Portisheadvoice December 2018

FREE EVERY MONTH for people and businesses in Portishead December 2018 Issue 3

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Read more, pg. 14

LETTERS PAGE P26 | PUZZLE PAGE P27 | WHAT'S ON P30

www.stpetersvoice.co.uk Portishead remembers

Get £5 off any tree with KINGSLEY CHRISTMAS TREES Voucher on P5

P3 Morgan-Westley to switch on lights P6 Parish meeting reaches full capacity P22 WW1: How local people coped

Photo by EJThomas Photography One hundred years ago, a formal agreement was signed to put an end to the fighting in World War One. A century on, Portishead has been remembering those who courageously gave their lives and those who have continued to do so ever since.

Many commemorative events took place throughout November, with thousands being raised for charities that support service men and women.

On November 11, commemorations culminated in the town's annual parade, which saw hundreds of people line the

High Street, followed by an act of Remembrance at St Peter's Church.

A beacon of light was then lit at Battery Point in the evening to remember the fallen.

Pages 10-11

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Contacts

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Richard Coulter Publisher 0777 555 0607 | richard@portisheadvoice.co.uk Becky Day Editor 07912 484 405 | becky@portisheadvoice.co.uk Ruth Drury Advertising sales 07590 527 664 | ruth@portisheadvoice.co.uk

Next month's deadline for editorial and advertising is December 12.

COMPLAINTS If you have a complaint about anything in the Portisheadvoice, contact the Editor using the details below. We take complaints seriously and aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour.

Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Voice website www.localvoicenetwork.co.uk, or can be obtained by contacting the publisher, above.

You can find Portisheadvoice on Facebook facebook.com/ portisheadvoice on Twitter @portisheadvoice and on Instagram @portisheadvoice EDITOR’S NOTE: Portisheadvoice 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 although we have used some of the services. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor.

Portisheadvoice is distributed each month to residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from one of many public places. Feedback is welcomed, call publisher Richard Coulter on 0777 555 0607 or richard@portisheadvoice.co.uk.

HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH WITH ...

My MP? Dr Liam Fox Email: ione.douglas@parliament.uk Tel: 020 7219 4198 Post: The Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP, House of Commons, SW1A 0AA My district councillor?

Portishead West Con, Felicity Baker Email: felicity.baker@n-somerset. gov.uk Tel: 01275 840 232 Con, David Jolley Email: david.jolley@n-somerset. gov.uk Tel: 01934 641 186 Portishead East Con, David Oyns Email: david.oyns@n-somerset. gov.uk Tel: 01275 818 416 Con, David Pasley Email: david.pasley@n-somerset. gov.uk

Tel: 01275 842 402 Portishead North Con, Reyna Knight Email: reyna.knight@n-somerset. gov.uk Tel: 01275 849 997 Portishead South Con, Peter Burden Email: peter.burden@n-somerset. gov.uk Tel: 01275 848 087 My town councillors?

Councillors' contact details can be found at: portishead.gov.uk/TownCouncillors.

The town council can be contacted: In person: Office open Mon-Fri, 10am-12.30pm By letter: The Town Council, the Folk Hall, 95 High Street By phone: 01275 847 078

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'Tell us how developer money can benefit our town' - residents Residents have called on North Somerset Council to deliver a presentation on developer money and how it is being spent in Portishead.

Locals came up with a proposal for an information event at a parish meeting on November 6 in response to a presentation given by a local resident on developer money.

Residents are now calling on Portishead Town Council to urge North Somerset Council (NSC) to put on a special event to inform locals about Section 106 funds – the money paid to communities by developers to mitigate any issues caused by the development, for example increasing school places or enhancing public spaces.

Those at the parish meeting heard from resident Janet Davey that Portishead has received over £2.7m in S106 money since July 2016, with only 16 percent having been spent in Portishead.

Ms Davey said that under half of the funds are still unspent and the town could be at risk of losing this money if it is not spent by a certain time.

She believes that some of the money needs to be spent as soon as May 2019.

Ms Davey said: “As residents, we would like a presentation on the subject of S106 and [for NSC] to inform us how and when these funds will benefit our town.

“There is all of this money just sitting there, while our town is

going to wrack and ruin.”

Since the residents’ meeting, Portishead town councillors have met with North Somerset Council officers to receive clarification of each individual S106 project relating to Portishead.

Following the meeting on November 15, town council chairman, Peter Mitchell, said: “The meeting with North Somerset Council officers was extremely enlightening.

Every individual project has a complex chain of actions and administration process attached to it and these all have to be completed before monies can be released for the projects for which they are intended. Having now explored the situation in depth I am confident that all S106 funds due to benefit Portishead are safe and will be spent on Portishead in the near future."

Portishead Town Council is now putting together a document detailing each S106 related project, which, once complete, will be available to the public.

Cllr Mitchell added: "The town council will continue to monitor the stages of each individual project to ensure that funds are received when the necessary processes have been completed."

Portisheadvoice understands that the meeting with NSC officials was already arranged before the parish meeting on November 6.

Open air pool's history celebrated in new book Ten years ago, Portishead Open Air Pool was threatened with closure.

Now a decade on, a special book has been launched to celebrate the pool’s success in a year which saw a record number of over 53,000 visitors pass through its doors.

Celebrating Portishead Open Air Pool is a fully illustrated history book written by John Birkinshaw of Portishead Pool Community Trust and published by Clevedon Community Bookshop Cooperative’s independent press.

It is the third publication from Clevedon Community Press and charts the history of the open air pool from when suggestions that

it should be built was first mooted in 1924 through to its opening in 1962 – and onto the present day.

In 2008, the pool was threated with demolition, but a successful campaign led by STOP (Save the Open Air Pool) led to the establishment of Portishead Pool Community Trust and its subsequent reopening in May 2009.

There will be an official launch of the book at Café Lido at Portishead Open Air Pool on Friday, November 30, 7.30pm where the author will be available to sign copies. Everyone is welcome and there is no need to book.

Celebrating Portishead Open Air Pool can be purchased for £9.95.

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A bright idea for retiring shop owners

For the owners of MorganWestley, being presented with the honour of switching on this year’s Christmas lights could not be a more fitting tribute.

Not only because it is a testament to owners Rosemary and Matt Westley’s contribution to the High Street over the last three decades, but also because Rosemary used to organise the Christmas lights when she first started her business from home in the 60s.

Residents took to social media to call for the couple to switch on the lights after learning that the shop is set to close in February next year.

One of the motivating decisions behind closing MorganWestley, Matt says, is because of Rosemary’s ill health.

Rosemary started the business back in 1966, typesetting books for the likes of Pitman Publishers and Oxford University Press.

She used her middle name 'Morgan' instead of 'Rosemary' for the business name, as it was felt that it would give her more of an equal footing against other big businesses.

Ten years later, Matt left his job working for British Aerospace to support the business and help with the printing.

It was then in 1985 that the couple decided to open MorganWesterly on the High Street to meet the growing demand for stationery.

Over the years, MorganWestley has evolved as a popular one-stop shop within the community – not only selling stationery, but tickets for local events and their annual

Portishead calendar.

Matt told the Portisheadvoice: “When Rosemary started the business, she became secretary of the Portishead Chamber of Trade and it was through this that she ended up single-handedly running the Christmas lights.

“She would walk up and down the High Street, with baby in push chair, rallying the support

of local businesses. So, it’s really great to have been asked to switch on the lights – we’ll be finishing on a bit of a high.”

Matt added: “It feels like the right time to be closing, but it is sad because we know so many people in the town and we have learnt what they want and need over the years.

“Everyone has been saying how sad they are.

“We may not have always had the money, but we’ve always had the time and expertise to help people out.

“It’s been a seven-day a week job for many years, so it’ll be good for us to finally get some well-earned rest.”

The Christmas light switchon is taking place on November 26, in Portishead High Street, opposite the precinct at 6.15pm.

Rosemary and Matt Westley will be switching on Portishead's Christmas lights on November 26

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'All we want for Christmas is a skate ramp' Portishead could be getting a new skate ramp in time for Christmas.

The 16ft by 18ft half-pipe would be built and gifted to Portishead by Stuart Walsh and Matt Staines, the owners of the new Sk8 or Die skateboarding shop in West Hill, and has been earmarked for Merlin Park.

Mr Walsh put the idea forward to the town council’s recreation and works committee on October 31.

In a blog on the shop’s website, Stuart said: “We wanted to introduce ourselves, to publicly offer our gift to the town, gauge the reaction from

councillors and find out who we needed to approach.

“We offered [the ramp] for Merlin Park because there is already skate/wheels equipment and our ramp would either be additional or an upgrade.

“The ramp is an effective and inexpensive short time solution to meet current demand.”

As a result of the proposal and a subsequent meeting held at Merlin park with town councillors and North Somerset Council officials, it was agreed for the ramp to be positioned on the grass area - owned by NSC - just outside the tarmacked ‘T’ shape.

The current skate ramps at Merlin Park At the time Portisheadvoice went to print, another meeting was due to take place to outline the exact area for the ramp.

Portisheadvoice understands

Stuart Walsh (left) and Matt Staines, owners of Sk8 or Die in West Hill

that North Somerset Council has offered its resources to level out the area, and once this has been done, the ramp can be built.

Mr Walsh told the Portisheadvoice: “There are definitely more pros than cons for having a decent skate ramp in Portishead.

“People will no longer have to get in cars or on buses to go for a decent skate, they can do it right here in Portishead.

