Yate & Sodbury Voice January 2022

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January, 2022 Issue 81

FREE EVERY MONTH IN YATE, CHIPPING SODBURY & SURROUNDING VILLAGES

Terrifying tales from Yate!

Inside this month:

NHS workers in fear STAFF from the NHS Yate Minor Injury Unit say they feel vulnerable after a rise in abusive and aggressive behaviour from the public.

PAGE 5

Murder inquiry

LOTTIE Cordy is one of more than 50 pupils from Brimsham Green School in Yate who have had their work published in a new collection of horror stories.

Spine Chillers 2021: Nightmare Tales is crammed full of stories from young writers.

Full story: Page 11

£600m vision for Yate unveiled A VISION for the future of Yate that it is claimed could attract up to £600 million of funding has been unveiled.

South Gloucestershire Council's Town Improvement Masterplan sets out the ways the town could change over the next 20 years.

One of the key aims of the plan, approved by the council's cabinet in December, is to make Yate a “15-minute town” where all residents can walk or cycle to work, school or the shops within a quarter of an hour,

with changes to the town centre, rail and bus stations and the industrial estate proposed.

But officers who drew up the final masterplan after 12 weeks of public consultation conceded that residents were “suspicious” of council plans and public trust must be rebuilt.

Initial plans to relocate the bus station and leisure centre have been dropped following feedback from the public, who also expressed fears that town centre parking could be lost – a concern the council insists is

only a perception and not its intention.

Nearby villagers will also be “alarmed” over a proposed link road to the west between Badminton Road and Yate Road, a councillor has warned.

And the whole plan hinges on the future of Yate Shopping Centre, which is understood to have now been sold after going on the market for £53 million several months ago.

Turn to page 3

POLICE launched a murder inquiry and arrested a man after the death of a Yate woman in a Gloucestershire town.

PAGE 4

Builders eye land for 900 new homes

DEVELOPERS want to build more than 900 homes on sites near Chipping Sodbury and Wickwar PAGE 6

Road works begin

DRIVERS are being warned of road closures and narrow lanes on the A432 when work gets underway to build new cycle lanes between Coalpit Heath and Yate.

PAGE 3

Bus service plea

RESIDENTS of a retirement home in Yate say they have felt trapped at home since the withdrawal of buses which used to run past their front door.

PAGE 7

Yate Park&Ride

opening soon A new year, a new way to travel  All day parking  Buses approx. every 30 mins to Bristol City Centre, Yate and Chipping Sodbury  EV charge points Cycle parking  8-min walk to Yate Station For further information, visit  www.southglos.gov.uk/majorroadworks

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January, 2022

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n NEWS

Plan to make Yate 'welcoming, healthy and prosperous' From page 1

The masterplan, approved by the council's Conservative administration on December 13, sets out the changes that could take place in Yate over the next 15 to 20 years.

Changes include a new town square, upgraded railway station, modernised bus station and a new link road through the industrial estate connecting the A432 and Yate Road.

The riverbank will be widened around the river Frome, and a new cycle route would connect the park and ride to the town centre.

Health facilities, other public services and shops will remain in the town centre.

The council plans to shift car parking indoors eventually, either inside or underneath buildings, and is promising drop-off areas for taxis and charging points for electric cars, scooters and bicycles.

The plan says “urban lifestyles” will be needed to protect green spaces – but says it will keep building heights

A new town square is included in the masterplan vision “sensible”, and has referred to “medium height” buildings of five or six storeys.

The masterplan, which the council says could see between £300 and £600 million invested in Yate, aims to make the town more “welcoming, healthy, sustainable and prosperous”.

But the cabinet report said the public consultation had made it clear that some residents were very concerned about housing and parking in the town centre.

It said: "“Concern centred on the potential height of buildings and the number of parking spaces.

“The project team sought to

explain that these issues need to be considered in detail once the vision, ambition and principles for the town centre are agreed through the masterplan.

“However, there is a sense that the public were suspicious about the positive intentions of the masterplan and as we move to the next steps, efforts should be made to restore public trust in the future town centre redevelopment.”

The council has not decided how many car parking spaces

will be needed, or made any decisions about the height or number of new homes in the town centre, the report said.

It has no plans to reduce the number of shops, get rid of the cinema or relocate banks, post offices or the minor injuries unit, it added.

Frampton Cotterell Liberal Democrat councillor Tristan Clark told the cabinet the proposed new link road would cross the Frome Valley Walkway and likely lead to more of it being swallowed up by an expanded industrial estate, most of which lies in the parishes of Iron Acton and Westerleigh.

“Many residents in those parishes will be concerned and some alarmed,” he said.

To find out more about the plan visit www.southglos.gov. uk/yatemasterplan online.

By Amanda Cameron & Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Cycle lane road works begin DRIVERS are being warned of road closures and narrow lanes when work gets underway to build new cycle lanes between Coalpit Heath and Yate.

Work on the A432 Badminton Road is set to begin on January 3, with overnight road closures from 8pm to 6am until January 9 between Coalpit Heath and Nibley Lane, on the outskirts of Yate.

The closures will herald the start of five months of work to build a cycle lane in each direction, with the road being narrowed at first and temporary traffic lights put in place later on.

Announcing the works, South Gloucestershire Council's StreetCare department said: "The road needs to be closed while our teams remove all the existing road markings and install narrower lanes so we can construct a new, safe cycle lane.

"The A432 Badminton Road is a key link between the A4174 Avon Ring Road and Yate that has been identified for improvement.

"The existing on-carriageway cycle facilities are well below the standards set out in the Government’s Local Transport Note and it's important to keep all road users safe."

The council said signed diversions will be in place during the closures in early January and apologised for any inconvenience.

Cycle lanes in each direction will eventually link Yate to the Avon Ring Road.

The work will involve creating some new lanes and some stretches of existing cycle lane being widened at the expense of motor traffic.

The Coalpit Heath to Nibley Lane section will have a new cycle lane raised up to create a separate protected track, 2m wide.

The current 40mph limit on the stretch of road will be reduced to 30mph under the plan.

The council’s ambition is to encourage people travelling to and from Yate to consider cycling as an alternative to driving.

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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

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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, 2022

n NEWS

Murder inquiry after Yate woman's death POLICE say a woman who died in Gloucestershire, sparking a murder investigation, was from Yate.

Jaqueline Walker, who was 59, was found dead in Bath Road, Stonehouse, near Stroud, in the early hours of November 28.

Her identity was confirmed by Gloucestershire Coroners Service.

Police arrested a 53-year-old man on suspicion of murder shortly after Ms Walker's death.

He was later released under investigation pending further enquiries.

A Home Office post-mortem examination was carried out the day after Ms Walker was found but the results had not been made public as the Voice went to press.

Gloucestershire police officers have thanked people who came forward with information to help their investigation and called on anyone who had not yet come forward to call them on 101, quoting incident reference number 013 of November 28.

Fatal house fire ONE person has died and another was injured in a fire at a house in Yate.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters from Yate, Kingswood and Temple were called to the blaze, which broke out shortly after 9.45pm on December 15, in Beaufort Avenue.

A spokesperson said: "Two casualties were rescued during the fire and were handed over to ambulance crews.

"Sadly, one person has since died following the incident."

No further details of the person who died in the blaze have been released.

The fire service said four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus were involved in the rescue.

A fire service investigation concluded that the fire was believed to have started accidentally.

Avon and Somerset police were called to the scene but as the cause is not thought to be suspicious, the case will now be investigated by the coroner.

Man dumped waste 'because queue was too long' A MAN from Yate has been ordered to pay more than £850 in fines and costs after dumping waste at the roadside because he didn't want to queue at the tip.

Mitchell Palmer, aged 34, of Windsor Drive, was prosecuted by South Gloucestershire Council after a resident saw him dumping a number of black bags in a lay-by at Bury Hill in February, challenged him and took pictures of him and the bags on a mobile phone.

When interviewed, he admitted fly-tipping the waste, saying it was an accumulation of rubbish from an address he had been sharing with his ex-girlfriend.

A council spokesperson said: "He claimed that he’d attempted a visit to his local Sort It recycling centre that morning but found the queue too long and was not prepared to wait.

"Palmer admitted that he knew his actions were unlawful and said he was remorseful for his behaviour."

