Two local stalwarts have received deserved recognition for their work for the community. Hilary Long, of Westbury on Trym Society (WotSoc) and Tony Hall, the creator and chair of Bristol Dementia Action Alliance (BDDA) were awarded Lord Mayor's Medals by Councillor Paula O'Rourke.
Full story: Page 15
NATWEST has announced it is closing its branch in the Westbury on Trym in August – the same month HSBC will close its branch 70 yards away in Canford Lane.
The closure of the High Street NatWest is another blow comes as a blow to the village.
Bristol City Councillor, Steve Smith, said he was very disappointed and concerned.
“We were very disappointed both because of the impact on NatWest customers and the wider impact on Westbury Village and the many shops
Turn to Page 3
More than 100 passengers have reported being stranded by "ghost buses' that have not turned up, a survey by MP Darren Jones has shown. PAGE 4
Badminton School has welcomed a new headteacher this spring, Mrs Jessica Miles. PAGE 17
RESIDENTS at Trymview Hall, on Southmead Road, have been highly commended in a local art competition.
They entered The Brain Art Competition run by Royal West of England Academy (RWA) and the University of Bristol.
Focusing on the theme of ‘connections’, residents worked together to create wax rubbings of a selection of foraged natural materials, including leaves and seed heads, arranged in the shape of a brain.
Residents were thrilled to be highly commended in the community groups category.
To celebrate their success, Jean Gazzard, 92, and Maureen Bailey, 87, attended a prizegiving ceremony at the RWA where they were able to see their work on display, as well as receive a certificate commending the home’s efforts.
Speaking of the event,
Maureen said: “I love the art we created – we had a lot of fun and worked really well together! It was wonderful to have it recognised like this and displayed at the gallery.”
As part of an ongoing initiative between the home and RWA, residents also attend dementia-friendly gallery
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viewings and tours of new exhibitions, as well as having the opportunity to participate in art projects, often led by an in-house artist.
Nicola Wolff-Donitz, of Trymview Hall, said: “Residents were incredibly excited to see their hard work on display.
“Many of the residents here at
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Jean Gazzard, 92, and Maureen Bailey, from Trymview Hall, with Nicola WolffDortz viewing residents' work on display at the RWA
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From Page 1 that benefit from footfall generated by the banks. It is concerning that this is the second bank in quick succession to shut up shop locally.".
A group of councillors have sent NatWest a joint letter, asking them to consider sharing premises with HSBC.
Councillor Smith said: “We have written to NatWest setting out our concerns and offering to host a conversation with all of the village banks about providing a shared facility to maintain a local presence, but have not had any substantive response.”
The letter says: “We wish to point out that the presence of major banks performs a vital role in helping to ensure our local high streets remain attractive, coherent, and vibrant places to visit.
“They are integral to secondary shopping centres. Furthermore, the loss of these facilities runs entirely contrary to the future of city and town planning for liveable neighbourhoods which will seek to limit travel and tie residents more to their immediate area.”
The councillors also say reduced bus services locally made it harder for people to travel to other branches.
Westbury-on-Trym Forum discussed the closures at their meeting in April.
Spokesman Malcolm Neave said many people travel to Westbury from adjacent areas, such as Henleaze, Henbury and Southmead, because all the banks in those areas have already disappeared. He urged customers and shareholders to
voice their views to the banks.
Councillor Sharon Scott said the NatWest closure would be “a major blow for the community”.
She said: “A large number of our residents are elderly and don’t use online banking. The prospect of them travelling to the nearest branch in Filton is outrageous as many may no longer drive. The loss of NatWest in Westbury village in early August will no doubt reduce numbers coming into the village and potentially will impact our local businesses.”
Nat West confirmed the Westbury branch will close on August 8, because of falling counter transactions, which are down by almost two-thirds since 2019.
A spokesperson said they have opened a partnership with the Post Office in Canford Lane to provide counter services, and opened a dedicated phone line for any customers aged over 60 to help them use online and mobile banking.
They said: “As with many industries, most of our customers are shifting to mobile and online banking, because it’s faster and easier for people to manage their financial lives.
“We understand and recognise that digital solutions aren’t right for everyone or every situation, and that when we close branches we have to make sure that no one is left behind."
In January The Voice reported that HSBC was to close its Westbury branch in August this year. HSBC said nine out of ten customers now used online and mobile banking.
DISCOUNT supermarket chain Lidl is setting its sights on Westbury on Trym and Stoke Bishop as possible sites for new stores.
It announced on April 24 that the two locations were among 11 places it is looking at in Bristol.
The chain, which started operating in the UK in 1994, now has more than 950 stores in England, Scotland and Wales, employing nearly 30,000 people. It opened 15 new outlets in the past month and is looking to expand further.
Lidl says 1.4m shoppers switched to it from rivals last year.
TWO people died following a collision involving a pedestrian and a car in Canford Lane.
It happened at about 2.50pm on Monday 17 April. The pedestrian, a man in his 70s, was pronounced dead at the scene. A woman from the vehicle, also in her 70s, died later in hospital. Police said: “Our thoughts are with the families at this time, and they are being sup-ported by a specially-trained family liaison officer.”
They are seeking witnesses to the crash and ask anyone who saw the tragic incident in Westbury or might have dashcam footage to contact 101 and quote reference 5223088511.
STRANDED passengers reported more than 100 cases of “ghost buses” in Bristol in March as part of a new citizen science project.
Darren Jones, Labour MP for Bristol North West, is collecting evidence from constituents to test promises made by bus bosses on improving reliability.
The project is asking bus passengers whose journeys start in the Bristol North West constituency to tell the MP if their journeys were on time, delayed, or if a service appears on an app or digital screen in a bus stop but never turns up — known as a ghost bus.
First, the city’s largest operator, promised that many services would become more reliable from the start of April. Several main routes — including the 70, 73, 73, 75 and 76 — should now see buses running more frequently, but the results of this remain to be seen.
Mr Jones said: “For as long as I can remember, problems with bus services have been one of the biggest local concerns for people. But looking at the data in black and white that is rolling in, even I’m astounded at how badly Bristol’s bus network is blighted by ghost buses. How can we expect people to leave their cars at home if they can’t trust that the bus they are waiting for actually exists?”
In March the MP received 109 reports of ghost buses. The project is continuing throughout April and May, and passengers are encouraged to log their bus journeys on the website: darrenjones.co.uk/bus
Mr Jones added: “I need the public’s help to gather the data that will show if the bus companies need to be held to account — and it’s not too late for passengers to start logging bus journeys from today. Nothing
would make me happier than to discover that the reliability of our buses is moving in the right direction. But let’s see what the data reveals.”
Earlier this year, Doug Claringbold, managing director of First in the West of England, said that services and reliability will improve from April. The company is running a huge recruitment campaign amid a dire shortage of drivers, and said that issues such as congestion can cause bus cancellations which are outside the company’s control.
A spokesperson for First West of England said: “New timetables have been introduced across Bristol from April 2 — including more frequent buses on a number of services — using specialist scheduling software which we are confident will improve reliability. We saw significant improvements when
we did the same earlier this year on Metrobus services, so we anticipate similar success across our Bristol network.
“Cancellations can occur for a variety of reasons due to issues on the road network we cannot control. We continue to do all we can to manage updates for our customers in dynamically changing situations and enable timely information to appear on our app and the Real Time Information (RTI) displays at bus stops.
“We are working closely with the [West of England] Combined Authority to explore improvements to how the RTI displays are refreshed with the latest details of all the services on our network.”
By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service
IT may be a bit of a commute, but Debra Palmer has no intention of calling time on her regular trip from Mangotsfield to work in a pub in Westbury-onTrym.
Debs first started working part-time at the Post Office Tavern, on Westbury Hill, in April 1993.
And after throwing a party to celebrate her 30th anniversary, she is already planning the next one in five years' time.
Debs came out from behind the bar to celebrate with customers and managers past and present at the party.
She booked a rock band, Last Resort, which includes a regular among its members and stayed in front of the bar rather than behind - although she still collected glasses to help out her colleagues.
Debs has worked for 17 managers over the years. Brothers Steve and Dennis Fitzgerald, who managed the
pub when Debs started working there, and another former manager, Vikki Lewis, joined current manager George Balatoni at the party. She says it is the long-term ties with customers that keep her doing the drive to the pub every Wednesday and every other Friday.
Debs said: "The customers become friends. A lot of them
have been drinking there as long as I've been working there.
"It's nice to go somewhere where you know who's going to come in, what they drink and what glass they like it in - you build up a rapport and you look forward to having conversations with them."
Debs has a day job as a civil servant, working as a PA based
at the Bristol offices of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, although her role has been mainly homebased since the pandemic.
She started working at the pub when a colleague at Defra heard she was on the lookout for a second job, and despite initial misgivings she soon warmed to it.
Debs said: "If I was going to give up any job it would be my day job over the pub job."
Although the nature of the trade has changed over the decades - Debs says people go out less, and the bar is no longer four-deep every night - there are still busy times, and she prefers working in a "nice pub with nice people" to the idea of a city centre bar.
Debs has no plans to quit now. She said: "I said I'd get to 30 years and see how I feel. Now I'm looking to get to 35 yearsI've already booked the band in for the anniversary party."
MAJOR changes are planned on four key routes into Bristol to make buses more punctual and journey times much quicker.
The planned works, including probable new bus lanes as well as upgrades for pedestrians and cyclists, will mean big changes to the Portway, Bath Road, the A38, and the A37 and A4018.
But the A38 Gloucester Road and Cheltenham Road is not included in Bristol City Council’s £200 million programme of changes to the city’s transport network in spite of the regular congestion.
Some works are planned to improve walking and cycling routes near the new arena in Filton, which is due to open in early 2026, but nothing major is planned for buses on the Gloucester Road, despite this being the key route from the city centre to the arena.
Green Cllr Emma Edwards, representing Bishopston and Ashley Down, told a Bristol City Council growth and regeneration scrutiny meeting: “There’s a lot of concern in those residential areas either side of the road. It already doesn’t take a lot for the Gloucester Road to get absolutely jampacked. It happened the other day when there were some roadworks and it was just gridlocked. So the people who live on either side of the Gloucester Road really suffer
when that happens.”
Transport strategy officer Pete Woodhouse said: “I’m not aware of anything specific about interventions on the A38.”
Labour Cllr Don Alexander, cabinet member for transport, added: “The problem with Gloucester Road is not the lack of funding, it’s the lack of space.”
Bristol has been granted the £200 million by the government to spend up until 2027, in a deal called the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement.
Updates on the projects were given to the meeting on March 22. More details should become clear of each project as individual business cases go to the cabinet or the West of England Combined Authority to get signed off.
