A CELEBRATION of the 80th anniversary of VE Day at Tyler's Field in Yate was the first in a whole series of open air events taking place across the area throughout May and June.
VE Day pictures: Page 8. June events: Page 12. Good Times festival: Page 13
SURVIVORS of a gas explosion in Yate have learned that they could be homeless for up to two years. Four of the row of five houses in Lancaster Road that were damaged in the explosion and fire will have to be demolished and rebuilt, insurers say, with
the fifth also requiring major structural work.
A meeting was held by the insurers, loss adjusters and a structural engineer in late May, when the families were given the news.
One resident told the Voice she
is still suffering flashbacks - and to add insult to injury, her home has been looted.
One home was completely destroyed and others left uninhabitable in the blast on April 29.
Three people were seriously injured and taken to hospital, while a fourth was treated at the scene by ambulance staff.
Turn to page 3
New mayor's promise
NEW Metro Mayor Helen Godwin has pledged to work "across party lines" for the good of the region after her election win.
PAGE 6
Aldi store approved
CONTROVERSIAL plans for an Aldi at Yate's former cinema have been unanimously approved by councillors.
PAGE 4
Tribute to biker
RELATIVES have paid tribute to a "brilliant, kind and loyal" grandfather who was killed in a collision at Old Sodbury.
PAGE 2
A YATE primary school has been praised for its "harmonious community", high expectations and children who love learning.
PAGE 7
Our July edition deadline is June 18.
Ken McCormick, Editor contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk
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RELATIVES have paid tribute to a "brilliant, kind and loyal" grandfather who was killed in a collision at Old Sodbury.
Motorcyclist Paul Clark, who was 64, died in a three-vehicle collision on the A46 on May 7.
He was treated by police and paramedics but died at the scene of the crash, which happened at around 1pm near the petrol station between The Cross Hands and the junction for New Tyning Lane.
His family released a tribute via Avon & Somerset police to the father-of-two from Mangotsfield, who had five grandchildren and was known as 'Clarky' to his friends and family.
They said: "Clarky was a brilliant, kind, loyal man.
"He was a husband to Susan, a father to Natalie and Mitch, a father-in-law to Ash and Sophie, a grandad - or 'grandad bald-y pants' - to Leo, Jaxson, Elsie, Bella and Edie, a son to Joan and Robin and big brother to Sarah and Helen.
"He was a friend to many.
"He had a passion for cars and motorbikes and was a member of many different clubs, including the Jaguar Club
health & social care information www.wellaware.org.uk
Tel: (freephone) 0808 808 5252
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.
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and Ford Consul Club. He was a truly social man.
"He loved riding his motorbike, touring around Europe and local places.
"He was a brilliant handyman and would do his best to help anyone who asked, from building structures to fixing anything.
"He also loved a challenge, such as running many marathons including the London Marathon, attempting the Three Peaks Challenge and many more.
"He will truly be missed by everyone who knew him."
Police have appealed to anyone who was in the area and saw the collision or believes they have relevant video footage, but has not yet spoken to officers, to call them on 101 and quote the incident reference number 5225 127 458.
The area was busier than usual as it was the first day of the Badminton Horse Trials, held nearby.
A police spokesperson said: "Our thoughts remain with his family during this incredibly difficult time and they continue to be offered specialist support from a family liaison officer."
A MAN was driven into by a motorist - who then got out of the car and attacked him in Yate.
Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage of the incident, which happened in Reed Road in Ladden Garden Village between 10am and 10.30am on Saturday
Police said the victim, a 39-year-old man, was crossing the road when he was driven at and injured by a black Mercedes.
He told police the driver then got out of the car and assaulted him, leaving him with grazed elbows, a grazed knee and a cut
to his ear.
The attacker has been described as a white man, in his late 30s and around 5ft 9in tall, with short black hair and of medium build.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident or anyone with doorbell or dashcam footage that may be relevant to come forward.
Anybody who can help should call 101 or visit the Avon & Somerset police website, quoting the crime reference number 5225 137 806.
From page 1
Deb Cainey, who lived next door to the house where the explosion happened, told the Voice that before demolition begins, planning permission has to be sought for the rebuild.
This could take up to 12 weeks and the build "might take 18 months to two years".
Deb said: "It is very traumatic. I’ve been in my home for 36 years."
She was in bed watching Fireman Sam with her 14-month-old grandson at the time of the explosion and fled the house in her pyjamas.
Deb said: "You have nothing – no make-up, all your memories gone. It’s a lot to come to terms with.
"If I stop to think what I’ve lost, I’m in tears.
"The first night I was manic – I have never felt anything like that before. You don’t expect to be homeless at 60."
Deb said that while she, her husband Rob and son Rich hadn’t sustained any physical injuries, she is still having flashbacks over a month on, and is having therapy, while her son “is still having nightmares and jumping out of bed".
To add to the family’s problems, their home has been burgled.
Deb said: “People have been there looting on several nights. The council is putting up CCTV and an eight-foot fence. I have no idea what they have taken as I am not allowed in.
“It makes me sick to the pit of my stomach. It is just
hideous. How low can you go, when we have lost everything?”
Rob is a driving instructor: his car and his son's were written off by flying debris.
Deb said: "Rob had just paid for a year’s insurance and the insurance company is not going to refund him anything – they say it’s a fault claim as it was parked on the street."
The community has continued to rally and support the blast victims, offering shelter and clothing and setting up fundraisers and events.
A fundraiser for the Caineys, set up by a family friend on the GoFundMe website, had raised more than £4,500 as the Voice went to press.
It can be found at bit.
ly/3FfHIZh.
The Caineys and their two dogs are currently staying with friends, while Margaret Robson, who lived to the other side of the house at the centre of the explosion, is living with her
•
•
sister.
Her granddaughter Natalie Gravell said: "We have been struggling to find a place appropriate for my Nan to say.
"She doesn't qualify for any help from the council. The insurance company are looking for a place.
"The community have rallied together - the thought
and care that has gone into the fundraiser for my nan is amazing."
Pinkers Country Store in Iron Acton, where Natalie works, held a tombola fundraiser in May that has raised more than £1,750 to date for Margaret, who was only left with the nightwear she was wearing.
Margaret was pulled to safety by near neighbours Caralyn Jones and Luke Wood but her dog Freddie was injured and missing for over six hours.
Natalie said: “It really is a miracle he survived it. He does sadly have some bad burns but he's still here."
Margaret spent five days in hospital and Natalie said: "She was very confused after the explosion and struggles to talk about it; she does remember being trapped under the wall and Luke and Caralyn pulling the wall off of her and carrying her down the stairs."
CONTROVERSIAL plans for an Aldi at Yate's former cinema have been unanimously approved by councillors.
All nine members of South Gloucestershire Council's development management committee voted to grant permission to change the use of the exCineworld on Riverside Retail Park, which shut last October, to a supermarket.
A total of 314 residents had objected, along with Yate Town Council, but there were 397 letters of support.
Shopping centre bosses tried to find an alternative cinema chain to take over when it became clear it would have to close but could not find one, and there was no interest from any other leisure operators, the meeting was told on May 15.
Cabinet member for planning, regeneration and infrastructure Cllr Chris Willmore (Lib Dem, Yate North), a nonvoting member of the committee, said: “Our choice today is either an empty building left crumbling away, that will become a haven to vandals and crime, or Aldi.
“Empty, boarded-up sites in town centres breed more empty sites – town centres decay bit by bit.
“It’s not what we want but it’s the only
option other than decay and dereliction.”
Cllr Willmore, who called in the application to the committee, said she did not object to the plans but wanted the issues raised transparently in public.
Cllr Liz Brennan (Conservative, Frenchay & Downend), who also called-in the application and did not object in principle, told the meeting: “Replacing this facility with retail dilutes the original purpose of the development and the balance of uses in the town centre.
“The proposed change of use raises real concern about traffic flow, site access and parking pressures."
Yate Shopping Centre and Yate Riverside
manager Andy Lowrey told councillors: “These plans present a big opportunity to repurpose and reinvigorate a vacant unit.
“I know residents are disappointed that Cineworld left last year.
“A robust marketing exercise showed no viable interest from leisure operators.
“Working very closely with the cinema managers, they advised me that they just didn’t see the numbers to support that cinema.
“From what we heard from our customers, people were leaving Yate and driving to Longwell Green to use the Vue there because the prices were cheaper."
Principal planning officer Suzanne D’Arcy, who recommended approval, said the developers intended to extend security railings to make the pedestrian bridge safer and that a condition had been agreed to protect the nearby nature reserve.
She said other conditions would restrict the shop’s floorspace to protect town centre stores and limit delivery hours.
The Aldi is set to open early next year, and the discount retailer says it will create up to 40 new jobs.
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
A NEW primary school is due to be built in North Yate in the next three years.
The school would be built for children of families living in the Ladden Garden Village estate, with South Gloucestershire Council committing £13 million to the project.
Work is expected to begin early 2027, with a projected opening date of 2028 or 2029, if construction goes according to schedule.
A report to the council's cabinet, which approved the plan on May 12, said the school would initially have one class in each year, with space for two classes, to allow pupil numbers to grow.
The report said projections of school-aged children in the town indicated an estimated "one to 1.5 form of entry" shortage of school places in a number of year groups between 2026 and 2028.
A public consultation on the plans is expected to take place from November.
Three quarters of the money to pay for the build will come from the developers who built the Ladden Garden Village estate.
The council signed a legal deal with them back in 2015 where they agreed to pay a contribution towards local infrastructure, such as schools and roads.
Details of the layout of the school and its location are expected to be revealed when the council applies for planning permission.
Another school project, a £12.6m extension to Charfield Primary School, was also approved in May.
