Henleaze & Westbury Voice June 2025

Outstanding! Elmlea Juniors earns highest Ofsted rating

ELMLEA Junior School in Westbury on Trym is celebrating after a graded Ofsted inspections judged it to be Outstanding in every area.

The inspectors who visited in March confirmed that “pupils thrive at this warm and welcoming school where everyone feels a strong sense of belonging”.

They praised the “highly

engaging” curriculum, stating that it “challenges pupils to make insightful connections between their previous and current knowledge” and has been “designed to support pupils exceptionally well to build their knowledge in a clear and logical order”.

Behaviour was described as “exceptional”, while strong staff relationships with pupils were

singled out for providing “expert, sensitive support for the small number of pupils who need help to manage their emotions”.

Pupils were also said to be “immensely proud of their school, and they attend well.

"They have a deep understanding of the core values" of ‘kindness, respect and community’.”

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Run in memory of Amber, 2

Bristol Bears formed a guard of honour for coach Glen Townson, who ran 44 miles to Cardiff in memory of his daughter Amber, who died at the age of two.

PAGE 7

Residents call for end to roadworks

Thousands of people have signed a petition urging a halt to the installation of bus lanes on the A4018, works that are likely to take two years.

PAGE 3

Metro Mayor's vow of unity

Labour’s Helen Godwin has pledged to work with all parties after being elected as the region’s Metro Mayor following a strong challenge from Reform UK.

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Proud pupils and leaders at Elmlea Junior School

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West of England MayorMayor Helen Godwin mayor@ westofengland-ca.gov.uk

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Henleaze & Westbury Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Henleaze & Westbury Voice is distributed each month to residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is always welcomed, contact Emma Cooper on 0117 908 2121 or sales@henleazeandwestburyvoice.co.uk This month 8,500 copies will be distributed around Henleaze, Westbury Park and Westbury-on-Trym.

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'End this roadworks madness'

THOUSANDS of disgruntled petitioners are demanding an end to the “roadworks madness” as bus lanes are being installed in north Bristol. The works along the A4018 involve building a segregated bike path and upgrading pedestrian crossings.

But the roadworks are due to last for two years, forcing traffic into one lane on the busy road and spilling cars out on to nearby residential areas instead. Conservative Councillor Mark Weston, representing Henbury and Brentry, urged a rethink of the long-running roadworks.

Speaking to the city council transport policy committee last month, he said most of the local community opposed the “unnecessary” scheme and buses rarely got held up. He was told the upgrades were needed as thousands of new homes are under construction nearby.

Cllr Weston, who set up the petition with over 3,000 signatures, said: “There is all kinds of madness afflicting my ward. At the moment it’s causing complete mayhem for local residents, with complete disruption to their lives. The road worked, the bus moved around. We have another 15 or 18 months of these relentless roadworks.

“In total I’ve found two people in favour of it — they’ve lovely by the way — but everyone else is completely against it. If you stuff up a main road, traffic doesn’t evaporate or vanish, it flows down the neighbouring roads. And that’s exactly what it’s done, all over the place. Cones have been sited in

such a way that we’ve encouraged rat-running onto residential roads.

“This is a ridiculous and expensive proposal, and we would love for it to be stopped.”

Contractors are digging up the A4018 between the Crow Lane roundabout and the top of Brentry Hill, as part of a £6-million project. Demand for public transport is set to increase with the homes being built in Cribbs Patchway. While only one bus service uses the route at the moment, new services are likely to be launched in future.

The bus lane will be in force during peak times to stop the Number 1 bus being delayed. The plans began under the former Labour administration, and initially included very unpopular banned turns in Westbury-on-Trym. After a public consultation, the council dropped this part of the plans.

Green Cllr Emma Edwards said: “We’re always going to have a bit of a paradox unfortunately. People don’t want to give up their cars, and when you ask them why they say the buses are rubbish. The only way we’re going to get better public transport is if we build more bus lanes that we can put public transport in. To do that, we create roadworks, which upset drivers."

Labour Cllr Kaz Self added: “Doing nothing is not an option. There might be a limited number of buses using this route at the moment, but we need to plan for the future.”

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Elmlea's pride

From Page 1

Elmlea Infant School was also rated Outstanding in an inspection two years ago.

Executive head of both schools Lorraine Wright said: “II am delighted that Ofsted has once again recognised the very special and high quality education that we provide for all our children at Elmlea.

I am retiring from Headship this summer and feel immensely proud to be leaving both our schools in such exceptionally good health!”

Colin Mackinlay from Russell Education Trust, which the Elmlea Schools have recently joined, said: “Throughout our long partnership with Elmlea we have always known what fabulous schools they are. To have that re-confirmed so clearly by Ofsted is wonderful for the schools and we look forward to working together even more closely for the benefit of our shared community."

THE great-grandson of the inventor of the Walnut Whip has been elected as one of the youngest lord mayors of Bristol.

Cllr Henry Michallat, 27, (Conservative, Stoke Bishop) was sworn into the ceremonial role at the annual general full council meeting of Bristol City Council last month.

Accepting the position, Cllr Michallat said he would dedicate his year as Bristol’s first citizen to improving the life chances of children with dyslexia and promoting the city’s arts, culture and history.

His predecessor Cllr Andrew Varney (Lib Dem, Brislington West) becomes deputy lord mayor for the next 12 months.

Cllr Michallat, who was born at Southmead Hospital and grew up in north Bristol, told the meeting: “It’s both an incredible honour and deep privilege to sit before you as one of the youngest lord mayors of the great city of Bristol. This role carries with it a rich history dating back to 1216, a sense of tradition and a profound responsibility. I am truly humbled to be elected to this office and I promise to serve with the utmost dedication and commitment to our city.

“While the position of lord mayor is ceremonial and not a political role, it offers a unique opportunity to serve as a symbol of unity, progress and pride for the city.”

Cllr Michallat, an auctioneer and valuer at Clevedon Salerooms, said: “My family has been in Bristol for over 100 years, my great-grandfather coming to Bristol in the 1920s where he had an illustrious career as a chocolatier and inventor of the Walnut Whip.

“My theme for the year is to

New Lord Mayor, 27, has 'that X factor of likeability'

celebrate and promote Bristol’s arts, culture and history.

“Bristol is a city that’s always been at the forefront of creativity, whether it’s through our incredible music scene, our world-renowned street art, our historic landmarks or our diverse cultural expression.

“From the ancient walls of Bristol Castle to our buzzing theatres, art venues and museums, our city has always been a place where innovation and tradition go hand in hand.

“I believe that by promoting and championing our rich arts and cultural heritage we can not only preserve what makes Bristol unique but also build a more inclusive and dynamic city for future generations.

“I also plan to highlight the historical significance of Bristol, from its maritime heritage to its role in the Industrial Revolution and important architecture and

ensure that these stories are told in a way that is inclusive and respectful of all the different communities that make up our great city. I wish to explore not only our successes but also our challenges and how to overcome them.”

Cllr Michallat said he and his partner Josh, who will be his consort on official engagements, would dedicate time to improving life chances for children with dyslexia by working with local schools and charities to raise awareness.

“This is something which is close to our hearts,” he said.

“I pledge to honour this position with integrity, humility and a deep love for the city I have always called home. Together we will continue to make Bristol a place where creativity flourishes, heritage is cherished and every voice is heard.”

Fellow Conservative ward

Cllr John Goulandris proposed the appointment, which received unanimous cross-party approval. He said: “Henry will be our youngest lord mayor in living memory and will bring a youthful dynamism to the role.

“However, he also has a maturity well beyond his years. He has been active in community affairs since his early teenage years and I have had the pleasure of campaigning with Henry well before he became my fellow councillor in Stoke Bishop.

“Like me, Henry has a surname with decidedly nonBristolian roots. Henry’s greatgrandfather emigrated from France in 1908. However, Henry himself is a true Bristolian, born and bred here.

“Henry will bring many personal qualities to the role of lord mayor. He has tremendous personal charm, always calm in manner and extremely patient.

“Henry has that X factor of likeability – that ability to relate to all people, young and old.

“When we go door-knocking, people who won’t say very much to me or to other canvassers open up and chat with Henry.

“I know that Henry together with his consort Josh will bring a friendly, sensitive and refreshingly modern approach to their respective roles.”

Cllr Michallat was first elected in 2021 and, as lord mayor, will chair full council meetings

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Lord Mayor Cllr Henry Michallat in the chair at City Hall

Experience quality dementia care, led by experts

At Care UK’s Trymview Hall care home in Westbury-on-Trym, our team is passionate about supporting your loved one to maintain independence and make choices, whilst receiving the very best dementia care in a place they can call home.

Care you can trust

We work with academic partners and respected leaders in the field, to ensure we stay up to date with the latest approaches to dementia care. We have worked closely with the Association of Dementia Studies to create bespoke programmes of dementia training. Whilst Dr Nori Graham - a renowned dementia expert and Vice President of Alzheimer’s International – supports the development of our dementia strategy with Suzanne Mumford, a Queen’s Nurse and Head of Nursing, Care and Dementia at Care UK.

