“Fantastic responsive service. It’s the 2nd time I have used central roofing and on both occasions they turned up on time got on with the job and kept us informed on what was being carried out. Went above and beyond and assisted me in issues around insurance. I would recommend this company to anyone with roofing issues.”
Cat Lady
We used Central Roofing to take down an old flat roof and install another on our business premises at Knight Brothers Garage. The company was very reliable, they turned up when they said they would, the guys that did the work were very tidy and efficient. The work was completed in the time frame they set…we are more than pleased with the
job. Karen
Anderson
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Getting
out into your garden
in the depths of winter is great for your mental health so much so some people call it the ‘Natural Health Service’.
January in the garden can be cold and the days are short but regularly getting into your plot for a few minutes can significantly improve your mood and your energy levels, give you a much-needed boost of vitamin D and improve your outlook as you look forward to a productive gardening year.
A natural antidote to winter
When it is freezing cold outside staying inside in the warmth is tempting, but it was the famous rambler Alfred Wainwright who said, ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing’. So, get wrapped up and head out into your garden this winter because studies have shown getting outside in the winter can significantly elevate your mood and reduce stress levels. It is a natural antidote to winter! And what better place to go than your garden.
Get Vitamin D – nature’s way
Amongst other things Vitamin D is thought to help prevent the symptoms of depression in winter and
as our bodies cannot store it, we need to get regular amounts. Getting outdoors on a crisp, sunny winter’s day is a good way of getting some natural vitamin D.
Physical exercise in your garden is good for mental health
One of the best ways of improving your mental health in winter is outdoor exercise. Why not do some physical work in your garden and it will save you gym fees! There are plenty of jobs you could do. Consider doing some digging, or double digging if you are feeling really motivated. Repair and paint outdoor furniture, structures and fences, or get started on a big landscaping project. This will get your blood flowing and exercise your joints and muscles and in turn will give you a feeling of wellbeing and create a forwarding looking outlook as you imagine how your hard work will reap rewards later in the year.
Amongst other things, the very act of gardening in winter makes you look to the future. Almost every job you do in the garden is to help prepare for the coming months, of spring and summer and this will boost your mental health.
By Rob Bullock
Happy New Year from Toby, Claire, Emma, Sam, and, of course, Charlie the dog, at Meadows & Wood Hearing Care.
As we welcome 2025, it’s the perfect time to embrace new habits that boost your everyday life and wellbeing. Attending a hearing test is a fantastic way to start! While many of us focus on fitness and diet for our New Year’s resolutions, our hearing health is often overlooked. Here are some reasons why you should book a hearing test this year:
1. Enhance social connections: Hearing allows you to stay close to loved ones, confidently join in conversations, and cherish every moment shared with family and friends.
2. Prevent health issues: Studies have shown a link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive conditions such as dementia. By addressing hearing loss early, you can help your brain stay sharp and improve your overall health.
3. Improve your safety: Good quality hearing helps you stay aware of your surroundings, from hearing alarms to crossing streets safely. Protect your hearing to help navigate your environment safely and confidently.
4. It helps you enjoy life’s sounds: Our hearing is a key part of our everyday lives! Whether it’s your favourite song, the sounds of nature, or hearing a loved one’s voice, our hearing helps to enhance these moments.
This New Year, make caring for your hearing simple and stress-free. A hearing test is quick, easy, and completely painless. As North Somerset’s only full-time, independent family hearing clinic, Meadows & Wood are here to help you get the most from your hearing. Contact us today for a free check-up and a friendly chat about your hearing - details are below.
You will receive a warm welcome at Cruse Bereavement Support Services this month. The Cruse Walk and Talk, an accompanied, planned walk in the area, will take place on Wednesday 8th January at 10:00am.
If you wish to join our friendly group walk for the first time, please register at our drop-in or email cruseclevedonyvette@gmail.com
Our Cruse support drop-in is held at Clevedon Community Centre, Princes Road, between 10:00am and 12 noon on Friday 17th January. Trained bereavement volunteers are present. Please bring a friend if you wish. Refreshments are provided.
Just a pinch of salt can highlight the flavours in food. Prayer can be the same. 2 or 3 whose hearts and minds are seriously seeking Father God’s best plans can change in the atmosphere of a locality, but more is better!
