Bishopston Voice December 2022

Bristol's Central Library on College Green, a Grade 1 listed building, could be closed and the library moved elsewhere. The move is being considered as the city council needs to save millions of pounds.

Library faces new threat

BRISTOL'S Central Library is again facing the threat of being relocated as the city council looks at ways to make massive budget savings.

The proposal to move the library from College Green to an undisclosed alternative base and make other reductions to the library service has been put forward in the annual budget conversation consultation, which runs until December 23.

The problem with the Central Library is that the heating costs are high. The glorious building

is Grade One listed, meaning any modifications, internal and external, are strictly controlled.

Because of this, ripping out the heating system for a modern replacement or making substantial improvements to insulate it are too costly.

Libraries were last targeted for cuts in 2018 but the council changed its mind after a huge public outcry.

Bearing the brunt of cuts: Page 7

From the Mayor's Office: Page 23

Meet Malc the Talc – dancing postie!

Malcolm Beedle has been delivering letters in Bishopston for 40 years - it keeps him fit for his hobby of Northern Soul dancing.

PAGE 18

Dismay at bid to shut school

St Barnabas C of E Primary School in Montpelier could face closure because its pupil numbers have dropped to 70.

PAGE 4

Marvin: I might run to be an MP

Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees has revealed that he is considering running to contest the new Bristol North East seat at the next general election.

PAGE 15

Ban on traffic to become permanent

IT was car-free for a trial period and now Princess Victoria Street in Clifton Village will be a permanent traffic-free zone.

In August 2021 a section of Princess Victoria Street was closed to road traffic between 11am to 5pm each day.

Since then, hospitality venues have placed tables and chairs on to the road for outdoor eating and drinking and more people have been walking and cycling to the high street in Clifton. Traffic data has also shown that fewer cars are travelling through Clifton Village as a whole.

Now the scheme has been approved, detailed designs will be drawn up to keep the road closure, retain space for businesses to trade outside, and improve the public realm. Funding opportunities for the scheme will also be explored.

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “Over the past year Princess Victoria Street has been buzzing with people making the most of the traffic-free street to walk and cycle with confidence, do their shopping in a relaxed environment, and take advantage of all the outdoor eating and drinking.

The daily timed closure on Princess Victoria Street will remain in place while funding options are developed to make the closure permanent with higher-quality materials.

Useful numbers

Bristol City Council 0117 922 2000 Citizens Advice Bureau 0844 499 4718 Police www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk General enquiries: 101 Emergency: 999 Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk General enquiries: 0117 926 2061

Complaints

Emergency: 999 NHS Health Call 111

Well Aware (health and social care information) www.wellaware.org.uk Freephone: 0808 808 5252 We are Bristol helpline Freephone 0800 694 0184 Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm Weekends 10am-2pm

Bristol, Bristol - so good they named it twice

IF you’ve ever bought anything online and they ask for your address – does it irritate you that the suggested address ends with Bristol, Avon?

This county has ceased to exist, it is no more. It’s passed on. It has expired. It’s kicked the bucket! Shuffled off its mortal coil. This is an ex-county! (with acknowledgements to Monty Python’s dead parrot sketch)

The County of Avon was created in 1974 and abolished in 1996. Abolished – that’s quite a strong word and awfully final.

On the other hand the County of Bristol was created 600 years ago. The 22 year Avon period is just a blip on an otherwise glorious history.

No less a person that King Edward III issued a Great Charter in 1373 which –

“Grants that: Bristol be for ever in future alike separated and in all respects exempted from the said counties of Gloucester and Somerset both by land and by water, and that it be a county by itself.”

This by order of the King. So this great city has been its own County for centuries - six precisely - and yet the internet, and others cannot get this right. How many centuries will it take for “outsiders” to get this into their apparently thick skulls. In 1974 Bristol councillors objected to being swallowed up in the new county of Avon and protested insisting the Edward III Charter still had legal force. Their petition to the powers that were failed.

The Charter even expressly points out that Bristol is to be entirely separated from Somerset and Gloucester. Even so the odd letter still gets through with Bristol, Glos as the address and less frequently Bristol, Somerset.

Perhaps next year when the County of Bristol makes a big fuss about its 600th birthday that idea will be noised abroad. We stand proudly independent. The address should be Bristol, Bristol. Nothing else will do. (or perhaps just Bristol)

I am reminded of a famous musical concerning sailors who had just one day to explore New York. Yes, the place that was so good they named it twice. “New York, New York is a wonderful town” they sang. The city of New York in the State of New York.

That applies to Bristol, too. Bristol in the County of Bristol. Sounds like the cue for a song!

“Bristol, Bristol is a wonderful town

The Downs are up and the fountains are down. The people don’t ride in a hole in the ground”

Just yet - in spite of the Mayor’s best efforts. Well, it’s a beginning. Properrrr celebrations start next year.

Roger Livingston, Editor

Edward III

St Barnabas primary school faces closure threat

A SMALL school with just 70 pupils is under threat of closure much to the dismay of parents, pupils and staff.

Parents at St Barnabas CEVC school in Albany Road, Montpelier have raised a petition to keep the school open which has drawn 1300 signatures so far.

The school is highly valued by parents of children with special educational needs or disabilities because it is small and has such a caring ethos. The buildings can accommodate 210.

Parents value the large outdoor space which even has a small woodland area, a multigames area and room for the children to grow vegetables. The school won an award because during the pandemic they provided every child with a laptop to take home.

St Barnabas is one of the few schools that is local authority controlled and other primary schools nearby are part of larger multi academy trusts, so the

decision on its future, expected in February, rests with Bristol City Council.

A council spokesperson said: “Following a steady decline in pupil numbers, the school’s governing body have decided, with the support from council officers, to begin a formal process to consult parents, carers and

other stakeholders about its future.

"No decisions have been made and parent and carer feedback in this situation is vital to ensure school leaders and council officers can make appropriate recommendations for the school. Further consultation will take place during the course of

November and all involved with the school will be kept informed of progress during this time.”

The council consultation, which is open until December 16, be found at https://tinyurl. com/3s3v5bpe

The parents' petition can be found at https://tinyurl. com/2vs2vsrt

MORE IN

PLANS have been approved for 62 homes on a Bristol Zoo car park which locals warn would “scar the Clifton conservation area”.

This is the second time the scheme has received consent. Bristol City Council granted permission last year, but residents threatened legal action amid concerns about how the scheme for a site off College Road could affect architectural heritage.

Architects revised the scheme and councillors on the development control committee (planning) have again voted to give the green light to the 55 apartments and seven houses. But concerns remain among locals on how the new buildings will affect the historic nature of the surrounding area.

Speaking to the development control committee on November 16, Adam Chivers, a local resident, said: “Nobody is objecting to the sale of the zoo’s assets or the principle of housing. The only question is whether you give the zoo permission for an awful development to which all fair-

Plans approved for 62 homes on zoo car park

gardens.

Chris Booy, vice chair of trustees of the Bristol Zoological Society, said: “We closed Bristol Zoological Gardens as part of our strategy to create a new world-class zoo at the Wild Place Project on the edge of Bristol. This will allow us to focus even more on conservation, education and research at this time of climate and ecological crisis. We need to develop the site to help fund this.

minded people object.

“The design of the scheme is wholly out of keeping with the conservation area. This is most emphatically not a case of nimbyism, just an overriding concern that the greedy and unimaginative design of this scheme will leave a permanent scar on the conservation area.”

Bristol Zoo closed in

September after almost two centuries at its home in Clifton. The zoo is relocating to its sister site in South Gloucestershire, called the Wild Place Project.

There is a separate planning application, which has not yet been decided, about developing the actual former zoo site and building 200 homes, while protecting some of the existing

“However, we wish to leave a really positive legacy. So instead of securing permission for this brownfield, largely redundant car park and selling it to the highest bidder, we have this really high quality and detailed scheme. This development will be part of our legacy, including bringing affordable homes to a part of Bristol that for most is unaffordable.”

THE head gardener at the Ardagh Café gardens, Steve Galpin, says he was totally surprised when the RHS presented him with a second award.

He was aware that the Ardagh Community Trust was being presented with the Royal Horticultural Society's highest award - five stars: outstandingfor its gardens.

On the day, the team were given a second RHS award for the It’s Your Neighbourhood best Community Garden in the South West - about which Steve had “There were over 500 entries for that award and it was totally unexpected,” he tells the Voice.

Steve says that the success could not have been achieved without the volunteers. Ten of them are experienced gardeners, there’s help from pupils with learning difficulties from Claremont School and some

community gardens

the local foodbank. You could say this garden is made by the community for the community.

Steve says they hope to expand their nursery production next year.

There are occasional plant sales which bring in much needed money, and Steve thinks they could improve that income stream.

Many visitors to the café say that they see the Ardagh as a real oasis of calm from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Recently they had a crowdfunder appeal to improve the surface of the paths and to install basketball hoops and nets in some of the tennis courts responding to many requests. It raised £10,000 which was matched by Sport England so that work will soon be under way.

“Slam Dunk!” as they say in the basketball world.

GPs treat their patients’ mental well-being by social prescribing volunteer gardening there.

What’s more the majority

of plants in the garden are donated by local people and the vegetables they produce in the raised beds are sent off to

Libraries, parks and care homes could face the brunt of the cuts

BRISTOL'S Central Library could relocate as the city council seeks to cut millions from its budget next year. The historic library on College Green would be moved elsewhere, while the library service across the city would be reduced, saving £1.38 million from the budget.

