Yate & Sodbury Voice November 2020

yate&sodburyvoice www.yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

November, 2020 Issue 67

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

ShopChippingSodbury: HelpUsThrive Staysafeandshoplocal tosupport ChippingSodburytraders “THE support from local residents since we reopened has been overwhelming. We’re working hard to ensure people are safe and customers are being very cooperative with all the measures we’ve put in place,” says Jerry Hampton, owner of the Hamptons Deli. Jerry is one of the local traders joining forces with South Gloucestershire Council as part of its ‘Help Us Thrive: Shop South Glos’ campaign. Meet the trader videos, a social media campaign, and special offers from traders (see Pages 2 & 39), among other steps, highlight the best of what high streets across the area have to offer, including Chipping Sodbury with its wide choice of independent traders.

Safety measures Along with traders, the council has worked hard to make Chipping Sodbury as safe as possible for shoppers. Covid-19 measures include more relaxing licensing regulations to make it easier for pubs, cafés and restaurants to install outside seating areas.

Challenging times Councillor Toby Savage, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “Local communities have shown great commitment and resolve to limiting the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. We now ask for your support again. These are exceptionally challenging times for businesses, who have done a fantastic job to welcome shoppers

Chipping Sodbury traders join Councillor Toby Savage, leader of South Gloucestershire Council, for the campaign launch century, it boasts one of the widest working high streets in the country. The handsome Cotswold stone shopfronts create the perfect backdrop for an afternoon coffee or lunch Explore this historic with the family. market town Jo Hewer, owner of Not Too Shabby says: “Chipping Sodbury is Danielle Howes, the owner of the a very beautiful and friendly town. Toll House Clinic, says: “Chipping There are lots of independent and Sodbury has everything; you quirky cafés and shops and most of can buy award-winning cakes? us welcome dogs so you can bring Get support for your wedding your pooches along. We’re near planning, you can meet your some really stunning countryside friends forFind lunch out or coffee. have howWe you can help whichsupport is great forour an autumn stroll.” such a wide selection of shops you independent traders: Love walking and want to don’t need to go anywhere else. It’s explore a new area? Don’t forget that a great place to live and work.” www.southglos.gov.uk/shopsouthglos Chipping Sodbury lies at the foothills The market town is steeped of the southern Cotswolds and is in history. Founded in the mid-12 #ShopStapleHill

back safely. It’s time for residents and shoppers to continue do their bit and help them thrive further.”

well connect by local bus routes– it’s a perfect starting point for a day out. Discover how to support South Gloucestershire’s local traders to thrive and meet some of the Chipping Sodbury traders that make the high streets tick at: www.southglos. gov.uk/shopsouthglos Share what your like best about Chipping Sodbury’s shops on social media using #ShopChippingSodbury

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November, 2020 Issue 67

FREE EVERY MONTH IN YATE, CHIPPING SODBURY & SURROUNDING VILLAGES

Walking 1,300 miles for Mum

Inside this month:

Cafe's award A CAFE which helped feed hundreds of people through lockdown has won a top business award. PAGE 15

Schools hit by COVID-19 Picture: Lauren Ashfield A YATE family has walked a total of 1,300 miles to raise money and awareness of a debilitating disease which is affecting their mum. Full story: Page 13

Have your say on Yate's future PEOPLE who live or work in Yate are being asked how they would like to see the town improved. South Gloucestershire Council is launching a masterplan for the town – and wants to give residents and businesses a chance to help shape its future. Launching a dedicated website to get the public involved in its "long-term vision and ideas for improving Yate", the council said: "We want the local community to tell us what they would like to see featured in the forthcoming masterplan, which

will be developed using the feedback received." Yate Town Council and Yate Shopping Centre are also involved in the project, called the Yate Town Improvement Masterplan, which aims to "build on and enhance the town’s existing strengths to ensure it remains a great place to live, work and visit". The council's "public engagement exercise" runs until November 16. People can look at the council's ideas and make

comments on a dedicated website, Yatefuture.com, which has been set up to enable the local community to view the vision and potential opportunities for Yate and have their say through an interactive map and feedback form. The plan has been split into six areas: community, movement, economy, town centre, healthy happy people and environment. Turn to page 4

SCHOOLS in the Yate and Sodbury area are among those who have had to send children home to isolate, as coronavirus cases in the area rise. PAGE 5

Bike lane row A PETITION of more than 700 signatures has been raised to protest the loss of parking to make way for a new cycle lane. PAGE 7

Remembrance goes online TRADITIONAL Remembrance Sunday parades and services in Yate and Chipping Sodbury have been cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions. PAGE 8

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

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

November, 2020

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Ideas wanted for masterplan From page 3 Among the ideas in the community section are "promoting a strong sense of identity, community and belonging for both young and old people," and "introducing opportunities for arts and culture". The movement section includes "promoting more active ways of travelling, such as cycling and walking," reducing CO2 emissions and "making space on existing roads for pedestrians". The economy section aims at achieving "sustainable growth" and includes new training opportunities and "creating attractive places to live and work to attract the best talent", while the town centre section includes improving the "range of things to do throughout the day and evening" and creating new homes. Council cabinet member for planning, transport and the strategic environment Steve Reade said: “We are encouraging local people and businesses in the area to view our ideas for Yate and to provide their feedback through the dedicated website Yatefuture. com. “This is a fantastic opportunity for local people to have their say and play a part in shaping the future of the town and to help ensure Yate continues to be a great place to live, work, shop and socialise for all ages.” Yate town councillor John Gawn said: “This is an opportunity for all residents, businesses, voluntary groups and visitors to have their say on what you would like us to focus our efforts on over the coming years to make Yate an even greater place to live and work. "We urge everyone to please take some time out to read the proposals and let us know your views.” Shopping centre manager Andrew Lowrey said: “To help our shops and the economy of Yate thrive in what will be challenging times ahead, we need to consider what will further enhance our offer so people continue to shop and work local. "We ask all visitors to the town centre to respond and local businesses to consider what would help them and their employees before responding to this engagement on the future of Yate.” The council says the masterplan will be developed alongside the new South Gloucestershire Local Plan and "reflect" national, regional and local strategies and plans. People who are not online can still have a say on the plan by calling 0118 946 7809 for more information. Comments need to be made by November 16.

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Schools on alert as COVID-19 cases rise SCHOOLS in the Yate and Sodbury area are among those who have had to send children home as coronavirus cases in the area rise. More than 160 children at two primary schools had to selfisolate after confirmed cases of COVID-19 in October. And Year 12 children at the three schools which form the Cotswold Edge Sixth Form – Yate Academy, Brimsham Green and Chipping Sodbury – also had to self-isolate as a student and a member of staff at Yate Academy both tested positive for the virus. A total of 133 children in the reception, year 1 and year 2 groups at St Mary's CE Primary School in Church Road, Yate, were told to stay at home and isolate after a member of staff tested positive for the virus. Executive head teacher Andy Spens and head of school Beth Scriven said the children involved were in two 'bubbles' separated from other years groups, who were still able to go

to school. Those who showed no symptoms were able to return on October 19. Another 29 year 5 pupils and five members of staff at Raysfield Primary School in Chipping Sodbury were also told to self-isolate after a pupil was diagnosed with COVID-19. Pupils who were self-isolating were given "appropriate home learning" and allowed to return on October 12 if they developed no symptoms. The cases at Yate Academy led to a decision to isolate Year 12 students for 14 days, with close contacts at Brimsham Green and Chipping Sodbury School also having to selfisolate if they were contacted individually. In all cases schools said they followed Public Health England guidance and worked closely with PHE and South Gloucestershire Council’s public health and education teams. The cases follow a previous case at Culverhill School in

Flu vaccine for Year 7 WHILE most attention focuses on COVID-19, a programme to vaccinate 100,000 children in South Gloucestershire, Bristol and North Somerset is underway. A recent visit to Brimsham Green School in Yate (pictured) was part of the operation, led by Sirona Care & Health school nurses, to give vaccines to children aged four to 12, who are eligible for the vaccine. The vaccine is not a jab but a "less invasive" nasal spray up each nostril. Parents and carers must consent for the vaccine to be given.

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September, and come amid a background of increasing infection rates in the area. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics as the Voice went to press showed that during the week to October 16 there had been 25 new confirmed cases in Yate, 8 in Chipping Sodbury, 21 in Marshfield, Wick & Hawkesbury, which includes Dodington, Old Sodbury and Little Sodbury, and 6 in Charfield, Wickwar and Iron Acton. There were a further 12 in the ONS's Pucklechurch and Westerleigh area, which also includes Coalpit Heath, 12 in Frampton Cotterell and 8 in Winterbourne. By contrast, four weeks earlier ONS local-level information showed no cases reported in the Yate and Sodbury area over the week to September 19. Across the whole of South Gloucestershire, 297 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed

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over the week to October 16, a rise of 67 or 29.6% on the previous week's positive tests. The area had a rolling infection rate of 102.8 per 100,000 population, slightly below the national average. In total, since the outbreak of the pandemic, there had been 1,778 confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Gloucestershire by October 21 – 808 higher than four weeks previously. The overall infection rate stood at 623.7 per 100,000 population. However as of October 9 there had been no deaths of South Gloucestershire residents from COVID-19 for six weeks, with the total number of deaths reported with COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic standing at 171. Testing centre opens: Page 6

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November, 2020

n NEWS

Underpass blocked

Testing centre opens

AN underpass blighted by dumped rubbish, drinking and drugtaking. People were asked for their views on whether to seal up the concrete subway under Kennedy Way last year – and eight out of ten backed the idea of closing it off. None of the 44 people who filled in the online questionnaire which led to the council's decision said they used the underpass once a week or more often, with most saying they never used it. Yate town councillor John Gawn, who brought the state of the concrete walkway to the attention of South Gloucestershire Council after a number of complaints from residents about anti-social behaviour, welcomed the closure. He said: "I believe closing off the underpass will go some way to make life a bit better for the residents who live nearby, whose lives have been made a misery by the shouting, swearing, smashing bottles and drinking late at night, going on till the early hours. "The number of nitrous oxide canisters I found on a Monday morning could be 200 or so. "The police have been a big help in getting this far – we need to go to the next level and have the area filled in completely."