The Liberal Democrat/Labour partnership in charge of the council clashed with opposition Conservatives during the cabinet meeting, as both sides accused each other of failures.
Tory deputy group leader Liz Brennan said expanding the primary school in Charfield was "the absolute bare minimum we would expect to see" and said the council also needed to plan "doctors surgeries, better transport links and more employment opportunities".
Council co-leader and cabinet member for education Ian Boulton (Lab, Staple Hill & Mangotsfield) said the former Conservative administration "broke promises" and failed to
Chris Willmore
provide the infrastructure.
He said: "It has fallen to this administration to ensure that the long-promised school for the area is finally built.
“It’s time to be ambitious. That’s why we are committed to delivering this new school by 2028, the fastest possible timeline."
Cabinet member for planning Chris Willmore (Lib Dem, Yate North) told the Conservative councillors: "Ten years since people moved into Ladden Garden Village, they were promised a community centre, a school, seven shops, a pub and a GP.
"Six of the shops and the pub got deleted, the community centre hasn’t been built, the GP land you accepted probably isn’t going to be big enough, and today we’re talking about the school.
"Never on my watch are we going to build a new community and do to them what the previous administration did to them in Lyde Green and Ladden Garden."
She said the last Tory budget in 2023 did not include money for a new school in Yate, with other schools to be called on to provide places instead.
Cllr Willmore said: "They were proposing never to build our school, they were just going to bolt extra classes onto existing schools across the town.
“For me that was the last straw, and I came onto the council to reverse that approach.”
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
NEW Metro Mayor Helen Godwin has said things will be “very different” under her than they were with the region's previous Labour mayor.
The winner of May's mayoral election has pledged to "work cross-party for the West Country", and has appointed Liberal Democrat Kevin Guy as her deputy at the West of England Combined Authority.
The position of deputy mayor had not been used since Ms Godwin's predecessor Dan Norris was elected in 2021. During his time in charge, WECA was put on notice by the government over a number of performance issues, including poor relationships between politicians.
The deputy mayor's position will rotate annually between the leaders of the three councils which make up WECA: Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath & North East Somerset. The leaders sit on the authority's decision-making committee, along with the mayor.
Cllr Guy, the leader of B&NES, said he was “honoured” to take up the role.
On election night the new mayor said her approach "will feel very different but will be very proactive: just getting stuff done, working with people, working with whoever I need to".
Expanding on the theme after she was sworn in, Ms Godwin
said: "To get the best for all of us in the West Country, politicians must put politics to one side."
She pledged to work "across party lines" with Bristol's Green leader Tony Dyer, Cllr Guy, Lib Dem South Gloucestershire Council leader Maggie Tyrrell and Labour co-leader, Ian Boulton.
Ms Godwin said: "We all need to roll up our sleeves and pitch in. Our residents deserve nothing less, and that’s the only way that we will make things happen.”
Cllr Tyrrell and Cllr Boulton issued a joint statement, which said: "We believe Helen now has the best possible opportunity to take advantage of the greater spirit of collaboration we now enjoy with our partners and we look forward to working together to unlock the amazing potential for prosperity our region has for the benefit of our residents, businesses and the national economy.”
The mayor and WECA are expected to be given extra powers as the government promises to devolve more spending and decision-making to regions.
They will be responsible for delivering the region's Local Growth Plan, to drive economic growth over the next ten years.
One of Ms Godwin's first meetings was with the acting managing director of First Bus
LABOUR won the West of England mayoral election with 25% of the votes cast, as Reform UK came from nowhere to take second place. Winning candidate Helen Godwin polled 51,197 votes, a majority of 5,945 over Reform's Arron Banks, who received 45,252. Green Party candidate Mary Page - who had been tipped to win by some pollsters - was third, Conservative Steve Smith was fourth and Liberal Democrat Oli Henman was fifth. Independent Ian Scott lost his deposit in last place, after failing to secure 5% of the overall votes cast.
Votes in the three council areas which make up the West of England Combined Authority were counted separately and provided three contrasting results.
Wales & West, Rob Pymm, to discuss the future of services.
She said transport was "at the top of my in-tray", adding: "We talked about challenges around consistency and reliability of some services, and agreed to work together at pace to improve things."
Mr Pymm said: "We share Helen's focus on continuing to improve services and welcome her emphasis on working collaboratively to achieve that, both through continued investment in services as well as efforts on bus priority and tackling congestion, so that everyone can benefit from faster and more reliable buses."
Reform, which did not stand a candidate in 2021's mayoral election, topped the poll in South Gloucestershire, where Arron Banks was 5,211 votes ahead of Tory Steve Smith, with Labour another 1,793 votes behind in the district.
Reacting to his party's overall performance, Mr Banks said: “That was a pretty epic response, to be honest. Bristol and Bath should not be natural Reform territory and we aced it.
“This was our least likely place to win and we came up 6,000 votes short. There is a tidal wave going on in the UK at the moment."
The South Gloucestershire result saw the Liberal Democrats, who run the council in coalition with Labour, squeezed into fourth place with only 14.1% of the mayoral vote in the district, compared to 33.2% in the 2023 council elections.
Ms Godwin won the overall race after receiving the most votes in Bristol, where she was 2,539 votes ahead of Ms Page but 12,771 votes ahead of Mr Banks. That margin proved crucial, with just under half of all the votes in the election cast in the city.
Helen Godwin (Labour): 51,197
Arron Banks (Reform UK): 45,252
Mary Page (Green): 41,094
Steve Smith (Conservative): 34,092
Oli Henman (Liberal Democrat): 28,711
Ian Scott (Independent): 4,682
Total votes cast: 205,557
Turnout: 30%
In Bath & North East Somerset, Lib Dem Oli Henman - a B&NES councillor in a district where they run the council - topped the poll with 9,942 votes.
Ms Godwin was second with 8,764 votes, 178 votes ahead of Mr Banks, with Mr Smith another 64 votes behind.
Green candidate Mary Page said she was “absolutely stoked” by the result.
She said: “Our campaign was run on a shoestring."
Includes reporting by John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporting Service
A YATE primary school has been praised for its "harmonious community", high expectations and children who love learning.
Ofsted visited Abbotswood Primary School, in Kelston Close, in March.
The regulator no longer gives state primary or secondary schools an overall grade.
But it said Abbotswood is maintaining the standards identified at its previous inspection in 2019, when it was found to have 'outstanding' pupil personal development and a 'good' quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, early years provision, and leadership and management.
Inspector Claire Mirams said: "Everyone is welcomed and nurtured at Abbotswood.
"Pupils love learning and are proud of their school.
"They live by the school’s six ‘respect’ values that include teamwork and perseverance. Pupils understand how these values make their school a harmonious community.
"The school has high expectations for pupils' academic success. Pupils rise to the challenge and work hard in lessons."
The inspector said pupils feel safe, know they can share worries with an adult and are
"kind and considerate towards others".
Personal development opportunities for the 373 pupils, aged four to 11, remain "excellent". Ofsted said they are taught to speak with confidence and learn to be responsible citizens, holding charity fundraising events and developing a "thriving" school allotment.
The inspector said: "Personal development is the bedrock of the school’s work. Pupils know how to keep healthy, both physically and mentally.
"Pupils embrace new experiences. These include building robots, learning musical instruments and singing in the school choir."
Ofsted said the school's "broad and well-organised" curriculum had been strengthened further since its last inspection, supported by knowledgeable and engaging teaching.
The inspector said: "Ambition is high, including for those with special educational needs or disabilities."
She said reading is "central to the school’s priorities" and also highlighted writing and physical education.
To improve further, Ofsted said teachers need to ensure checks to make sure pupils have understood what they have been taught
are precise in all subjects, and consistently adapt teaching in response. This would address misconceptions and identify pupils who are ready for more demanding work.
Executive head teacher Rob Cockle said: "We are incredibly proud that the report recognises Abbotswood as a nurturing, ambitious, and inclusive school where pupils thrive academically and personally.
"Our children love learning, show real respect for one another, and embrace the many opportunities we offer.
"This reflects the dedication of our staff, the support of our families, and the strength of our whole school community."
RESIDENTS of Yate and Chipping Sodbury came together for moving and uplifting events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
They included the raising of a special VE80 flag at Yate Town Council's Poole Court offices, which was attended by councillors, representatives schools and the family of Second World War veteran Len Trewin.
Len, who was fighting in Germany when the war in Europe ended in 1945 told his story in last month's Voice but was unable to attend the morning anniversary event on May 8 due to illness. A poster of Len produced for the Standing With Giants project was on display and his son Mike and daughter-in-law Michelle attended.
Councillors also laid wreaths at St Mary’s Church to remember
those lost in the war before Tyler's Field hosted a beacon lighting event - one of more than 1,000 held across the country.
It included music from the 1st Yate Boys' Brigade marching band, the D-Day Dollies vocal duo, Bristol Military Wives Choir and a piper.
Thornbury & Yate MP Claire Young and town councillor Alan Monaghan lit the beacon at 9.30pm.
A beacon lighting event was also held at the Ridings in Chipping Sodbury, while in the Queen Elizabeth II memorial garden in QEII plating fields in south Yate a lamp-lighting event was held by Dodington Parish Council to coincide with beacon lighting elsewhere.
Pictures: Rich McD, Chipping Sodbury TIC, Dodington Parish Council.
Bespoke
Council had to warn drivers that scammers are using its new car park payment scheme to target them for fraud - just a day after it was introduced.
The council launched charges at 22 of its off-street car parks, including the Kennedy Way long stay and Yate Leisure Centre (South) car parks, on May 19.
The following day it issued a warning that criminals were placing QR codes for smartphones, directing victims to fake payment sites, on new parking machines and signs at some of its car parks.
The council has stressed that its parking scheme does not use QR codes.
