To Throw Away Unopened

by Viv Albertine

Review by Bob Deacon of Bishopston Library

VIV Albertine is a musician, singer, songwriter, director and author. She is best known as the guitarist for the punk band The Slits. To Throw Away Unopened is her memoir. The text is interspersed with passages in bold type containing her thoughts and recollections, as she sits at the hospital bedside of her dying mother Kathleen, accompanied by her daughter Vida and her sister Pascale.

Viv takes the reader back and forth through her life, chronicling her childhood, her marriage and divorce, her cancer diagnosis and recovery, her infertility treatment and her relationships with her mother, her daughter and her sister. We hear about the lovely time that Viv and her mum spend together, celebrating her mother’s

CHILDREN in Westbury and Henleaze are among hundreds across the city and beyond who are taking part in the 2023 Summer Reading Challenge. It’s a free event that encourages children to read six books over the summer holidays. The challenge is proven to significantly improve children’s reading confidence, making sure they are ready for their return to school in the autumn. Last year, nearly 4,000 children took part in Bristol. This year, The Reading Agency has teamed up with up with children’s charity, the Youth Sport Trust, for the challenge's theme: Ready, Set, Read!, which features 55 diverse titles.

The paperback edition of What July Knew has an eye-catching new design last xmas, despite having to throw away the turkey which was found to be raw when cut open. We jump back to Viv age 12, when her mum asks her and her sister if they preferred to take in lodgers to the family home or move to a council flat on the departure of her father. We hear how she used the two hundred pounds she received following her grandmothers death to purchase a guitar enabling her to start her musical career. Viv contends that one of the reasons why she and many other women of her generation became feminists was that they were brought up by repressed and unhappy women who had become adults during the war, had learnt new skills, tasted independence and then had to dissolve back into the shadows and watch from behind their ironing boards as the sixties unfolded. She points out that all the members of The Slits had absent fathers, enabling them to fight every obstacle with a zeal that would have been impossible otherwise. Viv acknowledges that her mother was instrumental in helping her become a strong independent woman by never stopping encouraging her to try, fail and to take risks and by applauding her exploits, instructing her to never rely on a man, to make sure she was financially independent and to never let a man own her. This is a riveting, brutally honest memoir with Viv detailing her fractious relationship with her sister, her disastrous dates and unsatisfying sexual encounters as well as the joys and challenges of being a single mother. If you are not already a library member, please visit us at 100a Gloucester Road and obtain a library card giving you free access to two million books including this engaging memoir.

Register to take part at your nearest library. As children read library books, they will receive stickers, and will be rewarded with a medal and certificate at the end. Young readers can also take part online with the digital challenges.

Opening Hours

Henleaze Library 0117 9038541

Mondays 11am-5pm

Tuesdays 11am-5pm

Wednesdays 1pm-7pm

Thursdays 11am-5pm

Fridays 1pm-7pm

Saturdays 10am-5pm

Westbury Library (Staffed) 0117 9038552

Mondays 2pm-7pm

Tuesdays 11am-4pm

Wednesdays 11am-4pm

Thursdays 11am-4pm

Fridays 11am- 4pm

Saturdays 11am- 4pm

19 July to 3 September

KIDS GO FREE THIS SUMMER

From 19 July, Brunel’s SS Great Britain are welcoming children 16 years and under for free when you book tickets online. Highlights this summer include a brand new family food trail, AR binoculars and a cricket display. ssgreatbritain.org/summer

19 August n BLAISE COMMUNITY GARDEN, behind Blaise Museum, open Wednesday and Saturday 10-2. Originally a walled kitchen garden. Free to enter. We’re looking for new volunteers. Our Café serving homemade cakes will be open 10-2 on 19 August and 16 September.

19 August n EVENING OF MEDIUMSHIP WITH PSYCHIC MEDIUM VAL WILLIAMS, 7pm at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Tickets £10. Tickets on sale at the church or contact Marian Bishop on 0117 977 1629 marianbishop@ talktalk.net.

21 August n HENLEAZE SENIOR FILM CLUB at 2pm. Ticket to Paradise (12A) A divorced couple team up and travel to Bali to stop their daughter making the same mistake they did 25 years ago. Starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts.Tickets: £4.00 including refreshments. Carers welcome, easy access

For more information, please call 0117 435 0063.

