Hanham & Longwell Green Voice November 2022

hanham

Council faces tough financial choices

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

COUNCIL is working to address a potential budget gap of £29.3 million next year (2023/24) as the serious financial situation affecting all local authorities intensifies. The council published its draft budget last month.

Global events, rising inflation and continuingly increasing de mand for services mean costs are rising at an unprecedented rate.

The council’s financial position has changed in a very short space of time, similar to many other local authorities across the country.

Rising costs

The council has through contract negotiations saved money, such as a fixed price energy contract which will save £2 million, but this is due to end next spring. Increasing costs have put the council under growing financial pressure. Not only will energy prices rise for the council next spring, but the expect ed national pay offer for staff will increase the council’s spend by an extra £6.4 million each year.

Rapidly growing demand on services, including adult social care, means the cost of delivering existing support is likely to rise by £8.5 million every year. Additional ly, capital costs – for building roads, schools, and other one-off projects – have already risen significantly and may continue to grow if the costs of materials, for example, don’t return to more normal prices

Savings

The council is in a relatively good

starting position, with additional savings of £2.9 million identified this year and £23.6 million of savings already in the pipeline, although the unprecedented costs and other pressures means there is still the potential for a £29.3 million gap in the budget.

The council is now having to look for possible changes to the way it delivers some services and even whether or not it can contin ue to provide some services. Some changes may result in redundan cies for its staff. It is also looking at how it can raise income, including by increasing Council Tax. The council is prevented by law from raising Council Tax by more than 1.99 per cent without a local referendum. A one per cent rise in Council Tax would generate £1.6 million. The council is now working to identify new ways to increase income and reduce spending and the impact those steps might have. Proposals will be presented to its Cabinet in December.

Support for those in need

The council will prioritise support for people who need it most. There are two grant funds, Community Resilience Fund and Household Support Fund, available for those struggling financially. The council also continues to press for reform to special educational needs and disability support, and to fully fund the cost of care.

An urgent challenge

Cabinet member for Corporate Resources, Cllr Ben Burton, said: “By

View from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Toby Savage

WELCOME –We’re glad to team up again with The Voice, a wonderful local business, to bring you this special edition. This time we are focusing on the council’s finances. The global economic situation means that your council faces an unprecedented challenge. Along with other local authorities, we are seeing increasing demand for services, rapidly rising prices and reduced income. Our prudent financial management has put us in a position of relative strength. But, despite significant savings, we have an increased gap in our finances for 2023/24. This means we will need to make further savings and that will involve some tough decisions. No one wants to do this and I’m acutely aware this comes when people are finding it hard to manage. It’s very important to us that you have your say. You’ll find out more in this edition and how you can find support if you’re struggling with the cost of living. Read on too to learn about our schools’ fantastic performance, how to nominate a community hero, progress on a new park and many other stories.

the start of the 2023/24 financial year, we will have already delivered £102 million of annual savings by working tirelessly to focus our resources on delivering our council plan priorities.

“However, the current scale of challenge is too large and too urgent for us to be able to rely solely on this approach. We now need to find ways to cut services or change how they are delivered. We will do these in the least disruptive

and detrimental way possible to continue supporting those who need it most.”

The outcome of the Govern ment funding settlement expected later in the year could improve the financial outlook. After the council has received that updated information, it will publish detailed four-year budget proposals for further public comment.

The council will make final budget decisions in February

2023.  However, it first wants to hear from South Gloucestershire residents.

Have your say

We will be running two phases to this year’s consultation. The first phase starts in October and asks for your views on the council’s draft budget proposals.

The second phase will run from Tuesday 6 December and will ask for your views on

updated budget proposals which will consider up to date information on what funding will be available from central government and the options that we have for balancing the council’s budget.

As a local resident, it is important that you have a say in how we shape services in the future and our budget consultation is a key part of this.

View the budget at www.southglos.gov.uk/

budget and then send your comments:

• By email: consultation@southglos.gov.uk

• By completing an online survey or download from the council website: www.southglos.gov. uk/budget

• By writing to: Freepost RTXL-YJXJ-BXEX, South Gloucestershire Council, Corporate Research & Consultation Team, Council Offices, Badminton Road, Yate, Bristol, BS37 5AF

• By telephoning 01454 868009.

a vaccine if you’re eligible, is now. The UK Health Security Agency is expecting a double threat of low immunity and widely circulating flu and covid-19, creating an unpredictable winter and additional pressure on health services.

Free flu jabs are available to anyone over 50. Over 65s, pregnant wom en, people with certain health conditions or who work in some frontline jobs, can book now. You simply call your GP or book at a pharmacy. For covid jabs, first, second and booster vaccines are available at local clinics. At the time of writing this, autumn boosters are available to over 65s, pregnant women and anyone over 5 with an underlying health condition. Book with your GP or find a local walk-in clinic at bnssghealthiertogether. org.uk/covid

Nominate your community hero!

Struggling with costs?

Help is at hand

The current rising cost of living is impacting on us all. Prices are going up and energy bills are climbing fastest of all. But no one should be embar rassed to ask for help if you don’t have enough to afford essentials and pay your bills. There is extra government support and help available from local services.

Your council offers a wide range of support including emergency and long-term support, help with housing benefit, various financial support grants and council tax reduction schemes. It can also help provide food and activities for children in the school holidays. You can visit one of the council’s three One Stop Shops in person where someone will be on hand to answer questions, resolve problems and offer advice. Or you can find de tails of support along with links to trusted national and partner resources on the council’s website at southglos.gov.uk/costofliving

Keep healthy and happy this winter

Winter, and worries over finances, can take a toll on your personal health. Did you know that the council offers plenty of free health and wellbeing support? Provided by the council’s partner Southern Brooks, activities range from tea and chat to help you reach out and connect, through to workshops on building resilience. Find out more about how you can access these free activities and other health and wellbeing support at oneyou. southglos.gov.uk

To help yourself to have a healthy winter, make sure you and your family’s vaccines are up to date. The time to boost your protection with

Do you have a hero in your community? Know someone special who vol unteers? South Gloucestershire Council wants to hear from you about the volunteers who make a difference in your area, from litter picking groups, to the befriending volunteers who brighten people’s days. The Chair of the council, Cllr Sanjay Shambhu, is calling for nominations of people who have made a difference to be put forward for the Chair’s 2022-23 Commu nity Awards. You can nominate a person or a community group and it’s very easy to do. The deadline is Friday 18 November and all the information on the awards, including how to make a nomination, can be found on the council’s website at southglos.gov.uk/communityawards.

Artist spreads happiness

Local artist Matthew Jeanes has transformed the library and canteen at Hanham Primary Federation with colourful artworks.

Birth centre forced to shut

Cossham Birth Centre has again been forced to close temporarily because of

shortages.

'Noise camera' trial on ring road

A 'noise

at Warmley.

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Baffled! Wetherspoons,

THE loss of Hanham's Jolly Sailor will be a big blow to the high street, according to a local councillor and businessman.

Bernard Jackson says he was left baffled by the news that the pub is now on the market as a result of plans to close 32 JD Wetherspoons pubs across England because it is always busy.

The chain has said the twostorey pub will remain open until a buyer is found.

December deadline

Our December edition deadline is November 23. To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by then. Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date.

Your views

Letters for publication can be sent to the above email addresses or by post to Letters, Hanham & Longwell Green Voice, 16 Ashmead Business Centre, Ashmead Road, Keynsham, BS31 1SX. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter.

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

Emergency: 999 NHS Health Call 111

Well Aware (health and social care information) www.wellaware.org.uk Freephone: 0808 808 5252

We are Bristol helpline Freephone 0800 694 0184 Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm Weekends 10am-2pm

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Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Voice website here, or can be obtained by contacting the Publisher.

Cllr Jackson, who is chair of Hanham Business Community Partnership and a councillor on Hanham Parish Council, claims The Jolly Sailor is well supported by local residents and acts as a destination pub for people of all ages seeking out reasonably priced food and drink.

He said: “We are all disappointed. It is a good place to go to. It doesn't make sense

as it always seems to be packed every time you go in there.

“I feel it was a bad mistake by Wetherspoons to pull the plug on it. It has a good reputation and it will be a sad loss to the high street.”

The chain operates around 800 pubs in the UK and Ireland with all 32 currently on the market located in England.

The Jolly Sailor, which has seating for around 70 customers, is the only Wetherspoons in Bristol to have been put up for sale and follows fears the company could lose £30m due to rising staff wages and costly maintenance bills.

CBRE and Savills have been appointed to market the pubs saying they will continue to operate until they are sold.

Cllr Jackson, who is the owner of florist Fleurtations, just a stone's throw from the pub,

Festive fun returns

AFTER an absence of two years, it's finally back.

The popular Hanham Christmas Fair returns on Saturday December 3 following two years of Covid restrictions.

The fun will run between 3-6pm and includes all the usual shops, stalls, fun fair and refreshments.

The High Street will be closed between 2.30-6.30pm to allow traders and organisations to put up and pack away their stalls.

Bernard Jackson, chairman of Hanham Business Community Partnership, said: “This is the first Christmas fair since Covid and we're hoping it's going to be as successful as the summer fair in the High Street.”

If you would like to book a pitch please email eventshanham@ gmail.com

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said: “The Jolly Sailor brought people together. You even get mothers and children there in the morning, meeting for cofffee and breakfast. It's a family place.”

He said given the current economic climate places like Wetherspoons were more important than ever.

“You can go there for a full English breakfast and spend less than a fiver. It has all the right things going for it for people who might be on a low income.”

Residents are speculating the building could be turned into flats as they feel it is a difficult time for another business to take on such a large building.

“The last thing we want is flats,” Cllr Jackson said.

“That building has been part of Hanham for a very long time. It started off as a pub and the landlord and landlady lived above it. It has a lot of history and it would be a shame to see it split up and put into flats.

