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6JT. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter.

Journalist Linda Tanner 0777 0700579

Journalist Jayne Taylor 0788 0731148

Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ fishpondsvoice

Sales Caroline Galvin 07453 954261

LOCAL INFORMATION Bristol City Council http://www.bristol.gov.uk 0117 922 2000

asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582 Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk

Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk general enquiries: 101 Emergency: 999

Environment/trading standards 01454 868001 Well Aware Health and social care information www. wellaware.org.uk Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252

Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk General enquiries: 0117 926 2061 Emergency: 999

DEADLINES October edition deadline is September 27.

Anti social behaviour team

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welcome contributions to our letters page from anyone who lives or works in Fishponds who has something to say. As our publisher's note below states: "Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor."

Our aim is to be impartial and to report on the issues facing residents and decisions that might affect them.

We make no apology for championing activities that foster and encourage community spirit though; as you can see from this month's stories, people will need to get involved to ensure the future of public services, which might well have to be delivered differently in future.

You can contact us via email, Facebook or Twitter or you can write to us at 6 Elkstone Walk, Bitton, Bristol, BS30 6JT. Our email is news@fishpondsvoice.co.uk.

If you are planning an event, we will be happy to list it free of charge in our What’s On pages.

We hand-deliver more than 7,500 free copies to homes every month. Copies are also available to pick up.

The Voice series has 16 titles in Bristol and S Glos.

Follow us on Twitter @fishpondsvoice

NHS 111 Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE Fishponds Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Fishponds Voice is distributed each month to local residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is welcomed, call Gary Brindle on 0117 907 8585 or news@ fishpondsvoice.co.uk.

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September, 2017

3

n NEWS

Bristol set for huge rally BRISTOL Mayor Marvin Rees is preparing to lead a demonstration calling for action against austerity.

More than 17 organisations, including trade unions and campaign groups, will take to the streets on September 9 in what could be one of the biggest rallies seen in the city.

The noon protest on College Green comes three days before a meeting when Mr Rees and other core city leaders will present a Green Paper to ministers in Westminster calling for a 'Stronger, Fairer Britain'.

The Labour mayor said: “Cities are at breaking point when it comes to council provided services. Across the UK there are adult and children's social care departments struggling to keep up with the costs of rising demand on their services.

"Council services are being reduced and stopped to find the money to keep the essential life

Cities at breaking point because of austerity, says Mayor Marvin and limb services from falling over. This isn’t right and it isn’t a reflection of the driving force that cities have become in the modern economy."

The Paper reflects that cities are the drivers of the modern economy and are magnets for culture, talent and investment.

The Local Government Association estimates that by 2020 local councils will have lost 75 per cent of the central government funding they had in 2015. The Paper will set out alternatives to cuts and make the case for investment in cities.

Mr Rees said: “We've done some great work with Core Cities, putting together a Green Paper for cities which urges government to change tack and start proactively investing in

the public services that sustain our flourishing communities.

What I'm concerned about as a city leader is the cost of the cuts.

These short-term savings will undermine our communities and population health and will ultimately cost us more.

"My message is simple, if you believe that there is an alternative to austerity then join with me, the trade unions, the People’s Assembly and the people of Bristol on 9 September to show the government and other UK cities that we want change and we’re prepared to take that ask to Westminster.”

Among those taking part are the Labour Party, Unite Soth West, UNISON South West, Bristol NUT, Fair Funding For All Schools and Bristol Greens.

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Last chance to comment on cuts BRISTOL City Council has to make cuts of £104m between 2017 and 2022 because of austerity.

It is currently consulting on a package of measures to save £4.7m by shutting many libraries and public toilets, getting rid of some school crossing patrols, cutting day services for disabled people and scrapping Neighbourhood Partnerships.

The Mayor and his Cabinet have been asking people for their views and for creative ideas on new ways to deliver services.

Details of the proposals can be found at www.bristol. gov.uk/yourneighbourhood and you have until September 5 to respond.

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4

n NEWS A FATHER of two young children has launched an ambitious plan to raise £25,000 for charity despite undergoing treatment for cancer.

Tom Bird, 31, was diagnosed with high grade Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in April and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment ever since.

Despite his ordeal, he says he wants to "give something back" in recognition of the support he has been given by his family, friends, employer and hospital staff.

Tom, who lives with wife Janie, daughter Sophia, three, and son Reuben, one, is planning three charity events in a bid to reach his target - a family fun day at Pomphrey Hill, a mass headshave at Cleve Rugby Club and an internet auction of shirts from all 92 football league clubs.

Proceeds from the three events will be split between Macmillan and The Forever Friends Appeal, which is raising money for a new cancer centre at Bath RUH, where Tom is being treated.

Tom, who lives in Cadbury

September, 2017

‘Cancer won’t stop me raising £25,000 for charity’ Heath, is being helped by his parents Alan and Sandra, from Downend, and his sister Johanna Noble, 33, who lives in Fishponds, who have been visiting local businesses to get their support for the fundraising campaign.

Tom, a dispatcher for Avon and Somerset Police, discovered a lump under his right arm while he was showering.

His GP thought it was just fatty tissue but decided to send him for a scan at Southmead Hospital just to double check.

The scan was inconclusive so doctors gave Tom an MRI scan which revealed the lump could be cancerous. More tests were carried out and Tom was told the heartbreaking news that he had high grade Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph

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"It was a massive shock," said Tom. "No one thinks it's going to happen to them, especially at my age as this type of disease mainly affects people over the age of 65."

To date Tom has received six rounds of chemotherapy and will start 15 sessions of radiotherapy around mid September.

At the end of September he will be given a scan which will tell him how well the treatment has worked.

Tom, a Bristol Rovers supporter, heard about a campaign to build a cancer centre while he was undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Bath RUH and thought it might be something he could get involved in.

Although he hasn't used the services offered by cancer charity

Macmillan, he was impressed with the work it does so decided he would try to raise as much as he could and split proceeds between the two charities.

Tom said: "It was a bit of a distraction for me, really. I wanted to keep my mind active as well. I don't want to sit around feeling sorry for myself I want to do something I can get my teeth into.”

Tom is optimistic about his future: "The lump was massive but now I can't feel anything there, and neither can doctors, but until I have the scan, I won't know for sure.

"I'm a very optimistic person.

When I found out I had a little cry and my daughter came up to me and said 'It's going to be all right, daddy'. I made a decision there and then that I

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September, 2017 wasn't going to cry in front of the kids again - I was going to be strong for everyone. I've got such amazing family and friends and that's half the battle. They keep me positive."

Tom's first fundraising event, the family fun day, takes place at Pomphrey Hill, Mangotsfield, on Saturday September 30 from 11am-5.30pm and Tom hopes to raise around £5,000. It will feature live entertainment with a magician and singers, barbecue, bouncy castle, tombola, raffle and hairbraiding.

Tom said: “I wanted to organise a family fun day to say thanks to all the people who have supported me through this.”

Tom will follow that with an attempt to break the world record for highest the number of simultaneous headshaves on November 18 at Cleve Rugby Club in Mangotsfield.

The record is 329, set by a Canadian cancer charity, but Tom is aiming to get at least 350 people on board.

The last event is the auction of football shirts.

Tom has been in touch with

the 92 Premiership and English Football League Clubs to ask for signed shirts. “ I've already got well over 80 pledges of shirts from clubs so haven't got too many left. I'm now waiting for the transfer window to close so the shirts can be up to date. I'm looking to get the shirts in by the end of September so I can auction them off at the start of October. I don't think it's ever been done before; the closest seems to be some police officers in Cambridge who managed to get 72 so it will be quite a challenge.

"My aim is to raise a total of £25,000, which is quite a big whack. If we can get 350 people involved in the headshave and they each raise £100 each then we should be able to exceed the target.

"Cancer is one of the biggest battles in life and if I can remain positive in the face of that, then there's nothing that's not achievable."

• To find out more about getting involved in Tom's fundraising campaign, contact him via Facebook at http://bit.ly/2wxzAOO

A garden to remember A WILDLIFE garden at Staple Hill Primary School has been turned into an outdoor classroom - with a little bit of help.

The enhancement was carried out by team of volunteers from Scottish Widows and was funded by the Tesco Bags of Help scheme.

The garden was cleared and replanted and bench and log seats were installed to make the area more suitable for children to use while learning and connecting with nature.

Assistant headteacher Sharon Boult said: “Our Forget-Me-Not Garden is now a great outdoor area for pupils to engage creatively in all areas of the curriculum. The environment creates enthusiasm for a positive learning experience.”

5

Tom Bird with wife Janie and daughter Sophia. The couple also have a son, Reuben

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6

September, 2017

n EDUCATION

Marvels at the Met excel at new GCSEs BRISTOL Metropolitan Academy is celebrating a record breaking set of GCSE results.

This year 56 per cent of students achieved a good pass rate for both English and maths, up from the school’s previous highest figure of 54 per cent in 2014.

The achievement is all the more remarkable because the English and maths courses, now graded from 9-1 rather than A*E, are more demanding.

Departing principal Sally Apps, who is moving on to a new role as executive principal with Cabot Learning Federation in September, is delighted with the GCSE results that Bristol Met students have achieved.

She said: “We are absolutely over the moon to have so many students with good pass rates for English and maths this year.

With the new grades that have

been introduced, we have had several students achieve 9s for these subjects too, which is fantastic. I am very pleased that our new principal Cameron Shaw will be picking up the school in such a strong academic position.

I know that the students who are coming through from the younger years have lots to give and that the school will continue to make improvements and progress as time goes on.”

Bristol Brunel Academy was also pleased with its results, which saw 52 per cent of students achived a grade 4 or above in English and maths.

Principal Jon Jones said: “We are incredibly proud of our students, staff and parents who have worked in partnership to secure these achievements.

“Their grit, determination and drive will ensure both a strong foundation on which to build,

Ali Khan Ali has a great reason to celebrate, as out of all of Bristol Met’s students who collected GCSE results this year, he has made the most progress. Receiving 5s for English language and maths, and 4 for English literature, Ali said: “I am so proud of English language grade – I can’t believe it! I really want to go into accounting and so I am going to SGS College to study A-levels in maths and economics.”

and gives students real choice in their progression to the next stage of their education.”

The first set of results at Digitech Studio School also saw 52 per cent get a good pass in English and maths.

Principal Lis Jolley said: “We are very proud of our students who have secured grades that will allow them to move on to Post-16 courses of their choosing.”

Mizan Rahman Nasra Sulub Nasra, from Easton, pictured with Bristol Met's outgoing principal Sally Apps, couldn’t believe her results, having achieved 7 for English literature and 6s for English language and maths. She said: “I’m still trying to get my head around my results, I’m so happy with what I got! I can’t wait to start my A-levels at St Mary Redcliffe in September, where I’ll be studying biology, chemistry, maths and politics.”

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Mizan, from Fishponds, felt nervous, but he needn’t have worried as he gained one of Bristol Met's best set of grades with a 9 for maths and 8s for English language and English literature. He also earned A* for a number of subjects including French, history and geography. He said: “I am so happy and relieved! I am going to enrol at North Bristol Post 16 for A-levels in biology, chemistry and geography.”

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

fishpondsvoice

September, 2017

7

n EDUCATION

Colston’s School hits high spots COLSTON’S students have achieved great success in the new, more demanding S-levels and GCSEs as well as in Btecs.

Thirty eight per cent of A-level grades were A*/A and 71 per cent A*/B. Twenty two per cent of students achieved AAA or better and 42 per cent ABB or better.

The majority of Colston’s students have secured places on their first or second choice university courses. A number of high-performing students have decided to follow higher level apprenticeships and Colstonians will be joining Rolls-Royce, Dyson and Grant Thornton.

At GCSE, 40 per cent of grades were A or A* or equivalent - including a number of the new highest

level 9 for maths and English.

Top performers were Ottilie Michelson, with her six A*s, two 9s and an 8. Anna Catton who got one A*, five As, a 9 and two 7s, has been awarded a prestigious Arkwright Scholarship for engineering.

Headmaster Jeremy McCullagh said: “The whole year group deserves our plaudits for working so hard under such new and challenging circumstances and for making the most of their academic abilities.

"It is also important to remember that Colston’s students not only achieve great examination results but they learn so much more through the school’s holistic approach to education.”

