yate&sodburyvoice www.yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk
July, 2020 Issue 63
SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
Together in South Gloucestershire: getting back on our feet
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S lockdown eases, South Gloucestershire Council is making changes to help revive its communities while keeping people safe. In this special edition of The Voice, we explain the plans, how you can help, and how to get help if you need it. New measures will help make social distancing easier, revive the economy and support everyone to adapt to a ‘new normal’. The changes could bring extra longterm benefits too – for instance, new social distancing measures outside re-opened schools are already improving air quality. The council is also pedestrianising some high streets and widening pavements. This is not only supporting social distancing but creating more pleasant environments in which to shop and socialise. Read about how council services are changing and plans for high streets and other public spaces on the next page.
Supporting businesses South Gloucestershire Council is supporting and advising local businesses as they face the challenges posed by Covid-19. It has administered different grants including the Small Business Grant Fund, the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund and the Discretionary Grant. So far it has issued over £34 million in funding to businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, and to small and micro businesses who have experienced a drop in income. To find out how to apply,
see the contact details on the back page.
Safety first: how you can help Safety remains the top priority for the council. We are still at a critical point in the Covid-19 pandemic because the virus will continue to be with us until there is a vaccine. Everyone can help by continuing with social distancing, practising good hand hygiene, and selfisolation at home and getting tested if they have symptoms, to manage the spread of the virus.
How the council can help you The council offers a wide range of help and can also put you in touch with community support groups in your area. Full details of how to get help are on the back page.
Getting around The council wants to encourage people who have taken up cycling or walking more during lockdown to use this as their regular way of getting around. Less traffic means more space on streets, improving the experience for cyclists and pedestrians. It has introduced new measures such as temporary changes to the road layout under Bristol Parkway railway bridge. The extra space on either side of the lane is designated for people walking or cycling under the bridge and helps them to keep a safe distance from each other.
View from the Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, Cllr Toby Savage WELCOME to this special edition of The Voice. It’s here especially for those South Gloucestershire residents who may not have easy access to the internet - just one of the steps we’ve taken to try to reach everyone. The Voice is a local business that we’re very proud to partner with. Thank you so much for your support during this crisis. I saw for myself how hard our frontline workers are working when I went out with our waste collection teams last month. We’re all having to get used to a new normal whether it’s wearing face coverings or remembering to always keep a social distance. In this issue, we explain what to do if you need support, especially if you’re not online. We share the positive steps we’re taking as lockdown eases to revive the district and move forward. We’re adapting our services and supporting local businesses as they emerge from lockdown, including our much-loved high street shops. We also showcase volunteers (on the inside back page) – those fantastic individuals contributing enormously to our communities. If you’re already volunteering then a big thank you. If you haven’t tried it, then why not give it a go?
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SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL SPECIAL EDITION
Making publicplaces safer COUNCILS have been directed by government to introduce measures as quickly as possible to help make social distancing in public places easier. Last month, South Gloucestershire Council published ‘Making Public Places Safer’. This explains the measures it is putting in place in high streets, parks and open spaces, routes to work, at bus stops and outside schools. As well as helping to control and limit the spread of Covid-19, these measures should also help ‘lock in’ some of the positive changes such as an increase in cycling and fewer cars on the road. The funding for this work comes from central government through the West of England Combined Authority.
High Streets Our high streets will look and feel different as the lockdown is lifted. Shops, restaurants and cafes may start to trade outside, immediately in front of their premises, and have space for customers to queue outside too. People will need extra space to get around safely and maintain social distancing, whether on foot or by bike. In some places, this will mean road space for cars will need to be reduced. Council car parks and disabled parking will be maintained however and continue to be free for all. The council wants to make it as easy and safe as possible for people to access their local high street, kickstart the economy and support businesses so it is introducing measures to support more walking and cycling in and around town centres and local communities. This will support local trade and business by enabling easy and safe access. Changes to some local high streets are already helping with this. For example, in Thornbury, the High Street between The Close and Castle Court is now closed to all through traffic, effectively pedestrianising the town centre, allowing people to shop safely and with confidence. Some retailers can trade from directly outside their premises, adding a welcoming and vibrant feel to the area.
Parks and open spaces All skate parks, tennis courts and multi-use games areas that the council is responsible for are now open in parks and open spaces. This is in line with government advice and follows risk assessments and safety inspections of all the sites. The council has put in various measures including locking open some gates to reduce contact, ‘give way’ systems to people entering or exiting, and social distancing signs and markings on the ground.
Schools New social distancing measures at school entrances and on nearby roads include reminders of the requirements on signs and on pavements outside almost 30 primary and some secondary schools. These schools were prioritised because of their location in a busy area or because they have narrow access. To provide more room for parents to take their children back to school safely, the council has suspended parking bays outside some of these schools.
Adapting council services
Household waste collections in South Gloucestershire are back to normal. At the time of going to print, Mangotsfield, Thornbury and Yate Sort It recycling centres are opening between 6am and 4.30pm seven days a week until further notice. They accept the normal range of waste and recycling apart from clothing and textiles. Little Stoke Sort It recycling centre and the Re-use Shop at the Thornbury site remain temporarily closed. The council hopes to open its libraries gradually from July. These libraries will offer a Click and Collect service for books and other items. IT services will be available through bookable slots. Gradual opening will mean the council can review how well the new way of doing things is working before opening more libraries. Public toilets will open where possible, in line with government guidance, as will customer service One Stop Shops.
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July, 2020 Issue 63
FREE EVERY MONTH IN YATE, CHIPPING SODBURY & SURROUNDING VILLAGES
Virus brings out best in communities AFTER three months like no others in memory, Yate and Chipping Sodbury are emerging from coronavirus lockdown. The virus has taken a toll, not only in terms of lives, jobs and opportunities lost but in other ways, impossible to measure but felt by everyone: time spent separated from friends and loved ones and the loss of the ordinary routines and pleasures of life we took for granted. But there has also been a huge outpouring of love and support, for those who have had to isolate to avoid the virus, and for those on the front line fighting it. The lockdown has changed the way people interact and even how we use our streets and visit our shops. The Yate & Sodbury Voice has also been affected. The closure of many of our advertisers and rule changes for our deliverers left us unable to bring our paper to you for three months. Having continued to bring you the news on our website, now we are back in print, as more businesses in the area prepare to emerge from lockdown. While there are too many to recognise them all on our pages, we salute everyone, from NHS staff and shop workers to recycling crews and phone buddies, who has helped keep life going through lockdown.
Volunteers from Yate and Sodbury Neighbourhood Scheme, including Emma Doney (centre)
HUNDREDS of volunteers have been going shopping, collecting prescriptions and providing food to help vulnerable people through the coronavirus crisis. From spontaneously-formed Facebook and WhatsApp groups to existing community organisations, charities and councillors, a huge number of people have been giving up time to ensure those who have had to stay at home to shield from the virus are not forgotten. While NHS staff worked on the front line and council workers kept essential services going, volunteers have been organising and working with charities, churches and other groups to help neighbours in need. Among the groups which formed on Facebook as the
crisis began to transform lives is the Yate and Sodbury Neighbourhood Scheme group. Emma Doney has been coordinating the more than 150 volunteers in the group, which formed from the Yate and Sodbury Covid-19 Help & Support Facebook page, since the start of lockdown. Members have run more than 1,000 errands for people in need across the area. Emma runs home help and housekeeping business Adorno Companions, which had to suspend operations at the start of the lockdown because staff could not visit clients’ houses. Emma furloughed her staff but decided to continue supporting people on a voluntary basis and became one of the 12 organisers of the group, checking
Facebook around the clock for requests for help, allocating volunteers and coordinating donations. Emma said: “We started getting a lot of people requesting help. “It felt like a continuation of my job – when you run a small business you just muck in. “Rather than coordinating staff I was coordinating volunteers to look after people.” Tasks are coordinated via a volunteers-only Facebook page and the group has also been given support by South Gloucestershire Council, which hosts regular Zoom video meetings for groups to share hints and tips, the area’s town and parish councils and charity Southern Brooks Community Turn to page 5
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Coronavirus claims 14 lives in Yate and Sodbury CORONAVIRUS has claimed the lives of 14 people in Yate and Chipping Sodbury, according to the latest official figures. An in-depth breakdown from the Office for National Statistics, released today, shows deaths from every area in the country which involved COVID-19 in March, April and May. The ONS has published an interactive online map dividing the country into small geographic areas, each with a population of around 7,500 people, and recording how many people in each area died with coronavirus. It shows that seven people died in the area the ONS calls Yate Kingsgate – south of the town centre between Station Road, Kennedy Way and Rodford Way, including the roads off Sundridge Park, Scott Way, Westerleigh Road and St Briavels Drive. Another four people died with COVID-19 in the Yate North area, which stretches from the town centre towards Brinsham Park. No deaths from the virus were recorded among residents in the ONS’s Yate West area, which includes most of the homes between Station Road, Goose Green Way and the railway line, or Yate South, which includes roads off Shire Way and parts of Rodford Way. A further five people died with coronavirus in the ONS’s Marshfield, Wick and Hawkesbury area, to the east of Chipping Sodbury, while six people died in Winterbourne, Frampton Cotterell and the area from Charfield to Iron Acton combined. In Thornbury 24 people lost their lives to the virus. Twelve of those people were residents at Beech House care home in the town. Another Thornbury care home, Grace Care Centre, also had a COVID-19 outbreak but neither the home’s operator nor the authorities have confirmed whether anyone died. April was the deadliest month of the pandemic in most areas, with seven of the 10 deaths of Yate residents happening during that month, but in Chipping Sodbury three of the four fatalities happened in May. ONS figures showed that, across the whole of South Gloucestershire, 167 people had died with COVID-19 in the year to June 12. In Bristol the total was 238. As of June 22 there had been a total of 406 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Gloucestershire. You can see the map online at bit.ly/2NlyWu5.
