THE future of Turbo Island in Stokes Croft will remain undecided for several months.
Supporters want the site to be declared a “town or village green”, which would protect it from being built on.
Turbo Island is often home to spontaneous raves, late-night bonfires and people drinking and taking drugs. Variously viewed as a community hub or a beacon for anti-social behaviour, the small plot of land at the end of Jamaica Street divides public opinion.
Last September, talks of an impending sale of the land prompted fears that potential buyers might construct a fourstorey building there. This led to the village green application. Weeks later a mystery buyer bought Turbo Island.
Bristol City Council’s public rights of way and greens committee considered the application last month and voted to ask its lawyers to report back in July on a number of tricky questions. They decided against spending taxpayers’ money on hiring an expert in the complex law around village greens at this
stage – but reserved the option to do so later.
Unanswered questions include whether the activities that take place on Turbo Island count as “lawful pastimes”, and if a fence put up for a week meant the public were blocked from the site. National Grid also needs to access the land, to maintain a substation and cables.
The committee was presented with written arguments on both
sides of the battle for Turbo Island. Supporters said the corner was a welcoming meeting point for homeless people, while detractors told of frequent crime.
Out of Hand Ltd, a Bedminster flyering and advertising firm, is objecting to the application. Also objecting are Avon and Somerset Police and the National Grid.
By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service
bishopstonvoice Useful numbers
Bishopstonvoice contacts
Emma Cooper
Publisher 0117 908 2121 / 07715 770448
emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk
Advertising Sales 0117 908 2121
emma @bishopstonvoice.co.uk
June deadline
Follow us on Twitter @bishopstonvoice
Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ Bishopstonvoice
Our June deadline is May 14 . To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by this date. Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date.
Your views
Letters for publication can be sent to the above email addresses or by post to Letters, Bishopston Voice, 16 Ashmead Business Centre, Ashmead Road, Keynsham, BS31 1SX. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter.
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
Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in the Bishopston Voice, contact the publisher using the details below. We aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour. Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Voice website here, or can be obtained by contacting the Publisher.
A member of the
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Bishopston Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Bishopston Voice is distributed each month to Bishopston residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is always welcomed, contact Emma Cooper on 0117 908 2121 or emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. This month 10,700 copies copies will be distributed around Bishopston, Redland and St Andrews.
Shedding light on Metro Mayor's role
What does the West of England Combined Authority do?
Created in 2017, the combined authority is made up of Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council, and Bath and North East Somerset Council. It was largely intended to cover the former County of Avon, although North Somerset Council chose not to join.
A West of England Combined Authority (Weca) spokesperson said: “The combined authority plays a key role in the West of England, including areas such as jobs and growth, transport, skills, the environment, planning and housing, and business support.”
The Metro Mayor leads Weca, where major decisions are made up of a committee of the Metro Mayor and the leaders of the three other councils. It deals with how to deliver millions of pounds of investment into the region. But its main role is as the regional transport authority.
Although most buses are run
People in the West of England go to the polls on May 1 to elect a new Metro Mayor. Six candidates are vying for the role, which controls how millions of pounds are spent across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and B&NES.
But the arrest on April 4 of the outgoing mayor, Labour’s Dan Norris MP, on suspicion of sexual offences and child abduction, has overshadowed the election campaign and many voters are not clear what the leader of the West of England Combined Authority does. JOHN WIMPERIS explains
by commercial bus companies, the authority provides live bus information under the travelWEST brand and pays for supported bus services on routes not commercially viable. Any move towards bus franchising — having a publicly run bus network like in London and Greater Manchester — would be led by the authority if it happens.
The combined authority has funded the birthday bus pass scheme, the hireable e-scooters in Bath and Bristol, and the MetroWest project to increase the frequency of trains and open stations — including reopening of the railway to Portishead.
The combined authority is supposed to lead coordination between its councils on housing strategy through a regional housing plan. But attempts to work together to draw up this plan have not been successful.
Who's been Metro Mayor so far?
Conservative Tim Bowles was the holder of the title for the first four years of Weca. Labour's Dan Norris won the election in 2021. Since July 2024, he has also been MP for North East Somerset and Hanham.
Who wants to be Metro Mayor?
Six people are standing for the position. They are:
Arron Banks (Reform UK)
Helen Godwin (Labour)
Oli Henman (Liberal Democrat)
Mary Page (Green)
Ian Scott (Independent)
Steve Smith (Conservative)
What's happening with Dan Norris ?
Norris, who was not standing for re-election, was arrested on April 4 on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl, rape, child abduction and misconduct in a public office.
Avon & Somerset police said most of the offences were alleged to have occurred in the 2000s, but officers were also investigating an alleged offence of rape from the 2020s.
Norris has been released on conditional bail while enquiries, which are still at an early stage, continue.
He has been suspended by the Labour Party and has been banned from the Parliamentary estate and the Weca offices in Bristol.
Man found guilty of knife murder
A MAN has been convicted of murder for an attack in which a 25-year-old was killed in Bristol last year.
Shawakan Siddiqi was found guilty by a jury today after a twoand-a-half week trial at Bristol Crown Court.
He attacked Kunta Ceesay with a knife in Stapleton Road during an altercation in the street.
The fatal incident happened on Friday 20 September last year, with Mr Ceesay dying from his injuries later the same day.
Mr Ceesay's family said he was 'kind, bubbly and loving' and that their lives will never be the same again.
The jury was told it is still unclear whether Mr Ceesay knew Siddiqi, but there may have been a previous dispute over a small amount of money.
Mr Ceesay had visited
Stapleton Road that afternoon and the court was told he had been acting in an antisocial manner at times.
Siddiqi arrived in the area on a bike at about 5.35pm. He walked into The Post Office, leaving his bike outside, which fell to the ground.
CCTV footage showed Mr Ceesay pick up the bike for reasons unknown and a short time later an altercation ensued between the pair. Within about 30 seconds, Ceesay had been fatally wounded.
Siddiqi, of St Pauls, left the scene before the police and ambulance arrived. The jury heard he disposed of the knife and changed his clothing.
He was arrested by police the day after the murder. He told officers there had been an altercation but denied stabbing Mr Ceesay.
However, ahead of the trial Siddiqi accepted he stabbed him and that had caused Mr Ceesay's death, but continued to deny the charge of murder, claiming he had been acting in self-defence. He also denied one count of possession of a bladed article in a public place.
The jury however found the 32-year-old guilty of both offences and he will be sentenced at a later date which has not yet been set.
Mr Ceesay's family have welcomed the verdict and paid tribute to him in a statement.
They said: "It is so sad for the
family that Kunta was taken from us far too soon and he has been robbed of the chance to grow old, create his own family and reach his dreams.
"It's difficult to comprehend the senseless way that Kunta has lost his life and how difficult it will be for all of us to have to live without him.
Detective Inspector Deb Hatch, of the Avon & Somerset police's major crime investigation team, said: "Siddiqi made the decision to carry a knife with him that day and it was a decision that ultimately cost Kunta his life.”
Killer: Shawakan Siddiqi
Killed: Kunta Ceesay
Cafe will give ex-inmates
The Key to a second chance
A NEW cafe in Gloucester Road aims to provide employment to those who have recently been released from prison.
The Key Cafe aims to act as a bridge between prison, employment and rehabilitation to reduce the risk of reoffending.
Officially launched with a preview at the end of April and opening to the public this month, the café is in a former Ministry of Justice building between The Golden Lion and the Sainsbury's Local.
Suzanne Thompson, CEO and founding member of both the Restore Trust and The Key – Unlock Potential, charities that support those leaving prison and other vulnerable people, told the Voice the idea was to provide wrap-around support for those leaving prison who would otherwise struggle to hold down a job (if they could even get one) due to negative self perception, as well as the stigma of being an ex-offender.
She said she recognised the need to create transitional paid employment placements after speaking to prisoners about what they might need upon leaving.
“Many said that they had the intention to work and contribute, but lifestyle factors often sent them back into old ways,” she explained.
The Key Cafe and retail space will sell speciality coffees and cakes, and “bespoke handmade products produced on the premises of Bristol prison”, such as Jail Jars jam. The café is one of the first of its kind in Britain to focus on the concept of ‘transition’.
“It will be a commercial cafe in the truest sense, but with that social value behind it,” said Suzanne.
Operating in collaboration with the
jail in Horfield, the cafe will provide placements to two or three ‘beneficiaries’ at a time, typically for about three to six months. Candidates will be identified while still in prison as those who would best maximise the opportunity. Working with staff from Restore, the aim is then to move them into permanent employment once they have developed ‘soft skills’ and got used to the structure of a working day.
Asked what the response has been from local residents and businesses, Suzanne said: “We held a lot of community forums in the early days, but now people are getting really excited and we’ve had lots of local support asking how they can sponsor or help in other ways.”
Suzanne’s wish is that the cafe will reduce stigma and barriers in the community , as well as breaking down the barriers in the employees’ heads and giving them a sense of pride and identity – and a second chance.
To find out more about the cafe and its wider work, visit www.thekeybristol.com
Leisure centre's revamp
A £3.8 MILLION refurbishment is under way at Easton Leisure Centre.
Upgrades at the centre, run by Everyone Active in partnership with Bristol City Council, are due to be completed in December.
The jointly-funded project follows a successful revamp of Horfield Leisure Centre earlier this year.
The Easton refurbishment will include a large gym extension with top-of-the-range equipment from Life Fitness, as well as a new, dedicated womenonly gym. The sports hall will be modernised with a soft play area added, leaving the new capacity at three courts.
A new exercise studio will be installed and will include a mezzanine floor area, providing more opportunities for group exercise classes.