Christians in Clevedon, from a variety of church traditions, will meet to pray for just this, on Thurs 9th January, 2:30pm - 4:00pm @ 44 Old St, (Town Council Offices). prayer4clevedon@gmail.com, or, (9:00am – 9:00pm), on 01275 872 618.
Wassailing at Clevedon Orchard on Saturday 11th January 2:30pm4:00pm
Wassailing is an Anglo-Saxon celebration to bless orchards and ensure a good harvest for the coming year.
‘Wassail’ comes from the Saxon, ‘Waes Hael’, meaning ‘Good Health’.
Sustainable Clevedon are holding their annual Wassailing at Clevedon Community Orchard starting promptly at 2:30pm on Saturday 11th January.
Access from Brookfield Walk via the tarmac path to the right of Baytree School.
Please wear appropriate footwear(site may be muddy),bring wooden spoons, drums, saucepans to bang and make a noise.
Refreshments will be provided and toast to hang in the trees!! Green men welcome!!
The Weston-super-Mare local Macular Society group covering Weston, Clevedon, Winscombe, Burnham and surrounding areas meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month 10:30am to 12:30pm at St Peter’s Church Hall, Baytree Road, Westonsuper-Mare BS22 8HG.
The group is for anyone affected by central vision loss, AMD wet or dry. We have presentations on a variety of topics including useful appliances, helpful organisations and local interest, such as VisionAid and Vision North Somerset.
Cost £3 including refreshments. Friends and carers most welcome. For more information contact Jo 07947 373 244
Was your Christmas blue and marred by
Christmas can be hard when someone is missing and we would like to help.
‘The Bereavement Journey’ course runs weekly for 7 weeks, starting on Wednesday 15th January from 2:00pm – 4:15pm at Christchurch, Clevedon, BS21 7LL. By means of films and discussion groups, this course gently guides bereaved people through the most common aspects of grief, enabling them to process the implications for themselves and discern next steps.
To join, please sign up via the Christchurch website, or to find out more, please contact us at: bereavementsupport@christchurch-clevedon. org.uk
Arguably Britain’s best vocal quintet comes to Clevedon
Clevedon Music Club is thrilled to host a concert by the UK’s fabulous vocal quintet, Papagena who have amazed BBC Radio 3 and the Edinburgh Fringe. The female group will sing on Sunday 19th January at 3:00pm in Christchurch, Clevedon BS21 7LL (level access). Their hugely popular programme ‘Love, Legend & Lullabies’ includes music from medieval times to modern folk song arrangements and humorous items, something for everyone. Admission costs £15, payable online in advance, or at the door. Contact andrea. argent@hotmail.co.uk or 01275 875262. Check out papagena.co.uk
Across
1 Hoards, gathers supplies (10)
8 Salty, like the sea (5)
9 British language (7)
10 Series of boat races (7)
11 Verbal or written answer (5)
12 Someone who digs the dirt (colloq) (4-5)
15 Take an examination again (5)
17 Rust, weaken something gradually (7)
19 Comforter, rug (7)
20 Appetising (5)
21 Deserting, dumping (10)
Down
2 Item (5)
3 Ambiguous, enigmatic (7)
4 Ready to assemble (building) (13)
5 German light beer (5)
6 Comfy indoor shoe (7)
7 Pronoun (4)
8 Naked (4)
12 Eyelash make-up (7)
13 Interview with a Vampire actor _______ Dunst (7)
14 Refute (4)
15 Red gemstone (4)
16 Chicken _____ Masala, popular Indian dish (5)
18 Citizen Kane actor _____ Welles (5)
Tony’s Story
My name is Tony Cook, 82 yrs of age, and retired as an Officer in The Royal Marines having served my Country for 37 years.
In December 2022 we moved from Portsmouth to Portishead to be near our youngest daughter and two granddaughters. After several months I became disoriented which was beginning to affect my mental health. I made an appointment to see my new GP. During the conversation, they mentioned an organisation called SHEDDERS. I made inquiries and in 2023 I decided to join Nailsea Shedders who are based in Wraxall Village Club.
I was made very welcome and over the last few months I have made many friends and very much enjoy the weekly meeting held on a Tuesday at the Wraxall Village Club. It has helped me a great deal in getting back to a normal lifestyle.