Parks, transport and care homes could also face major budget savings next year, according to a consultation asking how the council should try to balance its books. Council tax is likely to go up next April, adding further pressure on people struggling with the cost of living.

Sky-rocketing inflation means everything the council pays for is now much more expensive than it used to be. Meanwhile, the government is expected to launch a second wave of austerity next year, slashing how much money councils across the country receive.

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said: “Councils are underfunded and the government shows no partnership with city leaders to design services and places that support people in this financial crisis. As a result, we have to

balance a substantial shortfall in our funding and we must make the council smaller, do less and focus on our priorities, while making yet further efficiencies.”

It’s not clear where the Central Library would be relocated to. Bristol’s main library has been based in College Green for more than a century in a Grade-I listed building, which is now shared with Cathedral Primary School. Many libraries in the city previously faced the threat of closure, as part of budget proposals in 2018 which were later scrapped

after public opposition.

Elsewhere, council chiefs are consulting on saving £1.5 million from the parks service over the next two years with a plan to hand over park management to community groups. £840,000 is also planned to be saved from the transport budget over the next two years.

Care homes also face huge savings, including the potential closure of the East Bristol Care Centre, which would save £900,000 over two years. A further £1.5 million could be saved next year by cutting agency staff and managers.

More details about what the council’s budget will look like should be revealed in January next year, when the cabinet approves the draft proposals, before councillors sign off the final budget in February. The new budget then takes effect in April, at the start of the next financial year.

The public consultation runs until December 23: https://www.ask.bristol.gov. uk/budget-2023-24

Column: Page 23

Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Loft Boarding & Insulation

THERE’S a sheep’s milk cheese that’s made in the wilds of Redland. You’ve not seen many sheep there I know, but the cheesemaker buys in sheep’s milk and sets about the mystery alchemy that causes such delight. Blessed are the cheesemakers!

“Wandering Ewe”, described as Bristol’s Manchego, is just one of the cheeses on offer at the new cheese shop in North View. It’s called L’Affinage du Fromage which opened on Halloween. No tricks – only treats.

Husband and wife team Leo and Louise Wirtz have cheese in the soul, or maybe they were imprinted when young. Leo has no difficulty calling up the cheese room at his father’s restaurant and Louise was brought up on a dairy farm in Gloucestershire where they made cheese.

In spite of the French name, Louise says that about 80 percent of their cheeses are British and locally sourced. Not because they were influenced

by Liz Truss and her famous “cheese speech”, rather they go by the taste.

What does “L’Affinage” mean? It’s one of those words without an exact match in English, but essentially it means

was the cheese stall as well. They saw an opportunity to move into the old bookshop on North View because one of their market customers was chatting about Max Minerva’s bookshop moving to Henleaze High Street leaving a vacancy.

Additionally the shop shelves are stacked with olives and relishes, other comestibles, wines and port wines. They are open from Tuesday to Saturday. Many drop in to look around are offered a taste of the cheese - and then it’s too late.

those who know how to “age and refine” the cheese to perfection. You may remember Louise from the Whiteladies Road Saturday market where she sold pies, chutneys and relishes as Snowdrop Cottage and theirs

Assistant Joanne withLouise at the cheese counter

Kate Walsgrove of AMD Solicitors considers the dangers of homemade wills

bishopston bishopstonvoice voice

July, 2014 E: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk follow us on Twitter @bishopstonvoice 23

Advertising Feature

The

Making a Will is the only way of ensuring that your estate and assets are distributed according to your wishes. If you die without a Will, your estate will pass in accordance with the rules of intestacy. This could mean that your estate will pass to someone who you may not want to benefit.

Reasons clients have mentioned for not making a Will include not having enough time, not wanting to talk about death and the cost involved. Concerns over fees may lead someone to prepare a home made Will.

Although a Will does not need to be prepared by a Solicitor, there are inherent dangers in preparing one yourself.

1. Invalidity

By Shelley Faulkner, solicitor with AMD Solicitors

valid Wills. It was quickly spotted, however, that the Wills had only been witnessed by one person at the time of signing.

Due to this small but vital mistake, these Wills were invalid from the day they were signed.

2. Changes in circumstance

will be. However a Will can be worded to provide that a gift of 10 % of the value of your estate at that time is given to a charity or charities of your choice. The effect of this will be that the rate of Inheritance Tax payable on the whole estate is reduced from 40 % to 36 %.

If you decide to get married and already have an existing Will, that Will will automatically be revoked on your marriage, unless it was drafted in expectation of the marriage. A professional would advise you of this but a lay person might not be aware of the affect of marriage if they are making a homemade Will. Equally, divorce effects inheritance under a Will.

A recent example of this involves a husband and wife who had each prepared identical homemade Wills. As far as they were concerned, from the time they had signed their Wills to the date they instructed us to make new ones, they had

WHILE most of us support a number of charities in our lifetime, it is perhaps not surprising that a smaller number choose to remember a charity in their Will. Clearly the priority for most is to provide for a surviving spouse or children, or to ensure that the family wealth can be passed on to benefit the next generation.

However, government policy is clearly to encourage giving to charity, and a recent development in the law is intended to promote gifts to charity being made by Will. This change may also, on occasion, serve to save Inheritance Tax, or even to create a gift which literally pays for itself.

Reduced rate of Inheritance Tax

Where somebody dies after 6 April 2012 the rate of Inheritance Tax applied to the estate can be reduced from 40 % to 36 % (in other words by 10 %), provided that at least 10 % of the estate passes to charity.

Clearly it is not possible to determine in advance exactly what value the assets you leave by Will will have on your death for Inheritance Tax purposes, or what 10 % of the total value

In same circumstances, it has been calculated that this reduction in the tax bill can serve to leave the estate, even after payment of the gift to charity, with a value as high as if the gift had not been made. Thus the gift can in some cases quite literally pay for itself.

for the distribution of the estate, and the estate can then be divided as if the Will had been made in these terms. A Deed of Variation could therefore provide that 10 % of the estate is to pass to a chosen charity or charities, making the estate as a whole eligible for the reduced rate of Inheritance Tax.

difficult to prove that it is the last Will and often sworn statements are required from witnesses to provide evidence as to when they were signed.

3. Dates

Another situation we have come across is an undated Will. Although a date is not required for a Will to be valid, it is your last Will that must be proved on your death. If the Will does not have a date then it is

Even where a Will has not been prepared in these terms, it may be possible to take advantage of this tax break. If the beneficiaries of the estate agree, it is possible to effectively amend the terms of a Will within two years of the date of death. A ‘Deed of Variation’ can be drawn up which sets out the family members’ agreed arrangements

This change in the law is clearly very good news both for charities, and potentially for some estates as well. However the detail of the application can be complex. For example, the estate is divided into different ‘components’ depending on how the property will pass to the beneficiaries, in order to calculate whether the 10 % test has been met. Taking specialist advice on the implications for your particular circumstances is therefore essential.

of attorney and all private client issues, contact Shelley Faulkner, Florence Pearce and the other members of the team on 0117 9621205, email probate@ amdsolicitors.com or call in at 15 The Mall Clifton, or 100 Henleaze Road Henleaze.

4. Inappropriate Clauses

If you try and take clauses from a previous will or use clauses from someone else’s Will without fully understanding what those clauses mean and what their effect will be,

AMD’s team of experienced private client solicitors and practitioners includes full

you can end up with a Will that does not achieve what you wanted, with the result that some or all of your estate may go to someone you had not intended to benefit.

For advice on wills, inheritance tax, lasting powers of attorney administration of estates and all other private client issues please a member of our team on 0117 962 1205, email info@amdsolicitors. com or call into one of our four Bristol offices.

AMD Solicitors takes pride in sponsoring local, Bristol based charities and this year is very pleased to be supporting the Bristol branch of the Alzheimer’s Society, the local branch of this national charity which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in Great Britain. For full details of our fundraising activities visit our website www.amdsolicitors.com.

Copyright AMD Solicitors

Pop-up shop opens

IF you like to send charity cards at Christmas a new pop-up shop has opened in Tyndale Baptist Church in Whiteladies Road.

There’s a large number of cards for almost any charity you can name RNLI lifeboats, Dementia charities, Help for Heroes, Mind, Cancer charities, NSPCC, Samaritans, Shelter, Barnardo’s, British Heart Foundation, Autistic Society and many others.

The stall in the foyer of the church is full of cards and advent calendars too. Staffed by volunteers - it’s a regular festive event for them. They are open 10-4pm Monday to Saturday and hope to stay open till Friday December 16 – this depends on volunteers' availability.

So why not pop-in to the pop-up card shop this year?

John Wills House

Nursery is getting better, says Ofsted

THE Honeytree Nursery and Pre-school has been inspected by Ofsted inspectors, who say that while the school has made “vast improvements” from the last inspection it still requires further improvement in all areas.

The nursery caters for 62 children aged 0-4 and is located on the site of Orchard School in Filton Road, Horfield.

Inspectors found that the children were happy and secure in the care of the welcoming and friendly staff and the nursery was well-resourced for children to explore. But they said staff did not consider the children’s learning needs, activities were often too easy and did not provide the children with either challenge or purpose. Although staff did plan for the children’s learning, they tended to focus on the topic rather than focusing on what the children need to learn next.

Concern was expressed about the communication teaching at the nursery. “Staff talk too fast and do not allow children the opportunity to think and respond,” the report said.