Plans also include a new modern pool changing room area, new reception, seating and café area and secure bike storage.
The centre will be relocating various classes and activities within the site to avoid the need for closure, with customers to be updated regularly via Easton Leisure Centre’s dedicated refurbishment website: www. everyoneactive.com/news/ eastonrefurb
The Key Cafe is housed in an ex-MoJ building
Jail Jars jam will be on sale
'Don't exclude severely disabled motorists'
PLANS to make Bristol better for disabled people have been criticised for failing to consider those who have no choice but to use the car.
Councillors voted unanimously by 57-0 last October for a motion to improve how accessible the city is.
A meeting of full council was told disabled people faced barriers getting around. Many of the suggestions focused on transport, such as exploring whether to extend the Diamond bus pass, valid only from 9am, to 24 hours and investigating whether to allow disabled drivers through bus gates.
Bristol City Council’s transport and connectivity committee is doing this work, but an update on the broader policies, including giving people with disabilities more of a say in the authority’s decisions,
was given to the strategy and resources committee on April 14.
The progress so far was criticised by Cllr John Goulandris (Conservative, Stoke Bishop) for excluding the needs of disabled motorists.
He told the meeting: “It was a great motion and if we could achieve it, we would all be very happy. “But unfortunately there are lots of complications, partly funding, partly also that trying to achieve full access to some groups will actually clank against some policies we have because the harsh reality is that a large number of disabled and very elderly people rely on one mode of transport that is not very popular at the moment and that’s the motor car. I see very little provision for disabled and elderly people using their motor cars with blue badges.”
Cllr Goulandris said plans
announced by the Green-led council in January to close Park Street to through-traffic and install a bus gate at the top and a bus lane at the bottom should be reconsidered.
He said: “If we were truly keen to make Bristol an accessible city, we would have to make an exception for the seriously disabled.
Cllr Ani Stafford-Townsend (Green, Central) said people with physical disabilities were currently at risk from air pollution, so the proposed Park Street changes were welcome, and that it would be easier for those who did need to drive to get around because there would be fewer motorists.
Bristol Disability Equality Commission chair Alun Davies said in a statement he warmly welcomed both the motion being passed unanimously in October and the update report on implementing it.
He said: “Whilst we recognise there are still significant challenges in embedding
disability equality across the council, we feel the options in the report are a positive step forward.”
Council leader and committee chair Cllr Tony Dyer (Green, Southville) said he was meeting not only with the commission but other disability groups on how to improve accessibility.
He said: “We need to recognise that the disabled community in Bristol is not one community, so we need to look at different organisations that represent different parts of those communities and also recognise the fact they will be in conflict with each other. We need to see tangible improvements because for a long time we’ve had a lot of talk about this and we haven’t necessarily seen the improvements in action.
Opponents of the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood criticised the report at the meeting, saying their area was now less accessible than before. By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
Park Street, where further restriction are planned
Concern over plans for nursery workers' hostel
Bristol-based The Window Hub progresses on green goals
PLANS to build a home in Westbury Park for nursery workers have run into opposition from neighbours.
Samantha Packer, who owns Daisychain Nurseries, wants to create three-storey accommodation in Etloe Road for early years practitioners at her two child day care centres in Clifton and Redland.
Bristol-based home improvement company, The Window Hub, is aiming to plant 3,000 trees over the next three years as part of its commitment to being a climate conscious business.
But people living nearby say the scheme, which includes turning the Vining Hall in Etloe Road into a community hall, would create parking chaos.
The trees will be planted at Boyd Valley Lake, which is located in Bitton. This is in addition to continuing its policy of recycling all old frames so they don’t end up in landfill.
Daisychain successfully operated a nursery at the site for 30 years but closed it at the end of 2023, with children and staff moving to the chain’s provision at Torwood House Nursery School, Durdham Park.
The window installation company was launched during lockdown in 2020 by seasoned industry professional Danny, who wanted to create a business that was “built on quality rather than greed”.
Now Ms Packer is seeking permission to develop a community hall and demolish an extension to provide space for a six-bedroom home of multiple occupation (HMO) for people working at her two remaining nurseries or studying and training to do so.
nursery unviable.
Efforts to market the 19th century Vining Hall for alternative uses have proved unsuccessful, it says.
In fact, a new showroom is scheduled to open this month.
churches with community halls at each end of the street.
One resident commented: “It is very difficult to see how the area can absorb the pressure of extra parking demand, especially as we are just outside the residential parking zone so we are often used as an alternative area where cars are parked and left for sometimes long periods.”
you know what? It is so easy to be amazing if you don’t cut corners.”
And the Window Hub has the customer reviews to prove it –90% of reviews for The Window Hub on Trustpilot are for five stars, with customers celebrating the company’s professionalism, friendliness, tidiness, and attention to detail.
The hard work of Danny and his company was also recently recognised and commended, with The Window Hub being named the ‘Best in the South West’ at the G24 Awards last year.
From humble beginnings, The Window Hub now operates from a head office and showroom in Staple Hill in Bristol with offices, showrooms and installation depots across the South West.
Danny launched The Window Hub because he wanted to be much more than just a double glazing company.
Her application to Bristol City Council explains that a combination of Brexit, the cost-of-living crisis, difficulties in recruiting staff, and costs associated with the building’s energy use had made the Westbury Park
“We know that choosing new windows and inviting someone
Nearly 50 objections to the proposals have been submitted to the council’s planning department. Residents are concerned about potential additional pavement parking, which could cause difficulties for parents walking children to school as well as for access for emergency service vehicles.
into your home can be stressful, so we have introduced as many initiatives as possible to be fair and reasonable in our approach to give our customers the best experience possible,” he said.
They also point out that there are already
Another said: “Parking on the street is already highly problematic from both a safety and practicality perspective. Due to the street being narrow and a lack of off road parking, many vehicles park on the pavement, making it very difficult for people to walking down the pavement - particularly with prams and especially on bin day, with people often being forced to walk out into the street. Vehicles often drive too quickly down the street, and the combination of this and already heavy parking on both sides makes road crossing very dangerous. A 6 bed HMO is only likely to add more cars and exacerbate these issues.”
The application can be found on the council planning portal with the reference 25/11096/F.
“Sales begin and end with treating customers properly. And
In 2025, The Window Hub will grow to cover domestic homes between Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and Lands End in Cornwall.
For more information, please visit TheWindowHub.co.uk.
Vining Hall in Etloe Road, Westbury Park, formerly Daisychain Nursery
n PHARMACY COLUMN
Infected insect bites? We offer you effective NHS treatments – plus a few fashion tips!
DID you know you can now receive effective antibiotic treatment funded by the NHS for infected insect bites from Kellaway Pharmacy? As the weather gets warmer, there is usually someone who always seems to be the unfair target of the most insect bites and stings. Some people are more prone to insect bites than others due to a combination of factors, including body scents, carbon dioxide exhaled, body temperature and blood type?
Most cases of Insect bites or stings are not usually serious and get better in a few days, but sometimes they can become infected or cause severe allergic reactions. Infected insect bites occur when bacteria from the insect’s saliva or from scratching the bite site enter the wound, leading to inflammation and potential complications.
Infected insect bites can manifest with various symptoms, including:
• Increased pain or tenderness at the bite site.
• Redness and swelling may spread from the bite area.
• Warmth or heat radiating from the bite.
• Pus or discharge from the bite wound.
• Fever or chills.
• Swollen lymph nodes near the bite area.
Kellaway Pharmacy offers effective antibiotic treatment for infected insect bites funded by the NHS. You can come in whenever the pharmacy is open; no appointment is required. You will be assessed to determine the best course of treatment for you. This service is available for children and adults.
You are advised to seek urgent medical advice if
• Symptoms are worsening or not improving within a day or two.
• A red line is tracking upwards from the bite area.
• Difficulty breathing, dizziness, or swelling of the face and mouth.
• History of severe allergic reactions to insect bites
To help prevent insect bites and stings
• Use insect repellent when outdoors.
• Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves and pants.
• Avoid areas with high insect populations.
• Clean up and store food properly to avoid attracting insects.
0117
If you have a history of severe allergic reactions to bites, when last did you check the expiration date of your adrenaline pen, and have you advised your family and close contacts where to find it and how to administer it?
Finally, this is liberating for some; for others, it is an excuse, but darker colours can make it easier for some insects to see and find you, so let us be fashion-colour-conscious. Go Bold, Bright, and Loud!
The Kellaway Pharmacy team will always be on hand to provide the best treatments and self-care advice.
Will Writing
Meet with a local professional and receive full guidance and support.
Family & Property Trusts
Ensure your loved ones receive the maximum benefit by protecting your estate with trusts.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Probate Services
Our specialists help make a difficult time as stress-free and straightforward as possible. Give someone the power to make decisions on your behalf, no matter what happens.
Capt Cortex wins vote for robot name
MEET Captain Cortex – the new neurosurgery robot at Bristol Children’s Hospital.
NHS bosses invited people in the city to come up with names and received more than 700 suggestions. These were whittled down to five - Headward, Brian, Brainbot, Neuronimo and Captain Cortex – for a public vote, in which thousands of people participated.
UHBW Children's Epilepsy Surgery Service team to reveal the name of the robot with Gavin May from Renishaw
McSurgeryface were very popular submissions. We did want the robot to have a friendly name which we can use when speaking to the children we care for and their families, but there
were criteria we used to help us pick something appropriate.
“It doesn’t look how many people might imagine a robot to look. It has a very precise arm, articulated in different places which allows us to accurately
Meet the (very) junior doctors
CHILDREN from Filton Avenue Primary School have teamed up with North Bristol NHS Trust to make short public health information films.
