fromevalleyvoice
Carnival's royal guests revealed
Sewage spills for 5,000 hours
THE number of hours that sewage was flushed into the River Frome between Iron Acton and Winterbourne rose by more than a third last year.
Figures from the Environment Agency show that combined sewer overflowswhere rainwater and foul waste
water from homes is washed into waterways during heavy raindischarged into the river for a total of 5,580 hours at eight sites in the area during 2024.
The increase was recorded as Wessex Water, the company responsible for the area's waste water disposal and treatment,
worked on a £5 million project to alleviate the problem.
Environment Agency chair Alan Lovell said the figures show "we are still a long way off where we need to be to stop unnecessary sewage pollution".
Turn to page 3
VE Day memories
ONE of the last surviving Second World War veterans who fought in Germany in May 1945 has shared his memories ahead of VE Day.
PAGES 12&13
Demolition dropped
PLANS to demolish a historic school building in Frampton Cotterell have been droppedbut the building's future is still very much in doubt.
PAGE 4
New bridge deal
NATIONAL Highways has announced the contractor that has won the bid to replace the Badminton Road bridge over the M4.
PAGE 6
Accident risk
A NEW housing development planned off a busy road through a village is an “accident waiting to happen”, it has been claimed.
PAGE 19
Alfie Richley with his dad Nick
Winterbourne Down Village Carnival's Queen and King are Alice Edwards and Cameron Yuille, pictured with attendants Zara Van Jeperen, Flora Powell, Sonny Parker and Devon Maslen ahead of their big day on May 5. Full story: Page 3
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n NEWS
Metro Mayor is arrested
OUTGOING Metro Mayor Dan Norris has been arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences.
The politician, who is also the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham, was arrested on April 4.
Avon and Somerset police said: "In December 2024, we received a referral from another police force relating to alleged non-recent child sex offences having been committed against a girl.
"Most of the offences are alleged to have occurred in the 2000s, but we’re also investigating an alleged offence of rape from the 2020s.
"An investigation, led by officers within Operation Bluestone, our dedicated rape and serious sexual assault investigation team, remains ongoing and at an early stage.
"The victim is being supported and given access to any specialist help or support she needs.
"A man, aged in his 60s, was arrested on April 4 on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl, rape, child abduction and misconduct in a public office.
"He’s been released on conditional bail for enquiries to continue.
"This is an active and sensitive investigation, so we’d respectfully ask people not to speculate on the circumstances so our enquiries can continue unhindered."
Norris, aged 65, was immediately suspended from the Labour Party after his arrest but remains an MP.
However he has been banned from entering both Parliament and the offices of the West of England Combined Authority
during the course of the police investigation.
WECA staff received an email from chief executive Stephen Peacock on April 9, which said: "I wrote to the Mayor to inform him that he should not enter the building or attend any other meetings on behalf of the Combined Authority.
"The Mayor’s building access fob has been deactivated and the Mayor’s access to the authority’s IT system has been removed.
"It is a matter of public record that a similar approach has been taken by the parliamentary estate and the Mayor’s access to parliament has been revoked."
New parliamentary rules mean a risk assessment is carried out when an MP is arrested on suspicion of a violent or sexual offence, which leads to a ban from entering its buildings.
A House of Commons spokesperson said: "We do not comment on individual cases."
Norris remained officially the West of England Mayor until the election of his successor on May 1. He was already standing down because of a Labour Party ban on MPs having second jobs.
Includes reporting by John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporting Service
Arrests after supermarket theft
TWO people have been charged with theft after stock worth "hundreds of pounds" was stolen from the Sainsbury’s supermarket in Coalpit Heath. Sharmarke Abdiqaadir, aged 37, of no fixed address, and 36-year-old Kerrie Callan, of Fishponds, were arrested on the Bristol and Bath Railway Path near Gratitude Road in Easton in April.
Avon & Somerset police said
the arrests had been made "during a proactive policing deployment" on the path.
The thefts from the Sainsbury's Local store in Badminton Road took place in March.
Abdiqaadir made a first appearance at Bristol Magistrates’ Court shortly after being charged.
Callan is due to appear at the same court in May.
n NEWS
PLANS to demolish a historic school building in Frampton Cotterell have been droppedbut the building's future is still very much in doubt.
South Gloucestershire Council applied to its own planning department in March for permission to demolish the Victorian building on the former Watermore Primary School infant site in Woodend Road, which was previously known as Brockeridge Infant School.
The council sold the site to housing association LiveWest to help fund the new Watermore Primary School building in Lower Stone Close, which opened in 2020.
LiveWest wants to build up to 21 affordable homes on the site.
But the application sparked a huge wave of opposition from residents, many of whom either attended the school, which was built in 1846, or sent their children there.
A total of 382 objections were received to the demolition notice, with only four people in favour, and it was withdrawn in April. But the council is still only offering the prospect of saving the building's facade, which could even be moved on the site.
Residents expressed anger and dismay at the prospect of losing a historic and "gorgeous" building, to be replaced by a new-build scheme.
