Henleaze & Westbury Voice June 2024

change at City Hall

THE Greens were the big winners at the local elections, gaining ten seats to give them a total of 34 - two short of an overall majority.

The party will run Bristol City Council with the support of the Liberal Democrats, who gained three seats at the polls on May 2, including all three in Westbury & Henleaze, where they ousted the Tories.

The Lib Dems now have eight councillors and the Conservatives seven.

Labour, which ran the council for the last eight years under outgoing mayor Marvin Rees, whose role has been scrapped following a referendum to move to a committee system, saw a net loss of two councillors, leaving them on 21. However, one councillor has already been disqualified so they now have 20.

More details: Pages 8 & 9

Your new councillors: Page 10

A cultural food sharing event was one of the highlights of a week of activities at Henleaze Infants School celebrating diversity. PAGE 16

Bristol's very own Lady with the Lamp

A nurse from St Monica's Trust had the honour of being the Lamp Carrier at the Florence Nightingale Commemorative Service at Westminster Abbey. PAGE 3

Red Bus Nursery gets top marks

Red Bus Nursery in Coombe Dingle has again been rated Outstanding by the education watchdog Ofsted. PAGE 17

The Greens celebrate victory, above Left, the new Lib Dem councillors for Westbury & Henleaze, Stephen Williams, Caroline Gooch and Nicholas Coombes

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Emily is 'Lady with the Lamp' 2024

A NURSE at a Bristol charity had the honour of being the Lamp Carrier at the Florence Nightingale Commemorative Service at Westminster Abbey.

Emily Pimm was nominated from hundreds of Florence Nightingale Scholars and is the first nurse from the adult social care sector to be chosen as the Lamp Carrier.

Emily qualified as a nurse in 2006 and works as a social care deputy manager at St Monica Trust’s John Wills House Care Home in Westbury-on-Trym.

She was awarded a Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership Scholarship in 2022 and has gone on to become a cochair for the South West’s Social Care Nurse Advisory Council.

Emily said: “I’m so proud to represent social care nurses and to celebrate what has been an exciting and pivotal year for the care sector.

“The Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership

Scholarship and Social Care Nursing Advisory Council Programme has helped me to grow in many ways, as well as fuelling my passion to raise the voice and elevate the visibility of social care nurses.”

The commemorative service

was on 15 May with 2,000 guests in attendance. The service is an annual celebration of thanks for nurses and midwives from across the UK who continue Florence Nightingale’s legacy.

Florence Nightingale was known as “The Lady with The

Lamp” as she made her rounds at night tending to the soldiers wounded in the Crimean War.

The ceremonial lamp carried by Emily represents ‘the undying spirit of the service displayed by Florence Nightingale’, still demonstrated by nurses and midwives today.’

During the service, Emily was escorted by two Lamp Carriers and carried the burning lamp through the abbey where she placed it on the altar.

This year’s ceremony marked the 204th anniversary year of Florence Nightingale’s birth on 12 May 1820.

Chief executive of the St Monica Trust, David Williams, said: “Since she joined us in 2015, Emily has displayed a passion for ensuring that our residents can flourish within our care home environments and lead meaningful lives full of connection, contribution and choice. We could not be more proud of her.”

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Helping those who have nothing – not even hope ...

RECENTLY, I met a young man whose face and words are likely to remain with me for some time. But more of him later.

Some weeks previously, during an innocent coffee with a friend, we discussed where we are in our lives right now and some of the directions we might wish to take. This conversation resulted in an ultimately profound and moving experience – four days volunteering with a refugee charity in Calais.

We went as part of a small group on a trip organised by RefYouMe, but once there, were part of the dedicated and hardworking team of Care4Calais, a volunteer-run charity delivering essential aid and support to refugees in Northern France, Belgium and the UK.

Setting off in a car laden with donations from generous friends and neighbours, we arrived with a mixture of excitement and trepidation about what the next few days might hold. This was far out of our comfort zone, but we were keen to witness the behindthe-scenes operation of how such support and aid is managed and delivered.

The next morning saw us join a team of fellow volunteers – diverse ages, backgrounds and stories, but all with a desire to help, make even a small difference, let people know somebody cared. A full day was spent in two vast warehouses packed to the rafters with boxes and pallets containing so much that we take for granted, but which are so vital and appreciated by those who have so little. A strange atmosphere of industry, intent and focus, coupled with humour, music and coffee. Each of us was there for a different reason, but we all shared the value of what we were doing.

My main job that day was helping to bag up almost 500 packages containing a pair of socks, boxer shorts, a T-shirt and a sim card. I was struck by how basic such items are and how easily acquired – unless you have worn the same clothes for a month, when even a clean pair of socks takes on great significance.

The following two mornings were spent getting equipment and supplies cleaned, sorted and ready to take out on distributions

ROSIE WATSON travels to Calais as a volunteer with a charity supporting refugees

in the afternoons. Again, all hands on deck – these hands are on deck day in, day out, without respite, to ensure that the communities they serve can access support as much as possible.

Going out to the distribution sites was an experience of profound respect – for those who help and for those who need help. There are no authorised settlements in Calais, no formal camps or facilities any more. Our first site was a tarmac strip on a field, which was lined on our arrival with about 150 young men waiting patiently for our van to arrive. Predominantly Sudanese, with some Afghans, Syrians, Eritreans and Iraqis, they received our packages with glee, many putting on their clean clothes instantly.

That first afternoon was spent serving countless hot drinks and biscuits to those who may not have had a hot drink in ages and may not know when they would get their next. So many were so young – 16, 17 years old – all without families, all having travelled over many countries and many months. Some rose to the normality of the chance to play football, charge phones, get their hair cut or their clothes mended and were the cheeky, buoyant teenagers they ought to be all the time. The older refugees could not hide their weariness and despair, the toll of months, even years, etched on their faces.

When our session finished for the day, a couple of hundred men simply vanished. Across the fields or into the hills, to become as invisible as they could. Some are lucky enough to have tents or tarpaulin that the authorities have not yet discovered and confiscated. Others have nothing, having previously left their tent to return to find they have been effectively evicted. They simply hide in the wilderness, melting away into the ether. This weekend was hot and sunny. It is not always like that.

The second afternoon was at a different site. It was a surreal experience indeed –

sitting in the French sunshine in a car park, beside a canal, being soundly beaten at dominoes by Sudanese 17-year-olds. But it was also a chance to talk properly with some of them, hear their stories, learn of their journeys. I met a man whose home, land and business had all been taken from him in Syria. He had nothing left – not even hope. Mohammed, a delightfully polite and articulate 17-year-old Moroccan, wants to come to England and open a barber shop. Ahmet, who had left Iraq many years before, had made countless unsuccessful attempts to cross in a boat. He told me that last time, most ended up in the water. He had been sent back to France. He didn’t say what had happened to those in the water. And I couldn’t bear to ask.

And then the young man I mentioned at the start, the last I spoke to and the most heartbreaking. Nabil, from Syria, was totally alone. His ‘uncle’ (possibly not a genuine uncle), he thought, had got on to a boat the day before and Nabil was hoping to get on one the next day. His family were in Syria. He still wore braces on his teeth. Nabil is 13.

I have no political bias and went with little understanding, but I write this now with a deeply reflective sense of what is important, what we take for granted, and what wonderful people there are out there, trying so hard, against the odds, to make a small difference to people who just want an identity, a place of safety, and a better life.

Rosie preparing supplies for distribution

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Dedication to helping others earns pair OBEs

TWO local people have been presented with their OBE medals at Windsor Castle.

They are Amy Perrin, founder of the Marmalade Trust, and Dr Teame Mebrahtu, a former lecturer and magistrate.

Amy, a health professional who lives in the Cotham area, was honoured for services to older people.

She said:“It’s an incredible honour to receive this acknowledgement and recognition of my contribution and work. I was so surprised to be nominated and kept rereading the letter when I received it. I feel so passionately that we should understand the impact of loneliness and help to achieve a more connected society.

“It's an honour and a privilege to have worked with so many incredible people who have helped over the past 10 years. I’m humbled, honoured and grateful

Dr Teame Mebrahtu and Amy Perrin, with their medals

to those who nominated me."

With the support of hoteliers, publicans and many volunteers the Marmalade Trust ensures that isolated and lonely people will not be left on their own on Christmas Day. Last Christmas 222 older people were taken to a hotel or pub.

The Marmalade Trust helps people of all ages and is the only charity in the world specifically dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness.

A spokesperson for the trust said: “Over the last decade the charity has had a direct impact with over 4,000 people involved in its projects, delivered loneliness training to 55,000

The Hay Wain arrives

PEOPLE in Bristol have the chance to see John Constable's The Hay Wain this summer.

The masterpiece is on show at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery until September 1, on loan from the National Gallery in London as part of its National Treasures programme.

Bristol is joining 11 other museums and galleries across each nation of the UK and region of England, to receive a treasured painting from the National Gallery’s collection. From Turner and Monet to Botticelli and Rembrandt, art lovers across the UK will be able to see an iconic National Gallery painting in their region.

Painted by John Constable in 1821, The Hay Wain is an English landscape painting that has been widely reproduced, copied, satirised and politicised. Bristol audiences will be able to see it up close and in the context of other landscape paintings, including 11 oil sketches by Constable, on loan from the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Tickets for National Treasures: Constable in Bristol, ‘Truth to Nature’ are available at brism.us/Constable

people, as well as running global awareness campaigns.

Bishopston resident Dr Mebrahtu was honoured for services to education, refugees and the Bristol community.

After he fled Ethiopia in the 1970s, he became a senior

lecturer at the University of Bristol Graduate School of Education. In 1984, he was one of the first black magistrates in the city. With his wife Teblez, he set up a project feeding the homeless, and he has also spent many hours assisting newlyarrived refugees.

Labour take PCC role

LABOUR’S Clare Moody is the new Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner.

She narrowly defeated the Conservative Mark Shelford, who has held the role for the last three years.

Just over 300,000 people across Somerset, Bristol, and South Glos voted in the election for the person to set the direction of the local police force and hold them to account. There were less than 5,000 votes between the two frontrunners. Ms Moody received 95,982, while Mr Shelford — who was ahead in every council area except for Bristol — received 91,006. Katy Grant (Green) received 64,623 votes and Benet Allen (Lib Dem) 45,864.

Turnout in the election was 23.09% — a drop from 30.72% in 2021 when the election was held concurrently with the West of England Metro Mayor election.

PCC column: Page 25

Tributes to Peter

TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Bristol’s longest-ever serving councillors Peter Abraham who has died aged 84.

Peter spent more than half a century in local politics, including three terms as the city’s lord mayor and as Conservative group leader on the city council.

He was first elected for Stockwood ward as a member of the Citizen Party in 1966.

Peter spent eight years on Avon County Council before it disbanded and returned to serve residents in Stoke Bishop as a Conservative from 1983 to 2021.

During his 55 years in local politics, he sat on virtually every Bristol City Council committee and decision-making body, as well as outside organisations such as Avon Fire Authority and Avon & Somerset Police Panel.

He also chaired many iterations of the local authority’s regulatory committees.

He held various positions including council deputy

leader and cabinet member for education & lifelong learning. He also served asTory group leader, deputy leader and chief whip.