The children play healthcare workers and adult patients in the videos, which focus on common ailments where people sometimes aren’t sure what to do or which NHS service will be the best to use to help with their needs. These include coughs, sneezes and sore throats; diarrhoea and vomiting; fevers; and twisted or sprained ankles.
In each video, a Year One pupil plays an adult patient, such as “Mr Hurt Ankle” or “Mr Cold”, and is seen by a Year Five pupil acting as a doctor or a pharmacist who gives advice taken from the national NHS. uk website.
Dr Sam Patel, medical director for medical workforce at NBT, said: “In the
NHS we’re always looking at new ways to help ensure people know the best service to help them when they’re ill or suffer an injury. Adults often listen to children, so having the help of Year One and Year Five pupils at Filton Avenue Primary School to deliver public health messages is fantastic.”
Gemma Kirk, assistant headteacher at Filton Avenue Primary, said: “The children loved being involved in this health campaign and it has been a fantastic experience collaborating with the NHS team. Not only did the children learn about how to manage the symptoms of common ailments, it also provided a brilliant opportunity for the children to be in front of the camera, using their speaking and listening skills.”
You can view the four videos on the NBT website and on the Trust’s social media channels .
pinpoint an entry and trajectory point moving us to the exact position on a patient’s head.”
Procedures the robot, manufactured by Renishaw and officially called neuromate, will be able to assist surgeons with include:
• Stereo-electroencephalography insertion, when electrodes are surgically placed through the skull and into the brain, to measure activity
• Stereotactic biopsies, when samples of brain tissue are collected
• Insertion of deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes.
All of these services are offered to children who live throughout the South West of England, the South of England and South Wales at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
Removing executors: when and how can it happen?
AN executor is appointed by a testator (the deceased) to administer their estate and ensure that their final wishes are honoured. However, disputes may arise when beneficiaries or co-executors believe that an executor is failing in their duties. In such circumstances, an application may be made to remove the executor.
When can an executor be removed?
The Court may consider the following grounds when determining whether to remove an executor:
• Conflict of interest: an executor may be removed if their personal interests conflict with their fiduciary duties.
• Actions contrary to the best interests of the Estate: an executor may be removed if they unreasonably delay or refuse to perform their duties, such as obtaining probate, distributing assets in accordance with the will, or failing to cooperate with co-executors.
• Breach of fiduciary duties: an executor may be removed if they misappropriate Estate funds, fails to keep proper records or distributes assets improperly.
• Breakdown of relationship: Executors are expected to maintain communication with beneficiaries to keep them informed of the administration process. If communication completely breaks down, obstructing the administration of the estate, their removal may be warranted.
• Incapacity: If an executor is physically or mentally incapacitated to the extent that they cannot discharge their duties, removal may be necessary to ensure the efficient administration of the estate.
How can an executor be removed?
The procedure of removing an executor depends on whether the Grant of Probate has been obtained.
• Before Grant of Probate: If probate has not yet been granted, an interested party may apply to the Court under section 116 of the Senior Courts Act 1981 to request that the Court "pass over" the executor in favour of another person or appoint an independent third party.
• After Grant of Probate: Alternatively, an application may be made under section 50 of the Administration of Justice Act 1985 for the removal or substitution of an executor.
• Mediation: In many cases, disputes over executorship can be resolved through mediation, avoiding costly litigation. An executor may also voluntarily step down if all parties reach a consensus.
Conclusion
While there are legal mechanisms to remove an executor, the Courts
will carefully assess all relevant factors and apply a high threshold before granting such an order. If you require advice or representation regarding the removal of an executor, our Contentious Probate team is available to assist, please contact us on 0117 962 1205, by email to info@amdsolicitors.com or through our website www. amdsolicitors.com
A CARE home in Westbury on Trym is celebrating after winning a national award.
Katherine & Griffiths House won the Care Home Team of the Year at the Great British Care Awards.
Manager Leanne Thorne and her deputy Sue Thorne received the accolade at a gala event in Birmingham in front of an audience of 1,300.
Receiving the award from celebrity Vernon Kay, Leanne and Sue listened to the glowing feedback from the judges, who said: “Katherine & Griffiths House exudes energy and passion in everything they do. Their incredible ‘One Wish’ programme is a testament to their dedication, helping residents achieve their dreams and aspirations. The charity also demonstrates outstanding collaboration with the local community, forming meaningful partnerships that enhance the lives of those they support. Their commitment to making a real difference is truly inspiring.”
Leanne said: “Absolutely everyone who works at Katherine & Griffiths House contributes to creating a truly positive, happy environment. We pride ourselves on being inclusive and on delivering the very highest standard of care, and to be recognised on a national platform for the work we do, is a wonderful feeling. But what makes this award particularly special, is that we were nominated by family members of our lovely
residents.”
Sue added: “This is a real career highlight that is shared with our amazing and dedicated team. Collecting the award was incredibly emotional, and when we called the home to share the news, we could hear the cheers loud and clear! We all feel really passionate about working in the care sector and to be told that you are part of a team described as ‘the best of the best’ is amazing.”
Betty, 102 years young, who has been a resident at Katherine & Griffiths House for eight years,
Share your favourite recipe
BRISTOL’S Briony May Williams is urging people to share their favourite recipes ahead of The Big Lunch next month.
She said:“I’m thrilled to be launching The Big Lunch Recipe Search. There are so many incredible people cooking up a storm in kitchens up and down the country, and this is the most brilliant opportunity to share your treasured recipes. Whether your signature dish is something weird and wonderful that gets people talking, or a family favourite that you love to share, we can’t wait to hear from you. You never know – you might see your recipe shared at Big Lunches all over the UK this June.”
The Big Lunch, which this year is on June 7-8, is the UK’s annual celebration for neighbours, bringing millions together in a nationwide act of friendship in June every year since 2009. To learn more and share your recipes go to www.thebiglunch.com
said: “I’m so happy to call this my home. The staff are always kind, every day we have fun, and I’m constantly making new memories to share with my family and friends.”
Sabina Green, wellbeing team leader, said: “I’ve worked here for six years, and I absolutely love my job. Working with such lovely colleagues, residents and family members, it’s a cliché I know, but this really does feel like one big family, and being named Team of the Year is the icing on the cake.”
The home, which includes a
dedicated dementia unit, has 49 residents.
Katherine & Griffiths House is part of the Cote Charity, whose trustee is the Society of Merchant Venturers (SMV). Dr Jacqueline Cornish OBE, who chairs SMV’s Care for Older People Committee, said: “This award is so richly deserved by a caring and skilled team of individuals who have such a positive impact on the lives of older people. The award criteria really describes the Katherine & Griffiths House team to perfection!”
Staff at Katherine & Griffiths house celebrate their award
'Unstable' stone wall set for demolition
A VICTORIAN wall separating a block of flats and houses in Cotham will soon be demolished.
The housing association that owns the flats, which were built in the 1970s, intends to knock down the stone boundary wall and rebuild it, charging people who live next door for some of the works.
The four-storey Knightstone Lodge on Archfield Road is owned by LiveWest Homes.
The wall behind the flats has failed and needs to be rebuilt, and the boundary wall to the front of the property also needs to be partially rebuilt.
Bristol City Council's development control A committee voted on April 16 to grant planning permission for the works, despite objections from some neighbours.
Green Councillor Guy Poultney, representing Cotham, said: “Residents approached me about this some time ago, largely because they couldn’t make contact with the applicant and they didn’t understand
why it was that the applicant seemed absolutely hell-bent on demolishing large sections of this wall, or even the whole thing, unnecessarily.
“We have these walls stretching throughout this particular bit of my ward. As far as I can tell, this is the only time someone has ever proposed demolishing one of them, rather than simply repairing it. We still have no explanation. We do not know why they want to do this in this impossibly destructive way.”
No one representing LiveWest Homes attended the committee. Before the meeting, the association said parts of the
walls were unstable and could collapse. Some parts are cracking and bulging, with water leaking through too. Existing stones would be kept and reused “as much as practical”, and new foundations would be piled in, avoiding tree roots.
The housing association could serve a “party wall notice” on neighbours living next to the block of flats. This would compel them to pay for some of the extensive works, as the rear wall is shared. But some residents objected to the plans, saying the demolition was unnecessary.
Writing to the council, one neighbour said: “The state and repair of the walls around the property are no different from any other in this area. If one structurally surveyed the area, the entire wall structure of Cotham would require urgent rebuilding. Walls regularly collapse, especially post the very dry summer two years ago, and local repairs are made and stay good for many years.
“The request for a
comprehensive rebuild of entire surrounding walls is an easy option for a management company to pursue — timeefficient, but a huge financial burden for those families living in adjacent properties, who have been told they will be required to share the costs of the works.”
Party wall disputes are dealt with through a separate process, and councillors were told they shouldn’t consider who would have to pay for the repairs when making their decision. All but one of the committee members voted in favour of granting planning permission. Green Cllr Ellie Freeman abstained.
Green Councillor Serena Ralston said: “Having had a situation in my own garden where a wall almost collapsed on one of my children, because the neighbour hadn’t maintained it, I would always go with the safety option. I know it’s not ideal, but nor is it ideal collapsing on somebody.”
By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service
The cracked wall in ?Cotham
One postcode - many artists!
7 and 8 June 2025 - 11am to 5pm – in Henleaze, Stoke Bishop & Westbury-on-Trym
WHERE can you enjoy the work of 87 artists, find out what goes into making each piece and the inspiration behind it?
