Yate & Sodbury Voice July 2021

yate&sodburyvoice www.yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

July, 2021 Issue 75

FREE EVERY MONTH IN YATE, CHIPPING SODBURY & SURROUNDING VILLAGES

Princess is crowned at last Gold for Rosie A YATE dancer has won a world dancing championship, at her first attempt.

PAGE 11

Boy is injured A MAN was arrested on suspicion of drink driving after a toddler was injured in a Yate street.

PAGE 2

Picture: Rich McD AFTER waiting for a year, Chipping Sodbury Festival Princess Molly Woods accepts a bouquet from predecessor Maddy Peeling as she takes on her role, with attendants Luke Hayward and Cerys Baldock. But delays to the end of lockdown meant this year's festival was missing its main event. Full story: Page 5

From Yate to Wembley A FORMER manager has told how one of England's Euro 2020 stars rediscovered his love for the game playing for Yate Town.

Defender Tyrone Mings played in all three of England's group games at the tournament, helping the national team to qualify for the knock-out stages without conceding a goal.

He is an established Premier League player with Aston Villa – but when he arrived at Yate he was at a low point.

The club's management team could see his potential – and helped him fall back in love with the game.

Full story: Page 3

Back from lockdown A YATE primary school is finding new ways to ensure its youngest children can bounce back from the effects of lockdown.

PAGE 13

Have your say PEOPLE are being urged to give their views on the Yate Masterplan, being developed to help shape the future of the town.

PAGE 8

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August deadline Our August edition deadline is July 21.

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July, 2021

n NEWS

Driver arrested after toddler hurt A DRIVER has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving after a toddler was injured by a van in a Yate street.

Emergency services were called to Francis Road in the Ladden Garden estate shortly after 6pm on June 21 after the van collided with the young boy, who was taken to hospital by air ambulance with a leg injury.

An Avon and Somerset police spokesperson said: "The driver of the van, a 31-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

"He also attended hospital before being taken into police custody."

The spokesperson said enquiries into the incident were still underway.

Anyone with information should call the police on 101.

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

COMPLAINTS

Police

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

Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in Yate & Sodbury Voice, contact the publisher using the details below. We aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour. Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Voice website here, or can be obtained by contacting the Publisher.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Yate & Sodbury Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Yate & Sodbury Voice is distributed each month to local residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from local pick-up points. Feedback is welcomed, contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

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Road rage gun probe POLICE are investigating reports that a gun was pulled during a road rage incident outside Westerleigh Crematorium.

Officers say an altercation took place between the occupants of a silver Mitsubishi L200 pick-up, a black VW Golf and a white Audi A4 outside the crematorium, on the B4465 Westerleigh Road, at about 8pm on May 27.

They are calling for witnesses to the incident to come forward.

An Avon and Somerset force spokesperson said: "Police are investigating a report that one of the individuals involved was in possession of a firearm.

"No persons were injured and officers believe this to be an isolated incident."

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote the crime reference number 5221 117 253.

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July, 2021

3

n NEWS

Tyrone fell back in love with football at Yate

A FORMER Yate Town manager who signed England defender Tyrone Mings for the club has spoken of the future star's drive and determination.

Tyrone is now an established star with Premier League Aston Villa – but when he appeared for England in the opening fixture of Euro 2020 against Croatia, commentators name-checked his former sides Yate Town and Chippenham Town.

The Bath-born 28-year-old appeared in all three of England's group games, also helping the side keep clean sheets against Scotland and the Czech Republic.

Rob Cousins signed Tyrone after a chance meeting at Bath City, after the then-teenager had been released by Southampton in 2009, following eight years in their academy.

Rob said: “I was playing in the testimonial match at Bath City against Bristol Rovers, and Tyrone’s dad Adie, who I played with at Bath, brought him along and he played 15 minutes for Bristol Rovers – he just came on and made a guest appearance.

“I was playing against him and I spoke to his dad about his situation.

"He’d just left Millfield School and Southampton hadn’t offered him anything, so I invited him along to preseason – he played a friendly and I liked what I saw – and signed him up.

“He was an athlete, he was very wiry – if you look at him now he’s double the size.

"He had a long stride which covers the ground – a sweet left foot – his touch wasn’t bad – you could see the potential. In football

Tyrone Mings in his England kit

these days you need to be athletic – he had something about him.

"Michael Meaker, my assistant at the time, and myself tried to get him back in love with football after the rejection that he’d had – he was on a low and we wanted to get him enjoying football so that he could get back on the ladder.

"You could see his potential but we had no idea how far he could go and what he has

achieved is remarkable.

“He was confident not arrogant – he had that drive and wanted to push on.”

“The biggest story for me from this is about integrating young players who get rejected – Tyrone’s taken it positively and used it as a way to drive himself forward.”

From Yate, Tyrone went to Chippenham, where an Ipswich scout spotted him and got him a trial there.

He was signed by Bournemouth but his time there was hit by injury, before going on loan at Villa and helping them back into the Premier League.

Rob said: “All I’ve done there was get him back in love with football and try and help him progress and it’s lovely to see the journey that he’s been on.”

Rob had also experienced rejection at Bristol City, so he could relate to Tyrone’s situation.

He said: “Some people go down dark avenues with rejection – but with Tyrone and myself there were other routes to get back into the game.

"You’ve got to be able to take those knocks."

Rob has followed Tyrone's career with interest.

He said: "There were question marks about how far he could go and he’s proved everyone wrong, even myself.

"When he was a 17 year old playing for us you couldn’t envisage this ever happening, but he’s proved doubters wrong with the games he’s played."

Sweet singing in the stands A SINGING group which had to stop rehearsals because of coronavirus restrictions has found a new way of coming together – thanks to Yate Town Football Club.

Women’s a capella group Fascinating Rhythm originally rehearsed at the Greenfield Centre in Winterbourne, before they had to go online due to the coronavirus lockdown.

But their move to Zoom didn’t go well, because with so many singers on each call there was feedback and each person had to mute everyone else, leaving them singing on their own.

Now the group has found a new way of getting together that fits covid guidelines, after Yate Town offered one of the stands at its Lodge Road stadium as a rehearsal venue.

The group’s chair, Iris O’Loughlin, said: “After 15 long

months on Zoom, we were all longing to sing together again.

"We were extremely disappointed to find out that only groups of six were going to be allowed to rehearse indoors but determined to find a workable solution.

"Luckily Yate Town FC

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welcomed us and have become our temporary home.”

Government guidelines say that amateur singing groups can meet outdoors in groups of up to 30 if they follow social distancing rules.

Because Fascinating Rhythm has more than 50 members, they

have to be split into two groups which rehearse separately.

It takes additional time for the groups to swap over safely, seats have to be cleaned in the interim, and because they have to keep to daylight hours, there is only one hour for each rehearsal.

But group member Hannah Richmond said the additional safety measures were worth it.

She said: “I was counting the days running up to our first rehearsal back together and it was so exciting to be back together and then to sing. It is simply joyous to hear our songs again, and the harmonies that we make.”

Anyone who is interested in finding out more about joining can contact the group via their website fascinating-rhythm.com.

Yate Town update: Page 30.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

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July, 2021

n NEWS

Green light for 183 new homes in Yate PLANNERS have given a developer the go-ahead to build the next stage of the Ladden Garden Village development in Yate.

Barratt Homes' plans for 183 houses, including 69 affordable homes at, were approved despite concerns from Yate Town Council over parking.

Ladden Garden Village is situated in 32 acres of open space in North Yate.

When finished it is expected to consist of up to 2,450 homes and include two primary schools, a nursery, a shop, new play areas and sports pitches, as well as a community centre, to which Barratt is set to contribute £1.8 million.

More than 270 homes are already occupied.

Yate Town Council objected to the proposals due to expected parking issues outside the

school. The council said in its response: “This application has houses facing onto the road right opposite the school, with narrow parking spaces, nose to tail.

"These will have vehicles coming out onto the main road on a corner, right by the school, either manoeuvring to reverse onto those narrow drives or reversing out."

The council called on South Gloucestershire planners to insist on different parking arrangements, adding: "Otherwise we will see cars reversing across the pavement, either on or off drives, on a corner by the school, exactly where children will be waiting to cross to get to school."

A South Glos highways officer said the town council's concerns were understood but the area would have wide footpaths, good visibility on the road and an

estate-wide 20mph limit.

