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

yate&sodburyvoice www.yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

January, 2024 Issue 104

FREE EVERY MONTH IN YATE, CHIPPING SODBURY & SURROUNDING VILLAGES

Nursery improves

A NURSERY that was heavily criticised by Ofsted has now been given a 'good' rating after a fresh inspection. PAGE 7

Village green bid The bridge carrying the A432 over the M4 has been closed since July, when cracks were found in the concrete structure

Two more years of this DRIVERS are facing two more years of delays and diversions, as the bridge carrying the main road from Yate to Bristol is demolished and replaced. National Highways says the concrete bridge carrying the A432 Badminton Road over the M4 is no longer safe for use by vehicles, as pieces could fall onto motorway traffic below if it was used again. The 57-year-old structure cannot be repaired

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- and a temporary replacement will not be built while the work is underway. A new bridge will not be ready until early 2026 - a timescale the agency says is "much shorter than normal". South Gloucestershire Council is planning to take another look at diversions and will ask residents for their views in the New Year. Full story: Pages 4 & 5

INSPECTORS have praised a Yate primary school where teachers make learning "engaging and fun". PAGE 3

Pub assault plea

POLICE are asking customers of a Yate pub if they can help trace a man who carried out an assault. PAGE 2

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Local information South Gloucestershire Council www.southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Safer Stronger team sscg@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868009 Anti social behaviour team asbreporting@southglos.gov.uk 01454 868582 Streetcare/litter/vandalism etc streetcare@southglos.gov.uk Environment/trading standards 01454 868001

Police

www.avonandsomersetpolice.uk general enquiries: 101 Fire www.avonfire.gov.uk General enquiries: 0117 926 2061 NHS Health Call 111 Well Aware health & social care information www.wellaware.org.uk Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252

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January, 2024

n NEWS

Josie misses jungle final YATE TV presenter Josie Gibson narrowly missed out on the final of hit ITV series I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! The former Brimsham Green School pupil, who first rose to fame in the 2010 series of Big Brother, was initially one of the bookies' favourites to win the show, but ended up being the last woman in the case voted out before the final weekend in December. Josie, a presenter on ITV's This Morning, spoke to her colleagues afterwards and said she had cuddled five-year-old son Reggie "like you wouldn't believe" after missing him during the show, in which celebrities carry out gruesome challenges with creepy crawlies, slime and foul food to help their campmates eat in the Australian jungle.

Josie Gibson. Picture: ITV Josie said: "I'm so proud of myself - I got way further than I thought I would "I did go into the jungle with a lot of phobias - I can't believe I made it there in the first place!"

Appeal after pub assault POLICE are asking customers of a Yate pub if they can help trace a man who carried out an assault. Officers say the incident happened at The Brimsham Park, in Lark Rise, between 4pm and 6pm on October 20. An Avon & Somerset police spokesperson said: "We believe the suspect may have been with a group of males at the time. "CCTV enquiries are being carried out but we hope there

may be customers in the pub at the time who saw what happened and can assist our enquiries. "The victim, who is a man in his 30s, sustained no physical injury but has been left distressed by the incident." Police have asked anyone with information about the incident to call 101 or contact them online, quoting the crime reference number 5223 258 333.

130 drink-drive arrests POLICE arrested 130 people during the two weeks of winter drink and drug-driving enforcement campaign Operation Tonic. Avon and Somerset’s roads policing team promised to be "out in force" until the New Year, carrying out roadside checks and talking to motorists about the dangers of drink and drug driving. Police are calling on anyone

who suspects someone they know drives under the influence of drink or drugs to call 101, report it online via the force website or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. People should call 999 the suspect is on the road at the time. Officers can then use automatic number plate recognition cameras and CCTV to look for potential offenders on the roads network.

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January, 2024

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A school where learning is 'engaging and fun' CHILDREN and staff are proud of their primary school in Yate, say inspectors. Ofsted visited St Mary's Church of England Primary School in October and their report found it to be 'good' in all areas - quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. In their report, the team of three inspectors highlighted the way the school prioritises pupils with special educational needs or disabilities, and ensures those struggling to read are well supported through its "vision of 'keep up' not 'catch up'". They said children were "happy" and proud of the school in Church Road. The inspectors said: "Pupils talk positively about how their teachers make learning engaging and fun. "Parents feel the school cares about the children’s well-being." Ofsted said the school's leaders are "ambitious" for all 315 of its pupils, who are aged from four to 11. They said: "Staff have high expectations of all pupils, especially those who have special educational needs or disabilities. "Pupils feel safe at school. Adults ensure they are kind and fair to everyone. This means that relationships between pupils and staff are a strength in the school." The inspectors said pupils took on the school values of truth, responsibility and compassion, which meant their friendships are supportive. They are able to access extra curricular clubs, such as football, choir and embroidery, and develop leadership skills buddying younger children, teaching them to read and play games at lunchtime. As well as strengths in reading and maths, the inspectors also highlighted the teaching of music, from using accurate vocabulary to performing basic compositions. The inspectors said: “Through an ambitious curriculum, pupils learn to look after their physical and mental health.

St Mary's Primary School head teacher Bethan Scriven with pupils "They know that exercise helps the body to be fit and healthy." The vast majority of pupils show "positive attitudes" to learning, and the inspectors also praised the morale and contribution of staff. They said: "Teachers are proud to work at St Mary’s. "Staff feel that the school considers their well-being and does all it can to support their career development. "The school, including governors, is proud of its achievements and states that the staff are the strength of the school." To improve further, the inspectors said the school needed to work to identify "gaps" in pupils' knowledge in some wider subjects where the curriculum is new, to help them build their knowledge. Head teacher Bethan Scriven said she was delighted with the report, which was published at the end of November. Mrs Scriven said: “We were very proud of our children during the inspection, as they were able to articulate themselves with such clarity and confidence. "We are a well-established staff team, who are highly committed to the children. "The team provide consistency, high expectations

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and excellent academic and wider opportunities for our pupils.

"I am thrilled that the report recognises that the staff are a strength of our school."

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January, 2024

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Bridge should have lasted 120 years THE Badminton Road M4 overbridge was opened in 1966, and was designed to last 120 years. But in less than half of that time, National Highways has decided that it needs to be demolished and replaced. The bridge, which carries the A432 between the Avon Ring Road and Yate, was being used by around 16,000 vehicles a day before it closed. The M4 underneath it carries around 87,000 vehicles a day. Before work can start on demolition, services including electricity cables, water mains, BT fibre optic cables and gas mains all have to be moved and buried in trenches under the M4. The Highways Authority say the timescale will be: January 2024: ecology work and habitats February 2024: ground investigations and boring. March to May 2024 : moving and re-routing pipes and cables Summer/Autumn 2024: demolition Late 2024: New build starts Early 2026: New bridge opens. National Highways route manager Sean Walsh said the demolition will happen in a 60-hour window when the M4 will be closed, so they can remove the central span of the structure. At other times there will be ongoing lane closures on the M4 and overnight closures for the rest of the work. Mr Walsh said: "The build is a 12 to 18-month project – much shorter than normal, as we realise the importance of accelerating this build." He said National Highways is

responsible for 2,200 structures in the South West - 164 are similar 'post-tension' structures like the Badminton Road bridge, which is the only one with major issues. Mr Walsh added: "In 16 years in this job, this is the only bridge I’ve seen that has this magnitude of work needed. "It’s very rare we have to demolish and rebuild a whole bridge - this is the only one in the region.” He said the 120-year design life was predicted when traffic numbers, lorry sizes and other factors were all very different to today. Engineering team manager Terry Robinson said all road bridges undergo ongoing maintenance during their lifetime and, behind the scenes, teams were always working to do this. But the issues found by inspectors in the summer were exceptional. He said: “The examination showed structural cracks going right through the bridge. "We’ve been working solidly since (Above) A picture released by National Highways shows cracks on the bottom of the bridge. (Below) National Highways route July to examine the bridge and find manager Sean Walsh talks to journalists out how bad the problems are, and what the possible solutions are. "The bridge is not unsafe and is not at risk of collapse, but it’s unable to carry heavy traffic. "Traffic will cause the carriageway to move and because of the cracks, that could result in a piece of concrete landing on the M4 below, so that is why it has to be closed now. "We have assessed it as perfectly safe for pedestrians and cyclists. "We’re speeding things as quickly as we can to get the bridge back open as soon as possible. "The whole program has been condensed, as we know it’s important to local people."

