Yate Library news

YATE Library is hosting a Coronation cream tea on Friday May 5. There will be home-made scones, cream and jam, and music from Fingers and Frets - a mandolin, banjo and guitar orchestra, at the event, which takes place from 2.30-3.45pm.

Booking is required - tickets cost £2.50.

The library is also holding a series of half-term holiday activities for children aged four and over.

A drop-in farmyard fun crafts event takes place on May 30 from 10.30am-noon.

Bookings are required for the 'Party Animals' party on June 1 from 2.30-4pm and the Lego 'Beware of the Bull' challenge on June 2 from 10.30-11.30am.

Craft bags are available to take home from May 25, while stocks last. The regular Lego club takes place on May 27 from 10.30-11.30am for 4-10 year olds (booking required).

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

Craft Group meets on May 6 and 13, from 10am-noon, for tips on knitting, sewing or crochet.

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.

Stay & play with Duplo and trains, for pre-school children, takes place every Tuesday and Friday Morning during term time, from 10.30-11.30am. Computer support with digital champion volunteers is on Saturdays from 10am-noon.

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

n LETTERS

Calling Ridings School's 1975 starters

CALLING former Ridings High School pupils who are about to turn 60!

In 1995, Suzanne Wembridge, Kate Ackerman (née Counsell) and I organised a '30 Something School Reunion Party' for those who started at the Ridings High School, Winterbourne, in September 1975.

At the time there was no internet, so we sat down with a list of names from the first-year register and a telephone directory to find fellow pupils.

The reunion party at BAWA Leisure Club in Filton was a great success, with 160 attendees.

It’s now nearly 30 years since that reunion, so we have decided to have another one with as many of the old school year together again for a catch-up, as everyone will be reaching the big 60 in the coming school year.

This reunion is only for pupils of the Ridings High School born between September 1 1963 and August 31 1964, and teachers who taught there during the same years. Miss Sedgwick was the head teacher at the time.

The event takes place in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on September 2. It holds 200 people and we currently have 140 registered. It would be great to fill it!

If you would like to attend or are still in contact with anyone else from school who has moved out of the area and who would like to attend, get in touch and pass the information on to old school friends. You can reach us to register your interest at ridingsreunion@gmail.com.

Jane Cooke (née Wise)

Chip shop closure brings back memories

I AM a 1938-born citizen of Yate and find so much of interest in the Voice. The April edition was especially interesting with its report of the closing of Pisces fish and chip shop.

For the record my grandmother, Francis Stocks, and her brother Uncle Sylvester Williams started the business, in what was probably a wooden ex-army hut, in Westerleigh Road just slightly north of Eggs Hill Lane, almost opposite Blakeney's (latterly Dibbles) timber yard.

As a young boy I would sometimes put washed potatoes through the chipper press behind the partition at the back of the ranges. My gran would reward me with bags of batter pieces from the fish fryer.

In the late 40s or early 50s, Uncle Sylvester and Gran sold the business to Gerry Holbrook, who continued trading in Westerleigh Road for some time before relocating to Station Road opposite Newman Industries' main gate, trading under their chosen name of Pisces.

My uncle and gran were keen entrepreneurs and many years ago had the sole newspaper distribution rights in Yate and surrounding areas.

They sold the daily paper rights to Harold May, who had a shop in Moorland Road next to the Methodist Chapel, but kept the Sunday paper concessionary rights almost until my grandmother's death at the age of 80. Almost up to the time of her passing she could be seen visiting local newsagents and picking up unsold newspapers that she carried away on the carrier of her bicycle.

Tom Lewis

n WHAT'S ON

May 1 n MAY DAY FAYRE, Iron Acton Village Green, 10.30am-3.30pm. Family-oriented, free event, with activities & entertainment including maypole dancing from North Road & Iron Acton primary schools, art exhibition, marching band, traction engines, street food, martial arts, funfair, farmers' market.

May 1 n CREAM TEAS at Westerleigh Village Hall from 11am-3pm; eyes down for bingo at 2pm, raffle at 3pm. All proceeds to St Peter’s Church, Wapley. For information contact Bonny on 07544 731250.

May 7 n YATE & DISTRICT BOWLING

CLUB open day, 10am-4pm, Sunnyside Lane Sports Field, Moorland Road. For more information contact Mary on 07885 543823 or Ruth on 07814 156754.

May 8 n BRISTOL BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY knockout competition, 7.30pm, Little Stoke Baptist Church, Kingsway, Little Stoke, with awards for best entries according to age and sex, and best in show from finalists. Visitors welcome, without commitment to join. Further details from secretary Ron Ramplin at ronnie.ramplin@btinternet.com or 0774 874 0794.

May 9 n GREAT WESTERN SOCIETY

BRISTOL GROUP meeting, BAWA, 589 Southmead Road, 7.30pm. Talk: The Great Train Robbery 1963, by Ian Boskett. All welcome, free admission but suggested donation of £3 towards expenses is appreciated. For more information call Dave Winter on 01454 324230.

May 9 and 23 n SODBURY AND DISTRICT

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT SOCIETY practice classes on Disney film theme (May 9) and linear diagonal design (May 23), at the Old Grammar School Rooms, Chipping Sodbury, 7.30pm. For information call Mrs R Cummins on 0117 937 3836.

May 13 n YATE CHORAL SOCIETY Spring Serenade charity concert, supporting Save The Children, St Mary’s Church, Yate, 7.30pm. Special guests Oldland Brass. Conductor Carol Cook, accompanist Margaret Roy. Tickets £10 from Chipping Sodbury Tourist Information Centre, 01454 313907, and choir members.

May 16 n CHIPPING SODBURY MUSIC

SOCIETY presents Piatti String Quartet, Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, 7.30pm. Adults £15, school-age children free. Tickets available on door or from Hobbs Bakery, Chipping Sodbury or from ticketsource.co.uk/csmusicsociety. Information call 01454 315741 or visit csmusicsociety.co.uk.

May 20 n PLANT SALE Saturday 20th May

10.30 am -2.00 pm @ 49, Nicholls Lane, Winterbourne. Admission £2.50 Including Tea or Coffee & Cake All proceeds to help fund further investigation into GDNF and other neurotrophic factors as a treatment for Parkinson’s Disease

1st June - 3rd June n BRISTOL QUILTERS EXHIBITION……QUILTFEST!

Thursday 1st June , Friday 2nd June 10am to 5pm

Saturday 3rd June 10am to 4pm.

Admission £3 Children free. At Redland Hall, Redmaids’ High School, Westbury Rd, BS93AW

June 3 n CRAFT AND GIFT FAYRE! Chipping Sodbury Town Hall

Saturday 3rd June 10 am to 4 pm. Local Crafts, Papercraft Supplies, Gifts & Collectables, Cakes, Refreshments and More! Voluntary Entrance fee (20p) to be donated to The Friends of Horton School

Email bythewoodsfayres@ hotmail.com for more info

June 12 n FRIENDS OF KINGSGATE PARK AGM, Pop Inn Cafe, West Walk, 7pm. All are welcome to join our friendly group and to hear what is happening in the park. For further information please email friendskingsgatepark@gmail.com.

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 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 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 & DISTRICT BOWLING

Roz on 07941 946412.

CLUB in Moorland Road meets every Monday evening from May to mid-September from 5.30pm for club practice night. Home and away friendly matches, also ladies and men's leagues run throughout the summer season. Call 01454 882230 for more information.

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 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, 7.30-9.30 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

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 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 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 BRISTOL MALE VOICE

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