“I don't know if flats would even be realistic because there needs to be a certain number of parking spaces per flat and there's definitely not enough room for parking behind it. It would also cost a hell of a lot to convert.”

Cllr Jackson said he would be in favour of pub or restaurant taking over the building.

“I'd like to see it go to a large restaurant or a wine bar with a somewhere to eat on the top floor, something to attract people to the area. I'm sure it would pay for itself.

“When the new estate opens on the Kleeneze site, people

moving in will be looking to migrate into the high street and will be looking around for places to eat and drink.”

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We understand that both customers and staff will be disappointed that The Jolly Sailor is up for sale.

“We appreciated that it is a popular and well-run pub. Wetherspoon does put pubs up for sale on occasion. This is a commercial decision.The pub will continue to operate as normal until it is sold.”

In March 2019 St George's Hall, a Wetherspoon pub in Church Road, Redfield, was

put up for sale. It was one of 16 Wetherspoons to go on the market at the time due to rising costs.

Locals started a campaign calling for Bristol City Council to classify the former cinema, which dates back to 1912, as an “asset of community value”.

Campaigners suffered a blow when developer Landrose purchased the site from Wetherspoons. However they breathed a sigh of relief in June this year when Landrose withdrew its planning application to build 44 bedsits at the site.

Conversations between campaigners and interested parties, including the West of England Combined Authority, are ongoing, giving fresh hope that the building could be turned into community use.

A campaign was started in St George when The Three Crowns pub on Blackswarth Road, which wasn't part of the Wetherspoons chain, was purchased by a developer. Despite protests from locals who wanted to retain the building as a pub, Bristol City Council approved plans to turn it into flats in 2019.

Traders' leaders Bernard Jackson outside The Jolly Sailor

above

Six-storey blocks 'not right for riverside site'

A SCHEME to build “tower blocks” at a conservation area alongside the river at Crews Hole would be “monstrous”, according to one of the objectors to the plans.

A planning application has been submitted to Bristol City Council by Woodstock Homes, which wants to demolish a concrete fabrication business alongside the River Avon at Blackswarth Road and replace it with a housing development.

But some people say the plans represent a missed opportunity to build a more creative scheme like the ones at Paintworks and Whapping Wharf.

The development would feature a total of 85 flats, including 48 two-bed flats and 37 one-bed flats set in five blocks, up to six storeys in height.

spaces for 67 cars and 166 cycle spaces are included as part of the scheme, as are plans for “green fingers” of open space

between the blocks.

Local people agree that the area needs improvement but argue this scheme is just too overbearing and the potential to build something more in keeping with the natural area would be lost.

In a letter to Bristol City Council, one woman said: “Six storeys seems incredibly excessive, and will be a blight on the natural light in the local area. I pride myself in living in this area due to the large amount of space, light, and natural feel. Having a tower block will ruin this completely. Not only that, but six storeys will surely affect the wildlife in the local area and be an eyesore to be honest.

“Why not stick to the two-three storeys which are in keeping with the other residential buildings along the river. Six storeys feels monstrous.”

Another resident told the

authority: “I accept that the area needs improvement but I feel very strongly that the height of the development is completely unacceptable. The view of the surrounding woodland is of enormous value to the area and the height of the tower blocks will obscure the view of the woodland from multiple aspects. A maximum of two to three storey high buildings would be far less intrusive.

“I feel that any development of this height and size should not be allowed in a designated Conservation Area.”

Opponents also argue that the road is too busy for such a large scheme.

“This road is already very busy, with a lack of pavements and some dangerous driving, not helped by the garages along the road using the road to park extra vehicles. An additional 85 dwellings here will have a really negative impact on the

area, and potentially cause more dangerous driving, and endanger pedestrians walking in the area,” an objector said.

One objector told the council: “This road is already an area of severe problems as it is used as a rat run and becomes extremely dysfunctional during busy periods.

“With several blind bends, overgrown hedges and single lane sections it already desperately needs a reduction in motor traffic, however the proposed development would increase the problem to completely unmanageable levels.”

They added: “I also feel the general appearance of the architecture, especially from the opposite side of the river is ugly and unimaginative and needs to be less imposing in what could be a beautiful wooded river valley.”

According to another resident the scheme would be a wasted

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East Bristol Auctions,

Hanham Business Park,

Road, Hanham, Bristol BS153JE

“This

be

Wapping Wharf.

would greatly enhance the area and provide for the local community as this is lacking

in this area. The proposed development does not enhance the area at all.”

There are also fears the plans would set a precedent for building along the River Avon.

“The height is an issue, and if this is allowed it will give rise

to the wholesale building along Feeder Road,” a resident said.

A report by Bedminsterbased Cambium Landscape Architects says the scheme has been designed in a way which would lessen the impact from the higher six-storey blocks.

“Two six storey blocks are proposed at the west of the site where the adjoining land is at a higher level, and towards the city centre with its taller buildings. This then reduces to three four storey blocks towards the footbridge and the lower buildings and less urban character of the river valley to the east.”

The report also says planting, including communal gardens, would made the scheme more attractive, stating: “The arrangement of five buildings along the site frontage, with green fingers of open space between will help to lessen the impact of the built form on the riverside, and open up views through the site, to tree planting and a green backdrop, increasing its visual amenity.”

A decision will be made in

Shop threats: Man wanted

POLICE want to talk to a man over a disturbance at a shop in Lodge Causeway.

Officers said a man entered the shop and "acted in a threatening manner" at about 9.20pm on September 11.

A spokesperson said: "We are issuing a CCTV image of a man we wish to identify and talk to in connection with our enquiries."

The man police want to trace is described as black, 6ft 2in and in his 40s or 50s.

At the time of the incident he was wearing a grey hooded top, black beanie hat, black gloves, dark jeans and was carrying a small satchel bag.

Anyone who saw the incident or thinks they know who the man in the picture is should call 101 and quote the crime reference number 5222 220 026.

Information can also be given online at the avonandsomerset. police.uk website.

European medal magic as Majestic gymnasts bring home gold

GYMNAST Katie Iles and coach Stacey Godden

history, bringing a first ever European

gold medal to Longwell Green-based Majestic Gymnastics.

Four gymnasts and one coach travelled to Luxembourg for the European TeamGym Championships in September. After a hugely successful qualification round all gymnasts qualified for the finals.

Katie represenated the senior mixed team; Paige Phillips, the junior mixed team; Larissa Royal, the senior woman’s team and Livvy Britain, the junior woman’s team with Stacey the unit lead for mixed teams. The senior mixed team won first place and became the first British team to win a gold at a TeamGym major championships.

The junior mixed team won a place on the podium with a bronze medal; the junior woman's team were placed 4th and the senior woman's team came in at 6th.

Co-owner Candice Littleton said: “All gymnasts put on exceptional performances with the best results Great Britain has ever seen in the sport.

“All four gymnasts have shown commitment, resilience and hard work pays off and can help achieve your dream.

“Majestic Gymnastics is extremely proud of everything these gymnasts and coach have achieved and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for them.”

Rescue hopes for The Batch Did you see this robbery?

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council has pledged to get The Batch Community Centre in Cadbury Heath up and running again as soon as posssible.

The centre is owned by South Gloucestershire Council and has been run by Banjo Island Community and Sports Association (BICSA).

However, the centre closed suddenly in September amid speculation that the cost-ofliving crisis and operational difficulties were to blame.

The centre in Coronation Park opened in 2015 and boasts a cafe, bar, hall and rooms.

It also includes the youth club run by Creative Youth Network (CYN).

The council is now liaising with Oldland Parish Council to look at options for another organisation to take it over so facilities for the local community can continue.

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: “We are currently going through a process to identify a new

management organisation and as part of that we are meeting with Oldland Parish Council.

“We have also been approached by other parties interested in taking on the facilities and who have presented a business case to take it forward. We will discuss options with any suitable local group who can demonstrate how they would manage the building for the benefit of the local community.

“While the building remains closed, the council is undertaking some repair work and security improvements. We are committed to ensuring that The Batch reopens and is run locally for the benefit of the local community as soon as possible. As soon as we have secured a new managing tenant, we look forward to being able to announce this and hand over day-to-day management to them.”

A post on The Batch's Facebook page, revealed that a mum had been left out of pocket to the tune of £120 after she

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booked a birthday party there for her daughter's third birthday.

The mum paid the full price by cheque when she booked the party in August. When she visited the centre on October 9 to finalise her plans, she discovered the building was locked up. Her cheque had been cashed and the council has told her the authority is unable to return her money.

The mum said other parents who had booked parties are now in the same position as her.

The council spokesperson added: “Any bookings made for use of The Batch by individuals with BICSA need to be resolved with them as they go through the formal process of ending their operation. No monies paid for party bookings, for example, comes to the council and we have reiterated to BICSA that they need to settle any outstanding issues with hirers promptly.”

CYN are continuing to work with young people in the area through detached sessions, community engagement and one-to-one support.

S H Family Law Limited

About us

S H Family Law specialises solely in family law, enabling us to be experts in our field. We offer an initial free 30 minute consultation either in the office, remotely or over the telephone. We understand what a difficult and worrying time it can be when a relationship breaks down and how important it is to have access to good, sensible unbiased advice; delivered in a way which can be

understood to enable you to make the choices which best suit your family. We pride ourselves on our quality of advice, professional level of service and transparency over costs.

A new dawn for divorce law

As from 6 April 2022, a new procedure for obtaining a divorce came into force. The new

procedure means it is no longer necessary to blame the other party’s unreasonable behaviour or adultery; wait until you have been separated for a minimum of 2 years or in some cases 5 years to be able to dissolve your marriage. The new procedure provides for the person bringing the petition (the Applicant) to confirm that they believe the marriage has broken down irretrievably. The application for divorce can be made by one party to the marriage or a joint application can be made, should both parties consider this their preferred approach.