Buses will be given extra priority along the Portway corridor, from Jacob’s Wells Road roundabout in the south to the Avonmouth roundabout in the north. Walking and cycling routes will be upgraded from the park and ride to the city centre.
Transport bosses are developing different designs and few details are available, but they expect to submit an outline business case to the combined authority in December.
One major change to the Portway will create access to the park and ride for buses coming from the north. Currently buses can only access the park and ride from the south, but adding northern access would mean the site could be served from the motorway, as well as providing services to the new arena in Filton. A new train station is also under construction at the park and ride, expected to open this summer.
A new bus lane and cycle lane will be built on the A4018 between Charlton Road and Crow Lane, in the north of the city. This project is shortly going out to tender, and is forecast to be completed by winter next year.
By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service
THE experiences of a fascinating Bristol character, the Ladies Mile toilets attendant Victoria Hughes, could soon be highlighted to a new generation.
The book Ladies Mile, based on detailed diaries kept by Mrs Hughes for more than 30 years until the 1960s, has been out of print for some years.
But now a Bristol woman is raising money to get it republished. Kerris Harrop intends to sell copies to raise money for the refurbishment of the Victorian toilets next to the Water Tower on the Downs.
Kerris has tracked down Abson Books, the publisher of Ladies Mile, which was edited by the late David Foot, a well known Bristol journalist, and has obtained the copyright, She is aiming to raise £6,000 to print 2,000 copies.
She said: “The toilet block was a safe and comforting place
where various characters, mainly working girls, felt able to trust the sympathetic Mrs Hughes to whom they described their lives and backgrounds - truly ‘remarkable and shocking’ tales.
“The toilet still exists and is currently the only public convenience in this area of Bristol. It’s a pretty Victorian brick-built building and is
notable, too, for its Blue Plaque, one of the highest civic honours, awarded to Mrs Hughes who published in Ladies’ Mile in 1977 at the age of almost 80.
“Sadly the building is not so pretty now. This once-infamous toilet urgently needs money for improvement and to bring its historic story back into public awareness. To raise much-
needed funds for the toilet’s refurbishment, all profits from the newly republished sale of Ladies’ Mile will be put towards this.
“Republication costs money and so far I have raised £4000 for this. Some who have donated are eager to read or re-read the book, some recognise that Ladies’ Mile toilets have been part of the Bristolian landscape for many years and are anxious that they remain so, and all of us know that “public spaces need public conveniences”.
You can donate to the republication at https://www. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ ladiesmile.
THE price of parking at Blaise Estate is going up sharply just over a year after it ceased to be free.
It will rise from £1 to £1.50 for an hour and from £3 to £4.50 for up to five hours.
Council leaders say the money raised at Blaise, Ashton Court and Oldbury Court will go into maintaining the city’s parks and they promise to make sure people are not leaving their cars in nearby streets to avoid the charges.
Neighbours and opposition councillors say motorists already avoid the pay-and-display by parking outside, causing traffic problems and nuisance for people living there.
Mayor Marvin Rees and council officers insist trials of the charges, which came into force in March 2022, had shown no significant impact on visitor numbers to the parks’ cafes and kiosks, so people were now more likely to walk or cycle instead of driving.
Conservative opposition group leader Cllr Mark Weston, who represents Henbury & Brentry, said in a statement to a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, April 4, that this was not true and that the fees had created “huge problems in nearby residential streets”.
He said the big price increases would “only make a bad situation worse”.
Labour cabinet member for public health and communities
Cllr Ellie King said she was aware of the complaints and the situation would be monitored to check displacement parking was not taking place.
Disability and passenger transport campaigner David Redgewell told the meeting that green travel plans must be produced for heritage and tourist
attractions and that access for disabled people needed to be improved.
He said Blaise Castle house was still not fully accessible to wheelchair users.
Mr Redgewell said: “We are asking that some of the money from the charges goes into disabled access and that discussions take place with disabled groups to make sure these parks are fully accessible.
“We need a city for everybody, not just for the few.”
Mayor Rees said conversations would take place with Bristol Disability Equality Commission and other groups so the council could understand and address the challenges for some people.
A council spokesman told the Voice that the planned price increases were going through a Traffic Regulation Order and no date had yet been set for their implementation.
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
ORGANISERS of Bristol Pride and Forwards Festival want to upgrade the internet connection on the Downs. A new fibre line could be installed underground and connecting to the Downs Cafe, providing better internet service across the parkland.
Both events have suffered from poor internet service in the past, with many people struggling to connect to 4G. This has also affected staff on the entrance to Pride checking tickets, and traders needing wireless internet access for card machines to work.
The Downs Committee, which runs the parkland,has been asked to consider paying £4,935 for the initial costs of the works. This would cover paperwork and beginning the process. Pride and Forwards would then split any future costs and annual charges.
Last year the committee, made up of Bristol councillors
and members of the Society of Merchant Venturers, received £285,000 in income from events held on the Downs, such as Pride and Forwards.
A report to the committee said: “The Downs Committee has been approached by Pride, who in partnership with Forwards Festival, would like to improve the internet connection on the Downs. The solution involves digging a 100-metre duct to run the cable to the nearest pole, which BT has offered to do for free. The connection would be run to the café, which would benefit from the connection yearround.”
Bristol Pride Day will be held this year on Saturday, July 8, on Durdham Down. Forwards Festival will be held on Friday, September 1 to Saturday, September 2, on Clifton Down
By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting ServiceLast year, Westbury Community fair celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of the Late Queen Elizabeth II, the summit of Everest, exploration of the world and of course, cake! This year, on Saturday 13th May, the event will be continuing the celebrations of the Coronation of King Charles III. Please make a crown and wear it - everyone wearing a crown will get a prize. Westbury Village; enjoy the stalls, music and ambience between 11am and 3pm.
A GRADE II listed aircraft hangar at Filton is being turned into a community hub as part of the transformation of the airfield.
Built in 1917, Hangar 16U once housed ‘Battle of Britain’ fighter planes, including Hawker Hurricanes. The restoration work will see it become a library, café, gym and social centre for the new Brabazon neighbourhood.
Bristol-based architects Ferguson Mann have designed Hangar 16U to live up to the legacy of its past, ensuring that distinctive features such as the original hangar doors are restored and rehung. The Belfast trusses and intricate red brickwork will also be fully preserved.
Hangar 16U is located between the first phase of 302 homes at Brabazon - almost half of which are now completed and occupied - and the 15-acre Brabazon Park. Work to restore the building is due to start in the coming months, with a target opening date before the end of 2024.
To the east of the building will be a public square with space for street food stalls and pop-up events. To the west, the café will spill out on to the park, which will have playgrounds, picnic areas and exercise zones, crisscrossed with cycling and walking paths.
Developers YTL have also announced a partnership with Southern Brooks to fund community development work designed to foster social cohesion across South Gloucestershire and North Bristol.
Sebastian Loyn, planning and development director at YTL Developments, said:
“Hangar 16U has an incredible history and we can’t
wait to bring this building into public use. It will provide something for everyone, a place for all ages and for all interests, for this generation and the next.
“The restoration will also accelerate our vision to create a truly sustainable new neighbourhood at Brabazon, where every daily essential –from food shopping, to schools, exercise classes to evenings out –is just a 15-minute walk or cycle away.”
Alison Findlay, CEO at Southern Brooks, said: “South Gloucestershire and North Bristol have needed new community spaces for some time. Hangar 16U, Brabazon Park and the new transport links at Brabazon will be brilliant places for local residents to come together. This holistic approach to building sustainable communities should make a real
difference in improving social cohesion, reducing poverty, loneliness and isolation while boosting people’s health and well-being.”
YTL Developments has also recently launched new pathways into employment for local young people. They are working with Bristol Talent Partnership
to hold taster sessions about careers in property, launched a work experience programmefor 16 year-olds and introduced university placement opportunities for students.
You can learn more about the plans for Hangar 16U by visiting www.brabazon.co.uk
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Scenes from the successful Iftar at FHS, the first the school had held after previous efforts were thwarted by Covid
THE Muslim Holy Month on Ramadan was marked with community Iftar events at local schools, including Fairfield High School and Montpelier High School.
Both were a great success, celebrating the inclusive and diverse nature of the schools and their communities.
Bristol also saw two Grand Iftars, one in St Mark’s Road and the other on College Green, and Eid celebrations were taking place as the Voice went to print.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. For 30 days, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, devoting their time to prayers.
At the Iftars, non Muslims are invited to share the breaking of the fast, sharing food and learning more about the significance of Ramadan and the importance of unity.
At Fairfield, speakers represented the Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and Humanist faiths.
The Grand Iftar started in Bristol in 2017, shortly after the Manchester Arena bombing. The theme then was community cohesion, as a way of promoting peace and unity. Other themes have included sustainability and women in Islam.
This year, the unifying theme of the Iftar events is sanctuary, giving people the opportunity to reflect on world events and to celebrate Bristol's role as a City of Sanctuary.
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “It is exciting to see Muslims for Bristol extend the Grand Iftar to the city centre and to be able to celebrate the month of Ramadan on College Green with people from across Bristol. We are a proud city of many cultures and faiths.
"This is an opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of the Muslim communities, come together, share food, and learn more about each other, and the significance of Ramadan and the Iftar meal for Muslims."
THIS month, the country is celebrating the coronation of King Charles III. Royal events are grand affairs of national importance, but they are also wonderful occasions for bringing communities together to celebrate with street parties, village fairs – and, of course, lots of bunting! It's quintessentially British.
Staying on that theme, I’m organising a Summer Coffee Morning at Henleaze Bowling Club on Saturday, 1st July, from 10:00am-12:30pm, where both adults and children can try the quintessentially British pastime of lawn bowls.
What can you expect at my Summer Coffee Morning? It’s basically a bigger version of my Café Politics before the summer recess, where you can chat to me about local or national issues over a free cup of tea or coffee. Let’s hope the weather isn’t typically British, though, so we can enjoy a few games on the club’s beautifully maintained bowling green after our discussion. For those who aren’t playing, we can continue to chat informally over another cuppa and take in the scenery.
If you’d like to attend, please head to www.darren-jones.co.uk/ events for the Eventbrite booking link. If you don’t have internet access, or if you have accessibility needs, please call my office on 0117 959 6545 to book. If you’d like to bowl, there’s a £1 fee for 30 minutes of instruction and play that should be paid directly to the club on the day. (There’s no charge for children to have a go
with lightweight bowls while the grown-ups talk politics.) Spaces are limited for adults’ bowling, so please book early to avoid disappointment, and select the ticket type on Eventbrite that includes bowling.
