Hanham & Longwell Green Voice December 2022

Concern over masked riders of illegal and perilous e-scooters

ILLEGAL e-scooters are the scourge of Hanham and Longwell Green and it is only a matter of time before a pedestrian is killed.

That was the warning given during a meeting where residents, councillors and police met to discuss issues in the areas.

During the Community Engagement Forum, people were told about youths hanging around Aspects Leisure Park riding illegal e-scooters and causing a nuisance.

They have also been seen tearing down Hanham High Street, often whizzing through red traffic lights.

But PC Lee Humphreys, from Hanham and Longwell Green beat team, said because the riders often wear masks and balaclavas they are unable to be identified and prosecuted.

PC Humphreys told the meeting that police resources were being thinly stretched but residents should continue to report crime.

Hanham parish councillor Bernard Jackson spoke about a lady who had to be taken to hospital after being knocked to the ground by an illegal scooter.

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Trees ready for a bright Christmas

Mat, from John Woods Cycle Repair Centre, and his team are making sure Hanham High St has plenty of Christmas trees on display this year.

PAGE 5

Skidmore set to leave Parliament

Chris

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Changing roots of population

One

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All smiles as Matilda, three, prepares to perform a nativity play at Hanham Toddlers Pre-school. More details: Page

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Stars of the season

TOTS at Hanham Toddlers Pre-school have been having a ball rehearsing a nativity play.

Our Page 1 cover star Matilda is joined here by Albie and Jack, both aged three, and four-year-old Dolcie as they take part in a dress rehearsal at Hanham Methodist Church.

They will perform in front of proud parents and grandparents before they break up for the Christmas holidays.

Pre-school manager Sally Rouch said: “This year's nativity will be even more special because it's the first time we have performed it for two years due to Covid restrictions.

“The children are really excited and can't wait to perform in front of parents and grandparents.”

To advertise, contact Emma on 0117 908 2121 Or 07715 770448. Email: sales@hanhamandlongwellgreen voice.co.uk

A member of the

Masked e-scooter riders wreak havoc

From Page 1

"The guy picked up his bike and carried on going. Luckily a driver got out and attended to the lady who was on the pavement. He called for an ambulance but was told it would be over an hour before they could respond. He very kindly put her in the vehicle and took her to the RUH in Bath.

“I'm just frightened that one day one of these is going to hit a small child and they aren't going to survive.

“Every week I hear 'What are you doing about it Bernard and what are the police doing about it?' I have to tell them that the police are snowed under with work. We are going to have to look at other resources to take on this problem.”

PC Humphreys said police had been doing their paperwork inside Hollywood Bowl in order to have a presence at the site.

“We are struggling with resourcing because of the demand being placed upon the response side of things. Most of the issues in Hanham and Longwell Green are relatively low level persistent anti-social behaviour. It's still a really good place to be.

“If people need us in the beat team they should phone or email us to let us know

A MAJOR demonstration is planned in Kingswood this month to try to improve bus services.

It follows an announcement on November 16 that scores of bus journeys, including many on the 42 and 43 routes, were being axed with immediate effect.

This blow came less than six weeks after bus company First introduced a new timetable in October, which had already included many service cuts.

First blames driver shortages for the cancellations, which it says will remain in place for at least five months, up to the next major change to timetables at the beginning of April next year.

Passengers had already been

what's going on. We have to try to use our resources the best way we can. Apologies that we are not everywhere all of the time.”

PC Humphreys said many people do not realise that e-scooters require a driver's licence, MOT and insurance but it is almost impossible to get insurance on them so most are illegal.

He said: “We get a lot of young people who ride them who don't even have a licence. We can deal with this but to be in the right place at the right time to witness this, and for the person to stop so they can be identified, that's the challenge.”

PC Humphreys added that he is working with students at Hanham Woods Academy to make them aware that e-scooters are illegal.

He also issued a warning that young people were jeopardising their futures: “The punishment for riding an illegal e-scooter is quite hefty. If we report them to the court, the first thing they will probably do is disqualify them for driving. Can you imagine a 12 or 15-year-old getting disqualified from driving before they are even old enough to have a licence? Getting insurance at the age of 17 is then going to be a complete disaster.”

One resident, who didn't want to be

identified, told the meeting that police talks with young people were falling on deaf ears: “They do not care one iota – they (young people who ride illegal e-scooters) are on the increase. There is one individual who has been seen abusing people and he does not give a monkey's – he's constantly getting away with it. It's unbelievable.”

PC Humphreys said people must report this type of crime: “If there's a kid who is riding around and no-one is reporting it to the police, then it's not going to get looked at. People need to call 101 to report it and then it will be investigated.”

The resident told PC Humphreys: “This is more serious that you think. I see them in broad daylight without their helmets on, sat there smoking weed. They are absolutely laughing their heads off. They are extremely dangerous, racing down through Hanham and going through red lights. Someone is going to get killed.”

The resident added that there is ample CCTV available which would capture the youngsters but PC Humphreys told him that most CCTV is not clear enough for prosecution or shows perpetrators wearing a face covering.

Demo planned over bus cuts

complaining of rising numbers of cancellations - and demand for services is expected to rise from the end of November, as Bristol's Clean Air Zone charges on old cars take effect.

Now campaigners calling for bus services to be franchised by the West of England Combined Authority and local councils, taking scheduling out of First's control, are planning a protest outside the next full meeting on December 14.

West of England Shared Transport and Active Travel Network members are calling for people to join them with torches, hi-vis

clothes and glow paint outside Kingswood Civic Centre at 6.15pm.

The campaigners say Weca has the power to mend the “broken” bus service.

Their open letter has already received more than 1,000 signatures.

First has confirmed that it is cutting around 1,450 bus journeys a week in total across its network. The company says it is currently 150 drivers short, despite an "active recruitment campaign", but will still operate 95 per cent of journeys.

A full list of the cancelled services is on First's website.

Street's festive celebration is a glass act

RESIDENTS on a Hanham street are preparing for the Christmas countdown in a very neighbourly way.

Families in Central Avenue are continuing their tradition of decorating their front windows with a festive theme, each household being allocated a different number from one to 24 to mark the lead up to Christmas Day.Each day throughout December, a different neighbour decorates their window until they reach Christmas Eve.

It's not just at Christmas the street gets

together; neighbours have also hosted street parties, Easter egg hunts as well as marking Remembrance Day.

It started when three neighbours, Kath Hill-Dear, Sian Smith and Suzanne Shepherd, came together to discuss ideas for organising a socially distanced VE Day celebration during lockdown in 2020.

Kath said: “We have a What's App group for people who live in Central Avenue which is a great way of communicating and finding out different things such as the whereabout

of missing parcels and Wi-Fi problems.

“The window display initiative proves it's not just for the boring stuff – it helps us organise which neighbours are taking part and what numbers they are being allocated.

“Everyone comes together to make the street look as festive as possible. We are also hoping to hold a Carols on the Avenue event on Christmas Eve which will be lovely.

"It's a very neighbourly street and everyone looks out for each other.”

Fir enough! Trees galore for high street

IT'S beginning to look a lot like Christmas along Hanham High Street – small trees have appeared outside shops along the High Street and a large fir takes pride of place at the roundabout.