The Ofsted report said that to improve the nursery had to ensure that assessment is used effectively to target children’s learning needs. It also needed to improve support to develop children’s language and communication skills, particularly with regard to the younger children and those who speak English as an additional language.

Annette Jardine one of the many volunteers at the card stall.

Bristol's £4m cost-of-living fund

BRISTOL City Council is spending £4 million this winter on supporting vulnerable people struggling with the cost of living. The money will be spent on services like free school meals during holidays and helping people with unaffordable energy bills.

The Household Support Fund is aiming to help get through the winter months as inflation skyrockets and the economy enters another recession. The money is coming from the government, with millions being given to other councils across the country.

Council bosses approved the spending plan for the £4 million at a cabinet meeting last month. The mayor said the list of how the cash will be spent was “heartening, but not enough”.

Deputy mayor Craig Cheney, cabinet member for finance, said: “Bristol will receive £4 million to support those in need with the cost of food, energy, water bills and other essential household items from October to March.

“We will be spending £1.9 million on free school meals for children over October, Christmas, February and Easter; £709,000 will be given to various charities to assist low-income households with food and fuel poverty; £350,000 to add to the local crisis prevention fund; and £220,000 to assist care leavers and foster families with food and heating costs.”

Extra support for people struggling with the cost of living is also available on the council’s website, with details of a helpline, help with fuel bills and food, advice for older people and disabled people, and locations of Welcoming Spaces set up as warm hubs across Bristol.

The Household Support Fund was first announced in September last year, and this £4 million is the third rollout of the fund. This time less cash will be earmarked for the elderly, after Bristol’s MPs urged the government to loosen the rules about how it should be spent.

https://www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/people-andcommunities/cost-of-living-support

Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Alasdair aims for the top in urban farming

YOU may have had them raw with a drizzle of a light vinaigrette or perhaps sautéed briefly. Pea shoots are definitely a thing and one local grower has taken to them with a will.

He’s Alasdair Marchant who’s started his farming business in Temple Meads. Alasdair, from the Bishopston end of Horfield Common, where there are actual green fields, has taken to technology to grow his crops in a process known as vertical farming in the barren warehouseland that surrounds the mainline station. It’s farming Jim, but not as we know it.

Along with pea shoots he grows other micro-greens like early radish and leeks as well as a host of herbs - basil, dill coriander and parsley and cress.

He’s managed to find a market in stores like Better Foods, cafes like Fed and some Japanese restaurants. He sells 1000 bags of pea shoots a month. His pots of herbs stay fresh for far longer than the bags of fresh

herbs bought in supermarkets.

His researches have shown that with vertical farming it’s almost as if you have several “fields” one on top of the other. So that means the yield is much higher. Scaled up, vertical

farming can offer more than fifty times the yield of conventional farming.

Grown indoors in a controlled environment there’s no need for pesticides. Getting the climate control just right has been a trial

and error learning curve, but things are going well just now.

It’s still early days yet but Alasdair has plans to get bigger or rather taller as an urban farmer, if you see what I mean. All the vertical terracing has been designed and built by himself as well as the irrigation system.

Sowing the seed, nurturing the shoots, harvesting, bagging and packing the product and delivering to retailers is currently a one man band operation. It’s not a greenhouse environment so the energy costs are relatively low.

“This last year I’ve learnt a lot. Becoming a reliable grower was the top priority, keeping my buyers happy. Expansion upwards is the next ambition with a larger harvest. I want to get to the point where it’ll be worthwhile paying a distributor to help me get the crops to market,” says Alasdair, already several steps up the ladder of ambition.

bristolurbanfarms @gmail.com

Marvin Rees considers running to become MP Boundary changes

BRISTOL mayor Marvin Rees is considering running in the general election in 2024 as a Member of Parliament. His second term as mayor finishes in May 2024, which is likely to be when the next general election will take place.

The city is due to get a fifth MP at the next election, after the Boundary Commission proposed creating a new Bristol North East constituency. Asked on Radio Bristol if he would consider standing in the new seat, the mayor said he would “throw his hat into the ring”.

Mr Rees has served as mayor of Bristol since 2016 and is halfway through his second term. He will be Bristol’s last mayor before the city switches to a committee-run council, after voters in a referendum earlier this year decided to scrap the unpopular mayoral model.

Mr Rees told presenter John Darvall: “I would admit that after talking to my family, I do kind of

feel that there’s a little bit more in my political journey.

“If there’s an opportunity to step into politics in Parliament and do something for Bristol, and do something for the country and the world, then if people choose me, then yeah I’ll throw my hat into the ring.

“This is my city. I wouldn’t have run around the country, that’s not what it’s about. For me it’s about politics in Bristol. The fact that the boundary review does create a space in Bristol, a platform in Bristol, to do more work with Bristol is an incredibly interesting alignment of events.”

The next general election must be held before January 2025, five years since the last one, but the government is expected to call one sooner.

Mr Rees would have to go through the Labour Party's selection process to become a candidate for the seat.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

THE next general election – if it happens after summer 2023 – will see the Bristol West constituency shrink in area. The Boundary Commission has proposed new boundaries to make constituencies of similar size. The population increase in central Bristol warrants a reduction in size, while a new constituency – the fifth for the City –will be created in Bristol North East.

The inner city wards of Easton and Lawrence Hill have gone to Bristol East. The new Bristol West will be re-named Bristol Central for general election purposes and will be made up of these wards – Ashley, Central, Clifton, Clifton Down, Cotham, Hotwells and Harbourside and Redland.

While Green Party candidates have won seats on the council here in local elections, general elections are different.

In 2017 Thangam Debbonaire held the Parliamentary seat with a majority of 37,336 and was re-elected in 2019 with a majority of 28,219. Thangam Debbonaire MP is the Shadow Leader of the House.

Nevertheless the seat has long been a Green Party target - the declared candidate for the next GE is the party’s co-leader Carla Denyer hoping to win their second seat in Westminster. Carla Denyer is a local councillor for Clifton Down.

In Bristol North West Darren Jones MP has said that he is keen to look after the interests of his new constituents in Bishopston and Ashley Down as this ward moves to his patch with the changes proposed, but he regrets losing the Lockleaze ward to the new constituency of Bristol North East.

Anyone can feed back comments and suggestions to the Boundary Commission www.bcereviews.org.uk/ but they have to do this before December 5. In the first two consultations they say they had 45,000 responses and adjusted nearly half of their proposals because of this feedback. Their final report setting the new proposals in stone for future general elections will be published in July.

Bristol to scrap government’s ‘unrealistic’ housing targets and protect green spaces

BRISTOL is planning to scrap the government’s “unrealistic” housing targets in a bid to protect the city’s green spaces. A new study will look at the evidence behind how many new homes Bristol should build over the next two decades, instead of using the government’s targets.

Bristol City Council is writing up its new Local Plan, a hugely important document setting out how the city will grow and where new developments should go up to 2040. The Local Plan includes policies on environment, energy efficiency, disabled access and more.

But currently if the council can’t show in the new Local Plan that it has identified enough

land where thousands of new homes can be built, meeting the government’s target, then developers get more leeway and can overcome Local Plan policies, weakening regulations.

Councillor Nicola Beech, cabinet member for strategic planning, said: “The government, in an effort to reach its manifesto commitment of 300,000 homes a year without upsetting their voters in rural and suburban constituencies, takes the figure for the total number of homes that can be built in the UK’s 20 biggest cities and slaps a 35% increase on top of it. Bristol’s target is more than 3,300 a year.

“We have a housing crisis in Bristol and we want thousands

of affordable homes built every year, but local government shouldn’t be penalised for not reaching a target that was set by an ex-prime minister, which doesn’t take the land available in each city into account.

“We’re already projected to build thousands of affordable homes in the next few years, a number which will increase as other developments are brought forward. But even if we far exceed our ambitious targets, we, and the other major UK cities, don’t have the land to build enough homes to reach the government’s non-evidencebased targets.”

A motion to scrap the government’s housing target

in favour of an evidence-based approach was unanimously passed last month. Councillors said the motion was not “antidevelopment”, and recognised Bristol needed to grow as a city, but “in the right way”.

One issue in the shortfall in new housing is developers not building the homes they have planning permission for. The number of new homes the council grants permission for is vastly higher than the number of homes actually built each year. But no powers currently exist to force developers to build homes once they have received planning permission.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

n MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING

Belonging - with people who 'get' you

Sometimes a problem shared is a problem halved - at least for a while. What does peer support mean in practice? TRACY TAINTON outlines her experience

ARE you sometimes in a conversation with someone and they finish your sentence? Or do you only have to say a couple of words and the someone you are chatting to “gets” what you are trying to explain, straight away, with no examples needed or further discourse required? Or when someone asks, “How are you?” and appreciates “I’m ok” means anything but.

On occasion and depending upon the subject matter, and how you are feeling, this can be so satisfying and reassuring.

That’s how someone with a mental health condition can feel sometimes, especially

n BARBARA'S VOICE

Years ago, in 1966, a singing postman from Norfolk had a hit with “Hev You Got a Loight boy?” Bristol has its own dancing postman. Barbara met him to learn the secret of life from this mailman with rhythm in his soulNorthern Soul that is.

I MAKE it my business to try to learn something about and from people who have a genuine love of life. And when I see Malcolm coming down our street with his big red bag slung over his shoulder, the world suddenly seems a slightly better place. For Malcolm Beedle is our Bishopston postie.