“Our customers have been very excited and supportive of the idea, we think the ramp will be really popular, not just for kids but adults who skate too.”

Mr Walsh said that the ramp would last for up to 10 years and would be maintained by himself and Mr Staines.

At a full town council meeting on November 14, Cllr Ros Cruse, who attended the meeting at Merlin Park, said: "This council and North Somerset Council have tried to work together to accommodate these young gentleman who want to give something to the young people of the town for Christmas. So hopefully it will be there."

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Residents turned away at packed parish meeting

It was a full house at a recent parish meeting, which was called for in response to residents’ growing discontent with Portishead Town Council.

Residents had to be turned away from the Folk Hall on November 6, when the meeting reached full capacity of 100 people – the maximum amount the venue can hold.

The meeting was called for by residents at October’s town council meeting.

It was organised to provide an opportunity for local people to raise concerns and discuss solutions on how to improve communications between the public and town council.

The town council has faced mounting criticism in recent months following a planning and recreation meeting where a change to standing orders – the guidelines setting out the procedures of the meeting – prevented some residents from raising issues that were not on the agenda.

At the parish meeting, resident Paul Gardner said that this was the “straw that broke the camel’s back” and resulted in the special meeting being held.

Another local, Jonathan

Mock, referred to the town council as “embarrassing” and that the turn-out was a “damning indictment of [the town council’s] credibility”.

As reported in last month’s Portisheadvoice, senior councillors, chairman Peter Mitchell and vice chair Lesley Cottrell have defended their actions, saying that their standing orders are in place to enable meetings to “run smoothly” and allow “everyone to have their say”.

They advised residents to raise any concerns with their ward councillors ahead of any town council meeting to ensure the item is on the agenda.

Four Portishead councillors were in attendance of the parish meeting, including Lib Dems Sue Mason and John Clark and Conservative district councillors David Oynes and Paul Burden.

Apologies were sent from Mr Mitchell and Ms Cottrell.

At the meeting, following a series of speeches from residents, the public voted in favour for two proposals to be considered by the town council.

The first was for a oneday democracy event to be held to develop a plan on the

future running of the town council, which will go out to full consultation and be voted on by the council by their full meeting in February 2019.

The second was for North Somerset Council to hold an event in the town to inform locals about developer money and how it can be spent to benefit the residents of Portishead.

These motions are due to be considered at a full town council meeting on December 12.

Mr Gardener, who put the proposal forward to the town

council for the special residents’ meeting, said: “Democracy came back to life in spectacular fashion on November 6.

“It was really inspiring to hear the many positive ideas from speakers and there was a great sense that people wanted to be properly involved and contribute in whatever way they can to building a positive future for our town, which is not surprising given the renowned Portishead community spirit.”

Full house: residents at the parish meeting on November 6

High Street pub given new lease of life A High Street pub has been given a new lease of life, after being taken over by new ownership and a ‘vibrant’ management team.

The Old Mill Bar and Kitchen will be reopening on December 1, serving up a fresh, innovative menu and a wide selection of

fine wines, beers and spirits – including special and rare gins.

The team behind the venture, which includes experienced manager Tom Dabin and deputy manager Pilar Amores, hopes that the venue will be the ‘newest and hottest food and drink spot’

Manager Tom Dabin (left) and deputy manager Pilar Amores

in town.

The Old Mill has been lying vacant since its sudden closure in May 2018. It was only open for a year after replacing what was previously Mezze at the White Lion.

Metre-long pizzas, tomahawk steaks and craft burgers will just be a few of the menu items on offer, alongside plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.

From 8am during the week, and 9am on weekends, customers can enjoy a range of delicious breakfasts, pastries and cakes, alongside high-quality and speciality coffee from Clifton Coffee Roasters.

In the evening, there will be live music and events, and throughout the week, spaces available for hire for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and wakes.

The team is also hoping to develop a business hub for local

Photo courtesy of Google Maps

entrepreneurs to hot desk.

Pilar, who lives in the marina and has years of experience working in bars and restaurants, said: “We can’t wait to meet all the different people of Portishead – we want it to be a place for the whole community to come in and feel at home.”

For more information about The Old Mill Bar and Kitchen, visit the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ theoldmillbarandkitchen. They are now taking bookings for the festive season.

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'Don't ignore the Merchant Navy's contribution in WW1' A member of the local Merchant Navy Association has expressed his upset over the branch not being invited to attend a service dedicating Battery Point as a Centenary Field.

Centenary Fields is a partnership between the Royal British Legion and Fields in Trust, which protects green spaces - such as Battery Point - to commemorate those who gave their lives during the war, and ensure the space is preserved for future generations.

The event was organised by North Somerset Council (NSC) and attended by the Royal British Legion, Portishead town councillors and district councillors, and local school children.

Local resident Roy Shaw, who is from the Pill and North Somerset branch of the Merchant Navy Association, spoke about his disappointment at the November full town council meeting.

He said: “The memorial on

Battery Point was paid for and erected by the Pill branch in 2005.

“Had the Merchant Navy Association Branch been asked or invited to take part we would have been delighted to do so and to parade our standard with the [Royal British] Legion.

“It seems that whoever authorised the ceremony completely overlooked or perhaps ignored the contribution of the merchant service to the nation during World War 1.

“It must be remembered that they were unarmed civilians not trained, paid or expected to fight but they signed on to serve at sea knowing that it was extremely dangerous.

“Without the supplies of food and other vital supplies brought in by merchant ships we would not have been able to fight the war at all.”

At the town council meeting on November 14, district councillor David Pasley said: "As a member of NSC, I will make

sure the relevant officers are aware of the faux pas and please accept my apologies."

A spokesperson from NSC told the Portisheadvoice: "This mistake was due to a lack of information and we apologise for any hurt or offence caused.

We understand the association's

frustration but we would like to assure them they were not deliberately excluded.

"Our armed forces coordinator would like to write to the Merchant Navy Association to reassure them that the oversight was not intentional and we apologise once again."

Roy Shaw at Battery Point

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n ADVERTISING FEATURE Worried about Christmas after divorce? Here's what to do ... re you worried about Christmas? Christmas can be a challenging time of year when you’re together, let alone when you’re divorced or separated.

I remember my anxiety about Christmas the first couple of years after my divorce, especially the first time that our children were spending Christmas with their Dad. I knew I had a choice – to let it get me down or find new ways to enjoy Christmas. I chose to think creatively, and here are my top tips so you can too: Be open to change and possibility - Do you know other people in your position? Are they doing something you can join in with? Friends of mine got together for a “waifs and strays” Christmas day last year, clubbed together for lunch, and had a great time. Or maybe you fancy volunteering to help others?

Do things differently - What new traditions could you start?

When my children are at their Dad’s for Christmas day, we have a Bonus Christmas on a different weekend – turkey, all the trimmings, stockings, gifts, family over, the lot. Now their question is “when’s our Christmas this year Mum?” Flip it - If there was one good thing this Christmas, what would it

December, 2018

be? What can you do now that you couldn’t do before? I never thought I’d go to Morocco for Christmas until in 2013 I did.

Shift your focus - Notice when you begin to think in a way that makes you anxious. Instead of focusing on what you can’t do, ask yourself what you CAN do.

Plan - If you have children, start discussions early. Keep the children’s’ best interests central.

Remember they love you both. If you can, agree a long-term plan, like alternating Christmas and New Year, so that everyone knows what’s happening and potential for future conflict is minimised.

I just asked my 14-year-old son how he feels – “it’s great, we have two Christmases!” he shot back with a cheeky grin.

You can make a conscious choice to do something different and decide how you want to feel about Christmas. You can shift your focus and energy away from feeling worried and focus instead on what you can do to make it better.

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Magic! Window Wanderland returns for a second year Portishead residents can expect the return of wondrously dressed and brightly lit windows next February as Window Wanderland is set to go ahead for another year.

Following the success of last year’s first Window Wanderland in Portishead, the event will take place on February 9-10.

The community event, which was originally founded in Bishopston in 2015 by Lucy Reeves Khan, has already attracted almost 500 participants to the ‘Portishead Window Wanderland 2019’ Facebook event with about 20 homes and local businesses signed up to take part.

The local initiative is being organised by resident Karen Haynes who is encouraging local people, schools and businesses to open their curtains and create window displays to amuse, entertain, and enthral.

Together these windows will form a wonderful winter walking trail, aimed to raise spirits in the darkest part of winter and get local people walking their streets.

“I’m very pleased and delighted to be organising this event again in Portishead for year two,” said Karen. “Following the success of the first event earlier this year, I’m hoping that communities across the whole of Portishead will get behind creating another fantastic local community event.

“It’s great to see the buzz is building already and the event is taking shape – it’s time to get our thinking caps on!”

St Peter’s School, Flagship Boutique and the Lifeboat Station have signed up and Quay Marinas has confirmed that the front of Hall and Woodhouse can be used for a VW display, where vans will be decorated for wanderers to see.

The event has received sponsorship from Purple Bricks, Flagship Boutique, The Butchers Block and Hall and Woodhouse. Printed maps will also be available locally the week before the event.

The event is also supporting local air ambulances: www. justgiving.com/fundraising/HWPortishead-8aac.

To sign up, visit www.windowwanderland.com/area/portishead/ and sign-up to making an event.

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A 'Turn the Tide' window display at last year's event

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Jacky's garden makes BBC magazine shortlist

Jacky King’s garden is her pride and joy. “It’s very simple, but I just love the colours,” she smiles.