Yes, I am female, and yes, I am a member of Nailsea Shedders.
To me, this means I am part of a group of like-minded friends. Friends that enjoy meeting up for a cuppa and chat. Friends that like to keep their minds active and pass on skills and knowledge learnt in their jobs and in general life. People that like to help in their local communities. By being part of this group, it gives me a feeling of belonging in making a difference.
I love to play Ukelele and sing within UkeBox, the musical wing of our charity. We sing and play in local venues, raising money which goes to other groups and worthy causes.
I enjoy being one of the helpers in the new Arts and Crafts sessions we are putting together at No 65 High Street, Nailsea, dates listed below.
Dates for the diary: Arts and Crafts upstairs, Drop in repairs downstairs. No 65 High Street, Nailsea, BS45 1AW:
15th & 29th Jan: Bubble Art 12th & 26th Feb: Painting Bubble drops 26th Mar: Making a Metal Rose
23rd Apr & 7th May: Wood turning 21st May: How to paint – Techniques 28th May & 4th June, Simple Landscapes
Courtesy of the Biddle Trust and Quartet, Sessions are currently free to attendees, limited to ten people. Best advised to book in advance to enquiries@nailseashedders.org
Drop an item for repair at our Wraxall workshop on Tuesdays between 10:00am – 3:00pm, Wraxall Village Club, BS48 1LE. Or drop the repair into No65, BS48 1AW on the dates the Arts and Crafts are on. Arts and Crafts upstairs, Drop-in downstairs. E-mail: repairservice@nailseashedders.org If you have serious mobility issues, or for some other good reason you cannot get the Repair to us and it is portable, we may be able to pick it up and return it you.
Alternate Wednesdays between 10:00am – 12 Noon. 65 High Street, Nailsea, BS48 1AW. enquiries@nailseashedders.org
Meets at 1:00pm on the first Tuesday of the month for an hour at Wraxall Village Club. Bring your instrument of choice along and join in.
Membership £10 per month. Non members £3 per session.
A common cause for computers running sluggish at unpredictable times, without a clear reason, is insufficient memory. In part due to recent updates, we are seeing memory requirements increase. The millions of background calculations that power a computer use the memory as its “working space” – essential for smooth operation. This usage increases as more tasks are performed at once, such as opening emails, browsing the web, and running other programs. This is in contrast with, and not to be confused with, the disk storage which stores permanent data. When memory runs low, a computer must instead use disk storage as a substitute, which dramatically slows things down.
Best practice is to ensure idle usage – essentially the minimum usage when no programs are open – leaves plenty of headroom to account for significant memory fluctuations during day-today use. To check idle usage, restart your computer and don’t open any programs, right click the Start menu and select “Task Manager.” Then look for the “Memory” column where a percentage is shown. If around 60% or higher, this is a strong sign of insufficient memory available to the system, and the recommended action is to have more installed to avoid sluggish performance issues. You can check the installed memory by right clicking the Start menu, selecting “System,” and looking for the “Installed RAM” entry. For Windows 11 computers, we recommend at least 16GB of RAM for most users. Systems with just 4GB or 8GB often experience sluggishness with modern apps and multitasking.
If your memory usage is too high, or your installed RAM is below 16GB, feel free to reach us on 07973 536299 or email sales@e-cps.co.uk - we can assess your system and perform a memory upgrade if necessary. With sufficient memory, a computer is unlocked to run at its best and most responsive.
Neil Buzzard, Director, Computer Problem Solutions Ltd.
• Problem Solving & Repairs
• Virus/Spyware Removal
• New PC Systems
• Broadband/WIFI Problems
• Performance Improvement
• Wireless Networking
• iPhone/iPad help
• Upgrades
• Websites
• Help & Tuition
We have mobile engineers in your area or with your permission we can access your computer remotely.
Duty Engineer: 07973 536299
Call, text or WhatsApp
E-mail: sales@e-cps.co.uk
www.e-cps.co.uk
With new releases and returning favourites January is an exciting time for those who enjoy a night out at the cinema or at home in front of the TV
We all crave escapism in the depths of winter and this month both the silver and small screens are delivering. There are exciting new film releases, and some eagerly awaited TV favourites both on terrestrial and streaming platforms. These are some of my highlights.
