Yate & Sodbury Voice November 2019

yate&sodburyvoice www.yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

November, 2019 Issue 57

FREE EVERY MONTH IN YATE, CHIPPING SODBURY & SURROUNDING VILLAGES

Lily is a star achiever Chef Dave is back in the kitchen

A POPULAR chef who lost his job weeks after going down with serious illness is back in the kitchen after having a lung transplant.

PAGE 7

Jobs saved

WORKERS who lost their jobs when Yate's Thomas Cook travel shop closed have been offered them back as it is reopened by a former rival.

PAGE 6

Flood test

WHEN Lily Allan was struggling with schoolwork after the death of her grandfather she found an unusual way to change her life – writing poetry.

The teenager from Chipping Sodbury took part in a

programme run by her school, Brimsham Green, to help people develop their skills and selfesteem.

Now Lily's school work has been transformed, her selfconfidence boosted and she has

even had a poem published.

The change has seen Lily win the Prince’s Trust Educational Achiever of the Year award and left her teachers "incredibly proud".

Full story: Page 3

A BARRIER will be tested to see if it can protect parts of Chipping Sodbury from the next big flood.

PAGE 13

Lack of respect

Neighbour disputes in the area are up amid a decline in 'respect and consideration', a report has found.

PAGE 16

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Have you won £3.7m?

December deadline Our December edition deadline is November 13.

Yate & Sodbury Voice contacts Advertising Enquiries Richard Drew, Publisher

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

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

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

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November, 2019

A EUROMILLIONS prize worth almost £3.7 million from a ticket bought in South Gloucestershire has yet to be claimed.

Lottery operator Camelot says the £3,696,996.80 prize – which was won on the same night a record-breaking £170m jackpot was scooped by a UK ticket holder – was bought somewhere in the area. It has not revealed any further details of exactly where and when the ticket was bought.

The winning EuroMillions numbers on that date were 7, 10, 15, 44, 49 and the Lucky Star numbers were 3 and 12. The ticket from South Gloucestershire matched the five main numbers and one Lucky Star.

The prize was far bigger than normal because the jackpot had already reached its maximum rollover cap of 190m euros, which meant extra prize money started to be shared among players in the next winning prize tier.

Anyone who believes they bought the ticket but have lost it can still make a claim in writing to Camelot – but it must be within 30 days of the draw.

If no-one comes forward with the winning ticket before the prize claim deadline, then the prize money, plus all the interest it has generated, will go towards National Lottery-funded projects across the UK. National Lottery senior winners’ advisor Andy Carter said: “We’re urging everyone who bought a EuroMillions ticket in this area to check their old tickets again or look anywhere a missing ticket could be hiding.

“Try checking in the pockets of clothing, in wallets, bags and down the back of the sofa – someone out there could literally be sitting on a fortune!

"We have the champagne on ice and our fingers crossed that the lucky winner comes forward to claim their win.”

The ticket-holder has until April 5 next year to claim their prize.

Anyone who has any queries or who believes they have the winning ticket for any of the National Lottery draws within the 180-day deadline should call the National Lottery Line on 0333 234 5050 or email help@national-lottery.co.uk.

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November, 2019

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n NEWS

Lily is region's achiever of the year A TALENT for poetry and a programme called Achieve have transformed the life of a teenager from Chipping Sodbury.

Lily Allan, 14, who goes to Brimsham Green School in Yate, was struggling with schoolwork and the loss of her grandad, whom she describes as her best friend.

But after taking part in the Prince’s Trust Achieve programme, which supports young people with their skills and self-esteem, and discovering a talent for poetry, which she started to write to find a way to express her emotions, her confidence and schoolwork have been transformed.

Lily has now been named the South West Ascential Educational Achiever of the Year award at The Prince’s Trust Awards.

The Achieve programme which is run by the school helps young people to develop their skills and self-esteem. It also helps them to re-engage with their education by providing a more flexible curriculum.

Lily Allan with Bristol Grammar School headmaster Jaideep Barot at the awards ceremony.

Lily said: “When I first started Achieve, it made me feel different to the other students. It showed me that everyone isn't the same and some people need more help with communicating, socialising and aren’t able to pick up on things as easily as others.

“I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved over the last year;

I’m writing poetry, I feel better in myself and my confidence has been completely boosted.

My grades have improved and I’ve even had one of my poems published – something I would never have imagined would happen.

“I know now I can do whatever I set my mind to and

want to keep working hard at school to realise my dream of being a lawyer.”

Lily’s teacher Katherine Crocker nominated her for the award and was over the moon that she won.

Ms Crocker said: “Lily has achieved so much this year and we’re all so incredibly proud of her– well done Lily!”

Lily was presented with the regional award at the 1532 Performing Arts Theatre in Bristol on October 16.

At the ceremony she said: “It was really hard for me when my grandad passed away and I found it hard to concentrate at school.

"Writing poetry has really helped me and I was proud to see my poetry published. I am really pleased to have won the Educational Achiever Award.”

Bristol Grammar School headmaster Jaideep Barot, who presented Lily with her award, said: “Lily is a truly inspirational young woman who has overcome so much in her life already. She should be incredibly proud of her achievements – well done Lily!”

Yate and Sodbury kick off Christmas YATE Shopping Centre has announced the date of this year's Christmas lights switch-on.

This year’s festivities will get underway on Saturday November 16 with a day of activities including music and parades.

There will be activities from 11am until 5pm, including entertainment on the central stage and parades at 1pm and 3pm, leading

up to the lights switch-on at 4.15pm.

Centre manager Andrew Lowrey said Father Christmas and his reindeer would be part of the parade along with many other characters children will recognise.

He added: "It will be an action packed six hours."

In Chipping Sodbury the big pre-

Christmas event will be the Victorian Day, which takes place on December 7 from midday until 8pm in the town centre.

Bands, choirs, dance and theatre groups will be on stage and a visit from Father Christmas on his sleigh is expected at around 6pm.

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yate&sodburyvoice thornburyvoice

28 4

April, 2017 November, 2019

■nNEWS NEWS

Food growing on the menu at Thornbury Teenager mugged open meeting in Yate park

ANYONE interested in producing their own vegetables, fruit and salad is invited to an open meeting of the Grow Your Own Food Group in POLICE are appealing for information after the knifepoint robbery Thornbury. of a teenager a Yate The group wasinset up topark. share knowledge about food gardening and The incident happenedopen nearmeetings, the lake atwhich Brinsham Park last year held two successful resulted inbetween new 4.15pmjoining. and 4.30pm on Sunday, October 20. members Anthe Avon and police spokesperson said: "The victim With start of Somerset the new growing season, the exercise is being was satwith on athe bench with his friend when were Castle approached repeated, event taking place in The they Chantry, Street,by on a male teenager, demanded their mobile phones.

Thursday, March 30,who from 7.30pm-9pm.

"He took the victim's phone but left the other because it had a flat battery.

"The suspect, who had what appeared to be a small knife with him, ran off in the direction of the nearby new development, Ladden Village."

Police said the victim and his friend were not injured and cycled home afterwards to report the incident.

The mugger was described as white, around 15-17 years old and slim, with black curly hair.

He was wearing a black and white coat with the letters "IL" on it, black jeans and black trainers.

Anyone with information should call the police on 101, quoting crime reference number 5219 243 061.

LUKE HALL MP MP for Thornbury, Yate and the surrounding villages Write to Luke at: Luke Hall MP, 26 High Street, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6AH e: luke.hall.mp@parliament.uk w: lukehall.org.uk Promoted by Luke Hall MP, House of Commons, SW1A 0AA.

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Horns of plenty in fund raising concert

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A CONCERT in Thornbury by Cornucopia, a quartet of professional horn players, will raise money for the town’s Armstrong Hall development project.

Music by Mozart - and his son - and Haydn will feature in the performance in the Cossham Hall, Chapel Street, on Friday, March 31.

The 19th century piece Bird of the Forest will also be played, with the evening closing with Gordon Carr’s Chinese Songs.

Cornucopia will join up with local flute player Nicki Woodward Old Sodbury (Barnes), baritone Niall Hoskin and pianist Steven Hollas for the concert, tickets for which cost £12, with concessions available.

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November, 2019

5

n NEWS

Rally spurs Dave to change the law

A LIFE-changing 2,000-mile car rally raising awareness of male suicide has spurred a Yate dad to take more action.

Father-of-two David Champion now hopes to work on a campaign to change the law over debt collection to combat the effect it can have on desperate people.

David took part in the rally from Cornwall to Pompeii to raise awareness of male suicide and raise money for charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), which runs a support helpline and webchat facility for men in crisis.

As reported in last month's Voice, the 40-year-old signed up with friends Jaimie Shore and Viv Potter in memory of Jaimie’s dad, Pete, who took his own

life when they were teenagers.

Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45.

The team spent five days on the road in their 1991 Volvo 1.6 S40 which was decorated like a NASCAR racer in the spirit of the racing comedy Talladega Nights, with the team dressed up as characters from the movie.

Over 400 people took part in the charity rally, the majority in fancy dress, driving in 150 cars.

Rally organisers set challenges every day for participants which often involved visiting cultural tourist attractions.

David said: “In Florence there were lots of American tourists and people were shouting out all the catch phrases from the film – coming up to us and asking for

photos. Fancy dress gets people excited.”

The trip wasn’t without its challenges, including a ferry crossing from in gale force 10 winds and an unintended diversion by satnav which saw the team end up two hours away from Pompeii on the wrong side of the Italian coast facing a drive through a thunderstorm.

But the team's Volvo did well enough to make the journey home, despite the wheel bearings rattling as it drove Mount Vesuvius.

David says there was a great connection between those who took part.

He said: “It’s life changing.

I would like to think that I was already a good person, and that things we did were good anyway,

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David now hopes to work with his employer, Nationwide, on a campaign to change legislation over debt collection. The law dictates how letters must be written to people who are often in desperate circumstances, and in some cases such letters have led to people taking their own lives. David believes they should offer more help and support.

David’s team have raised more than £4,000 so far via their fundraising page and through offline donations, smashing their online target of £2,500 before they had left the UK. Money is still coming in and donations can be made online at bit. ly/2mvDsMl.

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November, 2019

n NEWS

Ex-Thomas Cook staff offered jobs back WORKERS at Yate's Thomas Cook travel shop who lost their jobs when the company went bust have been offered them back.

Former rival Hays Travel has bought all 555 former Thomas Cook shops, where 2,500 people worked before the world's oldest travel agent collapsed in September.

And the new owner has announced plans to reopen the branch in Yate Shopping Centre on October 28.

The five staff who worked at the East Walk store have all been offered their jobs back.

Thomas Cook was placed into compulsory liquidation on September 23 after failing to secure £200 million banks were demanding to meet its debts.

Some 21,000 workers – 9,000 of them in the UK – lost their jobs and customers who were on foreign holidays were subject to a major repatriation operation

organised by the Civil Aviation Authority.

The company's branch in Yate Shopping Centre's East Walk shut immediately, with a notice attached to the door advising customers of the closure.

Workers at Bristol Airport, which was a hub for Thomas Cook Airlines with more than 30 flights per week, also lost their jobs.

After signing a deal on October 9 with the Official Receiver and professional services group KPMG, who were appointed by a court to liquidate Thomas Cook's assets, Hays Travel announced it would re-open the stores as soon as possible.

A spokesperson said the store would reopen as a Hays Travel branch, with five former Thomas Cook workers invited back.

The spokesperson said: "All the staff have been offered contracts to return and work in

The former Thomas Cook Travel Store in Yate Shopping Centre is set to reopen after being bought by Hays Travel. their original store."

Hays Travel already had 190 shops of its own across the UK but none in Yate or Bristol. Two other travel firms – Tui and Virgin Travel – currently have shops in Yate Shopping Centre.

Managing director John Hays said: “Our staff were devastated to hear about Thomas Cook and we all immediately felt we wanted to help."

Sunderland-based Hays

Travel says it is the UK’s largest independent travel agent.

Founded nearly 40 years ago, it is a family-owned business, chaired by Mr Hays' wife, Irene.

Mr Hays said buying the Thomas Cook stores was "a game-changer for us, almost trebling the number of shops we have and doubling our workforce – and for the industry, which will get to keep some of its most talented people”.

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November, 2019

7

n NEWS

Dave is back in the kitchen after transplant A CHEF popular for his Mexican food and vibrant personality is back in the kitchen after having a lung transplant and stomach surgery.

Dave Lawrence, right, and his partner Shamsi Kabarra have set up a new pop-up venture, The Two Amigos, which opens one night a week at the Royal Oak pub in Chipping Sodbury.

It marks a return to work less than a year after Dave was taken seriously ill then lost his job in the space of a few weeks.

Shamsi said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support. Our first night was fully booked in less than an hour!”

Dave and Shamsi were first approached by the pub in January, while Dave was waiting for a transplant. He had lost his job when Chipping Sodbury Mexican restaurant Amigos closed.

Friends, neighbours and former customers rallied round to raise money to help with the family’s living costs as Dave was kept first at Southmead Hospital then the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

During the ups and downs of Dave’s recovery after his operation the idea was at the back of their minds, but then Dave had to have further surgery on his stomach.

Shamsi eventually reconsidered the pub's offer in July, when they were finally back

home.

She said: “It was very difficult readjusting to life at home. Dave was still very poorly after his stomach surgery, I needed something to focus on, so I ploughed my attention into planning The Two Amigos.

In October a customer wanted to book the couple to cater for her friend’s hen night at the pub. Shamsi offered to do it – but the week before the event Dave stepped in.

Shamsi said: “Suddenly, he too had something else to focus on and it gave him an incredible boost. He was in his element being back in his chef’s whites and back in the kitchen.”

Dave still has to take things slowly, so the couple decided to build up his stamina by doing a pop up just once a week.

On Saturdays Dave spends time relaxing.

The pop up will only run until the end of November because the pub has been fully booked for December for some time.

However, if Dave continues to make good progress, the couple hope to open full-time early in the new year.

Shamsi said: “We’ve received so many messages, welcoming us back to Chipping Sodbury and saying how much we’ve been missed. It’s an amazing feeling.”

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8

November, 2019

n NEWS

Worker hurt as Yate shop is robbed A SHOP worker was hurt and a "significant amount" of cash, cigarettes and alcohol was stolen in a robbery at a Yate convenience store.

Police say two men went into McColls on Cranleigh Court Road shortly after 6am on October 3, forcing a member of staff into the office and holding them there.

The robbers then took what police described as "a significant amount of cash, along with cigarettes and alcohol", which they carried off through the back door before escaping into Cranleigh Court Road car park.

The incident left the shop worker with minor injuries and "badly shaken up".

Avon and Somerset police have appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward.

They say the victim described both offenders as Asian and in their mid-20s.

One was wearing a green bomber jacket and black jogging

bottoms. He had a black bandana over his face.

The other wore dark clothing, including trousers with silver reflective markings around the shins. He was wearing a bandana with a picture of a skull over his face.

The men were carrying a large green plastic bag with white handles, which they used to carry off the cash and stolen goods.

