Yate & Sodbury Voice February 2024 by Richard Drew at Yate and Sodbury Voice

yate&sodburyvoice www.yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

February, 2024 Issue 105

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A towering achievement! YATE boy Barney Thomas passes Tower Bridge during a 22 mile all-night walk around London. The nine-year-old Wellesley Primary pupil raised more than £2,600 for charity. Full story: Page 5

Girls protest over school skirts DOZENS of girls at Yate Academy have been banned from the classroom in a row over the length of school uniform skirts. Pupils chanted and waved banners at two demonstrations outside the school gates after teachers started a strict enforcement of the rules from the start of term in January.

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Several have the support of their parents, who have told the Voice they believe the new approach is unfair and unreasonable. Two Year 11 pupils have started an online petition, which had been signed by more than 1,200 people by the middle of January. Full story: Page 3 ORDER

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A YATE teacher let her pupils shave her long hair, in front of a hall full of children and colleagues, to help a charity for young cancer patients. PAGE 9

Parking charges

PARKING charges for councilowned car parks and a 4.99% tax rise are included in South Gloucestershire Council's budget for the coming year. PAGE 6

Corner Shop closes

A YATE-based firm that sold much-loved British food and drink brands to expats has ceased trading, with the loss of 20 jobs. PAGE 5

30 miles to dentist

PEOPLE in Yate currently face a 30-mile trip to reach the nearest dentist taking on new adult NHS patients. PAGE 8

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February, 2024

n NEWS

Pepper spray attack POLICE are trying to trace a man who attacked a group of boys with a pepper spray-like substance in Yate - leaving one of them in need of hospital treatment. The incident happened shortly before 7.30pm on Boxing Day near the Shell petrol station on Westerleigh Road. A police spokesperson said: "Six boys, aged between 12 and 15, were walking along the road when a car pulled up. "A man got out and sprayed an irritant substance, similar to pepper spray, at the boys before

driving off at speed. "One of the boys went to hospital and was discharged after treatment to skin irritation, while another was cared for at home." Police say they do not have a description of the man or the car involved, and have followed up "all available lines of enquiry". They are appealing for anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage who has not yet come forward to call 101 and give the crime reference number 5223 314 794.

Man charged with kidnap A MAN has been charged with kidnap after a woman was forced into a car, then assaulted in Yate. Avon & Somerset police say the incident started several miles away in Cadbury Heath on Christmas Day, when a member of the public reported a woman being assaulted and forced into a car. The car was driven off "at speed", but two hours later another call was made reporting that a woman was being assaulted in Dingley Lane, near Peg Hill in Yate. A police spokesperson said: "Officers quickly attended and a

man was arrested. "The victim received treatment at hospital and has now returned home." Police said 25-year-old George Taylor, of Earlstone Road in Cadbury Heath, has been charged with kidnap and breaching a nonmolestation order. He appeared at Bristol Crown Court in January, when he denied the charges. A trial will take place later this year. Police have asked anyone with information which could help their investigation to call them on 101 and quote incident reference number 5223 314 230.

Drug and burglary arrests POLICE arrested two men in a Yate community centre car park as part of an "ongoing drugs investigation". The men, aged 33 and 20, were arrested on suspicion of burglary and Class A drugs offences after officers stopped a car in the Ridgewood Community Centre car park, off Station Road, at around 5am on December 28. An Avon & Somerset police spokesperson said one of the men was also arrested for driving offences, including driving under the influence of drink or drugs. PC Sean White, from Yate's neighbourhood policing team,

said: "We have been conducting a number of high-visibility patrols in the area and providing reassurance to the public that we will not tolerate any anti-social behaviour or drug-related crime. "Acting on the intelligence from the local community, police stopped a vehicle which was believed to be related to the recent crimes and two people were arrested." Anyone with information about ongoing crime and antisocial behaviour in the area is being asked to call 101 and quote the crime reference number 5223 315 838.

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February, 2024

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n NEWS

Protests over 'distressing' school skirt checks From page 1 They claim the school tried to enforce a “skirt line” outside the school entrance, taking girls in skirts to one side to have the skirt's length checked, which they described as “objectifying and distressing”. The girls, who are not named on the petition, said they felt the new policy that skirts must touch the knee was “both unnecessary and unfairly targets girls”. They could wear trousers instead, but say many do not want to. The girls said: “This rule has been enforced with undue severity, resulting in disruption to the learning environment. Today, countless girls were removed from lessons for extended periods, solely to address skirt length discrepancies.” One parent, Kim Ashley, said children were missing lessons because their skirts were an inch too short. She said: "I had a phone call and I could hear my child crying in the background. She was told her skirt was too short. It took more than three teachers to come to that conclusion. “But the outrageous thing was the next day she was told by two teachers it was fine! So she went through that for nothing. It seems to me it's all about opinion whether it's too short or not. “As a parent I want their voices to be heard and fully support them. "At the moment they are not allowed to have an opinion on the matter. The teachers see it as answering back and they're sent straight to 'AR', which means missing lessons for 24 hours - in one week more than 30 children were sent to AR. “Some children are missing lessons being sent home and being made to change into trousers and all because their skirt is an inch 'too short'. "Yet when it comes to PE kit they can wear low cut V-neck tops and skirts which are like hot pants. Why is that

Mum Roma Smith posted pictures of her daughter wearing her uniform skirt (left), which broke school rules, and PE skirt (right), which did not acceptable?” Another mum, Roma Smith, posted photos of her daughter on Facebook, wearing a sports skirt and a school uniform skirt. She said: “The school skirt is too short and not acceptable by the school yet the PE skirt is. “We have bought the correct uniform from the correct supplier, yet it is not good enough for the school because the skirt is above the knee, so our daughter is being told she looks unprofessional and is being punished.” Some parents said the problem was that the school uniform supplier Monkhouse, which supplies uniforms for hundreds of schools, did not have the range of skirt lengths needed. Roma said: “Only having two skirt lengths available is ridiculous, and doesn’t take into account that kids are still growing, or that some girls will be very long-legged, so 'standard' lengths will come up short on them. "Should they be punished because the skirt doesn’t fit them and there’s no alternative?" The Voice contacted Greenshaw Learning Trust, which runs the school in Sundridge Park, to ask for a comment from head teacher Edward Rakshi, who took charge of the school last September. A trust spokesperson said: “We don’t comment through the media on any issues relating to pupils. “If parents/carers have concerns about any aspect of school life at Yate Academy, we suggest that they should always contact the school directly, and any communications with parents/carers will be made directly.” The girls' petition can be found online at chng.it/ srqXMXzY.

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February, 2024

n NEWS

Charity will revive Shire Way centre this year A MILLION-pound rescue plan will see Yate’s troubled Shire Way Community Centre brought back into use this year. The centre has been closed since the Charity Commission launched an investigation into its finances two years ago. Now Coalpit Heath-based disability charity Paul’s Place is taking over the centre – and hopes to re-open it by the end of this year. Paul’s Place will move from its current leased space at Coalpit Heath Cricket Club, in Serridge Lane, after being awarded the Shire Way lease in a “closed bid” process, which is understood to have involved several other takeover offers. The charity works to enhance the lives of adults with physical disabilities by providing social activities that connect people, reduce isolation, improve health and well-being, and give people the opportunity to develop new skills and enjoy new experiences. Paul's Place chief executive Lynda Williams

The Shire Way Centre has been closed for the past two years Chief executive Lynda Williams said they had allocated £900,000 to fund buying the 65 year lease, and refurbishment work. She said the new look centre will include a community café run by Paul’s Place members, an allotment area, and rooms for hire for events and local organisations. Lynda said: "The much-loved Shire Way Community Centre, in Yate, has sat untouched since 2022 but our charity is going to bring it back to life. "We are extremely excited about our move to Shire Way and the opportunities it will create for not only the charity but the residents of Yate. "It means we can increase our daily activities and our facilities for all our members.

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"And it means we’ll be able to take on more members in the future, so it’s a really good day for Paul’s Place - and it’s a fantastic day for people who have physical disabilities and use our services now and in the future. "Our current home at the cricket club has been great, but with growth and increasing demand for our services, we have simply outgrown the building." Lynda said the charity hoped to create a ‘Paul’s Place Hub’ - a completely accessible building that will allow it to support more disabled people to live their life to the full. She said: "We really hope the local community will get behind our plans and support us as much as possible." The news has been welcomed by councillors in Yate.

The town's mayor Cheryl Kirby, who is a Dodington ward councillor on South Gloucestershire council, said: "The prospect of a fully accessible 'Paul's Place Hub' at Shire Way is genuinely exciting. "We are excited to see how the charity's expanded offerings will benefit the community and help individuals locally live fulfilling lives." In January 2022 the Charity Commission launched an inquiry into the Shire Way Community Association, “over concerns about misconduct and/or mismanagement”. The centre has been closed and unused ever since. A Charity Commission spokesperson said the inquiry was still “ongoing”.

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February, 2024

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Barney's London walk helps hospital A YATE boy who needed lifesaving surgery after being born with two holes in his heart has raised more than £2,600 to help other children in hospital. Barney Thomas, aged nine, underwent surgery when he was a baby. To give something back, the Wellesley Primary School pupil decided to start raising money for the the Grand Appeal at Bristol Children’s Hospital. Barney made his fourth annual sponsored walk in late December, when he and dad Darren, 36, set up their own “Midnight March”, covering 22 miles around London in 12 hours, with Barney’s godfather Bradley Hackett. Barney’s Just Giving page is still attracting donations, and had reached £2,689 as the Voice went to print - beating last year's total of £2,592. Speaking after finishing the walk, he said: “I feel tired but proud that we’ve done it – I feel joyous.” Darren, who works for Network Rail, said they decided to do a walk in London, to find a new challenge for Barney. They started at Paddington station, and the walk took in Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Tower Bridge.