St. Peter’s Hall, The Drive, Henleaze BS9 4LD

Various days n WEST OF ENGLAND BRIDGE CLUB based at RAFA Club, 38 Eastfield, Henleaze. Five sessions every week, catering for different standards. Thursday afternoon is Improvers. Monday and Friday afternoon is for more capable players; this is an EBU recognised session. You may come alone to any afternoon session; a partner will be found. The evening sessions are on Wednesdays and Fridays, and are open to pairs. www.woebridgeclub. co.uk or contact Secretary, Chris Frew, on 0117 962 5281.

Monday n PLAY BOWLS at Canford Park in a friendly, social atmosphere. Qualified coaches and equipment provided.

Contact: Les on 07305695579 n WESTBURY SINGERS: if you enjoy singing, we invite you to join our friendly, non-auditioned, 4 part choir, in term-time on Monday evenings 7.30p.m. - 9.30p.m.at Reedley Road Baptist Church. Please email the Secretary: gwenalwakeel@yahoo.co.uk. n DICKENS SOCIETY. 7pm, at Leonard Hall, Henleaze URC, Waterford Rd, Bristol BS9 4BT. Talks, costumed readings, book club and social events. New members welcome. See www. dickens-society.org.uk or phone Roma on 0117 9279875 for further details. n WESTBURY AND CLIFTON AREA DISCUSSION GROUP meet at Westbury on Trym Baptist Church every Monday 9.45am to challenge ourselves with topical debate on what’s happening in the world. If you would like to help to solve some of today's challenging issues with good company, tea and biscuits - contact James Ball 01454 415165 or Ian Viney 0117 9501628. n WESTBURY ON TRYM WOMEN'S INSTITUTE meets on the third Monday of the month in the Westbury Village Hall, Eastfield Road, BS9 4AG, from 2.00 - 4.00 pm. We have interesting speakers, and extra activities of crafts, lunch club, skittles and outings. Our lively, friendly and inclusive group welcomes visitors at any meeting. For more information call Sascha on 07961619806 or Traci on 07766073917

Tuesday n WESTBURY PARK WOMEN’S INSTITUTE meets on the first Tuesday of every month in the Girl Guide Hut on Westmorland Road from 7.009.30pm. We are an active and friendly group with a varied programme plus extra sessions for craft, coffee, book clubs, walks etc. Visitors are always welcome and for more information do call Sue on 07813795936 or email westburyparkwi@gmail.com n SCOTTISH DANCING to GET FIT and HAVE FUN with Westbury Scottish Country Dancing Club.

Classes for beginners (Email: maggiekirkup@gmail.com) and more advanced dancers (Tel: Cheryl 0117 4012416) at St Peter’s Church Hall, Henleaze, Tuesdays 7.30 to 9.30 pm. Details at www. westburyscottish.org.uk n COMPANION VOICES BRISTOL is recruiting new members We are a 'threshold choir' actively looking for new people to join us. We meet in Easton on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7 to 9 pm to learn soothing and uplifting songs by ear and build skills in sensitivity/compassion/ loving presence to sing at the bedsides of people nearing the end of life. To join or support us in this work, contact Valerie on bristol@companionvoices. org. Visit www.facebook.com/CompanionVoicesBristol and www.companionvoices.org. n WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP meet on Tuesday mornings at Westbury-onTrym Methodist Church, 10.30amnoon. An interesting programme of speakers; come along to make friends. For more details, ring Kate 07905 064720. n BRISTOL HARMONY WEST GALLERY CHOIR AND BAND sing and play lively church and village music from the 18thcentury. St Edyth’s Church Hall, St Edyth’s Road, Sea Mills, 7.30 pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month. All voices (SATB), string, wind and reed instruments welcome. No auditions but ability to read music helpful. www. bristolharmony.wordpress.com or call Fritjof 0117 924 3440. Contact before attending.