The new rules have introduced a 20 week ‘reflection period’ within which time the divorce cannot be progressed. During this time it is envisaged that most parties will finalise matters arising from the relationship breakdown, such as making financial and childcare arrangements. Following this 20 week period the Applicant(s) can apply for a Conditional Order and six weeks and one day following

POLICE were called to a robbery in Redfield on the morning of Sunday October 9.

Officers were called at 5.58am to a convenience store, in Church Road, after an unknown man threatened staff and made off with a quantity of cash.

Nobody was injured during the incident.

A search of the surrounding area to try to identify the offender proved negative.

The suspect is described as male, slim, and about 5ft 6ins. His face was covered by a light brown snood and an orange coat with the hood up. Police have been reviewing CCTV footage.

They ask anyone who saw the incident or a man matching the description to call 101 and gives the callhandler reference number 5222242919.

the Conditional Order being made, the Applicant(s) can apply for the Final Order. The Final Order being the legal document which dissolves the marriage.

The changes will be welcome for most, as having to blame the other party or wait a lengthy separation period often created a barrier between parties, making it more difficult to resolve important issues surrounding the breakdown. For example, focusing on what is best for any children of the marriage or making decisions about financial matters.

Should you wish to receive any further advice in connection with the new divorce procedure or any other area of family law, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

You can contact us by visiting our website, www.shfamilylaw. co.uk, telephoning us on 01179 601437 or emailing enquiries@ shfamilylaw.co.uk

S H Family Law, 51 High Street, Hanham, BS15 3DQ

to Roger

been

councillor Roger Coales.

Roger had been a councillor for 28 years representing Woodstock Ward and had served as leader of South Gloucestershire's Labour group.

had been a school governor for both Courtney Primary and New Horizons Special Education School. Roger was also a longstanding Bitton parish councillor, a director/trustee for the Park Neighbourhood Nursery and the New Cheltenham Community Centre and a trustee for the Samuel White Education Trust.

Roger stepped down from South Gloucestershire Council, he and his wife Ann, tirelessly worked for the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline which raises funds to bring children to the UK each year for a month to enable them to receive life extending ophthalmic and health support. Roger and Ann, alongside their Chernobyl local group, always made certain the children had a fun packed holiday.

The Labour group said: "Roger was a quiet, unassuming, kind and well respected Leader. He was a Labour man through and through and lived by the principles he held dearly to help and support anyone in need."

Current group leader Cllr Pat Rooney, said: “I was proud to have worked alongside Roger as a fellow Woodstock Ward Councillor. I have known Roger for over 35 years and I held him in the greatest respect for his quiet wisdom and considered judgement however, most of all, I shall miss him as a good and supportive friend.”

His funeral took place on October 18.

Friends join forces to stage festive market

TWO Hanham residents are bringing a festive community market to the area.

Sarah Ashman and Holly Foskett Barnes are organising the event in December at the Grade II listed Hanham Hall in Whittucks Road, which forms part of the eco village.

Both the pals will be selling their own wares at the market along with other Bristol-based independent businesses and makers.

Sarah runs a small retro-inspired brand called Pootle with Poppy which offers vintage, preloved and handmade fashion and homewares.

Holly works as an artist-illustrator who gets her inspiration from nature and seasonal living.

Sarah said: “We are both interested in supporting eco-friendly sustainability and other local businesses and makers that share these values.

“We are enthusiastic about making connections within the community and bringing value to the local area.

“Hanham Hall is England's first large scale housing scheme to achieve the 2016 zero carbon standard - the perfect venue for this event.”

The festive market takes place on Saturday December 10 from 11am to 4pm.

Hopes rise for river swimming U-turn

A SWIMMERS’ campaign to clean up the water at Conham River Park won support from councillors of all parties on Bristol City Council.

Supporters gathered outside City Hall on Tuesday, October 18, in swimming costumes and presented a petition containing thousands of signatures to a full council meeting.

The Conham Bathing group said their application to the Environment Agency, to get bathing water status for Conham, needed the approval of the council as the landowner.

Becca Blease told the meeting: “We’re a group of volunteers trying to apply for designated bathing water status in Bristol’s most popular outdoor swimming spot, in a stretch of the river Avon at Conham River Park. With this status, the Environment Agency would regularly sample the water to

check that it’s safe for bathing and would also be responsible for investigating the sources of pollution and implementing water quality improvement measures.”

The campaigners want the council to remove a by-law that technically prohibits swimming in the Avon.

Becca said: “What we’re suggesting isn’t a new bathing site, local people have swum here for generations. During the pandemic many people depended on swimming here for their wellbeing, and continue to do so to exercise, socialise, boost their mood and feel connected to nature. “It’s rare for a city to have such a green and beautiful space that’s free to access and close to the city centre.”

A pollution monitoring alert has been set up by the volunteers, to warn swimmers when the water is dangerously

dirty and full of harmful pathogens coming from untreated sewage. They have also tested the water quality weekly in laboratories, over the past two summers.

Previously the council said it couldn’t support the application, due to the dangers of boats hitting swimmers, steep banks on the riverside, and the tidal nature of the Avon. But the petition may have sparked a change in policy.

Labour Councillor Katja Hornchen, who represents Brislington East, said: “Conham River Park is a beautiful, wildliferich spot on the river Avon, with the opposite side in my ward. The people of Bristol have spoken — 5,200 of them — and they would like to use this river for swimming.

“But we know there was over 151,000 hours of raw sewage discharged by Wessex Water last

year. A lot of this undoubtedly made its way into the river Avon.

“We all know about the severe pressures on cities’ budgets and the lack of investment forced on us by austerity. But, it is my hope that lifting the ban would enable us to work with the local community groups in making the spot a safer place to swim, boat and enjoy a day out.”

Councillor Tessa Fitzjohn (Green Party), Councillor Henry Michallat (Conservative), Councillor Andrew Varney (Liberal Democrat) and Councillor Gary Hopkins (Knowle Community Party) all spoke in favour of changing the by-law.

At the time the Voice went to print, the campaigners were still waiting to hear from the Mayor, Marvin Rees, about whether he would support the change.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Cossham Birth Centre shuts

A MIDWIFE-led service allowing mothers to give birth at Cossham Hospital has been temporarily closed due to staff shortages.

Other midwife services at the hospital in Lodge Road, including antenatal and postnatal clinics, are running as normal.

North Bristol NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, aims to reopen Cossham Birth Centre as soon as possible but has not given an anticipated reopening date. A previous temporary closure of the birth centre lasted a year, from October 2018 to October 2019.

NBT chief nursing officer Steve Hams said: "Like many NHS organisations across the country, we are facing workforce challenges due to sickness and vacancies.

"As a result, we have decided to temporarily suspend our birthing service at Cossham Birth Centre and divert labouring women to the midwife-led Mendip Birth Centre at Southmead Hospital - this will ensure that we are able to maintain a safe service.

"We have temporarily suspended the service before in similar circumstances and our focus has always been on resuming the

full service as soon as possible. Our improved home birth service, which launched this month, will continue to be available as an option for women on a case-by-case basis.

"All antenatal and postnatal clinics at Cossham are unaffected and running as normal. ny woman worried about this decision should, in the first instance, contact their midwife."

The trust needed to carry out a recruitment drive before reopening in 2019, with expectant mothers who arrived in daytime offered the chance to give birth at the centre but night arrivals diverted to Southmead.

It comes as the NHS faces widespread staff shortages as demand increases for the winter.

A meeting of South Gloucestershire Council's health scrutiny committee on September 21 to discuss NHS provision to manage winter pressures was cancelled, with members being told that the area's winter plan would not be finished in time to be discussed at the meeting. The plan is now due to be discussed at a meeting on November 23.

Vaccination rates high

CHILDHOOD vaccination rates in South Gloucestershire are among the highest in the country.

While an NHS report found vaccine coverage had decreased nationally over the past year, with average rates below the 95% target, in South Gloucestershire 96.3% of babies had received the 6-in-1 jab, including polio diphtheria and tetanus, by their first birthday, with 96.7 vaccinated for pneumococcal disease, 95.6% for meningitis B and 94.6% for rotavirus.

NHS England South West screening and immunisation lead Dr Emma Kain said: "Childhood immunisation uptake for under 5s remains good across the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care System and is above the England average rate.

"Vaccination rates have not been significantly affected by the pandemic."

Dr Kain said the NHS was focusing on improving the uptake of the preschool booster and the second dose of Measles Mumps and Rubella, offered when a child turns 3 years 4 months, which were below the 95% target.

camera’ trial will target ring-road drivers

A ‘NOISE camera’ to detect drivers with noisy modified exhausts is being brought to monitor the Avon Ring Road as part of a national trial.

The new technology uses a video camera and a number of microphones to accurately identify “excessively noisy vehicles” as they pass by.

It takes a picture of the vehicle and records the noise level to see if it exceeds legal limits, recording evidence which can be used by police to fine drivers.

The camera is being taken around four locations in the country as part of a trial by the Department for Transport.

It was unveiled for the first time in Keighley, Yorkshire, in mid-October and was due to be moved to South Gloucestershire around the beginning of November, for two weeks, before going on to two other locations.

It will be placed overlooking the ring road between the Kingsfield roundabout by the Longwell Green leisure park and the Wraxall Road ‘throughabout’ junction.

The trial, costing £300,000, aims to find whether the technology can be effective in curbing noise from illegal exhausts and excessive engine revving, which the DfT says contributes to health problems, such as heart attacks, strokes and dementia.

A spokesperson said: “The annual social cost of urban road noise, including lost productivity from sleep disturbance and health costs, is estimated to be up to £10 billion.”

If the trial is successful, the cameras could be rolled out nationwide.

Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “We’ll be working closely with the local authorities and police to share any findings, and I hope that this technology paves the way for quieter, peaceful streets across the country.”

