Frome Valley December 2015

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fromevalleyvoice December, 2015 Issue 29

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What’s on, Page 34 | Sport, Page 43

Post office customers told ‘use it or loose it’ CUSTOMERS have been urged to support shops in the Frome Valley if they want to keep their local post office and small businesses.

The appeal has been made just months after a post office returned to Coalpit Heath.

The number of post office customers has fallen, with many people still unaware that the service has relocated to the Nisa convenience store in Woodend Road.

With the Sainsbury’s Local also opening in Badminton Road, the impact is being felt by Edwina Pennell, who runs the Nisa shop.

She said it was now up to local people to support the post office and all independent traders if they wanted them to survive.

By being part of the Nisa store, the post office is open for an extra 56 hours a week, a move welcomed especially by older people and customers without their own transport.

During the six months the

village was without a post office, between the old one in Church Lane closing and the new one opening, many had found it

difficult to find alternative arrangements.

Full story Page 7.

Castle School boss brought in to help Ridings Federation Short-term consultancy announced as search for new principle begins.

Page 4

Beat team beats all others Frampton police scoop award

Page 6

More homes for the Frome Valley?

Search is on for extra housing sites

Page 7

Going round in circles

Closure dates of ring road section announced

Page 39

Weather takes its toll In a spin: Winterbourne teenager Dan Randell has got his helicopter pilot’s licence before he’s passed his driving test.

More, Page 6

Football postponements frustrate footballers

Page 45

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January deadline

Our January edition will be going to print on December 23. To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by December 21.

Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Frome Valley Voice 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. Frome Valley 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 Richard On 01454 800 120 or richard@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

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Your views Letters for publication can be sent to us via email: richard@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk We reserve the right to edit your letter.

Local information

South Gloucestershire Council www.southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582 Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk

Environment/trading standards 01454 868001 Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk general enquiries: 101 Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk General enquiries: 0117 926 2061 NHS Health Call 111 Well Aware health & social care information www.wellaware.org.uk Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252

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December, 2015

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Leisure centre to get £3.6 million revamp – but squash courts to be lost A £3.6 million redevelopment of Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre has been approved to help meet a growing demand for its use.

South Gloucestershire Council’s communities committee gave the green light to the scheme, which includes a major expansion of a fitness suite, bigger exercise studios and improved soft play areas.

Changing rooms will also be refurbished, 130 more parking spaces provided and a café extension designed.

But squash players will have to go elsewhere to play their sport as the centre’s courts will be removed.

The facelift will allow the complex to meet an increased demand from planned new housing as well as improving its facilities for existing users.

Mark Crutchley, chief executive of the Circadian Trust, which runs the leisure centre, said the work was planned to start in the spring of 2016 and would result in a “wealth of new activities” being introduced.

Councillor Heather Goddard, chairwoman of the communities committee, said: “The redevelopment is very good news for existing and potential new users of the centre.

“We recognise there will be some inevitable disruption during the works and the loss of the squash courts in the new design. But we believe that the new-look centre will provide better choices across all age ranges and increase customer use.

“We will be working with the local squash players affected in the coming weeks to help them find alternative sites where they can continue to enjoy their sport.”

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Coalpit Heath landlord fined after family taken ill with carbon monoxide poisoning A LANDLORD from Coalpit Heath was fined £2,360 after a family of five suffered carbon monoxide poisoning at their rented home.

All five were taken to hospital when they became ill after the heating at the house in Burley Grove, Mangotsfield, was turned on last December.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which brought the prosecution, told North Avon Magistrates’ Court in Yate that the casing for the boiler had not been in place.

It had been removed to re-light the boiler as the ignition button was not working and the tenants were not aware of the risks created by leaving the case off.

Michael Bull, of Station Road, Coalpit Heath, admitted breaches under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. As well as the fine, he was also ordered to pay costs of £1,532 to the HSE. After the hearing, Inspector Matthew Tyler said: “It is important that domestic landlords understand and meet their legal obligations to ensure that gas appliances in their tenanted properties are checked for safety annually and regularly serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

“This case demonstrates that where this is not undertaken, tenants can be exposed to the products of combustion, including carbon monoxide, which in the most serious cases can result in death.”

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December, 2015

Temporary consultant brought in at academy federation as search starts for new leader TRUSTEES are hoping to start interviewing this month to find a new leader of the Ridings Federation of Academies.

They need to appoint a chief executive principal to fill the role vacated by the now departed Beverley Martin, who was only in post for about seven months.

But as a short-term measure, the trust has taken on Melanie Warnes, chief executive principal of the trust which runs the Castle School in Thornbury, as a consultant to help get the schools run by the federation – including Winterbourne International Academy - back on track.

She has been engaged for up to 15 days over a two-month period.

Trustees have also invited Sir David Carter, the South West regional schools commissioner, to provide support in the process to find a full-time replacement for Ms Martin.

Athanasis “Laz” Lazarides, chairman of trustees, had pledged better communication with parents and carers when he spoke recently of “tough and turbulent times” for the federation and said trustees would be “engaging with parents, students, teachers and senior leaders” in the recruitment process.

The tough times he referred to include both Winterbourne and Yate international academies being assessed by Ofsted inspectors as requiring

improvement.

Some 100 teachers at Winterbourne also walked out on strike, claiming relations between the majority of teaching staff and management had broken down. There had been complaints about the leadership methods of Ms Martin, who had only joined the federation in the spring. She then went on leave

before her departure at the end of October was announced.

The federation is the umbrella organisation that runs Winterbourne and Yate international academies, Woodlands Primary Phase in Yate, Woodlands Nursery, Winterbourne Sixth Form Centre and Ridings’ Commerce.

It is responsible for the

education of more than 2,700 children and teenagers from nursery age to sixth formers.

In September, an Ofsted inspector returned to the Winterbourne campus to assess progress after its earlier full inspection and said it had to take immediate steps to ensure improvements required by the education watchdog were made.

Christmas drink and drug driving campaign launched by police POLICE have launched their campaign to stop people drinking and driving over the festive period.

Operation Tonic, is a monthlong aiming to help reduce deaths, serious injuries and crime on the roads by tackling drink and drug driving.

The police will be naming publicly every motorist who is charged with a drink or drug driving offence.

Traffic officers will be using “drugalyser” devices at the roadside to test drivers for suspected drugs, including cannabis and cocaine, using new laws that came in earlier this year.

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Other police activity during the month will include vehicle stop-checks, targeted patrols and awareness-raising at events and in pubs and bars.

Road Safety Chief Inspector Yannis Georgiou said: “We are determined to do whatever we can to stop people driving while under the influence of drink or drugs. If just one collision or death is prevented, then our campaign will be a success.

“The message is clearer than ever - there is no excuse and we will arrest any drivers who are suspected to be driving while under the influence of drink or drugs.”

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Sixth Former Takes to the Skies A 17 year old student from Winterbourne has become one of the youngest qualified helicopter pilots in Europe, having taken his test just two months after celebrating his 17th birthday.

Daniel Randell developed a passion for flying three years ago.

Since then he has been working towards his private pilot’s license and his long-term career ambition of becoming a helicopter pilot within the Royal Navy.

This achievement has involved over 60 hours of pilot training.

Daniel has successfully juggled this commitment with his school work at QEH where he is currently working towards A Levels in Physics, Maths, Geography and Art. Daniel had been aiming to take the test on his seventeenth birthday in August but was thwarted by the Great British weather which kept him grounded until recently. Following his written pilot exams, Daniel was finally able to get up in the air and take the practical test, involving two hours of flying alongside an examiner. “The feeling of freedom is the best thing about flying, while being dependent on the weather is definitely the worst thing,” said Daniel.

Having supported Daniel through his dream of becoming a qualified pilot, it is no surprise that his parents will be his first passengers later this month. Daniel is now looking forward to his next challenge - learning to drive.

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December, 2015

Frampton Cotterell beat team named top of the cops at annual award ceremony POLICE in Frampton Cotterell have been named the Avon and Somerset constabulary neighbourhood beat team of the year.

They had already won the north-east area round – for South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset - of the Neighbourhood Policing Awards before a ceremony was held to announce the overall winners for the whole force.

PC Finbar Simmons and his police and community support officers Bethany Harrington and Andrew Pound said they were “shocked to have won but very happy”.

The nomination for the team praised the way they responded to concerns or inquiries raised by parish councillors, attended village events and communicated with residents.

The awards were held to recognise officers, police staff and volunteers within the force who went beyond the call of duty.

Among other winners was Alex Masey of the South Gloucestershire police cadets, who now hopes to make a career with the police service.

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Appeal to support post office as fears grow over lost trade for small shops PEOPLE in Coalpit Heath have been urged to support the village’s post office as concerns are raised about the effect on local traders of the controversial Sainsbury’s convenience store.

The post office was relocated into the Nisa shop in Woodend Road nearly three months ago after the former post office and general store in Church Lane closed last spring. Edwina Pennell, who runs the Nisa store, offered to take on the post office business and keep the much valued service running.

But the Sainsbury’s Local opened a few weeks earlier

and Mrs Pennell said her trade had been hit as a result.

She said business had fallen by 25 per cent, not helped by a loss in post office customers due to the village being without the service for six months before she was able to relocate it to her store.

Mrs Pennell said: “About 50 per cent of the post office customers have gone and it’s really important to get them back.

“They had to be without a post office for such a long time that they either went to other post offices or went online for their postal business.

“Some people still don’t

realise that the post office has come here and re-opened so we need to get the message out that the service is running for the village and surrounding areas.

“It’s a massive worry losing trade. We noticed a drop as soon as Sainsbury’s opened.

“We invested £40,000 into bringing the post office here.

It was a big gamble so we need people to use the facility.

“We realised there would be some migration to Sainsbury’s but people need to support the small shops if they want them to remain.

“The phrase ‘use it or lose it’ is true. We will keep going

for as long as we can but it’s a hard, challenging market.”

Independent shopkeepers had led a campaign to stop the Sainsbury’s Local from being built on the car park of the Badminton Arms on Badminton Road.

They predicted the store would damage their businesses and the community but planning permission was granted for the scheme.

Sainsbury’s said the store would create local jobs and put investment into the pub but a number of those who opposed the development pledged to boycott the store when it opened.

Villages in line for more housing as search starts for development sites MORE housing could be allocated for Coalpit Heath, Frampton Cotterell and Winterbourne as council leaders are told that thousands of extra homes are still needed to meet demand.

Yate and Chipping Sodbury could also have to provide land for development.

Two major planning consultations are currently underway involving identifying sites for housing, despite a number of areas in the district already accommodating new building.

One, to find space for

1,500 homes, covers South Gloucestershire only while the other is for the West of England – the former Avon area – where 85,000 homes are predicted to be needed by 2036. That’s 29,000 more than already planned by the four councils making up the area.

South Gloucestershire Council said: “Following the outcome of a recent planning appeal and review of our housing supply, there is currently a shortfall of 1,500 dwellings which need to be built over the next five years.

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remains plan-led, we now need to identify additional housing sites and consult further on these before submitting the final proposals to a planning inspector.”

Liberal Democrat councillor for Westerleigh, Claire Young, said the council had been warned that until it identified extra land for homes, developers were likely to get planning permission for land intended to be protected, including in the green belt.

The way housing could be provided is being considered, ranging from the expansion of towns such as Yate to adding

small numbers to villages.

Other improvements would also be needed, including to roads, transport and other services, in areas taking more development.

Yate is one area already seeing large scale building, with thousands of houses planned for the northern part of the town.

Details on how to make comments can be found on the council website. A drop-in event has also been planned for Monday, December 14, at Kingswood Civic Centre from 4pm-8pm.

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December, 2015

TV favourite Andy Day brings dinosaur fun to arts festival CHILDREN’S TV presenter Andy Day will be one of the stars of Thornbury Arts Festival when the dinosaur adventurer stages three energy-filled shows.

Folk singer-songwriter Seth Lakeman and Dr Phil Hammond – NHS doctor, broadcaster, comedian and campaigner – have also been signed up to appear at the ten-day event.

They form part of a packed programme compiled by the 2016 festival team, to be launched by comedy performer Tim Brooke-Taylor ahead of an on-stage chat about his career with Bristol writer and broadcaster Chris Serle.

Events featuring music, drama and film are in the schedule, as well as a guided walk in Frampton-on-Severn and a talk by BBC health correspondent Dominic Hughes.

Andy Day, best known for his work on the CBeebies channel, has promised dino-rapping fun with plenty of songs and dancing for youngsters at his shows in the Armstrong Hall.

He will appear during the

same second weekend of the festival as the West Country’s Seth Lakeman, who has successfully steered English folk into the mainstream with highenergy performances and a series of best-selling albums.

