Hannah & Longwell Green Voice February 2023

Landmark case sees shops fined over illegal vapes

OWNERS of a convenience store in Kingswood and a newsagents in Hanham have been ordered to pay almost £11,000 in fines and costs for selling illegal disposable e-cigarettes.

In what it hailed as the first prosecution of its kind in England, South Gloucestershire Council took action against the men after complaints that their businesses, Kingswood Food and Wine in Kingswood and MJ News in Hanham, were selling vapes with up to seven times the 2ml legal limit of nicotine e-liquid in them.

At Bristol Crown Court in January, Ariyan (SW) Limited and its sole director, Gaurav Kotia, 34, of Downend, pleaded guilty to selling illegal disposable e-cigs at the Hanham shop and being in possession for supply of a further 355 devices. Kotia and his company were fined a total of £2,750, ordered to pay council costs £2,500 and required to pay £68 in victim surcharges.

Rajendrakumar Parikh, 31, of Downend, pleaded guilty to selling disposable e-cigarettes Turn to Page 2

New threat to hospital bus link

Residents are being urged to fight a new threat to the 17 bus route, which links Keynsham and east Bristol to Southmead Hospital.

PAGE 5

Finding heat beneath our feet

Disused mines in the Hanham and Kingswood area could be used as a source of renewable energy, South Gloucestershire Council believes.

PAGE 7

Founder members of Hanham Afternoon WI, Pauline Sampson and Peggy Marshfield, cut the cake to mark the group's 40th anniversary. Report: Page 11

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Our March edition deadline is February 22. To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by then. Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date.

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Useful numbers

South Gloucestershire Council

www.southglos.gov.uk

01454 868009

Citizens Advice Bureau

0344 499 4718

Police

www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk

General enquiries: 101

Emergency: 999

Fire

www.avonfire.gov.uk

General enquiries: 0117 926 2061

Complaints

Illegal e-cigarettes

From Page 1

at the Kingswood shop and being in possession for supply of a further 291 devices. Parikh and his company were fined a total of £2,450, ordered to pay council costs £2,950 and required to pay £68 in victim surcharges.

The court heard that when trading standards officers visited the premises in June 2022 they found labelled devices containing up to seven times the 2ml legal limit of nicotine e-liquid, so the products were seized and these prosecutions progressed.

Cabinet councillor Rachel Hunt said: “Following intelligence that illegal e-cigarettes are being sold in the South Gloucestershire area, the council’s trading standards officers have been undertaking checks to ensure only legal e-cigarettes that have undergone the MHRA submission and notification process are sold to customers. During 2022, we seized over 4000 illegal disposable e-cigarette devices with a retail value of over £32,500. These have now been destroyed in an environmentally friendly way. Although vaping is considered far safer than smoking traditional tobacco products, inhaling nicotine through a device is not risk free. That is why there is legislation in place to regulate products placed on the market.”

Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) Chief Executive, John Herriman, said: “The proactive work undertaken by South Gloucestershire Council is to be commended and the subsequent landmark ruling, is a reminder to businesses that selling illegal and non-compliant products will not be tolerated.

Anyone who suspects they may have been sold, or is aware of a business selling, non-compliant disposable e-cigarettes is urged to report it on 0808 223 1133.

Emergency: 999

NHS Health Call 111

Well Aware (health and social care information)

www.wellaware.org.uk

Freephone: 0808 808 5252

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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 Hanham & Longwell Green 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.

Scooter rider hurt

POLICE are seeking witnesses to a collision on Court Road, Oldland Common, involving a grey Vauxhall Astra car and a red Honda PCX 125cc scooter.

It happened at about 7pm on December 29. The scooter rider was taken to hospital with injuries that were not considered lifethreatening.

Court Road was closed between West Street and The Croft while collision investigators examined the scene and the vehicles were recovered. mA woman was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and causing serious injury by careless driving and later released under investigation.

Investigators would also like anyone with dashcam, doorbell or any other footage which could help to come forward.

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: Hanham and Longwell Green 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. Hanham and Longwell Green Voice is distributed each month to 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 sales@hanhamandlongwellgreenvoice.co.uk This month 9,500 copies will be distributed around Hanham and Longwell Green.

Expert predicts tough election fight for Tories

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council's ruling Conservatives face a serious fight to stay in power in this year's local elections, a polling expert predicts.

Independent statistician Nigel Marriott, who is credited with making the most accurate forecast for the last General Election, says the district bucked the national trend in the last local authority elections four years ago - but may not this time.

In 2019 the Tories retained overall control in South Gloucestershire, in contrast to nearby North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset, where the party lost power to an independent-led coalition and the Liberal Democrats respectively, with the unpopular government of Theresa May blamed. Mr Marriott, of Bath, has crunched the numbers on how residents in each of the four unitary authority areas in the region have voted at local, general and EU elections since 2009.

He says there are some striking similarities between South Gloucestershire and North Somerset in particular, as well as crucial differences.

Mr Marriott says the outcome this year depends on whether South Gloucestershire is once again apparently immune from national trends, as happened in 2019, or if that result was a one-off.

He said: “South Glos and North Somerset are similar politically, with Tories dominant and having grown their vote share notably since 2009.

“The vote shares are practically identical for South Glos and North Somerset.

VOTERS in South Gloucestershire will need to show an accepted form of identification at upcoming council elections.

Recent changes to the law mean people unable to show ID such as a driving licence, passport at polling stations could be barred from voting in the elections on May 4.

People who do not have an accepted form of ID will be able to apply online or by submitting a paper form to their council for a free ID card — although details of how to do this had yet to be confirmed as the Voice went to press.

But opposition politicians have raised questions about the new rules, particularly over which forms of ID will be accepted.

“One difference is that North Somerset has been more open to independents, so the advance of independents in 2019 at Tory expense was not completely unexpected.

“South Glos has no history of independents or even minor parties, other than in EU elections.

“It is a solid three-party council and, unless something else is happening on the ground, I think you have to expect it to remain like that at the next election.”

Nationally, the Conservatives are polling at similar levels to May 2019, at around 25%.

Mr Marriott said it was hard to predict whether the Lib Dems or Labour – the second and third biggest party groups respectively – would benefit most in South Gloucestershire.

In May 2019 Labour was polling around 24% nationally, with the Brexit Party on 18%, Lib Dems on 16% and Greens on 7%. The first national YouGov poll of 2023, however, put Labour on

New ID rules

Liberal Democrat group leader Claire Young told a council meeting in December that it was "outrageous ageism" that photo travel passes for older people are set to be accepted as ID but those for younger people aren’t. She called on the council to commit to ensuring free ID was available in good time for the local elections.

The Electoral Commission says research shows people less likely to have an accepted form of ID include those over 85 and people with disabilities.

But council leaders said a recent pilot

46%, with the Lib Dems on 9%, Greens on 6% and Reform UK on 7%.

Mr Marriott said: "The Tory vote in 2019 in South Glos was very resilient.

"Given the Tories are polling the same level again today as May 2019, if they are still polling 25 per cent come May 2023 then that points to an unchanged Tory vote in the election.

“The question for South Gloucestershire, though, is whether 2019 was the anomaly that corrects itself in 2023 –ie, big losses – or 2019 is the baseline, in which case they could be unchanged.”

The perils of forecasting individual elections are clear

- Mr Marriott predicted the Conservatives would win the 2021 Metro Mayor election, which was won by Labour.

Mr Marriott’s blog can be found online at marriott-stats. com/nigels-blog/

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

scheme showed that most people have “an acceptable form of voting”.

Conservative cabinet member Ben Burton said: "The most important thing to ensure is that the democratic process is well run and the people who can vote are able to vote. I have every confidence in the democratic services team, with their experience of elections, to get the message out there in terms of what people can vote with, how they can vote, and to ensure that the electoral process goes smoothly."

The deadline to register to vote for the next local elections is April 17.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

refurbished Handicare stairlifts, either straight or curved, throughout the West Country. for straight stairlifts as well as servicing and safety checks, repairs and removals.

such as a powered

Nigel Marriott

Sprinter's success

A STUDENT from Hanham Woods Academy will be taking part in the England Athletics National Championships in Sheffield this month.

Kezia Tarzey specialises in sprint and hurdles. She recently won bronze medals in the 60 metres sprint and 60 metres hurdlesWelsh Athletics Junior Open.

Her family said: “Kezia thoroughly enjoys her athletics and is so committed to being her best. We are so very proud of Kezia and her achievements.”

Kezia said: “I would like to thank my family and my coaches for their support, without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Steve O’Callaghan, principal at Hanham Woods Academy, said: “We are exceptionally proud and honoured to have Kezia as one of our students and we are excited to be part of her journey in athletics.”

New scooter scheme

A NEW e-scooter rental scheme in Bristol and South Gloucestershire will see parking spaces move on to roads instead of pavements.

Expected to be introduced during the spring or summer, the new scheme is also likely to include electric bikes.