Engineering success ALMOST two-thirds of this year’s A-level students at Bristol Technology and Engineering Academy achieved passes of A*-C with 30 per cent at A* or A. Based in Stoke Gifford, BTE Academy is one of the UK’s University Technical Colleges (UTCs), which focus on the so-called STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

Over half of all A-level grades at BTE Academy in maths/further maths were at A* or A while 76 per cent of grades in maths and science were A*-C, with a 100 per cent pass rate. Engineering grades were excellent with 76% at Distinction* or Distinction, with 14 students achieving maximum marks across all units.

Rhian Priest, Principal at BTE Academy, said: “I am incredibly proud of our Year 13 students, many of whom are among our first four-year cohort. There are some wonderful individual successes which are richly deserved."

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

WHOLE SCHOOL OPEN MORNING SATURDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 2017 9.30AM-12.00PM Academic, Art, Drama, Music and Sport scholarship opportunities Bursaries available

Register online at www.colstons.org Email: admissions@colstons.org

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Telephone: 0117 965 5207

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

8

September, 2017

n EDUCATION

New school year brings a new start SEPTEMBER is the perfect time to get started with additional support for your child’s education. After the long summer break, many of you will be reminded of your child’s summer exam results or school report.

The children I tutor in English and Maths at Kip McGrath Bristol North in Downend require tutoring for a variety of reasons: some are struggling to keep up to year level, due to time out from school or the pressures of the school system; others are there because their parents want to make sure that their children are ‘on track’ and well supported in their learning; some parents would like their children to be extended beyond their year level, or are aiming to get their child in to one of Bristol’s best private schools. And of course, there are those who are preparing for exams, from SATs right through

to GCSEs. Whatever you and your child’s needs, the tutoring at Kip McGrath’s tuition centres is based on the simple ethos that ‘all children can progress if given the correct

All Kip McGrath tutors are qualified and resources are mapped to the school curriculum. A free assessment will establish where your child is in relation to his or her school year level expectations.

Based on this, your dedicated tutor will devise a starting point and personalised learning plan to enable your child to reach his or her individual learning goals.

Each session lasts 80 minutes and students are taught in classes of 3-5, ensuring individual attention.

Since I opened the Downend branch of the internationally renowned franchise in January, I have been delighted to see my students improve their grade levels, as well as grow in confidence, motivation and self-esteem.

Call 0117 373 8367 or email bristolnorth@kip-mcgrath.com for more information or to book your free assessment. www.kipmcgrathbristolnorth.co.uk Jay Grocott, Owner and Centre Director of Kip McGrath Bristol North in Downend

support’.

Kip McGrath Bristol North provides after school tuition in English and maths for children aged 5-16, using methods that have been proven over 40 years.

'My son is really starting to grasp the concepts he missed over the years. His confidence is coming back and he looks forward to his lesson every week' Janis Philimore, parent of Kip McGrath Bristol North student

BRISTOL CENTRAL 0117 370 4525

BRISTOL DOWNEND 0117 373 8367

www.kipmcgrathbristolcentral.co.uk

www.kipmcgrathbristolnorth.co.uk

3 Portwall Lane, Redcliffe Bristol BS1 6NB

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

32A Downend Road, Bristol BS16 5UJ

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

fishpondsvoice

September, 2017

9

n NEWS

Hockeys Lane petition grows MORE than 1,000 people have now signed a petition calling for changes to the dangerous Hockey's Lane junction in Fishponds.

Campaigners are urging more residents to sign so they can increase the pressure on Bristol City Council to act.

If 3,500 signatures are gathered, the issue can be raised at a council meeting.

Fiona Gleed, who started the petition, describing herself as "a Fishponds resident, parent, pedestrian, cyclist, driver" said the biggest concern was the risk to pedestrians.

Drivers coming down Fishponds Road towards Bristol frequently ignore the 'no left turn' signs, and drive into Hockey's Lane where people are using the pelican crossing.

Numerous near misses have

been described on social media and passed to Frome Vale Councillor Nicola Bowden-Jones, who is leading the campaign.

Earlier in the year, protest demonstrations were held at the site. The traffic signals have been adjusted, giving pedestrians less time to cross the road, but this has not solved the problem.

The Mayor, Marvin Rees, has visited the area, as did his predecessor George Ferguson, but no new options have been put forward.

The ban on turning left was brought in six years ago as part of a package of measures to speed up bus services in the area.

Since then, the Aldi supermarket has opened and the library has moved, increasing pedestrian flow in the area.

You can find the petition at http://bit.ly/2wCjF1p

Staff made a Concorde formation when the Red Arrows flew over Filton, where an aero museum will open shortly

Friendly, accessible talks and events Sep 9th (Sat). How to Record a Pop Song! Pete Rowley runs one of Bristol's longest established recording studios he's going to show us how it's done by recording a simple song during the talk!

Sep 24th. Return to 100 Fishponds Road. Bristol Radical History return to tell us more about the human side of this notorious local workhouse and the artefacts that were discovered there.

Oct 8th. Fun Palace Weekend: Open Mic Night (FREE!) In collaboration with Bristol Libraries, an evening for people to share their hobbies, interests and ideas in a 10 minute talk. www.funpalaces.co.uk Oct 22nd. Journey to Justice Month. Celebrating human rights and the rich cultural diversity of Bristol with refugee authors, storytellers, historians and 'Bristol's own Poet Laureate'.

Oct 29th. Bats! Kiri and Stew, from Avon Bat Care will be sharing fascinating facts about our night time neighbours - and bringing along some of their very special patients for you to meet.

Nov 19th. Bristol Story Telling Festival: event. Festival founder Paula Brown explores local folk tales and the spellbinding power of the spoken word - as we sip mulled cider by candle light.

Dec 10th. How to Conduct an Orchestra! Choral master Tom Watkins returns to show us what that baton waving is all about! www.peoplesuniversityoffishponds.com peoples university of fishponds

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

Discover your future Could you see yourself as a scientist or biomedical engineer?

Perhaps an applied scientist, engineer or forensic analyst?

Bristol Technology and Engineering Academy enables you to study BTEC qualifications or A-Levels across science, technology, maths and engineering in the sixth form or a range of specialist science, engineering and technology courses alongside core GCSEs in Year 10.

Book a visit during the school day or secure a place on one of our Open Evenings which start at 6.30pm to find out more about BTE Academy. Apply now for a place in Year 10 or Year 12 for September 2018.

52%

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76%

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fishpondsvoice

September, 2017

11

n NEWS

Foreign-language films about Headway Gala Ball dementia welcomed in city

A BRISTOL-based partnership has launched an innovative series of short films in six different languages giving information about dementia and relevant support services in the city.

The Dementia Wellbeing Service, a partnership between Alzheimer’s Society and Devon Partnership NHS Trust, commissioned the short films - in Urdu, Punjabi, Cantonese, Somali, Polish and Englishlanguage - to address the stigma, misunderstanding and lack of accurate information currently available for culturally diverse communities in the city.

Co-ordinator for the Dementia Wellbeing Service and the films' producer Trish Caverly said: “Alongside other BME communities, Somali has no word for dementia. This can make it even more difficult for family members to discuss a dementia diagnosis and contribute to a stigma in many of

these communities.”

A dementia All Party Parliamentary report in 2013 suggested that nationally people from BME communities are under-represented in dementia services; they are often diagnosed at a later stage of the illness or not at all.

Research conducted

by Alzheimer’s Society has concluded that this can lead to a far greater risk of late diagnosis and not being prescribed

Handyperson To assist with setting up 3 interconnecting platforms for flower demonstrations at Lincombe Barn, Downend, plus some folding tables & chairs.

Dates this season: Wednesdays 6.12.17, 7.3.18 & 18.4.18. Set-up approx.

4.30/4.45 p.m. and dismantling approx.

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For further details contact I. Cooke (0117-9568504)

appropriate medication and medical interventions.

There are an estimated 25,000 BME people with dementia in the UK. While the number of white, British people with dementia is expected to double by 2051, the numbers of people from BME communities is expected to increase sevenfold.

The films are available on www.bristoldementiawellbeing. org and limited DVDs can be ordered from 0117 904 5151.

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FRENCHAY-based Headway Bristol, the charity that helps survivors of brain injury to live as independently as possible, will mark its 40th anniversary with a gala ball later this month.

The event will have a sporting theme, due to the connection between head injury and sport.

Personalities and guests who will be speaking in support of the charity include author and rider, Polly Williamson, retired rugby referee, Ed Morrison, and BBC Points West's Will Glennon.

The Headway Bristol 40th Anniversary Gala Ball takes place on Thursday September 28 at The Bristol Hotel at 7pm.

The evening will include a three course meal, dancing and music.

Tickets for the charity ball cost £45 per person, or tables of ten people at £400.

To request a booking form, please contact Clio Khan at Headway Bristol, by sending an email to info@headwaybristol. org.uk, or call 0117 340 3771.

Karate, don’t be put off by the word!

A new approach to an ancient Art Email: enquiries@zenshindojo.com 0117 9566752

Call Jeff on 0785 6065463 Visit our website at www.atticalertservices.co.uk or e-mail atticalertservices@yahoo.co.uk

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

12

September, 2017

n NEWS FROM THE MAYOR

Get involved - and help us tackle food poverty in city YOU may have seen advertised a Rally for Bristol I am holding on September 9 on College Green, Bristol, working with trade unions, the People’s Assembly and other organisations.

This is aimed at promoting the need for greater investment in cities, as they are at breaking point when it comes to adult and children’s social care and council-provided services. I hope that you will be able to attend.

As a group of core cities, representing the biggest economic drivers outside of London, we are also presenting a ‘green paper’ to the Government calling for more investment and more powers. We don’t just want to campaign for more money for services, we need funds and powers to grow an inclusive economy with more housing – including affordable homes – sustainable diverse jobs and a transport system that provides connectivity.

Elsewhere, I am pleased that we were able to host a recent Feed Bristol event with businesses and partners at City Hall to look at tackling food

poverty within the city.

Food poverty is defined as the inability to afford a healthy balanced diet which is strongly associated with people on a low income.

Shockingly, more than 25 per cent of children in Bristol are classed as living in poverty; it’s a statistic that highlights the scale of the problem we are dealing with. If we want to tackle it we will need the help of organisations from around the city.

Poor nutrition in early years undermines people’s health and their academic and skills development. This affects the young people we rely upon for a healthy economy. With food prices on the rise and the wages frozen and reducing in real terms, this problem is one that is only set to get worse.

I was glad to hear at the Feed Bristol event that many practical conversations are already taking place and I hope this momentum continues to start improving the lives of some of the city’s most vulnerable people.

The Mayor’s View Each month Bristol mayor Marvin Rees shares his views with Fishponds Voice

If you are a local business who thinks you can help, I encourage you to keep an eye out for other events and get involved.

Do you have spare land you would consider selling with or without planning permission? * End Plots

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To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

September, 2017

13

n NEWS

Party in the Ponds is the new Make Sunday Special!

PEOPLE of Fishponds - are you ready to party?

Yes? Then that could be very timely as last minute preparations are under way for Party in the Ponds.

It follows the success last year of Make Sunday Special in Fishponds which led to residents and party goers asking for more.

Brought to you by the same people who organised MSS and FishFest, this year's community festival takes place on Saturday September 9 and could become an annual event.

Based in and around Fishponds Park and Beechwood Road from 12-6pm, there will be a stage in the park with live music from local bands, including a performance from Bristol Metropolitan Academy school choir, children’s

activities, food, family fun, raffle and lots more.

After the main event, there will be fringe events in local pubs and cafes to keep the feeling going and take Party in the Ponds to as wide an audience as possible.

Keep an eye outfor further

details and updates on the Facebook page Party in the Ponds.

Organisers are looking for volunteers to help out on the day, so if you’d like to get involved and can spare a few hours, please email pinp2017@ outlook.com

FISHPONDS PARK & BEECHWOOD ROAD

Get set for Doors Open Day MORE than 100 venues are taking part in the Bristol Doors Open Days this month.

The event takes place from September 7-10 and includes a number of local sites.

They include Glenside Hospital Museum, Glenside (Saturday and Sunday, 10am 4pm), UWE Glenside Campus (Saturday 10am - 4pm), Feed Bristol (Sat 10am - 4pm) and The Old Library at Eastville (Friday 10am - 4pm and Sun day 12 - 6pm).