His audience will also get the chance to hear the home-grown talent of singer-songwriter Emily Teague, who returns to her Thornbury roots as support act.

Meanwhile, Phil Hammond makes a welcome return to the town after last appearing in the award-winning comedy double act Struck Off or Die in the 1990s.

Thornbury Swing Band and Bristol Male Voice Choir are among other performers, while the Bristol-based Ministry of Entertainment will stage one of its most popular theatre productions, Doodlebugs and Bogeymen, taking a light hearted look at the lives of two evacuees in the Second World War. Artistic director, Shirley Sharp, said: “We’ve got a fantastic line-up of events already planned, with something

Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures (photo courtesy BBC) for everyone to enjoy. We’re especially pleased that Andy Day will be here as we wanted something special for children to see.”

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15-24. Details about events and tickets will be available on the festival website www. thornburyartsfestival.com when the programme has been finalised.

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New testing method by Caution from campaigners water company seeks out over hospital plan for protected newts Frenchay A PIONEERING technique has been used to help protect the great crested newt ahead of a major sewer scheme.

Ecologists from Wessex Water said advances in DNA sequencing technology allowed them to establish if the creatures were present just by taking samples of pond water.

Jamie Bowkett, an ecologist with the water company, said: “When planning any new developments, such as laying new pipes or constructing pumping stations or treatment plants, it’s important we consider the impacts to the natural environment.

“Recently we’ve been using a new sampling technique to survey for the presence of great crested newts, a European protected species.

“It lets us check if newts are present on sites a lot more quickly, which helps us plan our works, particularly with the routing of long distance water mains or sewers where we can plan around the habitats.”

The method, known as eDNA

analysis, involves laboratories testing water samples for traces of newt DNA. Mr Bowkett said: “Traditionally, newt surveying would mean visiting all ponds within 250 metres of a new development at least four times, searching for newts during the night with torchlights and using ‘bottle traps’ for live capture.

“Using eDNA analysis is much less intrusive and means only one visit to each pond is required, saving time and resources.”

The technique has been used on several Wessex Water schemes during the past year, including the Frome Valley relief sewer, a new 5km sewer to be built between Frampton Cotterell and Bradley Stoke.

The first sections were laid near Yate and around the north of Bristol in the 1980s and 1990s.

The missing section will complete the project, with building likely to start in 201718, and it is hoped it will finally resolve the problem of unsightly waste being stranded along the Frome Valley.

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CAMPAIGNERS have given a cautious welcome to an apparent change of heart over a community hospital at Frenchay.

Fears that the promised hospital would never be built have been growing since South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said in 2013 that it wanted to see a “health and social care centre” - in effect a 68-bed nursing home – on the site of the former acute hospital.

But now the CCG has revealed proposals for a 74-bed community hospital at both Frenchay and at Thornbury Hospital. Each will have 44 rehabilitation beds and 30 nursing beds.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in a statement: “The announcement of a new hospital on the Frenchay site demonstrates our commitment to the NHS locally.”

The CCG will now prepare its business case for the development of the hospitals, with plans expected to be completed in March.

Barbara Harris, spokeswoman for the Save Frenchay Community Hospital Group, said the announcement of commissioning intentions was welcome after a five-year wait but until more details were available, she remained wary.

She said: “There are no details of the levels of service provision for these units, nor of staffing levels. The public need to know exactly what is being proposed and what services there will be in support of those beds.”

The group wants to know whether Frenchay will be a community hospital or one with just nursing home beds, what diagnostic tests will be available and whether a geriatrician will be in attendance.

Mrs Harris said: “What is clear, however, is these proposals fall far short of the twice formally approved community hospital, with outpatients and diagnostic clinics, which would have saved residents from having to access Southmead Hospital.”

She said the group would be “watching like hawks” to ensure the new provision met the legal requirement to improve on current services.

Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall welcomed the CCG announcement.

He said: “The desire for new and redeveloped facilities at both Thornbury and Frenchay has been very clear when speaking to local people about health care in our area.”

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Gertrude and Rocky hit the road to keep winter roads gritted

GRITTERS named by children in Coalpit Heath and Yate will be among an 11-strong fleet in action throughout the winter to treat South Gloucestershire’s roads in cold weather.

Gertrude, the choice of pupils at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School in Yate, and Rocky, named by youngsters at The Manor Primary School, Coalpit Heath, have already been out spreading salt on road surfaces.

About 30 per cent of roads in the district are gritted when ice has been predicted and this winter the treatment is being extended to cycle and shared-use paths from mid-December to make it safer for those who cycle to work.

South Gloucestershire Council has invested in new machinery that allows gritting teams to reach a number of the paths, although some will remain inaccessible.

When required, staff treat main A and B-roads and routes

to schools, care providers, fire, ambulance and police stations.

Gritter drivers are on call around the clock during the winter, with a network of

roadside sensors used to monitor conditions throughout the district.

The council said about 14,000 miles of road were salted every

year, with each gritting run covering up to 300 miles of the district’s roads. This year it had 5,000 tonnes of salt to see it through the cold weather.

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December, 2015

Housing society vows to build more affordable homes to tackle the housing crisis HOUSING association Merlin has pledged to build more affordable homes in South Gloucestershire to help meet an increasing demand.

With a new report showing the average South Gloucestershire home now costs more than £230,000 to buy and more than £9,000 a year to rent, living in the area is becoming increasingly unaffordable for many people.

Chipping Sodbury-based Merlin said it owned about 8,000 of the 12,000 housing association properties for rent in the district and vowed to press ahead with plans to build even more. Currently it is building more than 70 homes, including 22 in Chipping Sodbury and 39 in Coalpit Heath.

The Coalpit Heath scheme to replace houses built of pre-case reinforced concrete forms phase one of a project to redevelop up to 450 non-traditional homes across the area.

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Amanda Swann, Merlin’s head of development, said: “House prices are rising because demand for housing is exceeding supply but we’re determined to do our part and increase the numbers of new homes being built in South Gloucestershire.

“We’re already exploring

other sites in the area to provide some more much-needed affordable housing.”

A report by the National Housing Federation said would-be homeowners in South Gloucestershire needed to see their salary double to be able to afford the average home in the

area.

The document said the average price of a house in the district was nearly nine times the local average salary of £26,400 – up by eight per cent since last year. Average annual rent represented 34 per cent of that wage.

The federation said across England last year, housing associations built 50,000 new homes, accounting for 40 per cent of all new homes in the country.

Meanwhile South Gloucestershire Council will consult on plans to force developers who claim they cannot afford to include a proportion of affordable homes on their sites to publish evidence backing it up.

A target of 35 per cent of affordable homes can be relaxed if builders feel it would make a scheme unviable but the council said the facts surrounding such claims had to be produced.

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New appeal made in hunt for killer of Barry Rubery

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POLICE have renewed an appeal for information to help them find the killer of Barry Rubery at his Iron Acton home in 2010.

Mr Rubery, 68, returned to his Crossing Cottage at about 10.45pm on Wednesday, April 28, after seeing friends and was found the following morning with fatal head injuries.

The murder was featured on the BBC programme Crimewatch and Mr Rubery’s family have continuously appealed for help to catch his killer or killers.

Recently, a new documentary on the CBS Reality channel ,Donal MacIntyre: Unsolved, also looked at the case.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Williams said: “While a number of years have passed since Barry’s death, we have not given up on this investigation.

“We are constantly reviewing information and making further inquiries in a bid to bring the person or people responsible for Barry’s death to justice.

“We want to provide some closure to Barry’s family, who still cannot understand why their father and grandfather was taken from them in such a brutal manner.

“We will not give up on this investigation and as time goes by, the offender or offenders are simply making matters worse. I would urge them to come forward and contact us before we find them.

“Police said Mr Rubery was well liked and well respected. His home on the Latteridge road occupied a large piece of land, where there were storage units for rent, and among items taken from the cottage were a valuable gold Masonic watch and a Makita drill.

Anyone with information for the investigation team should call 101 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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Names needed by award scheme to thank care and support workers

NOMINATIONS are being invited for awards to recognise the outstanding work of care and support workers in South Gloucestershire.

The accolades will be given to those who go the extra mile to ensure those people they look after live as they wish.

South Gloucestershire Council is running the award scheme, which consists of four categories, with nominations requested for personal assistants, care home staff, home care or supported living workers and those working in day services.

The closing date for nominations is Monday, December 14, with a ceremony to be held later for the awards to be presented.

Forms are available on the council’s website but nominations can also be made by phone by ringing 01454 862356.

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December, 2015

Sole Sisters on the run with new beginners’ course WOMEN who want to take up or return to running are being invited to join a course offered by the Sole Sisters club.

The women-only group is affiliated to England Athletics and runs from venues such as Winterbourne Down and Hambrook Cricket Club, catering for all abilities from complete beginners to experienced runners.

Secretary Karen Gaman said members had to be at least 16 to join and its course for beginners was aimed at those who wanted to take up running but didn’t know how to start.

It is also open to those who have not run for a while but want to get back into the sport.

The next course starts on January 11. It will last for six weeks and follow a training programme that involves a gradual build-up of mileage.

Karen said: “Many of our current members started out on this course and are now running regular 10Ks, half marathons and even full marathons.”

The course costs £15. Those interested should log onto www. solesistersrc.co.uk/beginners for details and an application form.

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Boom time ahead as Yate Shopping Centre’s Riverside welcomes first customers

YATE Shopping Centre is set for a booming Christmas as many of the new Riverside shops and restaurants continue to open.

It will be the first festive trading period to feature businesses at the complex – a £25 million expansion of the 50-year-old centre.

Demand to take space in the new units was strong and confidence is high that customers will support the traders as it experiences one of the busiest times of the retail year.

Meanwhile, there is also interest in vacant units in the original shopping centre site.

That could see occupancy rise to a post-recession high, with vacancy levels of seven per cent falling to half the national average.

Riverside is on the former overflow car park, off Link Road, and when fully open will have as its anchor a long-awaited cinema.

The Cineworld six-screen cinema is due to show its first

films in May, 2016, and has been credited with helping to bring in other businesses due to more people being attracted to the area, especially in the evening.

Andrew Lowrey, the shopping centre manager, said Riverside was a major step in the evolution of the precinct as it consolidated its position in South Gloucestershire’s retail hierarchy and helped prepare it for future housing growth in Yate.

He said: “The cinema and restaurants bring a new dimension to the centre. It has always been the owner’s and Yate Town Council’s aim to develop a sustainable night-time economy and, with these new units, the town is well prepared for the future arrival of nearly 3,000 more homes.”

The first shop to open at Riverside was Pets at Home, which welcomed its first customers three weeks ago.

Italian restaurant chain Prezzo was opening as Yate and Sodbury Voice went to press, the first of

six restaurants on the site.

Further openings include Frankie & Benny’s on December 1, the Next fashion store on December 10 and Nando’s on December 16. Next year will see the arrival of Dean’s Diner on April 25.

Mr Lowrey said: “We have also just seen Starbucks open in the former Burton’s unit,

which had been vacant for more than three years, a temporary Christmas shop open in the former Entertainer unit and have entered into legal negotiations with two potential operators for units in North Walk.

“There is no doubt that the cinema, restaurants and retail units have acted as a magnet in attracting other interests.”

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December, 2015

Lions flying high Stan remembered by birthday gift after making print donated to Brockeridge Centre £500 donation PRINT that was given to a to air ambulance Along-standing parish councillor MEMBERS of Bradley Stoke Lions raised £500 to help keep the Great Western Air Ambulance helicopter flying.

The money was collected through a variety of events, with a cheque handed over by club president Ailsa Young during a visit to the helicopter base in Filton.

It costs £2.3 million a year to keep the helicopter operational but it gets no dayto-day Government or National Lottery funding so depends on the support of local people and groups.

Community fundraising co-ordinator Ella Mayne said: “We’re so grateful to the Bradley Stoke Lions for their generosity and support. The money raised will help us to provide critical care to those who need it the most.”

Anyone interested in joining Bradley Stoke Lions should call 0845 833 6745.

to mark a special birthday has been donated to the Brockeridge Centre in Frampton Cotterell.

The late Stan Wilson received the picture of Bristol harbourside as a gift on his 80th birthday in 1999.

A group of friends at the village’s Rising Sun pub wanted to mark the event and presented him with the framed print depicting a painting by local artist Peter Donnithorne.

Mr Wilson died a year ago at the age of 95 and the print was initially kept by his daughter and son-in-law, Beverley and Mike Evans.

But they had nowhere to display it in their own home so returned it to Mr Donnithorne, who approached Frampton Cotterell Parish Council about hanging it in the Brockeridge Centre – home of the council.