It said: "Car park operators across the country have seen these attempts made by criminals to obtain money and personal information.
"A small number of suspect stickers have already been found on the new machines and signs that have been installed in the 22 car parks where charging has been introduced.
"These have been removed by council officers and the team will continue to be vigilant in looking for and removing them if they appear as they visit the districts car parks, in order to protect the public.
"People using the car parks are being asked to remember to only use the approved payment methods and to never scan a QR code if they see one in a council car park."
The council says there are four authentic ways to pay for parking at the sites where charges have been introduced: by card or contactless payment at the new parking machines, via the the MiPermit app, the MiPermit website at tinyurl.
com/y2ba46rv or via the MiPermit automated payment line on 0345 520 7007.
Council cabinet member Sean Rhodes said: "We know it is all too easy to fall victim of scams, and fraudsters are increasingly sophisticated in their approach to tricking people into parting with money or their personal information."
The plan to introduce charges, which was agreed by councillors last year with the aim of raising £800,000 per year in revenue, has been widely opposed in many areas.
In Yate, charges are in force at the Kennedy Way long stay car park and Yate Leisure Centre (South), which will have a mix of short and long stay spaces.
Short stay car parks have free 30-minute bays where people don't need a ticket, but there are only nine of these at
the leisure centre car park - and drivers who use them cannot return within 24 hours.
Residents have reported seeing more cars parking on streets near the car parks where charges have been introduced.
Short-stay charges range from 70p an hour to a maximum of £5 for up to four hours; long-stay charges range from £3 to £5 a day.
Disabled Blue Badge holders can park in any space free, for up to four hours.
Charges apply on weekdays from 8am-6pm.
More details on the charges can be found at tinyurl. com/2j3yp8bp. Car parks not owned by the council, including Yate Shopping Centre, Chipping Sodbury and Riverside retail and leisure park are not affected by the charges.
Thursday 12th June, 2pm - 4pm
Join us to hear insights about typical signs of ageing and how symptoms differ from dementia, we will also give guidance on how to live well with dementia.
Every Tuesday, 1pm - 3pm
Meet other carers and their loved ones over a hot drink and freshly baked cakes. Share experiences, take part in a reminiscence activity and meet our dementia experts, on-hand for advice and support.
At Care UK’s Ladden View care home in Yate, our team is passionate about supporting your loved one to maintain independence and make choices, whilst receiving the very best dementia care in a place they can call home.
Care you can trust
We work with academic partners and respected leaders in the field, to ensure we stay up to date with the latest approaches to dementia care. We have worked closely with the Association of Dementia Studies to create bespoke programmes of dementia training. Whilst Dr Nori Graham - a renowned dementia expert and Vice President of Alzheimer’s International – supports the development of our dementia strategy with Suzanne Mumford, a Queen’s Nurse and Head of Nursing, Care and Dementia at Care UK.
Living well with dementia
Our dedicated team will work with you and your loved one to deliver a care and lifestyle plan entirely tailored to their unique needs and preferences and our busy activities schedule is always packed with meaningful activities that support them to live life to the full.
Purpose-built facilities
At our purpose-built home, everything from colour schemes, signage, and furniture to the design of our crockery, has been carefully chosen to support residents living with dementia to be as independent as possible.
Each floor at Ladden View is divided into smaller suites that create a calm atmosphere, keeping hustle and bustle to a minimum.
Ladden View also has a Namaste care room and trained Namaste care practitioners, who provide a calming sensory experience using soothing lighting and gentle hand massage, for people living with advanced dementia.
Ladden View care home in Yate is part of Care UK, the country’s most awarded large care provider. We’ve been delivering high-quality, personcentred care for over 40 years.
That’s why over 9,000 families trust us to care for their older loved ones.
To find out more about Ladden View, call 01454 513 106 or scan the QR code.
Ladden View Fletcher Road, Yate, Bristol BS37 7ER careuk.com/ladden-view
YATE and Chipping Sodbury are set for a massive month of community events and celebrations, with thousands of people expected in streets, parks and venues to get involved. May's VE Day 80 and Good Times festival may still be fresh in the memory but the big events will come thick and fast in June.
THE Chipping Sodbury Big Lunch, a free community picnic and party with entertainment in Broad Street, kicks things off on Sunday June 1, from noon.
This year's theme is Back to the 80s, with music and entertainment themed around the fashions of the decade.
There will also be a children's and adult fancy dress competition, free face painting, a craft corner for children and a chance to beat a Rubik's Cube champion.
Organisers Alexandra Arnall and Sarah Todd said: "The Chipping Sodbury Big Lunch is about getting people together, neighbours joining one another in our beautiful high street and having fun!
"We hope people embrace the decade which fashion forgot and come dressed up and ready to enjoy all the free fun we have lined up."
THIS is the 40th year of Chipping Sodbury Festival, which takes place around the town from June 11 to 15.
Events include walking tours, school concerts, tours of the Heidelberg Materials quarry and St John’s Church tower, a quiz night, art trail, Music in the Street and the Lions of Chipping Sodbury Street Fayre and Carnival Parade (see below).
It finishes with the annual Picnic in the Park on June 15, in Jubilee Park, off Quarry Road, from 2-5pm.
Committee chair Kate Cox said:
"Each year we are blown away by the huge support we receive from Chipping Sodbury’s local community, shops, and businesses.
"Windows will be dressed to reflect this year’s festival theme ‘Leave only Footprints’ and many will be challenging the public to ‘Spot the Error’.”
For more details and tickets, visit www.chippingsodburyfestival. com.
YATE & Sodbury Scooter Club's scooter rally at Chipping Sodbury Rugby Club will attract large numbers of riders on June 13 and 14.
The event promises two days of live music, DJs, a 'ride out' into Sodbury and the surrounding area, with classic Vespa and Lambretta scooters alongside modern day Scomadi and Royal Alloy models.
It is the latest in a series of events run by the club, which has been running for around eight years and was started by Kevin Milford and Andrew Davis. The club has donated more than £11,000 to good causes.
Visitors can pay on the gate, from 2pm on Friday and noon on Saturday.
Part of the festival, Broad Street will be closed to traffic on June 14 for the all-day Street Fayre, afternoon Carnival Parade and evening Music in the Street events.
The fair runs from 10am to 5pm in the centre of town, with a variety of stalls, refreshments, and entertainment including music and dance.
After judging of at Chipping Sodbury School, the carnival procession will move towards Broad Street from 3pm, with floats, dance groups, cheerleaders, and bands.
ON June 21 and 22 it will be the turn of Yate to be the focus of celebrations when Kingsgate Park hosts two days of free entertainment.
Saturday's Yate Rocks…in the Park from noon to 8pm will feature music from local bands, dance displays, activities and games, including a giant inflatable slide, wipe-out game, rides and climbing wall as well as art and craft stalls,
food and drink.
Acts include Alex Comaish, Doc Rock, Radio Makers, 52nd State, Elevation, Uncle Buck, Low Flying Pigeons and The Shanks rock band; dancers include StreetCred, 5678 Dance, L A Dance and ROKH Dance. Sunday's events start with the Praise in the Park outdoor service at 10.30am, with a relaxed Great Choir Showcase from 12.15pm, featuring Raysfield School, Fascinating Rhythm, Woodland School, Black Sheep Harmony and Rock Choir starting at 12.15 through to 16.30hrs.
ROUNDING off the month on June 29 will be Chipping Sodbury Rotary Club's Classic Run.
Pre-millennium cars, motorcycles and light commercial vehicles will line up in Chipping Sodbury High Street from 7.30am, head off on country roads into Gloucestershire and return to the Ridings, from around noon, where visitors will be able to see the cars.
For more details and entry forms email rotary.classic.run@hotmail. co.uk.
ORGANISERS of this year's Good Times festival series in Chipping Sodbury say more than 20,000 people attended the series of shows in May.
After two years at Yate Town Football Club, the festival moved to The Ridings in Chipping Sodbury this year for improved access.
Good Times was first staged in 2022 with a number of tribute acts as the headliners.
Last year it stepped up a gear with McFly, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Scouting for Girls.
This year's headliners at eight different shows included Billy Ocean, Craig David, Will Young, Skunk Anansie, comedian Katherine Ryan, and Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.
Event organiser James Murden said: "What an amazing week of shows in Chipping Sodbury!
"Over 20,000 of you came to support them, and I can’t explain how grateful we are.
those that booked their tickets early, you’re vital to ensuring the future of Good Times here in the town.
"The biggest thank-you must go to the army of people that made this happen.
security, site management and more - we literally couldn’t do this without you."
"An extra special thank you to
"I’m the guy that gets to stand on stage, but it’s taken a dedicated team of over 200 people, including bar staff, volunteers and marshals, car parking attendants, stage crew,
Co-founder and production manager Tom Campbell said: "I really hope local people and those travelling for the first time enjoyed the show.
"We all did our best to make this world class, and I’m so proud of what the team have achieved.”
9480-AC-Voice-ad2-2025-180x120-V2.qxp_Voice 1/2 page 07/05/2025 16:06 Page 1
The team are already working on ambitious plans for 2026,
Self-guided audio tours Wednesdays to Sundays
10:30 13:00 & 14:00 16:30
Admission to Acton Court gives access to the grounds, the Royal Apartments, the ground oor area and any activities that may be taking place on the day.
Admission £13.70 including booking fee.
The Queen’s Jewels Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 June 10:30 –13:00 & 14:00 –16:30
Special guests include: The Enchanted Tudor Rose costume jewellery from Wolf Hall | The Merchant’s House Musicians | Lady Samantha and the Tudor queens | Art activity | Thomas Cromwell* Waytes and Measures early music* | *Sunday only
next year.
There will be no audio guides for this event but visual and written information will be provided. Blue Badge Guides will be on site to answer your questions.
