Dan back on factory floor to celebrate firm's 50th

METRO Mayor Dan Norris went back to the factory floor at the Yate plant where he had one of his first jobs.

Mr Norris worked in the then DRG plastics factory’s thermoforming division in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Now known as Sharpak Yate, the company is celebrating 50 years in business and looking to the future with a new and improved apprenticeship programme.

Sharpak Yate is a leading manufacturer and supplier of food packaging in the UK, supplying trays for fresh produce and ready meals to the poultry and hospitality sectors.

Managing director Mark Dennis introduced the mayor to one of their current apprentices and together they watched a video of the past 50 years of operation, looking out for any shots of Mr Norris on the factory floor.

n PHARMACY BLOG

The Metro Mayor has regional responsibilities for training and jobs.

He said: "I’m glad I wasn't on an early - I never liked those 6am starts!

"The place has really changed with the times. I’m impressed

Looking after your eyes

HUMAN eyes are amazingly able to differentiate approximately 10 million colours.

Did you know the phrase ‘‘in the blink of an eye’’ is because the eyes are the fastest muscle in the body?

The most common eye problem people visit a pharmacy for is conjunctivitis, or red/pink eye. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that lines your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. It rarely affects your vision.

Common symptoms include redness, contagious pus, itchiness, wateriness, a burning sensation and a gritty feeling.

Conjunctivitis is generally caused by a bacterial or viral infection, an allergic reaction or, particularly affecting babies, a partially-blocked tear duct. Symptoms usually last up to ten days and should completely clear up within two weeks.

Infective conjunctivitis can be contagious for up to 14 days from the start of symptoms.

It is essential to help ease your symptoms and stop the spread of conjunctivitis by: washing your hands regularly, especially after touching your eyes; cleaning any sticky discharge from your eyelids with cotton wool soaked in boiled and cooled water; place cool compresses on the affected eye(s) to ease symptoms.

Always store eye drops as directed and discard them as instructed –usually 28 days after opening - by returning them to a pharmacist for safe disposal.

Do not: rub your eyes; share towels, pillows or utensils; allow anyone else to use any ointment or drops you are using or wear a contact lens until symptoms have gone and treatment has been completed for 24 hours.

We can recommend and provide antibiotic eye drops, including for children under 2 years: seek an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111 if a baby less than 28 days old has conjunctivitis.

Also, speak with your GP if your symptoms have not cleared up after two weeks, you experience pain in your eyes, sensitivity to light, changes in your vision, very red eyes or spots or blisters on your eyelids with the way they have embraced environmental issues and led the field in producing recyclable materials in their products.

"We all want convenience sometimes, and it’s good to know that it comes at less of a cost to the planet than it used to.

"I salute their commitment to apprenticeships as a route for young people to employment."

Sharpak Yate is holding an open day for anyone interested in becoming an apprentice on April 10. For more details call 0333 006 8000.

n YATE LIBRARY

YATE Library is a Warm Welcome drop-in place - help yourself to a free hot drink during opening hours, relax and do a puzzle or read a paper.

The regular Lego club takes place on March 25 from 10.3011.30am. Booking is required for both events.

Donations of Duplo will be gratefully received for a new club for younger children.

Reading group ‘Have You Read’, to enjoy tea and a chat with like-minded book lovers, takes place every fourth Friday in the month, from 10.30-11.30am.

Craft Group meets on March 4 and 11, from 10am-noon, for tips on knitting, sewing or crochet.

Digilocal@yate helps children learn about coding and develop problem-solving skills, every Wednesday from 6-7pmregister first at digilocal.org.uk/ eoi.

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

Free family-friendly story time, with crafts for preschool children, takes place on Tuesdays from 9.30-10am.

Computer support with digital champion volunteers is on Saturdays from 10am-noon.

A Vision West of England information, advice and support drop-in takes place on the second Thursday of the month from 10am-noon.

For more information on any event call 01454 868006, speak to a member of staff at the library or email yate.library@ southglos.gov.uk.

The library is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 10am-5.30pm, Thursday from 10am-5pm and Saturday from 9am-2pm.

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

n WHAT'S ON

March 4

CRAFT AND GIFT FAYRE, Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, Saturday 4th March 10am - 4pm Local Crafts, Papercraft Supplies, Gifts & Collectables, Cakes, Refreshments and More!

Voluntary Entrance Fee (20p) to be donated to The Friends Of Horton School. For more info, please email bythewoodsfayres@hotmail.com

March 13 n BRISTOL BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY Nest Feather competition, Little Stoke Baptist Church, Kingsway, Little Stoke. Visitors welcome without commitment to join. Further details from secretary Ron Ramplin at ronnie.ramplin@btinternet.com or 0774 874 0794.

March 14

GREAT WESTERN SOCIETY Bristol Group Meeting: Swiss Mountain Railways - Part 1 - Interlaken and Lake Brienz’ by Robert Heron. BAWA, Southmead Road, Bristol, 7.30pm. Free entry, suggested £3 donation to cover costs.

March 16 n FOLK DUO Ninebarrow play at Horton Village Hall. Doors open 7pm. Tickets £18 plus booking fee, available online at www.ninebarrow.co.uk/horton.