He said: “It’s a suitable venue given that Stan served on the

parish council for many years.”

Mr Donnithorne was joined

by Mr and Mrs Evans when the print was handed over to councillors and parish clerk Kieran Warren.

Picture: From left, Frampton

Cotterell parish councillor Michaela Crumpton and chairman Tom Clothier, Peter Donnithorne, Mike and Beverley Evans, parish clerk Kieran Warren and councillor Linda Williams.

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Carols in medieval barn to bring curtain down on 2015 events CHRISTMAS carols will be sung in Winterbourne’s medieval barn during the final events of the year in the historic building.

Carols in the Barn will be held on two days in conjunction with St Michael’s Church, with gates opening at 3.30pm on Saturday, December 12, and Sunday, December 13.

Cups of mulled wine or fruit juice and mince pies will be included with the admission and given out before the carols start at 4pm.

But tickets will be limited and anyone keen to attend should buy them as soon as possible.

They cost £2 for adults, £1 for children and are on sale in Daisy’s Café, Flaxpits Lane, or by phoning 01454 774479. Those attending have been warned that the barn is unheated, with uneven ground, so should wear suitable footwear and warm clothing.

Parking is also limited and drivers should enter Church Lane from the Beacon Lane end only.

Meanwhile, the first event of 2016 will be a day-long apple grafting workshop on Saturday, February 27, run by Ben Raskin of the Soil Association.

A maximum of eight people can take part but if demand is high enough, it may be repeated the following weekend.

Booking forms can be found at www.winterbournebarn.org.uk or can be obtained by phoning 0117 957 4921.

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Community transport appeal for more help to meet demand for its service MORE volunteers are needed to help meet the demand for a community transport service based just outside Yate.

Green Community Travel runs a door-to-door ring-and-ride operation for people who cannot use conventional public transport.

It helps them get out and about more easily to keep appointments, go shopping or enjoy a day trip. It also provides transport for some community and charitable groups.

Manager Jenny Bright said: “We are here to provide safe, affordable and accessible travel for people who are unable to access public transport.

“All of our vehicles have tail lifts and side steps to ensure they are user friendly and our minibus drivers have been trained to a nationally recognised standard.”

The scheme has a total of 14 vehicles to use, with three minibuses going out every day on the ring-and-ride trips.

But it said there were still some people who did not know about the service who would benefit from making use of it.

Jenny said: “The people we help are unable to access public transport in the South Gloucestershire area. But all they have to do is contact us and we can help them.”

She said the minibuses were suitable for people with mobility difficulties but were also used in areas where there was a lack of public transport, such as rural villages, and to help anyone who felt isolated through not being able to get out easily.

Volunteers are relied on to run the office, drive the cars and buses and to be part of the management committee. They have to undergo checks before being involved in the scheme but anyone interested should phone 01454 228706 for details.

The service operates through people registering for £20 and then paying a small sum each time they use a bus or car.

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Heart Health The Heart Centre at the Glen, Spire Bristol Hospital, is the only private facility in the South West to offer high quality, complex cardiac surgery and associated cardiology.

The Heart Centre prides itself on providing the highest quality specialist care – from the first moment you are in touch with them through to the completion of your treatment and aftercare. If you need specialist care, there is no better place to come than to the Heart Centre, where you can be assured that the treatment you receive is of the highest standard.

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December, 2015

Last call for grant applications from community action fund COMMUNITY and voluntary schemes that would benefit from an injection of cash have just days left to apply to a fund set up by police and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens.

The Commissioner’s Community Action Fund was established in May 2013 by Ms Mountstevens when she became the first Avon and Somerset PCC. Grants of up to £5,000 can be given to projects across the Avon and Somerset police force area that tackle issues in local areas that are related to policing priorities and efforts to cut crime.

But the fund is about to close ahead of the May 2016 election for the next PCC so a deadline for applications has been set for Tuesday, December 1. Decisions on how the money will be distributed will be made in the new year.

Among schemes that have already received funding is a support group for young parents in Yate to addresses issues such as domestic abuse, self-harm and isolation.

The South Gloucestershire Disability Equality Network was helped to raise awareness of hate crime against those with disabilities, while the South Gloucestershire Youth Initiative was given a grant to help young people recover from domestic abuse.

Applications for the final round of grants should be made online to the Avon and Somerset Police Community Trust.

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Patients with lung disease to get new service to help them stay at home A NEW service is being set up in South Gloucestershire to help people with a serious lung condition stay out of hospital.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fifth biggest killer in the country and the second most common cause of emergency admissions to hospital.

It is a terminal condition which, in advanced stages, may require those with the disease to have oxygen at home to help keep them living independently.

Sirona Health and Care plans to develop a community service that will include assessing and reviewing those who are registered with a South Gloucestershire GP and have been diagnosed with COPD, as well as anyone who has been prescribed oxygen, regardless of diagnosis.

Emma Caleb, Sirona’s head of specialist rehabilitation services, said: “Individuals will be referred to us by their consultant, GP or other professional and, having been assessed, people will be able to stay in touch with the service.

“Initially we are planning a Monday to Friday service, with staff visiting patients at home or in local clinics.

“However, the aim is to be as flexible as possible and as we want to give greater control and choice to people with respiratory problems, we would like them to be involved in how we develop the service.”

A survey has been produced asking for views on the plans. It can be accessed online at www. sirona-cic.org.uk/your-view or by calling Martha Cox on 01225 831328.

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21

Faster internet set to expand Changes planned for to more areas in South kerbside waste collections Gloucestershire as smaller bins set to appear SMALLER black bins and more recycling could be introduced in South Gloucestershire as plans are drawn up to change the kerbside collection service.

Despite the amount of waste being dealt with in the district falling by 61 per cent in the last 15 years, South Gloucestershire Council said there was still too much being produced.

It also wants to increase the amount of recycling in order to meet European targets.

It said: “In 2000 we collectively recycled and composted seven per cent of our municipal waste. In 2014-15, this had increased to 47.5 per cent.

“However, this is below the European target of 50 per cent by 2020 and, therefore, recycling continues to be an important priority.

“The last few years have seen very challenging times for the whole economy and the council has faced significant cuts. We need to treat waste as a resource to be tapped rather than a problem.

“The proposed changes to the service intend to simplify the kerbside offering to residents. It will encourage re-use and recycling through increasing recycling collections to weekly and reducing the size of the black bin.”

The South Gloucestershire Green party said £3 million would be saved if recyclable items were not put into black bins.

It said: “Waste minimisation is in everyone’s interest and the council is looking at ways to drive waste out of landfill, putting it to better use, without increasing overall cost.”

But Liberal Democrats accused the ruling Conservatives of failing to live up to a pledge to bring back free garden waste collections.

Householders are being urged to have their say on the proposed changes and put forward any other ideas they might have. The consultation runs until February 15, with details on the council’s website.

There will also be roadshows in Yate Shopping Centre on Wednesday, December 9, from 10am-5pm and at Waitrose, Wickwar Road, Chipping Sodbury, on Wednesday, December 16, from 10am-6pm.

MORE homes and businesses will benefit from the roll-out of fibre broadband in South Gloucestershire.

In the second phase of a project to introduce faster internet speeds to the district, new areas will be covered and some that have already been reached will be expanded to take in more properties.

Locations include Chipping Sodbury, Rangeworthy and Winterbourne. South Gloucestershire Council said: “Our funding, combined with contributions from Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) and BT means we are able to invest £1.54 million in extending the coverage of fibre broadband.”

John Goddard, chairman of the council’s resources sub-committee said: “Thousands of homes and businesses have already benefited from the first phase of the rollout.

“As we move into the second phase, more than 1,800 residential and business properties will be able to benefit from the extended coverage of fibre broadband.”

The council said residents and businesses in North Road, Yate, would be able to order broadband from their internet service provider straight away as the roadside green cabinets had already been installed and were ready for service.

Councillor Marian Lewis, who represents the Ladden Brook ward, said: “I am of course very pleased that Rangeworthy and North Road are set to benefit from the latest round of roll out.

“However I remain very concerned that some of the other villages I represent are going to miss out again.”

She said that included “an important part” of Engine Common and she pledged to press the council for to bring connectivity to those areas.

Praise for South Gloucestershire cycling routes in national survey results CYCLING routes and facilities in South Gloucestershire have been praised in a national survey.

Feedback from the highways and transportation survey led to South Gloucestershire Council getting the best score among local authorities for provision of services for cyclists.

It also had the highest score in a category for walking and cycling, as well as being regarded highly in the road safety, highways maintenance and community transport categories.

Mark King, the council’s head of street care, said: “We are delighted to be recognised in these awards, which reflect our efforts to improve our road and transport networks for all users.

“We have recently completed several major projects, such as improving facilities for cyclists at junction one of the M32 at Hambrook, which benefits commuter cyclists along the A4174 ring road corridor.

“We are also going to undertake more extensive gritting on the cycle path network this year, as we recognise it as being a very important commuter facility.”

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By Sarah Young of

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December, 2015

You are special – now take time to enjoy getting ready for that night out

I

Y

HE

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T’S that time of year already. Are you super organised and ready, or are you a last minute person who won’t get going with the festive season until a week before Christmas at the earliest. When you are all done running round for others, here are our top tips for that festive, glamorous, something a bit special look.

Make a statement Your lips need to last you through cocktails or kisses so make sure they last with good prep. First outline the lips with a lip line then fill in with colour, set then with a very fine dusting of powder. Re-apply the colour and you should find that this will help it stay for the evening.

Glitter

tricks of the trade

Decorate your nails with a glitter or a metallic. If every nail is too much, how about one statement nail in a glitter or a glitter top coat over your favourite red?

-Don’t rush straight into doing your make up on the night

Make it quick with a flick.

- On a night out always apply a primer under all you make up, including your lips.

A flick on liner, winged just up at the ends can create a fast and flirty effect. It takes practice and time though, so don’t hurry this bit. Or work a rock n roll look by smudging you eyeliner

- Use a fluffy brush to dusk lids with loose powder first .

Take your time.

For eye make up to survive the party hours, try some of these

-Apply your skin care whilst your skin is warm and damp, after the shower or bath

- Apply a crayon eye shadow to the base of your lashes, then use it to colour in the lid - Apply a lighter glimmering shade over the crayoned eye lid

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December, 2015

Singers ready for Christmas spectacular

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THE Crossbow Singers are hoping for a bumper attendance at their Christmas concert this month. The group are hoping to top their successful summer performances with a guest appearance by the Frampton Shanty Men. The performances take place on 14 and 15 December at Crossbow House, School Road, Frampton Cotterell. Tickets at £6 each can be obtained for Monday’s concert from Rose 01454 772675, or for Tuesday ring Mary on 01454 887885.

The summer concert, which featured songs from the shows, raised £800 for two local charities, ‘Hope for Tomorrow’ and the ‘Great Western Air Ambulance’. The christmas concert will raise money to cover the cost of running the choir and help them to continue to perform.

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The Crossbow Singers ready for their Christmas Concert this month

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YOSC looks to the future as new organisation takes over the popular sports venue THE future of Yate Outdoor Sports Complex has been secured after spending cuts had threatened the well used facility.

Negotiations lasting more than a year have resulted in a new charitable organisation being set up to run YOSC, sited next to Brimsham Green School.

The complex is now run by YOSC Ltd, which was established

by Yate Town Council and Yate and District Athletic Club to ensure the facilities - from an athletics track to sports pitches would remain for local clubs.

Until the recent change, made at the start of November, a longrunning arrangement meant Brimsham Green pupils made use of YOSC during school hours, while clubs and other users had access at other times.

Circadian Trust, which runs

South Gloucestershire Council’s leisure centres, had managed the facilities outside school hours but its contract expired at the end of October, along with funding for continued community use.

The council, as part of efforts to make savings of £40 million, decided not to renew the contract but wanted to ensure arrangements could be made to allow the dual-use to continue.

Under the agreement, sports facilities located in Brimsham Green School will be taken on by the comprehensive. South Gloucestershire also approved the transfer of more than £134,000 for future maintenance and repairs of YOSC. The complex boasts a floodlit athletics arena used for track and field events, football pitches, a cricket field and nets, as well as

Exhibitions to be staged on designs for MetroBus extension PUBLIC exhibitions will be held as part of consultation on early designs for an extension of the MetroBus between Parkway station and The Mall at Cribbs Causeway.

It is proposed to run the extension along Hatchet Road, Gipsy Patch Lane, through the former Rolls-Royce East Works site, along North Way and through the Cribbs Patchway neighbourhood being built on the former Filton airfield.