A council spokesperson said: "South Gloucestershire Council, in consultation with LiveWest, has withdrawn the demolition notice for the former Watermore Infant School site in order to allow time for engagement with residents who have raised concerns about the loss of the Victorian school building.
"Both parties remain
School demolition bid dropped - for now
committed to delivering a high quality scheme of 100% affordable housing on the site and believe the removal of the building alongside a sympathetic reconstruction of the building’s facade finds the right balance between practicality and heritage.
"Following a period of public engagement, LiveWest expects to submit a planning application for the site, allowing residents to have their say on all aspects of their proposal and to fully engage with the planning process."
LiveWest held a consultation event on April 7 at the Brockeridge Centre, opposite the school building, where it displayed two options for the site.
But one of the options involved completely demolishing the Victorian school building and replacing it with homes built in a "contemporary style".
The other "retains the facade of the old school building to preserve the character of the street scene" but does not retain the whole building.
The developer said: "This will be achieved by rebuilding the facade slightly further back from the road to give a more sympathetic position to neighbouring properties and will be constructed using reclaimed stone from the existing school building."
LiveWest's original plans for the site, which were unveiled in
2021 and approved the following year, included keeping the Victorian school building and converting it into six flats.
In its information boards at the consultation, the company told residents: "The locally listed building is considered of merit to local people and we understand that there has been some hope to keep and convert the building.
"We have thoroughly considered trying to convert the building (predominantly a school hall) however conversion would be challenging and expensive to undertake."
It says these include structural issues with the building, foundations and fire regulations, limited internal
space and windows set at levels which create "awkward and challenging spaces for occupation", space for fewer affordable homes and rooms that were inefficient to heat.
It told visitors to the consultation the combination of challenges made using the school building "uneconomical".
LiveWest development director Gareth Jones said: "We are currently reviewing everyone’s views, and these will be taken into consideration before we submit a planning application to the council.
"We remain committed to delivering a high-quality development of 100 per cent affordable homes in an area where there is high demand."
(Top) A campaign to protect the school building from demolition included signs in surrounding streets. (Above) Residents visit LiveWest's consultation event in April
n NEWS
Dancers dazzle on cruise
DANCERS from an Iron Actonbased school performed for an international audience during a residency on a cruise ship.
The 13 members of ROKH Dance helped provide the entertainment during a weeklong cruise on the MSC Fantasia, which tours the Mediterranean.
During their residency they performed to packed auditoriums of over 1,400 guests.
The dancers, aged between 11 and 16, performed four dances over the course of the week, closing the professional shows on board.
They were joined by family and friends on the cruise.
Principal Kathryn Hurley said: "It has been an amazing opportunity for the students to perform in front of such a large audience and on a professional stage, whilst touring the Med!
"The students were also able to have time with the professional dancers and singers on board, asking questions and
finding out what life performing onboard a cruise ship is like as a profession. "What a great week’s work experience! It has certainly whetted the girls’ appetite for more performance opportunities.
"I am immensely proud of the girls’ professionalism and superb performances, which were so well received by the audiences."
ROKH Dance, which runs dance and drama classes in
EAR WAX REMOVAL
• Using latest micro suction techniques
• Treatments carried out by EXPERIENCED PRACTITIONERS
• Very competitive prices
Iron Acton, Frampton Cotterell and Wotton-under-Edge, was founded in 1971.
Kathryn Hurley originally started the company as the Kathryn Hurley Dance Academy, before joining forces with the Ruth Osborne School of Dancing to form ROKH Dance.
It was named Dance
Company of the Year in the Corporate Livewire South West England Prestige Awards 2020/21.
Three years ago dancers from the school performed at Disneyland Paris, gracing the main stage at Videopolis in the park and taking part in preparade events.
Proposed licensable activities: Serving alcoholic drinks, and playing recorded and live music
Name of applicant: Beesmoor Road Playing Field committee
Address of Premises: The Pavilion, Beesmoor Road Playing Field, BS36 2JN Date by which Other Persons and Responsible Authorities may make representations: 9th May 2025
A record of the application made to the Licensing Authority will be kept on a register at South Gloucestershire Council, Licensing Service, Engine Common Lane, Yate, South Gloucestershire, BS37 7PN, and the register may be inspected during normal office hours. All representations regarding this application MUST BE IN WRITING and sent to:
South Gloucestershire Council, Department for Environment and Community Services, Licensing Service, PO Box 1954, Bristol, BS37 0DD or e-mail licensing@southglos.gov.uk. For further assistance, please telephone 01454 868001
ROKH dancers on board the MSC Fantasia
Estate agent backs new Gromit trail
A WINTERBOURNE estate agent is stepping up to support one of the region's best-loved fundraising trails when it returns this summer.
The Wallace & Gromit trail returns this summer to raise money for the Grand Appeal charity with its third incarnation, Gromit Unleashed 3.
Giant sculptures of classic Aardman characters will be dotted across the region from June 30 to August 31.
Since the first Gromit Unleashed trail in 2013, followed in 2015 by Shaun in the City, then Gromit Unleashed in 2018, the events have raised £20 million for the charity, which supports Bristol Children's Hospital.