Living well with dementia

Our dedicated team will work with you and your loved one to deliver a care and lifestyle plan entirely tailored to their unique needs and preferences and our busy activities schedule is always packed with meaningful activities that support them to live life to the full.

Recently, residents have enjoyed have enjoyed intergenerational actitivties, music and baking.

Purpose-built facilities

At our purpose-built home, everything from colour schemes, signage, and furniture to the design of our crockery, has been carefully chosen to support residents living with dementia to be as independent as possible.

Each floor at Trymview Hall is divided into smaller suites that create a calm atmosphere, keeping hustle and bustle to a minimum.

Trymview also has a Dementia friendly afternoon tea, every Third Thursday of each month from 2pm - 4pm , where you can meet other members of your community and make new friends over fresh cakes, cream scones and tea in our welcoming café.

Trymview Hall care home in Westbury-on-Trym is part of Care UK, the country’s most awarded large care provider.

We’ve been delivering high-quality, person-centred care for over 40 years. That’s why over 9,000 families trust us to care for their older loved ones.

To find out more about Trymview Hall, call 0117 453 3493 or scan the QR code.

Trymview Hall Southmead Road, Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS10 5DW careuk.com/trymview-hall

Dad runs 44 miles in memory of Amber

BRISTOL Bears academy transition coach Glen Townson ran 44 miles from Ashton Gate to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff to deliver a match-day ball.

It took Glen just over nine hours to complete the ultramarathon challenge. So far, he’s raised over £10,000 for the Amber Townson Foundation, set up in memory of his twoyear-old daughter, who died in August 2023. The foundation’s mission is to raise awareness of Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) support affected families and fund critical research.

The West Country derby in Cardiff saw Bristol Bears beat Bath 36 -14. Bristol Bears has been behind Glen all the way. As well as raising awareness of SUDC on the day, team players wore specially designed Amber Townson Foundation shirts encouraging spectators to donate.

It was a symbolic journey of hope and remembrance. Glen said: “This was a deeply personal mission to honour my daughter’s memory and prevent

other families from experiencing the same heartbreak we have. SUDC remains the fourth leading cause of death for 1-4 year olds in the UK but research and understanding is very limited. We want to change this.

“I had incredible support from my friends on the run. We’ve been training for months and they really kept me going! It was tough, especially the last eight miles, but we’ve raised awareness of SUDC and lots of money in the process, so it was all worth it!

“We were given such a warm welcome when we got to the stadium. People lined the street, and the Bristol Bears team gave us a guard of honour, which was very special. To have the backing and support of Bristol Bears has meant so much to my family and me. The Big Day Out has helped fund vital research into SUDC and provide bereavement counselling and support for affected families.”

Tom Tainton, chief operating officer of Bristol Bears rugby club, said: “When Glen approached us for help with this challenge, the obvious answer was yes. We know what he and his family have been through, and are still going through, and we just wanted to support one of our own and bring together the local sporting community for this special cause. They got a rapturous reception as they arrived at the Principality Stadium on the day!”

Donations can still be made via the website www. theambertownson.foundation You can donate £5 by texting AMBER to 70460 or contribute via the JustGiving link: https://www.justgiving.com/ theambertownson-foundation

The Foundation is taking part in the Tesco blue token scheme at the Golden Hill store until the end of June to help raise money for a new community defibrillator.

Glen Townson

n NEWS

New Metro Mayor's pledge to collaborate

NEW Metro Mayor Helen Godwin has said things will be “very different” under her than under the previous Labour mayor.

The winner of May's mayoral election has pledged to "work cross-party for the West Country" - and her first act after being sworn in was to appoint Liberal Democrat Kevin Guy as her deputy mayor.

The position of deputy mayor had not been used since Ms Godwin's predecessor Dan Norris was elected in 2021.

During his time in charge the combined authority was put on notice by the government over a number of performance issues, including poor relationships between politicians.

The deputy mayor's position will rotate annually between the leaders of the three councils that make up the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.

Cllr Guy, who is the leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said he was “honoured”

to take up the role.

On the election night the new mayor said her approach "will feel very different but it will be very proactive: just getting stuff done, working with people, working with whoever I need to".

Expanding on the theme after she was sworn in, Ms Godwin said: “To get the best for all of us in the West Country, politicians must put politics to one side. That’s how we’ll lay the Bristol to Portishead Line, build new affordable homes, and help create the jobs of the future."

Ms Godwin also pledged to work "across party lines" with Green Bristol City Council leader Tony Dyer and Lib Dem South Gloucestershire Council leader Maggie Tyrrell, as well as fellow Labour politician Ian Boulton, who is the co-leader of South Gloucestershire.

She said: "We all need to roll up our sleeves and pitch in. Our residents deserve nothing less, and that’s the only way that we will make things happen.”

The leaders of Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and

South Gloucestershire councils, together with the mayor, make up the MCA's decision-making committee.

Cllr Dyer said Ms Godwin was taking over at a “critical time”, adding: “Working alongside Helen and my counterparts in the region’s other local authorities I hope to continue our efforts to bring these valuable working relationships closer for the benefit of all of us.”

The mayor and her will be responsible for delivering the region's Local Growth Plan.

Labour sees off Reform to retain role

LABOUR won the West of England mayoral election, after a strong challenge from Reform UK.

At the region-wide election on May 1, Labour's Helen Godwin successfully defended the role won from the Tories by Dan Norris in 2021.

She polled 51,197 votes, a majority of 5,945 over Reform's Arron Banks, who received 45,252.

Green candidate Mary Page was third, Conservative Steve Smith was fourth and Liberal Democrat Oli Henman was fifth, with independent Ian Scott losing his deposit in last place, after failing to secure 5% of the overall votes cast.

Votes in the three council areas which make up the West

of England Mayoral Combined Authority were counted separately.

Ms Godwin's win was a rare bright spot for Labour on a night when the party lost a by-election, four out of six mayoral elections and 187 of the 285 council seats it was defending across the country.

But it was even worse for the Conservatives, who lost 676 of the 993 council seats they were defending across the country.

The West of England election saw them pushed into fourth place in a poll they had won at the inaugural election in 2017.

The race had proved hard for pollsters to predict, with a YouGov poll a week before the election predicting a Green win, while MoreInCommon predicted

a Labour win with the Tories second.

After the result was announced, Ms Godwin told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It was always going to be close - we knew that.

"It genuinely is the honour of my life to be your new West of England Mayor.

"Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for the West of England, where we'll bring people together and work more transparently to deliver the ambitious change our communities need.

"This region isn't just my political home—it's where I was born, where my children are growing up, and where my family's roots run deep across the West Country."

The turnout of 30% was more than 6% down on the 2021 election, which had been held at the same time as the Bristol City Council elections. RESULTS

Ian Boulton, Kevin Guy, Helen Godwin, Maggie Tyrrell and Tony Dyer at Ms Godwin's swearing in as West of England Mayor. Picture: Freia Turland

n FROM YOUR COUNCILLORS

Southmead: Kaz Self and Kye Dudd (Labour)

Parking issues

We get lots of correspondence about problematic car parking. A city-wide Kerbside and Parking Task Group has been set up to formulate a parking plan and produce a strategy for the city.

The issue of pavement parking has been discussed by the group but currently London is the only area with the legal powers to tackle it. The City Council are writing to the Department for Transport asking them to tackle obstructive and unreasonable parking on the footway in England (outside of London) and recommit to the principle that the function of the footway is to provide space for walking and wheeling.

With the weather improving and the increase in popularity of open water swimming, a particular concern is car parking by those people using Henleaze Lake. Residents have contacted us about parking outside their homes and the manner in which

cars are parked, often restricting visibility on blind bends. We have been in contact with those who run Henleaze Lake, they have promised to ask their members to be mindful of where they park and to use alternative means of getting to the venue.

We will be monitoring parking over the summer and continue our conversations with Henleaze Lake, local residents and the Green led council.

John Wills House

VE Day celebrations

Thursday 8th May was VE (Victory in Europe) Day, this year being the 80th anniversary.

Bristol suffered terribly during the war, with the city centre, docks and other industrial locations being the target of bombing by Nazi Germany. Some of those bombs missed their targets and houses in our area were hit and destroyed.

Councillors from all political parties attended a flag raising ceremony in the morning on College Green. In addition, Kaz visited Trymview Hall care home for a VE day celebration in the afternoon, where a great time was had by residents and staff, singing wartime songs and dancing.

While VE day was a celebration, we should never forget the many people who gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country and European neighbours from Hitler’s tyranny.

It’s important we don’t let these terrible things happen again.

Supporting our local firefighters

Cllr Kaz Self spent a morning at Southmead fire station recently talking to some of the firefighters. They emphasised the need to make sure you have a working smoke alarm, so please check yours is ok. Most alarms will send out an annoying beep when the battery is low, please don’t just take the battery out, replace it. And note that smoke alarms have a shelf life and should be replaced every 10 years.