“Spending time in my garden is good therapy.”

And it’s certainly something she should be proud of, as last month the Portishead resident had made the shortlist in the BBC Gardeners’ World magazine’s ‘Garden of the Year’ competition.

The magazine received almost 500 entries, which were then whittled down to a shortlist of 11 – and Jacky, of Finisterre Parade – was one of them.

The passionate gardener was unknowingly put forward for the competition by her son and it was her 4m x 4m cottage-style front garden that delighted judges.

At the time of Portisheadvoice going to print, the public had been voting for their favourite garden in the shortlist, with the winner of the ‘People’s Choice Award’ set to be announced in the magazine’s December issue.

Jacky, who works as a pharmacist dispenser, says that she was delighted to have been shortlisted, but what humbles her most is the compliments she receives on a regular basis from appreciative passers-by.

“What gives me more than anything is the compliments I receive from local people and the

Local resident Jacky King pictured in her back garden in Finisterre Parade chats I have while tending my garden. People are just so lovely.

“I had one person say to me, ‘You don’t know me from Adam, but I love your garden.’ I’ve also had notes through the door saying how much they enjoy my garden.”

Jacky is often kept company in her garden by her aptly named toy poodle, Poppy.

This is not the first time

that Jacky’s garden has been commended – she also won gold in last year’s Portishead in Bloom competition.

Jacky spends about 25 hours a week in her garden, with many of her flowers – which include Canterbury bells, lupines, dahlias, delphiniums and roses – grown from seed. Her favourite flowers are roses and Canterbury bells.

Jacky – whose father was also a keen gardener – moved to Finisterre Parade 13 years when it was newly-built and both the front and back garden were covered in lawn.

As Jacky preferred flowers over grass, she dug up her lawn and filled the space with hundreds of beautiful flowers instead.

“When my children flew the nest, I needed something to nurture, so gardening became my hobby,” explained Jacky. “My kids would say it keeps me out of trouble!”

BBC Gardeners’ World editor Lucy Hall, says: “This year’s entries to our Gardens of the Year competition prove that we’re not only a nation of passionate growers, but we’re also truly global in seeking inspiration for our gardens.

“Escapism was the clear design trend that leapt out for judges, from the largest plot to the tiniest courtyard – a creative response, without doubt, to the pressures we all feel today from city living and our always-on society.

“This trend is set to grow, with more of us than ever improving not moving, investing time and money in making outdoor spaces as inviting and relaxing as our homes.”

Jacky's cottage style front garden. Photo courtesy of Jason Ingram, BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

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Portishead remembers

Above: Jubilee Park where more than 3,000 wooden poppies (see below) - created by a team of 17 people and decorated by local school children - were planted.

Right: The 100 poppies, to commemorate 100 years since the Armstice, displayed on the Full Fathom Five overlooking the Severn Estuary. An outstanding sum of ÂŁ10,000 has been raised for the Royal British Legion through local people and businesses sponsoring each poppy. The idea came from local resident David Prout.

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Special concert raises £1,800

A special commemorative concert, marking the centenary of the First World War, raised an amazing £1,800 last month.

The sell-out event saw more than 150 people attending, with proceeds going to the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes.

Those in attendance enjoyed an illustrated talk from local historian and author Sandy Tebbutt, with poems and songs performed by members of the Portishead Players alongside local accompanist Janet Davey.

The two-hour long concert then culminated in a special afternoon tea, with cream teas, sandwiches and cakes for all to enjoy.

The event was organised by Sandy Tebbutt with support from Portishead Town Council and local traders.

Sandy said: “It was a wonderful afternoon out and a special occasion to remember those who gave their lives in the First World Photos, above: The transparent silhouettes displayed at Portishead Methodist Church as part of the There But Not War. “We received lots of There exhibition. The silhouettes were awarded through the Armistice and Armed Forces communities programme compliments – one person said it was the best £10 they’d ever Photo, below: 2nd Portishead Scout group's poppy spent!” display. It was created by almost 200 children from the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts while they learnt about Remembrance day

Photo, above: Neil Gilbert served from 1943-1945 on a crewed frigate K222 HMS Teviot. He was initially a loader on a 20mm Oelikon anit-aircraft gun, then became a gunner after the original gunner was killed in action. After that, he served as a radar plotter and then in 1946, a minesweeper.

His rank was Able Seaman, he served in the East Indies fleet. Photo and words courtesy of EJThomas Photography

Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Becky on 07912 484405 or email becky@portisheadvoice.co.uk

12

T: 0777 555 0607

n PARENT BLOG

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With Portishead Parent

December, 2018

www.stpetersvoice.co.uk

Pantomimes for the whole family

O

ne of the highlights of Christmas for me and my boys, is taking our seats at a Christmas pantomime. It was their first taste of live theatre and they absolutely loved it. The lights, the music, the feeling of being part of the performance.

I’ve just written this year’s Christmas Shows and Pantomimes round-up, so I thought I’d bring you a selection of some of the smaller stage shows to choose from … and they won’t break the bank either.

The classic panto If you love to shout, ‘he’s behind you’ and watch someone

with a very deep voice playing Widow Twankey, here it is. Aladdin at the Redgrave Theatre promises to be the classic family panto you’re looking for. It’s performed

by Starlight Productions who raise funds for children’s charities including Childrens Hospice South West. So, another great reason to book your tickets.

Clevedon Comedy Theatre Club are performimg Mother Goose The Pantomime at Princes Hall Clevedon. This local theatre club specalises purely in comedy and pantos, so don’t miss this one.

For the little ones If sitting down for too long is not an option, how about these shorter shows made just for them? Igloo at the Bristol Old Vic is a sensory experience filled with sights, sounds and texturised play, suitable for babes in arms and toddlers, accompanied by their carers.

Beasty Baby at Tobacco Factory is a 50-minute show

Finding the right shoe for your sole

using an inspired mix of puppetry and live music. Mayhem and laughter wait around every corner as three people embark on a wild adventure to bring up this mischievous and totally loveable child.

On stage in Portishead This year Portishead Young Players are performing The Snow Queen at Somerset Hall. I’ve already booked our tickets for this one, as last year’s performance was so amazing. I can’t believe the talent of our local young people.

To welcome in the new year Crescendo Concerts is bringing Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes to life at Somerset Hall. Find out what Red Riding Hood is really like, see the wolf through the eyes of a little pig and enter the world of Roald Dahl's Dirty Beasts with The Pig, The Tummy Beast and The Crocodile.

decided to show their pantomime on the big screen at local cinemas.

We’re so lucky that it’s actually showing at our fabulous Curzon Cinema. I can admit I’ve already bought my tickets for this one too and I’m so excited – I love CBeebies.

I hope this has given you a taste of what’s on offer. If you’re looking for a Christmas present idea, why not chose a family ticket to one of these performances? No wrapping paper needed, and a great way to spend time together this Christmas.

Read my latest blog at portisheadparent.co.uk/blog Web: portisheadparent.co.uk Facebook: Portishead Parent Twitter: @possetparent

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n NEWS

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Victory at last for golf course campaigners Two footpaths crossing Portishead golf course have now become official rights of way, securing public access for years to come and protection from future redevelopment.

The campaign to protect the land for public use began in 2014 when a locked gate prevented resident Ann Townsend from walking across the course.

Led by Mrs Townsend and fellow resident Janet Davey, campaigners then fought to protect the land after plans were submitted by the tenant of the golf course to remodel the site and have 16,000 cubic metres of clay, stone or mixed gravel imported onto the course.

The footpaths, approved on November 15, will now be formalised by Ordnance Survey and fingerposts will appear in due course. As reported in last month’s Portisheadvoice, Mrs Townsend said: “Finally after many hours of work, campaigning, overcoming obstructive councillors and NSC officials, the public right of access has been recognised.

“This has been a triumph for ordinary community members who wanted to preserve a green space for the benefit of all, and not serve a political master.”

Ann Townsend (front, left) and Janet Davey with golf course campaigners

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

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n PROPERTY FEATURE

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December, 2018

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Christmas GIFT GUIDE!

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n CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

1

Sleepee Teepee New Year Package for two £99 Having a New Years Party at home? Need something to keep the kids occupied? Celebrate with a teepee sleepover. Package includes: Teepees • Luxury mattresses • Bedding, pillows and duvets • Themed cushions • Teepee decorations • Lanterns • Trays • Rug • Popcorn or sweet cups • Bag of chocolate • Glow stick set. Contact 07799768165 & follow on Facebook @SleepeeTeepeeParties

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Stuck for ideas for Christmas presents? Here's a quirky idea for an interesting person from Nailsea and District Croquet Club. Lessons from experienced coaches, usually weekly, in the spring/ summer at mutually convenient times. A gift that goes on for a while and provides a challenge, exercise, fresh air and new friends. On sale now for £30. All equipment provided. Contact 07718 628287.

Melanie Stubbs Established in 1981, Neal’s Yard Remedies is a modern apothecary, creating award-winning natural and organic health and beauty. Contact your local Independent Consultant Melanie Stubbs, call: 07792 817 269 or email: m.f.stubbs@hotmail.co.uk.

4 Pete the Cheeky Parakeet by Cheryl Lee-White Pete the Cheeky Parakeet is a lighthearted, fun story, which carries a message for young readers about the importance of friendship and compassion aimed at children 3-7 years old.

Children will delight in Pete’s mischievous antics, and will learn key lessons as they see the consequences of his bad behaviour.