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Volunteer army From Page 3 Partnerships. They have been helped by innovations like a queue jump scheme to enables volunteers, who could be doing shopping for up to four vulnerable people, to pick up shopping more quickly from supermarkets. Some volunteers cover their own roads, others cover roads with a high proportion of older people and Emma believes around 400 roads in total are covered by the scheme. Volunteers also work with St Mary’s and Chipping Sodbury Baptist churches to set up a listening scheme for people to have some company by phone, and a toy and activity bank. The work has gone on through the whole of lockdown and although a few volunteers have had to go back to work the group is “still very much helping people,” said Emma, who added: “It’s amazing – the community has come together beyond anyone’s imagination. “We hope once this is settled down that we can call on our volunteers to organise street parties.” A remarkable scheme which developed during the lockdown is the soup delivery service run by Nicole Jones of Yate’s Vintage Birdcage Cakery. Delivering an estimated 25,000 free meals throughout lockdown to 450 people in need, the service was supported by a multitude of businesses who donated food and time, as well as a crowdfunding page.
Some of the donors who kept the Vintage Birdcage Cakery soup run supplied.
Nicole said: “When lockdown was announced I was extremely concerned about how our local vulnerable community would cope due to not being allowed to go out to buy their supplies. “We had been dealing with a few local people who were ordering takeaways from us as they were extremely vulnerable and couldn’t get out to get supplies, as the shops had gone mad with people bulk buying. “After the government announcement I had to close the café and put all my staff on furlough. Although this unusual time could have been taken for some much needed rest, I had an inner aching feeling that I couldn’t just turn my back on our wonderful community that support me at my café. “I needed to reach out to these people and offer a service to keep them in and safe.” Nicole contacted Ben Skuse at Sprint Print in Yate, who provided flyers to reach people who weren’t online and requests for help began to come in. Nicole said: “We first began to deliver fresh soup, bread and a little cake just to keep them
going and keep spirits up. We very quickly found out that, for some, this might have been the only thing they would actually be eating that day. I also had contacted Jimmy Deane from Jimmy Deanes Fruit and Veg to see if he would support me and donate some vegetable to which he kindly agreed.” Nicole’s daughters Lily and Rosie, niece Amy Hucker and manager Alfie Dando joined the volunteer effort and, using social media, she found two trained chefs to take over the kitchen, after her regular chef was taken ill. Nicole said: “It became very apparent that there was a huge amount of people that were having trouble sourcing food and within the first few days it wasn’t just a handful of people in need but a huge amount of people, with numbers increasing by the hour!” She found more volunteers via social media to provide a staff of 18 people per day, seven days per week, and suppliers to donate resources including soup pots and bags. A GoFundMe crowdfunding
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page helped pay the venture’s £450-a-day costs. Nicole, who is now preparing to reopen her business with the soup run completed, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to not only thank the generous local suppliers and the cash donations we received from the local community to keep the service going but also a special thank-you must go to all the hard working volunteers. “I would like to take this opportunity to not only thank the generous local suppliers and the cash donations we received from the local community to keep the service going but also a special thank-you must go to all the hard working volunteers.” Yate mayor Karl Tomasin has paid tribute to all the volunteers who have worked with the town council, charities and other bodies to ensure vulnerable people were helped. He said: “At this unprecedented time, volunteers have pulled together to help the vulnerable in our community and those self-isolating which has made a vital difference in keeping them safe and connected with society, whether it has been a simple phone call, collecting shopping or prescriptions, providing information, doing laundry – the list is endless. “I would also like to thank the individuals who dressed up as superheroes during their daily exercise to visit children in isolation and finally Mr Terry Marsh, DT teacher at Brimsham Green School, who made PPE with the help of keyworker children at school which were donated free to frontline workers. These are just some of the unsung heroes in our community – my thanks to you all.”
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Keep-left system in centre as shops reopen A KEEP-LEFT system for walking around Yate Shopping Centre has been introduced as part of new social distancing measures. The centre’s management introduced “strict” social distancing measures, which also include some barriers and supervision by staff, ahead of the re-opening of “nonessential” shops on June 15. The centre is expected to get busier still as other businesses, including cafes and restaurants, reopen from July 4. Centre manager Andrew Lowrey said: “We have already announced the extensive measures to ensure Centre visitors are able to social distance and we are now helping individual shops with their plans. “As and when we receive further information we will advise the public but our priority at the moment is to ensure that we have a well-organised system in place to help the public get around the Centre whilst adhering to the Government’s social distancing guidelines. “We are pleased that the majority of our customers are following the measures that we have implemented and our message is very much help us to help you. “We would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to the NHS for
their wonderful selfless work and also to the retailers who have continued to trade providing essential goods and services to our customers.” The keep-left system is in place in all pedestrian walkways and signposted, with people able to cross lines only to visit a shop immediately opposite them. Centre staff have been told to "actively talk to customers" to ensure they follow the
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system and are agreeing queuing systems with shops. Mr Lowrey added: “As with any such measures, there are almost certain to be some issues so we strongly recommend that customers speak to Centre staff if they have any concerns. Working together, we can start to get operations back to a state of normality.” Some shoppers have not been sticking to the rules. Philip Harrison contacted the Voice to report that many people were ignoring the system. He said: “I know it is the minority that are doing this but it does not take much to follow a few rules that are there for our own good, as well as making things easier to manage traffic.” *A 90-year-old Yate woman has hailed the kindness of others during the coronavirus crisis after she received help from strangers on a shopping trip. The woman, who had made a trip to B&Q for some bags of gravel, contacted the Voice to express her gratitude after being allowed to the front of the queue by staff and helped to push her trolley, load her car and unload it at her home by another shopper.
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Chloe and Wilfred are winners YOUNG writers let their imaginations run wild to win a writing competition. The adventure story competition was organised by Yate Town Council to celebrate the completion of the new Abbotswood play area, which includes a giant bespoke wooden ant, spider’s web, tepee hut and bug hotel; the inspiration for the children’s stories. Chloe Pope, aged seven, and six-year-old Wilfred Tebbutt, pictured above, received a £10 book voucher and a Wildlife Adventure Story Certificate in recognition of their stories. Councillor John Ford, chair of the council’s play area and properties projects steering group, said: “We were very impressed with the high quality of the entries we received – congratulations to the winners.” Youngsters will have their first chance to use the new play equipment at Abbotswood from July 4, when the government has said play areas can reopen.
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Schools welcome back some pupils – but full reopening a long way off CHILDREN in Yate and Chipping Sodbury have been returning to school – but the prospect of a full re-opening of classrooms remains a long way off. Staff in both primary and secondary sectors have been providing online learning since lockdown, but are now able to have face to face lessons with some students. Whilst many schools opened for Reception children first, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School had a different approach. They welcomed Year 6 first on June 1, followed Year 1 on 15 June. The school is currently operating 5 ‘social bubbles’ and a provision for critical workers and vulnerable children. As the Voice went to press, a formal review of the risk assessment and procedures was taking pace with view to getting reception children back to school from June 29. Head Teacher Maxine Sewell said: “It has been a bit of a mammoth task to re-open the school and to do so in a controlled, measured and responsible way, but the staff have been enormously supportive and adaptable to the new situation.” “The children themselves are so pleased to be back, and have adapted to the new situation remarkably well. There is a sense of excitement and adventure at the moment, and we are taking things gradually as far as the curriculum goes. We have had positive feedback from the parents of the children in school. “We continue to reach out to those at home and the online learning continues for Years 2-5 and they are invited to whole school assemblies twice a week. There is something very powerful about seeing so many little faces on a screen when I am delivering an assembly.” In Old Sodbury, children from a wide area have returned back to school, enjoying the chance to catch up with their friends. Head teacher Bernice Webber-Brown and her team have been busy making sure they were ready for more pupils to
Year 6 pupils have returned to Old Sodbury C of E Primary School enter the school gates. She told the Voice: “We have really enjoyed welcoming our children back to school. As well as children from the village, many of our children live in Chipping Sodbury and Yate and wouldn’t have had much chance to see each other, so it is wonderful for them to be able to see their friends again.” Like other schools, Old Sodbury has opened for children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, and staff are looking forward to welcoming back children in the other year groups when possible. Mrs Webber-Brown said: “Some children were a little nervous at first, but within minutes of being back they were all having fun. The children quickly learn not to go into special marked off areas and are learning and playing within their group “bubbles” It is remarkable how resilient and adaptable they truly are. "The weather has been marvellous, so the children have
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been able to spend plenty of time outside on the playground, on the school field and in the mature woodland forest area. They have been pond dipping for newts, growing vegetables in the garden area and making the most of the wonderful countryside on our doorstep along the Cotswold way. “The school is very much a part of an active community and whilst we were all sad that the village show had to be cancelled as the children were all looking forward to it, there was a fun scarecrow trail open to all around the village. When the storms briefly came, the children made the most of it by putting on their wellies, remaining in their “bubbles” and jumping in the puddles.” At Brimsham Green School, Year 12 and Year 10 students have now been able to return to school. Year 12 are completing their UCAS university applications and Year 10 are
back for English, Maths and Science lessons. Teachers and support staff have been working hard to ensure that returning students feel confident about the road ahead of them, as well as supported in their learning. The school says it wants to make sure that those who are not yet returning feel just as included in lessons, and have created 'virtual' lessons through Microsoft Teams. ‘Catch-up' phone-calls with teachers and tutors have been an important part of the programme, especially for Years 7-9 who are learning from home. The school has looked to utilise the power of social media. Facebook and Instagram has been used to publish weekly assemblies, disseminate important notices and also to celebrate the success of home learners. The school’s regular #lockdownlearning posts show what students have been doing - from baking and art, to science
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School parking crackdown
Brimsham Green School pupils have been learning at home experiments and pond-building. Head teacher Kim Garland said: “It has been inspirational watching the way our students have embraced this opportunity, they have really honed their independent learning skills. “We can't wait to see all students and staff return to school in September – it’s where
we belong. The well-being of our students, staff and parents has been paramount throughout this period, and will continue to be over the next few months as we come out of ‘lockdown’. Our ‘circle time’ approach in school allows us to stay connected and be emotionally resilient – now, more than ever, this is crucial.”