Not just any old postie who crams bits of paper through the letterbox. Malcolm, with his nailed on smile and his all-weather shorts, is always up for a chat, never forgets anyone’s name and has been doing the same daily ‘walk’ around the Berkeley Road area for 42 years. Forty-two years! He’s now 62 and has no thoughts of ‘hanging up me bag’.

So what is it about Malcolm that make a life possible that seems to be filled with joy?

“As I walk down your street, Barb, I’m singing in me head. All these songs are going round and round,” he tells me with his trademark grin, arms twirling. “Music is the happiest thing on the planet.”

After a double shift of ‘walks’ that starts at 5.30am and ends at 3.30pm, Malcolm has another life as a DJ and dancer at clubs in Bristol and beyond. His is a love affair with Northern Soul that started in 1979 when

when talking with someone who understands or better still knows and experiences how a troubled brain works. One can feel less isolated and can appreciate that someone else is in your club and speaks the same language. This is where peer support from a lived experienced individual can be so powerful in helping those with all sorts of “troublesome” mental health conditions and diagnoses.

Peer support is not a new idea and can be identified in many areas other than within mental health approaches, but the adage “it takes one to know one” and the notion “been there and done that“ does apply in this field.

Peer support can be as simple as texting someone you know who has struggles like yourself. And being prepared to accept texts too. It’s called checking in. It can be voluntary or a paid role in an organisation, such as Second Step. The support can be one to one or as part of a group and should be

non– threatening and non- judgemental. The individual receiving support should feel that their condition, and hence their behaviour is normalised, that the support is mutually agreed upon and there is no hierarchy in the relationship. They connect as equals. There should be an aim to share information and lived experience and hopefully a find a gentle way forward.

Social-prescribing is one way which effective peer support by lived experience individuals can be implemented. For me social-prescribing - being part of a group with my Peers - does afford me a sense of belonging for a couple of hours once a week.

• www.mind.org.uk

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer_support

• https://www.secondstep.co.uk/volunteer/ volunteer-opportunities/

he chanced upon a club called ‘Steamers’ in Princes Street, Bristol, with girlfriend Cath, now his wife.

“When I walked through that door and heard this music I’d never heard before, I was smitten,” he says. “I knew this is what I’d be listening to for the rest of my life.”

All these years later, Malcolm still gets such a kick out of the Northern Soul scene that he’s buying singles all the time on the internet, spending a “large sum” for a Jimmy Philips record, ‘She Belongs to Me’, that would originally have been about a tenner. The rarity is what drives up the price - there are only 17 original copies on the planet.

“I drive Cath mad,” he confesses. “She sees the glow of the iPad coming on at 5am and she sighs…”

Malcolm kept the faith with Northern Soul even during the lean years when CDs and the internet threatened to close down the whole scene altogether. He’s really glad now that he kept his ‘thousands’ of vinyl records under the marital bed during the bad times only to see the clubs start up again in the noughties. He

describes it now as ‘a crazy scene’ which has its own rules and etiquette, with choice ‘originals’ changing hands for eye-watering amounts.

Thirteen years ago, an original copy of the classic, Do I Love You (Indeed I do) by Frank Wilson, reached a record of £25,742 in a sale of singles. Some grandees of the scene will only spin at OVO events - Original Vinyl Only - but Malcolm is much more liberal, allowing ‘pressings’ or modern vinyl copies.

Don’t they sound the same, I ask, ever the naive fool? No, apparently pressings should be made on the same machine on which the original disc was cut and it’s easy to tell the difference between old and new. Obviously this scene encourages a certain amount of collector’s spoddery and snobbery!

He met Levanna McLean, the Bristol woman known to her millions of internet fans as ‘the Northern Soul girl,’ and one night when he was DJing at a pub in Westerleigh she came along and did a turn on the decks.

So for Malc the Talc, as they call him, the secret of life is: music, snooker, smiling, horse racing, family, Northern Soul, exercise, hard work and keep dancing, not necessarily in that order. This is one happy guy!

Last word goes to Malc as he springs out of bed at 4.40am, ready to walk up to 30 kilometres, come rain or shine. “Me mind’s full of songs, Barb. I’m thinking ‘another great day’”. Bottle it, Malcolm, and could you leave a couple of cases on my doorstep? I want some of this!

* Malcolm’s next Splash of Soul event is on 31st December at Mangotsfield Football Club, from 8pm. DJs Jimmy Manu, Malcom Beedle, Jim Cook and others to be confirmed. Find them on Facebook group, Splash of Soul.

The Beautiful Game shows its ugly side

THE World Cup is upon us.

For fans, it’s usually a time of nervous anticipation. I’d like to be having chats about the formation Southgate will play. Have the team been practising their penalties?! Could we follow the success of the women’s team, and this be the year England finally goes all the way?

This time however, sadly like many other West of England sports fans, I find myself with very different questions on my lips.

How can we celebrate the beautiful game in a state that abuses its own peo ple? Why has Qatar been awarded a global platform to promote itself? What is the world doing in the face of Qatar censor ing and jailing journalists and cosying up to Putin? How can we best call out the terrible human rights abuses, blatant hom ophobia and lack of women’s rights?

There wasn’t a single death in the work to build the London Olympics, which should be a huge mark of pride for our great country. It was the safest Olympic

build in history. In contrast, the current tournament has broken bodies, killed doz ens and maimed and crushed the hopes of abused foreign workers.

And let’s not pretend the Qataris won the hosting rights through merit alone. FIFA’s decision-Making, 12 years ago, was surrounded by rumblings of corruption and bribery. It’s been controversial from the off, because money talked louder than football.

So, what should we do? Of course, I always want my teams - Bristol City and England - to win.

As Harry Kane leads his men out, I hope we can use the power of football to inspire.

We know the World Cup can motivate young people to go out and exercise. We know great cup runs can bring our nation together. The excitement of Euro 96 or reaching the 2020 final last year. It’s also a great chance to back our hospitality sector at local pubs.

But we must also use this tournament

to keep human rights issues firmly in the public eye and to campaign for stronger workers’ rights.

These high-profile international sport ing events come with great kudos and attention for any host country. But it’s the people’s game - so they should come first.

Let’s hope in future the football author ities never place us in this position again where we love our football but are deeply troubled by the circumstances of the tournament.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris write for the Voice

FRENCHAY Christmas Tree Farm

is home to 40,000 Christmas trees spread over three fields of around 18 acres of green belt land next to the M32 motorway. This year, the first crop is being harvested from the third and newest field, eight years after it was first planted with sapling trees. Owner Simon Maughan is thrilled at the prospect: “After all the years mowing, tending, pruning and shaping, the Nordmann and Fraser Firs in our new field are looking wonderful, and it’s going to be very pleasing watching families taking them home for Christmas this year.”

The Fraser Fir is a popular alternative to the top-selling Nordmann Fir. Like the Nordmann, it keeps its needles really well over Christmas, but it has a stronger fragrance and a slightly narrower shape, making it a practical choice in a smaller home. They can be difficult to grow and need careful pruning, but because they reach maturity about two years sooner than the Nordmann, they’re much better value.

“While tagging up our trees ready for cutting this season, we found plenty of evidence of

What’s New at Frenchay Christmas Tree Farm

martins will take up home in the newly installed nest boxes, and by letting some Christmas trees grow to maturity, they might not only provide homes for wildlife, but capture carbon dioxide and pollutants from the nearby motorway.

Many people make informed decisions nowadays about the things that they buy, wanting to support local businesses, reduce road miles and be environmentally ethical. Readers can find out more about the wildlife and the Christmas trees, the planting programme and the ethos behind the farm at: www.

frenchaychristmastreefarm.co.uk

thriving wildlife: badger setts, mole hills, mushrooms, wildflowers, bird nests and wasp nests to name a few. We always strive to work alongside nature on the farm, whether that’s leaving wild

grasses and flowers to grow over the summer months to attract insects, or mulching up trees after Christmas to spread on the fields.”

Owner Simon Maughan hopes that one day swallows and house

Frenchay Christmas Tree Farm is open every day from 9am to 5pm from Saturday 19th November. You can visit in person, or order your tree, stand and wreath online either for delivery or click and collect.

Thanks to Alex at Above Horizon Photography for the drone photo

n NEWS FROM OUR MP

The government crashed the economy and everyone else is paying the price

The latest catastrophic shock to our economy was the ‘minibudget’ brought in by the previous Prime Minister and Chancellor in September. It left mortgages and rents skyrocketing for millions of people, whilst bills rise, wages don’t cover household costs. That’s on top of 12 years of wasted opportunities and mistakes. The failure to grow our economy has resulted in stagnant wages and underfunded broken public services. We urgently need a government that can deliver an economy that works for everyone.

What could be different?

1. Invest in net-zero and the jobs which result. Labour’s ambitious but vital Green Prosperity Plan to get us to

zero carbon power by 2030 and create great jobs, warm up homes and bring down bills is just one major example of how to do things differently. We must grow the economy otherwise we remain in a constant loop of tax increases and spending cuts.

2. Make fairer choices about taxation. For example, Labour’s windfall tax on big oil and gas producers could bring in up to £50 billion. We must also lead the crack down on large multinationals who use tax havens to stash their profits abroad.

3. Get better value for taxpayers’ money. There has been so much wasted on crony contracts, outsourcing and fraud and waste.

