Yate & Sodbury Voice March 2024

STUDENTS at Brimsham Green School in Yate celebrated 15 years of performances with a talent showcase.

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Car park charges

DRIVERS wanting to park in Yate's South Gloucestershire Council-run car parks and on-street bays will have to start paying this year.

Councillors voted through a budget which includes the move, as well as a hike in green bin charges and new fees for blue badges, in February.

Opposition Tories accused the Liberal Democrat/ Labour coalition of sending a "clear message to local people that their views matter not one iota", after

a big majority opposed the new charges in a public consultation.

But council leader Claire Young said the authority had been left to make difficult decisions because of a "woeful lack of funding from the Conservative government in Westminster".

Average band D bills in the Yate area will rise by between £98 and £129.

Tributes to Rikki

have paid tribute to a muchloved dad who died less than two months after being diagnosed with cancer.

PAGE 3

Support for Boris

DOG lovers have rallied round to help to save a border collie from Yate that needs costly cancer treatment.

PAGE 2

Playgroup's joy

A COMMUNITY-run playgroup in Yate has regained its 'good' rating from Ofsted, after a second inspection in a year.

PAGE 7

Knife crime plea

A PRISON chaplain from Coalpit Heath has launched a new talking campaign to stop young people being dragged into knife crime.

PAGE 15

yate&sodburyvoice

April deadline

Our April edition deadline is March 20.

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Dog lovers throw Boris a lifeline

DOG lovers have rallied round to help to save a border collie from Yate that needs costly cancer treatment.

Ten-year-old Boris, who lives with owner Liz Carter, has started £11,000 of medical treatment, thanks to public donations.

When Liz was told the news in January that Boris would die without treatment, she could only pay half the fees, from pet insurance and other funding.

Boris was diagnosed with an aggressive cancerous nasal tumour which, without radiation treatment, would have ended his life in a matter of weeks.

But Liz says that, thanks to the generosity of other pet lovers, Boris's radiation treatment to shrink the cancer has started. It could give him another two years of good quality life.

Liz said she was “blown away” by the response to her fundraising appeal.

She said: "Boris will have to have treatments three times a week, for five weeks. He had a full body CT scan, to make sure the cancer hasn't spread anywhere else.

“I’m eternally grateful people could find it in their hearts to help me keep my best friend with me for as long as possible.

“I couldn’t begin to imagine how I was going to live my life without him as we've been together 24/7 for 10 years.”

towards the £8,000 online fundraising target.

Liz said Boris had his third radiation treatment on February 26.

She said: "I don't want to tempt fate, but he's been much more his usual self this weekend...more energy and chewing his chews, which he hasn't wanted to do for a few weeks now, so it's starting work.

"Boris and I would like to tell you how grateful we are to each and every one of you for making this happen."

Liz says any money left over from the treatment will be donated to Greenacres rescue charity, in Wales, who saved and paid for the operation for the little spaniel born with 6 legs.

At the time of going to press, more than 300 people had donated more than £6,600

Anyone wishing to donate to Boris’ treatment can do so at gofund.me/17adcada

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Liz Carter and border collie Boris

Rikki, 41, will be 'massively missed'

FRIENDS, colleagues and shoppers have paid tribute to a much-loved figure at Yate Shopping Centre, security guard Rikki Woods-Doughty.

Rikki died in February, aged 41, less than two months after being diagnosed with cancer.

He is survived by his wife Michelle, and children Molly, Miley, Elsie, and Ernie, who are aged from 17 to six.

Colleagues at the shopping centre paid tribute to Rikki, who was the deputy security manager.

Centre manager Andrew Lowrey said: “We are very sad that Rikki has passed away after his courageous fight against cancer.

“Rikki was very much respected and liked by everyone – he would go out of his way to provide help and assistance.

"Rikki has been a valued colleague and friend of ours for over 12 years, and will be massively missed.

"We send all our love and best wishes to his family."

He said the centre team would

like to honour Rikki and will discuss this with his family.

In 2019 Rikki and a colleague were commended for their attempts to save the life of a woman who had collapsed while out shopping using CPR and a defibrillator.

Family friend Sophie Bell has started an online fundraising campaign after hearing the family might not have enough money to

Yate man, 21, on murder charge

A MAN from Yate has been charged with murder after a man was stabbed to death in London.

Kozma Papa, aged 21, was charged by the Metropolitan Police on February 5, with the murder of Bledi Petraj in Enfield, North London, the previous day.

A police spokesperson said emergency services were called to Queen Elizabeth's Drive in Enfield on February 4 after Petraj, 37, was found in the street with stab wounds, shortly after 2pm.

He was taken to hospital but died later the same day.

Papa was arrested by Met police officers in a car which was stopped in Hertfordshire later on the 4th.

A 30-year-old man was also arrested as part of the investigation, but has since been released without further action.

Papa appeared before Willesden Magistrates' Court on February 6 ahead of a later Crown court hearing.

Woman dies in M4 crash

POLICE are calling for drivers to come forward if they have dashcam footage of a crash on the M4 near Hambrook, which claimed a woman's life.

The woman, who was in her 60s, died in a collision involving five vehicles on the westbound carriageway, between the M32 junction and the M4 Almondsbury interchange.

It happened shortly before 1pm on February 10.

A police spokesperson said

the woman died at the scene of the collision, adding: "Her next of kin has been informed and our thoughts are with them at this time."

The woman had not been named as the Voice went to print.

Police have called on any witnesses or motorists with footage that could help their investigation to call 101 and quote the incident reference number 5224 036 088.

make funeral arrangements.

As the Voice went to press more than 90 people had donated over £2,100 towards the £5,000 target.

Sophie said: “Many of you may already know Rikki sadly passed away after a very short illness that he fought with so much strength, bravery and courage.

“Rikki was a very much loved husband, father, friend and our much-loved friendly face of Yate Shopping Centre.

“As you can imagine, this is devastating for his close family and unfortunately Rikki had no life insurance or time to put any plans in place.

“So we are asking for help towards costly funeral arrangements if you can to give Rikki the best goodbye he so greatly deserves.

“I know many of you have been massively generous previously and have helped Michelle and Rikki so much in paying bills and

rent, so that they could focus on family time without the worry.”

The fundraiser can be found on the Gofundme website, at tinyurl.com/bddw536a.

People who worked with Rikki day-to-day paid tribute on social media.

Kevin Devonald, from Yate Post Office, said: “Always had a smile on his face. Our thoughts are with his family and his colleagues.”

Charlotte Matthews, of the town's Cancer Research shop, said: “You were an amazing person. I also saw you save a life of a person having a heart attack. Such a lovely person, gone far too soon.”

NatWest worker Becky Mochan said Rikki's death was "heartbreaking", adding: "Amazing guy, everyone in the shopping centre loved him."

Other traders described Rikki as "a genuinely good guy" and a "lovely man".

Rikki Woods-Doughty

COUNCIL tax bills for typical Band D householders in the Yate and Sodbury area will rise by between £98 and £130 in April.

South Gloucestershire Council agreed a 4.99% increase – the maximum allowed without calling a referendum – at its meeting in February, to take its charge to residents with homes in the average Band D tax bracket up by £86.39, from £1,727.98 to £1,814.37.

The rest of the increase in council tax bills comes from other public bodies.

Avon & Somerset's police and crime commissioner Mark Shelford is raising charges for a Band D taxpayer by £13 (4.88%), from £266.20 to £279.20.

Avon Fire Authority will raise its annual charge by £2.48 or 2.99%, to £85.43 in Band D.

The final amount paid by each household varies according to the services provided by town and parish councils, reflected in the parish precept charge, and the 'special expenses' levied by South Gloucestershire Council for any facilities it maintains in each neighbourhood.

Town and parish councils are not subject to government restrictions on how far they can raise charges without calling a referendum.

Yate Parish Council charges taxpayers the most in the area. The overall amount it raises has risen by 9.29% this year, from £1,668,251 to £1,823,268, and its charge to Band D taxpayers is up by £12.05 or 6%, to £212.87.

The rise in individual charges is less than the overall total because there are more households than last year paying council tax.

The special expenses charge for Yate residents is 2p less than last year but, when all of the increases are added up, a Yate householder in Band D will pay £113.72 (4.92%) more than last year, with a total bill of £2,423.84.

Dodington Parish Council, which covers southern parts of Yate and Sodbury, is raising its precept charge by £7.52 to £137.50, a rise of 5.79%. Its precept budget is up by 6.14% to £328,905.

With special expenses charges up by £5.82, the total bill for Band D taxpayers is up by £115.21 (5.09%), to £2,377.43.

Sodbury Town Council has raised its total precept by 6.31%, to £309,796. Band D taxpayers will pay an extra £7.52 in precept charges, £5.82 in special expenses and £115.21 (5.09%) overall, with the total bill standing at £2,346.55.

The biggest increase in the area is for residents of the area covered by Iron Acton Parish Council, where total Band D bills are up by £129.56 or 5.98%.

The parish has raised its overall budget precept by 33.8%, from £61,206 to £81,920. The Band D charge is up by £27.66 (31.6%) to £115.22, with special expenses up by just 3p.