Parking and light refreshments available.
Admission £16.96 including booking fee. Children, 11 and under, by arrangement, email us.
A CHIPPING Sodbury bakery has received royal recognition for its work to make its business environmentally sustainable.
Hobbs House Bakery was announced as one of this year's winners of the Kings Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development in May.
The family-run bakery employs 170 people at its headquarters in Hatters Lane, cookery school and shop in the High Street and other shops in Nailsworth, Tetbury, and Bristol.
It is one of only 27 businesses to receive the award - the highest business accolade for British companies - in the category, and one of three in the region.
The King’s Award recognises the bakery’s sustainability work in every area of the business, from sourcing its ingredients to logistics and reducing waste.
Its "sustainable approach" includes work to source 100% of its grain from organic or 'regeneratively farmed' land by
2032, apprenticeship programmes and sending surplus bread to local community initiatives including Fare Share, The Matthew Tree Project and Family Food for Free.
It has a zero-landfill policy which means surplus bread that is not donated is turned into animal feed or beer.
Managing director George
Herbert said: "Our team is delighted that the business has been granted the King’s Award.
"We’re really proud to source our supplies as locally as possible, and the majority of the companies we work with are within a 20-mile radius.
"Over the last decade we have significantly reduced our
emissions by 22.9%, meaning we are over halfway towards meeting our ten-year 42% reduction target.
"Our electric delivery vehicles, solar panels, green energy and zero bread to landfill policy have all helped the business on its journey to become more sustainable.
June, 2025
"In the past year alone, we have removed almost a quarter of a tonne of plastic by changing how we package our products.
"The King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development has given us the confidence to know that Hobbs House Bakery has been on the right path.
"Our business will continue to invest in and develop our processes to ensure our work is as sustainable as possible."
The business was founded in 1920 in Gloucestershire by Thomas and Mabel
Herbert, and is now in its fifth generation, having opened the first Hobbs House shop in 1985.
Minister for small businesses Gareth Thomas said: "There are some exceptional businesses from the South West recognised in this year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise.
"I wish the winners every success as they continue to grow, innovate and prosper, and commend the invaluable contributions they have already made to communities at home in the South West and abroad, helping to boost the UK economy."
PUPILS at a Yate infant school have been using their artistic talents to create a display for an exhibition in the town.
The Year 2 children at Broadway Infant School have been taking part in the Rewilding Yate project, with Hannah Frost from Yate Heritage Centre and printmaker Steph Renshaw, from the Bristol Print Room.
Deputy head teacher Sarah Titley said: "The children had looked at photos of how Yate looked 100 years ago, and sketched buildings to make paper templates.
"Using pressed wild flowers and leaves, the children worked with Hannah and Steph to make beautiful prints."
The finished creations will be part of a Rewilding Yate public exhibition at Yate Heritage Centre, running from July 10 until August 6.
DAVID HARDILL looks at how the Second World War left its mark on Yate.
YOU may have attended one of the events in May to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the end of the Second World War in Europe.
More commemorations will take place in August to mark VJ Day (Victory over Japan).
When victory in Europe was declared on May 8 1945, there was naturally great relief, and it was a day for street parties up and down the country.
They were rapidly organised in Yate, around Wellstead Avenue and the half-built Ridge estate.
Around North Road they built a big bonfire from waste material dumped by Parnall Aircraft.
Ted Blacker, of North Road, said: "We all got together and we built a bloomin’ great bonfire here (Broad Lane); there was sacks of magnesium filings, so we nicked some of them to put on
our fire. "Somebody had given us an idea that it was good for a fire. Course it was good for a fire, it was made from incendiary bombs, wasn’t it, and when the fire was lit, my gosh, it was just going up like yellow clouds.”
Physical reminders of war remained long after hostilities ended. The air raid siren at Chipping Sodbury police station continued to be used to prompt the local fire brigade.
The underground first aid unit at Parnall Aircraft survived at the newly re-built Parnall factory. It was initially used for testing enamelled coating for Thor washing machines, as the factory moved into producing household appliances.
Abandoned shelters and gun emplacements proved irresistible to children.
Tom Lewis, born in 1938, said: "There were two gun emplacements side by side for ack-ack guns on the railway, and they were there right up until the
1950s.
"As I was growing up we used to play in them, as they were abandoned. One of them was situated in what was known as the German Field, that’s the top of Sunnyside Lane.”
POW camps persisted on the German Field and elsewhere until 1948. Although German soldiers enjoyed more freedom, they still had to perform manual work and return to camp at the end of the day.
The POWs were fairly malnourished, enduring the
YATE Heritage Centre is hosting an exhibition celebrating the contribution of men, women and children living in Yate to the war effort.
Called Doing Your Bit, the exhibition, which runs until June 28, includes never before exhibited artefacts, and local photography brought to life using AI technology.
The Second World War presented new forms of work for local families, newcomers, refugees and commuters. From factories to farms, schools and prisoner of war camps, thousands of people
privations as badly as, if not worse than, the indigenous population.
Nora Robenda, born in 1927, recalled a POW visiting in 1948: "Christmas came, and they went to anyone who could invite them out...they went to people’s homes.
"I don’t think they were allowed to stay but be back at night.
"We gave him this meal which was lovely, and he was terribly sick because he wasn’t used to such lovely food."
in and around Yate supported the war effort through engineering and agriculture, including the mass production of wartime weaponry. If you have a story to tell, photographs, or items that capture memories of the Second World War in the Yate area, Yate Heritage Centre would like to hear from you.
The centre is looking to build its collection of local history for future generations.
Anyone who can offer items for donation or loan, or has questions, should contact Yate Heritage Centre on 01454 862200 or info@yateheritagecentre. co.uk.
A MUSIC festival which brings top tribute acts to a village to raise money for good causes is back in July.
Mash in the Meadows in Iron Acton will this year feature Not the Rolling Stones, and Madness tribute act One Step Behind.
They will be joined on July 4 by Winterbourne singersongwriter Rhiannon Paige, who sings country pop and rock and has just finished her first ever UK tour.
The event on the Iron Acton Parish Meadows is organised entirely by volunteers, with money raised donated to local causes.
In previous years it has been a two-day event but this year's classical Proms-themed event, which was due to take pace on July 5, has had to be cancelled "due to unforeseen circumstances", with all ticket holders refunded.
This year's Mash headliners are Not the Rolling Stones, who have played theatres and festivals throughout the UK,
Winterbourne country pop singer Rhiannon Paige will join two top tribute acts at Mash in the Meadows
Europe, and the Middle East.
Acton Aid's Richard Hunter said: "They look and sound just like the real band. You just won’t believe it’s not Jagger!"
One Step Behind are described as the UK's premier and longest-surviving Madness tribute band, who have been playing the Nutty Boys' songs in venues across Britain and Europe since 1993. Rhiannon Paige's music is described as "a new approach to country music with a British twist".
She sang the Australian
Acton Aid are offering Voice readers the chance to win two free tickets to Mash in the Meadows.
To enter the competition, visit actonaid.org.uk/2025-musiccompetition and answer two questions:
What colour did the Rolling Stones want to paint it?
What type of long road did the Beatles sing about?
Leave your name, email and phone details by midnight on June 15 to be in with a chance of winning.
national anthem on the Ashton Gate pitch in front of more than 15,000 people before last year's match between Bristol Bears and the Wallabies.
Richard said: "The exciting Mash line-up includes two world class tribute acts and a sensational local singer and her band."
More details and limited Early Bird tickets are available at www.actonaid.org.uk.
A MICROBREWERY’S bid to open to the public two days a week faces opposition from Yate town councillors, who fear the tiny industrial unit could become a “party venue”.
Tangent Brewing Company, on Beeches Industrial Estate, wants to open its doors and serve alcohol from 5pm to 11.30pm on Fridays and 11am to 11.30pm on Saturdays. It has also applied for online sales of booze from 9am to 5pm weekdays, although the Waverley Road premises would not be open to customers then.
But the business faces a hearing at South Gloucestershire Council licensing sub-committee in June after Yate Town Council lodged an objection.
The town council said it had concerns over licensing a venue in an industrial estate and "further concerns that should the licence be granted, this could easily become a party venue with no further regulation needed”.
Craft beer and wine maker Tangent has agreed conditions with the police, and there are no objections from any other authorities.
A SCHOOL fair organised entirely by pupils has raised more than £780 for two good causes.
The event at Woodlands Primary School in Sundridge Park, Yate, was held to support disfigurement charity Changing Faces and the Bristol Royal Infirmary.
A Year 6 pupil wrote: "As the bright spring weather brought new life and energy to the school, these two charities have been sources of hope and support for many individuals, a cause especially close to the hearts of the Year 6 students.
"The event featured a variety of fun activities, including a popular bake sale and the ever-entertaining "Sponge the Teacher" challenge.
"Several brave teachers— Mr Hall, Mrs Evans, Mrs Ashfield, and Mrs Allen—ended up soaking wet after students took aim with the sponges.
"Despite being drenched and a little chilly, they all agreed that it was 'entirely worth it!'.
"Year 6 students are extremely proud of their hard work, and their teachers couldn’t be more pleased with the outstanding result. The success of the event is a true reflection of the dedication and enthusiasm of the whole school."
PEOPLE are being invited to become 'citizen scientists' and join a community effort to measure the health of the River Frome and other waterways.
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) runs the annual Bristol Avon RiverBlitz. which this year is taking place from July 4 to July 11.
The charity invites everyone in the area to send off for a kit they can use to sample the quality of water in local rivers, streams, and ditches for common nitrate and phosphate pollutants that indicate poor water quality.
Last year's RiverBlitz saw more than 130 volunteers collect 202 samples across the region.