Estate agent A J Homes sponsored a statue named Toto for the Gromit Unleashed 2 back in 2018, which sat outside the company's Flaxpits Lane offices fur the duration of the trail in 2018.
The company has sponsored
A J Homes estate agents sponsored Toto, a sculpture in the 2018 Gromit Unleashed trail
a statue again this year, although the design and location remain a closely guarded secret at the moment.
A J Homes owner Andrew Maunder said: “Being the only family-run estate agency office in BS36 and with the trail
Frampton Garage
supporting such a fantastic charity, knowing first-hand the excellent work the children’s hospital does, we were more than happy to support.”
fundraising, Helen Haskell, told the Voice.
This year's trail will feature more characters than ever from Aardman’s much-loved Wallace & Gromit films, including scheming penguin Feathers McGraw and Norbot, the ‘smart gnome’ from Wallace & Gromit’s latest adventure, Vengeance Most Fowl.
Helen said: "For the first time, Gromit Unleashed will celebrate the world of storytelling and film.
"Expect a mix of sculptures that hint at timeless fables and wonders of the big screen.
"Each of the characters will be reimagined in spectacular, movie-inspired designs, giving Bristol’s streets a hint of Hollywood sparkle! Think shimmering disco floors, heroic epics, and whimsical landscapes."
Locations are expected to be revealed at the end of May, the charity's head of corporate
For more information on the trail, visit gromitunleashed. org.uk
n VE DAY
VE Day remembered - by a soldier who was there
AS communities across the country prepare to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the Voice met one of the last surviving South Gloucestershire Second World War veterans who fought in Germany in May 1945.
ASK Leonard Trewin where he was on VE Day - May 8, 1945and he can give you the answer in a flash.
"I remember it all well," he says. "We were at Wismar on the Baltic, trying to keep the Russians out!"
Len is 100 now. His hearing isn't what it used to be, he isn't very mobile and dementia has affected parts of his memory.
But there are still some events that are etched in his mind, from seeing action for the first time during the Battle of Normandy in 1944 to meeting his German wife-to-be at a labour camp liberated by his battalion.
Len also carries a permanent reminder of the war, in the form of a piece of shrapnel lodged above his left eye, which has remained there for the last 80 years.
Born in Cornwall and brought up in Devon, Len volunteered for the Home Guard in 1940.
He was called up in 1943, aged 19, and trained with the 13th Warwickshire Regiment and the Devonshire Regiment before volunteering for parachute training.
Len first saw action in August 1944, when he joined the Battle of Normandy in Herouvillette as part of the 8th (Midlands) Parachute Battalion, 3rd Parachute Brigade, 6th Airborne Division.
He said: "We were reinforcements. We saw action straight away.
"That was three days before the break-out. We finished up by Le Havre."
Len's battalion returned to England in September but he and his comrades were called into action again in December, when they crossed the Channel on Christmas Day to take part in the Battle of the Bulge.
They helped to counter the German offensive in the Ardennes that had been
launched to try and turn back the Allied advance.
"We went to get the Americans out of trouble," Len says.
Joining the battle at Anhee on the River Meuse in Belgium, they advanced to Houyet and then Rochefort, as the Germans were finally pushed out of Belgium.
In January 1945 Len's division moved into Holland, where his mortar section fired on German positions across the river Maas, before returning to England for training to take part in the Rhineland offensive.
On March 24 he was one of 16,000 paratroopers dropped onto German territory on the Eastern bank of the Rhine as part of Operation Varsity, the biggest and most successful airborne operation ever carried out on a single day at one location.
Len's battalion was the first to land, near the village of Hamminkeln, with the aim of clearing the drop zone for the other troops.
He jumped with three mortar shells strapped to his legs.
A list of the 16 paratroopers in the Dakota aircraft with Len shows that one - a sergeantrefused to jump.
One was killed on the day of the drop and another was listed as missing, while two others
were wounded, three weeks into the campaign.
Len himself was injured three days after the drop by a piece of shrapnel, which narrowly missed his eye.
He said: "We were going along the road and they were firing 20mm anti-aircraft guns at us."
One of the rounds exploded and shrapnel pierced Len's skin just below his eyebrow.
He was taken to a field hospital, where medics decided not to try and remove it and, after a night in the hospital, Len returned to his unit.
After the war he was asked if he wanted the shrapnel removed but he told doctors to leave it there.
Len said: "It's not done me any harm - it's been here long enough!"
Through the final weeks of the war, Len's battalion fought through Osnabruck, Minden and Lubeck before reaching Wismar on the Baltic with the 11th Armoured Division, as the Allies raced to occupy German territory before the Nazi surrender.
It was while in Germany that Len met his wife Gerda, an inmate at a labour camp on Luneberg Heath, near Hamburg, that his battalion liberated.
Gerda had grown up in
Braunschweig, or Brunswick, a city near Hanover.
Len said: "She was in a labour camp because she had refused to do war work in a munitions factory - there were lots of them that had refused."
After VE Day Len expected to be deployed to the Far East but Japan's surrender in August meant that he was instead sent to Palestine, then governed by Britain under a pre-war League of Nations mandate.