For council tenants this website has some useful fire safety advice: - https://www.bristol.gov.uk/ residents/housing/council-tenants/ home-safety-improvements/firesafety

n FROM YOUR COUNCILLORS

W-o-T & Henleaze:

Stephen Williams, Caroline Gooch and Nicholas Coombes (Lib Dem)

Downs and vehicle dwellers

Cllr Stephen Williams continues to work with with senior officers and colleagues in the administration to ease the situation for both vehicle dwellers and the settled community. A further "round table" of about thirty officers, the police and other partners met to thrash out some ideas for addressing a situation that not only affects Bristol but all other cities.

The council does intend to set aside land that is awaiting development for temporary van and caravan pitches. These sites will be available for rent, with rudimentary facilities such as a stand pipe for water and portable toilets. This will only deal with a proportion, perhaps a quarter, of the vehicles.

The council is also going to offer a housing and welfare needs interview and assessment to each vehicle dweller. This should help direct some into more appropriate fixed housing and where relevant, benefits to support rent. It is believed that a large majority of vehicle dwellers are working in Bristol's economy but on low or unpredictable wages.

We get asked a lot about parking enforcement on the roads around the Downs. First, there is very little the council (it's not a police matter) can do about caravans, as there is no register of ownership. This is an

anomaly that can only be corrected by central government. Stephen is checking with Darren Jones MP whether any action is planned by the government of which he is a senior member. Where a caravan appears to be abandoned the council can tow it away for scrapping. Please do report any suspected cases of abandoned or derelict caravans to us; several have been removed in recent weeks.

Occupied vans could be legally ticketed but the consequence of that would likely be displacement of them to nearby residential streets where there are no parking restrictions. The council does intend to reactivate the roll-out of resident parking zones that was halted by former Mayor Rees in 2016. Redland and Clifton already have RPZs, we are pressing for Westbury Park and parts of Henleaze and

Sneyd Park to be implemented as soon as possible. However, realistically this will take at least 18 months to go through all the legal, design and consultation stages. So parking by vehicle dwellers will continue to be a source of frustration for some time yet.

Many residents are also concerned about the similar but unrelated issue of tents and caravans appearing as temporary encampments on the Downs grassland. Where these are genuine Gypsy, Roma Traveller groups the council has set procedures for engagement and removal. Usually such groups move on quickly. For other groups the council has to obtain a court injunction, enabling eviction for trespass. Individual injunctions take time so we are preparing a general injunction across the whole area.

There are a lot of issues being raised on social media. The council chief executive has agreed with Stephen that a "frequently asked questions" section will be prepared for the council's website.

Nicholas, Caroline & Stephen

cllr.nicholas.coombes@bristol.gov.uk 07386 698 750 cllr.caroline.gooch@bristol.gov.uk 07386 698 669

cllr.stephen.williams@bristol.gov.uk 07386 698 772

Singing a cheery song

NOT to miss out on the celebrations across the country to mark 80 years since VE day, the Bristol Dementia Action Alliance (BDAA) welcomed guests for tea, laughter, singing and entertainment last month.

Lisa Dicker, of BDAA, said of the occasion: “What a wonderful afternoon we had celebrating VE Day. A big thank you to Amy at (BDAA’s partner) Harold Stephens for working with us to make this happen.

“It was lovely to see so many join us from the community as well as our members and there was plenty of singing and laughter. A massive thank you to the amazing volunteers who gave

up their valuable time. We really couldn't have done it without you.”

With the centre at the charity’s new Happy Days Hub in Lawrence Weston bedecked with Union Jack flags and bunting and a display of VE day poster memorabilia, guests joined in a singalong with guest singer and pianist, Ruby Two Shoes.

Given that the Hub is less than two months old, organisers were delighted with the turnout.

The Happy Days Hub, which opened in March, is open on Mondays and Fridays from 10am-2pm at Ambition House BS11. Offering preventative awareness and management of conditions to reduce the risk of dementia, the Hub also hosts

various social groups such as a memory cafe, carer support and exercise classes.

BDAA still needs volunteers to support the Hub – there are a variety of key roles including supporting the café, helping with activities, being companions at the groups.

Further details here: www. bdaa.org.uk/volunteering/ or email office@bdaa.org.uk.

Guests at the BDAA VE Day commemoration were entertained by singer and pianist Ruby Two Shoes

Jointly owned property and Declarations of Trust

Laura Wilkinson Solicitor from AMD Solicitors offers some advice on options available to you as a joint owner of a property.

If you are buying a new place together, or moving into a home your partner already owns, then you should think carefully about how you will own it between you. You should be aware that if you split up you may have no right to an interest in the property if it is in your partner’s name.

Legally there are two types of joint ownership. You can either own the property as Joint Tenants or Tenants in Common.

Owning as Joint Tenants will mean that the joint owners together own the whole property and do not have a particular share in it. If one of the owners dies the other automatically becomes the sole owner.

Ownership as Tenants in Com-

mon however will mean that each owner will have a defined share in the property. The property could be owned in equal shares, or in different sized shares which can be set out in a legally binding written agreement called a “Declaration of Trust” which will contain details of the financial arrangement between the joint owners. People wanting to own a property in separate predetermined shares as set out in a Declaration of Trust, would need to own the property as Tenants in Common.

Under this form of ownership if one of the owners dies, their share of the property will pass on to whoever they specify in a Will, or if a Will is not made, in accordance with the rules of intestacy. It may be that one party provides the deposit or a substantial share of the purchase price and the other has no or less funds to

contribute. In these circumstances a Declaration of Trust can help you protect your financial contribution and specify how you wish to be repaid in the event that the property is sold. It can also set out how you wish to contribute to mortgage payments and how you wish to be repaid for your contribution should you come to sell the property.

The Declaration of Trust can specify the terms for buying out your joint owner’s share in the property and can also help to avoid prolonged legal disputes over the finances in the event that your relationship with your coowner breaks down.

Declarations of Trust can be as simple, or as complex, as the couple require. Each partner should ideally have separate legal advice. As circumstances change, the deed can be re-written. It can be challenged in court only on grounds of

fraud and misrepresentation. If you would like any advice or assistance with protecting your property, or any other conveyancing matter, please call us on 0117 973 5647 or 0117 974 4100, email info@amdsolicitors.com or call into any one of our 4 Bristol based offices.

n COMMUNITY NEWS

HORFIELD ORGANIC COMMUNITY ORCHARD

ONLY 16% of the fruit eaten in the UK is grown here. Three easy changes? Buy from local and UK producers. Get active in community fruit growing projects. “Have a grow” in your garden or allotment.

There’s inspiration for all at the Horfield Organic Community Orchard (HOCO) Summer Orchard Open Day event on Saturday 7 June. We’re delighted to be a Bristol Festival of Nature community event. It is also Have a Grow day, a UK-wide event organised by Social Farms & Gardens. Activities include: Art in the Orchard; Peepers Open for Pollinators; Taster Sessions - Fruit Tree Summer Care (by advance booking, see HOCO website). Homemade cake, refreshments, and produce for sale - please bring cash.

HOCO is open to new Harvest-share members until the end of June. There’s still time to sign up for our new climate resilience action project: Fruitful Futures. Do you want to plant and grow new fruit trees for future generations? Bing your hands, head, humour, and heart to this project! Fruit-growing experience is helpful – a creative, can-do approach is essential.

Summer Orchard Open Day - Saturday 7 June, 2pm - 5pm

To find the orchard (nearest postcode BS7 8JP) - Walk down the lane beside 22 Kings Drive (between Bishop Road & Kellaway Avenue), turn left and it’s the first gate on the right.

OR Take the lane beside 134 Longmead Avenue (BS7 8QQ) until you come to the last gate on the left. See the HOCO website for more information: https://community-orchard. org.uk/

Words by Shannon Smith aka The

Help for charities

LOCAL charities will be supported again this year by the Henleaze Christmas Festival which is due to be held on Wednesday December 3.

They are: everyFAMILY, Vision Care for Homeless People and The Family Centre (Deaf Children). A fund-raising Prize Draw will have tickets on sale in the run up to the Festival and on the night. Prizes donated by local businesses.

Festival co-ordinator Jane Emery said: “The charity prize draw is a key part of the festival and we will look forward once again to the generosity of festival-goers in supporting some very worthy causes”.

Meanwhile planning for the event - with its array of stalls selling a variety of festive wares, children`s rides, late shopping and a host of entertainment from local musical groups - is underway.

“It is a year-long process with our small volunteer committee responsible for a host of tasks from organising the prize draw and the stalls to finding the entertainers, dealing with the many licensing issues and producing the printed festival programme” Jane added.