This cheeky parakeet will bring lots of laughter and learning to story time. Available now on Amazon or directly from Blue Falcon Publishing for £5.99.

I also write a blog for parents with advice, children’s crafts/ activities, product reviews and places to visit.

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n CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

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Personalised baubles by Alfie and Poppy It's that time of year again! Spread some Christmas cheer or let your family and friends know that you are thinking of them with this personalized Christmas bauble.

Each bauble will add a little sparkle to your home and is hand lettered using a white ink calligraphy style of lettering with the name of a loved one. Baubles can be purchased at: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/AlfieAndPoppy.

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A unique gift for loved ones AllforLove designs are created from needle lace embroidery, crochet embroidery, shuttle embroidery or tatting, fork embroidery. Each creation is framed in different colour and each frame has a strip at the back to hang. £15 to £25 each + postage . Contact Nur Ray on 07793063842

8 Give the gift of learning to cycle this Christmas My daughter has always suffered with low confidence so when I booked a learn to ride session at Fox Cycling, I didn't hold out much hope that we'd get there in one session, if at all.

However I was completely wrong. After an hour with Steve, she was riding a bike with confidence, turning circles and actually enjoying the freedom it gave her.

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He also gave us some great advice on purchasing a bike for her in future, without a strong sales pitch or a feeling of guilt for leaving empty handed.

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Turning clothes into keepsakes with Memory Zoo Memory Zoo takes your precious clothes and turns them into a keepsake that you can treasure for years to come.

We can turn wedding dresses into Christening gowns, shirts into cushions, or baby grows into teddy bears. Each one is individually sewn with care and attention to the smallest details.

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n CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

Transforming photos into magical pieces of artwork

H

as your child ever wished they were a mermaid? A pirate? A super hero? A fairy or a princess?

Perhaps meet a variety of animals like lions, zebras, or giraffes?

At Makememagical, Katie Forshaw transforms photography of children into Magical digital artwork. Katie has been in business since 2016 and is just about to move to a new premises with a garden studio.

"I absolutely love working on fun images with children. The photo sessions are just as much fun as doing the editing work. I enjoy seeing their faces when they see what I have done with the final images," says Katie.

Katie offers prints, canvas, photo books and digital artwork. She has various outfits and dresses available and a wide variety of props for different themes.

Katie with her 'Gold Award' winning image

www.makememagical.co.uk Facebook: @makememagical Instagram: @ makememagicaluk Etsy: makememagical.etsy.com Email: katie@makememagical.co.uk Tel: 07736470865

Regular family or children portrait studio or on location sessions are also available on enquiring.

Booking with Makememagical is ÂŁ40 - if you book in Nov or Dec for 2019 date then your booking fee will be waived, you must mention Portishead Voice when booking.

You can follow Katie on: www.makememagical.co.uk www.facebook.com/makememagical www.instagram.com/ makememagicaluk www.makememagical.etsy.com Email on katie@makememagical.co.uk or call on 07736470865

December, 2018

E: richard@portisheadvoice.co.uk

n SCHOOL NEWS

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Young chefs impress top judges

Eight students from Gordano School have been putting their culinary skills to the test as part of this year’s national Rotary Young Chef competition.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Portishead, the brief for the students was to prepare a three-course meal for two people within two hours for less than £20.

Students were also judged on their menu choice, time management, costings and table presentation.

The judges, Istvan Ulmann from Berwick Lodge and Charlie Urry from the food school associated with Josh Eggleton’s Pony and Trap, stated that they were very impressed with the standard and quality of cooking and that it was a very close competition.

The winner was kindly offered some additional coaching in preparation for the next heat and work experience.

This year has seen 6,500 hopefuls from across the county attempt to cook their way to the final, which will be held in spring 2019 in Leeds.

The crowned champion will win a trip to Tuscany and a cash prize.

Local primary to perform festive fundraiser for cancer charity High Down Upper School Choir in Portishead will be joining forces with choirs from across Bristol this Christmas to raise vital funds for cancer charity, Penny Brohn.

Forty pupils from Years 5 and 6 from the school choir will be performing ‘A Night Before Christmas’ alongside the Bristol Male Voice Choir, the Voice of Hope and Wellbeing, UWE Gospel Choirs and the Penny Brohn Community Choir.

The festive fundraiser will take place at Clifton College Chapel on Friday, December 7.

The concert is open to the public with doors opening at 6.15pm and the performance starting at 6.30pm.

Mulled wine, hot drinks and mince pies will be served during the interval and there will be a chance to win a luxury Christmas hamper and homemade Christmas cake.

The school choir rehearses once a week after school and is led by Mrs Sue Parker who has proudly supported the junior school’s musical activities for over thirty years.

The children and their families are delighted to have the opportunity to take part in this special concert and help raise funds for Penny Brohn once again this year.

Last year the event raised over £5,000.

Tickets to A Night Before Christmas cost £10 per adult and £6 for seniors and children under 14.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.pennybrohn.org.uk/christmas2018.

Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Becky on 07912 484405 or email becky@portisheadvoice.co.uk

T: 0777 555 0607

n ON THE BEAT

www.portisheadvoice.co.uk

n POLICE NEWS

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With Portishead Beat Team

Register your valuables - it's important! n Thefts from garages There are regular patrols, and the Neighbourhood Police Team are deploying the community contact vehicle for prevention and reassurance. This is our biggest issue so it is crucial for the community to be vigilant and ensure their property is secure.

Valuables can be registered at www.immobilise.com. This will improve chances of getting them back in the event of loss or theft.

Street and on the junctions of West Hill.

n Incidents of abusive graffiti Abusive graffiti has been an ongoing issue around Portishead.

There have been over 100 incidents of graffiti in this area.

Police investigation is currently on-going and managed by Portishead Neighbourhood Policing Team.

CCCV beat surgeries

n Parking issues We have been experiencing issues in and around Portishead regarding parking. The areas most affected are Bristol Road, Harbour Road, Brock End, Portishead High

December, 2018

n Keeping dogs under control There have been a number of complaints recently in the Portishead area, in relation to dogs that have not been under proper control in public spaces.

Patrols and investigations conducted did not identify a dog owner. However there have been no further incidents.

Residents can attend beat surgeries for crime prevention advice and help with setting up an account with Immobilise. n Friday, December 7, 2.30-3.30pm at Sainsbury's Supermarket, Portishead n Friday, December 14, 12-1pm at Lidl Supermarket, Portishead Follow your local policing team on Twitter at: @ASPNSomerset

Residents urged to remain vigilant following series of thefts and break-ins Patrols have stepped up in Portishead following a series of thefts from vehicles and property break-ins.

Avon and Somerset Police is also urging residents to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious.

Cash, coats and valuables have been stolen from cars, tools from parked vans, and bikes and electrical power tools from outbuildings, sheds and garages.

Home owners are being encouraged to review security in their homes and any associated buildings, especially if they are used to store electrical power tools, bikes or other valuable items.

With darker evenings, home owners might want to consider fitting security lighting and timers for inside the property if you are going away.

Vehicle owners are also being advised to fit an alarm to help reduce opportunities for thieves and to not leave anything of value in the car.

Similarly, owners of vans are advised not to leave expensive power tools in their vehicle overnight or at the weekend. They should also consider fitting specialist floor-mounted safes and secure storage boxes.

General crime prevention advice is available at www. avonandsomerset.police.uk/advice/crime-prevention-advice/ protecting-your-home-and-property. Additionally, further information is available at www.securedbydesign.com.

If you have any information which could help, please contact Avon and Somerset Police via www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact, or by calling 101, quoting reference 5218227736.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or report online using the following link bit. ly/1pwX4Zm quoting the above reference number.

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To advertise, contact ruth@portisheadvoice.co.uk on 07590 527 664 or Richard on 0777 555 0607

December, 2018

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n NEWS

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The 'mumpreneur' bringing women in business together When the chance arose for one Portishead businesswoman to run a local networking group for mums, it was an opportunity she could not turn down.

Lisa Denniss is a ‘mumpreneur’ – a mum who runs her own business alongside raising a child – and coordinates the Bristol and North Somerset Mums in Business Association (MIBA) group, which is one of hundreds of groups worldwide.

MIBA was established by two sisters over a year ago and has brought together more than 29k women across the globe.

Each group meets on a monthly basis for a networking event and has a Facebook group for mums to seek help and advice and offer their support to others.

Lisa, a single parent to eightyear-old Sonny, came across the association after setting up her business Sleepee Teepee – an indoor glamping experience for young children, with the tents beautifully handcrafted by Lisa.

“When I was starting my

business, I was constantly thinking, ‘I could do with some business advice and support’,” said Lisa. “And then I came across MIBA. I joined the Facebook group and I was amazed to see so many mums applying their own skills to help others out.”

“I then saw that MIBA was looking for a coordinator to run the group in North Somerset and Bristol, so I stepped forward and took on the role.”

The 'MIBA networking North Somerset and Bristol' Facebook group now has over 250 members – many of which are from Portishead – with numbers growing each week.

At the networking events, mums can showcase their products, meet other likeminded women and hear from special guest speakers. Each attendee also receives a goodie bag.

“The events are great places for mums to bring their children along and still do business,” said Lisa. “It’s really inspiring and

Defibrillator sites in Portishead Defibrillators can save lives.

That is why Portishead residents are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with the locations of defibrillators across the town and surrounding areas.

The machines have been installed as part of the Portishead Lions' defibrillator project.