A CORONAVIRUS testing centre for South Gloucestershire has been set up at UWE's Frenchay campus. The drive-through facility, which opened on October 1, is in the car park by the university's business school. It is a stone's throw from UWE's exhibition centre, which was transformed into a Nightingale hospital to treat COVID-19 patients earlier this year but has so far not been used. The unit, which will be open six days per week, is the first community testing facility to open in South Gloucestershire and will serve both residents and students, who will have a selfcontained "walk-through service". It is being managed by finance and professional services company Deloitte on behalf of the Department for Health and Social Care. The council requested it "because people in South Gloucestershire were having to travel quite lengthy distances to be tested". Tests are by appointment only, for people with coronavirus symptoms. Bookings are made via the nhs.uk/coronavirus website, or by calling 119. As the testing response is stepped up, a South Gloucestershire charity has reported taking its 1,000th request for help from people during the coronavirus pandemic. Since the beginning of April, Southern Brooks Community Partnerships has been taking calls to a helpline as well as receiving emails to a dedicated address that were both set up in response to the pandemic, from residents in need of support. The helpline can be reached at 0333 5774666 on Mondays to Fridays between 9am to 5pm.

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November, 2020

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n NEWS

Hundreds sign Station Road parking petition

A PETITION calling for changes to a blanket ban on parking in Station Road has gained more than 700 signatures. The petition has been handed to South Gloucestershire Council by Yate town councillor John Gawn, after speaking to residents and businesses in the area. He said businesses told him they were losing thousands of pounds each week in lost trade because double-yellow lines mean customers can no longer park right outside their premises. Traders took their concerns about the effect of the doubleyellow lines, which have been painted to stop parked vehicles blocking new cycle lanes, to a special online public meeting organised by Yate Town Council in October. The cycle lane and double yellow lines were installed in August, removing on-street parking on the stretch of the A432 between the council offices on Badminton Road and B&Q. The council said it would "help keep cyclists safe and make it easier for pedestrians to maintain social distancing". Much of the road already had double-yellow lines but the traders say the loss of 26 more spaces, many of them on the doorstep of their businesses, has had a devastating impact on their trade. Among the traders calling for changes at the meeting was Steve Morrison, of Yate Tailoring, who said: "We chose to be on Station Road and when we took our lease there was parking. We took what was an eyesore and improved it and built our business.

"But if people can't stop, they can't do business. This is something that's completely out of the blue – everyone knows that is going to affect business for everyone." Janet Read, from D.E.L’s cafe, said the family business, going back 100 years, was under threat. She said: "We're a quick turnaround convenience business – we're not like those in the shopping centre – our customers are just in and out again." A succession of traders told the meeting that they were losing a large proportion of their trade and that alternative parking away from Station Road was being rejected as too far away by customers. Resident Joanne Howard told the meeting that the effect of the double-yellow lines was to turn Station Road into an 'urban clearway'. She suggested some spaces should be returned on a timelimited basis, with others made

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available for residents, asking: "Why didn't the council come to us and ask, so we could explain the problems?" Two of the senior South Gloucestershire Council officials in charge of implementing the new schemes, Kristy Spindler and Mark King, attended the video meeting. Kristy told the meeting that it was possible to "tweak" the scheme, adding: "The experimental order allows us to make changes as we go." But she said there were no plans to add parking to the scheme, saying: "The current parking isn't being fully used and there's no requirement for additional parking." Mark added: "The more parking we put in, the more it compromises the cycleway we're trying to provide." He also rejected a suggestion that cycleways in both directions could be included on one side of the road, saying it would make it

difficult for cyclists who needed to cross the road. John said he started the petition, which is titled 'Station Road Bike Lane Chaos' and calls on South Gloucestershire to "find a solution that works for residents, traders, cyclists and other users" because residents and businesses were annoyed that the scheme was introduced without any advance consultation. He said: "These businesses are fighting for their survival – I hope that South Glos will not just ignore them, they need help. "Residents are having a bad time also – where can their visitors park? What about their deliveries?" Following the meeting, the town council said the representatives of South Gloucestershire Council had agreed to take away the questions raised and look at ways of supporting businesses and residents with their concerns. A spokesperson said: "Whilst Yate Town Council supports the principle of the cycleway, we know many of you are opposed to the scheme in its present form, and are looking for revisions to help you successfully run your businesses and live alongside the scheme." A consultation on South Gloucestershire Council's website is open until February 24 next year. People who are not online can call 01454 868004 for more information about having their say.

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November, 2020

n NEWS

Hunt Parades cancelled as remembrance goes online cancels meet

REMEMBRANCE Sunday is being transformed by the coronavirus this year. Parades in Yate and Chipping Sodbury, which together are attended by thousands of people on Remembrance Sunday, have had to be cancelled in light of distancing rules. And the Poppy Appeal has also announced changes, which mean the volunteers who are a familiar sight in supermarkets and shopping centres will be a less common sight this year. Yate Town Council said it had taken the decision not to hold a public parade "sadly" and in consultation with St Mary’s Church and the Yate and Sodbury District Royal British Legion. Instead a small service at St Mary's will be live-streamed for people to follow online,

from 10.30am on Sunday, November 8, at yateparish.org/ remembrance2020. Anyone who would like to pay their respects during the day will be able to lay wreaths at the Lych Gates from midday, while residents are also being encouraged to display poppies in windows or gardens and stand outside their homes at 11am. Rev Gail Thomas at St Mary’s has also organised a ‘Painting Poppies on Pebbles' project, inviting children through schools and youth groups to paint stones which will line the path to St Mary’s Church. More details are available at the Yate Parish Facebook page. Chipping Sodbury Town Council has also decided not to hold its regular parade, after "much consideration". Mayor James Ball said:

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"Whilst we appreciate this will be very disappointing news for many, we must put the health and safety of all participants and the general public as a priority given the current circumstances. "The Chairman, Royal British Legion and Church representatives will hold a very small and brief service at the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday to represent our parishioners but there will be no public participation. "Individuals and organisations may, of course, pay their respects and lay a wreath at the War Memorial at a convenient time to themselves during the weekend. "We very much hope that we will return to normal next year and we appreciate your understanding on this matter." The RBL is asking people to order poppies through the post for their neighbours and local community, printing a poppy and displaying it in their window or undertaking a virtual Poppy run. Fundraising ideas for this year’s Appeal can be found at www.rbl.org.uk/poppyappeal. For more information on buying poppies and wreaths locally, call 07527 151360.

THIS year's Beaufort hunt meeting in Chipping Sodbury has been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions. Hunting is one of the activities the government has allowed to continue under covid-secure rules but gatherings before and afterwards are not allowed. Hunting continues to be controversial and the Beaufort hunt was banned from using land owned by Tetbury Town Council two years ago. However the decision not to hold the pre-Christmas public meet in Chipping Sodbury, one of several usually staged, was taken purely on safety grounds. Hunt master Matt Ramsden said: "We are always so wellsupported by local people coming to see the hounds over the Christmas period, but this year we don’t want to encourage crowds of spectators. "Therefore sadly the traditional festive meets will not be able to go ahead in the normal way but the Beaufort Hunt look forward to returning to Chipping Sodbury in 2021." A Countryside Alliance spokesperson said: "The officials of the Duke of Beaufort’s Hunt have taken this unusual step in order to prevent any potential breach of legislation regarding large gatherings and also to ensure the well-being of the local community who are so supportive each and every year."

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November, 2020

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Solar power for park & ride? SOLAR car ports could one day generate energy to recharge electric vehicles at Yate's planned park and ride. South Gloucestershire Council has confirmed that panels to supply parked vehicles could be installed at a future date once the park and ride is completed. A planning application for the park and ride has been made, with funding agreed by the West of England Combined Authority. Resident Nick Allen wrote to council leader Toby Savage suggesting the idea, pointing out that car ports with solar panels above parked vehicles are already in use in some French car parks. Nick said: “Solar panels are fairly light, and in some installations I have seen they elevate the panels on a simple structure, leaving the land below available for car parking. "If you take it further you could eventually install electric charging for each car space, therefore enabling the cars to be fully charged direct from the panels above when the owners return." Solar panels have already been installed in a field next to the site, opposite the council's offices in Badminton Road. A council spokesperson said: “The installation of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) car ports was considered for the Yate Park and Ride site, with an initial study having been undertaken that concluded that the inclusion of solar PV car ports on site is achievable and would generate sufficient energy for the Council’s neighbouring offices. “The car parking has been arranged in such a way to allow for solar car ports to be added in the future and this will be revisited at a later date, as part of a separate project. “The current scheme does include 38 car parking spaces with electric vehicle charging points. The site has also been future-proofed so that additional charging units can easily be installed as demand increases.”

Step-free station YATE railway station is set to be made step-free to make it easier for disabled passengers to use. The West of England Combined Authority is spending £100,000 to come up with detailed plans of what is needed. A report to the authority said 27 stations in the region needed work. The report said: “Improved passenger facilities and levels of accessibility at railway stations, and making them step-free to enable all passengers to travel by train, is an objective within the Joint Local Transport Plan. “A feasibility study is required to develop an understanding of the scope and cost of works needed to make all stations step-free. “This would leave Weca well placed to make applications for potential new funding opportunities, such as through the Department for Transport’s Access for All programme, as these become available. “The potential for contributions from Network Rail, Great Western Railway and North Somerset Council is being pursued.” It said the aim was to make passage to all station platforms step-free from bus stops and car parks. The cash is on top of £548,000 awarded by the Government earlier this year, with Weca match-funding, to eight stations, including Yate, for seating, shelters and route-planning. By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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November, 2020

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11

n NEWS

Clothes shop could close as cinema shuts for 6 months YATE'S Peacocks store could face closure after its owner said it intended to call in administrators. The clothing store in North Walk, in the town's shopping centre, has "closing down sale" posters in its windows. Owner Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, which provides protection from its creditors for 10 days. It operates about 1,100 stores, which also include Jaeger, Ponden Home and the Edinburgh Woollen Mill brand itself, employing 21,500 people. EWM Group's media representatives did not respond to a request from the Voice to confirm whether a closing date for the store had been set. As the Voice went to press there were unconfirmed reports in industry newspaper Retail Gazette that a deal to rescue Peacocks separately from the rest of the group was being discussed. Business advisors FRP, who have been called in by EWM group, said: "Our team

is working with the directors of a number of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group subsidiaries to explore all options for the future of its retail brands Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Jaeger, Ponden Mill, and Peacocks.” The move comes as the town's Cineworld cinema closes for up to six months. The national chain took the decision to shut all 101 of its sites across the country early in October after it was announced that the release of the new James Bond film, No Time To Die, was being delayed for a second time

due to the reduction in demand due to COVID-19. The movie was originally due for release in April and was delayed until November but will now not be shown until April of next year. Yate's branch of travel agent TUI remains shut, although the travel giant has not yet made the closure permanent. TUI announced it would shut 166 stores in the UK in September as it aimed to cut costs by 30%, with 8,000 jobs set to go globally. The closures included other

stores in the Bristol area, which have now been cleared of all of their contents and signs. However the South Walk store appears to be among the 350 which are still part of the company's network, although a TUI spokesperson said it remained closed for now, adding: "We are unable to confirm at this stage when the store will reopen again." TUI announced it would permanently shut 166 stores in the UK in September, as it aimed to cut costs by 30%, with 8,000 jobs being lost globally.