He was fined £320 and ordered to pay £504 in costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

Fly-tipping can be reported by calling the StreetCare helpdesk on 01454 868000 or emailing streetcare@southglos.gov.uk.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

January, 2022

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Lizzy Hooper and Donna Walker of Yate Minor Injury Unit spoke about abuse and threats from the public on a video STAFF from the NHS Yate Minor Injury Unit say they feel vulnerable and fearful after a rise in violent and aggressive behaviour from the public.

MIU deputy matron Lizzy Hooper and receptionist Donna Walker have called for more kindness and understanding from patients and relatives as part of a campaign by the Bristol area's NHS health and care organisations, called 'It’s not OK'.

It was launched as the trust which runs Bristol's city centre hospitals reported a 46% increase in incidents of violence and aggression, both verbal and physical, from 881 in the year to March 2020 to 1,284 in 2020/21.

Since April this year the rate has risen still further, with 917 cases in the eight months to the end of November.

Sirona, which provides staff at the MIU, reported a 15% increase in incidents of abuse and violence across its sites in the space of a year.

Lizzy said: "I shouldn’t have to be fearful for my team’s safety, yet this is a large part of what I am facing at the moment.

"We work very hard to ensure people in our care can be safely assessed and supported with their health care needs.

"It can be very challenging when individuals expect us to be able to see conditions we are not able to treat; we can only see minor injuries less than two weeks old.

"Some people visiting the department are reluctant to accept there are more appropriate options available to meet their needs.

"We would ask people to be kind and understand the pressures that we are all facing in these challenging times.”

Donna said: "I can feel quite vulnerable while working at the front desk and not knowing who I may deal with every day, particularly when it is really busy.

"It can also feel very unsettling and demoralising when trying to help a person, only to be yelled at and sworn at along with negative and quite mean comments made towards me and my colleagues.”

Extra demand for services, short staffing and frustrations over booking appointments have added to the pressure at local surgeries.

A CCG spokesperson said: "Whilst the majority of patients and visitors to healthcare settings are respectful and appreciative, there has continued to be a worrying rise in abusive behaviour during the pandemic."

The CCG said violent, aggressive and abusive incidents can have a "lasting impact" on NHS staff and called on patients and relatives to remember "they are people, too".

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LUKE HALL MP MP for Thornbury, Yate and the surrounding villages

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Write to Luke at: Luke Hall MP, 26 High Street, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6AH e: luke.hall.mp@parliament.uk w: lukehall.org.uk Promoted by Luke Hall MP, House of Commons, SW1A 0AA.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk To advertise, contact Richard on 01454 800 120

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January, 2022

n NEWS

Developers eye up land for more than 900 homes DEVELOPERS have made preliminary moves to see if they could build more than 900 homes on sites near Chipping Sodbury and Wickwar.

Agents acting for housebuilder Persimmon Homes have sent details of a 'vision’ for what they call the Kings Park Garden Neighbourhood, a "high-quality development" of 725 homes to the east of Chipping Sodbury.

And agents for Bloor Homes have outlined a proposed scheme at Sodbury Road, Wickwar, of 180 new homes.

Details of the schemes were outlined in applications to South Gloucestershire Council for what are known as 'screening opinions' as to whether a development needs an Environmental Impact Assessment to weigh up their consequences.

The Persimmon scheme would build on land east of St Johns Way in Chipping Sodbury

by the river Frome.

Agents Blue Fox Planning said the land is "well-connected to existing services and facilities, located within an attractive natural setting on the east side of Chipping Sodbury, outside of the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Green Belt".

They said the scheme would comprise "up to 725" new homes, 35% of which would be affordable, "potential for a two-form entry primary school", community parks greens, play areas, a cricket pitch and community facilities including a "local ‘hub’ centre, and community sports pavilion".

The agents said the development would "retain existing site features and create a naturalistic environment which aims to minimise the visual impact and enhance biodiversity through a series of green corridors, including a new collection of water features

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that provide habitat and reduce flood risk in the adjacent community".

Louise Smith, who lives opposite the site, said she was "deeply concerned" about the scheme and urged others to join her in writing to Persimmon, to make their feelings known.

She said the area was home to herons, egrets, roe deer, woodpeckers and other wildlife which would be "irreversibly lost".

Louise added: "The traffic on St Johns Way is already very heavy and suffers heavy lorry use with little regard for the pollution and noise that houses close to the road endure, not to mention the gardens that are feet away from the road."

The Wickwar scheme is for up to 180 homes, a local shop, allotments and landscaping on land to the east of Sodbury Road, currently used as farm land.

South Gloucestershire

councillor Adrian Rush, whose Chipping Sodbury and Cotswold Edge ward includes both sites, said both schemes were "speculative applications" not included in the council's adopted policies.

He said: "As such they have to demonstrate that they are needed by the community they are going to be built in and they have not demonstrated this.

"In fact the applicants at Wickwar have not engaged with the parish council in the way they wanted and have gone their own way in not communicating properly with the public.

"At the moment South Glos Council is working on its new local plan that will become much clearer next year, and these applications show the clear intent by big developers to usurp planned development for their profits."

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January, 2022

n NEWS RESIDENTS of a retirement home in Yate say they have felt trapped at home since the withdrawal of the bus service which used to run past their front door.

The 70 residents of Cambrian Green Court in Wellington Road, many of them wheelchair users, say they cannot afford to take taxis each time they want to visit Yate shopping centre, a mile away, as the typical fare is £7-£8 each way.

They say they also have to pay an annual subscription and a charge of around £5 each time they travel with Yate-based Green Community Transport's community buses.

Resident Bob Wylie said the last bus stopped running past the home more than two years ago but the stop "is still right outside".

Residents' association chair Frances Lewis said they were frustrated that a petition they raised when bus operator First withdrew services appeared to have been ignored.

She said: "I could get on a bus outside and go to Southmead Hospital or into Bristol."

Now, she said, such journeys were prohibitively expensive for many residents.

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Pensioners say lack of buses leaves them 'trapped' Frances Lewis at the Farmhouse bus stop in Wellington Road, which is no longer on a route.

Association vice-chair Beryl Moore said: "A lot of us live only on our old age pensions and there are disabled people here who cannot walk."

She said she had raised the problem with MP Luke Hall and the bus company but nothing had happened.

A spokesperson for Housing 21, which runs Cambrian Green Court, said: "We support the residents’ position that having a bus route going directly past would be of great benefit to them."

First Group's network and

MPs want 'urgent meeting' over buses SOUTH Gloucestershire's three MPs have called for a meeting with the government over funding for bus services.

Chris Skidmore, Luke Hall and Jack Lopresti have all signed a letter to Baroness Vere to raise concerns over the prospect of a reduction in service levels after the transition between two forms of government support for bus operators – the current Bus Recovery Grant and the incoming Bus Transformation Fund – which is due to happen in April 2022.

The MPs have told the minister: "We would like to request an urgent meeting with you to discuss how the Department for Transport can help protect our local bus services and manage the current mismatch between operators’ costs and actual revenue."

The MPs say they are concerned that, while the £3 billion Bus Transformation Fund announced by the Chancellor in October would improve infrastructure, fares and services, it "may not be used to support existing bus services that cease to be viable when the Bus Recovery Grant ends".

The MPs said they were urging the West of England Combined Authority, which has strategic responsibility for services in the region, "to prioritise the provision of bus services for local people over bureaucracy".

Metro Mayor Dan Norris, who is in charge of the authority, said he had asked all local MPs to agree a joint letter. While the Conservative MPs had written their own, Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs in Bristol and Bath had signed a joint letter calling for more money to support services.

A DfT spokesperson said Baroness Vere would replying to the MPs shortly regarding their invitation.

He said the department was "in close contact" with transport bodies but the Government "wishes to see the sector return to financial viability".

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schedules manager for the West of England, Jazz Terry, said: "The passenger numbers along the Wellington Road corridor were, basically, non-existent and the bus service wasn't commercially viable, hence its removal.”

However a company spokesperson said it was "undertaking a major deep dive surgery into the Yate services in the New Year," adding: "We will

look into this missing link and will update the residents of Yate in due course about potential plans."

West of England Metro Mayor, Dan Norris, who has responsibility for planning public transport in the area, said: "First Bus are cutting yet more services which are not commercially viable due to lack of passengers and government support.

"I have written to the minister to make this point, alongside MPs from across the parties.

"Sadly, new bus funding due in the spring can’t be used, as before, to save current services under threat.