It found high levels of both nitrate and phosphate pollution were found at a site known as the Frome Headwaters, behind Wickham Close in Chipping Sodbury.
The site was the furthest upstream that a test was carried out this year on the Frome.
At Wickwar Road in Chipping Sodbury, medium levels of the nutrient pollutants were found,
along with invasive Japanese knotweed plants and plastic bottles.
Medium levels of nitrates and low levels of phosphates were found at the footbridge in Tyndale Avenue Park, but at Cog Mill, near Iron Acton, high levels of both nutrient pollutants were found, along with plastic bottles and takeaway cartons.
Full details of all previous surveys can be found online at bristolavonriverstrust.org/ riverblitz.
This year people are being asked to pick a spot at their local river or stream and sign up between June 1 and June 28 at tinyurl.com/5xj9nycn for a free water quality testing kit, which includes everything needed to sample water and accurately record data.
BART chief executive Simon Hunter said: "We believe that understanding the true state of our rivers requires evidence.
"The Bristol Avon RiverBlitz is a powerful example of how local communities can come together to protect and restore our rivers."
The cost of the project is being part-funded by Wessex Water.
extend its aims was voted down by the ruling Lib Dem/Labour coalition, which said the changes would dilute it.
A CHIPPING Sodbury girl whose fight against cancer has inspired people to raise thousands of pounds for charity was the guest of honour at a village carnival.
Bristol-based home improvement company, The Window Hub, is aiming to plant 3,000 trees over the next three years as part of its commitment to being a climate conscious business.
Sienna Mullins was diagnosed with leukaemia in April last year, at just two years old.
She is undergoing treatment for cancer but, now aged three, has been able to return to her nursery.
The trees will be planted at Boyd Valley Lake, which is located in Bitton. This is in addition to continuing its policy of recycling all old frames so they don’t end up in landfill.
Sienna and her family are being supported by charity Young Lives vs Cancer, the chosen charity for this year's Winterbourne Down Village Carnival in May, and Sienna, brothers Louis and Joshua, mum Jo and Dad Joe were nominated to be guests of honour at the event.
The window installation company was launched during lockdown in 2020 by seasoned industry professional Danny, who wanted to create a business that was “built on quality rather than greed”.
Sienna rode at the front of the parade in a convertible sports car.
Jo said: “Sienna loved being part of the carnival and us all supporting Young Lives. They
From humble beginnings, The Window Hub now operates from a head office and showroom in Staple Hill in Bristol with offices, showrooms and installation depots across the South West.
Down Village Carnival
have been an incredible support to us since the diagnosis and first hospital stay.
In fact, a new showroom is scheduled to open this month.
"Sienna was able to ride in an open top Aston Martin with me and big brother Louis.
Danny launched The Window Hub because he wanted to be much more than just a double glazing company.
"She loved waving to the crowds - it was an amazing opportunity!”
“We know that choosing new windows and inviting someone
SOUTH Gloucestershire councillors have voted unanimously to fight to save Yate post office – but argued about whether they should also battle against the closure of other branches and banks.
The town’s Crown post office – which offers the full range of services that smaller outlets don’t, such as passport application checks and driving licence renewals – is one of 108 across the country that are being offloaded by the Post Office to franchisees.
Although the organisation has insisted all of them would either stay in the same location or nearby, the fear is that if Yate’s moves into a high-street shop, like many others have, its survival will depend on that retailer staying open and not collapsing or being taken over, like WH Smith.
It comes after a petition was launched by Thornbury & Yate Lib Dem MP Claire Young, the council’s former leader, to save Yate’s post office, which has been signed by more than 2,100 people.
01392 642 634
A Liberal Democrat motion to a council meeting in May, submitted by Mike Drew (Yate North), received full cross-party support.
into your home can be stressful, so we have introduced as many initiatives as possible to be fair and reasonable in our approach to give our customers the best experience possible,” he said.
But an opposition Conservative amendment to
“Sales begin and end with treating customers properly. And
for a FREE no obligation quote from the ONLY company in the South West & South Wales in the final of the industries Prestigious G24 Awards!
Lib Dem Jon Lean (Frampton Cotterell) said his group couldn't support the amendment because the motion was "very targeted for very good reasons".
you know what? It is so easy to be amazing if you don’t cut corners.”
And the Window Hub has the customer reviews to prove it –90% of reviews for The Window Hub on Trustpilot are for five stars, with customers celebrating the company’s professionalism, friendliness, tidiness, and attention to detail.
The Tory amendment, tabled by group leader Sam Bromiley, tried to expand the motion’s ambitions to protect and restore other post offices across the district, along with banks.
He told the meeting: “We want to stand up for the people of Yate but we also want to stand up for people across South Gloucestershire.
The hard work of Danny and his company was also recently recognised and commended, with The Window Hub being named the ‘Best in the South West’ at the G24 Awards last year.
In 2025, The Window Hub will grow to cover domestic homes between Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and Lands End in Cornwall.
“The joint administration could have sent a strong message that vital local services in every corner of South Gloucestershire should be protected, but they have completely failed.”
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service
For more information, please visit TheWindowHub.co.uk.
RECENTLY I visited the fabulous Alveston Repair Café.
Inside St Helen’s Church there was a hubbub of activity, with the experts already busy at work.
At the entrance a queue had formed to register items that needed a bit of TLC.
If you haven't heard of them before, repair cafés allow people to bring items they would otherwise throw away to be fixed and put back into use.
All sorts of things were seen during the session, including clothing, glasses, a vacuum cleaner, and a light stand.
Some of the more exotic items included a karaoke machine and a gramophone horn!
One lady was enjoying a cup of tea whilst waiting anxiously to see if her walker could be fixed; it was something that her upcoming holiday was dependent on.
Peter Waller is the man behind this repair café: he has seen it grow quickly and it’s now
a firm favourite on the Alveston calendar.
Other repair cafes thrive around the area, including down the road in Thornbury.
There are so many things to recommend the repair cafes. There was a real sense of community during my visit, with local people helping their neighbours.
Aside from the work, there was a chance to have a chat and a catch up.
For those offering the services - from electronics to clothes repairs - there was a feeling of achievement. Quite often people were bringing things that had sentimental value, and to have them working again must have been very satisfying.
There were dozens of items taken to the church on the day, and the vast majority were fixed.
The experts not only repair things, they can also explain to people how to fix items themselves in future.
The repair cafe movement is a stand against the throwaway society that we are all part of nowadays.
To save things from landfill is hugely important environmentally. The event in Alveston may have been modest in this aim, but there are dozens in South Gloucestershire and Bristol, and thousands around the country.
When you amplify that with the worldwide movement that is emerging, it is making a difference.
The next time the repair cafe is open, I may well be in the line. I have a jacket that needs a repair, and who knows what else I will have broken by then!
DO you ever find yourself searching for a tasty small course to include as part of a special lunch? Well, look no further - here is a Spanishinspired small plate dish with only four ingredients.
It’s so easy to do, and takes only 15 minutes to prepare and cook.
Serve this with some other Spanish cured meats and a plate of cubes of Manchego cheese and Mahon cheese from Menorca, if you can get it.
The supermarkets do packets of tortillas which, when warmed, are a really good cheat.
Then all you need are olives, of course!
Crusty bread and any speciality
breads makes this a cracking, simple easy lunch.
Roasted chorizo and butter beans with wine (Chorizo con judiones y vino)
Serves 4.
Ingredients
• Good quality chorizo, preferably
the soft cooking kind – about 65g
• Butter beans – 1 x 400g can
• Red onion- half, cut into chunks
• Red wine – 150ml
• Crusty country bread to serve
Preheat oven to 180°C/170C fan oven, Gas Mark 4
Here’s what you do:
• Drain the beans and rinse in cold water.
• Chop the red onion.
• Slice the chorizo.
• Put the beans and the onion
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.
in a small ovenproof dish, ideally terracotta.
• Top with the sliced chorizo.
• Pour the wine over the chorizo.
• Bake for 15-20 mins until the surface of the chorizo is shimmering with the chorizo juices.
• Serve straight out of the oven with good crusty bread to mop up the juices.
Cook’s Tips
You could use dry cider instead of wine or chickpeas, for a change, instead of butter beans.
Kumon’s maths and English study programmes work to build your child’s confidence and inspire a passion for learning.
To develop your child’s ability, contact your local Instructor for a free assessment.
Emersons Green Study Centre 07863248994
Emersons Green Village Hall, Emersons Way, Emersons Green, Bristol, BS16 7AP
eyecareteam@turnersopticians.co.uk
THE Lions Club of Chipping Sodbury, Yate and District have stall spaces available at £40 each for the fabulous Chipping Sodbury Carnival on June 14.
We would welcome volunteers to help to man the Lions stall and assist with fundraising activities on the day.
We are also putting a call out
for donations of saleable plants (eg tomatoes or geraniums) for our stall, to raise funds for the many good causes supported by the Lions.
The Lions had a stall in Yate Shopping Centre in April to collect unwanted used spectacles for people in need; these can also be donated at Boots Opticians in Yate or Blue Cross shops in Chipping Sodbury and Yate.
We also distributed Messages in a Bottle, which are plastic tubes
designed to hold an individual’s vital medical information. If the emergency services see one of the corresponding stickers by the front door, they know to look in the fridge for the tube containing this information.
Our meetings are on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm, at the Cross Hands Pub, Old Sodbury.
There is a monthly lunch social gathering and other social events during the year. Lions Club
International has 49,000 clubs, in 200 different countries.
For all enquiries please email chrisdodd47@hotmail.com call 01454 882655, or contact us through our Facebook page.
Kate Saunders
OUR May meeting was on VE Day, so we opened the meeting by singing 'The White Cliffs of Dover' and looking back on how WIs coped in the Second World War.