Barney Thomas walks through Regent Street in London's West End during his nighttime fundraising trek Darren said: “It all started when Barney saw Captain Tom’s fund raising during

lockdown, and said he wanted to do the same. "We started three years ago, walking from Bristol to Yate, which was 16 miles, and so needed to find something new to attract donations. "It was twelve hours walking, from 6pm til six the next morning, and really wore us both out. We did have breaks for food, but it was tough going.” The annual fundraiser is Barney’s way to say think you to Bristol Children’s hospital, where he had his surgery. Darren said: "He was one year old and has gone on to live a normal and happy life, thanks to the dedication and care received from the facility." Over the years Barney has raised more than £7,000 for toys and electronics for the hospital through its official charity. He and his dad are already thinking about their 2024 fund raiser. Darren said: “ We certainly plan to do it again – but we are running out of places we can go to make it more of a challenge and keep it interesting. “Barney has high expectations of how much he can raise, so we need to keep people interested and donating year after year.” Barney’s donation page can be found online at tinyurl.com/564b47tw.

Yate business folds with loss of 20 jobs A YATE-based firm that specialised in selling muchloved British food and drink brands to expats has gone into administration. British Corner Shop Limited, based on the Stover Trading Estate, off Wellington Drive, exported brands such as Bisto gravy, Jaffa Cakes and Robinson's orange squash to Britons living abroad who missed a taste of home. All 20 remaining employees have lost their jobs as a result of the move, announced in January. Joint Administrators Jonathan Dunn and Matthew Whitchurch, of specialist business advisory firm FRP, said: "The business had suffered ongoing financial challenges following impacts of Brexit and the pandemic, and unfortunately has now ceased trading. "Regrettably, all 20 employees were made redundant on appointment. “British Corner Shop faced

The British Corner Shop Limited logo at its headquarters on the Stover Trading Estate in Yate significant operational challenges distribution hub in Holland. over the past few years and, The company reportedly had regrettably, was no longer able to a customer base of more than meet its financial obligations. 700,000 people around the "Our focus now is on world, selling to more than 140 supporting staff with their countries, and had seen sales rise applications to the Redundancy during the pandemic as travel Payments Service as we wind to and from the UK was limited, down the business.” despite restrictions on some of Founded in 2004, the online its export markets. retailer sold more than 6,000 It also sold to other British food brands to customers businesses, to provided overseas and expats across the world. retailers with British brands. Its head office and warehouse At home the firm was was in Yate and it also ran a involved in supporting charities,

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including Children's Hospice South West. But the company had financial problems last year, when it went into administration in March and was bought out by private equity firm Rcapital. The retailer's website, www. britishcornershop.co.uk, has now been taken down, having initially posted a message which said: "Please be aware that the company has ceased trading on appointment, and is therefore no longer able to respond to any customer or supplier queries." All enquiries are being directed to the administrators at BCS@frpadvisory.com. Expats website Anglotopia commented: "This is a real shame. "They were an amazing online British grocery store that allowed expats and Anglophiles worldwide to order real British groceries. "They had reasonable delivery fees and were usually very fast."

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February, 2024

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Council tax up - and car park charges on the way SOUTH Gloucestershire Council will push ahead with plans to introduce car parking charges at the car parks it owns, as well as for on-street parking spaces. The council has published a budget which will increase its part of the council tax bill by the maximum amount allowed without a referendum - 4.99% - from April. That would represent an extra £86.23 on the main council element of the bill, from £1,727.98 to £1,814.21, for taxpayers in a typical Band D home. The final council tax bill, which will be voted on in February, will also include the charges levied by parish councils, the police and fire service, and 'special expenses' for neighbourhood facilities. Council-owned car parks include the Yate Park & Ride in Badminton Road, which has more than 240 spaces, and the town's Abbotswood, Cranleigh Court Road, Kennedy Way, Longs Drive, and Yate Leisure Centre car parks, which between them have more than 300 spaces. Other shopping centre car parks, including Yate Shopping Centre, Waitrose in Chipping Sodbury and the Mall at Cribbs Causeway are not council-owned, so would not be affected by the proposals. Chipping Sodbury's Town Car Park, next to the Waitrose car park, is run by the town council and also not included. The council has not said how much the charges would be but says there would be "an element of free parking" - and new restrictions on nearby roads to discourage people from using them instead. In a statement confirming the move, the

Yate Park & Ride is one of the car parks owned by South Gloucestershire Council authority said the amount it was receiving to fund services from central government left it with a "£2 million income generation target", which had been included in last year’s budget. It said: "A scheme of car parking charges will need to be implemented, in line with most local authorities across the country. "The details of this will be worked up over the coming weeks, with a phased implementation plan starting with council owned off-street car parks before progressing to on-street parking. "A scheme will be developed that balances the need for the council to balance the books with the needs of residents and businesses to maintain access to shopping facilities and footfall in local shops, for example. "The specifics of these charges, for example where they will apply and how much they will be, are yet to be determined, but in light of community concerns about the

potential impact of this, which was widely expressed in the consultation process, the scheme will include an element of free parking and the introduction of business permits where appropriate. "In order that these measures do not lead to drivers congesting local residential areas, there will also need to be new regulations to street parking in some areas to protect local residents, and a balance will be struck so that parking near to local shops is not blocked by all-day parking commuters." Other changes include a hike in green bin charges from £30 to £60 a year, and a £10 administration charge to apply for a Blue Badge. The council says both changes will bring the council into line with neighbouring authorities. It says the proposals followed "an extensive public consultation process" which saw 50,000 comments submitted on the authority's original draft proposals. The budget will include a £1 million increase in spending on children’s services, providing Free School Meal vouchers for one week at Easter and one week of summer holidays, a pilot scheme to help landlords make rental homes more energy efficient and continued support for food banks and community pantries. Councillors will begin the formal review of the budget at a scrutiny commission meeting on January 31, before it is considered by the cabinet on February 5 and voted on by the Full Council on February 21. Details of final bills will appear in next month's Voice.

Find out about fostering Come to our information evening and find out how you could change a child or young person’s life. Thursday 22 Feb 2024, 6.30pm At South Gloucestershire Council Offices Badminton Road, Yate, BS37 5AF Visit www.fostersouthglos.org.uk for more information.

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February, 2024

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Solar farm plans approved COUNCILLORS have approved plans for a huge solar farm near Wickwar, despite more than 100 objections. South Gloucestershire Council's development management committee granted permission, by six votes to three, for the new plant across 15 agricultural fields at Varley Farm in Talbots End, between Wickwar Quarry and the B4058 Bristol Road, near Cromhall. But a resident accused the council of “blindly” accepting a report commissioned by the applicants, RES Group (Renewable Energy Systems), that downgraded the quality of the farmland using a method he claimed to be “totally bogus”. Speaking on behalf of the 122 objectors, qualified surveyor Cyrus Contractor told the meeting on January 18 that RES was a massive, “bullying” firm with a £1 billion annual turnover, which would just sell off the land. He said: "I am convinced that RES has absolutely no interest in climate change – solar farms are just a way to make more money. “There is no benefit to the local community whatsoever – the electricity produced will just be exported to the National Grid. “The community suffers all of the downsides and none of the upsides. “Our village is a thriving and historic agricultural village. “We should not be forced to surrender productive farmland to a highly aggressive and commercial power company, bullying its way across the world with its money and influence.” Mr Contractor said the council’s declaration of a climate emergency meant it shared the same goals as RES and so could not be neutral in determining the proposals. He said a council report, which recommended approval of the plans, excluded the extra building needed to complete the solar farm, with pylons and electrical substations allowed under permitted development to connect to the National Grid. Cromhall parish councillor Daren Jeffery said: “We strongly object to the construction of Varley Solar Farm. “It will have an overall negative impact on the immediate neighbours to the site, the village

(Left) The current entrance to Varley Farm. (Right) Residents Cyrus and Sophie Contractor address the planning meeting and the wider community.” He said children were dropped off from the school bus and walked home along Farleigh Lane, a twisty, rural road, and lorries going in and out of the site during construction would create a “deathtrap waiting to happen”. Senior planning officer Rae Mepham said the plans for the farm - which will be returned to agricultural use after 40 years were acceptable, including road safety, and that the benefits outweighed the harms. She said the agricultural land was re-graded because the previous analysis was carried out back in the 1980s, which at the time did not include as many categories of soil quality. Ms Mepham said the grading was done by an independent, qualified company using a Defraapproved rating system. Committee member June Bamford (Con, Hanham) said that although new trees and hedgerows would be planted, these would not screen the site completely because the solar panels would be up to 3.5 metres tall, so there would be “harm to the environment”, as well as noise from the equipment. She said: "I would have liked to have seen the company pay a large bond upfront so that the taxpayer does not foot the bill for any cleanup after 40 years because we don’t know whether that company is going to be there." Council head of development management Marie Bath said the committee had recently granted consent for two bigger solar farms. RES development project manager Bert Devossel said the scheme would provide enough energy to power 10,000 homes and save 600,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions over its lifetime, while

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100 new trees and a kilometre of hedgerows would be planted. He said 90% of the land was not classified as “best and most versatile”. After the meeting RES insisted the design would "enable continued agricultural use of the land in the form of sheep farming" and said new planting would help "significantly enhance the biodiversity of the site".