Swedish company Voi has run a scooter rental scheme on a trial basis since October 2020.

But a new long-term scheme is now planned and the West of England has opened the contract to other bidders, with a "significant number" expressing an interest in e-bike rental.

Bristol City Council plans to address some issues on “parking and rider behaviour” with the current Voi e-scooters by shifting parking spaces from virtual spots on pavements on to clearly marked areas on the road, as already introduced in London.

A council cabinet report said: “It’s proposed to formalise rental parking hubs, bringing them under Bristol City Council control and physically marking the parking locations. The current model of unmarked virtual parking spaces on pavements selected by the e-scooter operator resulted from the original trial being set up at short notice, and only being planned to run for 12 months.

“With government plans to legalise e-scooters and for rental schemes to operate in the longer term, a more effective parking management regime is required. It’s proposed that the majority of parking hubs are sited on roads rather than pavements."

Pavement parking will still be used where this does not obstruct pedestrians and where parking is not possible on the road.

Voi will carry on running e-scooters until a new contract starts,. The cabinet report said adding e-bikes would improve the range of options available and attract a wider range of people.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Kezia Tarzey has won medals for hurdles and sprint

Get set to march to the match

ST Peter’s Hospice has teamed up with the Bristol Bears to makes a difference to patients and families in Hanham and Longwell Green when they need it most.

The Rugby March takes place on Sunday 12 March, starting with a six-mile sponsored walk from 11.30am that leads to the match against Harlequins kicking off at 3pm.

Bristol Bears players Sam Jeffries and James Williams met Lenny, St Peter’s Hospice mascot at their training ground for a practice run. Sam =said: “St Peter’s Hospice is a really important local charity – you never know when you might need their help.”

The route of The Rugby March follows the river, heading under the Suspension Bridge before climbing steeply up Nightingale Valley and into Leigh Woods. Walkers circle Clifton and take in the view from the observatory before heading back through the grounds of Ashton Court past the Mansion House. At the finish walkers head into Ashton Gate stadium with the rest of the fans to watch the game. Entry is £30 which includes your match ticket and a T-shirt. If you’d like to take part in the sponsored walk but not receive a rugby ticket for the match, you can sign up for £20. Find out more at www.rugbymarch.co.uk

More bus services axed as subsidies cut

BUS passengers face further cuts after a vote on subsidised services left 42 of them facing the axe from April.

They include the 17 service, which links Keynsham, Kingswood and east Bristol to Cossham and Southmead Hospitals.

The cuts were signed off by the West of England combined authority on January 18, as the region’s political leaders blamed each other and the government.

Writing on Facebook, Kingswood Labour Cllr Andrea Reid said the removal of the 17 would deny access to Southmead Hospital, which she described as "reckless and reprehensible".

"Just because it is not profitable ... does not mean it is not a vital service," she said.

Councillor Reid urged residents to fight for retention of the route. Losing it would affect NHS staff and patients and widen health inequalities, she said.

The axed bus routes form 60% of the region’s 69 subsidised services. Many link rural areas to towns and cities but some run within Bristol.

During the meeting, West of England mayor Dan Norris

blamed the leaders of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and B&NES councils for not paying enough, with this year’s increase to their transport levy less than inflation, while council leaders accused WECA of wasting money.

Mr Norris said: "We have £20 a head per year for our transport levy, and that compares to the ones at the top of the combined authorities in other parts of the country, that are £60 a head."

From April, passengers in many areas will be able to use a new ‘demand responsive transport’ minibus services, called West Link, to connect areas with little or no scheduled service to main routes.

The service will run in some parts of south Bristol, as well as large parts of North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire. The Metro Mayor stressed that West Link was not a replacement for subsidised services, despite launching at the same time many subsidised routes are withdrawn. He said funding came from a government scheme which could only be spent on "new and innovative" forms of transport.

Lib Dem Cllr Winston

Hanham Common Fayre cancelled

THE popular Hanham Common Fayre, held annually in May, will not take place in 2023.

This is because part of the common is being fenced off while the old sports pavilion is demolished and a new one built and organisers say this will not leave them enough space to stage the event safely.

However, writing on Facebook, they said: "Hanham Abbots Parish Council will do our utmost to ensure the Fayre in 2024 is the best one yet. We will be back!"

Duguid, chair of the West of England scrutiny committee, warned against taking a “big bang approach” on April 2 with the new minibus services. He said WECA should lobby the government for extra powers and funding, to be able to sort out the bus network in the long term. He said: “There’s a huge

education campaign to be done if this is going to be successful in very limited time. We’re playing with people’s lives here, how they get to work, how they get to school, how they get to hospital appointments..”

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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Sam Jeffries and James Williams of Bristol Bears with mascot Lenny and fundraiser Hayley Ali

‘Grab a jab’ appeal

HEALTH leaders say it is not too late to have a flu or Covid-19 vaccination. They are calling on people in eligible groups - including over-50s, frontline health workers, pregnant mums and people with long-term health conditions, to come forward if they have not been fully vaccinated.

The call comes as a surge in illnesses has seen a shortage of cough, cold and flu remedies in pharmacies and supermarkets.

GP Dr Geeta Iyer, the clinical lead for the Mass Vaccination Programme in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, said: “Covid-19 and flu are continuing to circulate in our communities, with lots of people catching the viruses and many ending up in hospital. We’re calling for eligible people, particularly those with longterm health conditions, to come forward if they have not been fully vaccinated yet. Vaccination is the most effective protection we have. While a vaccine won’t prevent you becoming unwell from the viruses, it will reduce symptoms for the vast majority of people and help you get back to your normal self, sooner.”

People who are eligible can contact their GP or local pharmacy for information and details of how to book and locations for walk-in vaccinations are also updated regularly online at grabajab.net.

In early January concerns over shortages of cold and flu medicines led to a meeting between health minster Will Quince and Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies.

The Department of Health and Social Care said supply problems were “sporadic and localised”. A spokesperson said: “We are aware of reports of issues with the availability of some branded cold and flu medicines – these appear to be temporary and localised. Supply of over-the-counter medicines is not controlled by central government but we are engaging with suppliers to investigate and help ensure that over-the-counter cold and flu medicines remain available.”

Fewer people in work

THE percentage of South Gloucestershire residents in work has fallen in the past decade, the Census has found.

Office for National Statistics figures show 62.2% of residents aged over 16 were "economically active and in employment", including self-employed, on the day of the 2021 Census, down by 2.3% on the 2011 figure of 64.4%.

In Bristol the number of people in employment has gone up by 0.9% since 2011 but at 61.2% is lower than in South Glos.

A total of 2.5% of South Gloucestershire residents said they were economically active and unemployed, 3.6% in Bristol. In England and Wales, around 27.8 million over-16s were in employment (57.2% of the population), 1.7m were unemployed (3.4%) and 19.1m were economically inactive (39.4%), including people who were not looking for work or could not work because they were retired, students, looking after a home or family and long-term sick or disabled.

Other facts about South Gloucestershire and Bristol from the Census published by the Office for National Statistics include:

• 36.6% of South Glos residents own their homes outright, while 36.8% have a mortgage, other loan or shared ownership, 10.8% rent socially and 15.8% rent privately - in Bristol 25.2% own outright, 29.7% have a mortgage, 18.7% rent socially and 26.4% rent privately.

• One in eight South Gloucestershire households (12.3%) have no car or van, while 40.1% have one vehicle, 34.1% have two and 13.4% have three or more. In Bristol more than a quarter of households (26.1%) have no car; 45.8% have one, 21.6% have two and 6.4% have three or more.

For more Census information visit www.ons.gov.uk/census.

New energy source in old mines

DISUSED mines in the area could start providing energy again - without removing a single lump of coal.

South Gloucestershire Council is investigating the potential use of former mine workings in the district as a source of renewable heating and cooling for buildings.

And old workings around Hanham are among those identified as "areas of interest" by the government's Coal Authority.

Old mines are flooded with water, which is naturally heated by underground geological activity.

The council believes the heat could be tapped, to supply either "single buildings such as schools, hospitals and offices, or a heat network serving multiple buildings or a district".

The process would involve using pumps to raise the temperature to the level required for heating and hot water.

The Coal Authority has made an initial study of records of local disused and abandoned coal mines, which "identified a number of areas of interest".

The first two it will investigate are between Easton, Speedwell and Fishponds in Bristol, and between Hanham and Oldland Common in South Gloucestershire.

The third and fourth include Kingswood and Soundwell, up to the fringes of Staple Hill, and an area around Lyde Green and Emersons Green, which covers the Parkfield and Brandy Bottom collieries that were in use up until the 1930s.

South Gloucestershire Council is now looking for funding to undertake a further study of the areas believed to have the greatest potential, to "better understand the size of the energy resource and investigate how it could be best utilised".

The council believes up to 26,000 homes

and businesses are near to former mine workings: it says there are 42 coal seams and more than 1,000 mine entrances in the area between Mangotsfield, Westerleigh and Kingswood alone.