In Rangeworthy, overall

Band D bills are up by £119.77 or 5.65%, with £17.77 of the increase coming from the precept charge, which rises by 45.6%, and 13p from special expenses.

Westerleigh & Coalpit Heath Parish Council has raised its Band D precept by £2.29, from £58.45 to £60.74, a 3.92% increase. The overall increase for Band D taxpayers is £104.92 or 4.9%.

The lowest tax increase is for residents in the area covered by Horton Parish Council, which has cut its overall precept by 19.4%, from £8,375 to £6,750. The Band D charge is down by

£6.92 and the total council tax bill in the area, at £2,222.39, is £98.09 or 4.62% higher than last year.

In Wickwar the overall rise of £108.14 (5.02%) in Band D includes a £5.36 precept and 91p special expenses increase.

In Cromhall the Band D precept is down by 22p, special expenses are up by 9p and the overall bill is up by £101.74 (4.72%).

Charges vary by council tax band, linked to the size of a home. The lowest overall bill in the area is £1,481.59 for a Band A taxpayer in Horton. The Band H bill in Yate is £4,847.68.

Parish / Precept Precept Special Total town budget charge expenses council tax*

Council 'invests in children and cost-of-living support'

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council says its budget for the coming year prioritises "investments in children’s services and costof-living support", as well as taking action to combat climate change and protect the natural environment.

But the introduction of new charges – with pay and display car parking on the way, a £10 fee for disabled motorists' blue badges and a doubling in annual green bin subscriptions to £60 – has been slated by opposition Conservatives.

In its first budget since taking power in last year's local elections, the Liberal Democrat/ Labour coalition announced an extra £1 million for children’s services, continuing free school meal vouchers for 6,500 children during Easter and summer holidays, and funding debt and benefits advice to an extra 680 residents with "complex cases".

Energy efficiency schemes

for residents and landlords are designed to help deal with cost of living and environmental issues at the same time, while support is continued for Community Welcome Spaces, food banks and community pantries, and "warm packs" for people struggling with the cost of heating and eating.

A pilot scheme to expand youth services to support secondary schools is also being funded.

The budget for the next financial year, which begins in

April, was passed by a majority vote during a full council meeting on February 21.

Council leader Claire Young (Lib Dem, Frampton Cotterell) said: "There’s been a woeful lack of funding from the Conservative government in Westminster, and this has led to us making some difficult decisions.

"Despite the challenges thrown at us, we are delivering on our twin goals of action on the cost of living and climate crises for the people of South Gloucestershire.

"This budget prioritises the well-being of people in need, aiming to provide essential costof-living support while upholding crucial services and taking decisive action against the climate and nature emergencies."

Co-leader Ian Boulton (Lab, Staple Hill & Mangotsfield) said: "We are prioritising the issues that local people have told us are important."

Tory councillors criticised the

Concern over charges and cuts

THE introduction of charges for councilowned car parks and on-street spaces was opposed by 70% of the 1,800-plus residents who responded to the council’s consultation on its budget.

Council-owned car parks include the Yate Park & Ride in Badminton Road, which has more than 240 spaces, and the town's Abbotswood, Cranleigh Court Road, Kennedy Way, Longs Drive and Yate Leisure Centre car parks, which between them have more than 300 spaces.

Other shopping centre car parks, including Yate Shopping Centre, Waitrose

in Chipping Sodbury and the Mall at Cribbs Causeway are not council-owned, so would not be affected by the proposals.

Chipping Sodbury's Town Car Park, next to the Waitrose car park, is run by the town council and also not included.

financial plan for ignoring public opposition to parking charges and higher bin fees.

Group leader Sam Bromiley (Con, Hanham) said: “The reality of this budget is clear: new and increased charges heaped on residents; a complete failure to identify new efficiency savings; proposed investments that have been poorly thought through; and a clear message to local people that their views matter not one iota.

“Your priorities are wrong and you’ve tried to cover yourselves in the smokescreen of blaming national government, but residents can see through this. They’ve told us that they don’t want parking charges, but parking charges are what they’ll get. They’ve said they don’t want to pay higher fees for green waste, but higher fees are what they’ll get too.”

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

individuals".

The council says the extra income means fewer cuts have to be made to essential public services.

Campaign group Equalities Voice has warned that the £10 fee for disabled drivers to apply for or renew a blue badge every three years, which will raise an extra £46,000 income each year for the council, "will likely isolate an already isolated community of people, and put further strain on transport companies to cater to the needs of disabled

However union Unison says cuts of £473,000 to libraries and £79,000 to the contact centre and One Stop Shops, by cutting opening hours, and £641,000 a year from trading arm Integra, mean likely job losses, cuts to working hours and opening times.

Unison South Gloucestershire branch secretary Dan Smart warned a council scrutiny commission in late January: "The ‘easy savings’ have now been made, and we are now moving towards ending or privatising everything but statutory provision."

Council co-leader Ian Boulton and leader Claire Young at a meeting discussing the budget

Now you'll have to book your trip to the tip

RESIDENTS will soon have to book a visit to one of South Gloucestershire Council's Sort It recycling centres.

The council says a new law limits how much DIY waste, such as rubble and plasterboard, people can bring to recycling centres.

This means the council has to start recording how much is being disposed of, and it believes a booking system is the best way to do this.

The government announced the new law in January, as a ban on fees for depositing DIY waste, and said it would help cut fly-tipping.

But the council says the new law means it has to "limit the number of visits made by residents disposing of this waste".

Up until now the council has had a registration system for residents' cars but nonregistered cars are seldom

turned away.

Calling for residents' comments on the plan, the council said: "To enable us to fully comply with changing government legislation, we will be introducing a booking system at our Sort It recycling centres to replace the current system.

"Booking systems are already in use in lots of areas where they have been welcomed by residents, as they make it easier for them to plan their visit and mean reduced queuing times when they get there.

"We are running an engagement survey to help explain how the scheme could work and to give you an opportunity to provide feedback.

"We want to make sure that we end up with a system that meets your needs."

People are being asked to have their say in a survey on

the consultation section of the council's website, which has more details on how the scheme would work.

The council's announcement has already received more than 300 comments on its Facebook page, with most saying there was nothing wrong with the current system.

But the council added: "This is an engagement exercise, not a consultation and your feedback will help shape how (not if) we introduce a booking system.

"Whilst we welcome feedback about how you would like the scheme to work - and you are able to tell us that you oppose a booking system - we are required by law to monitor and restrict DIY waste coming into the sites.

"Your feedback will help us ensure we implement a system which works for everyone."

It can be found at tinyurl. com/yc3fxj3u.

Anyone who is not online can call 01454 868009 for help in making a response, before the deadline of April 1.

The council is also consulting on a new "draft plan" to shape its priorities for the next four years.

The 'Council Plan' prioritises four goals, focused on climate and nature, inequality, children and health and well-being, where the council, working with communities and partners, will aim to make a positive difference over the next ten years.

Council leader Claire Young said: “It is really important that we hear from local people to make sure we are setting the right priorities, because these things will only be possible if we work together."

Details of the draft plan can be found on the council website at sgcouncilplan.commonplace. is.

Family Tree

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The only funeral director in the UK creating a 100 acre nature reserve complete with its own chapel and reception rooms. Just 15 minutes drive from Cribbs Causeway. A whole morning or afternoon costs about the same as a brief service at a crematorium. Burial or ashes interment. Complete burial service from £1,495.

Playgroup regains 'good' rating after inspection

A COMMUNITY-run playgroup in Yate has regained its 'good' rating from Ofsted, after a second inspection in a year.

Managers at Phase Five PreSchool Playgroup complained to the education regulator when they were given two different ratings after inspections just two months apart.

Phase Five is split across two sites. In December 2022 the site for two to three-year-old children in St Nicholas Church, Chargrove, was rated 'good'.

Then in February last year a different inspector said the site for three and four year olds in nearby Kelston Close required improvement.

Despite a detailed challenge, Ofsted stood by the rating.

But following an inspection in January this year, the Kelston Close site is also now rated 'good' in all areas – quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, personal development.

Phase Five has been running for

nearly 45 years, and caters for 50 children in total, with 33 on the roll at Kelston Close.

Last spring the group launched a £400,000 appeal to build a new centre to serve future generations of Yate families.

In the latest report, inspector Anita McKelvey said manager Kate Smoothy had made “significant” changes to the way staff plan and implement the curriculum following the last inspection.

She said: "All staff have been involved in training and putting

the changes into practice. They ensure children receive ambitious sequenced learning experiences that build effectively on what children already know and can do.

“They recognise when there are gaps in the curriculum and individual children's development, so they can put in place support to close them.”

The inspector said: “The manager and staff have reflected well on the key knowledge that they want children to learn. They place high importance on

supporting children's language and communication skills.”

Staff were praised for encouraging a love of books and stories, and "prepare children well" for the move to school.

Partnerships with parents are strong, said the inspector, adding: "They talk regularly with their children's key person at handovers or through parents' evenings, which are organised so all parents can attend at times that suit them.”

To improve further, the inspector said staff should ensure they encourage quieter children to contribute fully in activities and aren't overlooked when more confident children capture their attention.