BS9 Arts Trail returns to our streets on 7 and 8 June 2025, in leafy north Bristol’s Henleaze, Stoke Bishop & Westbury-on-Trym.
Buying direct from an artist means you can gain a closer understanding of each artwork and the person behind it.
Artists include painters, sculptors, printmakers, ceramicists, photographers, potters, jewellery designers, glass workers, enamellists and a wood turner spread across 13 interesting venues. All works are for sale and include
items from £3 to £3,000, so whether you want a greetings card, a hand-crafted jug, a unique piece of jewellery or a statement painting, BS9 Arts Trail is the place to come!
The venues are easy to access, and all are located around the northern side of The Downs.
Most of the trail’s 13 venues host multiple artists. Many venues have cafés, toilets and are accessible, ensuring a warm welcome for everyone. The trail is great for walkers and cyclists, is served by bus routes, and all venues have free parking on-site or nearby.
Michelle Rose, partner and head of the individuals & families department at VWV, said:
"We are delighted to support the BS9 Arts Trail again this summer. It is a fantastic celebration of creativity, community and talent. Events like this bring people together and showcase the artistic energy in our city. We are proud to be part of an event that inspires and connects Bristol residents through art.”
For full information visit www.bs9arts.co.uk or pick up one of the free trail maps from cafes, libraries, galleries and shops in the BS9 area, Clifton, Redland and Bishopston or you may be lucky and have one delivered through your letterbox!
Supported by generous sponsorship from VWV
Works by Emma Debs, above, and Nancy Chambers, left, Chris Queree, centre, and Caroline Casswell, far left
n APPEAL
Our beautiful village hall needs your help
DO you know what that building is at the top of Waters Lane? Are you still one of the many who apologise for never having been inside it yet? Do you care about the social life of your own community - since ‘lockdown’ separated us all from each other? So read on ...
Additional to its amazing history dating from the 8th century, Westbury on Trym village must be unique in the UK for its residents being the proud collective owners of a beautiful Village Hall. With an interior that mirrors a Medieval hall with high, soaring beams and lancet windows, it was designed in Victorian Gothic style by a Bristol architect for local benefactor Mr Henry St Vincent Ames of Cote House in the 19th century.
It was opened in 1869 as a ‘concert hall’, to great applause both locally and in the Bristol press of that time; Mr Ames wished it to become a cultural centre for concerts, exhibitions and the education of what was then a rural population in this small but historic Gloucestershire village. Indeed, he himself gave recitals on the centre stage organ (which was later sold to St Peter’s Church in Henleaze in the 20th century).
Surrounded by large estates and grand houses for those escaping the commerce and smells of Bristol, Westbury’s inhabitants at that time were farming folk and mainly the gardeners, laundresses, cooks and housemaids for their wealthier neighbours – together with a sprinkling of enterprising business families, led by the Mogfords and the Mealings. Mr Ames eventually left the hall to the people of Westbury in perpetuity – a unique bequest, loved and honoured by thousands of supporters since then, but where are they now?
The wartime generations had no money or time to lavish upon it, but nevertheless they kept it going for the forces stationed nearby and then later for children’s school dinners and gym classes– until, shabby and in despair by 1970, it was handed to new masters because its Ecclesiastical Trustees could not afford the upkeep anymore.
Saved from potential destruction and replacement with a block of flats, by the newly formed, embryonic Westbury on Trym Society, its first transformation began. A management committee was elected and volunteers pitched in - scraping, varnishing, nailing and painting (on high ladders that would never be allowed now!)
They gave chairs, cookers, flooring, kitchen implements and their green-shield stamps to buy china, casseroles and cutlery. The floor, which had sprung holes at every event, was replaced using wooden blocks subscribed by individuals and families in return for their names being recorded thereon!
There followed an era of spectacular local fundraising from mainly young parents and their families, which included themed suppers and historically costumed balls, plays and pageants, while talks and exhibitions were organized by the Westbury Society. The first badminton club was formed and the Annual Flower Show started up in 1978. The Fielder club, Westbury’s branch of the TWG, a playgroup and regular ballet classes, all joined in with their own events and financial support. With the Fielder meetings’ room, plus a small first floor kitchenette, fitted out in the 80s, it became a thriving social centre once more - in fact just as Henry St Vincent Ames had envisaged!
problems and heating system are on the cards, as well as repointing of its exterior stonework.
By 2010 however, new management had arrived and a more commercial approach was adopted. By then the Hall’s reputation had spread far and wide, but its youthful parents and their children had moved on. It was fast becoming a popular venue for weddings and special parties, because, now graced with a large extension to the kitchen, it was able to provide professional catering facilities and adjacent rooms for bigger celebrations.
In time for the 150th anniversary of its founding in 2019, the toilets were modernised, including a new one for the disabled, a new bar was installed for more professional service at public hirings, while contemporary stained glass windows were designed to replace the plain glass lancets.
But now the hall is even older and its ‘limbs’ require further attention! A renovation process began last year with better floors in the committee room and onstage, much needed roof repairs to stop up leaks, new gutters and downpipes and replica window frames upstairs, plus a radical re-structuring of the kitchen extension. The Hall is a Grade II listed historic building, with permission required for all works done to it, so nothing is either cheap or speedy ! When more funding has been raised, its damp
The Hall, to an extent, has become the victim of its own success, because what it lacks now is support and involvement from its present local community. The numbers of regular users and public hirers from way beyond Westbury must now be counted in 1000s, but the successive teams of volunteers who achieved all this would barely reach two hundred. While weddings and party hirings bring in much needed maintenance income, the cultural and entertainment side, once so prevalent among local people, is now almost entirely absent.
So how can you and its future Friends help it to continue life as an important part of Westbury’s history? How can we raise more funds to preserve its fabric – but just as importantly, restore some of the local community status and friendship that it once had, to run alongside its present greater use by people from way beyond Westbury? The Trustees are in urgent need of a treasurer, who can also give professional advice on loans, grants and investments and make an annual business plan. The Chairman of Trustees also manages the bar - he needs more volunteers for the bar service team - even if you can give just one Saturday evening a month, this would be a great help. There are other ways in which you can lend a hand and if you and friends have time to run a dance, concert, themed supper, or even a dramatic evening – the Trustees will be overjoyed. Don’t stand by: use it - or lose it!
You can contact us via the Hall website or post your letter into the Hall itself (at side door).
Hilary Long, Trustee, on behalf of the Management Committee
Historic Westbury on Trym Village Hall looks to the future
n FROM BRISTOL NORTH WEST'S MP
Spring Statement is in the air
IN late March, the Chancellor announced in her Spring Statement that this government will be spending £70 billion more on our public services over the course of this Parliament than the plans that we inherited. This is alongside a £100 billon additional capital investment over the next five years.
We’ve already started to see the benefit: with NHS waiting lists falling each month, cancer diagnoses speeding up, and more childcare, breakfast clubs and school-based nurseries rolling out to support working parents. After years of underfunding, I’m proud to be investing in and rebuilding our public services.
I also know from personal experience what a difference the introduction of the National Minimum Wage had for families like mine. Today, we continue delivering on that promise by increasing the National Minimum
Wage (to £10.00 per hour) and National Living Wage (to £12.21) from 1st April. And the economic forecasts have shown that wages are now increasing more quickly than prices, and that we’re all forecast to be better off by the end of this Parliament than at the start.
It’s also important to me, and to this government, that we provide the necessary support to get young adults into training and work. Nationally, one in eight young people are now coming out of education and not getting into work or training, and instead getting stuck on Universal Credit, which, after time, makes it harder to get a job.
In response, the Chancellor announced in the Spring Statement a £1 billion investment in tailored employment support to ensure those who want to work are properly supported to do so.
Of course, those with the
n FROM BRISTOL CENTRAL'S MP
broadest shoulders should bear the heavier burden to get the country back on track. That’s why we've changed the non-dom tax status; changed inheritance tax and capital gains tax; made it much more costly to fly a private jet; and why we're investing in Artificial Intelligence within HMRC to help identify and challenge those who try to hide their income.
I know from the work I do every day as Chief Secretary to the Treasury that our economy is still in a difficult place. Whilst we’re increasing public spending on frontline services, we are also working hard to make sure every pound of your money is being spent well. We’ve managed to get a grip of the mess we inherited and stabilise the ship (in a world that is becoming much bumpier to navigate than it has been), and we’re now putting in the hard work and investment to build
Standing up against cruel welfare cuts
THE announcement about cutting disability benefits will be terrifying to many people across Bristol – I’ve already had hundreds of people write to me about the impact the cuts will have to them or their loved ones. Across the country, research shows that these cuts will plunge 250,000 people into poverty.
I joined a ‘Crips against Cuts’ demonstration in Bristol, standing alongside disabled people to make clear that I’ll do everything I can to fight these cuts. I’ve also been in touch with organisations representing disabled people in Bristol to discuss the impacts of the cuts on them and their members - including a meeting with Bristol Reclaiming Independent Living (BRIL), and in Parliament I met disabled people at an event hosted by Scope, to hear about their experiences with the benefits system and how the cuts will affect them.
These cuts are not just cruel but unnecessary, and I will take
every opportunity to oppose them. In Parliament, I confronted Keir Starmer about this choice –asking why he is forcing disabled people to bear the brunt of this country’s economic woes rather than choosing to tax the extreme wealth of multi-millionaires and billionaires fairly. Sadly, he didn’t have an answer.
That question won’t go away, though. Last month I spoke alongside union leaders, campaigners and economists to call for a tax on assets above £10 million, which would raise up to £24 billion a year – nearly five times more than the government is hoping to save by slashing support for disabled people. My fellow Green MPs and I took this same message to the Chancellor Rachel Reeves – you may have seen pictures of us outside the Treasury with a set of scales representing how much more the wealth tax could raise compared to the welfare cuts. A wealth tax is a popular, common-sense
a stronger and more resilient country.