New volunteers are always welcome either to join the committee or offer help on the night when many hands are needed to set up and then take down the festival infrastructure. If interested contact Jane at: janeemery1951@gmail.com

Apple Tree Lady

Photo by Jamie Carstairs

n WESTBURY ON TRYM SOCIETY NEWS

Carlton Court

The Society has been active in drawing attention to the fences recently constructed at the Carlton Court car park reducing car parking, making access arrangements difficult, especially for disabled people and impacting on trade in the village. A letter from the Society to the agents produced the response that ‘the owner has decided to close parts of the car park while the potential for a partial redevelopment of the site is explored. The closure will enable some works to be safely undertaken to the vacant garages and to investigate a possible water leak below the tarmac.’ No answer was given as to how long this is intended to go on for and we await a further response.

Meanwhile our attempts to secure enforcement action from the council for the construction of the 2.6metre high fence without planning permission was met with the response, ‘This fencing has been erected on private land and there is no planned enforcement intervention in this regard’. The Society considers it an eyesore close to the centre of Westbury on Trym village and adjacent to the conservation area. It has created create a hazardous access to the remaining car park, part of which cannot now be seen from the access road, which is shared with Co-op delivery vehicles. We understand that businesses have already noticed a dip in trade. We are continuing to press for action to resolve this.

Canford Park sunken garden

Since the end of last year, the Society has been working to repair the damage done by the inability to maintain the ‘wildlife friendly’ planting in the sunken garden at Canford. This started as a monthly event but the scale of the task is such that this has been increased to twice a month. The bee friendly perennials, planted under the auspices of ‘Urban Buzz’ back in the summer of 2018, had deteriorated into a complete mess, while the remaining rose beds were in need of extensive weed removal.

The Parks department have supplied us with tools, a huge bag of daffodil bulbs and a massive pile of bark mulch. The daffodils helped make the rose beds look really attractive again. The huge pile of bark was quickly used up. Removing all the growth has revealed some useful plants, but once all the beds have been dealt with replanting will be needed. So far 23 different volunteers have attended and have put in over 150 hours of work, but we are still only half way to getting the beds in order.

There are 14 beds in all and members have

been tackling these one by one, but of course the weeds keep growing. If you would like to join in our work in Canford Park, our first working party in June will be on Friday 13th at 10am. It would be helpful to thear from you beforehand either by ringing Andy Renshaw on 07769 686500 or by e-mailing the Society at westburyontrymsociety@gmail.com

Westbury in Bloom

The Society has launched its annual Flower Fund appeal and we would like to thank all those who have already contributed. The new floral displays have now been planted by the city council’s team at Blaise nurseries, but they are funded through donations from residents and businesses, with any shortfall being covered by the Society’s own funds.

Monthly Talks

We will be starting our new season of Monthly Talks, beginning with "An Illustrated Personal History of Computers" by Malcolm Neave, who spent most of his career supporting the use of computers in schools. On Thursday 19 June, there will be a talk on the South West Coast Path. Talks will take place at Westbury Library starting at 8pm, with doors open from 7.45pm. If you wish to come please email the Society or ring Malcolm Neave on 01179 502825. The talks are free to members of the Society, £2 for nonmembers, but booking is required.

Andy Renshaw, Chairman

Westbury Baptist Pre-School

Places Available Now and September 2025

Open Monday to Thursday 9am to 3pm, Friday 9am to 1pm. Term Time Only.

T: 0117962 2338 E: westburybaptistpreschool.org.uk. W:https://westburybaptistpreschool.org.uk/

Address: Westbury Baptist Pre-school, Westbury Baptist Church, Reedley Road, Westbury-On-Trym, Bristol, BS9 3TD

n FROM BRISTOL NORTH WEST'S MP

A marvel on every corner

YOU can't use a broad brush to describe Bristol North West. Every part of our rich and diverse constituency has its own architectural style and vibe.

Yet, there is a common aesthetic that links all parts of Bristol North West: street art.

There are numerous examples of decorative street art adorning our high streets, including next to Coffee #1 in Westbury-on-Trym, and you can even do a full ‘Bumpsy’ art trail in Sea Mills!

Some notable examples, though, have used art to shine a light on important issues. In Avonmouth and Shirehampton, a mural has been painted onto a new flood defence depicting local wildlife. At Southmead Hospital, a large mural was commissioned to mark 70 years of the NHS. And in the grounds of HMP Bristol in Bishopston, there's a mural of the suffragette Theresa Garnett who was imprisoned there.

I got to see the latest addition

to our street art scene during a recent visit to the Seat Unique Stadium in Bishopston, where a new mural pays homage to four great fast bowlers in the history of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.

I was there to record a video message to announce the fantastic news that the club has been selected as one of seven host venues for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2026! I was delighted to contribute to their bid last summer with a letter of support.

Moving on to some unwelcome news, like the many constituents who contacted me when construction work started in the car park behind Carlton Court in Westbury-on-Trym, I was taken aback by the lack of forewarning.

Constituents have told me the Council has said it hasn’t been notified of these works and that no known planning permission application has been submitted. It

is the responsibility of the council to get to the bottom of what is going on, and so I wrote to them to ask that the planning enforcement team be instructed to contact the landowner and confirm in writing what is planned to take place, on what basis, and whether planning permission is needed. I also want to know what action will be taken if any rules have not been complied with.

Responding to my letter, I have been informed the council has set up a planning enforcement investigation and has written to the landowner. Further updates to follow.

Finally, I’m looking forward to meeting many of you at my upcoming town hall event on Saturday, 7th June (2.30-4pm) about resetting our relationship with the EU, which will be held in Westbury-on-Trym.

The event is now waiting list-only, with tickets snapped up quickly by subscribers to my

Darren Jones writes for the Voice

newsletter. Details can be found at darren-jones.co.uk/events, and you can subscribe to my newsletter at darren-jones.co.uk/contact. If you need my help or have a question, you can email darren. jones.mp@parliament.uk, call my office on 0117 959 6545 or by writing to me at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.

n NATURE WATCH with Dawn Lawrence

Midsummer heralds myths and moths

ON a warm midsummer night in our back garden you might see a strange radiance appear after sunset, lighting the overhanging boughs of hazel and apple and making their leaves glow in the dark. As with all night lights many small creatures are led astray including caddis flies, beetles, and an occasional surprised butterfly, whilst sometimes a canny toad sits nearby. At times a faint cloud of insects will shimmer around the light (though, to face brutal reality for a moment, numbers are reduced compared to when we first arrived in Bishopston; the insect decline is noticeable even in a garden which has been progressively “wilded” over the last 25 years). But the main reason the light is there is to attract those merry wanderers of the night, moths.

June is the beginning of the main mothing season (yes, enthusiasts call it mothing, and themselves mothers - best written

“moth-ers” to avoid confusion). The moth trap has vertical baffles placed above the bulb and as the moths frantically trip the light fantastic they occasionally hit one and tumble into the wide container below. Here they find refuge under old egg boxes to await identification in the morning. The next night they are left in the dark to escape unharmed. Our Moth-er in Chief has listed nearly 800 species in our garden including beauties

such as lime hawkmoth with gorgeously patterned haute couture wings, burnished brass gleaming like a soldier on parade, and green silver lines whose gossamer costume of light green streaked with silver is worthy of Moth herself, one of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night fairies.

Among the most mysterious of moths are the group called the swifts. In evolutionary terms they are considered primitive which simply means they have changed little from their earliest moth-like ancestors, which could equally be styled ‘well-adapted’. The larvae spend two winters underground (unlike most British moths that are content with one) amongst the roots of their feedplants which include a wide variety of common plants. Many swifts like “rough grassy places” so they should feel at home in our patch and, indeed, orange swifts have become progressively more common with

us. The male gold swift (of which we have had only one) produces a sex pheromone which smells of pineapple (it really does). But most enchanting of all is the ghost moth (of which we have also had only one individual). The males have white wings (females are yellow) and they “lek” at dusk, that is they congregate in an ethereal mating dance as if to celebrate Midsummer in the traditional way.

White moths feature in European folklore as the souls of the departed and it is from this connection that ghost moth probably received its name. Fluttering moths are mentioned in the last passage of Wuthering Heights and it is suggested that Brontë is referencing this ancient symbolism. The narrator then asserts that the dead must surely experience peaceful slumbers, here amongst the moths and the harebells.

© Dawn Lawrence

Green silver lines moth, a Midsummer Night’s dream

Photo by Rupert Higgins

BOOK REVIEW

Bristol-based The Window Hub progresses on green goals

The Ministry of Time

HAVE you ever wanted to travel through time? Would you want to travel back into the past or forward into the future? Would you worry that your actions might change the course of history?

Bristol-based home improvement company, The Window Hub, is aiming to plant 3,000 trees over the next three years as part of its commitment to being a climate conscious business.

The trees will be planted at Boyd Valley Lake, which is located in Bitton. This is in addition to continuing its policy of recycling all old frames so they don’t end up in landfill.

