Yate & Sodbury Voice October 2022

'Devastating' bus cuts confirmed

BUS operator First has confirmed it will cut three services to the Yate and Sodbury area this month, in a move described as a "kick in the teeth" for residents.

The company is introducing what it describes as a "partial replacement" for the Y3, Y4 and Y5 services, which will stop running when a new timetable is introduced on October 9.

But the new 47 will take over an hour and a half to get from some parts of the town to Bristol city centre - and will not run on Sundays or bank holidays.

First has also announced changes to the Y1 and Y6 services as part of the new timetable.

Turn to page 6

Alina's gift

A YATE girl handed a gift to Prince William, as the area played its part in mourning Queen Elizabeth II.

PAGES 4-5

Ex-player killed

THE father of a former Yate Town footballer who was stabbed to death at the Notting Hill Carnival has called for people to stop carrying knives.

PAGE 3

Pylons demolished

FOUR huge pylons that dominated the skyline above a Yate estate have finally been dismantled after decades of campaigning.

PAGE 7

Cancer campaign

A YATE mum who has fought off leukaemia three times has been chosen to front a campaign to highlight symptoms of the deadly disease.

PAGES 16-17

Hanson UK Consenting and Development Manager Trystan Mabbitt at Brinsham Lane, where the quarry operator wants to build a 'haul road' for trucks strongly opposed by protestors. Protection orders have been placed on trees - but could be overturned if the road plan goes ahead. Pages 3, 10 and 11

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Motorcyclist killed in crash on lane

A MOTORCYCLIST died and a driver needed hospital treatment after a crash on a lane near Yate.

The motorcyclist – a man in his 50s – died at the scene of the collision in Sodbury Lane, near Westerleigh, which happened at about 4.55pm on August 28.

The driver of the car went to hospital but has since been discharged.

Avon and Somerset police have appealed for witnesses, and anyone with dashcam video which could help their investigation into the incident, to come forward.

A police spokesperson said no other vehicles were involved in the collision, on the road which runs south of Yate, from Wapley towards Chipping Sodbury and Dodington.

Police have not disclosed the name of the man who died.

The spokesperson said: "Sadly the motorcyclist – a man in his 50s – died at the scene.

Letters for publication can be sent to us via email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk We reserve the right to edit your letter.

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

Police 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

"Their family have been informed and are receiving support from specially-trained officers.

"Our sympathies go out to them."

Anyone with information that could help the police investigation should call 101 and quote the incident reference number 5222 207 965.

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Former Yate Town footballer murdered at carnival

THE father of a former Yate Town footballer who was stabbed to death at the Notting Hill Carnival has called for people to stop carrying knives.

Takayo Nembhard, 21, was expecting a child with his girlfriend when he was attacked on August 29.

Also a former Bristol Rovers academy player, Takayo, who lived in Bristol, was building a career as a rapper, recording and performing as TKorStretch, after previously working as an apprentice at Bristol City Council.

A collection held at Yate Town's home FA Cup match against Aylesbury Vale Dynamos on September 3 raised more than £160 towards the fund for Takayo's family.

The club said in a statement: "Yate Town FC are saddened and shocked to learn of the death of former youth team player Takayo Nembhard.

"A prolific striker in our 201819 season, netting 29 goals in

the Somerset Youth Floodlit U18 League, and went onto make two first team appearances.

"The club wish to send its deepest condolences to Takayo's family and friends at this difficult time.

"Rest easy up there TK."

Takayo's family and friends are "inconsolable" at his murder, and a fundraising campaign has been launched by his manager, Chris Patrick, to help his partner Oshian Edwards and his family raise his unborn son.

His father Vincent visited the scene of Takayo's stabbing at Ladbroke Grove in London in

Trees saved - for now

COUNCILLORS have upheld a decision to protect hundreds of trees at a wildlife haven from being felled by quarry owners Hanson.

The company has applied for planning permission to build a 'haul road' for dumper trucks near Yate Rocks, north of its Chipping Sodbury quarry, which would involve removing a swathe of woodland at a site of nature conservation interest.

It was only when this was submitted in April that South Gloucestershire Council officers realised the trees were not protected and could be chopped down, so they issued a tree preservation order spanning a total of 4,105 square metres across two sites.

Hanson objected, calling the decision “disappointing” and arguing the order, which covers land either side of Brinsham Lane and off Gravel Hill Road North, was unnecessary because it had proven itself to be a responsible landowner over 150 years in the area.

But the development management committee upheld the TPO on September 15.

However, it is only a temporary reprieve because it would be overridden if members subsequently grant permission for the road linking Southfields and Brinsham West quarries.

One resident told the committee: "The TPO might only be a temporary protection but is nonetheless a vital one.

“We cannot trust the landowner not to take the trees out now."

Hanson consenting and development manager Trystan Mabbitt told members the firm would "follow due process in every single regard", and managed 450 acres of land around its quarry responsibly.

He said: “If nothing else, what we do is to seek to protect that environment.

“We have no intention of wilfully destroying any trees because it’s primarily us that has put them there in the first place."

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Haul road battle lines: Pages 10-11

death, describing him as "the most kind hearted, loving, funny and caring person".

September.

Takayo Nembhard. Picture: Chris Patrick

Mr Nembhard told broadcaster Sky News the loss of his son had been "devastating" for the family.

He said: "He was just a good kid, just came to carnival to enjoy the festival with his sister, but then his life was just taken away. We loved him dearly and he loved us.

"This must stop. Carrying a knife is the wrong thing to do. People should carry love in their heart instead of hatred."

Oshian wrote a moving tribute to her partner on Instagram shortly after his

She said she would remind their unborn son "daily about how great you were as a son, brother, boyfriend and friend too."

Chris said he had first met Takayo, two years ago and they had recorded "some great music together".

Chris said Takayo's "talent was endless", adding: "TK was a good kid, a good guy and what has happened breaks my heart.

Chris said: "The effect of his murder will last a lifetime. His mother, father, siblings, family and friends are inconsolable."

Chris has launched an online donation page aiming to raise £20,000 to help Takayo's family raise his child.

As the Voice went to press the amount donated was nearing £10,000.

The page can be found at gofund.me/e526541c.

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Alina's tribute is a gift for Prince George

A YATE girl who went with her family to pay her respects to the Queen ended up presenting the Prince of Wales with a gift.

Alina Hoskin, aged seven, went with parents Andrea and Richard and her younger brother, also called Richard, to Windsor on the Saturday after the Queen's death was announced.

The family only went on that day because dad Richard, who usually spends his Saturdays commentating on football for BBC Radio Bristol, found himself without a match to cover after fixtures across the country were cancelled.

The children decided to take a small Paddington bear and planned to leave it with the flowers that had been left at the royal estate, in tribute to the Queen's appearance having tea with the famous character in a comic TV sketch screened for her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

But after being ushered towards a crowd which had gathered, the family found themselves witnessing a walkabout by the new Prince and Princess of Wales, along with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who were stopping to greet and talk to well-wishers.

Andrea said: "All of a sudden we were witnessing a historic moment.

"William and Harry were greeting the crowd -

they spent a good 45 minutes to an hour speaking to everyone."

As Prince William reached the family, Alina, who was on her dad's shoulders, leaned forward and gave him the bear, and after the Prince asked whether he should put Paddington with the other tributes, it was decided to give him to Prince George instead.

Andrea said: "My husband had a very brief conversation with William before he took the bear and passed it to an aide."

The moment was captured on television and afterwards, the family appeared in news coverage from as far away as Australia, including an appearance on the Points West sofa, while Alina was the centre of attention among friends at The Ridge Junior School.

Andrea said: "I don't think the children fully appreciated it at the time because they're so young but they realised with all the attention that it was something special.

"All Alina's friends said she was famous and it was on Twitter - we've never gone viral before!

"They definitely won't forget it."

Yate and Sodbury

LOWERED flags, floral tributes and books of condolence were the outward signs of mourning in the Yate and Sodbury area following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Proclamation ceremonies for King Charles III, following centuries of tradition, took place outside Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, at Poole Court in Yate and outside Dodington Parish Hall on September 11, three days after the Queen's death.

Speaking at the Yate ceremony, town mayor Cheryl Kirby said: “In an age where modern methods of communication convey news around the globe in an instant, the proclamation is no longer the means by which people learn for the first time that they have a new Monarch.

"Today, however, is one of the first occasions when communities have an opportunity to come together and reflect on the moment in our

Foot

Lynn Bevan Tina Bennett

Alina Hoskin with Paddington

Sodbury play part in remembering Queen

nation’s history when the reign of our longest-serving Monarch came to an end and our new Sovereign succeeded."

The council cancelled the Yate International Festival and

postponed Heritage Open Days events during the period of mourning.