PARENTS at schools in Yate and Chipping Sodbury are being asked to observe new measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 and improve air quality. South Gloucestershire Council has approved changes including suspension of parking bays outside schools to cut down the number of cars with their engines running. It has also agreed that fines for parking infringements can be issued immediately in high risk areas close to schools rather than first allowing two minutes’ observation time. More space is being created near schools to encourage parents to walk or cycle rather than use their cars on the school run. Other changes include additional signs to remind people of social distancing rules and bollards outside school gates, where space is limited. Among the schools involved are Abbotswood Primary, Broadway Infants, The Ride Juniors, Raysfield Infants, Raysfield Juniors, St Mary’s C of E Primary, St Paul’s Catholic Primary and Woodlands Primary. The same measures could follow at secondary schools as more students return to class following the lockdown. The council’s first ‘School Street’ has been launched at Frampton Cotterell C of E Primary following a request by the school. A section of road outside of the school will close to traffic in term time between 3pm and 3.45pm on weekdays. The council says it will enable children and families to adhere to social distancing guidelines whilst also providing a healthier and safer environment. If the trial scheme is judged to be a success it could be brought in elsewhere.
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Surgeries told to improve after inspectors find‘inadequate areas’ A MEDICAL practice providing healthcare to more than 22,000 people has been ordered to make improvements to safety and care standards. Reports by the Care Quality Commission said that Green Valleys Health, which runs Abbotswood Surgery in Yate, was inadequate in one of five key areas and needed to improve in all the others. It also rated six specific services – for People with long term conditions, Families, children and young people, Older people, Working age people, People with poor mental health and vulnerable people – inadequate. Abbotswood, which has 3,000 patients on its books, is part of the Leap Valley Surgery in Downend, which has another 7,000 patients. Green Valleys Health also runs Emersons Green Medical Centre, which
has 12,000 patients and was also found to need improvement in a separate report. Last year it was reported that the Leap Valley practice had been the subject of complaints over problems in booking appointments, particularly by phone. The CQC report highlighted the problem, saying: “Patient satisfaction was below average for access to services particularly via the telephone.” It said the practice had tried to make improvements but “there was limited evidence to demonstrate whether proposed changes had improved patient satisfaction”. The report, published following a visit in January, added: Among the other criticisms outlined in the report, the CQC said: “Staff did not always treat patients with kindness, respect and compassion.
“Patients expressed concerns about the way some of the reception staff dealt with them whilst trying to access services or book appointments. “Performance indicators from the national GP survey relating to care and treatment as well as the overall patient experience of the GP practice was below local and national averages.” Concluding that the practice required improvement, the CQC acknowledged it had “restructured the leadership and management team so that leaders had time to focus on service development and patient needs”. The CQC ordered that Green Valleys Health must make improvements to “ensure that care and treatment is provided in a safe way” and “establish effective systems and processes to ensure good governance in accordance with the fundamental
standards of care”. It also recommended the practice continue to monitor and improve the uptake of cervical screening for disease prevention. The Voice approached Green Valleys Health and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, which is in overall charge of providing GP services in the area, for a comment on the report. Responding on behalf of both, a CCG spokesperson said: “We were concerned to read Green Valley Health’s CQC report, which demonstrates there needs to be considerable improvements made at the practice. “We are aware of the issues, including notable challenges surrounding its telephone systems, and are working with the practice to address all the concerns raised and put into place a recovery plan.”
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yate&sodburyvoice
July, 2020
11
n NEWS
Georgina’s joy at going outdoors again A WOMAN who won national awards for creating an inclusive sports club has spoken of her excitement – and anxiety – at being able to leave her home after shielding for nearly two months. Georgina Moore, from Chipping Sodbury, has a severe physical disability and was told that her condition made her vulnerable to COVID-19. It meant Georgina, who lives in independent living accommodation supported by carers, was told to stay at home at the start of the coronavirus crisis. But with shielding advice relaxed after 10 weeks of lockdown, Georgina was able to go outside of her home and garden. Georgina said: “When I heard the Government announce that those of us shielding were advised that we could now go outside once a day, I was excited that I could finally walk my assistance dog again. It had been almost 2 months since I last went out the house and my carers were having to walk my dog daily.” Georgina won the BBC South West Sports Personality of the Year Unsung Hero award for setting up the GEM Boccia Club at Yate Leisure Centre. She founded the club with financial help from Sports inclusion charity Access Sport, which aims to transform the lives of disabled and disadvantaged people through the power of sport, and won the charity’s Volunteer of the Year Award last year.
Georgina Moore with one of the rainbows she has crocheted to raise money for NHS charities.
With medical experts advising that physical exercise is essential to managing the side effects of Georgina’s disability, including pain and fatigue, exercise also helps with Georgina’s mental health, meaning being able to go outdoors again means a lot to her. But her first trip out wasn’t without nerves. She said: “Then came the day and I was anxious. I was worried about people getting too close to me. “Thankfully I live in a mostly rural area, so I thought as long as we go on a quiet route then we’ll be fine. “There were still a few people out and at first, when I saw people coming towards us, I’d stop immediately, turn to my carer and say, ‘uh oh, people!’ However, everyone was
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so courteous and would move across the other side of the road or path. “Strangely it didn’t feel like I hadn’t been out for almost two months. Perhaps it’s because I’m lucky and have a nice garden that I’ve been sitting out in. “The one thing that I really noticed was the change in nature. All the beautiful flowers that had come out and all the birds singing. It really made me appreciate it so much more. “I was nervous at first saying hello again to strangers, but that was short lived as I remembered how nice it is seeing friendly faces.” Georgina is aware there are still risks. She said: “I will continue my daily walks with my dog and carer, on quiet routes and ensuring I’m at least two metres
away from people. “I will not be going anywhere indoors or with lots of people. “I believe too many people think they’re invincible, but I will not be taking that risk and the risk is still evident. “I’ve survived lockdown so far and kept myself busy, so I will continue to do so until I believe it is safe otherwise.” With her sports club currently unable to meet, Georgina has used her time in lockdown to raise money for NHS Charities together, by crocheting rainbows in exchange for donations. She has raised more than £750 so far and her fundraising page can be found at justgiving.com/fundraising/ gemsrainbows. For more information on Access Sport, visit www. accesssport.org.uk.
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July, 2020
yate&sodburyvoice
13
n NEWS
Phill returns home after heart transplant A FORMER soldier from Yate has returned home with a new heart after a successful transplant operation. Phillip Hardwell was at the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge for four months, with a huge medical effort to keep him alive and fit culminating in an operation in April after a donor heart became available. Phill’s wife Roxy gave up work to be at his side when he went to Papworth, where he had 11 operations in total. The 32-year-old ex-serviceman recovered well enough to return home later in the month. The father of two young children also thanked the NHS, the heart donor and their family. Phill said: “We want to thank you all for the messages of support over the months, which has helped us to keep going. We will be forever in your debt. “Thank you to all the NHS staff that have looked after me, you have all been amazing. Also thank you to my donor and their family for making this all possible.” Phill was in the Royal Artillery for 12 years, including two tours in Afghanistan, before he was given an honourable discharge on medical grounds.