Rolling on to other news, a constituent raised concerns at a recent Café Politics that signage for the Clean Air Zone is inadequate, so people are sometimes unaware they are entering the fee-charging area. In addition to improving physical signage, it’ll make sense for companies like Apple Maps and Google Maps to update their warnings. I’m going to write to them to try and make that happen, and to see whether more can be done to redirect large lorries away from the small roads under the Iron Bridge.
I am also continuing my fight to improve access to NHS dentistry. Finding an NHS dentist is a problem across the country, but it seems to be a particularly painful experience for people in Bristol.
I have already written, repeatedly, to Ministers about the crisis in NHS dentistry, and I held a debate in Parliament last January to encourage the Government to take this issue more seriously. I raised this issue again in the Commons a few weeks ago, which you may have seen reported in the local media.
I’m now going to host a dental summit in Bristol with local commissioners and providers to
see what more can be done locally whilst we wait for the Government in Westminster to finally get round to updating the NHS dental contract; the current contract is preventing many dentists from taking on the additional NHS work they would otherwise be happy to do.
In my last column, I mentioned that I had planned an urgent meeting with Stagecoach to speak up for my constituents about changes to routes 10 and 11. If you’re unaware, the 10 and 11 will no longer take you from Westbury-on-Trym or Henleaze to UWE, Bristol Parkway or Aztec West – the services now terminate at Southmead Hospital.
Stagecoach has told me the route changes are due to insufficient funding from the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to support the routes, so I’ll be following up on this issue.
In better news, WECA has launched a new on-demand bus service, called WESTlink, in which a pick-up and drop-off point can be booked online (https:// travelwest.info/westlink), via the app or by calling 0117 457 8561 when you need to travel or the day before. The service is available 7am-7pm, Monday to Saturday.
However, while it can be used for journeys to and from UWE, Bristol Parkway or Aztec West, WESTlink is not available everywhere. In this area, the service is available to book between the high street in Westbury-on-Trym and Horfield, and only north of Eastfield Road.
Finally, by the time you read this, my bus campaign will be entering its final month of data collection. This campaign is about our community coming together and standing up to the bus companies who, for too long, have been failing to deliver an adequate service. Thanks to everyone who has supported the campaign. Please continue to log your journeys at www.darrenjones.co.uk/bus.
As always, if you need my help or have a question, you can get in touch with me 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.
NINETEEN Bristol residents and one local organisation were honoured at the annual Lord Mayor's Medals ceremony.
The awards celebrate the achievements and charitable efforts of those who have gone above and beyond for their communities during the past year. Recipients were presented with their medals by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Paula O’Rourke, at the Mansion House in Clifton. Cabinet Councillor Ellie King attended, along with friends and family of the recipients.
Councillor O’Rourke, said: “These awards remind us of the fantastic community spirit we have here in Bristol. I am sure everyone in Bristol will join me in thanking the recipients for the amazing commitment they have to making Bristol an even better place.”
The Lord Mayor presided over the judging panel, which included councillors from all major parties.
Medal recipients included:
TONY HALL
Tony is the creator and Chair of Bristol Dementia Action Alliance (BDDA) which aims to make Bristol THE dementia friendly city in the UK. BDAA will be 10 years old in 2023 and Tony’s drive is to educate people about dementia so that they see the person, not the disease.
In 2022, Tony introduced the Dementia Aware Awards which recognises local organisations helping to raise dementia awareness and working towards making Bristol more dementia friendly. 34 awards were given to organisations including the Bristol Hippodrome and Wessex Water.
Tony is an Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends Ambassador and delivers many dementia awareness sessions. He prides himself on talking to anyone and engages with anyone to raise awareness. He has personally made over 3000 Dementia Friends including 90 firefighters, 30 local councillors, 16 GP practices, 7 dementia friendly schools, local MP’s and mayors.
Tony has worked unwaveringly to increase dementia awareness in Bristol through engaging with the local community by handing out 4000 dementia guides (to retailers and other organisations) and running webinars.
Hilary Long has worked tirelessly for the Westbury on Trym community for over 50 years, with her leadership and maintenance
of the Westbury on Trym Society (WoTSoc) having many different aspects and enriching life for many local people.
Hilary has:
• Established the Village Hall as the centre of community activities, being part of the committee for over 40 years to oversee the refurbishment and maintenance of the building so that it is now a centre for youth and adult sport; a highly sought-after wedding venue and a social events centre.
• Promoted fundraising for Westbury in Bloom since 1980’s, liaising with councillors and local suppliers to get the best value for money and to encourage local volunteers to maintain flower displays. Most recently her focus has been on improvements to Canford Park.
• Overseen planning applications and challenging bids, ensuring the 2015 Conservation Area Character Appraisal is coherent and reflects the ancient history of the Village whilst at the same time as enabling the vibrant business community to flourish.
• Developed a photographic archive of Westbury over the past 1300 years, which has been on display at many local exhibitions.
• Planned community events including public lectures, Christmas dances and other events in the Village Hall. Hilary has identified speakers, bands and other performers and has been unfailingly enthusiastic in doing so.
Over the past 40 years Graham has made a big contribution to the community of Kingsdown and
Cotham in many ways. He was one of the founders of the national Neighbourhood Watch initiative, with the Kingsdown and Cotham one being the longest running in the country and Graham having run it throughout this time.
Neighbourhood Watch is only one way in how Graham has served the community though as he has many other commitments including links with the prison, Ashley House, St Matthew's Church, local schools and many local charities. .
As a governor of two local schools and coaching in short tennis, woodworking, gardening, IT and science, Graham spends his time supporting children and young people. He has supported Duke of Edinburgh award participation and served on the Council’s Appeals Committee. Graham is most widely known for his newsletter – an email update entitled “Cotham and Kingsdown information” which arrives in subscribers’ inboxes two or three times a week.
Marian was the driving force in setting up the Friends of Clifton Centre and Library (FoCCaL) in 2015, firstly as a committee member and
then Chair. She has worked strategically and operationally, leading on grant applications, working with the library service to maximise the effect of the group, put out chairs, moved bookcases and welcomed visitors. FoCCaL is regarded to be the most prominent, busy and successful friends group in all of the 27 libraries across the city and this is largely thanks to Marian.
Marian has been involved in setting up the Clifton LitFest, run as a sub-group to FoCCaL and with all profits from the festival going back into the library. The LitFest has run for 3 years and is a huge success with thousands attending.
Marian has also led on offering Clifton Library as a Welcome Space.
The Chandos neighbourhood do great work supporting their community, scrutinising planning applications and permissions, litter picking tidying the streets plus organising the very well-known annual Chandos Road street party. The association works with councillors to make the area liveable and holds weekly collections for food banks.
BADMINTON School has welcomed its new head teacher, Jessica Miles.
Justin Lewis, chair of governors, said: “Mrs Miles brings with her a wealth of experience in leading girls boarding and day schools having previously been Head of Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls and prior to that, Head of Queen Margaret’s School in York, as well as having held numerous senior leadership and teaching positions at some of the top independent schools in the country.
“She is a fierce advocate of single-sex education, in particular for girls, and we were impressed by her strong alignment to Badminton’s vision and values.”
Mrs Miles said: “I am thrilled to have the great privilege of being the new head at Badminton; a school that has a remarkable history, a
vibrant community, and at which girls know their individuality will be celebrated and their learning expanded far beyond the classroom. I look forward to stewarding
this great school into the next chapter of its history.”
Established in 1858, Badminton is an independent boarding and day school for girls aged 4-18.
THE number of primary school places offered in Bristol for September 2023 is slightly down on last year.
A total of 4,787 applications for reception class places were received by the city council, compared with 4,844 in 2022.
The council said that, as last year, 92 per cent of families were allocated their first-choice school and 99 percent one of their top three choices. Fifty three children were offered a place at a school that was not one of their parents' three preferences.
Parents and carers have to respond to the offers by May 2.
Anyone not receiving an offer for their preferred school was being given information about how to stay on the waiting list and the appeals process.
For more information about the offers process visit the Bristol City Council website.
HENLEAZE Junior, Infant and Claremont schools are coming together to welcome the community onto their site for their annual May Fair on Saturday 20th May. Maypole dancing, choir performances and a Samba Band will be among the entertainment at this action packed afternoon.
It is a particularly special May Fair this year, with Henleaze Junior School celebrating its 70th anniversary.
Children can try out archery, mountain-biking and tennis, as well as enjoy the fairground rides. There will be a range of games and stalls for all the family, including second hand uniform, clothes and toys.
Refreshments will be available all afternoon, including home-baked cakes, snacks and a bar.
Parents can relax with a drink while the children enjoy the Punch and Judy.
Lorna Johns, treasurer of
Henleaze Junior School’s parents association, said: ‘The May Fair is a favourite event on the school calendar. We’re so excited to be planning a special fair this year to mark the 70th anniversary of Henleaze Junior School, and are
very grateful to all our volunteers and local businesses who support it. All funds raised support the schools; last year’s May Fair allowed us to replenish books in the school library and the classrooms.’
The Henleaze Schools’ May Fair runs from 2pm to 5pm on Saturday 20 May. All are welcome. Admission is £1.50 per person and all proceeds go to support the schools.
THE Bristol Schools 48-Hour Film Challenge takes place this month.
Students aged 7-18 are invited to shoot, edit and submit a short original 4-minute film with any device or their mobile phones within the time limit.
The event takes place from May 12-14 and entrants must register by May 5.
The project is endorsed by IMDb, boomsatsuma, The Bottle Yard Studios, Sync Ltd and is hosted by Redmaids’ High School with proceeds from the competition entrance fees going to the local charity Off The Record.
Among the judges is Mamma Mia! screenplay writer Catherine Johnson.
The 48-Hour Film Challenge project was initiated by Sarah Bramley-Dymond, head of digital learning at Redmaids’ High. She said: “The 48-hour film project itself is a well-established and very successful concept that runs in cities around the world. Each year, we are blown away by the concepts the teams come up with and the creativity that shines through their final creations. I would encourage any student who is interested any aspect of film and creative media to take part.”
REDMAIDS’ High School’s U16 netball team are national champions.
The team, led by coaches Kellie Hull and Anna Joll, travelled to Peterborough for the England Netball Schools Finals, where they were competing against some of the strongest and most specialist school teams in the country. Coming through the group stages, Redmaids’ High faced title favourites Hurstpierpoint College in the semi-final, securing a 15-9 win, before defeating Bromsgrove in the final 14-10.
Redmaids' High is the only school in the South West to have won this title since its inception in 1969.
Director of Sport at Redmaids’ High, Claire Maggs, said: “What these girls and our netball coaches Kellie Hull and Anna Joll have achieved together is outstanding. Their determination, commitment to one other, and their belief throughout the whole tournament, from Regional to Nationals, has been extraordinary. These girls have created a legacy at the school which will inspire generations to come and we couldn’t be more proud.”