Mayor of Sodbury James Ball read the Proclamation in Chipping Sodbury in what the town council described as a "discreet but historic service",

Bike race cancelled after Queen's death

THE death of the Queen brought an end to the Tour of Britain cycle race, the day before it was due to pass through South Gloucestershire.

Stage Six of the annual elite race had been due to visit the area on Friday September 9, and people had been encouraged to line the route in the district, which had been due to pass through towns and villages including Dunkirk, Horton, Chipping Sodbury, Yate, Iron Acton, Rangeworthy, Bagstone and Cromhall, en route from Tewkesbury to Gloucester.

However organisers issued a statement on the evening the news of the Queen's passing was announced, saying the stage would not take place during a national day of mourning.

They said: "The Tour of Britain organisation, alongside the teams, riders and officials involved in the event, are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.

"We would like to send their deepest condolences to the whole of the Royal Family."

While some sporting events restarted on the following weekend, the final two stages of the tour were also cancelled, after the police forces from around the country which had lent 30 specialist motorbike outriders and two command vehicles to the race to supervise road safety recalled them.

The organisers said: "Naturally, given their skillset, when they are not working on our event or other cycle races, they are used extensively for things such as escorting politicians, heads of state, members of the Royal Family and so on."

It is not yet clear whether the cancelled stage through South Gloucestershire will be included in next year's Tour of Britain.

The organisers said: "Over the coming months we will be working with the local authorities who were due to host stages in the 2023 race to explore opportunities for hosting the race in the future, so until that time cannot comment any further."

watched by a small crowd.

Dodington Parish Council vice-chairman Christine Howard, read the Proclamation outside the Parish Hall on Finch Road, Chipping Sodbury, joined by fellow councillors, staff and representatives of uniformed

organisations and schools, in what was described as a "very poignant event".

Town councillor Chris Willmore laid flowers at Buckingham Palace on behalf of the people of Yate and there were also events in Yate and Sodbury to mark the national silence on the eve of the Queen's state funeral.

An online book of condolence hosted by South Gloucestershire Council included many tributes from Yate and Sodbury residents.

The Chipping Sodbury Proclamation ceremony.

Picture: Doug Lodge

The proclamation in Yate.

Dodington Parish Council's proclamation ceremony.

Loss of services a 'kick in the teeth'

From page 1

Despite dismissing earlier warnings from Metro Mayor Dan Norris that the services faced the axe, First confirmed in September that it was withdrawing:

*The Y3 from Yate to Bristol, via Iron Acton, Frampton Cotterell, Winterbourne and Hambrook.

*The Y4, from Yate Park & Ride to Bristol via Coalpit Heath, Frampton Cotterell, Winterbourne and Hambrook.

*The Y5, from Yate and Chipping Sodbury to Bristol via Pucklechurch and Staple Hill.

The company says a new service, the 47, will "provide a partial replacement for the majority of customers on Services 5, Y3, Y4 and Y5".

The company said: "Journeys will operate from Bristol City Centre, Lewins Mead to Yate via City Road, Ashley Road, Sussex Place, St Werburgh's, Eastgate, Fishponds Road, Fishponds, Oldbury Court, Downend,

Emersons Green, Pucklechurch and Westerleigh.

"In Yate, journeys will serve North Yate and Brimsham Park."

The new route includes a 25-minute loop from Yate Shopping Centre along Church Road, Greenways Road, Gravel Hill Road, Leechpool Way, Longcroft, Randolph Avenue, Wellington Road, Greenways Road again, Cranleigh Court Road and Station Road.

The journey to Bristol via Westerleigh, Pucklechurch and Emersons Green takes around an hour and a quarter.

A First spokesperson confirmed that the Y1 and Y6 would be the only remaining services heading to Bristol via Frampton Cotterell and that the company will no longer serve Iron Acton.

The spokesperson said: "We’ve amended the timetables for both the Y1 and Y6 services, with more time added into journeys to make them more reliable.

"We’ve also extended the Y6

route from Southmead Hospital to Bristol Bus Station, via Gloucester Road.

"Otherwise, the routes remain unchanged.

"The Y1 and Y6 will be the only services serving Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell."

Yate North ward South Gloucestershire councillor Ben Nutland said: "Whilst the introduction of the 47 will be welcome, the cutting of the Y3, Y4 and Y5 routes will be devastating for Yate.

"Residents are already being hit by the cost-of-living, and now to hear the news their bus routes are being withdrawn will be a real kick in the teeth to the students, workers and pensioners who rely on these services."

Frampton Cotterell ward councillor Jon Lean, whose ward includes Iron Acton, said: “This is another huge blow to residents, with significant and widely-used services axed right when public transport should be

being promoted to help combat the climate emergency."

Iron Acton Parish Council and Mr Norris, who has responsibility for transport planning in the region, have been in negotiations to restore a service to the village, and from October 9 a commuter service, the 626, is being diverted to stop in the village.

Operated by Eurocoaches, the service currently runs from Wotton-under-Edge to Bristol city centre once in the early morning and in the opposite direction in the early evening. A new timetable has yet to be confirmed.

*First has announced that fares for single and return journeys have been capped.

Adult single fares in the firm's West of England Zone, which includes the Frome Valley, are being capped at £3.70, with return fares capped at £5, day tickets reduced to £7 and a new flat £1 fare for all child single journeys.

Pylons come down

FOUR huge pylons that dominated the skyline above Brimsham Park estate in Yate have finally been dismantled.

People living beneath the pylons along Eastfield Road have been campaigning to have them removed for decades.

As work got underway, Yate Mayor Cheryl Kirby said: “Today marks the end of a long battle to get these pylons undergrounded, which will improve safety and reliability.”

Western Power, which carried out the work, said the area will now be supplied by 1.2km of underground cables.

The work is being paid for by developer Barratt Homes, which is building the neighbouring Ladden Garden Village estate of 2,000 houses.

The power lines are part of the local electricity network connected to Chipping Sodbury substation, which provides electricity to 49,800 homes.

When South Gloucestershire Council granted planning consent for Ladden Garden Village, one requirement was that the overhead cables should be moved underground. But it did not include four remaining pylons standing in and around the Brimsham Park estate.

So town councillors contacted Western Power direct and persuaded them to negotiate the extension with Barratt.

Town Councillor Chris Willmore said: “These have been a blot on the landscape since the housing was built at Brimsham in the late 80s.

"They left the electricity pylons across the development to the substation, within feet of gardens. As their councillor I have been fighting since then to get it undergrounded.”

A Western Power spokesperson said: “Removing pylons and placing cables underground will mean a safer, more reliable, and efficient electricity supply for customers in the area.

"As well as enhancing the local landscape, the work will ensure our network is ready to meet the future demands of customers.

“The work to remove these pylons has gone well and is on track to be completed on time. We have worked with the local authorities to minimise disruption, but some road closures and restrictions have been needed and we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.”

Councillors and residents were invited to watch the start of the dismantling work.

Chris said: “They invited the mayor and me, which was great. Western Power said they had very rarely taken down pylons, and certainly not with a large public audience.”

A pylon is dismantled behind town councillors Cheryl Kirby and Chris Willmore. Picture: Anton Henley

Sodbury picked for plastics recycling trial

CHIPPING Sodbury has been picked to take part in a trial to collect plastic bags, wrapping and other 'soft plastics' as part of household recycling rounds.

South Gloucestershire Council says "selected households" in the town will be among 2,000 to take part in the trial to collect bags, confectionery wrappers, foil lined packaging, plastic film and other plastics which are not currently part of green box collections from October 17.

If the trial proves to be a success, the number of homes will be expanded next year, with a view to collect from all houses in the district by 2025.

The other homes in the trial are in Bradley Stoke and Olveston.

A council spokesperson said: "The initial trial will include a variety of family sizes and housing types, and those selected to take part will be sent information on how to use the service, along with collection bags, before the new plastic bags and wrapping collection launches."

Until now, most residents who want to recycle soft plastics have had to find a supermarket which collects them.

The aim of the trial is to show how kerbside collections could work alongside existing household recycling services before consistent collection standards are introduced nationwide in 2027.

Council contractor SUEZ is working with industry organisations WRAP, RECOUP and Ecosurety to oversee the trial and arrange for the collected plastics to be recycled.

South Gloucestershire was chosen after what was described as a "rigorous selection process", during which MPs Luke Hall and Chris Skidmore secured a debate in Parliament to raise the issue of soft plastic recycling.

For more information visit www.recyclenow.com/plastic-wrapping.

MP's column: Page 22

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Rapist caught after three months on the run

A RAPIST and kidnapper who absconded from Leyhill Prison has been arrested, after more than three months on the run.

Sean Phipps failed to return to the open prison near Thornbury after being released for the day in Bristol city centre on June 1.