He developed ARVC (arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy), which is a disease of the heart muscle, with his health suddenly deteriorating last spring. Phill was fitted with a pacemaker and put on the transplant list but his condition worsened, and he was admitted to the Bristol Heart Institute. In December he was moved to the Royal Papworth Hospital, a specialist heart and lung hospital, where he suffered multiple organ failure. Hospital staff worked tirelessly to keep Phill alive as he built up his fitness to the level needed to undergo the operation. Since the transplant Phill has been going from strength to strength. Speaking to the Voice after the transplant, Roxy said Phill’s recovery had been “amazing”. She said: “Phill is over the moon with how the operation has gone and will forever be in debt to the donor and their family.” Well-wishers have donated thousands of pounds to support the family during Phill’s stay in hospital, with events including a fundraising football match and auction. Donations can still be made to a GofundMe page to support the family, which Phillip Hardwell pictured in hospital after his can be found at bit.ly/3fSHdC1. heart transplant
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yate&sodburyvoice
14
July, 2020
n NEWS
Council worker sacked for data breach ONE person has been sacked and two others have left after three serious breaches of data security by staff at South Gloucestershire Council. All three incidents involved sensitive personal details being revealed by children’s services staff and were reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office, according to an annual report. The “human error” breaches were among nearly 200 data security incidents at the council last year, which also saw staff lose an adoption letter. In one breach, a letter containing a foster child’s address was “accidentally” disclosed to the birth mother, a council spokesperson said. In another, a council officer disclosed to a father the identity of a neighbour who had reported concerns about his ability to look after his children.
In the third breach, sensitive personal data about a person was included in a report sent to the mother of a child who was thought to be at risk from that person. No disciplinary action was taken after the foster child’s address was disclosed because a council investigation found it was a “genuine one-off mistake due to a misunderstanding”, the spokesperson said. But the council sacked the officer involved in the second incident and the two officers responsible for the third breach left after performance management procedures were started. The three breaches were among 198 data security incidents at the council last year, according to its latest annual report on information, data and security. The number of data security
incidents at the council has risen by 57 per cent in the last three years, from 126 in 2017/18. The council has blamed the rise on growing work pressures and greater staff awareness of the importance of data security. Around 80 per cent of the incidents were in the council’s Department for Children, Adults and Health, which, among many other things, is responsible for children’s and adults social care. Deputy council leader Jon Hunt, who is also the cabinet member for children and young people, said the “vast majority” of the incidents were down to “human error” by “very busy” staff. “It’s very simple errors that happen, and a lot of it is just typing the wrong email address in,” he told a cabinet meeting in June. “But they’re not usually significant data breaches and
they’re very easily rectified.” The three serious breaches reported to the ICO were “likely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of those whose data has been breached”, the report said. The report also revealed that a complaint was laid with the ICO after the council was unable to find an adoption document called a “later in life” letter. Such letters give an adopted child an explanation of the circumstances that led to their adoption and the council broke the law by losing it, the report said. Cabinet member for corporate resources Ben Burton said the council was working with staff to reduce the number of data incidents to the “lowest level possible”. By Amanda Cameron, Local Democracy Reporting Service
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yate&sodburyvoice
July, 2020
15
n NEWS
5-star park
Lola’s logo picked A GROUP for Yate’s older residents has a new logo, thanks to one of the young generation. Lola Beal, aged 9, came up with the winning design in a competition to find a logo for Yate Ageing Better. Lola said: “I based my idea on the tree that had been recently sculpted, as it shows that no matter how old you are, there are still dreams and goals that can be achieved by looking at the positives, and anything can be turned into something beautiful with help and support from others.” Lola’s mum Donna Ford said her daughter was “jumping around her bedroom” after finding out she had won the contest, which came with a prize of a session in the cinema room with friends and family at the Armadillo Youth Cafe, once it is allowed to reopen. YAB works to ensure Yate is a great place for all to live and lives
Yate Mayor Karl Tomasin and competition winner Lola Beal. Picture: Alan Monaghan “continue to be happy, fulfilled, active, energetic, positive and rewarding within the ageing population”. Councillor John Gawn, chair of the YAB committee, said: “All the designs were very good. We had some trouble choosing the
one we felt best suited for the group.” The YAB project is due to be officially launched once distancing measures allow. For more information email info@yatetowncouncil.gov.uk.
YATE’S Kingsgate Park has been given a 5-star rating by Britain in Bloom South West. The Pride in Parks award is the third in a row for the popular park, which attracts visitors from across Yate, Chipping Sodbury and further afield. The Friends of Kingsgate Park announced the award, which relates to judging that took place last year. The Friends said in a statement: “This is the third consecutive year that we have received this accolade. “The Friends of Kingsgate Park and Yate Town Council do work together to make this park the success it is. “Our biggest thanks go to Phil Jones, Estates Manager Yate Town Council and his wonderful team. They have been enthusiastic about looking after Kingsgate Park and all other parks in Yate. Nothing has been too much trouble for them, looking after their own health and safety and those of the public.”
Multi-Activity Community Building and Boxing Club Project
The Multi-Activity Community Building and Boxing Club project at YOSC safely re-started in May! The building’s frame has been erected and the project is coming to life! Funded by the Town Council and a £100k grant from Sports England, the new building will give our community a fantastic new space, adding to sport and leisure facilities already at YOSC. To find out more, and for information on supporting Yate Amateur Boxing Club (YABC), please contact the team! lcollier@yatetowncouncil.gov.uk.
Yate Town Council Covid-19 Battle Grants Fund
Yate Town Council decided to divert its usual grant round and make the 2020/2021 funds available to local organisations to support the Yate community in the battle against the coronavirus and help the residents of Yate. We will consider applications from Groups, clubs, committees or charities based in the parish of Yate. Please read application guidance notes on our website http://www.yatetowncouncil.gov. uk/council-news/covid-19/
Abbotswood Paving Project Thanks to funding from S106, a new paving area at Abbotswood has been specially redesigned into a complicated irregular network of passages and paths in which it is difficult to find one’s way! Using natural materials and recycled plastics, this community play project will bring endless entertainment for children and adults alike. We welcome you to come and enjoy the labyrinth and all that Abbotswood has to offer; just remember to keep your social distance!
Yate and Sodbury COVID-19 Help & Support Facebook Group Looking for help? Yate Town Council has working hard with this wonderful group, neighbour-
For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120
hood watch schemes, local churches and other local parish councils to bring a co-ordinated response towards helping our local vulnerable and isolated residents. If you are unable to use your usual network of friends, family and health and social care support already in place, please visit the facebook page for details https://www. facebook.com/groups/650869675671695/
The group have also launched a Listening Service was established to help those who would benefit from a friendly chat with someone local from Yate or Chipping Sodbury over the telephone. We have trained active listeners available for Over 18s. All the person or a nominated representative needs to do is email the following address to set up a call: YSNSListeningService@ outlook.com. This is a community initiative set up by the community for the community. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ysnslistening/?ref=share
Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk
yate&sodburyvoice
16
July, 2020
n STROUD AUCTION ROOMS
The importance of a specialised team
I
’M sure we all agree that the past few weeks have been an unusual time for everyone, and as owner of Stroud Auction Rooms I am not used to having a great deal of spare time to take stock of things. However, as the restrictions on business begin to ease, and we can once again begin to offer the free valuations and advice we are well known for, I have taken on the vast majority of the work due to limiting the number of staff in the saleroom. So, it has fallen to me to value and catalogue a far wider range of items than I usually would, and while doing this I have realised just how important our team of specialist valuers really are. As a general auctioneer I have a good all-round knowledge of most items, but I very soon concluded that I will never know enough about every one of the huge variety of categories which our valuers cover. From a coin collection to a classic
car, motorcycles to medals and militaria, guns, stamps, toys, watches, jewellery, vinyl records and more – Stroud Auctions are fortunate to have specialists in all these areas on whom I rely for their unbelievable knowledge and expertise. After concluding that they would do a far better job than I possibly can, I have decided to let the specialists take over and give
our customers the service they have come to expect. As things slowly return to normal, we are looking forward to holding our usual monthly sales, beginning on July 8 and 9, as listed in our auction calendar. Looking ahead, we have exciting consignments of toys, guns, medals, militaria and sporting items ready for our August 5 and 6 auction, including
an exceptional private collection of air rifles, and the September sale, on the 9th and 10th of the month, already has more than 750 lots of jewellery consigned – and we can still accept a few more. At the moment we are offering free valuations at our saleroom or in your own home, and if the government updates any of their guidelines over coming weeks then we may be able to return to the open valuation sessions everyone is used to, without the need to book. Home visits are currently very popular, and fortunately it has proved very straightforward to maintain social distancing and keep everyone safe. Please remember that not all auction salerooms are the same, do make sure to have your items valued by a specialist before making a decision about selling them. Nick Bowkett, Head Auctioneer
STROUD AUCTION ROOMS Entries now invited for our upcoming auction on September 9th , 10th & 11th Including specialist sections of jewellery, silver, watches, clocks & coins
Jewellery
Coins
Wristwatches
Contact Alexandra Bowkett (DGA, FGA) Contact Mike Gardner Victorian ring set with blue Henry VIII gold half crown. guilloche enamel, a pearl Sold for £600 & two old cut diamonds Sold for £1200
Silver
Contact Stuart Maule Contact Mark Rozelaar Heuer Autavia Silver cigarette case. 'Orange Boy' automatic Sold for £950 wristwatch. Sold for £3,200
FREE valuations every Friday (9am-5pm) at our saleroom, at your home by appointment or why not email us a photograph to valuations@stroudauctions.co.uk Unit J, Bath Road Trading Estate, Stroud, GL5 3QF
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01453 873800 www.stroudauctions.co.uk Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk
yate&sodburyvoice
July, 2020
n NEWS
17
Street hits jackpot EIGHT residents of a street in Yate have won a cash windfall of £1,000 each in a fundraising lottery. The residents of Woodmancote, off St Briavels Drive, landed the windfall when BS37 4LL was announced as a People’s Postcode Lottery winner in June. People's Postcode Lottery is a subscription lottery which raises money for charities. Players sign up, enter their postcode and pay £10 per month to take part. They are automatically entered into a draw every day of the month, ranging from £10 to a share in a £3 million monthly draw.