Action to stop drive-thru queues blocking car park MANAGEMENT teams at Yate Shopping Centre and at McDonald's say they are working hard to find solutions to the growing queues of traffic at the company's drive thru restaurant. At peak times these are blocking the entrance to the main shopping centre car park and sometimes traffic goes back as far as Station Road. Yate resident James Walwin contacted the Voice after experiencing the queues. He said: “If you want to go to the sports centre or into the Argos end you can’t get in, you have to drive on the exit bit to get in. "It’s more on a Saturday morning. They did have cones with signs on the main road saying if you’re coming to McDonald's, don’t queue out on the road." A McDonald's spokesperson said that demand for the drive thru has been "very high", and the restaurant team has

been taking "a little longer" because they are "adjusting to new procedures to enable safe working and social distancing". The spokesperson continued: "We ask that customers bear with us as we adapt to a new way of working. "We are aware some queues

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have developed, and we have been working with Yate Shopping Centre management to manage and mitigate their impact as much as possible. "We apologise for any shortterm inconvenience as we focus on the safety of our staff and customers."

Yate Shopping Centre Manager Andrew Lowrey said: "We are aware of the queuing issues to the west car park during times which tend to coincide with the end of the school day, the leisure centre's peak times and times when the highways are busiest. “McDonald’s, Yate Shopping Centre and the town and district councils are working together to address these issues. "McDonald’s has been extremely co-operative, introducing new measures, but currently the drive-thru operation is proving even more popular than usual with the Yate community." Andrew said that footfall at the shopping centre is holding its own at "well above national average" levels and that he was "extremely pleased" at how well it had performed since the national coronavirus lockdown ended.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

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November, 2020

n NEWS A FAMILY joined forces to walk more than 1,300 miles in five weeks to raise funds for a charity which helps people with the rare condition affecting their mum. Jan Lock, who is 70 and lives in Yate, was diagnosed with a form of motor neurone disease earlier this year at Southmead Hospital. The mum-of-six has Bulbar palsy, which affects the voice first and muscles in the tongue and throat. In people who have MND, messages from motor neurones stop reaching the muscles, leading them to weaken, stiffen and waste away. The life-limiting disease has no cure. Jan's children, their partners and their own children, who almost all live locally in Chipping Sodbury, Yate, Downend and Wickwar, entered the 1,000 mile walking challenge as part of a Motor Neurone Disease Association awareness campaign called Mission 5,000, which called on its supporters to collectively cover 5,000 miles to represent a mile for every person living with MND in the UK today. Coronavirus restrictions meant that the family, who set a target of 1,000 miles, were initially clocking up the miles in small groups, with walks, runs and bike rides. They upped their target to 1,200 miles and family members in America joined in, amongst them Jan’s son Aaron, who ran a marathon in 24 hours. Then to help them hit their target, they decided to take on a final challenge, a socially-distanced walk along the Frome Valley Walkway from Old Sodbury to the middle of Bristol on October 17.

13

Family walks to help fight against mum's rare disease

Jan Lock with her husband Martin Jan’s daughter Sarah Lock said: “The walk was beautiful – the best stretch was Winterbourne down going into Snuff Mills, at this time of year all the leaves are changing, and it was so pretty. The best part was the contrast between walking in the countryside and arriving under the M32 and seeing all the urban graffiti.”

The group that managed the whole 18 miles were Sarah, her brother Joseph Lock and his wife Cat, her sister Gemma Mannell and her husband Darren Mannell, and Sarah’s teenage niece Emalie Randall. Emalie’s mum Louise Randall did 12 miles. Sarah’s niece and nephew Mia Lock, 10, and Ronnie Lock, 6, managed the first 3 miles and

the last 4, with Ronnie skipping most of the way. Altogether they walked 145 miles on the day. Sarah’s sister Amy Lock wasn’t able to take part but had an important role cheering them over the finishing line with Jan and her husband Martin. Sarah said: “Towards the end we were all very tired. My hips were hurting and I could feel blisters forming under my toes, so that was the worst bit of it. "I think what really spurred us on was thinking about mum and what she’s going through and what she will go through. "She’s taking each day as it comes and trying to be positive. She still has speech – some days are harder than others and it gets more difficult when she’s tired. "The end was exciting, when you get to Castle Park you have to go up over the hill before you get to where they were waiting, so we came over the hill and saw everyone at the bottom with their banners.” The group’s final total over the five weeks was 1,386 miles. Their fundraising target was £1,500 but more than £2,000 had been raised as the Voice went to press. The Motor Neurone Disease Association works to improve access to care, fund research and campaign for people affected by the disease. To support the Lock family fundraiser, visit their JustGiving page online at justgiving.com/ fundraising/lockfamily22

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November, 2020

n NEWS

Revolt over new housebuilding rules POLITICIANS in South Gloucestershire say proposed changes in planning rules could leave them with "completely unachievable targets" for new housing. The council's ruling Conservative group says it needs the power to assess individual applications on their merits and not be put under "extreme pressure" to meet targets. And Liberal Democrats say the government white paper, which is open to consultation on the Gov.uk website until October 29, is a “serious threat to a democratic and transparent planning system”. But one South Gloucestershire MP has criticised colleagues he says have "made a virtue of opposing muchneeded housing development" and accused them of a "failure of political leadership at the local and parliamentary level". In September's Voice campaigners from Thornbury Residents Against Poorly Planned Development said the reforms would require South Gloucestershire to build 51,000 new homes over the next 20 years – 23,000 more than under the current system. The council's Tory group says that while the proposed changes included "several positive steps" to modernise the planning system, rural areas faced being "slapped with an even higher annual housing delivery target than neighbouring Bristol". Cabinet member for planning Steve Reade said: “Many of our local communities are already facing massive unplanned

Jayne Stansfield: Proposals remove power from public

Steve Reade: Council could face "colossal targets" for new homes

Jack Lopresti: Politicians need to 'get a grip' of housing crisis.

expansions due to speculative developments succeeding through the appeal process after we turn them down and, if we are given completely unachievable targets to reach, this problem will grow exponentially, leaving us less equipped to manage the sustainable growth of our communities. “As a local authority, we need the power to assess applications based on their individual merits, and not be hindered by disruption to delivery timetables. "We would be under extreme pressure to preserve our beautiful rural area if we are being told to meet colossal targets that will benefit developers more than it will residents." South Gloucestershire's Liberal Democrats say the government's changes would "tear up" safeguards in the

current planning system. Thornbury ward councillor and town mayor Jayne Stansfield, who is the Lib Dems' lead on the council's planning management committee, said: “These proposals remove most of the power of local councils to decide what gets built in their area, they remove the power of the public to have a say on what happens near them, they will massively reduce the amount of affordable housing and vital infrastructure that gets built and they pay little attention to the climate emergency." However Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti has said it is time for politicians to "get a grip" on the shortage of homes being built for young people to buy. Writing in the Voice's sister paper in Downend, he said: "Too many of my colleagues have

made a virtue of opposing muchneeded housing development anywhere in our own areas. "They have graduated from NIMBYs to BANANAs, who want to Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anywhere. When did it become the fashionable thing to side with those who want to pull the ladder up, rather than put people on it? "I have witnessed colleagues rejoice as local housing supply plans for my local council area were consigned to the bin. These people seem completely oblivious to just what it is they have thrown out. This failure of political leadership at the local and parliamentary level will not do." The Voice asked Mr Lopresti's office if he could clarify which colleagues he was referring to, but did not receive a reply before going to press.

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November, 2020

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n NEWS

Cafe's help for people in lockdown wins award STAFF at a Yate cafe have won a high-profile business award. The Vintage Birdcage Cakery's win in the café category at the Bristol Life Awards 2020 recognised not only the cafe's success over the past year in growing the business, but also for making and distributing hundreds of free meals during the national coronavirus lockdown. For Nicole Jones, who owns and runs the café, finding out that they had won was anything but glamorous. She said: “It was via Zoom because they couldn’t hold an awards ceremony as usual. "I was sitting in my bedroom, then all of a sudden the presenter said the winner is…and I had 30 seconds to a minute to say a little speech. "It was one of those weird things. I just thought it wouldn’t be us because we were up against so many incredible eateries around Bristol."

Vintage Birdcage Cakery owner Nicole Jones and her staff. Picture: Emily Ball Photography Nicole had entered the Bristol Life Awards before, but this is the first time her café has won, beating five others in the same category. The judges are looking for what has made the past year successful, what new ideas have worked, how well the café brings in repeat custom, and whether it gives visitors a memorable

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experience. They described the Vintage Birdcage Cakery, on Stanshawes Court Drive, near Kingsgate Park, as a "beautiful idiosyncratic destination". Nicole said: “The Birdcage is my life. I’m one of those people who has to read every single bit of feedback and it eats me inside out if something has gone wrong. I won’t rest until it has

been sorted – things sadly do go wrong, it happens, but you need to hop on them – it’s personal for me. "When I go out I want it to be perfect, I understand our customers want that too." The Vintage Birdcage Cakery also stood out from other entries for how it served its community during the Coronavirus lockdown, when Nicole, her team and local volunteers worked around the clock to provide food for 450 people every day of the week. But the project won’t be repeated if restrictions are tightened again. Nicole said: “I have thought about this, but my business wouldn’t survive. "If furlough existed, as before, I would be straight back on it. What the government did was amazing because it enabled us to call in volunteers and furlough everybody and carry on."

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Our purpose is leading improvement in policing, victim support and criminal justice services on behalf of local people.