Detective Inspector Richard Marsh said: “This was a terrifying incident for the member of staff, who was

working alone at the time.

“While thankfully they only sustained minor injuries, they have clearly been badly shaken up by what happened.

“Officers arrived within minutes of being called but despite an extensive search of the area, they were unable to locate the offenders.

“Specialist crime scene investigators have examined the shop, while CCTV footage is already being viewed as part of our inquiry.

“We’re keen to speak to

anyone who was in the Cranleigh Court Road area early this morning who saw anything suspicious.

“If you saw the two men described, or have any other information which could help our investigation, please don’t hesitate to contact us.”

Police confirmed that, three weeks on from the robbery, their enquiries are continuing, although no arrests have been made at this stage.

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote the crime reference number 5219 228 386.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.

A spokesperson said no personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and callers who contact Crimestoppers do not have to go to court or even speak to the police.

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November, 2019

yate&sodburyvoice

9

n NEWS

Awards celebrate brightest science talents SOME of the area's brightest young talents in maths, science, technology, engineering and maths were recognised at an awards ceremony at the home of Concorde.

The South Gloucestershire Education Awards 2019 took place at Aerospace Bristol on October 11 to celebrate the outstanding educational achievements of more than 120 secondary, primary and special school pupils.

The awards focused on those who had been high achievers in key stage 2 – the end of primary school – and key stage 4, leading up to GCSE, in the STEM subjects, which the council has made a priority area.

Those receiving awards were nominated directly by heads and teachers of their schools.

The award winners came from 60 different schools across South Gloucestershire.

Winners from the Yate and Chipping Sodbury area were:

South Gloucestershire Education Awards winners from the Yate area.

Oliver Ball and Kyra Westcott of Abbotswood Primary; Ellie Griffin and Joshua Holloway of Brimsham Green School; Stuart Rance and Chloe Tomkins of Chipping Sodbury School; Cara

Bashford and Daniel Sadler of Hawkesbury Primary; Joseph Clarke and Iris Parker of Iron Acton Primary; Evan Fortune and Katie Turner of Old Sodbury Primary; Zachary Langley and

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Kara Paige O’Doherty of Trinity Primary.

The winners were presented with certificates, a £25 shopping voucher and a commemorative mug in front of an audience including parents and carers at the event, sponsored by YTL, UWE and Taylor Wimpey.

Guest speakers Tim Harrison of Bristol University ChemLabS and Rob Eastaway, an author who writes popular maths books including Why Do Buses Come in Threes? and Maths for Mums and Dads.

Council cabinet member for schools Erica Williams said: “These students, their teachers and school staff have clearly worked really hard and deserve this recognition for their positive efforts.

“Well done to all of our winners, who are a testament to the fact that, whatever level of study you are in, having the right attitude and putting in hard work always pays off.”

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10

November, 2019

n NEWS

Family upset at council's cemetery 'tidy-up' RELATIVES of people laid to rest at Mayshill Cemetery say they are upset after flowers removed from graves by South Gloucestershire Council staff.

The council says it is starting a "tidy-up" of the cemetery off Badminton Road, between Coalpit Heath and Yate, in November and has sent letters to families telling them to limit the number and type of tributes which can be left.

The letters inform them that they are leaving too many flowers, that gravel paths must be left clear and that they must not add lights, balloons or toys.

Additional flowers will be allowed on Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, for birthdays, at Christmas, for Valentine's Day and on Anniversaries. They will be cleared away after three weeks, or earlier if they have decayed.

Notices have also been posted at the cemetery warning that glass vases, flower pots and ornaments other than those which are part of a gravestone are not allowed.

Sandra Turner has visited the cemetery every day for the last 26 years to visit her parents’ and her sons’ graves. She is upset that flowers were removed and the council took photos, which were then sent with a letter to her sister Wendy Mobley.

Sandra said: “It wasn’t very nice to open their letter with photos of mum and dad’s adjoining headstones. The flowers had been moved around to reveal their names, when the plot number on the back would

Mayshill Cemetery have told them who it belonged to. They should have asked to meet us at the cemetery to talk about it.

“Nobody is allowed to put anything at all on the gravel. A bit on your headstone but only at the back."

Sandra says they were told extra ornaments could obstruct other visitors to the cemetery but she said: "I’ve never blocked a walkway in my life. I’m not blocking anybody; I’m not obstructing anybody.”

Families have been told that if graves aren’t tided by the end of October the council will remove any additional items. Glass vases have already been removed from graves and put in a box for

people to collect.

The council’s cemeteries officer, Helen Jones, has told Wendy and Sandra that the regulations have been in place since the cemetery was first opened in 1973. But Wendy says she has never seen a copy, and she believes she isn’t the only one.

Wendy said: “There’s been no transition period. It’s gone from what’s been acceptable for years to suddenly it’s become a safety hazard. Now they need people to be able to walk around the graves. It’s fine if everyone knows those rules but they don’t. The upset it’s caused is so unnecessary.”

Wendy and Sandra’s request

for a face-to-face meeting has been refused.

A council spokesperson said: “We apologise for any distress that this letter may have caused.

"We are undertaking a general tidy-up at Mayshill Cemetery, as we want to maintain a high standard where people are happy for their relatives to be buried. It is important to us to find the balance, where we are sensitive to the families involved whilst being respectful to those who are buried there.

“We will be starting the tidyup in November and we have already put signs up in all of our cemeteries, reminding people of the regulations.”

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yate&sodburyvoice

November, 2019

n NEWS

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council spent just over £1 million on councillors' allowances and expenses last year.

Between them, the authority’s 72 councillors received a total of £1.027m in 2018/19, according to the council’s latest annual report.

The top earner was Toby Savage, the leader of the Conservative-led council, who took home a total of £36,169 – the basic allowance of £11,637 for carrying out his ward duties in Longwell Green as well as a special responsibility allowance of £24,531 for being both the leader of the council and the cabinet member for schools, skills and employment.

But Mr Savage's allowances sparked a row as Labour argued that two other paid roles – a new £13,000 one-day-a-week post as deputy West of England Mayor and working part-time for Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore – meant he was "regularly and often absent from his fully paid elected role without offering to reduce his Council pay accordingly".

11

Row over leader's role as councillor costs top £1m

Toby Savage Labour group leader Pat Rooney said: "Our residents are being short changed as he is obviously not committed to ensuring that his top priority

is our valued residents and communities.”

The council's Conservative group hit back, saying being council leader took up a “considerable” amount of time beyond traditional working hours.

A spokesperson said: “The role is required to oversee all aspects of the council’s activities and is traditionally given a higher allowance as a result.

“Despite this, it is still a considerably lower allowance paid than to council leaders and mayors in other parts of the region.”

Bristol’s elected mayor Marvin Rees receives just over £70,600 per year, a salary which will rise to £79,500 after mayoral elections in May 2020.

As well as Cllr Savage, who gave up a full-time career to

Mayor's pay rise 'derisory' A PAY rise for the region's Metro Mayor, taking his salary to £65,000, has been slammed for not being big enough.

Tim Bowles’ annual allowance will rise by £3,000, backdated to April, after a recommendation from an independent remuneration panel to the West of England Combined Authority.

But the regional body’s overview and scrutiny committee vicechairman Cllr Winston Duguid has branded the increase as “derisory” and fears the comparatively low income for a regional mayor will deter good quality candidates from standing for office.

The Bath & North East Somerset Lib Dem councillor told scrutiny members on October 2: “The allowance looks very low.

“If you look at Andy Street in the West Midlands, he’s on the same as an MP, £79,500.

“The Bristol mayor is going up to £79,500 as well.”

Cllr Duguid said: “I’m concerned that next time around we just won’t get the calibre of individual applying, because if you’re in a senior position in the public sector or the third sector and you’re preretirement age, people quite often are earning six figures.

“It’s too low and it concerns me. It’s a really big job and it’s going to get bigger — it requires a multi-skills set.

“I really feel £65,000 is derisory in terms of the responsibilities of the position.”

The independent panel recommended the pay rise after concluding that Winterbourne politician Mr Bowles works more than 65 hours a week, so cannot have another job while carrying out his Weca duties.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

focus on leading the council, 29 other members of South Gloucestershire Council also received a special responsibility allowance last year.

These included Jon Hunt, who got £11,831 on top of his basic allowance for taking responsibility for the cabinet portfolio of children and young people.

The leaders of the minority political groups, Labour’s Pat Rooney and Claire Young for the Liberal Democrats, each received £8,146 in special allowances.

Only 29 councillors made expense claims in the 2018/19 year. These ranged from £3.60 to under £1,000 in most cases and came to a total of £12,000.

By Amanda Cameron, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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yate&sodburyvoice

November, 2019

n NEWS

School loses 'outstanding' rating from Ofsted A PRIMARY school previously rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted has been told it must improve.

Hawkesbury Church of England Primary School was given the top rating by the education watchdog in 2014.

But in its latest report, Ofsted said the school in Hawkesbury Upton, Badminton, ‘requires improvement’.

Inspectors Iain Freeland and David Shears, who visited the school in September, found that “standards in reading and mathematics have declined in both key stage 1 and 2”.

They added: “Leaders and governors are aware of many of the reasons for this. However, they have not acted quickly enough.

“Governors should ensure that leadership systems are suitably robust and that plans are suitably precise to ensure that the school offers a consistently good quality of education.”

The report noted pupils’

reading skills were “not as strong as they need to be” and that teaching in some foundation subjects, such as history, is “not strong enough”.

“Pupils with special

educational needs and/or disabilities are making progress, but more can be done to help them,” the inspectors added.

However, pupils enjoy their time at school, generally behave well in class, have a “good understanding” of different cultures and religious beliefs, and bullying is “very rare”, inspectors observed.

Safeguarding is “effective”, and the school provides a “broad range of opportunities” for pupils, they said.

The inspectors noted that the fall in standards accompanied a period of unstable leadership at the school, but said that there had been “clear improvements”

since the appointment of an executive headteacher in September last year.

“The school has gone through a period of turbulence in leadership over recent years,” they wrote.

“This has resulted in a decline in standards.

“Since the appointment of the executive headteacher in September 2018, improvements can clearly be seen.

“Nevertheless, the executive headteacher and governors are under no illusion about the significant amount of work to be done to improve the curriculum and the quality of teaching.”

The school partnered with Iron Acton C of E Primary School in September 2018.

Executive head teacher Mike Riches oversees the work of both schools.

Mr Riches said the Ofsted report was in line with Hawkesbury school’s own assessment of its strengths and weaknesses.

He said: “I’m really pleased with the progress the school has made over the last 12 months.

“We have a lot of committed members of staff who are committed to seeing us move forward in a positive way and I’m confident that will happen.

“The school is a positive place and we are on a positive journey moving forward.”

By Amanda Cameron, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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November, 2019

13

n NEWS

Flood barrier test in Chipping Sodbury THE Environment Agency is testing out flood barriers in Chipping Sodbury this month to see if it would be viable to use them along the riverside footpath on St John’s Way in the event of flooding.

The organisation’s flood mapping shows that the town is at risk from rising floodwater and this is expected to increase with climate change.

It says a permanent barrier is not financially viable, but a temporary one might help to protect up to 30 homes by the river on St John’s Way, Manor Way and Vayre Close.

The 400m long barrier, which is a portable metal frame with a waterproof barrier and can be installed quickly, will be put in place on the morning of November 13 at 9.30am.

The Frome Valley Walkway at St John’s Way will be diverted for the duration of the test.

Environment Agency staff will be available until 3pm to answer any questions and to advise generally on flood prevention methods.

An agency spokesperson said: “Temporary flood barriers can reduce the impact of flooding in communities, however they are not effective in every situation.

"We cannot guarantee that they will always be deployed to a location at risk of flooding.

We strongly advise that people continue to prepare and take action to reduce the impact of flooding to homes and businesses.”

The last major floods in the town were recorded in 2000 and 1968.

A temporary flood barrier being tested. Picture: Environment Agency

Road closures and weight limits planned DRIVERS who use Badminton Road in Old Sodbury are being warned that it will be closed overnight during the coming month.

South Gloucestershire Council is carrying out major resurfacing on the A432 from the Cross Hands junction with the A46 to the junction with Hill Lane, and between the junctions with Cotswold Lane and Chapel Lane, from November 4 to 22.

The work will require these sections of road to be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am.

The council says access to homes will be

maintained and it will do everything it can to minimise disruption for residents. A signed diversion will be in place.

The council has also announced consultations on plans for a 7.5-tonne maximum weight limit in the Dodington area, covering the following roads: Bowling Road, Catchpot Lane, Chapel Lane, Cherry Road, Chestnut Drive, Claypit Hill, Culverhill Road, Dodington Lane, Dodington Road, Downleaze Drive, Elm Close, Gibbs Lane, Grassington Drive, Gullivers Place, Highfield Road, Horseshoe Lane, Jobbins Close,

Leaman Close, Lilliput Avenue, Lilliput Court, Love Lane, Meadow Road, Mill Lane, Old Parish Lane, River Road, Sodbury Lane, Sodbury Little Lane, Streamside Road, Virginia Close and Wistaria Avenue.

People who want to comment on the plans, get more details and see the council's reasons for making the order can go to the Yate One Stop Shop or the consultations area of the council website.

Comments must be made by November 11.

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14

November, 2019

n NEWS

Veteran Len unveils homes named after him WAR veteran Leonard Trewin has unveiled a special brick at a new development in Yate which has been named in his honour.

The apartments, built by Churchill Retirement Living, have been named Trewin Lodge in honour of the 94-year-old former Para and are on Normandy Drive, off Kennedy Way. During Len's service in the Parachute Regiment in the Second World War he saw action at the Battle of Normandy in 1944 and fought in Belgium, Holland and Germany. He went on to stay in the Army until 1953.

Len was recently awarded the Legion d'Honneur by the French government for his service in helping to liberate France. He returned to Normandy in June to receive the medal at a special service for the 75th anniversary of D-Day. It is the highest order of merit in France.

Churchill’s regional marketing executive Jo Ridehalgh said: “It was a privilege to welcome Leonard to lay this special date brick at Trewin Lodge.

"We’ve been delighted to play a part in the well-deserved recognition Leonard has received for his incredible service to his country and the town, and we were so impressed to see him receiving the Legion

Leonard Trewin and Jo Ridehalgh at Trewin House d’Honneur medal over in France earlier this year.

“He is an inspiring man, and an excellent example of an older person who is still active and playing an important role in society.

"We hope Trewin Lodge will be a place where other local people can downsize and enjoy a change of lifestyle, so they can continue to live life to the full just like Leonard.”

There are 62 apartments at Trewin Lodge, designed for the over 60’s. They include features such as video entry, lifts, a 24 hour care and support system and a lodge manager.

There are shared facilities including an owners’ lounge, guest area, and landscaped gardens. Churchill Retirement Living specialises in building developments of selfcontained apartments for older people.

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November, 2019

n NEWS

'Lack of respect' sees neighbour disputes rise NEIGHBOUR disputes and a worrying lack of respect for others in South Gloucestershire have soared, a report has found.