The following sites, which have defibrillators installed, include: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Boots, Portishead High Street St Joseph's School High Down School Trinity School Avon and Somerset Police HQ (north gate) The Ship Portishead Primary School The Windmill The lake grounds St Nicholas' Church Drakes Way Weston-in-Gordano The Priory, Portbury Crockern School, Pill Abbots Leigh Pill Central Ham Green Rippleside Heron Gardens Lambourne Way

In addition, there are public defibrillators at: • • • •

The Folk Hall Alliance House (near the marina) The sailing club North Weston village hall.

Anyone who wishes to support the project or has any suggestions for new locations, visit: www.eclubhouse.org/sites/portishead.

uplifting for women to think they can do this and meet others who are in the same boat as them.

“For many mums, having their own business means that they work in isolation a lot of the time, so this group provides a really good chance for them to get out the house and network – and potentially grow their business.”

The Facebook group ‘MIBA

NETWORKING North Somerset & Bristol’ is free to join, but the networking event is ticketed and costs £15.

The next event is being held at the Siren’s Calling on Friday, December 7, 10am-12pm. Tickets can be purchased via bit.ly/2T4sXvv. For more information about Sleepee Teepees, visit: facebook. com/SleepeeTeepeeParties/

Lisa Denniss (centre with sign) with local 'mumpreneurs'

Will Writing & Estate Planning

A Will lets you protect your family’s inheritance and decide how your assets are shared out –

if you don’t make a Will, the law says who gets what.

We have a Bristol-based team of trained will writing consultants who provide a home visiting service and can take your instructions in the comfort of your own home.

Please feel free to call us during office hours on 0800 019 4557 or email us at info@elm-online. co.uk

Standard single or pair of mirrored Wills £99 Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Becky on 07912 484405 or email becky@portisheadvoice.co.uk

22

T: 0777 555 0607

n NEWS

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December, 2018

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How Portishead people coped during WW1 The remarkable stories of Portishead’s brave men and women during World War One have been brought to life in the latest edition of the Posset Pieces series.

Written by local author and historian Sandy Tebbutt on behalf of the Gordano Civic Society, ‘World War One’ – which launched at a special commemorative concert last month – is the result of 20 years of thorough research into the people of Portishead and their experiences during the war.

Published in colour, the 22nd book in the Posset Pieces series not only recounts the stories of those who gave their lives on the frontline, but also those coping at home, in Portishead.

Many of the stories are accompanied by photos and documents.

Sandy, who has had a lifelong interest in WW1, began researching the book in 1998, trawling through WW1 records and digital archives, and speaking to the relatives of those affected by the war in Portishead.

Sandy explained: “There

are 64 men listed on the WW1 memorial at St Peter’s Church, but while I was researching, I found that many more men with connections in Portishead had died than those listed on the war memorial. The men whose names are listed died in many places across the world such as India, East Africa and Orkney.”

There are many fascinating stories to be read in the latest Posset Pieces, one of which is about a group of women who stepped in to ring the bells of St Peter’s Church every Sunday.

Trained by William Gillingham, they were the first lady bell ringers in the country to ring the Grandsire Triples, which involves 5,040 unique changes.

If someone died at war, they would ring the bells at half muffled peals, such as when news reached the village that Major Chester Todd had been killed in action.

There is also the story of Captain Harry Carritt - Sandy discovered letters which revealed a fearless man who would walk ahead of his men on the battlefield. He was awarded the

Military Cross for his bravery.

The youngest of the men who died serving from Portishead was Ben Hobbs, 16, who was working on board a hospital ship when it came under attack.

Explaining her fascination with WW1, Sandy said: “I remember my grandmother telling me about her two nephews from Lancashire who fought in the First World War. “One sadly died, but the other managed to make it home.

It was at that moment that my

imagination took hold and my lifelong interest in WW1 began.

“It’s a war that people didn’t really talk much about – it was such an awful time, which wrecked so many lives. So many innocent young boys, thinking that adventure was calling them, who gave their lives.

“You’ve just got to imagine the distress families faced when these telegrams arrived to tell them that their son, father or brother had been killed.”

‘Sometimes everyone needs a little help’ Contact me on 07704637967 or info@oktalkcounselling.co.uk www.oktalkcounselling.co.uk

Do you find it hard to talk about your feelings with your friends and family?

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To advertise, contact ruth@portisheadvoice.co.uk on 07590 527 664 or Richard on 0777 555 0607

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‘World War One’ can be purchased for £15 from Summit Leisure, and from the Gordano Civic Society website (gordanosociety. org.uk). All profits from the publication go towards preserving the local heritage of Portishead.

Left hand page, left: Ben Hobbs, as a child - the youngest in Portishead to lose to lose their life at war. Died aged 16. LHP, right: The lady bell ringers of St Peter's Church. Above, left: Captain Harry Carritt, who was commended for his fearlessness and bravery with the Military Cross.

Above, right: The Way family of Woodhill Road, Portishead at a WW1 wedding. Photos courtesy of Sandy Tebbutt

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Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Becky on 07912 484405 or email becky@portisheadvoice.co.uk

24

T: 0777 555 0607

n NEWS 2,000 bras collected to empower women in Africa Thousands of bras have been collected in a bid to transform the lives of women in Africa.

The collection took place outside Waitrose in Portishead on November 17 and saw 2,000 new and lightly used bras donated.

The bras will be sent to Scottish charity Smalls for All, which aims to support

www.portisheadvoice.co.uk www.stpetersvoice.co.uk

and empower young girls and women by distrubiting underwear throughout Africa.

The collection was run by locals Janet Davey, and mum and daughter Ann Brewer and Angie Brewer-Miller.

If you have bras you wish to donate, you can do so via www. smallsforall.org. Oxfam also collect bras to send to Africa.

Jo Duffy with town council chairman Peter Mitchell

December, 2018

Town bids farewell to council clerk Portishead Town Council clerk Jo Duffy recorded her final full council meeting on November 14.

She is joining Nailsea Town Council as their town clerk in early December.

Mrs Duffy has been serving on Portishead Town Council since taking up the role in September 2012.

She has been replaced by Andrea Durn, an experienced council clerk with a varied background in local government, who started with with Portishead Town Council on November 19.

At her final full town council meeting, Mrs Duffy was thanked for her services and gifted flowers and a shield.

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Working with you at your pace

Local residents Ann Brewer (left), Angie Brewer-Miller (centre) and Janet Davey collecting bras for women in Africa

OVERWHELMED? DOWNSIZING? NEED TO DE-CLUTTER? We will help you re-claim & re-organise your home.

For a free phone consultation, call Claire & SJ.

T: 07412 010800 / 07810 481 668 W: www.happybalancebristol.co.uk

W

e are Claire Stock and Sarah-Jane Upton owners of Happy Balance and we are professional de-clutterers.

Decluttering is not just a quick tidy up – it’s a way of life. Most of us have a loft, garage, spare bedroom where we store too much stuff and we need to sort it. 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. n ‘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 n ‘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 n 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 n 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 n I’m moving and need to downsize – I can’t physically or emotionally cope with my move and I need help. We are handson in preparing your belongings ensuring that when your removal firm comes to move you that you have already sorted through, decluttered and made sure all your items, big and small will fit into your new home giving you peace of mind.

These are all scenarios from clients we have worked with.

We are passionate about re-cycling, re-housing and reusing 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.

If you need help please contact Claire and SJ Tel: 07412010800 / 07810481668 www.happybalancebristol.co.uk help@happybalancebristol.co.uk fb.me/happybalancebristol

To advertise, contact ruth@portisheadvoice.co.uk on 07590 527 664 or Richard on 0777 555 0607

December, 2018

E: richard@portisheadvoice.co.uk

www.portisheadvoice.co.uk

n SPORTS NEWS

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Amelie's Youth Olympic medal haul It’s been an incredible year for young gymnast Amelie Morgan.

Not only did she make history over the summer by claiming the most medals ever won by a British female junior gymnast at the European Championships, but she has also just returned from the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Brazil where she picked up three medals.

Amelie, 15, won silver in the girls’ individual artistic all-around, which involved performing routines on the bars, beam, floor and vault. She also came second on the floor and third on the balance beam.

Amelie, who trains in Portishead with the Academy of Gymnastics in Harbour Road, told the Portisheadvoice: “It had only been a few months since my last major competition, so

I really wasn’t expecting to do as well as I did – I was really pleased.

“The Youth Olympics happens every four years and if I didn’t qualify this year, then I would have missed my chance.

“The competition itself was tough as it was over seven days, but I did have a few days off in between.”

Amelie moved to Portishead from Buckinghamshire a year and a half ago with her mum, after learning about the esteemed reputation of the academy. She now trains with club founder, Liz Kincaid who has coached the likes of British Olympians Ruby Harrold and Imogen Cairns.

Alongside her intensive six-day training regime, Amelie is also preparing for her GCSEs

n THOUGHT OF THE MONTH

next summer through online schooling. She said: “It can be quite hard at times trying to juggle everything, but because all of the learning I do is online, I have more flexibility and it makes it easier to catch-up.”

When asked if Amelie has her sights set on the next Olympics she said: “I try not to think too far into the future… it’s about focusing on the short-term goals and doing my best at the competitions ahead of me.”

Photo: Amelie with her silver medal at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.

Photo courtesy of Team GB/ Lumix UK

With Nick Moxon, Portishead & Redcliffe Bay Methodist churches

Was Mary a Scientologist? laid on scratchy, smelly straw, sleeping through the night and not making a sound when he woke up?