Mr Devossel added: "Feedback from the local community and stakeholders during the consultation stage helped to positively shape the proposal, resulting in changes being made to the design." By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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February, 2024

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30 miles to find an NHS dentist PEOPLE in the Yate and Sodbury area currently face a 30-mile trip to reach the nearest dentist prepared to take on new adult NHS patients. As of January 23 the closest practice to the centre of Yate open to new adult patients on the NHS Find a Dentist website was just over 30 miles away in Marlborough, Wiltshire, followed by a practice in Malvern, Worcestershire, nearly 41 miles away. For children aged 17 and under, the nearest practice open to new NHS patients was 15 miles away, in Bradford-on-Avon. The same practice was accepting adults who are entitled to free dental care. Seven dentists within ten miles of Yate, including one in the town, said they would treat new patients on the NHS only if they have been referred for specialist dental care. A spokesperson for NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, which is responsible for NHS services in the area, said: "We are

aware that access to NHS dentistry in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire is challenging and we are working hard to try and improve the situation for local people. "We continue to engage extensively with local dental clinicians, their representatives and partners, as part of a wider South West Dental Reform programme, to encourage and support them to continue to provide services for NHS patients." The ICB said people with an urgent dental need could call 111 to access one of 64 appointments available each week. The profession's official body, the British Dental Association, says the "access crisis" facing the area is typical of the situation around the country. It blames the "long discredited" NHS dental contract, first introduced in 2006, which has led to severe recruitment and retention problems. Parliament's Health and Social Care Committee recommended in July last year

that it should be reformed, after carrying out an inquiry. But the BDA said it was still waiting for the government to publish its recovery plan and said it had "singularly failed to show it shares the aspirations of the Committee". BDA Chair Eddie Crouch said: “The Government claim they want access for all but appear unwilling to make any commitments that could actually achieve that. “We’ve heard big ambitions but no action, and our patients will continue paying the price.” A recent national survey carried out for The Times found more than half of children in South Gloucestershire had not seen a dentist in the past year, and that tooth problems were now the most common cause of hospital visits among children. Only 39% of the area's adults had seen a dentist in the past two years, the newspaper found.

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February, 2024

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Carly's hair chopped for a good cause

A YATE school teacher has said goodbye to her long hair, so it can be used to help a sick child. Students in Carly Bryan's tutor group at Brimsham Green School tied, cut and shaved her head in front of a hall full of children and colleagues. The event raised £2,793.50 for the Little Princess Trust charity, which will use her hair to make wigs for girls who have lost their own hair because of medical treatment. Carly, who teaches food preparation and nutrition, said the Trust is the house charity, chosen by students. She said: "My tutor group came up with the idea and the students have been instrumental in promoting the event, including making posters, PowerPoints and writing entries for the website and school newsletter." On the big day in January, the hair cut took place in the school drama hall, with special lighting and dramatic music. Carly said: "I would like to

(Left) Carly's hair is prepared for the chop. (Right) Carly's hair was cropped short in front of a big audience personally thank the school for them by ensuring my new trim being so supportive of this event. was as even as it could be, prior "The leadership team have all to teaching for the remainder of been incredibly supportive and the day. encouraging. Staff have been "I was actually, and more amazing at organising and raising surprisingly, excited about awareness with me. having my hair removed. The "I would also like to thank opportunity to help others and students in my tutor group, who also to try out new hair styles advertised and promoted the as my hair returns was a little event and who cut my hair with exciting. confidence and grace. Fellow ADT "I am pleased that we decided teacher Mrs Cotterell supported to embark on this event and hope

Discovering the world of work PUPILS at Brimsham Green School are able to find out more about the career opportunities awaiting them after exams thanks to a new initiative. The school's Working Wednesdays programme, held fortnightly during extended tutor sessions, has allowed them a glimpse into the working lives of speakers from a variety of industries and backgrounds. They include a journalist reporting on

celebrities, a remote submarine designer, a 'human relationships manager' working for a vet, an Army obstetrician and a marketing boss for restaurant chain Nando’s. Assistant head teacher Julie Revans said: "The primary objective of Working Wednesdays is to showcase the diverse range of careers available to our students. "We believe that by exposing them to a range of professions and career paths, they can better envision their future and develop

it goes a long way in supporting young people to retrieve the confidence back that they may have lost during treatment." The Little Princess Trust provides free real hair wigs to children and young people, up to 24 years, who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other medical conditions. It was set up by the parents of Hannah Tarplee, from Herefordshire, who lost her hair while being treated for a tumour, and died in 2005. Since then the charity has provided more than 15,000 wigs to children and young people with hair loss, and raised £23 million for childhood cancer research. A spokesperson for the charity said: “Donating your long locks to help children and young people experiencing the devastating effects of hair loss is an incredibly generous thing to do." To find out more about the charity visit the website littleprincesses.org.uk.

the necessary skills and attributes whilst at Brimsham, to thrive in their chosen fields. "Our presenters, hailing from both local and distant areas, generously share their career journeys, discussing the trials and triumphs they encountered along the way. "These narratives provide invaluable insights into the real-world application of skills acquired during their formative years in school." The sessions are accessible to all students from Year 7 to Year 13, with some speakers coming in person and others giving presentations remotely.

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February, 2024

n NEWS

Ofsted - village school is 'inadequate'

A VILLAGE primary school near Yate has been put into special measures after regulator Ofsted said it was 'inadequate'. Rangeworthy Primary School was visited by two Ofsted inspectors in September last year. Their report, published in December, said the school had undergone “significant staff turbulence” since the previous inspection rated it as 'good' in 2018. The report said: “This school requires special measures because it is failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education and the persons responsible for leading, managing or governing the school are not demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvement in the school.” Ofsted said lead inspector Jen Southall had met with South Gloucestershire Council and the director of primary education from a local trust that has been helping the school to bring in changes. A new head teacher, Samantha Travis, took over last summer and told the Voice work was well under way to bring in changes which she hoped would result in improvements. The report said: "The school, including governors, has been too slow to sort out the widespread weaknesses.

"The quality of education that pupils receive is poor. "The recently-appointed school leaders are working with the governing body to provide some clarity and direction. They have identified the failings of the school. "However, it is too soon to see any demonstrable impact." The Church of England school, which has 53 pupils aged from five to 11, was assessed as being inadequate for quality of education, leadership and management, and early years provision. Pupil behaviour and attitudes, and personal development both require improvement, the inspectors said. The report said that despite the failings, pupils enjoy going to the school. But it concluded the curriculum was “weak and poorly planned”, and did not set out the key knowledge that pupils need to know, understand and remember. The inspectors said: "The school does not provide pupils with the education they deserve. Pupils do not learn enough in too many subjects." Pupils with special educational needs or disabilities were not getting the help they needed.

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The inspectors did say that relationships within the school are strong, and pupils are confident that they can talk to any adult if they have a concern. Miss Travis said: “We were extremely disappointed with the outcome of the Ofsted inspection, but fully accepted the findings. "Having been recently appointed to post at the time of inspection, I was heartened that inspectors were satisfied that we were already making progress with the work underway to make essential improvements at the school, and our strengths were also recognised. “Inspectors commented on the positive work being done to support children’s personal development and well-being while keeping them safe. "Our new leadership team remain focussed on continuing to drive forward the work we are doing to make the required improvements, with additional training being provided for our staff and measures being implemented to address the issues raised in the report. "We are confident that this work is delivering positive results, and we remain focussed on developing and delivering the best possible school environment and education for our children."

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

February, 2024

yate&sodburyvoice

n NEWS

New measures to protect railway line

NETWORK Rail says it is looking into new ways to protect the line through Chipping Sodbury after it flooded again – for the third time this winter. The line was closed and services between Bristol Parkway and Swindon suspended for several days after the line was flooded at the start of January. It was the latest in a series of floods after continued heavy rain, which also flooded roads and fields in South Gloucestershire at the end of December and into January. Network Rail said wetter weather caused by climate change meant a £5 million lagoon built in 2018 was overwhelmed and could not cope with the excess water, and now it is looking at other options. Julie Gregory, from the company's climate change task force, said the lagoon had similar problems last year, during Storm Babet in October and between Storms Ciaran and Debi in November last year. She said: "The situation on the railway here presents a real challenge for us to provide a resilient railway. “It basically is cut through low-lying land, right through the middle of a catchment area where water filters through permeable rock and the railway effectively acts as a large drainage channel.” Julie said the lagoon holds Network Rail's Julie Gregory

Flooding on the main railway line from Bristol Parkway to London near Chipping Sodbury in January 11 million litres of water, and is designed to take the flood water temporarily, which can then be pumped back into local rivers, when it is safe to do so. But this had to be delayed in January. She said: "When there were widespread flood warnings over the country, we couldn’t pump that water out because there would be a risk of flooding to local properties.” Julie said this meant the lagoon stayed full for longer, and they could not clear flood water from the line – so services had to be suspended longer than expected. Since the lagoon was built in 2018, it had prevented flooding “on a number of occasions”, and reduced the amount of time the line was closed. But she added: "With climate change and wetter winters, and more extreme rainfall, we do need to do more, so we are working with the Environment Agency and others to look at what our options are to prevent this, and protect the resilience of this railway line into the future."

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The Heathers Nursing Home Our aim is to give a high standard of nursing and personal care in a traditional, homely and friendly environment. The Heathers is a home of great character and charm. The interior architecture, with many of its original features, gives a perfect setting for the home comforts we aim to provide. The Heathers Nursing Home is a privately owned, Grade 2 Listed Georgian manor house, situated within walking distance of the town centres of Chipping Sodbury, and Yate.

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February, 2024

n NEWS

yate&sodburyvoice

A school where children 'flourish and thrive' INSPECTORS have praised a school where staff are "tenacious" in helping every child succeed. Ofsted said pupils' personal development at Old Sodbury C of E Primary School was 'outstanding' and the school was 'good' in all other areas quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and early years provision - as well as overall. Two inspectors visited the school in Church Lane in November - the regulator's first visit for 12 years. Their report, published in January, said: "Pupils love attending Old Sodbury school. "Parents describe the school as welcoming and say that their children flourish and thrive. "The school has high expectations of what every pupil can achieve." The inspectors said pupils are keen to learn, well-behaved, friendly and courteous and "demonstrate the school values of courage, compassion and respect in their actions". They were given confidencebuilding leadership roles and "know that they are valued as unique individuals within the school community". The inspectors praised the school's "broad and ambitious" curriculum, saying: "Staff have the subject knowledge they need to teach all areas of the curriculum. "They explain new learning clearly and expertly answer the questions that pupils have."

including Chipping Sodbury and Yate. To improve further, the inspectors recommended that the school identify areas of the curriculum that need further improvement, and ensure all teaching activities across the curriculum build knowledge and skills "consistently well". Ofsted's last visit was in November 2011, when the school was rated 'outstanding' under a previous grading system. This meant the regulator should have returned for another routine inspection by the end of 2020. But a backlog caused in part by the pandemic meant the latest inspection was three years late. Head teacher Bernice WebberBrown said: "I am so proud of our school community, children, parents, staff and governors, who have worked together to create an environment where outstanding provision for our pupils' personal development ensures that all children here thrive."