Residents are growing alarmed that people are not giving consideration for fellow members of their community, despite a seven per cent drop in hate crime in the district.

The findings are revealed in the 2018/19 annual report of the South Gloucestershire Safer and Stronger Communities Strategic Partnership, which comprises the police, council, voluntary sector and health bodies, and says Brexit is partly to blame.

It said: “After four years hovering at nine or 10 per cent, the proportion of residents thinking there is a problem in their local area with people not treating each other with respect and consideration increased significantly, to 14 per cent.

“There is evidence of tensions

arising from Brexit, particularly in the latter part of the financial year.

“This trend for people not treating each other with respect and consideration is consistent with noticeable increases in demand for services.”

The report said that compared with the previous year, complaints of antisocial behaviour to the council increased by 37 per cent, planning enforcement cases rose by 42 per cent and environmental health complaints, such as loud noise from nearby homes, went up by four per cent “with increasing numbers of these cases involving neighbour disputes”.

The report, presented to the partnership at its meeting on October 11 said residents in the most deprived areas, officially called ‘priority neighbourhoods’, were “significantly more likely

to see people not treating each other with respect and consideration as a ‘fairly big problem’.”

A separate report discussed by members revealed there were 372 hate crimes and incidents in South Gloucestershire between April 2018 and March 2019.

While that is seven per cent down on the previous 12 months, when it stood at 400, it is still nine per cent higher than the 340 recorded incidents in 2016/17, The biggest proportion, 56 per cent, were racially motivated, followed by gender (14 per cent), disability (11 per cent) and homophobic (nine per cent).

Men suffered most of the hate crime — 53 per cent of victims were male, 44 per cent female, with three per cent having no gender recorded and 0.2 per cent classed as transgender.

Harassment or intimidation comprised almost half of all

incidents, ahead of physical assault (15 per cent), verbal abuse (13 per cent), malicious communication (10 per cent) and criminal damage (six per cent).

The report added: “The highest proportion of hate crimes/incidents occurred in some of our priority neighbourhoods such as Kingswood, Filton, Yate and Patchway."

South Gloucestershire Council head of safe strong communities Rob Walsh said: “In overall terms the level of hate crime in South Gloucestershire is below most of the rest of Avon & Somerset.

“Most of these are verbal and not the kind of physical assault that hate crime immediately brings to mind.”

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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November, 2019

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17

n NEWS

Yate festival up for national award YATE Rocks, the town’s popular summer two-day festival, has won through to the finals of a major events award.

The event been shortlisted by the National Outdoor Events Association awards, and is up against three other finalists in the small events category.

The community event takes place in Kingsgate Park every June and was originally set up to promote the park which was underused at the time.

It has grown from a crowd of around 1,000 people at the first festival to over 5,000 people at this year's 14th event, which was described as a "roaring success"

by Yate mayor Karl Tomasin.

Yate Rocks showcases local talent, hosting bands, dance groups, choirs and musicians with many attractions and

Crowds at this year's Yate Rocks festival. Picture: Rich McD Photography. refreshments. It is run by Yate Town Council, the Friends of

Kingsgate Park and Re-energise Event Management.

The other finalists for the

Small Event of the Year award are Whirligig Festival in Westonsuper-Mare, the Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta in London and Night at the Abbey in Glastonbury. The winner was due to be announced on November 27.

NOEA chief executive Susan Tanner said: “This year again saw an increase in entries, and the quality of the submissions was also very high. Because of this we had a longer finalist list, and it’s been a real challenge for our judges to decide on the three or four shortlisted in each category.”

Kingsgate Park was recently awarded ‘Much Loved’ status in the annual Best Park competition by the Fields in Trust organisation.

Protesters join march PROTESTERS from South Gloucestershire joined what was described as one of the UK’s largest ever political demonstrations as Parliament debated the Brexit deal.

Organisers of the People’s Vote march in London on October 19 believe around a million people joined the demonstration, although police have declined to release an official estimate.

Andy O’Brien, from Thornbury, was one of those taking part in the march to call for a second referendum on any Brexit deal.

He said: “I’m marching because in the 2016 referendum politicians promised whatever they thought the public wanted to hear. So it’s time to vote on the facts now, not the fiction.”

Kevin Sell, from Yate, said: “I'm marching to stay in the EU to better enable an open, liberal, fair, stable and progressive society for all current and future UK citizens.”

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18

n NEWS A SCAMMER who sold mattresses out of the back of a van in Yate has been banned from approaching customers and ordered to pay more than £1,300 in fines and costs.

Lovell Lee approached people in the street to make sales and carried on his scam across the South West despite being cautioned by police as long as 10 years ago and prosecuted back in 2013.

South Gloucestershire Council’s trading standards team took action when a couple in Yate who had been sold two mattresses by Lee made a complaint about him via Citizens Advice in November last year.

They prosecuted him for failing to give the couple written notice of their 14 day cancellation rights, which should have enabled them to claim their money back, after discovering he had been reported three times, most recently in Swindon in 2016.

During the investigation, two further complaints were received via Citizen’s Advice, including one from a woman Lee had

November, 2019

Ban for mattress scammer who sold from back of van approached in the street and sold a mattress to while she was out walking her dog.

Lee pleaded guilty to two fraud offences at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on September 25.

The 45-year-old, from Cirencester, was fined £332 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs and a victim surcharge of £30.

He was also banned from cold calling or approaching customers in the street anywhere in the UK under a two-year criminal behaviour order and told to comply with consumer protection legislation.

The council said Lee had been prosecuted "as he had clearly ignored previous advice and continued to trade in an illegal manner, showing complete disregard for the law".

Industry body the National Bed Federation says hundreds

of so-called ‘bargain mattresses’ are sold across the country each week by rogue traders from the back of vans.

The NBF says the mattresses they sell are often they are simply discarded old mattresses that have been salvaged by unscrupulous dealers, who then put cheap new covers on them, so they look brand new, sometimes attaching labels from well-known brands.

Some don't meet fire safety regulations and many are dirty and worn out under their new covers.

Council cabinet member for communities Rachael Hunt said: “We are determined not to allow scammers like this to operate unhindered in South Gloucestershire and we will use all of the powers at our disposal to prosecute offenders and protect our residents.

One of the mattresses sold by Lovell Lee “We strongly advise people not to deal with doorstep traders and to only make agreements with reputable traders, never paying any money up front.

If you have concerns then I encourage you to report them and if a deal seems too good to be true; it usually is.”

Anyone who is suspicious about doorstep traders can report them by calling 03454 04 05 06.

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November, 2019

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19

n NEWS A YATE man has steered the Great Britain team to victory in the Blind Fleet Racing World Championships.

Mark Austen said the feeling of being crowned champions was something which "words do not describe".

Seven countries from around the world entered the event in Canada, and Great Britain defended the Squadron Cup, which they won in 2017.

Mark said: “It has been a fantastic journey. We sailed against some of the best blind sailors in the world from Canada, America, Australia, Japan and France.

"I am so proud to be a part of the GBR team. It was a week of amazing close racing and words do not describe the feeling of being crowned world champions.”

As the helmsman of the GB team, Mark's role is to steer the yacht, working alongside a sighted tactician.

He has been training with team GB since 2015, when he set himself the goal of winning this particular title. In 2017 he came

hobby he loved before his injury.

He is unable to work and contributes to his costs himself by playing the saxophone at functions and doing public speaking. Training sets him back

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away with a silver medal in the same event, which was won by another GB boat.

Mark was left with less than 20% sight in one eye following a serious road accident but has been able to continue sailing, a

nearly £4,000 every year, and the world championships cost an additional £2,500.

He was financially supported by local organisations and individuals: Chipping Sodbury Rotary, Yate Rotary, Chipping Sodbury Yacht Club, the Lions Club, Luke Hall MP, Molly Westcott, Bob Keen and the customers of Tesco in Yate amongst others.

Mark also raised £670 through crowdfunding, which was supported by friends, family and colleagues.

Mark trains hard, sailing and racing four days every month with the GB team on Windermere or at Cowes on the Isle of Wight, plus a weekly training session with the Whitefriars Sailing Club.

He said: “It has been a year of hard work and commitment to get to the highest standard to be selected and race for team GBR at the Worlds.”

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n STROUD AUCTION ROOMS

yate&sodburyvoice

November, 2019

Sky-high price for Fab Four signatures IT may be an old piece of airline headed notepaper but a set of four Beatles autographs – and the story behind them – meant a collector was willing to pay £3,800 for this scrap of history.

The signatures on British European Airways headed notepaper were obtained by helicopter pilot Ron Dibb while the Fab Four were filming scenes for A Hard Day's Night at Gatwick BEA Heliport in March 1964: the excellent price achieved emphasises the importance of a good background story when selling any autographs.

The autograph was the star lot of a sale at Stroud Auction Rooms which saw 1,100 online bidders take 66 percent of sales, against commission and phone bidders and those in the room.

Also in the ephemera section, a Stroud Beers shieldshaped advertising sign made an impressive £1,150 and a Jimi Hendrix autograph, together with a Brian Epstein Presents Sunday at the Saville programme featuring Jimi Hendrix Experience among

others, in August 1967, with a letter of provenance from the vendor, sold for £800.

The Asian art section saw an 18th century jade carving of a boy with peaches make £2,000 and a bronze figure £1,600 and in the pictures and paintings section, an oil on canvas in ornate gilt frame depicting a composer/musician with score, possibly Mozart, went under the hammer for £3,600. An 18th/19th century oil on canvas of dogs or hounds chasing a leopard sold for £2,000, while a Damien Hirst permanent marker on ceramic plate portrait of Loic Bonbonny, who worked for Hirst as a chef and studio assistant, also sold for £2,000. It was titled and signed on rim of plate and came with a letter of provenance from Loic Bonbonny.

An interesting 19th century portrait miniature of Napoleon, inscribed verso "A correct likeness of Napoleon Bonaparte taken during his last illness by the officer commanding the military guard at Longwood, St Helena 1821' sold for £750.

David Lord's specialist stamp section did extremely well, with a good collection of Commonwealth stamps, including some rare examples, making £1,800 and a King George VI mint stamp collection in a Stanley Gibbons album making £1,600.

Prize for quirkiest lot went to an unusual oil on canvas of Ann Savage (1745-1816) with her adult head on a child's body, which sold for £900. Ann married Sir Thomas Crawley Boevey, who inherited Flaxley Abbey in the Forest of

Dean, Gloucestershire, and the vendor is a direct descendent of the sitter.

The next auction at Stroud will be on November 6 and 7: the list of items already consigned is impressive, and includes an E Type Jaguar (one of several cars in the auction) and a private collection of over 500 bayonets.

Now is the time to take into Stroud Auctions any items you would like to sell in the hugely popular pre-Christmas sale on December 4, 5 and 6.

STROUD AUCTION ROOMS

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November, 2019

n NEWS SERIOUS violence increased in South Gloucestershire last year despite a fall in overall crime, latest figures reveal.

And the police beat of Yate & Dodington has the secondhighest level of violent incidents in the district.

There were 1,352 violent incidents causing injury in 2018/19, equal to 4.8 per 1,000 adults.

That compares with just 4.3 over the previous 12 months.

However, total crime bucked the national trend by dropping from 61 recorded cases per 1,000 population in 2017/18 to 58.7 last year.

The statistics have been revealed in the annual report of the South Gloucestershire Safer and Stronger Communities Strategic Partnership, which includes the police, council, health chiefs and the voluntary sector.

Avon & Somerset police Chief Inspector Ben Moseley told a partnership meeting: “We are seeing a slight increase in violent crime consistent with other areas but we are a significant chunk

yate&sodburyvoice

21

Increase in violent crime

lower than them.

“We have put a real focus in South Gloucestershire in dealing with organised criminal groups and minimising the impact of county lines criminality.

“County lines is a drugs model that feeds off vulnerable adults and children in the supply of class-A controlled drugs in remote towns, rather than big cities, which controls the supply to towns.

“Our focus has been to

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

identify and support those vulnerable people who are at a very high risk of becoming exploited by county lines criminality, perhaps because of mental illness, drug addiction or having been in prison.”

He said the district’s comparatively low levels of violence was the result of the police working in partnership with other organisations.

South Gloucestershire’s 4.8 incidents per 1,000 adults

compares with 7.6 for the wider Avon & Somerset Police area, 8.3 across the South West and 9.3 for England and Wales, according to the annual report.

Chief Insp Moseley said Kingswood had the highest levels of violence in the area, followed by the police beats of Yate & Dodington, Staple Hill & New Cheltenham and Patchway & Cribbs Causeway.

The district’s overall crime rate of 58.7 per 1,000 people compares with 80.7 for Avon & Somerset, 67.8 across the South West and 83.5 nationally.

Chief Insp Moseley said: “We are clearly lower for total crime than the other areas.

“We are bucking the trend here. We are seeing a slight decrease in total crime."

The partnership’s meeting was held at Kingswood Civic Centre on October 11.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

November, 2019

n NEWS

Club takes on 1970s classic

SODBURY Vale Musical Comedy Club is performing one of the best-known musicals of the 70s this month.

The Autumn production of Godspell will be performed at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on November 15 and 16.

Compiled around a series of parables based on the Gospel of Matthew, the first book from the New Testament, it includes the stories of The Good Samaritan, Lazarus and the Rich Man, The Sower of the Seeds and the Prodigal Son. First performed in 1971, Godspell was nominated for a Tony musical theatre award for best original score, and has seen many revivals in the 48 years since.

The song Day by Day, from the original cast recording, made it into the singles chart in the summer of 1972.

Quoting the song, director Alison Cobb said: "This show has never been performed by this group before but we loved the music so much we decided to find our inner hippy so make sure you book your tickets to

see us more clearly, love us more dearly and follow us more nearly!"

There are two evening performances at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost £10 and can be bought online at ticketsource. co.uk/svmcc, by calling 0333 666

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The club is also looking for cast members to be in its spring show next April, Made in Dagenham.

Rehearsals begin at the end of November on Thursday evenings at St Mary’s Church Hall, Yate,

and as well as performers aged 16-plus the club is looking for two youngsters (Year 6 to Year 9) to play Sharon and Graham, the main character’s children.

Email svmcchotline@gmail. com for more information.

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November, 2019

n NEWS A YATE businessman has had his head shaved to support his niece, who is having treatment for breast cancer at the age of 27.

Mike Glen is the managing director of Cotswold Homes and his haircut is has certainly been attracting attention.

Mike joined the Macmillan Cancer Support challenge ‘Brave the Shave’ hoping to raise £2,500 for the charity.

After encouraging work colleagues, friends and his family to donate, he smashed his target two times over, and had raised more than £11,000 as the Voice went to press, with people still donating.

The total included a £3,000 donation from Cotswold Homes.

Mike's niece, Paige, is an osteopath who is having treatment for stage two triple negative breast cancer.

He said: “It’s impossible to describe the effect on her and the wider family.

"We are hopeful of a very positive outcome and, to support her in losing her hair, I decided to take part in Brave the Shave to raise more funds for Macmillan

Boss Mike braves the shave

Mike before

Mike with niece Paige Cancer Support.”

