Filtonvoice July 2022 by Richard Coulter

FREE MONTHLY for people and businesses in Filton

filtonvoice July 2022 Issue 129

www.filtonvoice.co.uk

Filton Town Council Annual Report

Pages 17-26

Jubilee celebrations in Filton Pages 12-15

Testing dogs of war in Filton Pages 4-5

Filton nurse: why I confronted cat-calling workers Turn to Pages 2&3

Page 7

Rock legends warm up for tour Pages 8-9

Puzzles Page 33

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Contacts Richard Coulter Editor and publisher

0777 555 0607 | richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

You can find Filtonvoice on Facebook www.facebook. com/filtonvoice and on Twitter @filtonvoice

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COMPLAINTS If you have a complaint about anything in the Filtonvoice, contact the Editor using the details below. We take complaints seriously and 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 www.localvoicenetwork.co.uk, or can be obtained by contacting the publisher, above. EDITOR’S NOTE: Filtonvoice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered although we have used some of the services. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. Filtonvoice is distributed each month to all Filton residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from Filton Library. Feedback is welcomed, call editor Richard Coulter on 0777 555 0607 or richard@filtonvoice.co.uk.

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News

Filton nurse: why I confronted workers who cat-called me A Filton nurse who confronted a team of workers who cat-called her in the street says men who carry out such verbal abuse need to understand the effect of their actions. Bethan Ford, 28, was visiting the Post Office at Spar on Filton Avenue when a van-load of workers from KBS Contractors in Shropshire directed insults at her about her body as well as making noises and gestures. The firm have told Filtonvoice that they have dealt with the workers and that they are shocked by their behaviour. Bethan said she was originally not going to say anything until she spoke to another young

woman in the Post Office who said the same thing had happened to her. She said she was so angry that she decided to confront the men on video. She said she decided to pretend she had recorded the original insults to see what their reaction would be. She told the men: "Why do you think a woman on her own should be harassed by you lot? Don't approach someone and then wonder why they are recording you." One of the men replied: "Make a phone call to the police with your evidence. You're making me feel distressed."

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News

Bethan said that as they drove off they called her 'ugly as **** anyway'. A spokesperson for the firm said: "We are absolutely shocked at the behaviour of our employees, and thank you for bringing this to our attention. "I would like to make you aware that the employees depicted in the video that was brought to our attention, have been spoken too, and made aware that this behaviour is completely unacceptable. "Please be assured that we have dealt with the employees in question, and that this behaviour will not be tolerated.

"We have been in contact with the resident and will be speaking with her later today to clarify the matters and assure that we have dealt with the employees in question. "We are a small family business, and do not accept this sort of behaviour and sponsor a number of local charities to offer them support in supporting victims of abuse, bullying and harassment." Bethan said she eventually spoke to a receptionist at the firm who was very apologetic and offered her a meal voucher. She said: "I was told they had been given a final warning which is good but I have asked for a written apology from those involved to see if they understand the effects of their actions. They didn't seem to care how I was made to feel. "I felt really angry after the other woman told me what had happened to her. Women must not be made to feel unsafe or self conscious in the street."

The Post Office at Spar on Filton Avenue and the car park where the altercation took place. Left, Bethan Ford

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News

Robotic dogs of war are the future for armed forces Teams of expert coders used their skills to discover what capabilities state-of-the-art robotic dogs could offer the British Army. Almost 40 coders from across industry and defence assembled at MOD Abbey Wood in Bristol to take part in a unique Robot Dog Olympics. Teams worked with SPOT robotic dogs which are designed to autonomously perform non-offensive tasks to protect troops by searching/scanning or delivering medicine/food into hazardous/disaster areas. Tasks coders were challenged to programme the dogs to do included a 50-metre sprint; a gymnastics routine and problem solving. Natasha Dell, an algorithm engineer from Thales, said: “I have been surprised by how agile and responsive the robotic dogs are. They are incredibly mobile and the speed at which they move

is impressive as well as the tasks they can complete.” The event was run by the Future Capabilities Group (FCG) at Defence Equipment and Support, the procurement arm of the MOD, in conjunction with Team Defence Information, a body that develops innovative solutions for the front line. Suzy Harris, Head of Expeditionary Robotics for FCG, said: “Robotics and autonomous systems are becoming increasingly important in allowing soldiers to operate faster, for longer and enabling them to step back from some of the most challenging and dangerous tasks.” Colonel Dan Anders-Brown, customer lead at DE&S, said: “The coders have confirmed what we already knew. These are highly capable systems and could significantly reduce risk to life of our soldiers by removing the requirement to carry out

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dangerous activity in the modern battlespace.” SPOT is manufactured by Boston Dynamics which has a well-publicised ethics policy on the use of their systems in any offensive manner. Marlborough Communications Ltd (MCL) acquire the platforms on behalf of MOD and provide support and training. A spokesperson for MCL said: “Marlborough Communications Ltd are delighted to support DE&S in its drive to exploit innovation through technology, within the Robotic and Autonomous domain.”

“Robotics are becoming increasingly important in allowing soldiers to operate faster, for longer and enabling them to step back from some of the most challenging and dangerous tasks.”

Suzy Harris, Head of Expeditionary Robotics for FCG

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News

Pond project planned as historic woodland continues to thrive The Splatts Abbey Wood Conservation Group is planning new projects and developing existing partnerships and plans in the historic woodland based beside the MoD and Cheswick Village. There are plans to build a pond at the site as an exciting new feature and to encourage biodiversity and provide greater diversity within the woodland site. Splatts group chairman David Bell emphasised the importance of the project saying that in the 20th Century two thirds of the ponds in the country disappeared, so developing new ponds is vital nationally and for the Splatts Woodland in particular. Long term Splatts Committee members Fred Hillberg and Andy Ward said: "The pond is a project that has been on the radar at Splatts Woodland for quite some time. The area of woodland where the pond is to be created has always remained wet and boggy whatever the time of year so it is an ideal spot to create this new feature. It is hoped that given time the new pond will become naturally populated by plant life as well as species native to this type of environment replacing one of the many naturally occurring ponds that have been lost due to construction projects. "A massive thank you to South Glos Council who

have agreed to cover the cost associated with installing the pond, also to the team from UWE Greenspace team who are student volunteers kindly supporting the project and without whom we would not of been able to achieve as much as we have done." Splatts Abbey Conservation Group works in partnership

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with South Glos Council and its sister woodland Sims Hill, and student volunteers. This year the UWE volunteers were joined by students from the University of Bristol. Splatts Abbey Wood Conservation group can be contacted at - splattsabw@ gmail.com. Sims Hill Community Woodland can be contacted at simshillcw@gmail.com

Filton town councillor resigns Filton Town Councillor Ian Scott has resigned from the authority. Mr Scott, a former Labour South Glos Councillor, has not revealed his reasons for going. He told Filtonvoice he would not be making a comment as he does not wish to interfere with the election process for his successor. He said that he is more than happy to answer any questions emailed to him once a replacement has been chosen. Town council chairman Darryl Collins said: "I'm just sorry to see him go. He had a difference of opinion, but nothing to cause deep scars. I told him he would be sorely missed by everyone. He’s a good bloke."