Head teacher Bernice Webber-Brown with pupils from Old Sodbury Primary School As a result, pupils achieve gave pupils "a rich set of well and produce high-quality experiences". The inspectors said: work, the inspectors said, being "The school is tenacious in helping able to recall what they know and every pupil to find something that successfully build on it. they enjoy and can feel successful The school's work on reading at." and adapting learning for pupils The school currently has 105 with special educational needs or pupils aged from four to 11 on disabilities was highlighted. its roll, drawn not just from Old The inspectors also praised Sodbury but from a wide area, the school's "plethora of wider enrichment activities that help them to develop new talents and xxxx interests". They said performing arts are a "particular strength", with many pupils learning instruments and We offer you friendly, professional expert advice singing. The report said: "The annual musical productions are eagerly anticipated. All pupils have a role to play in these, as they do in the wider life of the school." School trips, to museums, outdoor and residential centres

324 drink-drive arrests

POLICE arrested more than 50 drivers in South Gloucestershire for driving under the influence of drink or drugs during a national festive crackdown. In total, Avon and Somerset Police arrested 324 drivers during the annual Operation Tonic in December, 51 of them in South Gloucestershire and 86 in Bristol. Numbers were 10% up on the previous year, with more than two thirds (68%) of arrests for drink-driving and the other 32% for drug-driving. Stops were made through a combination of stop checks at fixed sites, intelligence operations, public reports of suspected drink-driving, and 'proactive patrols' to look for erratic drivers. In total around 2,000 drivers were stopped during the operation, which means approximately 16% of them were arrested. Police said four out of five drivers arrested were male. Under-25s made up 17% of drivers arrested, with 25 to 34 year olds accounted for 30% and people aged 35-44 making 26%. People aged between 45 and 54 made up 17% of those arrested, with over-55s accounting for the other 10%. Police are encouraging people to continue to report information about drink or drug-drivers, either online or via 101 - or 999 if the person involved is behind the wheel at the time.

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yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2024

Most new cops not on the beat, says chief MOST of the new Avon & Somerset Police officers recruited in a major four-year campaign are not carrying out uniformed patrols on the beat – despite a government pledge they would be. The force took on 558 officers – exceeding its target of 456 – as part of the Home Office’s flagship Uplift programme, which aimed to bolster frontline crime-fighting by 20,000 additional police in England and Wales between 2019 and March 2023. But Chief Constable Sarah Crew has admitted that the majority of these have been appointed into non-uniformed roles, including intelligence gathering and offender management. She defended the decision during a question time session with Police & Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford, and insisted that visible policing was still a priority. The constabulary said last September that the 558 new recruits were “frontline officers”. At the PCC performance and accountability board meeting on January 17, Mr Shelford asked how the chief constable was ensuring that the new officers were "out policing in the community and not unduly tied to the desk at a station". Ms Crew replied: “Quite a number of our Uplift posts have not been allocated directly into uniformed policing but into a number of

our plain-clothes functions – 55% of them. “That would be our CID teams, our integrated offender management teams, our intelligence departments and in the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit. “Part of that is a reflection of the changes in our demand – much crime happens online, so it’s right that we reflect the deployment of those resources so we are visible in the online frame. “There has been a significant investment in the way we deal with rape and serious sexual offences, violence against women and girls, within that CID deployment, and that is a reflection of increasing reports, the dangerousness of the offenders and also a lack of confidence in the criminal justice response to that. “I don’t want you to think, though, there hasn’t been a focus within neighbourhood policing and in the patrol teams on the importance of visibility. “That’s a very big focus within briefings, within how we decide how resources are based.” Ms Crew said the force could mobilise 100 officers from neighbourhoods and specialist units at any given time through Project Servator, where police are deployed unannounced to disrupt offenders in a “highly visible way”, and that this gave

Chief Constable Sarah Crew residents confidence and reassurance. She said special constables had given 11,000 hours in the last three months and support volunteers who ran identification parades and carried out other tasks saved a further 15,000 hours of work for uniformed officers. Ms Crew added: "All of that helps our uniformed presence be much more frontfooted, out on patrol and visible." She said GPS data from police radios showed 64% of officer time across the force was spent out of the station. By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2024

n NEWS

'Barnardo's baby' takes Aston added to bill charge of shop THE manager of Yate's new Barnardo's shop says it is much more than just a job - as she was adopted through the charity as a baby. Jo Ridler was already an experienced charity retail worker when she gave up work to care for her elderly father. Although she had known since she was 12 that she was adopted, it was only after his death that she came across the papers which showed that she had been adopted through Barnardo’s. She said: “It was time for me to return to work and the very first job I saw advertised was managing the Barnardo’s store in Chipping Sodbury. I felt it was meant to be.” Jo has now worked for the charity for ten years, managing six in total.

Jo Ridler Her latest opened in the former Shaw’s shop in Yate Shopping centre in December. Jo said: "It means a lot for me to work for Barnardo’s because of my background and the fact that I was placed for adoption at six weeks old. “I tell the people who come to volunteer with us that whether you are dusting a shelf or putting price tickets on clothes for sale, you are helping to support vulnerable families."

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JLS star Aston Merrygold is the latest big pop name to be added to the bill of a music festival being held at Yate Town Football Club this year. The singer, who rose to fame with his bandmates on The X Factor, has been announced as the special guest supporting Sophie Ellis-Bextor at the Good Times on the Pitch event on May 25. Pop superstars McFly, presenter and pianist Jools Holland and Scouting for Girls are among the other headliners announced for the festival, which runs over six days from May 22-27. James Murden, who is one of the event organisers, said: "Aston is an incredible performer, with boundless energy, and we know he’s got big plans for his appearance in Yate. "He’ll be performing work from his solo career and throwback JLS tracks before Sophie Ellis-Bextor performs

Aston Merrygold her headline set alongside her live band." The series of shows, leading up to and including the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, includes a comedy gala featuring standups Ed Byrne, Zoe Lyons, Troy Hawke and Cerys Nelmes on May 27. All the shows take place outdoors, on a festival stage on the pitch at Yate Town FC in Lodge Road, with ticket holders invited to bring along camping chairs or picnic blankets. Tickets are available at GoodTimesYate.com.

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yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2024

n NEWS

Halls win licences, despite protests TWO halls have won licences to hold more events, despite opposition from residents. Sodbury Masonic Hall, on Hatters Lane in Chipping Sodbury, has been granted a premises licence by South Gloucestershire Council, so the bar inside the hall can sell alcohol until 11pm, for events like wedding receptions. And Hawkesbury Upton Village Hall can now sell alcohol until 12.30am on Fridays and Saturdays – 90 minutes later than current last orders – up to 12 times a year for private events and parties. A council licensing meeting in December heard a neighbour's concerns over access to the Masonic Hall, with photographs submitted of a delivery lorry squeezed into the narrow lane, with its driver having to walk along the top of a wall to make the delivery and then reach the cab again.

The neighbour said: “When trapped by the narrow width of the drive, these vehicles then need to reverse out of the junction — a dangerous manoeuvre." Solicitor David Roberts, representing the applicants, said the new licence would likely mean private events being held once or twice a month. He said: “This is not an application for a new nightclub or a new licensed public house. This is to facilitate more flexibly how the hall is used. "The premises is home to five different masonic lodges. It’s also used as a community base for a number of other organisations, including the Historical Society and the Women’s Institute. “If somebody wanted to use the hall and hire it out for a private event — it might be a family party or a small wedding reception — [the new licence] gives them the flexibility to do

that." He added that no alcohol would be drunk outside of the premises, and there would be no increase in deliveries despite the extra events. A meeting in January approved an extension for the licence at Hawkesbury Upton Village Hall after venue managers told the council's licensing subcommittee that the hall would be forced to shut without the extra hours. A resident who wrote to oppose the application said they were "happy to tolerate the existing noise and disturbance"but were concerned the extension would mean events didn't pack up until as late as 1.30am. They wrote: “When events are taking place it’s often impossible to get to sleep in the rooms nearest the hall, especially in the summer when windows and doors are open."

A village hall representative said the longer licence was needed so that the volunteers who ran the venue on the High Street did not have to make costly and time-consuming individual applications every time there was a booking with a later closing time, which could lead to bookings being lost. He said: "The hall costs us £20,000 a year to operate and maintain, so the only way the hall can survive financially is to hold additional events such as weddings, private birthday parties and social events such as the local cricket club presentation evening." The sub-committee approved the application after adding a suggested condition limiting the late-night extension to 12 times a year. By Alex Seabrook and Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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February, 2024

n YATE HERITAGE CENTRE

Remembering market day in Yate IT is nearly 50 years since Yate Market finally closed its doors. Between the 1860s and 1975, the market was a fixture in the economic and social life of the parish and later, town. Up to the 1950s, farmers and general visitors could witness a livestock market each week, with Yate and Sodbury markets alternating. The fortnightly Yate market was a great social event for local families and farmers. Children encountered farm animals close at hand. Farmers could meet and do business at the Railway Hotel. Yate market began in or around 1862. The 1860s were near the end of a mini-golden age for farming. Yate parish alone had over 20 dairy farms. Agricultural labouring was a major employer. The farming boom encouraged the creation of a market at Yate for the first time since the late Medieval era. Yate became a significant local market, receiving livestock from a five-mile radius. It began with only outdoor pens near to the railway station on Station Road. Despite agricultural recessions from the 1870s onwards, the market expanded, gaining its own buildings for livestock and produce sales. Yate was at least on a par with the ancient Sodbury market. It had its own buildings, whereas Sodbury needed to set up animal pens on the High Street every market day. Indeed, Yate Market survived Sodbury by 21 years, continuing until 1975. Sodbury was always dogged by hygiene issues from animals in the street, and shut in 1954. Dairy farming went into decline

Diary dates: Until February 22: Get Orf My Land. Exhibition - history of the farming community around Yate and the challenges faced by modern farming. February 16: 10am or 1pm: Holiday workshops - Willow Craft. Ideal for children aged 5-12. Booking essential. February 20: 7.30pm: Yate Lecture Series – Kingswood coal, with Steve Grudgings. £2 admission, free for Friends of YHC. Booking essential.