Council climate emergency manager Barry Wyatt said: "We know there are extensive mine workings across South Gloucestershire – what we need to understand now is just how big the energy resource is and how we could make best use of it."

Council leader Toby Savage said: "One hundred years after South Gloucestershire’s mines closed, they may yet be part of the solution to the climate and our move towards becoming carbon neutral.”

The Coal Authority has used written records such as maps of mine workings, geological and water data to assess which mines are likely to have flooded since closure.

As yet, there has not been any physical investigation of any of the mines.

A council spokesperson said more work now needs to take place to understand how much heat is available and whether future demand would make it economically viable, including looking at experiences elsewhere in the UK and Europe.

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Brandy Bottom Colliery, near Lyde Green, seen from the air. Picture: Arran Bee

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

We all know that nurses and carers worked valiantly to support our communities through the Covid pandemic, but are now facing huge financial challenges from the cost of living crisis. This has led to the first nurses’ strike in living memory in response to a low NHS pay offer. Many NHS nurses have recently come forward talking about how they can’t save money, pay into their pensions, and even have to use food banks.

Bristol Care Homes conducted a staff survey which showed the main worries of the team to be pay and the cost of living. The company has therefore decided to bring its annual pay award due in April 2023 forward to 1 January, awarding a 14% increase in base rates of pay across all care staff roles.

‘We have brought forward our inflationary rise from April to December and made it significant enough that we will remain ahead of the national minimum wage by April 2023, with the vast majority of our team members paid at or above the real living wage’, says Richard Crocker, CEO of Bristol Care Homes.

Bristol Care Homes is

Bristol Care Homes brings forward pay award to support staff with cost of living crisis

well paid career, and will avoid staff shortages or excessive use of agency staff.

Other staff benefits included in the pay scheme are

- Up to £250 welcome bonus

- Up to £250 refer a friend bonus

- 10% enhancement salary rate on hours worked on weekends

- Time and a half at Bank Holidays

- Profit share bonus scheme

- Excellent induction programme

- Excellent training and development opportunities

- Career progression and development opportunities

- A wide range of holiday, retail and leisure discounts

- Employee assistance programme

- Cycle to work scheme

- Free meal when working +8 hours shifts.

committed to providing excellent lifetime care to residents. Two of its homes have CQC ‘Outstanding’ rating, whilst its resident fees

remain extremely competitive and good value. This staff pay award therefore ensures that working with the company is an attractive

A WARM WELCOME AWAITS AT QUARRY HOUSE NURSING HOME

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

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• Strict Infection Control measures approved by Public Health England are fully implemented

• Care staff wear PPE at all times and we have ensured a high volume of supply

• Skilled nurses are on site 24/7 and respiratory equipment is at hand

• Safe face-to-face visits where possible

Bristol Care Homes welcomes applicants to join its nursing and carer teams.

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SCHOOLCHILDREN in the Kingswood area are being encouraged by Metro Mayor Dan Norris to discover the birds in their playgrounds as part of the UK’s biggest school birdwatching event.

Classrooms will be turned into bird hides, binoculars fixed to eyes and school kids urged to stare out of the window in a bid to chart the West of England’s wildlife.

This is all part of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds’ annual Big Schools’ Birdwatch running until Monday 20 February - which helps the charity build a picture of birds visiting school grounds and monitor any changes in the population.

Last year, participants discovered that the woodpigeon claimed the number one spot in the Big School Birdwatch rankings as the most commonly seen bird with an average of

seven per school spotted. The blackbird took second place with the carrion crow completing the top three.

One school getting involved is Warmley Park special school on Tower Road. Sixthformers joined Mr Norris to take part.

The Metro Mayor said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for our youngsters to celebrate the

species that regularly flock to their school grounds and so get excited about nature, and the world around them. And most importantly, it encourages them to think about the issues involved in protecting our precious planet, and giving nature a home”.

Teachers, helpers or children don’t need to be experts to take part in the survey. All you have to

do is spend one hour at any time noting the bird species seen in your school grounds at any one time. Then submit your results online.

Rachael Albon, RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch co-ordinator added “Big Schools’ Birdwatch offers children the chance to contribute to a UK-wide citizen science project in their school grounds. This year we have made the Birdwatch even better by including historical results data so classes can compare their sightings with national data from previous years. It’s a great opportunity to provide a valuable learning experience and, together, be part of something bigger!”.

Everything a teacher would need to plan a fantastic Birdwatch is available to download, including guidance notes, recipes, things to make and counting charts. To sign up, visit rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch

n NEWS FROM OUR MP Chris Skidmore writes for Hanham & Longwell Green Voice

I WANTED to take the opportunity to write a message to Voice readers following my announcement that I will stand down at the next election.

The Kingswood constituency that I have represented since 2010 is being abolished in the latest boundary changes. So whenever the next general election is, the existing Kingswood constituency will be divided into several new seats. Hanham and Longwell Green will now be situated in a new Hanham and North East Somerset constituency, but both local areas will still remain in South Gloucestershire; they will just be in this different parliamentary constituency at the next General Election in 2024.

For myself, who was born and grew up in Longwell Green and Bitton, I have decided that with my seat being abolished, this is a moment to think about a new direction for my future.

There has been no greater honour in my life than to have represented my home area in Parliament and to have served the communities of Hanham and

Longwell Green. I have come across so many different and inspiring community groups, businesses, charities and residents who all help to make our area one of the best possible places in which to live and work.

Working together we have achieved so much over the years – and some local campaigns really standout for me. I am proud to have led campaigns for new schools, including Digitech, which opened its doors in 2015. I have and will continue to campaign for more school funding. We have made significant progress in recent years towards this, including meeting with and lobbying government ministers.

Following the death of Ross & Clare Simons at the hands of a disqualified driver in Hanham in January 2013, I worked alongside Ross & Clare’s family in order to strengthen the law on dangerous driving. I was honoured that our work was recognised by the national road safety charity Brake in 2014, with the law finally changed to ensure that dangerous drivers who kill can

face life imprisonment.

I have led campaigns to protect our local Green Belt countryside from inappropriate development, successfully protecting the Hanham Green belt from repeated attempts to build over our countryside and was delighted last year to have helped secure over £1million funding to launch the Commons Connections project, a network of protected and nature-rich green spaces stretching northwards from Willsbridge Mill.

The volunteer group behind Willsbridge Mill is just one of many community organisations I have had the pleasure of working with over the years.

Last autumn I called into the old sports hall at the former Grange School site, which is being transformed into a permanent new home for Majestic Gymnastics. Since they were given notice to leave their current premises, I’ve been working to secure their future locally.

I look forward to serving you for the remainder of this Parliamentary term.

Longwell Green Community Centre, Shellards Road

Longwell Green BS30 9DU

Monday: 6.00pm & 7.30pm

Tuesday: 9.30am

Tel: Karen 07889408969

North Common Village Hall, 16 Millers Dr, North Common BS30 8XX

Tuesday: 6pm & 7.30pm

Tel: Emma 07773689229

Friday: 9.00am

Tel: Kate 07979494964

Hanham Baptist Church, 157A High Street, Hanham BS15 3QY

Saturday: 9.00am

Tel: Erica 07766425725

HANHAM AFTERNOON WI

WITH our Christmas meal at the Batch in Somerset and our December meeting now just happy memories it was time to move on to our 2023 programme. .

Our New Year has begun with the very special occasion and celebration of our 40th Anniversary since Hanham Afternoon WI was formed. The afternoon began with a lovely and very talented singer, who entertained us with songs from the era of our ladies group. Needless to say we all seemed to know the songs and joined in much to the singers delight. As the time passed we were encouraged to participate with hand jiving and waving. This ultimately led us into getting up and dancing. Quite a sight to see many of our members doing the twist and singing at the tops of their voices. What a lovely happy group of ladies. Hopefully, no injuries were sustained during these exertions. Not normally how our meetings are conducted. But it was a very special day.

When we had recovered, two of our members who had joined this WI as members at the very

n STYLE ADVICE

first meeting in 1983, cut the huge birthday cake. We enjoyed that with a hot drink and were able to look at old scrap books, full of memories of things the ladies had done over the years. My goodness they had travelled, visiting numerous places and appeared to have been regular attendees at the theatre.. There were dozens of group photographs, just to prove who and where they had been. It was surprising how many faces we recognised in these photographs, and lovely to know that they were still enjoying the friendship of one another after many years,

A quote I spotted, in one of the scrap books, written by one of our existing members in 2011 - “At the end of the day, when all is said and done, Our WI is second to none!” This is as true today as it was then. It must be or these ladies would not keep returning.

Our next meeting will be held at the Hanham Community Centre on 13th February at 1.30pm. (second Monday in the month). The topic for this meeting is Family History. New members are always welcome and if you are interested, please get in touch by

Jump-start

IF your wardrobe is leaving you less than inspired right now, I’ve got some ideas to give it a reboot. It will provide a foundation for a wardrobe worth having and inject a new, creative approach to getting the more out of what you have.