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January, 2024

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Fresh look at diversions as two-year M4 bridge replacement project announced HIGHWAYS bosses are promising a fresh look at traffic diversions after confirming a bridge on the main road between the Frome Valley and Bristol will stay closed for at least two years. National Highways says the bridge carrying the A432 Badminton Road over the M4 has to be demolished, and a new one built in its place. The road is unlikely to reopen until early 2026, meaning at least two years' more major disruption for people travelling to and from Bristol, and for people living along diversion routes. National Highways says the old bridge, which was closed in July amid safety concerns, will never reopen. It will be pulled down in the summer or autumn of 2024, and a new bridge built in its place by spring of 2026. The bridge next to the Wick Wick roundabout, where the A432 Badminton Road meets the A4174 Avon Ring Road, was found to have “accelerated deterioration and cracking" in its concrete during a routine safety inspection. The closure effectively cut off the main route from Yate, Coalpit Heath and Frampton Cotterell to the ring road and Bristol, resulting 16,000 vehicles a day being diverted through unsuitable country roads. Detailed inspections concluded that the bridge is not an immediate risk to users of the M4 passing underneath, but would soon become unsafe if traffic was allowed to continue crossing over it. South Gloucestershire Council leader Claire Young said council road engineers will work with National Highways to review all diversion routes, to help smooth traffic movement around the area. The Frampton Cotterell ward councillor said: "We are as disappointed as residents are to hear this news, although we recognise National Highways are acting as a matter of safety in the interest of all bridge and motorway users. "Our highways team is working closely with National Highways and will continue to work to keep people moving as freely as possible around the area and will endeavor to help fill any transport gaps where possible."

Speed concerns

People living and working on diversion routes through Hambrook to the west and Henfield to the east have complained of speeding drivers, road rage and many minor accidents. Some spoke about their concerns at Westerleigh Parish Council in November, when Cllr Young attended. She told the meeting four times as many vehicles as usual were using Henfield Road since the diversion had been put in place. Cllr Young said police officers were looking

National Highways workers on the M4, examining the underside of the Badminton Road bridge at enforcing speed limits after complaints of speeding through 30mph lanes in the area. Five members of the public spoke at the meeting about traffic volume, speeding, HGVs and verge deterioration along Henfield Road and Ram Hill. They said it was dangerous to walk or ride horses along Ram Hill, or to pull safely out of driveways due to the volume and speed of traffic, and Ram Hill was being used as a cut through to avoid queuing traffic. In December flooding made matters worse, causing a flurry of complaints on social media. At various points Perrinpit Road in Frampton, Swan Lane in Winterbourne, the Old Gloucester Road between Winterbourne and Frampton, and Henfield Road have all been closed by floods, resulting in further diversions onto small, often single-track lanes. Westerleigh Parish Council chair Rob McCullough told the Voice many measures, including new traffic lights in Henfield Road, had helped but there have been knock on effects, for example Ram Hill being used as a cut-through, despite being single-lane in places. Rob said: “There are simple adjustments that could be made now that will help - for instance, running a white line along the middle of Henfield Road, reopening the right turn at the Hambrook lights, some sort of measures along Ram Hill, and better signage to stop non-local HGVs from using Henfield Road/ Station Road.” “Henfield Road will remain a key artery for

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locals for the next two years, so it’s essential that it stays open, even during bad weather. "I would also highlight that once the bridge has been demolished a safeguarded route for pedestrians and cyclists will need to be worked out.”

Temporary bridge not possible

Government agency National Highways, which is responsible for the bridge as part of the motorway network, said the replacement will be 20 metres (66ft) wide, and will “allow for more sustainable transport options to be considered”. National Highways route manager Sean Walsh said the bridge demolition and rebuild would be a “multi-million-pound” project of great complexity. He said due to timescales and costs, it is also not possible to install a temporary bridge during the works. Mr Walsh said: "We are working with partners to expedite the process as quickly as possible. "We fully understand the disruption the closure has and will cause, and we thank people for their patience as we move this project forward as soon as possible. "We will continue to work with South Gloucestershire Council to help manage the impact of the closure and to progress with the bridge replacement." South Gloucestershire Council is planning to hold a public event to enable local people to have an input early in the year.

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January, 2024

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'Village green' bid to halt Ridings housing sell-off PEOPLE objecting to plans to sell off part of The Ridings in Chipping Sodbury to fund a new sports complex say they are applying to have the area given protected 'village green' status. The Voice reported last month that Chipping Sodbury Town Trust wants to sell 13.5 acres of the site for housing, in order to pay for a new centre for community and sports activities. Since then residents who object to the scheme have complained that it lacks transparency and doesn’t have widespread local support. The trust says it is currently launching a consultation - and that sports organisations based at the Ridings are happy with the plans. One objector told the Voice the area was a haven for wildlife, including deer and birds of prey. He said: “The land is used by dog owners a lot. There is a

community up there - you can go for a 30-minute walk that turns into an hour-and-a-half because everyone up there gets chatting. "My family go up there for stargazing when the sky is clear, and so do others.” Another resident questioned whether the trust had the legal right to sell the land. He said a group of residents had collected evidence and were submitting an application to South Gloucestershire Council to have the area where the housing development is proposed, known locally as the Stub Riding, designated a village green. He said: "People have been using it for leisure and recreation since it was bequeathed to the people of the town in the year 1200 by the landowner." A successful village green application, under the Commons Act of 2006, would mean any future development would have

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to take historical local use into account. A trust spokesperson said it was permitted to sell land as long as the proceeds are reinvested for the benefit of the Chipping Sodbury community. The spokesperson said: "The two football clubs and the rugby club are working closely with the trust and with the architect, and are happy with the developing plans for their sections of the new building. All are compliant with the requirements of Sport England. "We want to involve the local community in proposals for The Ridings as we look to create new and improved recreational space and facilities for Chipping Sodbury. "We will share proposals for new homes, improved sports facilities and a new community hub in the New Year and will welcome feedback and ideas

from residents, community groups and businesses as part of a public consultation. "There will be opportunities for everyone to see the proposals, share their views and ask questions before any planning application is submitted." The Voice understands the new plans will involve purpose built clubhouses for the three major sports organisations using the Ridings – Chipping Sodbury Rugby FC, Chipping Sodbury Football Club, and St Nicholas FC. Andy Paget, secretary of St Nicholas FC, which has more than 500 children in 28 teams playing at The Ridings, said they had been talking with the trust about the proposal for several years. The Stub Riding does not appear in the South Gloucestershire Council Local Plan preferred strategic map.

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January, 2024

n NEWS

'Good progress' at Yate nursery A NURSERY that was heavily criticised by inspectors for poor supervision of babies now provides a "safe and stimulating environment" for children, says Ofsted. In its latest report, the education watchdog says Magic Tree Day Nursery and Pre-school in Yate is now 'good' in all areas - quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and personal development. Inspector Dominique Allotey visited the nursery, based at St Paul's Catholic Primary School, Sundridge Park, in October, and praised its committed and enthusiastic staff. Less than six months earlier another Ofsted inspector had rated the nursery 'inadequate' after finding "distracted" staff had let babies "wander around unsupervised". But the latest report found that a new manager had addressed previous criticisms, and children now "make good progress in all aspects of their learning and development". The inspector said: "Leaders have addressed the actions raised at the previous inspection. "Leaders reflect well on strengths and areas to improve, and there is a good focus on continually improving the quality of care and education. "Staff are enthusiastic in their teaching, and the newly-appointed manager leads them well. "The manager works hard to keep staff morale high and ensures that all children benefit from good quality care and learning."

Children at Magic Tree Nursery spell out its new Ofsted rating The inspector said children enjoyed their time at the nursery, which has 100 youngsters aged from babies to four year olds on its roll, and developed good relationships with their key workers, helping them to thrive. They said staff plan experiences and create play opportunities based on children's interests, covering all areas of development. The report said: "Children of all ages have experiences that support their language skills and extend their vocabulary. "Children show that they have a good command of language, and they continue to make sound progress, including children who speak English as an additional language." Staff also use songs to help children learn, and take opportunities as they arise spontaneously in play to extend children's mathematical knowledge. The inspector found that staff supported children to have healthy lifestyles, taught them good personal care skills

and helped them enjoy playing outdoors. The report also highlighted that parent partnerships have improved since the last inspection. The inspector said: "Overall, they feel well informed about their children's progress and comment that staff take time each day to tell them about their child's day." Arrangements for safeguarding were found to be effective. The inspector said that

in order to make further improvements, the nursery should build on staff's questioning techniques to allow children time to think and respond, and make the most of opportunities to provide challenges so they reach their highest potential. After the previous Ofsted inspection in May 2023, nursery owner Just Childcare was issued with a welfare requirements notice, ordering immediate changes, which Ofsted said had since been put right. At the time Just Childcare, which runs 60 nurseries across the UK, four of them in South Gloucestershire, blamed industrywide staff shortages for the failings. Magic Tree nursery manager Laura Bailey said: "Our team are dedicated to creating an environment where children can have fun whilst learning key skills, and it’s great to see this appreciated by inspectors."