Many design changes have been made during the planning process including removing some detached garages to make space for bigger gardens, adding balconies and communal gardens to apartment blocks, and increasing the distance between homes that back onto each other.

The council planning officers' report concluded: “Through extensive negotiations with the applicant, revisions and additional information have been received.

"There are some matters that do count against the scheme, particularly in relation to the appearance of the proposed

Some of the completed homes at Ladden Garden Village.

Picture: Barratt Homes apartment blocks and the treatment of some highway verges, as well as a lack of further reductions in energy demand and opportunities for renewable energy generation."

But officers concluded that Barratt's detailed plans were "generally considered acceptable", and the application was approved with nine conditions attached.

Barratt Homes' Andrea Pilgrim said: "It's great to see this community expanding and coming into its own as more and more people move in."

Building work is due to start next year.

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Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

July, 2021

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5

n NEWS

Festival lives on despite carnival loss THE Chipping Sodbury Festival has brought a buzz to the town, despite its biggest event having to be cancelled and others adapted.

The Chipping Sodbury Lions Club Carnival and accompanying festival street fair had been due to take place on June 26 but had to be cancelled after the ending of coronavirus restrictions was delayed.

It was the second year the pandemic had caused the carnival to be cancelled, and Lions Club president Ian Gott said the decision had been made "with a heavy heart", although he promised it would be "back with a real bang" next year.

He added: “We want to thank each one of you for the support you have given us through the years in putting on this event.

"The street was lined with bunting in readiness – this is a bitter blow to us, as we were formed in 1971, and this is our 50th year of serving the

Town mayor James Ball, Festival Princess Molly Woods and attendants Cerys Baldock and Luke Hayward present Chipping Sodbury Pharmacy with first prize in the festival's window decorating competition. Picture: Rich McD Photography. community.”

Other events had to be adapted to meet COVID-19 safety rules, with some having limited numbers attending and others moving online.

But Festival Princess Molly Woods, who was originally selected last spring with attendants Cerys Baldock and

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Luke Hayward, was finally able to take on her mantle in a ceremony involving 2019 princess Maddy Peeling, and award prizes in the festival competitions.

The window decorating competition, organised by the town's chamber of commerce, challenged shops and businesses

to be creative using the theme ‘Heroes’ and proved extremely popular.

Town mayor James Ball, Rich McDonough from the chamber and the Festival Princess team were the judges.

They awarded first prize to Chipping Sodbury Pharmacy, second to Amigo’s restaurant and third to Janet’s Hairdressing salon.

There were also lots of ‘highly commended’ certificates to acknowledge the high standard of entries this year.

One extremely popular event was the quiz night, which sold out, and the festival committee is considering moving the children's art display online permanently after it proved to be a big success..

The festival plans to hold a final fling in Broad Street on August 28, with an evening of free street entertainment and music from 7.30pm until 11pm.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

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6

n NEWS

Relay for Life is back YATE'S Relay 2019 relay team. for Life is set to Photo by Rich McD return this month – in an altered format to fit in with coronavirus restrictions.

The 24-hour event, which usually takes place at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex, is a major fundraiser for Cancer Research UK, raising more than £612,000 in 15 years to fund the charity's research, including almost £75,000 in 2019.

But like other fundraising events it was hit by last year's lockdown.

This year organisers are holding online events, including virtual relays, as well as an in-person and virtual candle of hope ceremony, to remember those affected by cancer, on July 31 at 9pm at YOSC. There will also be a mini relay for schools, coffee mornings and collections.

People are being encouraged to set up teams and track themselves walking the around their local area, with themed laps to add variety.

The pandemic has had a devastating impact on Cancer Research UK nationally, with a drop in income of £160 million in the last year – equivalent to what would be spent on 10 years of clinical trials.

Anyone who wants to get involved can find out more at the website yaterelayforlife.org.uk, at the event's Facebook page or via its Twitter account @yateRFL.

July, 2021

Covid warning as young are hit MORE than 700 pupils at a secondary school had to self-isolate as the new variant of COVID-19 spreads among the young.

All students in Years 9 and 10, at least 100 from years 7, 8 and 12, plus a small number of staff at Winterbourne Academy were told to stay at home at the end of June.

There have been 31 positive cases in the school since students returned after May half term.

It comes as South Gloucestershire's most senior health official warned that hospital admissions could start to increase as the virus spreads among the unvaccinated.

Year 10 students were due back on July 2, with Year 9 returning on July 5.

The school had closed the year groups as a precautionary measure in the hope of reducing the risk of the virus spreading.

Head teacher Jason Beardmore said: “Some parents subsequently contacted us about social gatherings which had taken place out of school, and we used this as part of our tracking process.

"We have an excellent rapport with our parents and they continue to be extremely supportive and communicative – I want to thank them for working with us on this."

The closures came as South Gloucestershire Council public health director Sara Blackmore told members of the council’s health and well-being board that wider most new cases are now in younger people, aged 10-24.

Those affected are ‘largely unvaccinated’, and although there are ‘very few’ hospitalisations at present, she expected them to increase in the coming weeks.

Yate Town Council Play Areas Update inspired boat will be ready for some summer holiday action.

Abbotswood Play Area Installation of phase 3 play equipment including a wooden see saw, ladybird springer and talking tubes has concluded the project on site and is already being enjoyed by many weekly visitors.

The Mayor’s Bear

Millside Play Area S106 The play area enhancement project at Millside is forging ahead this summer. Path improvement work has concluded with further works under consideration to improve drainage and access.

Andy O’Neill of ‘Wild Wood Carving’, has started work on providing an exciting new Woodland Sculpture Trail which we hope to welcome to the area by the autumn. At the beginning of July the new funnel ball hoop and natural play

We have started publishing fortnightly updates of The Mayor’s Bear Adventures on our Facebook page aimed at younger community members.

The Mayor’s Bear has recently been working with our Estates Team to help with litter picking

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

and also enjoyed the “No Mow May” national campaign that Yate Town Council participated in, helping to support biodiversity. It is hoped that there will be a Teddy Bears Picnic in the future so that he can meet everyone when it is safe to do so.

Mayor’s Bear Trail / Play Area Map The play area map has been given a fresh new look! Visit our website to download your trial map and follow along to discover all the wonderful parks and play areas in Yate!

The Mayor’s Bear has hidden a letter in some favourite spots, can you collect them all to crack the code?

Visit our website for more details Parks, Open Spaces & Sport - Yate Town Council

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

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July, 2021

n NEWS

Your chance to shape Yate's future

PEOPLE who live, work or shop in Yate are being urged to give their views on a plan being developed to help shape the future of the town.

South Gloucestershire Council is carrying out a public consultation on the Yate Masterplan, which runs until September 13.

The council says the Masterplan will set out a longterm vision for the town over the next 15 to 20 years, and consider how changes in the ways that we live, work and travel will impact on its future.

It covers six 'key themes' - community, movement, economy, town centre, "healthy, happy people" and the environment.

Four areas are in particular focus: the town centre, the railway station and surrounding area, the industrial estates and Station Road.

It also includes a ‘movement vision’, to support alternative forms of travel and transport.

The Masterplan intends to involve the community, residents and businesses in making the most of what Yate has to offer, and looking at what needs to be improved, for the benefit of future generations.

Issues include reducing congestion, creating opportunities for young people, maintaining economic prosperity, creating new wildlife habitats, making nature more accessible, and supporting an ageing population.

After an initial public engagement exercise when the plan was launched last year, the consultation is the next opportunity for people to give their feedback.

A series of online workshops with residents, businesses, councillors and community

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groups is being held throughout July.

They include sessions for Station Road residents and businesses on July 7, industrial estate businesses on July 14, a public session on July 21, one for councillors on July 22 and one for community groups on July 28. All of the sessions run from 7pm until 8.30pm.

South Gloucestershire Council cabinet member Steve Reade said: “Yate is our largest town, and the Masterplan is an opportunity for us to work closely and constructively with our partners, and most importantly the local community, to help it achieve its fullest potential over the next 15-20 years.

"There have been so many changes to the ways we live, work and travel over the past 18 months, of course, but the trends towards more sustainable travel, to improving our climate and protecting our environment were already key priorities for us all. I am keen to hear what more ideas local people have to help us build on what we know and adapt as we plan for a town that will flourish and thrive into the future."

Chris Willmore, a Yate Town Council representative on the Masterplan steering group, said: "There’s been too little major investment in the town for years and to get the money people want for new facilities. This plan offers a chance of getting that investment.