New club takes shape A NEW home for Yate Amateur Boxing Club is taking shape. Work on building the Multi-Activity Community Building and Boxing Club at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex re-started in May, having been stopped temporarily by the lockdown. Funded by the Town Council and a £100,000 grant from Sports England, the new building will enable the boxing club to move out of its current home in a temporary building with no heating, which suffers from damp and also cannot accommodate paraboxers, or male and female boxers simultaneously. For more information on the scheme and the club, email lcollier@ yatetowncouncil.gov.uk.
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Double yellows planned PEOPLE are being invited to have their say on plans to install new double yellow lines outside a Yate primary school. South Gloucestershire Council wants to introduce the no waiting parking restrictions at North Road Community Primary School “to improve road safety for vulnerable road users and improve safety for pedestrians and children of the neighbouring school”. Double yellow lines would be installed on The British and on the parts of North Road near the junction next to the school. The council said: “The restrictions aim to maintain visibility and provide sufficient space for vehicles to safely pass each other while entering and leaving The British.” Anyone who wants to comment on the scheme has until July 13 and can do so online at bit.ly/31bJlAH or calling 01454 863503 if not online.
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yate&sodburyvoice
18
July, 2020
n MOTORING
A guide to pre-owned cars with Richard Cooke
Second-hand Style Chamois weather CARS available for test drive have been a bit thin on the ground recently, so normal service won’t be resumed until next month. Sorry. In the meantime I’ve ventured over to the dark side. Or at least the clean side. Yep, I’ve washed both our cars, inside and out. I did mine twice! “Big deal” you say, but trust me, this is an event. I never wash our cars. I don’t even pay someone else to do it, they just get really dirty, outside at least, and stay that way for months. This is because cleaning your daily driver, or at least being seen to clean it, was viewed rather suspiciously in my house when I was growing
up. Caring about something as petit-bourgeoise as a clean car? The late motoring enthusiast Alan Clark never washed any of his cars (maybe not such a great recommendation): this was something that people in the suburbs did. And when I say people I mean men, on a Sunday, to avoid their wives. Well, whatever, I’ve cleaned ‘em both down and hoovered them out and can now report back to you dear reader on the efficacy of the potions and lotions I used under that hot COVID-19 sun: Washing: Water and an old cloth. Sponges don’t seem to give me enough purchase, brushes make me think I’m going to scratch the paint. There are all manner of shampoos to add to the water; some even smell nice. The one I used was a fluorescent green. Don’t use washing-up liquid by mistake – it’s not good for the paint. And never use a pressure washer; that’s asking for trouble. I even gave the door jams a wipe down. Waxing: Not yet! See below. Before waxing, the avid car detailer must first ‘clay bar’. Neither a dodgy cocktail nor a Scottish reel, this means spraying the surface with magic liquid and then taking a – surprise – bar of clay and gently working it over the paint. My neighbour lent me his kit and it works. The clay takes off all the fine grains and particles you missed when washing. Fold the clay over after each panel, reform it and the result is paint that feels new from the showroom, utterly smooth to the touch. Market leader is the American ‘Mothers California Gold’ clay kit: $17 over there, a rip-off £25 here. More research needed. Waxing: By this point I was feeling knackered, but if you want to do a proper job you have to wax. That
came out wrong, but anyway waxing is mighty hard work in the heat. I tried a German product (‘Sonax’, not bad) and then good old Autoglym (better). If you can find a spray-on wax you’re winning, as it takes most of the effort out. Time for a beer and a sit down really, but there was more to do… Detailing: My usual cheat is to only clean the windows and the wheels, as to my eyes it makes the car itself look pretty clean. Any old window cleaning product will do. For the wheels you need a spray and ideally a hose, or even a pressure washer, but a cloth will do. I like Sonax’s spray here, and although it smells funky it gets all the brake dust off. Don’t underestimate how much difference a tyre blackener (Simoniz) and plastic trim spray (Autoglym Silicone) will make. Interior: Energy levels seriously flagging now, so I simply got the hoover out and, after cleaning the carpets and boot, used a duster and a spray (Turtlewax Fresh Shine) to go over the dash, steering wheel and screens. This spray is great and lasts a long time, much better than a simple dust. As we slowly emerge from our homes, back to workplaces and the daily commute, I wonder briefly if I should keep up this fastidious cleaning routine. Not a chance; this experience has reminded me why I rarely clean our cars, and why there are so many reasonably-priced car wash shops around: It’s hard work, quite boring and usually there are so many other more important things to do. Quick, someone give me a car to test…
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yate&sodburyvoice
July, 2020
19
n RECIPE OF THE MONTH Ann Murray is from 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.
Lockdown cooking HELLO everyone – and welcome back! Sorry I haven’t been writing my articles, but when lockdown started, life became so very hectic. My son and his wife with my two small grandchildren got marooned here. They are still with us since they live in London where it is still worrying. I’d forgotten how exhausting a two-and-a-half-yearold and a 3-month-old baby can be. Still, I count myself very lucky that, whilst most grandparents are desperately missing their grandchildren, we have them with us all the time. I’ve been cooking with Abi, my little granddaughter, and have been amazed at how much she can do. She loves baking with me and takes great pride in the things we make together. It’s also a great way to get fussy eaters to eat. If they’ve made it, they may well be minded to eat it! This simple soda bread recipe can be made by kids and goes well with cheese, ham, bacon or smoked salmon to be a bit more up market.
Wheaten Soda Bread THIS is the simplest of all breads and is very quick to make. It’s best eaten very fresh, ideally on the day it’s made, although it will still taste good the next day. Delicious with cheese, bacon or ham. And, of course, with smoked salmon. It freezes well, so you might want to eat one loaf and freeze the other. Makes 2 small loaves Ingredients: 100g/3½oz wholemeal flour, plus extra for dusting
100g/3½oz self-raising flour 1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda 50g/2oz jumbo oat flakes 50g/2oz wheatgerm ¼ level teaspoon of fine salt 4tbsp) clear, runny honey 1 ½ tbs black treacle 225ml/14fl oz buttermilk Read the Top Tips before you start on the recipe.
Work quickly to ensure a good rise. Once the wet ingredients are added to the dry ones the raising agents are active and you want to get the bread
made and in the oven ASAP. Don’t overwork the dough or the raising agents won’t work and your bread will be heavy.
PREHEAT THE OVEN TO 180C, FAN 160C, GAS MARK 4
Here’s what you do: Line a large baking sheet with nonstick paper and dust with flour. Sieve the flour into a large bowl. Add all the other dry ingredients and mix. In another bowl combine all the dry wet ingredients. Working quickly, add the wet ingredients to the dry and lightly mix together with your hands until you have a loose, soft dough. As soon as the dough starts to come together STOP and tip it out of the bowl onto your lightly floured work surface. Don’t overwork it or the raising agents won’t work. Divide the mix into 2. Using floured hands lightly shape the mix into 2 ovals. Place on the prepped baking sheet. Bake in the middle of the oven for 30 mins or ‘til the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the base. Cool on a wire rack.
Top Tips: Get everything prepped before starting to make the bread. So preheat the oven, prep the baking sheet, assemble the dry ingredients in one bowl, wet ingredients in another.