Fat Stock Show, around 1970 from the 1870s, and Yate market was always small: it could never compete with the likes of Gloucester or Chippenham. Paul Young, son of auctioneer George, regularly attended the market as a boy. His abiding memories were ramshackle buildings, cold, concrete floors and little investment. By the 1960s and 1970s it was decidedly on the slide. Farmers could get better prices at other markets. Increasingly, they dealt directly with abattoirs in Bristol instead of going through Yate Market officials. Since the market ended in 1975, wholesale changes around the site on Station Road have eradicated any sign of it. Nevertheless, the history of the market is the story of Yate: an area which went from being largely agricultural and rural in 1862 to the urban and industrial settlement it

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had become by 1975. More on Yate Market can be seen in our Get Orf My Land exhibition, which is on display until February 22. Yate Heritage Centre is part of Yate Town Council.

February 24-March 16: History and culture of Ukraine exhibition. More information on yateheritage.co.uk or by calling 01454 862200

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yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2024

n LOCAL MP

We must stand against overdevelopment ONCE again, we find ourselves having to fight unsustainable overdevelopment in Yate, Sodbury and the surrounding towns and villages. Together as a community, we managed to defeat the developer’s plans to build 725 new houses on land off St Johns Way. This is good news for Chipping Sodbury. The proposal to build on the totally unsuitable flood zone would have placed huge pressure on local schools, health services and our road network. Hundreds of residents signed my petition against the plans, and over 98% of residents who responded to my survey voiced their strong opposition to the development, which would have expanded Chipping Sodbury by 35% in size in one go. However, now the council have decided that a significant amount of further housing should be

built in Yate and, as the first MP who has ever lived and worked in Yate, I know that Yate has already seen significant growth in recent years, and even with a Park and Ride and the new half-hourly train services from Yate to Bristol and Gloucester, everyone can feel the expansion of the town. We can feel the extra cars on the road and more pressures on local services. We need to see the new health services that were promised in conjunction with the Ladden Garden Village. We need to repair potholes. We need to resurface roads. We need a greater variety of bus services back to the town. We need our fair share of police officers on the beat in Yate to keep our streets safe and secure before more houses are agreed. Yate should not be forced to take more than our fair share. I am making the case for the

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council to invest in Yate’s road network, public transport and community services before planning permission is given for more houses. For Yate and Sodbury commuters, there will also be great concern about the number of houses that have been suggested for Westerleigh, Pucklechurch and the surrounding area. When taken together as a whole, the sites that the council have said should take housing would see over 3,000 new houses in these villages, which will put extra pressure on Yate’s health services, schools, and road network. There’s still time to have your say, so make sure you respond to the council’s consultation. We must protect our Green Belt, the council must be firm with Bristol and make them take their fair share and fight the overdevelopment of our

Luke Hall MP

writes for Yate & Sodbury Voice

community. South Gloucestershire is the best place in the country to live, work and raise a family. No wonder developers want to build here. However, we cannot allow the council to give the green light to developments which put our roads, GP services and schools under further pressure. Protecting against overdevelopment needs to be this council’s core mission.

n ABBOTSWOOD PHARMACY

Don't give up! IF you are still sticking to a New Year's resolution this month, congratulations. You've already made it past 'Quitters Day', the second Friday in January which, for a majority of people, has seen the end of those resolutions that got us dusting off our running shoes, on a new diet plan, wheeling out our bikes and powering up the treadmill. If things aren't going as well as you imagined, please don't despair and give up - here are some proven tips on how to succeed. The most significant factor for success is enjoyment. Immediate rewards from new habits help us stick to them. Celebrate all your wins, no matter how small. Focus on developing good habits rather than just meeting set goals. Count steps and keep increasing them. Drink more water and aim to eat at least five portions of fruits. Don't just be focused on counting calories and the bathroom scale dial. Don't place too much emphasis

on willpower in changing your physical well-being and diet. The wrong ideas about willpower drive us to set unrealistic timescales or goals for our new behaviour and habits. Take diet changes: every time we exercise self-control, we build willpower. Saying no to feasting on treats, especially when no one is watching, makes it easier for you next time. Keep things fun and achievable. Self-criticism is linked to less motivation and poorer self-control. Choose your own path to success and find your preference, whether it's doing activities in the morning, being part of a group or using gadgets. The positive link between physical and mental well-being is now better understood. We also know that for many of us, the challenges we face with mental health may mean we struggle more with adopting positive changes. Rather than feeling you are letting yourself and others down, please get the right help you need. Your pharmacy team offers access to confidential NHS support with kindness.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2024

n NEWS

School's phonics lesson for parents A YATE primary school is helping parents understand how it teaches their children to read and spell with special workshops. Woodlands Primary School in Sundridge Park offered parents and carers the chance to get involved with their children's literacy development at the event in January and gain an insight into the curriculum. Head teacher Rachel Dean said: "The event was a success, with parents expressing their delight at the hands-on experience." Parent’s Kerry and Joe Harding said: "The way phonics and spelling are taught at Woodlands is fantastic. "Our son has such a good understanding, and is able to read and write very well. "We thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and being able to come into the classroom and read with our child. It gives us a better understanding of everything." Another parent, Carly Harber, said: "I found the phonics workshop very helpful. "We will continue to use the steps recommended at home as it helps make everything more simple. I feel it will definitely support the learning." Mrs Dean added: "Woodlands believe in the power of collaboration between parents and teachers to create a positive learning experience for all students, and are really pleased with the support and enthusiasm demonstrated during this event."

Parents and a pupil at Woodlands Primary School's phonics and spelling workshop

More time for plan SOUTH Gloucestershire Council has extended the deadline for people to have their say on its Local Plan, which could see thousands of new homes built on the Green Belt. The latest phase of consultations on the blueprint for development between 2025 and 2040, is now staying open for comment until February 16. The 'preferred' version of South Gloucestershire Council's Local Plan, a blueprint for future development, proposes allowing just over 100 new homes to be built on greenfield sites to the north of Yate and another 30 at Rangeworthy between 2025 and 2040. The bulk of new sites would be further to the south and west of the district. Full details of the Local Plan can be found online at www.southglos. gov.uk/newlocalplan, where people can fill in a consultation survey. Anyone who is not online can call the council on 01454 868009 for help.

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n WHAT'S ON February 6 n CHIPPING SODBURY MUSIC SOCIETY presents Eddy Jay, musician extraordinaire, accordionist and instrument maker. Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, 7.30pm. Tickets £18 on the door. School-aged children free. February 13 n SODBURY AND DISTRICT FLOWER ARRANGEMENT SOCIETY practice class, theme: circular collar structure. Also presentation on February 27 from Sally Taylor. Both at 7.30pm at the Old Grammar School Rooms, Chipping Sodbury. Visitors welcome, £5. For more details contact 0117 937 3836 or email rosemary. cummins2@gmail.com. February 15 n ARTS APPRECIATION GROUP meeting at Bradley Stoke Community School, 7pm. Illustrated talk by Justine Hopkins on Victorian stained glass. Further details from Sally on 0794 650 8316. February 13 n GREAT WESTERN SOCIETY BRISTOL GROUP: The Andrew Hook Memorial Meeting, with Didcot Speaker Richard Antliff (incorporating Bristol Group annual meeting). BAWA, Southmead Road, Bristol, 7.30pm. Open to all, no admission charge (suggested donation £3). More details: Dave Winter 01454 324230. February 21 n SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE MINES RESEARCH GROUP TALK: Toxic Mine Gases (and how to survive them) by Roger Gosling. In the Miners Institute, Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath, from 7pm. Non-members welcome - £2 entry. More information at www.sgmrg.co.uk March 2 n INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION Connect and celebrate with women and communities across Bristol, Saturday 2 March 2024, Bristol City Hall, 10am – 5pm. Over 50 workshops, all welcome, free transport, creche, interpreting and accessibility support available. For more information go to: www.bristolwomensvoice.org.uk or emailinfo@ bristolwomensvoice.org.uk

REGULAR EVENTS: Monday n YATE & SODBURY ART & CRAFT CLUB meets every Monday, 7-9 pm at Ridgewood Community Centre. Painting, drawing, collage and many other crafts in a friendly informal setting. £5 per session. More informa-

yate&sodburyvoice tion at yateandsodburyartsociety. weebly.com or call Roz on 07941 946412. n BRISTOL BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY holds open meetings at Little Stoke Baptist Church, Kingsway, Little Stoke, at 7.30pm on the second Monday of each month. More details from Ron Ramplin at ronnie.ramplin@ btinternet.com or 07748 740794. Visitors always welcome without commitment or charge. n GENTLE YOGA-IN WITH NAZAMA Weekly yoga class 9.30am. Easy to follow gentle yoga, ideal for back pain relief and joint issues. A slower-paced, mindful and lighter yoga in Chipping Sodbury with experienced teacher. Beginners Welcomed. Sodbury Masonic Hall, 1 Hatters Lane, Chipping Sodbury. From £6.00. Book online www.yoga-in. co.uk or call 07804598353

n FLOW-IN YOGA WITH NAZAMA Weekly yoga classes 6.15pm & 7.30pm in Chipping Sodbury. Become more flexib le, worry less and sleep better with an easy to follow flowing yoga. Book online www.yoga-in.co.uk or call 07804598353 Tuesday n YATE POETRY GROUP meets every Tuesday morning. Small, informal and friendly group to share and enjoy poems. For details and to learn more about the venue, contact Tony on 0770 4140682 or email yatepoetrygroup@gmail.com. n SERENGETI BRASS BAND, small band for improvers, meets every Tuesday from 9.45-11.45am at Yate Methodist Church in Moorland Road. Straightforward pressure-free music making in good company. For more information email SerengetiBrassClass@gmail.com or phone Paul on 07851 239500. n SUNRIDGE GOLF CROQUET CLUB meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in Coalpit Heath and has players at all levels. Learn how to play, club equipment is available to use. To find out more contact croquet@wilko.eclipse.co.uk or call 07977 201440. n SOUTH COTSWOLD PROBUS GROUP meet every 2nd Tuesday of the month at Masonic Hall Sodbury, 10am. Contact Pete Chaplin for details. 01454 324956. n YATE & SODBURY ART & CRAFT CLUB (POTTERY SECTION) meets every Tuesday and Wednesday, 7.309.30 pm at Ridgewood Community Centre. Tuition available. £5 per session. More information at yateandsodburyartsociety.weebly.com or call