Kate said: “We have all worked so hard this past year to make changes to our curriculum and enhance the learning opportunities for our children."

The playgroup is holding an Easter Funday at St Nix Family Centre on March 23, from 10am2pm.

Solar farms planned for 12 fields

PLANS have been unveiled for a new pair of solar farm sites on farmland south of Yate.

Solar company RWE Renewables says the project would provide enough electricity to supply 10,000 homes by 2026.

One site is at Mousewell Farm covering eight farm fields. The second site is just east of Westerleigh, between Besom Lane and the railway, and takes in four fields.

RWE say the combined sites will produce 22 megawatts of power. Battery storage will ensure energy is available to be used when most needed.

They say the proposed solar farm will also provide “considerable biodiversity and ecological benefits”, including new planting and wildflower areas, alongside bird nesting boxes, bat boxes and bee hives.

The company has been running a consultation on the project, ahead of making a

formal planning application, which included a meeting in Westerleigh.

A spokesperson said: “A community benefit fund of up to £194,000 has also been proposed to support nearby communities. The fund can be used to support sustainable initiatives in the local area, such as rooftop solar on community buildings.”

The company says the solar farm would offset approximately 748,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions during the 40 year lifetime of the project, and says this is the equivalent of taking over 442,000 cars off South Gloucestershire’s roads over that time.

Development project manager Ben Kwok said: "Solar power is now one of the cheapest forms of energy generation and these proposals also include a battery energy storage system to ensure that no energy is wasted, helping to further reduce energy bills and provide on-demand services to

the national grid.”

Mr Kwok said that as well as supporting South Gloucestershire Council’s aim to become carbon neutral by 2030, the proposal would help meet the national targets set out in the government’s Energy Security Plan, which aims to increase solar power deployment nearly fivefold by 2035.

RWE, which is the UK’s largest power generator, says feedback from its consultation, which is due to finish on March 5, would be incorporated into any final planning application.

If given the go-ahead, the farm could be in operation by 2026.

For more information about the project visit tinyurl.com/ msp6e4z8.

Recently plans for a 125 acre solar farm at Talbots End, near Wickwar, was approved by the council despite more than 120 objections from neighbours.

High street grants

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council is launching a new grants scheme to bring vacant high street shops and businesses back into use.

The Vacant Commercial Property Grant Scheme, which opened at the end of January, is available to landlords with vacant commercial high street properties in eight areas, including Station Road Yate and Chipping Sodbury.

Grant amounts range from £2,500 to £25,000, to fund extensions and improvements, fit-out costs and new equipment required by the business providing services, which has to provide "match funding" of 25%.

Money for the scheme is coming from the West of England Combined Authority through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Applications are being invited until the end of June.

For more information visit www.southglos.gov.uk/emptyunits-grant.

New programme launched to help people with their sleep

Sleep Dynamics is a 7-week programme aimed at enhancing sleep for better health. The course is being offered by Oliver Pratt, the founder of Soul Star Health. He is now looking for participants. He says:

“My overall aim is to help people improve their sleep. 10 years ago, I suffered from insomnia myself, so I know how debilitating it can be; part of my journey has been to build practical and evidence-based information for improving sleep, which I now use to support other people.”

“I developed the Sleep Dynamics Programme, to help other people make important lifestyle modifications and embed good habits for improving sleep. Alongside this we use the Zeez Sleep Pebble technology, to create a winning combination to prompt and promote a good night’s sleep.”

“You will come away with a plethora of knowledge and tools on how to improve sleep, making lifestyle adjustments personalised to you along the way. We will also be using a Sleep Questionnaire to measure the quality of sleep and track changes, discussing the results in our final session together.”

About Soul Star Health:

Soul Star Health is dedicated to holistic wellbeing, offering innovative programs to improve health and quality of life. Founded by Oliver Pratt, Soul Star Health is committed to providing evidence-based solutions for individuals seeking transformative experiences.

www.soulstarhealth.co.uk

About Zeez Sleep:

Zeez Sleep is at the forefront of sleep technology, delivering solutions to optimize sleep quality. The Zeez Sleep pebble is a cutting-edge device designed to assist individuals in achieving better sleep through advanced technology and research-backed methodologies.

www.zeez.org.uk

To register your interest or find out more please contact Oliver Pratt

Contact: www.soulstarhealth.co.uk/contact

Email: oliver@soulstarhealth.co.uk

WhatsApp - 07805258457

Course Details:

Course Commence date: 16th April 2024. 6.30pm.

Location: Goldney House, Chipping Sodbury.

Cost: £160 per person.

Low-income concessions available.

Please note. A fully refundable deposit of £100 is required for the use of the Zeez Sleep Pebble.

School showcases student talent

PUPILS from Yate's Brimsham Green School celebrated 15 years of theatre productions with a 'greatest hits' show.

Almost 70 students, from Year 7 to Year 13, performed in the Brimsham Green School Showcase at the beginning of February.

A school spokesperson said: "Students worked fantastically hard to recreate some of the best moments from the last 15 years, which included everything from Fairytales to Shakespeare, Wizard of Oz to Les Miserables.

"Brimsham Green are so proud of its talented students, and the audiences who managed to get tickets were full of praise for the high standard of the performances.

"We welcomed 60 Year 5 students from local primary schools, who watched the final dress rehearsal – the younger students sat perfectly still and were captivated for the whole two hours."

The showcase included a preview of a song from Annie, as it was revealed that a full production of the hit musical will be staged at Brimsham Green next year.

The spokesperson added: "The company sang a stunning rendition of Tomorrow, which demonstrates how incredible it will be.

"Requests have already been made for tickets!

"Brimsham Green would like to thank all of the audiences

Scenes and songs from the Brimsham Green School Showcase

Burger van must clean up

THE owner of a burger van in Yate has been given six months to clean up his hygiene standards. The Breakfast Box on Dean Road could be shut down if practices are not improved, after health and safety inspectors raised concerns about food poisoning.

Previous issues at the burger van included a fridge that wasn’t cold enough, a lack of hand washing, and raw meat left in open containers.

Inspectors will visit the Breakfast Box twice more, and if problems persist, the owner could struggle to renew his street trading consent.

Mehmet Kebabci told a licensing hearing at South Gloucestershire Council that he bought a new trailer last summer, and has been checking and recording the fridge temperature regularly. He urged the hearing to give him “one more chance”.

Mr Kebabci had applied to renew his licence, when environmental health officers objected on the grounds of public safety. The hearing granted him six more months to trade and clean up

hygiene practices, before he will have to apply for another renewal.

Licensing officer Emma

Pain said: “The food health and safety team object to the proposed licence due to the lack of confidence that the operator will improve food safety standards to a suitable level, ensuring all customers are protected against potential food poisoning or foodborne diseases."

The owner of the van told the hearing on January 25 that he had invested £14,000 in upgrades, including buying a new van last summer.

He added that the previous van was “26 years old” and parts would often break down.

Mr Kebabci said: “In June 2023, I got a new second-hand trailer. I did a couple of things to change it, I bought a new fridge for example. I’ve changed everything. I’ve fixed the pump and I’ve got a new hot water tank for hand washing.

"Just give me one more chance.”

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Salon in garden is approved

COUNCILLORS say a hair salon can be built in a Yate back garden – but blocked it from having more than four clients a day.

The salon would be built inside a new shed, with two seats for customers, in a back garden on Turnpike Close in Yate.

But local residents had raised concerns about having to hear noise such as music playing.

Neighbours objected to plans for the new outbuilding, complaining that the salon, run by applicant David Bristow's partner, already has several clients a day in the kitchen, causing noise and disruption.

Planning officers at South Gloucestershire Council said the salon was more of an “advanced hobby”, rather than a business.

They recommended councillors on the development management committee approve permission on February 15.

Speaking to the committee, local councillor Chris Willmore said: “This proposed garden room is 28 square metres, it’s not a small building.

"It occupies the entire width

of the rear garden — and these are not small properties — and a quarter of the depth of the rear garden.

“Residents and the town council are worried about the impact of business use, moving from a small scale operation in somebody’s kitchen to a purposebuilt extension on that scale. Have you ever known a hairdresser’s not to have pop music playing, often quite loudly?”

Councillors on the committee voted to approve permission, but on the condition that the salon was limited to only four people getting their hair done each day. The aim of the limit on customers would be to reduce the disruption for neighbours living nearby.

Planning rules on opening a business in a home or back garden are not black and white. As long as the business is considered “ancillary”, meaning the main purpose of the property is still for living in, then permission from the council isn’t needed to change the use of the building.

By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Yate Rocks returns

YATE Town Council has confirmed the date that free festival Yate Rocks…in the Park will return this year.

The event will once again be held over tow days, on Saturday and Sunday, June 22-23.

Yate mayor Cheryl Kirby said: “This event epitomizes the spirit of our town, bringing together residents, musicians and visitors for two days of celebration of music and arts.”

The main festival day on the Saturday will run from noon until 8pm and combine music, dance, arts and crafts with community stalls, food and drink, and rides and entertainments for children and adults.