Peter was made an Honorary Alderman of the City and County of Bristol in July 2021.

Tory Cllr Richard Eddy (Conservative, Bishopsworth) said: “Diminutive in stature, Peter was a giant of a man. I often said he easily had the ideas and energy of two people half his age. May he rest in peace. lived.”

Peter is survived by his wife Pearl, son Christopher and grandson Noah.

Lib Dems gain local seats

VOTERS in Westbury-on-Trym and Henleaze turned away from the Conservatives at the local elections.

The Liberal Democrats Caroline Gooch, Stephen Williams and Nicholas Coombes defeated the sitting Conservatives Geoff Gollop, Steve Smith and Sharon Scott.

The 19 per cent swing means Mr Gollop leaves the council after 23 years while Mr Williams, who was MP for Bristol West from 2005-15, returns to City Hall, as it is now called, after quarter of a century.

RESULTS

Caroline Gooch, Lib Dem: 3,401

Stephen Williams, Lib Dem: 3,095

Nicholas Coombes, Lib Dem: 3,049

Geoff Gollop, Conservative: 2,599

Steve Smith, Conservative, 2,340

Sharon Scott, Conservative: 2,212

Miranda McCabe, Labour: 1,351

Ellie Milone, Labour: 1,290

Thomas Phipps, Labour: 1,104

Daniella Radice, Green: 1,100

Nathaniel Joyce, Green: 830

Murali Thoppil, Green: 680

Turnout: 51.67%

THE Greens will lead Bristol City Council, effectively in partnership with the Lib Dems, following their election victory.

Councillor Tony Dyer will be the party’s first leader of the authority, with fellow Green Councillor Heather Mack as deputy.

The group, which became the biggest in the chamber with 34 members, having gained 10 at the polls on May 2 – just two shy of an overall majority – will chair six of the eight new policy committees being set up following the switch from the mayoral model of the last 12 years. The Lib Dems will take up the other two, while all parties will hold vice-chair positions.

Labour say the announcement on Wednesday, May 15, means there will be a Green/Lib Dem coalition.

The Greens, however, say the new

New era begins at City Hall

committee system has no official administration or opposition because it is designed so that all parties work together.

The group also says Labour declined to accept the two roles of policy committee chair which it was entitled to based on the number of councillors each party now has.

The new leaders and key positions were due to be formally agreed at the annual meeting of full council on Tuesday, May 21, and comes after lengthy talks between the groups over the past fortnight.

Bishopston & Ashley Down Councillor Emma Edwards, who will remain as leader of the Green group, a separate role to that

Need legal advice?

of council leader under the authority’s constitution, said: “I am delighted that we have reached an agreement on how the city will be run for the next four years. The council will be led by Greens and will involve representatives of all parties with the aim of making the best possible decisions for the people of Bristol. The start of the committee system, voted for by the people of Bristol, marks a new era for politics in this city.

Labour says it will take all its seats on the policy committees and “work collaboratively with the administration on shared priorities”.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

The Green Party group, led by Bishopston & Ashley Down's Councillor Emma Edwards, in the council chamber at City Hall

n FROM YOUR COUNCILLORS

WESTBURY-on-Trym and Henleaze truly is the most politically engaged part of Bristol. Seven thousand, eight hundred and ninety-four people cast their ballots for the local election, which is the largest absolute and relative turnout in Bristol.

We – Nicholas Coombes, Caroline Gooch and Stephen Williams – are delighted and honoured to have been elected to represent such a civic minded area. Our four-year term of office to Bristol City Council started on 7th May with the swearing-in ceremony at City Hall.

We would like to thank our longstanding supporters, the many tactical voters, and those who voted Liberal Democrat for the first time. We would also like to acknowledge the work of our predecessors, who have served our community diligently for many years. This recent election was hard fought, but both sides campaigned responsibly on the issues and priorities of local people.

This election was to Bristol’s new committee system of government, in which elected members share responsibility for decision making. This system was chosen to replace the mayoral system in the public referendum in 2022. The mayor was duly abolished after last month’s election. Eight new policy committees will now make the major decisions taken previously by the mayor.

No one party has a majority across the city, so power will be shared. We are determined to work collaboratively for the good of Bristol. There must be an end to failed grand projects, and a return to effective services and good governance. The Labour group sadly refused to accept any Policy Committee chairs, so six have

been taken by the Green Party and two by the Liberal Democrats. We are delighted that Stephen Williams will be the chair of the Public Health and Communities committee. He will have oversight of a large range of council services, including smoking cessation support, swimming pools, community cohesion, parks and a lot else besides. Caroline Gooch will be the vice chair of the Strategy and Resources committee, which allocates budgets and coordinates

let us know if a whole street is missed, or you report and Bristol Waste don’t come back. Service is patchy across the city, so this will undoubtedly be a priority for the new Environment committee, with responsibility for this area.

Canford Lane crossing - we are checking with council officers what progress has been made in awarding the contract for this longdelayed project.

Henbury Hill and Falcondale Rd works - these works are scheduled to have finished by the time this issue of the Voice hits your doormats, please let us know if there are knock on problems.

We plan to have a meeting soon with the Westbury-on-Trym Society and have reached out as well to the Henleaze Society.

North View bus gate – things seem to have gone quiet on this front for now. The new council will push for a lot of changes to buses including bus franchising, with the aim to get a better bus service in Bristol as a whole, which should have a knock-on effect on traffic and might negate the need for such restrictions.

services provided by the council and its partners.

Locally in Westbury-on-Trym and Henleaze we are keen to get to work on the issues that matter to you. Should you need our assistance, please get in touch using our new email addresses:

• Cllr.nicholas.coombes@bristol. gov.uk

• Cllr.caroline.gooch@bristol.gov.uk

• Cllr.stephen.williams@bristol.gov.uk

Having spoken to so many residents during the election campaign, we already have several issues to be getting on with! We look forward to reporting back on our progress next month.

Among issues we are following: Please continue reporting missed bin and recycling collections on the council website after 5pm, or on the following day, and do also

Potholes - Now that the Southmead Road roundabout is fixed, the section of Parry’s Lane above the crossing is vying for worst craters in the ward. Please report potholes either directly to the council via Fix My street or tell us about them.

Downs van dwellers – We don’t think that an overnight camping ban will solve the problem on the Downs, as the vans will just move into unregulated residential streets. We are reporting individual issues as and when they arise, but top priority must be the creation of an appropriately serviced site as soon as possible, so that the people who live in the vans have a safe and clean environment. We are meeting with council officers to discuss a range of solutions but above all to stress the need for urgent action.

There are many other issues in our “in-tray”, and we look forward to updating readers in future editions of the Voice.

Stephen Williams, Caroline Gooch and Nicholas Coombes

Stephen Williams, Caroline Gooch and Nicholas Coombes ready for action at City Hall

n NEWS

10 years of the Brunel building

SOUTHMEAD Hospital has been celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Brunel building.

Staff and services moved into the building over a couple of weeks in May 2014 and millions of patients and visitors have been through its doors over the last decade.

An exhibition of photos of people who work there is on show in the atrium. The pictures, which capture staff from a variety of departments including doctors, nurses, surgeons, therapists, domestics and catering staff, in different parts of the building, including the more behind the scenes areas that members of the public do not usually see, were taken by a group of students from UWE Bristol.

North Bristol NHS Trust is

Some of the team of volunteer Move Makers at Southmead Hospital's Brunel building

also celebrating ten years of the Move Maker volunteers.

The role was introduced for the opening of the Brunel building at Southmead Hospital and was originally intended to last for three weeks to help people navigate the new hospital. Today the team of about 100 volunteers volunteer over 60

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

Our trains are on track for

BRITAIN’S railway system is the oldest in the world; we invented the railways and introduced them to the globe. That is something to be really proud about.

And we should celebrate our region’s role in this story. Britain’s most famous engineer, Brunel, changed the face of the English landscape with his groundbreaking viaducts, bridges, and tunnels for the Great Western Railway. He set standards for a well-built railway.

Fast forward to the present day, and I’m really pleased to be able to point to some great stats about how our local railways are going full steam ahead, with more passengers than ever before.

It’s now 12 months since half-hourly services were introduced to and from Temple Meads serving Filton Abbey Wood, near Parkway, and Yate, as well as in Keynsham, Oldfield Park, Bath and elsewhere.

In that time, over 3.4 million journeys have been made by passengers. This is a year-on-year increase in passengers of 27%.

This impressive growth is a great news for passengers and the planet.

The new and improved services have been funded by a £7 million-plus investment by the Combined Authority and delivered by GWR

hours a day on average, 52 weeks a year – including Christmas and bank holidays. Since May 2014, the Move Makers have collectively given 240,000 hours to Southmead Hospital.

Since July 2015, they have transported more than 400,000 passengers in the atrium buggy. The team pushes 50 outpatient

success

and Network Rail. This substantial investment underscores our commitment to upgrading and improving our transport infrastructure.

Growing passenger numbers is my biggest priority in terms of building the sustainable West of England public transport system we all want to see.

Increased usage not only supports economic growth but also contributes significantly to our environmental goals, by reducing car dependency and lowering emissions.

But I am not stopping there: we’re planning for the future.

I’ve revived plans to electrify railway lines in the West, starting with tracks from Temple Meads. Electrification is a crucial step towards a greener, more efficient rail network, reducing delays and environmental impacts.

Additionally, I have launched a new station study. This is doing very early-stage work to look at the case for building additional stations in Lockleaze, St Anne’s, Saltford, and Ashton Gate.

Expanding our rail network with new stations is essential for improving accessibility and convenience for our passengers. These new stations could help to better connect our communities, providing more travel options and support the local economy.

or visitor wheelchairs each day.

Steve Hams, Chief Nursing Officer, said: “We’re so proud to have this amazing team welcoming patients and visitors to our hospital. Their brightly coloured uniform makes them immediately identifiable, and their smile and warmth makes them unforgettable.”

Our efforts to improve the railway system are not just about numbers and infrastructure; they are about creating a better quality of life for the residents of our region. By providing efficient, reliable, and sustainable transport options, we are making it easier for people to commute, travel, and explore.

The future of our region’s railways is looking brighter. With continued investment, innovative projects, and a clear vision, we are on track to create a transport system that is not only a source of regional pride, but also a model for others to follow.

Let’s celebrate our progress and look forward to even more improvements that will keep our trains – and our region – moving forward.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice

n FROM OUR MP

Democracy is vital (so are post boxes!)

On Thursday, 2nd May, like many of you, I headed to my polling station to vote in the local elections.

More than half of the electorate in Westbury-on-Trym and Henleaze voted in the local elections – the highest voter turnout from across the city. Thank you to everyone who took part in this important democratic process.

The following day, I joined the councillors for the vote count, where it was announced that the three Liberal Democrats candidates standing in this ward had been elected: Caroline Gooch, Stephen Williams and Nicholas Coombes. And our Police and Crime Commissioner is now Labour’s Clare Moody.

Congratulations to our newly elected councillors and Police and Crime Commissioner, and thank you to our retiring Conservative councillors Geoff Gollop, Sharon Scott and Steve Smith for their years of hard work.

The work of our councillors is more important than ever now that we no longer have an elected Mayor following the Mayoral Referendum of April 2022 in which Bristol voted for local decisions to instead be made by various committees of groups of councillors.