The festive displays are courtesy of Hanham Business and Community Partnership with John Wood's Cycle Repair Centre acting as “Tree HQ”.

Business owner Mat said: “The cycle shop has been “Tree HQ” since its inception back when John Wood was organising the Hanham Business and Community Partnership. Since his retirement it has now fallen on us here in the cycle shop who have inherited the tradition.

“The whole street gets behind the initiative and all pay for and decorate their own trees along with contributing to the large one down at the roundabout.

“Although the council are superstars and assist in installing the lights on the big tree, the whole thing is funded by traders.

“The smaller trees installed on each shop are something that makes Hanham stand out from the other high streets in Bristol, they look great and give such a Christmassy feel.”

The trees are sourced through hardware shop AS Golding in order to keep everything as local as possible.

The trees may be an old tradition but traders are not shy of embracing new ways of doing things.

Their most recent Christmas initiative involves Hanham Business and Community Partnership employing the services of local

May frrom John Woods bike shop aka "Tree HQ" and right, his helpers Harry and James installing the large tree at the roundabout

sign writers to paint Christmassy images on the windows of each shop with a linking theme.

The trees are taken down in January and donated to a local farm where they are recycled.

Throughout the year the small tree holders outside the shops are used to decorate the street in a wide range of flags celebrating occasions such as St George's Day, Mother's Day and Halloween.

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School catering crisis

PUPILS at some South Gloucestershire schools are going without hot meals at lunchtime because of a staffing crisis, it has been revealed.

The council admits it can provide only cold food, such as sandwiches, or jacket potatoes at best because of the recruitment shortage in catering but insists pupils are getting the right nutrition.

St Augustine’s primary and Pathways Learning Centre in Downend and Wick primary are among seven schools currently affected by the vacancies, which stand at 23 across the district.

The issue was raised at a South Gloucestershire Council cabinet meeting by Thornbury councillor Jayne Stansfield.

Cabinet member Cllr Ben Burton said that Integra, the local authority’s trading arm which provides services to its schools, was finding it as hard as many other hospitality and retail companies across the country in recruiting for roles.

He said: “We are making every

possible effort to recruit staff to those roles and we will endeavour to get schools back onto those hot school meals as soon as possible.”

After the meeting on November 14, a council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Recruitment for catering and hospitality roles is proving very challenging across the country and where we have had vacancies and staff sickness on occasion, we have had to suspend hot meal services to some schools for periods of time.

“This is of course regrettable, however where sandwiches are being provided as part of a lunch service we continue to maintain high nutritional standards and provide a balanced meal. In any case where we need to temporarily alter the service provided, we work with the schools and seek to restore hot meal provision as soon as possible.

The other schools affected as the Voice went to print were: Little Stoke Primary, New Siblands in Thornbury, Cromhall and Tortworth primaries.

Heat cameras for hire

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council aims to empower people to save energy by loaning thermal imaging cameras that will help them to identify heat loss around their homes.

The easy-to-use cameras will be available to borrow from libraries. They come with step-by-step guidelines to ensure residents can make the most of the energy-saving knowledge they provide.

The cameras are being supplied in partnership with the Warm and Well service, which is run by energy charity Severn Wye. It provides an extensive range of energy advice through its freephone adviceline and advocacy services and administers grants for energy efficiency. Those who use the thermal imaging cameras in their properties can call the adviceline for advice on dealing with any problems they uncover.

Warm Spaces get a cool reception

THE warm spaces scheme in South Gloucestershire is “totally insufficient” because most venues will not be open during evenings or weekends, councillors were told.

Eight of the first 17 venues signed up to the council-run Welcoming Spaces scheme were in Yate, with very little coverage either for rural areas and outside normal working hours.

The council says some of the locations are already planning to increase their opening hours, while more are expected to apply to the scheme.

Sean Rhodes, who stood as a

Labour candidate in last year's Downend by-election, told a cabinet meeting in November: “Clearly weekends and evenings are the times when families with children are going to be most in need of access to warm and welcome spaces when the cost of putting hot food on the table for their children, heating the home, using Wi-Fi for homework and having family time watching television together is at its most expensive.

“So heading into winter I’m really concerned that this level of provision is going to be totally insufficient.

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SOUTH Gloucestershire libraries offer Warm Spaces whenever they are open. Other early offers of Warm Spaces include: Tuesday: North Common Village Hall community cafe, noon-3pm. Teas & coffees, hot meals, introductions to other attendees,

“Does the cabinet have a plan for increasing the level of options for families needing warm space support?"

Conservative cabinet member for public health and equality of opportunity Franklin OwusuAntwi said the council had provided a budget for groups to apply for grants of £100 to £500 to run warm spaces at their venues, and believed that organisations would come forward to provide Saturday and evening provision.

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: "We are running a promotional

accompanying music, chat.

Tuesday: Salvation Army Staple Hill church noon - 6pm. Emergency food packages.

Wednesday: Warmley Community Centre, 1-3.30pm. Coffee, chat, games also available

Wednesday: Staple Hill Community Hub, 10.30-11.30am. Warm space with free tea and

campaign to encourage more venues to step forward and join our network so we can expand their reach as widely as possible across the rural and urban areas of South Gloucestershire.

“Some of the confirmed venues are already planning to increase their opening hours, and as demand increases this may include opening on weekends and evenings."

For more information about the scheme call 01454 868009.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

coffee and a friendly chat.

Thursday: Kingswood Community Fridge 11pm-7pm, Holy Trinity Church, High Street. Free groceries, play equipment, tea and coffee and a warm space.

Friday: Salvation Army Staple Hill church noon6pm. Emergency food packages.

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Chris Skidmore to leave Parliament

KINGSWOOD MP Chris Skidmore has announced that he will not be seeking re-election following boundary changes in which his seat disappears.

From next summer, the constituency will cease to exist because of changes to take account of shifting population. Bristol is getting a fifth MP, for Bristol North East, a seat that will include the New Cheltenham, Kingswood and Woodstock wards as well as Staple Hill & Mangotsfield in South Gloucestershire and Lockleaze, Eastville, Frome Vale and Hillfields wards in Bristol.

Meanwhile, electors in Bitton & Oldland Common, Hanham, Longwell Green, and Parkwall & Warmley wards will become part of another new constituency, North East Somerset & Hanham.

The Boundary Commission for England has launched a last stage of consultation on the proposals, which ends on December 5. Once comments

have been considered, final recommendations will be made to Parliament by the summer.

Bristol’s Labour Mayor, Marvin Rees, has told local radio he is considering running for selection to contest Bristol North East.

Conservative Mr Skidmore, who has represented Kingswood since 2010 and has held several Ministerial posts, made his announcement on November 26.

In a statement, Mr Skidmore, 41, said: “With no alternative seat, I have decided that I do not wish to fight another constituency elsewhere in the region or country, especially with a very young family who deserve to see more of their father in their lives.”

Mr Skidmore, who is currently the Government’s net zero tsar, wants to focus his career on the UK's commitment on carbon emissions - for which he was responsible for legislating and signing into law, in his role

as cabinet member for energy and clean growth.

"It is clear to me that net zero and tackling climate change will be the greatest challenge, yet also the greatest opportunity, of our generation.