Hopefully, by the time you read this column, the skies won’t be black with rain all day long.

It’s proving to be a long, dark winter. But everything changes, so let’s get prepared and rebooted for the better times ahead.

Visualise how you want to look

Perhaps you’ve lost your way with your appearance, or your lifestyle has changed, and your wardrobe needs to move with the times.

By creating a mood board –with words and images – you’ll start to home in on the looks you’re trying to achieve.

Go online, use Pinterest and Canva apps to pull together pics and words or quotes that can be

your

We had a surprise visit from Tony Rance who came to thank Longwell Green WI members for the generosity of their many gifts brought in for the Christmas Tree appeal. The gifts were distributed to women's refuges. Tony brought in a delicious cake to be shared between members which was enjoyed by all.

In February we are looking forward to a talk from the Bristol and Weston Hospitals Charity.

email: baulchann63@gmail.com or telephone 0117 932 5027.

Ann Baulch

LONGWELL GREEN WI

IT was a very cold and frosty evening for our January WI meeting, a good time to be in the warm to catch up with friends. We enjoyed a quiz, some of the questions were definitely more difficult than others but questions are only easy if you know the answers! This was followed by social time.

wardrobe

keep on track.

Detox and demystify Carve out time to get rid of stuff you’re no longer wearing and make some space. If you can create easy access to your clothes, you’ll be more efficient in getting dressed.

Look inside your wardrobe and drawers: have some items seen better days? Are there items you've not worn in years? That don’t fit? That have discoloured or stained? If so, recycle or re-sell. I’m currently trying out Vinted (search for me by name) to re-sell clothes I haven’t been wearing.

So far, so good. I can also see more clearly what I have and want to wear.

Prepare to win

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

pinned to a board or posted to Canva templates that you can download.

I’ve got my 2023 looks on my mobile, so I can take a quick quiz before I make any purchases and

Find half an hour at the weekend to plan outfits for the week ahead.

This is a good discipline to instil, because it gives you time to think more creatively and wear

Gail

pieces you may have forgotten. Get yourself a clothes rail, or if you haven’t got space, lay outfits out on a bed or floor and take a pic on your mobile. You can refer to it as the week progresses.

Wearing the same outfits all the time breeds boredom and low self-esteem, so let’s avoid that and really dig through everything you own to create new, exciting outfits that you can’t wait to wear.

Painter's fashion tips

A clothes rail can help plan your outfits for the week.

Picture: Kayleigh Gresty Photography.

We've got wheels! Gift of independence is priceless

A CHARITY cafe in Speedwell has given the gift of independence to two children with disabilities.

The volunteer-run Barton Hill Rugby Club Charity Cafe handed over new electric wheelchairs to the youngsters, after raising thousands of pounds to buy them.

It brought the total number of families the cafe's volunteers and customers have supported during 2022 to seven.

On December 5 they presented 13-yearold Lucas Merryweather, from Westonsuper-Mare, with his new wheels.

His mum Sharon said: "We are totally overwhelmed with the generosity of everyone, even people that don’t even know us. The independence that this is going to give Lucas and our family is priceless."

Cafe volunteer Mandy Bryant said: "Lucas was over the moon and loved every minute of being the centre of attention."

On December 14 the last cafe of the year included another presentation, to seven-yearold Izzy Probert, from Hengrove,. Mum Elly said: "Thank you so much to Barton Hill RFC Charity Cafe and Taylor Made Wheelchairs for giving Izzy her new wheels and her independence - she is one happy little lady."

As well as supporting families, the cafe

also raises money for mental health charity Mind. Mandy thanked all of the cafe's volunteers and supporters, including Fare Share South West, Fare Share Go, Tesco and the Co-op, Greggs Kingswood, Morrisons in Fishponds and BAM Construction.

The cafe, which is staffed and managed entirely by volunteers, provides a friendly place for people to meet, with cheap food and drink and bargain donated goods, every Monday and Wednesday from noon until 3pm.

Ready for an adventure?

A SCOUT group is looking for new leaders to help its members on new adventures.

Camping, rifle shooting, axe throwing, ice skating, paddle boarding, archery, woodwork, hikes and code breaking are just a few of the activities that members of the 78th Kingswood Scout Group have undertaken in the last year.

Tim Warren, from the group, said: "We want to hear from you, if you like the idea of volunteering to be part of our amazing scouting team and to partake in our exciting experiences. We are a very active scout group, with over 50 beavers, cubs and scouts.

"We would love to provide fun and excitement to even more young people who are on our waiting list, but we need extra energetic and creative adult helpers to make it happen. If you enjoy interacting with young people, working in a team and having fun, then you might just be the right person. Don’t worry about experience, training or not having been in scouts before as we provide all the training you need.

"No matter how little time you can commit, it would be great to hear from you."

The 78th Kingswood group is one of the oldest in the area, having been founded in 1959.

The group's beavers, cubs and scouts meet at Downend Methodist Church on Badminton Road every Wednesday evening.

Tim said: "Every year we organise a camping weekend for the entire group, which is a great chance for all the young people and leaders to have fun together, and the beavers, cubs and scouts have their own camp weekends as well.

"We are also very active in the local community, attending the Page Park Remembrance Parade, and helping the Downend Round Table with their fireworks display and Santa Sleigh."

For more information on the group visit its website at www.78thkingswood.org.uk, which includes links to pages with many of its previous activities, or email 78thkingswood@gmail.com.

A team exercise on a climbing tower

I NEED help. I really do. I caught myself winking at strange men in a north Bristol supermarket on New Year’s Day. Winking and smiling at strangers as I eased a trolley from its shiny manacle. I was wearing lipstick and a dress at the time, which is very, very unusual for me; having spent the last 40 years scowling militantly in trousers and leggings.

I only winked at men who appeared to be alone and appeared to be between 60-80 years old. I do have standards and would only wish to be age-appropriate. No one actually winked back but I did get some small smiles, perhaps they were feeling sorry for this afflicted person.

So let’s spool back a day or two. New Year’s Eve is, without doubt, the worst day of any year, the day of looking back in anguish. Especially this New Year’s Eve, which featured horizontal rain and fifty shades of gravy for the whole of Bristol. While taking an extremely gloomy, solitary walk around the Clifton Observatory, my umbrella collapsed down over my head and face like a dying octopus making a last grab for life; its sticky-wet, yellow tentacles plastering hair down and smearing the lipstick.

Pulling the last suckers off my head led to the following cheerful thoughts: I’m 70 next year. What is the point of me? Why am I such a failure? What am I doing with my life? I’ll be

dead soon. What is the meaning of meaning? Went to bed at 9.30pm with a bah humbug and growled at the midnight fireworks. The next day, woke up to a blue-skied New Year’s Day with the following thoughts: Hey, perhaps I do have another book in me!? This is the year to pump out that fantastic screenplay wot I wrote! I’m going to wink and smile at people to cheer them up! I’m full of energy for revolutionary change! Hooray, I have ‘re-found my juicy’.

The thing about goblin mode, which was picked as Oxford Dictionaries’ word of the year

as representing the ‘post’ pandemic zeitgeist, is that it is: “unapologetically and wildly self-indulgent”. For some, goblin mode is the antithesis of social media’s curated perfection: it’s crackers and melted cheese scraped off the kitchen floor and eaten at 3am. It’s 24/7 joggers you pick the stains off with your fingers. It’s slobbing out and giving up.

Not for this superannuated goblin! Mine is creeping around the neighbourhood at night, picking up found treasures from the pavement while making strange, chuckling goblin noises, demonstrating magic tricks in the street, trying to be helpful, and doing all with an air of mischief. Smiling and winking is community-spirited goblin mode. It’s trying to bring back the fun and hope to the dreggiest time of year.

Just to be serious for a moment, we know that the world’s issues are weighing heavily on us all, and I do believe that goblin mode can be, and has become, a 21st century version of collective sticking our heads in sand, along the lines of : “I can’t do anything so I’ll just give up and drink beer.”

I hope my motivations are different. I may be in goblin mode but I’m completely harmless and want to help people get active and engaged. So if you catch me smiling and winking over the cabbages while I'm out and about in Bristol please do wink back|!

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 Retired and semi-retired Professional and Businessmen: Meet 2nd and 4th Wednesdays 0-12 at Longwell Green Community Centre. Please contact our Membership Secretary, Mick Funnell: 0117 932 4104 or email bcprobusclub@gmail.com to arrange a visit. Website: https://barrscourtprobus.org/

n BARRS COURT LADIES CLUB: Wives and partners of the Probus club members meet 10-12 on the second Wednesday of each month at the United Church, Bath Road, Longwell Green. Website: https:// barrscourtprobus.org/

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 RWP BADMINTON CLUB play at Hanham woods Academy 6.30-7.30 social club, 7.30-9.30 league club. Visitors welcome, please look at the website for more details

THURSDAY

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

n HANHAM ART CLUB We are friendly group that meets on a Thursday evening at Hanham Community Centre 7pm-9pm. New members

n LETTERS

welcome from beginners to the more experienced. For more information contact Hilary on 07880548481 or email tweenuk2003@yahoo.com

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 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 !