Avon and Somerset police set up a dedicated team to collate sightings and intelligence on the 51-year-old offender, who has convictions for rape dating from 1989 and 1993, and kidnap from 2002.

They issued repeated warnings and appeals for information amid fears he was still be in the south Gloucestershire and Bristol area, living "off grid" and stealing or begging to survive.

A spokesperson for the force said Phipps was finally detained in Leicestershire, where he was known to have links, at around 10pm on September 9.

The spokesperson said: "He has now been handed over to our officers.

"We thank the public for their support in sharing our appeal."

Phipps was the first of seven prisoners whose disappearance while prisoners at Leyhill led to police appeals for information between June and August.

The other prisoners have also all been recaptured.

They included 50-year-old convicted murderer Terry Game, who failed to return after being released on a temporary licence in August but handed himself in at a police station in Cambridgeshire four days later.

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Why quarry giant wants to build a new

QUARRY company Hanson has invited the Voice and local residents on a site visit to see the controversial proposed route of a new road linking two quarries.

The company showed us where the “temporary haul road” would cross two country lanes, and a field between them.

From the road, we could see

the many trees which would be cut down on Hanson’s land at either end of the proposed route to make way for the road.

Hanson has applied to South Gloucestershire Council for permission to build the road to move 11 million tonnes of limestone rock from the soonto-be-worked Brinsham West

quarry just north of Yate to the to the main Chipping Sodbury processing plant at Southfields.

Almost 200 local people have objected, saying they are “horrified” by a plan which will "cause significant and permanent damage to a very special environment, heritage, and ecology".

The road would cross Gravel Hill Lane and Brinsham Lane, about 300 metres from Yate Rocks hamlet, and would be in place for 15 years while Brinsham West is worked.

Hanson says lorries won’t pass through Yate Rocks Hamlet. But they expect 126 lorry movements a day crossing the two lanes, possibly rising to 400, using huge dumper trucks which can weigh 100 tonnes fully laden.

rock to Southfields through tunnels under Wickwar Road, via its Brinsham East and Hampstead Farm quarries, but says the new route would actually reduce the environmental impact of its operation.

Local people dispute this, and are supported by Yate Town Council, which says the road will mean the destruction of a Site of Nature Conservation Interest, and make the two lanes unsafe.

NORTH

Hanson said the haul road would be routed 180m across a field – the only part of the route not already owned by the company.

Hanson already has permission to move the crushed

On September 15 South Gloucestershire’s Development Management Committee imposed a Tree Protection Order on 4,000 square metres of trees in two areas on Hanson’s land which would be in the path of the proposed route, ahead of the council considering the main application.

The Council’s Arboricultural Officer had asked for the order because of concerns trees could be removed in preparation for the work.

How the field the proposed road will cross looks now.

An image produced by residents shows how it will look if the road is built. Picture: Dean French and Jamie Henniker-Heaton.

road - and why residents object

Hanson says:

Trystan Mabbitt, Hanson UK Consenting and Development Manager, said: "We are keen to be a good neighbour.

"We are trying to weigh up all the factors - community and biodiversity.

"This haul road would reduce handling of the aggregates, and a shorter travel distance, meaning less dust, noise and pollution.

"Yes, there will be savings in the proposed plan, but this is about finding the right balance of efficiency and local impact and the financial aspects."

• Hanson employs local people, and has long standing permission to quarry 11m tonnes of aggregates from Brinsham West to supply the construction industry.

• The proposed haul road would be 800m long instead of the alternative 1.5km route – cutting the total lorry distance travelled over its 15-year lifespan by 500,000km - and mean less noise and dust by cutting the handling of materials on conveyor belts.

• Crossings would be traffic light controlled, and trucks would cross a field 300 metres from the nearest houses, in a screened cutting. Lorries would not go through Yate Rocks hamlet.

• The haul road would be reinstated in 15 years when the Brinsham West work is finished.

• The change of route would allow work at Brinsham East and Hampstead quarries to be finished in the next 3-5 years – 15 years ahead of schedule. They would then be used for leisure, wildlife or solar parks.

• There would be less disruption to the Wickwar Road, as no need to close it for construction of two tunnels.

Residents say:

Julie Reed, of the Yate Rocks Residents group opposing the plan, said: “We are a collective of Yate Rocks residents comprising some 24 households that are just yards from the new proposed Haul Road.

“We speak for the wider residential area of Autumn Brook and all local visitors who have in their hundreds objected to this planning application.

“We have filed an 18 page residents report to South Glos council detailing our concerns.”

• Hanson should stick to their existing consent for a tunnel under Wickwar Road, which would eventually become a wildlife tunnel.

• The haul road will cross two tiny country lanes. A traffic light system on a tiny country lane with overhanging trees is ridiculous.

• The haul road will destroy rare ancient habitat forever, disrupting a wildlife corridor, and a valued local amenity. It simply cannot be ‘reinstated’ in 15 years’ time.

• Hanson are certainly not being good neighbours, as they will make residents’ lives a living misery for the next 15 years. They are putting profit before environment.

• The activity, noise, dust, and pollution will be right on top of residential areas (Yate Rocks, Autumn Brook and Ladden Garden Village) whereas the original agreed activity was nowhere residential areas.

• The screening they have proposed protects only Wickwar Road from noise and not any of the residential areas to the west of the haul road.

• Residents dispute the way Hanson has calculated truck travel distances, and therefore their claims of significant carbon savings.

Inspector approves traveller site pitches

A PLANNING inspector has lambasted South Gloucestershire Council for “a history of policy failure” by not providing enough sites for gypsies and travellers.

It came as he overturned the authority’s decision to refuse retrospective permission for two traveller pitches, parking for three touring caravans and the relocation of a stable block in an agricultural field in greenbelt at Iron Acton.

The council had started enforcement action, having rejected the proposals because the site is at “high risk” of flooding.

But government inspector Paul Dignan said the council had failed to allocate enough traveller sites, and the two families who live at the property at Crossing Cottage would be made homeless, because they have nowhere else to go.

He said he could “not have any confidence that the needs of the occupants are likely to be

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met in the foreseeable future” because of the authority’s longstanding shortfall in sites and inability to "point to any suitable and available" alternatives within the district.

Mr Dignan ruled in favour of applicants Mary Doherty and Caroline Mullane, who live at the site north of Latteridge Road, despite acknowledging the development was “harmful” to the greenbelt and “in conflict” with flood risk policies.

The council's original decision in 2020 stated the land was “highly vulnerable to flood risk” and the siting of caravans “endangers the lives of the applicants, their children and the emergency services at times of flood”.

The council said the site flooded to such a depth it is considered dangerous in a onein-20-year flood event. Works to make it safe would "displace water which will potentially put others at risk of flooding".

But the appeal heard the mobile home residents would face only a “very low hazard”, even in a one-in-100-year flood event.

Mr Dignan said: “I consider that the greenbelt and other harm is clearly outweighed by that of the other considerations in this case."

The inspector restricted permission to occupy the site to those currently living there.

Ward councillor Tristan Clark told the council’s development management committee on September 15 that the inspector's report was "very disconcerting, because once again a traveller and gypsy site has been approved at appeal, based primarily on the fact the council cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of pitches".

He said the council had been told by the government to address the lack of traveller sites back in 2006, adding: "Since then the council has essentially

Have you heard about Shared Lives yet?

been kicking the can down the road."

A council spokesperson said: "We are committed to providing for the housing needs of all our communities and allocate sites through our Local Plan to accommodate the needs of our gypsy/traveller communities and set policies to determine planning applications for new pitches.”

The spokesperson said an assessment in 2017 had indicated 75 more pitches were needed, and the number had now been reduced to 54 by approving new pitches.

An appeal is also due to be heard on plans to convert a family's site on land off Bristol Road in Frampton Cotterell, close to the Perrinpit Road crossroads, into a general traveller site.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Do something amazing, become a Shared Lives carer.

Do you need support to live your life?

Find out if Shared Lives could support you: www.ategi.org.uk

It’s a bit like foster care – but for an adult. As a Shared Lives carer, you will be paid to support adults who need a little extra help from your own home.You’ll help them to achieve their goals and support them to live independently, helping them live their life, their way. They could spend the day with you, stay overnight or even move in, it’s flexible to you.

What does it mean to be a Shared Lives carer?

“I’m proud to be a Shared Lives carer because I believe that everyone deserves to be happy and be themselves, regardless of who they are and that’s exactly what Shared Lives does -placing people in homes with families where they are cared for, loved and respected.”Kwame, Shared Lives carer

Find out more about becoming a Shared Lives carer on our website: www.ategi.org.uk or email us on carerapplication@ategi.co.uk

Schools celebrate GCSE success

SCHOOL leaders have praised the determination and dedication of GCSE students who overcame the "real challenges" of two years of studies affected by the pandemic to succeed in their exams.