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January, 2024

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Mayor's bus advert was 'unlawful' COUNCIL leaders say Metro Mayor Dan Norris unlawfully spent £10,000 of taxpayers' money on a bus advert for political gain. A West of England Combined Authority committee comprising the leaders of South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset councils accepted the findings of a top WECA legal officer that the spending was “clearly” unlawful and that the bus “wrap”, which included photos of Mr Norris and his dog Angel, broke local government rules because it amounted to political self-promotion. But because Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees refused to attend an emergency meeting on the issue on December 14 - branding the meeting “improper” and questioning whether it was itself lawful, the two other council leaders made no formal finding, did not place blame or order any sanction. Mr Norris has denied any wrongdoing, insisting metro mayors are “meant to be visible”, and says he was not given the opportunity to be interviewed by the official carrying out the investigation. A First double-decker was covered with a design featuring three pictures of Mr Norris, one measuring 3m (9ft 10in) high and the other

The advertising bus 'wrap' which cost £10,000 two 2m and 1m, and two images of his dog Angel, with a message on each side. It included promotional messages for the Birthday Bus scheme and a bus driver recruitment campaign. The advert was pulled by WECA chief executive Richard Ennis when he found out. A report to the committee said Mr Norris issued a “direct instruction” to staff in the combined authority’s mayoral office to spend government money on the ad. With Mr Rees’s absent and fellow Labour mayor Mr Norris required not to be in the room during the debate, the committee comprised

only South Gloucestershire leader Claire Young and B&NES leader Kevin Guy, both Lib Dems. Announcing their decision, Cllr Guy said: "The committee is of the view that this expenditure was clearly unlawful, for the reasons set out in the report. “However, we will not pass a formal resolution to that effect because we feel very strongly that a representative from Bristol City Council should have attended this meeting to contribute to the debate and the vote. “Therefore we resolve to conclude the meeting having made no formal finding on unlawfulness." The two leaders made a series of directions to WECA officials, including inviting external auditors to look into the episode, bringing in a code of practice for future mayoral marketing and making a detailed report on mayoral spending. WECA's £675,000 mayoral budget is separate from its main budgets and covers the mayor's costs, office expenses and support, and funding four-yearly mayoral elections. By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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January, 2024

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David, 94, relives old days at fire station

A RETIRED firefighter has been back to his old station to meet modern day emergency crews. David Thomas, now aged 94, was a retained fireman in Chipping Sodbury and then Yate, up until 40 years ago. He relived his experiences at Yate fire station, thanks to a visit organised by Avon Fire & Rescue Service and his care home, The Heathers, in Chipping Sodbury. One of David’s daughters, Sheena Thomas, told the Voice her dad had a great time. She said: "He really enjoyed it and was animated, and couldn’t stop talking to the fire crews. "The camaraderie when he was serving meant a lot to him, and was a huge part of his life. "He has been talking about the visit ever since, and was so pleased he had his photo taken with an engine. He is visually impaired, but said he had no trouble making it out.”

David Thomas with firefighters past and present Sheena said the trip out was a great boost to his morale. She said: “Dad was always very active and had a fall earlier in the year, and broke his leg, so had to move into care. Losing

his mobility has been a problem, and his poor eyesight. This treat by the Heathers was just what he needed to cheer him up.” David’s full time job had been as caretaker at the old St John’s

Primary School in Chipping Sodbury. He became a retained fireman in 1960, first at Sodbury and then, when that station closed, at Yate. A spokesperson for The Heathers, in Quarry Road, thanked everyone at Yate Fire Station who helped arrange the visit. The spokesperson said: "They really pulled out all the stops they had a surprise for David, as they had arranged for one of the firefighters who worked with him to be there." A fire service spokesperson said: “After 24 years at Yate Fire Station, David was welcomed back in to talk about his time in the service, and even see some familiar faces. “Crews thoroughly enjoyed meeting David and hearing about his career, and David had a wonderful time.”

Fire service bids farewell to Kevin A FIREFIGHTER with 33 years of dedicated service has been given a send-off by Yate Fire Station colleagues. Kevin Read, who was one of many firefighters who stepped up to drive ambulances during the pandemic, was presented with a ceremonial axe by colleagues after service as both a full-time and retained firefighter. A spokesperson for Yate Fire Station said: “We bid a fond farewell to Firefighter Read after a dedicated 33 years of service in various roles across the service. “He served on-call, at Temple Fire Station, and later at Yate.

"He also played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic driving ambulances for our NHS colleagues. "He’s a truly lovely guy and we will miss him being on our crew. He goes on to a new role providing patient transportation to the local community.” Individual firefighters paid their tributes on the Yate Firefighters Facebook page. Jamie Jones posted: “Well done Kev, good memories with you in the extrication team and on the fire ground. A good firefighter right there.” Leslie Bedford said: “Congratulations FF Read. Best wishes for a long and happy retirement.”

Kevin Read at his presentation

xxx

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yate&sodburyvoice

January, 2024

Inspector throws out ‘car dependent’ housing A PLANNING inspector has dismissed an appeal by developers over plans to build 180 homes in a South Gloucestershire village. More than 600 people objected to Bloor Homes’ proposed housing estate on four agricultural fields west of Sodbury Road in Wickwar. South Gloucestershire Council opposed the application but the company lodged an appeal, prompting an eight-day public inquiry in October and November, which began with ward Cllr Adrian Rush presenting an 800name petition against the plans. A government-appointed inspector has now thrown out the scheme because it would be car dependent and cause visual harm to the landscape and a nearby Grade II-listed farmhouse. In his report, inspector David Prentis said: “My overall assessment is that the adverse effects of this appeal proposal would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the

benefits.” Council leaders have welcomed the decision and said it “protects a vital green space”. Mr Prentis’s report said the development would “fail to preserve the setting” of the listed South Farmhouse and would “result in harm to its significance”. It said that it was doubtful that a proposed local convenience store would be created and that the new residents would still travel elsewhere for shops, jobs, education, health services and leisure facilities. The report said that despite investment from Bloor for a bus service, it would be loss-making and require a “significant level of public subsidy”, even if it was more frequent and had a more direct route. Mr Prentis wrote: “The great majority of trips outside the village made by future residents of the appeal site would be made by car.

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“I conclude that the appeal proposal would not contribute to the objective of limiting the need to travel. “Nor would it offer a genuine choice of transport modes for destinations outside Wickwar. “The proposal would be almost entirely car dependent, such that there would be no meaningful sustainable transport solution.” His report said the development would “radically change the landscape character of the site” and have a “significantly harmful effect” on the Wickwar Ridge and Vale Local Character Area. Mr Prentis judged that the council did have a five-year supply of land for housing, which previous planning inspectors have disagreed with when upholding recent appeals. South Gloucestershire Council cabinet member with responsibility for planning Cllr Chris Willmore (Lib Dem, Yate North) said: “This is brilliant

news for the community – it protects a vital piece of land. “I sat through much of the inquiry and saw the level of argument the developers were putting, and officers really did well.” Cllr Rush (Lib Dem, Chipping Sodbury & Cotswold Edge) said: “In winning this appeal we’ve protected a vital green space and the village. “I would like to thank all the residents who campaigned alongside me to deliver this result.” Bloor Homes’ barrister told the inquiry that consent should be granted because the local authority had failed to provide enough homes or affordable housing and that there was no prospect it would do so. By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service Local plan: Page 13

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January, 2024

n NEWS

Tributes to former leader FORMER South Gloucestershire Council leader Ruth Davis has died, following a short illness. Politicians from all parties on the council have paid tribute to the former Yate Central ward councillor, who stepped down at May's local elections and was made an honorary Alderman in July in recognition of her 32 years of service. She passed away on December 2. First elected to the predecessor Northavon District Council in 1991, Ruth was a founder member of South Gloucestershire Council in 1996 and went on to be the council's leader between 2005 and 2007. She served as chair - the council's equivalent of a mayor from 2021 to 2022. Ruth led the council's Liberal Democrat Group for 13 years and is said to have "supported a strong theme of partnership working" during her time as a councillor. Current council leader and fellow Lib Dem Claire Young said: "Ruth made a huge contribution to our communities over the 32 years she served as a Councillor, including as Leader and as Chair. "She was always incredibly generous when it came to helping others and I know many of us will greatly miss her friendship and wise counsel." Council co-leader and Labour councillor Ian Boulton said:

Ruth Davis “Ruth epitomised the way we have long tried to work in South Gloucestershire, as someone who worked for the benefit of our community regardless of any political differences. "She encouraged, supported and provided respected advice to many of us and, while we have lost a political opponent, we have also lost a friend." Conservative group leader Sam Bromiley said: "Ruth was a very able and hard-working councillor and former leader of the council, and was respected by colleagues from all parties and by members of the wider community."