Len left the 8th Battalion in 1947 and was discharged from the Army that October, but rejoined the following month, serving in the Devonshire regiment and Parachute Regiment in Germany, Cyprus and Egypt until 1953.
Len and Gerda married after the war and raised a family of three sons at Lyndhurst and Fawley in Hampshire, where Len worked at the Esso oil refinery. They moved to Yate in 2000 to be closer to son Mike and his wife Michelle, with whom Len now lives.
Gerda died in 2010.
In recent years, Len has received new honours for his wartime service.
He was made a knight of the French Legion D'Honneur in 2018, receiving his medal in June 2019 at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
He was invited to Ahnee in the Ardennes in 2023, when he was made an honorary citizen of the commune.
Having previously stopped attending commemoration events on the continent due to his age, Len went back after Mike offered to accompany him, and it was only then that he started talking to his son about his wartime service.
Closer to home, Yate retirement development Trewin Lodge was named in his honour in 2019.
He has recently been photographed in a replica Para uniform for the Standing With Giants project, which has produced banners to commemorate VE Day that will be displayed in public spaces across the country.
Len is the last surviving member of the 8th Battalion who took part in the Normandy and
Len Trewin with his medals
Signs mark Frampton's special French link
SIGNS have been put up to mark a footpath named after Frampton Cotterell's unique rugby twinning connection.
Parisis Path on the Blackberry Park estate in Coalpit Heath has been named after the French district, on the northern outskirts of Paris, which has had sporting connections with Frampton Rugby Football Club dating back 48 years.
It began in 1977 when Frampton juniors travelled to Parisis to play a match. Since then the two communities have retained the connection, with twice-yearly return fixtures.
Frampton member Mike Weaver, who went on the original exchange, said: "The long-running unique rugby relationship, probably the only one in the UK, started in 1977 as English and French employees were working together at Bristol
Aerospace in Filton.
"The French team were then called Franconville and in later years became Parisis RFC, but it’s the same club and several people on that 1977 trip are still involved with Frampton and Parisis, including me, Mike West and Tim Philips from England, and Phillipe Colin from France.
"The trip is unique as players and coaches stay in the homes of the opposition both sides of the channel."
The signs were installed by Westerleigh and Coalpit Health Parish Council in time for a visit by three Parisis junior teams in April.
A visit to France will take place in November.
The idea was suggested by Fram member Pete Crawford, who lives on the original part of Park Farm, and agreed by the parish council in 2023.
Tip bookings 'cut queues'
SOUTH Gloucestershire Council says its new system of booking to visit Sort It recycling centres has cut queues and spread visits more evenly.
The council introduced the online advance booking system in March at all of its tips, including Yate, Thornbury and Mangotsfield, to meet a law introduced last year requiring councils to regulate the disposal of household DIY waste.
A spokesperson said council is "actively monitoring" the system and feedback from residents, although it was not possible to compare it with the old system, which had not accurately recorded visits.
During the opening "transition period", extra council staff and a security guard helped centre staff to check drivers had bookings and help people book them, but there has been no overall permanent increase in staffing levels to support the system.
The spokesperson said: "Our review shows that most residents are able to book their preferred time on the same day, although weekends tend to be busier, with available slots filling earlier in the day.
“Following this initial bedding-in period, feedback from staff and residents suggests that the system has helped to reduce queuing and spread visits more evenly across the week, easing pressure during traditional peak times.
“Most site users have adapted well to the new system.
"While there have been some incidents involving aggressive behaviour, there have been no serious threats or acts of violence reported. Verbal and physical abuse of our staff and other site users is not tolerated."
The council says there has been "no overall increase in flytipping since the booking system was introduced".
A new Parisis Path sign
The two sides on a recent meet-up
Firms fix up scouts' HQ
A SCOUT group has been given an upgrade on its Coalpit Heath HQ by National Highways.
Steve Pearson, who works for National Highways and is a volunteer at 1st Ram Hill Cubs, saw that the access steps and ramp to the Mafeking Hall building were only protected
by some temporary posts and a chain, and called on industry colleagues to help.
Steve the government-owned company's supplier relationship manager for the South West, mentioned the issue in a meeting with some contractors – and two businesses stepped
up to install solid, permanent railings free of charge for the Scouts.
Steve said: "Mafeking Hall has recently been redeveloped and the edge of the steps were temporarily protected with some posts and chains whilst permanent rails were being sourced, but these light posts were constantly being moved by the users of the hall.
"In National Highways we always start our meetings with a ‘Safety Moment’ and I raised the risks people were creating by moving the posts during a meeting with the South West Supplier Community.
“Afterwards, Ringway approached me and said they could provide permanent railings. Local manager Ade Cox worked with their local safety fencing contractor, CD Fencing from Chippenham, who donated and erected the new railings.
“They have done a fantastic job. At National Highways we like to give something back to local communities, as do our supply chain, and when I saw this I knew someone from our highways community would be willing to help out."
The building is the HQ for the Scouts’ Cotswold Edge District which covers Thornbury, Yate and Chipping Sodbury as well as the Frome Valley.
The district is made up of 17 scout groups, 7 explorer scout units and a young leader explorer unit.