In the recent elections, the Green Party won the most seats on the Council across the city but not enough for a majority, so they have formed a coalition with the Liberal Democrats. The Greens will chair six of the eight new committees, and the Lib Dems will chair the other two. Labour and Conservative councillors will be involved in the committees – to

debate or to support policies – but will not chair any of them.

We will need to make sure the new committee system works in the best interests of the city as we face many challenges.

In my recent series of village meetings, some challenges came up time and time again in the neighbourhoods that I visited:

• the poor state of our public transport and the plague of potholes on our roads,

• the cost of housing,

• the need for more community facilities – especially for young people, and

• the wish for more independent shops on our high streets (especially after so many bank closures).

Regular readers will know that I turned this information into some short films, connecting the issues people raised with the history of some of the communities that I visited. If you missed the screenings of the ‘Village matters’ films at Scott Cinemas in Westbury Park in March, they’re now available to watch online at darrenjones.co.uk/village-matters

Speaking of village matters, I have an update to share on the postboxes that have been removed from Westbury-on-Trym.

In a written response, Royal Mail told me the postboxes were located on private property and were removed at the request of the new property owner. (Please note, it is my understanding that the gym was not involved in this request!)

The good news is that they’ve told me replacement postboxes will be installed – hurrah! – hope -

fully by mid-July or mid-August. (I know we have some talented knitters who make wonderful postbox toppers, if anyone wants to create one to celebrate our new postboxes in the village.)

The exact location and collection times haven't been decided yet, but my office has raised with Royal Mail that the removed postboxes had a late collection. We do know that postboxes displaying the King Charlies III cypher are not yet being installed, if you were also curious about this. “The use of the cypher is subject to the personal approval of His Majesty and an announcement will be made in due course on when new boxes bearing his cypher will begin,” read the letter from Royal Mail.

In other news, I’m pleased to share that my Café Politics and Pub Politics events are back! These are informal gatherings where you can ask me questions or share your views. As your Member of Parliament, it’s my job to represent the views of the people of Bristol North West, so I greatly value these opportunities to discuss local and national issues with you.

For anyone who has been to Café Politics or Pub Politics before, it’s worth noting that I’m running these a little differently now, with a specific theme for each event.

On the evening of Friday, 7th June, my Pub Politics will focus on local and national transport issues, and my Café Politics on the morning of Saturday, 22nd June will be about the NHS and dentistry, although you’re welcome to come and ask me about anything you’d like.

The Pub Politics will be held

Now taking bookings in your area!

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in Horfield and the Café Politics in Stoke Bishop but, unlike my recent village meetings, they are not neighbourhood-specific and people from across Bristol North West are encouraged to attend.

I do have an upcoming event in Henleaze, too: my annual Summer Coffee Morning, which will be held on the Morning of Saturday, 20th July.

To book on to any of these events, please head to darrenjones.co.uk/events, or you can call my office on 0117 959 6545 if you don’t have internet access.

I hope to see you at an event soon!

As always, if you need my help or have a question, you can get in touch with me on e-mail at darren. jones.mp@parliament.uk, by calling my office on 0117 959 6545 or by writing to me at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.

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Darren Jones writes for the Voice

Lidl wants more shops in Bristol Action on lack of bus drivers

DISCOUNT chain Lidl is aiming to open new supermarkets in Westbury on Trym, Clifton and Stoke Bishop.

It also wants to relocate its Southmead store from its site at the double mini roundabout on Southmead Road.

Lidl announced its expansion plans as it celebrated the 30th anniversary of its arrival in the UK. It is now the sixth biggest chain in the country with 960 stores and eight per cent of market share.

It has set its sights on opening hundreds more stores in the coming months and Greater Bristol is one of its key target areas.

Lidl's most recent store in our area is the one at Muller Road in Lockleaze.

Richard Taylor, Lidl Great Britain's chief development officer, said: "As we celebrate our 30th year, our commitment to ensuring that all households across the country have access to high-quality produce at

affordable prices is stronger than ever.

"We're planning to open hundreds of new Lidl stores but ultimately see no ceiling on our ambition or growth potential.

"This is why we're continuing to invest in new locations whilst exploring innovative routes to expansion."

Lidl is looking for sites in prominent locations with easy access and strong pedestrian or traffic flow, with 1.5+ acres for a standalone store and up to four acres for mixed-use schemes.

Lidl would like to move from Southmead Road

Sites should allow for unit sizes between 18,000 and 26,500 sq ft and over 100 dedicated car parking spaces, and Lidl’s flexible approach means it will consider freehold, leasehold or long leasehold opportunities. Should a site be successfully identified, the discounter will pay a finders’ fee of either 1.5% of the total freehold purchase price, or 10% of the first year’s rent for leaseholds, which would equate to £22,500 for a completed £1.5m site purchase.

MORE than 220 bus drivers have been trained in the past 12 months to help meet a regional shortage.

The West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has provided funding to help recruit drivers for First Bus and other operators using some of the £105 million secured by Metro Mayor Dan Norris for the Bus Service Improvement Plan.

Mr Norris says getting on top of the driver shortage with operators is “key” to building a sustainable West of England bus network, along with attracting passengers back on the region’s buses.

Passenger numbers in the West of England grew by 17% last year.

• Mr Norris, a former Labour MP, has been selected to contest the Hanham and North East Somerset seat at the general election. He has said that if he is successful, there will be a "period of overlap" with his Metro Mayor role if he is elected.

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A pilgrim’s progress – going solo in Spain

MY idea of a holiday is usually lying on a sunbed, but this time I opted for something completely different – hiking 115km through North-West Spain on the Camino de Santiago, solo!

My reasons for going were partly a challenge, partly to improve my fitness levels, partly because I thought it would be a fun holiday with time for a little bit of contemplation thrown in. But as a middle-aged woman who spends a great deal of time working on a computer, my fitness levels aren’t great – so my starting point was Sarria, a mere 115km distance from Santiago, compared with nearly 500km if you start in the Pyrenees.

I’m a newbie to Nordic Walking. Six months later I’d got the bug and was determined to use my walking poles on the journey. I flew from the UK to Santiago and was booked into a lovely little boutique hotel. I had a sleepless first night!

The next morning, a bus journey took me to Sarria, but I retired that night reading news alerts on my phone about expected severe storms. Apparently, even the Mayor of Madrid was advising everyone to stay indoors. Fortunately, all remained balmy, and setting off on my first morning was very exciting. Going down to the hotel lobby there was a tremendous buzz and lots of animated groups.

I decided to start later to let the crowds dissipate. What I hadn’t considered was that this would mean me commencing my journey

Karen, from Bristol Nordic Walking group, tackles the Camino de Santiago in Spain

entirely on my own. I get nervous walking on my own in the UK for goodness sake! What was I doing?

My walk and the next few days were past cornfields, through woods and along paths lined with fallen apples, acorns and chestnuts. Later on in my journey it was dominated by eucalyptus forests, which smell heavenly and look dramatic from a distance.

I arrived at my hotel exhausted, but by day two I was getting into the swing of it. I left Portomarin with hordes of other ‘pilgrims’, through thick mist to the river crossing. Some young groups in the procession were singing, others chanting. I met up with fellow ‘peregrinos’ (pilgrims) walking at my pace and planning to arrive at Santiago the same time as me. That’s the best thing – it doesn’t take long to spot them and then your paths keep criss-crossing.

And so my Camino continued. Not quite

Eat, Pray, Love, more Eat, Walk, Sleep. No great Spiritual Awakening. I spent most of my time wondering where I’d stop for lunch and REALLY looking forward to a midday Estrella Galicia, the local beer!

The days blended into each other until day nine and I arrived in Lavacolla. I’d booked into Pazo Xan Xordo, an enchanting old manor, and on the last day I set off, very excited. I walked the last few kms, feeling elated as I walked down from Monte de Gozo into Santiago. And when I finally approached the cathedral and heard the bagpipe player who heralds one’s entrance to the main square in front of it, I welled up.

Wiping away my tears of happiness/pride/ relief, I headed off to the Pilgrim’s Office. I showed my Pilgrim’s Passport which had to be stamped at least twice every day for the last 100km to be entitled to a Compostela. This proved that I’d walked the walk and done the required distance. On my first evening back in Santiago, I was invited to join some fellow peregrinos for a celebratory dinner and it was absolutely wonderful. Here we all were, proud, tired, united.

It was lovely to end my journey on such a high note, but if I were to walk the Camino again it would most definitely not be alone. With all the wonderful things I did see and do, and the memories made, there was just one thing I hadn’t quite considered – dining alone in a restaurant is totally rubbish!

Delighting in diversity

Whether just starting your Early Years journey or looking for the next stop in your career – we always save a seat for the right person!

• A vibrant, top quality setting - fun for children and adults alike!

• Competitive rates of pay and benefits

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HENLEAZE Infants’ School held a week of learning about different cultures and exploring the sense of belonging that we feel beyond our differences. Children explored languages, stories, art, music, dance and food from around the globe, marvelling at new discoveries and recognising their own cultures with delight.

Language sessions were expertly run by Redmaids' High School staff and pupils, whose energy and enthusiasm were infectious as they taught some Spanish and German vocabulary. Reception and Year 1 had vibrant West African dance workshops from Movema, funded by the school’s parent teacher association, FHIS. Year 2 enjoyed international cookery workshops from Travelling Kitchens, also provided by FHIS. This resulted in a feast for the Year 2s, as well as extra platefuls to contribute to the Cultural Food Share Event after school. The Food Share Event was a lively occasion with families excitedly trying an extraordinary range of foods from many different cultures represented within the school community. The sun shone, and families spilled out onto the beautiful outdoor space to picnic on their chosen samples of dishes from Britain, Europe, Africa, The Caribbean, India, China, South America and the Middle East. There was a warm, buzzing atmosphere as the diverse community enjoyed gathering and sharing together.

All in all, it has been a week filled with excitement and joy in learning and growing for both the children and the wider school community.

National physics prize

Three Year 13 students from Redmaids' High School have won a national award from the Royal Society at the British Physics Olympiad Awards.

Catherine, Daisy and Sarah had already won a gold award for their investigation in the experimental project category, in which they looked at the motion of a slinky under gravity.

n EDUCATION

Nursery earns top Ofsted grade

RED Bus Nursery & Pre-School, in Coombe Dingle, has again been rated Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted.

The inspection place praised the quality of education and leadership and management at the nursery as well as the children’s behaviour and attitudes and personal development.

“Children are extremely happy, secure and have consistently positive attitudes to their play and learning. Staff have high aspirations for children's development and provide an environment that

helps children to flourish and thrive,” the report said.

The inspector, Marie Swindells, said that staff put children's needs at the heart of everything they do and guided them through exciting learning experiences.

"Staff are extremely passionate, caring and very

enthusiastic," she wrote. "Leaders and staff deliver a diverse, broad curriculum for all who attend. Children of all ages demonstrate high levels of engagement and interest."

Liz Hogarth, Red Bus owner, said: “We have always held our own definition of what Outstanding childcare looks like

– although wonderful to have it confirmed by Ofsted. It’s almost magic, creating something special, a particular culture – it doesn’t happen overnight. My aim has always been to create an exceptional cluster of nurseries, providing the best early years education by the most passionate practitioners."