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News

Rock legends warm up for tour at Filton arena Queen + Adam Lambert – one of the biggest music acts in the world – performed at the future home of YTL Arena in Filton in a unique event that offered a glimpse into the city’s future venue. Performing several of their best-known songs to an invited audience, the performance was a key milestone in the Brabazon Hangars’ transformational journey to becoming a top-five global music arena. It was 45 years to the day Queen performed at Bristol Hippodrome. Queen + Adam Lambert’s appearance was the culmination of five days in which they completed production rehearsals at the Brabazon Hangars in preparation for their mammoth Rhapsody Tour, which kicked off in Belfast on Friday 27, May 27 before playing Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham then ten nights in

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News London at The O2, thereafter continuing their tour with 18 further shows across Europe. They also headlined the Platinum Jubilee Concert at The Mall in London. Making use of the vast space at the venue, which will be able to offer both rehearsal and performance space to major touring acts in future, Queen + Adam Lambert confirmed they would have been delighted to perform a Bristol show on their epic tour had YTL Arena been fully operational. The band said: “We’ve been made to feel very welcome by YTL, and the Rhapsody Tour would have loved the opportunity to include a Bristol show if this fantastic venue was open. Hopefully we can come back and play here again, to a packed house, when YTL Arena Bristol is ready to welcome the public.” In 2019, Bristol legends Massive Attack performed at a custom-built arena on the neighbouring former Filton Airfield, and Queen + Adam Lambert’s performance indoors at the site is the latest major step forward to the arena becoming reality. CEO of YTL Arena Bristol, Andrew Billingham, said, “It has been a privilege to host Queen + Adam Lambert as they chose Bristol to complete full production rehearsals in a fiveday residency at the Brabazon Hangars. We are honoured that Brian, Roger and Adam wanted to play their part in our story.” “Over the past week we have accommodated one of the largest touring productions with ease. With 40 artic lorries parking on site and more than 200 production crew in attendance, everybody has said what a fantastic venue the new Arena will be and predicts it will become one of the busiest.” To mark the occasion, Queen + Adam Lambert placed personal items into a time capsule that will be built into a glazed Walk of Fame running 100 metres across the event floor, from stage to Runway Bar at the opposite end of the building. Once home to aviation icon Concorde, the programme to repurpose the Brabazon Hangars continues to make good progress to open in 2024.

Mayor - band would never have chosen city-centre site for gig by BBC LDRS staff An opposition councillor has rubbished Marvin Rees’s claim that rock icons Queen would not have played a Bristol city centre arena because of a lack of lorry parking. Labour mayor Mr Rees spoke of the significance of the event, which he said validated his decision in 2018 to scrap plans for what was then called Arena Island, near Temple Meads, and move the proposed venue to Filton. He said the city centre site, now called Temple Island and earmarked for a conference centre, offices and 550 new homes instead of a live music attraction, had room for a maximum of only “one or two” trucks, whereas Queen + Adam Lambert’s massive support crew brought their equipment to the new venue in 40 articulated lorries. Lib Dem Cllr Tim Kent, a supporter of what would have been the city centre arena, has hit back saying this is not true. Tweeting a link to the Local Democracy Reporting Service story about the mayor’s claims along with two images of the original designs from Bristol City Council’s planning portal, Hengrove & Whitchurch Park ward Cllr Kent wrote: “Diagrams from the actual planning consent ... show 4 rear loading bays and 6+ standby bays at the rear of the arena. Around the front in the disabled parking area was room for another 8-10 lorries.”

Cllr Tim Kent, top; Mayor Marvin Rees, above; and an artist's of the scrapped Arena Island

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Filton at heart of UK's hydrogen technologies for aircraft industry Airbus in Filton is to launch of a Zero Emission Development Centre (ZEDC) for hydrogen technologies. A priority for the UK ZEDC will be the development of a costcompetitive cryogenic fuel system required for the successful entryinto-service of Airbus’ ZEROe passenger aircraft by 2035 and to accelerate UK skills and knowhow on hydrogen-propulsion technologies. The UK ZEDC will benefit from the recent commitment by the UK Government to guarantee £685 million of funding to the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) over the next three years to support the development of zerocarbon and ultra-low-emission aircraft technologies. “Establishing the ZEDC in the UK expands Airbus’ in-house

industrial capabilities to design, develop, test and manufacture cryogenic hydrogen storage tanks and related systems for the ZEROe project across Airbus’

four home countries. This, coupled with our partnership with ATI, will allow us to leverage our respective expertise to realise the potential of hydrogen

technology to support the decarbonisation of the aviation industry,” said Sabine Klauke, Airbus Chief Technical Officer. Technology development at the new UK ZEDC, to be based in Filton, has already started and will cover the full product and industrial capabilities from components up to whole system and cryogenic testing. End-toend fuel systems development, a speciality of Airbus in the UK, is one of the most complex technologies crucial to the performance of a future hydrogen aircraft. The ZEDC complements Airbus’ existing Research and Technology footprint in the UK, as well as the work on cryogenic liquid hydrogen tanks being done at Airbus’ existing ZEDCs in Madrid, Spain and Stade, Germany (composite structure technologies) and in Nantes, France and Bremen, Germany (metallic structural technologies). All Airbus ZEDCs are

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expected to be fully operational and ready for ground testing with the first fully functional cryogenic hydrogen tank during 2023, and with flight testing starting in 2026. With this new facility, Airbus reaffirms its long-term commitment to remain a major player in Britain’s world-leading aerospace ecosystem, working with the Jet Zero Council to

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drive forward research in the sector, supporting green jobs and helping the UK meet its ambitious net zero targets. The launch of the UK ZEDC follows the opening of the £40 million AIRTeC facility in Filton in June 2021, jointly funded by the ATI and Airbus, to deliver the next generation of aircraft wing, landing-gear systems and fuel system designs.

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July, 2022

Jubilee celebrations

Guides , Brownies and Rainbows fly the flag for Filton

Youngsters from Filton hung up bunting at Elm Park to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. Each triangle was decorated by a Rainbow, Brownie, Guide, Ranger, Trefoil Guild member or leader from the Concorde Division. The final display involved more than 100m of bunting!

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Jubilee celebrations

It was a wonderful afternoon for senior citizens in Filton, Horfield and Lockleaze who enjoyed celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee at Ebenezer Church in Horfield.

The Queen made an appearance at the Park Road allotment party

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July, 2022

Jubilee celebrations

Rain fails to dampen the spirits of Mackie residents

wonderful Jubilee celebration was had by all on Mackie Grove. As the road was closed and bunting hoisted high, down came the rain, but the drizzle did not dampen spirits, in fact for some of the celebrating children it was a further opportunity to have fun. One resident Dorothy (pictured holding the hand of HRH) recalled the last jubilee celebration on Mackie Grove in 1977. Few faces remain the same down the street but the sense of community and friendship are still as strong as they were, with the celebrations offering further opportunity to make new acquaintances and have a good laugh. Highlights included a rare visit from ‘a’ queen, a smaller than expected Charles and three cheeky streakers (in tribute to a rumoured streaker of 1977!). Helen Allsebrook

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Jubilee celebrations

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Become a Gadgeteer at library

DANCE WITH A runs to help other Amy

A WOMAN who survived domestic abuse is taking on the London Marathon to raise money and awareness of the charity which has supported her. Amy Yapp is sharing her story to help charity Refuge – and to encourage other women in abusive relationships to seek help. Amy, a former Downend North Bristol School pupil who grew up in the Independent Colour Guard is recruiting area and nownow. lives in Fishponds, found herself in a relationship Come along on where mornings she was subjected to Saturday to physical, psychological and our rehearsal venue atemotional Trinity Academy, abuse over four years. Romney Ave, She was beaten, isolated from Lockleaze, Bristol her family and friends and lost BS7 9BY from 10am control her finances. -12pm andof see what Amy said: "When I look we do. back, I do not recognise the The first session is open personbetween I had become at all. I was to children the conditioned how ages of 6 and 16 and is to behave and completely free! even speak. Living by rules which I was not allowed to break. "Compliments turned into insults, then eventually insults turned into physical abuse. CALL 07889 "You say 409012 'oh, that will OR VISIT FACEBOOK never happen to me' but after @NBICOLOURGUARD experiencing all that, it showed TO FIND OUT MORE me how anyone can be affected." Amy left her abuser, who has