I

love Christmas carols. I sing them throughout the year.

It’s interesting that when you read some of the words we sing, especially as a parent, you wonder if the authors actually had children themselves. Take for example 'Away in a Manger' Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes....

Really? A new born baby,

Here's one I often sing to my own children... ('Once in Royal David's City') And through all his wondrous childhood He would honour and obey, Love, and watch the lowly maiden In whose gentle arms he lay.

Christian children all must be Mild, obedient, good as he.

How about verse 3 of 'O Little Town of Bethlehem’…

How silently, how silently, The wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of his heaven...

How silently did Mary give birth to her baby boy? The only people who give birth silently are Scientologists and even that's hearsay from Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' birth story years ago (it may only be hearsay but why should that stop me from a good title?).

The experiences of my daughters being born is one of a lot of panting and sweating, squeezing and shouting - and it

was the same for my wife too!

I wonder whether we can only cope with the lovely, sanitised view of Jesus' birth we see in nativity plays rather than the real picture of what actually happened.

My recollection of having babies in the house is that they turn your world upside down.

All the things you thought were important fade away when there is a little life to look after.

This gift from heaven wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger came to shake the world out of the predictability it created for itself. Jesus came to turn our world upside down, to challenge those things that we thought important and show us a better way to live.

In Jesus we have one who questions our priorities and as He does, promises to show us a better way - individuals, families, communities, governments and nations - all shown a new way of living.

Maybe this Christmas season, as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we could open ourselves up to Him and allow Him to question who we are and whose we are, so that the changing of the world’s priorities might start through us.

Rev Nick Moxon is the Methodist minister for Portishead & Redcliffe Bay Methodist churches

What's on at Portishead and Redcliffe Bay Methodist Churches Portishead Methodist Church, High Street n Sunday morning worship 10.30am with groups for children & young people n Coffee and chat - a drop in coffee morning every Tuesday and Saturday mornings 10am-12pm Redcliffe Bay Methodist Church, Queens Road n Sunday worship - 10.30am n Coffee morning - every 2nd and 4th Tuesday 10.30-11.30am open to all n Bacon Butty Club - first Thursday of the month 10-11.30am - open to all men. Come along for a butty and a chat.

Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Becky on 07912 484405 or email becky@portisheadvoice.co.uk

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T: 0777 555 0607

n LIBRARY BLOG

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With Portishead Library

Get tech-savvy at Portishead Library

F

or over 50s looking to get online or improve their computer skills, volunteers at Portishead Library are offering free one to one assistance.

Six week courses are held on Wednesday mornings offering help with a variety of queries including searching the internet, sending emails, using Word, printing photos and keeping in touch with friends and family online.

Customers can be assured of a warm welcome and can bring in their own laptops and tablets or use the library computers. The sessions are relaxed and informal and will be tailored to individual needs. We currently have spaces available.

We also have one to one computer buddy appointments available for all ages on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at various times. For more information and to register your interest please call Portishead Library on 01934 426040 or pop in to see us at Horatio House, Harbour Road, Portishead, BS20 7AL.

nnNEWS VET BLOG

Extended Access

Come to an information session to find out how you can use the library for longer with Extended Access membership.

The sessions are hosted by library staff and they will walk you through a safety briefing and give you information about the service.

Briefing sessions are held regularly to demonstrate the service to customers.

Book online at www. eventbrite.co.uk (search for ‘Portishead Library’) or through library staff.

DVD hire

Did you know you can borrow DVDs at Portishead Library?

You can rent dvds for one week at a time for a small charge of £2 for older titles and £2.50 for brand new titles.

Pop into the library to see our selection!

See what's on (pg. 30) for more regular events.

Opening hours

Staffed hours Tues, Weds, Thurs & Friday 9.30-5pm Saturday 9.30-1pm Extended access Monday 8am-8pm Tues, Weds, Thurs & Fri 8-9.30am & 5.15-8pm Saturday 8-9.30am & 1.15-8pm Sunday 10am-4pm

With Vets4Pets Portishead

Don't panic! What to do if your pet has an accident

W

hen your pet gets hurt or ingests something they shouldn’t have, it can be a stressful and scary time.

The best advice I can give you?

BREATHE. Don’t panic. Call out for help, whether it be a family member or a neighbour; ask someone to help you and drive you and your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

Although the variety of cases that are seen as emergencies is vast, there are a few universal pieces of advice that I want to share with you.

Firstly, consider how you handle your pet. Are they injured? Are they bleeding?

Remember that any pet that is in pain might act out of character, so be extra careful that you don’t become injured yourself.

With small dogs and cats, try easing them into a carrier or box so that they aren’t jostled around too much in the car on the way to the vets. For larger dogs, is there any way you can make a DIY stretcher?

Secondly, if they have eaten something they shouldn’t have, don’t try to make them sick at home!

Bring your pet, and any packaging from the product, straight to the vets. And if there is ever a doubt they’ve eaten it or not, bringing them in to be

checked over is better to be safe than sorry.

And finally, if you are ever in doubt about the health of your pet, call the vets straight away.

There are no such things as silly questions, and we are always more than happy to offer advice and help.

At Vets4Pets Portishead we offer regular free pet first aid workshops that offer useful tips and methods of dealing with an emergency.

Call us today on 01275 815470 to enquire about booking your space on our next workshop!

Find us on Facebook 'Portishead Vets4Pets'.

Vets4Pets Portishead, Wyndham Retail Park, inside Pets at Home, Old Mill Road, Portishead, BS20 7BX

December, 2018

n NEWS

Support group helps get lives back on track

People experiencing bereavement, divorce or loss can benefit from a new local support group.

'NewTracks' is run by local women Claire Black and Sue Pritchard and is held on the first Monday of each month at Clarence House.

People can meet others in a friendly, safe and supportive environment.

There will be opportunities to chat, listen to guest speakers and ask questions on a variety of different subjects to help you heal and move forward in life.

The meeting dates are December 3, January 7, February 4, March 4 and April 1 at 7.30pm.

The cost to attend is £5 and refreshments are provided.

If you would like to know more, contact Sue on 079127160514 or Claire on 07722007528.

Rogue landlords can now be reported online Portishead residents can now report rogue traders online.

The new reporting form is available on North Somerset Council’s which anyone can use to report concerns about the behaviour of a landlord or letting agent, or about a rented property.

Other concerns that can be reported online include: • Overcrowding, antisocial behaviour or illegal activities at a privately rented property • A neglected rental property in need of repair • Poor letting practices such as no tenancy paperwork or poor response to repair requests • Unlicensed houses in multiple occupation or HMOs The new reporting system is available to access at: www.nsomerset.gov.uk/roguelandlord

Do you have a story you wish to share? Contact Becky at becky@portisheadvoice. co.uk or 07912484405

To advertise, contact ruth@portisheadvoice.co.uk on 07590 527 664 or Richard on 0777 555 0607

E: richard@portisheadvoice.co.uk www.stpetersvoice.co.uk

PUZZLES FOR EVERYONE

For serious sudoku fans

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Each 4x4 box, every row and every column must contain the numbers 1-16, with each used only once. Can you crack it?

13 5 7 16 15 8

1

E

6

L

O T N

E

S

I

H

U

C

M

I

2

E

3

7

P

TXT PERT

P

E L A H

A W 4

7

8

2 1

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

6

E

1 5

T

3

N

4

T

3

Each horizontal row, each 2x2 square and each column must contain all the numbers 1-4.

A

2

SOLUTIONS

5

6 is M, N or O 7 is P, Q, R or S 8 is T, U or V 9 is W, X, Y or Z

1

EASY for children

G

2 is A, B or C 3 is D, E or F 4 is G, H or I 5 is J, K, or L

Down 1 6878264 (7) 2 2433824 (7) 3 74686 (5) 4 94253 (5) 6 5969 (4) 7 784 (3)

SUDOKU

U

The numbers point you to the letters on a phone keypad

Across 1 6423 (4) 3 729 (3) 5 26835673 (8) 8 624 (3)

© www.123rf.com/ profile_zakowski

A

This month: Animals

The answers are below – but no peeking until you have finished!

Y

TXT PERT

There are 10 differences between these two pictures – can you find them all?

8

6 16 5 11 15 16 3 8 2 6 7 4 10 11 13 15 12 16 1 15 16 3 6 5 8 2 14 7 11 12 11 6 1 5 10 3 13 8 14 3 5 1 12 13 16 11 15 12 13 3 16 10 14 15 6 8 2 14 4 12 1 6 9 12 8 6 14 2 7 1 8 15 14 5 4 10 13 4 14 12 1 7 3 11 3 9 1 13 14 12 4 8 10 4 13 5 1 12 16 2

A

3 6 4

N

10

6 1 15 5

X

7 9

N

THE FIEND

H

n TAKE A BREAK

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G

December, 2018

Cards, Gifts, Balloons ... all with a friendly service!

The Card Shop 42 The High Street Portishead Bristol BS20 6EL

0117 322 6158 (office hours 9am-5pm) 07921 813485 (out of office hours) info@epicheating.co.uk www.epicheating.co.uk

Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Becky on 07912 484405 or email becky@portisheadvoice.co.uk

28

T: 0777 555 0607

nLETTERS Smaller buses just won't cut it in Portishead A response to the author of your article re smaller busses rather than parking restrictions. As a resident of Portishead, a car driver, a pedestrian and a user of the buses, I would like to offer the author a chance to meet me on the Bristol centre bus stop.