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

Barrs Court Probus Club

Barrs Court Probus Club

Retired or semi-retired?

WHAT links ex-Mangotsfield United player and manager Harold Jarman with the worldrenowned Pele, who has sadly just passed away?

They both played for New York Cosmos, albeit in different seasons.

Harold Jarman played in the 1974 season and Pele joined the following season.

Harold was also a much-loved Bristol Rovers player, before joining Mangotsfield at the end of his playing days.

Harold played 18 games for

Retired or semi-retired?

We are a social club for retired or semi-retired men with a professional & business background (with an associated Ladies’ Club).

We are a social club for retired or semi-retired men with a professional & business background (with an associated Ladies’ Club). We currently meet twice a month with guest speakers at Longwell Green Community Centre.

Retired or semi-retired?

We are a social club for retired or semi-retired men with a professional & business background (with an associated Ladies’ Club).

We have regular lunches, day Trips, holidays (UK and abroad). Please come and meet us at our next meeting Wednesday 11 January 10:00am on a no obligation basis - See how you like us! Just email us at bcprobusclub@gmail.com or visit www.barrscourtprobus.org

Pele's near-miss with Rovers legend

Cosmos during the 1974 season; in 1975 the great Pele joined the Cosmos to replace him.

We currently meet twice a month with guest speakers at Longwell Green Community Centre. We have regular lunches, day Trips, holidays (UK and abroad). Please come and meet us at our next meeting Wed dd mmm 10:00 obligation basis - See how you like us!

We currently meet twice a month with guest speakers at Longwell Green Community Centre. We have regular lunches, day Trips, holidays (UK and abroad).

I am not sure if it is true, probably not, but could one of the biggest disappointments in Pele's playing career be that Harold Jarman had left the Cosmos before he arrived, and they were never able to play in the same team?

Just email us at bcprobusclub@gmail.com or visit http://barrscourtprobus.org

Please come and meet us at our next meeting Wed dd mmm 10:00 on a no obligation basis - See how you like us!

Email

Just email us at bcprobusclub@gmail.com or visit http://barrscourtprobus.org

Mangotsfield Gashead

Harold Jarman

A jobs fair is being held to showcase full and part-time opportunities on offer at a new stroke rehabilitation unit at South Bristol Community Hospital opening soon.

Across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, health, care and voluntary sector partners are working together to improve services for people affected by stroke.

This includes work to improve the prevention of stroke, as well as to provide the best possible stroke emergency care, rehabilitation and care at home once individuals are discharged from hospital.

Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the UK, and one of the largest causes of disability. Working with other healthcare partners, the aim is to ensure local people have the best opportunity to survive and thrive after stroke.

As part of this work, Sirona care & health is recruiting to a number of new positions for a dedicated rehabilitation unit, otherwise known as a Sub-Acute Stroke Rehab Unit (SSARU).

The unit will meet the needs of people who are unable to return home immediately after a hospital

New year, new NHS career?

stay as they need specialist rehabilitation following their stroke.

The team is made up of a variety of clinical and support professionals, including registered nurses, therapists and support workers, who all work together

to deliver the best rehabilitation experience possible for people. There will be on-the-day interviews available, too.

Join us – it’s free:

Thursday 2 February 09:30 – 16:30

South Bristol Community

Hospital, Hengrove Promenade, Hengrove, Whitchurch Lane, Bristol BS14 0DE Register via our website – https:// www.sirona-cic.org.uk/

If you can’t make the jobs fair –Sirona can be contacted by email via sirona.recruitment@nhs.net.

n PHARMACY BLOG

Resolutions flagging? Don't give up - just find a way that works for you

"NEW Year, New Me!" Was this again the resolution as you dusted those running shoes, downloaded a new diet plan (more greens), wheeled the bike out and powered up the treadmill?

If by now, though, you feel it's not going as well as you imagined, please don't despair, and certainly don't give up! Research has shown that we place too much emphasis on willpower as a driver for positive changes regarding our physical wellbeing and diet. Let's share some tips on how to succeed.

The most significant factor is, in fact, enjoyment. We are all unconsciously fed images about ideals in body image and good living, even before we consider

all the health messaging. Most of us are rational; we want to do the right things, look and feel better. The wrong ideas about willpower drive us to work to unrealistic timescales/goals for adopting new behavioural patterns and habits. Take diet changes; every time we exercise self-control, we build willpower. Saying no to feasting on threats, especially when no one is watching, makes it easier for you next time.

Celebrate all your wins, no matter how small. Research shows that immediate rewards from new habits help us stick to them. It is a big step in the right direction for you. Focus on developing good habits rather than just meeting set goals. Count steps and keep increasing them. Drink more water and

Club's ready for take-off

A CLUB for model aircraft enthusiasts is hoping to spread its wings.

Landit Radio Control, which promotes modelling, maintenance and flying of radio controlled aircraft, was founded by Mark Holmes and Ricky West in 2014.

They wanted to bring together people with a shared interest to pool their knowledge and enjoy indoor flying.

Now the club, which meets fortnightly, has members aged between 10 and 80. It has evolved over time and includes people who are mastering the latest technology such as drones, which can range from the size of a cup coaster to machines capable of lifting over a kilo in weight.

Club secretary Ricky has written guides to help others understand the equipment they are using and get the best results.

He said: “Flying models is great fun, it’s just one part of what the hobby is about. The maintenance and model programming is another and we have some talented members who are always on hand to help other members. It’s a brilliant atmosphere.”

Landit is not only for those with plenty of experience. Beginners are welcome and free tuition is always available. Balanced teams are arranged for competitive events so that novices can improve their radio control skills. The club even has a computer flight simulator. It also arranges joint sessions with enthusiasts of radio controlled cars.

Landit is open to anyone aged 10 or above, or eight if accompanied by a parent. Anyone who wants to see what the club is all about is invited to attend up to three meetings free before the start of April, on February 3 or 17, March 3, 17 or 31. Meetings are held on a Friday, fortnightly, from 7pm to 9pm at 37th Kingswood Scouts HQ, Deerhurst, Kingswood.

aim to eat at least five portions of fruits. Don't just be focused on counting calories and the Bathroom scale dial.

Keep things fun and achievable. Self-criticism is linked to less motivation and poorer self-control. Be supportive of yourself and others. Learn from books and examples but remember that you are a unique individual. Find your preference, whether it's doing activities in the morning, being part of a group, or using gadgets to support you. Your choice, your way.

The positive link between physical and mental wellbeing is better understood. We also know that for many of us, the challenges we face with mental health may mean we struggle more with adopting positive

changes. Please, rather than feeling you are letting yourself and others down, all that is important is getting the right help you need.

Remember that your Ellacombe Pharmacy team offer access to confidential NHS advice with patience and kindness. We are here for you, just as we know; you are for us too.

n MESSAGE FROM SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL

Helping you keep warm and save energy

WITH the high energy prices we’ve experienced recently, keeping our homes warm has been more of a challenge than ever this winter.

The council is taking action to help people in South Gloucestershire stay warm over the winter months, with several offers of support.

In November, we launched a thermal imaging camera loan scheme with our partner Warm and Well, where cameras can be borrowed from South Gloucestershire libraries to help identify heat loss around the home.

This initiative has been a great success, and has surpassed our expectations, with all of the cameras now booked out for this winter.

The cameras use colour images to display areas where heat

is escaping from areas such as poorly insulated roofs, and gaps around doors and windows. This enables the user to take steps to improve measures in these areas to help keep heat in.

We are offering warm packs to those who need help to keep warm, which include clothing such as hats, socks and gloves, as well as other items for the home, including a blanket, an LED light bulb and tea bags. We are also giving out radiator panels, which are fitted behind radiators and help heat circulation and reduce costs.

The warm packs and radiator panels have been paid for through central government’s Household Support Fund. Certain eligibility criteria applies for both of these offers: visit your local One Stop Shop or library to find

out more.

We are additionally supporting a network of community welcome spaces across the area that are free to use, providing a warm place to go, with some also offering hot drinks and activities. For more information on available support, and to find a community welcome space, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/CostofLiving.

All libraries in South Gloucestershire also provide a warm and friendly place to stay during opening times.

For help with other household costs there are a number of funds and grants available, including the household support fund.

Details can be found on our financial support for residents page beta.southglos.gov.uk/ financial-support-for-residents.

Our partners Warm and

Well, run by local energy charity Severn Wye, also offer a range of home energy advice through their freephone advice line, 0800 500 3076, and can help people access a range of grant funding for energy efficiency improvements. For more information visit warmandwell.co.uk.

HOUSEKEEPER WANTED

We are looking for someone to prepare our Hanham house for Airbnb guests.