For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120
Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk
yate&sodburyvoice
20
July, 2020
n NEWS
Half-hourly trains for Yate agreed – but bus services at risk TRAINS from Yate to Bristol and Gloucester are set to run every half hour after politicians agreed to back the expansion of the MetroWest project. But fears have been raised that council leaders fear they should not be investing in rail. And alarm has been raised over the future of bus services after the coronavirus crisis led to a collapse in passenger numbers. West of England Combined Authority committee members agreed on June 19 to extend the scope of the MetroWest scheme, which will mean more frequent trains and new stations around Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. WECA approved the a 30mile extension to Gloucester to the north, instead of ending MetroWest at Yate, and a further 15 miles from Bath to Westbury
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in the east after an agreement with Network Rail and train operators. The increase in Yate services from hourly to half-hourly is part of phase two of the scheme, which has yet to complete phase one. Bristol City Council cabinet member for transport Kye Dudd told the meeting he had concerns over the time frame for delivering the new services, given that it had taken more than 10 years to provide a new station at a park and ride site on Bristol’s Portway, which was still 18 months from completion. He said provision of new rail services was “just not quick enough or responsive enough”. South Gloucestershire Council leader Toby Savage said: “I am sure this will be welcome news for South Gloucestershire residents. A combination of the
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extended scope of MetroWest (phase) two and the ongoing work with Network Rail to develop a new station at Charfield will come together to provide a really transformational offer between Yate and Bristol and between Yate and Gloucester. “A half hourly service along that line is a very different commuter proposition which will be so important to us to giving people an alternative to the car.” Once completed, MetroWest will connect an additional 80,000 residents directly to the national rail network. Meanwhile West of England mayor Tim Bowles has told MPs that bus services face the axe because social distancing is stopping them filling with passengers. Operators will have to rely on government funding for a “long time”, even as the coronavirus lockdown eases, because routes cannot pay their way, Mr Bowles said during evidence to the House of Commons transport select committee on the impact of COVID-19. The rules mean doubledeckers can currently carry about 20 people instead of the usual 75. And Mr Bowles said even halving social distancing from two metres to one, would mean only one extra passenger on each bus. Operator First has adapted its buses, blocking off seats to ensure passengers are separated according to social distancing
Tim Bowles rules. It is also using a mobile phone app to tell passengers how many available seats there are on services. Rules requiring passengers to wear face masks or face a fine of up to £100 have also been introduced, although it is estimated that up to half of passengers using services have not been complying so far. Speaking to MPs on June 17, Mr Bowles said that bus services were expected to have been restored on about 80 per cent of routes in the region by July 5 – but that passenger numbers had only reached 19 per cent of prelockdown levels by mid-June. He called for greater control of devolved transport budgets to put metro mayors in charge of their regions’ bus networks. The Government is currently paying operators directly under an emergency Covid-19 fund. By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
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yate&sodburyvoice
July, 2020
21
n NEWS
Wishing tree brings hope A SYMBOL of hope for lockdown has caught the imagination of young and old in Iron Acton. The wishing tree next to the church was started by resident Judith Mee, who was inspired by a similar project on the Downs in Bristol by artist Lou Baker. Judith said the tree had attracted colourful messages from people aged from five to 92 and from as far away as Australia, along with a poem by the village postie. People had been tying positive messages to the Bristol trees during lockdown. Judith said: “I thought the very visible tree in our front garden could be a similar focus for hopeful messages and positive reflections, helping to support our village community through these challenging times. “I posted an explanatory notice on our front wall, and used social media to spread the word. With health and safety in mind, contributors e-mailed or posted me their messages and I
added them to the tree. “The response has been overwhelming and includes contributions from Iron Acton Primary School, North Road Primary School, a poem from our postman and a message from Australia. “I regularly post photos of the messages on Instagram and circulate via village What's app groups. I think it has really helped to keep spirits up. “The aim is to now collate the messages along with photos of Iron Acton pertinent to lockdown into a book to raise funds for charity. “My wish is that this book will be handed down for future generations to learn from and enjoy.”
Lockdown poem A COALPIT Heath girl has written a poem about her feelings in lockdown. Kiara Huntly, 10, was set the task be her school, Iron Acton Primary, as the pandemic took hold and has updated it to reflect the easing of the lockdown. Kiara’s proud grandfather Mike Graham has submitted the poem to be shared with Voice readers: Lockdown Swept away by a torrent of grief and sadness, Frightened children hide, terrified of the danger arising. Friends locked away, desperate to see the sunrise, Hospitals filling, nurses trying helplessly to stop the wave of death. Walls closing in as hungry people struggle, Tears of anguish fall as children see their parents one last time. But there is still hope… People working hard to find a good vaccine, Loving friends FaceTime to help cheer each other up in the hard times. Every country working together in peace, Families grow close, finding out new and fun activities. Three months later… Kids waiting longingly, soon to be let out, Parents relaxing as the wave of death is minimized. No vaccine but a life-saving drug found, Cheap, available and easy to use, it is a great hope. Friends already busy planning parties, What has carried me through? Hope? Faith? Love? Or maybe it’s all three. Hope is still there.
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yate&sodburyvoice
July, 2020
23
n LOCAL MP
Supporting our high streets has never been more important IT has been an incredibly difficult few months for many people living here in South Gloucestershire. With the guidelines starting to be relaxed, it is a difficult balancing act of continuing to reduce the spread of coronavirus whilst getting the economy moving to protect jobs and livelihoods. At this time, we must do everything possible to support our high streets and local businesses and help them wherever we can to thrive. As someone who worked in Lidl in Yate before being elected, I know that our economy is as innovative and dynamic as anywhere in the country. Small and local businesses are the backbone of South Gloucestershire’s economy. Supporting jobs, businesses and our High Streets has never been more important than it is now. To protect jobs, we have
produced one of the most comprehensive packages of support anywhere in the world, both for workers and for businesses. We are doing everything possible to ensure people can pay their bills, put food on the table and get customers back on to the shop floor. In Thornbury and Yate alone, over 10,400 people have been furloughed through the Government’s Job Retention Scheme, and 3,200 claims were made to the Self Employment Income Support Scheme. To further ensure that businesses are protected, we also created a £330 billion package of loans and guarantees. With non-essential retail employing more than 1.3 million people in the UK, many of these payments have been to support people in retail and hospitality. Retail is hard graft; retail workers
are some of the unsung heroes of this pandemic. They deserve our gratitude, support and respect. Supporting our high streets to thrive has always been central to our mission level up the regions, and this is truer than ever as we start to come out of lockdown. Many local businesses have already introduced creative ways of trading, such as contactless collection or taking orders by instant messaging. This demonstrates that many businesses are ready for the challenges ahead that a return to trading will bring. This dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit will be needed more than ever as we move into the next phase of recovery. We’ve opened a new £50m fund to support our high streets to reopen safely. The Re-opening High Streets Safely Fund will give
Luke Hall MP writes for Yate & Sodbury Voice
money directly to councils so they can make the changes needed to safely reopen their high streets, town centres and busy public spaces like beach fronts and promenades. To every small and local business in South Gloucestershire; we are here to support you. We stand behind you. We are indebted to you. If there is anything more I can do to help navigate these difficult times, please let me know and I will do everything I can to help.
n ADVERTISING FEATURE
Newland Homes opens covid-19 secure marketing suites
NEWLAND Homes has re-opened the doors of its show homes and marketing suites across the South West in response to a phenomenal demand for new homes. The company, currently building in Yate, has applied Covid-19 Government guidelines at its marketing suites and show homes to ensure a safe and socially distanced environment for the benefit of staff and visitors alike. Viewing appointments must now be booked in advance, enabling the sales team to tailor the viewings to specific requirements and make it bespoke, whilst also limiting visitor numbers to two people at any one time. A whole host of other measures have been introduced such as safety screens, hand sanitizers and gloves, plus each site has recruited a Special Cleaning Operative who is responsible for rigorously cleaning all touchpoints to help keep people safe. The company has experienced astonishing levels of interest in its nine developments located across the South West during the lockdown period, with people continuing to reserve their desired
plots remotely. Since Newland Homes was given the green light by the Government to re-open its show homes, more reservations have been recorded and a bumper crop of new interested parties has come forward. One scheme in particular, Barbican Walk in Barnstaple, sold over 60% of its available properties during the lockdown period, leaving only two plots remaining for sale. Erica Povey, Field Sales Manager at Newland Homes, commented: “We had a number of transactions in process when lockdown started, and our focus was on keeping these moving and providing
For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120
reassurance to the many buyers who were stuck in limbo. What we hadn’t anticipated over the last few months was the level of interest we would receive from new buyers, who have used the enforced time at home to research their next move and who have been the first out of the blocks when lockdown eased.” The sales teams continued to work remotely during lockdown and adapted to a virtual world of online video demonstrations and show home tours. These will continue, as they have proven popular with people who enjoy the ability to view from the comfort of their armchair.
Erica continues: “Understandably, people’s search criteria has changed in light of Coronavirus and as our homes are thoughtfully design in handpicked locations, our schemes tick a lot of boxes. We are seeing increased interest in the few remaining plots at Amberley, thanks to their good outdoor space, provision to create a home office, reliable broadband and easy access to the great outdoors.” There are just a handful of four-bedroom detached homes remaining for sale at Amberley, including the four bed, double fronted Hilmarton with parking and garage. The Hilmarton boasts a south facing garden to the rear, with patio and a fully turfed lawn, and looks out over mature hedgerows to the front. It’s ready to move into now with Amtico flooring and carpets throughout. Tailor-made appointments are available daily, from 11am to 5pm, at Newland Homes’ marketing suites and show homes at Amberley. Please visit www. newlandhomes.co.uk/amberleyyate or call 01454 549265. Current prices start from £430,000.
Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk
yate&sodburyvoice
24
July, 2020
n PETER'S VISION
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HE fact that I’m writing a blog again after a three month break is another welcome step towards normality. I trust that you and yours are all well. If you’ve suffered the tragedy of losing a loved one then I’m very sorry, and having lost our Dad Phil Turner just before the COVID outbreak took hold, I have sympathy with your loss.