You asked, I did

Many of you write to me asking me to attend a particular debate or briefing event in Parliament so I am better able to represent your priorities. I always do my best to prioritise the events you ask me to be at. For example, in COP27 week I was briefed on renewable energy from Energy UK and recently met with constituents in Parliament about human rights abuses in

different countries. What else do I do in Parliament to represent you?

To give you a flavour of the range of activities I do in Parliament to represent you, here is a small selection from the last few weeks:

• Took part in two events on getting more bone marrow and blood donors registered, particularly the underrepresented black and other ethnic minority populations;

• Been present in the Chamber for key debates;

• Welcomed the Bristol Youth MPs to Parliament.

I’m always happy to hear from constituents. If you have anything you’d like to raise with me, please get in touch via thangam. debbonaire.mp@parliament.uk

You may also have seen me on various TV programmes being interviewed about national events – thanks to those of you who’ve sent supportive messages. I’m usually on the TV several times per week as the Shadow Leader of the House of Commons but also on local media covering local events.

And in Bristol? After the last two years of

Debbonaire writes for the Voice

restrictions, I have been pleased to get back to visiting local schools, businesses, charities and other organisations which make up our community. I’ve kept some things online - surgery appointments with individuals who need my help and responding to people who email, for instance.

Thangam

Give

thoughts on council’s budget

LIKE many organisations, Bristol City Council has a cost of operating crisis, which will affect our ability to carry out all the activities we want to and may affect our ability to provide the services we want.

Over the next five years we must find a mix of additional income and cost savings between £37.5m and £87m, which equates to 9% to 20% of the council’s core budget. As part of our consultation on the annual budget, we set our proposals for reducing costs and generating further income that amount to £46m over the coming five years. With still some way to go to balance the worst-case five-year budget gap, further difficult decisions may be required in February 2023 and beyond to bridge the estimated £41m gap remaining.

We’re not alone. The Local Government Association have estimated £3.4 billion in additional costs for councils in 2023/24, rising to £4.5 billion in 2024/25. Nine in ten councils nationally expect

budget shortfalls next year and we’re no different.

How did we get here? This is a crisis that’s been over a decade in the making, with many years of austerity slashing council funding, with government support failing to keep pace with increasing costs and demand. In February this year, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities approved its plans for funding local government for the following three years. It was a plan that meant councils would get an upfront amount of money to fund themselves for the period of the plan, based on the financial circumstances of the time. This was a plan that local government leaders agreed would result in real terms cuts for services and would result in financial difficulties for councils in years two and three.

Since the council passed its current budget and five-year outlook in March 2022, there have been significant changes on a national and global stage that

are having a direct impact on the authority’s financial forecasts. Inflation in the UK has risen sharply in recent months, climbing above 10% in September, pushing up the price of goods, services and energy for everyone in the country. Global events, such as the invasion of Ukraine, are also having an effect on international markets which impact directly on the cost of living. These issues add pressure onto a local government system that is already struggling.

This consultation sets out the full scale of the challenge we face. It makes for uncomfortable reading in places but must be read by also recognising that our proposals are to ensure the budget is balanced and the finances exist to fund the vital work we’re doing. If we are to continue to meet our statutory obligations including providing housing, delivering care for the elderly and disabled, creating school places, and helping people through the cost-of-living crisis, we are going to have to be prepared

to let go of some of the things we’ve fought hard to protect over the past six years.

I urge everyone to take part in this conversation to help inform our approach and the Budget decisions that need to be taken in February next year. To share your thoughts before the consultation closes at midnight on Friday 23 December, visit: https://www.ask. bristol.gov.uk/budget-2023-24

You can request alternative formats of the document via consultation@bristol.gov.uk or 0117 922 2848

This month Bristol's Deputy Mayor, Craig Cheney, on the council's finances

CHRONIC PAIN MANAGEMENT

James Scrimshaw of CUR A CLINIC AL explains how new technologies are

providing ef

CHRONIC PAIN MANAGEMENT

fec tive answers to people’s pain and suf fering

MBST : Treatment for knees

Scrimshaw of CUR A CLINIC AL explains how new technologies

are providing ef fec tive

answer

Construction of MRI and MBST devices

Detector coils

s

MBST Cell regeneration: What is MBST?

to people’s pain and suf fering

death and cell reproduction.

- Optimising cell oxygen levels

- Improving Cell energy production

The results we’re seeing now in patients with varying injuries and conditions is really remarkable.

KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

I’ve also just discharged Kate 5 months following treatment for her arthritic knees (she’d already had a half knee replaced). She’s now pain free… I anticipate these results will last a number of years.

I’ve also just discharged Kate 5 months following treatment for her arthritic knees (she’d already had a half knee replaced). She’s now pain free… I anticipate these results will last a number of years.

- Optimising intercellular signalling pathways

Alex was diag nosed 4 years ago with arthri tis of his knees and came to me off the back of 3 years of coping using cortisone. In his words he was ‘eating naproxen!’ Stairs and more than 9 holes of golf were a real problem. He was referred to me by a friend who’d responded well to MBST with his hip, and 4 months post MBST Alex has responded equally as well. He can now play a full 18 holes of golf without Naproxen and stairs aren’t a problem any more. A great example of the positive effect MBST has on cartilage healing.

- Reducing inflammatory mediators

MBST uses the same method of electromagnetic energy transfer as MRI scanning which is how it was discovered in Germany 20 years ago.

This translates to you and I as a healing process in the tissue the energy is applied to which leads to a reduction in pain and an increase in the natural mobility and lifestyle of the patient without any need of invasive

- Readjusting cell circadian clock-leading to less cell death and cell reproduction.

Since then it has been adapted, updated and improved to achieve remarkable results for patients with varying conditions such as: Osteoarthritis, muscle tears, Tendon /ligament damage and Bone injury in all areas of the body.

This translates to you and I as a healing process in the tissue the energy is applied to which leads to a reduction in pain and an increase in the natural mobility and lifestyle of the patient without any need of invasive therapy.

Obviously there are limitations of the effects relating to a number of factors such as severity and complexity of a patient’s case, however the technology is constantly being improved and we’re getting better at selecting the right patients and conditions in order to get higher success rates and better overall results.

Obviously there are limitations of the effects relating to a number of factors such as severity and complexity of a patient’s case, however the technology is constantly being improved and we’re getting better at selecting the right patients and conditions in order to get higher success rates and better overall results.

It’s growing in popularity in the UK as a safe non invasive and natural way of tangibly healing our bodies and as more and more people are seeing that the results are actually for real it’s acceptance within the medical profession is also increasing significantly.

The results we’re seeing

Rob (above) is a great example of how MBST heals cartilage in a moderate to severe arthritic knee. 15 months after his MBST therapy he now runs, plays racket ball and golf without any pain and that’s without his braces. He’s recently done a course on his severe arthritic neck and has significantly less neck pain and improved mobility. Over the next 6 months I expect his condition to reach over 90% improvement.

without his braces. He’s recently done a course on his severe arthritic neck and after 3-4 months has significantly less neck pain and improved mobility. Over the next 6 months I expect his condition to reach over 90% improvement.

Knees were where I mostly started using MBST and I’m still seeing great results in 90% of the patients who are appropriate candidates for the therapy. I now also see a lot of spinal arthritis, shoulders, hands hips and ankles, really helping patients for whom there were few other options.

James

Albert is such a lovely chap who was also really struggling with arthritis in both knees…more advanced in nature. MBST has had a really positive effect on his life, reducing his pain and allowing him to walk 2-3 miles without any major issues. When he came to see me in February he had to sit down soon after walking just 100yards!! Brilliant outcome.

Jonathan Webb has seen great benefit from MBST for his patients

Where to find a warm winter welcome

AN appeal by Bristol City Council for community buildings to offer warm spaces as temperatures drop has brought some interesting offers. The Everyone Active Sports Centres are in addition offering free showers at their centres in Dorian Road at Horfield and at Portland Street in Kingsdown. At Horfield the centre is open as a welcoming space between 2-4pm every day with free hot drinks and the free showers are available between 7pm and 9pm. At Kingsdown the centre is open everyday as a warm space between

9-3pm and the free showers are available anytime. In both centres say you’ve come as part of the “welcoming space” initiative and a guest pass will be issued for some of the activities there.

Cairns Road Baptist Church offers a warm space on Tuesday’s between 6pm to 9pm for families and children and others. Hot drinks and wifi are also offered.

Bristol Citadel Salvation Army, 6 Ashley Road, BS6 5NL, Bristol, Tuesday to Thursday 3pm to 7pm, 0117 992788 – food, hot drinks, community cctivities and wifi.

Marie Curie's relaunch

There’s a new community hub at Marie Curie charity shop on the Gloucester Road. As part of the re-launch following the very quiet Covid years they are running a series of Christmas markets and events. Seasonal stall holders are invited to look at the space and join in. Hub manager Lowri Bland-Tan says they have new stock and a range of hand-made crafts for the Christmas season.

We are now enabling close contact visits in the home, every resident is able to have an essential care giver, and there is no isolation required for new residents from the community. We still have a varied activity schedule which keeps life interesting and happy.

FROM YOUR COUNCILLORS

In Redland this

Grim prospects for council budget.

month...

After many years of government austerity the city council budget has been shrunk by about a half and many services have already suffered cuts the last few years. The bad news is the coming year’s budget is facing a shortfall of frightening proportions. By law the budget must balance and with income from many local sources and the government allocation shrinking the funds will also be under pressure from inflation in costs, rising social care demands, staff pay rises, and steep energy bill increases. Some of the current year’s savings have also not been achieved. This means some extremely difficult choices will have to be made around the amount for each service in the next municipal year. Do look out for the budget consultation on the ask Bristol website and do feed in your comments. We're concerned some proposals suggested aren't clear enough so it's not obvious what the cuts might mean.