The town council says the music will be an "eclectic mix of local bands and singers", including Longshots, Rhiannon-Paige and Wild Rose, Limited Edition, Zoom Club, 80’s tribute band Outatime, Liquor & Poker and The Layers.

Dance groups performing between the bands will include 5678 Dance, Yasmins, Street Cred and ROKH Dance.

Rides for the children will include giant slides, football games, 'Wipe Out' and young

School's Chinese New Year

WOODLANDS Primary and Nursery School in Yate held a Lunar New Year celebration.

Nursery pupils took part in a range of activities, from making Chinese lanterns to a dragon dance through the corridors, and also tried out Asian cuisine.

Head teacher, Rachel Dean said: "The Lunar New Year festivities serve as a poignant showcase of our unwavering commitment to inclusivity, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of the highest outcomes for all our students."

Tuesday 26 March, 6.30 - 8pm

South Gloucestershire Council, Badminton Road, Yate, BS37 5AF

Nursery teaching assistant Coralie Winfindale with nursery pupils and a Chinese dragon head

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.

First Class Facilities and Support

• A history of providing 24 hour, high quality care in South Gloucestershire

• Each resident is unique to us and treated as such

• The home is small and family run, offering a highly personalised service

• Exceptional standards of cleanliness and hygiene

• Respite, residential care and day care available

• Special diets catered for by our expert Chefs

Get in touch and speak with our team, or arrange a viewing to see our facilities for yourself.

Aneesh – Registered Manager

• Julie – General Manager

Telephone 01454 312726 or

Email info@heathersnursinghome.co.uk

www.3abcare.co.uk

Bus service saved – for now

A BUS service linking Yate to villages including Cromhall with jobs and services in Wottonunder-Edge and Yate has been saved for another year.

South Gloucestershire Council has agreed to spend £240,000 of its reserves to continue funding 84/85 bus until this September, and funding the 918 from Severn Beach and Pilning to the Castle School in Thornbury and Marlwood School in Alveston until next summer.

The future of the services after that is unclear.

Many locals rely on the buses, council leaders were told during a cabinet meeting on February 5. The cabinet later voted to take the money out of the council’s reserves and keep the buses going.

Bus routes which don’t make a profit for operators are often subsidised by local councils, such as in South

Gloucestershire.

Councils in the region pay a transport levy every year to WECA, to be spent on subsidised buses, as well as bus passes for elderly and disabled people.

But this year, despite rising costs to run services, the councils are not increasing how much they pay for the transport levy — meaning more cuts to services could soon be coming.

South Gloucestershire Council will pay just over £4 million for its share of the transport levy in the next financial year beginning this April. The cabinet was asked if this was a fair amount, given the pressures on many routes across the district.

Cabinet councillor for infrastructure Chris Willmore said: “The question of whether it’s a fair contribution at the minute is not the relevant question. The question at the minute is: what’s the best way to

get money into our bus services in South Gloucestershire to keep them.

“We get more bang for our buck if we spend the money directly. That shouldn’t be the position but it currently is, unfortunately.”

Operator First has announced that the Y6 service between Bristol to Chipping Sodbury will now be diverted along Beesmoor Road in Frampton Cotterell, instead of the current route along Church Road, to help Frampton and Coalpit Heath residents.

First says it is making "minor

provision" on the service between Bristol and Chipping Sodbury.

The Y2 changes were for the same reason, but in addition the last journey from Bristol on weekdays will now continue around the "North Yate loop" to Brimsham Park and Ladden Garden Village, rather than finishing at Yate Shopping Centre.

More details of changes from April 7 can be found online at tinyurl.com/ytaduamx

National Highways says it will continue to fund the free shuttle bus along Badminton

Delivery drivers refuse to use potholed road

RESIDENTS of a lane in Old Sodbury say potholes got so bad, some delivery drivers refused to use the road.

The worst holes in Mill Lane have just been patched – but locals say they fear the repairs won’t last, and want the whole road resurfaced.

Resident Mike Haskell contacted the Voice to say there were “at least 20 potholes” by the end of January.

He said: “It has got to the point now where delivery companies are refusing to deliver, citing actual and potential damage to their vehicles.”

In February South Gloucestershire Council repaired the road but Mike and his neighbours fear the fixes won’t last.

He said: “The lane floods in several places and potholes can be nine inches deep, hidden by the water. I expect these repairs won’t last and we will have to call the council back again in a few months’ time.

“One neighbour was told by a delivery company that the private couriers they sometimes send won’t use the lane in case their cars get damaged.”

Mike said they were told the council

could not afford an estimated £80,000 cost of resurfacing the whole lane.

Chipping Sodbury ward councillor Becky Romaine said she had been pressing the council to take action for some time.

She said: “Regrettably, the seriousness of the situation hasn’t been acknowledged and as a result, Mill Lane has been left to get worse.

“I will continue to campaign for residents’ concerns to be taken seriously and would invite the cabinet member to meet me and the local residents on Mill Lane to agree a plan of action.”

A council spokesperson said: “We recently repaired a number of potholes along Mill Lane, which has been prone to damage caused by surface water run-off from neighbouring fields during periods of heavy rain.

“We will need to consider improving drainage before more significant resurfacing can take place along this stretch of road.”

Some of the potholes on Mill Lane, Old Sodbury, before a repair team arrived

Chaplain: let's talk about knife crime

A PRISON chaplain is asking young people who fear they are being dragged into knife crime: call me and talk about it.

Larry Harvey, of Coalpit Heath, has launched an awareness campaign of the consequences of carrying a knife – and using it.

He has printed posters and calling cards carrying messages and his phone number, so young people thinking of carrying knives, and concerned families, can call him for a "different perspective".

Larry is taking action as the Bristol area is hit by a wave of serious crime involving knives.

In January two boys 15-yearold Mason Rist and Max Dixon, 16, were stabbed to death in Knowle West.

In February another boy, 16-year-old Darrian Williams, was fatally stabbed in Rawnsley Park in Easton.

Teenage boys have also been stabbed and seriously injured in Little Stoke, St Werburgh’s and outside the McDonald's in Broadmead, in Bristol city centre, since the start of February.

Larry has worked as a prison chaplain for 20 years – 10 at Bristol Prison and 10 at the former Ashfield Young Offender Institution in Pucklechurch.

Over that time he has met many inmates serving time for knife crime.

He said: "If you don't carry a knife you can't use it.

"Taking someone's life will cost you yours – 25 years, minimum, could be 35 depending on how you behave. There are no winners.

"Mates and girlfriends will disappear, meaning no visits or money being sent in.

"When you're finally released, if you are, you'll probably end up in a hostel or a bedsit at the very end of your life, on your own."

In his 2018 autobiography, Menace to Miracle, Larry told how he was once a prisoner himself before finding religion and training as a chaplain,

enabling him to help others change their lives.

He works for education service SGSE as a mentor and hosts animal therapy sessions in Lyde Green.

Larry has printed his message on cards and posters and is urging anyone who wants to talk to call him on 07825 321358.

He is also looking for people to help him get the posters and cards to pubs, youth clubs and other places where they can help spread the message - anyone who can put one up can text him.

Larry said: "If anybody's got an issue or is thinking of carrying a knife and they want to talk, I'll be there for them.

"I'm also willing to speak to families who have concerns about their children regarding knife crime.

"If you carry a knife you're more likely to use one or have it used on you."

Larry Harvey with one of his posters offering help

Council must rethink car parking charges plan

HIGH streets and shopping centres are the backbone of our local economy.

While there have been significant changes in how we use them, we must never underestimate their importance to residents and community groups.

We have a proud history of local entrepreneurs and unique businesses flourishing here in South Gloucestershire, and it’s vital we do everything in our power to support these retailers and back local produce.

This is why I, along with 92% of residents just in Thornbury alone, remain resolutely opposed to the introduction of parking charges that are set to be introduced in all of our South Gloucestershire Council-owned car parks.

All the work that has taken place to support our local economy threatens to be undone in one fell swoop by the ill-thought out plan

to introduce car park charges.

All councillors made a clear pledge not to introduce car parking charges in May, but here we are, almost a year on, with that commitment in tatters.

From Rock Street and Castle Street car parks in Thornbury to Abbotswood and Kennedy Way in Yate, shoppers and local residents are going to be hit by car parking charges which quite simply could have been avoided.

Businesses will suffer, cars will be forced to park in nearby neighbourhoods, and some of our most vulnerable residents in South Gloucestershire will find it much more difficult to access local shops and services.

You may hear that the car park charges were the only option the council had.

This is simply not the case. The council administration has made no attempts whatsoever to find any new efficiency savings for

2024/25 and beyond.

Rather than looking for ways to save money and perform more efficiently, they have simply taken the easy option of passing the financial burden to residents through new and increased fees and charges. This is completely unacceptable.

Unparalleled investment from government has been made in the high street, with schemes that include the Levelling Up Fund and the Future High Streets Fund.

Over £6 billion has been used to help boost local economies, create jobs and new homes, and improve skills.

The government is introducing new powers for local authorities to take control of empty buildings and give communities and local businesses the opportunity to bid for the chance to rent shops. This is on top of taking a third of properties out of business rates completely.

We have also seen business rates support packages, worth £4.3 billion over five years, to support the high street and freezing of the small business rates multiplier for a fourth consecutive year.