Mike is delighted with how much has been raised.

He said: “I hope it won’t stop there. Hopefully others will boost that figure by making additional donations through the Brave the

Shave website.”

As managing director, Mike is aware that many of his staff have also been touched by the disease.

He said: “Many of us have had relatives supported throughout by Macmillan nurses.

In every case the practical and emotional help they provided was invaluable.”

The organisers of Brave the Shave – which has raised more than £22 million since 2015 – ask people to shave their heads ‘to stand proudly alongside men, women and children with cancer.’

You can make a donation to Mike’s cause by visiting bravetheshave.macmillan.org. uk online and searching for Mike Glen.

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26

November, 2019

n LOCAL MP

Christian persecution: An update

Luke Hall MP writes for Yate & Sodbury Voice

SOME 245 million Christians worldwide Christians worldwide are currently facing persecution because of their faith. This problem is getting worse. The number of countries where Christians face religiously-motivated harassment rose from 128 in 2015 to 144 a year later, and globally as many as 80% of people who suffer persecution due to their faith are followers of Christianity.

Perhaps because of a misguided political correctness – or an instinctive reluctance to talk about religion – governments have not always grappled with this problem.

Earlier this year I wrote in a Voice column that the Bishop of Truro, Rev Philip Mounstephen, was conducting a review of the Foreign Office’s response to Christian persecution. This has now been published in full. The findings were horrifying, suggesting that in some parts of the world levels of

persecution are “coming close to genocide”.

It has been heart-breaking to read about the bombing which took place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu, in the Philippines earlier this year, and the reported 50-70,000 Christians currently detained in North Korean labour camps.

I subsequently wrote to all our local church groups and received phenomenal feedback from a huge number of local people. I have now met with officials at the Foreign Office and made it clear that our community wants to see action.

Bishop Mounstephen's report provided an overview of the UK government’s past response to religious persecution, and made a series of recommendations on possible improvements, such as ensuring that there are mechanisms to facilitate an immediate response to atrocity crimes, being prepared to impose

sanctions against perpetrators and exploring how social media strategies can counter religious hate.

The UK can only become a world leader in promoting global religious tolerance if we truly understand the journey that we need to undertake to achieve it. I am now engaging with ministers, and sharing your feedback about what more can be done.

I am always keen to gain a greater understanding, so if you have any personal thoughts on what steps the Government ought to be taking to tackle Christian persecution, and have not yet had the chance to get in touch to share these, I would be delighted to hear your views at luke.hall. mp@parliament.uk. We must tackle persecution across the world as an urgent priority, and I look forward to following positive developments in these efforts in the weeks and months ahead.

Yate Play Areas Projects Yate Town Council has been working hard to provide a range of new and updated facilities in our play areas, parks and open spaces.

Kingsgate Park Outdoor Gym Located in the award-winning family favourite Kingsgate Park, a new outdoor gym has been installed and final touches are being made for its opening.

Following numerous public consultations, the Town Council was keen to ensure the equipment was as versatile and accessible to as many people in the community as possible so selected hydraulic-based items of equipment. These can be adjusted according to fitness level of the user and therefore offer fitness opportunities from the novice right through to those who want a more challenging work out.

This completed project will cost £48,000 and was funded by a s106

grant from South Gloucestershire Council.

Howard Lewis Play Area The Howard Lewis Play Area is located in the centre of the Ridge Estate and is named after Howard Lewis, former local Headteacher and former long-standing Town Councillor. Work on enhancements to the play area is due to start at the end of October and weather-permitting, should be completed by the end of November.

The existing play area is functional but dated. Following public consultation (including talking to children at Broadway Infant School), a proposal was put together which incorporates a balance of local concerns and desires for the up-

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

grade. The refurbishment includes modern twists on traditional items; a new roundabout is being installed which has disabled access, the tyre swing is being replaced with a large basket swing, a trampoline is being installed alongside a range of wooden balance beams and low-level climbing items. These will be neatly joined up by a new section of path throughout the park to promote ease of access.

The project will cost £49,628 and was funded by a s106 grant from South Gloucestershire Council.

Abbotswood Shopping Precinct Following a range of public consultations undertaken by Abbotswood Action Community Group and Yate Town Council, one of the main aspirations wanted by local residents was recreational activities located at Abbotswood for children.

It was felt that a ‘traditional’ type of park wouldn’t suit the area and that something which was less formal and more imaginative would fit the bill.

The plan here is to replace the

existing old worn and patched mosaic circle in the middle of the shopping centre with a new labyrinth maze design, which should create play opportunities for children whilst also perking-up the tired appearance of the existing old patchwork covered mosaic. This will be accompanied by new containers (made entirely of recycled plastic).

In addition to this, some exciting wooden-based nature play items are going to be located on the green area forming a trail including a spider’s climbing web and a giant ant sculpture (for climbing on and exploring).

Contractors have been selected to provide both of the elements of this project. A start date is yet to be agreed but it is likely to be early in the new year so as to ensure any building works would not compromise the very popular Christmas celebrations which take place in Abbotswood in late November.

This completed project will cost £89,535 and will be funded by a s106 grant from South Gloucestershire Council.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

November, 2019

27

n NEWS

Award for Yate Minor Injuries Unit staff STAFF at Yate Minor Injuries Unit have won a team of the year award from their employer.

The unit won top prize in the annual Sirona Awards for Excellence, organised by the community interest company which provides health and care services across the area.

Two team members won awards for their individual achievement: Elizabeth Hooper, an emergency nurse practitioner, won the Cordell Health and Wellbeing award and ward clerk Donna Walker won the Bank Worker of the Year award. Their colleague Mike Atkins, who works in IT, was highly commended.

At the presentation evening at the Bristol and Bath Science Park, Jenny Theed, Sirona's director of operations and nursing, praised the MIU for tackling "many changes and challenges" as the service expanded to operate for 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

She said: “The staff have been exceptional in delivering a first-class service, with people describing the team as ‘the most helpful they’ve ever experienced’”.

Jason Broadley, the MIU’s Unit Matron, said: "I am really pleased the hard work and dedication showed by the team was

Yate MIU team members Xania Hillier, Tamsin Luck, David Read, Emily Denham, Jason Broadley and Lizzy Hooper. recognised at the Sirona Awards; I am so proud of everyone who works in the unit."

In her nomination Elizabeth Hooper was described as the "heart and soul" of the department who is able to "raise the spirits" of the team.

Donna was described as a "real asset" to the team, with her colleagues saying: “It’s not the same when she’s not here.”

Chairman Simon Knighton said: "I am

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Sirona, a not for profit company, was recently awarded the contract for adult community healthcare services across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire for the next ten years.

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November, 2019

29

n NEWS

Fines for idling engines could be on way DRIVERS could soon be fined for leaving vehicles idling while stationary in South Gloucestershire.

The council is launching a threemonth investigation into how it can deter motorists from pumping out toxic fumes by unnecessarily keeping their engines running, especially during the school run.

But the Conservative administration stopped short of introducing fixed penalty notices without further research into whether it was the best way to tackle the problem.

A Liberal Democrat motion at a council meeting on October 16 called on the local authority to adopt powers under legislation to issue fines to drivers.

However, members voted against it, and a Tory amendment was approved which removed the requirement for financial penalties.

The Conservative amendment said limitations in the 2002 road traffic regulations, including how fines were issued, meant introducing them “might make little real impact on the number of motorists idling while waiting outside schools”.

It said educating parents and children could have a “positive impact”.

Yate North Lib Dem councillor Mike Drew accused the Tories of “watering down” the motion.

Fellow Lib Dem Dodington councillor Louise Harris said: “I do not understand why there is a call for further research and studies when there is absolutely masses of research into this subject.

“It is very often the children who are walking and whose families do not have cars who are getting poisoned by the parents with cars.

“It is disappointing the council is not

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using legislation that is already there.”

Cabinet member for transport Steve Reade proposed a three-month study to prepare a report to cabinet.

Cabinet member for adults and public health Ben Stokes said: “Between 28,000 and 36,000 people die each year of conditions attributable directly to air pollution in the UK. For South Gloucestershire, this means one in 20 deaths. It’s a staggering figure.

“There is no doubt urgent action is needed and this is a clear step in the right direction.

We are all on the same page.

“We are not saying we won’t consider the powers to implement penalties, we just want to understand the consequences so this authority takes on the responsibility that it should have a joined-up approach and show the way in how we can change behaviours for which we all have a part to play.”

The RAC said the current regulations allow a fixed penalty to be imposed on vehicles being left to idle “unnecessarily” outside schools but "only if a motorist refuses to switch off their engine off when asked to do so by an authorised person".

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

OPEN DAY Wednesday 13th November 1.00pm Further tours on:

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Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

30

November, 2019

n NEWS STAFF from a Yate company have helped smarten up a residential home which provides care for 15 people.

The team from Astra Security volunteered for the charity Milestones Trust which supports people with learning disabilities, mental health problems, dementia and complex behavioural needs in South Gloucestershire and the surrounding area.

The volunteers painted fence panels, redecorated two rooms, and tidied up the garden of the home in Kingswood.

Astra senior account manager Matthew Stanley said: “It’s been great to be able to give our time.

Being here at the residential home and meeting some of the residents makes it more worthwhile, as you can really see the difference you are making, and what it means to them firsthand.”

Home manager Tracy Cunningham, who has been working at Milestones Trust for 20 years, said: “It’s great to see the volunteers here today from

Yate volunteers freshen up residential home

Staff from Astra in Yate helped the Milestones Trust charity.

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"By them giving their time it allows us to concentrate on the

job we need to do – providing the excellent support that the residents need to enable them to

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yate&sodburyvoice

November, 2019

31

n NEWS

Determined campaign to preserve inclusive education PARENTS marched and a petition has topped 6,000 signatures in the campaign to save a school's centre for disabled children.

The resource base at Emersons Green Primary School enables children with physical disabilities or visual impairment to learn alongside mainstream pupils and draws children from a wide area, including Winterbourne Down and Yate.

But a review of special educational needs and disabilities provision by South Gloucestershire Council's schools forum recommended that the resource base closes after the children who currently use it have moved on.

The petition calling for the resource base to be saved, which was signed by 6,218 people, was handed in to a council meeting on October 16.

Nigel Varley, of the National Education Union, told councillors: “We recognise there is a need to reorganise and improve SEND provision in South Gloucestershire, however we do not accept that improving

SEND provision necessitates the closure of an excellent facility.

“The only motive for doing this must be financial and it will be to the detriment of the service.

“LEA officers have emphasised their belief that inclusion means as far as possible including children with special needs in mainstream schools.

“To dump children with complex needs into mainstream without the resources to address those needs is sheer cruelty amounting to abuse.

“It also has a serious consequence for the other children in mainstream schools and the teaching and support staff already driven to breaking point by intolerable workload and punitive performance management."

The council has held meetings and online consultations with parents over its proposed changes.

Almost 50 parents, pupils, staff and supporters marched through driving rain from Emersons Green Primary School to one

of the meetings, held at Blackhorse Primary School on September 30.

The council is due to announce on November 4 whether the schools forum's proposals have been revised and whether they will be taken forward to public consultation.

A council spokesperson said: “It was certainly helpful for officers to hear personal stories that underline the complexity of providing the right level of support locally for young people who need extra help.

"They underlined some of the challenges that we know we face in making true inclusion for all young people a reality in all our schools, not just those who already embrace it.

"We have committed to continue these discussions with parents and schools as we take on board what they have said in developing new options with a view to a full public consultation.”

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yate&sodburyvoice

33

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Helping victims of crime

L

AST month, I was lucky enough to be invited along to the opening of Yoko Ono’s Interventions/2 exhibition at the Georgian House in Bristol. For me, the most interesting part of Yoko Ono’s exhibition was Arising, a collaborative piece of work between sexual violence service Safe Link, domestic abuse service Next Link and curator and artist Jimmy Galvin. The powerful artwork focuses on 65 survivors who have used the victim services and their experience of domestic and sexual abuse.

I would encourage everyone to go and see this exhibition; the artwork features just the women’s eyes and, in their own handwriting, they tell their story of abuse or of recovery or both. It’s important that we give survivors a chance to share their experience and I truly hope that

the exhibition encourages other victims to come forward and ask for help. I was especially happy to hear that the Next Link and Safe Link teams have delivered awareness training to museum staff in order to respond to anyone who discloses that they are victims.

Since becoming PCC in 2012, it has been a priority of mine to put victims first. Along with my team, I have focused on commissioning tailored support services to help victims of crime and anti-social behaviour. As well as Safe Link, the other providers include adult service Victim Support, enhanced adult support service Swan Advocacy, children and young people provider Young Victims’ Service and Restorative Justice service Resolve West.

We will be launching a campaign this month entitled

#BeHeard, which will explore the services I mention above in more detail and why we need to give victims a voice in order for them to cope and recover from their experience.

I also wanted to let you know how we continue to support community projects and initiatives that work towards making local people feeling safe.

The Road Safety Fund is part of the Police Community Trust and community groups, voluntary organisations, schools and the like can apply for grants of up to £5,000 to help improve road safety in their neighbourhoods.

With more and more vehicles taking to our roads, education and working together on projects to ensure roads remain safe for all those who use them has never been more important. Avon and Somerset Constabulary are

With Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens already well supported by local residents through Community SpeedWatch schemes but we need to continue to all play our part in raising awareness of how to be safer on the roads. It’s really easy to apply and full details can be found on the Constabulary’s website.

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yate&sodburyvoice

November, 2019

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA n Spanish classes Spanish classes at The Horseshoe in Chipping Sodbury. Learn to speak Spanish in a small, friendly group, 6-week course £60.00.

Book Now for September!

Numbers limited so please contact Rebecca on 07941 511744.to book a place.

October 30: n Chipping Sodbury Library, 1011am. Holiday story time - Things that go bump in the night October 31 n Hallowe'en Night Family Owl Prowl. Free nocturnal event led by local owl expert Ian McGuire, including mobile PowerPoint presentation. Meet at the Shire Way gate to Wapley Bushes, south Yate, at 7pm.

November 1: n Yate Outdoor Sports Complex Fireworks Party, Broad Lane. Gates open 6pm, display starts around 8pm. Bar and hot food, all profits support Southmead Hospital's intensive care department. Tickets £8 family, £3 individual, from YOSC 5-10pm Monday to Saturday, or call 01454 326600.

November 2: n 1st Winterbourne (St Michael) Scout Group fireworks display: Gates open and BBQ @ 5.30pm, bonfire lit @ 6pm, fireworks @ 7pm.

Sunny Acres Farm, Winterbourne.

No parking at the venue.

Tickets £5/£3 (u15) from Daisy's Coffee Shop or buy on the gate if available (limited number of tickets available).

November 2-3 n Turkish Music and Dance Weekend with Ozgen and Hazir, hosted by Sacha Bellydance.

Saturday workshops 9am-5pm, Sunday workshops 10am-5pm, at Ridgewood Community Centre, Yate. Saturday evening dance party at Old Sodbury Village Hall, 7-11pm. Tickets available via www. sachabellydance.co.uk.