We now spend most of our time in our French house and our Hanham home is let out on Airbnb. Some folk stay for a long weekend and some stay for a month and so hours are flexible and earnings will vary each month. We will pay a good hourly rate and the work can be done whenever it suits you in between bookings. There is a minimum of four days between one guest leaving and the next arriving. Laundry and bed making are the most time-consuming parts of the job with cleaning and tidying coming second. Most guests do their washing up, put everything away and leave the kitchen clean and tidy. On average there are two sets of guests each month, sometimes three and occasionally no-one. We pay an hourly rate (currently £12.50) plus laundry costs (it is up to you whether you do the laundry yourself or take it to a launderette). The house has five beds so there is sometimes a lot of laundry! We can’t say how many changeovers there will be in 2023 but during 2022 our current housekeeper did sixteen and the average time spent on each one was four hours, not including laundry. We are looking for someone reliable who will take pride in preparing the house for guests from around the world and who is able to cope with the irregular pattern of work.

Please WhatsApp Mandy on 0033 616 103 891 or email rhubarbhomes@gmail.com if you are interested.

With Toby Savage, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council

Helping children live life after burns

A CHARITY which supports children and their families after burn injuries is looking for people to help its work.

Frenchay After Burns children's club (FAB) is entirely run by volunteers, receiving no government support for its work to help young burn survivors make friends, build confidence and self-esteem through free activities, from days out, parties and pantomimes to international residential camps.

Any child aged under 18 with a burn injury can join and the charity aims to support them "from injury through to adulthood".

Lizzie Evans is one of the founders of FAB, and her own personal experience inspired her.

She said: "I had a burn injury myself when I was eight, and when it happened there weren't support groups.

"I was in a school with a thousand pupils and I was the only one who had had a burn injury.

"I had support from my mum and dad, which helped me through.

"These days, with the pressures of social media, living with disfigurement can be very challenging."

Lizzie was visiting family when she suffered her injury; her dress caught fire as she dried it in front of an open fire, after playing out in the snow.

Her older sister put the flames out but she suffered burns to her legs and was treated for ten days in Birmingham Children's Hospital, before going home and undergoing operations and skin grafts at Frenchay Hospital's burns unit.

Lizzie would go on to become a nurse and work on the same ward were she was treated at Frenchay, and it was while there in 2000 that she met Julie Scott, one of the charity's other founders and current chair.

The group started small, with Lizzie and her fellow volunteers taking three girls away to a national camp for children with burn injuries.

Over the years support has expanded to include events to support the whole family of the child who has had the injury.

But Lizzie, who lives in Almondsbury, says the residential camps remain a vital part of the charity's work, and in recent years the group has taken children to camps in Canada, South Africa and Lapland.

She said: "It's a brilliant opportunity for children to meet up with others who have had the same experiences as them.

"A lot is about the child being accepted. Their injury isn't the focus, what they might look like and any disabilities from scarring - it's about peer support and having fun.

"The residential camps offer activities like rope climbing, archery and windsurfing that

families wouldn't be able to provide.

"It's very rewarding - you see people that, before they come to a camp, are not confident enough to express their feelings. By the end of the camp that's disregarded. It's a fantastic opportunity."

Although Frenchay Hospital has long since closed, Lizzie now works as a burns outreach nurse at Bristol Children's Hospital, looking after children across the region following injuries.

She uses her own experience in a positive way and tells the children she helps about it.

Lizzie said: "It can happen to anyone.

"It's made me who I am, helped me develop my role and given me the ability to empathise."

FAB relies entirely on fundraising to meet its costs of about £25,000 a year, and as well as volunteers to help on camps it is looking for people to help raise money, from shaking a bucket at a garden centre or a Rovers or City match.

It also needs administrators, event organisers and support with its online and social media presence.

Anyone who would like to find out more about volunteering for FAB and the charity's work is welcome to attend its annual meeting at Christ Church Hall in North Street, Downend, on February 7 at 7.30pm.

More information can be found at the charity's Facebook page, website www.fabclub.org. uk, by emailing mail@fabclub. org.uk or by calling 07821 989845.

FAB founder member Lizzie Evans and fellow volunteers

A news update from Hanham Parish Council

Hanham Parish Council work constantly on behalf of its residents to improve the environment for them to enjoy.

Provision of Grants

Grants are provided to local institutions to help enhance the wellbeing of the local community. Any group is welcome to apply to the Parish Council for consideration. Please contact the parish Clerk if you wish to be considered.

Keeping streets and pathway clean and tidy.

Hanham Parish Council provides a dedicated litter picker and also strives to keep foot and cycle paths clear of weeds etc. We also ensure that arrangements are made where possible to remove graffiti from Council property

Commenting on Planning Applications

The Planning sub-committee of the Parish Council comment on, and hold meetings where members of the public are welcome to attend, so that representation is made to the relevant planning authority.

Some of these activities are detailed on this page:-

Provided by the Parish Council to commemorate the reign of Queen Elizabeth 11 (Hanham Library)

Grants were made to:-

Friends of Magpie Bottom Picture far left

Friends of Samuel Whites Infant School

‘

We can't thank you enough as it's being used lots and is very easy to maintain! Sara Borrott’

Interested in becoming a councillor?

Local elections are due in your area in May this year. Here is some information should you be interested.

Hanham Parish Council hold Meetings 1st Wednesday each month at Hanham Community Centre, Why not pop in and see how things are done!

The Memorial Tree

The Courtyard. Samuel Whites Infant School Information board. Magpie Bottom

Gaming on a budget

AS we usher in the second month of the new year, it’s fair to say that living hasn’t gotten any easier.

High bills and even higher prices mean that affording the things you want becomes more of a challenge.

If gaming is one of the pleasures you don’t want to give up, fear not - there are still ways to find reasonably-priced games which won’t break the bank and still offer endless fun.

The first game on the list is one which has been around for a very long time, but somehow never gets old: Minecraft.

While simple in essence, the open world sandbox allows for infinite possibilities in how you can play, whether that’s solo, with friends or family.

You can pick up Minecraft on PlayStation 4 for £24.99 from Argos, which seems a steal given how much content and fun there is.

If you’re willing to do a little digging on eBay, then you can even pick it up for as little as £8.

Who knows, you may even find a copy in your local charity shop, which is somewhere to check for

By South Gloucestershire gamer Conor McGeachie

hidden gems among the DVDs and books. Another way to save a little cash is to purchase digital codes for games from code websites, which often have the games on sale for huge discounts. One of the best websites to check out is CDkeys. com, as it hosts a huge library of games for every latest console and PC.

While you won’t have a physical copy of the game, a digital version can be played in the exact same way, without having cases cluttering up your house.

Once you find a game to purchase, you’ll be sent a code to redeem on your console - and boom, it downloads, ready to play!

With new deals every day, this is by far the easiest way to get the games you want without spending too much.

346 arrests

POLICE arrested 346 drivers across the Avon & Somerset force area during this year’s seasonal crackdown.

A spokesperson said 216 of those arrested during Operation Tonic, which ran from November 21 to December 31, were suspected of drink-driving, while 130 were suspected of being under the influence of drugs.

Some 278 of the arrests came during December - up from 246 the previous year.

Police said 22% of arrests took place in South Gloucestershire and 24% in Bristol, with the rest in North Somerset, B&NES and Somerset.

More than 2,000 vehicles were stopped in total, with other arrests being made for speeding, driving with no insurance, with no seatbelt or while disqualified, as well as possession of drugs and being wanted on warrant. Vehicles were also stopped due to the condition of tyres, lights and other problems.

KINGSWOOD

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The museum is run entirely by volunteers and has vacancies for several roles: Administrator, Assistant Administrator, Cafe Manager and Cafe staff.

By supporting your local museum as a volunteer you can meet new people, make new friends and learn more about the rich history of our area.

If you would like to join our friendly team please:

or

on 01179605664

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Don’t fall for romance fraud this Valentine’s Day

I WANT to start by thanking those who completed my precept survey last month. As ever, it was important that I heard from as many people as possible.

I understand how stretched finances are for many of us, so I need to carefully consider what the public has to say on any tax increases before I propose a finalised budget.

It is important to remind you it is also a difficult time for funding your police force; policing is not immune to the cost-of-living crisis, so the budget is being set against a challenging economic environment.

I will continue to update you regarding my precept decision in the coming weeks.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I urge online

daters to stay alert to potential scammers and to not fall victim to romance fraud. Romance fraud is much more common than many of us realise, with fraudsters taking advantage of those trying to find a connection or relationship.

Romance fraud involves fraudsters masquerading as romantic partners and, after laying the groundwork for a ‘relationship’ with a victim, the scammer will ask for ‘favours’, like sending them money, providing personal and financial information, or purchasing items for them.

It isn’t hearts these fraudsters want to steal: it’s bank account balances.

This is an awful, heartbreaking crime; victims invest

time into someone and think they have a genuine personal connection. I know many victims feel ashamed when they realise romance fraudsters have scammed them.

Please know support is available from the police and the Action Fraud website.