"I would love to save, reinstate and fund more buses in the Yate and Chipping Sodbury area but I need the resources to do so. The government is cutting what I had – and that wasn’t enough anyway."

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n NEWS

Tree of Light switch-on Station passenger numbers plunge YATE'S Tree of Light has once again been brightening the festive season in the town centre.

The display at the eastern entrance to Yate Shopping Centre will stay on until mid January, with people being encouraged to sponsor a light in memory of a loved one, Jessica Holley switches on the lights or to celebrate a special occasion.

Sponsorship costs £6 and all the money raised goes to charities St Peter's Hospice and Brain Tumour Research.

The project is organised by Yate Rotary Club, which ran a colouring competition for schools to pick a VIP to switch on the lights.

The winner was Jessica Holley, from St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, with second prize won by Brooke Tiley of Wellesley Primary School and third prize awarded to Skye Dunn of St Mary’s C of E Primary School.

Rotary Club president Marian Gilpin said: "As last year, the standard of the entries was very high, and the skill and imagination shown were exceptional, making it very difficult to single out the best.

"The Tree looks amazing, and the lights stay on and the project is open until mid-January."

For more details about sponsorship visit the Rotary website at www.yaterotaryclub.co.uk.

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YATE railway station saw passenger numbers fall by 80% last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But the decline – from 341,800 entries and exits from the station in the year to March 2020 to 68,562 over the following 12 months – is proportionally lower than some other stations, including Bristol Temple Meads, where numbers were down by 83%, Bristol Parkway, the fall was 85%, and London Paddington, where it was 86%.

The numbers are revealed in the Office of Rail and Road’s estimates of station usage for all of the more than 2,500 stations in the country during 2020-21.

The ORR said the overall number of rail journeys in the year to March 2021, 388 million, was the lowest seen since at least 1872 and was down 78% compared to the previous year, when it was around 1.7 billion.

Temple Meads was still the busiest station in the region, with just over two million entries and exits by passengers.

Use of Filton Abbey Wood fell from 976,150 to 115,624 – down by 88%.

Paddington had just under 6.4 million entries and exits in the year to March 2021, down from almost 44.9 million in the previous 12 months.

For the first time in 17 years London Waterloo was not the most used station. Its 12.2 million entries and exits – down from 86.9 million the previous year - fell below London Stratford's 14 million.

ORR director of planning and performance Feras Alshaker said: "This year we have seen many railway stations with very few passenger entries and exits. However, we know that recent figures show leisure journeys are nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, while there has been a slower increase in commuter journeys."

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

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January, 2022

WILL & PROBATE ADVICE

This January make a difference to those you love After a second difficult year for us all, it has highlighted how the most important aspect of our lives is the people we love and care about.

Covid-19 has also highlighted the importance of being able to shop locally, with local services such as Simpson Solicitors staying open – providing a safe place for “in person” meetings and offering a FREE Home Visit Service for people in our area who needed to stay at home.

2022 will hopefully be much better.

Now is the time get your legal affairs in order, to make a big difference to those you most love. It is only by having an up-to-date will and power of attorney in place, that if you became seriously ill you can make sure your wishes are followed.

Having no will or an out of date Will or no Will can mean those you love suffer the upset of the inheritance going to the wrong people or being wasted on legal disputes or paying avoidable care home fees or inheritance

tax. Children can be left not being properly provided for and not being raised by the Guardian you would want.

Not having up-to-date lasting power of attorney can mean those you trust (who would most want to support you) are left feeling helpless and unable to make sure you got the support you would want.

Simpson Solicitors are our local experts in this area of law. They are based in Chipping Sodbury on the main road, with free parking outside. They also offer a FREE Home Visit service to our readers. Being a regulated law firm you’ll have the peace of mind that everything is done properly for you, to prevent problems for your family. Simpson Solicitors makes sure your wishes are clearly recorded with legally valid documents, to support those you intended - preventing family fallout.

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Chloe Knight says: “Our service will let you make a big difference to those you love. The free meeting doesn’t just cover the Will. We will guide you through all the issues you should think about to prevent problems for your family. You will not feel rushed, as we take as long as you need.”

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yate&sodburyvoice

January, 2022

11

n NEWS

Children's spine chilling tales go into print PUPILS from a Yate school have seen their mini-horror stories published in a book.

More than 50 children in Year 9 at Brimsham Green School have written work for the book, called Spine Chillers 2021: Nightmare Tales and published

by Young Writers.

The book is descried as a "collection of 100-word mini sagas that fit into the Gothic/ Horror genre". Students wrote their stories in full and then had to condense them down into just 100 words.

Brimsham Green's KS3 coordinator for English, Monique Earle, organised a competition in the school to select the most truly terrifying tales.

She said: "Aspiration is one of our values at Brimsham Green School and this is a perfect example of how Brimsham students can aspire to achieve anything they set their minds to.

"Writing concisely is a skill that so many of our students

Kyle Goff's tale of strange noises in the night has been published worked hard on in order to reap the reward of publication.

"Many of the published students were working remotely at the time due to Track and Trace, so their independence is to be applauded.

"We have ordered some

copies of the book for the school so that we can continue to both read them and celebrate them in years to come!"

Lottie Cordy, who appears on our front page, wrote a story about a boy who grew up in a town haunted by tragedy.

She said: "Being published in the book made me feel so happy as I didn’t know that people liked to read my story writing.

My mum bought a book which made me feel proud as my mum thought it was a great story.

Kyle Goff wrote about a boy who is in his house alone at night and "hears strange noises that he can’t escape from".

Kyle said: "Having my story published in a book made me feel extremely proud of myself.

My mum and step-dad were also really proud and they bought three copies of the book!"

Head teacher Kim Garland said: "I am so proud of our Year 9 students who are now, officially, published authors. In total, a third of the Year Group have achieved this, which is impressive!

"I really hope this is just the beginning of students discovering their passion and talent for creative writing."

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Step into work with the help of National Star Disabled adult jobseekers in Kingswood, Emerson Green, Fishponds, Yate and Sodbury and Keynsham can tap into support from specialist job mentors to help them find their next role.

Working in partnership with South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, experienced job coaches from disability charity National Star are lined up to help adults over 19 years old living in the South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset and Bristol areas to find work.

One-to-one support in Maths and English will be provided as well as support with CV writing, interview preparation and job search techniques.

Adults with any self-declared disability, including those with social anxiety or depression, dyslexia, dyspraxia, hearing loss, mobility issues and visual impairments who sign up to the programme can also study towards a vocational qualification to help them increase their chances of finding employment.

‘Job support is often directed at young adults but there is no upper age limit on the support that we can provide through this adult education programme,’ said Amanda Mann, the

Recruitment and Assessment Co-ordinator who is recruiting adults to join the programme.

‘It’s hard to keep motivated and maintain your self-confidence to search for work, especially if you do not know how to improve your chances after multiple rejections. Our experienced Job Coach will be with you every step of the way, providing personalised support to help you to achieve your work goals,’ added Amanda.

As part of the programme the jobseekers are supported to find a work placement in a business or organisation that interests them so that they can build up their skills and experience.

‘The New Year is traditionally associated with fresh starts and resolutions to do things differently. We genuinely hope that adults with disabilities of all ages will sign up to our programme and change their lives for the better in 2022,’ said Amanda.

National Star is a well-established charity that runs specialist colleges for day and residential learners with disabilities in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Wales. Rated ‘outstanding’

by Ofsted, National Star runs a series of workrelated courses for people with disabilities

to build their confidence and develop their employability skills. With strong links with local businesses job mentors can help students to secure interesting work placements.

Former National Star students with a range of disabilities have gone on to run their own businesses, work in retail, hospitality, administration and more.

Anyone interested in finding out more about joining the four-day a week programme, is asked to contact Amanda at amann@ nationalstar.org or telephone 07837 555329.

January, 2022

yate&sodburyvoice

13

n NEWS

New solar farm is given go-ahead A SOLAR farm north of Yate, which could produce enough power for 15,000 homes, has been given planning permission.

The scheme is set to cover 16 agricultural fields between Wickwar and Bagstone, and provide renewable energy for 40 years before being returned to farmland.

South Gloucestershire councillors voted unanimously to approve the development despite fears raised about flooding and road safety.