Full details can be found at bristoldoorsopenday.org.uk The event is produced by the Architecture Centre, a registered charity, with the support of volunteers.

It is part of the national Heritage Open Days, which takes place across England every September.

SATURDAY R 9TH SEPTEMBPE M 12-6

PERFORMERS & ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

THE HOUDINIS - SAM SILAS WHITLOCK - TRUE STRAYS MR BROWNS PIG - MET ACADEMY CHOIR - GREEN FOX ART WORKSHOP - TABLE TENNIS - MISSION PIZZA AND MANY MORE FRINGE EVENTS HAPPENING AT VARIOUS VENUES DURING THE EVENING WITH THANKS TO

THE NEW MOON WEST TOOL - ABC BLINDS - BLUEFISH FINANCIAL SERVICES THE FIRE BASKET - DEBBIE HUDSON PHOTOGRAPHY

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

Welcome to Turners Opticians:

minority who take your children for an eye sight test then well done.

The rest of you, ready? Here we can teach you a thing or two.

Every Day’s a School Day

Well I trust you have had a fine summer, we certainly have. This new school term is an exciting one for us - our youngest starts school.

There has been a lot of fun had trying on new uniforms, findings trousers that fitted in June and will still fit in December and perhaps even next June!

Learning is thought to be around 80% visual for young children, even a small defect in your child's vision can have an impact on their learning. The signs of a child having trouble with their vision include; excessive eye rubbing, watery eyes, sitting close to the TV or electronic device, clumsiness or unexplained headaches. If a child complains of blurred vision then they definitely should be visiting an Opticians!

The first day at school photos we have are amongst my favourites; the proud beaming smile worn with a look of excitement and joy and also notable as perhaps the last time we will see the uniform looking so clean and well presented!

If your child has reading or learning difficulties then our extended eye exam for children is a great place to start. Their thorough & in-depth assessment goes above and beyond the NHS sight test and can reveal signs of visual stress which may need a coloured tint /overlay to improve reading performance.

Are we ever too old to learn, well I hope not. Sir Clive Woodward, who has played rugby for England, been an amazing sports coach and also successful in business, describes the best people he works with as sponges always willing to learn.

We also offer Vision Therapy assessments, where we spend extra time assessing your child or youngster’s visual system.

Following detailed assessment, a personal treatment plan is

I think willingness to learn is good for us all. Many more parents take their children for a dental check up than take their children for an eye sight test. Both are NHS funded for under 16’s - if you are in the

established for your child, which can really help them see better!

To book an extended eye exam, for yourself or your children, or to discuss other specialist services we offer, please call 0117 962 2474 or 0117 965 4434, book via our website, or you are very welcome to pop in to our practices in Henleaze or Fishponds and say Hi! See you soon!

Peter

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

Caring for Eye Health FOR GENERATIONS Our thorough Child & Youth Eye Exam is funded by the NHS Dyslexic Vision Assessments & Vision Therapy Clinics are now available

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fishpondsvoice

September, 2017

15

n LETTERS Action call over allotment bonfires RACHEL Fry’s project (Eyesore land transformed, August Fishponds Voice) has clearly been beneficial to the area on a number of levels and sheds a very positive light on the attitudes and gardening practices of those who collaborated on it.

The format and tone does make it look somewhat like a PR exercise, however, and one to which you have obviously lent your support, to the exclusion of any other commentary about dumping and waste disposal in and around this vast site.

The other side of the gates, though by now underreported, harbours behaviour which outperforms by miles that complained of by Rachel.

Our last accompanied visit to the allotments showed that elements within the plotholder community were using the land as an incineration centre. From the nature of the emissions, this illegal activity persists.

Perhaps Rachel and her team would agree to be role models in the education of this selfish and ignorant component; the council showed no interest in dealing with the issue even before any cuts to budget and it is clear that Irene [Blessitt, site representative] cannot manage the task alone.

We recorded 13 incidents of smoke ingress in July alone, particularly on the hottest, most stifling nights. The summer time 'ban on burning' was never observed and the allotments office no longer bothers to post notices about it. Offenders are maniacal

in their burning habits, regularly producing foul smelling, long lasting and toxin laden smoke.

There is a drive in Fishponds for raising the area's profile in positive ways. we had thought the Thingwall Park area was in the vanguard. Tolerance of this air pollution pervasion in our midst is therefore an enigma. Air pollution was, after all, cited amongst the objections to the imposition of a McDonald's in the locality. The conclusion, then, is " McDonald’s air pollution bad, Thingwall Park allotments air pollution good, or OK." This looks silly if not hypocritical.

Finally the Fishponds Voice ought perhaps to work from its title or on it. Just a thought.

Two residents of Redhill Drive, Fishponds Editor’s note: We do not “lend our support” to projects on which we report. We follow up items of interest and investigate concerns as appropriate.

Fishponds doesn't need committees

From the closing of streets so their little darlings can play outside (are they too lazy to walk to the vast amount of fields and woods not more than five minutes away?) to trying to tell people to try to stop the Evil Burger Man entering Fishponds.

I'll wager more than a few of the campaigners and their offspring have, on more than one occasion, sampled the Evil Burger in one of his establishments outside of the area.

I have lived in Fishponds for more than fifty years and a lot of my friends (Real Fishponds People) longer still.

We have seen things change here but we have never needed to form committees to put forward our feelings.

I suggest to the "New age Fishpondians" they leave Fishponds to those who know their own minds.

BF Fishponds

Roland Jempson Former churchwarden Holy Trinity Stapleton Probyn Close Frenchay

MOT testing for Cars Light Vans & Motorcycles

What a load of rubbish

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

IN regards to Stapleton Masonic Hall, Park Road Stapleton and the visit of the Lord Mayor Councillor, Lesley Alexander (August Fishponds Voice): Perhaps the readers would like to know the history of the Hall; it was originally, Stapleton Memorial Hall and was built as a War Memorial to the servicemen of WW2. It originally had the inscription either "Stapleton Memorial Hall" or "War Memorial Hall" on the arched stonework over the entrance. Perhaps someone else, a local Stapleton resident, could tell us more of its history.

My wife remembers going to parish events there.

EMAIL US YOUR VIEWS - NEWS@FISHPONDSVOICE.CO.UK

I PRESUME Mike Jempson (Judicial review, August Fishponds Voice) and Grant Hudson (Surprise party, August Fishponds Voice) are part of this self selected so- called Fishponds Community. How long have they actually lived in Fishponds?

Fishponds has had a thriving community for well over a hundred years and hasn't found the need to be overseen by people who know nothing about Fishponds.

THIS was all neatly stacked awaiting collection this morning: this is what I found when I got home.

Am I being unreasonable when I ask if this is strictly necessary? I know the council is trying to save money, but do we really have to put up with this?

Lesley Alexander New Buildings Fishponds

(PS – no, not that Lesley Alexander!)

Hall was built as a war memorial

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Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

16

September, 2017

n ON THE BEAT

Take care with social media matter and carry out any necessary safeguarding work. This type of ‘naming and shaming’ on social media tends to fuel emotive responses and lead to vigilante type behaviours, usually based on nothing more than personal opinion.

Another incident that came to my attention in Fishponds this summer was the sharing of mobile phone video footage showing a very drunk person committing an indecency offence. Whether this seems funny or ‘sad’ to you, the person who was the subject of the footage was devastated to hear that this highly embarrassing and humiliating material was being shared on social media. It’s easy to forget that there are people with feelings fighting their own demons behind these vignettes which give us a moment’s laughter.

My plea is to please think twice before voicing your opinions or sharing videos over social media.

If you don’t have the person’s permission to share images of them you may commit offences

OVER the summer I’ve been thinking about how people use social media and how easy it is to share content which makes fun or or laughs at someone else’s misfortune.

Last month, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that they will treat on-line and social media hate crimes as seriously as face-to-face abuse. This is good news for hate crime victims and it may deter some internet trolls. However it’s not just those directly abusing others on-line who commit offences.

Recently, we were alerted via social media to public concerns that a man who was regularly sitting on a park bench in a children’s play area was ‘a paedophile’. This was wholly incorrect and sparked an on-line community backlash against the man. I understand that people have worries about certain circumstances, and we would encourage those with concerns to report them immediately to us so that we can look into the

J O N AT H A N

dropping children off or collecting them: • Never park on the yellow zigzags • Slow down •R espect the crossing attendant, if there is one •P ark with consideration for residents Our roads are getting safer, but if one child is injured on our roads that is one too many. We all have responsibility as road users to help to keep them safe, whether we walk, drive, cycle or ride a motorbike.

Sergeant Anthony Westwell

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The darker autumn nights mean we should all take more care on our roads. This is especially true as it’s a new school term and some children will be walking to school with their friends for the first time.

If your child walks to school, please remind them how to cross the road safely – ideally using a pedestrian crossing, making sure they can see clearly in each direction and always looking both ways.

They should be aware of their surroundings, so not staring at their phone or listening to music.

Make sure they wear appropriate reflective clothing, and if they cycle they should wear a helmet and have lights and reflectors on their bike. Those rules apply to adults as well!

We’d like to remind anyone

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To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

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Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

fishpondsvoice

September, 2017

n NEWS

17

Calling creatives

Tribute paid to local Victoria Cross hero THE Lord Mayor of Bristol, Frome Vale Councillor Lesley Alexander, has commemorated a war hero who is buried in Greenbank Cemetery.

She unveiled a paving stone at St Peter's Church in Castle Park in memory of Frederick Room who was awarded the Victoria Cross for valour in the face of the enemy on October 17, 1917.

Horfield-born Room was an acting LanceCorporal in the 2nd Battalion of the The Royal Irish Regiment of the British Army during the First World War. On August 16, 1917, at Frezenberg, Belgium, the Regiment was holding a line of shellholes and short trenches and had suffered many casualties. Room, just 22 at the time, was in charge of a company of stretcher bearers. He worked continuously under intense fire, dressing the wounded and helping to evacuate them.

After a long illness, Frederick Room died in hospital in Bristol on 19 January 1932, aged 36. He is buried at Greenbank Cemetery.

Cllr Alexander was joined by Peaches Golding, Bristol's Lord Lieutenant, representatives from the Armed Forces, civic invitees and Room’s family.

She said: “We all owe a massive debt to our service men and women, both past and present. I am proud that, as a city, we have an opportunity to

World War One hero Frederick Room and his memorial stone

remember and honour Frederick Room and seven other local men.”

Frederick Room’s stone is the third of eight stones in Bristol, being laid in honour of those that have been awarded a Victoria Cross and were connected to the city. Each stone will be laid on the 100th anniversary of the heroic action recognised.

IT’S time for creative over 50s to shine - with Bristol’s Celebrating Age Festival calling for entries for its annual art and craft competition.

The Festival will take place at City Hall, College Green, on Saturday September 23 - where prizes will be awarded to three successful artists and their work will be displayed.

Celebrating Age Festival chair Mark Baker is looking for art and craft entries ‘in any medium’ from paintings and sculptures to collage and tapestry.

This year's theme is “agefriendly city”. All entries must be submitted to central library on Saturday August 19, where a ballot box will be available so people can vote for their favourite entry.

For more information about the competition visit www. celebratingagefestival.co.uk or contact Shelley Hankins by email shelleyhankins@ageukbristol. org.uk or call 0117 929 7537.

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✆ 0117 958 4769 Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

18

n NEWS

September, 2017

Pete Smith receives the photography cup from Councillor Lesley Alexander, left, at the flower show Overall winner Sandra Lacey, right, and, far right, salver winner Jaqueline Filer

Blooming great!

EVERYTHING was rosy when crowds turned out to visit the 11th Fishponds Annual Horticultural Show.

The event, held in Fishponds Methodist Church Hall, was organised by Activate and opened by Frome Vale councillor Lesley Alexander in her capacity as Lord Mayor of Bristol.

There were plenty of entries in vegetable, fruit, cookery, art, handicraft and photography categories, with opportunities to guess the weight of the cake, buy plants, find

the buried treasure, win a raffle prize or just enjoy a cup of tea and a piece of cake.

The youngest entrant was two-year-old Cherry Loveday who won prizes for her painted plate and stone but the overall cup winner with the highest points in the show was Sandra Lacey.

Jacqueline Filer won the Gill Coombes Memorial Salver for the second year running in the handicraft section and Pete Smith scooped the David Elsbury Memorial Cup for the highest points in the photography class.