We Live in Time
Scheduled for January 1st release this romantic comedy starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh is also a real tearjerker. Main characters Tobias and Almut are thrown together by a shocking encounter which changes their lives forever. This is a very unconventional love story but it’s very entertaining and likely to become a classic.
Written, directed and produced by star Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain also features the brilliant Succession’s Kieran Culkin, Will Sharpe and Dirty Dancing’s Jennfer Grey. Eisenberg and Culkin’s characters are mismatched cousins who reunite for a tour through Poland in honour of their grandmother. With its odd twists and turns years old tensions resurface.
Staring British actor Robert Pattinson, and featuring Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collete, Mickey 17 is a speculative science fiction movie with elements of dark comedy. As humans colonize the ice world of Niflheim an expendable employee replaces another who has died but it quickly becomes apparent that this new individual has most of the memories of the deceased one. This is one for sci-fi buffs.
Sunday evenings would not be the same without some glitz and glamour on the ice as we marvel at the spectacular costumes and who can actually stay upright. This year’s brave contestants feature former Eastender Charlie Brooks, ever youthful wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan, Sir Steve Redgrave and Dame Sarah Storey. The excitement begins on Sunday 12 January on ITV1.
The wait is over for fans of this sci-fi hit after Season 1 ended on a cliffhanger. Adam Scott again is Mark Scout, head of a team at Lumon Industries, whose employees have undergone a severance procedure to split their memories between their personal lives and the work lives. Producers are extremely tight lipped about Season 2 but assure fans that they won’t be disappointed. Severance begins streaming on Apple TV from 17 January.
One of my favourite dramas of recent years The Night Agent introduced the world to the excellent Gabriel Basso as FBI Agent Peter Sutherland, a man with a massive target on his back. Season 1 moved at lightning speed and producers assure us Season 2 will not disappoint with viewers continually wondering who Peter can trust, whilst offering to tie up the mystery of Peter’s late father. If you haven’t watched Season 1, it is a must before the new Season. The Night Agent will stream on Netflix from January.
By Rob Bullock
Clevedon Pantomine “Jack and the Beanstalk”
Clevedon Comedy Theatre Club presents it’s new production: “Jack and the Beanstalk” written by TLC Creative. Like every year, You are in for a treat. An excellent panto providing fun for all ages.
Shows: 23rd, 24th and 25th of January (three evenings and only one matinee show). Tickets are out now! Available to buy here: www.ticketsource.co.uk/cctc
Adults £14, under 16’s £12 (Thursday all tickets £12). You can also find us on Facebook: Clevedon Comedy Theatre Club.
RNLI Winscombe & District Branch will hold its Annual Super Quiz at 7:00pm on Saturday 1st February in Shipham Village Hall, New Road, Winscombe BS25 1SG. The Quiz will be for teams of six (£12 per head or £72 per team) and will include the usual “Mega Ploughman’s Supper”, a bar (Beers, Ciders,, Wines & Soft Drinks) and a prize raffle. Doors will open at 7:00pm and
the Quiz will begin at 7:30pm. Contact Tina Joyce by e-mail meejlfh@gmail.com or tel 01934 842304 for more details.
Following the success of the Green Shift Festival in 2024, Sustainable Clevedon are running a second festival on Sunday 23rd March at the Curzon Cinema, with other Fringe events. Please save the date and keep a look out for further details of speakers, events, music, films etc on local social media and on sustainableclevedon@gmail.com
We are a group of people who are living with Fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions who meet regularly to support each other. We meet on the third Monday every month plus for coffee in Nuffield Health (Weston) on Thursday mornings. Meetings are a mix of speakers, chat and information. We have a weekly hydrotherapy group and organize trips and meals out plus interest groups as required. For more information, call Val 07411989478 or Jules 07840189641; email wsmfibro@gmail.com
by simply replacing the doors and worktops
› Up to 50% less than a new fully fitted kitchen › Replacement kitchen doors
› Cost effective made to measure solution
› Worktops and appliances
› Quick installation in 2-3 days by local professionals
5 The Precinct, Brinsea Road, Congresbury, BS49 5JG Call us now for a free estimate: 01934 832361 or 01275 562031 9.8/10
See and Hear the Difference, with Andrew Bird Hearing at Tudball Opticians
Every Wednesday at Tudball Opticians on Hill Road, Andrew Bird continues to conduct one of Clevedon’s longest standing, independent hearing clinics offering professional ear care services and looking after Clevedon’s ears for the past fourteen years.