Objectors, who included three parish councils and 35 residents, told the council's development management committee that access to the 68-hectare (167acre) site for construction traffic was on a dangerous bend with poor visibility on the B4058 Bristol Road, and that the nearby Ladden Brook regularly flooded.

Resident Ed Dixon told the meeting on November 25 that the scheme for land at Newlands

Farm, West End, was “massive in scale and equivalent to nearly 2,000 houses”.

He said the impact on the landscape would the use of rights of way across the fields “much poorer and potentially hazardous”, while horse riders objected because of concerns about how the bridleway would be affected.

Chipping Sodbury & Cotswold Edge ward councillor Adrian Rush told members: “You have to look at it and think this is a great lump of land being taken up by a solar farm.”

The Liberal Democrat councillor said he did not believe Environment Agency advice that flooding would not be a problem.

The application from Rag Lane Solar received 13 letters of support, and planning agent Nick Beddoe told members it would offset 21,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.

Mr Beddoe said there

would be extensive planting of wildflowers and 1.7km of hedgerows, sheep could continue to graze and all public rights of way would remain open and be improved.

He said: “The proposals are fully compliant with national and local planning policy and would make a remarkable contribution to tackling climate change.”

South Gloucestershire Council development manager Marie Bath said shallow channels called swales would be cut to reduce overall run-off, which would "improve the flooding situation".

She said there were no objections from landscape, planning, drainage, public rights of way, conservation or ecology officers.

A highways officer said the visibility of the junction was adequate for the speed of traffic and a construction management plan would ensure lorries would

Resident Ed Dixon addresses the meeting not travel through villages or cover nearby roads in mud.

Cllr Ernie Brown (Con, Stoke Gifford) said: “Solar panels are the way to go. It’s not something new, it’s something we need.”

The site is between the B4058 Bristol/Bagstone Road, Rag Lane and Cowship Lane. *An application for a 50MW solar farm at Perrinpit Farm, Frampton Cotterell, is still awaiting a decision from the council.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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14

January, 2022

n NEWS

St Paul's Catholic Primary School pupils with the decorated tree

The estates team help the children with their task

School children help decorate Kingsgate Park PUPILS from St Paul's Catholic Primary School in Yate helped to brighten up Kingsgate Park for the festive season.

Children made decorations and helped put them on the park's Christmas tree.

Sue Swanborough, of the Friends of Kingsgate Park, said: "The children's decorations were amazing!

"A big thank-you to all the pupils for creating such superb decorations.

"They were helped by Adam and Tim of the Estates Team for the park."

For more information about the Friends, email friendskingsgatepark@gmail.com.

Warning of 'significant harm' risk to children

CHILDREN'S services in South Gloucestershire are failing some and leaving a few at risk of “significant harm”, says the regulator.

Ofsted found multiple flaws in the local authority’s process for handling concerns raised by members of the public about children’s safety.

Its findings about the socalled ‘front door’ to South Gloucestershire Council’s children’s service come two-anda-half years after the service as a whole was judged to ‘require improvement’.

In a letter to the council on December 14, following a twoday visit last month, inspector Tracey Scott said: “Delays in

children being seen, in the completion of assessments of their needs, and in carrying out child-protection enquiries mean that some children are left in situations of unassessed risk.

“For a few children, this has meant that they have been left in situations where they are known to be at risk of significant harm but are not receiving the help and support they need.

“The pace of improvement at the front door since the last inspection in 2019 has been too slow and, in some areas of practice, the quality of work has deteriorated.”

The council has accepted Ofsted’s findings and promised to “significantly and swiftly”

make improvements.

The 'front door', technically known as the ‘access and response team’, handles calls from the public and gathers information about any child safety concerns, before assessing each case and deciding what to do next.

The inspector told the council it must make improvements in areas including the timeliness and quality of visits to children, assessments of risks, and size of social worker caseloads.

The service also needs to keep better and more accurate records so that decisions are based on “full and accurate information”.

The council has 70 days to submit an action plan for making

priority improvements.

Cabinet member for children and young people Samuel Bromiley said: “There is no other way to read this report than to accept it shows we are not doing well enough to support those children, young people and their families who need us the most.

“It does not blame the dedicated staff who do an incredibly difficult job with real commitment and empathy, but it is clear that we must take collective responsibility for the fact that we have to improve our services significantly and swiftly.”

By Amanda Cameron, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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January, 2022

n NEWS

Planters brighten road YATE Town Council and South Gloucestershire Council are working together to brighten up Station Road, installing 11 filled planters to add a splash of colour to the main entrance into the Town.

Volunteers from the Yate Community Plan also helped by providing Some of the new planters soil and plants which the Yate Town Council estates team added to the planters.

The coloured grasses and shrubs have been chosen to contrast against the black and gold planters, with wildlife-friendly seasonal bedding plants also planted.

Businesses, groups and residents of Station Road have volunteered to water and maintain the planters.

Yate Town Council has been awarded £10,000 through the Welcome Back to the High Street initiative, which will fund further enhancements in the coming year along Station Road and the surrounding area from Cranleigh Court Road to Sunnyside Playing fields.

A town council spokesperson said: "We hope you enjoy the floral additions to Station Road."

Anyone who wants to volunteer or find out more about the project can contact Yate Town Council by email at info@yatetowncouncil.gov. uk or call 01454 866506.

School's Christmas spirit YEAR 5 pupils at Woodlands Primary School in Yate donned their Christmas jumpers for a special performance.

Head teacher Rachel Dean said performances – including Year 5's 'A Vintage Christmas' and the nursery children's Nativity were being recorded for parents to watch online.

The school also had a Christmas jumper day, festive tunes outside and fundraising sales organised by the school's parent teacher association, who sold tree decorations, sweets, games, gifts and Christmas craft bags.

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yate&sodburyvoice

January, 2022

17

n NEWS

Concert celebrates 10 years of song

A CHOIR which has given girls from across the area the chance to find their voices has celebrated its tenth anniversary with a birthday concert.

Junior Fascinating Rhythm performed in front of a full house at Iron Acton Village Hall in December.

The choir, for girls aged seven to 16, is the younger sister of Bristol-based women's barbershop chorus Fascinating Rhythm.

The concert featured Junior FR’s current line-up singing chorus numbers, solos and duets from members who have represented the choir at competitions, and a reunion of current and former members to perform ABBA’s Thank You for the Music.

Junior FR musical director Wendy Howse said: "It was an amazing evening, full of joy and celebration. The absolute highlight was having every Junior FR member, current and past, on stage to sing Thank You For The Music. The sound was immense, and my grin was even wider!

“I will be buzzing for weeks after this event, and I can’t wait to see what the next ten years have in store for Junior FR.” Fascinating Rhythm musical director Jo Thorn, who directed one of the songs, said: "It is so evident by the whole polished

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The concert and other fundraising activities raised about £500 for South Gloucestershire charity the Jessie May Trust.

The choir, which rehearses on Friday afternoons from 4-5.30pm during school

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18

January, 2022

n RECIPE OF THE MONTH

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.

Sunshine Food for January THIS month’s recipe is a favourite of mine for this time of year, when the weather is grey and stormy. It’s quick - ready in about 20 mins - colourful and healthy.

I love all the rich Christmas food, but by now I’m looking forward to something to cleanse

my palate and be less calorific. This salmon dish ticks all of those boxes.

I find that a lot of people shy away from cooking fish, either because they don’t know how to cook it, particularly for how long, or they’ve had it done badly.

So I’ve made sure that, in my

recipe, I’ve given you all the tips to create a beautiful piece of salmon with crispy skin, soft flesh and a tasty, vibrant salad filling, all served in a taco.

Just the thing to excite your taste buds whether it’s raining, snowing, or blowing a gale - to be honest it could be doing any of these in January!

Happy New Year, Ann Crispy Salmon Tacos

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Serves 2 Ingredients: Salmon fillets – 2, 150g each.

Multi coloured cherry tomatoes – 160g, halved Avocado – 1/2, halved, stoned and flesh chopped Spring onions – 3, roots removed and bottom centimetre Mango – 1, peeled, stoned and sliced.

Dried chilli flakes or a little chopped fresh red chilli (optional) Cajun seasoning - 2 tsps.

Sunflower oil for frying – 1 tbsp Lime – 1 Tacos – 4 small ones Mango chutney mixed with Greek yogurt, optional Here’s what you do: Take the fish out of the fridge about 15 mins before you want to cook it. A cold salmon fillet and a searing hot pan don’t work well!