The senior success has inspired the younger pupils already. The school’s U11 team did well at the National Finals, reaching the quarter finals of the plate, placing them top 16 in the country.
Junior School headteacher Lisa Brown said: "It has been remarkable to see the U11 team reach the National Finals. This has been the fruition of a lot of hard work from everyone involved. The girls played with determination and skill, and we are so proud that they have reached such a level.”
Miss Maggs continued: “To see how well our younger teams have done recently too is a testament to the excellent work that our coaches are also doing in the Junior School. It’s truly inspiring and we can’t wait to build on our success for years to come.”
The Zazi project which is part of ‘Off The Record’ (OTR) has been announced as the charity partner for the challenge and will receive 100% of the £10 per team entry fee. OTR is a mental health social movement by and for young people aged 11-25 living in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
Teams must have a designated adult to oversee the weekend, and there is a charitable donation fee of £10 per team. The earlier teams register, the more workshops and guidance they will have access to, so early registration is encouraged. For further information or to register, visit: https://schools48hourfilmchallenge. co.uk/
BRISTOL North West MP Darren Jones visited Trinity Academy for a tour of the school and a question and answer session with Year 8 and Year 10 students.
The Labour MP shared his journey from his early life in Shirehampton to the House of Commons. He fielded questions from students which ranged from an MP’s salary to the development around Filton Airport and how young people’s voices are being heard.
Mr Jones also met a group of students from Trinity’s Parliament.
The secondary school in Lockleaze opened in 2020 and moved into its £24m buildings a year later. The premises include a 570-seater concert hall and other facilities linked to Trinity’s specialism in music and the performing arts.
PARTS of Bristol’s public transport are “unsafe” because of a lack of CCTV and lighting, , a campaigner warned.
Passenger champion David Redgewell told a council meeting that many bus and train stations and shelters felt intimidating, the public were treated as though “we don’t exist” and that the police were not patrolling the network enough.
Avon & Somerset Police says it works closely with Bristol City Council in tackling illegal graffiti and runs regular operations targeting taggers, while British Transport Police (BTP) says officers patrol the train network around the clock.
Bristol Public Transport Community Safety Partnership member Mr Redgewell told councillors that the authorities did not fully understand or grapple with the issues facing public transport users.
He said: “In combined authority areas like Manchester and Birmingham, much more
effort is put into making sure the public transport network is safe.
“We have only just succeeded in getting cameras put up at local railway stations but only a few of them are on the control centre.
“We have graffiti and abuse in some of those stations and some of them are unsafe.
“Montpelier looks more like The Bronx than it does a Bristol station, but this is the public transport network our citizens
have to travel on. We get graffiti on bus stops and shelters, and lighting does not work – that is not safe, graffiti makes passengers feel unsafe”
Mr Redgewell said he had not seen any prosecutions for illegal graffiti or tagging.
An Avon & Somerset Police spokesperson said: “We work closely with our partners at Bristol City Council to tackle illegal graffiti.
“Together, we run regular operations utilising a range of resources and tactics including officers in plain clothes and CCTV, to identify those responsible for tagging.
“People can report damage to property by graffiti to us via our website: https://www. avonandsomerset.police.uk/ forms/gra”
A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “BTP officers patrol across the railway network in Bristol day and night in both uniform and plain clothes to deter crime and reassure the travelling public. We’d always encourage anyone with any concerns while travelling to text us discreetly on 61016.”
Network Rail and First Great Western, which are responsible for infrastructure at railway stations such as lighting, CCTV cameras and removing graffiti, were asked for comment but did not respond.
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
SusWoT aims to help people start growing their own food. By growing your own you help reduce food miles, eat healthier food and show kids where food really comes among other benefits.
May is a great time to start growing things. This winter and early spring have been cold and wet so working in the garden has been more difficult than usual. Many vegetables and herbs can be planted right up to August. If you grow lettuce or radish, they grow so quickly you should plant a few every week or so to provide a succession of plants to eat. If you sow lots of seed at the same time you will have so many lettuces or radishes that you can’t eat them all, but friends and neighbours will be pleased to share the bounty!
Some plants, such as tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, and runner beans can produce ‘fruit’ for six months. A tomato plant grown in a pot outside and looked after can start producing fruit in June, or even May and carry on until November.
Have you considered growing herbs?
‘Fresh’ herbs from shops are not cheap and dried herbs, though more convenient, are not so good. Most herbs take up very little space and are easy to grow. Some like rosemary and
thyme are small perennial plants, others such as coriander, basil and parsley can be grown from seed each year.
SusWoT will be selling plants and seeds at two events this year and may be selling things online again as they did during covid. SusWoT’s tomato plants have always been the most popular particularly the cherry tomato Sungold. SusWoT has been growing tomato plants for many years now and the varieties that are grown do well in the local conditions. Among other things SusWoT will be selling cucumbers, courgettes, squash, basil, coriander and beans plants, and various seeds. Everything is chosen to be sown or planted when it is bought. Where to get your plants and seeds
SusWoT will have stalls at the Westbury Community Fair at Holy Trinity Church in Westbury and also in the nearby doctors’ car park on Saturday 13th May from 11am to 3:30pm. SusWoT is also part of the Get Growing Trail on the weekend of the 3rd and 4th of June. Two SusWoT sites will be open on Saturday 3rd. To buy seeds and plants go to 47 Abbey Road from 11am to 4pm. To relax go to The Community Garden, from 2pm to 4pm between Reedley Road and Stoke Lane, the entrance is near the Coop.
If you are unable to get to these events, try Blaise Nursery which may have similar plants. If you need expert advice on how to grow things the RHS website, https://www.rhs.org. uk/ is a wonderful resource.
LOCAL choir, City Voices Bristol, are enjoying a busy year of song. Back in the swing with many new members this friendly choir has an exciting programme lined up for 2023.
On 1st May choir members was due to join others from across Bristol and the South West to form a massed choir of 650 singing Handel’s “Zadok the Priest” to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III and the 650th anniversary of the City of Bristol. The event “Sing for the King!” was held in Bristol Cathedral in partnership with St George’s Bristol as part of Bristol’s Festival of Voice.
Another opportunity to contribute to the Festival of Voice will take place on Saturday 27th May at St George’s when City Voices Bristol will perform part of their own eclectic repertoire of songs old and new, alongside performances from a number of other Bristol choirs
Before then however a contingent of choir members will be off to Croatia on 9th May to participate in the FAKS choir festival. City Voices Bristol first took on this challenge in 2017 and in 2018 joined forces with their “sister”
varied as ever featuring soulful gospel songs, classic pop and even a song composed by Henry VIII – it seems that Greensleeves was not his only hit – plus a rousing folk song from Ukraine in the original Ukrainian language. Tickets are £10 (£5 for under 18s) and are available via Eventbrite at https:// www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sounds-ofsummer-tickets-612563683467
Planning ahead, the popular Christmas concert will be held once again at St George’s Hall, this year on 3rd December and, to complete a truly musical year, choir members hope to repeat and expand on the successful carol singing session held at St Monica’s nursing home last year.
choir Roath Community Chorus based in Cardiff to form the Bridge Chorus especially to perform at the festival. Another successful trip followed in 2019 before pandemic restrictions closed in. The festival emphasises and supports friendship between nations with choirs not just from the host nation
but also from Italy, Slovenia and other parts of Europe, all singing for fun – not competition.
Bristol City Voices annual summer concert “Sounds of Summer” will take place this year at All Saints Church Pembroke Rd Clifton on Sunday 25th June at 7 pm. The programme will be as
IF you’re reading this, you are likely at home, rather than work, as this May has extra bank holidays. Hurray! And if someone is nagging you to mow the lawn on your day off, tell them the Metro Mayor says you don’t have to. More on that later!
The West of England has a long heritage of May Day celebrations, dating back to pagan times.
Many have echoes in customs such as dancing round the maypole. However, this bank holiday was first brought in as a way of marking International Workers Day in 1978.
The Spring bank holiday is back to its usual slot on the last Monday of May and this year, there’s that extra day off to celebrate King Charles’s Coronation too.
Whether you’re a republican or royalist, this is certainly a moment in history.
I’ve been finding out about our region’s association with coronations. Did you know that on May 11, 973 AD, Bath Abbey was the site of the coronation of Edgar, the ‘First King of All England’?
The service used for Edgar’s coronation
was compiled by Dunstan, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the same service is being used by King Charles III.
Bath Abbey is well worth a visit, as are so many attractions across our amazing region.
I run an Explore Local campaign, and as part of this, I get to visit many fantastic museums, green spaces and other attractions. As the Spring weather improves and everyone looks to the great outdoors, I’d urge you to explore our brilliant region.
I promised to get back to mowing (well, not mowing, to be precise). Because the other thing I’m marking this month is No Mow May. A month off from cutting the lawn for the very best of causes - our bees!
Our bees need our help because they are fighting some big enemies: pesticides, habitat destruction and climate change. But they are so vital. Bees pollinate flowers and crops. In fact, one in three mouthfuls we eat depends on our pollinator pals.
One way to give bees a break is to liberate your lawn and free the wildflowers in your grassy areas so they can grow wild
City Voices Bristol rehearse at Redmaids’ High School Performing Arts Centre at 7.15 pm on a Monday evening and welcome new members. No auditions, just a warm welcome and commitment to the philosophy “Singing is for everyone”.
For more details www. cityvoicesbristol.org
Christine Bettsand provide a feast for pollinators.
Many people are doing that, as are organisations who I’ve been encouraging to enter my annual Bee Bold Awards to showcase the region’s very best “bee buddies”. I love to see the entries - it really gets me buzzing!
Finally, I’m well aware bank holidays don’t mean a break for all, especially people in emergency service roles like nurses, police or firefighters, so a special shout out to them, and particularly to bus drivers as I work hard to recruit more.
Keep safe - and I hope you have a great May.
A 250 YEAR OLD oak tree is at the centre of the latest row over the development of the former St Christopher’s School site in Westbury Park.
The 14 metre high oak is due to be felled as part of plans to develop the site into 116 retirement flats.
Campaigners from St Christopher Action Network (SCAN) say Bristol City Council tree experts have just realised the oak is a “heritage” tree – which under the planning rules must be preserved.
And Bristol Tree Forum say the “magnificent” tree has “enormous ecological value” and must not be felled.
A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “The applicant has been made aware of the oak tree in question on this site. The planning application remains under consideration.”
At the time of going to print, the developers - investment firm FORE, in partnership with developer Socius, and care provider Amicala – have not commented.
The planning application was expected to be discussed by Bristol’s Development Control committee on April 26, but that did not happen, and the Voice been told the application is now “unlikely” to be considered at the next meeting, on May 30th.