The government invited MPs to bid for the noise camera to be tried out in their constituencies in April, as it carried out testing at a private test track to hone the technology.

Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore submitted the bid in partnership with

The ‘noise camera’ in place.

Picture: Department for Transport

Left: Cllrs Sam and Elizabeth Bromiley

South Gloucestershire councillors Sam and Elizabeth Bromiley, who represent the Parkwall and Warmley ward that includes the trial area.

The councillors said: “We are absolutely delighted that our area has been selected to be a part of this trial. For too long local residents have been plagued by inconsiderate and reckless drivers and cause disruption without a care and it is great that we are ensuring local police are getting the support they need to take appropriate action and keep our communities safe and peaceful.”

Mr Skidmore said: “I have been pleased to champion this bid in Westminster and it is fantastic to see it succeed.

"This is a result of continued positive work with South Gloucestershire councillors, and I look forward to seeing the trial up and running.

“The more work we can do to deter antisocial behaviour in our communities, the more local people can enjoy our peaceful public and residential spaces unhindered.”

Transformed! Artist brings happiness to Hanham

YOUNGSTERS at Hanham Primary Federation now have a much cheerier environment all thanks to a local artist.

Matthew Jeanes, whose studio is in Warmley, wielded his magic paintbrush to transform the children's canteen and library areas.

The eating area now features animals on each wall with the library boasting images of their favourite book characters.

Deputy headteacher Joe Wills said: “We have recently had a local artist in to revamp our canteen area and library and would love to share it with the local community.

“Alongside this, we have invested in new flooring and furniture to make our offer for the children as good as it can be.”

The canteen now has a cafe-style feel and has been branded as The Hive Café.

Mr Wills said: “Our library is used throughout the week for children to access and select reading books at their level from a wide range but also for taking smaller groups of learners to read and learn their phonics in a quiet and enriching reading environment

that mirrors the cosy feel of home. We’re elated with how the artwork has turned out from Matthew Jeanes and the children have loved the café animals on every wall and enjoy seeing their favourite book characters, both modern and classic, in the library.”

Longwell Green Probus Club

WARMLEY based Longwell Green Probus Club enjoyed an Italian themed lunch recently with Italian food and wine plus a display of Italian books, brochures, recipes and artifacts and a programme of Italian related entertainment. This in-cluded clips from the ‘Italian job’, one member’s recollections of Italian holidays, Italian related videos and an Italian themed quiz. A very active and progressive club, we are always looking for new members to join in and possibly help with our various activities or perhaps introduce new ones so, if any guys out there are approaching retirement and not content with a pipe and slippers retirement, give our recruitment officer, Mike, a bell on 07817094147 for more details.

Storybook characters adorn the walls in the library

Animal magic in the canteen

Car parking charge rise adds to Clean Air Zone costs for drivers

Bristol City Council has announced increases in charges to park in its on- and off-street spaces in the city centre. It comes as the longdelayed Clean Air Zone, which will see drivers of older, more polluting

charged to enter the city centre, is introduced this month.

Parking charges to rise

HUGE price increases for Bristol City Council’s car parks and city centre on-street spaces have been approved – with some fees doubling.

Cabinet members agreed the rises on October 4, saying they were necessary to encourage people to use public transport, walk and cycle. They will apply from early next year.

But the changes are expected to persuade as few as one in 10 drivers to leave cars at home, while bringing an extra £1.6 million a year in income, a report to cabinet said.

The biggest hikes are for longer stays, with four hours on-street going up from £6

to £12, while one-hour stays remain at £4, with the aim of supporting shops and leisure activities with quicker turnover.

Off-street car park charges for shorter stays will generally increase by two-thirds, from £1.50 to £2.50 an hour, with parking up to four hours now costing £10 in total instead of £6 at present, making it the most expensive for a major city outside London.

All-day stays will rise from £13.50 to £18.

The changes will affect Trenchard Street, West End, Temple Gate, Portwall Lane, The Grove, Redcliffe Parade, Mardyke Wharf, Lower Guinea Street and College Street car parks.

Increased charges at a number of other car parks, including the Maritime Heritage Centre - where SS Great Britain visitor discounts will be scrapped - Brunel Lock, Queen Square and Brunswick Square, have also been agreed.

Consultations are needed on proposed increases at Frog Lane and Wapping Wharf, where the pricing structure is out of kilter with other car parks.

Cabinet member for transport Don Alexander said the increase reflected "inflationary costs", adding: “Our policy is that we want driving not to be a cheap way of

Could you be the next incredible member of our team?

coming into the city - we want to encourage people to use other modes.

“Bus fares have gone up and we want to make our park-and-rides more competitive, and we are working on more bus prioritisation and active travel measures, so we are making that shift."

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

CAZ will 'trap' disabled people in homes

MANY disabled people will be left “trapped in their homes” because they can’t afford Bristol’s impending Clean Air Zone charges or to upgrade their specially adapted vehicles to avoid them, councillors heard.

But mayor Marvin Rees has rejected calls to seek government approval to extend exemptions for blue badge holders beyond next March - and accused opposition councillors of "political opportunism" in failing to raise concerns before now.

A 'caged' demonstrator in a wheelchair was part of a protest by Bristol Disability Equality Forum outside City Hall before

Could you be the next incredible member of our team?

Fundraiser

Fundraiser

Do you enjoy talking to new people and getting involved in the local community? Would you like to run and manage local fundraising events of different sizes? And can you write compelling copy supporting business cases that would secure grants and trust funding?

Do you enjoy talking to new people and getting involved in the local community? Would you like to run and manage local fundraising events of different sizes?

And can you write compelling copy supporting business cases that would secure grants and trust funding?

Well, we have a vacancy for a fundraiser to join our friendly team.

Well, we have a vacancy for a fundraiser to join our friendly team.

We are looking for an enthusiastic person who is excited about making a difference for local people and can get the local community involved in helping too.

We are looking for an enthusiastic person who is excited about making a difference for local people and can get the local community involved in helping too.

You would be assisting local people with a learning disability to enjoy social opportunities and activities in Keynsham and the surrounding areas.

You would be assisting local people with a learning disability to enjoy social opportunities and activities in Keynsham and the surrounding areas.

A flexible 20 hrs a week role with some weekend and evening work £14.50 per hour based in Keynsham.

A flexible 20 hrs a week role with some weekend and evening work £14.50 per hour based in Keynsham.

If this sounds like you, you can apply online at keynshammencap.org.uk

If this sounds like you, you can apply online at keynshammencap.org.uk

For people with Learning Disabilities and Autism

many

their homes

access

CAZ, and by definition the less tight the CAZ, the later the date of compliance."

a

face fines that

them even deeper into

equality

assessment on the

recognised that disabled people will be disproportionately impacted. Despite this, insufficient mitigations have been put in place."

She said financial support to buy or adapt replacement vehicles was not enough, and in any case people had to work or volunteer for a certain number of hours to be eligible for it.

Green councillor Tim Wye said: "Too many exemptions could undermine the scheme and will be an administrative burden, however, I do not imagine that ensuring disabled people still have access to our city will generate a significant number of journeys.”

Mr Rees said an exemption for blue badge holders and hospital patients had already been extended until next March 31, and could not be changed further.

He said: “Any further extension would likely result in not meeting our legally mandated time-frame for air quality compliance. The more mitigations you put into the CAZ, the less tight you make the

Mr Rees said it the Greens had previously criticised the council for delays in the scheme - which is over a year late - and it was "a bit rich" to raise the issue when the scheme was about to start.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

CAZ: When it starts, who will pay - and how

BRISTOL'S Clean Air Zone will start operating on November 28.

From that date, drivers of cars, vans and taxis with petrol engines made before 2006 and diesel engines made before 2016 will have to pay £9 a day to enter an area including Broadmead, Cabot Circus, the Centre, Temple Quay and Spike Island.

Larger vehicles, such as lorries and buses, which do not meet Euro 6 diesel engine standards will be charged £100 a day.

The charges will be in force 24 hours a day, every day, to drive in an area from Old Market, Bond Street and Temple Way to Hotwell Road and Brunel Way, and from Marlborough Road to Coronation Road.

They will be enforced using cameras, with fines for non-payment.

Most drivers who have to pay the charges are expected to do so online, at www.gov.uk/ clean-air-zones. Motorists can enter their vehicle's registration number at the same site to find out whether it is liable for the charge.

The Voice has asked the city council what payment options are available for people who are not online.

While the authority had not published guidance as we went to press, advisors on the council's CAZ helpline, on 0117 903 6385, said the only other option for payments was in person at the Citizen Service Point at 100 Temple St, Redcliffe, which is open from 9am-5pm on weekdays, except Wednesdays, when it opens at 10am. Visit www. cleanairforbristol.org/caz for more details.

Protesters from Bristol Disability Equality Forum at City Hall

Making school run saferTown council gets nod

PLANS for a town council for Kingswood have been given final approval by South Gloucestershire Council.

The new council, which will have 15 councillors in six different wards, will have its first elections next May, after a review of local representation was approved at a council meeting on October 12.

Council cabinet member for communities Rachael Hunt said: "I’m delighted that the council will be introducing these new town and parish councils across South Gloucestershire.

"Solving community challenges using local knowledge and contacts is something that town and parish councils can often do better and more cost-effectively.

“Residents in these areas will now have a stronger voice and will be able to focus on what matters to them in their local area, such as keeping streets and open spaces clean and tidy, and having flower displays to brighten up community areas."

However, the decision to set up the council, and a parish council for Staple Hill and Mangotsfield, has been criticised as undemocratic. In both cases, response to the consultation was low and only a minority of those who took part wanted the new authorities.

In Kingswood, just 320 people – 1.49 per cent residents –participated in a consultation and 50 per cent of those did not want the new authority. Kingswood councillor Alison Evans said the council’s decision to proceed went against the wishes of local people and against British values.

