LocalReach Clevedon May 2024

• Contemporary 3 seater sofa with reversible cushions

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Deadline is 29th April for the June issues

For Business Advertising call 01275 400160

or visit our website www.localreach.co.uk

Deadline is 29th April for the June issues

Garden View

This month – Nutritious nettles

As a novice gardener I spent a lot of time pulling out nettles from the overgrown patch I inherited when I bought my first home. Fast forward twenty years and I have learned that I was doing the humble nettle a disservice.

Contrary to their reputation for stinging and being a pervasive nuisance, nettles offer numerous (and free) benefits. These include serving as a rich nutrient source for your garden, attracting helpful insects, and even being a delightful edible option when gathered properly.

You can leverage the nutrient-rich nature of nettles by making a homemade, organic liquid fertilizer. Nettles are packed with some fabulous gardenfriendly elements such as nitrogen, calcium, and magnesium, all vital for plant growth.

Any part of the plant can be used, even the older, tougher parts, and the process is straightforward. Chop the nettles and pack them into a sealable container (to mitigate any unpleasant smells) before submerging them in water. Let the mixture sit for about a month to create a potent nettle tea. Dilute this tea with water in a ratio of 1:10 for a nutrient-rich feed, ideal for nurturing leafy greens like kale, chard, and spinach.

Nettles also double as an excellent mulch for bigger plants or fruit bushes and act as a compost accelerator by enhancing the breakdown process in your compost pile. However, avoid using the roots or seeds, to prevent unintended growth.

By allowing some nettles to grow on your patch, you support the lifecycle of butterfly species such as red admiral, small tortoiseshell, painted lady, and comma butterflies, and also offer a habitat for beneficial insects such as ladybirds, which control aphid populations and other garden pests.

In addition to their usefulness in the garden, nettles are a versatile ingredient in the kitchen. Using gloves to avoid the stings, nettles can be harvested and used just like spinach, boasting a similar high iron content. They’re perfect for steaming or as the base for a soup - blend boiled potatoes and tender nettles with vegetable stock, season and enrich with a spoon of cream for a hearty dish…perfect after a day working in the garden!

Happy gardening,

By Rachael Leverton

Is Sunday 28th April in your diary?

Clevedon Bowling Club at the top of Chapel Hill is looking forward to seeing you at one of our Open Days. From 10:00am to 4:00pm on Sunday the 28th April and 26th May we will offer free equipment and tuition for you to try this lovely game. Come and look around the Club you’ve often walked past admiring our lawn. Talk to any of our lovely members and see how this could be a new adventure for you. No-one is excluded. All are welcome. See you soon.

Join in with North Somerset Walk Fest this May!

Look out for a brochure full of walks and events happening across North Somerset for the whole of May, to celebrate National Walking Month

Pick up a copy in your local library, or visit: n-somerset.gov.uk/nswalkfest to find out more.

Barn Dance @ Pill Memorial Club

Grab your partners, friends and book the date in your diary for this brilliant evening of fun! Stopping half way through for a ploughman’s :-)

Saturday 4th May, doors open 7:00pm. Pill Memorial Club, BS20 0DH. £10 for Members, £15 for Non-Members.

Tickets available from the bar during opening hours.

Come and try your hand at bowls!

Clevedon Promenade Bowling Club (on the seafront) are having an Open Day on Sunday 5th May, 10:00am - 4:00pm and invite you to come along and have a try at bowls!

Anyone over 8 can have a go. Free equipment and shoes are available but your own flat shoes should do! Refreshments available.

For further information contact Andy on 875754.

AGM Friends of North Somerset Community Hospital

The Annual General Meeting will be held in the Little Teapot Cafe in the grounds of the hospital in Old Street, Clevedon on Tuesday 7th May at 7:00pm. Come and see what the Friends do for the hospital and perhaps consider joining the Committee.

How about giving this a try this month?