• As always, if you need my help or have a question, you can get in touch with me on e-mail at darren.jones.mp@parliament. uk, by calling my office on 0117 959 6545 or by writing to me at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.
idea – and I’ll keep pushing the government to take it up.
I've also continued to receive a lot of letters and emails from people in Bristol concerned about the crisis in Gaza. I secured a debate on the Israeli government’s announcement that it will seek to annex more land in Gaza, forcibly displacing Palestinians from their home, which is illegal under international law. And while I was pleased to hear the government condemn these plans, the minister would not commit to stopping all arms sales to Israel –something I’ll keep fighting for.
Meanwhile, I’ve been heartened as always to spend time in Bristol with people working towards a better world. I recently joined the St Werburgh's Green Feast, where I took part in an event with ‘Nature Rising’, a Global Majorityled environmental project based in and around St Pauls. It was wonderful to share food
Carla Denyer writes for the Voice
and discuss how we can work together to tackle the climate and nature crises].
• If you live in Bristol Central and have a local issue you need support with, you can email me at bristolcentraloffice@parliament. uk or write to Carla Denyer MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA For enquiries about national issues email me using carla.denyer.mp@parliament.uk
n NEWS
Badminton wins Choir of the Year title
BADMINTON School’s chamber choir, Schola Cantorum, has won the Girls’ School Association’s (GSA) Senior Choir of the Year 2025 Competition.
Schools from across the country submitted video entries in the first round, with five choirs invited to compete in the final in Warwick. Schola sang Lift Thine Eyes by Felix Mendelssohn and the Agnus Dei from A Little Jazz Mass by Bob Chilcott.
The girls were directed by Badminton’s director of music Jack Lapthorn-Graham and accompanied by deputy head and teacher of music Ian Senior.
Jack Lapthorn-Graham said: “I am so proud of Schola for winning the 2025 GSA Choir of the Year Competition. They sang so beautifully and performed with real heart. I was so impressed with their blend, togetherness and wonderfully warm sound.”
Aliza, in Lower Sixth and a
member of Schola Cantorum, said: “Singing with choirs from across the country and in a competitive environment was an invaluable experience. It truly makes all the hours in evening and extra rehearsals
n NATURE WATCH with Dawn Lawrence
feel worthwhile, and it is an achievement which makes me proud to be a part of Schola.”
Jessica Miles, head of Badminton School, said: “I am extremely proud of Schola for their remarkable achievement in
winning GSA’s Senior Choir of the Year. This accomplishment highlights their dedication and talent, as well as the guidance provided by our music department. Congratulations to all involved.”
Time to turn those binoculars around ...
WE hosted a twitch a little while ago. The term usually denotes a mass gathering of birders (don’t call them bird-watchers) flocking to see a rarity and twitching with anticipation.
Our twitch was less stressful and our binoculars were used the wrong way round. We took a friend up to a local wall, on the eastern side of Wentworth Road as it happens, in order to see the little critter in the photograph. No chance of this one flying away but it took some finding, partly because chilly weather made them sluggish and partly because they are only about 2mm long.
It is a bristly millipede, known from only two or three locations in the Bristol area (but then, how hard have we looked?) They eat lichens such as the yellow Candelariella in the photograph. They have a unique defensive mechanism amongst millipedes –the spines at the end of the body are barbed and break off in the
mouths of predators (which must be quite off-putting). Two people stopped, bravely engaging in conversation with three strangers who were examining a wall through back to front binoculars, and much enthusiasm was shown for these engaging mini-beasts once spotted.
This wall looks unremarkable,
indeed inhospitable, but in fact the ecosystem is complex and fascinating. Butterflies bask on the sun-warmed stones, tubeweb spiders line holes with their silk and lay strands fanning out like trip wires to alert them to their prey. Brassy mining bees use holes as nesting sites – you can count dozens along this one wall. Blue tits work along feeding on these titbits like wedding guests at a buffet. To hide from such predators the case bearing moth Luffia ferchaultella builds a strong but tiny pupa, hangs it in a minute nook and disguises it with tiny bits of lichen before over-wintering safely inside. The lichen itself hosts even smaller invertebrates, springtails being amongst the commonest.
Mosses can desiccate to a mere few percent water content to survive dry spells in a state of suspended animation, yet revive to grow again within twenty minutes of re-wetting. Delicate
ferns grow from invisible crevices; one fern is so devoted to walls that it is actually called wall rue. Plants of limestone rock grow from lime mortar whilst the local fondness for sandstones provides niches for those plants that like more acidic conditions. Exotic plants also find new homes in our city walls, sumptuous bellflowers, blooming buddleia and tenacious holm oak will grow, often bonsaistyle, thriving for years on air and the tiniest ration of minerals they can extract from their crack.
The older walls that have been patched and bodged, with crumbling mortar and shifting seams, these are the ones to examine for the treasures listed above. But even the plainest wall can sport a sun-bathing butterfly or a jumping spider on the prowl. And remember to try those binoculars the wrong way round, you will be surprised at what you find.
A bristly millipede ambling through the yellow lichen
Photo by Rupert Higgins
Pre-Reception at Badminton
Our new Pre-Reception Class welcomes girls in the September after they turn three.
With twice-weekly swimming lessons, outdoor learning and expert Early Years teachers, Pre-Reception is the perfect place to start your daughter’s educational journey.
Contact us to find out more about our ‘Stay & Play’ sessions and to book a private tour.
BOOK REVIEW
Crudo
by Olivia Laing
OLIVIA Laing is a widely acclaimed British writer and critic. Kathy Acker was a novelist, playwright and essayist from New York City who died in 1997. In her novel Crudo, Olivia assumes the persona of Kathy as she navigates her way through the summer of 2017. Crudo is both a homage to Kathy as well as providing autobiographical details from the life of the author.
Kathy was abandoned by her father before her birth and her mother committed suicide. Olivia married the poet Ian Patterson in 2017. Those facts are woven into the novel, with the narration shifting between Kathy & Olivia.
The author brilliantly depicts what it was like living
through that summer eight years ago when the world seemed to be falling apart. We find ourselves in Italy where the temperature is 38 degrees and wildfires are raging across Europe. An iceberg the size of Delaware has broken off the Larsen C ice sheet and the Gulf of Mexico is full of dead fish. Nazis are marching in Charlottesville and Libyan coast guards are firing on sinking refugee boats.
President Trump is active on Twitter threatening nuclear war with North Korea while in the UK seventy two people lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower fire.
Meanwhile, in Italy, Kathy/ Olivia is contemplating the prospect of married life after a lifetime of independent living
where she had enjoyed not being responsible for anyone else’s happiness.
This is a beautifully written, highly readable, tender and funny account of a woman seeking love and happiness with a new partner against a backdrop of rising nationalism and war mongering across the world. For this book and many more, come and visit your local library at 100 Gloucester Road. You will be greeted with a friendly smile and a warm welcome.
Bishopston Library opening hours
Monday 1pm-7pm
Tuesday closed
Wednesday 11am-5pm
Thursday 11am-5pm
Friday 11am-5pm
Saturday 11am-5pm Sunday closed
Review by Bob Deacon of Bishopston Library
Smiles as Happy Days Hub opens doors
BRISTOL Dementia Action Alliance (BDAA) has launched its first Happy Days Hub. It’s open on Mondays and Fridays with a community café open to all from 10am-2pm. The Hub, in Ambition House, Lawrence Weston, will host social groups including memory cafes, carer support groups and a balanced body exercise class.
The aim is to provide a dementia and ageing well resource for people concerned about or affected by dementia.
An important aspect of the Hub is to offer preventative awareness and management of conditions which can affect us as we age and could increase the risk of developing dementia. BDAA and partners will educate about diabetes, high blood pressure and hearing loss as well as other conditions.
More than 70 people attended the launch event, at which Bristol Beacon provided uplifting music and there were several stands sharing relevant
information.
Lisa Dicker, BDAA development manager, said: “We had an amazing day, welcoming so many people to our Happy Days Hub. This Hub is part of the community and local residents and businesses will play a key part in the success of this much needed resource.”
BDAA still needs volunteers
to support the Hub – there are a variety of key roles including supporting the café, helping with activities, or being companions at the groups. Further details here: https://bdaa.org.uk/ volunteering/ or email office@ bdaa.org.uk.
Founder and chair, Tony Hall, who launched BDAA in 2013, said: “This Hub is the
culmination of our work as a charity raising awareness of dementia in Bristol. It brings together our experience and expertise into a one-stop ‘shop’ to make it as accessible as possible for people affected by dementia and those who wish to know more about the disease.”
For info, visit https://bdaa. org.uk/happy-days-hub/
Visitors enjoy the Happy Days Hub launch event. Right,BDAA founder and chair Tony Hall
n FROM YOUR COUNCILLORS
Redland: Martin Fodor and Fi Hance (Green Party)
Unblocking corners – proposal for action
We've been compiling a list of streets where corners get blocked and recycling can't always be collected.
With new double yellow lines we're hoping the rogue parking can be enforced to keep access safe and clear.
This has affected several streets in the area which have been having similar problems with waste collection due to tight corners and inconsiderate parking. Smaller collection lorries have been used in the area but even so they sometimes can’t get through.
We plan to tackle as many street corners lacking effective safety features like double yellow lines and dropped kerbs. We're working with Bristol Waste to identify all the frequently blocked corners they know of including our own ward's Monmouth Road and Melbourne Road that we’ve highlighted previously. We are hopeful this should help and shall keep you informed of progress.