November 5: n Free combined watercolour painting and meditation workshop, Cranleigh Court Community Hub at Tyndale School in Yate, 10 am-12:30 pm. Book your space through Eventbrite or contact reflectionmeditation@gmail.com.

Also on December 3 and January 14.

November 10: n Yate Remembrance Service

2019, 10am-midday, St Mary's Church, Church Road, Yate.

Organised by Yate Town Council.

November 11: n Bristol Budgerigar Society talk

by Keith Leedham at Little Stoke Community Hall, Little Stoke Lane, 7.30pm. Visitors welcome. Further details from secretary Colin Parsons on 01454 775878 or by email at colinpauline@hotmail.com.

November 12: n Great Western Society Bristol Group: Midland Extremities – From the S & D to the S & C, presented by Terry Nicholls. BAWA, Southmead Road, Bristol, 7.30pm. Open to all, no admission charge, suggested donation of £3 towards expenses.

November 13: Chipping Sodbury Library, Wednesday All Sorts Club, 3.304.30pm (fortnightly).

November 14: n Talk: Brewsters, Alewives and Beer Witches, 7-9pm, the Cartshed, Winterbourne Medieval Barn.

Come and hear about women brewers and the gender dynamics underpinning medieval social and economic power, with GWB beer from the brewery at Hambrook. Tickets cost £5 online at Ticketsource.

November 15: n Chipping Sodbury Library, Friday pre-school story time 10-10.45am (fortnightly) November 15-16: n Sodbury Vale Musical Comedy Club present Godspell at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, 7.30pm plus Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

Tickets £10 from www.ticketsource. co.uk/svmcc, calling 0333 666 3366 or emailing svmcctickets@gmail. com.

November 16: n Yate Shopping Centre Christmas parade and lights switch-on.

Activities from 11am-5pm, with entertainment on the central stage and parades at 1pm and 3pm.

Lights switch-on at 4.15pm.

November 20: n Frampton Cotterell and District Local History Society present Oliver Cromwell, a talk by Prof Ronald Hutton, TV historian, author and vice-president of The Sealed Knot, which is dedicated to the costumed re-enactment of battles and events surrounding the English Civil War. Zion Church, Woodend Road, Frampton Cotterell, 7.30pm. All welcome.

Entry £4, includes light refreshments.

November 21-23:

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

n Winterbourne Players present Alan Ayckbourn’s poignantly humorous Confusions. Enjoy 3 playlets in one evening. WADCA, Watley’s End Road, Winterbourne, 8pm start. Tickets £8 (3 for 2 Thursday). Phone 0333 666 3366 or visit www.winterbourneplayers.org.

November 27-30 n Actonians Drama present The Wind in the Willows at Iron Acton Parish Hall. Tickets are available online at www.actonians.co.uk/ boxoffice.

November 30 n Craft, Craft Supplies and Gift Fayre, Saturday 30th November Chipping Sodbury Town Hall 10 am to 4 pm.

Local Crafts, Craft Supplies, Gifts and Collectables, Cakes and Refreshments. Voluntary entrance fee to be donated to The Friends of Horton School Call 07895 187292 for more info!

November 30 n Wapley Bushes Nature Reserve Workday. Morning of woodland planting to enhance biodiversity, plus general maintenance and tidying up of the reserve before winter. Please wear walking or Wellington boots and bring some gloves. Meet at the Shire Way entrance to the woodland at 10am.

November 30-December 7: n St John’s Church, Chipping Sodbury, Nativity Crib Festival.

Registration November 30, school visits December 2-5, open to the public December 6-7. More information and opening times at www.svbcofe.org.uk.

December 7: n Chipping Sodbury Victorian Day, midday-8pm, town centre. Bands, choirs, dance and theatre groups on stage, Victorian entertainers on the street, Punch & Judy show. Visit from Father Christmas on his sleigh at around 6pm.

December 10: n Great Western Society Bristol Group: The Best Way Part II – Temple Meads to Gloucester, presented by Chris Youett. BAWA, Southmead Road, Bristol, 7.30pm.

Open to all, no admission charge, suggested donation of £3 towards expenses.

REGULAR

EVENTS

Monday n Third Monday every month Frome Valley Ladies Probus 2-4pm Charter Suite, Chipping Sodbury Town Hall T 01454 316301.

Interesting Speaker each meeting, raffle, refreshments and lunches. n 1st Yate Boys brigade various activities for boys 5+ meet at Moorland road Methodist church 6.30pm. Contact Simon Crocker 01454 329017 n Shire Way Senior Citizens Club meet every Monday afternoon at Shire Way Community Centre between 1.30pm and 4pm. Get together for tea, coffee, bingo, entertainment, raffle meet new friends , all welcome , Yate Community transport, available.

Further info 01454317866----07749712351 n Bristol Area Stroke Foundation Weekly Stroke Support Group The group has a varied programme of events and activities. Shireway Community Association, Yate BS37 8YS. Every Monday from 2pm till 4pm. If you are interested in coming along or want to volunteer contact our office on 0117 9647657 n Lunchtime folk music and song at The Beaufort Hunt pub function room, 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month, start at 12.00 till 3.00, all welcome to come have a pint and a meal, sit and listen or play or sing, free entry. Contact Terry 01454 313045 n Macular-support group meets monthly - 3rd Monday 1:303:30pm at Watkins room, Old Grammar School, Highstreet Chipping Sodbury. Contact Tony: 01454314066 Stress Reduction, Mindfulness & Relaxation n Yate Men's Shed meet at Yate Parish Hall, from 1.30-4.30pm.

For further details please contact Steven Ringon 01454 323 857, or go to www.yatemensshed.com n Sodbury Short Mat Bowls Club. Old Sodbury Village Hall on Monday evenings between 6.15 and 9pm. New members experienced or otherwise welcome Contact Chairman S Leah on 01454 315161. Email sleahos@gmail.com n If you are interested in learning about the arts, in its widest sense, why not join The Arts Society Severn Valley. We meet in the Town Hall in Chipping Sodbury normally on the third Monday of each month. In addition to the lecture programme, we arrange

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

November, 2019

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n WHAT'S ON CONTINUED

South West CAMRA Pub of the Year 2018 N FOR RE AIG

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For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

n Art Club, Ridgewood Centre, Yate: 7pm - 9 pm http:// yateandsodburyartsociety.weebly. com. Tel Roz on 01454 316956 or 0794 194 6412 n Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Club (TSGARC) we meet every Wednesday in the Buckingham Room at the Chantry in Thornbury.

Meetings usually start at 8pm We welcome new members and can train people to pass their Amateur radio Foundation and Intermediate Licences. Our website is at http:// tsgarc.uk. n Sew & Sew at Ridgewood Community Centre from 1.30pm 3.30pm at £2.00 per week. Phone Joan for details on 01 454 314355. n Walks for single people. Solo Rendezvous meet at Downend Cricket Club, every Wednesday, 8.30pm, entrance £3, and walk every Sunday. Please phone for walk details: 01454 775508 / 01454 774984 / 0117 9850210. n Yate/Chipping Sodbury

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n The Sodbury & District Flower Arrangement Society meets every 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month at The Old Grammar School Rooms, Chipping Sodbury at 7.30pm. 12th February - Practice - Willow basket making. 26th February - Talk on Pearls by Pam Slater. Visitors and new members very welcome come along and see what we do. n Yate Poetry Group. All welcome to join our small, informal and friendly group to share and enjoy poems and verse. We meet for an hour 1-2 pm every other Tuesday afternoon in the library, refreshments provided.

For the dates of meetings, please contact Tony on 07704140682 or yatepoetrygroup@gmail.com n Tudor Bridge Club meets at the hall behind St Lawrence Presbytery on Broad Street, every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. Contact Christine on 07876334921 n Badminton Club, 8pm at Yate Leisure Centre. People of all skill

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n GENTLE YOGA CLASS Every Tuesday at 2pm-3pm, only £7. Book on 07702 344287 Crossbow House,Frampton Cotterell,BS36 2DB Beginners welcome, Please bring a yoga mat and wear comfy clothes Facebook – Holisun therapies UK

games sessions.

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n Yate Art Club meet for arts, crafts and pottery on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7 pm at the Ridgewood Centre, Yate, BS37 4AF. For further information please see our website www. yateandsodburyartsociety.weebly. com or tel Roz on 0794 194 6412 n Pucklechurch Folk Dance Club.

We meet every other Tuesday at Pucklechurch Community Centre from 7.45 pm to 8.15 pm. Contact Veronica Holder – 0117 937 2818 n Frome Valley Tang Soo Do, open to adults and children 7yrs +, Wellesley Primary School, Edgeworth, Yate every Tuesday 6.45pm - 8.15pm. Contact Rachel Woodford for more details on 07712 729726 n Oasis Friendship Cafe - a relaxed meeting place to come along for a chat, a listening ear and to make new friends. (Well behaved) dogs on leads also welcome! Baptist Church Hall in Chipping Sodbury.

2nd, 4th (&5th) Tuesday of the month 10.30am - 12 noon. For more information contact church office on 01454 313023 Email: office@cs-bc.org.uk n Chipping Sodbury Men's Probus.

We meet 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. 10 – 12 noon at the Townhall, Sodbury. Guest Speaker every meeting, occasional lunches, day trips. Contact George for further info. Tele: 01454 882908 n Oasis Memory Café - in partnership with the Rotary Club of Chipping Sodbury and supported

levels and abilities are more than welcome to join us. Organised by Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church, office@cs-bc.org.uk, 01454 313023 n The Sodbury & District Flower Arrangement Society meets every 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month at The Old Grammar School Rooms, Chipping Sodbury at 7.30pm. 12th March AGM - No Practice class 26th March - Demonstration by Yvonne Berry Sporting Favourites Visitors and new members very welcome - come along and see what we do.

For more details contact Rosemary Cummins Tel: 0117 9373836 n Badminton Club, 8pm at Yate Leisure Centre. People of all skill levels and abilities are more than welcome to join us. Organised by Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church, office@cs-bc.org.uk, 01454 313023 n Well-being drop-in, Cranleigh Court Community Hub at Tyndale School (by Tyndale Avenue entrance), 1-2.30pm. Meet new people, learn new skills and improve your well-being through activities including arts and crafts, peer support, mindfulness workshops, healthy eating and

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Tuesday

by Alzheimer’s Society. Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church Hall 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month 10.30am – 12 noon For more information contact Jean on 01454 313023. Email: office@cs-bc.org.uk n Craft and Chat - a fun and friendly craft group for people of all ages and skill levels. Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month 10.30am - 12 noon Email: office@ cs-bc.org.uk n South Cotswold Men's Probus Club based in Yate, and reputably the most active in this area, can now take a few new members.

Meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesday mornings each month.

Information, without obligation, from Jack on 01454 313889. n Monthly social lunchtime meet up for disabled people at the Farmhouse Pub, Wellington Road, Yate, BS37 5UY. Open and friendly group, meets first Tuesday of month 12-2pm. Part of WECIL's peer support community - 0797 962 6569.

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Days of Special Interest which examine facets of the arts in greater detail, as well as visits to art galleries, museums and gardens plus trips abroad. Full details can be found on our website www. svdfas.co.uk. So come along, have a cup of coffee, enjoy the lecture and, perhaps, do some shopping in this lovely market town. Visitors are charged £6 so, if you would like to “try before you buy”, please e-mail memb@svdfas.co.uk n Monday Lunch Club meets at St Nicholas Church, Abbotswood, midday-1.30pm. Delicious home cooked soup and a roll, a dessert and drink for £2.50. Come and make new friends, especially if you live on your own. Tel 01454 324712 or email st.nicholas.abbotswood@ hotmail.co.uk.

The Arts Society Severn Valley We meet in the Town Hall in Chipping Sodbury on the third Monday of each month.

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The Fleece Inn, Chapel Lane, Hillesley GL12 7RD T: 01453 520003 | E: fleecepub@gmail.com

www.thefleecehillesley.com Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

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November, 2019

n WHAT'S ON CONTINUED Afternoon Choir meets on Wednesdays 2pm till 4pm at St Marys Church Yate. No auditions!

Contact Nikki on 01761 472468 for more details or just turn up at the church and have a free sing on the first visit. Look forward to seeing you! n Short Mat Bowls. A Warm welcome awaits visitors for the short matt bowls on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at St Saviours Church Hall, Coalpit Heath from 2-4pm. n Yate & District Townswomen’s Guild meet on the second Wednesday morning of every month in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. We have a programme of varied and interesting speakers. We are a very sociable group and offer other smaller, activity groups too.

Give us a try. Ring Rhona 01454 881532 or Christine 07811665286 n Bellydance class with Sacha at Ridgewood Community Centre every Wednesday 7:30-8:30 (beginner/open level); 8:30-9:30 (intermediate level); £7 an hour or £12 for 2 hours. Contact Sacha for more information www. sachabellydance.co.uk sachabellydance@yahoo.co.uk n Frenchay Men’s Probus Club Meetings are held in Frenchay Village Hall from 10.00 am to 12 noon on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesday of the month. The meeting is preceded by coffee.

www.frenchayprobusclub.com n Craft group meeting in St. Mary's Church, Yate each Wednesday from 10am. Everyone welcome, we have knitters, sewers and chatters. Refreshments available for a donation. Please come in and say hello. n Blossoms play groups, 10.30amnoon, Cranleigh Court Community Hub at Tyndale School (by Tyndale Avenue entrance). Resident-run group for parents with babies and young children aged up to five years old. Call Paulina on 0759 212 8965 for more details. Old toy donations always very welcome. n Top Flight Ballroom Dance Club. B.A,W.A .Every Wednesday.

Ballroom,Latin,Sequence. £5 Per Person. New Members Welcome. For More Information. Tel: 01179 192756 n Cranleigh Court Coffee Time.

9.30-11am, Cranleigh Court Community Hub at Tyndale School (by Tyndale Avenue entrance).

Resident-led group will be led by residents. Call Brian on 07780 188146 for enquiries or assistance with transport. n The Phoenix Art Club meets at Guinea Lane, Fishponds in the Methodist church hall every Wednesday mornings 9.30am to 12noon. We have a number of artists with a wide range of skills and interests and we break for coffee at 11am to enjoy a chat

with our friends and look around at what everyone is creating, be it watercolour, pencil, oils etc.

Anyone interested in joining is welcome to drop in for coffee and see what goes on. We welcome all abilities!

Thursday n Chipping Sodbury Folk Night Meets on 1st Thursday of each month in function room at Beaufort Pub . 8 pm - 11pm, Huge range of music and performers covering various genres , all welcome, performers slots are available on a first come basis. £1 on the door . Visit our Facebook page for more info, Chipping Sodbury Folk Night. Or call Jo on 07974 381333. n South Gloucestershire Arts Appreciation Society meet at Bradley Stoke Community School, Fiddlers Lane, Bradley Stoke, 3rd Thursday evening of the month.

Starting October at 7.00 for 7.30 start. Refreshments provided.