Moving forward as we all have to, at Turners Opticians we’re well into our new ways of working. Our patient focused eye care has continued throughout the crisis. We’ve been taken on a journey we’re blessed to have survived and hope never to have to repeat again! The recent shutdown has given many of us time to reflect on what truly matters and what we can do to make a positive change for our families and friends going forward. We’re delighted to be able to welcome patients back to our practices by appointment. From an optical perspective we’re seeing more and more of you each week as we all work towards resuming normal service. For everyone’s safety and comfort we’re strictly following the guidelines for cleaning and sanitisation. We’re asking you to wear a face covering and telephone ahead to arrange a time to visit, so we can all practice physical distancing. As we look to the future, we’ve taken the opportunity to refresh and re-energise our frame collections. You now have a wider than ever choice of glasses - a total emporium to choose from! In case you’ve missed the launch, our new MAXX glasses have been incredibly popular. This is a new collection we put together ourselves and launched just a few long months ago. While our MAXX collection gives you affordable style for glasses or sunglasses, the everyday luxury of our Tom Davies glasses continues to be a hit. As an experienced wearer of these
frames myself, they’re my go to option for style and comfort. You can experience these too, just telephone to book a frame styling consultation and our friendly team will be pleased to assist you. When you come and see us you can expect the usual high standards of personal service and professional expertise you’re used to, from you local independent opticians. You & your loved ones are most welcome to telephone and arrange a time to come and see us for your eye care and new glasses. To book an extended eye exam or frame style consultation for yourself or those you love, please call our Henleaze practice on 0117 962 2474 or our Fishponds practice on 0117 965 4434.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Peter Peter Turner is a Senior Optometrist at Turners Opticians in Bristol, and also works part time as a Senior Optometrist at the Bristol Eye Hospital.
Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk
yate&sodburyvoice
July, 2020
25
n YATE HERITAGE CENTRE
The cinema experience in Yate and Sodbury YATE and District Heritage Centre is inviting local people to offer background information for a display project entitled Going Out in Yate and Sodbury. Some of this project will focus on trips to local cinemas culminating in a display, hopefully at the end of 2020. Today, cinema involves a trip to the Cineworld complex in Yate. The modern movie goer expects well-padded seats, controlled temperatures, refreshments and a choice of film! Seats are booked online or using machines within the foyer. Face-to-face human interaction is kept to a basic minimum. In short, the opposite of what many people endured in local cinemas before the 1960s. Cinema historians will cite the 1920s and 1930s as a time of plush cinemas with palatial interiors, like the Odeon or the Gaumont. The cinema trip was designed to be a contrast to the humdrum lives people had at home. For Yate and Sodbury, cinematic memories are somewhat different. The cinema experience was often one of draughty halls, wooden benches and functional décor. Local cinemas, however, did have their own character, free from the standardisation of the national cinema chain. The earliest known cinema was the Garage Cinema, on the corner of High Street and Hounds Road. Efforts were made to create some luxury. The Garage boasted hessian drapes, upright heaters and plush seats at the back. From the late 1930s, there was always one cinema in the area. The Parish Hall in Yate from 1934, King’s Cinema Yate, late 1930s,
The Parish Hall cinema ran from around 1934 to 1956 and the Cosy Cinema in Chipping Sodbury sprang up within a few years. The new cinemas served the growing population sucked in by the modern factories in Yate and Bristol. The Parish Hall cinema ran from around 1934 to 1956. It offered comfortable seats and something plusher in the back two rows. But like the other local ‘flicks’, it was not purpose-built. No opulent surrounds, little or no heating and
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a flat surface restricting the view. Refreshments, too, were largely non-existent in the local cinema halls. After 1945, Sodbury people could still enjoy a local cinema. The Glen was a new cinema and like the other local cinemas it was adapted from an earlier building. The Glen, later Embassy and Tudor, continued to 1958 in a former Nissen hut. It therefore had one distinct
disadvantage. The exterior was corrugated iron! As a result, it was sound advice to avoid going if there was any chance of rain. Heavy rain hitting the iron roof could drown out much of the film if it were quiet. It was also not unknown for unruly local boys to run along the outside of the cinema with sticks, to create a sufficient rattle to disrupt the show. David Hardill
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yate&sodburyvoice
26
n SPORT
Bluebells appeal A CROWDFUNDING appeal has been launched by Yate Town after its income was wiped out by the coronavirus crisis. The early end of the football season saved the Bluebells from the threat of relegation but they now face financial uncertainty. The club has asked fans and local people to support the club, and has pledged that for every £15 donation, a free ticket will be given to a front-line worker. Launching the appeal on its website, the club said: “Due to the enforced closure of the club house and the complete lack of all match day revenue, our main income steams were completely turned off overnight and, with ongoing running costs this, has placed the club in an extremely difficult financial position.” The club has set a target of £5,000 and donations can be made online at crowdfunder.co.uk/supportyatetown. Former player and manager Richard Thompson is Town’s new director of football. He played for Yate at the start of his career and returned to later on, first as a player and then as manager. The appointment came after Nigel Hawkins stepped down from the role for personal reasons, after eight years at the club. Club captain Nick Peare has moved to Cirencester Town. He led Yate to promotion to the BetVictor Evo-Stick Premier South last hear, scoring 12 goals in the promotion campaign. The club said: “Yate Town Football Club would like to wish Nick Peare all the best for the future and thank him for his services. 'Des' captained the Bluebells to promotion last season, his hunger and passion for the club was undeniable. He was a fan favourite at Lodge Road, and scored some cracking goals to go with it.” Joe Guest, a midfielder who made 28 appearances in the 2018-19 promotion campaign, has also left for Taunton Town.
July, 2020
n ABBOTSWOOD PHARMACY BLOG COVID-19: antibody tests ARE you still wondering if you have already contracted the coronavirus? Many people are, including those who have had no symptoms or very mild symptoms, and so remain unsure. The good news, is Abbotswood Pharmacy can now help provide an answer. We now offer an accurate and affordable antibody test, providing peace of mind alongside a better understanding of your experiences so far. The antibody test will tell you whether you have previously had the virus that causes COVID-19 and if your body has produced an immune response. The test is a simple 'finger-prick’ type, similar to a diabetes test, and is only available through registered healthcare professionals. The results are available in 10 minutes, and we interpret and discuss the implications with you. Antibody tests differ to virus swab (PCR) tests, which test to see if you currently have the virus. The evidence is still emerging to determine if those who have had the virus develop long-lasting immunity that protects them from getting it again. The test is licensed by the regulator MHRA and is CE marked, and a clinical study provides strong evidence of the usability and effectiveness of the test we are using, produced by the Belfast-based Biotechnology Biopanda Reagents. As with all our clinical and vaccination services, the NHS professionals at the Bristol Travel Clinic will make sure it is delivered to the highest standards and at an affordable price, making it widely accessible to all. We are running a £25 introductory price offer campaign this month. We are also able to support businesses by offering on-site testing support, so please get in touch today.
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July, 2020
yate&sodburyvoice
27
n ADVERTISING FEATURE
Water Matters!!
I
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Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk
yate&sodburyvoice
28
July, 2020
n COMMUNITY NEWS
Video keeps Apollo wind band together How do you keep a friendly wind band interested, practising, and together during lockdown? Apollo Wind Band, who usually meet at St Paul's School, Sundridge Park, Yate each Tuesday evening, were faced with this problem. With bandstand and concert appearances for the summer season cancelled, and no possibility of getting together to practise, technology came to the rescue. Like many other bands and choirs, Apollo are creating their own 'isolation video': a conglomeration of individual performances melded together, but also, in a brave attempt to recreate the rehearsal atmosphere, most of the band get to meet every week on Zoom, share
Rotary Club of Chipping Sodbury IT is great that the Voice has returned, offering clubs such as ours the opportunity to update our local community on what has been happening during the prolonged lockdown period. Earlier this year we were prepared for our customary summer of community-related events and fundraising activities, but the lockdown constraints have meant the cancellation of virtually everything. However, we hope that we might still be able to stage our inaugural Health and Wellbeing day in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on October 10. We have now had over three months where club members have not been able to meet every fortnight at Chipping Sodbury Golf Club. Instead, like many other organisations, we have had no option but to resort to virtual meetings via the Zoom video conference facility to sustain the
club’s communications and to undertake essential business. During this period, we have managed to support a good number of deserving organisations in the local community: Vintage Birdcage Cakery & Café (to support their worthy Covid-19 community related efforts) The Blonde Angel Street Team doing an unbelievable job in caring for the those sleeping rough Yate & Sodbury Foodbank St John Ambulance Kids Out Charity Yate & Sodbury Toy & Activity Bank Gympanzees Charity Southmead Hospital Covid-19 Appeal Yate and Sodbury Scouts Over the past 12 months we have raised nearly £25,000 and distributed almost £29,000 to deserving causes, representing another very strong club performance during this period. It has been gratifying to receive so many messages of appreciation. July 1 marks the beginning of
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their news, then play through a selection of their pieces, ably 'DJ'd' by their musical director, Paul Brooks. It took some experimentation to come
the new Rotary year and it is at that point the current President hands over to his successor. This ceremony will take place this year, unavoidably, in a rather unique way, of which more in the August edition of the Voice, hopefully with a picture. So while we all try to stay positive and behave responsibly, notwithstanding the significant disruption to our customary programme of events, the Rotary Club of Chipping Sodbury continues to support a number of hard pressed organisations in our community. Stuart Fraser
Lions Club of Chipping Sodbury DURING the lockdown, Lions have been very restricted in what we can do. Fundraising has basically stopped, as no events are physically possible.