“Rather than step aside, I hope that in the future I can step up to continue to play my own small part in helping to deliver on the energy transition that the world needs.”

The MP, who was born and brought up in the constituency, said it had been the greatest honour of his life to serve the area.

Meanwhile, speaking to John Darvall on BBC Radio Bristol in November, Marvin Rees said: “I would admit that, after talking to my family, I do kind of feel that there’s a little bit more in my political journey.

“If there’s an opportunity to step into politics in Parliament and do something for Bristol, and do something for the country

and the world, then if people choose me, then yeah, I’ll throw my hat into the ring.

“This is my city. For me it’s about politics in Bristol.

"The fact that the boundary review does create a space in Bristol, a platform in Bristol, to do more work with Bristol is an incredibly interesting alignment of events.”

• Labour has selected its candidate to challenge Conservative MP Jack Lopresti in the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency at the next general election.

Claire Hazelgrove will attempt to become the first Labour politician to win the seat, which has been held by Mr Lopresti since it was created in 2010.

The result followed a vote at a hustings meeting attended by more than 100 local Labour Party members in November, with many other members voting by post.

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Leo's enthusiasm never flags!

HE might be aged just nine but Leo Stawford is proving you're never to young to help others.

Leo, a pupil at Hanham Primary Federation, has been busy raising money for Christmas presents for poorly children at the Ocean/ Starlight ward at Bristol Children’s Hospital.

He was inspired by his friend Evie who has been receiving chemotherapy there since October.

Helped by mum Debbie, Leo has been selling England car flags to support our nation in the World Cup after dad Michael received a large amount of them through a warehouse clearance at work.

Leo has been selling them in the playground after school and has already raised more than £500.

Deputy headteacher Joe Wills said: “We posted information about Leo selling them on our school forum ‘ClassDojo’ and the community rallied to donate as well as buy the flags. We also managed to raise £543 alongside for Children in Need, a giving spirit certainly sparked by Leo’s sentiment.

“We’re really lucky to have such a caring community at Hanham Primary Federation and Leo is a fine example of where a beautiful

idea can take off for the right cause. We are all incredibly proud of Leo, embodying one of our school values of Perseverance, even standing out in the rain with a huge beaming smile as people asked to buy in all weathers.”

S Glos welcomes 400 Ukrainians

MORE than 400 people from Ukraine are currently living in South Gloucestershire.

A total of 413 guests, including 137 children, have taken refuge in the district with a further 47 planned to arrive in the coming months.

The information was given at a recent meeting of Hanham and Longwell Green Community Engagement Forum.

Meeting chair Tricia Jessiman passed on information from South Glos Council to attendees at the meeting. Applications from new sponsors, people who house Ukrainians, and the number of prospective guests, continue to grow.

“There are now small Ukrainian community groups forming across the region which is lovely to see. The Homes for Ukraine team is working with community partners to develop local hubs so there's a lot of work going on still.”

Kindhearted Leo Stawford selling the flags

fallen

KINGSWOOD was again unable to have a parade on Remembrance Sunday but many people turned out to pay tribute at events organised by Kingswood and Hanham Royal British Legion.

Wreaths were laid at the memorial in Hanham, below left, while at Holy Trinity Church in Kingswood local MP Chris Skidmore attended

and chatted to veterans and the Army Cadet Force were on parade. Wreath-laying in Kingswood was attended by Scouts and veterans and was followed by a service led by the Rev Beverley Charles. Meanwhile, one of Kingswood's fire engines was last month decorated with images to mark the sacrifices made in conflict.

Bringing history alive

YEAR 6 children from Cadbury Heath Primary School paid their respects to those who lost their lives during the Second World War when they visited Normandy in France.

A total of 17 boys and girls stayed at Chateau De Molay which was occupied by the Nazis during the war.

Laura Hudson, deputy headteacher, said: “The purpose of the visit was to embed the children’s learning around the D-Day landings and their locational knowledge of another European country.”

As part of the trip pupils visited Gold Beach where the British landed and Omaha Beach, the site of the American landings.

They also took time to reflect when they toured the British and American war cemeteries and D-Day museums.

As well as these historical locations, they also went to a French bakery where the children baked organic baguettes using traditional methods. They also visited a goats' cheese farm where pupils held baby goats and learnt the process of making cheese.

Mrs Hudson said: “One of our favourite days out was to the historic

fishing port of Honfleur where we explored the cobbles streets and went to the oldest remaining wooden church in France – St Katherine’s.

“We also visited William the Conqueror’s castle in Falaise, markets, German battlements and spent time playing on the beach and paddling in the sea. In the evenings, we had discos, karaoke and quizzes and even tasted frogs’ legs and snails. It was such a busy week. From reception, all children learn about different aspects of war as part of our ‘We Will Remember Them’ curriculum unit, such as, the significance of poppies, nurses in war, children in war and the D-Day landings.”

Rosie, a pupil at the school, said: “The French trip was amazing, I didn’t want to go at first because I was nervous but now I wish I could go back.”

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A century on, school remains at the heart of its community

WHEN Kingswood Secondary School opened its doors to children, George V was on the throne and the country was still recovering from the ravages of the First World War.

Forward 101 years, and the school still serves children and families of Kingswood, although its name and buildings have undergone several transformations.

The school became Kingswood Grammar School in 1927 and was converted to a comprehensive and renamed Kingsfield School in 1968, which was rebuilt following a devastating fire in 1976. In September 2011 it was rebranded as King's Oak Academy and ten years later celebrated its centenary year.

Due to Covid restrictions, staff, students and alumni had to put off celebrations until this year but had been determined to mark its special anniversary in style.

The academy, now part of the Cabot Learning Federation, threw open its doors welcoming children and their families,

King's Oak alumni, residents, local authority organisations and community businesses for afternoon tea.

The event was hosted in the school's new canteen and events space which offers a bright and modern area for staff and students. Throughout the evening, visitors and students were able to reflect on the history of King's Oak by looking at photographs, artefacts and videos that were shared by Kingswood Heritage Museum and former students. They also listened to stories about learning at King's Oak from current and former students.

Katherine Ogden, principal, said: “It is a privilege for King's Oak to hold such a deep and meaningful role within the Kingswood community and it is moments like this that highlight the outstanding work that community partnerships and relationships can do for society.

“Thank you to everyone who has

supported King's Oak throughout the last 101 years, and we are looking forward to continuing to work closely with families, organisations and businesses to ensure that both King's Oak and Kingswood continue to grow and thrive for many years to come.”

Mike Bendrey, of Kingswood Old Scholars’ Association, said: “The creation of these splendid dining facilities represents the end of an era and the beginning of a new one.

“The new building essentially replaces two old structures. Many of those who went to Kingswood Grammar and Kingsfield schools will remember the two pairs of old classrooms on the boys’ play area, two having been built in the 40s and two later ones which opened in 1952.

"Their demolition removes more buildings inherited by King’s Oak Academy and the old dining room on Brook Road, which has been unsafe to use for some time, is probably the next to go.”

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Don't miss out on fuel bills support

MORE than 4,000 South Gloucestershire residents using prepayment metres could be missing out on as much as £400 in energy bill support this winter.