Activate member Mary Barrington said: "We were delighted with the response from those who entered and from the public who came to view in the afternoon.

"This year was very special for us because Councillor Lesley Alexander, a member of the Activate committee, which sponsors the show, is the current Lord Mayor of Bristol and she opened the proceedings for us in her official capacity. " It was a very good day that was enjoyed by all."

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Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

September, 2017

n MP COLUMN

Kerry McCarthy MP for Bristol East

writes for Fishponds Voice You can contact Kerry at kerry. mccarthy.mp@parliament.uk or via 0117 939 9901 for her latest newsletter or for details of her regular constituency surgeries

19

Austerity having a real impact THE Government has repeatedly stated that making savings is a necessary part of its economic programme. This austerity agenda is now having a real impact on people’s lives, including here in Fishponds.

Through casework, I see the effects of this first-hand. Whether it’s a stretched National Health Service with staff who haven’t had a pay rise in years, or support services for vulnerable people struggling to meet demand, or Bristol City Council unable to meet the expectations of the city’s residents, it is clear that people are frustrated with these ongoing cuts.

Our frontline emergency services are feeling the pressure too, with nearly 700 police officers and 200 firefighting jobs being lost in recent years. Thankfully the Government seems to be listening to us on fair funding for schools, although we are yet to see the details.

Despite Bristol being the only city outside of London that makes a net contribution to the Treasury,

Wigs Bristol

the city’s need for investment – particularly in our transport infrastructure – is being neglected, and the council is being forced to perform the unenviable task of somehow finding over £100 million of savings.

Even Lord Porter, the Conservative peer who chairs the Local Government Association admits that ‘if councils stopped filling in potholes, maintaining parks and open spaces, closed all children’s centres, libraries, museums, leisure centres, turned off every street light and shut all discretionary bus routes they would not have saved enough money to plug this [£5.8 billion] gap by the end of the decade’.

In Bristol, as elsewhere, we have seen a meteoric rise in foodbank use over the past few years, due in part to welfare changes and the rise in the cost of living. I find it heartbreaking to see that in one of the world’s richest countries, people still are going hungry. I was pleased to launch

the Feeding Bristol pilot scheme recently, which aims to bring together various organisations and people, including foodbanks and welfare agencies, to begin to combat this problem. The wide range of organisations that are helping in this struggle against food poverty, such as Fishponds Baptist Church and its Bristol Soup Run Trust, is remarkable.

In Parliament, I have repeatedly been making the case for Bristol to be given the fairer funding deal we deserve and will continue to do so. Our mayor, Marvin Rees, has called for the people of Bristol to come together and call for the Government to give a fair deal for Bristol in a rally on Saturday September 9 on College Green.

He will then be taking the fight to London on September 12, along with the other core cities. I encourage everyone frustrated by Bristol being denied the resources it deserves to join me and the mayor on the 9th and make our voices heard.

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Threading, Waxing, Shellac, Manicures, Pedicures, Tinting, Massage, Tanning, Heaven Facials, Hopi Ear Candles, Makeup, LVL Lash Lift (New) 1 Averay Road, Stapleton, Bristol, BS16 1BL 0117 951 6020 |info@thebeautyretreatbristol.co.uk www.thebeautyretreatbristol.co.uk

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

Quarry Court

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• Wheelchair and mobility scooter access

Plus lots of superb facilities • Stylish restaurant with terrace and garden view • Stunning leisure suite, including gym, Jacuzzi and spa pool • Hairdressing salon • Roof patio garden • Communal lounge for socialising and activities Easy walking access to Fishponds with its vibrant community and wide range of shops and cafes.

COMMUNAL LOUNGE

CALL 0017 322 6026 FOR A FREE BROCHURE

Contact Ross Vickerman Taylors Estate Agents 770 Fishponds Road BS16 3UA

tel 0117 322 6026 ross.vickerman@taylorsestateagents.co.uk

More about Extra Care Making life easier Extra care living is the best solution for the later years in life. It combines complete independence with on-hand care and support when it’s needed. Residents at Quarry Court have their own new luxury apartment with all facilities for independent living. Quarry Court apartments are affordable. Residents usually find that the value of their present home more than covers the cost of an apartment at Quarry Court.

At the same time, 24/7 support is available, both with planned support packages, and on ad hoc occasions. You may want to take advantage of our regular daily help with chores such as housework, laundry, or home delivery food shopping. High quality meals are available from our restaurant with its lovely garden views for those times you don’t feel like cooking for yourself. The superb leisure pool, Jacuzzi and gym are all available for you. You can also participate in interesting social events.

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Our flexible personal care packages mean that you only pay for the care you need. This offers help for example with: • Dressing and undressing • Washing and bathing • Mobility • Rehabilitation and exercise • Getting up and going to bed

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• Laundry requirements – returning clothes washed, dried and ironed for you • Cleaning and tidying • Maintenance of your apartment Quarry Court includes a camera entry system and emergency call bell in each apartment, ensuring a safe and secure environment. Our on-site manager is available during normal working hours, and the experienced team of nurses and carers at Quarry House, our adjacent care home, is available at all times.

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Contact Ross Vickerman Taylors Estate Agents 770 Fishponds Road BS16 3UA

tel 0117 322 6026 ross.vickerman@taylorsestateagents.co.uk

Quarry Court is a development of Bristol Care Homes

www.bristolcarehomes.co.uk

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fishpondsvoice

22

Eye Blog . . .

September, 2017

n NEWS IN BRIEF

with Jonathan Best of Jonathan Best Opticians

How to promote child eye health SO the kids are back to school this month with all the necessary supplies – pens, pencils, ruler, more pens etc. New (usually larger) sports kid and several school uniforms have been purchased!

Those are good things – but make sure you take time to consider your children’s eye health too since roughly 80% of what a child learns in school is information presented visually.

Add to this the fact that there are thousands of sports-related eye injuries each year, and the majority of them happen to children.

For these reasons, take time to promote good eye health for your children.

8 Ways to Promote Good Eye Health for Your Child

1. See your optometrist regularly.

Experts agree that eye exams help detect problems with a child’s eye health, allowing for early treatment.

2. Consider family history. Since nearsightedness, colour blindness, and lazy eye (amblyopia) are often inherited, consider family history when assessing your children’s vision health.

3. Get an eye exam for your child before reception. 25% of school-aged children have vision problems. Get your child’s first eye exam before entering reception & then regularly after to help detect & treat impairments early.

4. Understand the relationship between vision & learning. While the more obvious signs of vision problems in children, such as not being able to see the whiteboard, are usually detected fairly easily, learningrelated vision problems often are not. Realising that a child struggling in school may have a learning-related vision problem may be the key some parents need to truly helping their children learn better.

Take time to understand types of learning-related vision problems and their symptoms, especially if your child seems to be struggling with no obvious reason why.

5. Remember sports safety. Since the majority of sports-related eye injuries happen to children, wearing protecting eyewear while participating in sports or recreational activities is a must.

Make sure sports eyewear fits the child and the activity properly.

6. Make sure kids wear sunglasses.

The lens of a child allows 70% more UV rays to reach the retina than in an adult. Learn the basics of sun safety to protect not only your child’s skin but eyes as well.

7. Encourage a healthy diet. The best ways to do this include setting a good health example and make healthy options available at home, especially vegetables and dark leafy greens that contain many eye-healthy vitamins and minerals.

8. Be aware of symptoms of vision problems. From poor performance in school and difficulty paying attention to headaches, eye pain and trouble seeing information on a white board, knowing the common symptoms of vision problems in children as well as their associated disorders can go a long way in detecting and treating problems early.

Children can’t always tell if there is something wrong with their eyes.

They simply accept what they see as normal. Having parents who educate themselves on children’s eye health is important for detecting and treating vision problems early.

In addition, taking steps to ensure good eye health through diet and safety measures adds another level of protection.

If you have any questions about your child’s eye health make an appointment with me. At Jonathan Best Opticians we pride ourselves on giving a thorough personalised service and expert advice. Book now on 01174 228 292 today or book online at www.bestoptician.co.uk

A CHARITY that offers hospice care to children is better off to the tune of £2,000 thanks to Fishponds & Downend Rotary Club.

Rotarians visited Children's Hospice South West at Charlton Farm, Wraxall, to hand over a cheque following a fundraising drive.

Immediate past president Pete Lawry presented the cheque to CHSW fundraiser Olly Slym.

The money was raised by the club during Pete's year of office, which ended in June 2017. Also in attendance were this year's president Andy Fisher and Rotarian David Powell. CHSW provides hospice care for life-limited children and their families across the South West and is funded almost entirely from voluntary donations.

STAPLE HILL WI FOR our August meeting we planned a trip to Sevington Victorian School near Chippenham starting with a delicious pub lunch first at The Bell Inn in Yatton Keynell.

Twenty two ladies went and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, visiting the local church and taking part in a lesson at the school with the formidable Miss Simmons. An afternoon tea was served in the

Jonathan qualified in Optometry from the University of Manchester and recently moved to Bristol to be closer to family. He lives with his wife and two small children in Staple Hill.

garden afterwards, which was delicious.

We returned to Bristol by 5 pm and everyone agreed that a super time was had by all.

Book club will be held at Coffee 1 in Fishponds on Friday September 1 and our meeting will be held at the Christchurch hall in Downend on the third Tuesday of the month. All welcome!

Website: www.staplehillwi. weebly.com Facebook: www. facebook.com/staplehillwi Twitter: @staplehillwi

Hatha Yoga IN

FISHPONDS AND FRENCHAY

Please contact Mischa for more details and to book a place!

Jonathan Best Bsc (Hons)MCOptom Optometrist

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

Rotary helps hospice

www.letgoyoga.co.uk/ yoga.mischa@gmail.com 07904073535

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Relaxing, easy going classes for anyone wanting more flexibility, strength, balance and rest.

Tuesdays: 17:30-18:30,Vassals Centre, Fishponds Thursdays: Frenchay Quaker Meeting House 10-11am & Frenchay Village Hall 18:00-19:15

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

fishpondsvoice

September, 2017

23

n VET BLOG

Consider pet insurance THE veterinary industry has developed massively in recent years and many more diagnostics and treatments are available.

Some owners may be able to afford these but a majority cannot. Pet insurance makes these options more accessible providing the best treatment available with less stress for owners.

Various types and levels of cover are available, targeted at different owner needs but this can be confusing. Here are just a few of the variations you need to look at:• Injury only cover - your pet would only be covered if they had injured themselves, eg a broken leg, but not for illnesses like a stomach upset.

• Policy limits - the amount the insurance company will pay in vet fees per policy year. Some companies have a limit per condition and a total limit per

year, be sure to check.

• Excess amounts. Every insurance company will expect you to pay the first part of the bill, either a set amount, percentage or combination of both.

• Pre-existing conditions. If your pet has had signs of a specific illness prior to the insurance start date the policy will not cover this, or related, problems. This also applies to changing insurance cover or lapses in payments.

• 14 day exclusion- policies will generally not pay out for illnesses developed within 2 weeks of taking out cover.

Annual policies would only offer cover for the policy year whilst life time will continue as long as you stay with the insurance company, up to the policy limits, which is useful for long term problems.

• Read the small print! Check for exclusions eg dental work, or

breed related exclusions.

If you have any questions, please give us a call at Kingswood Vets4Pets on 0117 9616417. We cannot advise you on individual policies but are always happy to help you understand what is on offer.

Catherine Spence at Kingswood Vets4Pets

Willowdean Court, 247a Charlton Road, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 1LT Telephone: 0117 961 6417

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Valid at participating surgeries only. This offer is promoted by Pets at Home Vet Group Limited, Epsom Avenue, Stanley Green Trading Estate, Handforth, Cheshire, SK9 3RN. Voucher entitles you to a £10 veterinary consultation. Vet will perform a physical examination of your pet; further consultations, treatment or medication will be charged at full price. Subject to availability. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Offer can be withdrawn at any time. Appointment to be booked in advance and you must present this voucher at your appointment. Single use voucher. No cash alternative. Valid only at the surgery where the offer is purchased.