Scout District Centre lead volunteer Dean AshpoleChapman said: "This has been a project of sweat and tears, driven by volunteers, but we are always grateful to the support we get from local/national companies.
“The new building replaced an old dilapidated unsafe building which needed to be replaced as it was unsafe for young people to use.
"Now after 4 years we have an amazing new facility for future generations to use. On behalf of the 1,400 young people of the Cotswold Edge District & over 400 adult volunteers we thank you.”
n RECIPE OF THE MONTH
A bank holiday buffet lunch
HERE we are again, with May upon us: two more bank holidays, providing opportunities for social gatherings.
If you’re thinking about a lighter buffet lunch or even brunch, I’ve got just the thing for you.
It’s luscious halloumi, cooked with honey, served over a freekeh salad which, as Peter Kay once said, is a taste sensation!
Freekeh is an ancient grain, which is nutty and smoky and really brings out the flavour of the other ingredients.
Serve this on your buffet table and I guarantee people will be coming back for more!
Honey and sesame halloumi with jalapeño yogurt and freekeh
A clever new way to serve your favourite squeaky cheese. Honeyed halloumi sits on top of a freekeh salad, with punchy jalapeño yogurt.
Serves 4. Takes 25 minutes.
Ingredients
• ready-cooked freekeh 500g
• red onion 1, finely chopped
• cherry tomatoes 200g, quartered
• olive oil 2 tbsp, plus a drizzle for frying
• lemon 1, juiced
• sesame seeds 2 tbsp
• halloumi 2 x 250g blocks, sliced
• runny honey 1 tbsp
• flat-leaf parsley a small bunch, stalks finely chopped, leaves chopped
• coriander a small bunch, stalks finely chopped, leaves chopped
• pomegranate seeds 50g
Jalapeño yogurt
• Greek yogurt 300g
• pickled jalapeños from a jar 50g
• lemon 1/2, juiced
Here’s What You do
To make the jalapeño yogurt, put all the ingredients and a little seasoning in a small food processor or blender with 1-2 tbsp of water and whizz until smooth. Tip the freekeh into a bowl with
Ann Murray founded the Cooking4 Cookery School based in Chipping Sodbury. She’s teamed up with Frome Valley Voice to pass on her wealth of experience in the kitchen.
the red onion, tomatoes and a little seasoning, and toss with the olive oil and lemon juice.
Tip the sesame seeds onto a plate and use to coat the halloumi slices, patting to stick. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil and fry the halloumi slices for 4-5 minutes or until golden on both sides. Turn down the heat, pour in the honey and turn the slices until glazed. Stir the herbs and pomegranate seeds through the freekeh tabbouleh. Spread the yogurt across a serving plate, pile on the tabbouleh and top with the halloumi.
n THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
Learning to be thankful
BY the time you read this message, Easter will be a distant memory.However, I'm writing it surrounded by excitable children who have been given cake at church, completed an Easter egg hunt at home, have more chocolate than they know what to do with, and are playing with their Easter presents (we don’t buy them chocolate, because they will already have a lot, and it helps us resist the urge buy Easter eggs for ourselves).
Their mum has just asked them: “Are you going to say thank you for your lovely treats?”
Lo and behold, solemn and performative thank-yous have been said.
Although their awareness of the world is increasing, they don’t really understand why they are saying thank you, except that it’s part of the rules they are expected to follow; they don’t understand what the generosity of others to bring them treats has cost, either in financial or energy terms.
I don’t say this to criticise them: it’s part of growing up and learning, and in many ways their ignorance is also a consequence of their innocence, enjoying a stage of life in which
things are more likely to be received without the expectation of having to pay someone back.
As I lift my eyes from my screen to the window, and see the cloudless blue sky, golden sunlight, and both flowers and leaves in bud, whilst the blossom creates explosions of colour, and realise I’m no better than they are, really.
I spend the early months of the year waiting for the summer to arrive, as if its my unalienable right, with no consciousness of the mass of molecular activity, chemical reactions, or even the orbit of the Earth required to bring about the beauty of summer nature (which I hope we will all be fully enjoying by the time you read this!).
We have begun to work on our gratitude (and not taking things for granted) in our family by each sharing one thing we are thankful for from our day, both children and adults.
Perhaps this summer, you might like to try the same or, if you feel too self-conscious for this, you could do what one of my old bands
used to do when out on tour, and say or sing these famous harvest words, which are also found in the musical Godspell, before eating: All good gifts around us are sent from Heaven above; then thank the Lord, then thank the Lord, for all his Love.
Rev Ben Thompson
Rev Ben Thompson Curate, Fromeside Benefice
Beesmoor Playing Fields
THANKS to everyone who came along to the Beesmoor Road Playing Field Easter Eggstravaganza.
You helped us raise more than £225 towards essential repairs to the play area equipment.
About 200 people attended, including many children, who enjoyed the Easter egg hunt, and egg and spoon race, and just having a picnic in the unexpected sunshine.
We sold Easter biscuits and cupcakes made by our fabulous volunteers.