Discounts on energy bills were due to start on October 1 for all West of England households, with a reduction of £66 or £67 per month between October and March.

Energy companies will apply the discounts automatically, although users of traditional prepayment meters - which usually requires topping up via a key or card in a local newsagent or post office - who are generally poorer, must actively claim the discounts.

Vouchers have been sent out to get money off bills but only half of the expected number have been used so far, according to PayPoint, one firm that processes the vouchers.

About 8,600 households in South Glos are on traditional prepayment meters, meaning 4,300 of them could be missing out on cheaper bills this winter.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris urged West of England residents to get the credit they are owed

applied to their meter as soon as possible as he once again called on the Government to end the “unfair penalty premium on prepayment meter users”.

He said: “It’s so important that everyone gets the support they’re entitled to this winter, so I would encourage all West of England residents on traditional prepayment meters to take action now. If you haven’t received anything from your supplier, make sure you contact them before these vouchers run out.

"The Government must urgently work with energy companies to promote take-up of the energy discount scheme and end this unfair penalty premium on West of England prepayment meter users once and for all.”

If you use a traditional prepayment meter, you should receive vouchers in the post which can be redeemed where you usually top up. The voucher should arrive from most suppliers by the 17th of each month, and it’s only valid for 90 days. You should get in touch with your supplier now if they haven’t already contacted you about how you’ll be discounted.

n KINGSWOOD HISTORY SOCIETY

Bristol in the Fifties

By Mike Hooper

A selection of fantastic photos of Bristol in the 1950s. Mainly focused on the central areas, The Centre, Kingsdown, Hotwells, Broadmead and the Council House locality.

The buzz word seemed to be "All Gone !" as vast swathes of Georgian, Victorian or even older terrace and house have disappeared over the years. The question kept being raised as to the replacement looking any better ?

This was particularly brought into focus with a view of the centre. Has there been any improvement here ?

Key houses were pointed out where Friese-Green and Coleridge once lived. All gone! Would they have not been tourist attractions now with a bit of foresight ?

Great picture of the Queen on St Mary Redcliffe steps in 1956, when she came to open the new Council House. Max Bygraves in Bedminster !

All in all a great feeling to walk back down memory lane.

This was the last meeting for the year, except for the AGM on Tuesday 6th Dec.

There will be a new schedule of presentations for 2023, to be annouced. First meeting at the Park Centre, Kingswood will be Tuesday 7th Mar 2023, 7pm for 7.30 pm start. One for the diary, see you then.

Danger in the dark

THE lack of lighting along walkways around Gallagher Retail Park and Aspects Leisure Park have been flagged to council chiefs.

Hanham and Longwell Green Community Engagement Forum was told there were too many unlit footpaths by the footbridge near PC World making it potentially dangerous for people to use at night.

Overgrown hedging and brambles also make the area unsafe, it was claimed.

One resident told the meeting: “I'm conscious of the cyclists and people using the walkways, particularly at this time of year. There's some very, very dark areas where there is no lighting, for example, immediately coming across from the footbridge from PC World. There is gaps in lighting and a lot of overgrown hedges. If you're a cyclist you are probably aware of brambles hanging down at face level.”

Meeting chair Tricia Jessiman agreed: “At this time of year it's actually difficult to get to Aspects safely as it's dark and the paths aren't well lit.”

Ms Jessiman said she hoped someone from South Gloucestershire Council could address the next meeting in May about this issue.

“We need someone to speak to us about what is happening about active travel, particularly infrastructure around walking and cycling. If it was easier to walk and cycle around our area and people felt a bit safer, I wonder if there would be slightly less traffic on the roads.”

Volunteers thanked

AROUND 50 volunteers were thanked for their hard work by South Gloucestershire Council.

The council’s Community Spaces Network hosted an event welcoming volunteers representing the many different groups across the area who help to maintain parks, open spaces, nature reserves and public rights of way, as well as carrying out essential duties such as litter picking in these areas.

More than 23 friends and volunteer groups were represented at the event.

Councillor Rachael Hunt, cabinet member for communities at South Gloucestershire Council. said: “By working closely with these dedicated volunteers, we are able to share resources and bring working groups together to continue to keep our much-loved green spaces looking their best for our communities for years to come.”

The event also saw speeches

from Simon Hunter from Bristol Avon Rivers Trust and an introduction to the Common Connections project to help restore wildlife habitats and reverse the decline in plant and insect species from the council’s biodiversity team. Chair of the South Gloucestershire Green Spaces Forum Steph Purser also gave a talk about how volunteers can achieve great things by working together.

This was the first time the council has been able to thank these green volunteers in person since 2019 due to the ongoing Covid pandemic.

The Community Spaces Network is coordinated by the Place Improvements Team at South Gloucestershire Council. The network has been set up to enable community groups to share knowledge and resources.

For further information, please email communityspaces@ southglos.gov.uk

n ANTIQUES

Memories of Lennon

FENDER and Gibson are perhaps the two most famous guitar brands on the planet. No two names have been more responsible for revolutionising and shaping music in the twentieth century. Picture Jimi Hendrix you’ll picture him thrashing away at a Fender Stratocaster, listen to Led Zeppelin and you’ll hear the meaty tones of a Gibson Les Paul, The Shadows had their bright red Fender, and Roy Orbison had his iconic Gibson ES-335. The list goes on. But what if I told you one of the most important guitars in music history was a Gallotone Champion? Never heard of it? Don’t worry - most people haven’t either!

An obscure piece of knowledge I’ve kept locked away for decades came in handy a few weeks back during a valuation day. A client had just dropped off some belongings, and amongst them was a 1950s Gallotone acoustic guitar. These acoustic guitars were made in South Africa in the mid-fifties and imported into England and sold by British retailers hoping to cash-in on the new ‘skiffle’ movement that had sprung up. Largely made of plywood with cheap fixtures, very few of these guitars survive today, and the ones that do are largely unplayable. Other such ‘budget’ guitars from the period are seldom worth over thirty pounds.

But the Gallotone Champion model is different. In 1957 a lady called Julia purchased an identical Gallotone Champion from a music shop somewhere in Liverpool and took it home for her son, John. That’s John Lennon – of The Beatles. Lennon used the guitar to form his first band The Quarrymen, and later that year they played at Woolton Parish Church Fete, where he first met another young man by the name of Paul McCartney. The rest, as they say, is history!

So, what does a Gallotone Champion of identical make and model to that of John Lennon’s cost you today? Well; £200-£300. A lot for a poorly made 1950s guitar, but factor it in as one of the most important instruments in music history … perhaps it’s not that much after all.