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January, 2024

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YATE TV chef Kasae Fraser says she’s hoping to open up her own restaurant this year. But in the meantime if you fancy a taste of top food, as seen on television, she’s offering a full dining experience in your own home. Kasae, aged 29, amazed judges and wowed audiences with her original creations on BBC1’s flagship series Masterchef: The Professionals. After a gruelling series of challenges, she joined two other chefs for the final in December, hosted by Gregg Wallace, Monica Galetti and Marcus Wareing. Since the series aired, Kasae says her feet haven’t touched the ground. She said: “I have been getting stopped by people who follow MasterChef and, honestly, it’s been so lovely to interact with so many different people. "I love hearing what they liked and didn’t like about the show it’s so nice to hear the different perspectives.

"I honestly couldn’t believe that I made it to the final three. It was like I was in a dream, as corny as that sounds!" Kasae, who lives in Yate, was born in Melbourne, Australia. She started out as a waitress, and now runs two restaurants in Bath - seafood bar Flute, and Japanese eatery Rubon. At times on the TV show, the judges seemed bowled over by her cooking - one even saying they didn’t like the ingredients but had to come back for more. In an intense final week, Kasae and the two other finalists had to cook a four-course dinner at the Chef’s Table in the Midland Grand Dining Room in London’s King’s Cross for 24 diners who had 22 Michelin stars between them, including three former MasterChef: The Professionals contestants. They then had to come up with "extraordinarily creative dishes" as part of a 50-course tasting menu at the two Michelin-starred Alchemist restaurant in Copenhagen,

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January, 2024

n NEWS

Have your say on thousands of new homes PEOPLE are being urged to have their say over where thousands of new homes should be built over the next 15 years. The 'preferred' version of South Gloucestershire Council's Local Plan, a blueprint for future development between 2025 and 2040, proposes potential greenfield sites for just over 100 new homes to the north of Yate. The bulk of new home sites are further to the south and west of the district. The council is holding a series of meetings in January, to explain why it believes it has to build on greenfield sites and to listen to residents' ideas. It has also produced a series of alternative views of where homes could go if it pursued a different strategy - including a 'no Green Belt loss' vision that would involve sites for more than 2,100 homes around Yate and Chipping Sodbury. The plan also includes suggesting where new jobs are needed and the infrastructure to support them, including business developments, schools, retail centres and park & ride facilities. It also sets out measures to preserve and protect nature and the environment locally. A public consultation is now underway and the council wants as many people as possible to comment on the proposals before it closes on February 7. The council says it has to find new sites for 9,260 new homes to help meet a target of 20,490 homes in the district between 2025 and 2040. Leaders believe at least 7,813 new homes will need to be built on greenfield land outside the existing urban area and towns, "some of which is currently designated Green Belt". A further 8,080 homes already have planning permission and 3,150 will be built on small sites not included in the plan. The council has posted a series of maps and web pages explaining the thinking behind its 'emerging preferred strategy', which includes 20 homes on land at Dyers Lane, and 92

Chris Willmore homes on four sites off North Road. It proposes 30 homes for Rangeworthy but highlights six alternative sites put forward by developers, which together have an estimated capacity for 302 homes. Further afield, 800 homes would be built on land near Henfield business Park and the South Gloucestershire Showground. Most of the greenfield sites are further south, between Shortwood and Warmley, or to the west near Almondsbury. The council cabinet member with responsibility for the new Local Plan, Yate North ward councillor Chris Willmore, says the authority has to "tackle several challenges", including deciding where and how the next generations will live while preserving the area's "wonderful environment". She said: “The ideas we are putting forward in this consultation are our emerging preferred strategy. “When we say it is ‘preferred’, that simply means that we think the approach we’re presenting is a positive way of meeting our collective needs in response to the challenges we are all facing together. "But we are still open to hearing more ideas."

Alternative views

The online consultation includes three alternative views, called 'lenses', which show other ways the housing could be planned. One is called 'No Green Belt Loss', and would involve

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

not building on sites that are legally designated Green Belt. But this does not mean they are not greenfield sites - the map includes potential sites for 650 homes east of St John's Way, 207 at the Ridings and 210 at Barnhill in Chipping Sodbury, 100 at Home Farm in Yate and 1,000 at Tanhouse Meadows to the north of Yate, as well as 145 off North Road, 614 at Rangeworthy and 347 at Wickwar. Another is called 'Urban Edge' and would concentrate new development in Green Belt land next to existing builtup areas: there would be no new development at Yate and Chipping Sodbury at all. The third, called 'Transport corridors', would involve building homes on greenfield sites near main roads, including almost 1,900 on the western

fringes of Yate, on several sites stretching from Abbotswood to Iron Acton.

How to find out more

THE council is inviting comments on the Local Plan until February 7. Full details have been published online at www. southglos.gov.uk/newlocalplan. People who are not online can call the council on 01454 868009. A series of drop-in meetings are being held, including one at Tesco Extra in Yate on January 11, from 9am-5pm, and one at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on January 30, from 4-7pm. Online events on January 10 and 16, from noon to 2pm and 6.30-8.30pm can be accessed via the plan's web page.

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January, 2024

n NEWS

Quarry colleagues remember Martin WORKERS at Chipping Sodbury Quarry raised more than £2,400 in memory of a colleague who died last year. A group of 20 people from the quarry took part in Movember, the annual event where men grow moustaches and facial hair for a month to raise awareness of men’s health issues. The £2,407 they raised went to Marie Curie, the UK’s leading 'end of life' charity, which cares for people with any illness they are likely to die from, including dementia, heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s, and advanced cancer. The charity also provides support for family and friends, funds research into palliative and end of life care research, and campaigns to ensure everyone has a good end of life experience. The quarry workers decided to raise the money at the request of the family of Martin Norman, who died in 2022 after a long illness. Chipping Sodbury Quarry Site Fitter Paul Hammond said: "Martin started his career as a quarry operative in September 2002. "We watched him progress to various

"This sense of humour never left Martin, and he remained positive right up until his untimely death. "Martin will be forever remembered by his family and friends – he is truly missed by everyone." Marie Curie community fundraiser in Bristol, Bath and Somerset, Hannah Drury, thanked the team for their donation. She said: "It was so lovely to see the efforts that this group of fundraisers went to as they remembered their friend. "Their generous donation will enable Marie Curie to continue delivering it’s much needed services and provide support to people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones, as we have done so for the last 75 years." The total raised included £1,407 from the Quarry’s Movember challenge, with a matched funding gift of £1,000 from quarry operator Hanson UK. For more information about the support available for people living with a terminal illness, or who have been affected by bereavement, visit the Marie Curie website at www.mariecurie.org.uk or call the free Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309.

Colleagues of Martin Norman at Chipping Sodbury Quarry machines, which included his favourite, the Hitachi 890 face loader. "Martin served the quarry loyally for 19 years and was a well-liked and respected member of the small team, known for his skill, knowledge, and great sense of humour.

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yate&sodburyvoice

January, 2024

n NEWS

Sports cash

New play area opens A NEW play area at Kingsgate Park has opened in time for the school holidays. A giant play duck is the landmark feature of the play area, which also has accessible equipment including swings, a wheelchair-accessible roundabout, see-saw and sand pit, a quiet area and various equipment for climbing, crawling, spinning, sliding and balancing. Yate Town Council described the new area, which opened on December 19, as an "inclusive, vibrant community play space". It is part of the first phase of a refurbishment programme, which is due to be completed in April, having been held up by the poor weather. At a ceremonial ribbon cutting, Yate Mayor Cheryl Kirby said: "We are thrilled to have this new play area joined to our map of exciting play areas, and beautiful parks. "We invite residents and visitors of our town to enjoy this fantastic new facility; we hope our children and young people will love this new play area, as much as their parents and grandparents loved the last." The council is looking for a name for the duck - people can make suggestions on its website, yatetowncouncil.gov.uk, where people are also being invited to share memories of Kingsgate

Yate Mayor Cheryl Kirby cuts the ribbon to open the play area Park, Chair of the play area and steering group John Ford said: "Yate Town Council worked with the public to create an innovative and unique play area, alongside popular traditional play equipment. "Outside the new area, the existing timber tree top trails have been given a new lease of life, a climate friendly refurbishment that will last more than 15 years! "We are thrilled the park is now open, and ready to be enjoyed by all!" More information on the project is available at the town council's website and social media pages, by email at info@yatetowncouncil.gov.uk or by calling 01454 866 506.