When complete, it will connect to other MetroBus routes which are currently being built, including the South Bristol link and the Ashton Vale to Temple Meads route.

Information on the plan can be found on the South Gloucestershire Council website at www.southglos.gov.uk/CPMEconsult where comments can also be made by Friday, January 15.

One of the exhibitions will run from 1.30pm-5.30pm on Monday, December 7, in Stoke Gifford Parish Council community hall, Little Stoke Lane, Little Stoke.

Another takes place from 4pm-8pm on Wednesday, December 16, in the Poplar Room at Stoke Gifford Trust Ground, North Road.

courts for tennis and netball.

There is also an all-weather hockey pitch, changing rooms and a clubhouse with bar.

Meanwhile, a sports hall at the school provides four courts that can be used for such activities as five-a-side football, badminton, basketball, volleyball and table tennis. It also has a dance studio.

YOSC users include national level athletes, disabled athletes, schoolchildren, toddlers and the retired and a major effort was involved in saving the complex for all of them.

Jeremy Dale, vice-chairman of the athletic club, said a work party had already been in action to prepare the centre for the new

regime, which involves the notfor-profit company running it on a voluntary basis.

He said: There is a lot to do and the company, run by unpaid directors, will need as much help as possible to make a success of the complex.

“Eventually, when the company has generated an income, the intention is to create a sustainable not-for-profit business with paid work. In the meantime, it is up to us to make it as much of a success as possible.”

He said it was hoped to improve the facilities and offer even more to those who use the complex.

Citizens Advice Bureau appeals for new trustees to join its board NEW trustees are needed to oversee the vital work of the Citizens Advice Bureau in South Gloucestershire.

The CAB provides free and confidential advice to people from its main premises in Yate, at other offices around the district and over the phone. It also campaigns to improve policies and practices that affect people’s lives.

Its work is governed by a board of trustees, whose members are responsible for ensuring the service complies with national standards, charity legislation and company law.

The bureau is currently looking to appoint new trustees to strengthen the board and replace members who are planning to move on.

Trustee chairman John Sellers said: “Ideal applicants will be thoughtful people who care about our community and can quickly get the idea that our work has a valuable impact on its social and economic wellbeing.”

Anyone interested should visit the CAB website www. southgloscab.org.uk to find out more about the role.

Free activities at Yate Leisure Centre boosts town’s dementia-friendly status SINGING, swimming and socialising sessions are being run at Yate Leisure Centre for people with dementia and their carers.

The activities have been introduced as part of wider efforts to make the town dementia friendly.

Yate Dementia Action Alliance wanted to improve the health and well-being of people

with the condition so teamed up with the leisure complex to organise the free events.

They are currently running from 10am-noon every Monday until December 14 and after a break over Christmas, are due to resume in early January.

Leisure centre football coach Mike Jones is leading the project with his wife, Jan, who used

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to run Singing for the Brain sessions. Mike is also a Dementia Friends champion, helping people understand more about the condition.

He said: “We hope our weekly sessions give people with dementia and their carers an opportunity to express themselves in a fun and welcoming environment.

“It is so important that people with dementia maintain a high quality of life by taking part in activities and enjoying a sociable lifestyle.

“We look forward to welcoming people at the sessions and we hope the people of Yate will join us in raising awareness to support the dementia community.”

Email: richard@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

fromevalleyvoice www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk T: 01454 800 120 26 Pledge from health chiefs and council leaders on action to further cut smoking levels www.fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

NEW moves are being made to cut the number of smokers in South Gloucestershire.

A tobacco control scheme, youth prevention programme and a campaign to reduce smoking in pregnancy are just some of the latest steps being taken to encourage more smokers to give up.

Now the director of public health in the district, Professor Mark Pietroni, and South Gloucestershire Council leader, Matthew Riddle, have also pledged support to a national project to help protect people from preventable diseases such as lung cancer.

The local authority declaration on tobacco control commits the council to specific actions to reduce smoking prevalence and health

inequalities among local communities.

Professor Pietroni said it was necessary to promote a shift in social attitudes so that choosing not to smoke was encouraged.

He said: “It’s really important that we continue to reduce the attractiveness of tobacco, particularly to young people, and that everyone plays their part to protect children from the harm of second-hand smoke.

“We are also working to stop the trade in illegal tobacco sales and we are involved in the national second-hand smoke campaign which highlights the hidden dangers that smoking in homes and cars can cause to children’s health.”

Councillor Riddle said: “In signing this declaration we can continue to build on the positive

work we are already doing locally to inform people about the serious damage smoking can cause.”

There are currently nearly 45,000 smokers in South Gloucestershire - 16.7 per cent of the area’s population – and Yate is among places in the district that runs regular Smokefree sessions to help people quit the habit. Details are available by visiting www.southglos.gov.uk/ smokefree Every year in England alone, more than 80,000 people die from smoking related disease.

Some 17,000 under-fives are also admitted to hospital across the country annually as a result of passive smoking and Cancer Research UK estimates that 430 children in England start smoking every day.

December, 2015

Hospital to host awareness event on spinal arthritis AN awareness evening on a form of spinal arthritis will be held at Southmead Hospital in the New Year.

The event on Tuesday, January 26 is open to those with ankylosing spondylitis, healthcare professionals and anyone with an interest in the condition.

Up to 40 people can be accommodated so the Bristol North National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society needs anyone planning to attend to register by emailing rowenasutcliffe@ hotmail.com or phoning 07821269351.

The event starts at 6.45pm and will include talks on current treatments and research.

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December, 2015

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Businesses get behind call for new M4 junction OVER 100 local businesses have signed a letter calling on the Government to deliver the funding for a new junction 18A into the M4.

Local MP Luke Hall, has presented the letter to Andrew Jones, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport in the House of Commons.

The campaign has has seen a debate in Parliament and the launch of a University of Bath report, putting forward the economic case for the new junction.

Mr Hall said; “This demonstrates that the campaign for Junction 18A has strong support in the business community and adds to the clear and convincing case that this junction should be part of the future infrastructure of South Gloucestershire”.

It’s claimed the proposed Junction 18A would address increasing residential and commercial demands being placed on South Gloucestershire,

Local Mp Luke Hall and Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore present the letter to Andrew Jones at the House of Commons which is already experiencing significant growth. Over the next 10 years, it is anticipated that 7,000 new jobs will be created in the area and this is due to put

a significant strain on the local road network.

The campaign for the new junction, Gateway2Growth, has already made significant

progress since it was launched in March 2015 and has won cross-party support on South Gloucestershire Council.

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December, 2015

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Around the W.I. Frampton Cotterell WI Frampton Cottrell WI’s AGM took place at the end of November. This included a round up of the year’s activities and the nominations for next year’s WI committee, before voluntary roles are allocated for the coming year. We also had a Christmas craft stall selling items from cards and pens through to jewellery and festive decorations made by our own very talented craft expert, WI member Kathryn Smeaton.

In December we have the annual Avon Federation WI carol service taking place at St. Mary Redcliffe on the 15th December. The December meeting will be held on the 8th at Crossbow house where we’ll be enjoying a Bingo evening with a bar and festive treats, and on the 22nd December, members will gather for the traditional carols and mince pies get-together at one of our member’s homes.

The WI book club will be meeting for its annual Christmas dinner at The Rising Sun early in December, and all will meet for the members annual dinner at the Alveston House Hotel in Thornbury in early February 2016. Other events coming up in 2016 include craft demonstrations from local companies, a chance to learn about and try Morris dancing, and a presentation from a local award winning gardener.

We are proud to announce the publication of the Frampton WI recipe booklet “Frampton Favourites”, which has been produced with input from many members to commemorate the 100 years anniversary of the WI this year. The booklet features over 30 tried and tested favourite recipes from our WI group - copies will be available in local businesses (including local pubs, cafes and shops) in the run up to Christmas.

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Frampton Cotterell WI’s cook book is out now priced at £2 a copy - available at selected local businesses Visitors are always welcome to our monthly meetings at St Peter’s Hall on School Road at 7.45pm, on the 4th Tuesday of the month. Visitors are charged at £2.50 for the evening and any new members can join by paying a membership fee.

Special interest groups meet separately, including a book club, choir and our skittles and darts teams.

Please search FramptonCottWI to find out more, and do like our page!

Coalpit Heath WI The last meeting of Coalpit Heath WI centred around our Annual General Meeting. Last year we had a few changes to the Committee and 2015 was no exception. Catherine Proudlove agreed to stand as President for another year. Jennie Mitchell resigned as Secretary but agreed to remain on the Committee.

Our new Secretary is Vicky Stock. Sue Keel, after having been Programme Coordinator for many years, stood down and

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December, 2015

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Leigh Smith agreed to take over the role. Sue will also remain on the committee. A new formal role was introduced, that of Welcome Hostess and Katie Jones has agreed to take this on.

In October some of our ladies went to see Suffragette.

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They reported back that the film whilst being thoroughly enjoyable was very thought provoking – the cinema was packed, it’s well worth seeing for those who have not yet been able to get to the cinema.

The stage at St Saviours

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church hall was filled with approximately 50 decorated shoes boxes in aid of the Samaritans Purse, Operation Christmas Child Appeal. After a presentation by the charity in 2014 we all agreed that it was such a good cause that we would participate again in 2015. Everyone enjoys filling the boxes but nowhere near as much as the children who are lucky enough to receive a box.

We are making plans for Christmas and Marcia Caple started to collect donations for the Christmas Hamper – the raffle will be drawn in the December meeting. Members also chose their options for the Christmas dinner at The Bell in Old Sodbury – Secret Santa will take place at the dinner and for those members not attending we will have more surprise gifts at the December meeting.

The December meeting will be a surprise event organised

by Catherine Proudlove, an evening of craft and games.

Also our annual carol concert organised by Joan Maine will be held at St Saviours Church on 16th December at 7.30 pm. Everyone is welcome (not just ladies) – we have an evening of carols and poems and it never fails to get us all in the Christmas Spirit. Mince pies and a chat after.

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Sally Lloyd, our President, welcomed everyone to our last meeting. We heard about the Annual Group meeting, held on 16th October at The Vassalls Centre where Lucienne Boyce talked about The Bristol Suffragettes.

Those who attended enjoyed a “high tea” of sandwiches, scones and cakes and tea was served using teapots and individual cups and saucers.

Some people were in fancy dress thus creating a good atmosphere for an enjoyable evening.

Also in October we celebrated our Birthday by having a very good meal at The Golden Heart in Kendleshire.

Our November meeting was followed by the AGM and Dawn Mahoney was elected as our new President with Sally Lloyd as Vice President. The Committee remained much the same. Our Secretary gave a very

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comprehensive report of our activities throughout the year.

The meetings over, we all tucked into a bread and cheese supper accompanied with a glass of punch or a cup of tea or coffee.

Our Christmas meeting is on 3rd December and we will be joined by members from other local WI’s. The entertainment will be The Steve Price Duo. The talk at our meeting on 7th January 2016 will be about Crust and Crumbs. All are welcome to join us at 7.30 in All Saints Church Hall.

Winterbourne Evening WI Everyone at our AGM recently agreed that we had experienced a lively and enjoyable year. A high attendance at the meeting voted on a number of issues.

Our outgoing secretary Gill Parkere presented the year’s report from the committee.

We congratulated ourselves on the lively cocktail party we had enjoyed to celebrate 100 years of the WI and started to look forward to 2016 when our WI will be 60 years old.

Our president attended the garden party at Buckingham Palace and also the AGM at the Albert Hall. Several other members attended the garden party. We have paraded our banner and attended both county and group events, the last of these being a suffragettes evening at the Vassell Centre with members from across our group.

The treasurers report explained that income from fundraising activities had been much lower this year and we may need to look at how funds should be raised in addition to subscription in the future.

It was proposed that from January refreshments will be increased to £1 to include a raffle ticket. The cost for visitors attending the meeting would also rise to £3 which is still a moderate charge.

Next month will be a bring and share Christmas party with musical entertainers, and we are looking forward to having visitors from neighbouring WI’s. Visitors and new members are always welcome on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30 in the St Michael’s Rooms.

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L

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TER ET

Thanks to those who took to the trail DURING half term, Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath Churches Together organised a Scarecrow Trail in which the whole community was invited to participate. There were 40 entries from all over the area ending with a hot dog breakfast in The Brockeridge Centre on 31st October.

All through the week there were people walking with the trail maps looking at the entries and voting for their favourite. It was great to see the village so lively and full of activity. Local

businesses benefitted too.

The theme was ‘family’ and some entries interpreted this in unusual ways but all were imaginative and fun!

The winners were Bridge Way (couple on a tandem) and the Rectory Road depiction of The Simpsons.