In these rather dark times, our Good News programme offers light relief for an afternoon. Of special appeal to men and women 60+ but everyone welcome, it includes music, readings, people’s stories, songs, poems, and a brief thought from the Bible. Always on 2nd Wednesdays, it is on 8th May at 2:30pm - 3:20pm followed by a cuppa and chat until 3:50pm. No charge, no collection, no catch, no need to book. Takes place in the upstairs auditorium at Clevedon Baptist on Queens Square (has disabled facilities). Enquiries: Judi Spencer 07762946560.

Come and Join us in Our 45th Anniversary Year!

Our next meetings are on May 8th & 22nd, June

5th & 19th. 2:15pm for a 2:30pm start with tea/ coffee provided during the interval. We have presentations given by professional speakers and our own members. Come and join a friendly group of people with a shared interest in a wide range of recorded music. We meet at Milton Methodist Church, 2 Milton Hill, Weston-Super-Mare BS22 9RA. (The hall is behind the church).

For more details email: simonrawlings9@gmail. com or call/text Simon on 07971474968

Visit our website at: www.thefrms.co.uk/affprogs/wsm_home.htm

Defibrillator Project - UpdatesMaking A True Difference!

The Donate For Defib W-s-M Project has installed 3 further defibrillators for venues in Weston super Mare over the last month. A defibrillator donated to the project by BEESWIFT Ltd, has been given to the Community Response Team in Weston, this defibrillator will also be used on the MavisBus when in operation. An Only Fools and Horses fundraising evening is being held at the Tropicana on May 10th, to raise funds for defibrillators, tickets on sale soon. For further information please email, donatefordefib.wsm@gmail.com Independent

The Memory Police

by Yoko Ogawa

This is a hauntingly beautiful and dystopian novel that delves into the fragility of memory and the essence of loss. Set on an unnamed island, the story unfolds in a world where objects and concepts are systematically disappearing, erased from existence and memory by the enigmatic Memory Police. The narrative is centred around a young novelist who struggles to preserve her memories and those of the island’s inhabitants.

Ogawa’s writing is elegantly simple yet profoundly deep, weaving a tale that is as much a melancholic meditation on memory as it is a compelling story of resistance and survival. The island’s inhabitants, resigned to the relentless loss of their surroundings, adapt to each disappearance with a troubling nonchalance. This eerie acceptance of loss is one of the novel’s most chilling aspects, highlighting the insidious nature of the Memory Police’s power.

The novelist (who is also unnamed), with the help of an old man and a risk-taking editor who is immune to the forgetfulness, attempts to defy the Memory Police by hiding her editor in a secret room. Their struggle against the inevitable tide of forgetfulness forms the heart of the story, illustrating the human capacity for resilience in the face of oppressive forces.

The atmosphere of subtle suspense and creeping dread imbues the story with a quiet intensity. The characters are sketched with a delicate touch, yet they are profoundly relatable in their quest to hold onto their memories and identities. This

struggle against the erasure of memory becomes a powerful metaphor for the larger human experience of loss and the effort to preserve our own pasts.

The Memory Police is not just a story about an authoritarian regime’s control over personal memories; it is also a reflection on the impermanence of existence. Ogawa explores the idea that what makes us human is not just our ability to remember but also our capacity for empathy and connection.

Clem and Crab

by Fiona Lumbers

This is a lovely story about cleaning up our beaches. The story is a simple one: Clem loves to search the beach for things to put in her bucket. After a fun day at the seaside, Clem finds a Crab with its claw tangled in a plastic bag. She wants to take him home and keep him safe, but reluctantly lets him go back to the sea after her sister explains it’s where he belongs. On her way home on the bus, Clem finds Crab tucked away in her trouser leg, and Crab ends up going on an adventure to Clem’s school and inspires Clem to want to help clear the beaches of horrible plastic junk.

The story is fun and easy to follow, and the illustrations are charming. The environmental message is there but it’s never preachy. It’s a nice gentle introduction for children about the importance of taking care of our planet.