New recycling facility
We're delighted that in late May a new £6m investment in new processing capacity for our recycling will be officially opened by Bristol Waste. This investment adds capacity and resilience to the processing of the high quality materials from local kerbside collections. With more and more cardboard and other materials to process and bale the
n NEWS
need to add capacity has been critical. This helps the service in the north of the city where we know missed collections have been an issue. Travelling to central Bristol and then waiting to unload and process materials from the whole city has been a cause of delays. Sales of baled and sorted materials help fund our recycling service and the more we can get out of bins and into markets the better.
Cycle storage proving popular
There are finally some more cycle storage hangars in the city - but not enough yet! The last scheme in Bristol was in 2015 and since then requests haven't been acted on. Having lockable storage in each neighbourhood is really helpful. This can help people living in upstairs flats, terraced houses, and those with no garden.
Each hangar can store half a dozen bicycles in the same plot as a single car. As soon as one was added in Redland ward in Wentworth Road a waiting list built up. Demand has been really high for sites already available with waiting lists in most of those released to date. There’s an annual fee for the key of £55 plus a refundable deposit and the scheme is managed by Bike Nest for the combined authority. Applications and waiting lists are found via the council website under ‘Cycle Hangars’.
Making our rivers safer
We're looking into ways to
Landlord fined
A LANDLORD has been found guilty of misleading young tenants and requiring them to pay additional money for their deposits following an investigation by Bristol City Council.
Josefina Velazquez of Hampton Road, Redland, pled guilty to three charges at Bristol Magistrates Court and was ordered to pay more than £11,000 in fines and costs. The three charges related to Ms Velazquez misleading her young student tenants about their tenancies so that she could unfairly take more money from them than they expected to pay.
The investigation uncovered a pattern of behaviour by Ms Velazquez involving two separate sets of tenants, dating from 2022 to 2024. Ms Velazquez advertised deposits at
clean up our rivers. A group has started work with our city partners through the One City Environment Board that Martin is co-chair of. They are reviewing the issues raised in a council motion last December.
Key partners including Wessex Water are involved and are looking at the causes of river pollution and how to make them cleaner. One issue is the different types of pollution from agriculture, industry and sewage treatment have to be tackled in different ways.
We know how keen some people are to know when it's safe to swim and to stop sewage getting into rivers. One way is to promote sustainable urban drainage so that storm water doesn't rapidly flood into streams and cause sewage drains to overflow. Another is to stop misconnections by household appliances like downstairs toilets. The motion to council also called for more rainwater butts to be used to slow the flow of storm water reaching drains, although this means they need to be 'leaky' storage butts. An initial public report about this work has already been made the committee Martin chairs and as it carries out work updates will be reported.
Gas main replacement
Nine local roads across parts of Redland ward are due to have clisures in the next seven months. Gas main replacement works are starting in early May and will
£11,000 for
affect streets around Raglan Road via Hazelton Road to Clare Road and Elton Road. Look out for diversions. We'll be speaking to the company and liaising to avoid as much inconvenience as possible but do let us know if anything can't be resolved directly.
Work on kerbside space
For many years we've sought better ways to manage the kerbside areas of our streets, usually used for parking but also sought by many other initiatives, such as new street trees, seating areas, sustainable drainage and wildlife areas, road safety, and cycle hangars. For many years a parking strategy for the city was promised but never delivered. This work has finally been picked up and added to these related issues to develop a comprehensive approach to how we manage the space at the side of our streets. The council now has a working group looking at this collecting evidence and drawing together the different issues so that better decisions can be made.
Fi: 0117 3534720. Martin 0788 4736101 Facebook.com/cllrmartin.fodor or /cllrfi.hance
misleading tenants
a lower amount than she actually charged, and she misled her tenants about their legal rights, particularly in relation to security deposits.
Ms Velazquez only refunded this money to her student tenants, amounting to £6,924, once notified by Bristol City Council that they intended to prosecute her.
District Judge Matthews instructed Ms Velazques to work with Bristol City Council to amend her business practices and also emphasised the vulnerability of young student tenants who may be desperate to secure accommodation within a limited time frame.
Councillor Richard Eddy, vice chair of the homes and housing delivery committee said: “We take the rights of tenants very seriously
and will continue to take action against landlords who fail in their duties. This case highlights the importance of potential tenants being given the full picture before entering into a tenancy agreement. We want to make sure that tenants feel confident speaking up when they have an issue with their landlord, and we will look at taking action against any Bristol landlord or agent who systematically misleads their tenants. I would like to thank the officers in the Private Housing Service who helped to expose and prosecute these terrible practices.”
If you are having problems with your landlord, find out what options are available to you visit: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/ residents/housing/private-tenants/reportrogue-landlord
n FROM YOUR COUNCILLORS
Bishopston & Ashley Down: Emma Edwards and James Crawford (Green Party)
IT’S been lovely to wander around the ward in the sunshine this spring. We’ve visited the sites of all the new trees planted, the new bike hangars in the ward, and been meeting residents at our surgery. It’s great to be back at the Ardagh. We’ve been out with the police doing car speed checks and also working hard in City Hall on our various committees. We’re hoping you’re all having as lovely a spring as we are! Don’t forget there are elections on the 1st May for a new Metro Mayor, so don’t forget to vote. We might see you at the polling station!
Ashley Down Road
We have received ongoing complaints about speeding on Ashley Down Road and adjacent Ralph Road for some time. While we have secured additional signage, had all the crossings turned to instant green man settings, and worked with residents on reporting, we know the problem persists. In April, Emma went out with the local police to do speed checks, something which they have agreed to do more frequently. They have also offered to work with us on getting a community speed watch set up, where residents can monitor
speeding cars themselves. If you would be interested in getting involved in community speed watch on these roads, or any other roads where speeding is an issue, then do get in touch with us.
Digital billboard
We were recently alerted by residents to a planning application for a digital advertising street ‘hub’ outside the Sainsbury’s on Gloucester Road, at the bottom of Longmead Avenue. Residents are concerned about this use of the public realm and that the digital billboard, as well as being a waste of energy, would be a distraction to drivers and a hazard to pedestrians. We have both put in objections to this application as we agree with the concerns. Similar applications in other parts of the city have been rejected after pushback so we hope we can get this rejected as well. If you want to put in an objection, you can by visiting the planning portal and commenting on application 25/10679/F.
Ashley Down train station
We are delighted that not only have the trees been planted around Ashley Down Station (and nearby Ashley Down Common) but also a
new bin has been installed. Work is also being finalised on Ashgrove Road. As part of the Ashley Down rail station project five sets of pedestrian dropped kerbs and tactile paving (a raised surface, which alerts visually impaired people to upcoming changes on the street) are being installed on Ashgrove Road. This will provide better access for people travelling to and from the rail station using the footpath. This is a planning permission requirement. As part of this project, the lighting column located on the corner of Ashgrove Road/ Ashgrove Avenue will be relocated to the back of the path on the boundary between numbers 50 and 52 Ashgrove Road. The feeder pillar box currently located next to the lighting column will be removed. The five sets of pedestrian dropped kerbs and tactile paving will be installed by ETM, Bristol City Council’s contractor. They will be installed on Ashgrove Road/Station Road, Ashgrove Road/York Avenue, Ashgrove Road/Ashgrove Avenue and Ashgrove Road/Talgarth Road. If you have any questions about the works, please email transport. engagement@bristol.gov.uk or
phone 0117 9036449 and leave a message, or contact James and Emma.
Ashley Down School bollards
After much delay we are thrilled that the new bollards outside Ashley Down Primary School have been installed. These should stop nuisance parking on the pavement and improve the visibility on the pedestrian crossing. The bollards were funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) scheme, where new developments pay money which can then be used on local infrastructure projects. New ward surgery venue and time
A reminder that now that the weather is getting warmer, we are relocating our monthly ward surgery back to the Garden area of The Ardagh, we will be located on the tables in front of the garden room. We are also changing the day of the week from April, and the new time will be 4pm -5.45pm Second Thursday of every month. This will come into effect from Thursday the 10th of April, and we hope to see you there soon!
Contact us
Cllr.james.crawford@bristol.gov.uk
Cllr.Emma.edwards@bristol.gov.uk
n FRIENDS OF REDLAND LIBRARY Walk Fest returns
CELEBRATING the best of our city with inclusive walks for all ages, abilities and interests, the Bristol Walk Fest takes place throughout May.
This popular annual festival features more than 200 walks and walking-related events and activities
Nature trails, historical tours and scenic hikes combine with walking sports, art/culture routes and family-friendly strolls to provide something for everyone – whether you seek a personal challenge, enjoy a self-guided walk or simply want to get out for some fresh air and exercise.
An in-person event in the city centre on May 1 launches the festival with guest speakers discussing the benefits that walking can have on mental health. The line-up includes Taylor Moore, Rovers’ defender and host of the club’s 5k Your Way mental health initiative, along with Claire Allen, who trekked 4000 miles around the British coastline, raising 25k for homeless charities, and Orla Hennessy, founder of Girls Who Walk Bristol to tackle loneliness among young women.
Co-ordinated by Active Ageing Bristol, hosted by Age UK Bristol and with funding from the city council, most events are free; however, some do require a fee and/or prior booking. Routes are differentiated by easy, fairly easy, moderate and challenging levels.
Karen Lloyd, Bristol Walk Fest director, said: “Bristol Walk Fest is a great chance to discover something new about the city, explore a new area, or try walking for the first time. With a choice of free walks every single day of the month, you’re bound to find something to pique your interest! Printed programmes are out now; available in libraries and community centres across Bristol. We are still adding new walks to the website too, so it’s worth exploring online.”