However, using funds raised before the pandemic, we have been active in helping organisations during these difficult times. Donations made are as follows: • Foodbank £2,000 • Local volunteer group £250 • Hand cream to Southmead Hospital £250 • Face mask 3D printing at Emersons Green £200. We have made and sent to Southmead Hospital 120 scrub bags. Giant Easter Eggs which we would normally raffle have been distributed to Southmead and local care homes. For those who have been volunteering over this period and would like to continue in the future, please consider helping Lions in some way. Please make contact on 0345 8337424. All proceeds go to helping others. Richard Cole President
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up with the winning formula, but although everyone is looking forward to getting together in person again, they are playing, improving, and keeping in touch. They've even attracted members of other bands to their sessions. Apollo welcome new wind instrument players, and would especially love more brass players and a bass guitarist who can read bass clef. They can be contacted by email at ApolloWindBand@ gmail.com, or through Facebook. You can view the band’s lockdown recording on YouTube at bit.ly/2Vg2gGK. Chris Everett
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henrywilliams.99@hotmail.com @HWGroundworks
GUTTER CLEANING
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
Gutter Clearing Gutter Cleaning Fascia Cleaning
Half Half £139 Half Load Load Load £139£139 3/4 Load 3/4 £179 3/4 Load Load £179£179 Full Load Full £199 Full Load Load £199£199
www.junkmonsters.co.uk www.junkmonsters.co.uk
01454 881 120 07833 913 365 info@sodburyroofing. co.uk www.sodburyroofing. co.uk Find us on Yell:
TILING SERVICES
A Yate business
www.tilingheaven.co.uk
Based in Downend, Bristol
1/4 Load 1/4 £89 1/4 Load Load £89 £89
COMMERCIAL ROOFING - DOMESTIC ROOFING - FASCIAS, SOFFITS & GUTTERING A roofing company you can trust
Email: arhys-jones@sky.com
Tel: 0117 3708528 Mob: 07543056558
07592 003 Tel: 07592 506 003003 Tel: 07592 506 Tel:Tel: 07592 506506 003
Sodbury Roofing & Cladding Systems Ltd
Andy 01454 602506 or 07468 791619
www.marksguttercleaning.co.uk
Garden, Clearance House, Garden, Office Clearance House,House, Garden, OfficeOffice Clearance
anytime inc. weekends
Mosaic, Travertine, Porceline & Ceramic Specialists
Call or Book online
House, Garden, Office Clearance - all Plus all other Plus All Your Other Waste Removal Needs too! House, Garden, Office Clearance -- Plus other House, Garden, Office Clearance Plus all other Plus Your Other Waste Removal Needs too! Plus All All Your Other Waste Removal Needs too! On-average Average cheaper than a skip. On cheaper than aa skip. OnAverage cheaper than skip. removal On average cheaper waste removal On cheaper than aa skip wastewaste removal -Average On average cheaper than than skipa skip
Contact Stuart or Sue
Freephone 0800 0234 995 Mobile 07770944727
Bathroom, Kitchen & Floor Tiling
Mark’s Gutter Cleaning
HOUSE CLEARANCE
Registered upper tier waste carrier licence no CBDU225074
We load and clear rubbish/junk from houses Flats, Sheds, Attics, Gardens etc etc No job too small - we even clear single items Cheaper than a skip and we load no VAT
ROOFING & CLADDING
HW Groundworks • Foundations • Drainage • Site Clearance • Pathways • Driveways
RUBBISH CLEARED
TREE SERVICES
PLUMBING
D. ATTWELL
Taps, Washers Toilets, Cisterns Leaks, Blockages Tanks, Overflows Lead Pipes, Stopcocks….etc… OAP DISCOUNTS and NO VAT
0117
957 5092
For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120
LANDSCAPING & TREE SERVICES For All Garden Works Patios – Decking Gravelling – Fencing Wood Chippings – Jetwashing Foliage Removed – Roots Destroyed Garden Walls & General Building
• FULLY INSURED • LICENSED WASTE CARRIER
For a FREE quote call 07960 681 921 d.attwellgardenservices@hotmail.co.uk
Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk
If you are being controlled or physically, sexually, economically or emotionally abused by a partner, ex-partner or family member this is domestic abuse. You are allowed to leave your home and Next Link can help you with support and accommodation. Police response and support services remain available.
Call 999 if in immediate danger. If you can’t speak and are calling from a mobile, listen to the operator and, when prompted, dial 55 to connect to the police, who will help.
For local specialist support call Next Link on 0800 4700 280 or access their Live Chat facility via their website at www.nextlinkhousing.co.uk
SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL SPECIAL EDITION
Hidden heroes MANY heroes have emerged during Covid-19. Here we feature just a few of you who are helping make South Gloucestershire such a caring place to live in: Christine is a member of the council’s libraries staff team but she’s switched to distributing emergency food parcels rather than books. The food parcels are for local people who need to stay at home because they’re at greatest risk from the virus. The Pucklechurch & Shortwood Good Neighbours’ Scheme is a voluntary group that has been working hard to support local people by completing small tasks like shopping. They have started a food bank in the village. Paige is the founder of Mamas Bristol CIC, a support
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Community partnerships
Pucklechurch Good Neighbours’ Scheme in a photograph taken before Covid-19 Paige
network for parents across South Gloucestershire and Bristol. When the pandemic started, all of the group’s normal activities and events had to stop. But since the end of March, the small team at Mamas Bristol CIC have distributed
Julie Close, Southern Brooks’ Chief Executive, describes how they are responding to Covid-19: “We quickly refocused our resources to respond to Covid-19. Working directly with the community, the council and the Clinical Commissioning Group, we’re providing practical support to people identified as vulnerable or high risk. Every day, we provide information and emotional support, arrange food parcel deliveries, prescription collections and referrals to Mutual Aid Groups and other local services. Projects include supporting those most severely isolated by lockdown measures, perhaps as a result of digital exclusion or shielding requirements. From the outset, the priority has been to support and keep people safe. For example, as the guidance around shielding different groups within of our community changes we have adapted our offering to meet this. Inevitably, services will change as volunteers return to work and a daily routine as lockdown eases but the impact of Covid-19 will be felt for weeks and months to come, if not longer. Our existing services will continue for as long as required, but new programmes are in development to respond to longer term needs. The best support people can give is to follow social distancing and personal hygiene rules and guidance.”
approximately 3,500 hot meals to vulnerable people, families in need and keyworkers needing a helping hand. The organisation has also made available any leftover food and ingredients to those who have struggled to shop during lockdown.
THE superb response from volunteers and voluntary groups across the district during the Covid-19 crisis is heartening and inspiring. The council is working in partnership with these groups which is helping it to respond effectively to those who need the most support, and to those who help. Southern Brooks is an example of the excellent partnership working taking place. A lead voluntary sector partner, it is playing a key role, liaising between the council and the Mutual Aid Groups and volunteers in the district. Southern Brooks keeps in weekly contact with the groups. Because it knows and understands what they offer, it is able to refer people for support. The council’s community aid web pages lists the support available.
Spotlight on volunteering Charlotte Lester, 35, from Patchway, volunteers for two hours a week with a FareShare Project run by Southern Brooks from the Brooks Café at the Coniston Community Centre. FareShare redistributes surplus food to charities to turn into meals. Charlotte puts together food parcels that are then delivered to vulnerable people in the district. She says: “I started volunteering with the project in April as I want to help people and be useful. I enjoy it – I used to work away from home and didn’t really know my area but, because of volunteering, I feel much more connected to my community. I’ve met loads of great people, always socially distancing of course! I’d encourage other people to give it a go.” If you've been inspired by how communities have pulled together during this crisis and want to find out how to volunteer, or need help yourself, call Southern Brooks on 0333 5774666 or visit https://southernbrooks.org.uk/ or call CVS South Gloucestershire 01454 865205 or visit https://www.cvs-sg.org.uk/ volunteer-centres/.
How to get help and support If you’re not online, call the South Gloucestershire Council freephone helpline 0800 953 7778. We can also send printed weekly updates out to you. Or if you’re online, email your questions to CustomerCare@southglos.gov.uk Coronavirus help and information hub www.southglos.gov.uk/coronavirus For the latest news & updates follow us on:
Facebook www.facebook.com/sgloscouncil Twitter @sgloscouncil To contact South Gloucestershire Council, go to www.southglos.gov.uk/contact or call 01454 868009 Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service at www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19 See our website for: • updates on council services • sign up to our weekly email updates • financial support for residents and businesses • South Glos Community aid hub – where you can get help from local voluntary groups • a wide range of other support services and information such as: • free educational resources • mental health tips and advice and much more. Supporting people who aren’t online Richard* received the recent letter from the council about support for people who are shielding from coronavirus. He phoned us to find out what it’s all about. He didn’t remember receiving an earlier letter from the NHS advising him to shield and apply for support. He wouldn’t have known how to apply online. The council offered to apply on his behalf and he was surprised and grateful for the help. He is now receiving his free food *Name changed and stock image used for confidentiality parcel from the government every week.
www.southglos.gov.uk