"We think there are some really good ideas here. But, like

Steve Reade all proposals for major change, there will be bits people like, and bits people don’t like.

"At this stage nothing is set in concrete, so we really want residents to have a look and let us know their vision for the future of our town."

For more information on the Masterplan visit yatefuture.com online.

Comments can be made via the South Gloucestershire Council consultations page, consultations.southglos.gov.uk/ YateMasterplan.

Hard copies of the consultation are available from Yate One Stop Shops on Kennedy Way and Wellington Road, and at Yate Library.

To sign up for an online workshop, email feedback@ yatefuture.com for a link and joining instructions.

Anyone who is not online and wants more details about the consultation can call 0118 946 7809.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

July, 2021

9

n NEWS

Record turnout for classic car run MORE than 250 cars and motorbikes took part in Chipping Sodbury Rotary Club's Classic Car Run as it returned after a year away.

The 25th run took place on June 27, after coronavirus restrictions meant last year's event had to be cancelled.

Entrants lined up in Chipping Sodbury High Street before leaving for a tour of the countryside, including a coffee stop at Chepstow Racecourse.

Vehicles involved included 1930s Hudsons and MGs, glamorous 1950s American models, a 1970s beach buggy and Jaguars of all ages, to mark the 90th anniversary of the SS model and 60 years of the E-Type.

Afterwards the drivers returned to the Ridings for lunch and live musical entertainment.

Profits from the event go towards Rotary's support for deserving causes in the local community. And the ladies of Chipping Sodbury Inner Wheel

Suitably dressed for a spin in a beach buggy

The Classic Car Run gets underway. Pictures: Doug Lodge.

Jaguar E-Type passing Tintern Abbey

Club provided great support both at the Ridings and at Chepstow.

Club president Stuart Fraser, Chipping Sodbury mayor James Ball, town crier David Griffiths

it was a delight to see so many special and varied vehicles in the High Street and an opportunity for local people to come and see them all off."

and Rotary district governor Chris Firth set the cars on their way.

Stuart said: "After the year and more we have had to endure

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July, 2021

n NEWS

Dancers are ready to represent England MEMBERS of a dance school are celebrating call-ups to represent their country at the Dance World Cup. REDDS dance school, which trains at Winterbourne Community Centre, is sending a team of ten to the re-scheduled event.

Yate Academy pupil Yasmin Davis, 13, who lives in Winterbourne, qualified in 2019 for last year's Dance World Cup, which was due to be held in Italy, in the street solo and a commercial solo categories.

But the coronavirus pandemic meant the event was postponed to this year.

It was set to be held in Spain but a change of plans meant that the event was being relocated to Telford in Shropshire.

With some students unable to train, slots opened up for places on Team England in certain categories.

REDDS (Rhythm, Energy,

Yasmin Davis

The REDDS mixed ages small group acro team.

Dance, Drama & Singing) principal Erin Cacacie said: "We had a week to enter a videosubmitted routine to go before the Team England Judges.

"We qualified for a routine in the mixed ages small group acro routine, which combines dance

and gymnastics."

The REDDS students going to the finals to perform that acro team routine include Yate dancers Molly Mason, 17, Alice Sheppard, 14, Lola Sady, 14, Maya-Louise Fraser, 13, Darcy Roberts, 12, and 10-year-old

Lexie Jessup. They are joined by Eve Chilcott, 14, and Lana Grice, 12, of Winterbourne, and Libby Smith Robinson, 18, of Warmley.

Erin said: "It's extremely exciting and really gives them something to focus on, given the year we have all had.

"We almost did an entire year of dance classes on Zoom and weren't able to do any acro because of spaces in our homes, so this is just fantastic.

The World Finals will combine the 2020 and 2021 cup competitions and run from August 9 to 20.

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yate&sodburyvoice

July, 2021

11

n NEWS

Rosie is a world champion A TALENTED Yate girl has won gold at her first World Irish Dancing Championships.

Yate Academy pupil Rosie Rendell, 12, won the title for her age group at the event.

Rosie qualified for last year's world championships by coming third in the British Open, but the event in Holland was cancelled due to the pandemic.

This year it was due to be held in Germany but was moved online, with dancers from across the world performing by video link.

The event is run by the World Irish Dance Association.

Rosie said: “I’m really proud of my achievement, especially having to train on my own at home through covid lockdown.

"It’s better now we can all dance together in the studio

again. I am really grateful to my teachers who invest so much time in me, making dances for me to perform on the top stage.”

Dad John said: “I was dropping her off on the morning of her results and she was really hoping to get in the top 20. That was her wish.

"As the names were read out and she didn’t come up, they got to the top five and she thought she’d been forgotten, or was number 300 and something.

Then she got named in the top two, and then as number one!”

Rosie is used to training for over six hours a week, with sessions at Stuart Irish Dance in Fishponds and The Ridge with Stapleton’s Dance in Yate, as well as entering local competitions at weekends, but for the last 15 months her experience has been

Rosie Rendell with a previous trophy won at the Stratfordupon-Avon dance championship. very different.

John said: “She’s shown unbelievable dedication through the pandemic. Having the time and the commitment to just dance in our lounge, on her own in front of a screen was something she really found incredibly tough, however, she’s done it, we’ve never had to force her."

Rosie started Irish dancing at the aged of six, when an instructor who was taking one of her ballet lessons asked if she’d like to give it a try because of her

height.

She comes from an active family – John is the manager of Paulton Rovers FC and a former goalkeeper who started as a professional for Cardiff City and later played for Yate Town, her 10-year-old brother Joshua has just won a place at Gloucestershire Cricket Academy and is also contracted at Bristol Rovers Academy, with mum Michelle busy organising everyone and driving them to training sessions.

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The Heathers Nursing Home Our aim is to give a high standard of nursing and personal care in a traditional, homely and friendly environment. The Heathers is a home of great character and charm. The interior architecture, with many of its original features, gives a perfect setting for the home comforts we aim to provide.

The Heathers Nursing Home is a privately owned, Grade 2 Listed Georgian manor house, situated within walking distance of the town centres of Chipping Sodbury, and Yate.

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yate&sodburyvoice

July, 2021

13

n NEWS

School hub helps young learners catch up A YATE primary school is finding new ways to ensure its youngest children can bounce back from the effects of lockdown.

Tyndale Primary School is launching a new initiative, called the Early Years Hub, to support children who have missed out on social development and learning during the time they have had to stay at home because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Acting head teacher Katie Parkhouse said: "The Early Years Hub will be a fantastic addition to Tyndale as it will support pupils with their communication and interaction skills, and pupils will receive targeted social and emotional interventions, which is an area identified as needing extensive support due to the pandemic.

"The hub will also promote accelerated reading progress, which will support further access to the new Early Years Framework, giving our pupils the best chance of success in their

Reception children at Tyndale Primary School first year at Tyndale."

The hub aims to strengthen support for the school’s youngest pupils in reception and year 1, whose numbers are growing: the school’s reception class is due to double in size from September.

The school’s Early Years teacher has helped local preschools in recent months, teaching the children phonics

either remotely or in person, because they have missed so much time in their settings because of lockdowns.

Older children are also being given extra support. Year 6 at Tyndale has a breakfast club where pupils can get help with any work they have missed.

In 2018 Tyndale was put into special measures by education

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It reopened in 2019 with the same name, but as a new school under the management of the Greenshaw Learning Trust.

When the new leadership team took over, some children had had five different teachers in just three years, and many were already behind with their learning before the pandemic even began.

Ms Parkhouse said: “For us there is massive argument for catch-up.

"We don’t badger the kids every day telling them they are behind – we say 'we will help you, we are in this together' - it’s a team effort.

"It’s not their fault that they’ve had so much time off school due to the pandemic.

"Every second counts. They have five periods a day, 50 minutes a lesson, each lesson follows the same format, and every single lesson counts towards their learning."

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yate&sodburyvoice

14

July, 2021

n NEWS

Split second that changed John's life A YATE cyclist has spoken of his two-year struggle to overcome serious injuries he suffered when he was hit by a car on a roundabout.

John Cornforth suffered a traumatic brain injury and pelvic fractures in the collision, which happened in Wickwar Road, near Chipping Sodbury, in June 2019.

The 74-year-old, who was wearing a highvis jacket and a helmet, was thrown from his bike and knocked unconscious.

John was taken to hospital where he underwent surgery and spent three weeks, before transferring to a specialist rehabilitation unit for a further five weeks.