The 16-year-old pupils picking up their results at the end of August were the first to sit the exams in their conventional form since 2019, with results in the previous two years decided using assessments instead after formal exams were cancelled.

At Brimsham Green in Yate, students were congratulated on studying through an "incredibly tough two years" ahead of their GCSEs and vocational qualifications, with many having had to take time off due to covid at some point in their studies.

The school said: "The resilience students have shown under such conditions is remarkable."

Among the students singled out for praise were Elizabeth Ferguson, Ruby Fuller, Finn Hall, Abigail Lear, Kacey Naish, Oscar Paget, Nayan Shaji, Wilson Sillar and Owen Walker, who all secured eight or more qualifications at Grade 7 and above.

The two highest achievers were Alice Grubb and Ella Wright, who secured 14 top Grade 9s between them.

Head teacher Kim Garland said: "In addition I would like to acknowledge the achievements of those students who have achieved well, despite considerable personal adversity.

"Huge congratulations to Ryan, Nathan, Marni and

Remi; to be able to complete qualifications and progress onto Level 3 courses is a remarkable achievement, and I want those students to know just how proud I am of them; they have inspired the staff members who have had the pleasure of working with them.

"Students have been determined to prove themselves in this examination series, and I am full of admiration for Jacob Jay, Ben Lane, and Viktoriia Oliinyk – all of these students well exceeded their target grades, and I hope they enjoy celebrating their success.

"They have demonstrated the ability to overcome some real challenges, and in fact have developed strengths as a result: the ability to work independently; the capability to be proficient users of technology in their learning and revision; and the determination not to let individual set–backs throw them off-course."

Chipping Sodbury School head teacher Katherine Turner said: “I am delighted for our

students, most of whom have had a very positive attitude to their learning and demonstrated resilience to the challenges faced.

"There are many individual successes for students who have had to cope with numerous personal challenges. This reflects the progress these students have made and the hard work by our young people, staff and governors.

"I wish to pay tribute to the

continuous support provided by families, not just over the past few months but throughout Key Stages 3 and 4."

The Voice also asked Yate Academy for details and a comment on its students' GCSE results.

The school released a short message on results day via Twitter, saying: "Well done to all of our students today! Your hard work has truly paid off and we couldn’t be more proud."

Green Valleys Health

ARE VERY PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT

Abbotswood Surgery

will be opening Monday to Friday from 8am until 12.30pm with effect from Tuesday 20th September 2022.

This will include GP, Nurse and Healthcare Assistant appointments and on Monday 3rd October 2022 we will be holding the first flu clinic.

For those patients who are eligible for the flu vaccination you can book your appointment by calling us and selecting option 7, calling into reception or online via Patient Access.

GCSE students pick up their results at Brimsham Green School

Alice Grubb and Ella Wright achieved 14 grade 9s between them

The Heathers Nursing Home

Our aim is to give a high standard of nursing and personal care in a traditional, homely and friendly environment. The Heathers is a home of great character and charm. The interior architecture, with many of its original features, gives a perfect setting for the home comforts we aim to provide.

The Heathers Nursing Home is a privately owned, Grade 2 Listed Georgian manor house, situated within walking distance of the town centres of Chipping Sodbury, and Yate.

First Class Facilities and Support

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

• Each resident is unique to us and treated as such

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

• Exceptional standards of cleanliness and hygiene

• Respite, residential care and day care available

• Special diets catered for by our expert Chefs

Scooter club's got soul - and heart

A SCOOTER club which has gone from two members to more than 380 is raising thousands of pounds for good causes.

Kevin Milford and his brother-in-law Andy Davis set up the club via a Facebook page in 2016.

They were the only two people at its first meeting - but as word started to spread, attendance on the third Sunday of every month started to grow.

Andy said: "Like-minded local people that owned or had an interest in scooters soon started to attend our meetings, where we would have breakfast and a chat followed by a ride out to somewhere local in the Bristol area.

"Our club soon became well known on the South West scooter scene and now meet regularly throughout the year.

"In the early days of the club it was decided that we would hold a charity soul music night and raise money for local

charities."

Those events have also grown, with the first at the White Lion in Yate in 2017 raising £350 and a second raised £630, both for

Bristol Children's Hospital.

The soul nights then moved to Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, where 2019's sold-out event raised £1,400, again for the

children's hospital.

After a break during the pandemic a fourth soul night was held at the town hall last year, raising £1,700, and the club's first ever two-day scooter rally, held earlier this year, raised more than £1,800, attracting riders from outside the area.

At the end of August the club handed over £3,000 from the latest events to three good causes: the Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity, the Blind Veterans Charity UK and the family of Yate girl Amber Brock, who has disabilities and needs help with hospital visits and equipment.

Each one received £1,000.

The club is not resting on its laurels - members are holding another soul night, which is close to selling out, on October 21 at the town hall, with a live ska band and vinyl-only DJ, and will again donate all profits to local charities.

Amber Brock receives her donation. Picture: @_rhiannondavis.visualart on Instagram

Don't ignore leukaemia

Free Legal Stock Take meeting

Nowadays we all have so much admin to sort out at home and it is easy for things to get out of date.

Local experts Simpson Solicitors offer our readers a FREE (no obligation) review meeting to take stock.

The Free Review is centred on making sure your legal affairs are in order – so that those you care about are protected if you were to die unexpectedly. This includes:

✓ A legal validity check that any existing Will or Powers of Attorney are signed in accordance with the complex rules that apply.

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be accessed if you weren’t here.

Offering to arrange independent

A YATE woman who has fought off leukaemia three times has been chosen to front a campaign to highlight symptoms of the deadly disease.

✓ Advising on modern Powers of Attorney – decide who you trust to be able to help you make decisions, pay bills, or sign for you if an accident or illness meant you could not do this yourself.

Former hotel housekeeper Joanne Risdale, aged 53, is urging people in the South West to watch out for symptoms of the blood cell cancer, and get them checked out.

not even realise they have the disease.

Her illness started in 2019, with fainting episodes and extreme fatigue.

Joanne found herself sleeping on the sofa all day, only waking up to eat and needing help from her husband to dress.

changed over the years, altering who you want to benefit. Adding provision for new additions such as children grandchildren or step-children. With advice on Guardians for children under 18.

✓ Tax and care home fee rules review – covering recent changes with advice so your family don’t receive an avoidable tax or care home bill.

✓ Free secure storage service offered for your legal documents and the information you might want your family to be able to access.

She said: "I want people to be aware that if you get the symptoms I had, go to the doctors and demand a blood test - it could save your life.”

To arrange your free review either email message@simpsonslawuk. com or call 01454 322 722.

Joanne’s story is being used in a joint campaign by charities Leukaemia UK and Leukaemia Care, who say 28 people receive a leukaemia diagnosis every day in the UK - and half of them do not survive.

That means 5,000 people a year die from leukaemia, making it one of the most deadly forms of cancer.

Mum-of-five Joanne said she wanted to help others who might

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Michael Llewellyn

Her GP initially diagnosed iron deficiency, but soon after she had a fall and went to Southmead Hospital's accident and emergency department, where blood tests showed she had an aggressive acute myeloid leukaemia.

Her blood levels were so low she was given an immediate transfusion and was admitted to the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre, where she stayed for three months.

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Joanne said: "They told me they thought they were losing me a couple of times.

"A girl in hospital told me to stay positive inside and out, and I decided I didn’t want my ten-

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Chloe Knight

signs, warns Yate mum

year-old daughter Kelly to grow up without a mum, so I had to keep fighting.”

Joanne’s leukaemia returned in early 2020 and again earlier this year.

She has had treatments including chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, donor lymphocyte infusions and platelet transfusions.

A biopsy in June revealed the leukaemia had gone into remission but she still has monthly chemotherapy.

Joanne said: "I’m on a lot of medication, but I am feeling fine.

"I don’t want it to come back a fourth time. But I do know I’m sitting on a time bomb.

"I cannot fault the hospital –they’ve been brilliant.

"My other four children and my husband have all been brilliant.

"Cancer took my nan, my friend and my dad but I’m determined it’s not going to take me.

"The symptoms were strange and I would say to people don’t ignore them.

"It’s made me realise life is short. I’d like to see a time when leukaemia is diagnosed much more quickly. And people need to know more about the symptoms and push for blood tests."

The charities say the lack of awareness of symptoms is “extremely worrying”.

A spokesperson said: “Early diagnosis could save lives, yet a recent public survey found that over a third of respondents from the South West could not recognise any among the four most widely reported symptoms of the disease - fatigue, bruising, unusual bleeding and repeated infections.”

The campaign

#SpotLeukaemia aims to raise awareness after research found many people over 55 think leukaemia is a childhood disease, whereas in reality cases rise sharply after the age of 55 and

38% of all new cases occur in the over-75s.