MORE than £21,000 paid by developers in planning deals is being used to improve an open space in Yate. South Gloucestershire Council is using the money, paid as part of legal agreements for planning permission for the redevelopment of the former North Avon Magistrates Court site, for enhancements and access improvements at Blakeney Mills open space. Cabinet councillor Leigh Ingham said: "It’s vital that housing developers contribute towards the infrastructure needed to meet the needs of growing communities. These new facilities and public open space improvements will help ensure even more people can exercise and enjoy the outdoors where they live."

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yate&sodburyvoice

January, 2024

n NEWS

Smokers offered free vape kits to help them quit ALMOST half of all smokers in the Bristol region will be offered free vape starter kits on the NHS as part of a “world-first” drive to help people kick the habit. The local health partnership has successfully bid for £2.2 million from the Government to pay for 60,000 devices. The aim is to help smokers switch from cigarettes to vapes, which are considered much safer, the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) Integrated Care Partnership board heard. There are an estimated 144,320 tobacco users across the area, with 60 per cent of these in the city. BNSSG has set itself a target to be “Smokefree” - which it defines as smoking rates of under 5% of the adult population - by the year 2031. But this requires about 24,000 smokers to quit every year until then, the BNSSG board meeting was told on November 29.

The pioneering free e-cigarettes initiative, called Swap to Stop, was announced by the Government in April and the partnership's bid has just been approved. Public health consultant Samuel Hayward told board members that Bristol had the highest smoking rate in the South West, caused partly by the legacy of the tobacco industry. He said: “The evidence is clear that, for smokers, nicotine vaping is a far less risky option and poses a small fraction of the risks of smoking in the short and medium term. "Vaping should be offered as an alternative for smoking but not as an activity which is appealing to the wider non-smoking population. "Vaping is not for children – we need to reduce the uptake of vaping and the number of young people accessing vape products." Mr Hayward said the vapes would be given out by existing

Reusable vapes like the one pictured will be offered to current smokers under the NHS plan. Picture: LDRS/Pixabay specialist stop-smoking services. said: "This is excellent and is really Director of public health Matt about what we have been trying Lenny said: "This is a significant to do." opportunity for us. We really welcome the change in policy and By Adam Postans, Local investment in services." Democracy Reporting Service Board chairman Jeff Farrar

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January, 2024

n YATE HERITAGE CENTRE

The changing face of farming AS Yate continues to grow and expand northwards, it is perhaps an opportune time to reflect on the history of farming, which appears increasingly remote to our urban communities of today. 'Get Orf My Land' is our first major history display of 2024 at Yate Heritage Centre. The exhibition examines how farming has developed, from the Victorian era through to the present day. Farming is a huge subject, of course, and changes have been myriad, even in recent decades. Dairy farming probably exemplifies these developments more than most. From the 17th century onwards, mixed dairy farms dominated Yate. The parish had up to 40 farms, mainly small-scale, with around 20 cows and an assortment of other farm animals. Even up to the mid-20th century this farming model prevailed. However, from the 1940s onwards milking cows changed immeasurably, from hand milking

Milking robot at Pincott's Farm 2023

Hand milking at the Isaac family farm at Hall End in the 1940s to machine milking to the robotic milking of today. Before the 1950s, farm labourers and farm families all took part in hand milking. David Gallop, of Yate Court, recalls coming home from school to do milking in the 1940s. In the early post-war period, some local schoolboys were taught agricultural sciences including hand milking. Laurence Walker, of Old Sodbury, recalled squirting school friends with milk from the cow’s teat when the teacher wasn’t looking. The 1950s saw the end of manual milking. The Isaac family of Hall End Farm began introducing machine milking as early as 1947 and automation in general became commonplace by the mid-50s. Hall End Farm remained a dairy farm into the 21st century, by which time the Isaac family had already

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operated a variety of different milking processes. Today, the advent of low profits, BSE, foot and mouth and bovine TB has decimated the local dairy industry. Hall End succumbed in 2008. The farm had developed a herd of over 120 Holstein cattle, but opted to try egg production, which proved a safer bet. Only one farm in the old parish of Yate has persevered with dairy farming. Pincott’s Farm, near Wickwar, has over 100 cows and secured a contract with Cadbury’s for its milk. Milk production is robotic. Digitized robotic apparatus milk the cows. Pincott’s however, is not the norm. Other farms in the region operate farms with several hundred cows. Yate Heritage Centre is part of Yate Town Council. David Hardill

Diary dates: January 3-16: Oksana Fursa Exhibition. Renowned Ukrainian artist Oksana Fursa displays her work at Yate Heritage Centre. January 17-February 23: Get Orf My Land - the history of the farming community around Yate and the issues and challenges faced by modern farming in the area. January 23, 7.30pm: Yate Lecture Series – A History of Funeral Trains with Nick Wheatley. £2 admission, free for Friends of YHC. Booking essential. More information on yateheritage.co.uk or by calling 01454 862200

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yate&sodburyvoice

January, 2024

n LOCAL MP

Extra trains are making a big difference at station THIS year marks 35 years since Yate Railway Station was reopened. Over the past three decades, there have been some real improvements at the station and, as our local MP, I have been pleased to be involved with projects such as delivering new shelters on the station platforms, upgrading the ticket machines and securing road surface repairs at the entrance to the station. Most recently, we celebrated the introduction of half-hourly services between Bristol and Yate, and Yate and Gloucester. The services have been up and running for almost six months now, and in this initial period, GWR have confirmed a year-on-

year increase in passengers of 15.6% on the Bristol-Gloucester corridor. Whether it’s heading to a college in Gloucester, university at Filton, or the office in Bristol city centre, more residents are choosing to travel by train since the introduction of half-hourly services. The half-hourly services had long been part of my campaign to get Yate moving. I had called on Great Western Railway and the Government to deliver on their commitment to increase the frequency of train services from between Yate and Bristol, which previously had run only once an hour. The services are proving to be invaluable to the local

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community and are making rail a more viable option for many people locally, reducing journey times, taking cars off the road and, crucially, reducing overcrowding on peak journeys. In a Parliamentary debate last year, we succeeded in securing Government assurances that the half-hourly series would be introduced, and worked alongside Great Western Railway and the West of England Combined Authority to ensure the services went ahead as planned, without any further delay. It’s really encouraging to see the uptake in these new half hourly services, which are already making a big difference. We are making progress

Luke Hall MP

writes for Yate & Sodbury Voice

with transport in the area: half hourly train services have been delivered, the Park and Ride is open, the Severn Bridge tolls have been scrapped and Charfield station is progressing well. This will all help to cut journey times and take cars off the road. There is, of course, much more to do, and I will keep fighting to get the best possible deal for our community.

n ABBOTSWOOD PHARMACY

Booking your holidays? GOING somewhere nice this year? If you're taking a holiday, gap year, school trip, religious pilgrimage or business trip you may find you need travel medicines and vaccinations. Travelling is a beautiful experience, but it is crucial to do so safely. Different countries may have health risks that you require vaccinations to protect yourself from, hence our free travel health consultation is so important. Discovering another country’s health system as a patient, when you are far from home, is no holidaymaker’s dream. The additional cost and anxiety can become an endless, avoidable nightmare. The recommended time to seek health advice is eight weeks before your trip, but if it is late, don’t panic: a pharmacy's flexible hours and multiple locations mean that if you need same-day, multiple doses spread over several weeks, we will make it convenient. Well-travelled, award-winning NHS-regulated professionals run

our travel clinics. They can provide you with expert NHS advice that you can rely on through your local pharmacy. Alongside travel vaccinations, we also offer treatment to delay menstrual periods while on holiday and altitude sickness treatment. We are always conscious that price should not be a barrier to accessing health services: we now have an increasing number of people travelling across the bridge from Wales to access our services. If you are not travelling but need vaccinations to protect from chicken pox, meningitis B and any work-related vaccinations, we can help. By using the services offered by the Bristol Travel Clinic, you are also supporting our community-focused work, including donations to our partner charities. Abbotswood Pharmacy is a local independent pharmacy that is part of the local NHS, and we pride ourselves on always providing the best care for our community.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

January, 2024

n NEWS

Become a 'hedgerow hero' in Yate A VOLUNTEER team is spending the winter restoring ancient hedgerows in Yate – and planting new ones. The group is organised by the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), who say rebuilding hedgerows and planting new ones is vital for the countryside. And they are looking for more “hedgerow heroes” to join them and get stuck in, as they tackle hedges around South Gloucestershire. The CPRE says the work will help preserve wildlife, and tackle climate change – as well as making our countryside more beautiful. The volunteers have already relaid 100 metres of hedge on Yate Common, and are back every Tuesday doing more. Hedgerow Heroes Project Officer Sonia Parsons says hedgerows are the “vital stitching in the patchwork of the local countryside”. she said: "Not only are they beautiful, with shifting seasonal colours, but they also provide homes and corridors for wildlife. "And all the while, they help tackle the climate crisis by capturing carbon." Volunteers are provided with tools, protective equipment and training. Sonia added: "No previous experience is required to get involved with our activities.