Visit Filton Library and become a Gadgeteer with the Summer Reading Challenge 2022 - it’s FUN and FREE! All children aged 4 – 11 are invited to take part! Children read books over the summer holiday and collect stickers (including some stinky ones!) to complete their special Gadgeteers poster and get a medal and certificate. You can join Gadgeteers, Summer Reading Challenge 2022 at a South support groups and a 24-hour was a chance to both tick off Gloucestershire a challenge from her 'bucket library from helpline offering advice. list' and "turn something that Saturday July While Amy never needed was negative into something 9, finishing to stay in the charity's positive". by Saturday accommodation, its helpline Amy said: "I would like to September 10provided invaluable support repay my gratitude to Refuge and pick up when she needed to talk to someone outside her family and for the much-needed help and your FREE bag support they gave me. of Gadgeteerfriends. She said: "I never realised "And if just one woman Goodies* recognises the warning signs and see the when I was in that situation that of domestic violence and finds difference thethere was so much help out there – during those critical moments, the courage to get in touch with Summer Reading having someone to reassure you Refuge, then that is potentially Challenge makes one life saved." to your child’sis so important." A student paramedic Amy aims to raise £2,000 for reading. studying at Gloucestershire Refuge at the marathon, which Children love Amy Yapp taking part in a Bristol 10kpart and University, Amy also works for takes place in October. taking living provider Aspire To support Amy's appeal there are lotssupported of in Downend, Staple Hill and visit www.justgiving.com/ awesome FREE since been convicted of assault fundraising/amyyapp98. activities: FizzFishponds. for beating her. She has run in a number of For more information about A friend who had beenPop Science distance racesthemed but hascrafts never the work of Refuge visit the workshops and Gadgeteer and Lego clubs. through a similar experience takenaton a marathon before, and website www.refuge.org.uk. www.southglos.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge or like us on told her about Refuge which,Find out more when she discovered that Refuge charity's free national Facebook www.facebook.com/sgloslibraries for the latestThe updates. as well as providing emergency places forlast. fundraisers domestic abuse 24-hour helpline Availablehad whilst stocks accommodation for women *and in the London Marathon it is on 0808 2000 247. children fleeing abuse, runs local

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20/01/2020 10

Filton Town Council

Annual Report 2021-22

Filton Town Council Annual Report 2021-22 Chair of Filton Town Council Report Cllr Darryl Collins

Chair of Full Council Finance and General Purpose Report Cllr Alex Doyle

o begin I wish to thank all my fellow councillors and officers and staff for their support through this difficult period of the outsourcing of our pool and some of our facilities. It has been a challenge, with some way still to go, but I believe we are in the ascendancy. I offer my very best wishes and full support for the next 12 months. Further to positive feedback from our residents there is now a real drive to invest in our community and to note our proud record of support demonstrated through activities like our proposed Neighbourhood Plan, the Community Garden, the Millennium Green, Jennings garden, local youth clubs, Filton Twinning and the secured funding for our awaited Multi Use Games Area. Special thanks to our Community Garden volunteers who have kept the garden looking marvellous and a credit to our community, and Filton Twinning for their efforts in holding this activity together. As a council we are taking very seriously the issue of ‘houses in multi occupancy’ and are currently working with our South Glos Councillors and our elected MP on moving this issue forward. I commend you to this report and hope things start to get better while we all fight this Covid virus as best we can. To the future Fraternally yours Darryl

t’s been an eventful year for us all, not least Filton Town Council. Our MUGA development has been progressing, which will help make sports more accessible for local people. We’ve entered into a partnership with Active Nation, which will allow us to maintain and improve the swimming and leisure facilities available to our residents, while ensuring the tax burden for our local tax payers does not continue to grow. This has also allowed us to make funds available that enable the council to increase what it can do to support the community, including; improvements to the local skate park, reducing litter and cleaning up Filton and expanding our wildflower programme. With the council looking to further support the community, we’d love to hear from you if there are things you’d like the town council to look at to improve the area. Furthermore, we’ve been able to freeze council tax this year, meaning there is no increase in your town council precept, a significant improvement over recent years when we’ve needed to ask for additional support from our residents to maintain the local amenities. Finally, we’ve been working hard to restrict the increasing number of HMOs in Filton, particularly in overdeveloped areas, with residents and councillors highlighting the issues to South Glos as well as pushing for the introduction of Article 4 to strengthen planning controls.

Town Clerk Report Lesley Reuben CiLCA,PSLCC Town Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer

ilton Town Council has outsourced the management of the Leisure Centre and all leisure staff have transferred across to Active Nation who were the successful bidders following a competitive tender process. This leaves just five of us directly employed with FTC. It is all very exciting after years of trying to keep the aging Leisure Centre functioning, with very limited funds, resulting in a burden on the precept. This gives FTC the fantastic opportunity to work with the local community and make improvements and take on new projects where possible. Filton Town Council are very close to signing the contract with Active Nation although this has been delayed for reasons beyond our control. The Town Council Office has moved temporarily to the old Snooker Room but will eventually be situated in the new building. Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) It might seem as though project has been forgotten but this is far from the truth. We have the funding, planning permission and the contractors in place ready to start as soon as the timing is right. We would just hate to improve this area only to find that the construction company involved with the Leisure Centre need to gain access to the services underneath. Therefore, the decision has been made to delay starting this project until we are confident that the area will not need to be disturbed in any way. Precept (Council Tax) This year Filton Town Council resolved to freeze the precept at £986,694 which per band D property equates to £6.03 per week. FTC are in a much healthier financial position than in previous years which enabled them to make this decision. Grants Filton Town Council continues to financially support:l Youth Provision (FACE) l North Bristol Advice Centre l Four Towns Transport l Filton Twinning Association There are also various smaller groups and local organisations who apply for grants – the application forms are available on our website. www.filtontowncouncil.gov.uk The Community Garden and Millennium Green are great assets and we would like to thank the volunteer groups that work so hard in these areas. If you would like to be involved then please get in touch. As always, I would like to thank Council, local residents and our team of managers and staff at all levels for their continued support over the last year. I am looking forward to working alongside Active Nation and monitoring the outcomes along the way.

Filton Town Council Annual Report 2021-22 Ground and Maintenance Team Report Neil Palmer Grounds and Maintenance Manager

o say the past 12 months have been challenging for the Grounds and Maintenance Team is a real understatement. With this in mind I want to take this opportunity to thank my two team members the professionalism they have shown in providing a service to the residents of Filton in what has been a very difficult time for us all . Moving forward I hope the re-homing of the Grounds and Maintenance Team will be resolved quickly as we have many projects we wish to undertake during the next 12 months. We are working closely with the Community Garden Team and will be sharing many projects with them. Also we have major plans for Elm Park and Millennium Green such as fitting planters, new flower beds, and refurbishing and installing new benches along with our successful wild flower areas . We also will be upgrading pitches and working with skateboarders for ideas how to improve the skatepark along with the outdoor gym. I also welcome any ideas from the public regarding how to improve the sites. Regarding Millennium Green, we will be working closely with the working party there to upgrade the site with gates and tree planting. We are also working hard to improve facilities on our two allotment sites as during Covid these became invaluable for plot holders and there was a real demand for plots from the public . In the future I would like to see more investment for the Grounds and Maintenance Team in terms of equipment and machinery as this has been long overdue. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the Town Clerk and her team for the support along with the Council during this difficult year. Moving forward I believe, despite the uncertainty, we on the grounds will continue to provide value for money for the residents of Filton.