Peel the mango using a veg peeler.

Cut a small slice from the top and the bottom and stand it on one end.

Slice down either side of the large stone in the centre of the mango to make 2 “cheeks.” Cut each cheek into neat slices. (Look at You Tube

to see how to do this neatly. The All Recipes video is very clear how to do this) Sprinkle the mango with lime juice.

Pat dry the flesh of the salmon with a piece of kitchen paper.

Sprinkle generously with the Cajun seasoning and pat down firmly.

Heat a medium sized frying pan until it’s very hot, then add a thin layer of oil.

Once the oil is very hot (shimmering) add the salmon fillets, skin side down.

Don’t be tempted to move it about or prod it.

Watch it carefully. You will see that the colour changes from dark pink to a lighter shade of pink, starting from the flesh at the bottom, which is nearest to the heat of the pan. This should take about three minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon.

Once the colour has changed three quarters of the way up, gently flip it over.

Add the prepped mango and veg and chillies, if using, to the pan.

Sprinkle the tacos with water and put under a hot grill to warm.

Meanwhile, cook the fish for a further minute or two, until you can see the colour change all the way up.

Remove from the pan and quickly cut the salmon into strips.

Mix in with the mixture in the pan.

Add a good squeeze of lime juice.

Put a taco on each plate and divide the mixture between the 4 plates. Place a small section of the lime on each plate If liked, serve with mango chutney mixed with Greek yogurt.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

January, 2022

19

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

New Year heralds a greener future THERE is still much uncertainty about the worrying Omicron covid variant spreading among our communities.

It remains hugely important to take up booster jabs when offered them, and to continue to wear masks in shops and on public transport.

Here in the West of England I am proud we have led the country in this sensible approach since last summer and I believe it has saved countless lives locally.

In the best traditions of our wonderful region and nation, let’s continue to look out for each other in 2022.

January is a time to make plans and New Year’s resolutions but, importantly, also a time for us to think about our own well-being.

This month is ‘National Walk Your Dog month.’ If your dog is anything like my working cocker spaniel, Angel, they will implore you for long walks on at least a daily basis!

It’s a great way of getting exercise, fresh air and doing something that’s really good for our

mental health.

Across the West of England there are some fantastic forests, woodland and open spaces to go for walks – my personal favourites being around the beautiful rail viaducts in both Winterbourne and Pensford.

On the subject of green spaces, I was delighted that the flagship £50 million Green Recovery Fund that I pledged in my manifesto was finally voted through in December – and without any strings attached. This was my green promise to you in last May’s election and it is key to our region meeting our ambitious target of net-zero by 2030.

It’s going to deliver key projects like retrofitting homes to make them more energy efficient, installing more charging points for electric cars and creating biodiversity schemes to help bees and other pollinators.

So my New Year’s resolution to you is to continue to be the strong champion our region needs and deserves – from backing our worldclass food and drink producers, to our creative

Metro Mayor

Dan Norris

writes for the Voice

industries and our thriving tech and aerospace sectors.

I want to deliver a public transport network that our region can be really proud of, and to that end I was delighted to launch half-hourly rail services between Severn Beach and Temple Meads, and am proud to promise there are more transport improvements across our region further down the track this year.

So whether you’re doing dry January, ‘Veganuary’ or taking up a new hobby, I wish you and your loved ones a very safe January and 2022.

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20

yate&sodburyvoice

January, 2022

n LOCAL MP

Park and ride will be a sustainable travel alternative OUR brand new Yate Park and Ride is only weeks away from opening. The final stages of construction are now taking place.

As a local man, I know how congested our local roads can be, and how beneficial this new park and ride will be, for reducing congestion on our busy roads and improving both our local connections and air quality.

The park and ride will offer free parking for bus users, electric vehicle charging points, secure cycling parking and is just a short walk to Yate railway station, connecting our local public transport better than ever before.

So far it has been confirmed that there will be direct bus services every 30 minutes into Bristol city centre in one direction, and Yate and Chipping Sodbury in the other, with more services and

timetables being confirmed in the coming weeks and months.

I was extremely grateful to everyone who let me know their thoughts about which other locations the park and ride should serve, with Bath, Cribbs Causeway and Southmead Hospital the most popular destinations. I will be continuing to speak to South Gloucestershire Council and local bus operators about the expansion of further services for the park and ride.

This brand-new park and ride is being funded by £3.5 million secured from the West of England Combined Authority and will provide a sustainable alternative for people going both into Yate and towards Bristol, encouraging people to get out of their cars and reduce congestion, as well as to encourage linked up usage with rail services at the nearby Yate

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

station.

To protect and enhance our natural environment, South Gloucestershire Council will also be retaining all trees on the site, putting them into safe storage while development works take place and replanting them around the park and ride once work is complete.

I will be meeting with First Bus soon to discuss the ways in which we can deliver better services for residents and commuters, with a particular focus on the variety of services through Frampton Cotterell village, a return of services to parts of North Yate, and the frequency of the Y6 Southmead Hospital bus.

The Yate Park and Ride joins the list of successful transport schemes we have worked, with the help of the community, to deliver in the past few years.

Luke Hall MP writes for Yate & Sodbury Voice

These include scrapping the Severn Bridge tolls, agreeing new electric car charging points in Thornbury, Yate and Frampton Cotterell, working to double the frequency of trains, resurfacing our rural roads, and reinstating the Southmead Hospital bus link from Chipping Sodbury.

We are Getting Yate Moving.

It is a huge privilege to serve as your MP. If there is ever anything I can do to help, please do not hesitate to get in touch at luke.hall.mp@parliament.uk.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

January, 2022

n NEWS A YATE great-grandmother celebrated her 100th birthday with two parties.

Dorothy Watson started things off with a party at her home in Cambrian Green Court, organised by carers for her and other residents.

She then headed over for a family celebration with her sons John and Michael at John's home in the town, attended by her four grandchildren and three of her seven great-grandchildren, on November 27.

Dorothy was born in Hotwells in Bristol at her grandmother's house.

Her earliest memory is of attending Hotwells Infant School, where each day would start with all the children assembling in the main hall, sit on the floor and sing songs before classes started every morning.

Dorothy and her husband, a BAC aero engines worker also named John, lived in Bristol during their married life.

They both loved to dance, and Dorothy has fond memories of dancing in the Avon Gorge Hotel

yate&sodburyvoice

21

Dorothy is surrounded by family for her centenary

Dorothy Watson celebrating with three of her greatgrandchildren ballroom, overlooking the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

When her husband died in 1974 she then moved to Chipping Sodbury to be closer to her son and his family.

Dorothy continued to work as a secretary at Bristol University

n PHARMACY NEWS

The secret to changing your lifestyle JANUARY is traditionally time to take stock and decide on positive changes to improve health, well-being, and relationships. What is the secret to success when making changes?

A 2021 Public Health England survey found that, while many people made changes during the first lockdown, after an initial surge in positive activity such as cycling and exercising at home, the enthusiasm waned.

Many people went back to snacking on unhealthy food and drinks, and exercised less.

Why do people fail at these changes?

Research shows enjoyment is the thing that really matters when adopting change.

People also have wrong ideas about willpower and the time needed for new behavioural patterns to become habits.

Every time we exercise self-control, for example saying no to dessert, it becomes easier next time.

It can take up to 66 days to form a new habit, so don't give up!

To succeed, focus on developing good habits rather than meeting goals, for example saying "I want to exercise/eat better every day" rather than "I want to lose 15kg in eight weeks".

To stay motivated, celebrate even the smallest positive changes.

Immediate rewards from new habits help us stick to them.

Embrace self-compassion and avoid perfectionism. Don't compare yourself to that person on TikTok! Be kind and supportive of yourself, as you would a friend or child.

Self-criticism is linked to less motivation and worse self-control.

Find your preference, such as doing activity in the morning or in a group, using technology or keeping records.

Your pharmacist can offer you support, as can the nhs.uk/better-health website.

Finally, a reminder that you may have a bike you have ignored for over a year!

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until she retired in 1981, as the law at the time did not allow her to carry on working past the age of 60.

Her son John said: "Mum was never idle, and was called upon to look after my children on many occasions.

"She was also a very good cook, having been a professional chef for a while. She was renowned for supplying wedding cakes, scones and fantastic coffee walnut sponges, not only to the family – she had quite a cottage industry supplying local cafes, many times at short notice.