Staple Hill councillor Ian Boulton described a report which claimed local opinion on the idea was "balanced" as "Orwellian", and said it had led to a perverse conclusion that "residents would accept the imposition of a parish council when clearly they don't".

STREETS outside a Hillfields school are being cleared of traffic every day at pick-up and drop-off times.

The School Street scheme for Minerva Primary Academy has also seen a full-time one-way system introduced on The Greenway from Hillfields Avenue to Summerleaze, and on the section of Cherrytree Crescent from The Greenway to Cherrytree Road.

Introduced for the new school term in September, the streets are being closed to "non-essential vehicles" from 8.15-9am and 2.45-3.30pm on Monday to Friday during term time, with a staffed barrier placed at the Greenway/Hillfields Avenue junction at the start and end of the school day, and police enforcement.

The School Streets scheme aims to "make journeys to school safer and healthier" and has also been introduced on a permanent basis outside Whitehall Primary School this term.

To celebrate the new scheme, Minerva Primary Academy children played games including hula hooping, hopscotch and skipping on the traffic-free roads outside the school in an event organised with non-profit group Playing Out.

Academy trusts set to join forces

TWO academy trusts in Somerset and the West of England are set to join forces early next year.

The proposed merger between Futura Learning Partnership and Clevedon Learning Trust has received formal approval from the Department for Education.

It will create a trust comprising 27 schools - one special, 20 primary and six secondary - across Somerset, North Somerset, Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Among them are Sir Bernard Lovell Academy in Oldland Common and The Meadows Primary in Bitton.

The new organisation will be called Futura Learning Partnership, the name adopted last year, and will adopt the CLT strapline ‘Children, Choice and Collaboration’.

Chief executive Andrea Arlidge said the two trusts had common vision and values and were each committed to developing an inclusive, allthrough organisation based on a powerful understanding of the educational journey from age three to 19.

She said: “We are all

delighted that the DfE Advisory Board has recognised the strengths of our proposal, which was unanimously supported by both trusts. This merger will bring improved opportunities for more than 10,000 young people and 1500 staff. Each of our schools will retain its own identity, reflective of the community it serves, while also benefiting from the support of a strong trust.”

The proposal is in line with the Government’s ambition for every school to be part of a strong trust by 2030. Staff and governors will have the chance to find out more over the coming months. The target date for the merger is February 2023.

Malcolm Broad, Futura’s chair of trustees, said: “This is an exciting step forward in our move to secure a confident future for our family of schools. ”

Alister Christopher, chair of the CLT board, said: “The Advisory Board was very impressed with the proposal and shared our view that joining forces with Futura will create a strong and sustainable new trust.”

n KINGSWOOD HISTORY SOCIETY

The Homes of the Bristol Poor

By Garry Atterton

A fascinating insight going back in time to Bristol in the 19th century.

Garry opened his presentation citing James Crosby of the Bristol Mercury. His pioneering series in 1884 "Homes of the Bristol Poor" caused a sensation. This was simply getting the views of the working class in such areas as Easton, St Judes, Bedminster and St Phillips. Life expectancy was 40, one in four children did not reach the age of 5. Far worse than for any developing country today.

An outline of how Victorian poverty was created; rapid industrialisation, followed by high density housing and disease.

Solutions were developed with the introduction of health legislation albeit Bristol was slow to act.

The presentation also focused on East Bedminster, where in 1851 approx 20,000 people lived and with no sewers. The area known for terracies, tanneries and trains. In 1930 slum clearance was started and of today only 15 houses remain !

A thought provoking and compelling vision of yesterdays with today.

Next meeting at the Park Centre, Kingswood is Tuesday 1st Nov, 7pm for 7.30 pm start. Visitors £3.50 incl tea/coffee and biscuit.

A talk on "Bristol in the 50s", a change from the original scheduled presentation.

Industries of the future are developing at science park

local MP, I am delighted at two major new

and nationally

local

Russia’s illegal

of

historically high

the need to fight climate change

the importance of developing home-grown

It’s welcome news, therefore, that our increasingly world-renowned Institute of Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPs), at the Bristol and Bath Science Park, has secured funding to deliver its Hydrogen Sustainable Transport Economy Accelerator.

This project will create a new and unique ‘green hydrogen’ production, storage, and research facility, will help collaboration between industry and academia and support to start-ups and small businesses, and prepare for and capture opportunities from the hydrogen economy. The government’s ‘UK Hydrogen Strategy’ estimates that by 2050 the hydrogen economy will create 100,000 jobs and £13 billion of benefit to our economy, driven by application in road transport, maritime and aviation sectors.

This will include a UK-first – a ‘liquid hydrogen and cryogenic cooling’ capability to deliver the power demands of the latest propulsion technologies. The project will

create over 250 new jobs and protect existing jobs too, adding £33.5 million to the West of England economy each year.

I am particularly proud to see IAAPS go from strength to strength.

As the local MP, I worked closely with the University of Bath to lobby the government and others for the original funding to build it - and then as a government minister laid the foundation plaque of the building in 2019.

The second major new investment to welcome is planning permission being granted for a new £58m investment at the science park. The state-of-the-art new Inhalation Centre of Excellence building, which should be completed in 2025, will enable local company Vectura to expand its operations, and provide new career opportunities for research and development scientists and engineers in pharmaceutical and device manufacturing.

It will help create new inhaled treatments and products for patients and consumers.

In my new role leading the national independent Net Zero Review, it is fantastic to be able to champion projects and investments in the Kingswood constituency that represent a blueprint for the rest of the country to follow, as we seek to grow our economy, reduce carbon emissions and capitalise on the industries of the future.

n WHAT'S ON

A fab lot!

THE Beatles. The single most famous band on the planet, and one who definitely need no introduction! ‘Beatlemania’ started in 1963 and has never really ended. Memorabilia relating to the ‘Fab Four’ is still collected all around the world, with items still changing hands for thousands of pounds.

One of the most sought-after items for collectors is a full set of the bands’ autographs. But it’s a world fraught with danger. I estimate that we see a set of Beatles autographs at least once every two weekshowever, very few of these are genuine and very often not signed by any of the band.

In the autograph community it is estimated that for every genuine set of Beatles signatures, there are twenty sets of fake autographs. Without a doubt The Beatles are the most-known faked set of signatures around. And its not new. As early as 1962 the band’s secretary Freda Kelly was known to become an expert at forging each members’ signature, so if you wrote off to the official fan club and received something back, chances are they were signed by her. If you went to see the band in concert and left your autograph book at the stage door, chances are it never made it past her pen. Even members George Harrison and Ringo Starr fast became experts at signing for the rest of the band too, so you can even have a full set of autographs written by either of them. Then in the 1980s came the master forgers who could copy any signature expertly, and right up to present day with technology where an autograph can be written by a machine with only a few tell-tale marks left behind – fooling everyone accept a few worldly experts.

However – every now and then a genuine set comes in. I’m pleased to say we have one such set up for auction in November, and it happens to be a beauty! A friend of the vendor’s father was chairman of EMI in the 1960s and got this photograph as a present for his daughter. Signed photographs by all four members are very rare, and only a handful are known to exist. This photograph carries an estimate of £5,000 to £10,000 and it will very likely exceed that estimate. A real ‘fab’ lot!

Andy Stowe East Bristol Auctions

n HANHAM TENNIS CLUB reopens after court repainting and the addition of

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

n BRISTOL U3A: Would you like to take part in activities where you can share skills, abilities or hobbies whilst having fun and making new friends? Go to www.bristolu3a.org.uk for details.

November 12

n HANHAM EVENING WI AUTUMN FAYRE at Hanham Community Centre, 10am - 1pm. Entry is free and there is also ample free parking. There will be 25 tables selling a variety of goods including craft items, art work, greetings cards, jewellery, children and baby items, bric-a-brac and books. Traditional homemade WI cakes will also be on sale. Hot and cold refreshments will be available including bacon rolls.

REGULAR EVENTS

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). Meetings are friendly with interesting speakers and social activities, if you'd like to come along - we'd love to see you. Please phone Maureen on 0117 9322341 for further information

WEDNESDAY

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

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

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

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

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

THURSDAY

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

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

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 if you would like to visit us.

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

FOUR people have been arrested by detectives investigating the murder of a Fishponds fatherto-be.

Takayo Nembhard was stabbed to death in Ladbroke Grove, during the Notting Hill Carnival on August 29.

The 21-year-old rapper was building a career in music after previously working as an apprentice for Bristol City Council.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said two men, aged 23 and 18, were arrested at "residential addresses" in Bristol on October 19.

A 20-year-old woman was arrested on the same day in Islington, London, on suspicion of assisting an offender.

The teenager and woman were bailed pending further enquiries, and the 23-year-old was released under investigation.

A 17-year-old boy was then arrested in Bristol on October 22, on suspicion of murder. He was

in police custody as the Voice went to press.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Shirley, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “Ever since the tragic murder of Takayo, my team and I have been busy behind the scenes gathering intelligence and evidence to bring his killers to justice, and we will continue to work around the clock until they are behind bars.

"We are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward.

"Takayo was stabbed to death in broad daylight in front of a huge crowd of people. I am confident that there are people out there who have not yet spoken to us, for whatever reason that may be.

"If you saw something and have not yet spoken to us, please do so as a matter of urgency.

"Don’t do it for me - do it for Takayo’s family, who are still trying to come to terms with their terrible loss."

of rapper Takayo

Hundreds of people lined the streets and attended a funeral for Takayo, who recorded and performed as TKorStretch, at the E5 Church in Kingsdown on October 14.

The former Bristol Rovers academy and Yate Town youth footballer had attended St Matthias and Dr Bell's Primary School - now known as Fishponds C of E Academy - as a child, later going to Sir Bernard Lovell Academy in Oldland Common, where he had been a house captain.

Takayo died of a stab wound in a London hospital after being stabbed on the last night of the carnival, after police officers and paramedics had worked in the street to try and save him.