Maintaining its independence, Andy’s company ‘Andrew Bird Hearing’ has continued to operate as a traditional, family practice since 2007 and their client-first approach and personal passion to provide exceptional care are values shared with Lucie, the owner of Tudball Opticians.
As a fully qualified Hearing Aid Audiologist since 2003, Andy is available for comprehensive hearing tests and provide, service and repair hearing aids. Blocked ears? Andy is equally as qualified to perform ear wax removal, using water-less micro suction or traditional irrigation (syringing) techniques to restore your hearing dramatically.
Incorporating Andrew Bird Hearing’s expertise into Tudball Opticians’ own excellent optical offerings provides clients with access to both top-tier hearing and eye care, a convenient ‘one stop shop’ for your eyes and ears!
For hearing appointments, call 01275 244460.
For optical appointments, call Tudball Opticians on 01275 343353
Do you play a violin or other stringed instrument or a trumpet or clarinet or other wind instruments? Do you play drums? Are you looking to play with others?
Pill Festival Band welcomes new players so why not come along on a Monday night? We usually meet 7:00pm at Penny Brohn, Ham Green and details are on our web site www.pfb.org.uk
We are a friendly group, we play a range of popular music at local events, are available for bookings and always have room for more members.
The Shipham Inn (Somerset - BS25 1TW) would like to welcome new members to join their regular Mah-Jong Group. Whether you’re a novice, experienced MahJong player or someone who would like to learn to play a warm welcome awaits. My hope is that we can make these enjoyable, social evenings playing a game that originated in the Far East.
1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month: 7:30 pm start. Free.
Contact: mark.trenchard53@gmail.com or phone / text 07815681580.
Portishead Concert Band - If you play a musical instrument, join us for our exciting spring season. Current and rusty players, of any age, welcome. Lots of enjoyment to be had playing with other people.
Come and join us every Tuesday from 7:30pm until 9:00pm at St Nicolas’ Church, Nore Road, Portishead.BS20 8EN.
Contact for more information: Chris on 07790446188 cdpearce@btinternet.com Facebook www.facebook.com/search/ top?q=portishead%20concert%20band
We walk on Wednesdays and Saturdays in all parts of North Somerset and Somerset.
Why not come and join us enjoying fresh country air and friendly company, whilst getting yourself fit and active.
Visit our website www.westonwalkinggroup. co.uk to check where the next walk is, and come and join us.
You will be made very welcome.
We wish everyone a very happy New Year. Our Inner Wheel year runs from July to June, so although we are now in 2025, our year continues in January.
We still offer a warm welcome to ladies who would enjoy the companionship of this friendly
club, while providing service to the community.
Our January meeting will be a Burns afternoon tea. Ladies, please do come and join us if you are looking for a new interest.
Kenn Road Methodist Church, 2:30pm, 3rd Wednesday each month.
Any guitarists/keyboard players interested in joining our friendly group?
We’re 12 people (singers and instrumentalists) who sing and play songs primarily, but not only, from the 50s, 60s and 70s. We meet up every 2 weeks for a great sing-a-long for fun. It’s a casual, relaxed group and everyone is welcome who can play a musical instrument and sing.
Where? In the hall at St. Peter’s Church, Clevedon. BS21 7QH. (Off-road parking in Copse Road.)
When? Every other Thursday of the month.
Fee: approx. £2.00 per session.
Info: jadeglnn@yahoo.co.uk
We are passionate about re-cycling, re-housing and re-using items, working with many local charities we distribute your unwanted items on your behalf. We always offer a FREE 1hour consultation to introduce ourselves and to discuss how we can help you.
Our clients know that allocating time to work alongside Happy Balance provides the impetus they need to make a start. Through experience we understand the importance of working with you at your pace, listening to you and helping you put into action what you want to achieve.
These are all scenarios from clients we have worked with:
• ‘I don’t want to leave it for the kids to sort’ – Feeling mindful that you need to get your home in order? You don’t want the family having to sort through everything when you are gone? We will work with you to streamline your home, recycle unwanted items and organise belongings you may wish to distribute to family and friends.