"Over the years she has assisted with school projects when her grandchildren, and lately her great grandchildren, have been required to find out what it was like to live through the war. Every time we learn something new.

"At times life has not been easy for my mum but we all think of her as still the head of our family."

Asked for her tips on living a long life, Dorothy said: "To be surrounded by a loving family and enjoy their love."

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yate&sodburyvoice

22

January, 2022

n YATE HERITAGE CENTRE

Cause for optimism in 2022

2021 has been a strange year for all of us, and those working in museums and heritage are no exception.

Many of our usual services have returned to a form of normality.

Exhibitions have returned to Yate Heritage Centre, and our opening hours are nearly what they were pre-covid.

Holiday activities continued in some form, and we were even able to stage the Yate International Festival in September. By contrast our normal lectures at Yate Heritage Centre remained on Zoom up to July and have been hosted at Poole Court since September.

There is much cause for optimism in 2022. There will be new local history displays throughout the year, with new material and research to enjoy. The Swinging Sixties exhibition, from January to March, sets the scene with a fresh look at this period, with many pictures and artefacts never before displayed.

We also welcome back local art in our main gallery. The Yate Art open will make a welcome return

in the spring after three years, and we also look forward to hosting Yate Academy students' work and the Bath Textile Artists' Group, which display in museums throughout the region and reflect the history of the area through their work.

2022 also promises to be a good year for history and community events. The St George celebrations are eagerly anticipated and will be our first major event on the green (weather willing), with plenty of medieval and Tudor-related demonstrators expected this time.

We also hope to mark the Platinum Jubilee in early June, collaborating with St Mary’s Church who are hosting a traditional and modern event on the green – not to be missed.

There will be many reasons to just drop into Yate Heritage Centre beyond exhibitions and events. The home of the Yate Photo Archive is at the centre. Although our aim is to get more images online, the photo archive here contains well over 2,000 images, covering all aspects

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of the history of the Yate and Sodbury area.

Allied to the archive, we also house the Gazette Archive of local images from 1963, amounting to several thousand images, and highquality photographs from Murray Dowding's collection, dating from the early 20th century.

If all that wasn’t enough, we have extensive files and original documents relating to the social and industrial history of the area. There are maps from the 1840s onwards and over 300 interview recordings of 20th century history, including the important Yate District Oral History Dhol drummers at the Yate International Festival Project collections.

Finally, we are happy to provide local expertise are happy to chew the fat on a range for our visitors. As well as our own of issues. historic knowledge born of research, David Hardill we have volunteers with longstanding knowledge of the area who

Diary dates Until January 27: Upstairs, Downstairs exhibition – history of domestic service and servants in the Yate area.

January 19: Yate Archaeological Group – The Formation of Gloucestershire, with Tony Conder, 7.30pm, Poole Court. £3 admission. Booking essential.

January 25: Yate Lecture Series – Origins and History of the Gloucestershire Constabulary with Sue Webb, 7.30pm, Poole Court. £2 admission (free for Friends of YHC). Booking essential.

January 29-March 20: Swinging Sixties in Yate – the history of this dramatic time in the history of the area and the people who shaped the town and parish.

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January, 2022

23

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

How much more should we pay for policing?

AS your PCC, I am responsible for setting the amount of money that residents – you – contribute to local policing through the council tax, known as the precept.

It’s that time of year again where PCCs up and down the country will need to make a decision whether or not to increase the precept, and the impact this will have on local people.

Before making this decision, I want to hear from communities and find out your views about this potential increase. So, I have launched a survey asking if you would be willing to pay an increase in the policing part of the council tax.

Why is an increase needed?

Local policing is funded by a combination of Home Office and other grants, as well as council tax contributions. In 2022/23, the Home Office grant funding is increasing to fund additional

officers as part of Operation Uplift but this is not enough to manage inflationary pressures, like pay rises for police officers.

The Government has told PCCs that they can raise the precept next year by £10 for an average band D household. A £10 increase, approximately 83p per month, would mean any savings that still need to be made would be less likely to impact frontline services.

If the policing part of the council tax is not increased, the force would have to make significant savings, resulting in a reduction of services that would impact our communities.

As your PCC, I have to balance the challenges facing policing with local people’s views in order to best resource an efficient and effective police service that can keep people safe.

However, I know that any increase in household bills is

felt by local people. This is why I want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to tell me their thoughts and opinions before I make any decision regarding an increase.

The survey can be completed via the PCC website at www. avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk/ about/police-tax-survey/ If you need a paper version please contact the team on 01278 646188.

I’m sure many of you will be shopping online over January to make the most of the New Year sales. I want to take a moment to remind you to take extra care when shopping on the internet and ensure you do not fall victim to online shopping fraud.

We need to ensure that criminals do not take advantage of our online shopping habits and, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

There are numerous ways

With Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford online shoppers can protect themselves online including: using a payment method that offers protection such as a credit card, using a strong separate password for your email account and watching out for phishing emails and texts.

More advice on how to stay safe online can be found on Action Fraud’s website.

Yate Town Council Update

Mayor’s New Year Message Reflecting back on 2021, it was another difficult and challenging year for all of us.

I would like to thank everyone who has helped support our local community groups during the past year, working so hard to enable everyone to stay safe this year.

Our neighbouring parishes of Sodbury and Dodington were able to join us to thank a few individuals and organisations in the summer and recognise their contributions during the height of the pandemic, without whom our lives would have been so much more difficult than they already were.

Our own Town Council staff worked tirelessly to help provide support and services to the community and help keep everyone safe. No small ask, especially as government advice, restrictions and guidelines changed sometimes on a daily basis towards the

end of the year.

The Covid pandemic unfortunately isn’t over just yet; the Delta variant is still with us and a new Omicron variant is also now amongst us, so I urge everyone to be as safe as possible as we move into the new year. Please continue to follow the Government guidelines, wear faces masks when required and take the opportunity to have the booster vaccine if you have not already done so.

On behalf of the Town Council and councillors, we would like to wish everyone a happy, prosperous and most importantly healthy 2022.

Councillor Karl Tomasin

New Kangoo Electric Vehicle Yate Town Council is very pleased to have taken delivery of a second electric Renault Kangoo Z.E van, which will replace the Vauxhall Combo diesel van, as part of the Town Council’s Climate and Planet commitment. The first electric Kangoo Z.E was purchased in 2018.

Both vehicles will be used by the Estates Team to travel to our parks, open spaces and properties around town, to carry out the essential maintenance that keeps our community safe and enjoyable. The electric vehicles are an ideal solution for the Town Council’s needs, they are powered by renewable energy sourced from wind and solar, they produce zero carbon emissions and have lower running costs. A full charge of battery will give 150 miles

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

of motoring which is plenty to last a week and we charge from our own electric power point and green energy tariff. We are working towards having a completely electric fleet by the end of 2023.

The Town Council has been successful in applying for a grant (£700) to install a twin smart charging unit for Town Council vehicles at Poole Court.

Councillor John Emms, member of the Yate Town Council Climate and Planet Sub Committee said: “It is fantastic that we have started to replace our diesel fleet with electric vehicles. This is our second electric van, and our larger tipper will be electric as soon as they become available. Going electric means that Yate Town Council will no longer be running cold, inefficient, diesel engines around town. The electric vehicles, combined with smart charging, mean that we will be running with truly renewable energy”.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

24

January, 2022

n COMMUNITY NEWS Yate Mothers' Union MOTHERS' Union members and friends in Yate gathered for a vigil in the town's shopping centre calling for an end to gender-based abuse and violence.

Part of a global day of action on November 27, supporters of

the Mothers’ Union’s #nomore1in3 campaign to end violence against women and girls held three minutes of silence at 1.03pm, to make more people aware of the unacceptable and shocking statistic that 1 in 3 women worldwide will experience domestic abuse at some time in

their lives.

Mothers’ Union in the Bristol Diocese are intent on raising awareness of gender-based violence and domestic abuse and saying: "It’s not okay!"

We wore purple scarves and carried placards and leaflets calling for #nomore1in3 and an end to gender-based violence.

This was a first for Yate and we represented the Mothers' Union in the Bristol Diocese.

The Global Day of Action is

the organisation’s response to the call for 16 days of activism against gender based violence, a UN women’s initiative, launched in 1991.