Other symptoms include fever or night sweats, bone or joint

pain and swollen lymph nodes. For more information visit www.spotleukaemia.org.uk.

STROUD AUCTION ROOMS

Free valuations every Friday 9am-4pm at our saleroom, free home visits or email

Joanne with her youngest daughter Kelly.

CHRONIC PAIN MANAGEMENT

CHRONIC PAIN MANAGEMENT

MBST: Healing at a cellular level

MBST Cell regeneration: What is MBST?

I’ve also just discharged Kate 5 months following treatment for her arthritic knees (she’d already had a half knee replaced). She’s now pain free… I anticipate these results will last a number of years.

death and cell reproduction.

- Optimising cell oxygen levels

- Improving Cell energy production

- Optimising intercellular signalling pathways

The results we’re seeing now in patients with varying injuries and conditions is really remarkable.

Jane kindly allowed me to use her testimony. This is probably one of the most painful cases of neck pain due to arthritis I’ve seen. Jane was unable to live her life due to the severity, often having to sit still for days due to the pain, unable to lie down, with regular migraines and a vice like feeling in her head. She had MBST for neck cartilage last year (almost a year ago). Whilst Jane still has some fluctuating pain her life now looks very different. She swam at Henleaze lake 4 times last week and does exercise classes every day she doesn’t swim. There is no way she ‘could have considered exercise a year ago.’ This case is a great example of the fact that healing from MBST is NATURAL for which reason it takes time, but over time it can change lives.

MBST uses exactly the same technology as MRI scanning, just without the detector coils and imaging software. MBST stands for Molecular Biophysical Stimulation.

This translates to you and I as a healing process in the tissue the energy is applied to which leads to a reduction in pain and an increase in the natural mobility and lifestyle of the patient without any need of invasive

- Reducing inflammatory mediators

- Readjusting cell circadian clock-leading to less cell death and cell reproduction.

5 months following treatment for her arthritic knees (she’d already had a half knee replaced). She’s now pain free… I anticipate these results will last a number of years.

Meet Kathy: Kathy came to me several years ago with a painful arthritic knee that was limiting her walking and exercise. She also had an ar thritic neck that wouldn’t calm down with typical hands on therapy. Both her conditions were really affecting her quality of life day to day so she decided to use MBST to heal the damage to the cartilage. I saw her this month and still, a number of years post MBST therapy she has very few aches or pains to work about after real ly nice healing in her knee and neck joints…she’s recently treated her foot arthritis as well so we’ll monitor her progress and keep you updated. Most of our success with the healing from MBST lasts 4 years or more. Thanks a lot Kathy!!

The results we’re seeing now in patients with varying injuries and conditions is really remarkable.

It was discovered by a German doctor who noticed that some of his MRI patients had reduced symptoms following their MRI scans. He then assembled a team of biologists and physicists to research these positive effects at a cellular level. Cells that had not functioned properly due to damage , were stimulated in such a way by the energy transfer that they could again fulfil their original tasks.

This translates to you and I as a healing process in the tissue the energy is applied to which leads to a reduction in pain and an increase in the natural mobility and lifestyle of the patient without any need of invasive therapy.

It does this at cell level in a number of ways:

- Optimising cell oxygen levels

- Improving Cell energy production

Obviously there are limitations of the effects relating to a number of factors such as severity and complexity of a patient’s case, however the technology is constantly being improved and we’re getting better at selecting the right patients and conditions in order to get higher success rates and better overall results.

- Optimising intercellular signalling pathways

- Reducing inflammatory mediators

- Readjusting cell circadian clock-leading to less cell death and cell reproduction.

Obviously there are limitations of the effects relating to a number of factors such as severity and complexity of a patient’s case, however the technology is constantly being improved and we’re getting better at selecting the right patients and conditions in order to get higher success rates and better overall results.

Rob (above) is a great example of how MBST heals cartilage in a moderate to severe arthritic knee. 15 months after his MBST therapy he now runs, plays racket ball and golf without any pain and that’s without his braces. He’s recently done a course on his severe arthritic neck and after 3-4 months has significantly less neck pain and improved mobility. Over the next 6 months I expect his condition to reach over 90% improvement.

This translates to you and I as a healing process in the tissue the energy is applied to which leads to a reduction in pain and an increase in the natural mobility and lifestyle of the patient without any need of invasive therapy.

Rob (above) is a great example of how MBST heals cartilage in a moderate to severe arthritic knee. 15 months after his MBST therapy he now runs, plays racket ball and golf without any pain and that’s without his braces. He’s recently done a course on his severe arthritic neck and after 3-4 months has significantly less neck pain and improved mobility. Over the next 6 months I expect his condition to reach over 90% improvement.

ADVERTISING FEATURE Obviously there are limitations of the effects relating to a number of factors such as severity and complexity of a patient’s case, however the technology is constantly being improved and we’re getting better at selecting the right patients and conditions in order to get higher success rates and better overall results.

James Scrimshaw of CUR A CLINIC AL explains how new technologies are providing ef fec tive answers to people’s pain and suf fering

James Scrimshaw of CUR A CLINIC AL explains how new technologies are providing ef fec tive answers to people’s pain and suf fering

Superconductive magnets

RF coil

Gradient coil

RF coils

Sweep coils · Electromagnets

Detector coils

Scanner & control unit

High performance computer with special imaging software

Control unit with interactive display

Construction of MRI and MBST devices

Safety plant expands

FIREFIGHTER uniform manufacturer MSA Safety has officially opened its expanded and modernised plant in Yate.

The US-owned company, which took over Bristol Uniforms last year, is bringing together its central offices, cutting unit, western service centre, and international distribution centre at the base in the Beeches Industrial Estate, where 153 staff are based.

The upgrade has meant the end of the factory in Staple Hill where Bristol Uniforms' predecessor Wathen Gardiner had been based since 1899 and will now be sold.

Bristol Uniforms has developed world-leading protective clothing for firefighters and Avon Fire and Rescue Chief Fire Officer Simon Shilton was among those invited to the new site.

MSA's Global Fire Service Products General Manager Jason Traynor said: "MSA Bristol's PPE is world renowned, and we are investing in the future.

"MSA Bristol's central offices and Western Service Centre were previously based at our premises in Staple Hill, but we've outgrown that site and need space to expand."

Thousands facing long hospital waits

MORE than 4,700 residents of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire are waiting more than a year for hospital treatment, new figures reveal.

A total of 4,763 people referred to hospital had not been seen within 52 weeks as of June, up by 599 on the previous month, according to a report to the region's integrated care board (ICB) meeting in September.

That equals 5.9 per cent of the total waiting list – one in 17 people.

The report said the number increased at both North Bristol NHS Trust, which runs Southmead Hospital, and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust, which is in charge of the BRI, Bristol Children’s Hospital and Weston General.

The report said the number of patients waiting more than 18 months fell from 801 in May to 744 in June, while those who were not seen within two years dropped from 112 to 69.

The total waiting list for non-emergency hospital treatment rose by more than 3,900, from 76,803 in May to 80,712 in June, it said.

The report to the meeting on September 1 said only 57 per cent of emergency patients at the area’s A&E departments were admitted or discharged within the four-hour maximum target – a drop from 62 per cent in May – and that this was the same as the national average.

Less than half of urgent cancer referrals were completed within the expected fortnight limit, which was also worse than the previous month.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Heat or Eat?

WE are all acutely aware of the rise in the cost of living and the impact it’s having on household budgets. So this month I’m not giving you a recipe, but some of my tips on how to save money on your energy bills and make your money go further in the kitchen.

1. Dig out your slow cooker

You can use slow cookers to cook many dishes, not only stews: anything from curries to whole

chickens. The cost is markedly cheaper than using your oven or hob, as a slow cooker uses much less energy.

Slow cookers have the added bonus of tenderising meat, so you can use cheaper cuts.

2. Learn to love your microwave Microwaves are not just for scram bled eggs and jacket potatoes! They can cook many of your favourite dishes at a fraction of the

energy cost of cooking on the hob or in the oven.

3. Use your oven efficiently Ovens can be made more econom ical by using all the shelves in the oven with different dishes. Cook your crumble at the same time as your roast, or cook extra for an other time, like spare roast veg for a quiche or casserole. Then use the warmed oven to cook other dishes, without the need to preheat.

4. Batch baking and freezing ahead

Instead of making 1 or 2 portions of a meal like spag bol, make sever al. You may need to invest in a big pot but the saving in time and fuel will be significant. Scones, cakes, crumbles or sponge puddings can also be frozen.

5. Cheaper ingredients

Cheaper ingredients can still give delicious results. For example, coley can often be found in the supermarket freezer section and is significantly cheaper than cod. Make delicious, economical fish cakes with tinned tuna or salmon, mixed with red or spring onions. Beans and pulses will bulk out your dishes and add protein, and can be used more rather than meat or fish. Eggs are also a cheaper form of

protein. A couple poached and served on toast, with spinach cooked in a microwave, make a nutritious light meal.