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Call us: 0117 961 6417 or visit: vets4pets.com/kingswood Vets4Pets Kingswood Just off Lodge Causeway Willowdean Court, Charlton Road, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 1LT

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

fishpondsvoice

September, 2017

25

n PLANNING LAST month’s front page story about Blackberry Hill Hospital was presented in the Fishponds Voice as a victory. In one way it was.

The decision by the city council to underwrite the provision of additional affordable housing will produce a greater proportion of affordable housing being delivered as part of the 346 home redevelopment of the site. The agreed proportion, 80 of the 346 is less than one in four across the whole development, but much better than the 20 that were on offer from the developer.

I have mentioned before the need for a development to be viable. Without achieving some measure of profit as an incentive, these sort of sites can wait years without the much needed accommodation being generated.

Development carries with it risks and with inflation the cost of building increases over time, making starting on site an ever more expensive commitment. The provision of affordable housing eats into the profit margin more then any other factor and therefore

the number of these units becomes the determining factor in most cases.

At the same time, more public attention is being brought to bear on the bottom line: the number of affordable units that development across the city is able to generate is understandably coming under greater public scrutiny. The results are uniformly disappointing and there is a growing suspicion, borne out by the growing profits for the volume housebuilders, that manipulating the planning system has become the method of guaranteeing these levels of profit.

As with so many things, there is a balance to be struck, between incentives and results, between public and private, between providing housing and providing affordable housing. As time goes by, with house prices out of reach, affordable housing is proving to be the poor relation, becoming poorer still. As a proportion of all new housing, the need is growing but the delivery is falling. The volume housebuilders know they have the whip hand. The situation

so often translates as ‘if you are not prepared to reduce your affordable housing requirement, we will not have the incentive to develop the site at all.’ If house prices start falling, the risk of developing becomes less attractive. If profits are guaranteed at a lower rate, there is similar effect.

The answer may seem to lie with other agencies. It is acknowledged that the large housebuilders cannot meet the need for housing by themselves.

Self-build is a growing sector, but destined to remain marginal. Local authorities have very limited funds and the same is true of housing associations. This leaves small builders. In order to allow them to fill the void left by the volume housebuilders, the affordable housing requirement has been limited to sites generating over 10 units. Maybe in the end, public subsidy of private development will prove to be the most costeffective method of delivery. After all, if you are on a waiting list or priced out, delivery of affordable housing is all that counts. However,

Planning matters

Chris Gosling I am not sure, taking everything into account, that it qualifies as a ‘victory’.

Chrisgoslingplanning@gmail.com

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Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

26

September, 2017

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA Friday September 1 n Tea Dance. Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn. 1.45-3.45 pm. Pay at door. 0117 972 1424 Saturday September 2 n Downend and Staple Hill Allotment Annual Show, 1.30pm, Lincombe Barn, Overdale Rd. Vegetable Show, bees, jam and chutney sales, tea and cakes, raffle and face painting. Admission 50p.

Contact Adam 07584 097518 Monday September 4 n Start of term at Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road. Information and prospectus from office - tel: 0117 956 2367.

Thursday September 7 n Downend Local History Society, Downend Folk House. Overndale Road, at 7.30 pm. Alan Freke on Miner to Missionary: The Life of George Brown, who founded Crofts End Mission, Speedwell, in 1895. Visitors £3.

Friday September 8 n Proms Night with Staple Hill Salvation Army Band, Children’s Choir, and vocalist Sophie Morris at Staple Hill Salvation Army, Broad Street BS16 5LN, 7.30pm. Tickets £5 tel 07841 511 450 or email cjpainter88@gmail.com Sunday September 10 n Page Park Praise presented by Staple Hill Salvation Army Band Songsters and Junior musicians, 3.30pm. Tel 0117 956 9733 .Tuesday September 19 n Speaker morning with coffee.

Andrew Stocker. The Bristol Old Vic theatre, a romp through its history and plans for the future. Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn. 10 for 10.30am. Pay at the door.

September 20-23 n St Mary's Players perform Seasons In Song. Page Community Association, Staple Hill, 7.30pm.

For tickets, £12, call the box office on 0845 519 9048 or visit www. smpmtc.co.uk Sunday September 24 Family Fete and Craft Fayre in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support at the Holiday Inn, Filton. Noon until 4.30pm. Free entry and parking.

Saturday September 23 n Afternoon concert with The Smithy Singers at Holy Trinity Church, Stapleton, 2.30pm. Tickets £8, to include afternoon tea. Call 0117 9652001. Proceeds to church roof fund.

Friday September 29 n Music For Enjoyment at Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road, 2pm to 4pm. An afternoon of recorded music in the style of Classic FM. Visitors are welcome £2.

Saturday September 30 n Breakfast at Speedwell Methodist Church BS15 1ES 10am to noon. A full breakfast, or tea and homemade cake.

Saturday September 30 n Family fun day, Pomphrey Hill, 11am-5.30pm. Magician, singers, barbecue, bouncy castle, tombola, raffle and hairbraiding.

In aid of Macmillan and the Forever Friends Appeal for a new cancer centre at Bath RUH. Friday October 6 n Tea Dance. Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn.1.453.45pm. Pay at the door. Enquiries 0117 972 1426.

REGULAR EVENTS IN THE FISHPONDS AREA Mondays n Gentle/beginners drop-in yoga

class, Kingfisher Cafe, Straits Parade, 6.45pm - 8pm. £8.

Contact Debbie: 0796 8223670 or visit www.omkariyoga.com n Holistic Massage, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 9am n Tiny Tots, All Saints Community Hall 10:30am n Bereavement and Well-being support, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 11am n Computer Group, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Table Tennis for over 55’s, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Welcome Club for Retireds+, St Aidan’s Church Hall 2pm n Zumba keep fit, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds 9.30-10.30am For details call 0734 1813 559. n Alzheimer’s choir, Beechwood Club, 11am to 1pm, Paula Shears 0117 9610693 n Sequence dancing with Teresa, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 2pm. Tel 0117 965 0203 for details. n Ballroom tuition, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 3pm.

Contact Teresa 0117 9650203 n Slimming World, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 6.309pm. Contact Ami 0746 2727 229 n Social badminton, Kingswood Leisure Centre 2-4 pm, intermediate level. n 4-8pm Ages 3 -15yrs Hip Hop classes, RedX Dance, Staple Hill, 07722 128159 n 7-8pm, Zumba Dance for fitness with Lisa at Bristol Dance Company, Brook Road, Fishponds, BS16 3SQ. Tel 0117 965 6699. n 252 Beaver Scouts 6 - 7 Scout HQ, Stonechat Gardens call Sarah 0789 2852226

Tuesdays

Classes for age 2.5 upwards!

www.344danceschool.com To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

n Art workshops with GreenFox Workshops, Kingfisher Cafe, Straits Parade, 7.30-9pm. Call to book (gemmalane99@gmail. com/07532327810). First Tuesday of the month. n Nordic Walking Classes, Oldbury Court 9.30-10.30am. Email: bristolnordicwalking.co.uk to book your place n Fishponds Friendship and Exercise Club.Fishponds Baptist Church (scout hall) 10-11.30am each Tuesday.

Chair based gentle exercise for older people.Tea, coffee,

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

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

WHAT IT IS WHERE IT IS WHEN IT IS in no more than 40 words: email us at: news@fishpondsvoice.co.uk or call us on 07770 700579 / 07880 731148 friendly chat. Instructor: Spencer Davies. Telephone 07825 155954. n Morning Prayer, St John’s Church 9:15am n Foot Care Sessions, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 9:30am n Coffee and Craft Morning, St John’s Church 10am n Sing and Sign for babies / toddlers, All Saints Community Hall 10am n Level 1 Walking Group, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 10am n Music for Toddlers, St Mary’s Parish Rooms 10:30am n Lunch Club, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 12:30pm n Film Club for over 55’s, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Pre-school Storytime/ Rhymetime, Fishponds Library 2.15-2.45pm n Eucharist with signing for the Deaf, Hillside Court, Batten Road, St George, Bristol, BS5 8NL 3pm n Messy Church, Fishponds CofE Academy 3:15pm n Woodcraft , All Saints Church Hall/Link 6pm n Evening Prayer, St Aidan’s Church 7pm n Evening Prayer, St Ambrose Church 7pm n Frenchay Parent and Toddler group, upstairs in the Frenchay Village Hall, 9.45-11.45am n Scouts (10-14 years), Fishponds Baptist Church Youth Hall. 7.309pm (Term Time only) Email: 151bristolscouts@gmail.com n Slimming World, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 9.30am to midday, Call Ami 0746 2727 229 n Diabetes UK, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 6.15-8.15pm.

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

fishpondsvoice

September, 2017 Meeting in small room. n Zumba, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 7-8pm.

Contact Anna 0779 9180 437 n Badminton, Downend Sports Centre 8 -10pm. Call 0117 9400706.

Email: ridgewaydownend@yahoo. co.uk n ‘Friends and Neighbours’, Fishponds Methodist Church Hall, Guinea Lane, 2 - 4pm alternate Tuesdays. A friendly, sociable group, usually with a speaker and followed by a cup of tea. n Staple Hill Probus Club meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at Downend Cricket Club.

10.30am-12.45pm. Tea and coffee from 10am n Staple Hill Probus Club meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at Downend Cricket Club.

10.30am-12.45pm. Tea and coffee from 10am n Pilates classes, Steiner Academy, Oldbury Court Road, 7-8pm, £6.50 Bring an exercise/yoga mat and wear comfortable clothing. 07952 941 531 n 4-8pm Ages 8 -25 yrs Hip Hop & Contemporary dance classes, RedX Dance, Staple Hill, 07722 128159

Wednesdays n August, 9, 16 and 23 Holiday Club at Speedwell Methodist Church BS15 1ES 10am to noon followed by optional lunch. Crafts, refreshments, singing and story. Toys for babies and toddlers. Every child must bring an adult who will remain responsible for them. £1.50 per family and a donation for lunch. All are welcome. n 252 Cubs 6.45 - 8 Scout HQ, Stonechat Gardens call Graham 956 6996 n 7.30-8.30pm, Zumba Dance for fitness with Lisa at Bristol Dance Company, Brook Road, Fishponds, BS16 3SQ. Tel 0117 965 6699. n Weekly Salsa class for complete beginners with Cressida. Starting Sep 6. Cross Hands Pub, 1 Staple Hill Road. 7.30-9pm includes social and dancing. No partner needed.

Ffi call 07808 581739 n Shared reading group is taking place at Hillfields and Little Hayes Family Hub and Library 12,30-2pm.

Contact Emma Crago for details, 07970 247410, emmacrago@ thereader.org.uk n Songs for Little People, The Kingfisher Café 9.45pm £4 per little person, siblings £2. n Eucharist, St Ambrose Church 10am

n Arts and Crafts, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 10:30am n Coffee Morning, St Ambrose Church 10:30am n Tai Chi, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 11am n Level 3 Walking Group, starting from St Ambrose Beehive Centre 1pm n Arts and Crafts, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 1:30pm n Punjabi Dance and Song, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Support and Activity Group, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Chair based exercise class, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Ladies Circle, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2:30pm n Wives Group, St John’s Church 2:30pm n Messy Church, Air Balloon Primary School, Hillside Rd, St George 3:30pm n Home Group, Location varies 6:30pm n Phoenix Art Club, Fishponds Methodist Church Hall, Guinea Lane, Fishponds 10am-noon. All mediums, all abilities. n Dancing Tots, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 10-11am n Hannah More Club for senior citizens, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 2-4pm (fortnightly) n Women’s Reading Group, Beechwood Club, 1.30-3 pm, fourth Wednesday of every month.

Call Anne 0117 9041875 for information. n Dance Tots, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR 7-8pm.

Contact Eric 0791 4006 589 n Keep fit class, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 7- 8pm.

Contact Beryl 0117 9774534. n Cycle UK (CTC). For all cyclists from beginners to professionals, commuters to sports. Beechwood Club, Fishponds, BS16 3TR. 8-10PM winter months only (other months are rides, see http://www. cyclebristolctc.org.uk/) n Lodge Causeway Townswomen’s Guild, Briarwood School, Briar Way, Fishponds. Second Wednesday of the month (except August) 7.15pm.

Different speaker each month plus handicrafts and walking group. Call 0779 9108 890 n Yoga, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds 5.456.45pm. Call Nikki 0752 5735 500 n Flower Arranging practice classes, Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road 7.30 p.m, every 1st and 3rd

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

27

Wednesday, September – May. All levels welcome. Call Isabel Cooke on 0117 9568504 n Frenchay Probus Club meets on the first and third Wednesday every month in Frenchay Village Hall.