We’re planning more social events at Beesmoor this year –kicking off with a series of car boot sales on the first Sunday of the month, from May to August.
We hope making this a regular date will build up a following, so we can raise money to help maintain and develop the park, and encourage wider community use.
This year we’ll be offering bargain-price bacon butties, so you can come along and browse, have a gossip, and a bite to eat and cuppa.
Car boots start on Sunday May 4, continuing on June 1, July 6 and August 3.
Set up for sellers is from 8am, and we open to buyers from 9am to 12.30pm. Pitches are £10 per car, or £8 if booked in advance. You can book by emailing field@ beesmoor.uk
Another exciting new plan is we are applying for an alcohol licence, which means we can sell drinks at future events.
Mulled wine proved a success at our Christmas event.
We are formally giving notice of an application to South Gloucestershire Council under for the grant of a Premises Licence for serving alcoholic drinks, and
playing live and recorded musicsee our advert on page 7.
Winterbourne Down
Ladies Probus Club
AT our April monthly meeting, we were entertained by Bob Foster, whose talk about Acker Bilk was titled Stranger on the Shore.
Bob played the most beautiful renditions of Acker's music on the clarinet throughout. There was a lot of humming to the well-known tunes by the audience and we had a thoroughly relaxing and entertaining time.
Later in the month some of our members headed off for a day in Caerphilly and a trip on the Brecon Beacons Railway.
Other events to look forward to include our summer lunch in June and visits to Fladbury Village and Dyffryn Gardens.
Visitors are always welcome to our meetings so, if you have time on your hands and would like to socialise with a friendly group, please come and join us. We meet at 2pm on the third Monday of each month at All Saints Church Hall, Winterbourne Down.
If you would like to visit us, or would like more information, please contact 01454 773647.
Sue
Humphreys
Floral friends of Frampton
THERE'S no doubt about it, Spring has definitely sprung!
And what a spring it’s been - full of sunshine, daffodils, tulips, freshly mown grass and for those of us
lucky enough to enjoy it, time spent in the garden.
At our March meeting we decided to go with ever-popular bright flowers in the summer planters, so you will see them looking rather empty at some point during May before the new plants go in - they haven’t been raided, we’re on the case!
Please don’t forget it’s our Spring Plant Sale on May 24 at the Brockeridge Centre from 10am. In addition to plants, we sell refreshments including cakes and biscuits and have a really generous raffle, so do come and join us. It's always a friendly, fun morning and you may walk away with some good bargains!
We are awaiting installation of our new bench planter outside St Peters Church, which we hope to have planted up before the end of May. This should be much easier to maintain and as it’s made of robust, recycled plastic, it should last for many years to come.
We have been very lucky with donations and support from our
wonderful local people over the years and we’d also like to say a big thank you to Frampton Cotterell Parish Council for all their support too: allocating space for the Brockeridge Centre Garden, supporting funding bids, making grants and allowing the staff team - especially Steve - to help us in so many ways.
Floral Friends are entirely funded by donations, and we would like to thank all who have supported us recently.
Donations can be made in person or online to Floral Friends of Frampton, Lloyds Bank 30-98-97, account 70582363.
Phil Kerswell
Pat Densley
Face painting at the Easter Eggstravaganza
Planters have been blooming
Coalpit Heath WI
Circle and gave details about how you can become a member.
Bristol-based home improvement company, The Window Hub, is aiming to plant 3,000 trees over the next three years as part of its commitment to being a climate conscious business.
Boyd Valley Lake, which is located in Bitton. This is in addition to continuing its policy of recycling all old frames so they don’t end up in landfill.
He said one of the more surprising places to see magic would be at trade shows and exhibitions, where magic might be used to entice a buyer to a stand to take a closer look at a product.
Winterbourne Evening WI
Bristol-based The Window Hub progresses on green goals
The evening was highly entertaining, and we were allowed to ask lots of questions, just not: "How do you do it?"
Our Easter raffle was extremely popular - the chance to win chocolate and alcohol was quite a draw! It was lovely to see so many members enjoy the evening, many of whom had already paid their subscription for next year.
AFTER tea and Easter biscuits at our April meeting, we were introduced to Joan Davis, the fitness coach for the over 50s at Fromeside Gymnastics Club.
Joan runs the Movement to Music sessions. She stressed the importance of exercise to improve posture, balance and coordination.
We remained seated as we exercised to music. It would help to keep us flexible which, in turn, would help our circulation, heart and lungs.
Frampton Cotterell WI
OUR speaker in April was Katie Bell, who gave us a fascinating tale of history and revelations about the past of the Bristol Hippodrome.
you know what? It is so easy to be amazing if you don’t cut corners.”
The theatre was designed by the renowned architect Frank Matcham and it first opened its doors on the 16th December 1912. Many of our members were amazed to discover that the theatre’s dome is still retractable, although it hasn’t been opened since 2017.
And the Window Hub has the customer reviews to prove it –90% of reviews for The Window Hub on Trustpilot are for five stars, with customers celebrating the company’s professionalism, friendliness, tidiness, and attention to detail.
The window installation company was launched during lockdown in 2020 by seasoned industry professional Danny, who wanted to create a business that was “built on quality rather than greed”.