SCAN say the developers propose felling the oak to make way for a spa for future residents of the retirement village.
A spokesperson said it was one of the oldest trees in the Down Conservation area and its status as a ’veteran’ or heritage tree means it gets special protection under planning laws.
“It’s unbelievable that anyone is even considering felling such a magnificent old oak tree - and all to build a luxury spa! This is a woeful example of the lack of respect by the developers for our local nature and wildlife - they remain determined to maximise every inch of land for profit by building all over it and destroying our community’s ecological heritage.”
“This oak tree cannot, and should not, be lost for our community. It has potentially hundreds of years of life left in
it - and should be saved from felling, along with the many other mature trees across the site that are threatened by this insensitive development. These proposals are an environmental nightmare on so many levels and should be thrown out.”
John Tarlton, from the Bristol Tree Forum, said the plan to fell the tree was “a disgrace”.
He said: “It’s complete fantasy to think that it can be replaced with a few saplings as the developers are suggesting. You can never replace the time it takes to grow an old tree like this and we need our trees now.”
“These repeated delays are unsatisfactory for the applicant and the hundreds of local residents concerned about the impact of the building on their
homes and their community.”
Councillor Steve Smith said he understood the status of the tree may be causing delays in the planning process.
He said: “I believe that the developers and the planners are discussing it, but I’m not party to that conversation so I don’t know where it might end up.
“Our position hasn’t changed, which is that we’re not opposed in principle to the site being developed as a retirement facility, but we support the many residents who are concerned about the impact of the current plans, particularly in terms of transport and parking.
“We have objected to the proposed development as it stands.”
The proposals to develop the St Christopher’s School site have been widely opposed by local people with more than 1300 objections submitted during the consultation process.
“Veteran trees are classified according to age, large stature and, ironically, signs of advanced age such as presence of fungi, extensive decay, hollow stems, rot, invertebrate activity, and dead wood.
He said an arboricultural report done on the tree in 2017 demonstrated many of these signs.
At the time of going to print Bristol City Councillor for Westbury on Trym and Henleaze Geoff Gollop said he was still trying to get further information about the tree.
He said: “My understanding is that there is a potential veteran tree, but opinions differ. I understand if it definitely is, that the applicant would have to change their plan, but I am unclear what happens if there is uncertainty.
1986
WERE you aware of unexpected links between, a pottery owner, the Henbury surgeon’s tenth son, Bristol’s Pisa look-alike and Westbury Churchyard?
Henbury relates to John Decimus Pountney, John’s middle name, Decimus, was because he was the tenth son of the Henbury surgeon, William Pountney. I wonder what the name of their seventh son was.
John was born at Endcliffe, a house next to what until fairly recently was Henbury’s, Salutation Inn. John Decimus Pountney became the proprietor of The Famous Bristol Pottery, which was located between Temple Back and Temple Church, Bristol’s landmark church, the one with the leaning tower, or as some say, “Bristol’s very own Pisa!”
When John married Susanna Fisher they set up home in Portland Square and during the time
the pottery was at Temple Back, Edwin Allies invested in the pottery and became one of his partners. It was Edwin’s finely engraved family gravestone, that I accidentally discovered to the left of the path leading down to
Westbury Parish Church. It is on record that Edwin Allies also lived in or near Portland Square. And his grave is in Westbury, not far from John Pountney’s birthplace, while the very noticeable tomb of John Decimus Pountney is in
middle Temple Churchyard – a surprising, or ironically fateful exchange?
After John died, for a time the business was continued by his widow but the inner city sites were no longer viable. This resulted in the pottery in Temple Back site closing, the business moving first to Feeder Road before being sold and subsequently reappearing in the 1880s at Fishponds much enlarged,
For example, the trade model of the Temple Back pottery, carried in the annual nineteenth century trade processions, showed only four pottery cones, (the limit of the Temple Back site precluded any more kilns), whereas the move to Fishponds site, at the Fishponds Road end of Lodge Causeway had space for at least 11 kilns, as can be seen in aerial views of the site.
This time last month we were in the final stages of dosage trials for our new sparkling wines. A few weeks down the line, the labels are now printed and we’re about to bottle. We hope to release our new sparkling wines by the time this goes to print. Our new still rosé is also ready but we’ll release that in a month or so. It’s all very exciting!
In the vineyard the heavy rains have led to prolific grass growth. The vine buds have just burst so we’re in the danger zone when it comes to frosty mornings for the next few weeks. If we get clear skies overnight there is every chance the delicate young vine growth will get nipped by frost and we’ll have to wait three weeks before they have a second attempt at growing! The modern hybrids that I grow are a bit more tolerant of frost damage than the classic champagne varieties like Pinot and Chardonnay. Once bitten by frost their second attempt at growth is rather feeble and unfruitful whereas the modern varieties seem to still produce a decent crop even after frost damage. In these times of extreme
weather I feel much happier knowing my hybrids are a bit more robust.
Another vine grower recently commented that we have six weeks of panicking about frost and six months of manic vineyard tidying ahead! He is joking of course but the shift in gear from slow, winter work to hurried summer work is well under way as try to help the vines compete with the grasses they share the ground with. I wonder what kind of weather this summer will bring…
We saw our first swallows over the vineyard at the start of April. We often have an early sighting because we’re standing outside all day but the first views are often just a fleeting fly-by. By the end of April we hope to have our resident, local swallows back calling overhead as we work in the vineyard. So lovely!
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The novel ‘Trust’ by Hernan Diaz is not entirely what it seems. The first quarter is presented as another novel – a story within a story. This inner narrative, called ‘Bonds’ is supposedly written by a Mr H. Vanner and is the story of two eccentric figures: Benjamin Rask, the poor-little-rich-boy of nouveau riche socialite parents, and Helen Brevoorts, the daughter of an old New York family fallen on hard times. Benjamin discovers that mastering the arcane movements of the stock market is the only thing he can muster any enthusiasm for in life and he subsequently amasses a huge fortune. In order to protect himself from the ensuing intrusive curiosity of New York high society, he decides to take a wife, the equally unsociable Helen.
At first, the two loners make a semi-successful partnership, with Helen occupying herself as the
hostess of an avant-garde salon. However, after the Wall Street Crash, Helen’s guilt at Benjamin’s rumoured role in the disaster triggers a retreat into isolation and then mental collapse.
Benjamin takes her to a clinic in the Alps, but when she initially responds to a sympathetic doctor, he becomes jealous and insists on another doctor, who uses an early form of electro-convulsion.
The fits are so terrible that Helen suffers bone fractures each time she is treated, and after a few
weeks of such brutal care, is dead. This is the point at which ‘Bonds’ end, and the next section of Trust begins, entitled ‘My Life’. Its author is Andrew Bevel, who we discover is a 1930s New York financier writing his autobiography to ‘correct’ a libellous novel’s account of his relationship with his wife, who died in a clinic in the Swiss Alps. It soon turns out that what we are reading is a scrappy, gap-filled first draft of Bevel’s biography, written not by himself but by a hired ghost writer. At this point, a third narrative and narrator are introduced, and there are others before the end of Diaz’s novel.
With his tricksy, Russian-doll structure of interlocking and undermining narratives, Diaz is perhaps treading in the path of other post-modernist form-bending novels like David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas. However, there’s still a lot that is enjoyable and original in this novel, such as the elegant writing and the way in which Diaz uses his structure to tease and wrong-foot his readers. Part of the satisfaction of being
taken on such a narrative ride lies in observing how Diaz’s acts of misdirection help develop what is perhaps the main theme of his story - that money, like language, is a circulatory system dependent on trust in communally agreed meanings and values. When that trust is let down by one of the parties involved, calamities follow. EF – Library Assistant
Henleaze Library 0117 9038541
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Clockwise from top left, works by Paul Tomlinson, Hannah Main Parsons, Aslam Safa, Monica Main Cuellar, Karen George and Jane Wills - just some of the treats in store for participants in the BS9 Arts Trail
BS9 ARTS TRAIL
June 10 and 11, 11am to 5pm
Sponsored by VWV Solicitors
WHERE can you go to see the work of 40 painters, 15 potters, 10 textile artists and 8 mixed-media artists, plus printers, glass artists, jewellerymakers, digital artists, illustrators, an enamel artist and a wood carver – and all for free?
Answer: this year’s BS9 Arts Trail!
The trail takes place on the weekend of 10th and 11th June and 87 artists will be showing their work in 15 venues in the Henleaze, Westbury-on-Trym and Stoke Bishop areas of the city. All venues are open from 11am-5pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
The artists are a talented bunch and produce a vast array of high-quality work that is available for you to purchase, directly from the person who made it. There is something to suit every budget, from greetings cards to big original paintings. The BS9 Arts Trail is a community event that benefits enormously from the support of the BS9 community and local businesses, including our sponsor for this year’s trail, VWV. Margrielle Blake, Associate at VWV commented: "VWV is delighted to sponsor the Arts Trail and continue to invest in our local community. We're always excited to see the range of artwork displayed every year and love supporting local Bristol artists."
The trail is located in a really attractive part of the city and artists are based in interesting venues, such as the Stoke Lodge Centre and Trinity College. There are good bus routes (1, 2, 3, 4) and it's a great area for cycling and walking, with the Downs and Blaise nearby. Several venues offer refreshments, which not only provide welcome breaks in your journey, but have helped to raise around £2000 for local good causes in previous years.
For more detailed information about artists and venues, visit www. bs9arts.co.uk, pick up one of our brochures from cafés, libraries and shops in the area or find us on social media. BS9 Arts Trail first took place in 2014 and has since become one of Bristol’s leading annual art events. It is run by a dedicated group of volunteers who are all local artists. This year’s event is generously supported by Bristol solicitors, VWV (VWV | A Leading UK Law Firm & Award Winning Solicitors). I
may lead to an offence.
• Shareholder and subscriber details. Companies will need to record the full names of their shareholders and subscribers under the Bill. Providing only initials in the case of their forenames is currently permitted, allowing a degree of opaqueness as to the ownership of some companies.
CORPORATE filing obligations are set to become even more onerous under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill. In order to tackle economic crime in the UK, the Bill will significantly reform Companies House (among other things). This change in corporate compliance is directly applicable for most of our commercial clients, being private limited companies or LLPs.
The Bill follows last year’s Economic Crime Act, which addressed immediate concerns about sanctions busting related to the Russia-Ukraine War by introducing a register of otherwise anonymous foreign owners of UK property. The new Bill targets economic crime far more broadly.
will be. However a Will can be worded to provide that a gift of 10 % of the value of your estate at that time is given to a charity or charities of your choice. The effect of this will be that the rate of Inheritance Tax payable on the whole estate is reduced from 40 % to 36 %.