Bev Jullien, the CEO of Mothers’ Union, said: “Lockdown and the recent media coverage around the shocking deaths of Sarah Everard, Sabina Nessa, Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman, only serve to confirm why more must be done on this issue now.”

Jacky Fredrickson

Chipping Sodbury WI

The Mothers' Union vigil in Yate

We’re recruiting

NO doubt about it, chocolate is a way to a woman’s heart and our talk started with speakers Hugh and Mike handing out Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Chocolate to us all. At that point they had a captive audience waiting for the next samples to be handed around.

The talk guided us through the processes of making chocolate and the history of Fry’s, who started in the centre of Bristol before moving to a purpose-built site in Keynsham, called Somerdale.

All funds raised from the talk went to the South West Children’s Hospice, which has a link to Fry’s/Cadbury’s. In the 1920s, to celebrate 200 years of chocolate production, the workers at the site paid for a statue of Peter Pan: as the site has closed, this statue now sits in the grounds of the Children’s Hospice.

We all had a very enjoyable Christmas lunch on board the Countess of Evesham boat on the River Avon. I also have to say, along with the food a few glasses of wine were consumed.

Our carol service was a special evening for a number of reasons: that we could have one, were able to sing without masks, the service was held at St John's church and officiated by Rev Jane Williams-Jones, who was ordained in September 2020. Music was by Dodington Parish Band – only the second concert they had performed in for over 18 months.

Our next meeting will be on January 6 at 7.30pm, at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, with an American supper, a quiz and a catchup, covid allowing.

Why not make a New Year's resolution to make new friends and come and give us a try?

Happy New Year, Jeanette Oakley

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WHAT fun we’ve had throughout the last month.

Our Blenheim Palace coach trip was a great success, despite the cold.

The highlight was the illuminated trail, over a mile long. The lights in the lake, reflection of the bridge and boat in a moon over it was as effective as any of the old master paintings. The rose garden – over 200 roses changing colour – was fantastic, and all in perfect harmony with the music.

Some very weary members returned to the coach, with delicious homemade lollipops.

Congratulations to our skittles team, now Avon WI federation champions, with an engraved glass trophy to prove it.

We have stirred puddings, made wreaths and sung carols galore at home and away. We’ve supported local flower clubs at their creative demonstrations – one member winning a beautiful arrangement in their raffle.

There was talent indeed at our own Christmas celebration – even King John appeared! There was a risqué school play, a politically-correct Princess and the Frog, Santa sacking his reindeer and using a helicopter, a mum becoming an avid WI member and then back to basics – the Virgin Mary. The crowning glory was the absolutely delicious canapes. A big thank-you to all who contributed, especially organist Trevor Pierpoint.

In 2022 we have The Magic of Lundy on January 16, a swing band in February and The History of the Minnack Theatre in March. Competitions are back, too.

A date for your diary – Saturday April 2 will be our nail-biting murder mystery evening – details later.

Season's greetings to you all, Elizabeth Arney

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yate&sodburyvoice

January, 2022

25

n COMMUNITY NEWS Climate Action Yate and Chipping Sodbury THE campaign group which partnered Sodbury Town Council to host the town's Climate Fair has helped one resident cut their carbon footprint.

Climate Action Yate and Chipping Sodbury invited people at the event in September to enter a free competition to update the winner’s traditional light bulbs to super-efficient LEDs, which can reduce lighting running costs and energy use by up to 90%.

The draw was held at the end of November by Chipping Sodbury Mayor James Ball, who picked out the winning entry from resident Pat Fryer, who is having all 14 bulbs

in her home replaced.

The mayor said: "Sodbury Town Council declared a climate emergency last year and we are very keen to promote all aspects of greener living and more environmentally friendly ways of heating and lighting our homes and offices.

"We look forward to continuing with our objective towards a more sustainable future and I hope local residents will look at how they can get actively involved in creating a cleaner environment for us all.”

CAYACS are a group of volunteers helping the local community understand how homes and small businesses can change and adapt to the Climate Emergency.

To contact CAYACS email climateactionycs@gmail.com.

David George and Sally Pattison of CAYACS with Mayor James Ball

Rotary Club of Chipping Sodbury

Yate and Sodbury District u3a

ALONG with other club members, I attended the Oasis Memory Café Christmas event in the Baptist Church in December.

The room was full. An enjoyable morning was had by all, entertained by the Ukulele Band, Sea Shanty singers and bell ringers, accompanied by lunch.

December always brings with it requests to help the homeless and those in need. This year the club made a financial donation to Caring in Bristol for their Caring at Christmas appeal, focused on supporting Bristol’s homeless with clothing, food, shelter and other essentials. Also, we donated to Family Food 4 Free non-perishable food and other essentials, to support their Christmas push to supplement the outstanding work carried out by Dan and Aimee throughout the year. Finally, club members have joined with their partners in the Chipping Sodbury Inner Wheel Club to provide clothing, food and toiletries for the Blonde Angel Street Team.

In the October edition of the Voice I mentioned that we had made a donation towards a project called Paul’s Place at Home, to buy good quality refurbished devices to enhance communications among physically disabled adults helped by the Coalpit Heath charity. We were delighted to hear that the project has got off the ground successfully, with the help of our club and others. Paul’s Place is looking to fund further devices.

During 2021 club members have continued to volunteer at the West Walk Surgery weekly covid vaccination clinics.

Finally, on behalf of the club, I would like to wish everyone in our local community a healthy and prosperous 2022.

Stuart Fraser

THE u3a Patchwork and Quilting Group have been have been having “bags of fun” pursuing their hobby, as well as making a difference in the community.

Members have been making patchwork shopping bags made from recycled material, known as Morsbags.

They are passed on to local shops to reduce the use of plastic. During lockdown, members kept busy making sets of scrubs for the NHS. Their latest project was to make two beautiful quilts for Peopleton Brook Care Farm.

Two group members delivered them in person and were given a tour of the farm by some of the students – a really satisfying and enjoyable experience.

You can find out more about u3a and the wide range of activities available for people no longer in full-time work on the website u3asites. org.uk/yate-sodbury/home Jean Crispin

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26

January, 2022

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yate&sodburyvoice

January, 2022

27

n SPORT

Yate meet Sodbury 2s on historic day ON a historic match day afternoon, spectators witnessed the first meeting between Yate RFC and Chipping Sodbury RFC 2s in Bristol & District Division I. This league fixture was played at the Ridings home of Sodbury; both teams were very much up for the occasion and there was great support for both sides in attendance.

The game started at a fast pace, with big tackles from both sides. Yate made the early breakthrough after only four minutes: a good platform secured by the Yate forwards enabled quick hands between backs Cannon and Edwards to release DeMonick to beat a number of Sodbury players and run 30 metres to score between the posts. Cannon converted for 7-0 to Yate.

The first half continued as it started, with big tackles, and both sides cancelling each other out. There were limited opportunities for both sides. A

Evan DeMonick runs for the line period of Yate pressure led to Andy Taylor scoring his first try for the club but it was ruled out due to the referee stating he didn’t see the grounding, much to the disappointment of the Yate players and supporters.

The weather was playing its part, with both sides making a number of handling errors, and play was stop-start consistently through the first half, with no further scores.

The second half got underway and there was some good

carrying by Sodbury's Cook and some good attacking and clever play by Bennett. The game was still very much in the balance, with Sodbury stifling Yate's attacks, and with the referee consistently penalising both teams for infringements.

Sodbury had a spell of pressure which resulted in them scoring, bundling the ball over the try line. The resulting conversion was missed, to make the score 7-5 to Yate.

But the score gave Sodbury

extra confidence and the game briefly came to life, however the weather played its part consistently, with handling errors and misjudgments by both teams, much to the frustration of the onlooking supporters.

The final ten minutes saw Yate press forwards with a number of pressured attacks and Sodbury defending well.

Eventually Yate made the breakthrough once again, with Edwards powering over the line to score from five metres out.

The resulting conversion was missed and when the full-time whistle went shortly afterwards, the game finished 12-5 to Yate.

Credit has to be given to both sets of players, who played a great game and did their respective clubs proud. And a big thank-you to both sets of supporters, who braved the awful weather to support both teams.

A great afternoon, where local rugby was the real winner.

Stewart Stacey

Town knock Rovers out of GFA Cup YATE Town progressed to the semi-final of the Gloucestershire FA Senior Challenge Cup with a 3-1 victory over Bristol Rovers under23s.