10 am to noon. Visitors welcome. www.frenchayprobusclub.com n Frenchay Folk Dance Club meets in Frenchay Village Hall on alternate Wednesdays at 7.45pm.

Calling from Alan Davies and music by Mike Elsom. Dancers of all abilities and experience are welcome. Information at www. frenchayfdc.co.uk or by emailing FFDCSecretary@outlook.com. n Walks for single people. Solo Rendezvous meet at Downend Cricket Club, every Wednesday, 8.30pm, entrance £3, and walk every Sunday. Please phone for walk details: 01454 775508 / 01454 774984 / 0117 9850210. n Frenchay Folk Dance Club meets in Frenchay Village Hall on alternate Wednesdays at 7.45pm. More information is available at www. frenchayfdc.co.uk or by emailing FFDCSecretary@outlook.com. n Frenchay Probus Club meets on the first and third Wednesday every month in Frenchay Village Hall. 10 am to noon. Visitors welcome.

n 6-6.50pm All Boys Ages 7 -15 yrs Hip Hop classes, RedX Dance, Staple Hill, 07722 128159 n Diamond fellowship at Fishponds Baptist Church hall, Downend Road, 10.30am. Open to everyone, first and third Wednesdays every month. Variety of speakers, coffee mornings and annual day out and Christmas meal. Contact 0117 9653421.

Thursdays n Dance Fit with Cressida.

Beechwood Club, Beechwood Rd. Easy pace weekly exercise class with range of dance steps and music. 2pm-3pm plus tea and chat. Starting Sep 7. Ffi call 07808 581739. n Yoga class for beginners.

Lincombe Barn, Overndale Rd, Downend. 6.30-8pm.Traditional yoga postures with focus on breathing and relaxation. Contact before: katarzyna48@hotmail.com or 0752 5937201. n 252 Scouts 6.30 - 8 Scout HQ, Stonechat Gardens call Graham 956 6996 n Morning Prayer - St Aidans

Continued on next page

HAIR DESIGN

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0117 9650829 OR 07773785974

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607 Fishponds Road, Bristol BS16 3AA

Call us on: 0117 9650829

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

28

September, 2017

n WHAT’S ON CONTINUED Church 9:15am n Body toning/conditioning , Beechwood Club 9.30-10.30am.

Call Sabrina 0794 1353 735 n Coffee and Craft Morning , St Aidan’s Church 10am n Free Beginners Computer Classes, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 10am n Eucharist, St John’s Church 10am n Eucharist, St Mary’s Church 10am n Parent and Toddler Group, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 10am n Ballroom Dance Class, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 12pm n Exercises and Sing-a-long Activity Session, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Fit Steps, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 2pm n Dance, Latin Rhythm, and Zumba gold, Beechwood Club 2-3pm. Call Cressida 0780 8587 39 n Knit & Natter, Fishponds Library 2-4 pm (fortnightly) n Frenchay Parent and Toddler group, upstairs in the Frenchay Village Hall, 9.45-11.45am n The Senior Citizen Friendship Club, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR 3.30-5pm. Call 0782 5155 954. Email: Spencer@sportingchange.biz n Beginner’s Taoist Tai Chi, Fishponds Methodist Church, Guinea Lane 7-8.30pm. spirit. taoist.org.uk n Fishponds and Downend Rotary Club, The Langley Arms, Guest Avenue, Emersons Green, Bristol BS16 7GA, evening. Full details on website - Google “F&D Rotary” and look for homepage. n Baby Bebop Mums, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds 11am-1pm, babies up to one year.

Call Ruth 0796 6032 414

Est 1984

n East Park Residents meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month at May Park School from 6-7pm. . Further information from Hazel Durn on 0117 9513868 or Tony Locke on 07919 173450 n 4.15-7pm Competition Crew Ages 7-18 yrs Hip Hop classes, RedX Dance, Staple Hill, 07722 128159 n 7-9pm Kingswood Choir at United Church Kingswood, Regent Street, all abilities welcome.

Contact Patsy Holdsworth 01179078994

Fridays n Greeting cards sold in aid of St Peter’s Hospice, Fishponds Methodist Church Hall, morning. n Nordic Walking Classes, Oldbury Court 9.30-10.30am. Contact bristolnordicwalking.co.uk to book. n The Friday Playgroup, All Saints Community Hal 10-11.30 am in termtime. £2.50 + 50p per sibling; includes kids' snacks and drinks and tea and coffee.

See the Facebook page or email fishpondsfridayplaygroup@gmail. com n Line Dancing, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 10:30am n Rhymetime for babies and toddlers, Hillfields Library 11.30amnoon n Senior Citizens Bingo Club with optional fish and chip lunch, St Ambrose Beehive Centre 12pm n The First Friday Film Club - All Saints Church Hall, 2pm n Taekwondo, St John’s Church Hall 5:30pm n Grove Road Youth Club, All Saints Community Hall 7pm n Sensible keep fit to music for older ladies. Hillfields Park Baptist Church, Thicket Avenue, Fishponds

La Porta Barbering Company

Saturdays n Diabetes group, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 2-4pm, 2nd Saturday, 2 monthly, September n Rehabilitation Pilates (Beginners), Lincombe Barn, Downend Folk House, in Britannia room. 9am. £7. Samantha 07736 309272, www.gentlefitness.co.uk

Sundays n Morning Worship and children’s activities, Speedwell Methodist Church, 378 Speedwell Road.

10.30am Friendly, informal and lively. n Morning Worship, New Place, Eastville Methodist Church, Fishponds Road. 10.45am. Holy Communion once a month. n Eucharist, All Saints Church 8am n Eucharist, St Mary’s Church 10am with Giggle Club in Parish Rooms n Eucharist, St Ambrose Church 10am n Eucharist or Lay-Led Service, St Michael’s Church 10am n Eucharist or Lay-Led Service, St Aidan’s Church 10:30am n Eucharist or Lay-Led Service, St John’s 10:30am n Eucharist or Lay-Led Service, All Saints Church 10.30am n All Sorts Youth Group, St Aidan’s Church hall 6pm(fortnightly) n Evensong , St Mary’s Church 6:30pm n Worship, Staple Hill Methodist Church 10.30am and 6pm. A creche is available for little ones and Sunday Club. Taize Worship is held on second Sunday evening of the month and communion is taken on first morning and evening of the month. Call 0117 9575221

Thursdays 6.30-7.30pm Est 1984

525 Fishponds Rd, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 3AH

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

December 9 and 23. Contact Lizzie on 0117 9650856

Mixed ability Mat Pilates classes

Traditional Gents Barbers

0117 965 1220

9am. Good company and a chat over coffee. Call 0117 9561231. n High density Zumba, Beechwood Club, Fishponds 6.157.15pm. Call Anna 0779 9180 437 n Zumba, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 9.30-10.30pm n Alzheimer’s group, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road 2-4pm 2nd Friday in month, n Zumba keep fit, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 9.3010.30am. Call Sally 0771 2776 753 n Baby Bebop (Mums / Babies up to 1 year old) Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 11am-1pm.

Contact Ruth 0796 6032 414 n Alzheimer’s meetings Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 2-4pm (2nd Friday in each month). Tel no. 0117 9756 441 n Coffee Morning, Speedwell Methodist Church, 10am-noon.

Open to all. Friendly and caring.

Lunch once a month. n Community art club at Castle Suite, Badminton Gardens, Beaufort Road BS16 6UE. 10amnoon on alternate Fridays.

Alternate Fridays. £5 per session and materials are supplied. Contact Paul Foss on pobble57@yahoo. co.uk or 0117 957 0045 n Kingswood Photographic Society, St Barnabas Church Hall, Church Avenue, Warmley, BS30 5JJ, 7-9.30pm. We welcome and support all levels of experience including beginners. n 4.10-8pm Ages 6-18 yrs Hip Hop & Contemporary dance classes, RedX Dance, Staple Hill, 07722 128159 n Living After Loss, St Mary's Parish Rooms, back entrance of church, every other Friday, 11am-noon.

Future dates are August 4 and 18; September 1, 15, 29, October 14 and 28, November 11 and 25 and

A mixed ability class aimed at improving posture, strengthening the core and lengthening the body Class cost: £8/class or 6 classes for £40 *Bring a Mat* Venue: The Chapel, Steiner Academy Bristol, College Road, BS16 2JP. To book and for info contact Veronica: facebook: www.facebook.com/restackpilatesbristol/ wesbite: https://www.re-stackpilates.com/ email: restackpilates@gmail.com phone: 07853223871

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

fishpondsvoice

September, 2017

n WHAT’S ON

29

n NEWS

n Fishponds Baptist Church (opposite the Cross Hands pub) - 10.30am. Children and youth provision for all ages. 6.30pm every Sunday, apart from the 3rd Sunday in the month which is ‘Messy church’ at 4pm with crafts, food and fun for all the family.

There is a songs of praise service on the 4th Sunday at 3pm. n Redemption Life, Beechwood Club, BS16 3TR 9.30am-1pm n Church Group, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR 1pm n ARC, Beechwood Club, Fishponds BS16 3TR. 3.30-5.30pm or 7-9pm For bookings and other inquiries about Beechwood Club, call Terry King 0117 965 020, after 4pm. email: tk007h9736@ blueyonder.co.uk n Morning Worship, Fishponds Methodist Church, Guinea Lane 10.30am n R.F.I.Church Group, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds 1-3pm n Sisters fellowship international, Beechwood Club, Beechwood Road, Fishponds 4-6pm.

Wartime 'parcels of comfort' on show THE POPULAR and moving exhibition Parcels of Comfort will visit libraries in Fishponds and Hillfields from this month.

The exhibition, which has previously been shown at Bristol Cathedral, was inspired by the delivery of letters and parcels to front line troops during the First World War and features hand-crafted items and memorabilia from that era.

The exhibition is the brainchild of artist Sally Stanley who was inspired by the fact the British Army considered the delivery of letters and parcels to the Front as important as delivering rations and ammunition.

Sally along with artists Paula New, Jane Marie-Mahy, Lucy Saunders and Jane Kay used mixed media to replicate some of the parcels, letters and goods which had been sent to the Front.

Elite Home Care

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(Including new 30 Hour eligibility available for some children) Contact us on 0117 9147173

Or email stjoespreschool@blueyonder.co.uk

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

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We aim to assist people to maintain a fulfilled lifestyle whilst promoting dignity, privacy, choice and independence. all aspects of personal, Elite Home Care can provideluding: inc e social and domestic car al hygiene • Assistance with person n atio dic me h wit e anc • Assist • Food preparation checks • Companionship/welfare e vic ser t ou e • Tak ng • Assistance with shoppi • Domestic help • Deep cleaning service ning and bed changing • Laundry — including iroe • Short or long term car • Night sits/sleeps

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Meet in St Joseph’s Church Hall, Forest Road, Fishponds

COME AND SEE WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOUR CHILD – Open Afternoon on Thursday 22

One of the contributors, Jane Kay, from Stapleton, drew on her hobby as a knitter to make socks, arm warmers, mittens, fingerless gloves and balaclavas, all in khaki green, to show the types of clothing which were sent with love and received with gratitude.

All of the artists have an interest in social history as well as a love of textiles.

The names on the embroidered parcels are those of real soldiers who have featured in Bristol Cathedral's First World War remembrance project called

We Have Our Lives and in the book Letters From The Trenches by local author Jacqueline Wadsworth.

As the war dragged on, army food got more sparse and bland and the regulation clothing was woefully inadequate for the cold and mud of the trenches.

Soldiers' morale was boosted considerably by the efforts of mothers, sisters, sweethearts and women’s groups who sent warm clothes, food, sweets, tobacco and letters to the soldiers.

Parcels of Comfort will be on display in Fishponds Library from Tuesday September 5-19 and then at Hillfields Family Hub and Library from September 23-October 11.

More information can be found at http:// www.sallystanley.co.uk/ parcelsofcomfort.aspx

nd

June 1.30pm!!

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Contact us:

0117 956 2374

www.elitehomecarebristol.co.uk 7&8 The Square, Broad St, Staple Hill, BS16 5LR.