Contact: Sallykitching@googlemail. com Tel. 01454 774401 n Directors Duet for Stokes Singers choir. The two MDs would love to welcome new members to Thursday rehearsals at 7.30pm at Coniston Community Centre, Patchway BS34 5LP. n Yate Community Choir.

Ridgewood Community Centre 7.30-9pm. Liz Martin 07891036145 n Chipping Sodbury Ladies Probus Last Thursday of every month 1012 Charter Suite Chipping Sodbury

Town Hall. Speaker every month and regular trips out. T 01454 327491 n Avon Harmony are a Ladies A Cappella / barbershop chorus.

We welcome visitors for a no obligation taster session. We rehearse at the dance studio, Fairfield High School, Allfoxton Road, Bristol BS7 9NL. Every Thursday evening 7.30pm 9.45pm. Tel: Mary 07954170532. n Yate Oral History Group meets 7.30pm,2nd Thursday of the month at Poole Court for interesting talks, refreshments & summer outings. We are a small friendly group looking for new members.

Contact Diana 01454 322811 n Barnardo’s Breastfeeding Peer Support Project provides emotional and practical support to new mothers. Weekly groups are held at venues in Thornbury, Yate and across South Gloucestershire.

The Yate group, called Yate BreastFriends, meets at Yate Childrens Centre on Cranleigh Court Road on Tuesdays between 11.30am - 1.00pm. n The Yate and Sodbury District U3A Photography group meet at the St John’s Church Centre, Wickwar Road, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6BQ on the first Thursday of every month (except July and August) at 2p.m. we invite photographers of all abilities to come along and learn more. For more info email Mary Avenin mabr42@outlook.com or call 01179 099471 or visit our website at www. u3aphoto.blog.

What’s on at Yate Library Staffed opening: Monday: 10am-5.30pm Tuesday: 10am-5.30pm Friday: 10am-5.30pm Saturday: 9.30am-2.30pm Open access (unstaffed) Daily: 8am-7.30pm Events for children and families: Wriggle & Rhyme: Rhymes and songs for parents and babies/ toddlers to enjoy together.

Thursday mornings 10.30-11am, term time only.

Storytime: A free family-friendly storytime. Stories and a simple craft for pre-school children.

Monday mornings 10.30am11am, term time only.

Horrifying half-term @ Yate Library Freaky Friday Messy Play: Friday

November 1, 2-3.30pm. Free family-friendly drop-in session.

Silly Saturday: Saturday November 2, 10.30-11.30am.

Free family-friendly drop-in craft session.

Lego Club: Listen to stories and poems, then create a model to display at the library. Suitable for primary school age children, who must be accompanied by an adult. Saturday November 16, 10.30-11.30am.

Teen Focus book group: Do you love books? Have a favourite author? Come and talk about books. Year 7+, £1 per session, refreshments provided. Thursday November 21, 6.30-7.30pm.

Other events and groups The Craft Group: November 9 and 23, 10am-noon. New

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

members will always be made welcome by this friendly group.

Share tips and ideas for your knitting, sewing or crochet projects.

Poetry Group: November 12 and 26, 1-2pm.

Support and educational groups RNIB Technology for Life: Technology support for blind and partially sighted people takes place at Yate Library on Wednesday afternoons by appointment only. For more information contact the RNIB Technology for Life team by email: tfl@rnib.org.uk or phone 0303 123 9999.

Vision West of England: Information, advice and support drop-in, Friday November 15 from 10.30am-12.30pm. For more

information contact Marc on 0117 322 4855 or email marc.gulwell@ visionwofe.org.uk Various free legal advice sessions: ask staff for details.

Various community learning courses: Contact 01454 864613 or community.learning@southglos. gov.uk Memory Café: last Thursday each month, 2.30-4.30pm.

For more information on the library, call 01454 868006, email yate.library@southglos. gov.uk or visit www.southglos. gov.uk/libraries. Updates on Twitter @southgloslibs or South Gloucestershire Libraries page on Facebook.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

November, 2019

yate&sodburyvoice

n Tudor Bridge Club meets at the hall behind St Lawrence Presbytery on Broad Street, every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. Contact Christine on 07876334921 n Kidz Club THE EDGE at Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church, 6-7.15pm in term time. We have an exciting club for all boys and girls – just come along and join in the fun! n #jobnetworkbristol & computerclub. Tablet and accessible computer club, employment support and signposting to opportunity.

Join us for a tea and coffee.

Cranleigh Court community hub, Tyndale Primary School, 1.30pm - 4pm. More information from jobnetworkbristol@outlook.com by email. n Emersons Green Quilters meet at Christ Church Centre, Quakers Road, Downend, 7.30pm9.30pm on second Thursday of every month. Contact Ann Price on 07505 267931 or email emersonsgreenquilters@gmail. com for more details.

Friday n Crofts End Silver Band: We are a small friendly brass band who meet in Hanham Tabenacle every Friday evening 7.30-9.00pm We play for enjoyment and not contesting. Used to play? Want to learn? Contact: Denise 07944 887979 or Reg 0117 9652229 n Options, a social meet and craft club (now in its 19th year) meet at The Ridgewood Community Centre, 10am-3pm every Friday.

Tea/coffee and biscuits available with Cafe on site. £2.50 a

session. Contact Joan for details 01454314355. n Ladies who Latte - free women's networking group for women in business because there's no point being fabulous on your own!

We meet on the second Friday of the month at The Horseshoe in Chipping Sodbury from 10.00 - 12.00. Contact: Rebecca writetoreb@googlemail.com n Voices Together. The Old Grammar School. Chipping Sodbury 10-11.30. Liz Martin 07891036145 n Yate Men's Shed meet at Yate Parish Hall, from 1.30-4.30pm.

For further details please contact Steven Ringon 01454 323 857, or go to www.yatemensshed.com” n Cranleigh Court Cycling Club.

10.30am at Cranleigh Court Community Hub, Tyndale School.

If you want to get back into cycling this could be for you. More details from Brian on 0778 018 8146.

Saturday n The Tourist Information Centre Chipping Sodbury. Open 10am to 4pm Mondays to Saturdays.. n Yate Racketeers Junior Badminton Club meets from 10am-11am and 11am-12.25pm, from September to April, term time only. Ages 6 to 18 All coaches DBS checked and Badminton England qualified. All abilities welcome. First session free. Contact Penny Shears on 0794 101 3514 or pennyshears@ googlemail.com. n Dippers Swimming Club for disabled plus family, meets every Saturday 5.30-6.30pm at Yate Leisure Centre. Contact Sue on 01454 850775 for more details.

Promote your events and classes with our special feature space

n Yoga with Bryony and pilates at Dodington Parish Hall from 10 - 11.30am Holistic yoga flow with pilates and a 25 min deep relaxation. All levels welcome. Mats, straps etc provided. Followed by complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits for 30 mins. 1st class free. £12 drop-in/ £50 for five classes with 5-class card (valid for 2 months) YouTube : Yoga with Bryony Facebook: Yoga with Bryony and pilates

STARTING FROM JUST

£5

+ VAT

n Why not join Welsh National Opera friends?

We support this world class company and everyone is very Welcome to join.

We offer:monthly evening meetings at redmaids high school. Monthly on wednesdays at 7.15pmthese are talks with music.

Costs- £7.00 (friends £5.00) students £1.00 - There are many other benefits.

For further information contact: Margaret borkowski:borkmail@gmail. com

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Sunday n Indoor short mat bowls at Pucklechurch Community Centre.

Established players and beginners welcome. Bowls provided. Sessions Sunday afternoon and Monday and Wednesday evenings. Contact Roger Payne 0117 937 3653. n Teas on Sunday at Old Sodbury

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

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Church. From 2.30-4.30pm every Sunday until September 16. Come and enjoy a cup of tea in the tranquility of the church or outside with an amazing view over the Severn Valley.

Shopmobility South Gloucestershire, Yate Library, Yate Shopping Centre The service hires out battery powered scooters and wheelchairs, to help people to retain their independence and to use the facilities of the centre. You can also hire scooters and wheelchairs for longer terms. South Gloucestershire Council Diamond Cards can be used on the service.

Office is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.30am-4pm, and Saturday from 9.30am-2pm.

For more information call 01454 868718 or 0799 957 4474, or email shopmobilitysouthglos@yahoo.com.

Chipping Sodbury Library is open and staffed by volunteers during the following hours : Tuesdays 09.30 - 12.30 & 13.30 16.30 Wednesdays 09.30 - 18.30 Fridays 09.30 - 12.30 Saturdays 09.30 - 12.30

We would love to publicise your event Send details of your events and activities in the following format:

WHAT IT IS WHERE IT IS WHEN IT IS in no more than 40 words: email us at: contact@ yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk or call us on 01454 800 120

The usual borrowing facilities are available during the above hours and events for children during the school holidays. Come in and see our monthly displays and borrow a book on the month's theme.

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

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

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November, 2019

n YATE HERITAGE CENTRE FOR some people, historical information is only found at the local museum, heritage centre or county archive; the visible repositories of detailed historic knowledge. The preserve of the paid archivist and curator. Yet, as a paid heritage professional, I am always aware of the debt I owe to the amateur local historian.

Without said historians, Yate Heritage Centre would not be able to be that repository of knowledge.

Since the 1990s, Yate Heritage Centre has drawn upon the work of local historians in order to produce exhibitions, books, CDs, create lectures and answer countless enquiries. There are several local historians who have given up countless hours of their time to research myriad historic and archaeological subject matter and share the findings as notes, histories or lectures. With apologies to those missed out...

Jim Elsworth of Chipping Sodbury is the local, local historian, a veritable 'Mr Sodbury' and the 'go-to' for detailed historic enquiries on anything related to the history of the market town.

Jim has been chair of the Sodbury History Society since 1976 and has always been happy to share his breadth of knowledge. Over the last 19 years, we have e-mailed Jim hundreds of times with every conceivable Sodbury historic enquiry from the history of the prehistoric Sodbury Camp to getting photographs of 1950s pub events.

For the research purposes of Yate Heritage Centre, Harry Lane was 'Mr Yate'. As well as being the

In praise of local historians 'honorary curator' for the original Yate Heritage Centre in the 1990s, he continued to be the fount of much of the research for Yate history from the 1990s onwards.

Despite a hiatus away from Yate in the late 1990s, Harry returned in 2002 and continued to be a great support to Yate Heritage Centre.

Thankfully for us, his appetite for historic research remained undiminished; Harry took on research for all the Victorian worthies of the Yate area as well as a Tudor history of the area, from which I have, with his blessing, produced and delivered numerous lectures.

Last, but certainly not least, is John Penny. Although a Bristolian through and through, John developed a great affinity with Yate from his years working at Newman Industries in the late 1960s. John’s enthusiasm for modern industrial and wartime history remains undimmed, and so many of us are indebted to his work. Nearly all our knowledge of our 20th century industrial history emanates from him. Perhaps his most outstanding work was in West Germany in the 1980s, where he unearthed material relating to the 1941 bombing of Parnall Aircraft in Yate; through John we can discover the bombing maps, aerial photographs and images of the German bombing crew, pictured,which told the story of this most traumatic event.

Finally, the legacy of the

John Penny's research uncovered pictures of the German bomber crew who raided the Parnall factory in 1941. local historian lives on through our historic collections and information. And also their inspiration! Volunteers such as Sylvia Eastwood have taken on

Diary November 4-30: Yate Art Open. Showcasing some of the best material from the talented artists in our area.

November 12, 7.30pm: Yate Lecture Series, cinema evening presentation and experience with Clive Burlton. £2 admission or free for Friends of YHC. Booking essential. Funded by the Friends of YHC. November 19, 7.30pm: Yate Lecture Series, Regency St Paul's, Bristol. John Penny discusses the history of one of Bristol’s earliest suburbs. £2 admission or free for Friends of YHC. Booking essential.

Funded by the Friends of YHC November 20, 7.30pm: Yate Archaeology Group Meeting. The strategic siting of medieval castles, with Phil Rowe. £3 admission or free for members of Yate Archaeological Group.

MD22759 Recruiting on behalf of Individual Employers

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MD23447 Recruiting on behalf of Individual Employers

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Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

November, 2019

39

n NEWS

Life-saving defibrillator installed in Iron Acton STAFF at a gym in Iron Acton have seen their hard work come to fruition after a defibrillator was installed on the business park where they are based.

People working at SG23 Fitness decided to raise the £2,400 needed to pay for the life-saving device because they believed that not only their gym members could benefit but also the clients of the other companies based at Backfield Farm.

Defibrillators deliver an electric shock to a person who is having a cardiac arrest to give them the best chance of survival until medical help arrives.

Before the fundraising drive the nearest defibrillator to the business park was a few miles away at Rangeworthy.

Manager Scott Dann said: “We currently have over 300 members who love what we do. They’ve all helped us in their own way to raise the money necessary to install this vital piece of equipment. The final amount was raised during our fourth birthday party this summer, with the help of further donations from our members.

“It’s taken a long time for the unit to be manufactured and delivered but we are now over the moon with the final installation. We

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The staff organised a wide range of fundraising events including a quiz night and

a competition fitness challenge. One member of the team, Lynn Rubery, ran the Bristol 10k.

SG23 Fitness also made a donation.

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November, 2019

41

n NEWS

Choirs and bands wanted to help fight cancer FUNDRAISERS planning a major Christmas drive in aid of a cancer charity are looking for musicians to provide a festive atmosphere.

Macmillan Cancer Support will stage a collection in Yate over three days, on November 29 and 30, and December 1.

The charity is looking for choirs and bands to come along and perform, and also for people to help collecting.

Macmillan’s fundraising manager Kaeti Morrison said: “Every two minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer.

It can affect anyone.

"In South Gloucestershire 29 people hear the words 'I’m sorry, it’s cancer' every single week.

“In that single moment of hearing those words, life is turned upside down. It is not always life-threatening, but it is life changing. Regardless of the diagnosis, life will never be the same.

“But we are currently only reaching one in four of the people who receive a diagnosis.

This cancer care emergency means Macmillan is trying to

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“We simply cannot support the growing number of people who need us without the generous support of our local communities. By supporting this collection, whether as a volunteer, choir or someone who donates on the day, you will be enabling us to be right there with more local people living with a cancer diagnosis.”

Money raised through the collection will go towards services in the local area.

Anyone who can spare a couple of hours, including people Macmillan who belong to a band or choir, fundraiser Kaeti Morrison whether for children, adults or at school, should email Kaeti at with Santa kmorrison@macmillan.org.uk.

For information on meet the needs of more people fundraising for Macmillan call than ever before, from our 0300 1000 200 or visit www. specialist cancer nurses, to the macmillan.org.uk/fundraising. comfort and information we offer To access support from through our support line. Our Macmillan call 0808 808 00 00.

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42

November, 2019

n NEWS

Earthworks planned to keep travellers off

FORTIFICATIONS to prevent travellers from camping on a village green will be built at a cost of £20,000.

Residents called for action after seven illegal encampments in seven years by caravans at land off Down Road in Alveston.

South Gloucestershire Council's cabinet has approved £15,000 to build the earth embankment, called a bund, on top of £5,000 pledged by Alveston Parish Council.