Oats can be used in many dishes, sweet and savoury, from flapjacks for packed lunches to a topping for a veggie lasagne. They are inex pensive and provide slow-release energy, so keep you feeling fuller for longer.

Buy an inexpensive chicken from the supermarket for roast on Sunday, leftovers midweek in a pie or curry, then keep the bones and carcass to make a microwave stock for soup.

6. Final practical tips

Don’t overfill your kettle - just boil enough water for your needs. Be creative with leftovers and plan a meal with what you already have in your fridge or store cupboard. There are loads of recipes online for this.

This may read like a pamphlet from wartime, when people were experiencing food rationing and shortages, but for some of us that is the scale of the challenge. Next month we’ll be back to our usual format, and I’ll be giving you an economical recipe to try.

Ann Murray founded 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.

A room with a view

IF you fancy a stay in splendid isolation with breathtaking views, Vicky Drew may have found just the place

If you have ever walked across the cliffs between Branscombe and Beer, it is highly likely that you are familiar with The Lookout Tower sit uated on the top of Beer Head cliffs. What you may not know is that this it has been converted to luxury two bed holiday accommodation.

The site of The Lookout Tower has an interesting history, originally built as a signal station dating back to the the Napoleonic War, then used as a lookout for smugglers and more recently as a coastguard sta tion. When converting the building to holiday accommodation, careful consideration has been given to the history of the site.

The main structure of the tower has not changed much with two bedrooms and a bathroom situated on the ground floor, enabling the living areas to benefit from the breathtaking views. On the first floor, the kitchen looks out onto Lyme Bay and has everything you

need for a very comfortable stay. There is a breakfast bar or you can step outside to eat on the sun terrace. In the evenings, the views can be enjoyed from the second floor living space that has 360 degree views across land and sea.

During our stay, the weather was glorious and we could see for miles, aided by binoculars left in the room. Should you wish something more powerful that a pair of binoculars, a star-gazing telescope can be set up by arrangement with the owners.

The location alone, is enough to make this property unique but it it is the attention to detail that makes this a truly extraordinary place to

stay. There is a lift, should you find navigating the stairs difficult, a wine fridge in the lounge to save a trip downstairs as you enjoy the night time views, an iPad to use, speakers throughout the property and even a occasional bed in case you have an additional guest stay over.

As the property is surrounded by an area of outstanding natural beau ty, the renovations have included many environmental considerations. Solar panels are present, heating is via an air source heat pump and water from a bore hole. The building has bee bricks and swallow cups for the local wildlife.

It was hard for us to find reasons

Time to enjoy older age

Melbourne Drive, Chipping Sodbury Bristol, BS37 6LB

●

warm, safe and homely atmosphere

● your own comfortable room

● dedicated house manager

● two daily nutritious,

●

calendar of social

en-suite

site

to leave the tranquility of the house but there is plenty to see and do in the area. Even though the property is accessible by it’s own private road (a little bumpy but to be expected given the remote location), the villages of Branscombe and Beer are both within easy walking distance, if you don’t mind a steep climb back. Further afield are Seaton, Sidmouth and Lyme Regis to name but a few. Beer itself has a delightful pebble beach, with three beach cafes and a high street offering everything you may need during your stay. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes close by should you not wish to cook.

Eating at home, can be done in the garden where there is a large dining space and barbecue. The sauna didn’t tempt us away from the sunshine, but would be good fun in colder weather when you could retreat in the evenings to the top floor to enjoy the views in front of the log burner.

Unfortunately, the holiday did need to end and a return to reality beckoned. If you fancy getting away from it all at The Lookout Tower, Beer more information can be found at https://the-lookout-tower. com/

We enjoyed a two night stay cour tesy of the owners of The Lookout Tower and week long stays range from £1600 to £3100 at time of going to press.

Sodbury

n LOCAL MP

I AM delighted to confirm that we have secured soft-plastic recycling at the kerbside for towns and villages in South Gloucestershire. This is superb news and could not have been achieved without incredible support from right across the community.

I have been leading a campaign for South Gloucestershire to be included in a scheme which will trail softplastic recycling being collected every week at the kerbside. I am thrilled to have received confirmation that we are going to be included.

Suez waste collection will pick up soft plastic recycling along with all other household recycling every week in specially-provided bags.

This will start in designated roads, towns and villages in the coming weeks, before being rolled out right across South Gloucestershire.

When I surveyed households

across our community to find out the most pressing local environmental concern, the desire to recycle a wider variety of household plastics came out top.

Many rural villages don’t have direct access to this type of recycling, so I joined local campaigners to call for soft plastics to be included in our kerbside waste collections.

Together with the council, we submitted a bid to Government which centred around South Gloucestershire’s impressive record for recycling rates, and the region’s mix of urban areas and rural villages, which will be perfect for soft plastic recycling.

We took up the fight and launched a community petition, and I held a debate in Parliament, pressing the need for our community to be part of this scheme. I also met with the Minister for Nature Recovery and the Domestic Environment to hammer home the point that we

have strong recycling rates and there is strong local demand for soft plastic recycling.

Thanks to our community’s efforts, the local bid was successful. This is fantastic news specific roads in Chipping Sodbury, which will be some of the first locations to benefit from this rollout. In the coming weeks and months, we will be able recycle plastic bags, fruit and vegetable packaging, cling film, crisp packets, bread bags, yoghurt lids and more from the kerbside. South Gloucestershire Council will be contacting all households on the first phase of the rollout very shortly to confirm all the details.

Further areas in Yate, Sodbury and our local villages can expect a similar rollout in their neighbourhoods in the near future.

I am grateful to everybody who supported our campaign to make this happen; by signing my petition, supporting the debate

in Parliament and the application from the Council. This will reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and cement our status as one of the leading Council areas on recycling in the country.

Delivering soft plastic recycling is a key part of our positive plan for the environment in South Gloucestershire, and will help to boost our local recycling rate, which is already one of the highest in the region.

Luke Hall MP writes for Yate & Sodbury Voice

n YATE HERITAGE CENTRE

The changing view of St Mary’s Church

ONE of the joys of working at Yate Heritage Centre is the proximity to old Yate.

A few steps away from the front door is arguably the quintessential “Old Yate” view, comprising St Mary’s Church, the former church school and schoolmaster’s house.

To the casual visitor, this idyllic cluster of buildings may appear to have been here from time immemorial. The ancient features of the church never changing.

Appearances as ever, are deceptive. Evidence from past images shows profound changes have occurred.

The engraving seen here from around 1820 shows the church with a basic windowless porch and no priest’s door to the right, contrasting with images later in the century. The engraving may not be wholly accurate of course. The priest’s door appears to be physically pre 1820s. In the foreground, instead of the 1885 National school, we can see the parish poor house, a precursor to the Chipping Sodbury Union Workhouse (1845).

Diary dates

October 4-19: Annual Yate Academy GCSE art exhibition.

October 4: Yate Lecture Series, 2000 Years of working Life in Bath. £2 admission or free for Friends of Yate and District Heritage Centre. Booking essential.

October 11: Yate Lecture Series, Experiences of a Black Family in post-war rural Wiltshire. £2, free for Friends of YDHC. Booking essential.

October 20-December 14: Mining in Yate. Exhibition charting the history of coal and other forms of mining.

October 24-28: Holiday activities - details to be announced.

October 25: Yate Lecture Series, Filton in Space, the history and development of aerospace engineering at BAC. £2, free for Friends of YDHC. Booking essential.

Warm Welcome Drop In

Yate Town Council Update

Station Road Heritage Trail

If you didn’t get a chance to look at the heritage trail on Station Road this summer, you can check out some of the displays and posters at Yate Shopping Centre  - in the window of 1 North Walk, by the NatWest Bank.

The display gives a  chance to find out the history of some of the buildings that  you pass by as you go along Station Road but may not know much about.

If you have any memories to share or old photos then please do send to us info@ yatetowncouncil.gov.uk

Yate warmly welcomes you to drop in this winter! Yate Town Council and partners from across the community and surrounding parishes are working together to provide drop-in venues, somewhere warm and welcoming for people to go, free of charge, this winter.

A list of Warm Welcome facilities will be available on the Town Council website and will include popular community venues such as Yate Heritage Centre, The Pop Inn Café (for over 50s) Armadillo Youth Café, Poole Court, Grace Church, Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church, Morrisons Cafe and many more.

For up the date information, please visit www.yatetowncouncil.gov.uk follow the Town Council on Facebook, or look out for the logo!