Full information on the routes, events and booking details can be found at bristolwalkfest.com, while printed copies of the programme are available in libraries and some other local venues.
Tuesday April 29
Event: The Women Who Built Bristol: Volume Three
Author Jane Duffus talks about her latest book 7pm. Doors open 6:45pm £3 - pay at the door. Why were two sisters thrown off the Clifton Suspension Bridge by their father? Who was the Victorian mother who broke world parenting records? Who was the midwife that starred in her own BBC documentary? Hear the answers to these questions and further interesting stories Books will also be on sale; cash and card welcome.
Tuesday May 22
Event: Books To Pack for Your Holiday
A panel recommend books to pack for your summer holiday 7pm. Doors open 6:45pm £3 - pay at the door.
The panel comprises Stephen Donovan, book blogger, Bob Deacon, book reviewer and library assistant at Bishopston Library, Bruce Fellows, author, scriptwriter and book reviewer, and Simon Tracy, owner of local bookshop Second Page Books.
Tuesday June 10
Event: A Life in Books
A talk by author Tessa Hadley 7pm. Doors open 6:45pm £3 - pay at the door.
Tessa Hadley has published eight novels - including The Past, Late in the Day, and Free Love - and four collections of short stories. Her latest collection, After the Funeral, came out in paperback in July 2024, and her novella, The Party, was published last November. She has short stories regularly in the New Yorker, and reviews for the Guardian and the London Review of Books.
Tessa went to Redland Library every week for years as a child and so this is a return to her roots.
These events are organised by The Friends of Redland Library. We are a voluntary group set up to support Redland Library, helping to sustain and improve its service, and also connecting it with the local and wider community. Redland Library is situated on Whiteladies Road, close to Clifton Down train station. Details of future events can be found on our website https:// FriendsOfRedlandLibrary.org.uk
n WHAT'S ON IN OUR AREA
n BLAISE COMMUNITY
GARDEN, behind Blaise Museum, BS10 7QS. Open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 10-2. Interesting walled kitchen garden, free to enter, new volunteers welcomed. Plants always available. Events: SPRING MARKET with Café on 10th May 10-3, and Cafe on 14th June 10-2pm.
n LA SCALA DELI HENLEAZE
Join us for our Italian wine tasting evenings. Limited availability. Led by our in-house sommelier.
May 1 - Italy’s Volcanic Wines (SOLD OUT)
May 9 & 29 - Sicily Regional
Tasting
May 22 - Big Bubbles
June 12 & 27- Sardinia Regional
Tasting
June 14 - Summertime Pink Wine
June 19 - Big Bubbles
July 11 - Summertime Pink Wine
July 18 & 24- Trentino Alto Adige
July 19 - Mountain side vineyards
Special events
MAY 31 WINE & DINE - 5 courses/ 6 wines
JUNE 20 WINE & DINE # 2
Private Events also available . Bookings: www.lascaladeli.com
n YOGA FOR ALL is a Bristol yoga school where movement is fun, achievable and for everyone. Classes in Bishopston Library, Cotham Parish Church, Spin City and online. See www.yogaforall. co.uk for details!
Saturday May 31
n SPRING GARDEN FESTIVALPLANT SALE : St Matthew's Church, Clare Road, Kingsdown, BS6 5TB, 1-3 pm. All ages welcome. Community, family event... wildlife garden, tea, cake, games, music, magic, face painting, prayer tent and bargain plants! www.stmatthews-bristol.org.uk
REGULAR EVENTS
Various days
n PILATES classes, Northcote Scout Hall, BS9 3TY. Mondays 9.30am (Improvers), 10.30am (Mixed Ability inc. Beginners); Tuesdays 9.30am (Improvers), 10.30am (Gentle); Thursdays 9.30am (Improvers), 10.45am (Mixed Ability - inc Beginners). Small, friendly classes. Please register interest before attending. Full details at www.mindbodypilates.org. Contact; Leanne 07817189474 or leanne@ mindbodypilates.org
Monday
n SHARED READING AT ST PAUL’S LIBRARY. Meet and connect with others Mondays 2pm – 3.30pm. St Paul’s Learning Centre, 94 Grosvenor Road, Bristol BS2 8XJ. Email: support@ thereader.org.uk
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
FOLKSTARS: We are looking to expand the Folkstars project in the local area. If you would like your school to be considered email info@folkstars.co.uk
ADULTS, want to try out guitar / violin or improve your playing? Folkstars are running a new tuition club in BS7 where you can learn weekly from experienced musicians in a relaxed / sociable setting. We have a limited number of FREE guitars and violins available to borrow for the first to join. The group will cover folk music alongside pop and rock songs as chosen by the members. To register your interest visit www. folkstars.co.uk/adult-tuition
INSTRUMENT AMNESTY: If you have an unused guitar or violin gathering dust Folkstars would love to hear from you! Any condition, we will fix and use to give more kids in Bristol the chance to play an instrument. Smaller sizes a bonus but all sizes useful. Email info@folkstars.co.uk or text 07927746661 to arrange a collection.
n DICKENS SOCIETY. 7pm, at Leonard Hall, Henleaze URC, Waterford Rd, Bristol BS9 4BT. Talks, costumed readings, book club and social events. See www.dickens-society.org.uk or phone Roma on 0117 9279875.
n BRISTOL GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR rehearses at Westbury-on-Trym Methodist Church (BS9 3AA) 2-4pm (term time only). We are a fun and friendly, non-audition, community choir for both male and female voices - one of 32 Good Afternoon Choirs who ‘sing in the afternoon’ around the South West and further afield. New members are always welcome. For further details please visit our website – www.goodafternoonchoir.org – or contact us on 01761 472468 or via e-mail at gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk
n PLAY BOWLS at Canford Park in a friendly, social atmosphere. Qualified coaches and equipment provided.
Contact: Les on 07305695579
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
n WESTBURY ON TRYM WOMEN'S INSTITUTE meets on the third Monday of the month in the Westbury Village Hall, Eastfield Road, BS9 4AG, from 2.00 - 4.00 pm. We have interesting speakers, and extra activities of crafts, lunch club, skittles and outings. For more information call Sascha on 07961619806 or Traci on 07766073917
Tuesday
n THE ARTS SOCIETY BRISTOL 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 7.30pm at Redmaids' High BS9 3AW and by internet. For more information visit our website www.theartssocietybristol.org.uk
n BRISTOL HARMONY WEST GALLERY CHOIR and band sing and play lively church and village music from the 18thcentury. St Edyth’s Church Hall, St Edyth’s Road, Sea Mills, 7.30 pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month. All voices (SATB), string, wind and reed instruments welcome. No auditions but ability to read music helpful. www.bristolharmony.wordpress.com or call Fritjof 0117 924 3440. Contact before attending.
n POETRY UNLIMITED – poetry circle meet on the First Tuesday of every month 11am - 12 midday. Basement Room, Café Kino, 108 Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3RU. £2.50 - £3.00 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
We are a 'threshold choir' 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 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/support us in this work, contact Valerie on bristol@companionvoices. org. Visit www.facebook.com/ CompanionVoicesBristol and www. companionvoices.org
n BRISTOL A CAPPELLA: Tuesdays 7.30pm, Victoria Methodist Church. Bristol A Cappella is an awardwinning mixed barbershop chorus of
around 30 members who love to sing close harmony a cappella. Our songs are mainly from pop music, with a bit of rock and some musicals. www. bristolacappella.co.uk/ Contact: membership@bristolacappella.co.uk n BRISTOL GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR rehearses at Westbury-onTrym Methodist Church (BS9 3AA) on Monday afternoons 2.00-4.00pm (term time only). We are a fun and friendly, non-audition, community choir for both male and female voices - one of 32 Good Afternoon Choirs who ‘sing in the afternoon’ around the South West and further afield. New members are always welcome and, whether you come alone or with a friend, we will be very pleased to meet you! For further details please visit our website – www. goodafternoonchoir.org – or contact us on 01761 472468 or via e-mail at gac@grenvillemusic.co.uk
Tuesday and Saturday
n BRISTOL HF RAMBLING CLUB
We are a friendly sociable club with a variety of walks. We have 2 Tuesday walks of either 8-9 miles or 5-6 miles. On Saturdays we have varying length walks including a hill walk eg Brecon Beacons once a month. If you would like more information please visit our website.
Wednesday
n "REST REFUGE: YOGA FOR PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC FATIGUE" with Sarah Bradley (Occupational Therapist & Yoga Teacher). Wednesdays 10-11am. In Studio and livestreamed on Zoom. Bristol Yoga Space, Princes' Place, Bishopston, Bristol, BS7 8NP. Contact: Seasonalflow@gmail.com or 07716 625418. Book your place: SarahBtheOT.com"
n OPEN DEVELOPMENT CIRCLE For those interested in developing their spiritual awareness and mediumistic ability. 7.15 for 7.30 start at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up or or visit www. westburyparksc.org
n GOLDEN HILL WI Meets the first Wednesday of every month. 1-3pm. Golden Hill Sports Ground, Wimbledon Rd, BS6 7YA. A vibrant, lively new afternoon WI in BS6. We have an exciting and varied programme to offer to members. Contact Pam Scull at goldenhillwi@ gmail.com.