The window installation company was launched during lockdown in 2020 by seasoned industry professional Danny, who wanted to create a business that was “built on quality rather than greed”.

From humble beginnings, The Window Hub now operates from a head office and showroom in Staple Hill in Bristol with offices, showrooms and installation depots across the South West.

All these issues and much more are aired by Kaliane Bradley in her novel The Ministry of Time. Our unnamed narrator lands a lucrative job in a new Government Department. Her task along with four colleagues is to act as a bridge living with and supporting five persons who have been extracted from the past to see if time travel is feasible and to monitor the effect on their physical and mental health. These expats include Thomas Cardingham from the 1645 Battle of Naseby, Margaret Kemble from the 1665 Great Plague of London, Anne Spencer from the 1793 French Revolution and Arthur Reginald-Smythe from the 1916 Battle of the Somme. Our

narrator is tasked with supporting Commander Graham Gore an English Navy officer and polar explorer who took part in two expeditions to the Artic in 1847 and a survey of the coastline of Australia. The five expats were extracted from historical warzones, natural disasters and epidemics to avoid the chaos inherent in changing the course of history. They would have died in their own timelines anyway so removing them from the past ought not to impact the future.

In fact, a new showroom is scheduled to open this month.

by Kaliane Bradley

interdependent bonds with the five expats who gradually adjust to a new world and our narrator and the Commander begin a romantic relationship. Their blissful existence is shattered by the appearance of a sinister figure from the future who poses a threat to bridges and expats alike.

This is an beautifully written, intelligent, witty and thought provoking time travel romance with unforgettable characters.

Danny launched The Window Hub because he wanted to be much more than just a double glazing company.

“We know that choosing new windows and inviting someone

We follow our narrator as she introduces the Commander to modern technology including the washing machine, gas cooker, vacuum cleaner, radio, tv, the internet and the London Underground. We relish the anguish of the Commander as he struggles to communicate with our independently minded feminist narrator. Over time the five bridges develop strong

For this book and many more come and visit your local library at 100 Gloucester Road. You will be

OPENING HOURS: WoT

Monday (2pm-7pm)

Tuesday (11am-4pm)

into your home can be stressful, so we have introduced as many initiatives as possible to be fair and reasonable in our approach to give our customers the best experience possible,” he said.

Wednesday (11am-4pm)

Thursday (11am-4pm)

Friday (11am-4pm)

Saturday (11am-4pm)

Sunday (closed)

“Sales begin and end with treating customers properly. And

friendliness, tidiness, and attention to detail.

a

OPENING HOURS: HENLEAZE

The hard work of Danny and his company was also recently recognised and commended, with The Window Hub being named the ‘Best in the South West’ at the G24 Awards last year.

Monday (11am-5pm)

Tuesday (11am-5pm)

Wednesday (1pm-7pm)

Thursday (11am-5pm)

In 2025, The Window Hub will grow to cover domestic homes between Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and Lands End in Cornwall.

Friday (1pm-7pm)

Saturday (10am-5pm)

For more information, please visit TheWindowHub.co.uk.

Sunday (closed)

no obligation

from the

company in the South West & South Wales in the final of the industries Prestigious G24 Awards!

greeted with a friendly smile and

warm welcome.

Review by Bob Deacon of Bishopston Library

n PHARMACY COLUMN

Flights booked, passport in date? Time to book those travel jabs

HAVE you booked a foreign trip or holiday? Do you need travel jabs or anti-malarials?

After a grey winter, travelling can offer escape, adventure, much-needed relaxation, and the discovery of local food and culture. It is no surprise that many people will make plans – ticking off bucket-list foreign destinations, head off to exotic destinations, whether for a gap year, volunteering, a vareer break, or even work travel. Whatever the inspiration or need for the trip, it is vital to do so safely. We can help you at Kellaway Pharmacy - Part of Bristol Travel Clinic.

Discovering another country's health system is not usually on your wish list or a cherished memory. Remember those TV documentaries, the ones where "unfortunate person stranded on a hospital bed in Paradise" travel insurance was not taken out ("I knew I had forgotten something") or cover was

invalidated ("I did not know they required me to have travel jabs!")? The unplanned additional cost and anxiety all become an endless, expensive nightmare leading to appeals for help.

Many countries have health risks that require vaccinations for protection. The first step is to contact your GP to find out about availability for an NHS travel health appointment and obtain records of your previous vaccinations. Many people now have those available on their NHS App. Getting all the information together

saves time and ensures you only receive the required private vaccinations. The recommended time to seek health advice is eight weeks before your trip.

Last minute? Don't panic. Get in touch with Bristol Travel Clinic on 0800 7723575. Our prices reflect our ethos that money should not be a barrier to accessing health services. We also offer treatment to delay menstrual periods while on holiday and to prevent altitude sickness. If you are not travelling but need vaccinations to protect you from chicken pox, meningitis B, or any other work-related risks, we can also help.

To get advice or book an appointment, call Bristol Travel Clinic on 0800 7723575, Complete the online query form : www. bristoltravelclinic.co.uk or drop into Kellaway Pharmacy for more details. We'll get you ready for wherever your journey takes you.

Monday 23rd June

n HENLEAZE SENIOR FILM CLUB - ONE CHANCE (12)

This life-affirming British film is about a shy, small-town boy who, with the flip of a coin, changed his life forever. Starring BAFTA and Tony Award winning actor James Corden as ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ Winner Paul Potts, with Mackenzie Crook and Julie Walters. Carers welcome, easy access Refreshments £4 St. Peter’s Church Hall, The Drive, Henleaze BS9 4LD. For more information, please call 0117 435 0063

n LA SCALA DELI HENLEAZE

Join us for our Italian wine tasting evenings. Limited availability. Led by our in-house sommelier.

June 12 & 27- Sardinia Regional Tasting

June 14 - Summertime Pink Wine

June 19 - Big Bubbles

July 11 - Summertime Pink Wine

July 18 & 24- Trentino Alto Adige

July 19 - Mountain side vineyards

August 1 - Mountainside Vineyards

August 7 & 22- Friuli-Venezia Giulia

August 9 - "The big 5" of Northern Italy

Special events: WINE & DINE

6 wines paired with 5 courses

MAY 31 WINE & DINE Menu 1

JUNE 20 WINE & DINE Menu 1

JULY 26th WINE & DINE Menu 2

AUG 16th WINE & DINE Menu 2 Private Events also available Bookings: www.lascaladeli.com

Fri 30th – Sat 31st May

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, Shirehampton Road, Bristol, BS9 1BN. Entrance £4 Children free. Disabled access.

JUNE 8th

n TAIZÉ FOR PENTECOST Beautiful chants from the ecumenical monastery of Taizé, France. With readings and silence. In the chapel at St Monica’s, Cote Lane, BS9 3UN. Sunday June 8th at 5 p.m. All welcome.

JUNE 21st

n NORTHERN LIGHTS WITH THE BRISTOL BACH CHOIR in Tyndale Baptist Church, BS8 2QG on 21st June at 7.30pm will explore the richly varied choral works from the Baltic states. Tickets from £1 www. bristolbach.org.uk

JUNE 25th

n MIDSUMMER SERENADE AND PUDDINGS - a plethora of music and puddings at 7.30pm at Trinity- Henleaze with Henleaze Choral Society. Sacred music, folk songs, Flanders and Swann songs and a medley of songs from Bernstein's West Side Story. TICKETS £16 includes PUDDING and programme plus a complimentary glass WINE or soft drink contact www.henleazecs.org.uk or on the door.

JULY 4th

n CONCERT BY WESTBURY SINGERS: Songs for Summer: Westbury on Trym Village Hall, Friday 4th July at 7.30 pm. Tickets £10 to include a glass of wine, available at wotsingers@gmail.org or on the door. Cash or bank transfer only please.

REGULAR EVENTS

Various days

n WESTBURY WILDLIFE PARK

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

n WEST OF ENGLAND BRIDGE

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

n PILATES CLASSES, Northcote Scout Hall, BS9 3TY. Mondays

9.30am (Improvers), 10.30am (Mixed Ability inc. Beginners); Tuesdays 9.30am (Improvers), 10.30am (Gentle); Thursdays 9.30am (Improvers), 10.45am (Mixed Ability - inc Beginners). Small, friendly classes. Please register interest before attending. Full details at www. mindbodypilates.org. Contact; Leanne 07817189474 or leanne@ mindbodypilates.org

n BLAISE COMMUNITY GARDEN, behind Blaise Museum, BS10 7QS. Open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 10-2. Interesting walled kitchen garden, free to enter, new volunteers welcomed. Plants always available. Events: Café on 14th June 10-2 and Plant & Pollination Day with Café on 12th July 10-2.