ABOUT POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONERS Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) are elected to be the voice of local people in policing and to hold the Chief Constable to account PCCs ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient police service while enabling the Chief Constable and police to operate independently The PCC works in partnership with a range of local and national agencies to ensure there is a unified approach to prevent crime, support victims and reduce reoffending

YOUR PCC Until the 2021 elections, PCC Sue Mountstevens will continue to focus on the following key priorities: - Protect the most vulnerable from harm - Strengthen and improve local communities - Ensure the police service has the right people, right culture, right capabilities - Work together effectively with other police forces and key partners to deliver better services to local people

As a result of the coronavirus, there are particular areas under those priorities that the PCC wants to focus on, including: - Overseeing the work of the Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) to tackle serious violence - Oversight of the efficiency of the CJS to ensure victims and witnesses are supported - Supporting local victim services with a particular focus on domestic abuse and sexual violence victims - Engaging with local communities to ensure they are supported during the ongoing health emergency

I want communities to know it’s their police service. It does not belong to any political party; it belongs to local people and they deserve to have a voice. My role is about being independent, open and compassionate.�

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November, 2020

yate&sodburyvoice

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n NEWS

Defibrillator programme could save lives YATE Town Council is set to instal a defibrillator at Kingsgate Park as part of a programme to make the life-saving devices more widely available in the town. Three of the automatic external defibrillators (AED) have already been installed: on the outside of Poole Court, on an external wall at Sunnyside Pavilion by the Sunnyside Lane playing fields and outside the Armadillo Youth Café on Station Road. AEDs are used to give emergency treatment to people in cardiac arrest before ambulance crews arrive. They are kept in a locked cabinet and when one is needed in an emergency they can be used by calling 999 and asking for help: the emergency operator has a code which can be used to unlock the bright-yellow cabinet. The town council worked with South Western Ambulance Service to ensure the AEDs installed are registered, easy to use and maintain. The AED for Kingsgate Park will be installed near to the Elmwood entrance. The town council is planning to hold a public AED awareness session when possible. Councillor Alan Monaghan, who chairs the council's environment and community committee, said:

Yate Town Council has installed this defibrillator at the Armadillo youth centre and cafe. “Less than one in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. "The ongoing installation of easilyaccessible defibrillators in our town will play an important part is saving more lives." The AEDs have been partly funded by donations from engineering firm Renishaw and also from South Gloucestershire Council

Yate North ward councillor Ben Nutland, through the council's Member Awarded Funding scheme. Anyone interested in supporting further defibrillators via a donation or sponsorship should contact Yate Town Council by email at info@yatetowncouncil.gov.uk or by calling 01454 866506.

Yate Ageing Better Updates Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Yate Town Council commissioned a community consultation asking how we could improve the lives of those ageing locally. Successful Town Council initiatives such as the Armadillo’s Senior Cinema and coffee morning session and our involvement in creating a platform for ‘Yate Men’s Shed’ to launch, proved that there is a need for more opportunities for ageing locals to engage in positive activities right across the Town. Results from the community consultation have been analysed and will shape the Town Council’s ageing better priorities going forward. Despite Covid-19, the Yate Town Council task force behind ‘Yate Ageing Better’ hasn’t dropped the conversation and has continued to meet to discuss and progress ideas. We have even adopted a new Yate Ageing Better logo, chosen from some amazing competition entries from local people. We are also working on compiling an older people’s directory with signposts to organisations and community groups. Additional recent developments include pledging to join the UK network of ‘Age-Friendly Communities’ and part of this includes introducing an annual ‘Celebrating Age’ festival to our events roster. Our first event is planned to take place during the Autumn/Winter of 2021. We will be working with local partners to showcase and explore what really makes Yate a supportive and lovely place to age. Moving forward we have an aspiration to engage ‘Ageing Champions’ out in the community to feedback any key information or suggestions for the Town Council to consider as part of the Yate

Ageing Better project. Our work contributing towards ensuring Yate is a ‘Dementia Friendly Community’ continues, with Councillors and Town Council staff receiving updated Dementia Friends’ awareness training. As part of this, we have also been working with local partners to identify ways to improve the experience of those living with Dementia in our town. The Town Council’s ‘Pop Inn Café’ has had some subtle refurbishments and we are working closely with our volunteers to ensure that when the time is right and safe, we can reopen our Heritage Centre and the popular Armadillo senior sessions to the public. We understand that this is a challenging time, more so for those who may be isolated from family and friends. As a Council we urge residents to look out for those most vulnerable around you.

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We want to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to all of the Yate Town Council volunteers across projects and for the work they do supporting others in and around the Town. Councillor John Gawn said: “ This a wonderful opportunity for older people to come together to join in activities, help to support one another, in particular those that have recently retired and want something to do and to meet new people. If you know of anyone who is lonely, or someone that just wants to start new friendships let them know we’re here to help and find the way. Getting old doesn’t mean life stops, see it as starting a new beginning ! Lets hope 2021 will be a better year. Should you wish to find out more about the Yate Ageing Better projects, please contact Yate Town Council on 01454 866506, via our social medias or email on info@yatetowncouncil.gov.uk

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

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n NEWS A PHONE system used by a Yate surgery is being replaced after a deluge of complaints. Patients of Green Valleys Health, which runs Abbotswood surgery, say they can spend hours trying to get through to book appointments. A year ago doctors wrote to patients admitting that the phone service was "not acceptable". But there has been no improvement since then, with complaints continuing on the NHS ratings and reviews site of "poor service", as patients describe being repeatedly unable to get through, being put on hold for 10 minutes at a time and suddenly being disconnected. Now Green Valleys Health, which also runs Leap Valley Surgery in Downend and Emersons Green Medical Centre, says it is working to get a new system in place by the end of the year as a "top priority". In this year's NHS patient satisfaction survey, 48% of Leap Valley patients, including those at Abbotswood, described their experience of booking

November, 2020

Phone nightmare could be over soon for surgery patients appointments as "poor". Only 30% of them said it was easy to get through on the phone. And a recent critical report by the Care Quality Commission also highlighted the issue. Ray Govier, from Bromley Heath, told the Voice he has waited for more than two hours at a time to get through. He described his most recent experience of arranging for a blood test and receiving the results as "absolutely hopeless". Ray said: "You dial the number but you don't get a reply – you occasionally get a recorded voice coming on, then that collapses and dies and you get a ringing tone and no answer. "I couldn't get hold of a human being. A friend of mine decided to listen to the ringing tone and count the times it rang,

but stopped after 100." Ray, who is 93, ended up driving to Leap Valley after not receiving a promised call to tell him the test results, then waited outside, as the waiting area was closed due to coronavirus restrictions. Ray said that as he waited, a woman came to the door of the surgery to beg for an appointment after failing to get through on the phone. He said: "There's no connection between the patients and the surgery." Green Valleys Health has now announced that it is buying a new phone system. GP Partner Dr Jonathan Evans said: “We are deeply sorry to hear about these experiences and for the frustration caused to those involved.

"We are aware of the ongoing issues relating to our telephone lines and improving this is a top priority. "We are in the process purchasing a new telephone system, which will better meet our needs and reduce waiting times for our patients. "We would like to reassure patients that we are focused on getting this new system in place by the end of the year. “Once again, we offer our heartfelt apologies for the distress and frustration caused to both our staff and patients by our telephone system. Access to good telephony is now more important than ever and we are committed to improving the systems so that our patients receive a better service.”

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Have your say on South Gloucestershire Council Budget 2021/22 SOUTH Gloucestershire Council is inviting residents, council tax and business rate payers to have their say on its budget and council tax for 2021/22.This is your opportunity to comment on the council’s priorities, council tax and its proposals to improve services and increase efficiency.

Changes To ensure sustainable services that continue to provide value for money, the council is proposing to repeat last year’s council tax increase of 1.99 per cent. This will help cover increased costs in providing services, coupled with an expected adult social care precept of two per cent. This will help meet the continued growth in demand for services, particularly those that support the most vulnerable. These changes will mean an increase of approximately £61.58 per year in overall council tax bills (equivalent to £5.13 per month) for a Band D household.

Better value for money By the end of 2021/22, the council will have made cumulative savings of over £100m in annual spending through efficiency measures. Wherever possible, this work has prioritised protecting frontline services from spending reductions, while delivering better value for money to residents. The council is continuing to implement a Transformation and Savings Programme to help meet the budget challenges ahead but

even assuming the full savings plan is achieved, there is still a predicted budget gap of £22.5m by 2022/23. The council is identifying further potential savings to balance the books. It continues to make the case to Government for additional funding for areas of work where demand and costs of delivering those services are rising significantly.

View from the Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, Cllr Toby Savage

Balancing the books South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Ben Burton, said: “Our top priorities are to deliver the best possible educational outcomes for all of our young people; to maintain and improve the places where we live; and to achieve the very best value for money. “We have been delivering millions in support to residents and to businesses who are impacted by Covid-19 and it will have an ongoing effect on our budget. This draft budget sets out how we would like South Gloucestershire to recover from Covid-19 and to continue to be such a wonderful place to live, work and visit. As demand for services needed by the most vulnerable, the young and the old increases, we need to deliver those services and ensure we get value for every pound we spend, and balance the books. This why each year we ask residents to have their say as we plan for the future.” Continued on next page.

WELCOME - We’re very proud to partner with The Voice, a great local business, for this special supplement. We bring you news on our budget and council tax and invite you to have your say. We have also included our new Council Plan and update you on support for those struggling with Covid-19. Unfortunately, coronavirus cases are rising here and if we are to avoid stricter measures, protect ourselves and our loved ones and keep South Gloucestershire safe, we must follow Government guidance. Remember: Hands, Face, Space. Thank you all for your hard work so far and continuing support.

2

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL SPECIAL EDITION

How to have your say on the budget: View the budget at www.southglos.gov.uk/budget and then send your comments by 3 January 2021: • By email: consultation@southglos.gov.uk • By completing a survey (available online or download from the council website: www.southglos.gov.uk/budget) • By writing to: Freepost RTXL-YJXJ-BXEX, South Gloucestershire Council, Corporate Research & Consultation Team, Council Offices, Badminton Road, Yate, Bristol, BS37 5AF • By telephoning 01454 868154. A full council meeting on 10 February 2021 will consider the consultation responses and decide the Council’s budget.

Ambitious new Council Plan in place SOUTH Gloucestershire Council now has a new Council Plan for the next four years. The priorities and commitments the council is outlining in this plan will help to ensure our district remains a great place to live, work and visit. The plan offers a new means of demonstrating how the council is making a difference for you, delivering ‘real value for money’ services.