Ghost buses

Many residents have been affected by the 'ghost buses' - approaching services shown on the bus stop live displays that then vanish as they become due. Not being able to rely on services is frustrating

and can cause problems with appointments.  Martin tabled questions about getting the unreliable information from timetables removed when buses aren't actually running. He's asked the council to press for accurate data to be fed into the displays and it will now be seeking a solution so we see which buses are really coming.

Planning delays

There are currently hundreds of unfilled vacancies affecting various council services due to a recruitment freeze and a lack of suitable applicants. In the case of the planning service developer fees are charged but there's a shortfall of staff needed to meet statutory deadlines required.  When developers' planning applications aren't decided in time the applicant can appeal to the government for 'non-determination'. This means the decision is taken out of the council's control and made by a government inspector. Worried this means our local plan policies won't be applied we've asked what can be done to ensure applications get decided in time. A new 'streamlined' process has been proposed but we pressed for an assurance this doesn't mean weaker negotiation. We still want the adopted local plan policies in the city to be guiding development.

In Bishopston this month...

As we move into the winter months we have been as busy as ever working with local residents and the council on issues in the ward. In October we had success getting the council to re-evaluate the number of HMOs in the ward after residents in Oak Road raised concerns.

It turned out the data was incorrect and this has helped with dealing with objecting to planning application. A big thanks to all residents who got involved. We also finally got the council to repaint the road markings at the end of Kennington Road.

We know this issue was going on for a while, due to poor road resurfacing, hot weather, and parked cars. We are pleased to say the new lines are now painted. We will continue to hold our surgery throughout Winter, from 4pm5.30pm in The Garden Room at the Ardargh on the first Friday of every month.

Parking issues

At November’s full council meeting Emma once again brought a question about the possibility of getting a residents’ parking zone for the area. Sadly, once again Emma was told that there will not be any more residents’ parking schemes issued under this administration.

However, on a more positive note, Emma has recently launched a petition on banning pavement parking in Bristol, in a scheme similar to one that has been implemented in Sheffield.

We know that people find pavement parking anti-social and want more action on it. If you want to support this petition you can sign it by following this link: https://actionnetwork.org/ petitions/pavement-parking/

Ashley Down Speeding

We’ve had lots of residents contacting us about concerns

Redland Green drinking fountain is making progress

The long awaited fountain for Redland Green users looks a little closer to reality. A new water supply pipe is being provided and this means the fountain may be able to be installed in time for the next year.

Bishop Road - traffic and safety

Many concerns have been raised by residents and parents in the area around Bishop Road school, and so Fi and Martin have been in touch with the school to see if we can work together to improve road safety around their site. It’s a local road we get a lot of reports about. It is clear that congestion, inconsiderate parking and inappropriate speeds are worrying local people and whilst council budgets are very tight, we are hoping that there may be a way forward. Ideas and comments are of course very welcome - do please get in touch.

Maintaining local drains and hedges

With a late autumn we’re now seeing plenty of issues around blocked drains and overgrown hedges. Please remember to play your part and do report drains that need clearing via the council website. If there are accumulated leaves and you’re able to remove

them then please do as it can help keep placements clear and safe.

And if you haven’t yet cut back any overhanging hedges or shrubs then please tidy them. If there’s a neighbour who isn’t able to look after their own garden then an offer to help might be really welcome.

Clean Air Zone starts charging

The city’s statutory clean air zone starts on November 28th, after years of delays to get less toxic, safer air.  There are charges for noncompliant vehicles – so if you drive into the zone you need to know if charges apply to your vehicle. If you don’t make a payment a penalty charge may apply.  If you have a vehicle registered locally you should have been contacted.

About three quarters of motor vehicles are not affected by any charges as they are approved, compliant models.

See the website www. cleanairforbristol.org where you can check details and see the support packages available.

Contacts: Cllr.fi.hance@bristol.gov.uk. Cllr.martin.fodor@bristol.gov.uk Fi: 0117 3534720. Martin 0788 4736101

Facebook.com/cllrmartin.fodor or /cllrfi.hance

about speeding in the area, especially on Downend Road, Ashley Down Road and Sommerville Road. We have met with the local police liaison officer to discuss this issue and find solutions.

The police have issued more police speed vans in response and have had some positive responses.

They have also said that residents can get involved also by signing up for Community Speed Watch, where you can use speed guns on your own streets to monitor speeding.

CommunitySpeedWatch@ avonandsomerset.police.uk

Pencil Bollards

We are also pleased to announce that we had our Area 2 Community Interest Levy meeting and were able to take forward the bid for Ashley Down School for some pencil bollards. This means that we are one step more step forward to

tightening up the safety around this school.

The New Clean Air Zone

Bristol’s Clean Air Zone portal is now open which means anyone who is eligible can apply for a temporary exemption to the Clean Air Zone charge. If you want to find out if your vehicle is exempt you can visit https://secure.mipermit. com/bristolcaz/Application/ ModuleLander.aspx.

Over 71% of vehicles are already compliant, so, many residents and businesses will not need a temporary exemption. We urge people to check whether their vehicle will be charged using the government’s online checker.

Contacts:

Cllr.EmmaEdwards@bristol.gov.uk

Cllr.LilyFitzgibbon@bristol.gov.uk

Facebook: @ EmmaEdwardsLilyFitzGibbon

A cautionary tale for Christmas!

WE are all used to checking out the best deal for our car or house insurance but how many of us do the same for our pet insurance without realising the implications and carefully reading the small print?

As a profession we do very much advocate Pet insurance to our pet owners. Veterinary bills have increased dramatically over the last few years while the standards of care available and the facilities have improved so the cost of treatment has in some cases rocketed. This is particularly true of referral to a specialist veterinary hospital. Pet insurance to cover unexpected bills is not cheap and it is understandable that owners need to be able to find the best deal that is affordable.

However swopping your pet insurance is not as simple as your car or house! Any ‘pre-existing conditions’ are likely to NOT be covered if you transfer your policy, no matter how minor they may have seemed at the time. For

example, if your pet has been to see us for a limp or an ear infection, any new insurance company is likely to put a blanket exclusion on either any lameness or future ear problems. You may end up with a policy that is deficient in more than one area.

Hence it is important that you search for the best insurance cover that you can when you first get your pet and before it has any preexisting conditions, cover will then be complete. If you leave starting

an insurance until after your pet has had his first trip to the vet for a problem, it is likely that you will not be able to get cover for that problem in your policy.

Be very careful about swopping your policy to a different company, you may get caught out, even though you may feel you do not have the best deal on the market you need to weigh up what you may have to lose in swopping. Please do read the small print very carefully before committing to a swop.

As vets, we are not financial advisers and are not able to discuss the specifics of any insurance policy however we can recommend the concept of insurance. This really is a case of ‘caveat emptor’ or ‘ let the buyer beware’, please be careful! appointment on 0117 924 7832.

Gloucester Road’s Independent Veterinary Practice

358 Gloucester Road, Horfield, Bristol BS7 8TP 0117 9247832

www.animalhealthcentre.org

Nicky Bromhall MRCVS Head Vet Animal Health Centre

Volunteers put in winter shift at vineyard

THIS time last year I’d just completed a hectic four-week period of crowdfunding to raise funds to buy some land. The crowdfunding was successful and I’ve been working very hard to secure the land purchase for the last 12 months. It’s not been an easy task and there have been many disappointments along the way, but I hope to bring you some exciting news soon!

In the vineyard I’ve been continuing the laborious task of removing the old polythene weed control and piling a big heap of mushroom compost under every vine… all 2500 of them! With the help of my volunteers, I’ve done just over half the vineyard and will continue to do the rest as the winter progresses so it’s all completed in time for next summer. In a few weeks once the vines have dropped their leaves, I’ll begin the pruning as well. I have a

mixture of ages within the vines so will treat each section differently. The younger vines will be pruned to encourage root growth and the older vines will be pruned to maximise fruit production.

On the wine front, we’re about to have our first taste of our 2021 red and white fizz. They were bottled in August this year so we have to test the pressure to check that the secondary fermentation is complete before we begin to disgorge small batches. Rather frustratingly, we’ve sold out of our sparkling red and white wine. These wines can still be found in the shops but they’re the last remaining bottles. We still have plenty of rosé and a small amount of our cloudy fizz called ‘bottom’.

hello@dunleavyvineyards.co.uk www.dunleavyvineyards.co.uk @DYvineyards (twitter) dunleavy vineyards (facebook & instagram)

Kololo Hill

by Neema Shah

Review by Bob Deacon of Bishopston Library

KOLOLO Hill overlooks the city of Kampala, the capital of Uganda. For decades, Europeans enjoyed a wealthy lifestyle, living at the top of the hill during colonial rule. When Uganda gained its independence from the UK in 1962, most of the Europeans went home to be replaced by wealthy Asian families.

Your place on the hill was directly related to your wealth, with the poorer Asians living further down the hill and the Black Ugandans occupying cement block homes at the bottom.

The novel starts in 1972, when the Ugandan President, Idi Amin, orders the expulsion of all Asians from Uganda, giving them 90 days to leave the country. Our story is focused on a pair of young newlyweds, Pran & Asha, who live on the hill with Pran’s parents, Jaya & Motichand and Vijay, Pran’s younger brother.