Care in your own home

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Children at Red Bus Nursery celebrate the successful Ofsted findings

n NEWS FROM S us WoT

THE Community Fair organised by Holy Trinity Church was held in glorious weather on 11 May. The SusWoT stall was busy even before the fair officially opened as people came to buy Sungold and Alicante tomato plants and cucumbers, courgettes, and butternut squash plants. SusWoT has been raising vegetable plants from seed since 2011 when 1100 tomatoes were grown.

The Get Growing project aims to do two things, help people grow their own vegetables and to raise money for SusWoT. When Get Growing started SusWoT considered selling the plants at cost price. SusWoT decided that if the plants were too cheap, they might not be properly valued, so in 2011, 40p was charged per tomato plant and SusWoT has run many projects with the proceeds.

This year SusWoT sold fewer plants than usual. Either people have stopped growing things or do so without the need for SusWoT plants. SusWoT provided only two varieties of tomato this year and there was only one request for another, Tumbling Tom, a tomato breed for growing

in hanging baskets.

SusWoT still has plants available, including varieties of tomato, cucumbers, squash, courgettes that are ideal for planting outside in June. Please contact SusWoT if you want any.

Retrofit West were on the SusWoT stall promoting home insulation. Retrofit West is a West of England Combined Authority project. SusWoT is one of eleven groups that are involved. The project aims to help people start improving their home thermal insulation. Helping people save energy has always been a goal for

SusWoT. The Retrofit West project offers a thermal imaging survey, expert advice and is setting up a supply chain of local businesses to serve local householders. The home survey identifies the places where heat is lost. Crucially It also offers practical advice on how to reduce heat loss. Lots of us when confronted with a long list of things to do find it hard to know where to start. The Retrofit West project highlights things that can be done very cheaply and very easily to start saving money. For example, is heat escaping through the letterbox? Are there outside

walls with radiators on them that could have foil placed against the wall to reflect back the heat? Are there draughts that could be blocked? The intention is that if people start by doing easy and cheap things, they will move on to take other measures that are a bit more expensive or harder to do. Please contact Retrofit West or go to their website to learn more.

SusWoT organises litterpicking in Henbury and Westbury-on-Trym and is always keen to help people and organisations take on streets or areas and keep them clean. SusWoT also supports groups who want to have a litterpick by providing kit. Our streets, parks, rivers, and communal spaces could always be cleaner. So, it was wonderful to be contacted by Emma from the 28th Westbury Guides asking if we could provide litterpicking kit. Many thanks to the 30 guides who litterpicked Stoke Lane and surrounding roads and the Community Garden there. SusWoT email suswot2050@ gmail.com Retrofit West email: advice@retrofitwest.co.uk website: www.retrofitwestadvice.co.uk

Loft Boarding & Insulation

Changes to recovery of costs in Civil Litigation (CPR 45)

Litigation can lead to significant financial burdens for the parties involved.

The general rule in respect of cost recovery in litigation, has for a long time been that the successful party in the litigation is entitled to recover their legal costs from the losing party.

However, the implementation of the new fixed recovery costs regime (“FRC”) on 1st October 2023 has dramatically changed the recovery of legal costs in litigation.

The FRC is applicable to the majority of civil proceedings where the value of the claim is less than £100,000.00, and as its name would suggest, the successful party can only claim a fixed sum of legal costs depending on the stage at which the litigation reached before concluding.

The FRC has also introduced a new claims “track” and complexity bands which affect the amount of fixed costs recoverable.

Track Allocation

Claims are categorised into different tracks primarily based on their monetary value and complexity. The Court retains discretion to adjust track allocations in the interest of justice.

The four tracks are:

•Small Claims Track- for claims with a value of less than £10,000;

•Fast Track – for claims with a value between £10,000 and £25,000;

•Intermediate Track – for claims with a value between £25,000 and £100,000;

•Multi-track – for claims with a value of £100,000 or more.

Complexity Bands

There are four complexity bands for Fast Track Claims and Intermediate Track claims.

Assignment to a specific band depends on the complexity of the claim. Simpler claims will be assigned to Band 1, while more complex claims with be assigned

to band 4.

The amount of recoverable costs the successful party may be entitled to under the FRC will depend on both the track and the complexity band that the claim is assigned to.

Exemptions

There are only a few exemptions from the FRC in Fast and Intermediate Track Claims, as follows:

•Residential housing claims including possession, disrepair and unlawful eviction;

•Any claim where a party is a protected party;

•The Court may consider a claim for an amount of costs which is greater than the FRC where a party or witness for the party is vulnerable and the vulnerability has required additional work to be undertaken and by reason of that additional work alone, the claim for an amount that is 20% greater than the amount of the FRC.

Conclusion

The introduction of the FRC marks a significant shift in legal costs recovery for civil litigation claims. The above should not be taken nor used as legal advice. If you do require assistance with any civil dispute please do contact Martin Hall on 0117 973 3989 or by emailing info@amdsolicitors.com

Martin Hall

College prepares for wartime anniversary

A SPECIAL church service for staff and students at Clifton College will be held this month to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings in the Second World War. Much of the detailed planning of this top-secret operation took place at the college, which had been taken over by American troops.

While the servicemen were planning the world’s largestever sea-borne invasion, senior students from Clifton College continued their studies – albeit in makeshift classrooms more than 130 miles away from Bristol. Clifton’s headmaster had made arrangements for for them to stay in guest houses and hotels at the sea-side resort of Bude in north Cornwall so they could escape the Blitzes on Bristol. Meanwhile, boys from the prep school were moved into Butcombe Court, an 18th century house in north Somerset.

The first American soldiers

started arriving at the college in 1943 and by D-Day their numbers had grown to more than 300. They were joined by General Omar Bradley, who arrived from the Mediterranean where he had commanded troops in Sicily.

General Bradley took over the housemaster’s drawing room in School House on the corner of Guthrie and College Roads. Another housemaster’s study was used as a planning room while classrooms were put to military use. Clifton College’s Council Room became known as a ‘War Room’ filled with maps, charts and files of intelligence data.

The Wilson Tower, named after a former headmaster of the college, became a high security listening post with its top floor receiving messages from the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) along with information coming in from the Enigma code-breakers at Bletchey

Park, Buckinghamshire.

Another floor of the Wilson Tower became a map room where details of the American part in the D-Day Landings were compiled. Ordnance logistics were brought together by clerks working in the college’s library.

The character of this part of Clifton changed with the presence of American servicemen. The college’s boarding houses in the large Victorian residences nearby became billets for the troops. The school’s cricket field, known as The Close, became an airfield.

The soldiers were regular visitors to Clifton Zoo around the corner. They helped to spread the fame of one of the zoo’s most popular residents, Alfred the Gorilla, by sending picture postcards of him back to their families in the States. Alfred, who arrived at the zoo in 1930 from the Congo, could often be seen walking around the zoo grounds

wearing his trademark woolly jumper, accompanied by one of his keepers.

In November 1944 the college buildings were officially handed back to their owners. Four months later the teaching staff returned to Clifton with their students.

However, that was not the end of the college’s link with America.

General Bradley was back in England in 1953 to represent President Eisenhower at Queen Elizabeth 11’s coronation in London. He found time to return to Clifton College and asked the staff that America’s national flag, affectionately known as ‘Old Glory’ should be flown from the Wilson Tower every American Independence Day. This is a request that the college faithfully honours to this day.

Maurice Fells

n HISTORY with JULIAN LEA-JONES

Memories of D-Day – and Crackerjack!

ALTHOUGH we know D-Day took place on the June 6, 1944, you may not be aware that was not the planned date. It was intended to be the day before, but bad weather forced a 24hr postponement. Much has and will be written about that fateful day, therefore I will limit this month’s article to some local events and anecdotes. The invasion details had to be top secret, but preparations saw a large influx of allied servicemen and women to the West Country. That February Bristol became the headquarters of Lt General Omar Bradley who came to oversee plans for the American D-Day spearhead. Clifton College became the nerve-centre for the preparations, (or as the General would have said, nerve-center). The College’s Wilson Tower housed their main signal operations. But what of the servicemen and women who came to Bristol in such large numbers? Although it was inevitable that cultural

differences would give rise to issues, these were largely resolved, with many Bristolians opening their homes to the ‘visitors’. Conversely the visitors were also generous to their temporary hosts, particularly to their children. Bristol societies also opened their doors. One such example was the Bristol Savages, the Art & Literary society that met (and still does) at the Red Lodge, on Park Row. As a gesture of hospitality, the Savages had beer mugs especially engraved for their visitors, with the slightly bizarre but hopefully heartwarming message: ‘Drink down all unfriendliness’.

Although as a four-year-old I was too young to understand much of what was going on, I do know our house on the corner of Hotwells and Merchants Road was bombed. We all survived but we moved to a house overlooking Eastville Stadium. Even after all these years I can remember our new home for three reasons:

The SMELL of new paint; EXCITEMENT, an American serviceman billeted on us, and our tabby cat had kittens on his bed; JOY, he gave us oranges as well as something unheard of: Crackerjack. This was caramelised popcorn and came in a long box, white waxed cover with a cartoon image of an American sailor.

Diane, my wife, also remembers a lady, whose role took her back and forth to America; she gave Diane something she had never seen before – peanut butter!

Frenchay Hospital was initially the American Forces 117th Field Hospital until August 1945 when it was passed to Bristol’s Health Committee. When Frenchay was staffed by military doctors and nurses, our Red Cross organised

the training of women auxiliaries. I wonder how many went on to become nurses or doctors?

On November 5, 1995, five commemorative plaques, representing the allies' Normandy invasion beaches Omaha, Utah, Juno, Gold and Sword, were placed in Castle Park. The memorials were unveiled by Lady Pamela Hicks, patron of the Bristol and District branch of the Normandy Veterans Association. These memorials were erected by ‘The Sword Fund’ Map of the beach landings, and the plaques donated by Courage Western, whose brewery was on the opposite bank of the river.

In an ironic twist, the stones bearing the inscriptions were brought from Caen in Normandy. On the other side of Castle Park are the remains of Bristol Castle, built by William the Conqueror’s men in part by with stones from Caen. Thus after nearly 1,000 years fate has completed the circle.

© Julian Lea-Jones May 2024

Housing Forums for Bristol council tenants – get involved!

Evening: Monday 10 June, 6–8pm

Afternoon: Thursday 13 June, 1–3pm

Your opinions help us make decisions!

If you’re a council tenant, you can have your say on how the housing service is run and make suggestions about improvements. For summer 2024, we are hosting online meetings focussing on issues we know matter most to tenants.

● Come along and hear about the ongoing work we are doing to ensure fire safety for residents in our high rise blocks and find out about our future plans.

● We’re also giving you the opportunity to make improvements to communal areas around your home. You can find out how to submit suggestions for changes you would like to see in your area.

● Places must be booked, you can do this online at: www.bristol.gov.uk/LocalHousingForums

● If you are not online but would like to take part, there is also a free dial-in option which you can join using your phone. For more information about how you can access the meetings contact Tenant Participation 0117 352 1444 or email  tpu@bristol.gov.uk

n NATURE WATCH with Dawn

Lawrence

The silent greensong of the old land

WHAT did your street look like before it was a street? The lie of the land shows that a stream must have run roughly where Cranbrook Road runs now. The steeper slopes above it were likely pastures where sheep trod the flowery turf into little corduroy ridges. Beyond were scattered farmhouses surrounded by small fields dotted with ponds, the hedges with frequent standard trees (old maps are delightfully detailed on this point).