The scope of reform to Companies House is significant:
By Shelley Faulkner, solicitor with AMDIn same circumstances, it has been calculated that this reduction in the tax bill can serve to leave the estate, even after payment of the gift to charity, with a value as high as if the gift had not been made. Thus the gift can in some cases quite literally pay for itself.
for the distribution of the estate, and the estate can then be divided as if the Will had been made in these terms. A Deed of Variation could therefore provide that 10 % of the estate is to pass to a chosen charity or charities, making the estate as a whole eligible for the reduced rate of Inheritance Tax.
WHILE most of us support a number of charities in our lifetime, it is perhaps not surprising that a smaller number choose to remember a charity in their Will. Clearly the priority for most is to provide for a surviving spouse or children, or to ensure that the family wealth can be passed on to benefit the next generation.
• Identity verification. The Bill will introduce identity verification requirements for company directors, PSCs and anyone filing documents at Companies House on their behalf. Entities will be able to file information with Companies House directly or by way of an authorised provider. The precise requirements of this remain unclear and are to be determined by the Secretary of State. Failure to verify one’s identity when required
• Financial information. The Bill will expand financial filing obligations for small companies by way of removing various current exemptions. These include (1) requiring micro-entities to file balance sheets and profit and loss accounts, (2) requiring small companies that are not microentities to file annual accounts and directors reports and (3) no longer permitting small companies to file abridged accounts. Beyond preventing crime, these changes also aim to give creditors a clearer picture of the financial position of small companies in potential transactions.
• Enhanced role of the Registrar. Companies House will gain new powers aimed at improving the accuracy and integrity of filed information under the Bill. These will enable them to (1) reject filings that are inconsistent with previous ones, (2) notify companies
Even where a Will has not been prepared in these terms, it may be possible to take advantage of this tax break. If the beneficiaries of the estate agree, it is possible to effectively amend the terms of a Will within two years of the date of death. A ‘Deed of Variation’ can be drawn up which sets out the family members’ agreed arrangements
This change in the law is clearly very good news both for charities, and potentially for some estates as well. However the detail of the application can be complex. For example, the estate is divided into different ‘components’ depending on how the property will pass to the beneficiaries, in order to calculate whether the 10 % test has been met. Taking specialist advice on the implications for your particular circumstances is therefore essential.
of inconsistencies they must resolve, (3) remove inaccurate material from the record and (4) demand additional information to determine whether any document complies with their requirements. Accordingly, companies will need to be more diligent with Companies House filings in future.
of attorney and all private client issues, contact Shelley Faulkner, Florence Pearce and the other members of the team on 0117 9621205, email probate@ amdsolicitors.com or call in at 15 The Mall Clifton, or 100 Henleaze Road Henleaze.
in addition to existing corporate reporting obligations, which many companies already find onerous and struggle to comply with without professional support.
These new transparency obligations and increased powers of Companies House will have a big impact on corporate compliance for limited companies. The rules are
AMD’s team of experienced private client solicitors and practitioners includes full
The author Jack Bull is a Trainee Solicitor in the Whiteladies Road branch of AMD Solicitors. To discuss how our corporate team can help with your company’s corporate compliance obligations, please contact us on 0117 9733 989 or by email to info@amdsolicitors.com
AMD Solicitors takes pride in sponsoring local, Bristol based charities and this year is very pleased to be supporting the Bristol branch of the Alzheimer’s Society, the local branch of this national charity which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in Great Britain. For full details of our fundraising activities visit our website www.amdsolicitors.com.
Copyright AMD Solicitors
However, government policy is clearly to encourage giving to charity, and a recent development in the law is intended to promote gifts to charity being made by Will. This change may also, on occasion, serve to save Inheritance Tax, or even to create a gift which literally pays for itself.
Where somebody dies after 6 April 2012 the rate of Inheritance Tax applied to the estate can be reduced from 40 % to 36 % (in other words by 10 %), provided that at least 10 % of the estate passes to charity.
Clearly it is not possible to determine in advance exactly what value the assets you leave by Will will have on your death for Inheritance Tax purposes, or what 10 % of the total value
INSPECTORS have said Avon and Somerset Police “requires improvement” in investigating crimes including rape and serious sexual offences. Half of all investigations carried out by the short-staffed police force end up with no further action being taken, a report said.
Avon and Somerset Police also needs to improve responding to the public and recording crime data. The police force was graded as “adequate” in protecting vulnerable people and preventing crime and anti-social behaviour, and “good” at treating the public with respect.
A 12-month review of Avon and Somerset Police was carried out by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, between 2021 and 2022. The results of the inspection were published earlier this month.
Inspectors said: “The constabulary’s capacity to conduct timely investigations into rape and other serious sexual offences is exceeded by the number of these offences. As a result, such crimes are often left without being allocated to an investigator for a period of time during which evidential opportunities could be lost — as could the confidence of the victim.
“The constabulary told us that, between
April and June 2022, the number of such unallocated crimes varied between 125 and 48. Although these crimes are kept under review by supervisors and senior officers, they aren’t actually being actively investigated.”
Avon and Somerset Police has a dire shortage of detectives and investigators, the inspectors said. This means that half of all investigations considered for prosecution result in no further action being taken.
Another area needing improvement is recording data about crime. During the year covered by the inspection, the police force didn’t record an estimated 13,100 crimes, including 420 sexual offences. Particular crimes picked out by inspectors included rapes, crimes involving vulnerable victims, and anti-social behaviour.
Chief Constable Sarah Crew said: “Responding to the public more quickly, improving our investigations and better management of offenders are areas of intense focus for us, and we have plans in place to address the shortfalls outlined. The report recognises the sheer volume of non-emergency demand coming in the police service, much of which we know is spillover demand from other public services.
“In the last 12 months, we’ve taken more
I work with people of all ages and fitness levels who would like to improve their health and fitness.
A lot of these people are men and women in their 60’s, 70’s and even 80’s. And I can wholeheartedly say that you’re never too old to experience life changing results through getting stronger and fitter!
You start to lose muscle from as young as 30 yrs old. From 40 to 70 yrs old, muscle loss averages 8% per decade, and then accelerates to 15% after age 70.
Here are some great reasons why you want to hold onto your muscles!:
• Helps prevent against injury - weight training not only helps muscles get stronger, but strengthens ligaments and tendons around the bones and joints too. Doing exercise (the right type) can actually help joint pain
• Increases bone density - If you’re losing muscle, you are almost certainly losing bone density. And if you do what’s necessary to build muscle, you’ll improve bone density too. Strong muscles translate to healthy bones.
• Helps improve balance and coordination - as you get stronger, your nervous system gets better at coordinating different muscle groups to make your movement more fluid and effective. This is where your body can react and recover from a wrong footing on the pavement or from a trip over an unseen curb.
• Helps to lose weight by increasing your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) and managing blood sugar - muscle burns about three times as many calories per pound as body fat does. Just having more muscle on your body burns more calories
• Feeling confident - being able to do the tasks and activities that you want to!
If you’d like help with getting stronger, more flexible and fitter, no matter what age and fitness level you are, do get in touch.
than 385,000 calls for service, with under a third of these relating to crime or antisocial behaviour. The rest are issues which go beyond the policing sphere, including incidents with people in mental health crises.
“We know there’s more to do to improve our investigations and management of offenders … Generating extra capacity and specialisms takes time and is not an immediate fix, but our plans are well advanced and this is reflected in the report.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford added: “I am delighted that Avon and Somerset Police has been graded outstanding for their work in ‘engaging with and treating the public with fairness and respect.’ However, I’m concerned about the areas highlighted that still require improvement including investigating crime, recording data about crime, responding to the public and managing offenders.”
Inspectors are still carrying out a review into how Avon and Somerset Police deals with vetting and corruption in the force, as well as disrupting serious organised crime. Results will be published on the His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services website.
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
DID you grow up in Westbury Park? You might just remember the book shop at 12 North View. In the 1950s it was called Roberts and Alford Limited, but by 1960 was owned by James Farmer.
We have been contacted by a Tolkien enthusiast from Belgium, Pieter Collier, asking for memories of the Roberts and Alford bookshop, as Charles Alford had corresponded with Tolkien over a specially bound edition of Lord of the Rings. Any memories you might have from this era would be welcomed, so do please let us know. Pieter says:
If you or anyone at the Westbury Park Community Association remembers Charles Peter Alford or has any information that may be relevant to my research, I would greatly appreciate your help. Here is some background information that may be helpful: Charles Peter Alford was born on April 5, 1913, in England to Annie Lisette and Charles Symes Leslie Alford, a chaplain to the forces. He was baptized at Zejtun Gate Church Room in 1913. On December 29, 1942, Peter married Dorothy Marion Jones in Taunton, Somerset, England. He worked as a bookbinder or bookseller and had a passion for books. In 1956, he wrote to J.R.R. Tolkien requesting permission to create his own custom binding for The Lord of the Rings with his own subtitles. Tolkien not only granted permission but also provided his preferred titles for the six books. The set was bound by Bayntun in Bath, but unfortunately, they no longer possess records of the set or Peter Alford.
Westbury Park Community Association
WE know it can be difficult to stay socially connected, but keeping in touch and chatting with others can have a huge impact. Conversations can create connections, offer new perspectives, teach you new things, boost happiness, and increase mental wellbeing.
Which is why the NHS Volunteer Responders programme has reintroduced the Check in and Chat service, where local people who would like a friendly chat or simply a listening ear can request a phone call with a volunteer, whether it be a one-off call or a series of calls.
Receiving a Check in and Chat call is easy and completely free. You can organise it by calling 0808 196 3382 (8am to 8pm, 7 days a week). You can also visit nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk where you will find further information.
If Voice readers would like a call, we are encouraging them to please reach out on the number above, or, to share this information with a loved one, friend, neighbour, or anyone who may need a little extra support and would benefit from a Check in and Chat call.
Sam Ward, deputy CEO, Royal Voluntary Service
When you mention The Voice
Aerospace Bristol, on the site of the former Filton Airfield, will host Luke Jerram’s Mars as part of a new Journey to Mars exhibition. The artwork will be stunningly displayed from 4th May to 5th June alongside the last Concorde ever to fly.
The temporary exhibition marks the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Beagle 2 lander on Mars Express, Europe’s first mission to Mars. It will include models of Beagle 2 and the Mars Express Orbiter on display alongside Luke Jerram’s Mars sculpture.
Measuring seven metres in diameter, Mars features
detailed NASA imagery of the Martian surface. At an approximate scale of 1:1 million, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 10 kilometres of the surface of Mars.
Visitors will have the chance to view Mars from the air, as though they are a satellite, mapping and studying the surface in perfect detail, with every valley, crater, volcano and mountain laid bare to inspect. The Journey to Mars exhibition is included with museum entry.