Wednesday n BCCS (BRISTOL CATHEDRALCHOIR SCHOOL) CHORAL SOCIETY meets at Henleaze Bowling Club, Grange Court Road, Wednesdays 7.30 to 9pm. A small, unauditioned choir singing varied music. New members welcome. For info, contact Kathy, 0117 949362 www.bccschoralsociety. org.uk/ n BLAISE COMMUNITY GARDEN, behind Blaise Museum, open Wednesday and Saturday 10-2. Originally a walled kitchen garden. Free to enter. We’re looking for volunteers. Our Café (+ homemade cakes) open 10-2, 18 March and 8 April. n KNITNATTERSTITCH meet on Wednesdays (term time only) 10-12 @ Henleaze United Reform Church’s coffee bar. For more information contact Paula at knitnatterstitch @gmail.com n HEALING SESSIONS run by accredited healers take place 2 til 3.30pm at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up, or for info contact Marian Bishop 0117 9771629 or visit www.westburyparkspiritualistchurch.org. n WELCOME WEDNESDAY Friendly and free coffee afternoon on the last Wednesday of the month, 2-3.30pm at The Beehive Pub, Wellington Hill West, BS9 4QY. Meet new people, have fun, and find out what’s happening in your area. Call 0117 435 0063. n BRISTOL SCRABBLE CLUB meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm until 10pm at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS. New members welcome- first visit free so come along and give us a try. For further information contact Tania by email at tanialake@yahoo.co.uk

n LOCAL CHOIR ACTIVELY RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS. We meet at Stoke Bishop CE Primary School, BS9 1BW on Thursday, 7.45 - 9.15pm. We are a well-established mixed choir performing both sacred and secular music. See website www.henburysingers.org contact secretary at secretary@henburysingers.org.

n HENLEAZE FLOWER CLUB welcomes new members for the start of their exciting 22/23 Programme of floral design demonstrations. Annual membership £52. Demonstration meetings on 2nd Thursday of the month 2pm Bradbury Hall,Waterford Road, Henleaze and begin at 2pm. Plus optional Practice Classes on 4th Thursday. Visitors welcome. We meet every month except December and August. Please contact Jenny York, Club Chair yorkjenny2@yahoo.com or phone/text 07880 700270. n HIGHBURY BADMINTON CLUB: Pete Stables 0117 950 1524 or www. pete4458.wixsite.com/highburybadminton Thurs 7:30pm mid September to End April, Westbury-on-Trym Village Hall n BRISTOL MALE VOICE CHOIR

Always been keen to sing? Come along to our rehearsal nights, 7pm - 9.15pm on Thursdays in St Andrew's Church, Elm Park, Filton, BS34 7PS. No need to read music, no audition, just a voice test to establish whether you are tenor, baritone of bass. We cover many musical styles, enjoy singing in a great social vibe as we prepare for our regular concerts in local and national venues. From the Beatles to Mozart, from classical choruses to classic pop. Ffi : www.bristolmvc. org.uk ; facebook; or contact Steve: secretary@bristolmvc.org.uk;or ring 07776447699; or 07587143220 n HENLEAZE LADIES’ CHOIR Come and join us as we fill St Peter’s Church Hall in Henleaze with a diverse selection of music. We are a friendly choir and meet on Thursday afternoons in term time from 1.45 to 3.45. There are no auditions, and the ability to read music is not necessary. Contact Jeanette on 9685409 or Jane on 07752 332278. n OPEN DEVELOPMENT CIRCLE For those interested in developing their spiritual awareness and mediumistic ability. 7.15 for 7.30pm start at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up, contact Marian Bishop 0117 9771629 or visit www.westburyparkspiritualistchurch. org n LADIES KEEP FIT 10am at St Peter's Church Hall Henleaze £7. A full body & mind workout & with a dance element :- a great class to keep you fit, healthy & mobile. Suitable for all. Email laili@tiscali.co.uk to book. Full information on the website :- www. exercisewithlailibrooks.com

Friday n HENLEAZE BOWLING CLUB. n U3A SCRABBLE GROUP meets at the Beehive pub , Wellington Hill West, on Fridays from 2 to 4pm. We are a very friendly non competitive group and welcome new members. For more information, please contact Heddy tel 07534717254/ email

Come along at 5.45pm on Fridays to see if bowling could be the sport for you. Coaching available. Experienced bowlers welcome. Situated in Grange Court Road, by Newman Hall. This is a friendly Club with good bowling facilities and social events throughout the year. Phone, Tom Logan, on 0117 962 1669 or email hbcsec@henleazebowlingclub.org.uk for further details.

A NEW Women’s Institute has opened in BS6.

It meets on the first Wednesday of the month at Golden Hill Sports Ground, BS6 7YA from 1-3pm.

An afternoon slot was chosen to fit with school hours and encourage those who find evening meetings difficult to attend.

The September speaker is Jacqs Graham from Tread Softly Productions. She is also a member of the local Kelvin Players group and an English teacher and will be doing interactive drama.

Visitors are welcome. They can try a meeting for £6. Membership costs £46 for a year.

To find out more email president Pam Scull at goldenhillwi@gmail.com