Following the crash, John, who still suffers mobility issues and has an increased risk of epilepsy because of his injuries, instructed lawyers Irwin Mitchell to help him secure funding for the specialist treatment and therapies he needs, after the driver’s insurers admitted liability for the crash.

The dad-of-one has also backed planned changes to the Highway Code which will require motorists to give extra priority to all cyclists on roundabouts.

The proposed addition to Rule 186 states drivers should give priority to cyclists on

roundabouts, give them plenty of room and not attempt to overtake them within their lane.

It also proposes drivers allow cyclists to move across their path as they travel around the roundabout and take extra care when entering a roundabout not to cut across cyclists who are continuing around the roundabout.

John was cycling a circular route from Yate, through Rangeworthy to Chipping

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Sodbury when the collision happened in the middle of the day at the junctions of Wickwar Road, St John’s Way and Drovers Way. A car entered the junction from St John’s Way – John’s left – hitting the bike.

John, a former electronic test engineer, also suffered broken ribs and a broken finger in the crash. He had his driver’s licence revoked for six months because of his increased risk of epilepsy.

John still has issues walking long distances and exercising, and has hearing problems.

He said: "Ever since that split second life hasn’t been the same. I’ve always been fit and active and then suddenly to have your independence taken away was difficult to accept. I was a lot more reliant on my daughter to assist me with day to day tasks following my discharge from hospital.

"Even now I still struggle to walk long distances. I don’t feel comfortable cycling on the road so have given up road-riding and do all my cycling on a turbo trainer.

"I’ve also decided to sell my motorbike because I now consider that two wheeled transport on the public roads is too dangerous."

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yate&sodburyvoice

July, 2021

15

n NEWS

Peter takes the plunge to help village A MEMBER of a group helping an African village with links to Yate jumped from a plane at 15,000ft to raise money.

Peter McNaughton is a committee member of the YateGenieri Community Link, which helps residents of a village in The Gambia with projects to improve areas from agriculture and health to finance and lighting.

The tandem jump with an instructor – a minute of free-fall followed by a parachute landing – took place at Dunkeswell airfield in Devon on June 13, after months of delays due to coronavirus restrictions and bad weather.

Peter is aiming to raise enough money to repair the fence surrounding the Genieri vegetable gardens, used by the village's women to provide their families with a more nutritious diet.

At present the gardens cannot be used as, without a secure

fence and gates, animals get in and eat the crops.

Yate-Genieri Community Link has already provided a borehole to bring water to the gardens but £1,600 is needed for the new fencing.

So far Peter's skydive has raised more than £1,000.

He said: "I’ve never done anything like this before, but when I think of how much I spend on food per week, and the variety of foods I have to choose from, I can’t stand by and do nothing "I was, though, totally terrified."

To support Peter’s challenge, visit his fundraising page at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ peter-mcnaughton-1.

More information on the project can be found at yategenierilink.org.uk.

Right: Peter McNaughton during his tandem jump

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yate&sodburyvoice

16

July, 2021

n NEWS

Share your experiences of the river A FILM-maker is calling on people with stories and memories of the river Frome to take part in a podcast.

Christina Wheeler is a documentary maker who specialises in films about people’s lives, communities and heritage.

She is creating a series of audio podcasts called River Journey and is looking for people to feature in a series about the Frome, which passes through Chipping Sodbury, Yate and Iron Acton on its way from Old Sodbury to Bristol's Floating Harbour.

Christina will be walking along the course of the river for the series, called River Journey: the Frome, which will be be split into four podcasts following the Frome Valley Walkway in five mile sections, from its source to Yate, Yate to Frampton Cotterell, Frampton Cotterell to Oldbury Court and Oldbury Court to Bristol City Centre.

Christina Wheeler beside the river Frome in Iron Acton She said: "I would love to hear from people about anything river related – local projects, ecology, climate change, culture, stories, heritage, memories, leisure, even philosophical thoughts on the river!

"Each episode will weave together three or four of these elements."

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Christina’s background is in documentary film-making.

She worked for a film company in Bristol making programmes about landscapes, social issues and people’s lives.

More recently she was the project worker on the South Gloucestershire Second World War Stories project, which

included making ten short films about people’s lived experiences of the war in the area.

A keen walker with a passion for the environment and people’s stories, Christina has already walked from source to sea along the river Lune in Lancashire and this month she is joining a month-long journey along the river Wye, from its source to the Severn estuary.

Christina said: "I was born and grew up in Yate and am looking forward to exploring and learning more about the river closest to where I spent her childhood."

"If you live, work or play by the River Frome, and would be willing to talk about it please get in touch."

To take part email christinawheeler@gmx.co.uk or call 07557 537217.

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Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

July, 2021

yate&sodburyvoice

17

n NEWS

Joining in the big clean-up

Members of Sodbury and Yate Clean up near Lidl. Picture: Doug Lodge PEOPLE from all over Yate and Chipping Sodbury came together to clean the towns up in an organised day of action.

The Rotary Club of Chipping Sodbury's Grand Litter Clear Up on June 6 brought together voluntary organisations, schools, youth groups and individuals, including Sodbury and Yate Clean Up, Sodbury in Bloom, Cranleigh Court Community Hub, Friends of Yate Common and Yate Town

Members of Yate Town Council including mayor Karl Tomasin at Brinsham Fields. Picture: Alan Monaghan.

Council.

The club decided to make litter clearance a local community project, inspired by a Rotary global initiative on plastic waste.

Club president Stuart Fraser said: "It was so heart-warming to see so many members of our local community participate in this event.

"Whilst a lot of litter was collected it was noticeable that in certain areas, such as the Ridge Wood in Yate, very little was evident.

"I am very grateful to our club member Ian Joseph for organising the event so effectively, and for all of the groups, individuals and schools that took part.

Schools tied projects on plastic pollution into the event and Stuart said the club aimed to continue playing a part in highlighting the threat to the environment from plastic and litter in general.

Pop-up charity shop THREE mums who have been raising money for a different charity each month have opened a new fundraising pop-up shop.

The unit, at 1 North Walk in Yate Shopping Centre, has been provided free for three months from June by the centre’s owners.

Ami Bowden, from Thornbury, and her friends from Yate, Sam Kenny and Tracey Sidall, started raising money to help local charities hit by the pandemic at the end of last year.

Sam said: “We change our charity every month, this month our chosen charity being Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church and next month PIMHS, Primary Infant Mental Health Services.

"We are also a collection point for Blonde Angel Street Team and FF4F (Family Food 4 Free).

"We are all volunteers with extensive retail and charity work experience and committed to helping as many people as possible.”

Yate Shopping Centre Manager Andrew Lowrey said: "We hope that the new pop-up will be hugely successful and significantly increase awareness and donations to the charities involved."

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Library reopens CHIPPING Sodbury library is open again for residents to borrow books, DVDs and audio books without having to travel to Yate or further afield.

The volunteer-run library has a supply of new books, including children's picture books, and can hold reservations booked via South Gloucestershire's library service.

It is open on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9.30am to 12.30pm, and on Wednesdays from 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

EARLY Free NHS BIRD COVID lateral TRAVEL Flow Test PCR TEST pick-up OFFER available Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

18

July, 2021

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

We can all help our tourism sector to recover THE West of England is truly amazing, as my first month as Metro Mayor has reminded me again and again. With Summer finally here, I’ve enjoyed speaking to a huge range of people and businesses vital to our tourism industry.

I had a great time at ‘We the Curious’ playing football with robots and seeing a TARDIS, plus I stuck my neck out and met some giraffes at Wild Place. I rode an e-bike in Bath. The fantastic Julian House is buying a fleet of these, thanks to a grant from the West of England Combined Authority, which I now lead, and they plan to get tourists on the bikes to create vital new income for the charity.

I discovered another way tourists can see Bath too: by paddle board! Wild Swim Bike Run is a small business that’s making a splash. Run by ex-military man Darroch Davidson, they’ve also benefited from West of England Combined Authority cash and are looking to take on more staff. Now, I have to admit my paddle boarding experience was a bit wobbly! But wobbly probably also reflects the wider mood in the tourism industry.

Launching a new events guide for our

region with Visit Bristol and Bath, I found out more about the effect of the pandemic on our tourism industry. Over 3.8 million people used to visit annually, spending over £900m, and that meant local jobs and prosperity - around 8% of local employment is reliant on visitors.