It wasn't all jam and Jerusalem but caring for evacuees, sewing, knitting, and supplying their local communities with food. Lady Denman organised the Land Army girls.
Our speaker Fiona Warin treated us to a talk called 'Lost the Plot'the plot being an allotment, and a very interesting talk it turned out to be.
Fiona described her first time on an allotment - she knew nothing but soon reaped the benefits and was put in charge of 100. They were very popular during the covid lockdown.
Let's hope the sun continues to shine, as we have trips planned for June and August.
Barbara Kemp
WE celebrated our 106th birthday on May 7 with bubbles on arrival and home-made cake.
We welcomed Drumnation, a drum workshop by Purple Josh, Harry, and Ryan. What an evening! We were introduced to a variety of very different percussion instruments (including frogs) and had wonderful fun creating music together, ably instructed and conducted by a very energetic Josh.
Our skittles team are through to the finals, and we wish them lots of luck. Well done, ladies! Our book club is currently reading Behind the Seams by Esme Young.
We are looking forward to events including the Old Sodbury Village Day in June, and also have lots of planned visits including Blenheim Palace and Bletchley Park.
Our next meeting is on June 4 at Old Sodbury Village Hall at 7.30pm. We will be welcoming Sophie Higgins Wheeler who is providing an insight into 'The History of Graffiti Art, New York to Bristol'. You would be most welcome to attend.
If you would like to know more, email wioldsodbury@gmail.com
Samanatha Newick
OUR speaker in May was former police officer Chris Farrell.
Although unaccustomed to public speaking he was both amusing and informative, going back to his early days - more Dixon of Dock Green than The Bill - when the job was done with a whistle, cape and Tardis!
In June we are expecting a talk about the SS Great Britain.
We are a friendly group of ladies who enjoy meeting up and making new friends over a coffee and a biscuit.
We meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 10am in The Masonic Hall, Hatters Lane, Chipping Sodbury.
Why not pop along and visit us? You would be made very welcome.
Please call 07809 534107 if you would like to find out more.
Sue Bird
HOW do you fancy a pull, chop and stomp?
No, it’s not the latest dance craze, but a fun way to spend an hour or so by bashing some balsam. You’ll have noticed how plants have really exploded into life, particularly on the riverbank. Sadly, that’s true of the highly invasive Himalyan balsam.
The best removal method is by pulling the roots up, cutting the plants and stamping on the stems. This process must happen before the seeds are ready, which is why balsam bashing happens every spring and summer.
We need as many volunteers as possible to clear it, so that seeds do not travel downstream. Now balsam season is here, we plan regular weekend and evening bashing sessions – and we really need your help!
Over the past year, we have made real progress tackling the problem of balsam along the River Frome.
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We held weekly sessions around Stover Road in Yate, clearing huge amounts – this was important as it was the furthest point upstream that we had found it growing. This year we are coordinating efforts with other local groups who are clearing balsam along the river in Nibley, Iron Acton, Frampton Cotterell, Winterbourne and Winterbourne Down.
Details of when and where sessions will take place are on the Upper Frome Friends Facebook page, or you can email riverfromereconnected@southglos. gov.uk
Jane Davies
CITIZENS Advice South Gloucestershire's annual Impact Report shows our charity is helping more people than ever before.
We helped 7,280 people in 2023/24 - a 23% increase on the year before.
Sadly this is in part a reflection of the fact more and more people are struggling, with the cost-ofliving crisis far from over for many in South Gloucestershire.
People who were previously able to draw on savings to weather the storm are now having to come to us for foodbank help.
But the rise in numbers helped is also due to the fact our charity is expanding to take on more Advisers and projects - meaning we can reach new groups of people who need us.
We would like to thank our team for all their work this year as well as all of the organisations and individuals credited in the report for their generous support which allows us to continue our vital services for the community.
The report can be read on our website at tinyurl.com/mrxtz6jk
Chantal Watts, chief executive
(adults and children aged 12 years & above) INFECTED
(adults and children aged 1 year & above)
SORE THROAT
(adults and children aged 5 years & above)
SHINGLES
(adults aged 18 years & above)
URINARY TRACT INFECTION
(women, aged 16 to 64 years)
BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS
(children aged 30 days to 2 years)
IMPETIGO
(adults and children aged 1 year & above)
Find us at:
Abbotswood Pharmacy 38 Abbotswood, Yate BS37 4NG 01454 313193
June 1
n CHIPPING SODBURY BACK TO THE 80S BIG LUNCH, noon-5pm, Broad Street. Music and activitiesbring a picnic.
June 7
n CRAFT & GIFT FAYRE! Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. 10 am to 4 pm. We will have 35+ Stalls of beautifully handmade Crafts & Gifts, amazing cakes, tea / coffee, refreshments & More! Voluntary Entrance fee (20p) to be donated to The Cotswolds Cats & Dogs Home Email bythewoodsfayres@ hotmail.com for more info
June 11-15
n CHIPPING SODBURY FESTIVAL with concerts, quarry tour, a quiz night, an art trail, Music in the Street, Street Fayre and Carnival Parade, Picnic in the Park. Details of individual events at www.chippingsodburyfestival.com.
June 13-14
n YATE&SODBURY SCOOTER
CLUB presents Back 2 Bedrock 4 scooter rally at Chipping Sodbury RFC, Friday from 2pm, Saturday from noon. Live music, DJs, Saturday ride out, custom show with prizes, food, drink, camping on site. Entry on gate: £10 per person Friday, £15 Saturday.
June 14
n CRAFT FAIR at Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church, 10am-4pm. Set up 9.30am, £12 per table in aid of Promise of Education – Uganda. Stalls include jewellery, bags, framed pictures, toys.
June 14
n CHIPPING SODBURY STREET FAYRE AND CARNIVAL. Fair from 10am-5pm, stalls, refreshments, entertainment. Carnival procession 3pm, with floats, dance groups, cheerleaders and bands.
June 14
n ROCKHAMPTON FOLK AND WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL on the village green, from 2pm. Music and dancing, in a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere, local food and drink, activities and workshops. More information and tickets from rockhamptonfolkfest.org.uk.
June 19
n ARTS APPRECIATION GROUP at The Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue, Winterbourne, 2pm. Illustrated talk by Richard Box: Impressionism and Beyond. Call 07946 508316 for more details.
June 21-22
n BRISTOL BOX CUP at Thornbury Leisure Centre for school-aged boxers from England, Ireland and Wales, organised by Downend Boxing Club. Doors 11.30am, boxing starts 1pm
Saturday, 12.30pm Sunday. More details from downendboxing@gmail. com.
June 21
n YATE ROCKS...IN THE PARK, Kingsgate Park, Yate, noon-8pm. Free festival with local bands and dance acts, games and stalls, sideshows and inflatables, train ride, bars, food.
June 22
n PRAISE IN THE PARK AND CHOIR SHOWCASE, Kingsgate Park, Yate, 10.30am-4.30pm. Outdoor church service in the morning, local choirs sing in the afternoon. Free entry.
June 23
n ARTS SOCIETY SEVERN VALLEY LECTURE, Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, 10.30am and 1.30pm. Frederic, Lord Leighton: Eminent Victorian Artist. Explore Leighton’s life and work, including story behind his most famous picture, Flaming June. Nonmembers welcome, £6. Booking essential - contact memb@tassv.org.uk.
June 29
n CHIPPING SODBURY ROTARY
CLUB CLASSIC RUN. Pre-millennium cars, motorcycles and light commercial vehicles line up in Chipping Sodbury High Street from 7.30am, returning to the Ridings, Wickwar Road, from around noon. For more details and entry forms email rotary. classic.run@hotmail.co.uk.
Monday
n BRISTOL BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY holds open meetings at Little Stoke Baptist Church, Kingsway, Little Stoke, at 7.30pm on the second Monday of each month. More details from Ron Ramplin at ronnie.ramplin@ btinternet.com or 07748 740794. Visitors always welcome without commitment or charge.
n FLOW-IN YOGA WITH NAZAMA Weekly yoga classes
6.15pm & 7.30pm in Chipping Sodbury. Become more flexib le, worry less and sleep better with an easy to follow flowing yoga. Book online www.yoga-in.co.uk or call 07804598353
n YATE AND DISTRICT BOWLS
CLUB Monday club nights, Sunnyside Lane Playing Fields, end of Moorland Road, Yate, 5.30pm. Friendly matches amongst our members. All you need to start is a pair of flat-soled shoes. More details from secretary.yatebowls@gmail.com.
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
YATE Library is hosting two afternoon tea events with authors this month: Charlotte Butterfield on June 7, and Tim Sullivan & Simon McCleave on June 21, both at 2pm.
Tickets cost £5, including refreshments, and are available from sglibraries.eventbrite.com or the library.
Storybuilders family friendly story and Duplo session for pre-school children is on Tuesday mornings at 10.30am.
Stay & play Duplo and trains is on Thursday mornings at 10.30am, term time only.
Wriggle & Rhyme: Rhymes and songs for parents and babies/ toddlers, is on Friday from 10.30am.
Lego Club is on June 14 and 28, 10.30-11.30am. Drop-in sessions. Suitable for children 4-10 years, must be accompanied by an adult.
Reading group ‘Have You Read’ takes place on June 27, from 10.3011.30am.
Craft Group meets on June 7 and 21 from 10am-noon, for knitting, sewing or crochet projects.
Computer support with digital champion volunteers is on Saturdays & Tuesdays from 10am-noon – book in advance.
Vision West of England information, advice and support drop-in every second Thursday, 10am-noon. Contact Marc on 0117 322 4855 or marc.gulwell@visionwofe.org.uk
Legal advice with Wards Solicitors on first Thursday of the month, 10am-noon; Bevan Evemy, Saturdays by appointment.