By Tash Donovan

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Jumble Sale in aid of Tickenham Flower Show

The next Jumble Sale in aid of Tickenham Flower Show, will take place on Saturday 11th May at Tickenham Village Hall from 2:00pm. All the favourite stalls will feature: bric-a-brac, books and CDs, clothes, children’s toys and books, and of course the Stage which will have its usual array of goods. Come and have a good browse, you never know what you will find. Entry is 50p, refreshments available too. Due to the nature of the event we request no dogs in the Village Hall.

Clevedon Flower Show 2024 Schedules Available Now

At Posies, Alexandra Rd, West End Post Office and Stores, Spinning Weal, The Veg Box, Clevedon Library, Clevedon Town Council Office, Clevedon Craft Centre (Stear & Bright). We’re planning a great entertainment line up for our Summer Show, with a very special Pony Show as our lead attraction for both days. This year our chosen charity is The Marlens/Clevedon Marine Lake. Don’t forget we have our annual plant sale in

Clevedon’s Queens Square on 12th May 9:00am1:00pm so do come along and support this event too.

Quiz Night with guest quizmaster ‘Jane Burnett’

Do you have what it takes? Go head to head and win yourself a prize. £2 per person, teams of 4, but whatever works! Everyone 18 and over welcome.

Wednesday 15th May, 8:00pm - 10:00pm. Pill Memorial Club, BS20 0DH. Open to both members and non-members.

Clevedon G&S Society proudly present The Mikado

Musical Director: Richard Lennox. At the Prince’s Hall, Clevedon Community Centre, Princes Road, Wednesday - Friday, 15th - 17th May. Tickets from Ticket Source online, clevedongands. boxoffice@gmail.com or from K Mulholland 01275 873902. Tickets Adults £15, under 16s £10. www.clevedongs.co.uk

Cruse support for the bereaved in Clevedon and surrounding area

You will receive a warm welcome on Friday 17th May at our Cruse Support drop-in, Clevedon Community Centre, Princes Road, between 10:00am and 12:00noon. Trained bereavement volunteers will be present to talk to you in confidence. Please bring a friend with you if you wish. Refreshments will be provided. If you enjoy walking, please try our ‘Walk and Talk’ which will take place on Wednesday 8th May. You can register your interest by emailing: bristol@cruse. org.uk and leaving your contact details, or register at our monthly support drop-in.

Make a big leap and a splash with us...

Saturday 18th May “Vintage Cheddar” at The Church Centre, 52 Woodborough Road BS25 1BA. Winscombe Folk Club is staging a Rock Concert / Dance – yep a leap into the unknown but all in aid or the RNLI which is celebrating 200 years of saving lives. The “Vintage Cheddar” Rock Band will perform songs from Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and of course the Beatles and ABBA plus

Bank Holidays

Why do we have them?

Before 1834, the Bank of England and other institutions observed 33 closure days annually for festivals and saints’ days. This number was significantly reduced in 1834 to just four: May Day, All Saints Day, Good Friday, and Christmas Day, reflecting the changes brought about by the industrial revolution and the need for more regulated banking operations.

The Bank Holidays Act of 1871, driven by Sir John Lubbock, a Liberal politician and banker, expanded the holidays to include Easter Monday, Whit Monday, the first Monday in August, and Boxing Day, while May Day was

many more. Doors open at 7:30pm and tickets at £8 + fee from universe.com/winscombe. RNLI Bar available.

WSM Flower Club

Monday 20th May, 2:00pm for 230pm start at St Georges Community Centre BS22 7XF. Join like minded people for an enjoyable afternoon watching flower arranging demonstrations - try to win an arrangement in the raffle, chat and make new friends over a cup of tea. All welcome. Visitors £7 entry. Raffle Tickets £1 a strip. Tea/ Coffee and Biscuits £1. Find us on Facebook

Quietly Bringing Change

Since the time of Jesus, Christians have known that God is a Father who wants us to share with Him in prayer, to change us, and to change things for us and others. Prayer 4 Clevedon will meet to pray blessing on all in the town on Thursday 23rd May, 2:30pm - 4:00pm at Town Council Offices, 44 Old St. (They also meet for 30 minutes on Zoom every Tues and Fri, 8:00am - 8:30am). More info from Tim Simpson 01275 872 618 / prayer4clevedon@ gmail.com

omitted for its pagan connotations, and New Year’s Day was added for Scotland, recognizing its distinct traditions like Hogmanay. These days were initially referred to as St Lubbock’s Days.

The Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 updated these holidays, replacing Whit Monday with the late May spring holiday, moving the August bank holiday to the last Monday of the month, and reintroducing May Day as Labour Day in 1978. Bank holidays are annually declared by royal proclamation, which also allows for adjustments if these dates fall on weekends—a practice not common worldwide. Additionally, royal proclamations occasionally grant extra holidays for special occasions, like the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011 and the Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

May is a good month for bank holidays every year... because we get two!

May Day remains a celebration of spring and renewal, with local festivities reflecting ancient traditions. But perhaps the most widely recognised custom on all bank holidays is a modern one…the chance to do some DIY!

By Tom Hancock

Navigating Life with Hearing Loss

Hello to our wonderful friends, from Claire, Mia, Emma and Toby at Meadows and Wood Hearing Care. Recently, I came across an interesting article about how people react to a decline in their hearing, and thought I would share my insights so that those suffering feel less alone in their journey.

A recent survey of a thousand adults aged 50 and above found that 64% reported experiencing hearing difficulties. However, nearly a quarter of them had never attended a formal hearing test, and of those, only 14% have tried hearing aids in the past.

Individuals facing hearing difficulties also report various negative impacts on their daily lives, including:

• 40% mentioned negative effects on their personal relationships;

• 32% reported negative impacts on their mental health;

• 31% expressed difficulties in conducting day-to-day activities.

Almost half of those suffering with hearing loss feel as though others don’t quite understand how much it has impacted their lives. Around 55% mention negative impacts on their ability to enjoy entertainment, while 42% had negative impacts on socialising. It’s incredibly important to check in with our loved ones, especially when we notice changes in their usual routines, moods, or if they seem a bit more withdrawn.

De Wet Swanepoel, Professor of Audiology and Editor-in-Chief of the IJA, mentions that over half of those suffering with hearing loss dismiss it as an inevitable part of getting older. This results in an average delay of seven years before they make the decision to take action on their hearing after first experiencing signs.

If you or your loved one need advice on hearing, we are here for you in North Somerset’s only full time and fully independent audiology and tinnitus treatment clinic. With various locations across North Somerset, we encourage you to take the first step to a better lifestyle, with the friendly support of your local team. Please see our contact details below.

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Come and join us for a fun Quiz Night!

Quiz Night in aid of Inner Wheel charities, at 7:00pm on Friday 24th May in St. Andrew’s Church Hall, Clevedon. Teams of no more than 6 persons. £5 per head. Bring your own drinks and nibbles.

For tickets and further information, ring or text 07810 26490

Pop Up Play Village is coming to Pill!

Wednesday 29th May. We are a mobile, educational role play village for children to engage, explore, and have fun. We have created an environment where children from babies through to 6 years are inspired and excited to play! Enter our role play world where children become doctors, chefs, artists, vets, builders, posties, waiters and shopkeepers. Here imagination leads the way, so no two play sessions are ever the same! Suitable for 0 – 6 year olds.

Book online: popupplayvillage.co.uk/organiser/ north-of-bristol/

Family Quiz Night!

Gather the gang and battle it out at our Family Quiz Night. All ages are welcome, £5 per team with a chance of winning a prize! Wednesday 29th May, 6:00pm - 8:00pm at Pill Memorial Club, BS20 0DH.

Open to both members and non-members.

www.pillmemorialclub.co.uk

Interactive Dementia Friendly Family Day!

Join the Kubiak Dementia Foundation at Penny Brohn on Saturday 15th June 11:00am4:00pm for an interactive Dementia friendly family day. Completely free of charge (with donations to the foundation gratefully received).

The day includes arts & craft, music, a range of therapies, nature walks and more.