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

February, 2024

n LIBRARY NEWS

YATE Library is hosting a series of half-term holiday activities in February. There will be crafts drop-in sessions from 10.30am-noon on Monday 12 and Tuesday 13. On February 15 there is a River Romp Party for children aged 4+ from 2.30-4pm (booking required). Living on the River Lego Challenge on Friday 16th, 10.30-11.30am (booking required). Family Theatre shows The Farmer and the Clown and You are the Sun take place on February 24 and 28. For tickets visit Sglibraries.eventbrite.com Coffee & Cake with author Anna Britton: February 10, 3pm - tickets via Eventbrite or Yate Library. Family-friendly storytime for preschool children every Tuesday morning, 9.30-10am. Stay & play Duplo and trains every Tuesday and Friday during term time, 10.30-11.30am. Rhymes and songs for parents and babies/toddlers, Thursday and Friday from 9.30-10am. Lego Club: February 3 from 10.30-11am (booking required) and Friday 9 & 23 from 4-5pm (drop-in). Reading group ‘Have You Read’ for like-minded book lovers takes place every fourth Friday, from 10.30-11.30am. Craft Group meets on February 3 and 17 from 10am-noon for knitting, sewing or crochet projects. For more information on any event call 01454 868006, enquire at the library, email yate.library@southglos.gov.uk or visit www.southglos.gov.uk/ libraries. *CHIPPING Sodbury library is hosting a Saturday Lego club on February 10 at 10am, at the Waters Room, Old Grammar School Rooms. Rhyme time every Friday during term time in the library, 10-10.30am, free for children aged up to four.

Roz on 07941 946412. n YATE CHORAL SOCIETY rehearses at St. Nicholas' Church Centre, Chargrove, Yate, 7.30 - 9.30 p.m. For details call 07833 597114 n PUCKLECHURCH FOLK DANCING CLUB, Pucklechurch Community Hall, Abson Road, every other Tuesday from 7.30-10.15pm. All welcome, with a partner or solo. Call Alan on 07812 508396 or Linda on 07843 240414 Wednesday n CRAFT MORNING, St Mary's Church, Yate, 10am-midday. Bring a project, get help learning something new or just come to sit and chat, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit. Small donation requested to support church heating. n LINE DANCE CLASSES AT RIDGEWOOD COMMUNITY CENTRE, Wednesdays 9.30am to 12. Cost £5 No partner needed. A fun way to keep fit, reduce stress, improve memory and make new life long friends. Contact Gill 07837 784816, or FB gill.butler.90

n GENTLE YOGA-IN WITH NAZAMA Weekly yoga class 9.30am (term time). Easy to follow gentle yoga, ideal for back pain relief and joint issues. Book online www.yoga-in.co.uk or call 07804598353

n YATE AND CHIPPING SODBURY GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR, St Mary’s Church, every Wednesday from 2-4pm. New members welcome, especially men, to thriving community choir, with no auditions. First rehearsal free. For more information phone Jody on 01761 472468. Thursday n GOLDEN OLDIES SING & SMILE SESSIONS, Cambrian Green Court, Wellington Road, every third Thursday from 10.30-11.30am. Sing along to hits of the 50s onwards, chat and laugh with friends. £3 donation to attend. Call 01761 470006 for more details. n COELIAC UK LOCAL CAFÉ MEET UP occurs every third Thursday of the month, 10-11.30am, at Iron Acton Garden Centre cafe. Join us to share experiences of living gluten free. For further info contact volunteering@ coeliac.org.uk. n YOGA-IN WITH NAZAMA Weekly Flow-in Yoga 6.15pm & Back Care Yoga 7.30pm in Chipping Sodbury. Become more flexible, worry less and sleep better with an easy to follow yoga. Beginners Welcomed. Chipping Sodbury Sports Centre. From £6.00. Book online www. yoga-in.co.uk or call 07804598353 Sunday n TEAS ON SUNDAY at Old Sodbury Church, 2.30-4.30pm, every Sunday and bank holiday Monday until August.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

February, 2024

yate&sodburyvoice

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Brunel’s SS Great Britain: tickets that last a year, memories that last a lifetime VALUE for money is more important than ever this year, especially for families. At Brunel’s SS Great Britain, buy tickets once and visit as many times as you like for a whole year. With two interactive museums and a Victorian steamship to explore, there’s more to experience than you think. There are hundreds of sights, sounds and smells to discover along with new activities for each school holiday, meaning no two days out are the same. This year’s theme of botany explores the vital role of steamships like the SS Great Britain in the global migration of plants in the Victorian era and the lasting impact on our world today. It kicks off in February half term with Victorian paper flower-making and bookmark-making, with many more family activities to come throughout 2024.

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

n NEWS

Donation boosts appeal AN appeal by Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire to double the number of people it can help face-to-face has been given a £1,000 donation from the area's Freemasons. The independent charity, which receives Freemasons Chris Cooper and Roger no government funding, Tingay hand the donation to Citizens launched an appeal last Advice South Gloucestershire’s Rebecca year for £30,000 needed to adapt its new building at Brown and Katie Collier Badminton Court, by Yate as a foodbank referrer and debt railway station, so it can help an advice provider was a big factor in additional 1,900 people each year. the lodge’s choice. The donation came from Citizens Advice South members of the masons' Lyegrove Gloucestershire’s Development Lodge No 7890 in Chipping Manager Rebecca Brown said: Sodbury. "This fantastic donation towards Lodge Immediate Past Master moves us a step closer to reaching Chris Cooper, whose wife Edna our goal of creating a new home is a former volunteer adviser for for our charity that will be big the charity, said: “We wanted to enough to meet our clients' support Citizens Advice South needs." Gloucestershire because of the For more information on the many local people it helps.” appeal visit southgloscab.org.uk. He said the charity’s status

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2024

n RECIPE OF THE MONTH

An easy Valentine’s pudding

I KNOW a lot of people think Valentine’s Day is a commercialised money-spinner. Why spend a lot of money going out for an overpriced meal? Well, my alternative suggestion is to cook a meal for your partner at home. This is especially well received if it’s done by the one who doesn’t usually cook! Don’t panic - it doesn’t have to be too difficult. Sometimes the simplest things are the best, especially if they are done with love. First, think about your partner’s favourite choices on a restaurant menu and then work with them. For many of the less confident cooks, the dessert is the course they worry about, so I’ve got a knockout individual chocolate pudding as my recipe. The good things are that it’s super-quick to make and requires no cookery skills, so anyone can make it successfully.

As you are doing it at home you’ll save a lot of money, so you can choose top quality ingredients and a decent bottle of something to go with it!

Ann Murray founded the Cooking4 Cookery School based in Chipping Sodbury. She’s teamed up with Yate & Sodbury Voice to pass on her wealth of experience in the kitchen.

and prepare yourself for lots of compliments.

Five-minute chocolate sponge pudding

Before we start, here are two tips: ● Make sure you have all the ingredients laid out ready to go and, ● Having cooked it, eat the dessert as soon as it has stood for a minute to cook through. Otherwise, the sponge can go very dry. So what are you waiting for?

Serves 2 Ingredients:

Start making your list of favourite ingredients, delve into your phone for easy recipes for them

● 1 heaped tablespoon good quality cocoa (I like Green and Blacks)

● 2 heaped tablespoons selfraising flour, sieved ● 1 flat tablespoon golden caster sugar

● 1 large egg, preferably freerange, lightly beaten ● 1 tablespoon milk ● 1 ½ tablespoon melted, unsalted butter, about ½ oz or 12g ● 1 ½ level tablespoons chocolate chips (I like to use plain chocolate ones)

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● 2 medium-sized teacups or ramekins - microwave safe Here’s what you do: ● Measure all the dry ingredients and tip into a medium-sized bowl. Mix well. Add the egg and mix

thoroughly. ● Pour in the milk and butter and mix well. ● Add the chocolate chips and mix again. ● Grease your chosen containers with a butter paper. ● Divide the mixture between your cups. ● Cover each cup with cling film, then pierce in several places with a sharp knife. ● Put your cups in the microwave and cook for 1 min on high at 900 watts. ● Remove from the microwave and stand for 1 min to finish cooking. ● Remove the cling film. ● Decorate with seasonal fruits and a scoop of quality vanilla ice cream or single cream. ● Then eat as soon as possible! ● Microwavable sponges are best eaten within five minutes of cooking, otherwise they may become dry. Cook’s Tip The ingredients given will make two medium-sized teacups or ramekins. The pudding is quite rich, so I find this size works well. Also then there’s room for some raspberries/ strawberries or seasonal fruit of your choice to go on the top.

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yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2024

n LETTERS

Stop other roadworks Sick of speeding drivers while bridge is closed MANY residents are sick and tired of the police doing nothing about the moronic drivers racing around Yate at 80 miles an hour, on Scott Way and other places. I see them every time I walk to work in their souped-up cars, and their Transit-driving friends doing handbrake turns, their motorcycle friends doing wheelies in Tesco car park, and their cycle friends wheelieing past pedestrians on footpaths. After stopping in Tesco car

park, they race off around Yate. Maybe they shop in Tesco, while they are there, for supper? In all that time I have only seen one policeman - and it isn't like I haven't told the police. Life is becoming unbearable, and the police and council don't lift a finger. Someone's going to die before long - I hope it is not innocents.