It was sad that there was some vandalism –petty and

mindless and disappointing for families who lost their entry but the majority were left intact.

It is hoped to repeat the event next year with a theme of ‘love’!

Many thanks to the local businesses who gave their support...The Rising Sun, The Globe, Nisa, The Gingerbread Man Cafe and Sainsbury Local.

Sue Walters

Could you make a difference to the life of a Chernobyl Child?

2016 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, an event that the population of Belarus can never forget.

Their people are forever affected by the legacy of the world’s worst nuclear disaster – the radioactive fallout was nearly 400 times greater than the bombs dropped in 1945 on Hiroshima & Nagasaki combined. The World Health

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December, 2015 Organisation has classified 500,000 of the children in Belarus as being “at risk” – or to put it another way – only 6% of the children are healthy!

The Chernobyl Children’s Life Line charity was founded

by Victor Mizzi M.B.E. in 1991.

Building on his example, we bring a group of 16 children from Belarus each summer for a month’s respite holiday, giving their immune systems a chance to recuperate.

It is estimated that a month staying with a family here, eating uncontaminated, nourishing food, resting from the relentless radiation and breathing clean air can add up to two years to their life expectancy.

Could you share your home with two 11 year old children for two weeks? There is a network of support for host families – you would not be on your own. The children will be encouraged to participate in the activities we will organise on their behalf.

These events range from sports to the arts, from local visits to coach trips to the sea or country. There will be two Belarusian teachers (who act as interpreters) with the group and they are on hand around the clock should there be any language difficulties or advice sought.

If you think that you can help us to help these most unfortunate children please call Andy March: 07812 159942, email: bristol@ ccll.org.uk or visit our web site at www.ccll.org.uk/bristol to find out more, and visit the Gallery so that you can see all the fun and activities from previous summers.

Thank you. Andy March Chair, Chernobyl Children’s Life Line Bristol Link

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31

Forestry enterprise keeps on growing

F

ROM a back garden in Frenchay to an 18-acre plantation along the M32 ‘green corridor’ into Bristol, Frenchay Christmas Tree Farm has steadily grown over the last two decades.

While you might not consider forestry a natural career progression for ex-international transport director Peter Maughan, it is what he took on as a side project in 1992 while

Peter Maughan

managing his own transport company. His son, Simon, came home from university surprised to find 200 baby Christmas trees planted in Peter’s back garden.

Simon was immediately hooked on the idea, but this first crop was not to be. Planted far too closely together, the trees soon began to grow into each other and die.

“We made a lot of mistakes at the beginning,” says Peter, “but even though we can now produce trees of top quality, we’re still learning.”

Fast-forward to 1997, and Peter tried again, this time on the current trading site, originally a field he had bought for a different purpose. Once again, Simon returned from a trip away to find a small plantation of 6,000 Norway Spruce trees.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes,” says Simon. “I just thought it was a totally cool thing to do!” Peter called it his ‘Millennium Project’.

After a trip to another grower in Devon, they attempted to sell a load of locally grown trees from the side of the road.

“I remember how everyone was eyeing us with suspicion,

driving by slowly but not getting out of their cars. We just couldn’t sell them, even when we dropped the price to just £6 per tree! In the end we practically gave them away to another retailer.

“If we had not already invested in a 6,000-tree plantation, I think we would have given up,” says Simon, “But we were already in the game.”

Over the next four years Peter put in a lot of work promoting the farm, maintaining the trees and extending the planting until the field was full.

Whenever possible, Simon would take time off work to help, and he now manages the business.

Gradually, word began to spread, and in 2004, “we were able at last to sell our very own trees, ” says Simon.

“It was a terrific moment to see those first trees coming off the field, and the looks on the faces of the happy customers who had chosen them said it all.”

The aim was always to create a site for nature as well as for the trees, and to give a generous share of profit to local charities.

Simon says: “I remember

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December, 2015

Let’s talk Occupational Therapy

by Laura from the Willow Brook Clinic

M

ANY of us take for granted every day activities such as getting dressed, making our meals and accessing our wider community. However, there are many individuals who can find these tasks a barrier to leading a full and active life. At this time of year these problems can be more apparent as the nights are longer and it is colder outside. Also, as we age, we may find that some activities are more challenging.

An Occupational Therapist can work with individuals to help find solutions and strategies to enable them to remain as independent as possible, and to help reduce the likelihood of injury. The type of intervention will depend on the problem and the individual goals.

For example, when working with an individual on falls prevention, the Occupational Therapist may look at recommending changes to an individual’s environment. This can include reviewing lighting, especially at night, looking at suitable footwear, reducing trip hazards and ensuring things are easily to hand, including a method to summon help. It may also include working with other professionals, such as a physiotherapist, to

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work on an individual’s balance and core strength.

Another strategy used by Occupational Therapists is suggesting the individual use adaptive equipment. There are many products available on the market from simple dressing aids such as long handled shoe horns to more expensive specialist chairs. An Occupational Therapist can advise individuals on the best products to meet their needs and to assist them in achieving their relevant goals.

Occupational Therapists help educate individuals how to engage in activities within their personal ability. This can include finding strategies on how to remember things when your memory is poor and educating individuals on how to access local services such as dial a ride and local support groups.

Occupational Therapy is not just for disabilities, but an holistic approach to help individuals overcome problems with the activities of daily living.

Consider seeing an Occupational Therapist to help you live life to the full.

Get well, stay well

JACK LOPRESTI MP

Member of Parliament for Filton and Bradley Stoke Jack holds surgeries on Fridays at different locations across the constituency - to make an appointment please contact: 01454 617 783 jack.lopresti.mp@parliament.uk Jack’s drop-in constituency office is at 2B, 1st Floor East, The Willowbrook Centre, Savages Wood Road, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 8BS Open 9-6 weekdays

B-BARBERED Traditional and Modern Gent’s Barbers 01454 776803 72 Bradley Avenue Winterbourne BS36 1HS Opening Times: Mon 0900-1630 n Tues, Wed, Fri 0900-1730 n Thurs 0900-1800 n Sat 0800-1300 n No appointment necessary

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December, 2015

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Stephen Newell

(Pastor Zion United Church and on behalf of the Churches Together in Frampton and Coalpit Heath) I ABSOLUTELY love Christmas.

Now I realise that for a Christian minister to say this shouldn’t really be a surprise. But when I say I love Christmas, I don’t mean that I just love the meaning of Christmas, I love quite a few of the trappings as well. I’m going to be even more provocative now and admit that if the Militant Atheists get their way and we stop having CHRISTmas and instead have a “Winter Festival” I’d probably still love that as well. You see the truth is I love celebrations and festivals. I say this even though I am the quintessential

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A Christmas thought grumpy old man. When a party is suggested, I tend to grunt.

When it is suggested that we have family over, again I grunt… but in truth when the people arrive something stirs in me and I love it. I honestly believe we were made with a celebratory part to our DNA. Pretty much every healthy culture that has ever been, develops times of celebration. It is part of what makes us truly human. This joy is one of the ways I think we all reflect God. (Note for Militant Atheists: I don’t believe in a Grumpy Old Man God either!)

As a Christian I get to read regularly the stories of the Jewish festivals. We have a lot to learn from them. They knew how to party well, whole families and communities celebrating together. But what I really like was that they often prepared more carefully for their celebrations. It was OK to eat drink and be merry when along with this celebration you had had a week or a month or more of preparation, often involving fasting and abstinence.

Our preparations tend to be monochrome: the minute Halloween is done we are all about consuming ready for Christmas, when we will try and consume some more. It actually isn’t natural. You need to be hungry so that you can properly enjoy being full up. There’s a rhythm here which we have lost. A feast isn’t really a feast unless we have also experienced something of a fast.

(PS I am in the middle of a celtic advent fast..no puddings or sweets from 15 November to Christmas, so I really will be a

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grumpy old man!)

Festivals can even have an important place for those going through hard times. Mourning or suffering is really hard work.

Endurance; keeping going is sometimes all we can muster.

Festivals can offer the light at the end of a tunnel. When someone is able to rejoice and laugh and love in the midst of struggle that is surely amongst the most beautiful things we can witness. I’m not suggesting putting a brave face on, or worse pretending everything is fine. But sometimes the human determination of having something to live for can be very powerful.

So I love festivals, but why Christmas: for me there is a real reason to celebrate. The joyous loving God that I experience has chosen to walk alongside us.

That we chose to celebrate this at the darkest time of the year also fits. Just like we need to fast before we can really feast, so it takes there to be a little

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darkness, before we are aware of the candle light that is quietly beside us. The dark nights are perhaps the invitation, to get ready to fast a little, to wait. For the bright lights of the Christmas celebration are coming soon: and I love it!

As churches we are sometimes not that great at festivals. We did kick of the now famous Frampton Festival, and we also tend to celebrate Christmas fairly well. Our celebrations will of course be richer for each new person who chooses to join us. All the Christmas service details for our local churches are printed elsewhere, if you are interested in meeting a joyous loving God, who parties when we party and weeps with us when we need to weep, then please do try and make the festival special. Just as with all festivals, these events are open to all so bring along your friends and family young and old.

John Harris

079199 12966 01454 772 502 quarrygardens@hotmail.co.uk

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December 4

n Friends of Manor School Christmas Fayre will take place on Friday 4th December from 3.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. at the Manor CE Primary School, Coalpit Heath. Contact 07730 206235 for further information.’

December 4

n 3:30pm Manor School Christmas Fayre St Saviour’s Church

December 4

n 11am-1pm Messy Church - St Saviour’s Church

December 5

n Crossbow Pre-school are having a Christmas Bazaar on Saturday 5th December 10.00 am – 12.00 noon. There will be games for the children, home made cakes for sale, toy and book stall, teas and coffee and much much more. All monies made will be used for the benefit of the pre-school children.

December 6

n Friends of Manor School Christmas Fayre will take place on Friday 4th December from 3.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. at the Manor CE Primary School, Coalpit Heath. Contact 07730

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December, 2015

Have you got an event you would like to publicise?

Do you run a club or society in the Frome Valley area?

Send details of your events or activities to richard@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk or call us on 01454 800120 We will make sure thousands of people in the area get to hear about it 206235 for further information.

December 10

n Richard Box, the internationally renowned speaker will tell The Christmas Story through Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Paintings of The Nativity to South G

December 12

n Adult’s Christmas Meal— Book your baby sitter now! St Saviour’s Church

December, 14th/15th

n Crossbow Singers’ Christmas Concert with guest artists The Frampton Shanty Men. Tickets at £6 each from Rose (Monday) 01454 772675, or for Tuesday tickets ring Mary on 01454 887885. Hope to see you there - 7.30 pm, Crossbow House, School Road, Frampton Cotterell.

December 16

n Christmas Carol Concert of Coalpit Heath WI. Wednesday 16th December 2015 7.30 pm St Saviours Church Hall, Coalpit Heath Come and share the Festive Season with us Mince Pies – Everyone Welcome

December 16

n 7.30 p.m. Women’s Institute Carol Service, St Saviour’s Church

for the children. Get there early.

St Saviour’s Church

December 24

December 17

n 11.30 p.m. Midnight Mass of Christmas, St Saviour’s Church

December 18

n 10.00 a.m. Holy Communion, with Christmas Carols (No 8am service) St Saviour’s Church

December 18

n 10am Epiphany Parish Praise (display of cribs in the windows) St Saviour’s Church

n 6.00 p.m. The Manor School Carol Service, St Saviour’s Church n 10.00 a.m. The Manor School Carol Service St Saviour’s Church

December 25 January 3 January 9

n Mary’s Christmas Lunch in the hall (Booking required) St Saviour’s Church

n 6pm Children’s Film, St Saviour’s Church

December 18

n Zion Pre-School Fundraising Event. 7.30pm at The Miners Club, Coalpit Heath. Live Music from The Moonloungers, £5 a ticket in advance, £6 on the door Contact Becky on 07823 777252 or Sarah on 07811 916628 to book a ticket.

December 20

n 6.00 p.m. Christmas Carol Service, St Saviour’s Church

December 24

n 5.00 p.m. Christmas Crib Service. Dressing up and drama

January 11

n Bristol Budgerigar Society.

Monday January 11 commencing 7.30pm. Demonstrations and advice on preparation of exhibition budgerigars for showing. Visitors welcome to join our friendly social meetings at Little Stoke Community Hall, Little Stoke Lane, Bristol BS34 6HR. Further details from the Secretary Colin Parsons. Tel 01454 775878. colinpauline@ hotmail.com or Chairman Peter Dark 01454 201217. honey35@

December at Winterbourne Library Opening times: Monday: closed Tuesday: 9.30am - 7.00pm Wednesday: 9.30am - 5.00pm Thursday: closed Friday: 9.30am - 7.00pm Saturday: 9.30am - 5.00pm Sunday: closed Rhymetime: Rhymes and songs for parents and babies/ toddlers to enjoy together every Tuesday morning 9.30 – 10.00am Pre School Storytime: Join us weekly on Wednesdays 9.30 – 10.00am for stories and crafts, term time only.