CPRE volunteers working to restore a hedgerow in Yate "You are welcome to join any of our sessions, whether you can only commit to a one-off day or weekly throughout the season. "We will be planting and gapping up hedgerows in addition to hedge-laying.” The CPRE volunteers have to work over the winter season, when the vegetation

is dormant, and before the nest-building season. They will be in Yate until March. To find out more and volunteer, visit the CPRE Avon and Bristol website at tinyurl. com/29ym9aw9.

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n WHAT'S ON January 18 n ARTS APPRECIATION GROUP meets at Bradley Stoke Community School, 7pm. Illustrated talk by Matthew Haydn Jeanes, 'My Work as an Artist'.

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 information 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 & 7.45pm in Chipping Sodbury. Become more flexible, 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.

yate&sodburyvoice 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 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 BRISTOL SCRABBLE CLUB meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm until 10pm at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS. New members welcome- first visit free so come along and give us a try. For further information contact Tania by email at tanialake@yahoo.co.uk

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 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 SUNRIDGE GOLF CROQUET CLUB meets on Tuesday and Thursday

n YATE AND CHIPPING SODBURY GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR, St

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January, 2024

n LIBRARY NEWS CHIPPING Sodbury library reopens on January 2 after a Christmas break. The library's first Lego club of the year is on January 13 at 10am, at The Waters Room, Old Grammar School Rooms. Rhyme Time takes place every Friday during term time in the library from 10am to 10.30am, and is free for children aged up to four. No need to book for either event – just come along. Yate Library is hosting a Lego Club on January 26, from 10.3011.30am. Most suitable for children aged four to 10, who must be accompanied by an adult. Booking is required. Stay & play Duplo and trains for pre-school children takes place every Tuesday and Friday during term time, from 10.30-11.30am Duplo donations gratefully received. Wriggle & Rhyme: Rhymes and songs for parents and babies/ toddlers to enjoy together, takes place on Thursday and Friday mornings, from 9.30-10am. Reading group ‘Have You Read’ for like-minded book lovers takes place every fourth Friday, from 10.30-11.30am. Computer support with digital champion volunteers is on Saturdays & Tuesdays from 10am-noon. Vision West of England information, advice and support drop-in takes place every second Thursday, 10am-noon. Free legal advice sessions are held on the first Thursday of the month from 10am-noon. 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.

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 & Calm-in Yoga 7.45pm 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.

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It’s good to talk…

It was hard but I’m so glad we had that conversation. Together we planned a proper send off for mum, a whole morning to celebrate her life with the music and poetry she loved. In a peaceful natural setting where our family and friends had plenty of time and space to share stories and memories. Maria, Bristol

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January, 2024

n RECIPE OF THE MONTH

A breakfast treat that's easy and healthy

EVERY January many people join the gym, with very good intentions of losing the extra pounds they may have put on over the festive season. They sign up to an expensive gym membership, but more than 90% of people have quit within three months - quite an expensive mistake! Now, I’m not saying don’t join the gym, but I am saying that this isn’t the only way to improve your fitness. Small changes in your lifestyle can make a big difference. Walk to the shops if they are not too far away, instead of taking the car. If you are using your car, park it a bit further away from the entrance. Use stairs rather than escalators, and don’t leave stuff at the bottom

of your stairs - walk it up every time. Food choices, of course, are vital here. We are what we eat, as the saying goes. So, try and make what we put into our body healthy and nutritious. For instance, it’s a well-known fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

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.

Yet many adults and children skip this essential meal or have a poor one, like white toast and chocolate spread. So why not try my nutritious breakfast muffins, filled with the good stuff - oats to keep you fuller for longer, a little honey instead of sugary breakfast cereals and, hopefully, some fruit? They are quick to make, inexpensive and quicker in the breakfast bedlam than buttering toast. Go on, give it a go! They are very easy to make and will keep in a sealed tin for three or four days. Why not get the kids to make them with you?

Breakfast muffins

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These muffins are a bit of a treat for breakfast, or any time of the day when you need an energy boost. The banana keeps the muffins moist and adds natural sweetness. The oats give a slow release of energy, keeping you fuller for longer. Blueberries are great here, but feel free to use other berries if you like: raspberries work well when in season. Pears are also delicious in autumn/winter, when they are at their best.

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* 100g rolled oats. * 120g self-raising wholemeal flour. * 2 tsp baking powder. * 1 tsp ground mixed spice. * 1 tsp ground cinnamon. * 250g Greek yoghurt * 120ml whole milk. * 50ml vegetable oil. * 3 large free-range eggs, lightly beaten.

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* 2 tbsps vanilla extract. * 2 tbsps honey * 300g bananas (about 2 large), mashed. * 150g fresh blueberries. For the topping: * 30g mixed seeds. * 1 tbsp rolled oats. * 1 tbsp demerara sugar Here’s What You Do: 1: Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas 6. Have ready a 12-hole silicone muffin tray if you have one, or line a standard muffin tray with silicone or paper muffin cases. 2: Tip the oats into a food processor and blitz to the consistency of flour. Add all the remaining ingredients, except the mashed bananas and blueberries, and blend until smooth. 3: Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and fold through the mashed bananas and blueberries. Spoon the mixture evenly into the muffin cases. 4: For the topping, mix the seeds, oats and sugar together. Sprinkle over the tops of the muffins. 5: Bake in the oven for 20–25 minutes or until the muffins are risen, golden and cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool a little. Eat while still warm if you can. Cook’s Tip: If you don’t have a food processor or blender to blitz the oats you can use 100g of plain flour instead.

yate&sodburyvoice

January, 2024

n NEWS

Smiles at soggy Victorian Day THOUSANDS of people braved some very wet weather to enjoy Chipping Sodbury's Victorian Day. The annual event on December 3 included seven hours of entertainment, food and stalls, with traffic excluded from the High Street to let people browse, mingle and perform. Stalls offered mulled wine, mince pies and gifts, and local cafes and pubs opened especially. Entertainment included bands, choirs, dancers, stilt walkers, steam traction engines and a Punch and Judy show. Fairground rides stayed open late and there was a visit from one of the area's Santa floats to round off the day.

Professional photographer Rich McDonough, known as Rich McD, posted photos of the event, and estimated around 3,000 people attended over the course of the day. He said: "I thought it was a great success, a fantastic day out for local families. Well done to the Victorian committee that organise the event." The event was organised by a team of dedicated volunteers drawn from Sodbury Town and Dodington Parish councils, Chipping Sodbury Rotary and Lions clubs, the Festival Society and representatives of local schools and traders. Organisers posted on Facebook that despite the rain they had about 60 stalls.

A penny farthing rider. Picture: Doug Lodge

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yate&sodburyvoice n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR 24

Credit where credit’s due

MANY of us enjoy a bit of television at this time of year. Indeed, during the festive break, you might have seen one of the BBC’s headline offerings: Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster. Like so many shows about animals and plants, David Attenborough’s was made right here in the West of England - to be precise, at Bristol’s world-renowned Natural History Unit. Unlike in years past, today it has become difficult to know which are Bristol’s fantastic TV and radio productions from actually watching or listening to the programmes themselves. Only those “in the know” are aware. Why? Because, sadly, the BBC has erased its mention of Bristol from the end credits of such shows. Remember when they used to proudly state “BBC Bristol”? Not anymore. I think that needs to change. It’s time to credit Bristol again. From the

start, the credits showed Bristol back in 1957 when the unit was set up. Its roots were formed in radio. Because the BBC’s West Region in Bristol produced a popular radio series for the Home Service called The Naturalist, the city was well-placed to produce nature TV too. Bristol therefore became the obvious place to set up the Natural History Unit. The rest, as they say, is history. I certainly felt proud seeing Bristol mentioned in the credits of some classic programmes. Think of shows like Animal Magic, which ran from the 60s through to the 80s. Natural history has always been an important part of children’s TV, sparking the imagination of so many. Chris Packham, who I know through my animal welfare work, saw his career launched in Bristol on The Really Wild Show, which ran for two decades. David Attenborough is today a national, and global, treasure. But

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back in the 50s, it was the Natural History Unit that allowed him to innovate to become that world pioneer in television. The natural history made in the West has entertained, engaged, and enthralled audiences. We’re globally successful and multi-award-winning in this area. Nowadays it’s not just the BBC but Channel 4 and even Disney who call the West of England home. In fact, 35% of all natural history content globally is made in our part of the world. I have written to the BBC Director General to ask why the BBC decided to sever links with a region which was the birthplace of the Unit. We’re more creative than ever but we’ve been erased! Why, when places like Cardiff and Salford are mentioned by the BBC so often, do they seemingly appear ashamed of Bristol when running their credits? I want our great region to be recognised nationally and across the planet. The Natural History Unit is

Metro Mayor

Dan Norris

writes for The Voice responsible for some of the most globally successful factual content of the past 60 years. That’s something to be proud of. So, if you agree, please get in touch. Visit my website www. votedan.uk/creditbristolagain and tweet to @bbc #creditbristolagain to call for ‘Made in Bristol’ credits to be reinstated to all the BBC’s programmes made here.