• My partner/parent has died – You’re not only dealing with grief but also thinking about how you clear the house? We are NOT house clearance. We work with you sensitively, practically and confidentially to organise their affairs and clear the house for sale or other.
• I am embarrassed – It’s all got on top of me and I just feel overwhelmed – Are you buying too many items, storing them away and feeling like you may be hoarding? Claire and SJ are non judgemental and through experience can help you declutter and regain control.
• I’m moving and need to downsize – I can’t physically or emotionally cope with my move and I need help. We are hands-on in preparing your belongings ensuring that when your removal firm comes to move you that you have already sorted through, de-cluttered and made sure all your items, big and small will fit into your new home giving you peace of mind.
• ‘Our family space isn’t working for us’ –Who can help us? Happy Balance will give you guidance, ideas and hands on support to make the changes to make your home a living space and not a storage space.
Are you embarrassed by the state of your oven? Do you hide your cooker door with a tea towel folded over the handle? Is your food being contaminated by past cooking?
You’re not alone – the vast majority of us hate cleaning our ovens – it’s a messy job with dangerous chemicals and it seems to take forever. But the benefits of cleaning it really are worth the effort to get it clean. If your oven is greasy then each time you heat it up, the grease already caked on in your oven will start to vaporize and permeate and taint your lovely fresh food. You’ll also find that your oven takes longer to get up to temperate as the grease forms a blanket-like layer which has to be heated first before the cavity of your oven gets heated. Keeping that oven door glass clean not only looks nice but also gives you the chance to check your food whilst it’s cooking without having to keep opening the oven door (letting the heat) to see how it’s doing.
Feeling exasperated about the thought of cleaning your oven? Then let OvenGleamers help you - we offer a professional deep cleaning service of your cooking appliances and are the only local oven cleaning company that does not
use harmful chemicals within your home. Give us a call and get your oven looking “as new” again.
Once your cooker’s clean again here are OvenGleamers 5 top tips for keeping your oven looking good between cleans:
1. Wipe up spills on the inside of the oven and oven door whilst the spills are still in liquid form.
2. Use an Oven Liner on the base of your oven or on the bottom rack to catch drips. These liners are non-stick and wipe clean easily or you can pop them in the dishwasher. (AGA clients can use these liners as non-stock liners in their roasting tins or baking trays)
3. Do not clean the exterior of an oven if it is hot. The heat will quickly evaporate the cleaning solution and leave a residue.
4. Soak the burner racks in warm, soapy water.
5. For stoves with flat top hob – simply spray with a gentle cleanser and wipe dry.
Graham Rogers is your local OvenGleamer and can be reached on 01275 370571. See our website www.ovengleamers.com for more details or check OvenGleamers’ Facebook page: @OvenGleamersBristol
By Mark Haddon
Mark Haddon’s The Porpoise is a sweeping and imaginative novel that weaves together contemporary narrative with ancient myth. Known for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Haddon ventures into different territory here with a story that explores trauma, survival, and transformation.
The novel begins with a tragic plane crash, which leaves wealthy Philippe without his beloved wife. Their newborn daughter, Angelica, survives, but her life is overshadowed by Philippe’s controlling and abusive behaviour. In her isolated and troubled existence, Angelica finds herself retreating into the world of her mind— and this is where Haddon’s novel takes an unexpected turn.
The narrative splits between Angelica’s plight and a parallel retelling of the ancient tale of Pericles, Prince of Tyre. The novel then moves between the modern and the mythical, with the story of Pericles embarking on a sea journey that mirrors Angelica’s emotional and psychological journey. As the characters cross between worlds, the boundaries of time and space blur, and Haddon’s lush, often poetic prose gives life to rich landscapes and deep emotional currents.
The Porpoise is an intense, complex novel. Haddon’s storytelling is both adventurous and reflective, drawing readers into a world where myth and reality intersect in fascinating ways, yet the thread of the central story remains strong.
By Muhammad Khan
Kick the Moon is a bold, thought-provoking teen novel that explores identity, friendship, and the pressures of growing up. It’s set in diverse, modern-day London, and centres around 15-year-old Ilyas Mian, a talented artist and comic book enthusiast who dreams of pursuing his passion for drawing, but his strict, traditional Pakistani father has different expectations for his future.