The police have set up a dedicated page where people can upload photos and videos of the incident, which can be found at mipp.police.uk/ operation/01MPS22U27-PO1.

Information can also be

provided by calling the incident room directly on 020 7175 2206 to speak to an officer, by calling 101 or by tweeting @MetCC quoting 7478/29AUG.

People can also give information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visiting www. crimestoppers-uk.org.

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Decluttering does wonders for mental health

PHYSICAL environments influence emotions, cognition, and behaviors.

Cluttered environments can be uncomfortable, embarrassing, depressing and stressful. They can cause friction between household members and create feelings of not being in control.

Clutter causes negativity. If your hallway has become a dumping ground, every time you come into your home it will feel negative rather than positive. If the clutter continues into the kitchen these negative feelings continue, and so on and so forth.

I have been running the declutter service for over 10 years and thankfully have seen many positive changes in recycling. It is a great resource, and if an item can be recycled it is far easier to let it go.

There is no harm in asking for help and people find that once they’ve tackled their clutter, they feel that a weight has been lifted, their mood improves and they enjoy a sense of freedom.

Reorganising and decluttering and your home is not about making a ‘show home’. It is about managing your belongings and making your home an inviting, pleasurable place to live in and somewhere to feel proud of.

you have hoarding tendencies or are just fed up with general mess and clutter, help is at hand to get you motivated.

provide a friendly tailor made service that works with you, at your pace, with empathy and understanding.

FM DeClutter

Takayo Nembhard

Pharmacy will never be complacent about the NHS. Not just because of historical accounts of post-war British life or the Beveridge report and the opposition to its implementation. Two conversations removed from our numerous patient care experiences have shaped this. The first came when I was a student, spending the summer working in a pharmacy in the United States. On the second day there, the insurance approval for a patient with a five-day course of antibiotics was denied, with no money to top up, giving the supervising pharmacist that ‘‘how do we help out'' stare. We all knew two days would not be enough. Later he took me aside and explain ‘‘how the system works here’’.

The next experience was a conversation with a patient who

recounted her dad, a landowner settling medical accounts for his workers, before the NHS. As a little girl, her vivid memory of the NHS creation was universal care - not dependent on her dad’s willingness or ability to ‘‘pay the bill’’.

As we go into this winter, we face many challenges. History books make it clear that postwar life was tough. While not comparable, we will likely require the same community spirit and stewardship to get through the next few months. Looking back at the early days of the pandemic, we all made choices to protect ourselves, loved ones and the most vulnerable in our community. The NHS has now been under relentless pressure; it has a massive backlog, staff shortages and an exhausted workforce. Simple as it may

sound, getting your Covid booster and flu jab, means you don’t catch and spread both virus infections. Play your part in reducing ambulance delays and bed shortages – come in, roll up and get jabbed. There are now many community initiatives to help mitigate the cost-of-living crisis.

We are familiar with people on fixed state income, such as pensions and benefits, struggling with inflation. We are also now facing working families in crisis due to higher bills and mortgage struggling. That is alongside the energy cost of staying warm this winter. First, I want to say that if you need help, please ask. This is not your failure. As a community, we have learnt how to look after each other with dignity while providing practical help. The NHS is safe only when

we care about, value and make choices to protect it. As our community stands up to look after each other, let us also help look after you. Our NHS is fragile and imperfect but shares our indomitable spirit.

Ellacombe Pharmacy will continue to be your stalwart. Do also make a difference by going to the right place for care (not always the GP or A&E) and getting your flu and Covid jabs.

Celebrating recycling success in South Gloucestershire

WE’RE extremely proud of how good we are at recycling in South Gloucestershire.

The latest figures (2020/21) show that 60% of household waste is put out for recycling by residents, placing us well ahead of the national average.

We now have the fifth-high est recycling rate of all unitary authorities in the country and are recycling ten times more waste than we were in the year 2000.

These record-breaking figures are testament to the commit ment and effort that you, our residents, put into recycling your waste.

The council has also made ambitious changes to our waste and recycling collections, which means we are well on our way to hit our 70% recycling target, with nothing going to landfill, by 2030.

We are beginning to explore options for when our current waste contract ends in 2025, however officers and cabinet

members have stressed that the intention is to stay with the current method and timescale of weekly recycling and food waste collections and fortnightly black bin collections.

Recycle Week took place recently, from October 17-23, and this year the focus was to help people recycle even more by improving knowledge about how recycling makes a difference.

Recycling keeps metals, plastics, glass, paper, card and even clothing in use for longer, reducing the need for raw mate rials and in turn saving energy, water, fuel and the materials themselves. Recycling is one of the easiest ways we can help reduce our impact on nature and the environment.

Most of South Gloucester shire’s recycling is processed in the UK to make new products and packaging. Our food waste is recycled in Bristol, where it gener ates electricity and fertiliser.

Sorting and separating items in your recycling containers helps our crews put them into the right part of the truck and send them to the correct destination for processing, maximising recycling and keeping the cost of waste lower.

Our efforts are being further boosted by our involvement in a national trial to collect plastic bags and wrapping from households, as part of normal weekly recycling collections. The trial will help inform government and industry how plastic bags and wrapping can be added to existing household recycling collections to protect our envi ronment.

These collections began from October 17, with selected house holds from parts of Bradley Stoke, Chipping Sodbury and Olveston taking part.

If successful, the number of homes included will be expanded in 2023, with an aim of rolling

it out to all households in the district by 2025.

Further information on waste and recycling collections and ad vice on how you can re-use and recycle more of your waste can be found online at beta.southglos. gov.uk/environment-and-waste/ waste-and-recycling.

Hunt,

member for communities

Luca's on the move

a

based in Duncombe Lane, has raised more than £46,000 since opening in 2020, spending most of the money on equipment for local families of children with disabilities and also regularly donating to mental health charity Mind.

Luka Cerabona, from Keynsham, is the 11th person to be helped by the cafe, which raised £4,900 for his new wheelchair.

He received it on a visit to the cafe in late October, when it was handed over by specialist firm Taylor Made Wheelchairs, and was only too happy to give supporters a demonstration in the car park.

Luka’s mum Kim Cerabona thanked the fundraisers, saying: "We are extremely grateful to you alland just look how happy Luka is, all made possible from your kindness.

"The joy in his face just melts my heart. This has given us great hope for the future and one step closer to independence for Luka."

Cafe volunteer Denis Demmery said: "It's fantastic to see the happiness and difference our cafe makes to someone."

The cafe 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.

It is staffed and managed entirely by volunteers.

Day for carers

A CHARITY supporting the city's carers is inviting people to an event to help them find out more about dealing with the cost-ofliving crisis.

Carers Support Centre is hosting the Carers Rights Day event at the Vassall Centre in Gill Avenue, Fishponds, on November 24.

It is inviting unpaid carers who are providing vital support to family or friends, from across Bristol and South Gloucestershire, to join the event in person or online.

The charity is offering help and advice to carers, who it says are among the "hardest hit" by rising inflation.

People can find out about how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting carers, ask questions of council representatives and find out about where and how to ask for support to deal with financial difficulties.

Carers Support Centre spokesperson Adrian Robson said: "The event will also give people the chance to meet other carers, mingle, share food, browse stalls, enjoy free pampering, and join other carers for a Walk and Talk in nearby Vassalls Park.

"Or, if you prefer, the event can be joined from home via Zoom."

The event runs from 10.30am to 3pm.

To book a place visit www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk/events, email Comms@carerssupportcentre.org.uk or call 0117 958 9902.

Hanham Road, Kingswood, Bristol

Artistic pupils reimagine their world

in

the

in St George are pioneering The World Reimagined, which

the topic through art.

for art at BBA, said: “Students really embraced this project, and a lot of thought

passion went into the design. I feel it is important to bring issues that are happening around the world into the classroom so we

educate and debate with our students

of these matters.”

Summerhill Academy the children designed and painted the Summerhill globe with words and fabric patterns inspired by the colours and proverbs relating to traditional fabrics.

of the children who took part, Ahmed aged 10, said: “I am really proud to be able to show off some of our history and culture to other children in school and in Bristol.”

Barrett, principal, said: “Summerhill Academy prides itself on the way it embraces

community's heritage and traditions and weaves them into its Personal Development

something which Ofsted rated as 'outstanding' in a visit earlier this year.”

two schools are part of Cabot

Federation and their decorated globes featured as part of the CLF Arts Festival in the summer, where they were hugely admired by students, teachers, families, and members of the community.

The Summerhill globe and pupils at work on the Bristol Brunel piece

We must stand together against hate crime

MY team and I recently recognised National Hate Crime Awareness Week.

Hate crime is an offence that is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, disability and gender identity, instead of something they have done, the result of a disagreement or being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Being targeted because of your age, race, sexual orientation, religion or any other reason is unacceptable and, as communities, if we see this behaviour we must challenge it and report it.

We must help give victims of hate crime the confidence to speak to the police or partner agencies about their experience.

If, as a victim, you do not feel like you can talk to the police for whatever reason, there are still many options available for support, such as Victim Support, SARI

or VOCAS, the Victims of Crime Advocacy Service.

VOCAS provides an enhanced advocacy service to those victims of crime who feel they need it and an opportunity to talk in confidence to someone who understands how race, sexuality, disability, mental health, age and/ or exclusion can contribute to you struggling to have your voice heard or understanding your rights and options.

To tackle hate crime, we must stand together and fight for a stronger and fairer society.

I also want to let you know about courier fraud scams, which appear to be increasing.

Unsuspecting victims receive calls from criminals asking them to withdraw cash and leave it for a courier to collect.

In one scam, the criminal pretends to work for the victim’s bank and says they are investigating counterfeit notes at their local branch.

They tell the victim to withdraw

money, and not to tell the bank what they have been asked to do.