The West of England Combined Authority has a number of important schemes to support our tourism sector. I have pledged to double the £9 million covid recovery fund to target those local businesses hardest hit by the pandemic. Then there is a scheme helping people match their skills to new jobs and our successful programme for those creative people working in the cultural sector - musicians, artists and tour guides.

Worryingly, though, we still haven’t seen the Government’s Tourism Recovery Plan; great swathes of this sector have been excluded from current Government schemes.

One thing we can all do is support our local tourism attractions and pop into cafes and restaurants. After all, as the government keeps changing the countries where we are allowed to holiday in, in a way designed to perplex,

Metro Mayor

Dan Norris

writes for the Voice

I’m not sure that many people will be booking overseas breaks.

But we are so lucky with what’s on our doorstep. We also need to talk up our area as a brilliant place to visit. And that means all of our villages and beautiful market towns, too.

I was in Keynsham laying a paving slab as part of my plan to invest in our high streets because I don’t want people just to visit Bristol and Bath, wonderful as they are, and miss out on the equally brilliant bits in between.

We need a tourism strategy that brings jobs and opportunities to our whole region.

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yate&sodburyvoice

July, 2021

19

n NEWS

Stop here for Yate's new art gallery STREET art has been taken to a new level at a pop-up gallery in Yate.

Artworks created by residents are on display on the walls of a bus stop in Station Road in the latest stage of a project to find new ways of brightening up the town.

The idea for the bus stop gallery came from the team at Cranleigh Court Community Hub, following the success of a project to create floral displays out of painted hub caps and wool in Tyndale Avenue earlier this year.

Southern Brooks Community Partnerships development worker Katie Hanning, who works at the hub, said: "We wanted to do something that created a surprising, inspirational and fun outcome somewhere unexpected, in order to offer a creative reflection on the past year and where we were at now – the theme was 'how I

Cranleigh Court Community Hub development workers Carina Andrews and Katie Hanning at the bus stop art gallery.

Picture: Rich McD see the world'.

"We also wanted to reimagine what we wanted to see in our streets, and the project has evoked a few conversations about

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yate&sodburyvoice

20

July, 2021

n NEWS

New wheels for community transport groups COMMUNITY transport operators in South Gloucestershire have been given the keys to new accessible vehicles.

Each of the three community transport groups in the area, including Four Towns and Vale Link Transport in Frampton Cotterell and Green Community Travel in Yate, has received two brand new Peugeot Boxer minibuses to use for their local services.

The new minibuses are equipped with Euro 6 engines and will replace some of the oldest vehicles in the operators’ existing fleets, helping to reduce emissions, lower fuel consumption and reduce maintenance costs.

The new vehicles complete a fleet of 15 minibuses provided to South Gloucestershire’s community transport operators with the help of £740,000 of funding from the West of England Local Enterprise

Metro Mayor Dan Norris and South Gloucestershire Council's Steve Reade and Toby Savage with the transport groups and their minibuses

Partnership through the Local Growth Fund, administered by the West of England Combined Authority. Six new Mercedes Sprinter minibuses were delivered at the beginning of March last year and three Nissan E-NV electric vehicles were delivered in August last year.

Representatives from Green Community Travel, Four Towns and Vale Link Transport and Kingswood Community Transport were joined by council

leader Toby Savage and West of England Mayor Dan Norris for the official handover of keys to the new vehicles.

Four Towns and Vale link Community Transport chief executive Nigel Davis said: “The two new fully accessible minibuses, in addition to the vehicles already received, will help us to increase our activity as we gradually come out of lockdown.

"We will continue to reach out

to all sectors of our community, whilst operating in a more efficient manner the vehicles will also help the environment by lowering our carbon footprint."

Jenny Bright, Travel Manager at Green Community Transport, said: “The previous year has been really tough for everyone, we were so pleased to be able to support our local community and South Gloucestershire Council using the other new vehicles to deliver emergency food parcels.

"These two new vehicles have come at a perfect time for us as restrictions start to ease and the service is getting busier again.

They mean we can help even more people! We are always conscious of our environmental impact and the new vehicles are going to really help reduce our emissions."

For more information about community transport in South Gloucestershire visit www.southglos.gov.uk/ communitytransport.

We are holding a 12-week consultation on the masterplan including four focus areas: Town Centre, Railway Station and Surrounds, Industrial Estate and Station Road.

Yate Tow n Imp roveme nt Mas te r p l an : A p l an for Yate to flourish and prosper

 The consultation closes on Monday 13 September 2021  Visit yatefuture.com to read about the proposals and feedback your views.

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Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk 15/06/2021 11:37

yate&sodburyvoice

July, 2021

21

n YATE HERITAGE CENTRE

The English Civil War in Yate The conflict was bad news for Yate's grandest building, writes David Hardill YOU might be forgiven for presuming the English Civil War of the 1640s had no bearing on Yate. Despite being something of a Gloucestershire backwater in the middle of the 17th century, the town was nevertheless the scene of a siege which ended in a disastrous outcome for Yate Court, traditional seat of the lords of the manor of Yate.

At the beginning of the Civil War, Yate still possessed a significant Tudor mansion.

During the 16th century, the Berkeleys occupied Yate Court, and developed the property from a fortified manor house into a sumptuous Tudor home, the premier building around Yate.

Although later residents at Yate Court were more obscure than the Berkeleys, it remained a significant site: so much so that it would become a base for Parliamentary forces during the Civil War. By 1644, both Royalist and Parliamentarian forces wished to seize control of the South Gloucestershire area. A Parliamentarian garrison occupied the Yate Court site, which was seen as a key staging post between Bristol and Gloucester. As well as being big enough to accommodate a garrison, it still retained medieval battlements from when it was fortified in the 1290s by Ralph de Willington.

It became clear that the

Yate Court became one of many mixed farms in the area. Today, only two main walls, a farmhouse and barn remain of the Tudor site.

The original gatehouse now adorns part of Berkeley Castle.

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Until July 20: A Night out in Yate, exhibition charting the history of pubs, clubs, halls and cinemas in the area.

Parliamentary dragoons at Yate Court were vulnerable to attack from Royalist forces based at Cirencester and elsewhere. Colonel Edward Massey, a Parliamentary commander based at Gloucester, gathered 300 men to relieve the Yate Court garrison. Massey’s force rode from Gloucester to Chipping Sodbury, where they were believed to have wrought havoc and acquired valuable horses to enable them in their task.

Following the successful mission, Massey turned his cannons on the manor house, to prevent any royalist taking the stronghold in the future. He razed most of Yate Court to the ground, in line with military policy at the time, reflected in many ruined sites around the country. Only a few walls, gatehouse and farm survived

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from the Berkeley Tudor mansion.

Unsurprisingly, Yate Court never recovered from this onslaught and, by the turn of the 18th century, Oxwick Farm became the new seat of the lords of the manor, while

July 20, 7.30pm: The Old Workhouse in Cirencester 17251834, with Louise Ryland-Epton (Zoom event).

Contact info@yateheritage.co.uk for Zoom links.

01454 32 26 66 Lasting Powers of Attorney only £75 + VAT each A Single or Joint Will only £75 + VAT Probate Services from only £250 + VAT Single Will and Power of Attorney package only £125 + VAT Protect your Home against Nursing Home and Care Fees from only £250 + VAT • Over 55’s only • Home and Office appointments with Disabled Access Call now, quoting “Yate & Sodbury Voice” Lindsey House, Oaklands Business Park Armstrong Way, Yate, Bristol BS37 5NA

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22

July, 2021

n LOCAL MP

Park and Ride will be environmentally sustainable WE are delivering the Yate Park and Ride. Diggers are on the ground and everything is on track ready for opening by the end of summer 2021.

The new park and ride will reduce congestion, improve locally connections and importantly, improve our local air quality.

Making sure our park and ride is environmentally sustainable is key to its success, so there are further steps we are taking to ensure the park and ride plays its part in helping us deliver a greener future.

Firstly, we are providing 38 brand new electric vehicle charging points within the park and ride, including one to serve the car club bay. To ensure that this park and ride is sustainable in

the future, we are also providing 'ducting' for each car parking bay. This means that all 192 car parking spaces will have the infrastructure to be provided with electric charging points in the future.

Secondly, the cycle shelter and all three bus stops will be provided with living green roofs.

These green roofs are a layer of vegetation planted on top of the rooftop. The vegetation is selfsufficient, absorbs carbon dioxide and provides a natural habitat for smaller insects.