Filton Community Garden Helen Johnson Chair, Filton Community Garden

ver the last year the Community Garden has continued to thrive and to be enjoyed by Filton people, local workers and visitors. To overcome the impacts from covid, isolation and ill health, we held three outdoor meetings up to the AGM and the gardening work was managed with fewer volunteers. It was decided not to hold the usual Annual Fete in June 2021, but instead to have ‘Tea and Cake in the Garden’ in September. This proved to be a glorious day weatherwise and community-wise, attracting many local people, not to mention the amazing cakes! Sadly we have had spates of theft and vandalism in the garden since last autumn. To rectify this, FTC grounds staff have repaired damage and we are soon installing a new secure tool storage box (part funded by a South Glos Councillor's grant). Unfortunatel.y although the perpetrators of the vandalism were known they were not caught red handed and CCTV footage was insufficient for the police to take action. The garden committee is asking FTC and the police for a solution to prevent more occurrences happening this summer and beyond. At our AGM in November Dave Mikkelson resigned as Chair and has since moved away. This was seen as a great loss considering the years of work he and his wife put into the garden both in managing the volunteers and physical maintenance. To manage the garden ongoing we are holding two-weekly gardening sessions welcoming anyone interested to join in the hands-on work. We now have support from some new faces who want to help up-keep the garden as well as the North Bristol Swimming Club who are ‘giving back’ to the community for their 100th anniversary year. The FTC grounds staff are being very supportive with the maintenance and heavier jobs. Looking to the year ahead we have been re-structuring the wildflower bank, are holding a ‘fairy workshop’ for young children and to make the garden more inclusive, wish to install a trug accessible to less able gardeners. We will once more be assessed for the RHS It's Your Neighbourhood award which for the past six years the garden achieved the top level 'outstanding'. Our 2022 Annual Fete will be on 26th June and is looking to be another afternoon of activities and a great focus for the community to get together.

Filton Town Council Annual Report 2021-22 FACE update Debbie Teml Charity director

his report comes at the end of a year which has been more ‘normal’ than last year, but still with the over-looming Covid-19 pandemic impacting on our work; especially during the first half of the financial year. It aims to give an overview for councillors of how Filton Town Council funding has been and is being used, plus mention of the ‘added value’ work that FACE has been providing in Filton during this year. £17,500 has been funded from Filton Town Council for youth work in this financial year. This is used to run two weekly youth clubs for 7-9 and 9-11 year olds and contribute to the costs of detached and outreach youth work as applicable through the year. £4,493 was also funded to FACE for consultation work and creation of Filton Community Plan. This consisted of public residents' survey, 4 community events, additional stakeholders meetings and survey, 4 councillors meetings; analysing all consultation results and drawing together ideas into a possible action plan for Filton Community Plan covering 2022-27. During the year 96 different children and young people have been attending the 2 youth clubs, with weekly attendance averaging 10 at the younger group and 15 at the older group across the year, although weekly attendance since Christmas 2021 has not been below 16 and numbers are continuing to rise again. 29 different young people have also been contacted though detached work in the area across 8 sessions. Weekly detached work is taking place over the summer months, liaising with the police to respond to any ASB concerns. Numbers attending the youth clubs have dropped since pre-Covid attendances (where we were regularly seeing upwards of 40 children), but at first due to Covid rules we could have no more than 15 people in the building. Now the restrictions have lifted and finer weather is returning, numbers are increasing again and attendance is much more manageable now and more focused activities can be done. The clubs have both had a few sessions where attendance was very low due to whole Year group or whole school closures due to Covid. On only one occasion in the entire year the clubs closed due to staff illnesses and we have used the wider FACE team to cover when the usual contracted staff could not work. Young people have been engaging in sports, arts/crafts, cooking, games, trips and many other social interactions alongside their peers and supported by staff and volunteers to meet their needs and increase skills, confidence and resilience. The main foci have been relationship building and managing feelings. Report on FTC funding 2021-22 – Community Plan Community Plan consultation, June – October 2021 An extensive consultation was undertaken via a residents survey delivered to every house in Filton through Filton Voice and also a Stakeholders survey which was posted to every retail business, community organisation and services provider in Filton. An afternoon was spent at Charborough Road School with 5 classes asking for their ideas and feedback. 2 stakeholder events and 4 community events were held giving residents and stakeholders the chance to come and tell us what ideas they had for inclusion in a new Filton Community Plan. Lots of great ideas came in, balanced with lots of negative feedback. August – November 2021 Public feedback was shared with councillors and councillor meetings took place to draw together priorities and feed on from constructive ideas coming in through the public survey and feedback sessions. November 2021 – February 2022, analysis of results was done and a draft summary plan was put together and presented to FTC in February 2022, along with a draft Action Plan for approval or next steps to be agreed. No next steps were agreed.

Filton Beat Team PC Gareth Pretlove Neighbourhood Constable

Laura Roberts PCSO

Mr Soandro PCSO

he levels of dwelling and non-dwelling burglaries remain low in the area compared to previous years. There had been some success during December when a suspect was arrested and charged for two burglaries in the Filton area. The neighbourhood policing team and operations officers were involved in a series of drugs warrants during November and December. This resulted in a series of arrests and recovery of a large quantity of cannabis. Officer have been dealing with anti-social behaviour issues in various locations. Problems do tend to disperse between locations and across other beat areas. The main focus for the beat team are problems around Elm Park, Millennium Green and Abbeywood Retail Park. Officers are continuing to patrol these areas and trying to locate and engage with individuals. Work is under way to carry out more specific targeted patrols to Millennium Green and Abbeywood during the peak times. The Local PCSOs have continued to deal with parking issues when reported. They are also involved in patrols during school opening and closing time to pro-actively deal with parking issues outside the primary schools. The team have conducted several bike marking events. This has allowed members of the public to attend and have their bike registered in a data base. This acts as possible deterrent to would be thieves, but also makes any stolen bikes easier to identify. The local PCSOs have also carried out several visits and engagements with the local schools. They have attended and provided talks and education about safety issues and looked to build rapport with the children. This work has been carried out alongside officers attending several supported living accommodations. The attendance is to support staff and vulnerable residents at the placements.