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yate&sodburyvoice

January, 2024

n LETTERS Help a family

Home-Start volunteers help young families WE are a family support charity for Bristol and South Gloucestershire and are bringing our next volunteer training course to Yate this January. Home-Start Bristol recruits and trains volunteers to support parents with at least one child under 5 who are struggling with family life. We are doing an increasing amount of work in South Gloucestershire through our new Best Start groups and through home visiting. After training, a volunteer is

carefully matched with a family and can offer friendship, build confidence and give practical help, supported by expert staff from Home-Start. They are usually parents or grandparents themselves or have experience of looking after children. Parenting can be challenging at times for everyone, but it can be especially tough if you are on your own, if you’re isolated, suffering financially, or have physical or mental health difficulties. We know that a small amount of regular support from a volunteer who listens and understands can make all the difference. If you think you could spare 3 hours a week to make a difference to a family, we'd love to hear from you. Our next training course starts on January 18 at Yate Children’s Centre, in Cranleigh Court Road. If you would like to find out more visit the website www. homestartbristol.org.uk or call 0117 950 1170. Terri Fletcher HSB Manager

Anyone for a kickabout? I'M a relatively new resident in Yate and notice there aren’t any football leagues in the town any more. The closest 5-a-side is in Filton, so I am looking for like-minded people who are looking for a bit of fitness and keen to play football on a weekly basis. It doesn't need to be a league, just a weekly group of people who are keen for a bit of competitive football in Yate. If you're interested in being part of a group of people, playing together in the Yate on a Thursday evening, contact me at g92rae@ gmail.com or call 0782 883 1436. George Rae

Sign our petition on buses

leaving people stranded. Buses are a public good and should be designed and run in the interest of public need. Bus franchising is a regulatory system that allows for more public control of how are the buses are run, meaning we can maintain essential routes and regulate prices. You can help by signing the petition to put pressure on West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris, to investigate public control of buses as a solution to the current bus crisis. You can find it online at qrs. ly/5yf10nb. You can also get involved in the campaign, which is made up of a broad coalition of people from across the West of England - get in touch at reclaimourbuses.woe@ gmail.com to find out how! Terry Stevens Reclaim Our Buses West of England

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January, 2024

WILL & PROBATE ADVICE

New Year – New Power of Attorney This January make a new year’s resolution to make sure you have up-to-date Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) in place. “Lasting Powers of Attorney are now even more important than Wills” according to Martin Lewis on his recent ITV show. He also said however young you feel ,“The right time to put them in place is NOW!” Our local legal experts – Simpson Solicitors – offer all our readers a genuine FREE review meeting. There are no long complicated forms for you to fill in as they do all the work for you. You will not feel rushed, as they will take as long as you need. Michelle at Simpson Solicitors says “An LPA is how you appoint those you trust to support you if you became ill and need assistance. They can make sure

your bills are paid, your finances are looked after and that you receive the medical treatment you would want.” Having an old and out of date Enduring Power of Attorney can cause your family huge, as they could have to wait over 3 months registering them before they can be used. Also it is limited and it may now have the wrong people appointed. ● Having up-to-date Lasting Powers of Attorney means they can be set up and registered by the Court now – so they are ready to use if needed. ● John at Simpsons says “Our LPA service is different. It comes with free aftercare to your Attorneys to help them activate the LPAs and

support for them in using them. It is all about us making it easy for you.“ Simpson Solicitors offer a friendly service to guide you through every step. They aim to make their clients all feel welcome, wanted and cared for.

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January, 2024

n COMMUNITY NEWS Friends of Kingsgate Park FRIENDS of Kingsgate Park and Yate Town Council held their annual carol service early December. This was led by the Rev Leigh Mayhew, from the

Methodist church, and Rev Hywell Snook, from St Mary's Church in Yate. There were more than a hundred adults and children, all enjoying the carols, old and new. After the singing, the adults warmed themselves with mulled wine, and squash was available for

Children at the Carols in the Park event. Picture: Sue Swanborough

the children, plus mince pies and special treats for the children. We really are looking forward to next year's Carols in the Park. For more information about Friends of Kingsgate Park, email us at friendskingsgatepark@gmail.com Sue Swanborough Friends of Kingsgate Park

Serengeti Brass Band SERENGETI is a small Brass Band for improvers, meeting each Tuesday from 9.45am to 11.45am in Yate Methodist Church in Moorland Road. It started as a way for woodwind, keyboard and vocal musicians to convert to playing brass instruments, and after two years we are currently at about Grade 2-3 standard. The Band would be ideal for anyone who learned to play at school but hasn’t played since or who, for one reason or another, hasn’t picked up their instrument

for a number of years. And if you already play and want a straightforward, pressure-free couple of hours of music-making in good company, you’re also welcome – some of our members fit that category, too! We’re not fussy – any brass instrument is welcome, even if they would not fit in a standard brass band, as we can adapt the music to suit the instrument or level of playing ability. To add to the delight, we usually go to Cupcake Fashion tea rooms in the Ridgeway Centre afterwards for lunch! The band is led by experienced conductors, who just want to see everyone develop and enjoy themselves. For more information, contact us at SerengetiBrassClass@gmail.com, or phone Paul on 07851 239500. The Band does have a couple of instruments to loan, and there are shops in Bristol where you can rent instruments. Paul Brooks

Relaxed Cinema at the Armadillo Youth Cafe and Venue On Monday 11th December, Yate Town Council opened new accessible services, for people with dementia and neurodiverse characteristics. Relaxed Cinema at Armadillo Youth Café, is a FREE event for customers with additional needs such as people living with dementia, autism, or other neurodivergent people, along with their personal assistants, friends, or family. Customers are welcome to move around the cinema, to exit and enter the cinema as they please, to talk and make noise, to make use of our separate quiet space, and our team will be available to support customers with any questions or concerns. Performances will be audio described and captioned, lights will be on and low, and sound will be reduced. The Armadillo is an accessible building with lift access and blue badge parking nearby.

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Opening at 1pm for 1.30pm cinema start, join us for future performances on 8th Jan, 22nd Jan, 12th Feb, 26th Feb, 11th March, 25th March, 8th April, 22nd April and 13th May 2024.

New Year Message New Year Message From the Mayor of Yate On behalf of Yate Town Council, I would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone in our town a happy and successful New Year. This year, the Coronation of King Charles III was celebrated by the country, on 4th May 2023 – the first one since 1953. Yate took the opportunity to participate in many ways and it was heart-warming to see communities come together to celebrate and enjoy. My grateful thanks are, again, offered to everyone who has helped support our local community groups during this past year, working so hard to enable all to enjoy the facilities and

If you would like to find out more about Yate Ageing Better Health and Wellbeing, or book a cinema seat, please contact Yate Town Council Tel. 01454 866506 or email info@yatetowncouncil.gov.uk, or follow us on social media!

activities around the town. Our very own Yate Town Council staff have worked, and continue to work, tirelessly to keep services such as parks, youth services, Yate Ageing Better activities, heritage services, ‘Warm Welcome’ Venues, Armadillo, council properties and events running throughout the year, and we

Mayor of Yate, Councillor Chery Kirby said: “This is a fantastic new service to offer our community! So many people enjoy the cinema but find the environment unsuitable for their needs. Yate Ageing Better Health and Wellbeing, is committed to making our community accessible, inclusive, and most importantly, fun for all!”

owe much to their selfless dedication. On behalf of Yate Town Council, Officers, Staff and Councillors, we would like to wish you a happy and prosperous 2024.