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.
n HEALING SESSIONS Spiritual
Healing is available from 2pm to 3.30pm by the accredited healing team at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up or or visit www.westburyparksc.org Continued on Page 26
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 Tania by email at tanialake@yahoo.co.uk
n WELCOME WEDNESDAY
Friendly and free coffee afternoon on the last Wednesday of the month, 2-3.30pm at The Beehive Pub, Wellington Hill West, BS9 4QY. Meet new people, have fun, and find out what’s happening in your local area. Call 0117 435 0063 for more information.
Thursday
n HIGHBURY BADMINTON
CLUB: Pete Stables 0117 950 1524 or www.pete4458.wixsite.com/ highburybadminton Thurs 7:30pm mid September to End April, Westbury-onTrym Village Hall
n BRISTOL BACH CHOIR are now recruiting new members. We are a friendly auditioned choir of between 30 and 40 singers. All voice parts are welcome. We rehearse on a Thursday evening at Bristol Grammar School from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. If interested please contact Julie at membership@ bristolbach.org.uk
n FRIENDS TOGETHER
DEMENTIA FRIENDLY CAFÉ A Dementia accessible café for all on the first Thursday of every month, 10am-12pm; The Randall Room at All Saints Church, Pembroke Rd, Clifton.Support, guidance, information and friendship with complimentary tea, coffee and homemade cake. No need to book – just come along and be a part of our community! For more information contact All Saints Parish Office: 0117 974 1355
n THE STEPFORD SINGERS WOMEN'S COMMUNITY CHOIR meets at Horfield Baptist Church, Bishopston on Thursday afternoons, 1pm to 3pm. No auditions and no need to read music! Come for a free taster session with our friendly, supportive group
Loft Boarding & Insulation
and learn to sing in harmony. For info, contact Fran franbolton66@gmail.com n SWIFTS INCLUSIVE SPORTS swimming sessions are for adults 18+ with any disability (hoist available) on Wednesday evenings from 7-8pm. £5 per session at Henbury Leisure Centre. Contact Karen Lloyd at 07734 335 878.
n ENJOY SCOTTISH DANCING ] Looking for a new hobby? Join us for fun, fitness and friendship (singles welcome). First evening free! Thursdays: New/Inexperienced dancers 7–8.30pm (£4). Intermediate/Advanced dancers 7.30–10pm (£6). St Monica Trust, Oatley House Main Hall, BS9 3TN. www.rscdsbristol.info. Contact Ruth 01179683057.
n HENBURY SINGERS welcomes new members at Stoke Bishop Primary School, Cedar Park BS9 1BW, 7.30 – 9.15, a warm welcome awaits you at Henbury Singers. We perform sacred and secular music under our conductor Andrew Kirk. No auditions. www.henburysingers. org Contact the secretary at secretary@ henburysingers.org
n HEN LEAZE LADIES’ CHOIR 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. Contact Jeanette on 9685409 or Jane on 07752 332278 n HEALING FOR WELLBEING Feel more relaxed, peaceful, calmer. Dropin at Redland Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, BS6 6JE. NEW TIME 3.30 to 4.45 pm. Donation basis. Supported by Healing Trust members. Contact Selina 0117 9466434 or selinanewton@ yahoo.co.uk for dates and information. n BISHOPSTON COMMUNITY CHOIR Meet on Thursday evenings, 7.30pm to 9.00pm at Horfield Baptist Church, 160a Gloucester Road, Bishopston BS7 8NT. Everyone welcome, no audition necessary. Contact us on bishoproadchoir@gmail.com
Friday
n BRISTOL SPANISH CIRCLE Come and meet a group of friendly people and enjoy talks in Spanish, musical events and social evenings. We meet every month from September to June, usually on the last Friday of the month, at St Peter’s Church Hall in Henleaze. For more info, see https://www. spanishcirclebristol.com/ n HENLEAZE BOWLING CLUB. Come along at 5.45pm on Fridays to see if bowling could be the sport for you. Coaching available. Experienced bowlers welcome. Situated in Grange
Court Road, by Newman Hall. This is a friendly Club with good bowling facilities and social events throughout the year. Phone, Tom Logan, on 0117 962 1669 or email hbcsec@ henleazebowlingclub.org.uk for further details.
Saturday
n SEA MILLS REPAIR CAFE offers sewing, woodwork, general, electrical and cycle repairs at the Methodist Church, Sea Mills Square, from 10am12pm, every second Saturday of the month (except August). This is a voluntary service run by experienced repairers. Donations welcome. FFI see Facebook @seamillsrepaircafe
Send details of your events and activities in the following format:
n COMMUNITY NEWS
HORFIELD ORGANIC COMMUNITY ORCHARD
IS all merry in an orchard in May? The orchard is abuzz, zinging with the energy of insects, birds, buds unfurling. Petals fall like confetti from pollinated flowers to reveal small clusters of fruitlets. There’s more life in the soil as it warms up. After a long, grey winter, humans are loving the sunshine. For anything with roots in the ground, or anyone trying to sow seeds – the lack of rain since the beginning of March is more worrying.
WESTBURY ON TRYM COMMUNITY FAIR
GET ready for a fun-filled day as the Westbury-on-Trym Community Fair returns on Saturday May 10, from 10am-2pm, in and around the Parish Church.
in no more than 40 words, email us at: news@ bishopstonvoice.co.uk
Sunny days, summery temperatures, and high winds create hothouse conditions that compress the blossom time. Populations of pollinating insects are already declining dramatically - devastated by human activity. For the survivors, a shorter blossom period leads to ‘hungry’ gaps at a vulnerable moment in their reproductive cycle. If there’s not enough pollinators? We will miss out on the fruit – that delicious packaging for the seeds of trees.
●
●
●
All are welcome to connect with nature, community, and learning at the Horfield Organic Community Orchard (HOCO) Summer Orchard Open Day on Saturday 7 June. Until then – it looks like we’ll be enjoying plenty of green exercise by working out with watering cans, and wheelbarrows of mulching materials.
See the HOCO website for more information about getting involved, events, and activities: https://community-orchard.org. uk/
by Shannon Smith aka The Apple Tree Lady
by Jamie Carstairs
Browse through bric-a-brac and book stalls, pick up a bargain at the popular plant sale in the Methodist Church, and take a chance on the tombola or the raffle. You’ll also have the chance to meet local groups like SUSWOT, the Westbury-on-Trym Society, the Gardens and Allotments Society, Brunel Lions, and many more.
This year, the organisers are spicing things up with a n Indian Street Food stall, joining the BBQ, homemade cakes and preserves, fresh sandwiches, scones, and tea.
There will be plenty to keep the children entertained too — from Big Games and the exciting Teddy Parachute to Tower Tours. Visitors can also enjoy live music, including a performance by the Westbury-on-Trym Academy Choir and tunes from the Brigstows. Activities will take place across the Parish Church, GP surgery car park, and the Methodist Church.
Words
Photo
n VINEYARD NEWS with INGRID BATES
Fingers crossed the frost stays away ...
THE race is on! After a peaceful and slow winter, things in the vineyard are now progressing at a heady pace. The vine buds have burst and are currently around an inch in length. We've had a few nerve-wracking nights where temperatures have dipped down low, but so far the fresh, young growth has escaped any damage.
We won't be out of the woods until the end of the first week of May, so I'm really hoping that night-time temperatures stay above freezing until then. If we are unlucky and do get some frost damage, the vines will throw out secondary shoots, but the whole growing process will be set back by around three weeks which means we’ll need to have really good summer
conditions to catch up in time for autumn. It’s a short growing window in the UK compared to some continental countries!
It's really lovely spending time in the vineyard at the moment. The hedgerows are alive with birds and bird song and we’ve spent a lot of time pruning and pollarding our beautiful willow windbreak. We've piled up all of our prunings into a huge willow mountain and will shortly get them made into woodchips that we can reapply back to the land.
On the wine front, last year’s still rosé (2024) has now been bottled and we are about to do some dosage trials on our new sparkling white wine.
We are also in the process of working on a special label
for our new red col fondo wine. We hope to release both these wines in the next month so watch this space!
n TENNIS
Tennis volunteers are absolutely ace!
WESTBURY Park Tennis Club has been celebrating success at the annual Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Awards, winning two titles from Avon Tennis.
At the awards ceremony at the County Cricket Ground, 18-year-old Emily Leask received the trophy for Young Person of the Year while Patrick Dean won an Unsung Hero award.
Emily, who has gained her Level 1 Coaching qualification, was commended in nominations for her “great impact on the club’s junior players, who are inspired by both her personality and playing abilities”.
She has been helping run Westbury Park’s LTA Amazon Prime Video Programme, a collaboration that aims to inspire girls to try tennis for the first time. She was lauded for her
rapport with the children and being an “exemplary role model”.
Westbury Park’s head coach, Dan Church, said of Emily: “She has been a fantastic asset to the club, consistently demonstrating great initiative and creativity in her coaching sessions and has made a massive impact on our teenage girls, while the younger players have been inspired by her energy on court.”
Amid her summer A-level exams, Emily will attend a ladies’ event at Queen’s Club in London, where she will receive a Highly Commended national award for her role in encouraging girls into tennis, which was a strong part of her nomination.
Patrick Dean, a playing member of the club for many years, became treasurer and has overseen several projects, most recently the resurfacing of the
courts. However, it was revealed that Patrick’s involvement in the club goes “above and beyond money matters – he is also a handyman, roof repairer, lawn mower fixer and cleaner!”
A committee member said: “Patrick keeps us all in line, supporting the committee to
drive improvements to the club. Every club should have a Patrick!”
Avon Tennis says the LTA awards, launched in 2015, celebrate the thousands of people who dedicate their life to supporting the grassroots of the game.
Club members at the ceremony, with Emily in the middle, and a picture of Patrick, who was unable to attend in person