Remnants of that ancient landscape still persist. At the northern end of Elton Road you can still see a section of the stream and in the corner garden there is a stand of ash trees. They may not be old enough to pre-date the houses, but I bet their parents were.

The ancient track that now joins Bishop Road to Longmead Avenue is lined with hedges of native dogwood, blackthorn, field maple etc. Old maps show a stand of trees at the Longmead end: all that remains are elm suckers in the hedge, the trees taken by Dutch elm disease. The same map shows many of the still living ash and beech trees on Horfield Common.

What other hints are there? At the bottom of our road, there is a front garden where wild garlic crowds in from the edges. This plant

likes ancient, damp, shady places; no surprise then to find that about 50 metres away there used to be a wooded stream. I can imagine the bulbs being transported those few metres as the new gardens were topped with local soil. In the next road a wild bluebell (one of the deep blue, dangly ones) flowers at the base of a garden wall on the pavement with a few plants inside the garden. Bluebells would have lined the hedges and perhaps have also moved with

the soil.

The UK has lost most of our herb-rich grasslands in the last 50 years (barely 3% remain). Yet the delicate plants that have been extinguished by modern farming still persist in places in our area. The grassy slope by the Church of the Good Shepherd supports several uncommon grassland flowers and a lone pyramidal orchid popped up on a front lawn on Redland Road a few years ago. Milkmaids is another plant that indicates old pasture and can still be spotted around here. It seems likely that local turf was turned into lawns as the suburbs spread.

The arable fields have given us their weeds: swinecress, poppies, shepherd’s purse and many more now line the kerbs. I also find sorrel, goat’s beard and wild carrot from the pastures along with hedge woundwort, goosegrass and hedge bindweed from the hedgerows. Of course, there may have been many avenues of introduction of these species since this land was last farmed, but undoubtedly some of them will have persisted since that time. They still sing their silent greensong of the old land, as they creep by generations along the gutters or remain standing tall on the Common.

Bird’s foot trefoil (red buds and yellow flowers) and daisies on the lawn at Church of the Good Shepherd Photo: Dawn Lawrence

n M E S S AGE F R OM POLI CE AND CRIME C OMMISSIONER

I will be visible and accountable to you

IT’S a privilege to have been given the opportunity to serve the people of South Gloucestershire as your newly-elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset.

My commitment to you was to be visible and accountable to all residents of Avon and Somerset, and I intend to fulfil this commitment now I have taken up this role. I will also be focused on the twin challenges of reducing crime and raising public confidence in our police.

I bring a wealth of experience to the role, gained from working across different sectors. I served as a Member of the European Parliament for our area, I worked at the heart of government in No. 10 Downing Street, and I was a trade union officer for over 20 years.

Prior to being elected to the PCC role, I was co-chief executive of an equality and human rights national charity. These roles have

given me a good understanding of how institutions work, and effective strategies for getting things done.

As your PCC, I will be tireless in speaking truth to power, calling out the uncomfortable, and above all, I will work to build a safer future for everyone. To do this, I will be working with community partners, police staff and police officers to understand and address the challenges we face – I am eager to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

In my time running up to the elections, the people of Avon and Somerset made their most pressing priorities clear to me. I heard that people want to see a greater connection to their local neighbourhood police and for their police service to address and reduce violent crime, particularly knife crime and male violence against women and girls. I also heard how people would like prevention of crime to be a higher priority, for the police service and

for others who run services within and for communities.

I am here to listen, and I am here to represent you. To do this, I need to truly understand how you feel and where you would like our police to prioritise their time and resources.

As I begin my term as your PCC, I will be getting out and about to hear from as many groups and individuals as I can across Avon and Somerset.

I’m also going to create a comprehensive Police and Crime Plan to address the evolving challenges in policing and to deliver lasting solutions.

I’m committed to actively listening to the concerns and priorities of residents – one way I will do this will be to run a public survey. The details for how you can take part will follow soon.

Please follow my office on our social media accounts for regular updates – you can find us

on Instagram, X, Facebook and LinkedIn – search ASPCC.

I commit to being a PCC who stands for you, actively engaging with and understanding the diverse communities our police serve.

Please reach out to me and my office with any concerns or suggestions you may have.

For more information visit www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk.

for £3,000

Clevedon Salerooms, The Auction Centre, Kenn Road, Kenn, Clevedon,

Alfred Pollentine (1836-1890) - Oil on canvas - The Grand Canal, Venice Sold

Wednesday June 19

n PUCCINI'S TRILOGY The stories of the three shorter operas could not be more different. WNO Friends warmly invite you to the Apostle Room, Clifton Cathedral for a talk by Ian Cartwright. 6.45 for 7.00. Easy parking, bar, Friends £8, Visitors £10. Further information from Melanie David, Tel: 01934 842014 email: melaniejdavid@ btinternet.com

Saturday June 22

n BRISTOL BACH CHOIR'S SUMMER CONCERT will be a beautiful and entertaining mix of fun, thoughtful, poignant, and sensuous music, including secular works by Bob Chilcott, Cecilia McDowall, William Mathias, and George Shearing. Summer Concert Saturday 22nd June 2024 7.30pm. Redland Hall, Redmaid’s High School, BS9 3AW. Tickets: £22 (reserved), £15 (unreserved), students & under 18s £1. www. bristolbach.org.uk - Tel: 0117 214 0721. Email: tickets@bristolbach.org.uk

Monday June 3

n Blaise Community Garden, behind Blaise Museum, BS10 7QS. Open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 10-2, plant table always available. Interesting walled kitchen garden, free to enter, new volunteers welcomed. Café open 10-2 on 15 June and 13 July

n BLAISE BLAZER (June 3) and WESTBURY WIPEOUT (July 1)Entries now are open for the Blaise Blazer, a 4four-mile race for seniors (16+) taking in the biggest hills and best views in Blaise Castle; and also for the Westbury Wipeout, an adventure run for youngsters

(8-15), touring the woods, streams, mud and scrambles of Blaise Castle. , which takes place on July 1. For details, see the Events pages in www.westburyharriers.co.uk.

Saturday June 8 and Sunday June 9

BS9 ARTS TRAIL 11am to 5pm. More than 80 artists exhibiting in Henleaze, Stoke Bishop & Westbury-on-Trym. For more details, visit https://www.bs9arts. co.uk

Fridays June 14 and 28

n COFFEE AND CRAFT COMMUNITY GROUP, 10.30 - 12.05 at Horfield Baptist Church, 160A Gloucester Road, Horfield.You are invited to bring your current craft project and enjoy a time of conversation with other people from our Community. Further information from Pam 0117 9248166

Saturday June 29

n CAR BOOT SALE at Redland Green School, 1-4pm. Community event with live music and refreshments. Organised by the PTA. For further information, contact RGSPTA@redlandgreen.bristol.sch.uk

Monday 24th June

HENLEAZE SENIOR FILM CLUB

The Great Escaper (12) 20232pm. Based on the true story of Bernard Jordan who escapes from his care home in Sussex to attend the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in France. Starring Glenda Jackson & Michael Caine. Carers welcome, easy access Refreshments £4. St. Peter’s Church Hall, The Drive, Henleaze BS9 4LD

Sunday June 30

n CITY VOICES BRISTOL, a local community choir, returns to All Saints Church, Pembroke Rd., BS8 3ED at 7pm for their summer concert - a showcase of singing to celebrate the seacon. Tickets cost £10 and will be available on the door or available in advance via Eventbrite

Friday July 5

n WESTBURY SINGERS concert,

‘The Deep Rolling Sea’, songs and ballads celebrating the Ocean (and Love) 7.30pm in Westbury Village Hall, BS9 4AG. Tickets £10, For info visit wotsingers@gmail. com.

REGULAR EVENTS

Various days

n WESTBURY WILDLIFE PARK

The park’s peaceful setting, with

children’s play area and cafe, is open for you to enjoy with your friends and family from Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 4pm. Refer to the website wwpf.uk for events, activities and volunteering opportunities.

n BLAISE COMMUNITY GARDEN, behind Blaise Museum, BS10 7QS. Open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 10-2, plant table always available. Interesting walled kitchen garden, free to enter, new volunteers welcomed. Café open 10-2 on 15 June and 13 July

n WEST OF ENGLAND BRIDGE CLUB meet at the RAFA Club, 38 Eastfield, Henleaze. Thursday afternoon is for improvers, and Monday and Friday afternoons, are for more capable players. These are EBU recognised sessions. You may come alone to any afternoon session or Wednesday evening when a partner will be found. The two evening sessions are Wednesdays and Fridays. For more information go to our website at www.woebridgeclub.co.uk or contact our Secretary Alan on 0117 4526947.

n WOULD YOU LIKE TO IMPROVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY? North West Bristol Camera Club is a friendly local club with a membership ranging from beginners to those with considerable experience. You will be welcome whether you use a mobile phone or the latest mirrorless camera. Google NWBCC for more details.

n TEATIME CHURCH - Children and families are welcome to join us once a month at the back of Holy Trinity Church in Westbury-onTrym for crafts, games, stories and songs, followed by supper for all the children. There is also a baby/ toddler area and a monthly Lego challenge. This is a very informal service, where children/adults can learn a little about God and the church in a fun and friendly environment. All are very welcome! Please visit our website for further information and monthly dates https://www.westbury-parishchurch.org.uk/teatime-church/ n CANFORD BOWLING CLUB season has started again, and new members of any age or experience would be very welcome. Free coaching is available. Our open day is 25th May. Why wait? If interested please email canfordbowlingclub@ gmail.com or ring 07504254499. Come and give it a go.

n BRISTOL HOME LIBRARY

SERVICE - We are a free service for any adult who lives in Bristol and who can’t get to their library but still wants books or audio books. Volunteers call monthly. Contact us if you would like to volunteer or know someone who needs us. BHLSVisits@royalvoluntaryservice. org.uk or 07714 898558

n BRISTOL STITCHERS - a friendly, independent creative members group which meets three times a month at Helliwell Room (Horfield Parish Church Hall, Horfield) offering Talks, Meet and Stitch sessions, Meet and Stitch Plus and Workshops. More information here: https://bristolstitchers.wordpress. com/about/ Contact Joanne our Chair here: bristolstitcherschair@ gmail.com

Monday

n PLAY BOWLS at Canford Park in a friendly, social atmosphere. Qualified coaches and equipment provided. Contact: Les on 07305695579

n WESTBURY SINGERS: Westbury Singers - If you enjoy singing, we invite you to join our friendly, non-auditioned, 4-part choir in term-time on Monday evenings 7:30pm - 9:30pm at Reedley Road Baptist Church (far left entrance off the car park). Ability to read music useful but not essential. See our website www.westburysingers.org for more information, email us on wotsingers@gmail.com, or simply come along one evening!