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

30

n NEWS

September, 2017

Page Park hosts opening ceremony PAGE Park’s new community building and café has been officially unveiled at a ceremony in the Staple Hill park.

The facilities will provide a hub for the thousands of visitors who use the much-loved park throughout the year.

The building is light, modern and open plan, and was designed to reflect the natural attributes of historic Page Park. It also features a heritage wall mural designed by a local artist which celebrates the history of the park and Staple Hill.

The community room will be called ‘The Nest’ and will offer a regular varied programme of activities for all ages including toddler sessions, yoga and fitness sessions. The Nest is also available for groups to hire for meetings and events.

Cutting the ribbon to officially unveil the building, chair of South Gloucestershire Council Cllr Ian Blair said: “The most

Shiatsu Massage Relaxing healing (fully clothed) massage useful for all sorts of conditions including back problems and feeling tired, low or anxious Derrick Purdue MRSS

Mark King, head of StreetCare at South Glos Council; Stephanie Purser, Friends of Page Park; Sarah Staniforth, Heritage Lottery Fund; Cllr Ian Blair, council chair, and Angela Haymonds, Cory Environmental Trust important part of this project is the community involvement.

This park is always full of people enjoying a good day out and this new building will only add to that. It will breathe new life in to Page Park and I am sure visitors will make good use of the indoor space and enjoy it for many years

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to come.”

Sarah Staniforth from the Heritage Lottery Fund said: “Page Park is for everyone and is the ‘green lung’ of Staple Hill.

“The work that has gone into understanding the community and involving them at every stage will ensure this place has a

sustainable future. ” Stephanie Purser, from the Friends of Page Park, said: “Our green spaces are priceless and there is still so much more Page Park can offer. This is the next chapter in that story.”

The new building has been funded principally by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Cory Environmental Trust in Britain, South Gloucestershire Council and the Friends of Page Park as well as through other donations.

This work is part of a five-year £2.2m project that includes a £1.6million Heritage Lottery Fund Parks for People Programme grant. It also includes the restoration of the park’s clock tower, repairs to railings, footpaths and walls, a refurbishment of the tennis court and an inclusive programme of activities including parkrun, a new junior parkrun and regular Walks for Health.

Bristol Mum: Page 33

Carol’s Foot Care Carol Bath MCFHP, MAFHP, Dip Foot Health

Providing foot health treatment in the Carol’s Foot Care comfort ofCarol yourBath own home MCFHP, MAFHP,

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To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

fishpondsvoice

September, 2017

n CULTURAL FIX

with Anna Blightman

31

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Get set for a month Child of the 90s? Play your part in this to remember I ALWAYS feel ready to go in September. Ready to start again after the long, lazy summer. I often wonder if this is because my birthday falls in September, and I therefore hit the refresh button. In recent years I’ve come more to believe it is the ingrained start of the new school year that makes everyone get up and go again.

Idle days forgotten, as I try to get on with that marketing course I signed myself up for, the article I must write, the plan I need to put together, the ideas I need to formulate…oh, my folly for putting it all off until “after the summer”.

Luckily (or not perhaps) there are plenty of distractions aside from my birthday (I’ll mention it again - the 11th in case you’re wondering) in the grand month of September to keep the dull boys and girls away…

Starting with Party In The Ponds on Saturday September 9.

Performances include local choral group Riff Raff and the Bristol Met Academy choir doing their rendition of Hairspray alongside food stalls from Mission Pizza, Indian Masala and many more.

In the evening 9th there will be fringe events happening in venues across Fishponds, including The People’s University of Fishponds talk from Pete Rowley on how to record a pop song. Hosted at The Kingfisher Cafe the talk will include the writing and recording of a simple pop song on the evening. Audience participation is encouraged!

September 23 is our next Supper Club, also at The Kingfisher. A feast of a seasonal menu, starting with a cocktail and ending in chocolate via cheeses, chutneys and a warming bacon and three bean stew. Using local suppliers where possible, this will be an evening to savour in good company.

To round it all off nicely on the 30th is an Emergency Disco held at All Saints Church by those who know how to throw a good party.

Helping you shake off all the blues, and get start over again as the month draws to a close. In aid of Grove Rd Youth Club (and somewhere to dance without embarrassing said youths) tickets are £5 in advance.

Until then…

For more information Party In The Ponds please visit their Facebook page: Party In The Ponds For more information on Supper Club and to book tickets contact me: anna@thedistantfuturealwayssoundslovely.com For Thingwall’s Emergency Disco contact Kate Brooks fishfest@gmail.com And, as always, to get in touch with me to let me know about anything I might need to know !

Anna Blightman anna@thedistantfuturealwayssoundslovely.com

cutting-edge research

RESEARCHERS at the University of Bristol are calling on 24- to 26-year-olds living in the Downend area to take part in one of the most detailed health studies of its kind in the world.

The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (also known as Children of the 90s) is an internationally renowned research study, following the health and development of more than 14,000 families with a child born in Bristol and the surrounding area between April 1991 and December 1992.

Researchers have used the data collected over the last 25 years to help answer important questions on key health issues, including asthma, childhood obesity, and dementia.

Holly from Staple Hill (featured)

is one of almost 4,000 young people who have already attended the most recent data collection clinic, Focus@24+, and taken part in a series of cutting-edge tests, including blood pressure, liver and lung function checks.

Now, with the Focus@24+ clinics drawing to a close this autumn, the Children of the 90s team is keen to hear from anyone living in the Downend Voice area who was born in or around the city in 1991/2 and would like to play their part in building an even more detailed picture of the health of their generation.

To find out more, please call 0117 331 0010, email info@ childrenofthe90s.ac.uk or visit the website: childrenofthe90s.ac.uk.

REMEMBER US? BORN 1991-92?

WE’D LOVE TO SEE YOU AGAIN Book a Focus@24+ visit now!

Phone us: 0117 331 0010 Text us: 07789 753 722 Email us: info@childrenofthe90s.ac.uk www.childrenofthe90s.ac.uk/focus24

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Call Sam on 0117 9146727 / 07799 206067 Or E-mail shieldscarpentry@hotmail.com To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148

fishpondsvoice

32

September, 2017

n BUSINESS OF THE MONTH Dan Smith, manager at Assist Plumbing and Heating, gives an insight into their business Tell us about your business

Assist Plumbing & Heating - customer satisfaction and high standards guaranteed

Assist Plumbing and Heating is a professional Gas and Heating company based in Bristol.

Specialising in gas, boiler, central heating installation, repairs, and servicing, our engineers are Gas Safe registered and live in the local area.

All engineers are have been trained to the highest standards; all heating repairs and installs are carried out efficiently. We offer full boiler and central heating installations, fault finding, diagnostic services and landlord gas safety certificates. All our work is guaranteed.

Our services are available to home owners. Regardless of the size of the job, we can help. Call Dan on 0117 214 0949

What do you find satisfying about running the business?

What makes your business different from other companies?

There are a number of things that are very satisfying. We know we offer a good service to customers and the job is done well to a high standard. To see and hear customers' feedback once we have got their hot water working, or got the central heating back on.

Even when a new gas fire has been installed, it’s great to hear how pleased the customer is. I find this very satisfying.

Our business owner has always emphasised the importance of the following: Customer satisfaction Quality of workmanship Efficiency • Therefore as a business we are always striving to ensure our customer service is second to none and customers are 100% happy with what we have done for them.

• The quality of the materials and workmanship is regularly and randomly checked by a senior member of the business to ensure high standards are maintained.

• We also monitor how efficient we are as a business in responding and helping our customers.

We believe that if we can make sure all these areas are strong within the business, our customers should have a great experience working with us.

same - just improving. So more boiler installations, servicing and repairs, complete central heating installations and gas works.

We still offers free estimates on boiler installations and complete central heating upgrades and installations.

What are your plans for the future?

Call: 0117 214 0949

We plan on doing more of the

Assist Plumbing and Heating Visit our website: www.assistplumbingandheating.

FOR ALL YOUR GAS AND HEATING REQUIREMENTS

BoilerBoiler Replacement Replacement

Central Heating Installations Central Heating Installations Boiler Breakdown, Repairs and Boiler Servicing

Boiler Breakdown and Repairs 0117 214 0949 | www.assistplumbingandheating.co.uk | All Work Guaranteed To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 9542610117

sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk Got News? Call Jayne On 0788 0731148 | A 214Email: 0949 | www.assistplumbingandheating.co.uk

fishpondsvoice

September, 2017

n NEWS

33

n FISHPONDS MUM

Bean Tree Cafe was well worth the wait It's back! Oldbury Court prepares for mayhem THE COLOUR Fun Run returns to Oldbury Court again this year.

It follows the success of last year's charity event when more than 750 people followed a 5km route through the estate.

Participants chose to walk, job, run - and even dance - their way around, raising more than £15,000 for Bristol homeless charity See Change, formerly Julian House.

The Colour Fun Run is popular because of its huge fun element where participants get covered in colourful - but washable - powder paint.

Along every kilometre of the route is a paint station where race marshals do their best to get everyone covered in paint.

Entry for this year's event, on October 1, is now open and people are being encouraged to sign up and have some fun.

Gemma Allsop, event fundraiser for See Change, said: “Now in its third year, we want to make 2017 our biggest and best event yet. It’s a really fun day for all the family, which also

raises money for those facing homelessness and addiction that need our support to help rebuild their lives.

"There will be face painting, music, food and drink on offer, so you can bring your family and friends to cheer you on."

Louise, who took part in the inaugural Colour Fun Run in 2015, said: "I was keen to do something for See Change which supports people to overcome homelessness and addiction. It’s lovely to be able to raise money for an excellent charity and have fun at the same time."

See Change has more than 24 different projects, accommodation sites and social enterprises in Bristol, South Glos, B&NES Wiltshire and Devon. These include a range of homeless services, support after domestic violence, addiction recovery, individuals with learning difficulties, work experience and training.

To find out more or to sign up for tickets, please visit www. thecolourfunrun.co.uk

AT last the Heritage Lottery funded café has been opened in Page Park and is being run by the Beard family, former owners of The Hungry Caterpillar Play Café in Downend.

The Bean Tree Café is perfectly situated next to the sensory garden and between the two playgrounds.

The brand new lottery funded building has been in the plans for Page Park for sometime and was the result of an application by The Friends of Page Park.

Melody, who manages the café with her partner Tom, commented: “The Friends of Page Park were looking for people to run the café to meet the needs of visitors who use the park, accessible to both the older and younger generation. It is open seven days a week, all year round. It was a great opportunity for us. Everyone has been so welcoming and supportive. We think we’ll be really happy here and so far we’ve been very busy!”

The menu at the café is wide ranging and ideal for families as children can order a child’s portion of anything on the menu. The park has a range of equipment and a new zip wire has appeared for older children to use next to the wooden playground. If you haven’t yet been to Page Park, it is well worth a visit for the two-person swing alone.

Opening at the beginning of August, The Bean Tree Café

has already provided some baby and child-friendly events in the extensive activities space, known as The Nest. There are new weekly pre-school music sessions, which are energetic themed musical adventures for pre-schoolers, including singing, percussion instruments and ukuleles. They say they “create soundscapes, we sing, we play, we imagine....” Classes take place on Fridays at 1pm, which is sadly nap time for us but for older pre-schoolers, it will be ideal. Costs are £3 per child or £5 per family.

Plus there is 10% discount on hot drinks in the cafe, and free babycino with adult hot drinks purchase.

For parents The Bean Tree Café provides a lovely spot to meet a fellow parent and child for lunch and an accessible place to grab a coffee before you rescue your child from unsafely diving off wooden play equipment. What could be better?

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n NEWS

Promising singer releases first record SINGING sensation Susie Dobson’s flourishing career takes another giant leap forward this month with the launch of her debut EP. The Staple Hill teenager’s first offering, a five-track record called ‘Scrapbook’, was made possible thanks to a Kickstarter funding campaign, and Susie is launching it with a special event at Bristol Folk House, a hotspot for the area’s folk, roots and acoustic music lovers.

It’s been quite a journey for someone who only set foot on stage for the first time just a couple of years ago. Born with a love of song, Susie first discovered a passion for performing while studying musical theatre at school, and through singing lessons enforced by her parents which, to her surprise, she found she enjoyed.

After being introduced to the

ukulele by friends, she fell in love with the instrument and quickly bought her own.