Filton Town Council Annual Report Meet your councillors 2021-22

Darryl Collins

Keith Briffett

Alex Doyle

Anne Kenyon

darryl.collins@ filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

alex.doyle@ filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

Brian Mead

brian.mead@ filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

Mubashar Chaudhry mubasher.chaudhry@ filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

keith.briffett@ filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

anne.kenyon@ filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

Adam Monk

adam.monk@ filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

Andy Robinson

andy.robinson@ filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

Chris Wood

Dan Boardman

Tom Mewies

Alan Bird

chris.wood@ filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

tom.mewies@ filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

dan.boardman@ filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

alan.bird@ filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

How the council works at Filton The Town Council has 13 Town Councillors elected for a term of four years. We currently have one vacancy. The last Town Council elections were held in May 2019. The councillors are split into three wards: Charborough (three councillors), Northville (five councillors) and Conygre (five councillors). There are also two elected councillors to South Gloucestershire Council who represent Filton’s interests at this level. The Civic Year runs from May to April with the election of the Chair/Mayor and the Deputy taking place at the Annual Statutory Meeting in May. These roles are filled by councillors who have been nominated and voted for by their councillor colleagues. The Town Councillors are unpaid, and do not receive any attendance allowance or payments for their duties, in which they run to undertake on a purely voluntary basis. Standing orders Standing Orders is an easy-to-understand comprehensive guide on the legal, financial, administrative and governance aspects of running a local council. This guidance is an essential tool for established or new councillors and officers involved in this tier of local government. Filton Town Council structure Full Council – The Town Council meets approximately 11 times a year and has three main committees and ad hoc sub committees that meet as required (e.g Elm Park Working Group). These committees make decisions under their remitted powers or make recommendations for ratification by full Council. Subject matters are brought before Council by means of the Agenda, which is issued a minimum of three clear days before a meeting and is posted on this website. Full Council (Finance & General Purposes, inc. planning) – The Full Council (Finance & General Purpose) meets approx 11 times a year and makes decisions and recommendations to Full Council on all financial and policy matters under the discretion of the Town Council. This committee also is responsible for personnel matters and will be responsible for Best Value. Planning Applications come to this meeting at the request of a resident or councillor, and recommendations from these meetings on Filton planning applications are sent to the Planning Authority (South Gloucestershire Council) which considers all associated planning, footpath and licensing issues.

Meeting Attendance Register April 2021-March 2022 Councillor

Full Council 10 meetings

Finance 7 Meetings

Cllr Keith Briffett

Cllr Mubashar Chaudhry

Cllr Darryl Collins

Cllr Alexander Doyle

Cllr Anne Kenyon

Cllr Brian Mead

Cllr Adam Monk

Cllr Dan Boardman

Cllr Tom Mewies

Cllr Andy Robinson

Cllr Chris Wood

Cllr Alan Bird

Filton Town Council Annual Report 2021-22 Meeting Dates Register

June 7th 21st 28th

7.00pm 7.00pm 7.00pm

Full Council Finance & General Purposes Planning Full Council

July

5th 7.00pm Staffing 12th 7.00pm Full Council Finance & General Purposes 19th 7.00pm Planning Committee 26th 7.00pm Full Council

August 9th 16th 30th

7.00pm 7.00pm 7.00pm

September

Full Council Finance & General Purposes Planning Committee Full Council

6th 13th 20th 27th

7.00pm 7.00pm 7.00pm 7.00pm

October

Staffing Full Council Finance & General Purposes Planning Committee Full Council

11th 18th 25th

7.00pm 7.00pm 7.00pm

November

Full Council Finance & General Purposes Planning Committee Full Council

8th 15th 29th

7.00pm 7.00pm 7.00pm

Full Council Finance & General Purposes Planning Committee Full Council

December

(No Committees unless specifically called) 13th 7.00pm Full Council

July, 2022

filtonvoice

E: richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

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n MESSAGE FROM SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL

Leading the way in delivering new affordable housing HOUSING is a major topic of our time. Constantly-rising prices can make it difficult for younger people to take their first steps onto the property ladder or limit their ability to stay in the communities they grow up in if they want to. Having a safe, secure, affordable home is a fundamental need for everyone at every stage of life, which is why I am so pleased with our record in delivering the high-quality, affordable homes South Gloucestershire needs. Over the past year, more than 560 new affordable homes were completed, of which more than 280 were for social rent, 56 for affordable rent and 224 for shared ownership. This council has a strong track record of affordable housing delivery, having seen almost

1,200 new affordable homes built since 2018. In fact, over recent years, South Gloucestershire has regularly delivered more than 40 per cent of all new affordable homes in the West of England region. It is particularly pleasing to see when the shock waves of the COVID-19 pandemic are still being felt acutely across all sectors, including in construction. Although we have been making real progress, there is always more to do. So, we will continue to work closely with housing associations and developers to make sure that we get the new homes we need, built so that our communities grow in a sustainable way. Glancing at new estates, it can sometimes appear that developers have taken a one-size-fits-all,

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By Steve Reade, cabinet member for regeneration, environment and strategic infrastructure.

structure, with homes that meet the needs of residents at different stages of life. South Gloucestershire is leading the way in the West of England region, supporting the housing aspirations of our residents, from first-time buyers to retirees. Long may this continue.

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n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

Be on guard against summer holiday fraud SINCE the Platinum Jubilee celebrations that took place in early June, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on the brilliant sense of community that surrounded the occasion. After two uncertain years, the coming together of neighbourhoods and the fantastically-organised street parties highlighted how important community groups are and the impressive amount that they can achieve. The Jubilee celebrations coincided with Volunteers’ Week. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has always depended on the good will of local volunteers who sit on its scrutiny panels. So, I would like to express how grateful I am for the dedication and commitment of our volunteers, who are an essential part of our team. Whilst celebrating those who continue to make the OPCC a better organisation, I would also like to congratulate Chief Constable Sarah Crew for being awarded the Queen’s Police Medal. She has been recognised for her commitment and

dedication to improving the policing response to rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO). The Chief Constable holds the position of national policing lead for RASSO at the National Police Chief’s Council and has played an instrumental role in providing support for victims and survivors. Last year, she focused on building her national role launching an evidence-based approach to investigating RASSO offences, called Project Bluestone. This pioneering initiative was developed in collaboration with leading academics and in consultation with partners across the criminal justice system and victim services. Avon and Somerset Police was at the helm of implementing this pilot project, with the outcomes and findings now informing a national change in the policing approach to RASSO offences. Finally, with the summer holidays fast approaching, I wanted to raise awareness around holiday fraud and urge local people to be mindful and vigilant when booking flights or accommodation online.

With many excited to go abroad following the pandemic, criminals are taking the opportunity to exploit holiday-goers for their own financial gain. Although there are many legitimate booking platforms, some criminals use these sites to defraud victims by advertising counterfeit accommodation. Equally, many are conned by fraudsters impersonating legitimate travel companies, comparison websites and airline websites. In other cases, victims reported responding to an approach or advertisement on social media. Victims have reported being contacted by criminals masquerading as airline or flight comparison employees who offer to take them through the booking procedure, taking a payment at the end. Thereafter, the fraudster may cut off contact or provide their victim with false booking information. Unfortunately, it is not rare for those targeted to only realise that they have been defrauded once they arrive at the airport and are not permitted to check-in.

With Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford I must emphasise the importance of conducting thorough research before giving away personal details or handing over money. If a travel deal feels suspicious or too good to be true, trust your instincts. You can visit my website to read the top tips on avoiding holiday fraud and remember, if you do fall victim, always report the crime to Action Fraud.