We should stand firm against the council’s desire to make residents pay to shop in our community.

Together as a community, we can fight the council’s plans, and help our shopping centres and high streets to remain the proud and prosperous heart of South Gloucestershire’s towns and villages.

Orchard will grow at park

VOLUNTEERS have taken the first steps to creating a new orchard in Yate's Kingsgate Park.

A group led by Yate resident Sarah North planted six apple trees in the park in February, who is working with Yate Town Council on a project to create orchards in the park and at Rodford Field, as well as extending the existing orchard on Yate Common, funded

via community engagement organisation ChangeX.

Sue Swanborough, of the Friends of Kingsgate Park, said: "Sarah is passionate about living in reciprocity and creating community spaces and organised the morning.

To get involved with the Friends, email friendskingsgatepark@gmail.com.

Volunteers mark the planting of the apple trees.

Picture: Sue Swanborough

Bike hub's 1000th donation

YATE Community Bike Hub is celebrating the arrival of the 1000th donated bike to the volunteer-led initiative at Yate Shopping Centre.

The pristine women’s bike was rescued from the Yate Sort It Centre thanks to an ongoing collaboration with SUEZ.

The Hub opened its door to the South Gloucestershire community in May 2022 and has helped keep hundreds of bikes and accessories out of landfill.

Since then, volunteer mechanics’ have provided more than 5,000 hours of time to give the donated bikes the attention they need to make them roadworthy and ready for use by local people who want to get out and about by bike.

There are also free sessions to help people enjoy their time on the bike, called Rusty Riders, to support people to build confidence and practice skills to help them on the bike in friendly group setting. Anyone can book

Competition winner Becci Molyneux with the 1000th donated bike

onto these free sessions via the Hub website.

One person who signed up was Becci Molyneux, who won a competition to guess the date of the 1000th donated bike.

She said: "I haven't been bike riding in a long time but now I've been into the hub I'd like to get cycling with my son as it starts to get warmer."

For more information about the hub visit yatecommunitybikehub.co.uk.

Remembering Captain Cheeseman's club

THIS month Yate Heritage Centre unveils a display on the town's factory clubs – and one man who helped organise the social lives of hundreds of people.

Harold Cheeseman was the sports and social secretary for the Newman’s social club from 1952 and 1975, and the tireless organiser of scores of events.

It is perhaps difficult now to comprehend how influential factories were in local people's lives.

The Newman’s Club developed out of the factory canteen and, by the mid-1950s, boasted a boxing ring, darts boards, snooker tables and extensive bar and tables for socialising.

There was scope and space for dinner dances and a stage for bands to perform.

To the immediate north of the factory was Newman’s sport’s field, the scene of

numerous club events, including legendary sports days.

Cheeseman, known as

Hearing Checks and Ear Wax Removal

Captain from his military background, was the prime mover and shaker in organising the vast majority of events from the club’s inception to his death in 1975.

He was largely responsible for organising the children’s Christmas parties, sports days, bonfire nights and a myriad of different sports in the club, including major boxing and darts tournaments.

Cheeseman’s daughter Dorothy Brown confirmed that he was a workaholic.

Between 1952 and 1960, he combined his full-time personnel job at Newman’s with endless hours organising the wide range of club activities.

Cheeseman was also gregarious. As well as organising them, he was invariably at the events, overseeing proceedings and socialising with staff.

Newman Industries developed a reputation as a family firm, much of which can be attributed to Cheeseman. Such was his enthusiasm that he continued as club secretary and organiser beyond his retirement in 1960.

Although the club remained

significant during the 1960s, the social scene began to fade as Cheeseman himself faded. He remained enthusiastic to the end, despite ill health, and was even typing minutes and notes in bed on an old typewriter.

Following his death in 1975 at the age of 81, the social club continued as a venue for Newman employees until the factory closed in 1988.

However, the halcyon days of Christmas parties and sports days were already a thing of the past by the time of Cheeseman’s sad demise.

For more on Harold Cheeseman and social clubs visit our display, Factory Club, from March 19 to April 27.

Yate Heritage Centre is part of Yate Town Council.

David Hardill

Diary dates:

Until March 16:

Exhibition – The History and Culture of Ukraine.

March 9, 10.30am-1pm: Friends coffee morning

March 16, 2pm: Public lecture – The Culture and Art of Ukraine, with Vera Stadon.

March 19-April 27: Factory Club – the history of Yate's factory social clubs in the last 100 years.

March 21, 7.30pm: Yate Lecture Series – Making a Living on the Severn, with Simon Draper. £2 admission, free for Friends of YHC. Booking essential.

Newman's Christmas children's party, c1957

Leaders are working to improve school

A VILLAGE primary school is on its way to completing improvements required by Ofsted, despite losing its previous 'good' rating from the regulator.

An inspection of St Andrew's C of E Primary School in Cromhall last December found that the school 'requires improvement'.

But inspectors said the school leaders knew what needed to be done, and had already started working with the local authority to make changes.

New head teacher Graham Pike, who took over at the start of the school year in September 2023, says he and governors had identified areas where change was needed, and had started to make improvements.

The inspectors' report, published at the end of January, found the school in Church Lane required improvement in the areas of quality of education, personal development, and leadership and management.

Pupils' behaviour and attitudes were rated 'good'.

The previous “graded” inspection in 2019 rated the school, which has 61 pupils aged from four to 11, as 'good'.

The report said the school had raised its expectations of pupils’ achievement, and started to make improvements to the quality of education.

St Andrew's Primary School

But the inspectors said: "Many of these positive changes are recent and need time to embed.

"Despite this, pupils have positive attitudes to learning.

“The school has started to widen its offer to develop pupils’ talents and interests, but it remains narrow.

"Nonetheless, pupils do benefit from some extra-curricular activities, including a local tag-rugby tournament, for example.”

The inspectors said the school knows what needs to improve - for example it has taken effective action to strengthen the early reading programme.

They said: "Pupils now read books which match closely with the sounds they are

learning.

"Those who need it get additional support. Although these improvements are in their infancy, pupils are starting to learn to read accurately and with increasing fluency.”

The report said the school has begun to provide professional development for staff to enhance the quality of teaching.

The inspectors said governors and leaders “engage purposefully” with parents, who speak positively about the improvements that have been made.

Mr Pike said: "We accept the outcome of the inspection that took place in December and are proud that Ofsted highlighted that our children are happy, safe and well behaved.

“As a governing body we had already identified that some improvements were required, and our new leadership team has been making positive progress since appointed in September.

“We have worked closely with the local authority to create a comprehensive development plan and are pleased that Ofsted recognised the improvements that have already taken place.

“As leaders and governors, we are committed to a process of continuous improvement to deliver the high-quality education our children deserve."

n WHAT'S ON

March 9

n Wapley Local Nature Reserve workday planting native British trees and shrubs. Wear stout footwear and bring own gloves if you can. Meet at Shire Way entrance to woodland, South Yate, BS37 8US, at 10am.

March 12

n Chipping Sodbury Music Society presents The Mithras Trio at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, 7.30pm. Tickets on the door, £18. School-aged children free.

March 12

n Sodbury and District Flower Arrangement Society AGM, 7.30pm. Practice class, creating a ‘Spring Garden’ in a landscape design, March 26. Meetings take place at the Old Grammar School Rooms, Chipping Sodbury. For more information call 0117 937 3836 or email rosemary. cummins2@gmail.com.

March 12

n Great Western Society Bristol Group meeting, BAWA, Southmead Road, Bristol, 7.30pm. Talk: ‘Western Locomotive Association’, by Peter Bamber. More information from Dave Winter, 01454 324230.

March 20

n Carers Support Centre Chipping Sodbury Walk and Talk, 11-12.30pm. Start of six-week programme of free group walks for carers in local green spaces, led by support worker. More information and sign-up at tinyurl. com/2s4yssda or call Stacey Vallis on 07742 291073.

March 21

n Arts Appreciation Group at the Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue, Winterbourne, 2pm. Talk by Philip Taubenheim on Artistic Antiques. Bring your own item of interest. More details: Sally, 0794 650 8316.

March 25

n Friends of Kingsgate Park meeting, Heron 2 room, Poole Court, Yate, 7-9pm. For more details email friendskingsgatepark@gmail.com.