New to Winterbourne Library, pre-school Stay ‘n’ Play sessions! Join library staff every Friday afternoon 2.152.45pm for stories and play.

This session will run throughout the year.

Our Chatterbooks group for young people in Years 5 and 6 will be meeting on Saturday 19

December 2.30-3.30pm Jewellery Making Workshop suitable for age 9+ Saturday 12 December 2.30 – 4.30pm Join staff and make some unique pieces of jewellery to adorn your favourite Christmas outfit or as personal stocking fillers. Items will cost between £1.50 and £3 to make. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

Stories Round the Christmas Tree: seasonal stories, songs and a craft activity on Wednesday 23 December 10.00 – 11.00am Suitable for young children and their families The Book Group for Parents will be meeting on Friday 11 December 2.00 – 3.00pm New members are very welcome – please speak to a member of staff or contact

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

the group’s facilitator Liz on 07825510079 The Craft Group is meeting on Saturday 5 and 19 December 10.00am – 12.00noon.

New members are always very welcome Christmas Singalong Friday 4 December 2.00-3.00pm Join library staff and friends to sing a selection of well-known carols and Christmas songs.

Suitable for 50+ age group, singing will be followed by free refreshments.

To book your place please speak to a member of staff IT support available every Wednesday morning for help getting online, setting up an iPad, basic computing skills, Universal Jobmatch, or using the LibrariesWest e-facilities. To book a place please speak to a member of staff.

Winterbourne library has daily papers, free internet access and WiFi, laminating and fax facilities (charges apply) Staff will always be happy to make you a cup of tea or coffee for only 40p.

For more information on any of the above please contact us: Telephone: 01454 868006 Email: winterbourne.library@ southglos.gov.uk Visit our website to find out more: www.southglos.gov.uk/ libraries Follow us on twitter: www. twitter.com@southgloslibs Renew and reserve books and check out our online facilities: www.librarieswest.org.uk ‘Like’ us on Facebook for all the latest at South Gloucestershire Libraries

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January 24

n 6pm Christingle Celebration (Oranges and candles!) St Saviour’s Church

February 21

n 10am Bishop Mike is visiting and will be giving the sermon

Regular events Monday

n Toddler Group 9.30-11.30am (termtime) Winterbourne Early Years Centre, Greenfield Centre, Park Ave, Winterbourne. For more information call Helen 01454 773781. n Open Door bereavement suport group. 10.30-12.00 every first Monday., St Peter’s Church Baby Group 1-3pm (termtime) Winterbourne Early Years Centre, Greenfield Centre, Park Ave, Winterbourne. For more information call Helen 01454 773781. n Memory Cafe, run by the Alzheimer’s Society. The Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne, 2pm - 4pm 1st Monday of month.

Scrabble, The Community Centre, Winterbourne, 2- 4.30pm n Manor Hall Gardening & Social Club The Manor Hall 2.-3.30pm.

First Monday of the month, (except for Bank Holidays on the second Monday). n 1st Winterbourne Down and Buryside Beavers Scouts 5pm until 6:30pm at the Scout hut on Green Dragon Road, Winterborne. n 1st Winterbourne Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. Meet Monday evenings in St. Michael’s Room. winterbournesmgsl@ cotswoldedgescouts.org.uk 01454 775024 n North Road Ladies, Iron Action Parish Hall, 7.30, every first Monday. n Women’s Fellowship Zion Church Hall 2.30p.m.- 3.45 (from the middle of September) Programme of speakers, choirs etc., followed by a cup of tea.

50p per week. For more details ring Pat Lax 886830 n Iron Acton WI Iron Acton Parish Hall, 7.30, second Monday of month. n Crossbow Singers, Crossbow House, Frampton Cotterell.

7.30.Term Time only, starting in September. We would love to welcome more tenors and basses. Please contact Jenny on 01454 313037. n Winterbourn Down Border Morris Morris Dancing, All Saint’s Church Hall, 8.15pm n Line dancing with Laughter in Line, Zion Church Hall, Woodend Rd, Frampton Cotterell.

Beginners 7.30pm, Improvers, 8.30pm. Info Sarah 01454 773929 www.laughterinline.org n Winterbourne Scrabble Club - weekly 2.00 - 4.30 pm at Winterbourne & District Community Centre, Watleys End

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Road, Winterbourne. Further info from Gill on 01454 773573. n Bristol Budgerigar Society hold meetings at Little Stoke Community Hall, Little Stoke Lane, Little Stoke, Bristol BS34 6HR. Meetings commence at 7.30pm on the second Monday of each month. Details from the Secretary Colin Parsons Tel 01454 775878. E-mail colinpauline@hotmail.com or Chairman, Peter Dark. Tel 01454 201217. E-mail honey@darkm. freeserve.co.uk Membership; Adult £7.00, senior £5.00, same address partners £10.00, different address partners appropriate single rate each.

Juniors free. Visitors always welcome without commitment or charge to see the wonderful budgerigar breeding, exhibition and social experience that Bristol Budgerigar Society can offer.

Tuesday

n Rhymetime. Winterbourne Library. 9.30 – 10am. Rhymes and songs for parents and babies/toddlers to enjoy together. n Slimming World 9.30 The Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne.

Tel Becca 07721 907780 n Knit and Natter The Beacon@ Zion United Church. 10am 12noon. Contact Mary Thexton 01454 850704 n Yate Visually Impaired Group.

Yate Fire Station 2.30 pm every other Tuesday Contact Gay Williams 01454 321749 gab56@ btinternet.com n Winterbourne Ladies, The Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne, 7.30 -10pm, second Tuesday of month. n Crossbow Bridge Club, Crossbow House. 7.30pm n Slimming World 7.30 Elm Park School, Winterbourne. Tel Becca 07721 907780 n Centre Squares (dancing).

Winterbourne Comunity Centre 7.45pm n Frampton Cotterell WI. Crossbow House, 7.45, fourth Tuesday of month n Folk Dancing. Crossbow House, Frampton Cotterell. 8.30 -10.30pm, 1st & 3rd Tuesday of month. n Feel good adult dance exercise class,Tuesday’s 1011.00am at Crossbow House, Frampton Cotterell.

An easy to follow keep fit class to suit all levels of fitness. Normal cost £4.50 your first class half price with this advert. Tel Nina 01179 799796 for more info. n Frampton Cotterell Dog Training Club, Crossbow House.

Lessons from 7.15pm, Puppies, Starters, Bronze, all to K.C. standard.

Tel: 01179 613531 or 01454 774046. n South Gloucestershire Waterpolo club. Junior & Senior players Male - Female.

Winterbourne Int Academy pool.

7:00 - 8:30 pm.

For more info: kazrose@

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blueyonder.co.uk or nash17@ virginmedia.com n Winterbourne Short Mat Bowling Club Tuesday 1.30 - 3.30 at Winterbourne Community Centre, Watleys End Road. Contact Pat Sleightholme, 01179 793473. New members welcome. n Pucklechurch Folk Dance Club. We meet every other Tuesday at Pucklechurch Community Centre from 7.45 pm to 8.15 pm. Contact Veronica Holder – 0117 937 2818

Wednesday n Pre School Storytime.

Winterbourne Library 9.30 – 10.00am, term time only. n ‘Silver Chords Group, over 50’s social club. Every other Weds, Mason’s View Community Centre Winterbourne. 1.45pm.

Entertainment and coach trips.

Everyone welcome Contact Doreen 01454 776484. n Winterbourne Police Beat Post. Greenfield Centre 2-3pm n Slimming World 7.30pm Frampton Cotterell Cof E School.

Tel Lisa 07815 759118 n Coalpit Heath WI. Church Hall of St Saviours Church, Coalpit Heath. First Wednesday of each month. 7.45pm. New members welcome. n The Winterbourne Players, 8.00 pm, Community Centre, Watleys End Road. More info, Brian 07792 656689. n Beginners Meditation Class on Wednesdays 7pm to 8pm at the Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne To reserve your place on the next 5 week course, please contact Sarah Presley on 07590 621495/ sarahpresley@live.com n Ladies Leisure is a friendly group of over 50’s. We meet every other Wednesday at Coalpit Heath Village Hall 2pm to 4pm. The cost is £1.50 per person which includes Tea/ Coffee & Biscuits. We have regular Entertainment & Day trips. Please come along and join us, contact Susan Bisp on 01454 775110

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n Actonians Drama Group 7.30 pm Parish Hall, Iron Acton More info 01454 228760 www. actonians.co.uk Junior Actonians 6.00 pm 7.30 pm Parish Hall Iron Acton More info 01454 228277. n 2nd Wednesday of each month - Carer’s Group 2 - 4pm at The Beacon Centre, Zion Church, Frampton Cotterell n 4th Wednesday of each month - Forget me Not sing along group 2pm - 3.30 pm at The Beacon Centre, Zion Church, Frampton Cotterell. If you like a good sing song please come and join us.

For more information ring Rona on 886925 or Jean on 775786. n Winterbourne Short Mat Bowling Club Wednesday 1.30 - 4.30 and 7.30 - 10.30 at Winterbourne Community Centre, Watleys End Road.

Contact Pat Sleightholme, 01179 793473. New members welcome.

Thursday n Probus. The Miners Club, Coalpit Heath. 10am, 2nd & 4th Thursdays of month n Praise and Play. All Saints’ Church Hall Winterbourne Down 10-12 during term times. For pre-school children and their parents/carers. n Stay & Play, 1-3pm (termtime) Winterbourne Early Years Centre, Greenfield Centre, Park Ave, Winterbourne. For more information call Helen 01454 773781. n Tiny Tots. 2.00-3.00pm,St Peter’s Church, n St John’s Ambulance. St Saviour’s Hall, Beesmoor Road.

6.15 - 9pm (term time). n Steam Engine Club, Miners Club, Coalpit Heath. 7pm, last Thursday of month.

Line dancing. Iron Acton Parish Hall, High St, Iron Acton. New beginners, 7.20pm. Improvers, 8.30pm. www.laughterinline.com

What’s On continued on next page

Funeral packages and plans available A private, comfortable meeting room and Chapel of Rest at

8 Badminton Road, Downend BS16 6BQ Home visits welcome

Available on 0117 9564796 throughout the Xmas & New Year period to arrange Funerals Please call 0117 956 4796 24-hour call out 07824 564255

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n Winterbourne Musical Theatre.

Winterbourne Community Association, 7.30pm. n Winterbourne Flower Club. St Michaels Rooms, Winterbourne 7.30pm, 1st (Practice) and 3rd (Demonstration) Thursdays of each month. Further information call 01454 776753 n Winterbourne Evening Women’s Institute St. Michael’s Rooms in Winterbourne at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of every month except August n Crossbow Camera Club Crossbow House, 8pm, every Thursday (from September).

Contact Mike Challenger 07833316081

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n Bingo British Legion Club Ryecroft Road, Frampton Cotterell. 8.15pm.Free entry n Winterbourne Flower Club, St Michaels Rooms, Winterbourne 7.30pm, 1st (Practice) and 3rd (Demonstration) Thursdays of each month. Further information call 01454 776753 n South Gloucestershire Decorative and Fine Arts Society meet at Bradley Stoke Community School Fiddlers Lane Bradley Stoke. 3rd Thursday evening of the month.

Starting October 7-00 for 7-30 start refreshments. For more information Sallykitching@googlemail.com Tel no 01454 774401 n Frampton Cotterell Dog Training Club, Crossbow House.

Lessons from 7.15pm, Gold, Silver, all to K.C. standard.

Tel: 01179 613531 or 01454 774046. n Sugarcraft: If you are interested in sugar icing why not come along to our meeting? We have demonstrations monthly on flowers and models and practice/

Put your FEET first!

Mrs Sara Turner MCFHP MAFHP

Foot Health Professional Appointments available in your home during the day, evening or weekend.

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workshops with instruction. We meet on the third Thursday of every month at 7.30pm – 9.30pm at St Andrews Hall, Elm Park, Filton. Visitors welcome.

Contact Jean Kington on 0117 956 8737 for more information. n Winterbourne Short Mat Bowling Club Thursday 1.30 - 4.30 at Winterbourne Community Centre, Watleys End Road. Contact Pat Sleightholme, 01179 793473. New members welcome.