Staffed times are 10am-5pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 9am-12.30pm on Saturday.
Open Access, at times when the library is unstaffed, between 8am and 7.30pm daily.
For more information call 01454 868006, enquire at the library, email yate.library@southglos.gov.uk or visit www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries.
setting. £5 per session. More information at yateandsodburyartsociety. weebly.com or call Roz on 07941 946412.
Tuesday
n YATE POETRY GROUP meets every Tuesday morning. Small, informal and friendly group to share and enjoy poems. For details and to learn more about the venue, contact Tony on 0770 4140682 or email yatepoetrygroup@gmail.com.
n SERENGETI BRASS BAND, small band for improvers, meets every Tuesday from 9.45-11.45am at Yate Methodist Church in Moorland Road. Straightforward pressure-free music making in good company. For more information email SerengetiBrassClass@gmail.com or phone Paul on 07851 239500.
n YATE CHORAL SOCIETY rehearses at St. Nicholas' Church Centre, Chargrove, Yate, 7.30 - 9.30 p.m. For details call 07833 597114
n GENTLE YOGA-IN WITH NAZAMA Weekly yoga class 9.30am. Easy to follow gentle yoga, ideal for back pain relief and joint issues. A slower-paced, mindful and lighter yoga in Chipping Sodbury with experienced teacher. Beginners Welcomed. Sodbury Masonic Hall, 1 Hatters Lane, Chipping Sodbury. From £6.00. Book online www.yoga-in. co.uk or call 07804598353
n NEW ENGLISH CLASSES coming to Chipping Sodbury this June! English teacher with full DBS, over 17 years of teaching experience and both professional and personal experience of supporting neurodiverse kids and teens.
Tuesday sessions: 4:00pm-5:00pm - Year 9 English 5:10pm-6:10pm - KS3 English 6:20pm-7:20pm - Year 8 English 7:30pm-8:30pm - GSCE English Zoom tuition also available. Message Zoe on 07891848740 to book a space. All classes held at St Lawrence's Parish Hall, 71 Broad Street, BS37 6AD
n SUNRIDGE GOLF CROQUET CLUB meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in Coalpit Heath, with players at all levels. Learn how to play; club equipment available. For more details contact sunridgecroquetclub@gmail.com or call 07977 201440.
n SOUTH COTSWOLD PROBUS GROUP meet every 2nd Tuesday of the month at Masonic Hall Sodbury, 10am. Contact Pete Chaplin for details. 01454 324956.
n PUCKLECHURCH FOLK DANCING CLUB, Pucklechurch Community Hall, Abson Road, every other Tuesday from 7.30-10.15pm. All welcome, with a partner or solo. Call
Alan on 07812 508396 or Linda on 07843 240414
Wednesday
n CRAFT MORNING, St Mary's Church, Yate, 10am-midday. Bring a project, get help learning something new or just come to sit and chat, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit. Small donation requested to support church heating.
chris.dodd47@hotmail or call 01454 882655.
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
February 2025 is LPA month at local experts Simpson Solicitors. Call their friendly Kingswood Team on 0117 960 8594 and quote LPA25 and our readers get a fantastic 25% off their full cost.
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
A Will covers your wishes when you die. An LPA is how you make sure your wishes are followed when you are alive. It is how you appoint those you trust with your finances and decisions about your health and treatment.
n YATE AND CHIPPING SODBURY GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIR, St Mary’s Church, every Wednesday from 2-4pm. New members welcome, especially men, to thriving community choir, with no auditions. First rehearsal free. For more information phone Jody on 01761 472468.
• Peace of mind: With Simpsons there are no long forms for you to complete. Their Complete Service covers so much more than paperwork. It includes Certifying your mental capacity and registering them with the court
Thursday
(OPG) and providing solicitorcertified copies.
n GOLDEN OLDIES SING & SMILE SESSIONS, Cambrian Green Court, Wellington Road, every third Thursday from 10.30-11.30am. Sing along to hits of the 50s onwards, chat and laugh with friends. £3 donation to attend. Call 01761 470006 for more details.
THE u3a Philosophy Group meets every fortnight in the Old Grammar School, Chipping Sodbury.
There are 20 of us from a wide range of backgrounds but all have one thing in common – a desire to question our understanding of the world in which we live.
n YOGA-IN WITH NAZAMA Weekly Flow-in Yoga 6.15pm & Back Care Yoga 7.30pm in Chipping Sodbury. Become more flexible, worry less and sleep better with an easy to follow yoga. Beginners Welcomed. Chipping Sodbury Sports Centre. From £6.00. Book online www.yoga-in.co.uk or call 07804598353
• Aftercare: No one want to be a burden, so their service also includes support to your Attorneys in activating and using them when the time comes.
Powers of Attorney are so important. Arguably even more important than Wills. Go quickly.
I don't care how old you are. I got mine at 35. It's always best to go through solicitors
n YATE COMMUNITY CHOIR, Ridgewood Community Centre, Station Road, 7.30-9pm. More details from nicelizmartin@yahoo.co.uk.
Money Expert MARTIN LEWIS on ITV’s THIS MORNING
n CHIPPING SODBURY LIONS CLUB meets 2nd Thursday of the month at the Cross Hands, Old Sodbury, 7.30pm. For more information on volunteering/membership email
SOLICITOR CERTIFED COPIES:
John at Simpsons says, “We just
make it easy for you and those you appoint. For example your Attorney is likely to need a copy of your LPA certified by a solicitor. Being a firm of solicitors this is not extra hassle for them - we can just provide it when needed.”
n LIONS CLUB OF CHIPPING SODBURY, Yate & District meets 2nd Thursday of the month (not August or December) at Cross Hands, Old Sodbury, 7.30 p.m. For more information on volunteering/membership email chris.dodd47@hotmail.com or call 01454 882655, Facebook: Lions Club of Chipping Sodbury.
n COELIAC UK LOCAL CAFÉ MEET UP occurs every third Thursday of the month, 10-11.30am, at Iron Acton Garden Centre cafe. Join us to share experiences of living gluten free. For further info contact volunteering@coeliac.org.uk.
LPAs are essential protection in case you need help paying bills, managing money or deciding on treatment options. It is not just about dementia but - perhaps due to severe stroke, illness, injury, an operation going wrong or just old age.
Friday
So contact Simpson Solicitors today. They are opposite Costa Coffee in the Kings Chase shopping centre. Quote LPA25 for 25% off the full cost!
n CHIPPING SODBURY COMMUNITY CHOIR, 10-11.30am, Old Grammar School, Chipping Sodbury High Street. More details from nicelizmartin@yahoo.co.uk.
Over the past six months we have explored political philosophy, and now we are moving onto 'being human'.
Different people lead the group each session, and each session is a mixture of presentation and discussion.
Philosophy is a topic that is surprisingly accessible to everyone. It offers some insight into understanding society and behaviour, it challenges assumptions and helps us each to find some meaning and purpose in a friendly, secure environment.
Michelle Baden-Daintree
We discuss what we find interesting and frequently have a good laugh.
Kings Chase Shopping Centre, Kingswood 0117 960 8594
You are very welcome to come along and see for yourself. You can find more information online at yate-sodbury.u3asite.uk.
message@simpsonslawuk.com John Baden-Daintree
Jenny Smith
Book your FREE MEETING at home or at our Kingswood Office.
We make it easy to get up-to-date Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney to make sure it is your wishes that are followed. Have peace of mind that everything is done properly by our award-winning team: In person meetings. Plain English advice. Clear fixed prices. No hidden costs. Protect their inheritance.
On your own: You choose who you want to inherit from you
Living together: Decide if and how your partner is protected
Parent Wills: Provide for children & name Guardians to raise them
Later Life Wills: Protect inheritance from Tax and Care Home Fees
Lasting Powers of Attorney: Appoint those you trust to make decisions, in case of serious illness or injury
Get in touch: message@simpsonslawuk.com
Or visit our ground floor
“We were made to feel
“You
OUR club's annual charity golf day was staged at Chipping Sodbury Golf Club on May 23, with 15 teams of four competing.
The winners were Williams Autos. A huge thank you to our event sponsors: Country Property Estate Agents, PJ Bryer Plumbing and Heating, Good Times Chipping Sodbury, Yate Supplies and Broadwater water treatment specialists, the participating teams and the golf club.
Over £2,000 was raised, which will be shared between Andys Man Club and the Julian Trust Night Shelter.
Our major fundraising event of the year now beckons. On June 29 the club will stage its annual Classic Run.
Pre-millennium cars, motorcycles and light commercial vehicles will line up in Chipping Sodbury High Street from about 7.30am before setting off for a trip of about 80 miles, with midway refreshments provided by members of Chipping
the vehicles will be on display whilst the participants enjoy lunch and entertainment provided by the renowned Rock Choir and others. For more details contact rotary. classic.run@hotmail.co.uk.
During May, the club funded a VE Day canal trip to Saul Junction for the Oasis Memory Café at Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church, visited the Children’s Hospice South West in Wraxall and welcomed maritime historian Paul Barnett for a very comprehensive insight into the Purton Ships Graveyard.
We would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to know more about our club: contact us at csrotaryapplication@gmail. com.
Stuart Fraser
A NEW initiative has just been started by Tools for Self Reliance. It's called a Building Kit for Building Heroes, and it's designed to help Armed Forces veterans get back into work after leaving the services, specifically into the building trade.
We would like to hear from anyone who can offer builders' tools such as brick bolsters, cold chisels, masonry drill bits, hammers (brick, lump, sledge) mallets, pliers, shovels, spades or spirit levels.
By the way, TFSR is now also happy to accept old gardening tools.
Chipping Sodbury Rotary Club would like to thank everyone who has called us to offer old carpentry or engineering tools, or electrical tools.