Monday

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

n TEATIME CHURCH - Children and families are welcome to join us once a month at the back of Holy Trinity Church in Westbury-onTrym for crafts, games, stories and songs, followed by supper for all the children. There is also a baby/ toddler area and a monthly Lego challenge. This is a very informal service, where children/adults can learn a little about God and the church in a fun and friendly environment. All are very welcome! Please visit our website for further information and monthly dates https://www.westbury-parishchurch.org.uk/teatime-church/

n CANFORD BOWLING CLUB season has started again, and new members of any age or experience would be very welcome. Free coaching is available. Our open day is 25th May. Why wait? If interested please email canfordbowlingclub@ gmail.com or ring 07504254499. Come and give it a go.

n BRISTOL HOME LIBRARY SERVICE - We are a free service for any adult who lives in Bristol and who can’t get to their library but still wants books or audio books.

Volunteers call monthly. Contact us if you would like to volunteer or know someone who needs us.

BHLSVisits@royalvoluntaryservice. org.uk or 07714 898558

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

Monday

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

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

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 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

n BRISTOL GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR rehearses at Westbury-onTrym Methodist Church (BS9 3AA) 2-4pm (term time only). We are a fun and friendly, non-audition, community choir for both male and female voices - one of 32 Good Afternoon Choirs who ‘sing in the

afternoon’ around the South West and further afield. New members are always welcome and, whether you come alone or with a friend, we will be very pleased to meet you! For further details please visit our website – www.goodafternoonchoir.org – or contact us on 01761 472468 or via e-mail at gac@ grenvillemusic.co.uk

Tuesday

n WESTBURY PARK WOMEN’S INSTITUTE meets on the first Tuesday of every month in the Girl Guide Hut on Westmorland Road from 7.00 - 9.30pm. We are an active and friendly group with a varied programme plus extra sessions for craft, coffee, book clubs, walks etc. Visitors are always welcome and for more information do call Sue on 07813795936 or email westburyparkwi@gmail.com

n PILATES WITH JULIE WATERS, Westbury-on-Trym Academy School, Channells Hill, Bristol BS9 3HZ. Tuesday 6.30 pm & 7.30pm term time only. Small friendly groups. Call Julie on 07817 809734 or email jules_waters@hotmail.com for more information.

n COMMUNITY SIGHT LOSS HUB, First Tuesday of each month, 11am1pm at Trinity Church, Henleaze. Join our coffee morning for blind and partially sighted people to socialise with others and receive advice and guidance from our experienced advisors. Tailored support also available by appointment by calling Sight Support West on 0117 322 4885.

n CARERS’ SUPPORT GROUP run by Bristol Dementia Action Alliance, held on the first Tuesday of each month, St Peters’ Church, Henleaze, BS9 4LD, 2pm-4pm. A chance for carers to share stories and gain support from each other. For further information, contact Tony Hall, office@bdaa.org.uk

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

n BRISTOL GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR rehearses at Westbury-onTrym Methodist Church (BS9 3AA) on Monday afternoons 2.004.00pm (term time only). We are

a fun and friendly, non-audition, community choir for both male and female voices - one of 32 Good Afternoon Choirs who ‘sing in the afternoon’ around the South West and further afield. New members are always welcome and, whether you come alone or with a friend, we will be very pleased to meet you! For further details please visit our website – www.goodafternoonchoir.org – or contact us on 01761 472468 or via e-mail at gac@ grenvillemusic.co.uk

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

n SCOTTISH DANCING TO GET FIT AND HAVE FUN Bristol Westbury Scottish Country Dance Club. Classes for beginners (Email: maggiekirkup@gmail.com) and more advanced dancers. (Tel: Cheryl 0117 4012416) at St.Peter's Church Hall, Henleaze, 7.30 to 9.30 pm. www. westburyscottish.org.uk

n COMPANION VOICES BRISTOL is recruiting new members . We meet in Easton on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7 to 9 pm to learn soothing and uplifting songs by ear and build skills in sensitivity/compassion/loving presence to sing at the bedsides of people nearing the end of life. To join or support us in this work, contact Valerie on bristol@companionvoices.org. Visit www.facebook.com/ CompanionVoicesBristol and www. companionvoices.org.

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

Contact before attending.

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

n BRISTOL A CAPPELLA: Tuesdays 7.30pm, Victoria Methodist Church. Bristol A Cappella is an awardwinning mixed barbershop chorus of around 30 members who love to sing close harmony a cappella. Our songs are mainly from pop music, with a bit of rock and some musicals. www.bristolacappella.co.uk/ Contact: membership@bristolacappella.co.uk

Tuesday and Saturday

n BRISTOL HF RAMBLING CLUB

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

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday n FRIENDLY BRIDGE SW is a Bridge Club operating on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 10am to 1pm at Stoke Bishop Village Hall. We also offer online bridge and face to face tuition. New faces are always welcome. Please email friendlybridgesw@gmail.com or call Gareth on 07921-788605 for further information.

Wednesday n HENLEAZE CHORAL SOCIETYmeets at Henleaze Bowling Club, Grange Court Road, Wednesdays 7.30 to 9pm. A small, unauditioned choir singing varied music. New members welcome. For info, contact Kathy, 0117 949362 http:// www.henleazechoralsociety.org.uk/

n A CLASS FOR EVERYBODY! KEEP FIT, St Peter’s Church, Henleaze, Wednesdays, 10-11am, £8. Improve your health and wellbeing with this low-impact exercise class. With music from the 60s to today’s pop to enjoy a supple strength workout. Call Louisa: 07725 091429. Email Louisa: chairaerobicslouisa@gmail.com

n AFTERNOON CAFE CHESS

BS9 - From 2.45pm - 4.30pm on two Wednesdays each month in Coffee #1 on Henleaze Rd - Feel free to drop in for informal chess over a cuppa - All ages and abilities welcome (MarkRThwaites@Gmail. com). Upcoming on 28th May, 4th June & 25th June & into July & August.

n WELCOME WEDNESDAY

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

n A GENTLE WAY TO KEEP FIT & HAVE FUN! CHAIR AEROBICS, St Peter’s Church, Henleaze, Wednesdays, 11.15am12.15pm, £8. Maintain and progress your strength, stability and balance at our seated and gentle standing exercise class. Songs from every era to enjoy and complement a workout for mind and body wellness. Call Louisa: 07725 091429. Email Louisa: chairaerobicslouisa@ gmail.comwellness. Call Louisa: 07725 091429. Email Louisa: chairaerobicslouisa@gmail.com

n GOLDEN HILL WI Meets the first Wednesday of every month. 1-3pm. Golden Hill Sports Ground, Wimbledon Road, BS6 7YA. A vibrant, lively, afternoon WI in BS6. We have a varied programme to offer members. Visitors and new members will be given a warm welcome. For more information contact Pam Scull at goldenhillwi@gmail.com.

n HENLEAZE BOWLING CLUB Wednesday morning whist drives, 10.00 for 10.30, all welcome. £2.00 including tea and coffee. Located in Grange Court Road next to Newman Hall. Please see our website for information and all social events. https://henleazebowlingclub.org.uk/social-events/

n COME AND ENJOY free tea and cake in a friendly atmosphere at Holy Trinity Church, Church Rd, Westbury-on-Trym every Wednesday 10.30-12. Call 0117 9508644 (mornings) for more information

n BRISTOL SCRABBLE CLUB

meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm until 10pm at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS. New members welcome- first visit free so come along and give us a try. For further information contact Tania by email at tanialake@ yahoo.co.uk

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

n OPEN DEVELOPMENT CIRCLE

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

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

Thursday

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

church.org.uk/toddler-group/

n EMMANUEL WESTBURY TODDLER GROUP. A play group for children aged 0-4, their Parents & Grandparents. Every Thursday in term time, 10:15-11:45. Northcote Scout Hall, Great Brockeridge, BS9 3TY. £3 per family, payable on door. Includes homemade cakes, hot & cold drinks and all activities. Come along or look us up at https:// emmanuelbristol.org.uk/events/ emmanuel-westbury-toddlers/ or enquire by email to avbradley@ outlook.com

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

n FRIENDS TOGETHER DEMENTIA FRIENDLY CAFÉ

A Dementia accessible café for all on the first Thursday of every month, 10am-12pm; The Randall Room at All Saints Church, Pembroke Rd, Clifton. Support, guidance, information and friendship with complimentary tea, coffee and homemade cake. No need to book – just come along and be a part of our community! For more information contact All Saints Parish Office: 0117 974 1355

n ARCHITECTURE & BUILDINGS

GROUP U3A meets at Henleaze United Reformed Church Meeting Room, Waterford Road, 2-4pm on the fourth Thursday of the month except July, August & December.

We are a small shared interest group. No previous knowledge required. Contact Rod for further information. Email: rodathey@ gmail.com or call 07792 200949.