• Promoting sustainable inclusive communities, infrastructure and growth • Realising the full potential of people and delivering value for money.

Your feedback

Action Plans

The council ran a public consultation on the draft plan earlier this year. The feedback from this consultation has shaped a really exciting and ambitious new plan.

Key priorities Building on your responses, the plan sets out four key priorities: • Creating the best start in life for children and young people • Identifying and supporting those most in need and helping people to help themselves

Wash your hands regularly.

Delivering value for money, addressing the climate emergency and promoting equality of opportunity are ‘threads’ that run through the plan.

In November, the council will approve 20 commitments and associated Action Plans setting out how it acts on these challenges and how progress is measured. Firstly, it will work with its partners and communities to create the best possible start in life for children and young people. By focusing on outcomes such as raising educational attainment, the council can make the biggest long-term cross generational impact. The second priority is to identify and support those most

*Wear a face covering in all shops, indoor and hospitality venues, on public transport & taxis.

Keep your distance from others.

*Exemptions include: ● children under the age of 11 ● people with breathing difficulties ● people living with a disability

Stop the spread. Do the right thing.

in need, with a focus on helping people to help themselves. Thirdly, the council wants to promote sustainable, inclusive communities, infrastructure and growth. It has a significant role to play in shaping future places. It’s making real progress on a Climate Emergency Action Plan to ensure that growth ambitions are delivered whilst maintaining a strong commitment to protecting the environment. Fourthly, it has set a priority to realise the full potential of its staff and services, to keep value for

money front of mind. The timing of this Council Plan is important. It takes into consideration the significant challenges that were evident long before Covid-19. The council has also drawn on lessons learnt from the response to the pandemic such as keeping residents better informed, and working with those who have stepped up to help communities play an active role in finding answers to local issues. Find out more about the plan at www.southglos.gov.uk/ councilplan

Test and Trace Support Payment THE Government’s new national Test and Trace Support scheme makes payments of £500 to those who are struggling to self-isolate because of financial constraints. To be eligible, you will need to have received notification from NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate, started self-isolation on or after 28 September 2020, and meet certain other criteria. The scheme is here to ensure that people on low incomes selfisolate when they test positive or are identified as a contact, and to encourage more people to get tested. This will help reduce the transmission of Covid-19 and avoid further social and economic restrictions, including local lockdowns. To be eligible for the Test and Trace Support Payment, you must have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because you’ve tested positive for Covid-19 or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, and be employed or self-employed and unable to work from home and will lose income as a result. You will also need to be currently receiving one or more of the following: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income based Employment and Support Allowance, income based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing benefit, or Pension Credit. To find out more, including whether you are eligible, and how to apply, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/apply-test-and-trace-supportpayment or call the South Glos team on 01454 434087.

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL SPECIAL EDITION

Responding to the Climate Emergency Working with residents, businesses and organisations across the district, South Gloucestershire Council is continuing to tackle the increasing challenges of climate change. As an area we are: • Reducing our carbon emissions to become carbon neutral by 2030 • Restoring nature • Adapting to the local impacts of a changing climate.

What is the council doing? The council set out an action plan and is delivering this work in partnership with others. You can read details of this plan on the council website. Current projects include an area-wide study of renewable energy opportunities, upgrading the energy efficiency of new school buildings, a study looking at rural needs for electric

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vehicle infrastructure, trials of managing highway verges to increase biodiversity, and flood water risk mapping. Each December, the council will review progress and set out a plan for the next year. To deliver the 2030 goal, it needs to work with everyone in the area.

What can you do now? Sign the South Gloucestershire Climate Emergency Pledge here: www.southglos.gov.uk/ climatepledge Retrofit your home to save energy: The following schemes can support you: • Green Homes GrantVouchers for energy efficiency improvements or low carbon heating up to £10,000 • ECO Funding - Grants for insulation for those on low incomes • Warm Homes Fund – Grant funded scheme to install first time central heating • Renewable Heat Incentive - Payments for low carbon heating systems • Lendology - Low-cost council funded loans for energy efficiency and renewables. To find the right scheme for you, call Severn Wye who run our council-funded service on 0800 500 3076 or visit www. warmandwell.co.uk Support nature: Autumn and winter are a great time for planting trees, putting out bird food, and building insect and hedgehog homes. Your local Wildlife Trust has lots of useful tips and guidance. Visit www. avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/ or call 0117 9177270.

Making better choices today can have a big impact on your physical and mental health. One You South Gloucestershire is here to help you get healthier and feel better with free tips, tools and support. Whether it's moving more, eating more healthily or checking yourself, the One You team can help you make small, practical changes that fit in with your life. It’s offering services

Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Rachael Hunt, next to one of the new solar powered bins on Kingswood high street

Climate emergency volunteering: Join the Conservation Volunteers who do amazing work in our area. Visit www.tcv.org.uk or call 01302 388 883. Be prepared for severe weather: In the South West, winters are likely to be considerably wetter and summers hotter. Check out the Met Office’s Weather Ready website for advice on preparing

for and coping with severe weather here: www.metoffice.gov.uk/ weatherready Join a climate emergency group: Our area-wide Climate Emergency Community Engagement group meets every three months. To sign up to this group email: www.climate. emergency@southglos.gov.uk or call 01454 868004.

Looking after your wellbeing such as courses online and advice on the telephone. The team is here and ready to help you take the next step in improving your health. To find out more visit www.oneyou.

southglos.gov.uk or call us on 01454 865337. For anyone who is choosing to shield at this time because you are clinically vulnerable to the effects of covid-19, you can still contact us for support on 0800 953 7778.

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SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL SPECIAL EDITION

Can you help?

Redundancy support The Covid-19 pandemic has created a lot of uncertainty for people and for many they are now facing the challenge of redundancy from their jobs. If this applies to you, there is support and information available to help you find a new job, look at training options available to you, understand what benefits you can claim and provide you with useful sources of information Visit www.southglos.gov.uk/ redundancysupport Or call: 01454 868009.

Allie from Swagger Gifts wears a face covering and has made her shop Covid-secure. She’s doing everything she can to keep herself and her customers safe. Please be like Allie and do everything you can to Keep South Gloucestershire Safe.

Subscribe for the latest news Sign up to receive a weekly update on South Gloucestershire Covid-19 cases and advice, and council service updates including waste and recycling news. Register for our enewsletter at: www.southglos.gov.uk/covid19newsletter or if you would like a printed copy please let us know on 01454 868009.

Residents, you can help stop the spread of Covid-19 by sharing South Gloucestershire Council’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram messages on your own social media channels. If you are on the Nextdoor app, be sure to recommend it to your neighbours so the council can continue to grow its South Gloucestershire online community and share messages of specific importance to your area. Businesses and community groups will find images, posters and flyers to share online or download and print. Visit www.southglos.gov.uk/ covid19resources

yate&sodburyvoice

November, 2020

23

n NEWS

Nature reserve trees fall victim to disease

A YATE nature reserve will be transformed after many of its tallest trees fell victim to disease. Contractors were set to begin work at the end of October to remove branches from trees at Wapley Bushes Nature Reserve which have fallen victim to ash dieback disease. There is no cure for the fungal disease, and around 25 affected trees are set to be cut back, with their branches removed and 6m (20ft) trunk 'monoliths' left behind to provide a habitat for insects and birds as they gradually decay. The works have been commissioned by Dodington Parish Council, which says the disease has spread throughout the woodland. Professional surveys have identified the affected trees and those near to the reserve's main paths will be made safe. Ash dieback particularly affects Wapley Bushes because most of the tallest trees in the

Ash trees at Wapley Bushes woods are ash. The fungus originated in Asia but has crossed Europe and is now sweeping the UK. It kills around 95% of affected ash trees. The council said: "The best remedy is replanting with other trees to keep the right habitat for birds, woodland creatures, insects, fungi and other plants." People planning to visit the woods have been warned to take

care while the work is carried out by a team from Teign Trees and Landscapes. The parish council and Wapley Bushes Conservation Group are planning an "extensive replanting programme", and aim to plant more than 250 trees during future winter planting seasons. Parish councillor and conservation group member Paul

Hulbert said: “We knew that this infection was coming, so our volunteers started planting replacements three years ago. "We’ve planted the first 300 young trees, but there’s lots more to do. "Please contact the Parish Council if you would like to help preserve the woodland for future generations." Wapley Bushes Nature Reserve, which is between Shire Way and Besom Lane, is owned by the parish council and looked after by the Wapley Bushes conservation group, with members from the Southwold branch of Avon Wildlife Trust, and South Gloucestershire Council. To find out more about the tree works, visit the parish council website at www. dodingtonpc.org.uk, contact the Parish Council office on 01454 866546 or email clerk@ dodingtonpc.org.uk.

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November, 2020

n STROUD AUCTION ROOMS

AutographscaptureFabFour'svisit tothePalace A SET of Beatles autographs which could only have been collected on one historic day were the star turn of the October sale at Stroud Auctions. There were several outstanding results in the ephemera section, defined as ‘collectable items that were originally expected to have only short-term usefulness or popularity’ and including autographs, enamel advertising signs, postcards, tickets, leaflets and promotional items, programmes and posters. Beatles-related items continue to be extremely sought after, and lot 671 was no exception. The £6,000 price achieved was excellent simply because of the provenance – the story behind the autographs. Obtained on the day the Beatles received their MBEs at Buckingham Palace in October 1965, along with the famous four signatures was the addition of Robert Dougall, a newsreader popular in the 1960’s, who was another MBE recipient on the same day.

With so many fakes and copies around, the background to any autograph is vital, and in this case the story checked out perfectly. The auctioneer’s favourite lot of the 2,343 which went under the hammer over three days was the rugby programme for a match held at Kingsholm back in 1905, the year of a rugby tour still considered one of the greatest ever. Gloucester were beaten 44-0 on the day, but this programme, which sold for £2,100, is on its way to New Zealand, where the new owner definitely won’t feel bad about the result! The tour was famous for being the one where the All Blacks got their name – before this they wore white shorts, but swapped to black for the 1905/1906 tour, hence the nickname, which has definitely stuck. The surprise lot of the sale was a set of nine plans relating to Joseph Paxton's Crystal Palace, comprising three main floor plans, dated September 1900, which sold for £1,000. The October auction also

included ceramics and glass, stamps, books, pictures and paintings, vinyl records and furniture, and with a huge amount of interest online the prices achieved were very pleasing. The December auction (including specialist sections of jewellery, silver, watches and coins) is shaping up brilliantly, in particular the fine wines and spirits section. The deadline for entries is November 6. Stroud Auctions are now accepting items for the January auction, so if you have anything you would like valued with a view to selling, including ephemera like the items above, please get in touch by phone on 01453 873800 or email at valuations@ stroudauctions.co.uk. Valuations are free and without obligation. Right: The Beatles signed these autographs during their famous visit to Buckingham Palace in 1965 to become MBEs.