If our meetings sound like something you would enjoy, why not come along and meet us?
WHERE could you find grey elephants from Denmark, card tricks and a sausage dog made from a balloon, linked together with a joke-filled patter?
The answer is at our most recent WI meeting, where we hosted Tony Griffith.
In fact, a new showroom is scheduled to open this month.
We meet on the first Wednesday of each month in St Saviour’s church hall at 7.45pm. Programme updates for the new year will be found @ WICoalpitHeath on Facebook or @ coalpitheathwi on Instagram.
It proved to be a very enjoyable time and we all felt that we had benefited from the sessionperhaps some of us will join her class?
Our WI often has group visits to shows at The Hippodrome and so the building and it’s history are close to our hearts.
From humble beginnings, The Window Hub now operates from a head office and showroom in Staple Hill in Bristol with offices, showrooms and installation depots across the South West.
As well as being entertained with a range of magic tricks, Tony explained the origins of the Magic
Our next talk on May 7 is on the Victorian gardener.
Danny launched The Window Hub because he wanted to be much more than just a double glazing company.
“We know that choosing new windows and inviting someone
Our next meeting on May 8 will be about the Frenchay After Burns Club. We meet at St. Michael's School in Linden Close, Winterbourne. Visitors are always welcome.
into your home can be stressful, so we have introduced as many initiatives as possible to be fair and reasonable in our approach to give our customers the best experience possible,” he said.
“Sales begin and end with treating customers properly. And
The hard work of Danny and his company was also recently recognised and commended, with The Window Hub being named the ‘Best in the South West’ at the G24 Awards last year.
Up-coming events and talks include our resolutions meeting and quiz on May 27 and a talk on Victorian surgery, with Geoff King, on June 24.
In 2025, The Window Hub will grow to cover domestic homes between Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and Lands End in Cornwall.
Visitors and new members are welcome to our monthly meetings at St Peter’s Hall on School Road at 7.45pm, on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
For more information, please visit TheWindowHub.co.uk.
Magician Tony Griffith
Caroline Johnston
Margaret Timms
n SPORT
National bowls award for Alan
A RETIRED police officer who was injured in a hit and run accident has won a national award for his work to make bowls more accessible to people with disabilities.
Alan Lambourne, who lives in Frampton Cotterell, has won the Bowls England Diversity and Inclusion Award in recognition of his work finding specialist bowling equipment for his club to help make it possible for people with disabilities to play the game.
Alan, a coach at Olveston and District Bowling Club, said he was “gobsmacked and very humbled” to have been nominated by his club, based at Old Down near Thornbury, and winning the overall award was "a hell of a surprise”.
He was inspired after seeing arm extension devices in use at other clubs.
Alan said: "I was amazed at how well the players were bowling.
"I did my homework to find out what else was out there that would benefit club members and anyone else coming to the club."
After a lot of research, phone calls and grant applications, Alan found specialist equipment including arm extensions, walking and seating aids, for his club.
The equipment has made a real difference.
Alan said: “A former player who had a stroke was happy as Larry and so chuffed he could play again."
Alan, 63, first got into bowling about 23 years ago, when recovering from multiple injuries suffered a hit and run accident in 1998.
He has undergone 18 operations to date and has “more still to go”, as well as corrective surgery. He had to learn to use his
left hand due to his injuries to his right.
Before the accident Alan had played cricket, rugby, football and volleyball, but "lost everything" because of the injuries.
An occupational therapist suggested taking up bowls and he joined Bristol Arrow Bowling Club before switching to Olveston.
Alan said: "I needed a sport and something that was competitive. I fell in love with it within an hour of doing my initial coaching courses – mentally it saved me. I was so desperate for sport.
“The support network is superb. You have 150 friends up there.”
Alan’s wife Jean is the club's safeguarding officer, they are both coaches.
They have recently had an influx of juniors: the youngest player is seven.
Alan now wants to find specialist equipment for people with hearing difficulties, and is aiming to raise around £5,000.
A spokesperson for the club said: "Overcoming his own mobility challenges, Alan has introduced many new players to the sport. He works with various disability groups and stroke survivors, ensuring that bowls remains open and inclusive."
To find out more about the club or to get involved, visit bowlsolveston.co.uk.
Season of ups and downs for hockey club
BRISTOL & West Hockey Club's Men's 3rd team are celebrating promotion - but the club's 1sts were unable to survive in the West Premiership.
The 3rds needed at least a point in their local derby against Yate 2s to secure the league title on the last day of the season; Bristol UWE 1s were three points behind but with a superior goal difference.
The 3s were solely focused on their own game, and it paid off with a thumping 10-0 victory.
The team won 20 and lost only two of their 22 games, finishing with 60 points on the board and a plus 72 goal difference.
The 3s will now move into a league at an equal level to the 2nd team, who will try to escape their league again next year after finishing fourth.
The Men’s 1st team were unable to survive in the West Premiership.
After a promising start, which saw them float around mid-table and gain impressive victories over former national league
The triumphant Bristol & West Men's 3s side
teams such as Plymouth and a double over eventual runnersup Cheltenham, the lads found themselves in a relegation scrap.