Finally, rain gardens are being provided between the parking rows, with native species of shrubs, grasses, wildflower and perennials, to attract insects and birds, and slow heavy rainfall. We are also re-planting all healthy

trees back on to the park and ride site.

With innovative renewable energy schemes and the best recycling rates in our region – better than Bath, Bristol and beyond – this brand-new park and ride will ensure we continue to lead the way in tackling climate change and protecting and enhancing our beautiful countryside.

In the meantime, I am still fighting for better transport links in our area. We have seen great success already: we’ve scrapped the Severn Bridge tolls, agreed new electric car charging points in Thornbury, Yate and Frampton Cotterell, are doubling the frequency of some train services to Yate and we have re-instated the Southmead Hospital Bus link

Luke Hall MP writes for Frome Valley Voice

from Chipping Sodbury.

Delivering our Yate Park and Ride is a key part of our positive plan for transport, but we must deliver our plan in the most sustainable, environmentally friendly way possible.

PROFESSIONAL & FINANCIAL QUALIFICATIONS at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS) offer a wide range of courses from Accounting to Teaching, Customer Services to Project Management, and Human Resources to Procurement.

These professional qualifications are ideal for anyone already working within their chosen sector and looking to enhance their skills, or those new to the sector who wish to gain their initial qualification.

“SGS have been extremely helpful in giving me the understanding and resources needed to complete the course. I would highly recommend it.” AAT Level 4 Learner For more information visit: www.sgscol.ac.uk/study/professional-and-financial or email: professional@sgscol.ac.uk For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

July, 2021

23

n RECIPE OF THE MONTH

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

Easy summer eating: Croustades JULY is a funny old month, a month of sunshine and showers.

I always feel a bit anxious for people who plan a July wedding, because you just don’t know what you’re going to get weather-wise.

I got married in December, and there was a magical dusting of snow, but I knew what to expect.

It’s a bit like that when planning a party in July: is it going to be warm enough to be out, or is it going to be an indoor event? Whichever it is, you can guarantee that these little nibbles will hit the spot.

Serve them as an aperitif with a glass of Pimms outside, or inside watching Wimbledon with a glass of champagne. With a little salad, they make a great first course for an informal dinner party.

Crusty Croustades A great nibble to have at a dinner party and very simple to put together, these take no time at all, which is perfect when you need a quick but tasty appetiser.

Makes 12 Ingredients for the Croustades: Thin cut bread (rye bread is perfect for this) – 3 slices Olive Oil – 4 tbsp Garlic – 1 clove Salt and Pepper to season Ingredients for the Filling: Smoked Salmon – 110g (4oz) Greek Yoghurt – 3 tbsp Cayenne Pepper Lemon Juice Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4 Here’s what you do: Place the slices of bread on a chopping board and roll them flat with a rolling pin. Rub the bread with the garlic clove to flavour it.

Stamp out rounds using a 2¼ inch (5.5cm) cutter and brush lightly with the olive oil. Push the rounds into a tartlet tin and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and cracked black pepper.

Bake for 15-20 mins or until crisp then remove from the oven and leave to cool on a wire rack.

Put some shredded smoked salmon in each case then add a tiny squeeze of lemon juice over the top.

Add a blob of Greek yoghurt then dust with a dash of cayenne pepper.

Cook’s Tips The cases can be made in advance and stored in an airtight tin up to 3-4 days in advance.

They are best filled just before you

intend to serve so the croustades are still warm but you can prepare them up to 3 hours in advance without compromising on taste.

Other fillings: pesto with a cube of mozzarella, feta or fried halloumi with quince and citrus dipping sauce, tapenade with a sliver of anchovy on top, cream cheese with Peppadew red peppers diced on top.

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wards.uk.com For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

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yate&sodburyvoice

24

July, 2021

n PETER'S VISION

In need of long arms?

“When it comes to eyewear, why compromise? Style and comfort come as a pair.”

57 Henleaze Road

768 Fishponds Road

Bristol BS9 4JT

Bristol BS16 3UA

0117 962 2474

0117 965 4434

eyecareteam@turnersopticians.co.uk www.turnersopticians.co.uk Turners Eye Care Ltd T/A Turners Opticians Incorporated in England & Wales Reg No. 8201460 Subject to availability, T&C’s apply.

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IF you're like me and were born in the 70’s, you may be finding that your close focus is not quite what it used to be. If you’re an 80’s child you’ve this to look forward to, and if you're lucky enough to have been a 60’s baby then you most probably know all about this by now - the P word. Yup, I'm talking about presbyopia or long arm syndrome. While we’re on the P word, and I’ll mention this just once, the word looks to be a combination from the Greek 'présbus' (older man) and Latin ‘opia’ (vision problem). It’s perhaps how I feel some days, but not something that I’m prepared to spell out or repeat!

Now in the world of eyecare and Optometry we don’t manage all too well with remote working, it’s mostly up close and personal (eye care). This does mean that we have a tendency to notice the close focus changes that come to affect us all, earlier than some (that’s my explanation, and I’m most definitely sticking to it!).

So what can be done? Well, for years I’ve looked into the options to keep your eyes feeling as if they’re 21 again, and now I’m going to personally benefit from this. I’m keeping quiet about the option I’m going for, but I’ll keep you posted in a month or two from my personal experience!

We have the choice of single vision close focus glasses, a room lens (these let us see all around the room we’re in, but are not for driving/TV etc) or an all vision lens (these let us see far, close and everywhere in between). We used to call these varifocals, but we’ve long since improved this technology to offer sophisticated world class vision to our patients.

As the sun’s most definitely been out for a few weeks now, it would be remiss of me not to mention protecting our eyes from the sun. The key is to wear UV400 (or CE marked) sunglasses. The options available are extensive, you can now choose from a range of six shades of transitions - lenses that darken in the sun, a regular sun tint or polaroid sunglasses for the maximum glare reduction benefit.

When it comes to your eyes, our vision is that each of you receives world class eye care, which we firmly believe you deserve. However it has become increasingly clear that our vision of reassuringly thorough eye care is not compatible with the NHS funded (free) sight test. With this in mind, we evolved during lockdown into a practice offering Advanced Eye Care to every patient.

Don’t forget, whether it’s for reassuringly thorough eye care, advice on how to manage long arm syndrome, sunglasses, glasses or contact lenses, we’re still here when you need us six days per week.

Just get in touch and we’ll be happy to see how we can help you.

While lockdown continues, and perhaps for a little longer too, we continue to offer COVID safe ways to choose your new glasses too!

To help us keep you all safe, we’re still asking you all to telephone first to book a time to come in. 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

July, 2021

yate&sodburyvoice

25

n MOTORING

A guide to pre-owned cars with Richard Cooke

Second-hand Style Lexus RX450h: A great big comfy sofa SEVERAL years ago I wrote about the RX400h, the full-sized SUV from Lexus that was a very early entrant into the hybrid market.

I liked it, and recognised that the hybrid element (a brace of Prius batteries front and rear) was a tax wheeze as much as it was a fuel-saving device.

That 400h, the second generation of the RX, came equipped with a 3.3 litre petrol V6 that could crack maybe 30mpg if you let the battery take over in town. This month I’ve driven the latest, fourth generation RX, which comes with a 3.5 litre petrol V6 that can crack maybe 35mpg if…oh you get the picture.

Doesn’t sound like much progress, right? Not so fast – this is a much better car.

Introduced in 2015 (and due for

replacement next year sometime, bargain hunters), the RX is longer, wider, more powerful and quicker than before. Clever, angular design hides the added girth well, but behind the wheel the car feels very high and long. It took me a while to get to grips with the sheer size of it, and I didn’t dare try slotting it into a parking space.

Needless to say, the parking sensors and cameras are brilliant, as is all the technology on a highend Lexus. It would take several pages to list the gadgets that come as standard on the RX. This list limits your choice when buying new, but gladdens your heart when buying used.

The interior is one of three areas where this car really excels. It is incredibly comfortable, faultlessly built out of high-quality materials

and does a commendable job of being different to the competition. Space in the front is terrific, with a wide padded armrest. In the back, passengers can really stretch out, with their own screens built into the headrest. Rear seats are heated, cooled, can move backwards and forwards as well as recline. The boot is big enough, but not huge – a battery lives under the floor, raising its height slightly.

The second area of excellence is the ride. The two-ton weight helps to smooth out bumps, and the suspension does the rest. You barely notice tarmac imperfections.