Help create a vision for

Bristol Parkway Station A G AT E WAY TO T H E R E G I O N AT T H E H E A R T O F T H E C O M M U N I T Y



Join the conversation by attending one of our public drop-in events at St Michaels Centre, North Road, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8PD on:

  

Thursday 14 July, between 2pm and 6.30pm Wednesday 27 July, between 2pm and 6.30pm We are holding an online event on Wednesday 3 August, between 6pm and 7.30pm. Email regeneration@southglos.gov.uk to receive a link so you can join the Microsoft Teams meeting. For more information visit www.southglos.gov.uk/parkway-station-masterplan



Share your views and ideas by 14 August 2022

� �

Facebook.com/ sgloscouncil @sgloscouncil

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Filton MP Jack Lopresti

A month of celebrations and exciting developments

he past few weeks have been extremely busy with multiple celebratory events, the weekend of the Platinum Jubilee certainly standing out. Over these few days I witnessed a great outpouring of community spirit which was brilliant to see across the country. Over the course of the Platinum Jubilee I attended multiple celebrations across the constituency to mark this special occasion. In addition to these wonderful events, I engaged in important duties in parliament, I was delighted to be re-appointed as the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Sovereign Defence Manufacturing Capability and reelected as the Vice-Chair of the APPG on Aerospace. Both of these areas are vital for our region, evidenced by my recent interactions with Airbus, a major employer for our area

who will be investing in Filton to construct their Zero-Emissions Development Centre. This facility will be vital for unleashing the future of aviation with hydrogenpowered flight, the first of these test flights for hydrogen-powered aircraft being expected in 2026. The announcement of the ZEDC facility which represents a massive economic boost for our community and the wider region, was announced at the Airbus Annual Reception which I attended and met with the new Head of the Airbus Filton site

Sue Partridge. Subsequent to this reception, I held a meeting with Sue at the Filton site to discuss the ZEDC and the job opportunities it brings for our area. Sue started at Airbus as an apprentice and worked her way up the company which is very inspirational. In order to represent the economic interest of our region and the security of our nation, I spoke in a recent debate ,asking the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Kwasi Kwarteng, if the

government would commission a Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactor as part of the further investment in our technological and energy independence capabilities, as well as our government’s goals to meet net-zero for carbon emissions by 2050. Earlier this month, I held my regular surgery for local residents. I often hold these in community hubs across our area. Most recently, this was held at the St. Michaels Centre in Stoke Gifford where I met a number of residents who had requested a meeting with me to discuss their concerns and situations. As always, should you need my help with anything, my office is open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm. Please telephone me on 01454 617783 or email me at: jack.lopresti. mp@parliament.uk if I can be of assistance or to book a surgery.

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FREE Events at Filton Library in July Every week:

This month:

Rhyme Time

Wednesdays 10:30 – 11am Rhymes & stories for pre-school children with musical instruments! Now a drop-in session. No need to book.

Coffee Mornings

Coffee morning is back! Every Monday 10:30-11:30am why not come along for a cuppa and make some new friends. Everybody welcome!

Lego Club

Saturday 2nd & 30th 10:30-11:30 Join us for theme-based creative building fun for primary school aged children. All children must be accompanied by a grown-up. Advanced booking essential To book your place and for more details Email your name and contact phone number: filton.library@southglos.gov.uk

The Summer Reading Challenge Launches!

Starting Saturday the 9th Come and sign up for the Gadgeteers Summer Reading Challenge. Join up to collect your free goodie bag. Read six books to win a medal.

Open (Staffed) Hours:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10:00 17:30 Saturday: 09:30 - 13:00 Tuesday, Friday, Sunday: CLOSED

Did you know that you can reserve and renew books online? You can also download eBooks, eAudiobooks and digital magazines & eComics. Find out all that’s on offer at www.librarieswest.org.uk South Gloucestershire Libraries: the space where people, communities and ideas grow www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries

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n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

Reasons to be optimistic: brilliant West of England green jobs

I CAN’T get a new NHS dentist for love nor money. I’ve got constituents telling me they can’t renew their passports, or pay HMRC, or get a driving test, or that you have to ring back tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow to see the GP. This is Backlog Britain, and it is letting West of England families down. Couple this with lorry driver shortages and Brexit bureaucracy-related delays, especially when full UK border controls came into force at the end of January and there are a whole series of other problems grinding us down - getting an electrician, or frankly a full choice at the local supermarket. Chlorine shortages at swimming pools and even the great British classic of fish and chips is facing an uncertain future. Some of these problems were unforeseeable - let’s be fair - but others could have been avoided with some governmental horizon-scanning. After all, with an ageing workforce the lorry driver shortage has been on the cards for years. Given the environmental crisis we face and the need for rapid change, one thing I want to ensure is that we in the West do some green

horizon-scanning and get ahead of the curve when it comes to jobs of the future. So I made that the focus of this year’s Jobs and Skills Summit which I run. Change is coming. Soon, when you take your electric car to the garage, you’ll want to speak to a mechanic who’s been trained in up-to-date tech, not who can get a rusty petrol banger started. When the central heating is playing up, it won’t be a plumber you’ll need but a heat pump engineer. That future is coming very, very soon. It means training workers right now. So it was great to meet brilliant students from Chew Valley school, who are the first to be taking part in a new West of England Combined Authority-funded programme to encourage local youngsters to consider green jobs. At round-tables I heard from union reps, talented tradespeople (including those working at Bristol’s Urbane Eco, who are retrofitting homes across the region) and South Gloucestershire engineers working on ‘cleantech’. I asked them about what encouraged them into their careers. With a £20 million skills budget, it is so im-

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portant for me to hear direct what skills training works, what needs improvement and to find out local people’s top tips to get more people enthused. Opportunities abound for decent, well-paid and fulfilling jobs which will get Britain working again and are vital if we are to reach our very ambitious and necessary West of England net-zero targets. You can’t just scrape by on a wing and a prayer, whatever the PM thinks. I’ve never been a “what will be, will be” person – I think the future is, very much, ours to see.

Four Towns and Vale Link Community Transport

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www.useyourloftspace.co.uk

Metro Mayor

Dan Norris

Mini Bus Driver wanted (term time only) Start Date: A.S.A.P Salary: Commensurate with experience Hours of work: Min 20 per week, Mon—Fri School run. Subject to future work pattern, further hours may be available.

We are looking to appoint a reliable, trustworthy Minibus Driver for Four Towns and Vale Link Community Transport in Frampton Cotterell. You must be 23+ (subject to insurance acceptance / terms and conditions) and have a full, clean UK drivers licence for at least two years. MIDAS training will be provided in house. The role will include transporting school children (whom may have a range of special needs) to and from school.

is the reliable, affordable and trusted local company for all your loft boarding, and loft insulation requirements

To apply for the post please contact Transport Manager Joy Oxenham on 01454 250500 or at joy@4tvl.org.uk and send in your CV. The successful applicant will be required to submit to an enhanced DBS check.

0117 2980810 INFO@USEYOURLOFTSPACE.CO.UK

Address: Crossbow House, 58 School Road, Frampton Cotterell, Bristol, BS36 2DA

Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Richard on 0777 555 0607 or email richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

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Filton planning applications in June Visit: beta.southglos.gov.uk/search-planning-applications

Applications McDonalds, Abbey Wood Retail Park, Station Road Alterations to restaurant to include, erection of 2 small under eaves extensions, relocation of entrance door, new access door, provision of additional drive thru booth, minor changes to drive thru lane, reconfigured parking bays, hard standing areas and kerb lines and associated works. Open for comment icon

storey side and single storey rear extension to provide additional living accommodation.

104 Gloucester Road North Installation of rear dormer and side velux window to facilitate loft conversion.

Decisions 104 Gloucester Road North Installation of rear flat roof dormer with Velux Roof Window to side elevation to facilitate loft conversion (Retrospective). Withdrawn

18 Fourth Avenue Application for the continued use (Class C4) as small 4 person HMO. 3 Sixth Avenue Continued use as small House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) for 6 tenants (Class C4). 9 Lomond Road Demolition of existing garage and conservatory. Erection of two

26 Bridgman Grove Erection of rear ground floor and first floor side extensions to facilitate change of use from 6 bedroom HMO (Class C4) to 8 bedroom HMO (Sui Generis) as defined in Town and Country planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended).