Visit https://aerospacebristol.org/ for more information and for tickets.
The Council threat to impose charges on Westbury Hill car park remains very real. Although the Mayor says he wants to talk with local residents there is no sign of that at the moment. We believe the Council is working out the detail behind the headline proposals, which is to charge for parking between 8am and 6pm 7 days a week.
To go ahead with this plan, the Council has to issue a Traffic Regulation Order and consult with residents about the proposals. This will be your last opportunity to object, and you are likely to only have 3 weeks to make your comments. We do not know when this is going to happen but expect it to be at short notice, sometime in the next few months.
If you share our concerns, please register at wotcarpark@gmail.com. We can notify you as soon as we know the details and deadline for submission.
As if Westbury village is not under enough threat, Nat West have announced they are deserting us from early August. The loss of a second bank, in addition to HSBC, will further reduce footfall in the village and the potential customer numbers for local businesses. I have received a number of individual responses about the devastating cuts to some local bus services. If you have been affected either by the service cuts or by poor service please let me know.
The Saga of the St Christophers (Westbury Park) planning application continues. The application did not go to 26th April planning meeting and is unlikely to make the 31st May meeting. This uncertainty is bad for the applicant and the many hundreds of local residents objecting to the proposals.
I hope you have an enjoyable Coronation weekend. Please support local community events celebrating the Coronation.
\ • Our next on-line forum meeting, open to all, will be on 9th May at 7.00pm. Go to http://tiny.cc/WandHMay23 to register. Our following meeting is on 6th June at 7pm
• Contact. If you need help on any matter to do with Bristol City Council, email me Cllr.geoffrey.gollop@bristol.gov.uk or phone 0117 9039946.
The Council threat to impose charges on Westbury Hill car Park remains very real. Although the Mayor says he wants to talk with local residents there is no sign of that at the moment. We believe the Council is working out the detail behind the headline proposals, which is to charge for parking between 8am and 6pm 7 days a week.
To go ahead with this plan, the Council has to issue a Traffic Regulation Order and consult with residents about the proposals. This will be your last opportunity to object, and you are likely to only have 3 weeks to make your comments. We do not know when this is going to happen but expect it to be at short notice, sometime in the next few months.
If you share our concerns, please register at wotcarpark@gmail.com. We can notify you as soon as we know the details and deadline for submission.
As if Westbury village is not under enough threat, Nat West have announced they are deserting us from early August. The loss of a second bank, in addition to HSBC, will further reduce footfall in the village and the potential customer numbers for local businesses.
I have received a number of individual responses about the devastating cuts to some local bus services. If you have been affected either by the service cuts or by poor service please let me know.
The Saga of the St Christophers (Westbury Park) planning application continues. The application did not go to 26th April planning meeting and is unlikely to make the 31st May meeting. This uncertainty is bad for the applicant
and the many hundreds of local residents objecting to the proposals.
I hope you have an enjoyable Coronation weekend. Please support local community events celebrating the Coronation.
• Our next on-line forum meeting, open to all, will be on 9th May at 7.00pm. Go to http://tiny.cc/WandHMay23 to register. Our following meeting is on 6th June at 7pm
• Contact. If you need help on any matter to do with Bristol City Council, email me Cllr.geoffrey.gollop@bristol. gov.uk or phone 0117 9039946.
At Field House care home in Horfield, the safety, care and well-being of our residents are at the centre of everything we do.
If you are looking for a home or a home for a loved one, we would be happy to show you around our beautiful, family-owned home in Horfield, Bristol.
“The care that she received from everyone was above and beyond what we could have expected. All the staff who looked after her were brilliant. Really kind and respectful.”
Hilary, Sister of Resident at Field House (source: carehome.co.uk)
CIL Funding
CIL (or Community Infrastructure Levy) is money that developers contribute to the Council when they build in the city. Most of it is held centrally by the Council, but a small portion is allocated to “area committees” who can decide what to spend it on. We are part of Area 1, which covers a wedge from the city centre out to Avonmouth. This includes 6 council wards and 13 councillors who will divide the money up. We anticipate having something like £120,000 to spend this year, or around £20,000 per ward, which doesn’t go all that far.
It can be spent on physical infrastructure (roads, bins, benches etc), but not on providing services. If you have any ideas that you would like to see this money spent on, please get in touch ASAP. We need to submit initial proposals to the Council by the 26th May.
As I wrote a few months ago, the long- running saga of the promised new zebra crossing over Canford Lane was approaching a conclusion in January when the full project was signed off and issued to the Council’s contractor. I’m told that since then there have been delays on all new road projects while the Council and Contractor discuss price rises due to inflation.
I understand that new rates have now been agreed so we can expect stalled schemes, including our crossing, to start moving again soon. I will keep you updated.
If like me you love a good statistic, you might be interested in a big release of data that the Council has recently made. There is a very good website that presents a wide range of data about life in our area based on the census and the Council’s Quality of Life survey. You can see how things have changed over time, and compare our area to other parts of the City. You can find all this at http://tiny.cc/WandHProfile, and detail
We hold regular monthly community forum meetings via Zoom, which are an opportunity for you to hear a little about what we’ve been doing, but more importantly to ask questions, raise any concerns and share local information. The next ones will be on the 9th May (please visit http://tiny.cc/WandHMay23) to register in advance) and 6th June (http://tiny.cc/ WandHJun23).
You can also contact me by email on cllr. steve.smith@bristol.gov.uk, or phone on 07769 285266. I also try to post regular updates on my Facebook page at fb.com/ CouncillorSteveSmith. We publish regular email updates – please contact me if you’d like to be added to the mailing list for these.
Our local, reliable, friendly and trustworthy team of specialist tradesmen can manage all aspects of your home from simple refurbishments to complete building projects.
THE Project Zulu children’s choir from the Madadeni Township in South Africa returns to the Bristol area this month for the first time in five years.
The 20 schoolchildren, aged from eight to 15, perform a range of traditional Zulu songs and dances, including gospel songs and gumboot dances, during their three-week tour.
It will be the first time the nine boys and 11 girls have travelled abroad and they, along with four accompanying adults, stay with host families in Bristol.
Money raised during the trip will be split equally between the two schools - Mntimande Primary and Jobstown Primary - and used to build new classrooms to reduce overcrowding.
The choir tour is part of Project Zulu, a UWE Bristol initiative which has been working in partnership with South African township
schools to support the delivery of educational development projects since 2012, with the most recent volunteering visit by students and staff taking place in February 2023.
The first Project Zulu choir tour took place in 2013 and continued biennially until it was halted by the pandemic.
In addition to the concerts, the choir will visit eight schools in and around Bristol during the tour, offering cultural exchange opportunities and musical workshops. These schools are all fundraising to support the choir; the money raised by the Bristol school pupils will go directly back to schools in South Africa to help build their classrooms.
Tour highlights include: Thursday June 1: Solo concertSt George’s Bristol, 1pm; Friday June 2: Busking day, central Bristol; Friday June 9: Finale concert - Clifton College Chapel, 7pm.
AS a financial adviser, I have seen first-hand the importance of planning ahead for long-term care and also unfortunately the effects of leaving it too late.
The average cost of residential care in England in 2023 is over £35,000 per year, with nursing care costing over £50,000 per year on average! These costs can quickly add up, and if you haven't planned, you may find yourself struggling to pay for the level and quality of care you need, whether home care services, assisted living facilities, or nursing homes.
Without planning, your savings and assets can quickly become depleted, leaving little or
nothing to pass on to your loved ones, which can be devastating when you have worked so hard to build a nest egg.
There are financial tools available such as trusts and insurance policies to protect your assets, which can be considered as part of holistic financial planning. However, you must not be seen to be engaging in ‘deliberate deprivation of assets’. The main considerations here are the timing of what you are planning, the motive or intention and also the amount of money involved. It is a delicate area so seeking professional advice before acting is strongly advised.
Planning ahead can help to reduce stress and anxiety for both you and your family members. If you know that you have a plan in place to pay for care, you can relax and enjoy your retirement without worrying about what might happen if you need extra support in the future. Similarly, your family members will be reassured that you have thought ahead and taken steps to ensure that you will be well looked after.
Planning for any long-term care needs well in advance of when you may actually need it is a crucial step in ensuring that you are financially prepared for any eventuality. Unfortunately, if
you wait until you are at the point of needing care, your options become far more limited.
As a SOLLA Accredited adviser, this is an area I specialise in and as award-winning vulnerable customer champions, we’re wellplaced to help you make a plan to prepare for the future, whatever that may hold.
To book a complimentary meeting to discuss your circumstances, call 0117 3636 212 or email office@haroldstephens. co.uk.
Richard records regular video updates on a range of later life financial topics - search ‘Harold Stephens IFA’ on YouTube.
If you want a relaxed chat about how to manage your assets in later life, then we are on hand to deliver it the good old-fashioned way – face to face right here in your local community
THE birds in our gardens will be well into nesting by now. They will use dry plant matter, moss, bird feathers and wool or dog hair to make their nests, so don’t tidy up too much during the winter months. Leave some detritus for the birds. You might also catch the rather beautiful song of the Blackcap in your local park. These will be returning migrants. The Blackcaps seen in gardens during the Winter are now back in Northern Europe. The Spring breeders prefer woodlands and denser scrub.
But remember to look up from time to time. These days Ravens and Buzzards regularly fly over Bristol. Several pairs of Peregrines breed in the city and Sparrowhawks can also be seen. Peregrines have narrow, pointed wings. Buzzards and Sparrowhawks wings are broader and rounded. You can tell Sparrowhawk from Buzzard by the tail. The Buzzard tail is short and about the same length as the
width of the wing. The tail of the Sparrowhawk is longer than the width of its wing. It is also smaller but that’s not always obvious up in the sky. Buzzard plumage is quite variable from almost black to mainly white; you often have to look twice to be sure.
Ospreys, Red Kite and even White-tailed Eagles are also reported over Bristol from time to time. So you might get lucky.