The criminals then send someone to the victim’s house to collect the notes, claiming they will be checked to see if they are counterfeit – in reality, they just drive off with the victim’s money.

Another scam is when the fraudster claims to work for the police and says they have arrested someone using a cloned card belonging to the victim.

The victim is urged to withdraw money as part of the investigation - but is simply giving it to the fraudster.

These scammers pose as trusted officials and apply pressure in the hope people will let their guard down.

I want us to be one step ahead of them.

So, what should you do if you are targeted?

Take your time and consider if the police or your bank would really ask you to do this. If the answer is no, hang up - as long as

With Police and Crime Commissioner

Mark Shelford

you have not provided your bank details, your money is safe.

If you want to call the police or your bank, using an advertised number, leave it at least 10 minutes or preferably use a different phone - fraudsters often stay on the other end of the line, keeping the connection open and pretending to be whoever you have dialled.

Finally, report it to Action Fraud, online or on 0300 123 2040.

KING'S Oak Academy have had footballing

kits sponsored by SJC Building Services and Clifton Surveys. Both companies are run by local people with strong links to King's Oak.

Three sides have now won their opening games of this year's ESFA National Cup. The U15s beat Bristol Brunel Academy and will travel to Millfield School in the next round. The U16s beat Sidcot School and will face Courtfields School next while the U14 Girls team beat The Blue School from Wells and will host Kings of Wessex.

Katherine Ogden, principal, said: "All teams did King's Oak proud playing some brilliant football whilst always maintaining the utmost respect for their opponents."

Memorial concert

A CONCERT is set to raise the rafters of a church in tribute to a man who died from motor neurone disease.

The concert in memory of Martin Brown has been organised by retired GP Peter Moore, who worked at Kingswood Health Centre for 30 years but had to retire after himself being diagnosed with MND 13 years ago.

The event on November 12 at Christ Church in Downend will raise money for the MND Association, which works to improve access to care, funds research and campaigns for people living with or affected by the debilitating and life-shortening condition.

Peter said: "Martin was a popular, energetic and friendly man. Full of integrity and compassion, he was a father figure to many."

Peter said Martin first felt something was wrong when he fell over without warning in December 2016. He was diagnosed with MNDthe following April and died in January 2018.

Peter said: "Martin and I were friends. Because I was well into my own MND journey, we were able to talk very candidly about the devastating effect the disease had on us and the concerns we had for our loved ones. Martin's disease tested him but he remained resilient and brave and died peacefully in Southmead hospital."

Bands The Music Train and the Riff Raff choir will be performing pop and rock songs from recent decades at the concert.

Doors open at 7pm and tickets, which cost £8, can be reserved by calling 0774 803 3226 or texting 0787 066 4027.

All the money raised will go to the MND Association in memory of Martin, and Peter has also set up an online page, which can be found at justgiving.com/fundraising/martinbrowmnd

The Park Centre, High Street, Kingswood BS15 4AR Monday: 9.30am

Tel: Hayley. B 07813561505

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

AEK Boco FC, Greenbank Road, Hanham BS15 3RZ

Thursday: 9.15am, 11.00am 3.45, 5.15 & 7.00pm Friday: 9.00am Tel: Kate 07979494964

The Batch, 8a Park Road, Warmley BS30 8EB Saturday: 9.30am Tel: Erica 07766425725

slimmingworld.co.uk slimmingworld.co.uk

MAYOR

Under the bed, in the West of England: keeping us dogs safe during Bonfire Night

BANG! Pop! Screeeeech, Pant!

Hello, I’m Angel, First Dog of the West of England, and I write today to formally protest about your human Bonfire Night celebrations with those loud boom-boom things that terrify me and my fellow canine pals. Bad humans! Bad!

I’m sorry. I don’t actually think you’re bad. I think you’re the best, promise. Let’s go for a walk. Please can we go for a walk. Anyway, let’s cut to the chase. What, did someone say chase?!

Sorry, back again. The point is that for you hoo-mans, Bonfire Night may well be a time to ‘ooh’ and ‘aww’ over impressive displays and pretty colours exploding in the night sky. But un expected loud noises tend to have the opposite effect on us pets, and can leave owners pretty frazzled too - sorry, Dan!

The RSPCA say an estimated 62% of dogs in the UK show signs of fear on Bonfire Night. It’s easy for you all to say “Calm it, it’s just fireworks,” but that’s like you watching the UK’s current eco nomic trials and tribulations and us dogs telling you: “Calm it - mortgage rates, interest rates, fuel costs and inflation are no big deal – they are just money things.”

So what can you do to help man’s best friend? Here are a few pointers for the big night.

The best thing you can do for your scaredy cat (or dog) is to make the day as un-Bonfire Night-like as possible. Why not create a ‘doggy haven’ with all our fave toys and blankets, like Dan has in the spare room - which, if you don’t mind me saying, is a bit dusty - or put on calm music to muffle the boom-y noises? I’m a big fan of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No 9 in E major –yes, I’m a cultured pooch!

And if you’re going to buy them, then please consider getting those ‘silent’ fireworks, or qui eter ones at least. The good thing about that is loads of supermarkets are stocking their shelves with these now - and some, like Sainsbury’s, have even stopped selling fireworks altogether (woooo!).

Dan’s a big fan of these quieter fireworks. He doesn’t want to be complete killjoy, because he, like many people, really enjoys the displays, but he thinks it’s bonkers the noise levels in those big scary light things used at public events are around 120 dB - equivalent to a rock concert or a jet engine.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris and his dog Angel write for the Voice

He thinks there are sensible ways to reduce the impact fireworks have on animals – includ ing farm animals and horses. That’s why he’s written to all supermarkets to clarify whether or not they’ll be stocking quiet ones in the run-up to celebrating the Gunpowder Plot near-miss of 1605 in 2022, and is encouraging you all to buy them. Way to go, Dan!

Happy Bonfire Night! Keep yourself and your furry family members safe and healthy!

Sincerely, Angel, very good girl to Metro Mayor Dan Norris.

Queen in 1969 in Zion Church, Two Mile Hill

Hanham Evening WI

Happy birthday to us was the theme of our October meeting as we celebrated our 40th birthday in style.

However, when we started to organise our celebrations little did we know of the events that would happen over the ensuing months to make the occasion even more poignant.

We had set aside a day for our celebrations which we divided into two separate events. In the morning, with our late Queen Elizabeth 11 at the forefront of our minds, we had arranged a tree planting ceremony to mark the late Queen’s platinum jubilee. The tree was planted in the grounds of Hanham Community Centre where our meetings are normally held.

It was lovely, brisk, sunny morning and fortunately the rain stayed away. The tree was a Rowan which was purchased from branch funds and was marked with a suitably inscribed plaque to confirm its meaning.

Over 30 members attended together with Sue Murphy, Chair of the Avon Federation, and some staff from the centre. After the planting ceremony we adjourned to the centre to finish the morning with coffee and cakes and some time for reflection.

We continued our celebrations later that evening with our birthday party which was held at the Community Centre. It took the form of an American style supper and our members brought along a wonderful array of food to suit every taste. The supper was followed by a celebration cupcake which everyone enjoyed.

Our entertainment for the evening was provided courtesy of musical comedy duo Bonner and Blake. Their act brought a smile to everyone’s face. Their

clever use of costume, their varied repertoire of old favourites, their own cleverly written compositions containing some brilliant lyrics made for a wonderful evening’s entertainment.

We are now looking forward to our Autumn Fayre which is being held at the Community Centre on Saturday November 12th from 10.00am.

There will be 25 tables selling a variety of goods including craft items, art work, greetings cards, jewellery, children and baby items, bric-a-brac and books. Traditional homemade WI cakes will also be on sale.

Hot and cold refreshments will be available including our speciality bacon rolls.

There will be a grand raffle with superb hampers as prizes so why not come along to browse and brunch and perhaps pick up a bargain or two.

Entry is free and there is also ample free parking

Hanham Afternoon WI

What a marvellous meeting we had in October, we were visited by Tracey Rowbotham a RHS Chelsea Gold Medal winning florist, designer and stylist who has worked in the floristry industry for many years. Her work has allowed her to travel extensively sourcing and developing new and exciting products – Hong Kong, China, Germany and Holland. Creating and designing large scale installations exhibitions, trade stands and retail outlets.

After demonstrating five incredible arrangements from huge pots of foliage and flower to small hand tied bouquets we were suitably impressed. The icing on the cake was to follow when Tracey donated her afternoons work to be used for our raffle. Needless to say, there was a rush of ladies anxious to buy tickets.

Members were reminded of forthcoming events with Christmas not too far away with several Carol Services both locally and in Bath.

Our next meeting is about remembrance and a talk “Bristol at War,” also our AGM and election of new committee members.

If you would like to join us, we shall be meeting at 1.30pm in Hanham Community Centre on 14th November. For more information please contact our Secretary on 01179325027.

Avon Federation of WIs

On Tuesday 27th September, Avon Federation of Women’s Institutes held its Annual Meeting; the first in-person meeting for three years.

The venue this year was BAWA Conference Centre at Filton; an excellent choice to accommodate the members and guests attending – just under 300. The meeting commenced with a one-minute silence in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a WI member for 79 years. This was followed by the singing of Jerusalem, led by Mary McCorquodale of Chipping Sodbury WI.

As with any charity, there was a formal/business element to the meeting, including an annual report from the Chair (Sue Murphy), and adoption of the accounts presented to us by the Treasurer (Marion Hulance).

Following this we had several guest speakers who gave us very informative and inspirational talks. Rosie Walker from Woodland Trust

told us of the work the Trust does – not only encouraging planting of new trees, but also preserving ancient trees – the value of these trees to the environment cannot be overstated.