52 Station Road The erection of a single storey rear extension which would extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by 6 metres, for which the maximum height would be 4 metres, and for which the height of the eaves would be 2.5 metres. Prior Approval Not Required

July, 2022

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Natwest, 4 Church Road Consent to display 3 internally illuminated static fascia signs, 6 non illuminated fascia signs and 1 internally illuminated static projecting/hanging sign. Advert Approve with Conditions

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people (sui generis) as defined by the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended). Withdrawn

Town and parish councils such as Filton Town Council could play a key role in launching a community-led nature revolution across England, says the Leader of South Gloucestershire Council. But doing so will need an from local authorities that empowers town and parish councils and cements a new kind of relationship across councils, says council leader Toby Savage. The call comes after South Gloucestershire Council piloted a new approach which has led to town and parish councils across the district - including urban and rural areas - taking the lead on protecting and improving their local habitats.

25 Broncksea Road Discharge of conditions 3 (tree planting) and 4 (electric vehicle charge point details) attached to planning permission P20/15173/F - Demolition of existing lean-to and erection of single storey rear extension to facilitate change of use from dwelling (Class C3) to a 10 no. bedroom HMO for 10 people (Sui Generis) as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended). Erection of cycle shed and bin storage. (Resubmission of P20/10926/F). Discharge of Conditions Decided 53 Cropthorne Road Erection of single storey side and rear extensions to facilitate a change of use from a residential dwelling (class C3) to a large house in multiple occupation for up to 7

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Give us a call on 0117 969 0990 or visit our website at bristolcarehomes.co.uk To advertise, contact shane@filtonvoice.co.uk and on 0770 674 1200 or Richard on 0777 555 0607

July, 2022

E: richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

The FIEND

Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square.

2 5 1 8 4 4 2

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V E

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E E

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Grass cutting, hedge and shrub trimming, weeding, planting, felling small trees, winter preparation, clearing, small painting jobs and other maintenance work. Please call for a no-obligation chat

Call 0117 377 0644 or 07415 658 205 Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Richard on 0777 555 0607 or email richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

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Down 1 776 (3) 2 627 (3) 4 833 (3) 6 872835 (6) 7 6338 (4) 8 843 (3) 9 5843 (4)

Across 1 7656 (4) 3 628 (3) 5 68378463 (8) 9 532337 (6) 10 32453 (5) 11 5683 (4)

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July, 2022

What's on in Filton St Peter’s Church: Services

Sunday 26th June 8.30am Said Eucharist 10am Parish Eucharist. Sunday 3rd July 10am Eucharist 5pm Youth of God at the Rectory Sunday 10th July 8.30am Said Eucharist 10am Eucharist Sunday 17th July 8.30am Said Eucharist 10am Family Eucharist Sunday 24th July 8.30am Said Eucharist 10am Eucharist Sunday 31st July 10am Eucharist 6pm Choral Evensong with Benediction We also have our usual Midweek Said Eucharist, Wednesdays, noon.

Social and Church Groups

Our Open House group meets every Tuesday in the church hall from 9.30 - 11am for tea, toast and companionship. Our friendly choir meets for rehearsals every Friday at 7pm in the church. Our Ladies' Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 2pm in the church hall. Full programme and contact details available on our website. Our Mothers' Union meet on Thursdays at 2pm in the Coffee Shop. Again, full details on the website. Brabazon Belles (a social group for women) meet on the first Monday of the month at 7pm in the church hall. You’re welcome to join our fun, friendly Zumba®️classes on Monday & Friday mornings, in the Hall. Zumba Fitness Mon 9.30 & Fri 10am Zumba Gold (Low Impact) Mon 11.15 Contact Jools for more info jooljdh@gmail.com

Coffee Shop

Our Coffee Shop is open for homemade cakes and hot drinks from 10am - 1.30pm (last orders 1.10pm) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. £1.50 donation per

item. You are welcome to bring your own lunch should you wish. You can find more information about all of this, and read our weekly news sheet, by going to www.stpeterschurchfilton. com and if you have any queries, please contact the Rector, or the administrator, who will be only too happy to help. rector@ stpeterschurchfilton.com and faith. stpeterschurchfilton@gmail.com

FACE Mondays: 7-9pm The Hangout youth club for young people aged 13-25, with social or learning disabilities, £2 entry Tuesdays: 10am-12pm Coffee Club (tea & coffee morning for older folk), donations welcomed 5.30-6.30pm Rise youth club for School Years 3 & 4, £2 entry 7-8.30pm Shine youth club for School Years 5 & 6, £2 entry Wednesdays: 7-9pm Outbreak youth club for School Years 7-13, £2 entry Thursdays: *10am-12pm Silver Surfers computer drop-in – not currently running, hopefully back in April – needing volunteers* 1.30-2.30pm Low Impact Fitness session, £4 entry 7-9pm Illuminators social club for adults aged 20+ with social or learning disabilities, £2 entry Fridays: 10-12pm Coffee & Chat group for anyone who wishes to come, soon to be expanded to include optional crafts, donations welcomed

1st Filton Scouts Beavers age 6-8, Wednesday 5:45 – 6:45pm Cubs age 8-10, Monday and Thursday 6:30 – 8pm Scouts age 10 ½ -14, Tues 6:45 – 8:45pm The group is based in Scout HQ, Nutfield Grove, Filton, BS34 7LH. All sections are open to boys and girls. Email:joining@1stfiltonscouts.co.uk Website:1stfiltonscouts.co.uk

Men In Sheds Filton The DIY group, which aims to tackle loneliness and isolation among

men aged over 50, operates from the Scout hut in Nutfield Grove, providing a space to socialise, build, share skills and drink tea. Men in Sheds Filton is part of a national movement, initiated by Age Concern Cheshire in 2009 and sustained by the UK Men’s Sheds Association. The group runs every Wednesday, from 9.30am-12.30pm. Call John Cahill 07986053005

at info@uhct.co.uk or on 0117 9738411.

SHE7

Creative Writing: Free sessions take place every Wednesday at 11am in the Milburn Room.

Tuesday: Bingo 7.30pm - 9.00pm Wednesday: Over 50s lunch, Cooked lunch, pudding and tea/coffee for just £3.50. Please ring 0117 969 5130 to book and arrive by 12.15pm. Wednesday: Bristol Taiko - Japanese Drumming 7.00pm - 8:30pm, £5 per session

International Plastic Modellers Society Avon Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday in the month from 7:30pm for 8.00pm at: BAWA Healthcare & Leisure, 589 Southmead Rd, Filton, Bristol BS34 7RG.

Ukulele Filton We are a friendly and enthusiastic group who meet every Monday evening at Filton Community Centre 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm. Contact Sue on 07504561831

Upper Horfield Community Trust Pilates: Every Monday there are two evening Pilates sessions in the Community Room. For session times and availability, please contact Helen at prime-pilates@ hotmail.com or on 07966 217313. Pregnancy Yoga: There is a Pregnancy Yoga session in the Main Hall every Monday evening. For further details, please contact Kate at hello@bloomyogabristol.co.uk. Art Classes: Two Watercolour Art Classes with renowned artist Anthony Pace take place in the Community Room every Tuesday. The first is at 10am and the second is at 1pm. Last classes before the Summer will be on July 12. Places are limited, so for availability please contact the Trust Administrator

Confidence with Computers: Free sessions take place every Tuesday at 11am in the Milburn Room. Hapkido: Sessions in this Korean martial art take place every Tuesday evening in the Main Hall. For more information, please contact luke.gumbrill@live.co.uk.