Dale Lewis

We'll all miss Ian IT is sad we don't have Ian's fruit and veg shop any more (Greengrocer Ian shuts up shop for last time - Voice, December) but he definitely deserves a rest. All those early mornings to get the best, and only the best! Take it steady, Ian. Jan Nethercott

Celebrate International Women’s Day BRISTOL Women’s Voice is once again hosting its fantastic free flagship annual event to celebrate International Women’s Day. The celebration takes place at City Hall and on College Green on Saturday March 2, from 10am-5pm. Everyone is welcome, so bring your partners, friends, families and people from the community. There is something for everyone, with over 50 activities showcasing women speakers, organisations and accessible activities that cover movement, art, film, debate, sport, employment, well-being and more. Our International Women’s Day Celebration mobilises more than 300 Bristol women volunteering to make this event truly special. City Hall is a fully accessible location and to make the event open to all, there will be a crèche, interpretation and BSL. FirstBus have also donated free bus passes, available from info@ bristolwomensvoice.org.uk. Panel discussion subjects include global feminisms, women in the built environment, women and health, the caring economy as well as breaking the barriers to women in sports. You can learn to make a podcast with Ujima Radio, get involved with Black Women’s Theatre with Breathing Fire, take part in armchair yoga, get involved in crafting as protest or have your voice heard at the open mic space or the older women and the younger women’s forums. There really is something for everyone. For more information visit the website www.bristolwomensvoice. org.uk. Bristol Women’s Voice works to make women’s equality a reality in Bristol through campaigning, connecting, and celebrating. Claire Charras Bristol Women’s Voice

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

IT'S all very well closing the A432 bridge for two more years (two-year bridge replacement project announced - Voice, January), but the council needs to stop doing road works on the diverted routes. This is causing traffic chaos. Kim Davies

Support is a call away for carers CARING for someone can be difficult and lonely, but Carers Support Centre is here to help. Carers Support Centre’s CarersLine is a free, confidential information and support service for unpaid carers. Whether you’ve been caring for years, or you’re new to caring, the friendly voices on CarersLine can give you practical advice or just a sympathetic ear to talk to. Last year we talked to over 3,000 carers in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, all with different challenges and different caring responsibilities. Our experienced team can

give you support and advice about almost anything related to caring, including, from information about benefits and debt and where to start getting help to ways of looking after yourself. Our CarersLine is open from 10am-1pm on Monday to Friday and 2pm-4pm Monday to Thursday (closed on bank holidays), Call 0117 965 2200 or email carersline@ carerssupportcentre.org.uk for help. Adrian Robson Carers Support Centre

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yate&sodburyvoice n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

February, 2024

The fightback against shoplifting starts now AFTER the expense of Christmas, many of us headed to the sales on the hunt for some January bargains. But a minority of people on the high street weren’t out to spot an amazing deal - they were there to rip us all off. They were the criminals who target shops, looking to steal whatever they can get away with. Shoplifting has reached epidemic proportions in the West. Locally, we’ve seen a whopping 41% increase in just 12 months. One local shopkeeper told me he’s losing £300 worth of goods every week to brazen thieves, and feels powerless. Sadly, I hear similar anecdotes from workers in stores across the region. They say nothing seems to happen even when they go to the police. Shoplifting is fast becoming a ‘free’ crime. But as shopworkers’ union USDAW reminds us, theft from shops isn’t victimless. It’s a major flashpoint for

violence and abuse against shop staff. Hard-working retailers’ livelihoods are threatened by shoplifting. That means more local stores going under and closing. And for those that stay open, we all lose out as they’re forced to raise prices to recoup costs. In short, it’s making the cost of living crisis even worse. Why have ministers given up on trying to deal with this crisis? One idea organisations like the British Independent Retailers Association have come up with is grants for shops nationwide to install security measures. In the autumn, they asked the PM to step in. Their pleas were ignored. As your Metro Mayor, I decided I had to step into the void left by government. That’s why I launched Safer Shops West, supporting independent stores in the West to install much-needed security. Shops in our patch can now apply for £2,000 towards the costs

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For Your Business:

Get in touch: 01454 316789 19 West Walk, Yate Shopping Centre, BS37 4AX

of things like CCTV, body cams and handheld radios. I’m supporting those smaller, indie shops, without the backup of a ‘head office’, because they make our local high streets really special, and they’re on the frontline of this crisis. I’m pleased to say Safer Shops West has been backed by some big national groups. The British Independent Retailers Association say they want it replicated nationwide, and the Association of Convenience Stores is offering free advice on how best to use the funds. But while I’m doing what I can at a regional level to fix this crisis, the government also needs to get its act together. That’s why I’m calling on them to do four things: First, reverse the 2014 decision to downgrade the offence of shoplifting. Criminals know that nothing happens if they steal less than £200 of goods. It’s made things worse.

Metro Mayor

Dan Norris

writes for The Voice Second, put more neighbourhood police on the beat. We’ve lost 10,000 since 2010. Third, introduce a specific standalone offence for assaulting shop staff. And fourth, fix the cost of living crisis once and for all. It really is time to get tough on shoplifting and tough on the causes of shoplifting.

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yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2024

n COMMUNITY NEWS Churches Together - a chat about death FANCY a chat about death? Churches Together in Yate and Chipping Sodbury are offering this opportunity, for anyone interested to talk about death, dying and funerals. Perhaps it sounds off-putting? In reality, most of us have big questions about death, dying and funerals. But how do we start a conversation, and with whom? We don’t want to be insensitive or embarrass someone else. This isn’t an easy topic to talk about, but for many it becomes easier in a welcoming café environment, with people open to exploring the same issues. So Churches Together in Yate and Chipping Sodbury are offering “GraveTalk” to the community. Just go along to Yate Library on Tuesday February 27 at 10.30am if you’d like to join in the conversation. You will be invited to sit at a table with a few others, and to use the GraveTalk question cards provided (if you wish) to have a conversation. Experienced professionals will be available if you want to speak with them, but no-one will give a presentation. The GraveTalk café is a place for you to explore what you think in a supportive

environment. If you’d like to find out more about GraveTalk, visit the website at tinyurl.com/3z5n8rfx. To find out more about local events, call Rev Joanne Hodge on 0775 864 8264 or email joanne@yateparish.org.uk, or call Rev Leigh Maydew on 07388 083488, email leigh. maydew@bsgc.org.uk. Naomi Sharp

Chipping Sodbury Inner Wheel THIS is going to be a big year for Inner Wheel. The movement itself is 100 years old, and our own club celebrates its 40th anniversary. We shall be celebrating in May with an anniversary lunch at Chavenage House, near Tetbury, with family and friends and hopefully some of our past presidents. The national group has challenged all Inner Wheel Clubs to do 100 of something to celebrate the centenary. Some clubs have collected 100 items for their local food bank, others have knitted 100 items for their local baby unit but we are aiming to donate 100 books to local primary schools, and have already made a start! Following our December interclub meeting, when our speakers were two local authors,

Presidents Liz and Ann presenting a cheque to Dan from Family Food 4 Free money was raised from the sale of some of their books and also by them generously waiving their speaker fees. We were delighted that, as a result, we were able to donate £100 to Familyfood4free and the same amount to Cystic Fibrosis research, the charities chosen by our speakers. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings, upstairs in the Town Hall on the second Monday of the month from 2pm. Liz Pattison

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yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2024

WILL & PROBATE ADVICE

Will review meeting – it is good to talk Local Wills specialists, Simpson Solicitors, offer all our readers a genuine FREE advice and review meeting. They understand that taking the first step of arranging a meeting can be difficult – so you will find they are a friendly company. They will take as long as you need. And the meeting will be in plain English not legal jargon! Solicitor, John Baden-Daintree said, “A client just told me making a Will with us was very different from his experience with another firm. He explained it was because with us we encouraged him to talk rather than rushing him”. By having an up to date Will and Powers of Attorney you can

make everything straightforward for those you care about. At a Will Review meeting Simpson Solicitors guide each client through questions to find out what the client considers important – so they can give advice on making sure their family and loved ones are were protected if the client becomes seriously ill or died. Michelle Baden-Daintree agrees, “By us talking to clients they often find out they have legal options or solutions that they would not otherwise have known about. Everyone is different and our job is to help our clients find the right arrangements for their situation.” Simpson Solicitors will give

you the peace of mind of an award-winning service that is fully regulated and insured. With something as important as your Wills and Powers of Attorney – you need this reassurance that everything will be done properly. To book your FREE review meeting pop in or call Simpson Solicitor’s friendly team on 01454 322 722.

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February, 2024

n COMMUNITY NEWS Chipping Sodbury Rotary Club WE ended 2023 with a very enjoyable club Christmas dinner at Chipping Sodbury Golf Club. Some 60 members and guests attended. The club’s final donations for 2023 were made to the Bristol and Weston Hospitals Charity and to the Caring in Bristol Charity’s Big Give Christmas challenge, part of a significant overall sum raised to support the homeless in Bristol over the winter. The club also donated clothing, footwear, food and toiletries to the charity’s Caring at Christmas appeal. Our first tea dance of 2024 will take place on February 1 in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, at 2pm. A further tea dance is scheduled for March 27. Several of our members attended an Inner Wheel meeting in January to hear a very informative talk from the charity Medical Detection Dogs on how many dogs can be trained to help

identify medical conditions and diseases in humans. The club was delighted to learn that two nominations we submitted for the annual South Glos Council Community Awards scheme had been successful, for Sarah White, the lead for the Yate and Sodbury Clean Up Group, and the Yate Community Bike Hub. As the year progresses, club members will continue to support the fortnightly Oasis Memory Café sessions at Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church, the Berkeleybased PhysioNet charity providing equipment to a range of countries worldwide and litter picking with the Yate and Sodbury Clean Up Group. Stuart Fraser

reflexologist and more. Yate WI meet on the second Monday of the month at 7pm at Poole Court in Yate. Our committee works hard to ensure we have a variety of activities, from speakers to quizzes, games and demonstrations. We meet in a small cosy room which means no-one is left out, making friends is our aim. We also meet in smaller groups for craft, coffee mornings, supper club and when the weather improves for local walks. For more information email us at yatewiavon@gmail.com, or just come along to our next meeting.