At school, Ilyas faces another challenge: he’s stuck in a dangerous dynamic with Imran, a volatile bully who expects Ilyas to stay loyal to him no matter what. When Ilyas befriends Kelly, a confident, outspoken classmate who encourages him to follow his dreams, he begins to rethink his relationship with Imran and question the path he’s on. But standing up for himself comes with risks, and Ilyas must navigate the pressures of school, his father’s expectations, and his personal ambitions.
Khan expertly portrays the struggles of young people trying to balance their identities between home and school, with themes of loyalty, masculinity, and the courage to be yourself woven throughout the novel. Ilyas’s journey is heartfelt and inspiring, filled with moments of humour and tension. The book’s authentic voice and relatable characters make it a standout in contemporary young adult fiction.
By Tash Donovan
Enjoy Church based in Portishead, is a vibrant community church reaching Portishead, Clevedon, Backwell, Nailsea and the surrounding areas. You can expect coffee & cake when you arrive, followed by a time of worship, and an inspirational message that will encourage you on life’s journey. There is also a fun filled programme for our children to engage with too.
Enjoy Church meets each Sunday at Somerset Hall at 10.30am. Groups also meet in homes during the week, with youth, and toddlers meeting weekly. Please visit www.enjoychurch.co.uk for more details.
The Coffee Social’s, started in 2024 and held at venues in Clevedon, Nailsea and Portishead have become a popular fixture. Dates and times are varied to try and suit as many members as possible. This January will be at the Scotch Horn Leisure Centre in Nailsea. Details on website. Brand new groups include birdwatching and walking, both already popular. Watch out for a cycling group due to start up in the Spring. Details about the above and more can be found on the new website. woodspring.u3asite.uk/welcome/
If you’re feeling rather flat after the festivities, why not enliven 2025 with a CASA course, or two... or three?! Our new programme offers 17 courses, some day schools, others weekly over 6 weeks, in a wide range of subjects including Art and Architecture, History, Literature, Music, the Natural World and Needlecrafts. We meet in Clevedon at either the Community Centre or the Friends Meeting House. Visit www.casaclevedon.org.uk for details of courses and how to book. Come and join us, meet up with old friends, make new ones and be inspired!
‘Companionship through socialising and sharing experiences with likeminded people’
Street Branch Royal Naval Association covers all areas of Somerset and meets monthly in the Wessex Hotel, 15 High St. Street, Somerset BA16 0EF. Current and ex RN, RM, WRNS, RFA, Reserves and Commonwealth personnel are welcome.
Associate membership is also available to relatives of current and former serving personnel, Sea/Marine Cadet staff and civilians. Monthly meetings include a raffle and end with the option of staying for lunch at the hotel. Contact Chairman Mike Jayes, Tel: 07805 516946 Email: streetrnachair@gmail.com for details of the next meeting.
Free and friendly Health Walks available in your area!
30 to 60 minute Health Walks are available in Churchill and Cheddar, Clevedon, Congresbury, Long Ashton, Nailsea, Portishead, Weston-super-Mare, Winscombe and Yatton. No need to book, just come along! Please see our website for the dates, times and meeting places: www.betterhealthns.co.uk/getactive/walking/
Or contact us at: getactive@n-somerset.gov.uk 01275 882 730
Somerset Sight recently arranged a talk by Fraud Protection Officer from Avon and Somerset Police to help people to avoid scams. 30 people, all with sight impairment, attended.
Scammers are very clever and wish to panic people into action which they would not normally consider. They use our vulnerabilities, such as your child being in distress to extract money.
For example, “Hi mum it is Susie this is my new number, I have lost my phone, and this is my new number. I need some money to pay the garage who fixed my car, as I have lost my card and need to pay for my car bill. Please could you pay into my friend Louise’s account as I’ve lost my card as well.”
Stop and think – would your son or daughter normally contact you like this? If unlikely this could be a scam. Take time to consider, at least five minutes. Do not act on impulse. Discuss with two other people before before taking any action. Call your child’s number to check.
“This is very helpful advice; I now feel better equipped should I receive such a text or email”
Somerset Sight will arrange further talks in the New Year, at the many social groups across the county.
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