Scrabble Club: Bristol Scrabble Club meets every Wednesday at 7.15pm in the Community Room. For further details, please contact Sheila Hinett on 0117 9570792. Craft and Chat: Free sessions take place every Friday at 1pm in the Milburn Room.

Bristol Sugarcraft Guild We are a small friendly group who meet every third Saturday of the month 2pm to 4pm at St Andrews Church, Elm Park, Filton. If you would like to learn to make sugar flowers and models we hold demonstrations and also workshops with instruction. Beginners are very welcome. Please call Jean Kington on 01454 314178 or Carole Hyams on 0117 956 8037 for more information.

Horfield Townswomen’s Guild We will be meeting at St Andrew's Church Hall on the 2nd Wednesday afternoon of each month (except August) at 2pm to 4pm from January 2022. We welcome new members. For more information, please contact Edna on 9495413.

Community Garden At the 'Gardening get-togethers' held twice a month volunteers help keep the garden looking beautiful. Just turn up at 2pm on the day with your gloves on and give us a helping hand. We have a selection of tools and guidance is provided. See poster above for dates Check facebook.com/ filtoncommunitygarden for updates

Filtones Choir Come and exercise your lungs

To advertise, contact shane@filtonvoice.co.uk and on 0770 674 1200 or Richard on 0777 555 0607

July, 2022

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What's on in Filton BRISTOL MALE VOICE CHOIR We meet every Thursday at 7.00pm in St Andrew's Methodist Church, Elm Park, Filton, BS34 7PS. For further information see our website, www.bristolmvc.org.uk, or Facebook, or phone 07587 143 220. For details phone the above number.

Keep fit

Want to stay active and improve your well-being? Why not try your local exercise class at St Teresa's Community Centre on Mondays, 7.15pm to 8.15pm Work at your own level. All abilities welcome. The class is held by a registered Keep Fit Association Teacher

'Beyond Hedonism' The Green Gathering 2022 Award winning, family friendly, off grid festival, 4th - 7th August, Piercefield Park near Chepstow. Tickets and info at: http://www.greengathering.org.uk The festival is the annual fundraiser for the Green Gathering Charity, which promotes ecology and sustainability through education and the arts. and meet new friends every Wednesday afternoon from 1.45-3.45 at St Teresa’s Community Rooms (behind the Church) 71 Gloucester Road North, BS34 7PL. We sing four-part harmony, so all voice ranges are welcome and there are no auditions. Contact Dot on 0117 9690654 or 07870 984760 or Janet on 0117 9241534 or email dorothy.bryant@btinternet.com We’ll be delighted to talk to you.

Ebenezer Church Sundays Services at 10.30am at Orchard School, Filton Road. Contemporary worship music, bible-based talks, real life stories, refreshments, children and youth groups. www.ebe.org.uk/ sundayservices Wednesdays - Footprints

(welcoming group for senior citizens) - 2-3.30pm at Ebenezer Church building (286 Filton Avenue, BS7 0BA) - during term time only. www.ebe.org.uk/ footprints Thursdays - Taste Cafe (drop-in community cafe for all ages) 10.30am-12.30pm at Ebenezer Church building (286 Filton Avenue, BS7 0BA) - during term time only. www.ebe.org.uk/cafe

Concord Wind Band We are a friendly, mixed ability band, playing music for fun. We meet every FRIDAY at St. Andrew's Church, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS, 7.30pm to 9.30pm. We welcome new members. Contact Jayne on 07880724948.

Got a story or any other inquiry? Call Richard on 0777 555 0607 or email richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

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Horfield news

Hospital trust apologises after patients harmed by surgery Hospital bosses have tightened up how patients’ consent is obtained and new medical procedures approved after more than 200 people were harmed from unnecessary bowel surgery. A report to North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT), which runs Southmead Hospital, revealed dozens of people were left in severe pain after consultant colorectal surgeon Tony Dixon gave them pelvic floor surgery using artificial mesh. The review concluded there were 203 cases from the 387 investigated where the patient should have been offered alternative, less invasive treatment and so were deemed to have come to harm, although the operation had been carried out satisfactorily. Lives had been “ruined”, a trust board meeting heard. Mr Dixon, who was suspended when concerns were first raised in 2017 and sacked by NBT two years later, pioneered the use of artificial mesh to lift prolapsed bowels, a technique known as laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy (LVMR), which can result from childbirth. He performed the operations between 2007 and 2017 at Southmead and also the Spire Hospital, a private facility where NHS patients overseen by NBT were regularly referred. Trust medical director Tim Whittlestone told the board on Thursday, May 26, that the patients who first raised concerns were “very brave”. He said: “We acted immediately on those concerns and launched a number of investigations, some of them about an individual surgeon, but more importantly about a review of patients who had undergone this procedure. “On behalf of the trust I’m extremely sorry to patients who have subsequently discovered were harmed as a result of undergoing an operation under our care.” Mr Whittlestone apologised that the “very complex and thorough” review and recall of patients had taken so long but that it had been “one of the largest ever” clinical reassessments undertaken in the UK. He said a large number of patients had accepted the trust’s offer of psychological support but that many required further corrective treatment in other hospitals because NBT lacked the expertise. “We have learned a lot of lessons,” Mr Whittlestone said. “Clinical governance, the question of consent and the approval of new procedures are the core, fundamental principles of good medical

practice and we have really pioneered a different way of consenting patients in a process called shared decision making. “So we set up a group, which also includes university representatives as we want to collect as much data as possible, to look at a completely different way of consenting patients and ensuring they are fully informed before surgery. “We also took steps to improve our multidisciplinary team meetings to ensure that they are quality appraised and are of extremely high calibre, that no one individual or no one procedure or no one perceived wisdom can influence the recommended outcome for patients, and I am confident we have made great strides. “We have increased the speed between realising that we have a recall and communicating with patients. “It’s regrettable that some patients were waiting many months and indeed up to several years to hear the outcome of their recall and review process. “On behalf of the board we would all want to express our regret and deep sorrow to these patients.” He said it was a “very frightening time” for those who had undergone the surgery. “Some have had significant complications from surgery despite the procedure being carried out correctly,” Mr Whittlestone said. “Rectal prolapse is a debilitating and awful condition to start with, and some of the surgery is extremely complex and the potential complications of some of these operations are absolutely awful. “Clearly some patients have had their lives ruined by complications from this surgery. “Unfortunately we don’t yet have the expertise to fully remove mesh and provide full reconstruction, and for those patients we are having to support them in their ongoing NHS care in London and on the south coast.” Trust chairwoman Michele Romaine said: “If you’ve had your life turned upside down you want to know if the organisation has learned the lessons, but also you were on the receiving end of this. “What’s really important is that we are brave enough when we get things wrong to put our hands up and say we got things wrong.” Patients who have spoken out include customer services manager Mandy Giltrow, 49, from Bristol, pictured, who still suffers stomach and bowel pain, recurrent urinary infections and a hernia near her surgery scars.

July, 2022

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To advertise, contact shane@filtonvoice.co.uk and on 0770 674 1200 or Richard on 0777 555 0607

Trade ROOFING services GARDENING SERVICES

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