REGULAR EVENTS:

Monday

n YATE & SODBURY ART & CRAFT CLUB meets every Monday, 7-9 pm at Ridgewood Community Centre. Painting, drawing, collage and many other crafts in a friendly informal setting. £5 per session. More information at yateandsodburyartsociety. weebly.com or call Roz on 07941 946412.

n BRISTOL BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY holds open meetings at Little Stoke Baptist Church, Kingsway, Little Stoke, at 7.30pm on the second Monday of each month. More details

yate & sodbury voice

from Ron Ramplin at ronnie.ramplin@ btinternet.com or 07748 740794. Visitors always welcome without commitment or charge.

n GENTLE YOGA-IN WITH NAZAMA Weekly yoga class 9.30am. Easy to follow gentle yoga, ideal for back pain relief and joint issues. A slower-paced, mindful and lighter yoga in Chipping Sodbury with experienced teacher. Beginners Welcomed. Sodbury Masonic Hall, 1 Hatters Lane, Chipping Sodbury. From £6.00. Book online www.yoga-in. co.uk or call 07804598353

n FLOW-IN YOGA WITH NAZAMA Weekly yoga classes 6.15pm & 7.30pm in Chipping Sodbury. Become more flexib le, worry less and sleep better with an easy to follow flowing yoga. Book online www.yoga-in.co.uk or call 07804598353

Tuesday

n YATE POETRY GROUP meets every Tuesday morning. Small, informal and friendly group to share and enjoy poems. For details and to learn more about the venue, contact Tony on 0770 4140682 or email yatepoetrygroup@gmail.com.

n SERENGETI BRASS BAND, small band for improvers, meets every Tuesday from 9.45-11.45am at Yate Methodist Church in Moorland Road. Straightforward pressure-free music making in good company. For more information email SerengetiBrassClass@gmail.com or phone Paul on 07851 239500.

n SUNRIDGE GOLF CROQUET 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.

n SOUTH COTSWOLD PROBUS GROUP meet every 2nd Tuesday of the month at Masonic Hall Sodbury, 10am. Contact Pete Chaplin for details. 01454 324956.

n YATE & SODBURY ART & CRAFT CLUB (POTTERY SECTION) meets every Tuesday and Wednesday, 7.309.30 pm at Ridgewood Community Centre. Tuition available. £5 per session. More information at yateandsodburyartsociety.weebly.com or call Roz on 07941 946412.

n YATE CHORAL SOCIETY rehearses at St. Nicholas' Church Centre, Chargrove, Yate, 7.30 - 9.30 p.m. For details call 07833 597114

n PUCKLECHURCH FOLK DANCING CLUB, Pucklechurch Community Hall, Abson Road, every other Tuesday from 7.30-10.15pm. All welcome,

n LIBRARY NEWS

YATE Library is hosting a coffee and cake afternoon with romantic novelist Veronica Henry on March 9 at 3pm.

The ticketed event costs £5, including refreshments.

Two family theatre events will be held on March 3 (Luna Loves Library Day, the Musical) and March 20 (DragonBird Song)

Tickets for all three events are available online at Sglibraries.eventbrite. com or from the library.

Young children can meet Hugless Douglas on March 5 at 9.30am & 11.30am.

Free family friendly storytime for preschool children takes place every Tuesday morning from 9.30-10am.

Stay & play Duplo and trains is every Tuesday and Friday during term time, from 10.30-11.30am (except March 5).

Wriggle & Rhyme: Rhymes and songs for parents and babies/toddlers, Thursday and Friday from 9.30-10am.

Lego Club: March 2 from 10.30-11am (booking required) and March 8 & 22 from 4-5pm (drop-in).

Reading group ‘Have You Read’ for like-minded book lovers takes place every fourth Friday, from 10.30-11.30am.

Craft Group meets on March 2 and 23 from 10am-noon for knitting, sewing or crochet projects.

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

Vision West of England information, advice and support drop-in takes place every second Thursday, 10am-noon.

For more information on any event call 01454 868006, enquire at the library, email yate.library@southglos.gov.uk or visit www.southglos.gov.uk/ libraries.

*CHIPPING Sodbury library is hosting a Saturday Lego club on March 6 at 10am, at The Waters Room, Old Grammar School Rooms.

Rhyme Time takes place every Friday during term time in the library from 10am to 10.30am, and is free for children aged up to four.

No need to book for either event – just come along.

with a partner or solo. Call Alan on 07812 508396 or Linda on 07843 240414

Wednesday

n CRAFT MORNING, St Mary's Church, Yate, 10am-midday. Bring a project, get help learning something new or just come to sit and chat, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit. Small donation requested to support church heating.

n LINE DANCE CLASSES AT RIDGEWOOD COMMUNITY CENTRE, Wednesdays 9.30am to 12. Cost £5. No partner needed. A fun way to keep fit, reduce stress, improve memory and make new life long friends. Contact Gill 07837 784816, or FB gill.butler.90

n 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 YATE AND CHIPPING SODBURY GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR, St Mary’s Church, every Wednesday from 2-4pm. New members welcome, especially men, to thriving community choir, with no auditions. First

rehearsal free. For more information phone Jody on 01761 472468.

Thursday

n GOLDEN OLDIES SING & SMILE SESSIONS, Cambrian Green Court, Wellington Road, every third Thursday from 10.30-11.30am. Sing along to hits of the 50s onwards, chat and laugh with friends. £3 donation to attend. Call 01761 470006 for more details.

n COELIAC UK LOCAL CAFÉ MEET UP occurs every third Thursday of the month, 10-11.30am, at Iron Acton Garden Centre cafe. Join us to share experiences of living gluten free. For further info contact volunteering@ coeliac.org.uk.

n YOGA-IN WITH NAZAMA

Weekly Flow-in Yoga 6.15pm & Back Care Yoga 7.30pm in Chipping Sodbury. Become more flexible, worry less and sleep better with an easy to follow yoga. Beginners Welcomed. Chipping Sodbury Sports Centre. From £6.00. Book online www. yoga-in.co.uk or call 07804598353

Sunday

n TEAS ON SUNDAY at Old Sodbury Church, 2.30-4.30pm, every Sunday and bank holiday Monday until August.

Upper Frome Friends

THE Upper Frome needs you!

Join our friendly group of volunteers, the Upper Frome Fiends, to help protect and enhance the River Frome, flowing through Yate and Sodbury.

We were formed in 2022 with funding from the Bristol Avon Catchment Partnership, the Chestnut Fund and Wessex Water. Since then we have grown and formed links with other local organisations.

We have provided training for volunteers and last year ran two awareness raising events, at Yate Rocks and B&Q, with a focus on improving the water quality of our rivers by ensuring only rainwater goes down our drains.

Volunteers have also been involved in a number of ‘Himalayan balsam bashing’ events along the riverbanks, to try to eradicate as much of this non-native invasive plant as we can, and a number of river cleans – two with the Yate and Sodbury Clean Up Group and Rotary.

Volunteers have collected a huge amount of rubbish from the riverbanks and the river itself, and survey stretches of the river, so

The Friends with rubbish collected in a clean-up

we can target our practical days effectively.

We are looking for new volunteers to be involved this year. You’ll be able to choose from a variety of activities, depending on your interests, and decide how much or how little you would like to be involved.

You’ll join a friendly group, enjoy our local environment and help protect the river.

For further information, contact riverfromereconnected@southglos. gov.uk or visit our Facebook page.

For information on easy, everyday ways we can all help our rivers, visit bristolavonriverstrust.org/everydayaction.

Jane Davies

Chipping Sodbury Chamber of Commerce

THE Chipping Sodbury Chamber of Commerce is very pleased to announce it has expanded its team of joint chairs.

At the recent AGM, Andrew Webb and Rich McDonough were voted in for another term, and also voted to join the team, as another joint chair is Sam-Louise Kenney.

Sam said: "I've lived in the local area all my life, and have been supporting local businesses as part of my own company.

"I'm really proud to join Andrew and Richard to help the chamber going forward; we have lots of exciting events coming up,

Carers Support Centre

WANT to improve your health and well-being?

Want to enjoy a walk with other carers, get useful information and advice about support?

Walk and Talks are free group walks in local green spaces, led by our friendly trained support worker, providing a moment of respite and allowing you to connect with nature and other carers in your local community.

including a new Town Tenner fortnight of offers and, of course, the famous Summer Search."

Keep an eye out for the trio when you are Visiting Chipping Sodbury.

Our Chipping Sodbury Walk and Talk starts on March 20, from 11am12.30pm. They continue at the same time every Thursday for the following five weeks.

To find out more and sign up visit tinyurl.com/2s4yssda, or contact Stacey Vallis on 07742 291073 or staceyv@carerssupportcentre.org.uk.

Dougal

Andrew, Sam and Rich are the Chamber's team

Abbott

The spice of

MARCH can be like life – serene and then savage, with biting winds, all in one day.

So what better to warm us and make us forget the blustering wind than real comfort food: a tasty curry, full of flavour.

I’ve chosen a favourite of mine, which I find particularly versatile.

You can make it vegetarian by adding lots of other veg, like sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, peas, broccoli, broad beans...the list is endless.

I’ve suggested other ingredients, too, to ring the changes in.

This is a template recipe which you can make to your own taste in terms of extra ingredients and spice level.

I think that it’s a fairly low-spice recipe, but everyone’s tastes are different, so for children or those with low spice tolerance, just cut back on the spices until you are happy.

Remember, you can always add more spice, but it’s tricky if you’ve overdone it. If that does happen, add either diced potato or sweet potato, to absorb the heat.

Alternatively, add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice, or a tablespoon of natural yogurt or cream to cool it down.

I hope all these top tips will have helped, and your taste buds are now excited!

One final thought – light a scented candle whilst cooking curries. This won’t just cover the smell, it will help to absorb it.

Get spicy!

Chicken and red

lentil curry for all the family

Serves 2

Ingredients:

● Chicken thigh fillets – 2, skinned and chopped into bite-sized pieces.