]Andy Stowe East Bristol Auctions

n WHAT'S ON

n HANHAM TENNIS CLUB reopens after court repainting and the addition of new lighting. Adult Play - Tuesday & Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings, 9.30am - 11 am. Beginners' session coaching - Wednesday 7-8pm. Junior coaching - most early evenings. New players welcome. Fully qualified LTA coaching. See website for details www.hanhamtennisclub.co.uk

MONDAY

n YOGA SESSIONS Hanham Community Centre. Friendly & welcoming. General Class 7-8pm. 6 weeks Beginners Class Starts 16 January 8-9pm. To book call Shula on 07949333548 or email yogashula@hotmail.com

TUESDAY

n TUESDAY CLUB a social group meet every Tuesday 1.45-3.45pm at Longwell Green Community Centre

n LONGWELL GREEN LADIES GROUP meet at 2pm on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the United Church, Bath Road, Longwell Green BS30 9DU (opp. Aldi). Please phone Maureen on 0117 9322341

WEDNESDAY

n BARRS COURT PROBUS. Meet every 2nd and 4th Wednesday 1012pm at Longwell Green Community Centre

n LONGWELL GREEN PROBUS CLUB meets at Warmley Community Centre on the first and third Wednesday of each month.. New members welcome - for more details please contact Mike on 07817094147

n HANHAM BRIDGE CLUB Every Weds 7-10pm at Hanham Community Centre, see www.hanhambridgeclub.co.uk.

n HANHAM PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY: We are a friendly club who welcome photographers of all abilities to share our hobby. Meetings are at 7,30p.m. Wednesday evenings at Hanham Methodist Church, 26 Chapel Rd, Hanham, Bristol BS15 8SD. Visit https://www.hanhamphoto.org.uk or contact Geoff Mallin by email geoffmemsechps@gmail.com.

n LONGWELL GREEN PROBUS CLUB meets at Warmley Community Centre on the first and third Wednesday of each month.. New members welcome - for more details please contact Mike on 07817094147

THURSDAY

n AVON SCALE MODEL SOCIETY: As a friendly long standing local model making club, we meet at Longwell Green Community Centre on the Third Thursday of every month at 8pm. All subjects in all scales are covered,- aircraft, AFV,s cars, bikes, sci-fi, etc. New members are always welcome. Please phone Ian on 0117 9324053 for further details.

n ‘STAND UP REACH OUT’ A social group meet every Thursday 2-4pm at Longwell Green Community Centre for different activities.

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

n HANHAM ART CLUB We are friendly group that meets on a Thursday evening at Hanham Community Centre 7pm-9pm. New members welcome from beginners to the more experienced. For more information contact Hilary on 07880548481 or email tweenuk2003@yahoo.com

FRIDAY

n LONGWELL GREEN WI meet on the third Friday of the month at 7.30pm at Longwell Green Community Centre. New members are always welcome. Please email longwellwi@gmail.com or tel. 0117 9864782.

n TAI CHI FOR PARKINSON'S: Weekly beginners Tai Chi & Qi Gong class for people with Parkinson’s disease, their families and carers. Lincombe Barn, Downend. BS16 2RW. Fridays (term times) 10.15 – 12.15 including tea / coffee break. Contact: Claire - Claire@Taichibodyandmind.co.uk (07769 857672) or Sarah - buqiworks@gmail.com (07815 662844)

n LONGWELL GREEN SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB, Fridays 13.30-15.30 At Longwell Green Community Centre. Bowls provided For information E:mail maryjcoles@hotmail.co.uk Mary 0797 2062449 May 0117 9606454

after

mental wellbeing in hectic times

EASY to forget that we started the year with concerns about the Covid-19 virus Omicron strain before events like the war in Ukraine, the highs of the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee and the sorry at her death shaped the year. Political and economic crisis – with inflation and the resulting cost-of-living crisis impacting all of us. All this plays out interwoven into our own life stories and events, the things we all carry and manage that have shaped our narratives. It need not all be negative or anxietyinducing, but for many people, the sense of uncertainty for what lies ahead and exhaustion managing the present reality is how 2022 ends. Individually, but

certainly combined, this can all negatively impact our mental wellbeing. Staying on top of our mental wellbeing is good for us now but also helps us manage difficult times in the future. Looking after our mental health is not something we should just do if we are struggling or feeling low, anxious or stressed. It's something we should think about all the time and invest in, just like with our physical health. How to do this?

The way we think, feel and behave are linked. So we must take active steps to recognise and tackle unhelpful thought patterns or behaviours. We must be more mindful – gaining new perspectives by taking time to

be aware of ourselves and be in the present moment, noticing our thoughts and feelings and the world around us. It is vital to get good quality sleep as it improves our mental and physical wellbeing. Connecting with people in the community, whether online, by phone or in person, spending quality time with friends and family to talk about how we are feeling or finding ways to help other people can all help stop you from feeling lonely and improve your mental health. Bin bad habits like smoking. Cutting down on alcohol and caffeine can lift your mood. Do things that make you happy, maybe even try a new hobby or learn

a new skill. Develop and keep a reference point of Hope and Thankfulness. You can write down things to revisit when things are more challenging. At Ellacombe Pharmacy, we are buoyed by the generous friendship, kindness and thoughtfulness of all our Community. Thank you for being our friends.

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

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

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

What’s New at Frenchay Christmas Tree Farm

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

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

frenchaychristmastreefarm.co.uk

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

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

Owner Simon Maughan hopes that one day swallows and house

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

Thanks to Alex at Above Horizon Photography for the drone photo

THE latest census has revealed fascinating details about where South Gloucestershire's residents were born.

Figures published by the Office for National Statistics show that one in six residents of England and Wales on census day last year - a total of ten million people - were born outside the UK. That is up from 7.5 million in 2011.

In South Gloucestershire the percentage of residents who were born outside the UK rose from 6.6% to 10.6% over the last decade.

Just under nine out of every ten people living in the district - 259,757 of 290,400 residents in March last year - were born in the UK.

A total of 249,242 (85.8%) were born in England, with a further 7,035 people born in Wales.

The next most common nation of birth was Poland (3,320 people), followed by residents who were born in India (2,958), just ahead of Scotland (2,667).

The next biggest individual nation of origin was Romania, where 2,084 South Gloucestershire residents were born.

However this number was smaller than the 2,551 people from nine other nations, grouped together by the ONS, which joined the EU between 2001 and 2011, including the Czech Republic and Cyprus but excluding Poland, Romania and Lithuania, which were counted separately.

Other common places of birth outside the UK recorded in South Gloucestershire were Germany (1,101 people), non-EU European countries (1,065), South Africa (1,062), South America (997), the Republic of Ireland (977) and Nigeria (841)all of which were above Northern Ireland (800) in the list.

In neighbouring Bristol, the

Census figures show population's changing roots

percentage of residents born outside the UK rose from 14.7% to 18.8% from 2011 to 2021.

A total of 383,495 out of 472,400 residents (81.2%) were born in the UK, with 365,336 (77.3%) born in England.

After Wales (11,722), the next most common nation of birth was Poland (8,770), followed by the ONS group of nine EU postmillennium nations (5,303).

The most common non-UK or EU nation of birth in Bristol is Somalia: 4,654 residents of the city were born in the East African country - more than the 4,626

SOUTH Gloucestershire's population more closely matches the national average age range than anywhere else in the country, the 2021 census found.

The district's median age of 40 is the same as the England average and the percentage of people in each age group closely matches the distribution of ages nationwide.

By contrast Bristol's median age of 34 is well below the national average: the percentage of people aged between 18 and

people in the city who were born in Scotland. By contrast, only 85 South Gloucestershire residents were born in Somalia.

The other most common countries of birth outside the UK for Bristol residents were India (4,381 people), Romania (3,782), Spain (3,616), Pakistan (3,586), smaller pre-2001 EU member countries, including Benelux and Scandinavia (3,543), Italy (3,123) and China (2,638).