Mondays & Fridays

n FLEDGLINGS AT TRYMWOOD STUDIOS Mondays and Fridays, 9.30am - 10.30am. Joyful, nature-based workshops for 0-4s and their carers. Storytelling, poetry, songs, early-years science and maths and art-making - all in our 18th century studio, gardens, and meadowlands. For more information and to book a free taster session: www.trymwoodstudios.co.uk info@trymwoodstudios.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 7.00 - 9.30pm. 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 PILATES WITH JULIE WATERS, Westbury-on-Trym Academy School, Channells Hill, Bristol BS9 3HZ. Tuesday 6.30 pm & 7.30pm term time only. Small friendly groups. Call Julie on 07817 809734 or email jules_waters@hotmail.com for more information.

n WESTBURY FOLK/COUNTRY DANCING - come along to have some fun folk dancing on Tuesdays 1.30 – -3.30pm at Westbury College in College Road. All dances are called and refreshments are available. FFI contact Christine on 07775 628524 or codonnell100@ btinternet.com.

n SCOTTISH DANCING TO GET FIT AND HAVE FUN with Bristol Westbury Scottish Country Dance 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 A GENTLE WAY TO KEEP FIT & HAVE FUN! Chair Aerobics, Tithe

Barn, Shirehampton, Tuesdays, 1011am, £7. Maintain and progress your strength, stability and balance at our seated and gentle standing exercise class. Songs from every era to enjoy and complement a workout for mind and body wellness. Call Louisa: 07725 091429. Email Louisa: chairaerobicslouisa@ gmail.com

n KEEP FIT WITH DANCE MOVES – at Horfield Methodist Church BS7 8SN, Tuesday mornings, from 10.15- – 11.15am, and at St Peter’s Church, Filton, BS34 7BQ, Tuesday afternoons, 2- – 3pm. Improve your mobility, strength, co-ordination and general wellbeing whilst while having fun and making new friends. Suitable for all ages. Try first session free. For further information contact Eileen Scott on: 07969 929733, or email: scottyartois@ hotmail.com

n COMPANION VOICES BRISTOL is recruiting new members . 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 BRISTOL HARMONY WEST

GALLERY CHOIR AND BAND sing and play lively church and village music from the 18thcentury. St Edyth’s Church Hall, St Edyth’s Road, Sea Mills, 7.30 pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month. All voices (SATB), string, wind and reed instruments welcome. No auditions but ability to read music helpful. www.bristolharmony.wordpress. com or call Fritjof 0117 924 3440. Contact before attending.

n WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP meet on Tuesday mornings at Westburyon-Trym Methodist Church, 10.30am-noon. An interesting programme of speakers; come along to make friends. For more details, ring Kate 07905 064720. Tuesday and Saturday

n BRISTOL HF RAMBLING CLUB

We are a friendly sociable club with a variety of walks. We have 2 Tuesday walks of either 8-9 miles or 5-6 miles. On Saturdays we have varying length walks including a hill walk eg Brecon Beacons once a month. If you would like more information please visit our website.

Wednesday

n HENLEAZE CHORAL SOCIETYmeets 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 A CLASS FOR EVERYBODY! Keep Fit, St Peter’s Church, Henleaze, Wednesdays, 10-11am, £7. Improve your health and wellbeing with this low-impact exercise class. With music from the 60s to today’s pop to enjoy a supple strength workout. Call Louisa: 07725 091429. Email Louisa: chairaerobicslouisa@ gmail.com

n A GENTLE WAY TO KEEP FIT & HAVE FUN! Chair Aerobics, St Peter’s Church, Henleaze, Wednesdays, 11.15am-12.15pm, £7. Maintain and progress your strength, stability and balance at our seated and gentle standing exercise class. Songs from every era to enjoy and complement a workout for mind and body wellness. Call Louisa: 07725 091429. Email Louisa: chairaerobicslouisa@gmail.com

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. Special Event: 18 November (10-3) Winter Market with Café (Homemade cakes etc) 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 WELCOME WEDNESDAY

Friendly and free coffee afternoon on the last Wednesday of the month, 2-3.30pm at The Beehive Pub, Wellington Hill West, BS9 4QY. Meet new people, have fun, and find out what’s happening in your local area. Call 0117 435 0063 for more information.

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 COME AND ENJOY free tea and cake in a friendly atmosphere at Holy Trinity Church, Church Rd, Westbury-on-Trym every Wednes-

day 10.30-12. Call 0117 9508644 (mornings) for more information

n HEALING Spiritual Healing is available from 2pm to 3.30pm by the accredited healing team at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up or or visit www.westburyparksc.org

n OPEN DEVELOPMENT CIRCLE

For those interested in developing their spiritual awareness and mediumistic ability. 7.15 for 7.30 start at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up or or visit www.westburyparksc.org

n SWIFTS INCLUSIVE SPORTS swimming sessions are for adults 18+ with any type of disability (hoist available) 7-8pm. £5 per session at Henbury Leisure Centre. Contact Karen Lloyd at 07734 335 878.

Wednesday & Saturday

n BLAISE COMMUNITY GARDEN, behind Blaise Museum, BS10 7QS. Each week we’re open Wednesday and Saturday 10-2. Interesting walled kitchen garden, free to enter, new volunteers welcomed. Events: 6th April Café open 10-2, 4th May Spring Market and Café open 10-3.

Thursday

n HENBURY SINGERS RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS. We meet each Thursday 7:30 – 9:15 at Stoke Bishop Primary School, Cedar Park, BS9 1BW. We perform sacred and secular music under our conductor Andrew Kirk. No auditions. www. henburysingers.org. Contact secretary@henbury singers.org.

n TODDLERS TOGETHER is a parent and toddler group for the community. It takes place every Thursday during term time from 10-11.15am at Westbury-on-Trym Methodist Church Hall, BS9 3AA. There are toddler toys, a baby area, a weekly craft activity, singing, drinks and biscuits and a final prayer to end the session. We ask for a £2 voluntary donation per family on the door. You can just turn up - no need to pre-book. To find out more about this group, please visit https://www.westburyparish-church.org.uk/toddlergroup/

n FRIENDLY CLUB meets every Thursday from 2 - 4pm in the Methodist Church Hall, W-O-T. We are a lively group of older people who meet to chat, play Scrabble or cards. Trips out and entertainments are arranged, plus we have tea and biscuits for only £1! Do come and make some new friends.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

MBST : Treating chronic back pain, Disc injury, Sciatica and nerve damage.

MBST provides healing at the cellular level via targeted energy transfer into damaged tissues. The results we’re seeing for nerve damage patients are truly remarkable for the patients as some of the case studies below demonstrate.

Neil suffered a severe disc herniation with nerve root compression and dreadful leg pain. His pain was 10/10… after disc and nerve MBST last December his response was so fast and complete he went on 2 golfing trips by the end of March including long haul flights and is still doing really well.

Jean responded so well to the disc/ nerve treatment for her Disc bulge with s1 nerve root compression. Injections only helped temporarily yet 3 months post MBST she was able to come off all meds , had no leg pain and is still currently in great shape, even after a persistent cough!!

www.curaclinical.com

Brian had significant Spinal cord damage post surgery/spinal stimulator. Unable to sit up, eat at a table, drive or walk, Brian’s life really was agony. He’d hobble to treatment bent over on 2 sticks, and this was for several years post procedure. We applied the nerve MBST therapy 1 year ago. 6 weeks post treatment his pain was already on the wane. His improvement has continued steadily and his life is completely different. He walks well over distance now, can sit how he likes and is buying a car again!!

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Treatment Accelerates the Regeneration of Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons in vitro

Anda Mann1, Bibiane Steinecker-Frohnwieser2, Aida Naghilou1, Flavia Millesi13, Paul Supper1, Lorenz Semmler1, Sonja Wolf1, Lena Marinova1, Lukas Weigl4, Tamara Weiss1,3*† and Christine Radtke1,3†

1 Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

2 Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Arthritis and Rehabilitation, Saalfelden, Austria

3 Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria

4 Department of Special Anesthesia and Pain Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Functional recovery from peripheral nerve injuries depends on a multitude of factors. Schwann cells (SCs) are key players in the regenerative process as they develop repairspecific functions to promote axon regrowth. However, chronically denervated SCs lose their repair phenotype, which is considered as a main reason for regeneration failure. Previous studies reported a modulatory effect of low nuclear magnetic resonance therapy (NMRT) on cell proliferation and gene expression. To provide first insight into a possible effect of NMRT on cells involved in peripheral nerve regeneration, this study investigated whether NMRT is able to influence the cellular behavior of primary SC and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron cultures in vitro. The effect of NMRT on rat SCs was evaluated by comparing the morphology, purity, proliferation rate, and expression levels of (repair) SC associated genes between NMRT treated and untreated SC cultures. In addition, the influence of (1) NMRT

and (2) medium obtained from NMRT treated SC cultures on rat DRG neuron regeneration was examined by analyzing neurite outgrowth and the neuronal differentiation status. Our results showed that NMRT stimulated the proliferation of SCs without changing their morphology, purity, or expression of (repair) SC associated markers. Furthermore, NMRT promoted DRG neuron regeneration shown by an increased cell survival, enhanced neurite network formation, and progressed neuronal differentiation status. Furthermore, the medium of NMRT treated SC cultures was sufficient to support DRG neuron survival and neurite outgrowth. These findings demonstrate a beneficial impact of NMRT on DRG neuron survival and neurite formation, which is primarily mediated via SC stimulation. Our data suggest that NMRT could be suitable as a non-invasive auxiliary treatment option for peripheral nerve injuries and encourage future studies that investigate the effect of NMRT in a physiological context.

n WHAT'S ON

Thursday

|n ARCHITECTURE & BUILDINGS

GROUP U3A meets at Henleaze United Reformed Church Meeting Room, Waterford Road, 2-4pm on the fourth Thursday of the month except July, August & December. We are a small shared interest group. No previous knowledge required. Contact Rod for further information. Email: rodathey@gmail.com or call 07792 200949.

n SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING – Looking for a new hobby? Join us for fun, fitness and friendship (singles welcome). First evening free! Thursdays: New/Inexperienced dancers 7–8.30pm (£4). Intermediate/ Advanced dancers 7.30–10pm (£6). St Monica Trust, Oatley House Main Hall, BS9 3TN. www.rscdsbristol.info. Contact Ruth 0117 968 3057.

n LADIES KEEP FIT - – Thursdays 10-11am, St Peter's Church Hall, Henleaze, £7. This friendly, popular session is suitable for all ages, levels and abilities; it is an all-over workout for cardiovascular fitness as well as toning, and has a dance element. www.exercisewithlailibrooks.com; Email: laili@tiscali.co.uk to book.

n WEST BRISTOL ORCHESTRA is a small, friendly amateur group that enjoys music-making without public

performances. It meets on Thursday nights in term time at St. Peter’s Church, Henleaze at 7.15-9.15pm. We would especially welcome more string players. Visit our website for further details at maths.bris.ac.uk

n HEALING FOR WELLBEINGFeeling stressed? Healing/Reiki is a gentle, relaxing complementary therapy that helps restore balance and vitality. Drop in sessions with trained volunteers on Thursdays 3.30 - 4.45pm at Redland Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, BS6 6JE. Donation basis. F www.facebook.com/BristolHealingGroup or contact Selina on 0117 9466434 or selinanewton@ yahoo.co.uk.

n HENLEAZE FLOWER CLUB welcomes new members. Annual membership £52. Demonstration meetings on 2nd Thursday of the month, 2pm, Bradbury Hall Waterford Rd. Henleaze. Plus optional Practice Classes on 4th Thursday. We meet every month except December and August. Please contact Jenny York, Club Chair yorkjenny2@yahoo or phone/text 07880 700270

n SINGING TO REMEMBER We meet on 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursday from 2 - 3.45 pm in The Bradbury Hall, Waterford Road, Henleaze. It is a friendly, supportive group for people

with dementia and their carers. Anyone interested can phone me 0117 9426095 to book a place or discuss.

n BRISTOL BACH CHOIR are now recruiting new members. We are a friendly auditioned choir of between 30 and 40 singers. All voice parts are welcome. We rehearse on a Thursday evening at Bristol Grammar School from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. If interested please contact Julie at membership@bristolbach. org.uk

n HIGHBURY BADMINTON CLUB:

Pete Stables 0117 950 1524 or www. pete4458.wixsite.com/highburybadminton Thurs 7:30pm mid September to End April, W-on-T Village Hall n HENLEAZE LADIES’ CHOIR Come and join us at St Peter’s Church Hall. 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 FOLK NIGHT every third Wednesday of the month at the Victoria inn Chock lane, Westbury on Trym. 7.3010.30pm. All musicians and singers welcome or just pop in and listen.