Susie, 19, was soon on stage at Downend Folk Club, and began to fall in love with traditional song to complement her existing contemporary musical tastes and thus, her unique style was born.

The folk scene in Bristol began to sit up and take notice, and Susie soon found herself opening for the likes of Gilmore & Roberts, Hattie Briggs, Said The Maiden, Claudia Schwab and Sam Kelly and The Lost Boys, as well as performing at Bristol Folk Festival, Folk On The Water, Keynsham Music Festival, Bristol Fringe and a host of local events.

Susie, who is off to Cambridge University this autumn to study geography, said: “It has been a bit of a whirlwind but I’ve really enjoyed the journey so far.

Lots of people have been really

supportive and said so many encouraging things.

“When the opportunity to record an EP came along, it seemed too good to be true but people were really generous on Kickstarter and so I was able, not only to record it and release it but also go to the studio that I really wanted to use, Everyone Sang studios in Stroud, which is run by Lukas Drinkwater.

"It was a great experience and

we had a great time and I really hope that people like the results."

The EP will be launched at the Folk House event on Sunday September 17, when another local act Steffan Lewis & Rachel Foster will open the evening.

Susie will be joined on stage by Ant Miles on piano and guitar.

Tickets are £9 in advance or £11 on the door and are available from the venue or online from www.fancourtmusic.co.uk

Dr Timothy Button MSc (Chiro) DC FRCC (Sports)

A Team approach to healthcare.

Supporting Premiership Football, Rugby, 2012 Olympics and 2014 Commonwealth Games l Chiropractic & Physiotherapy l Back & Leg Pain, Sciatica l Sports Massage l Headaches & Migraines l Trapped Nerves l Repetitive Strain Injuries l Occupational Injuries l Sports Injury Specialist l Competitively priced

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fishpondsvoice

September, 2017

35

n GARDENING FOUR times a year I write a little bit about the changing seasons and how much I appreciate the difference that it makes to our surroundings, and now again as we start to transition into another autumn from what has been a wholly dismal summer so far.

That’s not to say that I’m entirely complaining, as my sporadic watering regime has not had much of a detrimental effect on the garden, there have been few periods more that a couple of days that there hasn’t been some degree of rain. Maybe September will bless us with a little late summer warmth. It does mean however that everything has been growing at an alarming rate, we’ve been harvesting as fast as the vegetables are growing and still they come.

We decided to leave the beans to go to seed once we’d frozen about 12 kilos, and what space isn’t taken up with them is occupied with cooked courgettes, tomatoes and an abundance of fruit.

There are still a large number of flowers that are hanging on the last of the long days, and many that will go on until they’re finished off by a frost, such as Plox paniculata, Heleniums, Crocosmia, and one of my favourite ‘doers’, Penstemon.

The

By Tim Barton

As long as you keep removing the spent flowers you can these to keep going right up to the end of summer, but it does require a certain degree of dedication as the rate at which they come can be hard to keep up with. It’s also a time when we start to think about the jobs that we’ll be needing to do to put the garden to bed for the winter, but I’ll leave that for another month as we should be focussing on enjoying it all for the beauty that it has to offer right now.

Of course, the main reason that the flowers are there at all, apart from us to enjoy, is to attract the myriad of insects that spend their days flitting about to pollinate the plants, and that in turn that leads to them producing seeds. Collecting these seeds is

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an annual ritual that I have and I get quite excited at the thought of the plants that I will inevitably fail to propagate from them, but the intention is always there. In the past I’ve had great success with Agapanthus for example, but even things such as alliums that are normally associated with a bulb can be brought to life from collected seed. The only issue is that because of diversity of the genes, you are never guaranteed to end up with exactly what you thought you might. This is especially true with F1 hybrids and you can end up with some quite unexpected results.

But as we come to the end of the summer, whatever the weather gods have bestowed upon us, it is lovely to watch as it all begins to fade, and the abundance wanes into the quieter months.

The end of this month will bring the start of autumn upon us and we’ll be thinking of preparing for the cold months ahead. I became aware of the longer shadows in the evenings a few days ago, something that happens so slowly that you barely notice, until one moment catches you and you stop to be aware of the moment. In our busy lives, running from work to appointments, to social events, and of course keeping on top of the plants, it’s easy to forget to stop and take a moment to appreciate what’s around us. Now, as we leave

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one season for another is a better time than any.

• F ill in any gaps in the garden with autumn flowering bedding, if you like them •N ow is a good time to plant perennials outside as the ground is warm but should remain fairly wet • Think about ordering trees and shrubs as they will need to go in before winter sets in •K eep deadheading flowers to prolong their season •B egin to plant spring flowering bulbs towards the end of the month •N et brassicas to keep birds from pecking them to destruction •P ot up strawberry runners for more plants next year •N et ponds before the leaves start to fall •D ig up the last of the potatoes to prevent slug damage

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September, 2017

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Homeowners: can you afford to put off those essential repairs in your home?

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OVER recent years a growing number of local homeowners have benefited from a loan scheme, run by Bristol City Council, to help with the costs of essential repairs; working with two local not-for-profit companies: Wessex Resolutions and WE Care & Repair.

Mrs H, a 75 year old lady living in Horfield, Bristol, contacted WE Care & Repair for help with repairing her home.

Her home had damp walls, a rotting roof and window frames, broken kitchen units and outdated electrics.

WE Care & Repair were able to obtain quotes, organise contractors and oversee the work. Wessex Resolutions were able to arrange an affordable repayment plan that best suited the client circumstances, enabling her to pay for all the repairs needed.

“I’m very pleased with the work, they were brilliant and I couldn’t praise them enough”.

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Loans are subject to status. Typical 4.2% APR. Missing payments could affect your credit rating and ability to obtain credit in the future. Wessex Resolutions CIC may insist on loans being protected at the Land Registry by a Title Restriction

Needing help with repairs to your home?

Call 01823 461099 to find out more For homeowners in need of essential repairs to their property, the West of England councils work with two local not for-profit companies: Wessex Resolutions, who provide subsidised finance to eligible applicants, and WE Care & Repair, who can source contractors and manage the project.

Wessex Resolutions C.I.C.: a community interest company limited by guarantee, registered in England, company number 4512225.

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September, 2017

37

n ON THE TREATMENT TABLE

My Mo-ment in the athletics spotlight

Tim Button, Doctor of Chiropractic at Cleve Chiropractic and Next Step in Mangotsfield Blog 43: The IAAF World Athletics Championships IF you are lucky in your job then there can be times in your life when momentous vocational events happen. August 2017 provided another such time for me when out of the entire world I was fortunately selected to be one of six chiropractors to work at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in London.

To be one of the final few that make it to these types of events takes a mixture of post-graduate education, experience and the type of personality that gets on with people. I have lots of extra training and experience behind me but if you listen to my wife it’s the personality that still needs some work … well that’s her opinion!

The World Championships also gave me a chance to stay with one of my oldest and best friends, Stefan Prince, for the week. Stef and I went travelling together around Southern Europe when we were 18 and I had forgotten his weird ability to be able to get up, shower, dress and leave the house with his teeth clean within 10 minutes … it’s truly incredible to witness and made me revaluate my whole wake-up routine!

The day before I started I picked up my ‘Runners’ kit' which was high quality Asics gear, although the tops were a very bright pink.

After getting used to the shirts we were required to wear, I have come to quite like them and have even worn them in the clinic at work since!

Day one started at 8am and I was thankful to see that everybody just goes straight to the canteen for a bacon roll and a coffee. The hot food supplied for breakfast and lunch was actually very good and varied each day which really helped as I got further through the week. So after a quick bit of fuel we made it back to the poly clinic for a bit of orientation. The poly clinic was well stocked with open plan treatment beds, taping, an ice bath and leg recovery room (the latest in tech - air pump massage leg sleeves), private consultation room

and a diagnostic ultrasound room for soft tissue injury scanning. We had physiotherapy, sports massage, chiropractic and osteopathy available for the physical therapies team. There was also a full pharmacy, GP, ultrasonography, sports medicine and nursing facility. The clinic was about 6 inches from the warm up track and when you weren’t working it was impossible not to see all the stars of the track and field. It was quite an experience just to watch them train, let alone treat them.

Soon enough the first athlete came through the doors. Now I cannot say who they were or where they were from but I can say that we were very unlikely to treat the huge and highly funded countries like the USA, GB and Jamaica teams etc as they brought a lot of staff with them but we did still treat some real stars from the athletics world.

Luckily for me, the first athlete came in asking for a chiropractor. It was a nice simple case of a female 100m runner asking for a check over after a long flight and a bit of a manipulation. After we completed her history and examination I noticed that she had significantly reduced power through her left hip flexion and right hip extension which is quite a common pattern.

The coach who was observing was quite concerned and I could see that he didn’t want to upset the confidence of his athlete at this late stage. I explained it was OK and that we could easily fix it. Sure enough after a quick chiropractic

To advertise, contact Caroline on 07453 954261

treatment we had her at full power all over and she and the coach were delighted. They were so happy that they proceeded to send every athlete from their country in one after the other and before too long the word spread and I was flat out with work from enthusiastic athletes from all corners of the world.

Now the advantage of working at a poly clinic such as this is that I could work (like we do at Cleve Chiropractic and Next Step) as a team, so once I had done my work I could refer to a top physiotherapist for some physio work and taping and then on to the sports therapist for excellent massage treatments. I must say that as a health professional, the working environment was as good as it gets and wonderfully enjoyable. As for the athlete, it was the perfect experience that they expected at such a big event. After the initial rush of the first few days and as more and more events passed, the poly clinic became less frantic and we settled into a steady flow. If I wasn’t busy I would help putting ice in the ice baths or helping people into the recovery pumps.

As the week went on I made lots of friends but nonetheless eventually my time had to end and I had to pass the baton of chiropractic on to another colleague to cover the 7am-3pm shift. I was sad to go but to be honest when I finished I was tired all the way to my bones. You don’t realise how much effort and mental energy it takes to do such events.

Email: sales@fishpondsvoice.co.uk

It was amazing and one of the best if not the best work week of my life but I was looking forward to getting home and seeing my family.

Now it is back to reality with a jam-packed clinic life, Bristol Rovers matches, the world’s strongest disabled man competition, writing this blog, organising a ski trip for the whole of the chiropractic profession in the UK, being secretary of the Royal College of Chiropractors Sports Faculty, British Chiropractic Association meetings and of course playing ‘which child can wake Daddy first’ each day… but you know what? I wouldn’t change it for the world…

0117 957 5388 drtimbutton@clevechiropractic.com www.clevechiropractic.com facebook.com/clevechiro twitter.com/clevechiro

Got News? Call Linda On 0777 0700579

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38

September, 2017

n NEWS

Share your memories of Staple Hill A FASCINATING glimpse into the varied past of Staple Hill has opened at Kingswood Heritage Museum.

Many residents have shared artefacts and the museum team has delved into its own archives, including thousands of images belonging to the Gloucestershire Gazette series, to stage the major display.

The exhibition is evolving as more people come along and offer items from their own family and work heritage collections. If you have memories or memorabilia that might be of interest, the museum would love to hear from you.

For younger residents, and incomers, the exhibition gives an insight into industries for which the area was once famous: motorcycles, pinmaking, corsetry and footwear manufacture, to name but a few.

There’s lots for all to discover.

For example, did you know that that firefighters' uniforms have

A display highlights one of the area's less successful manufactures- the Quasar car of the 1970s - and among the many photos of shops it is revealed that Mandy Rice Davies opened the first laundromat in Staple Hill in 1965.

The museum is in the former Champion Brass Works at Tower Lane, Warmley, Bristol BS30 8XT, just off Avon Ring Mandy Rice Davies opening a laundromat in Road (Cadbury Heath Pic Gloucestershire Gazette Staple Hill in 1956 exit).

Buses 19, 19A, 42 and 43 stop nearby. been made in Staple Hill since It is open to the public the first decade of the nineteenth on Tuesdays, Saturdays and century? They are still made Sundays from 2pm, and on Bank there, not only for British fire Holidays from 11am. services, but for export to more You can get in touch with the than 100 countries worldwide. museum by phone at 0117 960 The exhibition also references 5664, or you can email the team the death in the area of Fleur at kingswoodmuseum@gmail.

Lombard, the first female com firefighter to be killed on duty.

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