Nationally, the most common country of birth outside the UK is India, followed by Poland, Pakistan, Romania, Ireland,

Our average age is 40

41 is well above average, while number of 47 to 85-year-old residents are below average, as are six to 17-year-olds.

B&NES has a median age of 39 and a large spike of 18 to 23-year-old residents, representing the city's large student population relative to its size.

While South Gloucestershire is home to many students at UWE's main Frenchay

Italy, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Germany and South Africa.

The number of Romanianborn UK residents rose from 80,000 in 2011 to 539,000 in 2021.

Census deputy director Jon Wroth-Smith said: "We can see Romanians have been a big driver in this change, while there have also been increases due to migration from India, Pakistan and Poland, as well as southern European countries such as Italy."

campus, other parts of the university and accommodation are in Bristol, balancing the numbers of young people who leave the district to go to university.

By contrast, North Somerset and the three districts of Gloucestershire neighbouring South GloucestershireStroud, Cotswold and the Forest of Dean - all have median ages between 45 and 49, with numbers of over-50s noticeably above average and numbers of 18 to 40-year-olds below the England average.

Email: sales@hanhamandlongwellgreen

A Diwali celebration was recently held at Bradley Stoke Community School during a year-long council programme to celebrate "the stories of people from India who now call South Gloucestershire home"almost 3,000 residents of the district were born in India.

Picture: South Gloucestershire Council.

Parent carers celebrate lottery grant

A GROUP that supports families of children with additional needs and disabilities is celebrating a big injection of funds from the National Lottery.

South Glos Parent Carers (SGPC) has been awarded £275,000 to help with running costs and to continue its expansion further into the community.

The successful bid to The National Lottery Community Fund, was the result of months of behind-the-scenes hard work.

SGPC applied for the funding, which will be delivered over five years, to develop its services as a direct result of the increasing numbers of parent carers requesting support.

Some of the money will be used to expand SGPC’s peer support services for parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with the aims of providing:

• a channel through which they

can express their views to help shape future services;

• increased knowledge via training, workshops, and peer support;

• a supportive peer community

where families feel listened to by members who live a similar journey, and where their views and experiences will be understood and valued; • a parent carer community

where anxiety and isolation are reduced and the capacity of parents to support their children is strengthened.

A spokesperson said: “SGPC are an independent community interest company supporting parent carers of children (0-25) with SEND. They are not part of the local authority but do partner with local service providers to help them to hear and understand the views of parent carers, in order to improve services.

"SGPC has over 1800 members and we know there are many more parent carers in South Glos whose voices and lived experiences deserve to be heard. Any parent struggling to understand their child’s behaviour is welcome to contact us for further information. We are happy to hear from any parent regardless of a diagnosis."

Membership of SGPC is free. Parents can join via the website www.sgpc.org.uk

What a win! Members of the South Glos Parent Carers group celebrate receiving £275,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund

Awards hail young people’s resilience and innovation

THE South Gloucestershire annual School Awards took place at Aerospace Bristol, celebrating students in schools and academies who have shown ‘resilience, recovery and innovation’ over the last year.

All schools were invited to take part and more than 80 pupils and students from our primary, secondary and special schools attended, along with parents, carers and teachers.

Councillor Erica Williams said: “We want every child in South Gloucestershire to have the best start in life. Our young people have faced real challenges over the past few years, which is why it is so important for us to recognise the ways in which our students and school communities are succeeding and thriving. The event was a fabulous night, with so many great young people being recognised for their resilience, their innovation and the fact that they’ve supported their other school friends and students throughout what have been difficult years through the pandemic - and they come out smiling.”

She told the children: “The best start in life is about being equipped to become the best you can be. We want to thank you for your hard work, grit and determination – for the great ideas, optimism and perseverance you bring and from which we can all learn positive lessons. We are very proud of your schools too, for helping you thrive during a challenging time for everyone over the past few years.

“Despite the challenges, South Gloucestershire is making great strides with education, as demonstrated by its recent Ofsted reports. Over the last five years, our local schools have moved from 35 per cent Good or Outstanding at Secondary and Post 16, to 71 per cent. And 83 per cent of all schools in South Gloucestershire (including Primary) are rated as Good or Outstanding.”

Marvels of the Monster Map

ABOUT 1000 children took part in a Halloween trail searching for art in shop windows around Hanham High Street.

Every child received a “Monster Map” and set out on a journey to find characters in shop windows. After completing their map, Each child received a certificate and a goodie bag of treats.

Organiser Nicola Bartlett said: "The trail was far busier than I anticipated, with numbers exceeding pre-pandemic levels, showing that people are keen to get out and about and explore their High Street. It gave a boost to the local economy as those taking part also supported businesses, with many stopping to eat or drink along the way, while others started their Christmas shopping."

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Stay alert when Christmas shopping online

AS we start to approach the festive season, when lots of people are furiously trying to get their Christmas Shopping done online, I would like to remind you to remain vigilant and be cautious.

Be on the lookout for fake shopping sites and scams that fraudsters will use to take advantage of you.

Fraud continues to grow significantly and now represents more than a third of all estimated crime.

It doesn’t just affect victims’ finances but can also have an impact on mental health, with 74% of fraud victims reporting being emotionally impacted.

As the national Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) lead for economic and cybercrime, I am passionate about educating local people on how to spot the signs of fraud, to prevent you becoming a victim in the first place. There is lots of information on my website about how to protect yourself. Please do take a

look.

I also want to talk to you about some important things happening in my office over the festive season.

Firstly, we will launch our annual council tax policing precept consultation.

Your police service is funded partly by central government, which gives about 60% of the annual budget, but also partly through your local council tax bill, which covers the other 40%.

This survey asks your opinion on the amount I am going to ask you to pay in addition to your current annual council tax bill in the next financial year, which is one of the main responsibilities of a PCC.

It is very important that you let me know your views, particularly when times are extremely financially challenging for everyone.

Secondly, if you are looking for a new challenge in the New Year, we have also launched a volunteer recruitment campaign

to ask people to empower their communities and join us as independent advisors on one of the OPCC’s four scrutiny panels or other inspection schemes.

It’s an important way to provide transparency and public accountability around the monitoring and scrutiny we do of the service provided to our communities by Avon and Somerset Police.

For more information visit www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov. uk/get-involved/apply-to-be-avolunteer.

Lastly, if you run a community group or you work with an organisation on projects that help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, I would encourage you to apply to my Commissioner’s Crime Prevention Fund.

Launched earlier this year, the fund is a partnership between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Somerset Community Foundation and Quartet Community Foundation,

With Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford

which aims to support community projects and activities across the force area that help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

I know the organisations and groups of residents who have already applied and received a grant have found the extra funds really beneficial in supporting their work to prevent crime in their communities.

Please visit my website to find out more.

As a South Gloucestershire Local Authority and Clifton Diocesan school, we offer a Catholic education which warmly welcomes families from Christian, other world religions or no faith backgrounds at all.

Parents choose Our Lady of Lourdes because they identify with something distinctive that they want for their child. It may be good behaviour… high expectations… a small, family feel… traditional values… ethos or Mission Statement. Whatever the attraction, our families are united in their commitment to our school community, and our endeavour to enable… every… single… child to flourish.