Alastair Fraser Bristol Ornithological Club Avonbirding.blogspot.com
May 9
n THE ARTS SOCIETY BRISTOL lecture on Roland Penrose and Lee Miller is at 8pm at Redmaids' High BS9 3AW on 9 May. We welcome new members and guests. For more information on our lectures, given by specialists in their own field, see our website www. theartssociety-bristol.org.uk
May 17
n BRISTOL FRIENDS OF WNO invite you to enjoy a variety of talks with glorious music at , The Apostle Room, Clifton Cathedral (Worcester Road entrance). Visitors always welcome.6.45 for 7.15 pm Refreshments available Easy parking
WNO Friends £8 Visitors £10 Further information about this and occasional coach trips from Melanie David Tel: 01934 842014 melaniejdavid@ btinternet.com
June 2 and 3
n BRISTOL STITCHERS
EXHIBITION Lots of embroidery, textile art and mixed media work to see and buy. Sales, demos, raffle, book stall and tasty refreshments. Stoke Lodge Adult Education Centre, BS9 1BN
May 22
n HENLEAZE SENIOR FILM CLUB Monday 22nd May at 2pm - Rocketman (15) 2019 Musical drama based on the life and career of Elton John. Tickets: £4.00 including refreshments. Carers welcome, easy access For more information, please call 0117 435 0063. St. Peter’s Hall, The Drive, Henleaze BS9 4LD
June 1 - June 2
n BRISTOL QUILTERS EXHIBITION QUILTFEST! Thursday 2nd June 10am to 5pm Saturday 3rd June 10am to 4pm.
Admission £3 Children free
At Redland Hall, Redmaids’ High School, Westbury Rd, BS93AW
Quilts, sales table, refreshments plus more
Regular events
Various days
n WEST OF ENGLAND BRIDGE CLUB based at RAFA Club, 38 Eastfield, Henleaze. Five sessions every week, catering for different standards. Thursday afternoon is Improvers. Monday and Friday afternoon is for more capable players; this is an EBU recognised session. You may come alone to any afternoon session; a partner will be found. The evening sessions are on Wednesdays and Fridays, and are open to pairs. www. woebridgeclub.co.uk or contact Sec-
retary, Chris Frew, on 0117 962 5281. Monday
n PLAY BOWLS at Canford Park in a friendly, social atmosphere. Qualified coaches and equipment provided. Contact: Les on 07305695579
n WESTBURY SINGERS: if you enjoy singing, we invite you to join our friendly, non-auditioned, 4 part choir, in term-time on Monday evenings 7.30p.m. - 9.30p.m.at Reedley Road Baptist Church. Please email the Secretary: gwenalwakeel@yahoo.co.uk.
n DICKENS SOCIETY. 7pm, at Leonard Hall, Henleaze URC, Waterford Rd, Bristol BS9 4BT. Talks, costumed readings, book club and social events. New members welcome. See www. dickens-society.org.uk or phone Roma on 0117 9279875 for further details.
n WESTBURY AND CLIFTON AREA DISCUSSION GROUP meet at Westbury on Trym Baptist Church every Monday 9.45am to challenge ourselves with topical debate on what’s happening in the world. If you would like to help to solve some of today's challenging issues with good company, tea and biscuits - contact James Ball 01454 415165 or Ian Viney 0117 9501628.
n WESTBURY ON TRYM WOMEN'S INSTITUTE meets on the third Monday of the month in the Westbury Village Hall, Eastfield Road, BS9 4AG, from 2.00 - 4.00 pm. We have interesting speakers, and extra activities of crafts, lunch club, skittles and outings. Our lively, friendly and inclusive group welcomes visitors at any meeting. For more information call Sascha on 07961619806 or Traci on 07766073917
Tuesday
n WESTBURY PARK WOMEN’S INSTITUTE meets on the first Tuesday of every month in the Girl Guide Hut on Westmorland Road from 7.009.30pm. We are an active and friendly group with a varied programme plus extra sessions for craft, coffee, book clubs, walks etc. Visitors are always welcome and for more information do call Sue on 07813795936 or email westburyparkwi@gmail.com
n SCOTTISH DANCING to GET FIT and HAVE FUN with Westbury Scottish Country Dancing Club. Classes for beginners (Email: maggiekirkup@gmail.com) and more advanced dancers
(Tel: Cheryl 0117 4012416) at St Peter’s Church Hall, Henleaze, Tuesdays 7.30 to 9.30 pm. Details at www. westburyscottish.org.uk
n COMPANION VOICES BRISTOL is recruiting new members We are a 'threshold choir' actively looking for new people to join us. We meet in Easton on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7 to 9 pm to learn soothing and uplifting songs by ear and
build skills in sensitivity/compassion/ loving presence to sing at the bedsides of people nearing the end of life. To join or support us in this work, contact Valerie on bristol@companionvoices.org. Visit www.facebook. com/CompanionVoicesBristol and www.companionvoices.org.
n WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP meet on Tuesday mornings at Westbury-onTrym Methodist Church, 10.30amnoon. An interesting programme of speakers; come along to make friends. For more details, ring Kate 07905 064720.
n BRISTOL HARMONY WEST GALLERY CHOIR AND BAND sing and play lively church and village music from the 18thcentury. St Edyth’s Church Hall, St Edyth’s Road, Sea Mills, 7.30 pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month. All voices (SATB), string, wind and reed instruments welcome. No auditions but ability to read music helpful. www.bristolharmony. wordpress.com or call Fritjof 0117 924 3440. Contact before attending.
Wednesday
n BCCS (BRISTOL CATHEDRALCHOIR SCHOOL) CHORAL SOCIETY meets at Henleaze Bowling Club, Grange Court Road, Wednesdays 7.30 to 9pm. A small, unauditioned choir singing varied music. New members welcome. For info, contact Kathy, 0117 949362 www.bccschoralsociety. org.uk/
n BLAISE COMMUNITY GARDEN, behind Blaise Museum, open Wednesday and Saturday 10-2. Originally a walled kitchen garden. Free to enter. We’re looking for volunteers. Our Café (+ homemade cakes) open 10-2, 18 March and 8 April.
n KNITNATTERSTITCH meet on Wednesdays (term time only) 10-12 @ Henleaze United Reform Church’s coffee bar. For more information contact Paula at knitnatterstitch @gmail.com
n HEALING SESSIONS run by accredited healers take place 2 til 3.30pm at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up, or for info contact Marian Bishop 0117 9771629 or visit www. westburyparkspiritualistchurch.org.
n WELCOME WEDNESDAY Friendly and free coffee afternoon on the last Wednesday of the month, 2-3.30pm at The Beehive Pub, Wellington Hill West, BS9 4QY. Meet new people, have fun, and find out what’s happening in your area. Call 0117 435 0063.
Thursday
n LOCAL CHOIR ACTIVELY RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS. We meet at Stoke Bishop CE Primary School, BS9 1BW on Thursday, 7.45 - 9.15pm. We are a well-established mixed choir performing both sacred and secular music. See website www. henburysingers.org contact secretary at secretary@henburysingers.org.
n HENLEAZE FLOWER CLUB welcomes new members for the start of their exciting 22/23 Programme of floral design demonstrations. Annual
membership £52. Demonstration meetings on 2nd Thursday of the month 2pm Bradbury Hall,Waterford Road, Henleaze and begin at 2pm. Plus optional Practice Classes on 4th Thursday. Visitors welcome. We meet every month except December and August. Please contact Jenny York, Club Chair yorkjenny2@yahoo.com or phone/text 07880 700270.
n HIGHBURY BADMINTON CLUB: Pete Stables 0117 950 1524 or www. pete4458.wixsite.com/highburybadminton Thurs 7:30pm mid September to End April, Westbury-on-Trym Village Hall
n BRISTOL MALE VOICE CHOIR
Always been keen to sing? Come along to our rehearsal nights, 7pm - 9.15pm on Thursdays in St Andrew's Church, Elm Park, Filton, BS34 7PS. No need to read music, no audition, just a voice test to establish whether you are tenor, baritone of bass. We cover many musical styles, enjoy singing in a great social vibe as we prepare for our regular concerts in local and national venues. From the Beatles to Mozart, from classical choruses to classic pop. Ffi : www. bristolmvc.org.uk ; facebook; or contact Steve: secretary@bristolmvc.org.uk;or ring 07776447699; or 07587143220
n HENLEAZE LADIES’ CHOIR Come and join us as we fill St Peter’s Church Hall in Henleaze with a diverse selection of music. We are a friendly choir and meet on Thursday afternoons in term time from 1.45 to 3.45. There are no auditions, and the ability to read music is not necessary. Contact Jeanette on 9685409 or Jane on 07752 332278.
n OPEN DEVELOPMENT CIRCLE starting Sept 8. For those interested in developing their spiritual awareness and mediumistic ability. 7.15 for 7.30pm start at Westbury Park Spiritualist Church, Cairns Road BS6 7TH. Just turn up, contact Marian Bishop 0117 9771629 or visit www. westburyparkspiritualistchurch.org
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 U3A SCRABBLE GROUP meets at the Beehive pub , Wellington Hill West, on Fridays from 2 to 4pm. We are a very friendly non competitive group and welcome new members. For more information, please contact Heddy tel 07534717254/ email
AS we get closer to summer, many people are looking forward to attending local and national sporting, comedy and music events.
Unfortunately, unscrupulous ticket sellers prey on people’s excitement for such shows for their own financial gain.
I urge local people to be vigilant when buying tickets, as new national figures reveal over £6.7 million was lost to ticket fraud in 2022.
In the same year, Action Fraud received over 7,088 reports of ticket fraud, with 138 coming from Avon and Somerset residents.
As part of its latest awareness campaign, Action Fraud is working with the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) to promote the safe and secure purchasing of tickets to events, and advises the public to follow the appropriate preventative measures.
These include only buying from official promoters and ticket agents,
being wary of messages offering unbelievably good deals and avoiding paying for tickets by bank transfers. Remember - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
We have just marked the first anniversary of an independent report, Identifying Disproportionality in Avon and Somerset Criminal Justice System (CJS).
Independent chair Desmond Brown conducted a two-year deep dive review into local CJS partner agencies to investigate racial disproportionality.
Lots of work is being done to set up a programme under the Local Criminal Justice Board, a group of senior leaders from all the partner agencies of which I am chair.
The chief constable is leading the steering committee to deliver the recommendations.
It’s vital to work in partnership and implement real and lasting change, so that communities feel a difference in how they are treated
when they encounter the CJS, whether as a victim, a witness, or a perpetrator.
I will keep you updated on the progress of this important work that aims to build trust, confidence, and legitimacy in policing and the wider system, particularly in communities impacted by race inequality, where trust and confidence is low.
Earlier this year I, along with my counterparts in Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, penned a letter to Therese Coffey – the then Environment Secretary - calling for a new way to tackle the growing menace of fly-tipping.
The cost of fly-tipping on private land is estimated to be up to £150m a year, and the cost of clearance of fly-tipping for local authorities in England is nearly £50m.
It is time to make criminals pay for fly-tipping, not local people.
I am delighted that Rebecca
Pow, MP for Taunton Deane, supports the five Southwest PCCs coming together to fight the scourge of fly-tipping. This is a step in the right direction.
This crime blights our rural landscape and causes problems for farmers and the rural economy. I’m committed to working with partner agencies to find new ways to tackle this problem.