Yate WI

Chipping Sodbury Morning WI

WE kicked our year off with a very interesting talk from Yate Heritage Centre on Tudor Yate. We have lots of exciting things planned for this year, amongst them a talk on Alpacas, a

Sharon Bower

OUR January meeting was more of a business meeting, with WI resolutions discussed and voted

on, to be fed through to WI head office. Change does take time, but at least as individuals we can feel we played a small part in improving the life of women. A coffee morning later in January was a much lighter event, helped along by plenty of cake, a raffle and a quiz. We have great speakers in the coming months: on February 16, fingers crossed a rare and valuable item turns up when East Bristol Auction House visits. On March 19 we have a talk about Charles Kingsley and the Water Babies, a chance to rediscover a favourite read from years ago. We meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 10am in the Masonic Hall, Hatters Lane, Chipping Sodbury, which is fully accessible with plenty of parking. We also have a lunch club, regular planned walks and skittles. To find out more, call 07809 534 107. Sue Bird

Annual Community Grants Round 2023 Yate Town Council promotes an active community in Yate by awarding grants annually to non-profit making organisations. These organisations work for the benefit of Yate residents, with the intention of improving the range of services and activities in the town. Applications are particularly welcome from community groups and activities that respond to the climate and ecological crisis. Sodbury Yate Sewcial Club Towards basic sewing items/equipment

Cotswold Vale Talking Newspaper Towards the group’s rental charges

In 2023 Yate Town Council issued grants totalling £12,313.49 to the following community groups: Great Western Air Ambulance Charity To help fund life saving missions

Yate Community Bike Hub Towards costs of purchasing electric bikes Hedgehog Rescue, Yate Towards an annexe to the Hedgehog Hospital

Yate & District Archaeology Group Towards costs of engaging speakers for group meetings

South Gloucestershire Playscheme Towards costs of providing Summer Holiday Playscheme Yate Men’s Shed Advertising and promoting the group YATE WI Rent for meeting rooms

Yate & District Oral History Project Group Running costs Green Community Travel Towards fund raising for replacement portacabin Yate & District Heritage Centre Trust Room and hire and storage costs for the group

Sodbury Chargers Battery powered vehicle school’s project

If your organisation is in need of some financial assistance and provides a beneficial service or activity Shopmobility for the community of Yate, you can apply to Towards the group’s rental Yate Town Council for a grant. The 2024 community grant round opens for applications on: charges 1st April 2024 and closes 21st June 2024. Visit our website www.yatetowncouncil.gov.uk for more information and to download an application form. Applications that respond to the climate and ecological crisis will be considered throughout the year.

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yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2024

n TURNER'S VISION

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A Blockbuster Hit As well as creating fashionable frames for many of our Bristol clients, Davies also works in partnership with movie studios such as Warner Bros, creating bespoke eyewear pieces for many of the blockbuster hits such as Disney’s Cruella, The Matrix Reborn and the glasses worn by Henry Cavill in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016). Cavill played Superman himself (aka Clark Kent!), and we are all familiar with the iconic scenes of Clark taking off his signature black frames to spring into action as the superhero! To add to the already impressive list of celebrities wearing Tom Davies glasses, Tom’s most recent collaboration with Warner Bros was on the latest Hollywood hit Wonka (2023) – so keep a look out for the bespoke frames worn by the character Fickelgruber, played by Mathew Baynton, and Abacus Crunch, played by Jim Carter when you see the movie! Why Tom Davies frames? This prestigious eyewear brand is built on the principle of form, fit and function, allowing you the wearer to look and feel your best, something we are always striving to achieve at Turners Opticians, and why we are one of the few places that stock this elite brand. Tom Davies glasses take an unparalleled approach to eyewear and are hand produced to ensure flawless quality and the highest level of craftsmanship, so you can rest assured they are made to last. “We, along with many of our clients, just love our TD Tom Davies glasses! Not only because of the design and styles available, but also because of the fact that each frame can be literally made-to-measure, making them extremely comfortable and easy to wear - they really are everyday luxury,” said Peter. At Turners Opticians, we understand the importance of finding glasses that not only look good but also make you feel your best. That's why we offer a VIP styling experience at both our practices to help you choose the perfect pair, taking into consideration your lifestyle, face shape, and personal preferences all to elevate your eyewear experience. Call our Henleaze team on 0117 962 2474 or Fishponds team on 0117 965 4434 to book your VIP-fitting or book via our website at www. TurnersOpticians.co.uk.

Peter Peter Turner is an Independent Prescribing Senior Optometrist at Turners Opticians in Bristol, who also works as a Senior Medical Optometrist at Bristol Eye Hospital. Peter has a specialist interest in visual development and visual performance.

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yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2024

n SPORT

Walking back to netball WALKING netball is a version of the sport adapted to be a slower game and thus more inclusive. It allows older or less fit people to continue playing, return to playing, or take up netball for the first time. There is no running or jumping, so there is less impact on your joints. Usually held indoors, there are over 200 programmes running across the country all year round. Since its inception, more than 37,000 people have become involved in their local communities. Sessions are run by specially trained walking netball hosts, who run the activities and join in with all the fun and laughter! Walking netball is open to everyone. Age and ability should never barriers to participating and, a huge amount of emphasis is placed on just enjoying yourself and having fun. The Walkie Talkies Walking Netball Club is a local walking netball group, which initially formed just before lockdown in

xxx

2021. We meet weekly on a Wednesday evening at Brimsham Green Sports Hall in Yate for an hour’s training session, and currently have 22 members of the club, of all ages and abilities. All of the ladies have their own personal reasons for playing walking netball: some to keep fit, some are recovering from knee surgery, some haven’t played since school and fancy giving it a go, others have moved to the area and wanted to make new friends. Initially, most of the players were very nervous about attending the sessions, as they weren’t sure if they would be good enough or whether they would remember the rules, so the sessions started at a very basic level, with the main focus being on having fun and getting on to the court to play netball. The players all very much encourage and support each other, with lots of laughs along the way.

The Walkie Talkies walking netball team There is also a social side to the club, and the ladies are looking forward to a quiz and Caribbean food night in February. They enjoyed a Christmas meal and dance at Chipping Sodbury Golf Club in December, and they have also been to Bath University to watch Team Bath play in the Netball Superleague. All of the players very much agree that joining the Walkie

Talkies has been a very positive step for them, as they look forward to attending the weekly sessions and have made many new friends as a result. If you are interested in participating in walking netball please contact me at carolmt123@gmail.com. Carol Rowson Walking Netball Host

Cricketers go into the nets xxx

THE start of the new season may be more than two months away but Chipping Sodbury's cricketers are already gearing up for a summer to remember. Senior indoor nets get underway on February 4 at Yate Academy, with players of all abilities welcome to come along and work on their batting, bowling and fielding skills. Chair Jim Kendall said: "We pride ourselves on being an open and inclusive club, and welcome new players of all ages and abilities, particularly anyone who has recently moved into the Yate and Sodbury areas, or who is keen to start up again after not playing for a while. "We run four Saturday sides as well as a Development XI on a Sunday, along with two Wednesday night teams, which both enjoyed great success last season in the Bristol Midweek League. "We're particularly keen to see our 1st and 2nd XI teams

Chipping Sodbury cricketers practising in the nets at Yate Academy both continue to make progress in their respective competitions. "The first team last summer finished a highly creditable third on their return to the West of England Premier League's Gloucestershire division, while

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our second team were promoted from Division Four of the Gloucestershire County League. "We're very focused on those teams continuing to take big steps forward, with our third and fourth XIs

once again playing important developmental roles as a large number of our outstanding juniors step into senior cricket." The first XI, which will once again be led by all-rounder Jamie Rendell, has been boosted by the signing of former Bradley Stoke and Corsham opener Tom Laver, a consistently heavy run scorer who also keeps wicket. Kendall said: "Tom is a terrific addition to the squad and will strengthen our top order as we bid to improve on last year's third place." Senior nets will this year take place on Sundays at Yate Academy, 12-1.30pm for first and second XI players, and from 1.30-3pm for third and fourth team players. For more details, visit the club's website at chippingsodburycc.co.uk. The club can also be found on Facebook. Steve Hill

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yate&sodburyvoice

n SPORT

February, 2024

Town's season turns the corner YATE Town's season has turned the corner, with new signings and an upturn in both performances and results. After a month of disruption due to the weather the Bluebells were back in action two days before Christmas, with a 0-0 home draw against Bashley. They then fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Paulton Rovers on Boxing Day, with Yate completely dominating but the hosts taking one of only two chances they created. The New Year’s Day home game against Bristol Manor Farm saw the Bluebells go in front but denied victory by an equaliser five minutes from time, in a game played in very wet conditions. Yate manager Darren Mullings then recruited three players he had been chasing for a while, with both striker Nick McCootie and local lad Joe Guest signing from National League South Taunton Town along with former Bristol City player James Taylor, on loan from Truro City.

Calum EnglishBrown scores his first goal for Yate Town in the 3-0 win against Bemerton

The Bluebells then travelled to free-scoring Malvern Town and on their 3G pitch performed really well, with the new signings making a significant difference as the points were shared in a goalless draw. The following Tuesday evening, with Nick McCootie making his debut, it all came together. All three new signings scored as a rampant Yate Town ran out 4-1 winners against Larkhall Athletic. Guest was in raptures about the win as he made his second home debut for the club.

The following Saturday another outstanding performance saw the Bluebells win 3-0 against sixth-placed Bemerton, as the new players continued to have a massive impact on the squad and help turn all Yate’s good possession and play into goals, wins and points on the board. There then followed the longest away trip of the season, as the Bluebells travelled down to the tip of Cornwall to play Mousehole. They came away with a 1-0 win thanks to another goal from McCootie. The result left Yate undefeated

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