“This school makes me happy.” YEAR 5 PUPIL

If your child is due to start school in September 2023 we would love to show you what our welcoming and nurturing school has to offer. Please call our school office on 01454 867160 and we will be happy to arrange a visit. We also have some spaces available in other year groups across the school.

Tots go dotty for Children in Need fundraising

CHILDREN in Hanham have been helping raise money for Children in Need.

The Tiggywinkles class at Hanham Toddlers Pre-school took part in Pudsey-themed activities on Friday November 18. They brought in donations to support the much-loved cause and sported colourful outfits including Pudsey ears.

Pre-school manager Nicola Thomas said: “The children really embraced Children in Need and made a great effort to really look the part. Staff also wore Pudsey T-shirt to inspire the children to really get into the spirit of the occasion.

“We spent the day taking part in activities which all had a Pudsey theme. It was also very kind of the children to bring donations for the charity Children in Need which will go towards helping disadvantaged children and young people.”

Christchurch Pre-School also enjoyed the fundraising fun. Theydressed in bright colours or spotty clothes and took part in activities including using tweezers to add pom poms to Pudsey patch and colouring Pudsey pictures.

A cake sale was also held raising £71.15 for the annual BBC-backed event.

G ritters on standby

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council has launched a fleet of nine new gritters as part of a £1 million investment to keep roads safe and traffic moving across the district this winter.

The new fleet uses 20 per cent less salt than the older models by using technology which can be set to spread a more precise measurement to suit the road conditions. This makes them much more efficient and minimises their carbon footprint.

Vehicles, drivers and staff are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the winter months, to keep schools open, businesses running and emergency services on the road.

Five thousand tonnes of salt is stored at the council depot in Yate, so they are well-prepared for winter. The council also spreads salt manually on key town centre pedestrian areas and uses a small spreader mounted on a tractor to treat some of the busier sections of cycle routes.

The new gritters have been given superhero names by school children as part of a competition held earlier this year. The winning names included ‘Super Salter’ by Daisy and ‘Sir Grittalot’ by Isabelle, both of Wheatfield School in Bradley Stoke.

Christchurch pre-school, above, and Hanham Toddlers, right

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

The Beautiful Game shows its ugly side

THE World Cup is upon us.

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

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

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

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

a job that really helps people?

Are you a caring person? Are you a carer for a family member?

Do you want a flexible job, working from home?

Could you support someone to achieve their goals?

Do something amazing, become a Shared Lives carer.

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

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

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

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

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

But we must also use this tournament

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

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

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

Have you heard about Shared Lives yet?

It’s a bit like foster care – but for an adult. As a Shared Lives carer, you will be paid to support adults who need a little extra help from your own home.You’ll help them to achieve their goals and support them to live independently, helping them live their life, their way. They could spend the day with you, stay overnight or even move in, it’s flexible to you.

What does it mean to be a Shared Lives carer?

“I’m proud to be a Shared Lives carer because I believe that everyone deserves to be happy and be themselves, regardless of who they are and that’s exactly what Shared Lives does -placing people in homes with families where they are cared for, loved and respected.” -

Kwame, Shared Lives carer

Do you need support to live your life?

Find out if Shared Lives could support you: www.ategi.org.uk

Find out more about becoming a Shared Lives carer on our website: www.ategi.org.uk or email us on carerapplication@ategi.co.uk

Metro Mayor Dan Norris write for the Voice

n AROUND THE WIs

AVON FEDERATION OF WIs

After an absence of two years, AFWI has resumed offering group holidays to members. In April a group went to Kent, and more recently twenty-seven of us went to Jersey.

We left from Bristol Airport on the morning of Monday, 10th October; and within the hour had landed at Jersey, where a coach and driver was waiting to take us to our hotel in St Helier. The afternoon was free to explore St Helier.

From Tuesday to Friday, there was a busy itinerary, visiting a variety of locations, accompanied by a very knowledgeable Blue Badge Guide. A full day island tour on a warm sunny day enabled us to soak up the atmosphere of the island. A visit to the Jersey War Tunnels taught us a lot about the German Occupation during the second World War. A short stop at St Matthew’s Church, known locally as the Glass church, gave us the opportunity to see the beautiful decoration work of

artisan glassmaker Rene Lalique. An afternoon at Samares Manor also had the benefit of sunshine to enjoy the house and gardens.

Also on the itinerary was a visit to the 13th century Mont Orgueil Castle, the Eric Young Orchid Foundation (home to one of the finest collections of orchids in the world), La Hougue Bie Museum (depicting life in Jersey’s Neolithic community 6,000 years ago), and the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (Jersey Zoo). The conservation work started by writer and naturalist Gerald Durrell has saved several species from extinction; but we didn’t see all of the animals – some had remained indoors and out of the rain!

Our party (including some members’ husbands) returned to Bristol on the Saturday morning, all saying the same – our hotel was good, food excellent, trips very interesting, and when is the next holiday? The answer to that is 21st April 2023, The Historic Houses and History of Cambridgeshire. If you are not a WI member and this appeals to you, you can contact

our office on 0117 9864782 to find details of institutes local to you.

Publicity Office Avon Federation of Women’s Institutes (AFWI)

LONGWELL GREEN WI

AT our October meeting we had a talk entitled "Style Opportunity" from Gail Painter, a fashion and colour consultant. She explained about warm and cool colours and how to mix and match them using a colour wheel. She also gave us ideas of how our clothes could be worn to give different looks and encouraged us to try some new colours.

On the first really cold and frosty evening of the winter Longwell Green WI held their Annual Meeting. The meeting started with the singing of Jerusalem. Lynne Sherman, our President and Elisabeth Walder, our secretary both stood down from their posts they had held for several years and were thanked for all their hard work. The new committee were introduced to

Helping our high streets thrive this Christmas

WE recognise that our high streets are the backbone of our local communities, providing a focal point for much-needed ser vices as well as helping cater for the shopping and leisure needs of local people.

That’s why I am delighted to announce we are once again run ning a campaign to encourage people to visit their local high streets and support the hundreds of independent traders we are lucky enough to have in South Gloucestershire in the run up to Christmas.

The festive campaign will highlight everything South Gloucestershire’s high streets have to offer shoppers and families, including an array of free and low-cost festive events across the district to help get you in the Christmas spirit, as well as a

wide selection of local shops and businesses to help tick off those Christmas lists.

And of course, all South Gloucestershire’s council-owned long and short-term car parks offer free parking, making trans porting those gifts home that bit easier too.

Our high streets always look so magical over the festive season, which is why we will also be running a photo competition, where we are asking you to cap ture something that represents the essence of Christmas on your local high street.

For example, this could be a photo of a shop window display, Christmas lights or a Christmas event. We are encouraging peo ple to post their chosen photo on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and use the campaign hashtag

#SouthGlosChristmas and the relevant hashtag for where the photo was taken e.g. #Christ masInDownend or #ChristmasIn Thornbury.

There are some great prizes on offer, including a £50 meal-out voucher, so why not take part?

Full details on how to enter can be found at www.southglos. gov.uk/shopsouthglos and more information will also be shared through the council’s social media channels.