We have collected many donations and delivered them to the Bristol centre in Warmley, where they have been processed, polished, sharpened and renewed, all being packed into complete tool kits to send to Africa.
These are given to students to enable them to take a technical college course or young entrepreneurs to enable them to start a small business.
If you're clearing out your shed and can offer any of these tools, please call Clive on 0117 932 2673 or Marian on 07837 588362 - we will collect.
Marian Gilpin
ST NICHOLAS FC's Under-13 Girls side celebrated winning their league with a 12-0 victory in their final game.
The team secured the Bristol Girls League Division B title at the end of April.
Manager Lee Bateman said: "It's their first season moving up to the full-size pitch and 11-a-side, after working their way up through the relevant sizes since development football.
"Some of the girls have been playing since they were four or five years old, starting with our development team. The team has been playing league matches for five or six years.
"They have been sensational all season, scoring over 100 goals in 18 games and with only one league defeat.
"It's such an amazing achievement, for a very talented group of young players.
"They have worked so hard to earn this, and have an incredible bond through football - the girls smashed it!
"I, my coaches, the parents, supporters and everybody involved with St Nicholas FC are extremely proud of them!"
The 18 girls in the winning squad, all aged between 12 and 13, are: Erin Ford (captain), Skye Evans, Charli Britton, Ava Starling, Alana Rollins, Karla Harwood, Brooke WiltshireDracup, Iyla Phillpott, Blaike Bateman, Ellahnore Abdi, Inaya Potts, Eden Lucas, Alba Wood, Daisy Scott, Amy Mannering, Kiki Jarvis, Lacie Cook and Willow Martin.
St Nicholas FC train and play at the Ridings in Chipping Sodbury, with 32 teams including both boys and girls.
Teams start from development under-fives through to U16 and U18 teams.
The club has more than 500 players and 120 volunteers involved in playing, coaching and other roles.
For more information visit the club website at www. stnicholasfc.co.uk or Facebook page.
CHIPPING Sodbury driver
Nathan Nicholls has started his quest for Castle Combe Racing Club Hot Hatch championship glory.
Drivers from six separate championships got their 2025 seasons up and running at the circuit in April, with fans coming out in full force for the first race day of the year.
Nicholls was one of 22 competitors in the Hot Hatch championship and, having driven the circuit a lot, was hopeful of achieving a strong result in his Mini Cooper R53.
Cold and damp conditions first thing in the morning meant a tricky qualifying session but a great display of car control from Nathan saw him set the third fastest time overall and qualify his Mini second in his class.
The first race of the year got underway on a very greasy track.
Nicholls navigated it well, gaining a place in the first few laps. A tight battle at the front
saw him swap between first and second for the majority of the race.
Coming into the last few laps, Nicholls was still challenging for the lead until a lapped car got in his way while he was trying to make a move, which lost him some time to the leader. He crossed the line second place overall and winner of his class.
Race two took place in completely different conditions, with the sun blazing and the
track now dry. Starting from third on the grid again, Nicholls had a good start and instantly improved up to second place with the leader only just ahead.
But on the second lap of the race, a gear selector issue struck his Mini. After working out the issue, Nicholls rejoined the race back in 14th, but with plenty of time left in the race to do some overtaking.
He quickly started to catch up some of the pack and claw some ground back, but the problem returned later in the race, which saw his hard work come undone.
A safety car appearance for a number of stopped cars on the track saw the field bunch back up, giving Nicholls a great chance of making up some places right at the end.
After a short battle, he finished fifth, and first in class once again.
Alfie Gendall
Chipping Sodbury Netball Club is recruiting for next season.
We are a social, competitive club who are excited to recruit new players for the first time in six years.
The age range is 16 to 50plus, and we have four teams across the Avon League, in the Prem, Division 3, 7 and 8.
We train on a Tuesday night from 7-9pm, indoors at Chipping Sodbury School.
If you are interested in trialling, please send your name, preferred position(s) and netball experience to csncseniors@gmail.com.
Chipping Sodbury Netball Club
Will Writing
Meet with a local professional and receive full guidance and support.
Family & Property Trusts
Ensure your loved ones receive the maximum benefit by protecting your estate with trusts.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Probate Services
Our specialists help make a difficult time as stress-free and straightforward as possible. Give someone the power to make decisions on your behalf, no matter what happens.
Haighs has been recognised for delivering outstanding customer service to its clients by winning a Best in Postcode Award from The ESTASthe biggest award scheme in the UK residential property industry.
The awards are powered by customer reviews submitted directly to the ESTAS review platform which is exclusively for property professionals. These reviews offer genuine feedback on the service provided, gathered at the end of the moving experience. ESTAS monitors and verifies service ratings over a 12-month period, providing a trustworthy measure of the service delivered to customers.
As a Postcode winner Haighs has been shortlisted to win a prestigious county, regional or national trophy at the famous ESTAS Awards which take place on 17th October. The awards will be presented by the UK’s favourite property expert Phil Spencer in front of 1,200 of the UK’s top property professionals.
Spencer said “To secure a Best in Postcode Award is a significant accomplishment within the industry. These awards are unique because they're based entirely on genuine client feedback, reflecting an agent’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service
throughout the customer journey. This kind of recognition truly highlights a dedication to professionalism and client care, showcasing those who consistently go above and beyond in their service delivery.”
Simon Brown, founder of ESTAS says “ESTAS is about championing the agents who consistently go the extra mile. It's about recognising that
amazing service isn't just meeting expectations, it's exceeding them. We want everyone to share the mindset that providing outstanding support to clients is the norm, not the exception.”
Martin Haigh, partner at Haighs (with his wife Clare) says “We are thrilled to have won Best in BS37 for the second year running, despite having only moved our base here
during the covid pandemic, following twenty-seven years in central Bristol. We take our levels of customer service very seriously because we know clients have a choice. Hopefully we can go one step further and win at The ESTAS Awards in October. For more information about ESTAS please visit www.theestas.com or call 01892 610245
ROS Canter joined an elite group of event riders when she won the MARS Badminton Horse Trials for the second time on Lordships Graffalo.
Ros became only the sixth rider since 1949 to win the international twice on the same horse, in a drama-filled final phase of the competition, held near Chipping Sodbury in May.
The current European champion and Paris Olympics team gold medallist had been in fourth place after the opening dressage stage and rose second after going fast and clear around the cross-country track.
Sitting three penalties behind overnight leader Oliver Townend on Cooley Rosalent, Canter and her mount, known as Walter, then went clear in the deciding showjumping to complete on their 25.3 dressage score.
The performance increased pressure on Townend to jump clear and hold his position but he and his grey mare had a costly one fence down, incurring four faults and dropping to second place by just one penalty.
Canter, a former world eventing champion, said it was a "privilege" to ride Lordships Graffalo.
On her cross-country round, she said: "He absolutely loves it. When he sees a fence he
gets into a great balance and he never seems to tire. I wouldn’t class myself as a fast rider but I seem to be speedy on Walter.
"He knows he’s the best and is full of self importance. I love him to bits."
Canter dedicated her victory to her longterm mentor, trainer and friend Caroline Moore, who died earlier this year.
She said: "This is the first time I’ve done anything big without her. She would normally have been with me, keeping me occupied and confident, so I was really nervous today."
Townend won Badminton 16 years ago but has now been runner-up five times.
He said: “Badminton isn’t my luckiest place but I couldn’t be prouder of Cooley Rosalent."
Townend’s second horse, the big event winner Ballaghmor Class, was eighth after cross-country but withdrawn with a scratch which his rider likened to a paper cut in a human.
Irish rider Austin O’Connor completed the top-three on Colorado Blue, with South Gloucestershire’s Harry Meade riding Cavalier Crystal into fourth place.
Meade was also sixth on Superstition, after surviving a near unseating in the showjumping, when the horse crashed through a fence.
Meade, of West Littleton, near Tormarton, said: “It was a quite dramatic heart-in-themouth moment but he stood on his feet.”
Meade’s horses were split by fifth placed Emily King, daughter of double Badminton champion Mary King, on Valmy Biats.
Lynne Hutchinson
YATE Town FC finished their championship-winning season with an awards presentation evening.
The event in May was attended by more than 100 players, officials, sponsors and fans, and recognised some of the Southern League Division One South title-winning side's key figures on and off the pitch.
Lewis Hall won both the Players’ Player of the Season and Supporters’ Player of the Season
awards.
The winner of the Manager’s Player of the Season was Lucas Tomlinson, who was presented with his award by the sponsor of the trophy, Yate Town chairman Mark Thorne, of Yate International Gymnastics.
Lucas also won the Golden Boot after top-scoring with 15 goals, while Lloyd James won the Goal of the Season award for his stunning strike against Larkhall Athletic.
A special award, the WA Febry Rose Bowl, was presented to club volunteer Sean Dacey by the chairman Mark Thorne, in recognition of his services to the club.
Behind the scenes, plans are being made for next season in the Southern League Premier Division South, with pre-season friendlies and player information to be released soon.
For more information about what is happening at Yate Town
Lewis Hall (left) receives the Players’ Player of the Season award from club captain Joe Guest
FC visit the club website at www. yatetownfc.co.uk.
Bob Chester
A roofing company you can trust
01454 311127 07930 344943
info@sodburyroofing. co.uk
www.sodburyroofing. co.uk Find us on Yell:
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.
• A history of providing 24 hour, high quality care in South Gloucestershire
• Each resident is unique to us and treated as such
• The home is small and family run, offering a highly personalised service
• Exceptional standards of cleanliness and hygiene
• Respite, residential care and day care available
• Special diets catered for by our expert Chefs
Get in touch and speak with our team, or arrange a viewing to see our facilities for yourself.
Aneesh – Registered Manager • Julie – General Manager