Sam Kamara put the Bluebells in front on 25 minutes, before Jamie Adams put Matt Bower's shot flies past Rovers U23 them two-up with keeper Airidas Vilinauskas for Yate Town's a low drive from 25 yards on 78 minutes. third goal. Picture: B.East Photography Lucas Vaughan pulled a goal back for Rovers on 88 minutes, only for Yate to go straight down to the other end and score a third, courtesy of substitute Matt Bower.

The Bluebells will now meet local rivals Mangotsfield United in the semi-finals.

In the league, Town's unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of high-flying Metropolitan Police but they went on to pick up four points in their next two games, a 4-0 win at Beaconsfield Town and a 1-1 draw at Salisbury City.

The main factor keeping them in seventh place in the Southern League Premier South, as the Voice went to press, was postponements: December 18's home fixture against Hendon was called off due to a covid outbreak in the visitors' squad, and the away trips to Taunton Town, Truro City and Tiverton Town were also called off.

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yate&sodburyvoice

January, 2022

29

n SPORT

Signing of Jiwanjot a real coup for Sodbury CHIPPING Sodbury have pulled off a tremendous coup ahead of the 2022 cricket season by signing India A batsman Jiwanjot Singh.

The 31-year-old has scored almost 5,000 first class runs, including 11 centuries, and represented India A against a South African side featuring Quinton de Kock and Dane Vilas.

Jiwanjot will slot straight in at the top of the order for Sodbury, whose first XI play in Division One of the Gloucestershire County League.

Club captain James Rendell said: "We have been in talks with Jiwanjot for a couple of years and are now really looking forward to welcoming him to the Ridings.

"We are keen to continue developing the club on and off the pitch, and Jiwanjot’s professional experience, enthusiasm and desire to join have been key factors in signing him.

“As well as playing for the club, Jiwanjot will have an active coaching role. He will be supporting the senior training nights, and will work alongside our qualified youth coaches to help develop the club’s next generation.

“This fits in perfectly with our aim of supporting our youngsters to help them reach

their potential, and create Sodbury cricketers for the future” Jiwanjot, who is from Punjab in northwest India, also bowls off spin. His highest score is 238 and he averages just under 40

in first class cricket. He currently plays for Chhattishgarh.

He said: “I would like to thank everyone at Chipping Sodbury for making this possible.

We have been talking since 2019, and it’s very exciting that this great opportunity is now finally happening.

“I look forward to working with the team, sharing my experience and instilling a brand of cricket that will take the club to the next level in the years to come.

“My key focus will be on the process rather than the result. I am also looking forward to coaching the young exciting talent coming through the youth set up of the club, and hopefully I can learn something new from them as well!”

Sodbury are determined to maintain momentum in all areas after a hectic last 18 months.

The club currently run four senior Saturday sides and also boast a thriving women’s and girls section along with youth teams from under-6s through to under-17s.

For details of winter nets visit the club's Facebook page and Twitter @ChipSodCC Steve Hill

Awards cap athletics club's extraordinary year IT has been an extraordinary year for Yate & District Athletic Club.

Five club members selected for England or Great Britain; twenty-one represented their counties at English Schools, winning seven medals; a trophy in the club’s first year in the National Athletics League, and to round it off, named South West Club of the Year.

Adam Brooks became national champion in the men’s high jump with a club record of 2.14m. He then broke the club record again in the National League, clearing 2.17m. Check that out against a door frame, if you think it doesn’t sound all that high. His brother, Dan, meanwhile was running 100m in 10.71 secs.

Fellow high-jumper Luke Ball won just about everything – the schools international, the UK School Games (where he broke the record with a jump of 2.10m), and the England u17 championships.

Owen Merrett continued his success with the hammer,

Award winners James Viner and Ellen Taylor with club chairman Jeremy Dale. throwing 73m at the Manchester International, where he captained the England team.

His brothers, Ciaran and Adam, are coming along behind him, showing a good deal of promise.

Also with the hammer, club newcomer Dylan Menhennet placed second in the schools international.

Theo Spurrell, with the

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javelin, won English Schools, the u17 England Championships and the Schools International. His winning throw of 69.59m was, unsurprisingly, a club record.

The National Athletics League is the premier club competition in the UK. Yate entered just before lockdown happened. This was a leap of faith in that no one knew how well they could do. As

it turned out they won the trophy for Division 1, which comes after Premier and Championship divisions.

Locally, there were no clubs able to beat Yate. For the first time, Yate u11s won the Quadkids competition.

With covid conditions making competition extremely difficult, Yate became the goto club for hosting meetings, attracting athletes from across the Midlands and South Wales, taking advantage of the now-excellent facilities at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex.

So it was hardly a surprise when the club was named Club of the Year at the South West Volunteer Awards. In addition, James Viner was named Young Official of the Year and Ellen Taylor was picked as Unsung Hero of the Year for her work behind the bar, in the kitchen, working the loudspeaker and managing the club’s membership records.

All in all, a year to remember and a challenge for next season.

Stuart Nunn

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

30

January, 2022

n WHAT’S ON January 11 n GREAT WESTERN SOCIETY TALK: A Broad Gauge Journey – Part 3, Exeter to Penzance, presented by Brian Arman at BAWA, 589 Southmead Road, Bristol, 7.30pm. Meeting open to all, no admission charge but a donation of £3 is suggested to help defray expenses. Call Dave Winter on 01454 324230 for more details.

January 14 and 15 n CPR AND DEFIBRILLATOR TRAINING at Westerleigh Village Hall – 7pm on Friday, 11am on Saturday. Please email Sue at westerleighpc@gmail.com or leave a message on 07367 787883 with your name and a telephone number so that numbers attending are known.

January 26 n SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE MINES RESEARCH GROUP talk by David Barrie: Re-discovering old lead mining methods.

Miners Institute, Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath, 7.30pm. Non-members welcome - £2 each.

February 5 n SODBURY IN BLOOM AND AVON WILDLIFE TRUST SOUTHWOLD GROUP Primrose Bank Workday to clear brambles to help spring flowers emerge. Meet at 10am on the east side of Wickwar Road, Chipping Sodbury near the zebra crossing by the entrance to the Frome Valley Walkway. Please wear stout footwear and bring gloves if you have them.

REGULAR EVENTS

Tuesday

yate&sodburyvoice LOCAL SERVICES For advertising Call Richard on

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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.

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 bills. n YATE AND DISTRICT TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD meet in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall every second Wednesday morning, 9.45am-noon. New members welcome to chat and drink coffee, speakers and groups, including knit and natter, gardening, art, walking. More details from Rhona Cowie, 01454 881532.

Thursday n BRISTOL MALE VOICE CHOIR weekly rehearsals from 7-9.15 pm at St Andrew's Methodist Church, Elm Park, Filton. New and returning singers welcome. For more details visit the website www.bristolmvc.org. uk or call the secretary on 07941 040472.

News from Yate Library

WE would love to publicise your event Send details of your events and activities in the following format: WHAT IT IS • WHERE IT IS • WHEN IT IS in no more than 40 words. Send by email, with 'what's on' as the subject, to contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

YATE Library is running a winter craft session for four to ten-year-olds Saturday January 8 from 10.30-11.30am.

Lego club takes place on Saturday January 22 from 10.30-11.30am: listen to stories and poems, then create a model to display at the library. Session is suitable for primary-age children, who must be accompanied by an adult.

Regular events include Wriggle & Rhyme: rhymes and songs for parents and babies/toddlers to enjoy together on Thursday and Friday mornings, 9.30-10am.

A free-family friendly story time, with a simple craft for preschool children, takes place on Tuesday mornings from 9.30-10am.

Computer support with digital champion volunteers is on Saturday mornings from 10am to midday, and on Friday afternoons from 2pm to 4pm.

The craft group meets on Saturday January 8 from 10am until midday – new members always welcome.

Share tips and ideas for your knitting, sewing or crochet projects.

Vision West of England holds information, advice and support drop-in sessions on the second Thursday of the month from 10am to midday.

To book in for one of the above sessions call 01454 868006, speak to a member of library staff or email yate.library@southglos.gov.uk.

The library is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 10am-5.30pm and Saturday from 9.30am-2.30pm.

Open access (unstaffed) is from 8am-7.30pm every day.

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