You have until Monday De cember 12 to share your photos, and winners will be announced on Wednesday December 21.

I hope I speak for all of us when I say I am so looking forward to sharing the Christmas spirit with local people, whether it’s waving at Father Christmas in Thornbury, watching the lights

the members. Our new WI advisor, Lorna Tarr, was welcomed to the meeting and she conducted the voting for our new President who is Sandra Hill. We all wish her well in her new post.

We then had a talk from Dr. Francis Burroughs entitled "Can You Play Jerusalem for Us?" telling us about some of his funniest moments as a WI speaker.

Another post box topper

get switched on in Staple Hill or singing carols in Downend.

Please support your local high street this Christmas - and happy shopping!

For more information visit www.southglos.gov.uk/shopsouth glos.

With Toby Savage, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council

appeared for Remembrance Day complete with knitted service people and poppies. Look out for the Christmas topper in December.

Members, once again, were very generous in bringing in gifts for the Christmas Tree Appeal. These will be distributed to women and children in refuges around the South West.

We are looking forward to our Christmas Craft Day where members will be able to try their hand at six different activities which include making a gonk, a bead angel and Christmas cards.

Our next meeting is our Christmas party where members will sit down to a two course Christmas meal and be entertained by Double Trouble.

This just leaves us to say a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Longwell Green WI.

We have lots of groups that our members can participate in. There are book clubs, walking groups, knitting group, skittles and social suppers. On the first Thursday of the month we meet at The Chapel Coffee Shop in Longwell Green for Tea and Chat.

Longwell Green WI regular meetings are on the third Friday of the month at 7.30pm at Longwell Green Community Centre and new members are always welcome. If you are interested in visiting us please get in touch by email at longwellwi@gmail.com, telephone 0117 9864782 or come along on the meeting evening.

Linda Muller

HANHAM EVENING WI

Royal recognition for the Branch! Following our tree planting event in October to mark the Queen’s jubilee we were delighted to receive a thank you from the Queen’s Green Canopy for our contribution to this special initiative. We were told that our support helps create a greener UK and a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the nation, which will benefit future generations.

We were also delighted to receive confirmation that our tree planting has been uploaded to the Queens Green Canopy map to receive the QGC virtual plaque.

November was a busy month for the Branch as, in addition to our regular meetings, we saw the return of our highly popular Autumn Fayre.

We had been unable to hold the fayre for the past couple of years due to covid restrictions but its return saw the hardy folk of Hanham, and beyond, come out in their droves to support and enjoy the event. They were also able to enjoy some lovely Autumnal sunshine!

The fayre attracted thirty stalls selling quality items including arts and crafts, toys, paintings, and Christmas items, all coming together to make the occasion a tremendous success. The day was very well supported and people were able to take advantage of some early Christmas shopping, pick up a bargain or two or just have a chat and socialise with friends over a cup of coffee – and of course a piece of WI cake.

The Branch found it rewarding to hear many stallholders praise the event and reserve tables for next year and it is very grateful to everyone that came along in

support. We would also like to thank the local businesses and organisations which helped to promote the day.

November was also the month for our AGM and as another year slipped by it gave us the chance to reflect on what has proved to be a highly successful year of events, meetings, and memorable moments – especially following the dark days of lockdown.

How could we forget our trip to the Forest of Dean visiting the Historical Speech House Hotel and the informative talks we received about chocolate industry in Bristol and the history of the Bristol Old Vic. A good year indeed.

Following the AGM, we were treated to a talk by Liz Baker from Ivory Rose Floristry. One of the highlights was a demonstration of a Christmas table decoration which one of our members was lucky enough to win in the raffle.

And finally, a very merry Christmas and happy new year to all our readers and we hope you will enjoy reading about our activities next year.

Dianna Coles

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FRYS BOWLING CLUB

FRYS Bowling Club brought an end to the 2022 season with their annual presentation dinner. The first trophy of the night was the triples competition which went to Jeff Budd, Vernon Hopkins and Dave Shaw, with the runners up Ken Stewart, Sally Morgan and Jonathan Day. In the Pairs competition, a strong performance from Jeff Budd and Roger Loader saw them take the title from Bert Merrell and Eric Jones. The Novice singles for those who have not won a singles title, went to Jeff Budd winning his third title of the year with the runners up going to Dave Shaw. In the Two Wood final, a tight contest into the late September night came down to the final end, with Jonathan Day taking the win, just edging out Stephen Day who took the runner up. The Handicap was another close game, with a late comeback from Jonathan Day seeing him take the title over Eric Jones. The Championship was a more one-sided game with Jonathan Day taking a comfortable win over Jeff Budd, which saw Jonathan Day claim back-to-back

triple crowns.

The non-competition awards went to Mary Buck for Shot Gone Wrong, Bob Heard for Best Newcomer and Sally Morgan for Most Improved Player. The Club Member of the Year Award went to Dave Shaw.

The evening ended with a special presentation to Christopher Day who has stepped down as Secretary after 17 years and has served the club a number of ways over the past 21 years.

The winter season sees Frys holding Short Mat Bowls sessions, as well as the Christmas coffee morning. Winter work on the green is well under way, with further renovations planned for the clubhouse as the club look towards the 2023 season.

Please contact our Secretary, Stephen Day, on 01225 872959, e-mail:  frysbowlsclub@ gmail.com, for more information or to apply for membership. You can also visit our website for the latest match reports, news and fixtures:  www.frysbowlingclub.wixsite.com/ frys, and follow us on Twitter: @ FrysBowls."

KEYNSHAM BOWLING CLUB

WITH the green at Keynsham Park having gone into its period of winter hibernation, all of the activity at Keynsham Bowling Club is taking place in the Clubhouse. Over 50 members gathered for an evening of bingo plus a ploughman’s supper. In November the Clubhouse was packed, as members gathered for the presentation of the cheque to the charity chosen by the Lady and Gents Captains at the start of the season, which this year was the Dorothy House Hospice. While fundraising continues throughout the season the events which raise the most are the summer BBQ and the close season men’s tour. Each year nearly 30 men travel to different parts of the country, this year it was Stratfordon-Avon, where they are based in a hotel and play games against local clubs. They take with them a large money box in the shape of a pig which is placed at the end of rinks with the players of both teams being asked to make donations. They usually return to Keynsham with about £400 in the

pig. In total, £1,800 was handed over to the hospice. Later in the month over 80 members gathered at Saltford Golf Club for the Annual Presentation Lunch. After having enjoyed a first class three course meal and coffee, trophies were presented to the worthy winners. At the start of the season there were entries from 46 men and 21 ladies producing a total of 355 between them.

After much competitive activity on the green there were 9 individual event winners, 8 pairs winners, 9 triples and one team of 4. There were some notable achievements in the year with one of our relatively new members, Jane Coles winning the Ladies Handicap, Ladies Pairs, Walden’s Cup and runner up in the Mixed Pairs. Another of our ladies Sally Difazio also had success in four events adding a win in the Tom Pells Cup to her Singles Championship and being a runner up in the Australian Pairs and the Walden’s Cup. Winners were presented with their trophies at the Annual Lunch.

Mike Barrow

Photo by Chelsey Cliff