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yate&sodburyvoice

November, 2020

25

n NEWS

Help us keep Yate and Sodbury clean

Members of the Sodbury and Yate Clean Up group in action

Rubbish collected from Yate Common

A GROUP which is working to keep the open spaces of Yate and Chipping Sodbury clean is calling on schools and businesses to lend a hand. The Sodbury and Yate Clean Up group has grown to 331 members since it started at the end of January this year. While most of its mass events had to be cancelled due to lockdown, volunteers have

another 12 sacks were filled and rubbish ranged from shopping trolleys to car batteries and rubble. Sarah White, from the group, said: "It's been wonderful to see the community come together during lockdown but even though we keep on fighting, we cannot keep up with the volume of litter, which is now including masks and other PPE.

been getting involved in doing their own litter picks, helping to encourage and inspire each other. The group took part in the Abbotswood Action Group clean-up day on September 12, collecting 12 sacks of rubbish. Just over a week later they joined forces with the Friends of Yate Common to do a sociallydistanced litter pick event where

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"It's so disheartening to clear an area then go back a few days later and see it filled again. "So we are making a plea to all businesses and schools to get involved by spending 10 minutes a week to clear up around their premises. "It doesn't sound like much but if everyone helped, it could make a huge difference."

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Celebrate a life! Celebrate a special family event! Sponsor a light on the 2020 Tree of Light The very large tree at the eastern entrance to Yate Shopping Centre, will be lit up with hundreds of lights during the Christmas season! Sadly, Christmas this year will not be normal. We shall not be able to celebrate with friends in the usual way, and even our traditional family parties will be limited. This Tree of Light will help to unite us all, and raise our spirits during this difficult time.

You are still invited to celebrate! You can do it by sponsoring a light on the Tree of Light!

Full details are on the Yate Rotary Club website: Go to www.yaterotaryclub.co.uk and select TREE OF LIGHT Sponsorship costs £6 per person/event celebrated, and you can pay using PayPal via the website or send a cheque, using the sponsorship form below. You and the person/event you wish to celebrate, will be included in the

‘Book of Celebration’

on the Yate Rotary Club website.

The Tree of Light is generously supported by:

The Tree of LIght is arranged by Yate Rotary Club. The proceeds will be used by Rotary to benefit as many projects and charitable good causes as possible both locally and internationally. Registered Charity No.1035477 __________________________________________________________________________________________________cut here___________

TREE OF LIGHT CELEBRATION SPONSORSHIP FORM Your name: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Your phone no:………………………...Your e-mail: ………………………………………………………. Your address: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Name/s of person/s or event/s to be celebrated: ……………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Please make cheques payable to ‘Yate and District Rotary Club’ and mail to: Yate Rotary Club, 2 Wickham Close, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol, BS37 6NH All personal information will be kept securely and used only for communications about the Tree of Light

yate&sodburyvoice

November, 2020

27

n NEWS

Art and maths flourishing at North Road CHILDREN at North Road Primary School have been busy working away at a project to create a mosaic. The project, carried out with the help of experts from TomatoJack Arts and funded by the Arts Society Severn Valley and the Rotary Club of Yate, will celebrate the school's values and its 170th birthday. It has involved each class bubble working on the project separately, with elements then combined to make a rainbow mosaic. The finished artwork will be mounted on the front of the school so pupils can see it every day as they enter. An unveiling ceremony is due to take place on November 2, so that it will be in place when children return after the halfterm holidays. The school has also taken part in a special event to celebrate World Maths Day on October 15.

A North Road Primary School pupil at work on the mosaic. The event involving school support organisation Integra, involved 10,500 pupils from 46 schools across the region. Children learned about the origins of the numerical system and explored some of the different mathematical methods used around the world; from learning to count in Japanese, to

cracking codes A North Road Primary School pupil at work on the in Swahili, and mosaic. even Egyptian multiplication. the changes, affecting North *South Gloucestershire Road and The British, via the Council is holding a consultation consultations section of the on introducing a 20mph limit council's website. and speed humps near North People who are not online can Road Primary School. call 01454 863503 to find out Views are being sought on how to have their say.

We want to hear

your views

South Gloucestershire Council, along with our partners, are in the process of developing a masterplan for Yate, this will set out the long-term vision for how we can improve the town. We want to hear your views on the emerging vision and opportunities for Yate by the 16 November 2020.

Visit: ď‚Ź www.yatefuture.com or for a printed copy of the materials please call 01189 467809.

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

28

November, 2020

n MOTORING

A guide to pre-owned cars with Richard Cooke

Second-hand Style

2012 Mercedes E Class convertible ‘A207’: The sweet spot

I LOVE large Mercedes convertibles. They may be the only convertibles I do like, actually. The brutalist elegance of the Bruno Sacco early 90s ‘W124’ E-Class remains a particular favourite. I’ll never buy one though – these old barges need oil changes every 6k miles and, sadly, they rust. As does the CLK that sort of replaced it, only that took corrosion to a whole new level. CLKs not yet scrapped are either garage queens or tragic rust-infested wrecks. Prices are low for a reason – walk away quickly. Mercedes never got the CLK right, and whilst the newer models introduced in 2002 didn’t rust (much), their engines did implode. The V6 petrol examples were the worst offenders: Mercedes got successfully taken to court in the US over the matter. At the other end of the price scale, nearly-new Merc soft tops always look far too expensive. I put this down to fashion. For a short window, say four or five years, demand tends to outstrip supply. A certain demographic desperately wants the newest car on their drive, and Mercedes know it. Prices stay high; supply is moderated to keep them that way.

So old Merc convertibles are either in classic car territory, or money pits (sometimes both) and new ones are fashionable and therefore overpriced. The sweet spot, in my view, is this month’s car. Mercedes brought the E Class badge back to the drop top segment in 2009, but underneath it is, like the CLK, based on the smaller C class. No matter – there’s plenty of room, front and back, and the boot is a decent size, even with the roof down. My test car was a 2012 E250 CDi, which translates to a 2.1 litre diesel engine with 200hp and endless torque. The colour is fabulous, and compliments the black leather. In fact, someone ticked every box (with one notable exception) when specifying this particular car. Toys that stood out as unusual in an eight year old car included lane departure warning (no thanks), blind spot monitoring mirrors (excellent) and heat scarves in the front headrests (lovely). There’s also an electric front air deflector and rear mesh guard, both of which reduce wind noise and turbulence in the cabin at speed. The doors feel heavy and clunky, like a Merc should. A big improvement on the flimsy

affairs from ten years previously. The roof goes up in 25 seconds, which seemed quick but won’t be in the rain. The diesel was almost silent on tick over, showing 62k miles on the clock. This engine powers nearly every taxi in Germany and will do ten times that mileage, with proper servicing. On the road it is rapid, by any standard, and returns 50 miles per gallon of diesel. Do fuel prices matter at the moment? Costs are down, annual mileages significantly reduced. Discuss. Regardless, I’d have the 250CDi over the much softer-tuned 220CDi. Same engine, more grunt. So, what’s not to like? Well, this is a heavy car (1.7 tons), so don’t look at it as anything other than a cruiser. Modest 17in wheels and that weight makes the ride fabulous though, with none of the compromises in rigidity you sometimes get from a convertible. What 99.9% of Mercedes buyers won’t like is the manual gearbox this example has. I suspect that the automatic option is the first box punters tick in the showroom, costing £2,000 extra. What we have here is a car less common than manure with rocking horse provenance. And I’m not sure why – the six speed gearbox is very good. It also perked up the performance and made me work a bit for my power. Or if I wasn’t in the mood, I just shifted early and rode the wave of torque. Why don’t more Mercs come specified this way? That’s back to the demographics of people who buy them new, and the perceived premium attached to a slushbox. Well, sorry - they’re all wrong. Mercedes make a good manual shifter, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Mercedes E250 CDi, 2010 – 2017. What to pay: £10k for a 2012 model, 60k miles

HAVE YOUR SAY For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

Let us know your feelings go to our Facebook page Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

November, 2020

29

n RECIPE OF THE MONTH

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

Lemon Polenta Cake: Be kind to yourself THIS time of year can seem a little dreary at the best of times. Warm summer days seem a far distant memory, but this year with all of the Covid restrictions biting we can feel less than bouncy. My solution? Eat cake! Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting you go mad, because I for one have put on weight over lockdown. But a warm slice of my polenta cake is sure to make you smile. Just don’t go back for a second slice! Polenta is ground cornmeal and is usually served with savoury dishes, instead of rice or pasta. But it has a wonderful crunchy texture and, when mixed with ordinary flour, gives a great nutty flavour, as in this deliciously moist, unusual cake. You can serve it as a dessert or with a cup of tea as an afternoon treat. Go on, be kind to yourself.

Lemon Polenta Cake Serves 6-8 Ingredients: Butter- 175g (6oz) Light brown sugar-100g (4oz) Eggs, free range, large-2, lightly beaten Plain flour- 115g (about 4oz) Polenta-110g (4 ½ oz) Baking powder -1 ½ tsp Sodium bicarbonate – ½ tsp Ground almonds – 50g (2 ½ oz) Soured cream – 142ml Lemons – 1, large or 2 small, finely grated rind and juice.

To serve Crème fraîche – a small tub, about 200ml Best quality lemon curd – 3 or 4 tbsps, to taste A little caster sugar Preheat the oven to 180c, 350f, or gas mark 4 rease and line with greaseproof G paper a 23cm (about 8 inches) cake tin. Beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs a little at a time, beating well in between each addition of egg. (If the mixture starts to curdle, add a little flour, and then continue adding the eggs.) In a separate bowl, mix the flour and polenta with the baking powder and the sodium bicarb. Gently, in a figure of 8 movement, fold the flour mixture into the creamed butter, using a metal spoon. Gently fold in the almonds, soured cream and the lemon juice and rind. Put into the prepared tin, level the top and bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 mins until a rich brown. (Insert a skewer into the middle, it should come out clean if the cake is cooked. If not, give it another 5mins and check again.) Allow to cool in the tin in the oven which has now been switched off. Leave to cool for about 5 mins before turning out onto a wire cooling tray. Sprinkle with caster sugar. Serve warm with the crème fraîche mixed with the lemon curd.