Friday n St James The Less Parent and Toddler Group, The Marshall Rooms, Iron Acton. 10.30 12.30 term times. n Frome Valley Art Group Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne.

1pm to 4pm and 6.30pm to 9pm n Frampton Cotterell Male Voice Choir, Zion Church, Frampton Cotterell. 7.30pm – 9.00pm. New members welcomed, no audition, Call Paul Crook 01454 851656. n Frampton Cotterell Community Associon. Fridays at Crossbow House School Road Ist Friday of every month Quiz- 3rd Friday of every month Bingo, both start at 8 pm. n Winterbourne Short Mat Bowling Club Friday 1.30 - 4.30 and 7.30 - 10.30 at Winterbourne Community Centre, Watleys End Road. Contact Pat Sleightholme, 01179 793473. New members welcome.

Saturday

Ring or email for an appointment.

General foot care, diabetic foot care, corns and calluses, verrucae, ingrown toe nails, infections etc.

n Brockeridge Quilters, Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne.

10am to 4pm, third Saturday of the month. n Bingo Open7/00pm,Bingo 8/00pm Music & Dancing from 8/30pm-11/30pm Every Saturday night.(£4) at the Royal British

0117 9569928 or 077917 62208 saralouise.turner@btinternet.com

www.putyourfeetfirst.co.uk

December, 2015 Legion Ryecroft Rd n Patchwork and Quilting Beginner classes starting in September on alternate Saturdays. For more information contact Sallieann Harrison on 01454 774591. Also Patchwork and Quilting Classes Block of the Month for intermediate quilters. One Saturday every month for seven months starting in September.

For more information contact Sallieann Harrison on 01454 774591.

Sunday n Japanese Embroidery Class Greenfield Centre, Winterbourne 9.30am to 4pm, (monthly).

Contact: Jo Tripp 01454 850147. n Nature Reserves, Winterbourne work party meets 1030am, Church Lane, Winterbourne, 2nd & 4th Sundays in the month.

Newleaze reserve (Bristol Road) 10.30am Ist Sunday of month Huckford Quarry 2.30pm 3rd Sunday of month. Contact Frank Smith 01454 778975. n Car Boot Sale Every Sunday 9am Beesmoor Road Playing Field, Frampton Cotterell. £5 per car/van Call 07802 336731

More Ringers Needed!

Pucklechurch Handbell Ringers are looking for new ringers. You can learn to ring faster than you think. It is great fun and you do not need to read music.

Anyone can learn and expert tuition is available. Practice is on Tuesday evenings 7.00pm to 8.15 pm Give it a try.

 OVER 22 PROPERTIES SOLD (stc) WITHIN OUR

FIRST 21 WEEKS OF BUSINESS.  VERY COMPETITIVE FEES FOR NOVEMBER

WITH NO

01454 540 200

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Email: info@bundyandbond.co.uk Email: inFromeforde House Business Centre, Church Road, Yate Bristol BS37 5JB

To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

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 FREE PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER USED

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INCLUDING 13 YEARS MANGERIAL EXPERIENCE  PLEASE CALL, EMAIL OR VISIT US TO ARANGE

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Testimonial from Mr & Mrs P “ When we decide to move house again you will be the only Estate Agents we will call, as you have proved that you care about providing a professional yet personal service”

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THE CHURCHES TOGETHER in FRAMPTON & COALPIT HEATH Wish you and your loved ones a Happy Christmas We hope and pray you can celebrate and enjoy time with those you love. At Christmas we remember God chose to spend time living among us.

Make it special by sharing with someone who’s struggling.

Below are a series of opportunities to rekindle a deeper joy this Christmas.

Just as Shepherds and Kings were welcome at the stable, you are welcome & invited.

CAROL SINGING FOR ALL SUPPORTED BY ALL THE CHURCHES IN AID OF ACTION FOR CHILDREN. Saturday 12th December 10.30-11.15 am Nisa Stores Saturday 19th December 10.30-11.15 am Frome Valley Farm Shop

ST. PETERS

ZION UNITED

ST. SAVIOURS

Sunday 20 Dec. 6.00pm Carols for All.

Sunday 20 Dec. 10.30am Nativity 6.00pm Carol Service

Wednesday 16 Dec. 7.30pm W.I. Carol Service

Christmas Eve 4.00pm Crib Service 11.30pm Midnight Mass Christmas Day 8.00am Holy Communion (Said) 10.30am Family Communion No services at St. Peter's on Sunday 27th.

10.00am Joint Benefice Holy Communion at St. Michael's, Winterbourne. www.st-peterschurch.co.uk/

with scratch orchestra: ring 776618 to join!

Christmas Eve 5.30pm Family Carols

If possible please bring a smart phone and outside coat!

11.15pm Carols & Communion Christmas Day 10.30am Celebration! www.zuchurch.co.uk

Sunday 20 Dec. 8.00am Holy Communion 10.00am Holy Communion and Sunday School followed by refreshments 6.00pm Christmas Carol Service Christmas Eve 5.00pm Christmas Crib Service 11.30pm Midnight Mass of Christmas Christmas Day 10.00am Holy Communion, with Christmas Carols

www.coalpitheath.org.uk.

For Catholic Services: www.stlawrenceandstpaul.co.uk/ Got News? Call Richard 0n 01454 800 120 Email: richard@fromevalleyvoice.co.uk

Find your best way from A to B

New journey planner helps you plan your journey, however you like to travel.

(Desktop and mobile versions available)

www.travelwest.info/journeyplanner

December, 2015

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Be prepared for closures on ring road

ALLOW extra time for your journeys – that’s the advice for drivers in the Downend area who are likely to find road works ahead.

Disruption can be expected from time to time over the next year or more as preparations continue for the new Metrobus service that will eventually run from Emersons Green through the city centre to the south side of Bristol.

Parts of the A4174 Avon Ring Road will be widened to create bus lanes for the new express services, which will run on a combination of segregated busways and bus lanes, intended to provide journeys that are quicker, more reliable and greener than existing services.

Some motorists were alarmed to see a public notice seeking temporary closure of

the ring road between the Wick Wick and Bromley Heath roundabouts over 18 months.

But MetroBus spokesman Gary Cockram said: “The road will only be closed on a number of short occasions over this period.

The 18-month order is intended to provide flexibility about when the closures take place, as the work is weather dependant and cannot take place in the event of high winds.”

The first planned closures are: One day closure: From 6am to 6pm on Sunday December 6 to divert BT cables One weekend closure: From 8pm Friday December 11 to 6am Monday December 14 to demolish the Church Lane bridge.

A weekend closure is planned around Easter 2016 to install a new Church Lane bridge and one-day closure next year to

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divert utilities.

During the closures, the recommended diversion route for ring road traffic will be via Bromley Heath Road and Badminton Road.

Mr Cockeram said: “We will work to ensure that disruption is minimised as much as possible during these construction works. More information about MetroBus construction works can be found online at www.metrobusbuild.info.”

The work between the two roundabouts is under way and has involved some lane closures between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

The intention is that the works westbound between the M32 Junction 1 and the Hambrook lights will be completed by Christmas.

Water company invites requests for grants to help groups with money projects COMMUNITY organisations in South Gloucestershire have been invited to apply for a grant from Wessex Water to help with finance-related schemes.

Applicants such as debt advice agencies, social enterprises, schools, youth clubs and parish councils have until December 31 to submit requests for a Money Matters grant.

Under the scheme, a panel of experts will consider new or existing projects, which could get up to £10,000.

The grants will be given out in January and Wessex Water will also allow up to 25 per cent of extra funding to help the beneficiaries evaluate the project once it is finished.

Recent recipients of awards

include the Yate-based South Gloucestershire Citizens Advice Bureau, which will use the grant for projects aimed at helping people better manage their money.

It will work with the local branch of Age UK to give advice to older residents who may struggle with their bills.

Bureau debt advice expert

Yvonne Parks said: “There are many isolated elderly people in our area who do not have access to our offices and this funding will enable us to reach them through home visits, outreach sessions and publicity.”

Details of the grants are available on the Wessex Water website.

New Art Class for Beginners Looking for an introduction to art?

Or want to improve your skills?

STARTJANUARY S JAN STARTS

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The courses run once a week, morning or afternoon for 3 hours and all your materials are provided.

If you have always wanted to learn how to draw or paint but have no idea where to start then this course will show you how. The curriculum is comprehensive, interesting and fun, in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Our qualified tutor provides step by step guidance each week, covering sketching, pastels, watercolour and acrylic painting. By the end of the course you will have 8 pieces of your own original art including a pastel pet portrait and an acrylic country landscape! You can then show off your new found skills to family and friends at the end of course exhibition!

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Rated GOOD with OUTSTANDING contribution to the well-being of children Now booking for Jan 2016 & beyond Tel: 0117 9566800 Visit our website at: www.hambrookpreschool.co.uk Or e-mail us at Beccy@hambrookpreschool.co.uk

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December, 2015

Local in Growing problem of infrastructure

I

Luke Hall MP

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NFRASTRUCTURE has been one of South Gloucestershire’s biggest and fastest growing problems for a number of years; whether it is healthcare, access to quality broadband or a lack of suitable road network or public transport facilities, we have been stalling for too long.

This month South Gloucestershire Council announced that £1.54 million will be put into into the second phase of the Broadband roll out scheme. The confirmed areas in this phase include Abson, Acton Turville, Falfield, North Road in Yate, Rangeworthy and improvements in both Chipping Sodbury and Thornbury.

Access to the internet shouldn’t be a luxury, it should be a right - absolutely fundamental to life in 21st Century Britain. I will be pushing to Government to meet its commitment to ensure that all UK homes and businesses will have access to “fast broadband” by 2020.

As the local MP for some of South Gloucestershire’s most rural towns and villages, and someone who has grown up in the area, I can fully appreciate what a difference broadband can make to a community. I

have continually pressed this issue with Openreach and Government Ministers, and it is important that while I welcome this news, I know that some areas of the constituency have missed out, and so I will continue to raise this issue both in Parliament and in my meetings with BT and other local stakeholders.

Another major announcement last week saw a pledge to provide new facilities at Thornbury and Frenchay Hospitals, including approximately 44 NHS rehabilitation and 30 mix use care beds at both hospital sites. The desire for these facilities has been very clear - one of the first things I did in Parliament was to have a debate on Healthcare in South Gloucestershire with the Minister. Following this, I raised the issue further in meetings and with local health chiefs.

I also showed the Secretary of State for Health; Jeremy Hunt, around the Henderson Ward in Thornbury Hospital and explained the state of the current facilities personally.

In addition to this is the campaign for a new Junction 18A on the M4, which is in full swing, with both members

of the public and businesses signing up to show their support. The junction would address increasing residential and commercial demands being placed on South Gloucestershire, which is already experiencing significant growth. It would tackle congestion and play a major role in connecting local businesses, boosting regional and national trade, and helping to reduce unemployment.

As the local MP, I am grateful for the support of the local communities around South Gloucestershire with all of these campaigns. It is clear that the expected growth across the area over the next 10 years will require local infrastructure to match the growing demand.

These developments show us what can be achieved in our communities when there is the local and political will, working alongside stakeholders. If we want our local infrastructure to match our ambition, we must keep working for further improvements – delivery on the Healthcare announcements, a fully funded junction 18A and broadband to every business and home in South Gloucestershire.

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December, 2015

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Kindness shown after break-ins at sports centre

A CHILDREN’S football manager has to come to the rescue of a community sports centre which has been plagued by a spate of break-ins.

Vincent Palmer manages Mangotsfield Juniors Under 10 Colts who train at Pomphrey Hill Community Sports Association, a registered charity.

When he heard that the sports centre had been broken into three times in the past six months, with rogues leaving a trail of destruction in their wake, he decided to pitch in.

Vincent, who is a service manager for facilities management company Cofely, used his contacts in the building industry to garner enough support to hold a charity makeover day at the sports centre.

“I’m one of the trustees at Pomphrey Hill so I’m quite heavily involved there,” said Vincent.

“There have been three breakins in the last six months which has cost the charity the best part of £12,000. The people who broke created mayhem. They

smashed windows, stole over £1,000 and ruined the office.

The charity just didn’t have the funds to pay for the everyday maintenance issues which is why we stepped in to assist.

“A lot of local companies donated money, parts and labour to help the centre. It wasn’t in a really poor state but it was looking noticeably tired. If you walked in there you might wonder what had been done but it was little things that needed doing like repairing the toilets, replacing broken patio slabs and cleaning all the lights so there weren’t any flies in them! Even something like the lights took hours as they all had to be taken

down, cleaned and put back up again. Most things were ‘behind the scenes’ but they keep the club operational as well as clean and tidy.”