Refreshments will also be available.

Fibromyalgia Support Group

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 Monday afternoons for Tai Chi and Crafts, plus for coffee in Nuffield (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

Would you like to join a local Concert Band?

Do you play a violin or other stringed instrument or a trumpet or clarinet or other wind instrument? Do you play drums? Are you looking to play with others? Pill Festival Band welcomes new players and if you want to join a band 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 and always have room for more members.

Mah-Jong: A beautiful game filling you with joy and curiosity

The Shipham Inn (Somerset - BS25 1TW) would like to welcome new people to join their regular MahJong Group. Whether you’re a novice, experienced Mah-Jong 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: 7:30pm start. Free. Contact: mark.trenchard53@gmail. com or phone / text 07815681580.

International Inner Wheel - The World’s Largest Women’s Service Organisation

The objects of Inner Wheel are Service and Friendship. We are your local branch of this amazing organisation - The Inner Wheel Club of Clevedon - and are a friendly group of ladies who

enjoy each others company socially while raising funds for the needs of the community. We are always happy to welcome new members. The Club meets at The Methodist Church Hall, Clevedon on the third Wednesday of the month, at 2:30pm. If you would like more information, please contact us through our Facebook page.

Skittles, starting soon!

Are you interested in playing Skittles? New & existing team members are welcome to join. Summer League - Friday’s (6 a side) & Hardwick Cup - Wednesday’s & Thursday’s (12 a side). Forms are available behind the bar to sign up. Contact Dave Anderson for more information – 07969 347 655.

Pill Memorial Club, BS20 0DH www.pillmemorialclub.co.uk 01275 372176

Free play sessions for the whole community, every Saturday!!

ParkPlay is 90 minutes of free community play, every Saturday, for everyone. Make friends, have fun, get moving!

10:30am at Cherry Avenue Playground in Clevedon, BS21 6DX. Look out for the ParkPlay flag, we’ll be there – rain or shine. If you can, please register before you come along: park-play.com/ register/ (you only need to this once). Find out more about ParkPlay here: www.betterhealthns. co.uk/information/parkplay/

Welcome to Our New Rector

We were pleased to welcome our new Rector, Reverend Nicki Bradford to Tickenham and Christchurch, Nailsea in April. We look forward to working with her.

Everyone is welcome to our services, held on every Sunday of the month. See our website www.tickenhamchurch.uk for details.

Come along, too, to our Summer Fayre on June 15th from 12 noon at Tickenham Village Field. Stalls, drinks and other refreshments and children’s games will be just part of the fun.

Our Friday Night Light continues through the Summer at Tickenham Church from 6:00pm7:30pm.

Happy Balance…

Supporting your busy life

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.

Join a free and friendly Health Walk!

30 to 60 minute Health Walks are available in Churchill and Cheddar, Clevedon, Flax Bourton, 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

Be Strong and Steady in Clevedon with Age UK Somerset

Age UK Somerset wants to help you stay independent as you get older. The ageing process affects our balance, muscles and joints so keeping active is vital. One way to improve your balance and strength is to join a ‘Strong and Steady’ class. The fun, friendly sessions are

Puzzle Solutions

Mindbender:

1: The fast lane 2: Man overboard

3: Pie in the sky

specially designed, following evidence-based exercise programmes proven to help prevent falls. If you feel less steady than you used to, contact Age UK Somerset for a chat about options in your area.

Call 01823 345614 or email fallsprevention@ ageuksomerset.org.uk

Clevedon Care need additional volunteer drivers to meet increasing demand

Clevedon Care is a registered charity run by volunteers since 1988. We help people in the BS21 postcode area access medical appointments within Clevedon and further afield.

We’re getting busier (approximately 3000 journeys were requested in 2023) and we need more help. Drivers use their own cars and donations to cover the cost, are paid direct to the driver in cash at the time of the journey.

If you would like to know more, please visit www.clevedoncare.org.uk/volunteering, or our Facebook page or contact Shirley our driver coordinator on 07816 479600