Call 0117 959 0834

Friday

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

n BRISTOL SPANISH CIRCLECome and meet a group of friendly people and enjoy talks in Spanish, musical events and social evenings. We meet every month from September to June, usually on the last Friday of the month, at St Peter’s Church Hall in Henleaze. For more info, see https://www.spanishcirclebristol. com/.

n SEA MILLS REPAIR CAFE offers sewing, woodwork, general, electrical and cycle repairs at the Methodist Church, Sea Mills Square, from 10am12pm, every second Saturday of the month (except August). This is a voluntary service run by experienced repairers. . FFI see our Facebook page @seamillsrepaircafe or email: repaircafe.seamills@gmail.com

The Home Child by Liz Berry

LIZ Berry is a poet and author raised in the Black Country. The Home Child is a novel written in verse, relating the story of her great aunt, Eliza Showell, who in 1908, at the age of 12, was sent from a children’s home in Birmingham to Nova Scotia in Canada.

Between 1860 and 1960, over 100,000 of Britain’s poorest and most vulnerable children were sent to Canada to work as indentured farm labourers and domestic servants. They were known as Home Children. Some like Eliza were orphans, but most were from families, who were unable to care for them due to poverty, illness or the loss of a working parent.

We follow Eliza’s story, starting with her childhood in a slum dwelling in Bilston, with images of earth spewing Sulphur and the pounding and hammering of men working in the steel furnaces

and the coal mines. She dreams of riding a horse bareback across a meadow, escaping the confines of the steelworks, the workhouse and the chapel.

When her sick mother dies, Eliza is separated from her two brothers and sent to live in a children’s home. From there she endures an eleven day voyage across the Atlantic to the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. She is sent to work at a farm owned by Mr & Mrs McPhail where she becomes Lizzie McPhail whose daily duties include rising afore cockcrow, lighting the fire, sloping the pigs, feeding the hens, cooking breakfast, washing the dishes, sweeping the floors, cooking supper, and tending to the bedridden Mrs McPhail.

In her free time, Lizzie finds solace in nature and animals, befriending a foal in the absence of any human companions. Her

life is transformed when a 14 year old boy called Daniel McFadden is sent to work at the farm. Eliza leaves him a pear on the step, he gives her a scarlet ribbon stolen from a local shop and they embark on a teenage romance, out of sight of their employers.

This is a beautifully crafted and deeply moving novel, shedding light on a dark and shameful period of our history. The language is real and unflinching, infused with the dialect of the author’s native Black Country. You can find this novel, along with many others at your local library at 100 Gloucester Road. Please come and visit us and obtain a library card, giving you free internet access and the opportunity to borrow from an extensive catalogue of over two million books.

Review by Bob Deacon

Tuesday (11am-5pm) Wednesday (1pm-7pm) Thursday (11am-5pm) Friday (1pm-7pm)

Saturday (10am-5pm) Sunday (closed) Opening Hours: WoT

Monday (2pm-7pm)

Tuesday (11am-4pm)

Wednesday (11am-4pm)

Thursday (11am-4pm)

Friday (11am-4pm)

Saturday (11am-4pm)

Sunday (closed)

FINANCE

With Richard Higgs BA (hons) CFP FPFS

Harold Stephens

50 High Street, Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS9 3DZ

T: 0117 3636212

A strategic approach to inheritance

Inheritance Tax Insights for UK

Estates Valued Over £2 Million For individuals with estates surpassing the £2 million-mark, effective inheritance tax (IHT) planning becomes paramount. This financial threshold introduces unique challenges requiring strategic approaches to mitigate tax liabilities and safeguard wealth for future generations.

Understanding IHT Thresholds: IHT is applied to the value of an individual's estate (including property) upon their death, subject to certain exemptions and allowances. While the standard nil rate band is £325,000 per person, estates worth over £2 million face additional considerations.

Tapering of the Nil Rate Band: When reaching this threshold, estates face a tapering of the nil rate band. For every £2 over the threshold, £1 of the nil rate band is eroded. Consequently, as estate values rise, the available nil rate band diminishes, potentially resulting in increased IHT liabilities.

Strategic Tax Planning

Approaches:

To mitigate the impact of IHT on these sizable estates, it is possible to explore various legitimate strategic tax planning approaches:

Lifetime Gifting: Making gifts during your lifetime can effectively reduce the estate's value for IHT purposes. Leveraging annual gift exemptions, small gifts exemptions,

and potentially exempt transfers (PETs) can contribute to lowering tax liabilities.

Utilisation of Trusts: Trusts serve as a versatile tool for managing and distributing assets while minimising IHT liabilities. By establishing trusts within your estate planning, you can protect assets, provide for beneficiaries, and potentially reduce the overall tax burden.

IHT-free ISAs: It is possible to invest in companies that qualify for Business Property Relief within an ISA wrapper. These investments are considered outside of your estate after 2 years, provided they still meet the requirements of the relief.

Regular Review and Adaptation:

Estate planning can be complex and often requires ongoing review and adaptation, which is a service we excel in. If you are concerned you may have an inheritance tax issue or would like to know more about any of the strategic tax planning opportunities outlined above, we are happy to help.

Please get in touch for a complimentary inheritance and estate planning review with one of our expert independent advisers to ensure you have a solid plan for your estate. We can talk through strategies to structure your estate to protect your assets for your loved ones. Call 0117 3636 212 or email office@haroldstephens.co.uk.

Help keep Kellaway Pharmacy open

KELLAWAY Pharmacy is not just a part of the NHS; it's a vital pillar of our community's healthcare system. It's a place that provides care for everyone and is open to everyone. We take pride in being the standard-bearers of the NHS values. However, the situation is becoming increasingly dire for us and our local colleagues as community pharmacies across the country are closing at an alarming rate. Recent reports now put that rate at 10 closures a week.

Why? Community pharmacies, most of them independents like ours, face a daily perfect storm of rapidly declining government funding, which no longer covers the cost of our service while carrying the burden of high inflation. The increased cost of operating a dispensing pharmacy means we are left subsidising our NHS service, which is neither fair nor sustainable. Add to all this the daily workload of managing medicine shortages.

Does it matter if we close? The answer is a resounding yes. When a pharmacy shuts its doors, it has far-reaching effects on our communities, particularly on vulnerable

groups such as older people, individuals managing long-term health conditions, including those living with and caring for those with disabilities, young families, and most especially, those who don't have the means to travel to a pharmacy that is further away. It is not only regular users that are impacted, but the entire fabric of our community is at risk.

Worse, it puts more pressure on the other local NHS and social care providers, including local pharmacies and GP Surgeries. More people seeking help, with fewer access points and appointments, only worsens things. The evidence is that it will widen health inequity and exacerbate the pressures on the NHS.

Despite the challenges, we are heartened by the unwavering support from our patients and the community. Your role in ordering and waiting to collect your prescription orders on time, as well as your courteous interactions with our team, all help to significantly reduce pressures, even putting smiles on our faces. Your support is not just appreciated; it's crucial to our operations.

We are proud that opportunities like the

(adults and children aged 1 year & above)

SINUSITIS

(adults and children aged 12 years & above)

INFECTED INSECT BITES

(adults and children aged 1 year & above)

SORE THROAT

(adults and children aged 5 years & above)

SHINGLES

(adults aged 18 years & above)

URINARY TRACT INFECTION

(women, aged 16 to 64 years)

BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS

(children aged 30 days to 2 years)

IMPETIGO

(adults and children aged 1 year & above)

new NHS Pharmacy

First service are making a positive difference. This service allows us to prescribe antibiotics where appropriate, guided by sensible and safe use, also better inform people about managing symptoms and when to return for treatment.

Did you know that all patients through this service receive in-house care and NHS treatment as appropriate? The ability to refer urgently to the GP when the surgery uses the NHS Community Pharmacy referral pathway also means a quicker, safer, easier patient care journey.

This is just the start of what is possible. Our team will change over time, but we are optimistic that Kellaway Pharmacy, with your continued support, can build a brighter future for healthcare in our community.

One postcode –so many artists! n n COMMUNITY NEWS

BS9 ARTS TRAIL

8 and 9 June 2024, 11am to 5pm in Henleaze, Stoke Bishop & Westbury-on-Trym

WHERE can you enjoy the work of over 80 artists, find out what goes into making each piece and the inspiration behind it?

BS9 Arts Trail returns to our streets on 8 and 9 June 2024, in leafy north Bristol’s Henleaze, Stoke Bishop & Westbury-on-Trym.

Buying direct from an artist means you can gain a closer understanding of each artwork and the person who made it.

Artists include painters, sculptors, printmakers, ceramicists, photographers, potters, jewellery designers, glass workers, enamellists and a wood turner spread across 11 interesting venues.

All works are for sale and include items from £3 to £3,000, so whether you want a greetings card, a hand-crafted mug, a unique piece of jewellery or a statement painting, BS9 Arts Trail is the place to come!

The trail includes part-time and full-time professional artists, many of whom began their path to becoming professional thanks to the BS9 Art Trail. Some have made it their full-time career and exhibit in galleries and art fairs across the UK and beyond. Others choose to keep it local and you can meet all these artists right here in BS9.

Many of us have creative hobbies and perhaps you have wondered whether you could sell your work. This is the perfect opportunity to meet artists who have taken that brave first step.

The venues are easy to access and all are located around the northern side of The Downs. Most of the trail’s 11 venues host multiple artists. Many venues have cafés and facilities to provide a warm welcome. The trail is served by bus routes (1, 2, 3, 4), it’s a great area for walking and cycling, and all venues have parking nearby.

The event is sponsored by VWV. https://www.bs9arts.co.uk

n FEATURE

The rewards of pursuing a career in care homes

The rewards of pursuing a career in care homes

Lucy Bolland outlines how she went from a care assistant role to that of a nurse manager with Bristol Care Homes

Lucy Bolland outlines how she went from a care assistant role to that of a nurse manager with Bristol Care Homes

How long have you been a nurse?

How long have you been a nurse?