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

n HENLEAZE BOWLING CLUB

Thursday afternoon short mat bowls, 13.30, all welcome £3.00, tea and coffee provided. Located in Grange Court Road next to Newman Hall. Please see our website for information and all social events. https://henleazebowlingclub.org.uk/social-events/

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

n WEST BRISTOL ORCHESTRA

is a small, friendly amateur group that enjoys music-making without public performances. It meets on Thursday nights in term time at St. Peter’s Church, Henleaze at 7.159.15pm. We would especially welcome more string players. Please visit our website for further details at maths.bris.ac.uk

n SCOTTISH COUNTRY

DANCING Join us for fun, fitness and friendship (singles welcome). First evening free! RSCDS Bristol. New/ Inexperienced dancers 7-8.30pm (£4). Intermediate/ Advanced dancers 7.30-10pm, (£6). St.Monica Trust, Oatley House Main Hall, BS9 3TN. www.rscdsbristol.info. Contact Ruth 0117 968 3057.

n HENBURY SINGERS WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS at Stoke Bishop Primary School, Cedar Park BS9 1BW, 7.30 – 9.15, a warm welcome awaits you at Henbury Singers. We perform sacred and secular music under our conductor Andrew Kirk. No auditions. www. henburysingers.org Contact the secretary at secretary@henburysingers.org

n HEALING FOR WELLBEINGNEW TIME 5.00 PM TO 6.15 PM Feel more relaxed, peaceful, calmer. Drop in sessions (no need to book) with trained practitioners. Venue: Redland Meeting House, 126 Hampton Road, BS6 6JE. All welcome - donation basis. For more information, visit http://www. facebook.com/BristolHealingGroup or https://www.thehealingtrust. org.uk/healing/healing-centre or phone Selina 0117 9466434.

n HENLEAZE FLOWER CLUB welcomes new members. Annual membership £52. Demonstration meetings on 2nd Thursday of the month, 2pm, Bradbury Hall Waterford Rd. Henleaze. Plus optional Practice Classes on 4th Thursday. We meet every month except December and August. Please contact

Jenny York, Club Chair yorkjenny2@ yahoo or phone/text 07880 700270

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

n SINGING TO REMEMBER We meet on 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursday from 2 - 3.45 pm in The Bradbury Hall, Waterford Road, Henleaze. It is a friendly, supportive group for people with dementia and their carers. Anyone interested can phone me 0117 9426095 to book a place or discuss.

n FOLK NIGHT every third Wednesday of the month at the Victoria inn Chock lane, Westbury on Trym. 7.30-10.30pm. All musicians and singers welcome or just pop in and listen. Call 0117 959 0834

n HENLEAZE LADIES’ CHOIR

Come and join us at St Peter’s Church Hall. We are a friendly choir and meet on Thursday afternoons in term time from 1.45 to 3.45. There are no auditions, and the ability to read music is not necessary. Contact Jeanette on 9685409 or Jane on 07752 332278.

Friday

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

n BRISTOL SPANISH CIRCLECome and meet a group of friendly people and enjoy talks in Spanish, musical events and social evenings. We meet every month from Sep-

tember to June, usually on the last Friday of the month, at St Peter’s Church Hall in Henleaze. For info, see https://www.spanishcirclebristol.com/.

n HIGHBURY BADMINTON

CLUB: Pete Stables 0117 950 1524 or www.pete4458.wixsite.com/ highburybadminton Thurs 7:30pm mid September to End April, W-on-T Village Hall

n HENLEAZE LADIES’ CHOIR

Come and join us at St Peter’s Church Hall. We are a friendly choir and meet on Thursday afternoons in term time from 1.45 to 3.45. There are no auditions, and the ability to read music is not necessary. Contact Jeanette on 9685409 or Jane on 07752 332278.

n FOLK NIGHT every third

Wednesday of the month at the Victoria inn Chock lane, Westbury on Trym. 7.30-10.30pm. All musicians and singers welcome or just pop in and listen. Call 0117 959 0834

Saturday

n SEA MILLS REPAIR CAFE offers sewing, woodwork, general, electrical and cycle repairs at the Methodist Church, Sea Mills Square, from 10am-12pm, every second Sat (except August). Voluntary service run by experienced repairers. Donations welcome. FFI see Facebook @ seamillsrepaircafe or email: repaircafe.seamills@gmail.com

Sunday

n WORSHIP FOR ALL MUSIC

SERVICE is a brand new musicbased service at Holy Trinity Church in Westbury-on-Trym. Please join us on the last Sunday of each month from 4pm-4.45pm to sing along with contemporary and traditional worship songs with live music and experienced singing leaders. All are very welcome and the service is suitable for children. Refreshments are served at the end of each service. For more information, please visit https://www.westbury-parishchurch.org.uk/services/

n BRISTOL ORCHESTRAL

PLAYERS are a friendly orchestra meeting monthly for workshopstyle rehearsals. We enjoy exploring varied classical repertoire, from well-known symphonies to lesserplayed orchestral works. Musical Director Nicola Ashton. Join us 6:30-9:00 in St Peter’s Church Hall Henleaze. New members very welcome, particularly string and horn players. Contact joannamellors34@ gmail.com or www.bristolorchestralplayers.co.uk

Hospice gardens open

VISITORS are being invited to view the gardens at St Peter’s Hospice later this month.

The gardens, designed to be a therapeutic and welcoming space for patients and their families, will be open from 10am-4pm on Sunday June 22 with refreshments and guest talks also on the agenda.

There will also be craft workshops from Ffion Morgan, live music from Pizzazz orchestra, cream teas and tours from St Peter’s Hospice head gardener Anneke van Eijkern.

Guest talks will come from horticulturist Caradoc Doy and the National Trust’s youngest head gardener Sam Finch.

Event organiser and community fundraising manager, Sophie Cullinane, said: “The gardens are an important way to build a sense of community – patients, families and staff can come together and relax. They are lovingly crafted by our team of dedicated volunteers and our head gardener Anneke. This event is a way to help us continue to maintain a relaxing and welcoming space that supports people in our community when they need it most.”

St Peter’s Hospice is Bristol’s only adult hospice providing inpatient care as well as community support to those with lifelimiting illnesses.

Tickets cost £8 each or are free for those aged 15 or under. Book online in advance to secure places.

EVERYTHING is progressing well in the vineyard. The frost risk has passed and the vines are looking really good.

Most of the recent rainfall we’ve had in Bristol has completely missed the vineyard in North Somerset so we’d love a bit more rain to make sure the vines don’t become stressed. This might sound strange, but In the UK we use special vine rootstocks that are suited to wet UK rainfall levels, so the vines get stressed just like other plants in dry conditions.

At the moment it’s ok and they are happy. We can see some lovely, big flower bunches developing which will hopefully become big bunches of grapes in a few months time.

The warm weather has brought out lots of butterflies and insects and the swallows are back albeit in slightly lower numbers than last year.

We’ve been busy mulching the drier areas of the vineyard with woodchip and mushroom compost to help prepare the ground for a dry summer although we never know what delights are ahead – it might be monsoon conditions from now until September!

vineyards (Facebook & Instagram)

FINANCE

With Richard Higgs BA (hons) CFP FPFS

Harold Stephens

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

T: 0117 3636212

Should You Use Insurance as Part of Your Inheritance Tax Plan?

As more families are drawn into the inheritance tax (IHT) net, many are asking how to plan ahead, not just to reduce their potential liability, but to ensure the next generation is supported when the time comes.

One option worth considering as part of a broader IHT strategy is life insurance.

A whole-of-life insurance policy, written in trust, can provide a guaranteed lump sum on death that’s outside your estate for IHT purposes. Did you know, an IHT bill must be paid 6 months after death? After this, interest is charged at 4% above the Bank of England base rate. This payout can help cover some or all of the tax bill, potentially preventing your beneficiaries from needing to sell assets or borrow against the estate.

It may not reduce the tax bill directly, but it

does give your family the cash to pay it, which can be invaluable when much of your wealth is tied up in property or investments. At an already stressful time, knowing that the IHT bill is covered can provide immense relief for loved ones – and peace of mind for you once it’s arranged.

Importantly, the policy doesn’t have to cover the entire liability. Some clients choose to insure just a proportion of the expected IHT to ease the burden.

Pensions, premiums and tax efficiency

With changes on the horizon to pension rules and inheritance tax, there may be an opportunity to use tax-efficient pension withdrawals to fund insurance premiums.

For example, taking pension income within your personal allowance or drawing tax-free

cash to pay for a life insurance policy can be an effective way to convert taxable assets into taxfree protection for your family.

Plan holistically

If you’re concerned about the impact of IHT or want to explore how upcoming budget changes might affect your estate, we’re here to help. Alongside looking at insurance, we can evaluate your circumstances and consider:

• Lifetime gifting strategies,

• Pension and ISA drawdown planning,

• Trusts and estate structuring,

• Regular financial reviews.

A tailored, flexible plan will help you support your loved ones and protect what matters. Call 0117 3636 212 or email office@ haroldstephens.co.uk for a relaxed chat about your situation.

n BOOK REVIEW

Twelve Post-War Tales by Graham Swift

GRAHAM Swift’s new short story collection opens with ‘The Next Best Thing,’ in which a British serviceman applies to a German government department for information about the fate – and that word is critiqued attentively in the mind of one character – of his relatives during the second world war.

