Extra funds will benefit our schools

IN my role as your local MP, supporting schools and families has been an integral part of my positive plan for South Gloucestershire.

It is one of the key public services that defines our future.

I was delighted to see that the government has announced an extra £2.3 billion will be invested in schools across the country. As part of the commitment to increase funding, schools in Thornbury, Yate and the surrounding villages will see a large increase in funding from next year.

This is great news for our community in South Gloucestershire, where funding for schools will increase by over £13 million next year, representing a cash increase of 6.9%, above the average increase for schools in England.

South Gloucestershire has historically been one of the lowest-funded local authorities for education, which is something I campaigned to change for some time.

These announcements mean we are now seeing the increases we need.

Many of our local schools will benefit, with secondary schools set to receive at least £5,715 a year per pupil, and at least £4,405 for each primary school child.

On top of this funding boost, £500m has been made available to schools and colleges to support energy efficiency upgrades, and to save on bills and manage energy consumption.

The government is also giving further funding for young people in post-16 education: £125 million is being made available for schools, colleges and other education providers to 16 to 19 year olds next year, for investing in resources and skills qualifications that will offer more learning for students and access to high-quality qualifications, including T-Levels, A-Levels and technical qualifications.

This will make sure our young people can explore a wide variety of technical and vocational routes, giving them the qualifications needed to build successful careers.

I will continue to press for more support for our local town and village schools, to ensure we are not left behind.

Our positive plan for schools and education will see us continue to invest in our local schools, to ensure our children get the best possible standard of education.

Improving school standards in South Gloucestershire is an absolute priority, so pupils living in our community have the best learning environments possible, and the opportunities they deserve to fulfil their potential in life.

Chipping Sodbury Lions Club

WE thank the people of Yate and Chipping Sodbury for generously supporting us through the past year, from our Easter egg fundraiser and carnival to Santa's sleigh.

In May, when we were all so aware of the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine, we arranged for a coach laden with food and humanitarian supplies to travel to Krakow in Poland, where Kyiv Lions Club arranged for the supplies to be distributed where most needed.

We had arranged for 39 refugees with visas to travel back to this country on the coach and onto their host families. They arrived in Yate in June.

We held our annual youth awards ceremony at the Old Grammar School in June, with local youth organisations receiving awards ranging from £1,000 to £100.

On Chipping Sodbury Carnival Day the torrential rain cleared just in time for the annual procession of floats, with a theme of 'platinum and gold'.

An ongoing project which serves the community is the collection of used spectacles, which we pass on through Lions HQ for use in developing countries.

We have collection boxes in various locations in Yate and Chipping Sodbury and collected, with the support of the public, approximately 5,000 pairs in 2022. If you would like to support this project please call 01454 882655.

In November we held our annual Wine and Cheese evening, where members and friends celebrated over a glass of wine or two, and looked forward to another Lion Christmas.

The year ended with an amazing Christmas fundraising month in December, with Santa and his sleigh touring the local area and visiting local supermarkets.

We thank the local community once again and look forward to seeing you again this year.

If you are interested in joining the club, please call 01454 882655.

Christine Dodd Past President

Yate WI

YATE WI started the year off with a very interesting talk about traditions of death and burial.

This may sound a sad subject for the New Year, but proved to be extremely fascinating in explaining how traditions have changed over the years.

Yate WI meet in the evenings on the second Monday of the month at Poole Court, except for April this year, when it will be in the third week.

We endeavour to vary our monthly meetings and have a variety of activities from speakers to simple games and demonstrations.

We always enjoy a hot drink, biscuits and general chit-chat.

Meeting in a small, cosy room means no one is left out. Making friends is our main aim.

We also meet in smaller groups for craft evenings, coffee mornings, supper club and, when the weather improves, for local walks.

If you would like to join us you will be assured of a warm welcome.

Please see our social media pages for more information, email us at yatewiavon@gmail.com or just come along to our next meeting at Poole Court on February 13, at 7pm for 7.30pm start.