● Vegetable oil – 1 tablespoon (tbsp)

● Onion – 1 large, finely chopped

● Garlic cloves – 3, finely chopped

● Fresh ginger – a piece about 1 inch long, finely chopped

● Fresh red chilli – 1, seeded and chopped finely

● Peppers – ¼ of each, green and red, coarsely chopped

● Ground turmeric – ¼-½ teaspoon (tsp)

● Curry powder of your choosing, mild/medium or hot – 1 tsp or to taste

● Garam masala – ¼-½ tsp

● Tomato puree – 2 tbsps.

● Tinned tomatoes – 1x 400g tin

● Red lentils – 1- 1½ cups

● Veg stock – 3 cups

● Salt

● Lemon juice- a squeeze

Here’s what you do:

● Pre-heat your wok and add the oil.

● When the oil is hot, put in the onion and fry (high heat) for a minute to soften it.

● Add the garlic and ginger and stir–fry for about 30 seconds more.

● Now add the chilli and peppers. Fry for a further 5 minutes or until the peppers are softened.

● Wash the lentils in a sieve under running water to remove any bits of grit.

● Add the chicken to the wok and continue to fry for about 5 or 6 minutes until browned all over. (You will need to turn the pieces over with your wooden spoon.)

● Turn the heat to medium, add the turmeric, cumin and coriander and fry for 2 mins.

● Mix the tomato puree and garam masala with a little water to make a thick paste.

● Stir this into the wok, add the tinned tomatoes.

● Add the lentils and stock. Stir with the other ingredients.

● Cook for about 20 mins until the lentils are soft.

● Stir the wok from time to time to prevent the lentils sticking. Add extra water if necessary.

● Check that the chicken is cooked. (Cut a piece in half. It must be white right through.)

● When it is, add salt to taste and serve with a squeeze of lemon juice over the top.

● Serve with plain rice and a small dish of finely-sliced tomatoes and red and green peppers.

Chipping Sodbury Rotary Club

CLUB president Steve Young inducted Richard Williams as our latest new club member at our February business meeting.

Visiting district governor Anne Bartholomew was impressed with the size of the club, the enthusiasm and spirit and sheer volume of activities.

Our February tea dance in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall had just short of 100 attendees, who gave over £300 in donations to worthy local dementia-related causes. The last in this round is on March 27, in the town hall at 2pm.

The club will fund a puppet workshop at the annual Chipping Sodbury Festival in June, and support the construction of a dining room shelter in Genieri to enable children to eat school meals under cover.

In February club members, family and friends joined others in the town hall for a Burns Night Supper, with a raffle supporting the Blonde Angel Street Team, and the monthly litter picking activities of the Yate and Sodbury Clean Up Group.

Stuart Fraser

Chipping Sodbury Inner Wheel Club

WE had a very sociable pub lunch at the end of January.

We’d decided it was easier to organise a meal out after Christmas, so 20+ members met up at The Bell in Old Sodbury, where we enjoyed an excellent lunch and lots of friendly chat.

For the first time since the pandemic, our club took part in the Inner Wheel District skittles tournament, travelling to the Forest of Dean to play their club, and winning!

February saw members at the first tea dance of the year, and joining the Sodbury and Yate Clean Up group to clear litter from

around the Courtside car park (19 bags of rubbish, a shopping trolley and a bike!). Regular sessions of reading with local primary school pupils continue as does volunteering at the Memory Cafe.

Our meetings take place on the second Monday of the month, from 2pm, at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall in the Charter Suite.

Liz Pattison

Yate WI

IN February we had a very interesting talk on alpacas, the difference between llamas and alpacas, and a demonstration of using Alpaca fleece for knitting and crochet, with a bit of hands on carding and spinning.

In March we will be learning about Reflexology.

Yate WI meet on the second Monday of the month at 7pm for 7.30pm start at Poole Court in Yate. We have a variety of activities from speakers to quizzes, games and demonstrations, enjoy a hot drink, biscuits and chit chat.

We also meet in smaller groups for Craft, Coffee mornings, Supper Club and when the weather improves for local walks.

If you would like to join us, you will be assured of a warm welcome. Email us at yatewiavon@gmail. com, or just come along to our next meeting.

Sharon Bower

Yate-Genieri

Community Link

WHEN the beautiful new Genieri Lower Basic School finally opened for the children of the village in The Gambia, teachers were in place, the first PTA meeting was packed and the children were delighted – but no teaching materials had been provided.

Money for emergency paper, pencils and chalk was sent by Yate-Genieri Community Link, with a bigger supply delivered when I visited in December, along with a suitcase full of educational toys for the little ones in the day care centre.

This amazing development would not have happened had the community of Yate not started a small school some 20 years ago, to care for children while their mothers worked in the rice fields!

The village of Genieri thanks the community of Yate for many years of support and encouragement.

Marian Gilpin

Steve Young, Richard Williams, Anne Bartholomew and sponsor Derek Trubody. Picture: Doug Lodge

Yate Choral Society

THIS year has seen Yate Choral Society engage a new conductor, Graham Coatman.

Following the death last year of Geoff Wickham, who had led us for over 50 years, the choir had a very successful year under the musical leadership of Carol Cook, who has now returned to singing and happily handed the baton to Graham.

Graham is a professional musician, working as composer, conductor, pianist and teacher, who gained a music degree at Bristol University.

He has been a musical director on musicals and opera in London and the regions, and composer for shows that have been performed from Canada to Australia.

Graham has made a good start with the choir, choosing a varied selection of music for our May concert.

The programme features the music of CV Stanford and Gabriel Fauré, marking the centenaries of their deaths, alongside works by Morley, Elgar and Vaughan Williams.

We look forward to welcoming you to the concert at St Mary’s Church, Yate on May 18.

Michael Stephenson

Phoenix Wind Band

THIS year marks the 10th anniversary of the formation of Phoenix Wind Band, a South

Gloucestershire based band that now numbers 35 players.

To mark the occasion the band is holding its

annual spring concert in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall at 7.30pm on April 20, when former and current members will come together to play one of the pieces.

The programme promises to have something for everyone, from marches or swing to classical or jazz.

Tickets are available through the band’s website, phoenixwindband.com, or from the Chipping Sodbury Tourist Information Centre.

Stephen Spooner

Yate & Sodbury District u3a

OUR Playing Music for Fun group is made up of musicians who meet on a Thursday afternoon at St Nicholas Church in Yate, to enjoy the pleasure of making music together.

We aim to try many different genres of music, from the Beatles to Beethoven. There is no audition to join and players of any ability are welcome, as long as you can read music.

The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly and, as our name suggests, the main aim of the group is to have fun.

Playing a musical instrument is recommended as one of the best ways of keeping the mind active and creating a feeling of well-being. So even if you haven't played since school days, but still have an instrument, you are welcome to come along and join us.

Annual membership of u3a is just £8 a year. You can visit any one of our groups or attend our monthly speaker meeting twice to experience the u3a for yourself before joining as a member.

For more details, visit our website at u3asites. org.uk/yate-sodbury/welcome.

Pauline Mullholland

25% OFF during Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) Month

With Money Expert, Martin Lewis saying LPAs are even more important than Wills, March is the time to put them in place with this special 25% off offer from Simpson Solicitors.

Book a FREE (no obligation) review meeting to work out the best way to set them up for your circumstances. QUOTE LPA25 when booking to get this special readers’ offer.

WHEN: If you had a serious accident or a routine operation went wrong or you had a stroke or developed dementia – you need

to have LPAs in place, appointing those you trust to help you if you lost mental capacity.

WHAT: LPAs need to be put in place now; whilst you are well. So those you trust can help you pay bills, sort your finances and speak up for you with medics and carers to make sure you get the treatment you would want. 1 for Money issues and 1 for Health issues.

“With us it is so much more than drafting the legal forms. We advise on the best options for you, we act as your Certificate Provider

as to mental capacity, we check everything is right and get them through the lengthy Court (OPG) registration process, and then we provide an after-care service to help and support your Attorneys activating them when they are needed. This is all included in our price without hidden extras”

SOLICITOR CERTIFED COPIES: John from Simpsons say, “To use your LPA, your Attorney is likely to need a copy of your LPA certified by a solicitor. With us this is not an extra burden for your Attorneys, with us it is provided and included in our price”.

MARCH IS LPA MONTH AT SIMPSON SOLICITORS.

They offer our readers 25% off the full cost of their best selling Complete LPA Service. Even if your meeting is not until April, to qualify call them on 01454 322 722 or pop into their Chipping Sodbury Office by 31 March and quote LPA25 to get this special price.

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Tools For Self-Reliance

Collecting donated tools

ARE you spring cleaning?

Members of Chipping Sodbury Rotary Club are collecting old carpentry hand tools, non-battery power tools (drills, sanders, saws), and spanner and socket sets during March.

They are handed over to a charity called Tools For SelfReliance, who refurbish them and put together complete 'tool kits' to enable a young person to start a business and support his/her family.

If you can help, please call Clive Willmott (0117 932 2673) or

Marian Gilpin (07837 588362) to arrange collection.