I will gladly pay for their ticket for the pleasure of watching them explain to those poor souls who having waited for the X3, X4 and X3A buses which frequently don’t turn up and are nearly always late, the fact that as they can’t get on the already full double-deckers under his or her proposal they stand absolutely no chance of getting home. I have to get to work in Filton and have learnt to get on the Portishead bus at the bus station before the centre and At-Bristol stops. My journey regularly takes nearly two and a half hours door-to-door in the rush hour. The bus doesn’t start to lose passengers until stopping in Pill, the Sheepway or Sainsbury’s stops. We all live and work on this ever conjested planet, try thinking about others please.

Nigel Woodland

Final Brexit vote must be handed to the people During this past year readers will have encountered ‘Open

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December, 2018

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Got something to say? Email your letters to becky@portisheadvoice.co.uk Britain’ campaigners who have joined together with other national organisations to form the umbrella ‘People’s Vote’ campaign. Many of those readers will have taken part in our ball in the box surveys on the street stalls that have run regularly in Portishead and elsewhere. The aim of the campaign is to achieve a national vote on any Brexit deal the prime minister, Theresa May, achieves with the EU. Whether readers voted Leave or Remain there is now a general consensus that the government has made a complete mess of Brexit negotiations. Ministers now admit that whatever deal we get it will not be as good as the one we have got as an EU member and our country will be worse off. The country has been split between those who never wanted to leave the EU in the first place and those that did but now realise they are never going to get the deal they were promised by Brexiteers. The recent revelation that multimillionaire Aaron Banks who gave the biggest ever political donation to the Brexit campaign has said, on camera, that he would now vote Remain because of the unfolding shambles, tells us all we need to know.

During the next few weeks the warring factions within the government and not least in the Tory party, will have to agree a final divorce deal. A trade deal will come later and will take many years to negotiate while the country hangs in limbo in a, perhaps, never ending transition period. Whatever the politicians agree amongst themselves will be put to parliament in a vote

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before Christmas. It is at that point parliamentarians will be confronted with the demand to bring about a People’s Vote on the whole issue. Campaigners will be out across North Somerset with street stalls, petitions and letter writing events to ram home the message given by the 700,000 or so people, who marched in London a few weeks ago. This final vote needs to be taken away from politicians and put back into the hands of the people.

To bring this about readers of these pages now need to make a decision and lobby local MP Dr Liam Fox for a People’s Vote.

Letters can be sent to: Dr Liam Fox MP, House of Commons, London, SW1 0AA. Emails to: ione.douglas@parliament.uk or Twitter: @liamfox This is the biggest and most far reaching decision the country has to make since the second world war and we have to get it right.

Bob Hale

Public footpaths won't threaten future of golf In the November edition of Portishead Voice (pg. 3), there was an update with regard to the status of the land known as Portishead Golf Course.

Councillor David Jolley has commented, that following the decision to adopt the paths, ‘inevitably this brings into question the future development of golf in Portishead’.

It is important that his comments do not leave the reader with the wrong impression of the current or future status of the land.

To add some clarity: It should be noted that until August 2014, golfers and other members of the public used the land in harmony with no reported incidents involving either golfers or members of the public. The land

was enjoyed freely by all.

Councillor Jolley should remember that it was North Somerset Council (NSC) that gave the planning permission for the land to have 16,000 cubic metres of Landfill dumped and Portishad Council (PTC) endorsed the locking of the gate to the golf course on Nore road.

NSC and PTC agreed that members of the public would be excluded from the land after development, unless they wanted to pay for a round of golf.

There was overwhelming mandate from a petition to not ‘develop’ the golf course, he supported the tenant in his efforts to continue. The views of residents were ignored.

The future of golf in the UK is declining with golf courses struggling to find members and offering cash incentives to join. Many of those that remain open, including the superb Clevedon golf course have public footpaths running across fairways and other key areas with no problems. There are other examples locally that manage footpaths well.

Set against a climate of declining numbers of golfers and other golf courses managing footpaths crossing fairways, it is difficult to understand Cllr Jolley’s comments ‘inevitably this brings into question the future development of golf in Portishead’.

In conclusion, the adoption of the paths do nothing more than protect the access rights of members of the public. People are free to play golf or use the land as they wish in harmony with others, just as it was before August 2014.

Councillor Jolley may wish to reflect on whom he serves in future - the tenant and NSC or the residents who have demonstrated overwhelmingly that they objected to being excluded from a piece of land that they had enjoyed for decades?

Ann Townsend

Portishead golf course. Photo courtesy of Google Maps

To advertise, contact ruth@portisheadvoice.co.uk on 07590 527 664 or Richard on 0777 555 0607

December, 2018

E: richard@portisheadvoice.co.uk

n THE DRAGONFLY JAR

Volunteers wanted for charity helpline

www.stpetersvoice.co.uk

Why colour is so important

Y

ears ago I persuaded an employer to pay for a course about the impact of colour in business.

I came away believing that wearing the right colour could positively influence both mood and salary negotiations. The premise was that wearing grey or earth colours means you get walked over; wearing black is too authoritative but navy is perfect professional but not too pushy.

I actually know what colours are in my official ‘best self’ colour palette, having taken another course – Colour Me Beautiful – over 20 years ago.

I’m officially a ‘Soft Autumn’ and my take-away colour swatch dictates a spectrum of warm hues. Wearing grey or black was actually banned by my colour consultant, however subconsciously I’ve dropped under the radar lately and made drab my new rainbow.

I am saved by an electronic invitation for daily style and colour inspiration. After answering a few personal questions I decide I need help with ‘smart casual’ (I loathe dress down days).

My new stylist (ok, ok, the algorithm) asks me how much of a risk I am willing to take and I venture, ‘slightly out of my comfort zone.’

I love this new avatar version of myself. I’m wearing a yellow animal print pleated skirt with sneakers, a metallic bomber jacket and an orange chunky knit.

Well, I will be once I actually go shopping and translate the electronic look onto my credit card.

I feel the rainbow returning. I dig out a pair of metallic shoes and a bright green jumper, and feel strangely drawn to the unicorn design on a young girl’s flashing trainers as I stand waiting for the bus. Colour is paying off.

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Maximise the potential of your attic

D

o you need more storage space? Then why not maximise the potential under your own roof?

Is your small bedroom now the ‘box room’? Is your garage so full you can’t get to the back of it? Did you know that a typical 3 bedroom house can provide you with well in excess of 10 square metres of strong, clean, dry, easily accessible storage?

That’s about the size of a modern double bedroom worth of boxes, suitcases, Christmas decorations and treasured memories all safely stored away. LETS CLEAR UP THE CLUTTER! Attic Alert are here to help.

We’re a family run Portishead based company who have specialised

29

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in loft boarding and attic access exclusively for over 6 years now.

Father and son team Jeff and Ryan specialise in the supply and fit of loft ladders, attic boarding, access hatches and insulation upgrades to suit all properties and all pockets.

If you have the time for a FREE NO OBLIGATION SURVEY we’ll give you a guaranteed fixed price quotation valid for 90 days. Call now on 0800 107 4993 and ask for Jeff to book your free quote or BOOK ONLINE at www.atticalertservices@ yahoo.co.uk. Or, if you prefer, visit our website to use our ONLINE QUOTE BUILDER and look at all our current SPECIAL OFFERS.

The Dragonfly Jar thedragonflyjar.com

Cancer charity, Penny Brohn UK, is urgently looking for motivated and committed volunteers to join its helpline team at its national centre in Pill, near Portishead.

The helpline team offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their close supporters by providing information and a listening ear.

Sarah Gottesman, Volunteers Manager at Penny Brohn UK, said: “We rely on the commitment and enthusiasm of our amazing volunteers to run our helpline to support people living with cancer.

To reach more people and help them live as well as possible, for as long as possible, we urgently need more volunteers to help us run this vital service.”

No previous experience is necessary and full training will be provided. Volunteers are asked to cover a four hour session a week with some additional hours for training and attending courses.

For further information, email volunteer@pennybrohn.org.uk or call 01275 370 094.

DO YOU NEED MORE STORAGE SPACE? CALL JEFF NOW ON 07856 065 463 DO YOU NEED MORE STORAGE SPACE ?

FOR YOUR FREE SURVEY & QUOTE OR BOOK ONLINE CALL 0800 107 49 93 NOW FOR YOUR FREE SURVEY & QUOTE

OR BOOK ONLINE YOUR LOFT BOARDING AND ATTIC ACCESS SPECIALISTS YOUR LOFT BOARDING AND ATTIC ACCESS SPECIALISTS

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ATTIC BOARDING

LOFT LADDERS

HATCHES & ACCESS

INSULATION UPGRADES

Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Becky on 07912 484405 or email becky@portisheadvoice.co.uk

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December, 2018

n WHAT'S ON

Got a one-off or regular event to share? ... email becky@portisheadvoice.co.uk

Monday November 26

Refreshments provided. Free parking in Wyndham Way car park behind Somerset Hall.

n Christmas lights switch-on, Portishead High Street, 6.30pm.

Father Christmas will be arriving from 6.15pm.

Monday December 3

n NewTracks, a support group for people experiencing bereavement, divorce or loss.

7.30pm at Clarence House. More info on page 26.

Sunday December 9

n Turn the Tide community litter pick, 10-11.30am. Meet at Majestic Wine, Harbour Road. All ages welcome.