But opposition councillors say other areas of the district, where parishes have paid for their own barriers, should now get a refund.

Earlier this year, Iron Acton Parish Council paid £3,000 to install boulder around the perimeter of the village green in an attempt to deter travellers.

Fence posts were also put around Latteridge Green, in an attempt to stop future damage and waste dumping when the greens are occupied, following

a consultation with villagers as to what preventative measures could be put in place.

Severn Vale ward councillors Matthew Riddle and Keith Burchell helped raise a 600name petition calling for the Alveston earthworks.

Mr Riddle told a recent cabinet meeting: “Keith and I received considerable complaints about the trespass in June so we set up a working group which included representatives from the parish council and residents, who went door-to-door with a petition for action to physically stop further trespasses.

“A bund of about half a metre will cost £20,000 and Alveston Parish Council has already committed £5,000 to demonstrate that this is a priority for our area.

“The bund will have wild flowers growing on it and that will increase the local biodiversity and pollinators.”

Yate North Lib Dem

councillor Mike Drew asked: “On what basis do you choose to protect South Gloucestershire land from incursion by travellers?

“Yate Town Council has provided a bund around South Gloucestershire Council land in Yate to prevent disturbance to residents nearby, so perhaps we could get a refund on the money we spent on behalf of this council?”

Thornbury ward councillor Maggie Tyrrell said: “I’m really pleased to know the work at Alveston is being done at last because it has been five years since the parish council asked for it.”

Matthew Riddle and Keith Burchell in front of the land in Alveston Cabinet member for corporate resources Ben Burton said: “I am more than happy to receive representations from other communities who feel a bund is suitable to their location and we will consider those in the usual way.”

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

New rules give residents a voice

Winter at Dyrham Park Just a stone’s throw away from Bristol is the National Trust’s Dyrham Park. Explore the 17th-century house, ancient deer park and seasonal garden with daily walks and tours and other events this winter.

Escape the bustle of a modern day Christmas with a return to a more subtle 17th-century celebration. Floral displays adorn the house, with storytellers and carol singers in the courtyard and church.

Call 0117 937 2501 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park © National Trust 2019. The National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846.

Photography ©National Trust Images/John Millar.

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RESIDENTS could soon be permitted to air their views when councillors visit planning application sites in South Gloucestershire.

This follows a vote at a full council meeting last month, which saw the ruling Conservatives defeated on the issue.

Currently, a planning committee will suggest a site visit if a proposal is controversial. The public can attend but are not allowed to speak. This was a change brought in a year ago under a shake-up of planning processes.

Councillor Colin Hunt said the ban on people speaking had caused problems.

“I have been attacked, abused, told I am a fascist and undemocratic and been reported to the standards board because people do not understand,” he said.

Lib Dem Cllr James Arrowsmith said: “I have learned so much from residents - that ability to have a resident talk you through it, explain something that is not always obvious or we don’t always appreciate as members from different wards.”

In a surprise result because of several Tory abstentions, members voted in favour of Lib Dem leader and Frampton Cotterell councillor Claire Young’s suggestion to add a line to the Tories’ motion that could now see the reinstatement of householders speaking at planning sites.

“If your real concern is residents being able to point out things that should be looked at at a site visit, then the appropriate way to fix that is for them to be allowed to speak at site visits again,” she said.

Council leader Toby Savage conceded that "there are areas to improve around public participation".

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

November, 2019

yate&sodburyvoice

43

n NEWS

Yate firm teams up with youth homelessness charity A YATE-based property service has joined forces with a charity that supports homeless young people to revamp their residential property in the town.

Ian Williams is situated around the corner from Southwold House, which is run by the charity 1625 Independent People, which works across South Gloucestershire providing supported housing projects.

Southwold House provides a safe space and support but is now in need of a revamp.

The two organisations are working together to make this a reality.

Ian Williams executive director Mike Turner said: “Rather than a one-off donation, we can invest something that will continue to make an impact, helping lots of young people.”

The improved building will

have a study space, a kitchen where young people can learn to cook, spaces to relax and to feel at home. Triodos Bank and Avon Wildlife Trust have joined the project to work on the gardens.

South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people, Jon Hunt, said: “It is fantastic to see this work begin at Southwold House in Yate, which is delivering a number of refurbishment and landscaping improvements at the property.

“The improvement work has been designed in collaboration with residents, and young people are also going to be involved in carrying out the work, to help them gain hands on experience and learn a range of new skills.

"This project with Ian Williams and 1625ip is a great example of how partnerships

Mike Turner, executive director at Ian Williams, and Dom Wood, chief executive of 1625 Independent People. with local businesses and charities can create very positive outcomes for young people in

our community.”

The work is expected to be finished in time for Christmas.

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November, 2019

yate&sodburyvoice

45

n MOTORING

A guide to pre-owned cars with Richard Cooke

Second-hand Style The classic car market: I’m calling it

T

HE classic car market has gone just one way for the last twenty years – inexorably up. Several hundred percent up, in particular between 2009 and 2015. I’m calling it now though: the bubble is starting to lose its firm lustre. Watch it deflate or collapse for certain marques over the next five to ten years, as market forces and, more importantly, demographics play out.

So why now? Three reasons. The first two will be familiar to the awfully clever analysts who are paid eye-watering sums of money to predict the future value of assets. The third reason is often missed by the teenage scribblers, because it isn’t so easily modelled. If I’m right, it’s bad news for the chancers (sorry, ‘investors’) holding onto valuable motors purely for profit. But then it’s great news for those of us who love classics for what they should be – an enthusiasts’ hobby. I maintain classics should be driven and used, not stored away like gold bullion.

So, reason one for the imminent decline in values: there are no fundamentals underpinning the classic car market. Unlike housing, no-one

actually needs a classic car. And although supply is limited, an upside to the recent rise in values is that classics which would once have been scrapped are now being expensively restored. Classic cars will never be worthless either – a vehicle that moves and can take you places will always have some value. But that value is entirely dependent on what people are prepared to pay and, in the case of classics, they will start to rank below other more important considerations. The market is also partly propped up by an absence of other attractive places for investors to put their money.

Reason two: there is usually a cost to holding assets. A house costs you council tax and maintenance. Your investment manager charges you a fee. That cost is bearable whilst the asset’s value is increasing or is perceived to be increasing. But if you are hanging on to an Aston Martin worth £200k and the value stops rising, and then starts to drop, are you so happy to pay £2k a year for storage and another £1k for insurance and preventative servicing? Car collectors say that this is an investment you can

enjoy – you can drive it. But hold on: What if it gets damaged? And the value is inextricably linked to how low the mileage is, so you don’t want to drive too far. Remove the enjoyment and investors will question if their money could work harder elsewhere. You won’t hear vested interests (dealers, journalists, collectors) talk about this above a hushed whisper.

Reason three: baby boomers. Or rather, demographic change. Retirees aged between 60 and 75 with disposable cash have splashed it on the cars they couldn’t afford in their youth.

This partly explains the huge rise in value of classic Jaguars, Ferraris, Mercedes and Porsches.

But the boomers are starting to die, and leaving their priceless motors to children who would rather use the money for something else. Think school fees, paying off the mortgage or covering a whopping inheritance tax bill. Generation X are buying the cars they craved when young – the Peugeot 205 GTi, BMW M3s, Lancia’s Delta Integrale. Their values are correspondingly shooting up. As for Millennials, they aren’t even bothering to learn to drive. And those that do want an electric car, to impress Greta Thunberg and their Extinction Rebellion peers.

To be clear, not all classics will lose value.

But some simply have to, as demand for them evaporates. This month’s picture is of a 1974 Jensen Interceptor Mk3. It was powered by a 7.2 litre Chrysler V8 engine, indifferently mated to the very pretty Italian body by a borderline militant workforce in the Midlands. It is both achingly beautiful and tragically flawed; Interceptor rust never sleeps. In 2001 I almost bought a reasonable example for £5k. Today a specialist will charge you £80k for a restored car. Just try selling it to a 35-year-old who needs that amount for a house deposit, has never even heard of Jensen and thinks 12mpg is a YouTube influencer.

WE’RE ONLINE TOO! www.yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

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yate&sodburyvoice

46

November, 2019

n RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Getting ahead of the game I’M sitting at my desk trying, indeed, to get ahead of the game, writing my article for November. Those of you who have read my articles regularly might remember that my recipe for November is often an edible gift for Christmas. It’s a joy for me to have a session in my cosy kitchen, making homemade preserves for gifts. It’s particularly good if it’s pouring with rain outside! And when I see the jars all lined up and destined for special people, I feel really pleased. And I feel a certain amount of satisfaction that I’ve started on my Christmas gift list.

My recipe for mango chutney is easy to make and, though it takes a couple of hours to do, it’s well worth the effort. I suggest you look for mangos in the markets, as they are so much cheaper. Save your screw- top jars in advance, so you’re ready to go. Equipmentwise, all you need is a large, tall, deep saucepan and a wooden spoon.

I make small batches of the chutney to give to special people, but I also keep a couple of jars for my own Christmas table. The chutney goes particularly well with cold meats or my favourite leftover turkey curry. I’m smiling just thinking about it. As I look out the window, the rain has stopped and there’s a beautiful rainbow.

Ann Murray is from the Cooking4 Cookery School based in Chipping Sodbury.

She’s teamed up with Yate & Sodbury Voice to pass on her wealth of experience in the kitchen.

Salt – ½ tsp Cooking Apples – 225g/8oz – peeled Distilled Malt Vinegar – 300ml/ ½ pint Demerara Sugar – 200g/7oz Onion – 1 – roughly chopped Garlic clove – 1 – peeled and finely chopped Ground ginger – 2 tsp Here’s what you do: Slice the mango into chunks and place in a large non-metallic bowl.

Sprinkle with salt and leave to one side.

Cut the apples into quarters, remove and discard the cores, and roughly chop.

Place the malt vinegar and sugar in a large saucepan or preserving pan.

Heat gently, stirring occasionally,

Mango Chutney This is the most well-known Indian accompaniment to a curry, but as well as simply being served with poppadums, it has many other uses.

See Cook’s Tips below.

Makes 1kg (2 ¼ lb) You will need: Mango – 900g/2 lb – peeled

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until the sugar has dissolved completely.

Add all the rest of the ingredients to the mixture and bring slowly to the boil, stirring occasionally.

Once boiling point has been reached, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and simmer for about an hour. Stir frequently, especially towards the end of the cooking time.

(You have to be on the ball here, this is when the chutney is most likely to catch on the bottom of the pan!)

Cook until the chutney is thick and there should be very little excess liquid.

Spoon the chutney into warmed sterilized jars. Seal.

Label when cool. Store in a cool, dark place and allow to mature for at least 2 weeks before eating.

Variations: If you like your chutney more fiery, seed and finely slice 2 green chillies and stir into the chutney with the garlic and ginger.

Cook’s Tips: To use with fish – put a dessertspoonful on top of a salmon fillet, wrap in foil and either barbecue or cook in the oven 180C, 350F or gas 4 for 7-10 minutes.

Mix with thick yoghurt to make a spicy dip – 2 tablespoons of chutney to 150ml yoghurt.

Use within 1 year of making. Once opened, store in the fridge and use within 3 months.

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yate&sodburyvoice

November, 2019

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Shopmobility South Gloucestershire Trustees and a Shopmobility user at this year's AGM in October.

SHOPMOBILITY South Gloucestershire had a very busy Summer with record numbers using the scheme.

This is wonderful news, and shows the need for Shopmobility.

We would like to remind people of the scheme when planning their Christmas shopping.

The service provides mobility scooter and wheelchair hire on a daily and longer-term basis, to help people who have limited mobility to retain their independence and to use the facilities of the centre and to access other services.

The scheme, based in Yate Shopping Centre, has increased its opening hours to help its users access it.

The hours have been extended from 2pm to 4pm on a Thursday.

This means our hours during the week will be 9.30am to 4pm on a Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and until 2pm on a Saturday.

Shopmobility South Glos has

been operational since 2006 and provides a vital service to its users helping to access the shopping centre and other services, and for social purposes too.

The scheme's popular project manager, Sheridan Crew, is on hand to provide the necessary help and support.

Shopmobility is also looking for more volunteers to help operate and promote the service.

There are opportunities to help the organisation to deliver the service, especially if it is able to expand its operations, and opportunities to deliver its promotion strategy to help reach more users.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering should call 01454 868718, 0799 957 4474 or email shopmobilitysouthglos@yahoo. com and detail what you might be interested in doing, or request further information on the scheme.

David Bell.

Vice Chairman, Shopmobility South Gloucestershire.

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

47

n LETTERS Can you help find stolen laptop?

A laptop in a black laptop holdall belonging to me was taken from a train in Paddington Station and is now located in Chipping Sodbury.

The laptop’s locator pings at the junction of High Street, Wickwar Road and Hounds Road, where it may be within a radius of about 100 yards. It has been at that same location since October 5, suggesting it’s either dumped or shut away.

I am the Assistant County Bird Recorder for Cornwall and a committee member of the St Just Cancer Research UK fund-raising group, and there are many files relating to both voluntary jobs on the laptop. I would love to have the laptop returned.

It you find it, please hand it in at either the police station or the Baptist church centre. The police have been notified and are looking at the CCTV footage from the carriage, but all I want is its safe return. If you have any information please call me 07814 087491 – I am

offering a reward for its safe return.

Dr Tony Mills Penzance, Cornwall

Thank you for helping On September 23 I on was on my way to a funeral at Westerleigh by bus. When I noticed a sign saying Yate I went to speak to the driver telling him I wanted Westerleigh, to which he replied he couldn't go there because of roadworks. So I got off the bus, not knowing how to get to Westerleigh.

I saw a lady coming out a shop and asked her if she could help.

She said she would take me there in her car, which I was very grateful for. She even asked me if I would be able to get home, which I was.

Through your magazine I would like to thank the lady very very much.

Clifford Blackmore, Fishponds, Bristol By email

Key witness sought POLICE are trying to trace a man who removed keys from a car ignition following a suspected drink-driving incident in Yate.

The motorist is a crucial witness in the case of a 74-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after the incident in Iron Acton Way, near the junction with Goose Green Way, between 2pm and 3pm on October 9.

The pensioner has been released under investigation in connection with the incident.

An Avon and Somerset police spokesperson said: "Before police officers arrived at the scene, a member of the public got out of their car and approached the man’s vehicle, taking the car keys out of the ignition.

"This witness is described as white, middle-aged, with dark hair and wearing a checked shirt."

Officers have called on the witness to call them on 101 and quote the crime reference number 5219 233 963.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

48

November, 2019

n PETER'S VISION

Time for lights

W

option. I definitely see an increase this time of year in requests for help with reading vision. Often one of the first questions I ask is about the light you read with at home.

Even a bright bulb in a lamp shade isn’t enough for some of us to read by, so maybe it's time to reach for the classic anglepoise light again! I read recently that you can even buy a Paul Smith designed anglepoise lamp - if you’ve not seen one, as you’d expect, it’s certainly adds a touch of colour to your room. I painted my own as a school DT project just a few years ago (okay over twenty years ago!). I’m pleased to say that energy saving LED bulb aside it’s still the same lamp as it was all those years ago!