The brothers assist their father in running the family food store. After hearing the presidential decree, the family visit the British High Commission, seeking refuge in the UK. They are shocked to find out that only UK passport

holders are permitted entry. Whilst Asha, Vijay & Jaya all have UK passports, Pran and his father have Ugandan and Indian passports only. After a lengthy family discussion, it is agreed that Asha, Vijay & Jaya should travel to the UK with Pran and his father, Motichand, opting to escape to India. Before they can depart however, Motichand dies from a heart attack, whilst trying to protect the store from Ugandan looters. Asha, Vijay and Jaya fly to the UK , leaving Pran to find his own way out of the country. The second half of the novel, finds us following Asha, Vijay and Jaya as they each struggle to build a new life in the UK. The chapters alternate between the three characters, giving us their different perspectives on adjusting to life in a foreign country. We hear about the family backstory, with Jaya recalling how she travelled

alone from India to Uganda on a ship, a year after her husband had sailed to their new home in Africa. Once again, she has to learn a new language, master a new currency and learn new customs. We experience the racism that Asha & Vijay face on a daily basis, as well as the hospitality and kindness shown to them by their new neighbours. After a long and protracted battle with the Home Office, Asha hears that Pran has been granted permission to join her in the UK. Pran is reunited with his family, but he finds his wife, his brother and his mother have all changed in his absence, leading different lives and harbouring new ambitions and desires to those they left behind in Uganda. This is a beautifully written and emotive novel, with the reader feeling the heat and sunshine of Uganda , as well as the cold and damp of the UK with its power cuts and three day working week. It brings home what it means to leave your native land and what it takes to start again and forge a new life in a foreign country. For this book and many more, please come and visit us at Bishopston Library.

Opening Hours

Monday (1pm-7pm) Tuesday (closed) Wednesday (11am-5pm) Thursday (11am-5pm) Friday (11am-5pm)

December 13

n THE ARTS SOCIETY BRISTOL lecture on "West End Winners" is at 8pm at Redmaids' High BS9 3AW. We welcome new members and guests. For more information on our lectures, given by specialists in their own field, see our website www.theartssociety-bristol.org.uk

December 14

n AN EVENING OF ROMANTIC FLUTE MUSIC with flautist Emily Bell, pianist Helen Mills and special guests. 7:30pm Trinity Henleaze URC Church, Waterford Road, BS9 4BT. Suggested £5 donation on the door for Sobell House Hospice Charity Registered Charity No. 1118646.

REGULAR EVENTS

Monday

n REDLAND WIND BAND has vacancies for some woodwind, brass and percussion players. This friendly group meets 7.30-9.30pm at Redland Church Hall, Redland Green. Contact via email on redlandwindband@gmail.com

n TAI CHI & QI GONG. Weekly beginners / improvers classes with Tai Chi Body and Mind. These classes are for your physical and mental health and wellbeing –there is no fighting. In Person: Mondays, Fairfield High School, Alfoxton Rd. 7.30 – 8.30pm. Online: Tuesdays 6.30 – 7.30pm. Contact: Claire - Claire@taichibodyandmind. co.uk (07769 857672).

n DICKENS SOCIETY. 7pm, at Leonard Hall, Henleaze URC, Waterford Rd, Bristol BS9 4BT. Talks, costumed readings, book club and social events. New members welcome. See www.dickenssociety.org.uk or phone Roma on 0117 9279875 for further details.

n PLAY BOWLS at Canford Park in a friendly, social atmosphere. Qualified coaches and equipment provided. Contact: Les on 07305695579

n WESTBURY AND CLIFTON AREA DISCUSSION GROUP are a merry band of retired people who meet at Westbury on Trym Baptist Church every Monday morning

(0945) and like to challenge ourselves with topical debate on what’s happening in the world - near and far. We exist out of pure interest and to enjoy varied and entertaining conversations/ discussions to help keep our older minds working a little bit faster and a little bit healthier. If you would like to join us and help to solve some of today's challenging issues whilst enjoying good company, tea, and chocolate biscuits - please contact James Ball 01454 415165 or Ian Viney 0117 9501628. We would very much like to hear from you.

n BRISTOL COMMUNITY GAMELAN play the music of Java at Cotham School from 6.30-8.30. We play by numbers – only 1-6, without the 4 ! So no auditions, no need to read music. If you fancy a different musical experience, contact us via email on keithripley27@gmail.com

Tuesday

n THE ARTS SOCIETY BRISTOL LECTURE welcomes new members. Our lectures, given by specialists in their own field, take place on the second Tuesday of the month from September to May at 8pm at Redmaids' High BS9 3AW and by internet. For more information on our lectures and other activities visit our website www.theartssociety-bristol.org.uk

n BRISTOL HARMONY WEST GALLERY CHOIR AND BAND are now rehearsing regularly again. We are looking for new members SATB as well as string, reed and wind instrumentalists. We sing and play lively church and village music from the 18th century. We meet at St Edyth’s Church Hall in Sea Mills on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. No auditions but ability to read music is helpful. Ring Fritjof on 0117 924 3440 or see www. bristolharmony.wordpress.com. Please contact before attending so we can have music ready.

n POETRY UNLIMITED – poetry circle meet on the First Tuesday of every month between 11am - 12 midday. Room 1, Horfield Baptist Church, 279 Gloucester Rd, Bishopston, Bristol, BS7 8NY. Entrance is at the back of the church on Brynland Ave (opposite no.39). Please enter down the right hand alley way through the side door; the room is the first on the right. £2.00 donation towards the cost of the room. Bring a couple of poems to share, other poets or your own. Contact Dee: wetwo@ gentlyblown.co.uk Web: www. poetryunlimitedbristol.weebly.com

n COMPANION VOICES BRISTOL is recruiting new members We

are a 'threshold choir' actively looking for new people to join us. We meet in Easton on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7 to 9 pm to learn soothing and uplifting songs by ear and build skills in sensitivity/compassion/ loving presence to sing at the bedsides of people nearing the end of life. To join or support us in this work, contact Valerie on bristol@companionvoices. org. Visit www.facebook.com/ CompanionVoicesBristol and www. companionvoices.org.

Wednesday

n BRISTOL SCRABBLE CLUB meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm until 10pm at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS. New members welcome- first visit free so come along and give us a try. For further information contact Sheila on 01179570792 or 07435316458 or email shinett@blueyonder.co.uk

n HEALING SESSIONS run by accredited healers take place 2 til 3.30pm at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up, or for info contact Marian Bishop 0117 9771629 or visit www. westburyparkspiritualistchurch.org

n BRISTOL VOICES COMMUNITY CHOIR welcomes new members at any time. We meet at 7.30pm in St Werburghs Primary School during term time. See www.bristolvoices. org.uk for details.

Thursday

n HEALING FOR WELLBEING Feel more relaxed, peaceful, calmer. Drop-in 3.00 - 4.15 pm at Redland Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, BS6 6JE. Donation basis. Supported by members of The Healing Trust. Contact: Selina 0117 9466434 or selinanewton@yahoo. co.uk.

n BISHOPSTON COMMUNITY CHOIR Meet on Thursday evenings, 7.30pm to 9.00pm at St Michael's and All Angels Church on Gloucester Road. Everyone welcome, no audition necessary. Contact us via email on bishoproadchoir@gmail.com

n HENLEAZE LADIES’ CHOIR Come and join us as we fill St Peter’s Church Hall in Henleaze with a diverse selection of music. We are a friendly choir and meet on Thursday afternoons in term time from 1.45 to 3.45. There are no auditions, and the ability to read music is not necessary. For more information contact Jean on 01179 624466 or Jane on 07752 332278

n LOCAL CHOIR ACTIVELY RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS. We meet at Stoke Bishop CE Primary School, BS9 1BW on Thursday, 7.45

- 9.15pm. We are a well-established mixed choir performing both sacred and secular music. See our website www.henburysingers. org or contact the secretary at secretary@henburysingers.org.

n HIGHBURY BADMINTON CLUB: Pete Stables 0117 950 1524 or www.pete4458.wixsite.com/ highburybadminton Thurs 7:30pm mid September to End April, Westbury-on-Trym Village Hall

n BRISTOL MALE VOICE

CHOIR are recruiting new members. Our rehearsal/ practice night is every Thursday from 7pm to 9.15 pm at St Andrew's Methodist Church, Elm Park, Filton, BS34 7PS. We have a varied repertoire, ranging from traditional male voice favourites, Bach, and the Beatles, to contemporary pop music, gospel, folk standards, rugby anthems and songs from the musicals. There is no audition, but if you visit our rehearsals and decide to join there is a voice test to find out if you are a baritone, bass or tenor. If you don't read music, not a problem -you'll find that our regular practices will soon get you in shape to sing at our regular concerts and enjoy the social vibe at our post-concert gatherings. To find out more, visit our website at www. bristolmvc.org.uk see our facebook page, or contact secretary@bristolmvc.org.uk or call him on 07764447699. Join us soon !

n ENJOY SCOTTISH DANCING at St. Monica’s Oatley Hall, Cote Lane, BS9 3UN on Thursdays 7.30 – 10.00 p.m. £6.00 per session. Have fun, make friends, keep fit. Phone Trish 0788 052 8925/www. rscdsbristol.info

n OPEN DEVELOPMENT

CIRCLE starting Sept 8. For those interested in developing their spiritual awareness and mediumistic ability. 7.15 for 7.30pm start at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up, or for info contact Marian Bishop 0117 9771629 or visit www. westburyparkspiritualistchurch.org Friday

n CALLIGRAPHERS wanted to join us at St Edyth’s Church Hall, Sea Mills, on Fridays 1000-1200. We are a long established self-led group who would welcome new members. Come and meet us on Friday or call Peter at 0117 329 4516.