Armadillo Youth Cafe, Station Road, Yate, BS37 4FW Tel: 01454 862200 Info@yatearmadillo.co.uk www.yatetowncouncil.gov.uk

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January, 2024

n COMMUNITY NEWS Chipping Sodbury Rotary Club

take care of your eyes in 2024

to help prevent vision problems: 1. eat a balanced diet

IT was with great pleasure that our president, Steve Young, inducted Anne Berry as our newest club member at our December meeting. At Victorian Day the club had its traditional stall selling mulled wine, mulled cider, hot chocolate, and mince pies to raise money for our charity account. Despite the weather, people turned out in their hundreds to enjoy the varied entertainment and soak up some festive atmosphere, topped off with Steve Young welcomes Anne a very impressive float carrying Berry to Rotary. Picture: Doug Father Christmas. Lodge Our third tea dance of the season was held on December 12 in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. With the support of the local branch of the Alzheimer’s Society and the ladies of the Chipping Sodbury Inner Wheel Club the event proved to be very enjoyable for the large number of attendees. In early 2024 two further tea dances are scheduled, on February 1 and March 27. In 2023, another very successful year, the club organised four fundraising events - the annual Classic Vehicle Run, Charity Golf Day, Victorian Day and Sodbury Slog. Community events, support and donations included five tea dances, Chipping Sodbury Big Christmas Lunch an event to welcome Ukrainian guests, giving Rotary Community Awards to three local residents and support to Yate and Sodbury Clean up Group and many charities. We organised Rotary Kids Out day at Cattle Country Adventure Park, the annual Rotary Youth Leadership, supporting a local secondary school student, Chipping Sodbury School Rotary Racer Enterprise, Rotary Young Innovator Competition and provided financial support to eight local schools and youth groups. We made a twinning visit to Toulon in France and supported six charities working internationally. Socially, we played boules and skittles, had quizzes, pub outings and a variety of guest speakers. We would be delighted to hear from anyone who would wish to hear more about the Rotary movement and membership. Contact us at csrotaryapplication@gmail.com Stuart Fraser

2. reduce screen time

Chipping Sodbury Inner Wheel Club

3. stop smoking

THIS time of year is busy for many, and Inner Wheel members are no exception. We’ve had fun, we’ve made some new friends and we’ve been out and about helping our community. We enjoyed being part of Victorian Day this year, with our Lucky Dip and Name the Teddy stall (Jean - in case you were wondering!) and we were delighted to raise over £100 for our chosen charity - Children’s Hospice South West. The following day saw us welcoming guests from other clubs in our district to our interclub event in the town hall. Rotary friends served drinks as we mingled and chatted, before we sat down to a lunch where our home-made desserts were a definite highlight. Our ‘entertainment’ this year was provided by two local authors - Jill Mansell and Katie Fforde - who took part in a very interesting question and answer session. Members continue to enjoy reading sessions in one of our local primary schools. January sees us back in the town hall on the second Monday of each month, from 2pm - interested visitors are always welcome. Liz Pattison

4. wear sunglasses ... 5. and book an eye exam!

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January, 2024

n COMMUNITY NEWS Chipping Sodbury WI

readings provided by the members of the WI. The musical interludes and closing performance were marvellous - my particular favourite was Beauty and the Beast. The next WI meeting will be a social evening on January 4 in the Charter Suite in the Town Hall at 7.30pm In the meantime, we wish you all a Happy New Year. Jeanette Oakley

WI president Barbara Kemp with Jo Rogers of Apollo Wind Band CHIPPING Sodbury WI welcomed members and family of their WI along with other local WIs to the annual carol concert held at St John's Church. The music, which was excellently performed, was provided by the Apollo Wind Band under the musical director, Paul Brooks. There was a collection of traditional carols and individual

Chipping Sodbury Morning WI HAPPY New Year to you all. In December we celebrated the coming festivities with our lovely ladies and some mulled wine. At our meeting on January 16 we shall be discussing the National Federation of Women's Institutes resolutions for 2024; this is a chance to achieve real change

and activate the huge power and influence of the WI movement to make a lasting difference. As there are five Tuesdays in January, we shall also be holding a coffee morning on 30th - this is a more relaxed event and gives us the opportunity to catch up with each other. We always make our members and visitors welcome - your New Year's resolution could be to join us! 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. To find out more, please call 07809 534 107. Sue Bird

Yate & Sodbury District u3a THE u3a Jazz Appreciation Group is now in its 12th year, and still going strong. The group is suitable for both

enthusiasts and those who do not know much about jazz but are interested in finding out more. Each month we have a presentation of different types of jazz, both instrumental, and vocal, from early beginnings to the present day, with some historical context, and background. We meet between 2-4pm on the second Thursday of the month in the Watkins Room at the Old Grammar School in Chipping Sodbury. From time to time we enjoy live music performances by local musicians and in December we had a performance by Quatrain Jazz, a local amateur group who play blues, jazz, and swing standards. We are a friendly bunch and would be pleased to welcome any new members. For more exciting u3a groups, visit our website at u3asites.org.uk/ yate-sodbury/welcome. Pauline Mullholland

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Have a say on your policing bill I HOPE you have been having a wonderful festive period. I would like to start the New Year by thanking all the officers and emergency services staff who have worked tirelessly to keep our communities safe over this time. The Police Funding Survey is now live online. I encourage every resident to give their thoughts on my proposal to increase the policing part of the council tax, known as the precept, by £10 a year (that’s the equivalent of 83p per month) for the average Band D household. The survey will close on January 22. Local policing is funded by a combination of people’s council tax (the precept), Home Office funding, and other grants. The precept makes up 41% of police funding and I, as your PCC, am responsible for setting the amount of money residents

contribute to local policing through the precept. You can access the link to the precept survey on the OPCC website, www. avonandsomersetpcc.gov.uk. Last month, my office launched a new volunteer recruitment campaign, looking for members of the public from all backgrounds and walks of life to visit people in one of three custody centres we have in Avon and Somerset, in Keynsham, Patchway and Bridgwater. These volunteer roles are called independent custody visitors, and they perform a vital role in ensuring people who are detained in custody following arrest are aware of their rights and are receiving what they are entitled to. If you can spare two hours per month, at a time to suit you, to partner with another custody volunteer and undertake a visit,

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please apply before 18 January. No experience is necessary, just a commitment to seeing fair, efficient and effective policing in our communities. Visit our website and go to the ‘Get Involved’ section to sign up. I urge people to be extra careful when shopping online at any time, but particularly this time of year, as we see online shopping increase in the annual January sales. Many people are looking for bargains after the Christmas period and I warn shoppers: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. To protect yourself from fraud and cyber crime, I advise everyone to follow advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign: Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.

With police and crime commissioner

Mark Shelford

Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you. Protect: If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online, at actionfraud.police.uk, or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

n SPORT

January, 2024

Weather and errors frustrate Yate Town RECENT weeks have proved very frustrating for Yate Town as the wet weather, plus a frosty weekend, caused three fixtures to be postponed. After securing a valuable point in the 1-1 draw at Bideford on November 18, the Bluebells had to wait another four weeks before they were able to play again. The local derby at newlypromoted Cribbs on December 16 caused a different kind of frustration, as two defensive errors resulted in a narrow defeat. In the first ever competitive match between the two clubs, the hosts started strongly, forcing Yate keeper Aaron Sainsbury to tip an early effort over the crossbar. The Bluebells then dominated much of the first half, playing controlled passing football, but found it difficult to create good chances against the best defence in the division. Midway through the half, a Yate free kick on the left of the Cribbs penalty area was blocked

Milo Murgatroyd (right, in yellow) in action at Cribbs

and the home side broke away swiftly, with a poor back pass from Lewis Hall resulting in Cribbs' leading scorer David Duru racing clear and slotting the ball past Sainsbury. After the interval Cribbs again started strongly and Yate conceded a second goal on 51 minutes, when Bailey Croome was allowed too much space in the penalty area, scoring from close range. With 5 minutes remaining, Callum Hutton pounced on a loose ball in the box and fired home from 12 yards to give the

Bluebells a lifeline, but Cribbs played out the closing minutes successfully. Yate must now try to move up the Southern League Division One South table, as they sit perilously close to the bottom, and are hoping fans who turn up in numbers for fixtures over Christmas continue to come into the New Year and beyond. The Bluebells continue to work to support local charities, and a £280 cheque for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, due to be presented at the home game against Bashley, will take

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January fixtures (3pm unless stated): Monday January 1: Bristol Manor Farm (home) Saturday January 6: Malvern Town (away) Tuesday January 9: Larkhall Athletic (H) 7.45pm Saturday January 13: Bemerton (H) Saturday January 20: Mousehole AFC (A) Saturday January 27: Exmouth Town (A) Bob Chester

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the total raised so far to just over £1,000 this season, with more fundraising events planned in the New Year. The club will also be donating £100 to the Royal British Legion, as the bucket collection planned for the home game against Larkhall Athletic could not take place due to the pitch being waterlogged.

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