We then heard from two members of Avon Federation who are Climate Ambassadors – Wendy Clegg of Southern Clevedon WI, and Diane Barnard of Alveston WI. We are all aware of the issues related to climate change, and the need to halt its progress, so we are proud to have members within Avon Federation who are prepared to take on the challenge, with the support of National Federation, to tackle the subject. Perhaps their talks will inspire others.

The talks from Rosie, Wendy and Diane had a related theme –care and well-being of our planet. The final speaker of the morning also spoke of care and well-being –but this time for ourselves. Pauline Cox of Sow & Arrow, Clevedon is a nutritional therapist, and explained how our lifestyle and the food we

eat can be detrimental to our wellbeing, and the things we can do to change and overcome this.

Following lunch, there were various awards and presentations.

It was then time for our final speaker, the Rev. Kate Bottley. Seeing Kate on TV and recognizing her mixture of commitment to God with her wit and humour is one thing, but to listen to her speak for an hour is enthralling, and wonderfully funny and uplifting. We all had happy, smiling faces.

The meeting ended with the singing of the National Anthem.

For information on AFWI ring the office on 0117 9864782.

Office

Dianna Coles

Avon WI chair Sue Murphy with the Rev Kate Bottley

Delight as Frys win first title in ten years

had a successful end to the season, picking up their first title in 10 years by winning the Bristol St Andrew's Floodlit League Division 3 title after a thrilling finale. The format for the was 6 teams of 2 rinks, with all teams playing on the same night. A total of 6 points were on offer in each game; 2 points for winning a rink and a further 2 for the overall win. The open competition allowed players who don't got the chance, the opportunity to get some competitive bowls.

opened the campaign with a game against Bristol Arrow. A strong performance on rink 1 set up a comfortable win Frys, with rink 2 also able to take their win giving Frys a 48-18 win with all 6 points leaving Frys top on shots difference from Yate and SLAT, who had also set out their title credentials with 6-0 wins.

The second game was against Yate. A close first half then went in favour of Yate with rink 2 pulling away to set up the 35-25 win for

Yate. Rink 1 were able to keep things tight, thanks to some big saves from Frys skip early on, with the rink coming down to last end, with Frys picking up the required shots to come away with a single point.

SLAT were the opponents in game 3 in what turned out be a high quality encounter. Both teams had a rink pull out to a lead, but after the halfway point, both teams pulled the rinks back leaving both rinks and the game in the balance. Rink 1 pulled out a 17-16 win, leaving Frys 2 up with rink 2 1 shot up with one end left. After falling behind in the end, Frys were able to get back into the end, restricting the SLAT skip to a draw for the final shot, leaving Frys 36-35 winners with 5 points, drawing Frys level with SLAT in the table on 12 points, but remaining ahead on shots difference. 6 points for Yate saw them take a 5 point lead with 2 games left.

Game four against Bristol Greenbank started in poor

conditions, which only got worse as the night went on, leading to the round being abandoned and with not enough ends completed to constitute a match, all 6 teams were awarded 3 points.

The final round of games saw Yate at the top of the table, 5 points ahead of Frys and SLAT with a superior shots difference to both. Frys and SLAT were level on 15 points, with Frys 10 shots ahead. Frys met Begbrook Green in their game, with Yate and SLAT meeting on the 2 rinks next door. 2 points from Yate would see them take the title. Frys had a slow start with Begbrook taking the early lead. Meanwhile SLAT set about making their charge on the title taking the lead on both rinks. Frys rink 2 started to get back into the game, eventually taking a comfortable lead. Rink 1 gradually got themselves back into the game, but some big counts dropped left them with some work to do. Next door, SLAT were taking an easy victory on rink 1, but with rink 2 having

conceded a 6, Yate were very much back in the hunt, eventually taking a 3 shot lead on the rink with 2 ends left. A thrilling last couple of ends played out with Frys taking the lead on rink 1, leaving Frys sitting on the 6 points required for the title. Back on rink 2 in the SLAT v Yate game, SLAT picked up 2 shots on the penultimate end, and held 2 shots with Yate's skip having the last bowl, needing to grab the shot to win the league. A running bowl from Yate's skip went through the gap between SLAT's second shot and the jack, giving SLAT a 6 point win. With Frys comfortably up on shots and rink 1 6 shots up in their final end, a single shot and a 43-26 win confirmed that the Division 3 title would be coming to Somerdale, finishing on 21 points and 18 shots ahead of SLAT and earning promotion into the 2nd division in 2023.

Contact our Secretary, Stephen Day, on 01225 872959, e-mail: frysbowlsclub@gmail.com, to apply for membership.

Tackling the climate emergency

South Gloucestershire is taking action to respond to the climate emergency with many initiatives to help residents and organisations play their part in helping the planet.

Recycling success

More than 2,000 South Gloucestershire homes are taking part in an exciting trial of a new flexible plastic recycling scheme as part of their normal weekly recycling collections. Selected households in Bradley Stoke, Chipping Sodbury and Olveston are participating in the first year of the potential three-year trial which is part of the drive to increase the amount of packaging that we can recycle to protect our environment, including plastic bags, confectionary wrappers, foil lined packaging and plastic film. Government figures on national recycling rates show South Gloucestershire is now recycling 60 per cent of all its waste. The council had the fifth highest recycling rate of all councils of its kind in the country in 2020/21, an amazing success by everyone involved.

Green light for nature projects

The council is looking at ways to protect and conserve wildlife and nature across the area. It is a key part of the council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan, for which it was scored in the top-10 of councils in the UK, recognising the commitment to deliver real change.

Several nature projects have been given the go ahead, including as part of the new local plan. One such project is Frampton End Farm nature reserve, near Frampton Cotterell where planting new trees and wetlands will help act as a carbon sink, absorbing carbon dioxide emis sions and tackling climate change.

At Siston Common in Kingswood, hundreds of local volunteers recently came together to plant over 7,000 wildflower plants in the new meadow created by the council. The mass planting marked the start of the Commons Con nections, the Wild Belt project, a £1.26 million project to increase, improve and better connect important habitats across South Gloucestershire for nature that will also include the planting over 6,000 new trees to help address biodiversity decline.

Improvements will be made to links between registered common land, unimproved grasslands, woodlands and associated habitats along the South Gloucestershire and Bristol border. Tree and wildflowers will be planted, alongside the conservation of grassland habitats and pond creation and restoration.

The council will create a brand-new biodiversity-focused park at the former Warmley Pitch and Putt golf course to support nature

recovery in the community. The council asked residents to choose where the park should be and received nearly 200 responses with the most popular choice being the former golf course. The park will also aim to include space that is accessible for everyone, providing a

Following its success last year, the council’s tree voucher scheme is back. To mark National Tree Week (Saturday 26 November –Sunday 4 December), the council will be offering vouchers that can be exchanged for trees once again to residents to improve the tree coverage in South Gloucestershire. The council is aiming to plant enough trees by 2030 to double its tree canopy to improve biodiversity and keep its local environment healthy as part of its response to the climate and nature emergency.

stimulating and relaxing environment for the whole community. Consultation on what might be included as part of the new park will start in November and on the council’s consultation website at southglos.gov.uk/consultations

Tree Week coming up

Cllr Steve Reade planting wildflowers with Max and Kady Stuart

Community planting in Page Park, Staple Hill

Spotlight on learning Schools success

South Gloucestershire is making great strides with education, as demonstrated by its recent Ofsted reports. Over the last five years, its schools have moved from 35 per cent Good or Outstanding at Secondary and Post 16 to 71 per cent. And, as of 31 May this year, 83 per cent of all its schools (including Primary) are rated as Good or Outstanding. This means 32,432 of the area’s young people attend a Good or Outstanding South Gloucestershire School, compared with 6,036 pupils in 2017.

Building blocks of learning in Winterbourne and Frenchay

The new Frenchay Church of England Primary School opened its doors to pupils last month. The £11 million building on the former Frenchay Hospital site will accommodate 420 pupils – up from 140 at its former Victorian home on Frenchay Common, where it had been since 1842.

The building is designed to the standards of environmental organisation Passivhaus, meaning it will have a very low carbon impact on the environment. Benefiting from an £800,000 investment from the council’s Climate Emergency Fund, the design includes high levels of insulation, triple glazing, low energy LED lighting, heating provided by air-source heat pumps and recycling of heat through a mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system, which also ensures good air quality throughout the school.

The school will use electricity only, requir ing no fossil fuel consumption on site, and generate its own zero carbon energy through photovoltaic solar panels on the roof, with any surplus energy feeding into the national grid.

Meanwhile, work is underway building Elm Park Primary School’s new facilities. Two build ings will replace the Winterbourne school’s existing premises over two phases, ultimately providing places for 210 local children to learn in high quality classrooms.

The first phase is expected to cost around £11 million, provided by the council, and will open for pupils at the start of term in September 2023. Also designed to Passivhaus standards to minimise environmental impact, the new buildings will transform the existing site with eight classrooms and state-of-the-art facilities providing community-use spaces in cluding a hall, multi-use outdoor sports pitch and playing field.

This is all part of the council’s continued investment in schools with £82m capital investment since 2019 and last summer more than £2.2m was spent on improvements and maintenance.

Summer Reading Challenge

Six thousand children took part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge at South Glouces tershire libraries, with primary school children reading nearly 100,000 books

over the school holidays. Libraries and The Reading Agency partnered with the Science Museum Group for this year’s challenge, which helps to build children’s reading skills and confidence.

The science and innovation theme, named ‘Gadgeteers’, was designed to spark children’s curiosity about the world around them and celebrate the role of the imagination in both reading and the sciences. Parents and carers said the challenge had been great to keep children reading over the summer holidays and the free events really helped to involve and encourage children to be part of the challenge.

Well done to all those who took on the challenge.

Cllr Ben Burton and Cllr Erica Williams with Headteacher, Carol-Marie Bond, plus local councillors and representatives from BAM Construct UK.

Cllr Rachael Hunt with children receiving their Summer Reading Challenge certificates and medals