Remembrance Parade and Service, Yate

Sunday 13th November 2022

Yate Town Council, St. Mary’s Church and the Royal British Legion invite you to join us in remembering all who have fought for us.

The Parade will leave Poole Court at 9.30am to arrive at St Mary’s Church in time for the Service to commence at 10am.

Photos show Councillor Cheryl Kirby, Mayor of Yate, Councillor Alan Monaghan and resident Bill Bombroff

David Hardill

The 1890 image shows the church just before the extensive Victorian refurbishments to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

New technology can be seen - the chimneys demonstrate the Victorian heating system in the church.

The Murray Dowding photo from the 1920s shows the tower's pinnacles and the lychgate, of 1921, to commemorate the fallen from the First World War. The churchyard has become more verdant, evolving into a wildlife haven, where nature and plants flourish.

School unveils quiet area

IRON Acton Primary School has unveiled a new quiet area for pupils to visit.

Executive Headteacher Mike Riches said: "This is designed as somewhere to go to reflect and to help mental health.

"Our Year 6 families gave the gift of a planter and a local resident, and ex-parent at Iron Acton, spent a lot of time and energy refurbishing a bench which was donated to the school at the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977."

The school welcomed 15 new reception children in September and is now almost full, with 100 pupils on its roll.

Leavers from Year 6 all achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and grammar in Key Stage 2 tests, with 81% achieving it in maths, above the national and local averages, and half of children achieving the higher standard in English.

Mr Riches described the results as "fantastic" results, despite the challenges of the pandemic, and said they highlighted the exceptional hard work of staff and children.

School bus saved

A SCHOOL bus for children in Chipping Sodbury, Yate and nearby villages has been saved following an intervention by South Gloucestershire Council.

Service operators Taylors had told the council during the summer that owing to increasing costs, the S8 service from Old Sodbury to Katherine Lady Berkeley School in Wotton-under-Edge would be cancelled at the end of September.

The service, which stops in Wickwar, Chipping Sodbury, Yate, Iron Acton, Rangeworthy and Cromhall, is used by dozens of pupils.

The council worked with the company to adjust other supported routes that were oversubscribed, with the S8 now picking up more children between Cromhall and the school.

Cash for sports

SPORTS clubs and community spaces in Hawkesbury Upton will receive more than £50,000 in funding from money South Gloucestershire Council has secured from developers.

The money comes from the builders of the development south of Park Street in the village.

Hawkesbury Upton Cricket Club will receive £27,711 to fund construction of a non-turf cricket practice facility at the John Hawkins Ground, following an expansion in men’s, women’s and junior membership.

Hawkesbury Upton Tennis Club will receive £23,980 to fund the resurfacing of two tennis courts, also at the John Hawkins Ground.

Hawkesbury Upton Parish Council will receive £2,069 to fund improvements at Birgage Road allotments with new fencing and a new access gate.

High Street, Winterbourne BS36 1JN

Tel: 01454 773776

Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath BS36 2SX

Tel: 01454 778838

118-120 Station Road, Yate BS37 4PQ Tel: 01454 320005

Email: info@funerals.uk.net Web: www.funerals.uk.net

Children rise to reading challenge

THESE children from Yate were among 6,000 who took part in the Summer Reading Challenge across South Gloucestershire, reading almost 100,000 books.

Libraries and the Reading Agency partnered with the Science Museum Group for a science and innovationthemed challenge called Gadgeteers, to spark children’s curiosity about the world around them and celebrate the role of the imagination in both reading and the sciences.

Set up to keep primary school-aged children reading during the school summer holidays, youngsters were given stickers and a certificate in return for reading books.

There was also a mini challenge to help preschool children prepare for their first day at school.

Yate Library is holding a series of children's events for the half-term holidays.

A Scary Storytime takes place on October 24, and two drop-in craft sessions, lights and lanterns and spooky crafts, will be October 25 and 27 from 10.30am-noon each day.

A haunted house Lego challenge will be held on October 28 from 10.30-11.30am: spaces are limited and can be booked.

All the above events are for children aged 4-plus.

Councillor Rachael Hunt joins a group of children at Yate Library to celebrate everyone who took part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.

Seasonal craft bags are also available to collect during half term, while stocks last.

Other events in the library this month include Little Monster, a family theatre event with silly storytellers, puppets, music and fun for 3 to 6 year olds, on October 15 at 11am and 1.30pm. Tickets cost £5 – book at www. southglos.gov.uk/familytheatre.

A new book group for young people in Year 6 and above meets on October 20 from 4.15pm-5.15pm, for people to chat about what they are reading, with no set book.

Regular events include a Lego club on October 8 from 10.30-11.30am, Wriggle & Rhyme for parents and babies/toddlers to enjoy together on Thursday and Friday mornings, 9.30-10am, and a free-family friendly story time, with a simple craft for preschool children, which takes place on Tuesday mornings from 9.30-10am.

For adults, there will be a visit from author Milly Johnson, known as the ‘Queen of feel-good fiction’, for coffee and cake on October 29 at 3pm. Tickets cost £5 and are available from the library or at SGlibraries. eventbrite.com.

A new reading group, ‘Have You Read’ invites anyone to come along and enjoy a coffee or tea and an informal chat with likeminded book lovers, about books you have read or are currently reading, on October 28 from 10.30-11.30am.

The library is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 10am-5.30pm and Saturday from 9am-2.30pm.

Open access (unstaffed) is from 8am7.30pm every day.

n COMMUNITY NEWS

Yate WI

WITH summer drawing to a close, Yate WI decided to make the most of the warmth and light that September evenings can bring with a treasure hunt taking us around the beautiful and tranquil area of Goose Green. We finished at the Farmhouse Pub for some well-earned refreshments. Going through the answers led to interesting discussions. Some members remembered the area before much of the modern developments and we all gained a better understanding of the town's rich history.

Yate WI meet on the second Monday of the month at Poole Court. Please contact us at yatewiavon@gmail.com for more information.

Caroline Mardle

Chipping Sodbury WI

WHAT a picture, what a photograph - Chipping Sodbury WI were treated to a preview of the town's 2023 calendar, with photographs taken by Rich McD, who certainly showcases the town. We were also treated to aerial views of the High Street and the new development in Ladden Gardens.

Our next meeting is on the 6th October 6 at 7.30pm, in the Chipping Sodbury Town Hall.

The speaker is from the Co-op Estate Planning Department, with a talk entitled Tax, Care and Toyboys.

Come along and give us a try - you may be surprised.

Jeanette Oakley Old Sodbury WI

WHAT a wonderful summer we have had, with committee, book club and gin tasting evenings in various members' beautiful gardens.

We had visits to play golf and croquet, to a modern dairy farm and to Stratford-upon-Avon.

Richard and Pauline Wilson gave us a most interesting walk around our own newly planted orchard and woodland, over 4,000 trees and shrubs planted in the past 2 years.

Our film and craft clubs have been busy and our skittle team has once again reached the Avon Federation finals.

We now look forward to our autumn meetings: 7.30pm at the Village Hall on the third Wednesday of every month. Elizabeth Arney

n WHAT'S ON

October 8

n AVON WILDLIFE TRUST South wold Group Kennedy Way Pond workday. Please wear gloves and wellington boots and bring some gloves. Meet at Kennedy Way Pond, Link Road, Yate Shopping Centre, at 10am.

October 8

n Yate Town Football Club, Lodge Road, with glam band FAB 208 performing classics from Slade, Sweet, Mud, T. Rex, Bay City Rollers and more. Tickets £5 from the football club.

October 10

n BRISTOL BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY members' competition, 7.30pm, Little Stoke Baptist Church, Kingsway. Visitors welcome with out commitment to join. Further details from Ron Ramplin at ronnie. ramplin@btinternet.com or 0774 874 0794.

October 11

n SODBURY AND DISTRICT FLOWER ARRANGEMENT SOCIETY practice class, arranging an all foliage triangle. Also meeting on October 25, when Jackie Page will demonstrate 'Flights of Fancy' (visitors £5).

Meetings at The Old Grammar School Rooms, Chipping Sodbury, 7.30pm. More information from 0117 937 3836.

October 13

n YATE AND DISTRICT ORAL PROJECT meeting and quiz on Yate buildings, new members wel come. Poole Court, 2.30pm.

October 15

n VINTAGE & PRE-LOVED FAIR, Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, 10am-3pm, with vintage and collectable items including brica-brac, clothes, jewellery and toys on 25+ tables. Vintage tea room, tombola, raffle, live barbershop music. Entry £1. All proceeds to Black Sheep Harmony choir.

October 15

n YATE CHORAL SOCIETY char ity concert in aid of Marie Curie Nurses, St Mary’s church, Yate, 7.30pm. Conductor Geoff Wickham, accompanist Diana Williams, guest soloist Marienella Phillips. Tickets £8, including refreshments, from Chipping Sodbury tourist informa tion centre, choir members 01454 313907.