If you think a family member or friend is a victim of this terrible crime, please make them aware of the signs and encourage them to report it to Action Fraud.

I would also like to bring to your attention our next Performance and Accountability Board (PAB), which will take place on Tuesday, February 7.

I was elected to be the voice of local people in policing. I will be questioning Chief Constable Sarah Crew to ensure she delivers

With Police and Crime Commissioner Mark

Shelford

an efficient, effective, and legitimate police service for our communities.

I will ask questions about police performance and priorities in Avon and Somerset.

If you have any concerns or questions you would like included in the live broadcast, you can contact me and the OPCC via our website.

Mill café appeal

THE group that runs Willsbridge Mill has launched an online fundraiser to help it beat the cost-of-living crisis.

Soaring energy bills and increased costs have resulted in the mill's café running at a loss and the directors of the non-profit organisation are appealing to users of the nature reserve for help.

It says: “Despite a fantastic year with many events including our first-ever music festival Millfest, the popular duck race and Halloween and Christmas markets, we are now really feeling the pinch.

“We are seeking donations to help us survive the winter months when our trade is reduced due to the weather, and we can then still be here this summer, to give back once again.”

Willsbridge Mill Community Refresh (WMCR) is a community interest company, and any money made at the café is invested back into maintaining and restoring the surrounding woodland.

Its aims are threefold: to offer a free, well-maintained venue; to create jobs; to support the development of wildlife habitats.

The directors at WMCR hope to raise £5,000 from the fundraiser, which can be found at https://tinyurl.com/yc3jffs6

The café at Willsbridge Mill is currently open from 10.30am to 2.30pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays and 10.30am to 3.30pm at weekends.

Cannabis factory fire

POLICE seized approximately £1 million of cannabis plants and drug paraphernalia following a fire in Kingswood on Christmas Eve.

The blaze broke out at a business park in Moravian Road before dawn on Saturday 24 December.

Fire officers discovered what they believed was a cannabis factory at the site. Police gained access and took away the plants. The cause of the fire is not thought to be suspicious.

Detective Sergeant Ricky Norman said: “Thanks to the quick response from the fire service and officers on the scene has meant there was no risk of nearby residential buildings from the fire.

“The cannabis factory we have uncovered appears to be a

professional set-up and enquiries into who is behind it are ongoing.

“We would like to call on the public to support us in our investigation.

“If you have any information, or saw any suspicious activity around the property, please call 101 and quote reference 5222306102 to the call handler.

“Alternatively, you can report anonymously through independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form.”

If you suspect someone is using, dealing, or growing drugs in your neighbourhood, report it to police. You can call the non-emergency 101 line or report it online: Report drug dealing and use

n

Just a few items ...

IF you name any object, I guarantee you somebody out there collects it. The favourite part of my job is viewing the various collections people have amassed over the years. I’m come to the conclusion that everyone either has a collection, or has collected something at some point in their life. Take this recent home visit I made:

The collection in this story featured teddy bears. Now, these are not an uncommon item to collect, and over the years I’ve seen some very good collections. But this one was certainly the biggest I’ve ever seen. The owner lived in a rather large six-bedroom house that also had a three-bedroom house adjoining the property. This additional house was the ‘bear house’. That’s right – an entire three-bedroom house dedicated to their collection of teddy bears, and when I say dedicated, I mean there was nothing else in that house apart from the bears. Each door I opened revealed thousands of teddysmiles, each one carefully placed on the floor against another. No room could be entered for the sea of teddy bears that extended across the floor, and up all four walls – of every single room! The collection (some 5,000 bears) will be coming up for auction shortly.

I am reminded of several similar sized collections I’ve seen in recent years – the gentleman who built two ‘hangars’ in his garden to accommodate his pedal car collection (around200 pristine examples), the house of vintage bicycles and bicycle parts (around10,000 individual items), the bungalow dedicated to buttons for sewing (our estimates range into the millions!) and perhaps my favourite – the house filled with vintage confectionery packaging.

Every collection always has one thing in common – the client always starts off by saying ‘Oh, it’s just a few items….’

'Warm packs' on offer

PEOPLE struggling to stay warm can get help from South Gloucestershire Council. Warm packs, which include clothing such as hats, socks and gloves, as well as other items for the home such as a blanket, an LED light bulb and tea bags are available for men, women and children at the council’s One Stop Shops and libraries. Anyone can request a pack and they will be allocated on a case-by-case basis. Age UK has distributed tailored warm packs to pensioners.

In addition, the council has purchased radiator panels which will be given to those most in need to help keep warmth in homes and reduce energy bills. The panels are placed behind radiators and work by reducing energy loss through walls and by keeping more warmth in.

Each pack consists of 10 panels with two required per radiator. Certain eligibility criteria will apply for the radiator packs and the council’s Handyvan service can be made available to fit them for free, if required. Radiator panels are an inexpensive way of conserving the energy we use so if you do not qualify for a free pack, they are worth considering to keep your home warm.

Andy Stowe East Bristol Auctions

The wrecked interior after the Christmas Eve fire

n LOCAL HISTORY

Mike Jempson contrasts two exhibitions, a century apart

A FEW weeks before Christmas, while visiting friends in Germany, I came across an intriguing little museum in Heidelberg. Its sole purpose is to house and display works of art created by people who spent time in mental hospitals, prior to 1922.

Its current exhibition coincided with the Looking To The Light project at the Glenside Hospital Museum.

The Bristol exhibition featured works by artists who drew their inspiration from the museum, which catalogues the development of mental health treatments, as well as the patients and staff of what began in 1861 as a municipal lunatic asylum.

The Heidelberg exhibition focused on a collection of works by patients, put together by art historian Hans Prinzhorn (18861933).

Having also trained in England to be a singer, he took up psychiatry after his second wife became ill. Combining his interests, he produced a seminal work, Artistry of the Mentally Ill. First published in 1922, an English translation had to wait 50 years.

Prinzhorn was more interested in the aesthetic value of artefacts made by patients than in their diagnostic potential.

His book was a sensation at the time, but not for being a breakthrough in the treatment of mental illness. Instead it influenced the artistic movements of the early 20th century, especially Dadaism and Surrealism, and gained notoriety among the fascists of National Socialism.

It became a source of inspiration among the avant-garde

n NEWS

Inspired by 'insane art'

when multi-talented German artist Max Ernst showed it to his contemporaries in Paris. Many were fascinated by the theories of Sigmund Freud and saw the collection as a window into the subconscious.

This 'art of the outsider' led French painter and sculptor Jean Dubuffet to form the Art Brut movement, a term that also came to be associated with Hitler’s notion of "degenerate art".

Despised by Nazis who sought to promote a heroic form of German culture, examples of ‘modern art’, including some of Prinzhorn’s collection, were put on display as evidence of this degeneracy. It was a prelude to censorship and the destruction of artworks.

Another sickening consequence was Aktion-T4, the Nazi policy to eradicate those who did not fit their notion of 'the norm'. More than two dozen of the artists featured in Prinzhorn's book would be murdered in ‘nursing homes’ set up to kill those regarded unfit to be citizens of the Third Reich. Bristol artist Liz Crow explored this in her short film Resistance, which can be found at www.roaring-girl.com/ work/resistance.

The patients’ fate was sealed when Prinzhorn was replaced at Heidelberg hospital by Carl Schnieder, a Nazi sympathiser.

Prinzhorn himself would throw in his lot with the National Socialists, evidence perhaps of his naïveté.

By contrast, the sophistication of the artworks prepared for Looking To The Light adds meaning to the structure, history, and artefacts of Glenside Museum. They

BRISTOL Women’s Voice, and a very dedicated team of volunteers, are shaking off the January blues and working together on the programme for this flagship event.

Not many free events in Bristol attract as many volunteers to support the programme, or as diverse a range of participants. This year’s event will bring hundreds of women from different communities together, to connect, learn and celebrate.

More than 100 contributors and partners will be running workshops, performances, exhibitions, activities and talks in and around City Hall.

Activity strands include health, nurture,

are reflective pieces based on what the artists saw and thought about while visiting the museum.

The exhibition’s title was inspired by a photograph taken in 1897 of bearded local furniture salesman Charles West looking towards the sky during a short stay at the hospital. He features in several of the artworks, which range from drawings and photographs to textiles, and installations.

Despite many dissimilarities, there are some extraordinary resonances with items from Prinzhorn’s collection.

On the reverse side of Anna Rathbone’s quilt, made from cutup images photographed in the museum, is a poem stitched into an NHS sheet:

From the tangle of infinite fragmented echoes we tug at the threads of what might be stories fraying with each retelling trying to stitch a knotted history

poetry, music, film and photography, dance and visual arts. This year, the day-long event will also include an evening programme of entertainment, as well as a march through the centre of the city, so that women can show their support for one another and make their voices heard.

Bristol Women’s Voice is run on a tight budget by a staff team of five, all part-timers. The work they do includes working with transport companies and the council to lobby for urgently-needed improvements in women’s safety on public transport in Bristol.