Driving at night is another topic

ell we’re definitely in Autumn now! I can understand the Danish Hygge I was reading about this summer. Okay I may be a year late on this trend, but as a lifestyle choice it seems like a good idea to me, what with the cold & wet weather we’re having! When we get inside, heating on, warm soups to eat and relaxing with family it does feel like the right place to be after a fun day at work and school.

It’s perhaps no surprise that the thing that struck me was the importance of the lights we choose for our homes. Soft candle light is great for relaxing, chatting with friends or family, but not for homework or reading those important letters we’ve been sent that day; these need a brighter

I’m discussing more these days.

Glare from oncoming headlights is not going away, so it’s best to prepare yourself. We’ve a choice of options, our most popular remains our contrast enhancer - a lens that reduces the glare and sharpens your vision, both day and night, all in one lens. Another favourite are our clear lenses - these are made to be clearer from the inside out, and let you see up to 10% more clearly.

And why not give your eyes the comfort and clarity they deserve?

The technology is quite affordable these days, and with both of these lens options we add a years

AUTUMN EVENT

accidental damage cover as well!

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

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November, 2019

49

n COMMUNITY NEWS Rotary Club of Chipping Sodbury IT is with great sadness that we report the death of one of our longeststanding and most valued members, Richard Kingscott. Richard was the club President in 1999-2000 and from a Rotary perspective can best be remembered for his leadership and sustained commitment over many years to a range of activities, including our mulled wine and mince pie stall on the annual Victorian Day in Chipping Sodbury High Street, raising significant sums to contribute to our fund for charitable and other deserving causes. Only the week before his death, Richard, supported by a number of club members, played a pivotal role in the Ploughing through the Ages event at Lyegrove Farm, Badminton, an event raising funds for local and national charities. Richard will be sorely missed.

Following the significant manpower support we gave to the very successful Saddleback Sodbury Sportive in August we were delighted to fund the Baptist Church Lunch Club outing for a number of local residents with very limited mobility. The club was also pleased to provide financial support to the local St John Ambulance group, by meeting the cost of two field radios. Further donations have been made to Sodbury in Bloom to fund the cost of a new greenhouse, a contribution to the cost of a new Raizer chair for Barnhill Court and to fund the season of tea dances run by the local Dementia Support Group in the town hall. The first of four events was scheduled for October 30, to be followed by the second on November 27. On the youth front, the club pledged support towards the travel costs of a student at Winterbourne Academy participating in a school foreign aid trip to Ecuador. Also, the club pledged a financial contribution towards the cost of new football kit for the two youth teams at Wickwar Wanderers.

On the social side, the club finished a disappointing eighth at the Rotary District Boules final (Yate finished second). A number of members enjoyed a day out at Wells Cathedral and others participated in a stimulating team-building event at the Horseshoe pub.

Stuart Fraser, Senior Vice President

New club for Chipping Sodbury Library

Lions Club Of Chipping Sodbury LIONS Club of Chipping Sodbury have held their annual youth awards. Five youth organisations made presentations in a 'Dragons' Den' format. The winners were the Special Friends Club, who work with children with special needs. They are shown in the photograph, above, together with Mayor James Ball and Lion President Richard Cole.

The other four presenting groups received awards. Another nine groups also received awards after requesting help. The total paid out was £3,300. This shows Lions' commitment to youth in the area.

We are approaching our busiest time of the year for collections. Our sleigh will be out on local roads for eight evenings, collecting house-tohouse, from Monday December 2. There will also be daytime collections at Tesco, Waitrose and Morrisons. Fuller details will be appearing on our Facebook page.

If you feel that you would like to help with this, please make contact on 0345 8337424. All proceeds go to charity.

Richard Cole, President

CHIPPING Sodbury library has announced a new activity club for children.

The Allsorts Club is for three to 11 year olds and starts on Wednesday November 13, after which it will be held every fortnight.

Sessions last from 3.30-4.30pm and activities will include crafts, board games, reading and making simple gifts for Christmas.

Chipping Sodbury Library, in the High Street, is staffed by volunteers and open on Tuesdays from 9.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-4.30pm, Wednesdays 9.30am-6.30pm, and Fridays and Saturdays from 9.30am12.30pm.

Other upcoming activities include a holiday story time on October 30 from 10-11am, called Things that go Bump in the Night, and a pre-school story time session on November 15 from 10-10.45am.

As well as all the usual borrowing facilities and three public PCs, you can return books borrowed in other South Gloucestershire libraries and have books which you have reserved online sent to Chipping Sodbury.

For more details call 01454 868006 or email library@sodburytowncouncil. gov.uk.

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yate&sodburyvoice

50

November, 2019

n COMMUNITY NEWS Chipping Sodbury (Morning) WI WHEN the ladies of Chipping Sodbury Morning WI last converged upon the Old Grammar School it was for our Annual Meeting, and the President welcomed 38 members.

After lots of chatter, the meeting settled down to welcome some very special representatives of our chosen charity of the year, teachers and students from Chipping Sodbury School Access Centre. The centre is separate to main school, having 12 students (diagnosed with various autistic conditions) for years 7-11.

Following the presentation of our donation, we were very interested to lean that most of the students have experienced difficult years at primary school, where they were unable to learn. However, being in an environment of small classrooms, space, own dining room and kitchen, the young people can learn at their own pace and be taught in a different way. Results have been extremely encouraging, with all students going on to college. Teachers from the main school also come in to the centre and help.

The meeting went on to receive a report of the AFWI meeting, held at the Winter Gardens, Westonsuper-Mare, attended by four of our members.

The meeting agreed to once again sign up for the winter skittles tournament and were reminded of the following events during November – visit to Yate WI for gin tasting, walk around Kingsgate Park then Kaspars, Iron Acton 100th birthday party, regular book club get together, autumn group meeting, shopping trip to Swindon, guided tour of Royal Mint, craft afternoon, coffee morning and trip to Leamington Spa. Members also

welcomed news that there would be a trip to Bath in January 2020.

We will see all our regular members on Tuesday November 19 at 10am in the Old Grammar School, and would love to welcome new members if you feel you would like to join us.

Susan Tubey Chipping Sodbury WI 'GOING, going, gone' is the cry that a number of us would associate with an auction house - and how wrong we are! We were provided with a very informative talk on how one of the oldest professions has transformed over the years. Gone are the days of searching through a box of items and coming across a valuable antique. The auction rooms now work for the seller catalogue and placing the goods on the internet, so the local sale room has now been opened across the world.

We were entertained with a short competition guessing the value of a number of items and were surprised by the results. One other surprising item was a sale of a bone walking stick that was found in a garage and raised over £7,000. It just goes to show what value we could have all thrown away over the years.

The next meeting is on November 7 at 7.30pm and this will be our AGM, with voting taking place for a new committee. Our talk will be from Robert Vernon, from the Yate and Sodbury Food Bank.

Come and take the opportunity to try for free for 3 weeks, learn new skills at our craft evenings and enjoy educational trips to a number of places.

Jeanette Oakley Old Sodbury WI 'STRIP the willow' and 'dosey-doe' were enjoyed by members and guests at our Centenary Ceilidh

in October. A splendid supper of cold meats, salads, and fruit crumbles with cream was served to a full house. The dance music was provided by the Brewery Band and their caller helped us with our steps and kept us with the music!

The highlight of the month was at our main meeting, when our member Manisha demonstrated Sri Lankan cookery. She made a chicken curry and a lentil curry, introducing us to the spices and ingredients during the making.

Members were keen to sample them at the end of the talk and thoroughly enjoyed the tastes and aromas of the various dishes.

Reports from the AGM at Weston-super-Mare and a WI holiday in Dresden, plus stories of other Avon Federation events, showed how members have been busy during the last month.

Opportunities to sing carols, to go to the pantomime and to join a course at Denman College are available in the months ahead.

Our craft group had a real treat when our member Linzie demonstrated card making. She gave us so many ideas, we will be meeting again in November to make some very special Christmas cards.

Ladies who belong to our book club are currently reading The Improbability of Love by Hannah Rothschild: it is described as a romp, and an inspired feast of clever delights!

On Tuesday November 12, Old Sodbury WI will be hosting the autumn Severn Vale Group meeting. Tickets are £4 and include a light supper. Our speaker will be a lady giving an amusing story about hats. Institutes joining us are asked to bring donations for the local food bank.

Next time our members meet will be on Wednesday November

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20, for our annual general meeting.

We have over 40 WI members who enjoy a varied programme of speakers at our monthly meetings.

We meet in the village hall at Old Sodbury on the third Wednesday in each month at 7.30pm. There is always a warm welcome to visitors and prospective new members at this busy, friendly WI. If you would like to know more about us please visit or ring 01454 315161.

Susan Leah Yate WI THE newly-formed Yate Women’s Institute held its first annual general meeting at Poole Court on Monday October 14. Over 20 members were present and the WI adviser from Avon Federation was in attendance.

After a warm welcome on a cold, wet evening, we quickly finished the business part of the evening and settled down to listen to an entertaining and thoughtprovoking talk on homelessness in Bristol, by Martin Poole from the Bristol Soup Run. From firsthand experience supporting the homeless, Martin spoke about the changes in homelessness over the past 30 years and of the impact of drugs and debt. Volunteers go out each evening to Pip ‘n’ Jay and St Mary Redcliffe in Bristol to support both younger and older homeless people. As well as offering hot soup and a roll, they provide a listening ear and distribute toiletries and clothes. Donations can be taken to St Augustine’s church in Boscombe Crescent, Downend. After a vote of thanks, Martin was presented with donations provided by the group.

Our next meeting will be a quiz night on November 11 at Wellesley Primary School. Visitors are warmly welcomed. For more information, contact us at yatewiavon@gmail. com or find us on Facebook.

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November, 2019

yate&sodburyvoice

51

n SPORT

Yate extend their winning run to 4 games YATE made it 4 wins out of 4 in the Wadworths Bristol and District 2 league with a 41-10 win against Broad Plain 2s.

Broad Plain only had 15 players, and no props, so the game started with uncontested scrums.

Broad Plain put early pressure on Yate but Evan Demonick outpaced the full back to go under the post and make an easy conversion for fly half James Williams.

Broad Plain got three points back after Yate were penalised for going in from the side at a ruck within their own 22.

Yate were next to score: Kurtis Moreton, sensing a gap around the ruck to pick up and score under the post.

What should have been an easy conversion for James Williams was inexplicable put against the right hand upright, but Yate were ahead by 12-3.

The fast Yate defensive line was forcing errors from Broad

Action from Yate's 41-10 win over Broad Plain 2nds.

Plain and after the centre dropped the ball it was picked up by Evan Demonick 60 metres out. He sprinted away to go in under the posts. With a little more care, James Williams this

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time slotted the conversion for Yate to go 19-3 up.

With half time coming up, Kurtis Moreton went through a couple of tackles to go in for Yate’s fourth try. The conversion

made the half time score 26-3.

Within two minutes of the restart another penalty was awarded to Yate for an infringement around the ruck.

With Miles Hackett now on and taking responsibility kicks, he confidently stepped forward and placed the ball straight through the uprights from 35 metres out to extend the lead again.

Yate’s Liam Summerville managed to get over the line to score with three players holding on to him. Some effort from Yate’s smallest player.

The game became a little scrappy with mistakes starting to creep in which allowed the ever spirited Broad Plain to get a try after two missed tackles near the line. Yate immediately hit back with a try from James Falconer to make the final score 41-10.

The Portcullis Hotel sponsored man of the match went to Kurtis Moreton.

Mark Summerville

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November, 2019

yate&sodburyvoice

53

n SPORT

Second half slips cost Sodbury away win Old Bristolians 24 – Chipping Sodbury 12

Picture from Sodbury's win over Bristol Saracens by Paul Rubery

Three in a row for Sodbury CHIPPING Sodbury go into November in fourth place in the league after a string of wins bolstered their challenge.

Sodbury have won their last three games, including a 29-10 win over Saracens and a 17-15 victory at Barton Hill. The club have now won 5 of their last six games, the only loss coming to top of the table Stroud.

After a pause for cup action, November sees two home games against Winscombe and Clevedon for Sodbury. They also make the trip to bottom of the table Coney Hill.

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

CHIPPING Sodbury Ladies were hoping to make it four wins from four with a visit to Old Bristolians. A strong start saw Chipping Sodbury go ahead. A set piece from the backs led to full back Katie Lane going over for the first try of the game.

Lane scored her second of the game to leave Chipping Sodbury 12-0 up at the break.

But discipline proved to be the visitors' downfall in the second half, with penalties being conceded within minutes of each other.

Sodbury lost the ball forward in open play following a scrum, and the home team realigned quickly and went over the line for their first try of the game.

The following 15 minutes of play saw Sodbury defend well against a reenergised home side. It was in open play that Sodbury received their first yellow card of the season, with prop Chloe Stevens having a 10 minute rest for firstly not being 10 metres following a penalty but also a high tackle.

From a scrum, the home side took the blind side and went over the line for their second try.

In the last five minutes of the game Old Bristolians scored twice within the last few minutes to seal their first home win of the season.

Martine Richardson

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

54

November, 2019

n SPORT

Bluebells’ recovery stopped in its tracks TWO defeats in a row stopped Yate Town’s efforts to move away from the Southern League Premier Division South relegation zone.

Yate lost a midweek home match against Farnborough by a single goal on October 22, hot on the heels of a 2-0 default at fellow strugglers Dorchester Town three days earlier.

The two losses halted a run of three wins in a row, with an impressive 2-0 win at top-of-the-table Tiverton Town, with goals in each half from Ross Langworthy, pushing them up to 16th.

That result followed two wins in the space of a week at Lodge Road, 2-1 over Hartley Wintney and 1-0 against Metropolitan Police, both courtesy late strikes from Louis Britton.

The defeat to Farnborough left Yate still in trouble, just a point off the relegation zone in 19th. Although their league campaign is disrupted by cup games in November, they will hope to put together another run of wins to haul them into mid-table.

Home games against Weston-super-Mare

Louis Britton hit late winners in two successive games for Yate Town.

Picture: B.East Photography. and Swindon Supermarine, on November 9 and 23 respectively, come either side of a

six-pointer against bottom side Beaconsfield Town.

Sodbury bottom of the table CHIPPING Sodbury Town’s miserable season has continued, with ten losses so far seeing the club bottom of the Western League Premier Division.

Town did manage to beat Brislington 4-3 during October, but three defeats in a row have left them still in trouble. The defeats included a 6-1 drubbing at Roman Glass St George, which left their goal difference at -31.

The midweek game on October 22, their first home game of the month, saw Town lose 2-0 to Keynsham Town.

November is lining up to be a crucial month, with a tough game away to top-of-the-table Plymouth Parkway following on the heels of a visit by local rivals Cadbury Heath to the Ridings on November 2, as well as a bottom of the table matches against Bridport and Odd Down.

Right: Action from Chipping Sodbury Town's 4-0 defeat at home to Bridport on September 30. Picture: B.East Photography

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