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

30

November, 2020

n LOCAL MP

New school is needed to keep up with growth

H

ERE in South Gloucestershire we need a new secondary and primary school in Lyde Green, to ensure that education provision keeps up with the rate of growth in our area. That is why I have been pushing for a new secondary school, with 420 primary places and 900 secondary places, so that children in Lyde Green, Yate, Frampton Cotterell, Coalpit Heath and the neighbouring villages shall be able to attend a new school near their homes. We have already made great progress on this new school: Firstly, South Gloucestershire Council have begun their consultation on the design for

the new Lyde Green School. The school facilities, including its sports pitches, will be available for community use outside of school hours. The new buildings will also be constructed to high environmental standards that seek to minimise carbon emissions. Secondly, I have recently brought this campaign to the Secretary of State for Education’s attention to champion the need for this new school and to support South Gloucestershire Council’s bid to secure the necessary government funding. Most recently, we were able to secure a Parliamentary debate on the same subject – with the Schools Minister Nick Gibb

MP agreeing that there is “an increasing need for places for secondary school-age pupils in this part of South Gloucestershire”. We are expecting any decisions from government later this term, and I will keep Voice readers updated on any progress that we make. Building this Lyde Green Secondary school is a key part of our Positive Plan for Schools and Family Life in South Gloucestershire. This is alongside ensuring that we get our fair share of school funding, building two new primary schools in Yate, redeveloping Castle School in Thornbury, building a new special school at Marlwood, improving special

Luke Hall MP writes for Yate & Sodbury Voice

needs provision and ensuring the implementation of £79 million of repairs and upgrades for South Gloucestershire schools. To find out more about our Positive Plan for Schools and Family Life, or if there is anything else that I can be of assistance with, please do not hesitate to drop me a message.

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yate&sodburyvoice

November, 2020

31

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Stopping the virus is our personal responsibility IT has been over six months since coronavirus restrictions were introduced and I’m sure many of us are just as frustrated and concerned as we were back in March. It is important that we do not let our guard down. We all need to continue to play our part and follow the Government’s three tier regulations to prevent the virus transmission increasing any further in our area. We have seen how certain parts of the country are now facing increased restrictions and we must do all we can to avoid this from happening across Avon and Somerset. I know local people are concerned what will happen if a national lockdown is enforced, and how this will impact our lives, local businesses, workplaces and schools. Let’s hope it does not reach this stage and, if it does, it is not for as long as the lockdown in the spring.

Please continue to follow the rules and guidance to keep you and your family safe as well as protecting the most vulnerable in our communities. As I’ve said many times over the last six months, please take personal responsibility; you might not feel you are vulnerable to the virus but other people’s loved ones will be. We know that the transmission of this virus can be rapid, so we have to work as a collective to stop coronavirus and put an end to its disruptive nature. Last month, we marked National Hate Crime Awareness Week and it was an ideal opportunity to talk about the impact this crime has on many people’s lives. This year, the global conversation has shone a light on the grave injustices experienced by black people, people of colour, disabled people and many other communities as a result of coronavirus,

the national lockdown and the criminal justice system. A brave victim of hate crime wrote about their experience, which was published on the PCC website. Despite living and working in the UK for 15 years, they were told they “didn’t belong here” as “this is England for English people” and was called a “foreigner”. The victim explained how the experience affected their well-being and why they believe others should report similar hate crime incidents to the police or services. Being targeted because of your age, race, sexual orientation, religion or any other reason is unacceptable. We must stand together united against hate crime. We need to reach out to victims of this awful crime and remind them they are not alone: there are organisations, services and individuals who are

With Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens out there who can offer support, including SWAN (www.swanadvocacy.org.uk) and SARI (www. sariweb.org.uk). I want to reassure victims that if you report hate incidents to the police, you will be taken seriously. I know many survivors feel like they will be wasting police time if they report but this is not the case: you will be listened to and supported.

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November, 2020

n PETER'S VISION

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HIS month I’ve had a little more time to read than I usually do. It’s been interesting, and some of the things I've shared from my reading has certainly raised a few eyebrows in our house! The first ‘magic’ I read about is an eye drop that you can take, that claims to help your eyes focus up close, even past middle age (no quips please - it’s approaching some of us all too fast). The idea is that the drops help stop the impact of the natural firming of the eye’s lens that would normally make seeing close up a bit trickier as the years tick by. Now this process has been happening since man first walked the earth, so it’s a perfectly normal human (ageing) process that starts to have an impact for most of us anywhere from our 40’s to our 50’s. The clever thing about these drops, and yes I’m still going on about them, is that they make our pupils smaller, giving a pinhole effect. Now if you’ve ever tried to make a pinhole camera you will know that making light focus through a smaller gap keeps it in better focus. This sounds amazing right! Let’s all take the drops now eh. Before we get carried away though I should say that these drops are not new to us eye specialists. We’ve used these in our clinics for years to treat a rapid onset type of glaucoma - a condition that can rob you of your vision. Sounds great I hear you say, drops that mean we don’t need reading glasses and we don’t get glaucoma either. Give them to us all now! However, as with all magic, there is surely more than meets the eye. In this case, these drops achieve better near focus by making a muscle in the eye tight, and like any muscle tightening it can ache after a while. In fact sometimes the ache can induce a persistent dull headache or even a migraine, perhaps an acceptable side effect if the alternative is dramatic loss of vision from glaucoma, but is it worth it to just reduce the need for reading glasses? No doubt

you will all have an opinion on this, and it may well be “give me the drops!” I read with interest a quote from a leading London eye surgeon who said “as these drops can cause headache and eye ache, as well as stopping you seeing clearly for driving at night, why not just wear glasses for reading which are safe and effective”. Let the discussion roll on eh! In the meantime, as these drops are not available, perhaps we’ll just keep wearing glasses to help roll back the years and keep our eyes feeling young. Our MAXX glasses are designed for just this reason, we can see clearly far and close, and stay looking young too! You & your loved ones are most welcome to come and see us whatever your eye care needs. Whether you wear glasses for near, far or both, our expert team is ready & waiting to help you! We just ask that you telephone first to book a time to come in, to help us keep you all safe. Please call our Henleaze practice on 0117 962 2474 or our Fishponds practice on 0117 965 4434.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Peter

Peter Turner is a Senior Optometrist at Turners Opticians in Bristol, and also works part time as a Senior Optometrist at the Bristol Eye Hospital.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

November, 2020

33

n COMMUNITY NEWS

June goes the extra mile for marathon walk IT’S a challenge to walk a Marathon when you are 88 years old and dependent on a walking frame. But that’s exactly what June Kent, a member of the Inner Wheel Club of Chipping Sodbury, wanted to do. Partly it was to increase her mobility and partly it was to do something to support the charitable projects that Inner Wheel helps. June lives in Wotton-underEdge and has recently recovered from her third hip operation. She said: “I just wanted to get out a bit more often and before I realised it I had offered to walk a marathon for charity by doing a mile a day.” June went out to walk the pavements of Wotton-underEdge, come rain or shine, and was determined to make sure she had completed more than 26 miles. In fact, by the time she crossed the finishing line, on October 10, she had completed well over 27 miles.

June Kent (centre) is welcomed over the finish line by Kay Hobday, Liz Pattison, Jane Symons and Binny Fraser. June’s marathon effort has been an inspiration to us all. She took on this challenge with great cheerfulness and

determination to walk the correct distance and has done so with enthusiasm. We do not underestimate the

huge effort it has taken for June to complete this task. June has been raising funds to support the local food banks and Medical Aid Films, an international charity helping to combat the spread of malaria in Zambia. She said: “I want to thank the many people who have supported me both by walking with me and by generously sponsoring me to help raise funds. I am grateful to them all." So far June has raised in excess of £800 and donations are still coming in. Anyone wanting to support June’s fundraising effort should email kay.hobday@yahoo.co.uk. Members of the Inner Wheel Club of Chipping Sodbury support each other in friendship and social events, while also raising funds for local and international charities. Kay Hobday Inner Wheel Club of Chipping Sodbury

Chipping Sodbury Rotary

Shopmobility South Glos

IN late September, club members enjoyed a very thought-provoking talk by Dr James Eldred, a trustee of the Caring in Bristol charity, established to help homeless people in Bristol. Dr Eldred, a community consultant psychiatrist and clinical director with the Avon and Somerset Mental Health Trust, illustrated the day-today challenges faced by homeless people in Bristol and the ways in which the charity strives to meet these challenges effectively, a task made all the more difficult during the COVID-19 crisis. Our club would like to recognise the most remarkable selflessness displayed by June Kent, aged 88, a member of the Inner Wheel Club of Chipping Sodbury. June decided to walk the distance of a marathon to raise funds for two organisations, namely the local foodbank and a charity called Medical Aid Films, who have teamed up with the Butterfly Tree Project to provide malaria nets for health clinics throughout Zambia. With support from her Inner Wheel colleagues and Rotary club members, June, with her walking frame, has walked a mile a day and completed the full marathon distance. Members of our club have contributed to this Inner Wheel Club of Chipping Sodbury fundraising initiative. Anyone who wishes to contribute can do so by contacting Kay Hobday at kay.hobday@yahoo.co.uk. Sodbury Vale Nursery has been fundraising to buy 20 ‘clouds’ to improve the acoustics for the benefit of children with hearing difficulties. Our club was very pleased to make a financial contribution to the nursery towards their fundraising effort. Separately, the club also made a financial contribution to the Kids Out charity, which is running a district-wide initiative to provide boxes of toys for children currently living in local refuges. We have also helped Old Sodbury Football Club to enable the purchase of hand driers to assist with the numerous changes they are having to make to ensure that their facilities are covid-compliant. Finally, on the financial grants front, the club has made a contribution, via a Rotary club in Beirut, to buy food parcels for the residents struggling to come to terms with the recent catastrophic explosion there. On the social front, a number of us continue to meet at Horton Social Club on a weekly basis to enjoy a friendly (though becoming increasingly competitive) game of boules. Stuart Fraser