It is 1959. The British soldier’s family were German-Jewish, his father killed fighting for the British Army. The German official with whom he meets had been a soldier and was a prisoner of war when his parents were killed by Allied bombing in 1943. He speaks perfect English linguistically and more deeply, grasping idioms, nuances, body language.

What conversation could they have had, were it not for this meeting about departmental records? What conversation are they in fact having beneath the offer of a chair, a cigarette?

The man has not applied through the proper channels or to the right department. Herr Büchner need offer him nothing. But he will. He will do what he can for this man who hands him the scant details of his relatives: ‘What a terrible thing in itself could be just a list of names.’ Between the men and between the lines is so much weight, set down in apparently simple, even light, sentences.

Yet this opening is not a signal of all that is to come. The collection is witty, full of love and romance and not burdened by chronology. The next story moves to the 2020s. The setting of the third remains contemporary though the characters are recalling one day in the 70s.

The stories face the Cuban missile crisis, the Troubles, the September 11th attacks. Every story is post-war, or rather post-wars: impossible not to be, given human history. Pre-wars, probably, too. And distance in space and time is narrowed until the prefix, ‘post-’ could be modified by ‘but only just’. It – history, war, the pivotal dates and the overlooked moments – is all there in the small exchanges that form family bonds, relationships loving and less so, the repetitions of old friends in a pub. Swift does so much with an unreturned hand squeeze or a coat unworn despite the cold. The tender stories grow with each reading.

Elizabeth Moss, Heron Books, Regent Street

n FRIENDS OF REDLAND LIBRARY

Event: A Life in Books

A talk by renowned author Tessa Hadley

Date: Tuesday, 10th

June 7pm (Doors open 6:45pm)

Venue: Redland Library, Bristol

Admission: £5 ( pay at the door – cash only )

Tessa Hadley has published eight novels - including The Past, Late in the Day, and Free Love - and four collections of short stories. Her latest collection, After the Funeral, came out in paperback in July 2024. Her novella, The Party, was published last November and is set in 1950s Bristol. She has short stories regularly in the New Yorker, and reviews for the Guardian and the London Review of Books; she was awarded a Windham Campbell prize for Fiction and the Hawthornden Prize in 2016, and has won the Edge Hill Prize twice: in 2018, for Bad Dreams, and in 2024, for After The Funeral.

Tessa went to Redland Library every week for years and years as a child and so this is a return to her roots.

This event is organised by The Friends of Redland Library. We are a voluntary group set up to support Redland Library, helping to sustain and improve its service, and also connecting it with the local and wider community. Redland Library is situated on Whiteladies Road, close to Clifton Down train station.

Details of future events can be found on our website https:// FriendsOfRedlandLibrary.org.uk

Making sense of Visual Snow Syndrome: A neuro-optometric perspective

In my work as a Neuro-Behavioural Optometrist, I help young people with reading and learning difficulties as well as adults with lazy eyes and eye turns. I also work with individuals experiencing unusual, persistent visual disturbances that traditional eye exams fail to explain.

One of the most perplexing and misunderstood of these conditions is Visual Snow Syndrome.

Patients typically describe Visual Snow Syndrome as seeing “TV static” or flickering dots across their entire visual field, day and night.

These symptoms – often accompanied by light sensitivity (photophobia), afterimages or visual trails (palinopsia) and difficulties with depth perception, concentration and/or reading – can be distressing.

Understandably, many people worry they are imagining it, especially after being told repeatedly that everything looks normal.

Let me set the record straight right from the start – Visual Snow Syndrome is real and if you are suffering from it, you are not alone.

While the exact cause is not fully understood, research suggests Visual Snow is not a problem of the eyes but of the brain’s visual processing pathways. Essentially, the visual pathways in the brain become overly sensitive or process visual

information atypically resulting in the perception of static being overlaid across the entire vision field.

We have ways to make sufferers’ lives easier

In my clinic, we take a neuro-integrative functional vision approach. We assess not only the structure of the eyes but also how your visual system is functioning at a neurological level.

I look for subtle inefficiencies in eye coordination, focusing and visual processing that may be contributing to your symptoms or increasing your visual stress.

While there is currently no universal cure for Visual Snow Syndrome, there are interventions that can help reduce visual overload. These may include:

• Our Contrast Neuro lens that calms visual symptoms and can alleviate visual snow symptoms.

• Precision-tinted lenses that filter certain wavelengths of light to calm visual symptoms.

• Neuro-lenses or ambient prism lenses to reduce visual strain and improve binocular function.

• Neuro-visual rehabilitation therapy – a targeted program to retrain, integrate visual processing, reduce sensitivity and support the brain’s ability to interpret the world more comfortably.

No two cases of Visual Snow are alike. For some, small adjustments in visual input can make a surprising difference. For others, building resilience in the visual system over time can lead to measurable improvement in daily comfort, focus and confidence.

Most importantly though, patients need someone who takes the time to listen. Many patients come to me after seeing multiple professionals, frustrated and without answers. My goal is to provide clarity, compassion and a way forward through a science-informed, person-centered approach.

If you or someone you care about is experiencing unusual visual symptoms or persistent “visual static,” please know this: there are ways to help your brain process the visual world with greater ease.

You deserve to be seen, heard and supported. Get in touch with Turners Opticians via our website, www.turnersopticians.co.uk

Thanks for reading!

Peter

Peter Turner is a Neuro-Behavioural & Independent Prescribing Optometrist at Turners Opticians in Bristol. He also works as a Senior Medical Optometrist at Bristol Eye Hospital. Peter has a specialist interest in visual development and visual performance.

n NEWS FROM S us WoT

The Trym clean has been completed. On Friday 9 May the last part of the Trym and its surrounding green spaces in Bristol were cleaned. This area includes the Trym and Hazel Brook river system, Sea Mills Meadow, Crow Lane Open Space and the Trym Valley in Open Space Southmead. Blaise Estate is cleaned by Friends of Blaise and the Blaise Estate Rangers. Badock’s Wood is kept clean by the Friends of Badock’s Wood.

Work started to clean the Trym in 2018 in Coombe Dingle. More than 400 tonnes of rubbish have been removed, including at least 15 motorbikes, dozens of carpets, tonnes of plastic and hundreds of supermarket trolleys. More than 5000 person hours have been spent in about 500 two hour sessions collecting as much as two tonnes of rubbish. (Once it was weighed and found to be well over a tonne, Bristol Parks sometimes sent two lorries after that!)

The edges of the green spaces provided massive quantities

of rubbish some more than 20 years old. This rubbish could be collected very quickly as it was literally piled high in places.

The area will not stay clean. For safety reasons SusWoT will continue to try to keep the river clean. To keep the green spaces clean SusWoT will attempt to build a network of local people to do this. There are already volunteers in Sea Mills thanks to Sea Mills Coombe Dingle Climate Action Group. Some of Crow Lane Open Space is kept clean by local people organised by Mark Weston. There are already two volunteers in

H

H

H

Road and at the Library Garden. Mid June is an ideal time to plant slightly delicate plants like tomatoes, courgettes and cucumbers.

SusWoT sold more than 350 tomato plants at the Community Fayre

The Community Fayre at the Parish Church on 10 May was blessed with wonderful weather. The earlier start, 10:00 rather than 11:00, and end time 2:15 not 3:00 worked well. SusWoT sold over 350 tomato plants as well as a few courgettes.

The Bristol wide Get Growing Trail has been moved to September. This is not a good time to be selling tomatoes, so SusWoT will be selling tomato and other plants on Saturday 14 June at the Community Garden between Stoke Lane and Reedley

SusWoT supports our local restaurants, pubs and other businesses. On the second Thursday of each month SusWoT organises a meal at a local restaurant and on the Tuesday twelve days later meeting in a local pub. These are opportunities for SusWoT members to get together, whilst at the same time supporting local businesses. SusWoT always tries to use local businesses where possible such as the local printer for business cards and leaflets and Mogfords for tool repairs. If we don’t use our local businesses, we will lose them. SusWoT meets on the last Thursday of the month in the Village Hall. If you want to get involved with SusWoT activities please come along and find out more, email suswot2050@gmail. com or visit suswot.org.uk. Alex Dunn

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If

have any particular requirement not listed above

don’t hesitate to contact Katherine on the numbers below. I work through all four seasons and will work to your specification whether it’s long term, short term or just for the day. Thank you.

If you have any particular requirement not listed above please don’t hesitate to contact Katherine on the numbers below. I work through all four seasons and will work to your specification whether it’s long term, short term or just for the day. Thank you.

If you have any particular requirement not listed above please don’t hesitate to contact Katherine on the numbers below. I work through all four seasons and will work to your specification whether it’s long term, short term or just for the day. Thank you.

any particular not listed above please to contact Katherine on below. I work through all and will work to your specification whether it’s long term, just for the day. Thank