Bristol Women’s Voice holds the police to account and acts as a critical friend via

of a person, a place, a thing into a fabric of guesswork unravelling as we sew fibres pulled loose by time, memory, perspective leaving a single strand of truth How can we ever really know?

The concept and the content reminded me of a handmade jacket on display in the Prinzhorn Collection. By Agnes Richter (18441918), it is embroidered inside and out with memories from her life.

There is great wit in the Glenside artists’ pieces, as there is in many of the Prinzhorn artefacts. The fact that some of their creators were commenting on the madness of the world outside the asylum appears to have been lost on their curator. He would die of typhus, a recluse, just as Hitler came to power in 1933.

The exhibition booklet Looking To The Light is on sale at the museum, which is open on Wednesdays 10-11 pm and all day on Saturdays.

the Women’s Independent Advisory Group. They support and work with women’s organisations, members and other allies to renew their call for change. In supporting the cost-of-living crisis, they hope to mobilise a team of volunteers to run women-only time slots within the 70 city-wide welcoming spaces. The charity is also putting together a directory of services for women across Bristol.

If you’d like to find out more or become a member, visit: bristolwomensvoice.org.uk

If you’d like to volunteer to help the event, email: VTcoordinator@bristolwomensvoice. org.uk

Bristol Women’s Voice

Agnes Richter's handmade jacket, embroidered with memories

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

A new solution to our bus crisis

LAST year I held scores of mayor events across the West of England to meet thousands of local people face-to-face to discuss buses.

For me, this was all about listening. It quickly became clear the severe bus driver shortage nationally is impacting hard locally.

For the individuals and communities hit by route changes or cuts, this is a very big deal.

The old ways don’t work. It needs new and innovative solutions as soon as possible.

I am proud to announce that a fleet of green minibuses called WEST link will form a new ‘on-demand’ service within the West of England, starting this summer.

Passengers in designated zones will be able hail a ‘WEST link’ minibus by using an app on your smartphone, visiting a website or by phoning up.

Unlike traditional buses, WEST link will be unrestricted by a timetable. Instead, clever tech will use algorithms to link up

several people’s needs, combining them into one trip as efficiently as possible.

The 7am to 7pm Monday-Saturday service will cover much of North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and parts of Bristol including Windmill Hill, Knowle, Brislington and St Anne’s. Within this overall area, there will be local zones. Passengers will be able to use a WEST link minibus in their local zone to get to key transport corridors to then pick up another bus or train.

Vitally, using more minibuses will help address the acute bus driver shortage. How? Well, it’s easier and quicker to train to drive a smaller vehicle and for most people, it is far less daunting!

It also allows drivers already qualified to get behind the wheel of large double-deckers to focus on the busy routes. On demand minibuses also better meet the needs of our more remote or isolated communities.

You have been telling me the status quo hasn’t been working and that unrelia-

ble buses cannot be tolerated.

You have said things must improve to help you get to where you need to travel and to meet our vitally important and ambitious 2030 Net Zero targets.

I agree – so there will be changes.

Change is hard: it’s disruptive and takes time.

I, my staff, and the bus companies, will have to learn lessons as we work hard to put things right. Please play your part by trying WEST link, so we can grab this positive opportunity to shape our transport future for the better.

LOOKING FOR LEGAL ADVICE?

LONGWELL GREEN PROBUS CLUB

WARMLEY based Longwell Green Probus Club held their first Inaugural lunch for three years when Neil Mattock (on the right in the picture) took over the presidency from Brian Robinson, Brian has effectively held office for over two and a half years since our 2020 president, Mike Poole, sadly died during that year and the Covid lockdowns limited us to Zoom meetings for most of 2020 and 2021.

At 64, Neil represents the younger element now beginning to come through to gradually take over the running of the club and we are always seeking new members to keep the club vibrant.

We are constantly looking forward planning new holidays, day trips, social events etc and we are always open to new ideas. If this interests you and you would like more details please contact Mike on 0117 9322689 or 07817 094147 or simply come along at 10am to one of our coffee mornings on the first Wednesday of the month and see what we’re about.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice

n KINGSWOOD MEMORIES

MINNIE HASKINS

Spring is just around the corner, and the snowdrops are already in bloom. The photo shows a view of the “balcony room” of Warmley House, with a carpet of snowdrops in the foreground.

It was in the balcony room that the well-known local poet Minnie Haskins is reputed to have composed her famous poem “The Gate of the Year”. The poem was read by King George VI as part of his 1939 Christmas broadcast,

and struck a chord with a country facing the uncertainty of war.

The poem has been used at other royal occasions, including at the funeral of Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in 2002.

The words of the poem are inscribed at the entrance to the George VI memorial chapel in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and in a window at the Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy.

New exhibitions

Kingswood Heritage Museum is currently closed for the winter, and will reopen for the new season in April.

The museum’s volunteers are preparing next year’s exhibitions, including three new temporary exhibitions focussed on the Kingswood area:

• Temperance and the Kingswood circuit

• The Whitsun procession

• Farming in the area

Further exhibitions will spotlight the areas of Wick, Pucklechurch, Dyrham and Doynton.

The photo left (courtesy of the Bryan Haynes collection) illustrates the Whitsun Parade in Kingswood High Street in 1955. The photo was taken outside of Kingswood Park, and shows a row of shops and houses that stood on the site of today’s Civic Centre. The top of the school can just be seen on the right of the picture.

Volunteer opportunities

Kingswood Heritage Museum always welcomes new volunteers. If you are interested in helping the Museum in any capacity, please contact us at kingswoodmuseum@gmail.com, or call us on 0117 960 5664.

The Friends of William Champion’s Garden also welcome new volunteers, ideas and suggestions. For more information please email kay@mclross. co.uk or call Kingswood Heritage Museum on 0117 960 5664

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

KEYNSHAM BOWLING CLUB

MEMBERS of Keynsham Bowling Club let their hair down at their Christmas party.

Entertainment was provided again by musical duo The Two of Clubs, who played songs from the 60s and 70s, with a break in the middle for festive food. As soon as the evening finished, the duo was booked for Christmas 2023.

Although at the time of writing it is bitterly cold, spring is just around the corner and plans are well in hand for the new bowling season.

The Monday morning maintenance boys have been working hard on our buildings and the green surrounds, and most planned work has been completed.

As for the green itself, all of the winter work has been undertaken under the watchful eye of our greens manager, Derek Packer, and our contractors are now maintaining regular cutting.

Fixture secretary Tony Hunter is putting the final touches to the season’s schedule, and the fixture book will shortly go to the printers.

We all await the start of a new season with anticipation!

Mike Barrow

CARSONS & MANGOTSFIELD CRICKET CLUB

THE Club are preparing for the start of the new season.

Pre-season indoor nets start at Yate Academy at the end of January on a Sunday afternoon for adult players, with youth training on Friday evenings, also at Yate, starting on February 24, with under-11s starting at 6pm and U13 and 15s from 7pm.

The under-9 section will be holding sessions at Mangotsfield School, although dates have yet to be confirmed. The club aims to continue moving forward, with the first team pushing for promotion to Division 5 and the second and third teams facing new challenges in Division 10 and 12 of the Bristol and District Cricket league.

Anyone who is interested in playing this season, from U9 to senior level, should email iancoles7@sky.com.

MANGOTSFIELD UNITED

MANGOTSFIELD United’s form continues to improve, although the winter weather has taken its toll on fixtures.

The Christmas win over Bradford Town was a tremendous match, with the Mangos scoring twice in the opening four minutes through Jaydn Crosbie and Oli Jenkins. Bradford pushed hard to get back into the match, pulling a goal back in the 20th minute.

Mangotsfield started brightly in the second half and reinstated their two-goal lead in the 50th minute, with Crosbie's second goal of the game making it 3-1. Bradford cut the deficit in the 66th minute but couldn’t get any further footholds into the game. Simon Prangley scored Mangos’ fourth on 74 minutes, lobbing the stranded keeper, to secure three huge points for the hosts.

Postponements of the home and away matches with Lydney Town and visit of Thornbury Town mean the only other game since mid-December was a 2-2 New Year home draw against Longlevens,

which was most definitely the proverbial game of two halves.

The visitors started the brighter, taking the lead on 19 minutes from a corner as the Mangos looked sluggish and out of touch.

The Gloucester side went 2-0 up in the 43rd minute when Jakob Glover was only able to get a touch on a shot from just inside the penalty area.

A strong team talk at half time saw the Mangos start brighter after the break and enjoy more possession, but they were unable to create any real goal-scoring chances until a double substitution in the 67th minute gave the Field a different look up front.

Just three minutes later, a long run down the right flank saw the ball crossed into the box and Jaydn Crosbie fired home to reduce the deficit. Crosbie scored again with just four minutes to go, beating the advancing keeper in the air, to earn the hosts a valuable point, which had looked unlikely at half time.

Dave Smale