Companies who supported the charity day included John West Contractors which donated a carpenter for the day who repaired fire doors, the gates and a bin store; Plant Care which donated mulch and tidied up plants trees and shrubs; Jewsons which donated patio slabs and building materials; Yesss Electrical which donated electrical equipment; Cofely which donated plumbing materials, signage and labour; and Green Compliance which

donated time and a water audit.

“It looks much fresher and cleaner now,” said Vincent.

“It’s phenomenal what a difference you can make to a community place when a few people club together.”

Pomphrey Hill, a 4.4 acre site, is home to various football clubs and Downend Amateur Boxing Club and hosts community classes, slimming groups, parties and conferences in its pavilion. It also boasts a cricket square, bar area, changing rooms and food making facilities, and is home to the popular Pomphrey Hill 5k park run.

Vincent said: “Without Pomphrey Hill there would be lots of community groups and sports groups which would struggle to find another home.

It’s a great little hub but isn’t as well known as other places.

People know Cleeve Rugby Club and although Pomphrey Hill is next door, it isn’t as well known.

We’d like local people to know what it is and what it can offer the community. It’s a great place to be and have fun.”

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December, 2015

Floral Friends prepare for winter FLORAL Friends of Frampton have been busy replacing summer bedding plants with bulbs and pansies with hanging baskets also to be replanted.

The First Frampton Guides and the Second Frampton Beavers helped the group to plant daffodil and crocus bulbs under trees at Crossbow Park during half term, whilst children from Watermore School and Brockeridge After School Club planted bulbs, strawberries and pansies at the Brockeridge Centre.

The group also got involved with the scarecrow trail, with Flora relaxing next to a newly planted pansy display.

If you’d like to get involved (no gardening experience necessary!) you can contact the group by email – floralfriendsofframpton@gmail. com or via their website http:// ffframpton.wix.com/framptoncotterell

Join the fight against flu – get your free jab today GET your flu jab now - that’s the message from South Gloucestershire Council’s director of public health professor Mark Pietroni.

Professor Pietroni received his flu jab at a pharmacy in Yate to help highlight that free flu vaccinations are available for thousands of people across South Gloucestershire who are at increased risk from flu.

Flu vaccinations are available for free to all vulnerable groups including people aged 65 or over, pregnant women, those with long-term conditions and children aged two, three and four years old. People living in long-stay residential homes and children of school Years 1 and 2 are also eligible for the vaccination.

As well as being available from your local GP, this year free flu jabs for vulnerable groups are also available from community pharmacies through the NHS. The World Health Organization recommends

people in the groups above should be vaccinated to prevent the virus being able to circulate at a harmful level. The seasonal flu vaccination must be done annually to be effective.

Professor Pietroni said: “It is really important that as many people as possible in the groups most vulnerable to flu infection book their free flu jab with their GP. “Getting the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from catching flu and I would urge everyone who is offered the vaccine free on the NHS to get vaccinated. We are encouraging people to do this as soon as possible since the flu virus circulates in winter.

“Every year, some 750,000 people nationwide visit their doctor with flu symptoms with about 27,000 people needing hospital treatment. If more people receive the vaccine then there will be fewer people with flu and so fewer people that others can catch flu from and

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fewer hospital admissions.

“The flu vaccination has been rigorously tested and clinically proven to be the best defence against the flu virus. It does not give you the flu, as it doesn’t contain the active virus needed to do this, or any other disease.

Contact your GP for further advice.”

This year the campaign includes a national flu vaccination programme for children, which seeks to help

over three million two to sixyear-olds, as the programme is extended to children in school Years 1 and 2. In areas where the vaccination is not offered through schools, children will be offered the vaccination at their local GP or pharmacy.

For more information visit the NHS Choices website www. nhs.uk/Conditions/Flu/Pages/ Introduction.aspx or visit www. southglos.gov.uk/flu

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­Tennis continues despite the weather DESPITE the recent rain, there is still plenty going on at Sodbury Tennis Club, Stephanie Gold writes. The juniors’ section continues to thrive with Katie Sillick recently selected for the county under-11 squad where she joins brother Josh Sillick who is in the county squad for the under-10’s.

The girls’ team at the club is enjoying a particularly strong start to the winter season though they have some tough matches up ahead - they will be hoping to approach these with confidence and build on their recent successes.

The club is proud to have been awarded the Tennismark Accreditation from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). Tennismark is a Sport England approved accreditation that provides a way of recognising good standards and best practice at tennis venues across Britain. It acknowledges the club as safe, welcoming and inclusive.

A cheque for £600 has been presented to Clare Burchall of Longfield (formerly Cotswold Care Home), the club’s nominated charity for this year.

Some of the junior and adult club members with Clare Burchall of Longfield

Westerleigh Park Nurseries Farm Shop & Emporium

Clare Burchall of Longfield receiving cheque from Andrew Jones, chairman of STC

Staple Hill Royal British Legion KENDALL ROAD, STAPLE HILL, BRISTOL BS16 4NB all events listed are open to all to come and join in

FORTHCOMING EVENTS Christmas on the Hill Christmas Fayre 2 floors of Christmas Stalls free entry Bar and food available Saturday 5th December starting at 2.00pm

Come and see Father Christmas on the Westerleigh Park Nurseries is a Bristol Garden Centre with a difference.

We sell farm and dairy produce, and have an emporium with an antiques centre, bric-a-brac units and much more.

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Family Fun Night Party

Friday 11th December 7.00-10.00pm

Please book your tickets.

Adult £2.00 Over 3yrs £4.50 (includes a gift) Under 3yrs free (gift £1.50) Bar and food available Everyone welcome

Bingo Christmas Party 7.30pm Thursday 17th December

Tom’s Social Christmas Party 7.30pm Sunday December 20th

New Years Eve 3 piece band and Twisted Disco A variety of music to suit all tastes

£15 includes a supper. 8.00pm to 1.00pm - Please book tickets.

See our website for more details: www.staplehillbritishlegion.co.uk Staple Hill Legion open for tickets Monday & Friday 10.00am to 12.30pm or tel 0117 9560805 07519717372 or visit Sheen Studios, High St Staple Hill (Shop hours)

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WITH the wet weather kicking in and cup fixtures causing havoc with league fixtures, Frampton Athletic enjoyed a quiet month in November, with only five games being played across all 3 teams.

It was a welcome break for Frampton’s first team, as they endured a tough run of results in October. The first two scheduled league games for November against Lawrence Rovers and Roman Glass St George Reserves were both postponed due to waterlogged pitches, so they will be re-arranged for later in the season.

Frampton played their first game in November on Saturday 21st, which saw them up against a physical Talbot Knowle United side, who were newly promoted to the league this season.

Frampton dominated majority of the game, leading 3-1 after the hour mark, but they lost their legs going into the final third of the game and allowed Talbot Knowle United to get a foothold back in the game, which resulted in the visitors romping to a 6-3 victory over Frampton, who capitulated in spectacular fashion. This became their fourth defeat in a row, third in the league, as any chance of challenging for the title appear to be fading.

However, Manager, Adrian Pell, was able to pick his lads up from this disappointment and put things right with another home match, this time out against lowly DRG Frenchay.

Despite being heavy favourites on paper going into the game, Adrian was fully aware of recent results and made sure his team took nothing for granted.

Adrian’s words must have hit home, as four goals from in-form Matt Johnson was the catalyst for Frampton to cruise to a 7-1 victory.

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Quiet November for Frampton Athletic

Before Frampton can break for the festive period they face three tough games. First up is an unusual 5.30pm kick off against Real Thornbury, which is to be played on the 3G pitch at Oaklands Park. That match is followed by two home games against high-flying Sea Mills Park and Lawrence Rovers.

Frampton’s Reserve side played only one fixture in November as a result of a natural break in their fixture list and the fact that they are already out of the GFA Cup. The game was an away match against a struggling Soundwell Victoria side. With heavy rain falling in the days leading up to the game, the pitch was only just fit to play football on – but even then it appeared to be a struggle.

With a strong wind blowing down the pitch, it was also likely to be a scrappy game – and it lived up to that billing.

With the wind against them in the first half, Frampton were under the cosh for the majority of the first half. Soundwell Victoria thought they had taken the lead on the half-hour mark, only for a fantastic fingertip save from Nick Talbot in the Frampton goal to deny them.

Frampton responded well to that scare and were able to get their noses in front 10 minutes before half-time. Liam Downer found his shot saved by the keeper, but with the severe weather conditions, the goalkeeper spilled the ball and Mitch Smith tapped in from lose range.

Early in the second half, Soundwell Victoria were reduced

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to 10-men due to a ‘handbag incident’, and with the wind now behind them and the player advantage, Frampton made light work of the game and eased to a 5-0 victory, thanks to goals from George Griffin, Marcus Vaughan and a brace from Liam Downer.

Frampton Reserves will see the rest of 2015 out on their travels, as they face 3 away fixtures against Hanham Athletic Reserves, Stapleton and Seymour United Reserves respectively.

Frampton’s ‘A’ team had a stop-start November, but managed to fit 2 games in, in between games that we’re called off due to the wet weather.

They started the month with their first league victory of the season, which was a 4-2 win against fellow strugglers, Soundwell Victoria Reserves. A hat-trick from youngster Aidan James and a debut goal off the bench for Nick Djerfi was enough to give Frampton a much needed

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victory, having been unlucky not to win in previous games.

The following week saw their away trip to Crosscourt United postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, so their next game was a tough home match against high-flying local rivals, Rangeworthy Reserves. As form had suggested, Rangeworthy had just too much for Frampton, however, Frampton gave a very good account of themselves and pushed Rangeworthy all the way and made them work for their eventual 5-3 victory. Manager, Brian Cook will be hoping to take that same battling performance in to the GFA Cup game on 5th December, after it was originally scheduled for 28th November, but was pushed back due to a waterlogged pitch.

Frampton’s ‘A’ team finish 2015 with two home games against Highridge United ‘A’ and Sea Mills Park ‘A’.

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December, 2015

Rugby club host French visitors FRAMPTON Cotterell have celebrated some ‘entente cordial’ as they hosted the French ‘Vieux Loups ‘ (Old Wolves) of Parisis RFC. As Mike Weaver reports, it’s the latest match in a fixture that is nearly 40 years old.

This is a unique rugby friendship which dates back to 1977 when the Frampton juniors visited Paris . In 2015 the juniors still make the visit and the Vets continue the rugby relationship.

Parisis arrived on Friday evening and were treated to an excursion to the Bavarian beer house in Bristol . A great night of food, thigh slapping, dancing and table surfing entailed as the beer flowed.

It did not go without incident as Mark Chaplin mistimed his table surf lunge, Mark Smith suffered some uncomfortable chaffing from his leather shorts and Mike Weaver had an unfortunate argument with the luggage shelf on the bus home . All three had to undergo last minute fitness tests for Le Crunch rugby game on the Saturday.

Following loud renditions of the National anthems, the two teams started the game at an unbelievable pace. This was never going to last as the previous nights beer and

sausages began to take there toll.

Parisis opened the scoring with a fine try from number 8 Frederic Aloy, Phillipe Colin adding the important conversion.

Frampton bounced back and a try from Mike Ashwin in the corner got them straight back in.

Unfortunately Weaver missed the kick which would prove to be crucial. Tension then took over for the rest of the game as Frampton tried to break French

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hearts and the French were desperate to secure victory for the first time in 5 years .

Wham boys Rick Sheps and Tony Bleakman tried to make inroads into the French defence but every time there was a chance, Chris Brays wayward throwing gave the ball back to the French.

Like last years game, it all came down to one kick . The French missed it then but on this

occasion it was Chaplin’s kick that fell short with a last minute penalty. The whistle went for a 7-5 French win and the players shook hands and exchanged kisses.

A great night of food, wine and beer ensued before the French left early Sunday morning . A big thanks to organisers Sharon Bennett , Gemma Feldon and John Britton. Allez les Bleu.

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December, 2015

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Good times for rugby kids FRAMPTON Cotterell under 14’s have bounced back this season following a period of uncertainty during the summer. At one point there was a possibility the team could fold, but under the hard work of manager/head coach Kevin Long and coach Mark Smith, they have recovered and now boast a squad of 25 players.

Mike Weaver was also brought in to help with the backs coaching and specialist coaching sessions were held with ex-Scotland international Dave Hilton. The improvement and enjoyment was there to be seen as they ran out 60-7 winners against Somerset side Gordano.

As well as enjoyment on the field the players have fun off the pitch with the weekly man of the match award. Each week the winner needs to ‘add’ something to the award .

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