The league proved to be tighter than ever, with just eight points separating sixth place from 11th.
B&W's 21 points would have been enough to ensure survival in the last few years, but was four
points short this season.
It’s a sad moment, but the lads are focused on bouncing back and making a quick return to a league where they know they are more than capable of competing.
All of the B&W Ladies' teams had mid-table finishes after moving into new leagues, apart from the 1st team, who went into the last game of the season with a
chance of promotion.
Three teams were tied on points and B&W Jaspers 1s were playing top-of-the-table Keynsham. After going a goal down, they managed to pull a late goal back to earn a 1-1 draw - but it wasn’t enough.
The other fixture involving a top-three team also ended in a draw and, with all three finishing on 39 points, Keynsham won the title on goal difference, with the Jaspers gutted to miss out.
They will be looking to put on a promotion charge again next season.
The club - now playing at Mangotsfield after moving from Winterbourne - is now looking ahead to the Bristol Summer League, with more socialorientated evening games, from mid-May to the end of June.
If you’re looking for a new club to join, getting back into hockey or just interested in giving it a go, visit the club website at www.bandwhc.org.uk
Harry Bryant
Alan Lambourne, with his wife Jean, wins the Bowls England award for Diversity & Inclusion
Awards celebrate successful season
FRAMPTON Cotterell RFC held an awards dinner to honour some of the outstanding performers on and off the pitch this year.
The event at Chipping Sodbury was a great evening, celebrating a great season: second in the league, unbeaten at home, the lowest points conceded and the club retained the Bristol Combination Vase trophy.
The 2nd team finished fourth in league, and the 3s played regularly, where most teams locally struggle to get two teams out every Saturday.
Adam Nolan was the winner of the Steve Jones award, given to a player in their first or second year of senior rugby in memory of Steve Jones, a great rugby, football and cricket player who played for Fram juniors and seniors, who was tragically killed in a motor bike accident some 40 years ago.
Adam was Frampton's top try scorer this season and is an outstanding talent, like Steve was.
Coach Nigel Smith, who has coached seniors and colts for six years, was presented
with the Terry Phillips award, given in memory of a Frampton supporter for an
Playing hard, laughing harder and winning together
WINTERBOURNE
Ladies are back and raring to go for their third season.
After an incredible 2024 - finishing third in the league, winning the hardball plate competition, and having a blast on tour in the Peak District - the team is ready to bring the energy in 2025.
Winterbourne Cricket Club has provided a welcoming and inclusive environment where the women feel valued as both players and teammates.
ability, to give it a go.
This year, the ladies will be stepping onto the pitch in stylish new playing shirts, sponsored by Fruition and customised by Tayz Printing and Embroidery.
Winterbourne Ladies are a team that thrives on fun and a love for the game. Whether sharing a laugh during training or giving it their all on match day, this group know how to strike the perfect balance between playing competitively and enjoying the game.
The team is always open to new players, inviting anyone aged 12 and above, regardless of
Training sessions are held on Wednesdays from 6.308pm at Winterbourne Cricket Club, under the guidance of a knowledgeable and supportive coach from South Glos Cricket Coaching.
It’s the perfect chance to improve your skills while having a great time and making new friends along the way.
If you want to get involved, email winterbourneladiescricket@ gmail.com
Lauren Potter
outstanding non-playing contribution to the club, with mentions for Mike Weaver and Tim Child.
Nigel is a top man, who steps away next season.
Charlie Hill won the boot award for most points kicked, while club captain Mark Smith was given a cap to mark his 500 appearances.
Other awards included: the Dave Attwood youth representative award, Zak Smith; Derek Mayer Senior Clubman award, Jake Darby; Founder Chairman award, Si Oakley; Most Improved Player, George Pearce; Player of the year (coaches' award), Stuart Williams; 3rd team Players' Player, James Beavis; 2nd team Players' Player, George Pearce; 1st team Players' Player – Oscar Green.
Jake Darby was made a life member and there were playing appearance badges for Tim Mason (200 games), Rocco and Al Moore (400) and Mark Smith (500).
Fourth place for Baps
THE Badminton & Pucklechurch Ladies have certainly done themselves proud this season, with some action-packed games.
An incredibly hard-fought game against top-of-the-league South Glos that unfortunately ended in a 1-0 defeat was a highlight.
A 4-1 victory against Wick, 3-0 win against Firebrands and a goalless final match away to Redland saw Baps finish a very respectable fourth place in the league.
With many partners and family relatives who regularly
come to cheer us on, we thought it was only fair to invite them for a game to end the season.
The children took to the pitch first, while the men took time to learn the 'basics'.
With the teams equally mixed, the competitive side soon appeared, with siblings and couples desperate to not be out-done!
For most, it was the first time they've played a hockey match but some impressive and committed play was had - despite the occasional clattering of sticks.
We pride ourselves on being a welcoming, family club that involves all, and are looking forward to holding our next family fun day in the summer.
Lisa Rigby
Mike Weaver
Adam Nolan (left) receives the Steve Jones award
Winterbourne Ladies cricket team
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