Monday December 10

n Gordano Civic Society Christmas Extravaganza, 7.30pm at Somerset Hall. Guest speaker, John Penny M.A. All welcome.

Members £1/visitors £3.

www.stpetersvoice.co.uk

Wednesday December 12

n Gordano Probus Club Chrismas lunch, members are reminded that the Christmas lunch with our ladies is at 12.30pm at Clarence House. There will also be grand raffle.

Friday December 14

n Speakeasy Jazz Club at Clarence House presents “My kinda Christmas” with THE BEN JENKINS QUARTET ‘Nice n easy does it!’ Star of stage and screen Ben Jenkins will bring his suave, sophisticated style and exquisite quartet of some of Wales’ finest musicians to Speakeasy Jazz Club for our Christmas extravaganza!

Doors open 7.30pm. Show 8.30pm.

Admission is £12. No membership

required. For ticket reservations, phone Kate Sheridan 01275 848391 or email katespeakeasy@hotmail. co.uk

Saturday December 15

n Portishead Popsicle 2018 - festive cold water swimming gala, 8.30am-4.30pm at Portishead Open Air Pool. For more information and to sign-up, search 'Portishead Popsicle 2018' on eventbrite.co.uk.

Sunday December 16

n Santa Dash, 11am at the Esplanade, Portishead. Organised

by Gordano Rotary in support of Jessie May. Open to all. Tickets are £3. To register visit: ticketsource. co.uk/gordano-breakfast-rotaryclub n Victorian Evening, 4-8pm at Portishead High Street. Stalls which will include gifts, food and drink

and charity stalls. A fun fair for all to enjoy. The lantern parade will also be returning and the main stage with live performances throughout the evening.

Town council meeting dates Wednesday November 28 n Recreation & Works Committee, 7.30pm at the Folk Hall.

Wednesday December 5 n Planning & Regulatory Committee, 7.30pm, the Folk Hall Wednesday December 12 n Town Council meeting, 7.30pm at the Folk Hall More info at portishead.gov.uk

n REGULAR EVENTS Tuesday n Portishead LeRoc, 7.4510.30pm at Portishead Primary School, Station Road, BS20 7DB. We teach modern jive in a relaxed atmosphere. Come on your own or with friends. £7/eve but first class is free. www.portisheadleroc.com n Computer Buddies at Portishead Library. We have volunteers who can help with computers, laptops, tablets and iPads. Beginners welcome. Please call 01934 426040 to book an appointment or visit the library. n Portishead Rotary Club, weekly meeting at Clarence House, 7pm for a meal and an interesting speaker. More info: portisheadrotary.org.uk

Wednesday n Free computer course for over 50s at Portishead Library. For over 50s looking to get online or

improve their computer skills.For more info call Portishead Library on 01934 426040 or pop in to see us at Horatio House, Harbour Road, Portishead, BS20 7AL. n Portishead Spiritualist Association. We meet at Brampton Way Playgroup Hall for a Clairvoyant Evening with an attending Medium starting at 7.30pm and cost £4 at the door. Free tea, coffee and biscuits afterwards.

Thursday n Computer Buddies at Portishead Library. We have volunteers who can help with computers, laptops, tablets and iPads. Beginners welcome. Please call 01934 426040 to book an appointment or visit the library. n Story Times and Rhyme Times at Portishead Library. Preschool story times every Thursday during term-time 2.15-2.45pm.

n Macular Support Group meets on the last Thursday of the month in the Folk Hall Portishead from 2-4pm. For more details please phone Hazel 01275 845238 or Jeff 01275 219657.

Friday n Computer Buddies at Portishead Library. We have volunteers who can help with computers, laptops, tablets and iPads. Beginners welcome. Please call 01934 426040 to book an appointment or visit the library. n Free family history advice sessions at Portishead Library, 10-11am (drop-in). Book a session with our family history volunteers on 01934 426040 or email portishead.library@n-somerset. gov.uk. Alternatively, pop in to see us at Portishead Library, Horatio House, Harbour Road, Portishead, BS20 7AL.

Saturday n Computer Buddies at Portishead Library. We have volunteers who can help with computers, laptops, tablets and iPads. Beginners welcome. Please call 01934 426040 to book an appointment or visit the library.

Advertise your event in our What's On section ONLY

£15 + VAT FOR A 5cm X 1 COLUMN DISPLAY ADVERT

n WHAT'S ON AT YOUR LOCAL CHURCH Tuesday

n Coffee and chat at Portishead Methodist Church, drop in for coffee every Tuesday and Saturday, 10am-12pm n Coffee morning at Redcliffe Bay Methodist Church - every 2nd and 4th Tuesday 10.3011.30am - open to all

Thursday

n Bacon Butty Club at Redcliffe Bay Methodist Church.

First Thursday of the month 1011.30am - open to all men. Come along for a butty and a chat

Saturday

n Coffee and chat at Portishead Methodist Church,

drop in for coffee every Tuesday and Saturday, 10am-12pm

Sunday

n Sunday morning worship at Portishead Methodist Church, 10.30am with groups for children & young people. n Sunday worship at Redcliffe Bay Methodist Church, 10.30am

n Sunday gathering with Exercise Movement and Vintage Church at Somerset Dance class for ladies Hall, the Precinct, 10.30am-12pm.

LE

P EXAM

Low impact classes offer dance, exercise and core strengthening. Strengthen muscles, raise energy levels, For more infomation, visit ... improve balance and mobilise joints.

Vintage Church: vintagechurch.

6.25-7.30pm at Fairlawn Primary School, Fairlawn Road, Montpelier, Bristol, BS6 5JL. co.uk/portishead Tel: Rachael at FL Exercise on 418 714 / Portishead Methodist07966 Church: rachaelwilliams@talktalk.net . portisheadmethodistchurch.co.uk/

Classes run on 5-7 week basis - charged as a block booking (£8 per class -1st Class Free)

To advertise, contact ruth@portisheadvoice.co.uk on 07590 527 664 or Richard on 0777 555 0607

portisheadvoice AERIAL SPECIALIST

www.stpetersvoice.co.uk

Trade services TO ADVERTISE, CALL RUTH ON 07590 527 664

CARPET CLEANER

Professional

www.theaerialman.co.uk

• Digital Aerials • Fully Guaranteed • Repairs • Satellites • Free Quotes • OAP Discount • Additional TV Points • Humax Recorders Affordable Prices - Reliable Service

Carpet Cleaning Domestic & Commercial

Carpets cleaned from £15 Rugs cleaned from £10 House/Flat cleaned from £90

Stain Removal Trained Scotch Guard Protection 100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Specialists in Carpet & Hard Floor Cleaning 6 MONTHLY MAINTENANCE PLAN AVAILABLE

Call Nick on 07812 730346 www.acarpet.cleaning

0117 967 9028 CLEANING

KEV’S CLEANING SERVICES LTD

A family-run business established 1986 with a friendly team of reliable and trustworthy window cleaners.

Window cleaning inside and out. We also empty, unblock and clean guttering, fascias, soffits, downpipes, conservatories and roofs. We can fix leaking guttering. Regular and one-off cleans!

(01823) 272260 | 07885 451628

ELECTRICIAN

Free Quotes Inspection and Testing Landlord Certificates New builds and Extensions Extra Sockets and Lights Fire Alarms, Smoke Detectors

GUARANTEED a quality & professional service

PAINTING & DECORATING

PEST CONTROL

JTR PAINTING & DECORATING l l l l

ALL ASPECTS OF PAINTING & DECORATING INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PROFESSIONAL DECORATING SERVICE FREE QUOTATION

CALL JOSH ON 07791 386516

Somerset Pest Solutions

• Chimney sweeping (all appliances) • Bird guards & cowls (supplied & fitted) • Chimney pots (supplied & fitted) • Wood burner servicing • Log stores (delivered and erected) • Lucky sweep wedding service Daniel Kimitri Telephone: 01934 834947 Mobile: 07734 318123 Email: mfcleaning.andy@aol.co.uk

GUTTER CLEANING

Gutter Clearing Gutter Cleaning Fascia Cleaning Call or Book online

www.marksguttercleaning.co.uk Tel: 0117 3708528 Mob: 07543056558 Based in Downend, Bristol PIANO TEACHER

LEARN PIANO with local Portishead Musician Any age or ability welcome

Mice, rats, squirrels, wasps, birds, rabbits, foxes, insects etc...

Contact Joe Brake RSPH on 07817 422 851 or email joe@somersetpestsolutions.co.uk

PLASTERER

SOLICITORS

DJM Plastering

Peter Burrows & Co Solicitors

Contact DJM Plastering on 07909 658 876 or 01275 371 549

ish)

g Services (Hew

with MF Cleanin

Urban & rural pest control

Local service, calls for advice welcome, unmarked vehicle

•Plastering •Rendering • Damp proofing •Painting & decorating

CHIMNEY SWEEPING

Mark’s Gutter Cleaning

www.ElderwoodElectrical.com Office - 0117 9322379 Mobile - 07725 058581

www.kevscleaningservices.co.uk

CHIMNEY SWEEPING

• Wills and lasting power of attorney • Free home visits in Portishead and surrounding areas • Matrimonial and family • Wills £120 incl VAT

Tel: 07421 812 913 01179 636 366

Contact Will on 07935560017 or email willstubbsmusician@outlook.com Find me on Facebook: @willstubbspianoteacher

You can advertise in our trade services section from as little as £16.25 per month (excluding VAT) Contact Ruth on 07590 527 664