The trade-off is a degree of vagueness in the steering, but I’m nit-picking. This isn’t a sports car, and I shouldn’t expect super-fast, direct steering.

The third area is performance.

I’ve written before about CVT gearboxes, and how in smaller cars (including the Prius) they ruin the process of acceleration. Harsh, monotone engine revving puts me off thrashing a CVT-driven car. I relegated these gearboxes to electric cars, where they work better. Lexus, however, have found the solution, and it is to pair the CVT gearbox with 300hp of V6.

When you push the RX, it makes a lovely growl, subdued and never intrusive but definitely audible. I rather liked it, and it gets off the mark quietly and with real pace.

So, should you give the RX a

chance? If you want a Lexus SUV, the answer has to be yes. The RX is top of the range. Moving down to save a bit of space on the road and money, you could opt for the NX, but it has a tiny boot and you might as well go with the cheaper Toyota RAV4 sister car.

An equivalent Mercedes GLE will cost you 20% more, and you’ll pay even more for the rare hybrid model. BMW, Audi and Jaguar were all behind Lexus on introducing hybrid technology, and they all also come at a premium. In addition, Lexus trumps every single brand for reliability and customer service.

So, if the RX is this good, why hasn’t everyone bought one?

Badge snobbery, for sure. The styling is deliberately different - better in the metal than in photos. The handling lacks some of the finesse of European SUVs, but come on! If you want firm suspension and rapid steering, don’t buy a two-ton four-by-four.

The RX is really what all large SUVs should be – a bit soft and all the better for it. It is also beautifully built - and nearly a bargain.

What to pay: Lexus RX450h, £27k for a 2015 model with 40k miles

Search for pirate treasure CHIPPING Sodbury's Summer Search will be a quest for pirate treasure.

The annual event to bring families onto the streets over the summer holidays has a priate theme with its own mascot, Chip, a treasure map and a secret code to crack.

It has been organised by Chipping Sodbury Chamber of Commerce, with support from a £3,950 grant from South Gloucestershire Council's Help

us Thrive fund to support high streets.

Running from July 17 until September 4, copies of the treasure map are available in High Street shops and families taking part have to start at Waitrose and follow clues in shop windows, looking out for missing letters that spell out the secret word, with prizes for completing the search and doing it in fancy dress.

This is the seventh year

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

of the search, which brings thousands of visitors to the town. Lioke last year, this year's search will run under covidsafe measures, with people encouraged to socially distance and complete the search in small bubbles.

Rich McDonough from the Chamber said: "Huge effort is put into running our summer searches every year. They are an invaluable way of drawing visitors into our wonderful

varied High Street and highlighting our local retailers.

"We really hope this year will be bigger than ever and enjoyable for all our wanna be Pirates"

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

26

yate&sodburyvoice

July, 2021

n COMMUNITY NEWS Rotary Club of Chipping Sodbury IN my last month as club President, I am delighted to confirm that despite COVID-19 constraints we have been very active in a number of areas.

It was a relief that the club was able to proceed with its major fundraising event of the year, the Classic Car Run. After the unavoidable cancellation of the 2020 event, we were able to stage the 25th running on June 27. The day was a real success with a record entry and attracted a good number of spectators.

You may also have read that our Grand Litter Clear Up event on June 6 was a great success, with so many members of the local community coming together to collect a lot of litter and also to raise the awareness of the threat of plastic pollution to our environment.

Recently, we heard from Aidan Phillips from the WAVE Trust, a charity dedicated to making the world a safer place by reducing the root causes of child abuse, neglect and domestic violence. Following his talk, the club was pleased to make a financial donation to the WAVE Trust.

Separately, we also agreed to make financial donations to support the Young Chef Challenge Award at Brimsham Green School and the annual Endeavour Award at Chipping Sodbury School.

On the international front, we made a financial contribution to fund oxygen concentrators to support the serious COVID-19 situation in India, via our colleagues in the Rotary Club of Pune.

Club members were pleased to assist with mock interviews for Yate Academy students, continue to volunteer at the covid vaccination clinics at the West Walk Surgery and Ashton Gate and helped put up the bunting in Chipping Sodbury High Street.

On the social front, a good number of club members gathered in a local hostelry for beer and pizza and for some very welcome social interaction. Also, our weekly games of friendly boules continue at the Horton Social Club. One of our teams (Thunderboules) played their first match in the Rotary District annual competition against Gloucester Elvers and we managed to squeeze home by one point!

Stuart Fraser

Yate Rotary Club YATE was honoured on June 5 by a visit from Paralympian Tim Reddish CBE on a tandem bicycle with his son, Paul, making a phenomenal ‘Tour de Thanks’ tour of Britain to thank local volunteers Tim and Paul Reddish in Yate for their determination, dedication and care for others.

Tim is a blind Paralympian, whose achievements include representing Great Britain as a swimmer for 13 years at three Paralympic Games, three World Championships and five European Championships, amassing a total of 22 gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze medals. He is now a member of the International Paralympic Committee.

Tim and Paul were welcomed by Yate Rotary Club and by the Mayor of Yate, Karl Tomasin, and by volunteers from several local charities and initiatives.

Tim and Paul awarded ‘Pin your Thanks’ people’s medals to 17 representatives, before cycling away to their lodging for the night, and continuing to London on the Sunday morning.

President of Yate Rotary Club Richard Gilpin said: "There have been so many amazing volunteers, especially during this last difficult year, and the organisations mentioned here have all worked hard for the benefit of all in our community.

"We are glad of this opportunity to pass our thanks to them."

Marian Gilpin

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Yate u3a painting in Kingsgate Park

Yate and Sodbury u3a YATE and Sodbury District u3a Art Group were spotted with their paints and easels getting some inspiration at Kingsgate Park in Yate.

“We took advantage of the better weather to have a socially distanced meeting outside,” said Mike Hayward, who organises both art and photography groups.

Yate and Sodbury District u3a has over 90 interest groups, aimed at people who have stopped full-time work and who want to pursue hobbies and interests without having to take formal qualifications.

It covers everything from sport and exercise, through arts and crafts to science and history, and if you can’t find just what you are looking for, you can get support to start up a group yourself.

You can try your hand at something new, because there will always be people to give advice and tips to get you started or rediscover things you used to enjoy but may not have had time for in your working life.

Many of us have taken up hobbies such as art in lockdown, but it’s easier to maintain your interest and develop your skills when you get together with other people. Although lockdown has been a challenge, the u3a has thrived by developing its online activities and keeping members connected. As restrictions gradually ease, they are looking forward to more face-to-face meetings.

You can find out more by visiting the website u3asites.org.uk/yatesodbury/home.

Peter Allen

Yate WI YATE WI is continuing to meet following government guidelines. In June we held an outdoor ‘soup and roll’ evening, our first face-to-face meeting.

Members had a good time catching up with each other whilst browsing the book and plant sales.

Our next meetings will be a treasure hunt on July 12 and a garden party on August 9.

Our craft and walking groups have begun: you are welcome to join us.

We are starting an evening craft group on July 28 from 7pm at Cranleigh Court Hub. Currently only six members can attend.

You are welcome to visit any of our events before joining the WI. We look forward to meeting you and be assured of a warm welcome.

If you are interested in joining the Yate WI, please call 0791 338 7478 for further details or see our social media pages for more information.

Beverley Hodgson

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

July, 2021

n SPORT YOUNG gymnasts from Yate and Chipping Sodbury are among eight members of the King Edmund Acro club selected to represent Great Britain at the World Championships in Geneva.

Yate gymnasts Polly Maggs, 15, and Vinny Panetta, 14, Chipping Sodbury-based Alex Reeve, 15, Joel Compton, 17, from Charfield, and 18-year-old Harry Hole, of Hambrook, are joined

by Chloe Hopkins, 12, from Bradley Stoke, 20-year-old Dylan Howells, from Risca in Wales and Natasha Hutchinson, 17, from Oxford in the acrobatic gymnastics team.

After a very difficult build up to the selection event, held at Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Shropshire, it's a relief that all the hard work and commitment has been rewarded.

With the club's regular training venue at Yate International Gymnastics Centre shut due to covid restrictions, training was moved to Bristol Hawks gym, Splitz Gym in Weston-super-Mare and the Play

27

Gymnasts picked for world championships

Back row: Dylan Howells, Joel Compton, Alex Reeve and Polly Maggs.

Front row: Natasha Hutchinson, Harry Hole, Vinny Panetta, Chloe Hopkins.