March 26 n SODBURY TENNIS CLUB junior open day, 9am-noon. Fun tennis games and activities for children aged 4+, cardio tennis for parents. All sessions are free - more details from head coach Pete Caseley at coachcaseley@hotmail.co.uk.

REGULAR EVENTS:

Monday n GENTLE YOGA-IN WITH NAZAMA Weekly yoga class

9.30am. Easy to follow gentle yoga, ideal for back pain relief and joint issues. A slowerpaced, mindful and lighter yoga in Chipping Sodbury with experienced teacher. Beginners Welcomed. Sodbury Masonic Hall, 1 Hatters Lane, Chipping Sodbury. From £6.00. Book online www.yoga-in.co.uk or call 07804598353 n FLOW-IN YOGA WITH NAZAMA Weekly yoga classes 6.15pm & 7.45pm in Chipping Sodbury. Become more flexible, worry less and sleep better with an easy to follow flowing yoga. Book online www.yoga-in.co.uk or call 07804598353 n YATE & SODBURY ART & CRAFT CLUB meets every Monday,

7-9 pm at Ridgewood Community Centre. Painting, drawing, collage and many other crafts in a friendly informal setting. £5 per session. More information at yateandsodburyartsociety.weebly.com or call Roz on 07941 946412.

Tuesday n YATE POETRY GROUP meets every Tuesday morning. Small, informal and friendly group to share and enjoy poems. For details and to learn more about the venue, contact Tony on 0770 4140682 or email yatepoetrygroup@gmail.com. n SUNRIDGE GOLF CROQUET n SOUTH COTSWOLD PROBUS GROUP meet every 2nd Tuesday of the month at Masonic Hall Sodbury, 10am. Contact Pete Chaplin for details. 01454 324956. n YATE & SODBURY ART & CRAFT CLUB (POTTERY SECTION) meets every Tuesday and Wednesday, 7.30-9.30 pm at Ridgewood Community Centre. Tuition available. £5 per session. More information at yateandsodburyartsociety.weebly.com or call Roz on 07941 946412. n YATE CHORAL SOCIETY rehearses at St. Nicholas' Church Centre, Chargrove, Yate, 7.30 - 9.30 p.m. For details call 07833 597114 n PUCKLECHURCH FOLK

CLUB meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in Coalpit Heath and has players at all levels. Learn how to play, club equipment is available to use. To find out more contact croquet@wilko.eclipse. co.uk or call 07977 201440.

DANCING CLUB, Pucklechurch Community Hall, Abson Road, every other Tuesday from 7.3010.15pm. All welcome, with a partner or solo. Call Alan on 07812 508396 or Linda on 07843 240414 f.

Wednesday n LINE DANCE CLASSES AT RIDGEWOOD COMMUNITY CENTRE, Wednesdays 9.30am to 12. Cost £5 No partner needed. A fun way to keep fit, reduce stress, improve memory and make new life long friends. Contact Gill 07837 784816, or FB gill.butler.90 chat, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit. Small donation requested to support church heating. n BRISTOL SCRABBLE CLUB meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm until 10pm at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS. New members welcome- first visit free so come along and give us a try. For information contact Sheila on 01179570792 or 07435316458 or email shinett@blueyonder.co.uk

Thursday n GOLDEN OLDIES SING & SMILE SESSIONS, Cambrian Green Court, Wellington Road, every third Thursday from 10.3011.30am. Sing along to hits of the 50s onwards, chat and laugh with friends. £3 donation to attend. Call 01761 470006 for more details. n YOGA-IN WITH NAZAMA

Weekly Flow-in Yoga 6.15pm & Calm-in Yoga 7.45pm in Chipping Sodbury. Become more flexible, worry less and sleep better with an easy to follow yoga. Beginners Welcomed. Chipping Sodbury Sports Centre. From £6.00. Book online www.yoga-in.co.uk or call 07804598353 n THURSDAY: EXERCISE AND SOCIAL FOR SENIORS

£5. Come and join us for a dose of weekly exercise! We aim to improve your strength, balance, posture and flexibility in a fun and friendly environment. To register your interest please contact Adam Dyer on 07875503586. St Saviours Church , Coallpitt heath, every Thursday 10-11:30am Beesmoor Rd, Coalpit Heath, Bristol BS36 2RP n BRISTOL MALE VOICE n GENTLE YOGA-IN WITH NAZAMA Weekly yoga class 9.30am (term time). Easy to follow gentle yoga, ideal for back pain relief and joint issues. Book online www.yoga-in.co.uk or call 07804598353 n CRAFT MORNING, St Mary's Church, Yate, 10am-midday. Bring a project, get help learning something new or just come to sit and

CHOIR Always been keen to sing? Come along to our rehearsal nights, 7pm - 9.15pm on Thursdays in St Andrew's Church, Elm Park, Filton, BS34 7PS. No need to read music, no audition, just a voice test to establish whether you are tenor, baritone of bass. We cover many musical styles, enjoy singing in a great social vibe as we prepare for our regular concerts in local and national venues. From the Beatles to Mozart, from classical choruses to classic pop. Ffi : www. bristolmvc.org.uk ; facebook; or contact Steve: secretary@ bristolmvc.org.uk;or ring 07776447699; or 07587143