I started my career in care at Beech House in Thornbury about 20 years ago when I worked as a carer before going to Surrey University to train as a nurse. I worked as an NHS nurse for ten years in gynaecology, general surgery and an early pregnancy unit. Relocating back to Thornbury with my family, I became a bank nurse at Beech House. It was a career pathway change from hospital nursing to being part of a community as a care home nurse, but it is so much more rewarding and fulfilling as job.

I started my career in care at Beech House in Thornbury about 20 years ago when I worked as a carer before going to Surrey University to train as a nurse. I worked as an NHS nurse for ten years in gynaecology, general surgery and an early pregnancy unit. Relocating back to Thornbury with my family, I became a bank nurse at Beech House. It was a career pathway change from hospital nursing to being part of a community as a care home nurse, but it is so much more rewarding and fulfilling as job.

a bigger difference in our residents’ lives.

a bigger difference in our residents’ lives.

manager; I happily said yes. I learned an awful lot in a very short space of time. Next, a permanent deputy nurse manager vacancy became available at Glebe House in Almondsbury and once again I knew I had to step up. After two years in this role, I took on the nurse manager position at Beech House.

manager; I happily said yes. I learned an awful lot in a very short space of time. Next, a permanent deputy nurse manager vacancy became available at Glebe House in Almondsbury and once again I knew I had to step up. After two years in this role, I took on the nurse manager position at Beech House.

What made you stay so many years with Bristol Care Homes and pursue a management career?

What made you stay so many years with Bristol Care Homes and pursue a management career?

something clinical because I still have those skills and it is important for me to keep using them

something clinical because I still have those skills and it is important for me to keep using them

What does a typical work day look like?

What does a typical work day look like?

I had young children, so I needed flexibility, and luckily the manager at that time was very accommodating. When Covid hit I had to decide whether to continue working and keep my children in school, or to stop. In the end, I kept working to look after our residents. Even though I was doing more and more hours, I felt that I was making

I had young children, so I needed flexibility, and luckily the manager at that time was very accommodating. When Covid hit I had to decide whether to continue working and keep my children in school, or to stop. In the end, I kept working to look after our residents. Even though I was doing more and more hours, I felt that I was making

I started undertaking some administration tasks including the rotas and audits. I was then given the opportunity to step up and support both the management and our residents by getting more involved in the running of the home. I really enjoyed it and saw different ways of how the home was run; I understood the pressures from different perspective.

I started undertaking some administration tasks including the rotas and audits. I was then given the opportunity to step up and support both the management and our residents by getting more involved in the running of the home. I really enjoyed it and saw different ways of how the home was run; I understood the pressures from different perspective.

I was offered the opportunity to transfer to Quarry House in Fishponds as interim deputy nurse

I was offered the opportunity to transfer to Quarry House in Fishponds as interim deputy nurse

n COMMUNITY NEWS

CITY VOICES CHOIR

THE choir are looking forward to their summer concert concert to be held on June 30 at All Saints Church, Pembroke Rd, Clifton. There’s a lively programme which covers a wide range of music, from vintage pop to English madrigals and includes an Elton John medley and a tribute to Oscar-winning film composer John Williams.

This friendly, non-audition choir has already performed this year, teaming up again with Roath Community Choir, Cardiff to form the Bridge Chorus. In previous years, the Bridge Chorus has taken part in choir festivals in Croatia but in March they were closer to home. The Usk Choral Festival, based in the Wye Valley, featured 36 choirs from across the UK taking part in nine concerts in total. The Bridge Chorus enjoyed the opportunity to contribute songs from their own varied repertoire and also hear

other choirs express their joy in singing. A rousing rendition of the Welsh National Anthem, conducted by Ben Pinnow, Musical Director for the Bridge Chorus and for City Voices Bristol, concluded the Bridge Chorus’ performance.

The summer concert is entitled ‘How wonderful life is’, a nod to musical hero Elton John. Sir Elton has been quoted as saying, “Just the noise you make, and the camaraderie…..it is the most lifeaffirming experience, singing in a choir.” All members of City Voices Bristol give a resounding “hear, hear!” to that. Tickets are available via Eventbrite or on the door at All Saints Church, Pembroke Rd, Clifton. Anyone interested in joining is welcome to come along to a rehearsal at Red Maids High School, Westbury on Trym at 7.15 pm on Monday evenings or visit the website www.cityvoicesbristol. org for more details.

Besides being given the flexibility I needed, access to the training I wanted and all the support I needed, I felt motivated to stay because Bristol Care Homes really believed in me. They saw my capability to grow and develop my career.

Besides being given the flexibility I needed, access to the training I wanted and all the support I needed, I felt motivated to stay because Bristol Care Homes really believed in me. They saw my capability to grow and develop my career.

Do you miss ‘hands-on’ nursing after moving into management?

Do you miss ‘hands-on’ nursing after moving into management?

Yes and no. I do miss spending my work hours principally involved with hands-on nursing; however I still get involved in the nursing aspects of the home. I’ll be the first one arriving when the emergency bell goes off and I’ll be the first giving staff support with

Yes and no. I do miss spending my work hours principally involved with hands-on nursing; however I still get involved in the nursing aspects of the home. I’ll be the first one arriving when the emergency bell goes off and I’ll be the first giving staff support with

The best way to describe this role is that you never know what you will walk into, and you are always spinning many plates; but you can follow through and see the positive outcomes. Working together as a team is important to me. What is the best/most rewarding thing about being a home manager?

The best way to describe this role is that you never know what you will walk into, and you are always spinning many plates; but you can follow through and see the positive outcomes. Working together as a team is important to me. What is the best/most rewarding thing about being a home manager?

Seeing our residents happy, having meaningful conversations with family and staff and knowing that the small things make so much difference. It is also very rewarding to see staff develop and blossom within their job roles, making a big difference to families and supporting them through what can be a very difficult journey. What advice would you offer to someone thinking about a career in care home nursing?

Seeing our residents happy, having meaningful conversations with family and staff and knowing that the small things make so much difference. It is also very rewarding to see staff develop and blossom within their job roles, making a big difference to families and supporting them through what can be a very difficult journey. What advice would you offer to someone thinking about a career in care home nursing?

Go for it! It is really rewarding, and you can make such a difference to someone’s life.

Go for it! It is really rewarding, and you can make such a difference to someone’s life.

n VINEYARD NEWS with INGRID BATES

Keeping a weather eye on our wines

I CAN'T believe I'm saying this, but the vines have survived the frost risk period. When they started growing in the last week of March, I thought there would be absolutely no way they would get to the end of April with no frost damage. Normally if they started growing this early there would definitely be one or two very cold nights where the growth would get wiped out and we’d have to start again from scratch. But somehow this year we have managed to evade the frost. What this means is that the vines now have several inches of good, green growth on them and are several weeks ahead of where they would sometimes be. By the time we get to late summer and autumn this means the grapes will have plenty of time to ripen and we could even be in for an early harvest. All of these things are music to my ears!

After the wet winter we had, it's been so enjoyable to watch the vineyard coming back life and feel the warm sun again. Sometimes it can be a bit of a scramble in spring to keep the grass from swamping the young vines. This year feels different

because the sheep did a really good job nibbling the grass down just before the vines started growing. It's given me a bit of a head start with things and has made it much easier to keep everything nice and orderly.

On the wine front we now have three sparkling wines available; a sparkling white, sparkling red and sparkling rosé. As always, we've enjoyed having fun with the labels and have created some bright and colourful designs to complement our lovely fruity wines.

hello@dunleavyvineyards.co.uk www.dunleavyvineyards.co.uk @DYvineyards (X/Twitter) dunleavy vineyards (Facebook & Instagram)

n TURNER'S VISION

TREE Spectacles

Choosing the perfect pair of frames can feel like navigating a labyrinth of options, each one vying for your attention with promises of style, comfort, and durability. From considering face shape and skin tone to pondering frame colours, the decision can feel weighty, especially when we’re often stuck with this choice until our next eye exam!

If you're on the hunt for frames that strike the perfect balance between a statement piece and being subtly stylish, you’ll want to consider TREE Spectacles – our latest frames boasting innovation and elegance – embodying everything you desire in eyewear.

Peter Turner of Turners Opticians 0117 962 2474 0117 965 4434

www.turnersopticians.co.uk

Who are TREE Spectacles?TREE Spectacles symbolise a modern, minimalist look, defined by their sleek form. Each frame incorporates contemporary aesthetics, crafted to showcase beauty through clean, sophisticated design.

One of the foundations of TREE Spectacles is evolution, not revolution – a powerful statement we at Turners Opticians can get behind. This ethos emphasises continuous improvement and refinement, rather than radical change, ensuring that each iteration builds upon the last, resulting in a timeless eyewear that endures.

Why TREE Spectacles?

Handcrafted with high-quality materials, the unique Italian designs add a touch of luxury to any look. TREE Spectacles’ use of innovative technical solutions and advanced materials puts this brand at the forefront of modern eyewear companies, taking inspiration from all over the world with a natural inclination towards beauty. These frames are bold and intriguing with unconventional colours that are sure to compliment any outfit.

More than just an independent label – TREE Spectacles is a brand that is visually captivating and durable, all whilst remaining stylish and fashionable – so much so that I’ve ordered a pair for myself! Breaking the mould of traditional eyewear

What sets TREE Spectacles apart from other eyewear brands is the courage to experiment with different materials such as Japanese titanium and nylon hi-tech, each known for their durability and flexibility – a must for eyewear that stands the test of time. Each pair is carefully crafted to achieve the optimal blend of crispness, cleanliness, and timelessness, exuding sophistication every time you wear them.

Paired with our range of lenses including varifocal, precise colour tinting, and everyday lenses, you can enjoy bespoke eyewear that you love, tailored to your unique needs and preferences. Need help choosing?

At Turners Opticians, we want you to look and feel your best in your new glasses. That’s why we offer a VIP personalised styling experience at both our practices, helping you choose the perfect pair to suit your style while ensuring you receive maximum comfort.

Call our Henleaze team on 0117 962 2474 or Fishponds team on 0117 965 4434 to find out more about our VIP-styling service or visit our website at www.TurnersOpticians.co.uk for further information about our glasses range.

Peter Turner is an Independent Prescribing Senior Optometrist at Turners Opticians in Bristol, who also works as a Senior Medical Optometrist at Bristol Eye Hospital. Peter has a specialist interest in visual development and visual performance.

n COMMUNITY NEWS

A HUNDRED and twenty people joined together at Trinity-Henleaze United Reformed Church to learn and then sing the song One Day which raised £810 for the Red Cross.

The plan to use the song, with its theme of peace and unity in a war-torn world, was masterminded by music teacher and former headteacher, John Searle who was inspired by a conversation about One Day with local care worker Christine Khalif.

“With there being so much death and destruction going on in the world we wanted to create a collective expression of compassion from anyone who wanted to join in whether they had any religious affiliations or not” says John, an Elder at the church.

In just an hour those who came, including choir members from around Bristol as well as those with

no singing experience, were rehearsed by John with the aid of a backing band and screens displaying the words.

Some of the verses were sung in Arabic and Hebrew. After a final run through their efforts were recorded.

Those who came were encouraged to watch a series of videos of the song being sung around the world by following this link: https:??www.youtube. com/watch?v=XqvKDCP5-xE Stan

Hazell

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