Marian Gilpin

Chipping Sodbury Morning WI

ANDREW Stowe from Auctioneum was the speaker at our February meeting: he's passionate about his job and had plenty of amusing tales to share.

We learnt not to assume more recent objects held no value –it's always worth checking, no matter how old. We finished the meeting inspired to check out what was hiding at the back of our cupboards at home.

In March we have speaker coming in to tell us about Charles Kingsley and The Water Babies, a chance to revisit a book many of us enjoyed as children.

We meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 10am in the Masonic Hall, Hatters Lane, Chipping Sodbury.

We would love to welcome any

APRIL:

1st Easter Extravaganza & Official Kingsgate Park Play Area Opening 20th St George’s celebrations

23rd Annual Town Meeting 7pm at Poole Court

JUNE:

6th D-Day 80th Anniversary, Beacon Lighting 8PM

22nd Yate Rocks! in Kingsgate Park

23rd Praise in the Park (AM) Choir Showcase (PM)

ladies who want to see what a friendly group we are. Please call 07809 534 107 to find out more.

Sue Bird

Old Sodbury WI

OUR February meeting was a presentation by the Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service, a registered charity which provides an out-of-hours, free courier service to the hospitals in the region.

They transport emergency pathology specimens to the Southmead laboratory but also blood products, breast milk, clinical records, medication and equipment on motorbikes.

Our next meeting, on March 6, will be a talk by Bernard Merrick called ‘All about Cats’, a look into feline behaviour and how our domestic cats are really wild animals in disguise.

Our next big event is a barn dance on March 23: a very popular event which has previously been sold out, so reserve your tickets now!

Coming soon…..

Railway Station Survey

Keep an eye on our social media & noticeboards for a new survey.

We meet on the first Wednesday of the month in Old Sodbury village hall.

If you would like to know more, give Sue a ring on 01454 315161.

Linzie Clark

Chipping Sodbury WI

FEBRUARY'S talk - Mountain Kingdoms, Hunt for the Yeti – was provided by Steve Berry. His passion for the Himalaya has seen him trek extensively throughout the entire range. He has seen and filmed mysterious tracks on Gangkhar Puensun, Bhutan where locals say no man has set foot on the pass before. However as yet the jury is still out on whether the Yeti is a myth!

Our next meeting is on March 7 at 7.30pm in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Speaker Debbie Young's talk is called 'So you think you have a book in you?'

We have welcomed a number of new members recently, so why not come along and give it a go?

Jeanette Oakley

JULY: NOVEMBER:

17th Yate Ageing Better Festival

SEPTEMBER:

21st Yate International Festival

10th Remembrance Parade and Service

DECEMBER:

Christmas Carols in Kingsgate Park

Christmas Carols on the Green

*Keep an eye on our noticeboards and social media channels for event updates

We need your feedback on your use Full-Time Vacancies Estates Person x2 Starting Salary £23,500 Hay Grade 11, SCP 5-6 (DBS Check Required)

Railway Station and how you get there - or feedback on why you don’t use it! To maintain Town Council estates, parks, play areas, community buildings, open spaces and sports/recreation areas For a copy of the application forms and job description, please contact us via: Tel: 01454 866506 Email: Vacancies@yatetowncouncil gov uk or visit: www yatetowncouncil gov uk/jobs

Applications will be reviewed every 2 weeks starting 14th March 2024

Coach Penny up for national award

A YATE badminton club's coach has been nominated for a national award in recognition of more than 35 years of service to the sport.

Penny Shears is a finalist in the Volunteer of the Year category of the Community Sport and Recreation Awards.

Penny first started coaching in 1987 when her children played at a club at Downend School.

The club later moved to Yate, and is known as Yate Racketeers Junior Badminton Club.

Penny, who lives in Downend, also volunteers with the Henleaze-based Beaufort Badminton Club's junior section and works part-time as a paid coach for adults and children.

She said: "I'm honoured to have been shortlisted for this national award and look forward to attending the awards ceremony in March.

"I became involved in coaching badminton in 1987 when my two children got involved and decided to get myself qualified as a badminton coach.

"We moved sessions from Downend

School to King Edmund School in 1996 and never looked back.

"I've recently enjoyed seeing former players bringing their own children to the club some 35 years later, and being surprised to see me coaching and still running the club."

Yate Racketeers Junior Badminton Club

runs weekly sessions on Saturday mornings at Yate Academy from September to April, for children aged 7 to 18.

The club has produced several county and senior league players, including Jess Hopton, who joined aged eight and went on to represent England in internationals and was an Olympic torch bearer in Bristol in 2012.

The awards, organised by national sporting organisation the Sport and Recreation Alliance, will be presented at a ceremony on March 8 at Headingley Stadium in Leeds, the home of Leeds Rhinos and Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

The awards have been running for more than 25 years, and are an annual celebration of grassroots clubs, organisations and individuals who help enable and support sporting activity in communities. Previous winners include table tennis and boxing clubs, golf clubs and the Middlesbrough FC Foundation.

For more information, visit the Sport and Recreation Alliance website, www. sportandrecreation.org.uk, or its Instagram and LinkedIn pages.

Penny Shears

Knowle win a highlight in tough run of games

BADMINTON & Pucklechurch hockey girls' first game of 2024, after a nice break, was away against Westberries 5's.

This would prove to be a very fast-paced, tough game, with Westberries being clinical and quick to mark us, not allowing a goal to go past them.

Despite Baps losing 6-0, hearing the umpire say that the scoreline didn't reflect the game shows what a good fight the girls gave. The players' player award went to Gemma Collins.

Next up was Wick 2's away, in what is always a very close battle. Baps took an early lead, thanks to a follow-up goal from Kirsty Chaney.

Some immaculate passing and top communication led to many shots on goal, with a second coming from a short corner stop and strike from Julieanne Parker.

Wick continued the battle, forcing Baps to have a crazy five minutes and concede a goal. A tense, end-to-end second half saw Wick get an equaliser in the final minutes, finishing the game 2-2. Player of the match went to Tess Bateman on her debut.

With their heads held high, a home game at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex against top-of-the-table Bristol & West Jaspers

followed. Well drilled and organised, two short corners in quick succession put the visitors 2-0 up in the first half. In true Baps spirit, we kept chipping away and put them under pressure, having a few shots on goal ourselves. Despite the girls best efforts, B&W Jasps were the stronger team and scored two more to win 4-0. Baps player of the match was goalkeeper Vanessa Hall, for

keeping the scoreline down.

We then faced our hockey family favourites, Knowle 2's.

All the girls had certainly had a good breakfast, as within the first five minutes a great run into the D and skilful shot from Kirsty Chaney got Baps off the mark.

This was followed by some great defensive work, with Lisa Bailey and Gemma Collins both saving one off the line. Strong running through the centre midfield, and by youngster Naomi Bailey, would create a short corner opportunity that led to a second goal from forward Nicki Trueman.

A third from Charley McCafferty and a fourth from Laura Woodward, which both came from cross passes from Kirsty Chaney, meant that come the final whistle it was 4-0 to the girls in teal.

Naomi Bailey won the player of the match award.

In what is proving a tough season, the Baps girls remain in very good spirits and continue to support and encourage each other – something we pride ourselves at doing.

Lisa Rigby

The Badminton & Pucklechurch hockey team

Fine form puts Yate in play-off mix

YATE Town's continued impressive run of form saw them rise to fifth place in Southern League Division One by the end of February.

The Bluebells ended January with a 2-1 win at Exmouth Town, followed by a 5-1 win against Tavistock at the South West Interiors Stadium, and won the division's team of the month award in recognition of their five wins and two draws.

The good form continued into February, which started with a 4-1 win at home to MelkshamYate's sixth victory on the trot.

The winning run ended with two draws, at Willand Rovers and Evesham United, but those results extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches.

During this time new forward Nick McCootie scored in seven consecutive games, hitting the back of the net nine times as the Bluebells rose up the table to sixth.

The undefeated record ended

when top-of-the-table Wimborne Town visited the South West Interiors Stadium on February 17.

The visitors won 2-0, but Yate returned to winning ways with a 1-0 home win against Bideford AFC the following Saturday.

Manager Darren Mullings has seen some players move on, with Chris Peck moving to Paulton

Rovers, Joe Hall going to Bristol Manor Farm and Aaron Parsons heading to Larkhall Athletic. He is looking to strengthen the playing squad for the final run-in to the end of the season.

The Saturday games against Melksham Town and Wimborne Town saw encouraging levels of support, with gates of 419 and

384 respectively.

With just eight games to go, there is still much for Yate Town fans to look forward to and, rather than looking at the lower reaches of the table, they are looking upwards.

The club has made great strides on the field of play in the last few months, to reach a playoff place after their win against Bideford. However, the teams around them have games in hand.

Bob Chester

Upcoming fixtures:

March 2: Larkhall (away)

March 16: Frome Town (A)

March 12: Bishops Cleeve (home) – Non-League Day, Student Day

March 29 (Good Friday): Westbury United (A)

April 1 (Easter Monday): Paulton Rovers (H)

Manager Darren Mullings receives Yate's Team of the Month award from Southern League vice president David Martin, with assistant manager Paul Tovey