Shed soft play centre in Yate.

It was not ideal – but the team's determination and commitment has paid off.

Polly and Chloe have been selected to represent Great Britain in the 12-18 age group women's pairs.

Joel Compton, Alex Reeve, Harry Hole and Vinnie Panetta will compete in the men's group competition in the same age group.

Dylan Howells and Natasha qualified for the senior event as a mixed pair.

Experienced coaches Nikki Thorne and Vladimir Makarchenko are also selected and are looking forward to seeing how their acrobatic gymnasts fare against the world's best.

Nikki said: "We’re hopeful that history is repeated and we can come home with at least one medal. King Edmund gymnasts have achieved great results in the past."

The 2021 Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships were set to take place from July 2 to 4.

Mark Thorne

n ADVERTISING FEATURE

Support still available for EU applications FOLLOWING Brexit, the UK government lauched the EU Settlement Scheme in 2019. This ensured that EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, their family members and carers could continue to live and work in the UK after Brexit.

After two years the scheme has now closed, with June 30th deadline having just passed. Now EU citizens could risk becoming unlawful residents in the UK, potentially losing access to employment, education and benefits. They may also be subject to other restrictions, like as being unable to rent from a private landlord in England or get free secondary healthcare. EU nationals could also be subject to Home Office enforcement action.

Local charity, Southern Brooks Community Partnerships, with support from South Gloucestershire Council and the Home Office, have been supporting South Gloucestershire EU nationals with their applictions and will continue to so after the deadline.

Late applications will be considered by the Home Office if there is a ‘reasonable excuse’ for the delay. This could be wide-ranging but it can include applications on behalf of children and applications of people in abusive relationships who were prevented from applying, as well as of those who lack the physical or mental capacity to apply.

Please help spread the word and if you need free support, contact us on euss@southernbrooks.org.uk or 07971 797 770.

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

28

July, 2021

n SPORT

National title for Yate athlete Adam YATE athlete Adam Brooks is the national under-23 high jump champion.

Adam won the event in 2.14m at the England Athletics U23/20 Championships held at Bedford in June, part of a very busy month for Yate & District AC. Owen Merrett came third in the national under-20 hammer championships, throwing 64.77m.

The first competitive match for over a year at Yate took place on May 30, when Team Avon took on North Somerset, Cheltenham, East Wales and Hereford, scoring 389 points, with North Somerset the runners up with 149. Yate athletes registered 13 personal or season’s bests.

Athletes who caught the eye included Seamus Robinson in the u17 men’s 800m, who came home well ahead of the opposition in 1:58.1.

Felicity Whiteway is a hammer thrower but, in

National under-23 champion Adam Brooks.

Picture: Missy Dale the absence of a hammer competition for u17 women, she won the triple jump in 9.62m, an impressive achievement in her second event.

In a normal season, Team Avon would be competing against some of the best teams in the Midlands and South. This year there is little to challenge them, though North Somerset and Cheltenham had some good quality athletes. It looks

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as though the rest of the season will follow a similar pattern and we must look forward to better times next year.

The Avon Track and Field League has always been the place for aspiring athletes to try out new events or to strive for better performances. Yate & District have always done well here, but not often as well as they did on June 19-20, when they racked up over 1,000 points, nearly 200

more than Bristol & West, their nearest rivals.

Pole vaulter Arisa Burgess' record-breaking 2.70 metres was only matched by senior woman Hannah Lewis, while Jodie Dale's 40.11m javelin throw was good enough for a club record and qualification for the national age group championships.

Until this season, Yate senior men and women competed in a joint team with Bristol & West in the Midland League but on June 20 they came up against each other at this level for the first time. There were gaps in the Yate team them come out on top, with a total of 341 points, ahead of Gloucester AC with 285, Bristol & West with 264, Cheltenham with 240 and the Forest of Dean on 62.

Artie Savage-Swaine was outstanding in the 3000m. Still an under-17, he came home well over 100m ahead of nearest rival, a senior, in 9:05.33.

Stuart Nunn

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July, 2021

yate&sodburyvoice

n SPORT

Good start for Sodbury CHIPPING Sodbury Women (above) have made an encouraging start to their campaign in the Gloucestershire Cricket Board’s North League.

Emily Waldron (19 no), captain Hannah Thompson (17) and Emma Roddan (15) shone with the bat in a rain-affected 32-run victory away to Frampton-on-Severn, with Abby Lewis capturing 2-14 from three overs.

Sodbury’s next game was a 53-run win at home to Huntley, with Naomi Forecast unbeaten on 68 as Sodbury posted 123-1 from their 20 overs, Laura Marshall chipping in with 31.

Tight bowling and sharp fielding, notably from Emily Waldron who had two direct hits resulting in run outs, saw Huntley bowled out for 73.

Sodbury’s girls’ and women’s sides train at The Ridings on Mondays from 6pm.

New players of all abilities, including beginners, are welcome and should email ChipSodCC@gmail.com or call Andy Shield on 07808 593675.

Steve Hill

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29

Siblings hit 50s GRACIE Clark and younger brother Alfie, from Westerleigh, both hit their maiden 50s within hours of each other.

Gracie, 15, was dismissed on 51 after opening for Gloucestershire Girls U15 Development squad, who beat Buckinghamshire by 98 runs at Chipping Sodbury, where she also took 1-6 from three overs and held a catch.

That evening Alfie, 13, retired on 50 exactly for Coalpit Heath U15s, who lost a Bristol Youth League cup match at Thornbury by 19 runs.

Alfie had earlier taken 2-12 from three overs.

Mum Michelle said: “I think it was sibling rivalry at its best!

“Gracie opened for Gloucestershire and did really well, as her previous highest score was 38.

“Alfie was on 35 before he spotted the electronic scoreboard and then went on the defensive for a while before completing his 50."

Alfie, Gracie and father Fraser have played together several times for Coalpit Heath 3rds, while Michelle plays soft ball cricket for the club.

Steve Hill

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

30

July, 2021

n SPORT

New badge for new era at Yate Town YATE Town have unveiled a new club crest, along with a new kit deal and two new sponsors.

The club's previous crest had been in use since 1990s and the club said its "complex and detailed design" was a challenge to reproduce. The new crest will be easier to reproduce digitally and on kit.

Club chairman Colin Pick said: "The decision to change is one which has taken place with much consideration and care over the past year. We have to show progression off the field as well as on.

"We have been making great strides on the pitch in recent years and it was the perfect time

to make a change to our club crest. The new logo is the start of some very positive things taking place at the club."

The change coincides with a new kit deal with Macron and two new sponsors, Yate Shopping Centre and Thatcher's.

Ahead of the new season the club has announced the departures of Nick Peare, Elliot Keightley, Ryan Beckinsale, Craig Norman and Jordan Williams.

The rest of the squad will be joined by ex-Hereford and Chippenham Town midfielder Joe Tumelty, central defender Aaron Parsons, who played for the Bluebells as a youngster

before joining Bristol City Academy and then WestonSuper-Mare, and former Cheltenham Town Academy forward Karnell Chambers, who recently had spells with

Alfie second in the standings YATE racer Alfie Gendall maintained his second place in the overall Junior American Cup Car Racing championship after the latest round.

The defending champion picked up two more trophies to add to his collection and a good haul of points at the picturesque Buxton Raceway, within the Peak District National Park, on June 27.

Alfie, 15, started the first heat on the outside of the third row and quickly made his way through the field to catch Sid Smith, the early leader in the number 18, and then made his move on lap 4 to take the lead.

Alfie controlled the race from then on, and took victory to get the day off to a great start.

Starting heat 2 from the back of the grid as a result of his heat 1 win, Alfie worked his way through the traffic to second place but unfortunately ran out of laps to make a move on the leader.

Alfie started the final from the third row. Due to an incident on the first lap, the red flags came out and the final was restarted with Smith's number 18 sadly missing.

Alfie worked his way up to second place by lap 4 and then set off in chase of the leader, and was bumper to bumper with a couple of laps to go but couldn't quite find a way past, so was happy to finish in a solid second place.

The championship was returning to Birmingham Wheels Raceway for the next round on July 3.

Anyone who is interested in joining Alfie on the grid or sponsoring his car can contact the team by email at alfiegendallracing@gmail.com or on social media for more details.

Jeff Gendall

AERIAL SERVICES

Alfie Gendall with his car and latest trophies.

Picture: Jeff Gendall/AGR Racing

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