POPULAR long-serving Shopmobility South Gloucestershire volunteer James Wiltshire has retired from the charity after 10 years' service. The scheme, which started operating in 2006, is based in Yate Library and provides a vital service renting out mobility scooters and wheelchairs. James said: "I have enjoyed my time at Shopmobility and helping people with their disabilities." Shopmobility project manager Sheridan Crew, who worked closely with James, said: "James was a tremendous asset to Shopmobility during his 10 years of volunteering, in offering his support to ensure the service remained open during staff absences and supporting me to help run the service smoothly. He was rightly awarded a community award in recent years for his dedicated service to us. "James was able to empathise with people's disability issues, given a shared experience of disability and would share his love of trains to those with a similar interest. "We will be sad to see him leave us but he has decided to 'retire' due in part to health considerations. "James intends to remain using the service, so we and other members of the service should continue to see him in and around Yate shopping centre." People can rent mobility scooters and wheelchairs from Shopmobility South Glos, which is currently open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am to 3.30pm. To pre-book a scooter or wheelchair please call 01454 868718 or 07999 574 474, email shopmobilitysouthglos@yahoo.com, or call into the office. We would like to thank James for his many year's service to Shopmobility. He has been greatly appreciated by all at the scheme and the service's many users. David Bell

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

Let us knowyour views EMAIL US AT:

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yate&sodburyvoice

34

n NEWS

November, 2020

n ABBOTSWOOD PHARMACY BLOG

Lights switch-on CHRISTMAS will come early to Chipping Sodbury when a resident unveils his festive light display at the end of the month. The front of Brian Taylor's house in Merlin Drive will feature Christmas lights and a snow machine, and is set for a big switchon on Saturday November 28, at 6pm. Mr Taylor is raising money for two organisations close to his heart – Cancer Research UK and an autism charity. He lost his first wife to cancer and his current wife Janet’s family have two children with autism. The house, at 79 Merlin Drive, was festooned with lights last year, and many neighbours urged him to raise money for charity this year. Brian says that the switch on will be a great family event, with a few surprises being planned. He will be taking precautions to ensure the event is COVID-19 safe. Brian said: “It was just a hobby and I started years ago. It’s getting more expensive, costing me more money. "The problem is, I keep going to garden centres – I’ve bought a new light today." The lights will be on display until the end of the year.

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Garage Doors

Speak to us for peace of mind Many of us reading this will be anxious about the increasing COVID-19 infection rates – the second wave. 2020 has already morphed from the usual montage of memories to static slides with images and events etched into our minds and sometimes hearts—many of them unwelcome. Face masks, PPE, Toilet roll towers! It is a sobering fact that as a result, of COVID-19, fewer people have been referred for cancer investigations, and cancer survival is likely to have been badly impacted. This is a major tragedy. In the last few years, so much effort has gone into increasing screening uptake for bowel, breast and cervical cancer alongside improving all cancerdiagnosis and treatment. You can, however, save a friend’s life or even yours. We know that many people are reluctant to visit any healthcare premises. At AbbotswoodPharmacy, we see this anxiety boiling over into name-calling and insults directed at us before people calm down and apologise. We do not excuse such behaviour, but we understand the strain that is causing it. So please, now more than ever that if you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms : Unexplained bleeding (rectal, vaginal, bruising); An unusual lump or swelling anywhere on the body; Unexplained weight loss; Very heavy night sweats; Unexplained pain or ache; Unusual breast changes such as any change in the size, shape or feel of a breast, including any nipple or skin changes; Coughing up blood; Blood in urine or stool; Mouth or tongue ulcer that lasts longer than three weeks; A change in bowel habits, such as constipation, looser or more frequent pooing; KINDLY SPEAK WITH YOUR PHARMACIST OR GP. It may not be anything but for peace of mind, just speak with us. Remember it is never a bother and no query is too small. This key message we will again be sharing during our Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Campaign this month. Yet again, our pharmacy will be going purple, Sadly during COVID-19, pancreatic cancer, like all other cancers, has not stood still – decimating lives, while preying on those socio-economically and institutionally disadvantaged. Be a life-saver, encourage anyone you are concerned about to speak with us. This collective trauma ripping through our nation need not stop us redeeming and preserving life and dignity. Early cancer diagnosis saves lives, talk to us today about anything isn’t normal for you.

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November, 2020

35

n SPORT

Yate racer extends his championship lead

TEENAGE racer Alfie Gendall took another step closer to clinching the Junior American Cup Car Racing Championship after a convincing performance in round 6 at the Birmingham Wheels Raceway. The round saw the final taking place under floodlights for the first time. Alfie took the chequered flag in heat 1 but was demoted to 3rd after touching the car in front. Heat 2 was a good battle at the front between Alfie and the number 7 car, with Alfie taking the lead half way through the race with a nice move around the outside of the first turn and maintaining a gap to take the victory. The final under the floodlights saw Alfie come through the pack early on in the race to take victory, with the number 32 of Lara Spicer taking second. Alfie said: “The racing was good fun as usual, and great to get two more race victories and a nice lot of points to extend my lead in the championship. "I am really looking forward to the next round at Buxton

Alfie Gendall racing in the rain in Round 5 of the Junior American Cup Car Racing Championship. Raceway.” Alfie has extended his lead to 90 points, with three rounds left. The dry conditions for round six Alfie leads the way in contrasted wildly with round 5, held round 6. Pictures: Jeff Gendall as storm Alex gripped the UK, testing the driving to showcase some fantastic skills of the young racers. racing in the heats and final. Racing with their wet tyres on Due to his lead in the for the first time this season, all championship Alfie started the drivers showed great control the heats on the back row and

managed to work through the field to take second place in heat 1 and a first in heat 2. The rain kept coming all day and, heading into the final, the youngsters had several large pools of water on the inside of the track to contend with: especially tricky for miniature racers with no windscreens. Alfie came away from the final with a second place he was pleased with, given the conditions. The Junior American Cup Cars are powered by a Honda GX390 engine and are limited to approx 65mph. The series is open to young racers aged eight to 15, and is a very safe way to introduce children and teenagers to motorsport. Second-hand cars are available to buy and hire so anyone who is interested in joining Alfie on the grid can contact the team via alfiegendallracing@gmail.com or on their social media channels for more details. Jeff Gendall

Club's drive to improve disabled access CHIPPING Sodbury Rugby Football Club is raising money to improve wheelchair access for spectators at its home at the Ridings. The appeal was launched after club stalwart Lloyd Williams, a former front row player, was left permanently paralysed from the waist down following a motorbike accident on his way to work. The campaign aims to raise £12,000 to upgrade the multi-use sports facility in Wickwar Road, Chipping Sodbury, in tribute

to Lloyd, whose sons Matt and Ed are also involved at the club. The club has launched a GoFundMe page, which had raised almost £5,000 as the Voice went to press for facilities including a safe footpath from the car park and club house to the senior pitch and access across the bottom of the pitch. The club said: "Lloyd is a second-generation club member, with his children playing and coaching at the club and a supporter of the club every home game.

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"We would not only like to install this path to allow him to watch his loved team, as his recovery gets better, and in the future watch his grandchildren playing, making it four generations to be involved with the club, but also to allow anyone from the local community access to The Ridings." The cause has had a £1,000 donation from Cotswold Homes. To donate, visit gofundme. com/f/safe-disabled-access-tothe-ridings.

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November, 2020

n SPORT

Yate seek to end losing streak after goal drought YATE Town are hoping to find some of their early season form – and goals – after three defeats in a row in the Southern Premier League South. A 1-0 home loss at the hands of Chesham on October 17 left them in the wrong half of the table and looking to string some results together. Chesham secured the three points with a penalty, converted by Jake Cass, after just 10 minutes. Nick Rhodes was judged to have held Eoin Casey inside the box, something contested by the home side, but Cass made no mistake from the spot. The Bluebells had a dubious penalty of their own awarded in the second half for a handling offence on the line. The decision caused a heated debate on the pitch and it took several minutes before Ollie Mehew was able to take the spot kick. He underhit his effort, allowing the keeper to dive to his right and make the save. This defeat came after Yate came away from the long trip to Truro City pointless and goalless. The Cornish side scored early and late in the game to win 2-0 thanks to goals from Jamie Richards and Alex Battle.

Action from Yate Town's home defeat to Chesham At the start of October Yate were wellbeaten by league leaders Tiverton Town, who won 3-0 at Lodge Road, a result which followed a 0-0 draw away to struggling Farnborough. The side's last win as the Voice went to press – before the home fixture against highflying Poole Town on October 24 – was the

4-1 win over Dorchester Town on September 26. Goals from Jordan Williams, Sam Turl, Andy Lewis and Stuart Fleetwood inside 60 minutes made the game safe long before the visitors' stoppage-time consolation. But with no goals now having been scored in over 360 minutes of football, it is perhaps no surprise that the Bluebells have continued to strengthen their squad. The latest addition is the attacking midfielder Ryan Beckinsale, who has previously played for Tiverton Town. Earlier manager Paul Michael made a double signing of former Bristol City Academy players. Striker Ricardo Rees left City’s U23 side this summer and has had loan spells with Bath City and Salisbury. Max Williams, a central defender, also left Bristol City this summer after his scholarship, and has also had trials with Bristol Rovers. Yate had better news on the cup front. They have been given a home draw against Bideford Town in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy. The match is due to be played on Saturday, October 31, with a 3pm kick-off.

Badminton & Pucklechurch back in action at YOSC WHILST following the strict guidance from England Hockey, Badminton & Pucklechurch Ladies Hockey Club have been very fortunate to be able to do what they enjoy best – train and play several friendly games of hockey. Friendlies have so far been played against Avonmouth, Dursley and Knowle, with BAC upcoming. With two impressive wins so far against Avonmouth and Knowle, the club are looking forward to league action, which was due to start on October 24. The club has two teams, training on a Monday evening from 7.50-9pm, and play their home fixtures on a Saturday morning at 10am, at Yate Outdoor Sports Centre. Very friendly and welcoming, the club

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comprises a variety of skill levels, from very experienced seniors to those who have not picked up a hockey stick before, aged 13 years and up. The first training session is free for anyone who would like to come and get involved. To get back into sport or learn something new, build confidence and form new friendships, contact the club via Facebook @BadmintonandPucklechurchLHC, Instagram @bapslhc, Twitter @ BaPSLHC, on the website at www. badmintonandpucklechurchlhc.co.uk or by email at bandplhc@gmail.com. Lisa Rigby

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