With Dawn Lawrence

Ivy for Christmas 2022

IVY has a long association with midwinter festivals; its living green leaves symbolise the turning of the year towards spring again, even as the days are at their shortest. Ivy was also credited with magical powers and one farming custom was to gather the leaves on Christmas morning and to ensure every animal had a bite before midday, thus protecting the animals from the Devil for twelve months. The belief in ivy’s supernatural power may have its origins in the plant’s value as winter fodder and reputation as a restorative for sickly livestock. Despite being poisonous to many smaller animals such as rabbits, and to humans, an extract from the berries is a traditional cough remedy and still used in cough medicines today.

Ivy is our only native evergreen liana – a plant that climbs other plants but does not parasitise them. It roots in the soil and photosynthesises like other green

plants and consequently can also climb fences and buildings with ease. The climbing stems bear the typical five-lobed leaves but when ivy decides that it has climbed enough it converts into its “mature” form, producing simple pointed oval leaves and branching outwards to form a bushy canopy which bears the flowers. On a dead trunk or a telegraph pole a vast head of mature ivy can appear very arboreal and is sometimes called an ivy tree.

Ivy is a great plant for wildlife with its flowers being amongst

the last in the year to bloom. They are small and green but provide invaluable food for many autumn insects: honey bees that are still working hard; Red Admiral and Peacock butterflies filling up for their hibernation; and autumnal moths such as Angle Shades feeding at night. There is even an ivy bee that specialises in feeding on the flowers. The fruit that follows is black and plump with a sloe-like bloom that rubs off to an eggshell sheen. The berries are a popular food for winter birds and, come spring, a thick head of ivy is

favoured as a nesting site by our garden blackbirds.

In Bristol the commonest ivy is not common ivy at all, but Atlantic Ivy which bears bigger, darker green leaves. Atlantic Ivy supports Ivy Broomrape - a small, truly parasitic plant with dull red flowering stems that grows amongst ivy on the ground and takes all its sustenance directly from the roots of its host. It is a nationally scarce species and because it prefers Atlantic Ivy it is much more common around Bristol and westwards than it is further east where common ivy predominates. One day we hope to find Ivy Broomrape in our garden, goodness knows we have given Atlantic Ivy a free enough rein!

Soon it will again be time to unwind a few of the loose ivy stems from our little apple tree to use for our Christmas decorations, bringing it into the house and giving ivy its traditional place of honour at the heart of our midwinter celebration.

Dawn Lawrence

Did you know Bristol City Council fund a loan scheme for homeowners? *

Working in partnership with We Care Home Improvements and Lendology CIC, the partnership takes the stress out of funding and finding contractors for home repairs, improvements or adaptations.

If you are a homeowner, of any age, and need to make essential repairs to your home, call us today for more information. Works covered under the scheme include roof repair, electrical and plumbing work, damp and structural remedies, heating installations or replacement, amongst other works.

For an informal chat about the loan scheme and eligibility, call Lendology on 01823 461099, email loans@lendology.org.uk or visit www.lendology.org.uk

For more information on the services provided by We Care Home Improvements, call 0300 323 0700 or visit www.wecr.org.uk

*Subject to eligibility. **A maximum reduction of £1,000 from an approved loan over £2,000. For loans £2,000 or less, the reduction will be 50% of the loan value. Budget is limited and will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. Typical Example (4% fixed interest rate, Typical 4.2% APR). Borrow £5,000 over 60 months. £92.08 monthly repayments. Total amount repayable = £5,544.96, including £20 fee for registering the Title Restriction. Missing payments could affect your credit rating and ability to obtain credit in the future. Loans are subject to status and are typically protected by a Title Restriction. This means that you may not be able to sell your home without our permission unless the loan is fully repaid. This is a financial promotion approved by Lendology CIC. Lendology CIC is a trading name of Wessex Resolutions C.I.C.: a community interest company limited by guarantee, registered in England, company number 4512225. Registered address: Heatherton Park Studios, Bradford on Tone, Taunton TA4 1EU. Wessex Resolutions C.I.C is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (675263) for credit regulated activities.

Marks and SPARKS

WHAT to do with vast empty stores in Broadmead? Turn them into artspace, at least for a while. That’s what’s happening to the old Marks and Spencer store.

It will also double as a sustainability hub.

Global Goals Centre and Artspace Lifespace are working together to create a space they are calling SPARKS.

The ambition is to create a vibrant, positive venue where local people and visitors can shop, recycle, and explore what a greener, fairer and creative future could look like, breathing new life into the old M&S building until the site is redeveloped.

£1,200 handed over

The Bristol Arrows Bowling club presented a cheque at our captain's day end of the season to Bristol Autism Support for £1200. This from donations and fundraisers at the Redland Road bowling club. It’s a small club with a cosy clubhouse and they are always keen to welcome new members and those keen to learn the game. The new season starts again in April 2023

The building will be used as a hub for local artists as well as a re-use shop providing recycled goods, repair, and education projects. There will be installations, stalls and workshops to demonstrate how to take easy, (and often money-saving) actions on climate, equality and wellbeing – the themes of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The site will aim to open to the public in April 2023 with the ambition of running this pilot initiative for at least six months.

Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees said: “Since the store closed we have been working hard to find an appropriate “meanwhile use” for the old M&S building until a longer-term plan is ready. local organisations I look forward to seeing the new hub open from April next year.”

Up to £1,000 OFF the cost of works to your home**

A beautifully presented Victorian home, located on the sought after Theresa Avenue, £725,000

Last sold a little under 30 years ago, this much loved home will be perfect for a new family to enjoy and establish themselves in.

Externally as well as internally the property has been maintained to a high standard and offers fresh modern decor alongside retained original features.

The layout works well too and in brief is as follows; the entrance hallway is a generous width and opens to the right into the first of two principal reception rooms. This has an impressive fireplace with marble surround and slate hearth, bay window inset with double glazed sash windows, tall ceiling height, cornice and decorative ceiling rose which all add to the impressive feel.

Upstairs the first floor has three good sized double bedrooms, a bathroom and separate shower room. The light and airy landing gives access to a large unconverted loft space which is currently partially boarded for storage but would also lend itself as an impressive 2nd floor conversion (subject to consents).

Material Information (Provided by the Owner) - Freehold, Council Tax Band D.

201 Gloucester Road

Bishopston Bristol BS7 8BG

Sales: 0117 942 5855

Saddle up for Tour de Bristol cycle challenge

A CHARITY cycle raising money for the region’s only adult hospice is set to return to the streets of Bristol and South Gloucestershire on Saturday 15 April 2023.

Hundreds of cyclists are expected to take to the roads for Bristol’s biggest bike ride, the Tour de Bristol. This much-loved event challenges riders to use their pedal power to raise vital funds for St Peter’s Hospice, helping to provide medical care, advice, support and comfort to patients and their families during the most difficult of times.

Join in to ride in memory of a loved one, for fun and fresh air, or to smash a personal goal. Cyclists of all abilities are catered for with routes covering distances of 40k, 65k and 100k.

Participants set off from the Centre for Sport at UWE and head into the beautiful countryside of South Gloucestershire, travelling through the villages of Olveston and Littleton-uponSevern. The 65k route stretches further into Gloucestershire towards Berkeley and, for racers who like an endurance challenge, the 100k route passes through Wotton-underEdge, touching the outskirts of the Cotswolds.

The entry fee helps to cover the cost of

putting on the event, so the sponsorship you raise, and donations made will go towards supporting hospice patients and families across Bristol.

If you’re inspired to get in the saddle, registration is open at: www.tourdebristol. co.uk

St Peter’s Hospice is a Bristol charity caring for adults with life-limiting illnesses. We aim to improve the quality of their living

and dying while extending care and support to their families and loved ones.

All our care is provided free of charge, but we rely on gifts in wills, donations, fundraising and our shops to deliver our services to around 3000 patients and their families each year. It costs us around £25,650 a day to provide that care.

To find out more visit stpetershospice. org.uk

doorstep

Have you noticed a gentle, burbling bird song in your garden or local park?

It will be a Robin and could be a female as they will also sing in the Autumn and Winter. The song is very different from the familiar spring time song. It could also be a migrant bird. Your ‘resident’ Robin may be elsewhere with birds from further North or continental Europe taking their place in Winter. Enjoy the experience – bird song will lift your spirits and the effect lasts for hours. Other Winter migrants, particularly if you have feeders, include Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch. All the finches are in decline due to many factors including some nasty diseases that can spread from contaminated feeders or bird baths, so keep yours clean. You might have Chaffinches in your local park in the Spring and Summer but they visit gardens, generally, only in the Winter. Fieldfare and Redwing will also Winter in the UK. Look out for Waxwings too. There is a poor berry harvest in Scandinavia and we expect an influx as the weather gets colder. We will focus on them in a future article.

Alastair Fraser Bristol Ornithological Club

Avonbirding.blogspot.com

Chaffinch (Keith Williams)

Goldfinch (Keith Williams)

Greenfinch (Keith Williams)

the place for you…

Wishing you a cosy and happy Christmas from all at Ocean

oceanhome.co.uk