October 19

n AVON WILDLIFE TRUST free barn owl talk with local expert Ian McGuire, 7.30pm, St Nicholas Church, Chargrove. No prior book ing required. Some car parking at rear of church.

October 26

n SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE MINES RESEARCH GROUP TALK: A Mining Miscellany by Steve Grudgings and Adrian Crew, Miners Institute, Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath, 7pm for prompt 7.30pm start.

yate & sodbury voice

Non members welcome - £2 each. Membership £17.50 per year, includes talks and newsletters.

October 26

n AVON WILDLIFE TRUST free family owl prowl at Wapley with local owl expert Ian McGuire, in cluding mobile presentation. Meet at the Shire Way gate to Wapley Bushes, 7pm.

October 29

n AVON WILDLIFE TRUST King sgate Park nature area workday, maintenance of important amphib ian site. Please wear gloves and wellington boots and bring some gloves. Meet at Scott Way entrance to park, 10am. Parking available at entrance of Shackleton Avenue.

October 29

n TRAIDCRAFT MARKET, 10am-2pm, Zion United Church, Frampton Cotterell. Selection of gifts, cards, and foods. Cards sourced in the UK to support the aims of Traidcraft, or are handmade by artisans in developing countries who are paid a fair wage. Cash and cheques only.

REGULAR EVENTS: Monday

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

n FLOW-IN YOGA WITH NAZAMA Weekly yoga classes 6.15pm & 7.45pm in Chipping Sodbury. Be come more flexible, worry less and sleep better with an easy to follow flowing yoga. Book online www. yoga-in.co.uk or call 07804598353.

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

n FLOW-IN YOGA WITH NAZAMA Weekly yoga classes 6.15pm & 7.45pm in Chipping Sodbury. Become more flexible, worry less and sleep better with an easy to follow flowing yoga. Book online www.yoga-in.co.uk or call 07804598353

Tuesday

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

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

n SOUTH COTSWOLD PROBUS GROUP meet every 2nd Tuesday of the month at Masonic Hall Sodbury, 10am. Next meeting - 10 July - speaker giving a talk on sub marines. Contact president Pete Chaplin for more details. 01454 324956.

n YATE & SODBURY ART & CRAFT CLUB (POTTERY SEC TION) meets every Tuesday and Wednesday, 7.30-9.30 pm at Ridge wood Community Centre. Tuition available. £5 per session. More information at yateandsodburyart society.weebly.com or call Roz on 07941 946412.

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

Wednesday

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

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

n GENTLE YOGA-IN WITH NAZAMA Weekly yoga class 9.30am (term time). Easy to follow gentle yoga, ideal for back pain relief and joint issues. Book online www.yoga-in.co.uk or call 07804598353

n BRISTOL SCRABBLE CLUB meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm until 10pm at Filton Commu

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. Send by email, with 'what's on' as the subject, to contact@ yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

nity Centre, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS. New members welcome- first visit free so come along and give us a try. For further information contact Sheila on 01179570792 or 07435316458 or email shinett@ blueyonder.co.uk

Thursday

n YOGA-IN WITH NAZAMA Weekly Flow-in Yoga 6.15pm & Calm-in Yoga 7.45pm in Chip ping Sodbury. Become more flexible, worry less and sleep better with an easy to follow yoga. Beginners Welcomed. Chipping Sodbury Sports Cen tre. From £6.00. Book online www.yoga-in.co.uk or call 07804598353

n THURSDAY: EXERCISE AND SOCIAL FOR SENIORS £5. Come and join us for a dose of weekly exercise! We aim to improve your strength, balance, posture and flexibility in a fun and friendly environment. To register your interest please contact Adam Dyer on 07875503586. St Saviours Church , Coallpitt heath, every Thursday 10-11:30am Beesmoor Rd, Coalpit Heath, Bristol BS36 2RP

n FRIDAY: EXERCISE AND SOCIAL FOR SENIORS £5. Come and join us for a dose of weekly exercise! We aim to improve your strength, balance, posture and flexibility in a fun and friendly environment.

To register your interest please contact Adam Dyer on 07875503586. Cambrian Green Court community centre 2:153:45pm Yate, Bristol BS37 5AD

Rotary Club of Chipping Sodbury

IN September the club hosted an international twinning event.

Rotarians and their wives/ partners from clubs in Toulon and Mannheim visited Bristol for a three-day event, the highlight of which was a memorable evening at the Merchants’ Hall in Clifton.

A tour of the iconic building was followed by an excellent dinner for 70 of us amidst a very convivial atmosphere.

The club is pleased to announce that, following a long pause due to covid, we are resuming our very popular Memory Café Tea Dances, essentially for the those suffering from dementia and memory difficulties.

The first two events will be held in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on October 26 and December 1, from 2-4pm.

In late August club members were delighted to be able to help with the Ukrainian Guests Picnic in Kingsgate Park. We were able to provide tables and some snacks

and fruit for the significant number of attendees.

We also had a talk by members of the Homes for Ukraine project and an update from Sean Suleman, the inspiration behind the Blonde Angel Street Team and, as a result, are determining how we might be able to help both.

Stuart Fraser

90 available to people no longer in full-time work.

To find out more about what they all do, visit Yate and Sodbury District Open Day at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall from 2pm on October 14, check out the website u3asites.org.uk/yate-sodbury or email YandSu3a@gmail.com.

U3a

YATE & Sodbury U3a has been involved in two pieces of research this year into the health of our local wild flower populations.

The u3a Wild Flower Group have been working with charity Plantlife to study the health of cowslip communities amid changing agricultural practices, loss of habitat, climate change and other factors. Happily, initial findings suggest the local habitats studied had healthy populations.

A further project was to count the numbers and type of flowers growing in an area sown with wildflowers last year - this exercise will be repeated every year to see how the area evolves.

The group is just one of around

Yate-Genieri Link

MANY thanks to all who took part in our Summer Quiz. Just enough money was raised to be able to pay the salaries of our co-workers in Genieri for one month, so support for the nursery school, vegetable gardens and primary healthcare centre can continue into the New Year.

For the curious, the answers are published on our website yategenierilink.org.uk and on our Facebook page.

The winners were: Robert, Sallie and Ben Cannon (1st), Chris and Julie Grove (2nd) and Michelle Jenkins (3rd).

Jean Crispin

Marian Gilpin

Rotarians visit Merchants’ Hall in Clifton. Picture: Doug Lodge

Cup wins light gloom

TWO wins in the FA Cup were the only highlights of a month which saw Yate Town sink to the bottom of the Southern League Premier South division.

Peter Beadle's side started September with a 4-3 home win over Aylesbury Vale Dynamos in the first qualifying round of the cup, with two goals from Olly Mehew and one each from Alex Lambert and Prince Henry seeing off the Spartan South Midlands League side.

Back-to-back league and cup meetings with Tiverton Town followed. The Devon side won the league fixture 4-2, but Yate gained revenge in the home cup tie three days later, with Prince Henry and Khari Allen scoring in a 2-1 win that saw both sides reduced to ten men before half time.

The return to league action saw the Bluebells hammered 5-0 at Poole Town before a heartbreaking 2-1 home defeat to Truro City, who scored the winner with the last kick of the game.

CHIPPING Sodbury are celebrating promotion back to the West of England Premier League.

Jamie Rendell’s side won 15 of their 18 games to finish 30 points clear at the top of Division One in the Gloucestershire County League.

Sodbury rounded off their season in style, defeating Kingsholm by 69 runs.

Opener Jake Reed (41) and Rohan Wijeratne (36) led the way before skipper Jamie Rendell’s late cameo of 28 not out off 14 lifted Sodbury to 221-9.

Kingsholm finished well short as Josh Morris (3-26) and Rendell (3-21) took charge; Dan Brown and Ben Waldron also took two wickets each.

Overseas signing Jiwanjot Singh finished 11th in the league’s list of leading batsmen with 610 runs while Dan Brown was 7th in the bowling stats, with 34 wickets.

Chairman Andy Shield said: “It’s been a tremendous season for the club.

“We’re very pleased to see the first XI back in the West of England Premier League while

Sodbury promoted

all our other sides - senior and junior - have made encouraging progress too.

“The challenge now is to continue moving forward, both on and off the field.”

The club is seeking new players for next season and new members to join its enthusiastic team of volunteers who manage and are responsible for the ongoing development of the club, particularly anyone skilled in

ground maintenance, building and maintenance, marketing, IT or business administration.

Andy said: “Our doors are always open to anyone who would like to get involved.”

The club can be contacted via email at chipsodcc@gmail. com, Facebook or Twitter @ ChipSodCC.

More information is available at www.chippingsodburycc.co. uk Steve Hill

Sodbury's first team celebrate promotion